Recent greening of grasslands in northern China driven by increasing precipitation

近年中国北方草地变绿受降水增加的驱动 中国北方的暖湿化是近期的热点话题,然而其对植被生长的影响仍不清楚。本研究基于长时间序列(1982–2018年)数据,研究了归一化植被指数(NDVI)的时间动态及其气候驱动因子之间的关系,以探索近年来气候的暖湿化是否会导致该区植被变绿。我们采用分段回归探测了NDVI的变化趋势是否存在转变点,用Pearson相关分析描述了植被指数与气候因子的关系。最后,采用逐步多元回归方法研究了气候因子对NDVI时间变化的贡献率。研究结果表明,NDVI时间变化趋势的转变点出现在2008年,GIMMS NDVI在1982–2008年略有增加,上升速率为0.00022 yr⁻¹,在2008–2015年上升速率达到0.002 yr⁻¹,MODIS NDVI在2008–2018年上升速率为0.0018 yr⁻¹。降水是NDVI变化的主要驱动因子,气温和饱和水汽压差(VPD)对NDVI的变化影响较小。总体看来,NDVI时间序列变化趋势存在转变点,并且近期气候的暖湿化主导了中国北方草地植被变绿,这为今后更好地预测该地区气候变化下的植被覆盖变化提供了依据。     

宁夏近20年来植被覆盖度及其与气温降水的关系

利用1981—2004年的植被指数(NDVI)资料,结合实地植被调查资料,将宁夏植被类型划分4个区域,确定了各地植被指数与覆盖度的关系,分析了宁夏各区域植被覆盖度的年际变化、季节变化、植被覆盖度的面积变化及其与气温和降水量的关系。结果表明:24年来宁夏贺兰山与贺兰山东麓的年植被覆盖度呈下降趋势,中部干旱带植被覆盖度呈上升趋势;近4年来,贺兰山植被状况整体变好;贺兰山东麓植被状况整体变差;中部干旱带的植被状况夏季变差,秋季变好;南部山区的植被覆盖度整体变好。宁夏春夏季降水量是影响植被覆盖度的关键性因子,气温对植被覆盖度的影响不显著。     

湖北省地区植被覆盖变化及其对气候因子的响应

归一化植被指数(NDVI)作为一个重要的遥感参数,能够准确地反映植被覆盖程度和植被生长状况、生物物理化学性质及生态系统参数的变化,其时序数据也已成为基于生物气候特征开展大区域植被和土地覆盖分类的基本手段。基于2001—2012年MODIS-NDVI数据,利用趋势分析法以及线性相关分析等方法对湖北省植被年际变化趋势、月变化趋势进行详细分析;并且研究该区植被覆盖时空变化及其与气温和降水的关系。结果表明近12年来,研究区大部分区域植被覆盖度良好,其中鄂西北及鄂南地区NDVI值较高为0.82,鄂中东部城市NDVI值较低为0.13;2001—2012年间年均NDVI整体呈增加趋势,增速1%/10a;植被覆盖度基本不变区域占研究区总面积的92.8%,大致符合我国中部地区植被覆盖变化趋势;分析NDVI与气候因子的相关关系可知,降水量对湖北植被NDVI年变化起有重要影响;逐月NDVI与月平均气温及月降水量的回归分析表明,降水和气温对生长季不同月份的植被NDVI影响明显不同,同时呈现一定的滞后性。     

