Dynamic Changes of the Bush Encroachment in Low Altitude Area of Ethiopia

Bush encroachment is widely distributed in arid and semi-arid regions, and it has a serious impact on livestock production, especially in Africa where livestock is a primary source for the livelihoods of many people. In this study, methods of supervised classification and decision tree classification, and indexes of a land use change significance index (Ci) and a single land use dynamic degree, were applied to remote sensing imagery of Ethiopia for 1986-2016. The results show the dynamic characteristics of grassland bush encroachment in low altitude areas (pastures <1500 m above sea level) of Ethiopia in the 30 year period studied. The results revealed several interesting features of this phenomenon. (1) The area of bush encroachment showed an increasing trend, with a maximum of 3.74×10³ km² in 2003, which represented 68.97% of the total area, and declined slightly from 2003~2016. (2) Among classification types, the area of severe shrub grassland was the largest, accounting for 28.36-49.10% of the total area, while the area of moderate bush encroachment accounted for 9.77-16.68%, and slight bush encroachment accounted for 5.52-7.57%. (3) The expansion rate of shrubby grassland was 0.74% for the 30 year period, while the average annual expansion rate was 2.16% for the 8 years from 1995-2003. (4) Forest land and grassland were the two main land use types of shrub grassland transformation in low altitude areas and bush encroachment changed large amounts of forest land into grassland due to shrub grassland management. The results of this study provide basic data for revealing the impacts of development processes on subsequent bush encroachment and can inform better management for the sustainable development of grasslands in low altitude systems.     

南方红壤丘陵区采伐变量对森林面积和生物量影响模拟

在优化森林结构的同时保障其木材生产功能和生态功能,实现森林可持续经营,如何采取科学、合理的森林管理措施越来越受到人们的关注.本文选取采伐年龄、采伐斑块大小、采伐频率、采伐面积比例作为变量,以江西省泰和县为研究区,设定多种强度和方式的森林管理方案,耦合生态过程模型(PnET-Ⅱ)和景观模型(LANDIS-Ⅱ)模拟初始年(...     

The impact of small-scale wood harvesting on neem Azadirachta indica A. Juss stands in the coastal savanna of Ghana

Although the introduced neem tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss is a very important energy source in the coastal savanna of Ghana, the sustainability of small-scale wood harvesting (SSWH) has not been investigated with regard to this species. This paper assesses the sustainability of SSWH on neem stands in the coastal savanna, using a socio-economic and ecological survey. The results show that SSWH, incorporating coppicing, stand tolerance, balanced with total bole cutting and root removal, and based on socio-cultural supports, has created a modified yet sustainable system of SSWH. It is concluded that these systems may contribute to tree stand conservation.     

全新世巢湖沉积物炭屑记录的火环境变化

通过对巢湖湖泊沉积岩芯不同粒级炭屑浓度和磁化率等指标变化的研究,揭示了全新世以来的区域火环境变化及人类活动影响。结果表明：① 全新世早期,气候由寒冷干旱向温暖湿润过渡,但仍较为干旱,炭屑浓度也相对略高,火活动比较频繁,地方性和区域性火时有发生;② 全新世中期是最温暖湿润的适宜期,炭屑浓度出现全新世以来的低值,火活动微弱,但在文化兴盛时期炭屑浓度出现峰值,则归因于人类活动的影响;③ 全新世晚期,在气候趋于凉干的环境背景下,人类活动的增强更加剧了火活动的频率和强度,炭屑浓度大幅增加;④ 近200 a炭屑浓度的降低可能与湖区附近已没有足够生物量引起火灾有关。     

A record of vegetation dynamics and lake level changes from Lake Emakat,northern Tanzania,during the last c. 1200 years

