Linking linear programming and spatial simulation models to predict landscape effects of forest management alternatives

Forest management planners require analytical tools to assess the effects of alternative strategies on the sometimes disparate benefits from forests such as timber production and wildlife habitat. We assessed the spatial patterns of alternative management strategies by linking two models that were developed for different purposes. We used a linear programming model (Spectrum) to optimize timber harvest schedules, then a simulation model (HARVEST) to project those schedules in a spatially explicit way and produce maps from which the spatial pattern of habitat could be calculated. We demonstrated the power of this approach by evaluating alternative plans developed for a national forest plan revision in Wisconsin, USA. The amount of forest interior habitat was inversely related to the amount of timber cut, and increased under the alternatives compared to the current plan. The amount of edge habitat was positively related to the amount of timber cut, and increased under all alternatives. The amount of mature northern hardwood interior and edge habitat increased for all alternatives, but mature pine habitat area varied. Mature age classes of all forest types increased, and young classes decreased under all alternatives. The average size of patches (defined by age class) generally decreased. These results are consistent with the design goals of each of the alternatives, but reveal that the spatial differences among the alternatives are modest. These complementary models are valuable for quantifying and comparing the spatial effects of alternative management strategies.     

基于3S技术的矿产资源开发景观格局动态变化研究——以木里县梭罗沟金矿改扩建工程为例

本文在阐述3S技术特点的基础上,以四川省木里县梭罗沟金矿改扩建工程所在地的梭罗沟和如米沟为研究区,介绍了3S技术在景观格局信息提取的技术要求、数据收集和工作流程,并对研究区景观格局的提取结果进行了动态变化预测与分析。实例研究证明,3S技术是景观生态学研究的重要技术工具,应用3S技术开展矿产资源开发景观格局动态评价,可以准确、快速地提取景观格局的主要特征指标,掌握景观格局现状、预测其动态变化特征、揭示其变化规律,满足区域景观格局研究的要求。本研究方法适用于生态类建设项目或区域开发规划的景观格局中短期动态预测研究,不宜用于景观格局长期的动态预测。     

Estimating biodiversity impacts without field surveys: A case study in northern Borneo

In many regions of the world, biodiversity surveys are not routinely conducted prior to activities that lead to land conversion, such as development projects. Here we use top-down methods based on global range maps and bottom-up methods based on macroecological scaling laws to illuminate the otherwise hidden biodiversity impacts of three large hydroelectric dams in the state of Sarawak in northern Borneo. Our retrospective impact assessment finds that the three reservoirs inundate habitat for 331 species of birds (3 million individuals) and 164 species of mammals (110 million individuals). A minimum of 2100 species of trees (900 million individuals) and 17 700 species of arthropods (34 billion individuals) are estimated to be affected by the dams. No extinctions of bird, mammal, or tree species are expected due to habitat loss following reservoir inundation, while 4–7 arthropod species extinctions are predicted. These assessment methods are applicable to any data-limited system undergoing land-use change.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-015-0683-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Phoenix flagships: Conservation values and guanaco reintroduction in an anthropogenic landscape

Multiple forms of valuation contribute to public acceptance of conservation projects. Here, we consider how esthetic, intrinsic, and utilitarian values contribute to public attitudes toward a proposed reintroduction of guanaco (Lama guanicoe) in a silvopastoral system of central Chile. The nexus among landscape perceptions and valuations, support for reintroductions, and management of anthropogenic habitats is of increasing interest due to the proliferation of conservation approaches combining some or all of these elements, including rewilding and reconciliation ecology, for example. We assessed attitudes and values through an online questionnaire for residents of Santiago, Chile, using multiple methods including photo-montages and Likert scale assessments of value-based statements. We also combined the questionnaire approach with key informant interviews. We find strong support for the reintroduction of guanacos into the Chilean silvopastoral system (‘espinal’) in terms of esthetic and intrinsic values but less in terms of utilitarian values. Respondents preferred a scenario of espinal with guanacos and expressed interest in visiting it, as well as support for the reintroduction project on the basis that guanacos are native to central Chile. We suggest that reintroduced guanacos could serve as a ‘phoenix flagship species’ for espinal conservation, that is, a flagship species that has gone regionally extinct and is known but not associated with the region in the cultural memory. We consider how the lack of local cultural identity can both help and weaken phoenix flagships, which we expect to become more common.     

