Holocene vegetation and climate change on the Colorado Great Plains,USA, and the invasion of Colorado piñon (Pinus edulis)

Aim To reconstruct the last c. 7000 years of vegetation and climate change in an unusual region of modern Great Plains grassland and scarp woodland in south‐east Colorado (USA), and to determine the late Holocene biogeography of Colorado piñon (Pinus edulis) at its easternmost extent, using a series of radiocarbon‐dated packrat (Neotoma sp.) middens. Location The West Carrizo Canyon drains the Chaquaqua Plateau, a plateau that projects into the western extent of the southern Great Plains grasslands in south‐eastern Colorado, USA. Elevations of the study sites are 1448 to 1525 m a.s.l. Today the plateau is mostly Juniperus scopulorum–P. edulis woodland. Methods Plant macrofossils and pollen assemblages were analysed from 11 ¹⁴C‐dated packrat middens. Ages ranged from 5990 yr bp (6839 cal. yr bp ) to 280 yr bp (485 cal. yr bp ). Results The results presented here provide information on the establishment and expansion of Juniperus–P. edulis woodland at its eastern limits. The analysis of both plant macrofossils and pollen from the 11 middens documents changes in plant communities over the last 7000 years, and the establishment of P. edulis at its easternmost limit. Though very minor amounts of P. edulis pollen occur as early as the middle Holocene, plant macrofossils were only recovered in middens dating after c. 480 cal. yr bp . Main conclusions Originally, midden research suggested a late glacial refuge to the north‐east of the Carrizo Canyon site, and a middle Holocene expansion of P. edulis. Results reported here are consistent with a late Holocene expansion, here at its eastern limits, but noted elsewhere at its northern and north‐eastern limits. In general, this late Holocene expansion is consistent with pollen data from sediments in Colorado and New Mexico, and suggests that P. edulis is still expanding its range at its present extremes. This has implications for further extension of its range due to changing climatic conditions in the future.     

Vegetation changes in Empakaai Crater, northern Tanzania, at 14,800–9300 cal yr BP

Vegetation changes are documented from a well-dated pollen record from Lake Emakat, Empakaai Crater, northern Tanzania. This pollen record includes the time interval covering the Pleistocene/Holocene transition, analysed at a resolution interval averaging 200 yr. Around the crater lake, an Hagenia-forest development starting at 14,500 cal yr BP lasted until 13,000 cal yr BP. A change in vegetation, indicated by an increased proportion of Nuxia congesta in the forest and Artemisia in the afro alpine grassland after 13,000 cal yr BP, corresponds in time to the Northern Hemisphere's Younger Dryas cooling. Grasses and sedges increased at  10,100 cal yr BP, indicating a significant increase in local pollen possibly attributed to lowered lake level, related to drier conditions. Although the Empakaai pollen record documents continuous forest conditions, from 14,500 to 10,100 cal yr BP, the variation in the proportion of forest components seem to respond to environmental changes at the millennium scale.     

Late Holocene lake-level fluctuations in Walker Lake, Nevada, USA

Walker Lake, a hydrologically closed, saline, and alkaline lake, is situated along the western margin of the Great Basin in Nevada of the western United States. Analyses of the magnetic susceptibility (χ), total inorganic carbon (TIC), and oxygen isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O) of carbonate sediments including ostracode shells (Limnocythere ceriotuberosa) from Walker Lake allow us to extend the sediment record of lake-level fluctuations back to 2700 years B.P. There are approximately five major stages over the course of the late Holocene hydrologic evolution in Walker Lake: an early lowstand (> 2400 years B.P.), a lake-filling period ( 2400 to  1000 years B.P.), a lake-level lowering period during the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) ( 1000 to  600 years B.P.), a relatively wet period ( 600 to  100 years B.P.), and the anthropogenically induced lake-level lowering period (< 100 years B.P.). The most pronounced lowstand of Walker Lake occurred at  2400 years B.P., as indicated by the relatively high values of δ¹⁸O. This is generally in agreement with the previous lower resolution paleoclimate results from Walker Lake, but contrasts with the sediment records from adjacent Pyramid Lake and Siesta Lake. The pronounced lowstand suggests that the Walker River that fills Walker Lake may have partially diverted into the Carson Sink through the Adrian paleochannel between 2700 to 1400 years B.P.     

