基于净初级生产力的关中--天水经济区耕地利用分区研究

耕地净初级生产力(NPP)值越大说明耕地有机生物量越高,其对粮食作物的最终产量起关键作用,因此,研究NPP的变化可为解决粮食安全问题提供重要依据。功能分区是保证土地可持续利用的常用手段,将不同耕地利用模式布局在不同行政区域,可作为地区政府通过管理手段提高产能利用率的有效参照。利用2001—2009年遥感数据,使用遥感估算NPP作为耕地作物生物量代替传统粮食统计数据,通过神经网络算法对关中天水经济区(关天经济区)耕地利用模式进行分区并利用小波神经网络模型对各区的NPP进行预测,得出:(1)关天经济区耕地NPP估算量除2001年外,总量保持在1 600万t,这与粮食统计数据之间的波动规律差异较大,分区中使用NPP数据分区比使用统计数据普适性更强。(2)关天经济区中部和渭河谷地的区县应作为关天经济区农业重点发展地区,率先对其进行精细农业与产业化经营试点的布局。(3)小波神经网络预测显示后6年(2010—2015年)中单位面积NPP上升为主要趋势。该结果证实了在农业作物生物总量短期内难以大幅提高的情况下,在管理上提升农作物能量利用效率是当下缓解耕地安全问题的最有效途径。     

Monitoring land degradation using remote sensing and GIS techniques in an area of the middle Nile Delta,Egypt

Detecting soil degradation and recognizing its various types is a necessity to take the practical measures for combating it as well as conserving and keeping the agricultural soil healthy.     

Processes and mechanisms of desertification in northern China during the last 30 years,with a special reference to the Hunshandake Sandy Land,eastern Inner Mongolia

Desertification has been widely recognized as one of the most serious environmental problems in China, although its concept and causes are still debated in scientific communities. The semi-arid region in northeastern China, located on northern margin of eastern Asian summer monsoon, is ideal for investigating the processes and mechanisms of desertification because of its very sensitive ecosystem. Using the Hunshandake Sandy Land of eastern Inner Mongolia, a former dormant dunes and wetlands environment, we monitored the variation of the desertified land and the wetlands in order to assess the climatic and human impacts on the processes of desertification. The research methods included digital image processing of LANDSAT data and ground checks. The remote sensing data from the last three decades show that the wetlands were larger in 1975 and 1992 than in 1989 and 2001. The variation of the extension of mobile dunes is in inverse proportion to that of wetlands. The main process of desertification is the reactivation of dormant sand dunes. The changes of wetlands and desertified lands correlate considerably well with the variations of local precipitation and temperature, suggesting that climate might be the key factor triggering desertification in the Hunshandake. In other sandy lands of China, however, human activities might be the key factor causing desertification and land degradation.     

Ensemble models of habitat suitability relate chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) conservation to forest and landscape dynamics in Western Africa

Pan troglodytes verus is considered one of the most endangered primates in the world due to habitat loss or degradation, and it is considered extinct in several regions of West-Africa. This study aims at developing a model that predicts habitat suitability for chimpanzee under different land cover scenarios and supports a multi-temporal analysis of the recent habitat evolution in southern Guinea-Bissau. The model, built using a maximum entropy framework, is spatially explicit, uses eco-geographic variables derived from landscape compositional, structural and functional attributes, and is based on nest location data collected in the field. The results show that the developed model has good levels of reliability and the map produced through its application reveals a current extension of 752 km² of adequate habitat in a 2723 km² study area. Forest related EGVs (ecogeographical variables) had the higher importance for the model production. Habitat suitability maps produced for three dates in the last three decades show that there has been a marked decrease in habitat extension and in connectivity to neighbouring regions. We analyse the implications of these results in possible strategies for the conservation of chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau.     

Community and ecosystem consequences of giant knotweed (Polygonum sachalinense) invasion into riparian forests of western Washington, USA

The invasive, non-native herb, giant knotweed (Polygonum sachalinense), is becoming increasingly common in riparian corridors throughout North America and Europe. Despite its prevalence, there has been limited study of its ecological impacts. We investigated the effects of knotweed invasion on the abundance and diversity of forest understory plants, and the quantity and nutrient quality of leaf-litter inputs, in riparian forests in western Washington, USA. Among 39 sampling locations, knotweed stem density ranged from 0 to 8.8 m⁻². Richness and abundance (cover or density) of native herbs, shrubs, and juvenile trees (?3 m tall) were negatively correlated with knotweed density. Where knotweed was present (>5.3 stems m⁻²), litter mass of native species was reduced by 70%. Carbon:nitrogen ratio of knotweed litter was 52:1, a value 38-58% higher than that of native woody species (red alder [Alnus rubra] and willow [Salix spp.]). Resorption of foliar N prior to leaf drop was 76% in knotweed but only 5-33% among native woody species. By displacing native species and reducing nutrient quality of litter inputs, knotweed invasion has the potential to cause long-term changes in the structure and functioning of riparian forests and adjacent aquatic habitats.     

