基于旅游生态足迹的神农架国家公园可持续性管理研究

国家公园在保护生态系统原真性和完整性的同时,兼具游憩功能。以神农架国家公园为例,研究国家公园开展游憩活动对生态环境的影响,通过发放问卷和实地调查获取数据,基于旅游生态足迹模型计算其旅游交通、旅游餐饮、旅游住宿、旅游购物与娱乐生态足迹及总旅游生态足迹,分析游客旅游活动对国家公园生态环境的影响。结果表明:2017年神农架国家公园旅游交通、旅游餐饮、旅游住宿、旅游购物与娱乐生态足迹分别为1 539.344、14 786.580、4 991.900和48.431 hm²,总旅游生态足迹为22 883.200 hm²,人均旅游生态足迹为9.614×10^-3 hm²/人;对旅游生态足迹贡献较大的活动是餐饮和住宿,其占比分别为64.62%和21.81%。建议神农架国家公园主要针对旅游餐饮和住宿2个方面进行管理,并提出使用低能耗交通工具,提高住宿、餐饮等各类资源利用率,增加国家公园内各景区间的客运车次,推广国家公园相关环境保护知识的宣传教育等具体管理措施。     

黄河流域山西矿区自然资本占用动态评估及驱动机制

自然资本是经济社会绿色可持续发展的必要保障,对其进行评估是维持区域生态系统平衡的重要内容。以矿区自然资本为视角,运用三维生态足迹模型,测算黄河流域山西矿区生态足迹深度与广度并分析其变化特征,进一步阐释矿区生态占用动态演变的作用机理。结果表明：黄河流域山西矿区人均生态赤字由2010年的4.40 hm²/人增至2016年的6.31 hm²/人,随后降至2019年的5.02 hm²/人,生态足迹与生态承载力的差距总体趋于缩小。2010—2019年,人均生态足迹广度大致呈递减趋势,由0.63 hm²/人降到0.47 hm²/人,而人均生态足迹深度呈现出先增后减的倒U型变化趋势。黄河流域山西矿区自然资本时空动态演变过程的驱动机制是由生态环境供给、资源禀赋、社会发展、经济增长、能源损耗以及煤炭污染等诸多因素共同作用的结果。其中,煤炭污染、能源损耗、资源禀赋和经济增长中的第二产业增加值与矿区自然资本占用动态演变呈正相关,生态环境供给、社会发展中的环境规制指数与其呈负相关。总之,黄河流域山西矿区生态足迹与生态承载力的差距趋于缩小,但生态占用赤字仍然存在。

     

基于本地生态足迹模型的浙江省可持续发展评价

生态足迹法是一种评估区域可持续发展程度和人类对自然资源利用情况的工具。通过对一般生态足迹法的调整,运用本地生态足迹模型,对浙江省本地生态足迹的时空特性和环境生态的潜在危险性进行了分析和评价。结果表明：(1)2006年浙江省人均本地生态足迹 2.763 8 hm2,人均生态承载力 0.437 9 hm2,人均本地生态赤字 2.325 9 hm2;(2)1991～2006年浙江省的本地生态足迹都超过了生态承载力,社会经济发展表现出环境生态的不可持续性;(3)2005年浙江省11个城市的本地生态足迹和生态承载力表现出一定的差异;(4)浙江全省生态足迹强度指数从1991年的2078上升到2006年的5952,16年间生态强度指数增大了近3倍,单位可承载面积内的实际生态压力越来越大,环境生态的潜在危险性有扩大之势.     

上海市试点小区湿垃圾源头减量前后垃圾处理处置全链条碳足迹分析

上海市于2019年7月率先开始实施垃圾分类工作,湿垃圾的分类与处理是垃圾分类的痛点问题。在小区垃圾分类站,采用食物垃圾粉碎处理器对湿垃圾进行固液分相处理是实现湿垃圾源头减量处理的试点措施。为了进一步探究在不同模式下垃圾源头减量处理前后的碳排放情况,根据联合国气候变化政府间专家委员会(IPCC)制定的《2006年IPCC国家温室气体清单指南》(简称IPCC指南(2006)),并通过生命周期法对上海市普陀区甘泉街道3个试点小区(2365户)进行传统混收混运处理和湿垃圾源头减量2种处理模式下为期1年的对比评估与分析。结果表明,与传统混收混运处理模式相比,湿垃圾源头减量模式处理1 t原生垃圾可多发电7.8 kWh,减少固体清运量0.3 t,减少净碳排放量(CO₂)1.57×10⁻² t。以上海市垃圾产量2.1×10⁴ t·d⁻¹计,该模式可多发电1.64×10⁵ kWh·d⁻¹,减少固体清运量6 300 t,减少净碳排放量330.5 t CO₂。基于固液分相的湿垃圾源头减量处理模式,对降低生活垃圾处理处置全链条碳排放具有重要作用。以上研究结果可为我国垃圾分类与处理提供必要的数据支撑。     