A 40,000-year woodrat-midden record of vegetational and biogeographical dynamics in north-eastern Utah, USA

Aim A conspicuous climatic and biogeographical transition occurs at 40–45° N in western North America. This pivot point marks a north–south opposition of wet and dry conditions at interannual and decadal time‐scales, as well as the northern and southern limits of many dominant western plant species. Palaeoecologists have yet to focus on past climatic and biotic shifts along this transition, in part because it requires comparisons across dissimilar records [i.e. pollen from lacustrine sediments to the north and plant macrofossils from woodrat (Neotoma) middens to the south]. To overcome these limitations, we are extending the woodrat‐midden record northward into the lowlands of the central Rocky Mountains. Location Woodrat middens were collected from crevices and rock shelters on south‐facing slopes of Dutch John Mountain (2000–2200 m, 40°57′ N, 109°25′ W), situated on the eastern flanks of the Uinta Mountains in north‐eastern Utah. The site is near the regional limits for Pinus ponderosa, P. edulis, P. contorta, Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intricatus, Abies concolor, Ephedra viridis and other important western species. Methods We analysed pollen and plant macrofossils from the 40,000‐year midden sequence. The middens represent brief, depositional episodes (mostly years to decades). Four middens represent the early to full‐glacial period (40,000–18,000 cal‐yr bp ), eight middens are from the late‐glacial/early Holocene transition (13,500–9000 cal yr bp ), and 33 middens span the mid‐to‐late Holocene (last 7500 years). Temporal density of our Holocene middens (one every c. 210 years) is comparable with typical Holocene pollen sequences from lake sediments. Results Early to full‐glacial assemblages are characterized by low diversity and occurrence of montane conifers (Picea pungens, Pseudotsuga menziesii, P. flexilis, Juniperus communis) absent from the site today. Diversity increases in the late‐glacial samples with the addition of J. scopulorum, J. horizontalis, C. montanus, C. ledifolius var. intricatus and mesic understory species. The coniferous trees and J. communis declined and J. osteosperma appeared during the late‐glacial/Holocene transition. Juniperus osteosperma populations have occupied the site throughout the Holocene. Pinus ponderosa was established by 7500 cal‐yr bp , and has occurred at least locally ever since. Montane conifers and J. horizontalis persisted until c. 5500 cal‐yr bp . The signature events of the late Holocene were the invasions of P. edulis and Ephedra viridis and establishment of pinyon–juniper woodland in the last 800 years. Main conclusions The Dutch John Mountain midden record adds to an emerging picture in which mid‐elevation conifers (P. flexilis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Picea pungens, J. scopulorum, J. communis) dominated vegetation over a wide area of the Colorado Plateau and adjacent Rocky Mountains. Rather than being fragmented, as often assumed in phylogeographical studies, these species had broader and more‐connected distributions than they do in the region today. Paradoxically, subalpine conifers (Picea engelmannii, A. lasiocarpa) occurred at higher elevations to the south, possibly representing declining precipitation from south to north owing to southward displacement of the polar jet stream. The Dutch John Mountain record displays a series of extinction and invasion events. Most of the extinctions were local in scale; nearly all constituents of fossil midden assemblages occur within a few kilometres of Dutch John Mountain, and some occur at least locally on its slopes. The sole exception is J. horizontalis, which is regionally extinct. In contrast to extinctions, Holocene invasions were regional in scale; J. osteosperma, P. ponderosa, P. edulis and Ephedra viridis immigrated from glacial‐age source populations far to the south.     

