Demographic variation and habitat specialization of tree species in a diverse tropical forest of Cameroon

Background： Many tree species in tropical forests have distributions tracking local ridge-slope-valley topography. Previous work in a 50-ha plot in Korup National Park, Cameroon, demonstrated that 272 species, or 63% of those tested, were significantly associated with topography. Methods： We used two censuses of 329,000 trees ≥1 cm dbh to examine demographic variation at this site that would account for those observed habitat preferences. We tested two predictions. First, within a given topographic habitat, species specializing on that habitat （＇residents＇） should outperform species that are specialists of other habitats （＇foreigners＇）. Second, across different topographic habitats, species should perform best in the habitat on which they specialize （＇home＇） compared to other habitats （＇away＇）. Species＇ performance was estimated using growth and mortality rates. Results： In hierarchical models with species identity as a random effect, we found no evidence of a demographic advantage to resident species. Indeed, growth rates were most often higher for foreign species. Similarly, comparisons of species on their home vs. away habitats revealed no sign of a performance advantage on the home habitat. Conclusions＂ We reject the hypothesis that species distributions along a ridge-valley catena at Korup are caused by species differences in trees _〉1 cm dbh. Since there must be a demographic cause for habitat specialization, we offer three alternatives. First, the demographic advantage specialists have at home occurs at the reproductive or seedling stage, in sizes smaller than we census in the forest plot. Second, species may have higher performance on their preferred habitat when density is low, but when population builds up, there are negative density-dependent feedbacks that reduce performance. Third, demographic filtering may be produced by extreme environmental conditions that we did not observe during the census interval.

Optimal Selection of Raw Material Forest Species for Edible Fungi in Guizhou Province

A comprehensive evaluation system,which focused on optimal selection of raw material forest species for edible fungi,was established by combination of Analytic Hierarchy Process（ AHP） and Experts Grading Method（ EGM）. The evaluation system had 4 indices of grade I and 12 indices of grade II. Among the 12 indices of grade II,the weighted values of production quality of edible fungi P2（ 0. 287 4）,usable time P7（ 0. 187 3）,annual average increment P8（ 0. 187 3）,edible fungi production suitability P1（ 0. 095 8） were larger than the values of others. Based on the comprehensive evaluation system,this study analyzed and screened 47 broadleaf species of 40 genera of 25 families. There were 16 broadleaf species having the comprehensive evaluation scores of equal to or greater than2. 400 0,which were available as major tree species for edible fungi development of Guizhou Province,especially species such as Liriodendron chinense,Quercus acutissima,Alnus cremastogyne,Betula luminfera,Elaeocarpus duclouxii,Elaeocarpus sylvestris,Choerospondias axillaris. The 10 broadleaf tree species with comprehensive evaluation score of 2. 100 0 ≤ Y 2. 400 0 were recommended as candidates for edible fungi production,while the 21 broadleaf species with the comprehensive evaluation score of less than 2. 100 0 were not recommended.

Concept of the integrative aspects of the forest ecosystem services with case study on recreation services assessment in Slovakia

Introduction:This paper presents basic information on the research,classification,and application of the functions of tree species and their communities(mainly forest)in Slovakia.The main aim is a scientific assessment of acquired knowledge regarding the functional effects of forests under real ecological,forest management and socio-economic conditions from various regions in Slovakia;the most up-to-date findings concerning the ecology and economics of natural resources will be applied here.The second part of the paper presents methodological possibilities for valuation of outdoor recreation in forests.Different methods and methodological approaches suitable to a valuation of recreation based on various principles and criteria(preference and non-preference methods,cost-based methods,revenue-based methods,and direct and indirect methods)are analyzed.A practical application of one indirect preference method(travel cost method)is made to evaluate outdoor recreation in forests in Slovakia.Results and conclusions:A new classification system and a methodology of integrative utilization of forest functions for the forest ecosystem services are constructed.Outdoor recreation in forests,besides recreational forests and areas,assumes the character of a public good:its use by individuals has some influence on utilization by other individuals,and single users cannot be excluded from its utilization.Therefore,some stimulation for its production is missing.In principle,there are no markets for these kinds of public goods and services.The total value of outdoor recreation in forests in Slovakia amounted to€163.4 million;if opportunity time costs were included,this amounted to as much as€825.7 million.