Global CO_(2)concentration change induced by“trigger-connectors”model,especially since about 24 Ma?A preliminary hypothesis

Background,aim,and scope The tectonic uplift of the Cenozoic Tibetan Plateau has produced a chain effect,which is an excellent location for Earth system science research,and its uplift process,mechanism and environmental effects are the hot spot and frontier of the current research.The“Tibetan Plateau uplift-weathering-CO_(2)concentration-global climate change”model was put forward by Raymo and Ruddiman to interpret the Late Cenozoic climate change.However,there are still some questions suspended,such as does the weathering of the Tibetan Plateau have the ability to control the global climate?How to explain the modern-like global CO_(2)concentration starting at about 24 Ma?Here,a short space was taken to present a brainstorm about the above questions on account of existing geological pieces of evidence.Materials and methods In this paper,we integrate the formation and evolution of the Yangtze River and Pearl River,the origin and development of the Asian inland aridification-monsoon system,the Cenozoic tectonic uplift process of the Tibetan Plateau,and the westerly winds to discuss and analyze the relationship between the Cenozoic CO_(2)concentration changes and the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and why the CO_(2)concentration similar to the present was formed at about 24 Ma.Results Similar correspondence of the surface uplift history of Xizang,other global mountains,and the declining CO_(2)concentration could support the theory Tibetan Plateau weathering inf luences CO_(2)concentration.Starting from 24 Ma,the most important character was the uplift and erosion of Xizang and Himalaya,collaborating with Ocean Iron Fertilization(OIF)together as an entity to control the atmospheric CO_(2)concentration because the great Asian rivers,Asian monsoons,and westerlies connected Xizang and surrounded seas together through materials transportation.Discussion Paleogeographic reconstructions from 40 Ma to 20 Ma illustrate that the main topographic change occurred in the Andes,Cordillera orogenic belt,and Xizang.We comprise a comprehensive set of evidence from independent data,which correspond temporally with the tipping point(about 24 Ma)of the atmospheric CO_(2)and we noticed that modern-like Asia monsoon,inland aridity,Asian great rivers,and climate zone formed at about 24 Ma and also there are tectonic activities for the Andes and Rockies.We raised the possibility that the modern-like atmospheric CO_(2)concentration at about 24 Ma was caused by the above geological factors.Here the rivers,monsoon,and westerlies are termed as“connectors”.In addition,these Asian rivers originated from Xizang,the monsoon,and inner Asian aridification are strongly a function of the uplift and growth of Xizang,thus,Xizang here is named as“trigger”.The distinct character of“trigger-connectors”model is that this not only takes the monsoon,westerlies,and the global great rivers into consideration but also expands the range which inf luences atmospheric CO_(2)concentration,from local points to a vast area since about 24 Ma,such as from Tibetan Plateau to Asia,including surrounded seas,after about 24 Ma.However,because the opening of the Late Oligocene-Early Miocene Antarctic periphery straits is highly coincident with the onset of modern-like global atmospheric CO_(2)concentration,we are forced to consider that they also had a significant impact on the reduction of atmospheric CO_(2)concentrations at this time.Conclusions“Trigger-connectors”was put forward to explain the Cenozoic CO_(2)variation,especially modern-like global CO_(2)concentration since about 24 Ma.Recommendations and perspectives Here we use the“trigger-connectors”model to explain the formation of modern-like CO_(2)concentrations starting at about 24 Ma,but there are still some problems.The most important premise for the“trigger-connectors”model is the constructed Cenozoic CO_(2)concentration record is reliable,which is the foundation of our hypothesis.In the future,potential improvements should focus on topographic reconstructions of Xizang and the global mountains.Here we have concentrated on Xizang in the considered timeslices but still,pay less attention to other global orogenic belts.Collaborations with geologist experts in those regions could provide valuable feedback to evaluate their potential role of them in CO_(2)evolution.What is more,considerable progress may be achieved with the addition and consideration of more and new geological data.

Advances in Grassland Ecosystem Research in Northern Tibetan Plateau

With the aggravation of global change, the response and adaptation of the unique ecosystem in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to global change have been increasingly concerned by scientific community day by day, which makes the sensitivity and fragility of this ecosystem in response to global change widely recognized by scholars. On the basis of introducing the present research process on the degenerate mechanisim, measures of and approaches to recovery, carbon cycle and primary productivity toward global change, we put forward several propositions on studying the alpine grassland ecosystem in Northern Tibetan Plateau.