Pollen-based quantitative reconstructions of Holocene climate variability in NW Romania

A modern analogue technique is applied to two high-resolution pollen sequences from NW Romania to provide the first quantitative evidence for winter, summer and annual temperatures and for precipitation across the Holocene in this region.

The pollen-based climate reconstructions allow the identification of four main intervals: i) an early, less stable period between 11,700 and 11,200 cal. yr BP; (ii) generally stable conditions between 11,200 and 8300 cal. yr BP with winter and annual temperatures and precipitation higher than at present, and summer temperatures about the same; (iii) lower winter and annual temperatures, and higher summer temperatures and precipitation between 8000 and 2400 cal. yr BP; (iv) warmer winter and annual temperatures and lower precipitation for the last 2400 years, whereas summer temperatures became cooler at Steregoiu and remained stable at Preluca Tiganului.

The pollen-based climate reconstructions at the two sites show similar patterns in annual and winter temperatures and precipitation changes during the Holocene, but the trends appear to be less consistent for summer temperatures.

Our pollen-based reconstructions revealed several short-term climatic oscillations during the Holocene, the strongest of which occur between 10,300–10,100, 8300–8000, 6800–6400, 5100–4900, 4000–3600 and 3200–3000 cal. yr BP.     

入侵毛竹皆伐对亚热带森林土壤微生物生物量和酶活性的影响

去除入侵植物是恢复入侵地生态系统的首要步骤。本文研究了天目山毛竹纯林(完全入侵)、入侵毛竹皆伐林(皆伐后经过5年自然更新)和常绿阔叶林(未入侵)的土壤微生物生物量及多种土壤酶活性特征。结果表明: 与毛竹纯林相比,入侵毛竹皆伐林土壤有机碳(SOC)、硝态氮、有效磷和速效钾含量显著升高;土壤微生物生物量碳(MBC)和磷(MBP)显著升高,而土壤微生物生物量氮(MBN)显著降低;α-葡萄糖苷酶(AG)、β-葡萄糖苷酶(BG)、亮氨酸氨基肽酶(LAP)和酚氧化酶(POX)活性显著升高,而纤维二糖水解酶(CBH)、β-N-乙酰-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和过氧化物酶(PER)活性未发生显著改变。土壤AG、BG和LAP活性与SOC和MBC呈显著正相关;POX活性与硝态氮含量呈显著正相关。此外,入侵毛竹皆伐林土壤MBC、MBN和MBP及AG、BG、NAG、LAP和ACP活性均显著高于常绿阔叶林。综上,入侵毛竹皆伐促进了森林土壤养分含量、微生物生物量和酶活性的提高,是恢复入侵地森林土壤质量的有效措施,研究结果可为亚热带森林毛竹入侵治理提供科学依据。     

毛竹扩张对次生常绿阔叶林物种组成、结构与多样性的影响

毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)向邻近次生常绿阔叶林扩张现象明显, 极大地影响了常绿阔叶林的生态功能, 但关于其扩张对常绿阔叶林的群落结构与生物多样性影响的后效研究较少。本文采用时空替代法, 在江西井冈山国家级自然保护区沿毛竹扩张方向, 依次设置毛竹林、竹阔混交林和常绿阔叶林样地, 比较分析了扩张前后群落物种相似性、群落结构和多样性指数等特征。结果表明: (1)毛竹林与常绿阔叶林乔木层、灌木层和草本层的Bray-Curtis相似性指数很小, 分别为0.003、0.046和0.030。(2)毛竹林的垂直结构呈“>”型, 高度12-14 m区间的多度百分比达33.3%, 径级结构集中分布于5-10 cm区间, 达总数的90.0%; 常绿阔叶林的垂直结构为“L”型, 高度2-4 m的物种数占54.3%, 径级分布范围较广, 4个较大径级区间的平均百分比为10.3%。(3)乔木层的Shannon-Wiener指数由常绿阔叶林的2.56降至毛竹林的0.06, 降幅高达98%; 灌木层也由2.58降至2.03, 降幅21%。以上结果说明, 毛竹扩张会导致次生常绿阔叶林群落组成和结构简化、物种多样性下降, 对森林生态系统功能产生负面影响。     

