Modern pollen samples from alpine vegetation on the Tibetan Plateau

• 1 A set of 316 modern surface pollen samples, sampling all the alpine vegetation types that occur on the Tibetan Plateau, has been compiled and analysed. Between 82 and 92% of the pollen present in these samples is derived from only 28 major taxa. These 28 taxa include examples of both tree (AP) and herb (NAP) pollen types.
• 2 Most of the modern surface pollen samples accurately reflect the composition of the modern vegetation in the sampling region. However, airborne dust‐trap pollen samples do not provide a reliable assessment of the modern vegetation. Dust‐trap samples contain much higher percentages of tree pollen than non‐dust‐trap samples, and many of the taxa present are exotic. In the extremely windy environments of the Tibetan Plateau, contamination of dust‐trap samples by long‐distance transport of exotic pollen is a serious problem.
• 3 The most characteristic vegetation types present on the Tibetan Plateau are alpine meadows, steppe and desert. Non‐arboreal pollen (NAP) therefore dominates the pollen samples in most regions. Percentages of arboreal pollen (AP) are high in samples from the southern and eastern Tibetan Plateau, where alpine forests are an important component of the vegetation. The relative importance of forest and non‐forest vegetation across the Plateau clearly follows climatic gradients: forests occur on the southern and eastern margins of the Plateau, supported by the penetration of moisture‐bearing airmasses associated with the Indian and Pacific summer monsoons; open, treeless vegetation is dominant in the interior and northern margins of the Plateau, far from these moisture sources.
• 4 The different types of non‐forest vegetation are characterized by different modern pollen assemblages. Thus, alpine deserts are characterized by high percentages of Chenopodiaceae and Artemisia, with Ephedra and Nitraria. Alpine meadows are characterized by high percentages of Cyperaceae and Artemisia, with Ranunculaceae and Polygonaceae. Alpine steppe is characterized by high abundances of Artemisia, with Compositae, Cruciferae and Chenopodiaceae. Although Artemisia is a common component of all non‐forest vegetation types on the Tibetan Plateau, the presence of other taxa makes it possible to discriminate between the different vegetation types.
• 5 The good agreement between modern vegetation and modern surface pollen samples across the Tibetan Plateau provides a measure of the reliability of using pollen data to reconstruct past vegetation patterns in non‐forested areas.

     

Reliability of pollen ratios for environmental reconstructions on the Tibetan Plateau

Aim Pollen ratios are widely used to gain palaeovegetation and palaeoclimatic information from fossil pollen spectra, although their applicability has seldom been tested with modern pollen data. I used a data set of 113 lake‐surface sediments from the eastern Tibetan Plateau to test the reliability of several pollen ratios. Location The lake‐surface pollen spectra cover a wide range of vegetation types (temperate desert, temperate steppe, alpine desert, alpine steppe, high‐alpine meadow, sub‐alpine shrub, coniferous and mixed forest) and climatic conditions (mean July temperature, T_July: 4.0–17.4°C; mean annual precipitation, P_ann: 104–670 mm). Methods Lake‐surface sediments were analysed palynologically, and several pollen ratios were calculated. These ratios were interpreted with respect to vegetation and climatic conditions. Results The arboreal pollen sum (AP) was highest in samples from forested areas and was significantly correlated with P_ann (r² = 0.44). In non‐forested areas, samples from large lakes and from lakes surrounded by sparse vegetation had increased AP values, suggesting that AP is a useful vegetation density indicator. Artemisia/Chenopodiaceae (A/C) ratios were lowest in desert areas and were positively correlated with P_ann (r² = 0.25). The aridity pollen index was inappropriate for inferring (palaeo‐)climatic information from samples on the eastern Tibetan Plateau as it had no significant correlation with the environmental factors. Artemisia/Cyperaceae (A/Cy) ratios had a significant correlation with T_July (r² = 0.23), but only a weak correlation with P_ann, which indicates that the A/Cy ratio is applicable as a temperature indicator. Furthermore, it is a valuable tool for the differentiation of high‐alpine meadow from steppe vegetation. Main conclusions AP sum, A/C ratio and A/Cy ratio are useful tools for qualitative and semi‐quantitative palaeoenvironmental reconstruction on the Tibetan Plateau; however, the results obtained should not be interpreted quantitatively.     

