Aggregated Estimation of the Basic Parameters of Biological Production and the Carbon Budget of Russian Terrestrial Ecosystems: 1. Stocks of Plant Organic Mass

The data presented were obtained at the first stage (1993–1999) of studies on evaluating the basic parameters of biological production in Russian terrestrial ecosystems in order to provide information for assessing and modeling the carbon budget of the entire terrestrial biota of the country. Stocks of phytomass (by fractions), coarse woody debris, and dead roots (underground necromass) were calculated by two independent methods, which yielded close results. The total amount of phytomass in Russian terrestrial ecosystems was estimated at 81800 Tg (=10¹² g = million t) dry matter, or 39989 Tg carbon. Forest ecosystems comprise a greater part (82.1%) of live plant organic matter (here and below, comparisons are made with respect to the carbon content); natural grasslands and brushwoods account for 8.8%; the phytomass of wetlands (bogs and swamps), for 6.6%; and the phytomass of farmlands, for only 2.5%. Aboveground wood contains approximately two-thirds of the plant carbon (63.8%), and green parts contain 9.9%. For all classes of ecosystems, the proportion of underground phytomass averages 26.7% of the total amount, varying from 22.0% in forests to 57.1% in grasslands and brushwoods. The average phytomass density on lands covered with vegetation (1629.9 million hectares in Russia) is 5.02 kg/m² dry matter, or 2.45 kg C/m². The total amount of carbon in coarse woody debris is 4955 Tg C, and 9180 Tg C are in the underground necromass. In total, the vegetation of Russian terrestrial ecosystems (without litter) contains 54124 Tg carbon.     

The Carbon Cycle in the Ecosystems of Thermal Springs in the Chukchi Peninsula as a Natural Model of Warming

Comparative studies on the ecosystems in the vicinity of thermal springs and in the typical tundra were performed in the southeastern Chukchi Peninsula in July and August 1997. Biogenic carbon fluxes during the greater part of the growing season were determined, the aboveground phytomass structure was studied, and the carbon reserve in the soil was estimated. It was demonstrated that the gross primary production and soil carbon in thermal ecosystems are greater than in similar permafrost ecosystems. The structural and ecophysiological changes leading to an increase in the gross production of plant communities were analyzed.     

Aggregated Estimation of Basic Parameters of Biological Production and Carbon Budget of Russian Terrestrial Ecosystems: 3. Biogeochemical Carbon Fluxes

The biogeochemical cycle of organic carbon in Russian terrestrial ecosystems in 1990 is considered. Its components have been estimated as follows: net primary production, 4354 million metric tons of carbon (Mt C); annual amount of plant detritus, 3223 Mt C; heterotrophic soil respiration, 3214 Mt C; biomass utilization, 680 Mt C; damage to vegetation caused by fire and pests, 140 Mt C; and removal by surface and ground waters, 79 Mt C. Anthropogenically regulated fluxes of organic carbon (820 Mt C) are comparable to its amount involved in the natural cycle.     

Aggregated Estimation of Basic Parameters of Biological Production and the Carbon Budget of Russian Terrestrial Ecosystems: 2. Net Primary Production

The estimated net primary production (NPP) of Russian terrestrial ecosystems (annual average over the period from 1988 to 1992) is 9544 Tg of dry matter, or 4353 Tg of carbon. Of the total amount, forests account for approximately 39.2% (here and below, comparisons are made with respect to carbon content); natural grasslands and brushwoods, for 27.6%; farmlands (arable land and cultivated pastures), for 22.0%; and wetlands, for 11.2%. The average NPP density on lands covered with vegetation (1629.8 million hectares in Russia) is 267 g C/m²per year. The highest value (498 g C/m²per year) is characteristic of arable lands. Other land-use/land-cover (LULC) classes have the following NPP densities (in areas covered with vegetation): grasslands and brushwoods, 278 g C/m²; forests, 224 g C/m²; and wetlands, 219 g C/m²per year. In general, Russian terrestrial ecosystems accumulate 59.7% of the total NPP in the aboveground phytomass (47.8% in green parts and 11.9% in wood) and 40.3% in the underground phytomass. The latter parameter differs significantly in different LULC classes and bioclimatic zones. According to calculations, the uncertainty in estimating the total NPP is 11% (a priori confidential probability 0.9).     

