After the Second World War of the past century in Italy extended plantations were carried out. In Southern Italy the Calabrian pine （Pinus laricio Poiret） has been the most used species, for its ability to take root...After the Second World War of the past century in Italy extended plantations were carried out. In Southern Italy the Calabrian pine （Pinus laricio Poiret） has been the most used species, for its ability to take root in many difficult conditions. Currently the extension of this vegetation is about 36,000 hectares, in great part established in Calabria. They have reduced hydrogeological risks, they have carried out an important social role and have improved the landscape and the environment of huge hill and mountain territories. After the realization of these stands, no forest management has been made in order to define purposes and silvicultural operations. All stands are currently vulnerable in order to abiotic （fire, breakages） and biotic （Traumatocampa （--- Thaumetopoea） pityocampa （Denis ＆ Schiff.） and Heterobasidion annosum （Fr.） Bref.） agents. For the future, the silvicultural management of these stands will not be able to avoid planning choices, in order to improve the structural stability and the bioecological functionality and to consider the recent opportunities offered from the agroenergetic field.展开更多
Both natural and human-induced disturbances affect the normal functioning and services of mangrove ecosystems.To address the consequences of intense human and climatic disturbances on sedimentation and carbon burial,s...Both natural and human-induced disturbances affect the normal functioning and services of mangrove ecosystems.To address the consequences of intense human and climatic disturbances on sedimentation and carbon burial,sediment cores from the last remaining mangrove Kandelia obovata forest and an adjacent mudflat in the densely populated and typhoon-prone Zhujiang(Pearl)River estuary of China,were analyzed using methods including^(210)Pb dating andδ^(13)C analysis.Results indicate that after damming in the 1950s,during 1960-1980,the natural establishment of K.obovata forests initiated the insitu sedimentation.As these forests matured during 1980-1990,they significantly boosted siltation in the region on mudflat.During 1990-2015,the invasion of Spartina alterniflora and land reclamation for aquaculture caused infiltration of coarse sediments and the impacts of typhoons were recorded within the K.obovata forest,while no clear typhoon record was observed on the mudflat.Since 2015,reforestation efforts with S.apetala that began in 1999 have reversed the effects of earlier deforestation.Over time,mangroves established a rapid autochthonous carbon burial that grew as the forests age,potentially surpassing the influx of allochthonous carbon due to deforestation.The reforestation also immediately improved carbon burial on the mudflat,which stabilized after a decade due to the rapid growth and high biomass of S.apetala.Overall,the K.obovata forest demonstrated a stronger sedimentation and carbon burial capabilities than the mudflat,with a surplus of 35.2 Mg C/hm^(2)in soil organic carbon stock and 1.0 Mg C/(hm^(2)·a)in burial rate.Organic matter dissolved in soil was mainly humus-like components,and mangrove inputs likely increased the degree of humification.This study offered direct evidence regarding the impact of multiple disturbances on local and regional sedimentation and carbon burial,and future management strategies.展开更多
Large-scale afforestation and forest conservation policies have been widely implemented in Southwest China over past decades.These efforts have significantly protected the remaining long-established forests in the reg...Large-scale afforestation and forest conservation policies have been widely implemented in Southwest China over past decades.These efforts have significantly protected the remaining long-established forests in the region and greatly expanded forested areas.Utilizing nearly 30 years of satellite time-series data,we reveal that the region’s enhanced carbon sequestration(3×10^(12) g·C annually)is primarily driven by crucial changes in forest structure and age,occurring alongside a nearly 120%increase in forested land area.We observe that dense forests maintain a rapid growth rate of approximately 2.5%annually for carbon sequestration in the initial years after establishment.However,this growth rate decelerates with increasing apparent forest age.Meanwhile,the densification(modeled as an increasing forest probability)rate of forests reaches its peak growth during the 10-20 year period,sustaining a high annual growth rate of about 1.8%.We also find that improvements in forest structure,particularly the increasing of forest canopy density and apparent forest age coupled with a notable reduction in forest fragmentation,are also the main driving factors for the enhanced carbon sequestration capacity.Based on these findings,we conclude that forest restoration policies in Southwest China have been successful not only in facilitating large-scale forest growth in Southwest China but,more critically,in promoting the structural maturation(e.g.,densification and reduced fragmentation)that is essential for enhancing the region’s carbon sink capacity and its resilience.展开更多
As interest in tropical forest restoration accelerates,understanding its hydrological implications is increasingly urgent.While concerns persist that reforestation will reduce annual water yields—particularly in drie...As interest in tropical forest restoration accelerates,understanding its hydrological implications is increasingly urgent.While concerns persist that reforestation will reduce annual water yields—particularly in drier climates—we highlight conditions under which forest landscape restoration(FLR)can improve seasonal water availability,especially during the dry season.We examine the trade-off between increased vegetation water use(“pumping”)and enhanced infiltration and subsurface retention(“sponging”)following forestation of degraded lands,the recovery of vegetation's ability to capture“occult”precipitation(fog)in specific coastal and montane settings,and the role of forest cover in enhancing moisture recycling and transport at multiple scales.A pan-tropical sensitivity analysis shows that in degraded landscapes with deep soils and pronounced rainfall seasonality,infiltration gains following forestation can offset or exceed evaporative losses,thereby supporting groundwater recharge and increasing dry-season flows in approximately 10%of cases,with an additional 8%showing near-neutral(slightly negative)outcomes.These findings challenge the assumption that forestation uniformly reduces water availability and underscore the need to prioritize dry-season flow recovery—rather than annual water yield—as a central hydrological goal of FLR.We call for trans-disciplinary research and long-term monitoring to inform forest restoration strategies,particularly in seasonally dry regions where water scarcity is most acute.展开更多
Afforestation is an effective method to deal with climate change.Reforestation can restore ecological balance and provide support and opportunities for local communities'economic development.
