Cross-Scale Patterns in Shrub Thicket Dynamics in the Virginia Barrier Complex

Abstract To interpret broad-scale erosion and accretion patterns and the expansion and contraction of shrub thickets in response to sea level rise for a coastal barrier system, we examined the fine-scale processes of shrub recruitment and mortality within the context of the influence of ocean current and sediment transport processes on variations in island size and location. We focused on Myrica cerifera shrub thickets, the dominant woody community on most barrier islands along the coastline of the southeastern USA. Observations suggest that M. cerifera, a salt-intolerant species, is increasing in cover throughout the Virginia barrier islands, yet rising sea level in response to climate change is increasing erosion and reducing island area. Our objective was to explain this apparent paradox using pattern–process relationships across a range of scales with a focus on ocean currents and sediment transport interacting with island characteristics at intermediate scales. Multi-decadal comparisons across scales showed a complex pattern. At the scale of the entire Virginia barrier complex, modest decreases in upland area were accompanied by large increases in shrub area. Responses were more variable for individual islands, reflecting inter-island variations in erosion and accretion due to differences in sediment transport via ocean currents. Several islands underwent dramatic shrub expansion. Only for within-island responses were there similarities in the pattern of change, with a lag-phase after initial shrub colonization followed by development of linear, closed canopy thickets. Understanding the fine-scale processes of shrub seedling establishment and thicket development, in conjunction with the influence of ocean currents and sediment transport, provides a framework for interpreting island accretion and erosion patterns and subsequent effects on shrub thicket expansion or contraction across scales of time and space.     

内蒙古不同类型草原光合植被覆盖度对降水变化的响应

植被是影响土壤侵蚀过程的重要因素。论文基于MODIS遥感数据和同期降水数据,用相关和回归分析方法从不同时间尺度揭示了内蒙古草甸草原、典型草原和荒漠草原2002—2016年光合植被覆盖度(Fractional Photosynthetic Vegetation,f_PV)的变化规律及其对降水变化的响应。结果表明:(1)2002—2016年间多年平均f_PV草甸草原为46.5%,典型草原和荒漠草原分别为36.3%和22.4%;草甸草原f_PV随时间变化呈不显著增长趋势(线性变化斜率为0.29%/a),典型草原和荒漠草原f_PV呈不显著下降趋势(线性变化斜率分别为-0.04%/a和-0.21%/a);相应时期年降水量随时间变化都呈现不显著波动上升趋势。(2)内蒙古草原的月植被覆盖度对月降水量存在明显的1—2个月滞后效应和显著的累积效应,且表现出草原类型越干旱,滞后效应越明显的特征;相比草甸草原和典型草原,荒漠草原植被对降水量变化更加敏感。(3)内蒙古3类草原年平均植被覆盖度对降水量的响应,均表现出年、季、月尺度上...     

Ecosystem recovery: heathland response to a reduction in nitrogen deposition

Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen is responsible for widespread changes in the structure and function of sensitive seminatural ecosystems. The proposed reduction in emissions of nitrogenous pollutants in Europe under the Gothenburg Protocol raises the question of whether affected ecosystems have the potential to recover to their previous condition and, if so, over what timescale. Since 1998, we have monitored the response of a lowland heathland in southern England following the cessation of a long‐term nitrogen addition experiment, and subsequent management, assessing changes in vegetation growth and chemistry, soil chemistry and the soil microbial community. Persistent effects of earlier nutrient loading on Calluna growth and phenology, and on the abundance of lichens, were apparent up to 8 years after nitrogen additions ceased, indicating the potential for long‐term effects of modest nutrient loading (up to 15.4 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, over 7 years) on heathland ecosystems. The size and activity of the soil microbial community was elevated in former N‐treated plots, 6–8 years after additions ceased, suggesting a prolonged effect on the rate of nutrient cycling. Although habitat management in 1998 reduced nitrogen stores in plant biomass, effects on belowground nitrogen stores were small. Although some parameters (e.g. soil pH) recover pretreatment levels relatively rapidly, others (e.g. vegetation cover and microbial activity) respond much more slowly, indicating that the ecological effects of even small increases in nitrogen deposition will persist for many years after deposition inputs are reduced. Indeed, calculations suggest that the additional soil nitrogen storage associated with 7 years of experimental nitrogen inputs could sustain the observed effects on plant growth and phenology for several decades. Carry over effects on plant phenology and sensitivity to drought suggest that the persistence of vegetation responses to nitrogen deposition should be integrated into long‐term assessments of the impact of global climate change on sensitive ecosystems.     

Microclimate and fluxes of water vapour, sensible heat and carbon dioxide in structurally differing subalpine plant communities in the Central Caucasus

Effects of canopy structure on microclimate, energy budget and CO₂ exchange were analysed in a pasture, two hay meadows, a tall herb community and a dwarf shrub community in the subalpine belt of the Central Caucasus. The results show that canopy structure exerts a marked influence on the distribution of photon flux density, temperature and canopy photosynthesis A_c. Three canopy types were distinguished. Type 1 (pasture) has a small LAI (leaf area index) and more than two-thirds of the phytomass is concentrated in the lowest few cm of the canopy, mainly as planophile leaves. This results in (1) a low degree of utilization of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) by assimilatory plant components, (2) high leaf temperatures and a high soil heat flux during the phase of incoming radiation, and (3) a relatively low A_c/ LAI ratio. Type 2 (meadows), in spite of its erect leaves, which at high solar elevations permit light to penetrate to the lower canopy layers, is characterized by (1) marked effects of mutual shading in the lower canopy layers for most of the day, and thus (2) only slight variations in air and leaf temperatures and (3) a comparatively low A_c/LAI ratio. In canopies of type 3 (tall herb and dwarf shrub communities), there is a concentration of flat leaves in the upper layers. This results in (1) very good utilization of PPFD; (2) no strong fluctuations in canopy temperature as the flat leaves act as a buffer, reducing the amounts of incoming and outgoing radiation in lower canopy layers, and (3) high values of the A_c/LAI ratio. The energy budgets of the canopies investigated are governed not so much by their spatial structure, but rather indirectly by LAI and the degree of coupling of the canopy with the atmosphere.     

干旱荒漠区狭叶锦鸡儿灌丛扩展对策

通过对内蒙古干旱荒漠区狭叶锦鸡儿集群的灌丛结构、分株特征、繁殖倾向和分枝特征的调查,探讨荒漠区狭叶锦鸡儿的繁殖特点和灌丛扩展对策。研究表明：在荒漠区,狭叶锦鸡儿的营养繁殖占主导地位,主要是由根萌蘖产生无性系分株,其克隆生长构型为密集型。根系萌蘖、枝条的不定根繁殖、地上枝条不断分枝和新老个体形成复合灌丛是荒漠区狭叶锦鸡儿冠幅增大的主要原因。狭叶锦鸡儿通过克隆繁殖、灌丛扩大化和发达的根系适应荒漠区的干旱贫瘠环境,使其成为荒漠区的优势种。     

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。