Slope,aspect and climate: Spatially explicit and implicit models of topographic microclimate in chalk grassland

The slope and aspect of a vegetated surface strongly affects the amount of solar radiation intercepted by that surface. Solar radiation is the dominant component of the surface energy balance and influences ecologically critical factors of microclimate, including near-surface temperatures, evaporative demand and soil moisture content. It also determines the exposure of vegetation to photosynthetically active and ultra-violet wavelengths. Spatial variation in slope and aspect is therefore a key determinant of vegetation pattern, species distribution and ecosystem processes in many environments. Slope and aspect angle may vary considerably over distances of a few metres, and fine-scale species’ distribution patterns frequently follow these topographic patterns. The availability of suitable microclimate at such scales may be critical for the response of species distributions to climatic change at much larger spatial scales. However, quantifying the relevant microclimatic gradients is not straightforward, as the potential variation in solar radiation flux under clear-sky conditions is modified by local and regional variations in cloud cover, and interacts with long-wave radiation exchange, local meteorology and surface characteristics.     

Sensitivity of stand dynamics to grazing in mixed Pinus sylvestris and Quercus pubescens forests: A modelling study

Only recently, studies of forest succession have started to include the effects of browsing by wild or domestic ungulates. We aim to contribute to this topic by analysing the influence of goat grazing on the long-term coexistence of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) in the low-elevation forests of an inner-Alpine dry valley. The forest gap model ForClim was first adapted to these site conditions by examining the site-dependent sensitivity of the model with regard to the species-specific parameterisation of the drought tolerance as well as the light demand of establishing and adult trees. In a second step, the behaviour of the model was investigated with respect to different grazing intensities and species-specific browsing susceptibilities. The last step was the application of a grazing scenario based on forest history, with 150 years of heavy browsing (by goats) at the beginning of the simulated forest succession, followed by less intensive grazing pressure.     

Eco-hydrological modelling in a highly regulated lowland catchment to find measures for improving water quality

Water quality modelling in the meso-scale Rhin catchment in the German federal state Brandenburg was done (1) to answer some specific questions concerning identification of point and diffuse sources of nutrient pollution in the catchment, (2) to assess the influences of possible climate and land use changes on water quantity and quality and (3) to evaluate potential measures to be done in order to achieve a “good ecological status” of the river and its lakes as required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD).The Rhin catchment is a typical highly regulated lowland river basin in Northern Germany. The regulations complicate water quantity and quality modelling in the catchment. The research was done by using the eco-hydrological model SWIM (Soil and Water Integrated Model), which simulates water and nutrient fluxes in soil and vegetation, as well as transport of water and nutrients to and within the river network. The modelling period was from 1981 until 2005. After calibrating the hydrological processes at different gauges within the basin with satisfactory results, water quality (nitrogen and phosphorus) modelling was done taking into account the emissions of different point sources (sewage treatment plants, etc.) and identifying the amount of diffuse pollution caused mainly by agriculture.For suggesting some feasible measures to improve water quality and to reduce diffuse pollution considering possible climate and land use changes, different reasonable scenarios were applied in consultation with the Environmental Agency of Brandenburg (LUA). The study revealed that the amount of water discharge has significant influence on the concentration of nutrients in the river network, and that nitrogen pollution, caused mainly by diffuse sources, could be notably reduced by application of agricultural measures, whereas the pollution by phosphorus could be diminished most effectively by the reduction of point source emissions.     

吉林西部土地利用/覆被时空变化驱动力分析

针对吉林两部土地利用/覆被情况,基于TM影像,借助人机交互解译方法,结合1:10万地形图获得1986年、1996年、2000年和2004年的4期土地利用/覆被变化(LUCC)矢量数据.利用土地利用动态度模型、土地利用转移矩阵.全面揭示研究区15年的LUCC时空变化特征,结果表明.盐碱地扩张,湿地、水域萎缩和草地退化已经成为吉林西部生态环境恶化的突出表现.结合研究区的实际情况选取总人口数、农业人口数、粮食总产置等12个指标作为LUCC:变化的丰十会经济驱动因子,借助多元线性回归模型,建立主要土地利用类型的驱动力模型.结果表明吉林西部土地利用变化的最主要社会经济因子是农业人口数、农民人均纯收入、农业生产技术(农业机械总动力、化肥施用量)和农村用电量,同时提出相应的生态环境保护和社会经济措施.     