The Peniophorella praetermissa species complex (Basidiomycota)

The corticioid basidiomycete Peniophorella praetermissa has long been regarded as a morphologically variable species complex. An ITS-based phylogenetic study based on a worldwide sampling was carried out using parsimony and Bayesian inference. The resulting trees feature three major clades, further divided into well-supported subclades. These could be considered as distinct species, a contention that is further supported by crossing test data. Only two out of the eight phylogenetic lineages identified can be distinctly morphologically characterized: P. odontiaeformis and P. subpraetermissa. P. odontiaeformis is an odontioid species with a paleotropical distribution whereas the taxa in the remaining subclades have smooth basidiomata and are distributed in temperate areas. P. subpraetermissa is known only from the type collection and is distinguished microscopically by its reddish brown apically encrustated cystidia. Taxa in the remaining subclades are impossible to distinguish from each other morphologically, and therefore, are viewed as a species complex, P. praetermissa s. lat. One of the subclades, which is widely distributed but restricted to the Northern hemisphere, is proposed to represent P. praetermissa s. str. An epitype is selected from the same area as the holotype, among the specimens studied here. However, the geographically most widespread clade with many representatives from both hemispheres is here referred to as P. pertenuis, a taxon that was previously considered a synonym to P. praetermissa.     

Paralygodium meckertii sp. nov. (Schizaeaceae) from the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

More than 50 specimens of permineralized fertile pinnules with abaxially borne sporangia have been discovered in calcareous marine nodules from the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) Comox Formation from the Eden Main localities on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Isolated pinnules 1.6–3.0 mm wide × 1.6–2.8 mm long are lobed and abaxially enrolled to form irregular globose structures. Pyriform sporangia 216–300 μm wide × 360–468 μm long occur in two rows on the abaxial surface of pinnule lobes. Sporangia have an apical annulus of 15–18 cells. Spores are tetrahedral and trilete, 33–42 μm in diameter, with straight to concave interradial sides, laesurae extending nearly to the equator, and a psilate exine. Spores are assignable to the sporae dispersae genus Deltoidospora. Fertile pinnules are compared to fossils of Anemia poolensis and two previously described species of Paralygodium, and show closest similarities to P. vancouverensis from the Eocene of British Columbia. The Cretaceous Eden Main specimens differ in number of pinnule lobes and their morphology and are described as a new taxon: P. meckertii sp. nov. This discovery extends the Cretaceous geographic range of Paralygodium from Japan to North America and adds to our knowledge of the diversity of extinct schizaeaceous ferns.     

The vegetation history of a coastal stone-age and iron-age settlement at 70°N,Norway

The Holocene vegetation history of the islet of Melkøya at Hammerfest, Norway (70°42N, 23°36E) is documented by several pollen profiles sampled close to excavated stone-age and iron-age settlements. Local paludification began c. 9700 cal B.P. and oligotrophication from c. 7300 cal B.P. onwards. A Betula pubescens—B.nana heath/woodland persisted until c. 8500 cal B.P., when a mixed Betula pubescens—Pinus sylvestris forest developed. Development towards an open heath is recorded from c. 4700 cal B.P. and culminates around 2700 cal B.P. A weak, possibly anthropogenic, impact is recognisable from c. 9200 cal. BP, but a marked local impact by man begins with the climate improvement and local forest development around 8500 cal B.P. The anthropogenic impact on the vegetation was the cutting of local woodland with an increase in grasses and herbs, the latter partly originating from the nitrophilous seashore vegetation. Forest clearance is recognisable at c. 6200 cal B.P., following a short period of re-growth after a burning event. Several anthropogenically related charred layers were formed in the peat before a longer period of abandonment from c. 3100 cal B.P. to c. 2000 cal B.P.     

