The walnut-fruit forests(Juglans regia L.) in southern Kyrgyzstan are considered to be biodiversity hotspots and of considerable economic and ecological importance to local populations. The fruiting ability and stabil...The walnut-fruit forests(Juglans regia L.) in southern Kyrgyzstan are considered to be biodiversity hotspots and of considerable economic and ecological importance to local populations. The fruiting ability and stability of these forests are, however, decreasing because of infrequent silvicultural interventions and non-existent natural regeneration. Continuous inventories and walnut harvest measurements were carried out on 18 trial and control plots over the course of 13 year. Results showed that i) thinning had a positive influence on diameter at breast height(dbh) increase, ii) dbh growth and crown area increases are strongly and positively correlated, iii) large crowns enhanced the production of fruits, and iv) temperature conditions had a major influence on the production of fruits. The above-mentioned points are particularly relevant for young plantations but are also valid for relatively old plantations(> 50 years). We conclude that regular thinning substantially improves diameter growth, fruit production and ability of trees to withstand wind and snow damage in both young stands and in older walnut-fruit forests.展开更多
After Kyrgyzstan gained independence in 1991, the importance of the primary sector for food- and energy-supply increased significantly. This has led to a discussion about the sustainability of current firewood use. We...After Kyrgyzstan gained independence in 1991, the importance of the primary sector for food- and energy-supply increased significantly. This has led to a discussion about the sustainability of current firewood use. We investigated firewood collection and use practices in three selected villages and analysed differences between the annual increment of woody biomass and firewood consumption for heating during winter months. The calculated individual firewood consumption is on average 3.90 kg/capita/heating day and the calculation of differences between increment and consumption shows that in minimum one village the surrounding forests are overused for firewood collection. Pressure on the forest and the overuse of preferred tree species for firewood can lead to an overuse of the resource and to a decrease in the genetic diversity of these species in the walnut-fruit forests which are considered as a biodiversity hotspot of international significance due to the diversity of woody.展开更多
基金the Swiss National Science Foundationthe Velux Foundation+1 种基金the Karl Popper Foundationthe Vontobel Foundation for their financial support
文摘The walnut-fruit forests(Juglans regia L.) in southern Kyrgyzstan are considered to be biodiversity hotspots and of considerable economic and ecological importance to local populations. The fruiting ability and stability of these forests are, however, decreasing because of infrequent silvicultural interventions and non-existent natural regeneration. Continuous inventories and walnut harvest measurements were carried out on 18 trial and control plots over the course of 13 year. Results showed that i) thinning had a positive influence on diameter at breast height(dbh) increase, ii) dbh growth and crown area increases are strongly and positively correlated, iii) large crowns enhanced the production of fruits, and iv) temperature conditions had a major influence on the production of fruits. The above-mentioned points are particularly relevant for young plantations but are also valid for relatively old plantations(> 50 years). We conclude that regular thinning substantially improves diameter growth, fruit production and ability of trees to withstand wind and snow damage in both young stands and in older walnut-fruit forests.
基金supported by Swiss National Science Foundation,the Karl Popper Foundation and the Vontobel Foundation in the framework of the project"ORECH-LES"
文摘After Kyrgyzstan gained independence in 1991, the importance of the primary sector for food- and energy-supply increased significantly. This has led to a discussion about the sustainability of current firewood use. We investigated firewood collection and use practices in three selected villages and analysed differences between the annual increment of woody biomass and firewood consumption for heating during winter months. The calculated individual firewood consumption is on average 3.90 kg/capita/heating day and the calculation of differences between increment and consumption shows that in minimum one village the surrounding forests are overused for firewood collection. Pressure on the forest and the overuse of preferred tree species for firewood can lead to an overuse of the resource and to a decrease in the genetic diversity of these species in the walnut-fruit forests which are considered as a biodiversity hotspot of international significance due to the diversity of woody.
