Modelling the effects of changes in solar radiation on gross primary production in subtropical evergreen needle-leaf plantations

太阳辐射是陆地生态系统碳水循环的能量来源。太阳辐射的变化对植被吸收大气CO₂具有重要影响。该文通过辐射观测数据建立散射辐射比例与晴空指数的关系, 结合生态过程模型(BEPS)和通量观测数据, 模拟分析了太阳辐射变化对千烟洲常绿针叶林总初级生产力(GPP)的影响。研究结果表明: 千烟洲森林生态系统的阴叶对年GPP总量的贡献达67%, 太阳辐射变化对阴叶光合作用的影响决定了冠层GPP的变化; 太阳辐射强度和分布的年际差异导致年GPP对太阳辐射变化的响应不同, 2003、2004和2005年太阳辐射分别变化-5.44%、-1.83%和6.26%, 可使千烟洲生态系统当年GPP总量达到最大值; 在季节上, 太阳辐射的增加会导致5-6月GPP上升, 7-9月GPP下降, 使年GPP变化程度降低; 在天尺度上, 晴空指数在0.43时, 太阳辐射变化对GPP的影响最小。     

Remote sensing estimation of gross primary productivity and its response to climate change in the upstream of Heihe River Basin

AimsQuantifying the gross primary productivity (GPP) of vegetation is of primary interest in studies of global carbon cycle. This study aims to optimize the MODIS GPP model for specific environments of a fragile waterhead ecosystem, by performing simulations of long-term (from 2001 to 2012) GPP with optimized MOD_17 model, and to analyze the response of GPP to the local climatic variations.Methods The original MODIS GPP products that underestimate GPP were validated against two years (2010-2011) of eddy covariance (EC) data at two sites (i.e. an alpine pasture site and a forest site, respectively) in the upstream of Heihe River Basin. Three comparative experiments were then conducted to analyze the effects of input parameters derived from three sources (i.e. meteorological, biome-specific, and fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fPAR) parameters) on the model behavior. After refining the model-driven parameters, long-term GPPs of the study area were estimated using the optimized MOD_17 model, and the Least Absolute Deviation method was applied to analyze the partial correlations between interannual GPPs and climatic variables (temperature, precipitation and vapor pressure deficit (VPD)). Important findings The uncertainties in the original MODIS GPP products are attributable to biome-specific parameters, input data (e.g. meteorological and radiometry data) and vegetation maps. At the pasture site, the light use efficiency had the strongest impact on the GPP simulations. The refined fPAR calculated from the leaf area index (LAI) products of Global Land Surface Satellite (GLASS) greatly improved the GPP estimates, especially at the forest site. The GPPs from the optimized MOD_17 model well matched the EC data (R² = 0.90, root mean squared error (RMSE) = 1.114 g C·m^-2·d^-1 at the alpine pasture site; R² = 0.91, RMSE = 0.649 g C·m^-2·d^-1 at the forest site). The time series of GPPs displayed an up trend at an average rate of 9.58 g C·m^-2·a^-1 from 2001 to 2012. Examination of the partial correlations between interannual GPPs and climatic variables showed that the annual mean temperature and VPD generally had significant positive impacts on GPP, and the annual precipitation had a negative impact on GPP.     

太阳辐射变化对亚热带人工常绿针叶林总初级生产力影响的模拟分析

太阳辐射是陆地生态系统碳水循环的能量来源。太阳辐射的变化对植被吸收大气CO₂具有重要影响。该文通过辐射观测数据建立散射辐射比例与晴空指数的关系, 结合生态过程模型(BEPS)和通量观测数据, 模拟分析了太阳辐射变化对千烟洲常绿针叶林总初级生产力(GPP)的影响。研究结果表明: 千烟洲森林生态系统的阴叶对年GPP总量的贡献达67%, 太阳辐射变化对阴叶光合作用的影响决定了冠层GPP的变化; 太阳辐射强度和分布的年际差异导致年GPP对太阳辐射变化的响应不同, 2003、2004和2005年太阳辐射分别变化-5.44%、-1.83%和6.26%, 可使千烟洲生态系统当年GPP总量达到最大值; 在季节上, 太阳辐射的增加会导致5-6月GPP上升, 7-9月GPP下降, 使年GPP变化程度降低; 在天尺度上, 晴空指数在0.43时, 太阳辐射变化对GPP的影响最小。     

Relationship between photochemical reflectance index with multi-angle hyper-spectrum and light use efficiency in urban green-land ecosystems

