Elevation‐richness pattern of vascular plants in wadis of the arid mountain Gebel Elba,Egypt

Mountains provide a unique opportunity to study drivers of species richness across relatively short elevation gradients. However, few studies have reported elevational patterns for arid mountains. We studied elevation‐richness pattern along an elevational gradient at the arid mountain Gebel Elba, south‐east of Egypt, expecting a unimodal richness pattern. We sampled 133 vegetation plots (10 × 10 m) in four wadis along an elevational gradient from 130 to 680 m which represents the transition from desert to mountain wadi systems. We used generalised additive models to describe the relationship between elevation and plant species richness. We found a strong increase in species richness and Shannon diversity at low elevations followed by a plateau at mid‐ to high elevations. When we analysed each tributary as a single gradient, no pattern was found. The analysed elevational gradient seems to be a major stress gradient in terms of temperature and water availability, exhibiting a trend of increasing species richness that changes to a plateau pattern; a pattern rarely observed for wadi systems in arid mountains. We discuss the observed pattern with the climatic stress hypothesis and the environmental heterogeneity hypothesis as possible explanations for the pattern.     

Microhabitat variations and seed bank-vegetation relationships in a desert wadi ecosystem

Due to extreme variability in patterns of rainfall, plant seed banks are an important component of desert habitats. Here I report on effects of standing vegetation and three different microhabitats (channel, bank and terrace) on the soil seed bank of a desert wadi ecosystem in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. A total of 450 soil samples at 45 stands were collected to represent the different wadi microhabitats. The germinable seed bank was estimated by controlled counts of seedling emergence. The floristic composition, functional properties and diversity of the soil seed bank, as well as its similarity with the standing vegetation varied among wadi microhabitats. Such variation could be attributed to differences in disturbance intensity among microhabitats (terrace < bank < channel) and variation of soil factors along the microtopographic gradient. Channel showed the highest species richness and size of soil seed bank, followed by bank and then terrace. Moreover the Shannon index of diversity of the seed bank and its similarity with standing vegetation were significantly greater in both channel and bank microhabitats than in terrace. At the level of plant functional groups, number of seeds of annuals was higher in both channel and bank than in terrace. Shrubs were more abundant in seed banks of channel compared to terrace. The size and species richness of seed bank were increased with the total plant cover, annual/perennial ratio and species richness of the standing vegetation.     

The plant biodiversity of the Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve (Egypt): impact of Lake Nasser on a desert wadi ecosystem

A data set comprising 95 stands of desert vegetation, collected from the Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve and its environs within the South-Eastern Desert of Egypt during 1985–90, was analysed using multivariate procedures (two-way indicator species analysis: TWINSPAN; detrended correspondence analysis: DCA; canonical correspondence analysis: CCA), to produce a classification of plant communities in the area, and to examine the relationships of these plant communities to natural and man-induced features of the physical environment of the area (in particular, the influence of Lake Nasser, a major impoundment of the River Nile formed in 1964). The vegetation classification produced groupings broader, in both floristic and ecological terms, than those found by earlier studies of this area. In total 78 plant species were recorded from four phytogeographic elements. Four principal vegetation groups were identified, of which one is new to the area, and is the result of major environmental changes affecting the downstream part of the Wadi Allaqi system, following periodic flooding of the wadi by Lake Nasser during the past 30 years. This community was indicated by Tamarix nilotica. There was a strongly-zoned (downstream–upstream) pattern to the vegetation within this lower part of Wadi Allaqi, which appears to be a function of the probability of flooding by the lake. The remaining three vegetation groups occur higher in the wadi basin. Groundwater-dependence appeared to be important in defining a group indicated by Acacia tortilis, as well as the Tamarix nilotica group. The two remaining groups, characterized respectively by Acacia ehrenbergiana and Cullen plicatum, represent vegetation groups which are precipitation-dependent, and which tolerate drier conditions within the Allaqi system.     

