Predicting the spatial distribution of the abundance of Siebold’s beech in a montane cool-temperate region based on environmental factors

Using a geographic information system (GIS), our goal was to predict the potential distribution of Siebold’s beech (Fagus crenata Blume) in a montane cool-temperate region at a fine spatial resolution based on topographical features. The study was conducted in Akashibayama National Forest in the village of Kamikawa, Niigata Prefecture, central Japan. Species composition was investigated in 28 sample plots selected in the study area. A digital elevation model (DEM) was created, and topographical, hydrological, and light factors were calculated using the DEM. Then, the relationship between species composition and these environmental factors was examined using tree-based multivariate regression to derive regression trees. The species composition for the six major species selected, which included Siebold’s beech, was used as the response variable, and environmental factors were used as explanatory variables. For the derived tree-based regression model, the shaded relief, slope, specific catchment area, and curvature were selected as explanatory variables. The model classified natural vegetation into six forest types, and the result was consistent with the moisture preferences of these major species. The model was applied to the GIS to predict and map the species composition of the major species, especially the relative basal area of Siebold’s beech.     

Evaluation of the potential index model to predict habitat suitability of forest species: the potential distribution of mountain pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus uncinata</Emphasis>) in the Iberian peninsula

Characterization of the suitability or potentiality of a territory for forest tree species is an important source of information for forest planning and managing. In this study, we compared a relatively simple methodology to generate potential habitat distribution areas that has been traditionally used in Spain (the potential index model) with a statistical modelling approach (generalized linear model). We modelled the potential distribution of mountain pine (Pinus uncinata) in the Iberian peninsula as a working example. The potential index model generated a map of habitat suitability according to the values of an index of potentiality, whose distribution has usually divided into four categories based on quartiles (from optimum to low suitability). Considering all values of the index of potentiality as presences of mountain pine resulted in a low to moderate degree of agreement between the potential index model and the generalized linear model according to the kappa coefficient. Using the cut-off value of the index of potentiality that maximized the degree of agreement between both modelling approaches resulted in a substantial similarity between the maps of the predicted distribution of mountain pine. This cut-off value did lie in the upper-third quartile of the potential index distribution (high suitability category), and roughly coincided with the upper 30th percentile. The use of statistical techniques, which have proved to be powerful and versatile for species distribution modelling, is recommended. However, the potential index model, together with the adjustments proposed here, could be a reasonably simple methodology to predict the potential distribution of forest tree species that forest managers should take into account when evaluating forestation and afforestation projects.     

Spatially explicit assessment of forest road suitability for timber extraction and hauling in Switzerland

Efficient forest management, and wood production in particular, requires a forest road network of appropriate density and bearing capacity. The road network affects the choice of a suitable extraction method and the length of the transport route from the forest, while the road standard defines the truck type that can be used.

We evaluate the forest road network’s economic suitability for harvesting operations in the entire Swiss forest, an area of about 13,000 km² covering a range of topographies, based on the Swiss National Forest Inventory’s (NFI) forest road dataset. This dataset is based on information from an interview survey with the local forest services and includes all forest roads in Switzerland capable of carrying trucks. Extraction options and hauling routes are analysed together; thus, the entire logging process is examined.

Model results include maps of the most suitable extraction method; extraction costs; hauling costs; and a suitability map based on a combination of the results. While the larger part of the Swiss forest is classified as “suitable” for economic harvesting operations, significant portions also fall into the “limited suitability” and “not suitable” categories. Our analysis provides an objective, country-wide, spatially explicit assessment of timber accessibility. The resulting suitability map helps identify areas where timber harvesting is economic using the current forest road network, and where it is not. The model results can be used in road network planning and management, for example, by comparing road-network re-design scenarios, and compared to the spatial distribution of available wood volume.

     

The effect of land use systems on tree diversity: farmer preference and species composition of cocoa-based agroecosystems in Ghana

