@article{ZouDingWelpetal.2020, author = {Zou, Jie and Ding, Jianli and Welp, Martin and Huang, Shuai and Liu, Bohua}, title = {Assessing the Response of Ecosystem Water Use Efficiency to Drought During and after Drought Events across Central Asia}, series = {Sensors}, volume = {20}, journal = {Sensors}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/s20030581}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2361}, pages = {17}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The frequency and intensity of drought are expected to increase worldwide in the future. However, it is still unclear how ecosystems respond to drought. Ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) is an essential ecological index used to measure the global carbon-water cycles, and is defined as the carbon absorbed per unit of water lost by the ecosystem. In this study, we applied gross primary productivity (GPP), evapotranspiration (ET), land surface temperature (LST), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data to calculate the WUE and drought index (temperature vegetation dryness index (TVDI)), all of which were retrieved from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. We compared the mean WUE across different vegetation types, drought classifications, and countries. The temporal and spatial changes in WUE and drought were analyzed. The correlation between drought and WUE was calculated and compared across different vegetation types, and the differences in WUE between drought and post-drought periods were compared. The results showed that (1) ecosystems with a low (high) productivity had a high (low) WUE, and the mean ecosystem WUE of Central Asia showed vast differences across various drought levels, countries, and vegetation types. (2) The WUE in Central Asia exhibited an increasing trend from 2000 to 2014, and Central Asia experienced both drought (from 2000 to 2010) and post-drought (from 2011 to 2014) periods. (3) The WUE showed a negative correlation with drought during the drought period, and an obvious drought legacy effect was found, in which severe drought affected the ecosystem WUE over the following two years, while a positive correlation between WUE and drought was found in the post-drought period. (4) A significant increase in ecosystem WUE was found after drought, which revealed that arid ecosystems exhibit high resilience to drought stress. Our results can provide a specific reference for understanding how ecosystems will respond to climate change.}, language = {en} } @article{ShiHalikAblizetal.2020, author = {Shi, Lei and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Abliz, Abdulla and Mamat, Zulpiya and Welp, Martin}, title = {Urban Green Space Accessibility and Distribution Equity in an Arid Oasis City: Urumqi, China}, series = {Forests}, volume = {11}, journal = {Forests}, number = {6}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {1999-4907}, doi = {10.3390/f11060690}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2385}, pages = {17}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Urban green space (UGS) is crucial to the healthy development of urban residents. However, UGS that is accessible can benefit residents to an even greater degree. Based on the two-step floating catchment area model (2SFCA) and the location quotient (LQ), we analyzed the changes from 1999 to 2019 in UGS walking accessibility and equity in built-up areas of Urumqi at different administrative levels, and how UGS policy affects the improvement of accessibility. The results showed that UGS accessibility and equity are not evenly distributed at different administrative levels and UGS categories. Although the overall UGS accessibility and equity has improved with policy implementation, these changes are caused by metro-level UGS construction in urban fringe areas. The improvement in UGS accessibility at the neighborhood level in densely populated areas is neglected, which leads to a mismatch between UGS construction and population distribution. In addition, the accessibility of UGS is also limited by geographical location, population density, road distribution, and water shortage in arid metropolitan Urumqi. Our research results provide a theoretical basis for Urumqi and other cities in the optimization of UGS structure and the realization of social equity.}, language = {en} } @article{MissallWelpMehtaetal.2022, author = {Missall, Siegmund and Welp, Martin and Mehta, Kedar and Degembaeva, Nadira and Akmatov, Kuban and Z{\"o}rner, Wilfried}, title = {In Search for the Optimal Forest Use Behaviour: Riparian Forest Use in Central Asia, Using the Example of Ak-Tal, Naryn, Kyrgyzstan}, series = {Forests}, volume = {13}, journal = {Forests}, number = {8}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {1999-4907}, doi = {10.3390/f13081254}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-3508}, pages = {19}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Riparian forests are rare and valuable ecosystems in Central Asia, both due to their significance for biodiversity and to their provision of vital ecosystem services to local residents. However, the actual forest use behaviour is under-researched, official figures may not be trustworthy, and