Zhao Jingzhu

Forest ecosystem services of Changbai Mountain in China.

The forest ecosystem of the Changbai Mountain is the most typical upland temperate forest ecosystem in eastern Asia. It is also of the most primitive vegetation type that came into being through the natural succession of soil and vegetation following volcanic eruption. The forest ecosystem has great importance for maintaining the structures and functions of the watershed ecosystems of the Songhua River, the Yalu River and the Tumen River. We combined physical assessment method (PAM) with the value assessment method (VAM) to evaluate the forest ecosystem services of the northern slope of the, including eco-tourism, forest by-products, timber, soil and water conservation, air purification, and the recycling of nutritive elements. We also assessed the integrated forest ecosystem service and analyzed its dynamics. The service value provided by the Changbai Mountain forest ecosystem amounts up to RMB 3.38 × 1012 yuan, of which, water conservation is 66%, water conservation and air purification together make up 80%, while the timber value is only 7%. Therefore, developing the ecosystem services besides timber is the best way to exert the integrated value of the forest ecosystem services of Changbai Mountain.

Establishing Eco-compensation Mechanism in Bohai Sea Waters under Framework of Ecosystem Approach

Abstract Ecosystem approach, a new comprehensive approach to the conservation and management of natural resources, has received universal concern and approval in the world, and it requires the application of the eco-compensation mechanism. Some basic ideas for establishing the marine eco-compensation mechanism are: payers and payees can be identified through analyzing marine ecosystem service changes and impacts on the stakeholders; financial transfer payment and environmental taxes and fees can be used as the main channels for compensation; payment standard can be set up by following the principle of a compromise between calculated theoretic results and “price bargaining”. Focusing on the key human impact on marine ecosystem in Bohai Sea, some preliminary ides on eco-compensation application are given: reform the ongoing charge system of pollutant discharge and enhance its incentives to reduce land pollutants; implement eco-compensation for freshwater demand between Bohai Sea and the river basins for the purpose of increasing freshwater inflow; popularize and strengthen the existing eco-compensation on fishery resources management, and implement the charge system of eco-compensation on reclamation from the sea for land construction.

Living characteristics of rare and endangered species Davidia involucrata

Dovetree (Davidia involucrate), one of the first-class protective plants in China, is a relic species of paleotropical kingdom in Tertiary period, belonging toDavidiaceae with a single genus. In recent years, the increase of regional developing projects has led to a sharp decrease of this ancient and rare plant in naturally distributed habitats and natural population. In this paper, the biological and ecological characteristics of Dovetree were described, and the geographically distributed condition of this species in different geologic periods as well as the major reasons for dynamic changes of its population were systematically analyzed in accordance with field researches and references. The investigations conducted in different years by setting up standard sample plots showed that the population number of Dovetree increased yearly in the areas without human interference but decreased yearly in the areas with human interference. With the increase of population density and human activities decreased as the logarithmic curve:Y=−100.7ln(x)+178.09, and it has turned from a dominant population into an endangered population. Based on the former and present studies on Dovetree, some protection strategies were put foreword for protecting this ancient and rare species.

A database framework of digital forestry towards sustainable forestry development in China

Six forestry scientific and technological projects being actualized in China were the implementations of ecological construction and security, development of forestry biological technique and fine variety cultivation, protection and utilization of forest biological germplasm resources, development of forestry bio-industry and digital forestry, and construction of forestry innovation ability. Among them, digital forestry was an effective measure to improve the ability of forestry innovation, to realize resources sharing, and to develop sustainable forestry. Spatial database of digital forestry should be constructed according to the criteria and index system of forest sustainable management. Based on analyzing the status and advances of China’s digital forestry construction, a database framework of digital forestry towards sustainable forestry development was studied and established preparatorily. The database was divided into four layers as theory layer, system layer, status layer, and parameter layer. It was concluded that during the process of digital forestry platform construction, the relative social, economic, and politic data should be considered and collected, which meant that the database should represent not only the current forestry development, but also the social, politic, and economic situations. Constructing China’s digital forestry information platform under full utilization of idea and index system for sustainable forest management was urgent and important.

Spatial pattern of soil carbon and nutrient storage at the alpine tundra ecosystem of Changbai Mountain, China

In August 2003, we investigated spatial pattern in soil carbon and nutrients in the Alpine tundra of Changbai Mountain, Jilin Province, China. The analytical results showed that the soil C concentrations at different depths were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Meadow alpine tundra vegetation than that in other vegetation types; the soil C (including inorganic carbon) concentrations at layer below 10 cm are significantly (p<0.05) higher than at layer of 10–20 cm among the different vegetation types; the spatial distribution of soil N concentration at top surface of 0–10 cm depth was similar to that at 10–20 cm; the soil P concentrations at different depths were significantly (p<0.05) lower at Lithic alpine tundra vegetation than that at other vegetation types; soil K concentration was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Felsenmeer alpine tundra vegetation and Lithic alpine tundra vegetation than that in Typical alpine tundra, Meadow alpine tundra, and Swamp alpine tundra vegetations. However, the soil K had not significant change at different soil depths of each vegetation type. Soil S concentration was dramatically higher in Meadow alpine tundra vegetation than that in other vegetation types. For each vegetation type, the ratios of C: N, C: P, C: K and C: S generally decreased with soil depth. The ratio of C: N was significantly higher at 0–10 cm than that at 10–20 cm for all vegetation types except at the top layer of the Swamp alpine tundra vegetation. Our study showed that soil C and nutrients storage were significantly spatial heterogeneity.