In response to the effectiveness of reforestation in controlling soil erosion,there has been a dramatic increase in forest coverage in the hilly red soil region of southern China.Aggregate stability and soil shear str...In response to the effectiveness of reforestation in controlling soil erosion,there has been a dramatic increase in forest coverage in the hilly red soil region of southern China.Aggregate stability and soil shear strength are indicators that reflect soil resistance to erosion and its ability to prevent shallow landslides,respectively.However,limited research has focused on the response of soil aggregate stability and shear strength to reforestation.We selected three types of reforestations(Phyllostachys edulis forest,Cunninghamia lanceolata(Lamb.)Hook.forest,Citrus sinensis(L.)Osbeck.orchard),a natural forest(mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests),and a fallow land as study plots,and measured root traits,and soil physicochemical traits,i.e.,pH,soil organic matter(SOC),Soil water content(SWC),soil bulk density(BD),soil cohesion(c),soil internal friction angle(φ)and analyzed their multiple interactions.The soil aggregate stability traits,refer to the mean weight diameter(MWD)and geometric mean diameter(GMD),exhibited a significant increase in reforested plots,approximately 200%compared to fallow land and 50%compared to natural forests.For soil shear strength the values were approximately 20%higher than in fallow land and approximately 10%lower than in natural forests.Soil aggregate stability and soil shear strength did not exhibit a significant positive correlation across all plots,and the underlying drivers of these traits were variable.For instance,in natural forest and timber stands,soil aggregate stability was mainly influenced by soil organic carbon,while soil shear strength was primarily affected by root length density.In economic forest,aggregate stability and shear strength are mainly affected by organic carbon.Overall,we found that vegetation restoration enhances soil erosion resistance,however,the primary drivers for the improvement of aggregate stability(soil organic carbon)and shear strength(root length density)are different.Therefore,in future benefit assessments of vegetation restoration projects aimed at soil erosion control,different indicators should be considered based on specific conditions.展开更多
To evaluate the long-term effects of reforestation types on soil erosion on degraded land, vegetation and soil properties under conventional sloping farmland （CSF） and three different reforestation types including a...To evaluate the long-term effects of reforestation types on soil erosion on degraded land, vegetation and soil properties under conventional sloping farmland （CSF） and three different reforestation types including a Pinus massoniana secondary forest （PSF）, an Eucommia ulmoides artificial economic forest （EEF） and a natural succession type forest （NST）, were investigated at runoff plot scale over a six-year period in a red soil region of southern China. One hundred and thirty erosive rainfall events generating runoff in plots were grouped into four rainfall types by means of K-mean clustering method. Erosive rainfall type I is the dominant rainfall type. The amount of runoff and the soil loss under erosive rainfall type III were the most, followed by rain-fall type II, IV and I. Compared with CSF treatment, reforestation treatments decreased the average annual runoff depth and the soil loss by 25.5%–61.8% and 93.9%– 96.2% during the study period respectively. Meanwhile, runoff depth at PSF and EEF treatments was significantly lower than that in NST treatment, but no significant difference existed in soil erosion modulus among the three reforestation treatments. This is mainly due to the improved vegetation properties （i.e., vegetation coverage, biomass of above- and below-ground and litter-fall mass） and soil properties （i.e., bulk density, total porosity, infiltration rate and organic carbon content） in the three reforestation treatments compared to CSF treatment. The PSF and EEF are recommended as the preferred reforestation types to control runoff and soil erosion in the red soil region of southern China, with the NST potentially being used as an important supplement.展开更多
Ever since the disastrous floods of 1998, the Chinese government has used the Natural Forest Protection and Sloping Land Conversion Programs to promote afforestation and reforestation as means to reduce runoff, contro...Ever since the disastrous floods of 1998, the Chinese government has used the Natural Forest Protection and Sloping Land Conversion Programs to promote afforestation and reforestation as means to reduce runoff, control erosion, and stabilize local livelihoods. These two ambitious programs have been reported as large-scale successes, contributing to an overall increase in China’s forest cover and to the stated goals of environmental stabilization. A small-scale field study at the project level of the implementation of these two programs in Baiwu Township, Yanyuan County, Sichuan, casts doubt upon the accuracy and reliability of these claims of success; ground observations revealed utter failure in some sites and only marginal success in others. Reasons for this discrepancy are posited as involving ecological, economic, and bureaucratic factors. Further research is suggested to determine whether these discrepancies are merely local aberrations or represent larger-scale failures in reforestation programs.展开更多
The effects of reforestation on carbon （C） sequestration in China＇s Loess Plateau ecosystem have attracted much research attention in recent years. Black locust trees （Robinia pseudoacacia L.） are valued for thei...The effects of reforestation on carbon （C） sequestration in China＇s Loess Plateau ecosystem have attracted much research attention in recent years. Black locust trees （Robinia pseudoacacia L.） are valued for their important use in reforestation and water and soil conservation efforts. This forest type is widespread across the Loess Plateau, and must he an essential component of any planning for C sequestration efforts in this fragile ecological region. The long-term effects of stand age on C accumulation and allocation after reforestation remains uncertain. We examined an age-sequence of black locust forest （5, 9, 20, 30, 38, and 56 yr since planting） on the Loess Plateau to evaluate C accumulation and allocation in plants （trees, shrubs, herbages, and leaf litter） and soil （0-100 cm）. Allometric equations were developed for estimating the biomass of tree components （leaf, branch, stem without bark, bark and root） with a de- structive sampling method. Our results demonstrated that black locust forest ecosystem accumulated C constantly, from 31.42 Mg C/ha （1 Mg = 106 g） at 5 yr to 79.44 Mg C/haat 38 yr. At the ＇old forest＇ stage （38 to 56 yr）, the amount of C in plant biomass significantly decreased （from 45.32 to 34.52 Mg C/ha） due to the high mortality of trees. However, old forest was able to accumulate C continuously in soil （from 33.66 to 41.00 Mg C/ha）. The C in shrub biomass increased with stand age, while the C stock in the herbage layer and leaf litter was age-independent. Reforestation resulted in C re-allocation in the forest soil. The topsoil （0-20 cm） C stock increased constantly with stand age. However, C storage in sub-top soil, in the 20-30, 30-50, 50-100, and 20-100 cm layers, was age-independent. These results suggest that succession, as a temporal factor, plays a key role in C accumulation and re-allocation in black locust forests and also in regional C dynamics in vegetation.展开更多
Surface coal mines prior to 1950 in the USA were generally left without any reclamation.As government regulations advanced since then,mine operators were required to backfill the area and plant grasses or trees.After ...Surface coal mines prior to 1950 in the USA were generally left without any reclamation.As government regulations advanced since then,mine operators were required to backfill the area and plant grasses or trees.After the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act(SMCRA)was passed in 1977 in the USA,mine operators were required to conduct pre-mining analyses of the site and to designate a land use that could be achieved after mining.Successful reclamation,as needed to satisfy today’s societal demands,requires engineering,design,and purposeful reconstruction of the full mining disturbance,not just its surface,and control of waters leaving the mine site.Effective reclamation on modern American coal mines is fully integrated with the mining operation.A suitable and effective postmining land use that is sustainable for future generations is crucial to the long-term success and profitability of the mining business and to the future economic benefits of the landowner.Accepted post-mining land uses in the USA are:(1)prime farmland,(2)hay land and pasture,(3)biofuel crops,(4)forestry,(5)wildlife habitat,and(6)building site development.Policies and regulations for each post-mining land use were developed and practices to achieve successful and sustainable land uses were established.Post-mining conditions should provide ecosystem services and produce lands capable of supporting societal needs in the future.展开更多