A 2700-year high resolution pollen record of climate change from varved Sugan Lake in the Qaidam Basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau

A 2700-year high resolution pollen record from annually-varved Sugan Lake in the Qaidam Basin at 2793 m a.s.l was obtained to examine vegetation and climatic change on the NE Tibetan Plateau. Pollen data shows that Sugan Basin was constantly covered by open desert-steppe vegetation dominated by Chenopodiaceae, Artemisia, Poaceae and Ephedra. However, large variations in Artemisia/Chenopodiaceae (A/C) ratios suggest regional moisture fluctuations over the last 2700 years, including a dry and relatively stable climate prior to 300 AD, relatively wet climate from 300 to 1200 AD with variability during 1100-1200 AD, and unstable climate since 1200 AD with relatively moister climate during 1250-1400 AD and 1700-1800 AD. However, other proxies (varve thickness, Chironomid taxa, isotopes of oxygen in precipitated carbonate) show fresher water when regional moisture was lower inferred from A/C ratio. This inconsistency suggests the possible difference of in-lake lithology/environment and regional moisture change. Fresh water into the lake from ice melting on the surrounding mountains might have contributed to the in-lake lithology and environment variation. The effective moisture changes in the Basin are in opposite phases to snow accumulation records from Dunde ice core (5325 m a.s.l) and to the monsoon intensity inferred from Dongge Cave, suggesting that the regional topography might have played an important role in mediating moisture changes at regional scale. Pollen data from Sugan Lake shows the shift of moisture at 1200 AD, from stable to variable conditions. This event is well correlated with other paleoclimate proxies in China and other parts of the world; however, the mechanisms behind these patterns require further investigation.     

青藏高原植被退化对高原及周边地区大气环流的影响

利用耦合了陆面模式的大气环流模式,结合青藏高原植被退化的范围和程度,通过在模式中修改高原地区(27°—40°N,75°—100°E)的叶面积指数的方法,探讨了植被退化以后对高原及其附近地区上空大气环流的影响。结果表明,该模式对高原地表温度场具有很强的模拟能力,并且能够很好地模拟出青藏高原及附近地区夏季位势高度场的平均特征及南亚高压的位置和强度,但南亚高压中心强度偏大且略微西退。在青藏高原植被出现退化以后,高原整体地表土壤温度和地表2 m空气温度升高,感热通量增加、潜热通量减小,进而改变了高原地区的波文比。地表感热增加导致高原及附近地区500 h Pa高度场降低和200 h Pa高度场升高,并在200 h Pa上存在强大的反气旋性环流异常,导致南亚高压增强和北扩东伸。植被退化造成的青藏高原感热增加导致了高原南部上升运动增强和北部上升运动减弱,同时又引起高原以北地区下沉气流的影响范围扩大,而下沉气流的强度减弱,其结果有助于高原以北的干旱范围扩大,而干旱程度却得到缓解。     

立地尺度植被重建模型MARCO POLO的应用分析——以柴达木盆地为例

立地尺度植被定量重建是对利用孢粉进行古气候和古环境研究的一个重要补充。一些新的定量重建模型相继提出,但其适用性仍需进一步验证。以柴达木盆地24个样方表土孢粉及4个湖泊表层沉积孢粉为研究对象,利用MARCO POLO模型重建立地尺度植被盖度并分析该模型的适用性。研究结果表明,由于地形开阔且风力较大,干旱区的大型湖泊沉积物中往往容易富集超代表性孢粉,使这些孢粉的区域信号增强,从而降低孢粉类型筛选的正确率。若湖泊与样方间的距离较近,湖泊表层孢粉能够更好地反映样方所在区域的孢粉特征,则有利于提高孢粉类型筛选的正确率。MARCO POLO模型中的孢粉代表性R值是将孢粉含量转化为植被盖度的关键参数。由于受到孢粉自身生产、传播、保存以及外部环境等多方面因素的影响,不同样方的R值可能差异很大。因此在运行该模型前需保证R值能够准确反映立地尺度中各孢粉类型与植被盖度的关系。仅在以柴达木盆地为代表的干旱区对该模型进行检验,今后仍需要在不同植被或气候区进行深入研究以全面了解该模型的适用条件。     

Reassessment of Holocene vegetation change on the upper Tibetan Plateau using the pollen-based REVEALS model

