Modelling recreational visits to forests and nature areas

Besides their ecological and production function, the social function of forests and nature areas is becoming more and more important However, data, norms, and planning tools for this social function are limited. This makes it difficult for policy makers to do justice to this function, especially in the Netherlands, where spatial claims for different functions often exceed the available amount of land. In this paper we describe the development of a GIS-based planning tool for the recreational function of forests and nature areas. The tool focuses on the number of visits that may be expected. Besides the size of destination areas also the quality of the areas is taken into account. This quality is assessed using GIS-data on e.g. land-use, relief, noise, and the density of walking and cycling opportunities. Airline distances, as well as road distances (for cars) between residential areas and destination areas are calculated using GIS-analysis. The number of trips generated by a local population is then divided over the available areas within a pre-set range, taking each destination's quality and distance into account. The tool is suited not only for predicting present numbers of visits, but also for simulating the effect of new areas being developed, residential as well as natural. Also it can indicate residential areas where the local supply of forests and nature areas is wanting. Preliminary results for the city of Breda are presented.     

不同光周期条件下羽扇豆的生长发育状况

羽扇豆为羽扇豆属的多年生草本植物,在植物的研究领域它是一种很重要的模式植物,已成为当今城市装饰的宠儿。本试验充分利用羽扇豆对光周期的敏感性,采用光周期调控措施,对其营养生长及生殖生长的情况进行系统的观测。具体办法实施采用2种措施,第1种为长日照,利用白灯泡每日2:00～6:00补光,第2种为短日照处理,利用遮光补每日17:30～8:30遮光。试验过程中,外部形态特征要观测其高度,真叶片数及冠幅。从而更充分更系统的掌握羽扇豆的生长规律,有效控制其花期的长短。     

浅析农地整理潜力评价

农地整理潜力评价是农地整理事业持续健康道路上的必要保证。本文在分析农地整理潜力评价相关理论基础上,针对农地整理的设计阶段、施工阶段、运营阶段3个大阶段开展农地整理潜力评价指标体系的研究。设计阶段从扩展潜力、强度潜力、管理潜力3个方面来反应,施工阶段从质量管理、进度管理、资金管理、合同和信息管理和安全管理来反映,运营阶段主要从运营管理制度的完备情况、运营管理组织结构情况、运营经费支持情况、运营管理重视度、农业生产投入几个方面来分析,最后得到农地整理潜力评价的指标体系。     

The efficacy of protected areas and private land for plant conservation in a fragmented landscape

Context

Protected areas are a cornerstone of the global strategy for conserving biodiversity, and yet their efficacy in comparison to unprotected areas is rarely tested. In the highly fragmented forests of temperate regions, landscape context and forest history may be more important than protection status for plant species diversity.

Objectives

To determine whether there are differences in plant diversity between protected areas and private lands while controlling for landscape context, forest age, and other important factors.

Methods

We used a database of 156 one-hectare forest plots distributed over 120,000 km² in the fragmented forests of southern Ontario to test whether protected areas and private forests differed in native species richness, relative abundance of exotic species, and the probability of finding species of conservation concern.

Results

Plots with more forest on the surrounding landscape had higher native species richness, lower abundance of exotic species, and greater probability of supporting at least one species of conservation concern. Young forests tended to have higher abundance of exotics, and were less likely to support species of conservation concern. Surprisingly, privately owned forests had greater native species richness and were more likely to support species of conservation concern once these other factors were accounted for. In addition, there were significant interactions between ownership type, forest history, and landscape context.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the importance of privately owned forests in this region, and the need to consider forest history and landscape context when comparing the efficacy of protected areas versus private land for sustaining biodiversity.

     

沿江地区反季节无公害番茄栽培技术

为了适应市场需求，满足人们对食用番茄品质的要求，今年，我站根据近三年来通过引进、品比、种植试验的初步结果，就秋延大棚番茄的栽培技术进行了肤浅的探索，并获得了亩产5000kg的较理想收成。现简单总结如下： 番茄又名西红柿、洋柿子等，我国古书上称为六月柿或番柿，属茄科番茄属一年生草本植物。原产于南美洲，大约在17世纪传入我国。近年来，我地利用设施栽培技术进行反季节无公害番茄栽培，一般番茄亩产量均在5000kg以上，高产栽培甚至可达15000-20000kg，经济效益可观。     

生态毯在沙化区植被恢复中的应用效果研究

川西北地处青藏高原的东南部,是长江上游最大的林区之一,作为五大天然草场的一员,其能够发挥的现实作用十分之大,但是,由于此地区过度放牧以及乱砍滥伐等情况较为严重,使得此地区原本就十分脆弱的生态环境遭受破坏,沙漠化情况不断蔓延,本研究利用生态毯技术对此进行应对,让沙漠化得到较好控制,恢复生态平衡,为当地居民创造良好的生活环境。     

Linking land change model evaluation to model objective for the assessment of land cover change impacts on biodiversity

Landscape Ecology - Evaluation of land cover change (LCC) is commonly done at the pixel level; however, the model’s purpose may be relevant at a different grain size. Thus, the same...     

