Biosphere-human feedbacks: a physical geography perspective

Biogeography has many connections to people but fewer to human geography. Biogeography is connected to the four dimensions of anthropogenic global change, but most of this research is tied to land-use change. Biogeographers have studied several ways in which land use affects the patterns and dynamics of organisms, mostly in reference to remnants of habitat destruction, but the human dimensions of this relationship are more explicit in changing habitat quality. How biogeography affects land use is also studied, but research on topics such as ecosystem services needs more contributions from geographers. Feedbacks between people and the other organisms with which we live, with more fully linked models, are a general subject in which biogeographers can contribute to progress in the human dimensions of global change.     

Navigating to Multiple Horizons: Toward a Geography of Ocean-Space

While the ocean traditionally has attracted little attention within geography, we are now entering an era when marine research is increasingly technologically feasible and, at the same time, human interactions with ocean-space are ever more intense and complex. In response to these changes, a number of geographers ranging from critical development theorists to scholars of global environmental change to biogeographers have turned their attention to the study of marine areas. This article (and the articles that follow in this focus section) brings the ocean to the attention of human and physical geographers, both as an object of study in its own right and as a space for interpreting global social and physical processes and developing geographic techniques that span the land-sea divide.     

陆地生态系统模拟研究中IBIS模型开发应用的回顾和展望

全球动态植被模型(DGVM)是研究生态系统复杂过程和全球变化的强有力工具。本文基于过去20多年全球已发表的文献,对得到广泛关注和应用的DGVM之一——集成生物圈模拟器(Integrated Biosphere Simulator,IBIS)的开发、改进、发展及应用进行了总结。IBIS是一个在全球变化等多领域中有着广泛应用的模型。自1996年诞生以来,IBIS在陆地生态系统的碳、氮、水循环,植被动态、陆气耦合、水域系统耦合和气候变化影响等多个方面取得了验证和应用。本文较为系统地阐述了IBIS模型在V2.5版本后的不同发展方向,主要针对IBIS模型在水文过程(蒸散、土壤水分、地下水、径流)、植被动态(植被功能型、土地覆盖变化)、植被生理过程(植被物候、光合作用、植被生长、碳分配)、土壤生物地球化学过程(土壤碳氮循环及反馈、温室气体排放等)以及包括土地利用变化、干扰与管理等人类活动过程等方面的改进与发展进行了全面的综述;在此基础上,对模型在生态系统生产力、碳水收支、水分利用效率、温室气体排放、自然干扰(干旱、火灾、虫害)和人类活动(土地利用变化、农业经营)等方面的应用,以及模型的技术性改进方面进行了回顾;最后对模型的前景和进一步发展提出了一些见解。     

湿地克隆植物根茎对变境适应的表型可塑性

根茎是植物显著变异的地下茎,对于研究湿地克隆植物的结构功能、生长繁殖、入侵生态与进化生态等具有重要价值。根茎适应水文情势和基质养分的变化,并在本地竞争与向外入侵中表现出了显著的可塑性且具有种间差异。对于特定物种而言,根茎的内在特质反映了其所处的环境特征,而根茎生长的可塑性则显示出适应周围环境短期变化的能力。根茎与微生境之间的相互关系体现了生物与环境之间在构件尺度的协同演化过程。迄今为止的研究涵盖了根茎的生理生态诸方面,但根茎对于植物的结构、功能、生长与繁殖之间密切联系所承担的适应性角色还缺乏深入理解。在综述目前对湿地克隆植物根茎表形可塑性研究的基础上,探讨了根茎在湿地植物研究中亟待加强的特殊地位及其作为可塑性研究的模式构件的潜力,并提出了未来研究的若干方向。     

Ecology and functional roles of biological soil crusts in semi-arid ecosystems of Spain

