O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a caracterização da macrofauna edáfica, da regeneração natural de espécies arbóreas, lianas e epífitas em três áreas em processo de restauração com plantio misto de espécies arbóreas nativas na região do Pontal do Paranapanema com idades de 6, 11 e 16 anos, com plantios nos anos de 1998, 1993 e 1988, respectivamente. A avaliação desses plantios através dos vários grupos de organismos formadores do ecossistema é de suma importância na tentativa de caracterizar a retomada da biodiversidade dessas áreas. Em cada área alocaram-se 3 parcelas amostrais de 900m2 de área, nas quais a estrutura da floresta foi caracterizada a partir do CAP (circunferência a altura do peito) e altura de todas as árvores com CAP ≥ 15 cm. Nestas árvores foi constatada a presença ou ausência de lianas e epífitas. A regeneração de espécies arbóreas foi levantada em três sub-parcelas circulares de 1,5 m de raio por área e a macrofauna do solo foi coletada através de monolitos de solo com dimensões de 25x25x25cm. Em cada parcela foram amostrados 5 monolitos distanciados 5 m um do outro. Foram realizadas duas coletas, uma na época chuvosa e outra na época seca. Os resultados mostram que as florestas em processo de restauração apresentaram incremento da diversidade em todos os elementos avaliados, exceto das epífitas, demonstrando uma tendência ao aumento na sua complexidade estrutural e retomando os processos ecológicos aliados a estes elementos. Foram registradas um máximo de 22 espécies arbóreas decorrente da regeneração natural. As espécies encontradas na regeneração natural não se diferenciaram das espécies plantadas, isto devido provavelmente à distância de fontes colonizadoras, baixa dispersão de propágulos, ausência de banco de sementes e histórico do uso da terra. A macrofauna edáfica e as lianas foram os grupos mais eficazes na recolonização destas áreas avaliadas, principalmente a macrofauna pela estruturação de sua comunidade. Nas áreas avaliadas foram registrados no máximo 18 grupos taxonômicos para macrofauna e 13 espécies de lianas. As epífitas foram praticamente ausentes em todas as áreas avaliadas. Apesar da retomada de certos grupos ainda a diversidade dessas áreas representa parte da diversidade original. Alguns grupos, como as epífitas, carecem de outras pesquisas sobre sua dinâmica, pois provavelmente necessitariam ser reintroduzidas e/ou manejadas. / This study aimed to describe the soil macrofauna community, the natural tree species regeneration, lianas and epiphytes in three different restoration areas at Pontal do Paranapanema. These areas were planted with a mix of regional native tree species, aging 6 years (planted in 1998), 11 years (1993 plantation) and 16 years (1988 plantation). The evaluation of these plantations through distinct groups of organisms that structure the ecosystem represent great importance when it comes to describe the biodiversity reestablishment of these areas. For each restored area, three sampling plots of 900m2 were located and its forest structure analyzed by CBH (circumference at breast height) measurement. Every CBH ≥ 15cm tree was observed for presence or absence of lianas and epiphytes. Natural regeneration assessment was taken by three 1.5m radius sub-plots located within each area. Five soil samplings of 25x25x25cm were taken from each area, allowing soil macrofauna community evaluation. Samples within the same area were at least 5m apart from each other. Soil macrofauna community was observed in two different moments: dry and rainy season. The forests showed a diversity enhancement in every evaluated component, except by the epiphytes. This fact emphasizes a disposition towards a higher structural complexity leading to an increase in ecological processes related to the components studied here. A maximum of 22 tree species were found for natural regeneration and they didn't differ from the planted ones. This may be explained by the distance among these areas and forest remnants, lower seed dispersion, lack of seed bank and land use history. Soil macrofauna and lianas were the most effective on recolonization of these areas, presenting a maximum of 18 taxonomic groups for macrofauna and 13 for lianas. Epiphytes were almost absent in every evaluated area. The demand for another intervention after the introduction of tree species and the necessity of other life forms organisms is a question that arises from these facts, once the aimed objective is the Forest Restoration. Despite of the reestablishment of some groups, the diversity in these areas still represents part of the original diversity. Some groups, e.g. epiphytes, lack more researches about dynamics, because probably they should be reintroduced and/or managed.

Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Invasive plants can outcompete native plants, replacing diverse plant communities with monocultures, which can negatively impact the whole ecosystem. One invasive plant, Phragmites australis, has invaded wetlands across North America. In Utah’s Great Salt Lake, it has greatly reduced the area of native plants that are important habitat for migratory birds. Here we describe experiments that assess multiple treatments for Phragmites removal and evaluate the return of native plants after Phragmites management. The treatments were applied to Phragmites patches at two scales (small 1/4-acre plots and large 3-acre plots) and across multiple sites to evaluate how patch size and environmental differences can influence the plants that return after Phragmites removal. The treatments (applied over 3 years and monitored two more) compared two different herbicides (glyphosate and imazapyr) and different herbicide and mowing timings. The treatments evaluated in the large patch study were 1.) untreated control 2.) fall glyphosate, winter mow, 3.) summer imazapyr, winter mow, 4.) summer glyphosate, winter mow. The treatments evaluated in the small patch study included treatments 1-4 above plus 5.) summer mow, fall glyphosate, 6.) summer mow, then black plastic solarization. In the small patches, we also monitored the seeds in the soil to assess how Phragmites management treatments can change the densities of Phragmites and native seeds. Fall glyphosate treatments were superior for Phragmites cover reduction. After the initial treatment, summer herbicide and mow treatments reduced Phragmites seed production, while fall glyphosate did not. Phragmites seeds were plentiful in the soil but were reduced following three years of all herbicide treatments. Native plant recovery following Phragmites management was extremely variable across sites. Sites with high soil moisture had better Phragmites removal and more native plants. But when flooding was deep, native plants were rare. Native seed density in the soil did not change due to Phragmites management, but soil seed densities were different across sites, which influenced native plant recruitment. Phragmites was removed more effectively and native plants returned in greater numbers in small patches compared with large. This was because small patches were typically near established native plant communities, which likely provided more native plant seeds and had hydrology that was less disturbed by human activity. In sites where native plants do not return after Phragmites management, practitioners may need to try revegetation with native plant seeds to restore important native plant communities.

No description available.

Reclamation has been required since the mid-1970s in Florida and many other states that mine land for phosphate. While often controversial, land reclamation has involved a variety of technologies and regulations which often reflect the complexity of economical ecological and political forces involved in the decision-making process. Most often reclamation procedures are dictated by economic constraints and less often by environmental concerns. In 1982, Borden, inc. donated a 6.040 7 acre abandoned phosphate mine, located within Polk County In Central Florida, to the State of Florida. In 1989, the site was designated by the State of Florida as a state recreation area known today as Tenoroc State Recreation Area. The Area currently provides facilities for hiking, picnicking, and horseback riding with a particular emphasis on quality fishing within its manmade lakes. lt is the intent of the state to integrate land reclamation functions with the recreational potentials of the site thus providing a public use area that will generate support revenue (Scruggs 1992). The primary difference between the reclamation activities at Tenoroc and those reclamation activities of today is the lack of a conceptual plan. For the most part reclamation at Tenoroc has been planned as stand-alone projects with minimal foresight of the needs for future recreational uses, drainage patterns, or continuing reclamation activities. At this point a conceptual master plan is needed to integrate hydrological and land reclamation functions with the recreational potentials of the site into a framework for future management and development of Tenoroc. The goals and objectives of this study are as follows 1 To produce a plan for the restoration of Tenoroc State Recreation Area which will address the reclamation of natural systems with an emphasis on wildlife habitat and landscape diversity. 2 To provide for safety and recreation of visitors and staff, and 3. To develop a plan for a unique, educational and recreational experience that will fulfill the objectives of the Florida Department of Natural Resources. The process of reclamation starts the moment man begins to explore the earth for its minerals. Since mining is here to stay reclamation should be looked upon as a continuation of succession of the landscape, rather than repair of a damaged landscape. By approaching reclamation holistically, as just another step in the mining process; through proper planning, management and program, the strife for achieving a balance between our quality of life and our sustainability become that much more of a reality. / Master of Landscape Architecture

No description available.

