Soil-geobotanical profiling in studies on communities of the forest-extrazonal steppe junction and zonal forest-steppe (the Baikal Region)

Studies on the structural-dynamic organization and spatiotemporal variation of plant communities at the forest-extrazonal steppe junction and in the zonal forest-steppe have made it possible to reveal some specific features of vegetation formation in certain parts of the Baikal region. It has been shown that processes of paragenesis in the formation of plant communities are characteristic of southwestern Baikal region, while forest expansion to steppe areas is characteristic of the zonal forest-steppe of southwestern Transbaikalia.     

Specific features of the oribatid fauna in high-mountain pine forests of the Eastern Caucasus in relation to altitudinal zonality

The abundance, structure, and distribution of oribatid communities in high-mountain pine forest biotopes of the Eastern Caucasus are described in dependence on elevation above sea level. The oribatid fauna of high-mountain pine forests proved to be characterized by high abundance, an assortment of dominants, and species richness. It was shown that, as the elevation increases, specific dominants typical of particular altitudinal zones appear in communities, and changes in the mass species occur. These species are stable in terms of their long-term dynamics, and zonal groups (communities) demonstrate a high species diversity.     

Effect of ecotopic factors and nature resource use on the diversity of forest communities in northern Kostroma oblast

The results of studies on southern taiga forests in northern Kostroma oblast are presented. They include the typing of old-growth forests, their phytocenotic and ecological characterization, and assessment of their structural and species diversity, successional status, and degree of anthropogenic disturbance. Geomorphological features of the study area and parameters of soils under plant communities of different forest type groups are described. On the basis of generalization of available data, conclusions were drawn concerning specific features of the structure and species diversity of forest communities in different ecotopes and at different stages of succession.     

基于时间序列MODIS数据的贵州省森林物候地域分异

森林物候是气候与环境变化的重要指示器,对于陆地植被生态环境监测具有重要的意义。以2011～2013年的MODIS NDVI(归一化植被指数)为时间序列数据,采用Savizky-Golay(S-G)滤波平滑和动态阀值法,提取出贵州省2012年森林物候的生长起始日期(SOS)、生长结束日期(EOS)、生长季长度(LOS)和生长季振幅(AOS)4个参数,分别将提取的森林物候参数与经度、纬度和海拔做相关性分析。研究结果显示:(1)贵州省森林物候参数与纬度相关性整体较弱,因此贵州省森林物候纬度地带性地域分异的不显著;(2)贵州省森林物候生长起始期、生长季长度与经度呈极显著相关,而森林物候生长结束期与经度呈低度相关,整体上贵州省森林物候参数海陆(经度)地带性地域分异显著;(3)贵州省森林物候生长起始期、生长结束期与海拔呈显著相关,而森林物候生长季长度与海拔呈极显著相关,因此贵州省森林物候参数垂直(海拔)地带性地域分异的十分显著。     

The State of Protected Forest Communities in the European Forest–Steppe Zone of Russia and Prospects for Their Reconstruction: A Case Study of Specially Protected Areas of Penza Oblast

The structure of most forest communities in the European forest–steppe, including protected areas, has been disturbed. The adverse consequences of these disturbances include the incomplete age structure of the populations of cenosis-forming species and the irreversibility of successions. The conservation of biodiversity in the structurally disturbed communities is impossible without human intervention, which must be aimed at restoring their age heterogeneity with regard to their specific ecological features.     

Relationship between Habitat Properties and Composition of Communities in Conifer–Broadleaf Forest

Ecological and phytocenotic features of forest communities were studied in the southwest of Moscow oblast. Based on the ecomorphological groups of species prevalent in the herb–dwarf shrub and moss layers, five groups of communities typical of the conifer–broadleaf forest zone were distinguished (small-herb, small herb-large herb, large-herb, moist-herb, and mixed-herb communities), and their composition was analyzed. Discriminant analysis of the species composition of lower vegetation layers revealed significant differences between the syntaxa, with the percentage of correct classification being 89.8%. To evaluate ecological determination of the above groups of communities, a hypothesis was tested concerning the correlation of their composition with ecotope properties. This hypothesis was verified by means of (1) ordination by ecological indicator values and interpretation of the axes, (2) revealing differences in ecological regimes between habitats of the syntaxa, and (3) combined analysis of on-ground and remote sensing data, particularly spectral brightness of satellite images and morphometric characteristics of the terrain surface. The results confirmed the informativeness of the syntaxa distinguished based on the species composition of the ground vegetation layer and mapping of the ecological regimes of habitats.     

