Using Endemic Plant Species to Establish Critical Habitats in the Sierra de La Laguna Biosphere Reserve, Baja California Sur, Mexico

The Sierra de La Laguna, in the southern part of the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico, was decreed a biosphere reserve in 1994. It harbors relict plant communities with a high level of endemism. Floristic research has established that the two main communities, the oak–pine woodland (OPW) and the dry tropical forest (TDF), harbor 43 and 33 endemic species, respectively. We segregate the reserve surface into seven major habitats and each endemic species were assigned a hierarchic value into an abundance-distribution scale, useful as dominance ranking. Using such scale, we found that almost half of the species are in the lowest rank (low abundance and aggregate distribution). Using GIS, we obtain the surface for each habitat, where mountainsides represent the largest in the reserve area. We obtained an index of importance from the proportion of endemic species by habitat and its surface occupied, founding that, in spite of the small and fragmented nature of the upland riparian habitats, they have the greatest index value. Consequently, for future conservation plans in the reserve, these habitats should be considered remarkable sites, meriting better attention to ensure endemic plant preservation. Also, since 86% of the endemic species appear in one, two or three habitats, a high dependency on particular environmental conditions is suggested for them.     

广东南岭大型真菌区系地理成分特征初步分析

对广东南岭自然保护区内的大型真菌区系进行了初步分析.结果:种类最多的科是多孔菌科共有62种(占总种数的18.7%);第二为口蘑科共有42种(占总种数的12.7%) ; 第三是红菇科共28种(占总种数的8.6%).含10种或以上依次为牛肝菌科(20种)、伞菌科 (19种)、鹅膏科(15种)、炭角菌科(15种)、麦角菌科(13种)、粉褶蕈科(12种)和丝膜菌科(11种).种数(包括种下单位)10种以上的属有6属(占总属数的4.4%)共有种类77种(占全部种数的23.3%),它们依次是红菇属Russula(18种)、鹅膏属Amanita (14 种)、虫草属Cordyceps(13种)、炭角菌属Xylaria(11种)、粉褶蕈属Entoloma(11种) 、乳菇属Lactarius(10种);种数(包括种下单位)2～9种的属有54属(占总属数的39.7 % );仅含1个种的属有76属(占了总属数的55.9%).从属的区系地理成分上可分为:①广布成分(62.5%)、②泛热带成分(16.2%)、③热带亚洲-热带美洲成分(2.2%)、④热带亚洲 -热带非洲成分(0.7%)、⑤北温带成分(15.4%)、⑥地中海区-西亚至中亚成分(1. 5% )、⑦东亚-北美洲成分(1.5%).表明了南岭自然保护区的大型真菌属是以广布成分为主(62.5%),其中热带成分与北温带成分比较接近.     

Seasonal habitat selection and temporal activity patterns determine the structure of bat assemblages in Dhana Biosphere Reserve,Jordan (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

We measured species richness, diversity, and diel activity patterns of insectivorous bats at four sites within Dhana Biosphere Reserve. A total of seven species belonging to five families at varying species compositions were recorded. Four to six species were present at these sites and total diversity ranged between 0.32 at Ain Lahtha and 0.65 at Al Khararah. Overall frequency of passes was highest at Shaq Kalbeh. The Common Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, was the most prevalent at three sites, followed by the Arabian Horseshoe Bat, Rhinolophus clivosus, and Botta’s Serotine, Eptesicus bottae. Natterer’s Bat, Myotis nattereri, and the European Free-tailed Bat, Tadarida teniotis, occurred at low abundance. The Lesser Horseshoe Bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros, occurred at a higher abundance within Finan site (arid site at lower altitude), whereas the Egyptian Mouse-tailed Bat, Rhinopoma cystops, was restricted to Finan. The overall mean number of bat passes was not significantly different between sites. Average seasonal species diversity was low during winter (none at Ain Lahtha and Shaq Kalbeh) and highest during summer (0.68 at Al Kharrarah). Seasonal activity patterns for each site in terms of frequencies of bat passes on an hourly basis are given.     