We used the forest inventory data of Gansu Province, China to quantify carbon storage and carbon density changes by regional forest cover and by typical forest types in 1979-2006. Total forest area increased from 1.77...We used the forest inventory data of Gansu Province, China to quantify carbon storage and carbon density changes by regional forest cover and by typical forest types in 1979-2006. Total forest area increased from 1.77 x 106 ha in 1979 to 2.32 x 106 ha in 2006, and the forest carbon storage, estimated by the continuous biomass expansion factor method, increased from 83.14 to 100.66 Tg, equivalent to a carbon accumulation rate of 0.0071 Tg per year during the period. Mean carbon densities were 44.83-48.50 t ha-1 and the values decreased slightly over the time period. Natural forests generated greater car- bon storage and density than did plantations. By regression analysis, forest stand age was an important parameter incarbon density studies. We developed various regression equations between carbon density and stand age for major types of natural forests and plantations in the region. Our results can be used for proper selection of re-forestation species and efficient management of young and middle-aged forests, offering great potential for future carbon sequestra- tion, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.展开更多
The northeastern China, the United States, and the western Europe are important agricultural regions both on the global and regional scales. The westem Europe has a longer history of agricultural land development than...The northeastern China, the United States, and the western Europe are important agricultural regions both on the global and regional scales. The westem Europe has a longer history of agricultural land development than the eastem United States. These two regions have changed from the deforestation and reclamation phase in the past to the current land abandonment and reforestation phase. Compared with the two regions, large-scale land exploitation has only been practiced in the northeastern China during the last century. After a short high-intensity deforestation and reclamation period, agricultural and forest lands are basically in a dynamic steady state. By comparing domestic and international agro-forestry development and considering the ecological environment and socio-economic bene- fits that can be derived from agro-forestry, this paper suggests that large area of reforestation would be inevitable in future though per- sistent and large agricultural demand in coming decades even more. And local reforestation at slope farmland with ecological vulner- ability should be imperative at present to avoid severer damage. At the same time, from the perspective of Land Change Science, the results demonstrate that the research on land use change in the agro-forestry ecotone is typical and critical, particularly those dealing with the analysis of spatial and temporal characteristics and the simulation of climate, hydrology, and other environmental effects.展开更多
Three types of soils： an eroded barren soil under continuous fallow, an eroded soil transplanted with Lespedeza shrubs （Lespedeza bieolor）, and an eroded soil transplanted with camphor tree （Cinnaraomum camphora）...Three types of soils： an eroded barren soil under continuous fallow, an eroded soil transplanted with Lespedeza shrubs （Lespedeza bieolor）, and an eroded soil transplanted with camphor tree （Cinnaraomum camphora） were investigated to quantify organic matter pools and aggregates in reforested soils using physical fractionation techniques and to determine aggregate stability in relation to the enrichment of soil organic carbon （SOC）. Soil organic matter （SOM） was physically fractionalized into free particulate organic matter （fPOM）, occluded particulate organic matter （oPOM）, and mineralassociated organic matter （mOM）. The SOM was concentrated on the surface soil （0 5 cm）, with an average C sequestration rate of 20-25 g C m^-2 year^-1 over 14 years. As compared to the eroded barren land, organic C content of fPOM, oPOM, and mOM fractions of the soil under Lespedeza and under camphor tree increased 12-15, 45-54, and 3.1-3.5 times, respectively. A linear relationship was found between aggregate stability and organic C （r^2 = 0.45, P 〈 0.01）, oPOM （r^2 = 0.34, P 〈 0.05）, and roOM （r^2 = 0.46, P 〈 0.01） of aggregates. The enrichment of organic C improved aggregate stability of the soil under Lespedeza but not that under camphor tree. However, further research is needed on the physical and biological processes involved in the interaction of soil aggregation and SOC sequestration in ecosystem.展开更多
Farmland reforestation can contribute substantially to ecological restoration.Previous studies have extensively examined the ecological effects of farmland reforestation,but few of them have investigated the spatiotem...Farmland reforestation can contribute substantially to ecological restoration.Previous studies have extensively examined the ecological effects of farmland reforestation,but few of them have investigated the spatiotemporal responses of broad-scale landscape connectivity to reforestation.By using a typical agro-pastoral ecotone in northern China as a case study,we addressed this issue based on an innovative integration of circuit theory approach and counterfactual analysis.The forest connectivity through multiple dispersal pathways was measured using the circuit theory approach,and its spatiotemporal changes after reforestation were evaluated by counterfactual analysis.The results showed that from 2000–2015,the reforested farmland occupied 2095 km^2,and 12.5% was on steeply sloped land.Farmland reforestation caused a greater increase in ecological connectivity by adding new ecological corridors and stepping stones in scattered forest areas rather than in areas with dense forest distributions.The newly added corridors and stepping stones were fragmented,short and narrow and thus deserve powerful protection.Future reforestation to improve landscape connectivity should highlight pinch point protection and obstacle removal as well as the tradeoff between farmland loss and farmer survival.Our findings are expected to inform the optimization of the Grain for Green policy from the perspective of broad-scale biodiversity conservation.展开更多
As a major sediment area in the upper Yangtze River, Jialing River basin experienced substantial land-use changes, many water conservancy projects were constructed from the 1980 s onward to promote water and soil cons...As a major sediment area in the upper Yangtze River, Jialing River basin experienced substantial land-use changes, many water conservancy projects were constructed from the 1980 s onward to promote water and soil conservation. The water and sediment yield at the watershed outlet was strongly affected by these water conservation works, including ponds and reservoirs, which should be considered in the modelling. In this study, based on the observed data of the Weicheng River catchment, the relationships between precipitation, runoff, vegetation, topography and sediment yield were analyzed, a distributed runoff and sediment yield model(WSTD-SED) was developed, and the hydrological processes of different land-use scenarios were simulated by using the model. The main results are summarized as follows: 1) there is an alternating characteristic in river channels and reservoirs in the Jialing River hilly area, with scour occurring in wet years and deposit occurring in dry years. 2) Most of the sediment deposited in river channels and reservoirs is carried off by the largest flood in the year. 3) The model yielded plausible results for runoff and sediment yield dynamics without the need of calibration, and the WSTD-SED model could be usedto obtain qualitative estimates on the effects of land use change scenarios. 4) The modelling results suggest that a 10% increase in cropland(dry land) reforestation results in a 0.7% decrease in runoff and 1.5% decrease in sediment yield.展开更多
