Canopy gap characteristics and spatial patterns in a subtropical forest of South China after ice storm damage

The divergent gap characteristics and spatial patterns of canopy gaps created by natural or artificial disturbances can exert a dominant influence on forest structure and composition.However,little research has been conducted on the effects of ice storm damage on canopy gaps in subtropical mature forests of South China.In this study,one semi-natural site was dominated by a broad-leaf forest and two managed sites were representative of plantations with coniferous forests.Based on airborne laser scanning data and field evidence across sites,statistical analyses were used to examine gap characteristics following ice storms of moderate severity.Generalized Ripley's K-function analysis was applied to test gap spatial patterns at a range of scales,and spatial point pattern analysis was used to quantitate the relative importance of specific influences on patterns of gap occurrence.The results revealed that the average gap size was 75.7 m~2 and that 12.2 gaps occurred per hectare.Most gaps were single-tree fall events.In addition to more gaps,the mean gap size was smaller and the shape was more complex in the semi-natural site than in two managed sites.Large differences in gap characteristics were observed among snapped,uprooted,snag,and artificial gap damage types.Gaps generally showed a clustered distribution at large scales(e.g.70 m),whereas spatial patterns varied with gap damage types at different sites.The occurrence of gaps was strongly related to slope and topographic position at the semi-natural site,whereas slope,stem density,and human accessibility(proximity to pathways) were the most important factors affecting gap occurrence at the managed sites.We suggest that gap-based silvicultural treatments and natural disturbances regimes conjoin,highlighting interactions with other factors such as microsite conditions,non-tree vegetation and more.     

Mid and late Holocene forest fires and deforestation in the subalpine belt of the Iberian range,northern Spain

The conversion of subalpine forests into grasslands for pastoral use is a well-knownphenomenon, although for most mountain areas the timing of deforestation has not been determined. The presence of charcoal fragments in soil profiles affected by shallow landsliding enabled us to date the occurrence of fires and the periods of conversion ofsubalpine forest into grasslands in the Urbión Mountains, Iberian Range, Spain. We found that the treeline in the highest parts of the northwestern massifs of the Iberian Range(the Urbión, Demanda, Neila, and Cebollera massifs) is currently between 1500 and 1600 m a.s.l., probably because of pastoral use of the subalpine belt, whereas in the past it would have reached almost the highest divides(at approximately 2100–2200 m a.s.l.). The radiocarbon dates obtained indicate that the transformation of the subalpine belt occurred during the Late Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Middle Ages. Forest clearing was probably moderate during fires prior to the Middle Ages, as the small size of the sheep herds and the local character of the markets only required small clearings, and therefore more limited fires. Thus, it is likely that the forest recovered burnt areas in a few decades; this suggests the management of the forest and grasslands following a slash-andburn system. During the Middle and Modern Ages deforestation and grassland expansion affected most of the subalpine belt and coincided with the increasing prevalence of transhumance, as occurred in other mountains in the Iberian Peninsula(particularly the Pyrenees). Although the occurrence of shallow landslides following deforestation between the Neolithic and the Roman Period cannot be ruled out, the most extensive shallow landsliding processes would have occurred from the Middle Ages until recent times.     

Integrated Analysis of the Trees and Associated UnderCanopy Species in a Subalpine Forest of Western Himalaya,Uttarakhand, India

Subalpine forests are known as outstanding habitats due to co-existence of both temperate and alpine vegetation and are classic example of ecotonal zones. Limited but diverse physiognomy of trees inhabiting in subalpine forest results in variability within under-canopy habitat conditions. Studies were undertaken to assess population status, habitat preference and interferences to the trees and associated undercanopy herbs in a subalpine forest of western Himalaya. A total of 10 woody and 23 under-canopy herbs were recorded in the selected subalpine forest area. At each stand, the number of tree species and under-canopy herbs ranged from 2 to 4 and 8 to 10 respectively. Abies spectabilis, Acer caesium, Quercus floribunda, Q. semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum were key tree species in this area. The density of main woody species was 280 to 1190 individuals ha-1 at different stands. Herbaceous plants with rosette and clump growth habits were observed to have higher values for total basal cover and importance value index. Presence of some undercanopy herbs like; Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Malaxis muscifera, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Polygonatumcirrhifolium and Skimmia laureola in the specific habitats also showed that they are habitat specific.However, the presence of Frageria nubicola and Viola sp. was common in the selected stands. Felling of trees for timber, construction of temporary huts,fuel wood and lopping for fodder were main interferences for trees. On the other hand, trampling driven damage due to grazing, habitats degradation and overexploitation were observed key threats for under-canopy herbs. Integrated analysis including population studies, habitats preference and interferences to the trees and under-canopy herbs in this sensitive and important ecosystem will be useful for determining the conservation plans and ecosystem management.     

