Effects of grassland degradation and precipitation on carbon storage distributions in a semi-arid temperate grassland of Inner Mongolia,China

Environmental degradation influences carbon (C) cycling and storage in grassland ecosystems by altering vegetation productivity. However, the impacts of different degradation intensities on vegetation–soil C distributions in grasslands have not been well documented. We measured C storage in soil, roots, and plants under light, moderate, and severe degradation levels in a typical steppe region of Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia, China in 2011 and 2012. Grassland C storage was highest in soil, followed by roots, and then aboveground plant biomass. Grassland degradation and precipitation significantly influenced C storage distributions. During the dry year (2011), total C storage in vegetation and soil was highest under light degradation. Carbon storage in aboveground plant biomass and roots increased with degradation intensity. During the wet year (2012), C storage was highest in aboveground plant biomass and roots under light degradation. Root biomass tended to be concentrated in the soil surface during the wet year.     

Satellite microwave detection of boreal forest recovery from the extreme 2004 wildfires in Alaska and Canada

The rate of vegetation recovery from boreal wildfire influences terrestrial carbon cycle processes and climate feedbacks by affecting the surface energy budget and land‐atmosphere carbon exchange. Previous forest recovery assessments using satellite optical‐infrared normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and tower CO₂ eddy covariance techniques indicate rapid vegetation recovery within 5–10 years, but these techniques are not directly sensitive to changes in vegetation biomass. Alternatively, the vegetation optical depth (VOD) parameter from satellite passive microwave remote sensing can detect changes in canopy biomass structure and may provide a useful metric of post‐fire vegetation response to inform regional recovery assessments. We analyzed a multi‐year (2003–2010) satellite VOD record from the NASA AMSR‐E (Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS) sensor to estimate forest recovery trajectories for 14 large boreal fires from 2004 in Alaska and Canada. The VOD record indicated initial post‐fire canopy biomass recovery within 3–7 years, lagging NDVI recovery by 1–5 years. The VOD lag was attributed to slower non‐photosynthetic (woody) and photosynthetic (foliar) canopy biomass recovery, relative to the faster canopy greenness response indicated from the NDVI. The duration of VOD recovery to pre‐burn conditions was also directly proportional (P < 0.01) to satellite (moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer) estimated tree cover loss used as a metric of fire severity. Our results indicate that vegetation biomass recovery from boreal fire disturbance is generally slower than reported from previous assessments based solely on satellite optical‐infrared remote sensing, while the VOD parameter enables more comprehensive assessments of boreal forest recovery.     

内蒙古草地样带植物群落生物量的梯度研究

采用样带法对内蒙古草地植物群落生物量沿水热梯度的变化特征进行了研究,并对几种回归方法进行了比较。一元回归结果表明:在本样带的限定范围内,生物量与年均温、≥0 ℃年积温、≥10 ℃年积温、年实际日照总时数等热量因子呈负相关(年均温的相关性最高),而与年降水量、年均相对湿度等水分因子呈正相关(年均相对湿度的相关性最高),其中年均温和年均相对湿度对生物量的影响最为显著,二者对生物量的空间变异起着互为消长的作用,而海拔高度的影响则不显著。多元回归结果表明,作为半干旱区植物生长的主要限制因子,年降水量在大尺度上对生物量产生影响的途径更为复杂,但其作用不可低估。生物量和地下地上生物量比值会因不同的气候区、不同的植被类型和物种组成,对环境因子的响应程度不同,在经向、纬向和草地类型梯度上的变化特征也不同。水热的配比关系要比单一的水分和温度与植物的生长具有更紧密的关系,地下地上生物量比随着水热配比关系的变化也会呈现出不同的变化规律,其驱动因子并不一定始终都是降水。也许可以认为:半干旱/干旱的划分界限是本研究所涉及的草地样带上生物量和地下地上生物量比值沿草地类型梯度变化的一个转折界限,在此界限前后,气候对生物量的主导因素和生物量对此关键因子的响应程度都有所变化。     