Previous studies based on fossil pollen data have reported significant changes in vegetation on the alpine Tibetan Plateau during the Holocene. However, since the relative proportions of fossil pollen taxa are largely influenced by individual pollen productivities and the dispersal characteristics, such inferences on vegetation have the potential to be considerably biased. We therefore examined the modern pollen–vegetation relationships for four common pollen species on the Tibetan Plateau, using Extended R-value (ERV) models. Assuming an average radius of 100 m for the sampled lakes, we estimated the relevant source area of pollen (RSAP) to be 2200 m (which represents the distance from the lake). Using Poaceae as the reference taxa (Pollen Productivity Estimate, PPE = 1), ERV Submodel 2 derived relative high PPEs for the steppe and desert taxa: 2.079 ± 0.432 for Artemisia and 5.379 ± 1.077 for Chenopodiaceae. Low PPEs were estimated for the Cyperaceae (1.036 ± 0.012), whose plants are characteristic of the alpine Kobresia meadows. Applying these PPEs to four fossil pollen sequences since the Late Glacial, the plant abundances on the central and north-eastern Tibetan Plateau were quantified using the “Regional Estimates of Vegetation Abundance from Large Sites” (REVEALS) model. The proportions of Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae were greatly reduced compared to their original pollen percentages in the reconstructed vegetation, owing to their high productivities and their dispersal characteristics, while Cyperaceae showed a relative increase in the vegetation reconstruction. The reconstructed vegetation assemblages of the four pollen sequence sites always yielded smaller compositional species turnovers than suggested by the pollen spectra, as revealed by Detrended Canonical Correspondence Analyses (DCCA) of the Holocene sections. The strength of the previously reported vegetation changes may therefore have been overestimated, which indicates the importance of taking into account pollen–vegetation relationships when discussing the potential drivers (such as climate, land use, atmospheric CO₂ concentrations) and implications (such as for land surface–climate feedbacks, carbon storage, and biodiversity) of vegetation change.     

The elevation history of the Tibetan Plateau and its implications for the Asian monsoon

The determination of the evolving palaeoaltitude of the Tibetan Plateau since the India-Eurasia collision underpins our understanding of how orography in central Asia affects the intensity of the monsoon and hence global climate change. Palaeoaltitudes, however, cannot be measured directly and need to be inferred from proxy observations that are usually model-dependent. Differing tectonic models for the behaviour of the lithosphere during continental collision have contrasting implications for the elevation of the plateau. However, two techniques recently employed for determining palaeo-elevation are independent of tectonic models, the first involving the variation with altitude of oxygen isotopes in precipitation and the second involving the change of leaf morphology with moist static energy of the atmosphere.Elevation studies have focused on southern Tibet, largely due to the relative ease of access to the region. There is a remarkable unanimity amongst the diverse techniques applied that the altitude of the southern plateau has not significantly changed since at least the mid Miocene (ca. 15 Ma) arguing for an onset of the monsoon system during or before the early Miocene. A range of tectonic studies suggest that the northern and eastern parts of the plateau are younger geomorphological features, but there are few quantitative constraints of the timing of elevation from these regions of Tibet. Since both the elevation and the surface area of the plateau impact on atmospheric circulation, palaeoaltitude studies need to be extended to chart the increasing areas of elevated land surface through time.     

Modern pollen/vegetation/land-use relationships in mountain environments: an example from the Champsaur valley (French Alps)

This study aims at elucidating modern pollen spectra/environmental data relationships from both natural and human-induced vegetation types as an aid for palaeo-ecological reconstructions. A set of 51 surface moss polsters was sampled from different vegetation and land-use types in the Champsaur area (French Alps) and analysed to obtain modern pollen analogues of ancient cultural landscapes in mountain ecosystems. Samples were selected from grazed areas, mown meadows, cultivated fields, fallow land and deciduous and coniferous forests. Vegetation composition around the sampling points and seventeen types of environmental variables (e.g., management type, soil and topography) were collected all for these 51 sites. Patterns of modern local pollen variation in relation to the environmental variables were explored by means of canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and associated statistical tests. This correlative model allows us to determine the major explanatory variables and to identify taxa indicative of particular anthropogenic activities, and thus may help to calibrate fossil pollen assemblages.The indicator pollen types are evaluated in the light of comparable material from lowland and mid-elevation areas of western Europe. The results of the French data-set confirm some of the conclusions drawn from the North European data-sets, but also show some site specific features. Pollen markers with a broader global significance common to other regions include Rhinanthus type, Apiaceae and Dipsacaceae for mown meadows, Urtica type, Plantago media/major, Trifolium type and Potentilla type for grazed areas, and Cerealia type, Centaurea cyanus, and Polygonum aviculare for cultivated fields. New pollen anthropogenic indicators typical of our study area are Sanguisorba officinalis, Vicia type (mowing), Lotus type, Onobrychis type, Centaurea nigra type, Serratula type (grazing), Sinapis type and Papaver rhoeas (cultivation). This study provides potentially valuable analogues for human-induced vegetation types, and it may then become possible to interpret more objectively local pollen diagrams from Alpine mountain environments in terms of past cultural landscape development.     

