The effect of land management on carbon and nitrogen status in plants and soils of alpine meadows on the Tibetan plateau

Large-scale grassland rehabilitation has been carried out on the severely degraded lands of the Tibetan plateau. The grasslands created provide a useful model for evaluating the recovery of ecosystem properties. The purposes of this research were: (1) to examine the relative influence of various rehabilitation practices on carbon and nitrogen in plants and soils in early secondary succession; and (2) to evaluate the degree to which severely degraded grassland altered plant and soil properties relative to the non-disturbed native community. The results showed: (1) The aboveground tissue C and N content in the control were 105-97 g m(-2) and 3.356gm(-2), respectively. The aboveground tissue C content in the mixed seed treatment, the single seed treatment, the natural recovery treatment and the severely degraded treatment was 137 per cent, 98 per cent, 49 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively, of that in the control. The corresponding aboveground tissue N content was 109 per cent, 84 per cent, 60 per cent and 47 per cent, respectively, of that in the control. (2) Root C and N content in 0-20 cm depths of the control had an 2 2 average 1606 gm(-2) and 30-36 gm(-2) respectively. Root C and N content in the rehabilitation treatments were in the range of 26-36 per cent and 35-53 per cent, while those in the severely degraded treatment were only 17 per cent and 26 per cent of that in the control. (3) In the control the average soil C and N content at 0-20 cm was 11307 gm(-2) and 846 gm(-2), respectively. Soil C content in the uppermost 20 cm in the seeded treatments, the natural recovery treatment and the severely degraded treatment was 67 per cent, 73 per cent and 57 per cent, respectively, while soil N content in the uppermost 20cm was 72 per cent, 82 per cent and 79 per cent, respectively, of that in the control. The severely degraded land was a major C source. Restoring the severely degraded lands to perennial vegetation was an alternative approach to sequestering C in former degraded systems. N was a limiting factor in seeding grassland. It is necessary for sustainable utilization of seeding grassland to supply extra N fertilizer to the soil or to add legume species into the seed mix. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Nitrogen deposition and carbon sequestration in alpine meadows

Nitrogen deposition experiments were carried out in alpine meadow ecosystems in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in China, in order to explore the contribution of nitrogen deposition to carbon sequestration in alpine meadows. Two methods were used in this respect. First, we used the allocation of N-15 tracer to soil and plant pools. Second, we used increased root biomass observed in the nitrogen-amended plots. Calculating enhanced carbon storage, we considered the net soil CO2 emissions exposed to nitrogen deposition in alpine meadows. Our results show that nitrogen deposition can enhance the net soil CO2 emissions, and thus offset part of carbon uptake by vegetation and soils. It means that we have to be cautious to draw a conclusion when we estimate the contribution of nitrogen deposition to carbon sequestration based on the partitioning of N-15 tracer in terrestrial ecosystems, in particular in N-limited ecosystems. Even if we assess the contribution of nitrogen deposition to carbon sequestration based on increased biomass exposed to nitrogen deposition in terrestrial ecosystems, likewise, we have to consider the effects of nitrogen deposition on the soil CO2 emissions.

高寒草甸小气候考察研究

文章介绍了海北高寒草甸试验区的野外考察现场和考察情况，并对青海海北高寒草甸矮嵩矮嵩草草甸试验区的小气候考察结果进行了讨论，结果表明：高寒草甸地区具有明显高寒大陆性气候特征，日较差大，日照时间长，地表强度具明显的周期变化，太阳辐射强烈，全年总辐射量5.866～6.704*10~6KJ/m~2，但较湿润，可为研究高寒草甸小气候特点、局地生态环境和指导生产实践提供科学依据。

黄河首曲湿地功能区“黑土滩”退化草甸恢复改良

采用样方法研究了首曲湿地功能区"黑土滩"退化草甸改良后3 a的群落特征变化,分析了围栏封育和补播"高寒1号"生态组合草种对退化草甸的恢复改良效果.结果显示:仅封育3 a后,"黑土滩"退化草甸群落的盖度、高度、地上生物量和可食牧草比例均显著提高,丰富度指数由0.55增加到0.75,多样性指数由0.07增加到了0.25;封育后补播"高寒1号"生态草种相对于封育前,使得退化草甸的盖度增加了56.00%,高度增加了11.74 cm,地上生物量增加了222.24 g/m~2,可食牧草比例增加了55.98%,物种数由5种/m~2增加到了15种/m~2,丰富度指数由0.55增加到了3.29,多样性指数由0.07增加到了1.85,均匀度指数由0.06增加到了0.27.相对围栏封育而言,封育后补播是一种更有效的"黑土滩"退化草甸改良恢复措施.围栏封育和补播配套实施可以显著改善"黑土滩"退化草地的群落貌相、草地生产力和组分结构状况.

