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Mountain Areas (mountain + area)
Kinds of Mountain Areas Selected AbstractsSimulating forest ecosystem response to climate warming incorporating spatial effects in north-eastern ChinaJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 12 2005Hong S. He Abstract Aim, Predictions of ecosystem responses to climate warming are often made using gap models, which are among the most effective tools for assessing the effects of climate change on forest composition and structure. Gap models do not generally account for broad-scale effects such as the spatial configuration of the simulated forest ecosystems, disturbance, and seed dispersal, which extend beyond the simulation plots and are important under changing climates. In this study we incorporate the broad-scale spatial effects (spatial configurations of the simulated forest ecosystems, seed dispersal and fire disturbance) in simulating forest responses to climate warming. We chose the Changbai Natural Reserve in China as our study area. Our aim is to reveal the spatial effects in simulating forest responses to climate warming and make new predictions by incorporating these effects in the Changbai Natural Reserve. Location, Changbai Natural Reserve, north-eastern China. Method, We used a coupled modelling approach that links a gap model with a spatially explicit landscape model. In our approach, the responses (establishment) of individual species to climate warming are simulated using a gap model (linkages) that has been utilized previously for making predictions in this region; and the spatial effects are simulated using a landscape model (LANDIS) that incorporates spatial configurations of the simulated forest ecosystems, seed dispersal and fire disturbance. We used the recent predictions of the Canadian Global Coupled Model (CGCM2) for the Changbai Mountain area (4.6 °C average annual temperature increase and little precipitation change). For the area encompassed by the simulation, we examined four major ecosystems distributed continuously from low to high elevations along the northern slope: hardwood forest, mixed Korean pine hardwood forest, spruce-fir forest, and sub-alpine forest. Results, The dominant effects of climate warming were evident on forest ecosystems in the low and high elevation areas, but not in the mid-elevation areas. This suggests that the forest ecosystems near the southern and northern ranges of their distributions will have the strongest response to climate warming. In the mid-elevation areas, environmental controls exerted the dominant influence on the dynamics of these forests (e.g. spruce-fir) and their resilience to climate warming was suggested by the fact that the fluctuations of species trajectories for these forests under the warming scenario paralleled those under the current climate scenario. Main conclusions, With the spatial effects incorporated, the disappearance of tree species in this region due to the climate warming would not be expected within the 300-year period covered by the simulation. Neither Korean pine nor spruce-fir was completely replaced by broadleaf species during the simulation period. Even for the sub-alpine forest, mountain birch did not become extinct under the climate warming scenario, although its occurrence was greatly reduced. However, the decreasing trends characterizing Korean pine, spruce, and fir indicate that in simulations beyond 300 years these species could eventually be replaced by broadleaf tree species. A complete forest transition would take much longer than the time periods predicted by the gap models. [source] Molecular evidence for multiple polyploidization and lineage recombination in the Chrysanthemum indicum polyploid complex (Asteraceae)NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 4 2006Wenhua Yang Summary ,,The Chrysanthemum indicum polyploid complex comprises morphologically differentiated diploids, tetraploids and hybrids between C. indicum and C. lavandulifolium. The relationships between species and cytotypes within this complex remain poorly understood. ,,Random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), intersimple sequence repeats (ISSRs) and chloroplast SSR markers were used to elucidate the genetic diversity and relationships of the C. indicum polyploid complex. ,,Molecular analysis of three diploid and nine tetraploid populations provided strong evidence for recurrent origins and lineage recombination in the C. indicum polyploid complex. The high similarity in molecular marker profiles and cpDNA haplotypes between the diploids and tetraploids distributed in the Shen-Nong-Jia Mountain area of China suggested an autopolyploid origin of the tetraploids, while the tetraploids from other populations may have originated via allopolyploidization. Lineage recombination was revealed by the extensive sharing of chloroplast haplotypes and genetic markers among the tetraploid populations with different origins. ,,Multiple differentiation and hybridization/polyploidization cycles have led to an evolutionary reticulation in the C. indicum polyploid complex, and resulted in the difficulties in systematic classification. [source] Geo,tectonic Position of Tin Polymetallic Mineralization Zone in the Southern Da Hinggan Mountains Area, Inner Mongolia, China: An Introduction to This Special IssueRESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 4 2001Shihua SUN Abstract: As a part of the main activities of Japan-China technical cooperation project, a test survey area, approximately 5,000 km2, was established for the implement of its geological and geochemical research program. A major mineralization zone called Huanggang,Ganzhuermiao,Wulanhaote Sn-Cu polymetallic mineralization zone is recognized in the southern Da Hinggan Mountains area. The southern