Effects of landscape fragmentation of plantation forests on carbon storage in the Loess Plateau,China

Tree plantation and forest restoration are the major strategies for enhancing terrestrial carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change.The Grain for Green Project in China has positively impacted global carbon sequestration and the trend towards fragmentation of plantation forests.Limited studies have been conducted on changes in plantation biomass and stand structure caused by fragmentation,and the effect of fragmentation on the carbon storage of plantation forests remains unclear.This study evaluated the differences between carbon storage and stand structure in black locust forests in fragmented and continuous landscape in the Ansai District,China and discussed the effects of ecological significance of four landscape indices on carbon storage and tree density.We used structural equation modelling to explore the direct and indirect effects of fragmentation,edge,abiotic factors,and stand structure on above-ground carbon storage.Diameter at breast height(DBH)in fragmented forests was 53.3%thicker,tree density was 40.9%lower,and carbon storage was 49.8%higher than those in continuous forests;for all given DBH>10 cm,the trees in fragmented forests were shorter than those in continuous forests.The patch area had a negative impact on carbon storage,i.e.,the higher the degree of fragmentation,the lower the density of the tree;and fragmentation and distance to edge(DTE)directly increased canopy coverage.However,canopy coverage directly decreased carbon storage,and fragmentation directly increased carbon storage and tree density.In non-commercial forests,fragmentation reduces the carbon storage potential of plantation,and the influence of patch area,edge,and patchy connection on plantation should be considered when follow-up trees are planted and for the plantation management.Thus,expanding the area of plantation patches,repairing the edges of complex-shaped patches,enhancing the connectivity of similar patches,and applying nutrients to plantation forests at regular intervals are recommended in fragmented areas of the Loess Plateau.

Weathering Characterization and Degradation Analysis of Landscape Wooden Buildings in Semi-Arid and Sandy Area

Wooden buildings play a very important role in China’s construction and landscape architecture industry.In order to explore the weathering characteristics of the surface layer of landscape wooden buildings,the main causes of weathering were analyzed on the basis of summarizing the common types of weathering characterization.The results showed that the weathering characterization was mainly reflected in the surface defects of wood structures,such as cracking,discoloration,peeling,wind erosion wear,and so on.The coating technology on the surface of constructions was the main artificial factor affecting the surface defects of constructions.In the case of similar surface decoration conditions,sunlight and moisture were the main natural factors affecting the weathering of wooden buildings,which will promote the process of weathering.

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AND FRACTAL MODELING ON THE MOSAIC STRUCTURE OF LANDSCAPE IN THE CENTRAL AREA OF SHANGHAI METROPOLIS

The mosaic structure of landscape of the central area of Shanghai Metropolis is studied by quantitative methods of landscape ecology based on Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) in this paper. Firstly, landscapes are classified into eight categories: residential quarter, industrial quarter, road, other urban landscape, farmland, village and small town, on-building area, river and other water bodies (such as lake, etc.). Secondly, a GIS is designed and set up based on the remote sensing data and field investigation, and a digital map of landscape mosaic is made. Then the indexes of diversity, dominance, fragmentation and isolation, and fractal dimension of each type of landscape in different periods are calculated by using spatial analysis method of GIS. With reference to the calculated results, a series of relative issues are discussed.

Research on the Mosaic Art of Plants in Landscape Design

In this research,the concept of mosaic is brought into the elements of landscape design,and the concept of landscape mosaic is introduced.Finally,the artistic function,the artistic expression and the landscaping aesthetic principles of plants' mosaic art are analyzed systematically.

Study on the Hierarchy and Structure of Tourist Landscape Appreciation

Basic attributes of landscape appreciation were summarized as interaction between appreciation subjects and objects,cultural identity and stability,symbolic meaning,preference of subjects,and unification of subjective and objective structures.On this basis,hierarchy and prefe-rence of tourist landscape appreciation were analyzed,classification of cultural groups and their cultural rules would promote landscape appreciation researches,while heterogeneous cultures of tourist landscapes were motives of tourist landscape appreciation,and structural optimization of tourist landscape appreciation would improve the quality of tourist landscape appreciation.Structure of tourist landscape appreciation was discussed according to aesthetic characteristics of tourist landscapes,and three dimensions were included in the structure:"space-scale","time-history" and "mechanism-function".Guided by structuralism aesthetics,planning principles of tourist landscapes were proposed from the perspectives of dimension structure and cultural preference,aesthetic standard of the public and market orientation,symbolism and cultural value.