Modern surface pollen assemblages from the Middle and High Atlas,Morocco: insights into pollen representation and transport

Thirty-three modern surface samples were collected in the environmentally and climatologically contrasting regions of the Middle and High Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Samples representing forest and steppe montane environments (1935–2760 m above sea level) are clustered around study sites at Lake Tislit (High Atlas, semi-arid oro-Mediterranean bioclime) and Lake Sidi Ali and Michliffen (Middle Atlas, sub-humid montane Mediterranean bioclime). Good discrimination between regional pollen spectra is evident, with Middle Atlas samples reflecting higher arboreal cover (Cedrus and evergreen Quercus) and High Atlas samples with high abundances of non-arboreal taxa, including Artemisia and Fabaceae. These four taxa (Cedrus, evergreen Quercus, Artemisia and Fabaceae) are furthermore shown to be reliable indicators of local source vegetation within a 100 m² quadrat, taking into account threshold abundances of 7%, 20%, 4% and 10%, respectively. Deciduous Quercus, Olea and Phillyrea show long-distance pollen dispersal across both regions, contributing to non-trivial arboreal pollen (AP) values of up to 35% (typically 20–30%) in the High Atlas spectra. In the Middle Atlas, AP values of 40 to 50% occur in open sampling locations and > 60% under forest canopy cover. These insights should be taken into account when interpreting ancient pollen spectra from regional lakes and bogs for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.     

Holocene vegetation history of the Sahel: pollen, sedimentological and geochemical data from Jikariya Lake, north-eastern Nigeria

Aim This study aims to separate regional and local controls on Holocene vegetation development and examine how well pollen records reflect climate change in a semi‐arid region. The relative importance of climate and human activity as agents of vegetation change in the Sahel during the late Holocene is also considered. Location Jikariya Lake, an inter‐dune depression in the Manga Grasslands of north‐eastern Nigeria. Methods Pollen and charcoal were used to provide a record of Holocene vegetation history. Palaeoclimate and hydrological changes were reconstructed from sedimentary and geochemical data. Regional and local influences were separated by comparing the evidence obtained from Jikariya Lake with previously published data from the Manga Grasslands. Results The Manga Grasslands experienced a prolonged wet period during the early and mid‐Holocene, during which swamp forest vegetation with Guinean affinities (Alchornea, Syzygium, Uapaca) occupied the inter‐dune depressions. However, variation in the pollen records between sites suggests that their establishment was dependent on conditions being locally favourable, rather than being directly coupled to regional climate. The pollen records from the Manga Grasslands are more consistent in suggesting the colonization of the dunefields by trees associated with Sudanian savanna (Combretaceae, Detarium) c. 8700 cal. yr bp . The Jikariya Lake pollen data are in accordance with the sedimentological and geochemical data from the region in indicating that the onset of arid conditions occurred progressively during the late Holocene (from c. 4700 cal. yr bp ). Abrupt changes in pollen stratigraphy, recorded at other Manga Grasslands sites 3500 cal. yr bp , appear to be the product of the local passing of ecological thresholds. The dunefield vegetation (Sahelian savanna) appears to have been resilient to (or at least palynologically silent regarding) to the climatic variability of the late Holocene. Main conclusions While climate appears to have been the primary control on vegetation development in the Manga Grasslands during the Holocene, local conditions (particularly depression size and sand influx) had a strong influence on the timing of pollen stratigraphic changes. Anthropogenic influences are difficult to detect, even during the late Holocene.     

