Predictive modeling of the potential natural vegetation pattern in northeast China

Based on the characteristics of natural vegetation distribution in northeast China, using multivariate analysis and geographical information system technology, we established a regional ‘vegetation–environment’ model to simulate geographical distribution of 16 natural vegetation types under present environmental conditions, representing the potential natural vegetation (PNV) of northeast China, on the basis of digital maps of seven environmental variables including climate and topography. Comparison of simulated PNVs distributions with the actual natural vegetation distribution indicated a good agreement, with overall predictive accuracy of 66.9% and overall Kappa value of 0.67. The predictions of model, however, were poor, for only 0.62 of AUC value was yielded. The current resolution and accuracy of the model can be applied to simulate and map the natural vegetation pattern at the regional scale and also used to analyze the effect of climatic changes on natural vegetation.     

A vegetation map of The Netherlands,based on the relationship between ecotopes and types of potential natural vegetation

Summary The method of mapping the vegetation on scale 1: 200,000 and the starting points in relation to the potential natural vegetation and ecotopes, are discussed.In view of the planological background of this study, some restrictions have been added to the concept of potential natural vegetation, concerning the period of development and the human influence.The relationship between soil, ground water and vegetation was studied, which resulted in the map of the potential natural vegetation.Each type of potential natural vegetation stands for a series of vegetation types on the same site. Seven main series, with a number of sub-series are distinguished. Within each vegetation series the plant communities have been spread over five groups, according to their structure and naturalness.Ecotopes and ecotope complexes are considered as landscape ecological units. A list of ecotopes was obtained by interpreting topographical maps and by inventory data.The actual vegetation was mapped by estimating the size of the ecotopes within the separate areas. It was expressed in a five figure code for the five groups from the vegetation and ecotopes is combined into the vegetation map of The Netherlands.Interpretation problems, some of them specific for The Netherlands, are discussed and some remarks are made on the necessity of further research.Contribution to the Symposium on Plant Species and Plant Communities, held at Nijmegen, 11–12 November 1976, on the occasion of the 60th birthday of Professor Victor Westhoff.Nomenclature follows Heukels-van Ooststroom, Flora van Nederland, 18e druk, 1975, Wolters-Noordhoff, Groningen; nomenclature of syntaxa follows Westhoff & den Held (1969)     

Reconstructed natural versus potential natural vegetation in vegetation mapping - a discussion of concepts

Reconstruction mapping of the natural (primary) vegetation of intensively cultivated land is based on: (1) classification of actually existing remains of natural or near-natural plant communities as mapping units; (2) delimitation of their habitat types; (3) detection of correlations between vegetation units and habitat types. Natural plant communities thus serve as indicators of abiotic habitat conditions. Reconstruction mapping is based on the extrapolation of the potential distribution of individual vegetation units to sites of similar habitat types where the natural vegetation does not exist any more. The same procedure is used for mapping the potential natural vegetation. Both types of natural vegetation maps are identical on sites where the abiotic natural habitat conditions (relief, geological substratum, climate, water regime, soils) remain practically unchanged. On sites where the natural habitat conditions have been considerably changed by man, e.g. in areas with superficial coal mining (complete destruction of the landscape, removal of soil cover, creation of large slag heaps) or in towns, no natural (primary) vegetation exists. This causes difficulties in the hypothetical concept of the potential natural vegetation and its definition. In contrast, in such sites reconstruction vegetation mapping uses the extrapolation of mapping units of the primary vegetation to the original natural habitat conditions.     

Unified classification of European natural forests: the approach of the vegetation map of Europe

With the aim of evaluating the accessible data on vegetation structure and composition for the Vegetation Map of Europe as far as possible, a reasonable classification of natural vegetation has been proposed which facilitates the identification of vegetation units used in different Schools of vegetation science. The proposed universal classification makes full use of several different principles. The highest units are based on physiognomic-ecological features and correspond to formation units of different rank. The European natural forest vegetation (including shrubs) has been divided into 10 formation units. Each formation is further divided into subunits according to the most important features. Ecological and functional interpretation has priority in the hierarchic structure of the system which was used in the legend to the Vegetation Map of Europe. The resulting system shows the most important features of latitudinal (vegetation zones and subzones), longitudinal (oceanic to continental analogues) and altitudinal (vegetation belts) regularities, further azonal vegetation types and their differentiation as well as the edaphic, geographic and florogenetic varieties of the natural plant cover. This arrangement constitutes a framework in which the vegetation units of different Schools can be classed.     

