By using French SPOT5 satellite remote sensing image to contrast on the spot,the forest vegetation in Fuxian Lake basin was categorized into 23 forest types,6 vegetation subtypes,5 vegetation types,and the areas were ...By using French SPOT5 satellite remote sensing image to contrast on the spot,the forest vegetation in Fuxian Lake basin was categorized into 23 forest types,6 vegetation subtypes,5 vegetation types,and the areas were respectively calculated.The tree species structure and the coverage degree of every kind of forest vegetation were investigated,and the characteristics of forest vegetation were analyzed.The results showed that the soil conservation amount of forest in Fuxian Lake basin was 137.50×106 t/a,and the soil conservation value was 622.30×106 yuan/a.Moreover,the water source conservation value was 506.84×106 yuan/a.展开更多
The forest resource of Heilongjiang province has important position in china. On the basis of the six times of national forest inventory data （1973-1976, 1977-1981, 1985-1988, 1989-1993, 1994-1998, 1999-2003） survey...The forest resource of Heilongjiang province has important position in china. On the basis of the six times of national forest inventory data （1973-1976, 1977-1981, 1985-1988, 1989-1993, 1994-1998, 1999-2003） surveyed by the Forestry Ministry of P. R. China from 1973 to 2003, the carbon storage of forests in Heilongjiang Province are estimated by using the method of linear relationship of each tree species between biomass and volume. The results show that the carbon storage of Heilongjiang forests in the six periods （1973-1976, 1977-1981, 1985-1988, 1989-1993, 1994-1998, 1999-2003） are 7.164×10^8 t, 4.871×10^8 t, 5.094×10^8 t, 5.292×10^8 t, 5.594×10^8 t and 5.410×10^8 t, respectively., which showed a trend of decreasing in early time and then increasing. It indicated that Heilongjiang forests play an important role as a sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide during past 30 years. Based on the data of forest fires from 1980 to 1999 and ground biomass estimation for some forest types in Heilongjiang Province, it is estimated that the amount of mean annual consumed biomass of forests is 391758.65t-522344.95t, accounting for 6.4%-8.4% of total national consummation from forest fires, and the amount of carbon emission is 176 291.39t-235 055.23t, about 8% of total national emission from forest fires. The emission of CO2, CO, CH4 and NMHC from forest fires in Heilongjiang Province are estimated at 581761.6-775682.25 t, 34892.275-46523.04 t, 14091.11-18788.15 t and 6500-9000 t, respectively, every year.展开更多
Global climate change is having long-term impacts on the geographic distribution of forest species. However, the response of vertical belts of mountain forests to climate change is still little known. The vertical dis...Global climate change is having long-term impacts on the geographic distribution of forest species. However, the response of vertical belts of mountain forests to climate change is still little known. The vertical distribution of forest vegetation(vertical vegetation belt) on Gongga Mountain in Southwest China has been monitored for 30 years. The forest alternation of the vertical vegetation belt under different climate conditions was simulated by using a mathematical model GFSM(the Gongga Forest Succession Model). Three possible Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) climate scenarios(increase of air temperature and precipitation by 1.8℃/5%, 2.8℃/10% and 3.4℃/15% for B_1, A_1B and A_2 scenarios, respectively) were chosen to reflect lower, medium and higher changes of global climate. The vertical belts of mountainous vegetation will shift upward by approximately 300 m, 500 m and 600 m in the B_1, A_1B and A_2 scenarios, respectively, according to the simulated results. Thus, the alpine tree-line will move to a higher altitude. The simulation also demonstrated that, in a changing climate, the shift in the vegetation community will be a slow and extended process characterized by two main phases. During the initial phase, trees of the forest community degrade or die, owing to an inability to adapt to a warmer climate. This results in modest environment for the introduction of opportunistic species, consequently, the vegetation with new dominant tree species becomes predominant in the space vacated by the dead trees at the expense of previously dominated original trees as the succession succeed and climate change advance. Hence, the global climate change would dramatically change forest communities and tree species in mountainous regions because that the new forest community can grow only through the death of the original tree. Results indicated that climate change will cause the change of distribution and composition of forest communities on Gongga Mountain, and this change may enhance as the intensity of climate change increases. As a result, the alternation of death and rebirth would finally result in intensive landscape changes, and may strongly affect the eco-environment of mountainous regions.展开更多
We studied the impact of forest vegetation on soil erosion, surface runoff, and sediment generation by using field simulated rainfall apparatus. We measured runoff and sediment generation of five 4.5 × 2.1 m runo...We studied the impact of forest vegetation on soil erosion, surface runoff, and sediment generation by using field simulated rainfall apparatus. We measured runoff and sediment generation of five 4.5 × 2.1 m runoff plots （a bare soil as a control; two Pinus tabulaeformis forest plots and two Platycladus orientalis forest with row spacing of 1 m × 1 m and 1.5 m× 1.5 m, respectively） in Beijing Jiu Feng National Forest Park under three rainfall intensities （0.42, 0.83, 1.26 mm per minute）. Forest vegetation significantly reduced soil erosion and sediment yield. Mean total runoff volume in the four tree stand plots was 93% of that in the control plot, demonstrating the limited effectiveness of forest vegeta- tion in runoff control. With increasing rainfall intensity, runoff reduction in forest plots declined from 28.32% to 2.1%. Similar trends in runoff coefficient and the relationship between runoffvolume and rainfall duration was observed. Mean total sediment yield and mean sediment yield reduction rate under different treatments was 55.05% and 43.17% of those in the bare soil control plot, respectively. Rainfall intensity played an important role in runoff and sediment generation processes, and had a greater impact on runoff than on soil erosion and sediment generation. When considering several factors in runoff and sediment transport processes, the P. tabulaeform plot with row spacing at 1 × 1 m had a greater effect on soil and water conservation than did other forested plots.展开更多
In order to realize the significance of oak forests for ecology and economy of the Himalayan region,the present study attempts to objectively characterize disturbance intensities and their impacts on compositional fea...In order to realize the significance of oak forests for ecology and economy of the Himalayan region,the present study attempts to objectively characterize disturbance intensities and their impacts on compositional features of identified Oak forests, i.e.Banj-oak(Quercus leucotrichophora A.Camus), Tilonj-oak(Q.floribunda Lindley)and Kharsu-oak(Q. semecarpifolia J.E.Smith)in west Himalaya. Amongst studied forests,Q.leucotrichophora and Q. semecarpifolia forests exhibited high sensitivity towards disturbance intensities.In both forests, increasing level of disturbance significantly lowered tree density,dominance and natural recruitment (seedling and sapling density).Q.floribunda forests, however,appeared relatively more resilient to anthropogenic disturbances.Amongst studied oak forests,Q.semecarpifolia forests with overall poor natural regeneration are in a most critically endangered demographic state.However,a slightly improved regeneration(i.e.,seedling density)in moderately disturbed plots is indicative that such plots may be utilized most suitably for in situ revival of these forests.Effect of disturbance intensities on tree population is an important subject for forest ecology and management and the present study highlights a need for adopting different management strategies across disturbance intensities in diverse oak forests of west Himalaya.展开更多