Aims Light-use efficiency (LUE) is one of critical parameters in the terrestrial ecosystem production studies. Accurate determination of LUE is very important for LUE models to simulate gross primary productivity (GPP) at regional and global scales. We used eddy covariance technique measurement and tower-based, multi-angular spectro-radiometer observations in autumn 2012 to explore the relationship between bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) corrected photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and LUE in different phenology and environment conditions in urban green-land ecosystems. Methods Using the eddy covariance technique, we estimated the temporal changes in GPP during the autumn 2012 over Beijing Olympic Forest Park. LUE was calculated as the ratio of GPP to the difference between incoming photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and PAR reflected from the canopy. Daily PRI values were averaged from the BRDF using semi-empirical kernel driven models. The absolute greenness index (2G_RB) was made by webcam at a constant view zenith and view azimuth angle at solar noon. The logistic function was used to fit the time series of the greenness index. The onset of phonological stages was defined as the point when the curvature reached its maximum value. Important findings Webcamera-observed greenness index (2G_RB) showed a decreasing trend. There was a highly significant relationship between 2G_RB and air temperature (R² = 0.60, p < 0.001). This demonstrates that air temperature is the main driving factor to determine the phenology. PRI estimated from multi-angle hyper-spectrum can estimate LUE in urban green-land ecosystems in vigorous photosynthetic period. The correlation was the strongest (R² = 0.70, p < 0.001) in the peak photosynthetic period. PRI relates better to LUE under high temperature (>15 °C) with high vapour pressure deficit (VPD) (>700 Pa) and high PAR (>300 μmol·m^-2·s^-1). The LUE was up-scaled to landscape/regional scales based on these relationships and phenology. It can also be used for the estimation of GPP of urban green-land with high accuracy.     

黑河上游植被总初级生产力遥感估算及其对气候变化的响应

定量描述植被总初级生产力(GPP)对于全球碳循环和全球气候变化研究具有重要意义。针对MODIS MOD_17 GPP (MOD_17)产品在通量站点低估的现象, 通过3个实验依次改进了模型输入参数(气象数据和吸收的光合有效辐射吸收比例(fPAR))和模型本身的参数(最大光能利用率), 分析了各个参数对模拟结果的不确定性影响, 结果表明各参数对模拟结果都有不同程度的影响。在阿柔草地站, 最大光能利用率的重新标定对结果影响最大, GPP估算结果的提高最为明显; 在关滩森林站利用广义神经网络算法得到的GLASS fPAR代替原始MODIS fPAR产品, 比其他参数的改进效果更明显, GPP的值更接近涡动通量观测值。利用改进的MOD_17模型重新估算了黑河上游2001-2012年间植被GPP, 通过趋势分析得出该研究时段内GPP以9.58 g C·m^-2·a^-1的平均速率呈上升趋势。同时计算了气候因子(温度、降水和饱和水汽压差(VPD))与时间序列GPP的偏相关性, 分析了植被GPP对气候变化的响应情况, 2001-2012年平均温度和VPD与年GPP大部分区域呈正相关, 体现了温度和VPD对植被生长的促进作用; 2001-2012年的降水量与年GPP无明显相关, 且大部分区域呈负相关。     

Revised algorithm of ecosystem water use efficiency for semi-arid steppe in the Loess Plateau of China

Aims We evaluated the applicability of different measures of water use efficiency through analyzing the coupled dynamics of GPP and evapotranspiration in the semi-arid steppe in the Loess Plateau of China. Our objective is to explore the applicability of two quantitative measures of ecosystem water use efficiency—inherent water use efficiency (IWUE) and underlying water use efficiency (uWUE) —for the semi-arid steppe and to endeavor necessary modifications.Methods The consistency and stability of three indices of water use efficiency formulations (i.e. WUE, IWUE, uWUE) were calculated and compared at hourly, daily and annual time scales before proposing an optimal water use efficiency (oWUE). These indices were additionally used to quantify their importances in modeling the diel change of gross primary production (GPP). The yielded-accuracy of the prediction was used for justifying their uses.Important findings IWUE and uWUE appeared suitable for examining the coupled water-carbon characteristics of vegetation at hourly and daily scales, whereas WUE was more plausible on the annual and interannual scales. The optimized water use efficiency index did not improve the prediction of the coupled water-carbon characteristics as compared with uWUE, but it improved the prediction of GPP and its dynamics. oWUE and uWUE improved the predictions of GPP in the peak growing period, while WUE predicted the GPP better at the early and late growing season. Interestingly, we found that IWUE was not suitable for predicting GPP and its dynamics. The results will be of great importance in modeling the effects of climate change on the carbon assimilation and water cycle for the future.     

Spatio-temporal characteristics of vegetation water use efficiency and their relationships with climatic factors in alpine and subalpine area of southwestern China

