Effect of prevailing monsoons on the distribution of beeches in continental East Asia

Beech trees occur in significantly lower latitudes in continental East Asia than in Europe and North America. They are common deciduous trees in the deciduous forests of the temperate zone in Europe, the eastern part of North America and Japan. In continental East Asia, however, they are absent in the deciduous forests of the temperate zone, but occur in the forests of mountains in the moist subtropical zone, south of 34° Northern Latitude. The lower limits of their distribution in these mountains show a significantly different pattern from the usual distribution pattern of plants and vegetation: it declines as the latitude decreases. The altitudinal belts of beech species lie higher in the northern than in the southern parts of their distribution areas in China. Based on an analysis of the climate and the phenology of these deciduous trees, we show that the prevailing monsoon conditions are the main factor affecting the distribution of the Chinese beech species.     

秦岭植被景观多样性与物种梯度分析

秦岭植被景观类型丰富,具有过渡性和复杂性特点,植被垂直分带明显,在分析秦岭植被景观空间分布格局的基础上,利用植被景观多样性指数,分析了秦岭山地植被景观的数量统计特征与海拔的变化关系;利用基于GIS的梯度分析方法,分析了秦岭的植被与海拔梯度的关系,得到秦岭不同植被景观类型的斑块数、分布范围、植被分布的高度均值和标准差,并以太白山为例,对太白山植物种进行了梯度分析。结果表明:秦岭各植被型的多样性指数Simpson指数D、Shannon-wiener指数H′和均匀度指数基本上呈相同的变化趋势,随着海拔的增加,呈波浪式的变化趋势,自然植被在海拔1 325 m、1 500 m和2 930 m时出现峰值。乔木的多样性指数在海拔1 500 m和2 930 m时达到最大值,在海拔1 200~1 470 m和1 600~2 650 m左右处,乔木的多样性指数值较小,但均匀度指数却较高;灌木的多样性指数在海拔1 325 m时达到最大值;草本的多样性指数呈波浪式上升的趋势,海拔2 400 m和3 500 m左右处有2个峰值。随着海拔高度的增加,太白山依次出现温带草丛→温带落叶灌丛→温带落叶阔叶林→亚热带针叶林→亚热带和热带山地针叶林→草甸→高寒草甸等植被类型,并随海拔的升高,依次出现相应的植物种。     

The effect of thinning on ground spider diversity and microenvironmental factors of a subtropical spruce plantation forest in East Asia

Currently, information about the effect of forest management on biodiversity of subtropical plantation forests in Asia is quite limited. In this study, we compared the spider community structures and guild compositions of subtropical Cryptomeria japonica plantation forests receiving different degree of thinning (0, 25 and 50 %) in central Taiwan. The ground spider diversities and environmental variables were sampled/measured once every 3 months for 1 year before thinning and 2 years after thinning. Results showed that before thinning spider compositions did not differ significantly among three plantation forest types. Two years after thinning, spider species and family compositions of three plantation forest types differed significantly. In all three plantation forest types, the spider composition differed from year to year, indicating existence of temporal variations in spider diversity. Ground hunters (increased 200–600 % in thinned forests), sheet web weavers (increased 50–300 % in thinned forests) and space web weavers (decreased 30–50 % in thinned forests) were the major contributors of the observed spider composition differences among plantation forests receiving different treatments. The stands receiving thinning treatments also had higher illumination, litter decomposition rate, temperature and understory vegetation density. Thinning treatments might have changed the structures of understory vegetation and canopy cover and consequently resulted in abundance and diversity changes of these guilds. Moreover, the heterogeneity in understory vegetation recovery rate and temporal variation of spider composition might further generate spider diversity variations in subtropical forests receiving different degree of thinning.     