Biological soil crusts (BSCs), composed of lichens, cyanobacteria, mosses, liverworts and microorganisms, are key biotic components of arid and semi-arid ecosystems worldwide. Despite they are widespread in Spain, these organisms have been historically understudied in this country. This trend is beginning to change as a recent wave of research has been identifying BSCs as a model ecological system. Many studies and research projects carried out in Spain have explored the role of BSCs on water, carbon and nitrogen fluxes, the interactions between BSCs and vascular plants, their dynamics after disturbances, and their response to global change, among other topics. In this article we review the growing body of research on BSCs available from semi-arid areas of Spain, highlighting its importance for increasing our knowledge on this group of organisms. We also discuss how it is breaking new ground in emerging research areas on the ecology of BSCs, and how it can be use to guide management and restoration efforts. Finally, we provide directions for future research on the ecology of BSCs in Spain and abroad.     

中国区域陆地生态系统碳收支综合研究的科技需求与重要科学问题

陆地生态系统碳收支及其循环过程机制研究一直是全球气候变化的成因分析、变化趋势预测、减缓和适应对策分析等领域的热点,受到科技界和国际社会的广泛关注。本文在简要回顾中国陆地生态系统碳收支及其循环过程研究领域的发展历史,总结各个发展阶段主要特征的基础上,讨论了开展中国区域陆地生态系统碳收支综合研究的科技需求和社会需求,评述了中国在相关领域研究中存在的主要问题,探讨了当前的科学研究前沿领域及其关键科学问题。本文指出,现阶段中国开展区域尺度陆地生态系统碳收支及其循环过程机制综合研究工作不仅是提升中国生态系统生态学、地球系统科学与全球变化科学的创新能力的科技发展需求,更是中国参与应对全球气候变化国际合作、改进生态系统管理、保障生态安全的社会经济发展需求。同时还指出,中国现阶段在该领域的研究工作还缺乏各类生态系统碳收支的实际调查数据,缺乏国家尺度碳收支科学数据的整合,缺乏可用于碳收支计量与综合评估的模型工具,也没有形成国家层次的碳源汇计量、评估、认证及决策分析信息系统平台。本文通过国内外科技发展的分析认为,中国在该领域的研究工作,应在大力发展陆地生态系统碳收支和碳汇功能的定量监测、评价和认证的方法与技术基础上,重点关注并前瞻性地开展陆地生态系统碳-氮-水循环过程耦合关系及其对全球气候变化的响应与适应、碳-氮-磷生态化学计量学特征及其环境影响、碳-氮-水耦合循环过程的生物调控机制等前沿领域,以提高中国生态系统与全球变化科学研究水平,为国家的生态系统与温室气体管理提供基础理论、科学知识和先进技术的储备。     

A Field-Based Technique for Teaching about Habitat Fragmentation and Edge Effects

Abstract

This article presents a field technique that exposes students to the indirect effects of habitat fragmentation on plant distributions through studying edge effects. This assignment, suited for students in an introductory biogeography or resource geography class, increases students' knowledge of basic biogeographic concepts such as environmental gradients and disturbance in addition to formulating research questions and design. In this exercise, fieldwork can be implemented with simple tools that are easily obtainable and found in most physical geography labs. In this example, student response to the exercise was positive; they indicated that the exercise was a fun and interactive way to learn fundamental biogeographic concepts.     

Paleolimnology and the Frontiers of Biogeography

For almost a century biogeographers have used paleoecological methods, including tree-ring, pollen, macrofossil, and charcoal analysis, to reconstruct climate and environmental conditions for the late Quaternary, but paleolimnological proxies and approaches provide new opportunities for biogeographers. In the last two decades, paleolimnology has grown rapidly as a result of several technical advancements: (1) the development of new proxies, (2) improved coring, sampling, and dating techniques that provide finer temporal resolution, and (3) more sophisticated statistical techniques and greater computing power, which allow for enhanced quantitative calibration of climate and environmental signals from paleolimnological proxies. These advances have led to a plethora of research projects, many using novel approaches, on climate change, anthropogenic impacts, conservation and restoration, aquatic/terrestrial links, resource management, succession, biodiversity, and introduced species. Paleolimnologists are working at the frontiers of biogeographical research, particularly contributing to research on climate change, biogeochemical cycles, and anthropogenic impacts on Earth systems.     

