青藏高原东部原始林下地表主要苔藓斑块特征及其影响因素

引入并应用斑块概念对大渡河上游藓类-冷杉原始林下地表1hm^2面积的锦丝藓、大羽藓、赤茎藓、塔藓、锦丝-赤茎藓等五种地表苔藓斑块结构特征作了调查分析，并同时测定了斑块相关环境因子（空气温度、空气湿度、基质湿度、光照强度、乔木盖度、灌木盖度、草本盖度及生物量、凋落物盖度）。对数据进行综合分析发现，不同斑块类型在生物量、个体密度、层片厚度和物种丰富度上都表现出一定的差异性，所调查环境因素各个方面在五种斑块之间都表现出较强的差异性．且各类斑块的结构特征与环境因子间分别表现山很强的相关性。影响斑块结构特征的最主要因素是藓丛表面空气温度，空气湿度、光照强度和草本层盖度、灌木层的盖度等也对斑块特征产生重要影响，而草本层生物器、凋落物盖度及乔木层盖度仅对个别斑块的结构特征产生影响，基质湿度并未对斑块特征产生显著影响，可能是因为不同藓类生长基质不同所致。     

左家自然保护区采伐迹地土壤动物群落特征

林地采伐后形成采伐迹地,其植被处于逐渐恢复阶段,改变了原有地上植物群落组成及土壤的生态环境.于2011年4月和7月研究了吉林左家自然保护区采伐13-14年迹地和未被采伐的相应生境的土壤动物群落结构,以期为森林生态系统恢复提供土壤动物学依据.采样生境分别是:蒙古栎+黑桦林采伐迹地,人工落叶松林采伐迹地,蒙古栎+黑桦林和人工落叶松林.结果显示:蒙古栎+黑桦林采伐迹地大型土壤动物个体密度为251.5只/m2,类群数22类,多样性指数为2.34,显著低于未经采伐蒙古栎+黑桦林的个体密度(309.5只/m2)、类群数(30类)、多样性指数(3.13);中小型土壤动物个体密度为0.97×104只/m2,类群数20类,多样性指数1.98,均低于未经采伐蒙古栎+黑桦林的个体密度(2.12×104只/m2)、类群数(22类)、多样性指数(2.05).人工落叶松林采伐迹地则相反.土壤动物群落与土壤有机质、全氮(P0.05)和pH(P0.05)有明显相关性,而与土壤全磷(P0.05)和含水率(P0.05)相关性不明显.总之,采伐在一定程度上改变了土壤动物的群落组结构,但由于采伐前林型不同使得采伐后植被恢复过程中土壤动物群落的变化也存在差异.     

贵阳喀斯特公园南石林秋季藓类植物的持水特性

藓类植物是恶劣环境条件下的"拓荒者",在水土保持和群落演替甚至荒漠地区生态环境的改善中发挥着不可替代的作用。通过考察贵阳喀斯特公园南石林不同石生藓类的生物量、饱和吸水率及蒸发速率,探求藓类植物在石漠化地区的水土保持能力。选取贵阳喀斯特公园南石林优势藓类植物,与结皮土壤分离,烘干后测其生物量。将藓类植物充分吸水后测饱和吸水量,并分别在20、40、60、90 min,2、3、4、8、12、24、28、32、36、40 h后测量其蒸腾速率。结果显示,不同藓类持水保水差异显著(P0.05),生物量最小的是狭叶湿地藓(Hyophila stenophylla),为(6.92±0.75)g·m~(-2),最大的是纤枝短月藓(Brachymenium exile),为(62.64±2.45)g·m~(-2);饱和吸水量最低的是狭叶湿地藓,为(123.61±1.21)g·m~(-2),最高的是纤枝短月藓,为(689.89±6.89)g·m~(-2);饱和吸水率最低的是多枝短月藓(Brachymenium leptophyllum),为(524.98±3.65)%,最高的是穗枝赤齿藓(Erythrodontium julaceum),为(1 633.30±7.48)%。在0~30 h内藓类植物蒸发速率呈下降趋势,到30 h左右蒸发速率逐渐趋近于0 g·kg~(-1)·h~(-1),黑扭口藓(Barbula grescens)水分更容易丧失,羽枝青藓(Brachythecium plumosum)水分较其他藓类不易丧失。因此,优选云南赤枝藓(Braunia delavayi)和纤枝短月藓为适用于石漠化修复的藓类植物。     

