基于生态系统服务价值和景观生态风险的生态分区识别与优化策略——以祁连山国家公园青海片区为例

生态空间分区识别是支撑自然保护地生态资产管理的前提性和基础性工作。以祁连山国家公园青海片区(以下简称为“园区”)为例,集成遥感技术、地理信息模型方法、景观生态学方法、GIS格网法,分析了园区1998—2018年土地利用、生态系统服务价值、景观生态风险的时空演变特征,选用Z-score标准化构建了四类生态分区。结果表明：(1)草地占园区面积的55.00%以上,30年间(1998—2018年)园区土地利用之间转移总面积为102.49 km²。(2)3个时期(1998年、2008年、2018年)园区生态系统服务价值(ESV)约为274亿元/a,单位面积ESV为172.94万元/km²。不同ESV等级呈现“大分散、小集聚”的镶嵌交错分布格局,高寒河源湿地区和寒温带针叶林区为ESV的高值区。(3)3个时期园区景观生态风险指数(ERI)分别为0.2287、0.2286和0.2310,生态安全状态整体较好,景观生态风险以低生态风险等级和较低生态风险等级占主导地位,占园区面积的90.00%左右。人工牧草地、旱地、建设用地的景观生态风险等级较高。(4)结合生态...     

Deposition Velocity of PM2.5 in the Winter and Spring above Deciduous and Coniferous Forests in Beijing,China

To estimate the deposition effect of PM2.5 (particle matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm) in forests in northern China, we used the gradient method to measure the deposition velocity of PM2.5 during the winter and spring above a deciduous forest in Olympic Forest Park and above a coniferous forest in Jiufeng National Forest Park. Six aerosol samplers were placed on two towers at each site at heights of 9, 12 and 15 m above the ground surface. The sample filters were exchanged every four hours at 6∶00 AM, 10∶00 AM, 2∶00 PM, 6∶00 PM, 10∶00 PM, and 2∶00 AM. The daytime and nighttime deposition velocities in Jiufeng Park and Olympic Park were compared in this study. The February deposition velocities in Jiufeng Park were 1.2±1.3 and 0.7±0.7 cm s⁻¹ during the day and night, respectively. The May deposition velocities in Olympic Park were 0.9±0.8 and 0.4±0.5 cm s⁻¹ during the day and night, respectively. The May deposition velocities in Jiufeng Park were 1.1±1.2 and 0.6±0.5 cm s⁻¹ during the day and night, respectively. The deposition velocities above Jiufeng National Forest Park were higher than those above Olympic Forest Park. The measured values were smaller than the simulated values obtained by the Ruijgrok et al. (1997) and Wesely et al. (1985) models. However, the reproducibility of the Ruijgrok et al. (1997) model was better than that of the Wesely et al. (1985) model. The Hicks et al. (1977) model was used to analyze additional forest parameters to calculate the PM2.5 deposition, which could better reflect the role of the forest in PM2.5 deposition.     

浙江天童国家森林公园景观的遥感分类与制图

利用Landsat-TM多时相数据,采用非监督分类方法,对浙江省天童国家森林公园的景观进行分类。并利用野外实地调查的数据进行检验和校正。结果表明,天童国家森林公园范围内的景观可分为常绿阔叶林、成熟常绿阔叶林、次生常绿-落叶阔叶林、山脊常绿-落叶阔叶林、谷地常绿-落叶阔叶林、林缘灌丛、次生灌丛、针叶林(杉木)、竹林、生长作物的农田／菜园地、旱地、裸土、居住区、水体14个类型,这14个景观类型,根据植物群落学分类的群落复合体(cammunity complex)和群落复合体的地-综合群落学(Geo-synsociology)的方法,归并为山坡常绿阔叶林、常绿落叶阔叶混交林、人工林(针叶林、竹林)、农田、水体、居住区6个景观单元。在景观分类和合并的基础上,对天童国家森林公园的景观进行了制图。     

Habitat preferences of the forest birds on the island of Príncipe, Gulf of Guinea

The forests of southwest Príncipe are recognized as important for biodiversity conservation. Here, we study the distribution and density of fifteen of the island's endemic bird species (including three Globally Threatened and one Near-Threatened) within the National Park. The endemic subspecies of the Near-Threatened Gulf of Guinea thrush occurred at a density of 0.08 birds ha⁻¹, which is far lower than its sister subspecies on the neighbouring island of São Tomé. We also present evidence that the effects of access routes around the protected area exert an influence on bird species within the National Park. The grey parrot, which still suffers from illegal hunting, was more likely to be encountered further away from roads, with 25% of variation in its occurrence explained by distance to the nearest road. In addition, the occurrence of all four threatened species was more likely further from access routes. Careful consideration must therefore be given to the potential impacts within the National Park of developments outside the currently protected area.     

