Ecosystem Management and Forestry

In this paper, the conceptions and developments of ecosystem and ecosystem ecology were reviewed and summarized. Then, the conception, connotation, objective, and development of ecosystem management were expounded. Based on these discussions, forest ecosystem management was discussed. The viewpoint was that the former unreasonable forest resources management should be changed, and forest ecosystem management was a suitable way to sustainable development of forestry. The chief research contents were also pointed out in this paper.

Ecosystem Management in the Natural Rubber Industry

Ecosystem management is an ecological approach to the sustainable development of the nature rubber industry. Hainan is selected as an example to present a basic model of natural rubber industry ecosystem management. Based on the systematic analysis of structure and function of natural rubber industry ecosystem, we discuss the basic principles, management steps and management approaches of natural rubber industry ecosystem management. The goal of this paper is to provide the theoretical basis and practical guidance for healthy and sustainable development of the natural rubber industry ecosystem.

A Self-organization Mapping Neural Network Algorithm and Its Application to Identify Ecosystem Service Zones

The self-organization mapping （SOM） neural network algorithm is a new method used to identify the ecosystem service zones at regional extent. According to the ecosystem assessment framework of Millennium Ecosystem Assessment （ MA）, this paper develops an indicator system and conducts a spatial cluster analysis at the 1km by I km grid pixel scale with the SOM neural network algorithm to sort the core ecosystem services over the vertical and horizontal dimensions. A case study was carried out in Xilingol League. The ecosystem services in Xilingol League could be divided to six different ecological zones. The SOM neural network algorithm was capable of identifying the similarities among the input data automatically. The research provides both spatially and temporally valuable information targeted sustainable ecosystem management for decision-makers.

Explaining farmers’reluctance to adopt recommendations for sustainable ecosystem management

Introduction:The lower Syr Darya River Basin is an integral part of the Aral Sea Basin that is shared by four riparian countries.In Kazakhstan,the water is mainly used for agricultural purposes.However,the poor quality and insufficient quantity of water and the overall degradation of natural resources due to unsustainable management practices threaten the profitability of the sector.The situation is even worse for downstream users.Three alternative scenarios for sustainable water and land management were developed using the RIOS and SWAT models as decision support tools.The scenario that offered the highest water and land productivity was presented to farmers to assess their willingness to forgo their current practices and adopt proposed management practices.We introduce willingness to forego(WTF)—a qualitative approach and a variant of the concept of opportunity costs to look beyond hypothetical markets to trading current benefits for future returns.We also tap into literature on agricultural risk management to provide additional insight into farmers’rationale behind their choices.Result:Generally,despite their stated preference to conserve ecosystem services,farmers’actions were found to be inconsistent with the proposed sustainable management.WTF analysis revealed that farmers’desire to maximize current benefits and more importantly to minimize future risks override all sustainability considerations.Their WTF current benefits mainly depended on their location along the canal and hence their access to water and land,overall cost of production,market conditions that informed their crop choices,and the cost of adopting recommended packages.While the results remain specific to this case,they are consistent with the literature that links farmers’behaviors to ecological performances.Conclusions:The study highlights the limitations of decision support tools and other valuation approaches including willingness to pay(WTP)and willingness to accept(payment)(WTA),to capture the delicate trade-offs that need to be considered to ensure household food and income security and encourage adoption of sustainable ecosystem management practices.Adequate information on potential effects of proposed conservation measures on yield,markets and hence farm profits,and availability of other alternatives are critical in shaping farmers’decisions.