Soil seed bank in different habitats of the Eastern Desert of Egypt

The floristic composition and species diversity of the germinable soil seed bank were studied in three different habitats (desert salinized land, desert wadi, and reclaimed land) in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Moreover, the degree of similarity between the seed bank and the above-ground vegetation was determined. The seed bank was studied in 40 stands representing the three habitats. Ten soil samples (each 25 × 20 cm and 5 cm depth) were randomly taken per stand. The seed bank was investigated by the seedling emergence method. Some 61 species belonging to 21 families and 54 genera were identified in the germinable seed bank. The recorded species include 43 annuals and 18 perennials. Ordination of stands by Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) indicates that the stands of the three habitats are markedly distinguishable and show a clear pattern of segregation on the ordination planes. This indicates variations in the species composition among habitats. The results also demonstrate significant associations between the floristic composition of the seed bank and edaphic factors such as CaCO₃, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and soil texture. The reclaimed land has the highest values of species richness, Shannon-index of diversity and the density of the germinable seed bank followed by the habitats of desert wadi and desert salinized land. Motyka’s similarity index between the seed bank and the above-ground vegetation is significantly higher in reclaimed land (75.1%) compared to desert wadi (38.4%) and desert salinized land (36.5%).     

Environmental science and management of coastal lagoons in the Southern Mediterranean Region: key issues revealed by the MELMARINA Project

Lagoons in the heavily populated, semi-arid coastal zone of the Southern Mediterranean Region exemplify the conflict between human utilisation of water and related resources and aquatic ecosystems. Having recognised the requirement to improve understanding of the functioning of the region’s coastal wetlands, the MELMARINA Project undertook integrated hydro-ecological monitoring and modelling within lagoons in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. This article highlights some key issues regarding environmental science and management of the region’s coastal lagoons revealed during the course of the project. It stresses the importance of hydrology as a key control upon lagoon functioning and ecosystem dynamics. Hydrological modifications due to water resource management schemes are the cause of many recent changes experienced within lagoons. Linkages between water quality, water availability, human activities and biological characteristics of coastal lagoons are discussed with particular reference to the controls upon vegetation within the MELMARINA lagoons. A series of methodological advances are reviewed which have potential for wider application within coastal lagoons. It is suggested that the use of lagoon sediment for environmental reconstruction can be invaluable, especially when monitoring data are lacking. Recent advances in instrumentation technologies make long-term continuous monitoring more feasible although these approaches can be combined with more traditional site surveys to provide wider spatial coverage at the expense of temporal resolution. Wider spatial coverage can also be achieved through the use of space-borne or aerial remote sensing imagery whilst longer-term trends in site characteristics can be assessed through historical map analyses. Geographical Information Systems, which facilitate the storage and interrogation of large and varied datasets, have enormous potential. Similarly, coupled hydro-ecological models can inform understanding of lagoon functioning and can assess scenarios associated with environmental change or alternative management approaches. The application of integrated, basin-wide approaches to the management of water resources and aquatic ecosystems in the Southern Mediterranean Region is advocated. This includes the application of principles from the EU’s Water Framework Directive. Finally, the need to place management in the context of climate change and associated sea level rise is stressed. Emphasis should be placed on the development of adaptation strategies designed to minimise the effects of these changes. Guest editors: J. R. Thompson & R. J. Flower Hydro-ecological Monitoring and Modelling of North African Coastal Lagoons     

西北干旱荒漠区生态系统可持续管理理念与模式

结合对西北干旱区水资源短缺、资源开发中的生态与经济矛盾突出、气候变暖可能加剧干旱区荒漠化以及生态水权与长效保障机制缺失等问题的分析诊断,探讨了荒漠区生态系统可持续管理面临的问题与难点,分析提出了荒漠生态系统植被保育的生态水位与生态阈值,阐述了荒漠-绿洲过渡带生态融合以及绿洲生态系统安全的生态防护梯度等干旱区生态系统管理理念;结合干旱区极端环境自然条件,在多年现场试验基础上,研发集成了退化群落改造与生态多样性构建技术、植物群落结构优化配置、组装与生态融合技术、生态系统恢复水分利用与生态自维持技术以及胡杨萌蘖更新技术等多种适宜荒漠植被恢复与重建的技术模式,并进行了成功实践和试验示范,为干旱荒漠区生态系统可持续管理提供了重要科技支撑。     

Annual plants in arid and semi-arid desert regions

Annual plants are the main vegetation in arid and semi-arid desert regions.Because of their unique traits,they are the optimal experimental subjects for eco-logical studies.In this article,we summarize annual plants' seed germination strategies,seedling adaptability mechanism to environments,seed dispersal,and soil seed banks.We also discuss the biotic and abiotic factors affecting the composition and dynamics of annual plant populations and communities.Because annual plants have important ecological functions in desert vegetation systems,this study on annual plants will be of great bene-fit to the conservation and restoration of desert ecosys-tems,the rational utilization of resources,and the sustainable development of desert regions.     