Forest restorations conducted in semiarid, seasonally dry climates must deal with the intense drought stress that affects tree seedlings during the dry season. Although this water deficit is the most commonly invoked ...Forest restorations conducted in semiarid, seasonally dry climates must deal with the intense drought stress that affects tree seedlings during the dry season. Although this water deficit is the most commonly invoked source of mortality for seedlings, several other environmental factors may also preclude survival of transplants. For instance, it has been widely reported that excessive light reduces the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus, hence decreasing plant survival, but most seedling transplants in deforested areas are conducted under these light conditions. This study is focused in determining whether excessive light affects the photosynthetic performance and survival of Quercus coccolobifolia, a Mexican oak species, when their seedlings are transplanted in semiarid deforested areas. Further, this study tests the possibility of using artificial shade shelters to improve the ecophysiological performance and survival of seedlings. Oak seedlings were transplanted under full sunlight conditions and beneath artificial shade shelters of two different colors： white and black. To reduce water stress, and hence isolate the effects of light treatments, a drip irrigation system was implemented at each experimental plot. Seedling survival was monitored weekly for 128 days and photosynthetic performance was assessed by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence at three opportunities during the experiment. Sun-exposed seedlings showed lower photosynthetic performance and survival rates than those beneath shelters of both colors. These results suggest that sunlight damage can reduce seedling survival when they are transplanted in exposed sites, and that shade shelters can improve the success of forest restoration programs in semiarid climates.展开更多
Infiltration,as a major component of the hydrological cycle,plays an important role in ecosystems,river flooding,and soil erosion.Therefore,this process has been studied on different soils,with different vegetation co...Infiltration,as a major component of the hydrological cycle,plays an important role in ecosystems,river flooding,and soil erosion.Therefore,this process has been studied on different soils,with different vegetation cover,and under different climate conditions.However,it is still necessary to know how infiltration rates depend on land degradation,vegetation cover,forest management,and forest restoration,since soil infiltration is related to soil hydrological function and hydrological ecosystem services.The aim of our study is to analyze the way reforestation and check dam construction have helped to improve soil infiltration rates in comparison with old,degraded land,different soils and vegetation covers in Central Spain.Therefore,three infiltration tests were carried out by means of a simple methacrylate infiltrometer ring,in four sampling plots,for five types of land use:(i) native holm oak forest,(ii) 60-year-old reforested pine wood,(iii) shrubs,(iv) sediment wedges of check dams,and(v) gullies and degraded hillslopes.Our results show much higher infiltration rates in the soil of 60-yearold pine reforestation sites(1198.00 mm·h^(-1)),and in the sediment wedges of check dams(1088.00 mm·h^(-1)),than in those of degraded hillslopes(365.00 mm·h^(-1)) and shrubland(420.80 mm·h^(-1)).The rates were also shown to be close to those from the remaining patches of native holm oak woodland(770.40 mm·h^(-1)).We also found that organic matter,humus and litter depth,and height of vegetation and cover,all improve soil infiltration rates,while slope degree,presence of coarse elements,stoniness,clay content,bulk density,and electric conductivity inhibit the rates.It was additionally seen that pine reforestation and check dam construction caused degraded land to recover its hydrological conditions to a level that is quite close to that of the ancient oak holm native forest,alongside ameliorating the hydrological cycle in the watershed.This information will be very useful for decisionmaking processes related to land restoration projects,forest management,and environmental policy.展开更多
A simplified water balance model in conjunc- tion with an evapotranspiration （ET） model and cumulative forest cover data were used to quantify the changes in annual water yield in response to reforestation in a larg...A simplified water balance model in conjunc- tion with an evapotranspiration （ET） model and cumulative forest cover data were used to quantify the changes in annual water yield in response to reforestation in a large watershed, northeast China. Cumulative forest cover increased by 22 %, leading to a significant decrease in estimated annual water yield. Reforestation increased ET （P = 0.0144）, resulting in a remarkable decrease （P = 0.0001） in estimated annual water yield according to the water balance model. Reforestation increased ET by 33 mm and decreased annual water yield by 38 mm per decade. The effect of reforestation on annual water yield can be quantified using a simplified water balance model in a large watershed, although our reforestation area was small （about 20 %） in relation to the total watershed area.展开更多
Enhancing forest carbon(C) storage is recognized as one of the most economic and green approaches to offsetting anthropogenic CO_2 emissions. However, experimental evidence for C sequestration potential(C_(sp)) in Chi...Enhancing forest carbon(C) storage is recognized as one of the most economic and green approaches to offsetting anthropogenic CO_2 emissions. However, experimental evidence for C sequestration potential(C_(sp)) in China's forest ecosystems and its spatial patterns remain unclear, although a deep understanding is essential for policy-makers making decisions on reforestation. Here, we surveyed the literature from 2004 to 2014 to obtain C density data on forest ecosystems in China and used mature forests as a reference to explore C_(sp). The results showed that the C densities of vegetation and soil(0–100 cm) in China's forest ecosystems were about 69.23 Mg C/ha and 116.52 Mg C/ha, respectively. In mature forests, the C_(sp) of vegetation and soil are expected to increase to 129.26 Mg C/ha(87.1%) and 154.39 Mg C/ha(32.4%) in the coming decades, respectively. Moreover, the potential increase of C storage in vegetation(10.81 Pg C) is estimated at approximately twice that of soil(5.01 Pg C). Higher C_(sp) may occur in the subtropical humid regions and policy-makers should pay particular attention to the development of new reforestation strategies for these areas. In addition to soil nutrients and environment, climate was an important factor influencing the spatial patterns of C density in forest ecosystems in China. Interestingly, climate influenced the spatial patterns of vegetation and soil C density via different routes, having a positive effect on vegetation C density and a negative effect on soil C density. This estimation of the potential for increasing forest C storage provided new insights into the vital roles of China's forest ecosystems in future C sequestration. More importantly, our findings emphasize that climate constraints on forest C sequestration should be considered in reforestation strategies in China because the effects of climate were the opposite for spatial patterns of C density in vegetation and soil.Enhancing forest carbon(C) storage is recognized as one of the most economic and green approaches to offsetting anthropogenic CO2 emissions. However, experimental evidence for C sequestration potential(Csp) in China's forest ecosystems and its spatial patterns remain unclear, although a deep understanding is essential for policy-makers making decisions on reforestation. Here, we surveyed the literature from 2004 to 2014 to obtain C density data on forest ecosystems in China and used mature forests as a reference to explore Csp. The results showed that the C densities of vegetation and soil(0–100 cm) in China's forest ecosystems were about 69.23 Mg C/ha and 116.52 Mg C/ha, respectively. In mature forests, the Csp of vegetation and soil are expected to increase to 129.26 Mg C/ha(87.1%) and 154.39 Mg C/ha(32.4%) in the coming decades, respectively. Moreover, the potential increase of C storage in vegetation(10.81 Pg C) is estimated at approximately twice that of soil(5.01 Pg C). Higher Csp may occur in the subtropical humid regions and policy-makers should pay particular attention to the development of new reforestation strategies for these areas. In addition to soil nutrients and environment, climate was an important factor influencing the spatial patterns of C density in forest ecosystems in China. Interestingly, climate influenced the spatial patterns of vegetation and soil C density via different routes, having a positive effect on vegetation C density and a negative effect on soil C density. This estimation of the potential for increasing forest C storage provided new insights into the vital roles of China's forest ecosystems in future C sequestration. More importantly, our findings emphasize that climate constraints on forest C sequestration should be considered in reforestation strategies in China because the effects of climate were the opposite for spatial patterns of C density in vegetation and soil.展开更多