Management Implications of Aquifer Fractures on Ecosystem and Habitat Suitability for Panthers in Southern Florida

Our case study analyzed the proximity of previously mapped fractures in the aquifer matrix to 93 Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) dens mapped from 2007-2016 in south Florida. Dens occurred in five counties (Collier = 77, Dade = 1, Hendry = 9, Lee = 5, and Monroe = 1) and three sub-basins of the Greater Everglades Basin (Big Cypress Swamp = 83, Caloosahatchee = 3, and Everglades = 7). Fractured aquifers occur worldwide, but are not the focus of habitat suitability studies, despite evidence that fractures influence plant species composition and density. Habitat alterations can occur many kilometers from the surface footprint of groundwater alterations in the regional Floridan aquifer system via preferential flow through fractures. Increased natural discharge from and recharge to the aquifer occur at fracture intersections. Greater induced recharge and habitat changes also may occur at fracture intersections. All dens were within 5 km of a previously mapped fracture;36% and 74% were within 1 km and 2 km, respectively, of those fractures;and 47%, 74%, and 90% of dens were within 2 km, 3.25 km and 5 km, respectively, from the nearest fracture intersection. Results suggest fractures influence the suitability and/or availability of habitat for panther dens, selection of den sites, and availability as well as abundance of high quality prey items essential for the nutritional demands of successfully rearing panther kittens in the wild. We recommend more detailed investigations of: a) vegetation characteristics near dens, b) groundwater alterations and cumulative impacts of those alterations associated with fractures in panther habitat (e.g., altered plant species composition and density), and c) influence of aquifer fractures in all habitats underlain by fractures.

Green Infrastructure Practice and a Sustainability Key Performance Indicators Framework for Neighbourhood-Level Construction of Sponge City Programme

In recent years, the Sponge City program (SCP) of China, as a sustainable stormwater management approach, has been strengthened as a national strategic level program. The Green Infrastructure (GI), due to its multi-objective and multi-benefits, has been adopted as an important measure of this new nationwide initiative. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive quantitative evaluation system for neighbourhood scale SCP. Hence, in the process of GI plan optimization, selection of implementation methods to balance its multi-benefits has become one of the key obstacles in the practice of SCP. To support robust decision making on multi-objective GI planning and comprehensive assessment, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has been used as a structural and systematic technique. In addition, a set of sustainability key performance indicators (KPIs) including requisite dimensions is the foundation for neighbourhood scale sustainability. Hence, AHP-based evaluation system including selection, weighting and ranking of the KPIs, is defined as a key performance indicator framework (KPIF), which is still in need for further development. Taking the GI planning for the Liangnong, Siming Lake sponge node restoration as an example, this paper develops KPIF with a comprehensive evaluation system for high-quality “Sponge Node” transitional construction. This KPIF consists of three basic criteria: “Environmental Performance”, “Economic and Adaptability Performance”, and “Social-cultural Performance and Wellbeing Performance”. In addition, 15 weighted KPIs are concluded and amongst them, the followings were relatively high: weight of the ATRCR, the promotion of biodiversity, the construction cost saving, the maintenance cost saving, and the level of recreational and wellbeing improvements for all people. In addition, the developed KPIF provides a reference for similar program’s decision-making, not only for the Jiangnan area of China, but also for quantitatively comprehensive evaluations of SCP in other regions.

Integrated environmental education for sustainable forest management: the case of Nandi Hills Forests, Kenya

Environmental education （EE） is a vital dimension of modern day acumen that portends a great promise in solving the myriad environmental resource management challenges at global, regional and local levels. A study was carried out in 18 locations in the Nandi North, Nandi South and Nandi Hills districts of Kenya, which cover the Nandi Hills and Nandi Forests in Nandi County, major water catchments for Lake Victoria. A mixed methodological approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data obtained from focus group discussions, key informant interviews, household survey and observations was embraced in data collection and analysis. The study reveals that there are several strategies that have been adopted by the local population and institutions involved in the management of the Nandi Hills Forests （NHFs） and that these strategies have contributed to an improvement in the perceptions of the local population in terms of the importance of environmental management of the forests. This paper highlights EE as a vehicle for ensur- ing a sustainable management of the Nandi Hills Forests. As such, it illuminates the great potential that lies in sustainably managing the NHFs by integrating formal and informal EE approaches. It further points out the functional gaps in the management of NHFs and proposes best-practices that could be adopted and/or domesticated in NHFs management regimes.