不同放牧强度下高山草甸生态系统碳氮分布格局和循环过程研究

本研究针对川西北高山草甸缺乏科学管理，过度放牧导致草场退化，并由此引发的一系列生态环境问题，选取红原县瓦切乡1996 年草地承包后形成的四个放牧强度草场，即不放牧、轻度（1.2 头牦牛hm-1）、中度（2.0 头牦牛hm-1）和重度放牧（2.9 头牦牛hm-1），作为研究对象，研究了不同放牧强度对草地植物-土壤系统中碳、氮这两个最基本物质的分布格局和循环过程的影响，并探讨了放牧干扰下高山草甸生态系统的管理。 1．放牧对草地植物群落物种组成，尤其是优势种，产生了明显的影响。不放牧、轻度、中度和重度放牧草地群落物种数分别为22，23，26，20 种，群落盖度分别是不放牧96.2%＞中度93.6%＞轻度89.7%＞重度73.6%。随放牧强度的增加， 原植物群落中的优势种垂穗鹅冠草（ Roegneria nutans ）、发草（Deschampsia caespitosa）和垂穗披碱草（Elymus nutans）等禾草逐渐被莎草科的川嵩草（Kobresia setchwanensis）和高山嵩草（Kobresia pygmaea）所取代成为优势种。同时，随放牧强度的增加，高原毛茛（Ranunculus brotherusii）、狼毒（Stellera chamaejasme）、鹅绒委陵菜（Potentilla anserina）和车前（Plantagodepressa）等杂类草的数量也随之增加。 2．生长季6～9 月份，草地植物地上和地下生物量（0～30cm）都是从6 月份开始增长，8 月份达到最高值，9 月份开始下降。每个月份，通常地上生物量以不放牧为最高，重度放牧总是显著小于不放牧；地下生物量随放牧强度的增加表现为增加的趋势，通常重度和中度放牧显著高于不放牧和轻度放牧草地。不放牧、轻度、中度和重度放牧草地6～9 月份4 个月的植物总生物量平均值分别是1543、1622、2295 和2449 g m-2，但随放牧强度的增加越来越来多的生物量被分配到了地下部分，地下生物量占总生物量比例的大小顺序分别是重度88%＞中度82%＞轻度76%＞不放牧69%。生物量这种变化主要是由于放牧使得群落优势种发生改变而引起的，其分配比例的变化体现了草地植物对放牧干扰的适应策略。 3．植物碳氮贮量的季节变化类似与生物量的变化。每个月份，不同放牧强度间植物地上碳氮的贮量有所不同，一般重度放牧会显著减少植物地上碳氮贮量。植物根系(0～30cm)碳氮贮量随放牧强度的增加表现为增加的趋势，通常重度和中度放牧显著高于不放牧和轻度放牧草地。不放牧、轻度、中度和重度放牧草地6～9 月份4 个月的植物总碳平均值分别是547、586、847 和909 g m-2，根系碳贮量占植物总碳的比例大小顺序分别是重度88%＞中度82%＞轻度76%＞不放牧69%；放牧、轻度、中度和重度放牧草地6～9 月份4 个月的植物总氮平均值分别是17、17、23 和26 g m-2，根系氮贮量占植物总氮的比例大小顺序分别是重度79%＞轻度71%＞中度70%＞不放牧65%。 4. 土壤有机碳贮量（0～30cm）的季节变化表现为7 月份略有下降，8 月开始增加，9 月份达到的最大值。土壤氮贮量的季节变化表现为随季节的推移逐渐增加的趋势。增加的放牧强度不同程度的增加土壤有机碳氮的贮量。不放牧、轻度、中度和重度放牧6～9 月份4 个月的土壤有机碳贮量的平均值分别是9.72、10.36、10.62 和11.74 kg m-2，土壤氮贮量分别为1.45、1.56、1.66 和1.83 kg m-2。土壤中有机碳（氮）的贮量都占到了植物-土壤系统有机碳（氮）的90%以上，但不同放牧强度之间的差异不明显。 5. 土壤氮的总硝化和反硝化，温室气体N2O 和CO2 的释放率的季节变化表现为从6 月份开始增加，7 月份达到最大值，8 月份开始下降，9 月份降为最小值。增加的放牧强度趋向于增加土壤氮的总硝化和反硝化作用，温室气体N2O和CO2 的释放率，通常情况下，中度放牧和重度放牧显著地加强了这些过程。 6．垂穗鹅冠草（Roegneria nutans）和川嵩草（Kobresia setchwanensis）凋落物在不同放牧强度下经过1 年的分解，两种凋落物的失重率及其碳氮的损失率3都随放牧增加表现为增加的趋势。在同一放牧强度下，川嵩草凋落物的失重率和碳氮的损失率都高于垂穗鹅冠草凋落物。 7. 尽管重度放牧显著增加了土壤碳氮的贮量，但同时也显著降低了植被群落盖度，降低了植物地上生物量，因此，久而久之会减少植物向土壤中的碳氮归还率；与不放牧和轻度放牧相比，重度放牧又显著增加了土壤CO2 和NO2 的排放量，这是草地生态系统碳氮损失的重要途径。由此可见，对于这些地处青藏高原的非常脆弱的高山草甸生态系统，长期重度放牧不仅导致植物生产力降低，而且将导致草地生态系统退化，甚至造成土壤中碳氮含量减少。 Long-term overgrazing has resulted in considerable deterioration in alpine meadowof the northwest Sichan Province. In order to explore management strategies for thesustainability of these alpine meadows, we selected four grasslands with differentgrazing intensity (no grazing-NG: 0, light grazing-LG: 1.2, moderate grazing-MG: 2.0,and heavy grazing-HG: 2.9 yaks ha-1) to evaluate carbon, nitrogen pools and cyclingprocesses within the plant-soil system in Waqie Village, Hongyuan County, Sichuan Province. 1. Grazing obviously changed the plant species composition, especially ondominant plant species. Total number of species is 22, 23, 26, and 20 for NG, LG, MGand HG, respectively. Vegetation coverage under different grazing intensity ranked inthe order of 96.2% for HG＞93.6% for MG＞89.7% for LG＞73.6% for NG. Thedominator of HG community shifted from grasses-Roegneria nutans andDeschampsia caespitosa dominated in the NG and LG sites into sedges-Kobresiapygmaea and K. setchwanensis. At the same time, with the increase of grazingintensity, the numbers of forbs, such as Ranunculus brotherusii, Stellera chamaejasme,Potentilla anserine and Plantago depressa, increased with grazing intensity. 