Landscape pattern changes across alpine shrub meadows gradient in warm-season pastures on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Grassland degradation has been one of the major ecological concerns on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) in recent years, but the degradation of alpine shrub meadows, and in particular the changes in its surface landscape pattern, has been less well assessed. This study selected a warm-season pasture on the QTP as a study area, and used an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to collect aerial photographs along the degradation gradient from late June to early July 2018. We then classified the surface landscape as alpine shrub, alpine meadow, bare soil and plateau pika hole and analyzed the landscape pattern changes at different degradation levels. The results showed that the alpine shrub and alpine meadow dominated landscape degraded to a pattern of alpine meadow and bare soil dominance and pika hole pervasiveness, during which vegetation cover declined and the overall landscape pattern tended to fragment. Landscape pattern characteristics related to the area, density, connectivity and boundaries respond more clearly to the shrub degradation, with moderate degradation being the key stage at which the surface landscape pattern changes dramatically. Our study demonstrates a potential application of UAV technology in the study of grassland degradation. Future research should focus on the status, mechanisms and ecological effects of alpine shrub meadows degradation and the quantitative relationships between surface landscape patterns and ecological functions.     

青藏高原区退化高寒草甸植被和土壤特征

高寒草甸约占青藏高原草地的46.7%,是我国草地生态系统重要的组成部分。近年来,在气候变化和人为活动的影响下,高寒草甸生态系统退化严重,植被和土壤均呈现出不同的退化趋势。在大空间尺度上表现为草地覆盖度下降,杂草类植被增加,土壤退化甚至沙化;在微观尺度上,退化高寒草甸的土壤粒径、土壤微生物和土壤酶也发生改变。本研究从高寒草甸物种多样性、植物群落结构、植被生物量、土壤物理性质、土壤微生物、土壤酶和土壤养分等方面,分析了高寒草甸生态系统退化过程中植被和土壤的变化特征,提出当前研究中存在的一些不确定性和有待深入研究的问题,为全面了解高寒草甸的退化机制和规律、有效干预高寒草甸生态系统和恢复生态功能提供科学依据。     

高寒草毡层基本属性与固碳能力沿水分和海拔梯度的变化

高寒草毡层是高原寒区自然植被下形成的松软而坚韧且耐搬运的表土层,认识其生态功能是促进草牧业生产休养保护和工程施工主动利用的前提。通过对青藏高原东部若尔盖高原植被的广泛调查,在布设沼泽、退化沼泽、沼泽化草甸、湿草甸、干草甸和退化草甸水分梯度群落样地,以及亚高山草甸、亚高山灌丛草甸、高山灌丛草甸和高山草甸海拔梯度群落样地的基础上,通过对不同类型群落样地草毡层容重、土壤颗粒组成和土壤有机碳(SOC)含量的测定分析,比较了水分和海拔梯度下草毡层固碳能力。结果表明,草毡层厚度平均为30cm,沼泽湿地草毡层容重最小,SOC含量在300g/kg以上;退化草甸容重最高,SOC含量显著下降。不同群落草毡层SOC密度在10—24kg C/m~2之间,随着土壤水分有效性的降低而降低;高山灌丛草甸草毡层SOC密度比草甸高15%。研究得出,保持草毡层稳定的质量含水量阈值为30%,SOC含量阈值为30g/kg;高寒植被草毡层在沼泽到草甸的退化演替中,容重、紧实度变大,有机碳含量减少,碳密度和碳储量下降;灌丛草甸的固碳能力大于草甸,但灌丛草甸的生产功能降低;保持可持续发展的草地生产能力,维护固碳生态功能,需要防止草毡层退化,抑制草甸向灌丛草甸演替。     