Carbon cycle in spruce ecosystems of the northern Taiga subzone

The main components of the carbon balance have been determined in old spruce-bilberry forests of the northern taiga subzone. Annual carbon deposition in live phytomass and necromass has been determined by the weight method. Photosynthetic carbon binding has been calculated using the chlorophyll index, and the daily carbon balance has been estimated on the basis of direct measurements of CO₂ exchange. The results have shown that photosynthetic carbon binding by the phytocenosis amounts to 3.5–4 t/ha per year. Taking into consideration the litter yearly deposition decreased up to 1 t C/ha per year. With more than 70% of carbon accumulated in the organic mass being oxidized within the phytocenosis and returned to the atmosphere in the form of CO₂. Spruce ecosystems serve as a sink for 0.2–0.3 t C/ha per year.     

Dynamics of Carbon Pools and Fluxes in Russia's Forest Lands

The state and results of studies on the carbon cycle of forests on lands of the Russian forest fund (total area 1172 × 10⁶ ha) are analyzed at the federal level. Consideration is given to changes in the areas of different categories of forest lands, the age structure of stands, the pool and deposition of carbon in the phytomass, and the organic carbon pool of soils over the period from 1966 to 1998; the dynamics of activity in the forest industry by years and the extent of pyrogenic transformation of the forest cover between 1990 and 2001; and carbon fluxes associated with forest exploitation, including carbon emission resulting from fires.     

Structural Changes in the Carabid Fauna of Forest Ecosystems under a Toxic Impact

Changes in the abundance, species composition, and biomorphological structure of the carabid fauna were studied in birch and fir–spruce forests growing in a zone exposed to emissions from a copper-smelting plant in the Middle Urals. The dynamic density of carabids decreased and their species composition and the ratio of life forms changed along the pollution gradient, but the principle of organization of carabidocenoses and the structure of dominance in them remained undisturbed.     

Carbon dioxide exchange in the photosynthetic apparatus of trees in a mature spruce phytocenosis of the northern taiga subzone

Carbon dioxide exchange was studied in the photosynthetic apparatus of Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.), Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.), and weeping birch (Betula pendula Roth.) in a mature spruce forest. Parameters of CO₂ balance in different weather were characterized quantitatively on the basis of daily measurements of CO₂ exchange in needles and leaves of woody plants. The percent ratios of the components of carbon balance in needles and leaves of woody plants depending on daily photosynthetic fixation of carbon were determined. In summer, trees consumed 210 kg CO₂/ha (57 kg C/ha) in variable weather and 117 kg CO₂/ha (32 kg C/ha) in cloudy weather. Species specificity of CO₂ consumption was revealed, and the effects of environmental factors on the assimilatory activity of trees were determined.     

Characteristics of Carbon Storage and Density in Different Layers of Forest Ecosystems

Characteristics of carbon storage and density in different layers of forest ecosystems should be studied comprehensively and in more detail. Using forest inventory data in combination with field survey data, we explored the characteristics of carbon storage and density in different layers of forest ecosystems in Liaoning Province of China. Results showed that total carbon storage was 813.034 Tg C. The carbon storage of soil layer accounted for 81.0% of the total storage with 658.783 Tg C, followed by those of arbor, litter and shrub layers with 128.403 Tg C (15.8%), 22.723 Tg C (2.8%) and 3.125 Tg C (0.4%), respectively. The average carbon density for the forest ecosystems were 183.571 Mg C ha^–1, with soil layer (148.744 Mg C ha^–1) being the highest one, followed by arbor layer (28.992 Mg C ha^–1), litter layer (5.131 Mg C ha^–1) and shrub-grass layer (0.706 Mg C ha^–1). Carbon storage in different forest ecosystems varied from 1.595 to 319.161 Tg C, while C density ranged from 165.067 to 235.947Mg C ha^–1, with the highest and lowest values being observed in soil layer and shrub-grass layers, respectively, implying that soil is the main body of forest carbon storage. Young-aged forests accounted for a greater proportion of forests in the Province than forests in other age classes; and proper management of forests could increase the carbon sequestration in the forest ecosystems. The comparison with previous estimations of carbon storage for forest ecosystem implied that methods and data used for forest carbon storage estimation affected the results of estimates obviously.     