水分利用效率(WUE)是深入理解生态系统水碳循环及其耦合关系的重要指标。为了揭示气候变化背景下区域尺度不同植被类型的响应和适应特征, 对中国西南高山亚高山地区2000-2014年的9种植被类型的WUE时空特征及其影响因素进行探究。该研究基于MODIS总初级生产力(GPP)、蒸散发(ET)数据和气象数据, 估算西南高山亚高山区植被WUE, 采用趋势分析及相关分析等方法, 分析了研究区植被WUE与气温、降水及海拔的关系。主要结果: (1)西南高山亚高山区2000-2014年植被WUE多年均值为0.95 g·m^-2·mm^-1, 整体呈显著增加趋势, 增速为0.011 g·m^-2·mm^-1·a^-1; 空间上WUE呈东南高西北低的分布, 85.84%区域的WUE呈增加趋势。(2)西南高山亚高山区各植被类型WUE多年均值表现为常绿针叶林>稀树草原>常绿阔叶林>有林草原>农田>落叶阔叶林>混交林>郁闭灌丛>草地; 时间上, 各植被类型WUE均呈上升趋势。(3)西南高山亚高山区89.56%区域的WUE与气温正相关, 92.54%区域的WUE与降水量负相关; 各植被类型中, 草地WUE与气温的相关性最高, 有林草原WUE与降水量的相关性最高。(4)西南高山亚高山区典型的地带性顶极植被常绿针叶林的WUE具有较强的海拔适应性及应对气候变化的能力。     

Temporal and spatial variation characteristics of China shrubland net primary production and its response to climate change from 2001 to 2013

Aims Net primary production (NPP) is the input to terrestrial ecosystem carbon pool. Climate and land use change affect NPP significantly. Shrublands occupy more than 20% of the terrestrial area of China, and their NPP is comparable to those of the forests. Our objective was to estimate China shrubland NPP from 2001 to 2013, and to analyze its variation and response to climate change.Methods We used a Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) model to estimate the NPP of six shrubland types in China from 2001 to 2013. Furthermore, we used Theil-Sen slope combined with Mann-kendall test to analyze its spatial variation and a linear regression of one-variable model to analyze its inter- and intra-annual variation. Finally, a multi-factor linear regression model was used to analyze its response to climate change.Important findings We found the annual mean NPP of China shrubland was 281.82 g•m^-2•a^-1. The subtropical evergreen shrubland has the maximum NPP of 420.47 g•m^-2•a^-1, while the high cold desert shrubland has the minimum NPP of 52.65 g•m^-2•a^-1. The countrywide shrublands NPP increased at the rate of 1.23 g•m^-2•a^-1, the relative change rate was 5.99%. The temperate deciduous shrubland NPP increased the fastest with a speed of 3.05 g•m^-2•a^-1 and subalpine evergreen shrubland had a decreasing trend with a speed of -0.73 g•m^-2•a^-1. Moreover, the other four shrublands NPP had a growing trend, only subalpine deciduous shrubland NPP did not change significantly. The response of NPP to climate change of different seasons varies to different shrubland types. In general, the NPP variation was mainly affected by precipitation, and the spring warming also contributed to it. The increase of countrywide shrubland NPP may promote its contribution to the regional ecosystem function.     

Research on characteristics of biomass distribution in urban forests of Shanghai metropolis based on remote sensing and spatial analysis

Aims
Monitoring and quantifying the biomass and its distribution in urban trees and forests are crucial to understanding the role of vegetation in an urban environment. In this paper, an estimation method for biomass of urban forests was developed for the Shanghai metropolis, China, based on spatial analysis and a wide variety of data from field inventory and remote sensing.
Methods
An optimal regression model between forest biomass and auxiliary variables was established by stepwise regression analysis. The residual value of regression model was computed for each of the sites sampled and interpolated by Inverse-distance weighting (IDW) to predict residual errors of other sites not subjected to sampling. Forest biomass in the study area was estimated by combining the regression model based on remote sensing image data and residual errors of spatial distribution map. According to the distribution of plantations and management practices, a total of 93 sample plots were established between June 2011 and June 2012 in the Shanghai metropolis. To determine a suitable model, several spectral vegetation indices relating to forest biomass and structure such as normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), ratio vegetation index (RVI), difference vegetation index (DVI), soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), and modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI), and new images synthesized through band combinations such as the sum of TM2, TM3 and TM4 (denoted Band 234), and the sum of TM3, TM4 and TM5 (denoted Band 345) were used as alternative auxiliary parameters .
Important findings
The biomass density in urban forests of the Shanghai metropolis varied from 15 to 120 t·hm^-2. The higher densities of forest biomass concentrated mostly in the urban areas, e.g. in districts of Jing’an and Huangpu, mostly ranging from 35 to 70 t·hm^-2. Suburban localities such as the districts of Jiading and Qingpu had lower biomass densities at around 15 to 50 t·hm^-2. The biomass density of Cinnamomum camphora trees across the Shanghai metropolis varied between 20 and 110 t·hm^-2. The spatial biomass distribution of urban forests displayed a tendency of higher densities in northeastern areas and lower densities in southwestern areas. The total biomass was 3.57 million tons (Tg) for urban forests and 1.33 Tg for C. camphora trees. The overall forest biomass was also found to be distributed mostly in the suburban areas with a fraction of 93.9%, whereas the urban areas shared a fraction of only 6.1%. In terms of the areas, the suburban and urban forests accounted for 95.44% and 4.56%, respectively, of the total areas in the Shanghai metropolis. Among all the administrative districts, the Chongming county and the new district of Pudong had the highest and the second highest biomass, accounting for 20.1% and 19.18% of the total forest biomass, respectively. In contrast, the Jing’an district accounted for only 0.11% of the total forest biomass. The root-mean-square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean relative error (MRE) of the model for estimating urban forest biomass in this study were 8.39, 6.86 and 24.22%, respectively, decreasing by 57.69%, 55.43% and 64.00% compared to the original simple regression model and by 62.21%, 58.50%, 65.40% compared to the spatial analysis method. Our results indicated that a more efficient way to estimate urban forest biomass in the Shanghai metropolis might be achieved by combining spatial analysis with regression analysis. In fact, the estimated results based on the proposed model are also more comparable to the up-scaled forest inventory data at a city scale than the results obtained using regression analysis or spatial analysis alone.     