Countermeasures for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to Cope with Climate Change and Ecological Environment Safety

The monitoring,prediction and assessment of status about climate changes and ecological environment at home and abroad were discussed in this study,and the scientific significance and countermeasures for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to cope with these problems were also put forward.

Effects of Temperature and Nitrogen Input on Nitrogen Mineralization in Alpine Soils on Tibetan Plateau

[Objective] The study aimed to investigate the effects of temperature and nitrogen input on nitrogen mineralization in alpine soils on the Tibetan Plateau.[Method]An incubation experiment in the laboratory was conducted using three alpine soils.These soils were collected from the top 10 cm depth in three grassland types：alpine meadow in Haibei,alpine steppe in Naqu and alpine wetland in Dangxiong.[Result] Temperature significantly affected nitrogen mineralization in alpine soils of three grassland types.The mineralization rate in alpine steppe soil rose with the rise of temperature,while the mineralization rate in the alpine meadow soil and alpine wetland soil decreased with the rise of temperature.Nitrogen input had no significant effect on nitrogen mineralization in the alpine meadow soil,but significantly increased nitrogen mineralization in the alpine steppe soil and the alpine wetland soil.Grassland types significantly affected nitrogen mineralization in alpine grasslands.[Conclusion] The effects of temperature and nitrogen input on nitrogen mineralization in alpine soils on the Tibetan Plateau were significant.And those different effects depended on different types of grassland.

Remote Sensing Monitoring of the Subalpine Coniferous Forests and Quantitative Analysis of the Characteristics of Succession in East Mountain Area of Tibetan Plateau——A Case Study With Zamtang County

The study area lies in the Dadu River drainage area in upstream Yangtze River.The spatial distribution of subalpine coniferous forests in 1989 and 2009 was extracted by means of a combined method of object orientation and visual interpretation,and then the overlaying analysis of these data was conducted.The type and spatial location of succession were discovered and served as the sample of dependant variable.Meanwhile,supported by GIS technology and based on DEM and thematic data,the eight variables including altitude,slope,sin and cosin of aspect,curvity of land surface,and distance to residential area,cultivated land and road were extracted served as the sample of spatial succession of subalpine coniferous forests to fit Logistic Regression,and then the contribution of each independent variable as well as the spatial property of the occurrence probability of succession was calculated.The results suggested that,during the succession of subalpine coniferous forests to meadow,the closer to the residential area and cultivated land,the greater the contribution to succession is.In particular,when the distance to the residential area decreases by one unit,the probability for its conversion to meadow will be increased by 1.15 times.During the succession of subalpine coniferous forests to deciduous-broadleaved shrubs,the sin of aspect and distance to residential area contribute more,and the probability of succession increases with increasing degree of northwardness,i.e.when the degree of northwardness increases by one unit,the probability will be increased by 1.2 times.The quantitative analysis of spatial succession property of subalpine coniferous forests will supply scientific basis to the protection and restoration of subalpine coniferous forests.

No C_4 Plants Found at the Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station in Qinghai, China: Evidence from Stable Carbon Isotope Studies

Using the measurement of stable carbon isotopes in leaves as a tool to investigate photosynthetic pathway of 102 plant species grown at an alpine meadow ecosystem, at the foot of the Qilian Mountain, Qinghai, China. The results indicate that the delta C-13 values of plants have a narrow range from -28.24parts per thousand to -24.84parts per thousand, which means that none of the species examined belongs to C-4 and crassulaceous acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthetic pathway and all of these species perform photosynthesis through the C-3 pathway. This is likely due to a long-term adaptation to environments at the alpine meadow ecosystem.

Study on Artificial Propagation Techniques for Glyptosternum maculatum in Tibet

This study aimed to explore artificial propagation techniques for Glyptosternum maculatum that is endemic in the Yarlung Zangbo River. Total 86 female fish in weight of 0.065-0.250 kg were selected, and the average weight of every 15 fish was 0.30 kg. Oxytocic drugs were injected into the base of pectoral fins of the female fish. The results showed that the total amount of female fish with artificial insemination was 59. The gloss weight of the fertilized eggs was 897.5 g with total amount of 57 440, thus the average fecundity was 1 194 eggs/fish. The fecundity showed a positive correlation with body weight （P〈0.01）. The average induction ratio and fertilization rate were 69% and 73.5%, respectively. The optimum water temperature for hatching of the fertilized eggs was 13-14 ℃ with dissolved oxygen of 6.0- 7.2 mg/L. The accumulated temperature for embryonic development of G. maculatum ranged from 2 592 to 2 916℃·h. This set of completely artificial propagation techniques has a very important significance for the artificial breeding of G. maculatum.

