Natural stability of vegetation in geosystems of southern Middle Siberia

We consider some theoretical and methodological issues relating to stability assessment of natural development of vegetation in geosystems. We have ascertained the evolutionary-genetic essentials of vegetation stability and presented the cartographic states of its assessment. The stability map for plant communities has been developed on a conjugate scale of predictive-cartographic products.     

Cartographic assessment of the present status of vegetation in Prebaikalia for water use optimization

We bring up the issue related to the need and importance of undertaking an assessment of the present status of vegetation in Prebaikalia. The vegetation of this region has long been experiencing strong anthropogenic destructions, especially in the southern, more developed, areas. Anthropogenic impacts on vegetation continue to be enhanced thus influencing the processes of spontaneous development of vegetation and decreasing its ecological potential. Assessment of the present status of vegetation as a complex self-evolving autotrophic natural entity having its own evolutionary history of development and dynamical potential is used in reference to identifying and evaluating the degree of disturbance of its native (spontaneous) florocenotic structure. To improve objectivity of research results uses a cartographic method supported by GIS technologies. On the basis of the principles of a structural-dynamical classification of plant communities as suggested by V. B. Sochava, we compiled a universal geobotanical medium-scale (1:500 000) map for Prebaikalia. The map was generated for two purposes: inventory, i.e. identifying the typological belonging of existing plant communities in the region, and for assessment–dynamical purpose to identify the epitaxon structure of the entire vegetation cover. These efforts were accompanied by a formalized assessment of the age structure of tree stands of the region’s forest communities as well as a clear differentiation between forest and non-forest vegetation by identifying new burns and felling areas. The findings formed the basis for generating a detailed 1:500 000 map of disturbances to Prebaikalia’s vegetation displaying 11 kinds of vegetation disturbances ranging from the persisting native communities to those substituted by agrocenoses and introductions of urban settlements. A general outline of the present status of vegetation is provided as well as the main directions for nature management optimization in the region within the framework of the state ecological policy.     

基于规则的植被地图综合的研究

植被地图综合是专题地图综合的一个特例,需要遵循地理数据综合规则,以解决因表达空问缩小而造成的地物要素间的冲突问题,确保图面上图形表达的合理、清晰和美观;同时植被地图综合也要遵循植被分布自身的规律。该文主要研究和分析影响植被地图综合的主要规则,首先描述植被地图的特征,在此基础上分析讨论影响植被地图综合的主要综合规则,并简要介绍了用于表达综合规则的产生式规则方法,用实例描述了这些规则在植被地图综合各个阶段的应用和结果,以此来反映综合规则在植被地图综合过程中的重要性。     

The Evolutionary-Genetic Basis of Structural-Cenotic Diversity of Modern Vegetation in Prebaikalia

An assessment is made of the uniqueness of modern vegetation in Prebaikalia as a biogeographical entity. It is shown that its complex structural-cenotic diversity is represented on the new universal geobotanical map of vegetation at a scale of 1:500 000. The map legend, constructed on the principles of V. B. Sochava’s multidimensional and multistage structural-dynamical classification of plant communities, displayed more than 160 cenotic subdivisions of vegetation of Prebaikalia representing its different types. An analysis is made of the development paths of vegetation for assessing its evolutionary potential. The study revealed the main stages of philocenogenesis in the Late Cainozoic. Its main directions have been revealed, which are important for understanding the characteristics of the region’s modern vegetation cover. The heterogeneity and heterochronicity of modern cenotic diversity of vegetation is shown. Emphasis is placed on the evolutionary processes of vegetation of Prebaikalia in the Holocene which can last for at least 40 thousand years. In this connection, it is proposed to change interpretation of the Holocene Optimum as an optimum for the evolution of the dark-coniferous taiga of Siberia. It is shown that the genetic linkages of the cenotic structure of modern vegetation cover in Prebaikalia are clearly pronounced via regional-typological categories of vegetation reflecting profound links of modern vegetation with natural-geographical regions where its philogenetic processes were taking place in interaction with the general evolution of the natural environment. An analysis is made of the significance of the floristic and cenotic boundaries having an important biogeographical significance. Such boundaries, on the one hand, are the footprint of the past evolutionary processes in vegetation, and in the natural environment as a whole, and, on the other, indicate the dynamical potential of possible changes in vegetation under global climate change.     

The ecological potential of vegetation as a factor of nature management in Baikalian Siberia

We examine the theoretical and applied aspects related to the concept of the ecological potential of vegetation as an important factor for pursuing of the public environmental policy. Taking into consideration the ecological potential in the nature management system is essential. A map fragment illustrating the ecological potential of the Baikal region is provided.     

