What Matters Most: Are Future Stream Temperatures More Sensitive to Changing Air Temperatures,Discharge, or Riparian Vegetation?

Simulations of stream temperatures showed a wide range of future thermal regimes under a warming climate — from 2.9°C warmer to 7.6°C cooler than current conditions — depending primarily on shade from riparian vegetation. We used the stream temperature model, Heat Source, to analyze a 37‐km study segment of the upper Middle Fork John Day River, located in northeast Oregon, USA. We developed alternative future scenarios based on downscaled projections from climate change models and the composition and structure of native riparian forests. We examined 36 scenarios combining future changes in air temperature (ΔT_air = 0°C, +2°C, and +4°C), stream discharge (ΔQ = ?30%, 0%, and +30%), and riparian vegetation (post‐wildfire with 7% shade, current vegetation with 19% shade, a young‐open forest with 34% shade, and a mature riparian forest with 79% effective shade). Shade from riparian vegetation had the largest influence on stream temperatures, changing the seven‐day average daily maximum temperature (7DADM) from +1°C to ?7°C. In comparison, the 7DADM increased by 1.4°C with a 4°C increase in air temperature and by 0.7°C with a 30% change in discharge. Many streams throughout the interior western United States have been altered in ways that have substantially reduced shade. The effect of restoring shade could result in future stream temperatures that are colder than today, even under a warmer climate with substantially lower late‐summer streamflow.     

Road Erosion and Delivery Index (READI): A Model for Evaluating Unpaved Road Erosion and Stream Sediment Delivery

The Road Erosion and Delivery Index (READI) is a new geographic information system–based model to assess erosion and delivery of water and sediment from unpaved road networks to streams. READI quantifies the effectiveness of existing road surfacing and drain placements in reducing road sediment delivery and guides upgrades to optimize future reductions. Roads are draped on a digital elevation model and parsed into hydrologically distinct segments. Segments are further divided by engineered drainage structures. For each segment, a kinematic wave approximation generates runoff hydrographs for specified storms, with discharge directly to streams at road–stream crossings and onto overland‐flow plumes at other discharge points. Plumes are attenuated by soil infiltration, which limits their length, with delivery occurring if plumes intersect streams. Sediment production and sediment delivery can be calculated as a relative dimensionless index. READI predicts only a small proportion of new drains and new surfacing results in the majority of sediment delivery reductions. The model illustrates how the spatial relationships between road and stream networks, controlled by topography and network geometries, influence patterns of road–stream connectivity. READI was applied in seven northern California basins. The model was also applied in a recent burn area to examine how reduced hillslope infiltration can result in increased hydrologic connectivity and sediment delivery.     

采伐与人工更新对红壤丘陵区森林面积和地上生物量的影响模拟——以会同县磨哨林场为例

我国人工林生态系统正面临着结构退化、功能降低等问题,迫切需要通过合理的森林管理方案实施有效的管理措施加以改善。本文以湖南省会同县磨哨林场为研究区,应用生态系统过程模型PnET-II和森林景观模型LANDIS-II,采用情景模拟的方式研究未来100年低、中、高强度的采伐措施以及人工更新对森林面积和地上生物量的影响。结果表明：（1）随着采伐强度增加,人工针叶林面积持续减少、森林AGB下降幅度加大;（2）人工更新措施能够使人工针叶林面积保持稳定,促进其AGB积累,有利于人工林更新与生长;（3）对人工林采取中等强度采伐且实施伐后人工更新的管理方案有利于我国南方以杉木（Cunninghamia lanceolata）、马尾松（Pinus massoniana）为主要树种的人工林地区实现森林可持续经营。     

贵州茂兰喀斯特森林不同演替下土壤真核微生物多样性

真核微生物是茂兰喀斯特森林土壤微生物中的重要组成部分,在生态系统物质循环和能量流动中扮演着重要角色.为了解茂兰喀斯特森林不同演替阶段下土壤真核微生物群落组成及其多样性,利用18S rDNA高通量测序技术研究了原生林(YSL)、灌木林(GML)、灌木丛(GMC)和草地(CD)这4种演替阶段下土壤真核微生物群落多样性.结果表明,在不同分类水平下,不同演替阶段土壤真核微生物群落组成相似.α多样性指数存在显著差异, Shannon指数与Simpson指数在不同演替阶段表现为:YSLGMCGMLCD. NMDS分析表明不同演替阶段土壤真核微生物群落结构存在差异; LEfSe分析表明,YSL中差异指示种数量高于GML、GML和CD.本研究结果为研究不同演替阶段下土壤真核微生物提供了理论基础.     

