The importance of agricultural lands for Himalayan birds in winter

The impacts of land‐use change on biodiversity in the Himalayas are poorly known, notwithstanding widespread deforestation and agricultural intensification in this highly biodiverse region. Although intact primary forests harbor many Himalayan birds during breeding, a large number of bird species use agricultural lands during winter. We assessed how Himalayan bird species richness, abundance, and composition during winter are affected by forest loss stemming from agriculture and grazing. Bird surveys along 12 elevational transects within primary forest, low‐intensity agriculture, mixed subsistence agriculture, and intensively grazed pastures in winter revealed that bird species richness and abundance were greatest in low‐intensity and mixed agriculture, intermediate in grazed pastures, and lowest in primary forest at both local and landscape scales; over twice as many species and individuals were recorded in low‐intensity agriculture than in primary forest. Bird communities in primary forests were distinct from those in all other land‐use classes, but only 4 species were unique to primary forests. Low‐, medium‐, and high‐intensity agriculture harbored 32 unique species. Of the species observed in primary forest, 80% had equal or greater abundance in low‐intensity agricultural lands, underscoring the value of these lands in retaining diverse community assemblages at high densities in winter. Among disturbed landscapes, bird species richness and abundance declined as land‐use intensity increased, especially in high‐intensity pastures. Our results suggest that agricultural landscapes are important for most Himalayan bird species in winter. But agricultural intensification—especially increased grazing—will likely result in biodiversity losses. Given that forest reserves alone may inadequately conserve Himalayan birds in winter, comprehensive conservation strategies in the region must go beyond protecting intact primary forests and ensure that low‐intensity agricultural lands are not extensively converted to high‐intensity pastures.     

The contribution of policy,law, management,research, and advocacy failings to the recent extinctions of three Australian vertebrate species

Extinctions typically have ecological drivers, such as habitat loss. However, extinction events are also influenced by policy and management settings that may be antithetical to biodiversity conservation, inadequate to prevent extinction, insufficiently resourced, or poorly implemented. Three endemic Australian vertebrate species—the Christmas Island pipistrelle (Pipistrellus murrayi), Bramble Cay melomys (Melomys rubicola), and Christmas Island forest skink (Emoia nativitatis)—became extinct from 2009 to 2014. All 3 extinctions were predictable and probably preventable. We sought to identify the policy, management, research, and other shortcomings that contributed to their extinctions or failed to prevent them. These included a lack within national environmental legislation and policy of explicit commitment to the prevention of avoidable extinctions, lack of explicit accountability, inadequate resources for conservation (particularly for species not considered charismatic or not of high taxonomic distinctiveness), inadequate biosecurity, a slow and inadequate process for listing species as threatened, recovery planning that failed to consider the need for emergency response, inability of researchers to identify major threatening factors, lack of public engagement and involvement in conservation decisions, and limited advocacy. From these 3 cases, we recommend: environmental policy explicitly seeks to prevent extinction of any species and provides a clear chain of accountability and an explicit requirement for public inquiry following any extinction; implementation of a timely and comprehensive process for listing species as threatened and for recovery planning; reservation alone not be assumed sufficient to maintain species; enhancement of biosecurity measures; allocation of sufficient resources to undertake actions necessary to prevent extinction; monitoring be considered a pivotal component of the conservation response; research provides timely identification of factors responsible for decline and of the risk of extinction; effective dissemination of research results; advocacy by an informed public for the recovery of threatened species; and public involvement in governance of the recovery process. These recommendations should be applicable broadly to reduce the likelihood and incidence of extinctions.     

非木质林产品生产的投入要素及影响因素实证分析

在南方集体林区,非木质林产品资源成为农户增收的主要来源之一,但在农户非木质林产品经营中需要考虑投入要素的有效性以及生产资源如何合理配置问题。论文以临安市山核桃产业和仙居县杨梅产业为例,分别选取两个县(市)共167户林农2009年横截面数据为样本,在农户微观层面运用C-D生产函数,实证分析了投入要素及影响因素在非木质林产品生产中的作用。结果表明,农药化肥投入、地域因素都对两个地区非木质林产品生产有显著影响,而劳动力投入和林业劳动力人均种植面积因素则只对山核桃生产有显著影响。笔者认为需要通过积极推广农户从事非木质林产品的经营,重视农药化肥生产资料投入以及促使劳动力季节性回流等措施促进非木质林产品经营。     

