浑善达克沙地稀树疏林草地生态系统研究：生物量、生产力与生态恢复途径

荒漠化是困扰我国干旱和半干旱地区的重要环境问题，我国的四大沙地也是荒漠化最为严重的地区，从生态学角度提高对沙地的认识，探明其生物量和生产力对于了解沙地生态系统的结构和功能是非常有意义的。本研究以浑善达克沙地为例，对沙地的植被特点、生物量和生产力以及退化沙地的恢复策略进行了探讨。 通过对浑善达克沙地进行的植被调查发现，浑善达克沙地的稀树疏林草地景观由草本层、灌丛和榆树疏林构成，彼此呈相间排列、交替出现的格局。在丘间低地以地带性的草本层植物占优势，灌丛主要出现在沙丘和丘间低地的过渡地段，地下水位较高的地方。榆树（Ulmus pumila）是沙地的优势树种，占沙地乔木的95％，榆树疏林主要在固定沙地稀疏分布，占沙地榆树总量的84％。胸径10-25 cm的榆树占60％，幼树少见，这和放牧干扰有关。沙地的稀树疏林草地是不同于周围草原地带的隐域植被，带有明显的超地带性，同时因受地带性气候的影响，兼有地带性特征。 在碳循环方面，为了估测沙地植被的碳存储潜力，我们对浑善达克沙地的生物量进行了估测。整个沙地被分为六种生境，分别求算生物量，然后汇总。对于其中的榆树生物量建立了异速生长关系进行估算。结果表明，浑善达克沙地植被的平均生物量为21.30 Mg ha-1，其中丘间低地的贡献为65％。从生活型上看，草本层的贡献占优势，而榆树的贡献很小，仅为10％。平均地下/地上生物量的分配比例为2.9。与草地生态系统相比，浑善达克沙地的生物量要高出90％，表明沙地植被是草原地带内的隐域植被，特殊的土壤水热条件使它具有更高的碳存储潜力。沙地的大范围恢复将使该碳库通过碳获取得以实现。 净初级生产力（NPP）是生态系统功能的重要体现，它可以反映植被碳固定的能力。为了了解稀树疏林草地NPP的特点，我们对浑善达克沙地六种生境的NPP分别进行了求算，然后汇总。浑善达克沙地植被的平均NPP为11.06 Mg ha-1 yr-1，各生境的贡献不同，以丘间低地的贡献最大，达65％。生活型上看，草本层植物占优势，乔木的贡献仅为1.3％。地下/地上NPP为1.7，降水利用效率达10.9。浑善达克沙地稀树疏林草地的NPP比草地生态系统的平均值高59％。NPP的研究结果表明，沙地植被是和周围地带性草原植被存在显著差别的，这种高生产力将伴随沙地的恢复而实现，并有可能对沙地地区的碳循环产生影响。 为了探索荒漠化防治的新途径，在浑善达克沙地巴音胡舒嘎查开展了为期5年的退化草地恢复试验。结果表明，通过“以地养地”的模式可以使退化草地充分利用潜在恢复力进行自然恢复，并取得了明显效果。开辟高效地，种植高产玉米，在草地得到恢复的同时，牲畜仍然有充足的草料供应，牧民生活水平也有所提高。这种适合半干旱地区环境条件的恢复模式比在同样地区造林要有效和经济。据此，文章最后探讨了当前荒漠化防治中存在的误区和今后荒漠化防治应采取的策略。

