Forest–tundra ecotone response to climate change in the Western Sayan Mountains,Siberia

Abstract

Tree response to climate trends is most likely to be observed in the forest–tundra ecotone, where mainly temperature limits tree growth. On-ground observation and multitemporal Landsat data were used in the analysis of forest–tundra ecotone dynamics (from 1976 to 2000) in the Western Sayan Mountains, Siberia. Observations showed an increase in forest stand crown closure, upward tree-line and regeneration shift and the transformation of Siberian pine and fir krummholz into arboreal forms. Closed stands were increasing in the area at a rate of 0.8% year^?1 and advancing their upper boundary at an altitudinal rate of 0.6 m year^?1; these changes were shown mainly by the transformation of sparse stands into closed stands. The altitudinal rate of regeneration propagation was estimated at 1.2 m year^?1. It was also found that these changes correlated positively with temperature trends. The response of tree vegetation to air temperature increase was dependent on topographic relief features (azimuth and slope steepness).     

Geographic variation and genetic performance of Picea koraiensis in growth and wood characteristics

Eight provenances of 19-year-oldPicea koraiensis Nakai from the provenance trials of Maoershan (45°20′N, 127°30′E), Liangshui (47°10′N, 128°53′E) and Jiagedaqi (50°24′N, 124°07′E) in Northeast China were investigated to analyze the genetic variation in growth characteristics (tree height and diameter) and wood characteristics (tracheid length, tracheid diameter, tracheid wall thickness, annual ring width as well as wood density). Great variation in height growth and breast height diameter growth was observed among the provenances, and along with the increase of tree age, these provenances presented different geographic adaptability. The growth characteristics ofPicea koraiensis stand at age of 10 in Maoershan and Liangshui provenance trials had a positive correlation with longitude, and with increase of tree age to 15 and 19, the tree growth of the provenances displayed a significant positive correlation with latitude as well as altitude. For wood characteristics, great variation was also found among the provenances. There exists a close relation between growth characteristics and wood properties of the provenance. The height and breast height diameter growth of the provenance had a positive correlation with tracheid diameter and annual ring width, and a negative correlation with tracheid wall thickness and wood density. Genetic performance of the provenance in all above characteristics was also investigated in order to provide more useful information for comprehensive selection of this species for pulpwood and plywood production. Foundation item: The paper was supported by National Key Project of The State Forestry Administration. (96-011-01-06) Biography: WANG Qiu-yu (1957-), female, professor in College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Reframing Community Forestry to Manage the Forest–Farm Interface

At the 2010 Montpellier conference on ‘Taking Stock of Smallholder and Community Forestry: Where do we go from here?’, researchers, policy-makers and practitioners came together to discuss historical trends and future directions for understanding and supporting forest sustainability and local livelihoods in forest-based communities. A consensus arising from these discussions was that there is a need to reframe and broaden approaches to understand forestry practised by smallholders and communities. The paper highlights three key topics from that discussion: (1) the need to reconsider definitions of community forestry, (2) the need to broaden understanding of rights surrounding forest resources and (3) the need to reframe research to focus on management of the forest–farm interface.     

New Forest Owners: Change and Continuity in the Characteristics of Swedish Non-industrial Private Forest Owners (NIPF Owners) 1990–2010

This paper presents a total survey of the characteristics and changes over time (1990–2010) within the entire population of Swedish non-industrial private forest owners (NIPF owners). By charting the changed demographic, socio-economic and geographic profile of the NIPF owners, it also provides a baseline for a discussion and analysis of potential implications for forest management, policy and values. NIPF owners differ in important ways from the general population of Sweden. However, the gap has narrowed over time with regard to, e.g., educational level and sex composition. The ongoing urbanization process is evident in the growing share of non-residential NIPF owners who live at a distance from their forest property and who differ from their residential (rural) peers through, e.g., higher education, higher income and a higher prevalence of co-ownership of their forest holdings. Although these changes might translate into updated views on forest values among NIPF owners, there could be a delay before this impacts on forest management practices and output.     

