Grassland butterfly communities of the Western Siberian forest steppe in the light of post-Soviet land abandonment

Land-use change and homogenization of the landscape are severe threats to butterfly diversity. The break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to land abandonment on very large scales. This study aims at assessing the impact of the ongoing abandonment of traditionally managed grasslands and subsequent vegetation succession on butterflies in Western Siberia, a species-rich area with butterfly communities similar to those of Central and Eastern European grasslands. 20 mown and 20 abandoned grasslands were surveyed using Distance Sampling methods in summer 2015. We recorded 997 individuals from 44 species, pooled over two sampling events. An indicator species analysis and detrended correspondence analysis revealed that communities likely underwent changes in species composition during succession, and that habitat specialization decreased. In contrast to previous studies we found no evidence of early stages of abandonment being more species-rich than mown meadows. On unmanaged grasslands litter cover and litter depth were significantly higher than on mown grasslands. Half of the abandoned sites were riparian meadows. The dynamics and ecological characteristics of the floodplain had a stronger influence on community composition than land use. This study shows that structural heterogeneity and lepidopteran diversity of the vast, but understudied, Western Siberian grasslands are driven by mechanic and natural disturbance. Conservation should aim at responding to trends of abandonment and actively maintaining a mosaic with grasslands of different successional stages.     

Effects of different land use patterns on nifH genetic diversity of soil nitrogen-fixing microbial communities in Leymus Chinensis steppe

Biological nitrogen fixation through prokaryotic microbe is an important source of nitrogen been input into many natural ecosystems. In this study the active diazotrophic community was investigated in the three treatments of mowed, grazed and enclosed Leymus chinensis steppes in Hulunbeier grassland of Inner Mongolia by using approaches of polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR–DGGE) and sequence analysis. The community structure and diversity of the bacterial groups from the different samples was further analyzed by using different techniques, such as statistical analysis and diversity index evaluation of the band patterns etc. The results showed that grazing activity significantly reduced the number of species and quantities of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, as well as the nifH gene diversity. However, enclosed plots had the lowest diversity of nifH gene. While the highest one found in mowing plots. A total of 30 sequences representing 25 different sequence types were recovered from the DGGE gels after phylogenetic constructions. The results also revealed that most sequences were coming from Alphaproteobacteria of Proteobacteria, and characterized by sequences of members of Rhodobacter, Bradyrhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Rhodopseudomonas, Xanthomonas, Azospirillum, Gluconacetobacter, Methylobacterium and Methylocystis. Symbiotic nitrogen-fixers existed in grazing, mowing and enclosed plots accounted for 21.4%, 47.3% and 31.3% respectively in their dominant nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The result of principal components analysis showed that the influence of different land use patterns on nitrogen-fixing microbial communities composition can be ordered as grazing plots > enclosed plots > mowing plots. Nitrogen-fixing microbial communities in L. chinensis steppe were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the levels of nitrate nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus contents and pH value when canonical correspondence analysis was employed to identify relationship between nifH gene and soil physicochemical factors under different land use patterns. The result obtained from correlation analysis showed that there was a significant (P < 0.05) negative relationship between the nitrate nitrogen and the total phosphorus content, furthermore, the available phosphorus content was strongly correlated (P < 0.01) with the pH value.     

Effects of different land use patterns on nifH genetic diversity of soil nitrogen-fixing microbial communities in Leymus Chinensis steppe

Biological nitrogen fixation through prokaryotic microbe is an important source of nitrogen been input into many natural ecosystems. In this study the active diazotrophic community was investigated in the three treatments of mowed, grazed and enclosed Leymus chinensis steppes in Hulunbeier grassland of Inner Mongolia by using approaches of polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR–DGGE) and sequence analysis. The community structure and diversity of the bacterial groups from the different samples was further analyzed by using different techniques, such as statistical analysis and diversity index evaluation of the band patterns etc. The results showed that grazing activity significantly reduced the number of species and quantities of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, as well as the nifH gene diversity. However, enclosed plots had the lowest diversity of nifH gene. While the highest one found in mowing plots. A total of 30 sequences representing 25 different sequence types were recovered from the DGGE gels after phylogenetic constructions. The results also revealed that most sequences were coming from Alphaproteobacteria of Proteobacteria, and characterized by sequences of members of Rhodobacter, Bradyrhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Rhodopseudomonas, Xanthomonas, Azospirillum, Gluconacetobacter, Methylobacterium and Methylocystis. Symbiotic nitrogen-fixers existed in grazing, mowing and enclosed plots accounted for 21.4%, 47.3% and 31.3% respectively in their dominant nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The result of principal components analysis showed that the influence of different land use patterns on nitrogen-fixing microbial communities composition can be ordered as grazing plots > enclosed plots > mowing plots. Nitrogen-fixing microbial communities in L. chinensis steppe were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the levels of nitrate nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus contents and pH value when canonical correspondence analysis was employed to identify relationship between nifH gene and soil physicochemical factors under different land use patterns. The result obtained from correlation analysis showed that there was a significant (P < 0.05) negative relationship between the nitrate nitrogen and the total phosphorus content, furthermore, the available phosphorus content was strongly correlated (P < 0.01) with the pH value.     