南京方山生态公园不同人工植被土壤动物群落结构时空变化

2009年3月~2010年4月采用干漏斗法和手捡法对南京方山生态公园针阔混交林、茶园、农田等3种典型人工植被生境的土壤动物群落结构及其季节变化进行初步调查。共采得土壤动物样本3 164个,27个类群隶属于5门12纲23目。结果表明：近孔寡毛目（Plesiopora）、弹尾纲（Collembola）和蜱螨目（Acarina）为常年优势类群;双翅目（Diptera）、同翅目（Homoptera）、膜翅目（Hymenoptera）、等足目（Isopoda）、后孔寡毛目（Opisthopora）和鞘翅目（Coleoptera）则为常年常见类群。土壤动物群落类群数和个体数量的季节消长规律分别是夏季>冬季>秋季>春季和夏季>秋季>冬季>春季。不同植被生境的土壤动物个体数量总数依次为茶园>混交林>农田;不同季节、不同人工植被类型以及不同季节和不同人工植被类型之间土壤动物群落的组成具有较大变化,不同类群之间个体数量差异显著。多样性分析表明,土壤动物类群多样性和均匀性指数在夏季时最高;茶园和混交林多样性指数和丰富度指数均高于农田。不同植被类型土壤动物垂直分布特征均表现为具有明显的表聚性,土壤动物的类群垂直分布差异明显,类群数随土层向下逐步减少     

The narrow-skulled vole (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microtus gregalis</Emphasis> Pall.) in the dynamics of zonal rodent communities of northern Eurasia

On the basis of abundant fossil and subfossil bone remains, the ecological and faunal role of the narrow-skulled vole in zonal rodent communities of northern Eurasia is analyzed over the period from the Late Pleistocene to the present time. Special attention is given to the correlated dynamics of relative abundance of Microtus gregalis and other rodent species in the course of transition from one zonal type to another and to specific features of this correlation in the southern, middle, and northern parts of the species range. It is shown that distinctive dimensional and morphotypic features of the two currently existing subspecies, Microtus gregalis major Ogn. and M. g. gregalis Pall., are the product of concordant development of the species and environmental conditions in the past 3000–4000 years (transition from the Holocene optimum to the present-day climate and state of the natural environment). Published in Russian in Ekologiya, 2007, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 117–123. The article was translated by the authors.     

Sexual forms and their ecological correlates of flowering plants in Siberia

The flora of Siberia includes 4500 species, 815 genera, and 123 families of angiosperms. The causes of the relationship between sexual forms and such ecological and biological features of plants as the life form, the mode of pollination, pericarp’s consistency, habitat type, zonal group, and the ecological group in relation to moistening were analyzed and discussed. For the first time, we demonstrated that gynomonoecy in the flora of Siberia was associated with a semiwoody growth form, pollination by wind, and propagation in zonal communities. It was revealed that gynodioecy in Siberia was associated with a semiwoody growth form, circumpolar or Eurasian distribution, and floodplain meadows. It was found that the ratio of dioecious and hermaphrodite plants in the ecological-biological complexes of species directly depends on the frequency of the abundance of species with endemic areas.     