Intermediate-scale analysis of landscape characteristics affecting edge formation in burned forests in Samcheok,Korea

Compared to burn interiors, edges exhibit distinct biotic and abiotic conditions that include microclimate, wind speed, sunlight levels, soil composition, moisture content, nutrient availability, population density, and species diversity. This study characterized the landscapes in which burned forest edges formed in Samcheok, Korea. Over the study area, 500-m2 grid cells were generated to capture landscape characteristics. Grid cells intersecting burn boundary lines were designated as edge, while cells without these lines were classified as the interior of burned areas. Topographic variables including slope, elevation, topographic wetness index, solar radiation index, and proportions of fuel and land use types within grid cells were computed in a geographical information system （GIS）. Correlation analysis with modified t-test and regression tree analysis were performed to explore the influences of landscape variables on edge formation with avoiding spatial autocorrelation problems. The results indicated that edges formed at low elevations with mild slopes, high topographic wetness, and low solar radiation. Edges were unlikely to form in areas dominated by Japanese red pines at low elevations. Moreover, heterogeneous land use/cover types contributed significantly to edge formation. Different forest management strategies for different landscape conditions can be more effective for enhancing resilience of forests to fire. Reducing susceptible fuel types might be effective at low elevations, while enhancing forest heterogeneity might be more effective at high elevations.     

Alternative stable states in mountain forest ecosystems: the case of European larch(Larix decidua) forests in the western Alps

European larch(Larix decidua) forests of the western Alps form extensivecultural landscapes whose resilience to global changes is currently unknown. Resilience describes the capacity of ecological systems to maintain the same state, i.e., the same function, processes, structure, and composition despite disturbances, environmental changes and internal fluctuations. Our aim is to explore the resilience of larch forests to changes in climate and land use in the western Italian Alps.To do so, we examined whether larch forests can be described as an alternative stable state in mountain forest ecosystems. We used tree basal area data obtained from field forest inventories in combination with topography, forest structure, land use, and climate information. We applied three different probabilistic methods: frequency distributions, logistic regressions, and potential analyses to infer the resilience of larch forests relative to that of other forest types.We found patters indicative of alternative stable states: bimodality in the frequency distribution of the percent of larch basal area, and the presence of an unstable state, i.e., mixed larch forests, in the potential analyses. We also found:(1) high frequency ofpurelarchforestsathighelevation,(2)the probability of pure larch forests increased mostly with elevation, and(3) pure larch forests were a stable state in the upper montane and subalpine belts.Our study shows that the resilience of larch forests may increase with elevation, most likely due to the altitudinal effect on climate. Under the same climate conditions, land use seems to be the main factor governing the dominance of larch forests. In fact, subalpine larch forests may be more resilient, and natural succession after land abandonment, e.g., towards Pinuscembra forests, seems slower than in montane larch forests. In contrast, in the upper montane belt only intense land use regimes characterized by open canopies and forest grazing may maintain larch forests.We conclude that similar approaches could be applied in other forest ecosystems to infer the resilience of tree species.     

Alternative stable states in mountain forest ecosystems: the case of European larch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix decidua</Emphasis>) forests in the western Alps

