Wood-inhabiting Fungi in Tieling,Liaoning Province

1INTRODUCTIONWood-inhabitingfungiofNortheasternChinawerestudiedduringlast10years,andaround300speciesofAphyllophoraleswerefound(DaiYucheng,1996,2000;Hjortstam,Ryvarden,1988).However,mostofthesespecieswererecordedinJilinandHeilongjiangProvince,andthewood-inhabitingfungiinLiaoningProvincearepoorlyknown,especiallyinnorthernLiaoningaround20specieswererecordedonly(LiuZhengnan,etal,1982;ZhangHesheng,1992;ZhaoJiding,ZhangXiaoqing,1992).BythesupportofChineseAcademyofSciencesandNationalNa…     

Degradation in an Afromontane Forest in Highland Ethiopia, 1969–2010

Small-scale Forestry - Increased recognition of forest fragments as integral components of multi-functional landscape mosaics creates opportunity to broaden approaches to forest management in rural...     

Decline in flora diversity and poverty trap in a peri-urban settlement(Ijeun Iukosi village) in Abeokuto, Ogun State,Nigeria

The study examined flora decline in a peri-urban settlement(Ijeun Lukosi village inAbeokuta,Nigeria)and the consequent poverty trap in the village.Respondents were selected by simple random sampling(SRS)with a total of 90 respondents selected, cutting across different age groups and occupations.Ijeun Lukosi village is a stone throw from a Government Secretariat with influx of government employees.The status of flora in the village revealed 34 species of trees and shrubs,36 species of herbs and climbers and 12 species of aquatic plants.Thirty-two families of plants were identified showing the diversity of flora species in the settlement. An influx of people into the settlement changed the pattern of land tenure system from communal and family inheritance to personal ownership of land.This change in land ownership status promoted the destruction of the diversity of loacal flora under private property development.This impacted negatively on the livelihood of respondents.The poverty line was determined to be NAD 2,600 ($17.33)per month,a condition categorized by the World Bank as abject poverty.Over 51%of farming respondents were displaced, including 20%entrepreneurs(artisans)trading in trado-medical herbs derived from the diversity in the flora.The conclusion is drawn that abject poverty encouraged the destruction of flora diversity in the settlement with the poverty trap turning into a cycle and the perpetuation of poverty in the village.It is recommended that the government should put in place programs to alleviate poverty in this and similar areas to protect flora diversity and consequently protect the environment,thereby ensuring the sustenance of rural livelihood.     

Ecotourism in nature reserves in China: current situation, problems and solutions

Our presentation focuses on some important issues associated with ecotourism in nature reserves in mainland China. Conducting ecotourism in certain areas in nature reserves is important for its protection. However, some problems do exist because of special conditions in our society and in the current projects of nature reserves themselves, such as water and air pollution, unplanned construction of roads and facilities, damage of core zones and buffer zones, and confused ownership of nature reserves. These problems are discussed and solutions are proposed in detail, and we emphasize the participation of local communities in order to help residents fight against poverty.     

Farmers’ perceptions of tree mortality, pests and pest management practices in agroforestry in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia

Pest management research within the context of agroforestry is in its infancy, and it is often difficult to say when a particular pest justifies investment in research to establish facts. Understanding the potentials and drawbacks of farmers’ indigenous ecological knowledge (ethnoecology) may form the basis for constructive collaboration between farmers, agroforestry scientists and extension staff. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to (1) assess farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of pests, (2) prioritize pest problems that limit tree planting and maize production based on farmers’ own criteria and (3) to identify farmers’ indigenous pest management practices for priority pests. Data were collected using community meetings, individual interviews and direct observation by the first author. The farmers involved in this study in eastern Zambia had over ten years of experience, while most of the farmers in Mozambique and parts of southern Malawi were new to agroforestry. Farmers perceived insects as the major causes of tree mortality, followed by drought, bush fires and browsing by livestock. Among the biological constraints to maize production, insects (particularly termites and stalk bores) and weeds (particularly Striga asiatica) were more important in farmers’ minds than crop diseases. Fundamentally, the farmers’ perception of the causes of tree mortality and crop pests agreed with researchers’ perceptions and the literature. Both termite and witch weed problems were associated with low soil quality, and farmers use various indigenous control practices to control these pests. Some farmers did not know the causes of tree mortality, and hence do not take action. Farmer’s perception of tree mortality was found to be a function of operator-specific variables such as sex, level of education and years of experience with tree species.     

