Scales and arrangements of large wood in first- through fifth-order streams of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Large wood frequency and volume were examined as a function of landscape characteristics at different spatial and temporal scales in 50 reaches of the Upper Little Tennessee River basin with drainage areas ranging from 0.3 to 30.1 km². Riparian forest cover was described laterally at the reach scale and longitudinally 1 km upstream in all tributaries. Riparian cover was analyzed with geomorphic and additional landscape variables to isolate factors that most influence wood in streams. Forested area immediately surrounding the reach was the strongest predictor of wood frequency and volume, although upstream riparian cover can explain additional variation in wood distributions. An optimal forested buffer width around the stream for large wood was not evident. The relationship between the riparian forest and wood weakens in bigger channels, as fluvial transport of pieces increases. Resurveys demonstrate that large wood is most dynamic in wide, forested reaches and changes function during floods to store sediment and organic matter.     

Regional agricultural landscape pattern changes along the Yellow River in Henan Province from 1987 to 2002

Agricultural landscape along the riparian zones is designated as important landscape components for partly controlling water quality, biodiversity, as well as for their aesthetic role in landscapes. Therefore, the change of agricultural landscape along the riparian zones is at the top of the agenda for many policy makers and landscape planners. As a basis for conservation management, sufficient information about landscape structure should be provided. In the present study, we reconstructed the former landscape structure and elucidated the changes in landscape patterns during a period of about 15 years. Two sets of maps were used: a landsat-5 TM image (1987) and landsat-7 ETM image (2002). The frequency index, landscape diversity index and landscape fragmentation index were calculated for analyses. The results showed that: (1) the areas of the irrigated land, river, forest and beach landscape classes presented a decreasing trend while the areas of landscape classes of pool, paddy fields, dry land and construction land increased. (2) Disturbed by human activity, landscape diversity index increased but landscape fragmentation index decreased. In short, Human activities have had important influences on agricultural landscape of the riparian zones along the Yellow River in Henan Province.     

国内外河岸带研究的进展与展望

本文从河岸带研究的重要性入手,在河岸带内不同要素的相互作用机制,河岸植被带的功能、有效宽度、生态建设和规划管理,河岸带土地利用,河岸带数据提取分析以及集成研究等方面初步探讨了国内外河岸带研究的现状。在此基础上分析了当前研究中存在的问题和不足之处,指出针对不同地域的典型样带开展对比研究、选择适宜的景观分析方法和改进数据分析技术是今后河岸带研究的发展趋势。     

峰丛洼地石漠化景观演化与土地利用模式

峰丛洼地石漠化景观格局是土壤分布空间格局的制约下,岩溶生态系统对植被强烈依附性条下,由不同类型人类活动决定的。农耕、放牧和砍伐是最主要的破坏峰丛植被的人类活动;缓坡耕地形成轻度石漠化景观;陡坡地形成中度石漠化景观,因坡面土壤流失,演化为更高等级石漠化景观;峰丛陡坡放牧和砍伐都可能直接形成峰丛上部大面积中-强度石漠化景观,出现峰丛坡面石漠化景观分异,产生不同的土地利用模式。     

Complex mass wasting response of drainage basins to forest management in coastal British Columbia

The impacts of logging activities on mass wasting were examined in five watersheds in the coastal mountains of British Columbia. Historical aerial photos were used to document mass wasting events, and their occurrence was related to logging activities in the study basins. Logged and forested areas were compared in terms of mass wasting magnitude and frequency, with reference to site characteristics. The recovery time of the landscape after logging was assessed. Bedrock type and basin physiography had no identifiable effect on mass wasting frequency and magnitude. Mass wasting failure was primarily controlled by slope gradient. Basin vulnerability increased, following clearcutting relative to forested areas, in that mass wasting was initiated on gentler slopes. The volume of sediment produced from logged slopes is of the same order as that from forested areas, which are steeper by as much as 10°. In both logged and forested areas, the size distribution of mass wasting events follows an exponential distribution. However, the variability in mass wasting size in forested areas is much higher than that obtained for logged areas. The recovery time after forest harvesting is over 20 years, which confirms published estimates based on vegetation reestablishment. Continuous disturbance of the basin, however, may extend the recovery time for the whole basin well beyond 20 years.     