Risk Assessment of Vegetation Degradation Using Geographic Information System: A Case Study of Qareh Aghaj Basin,Iran

The entire land of Southern Iran faces problems arising out of various types of land degradation of which vegetation degradation forms one of the major types. The Qareh Aghaj basin (1 265 000 ha), which covers the upper reaches of Mond River, has been chosen for a test risk assessment of this type. The different kinds of data for indicators of vegetation degradation were gathered from the records and published reports of the governmental offices of Iran. A new model has been developed for assessing the risk of vegetation degradation. Taking into consideration nine indicators of vegetation degradation the model identifies areas with “Potential Risk” (risky zones) and areas of “Actual Risk” as well as projects the probability of the worse degradation in future. The preparation of risk maps based on the GIS analysis of these indicators will be helpful for prioritizing the areas to initiate remedial measures. By fixing the thresholds of severity classes of the nine indicators a hazard map for each indicator was first prepared in GIS. The risk classes were defined on the basis of risk scores arrived at by assigning the appropriate attributes to the indicators and the risk map was prepared by overlaying nine hazard maps in the GIS. Areas under actual risk have been found to be widespread (78%) in the basin and when the risk map classified into subclasses of potential risk with different probability levels the model projects a statistical picture of the risk of vegetation degradation.     

Vegetation as a factor in the system of natural environment preservation of Prebaikalia

A central role in the formation of the natural environment of Prebaikalia is played by vegetation having the environment-forming and environment-protective functions. Nowadays, it is experiencing ever increasing anthropogenic impacts which lead to disturbances in its structure and decrease its ecological potential. This creates certain challenges of a local and regional character, because the main territory of the region is within the zone of atmospheric influence and within the western portion of the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory focus on preserving the ecosystem of Lake Baikal as the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Therefore, the main direction of nature conservation activity aimed at improving the quality of the region’s natural environment remains focused on the preservation and recovery and of its primary vegetation. Some measures are suggested concerning ecologically oriented nature management in Prebaikalia. We have defined the goals for the scientific accompaniment of the measures for the preservation of vegetation as an important factor of the environmental quality. The paper demonstrates the effectiveness of integrated study into the entire florocenotic diversity of modern vegetation, its evolutionary-genetic basis and the ecological and dynamical potentials of plant communities for the purposes of forecasting the ecologically oriented development of the region’s natural environment. The recommendations are formulated in accordance with the State Ecological Program for the period until 2030. The map entitled “Protection of vegetation in Prebaikalia (recommendations for optimization of the ecological policy)” has been developed, which provides information on territories with a different environmental quality having regard to the ecological potential. The legend includes the following parts of the map: special preservation of primary vegetation (full and partial), recovery of disturbed vegetation (active and passive recovery of primary forests), and economic rational (ecologically oriented) use of vegetation.     

基于GIS的澜沧江下游区滑坡灾害危险性分析

澜沧江流域是中国西南地区滑坡灾害较为严重的地区。对澜沧江下游区滑坡灾害及其控制因素分析,建立基于G IS的滑坡灾害危险性评价模型,实现澜沧江下游区滑坡危险性区划,为该区滑坡灾害防治和生态环境保护等提供重要决策依据。     

南北过渡带1∶5万植被类型图遥感制图案例研究

编制南北过渡带地区1∶25万和典型山地1∶5万植被类型图是南北过渡带综合科学考察的主要任务之一。以往植被类型图的编制都是采用大量的地面调查来完成的,地面调查方法虽然精确,但费时费力,并且由于自然条件的限制,地面调查往往只能覆盖较小的范围。遥感数据因为其全覆盖的优势,可以很好地弥补样方调查的局限性,但目前大范围的植被类型遥感信息提取尤其是自动提取方面仍然存在一定的困难和瓶颈。本文以1∶5万太白山植被类型图的编制为例,利用多源多时相的高分辨率遥感数据,结合地面调查数据、以往的各种比例尺的植被类型图数据和森林资源调查数据等,探讨并研究基于山地垂直带谱的中大比例尺植被类型图的遥感提取方法和制图方法。研究结果表明：① 山地植被垂直带谱可以有效地支持1∶5万山区植被类型图的遥感制图。利用太白山植被垂直带谱和1∶1万数字表面模型数据（DSM）可以生成具有垂直带谱信息的地形约束因子;将地形约束因子与多源多时相高分辨率遥感数据、地面调查数据、以往的小比例尺植被类型图数据等相结合,可以有效提取各级植被类型,从而实现中大比例尺植被类型图的编制。② 典型山地1∶5万植被类型图的遥感制图基本流程为植被型组解译→植被群系组、群系、亚群系解译→植被型、植被亚型分类,采取自上而下和自下而上相结合的分类方法来分类。本文的研究成果可以为中大比例尺植被类型图的编制提供示范和科学依据。     

