Analysis of plant resources and diversity in Shennongjia Area of Hubei Province,China

Shennongjia Area is located in northwest of Hubei Province with Shennongding,the highest peak(3105.4 m above sea level)in central China.The unique geographical location and complex terrain of this region make it rich in plant resources.After field investigation,th literature review,and specimen identification,the 7 Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Chinese Medicine Resources Scientific Expedition Team studied the plant resources and diversity of Shennongjia Area.454 species of vascular plants belonging to 106 families and 275 genera were collected from July to August in 2013.The dominant families are Lamiaceae,Ranunculaceae,Rosaceae,and Asteraceae,with 20,21,37 and 48 species respectively.At the genus level,Rubus is the dominant one with 11 species.3 species of national first-class protective plants,13 species of“Huan yang yao”and 36 species of“Qi yao”were collected.In all,our research has updated the plant recources and diversity in Shennongjia Area.Furthermore,by putting forward practical and meaningful suggestions on strengthening the protection and utilization of plant resources in Shennongjia Area,our research will help to protect the diverse ecosystem there.

Flora and ecological characteristics of rare plant communities on the southern slope of Shennongjia Mountain

According to the investigation of sampling area of 6800 m2 on the south slope of Shennongjia Mountain, there were 126 vascular plant species, belonging to 108 genera and 64 families, in the investigated rare plant communities, of which 9 rare plant species were recorded, accounting for 27.3% of the total rare plants. The communities were about 30 m in height and were divided into three layers as tree layer, shrub layer, and herb layer. The flora of the communities had obvious temperate character. Phanerophytes (accounted for 65.9%), Mesophyllous (62.7%), Papyraceous (84.1%), simple leaf (83.3%), un-entire leaf (69.8%) were dominant in life form, leaf size class, leaf texture, leaf form, and leaf margin respectively. According to important value of species, the communities were divided into three types as Davidia involucrata + Litsea pungens community, Cercidiphyllum japanicum + Padus wilsonii community, and Padus wilsonii + Acer mono community. The indexes of species diversity of tree layer had little difference among communities and evenness was high. The results indicated that the communities had complex structure and relative stability.

Stromatolite characteristics of Mesoproterozoic Shennongjia Group in the northern margin of Yangtze Block, China

Mesoproterozoic Shennongjia Group in Shennongjia Area can be divided into three subgroups in ascender order. Of which the lower subgroup includes Yingwodong, Dayanping, Macaoyuan, Luanshigou, Dawokeng and Kuangshishan formations;the middle subgroup is formed by Yemahe, Wenshuihe and Shicaohe formations;the upper subgroup consists of Songziyuan and Wagangxi formations. Stromatolites developed very well in the carbonate rocks of each subgroup in Shennongjia Group. Based on descriptions of stromatolites macrotypes and their characteristics, this paper studied the formation environments, discussed the relationship among types, sizes, abundance of stromatolites and sedimentary environment, and established the formation and development pattern of stromatolites. As a result, this research also reveals the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate during the period of the Shennongjia Group deposited, which is beneficial to the study of paleoenvironment, paleogeography and paleoclimate, stratigraphic succession and regional correlation of the northern edge of Yangtze block. Stromatolites of Shennongjia Group are mainly conical, columnar, domal, wavy, stratiform and stromatolite reefs. The columnar and conical stromatolites are well developed. Conical stromatolites are mainly monomers, with a variety of pyramidal types, ranging in diameter from a few millimeters to several meters and formed in the high energy subtidal zone and tidal lagoon environment. Most of the columnar stromatolites are medium to small sizes implied a wide and gentle slope environment at that time. Stratiform (including wavy) stromatolites are larger scales and extends far away and distributed most widely in almost every horizon in the carbonate rocks. Stratiform stromatolites can be formed in low energy environments such as subtidal and intertidal zones and supratidal belts. Wavy stromatolites often developed in the hydrodynamic energy condition from weak energy intertidal zone gradually strengthened to the below of the high energy supratidal. Although stromatolite reefs can be a single or multiform combination, they developed mainly consisted of laminar or small walled columnar and large domal stromatolites. Shicaohe Formation also partially developed large domical stromatolites, the depositional environment is from the upper intertidal to supratidal zone. Stromatolite in Shennongjia Group usually appears as a combination of “Stratiform (wavy)-dome-columnar-coniform ” or “stratiform-dome-coniform-columnar-dome-stratiform ” vertieally, which represents the seawater depth from shallower to deeper or from shallow to deep and then to shallow again. These phenomenons generally reflected a stable sea level and companied with a high frequency oscillation. Comprehensive researches on the stratigraphy, sedimentary facies, sedimentary environment and the stromatolite types and their characteristics in the Shennongjia Group indicated that the Shennongjia Area is located on a gentle slope of carbonate platform in the passive continental edge, generally, i.e., one of warm and humid climate shallow water zone or/and a cold-drought climate, and had been experienced with eustatic cycles during the Shennongjia Group deposited.

