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    18 February 2025, Volume 36 Issue 2
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    Opinion of the Editor-in-Chief
    Cognitive dimensions, scales, and multidisciplinary coordinate systems in macroecosystem science.
    YU Guirui, YU Fubo, YU Zongxu, ZHU Jianxing, HAO Tianxiang
    2025, 36(2):  327-340.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.033
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    Over the past century, ecology has evolved from classical or fundamental ecological studies into a new stage of ecosystem ecology or ecosystem science. This evolution has laid the theoretical groundwork for large-scale and global ecological research, fostering an integration of biology, geography, and environmental science, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration between natural sciences, humanities, and socio-economics. Throughout the process of integration, ecology has absorbed concepts from other disciplines to form a unique scientific knowledge and concept system framework. However, for certain concepts originating from other disciplines, such as “dimension” and “scale”, their application and role in ecological research remain inadequately defined and understood. We systematically reviewed the origins and definitions of concepts such as “dimension”, “scale” and “coordinate”, and discussed their ecological implications in macroecosystem science. Furthermore, we explored ecosystem functions and processes across multiple disciplinary dimensions, and defined the cognitive and measurement scales of macroecosystems in terms of time, space, and organization. Based on this analysis, we integrated traditional coordinate systems to develop a multi-dimensional coordinate framework for ecosystem science, aiming to provide a multi-dimensional conceptual framework for the construction of the theoretical system of ecosystem science.
    Special Features of Ecological Conservation and High-quality Development of the Yellow River Basin
    Spatial-temporal pattern of vegetation growth and its driving factors in the Yellow River Basin of Shaanxi Province, Northwest China during 2001-2020.
    ZHANG Xuting, ZHANG Weimin, PAN Yuying, QUAN Wenting, LI Meirong, HE Huijuan, ZHOU Hui
    2025, 36(2):  341-352.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.027
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    Shaanxi Province is an important region for implementing the strategy of ecological conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. Based on remote sensing data of vegetation growth, combined with meteorological raster data and digital elevation model data, we used trend analysis, partial correlation analysis, coefficient of variation, residual analysis, and relative impact analysis methods to examine the spatial-temporal varia-tion and driving factors of vegetation growth in the Yellow River Basin of Shaanxi Province during 2001-2020. The results showed that both the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and gross primary productivity (GPP) exhibited a significant upward trend, with a growth rate of 0.066·(10 a)-1 and 133.610 g C·m-2·(10 a)-1, respectively. Spatially, 78.0% and 92.1% of the areas showed significant increases in NDVI and GPP, respectively, with stable vegetation growth in most areas. NDVI and GPP initially decreased and then increased with increasing elevation, and peaking at slopes greater than 20°. Vegetation growth on the shady slope was slightly better than on the sunny slope. Both showed the highest growth rates at elevations of 750-1250 m and slopes of 2°-10°. The NDVI growth rate was greater on the west, southwest, and east slopes, while the GPP change trends were similar across different slope aspects. The areas where NDVI was positively correlated and negatively correlated with ave-rage temperature were approximately equal in size. About 17.0% of the area was significantly positively correlated with precipitation, and 5.6% was significantly negatively correlated with sunshine hours. The spatial distribution of GPP showed significantly positive correlation areas of 6.1% with average temperature and 12.3% with precipitation, with scattered significant correlation areas for sunshine hours. 86.3% of the area showed an improvement in vegetation growth driven by both climate change and human activities. In regions with enhancing vegetation condition, human activities had a relatively positive impact on vegetation growth, accounting for 84.5%, especially in the core areas of the project of returning farmland to forest and grassland. In regions with degradation of vegetation, areas where the relative impact of human activity exceeded 80% accounted for nearly 30%, primarily concentrated in the urban agglomeration of Guanzhong Plain.
    Ecological environment quality and the influencing factors in Gansu section of Yellow River Basin during 2000-2022.