European larch (Larix decidua) forests of the western Alps form extensive cultural landscapes whose resilience to global changes is currently unknown. Resilience describes the capacity of ecological systems to maintain the same state, i.e., the same function, processes, structure, and composition despite disturbances, environmental changes and internal fluctuations. Our aim is to explore the resilience of larch forests to changes in climate and land use in the western Italian Alps. To do so, we examined whether larch forests can be described as an alternative stable state in mountain forest ecosystems. We used tree basal area data obtained from field forest inventories in combination with topography, forest structure, land use, and climate information. We applied three different probabilistic methods: frequency distributions, logistic regressions, and potential analyses to infer the resilience of larch forests relative to that of other forest types. We found patters indicative of alternative stable states: bimodality in the frequency distribution of the percent of larch basal area, and the presence of an unstable state, i.e., mixed larch forests, in the potential analyses. We also found: (1) high frequency of pure larch forests at high elevation, (2) the probability of pure larch forests increased mostly with elevation, and (3) pure larch forests were a stable state in the upper montane and subalpine belts. Our study shows that the resilience of larch forests may increase with elevation, most likely due to the altitudinal effect on climate. Under the same climate conditions, land use seems to be the main factor governing the dominance of larch forests. In fact, subalpine larch forests may be more resilient, and natural succession after land abandonment, e.g., towards Pinus cembra forests, seems slower than in montane larch forests. In contrast, in the upper montane belt only intense land use regimes characterized by open canopies and forest grazing may maintain larch forests. We conclude that similar approaches could be applied in other forest ecosystems to infer the resilience of tree species.     

集成虚拟森林环境与景观指数计算模型的森林景观格局分析

森林景观格局分析是森林景观优化配置与实施规划的基础。本文以森林资源二类调查数据为基础,采用森林景观定量空间分析方法,在自主开发而成的森林景观可视化系统VisForest支持下,利用VS2008开发平台、ArcEngine组件与OSG图形渲染引擎,集成景观指数计算模型和地理信息系统的分析方法,形成森林景观格局分析与景观三维可视化模拟系统,实现了景观格局分析的定量化和景观可视化;并以闽侯县白沙国有林场2013年的数据为例,按优势树种划分森林景观类型,计算分析了景观组成结构、斑块特征和景观异质性等。结果表明,杉木林、马尾松林、湿地松林、木荷林、非林地是白沙林场的优势景观类型,总体景观类型丰富、景观异质性较高;木荷作为隔离带树种,以小面积狭长斑块居多,其形状指数和分形维数最大,斑块形状复杂而不规则;森林景观的三维可视化模拟为研究景观格局提供了一个直观、交互的展示平台。     

Evaluation of Forest Damaged Area and Severity Caused by Ice-snow Frozen Disasters over Southern China with Remote Sensing

The accurate assessment of forest damage is important basis for the forest post-disaster recovery process and ecosystem management. This study evaluates the spatial distribution of damaged forest and its damaged severity caused by ice-snow disaster that occurred in southern China during January 10 to February 2 in 2008. The moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer(MODIS)13 Q1 products are used, which include two vegetation indices data of NDVI(Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and EVI(Enhanced Vegetation Index). Furtherly, after Quality Screening(QS) and Savizky-Golay(S-G) filtering of MODIS 13 Q1 data, four evaluation indices are obtained, which are NDVI with QS(QSNDVI), EVI with QS(QSEVI), NDVI with S-G filtering(SGNDVI) and EVI with S-G filtering(SGEVI). The study provides a new way of firstly determining the threshold for each image pixel for damaged forest evaluation, by computing the pre-disaster reference value and change threshold with vegetation index from remote sensing data. Results show obvious improvement with the new way for forest damage evaluation, evaluation result of forest damage is much close to the field survey data with standard error of only 0.95 and 1/3 less than the result that evaluated from other threshold method. Comparatively, the QSNDVI shows better performance than other three indices on evaluating forest damages. The evaluated result with QSNDVI shows that the severe, moderate, mild damaged rates of Southern China forests are 47.33%, 34.15%, 18.52%, respectively. By analyzing the influence of topographic and meteorological factors on forest-vegetation damage, we found that the precipitation on freezing days has greater impact on forest-vegetation damage, which is regarded as the most important factor. This study could be a scientific and reliable reference for evaluating the forest damages from ice-snow frozen disasters.     

Structure and regeneration dynamics of three forest types at different succession stages of spruce – fir mixed forest in Changbai Mountain,northeastern China

