中国喀斯特天坑演化及植被生态系统研究进展

喀斯特天坑(Tiankeng)是近年来在喀斯特地区发现的一类深陷地表的负地形地质奇观,由于受到四周岩壁的圈闭作用及地形的约束,喀斯特天坑内部形成了一种绝无仅有的原始小气候,孕育了丰富独特的动物、植物和微生物资源。该文在系统梳理前期天坑研究文献的基础上,以天坑植被生态系统研究为重点,兼顾天坑分布和演化规律,综述了天坑在这些方面的主要研究进展和新的认识,进而分析了目前天坑研究中存在的问题。围绕上述天坑研究领域,提出了天坑研究未来发展的5个研究方向:(1)系统性、大尺度和多学科联合探究天坑成因及其植被生态系统的演化规律;(2)天坑内生物资源对坑外荒漠化地区生态修复作用及其机制;(3)天坑土壤微生物分布规律及其与植物互作机制;(4)环境变化对喀斯特天坑生态系统的影响效应;(5)旅游开发对天坑植被生态系统的影响评估。

Research progress on evolution and vegetation ecosystem of karst Tiankeng in China

Karst Tiankengs are one type of negative topography that are of high value for conservation, providing habitats and breeding unique biological resources not found in the surrounding landscape. In recent years, the studies on karst Tiankeng in China has increased our understanding of diverse geological and ecological questions, from the formation and evolution of Tiankeng to species diversity. Based on a systematic review of the previous studies on karst Tiankeng, we reviewed the main advances and new findings, and addressed key topics for future studies. These key findings and topics include the distribution, evolution and vegetation ecology of Tiankeng. We also propose five key areas of focus for future studies:(1)The causes of Tiankeng formation and its vegetation ecology in systematicness, large scale and multidisciplinary collaboration;(2)The effect of biological resources in Tiankeng on ecological restoration of desertification area outside Tiankeng;(3)The distribution of soil microbial community and their interactions with plants in Tiankeng;(4)The impact of environmental change on karst Tiankeng ecosystem;(5)The assessment of the impact of tourism development on Tiankeng vegetation ecology.