Traditionally, most cocoa farms are established by removing the forest understorey and thinning the forest canopy so that cocoa seedlings can grow into productive trees by utilising the forest rent of the newly cleared area and the shade provided by the remaining trees. With the introduction of new hybrid cocoa varieties, there is a gradual shift towards the elimination of shade trees in the cocoa landscape. Farmers have found it necessary to eliminate forest tree species to effect high performance of these new varieties and as a result large areas of forested land are being lost, thereby posing a threat to biodiversity A study was carried out in Atwima, a major cocoa farming district in the Ashanti region of Ghana, to assess the impact of cocoa cultivation on tree diversity. The study also investigated farmers’ preferences for tree species retained on cocoa farms as well as their traditional knowledge on tree species and their effect on cocoa cultivation. The assessment consisted of identification and enumeration of all tree species with diameter at breast height greater than or equal to 10 cm, and was carried out on one-hectare plots of: (a) Active Cocoa Farms (ACF), stratified into (i) Mature Cocoa Forest (MCF) and (ii) Young Replanted Cocoa (YRC); (b) Fallow land (FL), and (c) Natural Forest (NF). A total of four one-hectare plots replicated five times (or 20 ha) were enumerated. Tree diversity was more strongly influenced by landuse type than age of cocoa farm. Fallow lands contained a higher tree diversity followed by natural forest, with the active cocoa farms, both mature and young, containing the lowest variety of species. However, stem count was highest in the natural forest followed by FL and ACF. Generally, stem counts of important tree species, as well as those classified as either endangered or vulnerable, were extremely low in the landscape (0–2 per hectare), indicating a critical potential for conservation and rejuvenation. Farmers’ preference for trees on cocoa farms was based on their usefulness. Three categories of trees emerged from their classification of trees on cocoa farms: (i) naturally occurring trees that are very useful; (ii) naturally occurring species of minor economic use; and (iii) naturally occurring tree species that are aggressive or incompatible with cocoa. Multistrata cocoa farms are a potential niche for conservation, but given the current trends in cocoa replanting, future conservation strategies will have to focus on identified targeted species which are of conservation concern, as well as those that are of value to farmers.     

Mapping tree aboveground biomass and carbon in Omo Forest Reserve Nigeria using Landsat 8 OLI data

Protected areas in Nigeria are important ecosystems for carbon storage. The aim of this study was to estimate and map tree aboveground biomass (TAGB) and carbon (TAGC) within a tropical forest in Nigeria. Stepwise regression analysis was implemented to develop models for predicting TAGB in the forest stand, by integrating field TAGB data with Landsat 8 OLI data. Spectral variables used in the analysis include spectral bands, vegetation indices, tasseled cap indices and principal components. Model validation was performed using independent sample plots. The results showed that incorporating more than one category of spectral variables improved the prediction of TAGB. The best-fit model was applied to map the spatial distribution of TAGB and TAGC. The TAGC was estimated as 52.3% of TAGB, based on the average carbon content of tree species derived in this study. Average TAGB and TAGC estimates for the forest stand were 373.1 ± 165.4 t ha^?1 and 194 ± 82.7 t ha^?1, respectively. Reliable estimates of TAGB and TAGC for the forest reserve were obtained. This study provides important information required to manage the forest stand for optimal carbon sequestration.     

Evaluation of environmental functions of tropical forest in Kinabalu Park, Sabah, Malaysia using GIS and remote sensing techniques: Implications to forest conservation planning

Environmental functions of tropical forest can serve as criteria for forest conservation planning in the tropics. The objective of this study is to evaluate the environmental functions of tropical forest in Kinabalu Park, Sabah, Malaysia, using GIS and remote sensing techniques. Field data, statistical data, including weather data with geographic localities, maps and satellite image are collected. Linear regression models are developed for forests of different geological substrates, based on the relationships between altitude and biodiversity (Fisher’s alpha index). Biodiversity conservation function map is derived with the statistical models and a digital elevation model. Coupling with extensive literature review, an evaluation matrix for evaluating soil and water conservation functions including landslide prevention, flood prevention and drought prevention functions, is constructed. To evaluate the soil and water conservation functions, a weighted linear combination method is used with GIS layers of topography, geology, soil depth, rainfall and slope. Forest areas in Kinabalu Park are derived with land cover mapping using Landsat-TM image. Areas having high values of biodiversity conservation, flood and drought prevention functions are covered with mainly lowland rain forest. On the other hand, areas with high values of the landslide prevention function are covered with mainly subalpine forests. Using the environmental functions, a conservation index is computed to represent forests that are important to conservation. Based on theCI, the lowland rain forest receives highest priority in protection. In fact, it is located in the boundary areas of the park and thus exposed to illegal activities. This study would not be possibly accomplished without the map data as well as other data.     