No description available.

<p dir="ltr">Coastal ecosystems are critically important habitats for the services they provide on a global and local scale. Maritime forests are found within the southern Atlantic coast, and they serve as a boundary between the ocean and land. These forests stabilize coastlines, recharge groundwater, and provide a protective buffer against storm damage. Southern live oak (<i>Quercus virginiana</i>) was historically the dominant canopy species in maritime forests; however, previous land conversions to loblolly pine (<i>Pinus taeda</i>) plantations have shifted the abundance of loblolly pine to become the dominant canopy tree in maritime forests. Loblolly pines are fast growing, and they regenerate vigorously but they are not well adapted to coastal stressor. In recent decades, outbreaks of southern pine beetle (<i>Dendroctonus frontalis</i>) have provided restoration practitioners an opportunity to clear tracts of pine dominated maritime forest to restore live oak to the canopy. This research project is comprised of two experiments studying the performance of planted <i>Q. virginiana</i> seedlings on maritime forest restoration sites in coastal Georgia. The first experiment evaluated planting density (1-meter, 2-meters, 3-meters), mulch (with or without), and fertilizer (with or without). Overall seedling survival was 99% after four years. The application of fertilizer had an initial positive effect on seedling diameter after the first growing season. The application of mulch increased seedling height in the second to fourth growing seasons, diameter in third and fourth, and crown width in the fourth growing season. Planting density had no consistent effect over the first four years, and no biological significance was observed for foliar nutrient content. The second experiment examined eight different groupings of intra- and interspecific competition between <i>Q. virginiana</i> and <i>P. taeda</i> including: oak or pine alone; oak surrounded by oak, pine, or oak/pine; pine surrounded by pine, oak, or pine/oak at 0.5-m spacing between all seedlings. Two years after outplanting, survival did not vary by treatment. Oak centered competition plots were positively impacted by border tree height and diameter in year one and border height positively affected the center tree height in year two. Pine centered competition plots were positively impacted by border tree height in year one and year two. Oak centered competition plots with a mix of oak and pine on the border had significantly lower osmotic potential than other pine centric treatments after two years. Overall, oak centered treatments had lower osmotic potential than pine centered treatments. Ectomycorrhizal (EMF) species composition changed, and relative abundance increased from the initial planting to two years later but there was no variation between treatments and most EMF species were generalists. These results highlight the importance of mulch and fertilizer to reduce transplant shock and how competing seedlings can train seedlings to allocate photosynthate to shoot growth to help promote aboveground growth.</p>

Leung Hoi-gok. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 188-205). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 槪論 --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.vii / List of Figures --- p.viii / List of Plates --- p.ix / List of Appendices --- p.x / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Problems --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3 --- Conceptual Framework --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4 --- Significance of the Study --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5 --- Scope of Study --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.19 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- STUDY AREA / Chapter 2.1 --- Physical Setting of Hong Kong --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- "Towngas Pipeline Project, the Land Section" --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3 --- Study Plots --- p.30 / Chapter 2.4 --- Observation on the Site --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5 --- Post-planting Care --- p.40 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- SOIL PROPERTIES AND IMPACTS BY PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sampling --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Bulk density --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Soil texture --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Soil reaction --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Organic carbon --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Total Kjedahl nitrogen (TKN) --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Available phosphate --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- "Exchangeable K, Ca and Mg" --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Soil texture --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Bulk density --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Soil pH --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Soil organic matter --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- Available phosphorus --- p.59 / Chapter 3.4.7 --- "Exchangeable potassium, calcium and magnesium ions" --- p.59 