Impacts of land redistribution on land management and productivity in the Ethiopian highlands

The increasing problem of landlessness in Ethiopia has put pressure on regional governments to redistribute land. In 1997 and 1998, a major land redistribution was undertaken in the Amhara Region, reducing landlessness where implemented. While the impacts of such redistributions have been hotly debated, little empirical evidence exists concerning the actual impacts of redistribution. We find that land redistribution in the Amhara Region has had a positive impact on land productivity, by increasing access to land for farmers who are more interested or able to use purchased inputs such as fertilizer and herbicides. Our results, however, do not show much effect of the recent land redistribution or expectations of future redistribution on land improvement and management. Thus, to the extent that investments in land improvement are necessary for conservation purposes, it appears that policy change to stop land redistributions is unlikely to have a substantial impact on reducing land degradation. Credit and extension programmes and improving land rental markets, however, present better strategies for improving land management in this region of Ethiopia. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

三峡库首地区移民安置区不同利用方式土壤肥力和土地生产力调查

三峡工程蓄水、移民搬迁及土地利用方式改变将对库首地区土壤肥力、土地生产力和当地农业生产活动产生长期潜在影响。本研究对移民安置期间三峡库首地区秭归、兴山、巴东和夷陵等县区农田、果园和茶园3种利用方式的85个样点土壤的肥力状况进行了采样调查,并对当地土地生产力和移民经济收入状况等进行了统计分析。结果表明:三峡工程蓄水后,库首地区农田土壤肥力水平较高,果园土壤其次,而茶园土壤肥力水平偏低;在蓄水和移民搬迁同时,当地加大农业投入,尤其是加大果园和茶园的肥料投入,以保证农业生产发展需求;受蓄水和移民搬迁影响,库首地区3县粮食总产和单产均有所降低,其中秭归县受到影响较大,但库首各县的粮食生产在三峡蓄水后总体保持稳定;库首地区各县,尤其是秭归县的柑橘和蔬菜种植面积和产量保持逐年提高趋势,该地区的优势产业保持稳步发展,土地生产力未受到明显影响;柑橘经济效益显著高于茶园和农作物,移民安置期间,秭归、兴山县人均纯收入保持逐年上升态势,库首地区农村的经济水平保持稳步增长。     

Effects of land use and landscape on spatial distribution and morphological features of gullies in an agropastoral area in Sardinia (Italy)

According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), soil erosion is one of the main causes of desertification in the Northern Mediterranean. Recently, the role of channelled erosion in sediment delivery has been underlined by several studies. The aim of this paper is to describe a simplified experimental methodology settled up for studying the relationships between gully erosion and land use.The experimental site, which is wide about 720 ha, is located in a hilly area threatened by desertification in Central Eastern Sardinia (Italy). This area is characterised by irregular morphology with steep slopes, where agropastoral activities, particularly tillage with heavy machinery and overgrazing, are causing severe soil erosion and compromising agricultural productivity. Previous studies carried out in the same area highlighted the need to quantify and monitor soil erosion in order to outline management guidelines for farmers. In this study, an integrated methodology that uses aerial photographs and field surveys was applied to inventory the gullies of the area. The degree of activity and morphological characteristics of gullies were assessed in the field by measuring the position and shape of gully heads, and their width and depth. Total gully volume was also estimated. Relationships among distribution, density and morphological characteristics of gullies, and geomorphological features, land use and land use historical dynamics of the area have been studied. The results show the very significant impact of agricultural activities on gully activity and density.     