Modelling the impact of thermal adaptation of soil microorganisms and crop system on the dynamics of organic matter in a tropical soil under a climate change scenario

No consensus currently exists about how climate change should affect the status of soil organic matter (SOM) in the tropics. In this study, we analyse the impact of climate change on the underlying mechanisms controlling SOM dynamics in a ferralsol under two contrasting tropical crops: maize (C4 plant) and banana (C3 plant). We model the effect of microbial thermal adaptation on carbon (C) mineralisation at the crop system scale and introduce it in the model STICS, which was previously calibrated for the soil-crop systems tested in this study. Microbial thermal adaptation modelling is based on a reported theory for thermal acclimation of plant and soil respiration. The climate is simulated from 1950 to 2099 for the tropical humid conditions of Guadeloupe (French Antilles), using the ARPEGE model and the IPCC emission scenario A1B. The model predicts increases of 3.4 °C for air temperature and 1100 mm yr⁻¹ for rainfall as a response to an increase of 375 ppm for atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration in the 2090-2099 decade compared with the 1950-1959 decade. The results of the STICS model indicate that the crop affects the response of SOM to climate change by controlling the change in several variables involved in C dynamics: C input, soil temperature and soil moisture. SOM content varies little until 2020, and then it decreases faster for maize than for banana. The decrease is weakened under the hypothesis of thermal adaptation, and this effect is greater for maize (−180 kg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ without adaptation and −140 kg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ with adaptation) than for banana (−60 kg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and −40 kg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively). The greater SOM loss in maize is mainly due to the negative effect of warming on maize growth decreasing C input from residues. Climate change has a small effect on banana growth, and SOM loss is linked to its effect on C mineralisation. For both crops, annual C mineralisation increases until 2040, and then it decreases continuously. Thermal adaptation reduces the initial increase in mineralisation, but its effect is lower on the final decrease, which is mainly controlled by substrate limitation. No stabilisation in SOM status is attained at the end of the analysed period because C mineralisation is always greater than C input. Model predictions indicate that microbial thermal adaptation modifies, but does not fundamentally change the temporal pattern of SOM dynamics. The vegetation type (C3 or C4) plays a major role in SOM dynamics in this tropical soil because of the different impact of climate change on crop growth and then on C inputs.     

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 geospatial model of forest dynamics with controlled trend surface

This paper proposes a method of controlled trend surface to simultaneously account for large-scale spatial trends and non-spatial local effects. With this method, a geospatial model of forest dynamics was developed for the Alaska boreal forest from 446 constantly monitored permanent sample plots. The geospatial component of this model represented large-scale spatial trends in recruitment, diameter growth, and mortality. The model was tested on two sets of validation plots which represented temporal and spatial extensions of the current sample coverage. The results suggest that the controlled trend surface model was generally more accurate than both the non-spatial and conventional trend surface models. With this model, we mapped the forest dynamics of the entire Alaska boreal region by aggregating predicted stand states across the region. It was predicted that under current conditions of climate and natural disturbances, most of the Alaska boreal forest region may undergo a major shift from deciduous-dominant to conifer-dominant, with an average increase of 0.33 m² ha year⁻¹ in basal area over the Twenty-First Century.     

森林凋落物分解研究进展

森林凋落物是指森林生态系统内由生物组分产生,然后归还到林地表面的所有有机物质的总称。森林凋落物在促进森林生态系统正常的物质循环和养分平衡,维持生态系统功能中具有重要作用,其分解受多因素影响,且各因素之间相互交错。不同情况下,各因子的重要性可能不同。温度和湿度被认为是影响凋落物分解主要的气候因子。凋落物随着温度升高分解速率加快,增加土壤湿度对凋落物分解有积极作用。凋落物的化学性质中,C、N比和木质素含量被认为是最重要的指标。凋落物分解前期的分解速率受到养分含量、水溶性碳化合物和结构碳化合物含量的强烈影响,而后期则更多地受到木质索及纤维素／木质素比值的支配。土壤动物可以粉碎凋落物,土壤微生物也是促进凋落物分解的重要因素,人为活动也影响凋落物分解。N沉降、全球变暖和臭氧层破坏等全球变化对森林凋落物分解的影响已逐渐成为研究热点。未来凋落物分解的研究方向是统一研究方法,开展长期定位监测,加强对分解过程中有机碳含量和释放量的研究,以及N沉降对凋落物分解作用机理的研究。     