内蒙古贝加尔针茅草原不同利用方式土壤微生物功能多样性

基于Biolog-ECO技术,研究了贝加尔针茅草原在自由放牧、刈割和围封3种不同利用方式下土壤微生物群落功能多样性变化。结果表明:不同的利用方式能显著改变土壤微生物群落代谢活性,反映微生物活性的平均颜色变化率表现为围封>自由放牧>刈割,围封时土壤微生物群落代谢活性最高;不同的利用方式改变了土壤微生物群落多样性指数,自由放牧土壤微生物群落丰富度指数、均匀度指数和优势度指数均最高,围封次之,刈割最低。主成分分析结果表明:在自由放牧和刈割2种利用方式下土壤微生物群落碳源利用模式及代谢功能相似,而围封土壤微生物群落具有不同的碳源利用模式和代谢功能;糖类、氨基酸类和代谢中间产物及次生代谢物为土壤微生物利用的主要碳源。不同的利用方式改变了贝加尔针茅草原土壤微生物群落功能多样性。     

不同森林恢复类型对土壤微生物群落的影响

为了评价不同森林恢复类型与方式对南方红壤丘陵区退化生态系统土壤微生物群落的影响,借助氯仿熏蒸法、平板涂抹法和BIOLOG检测法,比较研究了4种森林恢复类型土壤微生物的群落特征．结果表明,4种森林恢复类型土壤微生物生物量碳、细菌数量差异显著,2项指标均以天然次生林土壤最高,人工林次之,荒地最差;碳源平均颜色变化率(AWCD法)和微生物代谢多样性指数(丰富度和多样性)在5种植被类型的土壤中也有明显差异,其趋势与微生物量碳、细菌数量基本相同;天然次生林土壤微生物群落利用碳源的整体能力和功能多样性比人工林和荒地强．相关分析表明,0～20和20～40cm土壤微生物的代谢多样性与根系生物量紧密相关(r=0．933,P<0．05;r=0．925,P<0．05)．自然恢复更有利于改善土壤微生物的结构和功能．     

不同利用方式下典型草原植物群落物种多度分布格局

物种多度格局是群落结构的重要反映,它描述了群落内不同物种个体数量的分布情况,能更好的体现出物种关系和作用机制。根据物种的多度格局追溯物种的作用机制过程是揭示群落本质的重要方式。试验以内蒙古典型草原为研究对象,采用生态位重叠模型(ONM)、生态位优先占领模型(NPM)、断棍模型(BSM)、优势优先模型(DPM)和随机分配模型(RAM)共5种生态位模型与群落植物物种进行拟合,按照拟合程度分析放牧、割草两种利用方式下植物群落物种多度分布格局。旨在探究不同利用方式下物种之间的多度关系,利用具有不同生态学意义的数学模型探讨各个利用方式下植物群落的真实分布,以达到运用模型研究群落结构的目的,进而揭示不同利用方式下典型草原群落结构变化,为草地合理利用提供依据。结果表明:刈割区、放牧区和围封区的物种数分别为33种、16种和29种,相较于围封对照区,刈割区的物种数增加了12%,而放牧区的物种数减少了44.8%。群落优势种大针茅、糙隐子草、知母、羊草和黄囊薹草在刈割区、放牧区及对照区的出现频度分别占整个群落物种总频度的88.33%、81.47%和75.6%。放牧、割草利用下最优拟合模型分别为随机分配模型RAM(χ~2=92.99,AIC=168.86,BIC=171.18)和生态位优先占领模型NPM(χ~2=22.29,AIC=246.17,BIC=250.27),而对照所表现的最优拟合模型也为生态位优先占领模型NPM(χ~2=90.51,AIC=321.32,BIC=325.81);生态位优先占领模型NPM对放牧利用下的拟合效果也较好,随机分配模型RAM对于割草和围封两种利用方式的吻合度较差。     