The diversity and floristic characteristics of mosses in Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve北大核心CSCD

苔藓是生态系统的重要组分和自然保护区的重点保护对象之一,在物种资源和生态系统功能维护中具有重要作用.通过野外标本采集和室内鉴定,对九寨沟国家级自然保护区的藓类植物的物种组成和分布特点进行研究.结果表明:(1)九寨沟共有藓类植物38科90属211种(含变种),其中优势科为青藓科(Brachytheciaceae)、丛藓科(Pottiaceae)、灰藓科(Hypnaceae)、金灰藓科(Pylaisiaceae)、提灯藓科(Mniaceae)、真藓科(Bryaceae)和羽藓科(Thuidiaceae);并且调查发现两种濒危级别的珍稀藓种.(2)九寨沟藓类植物的区系地理成分可划分为10个,优势成分为东亚分布,占34.2%,其次为北温带分布,占30.9%.(3)通过与西南地区5个自然保护区藓类植物的相似系数和区系谱主成分分析发现,九寨沟藓类植物种类与贡嘎山的共有种最多,达到94种,在区系成分上也与贡嘎山和王朗相近.本研究表明九寨沟高原喀斯特生境藓类植物物种资源丰富,虽然区系地理成分具有多样和复杂性,但主要还是以东亚分布和温带分布为主,在物种相似度和区系成分上与贡嘎山和王朗的藓类植物一致性更高.(图3表6参47)     

汶川地震对森林土壤养分动态的影响

地震导致地表植被严重破坏,土壤物理性质和养分循环发生明显变化,这对震后植被恢复有重要影响.选取两处受汶川地震影响的森林植被区,分别设置4个处理,即地震迹地、地震迹地枯木旁、邻近未受损森林、邻近未受损林窗,对比研究表层土壤(0-20 cm)物理因子、有机质、速效养分以及微生物等.结果显示两处研究地点有大致一样的趋势:地震迹地与地震迹地枯木旁温差与p H值浮动变化显著大于未受损森林与林窗,土壤含水量明显低于未受损森林和林窗;震后造成土壤有机质含量显著降低,损失高达50%,速效养分损失高达80%;速效养分(铵态氮和硝态氮)与微生物生物量碳氮含量由高到低顺序为邻近未受损森林、邻近未受损林窗、地震迹地枯木旁、地震迹地;震后枯木在地震迹地形成养分热点,其速效养分及微生物生物量碳、氮高于地震迹地,在生长季节较为显著,其速效养分硝态氮含量最高是地震迹地的5.88倍.本研究表明汶川地震导致受损森林系统表层土壤有机质等的极大流失,同时震后迹地土壤有效养分、微生物生物量显著降低,地震迹地枯木旁形成土壤"肥力岛",震后生态系统恢复将经历养分富集和植被演替过程.     

旅游干扰对九寨沟原始森林岷江冷杉树干附生苔藓植物组成和结构的影响

附生苔藓植物是森林生物多样性的重要组分,对森林及其环境的质量有很好的指示作用.为了揭示旅游活动对森林及其环境的影响,调查了几寨沟原始森林景点内附近旅游活动频繁地段与未扰动地段原始林优势种岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)树干4个高度附生苔藓种类的组成、生物量和群落结构,采用独立样本t检验对苔藓层结构参数进行了差异性检验.结果表明:(1)冷杉树干附生苔藓物种组成在旅游活动频繁地段与未扰动地段有很大的差异.在旅游活动频繁地段,耐荫喜湿物种局部消失(重要值下降),耐干旱抗干扰的植物种群扩大;(2)旅游活动频繁地段树干附生苔藓植物的丰富度、盖度和生物量较未扰动地段小;(3)距地面较高的高度120 cm和180 cm处受到的干扰强度最大,基部的影响较小.旅游活动对附生苔藓植物的干扰主要为间接的环境影响,其机理还未充分认识,还需进一步研究.综合分析表明,旅游干扰影响了几寨沟的生态环境,需要进一步加强管理,控制游客数量和规范游客行为.图2表3参25     