贵州梵净山生物圈保护区兰科植物区系特征

研究了贵州梵净山自然保护区兰科植物的区系特征。结果表明:①兰科植物种类组成丰富多样,计有兰科植物38属72种(含种下分类群),分别占贵州兰科植物属总数和种总数的50.14%和29.27%。与邻近自然保护区所含的兰科植物属、种数相比,梵净山兰科植物的属、种总数与重庆金佛山和湖北神农架相当,而仅次于四川峨眉山;与贵州的茂兰、习水相比,其属数高于茂兰和习水,种数高于习水、略低于茂兰;②兰科植物种的分布区类型有17个类型或变型,中国特有分布成分占明显优势,为30.55%;其次为热带亚洲至热带大洋州成分,占15.28%;③兰科植物生活类型多样,既有地生、附生和腐生的类型,又有半地生、半附生的类型。     

鼎湖山森林地表水水质状况分析

对鼎湖山生物圈保护区内两溪流水源水质状况进行了调查,结果发现：①鼎湖山地表水总体水质较好,符合地面水环境质量标准的I类水源水质标准。区内水体受污染程度低,绝大多数指标均符合饮用水卫生标准。②水体pH值较低,Al含量较高,总有机碳测定表现出整个水体受到一定程度的有机污染。水体中有害金属Mn和Pb含量略高,但都远低于饮用水卫生标准。③对地表水来源过程环节的水化学分析比较表明：大气降水、穿透水、土壤溶液（30cm层和80cm层）和地表水水样的pH值呈现“M”形变化。酸雨和土壤表层酸化是该区地表水pH值偏低的主要原因。地表水和30cm土壤溶液中的Al浓度分别是大气降水的5倍和8倍,地表水中的Al主要来源于酸雨对土壤的淋溶。地表水中的Na主要来源于大气降水。大气降水Pb浓度是地表水的17倍,林冠吸收富集和土壤固定吸附使地表水中的Pb大幅度降低。穿透水和土壤溶液中的Mn、K、Ca、Mg、Sr比大气降水和地表水浓度高,反映了元素被酸雨淋溶、活化和被植物、土壤吸收吸附的过程。从长远看,尽管在森林保存完好的地区,区域环境的恶化及酸雨对地表水水质的影响仍不容忽视。     

鼎湖山三种主要植被类型土壤碳释放研究

土壤呼吸是土壤微生物活性和土壤肥力一个重要指标 ,是土壤碳流通的一个主要过程 ,也是陆地生态系统碳循环的一个关键部分 ,对研究全球变化非常重要。国内土壤呼吸的研究主要集中在北京山地温带林区、尖峰岭热带森林及东北羊草草原和中亚热带等地 ,南亚热带地区森林土壤呼吸尚无报道。选取南亚热带鼎湖山自然保护区森林演替系列中的 3种主要植被类型 (季风常绿阔叶林 ,针阔叶混交林和马尾松林 )为研究对象 ,研究了土壤呼吸和与之相关的土壤微生物生物量、土壤温度和土壤含水量以及他们之间的关系。结果表明 ,季风常绿阔叶林、针阔叶混交林和马尾松林年均土壤呼吸速率依次是 477.9,435 .4,42 9.5 mg CO2 · m- 2 ·h- 1,土壤呼吸速率与土壤温度的季节变化规律接近 ;3种植被类型土壤微生物生物量变化规律与土壤呼吸变化规律一致 ,季风常绿阔叶林最高 ,马尾松林最低 ,土壤微生物量高的土壤中碳周转量较大 ,碳素周转还带动了其他营养元素周转 ,有利于生态系统生存和持续发展 ;季风常绿阔叶林、针阔叶混交林和针叶林代谢熵依次是 0 .5 8～ 0 .60 ,0 .92～ 1 .0 0 ,1 .30～ 1 .35 ,表明 3种植被类型土壤中土壤微生物对土壤碳的利用效率依次降低。     