Background: Prescribed burning is a common practice of site preparation before afforestation in subtropical forests. However, the effects of prescribed burning on carbon (C) dynamics of an ecosystem are poorly underst...Background: Prescribed burning is a common practice of site preparation before afforestation in subtropical forests. However, the effects of prescribed burning on carbon (C) dynamics of an ecosystem are poorly understood. Therefore, a Eucalyptus urophylla plantation (EU) and a naturally recovered shrubland (NS), each treated with prescribed burning and no burning were examined in subtropical China. Methods: Biomass of trees and shrubs in the 1st, 3nd, 4th, and 6th year after treatments were estimated by quadrat survey and allometric equations. Biomass of herbs and forest floors were estimated by harvest method. Plant biomass C storage was calculated by plant biomass multiplying by its C concentration. Soil organic C (SOC) storage in the 6th year after treatments was estimated by SOC concentration multiplying by soil bulk density and soil volumes. Results: Tree biomass C storage was significantly higher in the burned EU (BEU) than in the unburned EU (UEU) in the 1st year after treatments, yet the difference decreased over time. Conversely, tree biomass C storage was lower in the burned NS (BNS) than in the unburned NS (UNS), although the difference was not significant. However, in the 6th year after treatments, the total plant biomass C storage was 14.56% higher in the BEU than that in the UEU, and 59.93% higher in the BNS than that in the UNS, respectively, although the significant difference was only found between UNS and BNS. In addition, neither SOC storage at 0-20 cm nor ecosystem C storage in either the EU or NS was significantly affected by prescribed burning. Conclusions: Prescribed burning has little impact on overall C storage of forest ecosystems, we consider that prescribed burning may be an option for forest site preparation regarding plant biomass C accumulation.展开更多
文摘After the Second World War of the past century in Italy extended plantations were carried out. In Southern Italy the Calabrian pine （Pinus laricio Poiret） has been the most used species, for its ability to take root in many difficult conditions. Currently the extension of this vegetation is about 36,000 hectares, in great part established in Calabria. They have reduced hydrogeological risks, they have carried out an important social role and have improved the landscape and the environment of huge hill and mountain territories. After the realization of these stands, no forest management has been made in order to define purposes and silvicultural operations. All stands are currently vulnerable in order to abiotic （fire, breakages） and biotic （Traumatocampa （--- Thaumetopoea） pityocampa （Denis ＆ Schiff.） and Heterobasidion annosum （Fr.） Bref.） agents. For the future, the silvicultural management of these stands will not be able to avoid planning choices, in order to improve the structural stability and the bioecological functionality and to consider the recent opportunities offered from the agroenergetic field.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U21A6001)the Guangdong Natural Science Foundation Youth Enhancement Program(No.2024A1515030206)the China Meteorological Administration Climate Change Special Program(No.QBZ202301)。
文摘Both natural and human-induced disturbances affect the normal functioning and services of mangrove ecosystems.To address the consequences of intense human and climatic disturbances on sedimentation and carbon burial,sediment cores from the last remaining mangrove Kandelia obovata forest and an adjacent mudflat in the densely populated and typhoon-prone Zhujiang(Pearl)River estuary of China,were analyzed using methods including^(210)Pb dating andδ^(13)C analysis.Results indicate that after damming in the 1950s,during 1960-1980,the natural establishment of K.obovata forests initiated the insitu sedimentation.As these forests matured during 1980-1990,they significantly boosted siltation in the region on mudflat.During 1990-2015,the invasion of Spartina alterniflora and land reclamation for aquaculture caused infiltration of coarse sediments and the impacts of typhoons were recorded within the K.obovata forest,while no clear typhoon record was observed on the mudflat.Since 2015,reforestation efforts with S.apetala that began in 1999 have reversed the effects of earlier deforestation.Over time,mangroves established a rapid autochthonous carbon burial that grew as the forests age,potentially surpassing the influx of allochthonous carbon due to deforestation.The reforestation also immediately improved carbon burial on the mudflat,which stabilized after a decade due to the rapid growth and high biomass of S.apetala.Overall,the K.obovata forest demonstrated a stronger sedimentation and carbon burial capabilities than the mudflat,with a surplus of 35.2 Mg C/hm^(2)in soil organic carbon stock and 1.0 Mg C/(hm^(2)·a)in burial rate.Organic matter dissolved in soil was mainly humus-like components,and mangrove inputs likely increased the degree of humification.This study offered direct evidence regarding the impact of multiple disturbances on local and regional sedimentation and carbon burial,and future management strategies.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42377331)supported by the U.S.National Science Foundation Division of Environmental Biology award#2331162U.S.National Science Foundation Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems award#2408954.
文摘Large-scale afforestation and forest conservation policies have been widely implemented in Southwest China over past decades.These efforts have significantly protected the remaining long-established forests in the region and greatly expanded forested areas.Utilizing nearly 30 years of satellite time-series data,we reveal that the region’s enhanced carbon sequestration(3×10^(12) g·C annually)is primarily driven by crucial changes in forest structure and age,occurring alongside a nearly 120%increase in forested land area.We observe that dense forests maintain a rapid growth rate of approximately 2.5%annually for carbon sequestration in the initial years after establishment.However,this growth rate decelerates with increasing apparent forest age.Meanwhile,the densification(modeled as an increasing forest probability)rate of forests reaches its peak growth during the 10-20 year period,sustaining a high annual growth rate of about 1.8%.We also find that improvements in forest structure,particularly the increasing of forest canopy density and apparent forest age coupled with a notable reduction in forest fragmentation,are also the main driving factors for the enhanced carbon sequestration capacity.Based on these findings,we conclude that forest restoration policies in Southwest China have been successful not only in facilitating large-scale forest growth in Southwest China but,more critically,in promoting the structural maturation(e.g.,densification and reduced fragmentation)that is essential for enhancing the region’s carbon sink capacity and its resilience.
文摘As interest in tropical forest restoration accelerates,understanding its hydrological implications is increasingly urgent.While concerns persist that reforestation will reduce annual water yields—particularly in drier climates—we highlight conditions under which forest landscape restoration(FLR)can improve seasonal water availability,especially during the dry season.We examine the trade-off between increased vegetation water use(“pumping”)and enhanced infiltration and subsurface retention(“sponging”)following forestation of degraded lands,the recovery of vegetation's ability to capture“occult”precipitation(fog)in specific coastal and montane settings,and the role of forest cover in enhancing moisture recycling and transport at multiple scales.A pan-tropical sensitivity analysis shows that in degraded landscapes with deep soils and pronounced rainfall seasonality,infiltration gains following forestation can offset or exceed evaporative losses,thereby supporting groundwater recharge and increasing dry-season flows in approximately 10%of cases,with an additional 8%showing near-neutral(slightly negative)outcomes.These findings challenge the assumption that forestation uniformly reduces water availability and underscore the need to prioritize dry-season flow recovery—rather than annual water yield—as a central hydrological goal of FLR.We call for trans-disciplinary research and long-term monitoring to inform forest restoration strategies,particularly in seasonally dry regions where water scarcity is most acute.
文摘Afforestation is an effective method to deal with climate change.Reforestation can restore ecological balance and provide support and opportunities for local communities'economic development.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NO.32201626)the Key Research and Development Program of Jiangxi Province(20223BBG74S01,20223BBG71013).