基于机器学习模型的沙漠腹地地下水含盐量变化过程及模拟研究

为了研究塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地的地下水盐分变化规律,模拟地下水盐分变化过程,评价适合该区域的地下水变化规律的模型。通过对研究区蒸发量、降水量、气温、气压、地下水位、地下水电导率数据的统计分析,揭示了地下水含盐量及其影响因素的特征;使用GP模型、GPLVM模型和BP人工神经网络模型以及综合模型,模拟了气候变化和人类活动双重影响下的地下水含盐量变化过程,并评价了模型的模拟结果。研究结果表明:(1)研究区地下水流动系统主要受气候变化和人类活动的影响,地下水位在局部地区随开采过程呈现波动变化。地下水位变化过程与气压的变化规律相一致;而气温和蒸发量的季节变化规律相一致。地下水盐分含量呈上升趋势。(2)GP模型对于地下水含盐量的预测效果最好;GPLVM模型对于已知地下水含盐量条件下,与其他环境因素进行多元回归分析的拟合效果最好。而GP、GPLVM和BP人工神经网络模型的综合模型,对于包括模型训练和模型预测的全体数据集的拟合和预测效果最好。     

西南岩溶槽谷区隧道建设的水文生态环境效应研究进展

西南岩溶槽谷区隧道分布密集,隧道突水引发了一系列的生态环境问题。梳理了隧道建设产生的生态环境效应现状,包括:改变水资源分布格局及水文过程,诱发地质灾害,降低土地质量和引起土壤污染,影响植被生长与分布等。在隧道影响水文和水资源方面已有丰富的研究成果,而在对土壤和植被的影响研究方面缺乏统一认识。指出了未来研究的总体趋势和方向:隧道影响水资源分布格局与水文过程的水文地质模式,降水、地表水、土壤水、地下水及隧道水的转换过程与地下水流场演化机制,岩溶隧道区植被生理过程与多样性变化等。     

Vegetation analysis of Wadi Al-Jufair,a hyper-arid region in Najd,Saudi Arabia

Wadi Al-Jufair, a tributary of Wadi Nisah, is one of the important wadis of Najd region (Saudi Arabia) sheltering a rich diversity of higher plants. The study area is extended into approximately 15 km² encompassing the commonest geomorphological features encountered in desert wadis. The wadi supports several rare plants, including Maerua crassifolia Forssk., a regionally endangered tree, and Acacia oerfota (Forssk.) Schweinf., a rare shrub with restricted distribution. The present study aims to analyze the vegetation of wadi Al-Jufair and propose its designation as an important plant reserve. The vegetation type is fundamentally of chamaephytic nature with some phanerophytes, and distinguished into associations where the dominant perennial species give the permanent character of plant cover in each habitat. Four vegetation groups were identified with the application of TWINSPAN, DCA and CCA programs and named after the characteristic species as follows: Lycium shawii; A. oerfota; Acacia raddiana–Rhazya stricta and Artemisia monosperma. These plant associations demonstrate significant variation in soil texture, moisture, organic matter, pH, EC, and minerals of Wadi Al-Jufair.     