Biodegradation of waste refrigerator polyurethane by mealworms

● Waste refrigerator polyurethane (WRPU) was ingested and biodegraded by mealworms. ● The carbon in WRPU-based frass was lower than that in WRPU. ● Urethane groups in WRPU were broken down after ingestion by mealworms. ● Thermal stability of WRPU-based frass were deteriorated compared to that of WRPU. ● Gut microbiomes of mealworms fed using WRPU were distinct from that fed using bran. Refrigerator insulation replacement results in discarding a large amount of waste refrigerator polyurethane (WRPU). Insect larvae like mealworms have been used to biodegrade pristine plastics. However, knowledge about mealworms degrading WRPU is scarce. This study presents an in-depth investigation of the degradation of WRPU by mealworms using the micro-morphology, composition, and functional groups of WRPU and the egested frass characteristics. It was found that the WRPU debris in frass was scoured, implying that WRPU was ingested and degraded by mealworms. The carbon content of WRPU-based frass was lower than that of WRPU, indicating that mealworms utilized WRPU as a carbon source. The urethane groups in WRPU were broken, and benzene rings’ C=C and C–H bonds in the isocyanate disappeared after being ingested by mealworms. Thermal gravimetric-differential thermal gravimetry analysis showed that the weight loss temperature of WRPU-based frass was 300 °C lower than that of WRPU, indicating that the thermal stability of WRPU deteriorated after being ingested. The carbon balance analysis confirmed that carbon in the ingested WRPU released as CO₂ increased from 18.84 % to 29.80 %, suggesting that WRPU was partially mineralized. The carbon in the mealworm biomass ingesting WRPU decreased. The possible reason is that WRPU does not supply sufficient nutrients for mealworm growth, and the impurities and odor present in WRPU affect the appetite of the mealworms. The microbial community analysis indicated that WRPU exerts a considerable effect on the gut microorganism of mealworms. These findings confirm that mealworms degrade WRPU.     

Quantification of the regional carbon cycle of the biosphere: policy, science and land-use decisions

This paper addresses some issues related to the carbon cycle and its utilization by society. Traditional uses for agriculture, forestry, as a source of fuel and other products, and for pastoral farming, among others, have recently been supplemented by identifying its potential for mitigating the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Through the Kyoto Protocol, carbon has become a commodity and the CO(2)-absorbing capability of the vegetation and soils an economically valuable asset. The multi-facetted roles of the C cycle and its sensitivity to human activities present a demand for techniques that permit accurate, timely and affordable characterization of the various components of this cycle, especially on land where most human activities take place. Such techniques must satisfy a range of demands in terms of purpose, clients for the information, and biosphere properties. However, if successful, they offer the potential to support monitoring, reporting, policy setting, and management of terrestrial biospheric resources. The context for these requirements and possibilities is illustrated with reference to the China Carbon Sequestration Project and its findings.     

Linking carbon sequestration science with local sustainability: an integrated assessment approach

This paper introduces an integrated assessment (IA) approach for a Canada-China joint research project that linked forest carbon sequestration, forest resource management, and local sustainability enhancement. The purpose of the IA was to improve the measurement of carbon in different land uses and vegetation covers, as well as to direct decision makers to those land uses or options as an CO₂ emission reduction strategy while supporting rural sustainable development. In this connection, three questions are addressed in this paper:

1)

How will forestry carbon sequestration land use policies affect regional sustainability prospects in rural China?     

Enhancing forest carbon sequestration in China: toward an integration of scientific and socio-economic perspectives

This article serves as an introduction to this special issue, "China's Forest Carbon Sequestration", representing major results of a project sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. China occupies a pivotal position globally as a principle emitter of carbon dioxide, as host to some of the world's largest reforestation efforts, and as a key player in international negotiations aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emission. The goals of this project are to develop remote sensing approaches for quantifying forest carbon balance in China in a transparent manner, and information and tools to support land-use decisions for enhanced carbon sequestration (CS) that are science based and economically and socially viable. The project consists of three components: (i) remote sensing and carbon modeling, (ii) forest and soil assessment, and (iii) integrated assessment of the socio-economic implications of CS via forest management. Articles included in this special issue are highlights of the results of each of these components.     

Assessing the potential of native tree species for carbon sequestration forestry in Northeast China

Although the native forests of China are exceptionally diverse, only a small number of tree species have been widely utilized in forest plantations and reforestation efforts. We used dendrochronological sampling methods to assess the potential growth and carbon sequestration of native tree species in Jilin Province, Northeast China. Trees were sampled in and near the Changbaishan Biosphere Reserve, with samples encompassing old-growth, disturbed forest, and plantations. To approximate conditions for planted trees, sampling focused on trees with exposed crowns (dominant and co-dominant individuals). A log-linear relationship was found between diameter increment and tree diameter, with a linear decrease in increment with increasing local basal area; no significant differences in these patterns between plantations and natural stands were detected for two commonly planted species (Pinus koraiensis and Larix olgensis). A growth model that incorporates observed feedbacks with individual tree size and local basal area (in conjunction with allometric models for tree biomass), was used to project stand-level biomass increment. Predicted growth trajectories were then linked to the carbon process model InTEC to provide estimates of carbon sequestration potential. Results indicate substantial differences among species, and suggest that certain native hardwoods (in particular Fraxinus mandshurica and Phellodendron amurense), have high potential for use in carbon forestry applications. Increased use of native hardwoods in carbon forestry in China is likely to have additional benefits in terms of economic diversification and enhanced provision of "ecosystem services", including biodiversity protection.     

Scenarios of Future Climate and Land-Management Effects on Carbon Stocks in Northern Patagonian Shrublands

We analyzed the possible effects of grazing management and future climate change on carbon (C) stocks in soils of northern Patagonian shrublands. To this aim, we coupled the outputs of three (HadCM3, CSIRO Mk2, and CCSR/NIES) global climate models to the CENTURY (v5.3) model of terrestrial C balance. The CENTURY model was initialized with long-term field data on local biome physiognomy, seasonal phenologic trends, and prevailing land-management systems and was validated with recent sequences of 1-km Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (MODIS-Terra) images and soil C data. In the tested scenarios, the predicted climate changes would result in increased total C in soil organic matter (SOMTC). Maximum SOMTC under changed climate forcing would not differ significantly from that expected under baseline conditions (8 kg m⁻²). A decrease in grazing intensity would result in SOMTC increases of 11% to 12% even if climate changes did not occur. Climate change would account for SOMTC increases of 5% to 6%.