高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠种群暴发区干扰斑块空间分布格局与演替规律

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)和高原鼢鼠(Myospalax baileyi)是两种在高寒草甸广泛分布的小型哺乳动物,其暴发活动可能造成高寒草甸的严重退化。使用无人机分别拍摄典型的高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠种群暴发区图像,解译高原鼠兔洞口、高原鼢鼠土丘和它们的干扰斑块,获得干扰斑块的周长和面积信息,计算干扰斑块形状指标,确定高原鼠兔与高原鼢鼠暴发活动对高寒草甸的影响。研究表明：(1)高原鼠兔与高原鼢鼠暴发活动形成的干扰斑块周长与面积比(PARA)、形状指数(SHAPE)和分形维数(FRAC)差异显著(P<0.05),其中高原鼢鼠斑块的FRAC是1.0124±0.0091,属于普通的规则几何圆形分布格局,高原鼠兔斑块的FRAC是1.1203±0.0546,属于分形几何不规则的分布格局。(2)高原鼠兔洞口数量与其斑块面积没有线性相关关系(P=0.9677),高原鼢鼠土丘数量与其斑块面积呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。(3)高原鼢鼠斑块面积统计学上呈长尾分布,不符合正态分布(P<0.01)。根据高原鼠兔斑块面积分布格局可将斑块演替分为三个阶段：土丘形成阶段、斑块连通...     

Effect of available burrow densities of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) on soil physicochemical property of the bare land and vegetation land in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

The available burrow densities of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) regulate the soil physicochemical property in alpine meadow. A field survey was conducted to investigate the effect of available burrow densities of plateau pika on soil physicochemical property of bare land (bare patch produced by burrowing behavior of plateau pika) and vegetation land (land covered with vegetation). This study indicated that the increase in available burrow of plateau pika caused the soil water content at 0–10 cm layer of bare land and that at 10–20 cm of vegetation land to reduce, and caused the soil water content at 10– 20 cm layer of bare land and that at 0–10 cm layer of vegetation land to firstly increase and then decline. In the increasing process of available burrow of plateau pika, the soil silt content firstly increased and then decreased, and soil sand content firstly decreased and then increased. With the increase of available burrow of plateau pika, the soil porosity at 0–10 cm layer of bare land and that at 10–20 cm layer of vegetation land decreased, while the soil porosity at 10–20 cm layer of bare land and that at 0–10 cm of vegetation land firstly increased and then decreased. Soil pH value, soil organic matter, total nitrogen and total phosphorus content firstly increased and then decreased, peaking at 14 available burrows per 625 m², while total soil potassium content did not respond to available burrow densities of plateau pika. This study suggested that the proper available burrows existing in the alpine meadow increased soil permeability, accelerated soil moisture to penetrate deeply, increased the proportion of soil silt, and improved the soil nutrient; however, this beneficial effect was strongly influenced by the available burrow density of plateau pika, implying that plateau pika did not benefit soil structure when its available burrow was over 34 number/625 m².     

Plant community and soil available nutrients drive arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community shifts during alpine meadow degradation

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in maintaining the function and sustainability of grassland ecosystem, but they are also susceptible to environmental changes. In recent decades, alpine meadows on the Tibetan Plateau have experienced severe degradation due to the impact of human activities and climate change. But it remains unclear how degradation affects the AMF community, a group of functionally important root associated microorganisms, which potentially limit the development and application of microbial technologies in the restoration of degraded grasslands. In this study, we investigated AMF communities richness and composition in non-degraded (ND), moderately degraded (MD) and severely degraded (SD) alpine meadows on the Tibetan Plateau, and then explored their main biotic and abiotic determinants. Alpine meadow degradation significantly reduced plant community biomass, richness, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available nitrogen and available phosphorus, but increased soil pH. AMF community composition and the iesdominant family and genera differed significantly among different degradation stages. Grassland degradation shifted the AMF community composition in favor of Claroideoglomus over Rhizophagus, and resulted in a marked loss of Glomeraceae and the dominance of Diversisporaceae. Alpine meadow degradation significantly increased AMF hyphal density and richness, likely working as a plant strategy to relieve nutrient deficiencies or loss as a result of degradation. The structural equation model showed that AMF community richness and composition were significantly influenced by plant community, followed by soil available nutrients. Soil available nutrients was the key contributor to the increased AMF hyphal density and richness during grassland degradation. Our findings identify the effects of alpine meadow degradation on AMF richness and highlight the importance of the plant community in shaping the AMF community during alpine meadow degradation. These results suggest that plant community restoration should be the primary goal for the ecological restoration of degraded alpine meadows, and these soil functional microorganisms should be simultaneously integrated into ecological restoration strategies and management.     