Secondary forests account for a large amount of subtropical forest due to persistent anthropogenic disturbance in China.The interaction between vegetation and soil during recovery process is rather complex and depende...Secondary forests account for a large amount of subtropical forest due to persistent anthropogenic disturbance in China.The interaction between vegetation and soil during recovery process is rather complex and dependent on forest conditions.Understanding how vegetation and soil properties changes and how their relationship develops in secondary forests is key to effective forest restoration and management.Here we explored the patterns of vegetation and soil properties as well as their correlations during forest recovery process in a subtropical forest in south China.Plots of three forest types,i.e.,broadleaf-conifermixedforest,broadleaved forest and old growth stand,were established to represent the recovery stages.The results showed that diversity patterns in the tree,shrub and herb layers were different:in the tree layer the species diversity peaked at the intermediate stage,while in the understory layers it decreased chronologically.Most of the soil factors showed an increasing trend,and different effects of soil factors were found for the three layers as well as for the two spatial scales.Together,our results suggested that vegetation and soil might be interdependent during the recovery course.Further studies are needed on exploring how vegetation interplays with soil at different scales and how nutrient limitations affects the vegetation development in a chronosequence.展开更多
We investigated the effects of grazing on natural regeneration, quantity, and diversity of woody species and dominant herb species in Kheyroud forest in northern Iran. We sampled vegetation in 5m2 plots in custom unit...We investigated the effects of grazing on natural regeneration, quantity, and diversity of woody species and dominant herb species in Kheyroud forest in northern Iran. We sampled vegetation in 5m2 plots in custom units, which are demarcated resource areas traditionally used by local livestock producers. The authors quantified number of species, height of seedlings, and diameter of seedlings. Height classes were 0-30 cm, 30-130 cm, and 〉130 cm, and diameter classes were 0-2.5 cm, 2.5-5 cm and 5-7.5 cm. The density of seedlings declined with distance from corral until reaching the custom unit boundary. Most seedlings had diameters of 0-2.5 cm and heights of 0-30 cm. Predominant species, Carpinus betulus and Acer capadocicum, were in plots near the centers of custom units, Fagus orientalis, Acer velutinum, Quercus castanifolia species were dominant in plots near the custom unit boundary. Plant species such as Oplismenus undulatifolius, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Rubusfrutieos and Pteridium aquilinum were dominant in plots nearer to forest corral. Healthy seedlings were more numerous in plots nearest the corral, while defective and deformed seedlings were more abundant away from the corral. We conclude that grazing had negative effects on the quantity and quality of vegetative regeneration. Continuation of overgrazing will not only endanger the sustainability of forest ecosystems, but also will increase the challenge of sustainable forest management.展开更多
Spectral feature of forest vegetation with remote sensing techniques is the research topic all over the world, because forest plays an important role in human beings' living environment. Research on vegetation cla...Spectral feature of forest vegetation with remote sensing techniques is the research topic all over the world, because forest plays an important role in human beings' living environment. Research on vegetation classification with vegetation index is still very little recently. This paper proposes a method of identifying forest types based on vegetation indices, because the contrast of absorbing red waveband with reflecting near-infrared waveband strongly for different vegetation types is recognized as the theoretic basis of vegetation analysis with remote sensing. Vegetation index is highly related to leaf area index, absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and vegetation cover. Vegetation index reflects photosynthesis intensity of plants and manifests different forest types. According to reflectance data of forest canopy and soil line equation NIR=1.506R+0.0076 in Jingyuetan, Changchun of China, many vegetation indices are calculated and analyzed. The result shows that the relationships between展开更多
Canopy gaps play a significant role in maintaining structure and composition of tropical forests. This study was carried out in tropical evergreen forests of central Western Ghats in India to understand the influence ...Canopy gaps play a significant role in maintaining structure and composition of tropical forests. This study was carried out in tropical evergreen forests of central Western Ghats in India to understand the influence of canopy gap size and the relationship of gap regime attributes to diversity measures and regeneration. The average gap size in the study area was found to be 396 m2 and around half of gaps were 4–8 years old. Gaps created by natural single tree fall were smaller in size but significantly higher in number. Diversity and regeneration of woody species were compared with canopy gaps and intact vegetation. Species richness and diversity was higher in gaps than in intact vegetation. Macaranga peltata, a shade intolerant species dominated gaps while intact vegetation was dominated by shade tolerant Kingiodendron pinnatum.Gap size significantly influenced species diversity and regeneration. Gap area and age were significantly and negatively correlated with diversity measures but positively correlated with regeneration. Among all the attributes of gaps, regeneration was significantly positively correlated with light intensity. Gaps maintained species diversity and favored regeneration of woody species. In addition to gap size and age, other gap ecological attributes also affected species diversity and regeneration.展开更多
The Horqin Sandy Land（HSL）, the largest sandy land in the semi-arid agro-pastoral ecotone of Northeast China, has been subject to desertification during the past century. In response, and to control the desertificat...The Horqin Sandy Land（HSL）, the largest sandy land in the semi-arid agro-pastoral ecotone of Northeast China, has been subject to desertification during the past century. In response, and to control the desertification,government implemented the Three-North Shelter/Protective Forest Program, world＇s largest ecological reforestation/afforestation restoration program. The program began in1978 and will continue for 75 years until 2050. Understanding the dynamics of desertification and its driving forces is a precondition for controlling desertification.However, there is little evidence to directly link causal effects with desertification process（i.e., on the changing area of sandy land） because desertification is a complex process,that can be affected by vegetation（including vegetation cover and extent of shelter forests） and water factors such as precipitation, surface soil moisture, and evapotranspiration.The objectives of this study were to identify how influencing factors, especially shelter forests, affected desertification in HSL over a recent decade. We used Landsat TM imagery analysis and path analysis to identify the effects of spatiotemporal changes in water and vegetation parameters during2000–2010. Desertification was controlled during the study period, as indicated by a decrease in desert area at a rate of163.3 km2year-1and an increase in the area with reduced intensity or extent of desertification. Total vegetation cover in HSL increased by 10.6 % during the study period and this factor exerted the greatest direct and indirect effects on slowing desertification. The contribution of total vegetation cover to controlling desertification increased with the intensity of desertification. On slightly and extremely severe desertified areas, vegetation cover contributed 5 and 42 % of the desertification reduction, respectively. There were significant correlations between total vegetation cover and water conditions（i.e., evapotranspiration and precipitation）and the area of shelter forests（P ／ 0.0001）, in which water conditions and the existence of shelter forests contributed49.7 and 12.8 % to total vegetation cover, respectively. The area of shelter forests increased sharply due to program efforts, but only shrub forests had significant direct effects on reducing the area of desertification categorized as slightly desertified. The reason for the lack of direct effect of increased arbor forests（accounting for 95.3 % of the total increase in shelter forests） on reducing desertification might be that the selected arbor species were not suited to water conditions（low precipitation, high evapotranspiration） prevailing at HSL. The establishment of shelter forests aided control of desertification in the HSL region, but the effect was less than expected. Effective control of desertification in the HSL region or other similar sandy areas will require greater improvements in vegetation cover. In particular,shrub species should be selected for plantation with reference to their potential to survive and reproduce in the harsh climatic and weather conditions typical of desertified areas.展开更多
