High Forest Cover Research Articles

Fraction of Vegetation Cover and Its Application in Vegetation Characterization in the Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, Jharkhand, India

The Vegetation Indices (VI) used for estimation of variations in vegetation cover in past decades. The Fraction of vegetation cover was calculated from pre-computed reflectance database based on inversion of PROSAIL model. It was found that the very low and low forest vegetation cover area was dominated with an area of about 104 Km2 and 69.49 Km2 respectively. The very high forest vegetation cover area is very low of about 24 Km2 . The high and medium vegetation cover forest shows intermediate dominance of about 51.74 Km2 and 57 Km2 in area respectively. The result indicates that NDVI, RVI and PSSRA value closely related to forest vegetation cover. Also, in the regression analysis the same was observed as the high relationship is found between FCOVER AND PSSRA (R2 = 68%) followed by NDVI (R2 = 66%) and RVI (R2 = 65%). The low relationship is found in the relationship of FCOVER and MCARI (R2 = 36.7%) followed by DVI (R2 =53.7%) and IRECI (R2 = 59%).

Hierarchical, multi‐grain rendezvous site selection by wolves in southern Italy

ABSTRACTFine‐scale knowledge of how anthropogenic effects may alter habitat selection by wolves (Canis lupus) is important to inform conservation management, especially where wolf populations are expanding into more populated areas or where human activity and development are increasingly encroaching on formerly pristine environments. From 1999 to 2003, we documented rendezvous sites (n = 31) used by wolves (n = 6 packs) in a previously unstudied wolf population in the southern Apennines, Italy (Pollino National Park [PNP]), where conditions are ideal to unveil behavioral adaptations of wolves living in human‐dominated landscapes. We adopted a hierarchical, multi‐scale habitat selection approach by using a set of environmental, topographic, and anthropogenic factors within multi‐grain resource selection functions (MRSFs) at the landscape and the territory extent. Habitat selection by wolves was scale‐dependent and different habitat components affected wolves at different grains. When establishing a territory at the landscape scale, wolves avoided areas featuring high densities of humans, paved roads, and trails, and they preferentially located territories where higher forest cover and rough terrain enhanced concealment and ensured reduced accessibility by humans. Concurrently, wolves also selected open areas and, at coarse grain, areas of high density of dirt roads and trails to enhance hunting and traveling efficiency. When selecting rendezvous sites within territories, wolves still selected for forest cover and lessened avoidance of anthropogenic features apparent at the lower order of selection. When choosing rendezvous sites, wolves also avoided low‐use anthropogenic linear features and rough terrain, unveiling trade‐offs in selection decisions across different spatial and temporal scales. Our results reinforce the notion that occurrence of wolves in human‐modified landscapes is shaped by avoidance of anthropogenic pressure, but they also indicate that rendezvous site selection by wolves conform to a hierarchical decision‐making process that is extent‐ and grain‐dependent. Spatially explicit models of rendezvous site selection such as the one we developed for PNP enhance management effectiveness for strategies such as regulating human access and activity during the pup rearing seasons, preventing human persecution, mitigating livestock depredations, and designing cost‐effective monitoring programs. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

Diversity of teiid lizards from Gran Chaco and Western Cerrado (Squamata: Teiidae)

The Gran Chaco dry forest ecoregion corresponds to the southern portion of the South America diagonal belt of open formations, being one of the most threatened subtropical woodland savannas in the world. The area is still poorly known biologically and has been suffering with impressively high forest cover loss in the last 10 years. Integrating morphological and molecular data, we detected and describe a cryptic new species of lizard genusAmeivulaendemic from the eastern part of this ecoregion, the called Humid Chaco.Ameivula apipensissp nov. is characterised by a whitish brown vertebral stripe in adults and juveniles, a lateral field without ocelli and with overlapping spot, presence of an interfrontoparietal scale in 46.2% of the specimens, 12–17 femoral pores, an hemipenis without lateral sac, five xiphisternal ribs, and by a combination of meristic features as confirmed by discriminant analysis. The new species was recovered sister to a clade from Western Cerrado in our analysis, the first phylogenetic hypothesis for theAmeivulaandGlaucomastixgenera based on 1977 base pairs of three mitochondrial (12S, 16S and cyt‐b) and one nuclear (c‐mos) genes, including all the recognised species at the moment. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference recovered the monophyly ofAmeivulaandGlaucomastixwith strong support. Reinforcing previous studies, our results suggest the presence of additional cryptic species inAmeivulafrom the Western Cerrado.