Shifts in controls on the temporal coherence of throughfall chemical flux in Acadia National Park, Maine, USA

Major ion and mercury (Hg) inputs to terrestrial ecosystems include both wet and dry deposition (total deposition). Estimating total deposition to sensitive receptor sites is hampered by limited information regarding its spatial heterogeneity and seasonality. We used measurements of throughfall flux, which includes atmospheric inputs to forests and the net effects of canopy leaching or uptake, for ten major ions and Hg collected during 35 time periods in 1999–2005 at over 70 sites within Acadia National Park, Maine to (1) quantify coherence in temporal dynamics of seasonal throughfall deposition and (2) examine controls on these patterns at multiple scales. We quantified temporal coherence as the correlation between all possible site pairs for each solute on a seasonal basis. In the summer growing season and autumn, coherence among pairs of sites with similar vegetation was stronger than for site-pairs that differed in vegetation suggesting that interaction with the canopy and leaching of solutes differed in coniferous, deciduous, mixed, and shrub or open canopy sites. The spatial pattern in throughfall hydrologic inputs across Acadia National Park was more variable during the winter snow season, suggesting that snow re-distribution affects net hydrologic input, which consequently affects chemical flux. Sea-salt corrected calcium concentrations identified a shift in air mass sources from maritime in winter to the continental industrial corridor in summer. Our results suggest that the spatial pattern of throughfall hydrologic flux, dominant seasonal air mass source, and relationship with vegetation in winter differ from the spatial pattern of throughfall flux in these solutes in summer and autumn. The coherence approach applied here made clear the strong influence of spatial heterogeneity in throughfall hydrologic inputs and a maritime air mass source on winter patterns of throughfall flux. By contrast, vegetation type was the most important influence on throughfall chemical flux in summer and autumn.     

Environmental variables influencing the carbon balance at the alpine treeline: a modeling approach

Abstract. Growth of coniferous trees at alpine treeline locations has traditionally been viewed as primarily temperature dependent. In this study, we use a physiologically mechanistic process model, ATE-BGC (Alpine Treeline Ecotone - BioGeochemical Cycles), to study the effects of a suite of environmental variables on the carbon balance of krummholz growth forms of subalpine Abies lasiocarpa under environmental conditions representative of treeline locations in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. We perform a sensitivity analysis of ATE-BGC to determine the relative effects of temperature, insolation, snow, rain, soil depth, leaf area index, winter injury and elevation on krummholz carbon balance. Our results indicate that ATE-BGC carbon balance estimates are most highly influenced by temperature and winter injury. Leaf area index, soil depth, rainfall, insolation and snowfall follow temperature and winter injury in their effect on carbon balance. Due to the sensitivity of the model to moisture related variables, we propose that local irregularities in the location of the alpine treeline ecotone are the result of localized xeric conditions.     

以国家公园为主体的自然保护地体系立法思考

实现十九大报告提出的建立以国家公园为主体的自然保护地体系的改革目标需要法治保障。建设自然保护地体系涉及的不同生态系统和多个管理部门、多方利益主体, 是一个巨大的复杂系统, 需要进行整体性、系统性的立法研究。目前, 国家正在推进国家公园体制改革并已将《国家公园法》列入十三届全国人大常委会立法计划。更需要我们从自然保护地立法体系建设的高度, 正确处理《国家公园法》与未来可能制定的《自然保护地法》的关系, 在《国家公园法》制定过程中为今后出台《自然保护地法》预留空间, 并建立相应的衔接机制, 统筹谋划并协同推进国家公园法与自然保护地立法。     

The relationship between pH and community structure of invertebrates in streams of the Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, U.S.A.