渭河上游天然径流变化及其自然与人为因素影响贡献量

从20世纪60年代开始,渭河上游入陕西境内的水量不断减少,90年代天然径流量仅为60年代的60%。分析天然径流与降水的相关关系,对降水与非降水因素对径流减少的贡献进行了定量分析。结果表明,降水与非降水因素共同作用使得渭河上游径流量不断减少,且从20世纪70年代开始,非降水因素的贡献率逐渐增强,成为影响渭河上游天然径流量减少的主要因素。分析天然径流量与气温的相关关系,两者的相关系数在0.47以上,采用假设法,将气温从非降水因素中提取出来,进一步分析自然因素与人为因素的影响,结果表明,80年代以前,以自然因素影响为主,80年代以后,以人为因素影响为主,且人为因素的影响程度在逐渐增强,其原因在于人类活动改变下垫面导致径流减少。     

“耕地总量动态平衡”政策驱动下中国的耕地变化及其生态环境效应

土地政策是影响土地利用及生态环境变化的一个重要的驱动因素。论文分析了“耕地总量动态平衡”政策对中国的耕地变化及其生态环境效应的影响,结果表明,“耕地总量动态平衡”政策对中国耕地的数量变化产生了积极作用,主要表现为:非农建设占用耕地的势头总体上得到遏制,全国及各省(市、区)基本实现耕地占补平衡,促进了农地整理工作的开展。但是,该政策对中国耕地的质量变化的影响却相反,在全国实现耕地占补平衡的情况下,耕地的总体生产能力呈下降趋势,同时,对生态环境产生了一定的负面效应。在此基础上,论文提出了重新审视“耕地总量动态平衡”政策的可行性,以“保护和提高耕地综合生产能力”替代“耕地总量动态平衡”以及根据土地资源区域差异采取不同的具体措施等对该政策加以调整的思路。     

森林与径流关系——一致性和复杂性

@论文综述国外近一个世纪以来在配对集水区研究方面所取得的结论,从水的自然属性出发,从森林变化对径流(年径流量、洪峰与枯水径流)的影响,径流响应的干扰临界值及水文恢复各方面探讨森林变化与径流关系的一致性与复杂性。森林变化与径流关系的一致性主要表现在由较长时间尺度表达的年径流量上。绝大多数的配对集水区的试验研究表明,采伐森林就会增加年径流量,而在荒地上造林就会减少年径流量。而由较短时间尺度表达的洪峰径流与枯水流量则呈现较大的复杂性和难预估性。综述表明,对径流特别是洪峰与枯水径流的定义及分析方法的不同也是造成森林与径流关系复杂性的重要原因。森林与径流关系的复杂性要求人们在研究及应用其关系时就必须有系统观,必须考虑植被、径流与其它过程(土壤变化、气候变化等)的相互作用。论文还认为尽管配对集水区试验作为一种研究方法为研究者提供了许多可靠的结论,但由于许多研究者只把集水区看作是“黑箱”Q从而对认识森林与径流关系的复杂性有一定的局限性。未来的研究应把配对集水区的试验与其它对过程的研究技术(同位素、GIS等技术)结合起来。     

垂直气井和横向气管收集填埋气的特性比较

以欧洲最大的一家垃圾填埋场的运行为实例,分别从集气质量、抽吸负压、投资费用等方面,对垂直气井和横向气管2种不同的集气方式进行分析比较,总结其各自的特点及适用范围,为国内卫生填埋场的建设及运行控制提供参照和建议。     

华北地区水资源及水安全问题的思考与研究

结合中国科学院知识创新工程项目“华北地区水循环与水资源安全”的研究工作,论述华北地区紧迫的水安全问题与反思,展望国际水科学研究前沿与热点问题,介绍中国科学院在变化环境下的水循环、农业节水和水资源安全研究的阶段成果和近期研究行动计划,提出中国北方特别是华北地区的水文水资源科学研究与发展的几点建议。目的是研讨未来中国北方特别是华北地区水资源安全国家需求中的长远发展的前沿性问题。     

碳中和目标下海洋地球工程的国际法规制和政策启示

碳中和目标的实现需要充分开发海洋碳汇的潜力。海洋施肥、人工海洋上升流、海洋碱化是三种旨在提升海洋碳汇的地球工程技术。本文从海洋地球工程活动合法性、海洋环境保护义务和气候变化公约体系三个方面论述海洋地球工程的国际法框架。首先,《伦敦倾倒公约》和《伦敦议定书》中关于“倾倒”的定义不适用于海洋地球工程活动涉及的以吸收二氧化碳为目的投放铁或碱性物粉末或放置管道的行为。《关于规制以海洋施肥和其他以海洋地球工程活动为目的投放物质的伦敦议定书修正案》将海洋施肥活动限制在通过了完整的环境影响评价的“合理科学研究”范围内。目前这一限制不适用于其他海洋地球工程技术,但随着对其他技术研究的深入,修正案限制范围有可能会扩大。其次,《联合国海洋法公约》和《生物多样性公约》中有关海洋环境和海洋生态保护的公约条款适用于海洋地球工程活动,其中有关环境影响评价的义务与海洋地球工程的发展密切相关。再次,《联合国气候变化框架公约》以及《巴黎协定》中关于国家自主贡献的规定为实施海洋地球工程提供了鼓励性规则。最后,本文就中国关于该技术的实验活动以及未来应用该技术的场景下涉及的遵约和治理问题进行展望。当前不与国际法冲突的发展模式是进行小规模试验研究、建立海洋碳汇方法学标准、核算海洋碳汇经济价值,推动海洋碳汇换算核证自愿减排量进入碳市场交易;在实践中鼓励将开发海洋碳汇与低碳渔业养殖、陆海统筹增汇等方法相结合。未来能否大规模实施海洋地球工程技术取决于对海洋生态环境相关影响研究的进展。