Risk Assessment of Carbon Sequestration for Terrestrial Ecosystems in China

Climate change will alter the capacity of carbon sequestration,and the risk assessment of carbon sequestration for terrestrial ecosystems will be helpful to the decision-making for climate change countermeasures and international climate negotiations.Based on the net ecosystem productivity of terrestrial ecosystems simulated by Atmosphere Vegetation Integrated Model,each grid of the risk criterion was set by time series trend analysis.Then the risks of carbon sequestration of terrestrial ecosystems were investigated.The results show that,in the IPCCSRES-B2 climate scenario,climate change will bring risks of carbon sequestration,and the high-risk level will dominate terrestrial ecosystems.The risk would expand with the increase of warming degree.By the end of the long-term of this century,about 60% of the whole country will face the risk;Northwest China,mountainous areas in Northeast China,middle and lower reaches plain of Yangtze River areas,Southwest China and Southeast China tend to be extremely vulnerable.Risk levels in most regions are likely to grow with the increase of warming degree,and this increase will mainly occur during the near-term to mid-term.Northwest China will become an area of high risks,and deciduous coniferous forests,temperate mixed forests and desert grassland tend to be extremely vulnerable.     

Risk Assessment of Carbon Sequestration for Terrestrial Ecosystems in China

Abstract

Climate change will alter the capacity of carbon sequestration, and the risk assessment of carbon sequestration for terrestrial ecosystems will be helpful to the decision-making for climate change countermeasures and international climate negotiations. Based on the net ecosystem productivity of terrestrial ecosystems simulated by Atmosphere Vegetation Integrated Model, each grid of the risk criterion was set by time series trend analysis. Then the risks of carbon sequestration of terrestrial ecosystems were investigated. The results show that, in the IPCCSRES-B2 climate scenario, climate change will bring risks of carbon sequestration, and the high-risk level will dominate terrestrial ecosystems. The risk would expand with the increase of warming degree. By the end of the long-term of this century, about 60% of the whole country will face the risk; Northwest China, mountainous areas in Northeast China, middle and lower reaches plain of Yangtze River areas, Southwest China and Southeast China tend to be extremely vulnerable. Risk levels in most regions are likely to grow with the increase of warming degree, and this increase will mainly occur during the near-term to mid-term. Northwest China will become an area of high risks, and deciduous coniferous forests, temperate mixed forests and desert grassland tend to be extremely vulnerable.     

Population Dynamics of Forest Voles (Clethrionomys,Rodentia) in Northern European Russia

Long-term data sets on the population dynamics of forest voles in northern European Russia were analyzed. Eastward and northward trends in changes of the ratio between model species and the degree of their dominance were revealed. In virtually all sites studied, the numbers of the northern red-backed and bank voles changed synchronously; however, the population dynamics became less synchronous as the distance between study areas increased.     

Seasonal changes in the spatial distribution of cellulolytic activity of soil microflora under conditions of atmospheric pollution

Spatial variation in the cellulolytic activity of the soil microflora during the growing season (from May to September) has been studied in spruce-fir forests exposed to emissions from the Middle Ural Copper-Smelting Plant. It has been shown that the average rate of decomposition of pure cellulose in polluted areas is significantly reduced, with its spatial variation being markedly increased. The spatial pattern of cellulolytic activity remains stable during the growing season, and the integrated parameters of frequency distributions in zones with different pollution levels change with time in the same direction.     

