Land use,deforestation and reforestation in the Zambian Copperbelt

Temporal and spatial changes in land use, vegetation cover, deforestation and reforestation in the Zambian Copperbelt were studied using a combination of aerial photograph analysis, literature review and inquiries among relevant government institutions. The study showed that between 1937 and 1984 loss of natural woodlands in the Copperbelt of Zambia (total area of Copperbelt: 9,615 km²) amounted to 41 per cent woodland area (8,419 km²). The major causes of this deforestation are woodfuel collection (for firewood and charcoal), cultivation and replacement of natural woodland with forest plantations. These accounted for 38 per cent, 37 per cent and 15 per cent of the total deforestation, respectively. Before 1962 the copper mining industry used large quantities of firewood to generate electricity and this resulted in the loss of 150,413 ha of woodland between 1937 and 1961. When the mining industry switched to hydroelectricity, urban households became the major users of woodfuel. The urban population in the Copperbelt increased from 0.412 million in 1960 to 1.400 million in 1984 and its consumption of woodfuel led to the deforestation of at least 89,436 ha between 1962 and 1984. Deforested areas are left to regenerate naturally. However, due to poor management about 34 per cent of the area deforested before 1962 has failed to regenerate. Although 50,200 ha have been reforested with exotic trees, only 5,020 ha of this is on land previously deforested. Thus only about 10 per cent of reforestation efforts have contributed to the rehabilitation of damaged land. Ninety per cent of the reforestation has actually replaced standing indigenous woodland. Uncontrolled bushfires have destroyed forest plantations and have also caused the failure of woodland regeneration in deforested areas. These observations indicate that if forest resources in the Copperbelt of Zambia are to be properly managed it will be necessary:

• 1 to effectively regulate land use changes and;
• 2 to control bushfires.

     

Woodland conservation in eastern England: Comparing the effects of changes in three study areas since 1946

Changes in all woodlands within study areas in Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire between 1946 and 1972/73 are enumerated using air photographs and ground survey. These conformed to national, long-term trends from coppice to high forest management and from native to introduced species. Differences between areas are ascribed to variation in the relative importance of forestry and agriculture. The effects on wildlife and scientific interest were assessed against criteria developed from an historical approach to woodland conservation, and by examining the area of woodland available to species requiring woodland of particular physiognomy and origin. Modern forestry as an alternative to agriculture has probably favoured species which are good colonisers, catholic in their woodland requirements, and/or require conifers. Species which are poor colonisers and/or require broadleaf woodland have probably declined most in those areas where reforestation has been extensive, and have survived best where forestry has been insignificant in relation to agriculture. Since these are the species most highly valued for conservation and because they are correlated in their occurence with features of special scientific interest, modern forestry is judged to have been relatively harmful to conservation values in Eastern England during the study period. However, the net long-term effects of modern forestry on woodland conservation values are difficult to predict, for this depends partly on the fate of woods in areas devoted mainly to agriculture, which are unlikely to be managed by modern forestry methods.     

Effects of conservation agriculture techniques on infiltration and soil water content in Zambia and Zimbabwe

The adoption of conservation agriculture (CA), based on minimal soil movement, permanent soil cover with crop residues or growing plants and crop rotation has advanced rapidly in the Americas and Australia over the last three decades. One of the immediate benefits of CA in dryland agriculture is improved rainfall-use efficiency through increased water infiltration and decreased evaporation from the soil surface, with associated decreases in runoff and soil erosion. This paper focuses on the effect of CA techniques on soil moisture relations in two researcher-managed trials in Zambia and Zimbabwe. In 2005/2006 and 2006/2007, we found significantly higher water infiltration on both sites on CA fields compared to conventionally ploughed fields. At Henderson Research Station, Zimbabwe, on a sandy soil, a direct seeded CA treatments had a 49% and 45% greater infiltration rate than the conventionally tilled plots after a simulated rainfall in both seasons. At Monze Farmer Training Centre, Zambia, on a finer-textured soil, the same treatment had 57% and 87% greater infiltration rate than the conventionally tilled control treatment in both seasons. Treatments that included reduced tillage and surface residue retention had less water runoff and erosion on runoff plots at Henderson Research Station, Zimbabwe. On average, soil moisture was higher throughout the season in most CA treatments than in the conventionally tilled plots. However, the full potential of CA in mitigating drought was not evident as there was no significant drought period in either season. Results suggest that CA has the potential to increase the productivity of rainfall water and therefore reduce the risk of crop failure, as was apparent at the Monze Farmer Training Centre, Zambia, in 2005/2006 when a period of moisture stress at tassling affected CA treatments less than the conventionally tilled treatment.     