河南黄河下游沿岸地区农业景观格局演变

1 Introduction Agriculturallandscape is the m osaics ofnaturaland hum an-managed patches thatvary in size, shape and arrangement(Forman and Gordron,1986).The spatialpattern in the landscape may influence a variety of ecological processes,such as water run…     

不同石漠化程度岩溶峰丛洼地系统景观格局的比较

利用花江岩溶峡谷区南坡不同石漠化程度的5个独立的岩溶峰丛洼地系统景观要素的实测数据,分析了多样性、优势度、破碎度、分离度等景观格局指标的变化规律及其所指示的生态学意义。结果表明,这些指标在不同峰丛洼地系统都能较好地评价石漠化过程中景观格局的动态变化规律,对分析石漠化土地的发展趋势具有较好的指示意义。但多样性指数、优势度指数、均匀度指数也与各峰丛洼地系统的景观基质有关,在不同石漠化程度的峰丛洼地系统中,反映的景观生态意义是不一样的。景观格局分析不仅强调面积,而且还考虑所研究石漠化土地的空间分布特征(格局)、景观组成特点与石漠化过程的关系和对石漠化的影响,在石漠化程度判定和石漠化指标的研究中景观格局是一个不可忽视的问题。     

洛阳市区绿色开放空间系统的动态演变与功能优化

洛阳市区绿色开放空间系统包括生产绿地、农林地、滨河绿地、公园绿地、景观绿地、附属绿地等6种类型。运用景观格局分析法、结构均匀比指数测度法,解析了1988～2008年洛阳市区绿色开放空间系统的面积、斑块、空间布局结构的动态演变。研究表明:城镇化进程中洛阳市区绿色开放空间系统的不同类型要素在不同时期、不同方向、不同梯度上的变化迥异。1988～2008年,滨河绿地、公园绿地、景观绿地、附属绿地面积逐渐增加,生产绿地、农林地大幅度减少;各象限、各圈层不同种类绿地的均匀比指数变化、差异很大;绿地斑块密度逐渐增大,斑块形状指数普遍较低。在此基础上,运用生态功能强度指数测度法和Huff模型等方法,评价了系统的服务功能水平,发现洛阳市区绿色开放空间系统的生态服务功能水平一般,居民访问绿地的成本普遍较高,市区绿地与居民的供需关系不协调。可采用改变人口居住模式、调整绿地分布格局以及多种措施对系统的空间布局结构、服务供需关系、绿地要素等进行功能优化。     

Infiltration on mountain slopes: a comparison of three environments

Water is well established as a major driver of the geomorphic change that eventually reduces mountains to lower relief landscapes. Nonetheless, within the altitudinal limits of continuous vegetation in humid climates, water is also an essential factor in slope stability. In this paper, we present results from field experiments to determine infiltration rates at forested sites in the Andes Mountains (Ecuador), the southern Appalachian Mountains (USA), and the Luquillo Mountains (Puerto Rico). Using a portable rainfall simulator–infiltrometer (all three areas), and a single ring infiltrometer (Andes), we determined infiltration rates, even on steep slopes. Based on these results, we examine the spatial variability of infiltration, the relationship of rainfall runoff and infiltration to landscape position, the influence of vegetation on infiltration rates on slopes, and the implications of this research for better understanding erosional processes and landscape change.Infiltration rates ranged from 6 to 206 mm/h on lower slopes of the Andes, 16 to 117 mm/h in the southern Appalachians, and 0 to 106 mm/h in the Luquillo Mountains. These rates exceed those of most natural rain events, confirming that surface runoff is rare in montane forests with deep soil/regolith mantles. On well-drained forested slopes and ridges, apparent steady-state infiltration may be controlled by the near-surface downslope movement of infiltrated water rather than by characteristics of the full vertical soil profile. With only two exceptions, the local variability of infiltration rates at the scale of 10° m overpowered other expected spatial relationships between infiltration, vegetation type, slope position, and soil factors. One exception was the significant difference between infiltration rates on alluvial versus upland soils in the Andean study area. The other exception was the significant difference between infiltration rates in topographic coves compared to other slope positions in the tabonuco forest of one watershed in the Luquillo Mountains. Our research provides additional evidence of the ability of forests and forest soils to preserve geomorphic features from denudation by surface erosion, documents the importance of subsurface flow in mountain forests, and supports the need for caution in extrapolating infiltration rates.     