荒漠化治理中生态系统、社会经济系统协调发展问题探析——以中国北方半干旱荒漠区沙漠化防治为例

全球变暖导致的区域干旱使得干旱区水资源日益匮乏,而迅速增长的人口和社会经济发展进一步加剧水资源危机,使得有限的水资源成为全球沙漠化防治瓶颈,严重制约了沙化土地治理进程,影响了联合国"土地退化总面积零增长"目标的实现,也影响了中国社会经济的可持续和协调发展。传统的沙化土地治理生物措施重视植被盖度增加,忽视生态系统其他要素,如土壤水分、养分等与植被的相互关系,导致一些治理措施相对简单,生态系统不能协调发展。而沙化土地治理的物理措施和化学措施由于忽视了沙区社会和经济效益,其可持续性也受到科学家质疑。近期获批的国家重点研发计划项目"中国北方半干旱荒漠区沙漠化防治关键技术与示范"(2016YFC0500900)拟针对此问题开展研究,以沙化土地稳定恢复为首要目标,在认识半干旱荒漠区沙化土地正/逆过程演变机制和荒漠生态系统稳定性的基础上,研究沙化土地稳定恢复的生态阈值;以毛乌素沙地、库布齐沙漠东部、科尔沁沙地西部和呼伦贝尔沙地为典型区,针对不同沙化土地特点,研发防沙治沙关键技术,开展模式优化和试验示范;在防沙治沙模式与工程效益评估基础上,集成产业化技术体系,为国家防沙治沙工程建设提供理论基础与技术支撑。     

Discriminating patterns and drivers of multiscale movement in herpetofauna: The dynamic and changing environment of the Mojave desert tortoise

Changes to animal movement in response to human‐induced changes to the environment are of growing concern in conservation. Most research on this problem has focused on terrestrial endotherms, but changes to herpetofaunal movement are also of concern given their limited dispersal abilities and specialized thermophysiological requirements. Animals in the desert region of the southwestern United States are faced with environmental alterations driven by development (e.g., solar energy facilities) and climate change. Here, we study the movement ecology of a desert species of conservation concern, the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). We collected weekly encounter locations of marked desert tortoises during the active (nonhibernation) seasons in 2013–2015, and used those data to discriminate movements among activity centers from those within them. We then modeled the probability of movement among activity centers using a suite of covariates describing characteristics of tortoises, natural and anthropogenic landscape features, vegetation, and weather. Multimodel inference indicated greatest support for a model that included individual tortoise characteristics, landscape features, and weather. After controlling for season, date, age, and sex, we found that desert tortoises were more likely to move among activity centers when they were further from minor roads and in the vicinity of barrier fencing; we also found that movement between activity centers was more common during periods of greater rainfall and during periods where cooler temperatures coincided with lower rainfall. Our findings indicate that landscape alterations and climate change both have the potential to impact movements by desert tortoises during the active season. This study provides an important baseline against which we can detect future changes in tortoise movement behavior.     

自然状况下头状沙拐枣对水分条件变化的响应

 对塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘沙漠-绿洲过渡带前沿人工植被头状沙拐枣(Calligonum caput-medusae)水分关系的研究表明：头状沙拐枣在生长季节中一直保持着正的膨压,水分亏缺的发展并不严重,植被所受水分胁迫在正常范围内,因而在现存条件下干旱引起的水分胁迫不足以威胁植被的存在。在生长进程中,随着环境胁迫的加剧,头状沙拐枣依然维持了比较高的水势和渗透势,实验结果也显示植株体内可溶性物质(NsDM)的累积程度并没有升高,因而其生理过程仍然在比较宽松的环境中进行。相对含水量（RWCp）在生长季节一直保持很高的水平,这对植株保持体内水分防止水分过度损失有利。头状沙拐枣在干旱胁迫下表现出的这些生理特点说明,植物对干旱环境的生理适应类型属于抵抗型。在叶水平上植株对干旱胁迫的水分生理适应主要表现为质外体水比例的增高,细胞壁弹性的增加,持续较高的相对含水量（RWCp）以及灌水后RWCp和枝条水分比值（WCsat）的增加上。夏季的引洪灌溉有助于头状沙拐枣水分状况的恢复,并很可能是植被免于严重水分胁迫的原因之一。     