Dynamics of Betula ermanni population in subalpine vegetation in Changbai Mountain, Northeast China

lntroductionNotonIyaretimberIinesthemostconspicuousvegetationboundaryinhighmountains,buttheyareaIsoanimportantecologicaIboundary(Bruce1996,Thomas1997).NowondersthenthosetimberIineshaveaIwaysattractedresearchersforbothscientificandpracticaIreasons.InChangbaiMountain,forexample,therestorationoftheclimatictimberlineandestabIishmentofanedectiveprotectiveforestarethetWoprincipalobjectivesofhigh-mountainfor-estmanagement.AIsointhisconnection,thepotentiaIresponseoftimberlinestoexpectedclimaticc…     

Changes in and evaluation of surface soil quality in Populus × xiaohei shelterbelts in midwestern Heilongjiang province,China

To examine changes in surface soil quality over time in Populus × xiaohei shelterbelts, we collected soil samples from five shelterbelts of different ages and also from former cropland left fallow for 25 years. Twenty-one surface soil(0–20 cm) properties were measured, and variation in soil quality was assessed using one-way ANOVAs and multiple comparison tests. Based on this analysis, 16 soil indexes were used in a model evaluating soil quality, with each index given weight as determined by the correlation coefficient. Compared with the control, the postmature forest had greater soil moisture content but lower bulk density( P 0.05). The mature forest also had higher soil pH, total organic carbon, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus, and biomass nitrogen content, but reduced nitrate-nitrogen and total phosphorus content than the control( P 0.05). Total porosity was highly positively correlated with aeration, nitrate-nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus, microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass nitrogen. Soil total organic carbon, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass nitrogen were all strongly correlated. In the soil quality evaluation model, total organic carbon was assigned the highest weight and total potassium content the lowest. The soil quality index was lowest in the near-mature forest and greatest in the postmature forest. Generally, soil quality in P opulus × xiaohei shelterbelts varied with age and was higher in the 10–20 cm versus 0–10 cm soil layer. After a single forest generation, surface soil quality was significantly improved.     

Variation in biomass expansion factors for China’s forests in relation to forest type, climate, and stand development

? Context

Biomass expansion factors (BEFs, defined as the ratios of tree component biomass (branch, leaf, aboveground section, root, and whole) to stem biomass) are important parameters for quantifying forest biomass and carbon stock. However, little information is available about possible causes of the variability in BEFs at large scales.

? Aims

We examined whether and how BEFs vary with forest types, climate (mean annual temperature, MAT; mean annual precipitation, MAP), and stand development (stand age and size) at the national scale for China.

? Method

Using our compiled biomass dataset, we calculated values for BEFs and explored their relationships to forest types, climate, and stand development.

? Results

BEFs varied greatly across forest types and functional groups. They were significantly related to climate and stand development (especially tree height). However, the relationships between BEFs and MAT and MAP were generally different in deciduous forests and evergreen forests, and BEF–climate relationships were weaker in deciduous forests than in evergreen forests and pine forests.

? Conclusion

To reduce uncertainties induced by BEFs in estimates of forest biomass and carbon stock, values for BEFs should be applied for a specified forest, and BEF functions with influencing factors (e.g., tree height and climate) should be developed as predictor variables for the specified forest.     