城市绿地生态系统多角度高光谱光化学反射植被指数与光能利用率的关系

光能利用率(LUE)是陆地生态系统总初级生产力(GPP)估算的一个重要参数。LUE的准确估算对于在区域甚至全球尺度上使用LUE模型估算GPP是非常重要的。一个基于通量塔的观测视场与通量观测足迹在时空上相匹配的自动多角度遥感平台为LUE在站点尺度上的准确估算提供了一个好方法。该文基于通量塔涡度相关(EC)和自动多角度高光谱连续观测获取的连续30 min的数据, 在站点空间尺度和0.5 h与日时间尺度上, 探讨了城市绿地生态系统秋季光化学反射植被指数(PRI)与LUE之间的关系。研究发现, 反映植被叶面积和色素变化的植被绿度指数在秋季呈现逐渐下降的趋势, 表征了植被冠层的状态与结构变化, 叶片从绿色逐渐变黄凋落, 植被冠层叶片的叶绿素逐渐减少, 裸露的枝干增多; 用空气温度和代表物候过程的绝对绿度指数(2G_RB)做线性回归分析, 得到回归系数(R²)为0.60 (p < 0.001)。说明在城市绿地生态系统中, 空气温度是决定植被物候过程的主要驱动因素, 随着植被物候变化, 叶片的凋落导致的裸露土壤的增多以及随时间变化的色素含量和其比例的变化将影响PRI和LUE的关系; 采用植被生长模型(logistic曲线), 拟合时间与2G_RB, 得到曲率变化最快的点, 确定为秋季植被落叶期的初日, 即第290天。在0.5 h和日时间尺度上, PRI都可以捕捉LUE的变化。但是日尺度上不同物候期, PRI和LUE的关系发生了急剧的变化。在秋季植被正常生长期, PRI和LUE之间的关系最密切(R² = 0.70, p < 0.001)。当土壤温度大于15 ℃、光合有效辐射(PAR)大于300 μmol·m^-2·s^-1以及饱和水汽压差(VPD)大于700 Pa的情况下, PRI能够更好地预测LUE。基于通 量塔尺度上时空尺度相匹配, 利用半经验的核驱动二向反射分布函数模型得到的高光谱PRI和通量观测得到的LUE在不同环境条件下的关系以及考虑到在植被的不同物候期对PRI和LUE的关系的优化, 将会更加准确地估算城市绿地生态系统的LUE。     

Forest net primary productivity dynamics and driving forces in Jiangxi Province,China

Aims Subtropical forest ecosystem has great carbon sequestration capacity. Net primary productivity (NPP) plays a critical role in forest carbon cycle and is affected by a number of factors, including climate change, atmospheric composition, forest disturbance intensity and frequency, and forest age, etc. However, the contribution of these factors to the temporal-spatial dynamics of NPP is still not clear. Quantifying the main driving forces on the temporal-spatial dynamics of NPP for subtropical forest ecosystems is a critical foundation for understanding their carbon cycle.
Methods We utilized multi-sources dataset, including observed meteorological data, inversed annual maximum leaf area index (LAI), referenced NPP (simulated by Boreal Ecosystem Productivity Simulator (BEPS) model), forest age and forest types, land cover, digital elevation model (DEM), soil texture, CO₂ concentration and nitrogen deposition. We used the InTEC (integrated terrestrial ecosystem carbon-budget) model to simulate the NPP dynamics for forest ecosystems in Jiangxi Province during the period of 1901-2010. The effects of climate change, forest age, CO₂ concentration and nitrogen (N) deposition on forest NPP from 1970 to 2010 were discussed through designed scenarios.
Important findings (1) Validations by flux measurements and forest inventory data indicated that the InTEC model was able to capture the interannual and spatial variations of forest NPP. (2) The average forest NPP was 47.7 Tg C·a^-1 (± 4.2 Tg C·a^-1) during 1901-2010. The NPP in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s was 50.7, 48.8, 45.4, and 55.2 Tg C·a^-1, respectively. As forest regrows, NPP significantly increased for forests in Jiangxi Province in the 2000s, and exceed that in the 1970s for more than 60% of the forest area. (3) During 1970-2010, under the scenarios of disturbance and non-disturbance, the forest NPP were underestimated by 7.3 Tg C·a^-1 (14.5%) and overestimated by 3.6 Tg C·a^-1 (7.1%) compared to the scenarios of all disturbance and non-disturbance factors, respectively. Compared to the average NPP during 1970-2010, climate change decreased NPP by -2.0 Tg C·a^-1 (-4.7%), N deposition increased NPP by 4.5 Tg C·a^-1 (10.4%), CO₂ concentration change, and the integrated fertilization of CO₂ and N deposition increased NPP by 4.4 Tg C·a^-1 (10.3%) and 9.4 Tg C·a^-1 (21.8%), respectively.     

