Current approaches to native woodland restoration in Scotland

Summary

A large number of projects have recently been initiated in Scotland aiming to restore native woodland, which are being undertaken by a variety of organisations, often in partnership, with environmental NGOs playing a leading role. The objectives, constraints and methodologies of these projects are critically reviewed, partly through a questionnaire survey. Most aim to restore ‘natural’ woodland, but the lack of appropriate reference ecosystems and uncertainty about the characteristics of the original forest hinder the development of precise objectives, and consequently the criteria for success are poorly defined. Most projects face major practical constraints, particularly browsing by herbivores and invasion by exotic species, indicating that they will require long-term management interventions. Most woodlands are isolated from other woodlands, which threatens their long-term viability, restricting colonisation by woodland organisms. Greater reference to ecological theory in practical restoration projects such as these would enable objectives to be defined with more precision, encourage a greater emphasis on ecological processes rather than community composition, and improve management plans through use of predictive tools. In particular, the integration of woodlands into habitat networks, increasing ecological connectivity between woodland fragments, is considered essential to ensure success in the long term.     

不同生态恢复方式下生态系统服务与生物多样性恢复效果的整合分析

全球范围内关键生态系统服务的减少使人类社会面临巨大的威胁,生物多样性是生态系统提供各种产品和服务的基础。生态恢复工程对退化的生态系统服务和生物多样性进行修复,对于缓解人类环境压力具有非常重要的意义。长期的理论和实践工作形成了多种生态恢复措施:(1)单纯基于生态系统自我设计的自然恢复方式,(2)人为设计对环境条件进行干预,反馈影响生态系统的自我设计,(3)人为设计对目标种群和生态系统进行直接干预和重建。这3类恢复方式可以在不同程度上定向的影响生态系统的恢复进程,反映了人类对生态系统的低度、中度和高度介入。哪种恢复方式和介入程度能够实现更好的恢复效果,是生态恢复学中的一个关键问题,但到目前为止,虽广有争议,却无定量的分析和结论。针对这个空白,通过对ISI Web of Knowledge数据库中生态恢复相关文献的整合分析,基于数学统计的方法定量比较在不同条件下低度介入(自然恢复)、中度介入(环境干预)和高度介入(直接干预)3种恢复方式对生态系统服务与生物多样性的恢复效果。论文从4个方面展开研究:(1)低度、中度、高度介入生态恢复方式的划分,(2)比较3大类介入方式对生态系统服务和生物多样性恢复效果的差异,(3)不同气候条件、生态系统类型和恢复时间等背景因素的影响,(4)生物多样性恢复和生态系统服务恢复之间的关系。研究结果揭示了不同生态恢复方式的适用条件,以及对生物多样性和生态系统恢复相互关系的作用,对生态恢复实践中恢复方式的选择有指导作用。对未来的研究也有启示意义,如针对特定生态系统服务或具体研究问题进一步探索低度、中度和高度介入生态恢复方式的作用规律和机制;将地区的社会经济水平、生态系统的受损程度等因素纳入生态恢复方式的考察,以最优化生态恢复成本-效率等。     

Managing fire‐dependent vegetation in Byron Shire,Australia: Are we restoring the keystone ecological process of fire?

Fire is a keystone ecological process in many ecosystems. In such ecosystems, the exclusion of fire can lead to fundamental shifts in vegetation structure, composition and distribution and poses a major threat to the biodiversity dependent on these habitats. Programmes to manage and restore native vegetation have increased rapidly over recent decades, and while many such programmes have demonstrable success managing a range of environmental threats, their effectiveness in identifying and addressing the major threat of fire exclusion in fire‐dependent vegetation is questionable. This study sought to identify impediments to the management of fire‐excluded vegetation at the assessment and planning stage of ecological management programmes in Byron Shire in north‐east New South Wales. Sixty ecological management and restoration plans for sites known to be fire‐excluded in the shire were reviewed to determine the rate at which fire exclusion was identified and addressed in planning over the last decade. Document analysis found the majority of plans failed to accurately identify fire exclusion or to recommend the reintroduction of fire in fire‐excluded management sites. Absence of standardised guidelines that require comprehensive consideration of fire exclusion in ecological management and restoration plans is suggested as a key factor in the low response rates observed. Furthermore, it was found that existing implicit prompts to address inappropriate‐fire regimes generally, including government policies, project objectives and site‐assessment prompts had little effect on identification and response rates, further confirming the need for more‐explicit assessment prompts relating to fire‐frequency issues. Without improvements of the current ecological assessment and planning process to increase identification and management of fire exclusion in the study area, fire‐dependent biodiversity values will continue to decline wherever fire exclusion remains unmanaged. It is recommended that explicit assessment and planning templates are developed and implemented to effectively manage fire exclusion and conserve the fire‐dependent biodiversity of Byron Shire and the far north coast of NSW.     