Monitoring the grazing resources of the Badia region, Jordan, using remote sensing

In this paper we discuss how low spatial resolution (1 km) ERS ATSR-2 and NOAA AVHRR satellite data were used to map and monitor changes in the grazing vegetation of the Badia region of Jordan. This area is typical of many arid zone grazing areas, comprising sparse vegetation and highly reflective soils. These two factors were found to severely limit the usefulness of satellite-derived vegetation indices that are frequently used to map and monitor vegetation in more temperate areas. Furthermore, the relationship between vegetation indices and percentage vegetation cover was found to be site-specific, thus reducing their application for large-scale vegetation monitoring. As an alternative, a hybrid geometric optical/empirically based model was developed for the area. This was based on the illumination geometry and reflectance values from the red and near-infrared scattergram of the satellite images. The output of the model was a series of maps indicating percentage vegetation cover for different dates and these were used to construct maps showing areas of vegetation change. Strong correlations (r²=0.837) were found between estimates of percentage vegetation cover derived from the model, and measurements made at a series of 16 field sites in the area. The use of geometric optical models based on satellite imagery improves the ability to map areas of grazing vegetation in arid areas such as the Badia and provides a good alternative to the use of vegetation indices.     

基于MODIS/EVI的内蒙古高原西部植被变化

内蒙古高原西部生态环境脆弱,是全球变化的敏感地带.为了解该区域植被覆盖的时空动态变化,根据2000—2012年MODIS/EVI影像,使用趋势分析和标准差分析方法,研究了近13年内蒙古高原西部植被生长状况及其空间格局动态变化.同时,根据《1:100万植被类型图》把研究区分为荒漠区、草原区、草甸区和灌丛区,以研究不同植被类型下的EVI变化情况.结果显示:内蒙古高原西部植被覆盖退化面积大于改善面积;植被退化区主要分布在内蒙古农牧交错带北部边缘,包含乌兰察布、呼和浩特、包头等市及大通河、疏勒河、黑河等河谷地带;植被增加区域分布在河西地区、河套地区和阿巴嘎旗附近;研究区植被稳定性存在明显的地域差异,波动较高的区域位于阴山南部、祁连山南北和阿巴嘎旗,与植被覆盖退化或者增加的区域基本吻合;仅荒漠区植被覆盖水平上升,草甸、草原区植被覆盖退化严重.     

Vegetation inventory and conservation evaluation: a case study from the North York Moors, England

A survey of the vegetation of the North York Moors identified nine vegetation associations, one of which has not been recognized in other British uplands; callunetum vulgaris sub-association juncetosum squarrosi. The vegetation associations occur in a mosaic too detailed for mapping at any practical scale, so seven map classes based largely on terrain patterns were mapped from black-and-white aerial photographs.The map classes provide a suitable basis for assessing the extent to which a system of areas managed specifically for conservation might represent the biota of the North York Moors.     

Rule-based GIS-modelling for management purposes: A case study from the islands of Froan,Sør-Trøndelag,mid-western Norway

The coastal heath region along the western coast of Norway, dominated by Calluna vulgaris, is undergoing rapid change. Vegetation changes are caused by changes in management, including reduced frequency or abandonment of periodic heath burning and reduced cutting and grazing. The islands of Froan, in the outermost part of Sør-Trøndelag County in mid-western Norway, are dominated by coastal heath in a state of recession due to reduced traditional land use. The coastal heath is acknowledged as vulnerable and valuable by national environmental authorities, and local landscape management is supported by different national subsidies. The authors mapped the vegetation on Froan and used rule-based GIS-modelling to predict the relative potential for future vegetation changes. The model was based on a range of map layers, including management themes such as history of heath burning and peat removal, current practices of sheep grazing, and also themes derived from the vegetation map, such as soil nutrients, soil moisture and present management status. The resulting model output provides relative probabilities of future changes under different land-use scenarios, and highlights where management efforts should be focused in order to maintain the traditional landscape character.     