Analyses of down-core variations in pollen and charcoal in two short cores of lake sediment and wood samples taken from the in situ remains of Nuxia congesta from Lake Emakat, a hydrologically-closed volcanic crater lake occupying the Empakaai Crater in northern Tanzania, have generated evidence of past vegetation change and lake level fluctuations. Eight AMS radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dates on bulk samples of lake sediment provide a chronological framework for the two cores and indicate that the sediment record analysed incorporates the last c. 1200 years. The in situ remains of a Nuxia congesta tree, now standing in deep water, were dated with three additional AMS ¹⁴C dates, suggesting tree growth within the interval ∼1500–1670 AD. Down-core variations in pollen from terrestrial taxa, particularly the montane forest trees Hagenia abyssinica and Nuxia congesta, indicate a broad period of generally more arid conditions in the catchment to c. 1200 AD and at a prolonged period between c. 1420 and 1680 AD. Variations in pollen from plants in lake margin vegetation indicate low lake levels, presumably as a result of reduced effective precipitation, contemporary with indications of relatively dry conditions mentioned above, but also during the late 18th and the late 19th centuries. The presence of charcoal throughout both cores indicates the frequent occurrence of vegetation fires. An increase in burning, evident in the charcoal data and dated to the early to mid second millennium AD, could relate to an expansion of human population levels and agricultural activity in the region.     

Resprout characteristics of creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) when subjected to repeated vehicle damage

Studies were conducted in the central Mojave Desert to quantify how creosote bushes (Larrea tridentata) respond to physical damage during large-scale military training exercises. Creosote bush possesses a resilient growth form that recovers from repeated physical damage via resprouts arising from meristems in stem bark below severed or crushed canopy units. At high levels of disturbance by heavy vehicles, nearly all individuals showed measurable breakage, but without additional damage each plant can regain a full canopy within 5 years under arid field conditions. Resprouts exhibited more vigorous growth and doubled the biomass accumulation stimulated by high rainfall of 1998, an El Niño year, vs. a normal year. New shoots of resprouted individuals were markedly different in morphological traits than canopy old growth and had slightly higher predawn shoot water potentials. The natural ability of this evergreen species to recover from cutting and crushing bodes well for re-establishment of creosote bush desert scrub communities following episodes of severe damage by vehicles.     

陕北风沙区4种乡土树种适应干旱环境的特性及利用前景

针对陕西北部风沙区固沙造林树种贫乏,造林成效低的现状,对该区的乡土树种进行了调查研究,并选育出沙地柏、长梗扁桃、蒙古莸、东北木蓼4种表现好的优良乡土灌木树种。从它们的旱生结构特征、生物生态学特性及繁殖技术等方面进行了较详细的研究。这4种树种普遍具有叶片小,具表皮毛,栅栏组织发达等典型旱生结构特征和低水势、束缚水含量高等抗旱生理指标,而且具有繁殖技术简单易行、固沙性能好、经济利用价值高等优良性状。在调查研究的基础上,提出了4个乡土树种在沙区植被恢复利用中的前景。     

黄河北干流晋陕蒙接壤地区环境冲突分析研究

黄河北干流晋陕蒙接壤地区在全国能源工业发展和能源基地建设布局中具有特殊重要的战略地位。但是, 由于富足的能矿资源与干旱、风沙、严重的水土流失等脆弱生态环境并存, 且呈异向关系, 历来生态问题比较突出, 近年来, 随着区内煤炭资源的大量开发和能源基地建设的快速发展,产生了一系列新的环境冲突,成为区域可持续发展的重要障碍。本文对研究区的环境脆弱形势和环境冲突因素进行了初步分析,指出了缓解环境冲突, 促进区域可持续发展的途径。     

干旱区森林水源涵养生态服务功能研究进展

论述了干早区森林水源涵养的机理、研究方法及研究现状，根据长期的定位观测资料分析干旱区森林对降水到径流过程的影响及对水分归宿的作用。认为干旱区森林水源涵养的生态功能在干旱区生态环境建设中具有重要作用。目前国内对干旱区森林涵养功能的分析仍偏重于定点定位观测，获取的资料以统计分析为主，在大尺度上建立定量预测模型及监控措施等方面还需作深入的研究。     

