Ecological and species diversity of arid Mediterranean grazing land vegetation

This study was conducted in the arid Mediterranean Reserve located in northern Jordan, representing a continuous grazed arid rangeland ecosystem. Quantitative analyses on species diversity in addition to phytogeographical analysis were conducted. Some ecological parameters such as, life forms, growth forms, species density and frequency were investigated. A total of 93 vascular plant taxa belonging to 78 genera and 26 families were reported. This constitutes about 4.3% of the total flora of Jordan. Reported taxa include 13 species of grasses, 69 forbs and 10 shrubs and semi-shrubs. The botanical survey pointed to the presence of four rare species in Jordan. Plant species were classified into 28 functional groups. Pairwise correlation analyses among the most abundant species, showed that neutral associations dominated (75%) those communities, followed by positive associations (19%), while only (6%) showed negative association. Positive association may be attributed to direct facultative mutualism, or to physical environmental heterogeneity. Such a positive cooperation in the plant community can significantly maintain species diversity in adverse environments.The relationship between primary productivity and species richness showed a humpbacked pattern. Maximum richness corresponded to a biomass level of 300–400 g m⁻². However, a sinusoidal curve-fitting model explained the relationship between graminoids biomass and species richness. These findings pointed to the adaptation of plant taxa to livestock grazing and to the small-scale spatial and environmental heterogeneity in arid Middle Eastern Mediterranean rangelands. Results suggest that optimal biodiversity conservation for the arid Middle Eastern grazing lands should consider their high level of spatial heterogeneity. Rangeland managers should adopt grazing plans that apply a range of grazing pressure across the area so as to maintain diversity at local and regional scales.     

Comparison of traditional wild plant knowledge between aboriginal communities inhabiting arid and forest environments in Patagonia, Argentina

The Mapuche people have a deeply rooted tradition of wild plant use for their subsistence. In this study we evaluated whether plant selection by the Mapuche is influenced by environmental constraints. Selection patterns of wild plant richness were compared in two Mapuche communities sharing the same traditions and beliefs but inhabiting different environments. Similarities and differences in the use patterns of wild medicinal and edible plants were quantitatively analyzed by using concepts derived from ecological theory. The Cayulef community is settled in the NW Patagonian (herbaceous) steppe while the Curruhuinca community is established near the Andean temperate forest, 100 km away from each other. Free-listing and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 families in Cayulef and 39 in Curruhuinca corresponding to 80% and 40% of each population, respectively. Data were analyzed by means of the Jaccard similarity index and statistical tests. The main results of this study showed that the home environment is a determinant factor that influences which plant species are utilized, as is the anthropic environment (with its high exotic species richness) in each community. However, similar patterns were found with respect to plant families, ways of utilization, plant parts and life forms utilized irrespective of where the communities are settled. In addition, in both populations, wild plant richness was significantly higher for medicinal than for edible species. Our results showed that the use of wild plants is primarily based on the utilization of species belonging to the nearest ecological environments that have both therapeutic and dietary functions.     

Spatial patterns of the soil seed bank and extant vegetation across the dry Minjiang River valley in southwest China

The medium-scale spatial patterns of soil seed banks (SSBs) and extant vegetation and the roles of abiotic factors are poorly understood. We selected the dry Minjiang River valley of southwest China to investigate SSB structure and corresponding extant vegetation in a medium-scale size (200-230 km long, 3-4 km wide) at eight sites across the valley using a germination method and field surveys. We found that, there was low seed density and species number in SSB and less coverage and litter thickness for community in extant vegetation at central sites compared with transitional sites across the dry valley; Quercus spp. occurred frequently in extant vegetation at transitional sites, while Caryopteris spp., Jasminum spp., Rabdosia parvifolia, Sophora davidii, Campylotropis spp., and Bauhinia faberi var. Microphylla was present frequently at central sites; Carex spp. and Artemisia spp. occurred frequently in SSB at transitional sites, while Ajania spp., Poa spp., and Fagopyrum caudatum was present more frequently at central sites. Hierarchical cluster analysis and Kendall’s correlation showed that the spatial variation of both SSB and extant vegetation had significant correlation with rainfall and air evaporation.     

Impact of rainfall variability and grazing pressure on plant diversity in Mongolian grasslands

Climate and grazing are the main drivers of plant community composition and species richness in arid environments. This study aimed to examine the vegetation response to a spatial precipitation gradient, interannual rainfall variability, and grazing pressure in Mongolia. To examine the effect of a spatial precipitation gradient, we compared species richness among six sites. To investigate the effects of interannual rainfall variability and grazing pressure, we compared species richness for 2 years at two sites, in desert-steppe and steppe areas. The regional gradient in annual precipitation showed positive and negative relationships with grass richness and shrub richness, respectively, although total species richness did not vary significantly. The proportions of the different functional groups were affected by grazing pressure and rainfall variability in both zones. In the desert-steppe zone, species richness was lower in the drier year but did not vary with grazing pressure. In the steppe zone, species richness varied significantly with grazing pressure but did not vary between years. Precipitation would be more important than grazing pressure on vegetation changes in drier areas with high rainfall variability.     

Desert grassland canopy arthropod species richness: temporal patterns and effects of intense, short-duration livestock grazing

Arthropods living in the canopies of two woody shrub species (a sub-shrub (Gutierrezia sarothrae) and a large shrub (Prosopis glandulosa)) and perennial grasses plus associated herbaceous species, were sampled on 18, 0.5 hectare plots in a Chihuahuan Desert grassland for five consecutive years. Mesquite shrubs were removed from nine plots, six plots were grazed by yearling cattle in August and six plots were grazed in February for the last 3 years of the 5 year study. Arthropod species richness ranged between 154 and 353 on grasses, from 120 to 266 on G. sarothrae, and from 69 to 116 on P. glandulosa. There was a significant relationship between the number of families of insects on grass and G. sarothrae and growing season rainfall but species richness was not a function of growing season rainfall on any of the plants. Several of the arthropod families that were the most species rich in this grassland were found on all of the plants sampled, i.e. Salticid spiders, Bruchid and Curculionid beetles, Cicadellid and Psyllid homopterans, and ants (Formicidae). There were more species rich families that were shared by grasses and the sub-shrub G. sarothrae than with mesquite. The absence of a relationship between growing season rainfall and species richness was attributed to variation in life history characteristics of arthropods and to the non-linear responses of annual and perennial desert grassland plants to rainfall.There were no significant differences in insect family or species richness on any of the plant types as a result of removal of mesquite (P. glandulosa) from selected plots. Intense, short duration (24 h) grazing by livestock during in late summer resulted in reduced species richness in the grass-herb vegetation layer but had no effect on insect species richness on snakeweed or mesquite shrubs. Livestock grazing in winter had no effect on insect species richness on any of the vegetation sampled.     

Patterns of alien plant invasions in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina

Invasive plant species are a growing concern in many regions of the world, yet little information is available on the effects of habitat type and distance to urban settlements on the ability of alien plants to become established. We studied plant communities from the arid steppes to the Andean forest within two national parks and surroundings, in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. Alien and native vascular plant species were sampled using 90 × 100 m² plots and analyzed in relation to both climatic and environmental variables and distance to urban centres. We also compared life-forms of alien and native species. Precipitation and distance to an urban centre were important determinants of alien species community richness and composition, and shrubland sites had significantly more alien species than forest or steppe sites. Alien flora (15% of the species) was composed of a higher proportion of annuals and biennials than native flora. Our results suggest that precipitation, distance to source population, and anthropogenic disturbance influence the invasion process in this region, together with the availability of open niches. This work stresses the importance of monitoring invasive species in natural reserves, and of considering habitat types as well as idiosyncratic characteristics of the non-natives for developing management strategies.     

Changes in soil nutrients, vegetation structure and herbaceous biomass in response to grazing in a semi-arid savanna of Ethiopia

The effect of grazing was studied on vegetation structure, herbaceous biomass, basal and bare ground covers, together with soil nutrient concentrations in two locations in an Ethiopian semi-arid savanna. The lightly grazed sites had significantly higher herbaceous diversity, total abundance, basal cover and aboveground biomass, and a lower percentage of bare ground compared with the heavy grazed sites. Grazing pressure had no effect on the density and number of woody species as well as on the proportion of encroaching woody species. The light grazing sites had higher organic carbon, phosphorus and exchangeable bases, and therefore a higher pH and higher electrical conductance, indicating an improved soil nutrient status compared with heavy grazing sites, mainly attributed to the higher basal cover and standing biomass at light grazed sites, and the export of nutrients through grazing and dung collection from the heavily grazed sites. There were significantly higher soil nutrients, species diversity, aboveground biomass and basal cover in the light grazing sites compared with heavy grazing sites. We concluded that changes in herbaceous vegetation, standing biomass and soil compositions are caused by interactions between grazing, soil and vegetation, and these interactions determine the transitions of semi-arid savannas.     

中国Holdridge生命地带及其多样性的时空变化分析

在分析目前生态地理模型及其实现方法基础上,提出基于ARC/INFO与VC++综合集成的先插值再运行生命地带模型的方法和技术路线,克服了以前模型实现过程中所存在的局限性。利用中国1962～2002年735个站点逐日温度与降水量观测数据,通过对Holdridge生命地带模型和生态多样性模型进行模拟运算后获得中国Holdridge生命地带时空分布序列图及生命地带多样性序列数值。对模拟运算,结果分析发现:生命地带类型变化随着气候条件的变化与土地覆被变化存在很好的对应关系,生命地带多样性与年均生物温度、年降水量均呈现出震荡波动的变化模式。另外对中国Holdridge生命地带的多样性、连通性及斑块形状等景观指数进行计算分析,讨论了生命地带多样性与生态环境稳定性之间的相关关系。     

Abiotic conditions, neighbour interactions, and the distribution of Stipa tenacissima in a semiarid mountain range

Abiotic conditions and interactions among plants are important factors determining plant geographical distributions. With the aim of analyzing the distribution of a perennial grass species in a semiarid mountain range, we experimentally tested above- and belowground effects of shrubs on the grass along a gradient of aridity. We measured growth, physiology and reproductive output of Stipa tenacissima tussocks surrounded by intact or manipulated neighbour shrubs. Performance of Stipa improved under mesic conditions, but the net effect of shrubs on Stipa did not change along the gradient. Belowground, we did not find significant effects, suggesting belowground resource partitioning between tussocks and shrubs. Aboveground net effects of shrubs on Stipa were generally positive and independent from abiotic conditions. The improved performance of Stipa at the mesic end of gradient suggests that its absolute physiological optimum lies out of its realized range. Overall, the arid end of the geographical distribution of Stipa in this mountain range may be determined by environmental severity. The coincidence of the upper limit of Stipa with the lower tree limit suggests that the more mesic end of Stipa distribution may depend on other factors; most likely competition with trees, which, unlike shrubs, could be excluding Stipa tenacissima from forests.     

Landsat,aerial photography and state factors in soil survey of arid and humid Patagonia,Argentina

Frederiksen, Peter: LANDSAT, aerial photography and state factors in soil survey of arid and humid Patagonia, Argentina. Geografisk Tidsskrift 81: 39–48. Copenhagen, June, 1981

The applicability of LANDSAT, aerial photography, and topographical maps was tested in relation to soil survey of humid and arid Patagonia, Argentina. Fieldwork was carried out as toposequence-studies in five vegetation zones and observations of roadcuts. These data were compared with LANDSAT and aerial photography. Only observations on state factors of soil formation were obtained. These showed as a first rough approximation a consistent relationship between observed state factors as expressed in land systems and stage of soil development.     

北京市住宿业空间结构时空演化及影响因素

将1997-2012 年划分为4 个时段,采用ArcGIS 与次序多元Logit 模型分析北京市住宿业空间结构时空演化特征与影响因素,探讨住宿业空间结构与城市空间结构的协同演化关系,反映城市空间结构重组特征。结果表明：① 北京住宿业时空演化的向心集聚与离心扩散趋势并存,属于相对扩散;扩张表现出集聚特征与方向上的差异性;同心圆式、局部扇面式、廊道式、飞地式、填充式等扩张形式并存;② 可达性、基本地价、空间集聚是住宿业时空演化的主要影响因素;③ 城市化进程影响住宿业的区位转移,住宿业是城市空间结构的塑造力量之一;④ 塑造城市结构的离心扩散作用增强,城市空间的异质性与复杂性增强。     

Air transportation in China: Temporal and spatial evolution and development forecasts

This paper analyses the features and dynamic changes of the spatial layout of air transportation utilization among different provinces in China. It makes use of data for the airport throughput and socio-economic development of every province throughout the country in the years 2006 and 2015, and employs airport passenger and cargo throughput per capita and per unit of GDP as measures of regional air transportation utilization, which is significant for refining indicators of regional air transportation scale and comparing against them. It also analyzes the spatial differences of coupling between the regional air transportation utilization indicators and the key influencing factors on regional air transportation demand and utilization, which include per capita GDP, urbanization rate, and population density. Based on these key influencing factors, it establishes a multiple linear regression model to conduct forecasting of each province’s future airport passenger and cargo throughput as well as throughput growth rates. The findings of the study are as follows: (1) Between 2006 and 2015, every province throughout the country showed a trend of year on year growth in their airport passenger and cargo throughput per capita. Throughput per capita grew fastest in Hebei, with a rise of 780%, and slowest in Beijing, with a rise of 38%. Throughput per capita was relatively high in western and southeastern coastal regions, and relatively low in northern and central regions. Airport passenger and cargo throughput per unit of GDP showed growth in provinces with relatively slow economic development, and showed negative growth in provinces with relatively rapid economic development. Throughput per unit of GDP grew fastest in Hebei, rising 265% between 2006 and 2015, and Hunan had the fastest negative growth, with a fall of 44% in the same period. Southwestern regions had relatively high throughput per unit of GDP, while in central, northern, and northeastern regions it was relatively low. (2) Strong correlation exists between airport passenger and cargo throughput per capita and per capita GDP, urbanization rate, and population density. Throughput per capita has positive correlation with per capita GDP and urbanization rate in all regions, and positive correlation with population density in most regions. Meanwhile, there is weak correlation between airport passenger and cargo throughput per unit of GDP and per capita GDP, urbanization rate, and population density, with positive correlation in some regions and negative correlation in others. (3) Between 2015 and 2025, it is estimated that all provinces experience a trend of rapid growth in their airport passenger and cargo throughput. Inner Mongolia and Hebei will see the fastest growth, rising 221% and 155%, respectively, while Yunnan, Sichuan, and Hubei will see the slowest growth, with increases of 62%, 63%, and 65%, respectively.     

Selective erosion of clay,organic carbon and total nitrogen in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia,Argentina

In arid and semiarid rangelands, soil erosion has been widely considered an important soil degradation process and one of the main factors responsible for declining soil fertility. In this study, we determined the sediment production and the enrichment ratios of clay, organic C, and total N by using rainfall simulations on runoff plots (0.60 × 1.67 m) in three plant communities of northeastern Patagonia: grass (GS), degraded grass with scattered shrubs (DGS), and degraded shrub steppes (DSS). Our results clearly indicate that spatial variability in soil loss rate and enrichment process exists as a result of the local differences in both plant composition and soil surface characteristics. Sediment production was significantly lower in the GS (14.2 g m⁻²) compared with the DGS and DSS (38.2 and 51.5 g m⁻², respectively). In the GS, the enrichment ratio of clay was significantly greater (3.9) and enrichment ratio of organic C was lower (3.1) than in the DGS and the DSS, though differences in enrichment ratios of total N were not significant. The high rate of soil loss and nutrients through overland-flow may limit the opportunities that promote the pathway from DGS back to GS community, favoring the dominance of shrubs.     

Abundance and diversity of small-bird assemblages in the Monte desert, Argentina

Assemblages of small bird species (<90 g body mass) from the Monte desert in Argentina were studied to analyze spatial and temporal variation in abundance and species richness. Mean species richness was higher during breeding season than in non-breeding season. The same pattern was observed in aerial insectivores, while granivores and substrate insectivores did not differ between breeding and non-breeding seasons. Overall bird abundance was similar across seasons. Species richness was positively correlated with bird abundance and negatively correlated with dominance; bird abundance and dominance were not correlated. These patterns could be explained by distinct responses of functional groups of birds; dominant species were granivores in the non-breeding season and aerial insectivores during the breeding season, and bird abundance in functional groups changed according to food supply. Most species are residents or regular migrants, while there are few nomadic and transient species. Predictable annual fluctuations in rainfall and resource availability should favor a migratory strategy more than nomadic movements. Similarly, breeding is strongly seasonal and most species start breeding when the first summer rains have generally not yet fallen. Finally, concordances in assemblage structure at local and regional scale suggest that similar mechanisms are acting on the local bird assemblages across the Monte.     

河南省农田利用集约度时空变化及其影响环境

采用因子分析法、重心分析法及空间自相关分析法,利用SPSS、ArcGIS和GeoDa,探究了河南省县级尺度农田利用集约度及其空间分布、空间变化特征。研究发现：河南省农田利用集约度较高的县级单元多分布于河南省东北部;近邻城市的农田利用集约度亦较高;农田利用集约度相近的县级单元呈空间集聚态势,尤其是以较低农田利用集约度的县级单元更为明显;农田利用集约度重心点位于河南省几何中心点的东北方向,且随着时间推移仍不断向东北方向移动。农田利用集约度是农业生产者在自然条件、经济发展、政治制度、社会人文等环境的约束下,结合劳动力、耕地等自身资源条件,经分析判断后对农田利用效果的评价。探究农田利用集约度空间分布特征及其变化,可了解不同区位条件下的农户生产决策特征及其变化,为农业发展战略的制定提供依据。     

Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina

In grazed semiarid ecosystems, considerable spatial variability in soil infiltration exists as a result of vegetation and soil patchiness. Despite widespread recognition that important interactions and feedbacks occur between vegetation, runoff and erosion, currently there is only limited quantitative information on the control mechanisms that lead to differences in infiltration from different vegetation types. In this paper, we determine (i) the relationship between vegetation and soil surface characteristics and (ii) the soil infiltration rate by using rainfall simulations on runoff plots (0.60 × 1.67 m) in three plant communities of northeastern Patagonia: grass (GS), degraded grass with scattered shrubs (DGS), and degraded shrub steppes (DSS). Our results clearly indicate that vegetation and soil infiltration are closely coupled. Total infiltration was significantly higher in the GS (69.6 mm) compared with the DGS and DSS (42.9 and 28.5 mm, respectively). In the GS, soil infiltration rate declined more slowly than the others communities, reaching a terminal infiltration rate significantly greater (57.7 mm) than those of DGS and DSS (25.7 and 12.9 mm, respectively). The high rate of water losses via overland-flow may limit the possibilities for grass seedling emergence and establishment and favor the persistent dominance of shrubs.     

乡村土地利用结构效率时空特征及影响因素

探讨乡村土地利用结构效率地区差异对于引导乡村土地高效利用具有重要的现实意义,同时在乡村振兴战略背景下,科学合理评估乡村土地时空配置情况,可以为实现乡村可持续发展提供国土资源保障。论文以2009—2016年中国大陆31个省市为研究对象,采用Super-SBM模型和地理探测器对乡村土地利用结构效率时空分异与影响因素进行分析。结果表明：① 2009—2016年中国乡村土地利用结构效率整体处于中等水平,且呈现逐年上升态势;② 全国乡村土地利用投入产出效率的空间差异显著,中国乡村土地利用投入产出效率表现为东高西低、北高南低的分布态势;③ 各因素对中国乡村土地利用结构效率的影响力存在时间上的波动性和空间上的异质性,乡村条件的影响力显著高于城乡关系作用;④ 中国乡村土地利用过程中各类型用地均表现为投入冗余,各地区之间可节约用地比例差异明显,需要依据地区发展实际情况进行结构优化。     

中国市域居民住房支付能力时空演变及影响因素

利用泰尔指数、σ系数、莫兰指数和空间回归模型等方法,对2012—2017年中国大陆346个市域单元收入房价比的时空演变规律进行分析,并探究其影响因素。结果表明:2012—2017年,中国市域单元收入房价比排名整体表现为东部>中部>东北>西部,其相对差异和绝对差异均随时间呈现增大趋势,居民住房支付能力稳步增强。2012—2017年,中国市域单元收入房价比的空间集聚性显著增强,空间分布不均衡性有逐渐增强的趋势。经济水平、城镇化水平、房地产投资水平、城市规模是影响中国市域住房支付能力的主要影响因素,其中,经济水平和城镇化水平对居民住房支付能力具有较大的正向影响,而房地产投资水平和城市规模为负向影响;2012—2017年我国东北和东中西部则不同程度上受不同影响因素的影响。     

近58 a中国北方地区极端气温时空变化及影响因素分析

基于北方地区404个气象站1960—2017年逐日最高气温、最低气温资料,应用线性倾向估计法、Mann-Kendall法、滑动t检验法、累积距平法和相关分析法,分析了极端气温的时空变化特征,并探讨了气温指数的影响因素。研究表明:极端气温暖指数和极值指数呈上升趋势,冷指数和气温日较差呈下降趋势;变化幅度中冷指数大于暖指数,夜指数大于昼指数,西北地区极端气温指数变化幅度最大,东北地区最小。突变时间上,极端气温指数突变主要发生在20世纪80年代和90年代,暖指数和极高值指数晚于冷指数和极低值指数,东北地区极端气温指数突变时间最早,西北地区最晚,突变后极端暖事件和气温极值事件进入多发阶段,极端冷事件进入少发阶段。1988—2012年极端气温指数的变化响应了全球变暖停滞现象。多数极端气温指数与经纬度、海拔高度显著相关。北极涛动(AO)指数对极端气温的影响最强,对冷指数影响最明显。气溶胶光学厚度与多数冷指数呈负相关,而与多数暖指数呈正相关。     

Effects of grazing and climate change on species diversity in sandy grassland, Inner Mongolia, China

To understand the effects of animal grazing activities and climate change on sandy grassland vegetation in northern China, a field grazing and protected enclosure experiment was conducted from 1992 through 2006 in Horqin Sand Land, Inner Mongolia. The results showed that (1) the grazing was primary responsible for changes of the vegetation richness and diversity in the grazing grassland and that changing climate was the main reason for changes in the species richness and diversity in the grassland protected from grazing; (2) light and moderate grazing can promote restoration of the richness and the diversity in the degraded grassland, and heavy grazing could result in a decrease of the richness and diversity; (3) heavy grazing can result in significant decrease of the perennial diversity, and moderate and light grazing promotes increase of the perennial diversity; the grazing, whether heavy or moderate and light grazing, was beneficial to increase of the annual diversity; (4) heavy grazing was not beneficial to diversity of Graminean and Chenopodiaceae, and moderate and light grazing was favorable the diversity of Compositae and Chenopodiaceae; (5) the warm-humid climate was favorable to increase of the richness and the diversity, and the warm-drought climate could result in decease of the richness and the diversity; (6) increased precipitation was favorable to perennial diversity and the diversity of Graminean, Leguminosae, and Compositae, and decreased precipitation had few effects on the annual diversity and Chenopodiaceae diversity.