Analyzing and understanding the structure and growth dynamics of forests at different stages is helpful to promote forest succession, restoration and management. Three spots representing three succession stages of spruce-fir mixed forest(SF: polar-birch secondary forest, MF: spruce-fir mixed forest and PF: spruce-fir near primary forest) were established. Structure, growth dynamics during two growth seasons for dominant tree species, regeneration were examined, and a univariate O-ring function statistic was used to analyze the spatial patterns of main regeneration tree species. Results showed that,(1) composition of tree species, periodic annual increment(PAI) of the diameter at breast height(DBH), basal area for overstory trees and of ground diameter(DGH) for saplings, were significantly different with the succession;(2) the current species composition and regeneration dynamics of SF suggested a development towards spruce-fir mixed forests. Pioneer species like Betula platyphyllaa will gradually disappear while climax species, such as Abies nephrolepis, Pinus koraiensis, Picea koraiensis and Tilia amurensis will dominate forest stands;(3) Despite the highest volume occurring in PF, and saplings in it grew better than in the others, this forest type is unstable because of its unsustainable structure of DBH class and insufficient regeneration; and(4) MF had the most reasonable distribution of DBH class for adult trees(DBH 5.0 cm) and DGH class for saplings(H ≥30 cm and DBH ≤5 cm), as well as an optimal volume increment. Limiting canopy opening size can lessen the physiological stress and promote the growth and competitive status of regeneration. Management implications for increasing the gaps and thus creating better growth conditions for understory saplings and facilitating forest succession were discussed.     

Wave-current interaction during Typhoon Nuri (2008) and Hagupit (2008):an application of the coupled ocean-wave modeling system in the northern South China Sea

The northern South China Sea(SCS) is frequently affected by typhoons. During severe storm events, wave-current interactions produce storm surges causing enormous damage in the path of the typhoon. To evaluate the influence of wave-current interactions on storm surge, we used a coupled ocean-atmospherewave-sediment transport(COAWST) modeling system with radiation-stress and vortex-force formulations to simulate two typically intense tropical storms that invaded the SCS, namely Typhoons Nuri(2008) and Hagupit(2008), and compared results with observations from the Hong Kong Observatory. Both radiationstress and vortex-force formulations significantly improved the accuracy of the simulation. Depending on which typhoon and the topography encountered, the influence of surface waves on the oceanic circulation showed different characteristics, including the differences of range and intensity of storm surge between vortex-force and radiation-stress experiments. During typhoon landing, strong sea-surface elevation in concert with wave set-up/set-down caused the adjustment of the momentum balance. In the direction perpendicular to the current, but especially in the cross-shore direction, the pressure gradient and wave effects on the current dominated the momentum balance.     

Combining Geomatics and Conventional Methods for Monitoring Forest Conditions under Different Governance Arrangements

Introduction Assessment and systematic resource condition monitoring are essential components of long-term planning and management of forest resources. These requirements can be fulfilled using different methods and techniques. Traditionally, when the primary objective of forest management was tim- ber production, sample-based forest inventories were the sole method of determining forest condi- tions. Aerial photographs were frequently used for forest cover mapping during the third quarter of …     

北京市高速公路周边土地利用变化对景观格局的影响

高速公路的快速发展在推动经济发展的同时,也对区域的生态环境产生重要的影响。在地理信息系统的支持下,本研究以北京市高速公路网10 km缓冲区为研究区域,利用缓冲区分析、空间分析、统计分析等方法探讨了高速公路周边土地利用变化对景观格局的影响规律。结果表明：① 北京市高速公路周边的土地利用类型主要以建设用地、耕地、林地为主,土地利用变化以耕地向建设用地转入最为显著;② 空间变化上,各缓冲区内土地利用变化以林地、耕地、建设用地的相互转移为主,随着与高速公路的距离增大,土地利用类型从以耕地、建设用地为主逐渐转变为以林地、耕地为主;③ 2005-2015年,各类景观的景观指数变化差异明显,其中水域的斑块密度与分离度指数变化幅度最大,耕地的形状指数增加最快,建设用地的分离度指数减少最多,这与相应的土地利用变化密切相关;④ 基于土地利用变化,北京市高速公路网对周边景观格局的影响范围约为6 km,其中林地转入建设用地以及建设用地与耕地的相互转移是引起公路周边景观空间变化差异的主要原因。     

Changes in vegetation and soil properties during recovery of a subtropical forest in South China

Secondary forests account for a large amount of subtropical forest due to persistent anthropogenic disturbance in China. The interaction between vegetation and soil during recovery process is rather complex and dependent on forest conditions. Understanding how vegetation and soil properties changes and how their relationship develops in secondary forests is key to effective forest restoration and management. Here we explored the patterns of vegetation and soil properties as well as their correlations during forest recovery process in a subtropical forest in south China. Plots of three forest types, i.e., broadleaf-conifer mixed forest, broadleaved forest and old growth stand, were established to represent the recovery stages. The results showed that diversity patterns in the tree, shrub and herb layers were different: in the tree layer the species diversity peaked at the intermediate stage, while in the understory layers it decreased chronologically. Most of the soil factors showed an increasing trend, and different effects of soil factors were found for the three layers as well as for the two spatial scales. Together, our results suggested that vegetation and soil might be interdependent during the recovery course. Further studies are needed on exploring how vegetation interplays with soil at different scales and how nutrient limitations affects the vegetation development in a chronosequence.     