the question of over-use is up in the air. This paper sets out to shed light on riparian forest use behaviour by local residents using the example of Ak-Tal Village upon the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan: Which economic use patterns do they practice (focusing on fuel wood and pasture)? Which other ecosystem services do they recognise? Is there forest over-exploitation? To answer these questions, this study builds on local knowledge, by applying the methods of focus group discussions and a household survey. Results show an extreme discrepancy between official wood consumption figures (50-60 m3 p.a.) and figures based on household wood consumption (310-404 m3 p.a.). The forest also serves as an important winter pasture over the seven months between October and April (stocking density 0.61 livestock units/ha), but payments for these ecosystem services are low, with annually 40 KGS/ha. Local residents are aware of additional material and nonmaterial ecosystem services of the riparian forest. Opinions diverge upon the question if there is forest over-exploitation, potentially because different stakeholders have different concepts of an optimal forest status. Consequently, optimal forest use behaviour can only be defined by the local users themselves, e.g., in a future stakeholder dialogue.}, language = {en} } @article{RuppertWelpSpiesetal.2020, author = {Ruppert, Daniel and Welp, Martin and Spies, Michael and Thevs, Niels}, title = {Farmers' Perceptions of Tree Shelterbelts on Agricultural Land in Rural Kyrgyzstan}, series = {Sustainabilty}, volume = {2020}, journal = {Sustainabilty}, number = {12}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2071-1050}, doi = {10.3390/su12031093}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2323}, pages = {18}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The reestablishment of agroforestry systems in Central Asia, combining crop production with protective tree shelterbelts, provides significant potential to improve farming systems. This includes increasing crop yields, additional income from timber, as well as reducing soil degradation and wind erosion. Thus, adopting shelterbelts as a form of pro-environmental behavior provides a number of socio-economic benefits, although some trade-offs need to be considered as well. This paper investigates factors that shape the perception of—and attitude towards—the establishment of tree shelterbelts by farmers in two case study regions in Kyrgyzstan. Applying a conceptual framework distinguishing between extrinsic and intrinsic factors, research methods included semi-structured interviews with farmers and local policy makers. The results show spatial differences in the perception of shelterbelts, both on the regional and on the village scale. In general, shelterbelts were negatively perceived by more than half of the farmers. The main concern raised by farmers was the shading of crops by shelterbelts, resulting in a decrease of yield. In addition, small field sizes and potential conflicts with neighbors were key concerns. Furthermore, rules set by local self-government bodies were inconsistent with the legislative framework, posing significant restrictions to the adoption of sustainable land use practices.}, language = {en} } @article{GanHalikShietal.2023, author = {Gan, Lu and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Shi, Lei and Welp, Martin}, title = {Multi-scenario dynamic prediction of ecological risk assessment in an arid area of northwest China}, series = {Ecological Indicators}, volume = {154}, journal = {Ecological Indicators}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110727}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-8274}, pages = {12}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Ecological security is essential for the development of environmental health and human society. However, the driving mechanisms and spatial non-stationarity of ecological risks are still unknown, particularly in arid areas. Thus, this study constructed an ecological risk index (ERI) research framework in arid areas based on land use and socio-economic data from 1980 to 2020 to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution trend, driving mechanisms, and spatial non-stationarity of ecological risk and predict the ecological risk under business-as-usual, economic development, and ecological protection scenarios using a patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model. The results show that: (1) cropland and build-up land were expanding, whereas forestland and grassland water bodies were shrinking. Compared with the two development stages from 1980 to 2000 and from 2000 to 2020, cropland increased by 4.73\% and 51.52\%, respectively, whereas build-up land increased by 12.64\% and 106.52\%, respectively, indicating rapid development and drastic changes in the past 20 years. (2) With the change in landscape diversity, the regional ecological risks showed an increasing trend, whereas the future ecological risks showed an increasing trend because of the cumulative effect of landscape pattern changes caused by human activities. (3) Moreover, dramatic changes in ecological risk, particularly in areas of intense human activity in build-up land, agricultural land, artificial oases, and mountainous areas. Corresponding to the analysis of driving mechanisms, population, GDP, distance to government, water, and primary roads; have a significant effect on ecological risk, whereas DEM has direct and indirect effect paths. Ultimately, the proposed analysis framework can present the spatiotemporal changes of ecological risks and their influencing mechanisms, which can help develop sustainable development policies.