皆伐对青藏高原东部银露梅种群生长与繁殖的影响

调查了青藏高原东部川西云杉原始林下优势灌木银露梅及其在皆伐7 a后迹地上的种群结构、生长与繁殖状况,并进行了对比研究.发现(1)皆伐迹地生境中的银露梅灌丛年龄结构、萌生株年龄结构、萌生株数大小结构和冠幅结构与原始林下相比均存在着较大的差异;(2)在皆伐生境中,与林下同龄的银露梅丛冠幅、基径总和以及株高总和均显著增加,皆伐显著促进了银露梅的无性萌生能力和结实数量的增加.综合分析表明,银露梅能有效适应迹地退化形成的阳性生境,因此可作为高海拔地区皆伐迹地植被恢复中先锋灌木种.图2表1参21     

土壤种子库对原有植被恢复的贡献

世界各国在大面积采用外来种替代本地树种之后 ,森林在植物组成上有很大变化[1,2 ] ,维管束植物迅速的减少 ,尤其是春天萌发的草本植物快速减少[2～ 7] .在苏格兰 ,次生木本植物在森林中所占的比例不到 10 % [8] ,而外来Piceasitchenisis几乎占了5 0 % [9] .大面积的外来物种纯林所带来的危害就是在林分的稳定性、抵御病虫害以及发挥森林的生态效益等方面表现出明显的劣势 .目前 ,一些地区的森林管理者提出用本地种逐渐取代外来种的经营目标[10 ,11] .原有森林地表植被的恢复主要有以下几种途径 :(1)种植缺失的草本植物 ;(2 )临近原始林种…     

广东康禾自然保护区地面苔藓种群分布与格局分析

种群分布格局是植物群落的重要特征,研究种群分布格局是理解植物群落形成和构建的基础。采用Poisson数学模型和方差均值法检验广东康禾自然保护区地面苔藓种群分布格局的类型,利用双向轨迹方差法(TTLQV)分析其格局变化。结果显示,研究区苔藓植物整体呈集群分布,优势种东亚拟鳞叶藓(Pseudotaxiphyllum pohliaecarpum)平均拥挤指数最高(m*=13.04),聚块性指数最低(m*/m=1.15),细叶小羽藓(Haplocladium microphyllum)和细指苔(Kurzia gonyotricha)的平均拥挤指数次之,分别为11.85、10.00;而非优势物种树生扁萼苔(Radula obscura)和长叶羽苔(Plagiochila flexuosa)聚快性指数最高,分别为14.79、14.45;说明优势物种的种间竞争更强烈,非优势物种分布更聚集。种群格局变化表明,研究区苔藓植物的格局规模以小斑块聚集居多,如细指苔、神山细鳞苔(Lejeunea eifrigii)、东亚拟鳞叶藓及南方小锦藓(Brotherella henonii)等多个物种在区组4、5、15、22、24呈现斑块聚集,其格局规模的差异可能与苔藓植物的生存策略和生长环境密切相关。苔类植物与苔藓植物的整体格局变化更接近,在区组4都呈大斑块聚集,整体为镶嵌格局;而藓类植物在区组5、16、22均有较大的峰值波动,为大斑块聚集;说明苔类植物优势种群组在群落中占主导地位。不同苔藓物种呈现不同的格局变化,主要受其生物学特性与种间竞争的影响,生境异质性则是其集群分布的主要原因。     