    WU Xu, WANG Boyan, REN Wei, TU Xuebo, ZHANG Youxian
    2025, 36(2):  353-364.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.029
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    The Gansu section of Yellow River Basin is an important ecological barrier in China. Clarifying the trends and driving mechanisms of ecological environment change is of great significance for promoting ecological protection and sustainable high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. Based on Google Earth Engine (GEE), we used remote sensing data from 2000 to 2022 to construct the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) model, and analyzed the spatiotemporal changes and driving mechanisms of ecological environment quality with Theil-Sen median trend analysis, Mann-Kendall test, coefficient of variation, Hurst index, and geographic detector. The results showed that the ecological environment quality of the Gansu section of Yellow River Basin exhibited an overall periodic fluctuation with an upward trend from 2000 to 2022. Spatially, there was a pattern of higher quality in the west than in the east and higher in the south than in the north. The ecological environment quality of the study area was mainly classified into good, moderate, and poor levels. The improved areas accounted for 87.5% of the total area, and the degraded areas accounted for 12.4%. Within the study area, 76.5% of the regions exhibited rela-tively high ecological stability, while 23.6% of the regions exhibited relatively low ecological stability. It was predicted that 64.2% of the regions might face the risk of ecological degradation in the future. Precipitation was the main factor affecting the ecological environment quality, and its interaction with factors such as altitude, temperature, and land cover significantly enhanced the explanatory power for ecological environment changes. This study could provide a scientific basis for monitoring and protecting the ecological environment quality in Gansu section of Yellow River Basin.
    Simulation of multiple scenarios and ecological environment effects in production-living-ecology space of the Yellow River Delta.
    ZHU Yajie, LI Yunzhao, TANG Ziwei, LIU Yanzhi, YAN Chang, BAI Yunyi, ZHOU Di, WANG Shuwen
    2025, 36(2):  365-375.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.030
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    Exploring the evolution of production-living-ecology space and their ecological environmental effects under multiple future scenarios is of great significance for coordinating territorial spatial planning and improving environmental quality. Based on land use data from the Yellow River Delta efficient ecological economic zone in 2000, 2010, and 2020, we analyzed the distribution of production-living-ecology space and ecological environment quality. Using the PLUS model, we projected the distribution of production-living-ecology space in 2030, 2040, and 2050 under the scenarios of natural development (NDS), ecological protection (EPS), and urban development (UDS), and analyzed the ecological environment quality index and ecological contribution. The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the area of ecological space in the study area decreased by 1413.3 km2, while production and living spaces increased by 277.5 and 1136.4 km2, respectively. The overall ecological environment qua-lity index declined from 0.3218 to 0.3041, before rising slightly to 0.3060, remaining at a moderate level. Model projections suggested that from 2030 to 2050, the ecological environment quality under all three scenarios would show a slow upward trend, with the EPS scenario having the highest ecological environment quality index (average value of 0.3092) and the UDS scenario the lowest (average value of 0.3082). Areas with moderate ecological environment quality were the most widespread, while high-quality areas were concentrated in mountainous regions, and low-quality areas were concentrated in urban living spaces. The transition from agricultural production land to water bodies contributed most to the improvement of ecological environment quality, while the conversion of agricultural production land to urban living land was the primary cause for the decline of quality.
    Construction and optimization of ecological network based on ecological vulnerability in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, China.
    CAO Weijia, YANG Qingkang, JIA Guoxiu, BAI Huiting, GUO Zixuan, WANG Zhenxing, WANG Lixin, WEN Lu
    2025, 36(2):  376-382.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.026
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    Natural condition change and human disturbance can trigger a series of ecological and environmental problems. The construction of ecological network plays a crucial role in balancing contradictions between regional development and ecological protection. We employed the ecological vulnerability assessment method based on pattern-service coupling to construct the ecological network of Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia. The results showed a total area of 12951.2 km2 of ecological sources, accounting for 23.8% of the study area, mainly located in the northern part. Additionally, 113 ecological corridors were identified, with a total length of 2397.1 km, which were primarily located in the central and southern parts. Ecological pinch points were mainly situated in the central part of the study area, overlapping with some ecological corridors. Ecological barriers were predominantly distributed around the fragmented ecological sources. Based on the spatial distribution of ecological components within the ecological network, an optimized layout was formed, comprising three zones and one belt (ecological security protection zone, typical grassland restoration zone, natural ecological conservation zone, and ecological corridor development belt). These results provided a scientific theoretical basis for future ecological protection and restoration in this region, which were crucial for maintaining regional ecological security and optimizing the spatial patterns.
    Geographical boundary line of the Yellow River’s ‘Ji Zi Bend’ and its main ecological issues.