A 2917-year tree-ring-based reconstruction of precipitation for the Buerhanbuda Mts., Southeastern Qaidam Basin,China

In this study, we developed the tree-ring width chronology for the period of 1404 BCE to 2015 CE using Qilian juniper (Sabina przewalskii Kom.) trees collected from the Buerhanbuda Mts. in the southeastern Qaidam Basin (QB) near Nuomuhong Village, Qinghai Province. This is the first and longest chronology to date in this region. Based on the relationships between the tree-ring width chronology and climate data, the annual precipitation from previous July to current June (July-June) was reconstructed for the past 2917 years from 902 BCE to 2015 CE. This reconstruction accounted for 47.9% of the total variance in the actual July-June precipitation in the calibration period (1957–2015). The full reconstruction captured distinct wet and dry variability, and contained evidence of some low-frequency climate signals. We identified 13 wet and 12 dry periods, of which 1443–1503 CE and 1789–1836 CE were the two longest dry periods. General agreements in the low-frequency variations between the July-June precipitation and other moisture-sensitive records for the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (TP) suggested that the reconstruction in this study represented a regional signal. Spatial correlations with gridded precipitation data also indicated that the reconstructed July-June precipitation could adequately represent climate fluctuations over a large area of the northeastern TP. The new tree-ring width chronology and precipitation reconstruction are important for understanding natural climate change in the southeastern QB.     

Moisture-driven changes in the sensitivity of the radial growth of Picea crassifolia to temperature,northeastern Tibetan Plateau

Precipitation is one of the most important climate factors controlling tree growth, yet it is not fully understood how changes in precipitation affect the relationship between growth and temperature. On the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, nine tree-ring chronologies of Picea crassifolia were developed along a precipitation gradient from semi-arid (mean annual precipitation, 255 mm) to semi-humid (710 mm). We analyze the growth-climate relationships along this precipitation gradient and assess whether these associations are regulated by local precipitation. From 1960 to 2014, temperature increased significantly while precipitation remained stable at the nine sampling sites. The radial growth of P. crassifolia decreased at the semi-arid sites but increased at the semi-humid sites. Growth-temperature relationships gradually changed from negative to positive along the precipitation gradient (from dry to wet sites), particularly during summer. The moist P. crassifolia sites are also characterized by positive correlations with the Palmer Drought Severity Index. The temporal growth-temperature relationships varied significantly among the different spruce sites over the last five decades. Although temperature remains the main factor controlling the growth of P. crassifolia, local precipitation variability is becoming increasingly important. Our findings indicate that considering species distribution areas supports the analyses of the impact of climate change on tree growth.     

陇东董志塬植被生态现状及评价

调查了甘肃省庆阳市董志塬的自然植被,结果表明:董志塬主要自然群落类型包括3个植被型,4个植被亚型,14个群。共记录植物33科65属165种,以菊科(Compositae)、禾本科(Gramineae)、豆科(Leguminosae)、蔷薇科(Rosaceae)居多。塬内各植物群落生物量处于"Va～Ⅱ"水平,其中森林群落"Ⅲ～Ⅱ"、灌丛、草原群落"Va～Ⅳ";生长量处于"Vb～Ⅱ",其中森林"Ⅲ～Ⅱ"、灌丛群落"Ⅳ～Ⅲ"、草原"Vb～Ⅲ";物种量处于"Va～Ⅲ"水平,其中森林和灌丛群落"Va～Ⅳ"、草原"Ⅳ～Ⅲ";群落郁闭度处于"Ⅳ～Ⅱ"水平,其中森林和灌丛为"Ⅳ～Ⅱ"、草原"Ⅳ～Ⅲ";群落结构度处于"Ⅳ～Ⅰ"水平,其中森林植被"Ⅱ～Ⅰ"、灌丛群落"Ⅳ～Ⅱ"、草丛群落"Ⅳ～Ⅲ"。综合各群落盖度、物种量、生物量、生长量、群落结构等5项指标进行评价,董志塬内各天然植被群落类型综合评价等级为"Ⅳ～Ⅱ"的水平,其中森林群落综合水平均为"Ⅲ～Ⅱ",灌丛群落和草原群落处于"Ⅳ～Ⅲ"水平。     

Modern pollen and vegetation relationships in the mountains of southern California,USA