不同营林措施对林下层多样性和群落结构的影响

在人为活动干扰较为强烈的农林复合生态系统中,开展不同营林措施对林下层植物多样性和群落结构的影响研究,对于解决大尺度林下生境保护与小面积森林经营的矛盾问题具有重要的参考意义,也符合林区的现实需求。本研究针对东北国有林区的典型性和特殊性,于2013—2015年夏季调查了小兴安岭3种主要营林措施(割灌抚育、采伐和林下种植)对森林下层植物群落物种组成、结构特征、物种多样性及林下层生物量的影响。结果表明:草本层物种更容易受到人类管理活动的影响,其物种组成的变化大于灌木层的变化;3种经营措施都会降低灌草层盖度,种植样地灌草层高度和盖度下降最显著,相比对照组,其灌木和草本层盖度分别降了40%和54%;割灌时间越久,灌木层高度越高;3种经营措施均降低了物种多样性,其中种植作业的干扰最强烈,种植措施对灌木层的破坏高于草本层;生物量从高到低排序依次为2010年割灌样地、对照样地、采伐样地和种植样地,其值分别为2.1、2、1和0.4 kg?m~(-2)。本研究发现割灌抚育、采伐、林下种植等措施对森林下层植物组成、群落结构特征、物种多样性等方面均有不同程度的影响,整体而言,种植方式的干扰最为强烈。     

Bryophyte responses to microclimatic edge effects across riparian buffers.

Although riparian buffers are an important aspect of forest management in the boreal forest of Canada, little is known about the habitat conditions within buffers, due in part to complex edge effects in response to both the upland clearcut and the stream. We investigated microclimatic conditions and bryophyte growth and vitality in seven locations between the stream edge and 60 m into the upland undisturbed conifer forests and at the clearcut sites with riparian buffer 30 km northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. We hypothesized that the growth and vitality of a pleurocarpous moss, Hylocomium splendens, and an acrocarpous moss, Polytrichum commune, would be directly related to the microclimatic gradients detected. We further hypothesized that sensitivity of the bryophytes to environmental factors will vary depending on their life form type, i.e., pleurocarpous moss will respond differently than the acrocarpous moss. Both bryophyte species were transplanted in pots and placed at 10-m intervals along 60-m transects perpendicular to the stream across the buffer and undisturbed sites. Bryophyte growth, cover, and vitality, as well as microclimatic parameters and plant cover, were measured over the summer in 2003. The riparian buffers were simultaneously affected by microclimatic gradients extending from both the clearcut edge and the riparian-upland ecotonal edge. Both bryophyte species responded to changes in the microclimatic conditions. However, vapor pressure deficit (VPD) was the most important factor influencing the growth of H. splendens, whereas for P. commune growth soil moisture was most important. Our study confirms earlier findings that interior forest bryophytes such as H. splendens can be used as indicators to monitor edge effects and biodiversity recovery following forest harvesting. We demonstrate that growth and vitality of these bryophytes reflect the prevailing near-ground microclimatic conditions at the forest edges. Abundance estimates of such bryophytes can be used to determine the depth of edge effects across both ecotonal edges (e.g., riparian-upland forest edge) and anthropogenically created edges (e.g., clearcut edge). Forest management practices must consider depth of edge in determining the appropriate width of riparian buffers that would be necessary to sustain biodiversity and associated values at the land/water interface.     

Slope aspect modifies community responses to clear-cutting in boreal forests

Slope aspect modifies microclimate and influences ecological processes and spatial distribution of species across forest landscapes, but the impact of slope aspect on community responses to disturbance is poorly understood. Such insight is necessary to understand landscape community dynamics and resilience. We compared bryophyte (liverworts and mosses) communities in matched 0.02-ha plots of four boreal stand types in central Sweden: recently clear-felled and mature stands dominated by Norway spruce in south-facing and north-facing slopes. Differences between forests and clear-cuts were interpreted as effects of clear-cutting, and differences between south- and north-facing slopes as effects of aspect. In response to clear-cutting, bryophyte cover and composition changed more in south-facing slopes. Only one out of ten significantly declining species in south-facing slopes also declined significantly in north-facing slopes. North-facing slopes lost fewer bryophyte species, and among those, fewer forest species and fewer species associated with wood and bark. In north-facing slopes, the average proportions of mosses and liverworts shared between the forest and the clear-cut plot were 88% and 74%, respectively. Corresponding numbers for south-facing slopes were 79% and 33%. In addition, more bryophyte species were added in north- than south-facing slopes after clear-cutting, somewhat reducing the difference in compositional change between aspects. South- and north-facing mature forests differed in species composition, mostly due to higher richness of mosses in south-facing slopes. The smaller changes in bryophyte communities on north-facing slopes in response to clear-cutting have implications for ecosystem dynamics and management as high local survival may enhance landscape-level resilience.     