    LIU Ren-tao, CHENG Jing
    2025, 36(2):  383-394.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.028
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    Due to different positions, goals, and research contents, there was no consistent geographical boundary line on Yellow River’s ‘Ji Zi Bend’. On the basis of geographical location and key ecological position within the national strategic layout, we defined Yellow River’s ‘Ji Zi Bend’ as the geographical boundary lines of “Ji-shaped” area, which started from Lanzhou City on the west till Sanmenxia City on the east, and from Baotou City on the north till the southern fringe of Sanmenxia City, forming a distribution area of the upper and middle reaches of Yellow River. The area covers 24 cities in six provinces, including Gansu Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province, and Henan Province. It includes desertified regions in northwestern area, and soil and water loss regions in southeastern area, as well as wetland and alluvial plain alongside both sides of Yellow River, with an area of about 6.04×105 km2 and a population of 6.01×107 persons. The main ecological issues in this region are as below: scarcity and uneven distribution of water resources together with frequent occurrence of extreme climatic events; unequilibrium and poor regulation of water and sand together with serous soil and water loss; great desertification intensification and conflict between land utilization efficiency and ecological security; the conflict between energy resource exploitation and fragile ecological protection; land degradation and environmental pollution. The reasons for these aforementioned issues include: poor natural resources, and susceptible ecological conditions; history brand of desertification and soil and water loss in recent hundred years; the coupling drivers of climate change and human perturbation; the imbalance between increasing intensity of resource exploitation and utilization and regional development. More attention needs to be paid, including: enhancing management and configuration of water resources and the ability of prevention and reduction of natural disasters, being active response to climate changes; suitable measures to local real conditions and categorical policy for the improvement of ecosystem quality and the restoration and conservation of fragile ecosystems; policy coordination and management synergy, and the enhancement of holistic approach and integrating restoration. In the future, we should focus on ecological protection, concentrate on green development of energy resources, promote technological innovation in biodiversity conservation, strengthen the deep integration of biodiversity with ecological industries and green development, cultivate new quality productivity, and help win the battle against the ecological protection “bend” of the Yellow River.
    Original Articles
    Leaf respiration and its response to environment in different provenances of Larix gmelinii based on exchanging common-gardens.
    LI Luyao, LIU Yalong, TIAN Ruiping, ZHANG Jun, ZHANG Dongjia, WANG Chuankuan, QUAN Xiankui
    2025, 36(2):  395-402.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.005
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    Exploring the response of leaf respiration to environmental change and its provenance variation is helpful for understanding the adaptation of trees to environment. We constructed an experiment by transplanting Larix gmelinii seedlings from 11 provenances to two common gardens, and measured leaf respiration and environmental factors. The results showed that leaf respiration rate measured at 15 ℃ (R15), nitrogen concentration and soluble sugar concentration of trees growing in the warm and humid common garden were higher than those growing in the cold and dry common garden. In contrast, leaf respiration rate measured at 25 ℃ (R25) and 35 ℃ (R35), respiration temperature sensitivity coefficient (Q10) and starch concentration of trees growing in the warm and humid common garden were lower than those growing in the cold and dry common garden. This indicated that leaf respiration acclimatized to local environment. R15 was positively correlated with nitrogen concentration and soluble sugar concentration, and negatively correlated with starch concentration. Both R25 and R35 were negatively correlated with nitrogen concentration and soluble sugar concentration, and positively correlated with starch concentration. There were significant provenance differences in the response of R15, R25, R35 and Q10 to environmental change. The environmental effect of R25 was positively correlated with mean annual temperature of origin site, which was the result of long-term adaptation. Our results indicated that leaf respiration of L. gmelinii was controlled by both environmental acclimation and genetic adaptation.
    Response of tree-ring images in different bands to climatic factors.
    SU Qihua, ZHENG Yonghong, HU Zhengsheng, LIAO Huihui, LU Chengyu
    2025, 36(2):  403-410.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.009
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    To deeply explore the climate signals contained in tree rings, we extracted red, green, and blue light intensities from the tree rings of Abies fargesii in the Jinhouling (altitude: 2564 m) and Taiziya (altitude: 2494 m) areas of Shennongjia, using the CooRecorder software. With an age-dependent spline, we fitted the growth trends, established chronologies, and analyzed the correlation between tree ring chronology and climate factors from 1953 to 2020. The results showed that the red, green, and blue light intensities of earlywood of trees from Jinhouling showed a significant positive correlation with mean maximum temperature, mean temperature, and mean minimum temperature in June. In Taiziya, the red, green, and blue intensities of earlywood was significantly positively correlated with the mean maximum temperature in June and significantly negatively correlated with March precipitation. In Jinhouling, latewood red, green, and blue light intensities showed significant positive correlation with mean maximum temperature of June, July and August, as well as with mean temperature and mean minimum temperature in July and August, and significant negative correlations with July precipitation. In Taiziya, latewood red, green and blue light intensities were significantly positively correlated with mean maximum temperature, mean temperature, and mean minimum temperature in August and negatively correlated with August precipitation. The responses of the red, green, and blue bands of tree rings to climate factors often showed a regular trend of variation with wavelength changes, but the trends varied across different bands.