Dominant species and ecosystem gas exchange in temperate grassland under different land use patterns

在内蒙古温带草原围封、放牧和割草3种处理下的样地内, 对生态系统尺度和大针茅(Stipa grandis)、冷蒿(Artemisia frigida)、羊草(Leymus chinensis) 3种优势种植物叶片尺度上的气体交换和水分关系进行了测定, 对比研究了植物碳水对环境的响应。结果表明, 在优势种单株尺度和生态系统尺度上, 大气-植被CO₂交换因草地利用方式的不同而具有不同的表现。在生态系统层面, 放牧样地的群落净CO₂气体交换量和总初级生产力都与围封样地和割草样地有差异, 群落总初级生产力受生态系统呼吸的影响。在放牧处理下, 群落净CO₂气体交换量日变化表现为生态系统对碳的吸收, 而围封和割草则以碳释放为主。单叶光合速率出现负值并随时间推移而恢复的现象, 应是植物对干旱高温、高光照的特殊反应。生态系统水分利用效率没有明显不同, 但各样地的蒸散能力有趋势上的变化; 对于同种植物, 放牧样地植物单叶水分利用效率的日变化波动幅度最大, 围封样地最小。     

Spatial variation and controlling factors of temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in forest ecosystems across China

土壤呼吸的温度敏感性(Q₁₀)是陆地碳循环与气候系统间相互作用的关键参数。尽管已有大量关于不同类型森林Q₁₀季节和年际变化规律的研究, 但是对Q₁₀在区域尺度的空间变异特征及其影响因素仍认识不足, 已有结果缺乏一致结论。该研究通过整合已发表论文, 构建了中国森林生态系统年尺度Q₁₀数据集, 共包含399条记录、5种森林类型(落叶阔叶林(DBF)、落叶针叶林(DNF)、常绿阔叶林(EBF)、常绿针叶林(ENF)、混交林(MF))。分析了不同森林类型Q₁₀的空间变异特征及其与地理、气候和土壤因素的关系。结果显示, 1) Q₁₀介于1.09到6.24之间, 平均值(±标准误差)为2.37 (± 0.04), 且在不同森林类型之间无显著差异; 2)当考虑所有森林类型时, Q₁₀随纬度、海拔、土壤有机碳含量(SOC)和土壤全氮含量(TN)的增加而增大, 随经度、年平均气温(MAT)、平均年降水量(MAP)的增加而减小。气候(MAT、MAP)和土壤(SOC、TN)因素间存在相互作用, 共同解释了33%的Q₁₀空间变异, 其中MAT和SOC是Q₁₀空间变异的主要驱动因素; 3)不同类型森林Q₁₀对气候和土壤因素的响应存在差异。在DNF中Q₁₀随MAP的增加而减小, 而其他类型森林中Q₁₀与MAP无显著相关性; 在EBF、DBF、ENF中Q₁₀随TN的增加而增大, 但Q₁₀对TN的敏感性在EBF中最高, 在ENF中最低。这些结果表明, 尽管Q₁₀有一定的集中分布趋势, 但仍有较大范围的空间变异, 在进行碳收支估算时应注意尺度问题。Q₁₀的主要驱动因素和Q₁₀对环境因素的响应随森林类型而变化, 在气候变化情景下, 不同森林类型间Q₁₀可能发生分异。因此, 未来的碳循环-气候模型还应考虑不同类型森林碳循环关键参数对气候变化的响应差异。     

Exploring the influence of soil types underneath the canopy in winter wheat leaf area index remote estimating