half of this zone is known as the sole Sn-mineralization zone in North China. The survey area lies in this prominent zone. As the most of the papers presented in this issue have concerns to the geology and mineralization in this survey area, this report was prepared to introduce geo-tectonic situation of the Sn-Cu polymetallic mineralization zone in the Inner Mongolia orogenic belt. The belt is divided into four tectonic facies (from NW to SE); I: Wuliyasitai volcano-plutonic zone, II: Hegenshan ophiolite mélange zone, III: Sunitezuoqi volcano-plutonic zone, IV: Wenduermiao ophiolite mélange zone. The subject Sn-Cu polymetallic mineralization zone is situated in the southeastern part of the Sunitezuoqi magmatic zone. About this Sunitezuoqi magmatic zone, three geo-tectonic characteristics are pointed out. In late Carboniferous to early Permian period, subduction of Hegenshan oceanic crust occurred, which accelerated volcano-plutonic activities and brought about basic to intermediate volcanic rocks of tholeiitic to calc-alkaline series represented by Dashizhai Group in the Sunitezuoqi magmatic zone. Late Jurassic to early Cretaceous acidic rocks representing the most culminated volcanism and plutonism in Mesozoic era in the Da Hinggan Moutains area are distributed very extensively in and around the Sn-Cu polymetallic mineralization zone. The Proterozoic metamorphic basement rocks called Xilinhaote complex are distributed close to the mineralized area in the Sunitezuoqi magmatic zone. Although the real mineralization was known associated with Mesozoic acidic to intermediate volcano-plutonic activities, it is thought that the lower Permian Dashizhai volcanic rocks and pre-Cambrian basement rocks might have played certain significant role in the process respectively of extraction of elements and formation of the magma favorable for such mineralization in the Sunitezuoqi magmatic zone. It would be necessary to give further considerations to these three geological units in relation to the Sn-Cu polymetallic mineralization. [source] Vegetation and topographic controls on sediment deposition and storage on gully beds in a degraded mountain areaEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 6 2009Armando Molina Abstract Active gully systems developed on highly weathered or loose parent material are an important source of runoff and sediment production in degraded areas. However, a decrease of land pressure may lead to a return of a partial vegetation cover, whereby gully beds are preferred recolonization spots. Although the current knowledge on the role of vegetation on reducing sediment production on slopes is well developed, few studies exist on the significance of restoring sediment transport pathways on the total sediment budget of degraded mountainous catchments. This study in the Ecuadorian Andes evaluates the potential of vegetation to stabilize active gully systems by trapping and retaining eroded sediment in the gully bed, and analyses the significance of vegetation restoration in the gully bed in reducing sediment export from degraded catchments. Field measurements on 138 gully segments located in 13 ephemeral steep gullies with different ground vegetation cover indicate that gully bed vegetation is the most important factor in promoting short-term (1,15 years) sediment deposition and gully stabilization. In well-vegetated gully systems ( , 30% of ground vegetation cover), 0.035 m3 m,1 of sediment is deposited yearly in the gully bed. Almost 50 per cent of the observed variance in sediment deposition volumes can be explained by the mean ground vegetation cover of the gully bed. The presence of vegetation in gully beds gives rise to the formation of vegetated buffer zones, which enhance short-term sediment trapping even in active gully systems in mountainous environments. Vegetation buffer zones are shown to modify the connectivity of sediment fluxes, as they reduce the transport efficiency of gully systems. First calculations on data on sediment deposition patterns in our study area show that gully bed deposition in response to gully bed revegetation can represent more than 25 per cent of the volume of sediment generated within the catchment. Our findings indicate that relatively small changes in landscape connectivity have the potential to create strong (positive) feedback loops between erosion and vegetation dynamics. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] PLANT COLONIZATION IN CONDESA NIVATION HOLLOW, SIERRA DE GUADARRAMA (SPANISH CENTRAL SYSTEM)GEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES A: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2009JULIO MUŃOZ JIMÉNEZ ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study was to determine plant distribution at a nivation hollow located in a Mediterranean high mountain area and to analyse the effects of snow cover, wind exposure, proximity to moisture and the characteristics of the substrate on the vegetation. We analyse these factors and interpret concurrent effects due to recent climate change. The nivation hollow, called Ventisquero de la Condesa, is located at 2258 m a.s.l., 40°47,10,N and 3°58,35,W, in the Sierra de Guadarrama (Madrid, Spain). We established 579 small sample plots in the study area, and grouped them into 29 transects where snow duration, wind exposure, availability of meltwater, geomorphologic instability and surface rockiness were examined directly and indirectly. The types of plants and the number of individuals per species were registered for each plot to establish ecological affinities among the 28 distinguishable species. Six showed the highest level of chionophily while nine showed the lowest adaptation to snow cover duration. A statistical study incorporating other variables applied in the research revealed that wind exposure, moisture