Critical role of multidimensional biodiversity in contributing to ecosystem sustainability under global change

The 21st century has seen an acceleration of global change,including climate change,elevated carbon dioxide,nitrogen deposition,and land-use intensification,which poses a significant threat to ecosystem functioning.Nev-ertheless,studies on the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning(BEF)have consistently demonstrated that biodiversity enhances ecosystem functioning and its stability,even in variable environmental conditions.These findings potentially indicate the critical role of biodiversity in promoting sustainable provi-sioning of ecosystem functioning under global change.Our paper provides a comprehensive review of current BEF research and the response of BEF to multiple global change factors.We demonstrate that(1)assessing the effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning requires consideration of multiple dimensions of diversity,such as diversity across multiple trophic levels(plants,animals,and microbes),multiple facets(taxonomy,functional traits,and phylogeny),and multiple spatial scales(local,regional,and landscape scales).(2)The interaction of multiple global change factors may lead to a greater reduction in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning than a single global change factor.(3)Multidimensional biodiversity regulates the response of ecosystem functioning to global change factors,indicating that high levels of multidimensional biodiversity can mitigate the negative impacts of global change on ecosystem functioning.Overall,we emphasize that recognizing the importance of multidimensional biodiversity is critical for sustaining ecosystem functioning.Therefore,prioritizing conserva-tion efforts to maintain and enhance all dimensions of biodiversity is essential to address the challenges of future global change.

Abrupt changes of radiolarian fauna at 600 and 120 ka B. P. in the southern South China Sea and their paleoceanographic implications

Abrupt changes in radiolarian composition are discovered over the last 600 and 120 ka B. P. based on quantitative analyses of radiolarians in ~ 17957 - 2 of the southern South China Sea. The distinct changes at 600 ka B. P. could correspond to the onset of the 100 ka cycle during the glacial and interglacial periods. This abrupt change in the 100 ka cyclicity at 600 ka B. P. occurred also in the magnetic susceptibility signal that is obtained from and paleosol sequences of the China Loss Plateau. The larger amplitude and stronger cyclicity in the susceptibility signal after 600 ka B. P. reflect the prominent change in the intensity of the monsoon, induced by an enhancement of the momsoon circula- tion. Stronger seasonality during the glacial period in the South China Sea, resulted from strengthening of winter monsoon, might lead to the changes in the radiolarian composition at 600 and 120 ka B. P. It can be suggested that only species adapted to a broader temperature range might have been able to live in this environment. Therefore, the abrupt changes in radiolarian composition at 600 and 120 ka B. P. could be attributed to the stronger so differences between summer and winter that were caused by the striking change in the intensity of the monsoon circulation.

From Climate to Global Change:Following the Footprint of Prof.Duzheng YE's Research

To commemorate 100 years since the birth of Professor Duzheng YE, this paper reviews the contribution of Ye and his research team to the development from climate to global change science in the past 30 or so years, including：（1） the role of climate change in global change;（2） the critical time scales and predictability of global change;（3） the sensitive regions of global change—transitional zones of climate and ecosystems; and（4） orderly human activities and adaptation to global change, with a focus on the development of a proactive strategy for adaptation to such change.

Some Preliminary Results on Pilot Study of Global Change in China

On the basis of existing data and research results the changes of life supporting environment in China in the history are briefly described. The differences between regional climate variations and climate jump are the very important features and phenomena in estimating the trend of environmental evolution in the future. Finally, it is pointed out that sensitive zone is an ideal place to study global change. Many evidences show that the response of environmental elements in the sensitive zones to global change events is very obvious, so that much attention should be paid to the study of sensitive zone.