Aims Remote sensing is an effective and nondestructive way to retrieve leaf area index (LAI) from plot, regional and global range. Soil background is one of the confounding factors limiting remotely estimating LAI. And soil type contains a large proportion of soil background information, which can influence the optical properties of vegetation canopy and soil. However, our knowledge on the effects stemmed from soil types underneath the canopy on LAI remote estimating have been in shortage. Thus, this study aims to explore the influences of soil types underneath the canopy on winter wheat LAI remote estimating. Methods We analyzed the sensitivity variation of eight spectral indices, named normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI), modified chlorophyll absorption ratio index 2 (MCARI₂), red edge inflection point (REIP), red edge amplitude (Dr), red edge area (SDr), red edge symmetry (RES), normalized difference spectral index (NDSI), to LAI in different soil types, and then we identified some spectral intervals or parameters that were insensitive to soil type variations underneath the canopy. We also compared the accuracy of two commonly used regression models, partial least squares regression (PLSR) and random forest regression (RFR), in estimating LAI for different soil types. We also explored the problems arising from applying the regression model developed in single soil type area to complex soil types area in retrieving LAI. Important findings This paper demonstrates the effects of soil types underneath the canopy on LAI retrieving. 1) The sensitivity of spectral indices to LAI is significantly different due to the soil type variation, but REIP has the least effects from soil type variation among the eight spectral indices. Meanwhile, the band selection algorithm of lambda-by-lambda not only chooses the most sensitive spectral interval for LAI, but also provides a feasible way to construct the spectral index that exhibits strong resistances to the effects of soil types underneath the canopy. 2) The accuracy of LAI estimation by regression models differs under soil type considered or not. So we suggest that in small scale researches, especially in a field scale, the ability of regression models in explaining variables is the priority consideration, while the PLSR is superior to RFR in this respect. Under the premise of unknown priori knowledge of land surfaces, the RFR is more suitable for retrieving LAI than PLSR, but land surface priori knowledge is still necessary. These findings provide the theoretical basis and methods for developing remotely sensing estimating LAI models adapted to various land surfaces. Further analysis is needed in applying the findings in more crop types, cultivars and growth stages.     

Effects of groundwater salinity on the characteristics of leaf photosynthesis and stem sap flow in Tamarix chinensis

AimsThe objective of this study was to investigate the change pattern of leaves photosynthesis and stem sap flow of Tamarix chinensisin under different groundwater salinity, which can be served as a theoretical basis and technical reference for cultivation and management of T. chinensis in shallow groundwater table around Yellow River Delta.MethodsThree-year-old T. chinensis, one of the dominated species in Yellow River Delta, was selected. Plants were treated by four different salinity concentrations of groundwater—fresh water (0 g∙L^-1), brackish water (3.0 g∙L^-1), saline water (8.0 g∙L^-1), and salt water (20.0 g∙L^-1) under 1.2 m groundwater level. Light response of photosynthesis and the diurnal courses of leaf transpiration rate, stem sap flux velocity and environment factors under different groundwater salinity were determined via LI-6400XT portable photosynthesis system and a Dynamax packaged stem sap flow gauge based on stem-heat balance method, respectively.Important findings The result showed that groundwater salinity had a significant impact on photosynthesis efficiency and water consumption capacity of T. chinensis by influencing the soil salt. The net photosynthetic rate (P_n), maximum P_n, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, apparent quantum yield and dark respiration rate increased first and then decreased with increasing groundwater salinity, while the water use efficiency (WUE) continuously decreased. The mean P_n under fresh water, brackish water and salt water decreased by 44.1%, 15.1% and 62.6%, respectively, compared with that under saline water (25.90 µmol∙m^-2∙s^-1). The mean WUE under brackish water, saline water and salt water decreased by 25.0%, 29.2% and 41.7%, respectively, compared with that under fresh water (2.40 µmol∙mmol^-1). With the increase of groundwater salinity from brackish water to salt water, light saturation point of T. chinensisdecreased while the light compensation point increased, which lead to the decrease of light ecological amplitude and light use efficiency. Fresh water and brackish water treatment helped T. chinensis to use low or high level light, which could significantly improve the utilization rate of light energy. The decrease in P_n of T. chinensis was mainly due to non-stomatal limitation under treatment from saline water to fresh water, while the decrease in P_n of T. chinensis was due to stomatal limitation from saline water to salt water. With increasing groundwater salinity, stem sap flux velocity of T. chinensis increased firstly and then decreased, reached the maximum value under saline water. The mean stem sap flux velocity under fresh water, brackish water and salt water decreased by 61.8%, 13.1% and 41.9%, respectively, compared with that under saline water (16.96 g·h^-1). Tamarix chinensis had higher photosynthetic productivity under saline water treatment, and could attained high WUE under severe water deprivation by transpiration, which was suitable for the growth of T. chinensis.     

Effects of peach branches returning on autotoxins and microbes in soil and tree growth of peaches

Aims This study aimed to investigate the effects of branch returning on the growth of peach (Amygdalus persica "Chunmei/Maotao") saplings, soil enzyme activity, and soil contents of phenolic acids and amygdalin, thereby providing scientific evidence against the application of branch returning for peach trees. Methods One-year-old potted peach tree (Amygdalus persica "Chunmei/Maotao") was used in this study with four agricultural treatments applied, including soil coverage by fragmented peach tree branches (fragment treatment;1.5 and 22.5 g·kg^-1) and applying leachate solutions of peach tree branches to soil (leachate treatment; 1.5 and 22.5 g·kg^-1). No branch addition was used as control (CK). Solid phase extraction, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), biological high-throughput sequencing was used to determine the content of autotoxic substances, and microbial community structure in soil. Soil coverage and leachate solution treatments of 30 g and 450 g branches applied to the peach trees were described as 1.5 and 22.5 g·kg^-1, respectively in this paper.Important findings Compared with CK, the phenolic acid and amygdalin contents significantly increased after both fragment and leachate treatments in high quantities (22.5 g·kg^-1). Soil microbial community structure altered in both treatments, with the proportion of fungi (particularly Agaricomycetes, Tubeufia and Cystofilobasidiaceae) increased significantly and bacteria decreased accordingly. Invertase activity in both high-quantity treatments exceeded that in the CK significantly. The activity of catalase and urease was higher at first and then decreased relative to CK under high-quantity fragment and leachate treatments. Specifically, the effect of leachate treatment on enzyme activity was higher than the fragment treatment in the short term. Chlorophyll content, ground diameter (diameter of 5 cm from the ground) growth and net photosynthesis rate of plants were lower in high-quantity fragment and leachate treatments than those in CK, with earlier retardation of new shoot growth. We observed an increase in soil phenolic acids and enzymes in treatments in normal pruning quantity, while no inhibition effect was found on the tree growth. In conclusion, autotoxins (such as phenolic acid and amygdalin) inhibited the growth of peach trees both directly and indirectly through changing soil enzyme activity and microbial community.     