Moss species benefits from breakdown of cyclic rodent dynamics in boreal forests

Bryophytes have increased in abundance in northern regions, and climate changes have been proposed to account for this change. However, changes in the population dynamics of microtine rodents may also contribute to changes in bryophyte abundance. New evidence indicates a tendency for microtine rodent population oscillations to change from periodicity of 3-5 years to become irregular or acyclic. The impact on ecosystem functioning is potentially great. We study the impact of variation in microtine rodent population characteristics, such as cycle length and amplitude, on the population dynamics of the boreal, clonal moss Hylocomium splendens. We use experimental and observational demographic data to construct 127 scenarios representing all combinations of disturbance type (gap formation and/or clipping), period (cyclic with 4, 6, 12, or 24 years between rodent peaks; or acyclic with constant or stochastically varying annual disturbance severity) and disturbance severity (fraction of individuals affected by disturbance in each year relative to the maximum disturbance carried out in the field experiment; seven levels). Population data collected in the field during 13 years were used as a baseline scenario. By subjecting all scenarios to stochastic matrix modeling, we demonstrate considerable impact of microtine rodent on the population dynamics of H. splendens, most notably when rodent populations fluctuate with short periods and high peak disturbance severities. Under the same average disturbance severity, H. splendens population growth rates are highest in acyclic scenarios and are progressively reduced with increasing peak disturbance severities (i.e., with increasing period). Stochastic elasticity analyses show that in less variable environments mature segment survival contributes more to the population growth rate, while in more variable environments the regeneration pathway (branching of older parts of the plant) plays a stronger role, inevitably leading to lower population fitness. Our results support the hypothesis that breakdown of cyclic rodent population dynamics accentuates increase in the abundance of H. splendens and other large bryophytes in boreal forests in Norway, observed empirically in recent years and primarily ascribed to climatic change.     

川西高山森林生态系统林下生物量及其随林窗的变化特征

作为森林生态系统的重要组成部分,林下植被及其残体的分布受到林冠层的影响,但迄今有关林窗对林下植被和残体生物量的影响尚无研究报道.于2013 年8 月2 日至20 日,以海拔3 600 m 的川西岷江冷杉原始林林下植被为研究对象,根据区域内的坡向和林分组成等因素设置3 个100 m×100 m 的典型样地,调查其生物量及其随林窗的变化特征.在每个样地内选择3 个大林窗,在林窗、林缘和林下分别设置3 个20 m×20 m 的样方,调查粗木质残体长度或高度、大小头直径、枯立木记录胸径、腐烂等级等;在林窗、林缘和林下分别设置3 个5 m×5 m 的样方,采用“收获法”收集样方内直径在2.5-10 cm之间的细木质残体和灌木生物量;在林窗、林缘和林下分别设置3 个1 m×1 m 的样方来调查凋落物储量和草本生物量;在1m×1 m 的样方内随机选择1 个20 cm×20 cm 的小样方来调查地被植物生物量.结果表明,（1）川西高山森林生态系统总生物量为72.75 t·hm^-2,其中林下生物量为67.92 t·hm^-2,占生态系统生物量的95.17%.活体植被以灌木为主,其生物量为9.81t·hm^-2;残体部分以粗木质残体为主,其储量为53.00 t·hm^-2;（2）林窗对灌木、草本、地被植物的影响各不相同,且不同物种的灌木生物量表现出不同的分布规律;草本生物量表现出明显的“边缘效应”,在林缘显著高于林下;林窗和林缘的地被植物生物量相对较低;（3）粗木质残体储量从林下到林窗呈现减小的趋势,但总体储量仍然较大,林窗和林缘的细木质残体储量高于林下.这些结果为认识高山森林生态系统林下生物量及其格局,以及林窗在森林生态系统的重要作用提供了基础理论依据.     