乌丹地区文冠果生物学特性及物候观测

通过野外定枝追踪,对乌丹地区文冠果年生长周期的物候、生殖过程进行连续观测,研究了文冠果的果实生长进程与有效积温的关系、数量动态和落花落果率.结果表明：文冠果物候变化与有效积温之间存在极显著的线性函数关系;雄花花丝的伸长和花药的开裂在时间上具有先后性;文冠果果实生长发育过程中经历3次落果,授粉率为26.4%,落花率达73.6%,落果率可达92.9%,落花、落果现象十分严重;6月上中旬果实的纵径生长较快,6月中下旬果实横径生长较快,纵横径比可达2.17;个体间物候有一定的差异,不利于文冠果异株授粉和授粉率的提高.     

Biodiversity assessment in ecological restoration above the timberline

Ecological restoration trials in high-alpine sites require sampling of indigenous plant populations. This problem is discussed briefly in relation to initial genetic diversity in the restoration material. The further part of the paper deals with restoration trials in the Swiss Alps and their assessment.The plots, set in machine-graded downhill ski runs, were revegetated with transplants of alpine species used in various combinations. Safe-site conditions were simulated with biodegradable wood-fibre mats. Surveys carried out in plots aged four to seven years focused on plant species inventory and age-state structure of mixed stands. The alpha diversity assessment included speices number and the associated aspects. The consistent increase in species number, the number of plant families represented, and range of life-forms was apparently independent of the restoration timing. The age-state structure of the mixed stands was characterized by a considerable increase in the range of age-state classes and, in particular, a regular appearance of younger variants. These changes clearly indicate development of self-sustaining plant communities influenced by reproduction of the transplants and extensive immigration. It is proposed that age-state structure be called delta diversity and included in a routine assessment of post-restoration status of both single plant populations and mixed stands.     

Can artificial ecological islands alter the biodiversity of macroinvertebrate? A case study in Fujin National Wetland Park,the Sanjiang Plain,China

1. Many policies and studies globally have highlighted the pivotal role of wetland ecosystems regarding wetland biota and their ecological status. With the strengthening of wetland ecosystem management legislation and policy, wetland restoration should also consider increasing habitat diversity to improve biota. We explore whether the construction of artificial ecological islands can increase the diversity of and macroinvertebrates before assessing the effects of actively constructing islands via human intervention on wetland protection.
2. We discuss changes in macroinvertebrate diversity (i) with and without islands, (ii) at different water‐level gradients surrounding the islands, (ⅲ) on different island substrates, and (ⅳ) at different time scales. We used ANOVA, ANOSIM, and cluster analysis to test the differences.
3. The macroinvertebrate communities had spatially heterogeneous distributions which changes over time due to both natural and anthropogenic stresses. The establishment of islands significantly increased the community composition and biodiversity of the macroinvertebrate. Water depth and substrate affect community composition of macrozoobenthos. The abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates can influence the biodiversity of their predators (fish and waterbirds). Potentially, the construction of islands could provide some cobenefits for the conservation of wetland fauna.

Synthesis and applications. Establishing artificial ecological islands in broad open‐water areas and increasing water‐level gradient and substrate diversity can increase microhabitat availability and habitat heterogeneity. These changes can adapt to different ecological niches of aquatic organisms, increase biodiversity, and have a positive effect on the ecological restoration of inland freshwater marshes and wetlands.     

洱海流域44种湿地植物的氮磷含量特征

研究湿地植物中的氮和磷含量既能帮助了解其所处生境的营养状况,又能为湿地生态恢复提供指导。测定了洱海流域44种湿地植物干生物量中的氮、磷含量。结果表明洱海湿地植物中总氮和总磷平均含量为15.7 mg/g和3.3 mg/g,变化范围为6.4-34.3 mg/g和1.4-6.5 mg/g,明显高于其他地区;氮磷比范围为2.2-9.5,显示该地区磷过剩,氮是限制因子;不同功能群植物间的氮和磷含量有显著差异,总氮含量以沉水植物最高而挺水和漂浮/浮叶植物最低,而总磷含量则为湿生植物最高而沉水植物最低;植物的地上部分分别占有整株72%的生物量、82%的氮含量和75%的磷含量,表明收割湿地植物的地上部分可以高效去除湿地生态系统中的氮和磷。     

区域植被恢复对生态安全的影响预测 ——以岷江上游干旱河谷为例

退化生态系统恢复是保障区域生态安全的重要途径之一。在生态系统结构功能严重受损,威胁到区域生态安全时,通过引入物种进行主动的植被恢复可以有效地加速生态系统恢复进程,维护区域生态安全。但是区域尺度的植被恢复是一项规模浩大的工程,其效果和影响难以立即显现。为了评估区域植被恢复的生态风险,根据岷江上游干旱河谷区域植被恢复格局的设计结果,预测了区域植被恢复对生态安全的影响。通过对比分析现状植被盖度及生物多样性与植被恢复格局预测结果的差异,对区域植被恢复的效果进行评价,认为尽管植被恢复格局设计使部分区域生物多样性下降,但它整体提高了地表植被覆盖度,增强了抵御土壤侵蚀的能力。对保障区域生态安全具有积极的效果。     