Impacts of land use and topography on the cooling effect of green areas on surrounding urban areas

Few studies have examined the influence of land use and terrain on the cooling effect of green areas on surrounding urban areas. We investigated the spatial distribution of the cooling effect of green areas on surrounding urban areas in Heiwa Park, Nagoya, central Japan, by applying surface temperature (T_s) information obtained from Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) image data. The cooling effect was found to extend in many directions into the urban areas. The spatial distribution of T_s showed that commercial areas interrupted the flow of park cooling, whereas other types of urban areas expanded park cooling more effectively. We hypothesise that this was the result of differences in geometric and thermal properties and anthropogenic heat release between commercial and other areas. The spatial distribution of T_s also reflected the effects of topography on park cooling. The green area at our study site was located on a hill, and the downward slope and valley terrain inside the park increased the cooling effect towards the surrounding urban areas. To improve the thermal environment of urban areas and the comfort levels of residents, effective utilisation of the cooling effect of green areas should be incorporated into urban designs that consider the effects of land use and topography.     

浅析庆阳市黄土丘陵沟壑区土地利用效益评价研究

本文以庆阳市黄土高原丘陵沟壑地区为研究对象,运用因子分析法,通过经济效益、社会效益和生态效益3个方面来确定指标并建立指标体系,分别对庆阳市8个地区土地利用效益状况进行了横向分析,得出庆阳市各地区土地利用效益水平存在明显的地域差异,从高到低依次为西峰区、华池县、庆城县、正宁县、合水县、环县、宁县、镇原县,其中得分最高的是西峰区为1.042,得分最低的是镇原县为-0.449,并分析得出造成这种差异的主要原因有地理位置因素、地形地貌因素、经济发展水平的影响。在此基础上提出对策建议,为科学合理地制定地区土地利用总体规划提供参考。     

默科特橘橙在贵州榕江都柳江河谷地区的栽培评价

2004—2009年在贵州榕江都柳江河谷地区进行默科特橘橙多点引种观察试验。结果表明,默科特橘橙在海拔264～380 m的3个试验点均表现良好;果实可溶性固形物含量14.93%～15.60%,总酸含量0.74%～0.79%;高接后第3年开始结果,第6年进入盛果期,每667 m2产量3 212.8～3 276.8 kg;果实成熟期2月下旬至3月中旬,正值柑橘果品市场淡季。     

Setting targets in strategies for river restoration

Since about 90% of the natural floodplain area of rivers in Europe has been reclaimed and now lacks river dynamics, nature rehabilitation along rivers is of crucial importance for the restoration of their natural function. Flood protection, self-purification of surface water, groundwater recharge, species protection and migration are all involved in this process. It is now generally recognised that rivers form natural arteries in Europe but are also of economic importance and are recognisable cultural landscape. Many examples are already available of successful small river restoration projects. Several species thought to be extinct have now reappeared and characteristic species have also expanded in recent years. This paper concentrates on the concept of setting targets for river restoration as exemplified by the Meuse River. A modelling exercise shows the restraints of current habitat configuration and the potential for habitat restoration along the river. A policy analysis, using a strategic approach, illustrates the influence of the decision making process on the targets for natural river development. River dynamics play a key factor in determining the potential for persistent populations of target animal species along the river, with the help of an expert system (LARCH, Landscape ecological Analysis and Rules for the Configuration of Habitat). The potentials for the increase of dispersion and biodiversity and the maximisation of ecological benefits at different scales, are also considered.     