capture and the intensity of geomorphologic dynamics have a highly significant correlation with nivation, while surface rockiness is a virtually independent factor. Due to environmental changes caused by recent global warming, several plant species, especially adapted to survival in snow conditions, coexist in the hollow with saxicolous plants that have invaded the site from adjacent grass and shrublands. [source] Raman spectra of organic acids obtained using a portable instrument at ,5 °C in a mountain area at 2000 m above sea levelJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 4 2010J. Jehli Abstract Well-resolved Raman spectra of organic acids were obtained with 785 nm excitation using a portable Raman instrument (Ahura First Defender XL) under low temperature ,5 °C atmospheric conditions at an altitude of 2000 m (Axamer Lizum, Innental, Austria). The portable Raman spectrometer tested in this setting permits fast and unambiguous detection of solid forms of these organic acids (formic, acetic, valeric, hexanoic, heptanoic, isophthalic, ascorbic and mellitic) under field conditions. This demonstrates the possibility to use a miniaturized Raman spectrometer as a key instrument for investigating the presence of organic compounds and biomolecules under low temperature conditions. These results are important for future missions focusing not only on Mars, where Raman spectroscopy will be a key non-destructive analytical tool for the in situ identification of organic compounds relevant to life detection on planetary surfaces or near sub-surfaces. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Permafrost distribution from BTS measurements (Sierra de Telera, Central Pyrenees, Spain): assessing the importance of solar radiation in a mid-elevation shaded mountainous areaPERMAFROST AND PERIGLACIAL PROCESSES, Issue 2 2007Asunción Julián Abstract Permafrost distribution was predicted from measurements of basal temperatures of the winter snow cover using a GIS-based empirical,statistical modelling approach in a mid-elevation mountainous area, the northern slope of the Sierra de Telera (central Pyrenees, Spain). A total of 223 basal temperature of snow (BTS) measurements were made over 3 years and a multiple linear regression analysis was performed to model the relationship between BTS measurements and three predictor variables: May solar radiation, elevation and snow-cover persistence. The snow-cover persistence factor proved non-significant and was excluded from the final regression analysis. The model used was statistically significant, and predicted permafrost distribution moderately well (K,=,0.52) and with an overall accuracy of 0.79. The results show the importance of solar radiation as an explanatory variable for permafrost conditions in a mid-elevation mountain area with steep topography. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Tree Diversity, Forest Structure and Productivity along Altitudinal and Topographical Gradients in a Species-Rich Ecuadorian Montane Rain ForestBIOTROPICA, Issue 2 2010Jürgen Homeier ABSTRACT We studied the spatial heterogeneity of tree diversity, and of forest structure and productivity in a highly diverse tropical mountain area in southern Ecuador with the aim of understanding the causes of the large variation in these parameters. Two major environmental gradients, elevation and topography, representing a broad range of climatic and edaphic site conditions, were analyzed. We found the highest species richness of trees in valleys <2100 m. Valleys showed highest values of basal area, leaf area index and tree basal area increment as well. Tree diversity also increased from ridges to valleys, while canopy openness decreased. Significant relationships existed between tree diversity and soil parameters (pH, total contents of Mg, K, Ca, N and P), and between diversity and the spatial variability of pH and Ca and Mg contents suggesting a dependence of tree diversity on both absolute levels and on the small-scale heterogeneity of soil nutrient availability. Tree diversity and basal area increment were positively correlated, partly because both are similarly affected by soil conditions. We conclude that the extraordinarily high tree species richness in the area is primarily caused by three factors: (1) the existence of steep altitudinal and topographic gradients in a rather limited area creating a small-scale mosaic of edaphically different habitats; (2) the intermingling of Amazonian lowland plant species, that reach their upper distribution limits, and of montane forest species; and (3) the geographical position of the study area between the humid eastern Andean slope and the dry interandean forests of South Ecuador. [source] Gully erosion in mountain areas: processes, measurement, modelling and regionalizationEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 2 2006John Wainwright No abstract is available for this article. [source] Utilization of semi-natural grassland through integrated generation of solid fuel and biogas from biomass.GRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009Abstract A procedure (Integrated Generation of Solid Fuel and Biogas from Biomass, IFBB) was developed which uses a screw press to separate the readily digestible constituents of mature grassland biomass into a press fluid for conversion into biogas and a fibrous press cake for processing into a solid fuel. Effects of mechanical dehydration and prior hydrothermal conditioning at different temperatures (5, 60 and 80°C) on concentrations of organic compounds in the press fluid and on methane production in batch experiments were evaluated for five semi-natural grasslands typical of mountain areas of Germany. Results show that the crude protein concentration of the press fluids was higher and crude fibre concentration was lower