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LitschelBerendtWelpetal.2023, author = {Litschel, Johannes and Berendt, Ferr{\´e}ol and Welp, Martin and Cremer, Tobias}, title = {Perspektiven von Schl{\"u}sselakteuren auf das Potenzial der Agroforstwirtschaft in Nordostdeutschland}, series = {Tagungsband 9. Forum Agroforstsysteme, 27. \& 28. September 2023}, booktitle = {Tagungsband 9. Forum Agroforstsysteme, 27. \& 28. September 2023}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-8040}, pages = {16 -- 17}, year = {2023}, language = {de} } @incollection{SpiesWelp2021, author = {Spies, Michael and Welp, Martin}, title = {Stakeholder-based knowledge mapping for re-establishing agroforestry systems in Central Asia}, series = {Beyond post-Soviet: layered legacies and transformations in Central Asia}, booktitle = {Beyond post-Soviet: layered legacies and transformations in Central Asia}, editor = {Schmidt, Matthias and Steenberg, Rune and Spies, Michael and Alff, Henryk}, publisher = {Institut f{\"u}r Geographie, Universit{\"a}t Augsburg}, address = {Augsburg}, isbn = {978-3-948283-05-6}, issn = {1862-8680}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-6205}, publisher = {Hochschule f{\"u}r nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde}, pages = {38 -- 48}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The existing land use policies in Central Asia are not well prepared to tackle current and future risks related to climate change, soil degradation, and increasing global and domestic demand for food, fiber, and biomass. In post-socialist countries with rather short traditions of state-led democracy, it is particularly relevant to strengthen the role of civil society and to test and experiment with participatory methods to increase the fairness, acceptance and effectiveness of policies for sustainable land use. As part of a collaborative project on agroforestry for livelihood improvement in Central Asia, we have developed a participatory method to formalize local and external expert knowledge as a means to inform strategy development for the wider adoption and re-establishment of agroforestry systems. In a sequence of collecting, visualizing, processing and feeding results back to local experts, our approach aimed at cocreating a semi-quantitative systemic knowledge map. Inspired by the MARISCO-methodology, this map included different agroforestry practices, related ecosystem services, as well as factors contributing to or hindering the adoption of agroforestry practices. This paper outlines our systemic approach of formalizing knowledge from diverse stakeholders, provides a brief stepwise description of our developed methodology, and discusses its wider applicability.}, language = {en} } @article{SunYuLietal.2020, author = {Sun, Lingxiao and Yu, Xiang and Li, Boshan and Zhang, Haiyan and Sha, Dong and Wang, Yao and Lei, Jiaqiang and Yu, Yang and Welp, Martin and Yu, Ruide}, title = {Coupling analysis of the major impact on sustainable development of the typical arid region of Turpan in Northwest China}, series = {Regional Sustainability}, volume = {1}, journal = {Regional Sustainability}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {2666-660X}, doi = {10.1016/j.regsus.2020.08.002}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5420}, pages = {48 -- 58}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Analyzing the sustainable development of a given region can provide an important reference and guide for future orientation. The study selects Turpan (including Gaochang District, Shanshan County, and Toksun County) in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of Northwest China as the study area and first investigates the essence of regional sustainable development. Based on the relevant data of the population, economy, and environment of Turpan from 2002 to 2018, we constructed an evaluation index system for three dimensions, namely, the population, economy, and environment, and analyzed them systematically. Specifically, we quantitatively calculated the comprehensive evaluation index, coupling degree, and coupling coordination degree of the sustainable development system of the study area. The study finds that Turpan has on some dimensions become increasingly sustainable, especially the economic development level has improved. The results show that the coupling coordination degree has increased from 0.3692 to 0.8894 during the period 2002-2018, which reflects the actual situation of Turpan and indicates that the proposed analysis method can effectively measure and evaluate the level of sustainable development in this region. Moreover, the study also puts forward main functional zoning of Turpan (i.e., Gaochang District as an optimized development zone, Shanshan County as a major agricultural production zone, and Toksun County as a key ecological function zone) and regional planning principles based on the population, economic, and environmental coupling analysis for the three jurisdictions in Turpan.