    Differences in radial growth responses to climate and ecological resilience between healthy and declining Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica and Populus L.
    YUAN Chaofeng, WANG Wenzhi, WU Zhehong, SU Yong, LUO Lingzhuo
    2025, 36(2):  411-417.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.002
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    With global climate warming and the alteration of precipitation regime, the Three-North Shelter Forest in China has been degraded in recent years, which is a primary challenge for shelterbelt construction. Our understan-ding of the physiological mechanisms behind forest decline remains limited. In this study, we employed dendrochronological methods to measure the basal area increment (BAI) and tree-ring width of both healthy and degraded Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica and Populus L. We developed corresponding standardized chronologies (STD) to analyze their responses to climatic factors and ecological resilience during drought periods, and to elucidate the mechanisms of degradation in P. sylvestris var. mongolica and Populus L. under climate change, as well as their differences in drought adaptability. The results showed that radial growth in healthy P. sylvestris var. mongolica had significantly increased since 1978, with higher mean BAI of healthy trees than the degraded trees. They both exhibited a significant positive correlation with the annual palmer drought severity index (PDSI). Healthy P. sylvestris var. mongolica was less sensitive to precipitation and more resistant and resilient during drought periods. Since 1983, there had been no significant trend in radial growth for either healthy or degraded Populus L., though the mean BAI of healthy Populus L. was significantly higher than that of declining trees. Healthy Populus L. trees exhi-bited weaker correlations with precipitation, PDSI, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) compared to the degraded trees, yet they showed higher resistance and resilience during droughts. P. sylvestris var. mongolica showed signs of decline earlier than Populus L. and demonstrated greater sensitivity to the PDSI. Nevertheless, it exhibited higher resistance and resilience than Populus L. In conclusion, drought and precipitation emerge as the primary climatic factors contributing to the decline of P. sylvestris var. mongolica and Populus L., with degraded trees being more sensitive to climate change. P. sylvestris var. mongolica demonstrated stronger adaptability to cumulative drought than Populus L., making it more likely to survive under future scenarios of increased drought caused by climate warming. This study provided data support and scientific insights for species selection in the Three-North Shelter Forest Project.
    Sprouting characteristics and elevation differentiation patterns of woody plants in the Baima Snow Mountain, China.
    LIU Peiyao, ZHANG Caicai, ZHANG Zhiming, LIN Luxiang
    2025, 36(2):  418-426.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.004
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    We investigated the composition and diversity of sprouting plants across forest communities along an elevation gradient (3155-3979 m) in the Baima Snow Mountain, and examined the variations in sprouting ability among taxonomic groups (families, genera, and species) and growth forms (trees and shrubs). The results showed that a total of 4211 woody plants exhibited sprouting behavior across five plots. These plants belonged to 38 species, 22 genera and 12 families, representing 95.0%, 95.7% and 92.3% of the total community. Rhododendron rigidum exhibited the highest number of sprouting stems (3311), while Rhododendron wardii showed the highest sprouting rate (70.1%). The number and composition of sprouting species varied across elevations. From the lowest to highest elevation (3155, 3382, 3685, 3802, and 3979 m), the number of sprouting was 17, 15, 12, 11 and 15, accounting for 85.0%, 75.0%, 85.7%, 84.6%, and 88.2% of the total species at each elevation respectively. The species with the highest number of sprouts stems differed by elevation: R. rigidum (3155 and 3382 m), Rhododendron fortunei (3685 m), Lonicera tangutica (3802 m), and R. wardii (3979 m). The species with the highest sprouting rate was Quercus semecarpifolia (3155 m), followed by R. fortunei (3382 and 3685 m), L. tangutica (3802 m), and R. wardii (3979 m). The number of sprouting stems for both trees and shrubs, as well as the sprouting rates for trees, showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with elevation. In contrast, the sprouting rate of shrubs showed no significant variation. The richness of tree-form sprouting plants showed a single-peak pattern, with the highest richness at 3685 m, whereas shrub-form sprouting plants richness showed an inverse mid-domain pattern, initially decreasing with elevation before increasing again. Sprouting was a prevalent phenomenon in montane forest ecosystems, and the sprouting capacities of different growth forms exhibited significant elevational patterns.
    Interspecific association of main tree species in Ormosia microphylla community and its community stability.