低碳经济的理论基础及其经济学价值

低碳经济是世界关注焦点,低碳经济逐步成为发展模式主导.然而,理论界对低碳经济研究主要集中在意义和途径,没有对低碳经济理论进行探讨.没有完善低碳经济理论会导致对实际指导失误.构建低碳经济理论体系,夯实理论基础是发展低碳经济的关键.本文首先从经济史中探寻低碳经济理论根基,“世界主义经济学”认为经济学是以造福人类为使命的科学和个人福利是完全依存于全人类福利的,这些经济学思想中全世界思维可以作为低碳经济思想源头.通过与生态经济、循环经济、绿色经济、气候经济学和资源环境经济学等相关学科比较,借鉴和吸取其理论.最后,对低碳经济理论对经济学影响价值进行探讨,这些价值主要表现在提供经济发展新模式理论基石,引导消费方式转变,化解国际经济合作困境,完善国际经济学体系,拓宽了环境问题解决途径,丰富了相关经济学研究内容等方面.本文研究从理论上肯定了低碳经济有经济学理论来源,有经济学理论价值,不仅仅是经济发展新模式.     

盐沼枯落物碳氮和有色溶解有机物淋溶过程研究

盐沼枯落物的短期淋溶过程对东滩沿岸的水质有重要影响.采用东滩3种典型盐沼植物的茎和叶的枯落物为材料进行为期48h的室内浸泡模拟实验.利用有机碳探测分析仪测定不同时间的可溶性有机碳(DOC)和总可溶性氮(TDN)浓度然后转换为累积释放量,通过紫外可见光光谱参数表征有色溶解有机物(CDOM)浓度,结合三维荧光光谱(EEMs)和平行因子(PARAFAC)分析推断CDOM的荧光组分的变化特征.结果 表明在淋溶释放的最初48 h,DOC、TDN、CDOM、两个类腐殖质荧光组分和两个类蛋白荧光组分的释放过程呈对数曲线状,最初8h增长迅速,8～48 h则增幅减缓或出现小幅下降趋势.不同种类的植物以及同种植物的不同部位的初始基质对枯落物的DOC和TDN释放量有显著影响.TDN最大累积释放量与初始基质有机碳和氮含量呈显著的正相关.枯物体中的氮比有机碳更容易淋失.各个荧光组分的贡献率变化不大,但不同植物种类之间存在显著差异,由此可以推断枯落物的初期淋溶以物理性过程为主.我们的研究结果表明,盐沼枯落物的淋溶对潮滩水水质有着显著的影响.     

农户经营杉木林的碳汇供给及其影响因素

基于我国南方集体林区浙江、江西、福建三省202户农户杉木林经营数据,结合已有生长模型,采用生物量转换和扩展因子法, 测算了杉木林生态系统固碳量,并采用修正的Hartman模型,在林地期望价值最大化的决策目标下,估算出了碳汇价格、利率、木材价 格变动对杉木林碳汇供给量的影响.结果表明:①最优轮伐期及碳汇供给量与碳汇价格成正相关,与利率、木材价格成负相关.②在碳汇价格变化情况下,最优轮伐期由大到小依次为,劣等地＞中等地＞优等地,相反,碳汇供给量依次为,优等地＞中等地＞劣等地,劣等地的最优轮伐期和碳汇供给量变动幅度要明显大于中等地和优等地.③利率在7％-8％变动时,优等地的最优轮伐期和碳汇供给量均未发生变化;利率在4％-5％变动时,中等地最优轮伐期和碳汇供给量均未发生变化;而在1％-8％的变动区间,劣等地的最优轮伐期和碳汇供给量均在不断缩短和降低.④当木材价格上升10％或下降10％时,对优等地的最优轮伐期和碳汇供给量均未产生影响;对中等地而言,仅当木材价格下降10％时,最优轮伐期和碳汇供给量均发生变动;而对劣等地而言,木材价格上升或下降都对两者产生影响.研究得出如下结论:碳汇价格、利率、木材价格对杉木林经营最优轮伐期及杉木碳汇供给量有重要影响,在碳汇价格、利率、木材价格变化情况下,不同立地条件的碳汇供给价格弹性、利率弹性、木材价格弹性存在显著差异.立地条件通过影响杉木营林成本和产出量,从而对杉木林经营的最优轮伐期及碳汇供给量产生较大影响,立地条件越差的地块对碳汇供给量越敏感,随着碳汇价格逐步上升、利率和木材价格的逐步提高,碳汇供给变化为劣等地大于中等地和优等地,而碳汇供给量为优等地大于中等地和劣等地.     