Reconstruction of debris-flow activity in a temperate mountain forest catchment of central Mexico

The use of dendrochronology to study and date geomorphic processes in volcanic environments is still incipient, even more so on the volcanic slopes covered by temperate forests in central Mexico. Mass movements, such as debris flows, often impact forest stands where they cause damage to individual trees, thereby generating growth disturbances(GD) in the tree-ring records. The identification and dating of GD enables reconstruction of the age of trees colonizing bare surfaces after major events, but also allows the assessment of the frequency or spatial distribution of past geomorphic process activity. Here we used increment cores from 65 Pinus leiophylla, Abies religiosa, and Alnus jorullensis trees growing in the Axal gorge, on the southern slopes of La Malinche volcano, to unravel past debris-flow activity both temporally and spatially. Based on the combination of GD records, a weighted tree response index(Wit), field evidence and hydrometeorological records, we reconstructed 23 debris flows since 1933.Interestingly, almost two-thirds of the reconstructed years with debris-flow activity in Axal gorge match with events recorded in Axaltzintle gorge located on the NE slopes of La Malinche. These findings suggest a regional triggering mechanism, most likely related to the occurrence of hurricanes. This research could be useful for disaster risk management of the La Malinche National Park.     

Succession Features and Dynamic Simulation of Subalpine Forest in the Gongga Mountain, China

The Gongga Mountain of eastern Tibet Plateau is a representative of the alpine regions with high peaks and deep valleys. Climate change over the last thousand years has controlled the dynamics of glacier and debris flow occurrence, which resulted in substantial changes in the mountainous environment. The authors surveyed the community structure of primary forests in Gongga Mountain and forest successign processes in woodland plots. The changing features in the subalpine environment are discussed in this paper. Tree species and sizes between the glacier shrinking areas and debris flow fans in Hailuogou Valley are compared. The pioneer species that settle in debris flow fans and the glacier shrinking areas are Salix spp. and Populus purdomii. Abies fabri and Picea brachytyla are the climax tree species. The succession process of primary vegetation in Hailuogou (2700 ～ 3200 m) can be divided into four stages:     

GF-2在城市绿地分类及景观格局度量中的应用

城市植被是维护城市生态系统平衡的重要组成元素,不同类型的植被具有不同的生态服务效益,然而基于植被精细分类的城市绿地景观格局度量研究较少。因此本文以北京城市副中心为研究区,使用夏、冬两季GF-2卫星遥感影像,基于随机森林特征优选和面向对象分类,划分了植被类型,并在此基础上使用景观指数法和移动窗口法分别度量了功能区尺度和栅格尺度绿地景观特征。研究结果表明：针对GF-2数据,使用多尺度分割后影像对象的光谱、纹理特征可以有效地提取植被信息;不同时相的影像能反映各类型植被的物候特征,相比于单时相数据,其分类精度更高,达到了87.7%;各功能区绿地景观格局特征差异较大,城市绿心拥有最丰富的植被且分布集中,商业区植被覆盖度和多样性均较低,绿地景观破碎;北京城市副中心景观多样性及各类型植被分布特征的空间差异显著,当前副中心绿地景观格局已形成规划的基本轮廓,但城市绿心和老城区公共绿地的建设仍有不足。研究探明了北京城市副中心绿地建设现状,证明了国产GF-2卫星在城市生态环境监测中具有较高的应用价值,有助于推动GF-2在城市生态环境领域的应用,并为副中心建设中的绿地系统监测和优化提供参考。     

空间异质性定量研究方法

空间异质性是景观生态学定量化研究的核心,其定量研究方法包括景观综合图、数学模型和地学信息图谱.本文概括总结了景观综合图的内容和定量化指标,分析了这种定量化方法的优势和局限;对数学模型的复杂性、优点和与景观综合图的互补性作了简要分析,指出了数学模型研究需要进一步探讨和重视的问题;通过对地学信息图谱三个阶段(景观制图实验,图谱概念的提出和地学信息图谱理论的形成)的回顾和对其特点的分析,我们认为地学信息图谱综合了景观综合图和抽象的数学模型可以提供的互补信息,吸收了两者的优点,是空间异质性的综合定量研究方法.     