Conflicts and Their Resolution in the Utilization of Forest Resources

ByTangCaifuForestsaretherichestrenewableplantresourcesandembraceeconomic,ecologicalandsocialbenefits.Variousconflictsandcontradictionsariseinexpandingtheutilizationofforestresources.AparticipatoryevaluationmethodwasusedtoinvestigateconflictsinforestresourcesutilizationinLongweiandLinwanVillages.ThesearetwoplojectsitesoftheCommunityForestryProjectofQuxianCounty.Thesolutionstotheseconflictshavebeensummarizedandnewapproachestoaddressingtheconflictssought.1.Tilelandconjlictbetweenforestryanda…     

Progress and Trend in Forest Scientific Researches in the World

Editor's note The 9th session of the general assembly of IUFRO was held atMontreal, Canada on August 5-11, 1990. The Chinese delegationpresent at this conference was headed by Liu Yuhe, the president     

Construction and Development of the Dagangshan Forest Ecosystem Research Station

Established by the former Ministry of Forestry in 1986, Dagangshan Forest Ecosystem Research Station is one of the 14 national key sites in the field of ecosystem research. In this paper, the basic situation of Dagangshan Forest Ecosystem Station is described, including geographic location, natural conditions, biological resources, research conditions, instruments, achievement, prospects etc.     

News and Views from SNS–Nordic Forest Research Co-operation Committee

Thirty-five research organisations are joining forces to develop methods for assessing the sustainability of the forestry-wood chain in Europe. The European Commission has set aside 13 million Euro (of a total budget of 19m Euro) for the project, dubbed eforwood, involving 18 of the European countries. Negotiations with the Commission are not yet complete, but the project will probably start by November this year, says Kaj Rosén, vice president of the Forestry Research Institute of Sweden (Skogforsk) and coordinator of the project.     

Differences in the forest landscape structure along the Finnish–Russian border in southern Karelia

Abstract

This study describes forest landscape fragmentation and connectivity along the Finnish–Russian border near the Karelian Isthmus. The landscape pattern was analysed using classification data based on Landsat ETM+ and Landsat TM images in combination with systematic surveys in Finland (Finnish National Forest Inventory) (n=546) and the authors’ own fieldwork data in Russia (n=101). On the Finnish side the forest patches are significantly smaller than on the Russian side. In addition, the Finnish forests landscape is more scattered and distances between patches of the same forest type are longer. The Russian side is more dominated by broadleaved and mixed forest stands. The disparities are due to differences in forestry policy and traditions of forest practices. The growing conditions of the areas are similar. The habitat fragmentation and habitat connectivity are important issues because the Karelian Isthmus is one of three main corridors and migrating routes connecting large Russian boreal taiga forests and their fauna and flora with Finnish isolated boreal forests.     

Effects of Forest on the Budgets of Water，Energy and Gases in the Environment

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The Study on Conflicts and Relieving Paths in the Utilization of Forest Resources──Inspiration of the practice of Sino-Netherlands Forest Development Project

The conflicts in the utilization of forest resources refers tothe clashes between the owner anduser produced in the occupation,utilization, handling andbenefits getting of forest, foresttrees, forest land and other forestresources including wild animalsand plants. With the constantincrease of demands for forestresource utilization, the conflictsbetween ma nagement a ndutilization are more and moreconspicuous. In order tounderstand the important roleforestry sub-project 'played in theSino-Nethe…     

The Accounting for Carbon Sequence and Oxygen Release of Forest Resources and the Case Study

The paper reviewed the references of carbon sequence and oxygen release of forest resources. The dynastic physical accounting model is established, and benefit transfer model is adopted to calculate willing to pay for carbon sequence and oxygen. Benghe Forestry Farm of Linyi Prefecture of Shandong Province is selected as the case study area, the accounting result is presented in the paper.     

Characterization of tyrosinase inhibitors in the twigs of Cudrania tricuspidata and their structure–activity relationship study

The twigs of Cudrania tricuspidata were found to show strong tyrosinase inhibitory activity, and further detailed component analysis resulted in the isolation of a new flavanol glucoside, (2S,3S)-2,3-trans-dihydromorin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (1), plus twenty-seven known compounds (2–28). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of ESI-MS and NMR spectral data. Among the isolated compounds, trans-dihydromorin (8), oxyresveratrol (9), and steppogenin (12) were found to exhibit significant tyrosinase inhibition activities. Moreover, the structure–activity relationship of these isolated compounds was also discussed.     

Study on the Value of Forest to Conserve Soil and Water in Beijing

Forest has a strongfunction in storing water, conserving soil and protecting farmland. In the study, based on fleld management and survey, these effects of forest in Beijing were determined and quantified. According to the principles and methodology of environment economics, the values of forest to conserve soil and water were accounted. The result shows that the total value of forest to conserve soil and water in Beijing is as much as 1129.58×10~8 yuan, in which the value of water storage is 1107.92×10~8 yuan, being 98.08% of the total.     