青藏高原多年冻土区不同高寒草地类型地表形变特征

作为气候变化"指示器"的青藏高原多年冻土,近几十年来受到越来越多学者关注。但是已有冻土区地表形变的研究,多单纯针对地表抬升和沉降量进行分析,鲜有针对不同高寒草地类型进行深入挖掘的。在位于青藏高原多年冻土区腹地的五道梁地区,利用ASAR数据和SBAS-InSAR方法反演了区域内2005年4月到2010年7月的地表形变状况。结果显示研究区地表形变速率基本位于±8 mm/a之间。其中,变形率为正、地表呈现抬升的区域占57.70%,地表形变为负、地表沉降的区域占42.30%。此外,高寒草地整体表现地表下沉的现象,而且高寒草原的地表沉降现象明显强于高寒草甸地区。计算获得3种生态遥感指数后,分析地表形变与生态遥感指数的相关性,发现针对不同草地类型,其地表形变的主导因子存在差异。高寒草甸的地表形变有可能更多的受限于温度变化,而高寒草原的地表形变则可能更多的由水分条件所影响。以上研究说明青藏高原多年冻土区植被类型条件越好,地表沉降量越小。因此今后的相关研究需要对植被类型条件差的区域增加更多的关注,因为这些地区易发生地表沉降,导致其生态系统稳定性较差。     

Is the Sonoran Desert losing its cool?

Freezing temperatures strongly influence vegetation in the hottest desert of North America, in part determining both its overall boundary and distributions of plant species within. To evaluate recent variability of freezing temperatures in this context, minimum temperature data from weather stations in the Sonoran Desert are examined. Data show widespread warming trends in winter and spring, decreased frequency of freezing temperatures, lengthening of the freeze‐free season, and increased minimum temperatures per winter year. Local land use and multidecadal modes of the global climate system such as the Pacific decadal oscillation and the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation do not appear to be principal drivers of this warming. Minimum temperature variability in the Sonoran Desert does, however, correspond to global temperature variability attributed to human‐dominated global warming. With warming expected to continue at faster rates throughout the 21st century, potential ecological responses may include contraction of the overall boundary of the Sonoran Desert in the south‐east and expansion northward, eastward, and upward in elevation, as well as changes to distributions of plant species within and other characteristics of Sonoran Desert ecosystems. Potential trajectories of vegetation change in the Sonoran Desert region may be affected or made more difficult to predict by uncertain changes in warm season precipitation variability and fire. Opportunities now exist to investigate ecosystem response to regional climate disturbance, as well as to anticipate and plan for continued warming in the Sonoran Desert region.     

三北防护林体系建设工程区森林水源涵养格局变化研究

三北防护林体系水源涵养功能是三北地区生态环境状况的重要指示器,然而,三北防护林体系水源涵养研究仍较缺乏。动态评估三北防护林体系建设工程区(三北工程区)森林水源涵养功能及其影响因素,对科学认识、保护和调控三北防护林体系森林水源涵养,制定三北工程植被建设与保护决策具有重要意义。以三北工程区森林为研究对象,通过收集和分析相关数据,在植被分区的基础上,分析三北工程区森林水源涵养时空格局与变化特征,对比研究各区不同森林类型水源涵养功能差异,揭示各区森林水源涵养功能与地形及森林状况与质量的定量关系。结果表明:(1)三北工程区森林水源涵养功能持续增强,单位面积水源涵养量从1990年的73.92mm增加到2015年的75.14mm,空间格局呈东高西低、南高北低态势。(2)森林水源涵养功能在植被分区和森林类型间差异显著,森林植被区是三北工程区森林水源涵养的主体;针阔混交林是三北工程区水源涵养功能最强的森林类型。(3)三北工程区森林水源涵养受其地形、状况与质量的影响显著,除个别植被区外,各区森林水源涵养量随坡度、覆盖度和NPP增加而增大,随生物量增加而降低,这是区域植被适应及滥砍滥伐、毁林开垦、植被建设与保护等人为干扰共同作用的结果。因此,可通过调整与优化林分结构,调控区域森林水源涵养功能。     

京津冀城市群地区植被覆盖动态变化时空分析

基于MODIS NDVI遥感数据,采用线性回归分析、稳定性分析、重新标度极差分析等数理方法,反演了2005—2015年京津冀地区植被覆盖时空演变趋势和稳定性,并在此基础上对植被未来变化趋势进行评估和预测。结果表明:(1)2005—2015年京津冀地区植被覆盖度呈上升趋势(增长速率0.065/10年),增长过程经历两次飞跃期后,进入平稳波动阶段;(2)京津冀地区植被恢复以显著改善为主(47.45%),不显著变化区域占全区面积的三分之一(33.9%),主要以华北平原为中心展布,退化区域比重为6.8%,零星散布于各大城市周边;(3)京津冀地区植被持续恢复为主,植被覆盖持续改善区域比重超过一半以上(58.8%),反持续性改善比重为34.4%,主要集中在张家口、沧州以及保定东南地区;持续退化比重为4.8%,主要分布在天津、廊坊、沧州一带。研究结果将有助于辨识京津冀城市群地区的植被动态演化和生态网络连通性现状和趋势。     