2. Over the growing season, aboveground and belowground biomass showed a 5single peak pattern with the highest biomass in August. For each month, abovegroundbiomass usually was the highest in the NG site and lowest in the HG site.Belowground biomass showed a trend of increase as grazing intensity increased and itwas significantly higher in the HG and MG site than in the NG and LG sites. Totalplant biomass averaged over the growing season is 1543, 1622, 2295 and 2449 g m-2for NG, LG, MG and HG, respectively. The proportion of biomass to total plantbiomass for NG, LG, MG and HG is 88%, 82%, 76% and 69%, respectively. Higherallocation ratio for is an adaptive response of plant to grazing. 3. Carbon and nitrogen storage in plant components followed the similar seasonalpatterns as their biomass under different grazing intensities. Generally, heavy grazingsignificantly decreases aboveground biomass carbon and nitrogen compared to nograzing. Carbon and nitrogen storage in root tended to increase as grazing increasedand they are significantly higher in the HG and MG sites compared to the LG and NGsite. Total Carbon storage in plant system averaged over the growing season is 547,586, 847 and 909 g m-2 for NG, LG, MG and HG, respectively, while 17, 17, 23 and 26g m-2 for nitrogen. The proportion of carbon storage in root to total plant carbon forNG, LG, MG and HG is 88%, 82%, 76%, 69%, respectively, while 65%, 71%, 70%and 79% for nitrogen. 4. Carbon storage in soil (0-30cm) decreased slightly in July, then increased inAugust and peaked in September. Nitrogen storage in soil tended to increase withseason and grazing intensity. Total Carbon storage in soil averaged over the growingseason is 9.72, 10.36, 10.62 and11.74 kg m-2 for NG, LG, MG and HG, respectively,while 1.45, 1.56, 1.66 and 1.83 for nitrogen. The proportion of carbon (nitrogen)storage in soil to plant-soil system carbon (nitrogen) storage for NG, LG, MG and HGis more than 90%, which is not markedly different among different grazing intensities. 5. Gross nitrification, denitrification, CO2 and N2O flux rates in soil increasedfrom June to July and then declined until September, all of which tended to increasewith the increase of grazing intensity. Generally, heavy and moderate grazing intensitysignificantly enhanced these process compared to no and light grazing intensity. 6. After decomposing in situ for a year, relative weight, carbon and nitrogen loss in the litter of Roegneria nutans and Kobresia setchwanensis tended to increase asgrazing intensity increased. Under the same grazing intensity, relative weight, carbonand nitrogen loss in the litter of Kobresia setchwanensis were higher than these in thelitter of Roegneria nutans. 7. Although heavy grazing intensity resulted in higher levels of carbon andnitrogen in plant and soil, it decreased vegetation coverage and aboveground biomass,which are undesirable for livestock production and sustainable grassland development.What is more, heavy grazing could also introduce potential carbon and nitrogen lossvia increasing CO2 and N2O emission into the atmosphere. Grazing at moderateintensity resulted in a plant community dominated by forage grasses with highaboveground biomass productivity and N content. The alpine meadow ecosystems inTibetan Plateau are very fragile and evolve under increasing grazing intensity by largeherbivores; therefore, deterioration of the plant-soil system, and possible declines insoil C and N, are potential without proper management in the future.