Management and conservation of the harbour seal, Phoca vitulina, population in the international wadden sea area

A population assessment of the harbour seal in the international Wadden Sea area was carried out. The results show that the populations in the different areas must be considered as one entity. Therefore management and conservation measurements should be placed in an international context. Because of the low pup production in the Dutch area the survival of a harbour seal population in the Dutch Wadden Sea depends on migration from the adjacent areas as long as adverse environmental factors, i.e. pollution and disturbance, are not under control.     

The role of fragment area and isolation in the conservation of heathland species

Heathland area in the northwestern part of Belgium has been strongly reduced during the past 200 years, and the remaining heathland is forced back into several small and isolated relics. In this study, we investigated how the fragmentation of these heathlands affects the distribution patterns of heathland plant species. Furthermore, we tested whether differences in patch occupancy patterns could be explained in terms of life history traits related to dispersal capacity and persistence. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that the incidence of almost three quarters of the species was influenced by fragmentation. For the majority of these species, isolation was the most important factor determining their presence or absence in a heathland patch. Differences between the species in isolation-sensitivity could be attributed mainly to differences in seed bank characteristics, with species having a long living seed bank being less affected by isolation. In contrast, species having mechanisms facilitating long distance dispersal were as much affected by isolation as species lacking these mechanisms.Our results suggest that for the majority of the species extinction in a patch can be prevented by dispersal from neighbouring patches. Further isolation of the patches should therefore be prevented and connectivity between the patches needs to be assured. As almost none of the species is affected by a declining patch area, for most even small patches are important for their survival. Hence, conservation efforts should focus not only on large heathlands.     

绿化样板淳化县境内水库流域的水土流失

本文首先分析了淳化县水库流域的土壤侵蚀类型和土壤侵蚀特点。在此基础上,提出了水库流域水土保持应抓住4个方面:1、改变地形比降,抬高局部地区侵蚀基准面;2、开展植树种草,扩大植被的覆盖面积;3、改进耕作方式,防止7—9三个月的土壤侵蚀;4、库区土壤侵蚀的防治。     

The genetic structure and conservation of aus, aman and boro rices from Bangladesh

A diverse set of 115 rice varieties from Bangladesh was surveyed using 35 polymorphic RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) markers and the genetic structure of this germplasm, encompassing the principal rice ecotypes of Bangladesh (aus, aman and boro), was determined using multivariate analysis. The level of genetic diversity was evaluated and compared with the levels of diversity found within other rice growing areas of the world. Geographical information systems analysis using Atlas-GIS was employed to analyse and present the geographic distribution of genetic diversity across Bangladesh, and cluster analysis was used to test the efficiency of selection of material for a core collection.     

丹江口库区水土保持生态补偿标准的定量研究

 合理确定生态补偿标准是建立生态补偿机制的关键和难点。以南水北调中线工程水源地丹江口水库为例,通过分析水土保持生态建设成本及生态服务价值,基于效益所得决定成本分担模式,对外部区域应承担的生态补偿标准进行定量核算。结果表明:丹江口水库水土保持生态建设总成本为27.37亿元/a,水土保持生态建设近期项目发挥效用后,在水源区实现的生态服务价值为15.82亿元/a,体现在下游区域生态服务价值为12.85亿元/a,其他区域为4.06亿元/a;按照生态成本构成与生态服务价值受益层面,确定外部区域应承担的生态补偿费用为14.15亿元/a。研究结果可为水土保持生态建设生态效益定量评价提供借鉴,为水源地生态补偿机制的建立提供理论依据。     

The nature of soil erosion and possible conservation strategies in Ntabelanga area,Eastern Cape Province,South Africa