A GRADIENT ANALYSIS & MODELING OF THE NECT FOR GLOBAL CHANGE STUDY

The North East China Transect (NECT) is an exemplary region of landmass running along the line of 43°30′ North Latitude and caught between 112° and 130°30′ East Longtitude, and is being sampled by the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP) for today’s study on global change. So far, it has already been listed in the first set of IGBP-sponsored transects, becoming a key theatre and "hot spot" for probing terrestrial ecosystems. In terms of biota, the nearly 1,600-kilometre-long tract is located in a mid-latitude zone, featuring a vegetational transition from a temperate timberland of evergreen coniferous forests and broadleaved deciduous forests to a mild-temperate steppe. According to the norms of biome types, it consists of three subzones: meadow steppe, typical steppe and desert steppe in a continuous east-to-west spatial sequence. There are four ecological stations supported by a great number of permanent samples, long-term plots and an enormous build-up of experimental data along

Devonian Bivalve Faunas, Life-habits, and Biodiversity Changes in Guangxi, South China

Objective The Devonian bivalves are well developed, highly diversified and widely distributed in Guangxi. However, they have not been well studied previously, although several papers have dealt with it. Meanwhile, the biodiversity change of bivalves which is one of the most important benthos during Devonian in South China has not been studied yet. The aim of present project is focused on the study of systematic palaeontology, the life-habits, of Devonian bivalves of Guangxi.

CHINA'S VEGETATION/ECOSYSTEM RESPONSE TO GLOBAL CHANGE: RESEARCH PROGRESS & PROSPECTS

This paper presents the latest developments in the re search progress on mechanisms by which natural plants and crops respond to the doubled concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, resultant climatic change and the modeling of vegetation and eco-systems in China. In addition, it points out that the future study on global change and terrestrial ecosystems should stress m(?)iti-disciplinary teamwork and inter-discipline penetration. Finally, the paper emphasizes 10 research realms in the field to be enhanced in the future.

Impact of Climate Change on Aquatic Fauna of Economic Importance in Niger Delta, Nigeria

The study discusses the impact of climate change on aquatic lives in the Niger Delta region. To realise this, the study basically adopted a library search design of reviewing literatures of climate change impact on aquatic lives in the Niger Delta region. Meteorological data (rainfall, temperature and humidity) were also extracted from literatures to explain the evidence of climate change in the areas. The meteorological data showed that, temperature, rainfall and humidity have changed over the last 10 years. This change translates to climate change because it is at least up to a decade (10-year period), and it showed a?1.5&#176C rise in temperature from 2003 to 2013 and an increase of 342.2 mm in the amount of rainfall in Niger Delta. These clearly paint the picture of global warming. Furthermore, in the same period, there was a decrease of 9% in the amount of humidity in the area. Thus, it is very clear that the climate is changing over time within this region. This certainly has some effects on the aquatic Fauna in the region. In fact, for the next 10 years, the aquatic fauna that now inhabit various habitats may no longer be able to adapt to the changes, leading to their extinction and total elimination from the habitats in question. And as such, these aquatic fauna will either modify their body structure and function in order to tolerate the change in climate, migrate to new and comfortable habitat or even stand the risk of becoming extinct. To abate the impact of climate change in the region, introduction of new water management reform and policy implementation, and carbon sequestration amongst others were recommended. This electronic document is a “live” template. The various components of your paper [title, text, heads, etc.] are already defined on the style sheet, as illustrated by the portions given in this document.

East Asian summer monsoon changes in subtropical China since late Pleistocene:Evidence from the Ailuropoda-Stegodon fauna

Previous studies on the amplitude of East Asian summer monsoon(EASM)changes mainly focused on northern China(represented by the Loess Plateau).However,a rare investigation centered on the subtropical zone of southern China,where the important route for EASM moved northward or southward,especially addressing a lack of the research on mammals.The Ailuropoda-Stegodon fauna is a representative mammal fauna in southern China since the late Pleistocene.It indicates the southern mid-subtropicaltropical forest environment with tropical climate characteristics,and its southward or northward movements in the subtropical zone imply the changes of EASM intensity.Based on previous research,combined with the species characteristics and distribution range of the Ailuropoda-Stegodon fauna with tropical animals during the marine isotope stage 5(MIS5),MIS3,MIS2,and MIS1 Megathermal periods,this paper mainly investigates its evolution and the fluctuations of EASM.The conclusions include:(1)The distribution geometric centers in the MIS5,MIS3,MIS2,and MIS1 Megathermal periods are(26°14′N,111°22′E),(24°35′N,107°30′E),(22°48′N,112°01′E),and(26°19′N,112°25′E),respectively.(2)Compared with the MIS5 period,the EASM of the MIS3 and MIS2 moved 180 km and 380 km southwards,and that of the MIS1 Megathermal period moved about 10 km northwards.The EASM movement indicated by the fauna migration happened synchronous with the climate records of stalagmites in subtropical China,the sporopollen from eastern China,and oxygen isotopes from Sulu Sea.They also correspond to the peaks and valleys of the total solar radiation at 35°N in the winter half-year.This suggests that the migrations of the Ailuropoda-Stegodon fauna are consistent with the changes of the global climate,and the driving force is mainly from the changes of total solar radiation at 35°N in the winter half-year.