1. A replicated natural experiment was used to assess the influence of pH and low alkalinity on abundance and richness of invertebrate families in streams draining catchments that receive acid deposition. Individual streams were used as the unit of replication, allowing conclusions to refer to a class of streams rather than to particular streams. 2. We also controlled for several factors other than pH and alkalinity, including flow and temperature, that are recognized as determinants of invertebrate distribution. Samples were from indigenous rocks, standardized for size, surface area, and geology. 3. Repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVA) revealed that invertebrate abundance and richness were significantly lower at pH 5.8 than at pH 7.1 for the total community. Thirty per cent of the forty-seven families exhibited significantly lower abundance at pH 5.8; thirteen families were absent at pH 5.8. Differences were greatest for Ephemeroptera: species richness was significantly lower at pH 5.8, and 71% of the twenty-four species were either absent (seven) or found in reduced abundance (ten) in the acidic streams. 4. Stream alkalinity is projected to continue to decrease with continued acid deposition in the Shenandoah National Park. Concurrent decreases in pH may lead to the absence or continued numerical decline of certain Ephemeroptera species in streams that acidify to less than pH 6.0 and/or 50μEql^?1 alkalinity.     

Persistent surface water acidification in an organic soil-dominated upland region subject to high atmospheric deposition: The North York Moors,UK

The North York Moors National Park, in Northeast England, is one of the few upland areas of the United Kingdom located immediately downwind of major sulphur and nitrogen emission sources. Despite this, few studies of air pollution impacts have been undertaken, and there is no formal long-term upland water quality monitoring site. We examined the condition of surface waters in the National Park based on (1) a unique 20 year stream pH record from three locations; and (2) a snapshot survey of 51 surface waters draining moorland and conifer plantations. Interpretation was supported by sulphur isotope analysis of a subset of water samples, and a diatom survey of one of the monitoring streams. Long-term pH data for a stream draining the peat plateau demonstrate extreme, year-round acidification, with recovery only evident in the last few years. Lower-elevation sites are less acidic, but show similar temporal trends, and are characterised by frequent and severe acid episodes. The snapshot survey confirmed that acidification of the moorland area is widespread, to a degree observed in few other areas globally; out of 37 moorland streams sampled, 32 had an acid neutralising capacity (ANC) below −50 μequiv. l⁻¹. Sulphate was found to be (by far) the dominant cause of acidification, and sulphur isotope analysis confirmed that this derives primarily from atmospheric deposition. Nitrate concentrations remain low, indicating that the organic moorland soils continue to retain most incoming nitrogen. It appears that conifer planting has exacerbated acidification, leading to fivefold higher nitrate and threefold higher aluminium concentrations compared to the moorland sites. Available biological data suggest that waters in the region have been impoverished by acidification. We speculate that the slow recovery of surface waters in the North York Moors is due to the release of a legacy of stored sulphur from the peats, released during droughts. We conclude that: (1) acidification is far from being a solved problem in this sensitive near-source upland region, despite reductions in sulphur deposition; (2) plantation forestry has exacerbated the effects of atmospheric pollution, and triggered nitrogen saturation; (3) the lack of any formal long-term monitoring in the North York Moors represents a major gap in the current evidence base for the effects of long-range air pollutants on UK upland ecosystems.     

东北虎豹国家公园梅花鹿的空间遗传格局及其影响因素

东北梅花鹿是东北虎豹国家公园主要的大型食草动物之一,是东北虎豹的主要猎物,对针阔混交林群落的维持有关键的作用,探究其遗传多样性及空间遗传格局对东北梅花鹿的保护以及国家公园生态系统的健康至关重要。在国家公园珲春保护区内,通过非损伤方法获得遗传样本,利用微卫星标记,研究该梅花鹿种群的空间遗传格局及其影响因素。结果表明：本研究区梅花鹿种群平均期望杂合度为0.721,遗传多样性较为丰富。有限的扩散能力常常导致种群在遗传距离上具有显著的空间自相关模式,本研究区梅花鹿种群在0-1km距离等级内在遗传距离上具有显著的空间自相关现象,据此可推测,该地区梅花鹿扩散距离为1km左右。STRUCTURE分析表明,珲春地区梅花鹿种群不存在明显的遗传分化。各种空间变量可以显著影响物种的遗传分化。本研究选取海拔、坡度、坡向、地表起伏率、人类干扰5个变量,研究其对梅花鹿种群遗传结构的影响,这5个变量多被认为与大中型哺乳动物扩散阻碍相关。依据5个变量建立了336个阻力模型,并进行偏曼特尔检验。其中,依据海拔、坡向、地表起伏率、人类干扰假设建立的246个阻力模型与遗传距离之间的关系并不显著,综合所有变量的15个生境适宜性模型阻力模型与遗传距离的关系也都不显著。在依据坡度假设建构的75个阻力模型中,只有1个模型与遗传距离有显著的正相关关系,该模型同时也是在控制空间自相关影响后,在所有模型中与遗传距离相关性最高的模型。根据该模型推测,最适宜梅花鹿扩散的坡度为10°,梅花鹿可能倾向于利用缓坡进行扩散。结果对东北虎豹国家公园梅花鹿种群的保护具有重要意义。     