青藏高原草地生态系统演化过程、可持续发展瓶颈及应对分析

青藏高原面积巨大,自然条件恶劣,生态环境脆弱,具有生态、生产和生活的三生服务功能。自20世纪80年代以来,在气候变化、人口激增、市场冲击和经营管理模式改变等多种因素影响下,青藏高原草地生产服务功能逐渐被弱化,“人-地”矛盾凸显,如何实现青藏高原草地生态系统的可持续发展成为“关系人民福祉、关乎民族未来的大计”。基于此,本文梳理了青藏高原生态系统演化历史、植被演化过程及不同历史时期人类活动及区域经济-资源发展模式特征,发现:1)在大的时空间尺度下,青藏高原植被演替的主控因子为气候变化和剧烈的地质变迁,在小的时空尺度下,导致相同地理和气候单元植被特征分异的原因是放牧强度的分异,而草地过度放牧的原因同家庭牧场的管理、草地生态价值的可评估性、人口与生产力发展适配度等关系密切。2)规模化放牧在青藏高原区域具有数千年历史,并形成了人-草-畜协同演化的互利共生关系,青藏高原草地生态系统可持续发展需要在汲取当地传统知识和文化精华的基础之上,扩大草地生产的层次性,引入或研发以生产和生态效益共赢为目的的科学技术,完善和延伸草地生产产业链,完善高原生态系统生态价值评估体系,调动牧场管理者草地健康保护的主观能动性,完成草地健康监管奖惩制度,以生产力、管理和文化为调节手段提高青藏高原区域农牧业现代化和商品化程度,实现青藏高原草地生态系统资源可持续利用发展及区域生态文明建设。

基于自然的解决方案对我国国家公园建设与管理研究的启示

基于自然的解决方案(NbS)作为应对全球生物多样性丧失和气候变化双重危机的重要手段,已成为生态与环境科学领域的研究前沿。自然保护地是保护生物多样性和应对气候变化的重要载体,充分借鉴NbS的标准与方法在自然保护地进行科学实施,可以在生物多样性保护、减缓和适应气候变化、推动实现可持续发展等方面实现协同增效。目前我国正处于以国家公园为主体的自然保护地体系建设的关键时期,国家公园建设与管理及相关研究已成为近年来我国生态文明和美丽中国建设进程中的热点领域。为此,基于世界自然保护联盟(IUCN)提出的NbS全球标准的八项准则,首先梳理了NbS的各项准则对我国国家公园理论与实践的适用性,进而结合NbS的八项准则,以及我国国家公园建设与管理中的实际需求,将我国国家公园建设与管理的相关理论与实践进展围绕以下四个方面进行了梳理,即:(1)如何科学建设国家公园(准则1,应对社会挑战;准则2,根据不同尺度设计);(2)国家公园如何有效治理/管理(准则5,基于包容、透明和赋权的治理过程;准则7,基于证据进行适应性管理);(3)国家公园建设与管理成效如何(准则3,带来生物多样性净增长和生态系统完整性;准则6,在首要目标和其他多种效益间公正地权衡);(4)国家公园如何实现可持续性(准则4,具有经济可行性;准则8,具可持续性并在适当的辖区内主流化)。最后,充分借鉴NbS的各项准则,研究就我国国家公园建设与管理及相关研究提出了启示与展望,以期为我国国家公园相关学科的发展提供参考,并为推动将NbS纳入我国国家公园建设与管理行动提供支撑。

