Conserve or convert? Pan-tropical modeling of REDD–bioenergy competition

The land competition between tropical bioenergy plantations and payments for forest carbon conservation (e.g., through an international scheme for Reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, REDD+) is modeled using spatially explicit data on biofuel feedstock (oil palm and sugar cane) suitability and forest biomass carbon stocks. The results show that a price on the (avoided) carbon emissions from deforestation at the same level as those from fossil fuel use makes clearing for high yielding bioenergy crops unprofitable on about 60% of the tropical evergreen forest area. For the remaining 40% deforestation remains the most profitable option. Continued profitability of forest clearing is most pronounced for oil palm bioenergy systems in Latin America and Africa, with REDD+ making deforestation for sugar cane plantations unprofitable on 97% of evergreen forest land. Results are shown to be relatively robust to assumptions regarding potential yields and to the addition of a ‘biodiversity premium’ on land use change emissions. While REDD+ may play an important role in stemming biodiversity loss and reducing carbon emissions from tropical deforestation in the near future, in the longer run reliance on a system that values forests solely for their carbon retention capacities poses a serious risk. It is imperative that the institutions and policies currently being established as part of REDD+ readiness activities are resilient to future changes in the incentive structures facing tropical forest countries due to, e.g., climate policy induced demand for biofuels.     

Forest conversion and provision of ecosystem services in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The importance of quantifying existing ecosystem services, assessing the impacts of various land use decisions and ultimately evaluating the overall costs and benefits of different land use patterns having internalized ecosystem services, is now widely recognized and such work is at the forefront of current landscape management planning. We aim to quantify ecosystem services derived from different land uses within the Atibainha Reservoir catchment in Brazil, determine the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and quantify the impacts of land use changes on the provision of ecosystem services. Four ecosystem services were considered: carbon sequestration, mitigation of sediment delivery into the reservoir, purification of water and maintenance of soil fertility. Results indicate strong increase in the provision of ecosystem services among the main land uses in the following order: urban area/bare soil; pastures; plantation of eucalyptus and native forests. The most important services provided by native forests, when compared with bare soil, were carbon sequestration and prevention of sedimentation, with an additional 864 569 tons of carbon stored in forest biomass in 30 years, and prevention of 244 511 tons of sediment delivery into the reservoir per year, respectively, from 7624 ha of lands around the reservoir. Spatial variation in the provision of ecosystem services were mapped to develop a tool to support decision making at the landscape scale. Results and maps from the decision support tool can support policies that ensure effective land‐use planning and can serve as the basis for the development of payment for ecosystem service schemes in the region. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tropical forests: Their past,present, and potential future role in the terrestrial carbon budget

In this paper we review results of research to summarize the state-of-knowledge of the past, present, and potential future roles of tropical forests in the global C cycle. In the pre-industrial period (ca. 1850), the flux from changes in tropical land use amounted to a small C source of about 0.06 Pg yr^?1. By 1990, the C source had increased to 1.7 ± 0.5 Pg yr^?1. The C pools in forest vegetation and soils in 1990 was estimated to be 159 Pg and 216 Pg, respectively. No concrete evidence is available for predicting how tropical forest ecosystems are likely to respond to CO₂ enrichment and/or climate change. However, C sources from continuing deforestation are likely to overwhelm any change in C fluxes unless land management efforts become more aggressive. Future changes in land use under a “business as usual” scenario could release 41–77 Pg C over the next 60 yr. Carbon fluxes from losses in tropical forests may be lessened by aggressively pursued agricultural and forestry measures. These measures could reduce the magnitude of the tropical C source by 50 Pg by the year 2050. Policies to mitigate C losses must be multiple and concurrent, including reform of forestry, land tenure, and agricultural policies, forest protection, promotion of on-farm forestry, and establishment of plantations on non-forested lands. Policies should support improved agricultural productivity, especially replacing non-traditional slash-and-burn agriculture with more sustainable and appropriate approaches.     