Traits of shrubs in forests and bushes reveal different life strategies

灌木是森林和灌丛生态系统的重要组成部分, 探究森林与灌丛灌木功能性状的差异, 可揭示灌木在不同生境的适应策略。该研究以金华北山森林群落林下灌木层、低山灌丛和山顶灌丛共24个样地中的优势灌木为研究对象, 分析叶片和小枝9个功能性状在3种生境下的总体差异, 以及种间、种内变异和不同生活型的差异。结果表明: 1) 9个性状在3种不同生境下存在差异。林下灌木具有较大的叶面积和比叶面积, 较小的叶干物质含量、叶和小枝的组织密度, 低山灌丛相较于山顶灌丛具有较大的叶厚度、叶组织密度和较小的比叶面积、小枝干物质含量。2)林下灌木的比叶面积、小枝直径、小枝组织密度和小枝干物质含量的种内种间变异系数最大, 低山灌丛的比叶面积、叶和小枝的干物质含量、叶和小枝的组织密度的种内种间变异系数最小。3)不同生活型间, 林下常绿灌木的叶厚度、叶组织密度、叶干物质含量显著高于落叶灌木, 落叶灌木的比叶面积显著高于常绿灌木, 而山顶灌丛叶厚度和比叶面积的差异规律与林下灌木相同, 叶组织密度和叶干物质含量的差异与其相反。4)影响灌木性状的主要因素是物种以及物种和生境的交互作用。总之, 森林群落林下灌木形成较大叶面积和比叶面积, 较小叶和小枝组织密度、叶干物质含量的性状组合, 以快速生长而适应光照较弱、竞争作用强的林下环境, 是资源获取型策略; 低山灌丛和山顶灌丛具有较大叶厚度、组织密度、干物质含量和小枝组织密度和较小叶面积、比叶面积等一系列储存养分、慢速生长的性状组合, 属于资源保守型策略。灌木植物性状的不同组合及其所反映的不同生活策略, 对亚热带地区退化植被的生态恢复具有指导意义。     

Association classification of a 30 hm2 dynamics plot in the monsoon broad-leaved evergreen forest in Pu’er,Yunnan, China

季风常绿阔叶林是我国南亚热带典型的地带性植被, 建立森林动态监测样地是研究生物多样性维持和群落构建机制的重要平台。该文以普洱30 hm ²森林动态监测样地为研究对象, 采用多元回归树、重要值、主成分分析与指示种相结合的方法对样地内750个样方进行群丛数量分类, 以获取季风常绿阔叶林森林植被群丛类型。结果表明: 森林动态监测样地共发现木本植物271种, 隶属于78科178属, 群落类型为短刺锥(Castanopsis echidnocarpa)群系, 可划分4个群丛类型, 分别是珍珠花+毛银柴-短刺锥+泥柯群丛(Lyonia ovalifolia + Aporosa villosa - Castanopsis echidnocarpa + Lithocarpus fenestratus Association)、云南瘿椒树+耳叶柯-短刺锥+西南木荷群丛(Tapiscia yunnanensis + Lithocarpus grandifolius - Castanopsis echidnocarpa + Schima wallichii Association)、大果杜英+黄药大头茶-短刺锥+西南木荷群丛(Elaeocarpus sikkimensis + Polyspora chrysandra - Castanopsis echidnocarpa + Schima wallichii Association)、西桦+尼泊尔桤木-短刺锥+枹丝锥群丛(Betula alnoides + Alnus nepalensis - Castanopsis echidnocarpa + Castanopsis calathiformis Association)。群丛间物种分布存在较多过渡重叠, 指示物种是区分群丛类型的主要依据, 海拔与坡向对群丛分类有较大的影响, 坡度对群丛分类影响较小。     

Greenhouse gas fluxes of typical northern subtropical forest soils: Impacts of land use change and reduced precipitation