Semi-natural habitats boost Drosophila suzukii populations and crop damage in sweet cherry

Although increasing landscape complexity is often advocated as a key intervention to sustain pest biocontrol, little is known on how increasing semi-natural habitats surrounding the crop can directly affect the density and damage of generalist pests. Our aim was to test how semi-natural habitats in the landscape influences the density and the impact of spotted wing drosophila (SWD) on sweet cherry. SWD is invasive pest native of South-East Asia that causes severe yield losses in several crops worldwide. We selected 32 conventional cherry orchards in NE Italy surrounded by landscapes with different proportions of forest and we quantified both pest density and crop damage using sentinel fruits. We observed a larger attack density in orchards surrounded by higher forest cover. The same trend was observed for female adult density. Forest habitats may provide ideal microclimatic conditions and alternative host plants that can promote population growth. The effect size of forest cover on both adult density and crop damage, despite the very large tested forest gradient (0–60%), suggests that a reduction of forest cover does not seem to be a viable option for controlling SWD. Indeed, semi-natural habitats can deliver multiple fundamental ecosystem services to the crops (e.g. biocontrol). However, current integrated pest management should take into account landscape composition and interventions should be particularly timely in forested landscapes where SWD can quickly attack the crop at higher density.

Anthropogenic impacts on forest land use and land cover change: Modelling future possibilities in the Himalayan Terai

Abstract The northern part of West Bengal, India partially falls within the Terai region of Himalaya. This region is distinctive in terms of high forest cover and rich biodiversity, but also features increasing human population, agricultural practices, and subsequent human-wildlife conflict. This study evaluated the impact of anthropogenic and agricultural proliferation on land use and land cover (LULC) transition dynamics of a forest and its surrounding area of this region. Jaldapara National Park along with its neighbouring region represents an ideal example of such ecology and thus was chosen as the study area. Satellite remote sensing was used to overcome accessibility issues in areas of protected forest and model future possible LULC of the area. Results indicated a continuous decrease in dense forest from 1978 to 2016. Modelling predicted a continuation of the same trend through 2050. The total area under forest increased from 1978 to 2001, possibly due to declaration of a part of the forest as a wildlife sanctuary in 1976 and subsequent increase in supervision and surveillance. However, total forest area started to decline from 2001 and future reductions are possible. Cultivated lands increased from 1978 to 2016 and additional future increase is likely due to a commensurate surge in human population in areas adjacent to the forest. In sum, increasing population pressure, agricultural production demands, and high human intervention in forest ecology were identified as possible causes of temporal forest degradation.

Threatened Plants in China’s Sanjiang Plain: Hotspot Distributions and Gap Analysis

Global biodiversity is markedly decreasing in response to climate change and human disturbance. Sanjiang Plain is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot in China due to its high forest and wetland coverage, but species are being lost at an unprecedented rate, induced by anthropogenic activities. Identifying hotspot distributions and conservation gaps of threatened species is of particular significance for enhancing the conservation of biodiversity. Specifically, we integrated the principles and methods of spatial hotspot inspection, geographic information system (GIS) technology and spatial autocorrelation analysis along with fieldwork to determine the spatial distribution patterns and unprotected hotspots of vulnerable and endangered plants in Sanjiang Plain. A gap analysis of the conservation status of vulnerable and endangered plants was conducted. Our results indicate that six nationally-protected plants were not observed in nature reserves or were without any protection, while the protection rates were <10% for 10 other nationally-protected plants. Protected areas (PAs) cover <5% of the distribution areas for 31 threatened plant species, while only five species are covered by national nature reserves (NNRs) within >50% of the distribution areas. We found 30 hotspots with vulnerable and endangered plants in the study area, but the area covered by NNRs is very limited. Most of the hotspots were located in areas with a high-high aggregation of plant species. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the area of existing nature reserves, establish miniature protection plots and create new PAs and ecological corridors to link the existing PAs. Our findings can contribute to the design of a PA network for botanical conservation.