川西北高寒草甸土壤呼吸研究：季节动态和放牧效应

除植被冠层的光合作用之外，土壤的呼吸作用是陆地生态系统碳收支中最大的通量。土壤呼吸即使发生较小的变化也能显著地减缓或加剧大气中CO2浓度的增加，从而明显影响到全球气候变化。土壤呼吸速率变化与否以及变化的方向可以反映生态系统对环境变化的敏感程度和响应模式。尽管如此，土壤呼吸仍是一个为人们了解不多的生态系统过程。 草地生态系统是陆地生态系统的一个重要组成部分。针对草地土壤呼吸进行野外实验研究和相应方法论的探讨将对区域乃至全球碳源汇性质的准确估算具有重要的科学意义。然而，近几年来关于草地土壤呼吸的主要研究工作都集中在温带草原和部分热带草原，而针对高寒草甸生态系统土壤呼吸的研究报道还很少。 2008年4月至2009年4月期间，我分别在2008年6、8、10、12月和2009年2月和4月分6次对川西北的典型高寒草甸群落的土壤呼吸进行观测，分析了不同类型高寒草甸群落土壤呼吸的季节变化特征以及环境因子和放牧模式对其影响。主要研究结果如下： 1）该地区高寒草甸生态系统在生长季（6月～8月）土壤呼吸速率较大（6.07～9.30μmolCO2¡m-2¡s-1 ） ， 在非生长季（ 12 月～ 2 月） 较小（ 0.16 ～0.49μmolCO2¡m-2¡s-1 ） 。土壤CO2 年累积最大释放量为3963 ～ 5730gCO2¡m-2¡yr-1，其中，生长季土壤CO2的释放量占年总释放量的85%～90%。非生长季占10%～15%。非生长季所占比例略小于冬季积雪覆盖地区的冬季土壤呼吸占年土壤呼吸量的比例（14%～30%）。温度，尤其地温，是影响该地区高寒草甸生态系统土壤呼吸速率的最主要环境因子。土壤呼吸速率与地上生物量和土壤水分之间没有显著相关性，但是土壤含水量过大会导致土壤呼吸速率下降。 2）在观测期内，草丘区的土壤呼吸显著高于对照区的土壤呼吸，其最大土壤呼吸速率为16.77μmolCO2¡m-2¡s-1，土壤CO2 年累积最大释放量为8145gCO2¡m-2¡yr-1，是对照区的近2 倍。由于草丘在高寒草甸中占有较大的面积比例（近30%），因此，它将对高寒草甸生态系统的碳循环起着重要的作用。 3）放牧模式不仅可以影响高寒草甸群落的土壤CO2 排放，而且还可以改变土壤呼吸的温度敏感性（Q10）。本研究表明，在生长季有长期放牧活动干扰时将会增加土壤向大气中释放二氧化碳的速度，促使土壤碳库中碳的流失。禁牧样地的土壤呼吸速率在刚禁牧时先迅速增大，随着禁牧时间的延长土壤呼吸速率将会下降。此外，与其它放牧模式相比，冬季放牧将高寒草甸群落土壤呼吸速率在生长季达到最大值的时间明显向后推迟。不同放牧模式下高寒草甸群落土壤呼吸的Q10 值大小顺序为：禁牧一年群落>冬季放牧群落>禁牧三年群落>夏季放牧群落>自由放牧群落。 4）基于呼吸室技术的观测方法中，测量前的剪草处理可以明显改变该地区高寒草甸群落的土壤温度和土壤呼吸速率。在生长季，剪草处理将使土壤呼吸速率的瞬时响应增加90%左右。由于剪草处理明显增加了剪草样方白天的土壤温度，而土壤温度与土壤呼吸之间存在着极显著的指数相关关系，因而剪草处理导致土壤呼吸速率迅速增加。因此，在高寒地区基于呼吸室技术观测的土壤呼吸应当进行校正。 综上所述，川西北高寒草甸生态系统土壤呼吸速率在生长季较高，而在非生长季较低。土壤温度是影响该地区土壤呼吸的最主要环境因子。在实验观测期，草丘区土壤呼吸速率显著高于对照区的，是对照区土壤呼吸速率的近2倍。由于测量前的剪草处理可以明显改变待测点的土壤呼吸速率，因此，应对在高寒地区基于呼吸室技术观测的土壤呼吸进行校正。 Soil respiration is the second largest component (less than plant phtotosynthesis) of carbon dioxide flux between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere. A minor change in soil respiration rate can significantly slow down or accelerate the increase of atmospheric CO2 concentration that is closely related to global climatic change. In turn, the change in the flux direction and rate of soil respiration may indicate the elasticity and stability of ecosystems to global changes and human disturbance. However, soil respiration is still an ecosystem process that has been poorly understood. Grassland ecosystem is an important component of the terrestrial ecosystem. Accurately estimating the CO2 flux from soil to atmosphere in situ is the key to evaluating the carbon resource and sink regionally or globally. Despite of extensive studies on the temperate and tropic grasslands, the soil respiration of alpine meadows has not substantially been measured. In the current study, soil respiration was measured for an annual cycle from April, 2008 to April, 2009 for the alpine meadow in northwestern Sichuan Province of China to determine the seasonal variation of soil respiration for the typical plant communities. The results are shown as follows: 1) Large seasonal variation of soil respiration was observed in the alpine meadow. The rate of soil respiration