苏南快速城市化地区森林生物量时空变化及影响分析

随着我国城镇化进程的快速推进,城镇密集区城市扩张带来的负面生态环境问题得到广泛关注。森林生态系统具有固碳释氧等多种生态服务功能,对减小城市化的负面效应、改善生态环境具有积极作用。近年来我国植树造林成效明显,森林资源总量和质量持续提升,科学评估森林生物量动态对理解碳源汇变化及制定森林保护政策具有重要的意义,但当前对快速城市化地区长时期生物量变化及影响因素研究较少。苏南地区处于我国最大的城镇密集区长江三角洲的中心,近年来该地区森林面积和质量不断增加,而受中低卫星遥感数据分辨率影响,以往对该地区生态系统生物量研究未探测到这种变化。利用1990、2005年江苏省森林资源调查数据及2010年江苏省森林覆盖监测数据,采用换算因子连续函数法和平均生物量法等计算苏南地区三个时期森林生物量,研究20年来苏南快速城市化地区森林植被生物量的时空变化,并结合社会经济数据探讨了生物量变化与经济人口的关联。结果表明：20年来,苏南地区森林植被面积、生物量和生物量密度总体呈显著增加趋势,生物量从7.15 Tg增长到16.72 Tg,乔木林的生物量密度由29.32 t＆#183;hm-2上升至39.82 t＆#183;hm-2,但远低于同期全国的均值;各市生物量分布不均匀,2010年生物量总量从大到小依次是南京、无锡、镇江、常州和苏州;各市森林生物量总量主要由森林面积和地形决定,森林面积增加是生物量增加的主要因素,阔叶林比例和林龄的增长也促进了生物量增加,随着区域森林林龄不断增长,森林生物量仍将不断增加;政府政策和经济利益等影响下的森林建设是区域森林生物量增加的主要原因,较高的经济发展水平促进了各市森林资源数量增长,而高人口密度未对森林面积和生物量未产生显著负面?     

Characterization and speciation of mercury in mosses and lichens from the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau

The accumulation and species of mercury (Hg) in mosses and lichens collected from high-altitude Tibetan Plateau were studied. The altitudes of the sampling sites spanned from 1983 to 5147 m, and a total of 130 mosses and 52 lichens were analyzed. The total mercury (THg) contents in mosses and lichens were in the ranges of 13.1–273.0 and 20.2–345.9 ng/g, respectively. The average ratios of methylmercury (MeHg) in THg in mosses and lichens were 2.4 % (0.3–11.1 %) and 2.7 % (0.4–9.6 %), respectively, which were higher than those values reported in other regions. The contents of THg in both mosses and lichens were not correlated with the THg in soils (p > 0.05). The lipid contents displayed a significantly positive correlation with concentrations of MeHg in mosses (r = 0.461, p < 0.01, n = 90), but not in lichens. The correlations between Hg contents in mosses and the altitudes, latitudes and longitudes of sampling sites indicated the mountain trapping and spatial deposition of Hg in the Tibetan Plateau.     