Socioeconomic Impact of Forest Eco-compensation Mechanism in Hainan Province of China

The establishment of the forest eco-compensation mechanism could realize the value of the forest ecosystem services partly or thoroughly, stress the equality of the stakeholders, encourage public participation in forest ecosystem tendering, and strengthen the capacity of sustainable management. Taking the Hainan province as an example, this study focuses on the analysis of major socioeconomic and ecological impacts of forest eco-compensation in the Qiongzhong County and Lingshui County, and recommends approaches and practices for the establishment of the eco-compensation mechanism in the Hainan Province. Data were collected from a household questionnaire survey. Altogether 120 households have been interviewed, and Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) was applied for data analysis. Most of the respondents held a positive attitude toward the forest eco-compensation policy which has contributed to the improvement of environmental quality. However, forest protection has limited the opportunities for the income growth of local communities, who have never got sufficient compensation from either the central or local governments. Insufficient financial support to forest institutions and local communities involved in forest management has led to major conflicts in forest management, such as, the conflict between forest protection and local economic development, and decrease in arable land area and increase in surplus labor force. On the basis of case study results, the core issues of forest eco-compensation mechanism in Hainan province are discussed. Finally, suggestions and recommendations that cover forest eco-compensation standards, management institutions, and community capacity building and diversification of financing channels, have been made for the establishment of forest eco-compensation mechanism in Hainan.     

Structure of small mammal communities in Moscow parks and public gardens

Data collected between 1987 and 2002 have been used to analyze the structure of small mammal communities in parks and public gardens of the city of Moscow. With regard to several ecological parameters, four categories of parks markedly differing in biotopic conditions have been distinguished. The least stable zoocenoses are formed in deteriorating parks. More favorable ecological conditions exist in public gardens and regular parks, where not only synanthropic but also hemisynanthropic rodents can be found. The fauna of small mammals in landscape parks is similar to that in forest cenoses, but this fauna in park forests better complies with the concept of forest community.     

Using stated preference methods to assess environmental impacts of forest biomass power plants in Portugal

As a renewable energy source, the use of forest biomass for electricity generation is advantageous in comparison with fossil fuels; however, the activity of forest biomass power plants causes adverse impacts, affecting particularly neighbouring communities. The main objective of this study is to estimate the effects of the activity of forest biomass power plants on the welfare of two groups of stakeholders, namely local residents and the general population. To this end, we apply two stated preference methods: contingent valuation and discrete choice experiments, respectively. The former method was applied to estimate the minimum compensation residents of neighbouring communities of two forest biomass power plants in Portugal would be willing to accept. The latter method was applied among the general population to estimate their willingness to pay to avoid specific environmental impacts. The results show that the presence of the selected facilities affects individuals’ well-being. On the other hand, in the discrete choice experiments conducted among the general population all impacts considered were valued, in particular odour and fauna and flora impacts. The results of this study stress the importance of performing an equity analysis of the welfare effects on different groups of stakeholders from the installation of forest biomass power plants, as their effects on welfare are location and impact specific. Policy makers should take into account the views of all stakeholders either directly or indirectly involved when deciding crucial issues regarding the sitting of new forest biomass power plants, in order to achieve an efficient and equitable outcome.     

Zonal patterns in the formation of synanthropic vegetation in the city of Kursk

Analysis of zonal patterns in the formation of synanthropic vegetation has shown that the intensity of manifestation of its zonal differentiation increases with the advancement of the successional stage of synanthropic communities. The rate of successional processes in these communities depends on the initial (potential) type of vegetation in the territory of the city.     

安徽省森林生态承载力及其重心迁移研究

以安徽省72个区县为研究样本,基于PSR(Pressure-State-Response)模型,运用熵权法与专家法确定综合权重,根据综合指数法计算森林生态承载力指数,并对2001～2016年安徽省森林生态承载力进行时空分析,同时在GIS技术支持下对安徽省县域森林生态承载力重心轨迹的演变规律进行研究.结果表明:安徽省森林生态承载力状况整体上得到了很大改善,全省大部分区县处于可载等级;政府林业投资强度、天然林保护面积占比、退耕还林面积占比、林分结构等指标权重较大;省内森林生态承载力水平分布不均衡,超载地区主要分布在皖北平原地区,可载地区则大多分布在皖西南山区;森林生态承载力重心在2001～2006年从西北向东南方向迁移,2006～2009年从东南向东北方向迁移,2009～2016再次向东南方向迁移,且迁移的速度明显加快.     