was the greatest (6.07～9.30μmolCO2¡m-2¡s-1) in June and the smallest (0.16 ～ 0.49μmolCO2¡m-2¡s-1) occurred from December to February in the non-growing season. The total emission of soil CO2 was estimated as 3963～5730 gCO2¡m-2¡yr-1, 85%~90% of which was released during the growing season, and 10%~15% during the non-growing season which was slightly less than the ratio of winter and annual CO2 flux from soil. Temperature, particularly the soil temperature, was the major environmental factor regulating the soil respiration. Significant and positive relationships were not found between soil respiration and soil moisture and between soil respiration and plant above-ground biomass, but excessive soil water content would decrease in the rate of soil respiration. 2) The rate of soil respiration in grass hummock communities was up to 16.77μmolCO2¡m-2¡s-1, which was about twice as great as in the controls (communities located in low and even sites). Considering the large proportion (about 30% on average) of hummock area in the meadow, it can be concluded that the hummocks played an important role in the carbon cycling of the study ecosystem. 3) Grazing patterns affected the flux of CO2 emission and the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration (Q10) in the alpine meadow. Grazing during growing season increased the rate of soil respiration. The rate of soil respiration increased significantly immediately after the alpine meadow being fenced, but thereafter decreased. In addition, grazing in winter delayed the peak respiration rate relative to the non-grazing mode. The Q10 value was the largest in the non-grazed area for one year, and next came the area with grazing in winter, followed by the non-grazed area for three years, the area with grazing in summer, and the non-limited grazed area. 4) In the chamber-based techniques, clipping manipulation before each measurement increased the transient rate of soil respiration by about 90% in the summer of the alpine meadow. As increase in soil temperature at daytime in the clipped plots by clipping and the exponential relationship between soil respiration and temperature, clipping manipulation led to increase in the rate of soil respiration. This suggested that a correction should be done for the techniques if employed in alpine and cold regions. In summary, the rate of soil respiration in the alpine meadow was the greatest in June and the smallest occurred from ecember to February in the non-growing season. Soil temperature was the major environmental factor regulating the soil respiration. The rate of soil respiration in grass hummock communities was up to 16.77μmolCO2¡m-2¡s-1, which was about twice as great as in the controls. A correction should be done for the techniques if employed in alpine and cold regions, because of the effect of clipping manipulation on soil temperature and respiration.