The relationship between modern pollen assemblages and modern vegetation along two elevational transects within the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges of southern California, USA, is demonstrated using cluster analysis of the pollen data. Cluster analysis separates the Sonora Desert vegetation, Valley grassland/agricultural land and chaparral vegetation types on the San Jacinto Mountains transect. Chaparral is not easily separated on the San Bernardino Mountains transect, probably due to the presence of Quercus dumosa (scrub oak) there. The lower montane Quercus – Pinus (oak – pine) community is distinct from other forest types, and can be subdivided palynologically based upon relative importance of Quercus, Pinus and Cupressaceae [primarily Calocedrus decurrens (incense cedar)] pollen. Subdivisions include Quercus – Pinus – Cupressaceae, Quercus – Cupressaceae – Pinus and Quercus – Pinus assemblages. Higher elevation Pinus – Abies (pine – fir) and Pinus-dominated communities are also differentiated from one another, although the subalpine vegetation type only occurs on the San Bernardino Mountains transect. Though the study area presently straddles a transition between winter-wet and summer-wet climatic regimes, differences between the pollen assemblages in the two mountain ranges are minimal. Pollen assemblages from lower elevations document the effects of human activities, primarily agriculture, on the modern pollen rain of the region, with the occurrence of introduced citrus (Citrus sp.) and shade (Eucalyptus sp.) trees and weedy disturbance indicators (e.g., Brassicaceae).     

青藏高原植被覆盖时空变化及其对气候因子的响应

研究青藏高原植被覆盖时空分布特征对加深气候变化的认识及生态环境保护具有重要的生态价值和现实意义。利用2000—2016年MODIS NDVI 1km/月分辨率数据以及气象观测数据,采用最大合成法、趋势性分析以及相关分析方法,探讨了不同时间尺度青藏高原地区NDVI的分布特征及其与降水、气温的关系。结果表明:(1)青藏高原东南部植被状况明显好于西北部,植被覆盖的分布格局与区域水热条件的时空分布保持了较好的一致性;近17年来青藏高原植被覆盖改善的地区要比退化的地区面积大,严重退化的区域主要位于青藏高原西南部;青藏高原NDVI值在2000—2016年呈幅度较小的增加趋势。(2)除夏季降水量外,研究时段内其他季节降水量均呈增加趋势;气温均呈增加趋势,尤其以春季增加最为显著,整体上青藏高原气候呈现"暖湿化"趋势。总体上年降水量与年最大合成NDVI呈较好的正相关;年平均气温与年最大合成NDVI在高原东南部呈正相关,西南部呈负相关。降水量和热量条件均是高原植被生长的影响因素,降水与植被覆盖的影响较气温密切。     

藏北高原植被物候时空动态变化的遥感监测研究

利用遥感数据提取的植被物候格局及时空变化特征能很好地反映区域尺度上植被对全球变化的响应。目前关于青藏高原地区植被物候的少量报道基本上是基于物候站点的观测记录展开分析的。该文基于非对称高斯拟合算法重建了藏北高原2001-2010年的MODIS EVI (增强型植被指数)时间序列影像, 然后利用动态阈值法提取整个藏北高原2001-2010年植被覆盖的重要物候信息, 包括植被返青期、枯黄期与生长季长度, 分析了植被物候10年间平均状况的空间分异特征以及年际变化情况, 并结合站点观测记录分析了气温和降水对植被物候变化的影响, 结果表明: (1)藏北高原植被返青期在空间上表现出从东南到西北逐渐推迟的水平地带性与东南高山峡谷区的垂直地带性相结合的特征, 近60%区域的植被返青期提前, 特别是高山地区; (2)植被枯黄期的年际变化不太明显, 大部分地区都表现为自然的年际波动; (3)生长季长度的时空变化特征由植被返青期和枯黄期二者决定, 但主要受返青期提前影响, 大部分地区生长季长度延长; (4)研究区内不同气候区划植被物候的年际变化以那曲高山谷地亚寒带半湿润区和青南高原亚寒带半干旱区的植被返青期提前和生长季延长程度最为明显; (5)基于气象台站数据分析气候变化对物候的影响发现, 返青期提前及生长季延长主要受气温升高的影响, 与降水的关系尚不明确。     

Seasonal dynamics of the tick Haemaphysalis tibetensis in the Tibetan Plateau,China