Decreasing Net Primary Production in forest and shrub vegetation across southwest Australia

Monitoring changes in the terrestrial carbon cycle and vegetation health can only be undertaken over large areas and on a regular basis using ecological indicators derived from satellite-based sensors. Climate conditions in Mediterranean ecosystems have undergone, and are projected to undergo, significant change in the future with marked impacts on forest and shrubland vegetation. In the southwest of Australia (SWAU), endemic tree species have experienced significant declines in health and mortality since the early 1990s primarily due to these climatic changes. In this paper we examine trends in Net Primary Production (NPP) from 2000 to 2011 as an indicator of productivity and health condition of the woody vegetation across the SWAU region. To do so, we examine NPP estimates derived from satellite imagery and climate data to answer the questions: (1) what is the extent and rate of change in NPP for the SWAU region over the study period, and (2) how important is fire as a contributing factor in the observed trends? Our results suggest that, similar to the global trend in Mediterranean ecosystems, between 2000 and 2011, overall NPP declined across the study region, with the majority of declines occurring in the ecological transition zone between trees and shrubs. Twenty-six percent of the 37,042 square kilometre of woody vegetation that showed a declining NPP trend, was affected by fire. The overall rate of NPP decline for the region was estimated to be −0.38 megaton C per year since 2000, indicating a reduction in the capacity of the region to act as a carbon sink. Under climate change projections, the observed decline trends are likely to continue and our results suggest that the carbon storage potential in this region is gradually decreasing following an ecological shift from tall tree-dominated to lower shrub-dominated vegetation.     

Living on the edge – plants and global change in continental and maritime Antarctica

Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems experience some of the most extreme growth conditions on Earth and are characterized by extreme aridity and subzero temperatures. Antarctic vegetation is therefore at the physiological limits of survival and, as a consequence, even slight changes to growth conditions are likely to have a large impact, rendering Antarctic terrestrial communities sensitive to climate change. Climate change is predicted to affect the high‐latitude regions first and most severely. In recent decades, the Antarctic has undergone significant environmental change, including the largest increases in ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B; 290–320 nm) radiation levels in the world and, in the maritime region at least, significant temperature increases. This review describes the current evidence for environmental change in Antarctica, and the impacts of this change on the terrestrial vegetation. This is largely restricted to cryptogams, such as bryophytes, lichens and algae; only two vascular plant species occur in the Antarctic, both restricted to the maritime region. We review the range of ecological and physiological consequences of increasing UV‐B radiation levels, and of changes in temperature, water relations and nutrient availability. It is clear that climate change is already affecting the Antarctic terrestrial vegetation, and significant impacts are likely to continue in the future. We conclude that, in order to gain a better understanding of the complex dynamics of this important system, there is a need for more manipulative, long‐term field experiments designed to address the impacts of changes in multiple abiotic factors on the Antarctic flora.     

黄土高原半干旱区云雾山封禁草原30年植被恢复对气候变化的响应

植被是区域气候与环境的综合反映,研究特定地区草地植被与气候变化的关系,寻找影响植被变化的关键因子,是植被重建和生态环境恢复的前提。利用1957-2008年的气候数据和1982-2008年的植被定位监测资料,分析了黄土高原半干旱区的宁夏云雾山植被动态变化规律及其与温度和降水的关系。结果表明:51a来,该区年平均温度明显升高,而年平均降水量总体呈减少趋势,显示黄土高原地区气候暖干化趋势明显。统计分析表明,研究区年平均温度对植被的重要值年际变化有极显著影响(P0.01),而年降水量与植被的重要值呈极显著正相关(P0.01),表明气候持续干旱化对该区植被的生长有较大影响,该区降水的多寡是直接影响植被生长优劣的决定性因子,改善区域水分状况和封禁是推进植被恢复与重建的主要措施。     