The corridor effect of metropolitan spatialextension and optimization of landscape structure—the case of Beijing

Because of the existence of gradient field of the urban center and the corridor effect. underthe drive of going merely after economic benefit, the city intrinsically has the trend of massive growth, and this will seriously destroy the urban reasonable landscape structure and the ecological equilibrium.By applying the theory of corridor effect. this paper studies the interactive process between artificialcorridors and natural corridors. At the same time, by studying the Beijing's spatial extension pattern in central urban area during different periods. this paper analyses the corridors extension volume.extension velocity and variant tendency of urban landscape on & directions. Moreover. this paperbrings forward the idea of incorporating the systen of natural corridors into the Beijing'smetropolitan planning, namely to form a star-shaped scattering-group pattern in which artificialcorridors and natural corridors are alternately distributed in order to effectively prevent built-up areafrom massive growth .

Landscape structure and land uese on county level in northeastern Yunnan Province of China——a case study of Huize County

Taking Huize County as an example, the paper analyzed the landscape structure(landscape element structure, landscape type structure, landscape spatial structure, landscape succession structure) and the relations between landscape structure and land use. It was pointed out that the agriculture should be developed in harmony with the landscape structure in the study area.

Landscape structure and bird's diversity in the rural areas of Taiwan

This study tries to discuss the relationship between landscape structure and organisms in the perspective of landscape architecture. The research hypotheses were then proposed as (1) there are relationships between landscape structure indexes and birds' diversity in the rural areas of Taiwan; (2) the relationships between landscape structure and birds' diversity will be different in different hierarchical levels. In order to increase the bird species, landscape planners could tries to increase the density of water bodies, but decrease the farms and human planted woods. Decrease the density of constructed and human planted grasslands. Increase the area of un-worked acres, natural grasslands, and the area of water bodies and circular the water bodies and natural forest. In order to increase birds' diversity, landscape planners could decrease the concentration of paved areas. Concentrate the human planted trees to increase the core areas of woodlands. Increase the area of natural grassland circular. In order to increase the total number of birds in the planning areas, landscape planners could scattered the paved areas and lengthen the constructed areas. Decreases the core region of the constructed areas. Increase the area of un-worked acres and water bodies. Decrease the disturbance of both the interior area of natural and human planted woodlands and try to increase the density of water bodies.;The analysis results showed that the small grain size indexes are more suitable for the rural areas of Taiwan to capture the influential factors of bird communities. The high fragmentation of land usages in Taiwan lessens the influences of the regional landscape pattern.

Molecular dynamics study of mosaic structure in the Ni-based single-crystal superalloy

The mosaic structure in a Ni-based single-crystal superalloy is simulated by molecular dynamics using a potential employed in a modified analytic embedded atom method. From the calculated results we find that a closed threedimensional misfit dislocation network, with index of （011）{100} and the side length of the mesh 89.6A, is formed around a cuboidal γ′ precipitate. Comparing the simulation results of the different mosaic models, we find that the side length of the mesh only depends on the lattice parameters of the γ and γ′ phases as well as the γ/γ′ interface direction, but is independent of the size and number of the cuboidal γ′ precipitate. The density of dislocations is inversely proportional to the size of the cuboidal γ′ precipitate, i.e. the amount of the dislocation is proportional to the total area of the γ/γ′ interface, which may be used to explain the relation between the amount of the fine γ′ particles and the creep rupture life of the superalloy. In addition, the closed three-dimensional networks assembled with the misfit dislocations can play a significant role in improving the mechanical properties of superalloys.

The Impact of Stream Landscape on Genetic Structure and Dispersal Patterns in Stream Salamander(Pachyhynobius shangchengensis)

Compared with other terrestrial environments,the stream environment generally presents a linear spatial structure and relatively simple environment.In a stream landscape,the dispersal direction of stream-type organisms usually presents a linear structure along the stream,which results in the limited dispersal and the genetic differentiation of stream-type organisms across different stream sections.The Shangcheng Stout Salamander(Pachyhynobius shangchengensis)is a narrowly distributed stream salamander in Dabie Mountains of East China.In the present study,we tested for the impact of stream landscape(i.e.waterfalls and underground river)on genetic structure and dispersal pattern in P.shangchengensis based on 12 nuclear microsatellite loci from 195 individuals in 3 populations(A,B and C)from three closely connected sections within one stream.Genetic diversity results suggested that Population B contains relatively high genetic diversity for P.shangchengensis when compared to the other populations(A and C).Detectable genetic differentiation was found(FST=0.008,P=0.007)among three populations,which was also supported by the Structure,FCA analysis and relatedness estimates of each pair of individuals among populations.The assignment test suggested that P.shangchengensis has philopatric males and female-biased dispersal(mean female Alc=.0.031,SE=0.225;mean male Alc=0.026,SE=0.198).Female-biased dispersal was also supported by analyses for each sex(i.e.Spatial autocorrelation,Genetic distance,Relatedness analysis).Our study indicated that small and isolated populations(A and C)had relatively low genetic diversity due to the limited population size.For stream salamanders,landscape features(i.e.waterfalls and underground river)can influence the ability of an individual to disperse through the landscape,and consequently influence the formation of strong genetic differentiation of P.shangchengensis.

