A Holocene sequence of vegetation change at Lake Eteza, coastal KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Palynological and sedimentological data from a core extracted from Lake Eteza shed new light on the Holocene vegetation and climate history in KwaZulu-Natal and can be linked to regional and global climate change. A 2072 cm core with nineteen radiocarbon dates and chronological extrapolation to the bottom of the sequence suggests that sedimentation started ca. 10 200 cal yrs BP. Between ca. 10 200 and 6800 cal yrs BP pollen indicators point to a change from intermediately humid conditions to comparatively drier grassy environments. This is in good agreement with Sea Surface Temperature (SST) fluctuations from a core in the Mozambique Channel which influence precipitation in coastal KwaZulu-Natal, and the beginning of the Holocene Thermal Maximum ca. 10 500 cal yrs BP. The lower section of the core corresponds to gradually increasing Holocene sea levels along the coast and development of freshwater or estuarine conditions at Lake Eteza. The middle Holocene (ca. 6800-3600 cal yrs BP), when the sea level reached its highest stand and SST peak, indicate humid climatic conditions that favoured an increase of forest trees, e.g. Podocarpus, and undergrowth plants like Issoglossa. As a consequence of higher precipitation and increase of the water table, conditions were favourable for the spread of mangrove, swamp and possibly riverine forest. During the late Holocene after ca. 3600 cal yrs BP a decrease of Podocarpus and other trees as well as an increase of Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, grasses and Phoenix coincide with a return to lower sea levels and drier conditions. The decrease of all trees including Phoenix at ca. 700 cal yrs BP, accompanied by rapid sedimentation rates, possibly reflect forest clearing and upland erosion induced by activities of Iron Age settlers. A dry period at the globally recognized onset of the Little Ice Age might have contributed to these changes. Late Iron Age settlers have probably already introduced Zea mays, which was detected in the profile since ca. 210 BP. The appearance of neophytes like Pinus, Casuarina and pollen of Ambrosia-type in the youngest sediments indicates increased disturbance of European settlements and land use since ca. 100 cal yrs BP.     

Effects of colonization asymmetries on metapopulation persistence

Ocean currents, prevailing winds, and the hierarchical structures of river networks are known to create asymmetries in re-colonization between habitat patches. The impacts of such asymmetries on metapopulation persistence are seldom considered, especially rarely in theoretical studies. Considering three classical models (the island, the stepping stone and the distance-dependent model), we explore how metapopulation persistence is affected by (i) asymmetry in dispersal strength, in which the colonization rate between two patches differs in direction, and (ii) asymmetry in connectivity, in which the overall colonization pattern displays asymmetry (circulating or dendritic networks). Viability can be drastically reduced when directional bias in dispersal strength is higher than 25%. Re-colonization patterns that allow for strong local connectivity provide the highest persistence compared to systems that allow circulation. Finally, asymmetry has relatively weak effects when metapopulations maintain strong general connectivity.     

草果种植对植物多样性的影响

从林下植物物种数、株数、乔木盖度、多样性指数等方面,对种植草果的天然林片断与未种植草果的天然林地的植物进行调查与比较分析,结果发现:(1)不同草果种植时间乔灌木层的盖度在20.0%～50.0%之间变动;(2)随着种植时间的延长,乔灌层植物株数明显下降,乔灌层物种数趋向单一,主要保留旱冬瓜作为草果的遮荫树种;(3)天然林的草本层物种数为13种,草果种植到80年后草本层物种数只有8种;草本层株数在草果种植5年后在48～285株间的波动,远低于种植初期;(4)乔灌层Shannon-Wiener指数在草果种植30年降低到0,但草本层Simpson指数在种植草果半年至一年期间多样性指数较低为0.2266～0.33990。虽然5年后稳定在0.4351～0.8062,但普遍低于天然林(0.7681)。为了维持天然林的可持续性和稳定性,建议草果栽培在人工林下进行。     

上海城市森林群落结构对固碳能力的影响

基于上海市区航片数字化、代表性样地群落调查、优势树种生理参数测定和CITYgreen模型软件,对上海城市森林固碳能力进行评估,并探讨群落结构对固碳能力的影响。结果表明:上海城市森林总碳贮量为478472t,年碳固定量为6256t.a-1,平均碳密度为47.80t.hm-2,平均固碳率为0.625t.hm-2.a-1;城市森林的固碳率与郁闭度及群落密度均呈极显著正相关,而与平均胸径负相关;碳密度与郁闭度及平均胸径均呈极显著正相关,而与群落密度无显著相关;低密度高胸径群落比中、高密度群落具有更高的碳密度;混交林碳密度高于纯林,复层林碳密度和固碳率都高于单层林,且固碳能力的差异在一定程度上受平均胸径、群落密度等因子影响。     