中国土地利用格局及其影响因子分析

在遥感技术与 GIS技术的支持下 ,对中国土地利用空间格局及其影响因子进行了分析。首先通过 1∶1 0万中国土地利用数据库经过分层提取 ,生成中国土地利用类型空间分布格局数据库 ,在此基础上对中国土地利用空间格局进行了分析 ;而后在引入景观多样性指数、优势度指数、均匀度指数、破碎度指数的基础上 ,对中国土地利用景观格局进行了定量分析。研究结果表明 :中国土地利用景观多样性指数、优势度指数、均匀度指数、破碎度指数空间分布上具有明显的规律性 :随着人类活动的逐渐增强 ,景观的多样性指数逐渐增加 ,优势度指数逐渐减少 ,破碎度指数逐渐增加 ;而当人类已经彻底改变自然景观 ,多样性指数则逐渐减少 ,优势度指数增加 ,而破碎度指数逐渐减少。同时 ,针对中国土地利用景观格局及其生态背景的特点 ,选择北纬 40°、2 8°和 2 4°三条样带 ,东经 1 0 8°和 1 1 4°两条样带 ,对中国土地利用格局的影响因子进行了分析。     

三种利用方式对羊草草原土壤氨氧化细菌群落结构的影响

本文以内蒙古呼伦贝尔羊草草原为研究对象,利用聚合酶链式反应－变性梯度凝胶电泳(PCR－DGGE)技术及扩增产物序列分析方法比较研究了刈割、放牧和围栏封育三种利用方式对羊草草原土壤氨氧化细菌多样性和系统发育的影响,结果表明：羊草草原土壤中氨氧化细菌的优势类群为亚硝化螺旋菌属和亚硝化单孢菌属的细菌,分别占氨氧化细菌总数的72.4%和28.6%,Cluster 4和Cluster 6在各个样地中均为优势类群但所占比例不同,放牧样地中氨氧化细菌的多样性最高,逐步回归分析的结果表明,影响多样性指数的关键理化因子是土壤硝态氮含量。放牧样地中脲酶活性和硝化率都显著高于其他两种利用方式,其中,脲酶活性与土壤硝态氮和全磷含量表现出极显著的相关性,与速效磷含量表现出显著相关性;而硝化率仅与硝态氮含量表现出显著相关性。不同利用方式土壤氨氧化细菌群落与土壤理化因子的典范对应分析结果表明铵态氮的含量对氨氧化细菌群落的影响显著。     

Specific features of algal communities in forest litter of forest biogeocenoses of the steppe zone

We have studied the specific features of the composition of algal groups in forest litters of natural and manmade forest biogeocenoses in the steppe zone. The strongest resemblance is seen between algal groups formed in forest litters with identical compositions of plant debris (leaf or needle). The dominants and the structure of algal groups vary with respect to the season and subhorizon of forest litter, which points to the specificity of the latter as algal habitat. It is characterized by high variability of the thickness and physicochemical properties as a result of biotic and abiotic destruction of plant remains. The needle litter is predominated by Chlorophyta and Xanthophyta (with respect to the species number and abundance) upon the considerable participation of Cyanoprokaryota. When the needle litter is enriched with leaf debris, the species diversity of Cyanoprokaryota increases. The biological diversity of algae in the forest litter is high, and they may play a significant role in the formation of algal communities in soil horizons.     