Tracking the structural and functional development of a perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium L.) infestation using a multi-year archive of webcam imagery and eddy covariance measurements

The continued spread of invasive weeds is threatening ecosystem health throughout North America. Understanding the relationships between invasive weeds’ key phenological phases and structural and/or functional canopy development is an essential step for making informed decisions regarding their management. We analyzed a three-year image archive obtained from an inexpensive webcam overlooking a perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium L.) infestation in California to explore the ability of red (R)-green (G)-blue (B) color space information to track the structural and functional development of the pepperweed. We characterized structural and functional canopy development through surface roughness length (z_0m; a proxy for canopy height and leaf area index) and canopy photosynthesis (F_A), respectively, both of which we derived from eddy covariance measurements. Here we demonstrate the use of cross-correlation functions to determine the temporal lags between chromatic coordinates and two color indices, all calculated from RGB brightness levels, with z_0m and F_A. We found that these color metrics fail to represent the structural and/or functional state of the canopy. In contrast, relative luminance (CIE Y) appears to be a better indicator for z_0m and especially for F_A. We calculated CIE Y from pepperweed RGB brightness levels in relation to hypothetical horizontal reference RGB brightness levels. We obtained the latter by applying the ratio between horizontally measured and hypothetical incoming solar radiation on a vertical surface to RGB brightness levels of a vertically oriented reference of invariant light-grey color. We conclude that webcam image archives may provide an inexpensive tool for making informed decisions regarding the timing but not for assessing the effectiveness of invasive plant control measures such as mowing.     

Soil carbon and nitrogen sequestration following the conversion of cropland to alfalfa forage land in northwest China

Soil C and N contents play a crucial role in sustaining soil quality and environmental quality. The conversion of annually cultivated land to forage grasses has potential to increase C and N sequestration. The objective of this study was to investigate the short-term changes in soil organic C (SOC) and N pools after annual crops were converted to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. Algonguin) forage for 4 years. Soil from 24 sets of paired sites, alfalfa field versus adjacent cropland, were sampled at depths of 0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm. Total soil organic C and N, particulate organic matter (POM) C and N were determined. Organic C, total N, POM-C, and POM-N contents in the 0–5 cm layer were significantly greater in alfalfa field than in adjacent cropland. However, when the entire 0–20 cm layer was considered, there were significant differences in SOC, POM-C and POM-N but not in total N between alfalfa and crop soils. Also, greater differences in POM-C and POM-N were between the two land-use treatments than in SOC and total N were found. Across all sites, SOC and total N in the 0–20 cm profile averaged 22.1 Mg C ha⁻¹ and 2.3 Mg N ha⁻¹ for alfalfa soils, and 19.8 Mg C ha⁻¹and 2.2 Mg N ha⁻¹ for adjacent crop soils. Estimated C sequestration rate (0–20 cm) following crops to alfalfa conversions averaged 0.57 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Sandy soils have more significant C accumulation than silt loam soils after conversion. The result of this suggests that the soils studied have great C sequestration potential, and the conversion of crops to alfalfa should be widely used to sequester C and improve soil quality in this region.     

Invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus) cause mass mortality of freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) in tropical Australia

Invasive species are frequently blamed for faunal declines, but there is little direct evidence about the pathways, magnitude and size-selectivity of mortality induced by invaders. Top predators are of particular interest in this context, because their removal can generate substantial cascades of secondary effects on community composition. Cane toads (Bufo marinus) are large South American anurans currently spreading rapidly through tropical Australia. Native predators that attempt to consume these highly toxic toads may die as a result. During surveys of the Victoria River in the semi-arid tropical region of the Northern Territory, we documented massive mortality of freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) at the toad invasion front. Dead crocodiles spanned a wide size range (0.6-2.1 m long) but with significant biases; intermediate-sized animals (0.6-1.5 m long) were more likely to be found dead. Population densities of crocodiles plummeted by as much as 77% following toad invasion, and population size-structures changed. The negative impacts of toads on crocodiles appear to be greater in these hot semi-arid landscapes than in cooler, higher rainfall areas where crocodiles have access to a wider prey base, and the toads are less prone to desiccation and can rehydrate in small, scattered water bodies rather than in the main river. Hence, the impact of cane toad invasion on this top predator may increase with increasing aridity.     

Phosphorus skipping effect on productivity,profitability and sustainability of rice-wheat cropping systems in Indo-Gangetic plains of India

A field experiment was conducted for eight years at ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, Haryana, India to study the skipping effect of P application on productivity, profitability and sustainability of rice-wheat cropping system. Rice yield and biomass were 8.35% and 6.6% higher where cowpea was grown after wheat compared to rice-vegetable pea-wheat crop sequence, respectively. Phosphorus application to rice or wheat or both crops exhibited at par rice grain yield, biomass, harvest index. Phosphorus application to both crops or only in rice crop produced maximum and significantly higher wheat yield (4.62 t ha^?1) as compared to P application only to wheat (4.48 t ha^?1). Eight years growing of green gram, cowpea and vegetable pea increased the organic carbon content 42.89, 16.38 and 4.57 %, respectively compared to the initial level. Skipping of P to either crop, by considering 13.5 million ha rice-wheat area, will save approximately Rs 40,500 million (Rs = Indian rupee) or US $ 623 million ($ = Rs 65) per year. Air pollution may be checked, due to saving on diesel in transportation of P fertilizer, to the tune of 60,383 tonnes of CO₂ per year by reducing emission of one of important global warming gas.     