Fuel loads,snag abundance,and snag recruitment in an unmanaged Jeffrey pine–mixed conifer forest in Northwestern Mexico

Management of downed woody fuels and snags (standing dead trees) is receiving increasing attention because of their ecosystem values and effects on potential fire behavior. Research has correlated the abundance of many wildlife species with snags and downed woody material but very little information exists of the abundance and arrangement of these forest structures, particularly in unmanaged forests. Conifer forests in northwestern Mexico have not experienced systematic fire suppression or harvesting making them unique in western North America. In 1998, average snag density in Jeffrey pine–mixed conifer forests in the Sierra San Pedro Martir (SSPM) National Park was 3.95 snags/ha but 35% of inventoried plots had no snags. In 2002, average snag density significantly increased to 5.10 snags/ha after a multiple-year drought. Average surface and ground fuel loads were 15.8 and 8.7 t/ha, respectively. High variability characterized all snag and fuel attributes measured in this forest. This high amount of variation is probably the result of the relatively intact frequent surface fire regime and because no harvesting has occurred in the sampled area. The patchy distribution of snags observed argues against the application of uniform targets for snag retention across similar forested landscapes. An improvement in management guidelines would be to manage for snag density and large fuels over moderate spatial scales (hundreds of hectares) instead of on a per hectare basis. Forest fragmentation and diverse ownerships in many western United States forests complicates this recommendation. Conservation of the forests in the SSPM is critical because it is the last landscape-scale, old-growth mixed conifer forest in western North America with a relatively intact frequent fire regime.     

Temporal change in carbon stocks of cocoa–gliricidia agroforests in Central Sulawesi,Indonesia

In a false-time series, the temporal development of cocoa–gliricidia carbon (C) stocks and soil organic carbon (SOC) were investigated in Napu and Palolo Valleys of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. As a first step, the Functional Branch Analysis (FBA) method was used to develop allometric equations for the above- and below-ground growth of cocoa and gliricidia. FBA resulted in shoot–root ratios of 2.54 and 2.05 for cocoa and gliricidia, respectively. In Napu and Palolo, the trunk diameter and carbon levels per gliricidia tree were always much greater than that of cocoa. The highest aerial carbon levels were attained at year four in Napu (aerial cocoa–gliricidia = 20,745.2 kg C ha⁻¹) and at year five in Palolo (aerial cocoa–gliricidia = 38,857.0 kg C ha⁻¹). After years four or five, however, the reduced stocking density of gliricidia attributed to a loss of aerial C. During the time spans in question, SOC remained fairly stable though slightly decreasing in Napu and slightly increasing in Palolo. The SOC harbored a vastly greater amount of system C (one-half and one-third of SOC in the 0–15 cm stratum in Napu and Palolo, respectively) relative to tree components. Eight years (Napu) or 15 years (Palolo) after conversion of a rainforest to cocoa–gliricidia agroforestry caused an 88% and 87% reduction of aerial C-stocks in Napu and Palolo, respectively.     

Agroforestry systems in the rural landscape – a case study in Garhwal Himalaya, India

A mid altitude (700–1200 m amsl.) village in Garhwal Himalaya was analysed in terms of energy and economic efficiency of different land use-land cover types constituting the landscape. Simultaneous agroforestry, sequential agroforestry, home garden and community forests accounted for 27.47%, 27.47%, 1.1% and 43.96% of the total geographical area of the village. Simultaneous agroforestry is the traditional land use involving substantial input of manure derived from forest litter and animal excreta and was practised on terraced slopes in private ownership. Tree cover in this system was represented by nine species with total average density of 390 trees ha⁻¹, Grewia optiva and Boehmeria rugulosa being the most dominant. Sequential agroforestry system involving slash-burn practice and cultivation on unterraced slopes without tillage and manuring was an illicit land use on community lands where forestry land use is desirable as per the government policy. Per ha annual energy input in simultaneous agroforestry system was 305267 MJ compared to 279 MJ in sequential agroforestry and 27047 MJ in home garden. In monetary terms, highest per ha annual output was obtained from simultaneous agroforestry (Rs 25370, Rs 35 = US$1) followed by home garden (Rs 18200) and sequential agroforestry (Rs 9426). Local food, fodder and fuelwood production was in excess of the local consumption. While most of the surplus food was stored, surplus fodder and fuelwood were sold for cash. Production in simultaneous agroforestry system in private lands was sustained with substantial biomass and nutrient inputs from the community and government forests. Land use-land cover changes in the region are driven by the interaction of ecological, policy and human factors. It is concluded that present policy of treating forests and agriculture as closed and independent ecological or production systems needs to be replaced by an integrated land use policy. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Über die Fichten-Silbermotten (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae, Argyresthiinae) in den Westkarpaten