内蒙古生态系统质量空间特征及其驱动力

植被作为生态系统的重要组成部分,联结着大气、水分和土壤等自然过程,其变化将直接影响该区域气候水文和土壤等状况,是区域生态系统质量变化的重要指示器。植被状况的好坏,主要通过生物量和植被覆盖度因子来表示。内蒙古自治区是我国北方生态环境问题十分严重的省份,弄清当前区域生态系统质量状况与变化及其近10年来变化的驱动因素,对分析与制定区域生态环境保护决策具有十分重要的意义。基于2000—2010年生物量和植被覆盖度,并结合地区植被区划数据,对内蒙古植被生态系统质量状况进行分析,并评估其与气候(降水、温度),人类活动(交通密度、农业发展、生态恢复工程)的相关关系,在此基础上探讨了气候和人类活动对近年来内蒙古生态系统质量变化的影响。结果表明:(1)内蒙古生态系统质量状况整体偏低,其中森林生态系统平均质量最高,灌丛、草原生态系统次之。空间分布呈明显的经度地带性,由东向西,质量逐渐降低。2000—2010年内蒙古生态系统质量总体上呈现缓慢增长趋势,但局部地区生态系统质量仍存在恶化,其中在107°E以东的草原和森林区域,生态系统质量变化十分剧烈。(2)近10年来内蒙古生态系统质量的变化与气候和人类活动的关系非常密切,其与降水、GDP1、化肥施用量、天保工程和退耕还草工程呈现明显的正相关。而与温度、道路密度和京津风沙治理工程呈现明显的负相关。其中,生态保护工程实施区域内和区域外的相关性存在显著的差异性。随着内蒙古社会经济的快速发展,人类活动对生态系统质量的影响逐渐加强,但降水仍是该地区生态系统质量的主要影响因子。(3)在内蒙古生态系统质量变化典型区域内,质量的增长主要是由于降水的增加、温度的降低、农业的发展、退耕还草工程的作用和交通发展的放缓。质量的降低则是因为降水的减少、温度的增加、农业发展缓慢和交通发展的加快所致。     

青藏高原高寒草地退化与人工恢复过程中植物群落的繁殖适应对策

以三江源区不同退化程度高寒草甸和不同恢复年限人工草地作为研究对象,通过野外调查与采样、实验室分析,探究了高寒地区退化天然草地与人工恢复草地的植被群落繁殖构件数量变化.结果表明:在群落水平上,天然草地退化和人工草地建植会对植物繁殖构件的数量和生物量产生影响.随着天然草地退化程度的增加,营养枝数量和生物量则明显下降,而繁殖枝的数量和生物量明显升高(P＜0.05);随着人工草地恢复年限的增加,营养枝的数量和生物量逐渐增加,而繁殖枝的数量和生物量则逐渐降低(P＜0.05);随着恢复年限的增加,人工草地繁殖构件的变化逐渐接近未退化天然草地.在功能群水平上,植物繁殖构件数量亦随草地退化程度和人工恢复年限而变化.随着恢复年限的增加,禾本科、莎草科、杂类草的营养枝数量和生物量均呈现显著增加(P＜0.05),而繁殖枝数量和生物量则显著下降,禾本科的繁殖构件数量远远大于莎草科和杂类草;随着退化程度的增加,三大功能群的营养枝枝数和生物量显著增加(P＜0.05),而繁殖枝则呈现相反的趋势.实证了草地退化和人工恢复改变植物群落繁殖分配对策的科学假设,为高寒草地植被恢复重建技术的发展和更新提供理论支撑.     

Biomass carbon stocks and their changes in northern China’s grasslands during 1982–2006

Grassland covers approximately one-third of the area of China and plays an important role in the global terrestrial carbon (C) cycle. However, little is known about biomass C stocks and dynamics in these grasslands. During 2001–2005, we conducted five consecutive field sampling campaigns to investigate above-and below-ground biomass for northern China’s grasslands. Using measurements obtained from 341 sampling sites, together with a NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) time series dataset over 1982–2006, we examined changes in biomass C stock during the past 25 years. Our results showed that biomass C stock in northern China’s grasslands was estimated at 557.5 Tg C (1 Tg=10¹² g), with a mean density of 39.5 g C m⁻² for above-ground biomass and 244.6 g C m⁻² for below-ground biomass. An increasing rate of 0.2 Tg C yr⁻¹ has been observed over the past 25 years, but grassland biomass has not experienced a significant change since the late 1980s. Seasonal rainfall (January–July) was the dominant factor driving temporal dynamics in biomass C stock; however, the responses of grassland biomass to climate variables differed among various grassland types. Biomass in arid grasslands (i.e., desert steppe and typical steppe) was significantly associated with precipitation, while biomass in humid grasslands (i.e., alpine meadow) was positively correlated with mean January-July temperatures. These results suggest that different grassland ecosystems in China may show diverse responses to future climate changes.     

气候因子和人类活动对松辽流域植被叶面积指数动态的影响

了解气候变化和人类活动对植被的影响对陆地生态系统可持续发展具有重要意义。基于月尺度MODIS LAI、气象等数据,采用基于像元的趋势及偏相关分析、时滞与累积效应分析和改进的残差分析等方法,评估松辽流域2001-2021年生长季植被叶面积指数(LAI)动态,在顾及时滞与累积效应的情况下探究气候与人为驱动因素对植被的影响。结果表明:(1)松辽流域LAI总体呈"平原低,山地高"的空间分布格局。近21年植被LAI在波动中呈上升趋势,未来植被变化以持续改善为主,但内蒙古西部草原及大、小兴安岭局部地区仍存在退化风险。(2)LAI总体上与气温、降水呈正相关,相较气温植被生长对降水更敏感。LAI变化的时间效应随气候因子、覆被类型及植被分区的不同而发生变化。LAI对气温的主要时间效应为2个月滞后和0-1个月累积,而对降水主要为无显著滞后和1个月累积。(3)气候变化和人类活动的联合作用是影响松辽流域植被LAI动态的主要原因,两者对植被变化的贡献分别占41.7%和58.3%,同时考虑时滞和累积效应时,提升了气候因子对植被生长的解释度。     

