A Study of Science and Technology Support System for Multifunctional Forestry

Based on the analysis on existing problems in China's forestry science & technology support system and in view of the requirements of multifunctional forestry development for science & technology support, the paper constructed a science & technology support framework for multifunctional forestry, comprising technology innovation, achievements transfer, extension and application, and policy guarantee. Major countermeasures were proposed to consolidate the science & technology support to multifunctional forestry, including enhancing basic theoretic research, focusing on applied technology R & D, promoting achievement transfer and application, and intensifying guarantee capacity.

Formation mechanisms and remediation techniques for low-efficiency artificial shelter forests on the Chinese Loess Plateau

The construction of artificial shelter forests(ASFs)has resulted in substantial ecological,economic,and societal benefits to the Chinese Loess Plateau(CLP).However,the health and benefits of ASFs are being increasingly threatened by the formation of low-efficiency artificial shelter forests(LEASFs).In this study,LEASFs are systematically analyzed in terms of their status,formation mechanisms,and developmental obstacles.The key restoration techniques and schemes were summarized to improve the quality and efficiency of LEASFs.LEASFs are formed by relatively complex mechanisms,but they arise mainly due to poor habitat conditions,improper tree species selections,mismatch between stands and habitat,extensive forest management measures,and human interferences.The restoration and improvement of LEASFs are hindered by water deficits,mismatch between stands and habitat,single management purpose,and low efficiency.LEASFs are becoming more complex due to their wide range,the challenges associated with their restoration,and insufficient technological measures for their restoration.The key techniques of the quality and efficiency improvement of LEASFs include basic forest tending methods,near-natural restoration,multifunction-oriented improvement,and systematic restoration.An understanding on the formation mechanisms of LEASFs and a scientific approach toward their restoration are urgently needed and critical for the ecological protection and high-quality development of LEASFs on the CLP.Based on these analyses,we recommend strengthening the monitoring and supervision of LEASFs,considering the bearing capacity of regional water resources,implementing multiple restoration techniques,promoting multifunction-oriented ecological development,and exploring new management concepts to achieve the sustainable development of ASFs on the CLP.

Forestry projections for species diversity-oriented management:an example from Central Europe

Introduction:Changes in socio-economy and climate are affecting the demand of wood products globally.At the same time,society requires that forest supporting structures like biodiversity are maintained and preserved while the demand for wood products is also covered.Management support systems,like forest simulation models,that are able to analyze connections as well as quantify trade-offs between forest structure management and biodiversity indicators are highly sought.However,such models are generally developed for the local plot or stand scale only and ecosystem-scale analyses are missing.In this study,we analyzed ways to interpret results from the single-tree forest simulator SILVA from the local to the ecosystem scale.We also analyzed the impacts of forest management on biodiversity using two species diversity indicators,the species profile index and the species intermingling,for scenarios adapted from the GLOBIOM model in the case study“Augsburg Western Forests”,a high productive region in South-Germany.In order to evaluate diversity tendencies across the ecosystem,we applied a moving window methodology.Results:The relevance of scale for the interpretation of management effects on species diversity was shown and clear differences between scenarios revealed.The differences between scenarios were particularly visible when comparing the two diversity indicators,especially because the species profile index focuses on vertical and horizontal information and the species intermingling focuses mainly on horizontal structures.Under a multifunctional scenario,biodiversity values could be preserved at all scales in the vertical dimension.However,under a bio-energy-oriented scenario diversity at the local scale was reduced,although at the ecosystem level,and only in the horizontal dimension,diversity remained at relatively high values.Conclusions:With this work,we can conclude that integrative modeling,with multiple scenarios,is highly needed to support forestry decision making and towards the evolution of forest management to consider the ecosystem scale,especially when the optimization of diversity is a management priority.