基于遥感的民勤绿洲植被覆盖变化定量监测

基于混合像元条件下的TM影像植被覆盖度遥感反演,定量研究了甘肃省民勤绿洲1987年至2001年植被覆盖时空变化的规律与特点。结果表明,15年中,民勤绿洲的植被覆盖发生了很大的变化,农田植被(耕地)面积增加了53.11%,而中、高盖度植被的面积却减少了25.21%,这对民勤绿洲的长久生态安全构成了严重的威胁。民勤绿洲植被覆盖变化的空间转化过程复杂,但总体属于开垦—植被退化型。15年中因开垦和植被退化而损失的中、高盖度植被达42204.81hm2,占原面积的81.73%,而且损失的主要是绿洲边缘的防风固沙植被,其中因开垦损失的面积为18776.08hm2,占损失面积的44.5%。超采地下水引起的地下水位快速下降是导致绿洲边缘天然和人工灌丛植被退化的主要原因。控制开垦并培育相对稳定的灌丛型植被,应该是研究区生态环境建设的重点。     

The ostracod assemblages and their environmental significance in the Chen Co area,southern Tibet in recent 1400 years

The CC1 core, with a length of 216 cm, was drilled in the west part of the Chen Co (Lake) in southern Tibet Plateau. The²¹⁰Pb and¹³⁷Cs measurement indicated that it was a consecutive sedimentary sequence since ca. 1400 years. The ostracoda and their assemblages under the level of 1 cm samples’ cutting interval were finished for this core to reveal the past environmental changes in the lake area. A total of 15 species of ostracods belonging to 7 genera in the core sediments had been identified. According to the ostracod distributions, abundances and preservations in the core, seven ostracod assemblages had been distinguished. The ostracod assemblages and their ecological features, together with the sediments dating decision were used to infer the past ca. 1400 years environmental changes of the Chen Co environmental evolutions in three stages, which had responded to the Medieval Ages Warm-period (MAW), the Little Ice Age (LIA) and modern warm period. The results show that the changes of the Chen Co environment had been mainly influenced by the climatic variations. The trend of the lake level fluctuations had been accorded with that of climatic variation during the past 1400 years.     

伐区采集作业综合效益评价

在计算各伐区作业模式的经济效益指标和定位测定由诸作业造成的土壤肥力和蓄水保土等指标变化量的基础上,采用集对分析法对各伐区作业模式的综合效益（经济效益和生态效益）进行计算和评价,为确定伐区生产工艺提供科学的决策依据。计算结果表明,“皆伐作业－全悬索道集材”是目前伐区采集作业的优化作业模式,但对常绿阔叶林经营的基本方针是保护,生态效益为主,从长远利益考虑,则“择伐作业－人力集材”为最优作业模式。     

干旱区间歇性生态输水对地下水位与植被的影响机理研究

塔里木河下游生态系统作为典型的干旱区生态系统,对水分具有较强的依赖性。为了解塔里木河下游间歇性生态输水对地下水埋深变化、植被生长的关系,得出地下水埋深、植被生长变化及间歇性生态输水过程之间的相互影响机理,以塔里木河下游英苏断面为研究区,基于达西定律、植物根系吸水速率计算方法,以及2009-2015年生态输水-地下水位变化-NDVI变化相互耦合关系,对三者之间相互影响过程及影响机理进行定性与定量分析。结果表明：（1）输水效益的显现是一个漫长的过程,地下水的响应和下游植被的生态响应均在一个大的空间和时间尺度上将逐步显现,另外由于植物生长具有季节性,当年地下水埋深值在一定程度上可影响次年植物生长。（2）多年研究表明,当地下水埋深低于7 m时,满足乔、灌木植物生长需求;低于6 m时,满足草本植物生长需求。（3）在年总输水量为固定情况下,一年两次是利于河岸植被恢复的最适宜输水次数。由于生态输水-地下水位变化-NDVI变化存在一定的滞后期,建议每年春季4~5月份和夏季7~8月份作为输水期。     

Charcoal morphotypes in lake sediments from British Columbia (Canada): an assessment of their utility for the reconstruction of past fire and precipitation