黄土丘陵沟壑区人工林地的土壤抗蚀性评价

以延安、安塞、吴旗的人工刺槐林、柠条林为研究对象,选取同一地区的自然恢复草地和坡耕地为对照,通过对5个表征土壤抗蚀性的指标即>0.25 mm水稳性团粒含量、>0.5 mm水稳性团粒含量、平均重量直径、团聚状况和团聚度的比较分析,对人工刺槐林、人工柠条林相对于自然恢复草地和坡耕地改善土壤抗蚀性的效果进行了评价,同时分析了不同林龄人工林土壤抗蚀性的变化。研究表明,人工林地相对于坡耕地,显著提高了土壤抗蚀性,但不及自然恢复草地,尤其在安塞和吴旗表现更明显;随着林龄的增长,人工林地土壤抗蚀性能增强,并趋于稳定。并通过对样地的聚类分析,也得出与上述相似的结果。综合分析表明,封禁条件下的植被自然恢复是黄土丘陵沟壑区比较适宜的植被恢复方式和控制土壤侵蚀的有效措施。

黄土丘陵沟壑区退耕地自然恢复植被主要物种生态位特征

为了探究加速黄土丘陵沟壑区退耕地植被恢复过程的人工物种干扰措施如物种选择与搭配的科学依据,利用TWINSPAN分类方法对33个自然恢复的退耕地样方进行分类,得出退耕地在40 a内主要经历了5个群落演替阶段,分别为猪毛蒿群落、赖草群落、达乌里胡枝子+长芒草群落、铁杆蒿群落和白羊草群落。以各个群落的综合资源环境梯度为依据,对各群落主要物种生态位特征进行了分析。通过物种的生态位宽度和生态位重叠特征分析,提出了不同演替阶段的合理物种组合。

黄土丘陵沟壑区退耕地植被自然恢复过程——以吴起县双树沟流域为例

采用TWINSPAN分类法对黄土丘陵沟壑区吴起县双树沟流域30个自然恢复草地植被进行分类,并对分类后各植被群落特征和地上生物量进行统计分析。结果表明:在自然恢复条件下,随着退耕年限的不断增加,退耕地植被自然恢复依次经历了猪毛蒿群落—赖草+长芒草群落—赖草+铁杆蒿群落—铁杆蒿群落—铁杆蒿+茭蒿群落5个发展阶段,地带性植被类型铁杆蒿+茭蒿群落在研究区内开始出现,并且已经占有一定优势;随着退耕地植被自然恢复的不断进行,Margalef等丰富度指数以及Shannon-wiener等多样性指数、Pielou等物种均匀度指数和地上生物量都呈现出先减小后增大的发展趋势;在植被自然恢复的稳定阶段,虽然物种丰富度指数和物种多样性指数有一定的增加,但是相对恢复初期来讲还是有所下降,并且有达到与初期相当水平的趋势;物种丰富度指数均在第1恢复阶段最大,而均匀度指数Jsw以及Shannon-wiener指数在第5恢复阶段最高。随着退耕地植被自然恢复的不断进行,植被群落总盖度随着退耕年限的延长而不断增大。

黄土丘陵沟壑区不同恢复方式下植物群落的土壤水分和养分特征

现存不同植物群落的土壤水分和养分特征对有效干预和调控植被恢复有着非常重要的参考价值。在黄土高原丘陵沟壑区的吴旗,对不同恢复方式(封禁下的自然恢复、无管理下的自然恢复、人工造林、人工种草)下的植被样方进行调查与采样,采用典范变量分析,研究了不同植物群落的土壤水分和养分变化特征。结果表明,封禁自然恢复植物群落的土壤水分、有机质、全氮、有效氮、全磷和速效钾含量相对较高;近20年龄及以上的人工林地群落与人工草地群落下的土壤水分和速效磷含量很低;无管理下的自然恢复植物群落、4年龄的沙棘林地群落和农田的土壤水分含量和速效磷含量较高,而土壤有机质、全氮、有效氮、全磷和速效钾含量较低。这些植被群落下的土壤水分含量变化在凋萎湿度和50%田间持水量之间,均处于严重亏缺状态,土壤养分也处于较低的水平。相比之下,人工植被消耗大量的深层土壤水分,特别是20年龄以上的人工林地及人工草地,其200~500cm土层的土壤含水量几乎接近凋萎湿度。综合分析表明,封禁自然恢复是黄土高原丘陵沟壑区植被恢复的有效措施。