A Simulative Study on Effects of Climate Warming on Nutrient Contents and In Vitro Digestibility of Herbage Grown in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

The increasing trend of air temperature along with the climate warming has been accepted gradually by scientists and by the general public. Qinghai_Xizang Plateau, a unique geographic unit due to high_altitude climate, is one of the most susceptible regions to climate warming. Its ecosystem is very fragile and sensitive to climate change. In order to get a better understanding of the impacts of climate warming on the nutrient contents of herbage grown in Qinghai_Xizang Plateau, a simulative study was implemented at Daban Moutain by using temperature differences resulted from sites selected at different altitudes and nutrient contents and in vitro digestibility were determined for assessing the quality of the grown herbage. There were significant downtrends in crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) contents of herbage along with the increase of temperature. It had a positive correlation between temperature and content of acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) in herbage. In vitro digestibility of herbage decreased along with the increase of temperature. The results of this study indicated that climate warming significantly influence nutrient contents and in vitro digestibility of herbage grown in Qinghai_Xizang Plateau. It is suggested that the future climate warming especially the gradual rise of the night temperature could cause negative effect on herbage quality grown in Qinghai_Xizang Plateau by decreasing CP, EE, and NFE contents and increasing some indigestible ingredients such as crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), ADF, and ADL. This, consequently, decreases the ruminant assimilation ability.

説俞玉戈銘文中的“才林田俞■”句

俞玉戈,原藏於美國福格美術博物館①,據説是1935年左右經過日本人之手流入美國的②。其照片最早在1943年公開③,其後那志良《玉器通釋》收録這件玉戈的照片④,羅越先生的著作也收録(圖一左)⑤,並介紹過去的著録情況⑥,頗爲方便。但此玉戈得到學界廣泛的重視應該是在李學勤先生撰文介紹之後⑦。李先生在該文中收録這件玉戈和其銘文的摹本(圖一右),給學界帶來極大的便利。

Temporal-Spatial Distribution of Vegetation in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau During the Past 12 ka BP

Comprehensive studies on the basis of pollen records from lake cores at 30 sites in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau have been used to reconstruct temporal-spatial distributions of Holocene vegetations. Before the, Holocene (prior to 12.0 ka BP) desert steppe vegetation was developed from the, east to the west in the most parts of the Plateau, with a few exceptions in the extreme southeastern appeared. During the early Holocene ( 12.0 - 9.0 ka BP) deciduous broad-leaved forest/conifer and broad-leaved deciduous mixed forest were distributed in the east of Plateau (104degrees - 98degrees E). Meadows or shrub, meadow appeared in the middle of tire Plateau (98degrees - 92degrees E). Farther west to about 80degrees E, a steppe landscape was present. During the middle Holocene (9.0 - 3.2 ka BP), the palaeovegetations were sequentially conifer and broad-leaved deciduous mixed forest and sclerophyllous broad-leaved forest (104degrees - 98degrees E) - conifer and broad-leaved deciduous mixed forest (98degrees - 94degrees E) - shrub meadow (94degrees - 92degrees E) - steppe (92degrees - 80degrees E). During the late Holocene (after 3.2 ka BP), the palaeovegetations were sequentially sclerophyllous broad-leaved forest - conifer and broad-leaved deciduous mixed forest - meadow - steppe - desert from east to west of the Plateau.

Analysis to the Driving Force Model and Driving Factor on the Utilized Changes of Cultivated Land in Gonghe County

Using gradually regression analysis to establish the driving force model of utilized change of cultivated land in Gonghe County, and using path analysis, correlation analysis, partial correlation analysis and system dynamics method to inspect the effect of driving changing on cultivated land change under different change situations. Driving factors, action mechanism and process of utilized change of cultivated land were analyzed from the county territory scale level. At last, some corresponding policies and measures were put forward.