石羊河上游林区景观空间邻接特征及生态安全分析

在干旱区山地,荒地斑块特征可反映植被的破碎化及退化状况,农田斑块特征可反映自然植被景观受农田开垦的威胁程度,而其它景观类型与这两种类型斑块的邻接特征可间接反映这些类型潜在的植被退化风险大小或受农田开垦的威胁程度。以Landsat/TM及林相图作为数据源,在桌面GIS下解译出石羊河上游的哈溪林区各景观类型,计算了各景观类型与荒地和农田的空间邻接长度和数目比例,并利用缓冲区分析方法计算了荒地和农田对各景观的影响面积。在此基础上通过计算各类型植被退化风险大小和受农田开垦的威胁程度,定量分析了研究区各景观类型的生态安全性。结果表明：灌丛和草地与荒地的邻接边长和数目较大,由放牧活动引起的植被破碎化和退化的风险较大,而乔木林种与农田的邻接长度、数目较大,受农田开垦的威胁较为严重;景观整体植被退化的风险（0.28）高于受农田威胁程度（0.11）;各类型植被退化风险值的差别不明显,但灌丛草地相对较高,而各乔木林种受农田开垦的威胁程度明显高于灌丛和草地;基于景观类型空间邻接的生态安全评价分析可以初步反映干旱区山地景观受人类活动影响的威胁程度。     

Evaluation of forest cover change using remote sensing techniques and landscape metrics in Moncayo Natural Park (Spain)

Monitoring the change in land cover in natural places, such as ecotones, has become an important tool for forest management, especially in protected areas. The present work analyses the spatial and temporal changes in forest cover in Moncayo Natural Park (Spain) from 1987 to 2010 using remote sensing techniques, geographical information systems (GIS) and quantitative indices of landscape ecology. Four Landsat images were used to map nine representative land cover categories in this preserved area in both years. The overall classification accuracies in land cover cartographies in 1987 and 2010 were 87.65% and 84.56%, respectively. Landscape metrics obtained at the landscape level show an increase in fragmentation and, as a result, an increase in landscape spatial diversity. Focusing on the class level, the results show a forest expansion of sessile oaks (Quercus petraea) and beech forest (Fagus sylvatica), two important bioclimatic indicators in this natural park, because they are the southernmost locations for these species in Europe. The decrease of mainly introduced pine forest and the transformation of mixed shrub areas into natural forested areas explain the aforementioned increase in fragmentation. These results are in agreement with the strategies for nature conservation designed by forest managers during the period evaluated.     

雪岭云杉树轮宽度对气候变化的响应

利用新疆伊犁地区雪岭云杉的6个树轮宽度年表 ,通过相关分析的方法,分析不同地形条件下雪岭云杉树轮宽度对于气候要素的响应。统计分析表明,雪岭云杉对气候变化比较敏感,在北天山南坡的森林下限,雪岭云杉生长与生长季7~8月降水关系显著;在南天山北坡的森林下限,雪岭云杉生长对生长季前11-次年1月最低温度存在显著正相关。地形对雪岭云杉与气候要素之间的关系影响较大,在南天山北坡,由于森林上下限树木抗寒性的差异,森林下限树木生长对温度的响应强于上限树木;南北坡引起的降水量水平的差异,使得天山不同坡向的树木生长响应不同的气候要素。     

Riparian reforestation and channel change: A case study of two small tributaries to Sleepers River, northeastern Vermont, USA

