Stand structure of hemiboreal old-growth forests: Characteristic features,variation among site types,and a comparison with FSC-certified mature stands in Estonia

To improve the silvicultural targets for ecologically sustainable forestry, we quantified functionally important structural features for the first time in a representative set of old-growth forests in hemiboreal Europe. Altogether, 23 old-growth stands of four site-type groups were compared with mature commercial stands nearby in the Estonian state forests that hold the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certificate of sustainable forestry. These two treatments did not differ significantly in terms of tree-species diversity, volumes of woody debris of <20 cm diameter (including fine woody debris) and its decay-stage composition. However, mature stands had many more early-successional trees and lacked late-successional deciduous species; they also had a higher overall density and volume of live trees, due to abundant individuals of 10–39 cm diameter at breast height. Old-growth stands had at least twice as many live trees ≥40 cm, standing dead trees ≥30 cm and lying wood ≥20 cm in diameter, any freshly fallen debris, and regeneration. For lying wood ≥20 cm in diameter, the treatment effect depended on site type: both treatments of Vaccinium-type dry boreal forests were remarkably deadwood-poor (indicating historical management of the old-growth stands), while mature eutrophic stands of Aegopodium-type were most impoverished relative to old-growth levels. We conclude that many functional characteristics of old growth were present in the FSC-certified, mostly naturally regenerated, commercial stands. The main problem is the lack of very large trees, particularly of late-successional deciduous species, which should be addressed by their well-planned retention in cut areas and reconsideration of salvage logging strategies. A dense regeneration in old-growth stands also indicated the potential of selection cuttings. The study highlighted the need for region- and site-type specific numerical targets for sustainable forest management, which in the hemiboreal region should address the characteristic occurrence of late-successional deciduous trees on fertile soils and higher natural deadwood volumes than in typical boreal forests. For certification, the issues of structural impoverishment revealed both the inadequacy of some silvicultural practices and some indicators set by the national FSC-standard in Estonia.     

加快发展我国森林认证市场的对策探讨

通过分析我国森林认证市场的现状、存在的问题和森林认证市场源动力,提出加快发展我国森林认证市场对策。     

世界森林认证的发展现状及对中国森林认证的启示

森林认证是一种基于对森林产品市场贸易的监管达到保护森林资源和提高森林管理的机制。自从20世纪90年代初第一个森林认证体系（FSC认证体系）问世以来,世界上已有50多个森林认证体系,这些认证体系对世界森林开展了不同形式的认证工作,目前已被认证的森林面积超过300×104 km2。中国第一个森林认证始于2002年,但发展较为缓慢。本文在分析世界森林认证现状的基础上,对中国的森林认证提出了几点建议。     

Prospects for Reduced Impact Logging in Central African logging concessions

Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) has traditionally been described as a set of forest management practices that reduce logging impacts and improve productivity. In this paper, we review the evolution of the logging sector in the Congo basin since the early 20th century. We argue that logging in the Congo basin has been little influenced by RIL until the recent regional Forestry Law reforms that started in Cameroon in 1994. RIL has not been integrated into the logging sector of the region as an independent body of knowledge, but more as a complement of the new mandatory management plans. In spite of its proven environmental and economic advantages, the role of RIL in improving forest management has been poorly understood, and we identify some causes of this situation. Finally, based on a regional study of 30 concessions, we analyse the frequency of some RIL-related practices and their relation with markets and certification schemes. We conclude that a clear definition of what RIL techniques are embraced by the logging sector is needed if RIL is to fully benefit from the recent development of new market and logging schemes based on certification, improved logging efficiency and a more transparent chain of custody.     

中国竹林可持续经营认证的必要性和可行性研究

通过文献研究、野外调查和专家研讨和咨询等研究方法,从中国竹林经营现状和世界森林可持续经营认证(简称森林认证)发展趋势入手,对中国开展竹林可持续经营认证的必要性和可行性进行了研究。结果表明,竹林快速生长和更新特性使竹林具有一定的可持续经营性,同时,中国现有的竹林经营技术实践在一定程度上满足了可持续经营的要求。但是,中国有较大面积的人工经营天然次生竹林,长期高强度集约经营对整个竹林生态系统的复杂性和完整性也造成了很大影响,由此引发了很多集约经营的生产性竹林水土流失、地力下降、生物多样性丧失、严重病虫害频发等生态问题,威胁着竹林可持续经营。根据我们的研究,按照目前森林认证发展趋势,竹林可持续经营认证作为促进竹林可持续经营的市场激励手段之一,是值得研究和尝试的。在中国开展绩效性的竹林可持续经营认证,不但有利于中国竹产品在国际贸易中克服绿色贸易壁垒,保持竞争优势,也有利于引导和促进中国竹林的可持续经营实践。总体上竹林认证是必要的。但在可行性方面面临一些问题和挑战。鉴于竹林本身的生物学和生态学特性、竹林经营的技术特点、竹林产品为非木质林产品的特殊性以及我国较为普遍的分户经营特点,可开展小范围试点研究,解决如何开展中小农户的联合认证问题和认证成本过高的问题,同时确保中小农户的利益和竹产品的公平贸易,为进一步的推广行动提供技术支持。在研究和推进竹林可持续经营认证的过程中,要充分考虑与中国现有竹林经营的行业标准和经营实践相衔接和适应。除了要充分利用国内外现有森林认证的理论、技术和经验,还必须充分与竹产业的生产、教学和研究人员进行磋商,充分利用现有竹业经营和开发的经验和技术。以期通过可持续经营认证,保护中国竹产品的国际贸易竞争力,同时积极引导和促进中国竹林可持续经营实践的发展和行业标准的制定。     