Species and distribution of mountain bamboos in Shennongjia, Central China

Inventory recorded 4 genera and 11 species of mountain bamboos in Shennongjia, Central China. Of these, 4 species (Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis, Ph. heteroclada, Ph. nidularia and Ph. bambusoides) belong to the monopodial bamboo, 4 species (Indocalamus latifolius, I. longiauritus, I. wilsoni and I. tessellatus) to the amphipodial bamboo, and 3 spe-cies (Fargesia spathacea, F. murielae and Yushania confusa) to the sympodial bamboo. Monopodial bamboos grow on the gentle slopes below 1800 m asl, occurring from the subtropical belt to the temperate belt in the vertical climatic spectrum of the mountain; Sympodial bamboos occur in higher elevations, ranging from the warm temperate (1200 m), across the medi-ate temperate and cold temperate, to the mountaintops of the frigid temperate belt (3100 m). Amphipodial bamboos occur in all climate types except the frigid temperate belt. Three dominant species, F. spathacea, F. murielae and Y. confusa, currently cover 12 %, 9 % and 3 % of the mountain ranges in Shennongjia, respectively.

Effect of Aspect on Climate Variation in Mountain Ranges of Shennongjia Massif, Central China

The aim of this study was to better understand the mechanisms of regional climate variation in mountain ranges with contrasting aspects as mediated by changes in global climate. It may help predict trends of vegetation variations in native ecosystems in natural reserves. As measures of climate response, temperature and precipitation data from the north, east, and south-facing mountain ranges of Shennongjia Massif in the coldest and hottest months(January and July), different seasons(spring, summer, autumn, and winter) and each year were analyzed from a long-term dataset(1960 to 2003) to tested variations characteristics, temporal and spatial quantitative relationships of climates. The results showed that the average seasonal temperatures and precipitation in the north, east, and south aspects of the mountain ranges changed at different rates. The average seasonal temperatures change rate ranges in the north, east, and south-facing mountain ranges were from –0.0210℃/yr to 0.0143℃/yr, –0.0166℃/yr to 0.0311℃/yr, and –0.0290 ℃/yr to 0.0084℃/yr, respectively, and seasonal precipitation variation magnitude were from –1.4940 mm/yr to 0.6217 mm/yr, –1.6833 mm/yr to 2.6182 mm/yr, and –0.8567 mm/yr to 1.4077 mm/yr, respectively. The climates variation trend among the three mountain ranges were different in magnitude and direction, showing a complicated change of the climates in mountain ranges and some inconsistency with general trends in global climate change. The climate variations were significantly different and positively correlated cross mountain ranges, revealing that aspects significantly affected on climate variations and these variations resulted from a larger air circulation system, which were sensitive to global climate change. We conclude that location and terrain of aspect are the main factors affecting differences in climate variation among the mountain ranges with contrasting aspects.