Soil erosion is a major land degradation problem in South Africa (SA) that has economic, social and environmental implications due to both on-site and off-site effects. High rates of soil erosion by water are causing rapid sedimentation of water bodies, ultimately leading to water crisis in SA. Lots of financial and human resources are channelled towards controlling of soil erosion but unfortunately with little success. The level of soil erosion in a particular area is governed by the site properties. Therefore, it is inappropriate to generalize data on soil erosion at a large-scale spatial context. The literature on soil erosion in SA classifies Eastern Cape Province as a high-erosion-potential area using data collected at a large-scale spatial context. Collecting soil erosion data at a large spatial scale ignores site-specific properties that could influence soil erosion and has resulted in failure of many traditional soil erosion control measures applied in the province. Moreover, scientific principles underlying the processes and mechanisms of soil erosion in highly erodible soils are missing in SA. This review was to find effective soil erosion control measures by having an insight on what happens during soil erosion and how soil erosion occurs in Ntabelanga. The literature suggested that erosion in Ntabelanga could be influenced by both the erosivity and erodibility factors though the erodibility factors being more influential. Soil permeability contrast between the horizons could be influencing the rate and nature of soil erosion. To mitigate the impact of soil erosion in Ntabelanga, efforts should aim to improve the vertical flow capacity in the B horizon. Clay spreading, clay delving, addition of gypsum, deep ploughing and mulching could aid the water permeability problems of the subsurface horizons. However for effective soil management and control option, detailed studies of specific site properties are needed. The generated information can assist in formulating soil erosion policies and erosion control strategies in the Ntabelanga area and SA at large.     

水土保持生态建设与保障农村饮水安全

由于自然因素和人为不合理生产活动,晋城市的生态环境恶化,水土流失严重,水质遭受污染,水资源量减少,危及农村饮水安全。通过对市域水土流失现状、水质污染及水量减少的原因分析,提出了科学规划、实施生态建设、加强监督监测等生态环境保护措施。     

Evaluation of spatial distribution of basic farmland conservation area in Yinchuan

为配合新一轮土地整治规划编制及高标准基本农田建设工程,提高基本农田保护区划定质量,该文从基本农田布局的适宜性和协调性两方面构建评价指标与方法体系,利用GIS空间分析技术与互斥性矩阵分类方法,选取银川市新一轮土地利用总体规划确定的基本农田保护区,对其空间布局进行合理性评价,并依据评价结果划分了5种不同类型,分别为高度合理区、一般合理区、保留发展区、缩减调出区以及不合理区,并提出相应管理措施。该研究为基本农田空间布局评价提供了新思路,重点阐述了研究手段与方法,展现了评价与决策的具体过程。通过定量化分析表明,银川市基本农田保护区划定成果较为合理,其中合理区域占保护区总面积的90.76%。     

为什么治理典型地区水土流失还增加

全国第四次水土保持工作会议表彰的治理典型——陕西省的淳化县和长武县以及河南省的(艹渀)河流域,近几年的侵蚀模数都增加了,这应引起高度重视,必须弄清情况,深入到问题的实质中去。有增无减的原因,除了坝库塘堰等工程措施淤死失效和溃决外,就是失策的经营管理和对治理措施的作用机制的认识问题。必须强调,治理措施要建立在防治水土流失的基础上,否则只能是掠夺式的经营,最终自我毁灭。     

Pampas deer conservation with respect to habitat loss and protected area considerations in San Luis, Argentina

Ozotoceros bezoarticus celer is the most endangered subspecies of pampas deer. Although common in the Argentine Pampas 100 years ago, it persists in only two small populations. The largest population has survived due to the rarity of roads, internal farm subdivisions, and the low cattle density. However, habitat condition for this population has changed dramatically in the last 16 years. Five Landsat images (1985, 1992, 1997, 1999, 2001), covering 4608 km², were used to quantify pampas deer habitat loss due to the replacement of natural grassland by exotic pastures and crops. Image classification showed that natural grassland cover was reduced from 84.5 to 37.8% between 1985 and 2001. The annual transformation rate increased significantly from 1.4 to 10.9%. Average paddock size was significantly reduced from 1470 to 873 ha, and the number of paddocks increased from 129 to 227. The land within this area proposed for a national park has not escaped these habitat changes. In the last 6 years the amount of replaced area within the proposed park has increased from 9.1 to 51.1% due to actions by ranchers to avoid inclusion within park boundaries. Three patches of natural grassland still remain within the pampas deer distribution, one of which is the proposed national park. The implementation of a national park is a decisive challenge for the survival of pampas deer and its habitat in Argentina.     

银川市基本农田保护区空间布局合理性评价

为配合新一轮土地整治规划编制及高标准基本农田建设工程,提高基本农田保护区划定质量,该文从基本农田布局的适宜性和协调性两方面构建评价指标与方法体系,利用GIS空间分析技术与互斥性矩阵分类方法,选取银川市新一轮土地利用总体规划确定的基本农田保护区,对其空间布局进行合理性评价,并依据评价结果划分了5种不同类型,分别为高度合理区、一般合理区、保留发展区、缩减调出区以及不合理区,并提出相应管理措施。该研究为基本农田空间布局评价提供了新思路,重点阐述了研究手段与方法,展现了评价与决策的具体过程。通过定量化分析表明,银川市基本农田保护区划定成果较为合理,其中合理区域占保护区总面积的90.76%。     