Special Issue on "Response of Polar Organisms and Natural Environment to Global Changes"

High altitude and high latitude regions on Earth are experiencing rapid changes in climate, with impacts on polar organisms and the environment. The persistent cold and sometimes inhospitable conditions create unique ecosystems and habitats for polar organisms.

Inviting Contributions to a Special Issue on "Response of Polar Organisms and Natural Environment to Global Changes"

Dear Colleagues, We would like to invite you to submit manuscripts to a special issue of the journal Advances in Polar Science （APS） on ＂Response of Polar Organisms and Natural Environment to Global Changes＂.

Project on Interaction between Agro-ecosystems and Global Change Making Progress

A research project on interaction between agroecosystems and global change has been accepted as a Category Ⅰ contribution to IGBP-GCTE (International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme-Global Change & Terrestrial Ecosystems) Core Research, the highest-level support GCTE has offered to an individual research project so far. This was confirmed by Prof. Noble, GCTE Chairman, in a letter to Prof. Peng Shaolin, Principal Investigator of

STATUS OF PACIFIC REGION IN GLOBAL CHANGE——An Analysis of the X VIII Pacific Science Congress

Last June more than one thousand scientists from over 50 countries in the Pacific and other regions of the world gathered in Beijing of China and participated in the ⅩⅤⅢ Pacific Science Congress. This was an international general academic congress which had involved natural science, social science, engineering science,

How Could Agricultural Land Systems Contribute to Raise Food Production Under Global Change?

To feed the increasing world population, more food needs to be produced from agricultural land systems. Solutions to produce more food with fewer resources while minimizing adverse environmental and ecological consequences require sustainable agricultural land use practices as supplementary to advanced biotechnology and agronomy. This review paper, from a land system perspective, systematically proposed and analyzed three interactive strategies that could possibly raise future food production under global change. By reviewing the current literatures, we suggest that cropland expansion is less possible amid iferce land competition, and it is likely to do less in increasing food production. Moreover, properly allocating crops in space and time is a practical way to ensure food production. Climate change, dietary shifts, and other socio-economic drivers, which would shape the demand and supply side of food systems, should be taken into consideration during the decision-making on rational land management in respect of sustainable crop choice and allocation. And ifnally, crop-speciifc agricultural intensiifcation would play a bigger role in raising future food production either by increasing the yield per unit area of individual crops or by increasing the number of crops sown on a particular area of land. Yet, only when it is done sustainably is this a much more effective strategy to maximize food production by closing yield and harvest gaps.

From global change to Future Earth in China

Here we review the activities and recent accomplishments resulting from the global change and Future Earth initiative studies in China.As a new international research initiative,Future Earth will develop comprehensive knowledge for responding to global change risks and create transformative opportunities toward future global sustainability.The Chinese National Committee for Future Earth,the consultation project Develop ‘Future Earth in China' for Promoting Social Sustainability and the cooperative international project Co-design of Implementation Plan for Future Earth in China were developed to help foster a culture of sustainability and conservation in China.To help promote the sustainability movement in China,Chinese scientists from both the natural and social sciences,policymakers,and stakeholders are encouraged to join the future activities following the Future Earth model co-design,co-produce,and co-delivery.

