Concept and assessment method of ecosystem authenticity: The case of Changbai Mountains area

doi:10.17520/biods.2020490

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims: National parks have recently been listed as protected areas in China's official documents to protect the authenticity and integrity of natural ecosystems. However, it is unclear how ecosystem authenticity is defined, let alone how to protect it. In this paper, we tried to define the concept of ecosystem authenticity, discuss its significance to conservation, and explore the assessment method to provide a scientific guide for the management and planning of protected areas.
Method: The study area is located in the center of Changbai Mountains where the most typical and well-preserved temperate mountain forest develops in Eastern Eurasia. We evaluated the forest ecosystems authenticity from the perspective of vegetation using forest inventory data of Jilin Province. Four indicators—forest origin, dominant tree, age of stand, unit stock volume—were selected to construct the authenticity assessment index system for forest ecosystems. At the same time, we established the weight coefficient, authenticity value calculation formula and grading standard.
Results: The forest ecosystem authenticity value of the whole study area was 0.69. The ecosystem authenticity values for Helong City, Antu County, Fusong County, Linjiang City and Korean Autonomous County of Changbai were 0.70, 0.71, 0.67, 0.60 and 0.63, respectively. Ecosystem authenticity is divided into five levels with an area ratio of 9 : 44 : 33 : 11 : 3 in order of authenticity from highest to lowest, indicating 53% are in very high and high levels. In general, the highest level of authenticity for the forest was in the main peak of Changbai Mountains, and gradually decreased going north, west, and south.
Conclusion: Ecosystem authenticity refers to the degree that an ecosystem from a particular region maintains its native state after various natural and human disturbances. It is convenient and generalizable to evaluate the authenticity of the forest ecosystem by using forest inventory data from the perspective of vegetation. Further research should give attention to the authenticity index system and the assessment method of different scales and components based on a comprehensive understanding of the primitive status of the ecosystem.

Key words: authenticity, forest ecosystem, Changbai Mountains, national park

Nan Jiang, Weihua Xu, Juanjuan Zhao, Yi Xiao. Concept and assessment method of ecosystem authenticity: The case of Changbai Mountains area[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2021, 29(10): 1288-1294.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2020490

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2021/V29/I10/1288

Figures/Tables 4

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内容 Content	指标 Index	说明 Introduction	权重 Weight
森林起源 Forest origin	起源方式 Mode of origin	森林的主要生成方式 The main ways of forest formation	0.3
演替阶段 Succession stage	优势树种 Dominant tree	森林小班内蓄积量占比最大的树种 The tree with the largest volume in forest sub-compartment	0.3
演替阶段 Succession stage	龄组 Age group	根据优势树种平均年龄划分 Classification by mean age of dominant tree	0.3
生长状况 Growth status	单位蓄积 Unit stock volume	单位面积活立木材积总量 Total volume of living standing trees per unit area	0.1

内容 Content	指标 Index	说明 Introduction	权重 Weight
森林起源 Forest origin	起源方式 Mode of origin	森林的主要生成方式 The main ways of forest formation	0.3
演替阶段 Succession stage	优势树种 Dominant tree	森林小班内蓄积量占比最大的树种 The tree with the largest volume in forest sub-compartment	0.3
演替阶段 Succession stage	龄组 Age group	根据优势树种平均年龄划分 Classification by mean age of dominant tree	0.3
生长状况 Growth status	单位蓄积 Unit stock volume	单位面积活立木材积总量 Total volume of living standing trees per unit area	0.1

指标 Index	属性 Attribute	赋值 Value
起源方式 Mode of origin	天然更新 Natural regeneration	1.0
	飞播造林 Aerial seeding	0.6
	人工造林 Artificial afforestation	0.2
优势树种 Dominant tree species	顶级种组 Climax species group	1.0
	过渡种组 Developing species group	0.6
	先锋种组 Pioneer species group	0.4
	经济树种 Benefit-oriented species	0.2
龄组 Age group	成过熟林 Mature forest	1.0
	近熟林 Near mature forest	0.8
	中龄林 Middle forest	0.4
	幼龄林 Young forest	0.2

指标 Index	属性 Attribute	赋值 Value
起源方式 Mode of origin	天然更新 Natural regeneration	1.0
	飞播造林 Aerial seeding	0.6
	人工造林 Artificial afforestation	0.2
优势树种 Dominant tree species	顶级种组 Climax species group	1.0
	过渡种组 Developing species group	0.6
	先锋种组 Pioneer species group	0.4
	经济树种 Benefit-oriented species	0.2
龄组 Age group	成过熟林 Mature forest	1.0
	近熟林 Near mature forest	0.8
	中龄林 Middle forest	0.4
	幼龄林 Young forest	0.2