喀纳斯泰加林群落与环境和火干扰因子的关系

【目的】划分森林群落类型,定量分析森林群落形成与其环境因子和火干扰因子之间的关系,为新疆喀纳斯泰加林群落物种多样性保护与森林可持续经营提供科学依据。【方法】以新疆喀纳斯泰加林火成演替森林群落为研究对象,基于149个森林群落样地及其火干扰发生时间和火烈度的调查,采用双向指示种分析(two-way indicator species analysis,TWINSPAN)方法对喀纳斯国家自然保护区科学实验区处于不同演替阶段的森林群落进行群落类型划分,并采用冗余分析(redundancy analysis,RDA)方法通过对其森林群落进行排序,分析森林群落形成与环境因子和火干扰因子的关系,定量分离环境因子、火干扰因子及其二者的交互作用对森林群落形成的影响。【结果】 1)TWINSPAN将149个森林群落调查样地划分为16种森林群落类型;2)RDA排序结果较好地反映了喀纳斯泰加林群落形成与环境因子和火干扰因子之间的关系,环境因子中的海拔、坡位、坡度、坡向、土壤有机质和全钾含量对森林群落的形成起较大的作用,其中海拔、坡位、坡度和坡向与RDA第1排序轴存在极显著相关性( P <0.01),土壤有机质和全钾含量与RDA第1排序轴存在显著相关性( P <0.05);火干扰因子中的火烈度对森林群落形成也起较大的作用,火烈度与RDA第2排序轴存在极显著相关性( P <0.01);3)因子分离显示,在影响喀纳斯泰加林群落形成的因素中,环境因子解释的部分占21.96%,火干扰因子解释的部分占1.80%,二者交互作用解释的部分占49.82%,未能解释的部分占26.42%。【结论】喀纳斯国家自然保护区科学实验区有16种森林群落类型,其森林群落形成受环境因子和火干扰因子的共同控制,并且二者的交互作用尤为突出。火干扰是新疆喀纳斯泰加林群落物种多样性保护与森林可持续经营不可或缺的重要因素。     

Sustaining Participatory Forest Management: Case Study Analyses of Forestry Assistance from Tanzania, Mozambique, Laos and Vietnam

This paper introduces case study analysis against an illustrative model, the ‘house model’, which contains a number of key elements for sustaining participatory forest management (PFM). In theory, the elements in the model are basic requirements for ensuring that the participation of local people in forest management will continue after external donor support ceases. In practice, the study shows that none of the four case study projects managed to build the whole ‘house’ nor did they have tangible impacts on all the elements, and long-term sustainability of PFM is still questionable. All four donor-supported projects had limited tangible impacts on access to information and benefits, especially with regards to long-term extension services, markets and marketing information. These were the most difficult elements to influence during and after the projects in all four cases. It is concluded that in order to sustain PFM, there needs to be a solid institutional foundation which as a minimum ensures local people’s access to information and benefits from forests under the PFM.     

Mapping vegetation suitability in coarse sandy hill catchment areas of the Loess Plateau

Vegetation suitability mapping is important for the selection of species for implementing the re-vegetation program in the coarse sandy hill catchment areas of the Loess Plateau, China. We introduce a Boolean model, which uses a thin plate smoothing spline interpolation method to model the distribution of precipitation and temperature and analyze the suitability of 38 species using GIS techniques considering the requirement of these species for environmental conditions. Then we overlay a single suitability map of these 38 species to obtain a species frequency map for a specific site. In our study, we mean with ‘high frequency’ a high suitability of a site for revegetation. The results show that we can model the spatial changes of vegetation suitability with a combination of topographic analyses based on DEM and GIS functions. We also demonstrate these spatial changes on the screen using Visual Basic language and GIS functions, which will help decision makers to have a clear view of species and site suitability changes over large areas. Although more powerful models, such as GLM and GAM, were not used due to data limitation, our methods can still provide some relevant insights for similar studies. __________ Translated from Science of Soil and Water Conservation, 2007, 5(1): 19–26 [译自: 水土保持科学]     

Conservation and restoration of degraded ecosystems in arid and semi-arid areas of northwest China

In “West Development” of China, one of the most important activities is the Natural Forest Protection Program, designed to swiftly convert the focus of management and utilization of the natural forests from a timber orientation towards forest conservation, sustainable management and environmental protection. The project covered almost all the arid and semi-arid regions in Northwest region. Accompanying this great campaign this paper studied the conservation and restoration model of degraded ecosystems in arid and semi-arid lands in Northwest China. The past practices have resulted in considerably natural forest degradation and loss through land conversion (primarily for agriculture), over-harvesting, inadequate reforestation and lack of protection. The consequences have been the loss of soil and water resources, diminished timber production capacity on a sustainable basis, and environmental losses. This paper applied Aronson’s restoration model and proposed the conservation, restoration, re-allocation and preservation program for the implementation of environmental improvement and natural forest conservation.     