Measurements of two small streams in northeastern Vermont, collected in 1966 and 2004–2005, document considerable change in channel width following a period of passive reforestation. Channel widths of several tributaries to Sleepers River in Danville, VT, USA, were previously measured in 1966 when the area had a diverse patchwork of forested and nonforested riparian vegetation. Nearly 40 years later, we remeasured bed widths and surveyed large woody debris (LWD) in two of these tributaries, along 500 m of upper Pope Brook and along nearly the entire length (3 km) of an unnamed tributary (W12). Following the longitudinal survey, we collected detailed channel and riparian information for nine reaches along the same two streams. Four reaches had reforested since 1966; two reaches remained nonforested. The other three reaches have been forested since at least the 1940s. Results show that reforested reaches were significantly wider than as measured in 1966, and they are more incised than all other forested and nonforested reaches. Visual observations, cross-sectional surveys, and LWD characteristics indicate that reforested reaches continue to change in response to riparian reforestation. The three reaches with the oldest forest were widest for a given drainage area, and the nonforested reaches were substantially narrower. Our observations culminated in a conceptual model that describes a multiphase process of incision, widening, and recovery following riparian reforestation of nonforested areas. Results from this case study may help inform stream restoration efforts by providing insight into potentially unanticipated changes in channel size associated with the replanting of forested riparian buffers adjacent to small streams.     

Topographic Shelter and Conifer Establishment and Mortality in an Alpine Environment,Glacier National Park,Montana

We examined the importance of periglacial shelter in the spatial distribution of conifers at and above alpine treeline. Using a detailed field-based method, we sampled a total of 211 conifer patches at three study locations in Glacier National Park (GNP), Montana. Conifers were found to be nonrandom spatial associates of three periglacial shelter types: boulders, terrace risers, and combination shelters. Our results indicate that conifer establishment and survival in this extreme mountain environment is connected to shelter availability and shelter type.     

Dynamics of the Alpine Treeline Ecotone under Global Warming: A Review

The alpine treeline ecotone is defined as a forest-grassland or forest-tundra transition boundary either between subalpine forest and treeless grassland, or between subalpine forest and treeless tundra. The alpine treeline ecotone serves irreplaceable ecological functions and provides various ecosystem services. There are three lines associated with the alpine treeline ecotone, the tree species line (i.e., the highest elevational limit of individual tree establishment and growth), the treeline (i.e., the transition line between tree islands and isolated individual trees) and the timber line (i.e., the upper boundary of the closed subalpine forest). The alpine treeline ecotone is the belt region between the tree species line and the timber line of the closed forest. The treeline is very sensitive to climate change and is often used as an indicator for the response of vegetation to global warming. However, there is currently no comprehensive review in the field of alpine treeline advance under global warming. Therefore, this review summarizes the literature and discusses the theoretical bases and challenges in the study of alpine treeline dynamics from the following four aspects: (1) Ecological functions and issues of treeline dynamics; (2) Methodology for monitoring treeline dynamics; (3) Treeline shifts in different climate zones; (4) Driving factors for treeline upward shifting.     

Spatial Ecology of Pre –Euro‐American Fires in a Southern Rocky Mountain Subalpine Forest Landscape

Natural disturbances such as fires have been widely studied, but less is known about their spatial ecology than about other aspects of them. We reconstructed and mapped pre–Euro‐American fire history in a subalpine forest landscape in southeastern Wyoming, and analyzed the fires using GIS. Mean fire interval varies little with topography (elevation, aspect, slope) and is spatially autocorrelated at distances of at least 2 km. Fires often spread downslope, and spread more than expected from the north and south and less than expected from the west, under the influence of particular synoptic climatic conditions. The landscape of 1868 a.d., at the time of Euro‐American settlement, was strongly influenced by fires. However, it contained large patches of connected forest and few high‐contrast edges, unlike the modern landscape, which is fragmented by industrial forestry and roads. The spatial ecology of the natural fire regime may be a useful guide for management.     

Do free-ranging domestic goats show ‘landscapes of fear’? Patch use in response to habitat features and predator cues

One factor that influences foraging is predation risk. As a result, herbivores may not use landscapes uniformly due to spatial differences in perceived predation risk. Wild herbivores forage across these ‘landscapes of fear’; however, the extent to which domestic herbivores consider them is generally unknown. Using a grid of artificial food patches and measuring giving up densities (GUDs), we mapped landscapes of fear of free-ranging domestic goats on three substrates. In the first experiment, we related GUDs to landscape variables. Goats preferred feeding in open ground with firm substrate compared to a sandy riverbed or a rocky hillside. We suggest that differences relate to escape potential and the occurrence of ambush sites. Landscape variables that influenced feeding effort were patch visibility and plants next to a patch. In a second experiment, we increased predation risk by adding predator dung and urine into the habitats. In response, feeding effort declined across all three habitats. Furthermore, goats only responded to patch visibility and not plants next to the patches. Better sightlines increase predator detection and allow individuals to see group members. Our results indicate that predation risk influences the extent to which free-ranging domestic herbivores utilise landscapes.     