    LI Kejia, CAI Chen, RUAN Guangming, LING Shuwei, PAN Biaozhi, ZHOU Jiagui, LIU Jinfu, ZHENG Shiqun
    2025, 36(2):  427-436.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.003
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    We investigated the interspecific relationships of Ormosia microphylla community in geomantic forest of Gutian Meeting site. The results showed that the main tree species in the arbor layer included Neolitsea aurata, Schima superba, Castanopsis carlesii, etc. while that in the shrub layer included Dendropanax proteus, Castanopsis fargesii, Diplospora dubia, etc. In the arbor layer, the niche breadth of O. microphylla was 21.04, and its niche overlap with the main tree species was low. The variance ratio and statistics of the main tree species in arbor layer were 0.77 and 59.57, respectively, indicating no significant association in arbor layer. In the χ2 test, there were 101 pairs of non-significant species pairs, and the logarithm ratio of positive and negative association species was 1: 1.18, indicating that the interspecific association was weak. In the shrub layer, the niche breadth of O. microphylla was 21.60. There was a high niche overlap between the main tree species in the shrub layer. The variance ratio and statistics of the shrub layer main tree species were 1.80 and 138.68, respectively, indicating significantly positive overall association in shrub layer. In the χ2 test, there were 107 pairs of significant species pairs, and the logarithm ratio of positive and negative association species was 1:0.09, indicating that the interspecific competition was strong. The Euclidean distances for the arbor and shrub layers were 6.40 and 4.91, respectively, suggesting the shrub layer was more stable than the arbor layer. In the shrub layer, there was a close relationship between O. microphylla and other main tree species. Due to intense resource competition, especially among the dominant species in the community, O. microphylla failed to achieve a dominant position as it grew into a mature tree. Therefore, there was an urgent need to implement artificial intervention measures and in-situ conservation strategies.
    Water sources of three common greening tree species in arid oasis regions
    ADILAI Saitiniyazi, HE Junling, BILALI Yiming, JU Xifeng, BAHEJIAYINAER Tiemuerbieke, WANG Pengnian, ZHANG Qi, WEI Yanqiang, ZHAO Wu, LIU Liming
    2025, 36(2):  437-444.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.018
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    In the context of water scarcity, understanding the water sources of major afforestation species would provide a reference for urban greening and water resource management in arid oasis areas. Taking three key tree species of afforestation, Platanus orientalis, Ulmus pumila, and Robinia pseudoacacia, in the Kashgar region on the western edge of Tarim Basin as objects, we analyzed the stable oxygen isotope values (δ18O) of xylem water from branches and their potential water sources, along with stable carbon isotope values (δ13C) of leaves, to determine the proportion of different water sources for each species and assess their water use efficiency (WUE). The results showed that P. orientalis exhibited diverse water source utilization, with a relative balance distribution among groundwater, river water, and soil water at varying depths (23.0% of groundwater, 20.7% of river water, 19.0% of depth soil water 0-60 cm, 19.6% of depth soil water 200-300 cm). In contrast, U. pumila and R. pseudoacacia relied more on soil water. U. pumila accessed soil water at depth of 0-60 cm (55.2%), while R. pseudoacacia utilized water from the depth of 0-140 cm (61.3%). The foliar δ13C values of R. pseudoacacia (26.0‰) were higher than that of P. orientalis (28.0‰) and U. pumila (27.4‰), indicating higher WUE. Under the drought condition, P. orientalis exhibited resilience by using soil water, groundwater, and river water. In contrast, U. pumila and R. pseudoacacia were constrained to soil water and had overlapping water absorption depths. It is necessary to avoid water competition between the two species in mixed planatation.
    Water use efficiency of dominant tree species during natural restoration of vegetation in karst peak-cluster depression
    QIU Xiaoyue, LI Jianxing, TAO Wanglan, WANG Zhiying, GUO Yili, LU Shuhua, LI Xiankun, HUANG Fuzhao
    2025, 36(2):  445-451.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.010
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    We measured water use efficiency (WUE) of dominant species across three distinct restoration stages (shrub, secondary forest, and primary forest) in karst peak-cluster depression region using stable carbon isotope technology. The results showed that foliar δ13C values of 12 dominant tree species ranged from -32.1‰ to -29.0‰. The WUE for these dominant species ranged from 18.25 μmoL·moL-1 to 36.23 μmoL·moL-1, with the lowest WUE in Pittosporum tobira and the highest WUE in Pterolobium punctatum. The hierarchy of WUE across different restoration stages was in order of shrub > secondary forest > primary forest. The WUE for a particular species was higher during early-stage vegetation recovery compared to late-stage. Furthermore, when considering different life forms, WUE was in order of liana > shrub > tree. From the shrub stage to the primary forest stage, deciduous species exhibited higher WUE than evergreen species. In summary, plant WUE gradually declined with the ongoing vegetation restoration process in this region. Enhancing WUE was one of the principal strategies for plant adaptation to drought-prone habitats within karst peak cluster depression region. Therefore, priority should be given to lianas and shrubs characterized by high WUE when selecting appropriate species for reforestation efforts in karst regions subject to seasonal or geological droughts.