Spatial patterns on the sagebrush steppe/Western juniper ecotone

Analysis of the spatial patterns of woody plants is important to better understand the ecological processes that govern the worldwide expansion of woody plants across semi-arid ecosystems. Second-order characteristics of a marked spatial point pattern of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis subsp. occidentalis) were analyzed using Ripley’s K-functions and the pair-correlation function g. The marked point process of crown diameters was produced via two-dimensional wavelet analysis of a fine scale aerial photograph at the woodland-steppe ecotone in the Reynolds Creek watershed in the Owyhee Mountains, southwestern Idaho. Colonization of J. occidentalis stems from mature juniper trees growing in rocky, fire resistant areas. Although these areas introduce components of natural heterogeneity within the landscape, the selected study area is situated within a single soil type, and we modeled the expansion of juniper plants into previously juniper-free sagebrush steppe as a homogeneous point process with constant intensity. Through this research we have identified two statistically significant spatial scales characteristic of J. occidentalis on the woodland/steppe ecotone: (1) We observed inhibition between J. occidentalis plants at distances <15 m, resulting in a regular pattern, rather than clumped or random. This short-distance inhibition can be attributed to competition for water and other resources. Recruitment of young J. occidentalis occurs significantly more often in a direction away from older plants, maximizing the utilization of water and light resources, and perpetuating the spread of the species into previously juniper-free shrub-steppe. (2) J. occidentalis on the ecotone exhibits significant clustering within a 30–60 m radius. Bivariate point pattern analyses provide evidence that, within a distance of 50–70 m, there is a spatial dependence in tree size such that medium trees are more likely than small trees to be close to large trees. We attribute these phenomena to the fact that juniper seeds are commonly dispersed by berry-eating birds with small territories (0.3–1 ha). Beyond a distance of 50–70 m, juniper plants are randomly distributed, suggesting that additional long-range seed dispersal processes are at work. We further acknowledge the importance of including a reference to spatial scale when formulating hypotheses in statistical analysis of spatio-temporal point patterns.     

Higher climate warming sensitivity of Siberian larch in small than large forest islands in the fragmented Mongolian forest steppe

Forest fragmentation has been found to affect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in multiple ways. We asked whether forest size and isolation in fragmented woodlands influences the climate warming sensitivity of tree growth in the southern boreal forest of the Mongolian Larix sibirica forest steppe, a naturally fragmented woodland embedded in grassland, which is highly affected by warming, drought, and increasing anthropogenic forest destruction in recent time. We examined the influence of stand size and stand isolation on the growth performance of larch in forests of four different size classes located in a woodland‐dominated forest‐steppe area and small forest patches in a grassland‐dominated area. We found increasing climate sensitivity and decreasing first‐order autocorrelation of annual stemwood increment with decreasing stand size. Stemwood increment increased with previous year's June and August precipitation in the three smallest forest size classes, but not in the largest forests. In the grassland‐dominated area, the tree growth dependence on summer rainfall was highest. Missing ring frequency has strongly increased since the 1970s in small, but not in large forests. In the grassland‐dominated area, the increase was much greater than in the forest‐dominated landscape. Forest regeneration decreased with decreasing stand size and was scarce or absent in the smallest forests. Our results suggest that the larch trees in small and isolated forest patches are far more susceptible to climate warming than in large continuous forests pointing to a grim future for the forests in this strongly warming region of the boreal forest that is also under high land use pressure.     

云南省把边江流域不同土地利用方式对大型底栖动物群落的影响

研究土地利用对大型底栖动物群落的影响,对流域土地利用规划修编和河流生态修复等有重要意义。以红河上游的把边江流域为研究区,调查大型底栖动物群落现状,计算37个样点上游集水区土地利用组分、配置、多样性和水文距离4个方面20个土地利用指标,分析不同土地利用方式对大型底栖动物群落的影响。本次调查共鉴定出25个大型底栖动物分类单元,其中水生昆虫最多,占分类单元总数的72%;摄食功能群以捕食者（PR）、刮食者（SC）和直接收集者（GC）为主。把边江流域城镇用地和林地对大型底栖动物群落的影响占主导地位,而耕地对大型底栖动物群落的影响较小。影响把边江流域大型底栖动物群落的关键土地利用指标为城镇用地面积比（3PLA）、城镇用地最大斑块指数（3LPI）、城镇用地聚合指数（3AI）、城镇用地水流长度（3FLOW）、林地最大斑块指数（1LPI）和林地形状指数（1LSI）。土地利用组分、配置和水文距离是影响把边江流域大型底栖动物群落的主要方面,而土地利用多样性对大型底栖动物群落的影响较小。大型底栖动物物种密度和物种多样性与3PLA、3LPI、3AI、3FLOW和1LSI呈负相关,与1LPI呈正相关。1LPI与浮游目（如小蜉科、扁蜉科）为代表的清洁物种呈现较明显的正相关关系。城镇用地指标与SC和SH（撕食者）密度具有显著的负相关关系,与GC密度有较弱的正相关关系,而与其他功能群没有明显的相关关系。SC和SH对水质和环境条件敏感,而GC对人类干扰耐受性较强。1LPI与SC和FC（滤食收集者密度）正相关,而与PR和GC密度负相关。SC和FC对生境的完整性要求较高,而GC和PR对人为干扰和较为破碎的生境更为适应。一方面,随着城镇用地的规模、边界复杂性和聚集程度增加,研究区大型底栖动物密度和多样性降低;另一方面,随着林地完整性降低,大型底栖动物物种均匀度降低。土地利用与大型底栖动物物种多样性和功能群多样性的关系不完全一致,1LSI和3FLOW与物种多样性负相关,而与功能群多样性呈正相关关系,土地利用对物种-功能群-群落不同尺度上的影响差异还需要更深入的研究。     