The aim of this paper is to discuss the reasonable method to set up the man-made ecosystem where the high productivity, high economic effects and ecological efficiencies, continual resources and suitable environment c...The aim of this paper is to discuss the reasonable method to set up the man-made ecosystem where the high productivity, high economic effects and ecological efficiencies, continual resources and suitable environment could be obtained.展开更多
Forests play a central role in the global carbon cycle.China's forests have a high carbon sequestration potential owing to their wide distribution,young age and relatively low carbon density.Forest biomass is an e...Forests play a central role in the global carbon cycle.China's forests have a high carbon sequestration potential owing to their wide distribution,young age and relatively low carbon density.Forest biomass is an essential variable for assessing carbon sequestration capacity,thus determining the spatio-temporal changes of forest biomass is critical to the national carbon budget and to contribute to sustainable forest management.Based on Chinese forest inventory data(1999–2013),this study explored spatial patterns of forest biomass at a grid resolution of 1 km by applying a downscaling method and further analyzed spatiotemporal changes of biomass at different spatial scales.The main findings are:(1)the regression relationship between forest biomass and the associated infuencing factors at a provincial scale can be applied to estimate biomass at a pixel scale by employing a downscaling method;(2)forest biomass had a distinct spatial pattern with the greatest biomass occurring in the major mountain ranges;(3)forest biomass changes had a notable spatial distribution pattern;increase(i.e.,carbon sinks)occurred in east and southeast China,decreases(i.e.,carbon sources)were observed in the northeast to southwest,with the largest biomass losses in the Hengduan Mountains,Southern Hainan and Northern Da Hinggan Mountains;and,(4)forest vegetation functioned as a carbon sink during 1999–2013 with a net increase in biomass of 3.71 Pg.展开更多
Background： Growth and yield models are important tools for forest planning. Due to its geographic location, topology, and history of management, the forests of the Adirondacks Region of New York are unique and compl...Background： Growth and yield models are important tools for forest planning. Due to its geographic location, topology, and history of management, the forests of the Adirondacks Region of New York are unique and complex. However, only a relatively limited number of growth and yield models have been developed and/or can be reasonably extended to this region currently. Methods： in this analysis, 571 long-term continuous forest inventory plots with a total of 10 - 52 years of measurement data from four experimental forests maintained by the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and one nonindustrial private forest were used to develop an individual tree growth model for the primary hardwood and softwood species in the region. Species-specific annualized static and dynamic equations were developed using the available data and the system was evaluated for long-term behavior. Results： Equivalence tests indicated that the Northeast Variant of the Forest Vegetation Simulator （FVS-NE） was biased in its estimation of tree total and bole height, diameter and height increment, and mortality for most species examined. In contrast, the developed static and annualized dynamic, species-specific equations performed quite well given the underlying variability in the data. Long-term model projections were consistent with the data and suggest a relatively robust system for prediction. Conclusions： Overall, the developed growth model showed reasonable behavior and is a significant improvement over existing models for the region. The model also highlighted the complexities of forest dynamics in the region and should help improve forest planning efforts there.展开更多
Based on the sub-forest management inventory, volume-derived biomass and mean biomass, carbon storage and its spatial distribution of forest vegetation in Kanas National Nature Reserve(hereinafter referred to as the R...Based on the sub-forest management inventory, volume-derived biomass and mean biomass, carbon storage and its spatial distribution of forest vegetation in Kanas National Nature Reserve(hereinafter referred to as the Reserve) were calculated. The results showed that carbon storage of forest vegetation in the Reserve was 3.004 7 Tg C, mean carbon density was 49.58 Mg C/hm^2; carbon storage of different vegetation types: forest land >shrubbery > open forest > scattered trees, among which carbon storage of forest land accounted for 90.18% of the total carbon storage of the forest vegetation, and mean carbon density of forest land was 68.87 Mg C/hm^2; in terms of regional distribution, spatial distribution of carbon storage and carbon density declined from southwest to northeast; in the Reserve, carbon storage of mature and over-mature forest stands accounted for 79.89% of carbon storage of forest land. If scientifi c management is applied, carbon sequestration capacity of forest will be improved.展开更多
Forest and non-forest vegetation fulfils many non-productive and productive functions. A good understanding of the trajectories and drivers of the woody vegetation change is necessary for the relevant management. Rece...Forest and non-forest vegetation fulfils many non-productive and productive functions. A good understanding of the trajectories and drivers of the woody vegetation change is necessary for the relevant management. Recently, the number of studies devoted to monitoring forest cover changes has increased. However, these works do not fully distinguish between different categories of forest and non-forest woody vegetation. The main aim of the study was to propose a classification system for monitoring historic changes of woody vegetation in the landscape. The period of the last 150 years was mapped through three time-lines (1842, 1953 and 2011). Data were obtained by interpreting historic maps (Stable Cadastral map of 1842) and historical (1953) and current orthophoto (2011) using ArcGIS tools. The classification was applied on the example of Sokolov region (57 km2) located in western Bohemia. The result of the research is a proposal for classifying woody vegetation stands into four categories based on the structural and localisation criteria: (1) Line adjacent woodlands, (2) Landscape woodlands, (3) Settlement woodlands, and (4) Compact woodlands. Information on the woody vegetation development using the proposed classification system is important for understanding the patterns, pressures, and driving forces that led to the formation of the present-day forest and non-forest woody vegetation in the landscape. The results can also be applied as a basis for future forest management practice as they can be used in other different fields, e.g. history, archaeology etc.展开更多