    Characteristics of understory shrub and herb diversity and their influencing factors in Robinia pseudoacacia plantation at different densities in the Caijiachuan Watershed, China
    ZHU Jingkang, TANG Jie, LIU Rui, LING Xile, CHANG Chenlong, LIANG Wenjun, WEI Xi
    2025, 36(2):  452-460.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.008
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    We analyzed the effects of stand and soil factors on shrub and herb diversity across seven stand densities (700-900, 900-1200, 1200-1500, 1500-1800, 1800-2100, 2100-2400, and 2400-2700 trees·hm-2) of Robinia pseudoacacia plantations in the Caijiachuan watershed. The results showed that, among the seven stand densities, the species richness of understory plants was highest at 900-1200 trees·hm-2(16.00), being significantly higher than the average richness (12.50) at other stand densities. The coefficience of correlation between stand factors and shrub and herb diversity was 0.739, which had a stronger influence than soil factors (0.671). The influence of stand factors (0.751) was more pronounced at densities of 700-1500 and 1800-2700 trees·hm-2. However, at the density of 1500-1800 trees·hm-2, soil factors (0.660) dominated the influence on shrub and herb diversity. The average crown width and stand density were the key stand factors affecting understory shrub diversity, while the average tree height and the average diameter at breast height were the key stand factors influencing herb diversity. Total phosphorus was the key soil factor affecting both shrub and herb diversity. We recommended to set stand density R. pseudoacacia plantation at 900-1200 trees·hm-2, which would contribute to higher stability and diversity.
    Effects of insect herbivory on leaf volatile organic compound emission and photosynthetic characteristics of saplings in subtropical region.
    YANG Yunyun, YAN Bin, XU Qinqin, QIN Chuqiao, HU Yalin
    2025, 36(2):  461-472.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.007
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    Insect herbivory can influence tree growth, community structure and ecological processes in forest ecosystems. We investigated the effects of insect herbivory and leaf defoliation on the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), isoprene (ISO) and monoterpenes (MTs) in Cinnamomum camphora (broad-leaf tree) and Cryptomeria japonica (coniferous tree), and explored the underlying mechanisms by measuring leaf phy-siological characteristics such as photosynthetic parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence. The results showed that insect herbivory and leaf defoliation increased the emission of BVOCs from the leaves of both species compared to the control. Three days after the completion of insect herbivory treatment, the emission flux of ISO in C. camphora and C. japonica increased by 4.9 and 3.1 times, respectively, while leaf defoliation increased the ISO emission flux of C. camphora by 4.6 times. Insect herbivory increased photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, and transpiration rate in C. camphora, but did not affect the photosynthetic parameters of C. japonica. In contrast, leaf defoliation significantly reduced chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in C. japonica. The Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modeling showed that the emission of ISO and MTs from C. camphora leaves significantly correlated with photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Compared to chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic parameters had a greater influence on the emission of ISO and MTs. For C. japonica, ISO emission was significantly correlated with chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and chemical induction due to insect herbivory having a more pronounced effect on ISO emission. In conclusion, our results indicated that insect herbivory could enhance the emission of BVOCs, but the response mechanism varied with tree species. For C. camphora, the increase in BVOC emission was due to the enhanced photosynthetic rates. The chemical induction resulting from insect herbivory played a more important role in increasing BVOC release from C. japonica.
    Effects of soil acidification on plant morphological traits and photosynthetic pigments in a meadow steppe.