文摘In response to the effectiveness of reforestation in controlling soil erosion,there has been a dramatic increase in forest coverage in the hilly red soil region of southern China.Aggregate stability and soil shear strength are indicators that reflect soil resistance to erosion and its ability to prevent shallow landslides,respectively.However,limited research has focused on the response of soil aggregate stability and shear strength to reforestation.We selected three types of reforestations(Phyllostachys edulis forest,Cunninghamia lanceolata(Lamb.)Hook.forest,Citrus sinensis(L.)Osbeck.orchard),a natural forest(mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests),and a fallow land as study plots,and measured root traits,and soil physicochemical traits,i.e.,pH,soil organic matter(SOC),Soil water content(SWC),soil bulk density(BD),soil cohesion(c),soil internal friction angle(φ)and analyzed their multiple interactions.The soil aggregate stability traits,refer to the mean weight diameter(MWD)and geometric mean diameter(GMD),exhibited a significant increase in reforested plots,approximately 200%compared to fallow land and 50%compared to natural forests.For soil shear strength the values were approximately 20%higher than in fallow land and approximately 10%lower than in natural forests.Soil aggregate stability and soil shear strength did not exhibit a significant positive correlation across all plots,and the underlying drivers of these traits were variable.For instance,in natural forest and timber stands,soil aggregate stability was mainly influenced by soil organic carbon,while soil shear strength was primarily affected by root length density.In economic forest,aggregate stability and shear strength are mainly affected by organic carbon.Overall,we found that vegetation restoration enhances soil erosion resistance,however,the primary drivers for the improvement of aggregate stability(soil organic carbon)and shear strength(root length density)are different.Therefore,in future benefit assessments of vegetation restoration projects aimed at soil erosion control,different indicators should be considered based on specific conditions.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30428028)the Innovation Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.40621061)
文摘To evaluate the long-term effects of reforestation types on soil erosion on degraded land, vegetation and soil properties under conventional sloping farmland （CSF） and three different reforestation types including a Pinus massoniana secondary forest （PSF）, an Eucommia ulmoides artificial economic forest （EEF） and a natural succession type forest （NST）, were investigated at runoff plot scale over a six-year period in a red soil region of southern China. One hundred and thirty erosive rainfall events generating runoff in plots were grouped into four rainfall types by means of K-mean clustering method. Erosive rainfall type I is the dominant rainfall type. The amount of runoff and the soil loss under erosive rainfall type III were the most, followed by rain-fall type II, IV and I. Compared with CSF treatment, reforestation treatments decreased the average annual runoff depth and the soil loss by 25.5%–61.8% and 93.9%– 96.2% during the study period respectively. Meanwhile, runoff depth at PSF and EEF treatments was significantly lower than that in NST treatment, but no significant difference existed in soil erosion modulus among the three reforestation treatments. This is mainly due to the improved vegetation properties （i.e., vegetation coverage, biomass of above- and below-ground and litter-fall mass） and soil properties （i.e., bulk density, total porosity, infiltration rate and organic carbon content） in the three reforestation treatments compared to CSF treatment. The PSF and EEF are recommended as the preferred reforestation types to control runoff and soil erosion in the red soil region of southern China, with the NST potentially being used as an important supplement.
文摘Ever since the disastrous floods of 1998, the Chinese government has used the Natural Forest Protection and Sloping Land Conversion Programs to promote afforestation and reforestation as means to reduce runoff, control erosion, and stabilize local livelihoods. These two ambitious programs have been reported as large-scale successes, contributing to an overall increase in China’s forest cover and to the stated goals of environmental stabilization. A small-scale field study at the project level of the implementation of these two programs in Baiwu Township, Yanyuan County, Sichuan, casts doubt upon the accuracy and reliability of these claims of success; ground observations revealed utter failure in some sites and only marginal success in others. Reasons for this discrepancy are posited as involving ecological, economic, and bureaucratic factors. Further research is suggested to determine whether these discrepancies are merely local aberrations or represent larger-scale failures in reforestation programs.
基金Under the auspices of Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA05060300)
文摘The effects of reforestation on carbon （C） sequestration in China＇s Loess Plateau ecosystem have attracted much research attention in recent years. Black locust trees （Robinia pseudoacacia L.） are valued for their important use in reforestation and water and soil conservation efforts. This forest type is widespread across the Loess Plateau, and must he an essential component of any planning for C sequestration efforts in this fragile ecological region. The long-term effects of stand age on C accumulation and allocation after reforestation remains uncertain. We examined an age-sequence of black locust forest （5, 9, 20, 30, 38, and 56 yr since planting） on the Loess Plateau to evaluate C accumulation and allocation in plants （trees, shrubs, herbages, and leaf litter） and soil （0-100 cm）. Allometric equations were developed for estimating the biomass of tree components （leaf, branch, stem without bark, bark and root） with a de- structive sampling method. Our results demonstrated that black locust forest ecosystem accumulated C constantly, from 31.42 Mg C/ha （1 Mg = 106 g） at 5 yr to 79.44 Mg C/haat 38 yr. At the ＇old forest＇ stage （38 to 56 yr）, the amount of C in plant biomass significantly decreased （from 45.32 to 34.52 Mg C/ha） due to the high mortality of trees. However, old forest was able to accumulate C continuously in soil （from 33.66 to 41.00 Mg C/ha）. The C in shrub biomass increased with stand age, while the C stock in the herbage layer and leaf litter was age-independent. Reforestation resulted in C re-allocation in the forest soil. The topsoil （0-20 cm） C stock increased constantly with stand age. However, C storage in sub-top soil, in the 20-30, 30-50, 50-100, and 20-100 cm layers, was age-independent. These results suggest that succession, as a temporal factor, plays a key role in C accumulation and re-allocation in black locust forests and also in regional C dynamics in vegetation.
文摘Surface coal mines prior to 1950 in the USA were generally left without any reclamation.As government regulations advanced since then,mine operators were required to backfill the area and plant grasses or trees.After the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act(SMCRA)was passed in 1977 in the USA,mine operators were required to conduct pre-mining analyses of the site and to designate a land use that could be achieved after mining.Successful reclamation,as needed to satisfy today’s societal demands,requires engineering,design,and purposeful reconstruction of the full mining disturbance,not just its surface,and control of waters leaving the mine site.Effective reclamation on modern American coal mines is fully integrated with the mining operation.A suitable and effective postmining land use that is sustainable for future generations is crucial to the long-term success and profitability of the mining business and to the future economic benefits of the landowner.Accepted post-mining land uses in the USA are:(1)prime farmland,(2)hay land and pasture,(3)biofuel crops,(4)forestry,(5)wildlife habitat,and(6)building site development.Policies and regulations for each post-mining land use were developed and practices to achieve successful and sustainable land uses were established.Post-mining conditions should provide ecosystem services and produce lands capable of supporting societal needs in the future.