中国潜在植被NPP的空间分布模拟

在对1980年以来气候要素进行空间化的基础上,利用分类回归树模型CART计算中国的潜在归一化植被指数(NDVI),采用改进的光能利用率模型(CASA)和潜在NDVI数据对中国的潜在植被净初级生产力(NPP)进行模拟。结果表明:中国潜在NDVI和潜在NPP均呈现出南高北低、东高西低的格局,低值多分布在沙漠、戈壁等干旱地带,高值多出现在低、中山平原区; 400 mm等降水量线是潜在NDVI和潜在NPP高值与低值的分界线;全国潜在NDVI和潜在NPP的平均值分别为0.396和319.31 g C·m-2;夏季潜在NPP的平均值最大,其次是春季,冬季最小;依据潜在NPP与2015年现实NPP的差异,可将中国植被恢复区划分为西部高潜力区、北部低潜力区和南部非潜力区3部分;潜在NDVI和潜在NPP的空间模拟可以将人类活动对自然生态系统的直接影响与气候变化的影响分离,量化了外界压力下真实的生态状况和潜在生态状况的差异,为制定差别化的生态恢复对策提供了科学依据。     

Effects of recent climate trends on the distribution of potential natural vegetation in Central Germany

Introducing climate quotients for the growing season (Q_gs) provides a way to quantify effects of climate trends with respect to Potential Natural Vegetation (PNV), especially beech forests (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Central Germany. What is crucial in this regard is the great influence of the dominant decrease in the amount of precipitation (up to 40% in the last 50 years) during the growing season versus the dormant season. However, precipitation during the dormant season (which is predominantly increasing: up to 40% in the last 50 years) is also important for replenishing the soil water supply. The Q_gs values of the Climatic Normal period of 1971–2000 are generally higher (up to 12% in lowland areas) compared with the Climatic Normal period of 1961–1990, the extent of the difference being in general inversely proportional to elevation above sea level. What this means for the area under investigation is that humidity conditions, which generally improve as the elevation above sea level increases, have a positive effect on the site potential. However, a comparison of the climatologically important period of 1991–2003 with the period of 1961–1990 (area-wide increase between 12% and 16%) could not identify this positive effect of elevation on precipitation for the area under investigation. With regard to the recent climate-based trends of PNV, we have shown that all natural spatial units in Central Germany are affected by progressing continentality (i.e., dryness) during the growing season and the resulting deterioration of the site potential. The area of potential beech forest at lower elevation has decreased in favour of oak forest as PNV, while less change is observed in the montane area.     

鼎湖山三种主要植被类型土壤碳释放研究

土壤呼吸是土壤微生物活性和土壤肥力一个重要指标 ,是土壤碳流通的一个主要过程 ,也是陆地生态系统碳循环的一个关键部分 ,对研究全球变化非常重要。国内土壤呼吸的研究主要集中在北京山地温带林区、尖峰岭热带森林及东北羊草草原和中亚热带等地 ,南亚热带地区森林土壤呼吸尚无报道。选取南亚热带鼎湖山自然保护区森林演替系列中的 3种主要植被类型 (季风常绿阔叶林 ,针阔叶混交林和马尾松林 )为研究对象 ,研究了土壤呼吸和与之相关的土壤微生物生物量、土壤温度和土壤含水量以及他们之间的关系。结果表明 ,季风常绿阔叶林、针阔叶混交林和马尾松林年均土壤呼吸速率依次是 477.9,435 .4,42 9.5 mg CO2 · m- 2 ·h- 1,土壤呼吸速率与土壤温度的季节变化规律接近 ;3种植被类型土壤微生物生物量变化规律与土壤呼吸变化规律一致 ,季风常绿阔叶林最高 ,马尾松林最低 ,土壤微生物量高的土壤中碳周转量较大 ,碳素周转还带动了其他营养元素周转 ,有利于生态系统生存和持续发展 ;季风常绿阔叶林、针阔叶混交林和针叶林代谢熵依次是 0 .5 8～ 0 .60 ,0 .92～ 1 .0 0 ,1 .30～ 1 .35 ,表明 3种植被类型土壤中土壤微生物对土壤碳的利用效率依次降低。     