不同气温与土壤湿度条件下籽蒿幼苗的表型可塑性

  植物表型可塑性是其适应环境的结果。为了探讨构件水平和全株水平表型可塑性的差异,我们选择籽蒿进行了双因素(气温:35 ℃、30 ℃、20 ℃; 土壤水分:对照、轻度、中度、重度胁迫)随机化区组实验以分析不同环境条件下植物的表型可塑性。结果表明,气温对籽蒿株高生长率有显著影响,土壤水分胁迫对籽蒿株高生长率无显著影响; 气温和土壤水分胁迫对籽蒿地上部生物量和根重生长率均无显著影响; 土壤水分胁迫对籽蒿幼苗根冠比有显著影响,而气温对其则无显著影响。这说明气温和土壤水分胁迫对籽蒿幼苗构件表型可塑性和全株表型可塑性的影响是有差异的。进一步分析表明,气温对籽蒿幼苗的叶含水量有显著影响,而对籽蒿幼苗的叶饱和亏无显著影响,这说明气温对籽蒿幼苗株高生长率的影响是通过影响其叶含水量来实现。     

石芝珊瑚（Fungiidae）的分类、生活史及其生物地理研究进展

石芝珊瑚（Fungiidae）作为珊瑚礁生态系统框架的主要构建者之一,以其丰富的物种多样性、独特的移动性和对环境变化的强适应性,在维持珊瑚礁生态系统的稳定中起重要作用。文章综述了国内外对石芝珊瑚的研究进展,包括：1）物种多样性;石芝珊瑚可起源于白垩纪中期,现共有17属、约55种,具有多样化的进化分歧与丰富的物种多样性。2）生活史（繁殖、营养模式、生长发育与移动性）;石芝珊瑚具备独特的生活史策略,双向性别转换（bidirectional sex conversion）可增强石芝珊瑚种群的繁殖成功率与环境适应性,而成体移动性（adult mobility）则能够有效拓宽石芝珊瑚生态位,并提高其种群的竞争力与恢复力。3）空间分布模式（跨大陆架分布、珊瑚礁地貌带分布与纬向分布）及影响因素;石芝珊瑚是全球性的珊瑚物种,其能够在岩石、沙地、淤泥等多样化的生境中存活,具有广阔的生物地理分布范围。基于目前石芝珊瑚的研究进展,建议从以下3个方面开展进一步研究：1）基于形态学与分子分类,厘定南海石芝珊瑚科的谱系,阐明南海石芝珊瑚物种多样性的演变规律及驱动机制;2）依托宏观生态调查,揭示石芝珊瑚在南海不同纬...     

A review on the ambit and prospects of C3 and C4 plants in Nigeria

Despite the enormous applications of photosynthesis in global carbon budget and food security, photosynthesis research has not been adequately explored as a research focus in Nigeria. Previous works on C₃ and C₄ plants in Nigeria were mainly on the use of anatomical characteristics to delimit plant species into their respective pathways, with no attention being paid to its applications. In this review, past and present knowledge gaps in this area of study are elucidated. Information used in this review were sourced from referred research articles and books in reputable journals. The results revealed that C₃ and C₄ plants are distributed among 21 genera and 11 families in Nigeria. In addition there is dearth of informatio such that only three genera have been classified based on diverse photosynthetic pathways with no information found on the physiological and biochemical characterization of these genera. Moreover, further research is also suggested for tackling new challenges in the area of food productivity and climate change.     