Ecological characteristics of bracket fungi in the forest steppe of Western Siberia

Bracket fungi (Polypores) of the forest steppe in Western Siberia were studied and their ecological characteristics were determined. The xylobiotic complex is presented with 128 species of bracket fungi; 120 species develop on the main forest-forming woody plants. The distribution of bracket fungi species on plant species forming the substrate was studied and peculiarities of species distribution, their ratio on live trees and on dead wood, and the distribution of species in topic niches were analyzed.     

Gone with the forest: Assessing global woodpecker conservation from land use patterns

Aim

As a result of their ecological traits, woodpeckers (Picidae, Aves) are highly sensitive to forest cover change. We explored the current land cover in areas of high species richness of woodpeckers to determinate regions where urgent conservation actions are needed. In addition, we identified woodpecker species that are sensitive to forest loss and that have high levels of human habitat modification and low levels of protection (through protected areas) in their distribution ranges.

Location

Global.

Methods

We joined available range maps for all extant 254 woodpecker species with information of their conservation status and tolerances to human habitat modifications and generated a richness map of woodpecker species worldwide. Then, we associated this information (the richness pattern and individual species’ maps) with land cover and protected areas (PAs) maps.

Result

We found that the foremost woodpecker species richness hotspot is in Southeast Asia and is highly modified. At the second species richness hotspot in the eastern Andes, we observed a front of deforestation at its southern extreme and a greater deforested area in its northern extreme but most of its area remains with forest coverage. At the species level, 17 species that are sensitive to forest modification experience extensive deforestation and have low extents of PAs in their ranges.

Main conclusions

The most diverse woodpecker hotspots are mostly occupied by human‐modified landscapes, and a large portion of the species there avoids anthropogenic environments. The level of representation of woodpecker species in PAs is low as a global general pattern, although slightly better in Asia. Our global analysis of threats to woodpecker from land use patterns reiterates the urgent conservation needs for Southeast Asian forests. Finally, based on our results, we recommend a re‐evaluation for inclusion in the Red List of five woodpecker species.

     

Effects of land use history on hurricane damage and recovery in a neotropical forest

Prior land-use history might influence damage and recovery of plant communities from natural disturbance. We examined effects of previous agricultural land use on damage and recovery of plant communities affected by Hurricane Georges. The study was conducted in the karst region of Los Haitises National Park, Dominican Republic. We compared pre- and post-hurricane stem density, basal area and diversity of woody vegetation in sites within the park that had been subject to different land use histories. The type of land uses included a wide range of histories, ranging from abandoned pastures and conucos (mixed plantings) to cacao plantations, intact forests and mogotes (hilltop communities) with no recent history of land use. Previous land use and the amount of basal area present prior to the hurricane determined effects of, and recovery from hurricane disturbance. Systems with high pre-hurricane basal area lost many large trees, whereas the basal area hardly changed in systems without large trees. Thus, basal area decreased at forested sites, mogotes, and cacao plantations and remained comparable to pre-hurricane figures in all other land uses. Shifts in species diversity paralleled to some degree reductions in basal area. Species diversity increased in mogotes and cacao plantations, perhaps as a result of hurricane damage to the forest canopy, which facilitated regeneration of heliophilic species. Finally, regeneration of cacao seedlings in former cacao plantations, and growth of pioneer species in young conucos (mixed plantings) more than doubled post-hurricane stem densities for these two types of land use. Previous agricultural land use left a lasting impression on the structure and composition on plant communities, which persisted even after hurricane damage. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Temporal patch occupancy dynamics of the Siberian flying squirrel in a boreal forest landscape