海南省森林生态补偿机制的社会经济影响分析

建立森林生态补偿机制能够部分或全都地实现森林生态效益的价值，体现出利益相关者之间的平等性，动员全社会参与森林生态系统的保育，更好地加强森林可持续经营的能力。本研究以海南省为案例，从居民问卷分析和机构调查分析入手，分析生态公益林区的生态环境和社会经济影响，讨论建立海南省生态补偿的管理机制。研究表明，大多数农户对生态补偿机制持赞同态度。从总体上看，生态补偿机制的建立对改善生态环境起到了很大的作用，但是农户得到森林生态补偿较低，难以有效地提高农户的生活水平。通过案例研究发现，林业管理机构和居民面临的共同困难是资金不足，由此带来生态公益林保护与周边地区经济发展之间的矛盾，表现为保护与地区经济收入的冲突，耕地面积减少与剩余劳动力的矛盾。在案例研究结果的基础上，探讨海南省森林生态补偿机制的核心问题，提出了海南省森林生态补偿机制的初步设想，包括科学制定地方性生态补偿标准、构建高效的地方管理机构，提高社区能力建设以及扩展生态补偿多元化融资渠道等。     

Ecological assessment of murine rodent communities in the mountain forest belt of southern Central Siberia

The results of long-term studies on the fauna and ecology of murine rodents inhabiting the mountain forest belt of southern Central Siberia are considered. A comparative analysis of the composition and organization of rodent communities has been performed in 15 key plots located within three geographic-climatic facies: perhumid, humid, and semihumid. The species composition, dominance structure, and total abundance of these communities in each facies have significant distinctive features, despite the generally high similarity of the communities within the forest belt. Information indices have been used to determine parameters of the diversity and evenness of communities, which reflect their state and degree of resistance to various factors.     

Comparison of different ecological scales with respect to efficiency in assessing ecological conditions in forests of the Southern Ural region

Ecological scales proposed by H. Ellenberg, E. Landolt, and D.N. Tsyganov have been used to evaluate the roles of three ecological factors—elevation above sea level, soil moisture, and soil nitrogen—in determining the composition of forest communities in the Southern Ural region. The results obtained with all these scales are similar, which indicates that any of them can serve the purpose.     

Small mammals in undisturbed and restored tundra biogeocenoses

Small mammal communities have been studied in undisturbed and restored zonal biogeocenoses in the southern subzone of eastern European tundras. The results show that the consequences of anthropogenic disturbances to the environment have an adverse effect on parameters of abundance, spatial distribution, and population dynamics of species comprising zonal communities. Soil and plant components of the disturbed biogeocenosis recover more rapidly than its small mammal community.     

Dynamics of plant communities in insular pine forests of Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe

The dynamics of vegetation have been studied in forest-steppe pine (Pinus symvestris L.) forests affected by anthropogenic factors such as felling and fires. Gradient analysis has been used to reveal specific ecological features of plant communities and trace the main directions of succession. The results show that these forests are at different stages of progressive succession, with the development of theircommunities following similar trends over the past few decades.     

Community forestry management and livelihood development in northwest China: integration of governance, project design, and community participation

In projects of community development and natural resource management, local residents collaborate with government and NGOs on decisions about forest management and participate in programs designed to improve livelihoods while sustaining natural resources. This paper uses case studies and survey data in Gansu province of northwest China to explore social, ecological, and economic outcomes of community-based co-management (CBCM). Findings show that CBCM appears to have significantly increased livelihoods for local community residents overall. Forest condition and attitudes about forest conservation were also improved. However, economic benefits were not enjoyed uniformly within the communities because, although CBCM projects are nominally available to all, certain subgroups within communities are less likely to participate. Greater education, being married, and access to information are all strongly correlated with participation and thus the economic benefits of CBCM projects. Women, although they frequently participate in household decisions, are infrequent participants in CBCM projects, perhaps because project design does not meet their needs. Future improvements to CBCM project design should include increased access to information, education, and equitable treatment of diverse stakeholders in the decision-making process. Such improvements would likely lead to improvements in livelihoods as well as more sustainable forest management and conservation.