Regeneration ecology and woody species diversity in the remnant natural forest at Wondo Genet, Ethiopia – Potential for landscape restoration

Regeneration ecology, diversity of native woody species and its potential for landscape restoration was studied in the remnant natural forest at the College of Forestry and Natural Resources at Wondo Genet, Ethiopia. The type of forest is Afromontane rainforest , with many valuable tree species like Aningeria adolfi-friederici, and it is an important provider of ecological, social and economical services for the population that lives in this area. The study contains two parts, natural regeneration studies (at the natural forest) and interviews with farmers in the nearby village of the remnant patch. The objective of the first part was to investigate the floristic composition, densitiy and regeneration profiles of native woody species in the forest, paying special attention to woody species that are considered the most relevant (socio-economic). The second part provided information on woody species preferred by the farmers and on multiple uses of the adjacent natural forest, it also provided information and analysed perceptions on forest degradation. Systematic plot sampling was used in the forest inventory. Twenty square plots of 20 x 20 m were assessed, with 38 identified woody species (the total number of species was 45), representing 26 families. Of these species 61% were trees, 13% shrubs, 11% lianas and 16% species that could have both life forms. An analysis of natural regeneration of five important tree species in the natural forest showed that Aningeria adolfi-friederici had the best regeneration results. An analysis of population structure (as determined by height classes) of two commercially important woody species in the forest, Aningeria adolfi-friederici and Podocarpus falcatus, showed a marked difference: Aningeria had a typical “reversed J” frequency distribution, while Podocarpus showed very low values in all height classes. Multi dimensional scaling (MDS) was used to map the sample plots according to their similarity in species composition, using the Sørensen quantitative index, coupled with indicator species analysis .Three groups were identified with respective indicator species: Group 1 – Adhatoda schimperiana, Group 2 – Olea hochstetteri , Group 3 – Acacia senegal and Aningeria adolfi-friederici. Thirty questionnaire interviews were conducted with farmers in the village of Gotu Onoma that use the nearby remant forest patch. Their tree preferences were exotic species such as Eucalyptus globulus for construction and fuelwood and Grevillea robusta for shade and fertility. Considering forest land degradation farmers were aware of the problem and suggested that the governmental institutions address the problem by planting more Eucalyptus globulus. The natural forest seemed to have moderate levels of disturbance and it was still floristically diverse. However, the low rate of natural regeneration of Podocarpus falcatus suggested that this species is threatened and must be a priority in conservation actions. Plantations and agroforestry seem to be possible solutions for rehabilitation of the surrounding degraded lands, thereby decreasing the existent pressure in the remnant natural forest.

Identifying optimal sites for natural recovery and restoration of impacted biogenic habitats in a special area of conservation using hydrodynamic and habitat suitability modelling

Selection of sites for successful restoration of impacted shellfish populations depends on understanding the dispersion capability and habitat requirements of the species involved. In Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, the horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) biogenic reefs cover only a fraction of their historical range with the remaining reefs badly damaged and requiring restoration. Previous experimental trials suggest that translocation of horse mussels accelerates reef recovery and has therefore been proposed as a suitable restoration technique. We used a series of coupled hydrodynamic and particle dispersal models to assess larval dispersion from remnant and translocated populations to identify suitable areas for adult live M. modiolus translocation in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland. A maximum entropy model (MAXENT) was used to identify if dispersing larvae could reach habitat suitable for adult M. modiolus. From these we predicted if translocated mussels will reseed themselves or be able to act as larval sources for nearby reefs. The dispersal models showed that the remnant M. modiolus populations are largely self-recruiting with little connectivity between them. The majority of larvae settled near the sources and movement was largely dependent on the tides and not influenced by wind or waves. Higher reef elevation resulted in larvae being able to disperse further away from the release point. However, larval numbers away from the source population are likely to be too low for successful recruitment. There was also little connectivity between the Irish Sea and Strangford Lough as any larvae entering the Lough remained predominantly in the Strangford Narrows. The areas covered by these self-seeding populations are suitable for M. modiolus translocation according to the MAXENT model. As a result of this work and in conjunction with other field work we propose a combination of total protection of all remaining larval sources and small scale translocations onto suitable substrata in each of the identified self-recruiting areas.