Growing public awareness of the importance of protecting biodiversity requires the development of forest practices that increase the complexity of stand structure.Understanding the ecological processes of different fo...Growing public awareness of the importance of protecting biodiversity requires the development of forest practices that increase the complexity of stand structure.Understanding the ecological processes of different forest vegetation provide insights into community coexistence mechanisms.In this paper,the spatial patterns of three different communities,evergreen broadleaf forest,deciduous broadleaf forest,and mixed needleleaf and broadleaf forest at Mt.Huangshan,China,were quantified with four structural parameters,the mingling index,the uniform angle index,the diameter dominance index and the crowdedness index.All trees with a diameter at breast height of more than 5 cm were measured.Our analyses highlighted that most trees in the three communities were extremely dense and slightly clumped,with a moderate size differentiation and high mixed structure.In mixed needleleaf and broadleaf forest,the distribution pattern of tree species was better than the other two forests.Overall,spatial patterns in mixed needleleaf and broadleaf forest exhibited a strong stability-effect,that is,the stand had a suitable environment for the stable survival of the forest.With the increasing of elevation,the degree of the mingling index and the crowdedness index increased,however,there was no influence on the uniform angle index and the diameter dominance index.Further,at the same elevation,four structural parameters of shady slope were larger than that of sunny slope.Then we found the relationship between stand spatial structure and environment factors had important influence on forest structure.Our work contributes to the knowledge of population structure,and further provide theoretical basis for the sustainable development of forest resources and protecting biodiversity of Huangshan Mountain.In future studies,it is necessary to explore the limiting factors of community spatial distribution by combining species diversity and functional traits.展开更多
To provide information on vegetation patterns and altitudinal distributions of pollen assemblage in surface soil layers,their complicated relationships in a dryland mountain-basin system in northwestern China and a re...To provide information on vegetation patterns and altitudinal distributions of pollen assemblage in surface soil layers,their complicated relationships in a dryland mountain-basin system in northwestern China and a realistic basis for paleovegetational reconstruction,we investigated 86 vegetation quadrats and analyzed 80 soil samples from the surface soil layers along an altitudinal transect on the north slope of the Middle Tianshan Mountains from alpine cushion vegetation at 3,510 m near glacier to desert vegetation at 460 m in the Gurbantunggut Desert.According to surface pollen assemblages and the results of the detrended correspondence analysis,the transect can be divided into six major altitudinal pollen zones as alpine cushion vegetation,alpine and subalpine meadows,montane Picea forest,forest-steppe ecotone,Artemisia desert and typical desert,which basically reflect the characteristics of the mountainous vegetation patterns on the north slope of the Middle Tianshan Mountains.However,Picea pollen also exists outside the spruce forest,Chenopodiaceae and Artemisia pollen appeared above the elevation of 1,300 m,indicating that most of them might be introduced from lower elevations by upslope winds.Airborne pollen researches from three regions at different elevations further suggest that a high-frequency northwest anabatic wind has a remarkable influence on the transportation and dispersion of surface pollen in the area.展开更多
In order to improve environment and relieve poverty, China has launched a series of major ecological engineering programs since the 1980 s. These include the Natural Forest Conservation Program, the Sloping Cropland C...In order to improve environment and relieve poverty, China has launched a series of major ecological engineering programs since the 1980 s. These include the Natural Forest Conservation Program, the Sloping Cropland Conversion Program, the Desertification Combating Program, and the Protection Forest System Construction Program. There is a growing need to quantify the contributions of these programs to regional carbon stocks.However, the lack of widely accepted, robust methods is one of the key obstacles to quantification. The objective of this study was to review existing methods for quantifying regional carbon stocks and then recommend suitable ones for the Chinese ecological engineering programs. We expect that the recommended methods can be applied to elsewhere in the world where there are similar characteristics and objectives.展开更多
The present study assesses anthropogenic disturbances and their impacts on the vegetation in Western Himalaya,India on the basis of various disturbance parameters such as density,Total Basal Cover(TBC) of cut stumps,l...The present study assesses anthropogenic disturbances and their impacts on the vegetation in Western Himalaya,India on the basis of various disturbance parameters such as density,Total Basal Cover(TBC) of cut stumps,lopping percentage and grazing intensities.On the basis of canopy cover and frequency of disturbances(%),the studied forests were divided into highly disturbed(HD),moderately disturbed(MD) and least disturbed(LD) categories.The HD forests had the lowest canopy cover,lowest density and lowest TBC and the LD had the highest canopy cover,highest density and highest TBC.The MD forests occupied the intermediate position with respect to these parameters.Species richness was least in HD forests,highest in one of the MD forests while LD forest occupied an intermediate position.The percentage of regenerating species was lowest(54%) in HD and highest(72%) in MD.The density of seedlings and saplings was higher in one of the MD forests as compared to HD and LD.We concluded that the moderate disturbances do not affect the vegetation adversely;however the increased degree of disturbance causes loss in plant diversity;affects regeneration and changes community characteristics.Construction of hydroelectric projects at various places in the study area was found to be one of the most important sources of anthropogenic disturbances in addition to the routine anthropogenic disturbances like grazing,fuelwood collection and fodder extraction.If all proposed dams in the Indian Himalaya are constructed combined with weak national environmental impact assessment and implementation,it will result in a significant loss of species.Therefore,various agents of disturbances should be evaluated in cumulative manner and any developmental activities such as hydropower projects,which trigger various natural and anthropogenic disturbances,should be combined with proper cumulative environmental impact assessment and effective implementation to minimise the anticipated loss of vegetation.展开更多
Hyphandria cunea is an insect that can damage hundreds of plants in its larval phase and needs to be placed under quarantine at an international level. Its hosts involve 600 plant species, including forest and fruit t...Hyphandria cunea is an insect that can damage hundreds of plants in its larval phase and needs to be placed under quarantine at an international level. Its hosts involve 600 plant species, including forest and fruit trees, shrubs, crops, vegetables, weeds and others. In 2006, we surveyed two Fraxinus chinensis Roxb stands, damaged to different degrees, after the invasion of H. cunea in the Changping district of the Beijing area. Given our survey of individual trees and investigation of bio-environmental factors, we pro-vide a preliminarily simulation of the growth situation of F. chinensis stands, damaged by H. cunea, by using the Forest Vegetation Simulator software （FVS）, which is supported by the ＂948＂ project from the State Forestry Administration of China. The results will provide a valuable reference in forecasting the effect of H. cunea and other invasive pests in China on forest ecological values.展开更多
基金Supported by Yuxi Forest Resource Planning Design Investigation Project in Yunnan Province
文摘By using French SPOT5 satellite remote sensing image to contrast on the spot,the forest vegetation in Fuxian Lake basin was categorized into 23 forest types,6 vegetation subtypes,5 vegetation types,and the areas were respectively calculated.The tree species structure and the coverage degree of every kind of forest vegetation were investigated,and the characteristics of forest vegetation were analyzed.The results showed that the soil conservation amount of forest in Fuxian Lake basin was 137.50×106 t/a,and the soil conservation value was 622.30×106 yuan/a.Moreover,the water source conservation value was 506.84×106 yuan/a.