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.64 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Nutrient content of shoulder and proper soils --- p.64 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Causes for the change of soil properties --- p.72 / Chapter 3.5.2.1 --- Construction of the pipeline --- p.72 / Chapter 3.5.2.2 --- Influence of localized factors --- p.74 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Recommendations on soil management --- p.75 / Chapter 3.6 --- Conclusion --- p.77 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- SPECIES SELECTION IN RESTORATION PLANTING / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.79 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methodology --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Vegetation sampling --- p.83 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.85 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Species composition of the undisturbed habitats --- p.85 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Species composition of the restored vegetation --- p.88 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.95 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Inadequate baseline and impact prediction in project EIA --- p.95 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Restoration strategy --- p.98 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Species selection in restoration planting --- p.101 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Compatibility of species in restoration planting --- p.105 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.110 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF VEGETATION AND NATURAL INVASION IN THE SITES / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.112 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methodology --- p.117 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.119 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Growth performance of shrubs and trees --- p.119 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Ground cover --- p.131 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Species invading the pipeline corridor --- p.132 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.133 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Growth performance of the restored saplings --- p.133 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Site constraints --- p.135 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Natural invasion on the pipeline corridor --- p.140 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion --- p.141 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- RESTORATION TECHNIQUES AND MANAGEMENT / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.144 / Chapter 6.2 --- Overview of the Project EIA --- p.146 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Guidelines for site preparation --- p.146 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Planting techniques of the restored vegetation --- p.148 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Maintenance and aftercare --- p.149 / Chapter 6.3 --- Evaluation on Restoration Techniques and Aftercare --- p.149 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Site preparation --- p.149 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Restoration techniques of the vegetation --- p.151 / Chapter 6.4 --- Conclusion --- p.153 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- IMPROVEMENT ON ECOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.154 / Chapter 7.2 --- Integrative Discussion --- p.156 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Scoping and focusing procedures --- p.156 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Impact assessment --- p.160 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Impact mitigation --- p.161 / Chapter 7.2.4 --- Monitoring and auditing --- p.165 / Chapter 7.2.5 --- Guidelines of restoration in the technical memorandum of EIAO --- p.167 / Chapter 7.3 --- Conclusion --- p.169 / Chapter CHAPTER 8 --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 8.1 --- Summary of Findings --- p.171 / Chapter 8.2 --- Implications of the Study --- p.179 / Chapter 8.2.1 --- Criteria for the selection of species in restoration --- p.179 / Chapter 8.2.2 --- Silvicultural knowledge of native species --- p.180 / Chapter 8.2.3 --- Soil impact assessment for project involving soil alternation --- p.182 / Chapter 8.2.4 --- Improvement on environmental monitoring and auditing --- p.182 / Chapter 8.3 --- Limitation of the Study --- p.183 / Chapter 8.4 --- Suggestion for Further Studies --- p.185 / REFERENCES --- p.188 / APPENDICES --- p.206