Decline of Traditional Landscape in a Protected Area of the Southwestern Alps:the Fate of Enclosed Pasture Patches in the Land Mosaic Shift

【Title】【Author】【Addresses】1Traditional landscape elements such as pasture patches enclosed in a forest matrix are progressively disappearing throughout the European Alps. We assessed the land mosaic shift of a protected area located in the western Italian Alps. In particular, the dynamics of pasture patches were studied at both landscape and stand level. Land-cover mapping through object-oriented analysis of historical aerial photographs was used to assess land-cover changes between 1954 and 2000. Spatial statistics were used to quantify landscape patterns, and field samplings within pasture patches were used to explore tree regeneration structure and composition. Our results showed a significant increase in the number of pasture patches caused by their fragmentation following forest expansion. The total surface area of pasture patches decreased by 43% and their core area decreased by 94%. The encroachment of trees on less accessible areas of the pasture patches caused a reduction of patch shape at landscape scale. The gap filling process started 40-50 years ago and began with an early invasion of light demanding species like sycamore maple （Acer pseudoplatanus L.） and common ash （Fraxinus excelsior L.）, followed by European beech （Fagus sylvatica L.） and secondarily silver fir （Abies alba Mill.）. Traditional land-use and population decline in the Pesio Valley led to a reduction in ecotone areas. A transition to a more homogeneous landscape is expected in the next decades. Given the cultural and productive nature of these mountain meadow-pasture communities, extensive livestock grazing systems could be used to manage their future conservation.

Universal 2D Soft Nano-Scale Mosaic Structure Theory for Polymers and Colloids

A basic concept in chain-particle cluster-motion, from frozen glassy state to melt state, is the 2D soft nano-scale mosaic structure formed by 8 orders of 2D interface excitation (IE) loop-flows, from small to large in inverse cascade and rearrangement structure in cascade along local one direction. IE has additional repulsive energy and extra vacancy volume. IE results from that the instantaneous synchronal polarized electron charge coupling pair is able to parallel transport on the interface between two neighboring chain-particles with antiparallel delocalization. This structure accords with de Gennes’ mosaic structure picture, from which we can directly deduce glass transition temperature, melt temperature, free volume fraction, critical entangled chain length, and activation energy to break solid lattice. This is also the inherency maximum order-potential structure in random systems.

Photoluminescence of Por-Si with High-ordered Mosaic Structure Received at Long Anodic Etching p-Si (100) in the Electrolyte with an Internal Current Source

Photoluminescence spectra and nature of light-emitting centers of a porous silicon (por-Si) samples are given. The por- Si samples had high-ordered mosaic structure, which was received under long anodic etching p-Si(100) in electrolyte with an internal current source. The photoluminescence spectra were monitored at room temperature before and after annealing in air and vacuum. Comparative analysis of photoluminescence spectra of the por-Si samples annealed at different temperatures in air and vacuum shows that the thermal annealing conditions has significant effect on the intensity and spectral content of the photoluminescence spectra. The nature of the luminescence emission centers at different temperatures and annealing conditions was discussed.

Landscape structures of different rural landscape connectivity in typical plateau karst regions: Taking the Houzhai River area of Anshun City, Guizhou Province as an example