若尔盖自然保护区高原林蛙(Rana kukunoris)扩散模型与景观连接分析

揭示水体中繁殖的两栖动物在异质性景观中的空间扩散特点，探讨景观面积丧失和破碎化对于两栖动物的影响，为两栖动物的保护提供理论依据。本文以四川西北部若尔盖湿地自然保护区的高原林蛙(Rana kukunoris)为研究对象，通过运用地理信息系统及建立景观模型等方法，在分析若尔盖湿地自然保护区范围内现有景观格局的基础上，建立了高原林蛙的景观扩散模型，并模拟了“沼泽→草甸”的湿地逆演化过程下高原林蛙的空间分布与景观连接的变化特点。主要结果是： 1．若尔盖湿地自然保护区呈典型的沼泽—草甸式斑块—基质景观格局。草甸面积占整个景观面积的79.42%，景观蔓延度指数（CONTAG）为79.00远离最小值0而更趋向于最大值100，面积和景观蔓延度指数表明草甸是整个景观中面积占绝对优势且景观连接好的类型，构成了景观的基质，对景观的动态格局演变起主导作用。沼泽面积仅占整个景观面积的18.08%，但却是整个景观中斑块数目最多的单元，占所有斑块数的82.9%。因此沼泽斑块与草甸基质之间的动态结构对高原林蛙的扩散起着决定性的作用。 2．空间扩散模型表明，其它类型的景观不但扩展了高原林蛙的活动范围，而且也为高原林蛙在不同沼泽斑块间的连接提供了通道。高原林蛙的空间扩散区域使得彼此间成斑块化隔离状分布的沼泽形成了潜在景观功能连接，促进了不同斑块间物种的交流。小型沼泽作为垫脚石（stepping-stone），使得整个景观中的相隔距离较远的大型斑块联结为一个功能整体，促进了高原林蛙在整个景观中的相互动态联系。 3．模拟“沼泽→草甸”的湿地逆演化过程表明，大量小型沼泽湿地的消失将会 对在沼泽中繁殖并扩散到其它景观类型中去的高原林蛙造成潜在影响。逆演化过程不仅使沼泽斑块的分布范围，沼泽源斑块的面积和空间扩散面积减少，而且对景观连接也有很大影响。小型沼泽的消失，将使得景观斑块的功能连接变小，使得依靠小型沼泽作为跳板的动物在沼泽斑块之间的移动将变得更加困难。 本文是对生境丧失与破碎化影响下两栖动物的行为反应的一种尝试。影响模型的因素很多，包括动物对各种类型景观的偏好程度，地理数据的精度，及模型的可靠程度都是制约模型准确度的因素。 The spatial diffusion of water—breeding amphibian through heterogeneous landscape and the effects of landscape losing and fragmentation to amphibian were the core theory of the landscape ecology of amphibian. Geographical information system (GIS) and landscape model were used to model the diffused area of Rana kukunoris in Zoige Wetland Natural Reserve. Model was also used to analysis the spatial distribution variation of R. kukunoris and the change of landscape connectivity when simulated the retrogressive succession of landscape. The main results are below: 1. There was peatland—meadow pattern which was typical patch—matrix landscape pattern in Zoige Natural Reserve. The meadow area occupied 79.42% of the entire landscape area, contagion index (CONTAG) was 79.00 which was far away the minimum value (0) but tend to the maximum value (100). Both of these showed that meadow was the largest part and the most continue units. It was shown that meadow was matrix of the landscape, which evolved the leading role to the landscape dynamic pattern. Though their area only occupies 18.08% of entire landscape area, peatlands were according to 82.9% of the total patches. Dynamic of the pattern between peatlands and meadows decided the spatial diffusion of R. kukunoris. 2．The model indicated that the other types of landscape not only expanded diffusion of R. kukunoris, but also have provided the potential channels for frog's connections among different peatlands. The spatial diffusion zone of R. kukunoris forced isolated patch peatlands to be potential landscape functional connectivity. The small peatlands, as stepping-stone, made the large peatlands connect as a functional one and promoted the integrated and dynamic connectivity of R. kukunoris in the whole landscape. 3. The simulation of “peatlands→meadows”retrogressive succession process indicated that the decrease of small peatlands will have potential effect to R. kukunoris because they must bred in peatlands and diffuse to other type of the landscape. Retrogressive succession process not only made the decrease of distribution of peatlands, patches number of peatlands and diffused area of R. kukunoris, but also reduced the connectivity among source patches. As stepping-stone, the disappearance of small peatlands will made the migration of R. kukunoris among patches more difficult. The model was an experiment of the amphibian behavior reaction to habitat losing and fragmentation. There were many factors that could influence the accuracy of model, such as the preference of animals to each type of landscape, the geographical data precision, reliable degree of model.