Abies religiosa forests harbor the highest species density and sporocarp productivity of wild edible mushrooms among five different vegetation types in a neotropical temperate forest region

More than 300 wild edible mushrooms are consumed in Mexico. They have been reported mainly from temperate forests in the center and southeast of the country. However, these valuable non-timber forest products are under-utilized because a lack of knowledge on their ecology and productivity. The objectives of this work were to compare the richness and fruit body production of wild edible mushrooms in temperate forests with a distinct vegetation composition in Amanalco, to describe species availability, and to test a new sampling approach in a heterogeneous environmental context. We designed a sampling method with random transects rather than traditional fixed sampling sites. Our method permits the acquisition of data from the highest number of environmental conditions. In 2009 and 2010, we collected and counted mushrooms in 248 transects distributed in five vegetation types (Abies, Abies–Pinus, Pinus, Pinus–Quercus and Quercus). We calculated the ecological importance value of each species as a function of its relative abundance and relative spatial frequency and relative temporal frequency. Abies religiosa pure stands and A. religiosa–Pinus forests had the greatest richness of edible fungi (43.1 and 21.3 species ha^?1, respectively) and produced most of the fruit bodies (1,160 and 820 ha^?1, respectively). The most abundant species in Amanalco region (combining all the vegetation types), Clavulina cinerea, Clitocybe gibba and Russula brevipes, also had the highest ecological importance value (0.2312, 0.1709 and 0.1516, respectively). These temperate forests maintain a considerable diversity of valuable wild edible mushrooms that are heterogeneously distributed according to the type of vegetation.     

Coldness index does not indicate the upper limit of evergreen broad-leaved forest on a subtropical island

Many ecologists in East Asia consider that Kira’s coldness index (CI) of ?10 °C month agrees well with the northward and upward limits of evergreen broad-leaved forest (EBLF). It is of interest to establish whether CI is an effective indicator of the upper limit of EBLF in a tropical-to-temperate transitional island. A case study in Taiwan was conducted through a comparison of CI layers with field vegetation information. The results from spatial analysis revealed that the location of CI = ?10 isotherm was approximately 3,381 m a.s.l., within the Abies zone. The analysis of plots showed that vegetation near CI = ?10 isotherm was evergreen coniferous pure forest with 99.9 % relative dominance. The CI = 0 isotherm lay at approximately 2,594 m a.s.l., close to the boundary between the Tsuga–Picea and upper Quercus zones, with the CI = 0 isotherm in the transformation zone between evergreen coniferous and broad-leaved trees. However, the vegetation near CI = 0 isotherm tended more toward coniferous forest showing a total relative dominance of 78.26 %. The two-way cluster dendrogram of vegetation plots revealed identical results. The preceding evidence, combined with the spatial pattern of 3,564 plots along CI and elevation gradients, made it clear that CI did not indicate the upper limit of EBLF in Taiwan. Other information on the CI criterion are discussed. To explore the differentiation of altitudinal vegetation, further research should be made to connect ecoclimatic factors such as effective warmth index with information from vegetation plots.     

Species diversity,regeneration and dominance as influenced by canopy gaps and their characteristics in tropical evergreen forests of Western Ghats,India

Canopy gaps play a significant role in maintaining structure and composition of tropical forests. This study was carried out in tropical evergreen forests of central Western Ghats in India to understand the influence of canopy gap size and the relationship of gap regime attributes to diversity measures and regeneration. The average gap size in the study area was found to be 396 m2 and around half of gaps were 4–8 years old. Gaps created by natural single tree fall were smaller in size but significantly higher in number. Diversity and regeneration of woody species were compared with canopy gaps and intact vegetation. Species richness and diversity was higher in gaps than in intact vegetation. Macaranga peltata, a shade intolerant species dominated gaps while intact vegetation was dominated by shade tolerant Kingiodendron pinnatum.Gap size significantly influenced species diversity and regeneration. Gap area and age were significantly and negatively correlated with diversity measures but positively correlated with regeneration. Among all the attributes of gaps, regeneration was significantly positively correlated with light intensity. Gaps maintained species diversity and favored regeneration of woody species. In addition to gap size and age, other gap ecological attributes also affected species diversity and regeneration.     