基金This study was supported by National Natural Sci-ence Foundation of China (No.30471404)National Doctoral Subject Fund of China (No.20040225003)+1 种基金Natural Science Fund of Heilongjiang Province (ZJD04-0102)Research Program of Science and Tech-nology of Heilongjiang Province (GB05B602)
文摘The forest resource of Heilongjiang province has important position in china. On the basis of the six times of national forest inventory data （1973-1976, 1977-1981, 1985-1988, 1989-1993, 1994-1998, 1999-2003） surveyed by the Forestry Ministry of P. R. China from 1973 to 2003, the carbon storage of forests in Heilongjiang Province are estimated by using the method of linear relationship of each tree species between biomass and volume. The results show that the carbon storage of Heilongjiang forests in the six periods （1973-1976, 1977-1981, 1985-1988, 1989-1993, 1994-1998, 1999-2003） are 7.164×10^8 t, 4.871×10^8 t, 5.094×10^8 t, 5.292×10^8 t, 5.594×10^8 t and 5.410×10^8 t, respectively., which showed a trend of decreasing in early time and then increasing. It indicated that Heilongjiang forests play an important role as a sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide during past 30 years. Based on the data of forest fires from 1980 to 1999 and ground biomass estimation for some forest types in Heilongjiang Province, it is estimated that the amount of mean annual consumed biomass of forests is 391758.65t-522344.95t, accounting for 6.4%-8.4% of total national consummation from forest fires, and the amount of carbon emission is 176 291.39t-235 055.23t, about 8% of total national emission from forest fires. The emission of CO2, CO, CH4 and NMHC from forest fires in Heilongjiang Province are estimated at 581761.6-775682.25 t, 34892.275-46523.04 t, 14091.11-18788.15 t and 6500-9000 t, respectively, every year.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41671016 and 41671262)
文摘Global climate change is having long-term impacts on the geographic distribution of forest species. However, the response of vertical belts of mountain forests to climate change is still little known. The vertical distribution of forest vegetation(vertical vegetation belt) on Gongga Mountain in Southwest China has been monitored for 30 years. The forest alternation of the vertical vegetation belt under different climate conditions was simulated by using a mathematical model GFSM(the Gongga Forest Succession Model). Three possible Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) climate scenarios(increase of air temperature and precipitation by 1.8℃/5%, 2.8℃/10% and 3.4℃/15% for B_1, A_1B and A_2 scenarios, respectively) were chosen to reflect lower, medium and higher changes of global climate. The vertical belts of mountainous vegetation will shift upward by approximately 300 m, 500 m and 600 m in the B_1, A_1B and A_2 scenarios, respectively, according to the simulated results. Thus, the alpine tree-line will move to a higher altitude. The simulation also demonstrated that, in a changing climate, the shift in the vegetation community will be a slow and extended process characterized by two main phases. During the initial phase, trees of the forest community degrade or die, owing to an inability to adapt to a warmer climate. This results in modest environment for the introduction of opportunistic species, consequently, the vegetation with new dominant tree species becomes predominant in the space vacated by the dead trees at the expense of previously dominated original trees as the succession succeed and climate change advance. Hence, the global climate change would dramatically change forest communities and tree species in mountainous regions because that the new forest community can grow only through the death of the original tree. Results indicated that climate change will cause the change of distribution and composition of forest communities on Gongga Mountain, and this change may enhance as the intensity of climate change increases. As a result, the alternation of death and rebirth would finally result in intensive landscape changes, and may strongly affect the eco-environment of mountainous regions.
基金supported by the Funda-mental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No.TD2011-03)National Advanced Project of the 12th Five-year Plan (2011BAD38B05)National Forestry Public Welfare Industry Research Project(201104005)
文摘We studied the impact of forest vegetation on soil erosion, surface runoff, and sediment generation by using field simulated rainfall apparatus. We measured runoff and sediment generation of five 4.5 × 2.1 m runoff plots （a bare soil as a control; two Pinus tabulaeformis forest plots and two Platycladus orientalis forest with row spacing of 1 m × 1 m and 1.5 m× 1.5 m, respectively） in Beijing Jiu Feng National Forest Park under three rainfall intensities （0.42, 0.83, 1.26 mm per minute）. Forest vegetation significantly reduced soil erosion and sediment yield. Mean total runoff volume in the four tree stand plots was 93% of that in the control plot, demonstrating the limited effectiveness of forest vegeta- tion in runoff control. With increasing rainfall intensity, runoff reduction in forest plots declined from 28.32% to 2.1%. Similar trends in runoff coefficient and the relationship between runoffvolume and rainfall duration was observed. Mean total sediment yield and mean sediment yield reduction rate under different treatments was 55.05% and 43.17% of those in the bare soil control plot, respectively. Rainfall intensity played an important role in runoff and sediment generation processes, and had a greater impact on runoff than on soil erosion and sediment generation. When considering several factors in runoff and sediment transport processes, the P. tabulaeform plot with row spacing at 1 × 1 m had a greater effect on soil and water conservation than did other forested plots.