基于RAGA的PPC模型在城市公园绿地景观生态美学评价中的应用

基于公众对生态环境的日益重视,以生态美学思想为指导,提出城市公园绿地景观生态美学评价的指标体系;同时利用基于RAGA的PPC模型,将高维数据转换到低维子空间,通过寻求最优投影方向及投影函数值来实现对城市公园绿地景观的生态美学评价。选取大庆市10个具有代表性的公园绿地为研究对象,运用该评价指标体系及模型进行景观生态美学评价。结果表明:总体景观空间多样性、植被色彩多样性、建筑与小品分布合理性、树种多样性、水体可亲近性、植被长势自然性、地形自然度、建筑与小品体量适宜度指标对大庆市公园绿地景观生态美学效果的影响较大,是今后大庆市公园绿地景观生态建设、改造与管理上应作为重点考虑的因素;在10个公园绿地中,油田乐园、城市森林公园最具生态美,而乘风广场、世纪大道(高新技术开发区段)附属带状绿地的生态美较差。应用该模型可以避免传统方法存在的一些不足,也为处理景观评价中具有模糊性、不确定性的高维数据的综合评判、排序、寻优等方面研究提供了新的思路与方法。     

1960—2005年民勤典型绿洲-荒漠过渡带景观格局与动态

利用ERDAS、GIS等技术,系统分析了1960—2005年间民勤典型绿洲 荒漠过渡带的景观格局与动态.结果表明：林地和耕地是影响过渡带景观变化的主导因素;研究期间,绿洲向外围扩张了2～3 km,且过渡带向荒漠位移,过渡带宽度由1960年的4 km增至1987年的约9 km,之后又迅速变窄;1978—1987年间,研究区景观变化强度达到历史最高水平,1998年后,景观格局相对稳定;整个过渡带景观破碎程度较大的时期出现在景观类型转化最快的1978—1987年,景观较破碎的区域出现在距绿洲边界2 km处和造林区.1960—2005年间,研究区乔木林趋于消失;灌木林在1987年前大面积增加,之后急剧减少;耕地开垦强度在1960—1998年间持续增加,1998年之后有所降低,但研究期间的弃耕率则呈直线增加趋势.     

草原沙漠化过程中植物叶面积的变化及其与土壤因子的关系

在自然状态下,对沙质草原沙漠化过程中主要植物叶面积变化及其与土壤因子的关系进行了研究。结果表明:随着沙漠化加剧,羊草和糙隐子草的比叶面积在沙漠化初期(梯度Ⅰ)下降显著(P0.01),菊叶萎陵菜和冰草的比叶面积在沙漠化后期(梯度Ⅲ)下降显著(P0.05),寸草苔比叶面积下降不显著(P0.05),冷蒿比叶面积从沙漠化中、后期开始显著增加(P0.05),扁蓿豆比叶面积从沙漠化初期开始显著增大(P0.01);羊草、糙隐子草和冷蒿的叶面积指数总体上呈显著下降趋势(P0.01),扁蓿豆叶面积指数显著增加(P0.01);羊草、糙隐子草叶面积指数与土壤粘粒、C、N含量、土壤含水量呈显著正相关(P0.01),与土壤C/N比呈显著负相关(P0.01);冷蒿和扁蓿豆叶面积指数与土壤因子的相关性和上述二者正好相反(P0.05);在叶面积指数与土壤因子线性拟合中,糙隐子草叶面积指数与土壤C/N拟合最高(R2=1),其次是羊草叶面积指数与土壤含水量的拟合(R2=0.992),扁蓿豆叶面积指数与土壤C/N拟合最低(R2=0.268)。土壤C/N是影响草原沙漠化过程中共有种叶面积的关键因子(P0.05),其影响大小为糙隐子草羊草冷蒿扁蓿豆。     

Advantages of using different data sources in assessment of landscape change and its effect on visual scale

This paper presents a data-flexible indicator framework for analysis of visual landscape character; the VisuLands framework. The theory-based framework encompasses currently used indicators for visual assessment based on four different data sources: land cover data, aerial photographs, landscape photographs and field observations. This paper presents a study applying the VisuLands framework in analysis of landscape change and its effect on visual scale in a landscape in Southeast Sweden. The paper provides a critical assessment of the pros and cons of the approach. It identifies the advantages and disadvantages of using different data sources as well as the applicability and sensitivity of existing indicators in detecting visible landscape change. The results show that while some of the VisuLands indicators are relatively easily applied, others are more complex and demanding in terms of interpretation. The flexibility of the VisuLands framework makes it applicable and user-friendly as it helps meet the requirements and restrictions of the users. The assessment has shown that the different data sources complement each other and that applying indicators using various data sources, when available, will enhance the comprehensiveness of visual landscape assessment. The experience of this study is that the VisuLands framework is a useful tool in landscape analysis, monitoring and planning, which provides a repeatable, systematic and transparent approach with strong links to landscape theory.     