Increased Vegetation Greenness Aggravates Water Conflicts during Lasting and Intensifying Drought in the Poyang Lake Watershed, China

An increase in vegetation greenness can improve ecosystem productivity, but also reduce the water supply, creating the potential for conflicting water demands between ecosystems and humans. This problem has been well-assessed and is most evident in dry environments. However, in humid regions, the potential effects of vegetation greenness on water yields under drought conditions are not well understood. To address this gap, we focused on the Poyang Lake watershed in the humid region of southern China. Based on the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index and a satellite-derived leaf area index dataset during the growing seasons of 1984 to 2013, several typical dry growing seasons were selected as the study conditions. An existing Water Supply Stress Index model was modified to investigate how the changes in vegetation greenness affected water yield and to explore potentially conflicting water demands between ecosystems and humans under drought conditions. Our results showed that an increase of 20–80% in vegetation greenness generally resulted in a reduction of 3–27% in water yield under drought conditions. Large reductions in water yield mainly were observed in forested areas due to large increases in forest greenness. Moreover, increased vegetation greenness caused a 2 to 3 times greater reduction in water yield during continuing and intensifying droughts than during a short moderate drought period. Thus, in this study, during continuing and intensifying droughts, increased vegetation greenness can cause or aggravate water conflicts in sub-watersheds with high forest cover and high human water demands. Therefore, given the increasing frequency of extreme climatic events, afforestation with a targeted approach should be implemented as it would provide the most benefits. In addition, selective harvesting in forested areas with high density could be an effective strategy to maintain water supply in humid regions.

Using GIS and Random Forests to identify fire drivers in a forest city, Yichun, China

Forest city (FC) usually refers to an urban area with high forest coverage. It is a green model of urban development that has been strongly advocated for by governments of many nations. Forest fire is a prominent threat in FC development, but the causes of fires in FCs are usually different and more complex than in pure forested areas since more socio-economic factors and human activity are involved in the ignition and spread of fire. The large and increasing number of lives being exposed to wildfire hazard highlights the need to understand the characteristics of these fires so that forest fire prediction and prevention can be efficient. In this study, Ripley's K(d) function and Random Forests (RF) were applied to analyze the drivers, spatial distribution and risk patterns of fires in Yichun, a typical FC in China. The results revealed a clustered distribution of forest fire ignitions in Yichun, as well as identified the driving factors and their dynamic influence on fire occurrence. Fire risk zones were identified based on RF modelling. Improved preventive measures can be implemented in the fire prone areas to reduce the risk of fire in Yichun by considering the factors identified in this study.

Forest fragmentation and human population varies logarithmically along elevation gradient in Hindu Kush Himalaya - utility of geospatial tools and free data set

Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) is the largest and the most diverse mountain region in the world that provides ecosystem services to one fifth of the total world population. The forests are fragmented to different degrees due to expansion and intensification of human land use. However, the quantitative relationship between fragmentation and demography has not been established before for HKH vis-a-vis along elevation gradient. We used the globally available tree canopy cover data derived from Landsat-TM satellite to find out the decadal forest cover change over 2000 to 2010 and their corresponding fragmentation levels. Using SRTM-derived DEM, we observed high forest cover loss up to 2400 m that highly corroborated with the population distribution pattern as derived from satellite observation. In general, forest cover loss was found to be higher in south-eastern part of HKH. Forest fragmentation obtained using ‘area-weighted mean radius of gyration’ as indicator, was found to be very high up to 2400 m that also corroborated with high human population for the year 2000 and 2010. We observed logarithmic decrease in fragmentation change (area-weighted mean radius of gyration value), forest cover loss and population growth during 2000-2010 along the elevation gradient with very high R2 values (i.e., 0.889, 0.895, 0.944 respectively). Our finding on the pattern of forest fragmentation and human population across the elevation gradient in HKH region will have policy level implication for different nations and would help in characterizing hotspots of change. Availability of free satellite derived data products on forest cover and DEM, grid-data on demography, and utility of geospatial tools helped in quick evaluation of the forest fragmentation vis-a-vis human impact pattern along the elevation gradient in HKH.