Quantitative analysis of variations in morphological types of charcoal were undertaken in sediment cores from three lakes on the Interior Plateau (BC, Canada) over the period AD 1919–2000. Seven distinct morphological types of charcoal were identified based on particle shape and structural features and were compared with seasonal precipitation and recorded area burned within 20 km-radius of study lakes. Fragile-type charcoal fragments, termed type M, displayed significant relationships to recorded area burned in sediment cores from Prosser (r ² = 0.5; p = 0.0001) and Opatcho (r ² = 0.2; p = 0.02) lakes. However, nonsignificant correlations (p > 0.05) were found between total charcoal and area burned. Robust and highly elongated morphotypes C and F were correlated to recorded spring precipitation (r ² = 0.5; p = 0.002) in Opatcho Lake. Charcoal from a sediment core from Big Lake, the lake with the largest watershed, was significantly but inversely related to past fires (r ² = 0.44; p = 0.0003), suggesting important contributions from secondary transportation and deposition. Models were developed to infer relative area burned and precipitation for the study lakes. Our results suggest that charcoal morphotypes are related to the biogeoclimatic and lake watershed characteristics. This study also suggest that charcoal morphotypes can provide insights on past fire and climate, which was not possible based on traditional analysis of total charcoal.     

Persistence of clear-water,shallow-lake ecosystems: the role of protected areas and stable aquatic food webs

The roles of both landscape alteration and in-lake processes need to be considered in conservation strategies for shallow lakes in the prairie regions of North America. Here we focus on shallow lakes in west-central Minnesota, USA, highlighting the long-term ecological history and response to known landscape changes of a clear-water, macrophyte-dominated, shallow lake. Contemporary limnological data suggest the aquatic ecosystem has been very stable and fishless for the last ~15 years. Sediment proxies for primary production and ecological change confirm that a stable ecosystem likely prevailed for the last ~200 years. However, sedimentary indicators of catchment erosion detail a distinct response to land-use change during the conversion of native grassland to agricultural land, and following establishment of a protected waterfowl production area (WPA) around the lake. Post-WPA, the rate of sediment accrual decreased dramatically within 5–10 years and sources of organic matter were similar to those of the pre-settlement period. The aquatic ecosystem has been able to withstand nutrient enrichment and allochthonous inputs because stable trophic interactions have likely been in place for more than 200 years. We conclude that lack of hydrologic connectivity and isolated, small catchments are important factors in the promotion of clear-water shallow lake ecosystems, mainly because they prevent colonization by fish and associated ecological consequences. This study highlights the importance of managing both the landscape and in-lake processes to maintain stable, clear-water, shallow lakes.     

陕北黄土高原人工林下土壤干化原因与防治

黄土高原的退耕还林是一项史无前例的宏伟工程,成功实施该项工程对恢复该区严重恶化了的生态环境和减少黄河下游水患具重大现实意义。当前植树造林面临的需要解决的重要问题是土壤干化。土壤干化导致人工林生长不良,甚至干枯死亡,查明土壤干化原因对在植树造林工作中采取合理对策有重要作用。野外调查和资料分析显示,陕北黄土高原土壤干化原因有两个方面:一是自然原因;二是人为原因。自然原因包括该区本来降水量较少,近50 a来降水减少和气温升高3个方面。人为原因包括植被破坏,人工林密度过大,在不适于森林发育的地带进行了造林和没有遵循植被演替规律进行了造林4个方面。根据黄土高原已经发生了变化的自然条件,本文建议在陕西延安以南至关中盆地南缘的落叶阔叶林带应采取植被的自然恢复或人工草灌和稀疏的植树相结合的措施恢复森林植被,在延安至长城之间的森林草原带应以人工发展优良草灌为主,配合大间距的植树恢复森林草原植被,在长城以北以种草为主。为提高乔木成活率和确保人工林正常生长,继续采取建造鱼鳞坑等集雨工程措施是很必要的。     