CLUE-S模型在长白山自然保护区外围规划中的应用

受自然保护区旅游业快速发展影响,长白山自然保护区外围土地利用变化加剧。因此,对区域土地利用布局进行科学规划具有十分重要的意义。以长白山自然保护区外围30 km区域为研究对象,探讨了CLUE-S模型在小尺度土地利用规划中的应用。在分析研究区1991—2007年土地利用变化的驱动力基础上,根据区域规划预案,模拟2020土地利用布局。利用模拟结果划定空间管制区和乡镇布局,并与现有规划进行了对比。结果表明,基于CLUE-S模型的土地规划明显抑制了区域景观破碎化进程,减弱了人为活动对景观的影响,该方法可以为长白山区域土地利用规划提供有力的技术手段和科学支撑。     

Farm Households and Land Use in a Core Conservation Zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve,Guatemala

This paper employs cross-tabular analysis, and multivariate and logistic regression to explore demographic, political-economic, socioeconomic, and ecological patterns of farm households and land use outcomes in an emergent agricultural frontier: the Sierra de Lacandón National Park (SLNP)-a core conservation zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR), Petén, Guatemala. Data were obtained from a 1998 probability sample of 241 farm households, the first large detailed household land use survey in Guatemala’s Selva Maya-the largest lowland tropical forest in Central America. Virtually all settler households were poor maize farmers who colonized the SLNP in search of land for subsistence. While they faced similar ecological and economic conditions, land use strategies and patterns of forest clearing varied with demographic, household, and farm characteristics. Findings support and refute elements from previous frontier land use theory and offer policy implications for conservation and development initiatives in the Maya Forest specifically, and in tropical agricultural frontiers in general.

Aerobic Heterotrophic Bacterial and Fungal Communities in the Topsoil of Omo Biosphere Reserve in Southwestern Nigeria1

As a part of the surveillance effort to monitor the ecological status of Omo Biosphere Reserve in the southwestern region of Nigeria, the aerobic heterotrophic bacterial and fungal communities of the topsoil were investigated in March 1995 and April 1996, before the onset of the rainy season. Four distinct wood‐tree plantations, a core strict nature reserve (SNR) area, and a buffer zone were sampled. The topsoil samples (7.5 cm depth), including the litter, were taken with an auger (8 cm diameter) and transported to the laboratory in polyethylene bags. One‐gram dry weight equivalent of sample was suspended in 10 ml sterile water, and serial dilutions from it were used for the estimation of bacterial and fungal densities. The bacterial and fungal densities ranged in the order of 106 and 103 cfu/g, respectively. Out of the 18 bacterial and 16 fungal species that were obtained, 13 and 12, respectively, were isolated from the core SNR. About 46 to 69 percent of the bacteria and 50 to 83 percent of the fungi species found in the SNR were absent in different combinations in the plantations and the buffer zone; these variations were significant among the sites monitored. The bacterial and fungal species compositions were significantly different between the SNR and each of the other sites. Proportional distributions within the sites were significant only for the bacterial communities. It would appear that plantation and human activities have caused significant changes in the distribution and species richness of the heterotrophic bacterial and fungal communities relative to the undisturbed SNR area of the Omo Biosphere Reserve.     

Interdisciplinary research for the proposal of the Urban Biosphere Reserve of Rome Municipality

Abstract

The issue of urban sustainability is considered within the context of the metropolis of Rome, the capital of Italy. The aim is pursued through an Urban Biosphere Reserve proposal, drawn up by an interdisciplinary group of experts comprising landscape ecologists, geologists, plant ecologists, zoologists, geographers, city planners and environmental psychologists. The potential applicability of this project on an international level is discussed, with particular focus on its importance as (i) one of the first proposals of an Urban Biosphere Reserve encompassing the whole municipality of a large city, (ii) an original approach to urban ecosystem investigations within the framework of landscape ecology principles, and (iii) a good example of cooperation between scientists and local decision-makers to preserve the cultural and landscape identity in an urban and periurban context.     