珠江三角洲典型区景观生态聚类分析

珠海是珠江三角洲地区一个海陆交互作用与人类干扰活动频繁的典型区域。文章以2000年TM数据为基础数据源，编制珠海地区景观类型图，并以镇(区)为基本空间单元将珠海划分为20个景观生态子区，在GIS与景观斑块分析软件Patch Analyst 2．0支持下计算各子区的景观特征指数。通过各子区的景观指数对比分析，探讨研究区范围内景观格局的空间差异，揭示人类活动、自然干扰等各种景观生态机制对区域景观生态的影响。根据各指数反映的景观特征信息，选择平均斑块大小(MPS)、斑块大小变异系数(PSCOV)、边缘密度(ED)、面积加权分维数(AWMPFD)、破碎度指数(F)、多样性指数(SDI)及人为干扰指数(DT)进行珠海景观生态聚类分析，根据聚类分析结果可多层次客观地对珠海地区进行景观生态类型区划分。     

再生水用于都市绿地灌溉的研究进展

污水再利用具有节水和治污双重功能,用于绿地灌溉意义重大。综述了再生水灌溉对绿地土壤、植物、地下水的影响。着重介绍了国外的研究情况,分析了其试验结果及影响因素,表明虽然再生水中的一些有害成分会发生积累,但由于处理工艺、降雨等因素影响,对绿地生态系统影响不大,使用再生水灌溉绿地是切实可行的。     

Visions and strategies for growth management: Teller County/Woodland Park example

This article is the third in a series prepared to explain the Teller County growth management planning process. Once it was determined by local decision-makers that Teller County, Colorado, would pursue a policy of directed growth, concepts based on this policy were developed. These concepts presented visions and options for the future. Landscape plans then were developed for Teller County and the City of Woodland Park planning area so that these options could be visualized by local leaders and the public. The landscape plans were used as part of the ongoing citizen involvement process to inform the public about the options for growth management. To provide even more information, detailed designs were developed for specific areas in the county. From the landscape plan, public involvement effort, and detailed designs, specific implementation measures were identified, discussed, and adopted. These measures included guidelines for administration, so that county and city goals could be linked to the actual day-to-day management of development proposals. Paper 3 in a series of 3.     

Surveys of historic parks and gardens

The United Kingdom offers some of the finest designed parks and garden landscapes in the world and, whilst there is a wide range of skills and a wealth of literature on the subject, there is little evidence of official effort to systematically record historic sites. This, it is argued, is a factor in the continuing decline of many examples. This paper records an attempt at a comprehensive examination of one county — Cheshire — begun in 1970. The method is described and the results discussed in some detail. Some suggestions are put forward for improvements to official incentives for site owners.     

The landscape design of forestry

The value placed by the public on the nation's rural landscapes is emphasised by vociferous criticism of insensitive, large‐scale afforestation. As forestry causes massive changes in the landscape in the short term, with results that last for decades, the opportunity provided to improve and conserve should be positively grasped. There is evidence that concensus exists over a considerable part of landscape and design, and this paper explores some of the major factors in landscape design which are consistently important in forest landscapes.     

城市快速路景观影响评价方法探讨

首先介绍了国内外道路景观影响评价发展状况和意义,给出了城市快速路景观及视觉影响评价的基本概念、步骤和方针;结合常用的景观影响评价方法,充分考虑工程实践中时间性、准确性要求形成了一套具有较强操作性的景观影响评价方法。在该方法中对指标的概念和标准化处理方法做了改进,计算函数更为实用和完备,并充分考虑了公众关注度的因素,体现了观念的更新。最后给出了对视觉影响的缓解措施和改进意见。