    DU Anna, ZHANG Yuge, LI Hui, JIANG Yong, FENG Xue
    2025, 36(2):  473-480.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.001
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    Based on a field experiment with simulated soil acidification through sulfur addition (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50 g S·m-2·a-1) in Erguna Forest-Steppe Ecotone Station of Chinese Academy of Sciences, we investigated specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf thickness, plant height, photosynthetic pigment contents and their ratios in two common species (Stipa baicalensis and Pulsatilla turczaninovii) to understand the responses of plant morphological traits and photosynthetic pigments to soil acidification. The results showed that S. baicalensis adapted to soil acidification primarily by changing morphological traits rather than photosynthetic pigments, which had an advantage in accessing light resources. S. baicalensis and P. turczaninovii exhibited similar morphological responses to soil acidification, characterized by a reduction in specific leaf area (with reductions of 12.0% and 8.0%, respectively), an increase in leaf dry matter content (with increases of 3.2% and 0.9%, respectively), and an increase in plant height (with increases of 3.4% and 15.0%, respectively). Leaf photosynthetic pigment concentrations in S. baicalensis showed no response to soil acidification, while P. turczaninovii reduced carotenoid content by 25.7% but increased in the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids by 51.4%. These changes were primarily influenced by the decrease of soil nitrate and calcium and magnesium contents induced by soil acidification. The results showed that S. baicalensis adapted to soil acidification primarily by changing morphological traits, which provided an advantage in accessing light resources. However, soil acidification tended to conserve the morphological traits of P. turczaninovii and exert stress on its photosynthetic system.
    Soil extracellular enzyme activities and their stoichiometric characteristics following the conversion of natural forests to Castanea henryi plantation in subtropical region.
    MAO Jiaoyan, YANG Qing, GUO Qi-ling, SUN Jiawen, SHI Xiuzhen, WANG Jianqing
    2025, 36(2):  481-488.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.006
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    We investigated the responses of soil extracellular enzyme activities and stoichiometric characteristics following the conversion of mixed conifer-broadleaf forest to Castanea henryi plantation in the subtropical region. The results showed that the conversion from natural forest to C. henryi plantation significantly reduced activities of cellulose hydrolase (CBH), β-D-glucosidase (βG), β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), acid phosphatase (AP) by 70.6%, 53.5%, 82.3%, and 76.2%, respectively. Redundancy analysis indicated that soil pH, soil water content, nitrate nitrogen and available phosphorus were the primary factors driving change in soil extracellular enzyme activities. Soil extracellular enzyme activities were positively correlated with microbial biomass carbon and negatively correlated with nitrate nitrogen. NAG and AP activities were significantly positively correlated with soil moisture, ammonium nitrogen, and total soil carbon. βG activities were significantly positively correlated with total carbon. Soil extracellular enzyme C:N and N:P activity ratios were significantly affected by soil pH, soil moisture, microbial biomass carbon, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, available phosphorus, and total soil carbon, while the C:P activity ratio was positively correlated with soil microbial biomass carbon, ammonium nitrogen, and total carbon. Soil extracellular enzyme C:N:P activity ratio increased from 1:1:1.66 to 1:1:2 following the conversion, with a vector angle greater than 45° and a decrease in the vector length. In summary, the conversion of natural forest to C. henryi plantation led to a significant reduction in soil extracellular enzyme activities and exacerbated phosphorus limitation in subtropical forest soils.
    Litter, soil carbon and nitrogen fractions and enzyme activity in a typical broadleaved forest invaded by Moso bamboo.
    SUN Rong, ZHAO Yingzhi, CHEN Yong, ZHENG Xuli, ZHOU Yan, SHAO Shuai, LIANG Chenfei, QIN Hua, CHEN Junhui
    2025, 36(2):  489-496.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.012
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    We investigated the effects of bamboo invasion on the quantity and quality of litter input, soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fractions and enzyme activities across an invasion sequence composed of evergreen broadleaved forest, mixed broadleaved and bamboo forest, and pure Moso bamboo forest. The results showed that stan-ding litter biomass, annual litter production, and the litter C content in mixed broadleaved and Moso bamboo forest was lower than the broadleaved forest by 49.0%, 7.3% and 8.2%, respectively, while that in pure Moso bamboo forest was lower than the broadleaved forest by 59.5%, 48.6%, and 18.7%. Bamboo invasion resulted in a significant decrease in soil organic C in broadleaved forest. Compared with broadleaved forest, soil organic C and total N in pure Moso bamboo forest were decreased by 52.1% and 15.0%. There was no significant difference between the mixed forest and broadleaved forest. Bamboo invasion significantly increased soil microbial biomass C and N, but decreased soil labile and recalcitrant C pools, as well as the proportion of recalcitrant C pool to soil organic C. The activities of soil phenol oxidase, peroxidase and β-glucosidase in mixed forest and pure bamboo forest were generally lower than those in broadleaved forest. The specific enzyme activities (per unit of soil organic C) in bamboo forest was significantly higher than that in the broadleaved forest and mixed forest. Soil organic C content and the recalcitrant C fraction were significantly positively correlated with annual litter production, standing litter biomass, and litter C content, but negatively correlated with the specific enzyme activities of phenol oxidase and peroxidase. Results of structural equation modeling showed that Moso bamboo invasion decreased recalcitrant C pool mainly by reducing litter input and enhancing the specific activities of enzymes involved in organic C degradation. In conclusion, Moso bamboo invasion reduced litter C input, increased the specific activities of soil enzymes involved in soil organic matter decomposition, which was not conducive to the accumulation of soil organic matter in broadleaved forest.