生态涵养发展区农业景观规划方法及其应用

科学合理的农业景观规划方法是新农村建设体系中的一项核心技术。该研究以北京远郊生态涵养发展区峪口镇为例,在农业景观主导功能分类基础上,基于适宜性评价与实地勘踏访谈等方法,进行农业生产景观、农村聚落景观、农业服务设施景观和农业生态景观专项规划设计,然后按照"农业生态优先、农业生产次之、农业服务设施再次和农业旅游休闲景观最后"的原则,利用景观生态学的"基质——斑块——廊道"组合原理和分区权衡的方法,优化农业景观空间组合,形成研究区农业景观总体布局。研究表明,在峪口镇农业景观规划布局中,农业景观基质为粮菜生产区、经济林果生产区、农业生态保护区等,斑块为农业旅游休闲和农村聚落景观等,廊道为道路、河流、生态缓冲廊道等。该研究结果为区域美丽乡村建设提供了有力的技术手段和科学支撑。     

PAHs in the Soils of a Mature,Mixed-Deciduous (Quercus-Fraxinus) Woodland and the Surrounding Pasture

A survey of PAHs in the soils of a mature,mixed-deciduous woodland and the surrounding pasturewas conducted along two transects. PAH `profiles'were not significantly different in the woodland soilcompared with the pasture. ΣPAH concentrations in thewoodland soil were significantly higher than soil fromthe surrounding pasture by a factor of 1.5–3 (P < 0.01), indicating enhanced deposition of PAHs to thesoil under the canopy via leaf litter, stemflow and/or through-fall. A deposition `edge effect' was onlyobserved at the windward edge of the canopy where thenumber and density of aerial and basal stems washighest (P < 0.05). The influence of predominantwest/south-westerly winds was observable in the lackof an edge effect at the leeward edges, and the higherΣPAH concentrations in the predominantly leewardpasture compared to the windward pasture (P < 0.05).     

红壤侵蚀区水土保持植物配置模式

 为探索中国南方红壤侵蚀严重区水土流失快速治理的方法和途径,在江西省的修水、宁都、石城等县花岗岩发育的红壤侵蚀区,对16种水土保持植物配置模式的植物生长状况、蓄水保土效益、改土增肥效益、经济效益4方面进行观测,通过建立评价模型,对不同人工植物群落配置模式的水土保持效益进行综合定量评价。结果表明:修水试验区马尾松+木荷+胡枝子+黄栀子、马尾松+木荷+泡桐+胡枝子,宁都试验区马尾松+木荷+胡枝子,石城试验区湿地松+枫香+胡枝子+硬骨草、湿地松+胡枝子+硬骨草和湿地松+胡枝子+百喜草配置模式各种效益表现优良,可以在同类地区大力推广。     

保护性耕作对旱作农田耕层土壤肥力及酶活性的影响

通过田间定位试验,研究了不同耕作方式对黄土高原西部旱农区耕层土壤肥力和酶活性的影响。结果表明,秸秆还田可以显著提高 0—5和5—10 cm土层有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、铵态氮、速效磷、速效钾和3种水解酶活性; 10—30 cm 土层仅提高了有机质、全钾和速效钾含量,对其余各养分含量和水解酶活性并无明显影响。免耕降低了0—5、5—10和10—30 cm土层硝态氮含量,但对过氧化氢酶活性有明显促进作用。相关分析表明,土壤有机质、养分和碱性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶活性之间呈极显著相关关系。进一步应用主成分分析表明,土壤有机质、养分和水解酶活性共同反映着黄土高原雨养农区土壤肥力水平的高低。     

Political ecology of wildlife conservation in the Mt. Meru area of Northeast Tanzania

The wildlife conservation problems in Tanzania are examined from a political ecology perspective. The analysis is historical, exploring the establishment of national parks under British colonial rule and the tightening of state control over access to resources at the expense of customary rights. Examples are presented from the Mt. Meru area of north-eastern Tanzania. During the colonial period, the formal political debate over land and resource rights was conducted without the participation of African peasants. After independence the state continued to assert control over resource access unilaterally. As Meru peasants have effectively been shut out of the formal political process, their only recourse for defending the loss of access to natural resources is everyday forms of resistance, including de facto alliances with commercial poachers and ‘foot dragging’ in regards to compliance with conservation laws. Consequently there is little local support for current wildlife conservation policies on Mt. Meru and wildlife populations have declined in the 30 years since Arusha National Park was established there.