The Firstly Discovered Cosmic Spherules in Carbonaceous Siltstone from the Taizi Formation of the Mesoproterozoic Shennongjia Group,Central China

Objective Spherical micro-particles are often preserved in Precambrian sedimentary rocks. Finnish and Chinese scholars have previously discovered carbonaceous, siliceous or ferruginous spherules of out-space origin in the 1.6 Ga and 1.4 Ga sequence, respectively. The presence of spherules can record possible cosmic impact events. Also, cosmic spherules provide important information on the evolution of planets from outer space.

Study on Water Environmental Capacity of Shennongjia

Water environmental capacity is the important basis to set local and professional emission standards for waters, and is also the work basis of ecological planning. Firstly, the general information of river system in Shennongjia was introduced. Then, the concept and general model of water environmental capacity were elaborated. Finally, we used the analytical solution to estimate the water environmental capacities of COD and NH3-N in Shennongjia, and concrete measures for water environmental protection were put forward.

Ecological Carrying Capacity of Shennongjia Based on Sustainable Development

Ecological carrying capacity is a significant index for measuring sustainability of natural resources in a region. This paper applied ecological footprint counting model to calculate ecological footprint and ecological carrying capacity of the typical resource-based city—Shennongjia from 2008 to 2012. The results showed that(a) ecological footprint and per capita ecological footprint in Shennongjia area increased from 86,464.48 ha and 1.076 ha. in 2008 to 93,13.59 ha. and 1.171 ha. in 2012;(b) total ecological carrying capacity, and per capita ecological carrying capacity fluctuated, and total ecological carrying capacity > total ecological footprint, per capita ecological carrying capacity > total ecological footprint, thus it had ecological surplus;(c) among all land use types, water resources had the largest ecological surplus, construction land and woodland had the second and third largest; waters and fossil energy land showed ecological deficit and needed outer supply. As a whole, Shennongjia area had an excellent ecological environment with less destruction and good sustainability.

Study on Atmospheric Environmental Capacity of Shennongjia

Through analysis and evaluation on status quo of atmospheric environment in Shennongjia,atmospheric environment capacity in ClassII functional area of Shennongjia was counted by A value method. The results showed that atmospheric environment capacities of SO2,NO2 and PM10in Shennongjia Forest District were respectively 6 268. 8,17 666. 2 and 2 279. 5 t / a,much larger than emissions of air pollutants in Shennongjia in 2012.

Species Richness of Vascular Plants along the Climatic Gradient of Mountain Shennongjia in Central China

A case study on the richness variation of vascular plant species along the climatic gradient from mountain foot (400 m asl) up to the summit (3,100 m) was carried out in Mt. Shennongjia of central China. The results show that climatic features such as mean annual temperature ( Y =16.26-0.506 X, R 2 =0.995), mean annual precipitation ( Y=235.48+82.663X, R 2 =0.951) and frost free day ( Y=283.54-7.148X, R 2 =0.964) are linearly responding to the elevational increase. However the variation of species richness is not uniformly linearly correlated to the climatic gradients. From 400 m up to 1,000 m, the species number increases from 933 to 1718, with a increase rate of 126.18 species/100 m ( R 2=0.951, P <0.001). From 1,000 m up to the highest peak of 3,100 m, species richness gradually declines with a rate of 94.36 species/100 m ( R 2=0.961, P <0.001). This variation can be described by a cubic model, y =-458.22+463.93 x -30.64 x 2+0.53 x 3 ( R 2=0.989, P <0.0001). Analysis calls for further study for better understanding of the relationship between biodiversity and environmental variation in this key area.

Exploration and Practice on Index System of Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Shennongjia, Hubei Province

This paper combined sustainable development theory, economic theory and ecology theory with the index system establishment of sustainable development experimental area. Based on the four subsystems(economy, society, resource and environment) the evaluation of sustainable development experimental area was established. And evaluation indicators system selected 29 specific indicators to characterize the sustainable development of the experimental area capacity. Taking Shennongjia as an example, the sustainable development index data of Shennongjia in 2009-2013 were analyzed and calculated based on constructing the sustainable development system, and the comprehensive coordination indexes was used to characterize Shennongjia as the sustainable development. The sustainable development index of Shennongjia in the recent five years was between 53.37 and 62.77. It was expected that the construction of the sustainable development experimental area should be guided by the scientific development concept. Social development should enhance the concept of sustainable development from top to bottom, change the growth mode, get rational development, take effective protection of resources and the environment, start the development of circular economy to build a low consumption, less emissions and sustainable economic development system.