Biodiversity conservation in Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve, northeastern China: status, problem, and strategy

The Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve (CMBR) is the largest and one of the earliest natural reserves established in China. The continuous losses of species and ecosystems in the reserve since its establishment have raised numerous concerns within China and beyond, which also leads some people to question the function and efficiency of natural reserves in protecting biological and ecological resources. By collecting the published data, conducting field investigation, and interviewing local people, we present the current status of biological and ecological diversity/resources in the reserve and analyze the major factors causing biodiversity loss in the reserve in an ecological and socio-economic context. We found that the high human population pressure, mismanagement practices of resources, a poor resource evaluation system which underestimates the ecological value of the natural reserve, an inappropriate economic development policy, and rapid expansion of the tourist industry were the major causes leading to the biodiversity loss in the reserve in the past few decades. In order to manage the biological resources and biodiversity in the CMBR in a sustainable way, we recommend some strategies and measures which include balancing economic development and biological/ecological conservation, controlling human population in the reserve, encouraging collaboration within and outside the reserve, especially the areas around the reserve, enhancing governmental assistance and subsidy to the local residents, and promoting scientific research and biodiversity education in the local communities.     

鼎湖山主要森林类型植物胸径生长对氮沉降增加的初期响应

在林地分别喷加0、50、100和150kgNhm^-2a^-1,研究鼎湖山马尾松林、马尾松荷木混交林和季风常绿阔叶林乔木层植物胸径生长(年增长率)对增施氮的响应。结果表明,不喷加N,马尾松林、混交林和阔叶林胸径年增长率分别为4.84％、4．09％和2．99％;外加氮对植物胸径生长的影响因森林类型和植物种而异。马尾松林和混交林,低氮处理(喷加50kgNhm^-2a^-1)没有对胸径生长产生明显影响,中氮处理(喷加100kgNhm^-2a^-1)则分别增加了77、8％和105．6％。外加氮处理均使阔叶林胸径年增长率下降,低氮、中氮和高氮处理(喷加150kgNhm^-2a^-1)分别比对照(不喷N)低36．8％、28．5％和41．0％。这表明外加氮处理促进马尾松生长,但抑制大多数阔叶树种生长。     

应用景观生态学原理评价鼎湖山自然保护区功能区划的实施与调整

景观生态学的发展为自然保护区的规划和管理注入了新的活力.鼎湖山自然保护区是我国第一个自然保护区,其建立之初景观生态学还不够完善,原功能区（核心区、缓冲区、过渡区）边界划分不尽合理,如核心区与过渡区直接相连、缓冲区干扰甚重等.2001年鼎湖山自然保护区管理局对保护区功能区规划进行了局部调整.本文在探讨保护区15年间（1985-2000）各功能区植被景观变化的基础上,应用景观生态学方法对原功能区规划及管理进行了评估,并通过景观相似性系数度量了新旧区划方案中各功能区植被分布的相似性,对新功能区规划实施的可行性进行了初步评价.研究结果表明,原功能区划下各功能区的植被景观皆按顺向演替方向发展,十几年来植被的形状变得更不规则.各功能区由于原有植被状况和人为干扰程度的不同,植被景观变化亦呈现明显差异,其中核心区和过渡区的植被景观趋于集中和连续;缓冲区因为受到旅游活动的严重干扰,植被景观相对破碎.2001年调整后的功能区规划保证了核心区植被景观的完整性,与原功能区规划相比,各功能区植被景观相似性系数为：核心区＞过渡区＞缓冲区.建议将增设的缓冲区作为保护区实现和开展真正意义上的生态旅游示范区,新开辟的科普旅游路线还可对游客量进行一定分流,缓解原有缓冲区游客过多的现状.     