A giant vampire (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in the Late Holocene from the Argentinean pampas: paleoenvironmental significance

The first fossil desmodontine record and the only well documented chiropteran fossil record from Argentina is described. A complete left upper canine was collected at Centinela del Mar (38°21′S58°W, General Alvarado County, Buenos Aires Province) from fossil-bearing sediments referred to the Late Holocene. The tooth size is 25% larger than that of the modern vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus. We assign this tooth to Desmodus cf. D. draculae, an extinct species recorded in the Pleistocene–Holocene of South America (Brazil and Venezuela). The southernmost distribution of present-day Desmodus extends to northeast Buenos Aires province (35°S). The presence of Desmodus some 600 km south of this present-day limit (July minimal isotherm of 10°C) indicates that around 300 years BP the southeastern Buenos Aires province was at least 2°C higher than modern July isotherm. The Desmodus tooth is associated with sigmodontine rodents characteristic of subtropical and temperate-warm areas (e. g., Pseudoryzomys simplex, Bibimys cf. B. torresi), and provides additional evidence to support this hypothesis. A correlation with a global warming phase is discussed.     

根据孢粉分析论青藏高原西部和北部全新世环境变化

通过对青藏高原西部班公湖钻孔和北部中昆仑山３个湖相剖面的孢粉研究,揭示青藏高原西部和北部地区全新世１万年期间植被的演替和气候变化,西部在全新世早期９９００－７８００ｙｒ．Ｂ．Ｐ．植被由荒漠转为草原,气候好转;中期７８００－３５００ｙｒ．Ｂ．Ｐ．,草原发展,气候较适宜,以７２００－６３００ｙｒ．Ｂ．Ｐ．为高温湿期,５５００ｙｒ．Ｂ．Ｐ．和３５００ｙｒ．Ｂ．Ｐ．出现干旱,晚期从３５００ｙｒ．Ｂ．Ｐ．至今植被为荒漠,气候干旱,其中７００ｙｒ．Ｂ．Ｐ．气候恶化。北部地区全新世时期为荒漠植被,当气候温湿时,蒿和禾本科,莎草科成份增加,藜科减少,气候干旱时则相反,北部全新世的气候分期和干湿波动与西部相近,两地在晚期气候朝干旱化发展。     

山东蒙山6种造林树种40余年成林效果评价

植被恢复一直是恢复生态学研究的核心问题和首要解决目标。该文拟评估山东蒙山森林植被恢复与重建的现状和程度, 评价不同造林树种对植物多样性的影响, 筛选一批造林工具种, 为今后沂蒙山区森林植被恢复与重建的调控和预测提供依据。采用样地法和样方法, 选择林龄超过40年的6种主要人工林为样地, 采用典型取样法进行林内调查。根据乔木层、灌木层和草本层的物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数评价物种多样性, 分析乔木径级分布, 判断植物发展类型。结果表明: 乔木层、灌木层和草本层的4种多样性指数较为一致地显示赤松(Pinus densiflora)、栓皮栎(Quercus variabilis)、黑松(Pinus thunbergii)、日本落叶松(Larix kaempferi)和刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)的成林效果较好, 油松(Pinus tabuliformis)相对较差。6种人工林群落灌木层和草本层的4种多样性指数基本无显著差异, 而乔木层中, 油松人工林群落的4种多样性指数与黑松人工林、刺槐人工林、栓皮栎人工林和日本落叶松人工林存在部分显著差异(p < 0.05)。从整体上看, 人工林群落灌木层发育最好, 4种多样性指数均为灌木层>乔木层>草本层, 且差异大多极显著(p < 0.01)。研究发现: 乔木扩展种29种、隐退种3种、稳定侵入种9种和随机侵入种11种, 表明人工林群落正处于向森林演替的过程中。数据显示: 3种隐退种赤松、油松和日本落叶松均为群落局部优势种, 赤松和油松种群更新困难, 日本落叶松完全没有更新幼苗。作者认为林下发达的灌草层可能是阻碍针叶林天然更新的关键因素。评估筛选出15种造林工具种: 早期开荒工具种(A类) 7种和后期顶级工具种(B类) 8种。其中A1类(建群种) 2种: 赤松和油松, A2类(伴生种) 5种: 黄檀(Dalbergia hupeana)、花曲柳(Fraxinus rhynchophylla)、君迁子(Cerasus serrulata)、山合欢(Albizia kalkora)和鹅耳枥(Carpinus turczaninowii); B1类(建群种) 2种: 栓皮栎和麻栎(Quercus acutissima), B2类(伴生种) 6种: 水榆花楸(Sorbus alnifolia)、槲树(Quercus dentata)、山樱花(Diospyros lotus)、小叶朴(Celtis bungeana)、大叶朴(Celtis koraiensis)和三桠乌药(Lindera obtusiloba)。     