than that of the parent material (herbage conserved as silage). Digestion tests in batch fermenters showed that the methane yield of the press fluids was double [397,426 normal litre (NL) kg,1 volatile solids (VS) after 13 d] that of the whole-crop grassland silage (218 NL kg,1 VS after 27 d) but no consistent effect of higher temperature during conditioning was observed. Within 13 d of fermentation the decomposition of the organic matter (OM) that occurred in the press fluids was 0·90, whereas after 27 d of fermentation more than 0·40 of the OM remained undigested in the whole-crop silage, pointing at a marked reduction in retention time for anaerobic digestion of press fluids in continuous systems. Press fluids produced 0·90 of the maximum methane yield after 4 to 7 d compared with 19 days for the whole-crop silage. [source] Impact of climate change on runoff from a mid-latitude mountainous catchment in central JapanHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 10 2009Yoshinori Shinohara Abstract Hydrologic balance in high-altitude, mid-latitude mountain areas is important in terms of the water resources available to associated lowlands. This study examined how current and historical shifts in precipitation (P) patterns and concurrent increases in temperature (T) affected runoff (Q) and other hydrologic components in a mid-latitude mountain catchment of central Japan, using a combination of long-term data and a simplified hydrologic model, along with their stochastic treatment. The availability of intensive meteorological and hydrological data from the period 1997,2001 allowed the derivation of key relationships for the current climate that tie the forcing term to the parameters or state variables. By using the data recorded in the period 1965,2001, the force for driving the historical simulation was generated. Based on this model and historical shifts in P and T, the probability density functions of Q (pdf(Q)) was computed. A main novelty in this study is that such a stochastic representation, which is useful for considering the influence of projected shifts in environmental factors on the hydrologic budget, was provided. Despite the large increase in the rate of T in winter and spring, pdf(Q) in spring and summer varied appreciably during the time studied mainly because of an increase in snowmelt. An interannual change in whole-year Q was robust to shifts in T because while Q in spring increased, in summer it decreased, implying a crucial effect of global warming on mountain hydrologic regimes is change in the timing of Q. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The triggering of debris flow due to channel-bed failure in some alpine headwater basins of the Dolomites: analyses of critical runoffHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 13 2008C. Gregoretti Abstract The debris deposits at the bottom of very steep natural channels and streams in high mountain areas can be mobilized by runoff, triggering a water,sediment mixture flow known as debris flow. The routing of debris flow through human settlements can cause damage to civil structures and loss of human lives. The prediction of such an event, or the runoff discharge that triggers it, assumes an interest in risk analyses and the planning of defence measures. The object of this study is to find a method to determine the critical runoff value that triggers debris flow as a result of channel-bed failure. Historical and rainfall data on 30 debris flows that occurred in six watersheds of the Dolomites (north-eastern Italian Alps) were collected from different sources. Field investigations at the six sites, together with the hydrologic response to the rainfalls that triggered the events, were performed to obtain a realistic scenario of the formation of the debris flow there occurred. Field observations include a survey along the channel of the triggering reach of debris flow, with measurements of the channel slope and cross-section and sampling of debris deposits for grain size distribution. Simulated runoff discharge values based on the rainfall recorded by pluviometers were then compared with values obtained through experimental criteria on the initiation and formation of debris flow by bed failure. The results are discussed to provide a plausible physical-based method for the prediction of the triggering of debris flow by channel-bed failure. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Oblique rainfall and contemporary geomorphological dynamics (Serra da Estrela, Portugal)HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 4 2004Gonçalo Vieira Abstract Coarse sand accumulations are polygenic microforms that attain a width of several metres, a height up to 30,40 cm, a gradient of 8,12° and a slope length up to 1 m. These accumulations are frequent in the gruss-covered plateaus of the granite mountains of central and northern Portugal, but they have been described in other mountain areas (i.e. Cairngorms, Scotland). Though these microforms are frequent features, studies on them are rare. They have been attributed to complex genesis controlled primarily by aeolian processes, but also by wash and cryogenic dynamics. Results presented here add new insights into the origin of the sand accumulations and emphasize the importance of rainsplash-saltation induced by oblique rainfall as the main transportation mechanism. The study was conducted in the Serra da Estrela, a granite mountain in central Portugal (1993 m above sea level) and is supported by a detailed mapping of the orientation of the accumulations, monitoring of the surface material and analysis of meteorological data. The results are particularly significant since they indicate that the coarse sand accumulations are very active features that show a clear climatic and ecological signal. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Landscape patterns of indicator plants for soil acidity in the Bavarian AlpsJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 10 2003Sebastian Schmidtlein Abstract Aim, Electronic distribution atlases and lists of ecological indicator values are becoming important tools in plant geography. In this contribution, we combine a geographical and an ecological data bank, and map out patterns of indicator value spectra (instead of single or average values) across a physiographically complex landscape. For our study, we select indicators of soil pH and carbonate content as key environmental factors that strongly affect overall plant diversity patterns in the temperate zone. Our goal is to relate the distribution and diversity of plant groups that are indicators of soil pH and carbonate content to environmental controls at the landscape-scale, and thus contribute to a causal understanding of species pools. Location, We studied the Bavarian Alps, which represent the German portion of the Northern Alps. Methods, Based on the existing floristic survey, we calculated relative frequencies of nine classes of indicator plants for soil pH and carbonate content in grid cells. The resulting attribute matrix (cells by indicator class frequencies) was subjected to principal components analysis and to k-means clustering. Results were compared and mapped out in the grid array of the whole region, resulting in continuous and discrete representations of species pool structure. We used a geographical information system to derive physiographical landscape properties from a geological map and a digital elevation model, and analysed their statistical relationship with the shapes of indicator spectra. Results and Main conclusions, Averages of indicator values for soil pH and carbonate content follow the geological structure quite closely. Surprisingly, the diversity of indicator plant groups does not appear to be a function of geological or topographic heterogeneity. Rather, it seems to be related to areas of high elevation with uniform geology. The effect is a matter of additional acidophytes in high mountain areas and, in the high calcareous Alps, extreme calciphytes, while species with intermediate requirements are rarer than usual. For explanation, we suggest two facts: (1) a frequent lack of mature soils at high elevations and (2) particularities in soil genetic processes occurring under the harsh climatic conditions of high mountains. [source] Pollen-inferred palaeoclimate reconstructions in mountain areas: problems and perspectives,JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, Issue 6 2006Elena Ortu Abstract Transfer functions are an efficient tool for the quantitative reconstruction of past climate from low to mid-elevation pollen sites. However, the application of existing methods to high-altitude pollen assemblages frequently leads to unrealistic results. In the aim of understanding the causes of these biases, the standard ,best modern analogue' method has been applied to two high-altitude pollen sequences to provide quantitative climate estimates for the Lateglacial and Holocene periods. Both pollen sequences (Laghi dell'Orgials, 2130,m, SW aspect and Lago delle Fate, 2240,m, E aspect) are located in the subalpine belt, on opposing sides of the St. Anna di Vinadio Valley (Italian Maritime Alps). Different results were obtained from the two sequences. The largest differences occurred in palaeotemperature reconstruction, with notable differences in both the values and trends at each site. These biases may be attributed to: (1) a lack of high elevation ,best modern analogues' in the database of modern samples; (2) the problem of pollen taxa that have multiple climatic significance; (3) problems related to the complexity of mountainous ecosystems, such as the phenomenon of uphill transport of tree pollen by wind. Possible improvements to the reconstruction process are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Dynamic social system in Nubian ibex: can a second mating season develop in response to arid climate?JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Issue 3 2008A. Massolo Abstract We studied a population of Nubian ibex Capra ibex nubiana in the eastern extreme of its range, the hyper-arid central desert of the Sultanate of Oman. Long-term data were collected from January 1983 to December 1997 by direct observation, as well as VHF telemetry on 12 animals (eight from 1987 to 1990; four from 1994 to 1996). We recorded 884 sightings: 40.4% of single animals and 59.6% of groups. Although no significant monthly variation of group size (Jarman's Typical Group Size) was found, there were distinct peaks in March (4.0 ind. group,1) and September (5.1 ind. group,1). Groups of males and females formed especially in March and November, and female,kid groups in February and July,August. Our data may suggest two mating periods: the first one in autumn (similar to the rut of ibex in temperate mountain areas), with kids born in spring/early summer, after winter,spring rainfall, and the second one in spring, with kids born in late summer/autumn, before winter,spring rainfalls. We suggest that the second rutting period may have evolved as a micro-evolutionary process, with the local population adapting to hyper-arid environment constraints. The spring mating season may favour only females in prime conditions, who can afford a pregnancy in the local severe summers and will deliver kids when plant greening begins, in the autumn, whereas the autumn (original) mating season may be afforded by any female, but kids will be born in an unfavourable period, before the summer drought. [source] Agricultural trajectories in a Mediterranean mountain region (Priorat, NE Spain) as a consequence of vineyard conversion plansLAND DEGRADATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2009R. Cots-Folch Abstract In mountain regions of Mediterranean European countries, recent economic and technologic changes have involved the intensification of crops, based on heavy land levelling and/or terracing, and the abandonment or marginalization of traditional land use management. These trends have been reinforced by the subsidy policies of the European Union. The objectives of the present research were: (a) to contribute to the understanding of agricultural trajectories and farming systems that are entirely transforming the social and environmental characteristics of Mediterranean mountain areas, focusing on the analysis of the main agricultural trajectories in a sample area of this environment (the Priorat region, NE Spain) over the last 20 years (1986,2005); and (b) to analyse the farming systems that coexist in the region with regard to the landscape impacts they involve and the influence of CAP subsidies in each one. A methodological approach based on the combination of multivariate statistical techniques was used to obtain a better knowledge of the heterogeneity of farming systems on a local scale. The results show that, although most farms cultivate a mosaic of traditional crops and have small mechanized areas, a minority group follows a high intensification and specialization strategy based on new mechanized-terraced vineyards. This group only comprises 12 per cent of the farmers in the region, but owns 61 per cent of the new vineyard plantations and 42 per cent of the total agricultural land, receiving most of the subsidies from the EU vineyard conversion and restructuring policy (68 per cent of total Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies assigned to the region). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Soil degradation and soil surface process intensities on abandoned fields in Mediterranean mountain environmentsLAND DEGRADATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2008M. Seeger Abstract The Pyrenean and Pre-Pyrenean mountain areas have been intensively used at least since roman times, but nowadays depopulation has lead to widespread land abandonment without a steering land-management. Vegetation recovery is weak in most abandoned fields. Soil formation and characteristics are conditioned by this fact, and for this, soils show past degradation processes and are mostly predominant factors for continuing land degradation or restoration. Three study areas were set up along a climatic gradient with increasing summer water deficit in the sub-humid zone between the Central Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees. Soil survey combined with experiments for the determination of infiltration, runoff and erosion were applied for understanding the degradation history and the future development of the soils. All areas are dominated by Entisols, but also Inceptisols and Alfisols are found, and even soils with hydromorphic features. The soils show signs of heavy erosion. The parental material determines the nutrient supply and the general chemical properties. All sites show a weak water storing capacity, as a result of the removal of fine material by erosion and due to the depletion of soil organic matter. In addition, infiltration capacity and runoff generation are high within the studied areas, averaging between 27 and 37 per cent. The driest area studied shows an ongoing trend to degradation, with high erosion rates combined with a high degradations status of the soil. The other areas are characterised by a patchy pattern of soil degradation and regradation processes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Key issues for mountain areas, edited by M. F. Price, L. Jansky and A. A. Iatsenia.LAND DEGRADATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 20062004., New York, Paris, Tokyo, United Nations University Press [source] Mountain permafrost distribution modelling using a multi-criteria approach in the Hövsgöl area, northern Mongolia,,PERMAFROST AND PERIGLACIAL PROCESSES, Issue 2 2006Bernd Etzelmüller Abstract Lake Hövsgöl is located on the southern fringe of the continuous permafrost zone in northern Mongolia. This paper describes a GIS-based empirical permafrost model that is calibrated with ground temperature observations, and utilises a multi-criteria approach to derive zones of permafrost favourability based on terrain parameters and land cover information. The scores are derived either by logistic regression or from satellite image information. The model is validated by DC resistivity tomography measurements. The overall permafrost distribution in the study area is well-described and the method appears to be a valid approach for mapping permafrost at both local and regional scales in mountain areas with low data coverage. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of infusions from leaves and inflorescences of Achillea collina Becker ex Rchb.PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2009Annamaria Giorgi Abstract Plants are the main source of molecules with antioxidant and radical scavenging properties that aid the natural defence systems of cells and may be involved in the preservation of human health, particularly preventing all the physiopathological conditions where oxidative damage is a hallmark. Achillea collina Becker ex Rchb. is a medicinal plant of the Achillea millefolium aggregate (yarrow) traditionally used, particularly in mountain areas, as an infusion or alcohol extract for its digestive, antiinflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and wound healing properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant capacity and cytoprotective activity against oxidative stress of infusions obtained from the leaves and inflorescences of Achillea collina Becker ex Rchb., assessed by chemical (free radical scavenging activity by DPPH and Folin Ciocalteu assay) and biological assays (in vitro model of cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation in PC12 cells line). Infusions of leaves had the highest antioxidant properties and cytoprotective activity. The antioxidant capacity was significantly correlated with the total phenolic content but not with the cytoprotective profile. Achillea collina Becker ex Rchb. has good antioxidant and cytoprotective properties, suggesting further investigations on its chemical composition and potential health value, particularly for traditionally prepared infusions of leaves. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Implications of 19th century landscape patterns for the recovery of Fagus crenata forestsAPPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 2 2005Shinya Ohtani Abstract Questions: What is the effect of the 19th century (pre-industrialization) landscape pattern on the recovery of climax forests in cool-temperate mountain areas dominated by Fagus crenata (Japanese beech)? Location: Secondary forests on Mt. Daisen, western Japan. Methods: Vegetation patterns before and after industrialization were obtained from maps drawn in 1898 and 1979. Tree measurements were made in 12 plots in 1997. Correlation between current Fagus crenata dominance and forest edge in the 19th century was analysed using an S-shaped regression curve. Fagus juvenile density was counted in the plots, and distances from each plot to the five nearest mother trees were measured to determine the dispersal kernel. Results: Secondary grassland covered a substantial area in 1898, whereas forest covered most of the area in 1997. Fagus was dominant in places in the interior forest 100 years ago, and mature Fagus trees were absent in secondary forests that had been grasslands in 1898. The expected number of juveniles decreased to one individual per 100 m2 at 43.5 m from the mother tree. Conclusions: The pre-industrialization landscape greatly affected recovery of Fagus forest. Forests found on the 1898 vegetation map might have acted as refugia for Fagus. The limited dispersal ability of Fagus suggests that it would take many generations (several hundred years) for Fagus forests to recover at the centre of what had been grasslands in the 19th century. [source] A seasonal survey of surface water habitats within the River Spey basin, Scotland: major nutrient propertiesAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 6 2007B.O.L. Demars Abstract 1.Current monitoring strategies of governmental organizations tend to be focused on relatively large flowing and standing waters, and until recently those polluted by point sources. Consequently areas of high conservation interest tend to be understudied, and defining reference conditions, as required by current legislation, is difficult to achieve. 2.In order to address this imbalance, water samples have been collected and analysed once in each of four seasons during 2003 from 72 locations within a 100 km2 area of the oligotrophic River Spey catchment in NE Scotland. The sampling design included examples of running water (headwater streams and the main rivers) and standing water (lochs, lochans, pools, ditches, backwaters, bogs). Altitude ranged from 220 to 980 m and incorporated a climatic regime from cool temperate to sub-alpine. Each sampling campaign targeted low-flow conditions to evaluate steady-state nutrient concentrations. 3.Concentrations of the major soluble nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus demonstrated high spatial and temporal variability, with soluble organic and molybdate unreactive forms generally being dominant. Concentrations of ammonium-N, nitrate-N and soluble reactive phosphorus were extremely small, with 50% of samples falling below 8, 5 and 1 µg L,1, respectively, during spring and summer. 4.Sampling sites were grouped either by water-body type or by the properties of their immediate biophysical zone. Together these two groupings explained 33,38% of the variance in water chemistry. Certain changes were detectable across most habitats and biophysical zones. 5.A decline in the concentration of nitrate that occurred in reaches downstream from certain headwater streams draining the mountain areas indicated the potential for its within-stream utilization. Inorganic N dynamics differed between small streams and large rivers. 6.Landscape-scale patterns were recorded in spring and summer nutrient availability with inorganic N and P thresholds (arbitrarily defined) of 10 and 1 µg L,1, respectively. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Soil conservation in Polylepis mountain forests of Central Argentina: Is livestock reducing our natural capital?AUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2010DANIEL RENISON Abstract Mountain forests and their soils provide ecological services such as maintenance of biodiversity, provision of clean water, carbon capture and forage for livestock rearing, which is one of the principal economic activities in mountain areas. However, surprisingly little is known about livestock impact in South American mountain forest soils. With the aim of understanding how livestock and topography influence patterns of forest cover, soil compaction, soil loss and soil chemical properties, we analysed these parameters in 100 Polylepis australis woodland plots situated in the humid subtropical mountains of Central Argentina. We used distance from the nearest ranch as an objective index of historical livestock impact and measured standard topographic variables. Our main results reveal that distance from ranch in all cases partly explains tree canopy cover, soil loss, soil compaction and soil chemical properties; suggesting a strong negative effect of livestock. Intermediate altitudes