1982-2020年内蒙古地区极端气候变化及其对植被的影响

内蒙古地处生态环境脆弱区,对气候变化尤为敏感。在全球气候变暖背景下,探究极端气候变化及其影响显得尤为重要。基于内蒙古地区115个气象站点1982—2020年的逐日气象数据,从强度、持续时间、频率3个维度出发计算了18个极端气候指数,在综合分析极端气候的时空变化特征的基础上,运用地理探测器和皮尔逊相关分析方法,定量评估极端气候对该区植被的影响。结果表明：(1)极端暖指数均呈增加趋势,说明1982—2020年期间内蒙古地区极端偏暖现象增多。(2)持续干旱日数与持续湿润日数呈减少趋势,说明39年来内蒙古地区连续性无降水天数和降水天数均减少。(3)极端气候指数与归一化植被指数(NDVI)的相关关系表现出明显的空间异质性,表明内蒙古不同区域NDVI对各极端气候指数的响应程度不同。(4)因子探测器结果表明极端降水指数相对于极端气温指数来说,对内蒙古植被生长变化的影响较大。研究结果可为内蒙古地区防灾减灾与生态修复工程提供一定的科学依据。     

1994-2016年和田绿洲植被覆盖时空变化分析

监测植被变化对评价区域生态环境质量及生态过程具有重要意义。基于Landsat数据影像,运用归一化植被指数、像元二分模型、重心迁移模型等方法分析和田绿洲植被覆盖时空变化。结果表明：（1）和田绿洲植被分布总体以玉龙喀什河和喀拉喀什河为轴线,从高到低向外展布,高覆被以大面积片状集中于绿洲中部,低、中覆被相对零散围绕高覆被分布;（2）过去23年,和田绿洲植被覆盖面积和植被覆盖度均呈升高趋势。2016年相比1994年,绿洲植被覆盖面积增加553 km²,增长了19.6%;（3）和田绿洲覆被变化存在阶段性和区域性差异。时段上,2000-2005年覆被面积增加最明显;区域上,西部覆被增加最显著;（4）气候变化对和田绿洲覆被变化存在一定影响,但人类活动影响最直接。其中耕地开垦、作物种植是和田绿洲覆被增加的最主要因素,而城市基建是引起绿洲覆被减少的最主要因素。同时,因农耕区水耗增加挤占天然覆被生态用水,引起天然覆被退化,威胁绿洲未来发展;（5）过去23年,绿洲覆被重心整体西移。     

Variations in satellite-derived phenology in China's temperate vegetation

The relationship between vegetation phenology and climate is a crucial topic in global change research because it indicates dynamic responses of terrestrial ecosystems to climate changes. In this study, we investigate the possible impact of recent climate changes on growing season duration in the temperate vegetation of China, using the advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR)/normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) biweekly time-series data collected from January 1982 to December 1999 and concurrent mean temperature and precipitation data. The results show that over the study period, the growing season duration has lengthened by 1.16 days yr⁻¹ in temperate region of China. The green-up of vegetation has advanced in spring by 0.79 days yr⁻¹ and the dormancy delayed in autumn by 0.37 days yr⁻¹. The dates of onset for phenological events are most significantly related with the mean temperature during the preceding 2–3 months. A warming in the early spring (March to early May) by 1°C could cause an earlier onset of green-up of 7.5 days, whereas the same increase of mean temperature during autumn (mid-August through early October) could lead to a delay of 3.8 days in vegetation dormancy. Variations in precipitation also influenced the duration of growing season, but such influence differed among vegetation types and phenological phases.     