海南热带雨林国家公园高速公路穿越段景观动态与生态风险评估

海南热带雨林国家公园被中线高速公路自东北-西南方向穿越,改变了局域景观分布格局,影响到生态系统完整性与原真性,可能存在潜在的生态风险。选取海南热带雨林国家公园高速公路穿越段两侧3 km作为研究区域,运用GIS技术、Fragstats和景观生态学理论定量评价2013年(高速公路未建)、2016年(高速公路在建)和2019年(高速公路竣工)三年的景观要素变化,解析景观变化趋势和可能带来的潜在生态风险。结果表明,2016年高速公路建成面积(含动土区域)为325.51 hm²,林地面积略有减少,但林地斑块密度增加;耕地面积虽略有增加,但耕地最大斑块指数下降,耕地景观优势度降低。2019年高速公路建成竣工后,由于路旁绿化,高速公路占地面积有所下降,林地面积和林地斑块密度增加,但林地和耕地斑块的内聚力指数下降,自然连通度略降低,破碎化程度加剧;高速公路穿越段中等生态风险区和较高生态风险区面积逐年增加。但隧道和高架桥路段在一定程度上维持了道路两侧的植被连通性,对局域生态系统没有明显影响。高速公路造成的生境隔离与破碎化可能累积产生远期的负面生态学效应。海南热带雨林国家公园高速公路...     

祁连山国家公园青海片区人兽冲突现状与牧民态度认知研究

在祁连山国家公园,人类与野生动物冲突已经成为一个普遍的问题。了解国家公园内牧民对肇事野生动物的态度,为探究野生动物肇事规律、针对肇事动物制定防控措施以及保护国家公园生态系统原真性、促进牧民与野生动物和谐相处具有重要的参考意义。通过实地走访调查了2014—2016年祁连山国家公园青海片区牧民与野生动物之间的冲突和牧民对于野生动物的态度认知。调查分析发现:11月—次年3月是祁连县野生动物肇事高峰期,狼和雪豹是捕食家畜的主要动物;狼被牧民认为是肇事最严重的动物,而实际数据表明雪豹的肇事频次却要高于狼,这与两种动物生活习性以及保护等级有关,加之牧民对雪豹肇事的容忍度更高;天峻县相比祁连县,除了狼以外其棕熊肇事频次较高,牧民认为应当大力控制狼和棕熊的种群数量,因为棕熊除了捕食家畜,更会伤害牧民和破坏房屋,威胁到牧民的生活,雪豹则需要进一步保护;牧民一般会选择使用牧羊犬和强化圈舍来防止野生动物捕食家畜;羊是祁连山国家公园青海片区牧民主要经济收入,牧民对狼吃食羊无法容忍,棕熊入户直接掠食伤人现象目前频次不高,但需提前防范。     

Prey habitat selection under shared predation: tradeoffs between risk and competition?

An individual's choice of habitat should optimize amongst conflicting demands in a way that maximizes its fitness. Habitat selection by one species will often be influenced by presence and abundance of competitors that interact directly and indirectly with each other (such as through shared predators). The optimal habitat choice will thus depend on competition for resources by other species that can also modify predation risk. It may be possible to disentangle these two effects with careful analysis of density‐dependent habitat selection by a focal prey species. We tested this conjecture by calculating habitat isodars (graphs of density assuming ideal habitat selection) of chital deer living in two adjoining dry‐forest habitats in Gir National Park and Sanctuary, western India. The habitats differed only in presence (Sanctuary) and absence (National Park) of domestic prey (cattle and buffalo). Both species are preyed on by Asiatic lions. The habitat isodar revealed at low densities, that chital live in small groups and prefer habitat co‐occupied by livestock that reduce food resources, but also reduce predation risk. At higher densities, chital form larger groups and switch their preference toward risky habitat without livestock. The switch in chital habitat use is consistent with theories predicting that prey species should trade off safety in favor of food as population density increases.     