演替理论与植被恢复

《昆明-蒙特利尔全球生物多样性框架》提出要高质量保护和恢复各 30%的土地,最大化地实现保护生物多样性和缓解气候变化的目标,而演替理论和植被恢复可以为实现 30%的保护和恢复目标服务.演替理论是植被生态学中的核心理论,演替是指在一个地点上由一群不同物种组成的生命体的结构或组成随时间而变化的过程;植被恢复是以植物种植、配置为主,恢复或重建植物群落或天然更新恢复植物群落的过程,植被恢复是生态系统结构和功能从简单到复杂、从低级向高级变化的过程,最终目的是建立健康稳定的植物群落.演替是植被恢复的基础,植被恢复被视为对演替过程的操纵,以达到恢复受损植被生态系统的目标.演替理论可以指导植被恢复,而植被恢复对演替理论的发展有益.演替按裸地性质可以分为原生演替和次生演替,有研究建议将恢复过程视为第三演替,这将有助于理解通过人为干预促进植被恢复成功的管理选择,特别是通过强调退化生态系统中的环境和生物遗存的管理选择.此外,该文还提出了植被恢复理论和演替理论未来可能重点关注的科学和技术问题.     

城市荒野生态研究概述

荒野是地球表面未受人类开发建设影响或基本不受人类活动干扰的自然区域,在城市的局部人为干扰极低区域也存在荒野片段。城市荒野作为城市内部及周边区域中以自然过程主导的景观单元,其物种组成、结构、过程和功能处于基本不受人类活动干扰的状况,因此具有高度自我调节的生态过程,以及良好的生态系统服务潜力,是城市生态系统的高保护价值区域。城市荒野有别于一般人工生态系统的生态特征及生物多样性保育等高价值服务功能开始引起人们的广泛重视,被认为是完善城市生态网络、保护城市生物多样性以及应对人类世人地矛盾激化的重要机遇。当前,国内外城市荒野研究尚处在初级阶段,有关城市荒野辨识、分类及生态特征等方面的研究滞后,制约了城市荒野的价值判断与保护决策。研究系统分析了城市荒野生态研究的进展与趋势,深入辨析了城市荒野的概念、分类与生态特征,探讨了城市荒野与人类的共存挑战和协同机遇,针对现有研究不足提出了保护和修复对策,并就值得进一步关注的研究方向给出了相关建议。研究旨在阐明基于城市荒野恢复城市与自然联系的机遇和挑战,可为城市生物多样性可持续管理提供科学依据,对城市自然资本保护与增强城市生态系统韧性具有重要意义。     

Procedure for Predicting the Trajectory of Species Recovery Based on the Nested Species Pool Information: Dragonflies in a Wetland Restoration Site as a Case Study

Restoration of seminatural habitats in the rural agricultural landscape has become an urgent matter in environmental conservation. We propose here a procedure for predicting the trajectory of species recovery and for specifying the priority of habitat types for restoration of a rural agricultural landscape. We then apply it as a case study to the recovery of dragonfly species in the Azame restoration project that began in 2003 in northern Kyushu, Japan. We examined the nestedness of the regional distribution of dragonflies using a national database on wildlife distribution and listed the recorded species in order of their prevalence in the region. We also conducted a census of adult dragonflies currently found at the restoration site to assess species richness. By comparing these data, we identified species potentially capable of inhabiting the restoration site and, based on their habitat requirements, suggest what type of habitat (e.g., bogs and marshes, ponds, and bodies of slow‐moving water) should be restored preferentially. We observed significant nestedness in the presence–absence matrix for dragonfly species and thus predict that species recovery at the restoration site will follow the regional order of prevalence of the species. The required habitat types did not differ significantly between the currently observed species and the potential species, which indicates that all these habitat types should be restored in the project.     

A checklist of the dragonflies (Odonata) of Kenya

A checklist of Odonata has been compiled for Kenya. It is based on an inventory of museum material, publications and personal observations made between 1978 and 1997. Changes of scientific names and synonyms are documented. The list contains 194 valid dragonfly species recorded for Kenya.     

Ecological processes: A key element in strategies for nature conservation

Summary A common approach to nature conservation is to identify and protect natural ‘assets’ such as ecosystems and threatened species. While such actions are essential, protection of assets will not be effective unless the ecological processes that sustain them are maintained. Here, we consider the role of ecological processes and the complementary perspective for conservation arising from an emphasis on process. Many kinds of ecological processes sustain biodiversity: including climatic processes, primary productivity, hydrological processes, formation of biophysical habitats, interactions between species, movements of organisms and natural disturbance regimes. Anthropogenic threats to conservation exert their influence by modifying or disrupting these processes. Such threats extend across tenures, they frequently occur offsite, they commonly induce non‐linear responses, changes may be irreversible and the full consequences may not be experienced for lengthy periods. While many managers acknowledge these considerations in principle, there is much scope for greater recognition of ecological processes in nature conservation and greater emphasis on long time‐frames and large spatial scales in conservation planning. Practical measures that promote ecological processes include: monitoring to determine the trajectory and rate of processes; incorporating surrogates for processes in conservation and restoration projects; specific interventions to manipulate and restore processes; and planning for the ecological future before options are foreclosed. The long‐term conservation of biodiversity and the well‐being of human society depend upon both the protection of natural assets and maintaining the integrity of the ecological processes that sustain them.