天然毛竹林竞争空间关系分析

以浙江天目山天然毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)林为研究对象, 在毛竹林样地测量和调查的基础上, 利用地理信息系统和空间分析方法, 从天然毛竹林生存竞争的微观视角, 研究毛竹林生存竞争的空间自相关分布特征、竞争强度与毛竹密度和年龄的关系、竞争强度各向异性及与其所在样地坡向间的关系。研究结果发现: 毛竹林竞争呈现出空间自相关的特征, 竞争强度呈现出高与高、低与低集聚生长的特点; 天然毛竹林的空间分布密度与竞争强度呈现出正相关的趋势, 高强度竞争区域的毛竹密度显著大于低强度竞争区域的密度; 年龄在不同竞争强度区域的分布具有差异, 分布在低强度竞争区域上的毛竹年龄显著低于中、高强度竞争区域的年龄; 生长在中、高强度竞争区域上的毛竹年龄之间没有显著差异; 天然毛竹林竞争强度呈现出各向异性的特点且与其所在坡向相互垂直, 垂直于坡向方向上的竞争强度高于平行于坡向方向的竞争强度。通过研究表明, 空间分析方法能够有效地应用于研究天然毛竹林的生长规律, 为毛竹的合理经营与采伐提供指导意义。     

Evidence for Late Glacial and Holocene environmental changes from subfossil assemblages in sediments of Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Ostracod and diatom assemblages, mollusc remains, plus pollen and sediment stratigraphy from three cores taken at sites 40, 80 and 135 m deep in Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland, show distinct changes since deglaciation. Shifts are interpreted in terms both of climatic change and major changes in the catchment input caused by the Aar River entering or bypassing Lake Neuchâtel. Three palaeoenvironmental phases are recognized: (1) the Late Glacial, with the inflow of the river before 10,000 yr B.P.; (2) the early to mid-Holocene, with temporary bypassing of the river between 10,000 and 4850 yr B.P.; and (3) the mid- to late Holocene, without river input after approx. 4850 yr B.P. During periods with river input, rhythmites were deposited. Ostracods indicate a well oxygenated hypolimnion, suggesting deep ventilation enhanced by the river inflow. The diatom assemblage indicates eutrophic to mesotrophic conditions and is dominated by generally well preserved periphytic species. The high number of unidentifiable pollen suggests oxidation during transport in the river. During periods without river input, a massive calcareous silt with abundant authigenic calcite was deposited, diatoms indicate a change to mesotrophic and oligotrophic conditions, and decreased sedimentation rates and higher alkalinity enhanced the dissolution of diatoms. Terrestrial and littoral molluscs as well as periphytic diatoms indicate erosion of the shore when the lake level rose or fell with onset or offset of the river inflow. Before 12,600 yr B.P., the patchy vegetation cover led to intensive soil erosion and high sedimentation rates. The lake was still frozen during the winter months. After approx. 12,600 yr B.P. the sediment changed from clastic rhythmites to thinly bedded, non-glacial rhythmites, the vegetation cover became denser, the abundance of ostracods increased, and molluscs started to colonize the profundal zone of the lake. The Younger Dryas (approx. 10,700–10,000 yr B.P.) displays maximum abundance of ostracods, indicating deep ventilation. The transition to the Holocene is characterized by a change in the ostracod assemblage and the river bypassed the lake between approximately 10,000 and 8900 yr B.P. When the river reentered the lake after approximately 8900 yr B.P., a new ostracod species appeared. After two short periods of river bypassing between approximately 7200 and 6950 yr B.P., diatoms indicate a higher trophic level about 6000–5000 yr B.P. associated with higher erosion rates and increased nutrient input due to Neolithic agricultural activities. After approximately 4850 yr B.P. the river bypassed the lake again and the trophic level decreased. In contrast to the early to mid-Holocene periods of decreased oxygen supply, the mid- to late Holocene is characterized by deep ventilation. This is attributed to the northward retreat of the polarfront and enhanced westerlies consequent to decreased insolation after 6000 yr B.P. The change of the river flow pattern correlates with glacier oscillations and may suggest a climatic control. The final cessation of the inflow is attributed to diversion of the river consequent to isostatic uplift and late Neolithic clearance activity.     