Swedish Forest Owners’ Associations: Establishment and Development After the 1970s

The context under which forest owners’ associations operate has changed dramatically since the first ones were established in the 1910s and 1920s. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of these associations after their establishment particularly since the financial crises at the end of 1970s. The diffusion and merger theories form a conceptual base. The annual reports of the associations are the main data source. The number of forest owners’ associations after 1,985 decreased dramatically and presently is only four. The consolidation can be explained by a wish to achieve increased efficiency through economies of scale and more influence on the wood market. After the financial crises at the end of the 1970s the number of members dropped sharply but has since then increased. Some associations have had significant financial problems. In the 1970s it became apparent that during economic downturns the relatively low proportion of equity made them vulnerable. Return on equity has, on average, during the 2000s been around 7–8 %. One problem for the associations is the risk that larger and more efficient organisations lead to increased “distance” between the associations and their members. Another problem is that the members cannot take advantage of the large value growth. Moreover, there is capital tied up in operations that do not really have any formal ownership.     

Does exceeding the critical loads for nitrogen alter nitrate leaching,the nutrient status of trees and their crown condition at Swiss Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research (LWF) sites?

Nitrogen (N) deposition exceeds the critical loads for this element in most parts of Switzerland apart from the Alps. At 17 sites (8 broadleaved stands, 8 coniferous stands, and 1 mixed stand) of the Swiss Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research network, we are investigating whether N deposition is associated with the N status of the forest ecosystems. N deposition, assessed from throughfall measurements, was related to the following indicators: (1) nitrate leaching below the rooting zone (measured on a subset of 9 sites); (2) the N nutrition of the forest stand based on foliar analyses (16 sites); and (3) crown defoliation, a non specific indicator of tree vitality (all 17 sites). Nitrate leaching ranging from about 2 to 16 kg N ha⁻¹ a⁻¹ was observed at sites subjected to moderate to high total N deposition (>10 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹). The C/N ratio of the soil organic layer, or, when it was not present, of the upper 5 cm of the mineral soil, together with the pool of organic carbon in the soil, played a critical role, as previous studies have also found. In addition, the humus type may need to be considered as well. For instance, little nitrate leaching (<2 kg N ha⁻¹ a⁻¹) was recorded at the Novaggio site, which is subjected to high total N deposition (>30 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹) but characterized by a C/N ratio of 24, large organic C stocks, and a moder humus type. Foliar N concentrations correlated with N deposition in both broadleaved and coniferous stands. In half of the coniferous stands, foliar N concentrations were in the deficiency range. Crown defoliation tended to be negatively correlated with N concentrations in the needles. In the majority of the broadleaved stands, foliar N concentrations were in the optimum nutritional range or, on one beech plot with high total N deposition (>25 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹), above the optimum values. There was no correlation between the crown defoliation of broadleaved trees and foliar concentrations.     

Estimation of biomass,net primary production and net ecosystem production of China's forests based on the 1999–2003 National Forest Inventory

Abstract

The National Forest Inventory (NFI) is an important resource for estimating the national carbon (C) balance. Based on the volume, biomass, annual biomass increment and litterfall of different forest types and the 6th NFI in China, the hyperbolic relationships between them were established and net primary production (NPP) and net ecosystem production (NEP) were estimated accordingly. The results showed that the total biomass, NPP and NEP of China's forests were 5.06 Pg C, 0.68 Pg C year^?1 and 0.21 Pg C year^?1, respectively. The area-weighted mean biomass, NPP and NEP were 35.43 Mg C ha^?1, 4.76 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1 and 1.47 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1 and varied from 13.36 to 79.89 Mg C ha^?1, from 2.13 to 9.15 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1 and from ?0.16 to 5.80 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1, respectively. The carbon sequestration was composed mainly of Betula and Populus forest, subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest and subtropical mixed evergreen–deciduous broadleaved forest, whereas Pinus massoniana forest and P. tabulaeformis forest were carbon sources. This study provides a method to calculate the biomass, NPP and NEP of forest ecosystems using the NFI, and may be useful for evaluating terrestrial carbon balance at regional and global levels.     

Disentangling the effect of topography and microtopography on near-ground growing-season frosts at the boreal-temperate forest ecotone (Québec,Canada)

New Forests - Permanent landscape attributes such as topography (elevation [m]) and microtopography (local variation in elevation [cm]) can increase the risk of cold air drainage down-slopes and in...