Examining the use of terms "Conservation" "Restoration" and "Preservation" between Natural Resource Professionals and Literature Reviews

ABSTRACT This thesis will determine if there is a discrepancy between how literature defines conservation, preservation, and restoration, and how natural resource professionals define these terms. Interviews were conducted with six professionals from six different agencies that deal with natural resources. These agencies consisted of both government and non-government groups. In addition to interviewing these professionals regarding how they define the terms, they were asked where their work fits into the context of these terms. The interviewees’ responses were then compared with the literature to determine inconsistencies with the use of these terms in the literature and real world settings. The literature and the interviewees have agreed on the term conservation. There are some different points of view about preservation, some see it as ‘no management’ and some others see it as keeping things the same or ‘static.’ Restoration was the term where both the literature and professionals thought of moving an ecosystem from one point of succession or community, to another point on a continuum. The only thing in which they disagree on is the final goal of a restoration project. The literature would suggest restoring the ecosystem to a past historic condition, where the interviewees said to restore it to the best of their abilities and to a functioning ecosystem.

Restoration of Cymodocea nodosa (Uchria) Ascherson seagrass prairies through seed propagation. Germination in vitro, plantlet acclimation and transplanting to natural meadows.

[EN] The seagrass Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson is the most abundant seagrass species in the Canary Islands (Spain), where it forms dense submerged, ecologically relevant communities as stable and protected habitats. As with other seagrasses, concern has arisen due to a decline in the number and extension of the communities as the result of adverse activities in coastal areas. Seed germination and planting are assumed as cost-effective method for restoration. In the frame of the restoration of natural populations of Cymodocea nodosa, pilot experiences not tested so far in the Canary Islands have been carried out to developed in vitro techniques to produce viable seedlings and its transference to the natural environment.

Environmental weathering of natural and artificial stones used in historical architecture: influence of microstructure and new restoration methods

For some study cases (the Cathedral of Modena, Italy, XII-XIV century; the Ducal Palace in Mantua, Italy, XVI century; the church of San Francesco in Fano, Italy, XIV-XIX century), considered as representative of the use of natural and artificial stones in historical architecture, the complex interaction between environ-mental aggressiveness, materials’ microstructural characteristics and degradation was investigated. From the results of such analyses, it was found that materials microstructure plays a fundamental role in the actual extent to which weathering mechanisms affect natural and artificial stones. Consequently, the need of taking into account the important role of material microstructure, when evaluating the environmental aggressiveness to natural and artificial stones, was highlighted. Therefore, a possible quantification of the role of microstructure on the resistance to environmental attack was investigated. By exposing stone samples, with significantly different microstructural features, to slightly acidic aqueous solutions, simulating clean and acid rain, a good correlation between weight losses and the product of carbonate content and specific surface area (defined as the “vulnerable specific surface area”) was found. Alongside the evaluation of stone vulnerability, the development of a new consolidant for weathered carbonate stones was undertaken. The use of hydroxya-patite, formed by reacting the calcite of the stone with an aqueous solution of di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate, was found to be a promising consolidating tech-nique for carbonates stones. Indeed, significant increases in the mechanical prop-erties can be achieved after the treatment, which has the advantage of simply con-sisting in a non-hazardous aqueous solution, able to penetrate deeply into the stone (> 2 cm) and bring significant strengthening after just 2 days of reaction. Furthermore, the stone sorptivity is not eliminated after treatment, so that water and water vapor exchanges between the stone and the environment are not com-pletely blocked.