基金support from Department of Science & Technology,New Delhi(No:SP/SO/A60/99)isgratefully acknowledged
文摘In order to realize the significance of oak forests for ecology and economy of the Himalayan region,the present study attempts to objectively characterize disturbance intensities and their impacts on compositional features of identified Oak forests, i.e.Banj-oak(Quercus leucotrichophora A.Camus), Tilonj-oak(Q.floribunda Lindley)and Kharsu-oak(Q. semecarpifolia J.E.Smith)in west Himalaya. Amongst studied forests,Q.leucotrichophora and Q. semecarpifolia forests exhibited high sensitivity towards disturbance intensities.In both forests, increasing level of disturbance significantly lowered tree density,dominance and natural recruitment (seedling and sapling density).Q.floribunda forests, however,appeared relatively more resilient to anthropogenic disturbances.Amongst studied oak forests,Q.semecarpifolia forests with overall poor natural regeneration are in a most critically endangered demographic state.However,a slightly improved regeneration(i.e.,seedling density)in moderately disturbed plots is indicative that such plots may be utilized most suitably for in situ revival of these forests.Effect of disturbance intensities on tree population is an important subject for forest ecology and management and the present study highlights a need for adopting different management strategies across disturbance intensities in diverse oak forests of west Himalaya.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (31600330)Guangdong Forestry Science and Technology Innovation Project (2015KJCX029)CFERN & BEIJING TECHNO SOLUTIONS Award Funds on excellent academic achievements
文摘Secondary forests account for a large amount of subtropical forest due to persistent anthropogenic disturbance in China.The interaction between vegetation and soil during recovery process is rather complex and dependent on forest conditions.Understanding how vegetation and soil properties changes and how their relationship develops in secondary forests is key to effective forest restoration and management.Here we explored the patterns of vegetation and soil properties as well as their correlations during forest recovery process in a subtropical forest in south China.Plots of three forest types,i.e.,broadleaf-conifermixedforest,broadleaved forest and old growth stand,were established to represent the recovery stages.The results showed that diversity patterns in the tree,shrub and herb layers were different:in the tree layer the species diversity peaked at the intermediate stage,while in the understory layers it decreased chronologically.Most of the soil factors showed an increasing trend,and different effects of soil factors were found for the three layers as well as for the two spatial scales.Together,our results suggested that vegetation and soil might be interdependent during the recovery course.Further studies are needed on exploring how vegetation interplays with soil at different scales and how nutrient limitations affects the vegetation development in a chronosequence.
文摘We investigated the effects of grazing on natural regeneration, quantity, and diversity of woody species and dominant herb species in Kheyroud forest in northern Iran. We sampled vegetation in 5m2 plots in custom units, which are demarcated resource areas traditionally used by local livestock producers. The authors quantified number of species, height of seedlings, and diameter of seedlings. Height classes were 0-30 cm, 30-130 cm, and 〉130 cm, and diameter classes were 0-2.5 cm, 2.5-5 cm and 5-7.5 cm. The density of seedlings declined with distance from corral until reaching the custom unit boundary. Most seedlings had diameters of 0-2.5 cm and heights of 0-30 cm. Predominant species, Carpinus betulus and Acer capadocicum, were in plots near the centers of custom units, Fagus orientalis, Acer velutinum, Quercus castanifolia species were dominant in plots near the custom unit boundary. Plant species such as Oplismenus undulatifolius, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Rubusfrutieos and Pteridium aquilinum were dominant in plots nearer to forest corral. Healthy seedlings were more numerous in plots nearest the corral, while defective and deformed seedlings were more abundant away from the corral. We conclude that grazing had negative effects on the quantity and quality of vegetative regeneration. Continuation of overgrazing will not only endanger the sustainability of forest ecosystems, but also will increase the challenge of sustainable forest management.
文摘Spectral feature of forest vegetation with remote sensing techniques is the research topic all over the world, because forest plays an important role in human beings' living environment. Research on vegetation classification with vegetation index is still very little recently. This paper proposes a method of identifying forest types based on vegetation indices, because the contrast of absorbing red waveband with reflecting near-infrared waveband strongly for different vegetation types is recognized as the theoretic basis of vegetation analysis with remote sensing. Vegetation index is highly related to leaf area index, absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and vegetation cover. Vegetation index reflects photosynthesis intensity of plants and manifests different forest types. According to reflectance data of forest canopy and soil line equation NIR=1.506R+0.0076 in Jingyuetan, Changchun of China, many vegetation indices are calculated and analyzed. The result shows that the relationships between
基金funded by the National Remote Sensing Centre,Hyderabad,India under NRSC-DOS-DBTGovt.of India project entitled‘‘Biodiversity Characterization in Southern parts of Karnataka’’(Project Number:UAS(B)/DR/GOI/245/2011-12)
文摘Canopy gaps play a significant role in maintaining structure and composition of tropical forests. This study was carried out in tropical evergreen forests of central Western Ghats in India to understand the influence of canopy gap size and the relationship of gap regime attributes to diversity measures and regeneration. The average gap size in the study area was found to be 396 m2 and around half of gaps were 4–8 years old. Gaps created by natural single tree fall were smaller in size but significantly higher in number. Diversity and regeneration of woody species were compared with canopy gaps and intact vegetation. Species richness and diversity was higher in gaps than in intact vegetation. Macaranga peltata, a shade intolerant species dominated gaps while intact vegetation was dominated by shade tolerant Kingiodendron pinnatum.Gap size significantly influenced species diversity and regeneration. Gap area and age were significantly and negatively correlated with diversity measures but positively correlated with regeneration. Among all the attributes of gaps, regeneration was significantly positively correlated with light intensity. Gaps maintained species diversity and favored regeneration of woody species. In addition to gap size and age, other gap ecological attributes also affected species diversity and regeneration.