云南省牧草和草坪病害研究Ⅲ菊科等牧草的真菌病害

 报道云南省菊科等牧草真菌病害41种,它们寄生在8科60种植物上,其中:国内新记录2种,省内新记录12种,省内已知种新分布27种.新记录12种病害有描述,其余为名录.     

Harvesting and conservation: are both possible for the palm, Iriartea deltoidea?

We consider the mechanism of certification to encourage sustainable harvesting and best management practices of Iriartea deltoidea Ruíz and Pavón, in the context of current land use and agricultural management in Amazonian Ecuador. Interviews and observations with harvesters, storeowners, and furniture-makers provided information about current and potential markets for goods made from the palm. To understand the demographic variables that are critical for population stability, data from five plots in each of three different forest types (mature, secondary, and dissected) were collected. Matrix models were used to develop harvesting simulations through which biological constraints on sustainable harvesting were explored. These simulations suggest that sparing individuals 5–15 m tall when pastures are cleared and adding this palm to current agroforestry polycultures can improve the likelihood of sustainable harvesting for this species. Results showed that harvesting Iriartea could fit within current land use. Some forest colonists clear pastures to graze cattle, while others devote land to agriculture, including polycultures of annuals and perennials. In either case, palms can be left standing when forests are cleared. Swidden agriculture (slash and burn or slash and mulch) depends on a fallow period during which secondary forest may begin to regenerate. These secondary forests are ideal locations for extraction of forest products that fit within the cycle of fallow regeneration in areas near human settlements. Sparing Iriartea individuals 5–15 m tall could benefit agriculture, encourage the sustainability of future harvests, and help ensure the future of this palm as a part of the Amazonian landscape.

Interviews with staff of governmental and non-governmental conservation organizations investigated the policy context for certification as a mechanism for conservation. Establishing guidelines for harvesting requires input from all stakeholders in the decision, not simply an ecological analysis. Such guidelines for certifying good management practices, if they are developed, should include provisions for monitoring unanticipated consequences of harvesting or changes in future environmental conditions. Transportation issues and stem drying processes need to be addressed if efforts to expand markets are to succeed. More generally, guidelines for management of forest resources can be improved by combining ecological and social research perspectives; the potential for carrying out such guidelines can be improved by incorporating the knowledge of local forest dwellers and NGOs.     

中国森林认证探讨

通过研究森林认证与森林可持续经营、林产品国际贸易、保护生态环境和生物多样性以及中国林业同国际接轨等方面的关系 ,详细阐述了中国开展森林认证工作的意义和作用以及中国森林认证的进展情况 ,分析了森林认证对中国森林经营和林产品贸易的可能影响 ,认为森林认证是实现林业可持续发展和生态良好的文明发展道路的有效途径     

The impact of SFM-certification on forest product markets in Western Europe — an analysis using a forest sector simulation model

In the international discussion on labels for sustainably produced wood products based on the certification of sustainable forest management (SFM), little attention has been paid to what is probably the most crucial part of any market-based instrument: the potential impact on forest products markets. This paper analyses the potential impact of SFM-certification on forest products markets using a simulation model of the Western European forest sector. Two scenarios with assumptions regarding certification (chain-of-custody costs, timber supply reduction from certified forests) are projected for the period 1995–2015 and tested against the results of a base scenario (‘business as usual’). In general, the results show that rather modest changes are to be expected from SFM-certification in forest products markets. The market impact of a timber supply reduction from certified forest would be more distinct than the impacts of chain-of-custody costs. Industry gross profits would decrease more than production. Due to the large share of roundwood costs in total costs, the sawmill industry would be affected more by even small changes in raw-material prices than the panel and paper industry.     

区域生态认证指标体系的构建

区域生态认证(REC)指标体系的构建可以参照清洁发展机制方法学, 由REC申请人按照一定的规则设计并进行检验。REC体系的生态-技术-经济指标就是REC根据可持续的经济系统对资源需求的正反馈过程, 通过选择生态指标、技术指标和经济指标作为审核指标, 并使3类指标之间满足一定耦合关系而形成的认证指标结构体系。对所选指标项可运用多元回归分析方法进行检验, 对所设定的标准值可应用区域生态足迹的Logistic方程进行检验。