基于多源数据的三江源国家公园土地生态安全综合评价

开展国家公园尺度的土地生态安全综合评价,对优化三江源国家公园土地利用管理规划、加强生态网络建设具有重要借鉴价值。在“压力-状态-响应”(PSR)理论框架中融入草地退化指数、冻土稳定型分布、生态系统服务价值和景观生态脆弱性等指标,分析三江源国家公园土地生态安全状况及其主导因素。研究表明：(1)三江源国家公园景观生态脆弱性整体较低,不同园区景观生态脆弱性指数略有差异,长江源园区为中等脆弱区,黄河源园区脆弱性次之,澜沧江源园区景观生态脆弱性优于其他两园区。(2)三江源国家公园整体土地生态安全状况为较不安全,其中,长江源园区、澜沧江源园区以较不安全区等级为主、临界安全等级次之,黄河源园区临界安全及以上等级的面积比重为93.94%。(3)土地生态较安全区和安全区分布于长江源园区中南部,以及黄河源园区南北两侧边缘区,较不安全区和临界安全区在长江源园区、澜沧江源园区以及黄河源园区交错且连片分布。(4)基于地理探测器模型的自然生态和社会经济影响因素识别结果显示,居民点密度、水网密度和景观生态脆弱性是影响三江源国家公园土地生态安全的主导因素,揭示了人类活动扰动程度与生态系统脆弱性对国家公园土地生态安全状...     

Floral biology and pollinators of Trichocereus pasacana (Cactaceae) in Parque Nacional Los Cardones, Argentina]

Many columnar cacti are bat pollinated. It has been suggested that this kind of pollination would be more important in tropical than in temperate regions where flowers are open only one night. Thrichocereus pasacana produces big and resistant white flowers. We analyzed flower characteristics, floral cycle, stigmatic receptivity, nectar production, pollen presence and floral visitors in a T. pasacana population at National Park Los Cardones (Salta, Argentina) in November 1997. Flower features were constant between individuals of the population. Flowers start opening at evening and anthesis time is from 18 to 40 hs. The estigma was receptive throughout the floral cycle. Anther dehiscence occurs with flower opening. Nectar production was highest between 18 to 24 hs. Although T. pasacana are open during the night, floral visitors are diurnal. The most frequent was Xylocopa sp. In the study area, nectarivorous bats were not detected. The morphological features of T. pasacana flowers were similar but bigger compared to other columnar cacti. Anthesis time was also longer while nectar production was lower. T. pasacana pollination at National Park Los Cardones is done by bees.     

Multi-indicator sensitivity analysis of climate change effects on landscapes in the Kiskunság National Park,Hungary

A multi-indicator approach assessing sensitivity to drought within different landscape types was explored within the Kiskunság National Park (Hungary) and its surrounding landscapes. The National Park preserves alkaline lakes, sand dunes, wetlands, dry steppes and forests, surrounded by a matrix of intensively used agricultural land and forests. The investigated indicators rely to soil moisture regime, changes in groundwater resources, biomass production of vegetation and wind erosion hazard. The study also estimated future drought hazard as an indicator of climate change (CC) by REMO and ALADIN regional climate model simulations applying two future time periods (2021–2050 and 2071–2100). Overlaying analysis of future CC scenarios and the multi-indicator assessment indicates increasing drought hazards over the whole area investigated, with landscapes in the northern part of the territory relatively more exposed. On the basis of the calculated indicators, the most sensitive areas were identified as being located in the areas of highest altitude and within the sandy area/alluvial plain transitional zone, which are mostly wetland and sand-dune regions. Results indicate that conservation management should especially focus on the northern part of the Kiskunság as an area most at risk of increasing drought. The outcomes of this research demonstrate the utility of a dynamic, multi-indicator landscape sensitivity approach to developing strategies to adapt on the multilayered and complex effects of CC on nature conservation practice.     

喜马拉雅灰叶猴栖息地利用和食性生物学

2006年4月至2007年4月在巴基斯坦克什米尔地区马希亚拉国家公园(Machiara National Park)对喜马拉雅灰叶猴(Semnopithecus entellus ajex)的栖息地利用和食性生物学进行研究。结果表明,冬天,叶猴首选的栖息地多为温暖湿润的针叶林和落叶林混交地区;夏天,它们则迁移至高海拔的亚高山灌木丛林里。喜马拉雅灰叶猴主要以植物的叶子为食,研究期间在该地区共发现49种被采食过的植物(夏季27种,冬季22种)。通过观察它们的所有食物,发现老叶(36.12%)比嫩叶(27.27%)更受欢迎,随后依次为果实17.00%、树根9.45%、树皮6.69%、花2.19%和根茎1.28%。     