Since human beings began to use and shape the land, their influence on their<p>environment has kept on growing so that little or no ecosystem in the world is now<p>considered as untouched. This induces pressures on ecosystem health and land scarcity.<p>Africa is of particular concern because it still presents broad undisturbed zones and<p>key ecosystem services, despite being submitted to increasing anthropogenic pressures.<p>Landscape ecology appears suitable for the study of such phenomena, thanks to its spacebased<p>integrative nature and geographical level of focus. It studies the impact of spatial<p>pattern transformation — especially heterogeneity and its components — on ecological<p>processes and provides powerful analytical tools of landscape anthropisation.<p>The main objective of this thesis is to organise the concepts and methods, from<p>landscape ecology and related disciplines, into a consistent logic, to pinpoint missing<p>analytical frameworks for response-oriented anthropisation assessment, and to apply them<p>to African cases to explore the spatial patterns of anthropisation. In order to address<p>landscape anthropisation, we assemble diverse disciplines into a logical network (DPSIR).<p>The new theoretical framework is tested on Lubumbashi (DRC). In order to address<p>spatial patterns, we first evaluate the thermodynamic connection of the term entropy in<p>landscape ecology: spatial heterogeneity, unpredictability and scale influence. Then, based<p>on 20 landscapes, we highlight the complex relationship between spatial heterogeneity<p>and landscape anthropisation. We finally use the modelled relationships to test the<p>anthropogenic origin of the spatial pattern of a land cover class in Lubumbashi.<p>The main results of this research show that several concepts are used to describe different<p>aspects of anthropisation and that its quantification strongly depends on the reference states.<p>Data formats can be combined into a new assessment method ensuring more precision<p>and comparability, but a good field knowledge is required. As for heterogeneity, the<p>existing definitions of landscape entropy follow the logic of thermodynamics or information<p>theory, that are not compatible. Only unpredictability could be properly interpreted in<p>thermodynamic terms if energy transfer measurements were performed at the appropriate<p>level. The anthropogenic effects on heterogeneity completely diverge depending on the<p>amount of already anthropised surface, on the land cover type (natural or anthropogenic),<p>and on the heterogeneity components.<p>The aforementioned findings could be adapted to include functional aspects and<p>better address the relationship between spatial pattern and ecological processes. Such<p>integration would help designing response actions that can recommend human activities<p>and spatial patterns that could optimise the use of land to ensure ecological functioning<p>while supporting human development. / <p>L’influence croissante de l’homme sur son environnement affecte désormais le monde<p>entier, ce qui induit des pressions sur la santé des écosystèmes et raréfie les ressources<p>en terres. L’Afrique présente un intérêt particulier à cet égard car elle contient de vastes<p>zones quasi vierges et fournit des services écosystémiques importants mais est soumise<p>à des pressions anthropiques croissantes. L’écologie du paysage étudie ces phénomènes<p>de façon intégrative au moyen de sa composante spatiale et de son échelle d’intérêt. Elle<p>étudie l’impact des transformations de la structure spatiale — en particulier l’hétérogénéité<p>et ses différentes composantes—sur les processus écologiques et fournit de puissants outils<p>analytiques de l’anthropisation.<p>L’objectif de cette thèse est d’organiser les concepts et méthodes de différentes disciplines<p>de façon à mettre en évidence leurs forces et faiblesses pour proposer une nouvelle<p>quantification de l’anthropisation, orientée vers la gestion, et de la tester sur des paysages<p>africains pour examiner la structure spatiale de l’anthropisation. Le DPSIR est utilisé pour<p>assembler les différents concepts. La nouvelle méthodologie est testée sur Lubumbashi<p>(RDC). Ensuite, le lien entre la thermodynamique et l’utilisation du terme entropie en<p>écologie du paysage est examiné. Vingt paysages servent alors à mettre en évidence la<p>complexité de l’impact de l’anthropisation sur l’hétérogénéité du paysage. Enfin, cette<p>modélisation sert à mettre en évidence l’origine anthropique de la structure spatiale d’une<p>classe d’occupation du sol à Lubumbashi.<p>Les résultats principaux de cette recherche sont que pléthore de termes sont utilisés<p>pour représenter différents aspects de l’anthropisation et que sa quantification dépend de<p>la définition d’états de référence. Cependant, la combinaison de différents formats de<p>données peut aboutir à une nouvelle méthodologie plus précise et adaptable, mais cela<p>nécessite une bonne connaissance de terrain. Les définitions de l’entropie dépendent soit de<p>la thermodynamique soit de la théorie de l’information, qui ne sont pas compatibles. Seule<p>l’imprévisibilité pourrait être interprétée thermodynamiquement, si les mesures de transfert<p>d’énergie étaient effectuées à l’échelle appropriée. L’impact humain sur l’hétérogénéité<p>diverge selon la quantité de surface déjà anthropisée, le type de couverture du sol pris en<p>compte ainsi que les composantes de l’hétérogénéité mesurées.<p>Ces découvertes peuvent être adaptées pour intégrer des aspects fonctionnels de la<p>structure spatiale et mieux cerner le lien entre celle-ci et le fonctionnement écologique, ce qui<p>permettrait de proposer des activités humaines et des structures spatiales qui optimiseraient<p>l’utilisation des ressources en sol pour assurer tant le fonctionnement écologique que le<p>développement humain. / Doctorat en Sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished