Response of tree-ring growth to climate at treeline ecotones in the Qilian Mountains,northwestern China

Climate constitutes the main limiting factor for tree-ring growth in high-elevation forests, and the relationship between tree-ring growth and climate is complex. Based on tree-ring chronology and meteorological data, the influence of precipitation, mean temperature and mean minimum temperature at yearly, seasonal and monthly scales on the tree-ring growth of Picea crossifolia was studied at treeline ecotones in the Qilian Mountains, northwestern China. The results show that growing season temperatures of previous and current years are important limiting factors on tree-ring growth, particularly June mean temperature and mean minimum temperature of current year. The precipitations in the previous winter and current spring have a positive correlation, and in the current fall has a negative correlation with tree-ring growth, but these correlations are not significant. Our results suggest that temperature controls tree-ring growth more strongly than precipitation at treeline ecotones in the Qilian Mountains.

Degradation problems of the land/water ecotones in China and their ecological impact to water systems

Degradation of land/water ecotones in China is a serious problem and it is often neglected by people. The types of ecotone degradation are described and analyzed. The degradation of land/water ecotones enhanced the water quality reduction, bank erosion, desasters such as landslide, flood and drought, biodiversity reduction, lost of fertilized lands, decrease of the resource value of water scenic beauty and many others. The paper analyzes how these problems are related with each other.

Biomass distribution patterns of ecotones between forest andswamp in Changbai Mountaion

This paper studied the biomass distribution patterns of Lanix olgensis/swamp ecotones and Betula platyphlla/swamp ecotones in Changbai Mountain so as to provide theory foundation for the management of these nature resources, by setting up sample belts, investigating initial data along the environmental gradients change, and establishing regression models. By means of regression models, the biomass of communities, layers, tree species and organs was calculated. In this system, it was found that the community biomass inreased gradually along the environmental gradients change from swamp to forest in Changbai Mountain. Furthermore, the ecotoneal biomass distributed mainly over tree layer. The tree biomass distributed mainly in two or three dominate tree species.

Mapping the Farming-pastoral Ecotones in China

Conventional farming-pastoral ecotones methods of delineating were not quantitative and could not fully show their spatial distribution. The present paper attempts to develop quantitative methods for mapping farming-pastoral ecotones in China. Nine indicators, related to temperature, precipitation and altitude aspects, were selected to quantify ecological susceptibility of vegetation （crops and forage）. Methods of analytic hierarchy process （AHP） and expert score ranking combined with fuzzy set theory were applied to assign the weight for each indicator and to define the membership functions. The geographic information system （GIS） was used to manage the spatial database and conduct the spatial analysis. According to the spatial calculation of evaluation model integrated with GIS, the ecological susceptibility of vegetation （crops and forage） was mapped. Three different zones, pastoral area, farming-pastoral ecotones and farming area, were classified by spatial cluster analysis and the maximum likelihood classification for the numeric map of vegetation ecological susceptibility by GIS. This map was validated by the economic statistical result based on the ratio of the output value from animal husbandry in total output value of agriculture by the National Bureau of Statistics in China, indicating that the mapping of the farming-pastoral ecotones may be accepted.

Contrasting changes in above- and below-ground biomass allocation across treeline ecotones in southeast Tibet

Under conditions of a warmer climate,the advance of the alpine treeline into alpine tundra has implications for carbon dynamics in mountain ecosystems.However,the above- and below-ground live biomass allocations among different vegetation types within the treeline ecotones are not well investigated.To determine the altitudinal patterns of above-/below-ground carbon allocation,we measured the root biomass and estimated the above-ground biomass(AGB) in a subalpine forest,treeline forest,alpine shrub,and alpine grassland along two elevational transects towards the alpine tundra in southeast Tibet.The AGB strongly declined with increasing elevation,which was associated with a decrease in the leaf area index and a consequent reduction in carbon gain.The fine root biomass(FRB) increased significantly more in the alpine shrub and grassland than in the treeline forest,whereas the coarse root biomass changed little with increasing altitudes,which led to a stable below-ground biomass(BGB) value across altitudes.Warm and infertile soil conditions might explain the large amount of FRB in alpine shrub and grassland.Consequently,the root toshoot biomass ratio increased sharply with altitude,which suggested a remarkable shift of biomass allocation to root systems near the alpine tundra.Our findings demonstrate contrasting changes in AGB and BGB allocations across treeline ecotones,which should be considered when estimating carbon dynamics with shifting treelines.

Spatio-temporal Pattern and Spatial Heterogeneity of Ecotones Based on Land Use Types of Southeastern Da Hinggan Mountains in China

Ecotones have received great attention due to its critical function in energy flux, species harbor, global carbon sequestration, and land-atmosphere interaction. This study investigated land use pattern and spatial heterogeneity of the ecotones among agricultural land, forest land, and grassland of the southeastern Da Hinggan Mountains in the northeastern China. The change of these delineated ecotones under different slopes and aridity conditions was analyzed by two landscape indices, edge density(ED) and core area percentage of landscape(CPL), to explore the inter-linkage between spatial structure of ecotones and socioeconomic development and land management. Specifically, the ecotones such as agriculture-forest(AF) ecotone, forest-grassland(FG) ecotone, and agriculture-forestgrassland(AFG) ecotone moved from the arid southeast to the humid northwest. The flat area with small slope is more edge-fragmented than the steep area since the ED decreases as the slope increases. The AF ecotone mostly found in the humid region is moving to more humid areas while the agriculture-grassland(AG) ecotone mostly found in the dry region is moving towards the drier region.

Examples of Ecotones and Paragenese in the Vegetation Cover of the Baikalian Siberia

Changes in vegetation structure in environments contact community characterize the ecotones and paragenese inside zonal vegetation site or altitude belt as of concrete environments while differences of cenotic structures of communities between zones or between altitude belts as well. The aim of this work was research of structural-dynamic organization of phytocenoses forming under the conditions of environments contact and mountain tundra, forests (zonal taiga) and extrazonal steppes, zonal forest steppes of some areas at the Baikalian Siberia, Eastern Siberia of Russia.

Current vegetation dynamics of the “forest-mountain tundra” ecotones of Lake Baikal coastal ranges

During last decades, new trends appeared in the ecotones of the upper boundary of forests at the ridges surroundingLakeBaikal(Khamar-Daban and Baikal’sky Ridge): ones to advance of wood species (Pinus sibirica Du Tour, Abies sibirica Ledeb., Larix sibirica Ledeb., Larix dahurica Lawson) out of timber stands into the area of subgoltsy with Pinus pumila (Pallas) Regel. up to mountain tundras. In average, this is from 100 to 200 - 300 meters (maximum up to500 m) in linear distance from the margin of dense timber stand. A burst of forests renewal occurred in 1989-1995, it resulted probably from a high productivity of the seeds of wood species due to warmer winters in 1980ies-1990ies which favoured the formation of favourable climate-edaphic conditions for the development of forest communities above the forests boundary on the ridges surrounding Lake Baikal.

A size-gradient hypothesis for alpine treeline ecotones

Research on the stress gradient hypothesis recognizes that positive(i.e. facilitative) and negative(i.e. competitive) plant interactions change in intensity and effect relative to abiotic stress experienced on a gradient. Motivated by observations of alpine treeline ecotones, we suggest that this switch in interaction could operate along a gradient of relative size of individual plants. We propose that as neighbors increase in size relative to a focal plant they improve the environment for that plant up to a critical point. After this critical point is surpassed, however, increasing relative size of neighbors will degrade the environment such that the net interaction intensity becomes negative. We developed a conceptual(not site or species specific) individual based model to simulate a single species with recruitment, growth, and mortality dependent on the environment mediated by the relative size of neighbors. Growth and size form a feedback. Simulation results show that the size gradient model produces metrics similar to that of a stress gradient model. Visualizations reveal that the size gradient model produces spatial patterns that are similar to the complex ones observed at alpine treelines. Size-mediated interaction could be a mechanism of the stress gradient hypothesis or it could operate independent of abiotic stress.

生态交错带（Ecotone）理论研究进展

生态交错带（Ｅｃｏｔｏｎｅ）理论研究进展高洪文（东北师范大学草地研究所，长春１３００２４）ＡｄｖａｎｃｅｍｅｎｔｏｆＴｂｅｏｒｅｔｉｃａｌＲｅｓｅａｒｃｈｉｎＥｃｏｔｏｎｅ．￥ＧａｏＨｏｎｇｗｅｎ（ＩｎｓｔｉｔｕｔｅｏｆＧｒａｓｓｌａｎｄＲｅ－ｓｅａ...

生态环境脆弱带ECOTONE的基础判定

ECOTONE为国际生态界最近重新定义的基本概念之一。本文在诠释生态环境脆弱带的定义之后,对其实质及其空间属性作了较全面的逻辑归纳。在进一步研究的基础上,对于生态环境脆弱带作出了独立的函数表达,并且就生态环境脆弱带的宽度指标、重迭度指标、脆弱度指标、综合性指标,提出了较严格的表述形式。它们吸收了生态界面理论,并把系统生态学中的非稳定性理论,广延为辨识“全球变化”的基本手段,从而在生态学理论与应用两个方面,体现了研究的意义和价值。

蒙古栎群落交错带(ecotone)的研究

通过群落学的样地法对蒙古栎 (Quercusmongolica)群落和核桃楸 (Juglansmandshurica)群落、蒙古栎群落和长白落叶松 (Larixolgensis)群落、蒙古栎群落和杂灌丛群落及其交错带进行了研究 ,分析了在三个地点的几种群落结构和物种组成方面的差异 ,计算了各群落的物种丰富度指数 (dGl)、Simpson物种多样性指数 (D)、Shannon_Weiner物种多样性指数 (H′)及Pielou均匀度指数 (J)。研究发现在通化和大青沟两个地区群落交错带的物种丰富度及Shannnon多样性指数最高 ;而在桦甸群落交错带的物种丰富度和物种多样性指数要比核桃楸群落低 ,比蒙古栎群落高 ,没有表现出特别强烈的边缘效应。本文也分析了群落乔木层、灌木层和草本层盖度之间的关系。

Current Situation and Development Countermeasures on Grassland Resource in Farming-pasturing Ecotone in West Jilin Province

Upon the current degradation situation of grassland in west Jilin Province,I analyzed the effects of natural factors and human activities on the degradation of grassland,and further purposefully put forward countermeasures on the remediation and development of grassland.As a conclusion,scientifically utilizing and protecting the grassland resources could suppress grassland degradation,promoting the sustainable development of regional economy.

Study on Over-urbanization of the Ecotone between Mount Tai and Tai'an City

By investigating the ecotone between Mount Tai Scenic Area and downtown area of Tai'an City,the characteristics of such an ecotone are analyzed,serious problems brought by the over-urbanization to local natural environment,such as destruction of eco-environment,aggravated pollution and degradation of mountainous landscape resources are studied.Then countermeasures for the harmonious development of the ecotone are proposed to better promote the coordinated development of cities and mountainous scenic areas.

Vegetation landscape structure and dynamics in sandy forest-steppe ecotone

Sandy forest-steppe ecotone in Baiyinaobao Natural Reserve of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China is one of the special landscape types in forest-steppe vegetation zone in China. Vegetation landscape types, landscape patches, and patch size were measured by the field investigation, forest photograph, and airscape. The structure of landscape patches in sandy forest-steppe ecotone, including composition structure, and size structure, was studied and the dynamics and transformation of landscape patches were analyzed. The data obtained in this study could provide theoretical basis for the research on vegetation landscape in forest-steppe ecotones and other vegetation types.

Research Progress on Ecological Safety Assessment of the Farming-pastoral Ecotone in China

[Objective] The study was conducted to overview the farming-pastoral ecotone research progress in China.[Methods] Started from the influences on soil,precipitation and water conservation,climate and mulching of different land use types,the paper summarized the current research situation on several hot issues and proposed suggestions for future study.[Results] Researches on farming-pastoral ectone in China have achieved great progress,but still require more deep and comprehensive studies.Suggestions：Current studies should focus on solutions for degradation of farmland and grassland;Conduct deeper analysis on the relatively weaker aspects in a multi-domain fusion type;Implement the study results on eco-environmental recovery,production improvement and other practical activities;Lift the research of ecotone to a national or even global level,and make them far more comprehensive.[Conclusion] Provide theoretical basis for ecological protection of farming-pastoral ecotone in our country.

Quantification of driving factors on NDVI in oasis-desert ecotone using geographical detector method

Within oasis-desert ecotone regions,the normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)is an important parameter for evaluating the growth of vegetation.An accurate quantitative study between NDVI and environmental and anthropogenic factors is critical for understand the driving factors of vegetation growth in oasis-desert ecotone.In 2016,four periods Landsat 8 OLI_TIRS images,relevant climatological parameters data(air temperature,air relative humidity,wind velocity and accumulated temperature),land cover type data and soil data were selected as proxies.In order to quantify the explanatory power for NDVI spatial and temporal distribution in the southern edge of Dunhuang City and northern side of the Mingsha Mountain,the geographical detector model was used to explain the potential influences of factors versus the spatial distribution of NDVI,and each explanatory variable's relative importance can be calculated.The factor detector results disclose that the spatial distribution of NDVI is primarily dominated by land cover type.The risk detector results show that,high NDVI region is located within woodland.The mean value of NDVI displays an increase and then decrease trend with air temperature increase.With the increase of wind velocity and decrease of air relative humidity,the NDVI value shows a decrease trend.The interactive q values between the two factors are higher than any q value of separated factors.Results also indicate that the strongest interactive effects of NDVI are different in distinct seasons.Consequently,anthropogenic activity is more important than environmental factors on NDVI in oasis-desert ecotone.We also demonstrate that air relative humidity rather than air temperature have played a greater role in NDVI spatial distribution.

Soil properties and herbaceous characteristics in an age sequence of Haloxylon ammodendron plantations in an oasis-desert ecotone of northwestern China

Haloxylon ammodendron, a typical desert shrub with C4 pathway of photosynthesis, possessing a strong ability to adapt to an extreme drought environment, has a rapid growth rate in sandy lands and is widely used in sand-fixing shelter-forest systems in oasis-desert ecotones. To assess the effects of H. ammodendron plantation on the soil, we measured soil properties and herbaceous characteristics along a nearly 40-year chronosequence after H. ammodendron was planted in shifting sand dunes in an oasis-desert ecotone. Results showed that silt and clay fractions increased significantly in the topsoil. The accumulation rates of soil organic carbon （SOC）, total nitrogen （TN） and total phosphorus （TP） were faster in the early stages （0-9 years） and slower in the late stages （9-39 years）. The soil pH and electrical conductivity （EC） were higher than those in the non-vegetation dunes. Moreover, the soil properties in the topsoil （0-5 cm） showed larger variation scope than those in the deeper soil layers （5-20 cm）. The significant relationships of the soil silt＋clay content with the chemical properties mainly appeared in the topsoil. The wind erosion susceptibility of the soil, evaluated by erodible fraction （EF）, decreased significantly with increasing H. ammodendron plantation age. Additionally, the annual pioneer herb, Agriophyllum squarrosum, was gradually substituted by the annual salt-tolerant herb, Bassia dasyphylla, with increasing plantation age. These results showed beneficial effects of H. ammodendron plantation on improving soil conditions. However, the dynamics of the herbaceous species also reminded us that the long- term effects of H. ammodendron plantation, especially on changes in vegetation composition, still need further evaluation.

Desert vegetation distribution and species-environment relationships in an oasis-desert ecotone of northwestern China

Environmental heterogeneity significantly affects the structure of ecological communities.Exploring vegetation distribution and its relationship with environmental factors is essential to understanding the abiotic mechanism(s)driving vegetation succession,especially in the ecologically fragile areas.In this study,based on the quantitative analysis of plant community and environmental factors in 68 plots at 10 different transects in the Minqin oasis-desert ecotone(ODE)of northwestern China,we investigated desert vegetation distribution and species-environment relationships using multivariate analysis.Two-way indicator species analysis(TWINSPAN),detrended correspondence analysis(DCA),and canonical correspondence analysis(CCA)methods were used.A total of 28 species,belonging to 27 genera in 8 families,were identified.Chenopodiaceae,Zygophyllaceae,Gramineae,and Leguminosae were the largest families.Annual and perennial herbs accounted for 28.60%of the total number of plants,while shrubs(42.90%)were the most dominant.Nitraria tangutorum was the constructive species of the desert plant community.We divided the 68 plots surveyed in this study into 7 community types,according to the results of TWINSPAN.The distribution of these 7 communities in the DCA ordination graph showed that species with a similar ecotype were clustered together.Results of CCA indicated that groundwater was the dominant factor influencing vegetation distribution,while distance between plot and oasis(Dis)and soil electrical conductivity(EC)were the local second-order factors.Our study suggests that optimizing the utilization of groundwater in oases is key to controlling the degradation of desert vegetation.The favorable topographic conditions of sand dunes should be fully utilized for vegetal dune stabilization,and the influence of soil salinity on the selection of afforestation tree species should be considered.

Changes in soil carbon stocks and related soil properties along a 50-year grassland-to-cropland conversion chronosequence in an agro-pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia,China

Land use change significantly influences soil properties. There is little information available on the long-term effects of post-reclamation from grassland to cropland on soil properties. We compared soil carbon （C） and nitrogen （N） storage and related soil properties in a 50-year cultivation chronosequence of grassland in the agro-pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia. Field surveys on land use changes during the period of 1955-2002 were conducted to build a chronosequence of cropland of different ages since the conversion from grassland. The results showed that soil C and N storage, soil texture, and soil nutrient contents varied with land use types and cropland ages （P〈0.01）. In the 0-30 cm soil layer, the soil organic carbon （SOC） density was significantly lower in the crop- lands （3.28 kg C/m2 for C50 soil） than in the grasslands （6.32 kg C/m2）. After 5, 10, 15, 20, 35, and 50 years of crop planting （years since the onset of cultivation）, the SOC losses were 17%, 12%, 19%, 47%, 46%, and 48%, respec- tively, compared with the grasslands. The soil total nitrogen （TN） density of the grasslands was 65 g N/m2, and TN density of the cropland soil was 35 g N/m2 after 50 years of crop planting. Both the SOC and TN densities could be quantitatively determined by a negative exponential function of cropland age （P〈0.0001, R2=0.8528; P〈0.0001, R2=0.9637）. The dissolved organic carbon （DOC） content, pH value were decreased; and the soil bulk density and soil available potassium （AK） content, clay content, and sand content were increased since the conversion of grassland into cropland during the 50-year period. Our results show soil nutrients were higher in grassland than in cropland. The conversion of grasslands to croplands induced a loss of soil C storage and changes of related soil properties. The reclamation time of cultivated soil （cropland age） had significant effects on soil properties in the study area.