基于森林生态系统服务权衡与协同的森林可持续管理

森林是水库、钱库、粮库、碳库,提供多种生态系统服务,对缓解全球气候变化、维护国土生态安全和促进经济社会可持续发展具有基础性、战略性作用。科学认识不同森林生态系统服务间的权衡与协同对实现森林多重效益和开展森林可持续管理至关重要,但森林生态系统服务间的协同或权衡关系存在较大不确定性、因不同研究而异,导致如何通过森林经营实现森林生态系统多种服务成为关键挑战。全面梳理森林生态系统多种服务之间协调与权衡研究现状后发现:(1)研究聚焦森林碳汇、木材供应、生物多样性、森林游憩等多种服务之间的关系与影响因子;天然林的协同效应高于人工林,林龄、林分密度、树种组成、气温、海拔、社会偏好、管理政策等是主要驱动因素;(2)对比不同森林经营模式或管理措施对森林生态系统多种服务的影响,可持续经营是协同实现森林多种效益的有效途径;(3)气候变化与森林生态系统多种服务之间的相互作用取决于气候因子种类与变化程度、森林类型、森林管理方式、区域环境等,当前重点围绕IPCC发布的未来气候变化情景开展研究;(4)借助InVEST、FSOS、CASA等工具,模拟优化森林管理情景,探索兼顾森林多目标的管理方案。同时,系统总结现有研究和森林可持续管理面临的突出问题:(1)森林生态系统多种服务间权衡协同的形成机理和驱动机制仍不清晰;(2)未考虑全部的森林生态系统服务、森林类型、影响因素、森林管理方式和气候因子等;(3)缺乏跨多种时间、空间、尺度的数据融合,也未融入森林生长动态过程、不确定性和风险分析;(4)模拟空间精度较低、运行机制简单和情景不完善导致优化森林生态系统多种服务的模型无法推广;(5)森林管理设备和理念落后、资金投入和科技支持能力不足、森林质量不高、森林更新滞后等;(6)森林资源管理一体化的技术体系不完善。在此基础上,提出协同实现森林生态系统多种服务的森林可持续管理发展趋势与建议:树立人与自然和谐共生的中国式现代化森林经营理念,倡导基于自然的森林可持续经营,推行增强气候韧性的森林可持续经营,坚持系统观念精准提升森林质量,完善森林经营的技术规程、标准和政策体系。

基于多尺度生态系统服务供需的大都市区生态安全格局构建与优化

以平衡生态系统服务供需为抓手构建生态安全格局对实现生态安全、提升人类福祉具有重要意义。以高度城市化的大都市区--上海市为研究区域,运用InVEST模型、生态系统服务供需比(ESDR)、耦合协调度(CCD)和最小累积阻力(MCR)模型等方法,探究上海市生态系统服务供需关系及尺度效应特征,构建基于供需匹配和耦合协调关系的生态安全格局优化模式。结果表明:(1)上海市生态系统服务供给和需求均存在显著空间分异,高供给区主要分布在林地、耕地和水体资源丰富的郊区,高需求区集中在人口稠密的中心城区。(2)上海市ESDR和CCD的空间分异具有明显的尺度依赖性,1500 m网格尺度和街镇尺度分别反映研究区内部细节性和整体的供需状况,可作为生态安全格局构建优化的参考尺度。(3)由综合生态系统服务供给和供需比共同确定生态源地的空间位置,共识别上海市生态源地275个,总面积为303.54 km^(2),密集分布于城市西部和北部,472条生态廊道总长度为3252.35 km,呈网状分布,338个生态夹点和411.84 km^(2)的生态障碍点主要分布在中心城区以外区域。(4)基于街镇尺度上的生态系统服务供需关系,上海市221个街镇可分为生态协调区(55个)、生态保育区(89个)、生态改良区(24个)、生态控制区(33个)和生态修复区(20个)。研究工作可丰富尺度效应相关理论,为城市化区域开展生态保护修复实践和管理提供借鉴和参考。

A review on trade-off analysis of ecosystem services for sustainable land-use management

Ecosystem services are substantial elements for human society. The central challenge to meet the human needs from ecosystems while sustain the Earth's life support systems makes it urgent to enhance efficient natural resource management for sustainable ecological and socioeconomic development. Trade-off analysis of ecosystem services can help to identify optimal decision points to balance the costs and benefits of the diverse human uses of ecosystems. In this sense, the aim of this paper is to provide key insights into ecosystem services trade-off analysis at different scales from a land use perspective, by comprehensively reviewing the trade-offs analysis tools and approaches that addressed in ecology, economics and other fields. The review will significantly contribute to future research on trade-off analysis to avoid inferior management options and offer a win-win solution based on comprehensive and efficient planning for interacting multiple ecosystem services.

