湿地生态系统服务功能评估研究进展

介绍了湿地生态系统服务功能评估发展历程和生态系统服务价值评估的理论基础,对湿地生态服务功能评估的流程、方法、指标体系建立给出了参考范例,并探讨了生态服务价值评估在方法和技术上需要改进的几个方面,主要包括评价方法的统一、生态过程价值的理解、计量参数修正、标准和体系的选择、对生态服务功能状态好坏分级评估。阐述了生态系统服务价值评估还存在某些问题及有待今后发展的理论和方法来改进和完善的途径。     

农田生态系统服务功能研究进展

农田生态系统是人类社会存在和发展的基础,研究农田生态系统服务功能及其价值评估具有重要的意义.文章综述了国内外有关农田生态系统服务功能及其价值评估的研究进展;提出了农田生态系统服务功能的特点;将其服务功能类型划分为生产功能、生态功能和生活功能.分析了当前研究中存在的问题,如服务功能形成的微观机制及其参数研究欠缺;评价结果不准确;评价指标和方法有待完善等.因此,今后农田生态系统服务功能价值评估研究重点应着重于理论探索和方法完善方面,从农田生态系统微观形成机制入手,开展不同尺度和类型的农田生态系统功能价值评估研究,充分考虑影响其功能价值的因素,改进评估的手段、方法和技术,使评估结果更具可比性和实用性,为合理开发利用农业资源、管理农田生态系统,实现农业的永续发展提供理论依据和技术支持.     

近20年国内外生态系统服务研究回顾与解析

生态系统服务对人类生存发展以及生态环境的可持续具有重要的意义,作为当前生态学、环境科学、地理学、生态经济学等诸多学科的研究热点和前沿,目前已经积累了大量的研究成果。文章基于Citespace V5.2软件以及文献计量学分析方法,以Web of science核心合集与CNKI核心期刊为数据来源,系统地分析了1999—2018年近20年国内外生态系统服务研究热点、进展与存在的问题。首先从生态系统服务形成机制及其流动、生物多样性与生态系统服务、土地利用与生态系统服务、气候变化与生态系统服务、生态系统服务评估、生态系统服务权衡协同与生态管理等6个方面对国际生态系统服务的研究热点进行了详细的评述。又进一步从生态系统服务价值评估、土地利用变化与生态系统服务、生态系统服务与可持续等3个方面对国内近20年生态系统服务研究进展与现状进行追踪与分析;讨论了目前国内研究中存在生态系统服务理论研究尚待深入、评估方法科学性有待提高、研究结果应用性不强等3个方面的问题。最后,针对当前研究存在的问题与未来发展方向提出展望:加强生态系统服务形成机理及综合应用研究、建立更加精确的生态系统服务价值评估体系指标与方法、加强生态系统服务区域集成和尺度转化研究。     

湿地生态系统服务价值评价去重复性研究的思考

重复计算一直是困扰湿地生态系统服务价值评价的一个难点问题。湿地生态系统服务的复杂性及其组成分的非线性容易导致在计算湿地生态系统服务价值时容易导致重复计算,如果不能正确的去除湿地生态系统服务价值评价中重复计算的部分,会使评估结果的可信度降低。湿地生态系统服务价值评价的重复性计算主要体现在两个方面,总服务价值评价中的重复计算和部分服务之间的重复计算。湿地生态系统服务由湿地生态系统和生物多样性产生,并为人类福祉做出贡献,在这一过程中,湿地生态系统功能与服务的复杂的关系及服务之间的因果关系容易导致在计算生态系统总的服务价值时重复计算的产生,也就是分类时存在重复计算。部分服务之间的重复计算则主要是由于指标的模糊不清、参数的重复和评价方法的选择导致的。通过分析湿地生态系统服务价值评价重复性计算产生的原因,文章提出了一个具体的解决框架,包括最终服务的确定、指标的明确、模型的构建以及评估方法的选择等。首先,将湿地生态系统服务分成中间服务和最终服务,以最终服务作为最终要评价的服务;其次,针对部分服务中可能存在的重复计算,从指标和参数的明确、评价方法的选择和数学模型的构建等方面进行解决;最后,构建一个优化的湿地生态系统服务价值评价体系。希望通过这些解决办法来降低湿地生态系统服务价值评价中重复计算的可能性,以期更加准确的评估湿地生态系统服务。     

生态系统服务内涵、价值评估与GIS表达

生态系统服务价值评估是当前生态经济学领域的研究热点,为解决生态系统之于人类的重要性提供了量化的参考,也是生态补偿机制建立的重要依据.近5年国际上SCI论文发表数量以年均40%速度增长,我国研究起步于上世纪90年代末,十年来发展迅速,从对国外研究的简单模仿逐渐转向对评估模型参数的修正及对技术方法的适应性集成与发展.生态系统服务的内涵研究不断推进,在阐释“自然组分-生态过程-生态功能-生态服务.获得利益”关系上呈现多种观点,相应地提出了不同的价值评估指标体系;生态系统服务价值评估以瞬时静态为主,动态评估略显不足;研究对象从大尺度和单一生态系统逐渐转向中尺度区域,评估结果表现形式从单一数值化向基于GIS的空间表达发展.在回顾全球范围生态系统服务评估研究成果的基础上,从研究区域分布与学科特点、内涵及分类、评估方法和GIS技术应用等四大方面进行归纳分析,并从生态系统管理和决策支持需求的角度,指出生态系统评估研究已取得显著进展,但有关生态系统服务的内涵与分类、生态系统服务价值的动态评估及GIS技术的应用研究仍待深入.     