Actual and potential natural vegetation on the Canary Islands and its conservation status

The main vegetation units of the Canary Islands are briefly described and their current surface area established. The area of potential natural vegetation remnants is compared with the supposed original area, and expressed also as percent persistence, (area now/potential) × 100. We state that although the islands have between 40 and 50% of their surface under protection, several units of the most representative vegetation (e.g. like Euphorbia scrubs, thermo-sclerophyllous woodland and laurel forest) have retreated greatly, sometimes with little possibility of recovery. Willow, palm, tamarisk, and Plocama pendula communities, sandy beach vegetation, and small-area littoral ecosystems are also severely diminished in area. Comments are made about the conservation status of the most representative communities.     

The vegetation of the Puna Belt at laguna de Pozuelos Biosphere Reserve in northwest Argentina

The presence of species and their cover values together with soil and topographic characteristics were recorded at 40 sites along an altitudinal gradient of the Puna Belt at Pozuelos, in the High Andes in northwest Argentina. Classification and ordination of plant assemblages showed that soil and topography were the best predictors of the variation in species distribution. The different plant assemblages which occur along the topographic gradient follow the geographic variation in rainfall in this Andean region. Perennial bushes and grasses colonize the plains and slopes with fine textured soils which retain their water content. In contrast, deciduous bushes and cactuses grow on steep, rocky, dry slopes. Open woods also occur on east-facing steep, rocky slopes which are sheltered from winds.     

Plant composition in the Maya Biosphere Reserve: natural and anthropogenic influences

We studied the floristic composition and stand structure of lowland forests of the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR) of El Petén, Guatemala. Sampling was performed over a gradient of human influence, including a newly established returnee community (migrant), the cooperative Unión Maya Itzá, as well as an adjacent protected area within the core area of the MBR. Five 1-ha plots, each divided into 100 contiguous 10 × 10 m² subplots, were used to record presence of all tree and vine species. The study area is a low-diversity rainforest with a canopy layer dominated by species of Fabaceae, a shrub layer dominated by Rubiaceae, and vines dominated by Bignoniaceae. Vines were conspicuous both in number and in diversity. Variation in both tree life-form composition and canopy abundance pattern apparently reflect variation in intensity of forestry among the plots. The similarities between the plots in the cooperative (a logging plot and a settlement plot) with regard to species area curves, and mean number of tree and understory species per subplot, may indicate effects of disturbance (in general) on vegetation structure. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was used to investigate gradients in species composition among the five plots (125 subplots) and to generate hypotheses about vegetation–environment relationships. The study area appears as a mosaic of site-specific forest types or associations determined by a particular species or groups of co-dominant species. The main environmental characteristics of the area determining species composition and structure are related to the drainage of soils and human disturbance.     

Integrated map of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe genome

A restriction map of the entire Schizosaccharomyces pombe genome was constructed using two restriction enzymes (BamHI and PstI) that recognize 6 bp. The restriction map contains 420 minimally overlapping clones (miniset) and has 22 gaps. We located 126 genes, marker fragments of DNA (NotI and SfiI linking clones), and 36 transposable elements by hybridization to unique restriction fragments. Received: 21 November 1996; in revised form: 3 March 1997 / Accepted: 27 March 1997     

Nigerian Man and Biosphere research plots in Guinea savanna: floristics and structure of the vegetation

A study was made of the vegetation of three plots used in the Nigerian Man and Biosphere Research Programme for Savanna Studies. The aim is to provide detailed information on the vegetation of the plots which may possibly contribute to an understanding of factors influencing savanna structure and relative abundances of forbs, grasses and woody species. Results show that there are differences in the species composition of the plots. There are more forb species than grass species in each plot. The woody basal areas and crown areas of the plots do not depend entirely on the density but also on the size of the woody species. There are differences in herbage yield in the plots that could be attributed to differences in soil properties, species composition and level of human and animal activities between the plots.     