Plant growth problems in colliery spoil reclamation— a review

The extensive distribution and intrusive nature of colliery spoil heaps resulting from deep coalmining in Britain are introduced. With a view to reclamation, the severity of coal spoil as a potential medium for plant growth is demonstrated and a thorough review of the literature on physical, chemical and biological constraints to vegetation establishment is presented. Problems of toxicity resulting from the weathering of pyrites and the marked spatial and temporal variations in toxicities and nutrient deficiencies in colliery shales are emphasized. Methods for sampling and analysing coal spoil are reviewed and reclamation and after-use techniques are summarized. Although most research on this subject has been completed by applied ecologists and biologists, the relevance and interest of the topic to biogeographers should not be overlooked.     

全球变化下作物物候研究进展

作物物候是农作物重要的植物属性,不仅反映作物的生长发育状况,其变化也影响作物产量,是一种能够指示气候变化的综合响应指标。以气温升高为主要标志的全球气候变化对作物物候产生了重要影响,开展全球气候变化下作物物候变化特征及其影响机制研究对于揭示全球变化对作物生长发育过程影响及其产量形成机制具有重要的理论意义和实践价值。目前,作物物候变化及其影响因素是国内外研究的焦点和热点问题,前人已开展了大量而卓有成效的研究工作。本文侧重介绍全球气候变化下作物物候变化的主要研究进展,包括作物物候变化的驱动因子及其影响机制和作物物候主要研究方法,并探讨未来研究仍亟待解决的关键科学问题,以期为深入认识全球气候变化对农业物候的影响机理以及指导区域农业生产实践提供理论依据。     

大连市土地利用变化的人文因素

采用土地利用调查数据、社会经济统计资料等多种数据源,从定性与定量的角度进行大连市土地利用变化的人文因素研究。结果表明,应用因子分析方法可将影响大连市土地利用变化的因子归纳为经济发展和城市化水平因子、区域产业结构影响因子、农业产业结构影响因子、投资因子和人口因子等5个因子;应用多元回归分析方法可将土地利用面积变化率和土地利用变化强度表达为影响因子的函数关系,从函数关系可知各影响因子对大连市土地利用变化的影响作用大小不同,区域产业结构、经济发展与城市化水平因子的影响作用最大,人口、农业产业结构影响因子的作用其次,投资因子的影响作用最小。     

湿地高等植物初级生产力对全球变化响应的研究进展

在全球环境变化的背景下,影响湿地高等植物初级生产力的生态因子也在发生着不同程度的变化,大气中CO2浓度升高、气温升高和降水格局变化等已经严重地影响了高等植物的生理生态过程,改变了湿地高等植物的初级生产力。CO2在大气中不断增加,并通过植物光合作用及其他生理代谢作用,在一定程度上影响了湿地高等植物的生长状况和物质积累;气候变暖改变了一些地区的降水格局,从而影响了这些地区湿地的水文情势,使湿地水位波动的频率和幅度不断增加,直接影响了湿地高等植物的初级生产力;温度升高严重影响了湿地土壤中氮的矿化速率以及矿质氮的转化过程,直接影响土壤的供氮能力,进而影响湿地高等植物的初级生产力。回顾了湿地高等植物初级生产力对全球变化响应的研究进程,指出近期湿地高等植物初级生产力对全球变化响应研究的重点方向和领域。     

生态系统服务变化的驱动机制研究进展

近年来,全球及区域生态系统服务均呈现出快速变化趋势,分析研究生态系统服务变化的驱动机制有助于精准模拟未来生态系统服务情景,进而服务于生态系统管理决策的科学制定。虽然已有部分研究探讨了土地利用或气候变化对生态系统服务的影响,但生态系统服务变化的驱动机理与应对策略亟待全面揭示。为此,该文回顾总结了国内外关于生态系统服务变化驱动机制的研究成果,并分析归纳了生态系统服务变化的主要驱动因子与未来模拟技术,结果发现:(1)土地利用与气候变化是造成生态系统服务变化的主要因素,且相互作用共同驱动生态系统服务的变化;(2)生态系统服务变化的单影响因子识别取得较大进展,但多种影响因子的交互作用及其在生态服务变化中贡献亟需清晰分解;(3)基于遥感与气候模型的多情景模拟是预测未来生态系统服务变化的主要手段,但需要科学模拟多因素交互作用下的综合影响及其应对途径;(4)未来研究应加强人类活动对生态系统服务影响的分解与模拟,研发区域生态系统服务对重大生态工程的时空响应与探测技术,以科学指导区域生态保护建设与规划布局。     