Shennongjia:A Natural Wonder Giving Birth to TCM

SHENNONGJIA Forestry District is a mountainous area with towering peaks in western Hubei Province. Seated between the Yangtze and Hanshui rivers, the 3,250-square-kilometer region is widely acclaimed as the legendary place where Shennong, a mythical ruler of prehistoric China who is regarded as the founding father of Chinese medicine, built a ladder to climb the mountains to search for medicinal herbs. The world-renowned mountains boast towering peaks, deep valleys, and lush vegetation, coupled with a changing climate that showcases breath-taking natural views throughout the year.

Design of Ecotourism Experience in Shennongjia

Ecotourism experience means that tourists obtain ecological enjoyment,ecological perception and ecological aesthetic taste through the senses and thinking activities in ecotourism activities.Shennongjia has excellent ecological environment,but lacks deep experience ecotourism products.Based on the principles of ecotourism experience design,the ecotourism experience theme,ecotourism experience product and ecotourism experience atmosphere of Shennongjia are designed.

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Shennongjia Forest District at Songbai Town, Hubei

In recent years, the calculus disease occurs occasionally in Songbai Town, Hubei Province, which is the capital of the Shennongjia forest district, and shows a trend of more and more frequent occurrence. In order to reveal the relationship between the geo-environment, especially drinking water, and the disease, the senior author has made an investigation on the pathogeny and epidemiology of the disease and some characteristics of drinking water, including the source, chemical composition and radioactivity of all kinds of drinking water (river water, spring water, running water). We adopted a routine method to analyze major ions and the atom spectra of the minor elements. At the same time, we made similar investigations in Muyu Town for comparison. The results showed that all the indices of surface water & ground water in the two towns have not gone beyond 《Water Quality Standards for Drinking Water Source》 (CJ3020-93) and that the radioactivity (γ-ray) of the water from Songbai Town is higher than that of the water from Muyu Town, but the incidence of the disease is higher than that in Muyu Town. So, it can be concluded that there is no direct relationship between the disease and the hydro-environment.

Altitudinal Pattern of Plant Species Diversity in Shennongjia Mountains, Central China

One hundred and sixty plots, approximately every 100 m above sea level （a.s.1.） along an altitudinal gradient from 470 to 3 080 m a.s.1, at the southern and northern watershed of Mt. Shennongjia, China, were examined to determine the altitudinal pattern of plant species diversity. Mt. Shennongjia was found to have high plant species diversity, with 3 479 higher plants recorded. Partial correlation analysis and detrended canonical correspondence analysis （DCCA） based on plant species diversity revealed that altitude was the main factor affecting the spatial pattern of plant species diversity on Mt. Shennongjia and that canopy coverage of the arbor layer also had a considerable effect on plant species diversity. The DCCA based on species data of importance value further revealed that altitude gradient was the primary factor shaping the spatial pattern of plant species. In addition, the rule of the “mid-altitude bulge” was supported on Mt. Shennongjia. Plant species diversity was closely related to vegetation type and the transition zone usually had a higher diversity. Higher plant species diversity appeared in the mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaved forest zone （900-1500 m a.s.1.） and its transition down to evergreen broadleaved forest zone or up to deciduous broadleaved forest zone. The largest plant species diversity in whole communities on Mt. Shennongjia lay at approximately 1 200 m a.s.1. Greatest tree diversity, shrub diversity, and grass diversity was found at approximately 1 500, 1 100, and 1 200 m a.s.l., respectively. The southern watershed showed higher plant species diversity than the northern watershed, with maximum plant species diversity at a higher altitude in the southern watershed than the northern watershed. These results indicate that Mt. Shennongjia shows characteristics of a transition region. The relationship between the altitudinal pattern of plant species diversity and the vegetation type in eastern China are also discussed and a hypothesis about the altitudinal pattern of plant species diversity in eastern China is proposed.