Determining the extent and spectral separability of industrially despoiled land in South Wales from satellite sensor data

Satellite remote sensing offers the potential to accurately identify and monitor spectrally separable land-cover classes at a range of spatial and temporal scales. This paper investigates the separability of despoiled land in imagery acquired by sensors carried by the Landsat satellites. These systems offer the opportunity to map areas at large to medium scales at a relatively high temporal frequency and so provide information on environmental quality necessary for many monitoring and planning activities. From an investigation using imagery of South Wales it was found that despoiled land was separable from other classes in the Landsat TM imagery, with an accuracy of over 90 per cent. Furthermore, with Landsat TM data three spectral wavebands were found to provide a level of separability similar to that based on all wavebands available, illustrating potential savings to the analyst. Despoiled land cover was classified from Landsat TM and MSS data and these classifications were evaluated against a manually produced map of despoiled land cover derived from the interpretation of aerial photographs. Estimates of the extent of despoiled land cover in administrative units derived from the Landsat TM data were significantly correlated (r = 0.81) with the map based estimates, although a weaker correlation was observed with Landsat MSS data.     

基于GIS与RS的退耕还林生态补偿金的确定

中国自实施退耕还林生态补偿政策以来,执行分长江南北两种不同的补偿政策,生态补偿并未考虑退耕还林微观地理区位及造林质量的差异。"一刀切"虽具有统一简化的优点,却忽视了实际存在的造林质量及林地地形、土壤、气候等诸多因素,补偿标准不尽合理。该文为了探讨退耕还林补偿金的合理标准,以张家口地区为研究区,应用遥感(RS)、地理信息系统(GIS)等数据,建立了退耕还林生态补偿体系。结果表明:张家口地区各区县中,单位面积退耕还林补偿系数最高的是尚义县(0.082),退耕还林补偿系数最低是怀来县(0.036),各县单位面积退耕还林补偿系数的差距较大。该文结果为生态补偿金的科学、合理分配提供参考。     

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 km² (35%) across the whole island, and by 6.3 km² (7%) in the locality of the sole remaining gibbon population at Bawangling National Nature Reserve. The forest patches large enough (>1 km²) to support a gibbon group decreased from 754 km² to 316 km² 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.     

基于RS与GIS唐山市城镇扩展对耕地产能影响的定量评估

分析研究当前区域性耕地资源数量与质量的变化格局和态势,定量评估城镇扩展对耕地产能的影响,具有重要的理论和现实意义。以唐山市1993年和2003年两期Landsat TM/ETM遥感影像为主要数据,运用Erdas软件进行人机交互解译,并借助GIS软件分析城镇扩展对耕地面积和空间分布的影响。基于农用地分等成果为基础,通过典型调查,建立耕地利用等指数和耕地实际产量的回归模型,定量估算10 a间城镇建设用地扩展对耕地产能造成的损失。研究表明10 a来唐山市建设用地总量迅速扩展,主要增加源为耕地,城镇建设用地扩展占用耕地的面积达14.27×103 hm2,主要分布于丰润区和丰南区,即1993－2003年间唐山市城镇发展方向主要为南北双向扩展,该两区产能损失分别占全市总损失产能的41.88%与37.97%,且城镇扩展占用的多是7等以上城镇周边农业基础设施好、生产力水平较高的农田,损失产能达1.35×105 t,对区域农业生产和粮食安全产生了不容忽视的影响。     

Rapid eradication of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) from Santa Cruz Island, California

Eradication of invasive alien species from islands is often necessary to protect native biota. The rapidity in which eradication projects are implemented can help reduce risk they will fail. We describe the eradication of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) from Santa Cruz Island, California, highlighting those control techniques that removed the most pigs and those that removed the last pigs. In 411 days, a total of 5036 pigs were removed from the 25,000-ha island. Before the eradication began, the island was fenced into five zones. Within each zone, the same general sequence of control methods was used: trapping (16% of dispatches in 1660 trap-nights); aerial shooting from a helicopter (77% of dispatches in 13,822 km of flight path); and then ground-based hunting with trained dogs (5% of dispatches in 1111 hunter-days). Sterilized adult pigs fitted with radio collars were subsequently used to aid in the location of surviving wild pigs and to monitor the success of the project. Female telemetered pigs were more effective than males at locating remaining wild pigs. Only 10% of the last 102 pigs (the last 20 or so present in each fenced zone) were dispatched as a result of being found with a telemetered pig, but telemetered animals were responsible for finding 43% of the very last pigs once normal hunting had ceased. The time taken to eradicate pigs on Santa Cruz Island was about half that taken on a neighbouring island of similar size (Santa Rosa Island) and 12 times as fast as that on Santiago Island (58,465 ha), Galapagos Islands. The deliberate sequencing of control methods, using first those that taught surviving pigs the least, and the intensive implementation of those methods, represent important advances in the practice of eradication and so biodiversity conservation.     

