澧水流域生态系统服务价值与生态补偿策略

为了协调区域经济发展与生态保护的关系,以澧水流域为研究对象,采用修正的生态系统服务价值系数分析了2001—2013年该区域生态系统服务价值(ESV)的变化情况,并构建灰色模型对2016—2025年生态系统服务价值进行预测,同时综合考虑研究区域经济发展水平,引入生态补偿优先级(ECPS)对不同区域生态补偿的迫切程度进行了量化. 结果表明:①2001—2013年,澧水流域生态系统服务价值从2001年的313.70×108元降至2013年的313.32×108元;GM(1,1)模型预测结果显示,2025年澧水流域生态系统服务价值将降至311.22×108元. ②澧水流域8个县(市/区)的生态系统服务价值和生态补偿优先级存在较大差异,澧水上游(桑植县)和中游(永定区、武陵源区、慈利县、石门县)为整个澧水流域提供了良好的生态服务,属于“生态输出”地区,应该优先得到生态补偿;而下游(澧县、临澧县、津市市)的生态优先级较小,属于“生态消费”地区,应当率先进行生态支付. 研究结果有利于制订合理的生态补偿价格,调节生态保护利益相关者之间的利益关系,有助于当地政府研究制订比较完整的生态补偿政策决策.      

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.      

我国典型陆地生态系统固碳重要区范围界定

全球变暖已成为当今最主要的全球性环境问题之一,建立固碳重要区也是应对全球气候变化的重要途径之一.根据我国陆地生态系统现状以及固碳相关的最新研究结果和政府文件,以森林、草地生态系统为主要研究对象,采用GIS空间叠置分析方法,界定我国典型陆地生态系统固碳重要区(注:涉及“全国”的各要素范围均未包含港澳台地区)的空间范围.研究结果:固碳重要区评价指标体系包括生态系统碳储量、碳汇和固碳潜力3个核心因子,界定过程包括界定范围选择、固碳高值区识别、固碳重要区范围确定和分区命名等步骤.在全国尺度界定了森林、草地两大类共计20个固碳重要区,总面积285.6×104 km2.其中,森林生态系统固碳重要区主要分布在我国东北部、西南部的深山区和东南部的山地丘陵,草地生态系统固碳重要区主要分布在内蒙古高原中东部、新疆西北部山地和青藏高原东南部.固碳重要区面积占全国国土总面积的29.8%,所提供的NPP(净初级生产力)量占全国NPP总量的40.7%,固碳能力是全国平均水平的1.37倍.固碳重要区范围界定结果符合“以较小面积获取较大服务”原则,适于作为我国实现碳减排目标的优先保护区域.      

Role of Crab Herbivory in Die-Off of New England Salt Marshes

Abstract:  Die-offs of cordgrass are pervasive throughout western Atlantic salt marshes, yet understanding of the mechanisms precipitating these events is limited. We tested whether herbivory by the native crab , Sesarma reticulatum , is generating die-offs of cordgrass that are currently occurring on Cape Cod, Massachusetts (U.S.A.), by manipulating crab access to cordgrass transplanted into die-off areas and healthy vegetation. We surveyed 12 Cape Cod marshes to investigate whether the extent of cordgrass die-off on creek banks, where die-offs are concentrated, was related to local Sesarma grazing intensity and crab density. We then used archived aerial images to examine whether creek bank die-off areas have expanded over the past 2 decades and tested the hypothesis that release from predation, leading to elevated Sesarma densities, is triggering cordgrass die-offs by tethering crabs where die-offs are pervasive and where die-offs have not yet been reported. Intensity of crab grazing on transplanted cordgrass was an order of magnitude higher in die-off areas than in adjacent vegetation. Surveys revealed that Sesarma herbivory has denuded nearly half the creek banks in Cape Cod marshes, and differences in crab-grazing intensity among marshes explained >80% of variation in the extent of the die-offs. Moreover, the rate of die-off expansion and area of marsh affected have more than doubled since 2000. Crab-tethering experiments suggest that release from predation has triggered elevated crab densities that are driving these die-offs, indicating that disruption of predator–prey interactions may be generating the collapse of marsh ecosystems previously thought to be exclusively under bottom-up control .     