had more tree canopy cover, while landscape roughness , a measure of the variability in slope inclination and aspect , was negatively associated to soil impedance and acidity, and positively associated to soil organic matter content. Finally, flatter areas were more acid. We conclude that livestock has had a substantial influence on forest soil degradation in the Mountains of Central Argentina and possibly other similar South American mountains. Soil degradation should be incorporated into decision making when considering long-term forest sustainability, or when taking into account retaining livestock for biodiversity conservation reasons. Where soil loss and degradation are ongoing, we recommend drastic reductions in livestock density. [source] Biogeography meets conservation: the genetic structure of the endangered lycaenid butterfly Lycaena helle (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 1 2010JAN CHRISTIAN HABEL Cold-adapted species are thought to have had their largest distribution ranges in central Europe during the glacial periods. Postglacial warming caused severe range shifts of such taxa into higher latitudes and altitudes. We selected the boreomontane butterfly Lycaena helle (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) as an example to demonstrate the genetic effects of range changes, and to document the recent status of highly fragmented remnant populations. We analysed five polymorphic microsatellite loci in 1059 individuals sampled at 50 different localities scattered over the European distribution area of the species. Genetic differentiation was strong among the mountain ranges of western Europe, but we did not detect similarly distinct genetic groups following a geographical pattern in the more eastern areas. The Fennoscandian populations form a separate genetic group, and provide evidence for a colonization from southern Finland via northern Scandinavia to south-central Sweden. Species distribution modelling suggests a large extension of the spatial distribution during the last glacial maximum, but highlights strong retractions to a few mountain areas under current conditions. These findings, combined with our genetic data, suggest a more or less continuous distribution of L. helle throughout central Europe at the end of the last ice age. As a consequence of postglacial warming, the species retreated northwards to Fennoscandia and escaped increasing temperatures through altitudinal shifts. Therefore, the species is today restricted to population remnants located at the mountain tops of western Europe, genetically isolated from each other, and evolved into genetically unique entities. Rising temperatures and advancing habitat destruction threaten this wealth of biodiversity. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 101, 155,168. [source] Assessment of Geological Security and Integrated Assessment Geo-environmental Suitability in Worst-hit Areas in Wenchuan QuakeACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 4 2009Wenpeng LI Abstract: The Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 and geo-hazards triggered by the earthquake caused large injuries and deaths as well as destructive damage for infrastructures like construction, traffic and electricity. It is urgent to select relatively secure areas for townships and cities constructed in high mountainous regions with high magnitude earthquakes. This paper presents the basic thoughts, evaluation indices and evaluation methods of geological security evaluation, water and land resources security demonstration and integrated assessments of geo-environmental suitability for reconstruction in alp and ravine with high magnitude earthquakes, which are applied in the worst-hit areas (12 counties). The integrated assessment shows that: (1) located in the Longmenshan fault zone, the evaluated area is of poor regional crust stability, in which the unstable and second unstable areas account for 79% of the total; (2) the geo-hazards susceptibility is high in the evaluation area. The spots of geo-hazards triggered by earthquake are mainly distributed along the active fault zone with higher distribution in the moderate and high mountains area, in which the areas of high and moderate susceptibility zoning accounts for 40.1% of the total; (3) geological security is poor in the evaluated area, in which the area of the unsuitable construction occupies 73.1%, whereas in the suitable construction area, the areas of geological security, second security and insecurity zoning account for 8.3%, 9.3% and 9.3% of the evaluated area respectively; (4) geo-environmental suitability is poor in the evaluated area, in which the areas of suitability and basic suitability zoning account for 3.5% and 7.3% of the whole evaluation area. [source] Characteristics and Genesis of the Aktubaik Gold Deposit in Altay, XinjiangACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 3 2000DONG Yongguan Abstract, The Aktubaik gold deposit lies in the Altay middle-high mountains area, Xinjiang, hosted by the Palaeo- and Mesoproterozoic Xemirxek Group. It is the first gold deposit found in Precambrian rocks in Altay. The deposit is controlled by the NW-trending fracture-alteration zone, in which rocks have been strongly altered and bleached. The main wall-rock alterations include silicification, sericitization (muscovitization), carbonation, pyritization and tourmalinization. Several gold mineralization zones of this type have been found in the study area. The dominant gold mineral is native gold, which is distributed very unevenly, so special methods such as peeling and bulk sampling are required in exploration. The discovery of this gold deposit has laid a foundation for gold exploration in Precambrian rocks in the Altay middle-high mountains area, Xinjiang. [source] | ||||||||||||||||