The impact of extreme run-off events from the Sakasagawa river on the Senjogahara ecosystem, Nikko National Park. IV. Changes in tree and understory vegetation distribution patterns from 1982 to 1992

In this study, a survey was made of a sample area adjacent to Senjogahara moor, Nikko National Park, in central Japan, to discover the change of vegetation over the 10 years from 1982 to 1992. The sample area, which is dominated byMalus toringo, has often suffered alluvial deposition from flooding of the river. The accumulation depth of alluvial materials deposited for 1984–1987 were measured at 266 points in the area, and for 1987–1992 at 347 points. Each tree species showed its own changing pattern of distribution area in relation to the accumulation depth of alluvial deposits. For example,M. toringo showed an increase in the number of trunks, and extended its distribution area in spite of heavy deposition, whereasBetula platyphylla var.japonica andLarix kaempferi shifted their distribution to the area that suffered only light deposition. The distribution area of shrubby and herbaceous species of understory vegetation also showed different patterns of change. In addition, the recovery of bare ground by understory vegetation was by different species in heavily and in lightly deposited areas. These facts show that there is a difference in the tolerance of different species to burial by alluvial deposits, and this difference is an important factor in successional change and mosaic formation of vegetation in a repeatedly disturbed area.     

青藏高原生态系统完整性远程评价与国家公园群建设时序研究

青藏高原是我国重要生态安全屏障,保有大量重要的受人类活动干扰较小的自然生态系统。但近年来受社会经济发展和气候变化的影响,高原生态系统面临退化风险。为了更好地守护地球第三极,第二次青藏科考提出建立青藏高原国家公园群的科学构想。为了全面掌握人类胁迫和气候变化背景下,青藏高原生态系统完整性维持情况,并识别生态系统完整性维持较好的区域,为青藏高原国家公园群的规划布局提供支撑,研究基于对生态系统完整性内涵的理解以及青藏高原生态系统特征,借鉴加拿大国家公园生态系统完整性评估框架,构建了"格局-质量-功能-问题-压力"生态系统完整性远程评估框架,对青藏高原生态系统完整性进行了综合评估并分析了其空间格局特征。结果显示：青藏高原整体维持了较好的生态系统完整性,分别有3.52%、7.51%和70.71%的区域生态系统完整性等级为优、良和中,但受人类胁迫影响,部分区域生态系统完整受到破坏,分别有18.17%和0.10%的区域生态系统完整性等级为较差和极差。从空间上看,青藏高原东部地区生态系统完整性整体高于西部地区。从生态系统完整性保护的角度看,青藏高原可用于建设国家公园的备选区数量多、分布广,且呈现大面积连片分布的格局。目前正在开展的三江源、祁连山、大熊猫、普达措等国家公园体制试点区均具有较高的生态系统完整性。为了加快推动生态系统完整性高的区域保护,根据青藏高原国家公园潜在建设区的生态系统完整性指数结果,建议优先启动雅鲁藏布大峡谷、色林错-普若岗日、独龙江三江并流、若尔盖、贡嘎山、稻城亚丁等国家公园建设,待条件成熟后,再逐步启动其他具有景观、文化价值的国家公园建设。     

Long-term lake acidification trends in high- and low-sulphate deposition regions from Nova Scotia,Canada

Diatom-based paleolimnological techniques were used to study 14 lakes from two regions of Nova Scotia which represent regions of high and low sulphate deposition. Using decadal scale intervals, changes in diatom assemblages and diatom-inferred pH were tracked in relation to deposition of anthropogenic-sourced strong acids. Eight study lakes were located in Kejimkujik National Park in the southwestern part of the province, which receives an annual sulphate deposition (2000–2002) of ~10.5 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. These lakes showed significant changes in diatom assemblages with overall diatom-inferred acidification of ~0.5 pH units starting between 1925 and 1940, with the timing of acidification related to pre-industrial (or pre−1850) lakewater pH. Six study lakes were located in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, in northern Nova Scotia, a region of lower sulphate deposition. These lakes did not show any consistent trends in diatom assemblages or inferred pH values consistent with recent acidic deposition, but rather variations that may be related to climatic influences. Nova Scotia lakes that have been most impacted by acidic deposition had the lowest pre-industrial lakewater pH values and were in an area of relatively high sulphate deposition. Handling editor: K. Martens