Three species of the genusArgyresthia Hübner (A. bergiella Ratzeburg,A. amiantella Zeller andA. glabratella Zeller) were studied in Norway spruce forests at an elevation of 380–1550 m in the West Carpathian Mountains (central and western Slovakia). These species have distinct external pupal characteristics and feed marks. They occur together, being more abundant in the middle and upper canopy, and prefer forests at or above 1,000 m, often at the timber line. Their dependence on parent rock was not found. Abundance of these species differed greatly from year to year and any changes in abundance were mostly synchronised at various sites within the same mountain area.A. amiantella was the most abundant species. There is an indication that the outbreaks ofArgyresthia moths on Norway spruce might be short-term.

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Über die Fichten-Silbermotten (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae, Argyresthiinae) in den Westkarpaten

     

Gastrointestinal nematode infection in beef cattle raised in silvopastoral and conventional systems in São Paulo state,Brazil

The use of silvopastoral systems (SPS) can be a good alternative to reduce the environmental impacts of livestock breeding in Brazil. Despite the advantages offered by public policies, many producers hesitate to use this system. One of the reasons is the lack of information on health and productivity of cattle raised under these conditions. The experiment reported here was designed to compare the behavior of infection by gastrointestinal nematodes and weight gain of beef cattle raised in a SPS and a conventional pasture system. We monitored the number of eggs per gram of feces, the prevalent nematode genus, data on climate, forage availability, weight gain and packed cell volume (PCV) of the animals bred in the two systems. The infection by nematodes was significantly higher in the cattle raised in the SPS (p < 0.05). The coprocultures revealed the presence of nematodes of the genera Haemonchus, Cooperia, Oesophagostomum and Trichostrongylus, in both systems, but the mean infestation rates of Haemonchus and Cooperia were higher in the SPS (p < 0.05). The average of PCV values did not differ between the cattle in the two systems. The individual weight gain and stocking rate in the period did not vary between the systems (p > 0.05). Despite the higher prevalence of nematodes in the SPS, no negative impact was detected on the animals’ weight gain and health. The results of this experiment indicate that under the conditions studied, there is no need to alter the parasite management to assure good productive performance of cattle.     

Factors influencing the variability of Mg, Ca and K in waters of a mangrove creek in Bragança, North Brazil

Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and physicochemical parameters were monitored for one year in a mangrove tidal creek near Bragança, North Brazil, to determine their tidally induced and seasonal variations and the main parameters controlling the concentration of these cations. On a daily basis, cation concentrations showed a strong tidal rhythm due to the mixing of estuarine and mangrove waters. Mean concentrations were highest at the end of the dry season (December 1996) and lowest (April 1997) towards the end of the rainy season. Average values over one year were: Na+ = 329± 118mM, K+ = 6.9±2.5mM, Mg++=37 ±14 mM and Ca++= 6.9±2.4mM. Dissolved oxygen concentration was higher during the dry season due to enhanced aquatic primary production, with a maximum daily average value of 8.5mg/L in July 1996, and a minimum value of 4mg/L in June 1997. Cation concentrations were transformed relating them to the respective average values in standard seawater at salinity 35. Although cation concentrations and salinity tightly correlated, this standardization showed that the concentrations of K+, Ca++ and Mg++ did not depend solely on salinity and reflected the seasonal variation in aquatic primary production. It also allowed the discrimination of their sources (marine, riverine and groundwater). Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations indicate that phytoplankton may be regulating the concentration of these cations in the water column indirectly by inducing precipitation through pH increase and directly through metabolic uptake.     