基于扩展耗模型的可持续发展水平区域空间差异——以中国31个省市为数据源

将区域作为一个以人类生产和消费为中心的社会-经济-自然复合生态系统,构建了一种基于生物物理视角的生态热力学方法,从整体角度对区域的可持续发展水平进行定量评价。该方法囊括了维持复合生态系统运转过程中的自然资源投入、人力资源投入和环境污染损害成本投入等三种要素,完善了可持续发展评价以及绿色GDP核算中人力资源投入和环境成本的价值体现。然后以我国为例,核算了我国31个省市2006—2015年间可持续发展水平的时间动态,并以各省为边界,计算了2015年的区域可持续发展水平差异。计算结果显示:(1)十年间,我国整体上的可持续发展水平在逐步提高,能反映出我国生产率水平的提高和资源利用效率的提高;(2)从要素投入看,自然资源投入仍然占主要,但比例在逐渐降低。环境成本投入比例呈逐步降低趋势,说明环境保护取得了成效。另外,在2010年后,人力资源投入比例增加很快,反映了我国经济发展中劳动力成本上升明显。(3)各省市的计算结果差异较大,在不考虑区域间进出口的情况下,从GDP产出角度,北京的可持续发展水平最高,西藏最低。通过将本文的评价结果与绿色发展指数的评价结果进行比较,发现具有较好的一致性。建立的方法框架是对能值分析方法的扩展和完善,在今后的研究中,还需要继续对该方法框架中没有考虑全面的因素加以考虑,以便于更全面客观地反映区域的可持续发展水平。     

基于遥感生态指数的新疆玛纳斯湖湿地生态变化评价

以2000、2006和2016年3期的Landsat遥感影像为基础数据源,结合前人研究成果和实地考察,借助RSEI指数,对玛纳斯湖湿地生态环境进行监测和评价。结果表明:利用主成分分析技术集成植被指数、湿度分量、地表温度和土壤指数建立的RSEI指数具有一定的适用性,可较好的对玛纳斯湖湿地生态环境质量状况及其时空变化进行监测和评价。2000、2006和2016年RSEI指数均值分别为0.227、0.183、0.234,对RSEI指数进行分级处理后,发现流域生态环境质量"较差"等级居于主导地位,"优"等级有所增加,湿地生态环境质量向好的方向发展。气候变化和人类活动共同作用于玛纳斯湖湿地产生的生态环境效应,日益增强的人类活动是湿地退化的主要原因,多年来粗放型的农业发展使玛纳斯河流域人口、经济与生态环境之间的关系严重失调。从优化水资源配置角度提出对主要源流流域水土资源大规模开发的同时,应重视尾闾湖泊湿地的生态价值与可持续发展。     

干旱半干旱荒漠地区一年生植物研究综述

1年生植物是干旱半干旱地区植被的重要组成部分,并以其独有的植物特性成为许多植物生态学关键问题研究的最佳试验材料。本文综述了干旱半干旱地区1年生植物的种子萌发对策、幼苗对环境的适应机制、种子传播和种子库等方面的研究成果,并探讨了影响1年生植物种群、群落组成和动态的生物与非生物因素。基于1年生植物类群在荒漠植被系统中重要的生态功能,有关1年生植物的研究成果将有利于荒漠生态系统的保护和恢复、资源的合理利用以及区域的可持续发展。     

基于多源数据的“安全公正空间”在大通湖流域环境管理中的应用

如何在确保生态系统安全的同时有效地开发和利用资源、保障人类福祉是当前面临的挑战。近年来兴起的“安全公正空间”(Safe and Just Operating Space, SJOS)理论框架为人类可持续发展提供了有效的评估方法, 即充分利用自然资源来提高人类社会福祉的同时确保环境生态安全。研究以长江中下游地区大通湖流域为例, 根据流域内的社会经济数据、环境监测数据和湖泊沉积记录, 从社会基础和环境系统两个方面构建该流域的SJOS框架, 并利用环境库兹涅兹曲线来揭示总体环境变化特征。结果表明: 流域内淡水利用、空气质量、水质均突破环境上限, 处于危险的状态, 此外流域内无贫困和产业创新两个社会基础维度的完成度相对较低。环境库兹涅兹曲线揭示了大通湖流域内社会-生态系统大致分为初始阶段(1950s—1980s)、严重退化阶段(1980s—2000s)和逐步改善(2000s后)三个阶段。研究为维持区域可持续发展提供了重要的参考信息, 同时也为区域SJOS框架的构建提供了一种有效的方法。     

Influence and value of different water regimes on avian species richness in arid inland Australia