Ґрунтозахисна роль лісу на водозборах Карпат


 Наведено кількісну оцінку ґрунтозахисної ролі лісового покриву на гірських водозборах карпатського регіону. Розраховано показники твердого стоку (модуль твердого стоку, каламутність води) на парних водозборах та в різних рельєфно-кліматичних умовах Карпат. Висвітлено залежності обсягів річного змиву ґрунту від стрімкості схилів і лісистості водозборів. З’ясовано, що ґрунтозахисні властивості лісів ослаблюються із збільшенням стрімкості рельєфу та зменшенням лісистості. Проаналізовано відмінності прояву ерозійних процесів на різних висотних смугах гірської системи, що зумовлюють вибір диференційованих методів оптимізації лісистості.
 Встановлено, що гірські ліси Карпат є потужним ґрунтозахисним фактором, здатним зменшувати ерозійні процеси, порівняно із польовими угіддями, майже у сім разів, сприяючи тим самим зниженню каламутності річкових вод майже у 19 разів. Сучасна (59 %) лісистість гірської системи покращує ці процеси в два рази.
 У просторовому вимірі захисна роль лісу змінюється залежно від стрімкості та висоти гірських схилів. На північно-східному мегасхилі Карпат вона сильніше виражена, ніж на більш стрімкому південно-західному. Вплив стрімкості схилів у розвитку ерозійних явищ досить відчутний у нижніх висотних смугах обох мегасхилів (до 800 м н.р.м.) із антропогенно зниженою лісистістю (20-60 %). У верхніх смугах гір (понад 800 м) негативна роль гірського рельєфу у розвитку ерозії елімінується високою лісистістю водозборів (60-80 %).
 Для зменшення ерозійних процесів і покращення чистоти природних вод запропоновано диференційовану систему лісівничо-меліоративних заходів.

Simulating and mapping the spatial and seasonal effects of future climate and land -use changes on ecosystem services in the Yanhe watershed, China.

Effective information about ecosystem services is essential to help optimize and prioritize activities that support conservation planning in the face of land use and climate changes. This study shows an approach that integrates several dissimilar models for assessing water-related ecosystem services to predict values in 2050 under three land use scenarios in the Yanhe watershed. The simulated output variables pertaining to water yield and sediment yield were used as indicators for two ecosystem-regulating services, i.e., water flow regulation and erosion regulation, which were quantified using the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model. The model results were translated into a relative ecosystem service valuation scale, which facilitated the analysis of spatial and seasonal changes and served as the basis for the applied mapping approach. The simulated results indicate that higher water-related regulation services were concentrated in the middle and lower reaches of rivers with high water yield and low sediment erosion. The highest water flow regulation services occurred in summer; nevertheless, this was when erosion regulation services were the lowest compared to other periods in 2050. A comparison of the three land use scenarios showed differences in the water-related regulation services. Scenario 1, with high forest coverage, had the highest erosion regulation services, but the water flow regulation services were the lowest. Scenario 3 showed the reverse pattern. Scenario 2 had intermediate water flow regulation and erosion regulation. Increasing vegetation cover in the watershed is conducive to controlling water and soil erosion but could lead to a decline in available water resources. Spatial mapping is a powerful tool for displaying the spatiotemporal differences in the water-related regulation services delivered by ecosystems and can help decision makers optimize land use in the future, with the goal of maximizing the benefits offered by ecological services in the Yanhe watershed.

Identifying environmental drivers of fungal non-pollen palynomorphs in the montane forest of the eastern Andean flank, Ecuador