Nesting records of 20 bird species in Lhasa region,Tibet

This paper provides the information on nesting biology of 20 bird species in alpine shrub (4000-4700 m a.s.l.) or alpine meadow-wasteland habitats (4300-4700 m a.s.l.) in Lhasa region,Tibet.Of these species,three are endemic to the Tibetan plateau and 17 widespread in altitudes.The data on these taxa are all new to the high-altitude environments,especially the upper limit of their breeding distribution.A few species are firstly reported with respect to nesting information in the world.The study will contribute our knowledge for natural history of birds occurring in the harsh,extreme habitats.

Home range,population density,and habitat utilization of the Sichuan Jay (Perisoreus internigrans)

We assessed habitat preference and population status of the Sichuan Jay (Perisoreus internigrans),a poorly known Chinese endemic bird,at two sites (Zhuoni and Jiuzhaigou) in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau between 2001 and 2004.Mean group size was 3.8 jays.Each group occupied a mean home range of 42.0 ha during the breeding season,and the mean internest distance was 2.7 km.These data indicated that the jays used less than ten percent of the available habitats and occurred at an overall density of only 0.6 jays per km2.Radio-tracked Sichuan Jays had a strong preference for mature montane coniferous forests and avoided areas dominated by shrubs,while the utilization of young conifers,grassland,and human residential habitat types did not differ significantly from the values expected from the home-range availabilities of these habitats generally.

Summer-autumn habitat use by Galliformes in a primary forest,southeastern Tibet

Habitat use by Galliformes in an ornithologically unexplored region,a forest area in southeastern Tibet,was investigated during the summer and autumn periods of 1995.A total of seven species were recorded,most of which preferred habitats on south-facing slopes and avoided those on north-facing slopes where conditions were relatively humid.A hybrid population of White (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) versus Tibetan Eared-pheasants (C.harmani) was predominant among the Galliforme community,followed by Blood Pheasants (Ithaginis cruentus) and Chinese Grouse (Bonasa sewerzowi).A further investigation in 2001 showed that on account of little human activity in the distant primary forests,the birds suffered less of a threat from hunting and habitat disturbance.

High Altitude Adaptation and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tibetan Horse Based on the Mitochondrial Genome

To investigate genetic mechanisms of high altitude adaptations of animals living in the Tibetan Plateau, three mitochondrial genomes （mt-genome） of Tibetan horses living in Naqu （4,500 m） of Tibetan, Zhongdian （3,300 m） and Deqin （3,100 m） of Yunnan province were sequenced. The structures and lengths of these three mt-genomes are similar to the Cheju horse, which is related to Tibetan horses, but little shorter than the Swedish horse. The pair-wise identity of these three horses on nucleotide level is more than 99.3%. When the gene encoding the mitochondrial protein of Tibetan horses was analyzed, we found that NADH6 has higher non-synonymous mutation rate in all of three Tibetan horses. This implies that NADH6 may play a role in Tibetan horses＇ high altitude adaptation. NADH6 is one of the subunits of the complex I in the respiratory chain. Furthermore, 7 D-loop sequences of Tibetan horse from different areas were sequenced, and the phylogeny tree was constructed to study the origin and evolutionary history of Tibetan horses. The result showed that the genetic diverse was high among Tibetan horses. All of Tibetan horses from Naqu were clustered into one clade, and Tibetan horses from Zhongdian and Deqin were clustered into others clades. The first molecular evidence of Tibetan horses indicated in this study is that Tibetan horse population might have multiple origins.

Study on Evapotranspiration Regularity of 3 Forages in Eastern Qinghai Province

The transpiration rate and transpiration quantity＇of whole plants and foliages of Bromus innerrnis, Medicago sativa and Agropyron cristatum are measured by using improved quick and continuous weighting after being cut off method （QCWC）. The results show that transpiration rate of branches and foliages of Agropyron cristatum is highest in 3 forages, Medicago sativa is second and Bromus innermis is lowest. From July to September, the average transpiration quantity of whole plants and foliages of 3 forages is highest in August, September is second and July is lowest.