森林康养资源评价指标体系构建及评价--以蔡家川森林康养区为例

论文明确了森林康养资源的概念,分析了森林康养资源评价的研究现状,提出了评价指标选择的原则,并构建了森林康养资源评价指标体系,并最终对蔡家川森林康养区进行了森林康养资源评价,本文的评价方法根据10类森林康养产品种类将森林康养基地主导功能汇总为5类,使用的交互式过滤产生法、采用频度统计法、理论分析法与专家咨询法等方式最终确定了46个指标,通过对专家意见反馈进行计算,构造判断矩阵,得出蔡家川森林康养区森林康养资源评价各指标的权重。然后通过对森林康养资源主导功能适宜性横向等级评价将蔡家川森林康养区森林康养资源横向适宜性划分为特优、优、良、中、差五个等级;通过对森林康养资源适宜性纵向类别评价将森林康养资源纵向适宜性划分为四个类别:体验型、产出型、附加型以及失衡型。     

基于GIS的下蜀镇森林健康知识空间数据挖掘方法研究

森林健康是森林可持续经营的一项重要评价指标。文章以地理信息系统软件ArcGIS、统计分析软件SPSS为挖掘工具,通过主成分分析和聚类分析方法对江苏省句容市下蜀镇的森林健康知识空间数据进行挖掘。研究表明:在影响森林健康等级高低的主成分因子中,以林分生产活力因子的重要性最强;在森林健康空间聚类的3种类别中,林分生产活力的大小导致了类别1和类别2之间的差异,而类别2和类别3的差别主要集中于环境胁迫要素的差异。     

Integration of remote sensing-based bioenergy inventory data and optimal bucking for stand-level decision making

This paper tests the reliability of a biomass prediction procedure which combines aerial data collection, biometric models and optimisation for forest management planning. Tree stock information is obtained by predicting species-specific diameter and height distributions by a combination of field sampling, ALS data and aerial photographs. The subsequent steps in the chain are (1) assignment of the plots to forestry operation classes by means of remote sensing-based tree stock estimates, (2) estimation of the biomass components removed by simulating forestry operations, and (3) estimation of forest owners’ income flow from optimised bucking of the species-specific diameter distributions. The error effects caused by these steps are analysed, and the applicability of remote sensing–based data collection for biomass inventories and planning is assessed. The approach used for assigning the plots to operation classes resulted in moderate accuracies (75%). The reliability estimates indicated quite poor performance when predicting the biomass components removed in forest treatments, with RMSEs of 33.0–69.4% in the case of final cutting and 76.9–228.0% in the case of thinning. The relative RMSEs of the above-ground biomass estimates of the standing stock were about 19%. The relative bias for the biomasses removed was 10.0–88.6% and that for the standing stock biomasses 0.0%. When optimising bucking, the bucked assortments were larger and the incomes enhanced with this estimation method relative to the reference. This explains why the estimation of forest owner’s incomes in the energy wood thinning simulations led to suboptimal decisions and income losses.     

Post-fire habitat restoration of sables during winter season in northern slope of the Great Xing＇an Mountains

Habitat loss and fragmentation have been associated with the decline of endangered species. In 1987, a catastrophic fire in the northern Great Hing＇an Mountains of China, where the main habitat of sables （Martes zibellina） is located, aggravated the loss and fragmentation of the forest landscape. Due to restricted distribution and low population density, sables were listed in the national first-grade protected species in China. The objective of this paper was to identify to what extent the habitat of sables had been restored 13 years after the fire. Based on the behavioral data, which came from field survey information by radio-tracking, GPS （Global Positioning System） and forest inventory data, suitability habitat maps were derived using the Ecological Niche Suitability Model （ENSM）. In addition, the habitat structure was analyzed with selected landscape indices. Although forest cover mostly had been restored by 2000, the results indicated that, compared to the pre-fire situation, the areas of suitable habitat had been reduced significantly, especially those of less suitable, marginally suitable and moderately suitable designation. Fragmentation was aggravated, and suitable patches were found to be further isolated with the exception of those in most suitable areas. The ratio of the patch perimeter to area in unsuitable, moderately suitable and suitable areas decreased, while the ratios within other suitability types increased. Moreover, the percentage of soft boundaries decreased slightly, which can influence the redistribution of sables. The results above indicated that the suitable habitat had deteriorated, and the restoration of the sables＇ habitat remained to be done.     