Energy dynamics in the C4 species dominated montane subtropical grassland at Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Western Ghats, India

The energy dynamics in Thiashola grassland, a montane subtropical vegetation in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Western Ghats, India is studied for a period of one year. The study revealed that the energy content in unit biomass of C₃ and C₄ species has not varied significantly. However, the C₄ species in total due to higher net primary production, entrapped 8.5 times greater solar energy (28.82 kcal/m²/day) than that of their C₃ counterparts. Of the total energy fixed, the C₃ and C₄ species, respectively channeled 4.07 kcal/m²/day and 13.3 kcal/m²/day to the aboveground standing live compartment. The transfer rate of energy to standing dead compartment from standing live part were 3.22 kcal/m²/day and 10.36 kcal/m²/day for C₃ and C₄ species, respectively and both the C₃ and C₄ together transferred 4.81 kcal/m²/day of energy from standing dead to litter compartment. The total dissipation of energy from the system is determined to be 4401.11 kcal/m²/yr and the surplus quantity of 38.37% of energy is accumulated in the aboveground parts of both C₃ and C₄ species which indicates the availability of substantial amount of energetic fodder to the wild herbivores in the Thiashola grassland.     

锡林郭勒生物圈保护区草原生态系统服务间接价值动态评估

草地是我国面积最大的陆地生态系统类型,对于维持我国北方的生态安全具有重要价值。北方草原的大面积退化已引起人们的极大关注。以内蒙古锡林郭勒生物圈保护区为研究区域．利用2个年份的遥感数据,结合地面样方调查,在GIS的支持下,绘制出草原退化空间分布图。选取草原生态系统在控制土壤侵蚀、减少土壤肥力流失、营养物质循环、CO2储存和O2释放方面的功能指标,对草原生态系统服务间接价值进行了动态评估。1985年和1999年草原退化面积分别为7190．9和7689．3km^2,占研究区总面积的67．19％和71．86％。2个年份草原生态系统间接服务总价值分别为28．24和26．75亿元．下降了5．28％,单位面积间接服务价值分别为2990和2830元。下降了5．35％。人类的过度放牧是导致草原大面积退化,生态系统功能降低和服务价值下降的主要原因。     

Energy dynamics in the C4 species dominated montane subtropical grassland at Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Western Ghats, India

The energy dynamics in Thiashola grassland, a montane subtropical vegetation in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Western Ghats, India is studied for a period of one year. The study revealed that the energy content in unit biomass of C₃ and C₄ species has not varied significantly. However, the C₄ species in total due to higher net primary production, entrapped 8.5 times greater solar energy (28.82 kcal/m²/day) than that of their C₃ counterparts. Of the total energy fixed, the C₃ and C₄ species, respectively channeled 4.07 kcal/m²/day and 13.3 kcal/m²/day to the aboveground standing live compartment. The transfer rate of energy to standing dead compartment from standing live part were 3.22 kcal/m²/day and 10.36 kcal/m²/day for C₃ and C₄ species, respectively and both the C₃ and C₄ together transferred 4.81 kcal/m²/day of energy from standing dead to litter compartment. The total dissipation of energy from the system is determined to be 4401.11 kcal/m²/yr and the surplus quantity of 38.37% of energy is accumulated in the aboveground parts of both C₃ and C₄ species which indicates the availability of substantial amount of energetic fodder to the wild herbivores in the Thiashola grassland.     

Status and distribution of anthropogenic pressure in the buffer zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in western Himalaya, India

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) (2236.74 km²), extending over three civil districts viz, Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Almora of the state of Uttar Pradesh, is an important protected area of the western Himalaya owing to its rich biological and cultural diversity. The human (n = 1856) and livestock population (n = 7785) of 19 settlements in the buffer zone as well as seasonal grazing by 15 000–20 000 migratory sheep and goats were the major sources of anthropogenic pressure in the reserve. The intensity of wood-cutting and lopping of a total of 35 sampled woody species was assessed in the buffer zone as parameters of anthropogenic pressure. Anthropogenic pressure showed restricted distribution due to the sparse location of human settlements and seasonal use of biomass resources by majority of the inhabitants, who live a trans-humane lifestyle. Intensive wood-cutting was limited to within 2 km radius of human settlements while tree lopping was mainly done by the migratory shepherds around timber-line (3600–3800 m). Of the total cut trees, the proportion of 20–60 cm girth class cut trees was recorded more. The regeneration percentage of tree species was higher in Chamoli and Pithoragarh sectors as compared to the Almora sector of the buffer zone. Fuelwood plantation in the degraded lands around villages through peoples participation, introduction of alternate fuel devices and employment opportunities have been suggested to minimize the dependence of local people on biomass resources and ensure the biodiversity conservation in the NDBR.     