Long-term forest-floor litter dynamics in Canada's boreal forest: Comparison of two model formulations

Litter decomposition is a key component in ecosystem material cycling that determines (i) forest soil carbon (C) and nutrient content, (ii) release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, and (iii) generation and mass transfer of dissolved organic carbon from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we provide simulations of long term forest-floor litter dynamics generated with both (i) an existing forest nutrient cycling and biomass growth model (ForNBM) with a single-pool formulation of forest-floor litter decomposition (Zhu et al., 2003. Ecol. Model. 169, 347-360), and (ii) a revised version of the model produced by substituting the single-pool formulation with a three-pool version of the formulation tested against data from litterbag experiments (FLDM; Zhang et al., 2010. Ecol. Model. 221, 1944-1953). This is done to determine the importance of subdividing the litter mass into categories of rates of decay (i.e., fast, slow, and very slow) on model accuracy. Forest-forest litter dynamics simulated with the two models are subsequently compared against field measurements collected at several northern jack pine (Pinus banksiana) stands along a southwest-northeast oriented transect (climate gradient) associated with the Boreal Forest Transect Case Study in northwest Canada. Initial comparison shows that the single-pool formulation underpredicts residual litter mass when forests are <65 years old, largely due to the improper treatment of the very slow decomposing litter component. This underprediction is resolved when the three-pool formulation is used. From a ecosystems-response point of view, the revised ForNBM (with the three-pool formulation) demonstrates that (i) forest-floor litter initially increases with forest growth and reaches a plateau once the forest matures; (ii) the forest floor stores more litter and C at the southern and warmer sites than at the northern sites; and (iii) in a similar climate regime, the forest floor stores more litter and C at productive than at nutrient-poor sites.     

Comparing measured and modelled forest carbon stocks in high-boreal forests of harvest and natural-disturbance origin in Labrador, Canada

Understanding the effects of disturbance regimes on carbon (C) stocks and stock changes is a prerequisite to estimating forest C stocks and fluxes. Live-tree, dead-tree, woody debris (WD), stump, buried wood, organic layer, and mineral soil C stock data were collected from high-boreal black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) stands of harvest and fire origin and compared to values predicted by the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3); the core model of Canada's National Forest Carbon Monitoring, Accounting and Reporting System. Data comparing the effect of natural and anthropogenic disturbance history on forest C stocks are limited, but needed to evaluate models such as the CBM-CFS3. Results showed that adjustments to the CBM-CFS3 volume-to-biomass conversion and partitioning parameters were required for the non-merchantable and branch C pools to accurately capture live-tree C stocks in the studied black spruce ecosystems. Accuracy of the CBM-CFS3 modelled estimates of dead organic matter and soil C pools was improved relative to regional default parameters by increased snag fall and >10 cm WD base decay rates. The model evaluation process also highlighted the importance of developing a bryophyte module to account for bryophyte C dynamics and the physical burial of woody debris by bryophytes. Modelled mineral soil C estimates were improved by applying a preliminary belowground slow C pool base decay rate optimized for the soil type of the studied sites, Humo-Ferric Podzols.     

A Comparison of Logging Systems and Bat Diversity in the Neotropics

Abstract:  Evaluating logging systems to determine which are most compatible with the maintenance of biodiversity is of prime importance if tropical forests are to be managed in a sustainable way. Bats are model taxa for this purpose. Two different logging systems are used in the natural forest of the Victoria-Mayaro Forest Reserve in Trinidad: open range and periodic block. Open range is a continuous harvesting system and, in common with most methods used to log tropical forests worldwide, has few harvest controls other than girth limits for selected species. Periodic block is a polycyclic system, with felling based on ecological criteria assumed to be compatible with the maintenance of biodiversity. To compare the effects of periodic block and open-range systems on biodiversity, we determined bat species richness and abundance in each system and in primary forest. We caught bats in mist nets set at ground level and in the canopy and in harp traps. In total 1959 individuals representing 38 species were captured. Species richness was similar among primary forest and logged forest habitats, although bat diversity was lower in logged forest. The distributions of bat species abundance did not differ significantly between logged forest and primary forest. We found, however, that both logging systems lead to a decrease in gleaning animalivores and an increase in frugivores. The increase in frugivores was likely the result of an increase in the abundance of bat-dispersed pioneer fruiting plants in logged forest. Bats of periodic-block-managed forest were more similar to those of primary forest than those of forest logged using the open-range system, indicating that the periodic-block system is more compatible with the maintenance of bat diversity. Our results support the suggestion that the measured use of tropical forests can largely be compatible with biodiversity conservation.