NWFP&;S Marketing: Lessons Learned and New Development Paths from Case Studies in Some European Countries

The paper examines key factors affecting the marketing of various types of Non-Wood Forest Products and Services (NWFP&S) through a comparative analysis of case studies in Europe, according to the main results of Working Group 3 (WG3) of the COST Action E30 ‘Economic integration of urban consumers’ demand and rural forestry production. Seventeen Italian case studies have been analysed in addition to the COST Action E30 experiences. Products and services are classified within a conceptual framework developed by the WG3 and described in detail according to three main categories: mass-produced, specialized and complementary NWFP&S. Especially this latter category can play a relevant role in improving the profitability of small and medium-scale forest-based enterprises and in maintaining competitiveness of the forest product-consumer chain in rural areas, but new marketing strategies are necessary for commercial success. Differentiation, integration and creation of networking among both private and public actors and the development of the so-called ‘territorial marketing’ are considered the most important tools for the role of complementary NWFP&S in improving the economic value of small-scale forestry in marginal areas.     

Towards exploration of plant-based ethno-medicinal knowledge of rural community: basis for biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh

Because lack of data impedes the assessment of the conservation of medicinal plants, ethno-medicinal studies are important to fill this gap. This study considered the traditional use of plants for health care by the rural communities in two forested and non-forested regions of Bangladesh. A total of 230 respondents were interviewed accompanied by field observation and voucher specimen collection. Altogether, 68 species of medicinal plants belonging to 38 families distributing over 58 genera were recorded, of which 22 species were common in both regions. Trees were the most commonly utilized growth form and leaves were the most commonly used plant part. Forests and homesteads were the major sources of medicinal plants in forested and non-forested regions, respectively. High use versatility (Relative Importance >1) was represented by 14 species; Emblica officinale L. and Allium sativum L. were the most versatile species. Forty-one individual ailments were treated with the medicinal plants recorded. The ailment categories ‘respiratory problems’ and ‘sexual problems’ received the highest score from the calculation of informants’ consensus factor (F _ic) in forested and non-forested regions, respectively. The findings could contribute in the pharmaceutical sector by directing further investigation of bio-active compounds in medicinal plants. Secondly, results could inform the clues for conservation strategies of forest resources in that region.     

Derivation of a predictive model for production of tree species composition maps at small scales using discriminant function analysis

Functions for the prediction of tree species composition category were estimated by means of discriminant function analysis. Five tree species composition categories were defined, and the functions were calibrated using the National Forest Inventory sample plots from two counties in eastern Norway. The independent variables were site index, altitude, and slope, which can all be derived from spatial databases. Tree species composition category was predicted for the calibration data and independent test data. The prediction was based on a deterministic and a probabilistic approach. About 30–60% of the observations were correctly classified. The deterministic approach gave large systematic errors for the individual categories. The probabilistic approach gave no such errors. Tree species composition category can be predicted within a GIS environment for production of small scale thematic maps. Although the classification accuracy was rather low, the functions might be used for map production in the absence of better alternatives.     

Landscape pattern and diversity of natural secondary forests in the eastern mountainous region, northeast China： A case study of Mao＇ershan region in HeUongjiang Province

Mao‘ershan region is a representative natural secondary forested region in the eastern mountainous region, northeast of China. Under the support of ARC/INFO, the landscape pattern and landscape diversity of Mao‘erhshan region were sudied by combining the forest type map (1:10 000), which was drawn from the aerial photographs (1999), field investigation and land utilization map (1:10 000). The selected indices included patch number, patch size, patch density index, richness index,dominance index, evenness index and diversity index. The results showed that the landscape dominant forest type in Mao‘ershan region was softwood broad-leaved forest. In all landscape types, the average patch area of natural secondary forests was bigger than that of artificial forest. The patch density index of each landscape formed in artificial forest was higher than that of natural secondary forest. The landscape diversity index and landscape evenness index of natural forest were highest, the landscape heterogeneity was also, but the landscape dominance was lower. In natural forest, the control effects of landscape elements on landscape-structure, function and its change were weakened. The artificial forest was on the contrary.     

新疆阿尔泰山小东沟林区木本植物群落数量分类、排序及其环境解适

在野外样方调查和主要环境因子测定的基础上,利用聚类分析和DCCA排序技术对新疆阿尔泰山小东沟林区的森林植被进行类型划分,并定量分析植被与环境因子的关系。结果表明:利用聚类分析可将阿尔泰小东沟林区的木本植物群落划分为6个类型(灌丛、欧洲山杨林、苦杨林、疣枝桦林、新疆落叶松林和新疆落叶松与新疆冷杉、新疆云杉的针叶混交林)。DCCA排序分析表明,海拔和坡向等地形因子以及土壤类型、土壤全氮、土壤全磷、土壤水分含量和大石砾含量等土壤因子是影响阿尔泰林区植物分布的主要因子,林区不同群落类型的分布格局主要是由地形和土壤因子的共同作用所控制的。