Ability to predict species distribution in a landscape is of crucial importance for natural resource management and species conservation. Therefore, the understanding of species habitat requirements and spatio-temporal dynamics in occurrence is needed. We examined patch occupancy patterns of the Siberian flying squirrel Pteromys volans in northern Finland across a seven year study period. Forest patches dominated by mature spruce ( Picea abies ) in a study area (375 km²) were surveyed to monitor the presence or absence of the flying squirrel. The patch occupancy pattern was dynamic: about half of the habitat patches were occupied at least once during the study period and more patches were colonised than were abandoned. Patches that were continuously occupied (i.e. occupied during all sample periods) were typically of high quality (based on habitat and landscape characteristics), continuously unoccupied patches were usually of low quality, and intermediate quality patches were occupied intermittently. The variables explaining patch occupancy were similar each year, and a statistical model based on data from the year 2000 also predicted occupancy in 2004 with similar accuracy. However, data from a single survey were inadequate for identifying patches used intermittently by flying squirrels. Despite inconsistent occupancy, these patches may be important for the local persistence of flying squirrels. The dynamic occupancy pattern may thus affect estimates of suitable habitat area and identification of functional patch networks for landscape planning. These results emphasise the need for follow-up studies to better understand population patterns and processes in time.     

Recruitment limitation of forest communities in a degraded Mediterranean landscape

Question: How does habitat degradation affect recruitment limitation and its components (seed limitation versus establishment limitation) of woody plant communities in a Mediterranean landscape? Location: 1600‐1900 m a.s.l. in the Sierra Nevada National Park, southern Spain. The landscape is a mosaic composed of native forest and two degraded landscape units: reforestation stands and shrubland. Methods: We evaluated fruit production, seed rain, seedling emergence and seedling survival in two consecutive years with contrasting rainfall patterns. Seed and seedling data were used to calculate values of seed and establishment limitation. Results: In general, the woody community was both severely seed‐ and establishment‐limited. Species were less seed‐limited in the landscape units with higher adult density (i.e. shrub species in shrubland, Pinus spp. in reforestation stands). In contrast, degradation did not exacerbate establishment limitation, which was severe in all landscape units. This general pattern was modulated by the biogeographical distribution, dispersal type, and life form of the species. Boreo‐alpine species were more limited in establishment than species with a typical Mediterranean distribution. Zoochorous species were less seed‐limited in the landscape units preferred by dispersers (i.e. native forest). Tree species were more establishment‐limited than shrub species, irrespective of the landscape unit. Seed limitation, and especially establishment limitation, varied among years, with establishment being almost nil in the very dry year. Conclusion: In the case of Mediterranean landscapes, when degradation from human impact involves a reduction in the adult abundance of the woody plant community (trees and shrubs), seed limitation increases, although establishment limitation is generally high in all landscape units, especially for boreo‐alpine species. Conservation and restoration strategies should take into account our results showing that tree species were unable to recruit in an extremely dry year, because more aridity is expected under a climatic change scenario in Mediterranean ecosystems.     

Comparison of land use/land cover change and landscape patterns in Honghe National Nature Reserve and the surrounding Jiansanjiang Region,China

Land use and land cover change (LUCC) determines landscape patterns and affects the ability of ecosystems to provide the services and biodiversity on which humans ultimately depend. The Honghe National Nature Reserve is a biodiversity-rich area in the Jiansanjiang region of northeast China. In this study, the LUCC and landscape patterns were compared between the reserve and the Jiansanjiang region. With remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) procedures, satellite images from 1989, 2001 and 2010 were used to calculate dynamics of LUCC amplitudes, landscape pattern index, transition matrix. The influence of LUCC on the wetland landscape of the nature reserve was discussed in the context of broader LUCC analyses. The results showed that land uses in the studied regions changed remarkedly over the time period; swamp area declined significantly as arable land increased. The ecological landscape index showed that distinct landscape patches were small, scattered and highly fragmented, moving toward a more monotonous landscape. Anthropogenic activities such as farming directly decreased the wetland landscape diversity. Furthermore, anthropogenic factors diminished wetland areas indirectly through climatic factors, namely air temperature and precipitation levels. National and regional policies on agriculture and water use have been highly influential, and the Honghe National Nature Reserve is highly susceptible to land use changes in the surrounding Jiansanjiang region.