Aims It is important to study the effects of land use change and reduced precipitation on greenhouse gas fluxes (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O) of forest soils. Methods The fluxes of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O and their responses to environmental factors of primary forest soil, secondary forest soil and artificial forest soil under a reduced precipitation regime were explored using the static chamber and gas chromatography methods during the period from January to December in 2014. Important findings Results indicate that CH₄ uptake of primary forest soil ((-44.43 ± 8.73) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) was significantly higher than that of the secondary forest soil ((-21.64 ± 4.86) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) and the artificial forest soil ((-10.52 ± 2.11) μg C·m^-2·h^-1). CH₄ uptake of the secondary forest soil ((-21.64 ± 4.86) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) was significantly higher than that of the artificial forest ((-10.52 ± 2.11) μg C·m^-2·h^-1). CO₂ emissions of the artificial forest soil ((106.53 ± 19.33) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) were significantly higher than that of the primary forest soil ((49.50 ± 8.16) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) and the secondary forest soil ((63.50 ± 5.35) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) (p < 0.01). N₂O emissions of the secondary forest soil ((1.91 ± 1.22) μg N·m^-2·h^-1) were higher than that of the primary forest soil ((1.40 ± 0.28) μg N·m^-2·h^-1) and the artificial forest soil ((1.01 ± 0.86) μg N·m^-2·h^-1). Reduced precipitation (-50%) had a significant inhibitory effect on CH₄ uptake of the artificial forest soil, while it enhanced CO₂ emissions of the primary forest soil and the secondary forest soil. Reduced precipitation had a significant inhibitory effect on CO₂ emissions of the artificial forest soil and N₂O emissions of the secondary forest (p < 0.01). Reduced precipitation promotes N₂O emissions of the primary forest soil and the artificial forest soil. CH₄ uptake of the primary forest and the secondary forest soil increased significantly with the increase of soil temperature under natural and reduced precipitation. CO₂ and N₂O emission fluxes of the primary forest soil, secondary forest soil and artificial forest soil were positively correlated with soil temperature (p < 0.05). Soil moisture inhibited CH₄ uptake of the secondary forest soil and the artificial forest soil (p < 0.05). CO₂ emissions of the primary forest soil were significantly positively correlated with soil moisture (p < 0.05). N₂O emissions of primary forest soil and secondary forest soil were significantly correlated with the nitrate nitrogen content (p < 0.05). It was implied that reduced precipitation and land use change would have significant effects on greenhouse gas emissions of subtropical forest soils.     

Effects of nitrogen addition on soil respiration of Rhododendron simsii shrubland in the subtropical mountainous areas of China

Aims As the second largest C flux between the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems, soil respiration plays a vital role in regulating atmosphere CO₂ concentration. Therefore, understanding the response of soil respiration to the increasing nitrogen deposition is urgently needed for prediction of future climate change. However, it is still unclear how nitrogen deposition influences soil respiration of shrubland in subtropical China. Our objectives were to explore the effects of different levels of nitrogen fertilization on soil respiration, root biomass increment, and litter biomass, and to analyze the relationships between soil respiration and soil temperature and moisture.
Methods From January 2013 to September 2014, we conducted a short-term simulated nitrogen deposition experiment in the Rhododendron simsii shrubland of Dawei Mountain, located in Hunan Province, southern China. Four levels of nitrogen addition treatments (each level with three replicates) were established: control (CK, no nitrogen addition), low nitrogen addition (LN, 2 g·m^-2·a^-1), medium nitrogen addition (MN, 5 g·m^-2·a^-1) and high nitrogen addition (HN, 10 g·m^-2·a^-1). Soil respiration was measured by LI-8100 soil CO₂ efflux system. At the same time, we measured root biomass increment and litter biomass in each plot.
Important findings Soil respiration exhibited a strong seasonal pattern, with the highest rates found in summer and the lowest rates in winter. Annual accumulative soil respiration rate in the CK, LN, MN and HN was (2.37 ± 0.39), (2.79 ± 0.42), (2.26 ± 0.38) and (2.30 ± 0.36) kg CO₂·m^-2, respectively. Annual mean soil respiration rate in the CK, LN, MN and HN was (1.71 ± 0.28), (2.01 ± 0.30), (1.63 ± 0.27) and (1.66 ± 0.26) μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1, respectively, and it was 17.25% higher in the LN treatment compared with CK (p = 0.06). The root biomass increment was increased by LN, MN, and HN treatments by 18.36%, 36.49% and 61.63%, respectively, compared to CK. The litter biomass was increased by LN, MN, and HN treatments by 35.87%, 22.17% and 15.35%, respectively, compared with CK. Soil respiration exhibited a significant exponential relationship with soil temperature (p < 0.01, R² is 0.77 to 0.82) and a significant linear relationship with soil moisture at the depth of 5 cm (p < 0.05, R² is 0.10 to 0.15). The temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) value of CK, LN, MN and HN plots was 3.96, 3.60, 3.71 and 3.51, respectively. These results suggested that nitrogen addition promoted plant growth and decreased the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration. The increase of root biomass under N addition may be an important reason for the change of soil respiration in the study area.