气候变化情景下中国自然植被净初级生产力分布

基于国际上较通用的Lund-Potsdam-Jena(LPJ)模型,根据中国自然环境特点对其运行机制进行调整,并重新进行了参数化,以B2情景气候数据作为主要的输入数据,以1961-1990年为基准时段,模拟了中国1991-2080自然植被净初级生产力(NPP)对气候变化的响应.结果表明:1961-1990年,中国自然植被的NPP总量为3.06 Pg C·a-1;1961-2080年,NPP总量呈波动下降趋势,且下降速度逐渐加快.在降水相对变化不大的条件下,平均温度的增加对我国植被生产力可能会产生一定的负面影响.NPP的空间分布从东南沿海向西北内陆呈逐渐递减趋势,在气候变化过程中,该格局基本没有太大变化.在东部NPP值相对较高地区,NPP值以减少为主,东北地区、华北东部和黄土高原地区的减少趋势尤为明显;在西部NPP值相对较低地区,NPP以增加趋势为主,青藏高原地区和塔里木盆地的表现尤为突出.随着气候变化的深入,东西部地区这种变化趋势的对比将越发明显.     

Neighbour manipulations in natural vegetation a review

Abstract. This paper reviews the literature on neighbour manipulation experiments on species intemctions in natural of semi-natural vegetation. Three major approaches have been used: 1) introductions into vegetation, 2) trenching, and 3) vegetation removals. Some studies have used a combination of approaches, especially 1) and 3). The removal approach has been used most commonly and is given the greatest emphasis in this paper accordingly. Details of over 50 such studies are summarized here, 48 of which have appeared within only the last two decades. We compare and contrast the experimental designs of these studies and examine their contributions to the understanding of species interactions in vegetation. Evidence for competition is virtually universal among these studies. Several studies have also detected evidence of beneficence between plant species. Numerous factors may confound interpretations in removal experiments including: life stage dependent species responses, species-dependent timing and speed of response, inadequacy of controls due to temporal and/or spatial variability in site quality, indirect effects of treatment on soil moisture content or nutrient levels, or on the activities of predators or decomposers, and several constraints inherent in particular experimental designs. Another level of complexity arises as a consequence of several variables related to plant attributes that directly determine the nature of interactions between neighbours (e.g. relative competitive abilities, the magnitude of beneficial interactions, the extent to which neighbours make demands on the same resource units). These may interact in a complex manner to affect the response of a ‘target’ plant to the removal of neighbours. Recommendations for future studies are considered and a neighbourhood experimental design is proposed which enables analysis of the extent to which the fates of naturally established individuals following vegetation removal can be accounted for (in multiple regressions) by several variables that reflect different properties and circumstances of interaction with immediate Thiessen neighbours in the field.     

Using climatically based random forests to downscale coarse‐grained potential natural vegetation maps in tropical Mexico

Questions: Can the accuracy of coarse resolution potential vegetation maps be improved through downscaling to finer resolution climatic grids? Can output from random forests produce new insight into the climatic characteristics that are associated with the structural characteristics of the vegetation? Location: Southern Mexico. Methods: A potential vegetation map (National Atlas of Mexico) at a 1:4 000 000 scale, was downscaled to a 1 km² grid resolution using climatically based random forests models. The resulting map was then evaluated against 256 inventory plots sampled at the transition between different vegetation types in Southern Mexico. Results: Downscaling increased accuracy up to 0.40, as measured by the Kappa Index of Agreement. Multivariate analysis of the results allowed the association between Rzedowski's classification and climatic variation to be explored. This confirmed that many of the structural aspects of the vegetation that are used by the Rzedowski classification are closely associated with climate, but it also revealed weaknesses in the underlying basis of this classification system. Conclusions: Rzedowski's scheme for vegetation classification may require further modification in order to be an effective tool for research into vegetation–climate relationships.