Pedosphere and Its Effect on Global Changes

With development of modern geoscience, particularly development of environmental sciences, the contemporary soil science is undergoing great changes in both research contents and scope. Soil is not onlya certain substance or a certain independent natural historical body but also a spheric layer with peculiarstructure and functions in the earth system. From the viewpoint of the geo-biosphere system of earth, soilscience does deal not only with the soil substances per se but also more importantly with the relationshipsamong soil, the other spheres and the human survival environment in view of the "pedosphere". This is thenew orientation of soil science today and will affect profoundly the studies on the human survival environmentand global changes. To throw more light on this subject, the present paper intends to address the conceptionof pedosphere and its role in global changes. Also addressed are series of environmental issues in China andtheir relations to the global changes. Moreover, research orientation and priorities are indicated, includingexploitation and protection of the soil resources, soil fertility and sustainable agricultural development, construction of the ecological environment, and the material cycling in pedosphere and its relation to globalchanges.

Fire cycle of the Canada's boreal region and its potential response to global change

Interactions of fire cycle and plant species＇ reproductive characteristics could determine vegetation distribution pattern of a landscape. In Canada＇s boreal region, fire cycles before the Little Ice Age （c. 1850s） ranged from 30-130 years and 25-234 years afterwards until the settlement period （c. 1930s） when longer fire cycles occurred in response to climatic change and human interference. Analysis indicated that fire cycles were correlated with growing season （April-October） temperature and precipitation departure from the 1961-1990 normal, varying by regions. Assuming that wildfires will respond to future warming similar to the manner during the past century, an assessment using climatic change scenarios CGCMI, CGCM2 and HadCM2 indicates fire cycles would divert to a range of 80-140 years in the west taiga shield, more than 700 years for the east boreal shield and east taiga shield, and 300-400 years for the boreal plains in 2050.

LATE QUATERNARY ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES IN THE ANTARCTIC AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH GLOBAL CHANGE

Two ingressions occurred in the last glacial interstadial (50,00-25,000 a BP) and Holocene optimum (7,500-5,000 a BP) periods in Antercticregion. The grea expansion of Antarcic Ice Sheet appeared at last glacialmaximum (18,000 a BP) when Antarctic sea level was 100- 150 m lower thanthat at presat. Three times of glacial advances and rotreas occurred on thefront of Antarctic Ice Shed since 3,000 a BP. All these phenomena werecoordinated with global changes. In the past decades, records from Antercticice-free areas and ice cores testified that mvironmedl and climatic changesin Antarctic region have been coordinated with global changes since latePlelstocene. In the past decades, Antarctic inland was a little warming up andthe fron of the ice shed was slowly melting and ratreating due to the increaseof CO2 content in the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect will cause AntercticIce Sheet (especially on the ice shelves) to be partly melting away, but can notdestroy it. In this case the amplitude of sea level rise caused by the melting ofAntarctic ice will be less than 0.2 m within the coming five decades.

Application of transition metal isotope tracers in global change research

High-precision isotope composition determinations using multicollector, magnetic-sector induc- tively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) have recently revealed that some transition metal isotopes such as those of Mo, Fe, Cu, Zn etc. can be used as biogeochemical tracers in global change research. The Mo isotope system may be useful in paleoredox investigations indicating that δ97/95Mo in seawater may co-vary with changes in the relative proportions of anoxic and oxic sedimentation in the ocean, and that this variation may be recorded inδ97/95Mo of anoxic sediments. The Mo continental flux into the oceans and the global Mo isotope budget can be estimated fromδ97/95Mo values. The Fe isotope composition in seawater is an important issue because Fe plays a controlling role in biological productivity in the oceans and its abundance in seawater may have substantial effect on climate changes. Iron isotope fractionations could result from bio- and abio-processes and have about 0.1% variation (δ56/54Fe), so Fe isotopes considered alone cannot be used to distinguish the products of abiotic and biotic Fe processing in geological records. Cu and Zn isotopes are also used as biogeochemical tracers, but the researches are relatively less. This review mainly focuses on the methods for preparation, purification and determination of new isotope tracer samples, and on isotope applications in marine environmental changes.