Migration of large-scale subaqueous bedforms measured with seagrasses(Cymudocea nodesa) as tracers

The vertical growth of seagrasses in response to burial by migration of bedforms is combined with dating techniques to provide precise and rapid estimates of the migration speed of subaqueous dunes over seagrass patches. Two methods to estimate the time interval between the passage of successive dunes and the motion of single dunes through seagrass patches are described. The second method is more precise. The application of these methods to vegetated (Cymodocea nodosa) subaqueous dunes in the Alfacs Bay (NW Mediterranean) showed that the dunes traveled at an average speed of $13.0 \pm 0.6 m yr^-1$ and demonstrated that the methods can resolve migration speeds from 0.15 to $980 m yr^-1$ with this particular seagrass species. In areas vegetated with different seagrass species, bedform migration can be estimated over different time scales. The strong coupling between seagrass and sediment dynamics resembles the coupling of vegetation and land dunes.

Methane emissions by alpine plant communities in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

For the first time to our knowledge, we report here methane emissions by plant communities in alpine ecosystems in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This has been achieved through long-term field observations from June 2003 to July 2006 using a closed chamber technique. Strong methane emission at the rate of 26.2 +/- 1.2 and 7.8 +/- 1.1 mu g CH4 m(-2) h(-1) was observed for a grass community in a Kobresia humilis meadow and a Potentilla fruticosa meadow, respectively. A shrub community in the Potentilla meadow consumed atmospheric methane at the rate of 5.8 +/- 1.3 mu g CH4 m(-2) h(-1) on a regional basis; plants from alpine meadows contribute at least 0.13 Tg CH4 yr(-1) in the Tibetan Plateau. This finding has important implications with regard to the regional methane budget and species-level difference should be considered when assessing methane emissions by plants.

Summer diet of two sympatric species of raptors Upland Buzzard (Buteo hemilasius) and Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) in alpine meadow: problem of coexistence

Summer diets of two sympatric raptors Upland Buzzards (Buteo hemilasius Temminck et Schlegel) and Eurasian Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo L. subsp. Hemachalana Hume) were studied in an alpine meadow (3250 m a.s.l.) on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. Root voles Microtus oeconomus Pallas, plateau pikas Ochotona curzoniae Hodgson, Gansu pikas O. cansus Lyon and plateau zokors Myospalax baileyi Thomas were the main diet components of Upland Buzzards as identified through the pellets analysis with the frequency of 57, 20, 19 and 4%, respectively. The four rodent species also were the main diet components of Eurasian Eagle Owls basing on the pellets and prey leftovers analysis with the frequency of 53, 26, 13 and 5%, respectively. The food niche breadth indexes of Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls were 1.60 and 1.77 respectively (higher value of the index means the food niche of the raptor is broader), and the diet overlap index of the two raptors was larger (C-ue = 0.90) (the index range from 0 - no overlap - to I - complete overlap). It means that the diets of Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls were similar (Two Related Samples Test, Z = -0.752, P = 0.452). The classical resource partitioning theory can not explain the coexistence of Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls in alpine meadows of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, differences in body size, predation mode and activity rhythm between Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls may explain the coexistence of these two sympatric raptors.

