呼伦贝尔草原沙漠化现状、发展态势与成因分析

呼伦贝尔草原是我国优质的天然牧场和重要的畜牧业生产基地。近年来,该草原中的砂质草场已大面积发生沙漠化。通过实地调查研究,并结合遥感资料和前人研究成果,本文在分析了呼伦贝尔草原沙漠化现状和发展态势的基础上,着重从地质环境变化和人类活动两个方面探讨了该区沙漠化的成因。认为沙漠化的发展是自然因素与人为因素共同作用的结果,地质环境因素是形成沙漠化的基础,地表的土壤和植被是草原良好的保护层,人类对草原的破坏是导致沙漠化的直接原因。最后,对沙漠化的防治提出了3点建议。     

不同利用模式下内蒙古自治区草地生态系统服务供给的对比分析（英文）

Although several previous studies in Inner Mongolia examined the effects of ecological conservation on the delivery of ecosystem services, they were often limited in scope(few ecosystem services were assessed) and often suffered from confounding by spatial variation. In this study, we examined the impact of conservation measures(changes in grassland utilization patterns) on the provision of selected ecosystem services in three types of grasslands(meadow steppe in Hulun Buir, typical steppe in Xilin Gol, and semi-desert steppe in Ordos) in Inner Mongolia. We examined five utilization patterns: no use(natural grasslands), light use, moderate use, intensive use, and recovery sites(degraded sites protected from further use). Through household surveys and vegetation and soil surveys, we measured the differences in ecosystem services among the different grassland utilization patterns. We also identified spatial factors that confounded the quantification of ecosystem services in different types of grasslands. We found that light use generally provided high levels of ecosystem services in meadow steppe and typical steppe, with the main differences in the supporting ecosystem services. Surprisingly, we found no consistently positive impacts of strict conservation activities across the sites, since the results varied spatially and with respect to differences in the land-use patterns. Our study suggests that appropriate grassland utilization patterns can enhance the supply of ecosystem services and reduce negative effects on both household livelihoods and the environment.     

Comparison of ecosystem services provided by grasslands with different utilization patterns in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Although several previous studies in Inner Mongolia examined the effects of ecological conservation on the delivery of ecosystem services, they were often limited in scope (few ecosystem services were assessed) and often suffered from confounding by spatial variation. In this study, we examined the impact of conservation measures (changes in grassland utilization patterns) on the provision of selected ecosystem services in three types of grasslands (meadow steppe in Hulun Buir, typical steppe in Xilin Gol, and semi-desert steppe in Ordos) in Inner Mongolia. We examined five utilization patterns: no use (natural grasslands), light use, moderate use, intensive use, and recovery sites (degraded sites protected from further use). Through household surveys and vegetation and soil surveys, we measured the differences in ecosystem services among the different grassland utilization patterns. We also identified spatial factors that confounded the quantification of ecosystem services in different types of grasslands. We found that light use generally provided high levels of ecosystem services in meadow steppe and typical steppe, with the main differences in the supporting ecosystem services. Surprisingly, we found no consistently positive impacts of strict conservation activities across the sites, since the results varied spatially and with respect to differences in the land-use patterns. Our study suggests that appropriate grassland utilization patterns can enhance the supply of ecosystem services and reduce negative effects on both household livelihoods and the environment.     

Assessment of grazing effect on sheep fescue (Festuca valesiaca) dominated steppe rangelands, in the semi-arid Central Anatolian region of Turkey

In the semi-arid steppe rangelands of Central Turkey, Festuca valesiaca and Thymus sipyleus ssp rosulans have become the dominant species on degraded pastures. We hypothesized that decreases in species richness and abundance are correlated with increasing prevalence of these two species. Therefore, our objectives were to determine whether there are patterns in examined vegetation; how dominant species contribute to these patterns; and how patterns differ between grazed and ungrazed vegetation. We determined that protection from grazing increased species richness. Grazing significantly changed composition through decreasing total plant, forb, grass and F. valesiaca covers, while substantially increasing T. sipyleus cover. Topography, soil and grazing appear to impact the dominance of plant communities where F. valesiaca and T. sipyleus prevail. These two dominant species had a significant effect in shaping vegetation patterns. Based on regression analysis, alterations in species richness with changes in cover of forbs and shrubs were evident, and spatial heterogeneity of F. valesiaca and T. sipyleus indicated unstable vegetative patterns in heavily grazed pastures and successional changes in protected pastures. Our study results identify F. valesiaca and T. sipyleus as indicator species of vegetation suppression in condition assessments of degraded steppe rangelands.     

Species diversity and regeneration of native species in Pennisetum ciliare (buffelgrass) pastures from the thornscrub of Sonora,México

To examine the influence of buffelgrass land conversion and pasture management on native species diversity and regeneration patterns, we describe community attributes and population structure in four different active pastures in thornscrub vegetation from eastern Sonora, Mexico. We compare a relatively undisturbed thornscrub community with a contiguous five years old active pasture, to identify species able to regenerate under current management practices. Buffelgrass conversion has a significant influence on species diversity and other community attributes. Active pastures have lower species diversity, crown cover and basal area of native species than the studied native thornscrub. An active pasture subjected to heavy grazing and without management of the thorny legume, Acacia cochliacantha, showed the lower species diversity and an almost monospecific stand of this legume. It is likely that the reduction in species diversity is caused by the conversion process, inadequate management and regeneration barriers that limit seedling establishment in active pastures. Our data recorded eight native species (13%) that were able to regenerate in active pastures. However, the great majority of native species were unable to regenerate under pastures. This study shows that under current management, active buffelgrass pastures maintain only a small fraction of native species with regenerating populations in the thornscrub.     

Rating the Degradation of Natural Hay Pastures in Northern China

Natural hay pastures in semi-arid pastoral areas produce the highest yields of hay in northern China. However, long-term continuous hay harvesting with no rest interval has resulted in severe degradation across widespread areas of these natural hay pastures. In addition, no clear data exist on the spatial distribution or degree of degradation occurring in natural hay pastures primarily because a nationally unified and normative evaluation standard is lacking. In view of the above problems, we employed an analytic hierarchy process to carry out screening and accuracy validation of evaluation indicators for natural hay pastures in north China grasslands (temperate meadow steppes, temperate steppes, mountain meadows, and lowland meadows). Our study identified seven easily measured indicators that reflect the state of natural hay pastures (average height, aboveground biomass, coverage, proportion of medium grasses, litter biomass, proportion of degradation-indicative plants, and proportion of bare spots and saline-alkali spots). A five-level scoring method was employed to delineate the threshold range for these indicators, The results of this study show that this method effectively solved the technical bottleneck for graded evaluation of degradation in natural hay pastures. This provides a theoretical basis for the scientific assessment of natural hay pasture degradation as well as important technical support for sustainable use of natural hay pastures and livestock production.     

Steppe Fires in Conditions the Regime of Reserve and Under Changing Anthropogenic Impacts

An analysis of geoinformation data on the spread of steppe fires is proposed, the areas of which are identified on the basis of a series of Landsat satellite images for 1984–2015. We selected five key sites located in different geographic areas of the Transvolga region and South Ural, covering clusters of the Orenburgskii state nature as well as adjacent agricultural areas. By analyzing the long-term dynamics, we determined a widespread trend of an intensification of steppe fires. Since the mid-1990s till the present, it has manifested itself in a significant increase in the area of occurrence and in recurrence frequency. It has been established that the cause for an intensification of fires in the steppe regions is a significant reduction in agricultural production, accompanied by restoration of vegetation cover on unused lands and accumulation of dry phytomass. It was determined that, given the favorable conditions for the occurrence of fires, the weather and climate factors increased in importance, implying a higher amplitude of fluctuations in the areas of the burnt-over areas, especially in abnormal years. Data on the current frequency of grass fires (both in protected areas and in a large part of agricultural lands) indicate that the vegetation cover and other components of steppe ecosystems are constantly in a state of post-pyrogenic succession. Using an example of one of the sites (the Burtinskaya steppe), a high restorative capacity of tree-shrub areas within the boundaries of the ecotopes occupied by them was revealed. It was noted that the absolute regime of reserve that excludes any economic activities, combined with an intensification of fire phenomena in the adjacent territories, gives rise to an acute fire-hazardous situation. It is pointed out that there is a need to establish a unified system for ecological monitoring of fires.     

Responses of aboveground biomass of alpine grasslands to climate changes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Aboveground biomass in grasslands of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has displayed an overall increasing trend during 2003-2016, which is profoundly influenced by climate change. However, the responses of different biomes show large discrepancies, in both size and magnitude. By applying partial least squares regression, we calculated the correlation between peak aboveground biomass and mean monthly temperature and monthly total precipitation in the preceding 12 months for three different grassland types (alpine steppe, alpine meadow, and temperate steppe) on the central and eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The results showed that mean temperature in most preceding months was positively correlated with peak aboveground biomass of alpine meadow and alpine steppe, while mean temperature in the preceding October and February to June was significantly negatively correlated with peak aboveground biomass of temperate steppe. Precipitation in all months had a promoting effect on biomass of alpine meadow, but its correlations with biomass of alpine steppe and temperate steppe were inconsistent. It is worth noting that, in a warmer, wetter climate, peak aboveground biomass of alpine meadow would increase more than that of alpine steppe, while that of temperate steppe would decrease significantly, providing support for the hypothesis of conservative growth strategies by vegetation in stressed ecosystems.     

退化羊草草原的群落蒸发蒸腾

草原群落蒸发蒸腾是一个由多种因素综合影响的复杂问题。本文在天然羊草草原上,以畜群点为中心由外向内,选择退化程度不同的放牧空间梯度系列替代退化演替时间梯度系列,用土柱称重法进行群落蒸发蒸腾观测,深入分析了羊草草原退化群落蒸发蒸腾的变化规律。得出:天然羊草草原在土壤供水较为充足的情况下,随着放牧强度的增加,群落生物量减少,盖度减少,蒸腾减少,蒸发增加,但蒸散减少不明显。     

内蒙古短花针茅草原种子植物区系研究

对短花针茅草原种子植物科、属、种的区系特征进行了统计分析,结果表明：①研究区共统计种子植物31科,96属,161种,并集中分布在几个大科,区系的优势现象明显;②属种比为1∶1.68,较内蒙古自治区、全国及全世界均低,物种分化程度低;③植物区系组成具有明显的温带性质,但与热带植物区系也存在一定的亲缘关系,具有过渡性;④植物区系组成以年轻成分为主,兼有古老性;⑤植物生活型特征表明本区多年生草本植物占绝对优势,表现出草原植物群落种类组成的特征,但由于该区土壤覆沙或沙质化明显,因此,灌木和半灌木种类也较多;⑥植物水分生态类群以旱生为主,非旱生也占有很大比例,具有明显的过渡性;⑦该生态系统比较脆弱,应加强保护,合理利用,实现可持续性发展。     

近56a蒙古高原草原地上净初级生产力变化

草原生产力及其对气候变化的响应是全球变化研究的热点。利用ArcGIS插值技术,将蒙古高原32个气象站点数据插值成1°×1°的格点数据,然后利用CENTURY模型模拟了蒙古高原1961—2016年草原地上净初级生产力（ANPP）时空分布特征。结果表明：（1） CENTURY模型模拟的蒙古高原草原ANPP时空分布能够很好地反映该区域草原生产力的变化,草原ANPP分布由北向南,由东向西逐渐减少。（2） 草甸草原和典型草原单产均呈波动下降趋势,草甸草原下降速率较大,荒漠草原单产呈波动上升趋势,草原总产以典型草原最大,荒漠草原面积虽然最大,但总产最低。（3） 降水对草原生产力起主导作用,湿期会有荒漠草原→典型草原→草甸草原的转化,而干期的转化过程正好相反。从暖湿期→冷干期转换时,蒙古草原总产下降幅度最大,相反,则增产幅度最大。     

伊犁河谷不同植被带下土壤有机碳分布

结合2008年和2009年野外实地调查与室内分析的资料,运用方差分析等方法对伊犁河谷高山草甸、草甸草原、典型草原、荒漠草原、温性针叶林等9种不同植被条件下的土壤有机碳含量分布及其储量进行了分析估算.研究结果表明:伊犁河谷土壤有机碳含量因植被类型变化而不同.在0～50 cm土层范围,高山草甸、草甸草原土壤有机碳含量较高,其次是温性针叶林和典型草原,含量最低的是隐域植被和荒漠植被土壤.除隐域植被外,各植被类型下土壤有机碳含最基本呈随着土层深度增加而降低的,变化趋势.有机碳密度同样是高山草甸、草甸草原和温性针叶林土壤有机碳密度较高且比较相近,荒漠植被下土壤有机碳密度最低.伊犁河谷草地表层土壤有机碳含量高、密度大,因此应重视对伊犁河谷草地的保护,尤其要保护草地表层土壤以降低浅层土壤有机碳发生变化的可能性,维护土壤碳库的稳定性.     

Distribution of soil organic carbon under different vegetation zones in the Ili River Valley,Xinjiang

We analyzed and estimated the distribution and reserves of soil organic carbon under nine different vegetation conditions including alpine meadow, meadow steppe, typical steppe, desert steppe, and temperate coniferous forest and so on, in the Ili River valley, Xinjiang according to data from field investigations and laboratory analyses in 2008 and 2009. The study results show that the soil organic carbon content in the Ili River valley varies with the type of vegetation. In the 0–50 cm soil horizon, the soil organic carbon content is the highest under the vegetation types of alpine meadow and meadow steppe, slightly lower under temperate coniferous forest and typical steppe, and the lowest under the intrazonal vegetation and desert vegetation types. The soil organic carbon content shows basically a tendency to decrease as soil depth increases under various vegetation types except in the case of the intrazonal vegetation. Similarly, the soil organic carbon density is the highest and varies little under the vegetation types of alpine meadow, meadow steppe and temperate coniferous forest, and is the lowest under the desert vegetation type. Both the soil organic carbon content and density in the topsoil of meadows in the Ili River valley are high, so protecting meadows in the Ili River valley, and especially their topsoil, should be a priority so that the potential of change in soil organic carbon in the shallow soil horizon is reduced, and this means maintenance of the stability of the soil carbon pool.     

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Landscapes of Plain and Mountain Catchments in the Altai Region During the Last 40 Years

The spatiotemporal dynamics of land covers of representative catchments of the Altai region (Altai Krai and Republic of Altai) was analyzed using remote sensing data and GIS techniques. The following key areas were used: the adjacent basins of Lake Gor’koe and the Kasmala and Barnaulka rivers on the Ob Plateau (Altai krai) were used for the inland drainage area of the Ob-Irtysh interfluve and the left bank of the Upper Ob; the Bol’shaya Rechka basin on the Biisk-Chumysh Upland and ancient Ob terraces (Altai krai), for the right bank of the Upper Ob; the Belaya river basin (Altai krai) for the low mountains and middle mountains of the Northwestern province of Russian Altai, and the Maima river basin (Republic of Altai) for the low mountains and middle mountains of the Northern and Northeastern Altai provinces. The algorithm for analyzing the actual state of land covers and identifying the main vectors of their transformation was adapted to the study area. A series of multitemporal Landsat images for three time slices was used. It is found that the plain catchments of the steppe and forest-steppe zones are characterized by a smaller amplitude of land cover change as compared to the mountain zones. For the inland drainage area of the Ob-Irtysh interfluve and the left bank of the Upper Ob, a reduction of the arable land and a high natural dynamics of water bodies are most indicative. The right bank of the Ob is characterized by the lowest dynamics of all types of land cover and a significant dynamics of artificial water bodies. In the mountain basins, a noticeable decrease in the forest areas largely in favor of natural grass communities was caused by the economic activities. It is also shown that the directions of changes and transitions of different types of land covers can differ greatly for different groups of landscapes.     

Cloudburst floods in mountains: State of knowledge,occurrence, factors of formation

A detailed analysis is made of the current ideas concerning floods of a special type. We examine short-lasting torrential flash floods, one of the most widespread and hazardous natural phenomena in the world characterized by a high rate of development, and by a short duration. It is established that such floods are in a primitive stage of study, which is testified by the fact that there is no general consensus as to what should be treated as a flash flood. It is pointed out that a special term designating them is also absent in many countries. It is determined that the key formation conditions for flash floods include intense short-lasting cloudbursts, the occurrence of a river basin in mountainous regions and a small drainage area; on this basis, it is suggested that they be termed flash floods. It is shown that such floods are of the most widespread occurrence in the northern hemisphere in regions with a temperate and subtropical climate. We suggest the scheme of natural factors for formation of flash floods and their differences from debris flows and floods of other types. It is determined that the main problems of investigating the formation mechanisms and forecasting the aforementioned floods are associated with the small spatiotemporal scale of these phenomena.     

内蒙古干湿环境演变与地区生态建设优势气候背景分析

通过内蒙古地区近46 a降水和潜在蒸散量以及湿润度在气温突变前后的倾向率和差值变化分析,得出该区域主要植被类型干湿环境演变的时空变化特征。研究结果表明：降水在气温突变前“东增西减”,突变后呈相反的变化趋势。46 a降水倾向率增加区域主要集中在呼伦贝尔市东部和乌兰察布市以西大部地区;潜在蒸散量在气温突变前呈减少趋势,突变后有增加趋势,突变后潜在蒸散量明显小于突变前。内蒙古46 a潜在蒸散量倾向率大部地区偏小,偏大区域仅存在于中东部偏北地区,气温突变后全区大部地区存在明显的“蒸发悖论”;大兴安岭西麓和乌兰察布市以西地区突变后湿润度增加明显,暖湿的气候环境有利于当地植被建设和生态恢复,内蒙古东南部、呼伦贝尔草原和锡林郭勒盟草原区有暖干化趋势,上述草原区存在潜在退化风险。     

Effect of cattle breeding on habitat use of Pampas deer Ozotoceros bezoarticus celer in semiarid grasslands of San Luis, Argentina

The largest population of the Argentinean Pampas deer Ozotoceros bezoarticus celer is found in the semiarid grasslands of the San Luis province. Despite relatively high deer numbers in the region, there has been concern that expansion of farming practices could displace the species. Since the 1990’s, cattle breeding has intensified especially as a result of the replacement of natural grassland with South African digit grass (Digitaria eriantha) and African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula). In this study, we studied how deer in “El Centenario” ranch used available habitat types, especially to assess whether it preferentially used natural over exotic pastures. We employed 8 fixed line transects to record deer numbers and habitat use during the dry season, early rainy and late rainy seasons. We estimated a mean population size of 731 ± 121 individuals, a density of 1.95 ± 0.25 deer/km². Our results also showed that deer did not appear to select natural pastures over exotic ones, though D. eriantha grasslands with cattle were used less during the late rainy season. Grazed pastures with D. eriantha without cattle were used significantly more during all time periods. Our results therefore suggest that Pampas deer are not shifted by exotic pastures but we caution that it is important to manage these habitats sustainably (e.g. cattle load adjusted to grassland nutritional supply, rotational crops with parcel rest period), to ensure the conservation of the species within agricultural areas.     

新疆伊犁河谷不同植被带下土壤有机碳分布(英文)

We analyzed and estimated the distribution and reserves of soil organic carbon under nine different vegetation conditions including alpine meadow,meadow steppe,typical steppe,desert steppe,and temperate coniferous forest and so on,in the Ili River valley,Xinjiang according to data from field investigations and laboratory analyses in 2008 and 2009.The study results show that the soil organic carbon content in the Ili River valley varies with the type of vegetation.In the 0-50 cm soil horizon,the soil organic carbon content is the highest under the vegetation types of alpine meadow and meadow steppe,slightly lower under temperate coniferous forest and typical steppe,and the lowest under the intrazonal vegetation and desert vegetation types.The soil organic carbon content shows basically a tendency to decrease as soil depth increases under various vegetation types except in the case of the intrazonal vegetation.Similarly,the soil organic carbon density is the highest and varies little under the vegetation types of alpine meadow,meadow steppe and temperate coniferous forest,and is the lowest under the desert vegetation type.Both the soil organic carbon content and density in the topsoil of meadows in the Ili River valley are high,so protecting meadows in the Ili River valley,and especially their topsoil,should be a priority so that the potential of change in soil organic carbon in the shallow soil horizon is reduced,and this means maintenance of the stability of the soil carbon pool.     

滴哨沟湾地层沉积特征记录的毛乌素沙漠变迁

毛乌素沙漠的盛衰变化明显地受到全球变化特别是东亚夏季风变化的影响。根据毛乌素沙漠东南缘萨拉乌苏河流域滴哨沟湾地层沉积物的物质组成、粒度参数等,结合孢粉研究结果,将沙漠演化过程划分为若干阶段：中更新世晚期沙漠萎缩期,气候温暖半干旱-半湿润,沙漠缩小,为森林草原或灌丛草原;中更新世晚期沙漠稳定期,气候在寒冷干旱-半干旱间波动频繁,自然景观在荒漠、荒漠草原与干草原间变化,并有河流和小湖存在;晚更新世早期沙漠固定期,气候温暖半湿润至半干旱,期间自然景观经历了森林草原、灌丛草原、草原、荒漠草原多种变化;晚更新世晚期沙漠扩张期,气候干旱寒冷,自然景观以荒漠和荒漠草原为主,同时也有草原乃至灌丛草原出现;全新世沙漠频繁变化期,气候变化频繁,沙漠出现多次盛衰变化,自然景观在荒漠、荒漠草原、草原、疏林草原间变化。     

青海共和盆地土地沙漠化及其防治

共和盆地在自然带上属半湿润森林草原地带与干旱荒漠地带之间的高原温带内半干旱干草原和干旱荒漠草原的过渡生物气候亚带, 高寒干旱的气候和丰富的第四纪砂物质是我国沙漠化得以发生、发展的地区之一, 这对当地农牧业生产, 特别是龙羊峡库区造成巨大威胁。为此, 本文探讨了该区土地沙漠化现状、危害的基础上, 并提出土地沙漠化的初步区划、防治原则、途径和措施。