}, language = {en} } @article{ZouDingWelpetal.2020, author = {Zou, Jie and Ding, Jianli and Welp, Martin and Huang, Shuai and Liu, Bohua}, title = {Using MODIS data to analyse the ecosystem water use efficiency spatial-temporal variations across Central Asia from 2000 to 2014}, series = {Environmental Research}, journal = {Environmental Research}, number = {182}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {0013-9351}, doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2019.108985}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5435}, year = {2020}, abstract = {It is important to understand the carbon-water cycle, which accurately reflects the temporal and spatial variabilities in ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE). In this study, the Mann-Kendall (MK) test was used to study the variabilities in the spatial patterns of the gross primary production (GPP), evapotranspiration and WUE across Central Asia [the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XJ) in China (CHN), Kazakhstan (KAZ), Turkmenistan (TKM), Uzbekistan (UZB), Kyrgyzstan (KGZ), and Tajikistan (TJK)] from 2000 to 2014. We compared the change results by country, land cover type, population density, and human influence. In addition, the results of GPP, evapotranspiration (ET), and WUE parameter tests were combined and classified to analyse the causes of the changes in WUE. The results showed that (1) the time series of GPP, ET and WUE exhibited no significant changes. The spatial distribution of the WUE exhibited significant increases in the northern part of KAZ, the Ili Valley and the alpine region in KGZ and exhibited decreases in south Xinjiang and the irrigated area of UZB. (2) The main land cover types that exhibited changes in WUE were farmlands and grasslands, and areas with a medium population density exhibited large WUE changes. (3) The increased WUE resulted from an increased GPP and decreased ET. The increased GPP was because of increased precipitation and the Green for Grain Project, and the decreased ET was due to the response of vegetation to drought stress; the decreased WUE was mainly caused by changes in the crops planted and unreasonable water use practices in the irrigated agricultural areas in Central Asia. This study, which is based on the variabilities in WUE spatial patterns, should provide a theoretical basis for ecosystems in arid land areas.}, language = {en} } @article{YuChenDisseetal.2020, author = {Yu, Yang and Chen, Xi and Disse, Markus and Cyffka, Bernd and Lei, Jiaqiang and Zhang, Haiyan and Brieden, Andreas and Welp, Martin and Abuduwaili, Jilili and Li, Yaoming and Zeng, Fanjiang and Gui, Dongwei and Thevs, Niels and Ta, Zhijie and Gao, Xin and Pi, Yuanyue and Yu, Xiang and Sun, Lingxiao and Yu, Ruide}, title = {Climate change in Central Asia: Sino-German cooperative research findings}, series = {Science Bulletin}, volume = {65}, journal = {Science Bulletin}, number = {9}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {2095-9273}, doi = {10.1016/j.scib.2020.02.008}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5419}, pages = {689 -- 692}, year = {2020}, language = {en} } @incollection{RouziHalikCyffkaetal.2021, author = {Rouzi, Aihemaitijiang and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Cyffka, Bernd and Welp, Martin and Thevs, Niels and Aishan, Tayierjiang}, title = {Sustainable land-use alternatives for the Tarim Basin}, series = {Sustainable Management of River Oases along the Tarim River/China (SuMaRiO)}, booktitle = {Sustainable Management of River Oases along the Tarim River/China (SuMaRiO)}, editor = {Cyffka, Bernd and Disse, Markus and Betz, Florian}, publisher = {Schweizerbart}, isbn = {978-3-510-65432-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5382}, publisher = {Hochschule f{\"u}r nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde}, pages = {146 -- 160}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @incollection{WelpYiliminuer2021, author = {Welp, Martin and Yiliminuer,}, title = {Stakeholder management}, series = {Sustainable Management of River Oases along the Tarim River/China (SuMaRiO)}, booktitle = {Sustainable Management of River Oases along the Tarim River/China (SuMaRiO)}, editor = {Cyffka, Bernd and Disse, Markus and Betz, Florian}, publisher = {Schweizerbart}, isbn = {978-3-510-65432-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5407}, publisher = {Hochschule f{\"u}r nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde}, pages = {27 -- 32}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{MissallAblizHaliketal.2018, author = {Missall, Siegmund and Abliz, Abdulla and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Thevs, Niels and Welp, Martin}, title = {Trading Natural Riparian Forests for Urban Shelterbelt Plantations—A Sustainability Assessment of the K{\"o}kyar Protection Forest in NW China}, series = {Water}, journal = {Water}, number = {10(3)}, issn = {2073-4441}, doi = {10.3390/w10030343}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5022}, pages = {18}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Cities at the fringe of the Taklimakan desert in NW China are prone to dust and sand storms with serious consequences for human well-being. The K{\"o}kyar Protection Forest was established in the 1980s as an ecological engineering project with the intent of protecting the city of Aksu, NW China, from these impacts. It is designed as a combination of poplar shelterbelts and orchards, irrigated by river water from the Aksu River, the main tributary of the Tarim River. Prevalent literature describes it as an afforestation project for combatting desertification with manifold positive effects for the economic, social, and environmental dimension of sustainable development. This paper sets out to challenge these claims by a sustainability assessment in which the plantation is examined from a broader perspective, embedding it to the wider context of social and environmental problems in South Xinjiang. Methods comprise evapotranspiration calculations, interviews, a socioeconomic household survey, stakeholder dialogues, and literature research. Results affirm its economic sustainability, but see a mixed record for the social sphere. From the nature conservation point of view, it has to be classified as unsustainable because its high irrigation water consumption results in the downstream desiccation and desertification of natural riparian forests along the Tarim River, causing a forest loss in the downstream area twice the size of the forest gain in the upstream area. There is a trade-off between artificial shelterbelt plantations for urban ecosystem services on the one hand side, and natural riparian forests and their biodiversity on the other hand side. The paper recommends restricting agricultural extension, and using locally adapted less water consuming agroforestry schemes to protect urban dwellers from dust stress.}, language = {en} } @article{LitschelBerendtCremeretal.2022, author = {Litschel, Johannes and Berendt, Ferr{\´e}ol and Cremer, Tobias and Welp, Martin}, title = {Mit regenerativen Materialien zur Brandenburger Bauwende?}, series = {Holz-Zentralblatt}, volume = {148}, journal = {Holz-Zentralblatt}, number = {36}, publisher = {DRW-Verlag Weinbrenner GmbH \& Co. KG}, issn = {0018-3792}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-6213}, pages = {608 -- 608}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Gemeinsam mit zahlreichen Akteuren aus Berlin und Brandenburg untersucht die Hochschule f{\"u}r nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (HNEE) in einem breit angelegten Modellvorhaben die Potenziale regenerativer Materialien f{\"u}r die Baubranche.}, language = {de} } @article{ShiHalikMamatetal.2021, author = {Shi, Lei and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Mamat, Zulpiya and Aishan, Tayierjiang and Welp, Martin}, title = {Identifying mismatches of ecosystem services supply and demand under semi-arid conditions: The case of the Oasis City Urumqi, China}, series = {Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management}, volume = {17}, journal = {Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley}, issn = {1551-3777}, doi = {10.1002/ieam.4471}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5469}, pages = {1293 -- 1304}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Understanding the balance between supply and demand of ecosystem services (ESs) is helpful for sustainable urban management. However, the interactions among multiple ESs supplies and demands remain under-researched, and ESs supply and demand spatial heterogeneity and correlation characteristics at the city level are rarely studied, especially in arid areas. To fill this gap, we established a comprehensive assessment framework of ESs supply and demand through integrating multi-source remote sensing data, social economy, and policy objectives, for the oasis city of Urumqi, China. The ESs supply-demand mismatches were revealed at the city level, and the spatial relationship between the ESs supply and demand was analyzed using spatial statistics. The results demonstrated that: (1) The total quantity of supply and demand of food provision, carbon sequestration, PM10 removal, and recreation services in Urumqi revealed that the demand was greater than the supply, the deficits being 16.10 × 107 kcal/ha, 6.88 × 104 t/ha, 155.86 kg/ha, and 697.26, respectively. (2) The supply and demand assessment of ESs revealed spatial differences from the city center to the suburbs, which further indicated that there are neighborhood similarities between the supply and demand of ESs. (3) The matching types of ESs supply and demand present obvious spatial heterogeneity, which can be divided into four types: High-high, high-low, low-high, and low-low. Owing to rapid urban development in the inner city, the city center is dominated by low-high, whereas the urban-rural ecotone is characterized by high-low, owing to the higher elevation and water resource advantages in the suburbs. Based on the analysis of the supply, demand, and matching of ESs, economic development and sustainable management policies are proposed for different ecological spaces. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:1293-1304. © 2021 SETAC}, language = {en} } @article{WeiHalikAishanetal.2022, author = {Wei, Zhicheng and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Aishan, Tayierjiang and Abliz, Abdulla and Welp, Martin}, title = {Spatial distribution patterns of trunk internal decay of Euphrates poplar riparian forest along the Tarim River, northwest China}, series = {Forest Ecology and Management}, journal = {Forest Ecology and Management}, number = {522}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {0378-1127}, doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120434}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5488}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Trunk internal decay is a common phenomenon in forest ecosystems, causing the loss of forest resources. Euphrates poplar (Populus euphratica Oliv.) is the only constructive tree species of the desert riparian forests along the Tarim River in northwestern China. The ecosystem stability of these forests has been damaged due to widespread internal decay or hollow rot in many tree trunks. However, forest resource conservation is difficult due to the unclear spatial patterns of P. euphratica trunk decay under different water conditions and tree morphology in the middle (MTR) and lower reaches (LTR) of the Tarim River. We conducted a field experiment and lab analysis to assess the reliability of the ARBOTOM® 2D stress wave Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technique on P. euphratica populations. We explored the quantitative characterization method and the spatial distribution patterns of P. euphratica trunk internal decay in the MTR and LTR. Our study found that (1) the accuracy of the stress wave NDT technique in detecting trunk decay of P. euphratica in the arid desert area was more than 80\%; The severity of internal trunk decays can be quantitatively characterized by the combination of the Matlab Image Processing Toolbox, (2) the trunk decay proportion of P. euphratica showed an increasing trend with the tree height in the MTR. The LTR first increased, then decreased. The degree of decay was highest when the tree height was 6-7 m. The trunk decay proportion of individual trees positively correlated with the diameter at breast height and crown loss (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with the crown diameter (p < 0.001). The higher the decay occurrence, the worse the individual size was, and vice versa, and (3) the decay proportion of the P. euphratica showed an overall increasing trend with an increase in groundwater depth. The trunk decay was significantly higher in the LTR compared to the MTR at the same distance of 300-1050 m from the river channel. Our findings suggested that the trunk decay in P. euphratica had a higher difference among different tree morphology, and the occurrence of decay in the LTR was much higher than in the MTR. The water stress at the site is one of the leading factors in internal defects in the riparian forests along the Tarim River. The results provide a theoretical basis and scientific support for desert riparian forest ecosystems' conservation and sustainable management.}, language = {en} } @article{StaviThevsWelpetal.2022, author = {Stavi, Ilan and Thevs, Niels and Welp, Martin and Zdruli, Pandi}, title = {Provisioning ecosystem services related with oak (Quercus) systems: a review of challenges and opportunities}, series = {Agroforestry Systems}, volume = {96}, journal = {Agroforestry Systems}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, issn = {0167-4366}, doi = {10.1007/s10457-021-00718-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5478}, pages = {293 -- 313}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Natural, semi-natural, and extensively managed oak woodlands and forests are prevalent across the world. These lands fulfil a range of ecosystem services, goods, and functions. Increasing natural and anthropogenic pressures impose threats to these lands. This paper first describes the Quercus genus and discusses management and mismanagement practices of oak systems. Then, the provisioning ecosystem services related with oak systems are reviewed, including: (1) oak's agroforestry and silvopasture systems for the production of food, pasture, and additional products; (2) browsing of oak leaves and acorns by livestock; (3) harvesting of oak wood for timber; (4) cork oak stripping, and the uses of cork; (5) acorn-based foods and beverages; and (6) others uses, such as the production of medicines and extraction of tannins for the leather industry. We discuss the multi-purpose and multi-functional nature of oak systems, and demonstrate how they diversify sources of income for local communities, resulting in improved economic and food security. Further, we show the important role of woodlands certification, aimed at protecting oak systems while ensuring environmental equity. Also, we demonstrate how providing of financial support for reforestation and afforestation schemes of degraded oak woodlands, could restore ecosystem functioning and reverse land degradation. Then, we stress the need to involve traditional knowledge in restoration schemes of degraded oak systems. Lastly, we demonstrate how policymaking and legislation regarding the oak's commercial plantations and farming systems could alleviate stresses imposed on the world's oak woodlands and forests by producing alternative sources of wood for the timber industry.}, language = {en} } @article{ShiHalikMamatetal.2021, author = {Shi, Lei and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Mamat, Zulpiya and Aishan, Tayierjiang and Abliz, Abdulla and Welp, Martin}, title = {Spatiotemporal investigation of the interactive coercing relationship between urbanization and ecosystem services in arid northwestern China}, series = {Land Degradation \& Development}, volume = {32}, journal = {Land Degradation \& Development}, number = {14}, publisher = {Wiley}, issn = {1099-145X}, doi = {doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3946}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5451}, pages = {4105 -- 4120}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Rapid urbanization has negative effects on ecosystem structure, function, and balance, leading to the loss of ecosystem services (ES) and posing a threat to regional sustainable development. However, the complex interactive coercing relationship between urbanization and ES is not yet fully understood, especially in arid Northwestern China. In this study, we constructed an evaluative framework for urbanization and ES using land cover/land use data and socioeconomic data from 1990 to 2018. We used global and local autocorrelation models to reveal the spatiotemporal interaction between urbanization and ES. The results revealed that the urbanization index increased from 0.06 in 1990 to 0.16 in 2018 in Xinjiang, and urbanization was significantly negatively correlated with ES. With the acceleration of urbanization, the ecosystem services value (ESV) has decreased 2,698.74 × 109 Yuan from 1990 to 2018 (6.62 Yuan = 1 .00 US\$). Due to geographical advantages, resource conditions, and land use changes, the spatial relationship of urbanization and ES has obvious heterogeneity. High-low correlation areas are mainly concentrated in the Northern Tianshan Mountain Economic Zone, whereas low-high correlation areas are concentrated in the Kashgar and Hotan Oases in southern Xinjiang. Based on regional geographical conditions and the spatial heterogeneity of resources, diversified ecological, social, and economic balance models should be considered to promote future sustainable urban planning and development.}, language = {en} } @incollection{DoellBolchCyffkaetal.2021, author = {D{\"o}ll, Petra and Bolch, Tobias and Cyffka, Bernd and Disse, Markus and Doluschnitz, Rainer and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Huang, Shaochun and Yiliminuer, and K{\"u}gel, Benno and Krysanova, Valentina and Stahr, Karl and Thomas, Frank M. and Welp, Martin}, title = {Policy recommendations}, series = {Sustainable Management of River Oases along the Tarim River/China (SuMaRiO)}, booktitle = {Sustainable Management of River Oases along the Tarim River/China (SuMaRiO)}, editor = {Cyffka, Bernd and Disse, Markus and Betz, Florian}, publisher = {Schweizerbart}, isbn = {978-3-510-65432-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5441}, pages = {176 -- 179}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{LitschelBerendtWagneretal.2023, author = {Litschel, Johannes and Berendt, Ferr{\´e}ol and Wagner, Hanna and Heidenreich, Simon and Bauer, David and Welp, Martin and Cremer, Tobias}, title = {Key Actors' Perspectives on Agroforestry's Potential in North Eastern Germany}, series = {Land}, volume = {12}, journal = {Land}, number = {2}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2073-445X}, doi = {10.3390/land12020458}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4003}, pages = {1 -- 19}, year = {2023}, abstract = {As a land use management system, agroforestry has environmental, economic and societal benefits over conventional agriculture or forestry. Important benefits of combining tree growth with agricultural crops and/or forage production systems include higher biodiversity through more diverse habitats, the control of runoff and soil erosion, the augmentation of soil water availability, the creation of microclimates, carbon sequestration and provision of a more diverse farm economy. As the climate changes, north eastern Germany is likely to be particularly prone to severe effects from droughts and wind erosion in the future. However, the area of land under agroforestry makes up less than 2\% of the total agricultural area in Germany. Through qualitative interviews with key actors, this study analyzed the benefits of, potentials for and barriers to implementing agroforestry systems in the federal state of Brandenburg. Results showed that agroforestry systems have significant potential in relation to several benefits, particularly the mitigation of soil erosion and stabilization of microclimate regimes. Additionally, agroforestry has the potential to provide wood for energy production or material uses. Although a small but highly innovative and interlinked community exists, administrative barriers and high start-up costs currently hamper the transition from conventional agriculture to agroforestry systems.}, language = {en} }