Carbon stocks in a 50‑year‑old Eucalyptus camaldulensis stand in Sicily,Italy

Eucalyptus stands in semi?arid areas may contribute to enhance carbon (C) stocks in both biomass and soil. However, the limited information available is mainly focused on short?rotation plantations. In this study, the above? and below?ground C pools in five 50?year?old Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. stands planted on Miocenic evaporitic deposits in Sicily, Italy, with a xeric and thermic pedoclimate, were measured. Above?ground biomass was determined by partitioning and weighing branches, stem and leaves. Below?ground C pools included the determination of litter, root biomass, and soil organic and inorganic C. In terms of the above?ground biomass, the E. camaldulensis stand accumulated on average 116?Mg ha?1 corresponding to 55?Mg C ha?1. Below?ground biomass consisted mainly of larger roots, followed by fine and medium roots (33?Mg ha?1 corresponding to 14?Mg C ha?1). Litter accumulation on the soil surface accounted for 13?Mg ha?1 corresponding to 5?Mg C ha?1. The amount of C stored in soil was 554?Mg C ha?1, of which 75% was in organic form. Although E. camaldulensis is planted extensively throughout the Southern Hemisphere and tropics where it is managed over short rotations (c. 2–4 years), the results obtained from this study make this species important in terms of future afforestation planning for longer rotations due to its potential to sequester C, particularly in the below?ground components.     

Home garden agrobiodiversity in cultural landscapes in the tropical lowlands of Tabasco,México

We studied whether agrobiodiversity in home gardens reflects the cultural landscapes that embed them. We compared floristic composition, biomass and cover of trees in home gardens between the cultural landscapes on mountain slopes (MSL), small hills (SHL), and floodplains (FPL) in a segment of the Grijalva–Usumacinta watershed in the tropical lowlands of Tabasco, Mexico. We characterized the cultural landscapes based on information obtained through questionnaires, identified species and measured tree height and diameter at breast height in random samples of home gardens from two localities in each case. The cultural landscapes showed distinct land use combinations: MSL comprised subsistence agriculture, pasturelands and forests; SHL pasturelands, some secondary vegetation and industrial agriculture fields; and FPL mainly industrial agriculture fields and pasturelands. Total species richness was greater in MSL than in SHL and FPL. Mean species richness was greater in MSL and SHL (22.4 and 15.8 respectively) than in FPL (7.2), as was the mean number of individuals per home garden (98.2, 94.1 and 20.4. Dominant species in home gardens in FPL and SHL included particular secondary species for each landscape, whereas single or double occurrences of mature forest species were distinctive of home gardens in MSL. Mean biomass was greater in MSL than in SHL and FPL (37.1, 28.2 and 23.7 Mg C ha^?1), as was tree cover (1.06, 0.95 and 0.76 m²/m²). We conclude that agrobiodiversity varies considerably among cultural landscapes and recommend the design of specific policies to enhance its conservation in each of them.     

A 6-year longitudinal study on agrobiodiversity change in homegardens in Tabasco,México

Societal processes of rural change and globalization may change homegardens and their contribution to the conservation of agrobiodiversity, particularly of species occurring naturally in regional vegetation. The best way to determine if this occurs is through longitudinal studies. We conducted such a study, inventorying tree species in a sample of 38 homegardens in 2009, 2012 and 2015. The homegardens were located in the subregions of mountain slopes, fluvial plains and coastal plains in the tropical lowlands of Tabasco, Mexico. We analysed changes in species richness by geographic origin, species richness and species composition in each inventory. We identified 169 tree species in the three inventories, of which 74.6% were native or neotropical and 25.4% introduced. Of the 140 species recorded in 2009, 88% remained in 2015, whereas 12% had been replaced and nine additional species had arrived. Mean species richness increased between 2009 and 2015 (P = 0.03) and between 2012 and 2015 (P = 0.001). Increases resulted from increased mean neotropical (P = 0.01) and introduced (P = 0.01) species richness, and constant native species richness. Differences in species composition between the three subregions in 2009 persisted in 2012 and 2015 (P < 0.001 in all years). These results show how the highly dynamic character of homegardens combines with the renewal and persistence of their agrobiodiversity, and underpins the continued relevance of homegarden for agrobiodiversity conservation and livelihoods in tropical lowlands amidst rural change and globalization.