Spore-pollen-climate factor transfer function and paleoenvironment reconstruction in Dajiuhu,Shennongjia,Central China

The identified results of 121 surface sediment spore-pollen samples in Shennongjia and meteorological data base of 30 years(January,1971―December,2000)of 7 meteorological stations around Dajiuhu, Shennongjia are used in this study.Selecting 55 species of common spore-pollen with the method of space fitting and stepwise regression we construct the pollen climate factor transfer function of annual mean tem- perature:T=7.649-2.33097X Abies -0.10873X Betula -0.17352X Compositae -0.13176X Cruciferae +0.13356XEuphorbiaceae -0.83069X Campanulaceae +1.96494XPyrrosia+0.38411XPteris+2.77741XSelaginella+0.04439XMonolites.We had reconstructed annual mean temperature series by use of the sporo-pollen samples concentra-tion percentage in peat section with 297 cm thickness in Dajiuhu since 15.753 kaBP.The temperature series reflect well the character of climatic change since the late glacial,which indicates extreme cold climate event of the Oldest Dryas,the Older Dryas,the Younger Dryas and the 8.2 kaBP,the same to the climate fluctuations of Bolling Warm Period and Allerod Warm Period,and the character of temperature change fluctuating frequently at the transition age from the late glacial to the Holocene.The reconstructed temperature also indicate Holocene Optimum,late Holocene warm-dry climate,and the character of climatic change in Dajiuhu in the last 1 ka.The conclusion is that the sporo-pollen samples have important climatic significance to surface sediment and the section of Dajiuhu,Shennongjia and important reference value to studying climatic change during the last glaciation by the temperature transfer function and reconstructed temperature series.

Carbon Isotope Gradient of the Ediacaran Cap Carbonate in the Shennongjia Area and Its Implications for Ocean Stratification and Palaeogeography

The geochemistry and paleogeography of the Doushantuo succession in the Shennongjia area have been insufficiently studied. Here, we report on the carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of Ediacaran Doushantuo cap carbonates from four sections（Longxi, Muyu, Yazikou and Songluo） in the Shennongjia area. A large C-isotopic gradient（~5‰） between the Longxi and Songluo sections, here identified for the first time, is inferred to have been dynamically maintained by photosynthesis in surface waters and anaerobic oxidation of dissolved organic carbon（DOC） in deep waters. Spatial variation in C-isotope chemostratigraphy among the four sections was related to Marinoan post-glacial sea-level elevation changes. At Longxi, a positive δ^（13）C_（carb） shift below the horizon containing tepee-like structure resulted from intense photosynthesis during early regression. A negative δ^（13）C_（carb） shift within the tepee-horizon was triggered by sulfate reduction and freshwater mixing with ^（13）C-depleted dissolved inorganic carbon（DIC） during late regression. A positive δ^（13）C_（carb） excursion in the uppermost part of the cap carbonate was related to enhance primary productivity and organic matter burial during early transgression. At Muyu, the carbon isotopic variation tendency, which is similar to that at Longxi, may have been mildly influenced by the surface water environment. At Songluo, the positive δ^（13）C_（carb） excursion, up to-4‰ in the lower part of the cap carbonate, was probably associated with methanogenesis in deep waters during late transgression to early regression and subsequently disappeared due to decomposition of methane hydrate during late regression. At Yazikou, the consistently stable δ^（13）C_（carb） values around-4‰ indicate that the cap carbonate may have deposited at intermediate water depths. As evidenced by diagnostic sedimentary characteristics of the study sections, the palaeogeographic framework of the Shennongjia area exhibited deepening from SE to NW during the Early Ediacaran Period in the aftermath of Snowball Earth.