The tick Haemaphysalis tibetensis (Acari: Ixodidae) Hoogstraal is an important arthropod vector widespread in the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, and knowledge of its seasonal dynamics is still poor. The current study investigated the seasonal dynamics of the parasitic and non‐parasitic H. tibetensis over a 2‐year period from March 2014 to February 2016 in the Tibetan Plateau, China. During this timeframe, non‐parasitic ticks were collected weekly by flag‐dragging in grassland and shrubland areas, and parasitic ticks were removed weekly from selected sheep. Plateau pikas were captured using traps and examined for immature ticks between May to September 2014. Results suggest that non‐parasitic H. tibetensis were mainly distributed in the grassland, and the parasitic adults and nymphs were found mostly on sheep. Larvae were usually found on Plateau pikas and the prevalence of infestation and mean parasitic intensity were 72.1 and 1.81%, respectively. Adults were observed from March to July with the major peak occurring in mid‐April. Nymphs were found from March to August and reached a peak in late June. Larvae were collected from April to September, and their numbers peaked in late May. In the parasitic and non‐parasitic period, the overall sex ratio of males to females was 1.62 and 1.30, respectively. Results show that H. tibetensis can complete one generation per year, with a population overlap between stages over the spring‐summer months. These findings provide additional information on the biology and ecology of H. tibetensis as well as insights on its control in the environment and on sheep.     

Holocene vegetation and water level history in two bogs of the Cordillera de Talamanca, Costa Rica

Pollen records of Holocene sediment cores from the Costa Rican Cordillera de Talamanca (La Chonta bog, 2310 m and La Trinidad bog, 2700 m) show the postglacial development of the montane oak forest zone from ca. 9500 to 1500 yr BP. During the early Holocene (ca. 9500–700 yr BP), alder vegetation covered the La Chonta and La Trinidad bogs and their adjacent hills. The upper forest line is inferred to be at 2800–3000 m elevation. A Podocarpus-Quercus forest characterised the middle Holocene (ca. 7000–4500 yr BP). The upper forest line is located at >3000 m reaching the present-day altitudinal distribution. A Quercus forest characterised the late Holocene (ca. 4500–1500 yr BP). Compared to modern conditions, the early Holocene has similar average temperatures, but the moisture level was probably higher. Pollen evidence for the late Holocene indicates drier environmental conditions than today. In order to improve the paleoecological interpretation, we described the local vegetation and used moss samples as pollen traps at both montane bogs along strong soil moisture gradients.The Netherlands Centre for Geo-ecological Research, ICG     

Tectonic and sedimentary evolution of basins in the northeast of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and their implication for the northward growth of the Plateau

The northeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, from the Hoh Xil Basin to the Hexi Corridor Basin, demonstrates a basin-ridge geomorphy that is the result of the long-term uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The geological evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is recorded in its associated basins. From the Cenozoic sedimentary filling pattern in the Hoh Xil, Qaidam and Jiuquan Basins, we find that the evolution of these basins is similar: they began as strike-slip basins, evolved into foreland basins, and then to intermontane basins. Foreland basins are the direct result of orogenic activity in the northeast of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and can be documented to have formed over the following time periods: 49-23 Ma for the Hoh Xil foreland basin, 46-2.45 Ma for the Qaidam foreland basin, and 29.5-0 Ma for the Jiuquan foreland basin. This northward migration in the timing of foreland basin development suggests that the northeastern part of Tibet grew at least in part by accretion of Cenozoic sedimentary basins to its northern margin.     

A complete pollen record of the last 230 ka from Lynch's Crater, north-eastern Australia

Recent drilling eventually reached to the base of the sediments of Lynch's Crater on the Atherton Tableland within the humid tropics of north-eastern Australia. This paper incorporates results from the sequence extension into a complete record from the site, much of which has only been presented previously in summary form. A more certain chronology for the record is provided by recent radiocarbon dating on the topmost sediments and the application of time series analysis to the whole sequence. This suggests that the vegetation and climate are forced essentially by northern hemisphere insolation and ice volume, probably operating through sea level and sea surface temperature changes. The extended record is considered to cover the last 230,000 years and the pattern of complex rainforest expansion during wetter interglacial periods and its replacement by drier rainforest and sclerophyll vegetation during drier glacials is maintained. Superimposed on this cyclicity are trends resulting from both the evolution of the lake basin as well as external influences that include climate and, within the last 45,000 years, people.