In many arid ecosystems,vegetation frequently occurs in high-cover patches interspersed in a matrix of low plant cover.However,theoretical explanations for shrub patch pattern dynamics along climate gradients remain u...In many arid ecosystems,vegetation frequently occurs in high-cover patches interspersed in a matrix of low plant cover.However,theoretical explanations for shrub patch pattern dynamics along climate gradients remain unclear on a large scale.This context aimed to assess the variance of the Reaumuria soongorica patch structure along the precipitation gradient and the factors that affect patch structure formation in the middle and lower Heihe River Basin(HRB).Field investigations on vegetation patterns and heterogeneity in soil properties were conducted during 2014 and 2015.The results showed that patch height,size and plant-to-patch distance were smaller in high precipitation habitats than in low precipitation sites.Climate,soil and vegetation explained 82.5% of the variance in patch structure.Spatially,R.soongorica shifted from a clumped to a random pattern on the landscape towards the MAP gradient,and heterogeneity in the surface soil properties(the ratio of biological soil crust(BSC) to bare gravels(BG)) determined the R.soongorica population distribution pattern in the middle and lower HRB.A conceptual model,which integrated water availability and plant facilitation and competition effects,was revealed that R.soongorica changed from a flexible water use strategy in high precipitation regions to a consistent water use strategy in low precipitation areas.Our study provides a comprehensive quantification of the variance in shrub patch structure along a precipitation gradient and may improve our understanding of vegetation pattern dynamics in the Gobi Desert under future climate change.展开更多
Soil seed bank refers to the sum of upper litter decay and all survival seeds in the soil. It plays a unique role in restoring the surface vegetation and protecting biodiversity. Chinese scholars have carried out exte...Soil seed bank refers to the sum of upper litter decay and all survival seeds in the soil. It plays a unique role in restoring the surface vegetation and protecting biodiversity. Chinese scholars have carried out extensive researches on the soil seed bank,and have obtained considerable achievements. On the basis of reading extensive literature,this paper summarized the current research results and found that the research contents of soil seed bank in China mainly involve the following aspects:( i) research method of soil seed bank;( ii) classification system of soil seed bank;( iii) spatial pattern of soil seed bank;( iv) relationship between soil seed bank and surface vegetation;( v) dynamic characteristic and seedling replanting of soil seed bank;( vi) application of soil seed bank in vegetation restoration. On the basis of the above summary,it came up with existing problems and future research direction of China's soil seed bank from system construction,field observation,disciplinary combination,interference factors,and community succession.展开更多
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.91425301,No.41730854The PCSIRT,No.IRT-15R06Scientific Research Starting Foundation for Doctors in Hebei GEO University,No.BQ2017003
文摘In many arid ecosystems,vegetation frequently occurs in high-cover patches interspersed in a matrix of low plant cover.However,theoretical explanations for shrub patch pattern dynamics along climate gradients remain unclear on a large scale.This context aimed to assess the variance of the Reaumuria soongorica patch structure along the precipitation gradient and the factors that affect patch structure formation in the middle and lower Heihe River Basin(HRB).Field investigations on vegetation patterns and heterogeneity in soil properties were conducted during 2014 and 2015.The results showed that patch height,size and plant-to-patch distance were smaller in high precipitation habitats than in low precipitation sites.Climate,soil and vegetation explained 82.5% of the variance in patch structure.Spatially,R.soongorica shifted from a clumped to a random pattern on the landscape towards the MAP gradient,and heterogeneity in the surface soil properties(the ratio of biological soil crust(BSC) to bare gravels(BG)) determined the R.soongorica population distribution pattern in the middle and lower HRB.A conceptual model,which integrated water availability and plant facilitation and competition effects,was revealed that R.soongorica changed from a flexible water use strategy in high precipitation regions to a consistent water use strategy in low precipitation areas.Our study provides a comprehensive quantification of the variance in shrub patch structure along a precipitation gradient and may improve our understanding of vegetation pattern dynamics in the Gobi Desert under future climate change.
基金Supported by Project of Natural Science Foundation of Tibet Autonomous Region(2016ZR-15-40)
文摘Soil seed bank refers to the sum of upper litter decay and all survival seeds in the soil. It plays a unique role in restoring the surface vegetation and protecting biodiversity. Chinese scholars have carried out extensive researches on the soil seed bank,and have obtained considerable achievements. On the basis of reading extensive literature,this paper summarized the current research results and found that the research contents of soil seed bank in China mainly involve the following aspects:( i) research method of soil seed bank;( ii) classification system of soil seed bank;( iii) spatial pattern of soil seed bank;( iv) relationship between soil seed bank and surface vegetation;( v) dynamic characteristic and seedling replanting of soil seed bank;( vi) application of soil seed bank in vegetation restoration. On the basis of the above summary,it came up with existing problems and future research direction of China's soil seed bank from system construction,field observation,disciplinary combination,interference factors,and community succession.