Community‐level changes in Australian subalpine vegetation following invasion by the non‐native shrub Cytisus scoparius

Question: What are the changes associated with the recent invasion by the non‐native legume, Cytisus scoparius? Location: Subalpine vegetation (1500 m a.s.l.) in Australia. Methods: We used multivariate techniques and regression analyses to assess vegetation and environmental changes across six study sites. Vegetation and environmental variables were investigated at three different stages of invasion: (1) recent invasion (8–10 yr), (2) mature invasion (15–16 yr) and (3) long‐term invasion (25 yr). Results: Substantial changes in floristic composition and species richness were evident after 15 yr and these changes became more pronounced after 25 yr. Changes due to invasion were associated with a dramatic loss of native species or a reduction in their abundance. No ‘new species’ were evident under invaded stands. Forbs were most affected by the establishment of C. scoparius, although all growth forms responded negatively. Dense canopy shading and an increasingly dense, homogeneous litter layer in the understorey as a result of C. scoparius were strong environmental drivers of vegetation change. Greenhouse studies confirmed the importance of these processes on the germination and growth of two native species. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential for C. scoparius to alter both vegetation and environmental processes in the subalpine region.     

Vegetation shifts towards wetter site conditions on oceanic ombrotrophic bogs in southwestern Sweden

Question: Is ombrotrophic bog vegetation in an oceanic region of southwestern Sweden changing in the same direction over a five year period (1999 ‐ 2004) as northwest European bogs in the last 50 years, i.e. towards drier and more eutrophic vegetation? Location: The province of Halland, southwestern Sweden. Methods: Changes in species composition were monitored in 750 permanently marked plots in 25 ombrotrophic bogs from 1999 to 2004. Changes in species occurrences and richness were analysed and a multivariate statistical method (DCA) was used to analyse vegetation changes. Results: The species composition changed towards wetter rather than drier conditions, which is unlike the general pattern of vegetation change on bogs in northwestern Europe. Species typical of wetter site conditions including most Sphagnum species increased in abundance on the bogs until 2004. The total number of species per plot increased, mostly due to the increased species richness of Sphagnum species. Nitrogen‐demanding (eutrophic) species increased in occurrence. Conclusions: Ombrotrophic bog vegetation in an oceanic region in Sweden became wetter and was resilient to short‐term climatic shifts, after three years of below normal precipitation followed by several years with normal precipitation levels. Shifts towards more nitrogen demanding species were rapid in this region where the deposition levels have been high for several decades.     

Contracting Tasmanian montane grasslands within a forest matrix is consistent with cessation of Aboriginal fire management

The persistence of treeless grasslands and sedgelands within a matrix of eucalypt and rainforest vegetation in the montane plateaux of northern Tasmania has long puzzled ecologists. Historical sources suggest that Tasmanian Aborigines were burning these treeless patches and models seeking to explain their maintenance generally include fire, soil properties and Aboriginal landscape burning. We aimed to provide a new historical perspective of the dynamics of the vegetation mosaics of Surrey Hills and Paradise Plains in north‐west and north‐east Tasmania, respectively, and used vegetation surveys and soil sampling to explore the role of vegetation and soils in these dynamics. Sequences of historical maps (1832 and 1903) and aerial photography showed that many treeless patches have persisted in the landscape since European settlement and that forests have rapidly expanded into the treeless patches since the early 1950s. Stand structure and floristic data described an expanding forest dominated by Leptospermum, which is consistent with vegetation succession models for the region. Soils under expanding forest boundaries did not have higher soil nitrogen or phosphorus than those under stable boundaries, signalling a lack of edaphic limitation to forest expansion. The magnitude of forest expansion at Paradise Plains (granite), Surrey Hills (basalt) and south‐west Tasmania (quartzite) appears to follow a nutrient availability gradient and this hypothesis is backed by differences in soil phosphorus capital between the three systems. Given that existing vegetation boundaries in northern Tasmania do not coincide with soil nutrient gradients, we suggest that treeless vegetation was maintained by Aboriginal landscape burning and that the recent contraction of treeless vegetation is related to the breakdown of these fire regimes following European settlement. The observed rates of forest expansion could result in a substantial loss of these grasslands if sustained through this century and therefore our work supports the continuation of prescribed burning to maintain this high conservation value ecosystem.     