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.     

Land Development in and around Protected Areas at the Wilderness Frontier

Protected areas’ chief conservation objectives are to include species within their boundaries and protect them from negative external pressures. Many protected areas are not achieving these goals, perhaps in part due to land development inside and outside protected areas. We conducted spatial analyses to evaluate the ability of Canadian protected areas to mitigate the effects of nearby land development. We investigated correlations of national patterns of land development in and around protected areas and then examined national patterns of roads, urban area, and croplands in protected areas. We calculated the amount of developed land in protected areas and within 25–100 km of protected‐area borders, the density of roads, and extent of urban and cropland area in protected areas. We constructed logistic‐regression models to test whether development in a protected area was associated with landscape and protected‐area characteristics. Land development was far less extensive inside than outside protected areas. However, several protected areas, particularly small southern areas near small urban centers had substantial development inside their boundaries, and nearly half of protected areas had roads. The cumulative extent of development within 50 km of protected areas was the best predictor of the probability of land development in protected areas. Canadian First Nations, industries, government, and nongovernmental organizations are currently planning an unprecedented number of new protected areas. Careful management of areas beyond protected‐area boundaries may prove critical to meeting their long‐term conservation objectives. Desarrollo de Tierras Dentro y Alrededor de Áreas Protegidas en la Frontera Silvestre     

The Impending Peak and Decline of Petroleum Production: an Underestimated Challenge for Conservation of Ecological Integrity

Abstract: In the last few decades petroleum has been consumed at a much faster pace than new reserves have been discovered. The point at which global oil extraction will attain a peak (“peak oil”) and begin a period of unavoidable decline is approaching. This eventuality will drive fundamental changes in the quantity and nature of energy flows through the human economic system, which probably will be accompanied by economic turmoil, political conflicts, and a high level of social tension. Besides being a geological and economic issue, peak oil is also a fundamental concern as it pertains to ecological systems and conservation because economics is a subsystem of the global ecosystem and changes in human energy‐related behaviors can lead to a broad range of effects on natural ecosystems, ranging from overuse to abandonment. As it becomes more difficult to meet energy demands, environmental considerations may be easily superseded. Given the vital importance of ecosystems and ecosystem services in a postpetroleum era, it is crucially important to wisely manage our ecosystems during the transition period to an economy based on little or no use of fossil fuels. Good policies can be formulated through awareness and understanding gained from scenario‐based assessments. Presently, most widely used global scenarios of environmental change do not incorporate resource limitation, including those of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Considering the potential magnitude of the effects of peak oil on society and nature, the development of resource‐constrained scenarios should be addressed immediately. Ecologists and conservation biologists are in an important position to analyze the situation and provide guidance, yet the topic is noticeably absent from ecological discussions. We urge politicians, corporate chief executives, thought leaders, and citizens to consider this problem seriously because it is likely to develop into one of the key environmental issues of the 21st century.     

Ecological and economic impacts of green roofs and permeable pavements at the city level: the case of Corvallis,Oregon

A city's spatial footprint is covered by extensive impervious building roofs and paved surfaces, which contribute to greater storm-water runoff, more surface pollutants, and less carbon sequestration, hence, worse ecosystem services. This research conducts an empirical study on the ecological and economic impacts of a citywide adoption of green roofs and permeable pavements in Corvallis, OR. The effects on ecosystem services of using green roofs and pervious pavements for a low impact development are modelled using Integrated Value of Ecosystem Services Trade-offs and compared to those from the City's current conventional development without green roofs and pervious pavements. The differences are analysed for ecological impact by storm-water yield, storm-water purification, and carbon sequestration and economic impact by a cost-benefit comparison. The results indicate that low impact development, especially intensive green roofs on commercial/industrial buildings and permeable pavements for parking lots, plays a significant role, even with a higher initial implementation cost, for long-term urban sustainability.