生态区评价研究的兴起与发展——以美国森林生态系统管理评价(FEMAT)研究为例

生态区评价是近年来出现在美国的一种新型区域生态系统管理方法的理论与实践科学研究,起始于美国总统森林会议(1993)后成立的森林生态系统管理评价组(FEMAT),目标是实现地区生态系统的科学管理.本文评介了生态区评价首项案例--美国西北太平洋沿岸区原始森林及其他各类森林经营管理方案的生态、经济、社会影响综合评价的科学与方法实践意义.指出FEMAT的生态区评价:1)迈出了生态区评价历史上坚实的第一步,实现了区域土地利用规划与生态系统管理方案从以行政疆域为准划分向以生态区域为准划定边界的转变;2)方案优化过程充分考虑区域生态、经济、社会的历史、现状与未来趋势等各方面,将科学、政策、管理融为一体,使之易于在实践中贯彻;3)促进了不同政府机构和利益团体间为实现资源开发与生态保育双重目标而共同协作.

THE ORIGINATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEECOREGIONAL ASSESSMENT: INTRODUCTION TO THE RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE FOREST ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT TEAM (FEMAT) IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Ecoregional Assessment (or Bioregional Assessment) is a new scientific research field that deals with the theories and methodology of the regional ecosystem management practices, which was originated in the United States in recent years after the Forest Conference of President Clinton in 1993. Following that conference, a research group named Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team (FEMAT) was established and its primary goal was to realize the scientific management for the regional forest ecosystems. This paper analyzes the scientific and methodological significance of the ecoregional assessment through introducing its first case study, in which the management plan options for old-growth and late-successional forests were assessed in terms of ecological, economic, and social aspects conducted by FEMAT in the Northwest Pacific Forest Region of the USA. The paper shows through analysis: 1) the FEMAT's research work was the first sound step in history of realizing the change of regional land use planning and management options on the basis from administrative boundaries to ecological regions; 2) in the optimization-selection process of management options, the regions' past history, present situation, and future development trend of ecology, economy and society were thoroughly considered, and the process integrated the science, policy and management together. Therefore, it is easy to be implemented in the management practice; and 3) the assessment process promoted the cooperation among federal agencies and different interest groups for achieving the goals of keeping a balance between natural resources utilization and ecological conservation.