鼎湖山自然保护区土壤有机碳贮量和分配特征

基于61个土壤剖面的数据,分析了鼎湖山自然保护区4种自然植被类型(沟谷雨林、季风常绿阔叶林、山地常绿阔叶林和山地灌木草丛)和4种次生植被类型(马尾松针叶林、针阔混交林、次生季风常绿阔叶林和常绿灌丛)的土壤有机碳贮量及其分配特征.结果如下(1)各植被类型土壤有机碳含量随深度增加而减少,但植被类型不同其减少程度不同.除 >40cm土层外,自然植被类型的土壤有机碳含量明显高于次生植被类型.(2)土壤碳密度和土壤有机碳含量一样随深度增加而减少.两大植被类型间比较,除山地灌木草丛 >40cm土层外,自然植被类型各个土层土壤碳密度都高于所有的次生植被类型对应的碳密度.对于整个土层而言,各植被类型土壤碳密度在30.9～127.9 t/hm2间,总平均为73.9 t/hm2.(3)各植被类型的土壤厚度平均为36.7～73.3cm,总平均为56.4cm.除了山地常绿阔叶林外,土壤厚度基本上沿海拔高度增加而减少.(4)保护区各植被类型总面积为1028.4 hm2,土壤总碳贮量为72287.0 t,其中0～10、10～20、20～40cm和 >40cm四个土层分别占32.0%、20.6%、25.8%和21.6%.自然植被土壤碳贮量在表层(0～20cm)的比重比次生植被的高.所有的植被类型中,混交林碳贮量贡献最大,季风常绿阔叶林次之.自然植被类型土壤在碳贮存方面发挥积极的作用.(5)通过比较,鼎湖山保护区土壤碳密度整体较低,表层土壤碳贮量贡献较大.分析表明人为干扰是制约土壤碳贮存量大小的重要因素.     

Socio-economic and ecological consequences of the ban on adventure tourism in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, western Himalaya

Prior to 1982, the uncontrolled mountaineering activities to the Nanda Devi peak led to theheavy destruction of the biological resources of the region in the form of poaching of wild animals, treefelling by expedition parties, collection of medicinal herbs and accumulation of garbage. To curb thebiotic interference, the area was declared as Nanda Devi National Park (NDNP) and adventure tourismwas stopped in 1982. Further in 1988, an area of 2236.74km2 was designated as Nanda Devi BiosphereReserve (NDBR) with an inner core zone (NDNP) surrounded by a buffer zone. A ban on tourismactivities, followed by the designation of NDBR directly helped in a significant improvement in forestcover and density. The better status of wild animals, including rare and endangered species such as muskdeer (Moschus chrysogaster) and blue sheep (Psuedois nayaur), is an indicator of such improvements.However, from a socio-economic point of view the loss of income from adventure tourism forced localpeople to migrate from the area, a phenomenon that was reflected in the human population trends,registering 15% decline between 1981 and 1991 and another 13% between 1991 and 1996. In theabsence of alternative income sources, marginal agriculture and animal husbandry became the majorsources of income for the locals. Nonetheless, the low density of human population kept the level ofbiotic pressure under control in NDBR. Promotion of eco-tourism and natural resource based employmentgeneration schemes are suggested to compensate for the economic loss to the local people and tomaintain the biodiversity of NDBR.     

广东鼎湖山自然保护区森林景观的动态模拟研究

在遥感和GIS系统支持下,以1991年和1999年两个时期的Landsat-TM合成影像为基础,利用马尔科夫模型,模拟鼎湖山自然保护区森林景观的动态演变。结果表明:常绿阔叶林面积增加,除水域外,其它面积相应减少,到达稳定期,区域内大多为常绿阔叶林,少量的混交林,其它类型几乎消失。这个趋势是和该地区森林的演替规律相符的,但是这种结果对维持保护区内的景观多样性是不利的。