AbstractSamples taken from sedimentary archives indicate that fungal non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) can be used to provide information on forest cover, fire regime, and depositional environment in the eastern Andean flank montane forest of Ecuador. Within the 52 samples examined, 54 fungal NPP morphotypes are reported, of which 25 were found to be previously undescribed. Examination of fungal NPPs over a gradient of forest cover (2–64%) revealed three distinct assemblages: (1) low (<8%) forest cover Neurospora, IBB-16, HdV-201, OU-102, and OU-110 indicative of an open degraded landscape; (2) medium (8–32%) forest cover Cercophora-type 1, Xylariaceae, Rosellinia-type, Kretzschmaria deusta, Amphirosellinia, Sporormiella, and Glomus suggestive of a forested landscape disturbed by herbivores and soil erosion; and (3) high (32–63%) forest cover Anthostomella fuegiana, OU-5, OU-101, OU-108, and OU-120. Environmental variables for forest cover (forest pollen), available moisture (aquatic remains), regional fire regime (microcharcoal), and sediment composition (organic carbon) were found to explain ~40% of the variance in the fungal NPP data set. Fire was found to be the primary control on fungal NPP assemblage composition, with available moisture and sediment composition the next most important factors.

Sedentary but not dispersing wolvesCanis lupusrecolonizing western Poland (2001–2016) conform to the predictions of a habitat suitability model

AbstractAimTo compare predictions of the habitat suitability model (HSM) for wolvesCanis lupusin Poland with actual wolf distribution in western Poland after 15 years of recolonization.LocationWestern Poland (WPL,ca. 136,000 km2), west of the 18°48′E meridian.MethodsData on wolf occurrence (8,057 records) were gathered in 2001–2016. Wolf presence in 10 × 10 km cells was classified as follows: (1) permanent occurrence with reproduction, (2) permanent occurrence with no reproduction and (3) sporadic occurrence (interpreted as dispersing individuals). These cells were compared to all 10 × 10 km cells inWPLwith respect to the probability of wolf occurrence as predicted by theHSMand habitat variables important for wolves. For temporal analysis, data were divided into two 8‐year subsets: the initial and later phases of wolf recovery.ResultsWolves were recorded in 259 cells (19.8% of the study area). The pairs and packs settled in areas predicted by theHSMto have good and very good habitat, in cells characterized by high forest cover and low densities of roads. Wolf groups that reproduced were found in the best‐quality habitats characterized by denser forest cover and markedly lower shares of anthropogenic structures. Dispersing individuals were mostly recorded in unsuitable and suboptimal habitats, and they avoided both the poorest and the best habitats. In the initial phase of wolf recovery, cells selected by wolves for settling down and those used by dispersing wolves did not differ in their habitat parameters. However, in the later phase, asWPLbecame more saturated with wolf packs, dispersing individuals were recorded in less suitable habitats.Main conclusionsTheHSMfor Polish wolves predicted with high accuracy the areas later occupied by wolf groups in the western part of the country. A similar approach may also be useful to predict the future distribution of wolves in the lowlands of central and western Europe where environmental conditions are comparable and recolonizing wolves originate from the same source population.

Effects of bird and bat exclusion on coffee pest control at multiple spatial scales

Despite the key role of biological control in agricultural landscapes, we still poorly understand how landscape structure modulates pest control at different spatial scales. Here we take an experimental approach to explore whether bird and bat exclusion affects pest control in sun coffee plantations, and whether this service is consistent at different spatial scales. We experimentally excluded flying vertebrates from coffee plants in 32 sites in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, encompassing a gradient of forest cover at landscape (2 km radius) and local (300 m) spatial scales, and quantified coffee leaf loss, as an indicator of herbivory, and fruit set. Leaf loss decreased with higher landscape forest cover, but this relation was significantly different between treatment and control plants depending on local forest cover. On the other hand, fruit set responded to the interaction between treatment and local forest cover but was not affected by landscape forest cover. More specifically, fruit set increased significantly with local forest cover in exclusion treatments and showed a non-significant decrease in open controls. These results suggest that services provided by flying vertebrates are modulated by processes occurring at different spatial scales. We posit that in areas with high local forest cover flying vertebrates may establish negative interactions with predaceous arthropods (i.e. intraguild predation), but this would not be the case in areas with low local forest cover. We highlight the importance of employing a multi-scale analysis in systems where multiple species, which perceive the landscape differently, are providing ecosystem services.