基于景观格局定量分析的流域治理--以文峪河流域为例

以航片、森林资源调查资料和林相图为基础资料,在地理信息系统软件及数据库管理系统的支持下,应用景观多样性指数、景观要素优势度指数、类斑形状指数、景观要素斑块分数维等景观格局分析指标,对流域景观空间总体分布、景观组成结构、景观要素斑块形状特征进行分析,揭示了山西文峪河流域植被景观的总体格局。基于分析成果,针对目前文峪河流域植被景观格局存在的问题,建议在今后的流域管理和建设中应开展的工作,即上游及中高海拔带重点进行寒温性针叶林保护;中下游山地积极增加阔叶林,营造混交林;河谷重点开展河岸植被和河岸林规划设计和建设。     

Slope aspect, slope length and slope inclination controls of shallow soils vegetated by sclerophyllous heath—links to long-term landscape evolution

On upland Triassic sandstone slopes of the western Blue Mountains, nonswamp, sclerophyllous heath (shrub-dominated vegetation) on shallow soils is commonly found downslope and adjacent to sclerophyllous forest on deeper soils. Some consider heath—and thus shallow soils—as favouring west-facing slopes, which are expected to experience drier microclimates due to insolation, strong and desiccating winds, and severe summer fires. However, our analysis of extensive areas with heath on shallow soils, based on vegetation and topographic maps, and fieldwork of uplands with various degrees of dissection, suggests that aspect is a poor predictor of shallow soils. Rather, shallow soils and heath are found on short slopes and the lower segments of longer slopes with the latter significantly steeper than forested segments.The shallow–deep soil boundary, marked by contrasting modern vegetation structures, does not signify a catchment area threshold, and correspondingly, the vegetation patterns are not in balance with distributary catchment processes, as short slopes are mantled exclusively by shallow soils. Instead, the soil depth boundary represents the propagation of base-level lowering signals, which takes place not only by the headward retreat of knickpoints but also via increased lowering of slope segments adjacent to drainage lines. This leads to steep slopes immediately adjacent to canyons, narrow gorges, and small steep valleys, that are mantled by shallow, discontinuous soils undergoing rapid erosion. These steep slopes persist in the landscape for ≥ 10 My after upland stream rejuvenation until incision of more weatherable Permian sediments, underlying the Triassic cliff-forming sandstones, triggers rapid lateral expansion of gorges. Once shallowly mantled and steeper slopes adjacent to streams are consumed by gorge widening, slopes adjacent to wide gorge clifflines reflect former upland drainage patterns rather than the redirected flow to rapidly widening gorges. Hence, modern vegetation patterns reflect a significant phase of landform development, perhaps combined with enhanced erosion during the Last Glacial Period that is compounded by a humped soil production function on bedrock.     

The Role of Thresholds and Fine-Scale Processes in Driving Upper Treeline Dynamics in the Bighorn Mountains,Wyoming

This research investigates whether abrupt changes indicative of a threshold response occurred in the spatial and temporal patterns of tree establishment within upper treeline ecotones in the Bighorn Mountains of north-central Wyoming, with a particular focus on assessing whether treeline advance occurred. Dendroecological techniques were used to reconstruct the spatiotemporal patterns of tree establishment at multiple spatial scales (local and landscape). Increases in the elevational extent of treeline and tree density above timberline were reconstructed for each decade of the 20^th century. Regime-shift analysis was used to detect threshold changes in tree establishment. Marked increases in tree establishment and density occurred at local and landscape scales during the 20th century, particularly during the post-1970 period and in areas above timberline. Varying degrees of treeline advance occurred during this time, yet establishment upslope from timberline was often contingent on the availability of sheltered microsites in the lee of boulders. This highlights the importance of both broad-scale climate inputs and fine-scale site conditions in governing the rate and pattern of tree establishment in high-elevation treeline environments. Overall, the abrupt changes in tree establishment over time and space since 1970 suggest that bioclimatic thresholds can strongly influence ecotonal dynamics at upper treeline.