Riparian habitats in arid landscapes are recognised for their structurally diverse vegetation and diverse bird species assemblages. In the extensive semi-arid and arid centre of Australia, riparian woodland habitats are impacted by pastoral land-use which may negatively influence vegetation structure and avian species composition. However, pastoralism has promoted the establishment of artificial water bodies, so that additional riparian vegetation may occur in the landscape. In this study, we surveyed the importance of different water regimes (i.e. artificial lakes, natural waterholes, desert sites) together with their associated vegetation on avian species richness in north-western New South Wales, Australia. Our results show that bird species richness was highest at water locations, in particular at artificial lakes. Avian species richness was negatively associated with distance to water bodies, both in desert vegetation types and in the riparian vegetation type along dry creeks. Moreover, riparian habitats supported larger avian assemblages and especially those of sedentary bird species compared to the surrounding shrub-steppe landscape. This indicates that artificial water bodies may be of significance for arid zone bird species and might gain in importance with changing water availabilities due to climatic changes.     

North African wetland lakes: characterization of nine sites included in the CASSARINA Project

Exploitation of land and water resources has increased rapidly in North Africa during the 20th century, paralleling regional population growth. As part of the CASSARINA Project (see Flower, 2001), the environmental status of nine wetland lakes in Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt was evaluated. All are conservationally important habitats and several are Ramsar Sites (internationally recognized bird reserves) and several support significant fisheries. All are shallow (<2 m in depth) but vary greatly in area.Where available, documentary information on relevant 20th century changes is given. Survey transects for aquatic vegetation were established and used to provide baseline ecological information on the aquatic plant communities during 1997–1999. Unusually, one site (Tunisian Megene Chitane) supported acidophilous vegetation (some taxa being nationally rare). Aquatic macrophytes declined catastrophically at two sites during the 1990s. Merja Bokka was drained in 1998 and, at Garaet El Ichkeul, fringing Phragmites and Scirpus spp. were lost, mainly as a result of salinity changes. Elsewhere, fringing macrophytes remain (extensively so in the Nile Delta lakes) common, despite major land reclamation and water quality problems, or are degraded by grazing (Merja Zerga). Marginal vegetation during 1997/98 changed markedly at Megene Chitane due to water level lowering.Documentary records indicated that throughout the 20th century, reclamation and hydrologic modifications, mainly for agricultural purposes, affected all nine sites. The loss of lake area by reclamation is substantial for the Nile Delta lakes (Edku, Burullus and Manzala). For the western sites, some data indicate increasing salinity in the most recent decade but the Delta lakes have become generally fresher during the 20th century, as supply of Nile water for irrigation increased.Despite intense human disturbance, many of the remaining CASSARINA sites still support regions of high aquatic diversity. Spatial scale monitoring of the larger sites for seasonal and inter-annual changes in open water area and in aquatic plant abundances is a key requirement for integrated environmental change assessment in the 21st century.     

新疆哈巴河桦木属湿地3600年以来的植被变化和人类活动

湿地是水陆相互作用形成的独特自然综合体,对全球气候变化敏感,尤其是干旱半干旱区分布的湿地对自然环境和人类活动的响应更为显著。基于新疆哈巴河地区桦木林湿地人工开挖130 cm深的地层剖面,结合较高时间分辨率的¹⁴C测年数据和孢粉组合,揭示出该区3600年来曾经历5个时段的植被变化和人类活动的影响。3540—3430 cal a BP期间,该区以蒿属(Artemisia)等旱生植物为主,湿地尚未形成;3430—2640 cal a BP期间,局地小环境较湿润,湿生草本和以沼泽蕨(Thelypteris palustris)为代表的蕨类植物大量生长,落叶阔叶的桦木属(Betula)植物开始出现;至2640—660 cal a BP期间,浅水湿地开始形成,桦木属植物迅速扩张,但在大区域仍分布着由藜科(Chenopodiaceae)和蒿属等为主要组成的荒漠植被;尤其在660—210 cal a BP期间,桦木属成为森林的优势种;值得关注的是,近200年以来,该区以藜科为代表的草本植物增多,而桦木林出现萎缩。通过对选取的典型局域湿地不同历史时期环境变化和人类活动影响的研究,揭...