Palynological evidence for Holocene environmental change in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) Delta, China

Holocene vegetation changes in response to climate fluctuations and human impacts are reviewed on the basis of pollen analyses from borehole cores taken from the Changjiang (Yangtze River) delta, China, and other previously reported data. During the earliest Holocene (10,930−9000 cal yr BP), the climate was warm and wet, allowing thermophilous hardwoods to occupy mid- and low-elevations surrounding a palaeo-Changjiang estuary. The climate became gradually cooler, and cool-tolerant conifers, grasses and ferns became dominant until 7600 cal yr BP, when the estuary became a delta. A mid-Holocene climatic optimum occurred between 7600 and 4800 cal yr BP, when evergreen and broadleaved deciduous trees flourished at mid- and low-elevations surrounding the delta front-prodelta. After this time, climate became cooler again until 1340 cal yr BP. During this period, evergreen and broadleaved deciduous trees were replaced by conifers and grasses inhabiting the inter/subtidal flat-delta front. This development of conifer-grassland vegetation was shortly interrupted between 3860 and 3200 cal yr BP when thermophilous tree cover increased and open vegetation with scattered conifers was reduced. Since 1340 cal yr BP, the vegetation has been similar to that at present under warm, wet conditions. Human impacts are recognized by the first appearance of Fagopyrum and a sudden increase in herb pollen at 4500 and 1340 cal yr BP, respectively.     

北京地区全新世植被和气候变化研究进展

该文综述了北京地区全新世以来植被演替和气候变化的相关研究资料,这些资料反映了当前阶段对该地区该时段植被与气候环境格局特征的认识。北京地区全新世早期(约12 000–8 000 cal a B.P.)植被为森林草地和/或针叶树占主导的针阔混交林,森林中阔叶树类群逐渐增多,指示了气候由寒冷干燥转为温暖湿润;全新世中期(约8 000–2 000 cal a B.P.前后)植被为暖温带针阔混交林,指示暖湿气候;全新世晚期(约2 000 cal a B.P.以来)转为森林草地和/或针叶树占主导的针阔混交林,气候转向凉干。植被演替反映的湿润度变化与季风区其它地区变化趋势一致。值得注意的是,前人研究揭示北京地区山区与平原中植被类型和类群组成已经出现空间分异。今后如能深入开展定量古气候重建研究,有可能精确描述其气候变化的过程,增进中国不同地理单元同时期气候变化的对比。     