Fast genetic mapping in barley: case studies of cuticle mutants using RNA-sequencing

Barley(Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the earliest domesticated crop species and ranked as the fourth largest cereal production worldwide. Forward genetic studies in barley have greatly advanced plant genetics during the last century; however, most genes are identified by the conventional mapping method. Array genotyping and exome-capture sequencing have also been successfully used to target the causal mutation in barley populations, but these techniques are not widely adopted because of associated costs and partly due to the huge genome size of barley. This review summarizes three mapping cases of barley cuticle mutants in our laboratory with the help of RNA-sequencing. The causal mutations have been successfully identified for two of them and the target genes are located in the pericentromeric regions. Detailed information on the mapping-by-sequencing, mapping-and-sequencing, and RNA-sequencing assisted linkage mapping are presented and some limitations and challenges on the mapping assisted by RNA sequencing are also discussed. The alternative and elegant methods presented in this review may greatly accelerate forward genetics of barley mapping, especially for laboratories without large funding.     

Positive plant interactions in the Iberian Southeast: Mechanisms, environmental gradients, and ecosystem function

Semi-arid ecosystems are privileged sites to address the effects of plant interactions on community structure and dynamics because environmental conditions are demanding and may change quickly, altering in significant ways the balance between positive and negative effects among neighboring plants. Plant interaction processes have been well documented in the semi-arid region of Southeast Spain over the last 15 years. In this article we review the growing body of research on plant–plant interactions available from this area, highlighting its importance in increasing our knowledge on this field of study. This review has been organized in five sections, i) facilitation mechanisms; ii) the nurse effect; iii) the balance of interactions and environmental, ontogenic, temporal, and spatial gradients; iv) the effects of facilitation on biodiversity; and, v) facilitation and ecosystem functioning. Mechanisms of facilitation in these systems are relatively well known, but not completely explored. In these environments competition, mainly for water, is intense between neighbors and switches in intensity from belowground to aboveground as productivity increases. By contrast, facilitation may decrease quickly with increasing productivity, although the balance between facilitation and competition is not fully understood, and is further complicated because shifts can also be driven by factors such as life history or physiology of interacting species. Positive interactions are critical for maintaining biodiversity in some ecosystems in SE Spain, but their role as a driver of ecosystem functioning is less clear. Research on plant–plant interactions in this region has been highly influential and has contributed to our overall understanding of plant community dynamics. Despite the important progress achieved during the last 15 years, there is still substantial scope for exploring the effects of plant interactions at the ecosystem level, and their role as modulators of disturbances such as the current global environmental change.     

Plant phenology as affected by land degradation in the arid Patagonian Monte,Argentina: A multivariate approach

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the study of climate change effects on plant phenology. However, the effects of other more localized components of global change such as land degradation have been almost completely ignored. In this paper we evaluate the phenological patterns of 10 plant species at three sites with contrasting levels of land degradation due to overgrazing in the Patagonian Monte, Argentina, and their relationship with plant morphology, browsing intensity, and plant competition.Plant phenology differed among sites in eight species, but plant responses were species-specific. In six species the dormancy and senescence periods were shorter indicating longer growing cycles at high degradation than at low degradation site. Generally, plants growing at high degradation site present longer and frequently incomplete vegetative periods and shorter and less dominant reproductive periods than those at low degradation site. However, in some species the duration of reproductive periods was greater in the high degradation site. Plant size (i.e. height, area, and/or internal cover) affected plant phenology in seven species. In contrast, browsing and neighbor's cover were rarely related to plant phenology. Our results suggest that other global change components such as land degradation may affect plant phenology.