Variation in wood density and carbon content of tropical plantation tree species from Ghana

Most research on carbon content of trees has focused on temperate species, with less information existing for tropical trees and very little for tropical plantations. This study investigated factors affecting the carbon content of nineteen tropical plantation tree species of ages seven to twelve and compared carbon content of Khaya species from two ecozones in Ghana. For all sample trees, volume of the main stem, wood density, wood carbon (C) concentration and C content were determined. Estimated stem volume for the 12-year-old trees varied widely among species, from 0.01 to 1.04 m³, with main stem C content ranging from 3 to 205 kg. Wood density among species varied from 0.27 to 0.76 g cm^?3, with faster growing species exhibiting lower density. Significant differences in wood density also occurred with position along the main stem. Carbon concentration also differed among tree species, ranging from 458 to 498 g kg^?1. Differences among species in main stem C content largely reflected differences among species in estimated main stem volume, with values modified somewhat by wood density and C concentration. The use of species-specific wood density values was more important for ensuring accurate conversion of estimated stem volumes to C content than was the use of species-specific C concentrations. Significant differences in wood density did exist between Khaya species from the wet and moist semi-deciduous ecozones, suggesting climatic and site factors may also need to be considered. Wood densities for these plantation grown trees were lower than literature values reported for the same species in natural forests, suggesting that the application of data derived from natural forests could result in overestimation of the biomass and C content of trees of the same species grown in plantations.     

陕西省长江流域生态地貌功能分区与评价

采用１０个主要生物气候指标，结合地形地貌及相的地带性植被和地带性土壤，对陕西省长江流域３１个县（市）进行动态聚类综合分析，本区可归并为２个森林植物气候带，５个生态地貌功能区。即：低山丘陵区北亚热带常绿落叶阔叶林生物气候区，包括安康盆地，汉中盆地，热暖温带针阔混交林、针叶林生物气候区；包括秦岭南坡东部中山，低山区，秦岭南坡中、西部中、高山区和巴山北坡中山、低山。各生态地貌功能区的生物气候特征明显，符     

Yield and Nutrient Content of Chestnut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Castanopsis piriformis</Emphasis>) in Natural Central Highlands Forests,Vietnam

Chestnuts have historical importance as a food source worldwide. Planting of chestnuts has focused on a few species, including Castanea dentata, Castanea sativa, Castanea mollissima, and Castanea crenata, although others species are also edible. Castanea species are members of the beech family (Fagaceae) and are native to tropical and temperate areas. In this study, the yield and nut quality of Castanopsis piriformis in natural forests of the Central Highlands of Vietnam were investigated to provide evidence that C. piriformis is worth growing as a food species. Data were collected from 12 plots of 50 m × 50 m size located in four altitude zones. Nuts were collected from three to five chestnut trees in each plot judged to be of typical sized based on diameter at breast height and crown diameter. Average dry yield of nuts was found to be elevation-dependent, being highest at 500–1000 m (1152 kg/ha/year), decreasing to 815 kg/ha/year below 500 m, and to 770 kg/ha/year at 1000–1500 m. The lowest yield was observed at above 1500 m (252 kg/ha/year). Protein and lipid contents in the kernels of C. piriformis chestnut were 4.4 and 0.1 %, respectively. Glucose accounted for 73.1 % and was significantly higher than that of commercially grown Castanopsis boisii chestnuts in Northern Vietnam. With the current price of 0.6 US$/kg nuts, collecting nuts growing in natural forest can bring at least 480 US$/ha/year to local people. These results indicate the possibility of growing and consuming C. piriformis chestnut as a crop to decrease poverty. However, governmental support is required for the sustainable development of C. piriformis.     

Altitudinal patterns of the flora of seed plants of Dawei Mountain in Yunnan Province, south China