阜平县北流河流域林地多功能评价及分区研究

由于人类对土地功能的认识单一,造成乡村地区土地利用不充分,导致土地资源的闲置与浪费。而土地单一功能利用模式转变的关键是探究土地多功能的利用。以北流河流域林地为研究区对象,从气候、土壤、地质、地形、植被要素进行综合分析,对林地土地的生产功能、生态功能、景观功能和材料功能进行空间定量化,运用热点分析和地理探测器评价北流河流域林地多功能性及影响因素;并通过K均值聚类分析划分林地土地多功能利用类型区。结果表明：(1)流域内林地多功能热点区域呈集聚分布,冷点区域呈带状分布在北流河流域的山麓。(2)北流河流域林地多功能空间分异的驱动力主要以植被因素为主,其中郁闭度、蓄积量、碳汇为主导因子,植被盖度对林地土地多功能空间分异的影响较小,应加强北流河流域内的植被保护和严禁过度开发林地;交互作用明显,交互作用均为双因子增强或非线性增强,气候、土壤、植被、地形、地质条件共同制约着北流河流域林地多功能水平。(3)通过伪F统计将北流河流域林地划分为3个主导区和1个提升区,分别为生产功能主导区、生态功能主导区、景观功能主导区以及综合功能提升区,其中生态功能主导区面积最大;并针对主导功能提出相应的利用方向。     

冀北坝上沙化土地沙棘人工林的生态效益

为明确沙棘人工林对冀北坝上沙化土地的改善效果,以坝上沙化土地的沙棘林为研究对象,通过设置样地,测定其风速并计算防风效能和地表粗糙度,研究沙棘林的防风固沙效应;通过设置样方,利用丰富度指数(R₀)、Simpson指数(D)、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H)、Pielou均匀度指数(E)分析沙棘林地和荒坡地植物物种丰富度和结构特点;通过做土壤剖面,测定沙棘林地和荒坡土壤的理化性质。结果表明,沙棘林地和荒坡的粗糙度均随着季节呈逐渐升高的趋势,且沙棘林地的粗糙度大于荒坡,防风效果显著;沙棘林地的草本植物种比荒坡多8种,物种更丰富,且群落结构更为稳定;沙棘林地各土层土壤的自然含水率、持水量、孔隙度和全氮、全磷、全钾、碱解氮、速效钾含量均显著高于荒坡,沙棘林地土壤pH值范围为6.24～7.08,土壤有机质含量在14.75～16.71 g/kg之间,均显著优于荒坡。由此可见,在冀北坝上沙化地区种植沙棘,可促进防风固沙,提高植物物种丰富度和改善土壤理化性质。     

Effects of land ownership and landscape-level factors on rare-species richness in natural areas of southern Ontario,Canada

Surprisingly few studies have considered the extent to which the nature of the ownership of land is associated with differences in biodiversity. We analysed ownership and other landscape-level effects on rare-species richness for both globally- and regionally-rare biota (including birds, herpetofauna, butterflies, mammals, and plants) in 289 designated natural areas (NAs) in southern Ontario, Canada. Information about each NA −including area, number of plant communities, ownership status and details of species diversity were collected from published sources. Length of perimeter of NA, relative isolation, and an estimate of fragmentation were measured using image analysis and GIS techniques. NAs were in general relatively small, with mean area of 158 ha (median 85 ha, range from 0.9 to 1278 ha) for private NAs; public NAs had mean area of 132 ha (median 16 ha, range from 0.1 to 1481 ha). Mean number of plant communities was 4.6 (median 4, range 1- 13) at private NAs and 3.8 (median 3, range 1-16) at public NAs. Our results show that, of several landscape-level factors, area had the greatest effects on rare-species richness and other biotic indices. Effects of area were followed by effects of plant community diversity, however this was itself significantly affected by area and the extent of perimeter of the NA. Both these factors were followed by effects of ownership of the NA and by effects of isolation of the NA (represented by minimum distance to nearest NA and by number of NAs in 10 km radius). Other landscape- level factors did not appear to have overall significant effects. Variation in area accounted for 0.1% to 29% of variation in number of rare species, with lower values for globally-rare, than for regionally-rare taxa. For all biotic groups, public ownership of NAs was associated with significantly greater rare-species richness compared to private ownership, even after other factors such as area were controlled. For all globally-rare biota except butterflies, area of NA had greater effects on rare-species richness than did ownership. Richness of regionally- rare birds was more affected by plant community diversity than by area of NA. Number of recorded plant communities accounted from 2.1% of variation in number of globally-rare plant species to as high as 31% of variation in regionally-rare butterflies. The diversity of plant communities was itself influenced by total site area (accounting for 45% of variation), extent of elongation of the NA, and both external- and interior- edge perimeters. Public NAs had greatest numbers of rare biota and so should be a significant focus for conservation programs. Smaller, privately-owned patches of natural area dominate (by number and area) in this densely populated region and their significance should not be overlooked. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