林冠特征对城市森林斑块消减空气PM2.5质量浓度的影响

研究城市森林斑块消减空气PM_(2.5)质量浓度的能力,以及这种能力的主要影响因素,对改善城市空气环境具有重要的意义.本研究测定了南昌市典型城市森林斑块消减PM_(2.5)质量浓度的能力(PM_(2.5)AC),并分析了PM_(2.5)AC对城市森林斑块林分组成、冠层特征的响应.研究表明:南昌市城市森林斑块具有显著消减空气PM_(2.5)质量浓度的能力,其中针叶林斑块PM_(2.5)AC最高,达到9.15%,阔叶纯林最低3.82%;整体上春季PM_(2.5)AC最高,达到7.34%,冬季最低3.76%.城市森林斑块PM_(2.5)AC与林冠特征中的LAI(叶面积指数)显著正相关,与DIFN(天空开度)显著负相关,与斑块特征中的斑块面积、林分结构、斑块总叶面积显著正相关.通过综合分析,城市森林斑块总叶面积是主导PM_(2.5)AC的主要影响因素.     

氮添加对亚热带森林土壤有机碳氮组分的影响

为了研究氮添加对森林土壤有机碳氮组分稳定性的影响,选取我国亚热带典型常绿阔叶林(浙江桂天然林和罗浮栲天然林)和针叶林(杉木人工林),开展为期5年的野外模拟氮沉降试验,分别设置对照〔0 kg/(hm2·a),以NH₄NO₃中的N计,下同〕、低氮〔75 kg/(hm2·a)〕和高氮〔150 kg/(hm2·a)〕3个氮添加水平,用H₂SO₄分2步酸水解获得LPⅠ(活性有机库Ⅰ)、LPⅡ(活性有机库Ⅱ)和RP(惰性有机库),定量研究土壤活性和惰性有机碳氮组分以及微生物生物量碳氮对氮添加的响应. 结果表明:氮添加仅对w(LPⅡ-C)(LPⅡ-C为活性有机碳Ⅱ)有显著影响,而对其他活性和惰性有机碳氮组分的影响不显著,并且对不同林分的影响存在差异. 与对照处理相比,低氮处理下浙江桂天然林、罗浮栲天然林和杉木人工林土壤w(LPⅡ-C)的增幅分别为15.3%、29.8%、68.8%;高氮处理下杉木人工林土壤w(LPⅠ-C)(LPⅠ-C为活性有机碳Ⅰ)、w(LPⅠ-N)(LPⅠ-N为活性有机氮Ⅰ)和w(RP-C)(RP-C为惰性有机碳)的增幅分别为32.4%、78.6%、28.7%;氮添加使得土壤w(SMB-C)(土壤微生物生物量碳)的增幅为18.1%~202.5%、w(SMB-N)(土壤微生物生物量氮)的增幅为0%~103.6%;在氮添加处理下,除杉木人工林土壤SMB-N/LPⅠ-N〔w(SMB-N)/w(LPⅠ-N)〕是随着氮添加水平的增加而降低外,微生物对其他林分土壤活性有机氮的利用均表现为随着氮添加水平的增加而增加. 研究显示,氮添加对阔叶林和针叶林土壤活性和惰性有机碳氮组分的影响存在差异,但差异不显著,这与它们归还土壤的凋落物性质差异有关,并且凋落物的分解差异也可能是影响土壤不同碳氮组分变化的原因.      

Identifying Conservation and Restoration Priorities for Saproxylic and Old-Growth Forest Species: A Case Study in Switzerland

Saproxylic (dead-wood-associated) and old-growth species are among the most threatened species in European forest ecosystems, as they are susceptible to intensive forest management. Identifying areas with particular relevant features of biodiversity is of prime concern when developing species conservation and habitat restoration strategies and in optimizing resource investments. We present an approach to identify regional conservation and restoration priorities even if knowledge on species distribution is weak, such as for saproxylic and old-growth species in Switzerland. Habitat suitability maps were modeled for an expert-based selection of 55 focal species, using an ecological niche factor analyses (ENFA). All the maps were then overlaid, in order to identify potential species’ hotspots for different species groups of the 55 focal species (e.g., birds, fungi, red-listed species). We found that hotspots for various species groups did not correspond. Our results indicate that an approach based on “richness hotspots” may fail to conserve specific species groups. We hence recommend defining a biodiversity conservation strategy prior to implementing conservation/restoration efforts in specific regions. The conservation priority setting of the five biogeographical regions in Switzerland, however, did not differ when different hotspot definitions were applied. This observation emphasizes that the chosen method is robust. Since the ENFA needs only presence data, this species prediction method seems to be useful for any situation where the species distribution is poorly known and/or absence data are lacking. In order to identify priorities for either conservation or restoration efforts, we recommend a method based on presence data only, because absence data may reflect factors unrelated to species presence.     

Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal relations and sustainable forest management in Canada: The influence of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples

This paper provides an overview of the emerging role of Aboriginal people in Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in Canada over the past decade. The 1996 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) provided guidance and recommendations for improving Aboriginal peoples' position in Canadian society, beginning with strengthening understanding and building relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal parties. This paper explores the extent to which advances in Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal relationships and Aboriginal forestry have been made as a result of RCAP's call for renewed relationships based on co-existence among nations. Such changes have begun to alter the context in which Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal relationships exist with respect to SFM. While governments themselves have generally not demonstrated the leadership called for by RCAP in taking up these challenges, industry and other partners are demonstrating some improvements. A degree of progress has been achieved in terms of lands and resources, particularly with co-management-type arrangements, but a fundamental re-structuring needed to reflect nation-to-nation relationships has not yet occurred. Other factors related to increasing Aboriginal participation in SFM, such as the recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights, are also highlighted, along with suggestions for moving Aboriginal peoples' SFM agenda forward in the coming years.     

Antipoaching standards in onshore hydrocarbon concessions drawn from a Central African case study

Unsustainable hunting outside protected areas is threatening tropical biodiversity worldwide and requires conservationists to engage increasingly in antipoaching activities. Following the example of ecocertified logging companies, we argue that other extractive industries managing large concessions should engage in antipoaching activities as part of their environmental management plans. Onshore hydrocarbon concessions should also adopt antipoaching protocols as a standard because they represent a biodiversity threat comparable to logging. We examined the spatiotemporal patterns of small‐ and large‐mammal poaching in an onshore oil concession in Gabon, Central Africa, with a Bayesian occupancy model based on signs of poaching collected from 2010 to 2015 on antipoaching patrols. Patrol locations were initially determined based on local intelligence and past patrol successes (adaptive management) and subsequently with a systematic sampling of the concession. We generated maps of poaching probability in the concession and determined the temporal trends of this threat over 5 years. The spatiotemporal patterns of large‐ and small‐mammal poaching differed throughout the concession, and likely these groups will need different management strategies. By elucidating the relationship between site‐specific sampling effort and detection probability, the Bayesian method allowed us to set goals for future antipoaching patrols. Our results indicate that a combination of systematic sampling and adaptive management data is necessary to infer spatiotemporal patterns with the statistical method we used. On the basis of our case study, we recommend hydrocarbon companies interested in implementing efficient antipoaching activities in their onshore concessions to lay the foundation of long‐needed industry standards by: adequately measuring antipoaching effort; mixing adaptive management and balanced sampling; setting goals for antipoaching effort; pairing patrols with large‐mammal monitoring; supporting antipoaching patrols across the landscape; restricting access to their concessions; performing random searches for bushmeat and mammal products at points of entry; controlling urban and agricultural expansion; supporting bushmeat alternatives; and supporting land‐use planning.     

Testing Hypotheses of Bird Extinctions at Rio Palenque,Ecuador, with Informal Species Lists

Abstract: Informally gathered species lists are a potential source of data for conservation biology, but most remain unused because of questions of reliability and statistical issues. We applied two alternative analytical methods (contingency tests and occupancy modeling) to a 35‐year data set (1973–2007) to test hypotheses about local bird extinction. We compiled data from bird lists collected by expert amateurs and professional scientists in a 2‐km² fragment of lowland tropical forest in coastal Ecuador. We tested the effects of the following on local extinction: trophic level, sociality, foraging specialization, light tolerance, geographical range area, and biogeographic source. First we assessed extinction on the basis of the number of years in which a species was not detected on the site and used contingency tests with each factor to compare the frequency of expected and observed extinction events among different species categories. Then we defined four multiyear periods that reflected different stages of deforestation and isolation of the study site and used occupancy modeling to test extinction hypotheses singly and in combination. Both types of analyses supported the biogeographic source hypothesis and the species‐range hypothesis as causes of extinction; however, occupancy modeling indicated the model incorporating all factors except foraging specialization best fit the data.