Holocene vegetation and fire dynamics at Crveni Potok, a small mire in the Dinaric Alps (Tara National Park, Serbia)

We analysed sediments from Crveni Potok (Tara Mountains, Serbia), a key site in the Dinaric Alps because it is located within the restricted distribution range of the endemic conifer Picea omorika (Serbian spruce), and thereby bears a unique potential in revealing its Holocene history. We used a set of proxies (pollen, plant-macrofossils, charcoal) to reconstruct the long-term vegetation and fire histories at different spatial scales. The comprehensive snapshot provided by the reconstructions fill an important gap of European long-term vegetation and fire histories in the overall data-coverage poor region of the Dinaric Alps. The reconstructions unfolded an unusual late-Holocene persistence of high forest cover that contrasts with the large majority of European landscape-scale forest-cover records, which show massive anthropogenic openings in the past two millennia. We also found evidence for good post-fire recovery of the currently threatened endemic P. omorika populations. This leads us to suggest that prescribed-burning programmes may be beneficial to reduce the vulnerability of the species, and for ecological restoration and conservation purposes of the declining and endangered populations.

Arthropod communities and biological control in soybean fields: Forest cover at landscape scale is more influential than forest proximity

Natural habitats surrounding annual crops influence biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services within the cultivated habitats. Soybean, an important crop worldwide and the main crop in Argentina, is affected by several pest species, including stink-bugs that damage soybean pods. Here, we studied the effects of Chaco Serrano forests on arthropod herbivores and natural enemies and on biological control of stink bugs on soybean, at landscape (forest cover) and local (forest proximity) scales. We sampled arthropods on soybean plants by using the beating-sheet method, on nine landscapes (with low and high forest cover) and at 5, 25, 50 and 100m from the forest, during soybean flowering and pod-filling stages. Biological control of stink bug eggs was assessed via sentinel-egg experiments in soybean and forest habitats. We found that landscapes with high forest cover presented higher richness and abundance of natural enemies and higher levels of biological control on stink bug eggs (both in the cropland and in the forest), while a similar trend for herbivores was restricted to soybean flowering stage. Community composition of both functional groups was also affected by forest cover and crop phenological stage. Forest proximity had more limited effects: natural enemies showed more species and individuals at 5m from the forest than at larger distances and, conversely, stink bug abundance was lower at the closest distance to the forest. We conclude than forest amount at landscape scale is more influential for arthropod biodiversity and biological control in soybean than forest proximity. Moreover, our results suggest that maintaining remnants of forest in agricultural landscapes can be effective for conservation of arthropod biodiversity while contributing to biological control of stink bugs in soybean fields.

Modelling the forest transition in Central Western Ghats, India

The Western Ghats forms an important watershed for the entire peninsular India, being the source of 37 west flowing rivers and three major east flowing rivers and their numerous tributaries. However, deforestation due to large scale land cover changes has affected the water sustenance in the region evident from the quantity and duration of water availability during post monsoon period. Land use Land cover changes accelerated by unplanned anthropogenic activities have been the prime mover of global warming and consequent changes in the climate. This necessitates appropriate resource management with an understanding of drivers. Geo-visualization of landscape transitions considering the influential agents will aid in formulating strategies to mitigate global warming. Uttara Kannada district in the Central Western Ghats has the distinction of having highest forest cover in the country and this region is now experiencing rapid forest cover changes. Factors inducing changes in the land cover are normalized through fuzzyfication, considered for Multi criteria Evaluation using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) under high protection and low protection scenarios. Likely land use transitions by 2022 across zones based on transitions during 2004–2007, 2007–2010, 2010–2013 was done through cellular automata and Markov chain process (MC). The analyses highlight the loss of forest cover by 66.55–56.76% by 2022 in the coastal zone with escalating population density. Similar situation of 65.98–55.62% decline in Sahyadri region is noticed with execution of dams, hydroelectric projects and monoculture plantations. Lower transitions as compared with the second scenario highlights regulatory framework’s role in protection. However, forests in plain region show loss of 27.38–11.09% in both scenarios due to population pressure and market induced land cover changes. This necessitates policy interventions by the federal government to mitigate forest loss towards sustainable development.