阜平县北流河流域耕地更低多功能评价及分区研究

耕地在人类的生存发展过程中提供着重要的物质基础,然而由于对耕地功能认识的不充分,过度强调对耕地资源的经济产出,而忽视了耕地的其他功能,造成了耕地资源的严重浪费和质量退化。正确、全面的认识耕地功能,转变耕地功能单一利用模式,开展耕地多功能利用,才能充分发挥耕地资源潜力,使耕地资源创造最大效益。鉴于此,本研究以阜平县北流河流域耕地为研究对象,从构成耕地本质属性气候、水文、土壤、立地条件等方面对耕地的生产功能、生态功能、景观功能和文化功能进行综合评价,评价结果表明：(1)研究区内整体耕地生产功能与生态功能为中等水平;景观功能和文化功能相对偏低。(2)在空间分布上,耕地生产功能主要分布在低海拔区域,面积较大;耕地生态功能主要分布在海拔相对较高区域;耕地景观功能和文化功能主要分布在研究区中西部,分布较为零散。(3)根据单一功能评价内容,通过空间聚类分组划分耕地功能主导区,分别为农业生产主导区、生态农业主导区、景观农业主导区和文化教育主导区,并针对主导区提供相应的利用对策。     

基于遥感和 GIS技术的易县耕地后备资源潜力评价

耕地后备资源在耕地占补平衡中发挥着重要的作用。在过分依赖土地开发的条件下，认清耕地后备费源数量以及补充耕地的潜力，对确保粮食安全具有重要的意义。以河北省易县为研究区，基于遥感数字高程模型、土地利用调查及规划、土壤、气象、统计资料等多源数据，从生态环境、立地条件和气象条件3个方面构建官拼性评价指标体系，利用 GIS 技术，采用“限制性因子”评价法开展耕执后备资源官耕性评价与分析，得到易县可以进行开发整理的土地区域。     

草地生态系统的生态补偿研究

以玛曲草地为例,根据牧民收支状况,对玛曲草地生态系统的生态补偿价值做了初步估算。结果表明:在不降低当地居民福利水平的情况下,每个牧民每年需补偿5 500元。玛曲约有4万牧民,总的补充资金每年约为2.2亿元。     

Tranquillity Trails for urban areas

Tranquil spaces can be found and made in the city and their promotion and use by residents and visitors is an important means of building resilience. Studies have shown that spaces that are rated by visitors as tranquil are more likely to produce higher levels of relaxation and less anxiety that should ultimately result in health and well-being benefits. Such spaces can therefore be classed as restorative environments. Tranquil spaces are characterized by a soundscape dominated by natural sounds and low levels of man-made noise. In addition, the presence of vegetation and wild life has been shown to be an important contributory factor. Levels of rated tranquillity can be reliably predicted using a previously developed model TRAPT and then used to design and identify tranquil spaces, improve existing green spaces and develop Tranquillity Trails to encourage usage. Tranquillity Trails are walking routes that have been designed to enable residents and visitors to reflect and recover from stress while receiving the benefits of healthy exercise. This paper describes Tranquillity Trails designed for three contrasting areas. Predictions of the rated tranquillity have been made along these routes and feedback from users was elicited at one site that confirmed the expected benefits. 199 words     

Exploring subtle land use and land cover changes: a framework for future landscape studies

Land cover and land use changes can have a wide variety of ecological effects, including significant impacts on soils and water quality. In rural areas, even subtle changes in farming practices can affect landscape features and functions, and consequently the environment. Fine-scale analyses have to be performed to better understand the land cover change processes. At the same time, models of land cover change have to be developed in order to anticipate where changes are more likely to occur next. Such predictive information is essential to propose and implement sustainable and efficient environmental policies. Future landscape studies can provide a framework to forecast how land use and land cover changes is likely to react differently to subtle changes. This paper proposes a four step framework to forecast landscape futures at fine scales by coupling scenarios and landscape modelling approaches. This methodology has been tested on two contrasting agricultural landscapes located in the United States and France, to identify possible landscape changes based on forecasting and backcasting agriculture intensification scenarios. Both examples demonstrate that relatively subtle land cover and land use changes can have a large impact on future landscapes. Results highlight how such subtle changes have to be considered in term of quantity, location, and frequency of land use and land cover to appropriately assess environmental impacts on water pollution (France) and soil erosion (US). The results highlight opportunities for improvements in landscape modelling.