Regeneration dynamics of subalpine fir (Abies fargesii) forest across the altitudinal range in the Shennongjia Mountains, central China

Aims Age structure and regeneration dynamics have been used to infer population response to environmental events and reconstruct forest development history.The aim of this study was to characterize and examine the differences of the age structure and regeneration dynamics of subalpine fir(Abies fargesii)forest across the altitudinal range in the north and south aspects in the Shennongjia Mountains,central China.Methods Ten plots(20×20 m)at each altitudinal zone(i.e.the low elevation,the middle elevation and the high elevation)were established in both the north and south aspects of the Shennongjia Mountains,central China.Dendroecological techniques were applied to obtain information about ages of the trees in the plots.The population age structure was analyzed to investigate the regeneration dynamics across the altitudinal range.Important findings Fir regeneration dynamics and age structure were similar in both aspects,and a unimodal population age structure was found at different altitudinal sites of both aspects,indicating that environmental factors might play an important role in shaping the regeneration dynamics and age structure of A.fargesii across its altitudinal range.There was a sustained recruitment during the 19th century,but the regeneration was rarer in the last century at low and midelevations.A significant greater number of fir seedlings and saplings recruited at high elevations in the last century,and fir tree density at high elevations was significantly higher than that at low elevations.Thus,the fir population at the high elevations showed a significant increase in recruitment and stem density in the last century,and we propose that the gradual infilling of fir seedlings might result in changes in regeneration dynamics and stand structure of the subalpine fir forest at high elevations in the Shennongjia Mountains,central China.

Precise dating of East-Asian-Monsoon D/O events during 95―56 ka BP:Based on stalagmite data from Shanbao Cave at Shennongjia,China

Based on 23 U/Th analyses and 532 oxygen isotopic data, an averaged 80-a stalagmite oxygen isotopic composition series was established through 95 to 56 thousand years before present (ka BP) from two speleothems in Shanbao Cave, Shennongjia, central China. Shanbao Cave record (referred to as SB record) replicates well with Hulu Cave record, extending the characteristics of millennial oscillations in East-Asian-Summer-Monsoon (EASM) to the past 95 ka. The trend of the SB record generally follows mid-July solar insolation at 65°N, suggesting that mid-high northern latitude insolation, in the first or- der, controls changes of EASM intensity. Millennial oscillations of EASM recorded in the stalagmites are well related to the Greenland interstadials referred to as Dansgaard/Oeschger (D/O) events from 1 to 22, indicating that rapid ocean-atmosphere reorganization in North Atlantic has a remote effect in EASM. The well-dated D/O events by stalagmites probably provide an absolute calibration for chro- nologies of Greenland ice cores. The timings of D/O events in the SB record are different variously from those in Greenland ice cores. For D/O 19 and 20, the age offsets between the stalagmites' and the Greenland ice cores' record are significant, larger than the uncertainties of uranium-series dating. The two events in the SB record are younger than those in North GRIP time scale by 1―2 ka, and older than the counterparts in GISP2 by approximately 3―4 ka. A comparison between the SB and Brazil stalag- mite record shows an anti-phase relation in millennial-scale monsoon precipitation between the two localities. This supports a mode for the coupled ocean-atmosphere "See-saw".

Re-recognition of the Dajiuhu Wetland in Shennongjia Mountains,Central China

The Dajiuhu wetland,a famous sub-alpine wetland located in the the Shennongjia Mountains,north-subtropical region of Central China,has suffered from adverse impacts of unsustainable human practices over the past 60 years.The Dajiuhu wetland reflects the development process that has been accompanied by human activities.Based on field survey data,high resolution remote sensing image and historical records,the present paper provided a review on exploitation and restoration of the wetland.The results showed that the Dajiuhu wetland degraded quickly from 1950 to 2005.During that time,bog shrinkage,lake disappearance,biodiversity decline,sphagnum reduction,and vegetation succession from wetland communities to terrestrial communities in the Dajiuhu wetland,which were the main manifestations of the wetland degradation.Human activities,such as agricultural reclamation and construction of drainage works,have been the main factors resulting in ecological degradation of the wetland since 1986.Poverty and the short-term economic benefits had been the driving forces for wetland drainage and reclamation over the past years.