Human modification of stream valleys in the western plateau of São Paulo,Brazil: implications for environmental narratives and management

Deforestation, agricultural land uses and urbanization have altered stream channels and floodplains in many regions of the world, yet occurrences of post‐settlement alluvium (PSA) and benchmark pre‐settlement horizons (Palaeosols) are unreported in many tropical and subtropical developing countries. Twentieth century land uses, motivated strongly by state subsidies in the cases of coffee and cotton cultivation and soy – wheat double cropping, caused soil erosion and the corresponding formation of PSA and stream‐channel changes in small catchments of the Western Plateau of São Paulo State, Brazil. Analysis of land‐use changes suggests necessary alteration of regional environmental management for restoration planning, water quality monitoring and control of gully erosion. Narratives of regional environmental change should address the impacts of agropastoral land uses on soil and water resources, rather than concentrating on deforestation and forest land cover. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Land use change and land degradation in China from 1991 to 2001

China has long been experiencing intense land use/cover changes (LUCC). Undesirable land use/cover changes have resulted in widespread land degradation. This study examines the temporal and spatial dynamics of land use change and land degradation as evident from land use survey datasets (1991–2001). Six prominent land degradation processes were identified, namely: desertification, secondary salinisation, loss of agricultural use, deforestation, grassland degradation and loss of wetland. Rates of conversion were calculated and distribution patterns were mapped with the aid of GIS. The results showed that these land use changes have affected the wider environment and accelerated land degradation. It provided a more complete and up‐to‐date picture of China's land degradation which helps to develop improved conservation policies that combat land degradation and promote sustainable land management. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil information for agricultural decision making: a New Zealand perspective

Understanding of the soil resource is pivotal to our ability to use, manage and modify soils effectively and responsibly. Yet those who make the most decisions concerning soil use and management – farmers and landholders – rarely have access to reliable soil information at scales suitable for farm decision making. By default, many rely on limited local soil knowledge when making decisions that determine farm performance and environmental impact. Providing detailed nationwide soil information that is appropriate for farm decision making is feasible, as demonstrated by the achievements of several European countries and the USA. For New Zealand, a stratified programme at scales of 1:10 000 for versatile land; 1:25 000 for other agricultural land; and 1:50 000 for non‐domesticated land, would cost NZD $280 million, or NZD $11.2 million per year if spread over the useful life of the information. This investment is small relative to the economic value of agriculture, and necessary if New Zealand is to make meaningful advances in reducing current agri‐environmental trends.     

Mixed tree‐vegetative barrier designs: experiences from project works in northern Vietnam

There has been an increased interest in the use of vegetative barriers in acid‐infertile upland management systems in Southeast Asia. This paper analyses the experimental designs and policies in early‐1990s of using vetiver grass barriers (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) in microwatersheds with short‐rotation tree plantations in Vinh Phu Province, Vietnam. Four different mixed tree‐vetiver models on degraded Ferric‐Plinthic Acrisols are discussed. It is concluded that the institutional approach of demonstrating vetiver barriers as a model had a poor cost‐wise performance, and that the model itself did not address the underlying issues of land degradation due to uncontrolled harvest of organic matter from the forest floors. The institutional approach was tainted with price distortions and ‘disbursement‐oriented’ actions. Alternative and more flexible on‐farm approaches, using V. zizanioides or the indigenous leguminous shrub Tephrosia candida (Roxb.) DC as vegetative barriers, were found to be more cost‐effective and likely to have a higher rate of adoption among farmers. The institutional changes in land allocation policies (securing long‐term usufruct users and transfer rights of agricultural and forest land) that took place in Vietnam in the early 1990s, in combination with a reorientation of programme policies to support needs of individuals and farmers' households, are hypothesized to have contributed more to the ‘regreening’ of the hills, than any single approaches of technical barrier designs by the Swedish‐Vietnamese Forestry Co‐operation Programme (FCP) in northern Vietnam. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

诺敏河流域土地利用与覆被变化及其对水文过程的影响

流域土地利用/覆被变化及其水文效应是当前全球变化研究的重要内容.为正确认识大兴安岭森林采伐对水文过程的影响,以诺敏河流域为例,在遥感和地理信息系统技术支持下,结合地形图和卫星遥感影像数据,获取1954-2005年诺敏河流域5期土地利用/覆被数据,在GIS空间分析模块下分析诺敏河流域土地利用/覆被变化过程,并探讨土地利用/覆被变化对水文过程的影响.结果表明,近50 a诺敏河流域土地利用方式发生了明显变化,林地和草地分别减少1 940.1 km2和748.99 km2,与林草地的大面积减少相对应,耕地面积增加2 741.7 km2.自1998年实施大兴安岭天然林保护工程以后,林地采伐和耕地开垦速率明显降低;土地利用/覆被变化影响年径流量,林地大规模减少、耕地明显增加的后期土地利用较前期径流量有所增加,且随着降雨的增多,土地利用变化对径流的影响效应随之增强.同一降雨条件下土地利用/覆被变化对径流的影响在生长季具有明显差异.     

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.

     

四川省土壤侵蚀与土地退化研究

四川省的土壤侵蚀是造成土地退化的主要原因,全省水土流失面积20.0万km~2,以水力侵蚀为主.土地退化的主要类型有土壤退化、土地石质化、土地沙质化和土地沙石化,全省沙质荒漠化面积达95.14万hm~2.毁林垦殖、滥伐森林、工矿生产污染是造成土壤侵蚀、土地退化加剧的主要原因.     

Extent and characterisation of salt‐affected soils in Iran and strategies for their amelioration and management

Salinisation of land resources is a major impediment to their optimal utilisation in many arid and semi‐arid regions of the world including Iran. Estimates suggest that about 34 million ha, including 4·1 million ha of the irrigated land, are salt‐affected in Iran as the consequence of naturally occurring phenomena and anthropogenic activities. The annual economic losses due to salinisation in the country are more than US$ 1 billion. With variable levels of success, different approaches—salt leaching and drainage interventions, crop‐based management, chemical amendments and fertilisers and integrated application of these approaches—have been used to enhance the productivity of salt‐affected soils in the Country. From sustainable management perspective, it is revealed from the past research that integrated salinity management and mitigation approaches have the potential to successfully address the complex problems of salt‐induced land degradation in Iran. As the growing need to produce more food and fibre for the expanding Iranian population necessitates the increased use of salt‐affected land resources in the foreseeable future, there is an urgent need to develop and implement a pertinent National Strategic Plan. In addition to establishing networks for monitoring spatial and temporal changes in soil salinity and water quality, this plan should integrate the management of salt‐affected environments into the overall management of land and water resources in the country. It should also address different management aspects of salt‐affected land resources in a holistic manner by considering the biophysical and environmental conditions of the target areas as well as livelihoods of the affected communities. The involvement of the communities will facilitate in developing a greater understanding about the potential uses and markets of the agricultural products produced from salt‐affected areas. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil chemical and biological characteristics influence mineralization processes in different stands of a tropical wetland

In the Caribbean, Pterocarpus officinalis swamp forest, a coastal freshwater wetland, has been locally transformed by human activities into Colocasia esculenta monoculture (under the swamp forest) or pasture (where deforestation has occurred). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of three land uses of this tropical wetland (swamp forest, C. esculenta monoculture and pasture) on soil abiotic and biological features. We hypothesized that increasing the level of ecosystem alteration by agricultural intensification would negatively impact soil chemical characteristics, soil fauna diversity and carbon mineralization. As expected, land use significantly affected soil characteristics and changes followed the increasing intensity of land use. The ‘undisturbed system’, that is swamp forest, was characterized by a large soil organic matter content, a high level of soil moisture, a small phosphorus content and a slightly lower pH. These characteristics were correlated with a small faunal abundance and diversity and slow carbon (C) mineralization. The ‘low disturbance system’, that is C. esculenta monoculture, was the closest to swamp forest characteristics and changes between the both systems principally concerned a very slight decrease in organic matter content and very small increase in C mineralization and Coleoptera diversity. By contrast, all parameters (soil chemical characteristics, C mineralization and faunal abundance and diversity) were impacted in the most intensive land‐use, pasture. Our study confirmed that agricultural practices have an influence on soil fauna and C mineralization processes in wetlands. Moreover, our study suggested that a C. esculenta traditional agroecosystem under swamp forest cover could be considered as an ‘eco‐friendly’ agricultural practice.     

Desertification in north China: background,anthropogenic impacts and failures in combating it

Desertification in north China is ongoing despite the endeavours to mitigate it over the past 50 years. Overall examination of the context of desertification and defects of desertification‐combating programmes is a prerequisite for desertification control, which is now attracting general concern in China. The physiographic circumstances of north China, including the dry, continental, mid‐latitude climate, easily erodible soil surface and water shortage, provide the background to desertification. Climatic aridity and the evolution of land use and land management in recent decades have produced great stress on the land. The ineffectiveness of anti‐desertification measures ascribed to inadequate scientific involvement in decision‐making, neglect of the human dimension and the lack of a well‐organized desertification monitoring system are discussed in this paper. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同土地利用方式对棕壤有机氮组分及其剖面分布的影响

研究了典型棕壤不同土地利用方式对有机氮组分及剖面分布的影响。结果表明,三种利用方式对耕层(020.cm)有机氮各组分影响最大。有机氮各组分含量总体趋势为林地柞树林地耕地,林地与柞树林地有机氮组分都是随剖面的加深而降低且基本达显著水平,耕地有机氮各组分在剖面中分布则明显不同。三种利用方式下土壤有机氮组分均以酸解性氮占主体,其占全氮的比例随利用程度的加强和剖面的加深而降低,非酸解性氮则相反。有机氮各组分占酸解氮的比例林地与柞树林地相同,均为氨基酸氮酸解未知态氮酸解氨态氮氨基糖氮;耕地为酸解未知态氮氨基酸态氮酸解氨态氮氨基糖态氮,其中酸解氨态氮的比例在040.cm土层明显高于林地、柞树林地。     

Mapping and monitoring land degradation risks in the Western Brazilian Amazon using multitemporal Landsat TM/ETM+ images

Mapping and monitoring land degradation in areas under human‐induced stresses have become urgent tasks in remote sensing whose importance has not yet been fully appreciated. In this study, a surface cover index (SCI) is developed to evaluate and map potential land degradation risks associated with deforestation and accompanying soil erosion in a Western Brazilian Amazon rural settlement study area. The relationships between land‐use and land‐cover (LULC) types and land degradation risks as well as the impacts of LULC change on land degradation are examined. This research indicates that remotely sensed data can be effectively used for identification and mapping of land degradation risks and monitoring of land degradation changes in the study area. Sites covered by mature forest and advanced successional forests have low land degradation risk potential, while some types of initial successional forests, agroforestry/perennial agriculture and pasture have higher risk potential. Deforestation and associated soil erosion are major causes leading to land degradation, while vegetation regrowth reduces such problems. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Large‐scale soil maps and a supplementary database for land use planning in Estonia

A soil map at the scale 1:10,000 serves as a major important document for land owners and local governments, which allows them to use soil information in their daily activity. The intensity of exploitation of soil maps will increase when the very map and its legend are supplemented, within colored and indexed polygons, with information about soil texture and reaction by layers, but also about the thickness and characterization of the epipedon, quality indices for soil assessment, classes of stoniness, and prevalent fractions of stones, erosion risk, etc. Special maps of agronomical status, with a list of proper measures for improvement of soils and their associations, should form a regular component of large‐scale mapping. As decrease in arable land and increase in the forest area are common trends in land use, these maps and general soil data should serve as the fundamental source of information for decision making concerning land use. Data indicating the suitability of any soil for any crop should be entered in a database. Application of GIS on any level of national economy, digitization of a large‐scale soil database and making it accessible to land users would allow to expand the amount of available information for each soil map polygon.     

"退耕还林"政策驱动下的农户土地转用决策及其土地利用变化影响研究——基于江西省丰城市农户问卷调查的一个分析

在分析“退耕还林”政策驱动下的农户土地转用决策机理的基础上,以江西丰城市的农户调查资料建立了“退耕还林”政策与农户土地利用变化的计量分析模型,结果表明:(1)退耕收益补偿对比值对土地利用变化有显著的影响;(2)“退耕还林”政策中对土地产权的安排对土地利用变化强度影响不大;(3)在不同区域,土地利用变化强度的影响因素不同,土地资源丰度、农户择业行为对土地利用变化强度影响较大。并进一步就推进生态友好的土地利用方式、合理引导土地利用变化提出了相关建议。     

Spatial Estimation of Soil Erosion Risk by Land‐cover Change in the Andes OF Southern Ecuador

Ecuador has the highest deforestation rate in South America, causing large‐scale soil erosion. Inter‐Andean watersheds are especially affected by a rapid increase of the population leading to the conversion of large areas of montane forest into pasture and cropland. In this study, we estimate soil erosion risk in a small mixed land‐use watershed in the southern Andes of Ecuador. Soil loss was estimated at a spatial resolution of 30 m, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) where the RUSLE factors were estimated on the basis of limited public available data. Land‐cover maps for 1976, 2008 and 2040 were created assuming increasing deforestation rates over the ensuing decades. Greater erosion rates are estimated for succession areas with agricultural cropland and pasture with maximum values of 936 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, where slopes and precipitation amounts are the greatest. Under natural forest vegetation, the estimated soil erosion rates are negligible (1·5 to 40 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) even at steep slopes and higher elevations where rainfall amounts and intensities are generally higher. When the entire watershed has undergone substantial deforestation in 2040, erosion values may reach 2,021 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. Vegetation cover is the most important factor for potential soil erosion. Secondary factors are related to rainfall (R‐factor) and topography (LS factors). Although the spatial predictions of potential soil erosion have only limited meaning for erosion risk, this method provides an important screening tool for land management and assessment of land‐cover change. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Is sustainable development based on agriculture attainable in Kenya? A multidisciplinary case study of Murang'a district

Kenya's development seems trapped in a vicious circle caused by soil erosion, declining soil fertility, land fragmentation, fluctuating agricultural production, widespread poverty, corruption, ethnic tension, rapid population, urban growth and a declining economy. The development challenge is to reverse the negative effects of these processes and promote sustainable development. This paper, based on multidisciplinary work discusses whether sustainable development based on agriculture is attainable in Murang'a district in Kenya's Central Highlands. Firstly, it investigates some biophysical aspects of sustainable agriculture such as land use across time, soil nutrient status and yield, cultivated crops and soil productivity by analysing aerial photographs and soil samples and conducting interviews. It suggests that the area has gone through major biophysical changes. Second, it relates the farmers' attitude to promotion of sustainable development as carried out by the National Soil and Water Conservation Programme. It suggests that farmers carry ideas of corruption, often following ethnic lines that hampers efficient implementation of the extension advise. Finally, it identifies links behind rural‐urban migration by estimating households' probability of generating incomes outside the farm, typically in urban areas. Opportunistic farming, manifested by temporary reduction of farming on own land to satisfy immediate income needs, is very common among farmers. More needs to be done to promote agro‐based, small‐scale rural industries, improve agricultural management practices, facilitate appropriate credits, enhance marketing opportunities, ensure timely crop payments, and increase participation in decision making. It is important to realize that for farmers to embrace policies which promote agriculturely‐based sustainable development the policies ought to biophysically possible, socio‐politically acceptable and economically feasible. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

滇中城市群土地利用转型及生态系统服务价值交叉敏感性分析

为探清滇中城市群土地利用转型对生态系统服务功能的影响,基于2000年、2010年、2020年3期Landsat TM/OLI遥感土地利用解译数据,运用土地利用动态变化模型、生态系统服务价值计算模型和土地利用转型生态贡献度研究了不同土地利用转型过程和生态系统服务价值的时空演变特征,并结合交叉敏感性系数模型定量评估了土地利用转型对生态系统服务价值的响应程度并划定敏感性分区。结果表明:(1)滇中城市群土地利用类型以林地、草地、耕地为主,建设用地持续扩张及耕地、水域、未利用地面积不断减少,草地和林地经历了“先减少后增加”的变化过程;(2)研究期间生态系统服务价值呈“先减少后增加”的趋势,地均生态系统服务价值高值区主要分布在滇池、抚仙湖和星云湖三大高原湖泊流域;(3)近20 a来,退耕还林、还草、还湖对生态系统服务功能改善的贡献度达49.10%,毁林开荒、围湖造田对林地、草地和水域的占用导致生态系统服务价值减少约2.65亿元;(4)耕地、林地、草地和水域向其他地类转型对生态服务价值的响应较为敏感,耕地、林地和草地与建设用地间转型的高生态敏感区集中在曲靖和楚雄,耕地与林地间转型的高生态敏感区分布较小,林地向草地和水域转型的低生态敏感区空间分布范围最广。综上,该区不同土地利用转型对生态系统服务功能影响显著。