Altitudinal gradient incorporates multiple resource gradients, which vary continuously in different fashions. It is important to study the mountain floristic patterns along altitudinal gradients, which reveal the regular pattern of the flora along the environmental gradients, the changing trend of biodiversity patterns along the altitudinal gradient, and relevance of biological fitness. To explore the compositional characteristics and ecological significance of floristic patterns along altitudinal gradient in China National Nature Reserve of Dawei Mountain in the southeast of Yunnan Province, field investigations have been made to the flora along the two routes of the southwest slope and the northeast slope of the said reserve, including a vertical vegetation transect. Meanwhile, further investigations have also been made to the flora of Dawei Mountain, which has been accounted for in the literature, as Flora Yunnan, The Seed Plant in Yunnan, and so on. The structural characteristics of the flora and the altitudinal distribution pattern of its floristic components were analyzed. By applying systematic cluster analysis, the altitudinal position of the dividing line of floristic changes along altitudinal gradient was detected, and the effects of the montane climate on the vertical variation of floristic composition were studied. Conclusions were put forward. This paper can be summarized as follows: (1) The obvious boundary that differentiates tropical floristic elements is located at the altitude of approximately 1,500 m; it is reasonable to stipulate the boundary line between tropical rain forests and the evergreen broad-leaved forests. (2) The vertical vegetation spectrum made by cluster analysis shows that humid rain forests are below 700 m a.s.l, montane rain forests are between 700 and 1,500 m, monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forests are between 1,300 and 1,800 m, and montane mossy evergreen broad-leaved forests are above 1,800 m a.s.l. Nonrepresentative montane mossy dwarf forests (above 2,100 m) in the area are distributed in windward sides and in barren land on the mountain slopes. __________ Translated from Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2005, 29(6): 894–900 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

Forest Type,Diversity and Biomass Estimation in Tropical Forests of Western Ghat of Maharashtra Using Geospatial Techniques

Tropical forests are the world’s largest terrestrial storehouses of carbon and are recognized as rich, diverse and highly productive ecosystems. The present study was conducted to characterize the land use, diversity and biomass of tropical forest in Western Ghat of Maharashtra State in India through satellite remote sensing and GIS. The study has been designed and implemented to promote analysis on Western Ghat biodiversity resources including trees, shrubs and herbs based on inventorying, monitoring and mapping. Field measured biomass is integrated with spectral responses of various bands and indices of the Landsat TM satellite image for estimation of above-ground biomass in a 36,046 km² area of relic forest in the Central Western Ghat. The above-ground biomass from field-based inventory varied from 30.2 to 151.1 ton/ha in moist deciduous forest, 9.2–99.1 ton/ha in dry deciduous forest, 42.1–158.6 ton/ha in semi-evergreen forest, and 160.9–271 ton/ha in evergreen forest. The total above-ground biomass of the study area was estimated to be 95.2 M tons. A regression equation between field above-ground biomass and a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was used for spectral modeling to estimate and prepare the above-ground biomass map in the region. A total 120 plant species in 81 genera and 31 families were identified in the study area. This study emphasizes the importance of relic forests for their biodiversity, carbon sequestration and total biomass.     

Variation in post-wildfire regeneration of boreal mixedwood forests: underlying factors and implications for natural disturbance-based management

To test the direct regeneration hypothesis and support natural disturbance-based forest management we characterized the structure and composition of boreal mixedwood forests regenerating after large wildfires and examined the influence of pre-fire stand composition and post-fire competing vegetation. In stands which had been deciduous (Populus sp.)-dominated, conifer (white spruce)-dominated, or mixed pre-fire we measured regeneration stocking (presence in 10 m² plots), density and height 10–20 years post-burn in five wildfires in Alberta, Canada. Most plots regenerated to the deciduous or mixed stocking types; plots in the older fire and in stands that were pure conifer pre-fire had higher amounts of conifer regeneration. Surprisingly, regeneration in pre-fire ‘pure’ white spruce stands was most often to pine, although these had not been recorded in the pre-fire inventory. Pre-fire deciduous stands were the most resilient in that poplar species dominated their post-fire regeneration in terms of stocking, density and height. These stands also had the highest diversity of regenerating tree species and the most unstocked plots. High grass cover negatively affected regeneration density of both deciduous and conifer trees. Our results demonstrate the natural occurrence of regeneration gaps, pre- to post-fire changes in forest composition, and high variation in post-fire regeneration composition. These should be taken into consideration when developing goals for post-harvest regeneration mimicking natural disturbance.     