腾格里沙漠东南缘不同植被类型土壤种子库多样性

为探究荒漠地区不同植被类型土壤种子库动态与分布规律,揭示不同植被类型群落的植被演替趋势与多样性特征,以腾格里沙漠东南缘胡杨群落、柠条群落、赖草群落和沙蓬群落为对象,采集0～2、2～5、5～10、10～20 cm土层土样,研究土壤种子库特征及其与地上植被的关系。结果表明: 4个植被类型的土壤种子库中共发现13种植物,隶属于3科12属,1、2年生草本植物种子占多数,藜科植物较多;土壤种子库密度较低,呈现柠条群落＞赖草群落＞胡杨群落＞沙蓬群落;种子库密度和植物种类整体随土壤剖面的加深而降低;综合Shannon指数、Simpson指数、Pielou指数和Patrick丰富度指数进行分析,土壤种子库物种多样性呈现胡杨群落＞赖草群落＞柠条群落＞沙蓬群落,柠条群落土壤种子库与地上植被相似性系数最高,沙蓬群落次之,胡杨群落和赖草群落最低。总体上,以胡杨群落为代表的乔木林较为稳定,以沙蓬群落为代表的沙地生态系统最为脆弱。     

基于物种分布模型评价土壤因子对我国毛竹潜在分布的影响

基于单类别支持向量机方法的物种分布模型, 利用政府间气候变化专门委员会(IPCC)气候情景模式和联合国粮食与农业组织(FAO)的全球土壤数据, 模拟1981-2099年我国毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)的潜在空间分布及变化趋势, 比较考虑土壤因子前后模拟结果的差异, 旨在探究土壤因子对毛竹潜在空间分布模拟结果的影响。结果表明, 仅以气候因子为模拟变量和同时考虑气候与土壤因子为模拟变量的毛竹潜在空间分布模拟均具有较高精度, 毛竹潜在分布区表现为面积增加并向北扩张。模拟因子重要性分析表明表征温暖程度的气候因子在毛竹潜在分布模拟中起主导作用, 而表征土壤质地和酸碱性的土壤因子以限制性作用为主。同时考虑气候与土壤因子的模拟结果具有较高的模拟效率, 且在未来气候变化情景模式下毛竹潜在分布区面积增幅与向北迁移幅度均小于仅使用气候因子的模拟, 表明土壤要素对毛竹潜在分布具有明显的限制作用, 该结果对现在的毛竹潜在分布模拟研究具有重要的补充作用。     

Holocene vegetational and coastal environmental changes from the Lago Crispim record in northeastern Pará State, eastern Amazonia

Vegetational and coastal environmental changes have been interpreted from a 600cm long and 764014C yr B.P. old sediment core from Lago Crispim located in the northeastern Pará State in northern Brazil. The radiocarbon dated sediment core was studied by multi-element geochemistry, pollen and charcoal analysis.Holocene Atlantic sea-level rise caused an elevation of local water table, which allowed the formation of organic deposits in a probably former inter-dune valley. Dense, diverse and tall Amazon rain forest, and some restinga (coastal vegetation) covered the study area at the beginning of the record at 764014C yr B.P. Mangrove vegetation developed along rivers close to the core site at that time. Subsequent decrease in less mangrove vegetation near the study site indicates a sea-level regression, beginning since around 700014C yr B.P. Lower sea-levels probably favoured the formation of a local Mauritia/Mauritiella palm swamp at 662014C yr B.P. Oscillations of higher and lower sea-level stands probably changed the size of the local palm swamp area several times between 6620 and 363014C yr B.P. Sea-level transgression at around 363014C yr B.P., caused marked coastal environmental changes: the development of mangroves near the site, the replacement of the local palm swamp by a Cyperaceae swamp, the substitution of the surrounding former Amazon rain forest and some restinga vegetation mainly by salt marshes. High amount carbonised particles suggest a strong human impact by burning on the coastal ecosystems during this late Holocene period.Highest concentrations of NaCl and also Ca, Mg and K in the upper sediment core indicate that the Atlantic was close during the late Holocene period. The core site, which is today 500m from the coastline and only 1-2m above modern sea-level, was apparently never reached by marine excursions during the Holocene.Less representation of mangrove since ca. 184014C yr B.P., may be related due to a slightly lower sea-level or to human impact in the study region. The modern shallow lake seems to be formed recently by road construction, forming an artificial dam.