连江流域近18年来植被覆盖度变化分析

以TM影像为数据源,运用基于NDVI的像元二分模型,计算和分析连江流域1988和2006年植被演变特点及空间分布特征,并将两期影像的植被覆盖度图与连江流域分岩溶区地质图进行叠加,进而分析地质构造对植被覆盖度的影响。结果表明:①受气候及与人文因素的影响,1988~2006年连江流域植被覆盖度有所增加。表现为较高和高植被覆盖区面积增加,低、较低和中度植被覆盖区面积减少。②受地质构造影响,非岩溶区的植被质量优于岩溶区。③在空间分布上,近18a来连江流域植被覆盖度的变化较显著。     

Improving the assessment of the natural fire hazard in nature reserves

The need to improve the assessment of the wildfire hazard in nature reserves is considered. It is suggested that the natural vegetation fuel map compiled by using a specially developed determinant of the types of main conductors of burning having regard to the period of a fire-hazardous season should be used for such purposes. The types of prime conductors of burning constitute the major group of vegetation fuels which determines the possibility of the spread of burning across the territory covered by vegetation. A classification of this group was carried out on the basis of long-term pyrological investigations in different regions of the RF. The vegetation fuel maps are presented for the Stolby nature reserve, separately for the spring (autumn) and summer seasons, because the southern-taiga forests are characterized by a predominance of the grass forest types with the involvement of gramineous species. The map of the current wildfire hazard is compiled and presented as an example, on the basis of the vegetation fuel map for the spring (autumn) periods of the season for drought class II according to the weather conditions. This map is representative of the possibility or impossibility of the spread of burning for each area in the nature reserve in the event that the source of fire (of anthropogenic or natural origins) appears. It is shown that vegetation fuel map can be compiled for any nature reserve by using the determinant of the types of prime conductors of burning.     

Relationships of Louisiana Colonial Land Claims with Potential Natural Vegetation and Historic Standing Structures: A GIS Approach*

Louisiana's French, Spanish, and British colonial administrations left a vivid imprint on the landscape in the form of unique cadastral survey systems. The collective distribution of these colonial land claims presents a picture of the colonial occupation of the state. Settlement shows up clearly along the waterways of the bayou state. Equally significant are the areas devoid of land claims. This paper discusses the compilation of the colonial Louisiana land claims map and demonstrates its utility to GIS-based historical geography and historic preservation. By merging this map with other digitized datasets such as potential natural vegetation and historic structures, the seemingly chaotic 18th century occupance of an extremely heterogeneous physical environment becomes patterned, and prior assumptions about the colonial settlement process may be tested with greater precision.     

地理信息系统和遥感技术支持下的山地环境梯度分析方法研究*

文章提出了一种地理信息系统和遥感技术支持下的环境梯度分析方法。应用该方法可将研究区域的TM遥感影像经遥感图像处理和分类得到该地区的植被类型分布图,充分应用地理信息系统强大的空间信息管理和分析功能,将各环境因子分布图分别与植被类型分布图进行叠加分析得到各种植被类型与各环境因子关系的向量表达式,进而建立符合环境梯度分布的植被空间分布模型。在此基础上,综合各环境因子分布图与植被类型分布图进行叠加分析和植被群落空间分布制图。该方法曾应用于贺兰山环境梯度分析并得到较满意的结果。     

青海省都兰县察汗乌苏绿洲植被覆盖度变化研究

为研究青海省都兰县察汗乌苏绿洲植被覆盖度变化,利用归一化植被指数NDVI提取察汗乌苏绿洲不同时期的植被覆盖度等级图,定量分析评价植被覆盖度的多年变化。结果表明,近16 a来,察汗乌苏绿洲植被覆盖度总体呈现波动增长趋势,2001—2006年期间各植被覆盖等级变化幅度明显高于1990—2001年期间的变化幅度,1990—2001年植被整体向好的方向发展,有50 017.50 hm2的极低覆盖度植被转变为更高覆盖度植被,2001—2006年增加了6 026.85 hm2的极低覆盖度植被,并有4 048.47 hm2的高覆盖度植被减少,说明仍存在局部退化。影响都兰县察汗乌苏绿洲植被覆盖度变化的主要因子是生态工程措施、气候因素和水资源因素。研究结果可以为该区域植被恢复和荒漠化防治提供理论支撑。     

怒江干流（云南段）滑坡灾害危险性分析

滑坡是怒江流域主要的地质灾害,对流域内人民生命财产和生态系统安全带来了极大的危害,因此本研究针对研究区内滑坡灾害主要诱发因子进行判识。利用1991～2006年云南省减灾年鉴、长系列流域内相关站点的年平均降雨量、2006年云南省1：5万的TM影像数据等,以GIS技术为平台对其相关因子关联性进行统计与分析。研究发现：沿怒江干流发生的滑坡灾害主要受到坡度、植被盖度、降雨强度及公路建设等因子的影响,分析灾害点的分布与相关因子间的相关性,发现相关性比较密切的是坡度〉25。的地带;植被盖度为30％～70％的地带;年降水量达到1250—1500mm的地带,以及公路沿线的地带,并以相关性作为灾害发生风险度评价的权重,建立了基于GIS的滑坡灾害危险性评价模型,实现了对怒江干流区域滑坡灾害危险性区划。