基于“人工智能+”的经管类实验教学模式探索

随着人工智能技术的广泛应用,经管类实验教学的特点和存在的问题进一步突显出来。为了解决问题,探索了基于“人工智能+”的“学+练+赛”融合的经管类实验教学模式,构建了可持续的学习生态,实现多方优势互补,落实“以学生为中心”的教育理念,通过实战提升学生学习效果,培养人工智能时代的经管类复合型人才。

山水林田湖草系统治理理论与方法综述

针对不同区域山水林田湖草存在问题,寻求适宜的系统治理方法至关重要。国内外运用最为广泛的山水林田湖草系统治理的理论与方法主要有基于自然的解决方法(NbS)、再野化、景感生态学、生态安全格局和生态系统服务5种,但目前对这些理论与方法的相互联系和区别尚不清晰。从定义及发展、准则、实施方法和典型案例等方面系统梳理了山水林田湖草系统治理的5种理论与方法并进行比较,结果可知,5种理论与方法运用生态系统的恢复力和适应性,通过自然恢复和人为干预等手段,使退化或者破坏的生态系统回归到一种稳定、健康、可持续的发展状态,但它们在人为干预程度、适用范围、与人类关系的密切程度及农业应用等方面有差异。认识到山水林田湖草系统治理不同理论与方法的特点、适用性和局限性,结合治理区域的特点和问题,针对性地选择治理方法,为山水林田湖草系统治理理论和实践提供参考。

统筹“五库”功能开展生态系统可持续经营的初步思考

在全面建成社会主义现代化强国的过程中,高质量开展中国式现代化建设是首要任务。文章以其为立足点,坚持系统观念,提出了“以生态系统‘碳库’功能发挥为引领、统筹‘五库’功能开展生态系统可持续经营”的初步设想,分析了生态系统“五库”功能内涵,探讨了基于统筹“五库”功能的生态系统可持续经营概念、内涵和实施路径,希望为我国生态文明建设和美丽中国建设提供参考。

我国区域尺度生态系统管理中的几个重要生态学命题

生态系统管理学是研究生态系统管理的理论与实践技术、相关政策和管理策略的综合性应用生态学 .当前 ,综合研究全球或区域尺度生态系统管理模式及其相关的重大科学问题不仅是人类社会可持续发展的迫切需要 ,也是生态系统管理学的重要发展方向和科学任务 .为此 ,本文系统地论述了生态系统的服务功能、可持续性、复杂性和不确定性的综合评价与生态学机制 ,自然资源保护、生态系统健康以及退化生态系统恢复的生态学基础 ,生态系统管理的基础生态学过程 ,生态系统适应性管理的理论与实践 ,生态系统网络研究、监测和成果集成 ,区域尺度生态系统管理的综合性专题研究等一系列重要生态学命题 。

生态系统管理的概念及其要素

生态系统管理起源于传统的自然资源管理和利用领域 ,形成于本世纪 90年代 .它是指基于对生态系统组成、结构和功能过程的最佳理解 ,在一定的时空尺度范围内将人类价值和社会经济条件整合到生态系统经营中 ,以恢复或维持生态系统整体性和可持续性 .生态系统管理要求收集被管理系统核心层次的生态学数据并监测生态系统的变化过程 .生态系统管理的要素包括 :有明确的管理目标 ,有确定的系统边界和单元 ,基于对生态系统的深刻理解 ,有适宜的尺度和等级结构 ,理解生态系统不确定性 ,可适应性管理 ,强调部门与个人间的合作 ,把人类及其价值取向作为生态系统的一个成分等 .生态系统管理的目标是实现生态系统的可持续性 .

生态系统健康与人类可持续发展

生态系统健康学是近年来出现的一门探讨资源环境管理对策的综合性新学科．本文介绍了生态系统健康概念的由来、内涵以及生态系统健康学的主要研究内容；阐述了生态系统健康与人类可持续发展的关系；文中还对国际上一些主要的生态系统健康实践作了介绍，并建议我国应尽快开展生态系统健康研究．作者认为生态系统健康学必然为人类社会的健康、持续发展提供新的希望．

生态系统服务功能的空间尺度特征

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