Impacts of reforestation on woody species composition,species diversity and community structure in dry-hot valley of the Jinsha River,southwestern China

To understand the impacts of reforestation on woody species composition, species diversity and community structure, seven plantation forests in dry-hot valley of the Jinsha River in Southwest China were investigated, with adjacent wastelands, natural shrub grassland and a natural forest as references. Species importance value, species richness, species heterogeneity and Sorenson similarity index between plantations and the natural forest were analyzed. Results indicated that compared to wastelands and natural shrub grassland, reforestation improved species diversity and community structure, and more forest woody species found suitable habitats in plantations. Species diversity in understory of plantations and Sorenson similarity index were significantly negatively correlated with stem density in mature plantations (26-31 years old). Higher species diversity and Sorenson similarity index existed in mature sparse plantations due to lower stem density and more tree species planted initially. In contrast, reference natural forest, with species heterogeneity of 2.28 for shrub layer, showed the highest species diversity. It would take a long time for species composition and diversity to recover through reforestation in a dry-hot valley. Therefore, it was essential to protect remnant natural forests strictly and reforest with suitable management such as lower stem density and increasing genetic diversity of trees planted.     

地缘经济背景下泰国及其毗邻国家边境农业扩张与集约化抵边特征

自泰国总理差猜1988年提出“变印支战场为市场”倡议以来,泰国与毗邻国家（缅、老和柬）的地缘关系由政治阻隔转向经济合作,并在其边境（尤其是口岸）引发不同程度的土地覆被/利用变化。利用美国国际开发署SERVIR-Mekong项目土地覆被产品,基于GIS空间分析对泰缅、泰老和泰柬边境地带（国界线两侧20 km缓冲区）1988、1998、2008、2018年的土地覆被现状及其时空变化、以及因农业扩张与集约化引起森林变化的抵边/离边、趋同/趋异特征进行了定量研究与国别对比。结果表明：① 森林、耕地和果园是3条边境主要土地覆被类型,土地占比超过96%,其中森林因农业扩张与集约化而持续减少。② 农业扩张与集约化引起的森林转换时空特征显著,即泰缅、泰老边境于1998—2008年在湄索（泰）-妙瓦底（缅）口岸、汶干（泰）-北汕（老）口岸附近及“金三角”地区较为剧烈,泰柬边境则在1988—1998年内于卡普曾（泰）-奥斯玛（柬）口岸周边较为突出,土地占比超七成。③ 边境地区农业扩张与集约化引起的森林变化具有明显的抵边/离边、趋同/趋异特征。农业扩张所致森林变化在泰老边境由同向变化转为反向趋异,在泰缅边境两侧由强抵边转为在缅一侧抵边更为明显,在泰柬边境主要表现为先抵边后离边再抵边。集约化生产所致森林变化在泰老边境表现为泰国一侧抵边更强,在泰缅缅甸一侧为离边到抵边,在泰柬边境两侧主要为反向抵边。④ 边境森林变化的抵边/离边、趋同/趋异特征分析表明,泰国对老挝的影响最大,柬埔寨次之,缅甸最次。本研究可为从地理学空间视角研究边境土地利用与地缘经济关系交叉互动提供启发。     

珠海市城区景观空间格局特征分析

本文以遥感影像、野外调查和统计资料为数据源, 在ArcGIS 支持下, 建立以珠海市主城区为起点设置的不同方向的两个空间样带, 结合景观格局指数和空间梯度分析方法, 分析了珠海市城区景观空间格局沿梯度变化的规律。结果表明:珠海市城区15 年来城乡建设用地、道路和林地的面积均呈增加趋势, 农田、裸地, 水体、灌丛和滩涂等类型面积减小, 证明了研究时段内城市扩展在城乡交界区域明显;随着空间样带由城区中心向外围移动, 样带上建设用地的面积均下降, 农田面积逐渐上升, 表明了珠海城市化的发展具有一定的梯度性和方向性。通过空间格局梯度变化特征的分析, 能够定量化地分析珠海城市化进程的发展, 对于珠海的城市规划与管理具有重要理论意义。