生态系统服务价值评估的研究进展

生态系统服务价值评估是当前生态经济学和环境经济学的研究焦点。首先回顾了国内外关于生态系统服务功能的概念和分类的研究;其次根据发展历程分析了国外生态系统服务价值的评估研究;然后从全国、区域以及单个生态系统等方面探讨国内生态系统服务价值评估的研究。最后指出现有生态系统服务价值评估研究中的不足及今后发展方向,以期丰富生态系统服务价值评估理论。     

洪泽湖湿地生态系统服务功能价值评估研究

根据湿地生态系统服务功能将洪泽湖湿地的生态系统服务价值分为物质生产价值、供水价值、旅游科考价值、物种栖息地价值、调节气候价值、污染净化价值和调蓄洪水价值,并分别对这些价值进行评估,得出洪泽湖湿地生态系统服务功能的总价值为51.21亿元,发现洪泽湖湿地在调蓄洪水、物质生产和环境保护等方面的价值突出。     

基于土地利用的喀斯特地区生态系统服务功能价值评估——以贵州省为例

为探讨喀斯特地区生态系统服务功能价值特征,对贵州省生态系统服务功能价值进行评估,结果表明生态系统服务功能价值在2005、2010、2020年分别为1 610.43亿、2 357.86亿、4 328.89亿元.贵州省各类生态系统服务功能单价顺序为湿地>水体>森林>草地>农田>荒漠,其中湿地生态系统是荒漠生态系统服务功能价值的149.31倍.2005～2020年贵州省生态服务功能价值结构和土地利用结构以森林生态系统占绝对优势,各类型生态系统服务功能价值顺序为森林>农田>草地>水体>荒漠>湿地,各类型生态系统面积大小顺序为森林>农田>荒漠>草地>水体>湿地.2005、2010、2020年贵州省单位面积生态系统服务功能价值分别为9 142、13 385、24 573元/hm2.根据至2020年的土地利用规划,贵州省生态系统服务功能将持续增加.     

海南省滨海自然湿地生态系统服务功能价值评估

以海南主岛的滨海自然湿地为研究对象,采用最新的海南省第二次(2009─2013年)湿地资源调查以及海南省统计年鉴(2013年)和相关调查统计资料,构建生态系统服务功能价值评估体系,结合国内外通用的湿地评价方法,对海南省滨海自然湿地生态系统服务功能价值进行了较全面的评估。结果表明,海南省滨海自然湿地生态系统生态服务功能总价值为5 848 665.00万元,其中水文调节价值2 846 803.55万元,固碳价值2 351 567.77万元,动物产品价值1 469 500.00万元,防风消浪价值1 175 287.62万元,生物多样性维持价值985 544.48万元,分别占总价值的31.72%、26.20%、16.37%、13.10%和10.98%,是主要的生态服务功能。文章对海南省滨海自然湿地生态系统所进行的定量评估,不仅可提高人类对滨海自然湿地生态系统的正确认识,还可为湿地资源的合理开发利用以及当地政府湿地保护相关政策的制定提供科学依据。     

基于突变级数法的吉林省生态补偿标准核算

为客观准确地确定各类土地的生态补偿标准,结合已有研究成果,采用突变级数法对生态系统的服务功能价值进行分析与评价,在此基础上提出基于突变理论的各类土地生态系统服务功能价值转换因子、均衡因子和生态补偿标准动态核算模型.应用该模型计算吉林省生态补偿标准,得出2012年吉林省耕地、林地、草地、湿地、水域和未利用地的生态补偿标准分别为1.534 9、2.018 5、1.682 1、2.094 9、1.826 8和0.823 6万元·hm-2,该生态补偿标准符合吉林省经济和社会发展的客观实际情况.基于生态系统服务功能理论和突变理论的生态补偿标准动态核算模型便于应用,具有较高可靠性和普遍适用性.     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

Globalization of the Cashmere Market and the Decline of Large Mammals in Central Asia

As drivers of terrestrial ecosystems, humans have replaced large carnivores in most areas, and human influence not only exerts striking ecological pressures on biodiversity at local scales but also has indirect effects in distant corners of the world. We suggest that the multibillion dollar cashmere industry creates economic motivations that link western fashion preferences for cashmere to land use in Central Asia. This penchant for stylish clothing, in turn, encourages herders to increase livestock production which affects persistence of over 6 endangered large mammals in these remote, arid ecosystems. We hypothesized that global trade in cashmere has strong negative effects on native large mammals of deserts and grassland where cashmere‐producing goats are raised. We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass of native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviorally based fieldwork to test our hypothesis. In Mongolia increases in domestic goat production were associated with a 3‐fold increase in local profits for herders coexisting with endangered saiga (Saiga tatarica).That increasing domestic grazing pressure carries fitness consequences was inferred on the basis of an approximately 4‐fold difference in juvenile recruitment among blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur)in trans‐Himalayan India. Across 7 study areas in Mongolia, India, and China's Tibetan Plateau, native ungulate biomass is now <5% that of domestic species. Such trends suggest ecosystem degradation and decreased capacity for the persistence of native species, including at least 8 Asian endemic species: saiga, chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), snow leopard(Panthera uncia), khulan(Equus hemionus), kiang (E. kiang), takhi (E. przewalski), and wild yak (Bos mutus). Our results suggest striking yet indirect and unintended actions that link trophic‐level effects to markets induced by the trade for cashmere. Globalización del Mercado de Cachemira y la Declinación de Mamíferos Mayores en Asia Central