密云水库上游流域不同林分土壤有机碳分布特征

在全球气候变化背景下,森林土壤有机碳库作为全球土壤碳库的重要组成部分,已成为全球碳循环研究的重点之一。以密云水库上游流域天然次生山杨（Populus davidiana Dode）、白桦（Betula platyphylla Suk.）混交林、天然次生辽东栎（Quercus wutaishanica Blume）林、人工华北落叶松（Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.）林、人工油松（Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.）林和灌丛等5种典型林分为研究对象,选取典型样区,进行密集采样和试验分析,探讨了不同林分土壤有机碳质量分数和密度的分布特征。结果表明：在整个土壤剖面上（0~40 cm）,不同林分土壤有机碳质量分数和密度大小顺序均为：杨桦林〉辽东栎林〉灌丛〉落叶松林〉油松林,总体上呈现出随土地利用强度和人为干扰程度增加而降低的变化趋势,即天然次生林比人工林更有利于土壤有机碳的储存和积累;不同林分类型土壤有机碳质量分数和密度均在表层（0~10 cm）最大,并随着土层深度的增加呈下降趋势,剖面分布差异明显;此外,不同林分在0~20 cm土层中的单位面积土壤有机碳储量均占其剖面总储量的57%以上,即土壤有机碳富集在0~20 cm深的表层土体中。因此,为增加森林土壤固碳,应加强对天然次生林的保护,减少人类活动对森林及其表土层的干扰。     

马鬃岭自然保护区土壤碳蓄积的研究

以金寨马鬃岭自然保护区为研究对象,布置56个采样点,分析该区森林土壤有机碳质量分数时空分布特征和碳储量。结果表明：研究区有机碳含量丰富,随着土壤深度、植被类型、海拔高度的变化而变化。0~20cm土层有机碳质量分数最高为90.88 g·kg-1,平均为32.47 g·kg-1,土壤有机碳质量分数随着深度的增加而递减,表层有机碳变化幅度高于深层土壤,不同测点递减的程度不同;有机碳质量分数随海拔高度的增加呈递增趋势;土壤有机碳质量分数存在明显的季节变化,表层土壤秋季有机碳质量分数最高,冬春季次之,夏季最低,越往表层季节变化越明显。0~20 cm土层有机碳密度平均为6.52 kg.m-2,0~100 cm土层有机碳平均密度为23.26 kg.m-2,有机碳密度分布与有机碳质量分数分布基本一致。0~20 cm土层土壤碳储量为2.258×105~2.265×105 t,0~100 cm土层土壤碳储量为6.91×105~8.76×105 t,碳储量丰富。最后提出该自然保护区封山育林,对温室气体减排意义重大。     

森林生态系统恢复力评价——以江西省莲花县为例

生态系统恢复力是森林资源可持续发展的中心目标之一。在明确生态系统恢复力定义和尺度的基础上,分析了森林生态系统恢复力的影响因素,从生境条件和生态存储两方面遴选出26个指标,建立了森林生态系统恢复力评价指标体系,并以江西省莲花县为案例区,采用组合赋权法确定了指标权重,通过空间叠加计算了莲花县森林生态系统恢复力。结果表明:森林生态系统恢复力主要受内部存储的影响,其权重达到0.554。莲花县森林生态系统恢复力在0.103到0.464之间,平均值为0.268,恢复力达到或超过平均水平的森林面积为37 907 hm²,占森林总面积的49.2%,整体处于较低水平;分级结果表明仅48.16%的森林达到高或较高恢复力水平;在空间分布上,莲花县森林生态系统恢复力为南高北低,南部和中部的森林大多处于高或较高恢复力水平,北部地区大部分森林处于中等、较低或低恢复力水平。此外,恢复力高的森林沿乡镇边界线分布的特点非常明显。该研究结果可为森林资源管理提供重要科学依据。