Interactive effects of climate and forest canopy cover on Goshawk productivity

In the current scenario of human-induced environmental changes, boreal forest biodiversity appears to be threatened by both deforestation for timber production and climate change. A northern species which has experienced a decline due to ongoing habitat degradation in Finland is the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), a forest-dwelling avian predator that inhabits mostly mature coniferous forests. In order to uncover possible interactive effects of climate and landscape structure on this species, we tested whether temperature and precipitation affect Goshawk reproductive performance differentially in closed (i.e. forest) or open (mainly forest–farmland mosaics) habitats, accounting for land cover at different distances from nests (250, 500, 1000 and 2500 m). Long-term data on brood size and individual chick weight were used to describe breeding success over an 18 year period. Brood size was negatively associated with March and May temperature and positively with June temperature, but no trends related to landscape structure were identified. Chick body condition was negatively affected by high forest cover closest to the nest (250 m), but negative effects of June precipitation on this variable proved to be significantly greater in open than in closed habitats, with results consistent at different scales, i.e. precipitation had greater negative effects on chick body condition in open than in closed landscapes. Precipitation is forecast to increase in the region as a result of climate change, hence forest cover could exert a positive role in mitigating adverse effects of unfavorable climatic conditions. Outcomes of this study may be used to inform sustainable timber harvest management strategies.

Air quality and its response to satellite-derived urban form in the Yangtze River Delta, China

Air pollution is one of the top environmental concerns and causes of deaths and various diseases worldwide. An important question for sustainable development is to what extent urban design can improve or degrade urban air quality. In this article, we explored the relationship between ground-based observations of air pollution and urban form in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), the largest metropolitan region in China. We analyzed six criteria pollutants (SO2, NO2, PM10, PM2.5, CO, O3) and summarized metric (air quality index, AQI) from 129 ambient air quality monitoring stations during 2015. Urban form was characterized using six spatial metrics, including the size, shape, regularity, fragmentation and traffic coupling factor of urban patches, based on satellite-derived land cover data. The results indicated that: (1) PM2.5, PM10 and O3 were three primary pollutants in the YRD. The annual average AQI was 79, and the air quality was “moderate” for human health, with the highest and lowest AQI appeared in winter (107) and summer (60). Moreover, the air quality of the southern areas (Zhejiang province, AQI: 68) was generally better than the northern parts (Jiangsu province, AQI: 86). (2) Through the size and shape of urban patches, urban form had a significant effect on urban air quality in the YRD. PARA_MN (Mean Perimeter-area ratio), ENN_MN (Mean Euclidean Nearest Neighbor Distance), CA (Total Urban Area) and NP (Number of urban patches) had the most significant impacts on air quality. PM10 and PM2.5 were two important pollutants highly positively related to CA and NP, while negatively related to PARA_MN and ENN_MN. In addition, the polycentric urban form was associated with high air quality. (3) Land use configuration was an important indicator to describe the urban air quality. When buffer distance of spatial scale was 25km, air quality showed the highest correlation with forest coverage. A high forest coverage rate contributed to the better air quality, increasing or preserving the forested areas would help mitigate the air pollution.

Dependence of Asian honeybee on deciduous woody plants for pollen resource during spring to mid‐summer in northern Japan

AbstractApis cerana japonica Radoszkowski, endemic to Japan, is known to be one of the most important pollinators for wild plants and crops, such as buckwheat, in cool to warm temperate Japan. To determine the degree of dependence of A. cerana japonica on forest resources, we analyzed pollen brought back to nests in a typical “Satoyama” landscape with relatively high deciduous forest coverage in northern Japan. We divided the landscape elements of the study area into three types: deciduous forest, conifer plantation and open land according to landcover digital data, and each pollen taxon was assigned to one of these three types of landscape elements. We collected total pollen loads of 15.75 g (total of colonies A and B) in May (spring), 1.57 g (total of colonies A and C) in June (early summer), 19.03 g (total of colonies A, B and C) in July (mid‐summer) and 45.61 g (total of colonies A, B and D) in September (autumn). Deciduous forests are the most important foraging habitats for A. cerana japonica in the “Satoyama” landscape especially from spring to mid‐summer when mass flowering of tall trees and shrubs species provides rich floral resources for developing bee colonies. On the other hand, the bees frequently foraged from herbaceous plant species in autumn when flowering of tree species reduces and herbaceous plant species have flowering peaks. In turn, the bees provide pollination services to a number of wild flowers blooming in various forest layers ranging from the canopy to the understory layer.