基金financially supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences through the Strategic Priority Research Program(XDA05050202)
文摘We used the forest inventory data of Gansu Province, China to quantify carbon storage and carbon density changes by regional forest cover and by typical forest types in 1979-2006. Total forest area increased from 1.77 x 106 ha in 1979 to 2.32 x 106 ha in 2006, and the forest carbon storage, estimated by the continuous biomass expansion factor method, increased from 83.14 to 100.66 Tg, equivalent to a carbon accumulation rate of 0.0071 Tg per year during the period. Mean carbon densities were 44.83-48.50 t ha-1 and the values decreased slightly over the time period. Natural forests generated greater car- bon storage and density than did plantations. By regression analysis, forest stand age was an important parameter incarbon density studies. We developed various regression equations between carbon density and stand age for major types of natural forests and plantations in the region. Our results can be used for proper selection of re-forestation species and efficient management of young and middle-aged forests, offering great potential for future carbon sequestra- tion, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
基金Under the auspices of Strategic Pilot Science and Technology Projects of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No.XDA05090310)
文摘The northeastern China, the United States, and the western Europe are important agricultural regions both on the global and regional scales. The westem Europe has a longer history of agricultural land development than the eastem United States. These two regions have changed from the deforestation and reclamation phase in the past to the current land abandonment and reforestation phase. Compared with the two regions, large-scale land exploitation has only been practiced in the northeastern China during the last century. After a short high-intensity deforestation and reclamation period, agricultural and forest lands are basically in a dynamic steady state. By comparing domestic and international agro-forestry development and considering the ecological environment and socio-economic bene- fits that can be derived from agro-forestry, this paper suggests that large area of reforestation would be inevitable in future though per- sistent and large agricultural demand in coming decades even more. And local reforestation at slope farmland with ecological vulner- ability should be imperative at present to avoid severer damage. At the same time, from the perspective of Land Change Science, the results demonstrate that the research on land use change in the agro-forestry ecotone is typical and critical, particularly those dealing with the analysis of spatial and temporal characteristics and the simulation of climate, hydrology, and other environmental effects.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40071055)
文摘Three types of soils： an eroded barren soil under continuous fallow, an eroded soil transplanted with Lespedeza shrubs （Lespedeza bieolor）, and an eroded soil transplanted with camphor tree （Cinnaraomum camphora） were investigated to quantify organic matter pools and aggregates in reforested soils using physical fractionation techniques and to determine aggregate stability in relation to the enrichment of soil organic carbon （SOC）. Soil organic matter （SOM） was physically fractionalized into free particulate organic matter （fPOM）, occluded particulate organic matter （oPOM）, and mineralassociated organic matter （mOM）. The SOM was concentrated on the surface soil （0 5 cm）, with an average C sequestration rate of 20-25 g C m^-2 year^-1 over 14 years. As compared to the eroded barren land, organic C content of fPOM, oPOM, and mOM fractions of the soil under Lespedeza and under camphor tree increased 12-15, 45-54, and 3.1-3.5 times, respectively. A linear relationship was found between aggregate stability and organic C （r^2 = 0.45, P 〈 0.01）, oPOM （r^2 = 0.34, P 〈 0.05）, and roOM （r^2 = 0.46, P 〈 0.01） of aggregates. The enrichment of organic C improved aggregate stability of the soil under Lespedeza but not that under camphor tree. However, further research is needed on the physical and biological processes involved in the interaction of soil aggregation and SOC sequestration in ecosystem.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41771429National Key Research and Development Project,No.2017YFB0503505。
文摘Farmland reforestation can contribute substantially to ecological restoration.Previous studies have extensively examined the ecological effects of farmland reforestation,but few of them have investigated the spatiotemporal responses of broad-scale landscape connectivity to reforestation.By using a typical agro-pastoral ecotone in northern China as a case study,we addressed this issue based on an innovative integration of circuit theory approach and counterfactual analysis.The forest connectivity through multiple dispersal pathways was measured using the circuit theory approach,and its spatiotemporal changes after reforestation were evaluated by counterfactual analysis.The results showed that from 2000–2015,the reforested farmland occupied 2095 km^2,and 12.5% was on steeply sloped land.Farmland reforestation caused a greater increase in ecological connectivity by adding new ecological corridors and stepping stones in scattered forest areas rather than in areas with dense forest distributions.The newly added corridors and stepping stones were fragmented,short and narrow and thus deserve powerful protection.Future reforestation to improve landscape connectivity should highlight pinch point protection and obstacle removal as well as the tradeoff between farmland loss and farmer survival.Our findings are expected to inform the optimization of the Grain for Green policy from the perspective of broad-scale biodiversity conservation.
基金financial support from the Ministry of Water Resources special funds for scientific research (Grant No. 20131037)National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41001018)One Hundred Young Persons Project of Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (Grant No. SDSQB-2010-02)
文摘As a major sediment area in the upper Yangtze River, Jialing River basin experienced substantial land-use changes, many water conservancy projects were constructed from the 1980 s onward to promote water and soil conservation. The water and sediment yield at the watershed outlet was strongly affected by these water conservation works, including ponds and reservoirs, which should be considered in the modelling. In this study, based on the observed data of the Weicheng River catchment, the relationships between precipitation, runoff, vegetation, topography and sediment yield were analyzed, a distributed runoff and sediment yield model(WSTD-SED) was developed, and the hydrological processes of different land-use scenarios were simulated by using the model. The main results are summarized as follows: 1) there is an alternating characteristic in river channels and reservoirs in the Jialing River hilly area, with scour occurring in wet years and deposit occurring in dry years. 2) Most of the sediment deposited in river channels and reservoirs is carried off by the largest flood in the year. 3) The model yielded plausible results for runoff and sediment yield dynamics without the need of calibration, and the WSTD-SED model could be usedto obtain qualitative estimates on the effects of land use change scenarios. 4) The modelling results suggest that a 10% increase in cropland(dry land) reforestation results in a 0.7% decrease in runoff and 1.5% decrease in sediment yield.
基金founded by project SEMAR-NAT-2006-1-23818 to Joel FloresClaudia González-Salvatierra thanks the postdoctoral grant CONACYT-172810
文摘Forest restorations conducted in semiarid, seasonally dry climates must deal with the intense drought stress that affects tree seedlings during the dry season. Although this water deficit is the most commonly invoked source of mortality for seedlings, several other environmental factors may also preclude survival of transplants. For instance, it has been widely reported that excessive light reduces the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus, hence decreasing plant survival, but most seedling transplants in deforested areas are conducted under these light conditions. This study is focused in determining whether excessive light affects the photosynthetic performance and survival of Quercus coccolobifolia, a Mexican oak species, when their seedlings are transplanted in semiarid deforested areas. Further, this study tests the possibility of using artificial shade shelters to improve the ecophysiological performance and survival of seedlings. Oak seedlings were transplanted under full sunlight conditions and beneath artificial shade shelters of two different colors： white and black. To reduce water stress, and hence isolate the effects of light treatments, a drip irrigation system was implemented at each experimental plot. Seedling survival was monitored weekly for 128 days and photosynthetic performance was assessed by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence at three opportunities during the experiment. Sun-exposed seedlings showed lower photosynthetic performance and survival rates than those beneath shelters of both colors. These results suggest that sunlight damage can reduce seedling survival when they are transplanted in exposed sites, and that shade shelters can improve the success of forest restoration programs in semiarid climates.