基金supported by grants from the National Nature Science Foundation of China(31025007)the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(KZCX1-YW-08-02)
文摘The Horqin Sandy Land（HSL）, the largest sandy land in the semi-arid agro-pastoral ecotone of Northeast China, has been subject to desertification during the past century. In response, and to control the desertification,government implemented the Three-North Shelter/Protective Forest Program, world＇s largest ecological reforestation/afforestation restoration program. The program began in1978 and will continue for 75 years until 2050. Understanding the dynamics of desertification and its driving forces is a precondition for controlling desertification.However, there is little evidence to directly link causal effects with desertification process（i.e., on the changing area of sandy land） because desertification is a complex process,that can be affected by vegetation（including vegetation cover and extent of shelter forests） and water factors such as precipitation, surface soil moisture, and evapotranspiration.The objectives of this study were to identify how influencing factors, especially shelter forests, affected desertification in HSL over a recent decade. We used Landsat TM imagery analysis and path analysis to identify the effects of spatiotemporal changes in water and vegetation parameters during2000–2010. Desertification was controlled during the study period, as indicated by a decrease in desert area at a rate of163.3 km2year-1and an increase in the area with reduced intensity or extent of desertification. Total vegetation cover in HSL increased by 10.6 % during the study period and this factor exerted the greatest direct and indirect effects on slowing desertification. The contribution of total vegetation cover to controlling desertification increased with the intensity of desertification. On slightly and extremely severe desertified areas, vegetation cover contributed 5 and 42 % of the desertification reduction, respectively. There were significant correlations between total vegetation cover and water conditions（i.e., evapotranspiration and precipitation）and the area of shelter forests（P ／ 0.0001）, in which water conditions and the existence of shelter forests contributed49.7 and 12.8 % to total vegetation cover, respectively. The area of shelter forests increased sharply due to program efforts, but only shrub forests had significant direct effects on reducing the area of desertification categorized as slightly desertified. The reason for the lack of direct effect of increased arbor forests（accounting for 95.3 % of the total increase in shelter forests） on reducing desertification might be that the selected arbor species were not suited to water conditions（low precipitation, high evapotranspiration） prevailing at HSL. The establishment of shelter forests aided control of desertification in the HSL region, but the effect was less than expected. Effective control of desertification in the HSL region or other similar sandy areas will require greater improvements in vegetation cover. In particular,shrub species should be selected for plantation with reference to their potential to survive and reproduce in the harsh climatic and weather conditions typical of desertified areas.
文摘The aim of this paper is to discuss the reasonable method to set up the man-made ecosystem where the high productivity, high economic effects and ecological efficiencies, continual resources and suitable environment could be obtained.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2019YFA0606603)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41971234)the Project of Graduate Student Innovative and Practical Research in Jiangsu Province(KYCX20-0028)。
文摘Forests play a central role in the global carbon cycle.China's forests have a high carbon sequestration potential owing to their wide distribution,young age and relatively low carbon density.Forest biomass is an essential variable for assessing carbon sequestration capacity,thus determining the spatio-temporal changes of forest biomass is critical to the national carbon budget and to contribute to sustainable forest management.Based on Chinese forest inventory data(1999–2013),this study explored spatial patterns of forest biomass at a grid resolution of 1 km by applying a downscaling method and further analyzed spatiotemporal changes of biomass at different spatial scales.The main findings are:(1)the regression relationship between forest biomass and the associated infuencing factors at a provincial scale can be applied to estimate biomass at a pixel scale by employing a downscaling method;(2)forest biomass had a distinct spatial pattern with the greatest biomass occurring in the major mountain ranges;(3)forest biomass changes had a notable spatial distribution pattern;increase(i.e.,carbon sinks)occurred in east and southeast China,decreases(i.e.,carbon sources)were observed in the northeast to southwest,with the largest biomass losses in the Hengduan Mountains,Southern Hainan and Northern Da Hinggan Mountains;and,(4)forest vegetation functioned as a carbon sink during 1999–2013 with a net increase in biomass of 3.71 Pg.
文摘Background： Growth and yield models are important tools for forest planning. Due to its geographic location, topology, and history of management, the forests of the Adirondacks Region of New York are unique and complex. However, only a relatively limited number of growth and yield models have been developed and/or can be reasonably extended to this region currently. Methods： in this analysis, 571 long-term continuous forest inventory plots with a total of 10 - 52 years of measurement data from four experimental forests maintained by the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and one nonindustrial private forest were used to develop an individual tree growth model for the primary hardwood and softwood species in the region. Species-specific annualized static and dynamic equations were developed using the available data and the system was evaluated for long-term behavior. Results： Equivalence tests indicated that the Northeast Variant of the Forest Vegetation Simulator （FVS-NE） was biased in its estimation of tree total and bole height, diameter and height increment, and mortality for most species examined. In contrast, the developed static and annualized dynamic, species-specific equations performed quite well given the underlying variability in the data. Long-term model projections were consistent with the data and suggest a relatively robust system for prediction. Conclusions： Overall, the developed growth model showed reasonable behavior and is a significant improvement over existing models for the region. The model also highlighted the complexities of forest dynamics in the region and should help improve forest planning efforts there.
基金Sponsored by"Twelfth Five-year Plan"of National Science&Technology Support Program in Rural Areas(2012BAD22B0301)Xinjiang Science & Technology Program(xjlk(2013)001)Open Fund of Xinjiang Aertai Mountain Forest Ecosystem Positioning Research Station
文摘Based on the sub-forest management inventory, volume-derived biomass and mean biomass, carbon storage and its spatial distribution of forest vegetation in Kanas National Nature Reserve(hereinafter referred to as the Reserve) were calculated. The results showed that carbon storage of forest vegetation in the Reserve was 3.004 7 Tg C, mean carbon density was 49.58 Mg C/hm^2; carbon storage of different vegetation types: forest land >shrubbery > open forest > scattered trees, among which carbon storage of forest land accounted for 90.18% of the total carbon storage of the forest vegetation, and mean carbon density of forest land was 68.87 Mg C/hm^2; in terms of regional distribution, spatial distribution of carbon storage and carbon density declined from southwest to northeast; in the Reserve, carbon storage of mature and over-mature forest stands accounted for 79.89% of carbon storage of forest land. If scientifi c management is applied, carbon sequestration capacity of forest will be improved.
基金supported by Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic,project No.CR QH 82106 Re-cultivation as a tool for landscape functionality regeneration after opencast brown coal mining.
文摘Forest and non-forest vegetation fulfils many non-productive and productive functions. A good understanding of the trajectories and drivers of the woody vegetation change is necessary for the relevant management. Recently, the number of studies devoted to monitoring forest cover changes has increased. However, these works do not fully distinguish between different categories of forest and non-forest woody vegetation. The main aim of the study was to propose a classification system for monitoring historic changes of woody vegetation in the landscape. The period of the last 150 years was mapped through three time-lines (1842, 1953 and 2011). Data were obtained by interpreting historic maps (Stable Cadastral map of 1842) and historical (1953) and current orthophoto (2011) using ArcGIS tools. The classification was applied on the example of Sokolov region (57 km2) located in western Bohemia. The result of the research is a proposal for classifying woody vegetation stands into four categories based on the structural and localisation criteria: (1) Line adjacent woodlands, (2) Landscape woodlands, (3) Settlement woodlands, and (4) Compact woodlands. Information on the woody vegetation development using the proposed classification system is important for understanding the patterns, pressures, and driving forces that led to the formation of the present-day forest and non-forest woody vegetation in the landscape. The results can also be applied as a basis for future forest management practice as they can be used in other different fields, e.g. history, archaeology etc.