鹤山马占相思生态系统重建过程中对立地水热因子的调节作用

 分析南亚热带鹤山人工马占相思(Acacia mangium)生态系统水热的连续观测资料,采用时空互代的方法,并与邻近的退化草坡、裸地相比较,得到如下一些主要结果：1) 本区域年内降水分配不均,而热量输入却相对均匀,存在湿季水土流失和干季水分亏匮的可能性。2) 7龄后的马占相思林分反射率明显小于裸地与草坡,为该系统提高生产力和生物量累积提供了前提条件。3) 马占相思生态系统对立地气温、地温的调节集中表现在缩小其变化振幅,使得林地的气温、地温变化有其自身的规律,倾向于有益于生态系统发育方面的变化。4) 干季时     

鹤山马占相思生态系统重建过程中对立地水热因子的调节作用

分析南亚热带鹤山人工马占相思(Acacia mangium)生态系统水热的连续观测资料,采用时空互代的方法,并与邻近的退化草坡、裸地相比较,得到如下一些主要结果：1) 本区域年内降水分配不均,而热量输入却相对均匀,存在湿季水土流失和干季水分亏匮的可能性。2) 7龄后的马占相思林分反射率明显小于裸地与草坡,为该系统提高生产力和生物量累积提供了前提条件。3) 马占相思生态系统对立地气温、地温的调节集中表现在缩小其变化振幅,使得林地的气温、地温变化有其自身的规律,倾向于有益于生态系统发育方面的变化。4) 干季时     

基于地形梯度的黄河流域中段植被覆盖时空分异特征——以延安市为例

植被恢复是黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展的关键,深入研究植被的时空分异特征具有重要的现实意义。本研究以4期Landsat TM/OLI为遥感数据源,采用像元二分模型估算植被覆盖度,运用转移矩阵、地学信息图谱和重心迁移模型分析1988—2018年黄河流域中段延安市植被覆盖的时空演变特征;并结合地形数据,利用地形分布指数分析高程、坡度上植被覆盖的空间响应规律。结果表明: 研究期间,延安市植被覆盖呈北低南高的空间分布特征,植被覆盖受政策影响而大幅增高;1988—2018年,延安市植被变化模式以持续向好和稳定不变为主导,有50%的区域植被覆盖情况改善,83%的高植被覆盖区域保持稳定。在各高程和坡度等级上,高植被覆盖的分布优势度随时间变化而增大;在各坡度等级上,植被增加百分比和植被稳定性随坡度增加而增大。延安不同等级植被覆盖的迁移方向与植被覆盖整体的迁移趋势基本一致,总体向北偏西转移。延安植被建设已取得显著成效,但北部植被覆盖状况仍待提高,优化植被类型和结构是未来植被建设的重要方向。     

青藏高原植被生长季NDVI时空变化与影响因素

青藏高原是中国乃至亚洲的生态屏障,研究其植被对气候变化的响应对区域生态保护具有重要的现实意义。基于MOD09A1数据反演的生长季归一化植被指数(NDVI),分析2001—2018年青藏高原植被生长季NDVI时空特征和变化趋势,结合气象站点数据阐释NDVI与气候因子的关系。结果表明: 研究期间,青藏高原植被生长季NDVI呈缓慢上升趋势,不同气候区生长季NDVI年际变化差异明显,NDVI值波动幅度表现为高原湿润气候区>半湿润气候区>半干旱气候区>干旱气候区。青藏高原湿润气候区、半湿润气候区、干旱气候区、半干旱气候区NDVI显著升高和降低面积占比分别为1.4%和1.9%、4.9%和1.5%、16.4%和0.8%、7.0%和2.0%,干旱和半干旱气候区NDVI升高面积占比明显大于湿润和半湿润气候区。气温是影响湿润气候区和半湿润气候区NDVI变化的主导因子,而在干旱气候区,降水对NDVI的影响明显强于其他气候因子。气温对整个青藏高原植被生长季NDVI的驱动作用强于降水和相对湿度。