景观农业研究的兴起及其实际意义

Landscape agriculture is the combination of landscape ecology and agriculture. Its basic idea is from the system theory and landscape ecology. Now landscape agriculture is getting more and more attention because of its multi-functional roles. For example, it can exploit the agricultural ecosystem more rationally, make full use of the self-adjustment function of the natural patches and corridors in the field, as well as the effects from landform types and topological components. It uses regenerative biological energy to a large extent, constitutes beautiful scenic view and protects the diversity of genetics, species, ecosystems and landscapes. Landscape agriculture emphasizes environment improvement, bio-diversity protection and tourism development, thus provides new possibility for the increase of economical benefits and gets the positive feedback loop started. An example from the former Soviet Union is presented as well in this paper

Effect of burrowing activity of root vole (Microtus oeconomus Pallas) on plant diversity in alpine meadow

Herbivory and burrowing activity of mammals may influence the species composition and diversity of plant communities. The effect of corridors and holes systems constructed by root vole (Microtus oeconomus Pallas) on the plant species diversity was studied in the habitat of high - mountain meadow (3250 in a.s.l in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China). By using grid method, these disturbances were studied on 16 plots (100 cm x 100 cm) distributed in 4 transects in studied area, in August 2000 and 2001. The disturbance intensity index, D, was calculated as the percent of the ground surface disturbed by voles in the study area. Plant species were identified and counted on the same plots. In total 46 plant species were identified - 39% of this number was considered as sensitive to the vole disturbances as their occurrence and/or abundance decreased along the disturbance intensity. Generally, a significantly negative correlation (r = - 0.911 P < 0.01) between vole aboveground disturbances and plant species diversity (H') was found. The results suggest that root vole ground disturbances, especially in the form of actively utilized holes and corridors have significantly negative influence on plant species diversity in high-mountain grassland habitat.