Fuelwood consumption of dhabas (temporary hotels) along an altitudinal gradient in a pilgrim and tourist affected protected area of western Himalaya

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out in a remote area of the Indian Himalayas to assess the biomass use patterns of dhabas (temporary hotels) along an altitudinal gradient in a pilgrimage and tourism affected protected area. The dhaba owners extensively collect fuelwood for various purposes such as cooking, boiling water, and space heating. The study examined factors affecting and resulting from fuelwood usage and collection—including preferred species, gathering patterns, emissions of green house gases due to combustion, and ecological parameters such as density and total basal cover. Open- and close-ended questionnaires were used for interviews with the study subjects. Firewood was reported as the only available energy source in the area. The average fuelwood consumption at three altitudinal sites was 19 kg dhaba^?1 day^?1 at Site I (1,500–2,000 m asl), 26.62 kg dhaba^?1 day^?1 at Site II (2,000–2,500 m asl), and 16.74 kg dhaba^?1 day^?1 at Site III (2,500–3,600 m asl). The five most preferred species for firewood reported by the respondents were: Alnus nepalensis, Lyonia ovalifolia, Quercus floribunda, Pinus roxburghii, and Rhododendron arboreum. The present findings could be used as a baseline for developing various conservation and sustainability measures for protected areas influenced by human populations.     

Carbon stock density in planted versus natural <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus massoniana</Emphasis> forests in sub-tropical China

Key message

Carbon stock density was quite similar in planted vs natural forest of Masson’s pine ( Pinus massoniana Lamb.) in China across three ages (7, 15, and 50 years). The stock in the standing trees was larger in planted than in natural forests, but this difference was compensated by larger stocks in the soil and the debris of natural forests.

Context

Most studies on the carbon stocks are focused on management strategies to maximize carbon stocks. We still lack data comparing planted vs natural conifer forests.

Aims

We compared carbon storage in the different compartment (vegetation, soil, debris) along a chronosequence of Masson’s pine plantations vs natural forests.

Methods

We investigated 58 Masson’s pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) forest stands (20 m?×?50 m plots), that differ in stand management (planted and natural forests) and age (young, middle-aged, and mature ages) and then calculated the carbon stock densities of vegetation biomass (tree, shrub, and herb), debris, and soil.

Results

The carbon stock densities in the planted and natural Masson’s pine forest ecosystems ranged from 78 to 210 Mg ha^?1 and from 97 to 177 Mg ha^?1 respectively. The carbon stock densities in the vegetation were significantly greater in planted forests than in natural forests. A lower carbon stock density in debris and soil alleviated the increase of biomass carbon stock densities in planted vs natural forests, leading to similar carbon stock densities at ecosystem level. The carbon stock densities in the vegetation increased with age, whereas those of debris and soil remained stable.

Conclusions

Planted forests of Masson’s pine sequester similiar amounts of carbon at ecosystem level to those in natural forests, reinforcing the idea that planted pine forests can contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emission.

     

Variation of stem density and vegetation carbon pool in subtropical forests of Northwestern Himalaya

The present study was conducted in five forest types of subtropical zone in the Northwestern Himalaya, India. Three forest stands of 0.1 ha were laid down in each forest type to study the variation in vegetation carbon pool, stem density, and ecosystem carbon density. The stem density in the present study ranged from (483 to 417 trees ha^?1) and stem biomass from (262.40 to 39.97 tha^?1). Highest carbon storage (209.95 t ha^?1) was recorded in dry Shiwalik sal forest followed by Himalayan chir forest > chir pine plantation > lower Shiwalik pine forest > northern mixed dry deciduous forest. Maximum tree above ground biomass is observed in dry Shiwalik sal forests (301.78 t ha^?1), followed by upper Himalayan chir pine forests (194 t ha^?1) and lower in Shiwalik pine forests (138.73 t ha^?1). The relationship with stem volume showed the maximum adjusted r² (0.873), followed by total density (0.55) and average DBH (0.528). The regression equation of different parameters with shrub biomass showed highest r² (0.812) and relationship between ecosystem carbon with other parameters of different forest types, where cubic function with stem volume showed highest r² value of 0.873 through cubic functions. Our results suggest that biomass and carbon stocks in these subtropical forests vary greatly with forest type and species density. This variation among forests can be used as a tool for carbon credit claims under ongoing international conventions and protocols.     