The role of wild goose(Anser) populations of Russia and theTibet Plateau in the spread of the avian influenza virus

Wild birds of the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes represent a natural reservoir of low pathogenic avian influenza(LPAI) viruses(family Orthomyxoviridae).Wild geese(order Anseriformes)relating to waterfowls undertake extensive migration flights reaching thousands of kilometers.Isolation of the avian influenza virus(AIV) from wild geese is quite low or absent.The aims of this study are to monitor the AIV in different wild goose species,nesting on Russian territory and the Tibet Plateau and to analyze the derived data for the purpose of determining the role of these wild bird species in spreading pathogens.In our study 3245 samples from nine wild goose species in nine regions of Russia and on the territory of the Tibet Plateau(the Xizang Autonomous Region) were tested and no AIV were detected.Our study shows the non-essential role of wild geese in the spread of the AIV over long distances and reaches theconclusion that geese are probably not natural reservoirs for the primary viruses.However,further inquiry of AIV in wild goose populations is required.Studies of wild geese and AIV ecology will allow us to obtainmore information about pathogen-host relationships and to make arrangements for the maintenance ofwild goose populations.

Foraging behavior of the Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker subspecies Picoides tridactylus funebris in southern Gansu, China

The Three-toed Woodpecker subspecies Picoides tridactylus funebris is endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet plateau in China. No part of its life history was ever reported since its discovery in 1870. To close this gap, we observed foraging behavior of a pair between April and August 2007. A total of 117 observations (28 for male and 89 for female) were obtained by following the birds within their home-ranges using radio-tracking. P. t. funebris preferred foraging on live spruces and snags bigger than available with an average diameter of breast height (DBH) of 32.7 ± 9.2 cm. The most frequent foraging technique was pecking (39.8% of foraging time) and peeling (13.2%). Moreover, sap-sucking was observed more often in P. t. funebris than in P. t. alpinus, suggesting that P. t. funebris was more dependent on the tree sap than the other subspecies. We found distinct niche partitioning between the sexes with respect to use of three out of four investigated parameters of the foraging substrates. These differences were likely related to sexual dimorphism pronounced by slightly larger bill of the male. We concluded that the subspecies P. t. funebris displayed foraging behavior which was very similar to that of other subspecies of the Three-toed Woodpecker.

Soil N Pools and Transformation Rates Under Different Land Uses in a Subalpine Forest-Grassland Ecotone

Soil nitrogen pools (NP), denitrification (DN), gross nitrification (GN), N2O and CO2 flux rates with their responses to temperature increases were determined under five different land uses and managements in a subalpine forest-grassland ecotone of the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Land uses consisted of 1) sparse woodland, 2) shrub-land, 3) natural pasture, 4)fenced pasture, and 5) tilled pasture mimicking a gradient degenerating ecosystem under grazing impacts. The NO3--N content was higher than the NH4+-N content. Comparing tilled pasture with fenced pasture showed that higher intensive management (tillage) led to a significant decrease of soil organic matter (SOM) (P ＜ 0.05) in the soils, which was in contrast to the significant increases (P ＜0.05) of DN, GN, N2O and CO2 flux rates. GN (excluding tilled pasture) and CO2 flux rates increased with a temperature rise, but DN and N2O flux rates normally reached their maximum values at 12-14 ℃ with tilled pasture (the highest management intensity) being very sensitive to temperature increases. There was a difference between net nitrification and GN, with GN being a betterindicator of soil nitrification.

Response of Vegetation in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to Global Warming

Using satellite-observed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index （NDVI） dada and station-observed surface air temperature anomalies for the Northern Hemisphere （NH）, we analyze the spatio-temporal characteristics of vegetation variations in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and their correlations with global warming from 1982 to 2002. It is found that the late spring and early summer （May-June） are the months with the strongest responses of vegetation to global warming. Based on the Rotated Empirical Orthogonal Function （REOF） method, the study shows that the first REOF spatial pattern of average NDVI for May-June reveals the northern and southern zones with great inter-annual variations of vegetation, the northern zone from the eastern Ktmlun Mountains to the southwestern Qilian Mountain and southern zone from the northern edge of the Himalayas eastward to the Hengduan Mountains. The vegetation, especially grassland, in the two zones increases significantly with global warming, with a correlation coefficient of 0.71 between the first REOF of May-June vegetation and the April-May surface air temperature anomaly in the NH during 1982-2002. A long-term increasing trend in May-June vegetation for the plateau region as a whole is also attributed mainly to global warming although there are considerable regional differences. The areas with low NDVI （grassland and shrubland） usually respond more evidently to global warming, especially since the 1990s, than those with moderate or high NDVI values.