草地退化对三江源国家公园高寒草甸表层土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷的空间驱动

草地退化显著削弱了三江源高寒草甸的土壤肥力及生态承载功能,但空间尺度上的驱动强度和环境调控尚不清晰。在2020年7—8月,基于三江源国家公园高寒草甸典型分布区原生植被和退化植被的60个配对采样,研究表层(0—30 cm)土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)和全磷(TP)含量对草地退化的空间响应特征。三江源国家公园高寒草甸原生植被SOC和TN含量分别为(2.45±2.05)%(平均值±标准差,下同)和(0.25±0.20)%,配对样本t-检验的结果表明草地退化导致SOC和TN分别极显著(P<0.001)下降了44.0%和35.6%。TP对草地退化无显著响应(P=0.22)。原生植被的土壤C∶N∶P平均为59.6∶6.2∶1.0,草地退化导致化学计量值平均下降28.3%。一般线性模型的结果表明草地退化对SOC和TN及土壤生态化学计量特征的空间降低强度主要取决于纬度和海拔(P<0.01),与经度和土壤深度关系较弱(P>0.30),即低纬度高海拔的高寒草甸响应相对强烈。草地退化导致三江源国家公园高寒草甸土壤碳氮损失严重,降低了土壤生态化学计量。研究结果可为三江源退化高寒草甸土壤...     

青藏高原高寒草甸初级生产力及其主要影响因素

青藏高原有各类天然草地14×108hm2,其中高寒草甸和高寒灌丛约占青藏高原天然草地面积的50%,占全国草地总面积的16.2%。嵩草草甸是高寒草甸的主体,包括矮嵩草草甸、金露梅灌丛草甸、藏嵩草草甸、小嵩草草甸和高山嵩草草甸等,这5类高寒草甸平均地上生物量分别为354.2、422.4、445.1、227.3和368.5g/m2,地下生物量分别为3389.6、3548.3、11922.7、4439.3、5604.8g/m2,地下与地上生物量的比例分别为10.55、10.15、27.82、14.82和15.21,远大于IPCC(2006)报告中地下/地上生物量比例的默认值(2.8±95%)。地下生物量对气候变化和放牧的反应比地上生物量更敏感,干旱和重度放牧均降低了地下/地上生物量的比例。在极度退化状态下地下/地上生物量的比例2。对于轻度和中度退化的高寒草甸应以围封禁牧为主要恢复措施,但如果结合补播和施肥,则恢复速率会加快;对于重度和极度退化的高寒草甸,由于草地植物群落中优良牧草的比例极低,仅靠自然恢复很难进行恢复或需要的年限很长,所以必须采用人工重建的措施,并结合毒杂草防除和施肥等措施进行恢复,通过建立人工或半人工草地的措施予以重建。     

三江源区退化高寒草甸土壤真菌群落特征

为了明确高寒草甸退化演替过程中土壤真菌物种组成、群落多样性及功能结构等的响应规律,本研究采用高通量基因测序技术和FUNGuild功能预测,分析了三江源区未退化、轻度退化、中度退化、重度退化和极度退化高寒草甸土壤真菌群落特征及其调控因子.结果 表明:高寒草甸土壤优势真菌为子囊菌门、担子菌门和被孢霉菌门.与未退化草地土壤相...     

高寒草甸退化对土壤昆虫多样性的影响

土壤昆虫是陆地生态系统的重要组成部分,在物质循环和能量转化过程中起着重要的作用。为了查明高寒草甸生态系统退化对土壤昆虫群落的影响,于2011年的4、5、7和10月份别对青藏东缘的若尔盖高寒草甸的沼泽草甸、草原草甸、中度退化草甸和重度退化草甸的土壤昆虫群落进行了调查。共捕获土壤昆虫4172只,隶属于8目35科,共46类。优势类群有尖眼蕈蚊科幼虫(Sciaridae larvae)、摇蚊科幼虫(Chironomidae larvae)和象甲科幼虫(Curculionidae larvae),其中尖眼蕈蚊科幼虫为各退化阶段的共同优势类群。重度退化草甸的土壤昆虫密度和多样性指数均显著低于其它退化阶段(P0.01)。各退化阶段间的Sorenson相似性和Morisita-Horn相似性指数变化趋势表明退化对土壤昆虫的类群组和优势类群的个体数量影响较大。而土壤昆虫的群落密度和多样性指数的季节动态在不同退化阶段间也存在差异。此外,高寒草甸的退化还可影响昆虫群落优势类群的时空分布,但不同类群间存在差异。相关分析结果表明土壤昆虫多样性与土壤p H值呈显著负相关(P0.01),与地下生物量和磷含量呈显著正相关(P0.01),而密度仅与p H值呈显著负相关(P0.01)。研究结果表明高寒草甸退化可通过改变植物群落及土壤等环境因子影响土壤昆虫群落组成和多样性的空间分布和季节动态。     

高原鼠兔种群恢复过程中的洞穴分布动态

高原鼠兔洞穴系统的恢复是其种群恢复的关键指标之一,洞穴分布的变化可以反映种群的动态。本研究于2014-2016年在青海省祁连县对2.79 hm2高寒草甸内高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)种群密度、洞穴密度和洞穴的相对位置进行跟踪观测。其中包括6个50m×50m 的灭鼠堵洞处理、6个30m×30m 的灭鼠处理和3个50m×50m的对照处理。分别采用平均最近邻指数和平均拥挤度指数分析洞穴系统中有效洞、弃洞、粪坑和嬉戏坑的分布模式及洞系表现面积,并对各参数进行描述性和相关性分析。结果显示：高原鼠兔种群密度恢复过程中（1）有效洞的空间格局由随机向离散分布转变,弃洞由随机向聚集分布转变,粪坑和嬉戏坑无明显变化趋势;有效洞和弃洞分布格局的恢复都朝向灭鼠前状态,但恢复的都不充分;（2）有效洞最近邻指数与其自身密度正相关;弃洞最邻近指数与其自身密度负相关;粪坑、嬉戏坑最近邻指数与其自身密度无显著相关性;其中,仅粪坑的分布最近邻指数与高原鼠兔种群密度呈显著负相关;（3）有效洞与粪坑、嬉戏坑表现面积的变化情况较为一致,与弃洞呈互补态势;洞系表现面积的变异性远小于洞穴密度。结果说明：（1）高原鼠兔洞穴分布格局和洞穴密度的恢复具有滞后性;（2）有效洞、弃洞的分布格局主要受洞穴密度的影响;（3）高原鼠兔种群的恢复过程中对洞系面积的需求优先于洞口数量。     

草地退化影响高原鼠兔血清总IgG水平、肠道寄生物感染及肝脏和肾脏指数

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)作为青藏高原高寒草地生态系统中的关键物种,其种群数量随着过度放牧导致的草地退化而暴发式增长。阐明此过程中高原鼠兔天然免疫能力及肝脏和肾脏器官指数的变化,对深入揭示青藏高原草地退化引起的高原鼠兔种群暴发机理具有重要意义。本研究在青海海北高寒草地生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站地区,调查了轻度、中度、重度退化草地中高原鼠兔洞口数量,并测定了成体高原鼠兔血清总IgG含量、肠道寄生物感染状况及肝脏和肾脏指数。结果发现：随着草地退化,高原鼠兔洞口数量和血清总IgG水平显著增加;绦虫和线虫的感染率和感染强度以及肝脏和肾脏指数均显著降低。雄性对绦虫的感染率和肝脏指数显著低于雌性;雌性在重度退化草地中对绦虫和线虫的感染率及感染强度显著低于轻度退化草地。以上结果表明,过度放牧介导的草地退化增强了高原鼠兔的天然免疫功能,缓解了毒素对肝脏和肾脏的损伤,进而可能促进其种群暴发式增长。     

东祁连山高寒草甸不同退化阶段植被/土壤磷素特征及其与生物量的关系

磷素是高寒草地生态系统的重要支持元素,高寒草甸退化导致较为严重的生态和生产问题,同时也引起了生态系统物质循环的变化。为揭示高寒草甸退化中土壤磷素特征及其对植被特征的效应,以东祁连山轻度(LD)、中度(MD)、重度退化(SD)高寒草甸退化阶段为研究对象,以多年围封高寒草甸(FG)为对照,在春季和夏季分别对不同高寒草甸阶段样地不同土层深度土壤全磷、有效磷、微生物量磷含量及碱性磷酸酶活性等磷素特征进行了研究,并对夏季植被地上生物量和磷素含量等植被特征进行了调查。结果表明：东祁连山高寒草甸退化导致植被地上生物量和磷含量急剧下降,重度退化高寒草甸地上生物量干重仅是围封草地的35.93%,退化高寒草甸地上部磷含量仅为围封草地的60%,且不同退化阶段地上部磷含量没有明显差异。退化导致高寒草甸表层土壤的全磷、有效磷含量升高,相比FG,土壤有效磷含量春季LD、MD和SD分别升高了16.67%、36.67%和3.33%,夏季分别升高了4.35%、26.09%和4.35%,且有效磷含量具有夏季低于春季的季节差异性。退化导致土壤微生物量磷含量明显降低,而对碱性磷酸酶活性影响没有明显的规律性,但围封草地夏季碱性...     

高原鼠兔干扰对高寒草甸植物多样性与土壤养分间关系的影响

高原鼠兔干扰虽然能够改变高寒草甸植物多样性与土壤养分含量,但植物多样性与土壤养分间的关系对高原鼠兔干扰的响应尚不清晰。利用高原鼠兔有效洞口密度将高原鼠兔干扰程度划分为T_1(7个/625 m~2)、T_2(12个/625 m~2)、T_3(22个/625m~2)、T_4(38个/625 m~2)4个水平,运用RDA冗余分析法研究了高原鼠兔不同干扰程度下高寒草甸植物多样性与土壤养分间的关系。结果表明:随着高原鼠兔干扰水平的增加,优势种高山嵩草(Kobresia pygmaea)的重要值先增加后降低,而伴生种小花草玉梅(Anemone rivularis var.flore-minors)和莓叶委陵菜(Potentilla fragarioides)的重要值先降低后增加;当高原鼠兔干扰水平从T_1到T_2时植物多样性指数变化不显著,而高原鼠兔干扰程度超过T_2时则植物多样性指数具有降低趋势;土壤全氮和硝态氮含量随高原鼠兔干扰水平增加而降低,而土壤铵态氮含量则降低后增加,土壤有机碳和全磷先增加后降低;多样性指数与0—10cm土壤深度硝态氮、10—20cm土壤深度全钾间的相关性从T_1到T_3时为正相关,而到T_4时则变为负相关,而与0—10cm土壤深度全氮的相关性则表现T_1到T_3时为负相关,T_4时为正相关,与铵态氮间相关性只有T_1时为负相关,这说明高原鼠兔干扰改变了植物多样性与土壤养分间的关系,其变化阈值介于T_2和T_3。     

放牧条件下高原鼠兔扰动对高寒草甸植物群落特征的影响

在高寒草甸生态系统中,大型草食动物放牧是重要的管理方式之一,对草地生物多样性起着关键的驱动作用。高原鼠兔是高寒草甸生态系统中生物多样性的重要组成成分,对生态系统的食物网结构以及其功能与稳定性起着关键作用。探明放牧条件下高原鼠兔扰动对高寒草甸的影响,对于高寒草甸建立合理的放牧提供理论依据,为鼠害的防治提供科学依据有一定的现实意义。2017年5—9月在青海省海北州祁连县矮嵩草草甸,以高原鼠兔为研究对象,通过小区控制研究放牧条件下高原鼠兔扰动对高寒草甸植物功能群植物特征的影响。结果显示高原鼠兔扰动降低了除杂类草以外的各植物功能群的高度;同时显著降低了禾本科、豆科功能群盖度及总盖度,而杂类草功能群的盖度有增加的趋势。另外,我们的结果也发现高原鼠兔扰动对各植物功能群生物量和重要值的影响不显著。该研究表明放牧条件下高原鼠兔扰动在一定程度上对杂草群落特征具有积极的作用,对其它功能群的群落特征具有抑制作用。     

高寒草甸草原景观格局动态演变及其驱动机制

高寒草甸是高寒地区重要的生态屏障和畜牧业基地,脆弱的生态环境极易受到自然和人类活动的影响。为了探究高寒草甸景观格局变化及其驱动力,以多期遥感影像和统计数据为基础数据,在遥感和GIS技术支持下,在利用景观格局指数模型来分析研究区景观格局动态演变的基础上,运用Logistic回归模型从空间角度分析了研究区重要景观演变的驱动力。结果表明：（1）研究区植被覆盖面积所占比例始终维持在80%以上,各景观类型结构变化较为明显;（2）2000-2016年高寒草甸景观类型面积变化较大,其他草甸、旱地和建设用地的面积持续增加,并且年变化速率加快,灌木林地、灌丛草甸和水域面积持续减少;各类景观面积年变化率增大,2000-2009年高寒草甸景观面积年变化率为1.118%,2009-2016年景观面积年变化率为2.067%,每年发生类型转化的景观面积约为0.691×10⁴ hm²,5大类景观转移变化面积不大,但各小类景观的转换现象很明显。（3）景观水平上的景观指数变化反映出2000-2009年景观破碎化程度较强,2009-2016年景观状态得到优化,整体趋向于整合;斑块水平上的景观指数变化反映出不同斑块类型格局差异性较大,变化特征明显。（4）海拔与坡度因子对一级分类草地景观及其二级分类灌丛草甸和其他草甸演变的影响较为显著,植被覆盖度因子对草地景观演变存在显著影响,而距离因子对灌丛草甸和其他草甸演变的影响较为显著。人文驱动因素对草原生态及景观演替起到了加速推动作用,其中,政策因素在保护和修复高寒草甸生态系统上起到了至关重要作用。     

青藏高原东缘高寒草原有毒植物分布与高原鼠兔、高原鼢鼠的相关性

青藏高原高寒草原生态系统是我国特有的生态系统类型,由于受到人为破坏的影响,目前该地区草原生态系统功能退化,优良牧草减少,有毒植物蔓延。高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)和高原鼢鼠(Myospalax baileyi)是青藏高原东缘高寒草原中最重要的两种小型哺乳动物,其采食行为和挖掘洞穴的生活特性必然对生态系统产生影响,但其与有毒植物之间的互作关系尚未揭示。基于此,在甘肃省玛曲县河曲马场自然生长的高寒草原生态系统中开展了有毒植物的分布与高原鼠兔、高原鼢鼠之间的相关性研究。结果表明,该高寒草原生态系统中分布有毒植物27种,分属于菊科、豆科、毛茛科等11科。在此基础上,测定了该地区有毒植物的生物多样性指数、均匀度指数和丰富度指数,并探究了单位面积条件下有毒植物的分布特征与高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠种群密度之间的相关性,发现该地区高寒草原有毒植物的蔓延与高原鼠兔的密度之间存在密切的负相关关系(P0.05),而与高原鼢鼠的相关性不显著(P0.05)。     

祁连山东段高原鼢鼠对高寒草甸危害评价

为了客观评价高原鼢鼠(Myospalax baileyi)对高寒草甸的危害程度,在祁连山东段研究了高原鼢鼠不同种群密度与草地质量之间的关系,共设置了3个高原鼢鼠种群密度梯度,调查了3个危害等级变量(鼠丘数、鼠丘面积和鼠丘产草量)和6个生境变量(草地产草量、总盖度、可食牧草产量、植被组成、土壤水分和土壤紧实度),通过One-Way ANOVA检验法研究这些因子与高原鼢鼠危害程度的关系。结果表明:在设置的3个种群密度梯度下,草地产草量、总盖度、可食牧草产量和鼠丘产草量无显著性差异;草地植物群落结构、新鼠丘面积占调查区面积的比例无显著性差异,除高原鼢鼠采食深度(0—20 cm)外,3个种群密度区土壤紧实度无显著性差异,而0—30 cm处土壤水分存在显著性差异,说明本研究中不同高原鼢鼠种群密度区的草地质量没有显著性差异。此外,研究结果表明调查样地大小与危害评价有着密切关系,在高寒草甸区,单个样方调查面积以0.5 hm~2以上为宜。     

The role of shrub (Potentilla fruticosa) on ecosystem CO2 fluxes in an alpine shrub meadow

Aims Recent studies have shown that alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau act as significant CO₂ sinks. On the plateau, alpine shrub meadow is one of typical grassland ecosystems. The major alpine shrub on the plateau is Potentilla fruticosa L. (Rosaceae), which is distributed widely from 3 200 to 4 000 m. Shrub species play an important role on carbon sequestration in grassland ecosystems. In addition, alpine shrubs are sensitive to climate change such as global warming. Considering global warming, the biomass and productivity of P. fruticosa will increase on Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Thus, understanding the carbon dynamics in alpine shrub meadow and the role of shrubs around the upper distribution limit at present is essential to predict the change in carbon sequestration on the plateau. However, the role of shrubs on the carbon dynamics in alpine shrub meadow remains unclear. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the magnitude of CO₂ exchange of P. fruticosa shrub patches around the upper distribution limit and to elucidate the role of P. fruticosa on ecosystem CO₂ fluxes in an alpine meadow.Methods We used the static acrylic chamber technique to measure and estimate the net ecosystem productivity (NEP), ecosystem respiration (R e), and gross primary productivity (GPP) of P. fruticosa shrub patches at three elevations around the species' upper distribution limit. Ecosystem CO₂ fluxes and environmental factors were measured from 17 to 20 July 2008 at 3 400, 3 600, and 3 800 m a.s.l. We examined the maximum GPP at infinite light (GPP max) and maximum R e (R emax) during the experimental time at each elevation in relation to aboveground biomass and environmental factors, including air and soil temperature, and soil water content.Important findings Patches of P. fruticosa around the species' upper distribution limit absorbed CO₂, at least during the daytime. Maximum NEP at infinite light (NEP max) and GPP max of shrub patches in the alpine meadow varied among the three elevations, with the highest values at 3 400 m and the lowest at 3 800 m. GPP max was positively correlated with the green biomass of P. fruticosa more strongly than with total green biomass, suggesting that P. fruticosa is the major contributor to CO₂ uptake in the alpine shrub meadow. Air temperature influenced the potential GPP at the shrub-patch scale. R emax was correlated with aboveground biomass and R emax normalized by aboveground biomass was influenced by soil water content. Potentilla fruticosa height (biomass) and frequency increased clearly as elevation decreased, which promotes the large-scale spatial variation of carbon uptake and the strength of the carbon sink at lower elevations.     

祁连山北麓高原鼢鼠栖息地选择要素

Studying the habitat characteristics and habitat selection of the plateau zokor in different grassland types is very important to understand the function and position of the zokor in these grassland ecosystems. We selected the plateau zokor inhabiting in the alpine meadow, alpine shrub meadow and alpine grassland located in northern Qilian Mountain to describe habitatcharacteristics and study its habitat selection by dividing five plots in each grassland according to the zokor’s mounds densities, which can be regarded as relative population density of zokors. We investigated soil compaction, soil moisture, soil temperature, soil pH, as well as plant community structure in each plot of three grassland types. One-Way ANOVAs showed that there were significant differences in vegetation and soil among the three grassland types. Soil compaction, soil temperature, and total plant species number in alpine meadow were the highest (P<0.05), soil moisture and total vegetation coverage in alpine shrub meadow were the highest (P<0.05), soil pH in alpine grassland was the highest (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that soil compaction was negatively correlated with the relative population density of the zokor (P<0.05). Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the plateau zokor preferred habitat with lower compaction, richer forbs in alpine meadow, lower compaction in alpine shrub meadow, and lower compaction, higher soil moisture, richer sedges in alpine grassland. In the three grassland types, we found that the soil compaction was the key factor of habitat selection of the plateau zokor and food resources was the secondary factor.