Explaining conifer dominance in Afrotemperate forests: Shade tolerance favours Podocarpus latifolius over angiosperm species

We contrasted the regeneration success of angiosperm canopy species with that of Podocarpus latifolius to test whether this conifer was sufficiently shade tolerant to be favoured on infrequently disturbed and well-shaded sites. Seedling and sapling population structures were measured in several habitats representing a light gradient in warm temperate forest in the Drakenberg mountains of South Africa. The angiosperm-dominated forest was well-shaded (∼5.5% PAR) and lacked ground vegetation. Seedlings of angiosperm canopy species were abundant but the absence of saplings indicated regeneration failure. In contrast, P. latifolius was represented by all size classes beneath the intact canopy indicating continuous regeneration in angiosperm-dominated forest. Angiosperm regeneration was similarly poor in forest gaps, which were dominated by grasses, ferns and vines. P. latifolius entered the advanced regeneration in gaps by establishing in shade before gap formation. The floor of the Podocarpus-dominated forest was less shaded (∼7.5% PAR) than angiosperm-dominated forest and dominated by grass, which suppressed most conifer regeneration. Gaps in Podocarpus forest were more than double the size of gaps in angiosperm forest and dominated by vines and understorey shrubs. There was no clear winner of the angiosperm–conifer contest in Podocarpus forest gaps. Consequently, gaps maintain limited angiosperm diversity in Podocarpus forest. Angiosperm canopy species regenerated continuously in the high light (∼11.5% PAR) thicket environment. Few seedlings of P. latifolius were recorded in the thicket environment. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that shaded and infrequently disturbed forest sites favour shade-tolerant conifers over relatively light-demanding angiosperm species. The outcome of the competitive interaction between angiosperm and conifer at the regeneration phase depends on the relative shade-tolerance of associated species.     

Radial growth variations of black pine along an elevation gradient in the Cazorla Mountains (South of Spain) and their relevance for historical and environmental studies

In southern Spain, the Cazorla Mountains (500–2,100 m a.s.l.) have supplied construction timber from black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) for buildings and ships since at least the Middle Ages. To establish the age and provenance of wooden cultural heritage originating from this area, well-replicated long-span chronologies are needed. Old-living trees occur at high elevations, whereas many historical timbers originated from lower altitudes; hence, crossdating possibilities were questionable. To assess the potential of this species for the development of a multi-millennia tree-ring data set with living trees and historical timbers for the western Mediterranean, we developed four ring-width chronologies along the circa 1,000 m altitudinal range of black pine in these mountains and examined crossdating patterns and climate–growth responses along with altitude and through time. Teleconnections with other Iberian and Mediterranean tree-ring data were also tested. A well-replicated chronology spanning AD 1331–2009 was obtained at the upper site, while lower elevations delivered shorter chronologies. Similarity among chronologies and responses to climate were dependent on elevation. Tree-ring width was negatively related to temperature in previous late summer and positively to February–March, whereas precipitation had an opposite effect; some negative influence of early summer temperature was also observed. However, growth responses were rather unstable throughout the twentieth century. These chronologies showed good tele- and heteroconnections with conifer chronologies from Iberia, northern Morocco and Turkey, evidencing the existence of a common macroclimatic signal, which also varied along with elevation. The relevance of these results for dendrohistorical studies is discussed.     

Changes with altitude of the stand structure of temperate forests on Mount Norikura,central Japan

Changes in stand structure with altitude have been studied at ten sites between 800 and 2,500 m above sea level (a.s.l.) in temperate forests on Mount Norikura (36°06′N, 137°33′E, 3,026 m a.s.l.) in central Japan. Vegetation in this range of altitudes was roughly classified as a montane deciduous broad-leaved forest zone between 800 and 1,600 m a.s.l. and a subalpine coniferous forest zone between 1,600 and 2,500 m a.s.l. at the timberline. The frequency distribution of trunk height was an L-shaped pattern at 800 m a.s.l., changed to a flat pattern with increasing altitude up to 2,000 m a.s.l., but changed to an L-shaped pattern again from 2,000 to 2,500 m a.s.l. This change in frequency distribution of trunk height with altitude was related to the change in maximum trunk height with altitude. The maximum trunk height did not change with altitude between 800 and 2,000 m a.s.l. but it decreased markedly from 2,000 to 2,500 m a.s.l. Although mechanical damage to conifer trunks and branches was not observed between 800 and 2,000 m a.s.l., the proportion of damaged trees increased from 2,000 to 2,500 m a.s.l., suggesting that subalpine conifers cannot grow in height near the timberline because of mechanical damage. The increase in the number of small trees from 2,000 m a.s.l. to the timberline was therefore because of a less developed canopy structure, i.e. small trees can grow without shading by canopy trees. This study suggests that mechanical damage, probably because of strong winds in the winter, affects changes with altitude in regeneration and formation of the timberline.     

