Dynamics of the Alpine Treeline Ecotone under Global Warming:A Review

全球变暖背景下高山林线交错带的动态综述

The alpine treeline ecotone is defined as a forest-grassland or forest-tundra transition boundary either between subalpine forest and treeless grassland,or between subalpine forest and treeless tundra.The alpine treeline ecotone serves irreplaceable ecological functions and provides various ecosystem services.There are three lines associated with the alpine treeline ecotone,the tree species line(i.e.,the highest elevational limit of individual tree establishment and growth),the treeline(i.e.,the transition line between tree islands and isolated individual trees)and the timber line(i.e.,the upper boundary of the closed subalpine forest).The alpine treeline ecotone is the belt region between the tree species line and the timber line of the closed forest.The treeline is very sensitive to climate change and is often used as an indicator for the response of vegetation to global warming.However,there is currently no comprehensive review in the field of alpine treeline advance under global warming.Therefore,this review summarizes the literature and discusses the theoretical bases and challenges in the study of alpine treeline dynamics from the following four aspects:(1)Ecological functions and issues of treeline dynamics;(2)Methodology for monitoring treeline dynamics;(3)Treeline shifts in different climate zones;(4)Driving factors for treeline upward shifting.

高山林线交错带是亚高山森林与苔原之间、亚高山森林与无树草原之间的过渡带状区域,是生物多样性热点区域,具有营养物质输入源和低海拔生态系统的碳固存等不可替代的生态功能,提供着各种生态系统服务。与高山林线交错带相关的三种树线是树种线、林线和木材线。由于高山林线交错带占据了树种耐受温度极限的极端区域,对气候变化非常敏感,经常被用作植被对全球变暖响应的指标。随着全球气候变暖的加剧和不同气候区海拔梯度的变化,高山林线交错带中的树高和生物量也会发生显著变化。同时分布在全球不同气候带上的林线变化也表现出不同的规律,其中的原因包括温度升高程度的不一致、优势种和植物群落的不同、人为干扰程度的不同等。另外,关于林线推进的驱动因素也无一致的研究结果,不同气候区之间的研究结果可能会相互矛盾。然而,目前在气候变化下的高山林线发展领域,缺乏全面的综述。因此,本文从以下四个方面对此前的研究进行了总结,并探讨了高山林线动态变化的理论基础和挑战:(1)高山林线动态变化的生态功能和生态问题;(2)监测高山林线动态变化的研究方法;(3)全球不同气候区的林线迁移;(4)林线向上迁移的驱动因素。