Characteristics of soil seed bank in plantation forest in the rocky mountain region of Beijing, China

We investigated characteristics （scales and composition） of soil seed banks at eight study sites in the rocky mountain region of Beijing by seed identification and germination monitoring. We also surveyed the vegetation communities at the eight study sites to explore the role of soil seed banks in vegetation restoration. The storage capacity of soil seed banks at the eight sites ranked from 766.26 to 2461.92 seeds·m？2. A total of 23 plant species were found in soil seed banks, of which 63–80% of seeds were herbs in various soil layers and 60% of seeds were located in the soil layer at 0–5 cm depth. Biodiversity indices indicated clear differences in species diversity of soil seed banks among different plant communities. The species composition of aboveground vegetation showed low similarity with that based on soil seed banks. In the aboveground plant community, the afforestation tree species showed high importance values. The plant species originating from soil seed banks represented natural regeneration, which also showed relatively high importance values. This study suggests that in the rocky mountain region of Beijing the soil seed banks played a key role in the transformation from pure plantation forest to near-natural forest, promoting natural ecological processes, and the role of the seed banks in vegetation restoration was important to the improvement of ecological restoration methods.

Measurement of respiration amount of white birch（Betula platyphylla）population in the mountainous region of Beijing

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The “Valley Economy” Model of Regional Development: A Case Study of Mountain Areas in Beijing, Northern China

A case study is presented of a regional development model for valley economies in the mountain areas of Beijing, China. The nature and framework of the valley economy model are described and the development of the model, which is specific to the mountain areas of Beijing, is analyzed. Five different valley economy models applied in the Beijing mountain areas are compared. The major purpose of the valley economy model is to develop the regional economy, including the selection of appropriate industries, the allocation of industrial space, the establishment of supply chains and the integration of various industries. Pilot experiments using the valley economy model have been conducted in seven counties(districts) in Beijing: Pinggu, Huairou, Changping, Mentougou, and Fangshan districts, and Yanqing and Miyun counties. Five models for developing the Beijing mountain areas have been explored, including: creative cultural industries, characteristic industry clusters, the promotion of large tourist areas, natural scenic tourism and folk cultural tourism. Each model has its own unique features and potential to help in the regional development of mountain areas.

Land Use Changes of Valleys Based on Topographic Factors in Beijing Mountainous Regions of China

Land use changes in mountainous regions were greatly enhanced as the rapid development of economy due to the expanded population in developing countries. Acting geographically as the basic unit of mountainous regions, valleys are the primary sites of economic activities. Therefore optimization of land use policy in valleys is of critical important to the sustainable development in mountainous regions. On the basis of land use data in 1995 and 2012, this study explored the changes of land use according to the assessment of varied topographic factors （i.e., altitude and slope） in typical valleys of the Beijing mountainous regions, China. Our results showed that the valley is an efficiently geographical unit to evaluate land use changes in mountainous regions. We also found that major land use changes in mountainous regions of Beijing from 1995 to 2012 were the dramatic losses of grassland to the cultivated and construction lands, while most of these changes took place at the altitude of 0-400m and the slope of 6-15~. Considering the ever increasing economic development in Beijing mountainous regions, the increases of the construction and cultivated lands are inevitable, however, the great changes at a steeper slope imply the need to tailor land use structure coming into line with topographic factors, and suggesting ecological barriers and water conservation must be exercised in the developments of these areas.

Summer habitat selection and impacts of human disturbance on leopard cats(Prionailurus bengalensis)

Introduction:As a consequence of habitat loss and degradation,the leopard cat(Prionailurus bengalensis)in China has become endangered and in need of urgent protection.In situ conservation of leopard cats must be based on an understanding of their habitat selection patterns.We studied the summer habitat of leopard cats using line-transect surveys in the northern Taihang Mountain region surrounding Beijing,China.We compared used plots with non-used plots in elevation,tree canopy,and 20 other ecological variables,and used VanderploegScavia’s resource selection index(VSI)to analyze habitat preferences.Outcomes/others:Results show that tree canopy,tree height,tree density,and stump quantity of used plots were significantly lower than non-used plots in summer,and that leopard cats preferred habitats located on northern,flat slopes with lower slope,shrub-dominated,dry soil,and less fallen-wood.Leopard cats had a strong tendency to use habitats near human disturbance areas with moderate levels of disturbance intensity.Conclusion:The results suggest that future conservation efforts should emphasize:(1)strengthening the protection and management of forest fringe shrub habitats to improve summer habitat suitability,and(2)environmental education and animal protection campaigns to promote community biodiversity conservation.