Assessing impact of climate change on forest cover type shifts in Western Himalayan Eco-region

Climate is a critical factor affecting forest ecosystems and their capacity to produce goods and services. Effects of climate change on forests depend on ecosystem-specific factors including dimensions of climate (temperature, precipitation, drought, wind etc.). Available information is not sufficient to support a quantitative assessment of the ecological, social and economic consequences. The present study assessed shifts in forest cover types of Western Himalayan Eco-region (700?4500 m). 100 randomly selected samples (75 for training and 25 for testing the model), genetic algorithm of rule set parameters and climatic envelopes were used to assess the distribution of five prominent forest cover types (Temperate evergreen, Tropical semi-evergreen, Temperate conifer, Subtropical conifer, and Tropical moist deciduous forests). Modelling was conducted for four different scenarios, current scenario, changed precipitation (8% increase), changed temperature (1.07°C increase), and both changed temperature and precipitation. On increasing precipitation a downward shift in the temperate evergreen and tropical semi-evergreen was observed, while sub-tropical conifer and tropical moist-deciduous forests showed a slight upward shift and temperate conifer showed no shift. On increasing temperature, an upward shift in all forest types was observed except sub-tropical conifer forests without significant changes. When both temperature and precipitation were changed, the actual distribution was maintained and slight upward shift was observed in all the forest types except sub-tropical conifer. It is important to understand the likely impacts of the projected climate change on the forest ecosystems, so that better management and conservation strategies can be adopted for the biodiversity and forest dependent community. Knowledge of impact mechanisms also enables identification and mitigation of some of the conditions that increase vulnerability to climate change in the forest sector.     

Vegetation cover density and disturbance affected arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi spore density and root colonization in a dry Afromontane forest,northern Ethiopia

Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi(AMF) are vital in the regeneration of vegetation in disturbed ecosystems due to their numerous ecological advantages and therefore are good indicators of soil and ecosystem health at large. This study was aimed at determining how the seasonal, vegetation cover density, edaphic and anthropogenic factors affect AMF root colonization(RC) and spore density(SD)in Desa'a dry Afromontane forest. AMF RC and SD in the rhizosphere of five dominant woody species, Juniperus procera, Olea europaea, Maytenus arbutifolia, Carissa spinarum and Dodonaea angustifolia growing in Desa'a forest were studied during the rainy and the dry seasons in three permanent study vegetation cover density plots(dense, medium, and poor). Each plot(160 x40 m~2) has two management practices(fenced and unfenced plots) of area. A 100 g sample of rhizosphere soil from moisturefree composite soil was used to determine spore density.Spore density ranged from 50 to 4467 spores/100 g soil,and all species were colonized by AMF within a range of 4–95%. Glomus was the dominant genus in the rhizosphere of all species. Vegetation cover density strongly affected SD and RC. The SD was significantly higher(p 0.05) in the poor vegetation cover density than in the other two and lowest in the dense cover; root colonization showed the reverse trend. Management practices significantly(p 0.05) influenced AMF SD and RC, with the fenced plots being more favoured. Seasons significantly(p 0.05) affected RC and SD. More RC and SD were observed in the wet period than the dry period. Correlating AMF SD and RC with soil physical and chemical properties showed no significant difference(p 0.05) except for total nitrogen. Disturbance, vegetation cover density, season and total nitrogen are significant factors that control the dynamics and management interventions to maintain the forest health of dry Afromontane forests.