Experimental warming, not grazing, decreases rangeland quality on the Tibetan Plateau

We investigated experimental warming and simulated grazing ( clipping) effects on rangeland quality, as indicated by vegetation production and nutritive quality, in winter-grazed meadows and summer- grazed shrublands on the Tibetan Plateau, a rangeland system experiencing climatic and pastoral land use changes. Warming decreased total aboveground net primary productivity ( ANPP) by 40 g . m(-2) . yr(-1) at the meadow habitats and decreased palatable ANPP ( total ANPP minus non- palatable forb ANPP) by 10 g . m(-2) . yr(-1) at both habitats. The decreased production of the medicinal forb Gentiana straminea and the increased production of the non- palatable forb Stellera chamaejasme with warming also reduced rangeland quality. At the shrubland habitats, warming resulted in less digestible shrubs, whose foliage contains 25% digestible dry matter ( DDM), replacing more digestible graminoids, whose foliage contains 60% DDM. This shift from graminoids to shrubs not only results in lower- quality forage, but could also have important consequences for future domestic herd composition. Although warming extended the growing season in non- clipped plots, the reduced rangeland quality due to decreased vegetative production and nutritive quality will likely overwhelm the improved rangeland quality associated with an extended growing season.Grazing maintained or improved rangeland quality by increasing total ANPP by 20 - 40 g . m(-2) . yr(-1) with no effect on palatable ANPP. Grazing effects on forage nutritive quality, as measured by foliar nitrogen and carbon content and by shifts in plant group ANPP, resulted in improved forage quality. Grazing extended the growing season at both habitats, and it advanced the growing season at the meadows. Synergistic interactions between warming and grazing were present, such that grazing mediated the warming- induced declines in vegetation production and nutritive quality. Moreover, combined treatment effects were nonadditive, suggesting that we cannot predict the combined effect of global changes and human activities from single- factor studies.Our findings suggest that the rangelands on the Tibetan Plateau, and the pastoralists who depend on them, may be vulnerable to future climate changes. Grazing can mitigate the negative warming effects on rangeland quality. For example, grazing management may be an important tool to keep warming- induced shrub expansion in check. Moreover, flexible and opportunistic grazing management will be required in a warmer future.

Independence of alpine meadow plants from soil organic matter for nitrogen supply: evidence from stable nitrogen isotopes

Stable nitrogen isotope signatures of major sources of mineral nitrogen ( mineralization of soil organic nitrogen, biological N-2 fixation by legumes, annual precipitation and plant litter decomposition) were measured to relatively define their individual contribution to grass assimilation at the Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem, Qinghai, China. The results indicated that delta N-15 values (- 2.40 parts per thousand to 0.97 parts per thousand) of all grasses were much lower than those of soil organic matter (3.4 +/- 0.18 parts per thousand) and mineral nitrogen ( ammonium and nitrate together,7.8 +/- 0.57 parts per thousand). Based on the patterns of stable nitrogen isotopes, soil organic matter (3.4 +/- 0.18 parts per thousand), biological N-2 fixation (0 parts per thousand), and precipitation (- 6.34 +/- 0.24 parts per thousand) only contributed to a small fraction of nitrogen requirements of grasses, but plant litter decomposition (- 1.31 +/- 1.01 parts per thousand) accounted for 67%.

Effects of altitude on plant-species diversity and productivity in an alpine meadow, Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

During the growing seasons of 2002 and 2003, biomass productivity and diversity were examined along an altitudinal transect on the south-western slope of Beishan Mountain, Maqin County (33 degrees 43'-35 degrees 16'N, 98 degrees 48'-100 degrees 55'E), Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Six altitudes were selected, between 3840 and 4435 m. Soil organic matter, soil available N and P and environmental factors significantly affected plant-species diversity and productivity of the alpine meadows. Aboveground biomass declined significantly with increasing altitude (P < 0.05) and it was positively and linearly related to late summer soil-surface temperature. Belowground biomass (0 - 10-cm depth) was significantly greater at the lowest and highest altitudes than at intermediate locations, associated with water and nutrient availabilities. At each site, the maximum belowground biomass values occurred at the beginning and the end of the growing seasons (P < 0.05). Soil organic matter content, and available N and P were negatively and closely related to plant diversity (species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, and Pielou evenness index).