文摘Infiltration,as a major component of the hydrological cycle,plays an important role in ecosystems,river flooding,and soil erosion.Therefore,this process has been studied on different soils,with different vegetation cover,and under different climate conditions.However,it is still necessary to know how infiltration rates depend on land degradation,vegetation cover,forest management,and forest restoration,since soil infiltration is related to soil hydrological function and hydrological ecosystem services.The aim of our study is to analyze the way reforestation and check dam construction have helped to improve soil infiltration rates in comparison with old,degraded land,different soils and vegetation covers in Central Spain.Therefore,three infiltration tests were carried out by means of a simple methacrylate infiltrometer ring,in four sampling plots,for five types of land use:(i) native holm oak forest,(ii) 60-year-old reforested pine wood,(iii) shrubs,(iv) sediment wedges of check dams,and(v) gullies and degraded hillslopes.Our results show much higher infiltration rates in the soil of 60-yearold pine reforestation sites(1198.00 mm·h^(-1)),and in the sediment wedges of check dams(1088.00 mm·h^(-1)),than in those of degraded hillslopes(365.00 mm·h^(-1)) and shrubland(420.80 mm·h^(-1)).The rates were also shown to be close to those from the remaining patches of native holm oak woodland(770.40 mm·h^(-1)).We also found that organic matter,humus and litter depth,and height of vegetation and cover,all improve soil infiltration rates,while slope degree,presence of coarse elements,stoniness,clay content,bulk density,and electric conductivity inhibit the rates.It was additionally seen that pine reforestation and check dam construction caused degraded land to recover its hydrological conditions to a level that is quite close to that of the ancient oak holm native forest,alongside ameliorating the hydrological cycle in the watershed.This information will be very useful for decisionmaking processes related to land restoration projects,forest management,and environmental policy.
基金financially supported by the State Forestry Administration of China(201404201)the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation of China(2012GXNSFBA053140)+2 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds of Guangxi Academy of Sciences(13YJ22ZWS22)the Guangxi Institute of Botany(12001)CFERN&GENE Award Funds on Ecological Paper
文摘A simplified water balance model in conjunc- tion with an evapotranspiration （ET） model and cumulative forest cover data were used to quantify the changes in annual water yield in response to reforestation in a large watershed, northeast China. Cumulative forest cover increased by 22 %, leading to a significant decrease in estimated annual water yield. Reforestation increased ET （P = 0.0144）, resulting in a remarkable decrease （P = 0.0001） in estimated annual water yield according to the water balance model. Reforestation increased ET by 33 mm and decreased annual water yield by 38 mm per decade. The effect of reforestation on annual water yield can be quantified using a simplified water balance model in a large watershed, although our reforestation area was small （about 20 %） in relation to the total watershed area.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31290221,41571130043,31570471)Chinese Academy of Sciences Strategic Priority Research Program(No.XDA05050702)+1 种基金Program for Kezhen Distinguished Talents in Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.2013RC102)Program of Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘Enhancing forest carbon(C) storage is recognized as one of the most economic and green approaches to offsetting anthropogenic CO_2 emissions. However, experimental evidence for C sequestration potential(C_(sp)) in China's forest ecosystems and its spatial patterns remain unclear, although a deep understanding is essential for policy-makers making decisions on reforestation. Here, we surveyed the literature from 2004 to 2014 to obtain C density data on forest ecosystems in China and used mature forests as a reference to explore C_(sp). The results showed that the C densities of vegetation and soil(0–100 cm) in China's forest ecosystems were about 69.23 Mg C/ha and 116.52 Mg C/ha, respectively. In mature forests, the C_(sp) of vegetation and soil are expected to increase to 129.26 Mg C/ha(87.1%) and 154.39 Mg C/ha(32.4%) in the coming decades, respectively. Moreover, the potential increase of C storage in vegetation(10.81 Pg C) is estimated at approximately twice that of soil(5.01 Pg C). Higher C_(sp) may occur in the subtropical humid regions and policy-makers should pay particular attention to the development of new reforestation strategies for these areas. In addition to soil nutrients and environment, climate was an important factor influencing the spatial patterns of C density in forest ecosystems in China. Interestingly, climate influenced the spatial patterns of vegetation and soil C density via different routes, having a positive effect on vegetation C density and a negative effect on soil C density. This estimation of the potential for increasing forest C storage provided new insights into the vital roles of China's forest ecosystems in future C sequestration. More importantly, our findings emphasize that climate constraints on forest C sequestration should be considered in reforestation strategies in China because the effects of climate were the opposite for spatial patterns of C density in vegetation and soil.Enhancing forest carbon(C) storage is recognized as one of the most economic and green approaches to offsetting anthropogenic CO2 emissions. However, experimental evidence for C sequestration potential(Csp) in China's forest ecosystems and its spatial patterns remain unclear, although a deep understanding is essential for policy-makers making decisions on reforestation. Here, we surveyed the literature from 2004 to 2014 to obtain C density data on forest ecosystems in China and used mature forests as a reference to explore Csp. The results showed that the C densities of vegetation and soil(0–100 cm) in China's forest ecosystems were about 69.23 Mg C/ha and 116.52 Mg C/ha, respectively. In mature forests, the Csp of vegetation and soil are expected to increase to 129.26 Mg C/ha(87.1%) and 154.39 Mg C/ha(32.4%) in the coming decades, respectively. Moreover, the potential increase of C storage in vegetation(10.81 Pg C) is estimated at approximately twice that of soil(5.01 Pg C). Higher Csp may occur in the subtropical humid regions and policy-makers should pay particular attention to the development of new reforestation strategies for these areas. In addition to soil nutrients and environment, climate was an important factor influencing the spatial patterns of C density in forest ecosystems in China. Interestingly, climate influenced the spatial patterns of vegetation and soil C density via different routes, having a positive effect on vegetation C density and a negative effect on soil C density. This estimation of the potential for increasing forest C storage provided new insights into the vital roles of China's forest ecosystems in future C sequestration. More importantly, our findings emphasize that climate constraints on forest C sequestration should be considered in reforestation strategies in China because the effects of climate were the opposite for spatial patterns of C density in vegetation and soil.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of Major International(Regional)Joint Research Project of China(No.31210103920)the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(No.2017JJ3083)the Research Foundation of Education Bureau of Hunan Province,China(No.17B099)
文摘Background: Prescribed burning is a common practice of site preparation before afforestation in subtropical forests. However, the effects of prescribed burning on carbon (C) dynamics of an ecosystem are poorly understood. Therefore, a Eucalyptus urophylla plantation (EU) and a naturally recovered shrubland (NS), each treated with prescribed burning and no burning were examined in subtropical China. Methods: Biomass of trees and shrubs in the 1st, 3nd, 4th, and 6th year after treatments were estimated by quadrat survey and allometric equations. Biomass of herbs and forest floors were estimated by harvest method. Plant biomass C storage was calculated by plant biomass multiplying by its C concentration. Soil organic C (SOC) storage in the 6th year after treatments was estimated by SOC concentration multiplying by soil bulk density and soil volumes. Results: Tree biomass C storage was significantly higher in the burned EU (BEU) than in the unburned EU (UEU) in the 1st year after treatments, yet the difference decreased over time. Conversely, tree biomass C storage was lower in the burned NS (BNS) than in the unburned NS (UNS), although the difference was not significant. However, in the 6th year after treatments, the total plant biomass C storage was 14.56% higher in the BEU than that in the UEU, and 59.93% higher in the BNS than that in the UNS, respectively, although the significant difference was only found between UNS and BNS. In addition, neither SOC storage at 0-20 cm nor ecosystem C storage in either the EU or NS was significantly affected by prescribed burning. Conclusions: Prescribed burning has little impact on overall C storage of forest ecosystems, we consider that prescribed burning may be an option for forest site preparation regarding plant biomass C accumulation.