Landscape connectivity is important for energy and material flow in ecosystems as well as for the survival of species. The landscape structure influences and reflects the degree of landscape connectivity. In order to study the coupling relationship between landscape structure and connectivity and reveal the succession relationship between its structure and connectivity in the typical karst plateau area. The study analyzed the typical area of Houzhai River in Puding County, Anshun City, Guizhou Province, according to the landscape pattern index and probability landscape connectivity index. The results show:(1) The landscape structure of the study area A is mainly characterized by large patches and uniform distribution. The main land is woodland and cultivated land, and the overall landscape is low fragmentation.(2) The landscape structure of the study area B is mainly characterized by the clustering of a certain type of land cover and the uneven distribution of the patches, for example, cultivated land. Other types of patches are scatteredly distributed, and the overall landscape is highly fragmented.(3) The study area A, B in 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 5 distance thresholds of landscape connectivity were 1.55, 1.99, 2.26, 2.49, 2.58 and 0.02, 0.10, 0.15, 0.19, 0.20, respectively. The average landscape connectivity is 2. 18 and 0. 13, respectively. Study Area A has a higher degree of landscape connectivity than B. Landscape pattern indicators can represent the landscape structure and probability landscape connectivity index calculates the landscape connectivity in the study area. The results of the study can provide a basis for ecological restoration of plateau karst regions and well-oriented rural development planning.

Landscapes—Structure, Functions, and Development Trends (On the Example of Landscapes of Georgia)

The article discusses the peculiarities of landscape geography development, types of landscape structure and their types, the essence of cultural landscape and its types, landscape functions and peculiarities of their definition, the main tasks and challenges of using and managing Georgian landscapes.

The Concept of Landscape-Ecological Nodal Structures of the Development of the Regions of the Pacific Landscape Belt of the Landscape Sphere

For the first time, the concept of landscape nodal structures is considered for the development of regions in the Pacific landscape belt of the landscape sphere that are promising for the development of territories. Landscape nodal structures are presented as a natural foundation for economic, social, ecological, and other forms of activity, which will enable us to consider tools of scientific and practical planning that are harmonized with the nature of forecasting economic, social, ecological and other geosystems. It is recommended, for the practical implementation of the concept, the compilation of new maps of nodal structures, as natural bases for creating models for the development of the territory. The cartographic separation of the landscape nodal structures as a whole will contribute to solving the problems of optimizing the natural environment of the regions.

A STUDY ON LANDSCAPE MOSAIC STRUCTUREIN URBANRURAL AREA IN NORTHWESTOF CHINA WITH RS AND GIS- A Case Study of Xigu District in Lanzhou City

ABSTRACT: At the study area of Xigu District in Lanzhou City, using RS & GIS as tools we apply Diversity, Dominance, Fragmentation , Isolation and so on to study the quantitative, fractal and spatial characters of landscapes’ structures in the four sub-regions divided by the morphological features. Using the Fractal Theory to establish the fractal structure models, we analyze the complexity and stability of various landscapes’ distribution with fractal dimension value. The spatial distribution characteristics of landscape mosaic structure are also expounded. At the end of the paper we discuss the relevant problems on the main factors which control and effect on the spatial pattern of landscapes as well as on landscape optimization and management.

Application of landscape ecology to the research on wetlands

This review describes the characteristics and hot spots of wetland research, including biodiversity protection of wetland, management and restoration of wetland, function and process of wetland, and the theories, methods and scales of landscape ecology. Moreover, some deficits of landscape ecology theory and method were discussed, and the application of landscape ecology to research on wetlands was reviewed specially, involving in the application of landscape structure principle, landscape pattern, and scale and hierarchy theory. In conclusion, landscape ecology plays an enlightening and guiding function on the comprehensive research of wetlands at multi-scales.

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Landscape Ecological Vulnerability in the Three-River-Source National Park Region

The increasing impact of global warming and human activities has exacerbated the ecological environment in the Three-RiverSource National Park Region(TNPR). Understanding the temporal and spatial evolution of landscape ecological vulnerability(LEV)and its influencing factors are crucial to the implementation of environmental management. Here, we aimed to: 1) construct a LEV assessment model integrating landscape structure and function;2) analyze the temporal and spatial evolution of TNPR’s LEV from 1995to 2015;3) use geographic detectors to reveal the regional influence factors of TNPR’s LEV. The main findings were: 1) grasslands, water, and bare land are important landscapes of TNPR, accounting for 98.37% of the total area. During the study period, there were significant differences in the area of different landscapes;except for desert, shrub, and urban land, the other landscape areas showed a decreasing trend. 2) During the study period, the LEV of TNPR showed a downward trend;except for grasslands, the ecological vulnerability of the other landscapes decreased steadily. Furthermore, a pattern of conversion from high to low vulnerability grade was observed in the study area. In terms of spatial distribution, the LEV level shows a trend of high at both ends(east and west) and low in the middle.3) Overall, the impact of natural factors on the ecological vulnerability of the TNPR was significantly higher than that of human factors.In conclusion, our study provides a scientific basis for landscape structure optimization and the management of regional ecological vulnerability.