Stability in the patterns of long‐term development and growth of the Canadian spruce–moss forest

Aim The spruce–moss forest is the main forest ecosystem of the North American boreal forest. We used stand structure and fire data to examine the long‐term development and growth of the spruce–moss ecosystem. We evaluate the stability of the forest with time and the conditions needed for the continuing regeneration, growth and re‐establishment of black spruce (Picea mariana) trees. Location The study area occurs in Québec, Canada, and extends from 70°00′ to 72°00′ W and 47°30′ to 56°00′ N. Methods A spatial inventory of spruce–moss forest stands was performed along 34 transects. Nineteen spruce–moss forests were selected. A 500 m² quadrat at each site was used for radiocarbon and tree‐ring dating of time since last fire (TSLF). Size structure and tree regeneration in each stand were described based on diameter distribution of the dominant and co‐dominant tree species [black spruce and balsam fir (Abies balsamea)]. Results The TSLF of the studied forests ranges from 118 to 4870 cal. yr bp . Forests < 325 cal. yr bp are dominated by trees of the first post‐fire cohort and are not yet at equilibrium, whereas older forests show a reverse‐J diameter distribution typical of mature, old‐growth stands. The younger forests display faster height and radial growth‐rate patterns than the older forests, due to factors associated with long‐term forest development. Each of the stands examined established after severe fires that consumed all the soil organic material. Main conclusions Spruce–moss forests are able to self‐regenerate after fires that consume the organic layer, thus allowing seed regeneration at the soil surface. In the absence of fire the forests can remain in an equilibrium state. Once the forests mature, tree productivity eventually levels off and becomes stable. Further proof of the enduring stability of these forests, in between fire periods, lies in the ages of the stands. Stands with a TSLF of 325–4870 cal. yr bp all exhibited the same stand structure, tree growth rates and species characteristics. In the absence of fire, the spruce–moss forests are able to maintain themselves for thousands of years with no apparent degradation or change in forest type.     

Assessing the impact of deforestation and climate change on the range size and environmental niche of bird species in the Atlantic forests,Brazil

Aim Habitat loss and climate change are two major drivers of biological diversity. Here we quantify how deforestation has already changed, and how future climate scenarios may change, environmental conditions within the highly disturbed Atlantic forests of Brazil. We also examine how environmental conditions have been altered within the range of selected bird species. Location Atlantic forests of south‐eastern Brazil. Methods The historical distribution of 21 bird species was estimated using Maxent . After superimposing the present‐day forest cover, we examined the environmental niches hypothesized to be occupied by these birds pre‐ and post‐deforestation using environmental niche factor analysis (ENFA). ENFA was also used to compare conditions in the entire Atlantic forest ecosystem pre‐ and post‐deforestation. The relative influence of land use and climate change on environmental conditions was examined using analysis of similarity and principal components analysis. Results Deforestation in the region has resulted in a decrease in suitable habitat of between 78% and 93% for the Atlantic forest birds included here. Further, Atlantic forest birds today experience generally wetter and less seasonal forest environments than they did historically. Models of future environmental conditions within forest remnants suggest generally warmer conditions and lower annual variation in rainfall due to greater precipitation in the driest quarter of the year. We found that deforestation resulted in a greater divergence of environmental conditions within Atlantic forests than that predicted by climate change. Main conclusions The changes in environmental conditions that have occurred with large‐scale deforestation suggest that selective regimes may have shifted and, as a consequence, spatial patterns of intra‐specific variation in morphology, behaviour and genes have probably been altered. Although the observed shifts in available environmental conditions resulting from deforestation are greater than those predicted by climate change, the latter will result in novel environments that exceed temperatures in any present‐day climates and may lead to biotic attrition unless organisms can adapt to these warmer conditions. Conserving intra‐specific diversity over the long term will require considering both how changes in the recent past have influenced contemporary populations and the impact of future environmental change.