Cumulative nitrogen input drives species loss in terrestrial ecosystems

Aim Elevated inputs of biologically reactive nitrogen (N) are considered to be one of the most substantial threats to biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems. Several attempts have been made to scrutinize the factors driving species loss following excess N input, but generalizations across sites or vegetation types cannot yet be made. Here we focus on the relative importance of the vegetation type, the local environment (climate, soil pH, wet deposition load) and the experimentally applied (cumulative) N dose on the response of the vegetation to N addition. Location Mainly North America and Europe. Methods We conducted a large‐scale meta‐analysis of in situ N addition experiments in different vegetation types, focusing on the response of biomass and species richness. Results Whereas the biomass of grasslands and salt marshes significantly increased with N fertilization, forest understorey vegetation, heathlands, freshwater wetlands and bogs did not show any significant response. Graminoids significantly increased in biomass following N addition, whereas bryophytes significantly lost biomass; shrubs, forbs and lichens did not significantly respond. The yearly N fertilization dose significantly influenced the biomass response of grassland and salt marshes, while for the other vegetation types none of the collected predictor variables were of significant influence. Species richness significantly decreased with N addition in grasslands and heathlands [Correction added on 23 March 2011, after first online publication: ‘across all vegetation types’ changed to ‘in grasslands and heathlands’]. The relative change in species richness following N addition was significantly driven by the cumulative N dose. Main conclusions The decline in species richness with cumulative N input follows a negative exponential pathway. Species loss occurs faster at low levels of cumulative N input or at the beginning of the addition, followed by an increasingly slower species loss at higher cumulative N inputs. These findings lead us to stress the importance of including the cumulative effect of N additions in calculations of critical load values.     

藏北古露高寒草地生态系统对短期围封的响应

过度放牧导致高寒草地生态系统退化,围封是生态保护和恢复的管理手段。以青藏高原那曲县古露镇过牧退化高寒草地为对象,系统分析了高寒草地生态系统的植被特征及土壤理化特性、土壤酶活性、土壤微生物生物量和群落结构对围封的响应。结果表明,短期围封后,(1)植被平均高度、盖度和地上生物量均有极显著增加(P0.01),而生物多样性指数则显著降低(P0.01);(2)土壤的水溶性有机碳含量、土壤物理结构(沙土与粉土的比例)及pH有显著变化(P0.05);(3)土壤酶活性没有明显改善;(4)土壤微生物生物量(细菌、放线菌、真菌)均呈显著增加(P0.05);(5)土壤中细菌的多样性有增加的趋势,其群落组成在门水平上也发生了变化;(6)Manteltest分析显示与土壤细菌群落结构的呈正相关性的环境因子主要为土壤有机碳含量(TOC)、总氮含量(TN)、碳磷比(C/P)与氮磷比(N/P)(P0.05)。这表明围栏封育有利于藏北草地植被、土壤理化特性的恢复,还能维持土壤微生物多样性,促进高寒草地生态系统的可持续发展。     

黄河源区不同退化程度高寒草原群落生产力、物种多样性和土壤特性及其关系研究

近些年来,气候暖干化和过度放牧导致黄河源区高寒草原发生明显退化,严重影响了当地畜牧业和环境的可持续发展。退化后,植被群落生产力、物种多样性和土壤因子之间相互作用、相互影响,使生态系统持续恶化。以往的研究中研究人员对退化后群落生产力和物种多样性关系关注较多,但对退化过程中土壤要素变化的重视程度往往不够。因此,探究不同退化程度下高寒草原群落生产力、物种多样性和土壤特性及其关系对于认识高寒草地退化过程及退化草地恢复具有重要现实意义。在黄河源区采用空间分布代替时间演替的方法,根据植被和土壤特征选取了未退化到严重退化5个退化梯度,探讨不同退化程度下高寒草原群落生产力、物种多样性和土壤特性及其关系。结果表明：1）随着退化程度的加剧,群落地上和地下生物量均呈先稳定后降低的趋势,在轻度退化阶段达到最大值,重度和严重退化阶段显著降低;2）Shannon-Wiener多样性指数在轻度和中度退化阶段显著增加了20%和15%（P=0.025和P=0.039）,均匀度指数从未退化到重度退化变化不明显,严重退化阶段物种多样性指数均显著降低;3）土壤水分、各深度土壤有机碳、全氮、铵态氮和硝态氮均呈先稳定后降低的变化规律,土壤容重随着退化程度的加剧而显著增加;4）群落生物量、物种多样性与土壤养分呈正相关关系,与土壤容重呈负相关关系,冗余分析结果显示土壤容重、硝态氮、有机碳是退化过程中驱动植被因子变化的主要因素。因此,针对不同退化阶段采取不同的恢复治理措施,尤其是改善土壤养分和物理性质,同时对中度和重度退化两个关键阶段应该给予更多的关注。