The Role and Effectiveness of Local Institutions in the Management of Forest Biodiversity in New Dabaga-Ulongambi Forest Reserve,Iringa Region-Tanzania

This paper examines the role and effectiveness of local institutions in the management of forest biodiversity in New Dabaga-Ulongambi Forest Reserve,Tanzania.Data were obtained through questionnaires,interviews,focus group discussions,participatory rural appraisal and field observations.The study revealed that the most remarkable local institutions connected to forest biodiversity management include:Village Natural Resources Management Committee(92%),tree nursery group(79.4%),beekeeping groups(61.1%),fish farming(43.3%),livestock rearing group(33.9%).Main activities carried out by local institutions which directly contribute to the sustainability of forest reserve include:forest patrols,fire extinguish,preparation of fire breaks,planting of trees along the forest boundaries,creation of awareness,arresting of forest defaulters,participation in income generation activities.For the purpose of realization that local communities are capable of managing forest biodiversity through their traditional institutions,the policy should provide tangible opportunity for local communities to meet their needs as they manage the forests.     

The Role and Effectiveness of Local Institutions in the Management of Forest Biodiversity in New Dabaga-Ulongambi Forest Reserve,Iringa Region-Tanzania

Abstract

This paper examines the role and effectiveness of local institutions in the management of forest biodiversity in New Dabaga-Ulongambi Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, participatory rural appraisal and field observations. The study revealed that the most remarkable local institutions connected to forest biodiversity management include: Village Natural Resources Management Committee (92%), tree nursery group (79.4%), beekeeping groups (61.1%), fish farming (43.3%), livestock rearing group (33.9%). Main activities carried out by local institutions which directly contribute to the sustainability of forest reserve include: forest patrols, fire extinguish, preparation of fire breaks, planting of trees along the forest boundaries, creation of awareness, arresting of forest defaulters, participation in income generation activities. For the purpose of realization that local communities are capable of managing forest biodiversity through their traditional institutions, the policy should provide tangible opportunity for local communities to meet their needs as they manage the forests.     

神农架大九湖泥炭地孔隙水溶解有机碳特征及其影响因素

溶解性有机碳（Dissolved Organic Carbon, DOC）是泥炭地碳循环的重要组成部分。以往的研究大多集中在北方泥炭地,而对亚热带季风区泥炭地DOC动力学的认识十分有限。利用紫外可见光光谱（UV-Vis）和三维荧光光谱结合平行因子分析法（EEM-PARAFAC）研究了神农架大九湖泥炭地孔隙水的DOC浓度与化学组成及其影响因素。EEM-PARAFAC的结果表明：大九湖泥炭地孔隙水DOC主要包含3种类腐殖质组分。紫外可见光和荧光指标表明,泥炭孔隙水DOC表观分子较小,而芳香度较高。深度剖面数据表明,泥炭孔隙水DOC浓度随深度降低,0~10 cm深度浓度最高为24.16 mg/L,150~160 cm深度浓度最低为9.72 mg/L,并且深层DOC以微生物代谢产生的新鲜有机物为主,具有较低的腐殖化度。此外,氧化还原电位（ORP）与DOC浓度及化学性质关系密切。以上结果表明,在亚热带泥炭地中,微生物来源或受微生物改造的有机物是泥炭孔隙水DOC的重要组成部分;垂向输送或选择性保存是影响该亚热带亚高山泥炭地DOC动力学的重要因素。     

Measuring Asset Values and Flow Benefits of Non-Traded Products and Ecosystems Services of Forest and Woodland Resources in South Africa

Conventional measures of economic output, national income and wealth highly underestimate the value and contribution of natural resources to economic welfare. This paper makes estimates of the asset values and flow benefits of non-traded goods and services from forests and woodland resources in South Africa. Four benefit categories were included, namely direct consumptive use values (timber and non-timber products), non-consumptive use values (recreation for example), indirect use values (environmental services such as carbon sequestration, watershed protection, etc.), and non-use values (based on contingent valuation by tourists). Asset values were calculated knowing the change in physical stocks and the relevant prices. In South Africa, the increase in assets was equivalent to 1.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) (forests were improving, but fynbos deteriorating), and the flow benefits were equivalent to 0.8% of GDP. These are large magnitudes.