基金supported by The Special Foundation for National Science and Technology Basic Resources Investigation of China(2019FY202300)the Biodiversity Investigation,Observation and Assessment Program of Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China(2110404).
文摘Growing public awareness of the importance of protecting biodiversity requires the development of forest practices that increase the complexity of stand structure.Understanding the ecological processes of different forest vegetation provide insights into community coexistence mechanisms.In this paper,the spatial patterns of three different communities,evergreen broadleaf forest,deciduous broadleaf forest,and mixed needleleaf and broadleaf forest at Mt.Huangshan,China,were quantified with four structural parameters,the mingling index,the uniform angle index,the diameter dominance index and the crowdedness index.All trees with a diameter at breast height of more than 5 cm were measured.Our analyses highlighted that most trees in the three communities were extremely dense and slightly clumped,with a moderate size differentiation and high mixed structure.In mixed needleleaf and broadleaf forest,the distribution pattern of tree species was better than the other two forests.Overall,spatial patterns in mixed needleleaf and broadleaf forest exhibited a strong stability-effect,that is,the stand had a suitable environment for the stable survival of the forest.With the increasing of elevation,the degree of the mingling index and the crowdedness index increased,however,there was no influence on the uniform angle index and the diameter dominance index.Further,at the same elevation,four structural parameters of shady slope were larger than that of sunny slope.Then we found the relationship between stand spatial structure and environment factors had important influence on forest structure.Our work contributes to the knowledge of population structure,and further provide theoretical basis for the sustainable development of forest resources and protecting biodiversity of Huangshan Mountain.In future studies,it is necessary to explore the limiting factors of community spatial distribution by combining species diversity and functional traits.
基金jointly funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40972212,41272386,41572331,90102009,31590822)the Scientific Research Foundation for the Young Scientists of State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change,Institute of Botany,Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars,Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China and the National Postdoc Science Foundation of China (2003033253)
文摘To provide information on vegetation patterns and altitudinal distributions of pollen assemblage in surface soil layers,their complicated relationships in a dryland mountain-basin system in northwestern China and a realistic basis for paleovegetational reconstruction,we investigated 86 vegetation quadrats and analyzed 80 soil samples from the surface soil layers along an altitudinal transect on the north slope of the Middle Tianshan Mountains from alpine cushion vegetation at 3,510 m near glacier to desert vegetation at 460 m in the Gurbantunggut Desert.According to surface pollen assemblages and the results of the detrended correspondence analysis,the transect can be divided into six major altitudinal pollen zones as alpine cushion vegetation,alpine and subalpine meadows,montane Picea forest,forest-steppe ecotone,Artemisia desert and typical desert,which basically reflect the characteristics of the mountainous vegetation patterns on the north slope of the Middle Tianshan Mountains.However,Picea pollen also exists outside the spruce forest,Chenopodiaceae and Artemisia pollen appeared above the elevation of 1,300 m,indicating that most of them might be introduced from lower elevations by upslope winds.Airborne pollen researches from three regions at different elevations further suggest that a high-frequency northwest anabatic wind has a remarkable influence on the transportation and dispersion of surface pollen in the area.
基金supported by grants from Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA05060101)Graduate Innovation Project Funding of Jiangxi Province(No.YC2013-S117)+1 种基金Jiangxi Provincial Science and Technology International Cooperation Project(No.09003614)GanPo 555 Talent Project Funding of Jiangxi Province
文摘In order to improve environment and relieve poverty, China has launched a series of major ecological engineering programs since the 1980 s. These include the Natural Forest Conservation Program, the Sloping Cropland Conversion Program, the Desertification Combating Program, and the Protection Forest System Construction Program. There is a growing need to quantify the contributions of these programs to regional carbon stocks.However, the lack of widely accepted, robust methods is one of the key obstacles to quantification. The objective of this study was to review existing methods for quantifying regional carbon stocks and then recommend suitable ones for the Chinese ecological engineering programs. We expect that the recommended methods can be applied to elsewhere in the world where there are similar characteristics and objectives.
文摘The present study assesses anthropogenic disturbances and their impacts on the vegetation in Western Himalaya,India on the basis of various disturbance parameters such as density,Total Basal Cover(TBC) of cut stumps,lopping percentage and grazing intensities.On the basis of canopy cover and frequency of disturbances(%),the studied forests were divided into highly disturbed(HD),moderately disturbed(MD) and least disturbed(LD) categories.The HD forests had the lowest canopy cover,lowest density and lowest TBC and the LD had the highest canopy cover,highest density and highest TBC.The MD forests occupied the intermediate position with respect to these parameters.Species richness was least in HD forests,highest in one of the MD forests while LD forest occupied an intermediate position.The percentage of regenerating species was lowest(54%) in HD and highest(72%) in MD.The density of seedlings and saplings was higher in one of the MD forests as compared to HD and LD.We concluded that the moderate disturbances do not affect the vegetation adversely;however the increased degree of disturbance causes loss in plant diversity;affects regeneration and changes community characteristics.Construction of hydroelectric projects at various places in the study area was found to be one of the most important sources of anthropogenic disturbances in addition to the routine anthropogenic disturbances like grazing,fuelwood collection and fodder extraction.If all proposed dams in the Indian Himalaya are constructed combined with weak national environmental impact assessment and implementation,it will result in a significant loss of species.Therefore,various agents of disturbances should be evaluated in cumulative manner and any developmental activities such as hydropower projects,which trigger various natural and anthropogenic disturbances,should be combined with proper cumulative environmental impact assessment and effective implementation to minimise the anticipated loss of vegetation.
文摘Hyphandria cunea is an insect that can damage hundreds of plants in its larval phase and needs to be placed under quarantine at an international level. Its hosts involve 600 plant species, including forest and fruit trees, shrubs, crops, vegetables, weeds and others. In 2006, we surveyed two Fraxinus chinensis Roxb stands, damaged to different degrees, after the invasion of H. cunea in the Changping district of the Beijing area. Given our survey of individual trees and investigation of bio-environmental factors, we pro-vide a preliminarily simulation of the growth situation of F. chinensis stands, damaged by H. cunea, by using the Forest Vegetation Simulator software （FVS）, which is supported by the ＂948＂ project from the State Forestry Administration of China. The results will provide a valuable reference in forecasting the effect of H. cunea and other invasive pests in China on forest ecological values.