High-resolution paleoecological analysis of recent disturbance in a southern Chilean Nothofagus forest

A 1600 year paleoecological record of environmental change is developed from a small lake in the Nothofagus forest of southern Chile (45.5°S, 72°W). High resolution fossil pollen, charcoal, sedimentological, and chrysophycean stomatocyst analyses are used to investigate the impacts of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on terrestrial and lacustrine environments. Chronological control is based on a combination of ²¹⁰Pb and ¹⁴C dating. Temporal resolution during the past 150–200 yr is ca. 8 yr/sample. The macroscopic charcoal record correlates very closely with historical and dendroecological records of 20th century anthropogenic burning in this region. The chrysophyte stratigraphy indicates that this burning had immediate impacts on the lake itself, while the pollen record provides evidence for a succession of vegetation changes lagging slightly behind the disturbance. These palynological changes are very similar to the pollen signal of European disturbance in northeastern North America. Pre-European shifts in chrysophyte assemblages may be due to the influence of earthquake activity on the lake, though there is no corroborative evidence in the pollen or charcoal records. This study demonstrates that high resolution paleoecological methods can be used to help bridge the temporal gap between traditional ecological and paleoecological studies of environmental change in the temperate forests of southern South America.     

黄河重要水源补给区甘南高原气候变化及其对生态环境的影响

利用甘南高原黄河重要水源补给区气候资料和生态观测资料及统计资料,分析研究区域气候变化特征及其草原湿地生态环境效应。结果表明,甘南高原黄河重要水源补给区降水量年际变化呈下降趋势,降水量的年际变化存在6~7a、15a的周期振荡特征。甘南高原黄河重要水源补给区气温年际变化呈上升趋势,增温速度大于全国增温速度。1980年之后持续偏暖,草地年干燥指数变化呈显著上升趋势。气候变化是草原生态退化的自然诱发因素,而超载过牧、滥采滥挖、人为破坏、生物链失衡等环境蠕变是造成生态退化的人为因素,二者共同作用导致黄河首曲草原湿地水资源锐减、生物多样性减少、生态环境退化。     

生态建设15年黄土高原生态足迹时空变化

作为典型生态脆弱区和重点土壤保持功能区,黄土高原自20世纪80年代以来进行了一系列重大生态工程建设,力图改善脆弱的生态环境。这些重点工程在短期内是否从根本上改善了其生态安全状况是亟待理解的一个科学问题。基于生态足迹思想与方法,定量分析了1995年、2000年和2010年三个阶段15年间黄土高原生态足迹和承载力的时空变化。结果表明：① 1995-2010年15年间黄土高原承载力小于生态足迹,总体上处于生态赤字状态。② 黄土高原人均承载力呈现明显的空间异质性,1995-2010年高值区在中北部,其他区域为低值区,由东向西递减;人均生态足迹自东南向西北递增。③ 生态压力指数从1995年的1.059上升到2000年1.165,增幅较小,2010年上升为2.181,高原整体上处于生态赤字状态。     

祁连山东延余脉——兴隆山树木径向生长记录的公元1845年来夏季NDVI变化

NDVI能够反映地表覆盖和生态环境变化。在祁连山东延余脉采集树轮样本,分析树木径向生长与植被NDVI的相关关系,并重建历史时期植被NDVI变化。结果表明：树木径向生长与夏季NDVI受到水热条件变化的显著影响,且树轮宽度与夏季NDVI显著正相关,采用简单线性回归方法建立二者的拟合方程,方差解释量达0.600（R²_adj=0.582,F=34.472,P<0.0001）;公元1845年以来,重建的NDVI序列显示植被覆盖相对较低时期有19世纪60年代,80年代初期,20世纪初期和20-30年代,其中20世纪20-30年代NDVI低值期与中国北方大范围旱灾一致;重建的NDVI与旱涝指数显著负相关,证实重建NDVI序列的可靠,且显示该区旱涝演化趋势;周期分析表明公元1845年以来,NDVI序列存在2-3年、5年左右、13年左右和15年左右的振荡。