Effects of different land use on soil chemical properties, decomposition rate and earthworm communities in tropical Mexico

The effects of land use on soil chemical properties were evaluated, and earthworm communities and the decomposition rate of three typical land use systems in tropical Mexico, namely banana plantations (B), agroforestry systems (AF) and a successional forest (S) were compared.The study was carried out from November 2005 to April 2006. A completely randomized sampling design was established in six sites (B1, B2, AF1, AF2, S1 and S2). Soil properties and chemical characteristics (texture, pH, organic carbon (Corg), nutrients, and available Zn and Mn), earthworm communities and the decomposition of Bravaisia integerrima and Musa acuminata litter were analyzed over a period of 8 weeks.All soils were loamy clays with a medium to high content of nutrients. Three principal clusters were generated with the soil chemical properties: a first cluster for forest soils with high Corg and Ntot and low available Zn content, a second cluster for AF1 and a third cluster for B1, B2 and A2.The decomposition of B. integerrima litter was significantly faster (half-life time: 1.8 (AF2)–3.1 (B1) weeks) than that of M. acuminata (4.1 (AF2)–5.8 (S2) weeks). However, the decomposition rates did not differ significantly among the different sites.The greatest earthworm diversities were observed in AF2 and B1. Native species were dominant in the forest soils, whereas exotic species dominated in AF and in the banana plantations. The abundance and biomass of certain earthworm species were correlated to physical and chemical soil parameters. However, litter decomposition rates were not correlated with any of the soil physical–chemical parameters.While none of the land use systems studied led to a decrease in nutrient status, earthworm biodiversity and abundance, or in litter decomposition rate, they did result in a change in earthworm species composition.     

Population viability of the narrow endemic Helianthemum juliae (CISTACEAE) in relation to climate variability

Narrow endemic plants are highly vulnerable to extinction as a result of human disturbance and climate change. We investigated the factors affecting the population viability of Helianthemum juliae, a perennial plant endemic to the Teide National Park on Tenerife, Canary Islands. One population was demographically monitored from 1992 to 2001 and analysed using matrix projection models to determine finite rates of increase and critical stages in the life cycle. Lambda values varied between 0.697 and 1.740, and were highly positively correlated with annual precipitation, but not with temperature. Survival of adults had the highest elasticity, and summed elasticities of the growth and fecundity transitions correlated positively with lambda and precipitation. Most of the mortality in the population seemed drought-related, and no other threats were identified. Deterministic simulations showed population increase, but introducing environmental stochasticity by modelling variation in precipitation from existing data of the past 85 years revealed high extinction probabilities (0.74-0.83 in the next 100 years). This plant is likely to be at risk under scenarios of global warming. Our simulations suggest that augmenting the population would only delay extinction. A more viable option for long-term conservation seems to be the introduction of populations at more humid locations within the Teide caldera.     

Diversity declines in Microstegium vimineum (Japanese stiltgrass) patches

The spread of invasive plant species and their impacts on plant communities have received international attention as global trade and global environmental change enhance the colonization and establishment of introduced species and threaten the integrity of native ecosystems. Because introduced species vary in their impact, studying the relationship between invasion and native communities is necessary to guide allocation of finite management resources. By studying adjacent pairs of invaded and uninvaded plots across an eastern United States forested landscape, we demonstrate Microstegium vimineum was associated with local declines in species richness and cover of native species. Negative impacts of M. vimineum on species richness did not emerge until August when M. vimineum cover and height were greatest, highlighting the value of following study subjects through the growing season. In contrast, native species cover was already lower in invaded plots early in the growing season. M. vimineum invasion was not the only important driver of species richness and community composition within the study region; abiotic environmental gradients, such as soil nitrate concentration and pH, across the six study sites were also important in affecting species richness and cover, but lessened in explanatory power through the growing season. We conclude that M. vimineum has effects on community structure that may have long-term consequences for biodiversity. Studies which track sites through time and consider multiple scales are required as invaders impact multiple biotic and abiotic factors operating at different spatial and temporal scales.