Degradation of tropical forest in Hainan, China, 1991-2008: Conservation implications for Hainan Gibbon (Nomascus hainanus)

The Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus) is one of the most endangered primates in the world, confined to mature natural forest in Hainan Island, China. We assessed changes in habitat condition on the island between 1991 and 2008, using vegetation maps generated by remote-sensing images. We defined forest suitable for gibbons based on composition, tree size and canopy cover. During the 17-year period, the area of suitable gibbon forest decreased by 540 km(2) (35%) across the whole island, and by 6.3 km(2) (7%) in the locality of the sole remaining gibbon population at Bawangling National Nature Reserve. The forest patches large enough (>1 km(2)) to support a gibbon group decreased from 754 km(2) to 316 km(2) in total area, and from 92 to 64 in number. Suitable natural forest was mainly replaced by plantations below 760 m, or degraded by logging, grazing and planting of pines above 760 m. Meanwhile, forests in former confirmed gibbon areas became more fragmented: mean area of patches decreased by 53%. We mapped the patches of natural forest in good condition which could potentially support gibbons. We recommend a freeze on further expansion of plantations between core patches at Bawangling, Jiaxi-Houmiling and Yinggeling Nature Reserves in accordance with forest protection regulations; establishment of nature reserves in currently unprotected natural forest patches elsewhere in line with the local government's nature reserve expansion policy; and active natural-forest restoration between remaining fragments at Bawangling. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

三峡水库香溪河库湾夏季藻类水华的时空动态及其影响因素

2008年6—8月,三峡水库香溪河库湾相继暴发蓝藻和绿藻水华.依据香溪河库湾夏季的每周监测,对研究区2次水华分别进行聚类和判别分析,研究了2次水华的时空动态及其影响因素.结果表明:研究区2次水华过程均可划分为无水华组、过渡组和水华组;2次水华的暴发对可溶性硅(DSi)、硝态氮与亚硝态氮(NO3--N+NO2--N)和磷酸盐(PO43--P)3种营养盐的吸收程度不同;蓝藻水华暴发期间的DSi、总氮/总磷(TN/TP)、DSi/TN和DSi/TP值均低于绿藻水华;判别蓝藻水华暴发的参数为叶绿素a(Chla)、