    Post-fire changes in soil extracellular enzyme activities and their influencing factors in the permafrost region of the Da Xing’anling Mountains, Northeast China
    SHEN Yang, LI Xiaoying, CAI Huiying, XU Tao, LI Jingtao, CHEN Kui
    2025, 36(2):  497-203.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.019
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    Understanding the changes in soil enzyme activities and the influencing factors after forest fire distur-bances can help assess and predict the impacts of climate warming on permafrost ecosystems. We analyzed the acti-vities of extracellular enzyme, including urease (UR), acid phosphatase (AP), acetyl-glucosidase (NAG), β-glucosidase (βG), and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), in soils (0-60 cm depth) across unburned, lightly burned and severely burned sites within the 2015 burned area in the northern Da Xing’anling Monntains. The results showed that fire intensity, soil depth, and soil physicochemical properties significantly influenced extracellular enzyme activities. Compared to that in unburned site, the activities of UR, AP, βG, and LAP increased by 59.8%-241.7%, while NAG decreased by 35.5% at lightly burned site. The activities of all soil enzymes increased, with the magnitidues ranging from 26.0% to 206.0% at severely burned site. Soil enzyme activities gra-dually decreased with increasing soil depth. Redundancy analysis identified soil temperature (ST), total phosphorus (TP), C:P, C:N, soil depth and soil water content (SWC) as important influencing factors of soil enzyme activities, contributing 70.9%, 12.2%, 4.7%, 3.6%, 2.9%, and 1.9%, respectively. Soil enzyme activities were signifi-cantly positively correlated with ST, TP, C:P, C:N, and SWC, but significantly negatively correlated with soil depth. Forest fires and the resultant changes in soil physicochemical properties jointly affected soil extracellular enzyme activities, with the effects intensifying with increasing fire intensity.
    Effects of grass cultivation on soil fertility and labile carbon fractions in Camellia oleifera forests
    PENG Pu, JIA Jianbo, LU Jia , PENG Shaofeng, LI Yuhong, LU Mengqi, LI Chi
    2025, 36(2):  504-512.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.020
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    Exploring the characteristics of soil fertility and labile carbon fractions under different cover crop cultivation modes can provide scientific references for optimizing management of Camellia oleifera forests. We conducted a three-year field experiment with cover crop of Glycine max (DD), Trifolium repens (SY), Helianthus annuus (YK), Cosmos bipinnatus (BJ), with clean tillage as the control (CK), to investigate the changes of physical and chemical properties of topsoil (0-20 cm), the integrated fertility index (IFI), carbon pool management index, labile carbon fractions, and the yield per plant. The results showed that grass cultivation significantly reduced soil bulk density (BD) and increased the content of soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrate-nitrogen, total potassium, and available potassium. Compared with that under clear tillage, the IFIs of BJ and SY increased by 22.4% and 14.0%, respectively. The most significant increase in SOC were observed in BJ and SY, which were 30.1% and 19.3%, respectively. BJ and SY significantly increased but DD and YK significantly decreased carbon pool management index. Moreover, the yield per plant of BJ and YK was much higher than that of clear tillage, with an increase of 19.1% and 21.9%, respectively. Results of correlation analysis and partial least squares path model showed that grass cultivation significantly changed soil physical and chemical properties and increased labile carbon content, which effectively increased fruit yield. In short, grass cultivation could effectively improve soil nutrients and fruit yield. From the perspective of improving soil fertility, BJ and SY were more suitable for grass cultivation in C. olei-fera forests.
    Characteristics of dissolved organic matter during decomposition of different organic materials in the black soil region of Northeast China.
    LEI Wanying, TENG Peiji, SHENG Ming, WANG Bo, LI Na
    2025, 36(2):  513-525.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202501.019
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    Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is the most active component of organic materials, which plays a crucial role in soil organic matter accumulation and soil manuring during the decomposition. We conducted a five-site (Changtu of Liaoning, Dehui of Jilin, Harbin, Hailun and Heihe of Heilongjiang) in-situ experiment with six different organic materials (chicken manure, pig manure, fungal bran, soybean straw, maize straw and rice straw), in Northeast China’s black soil belt from south to north. We aimed to characterize the DOM properties by spectroscopic techniques and to uncover the influencing factors. Results showed that after a two-year decomposition, the dissolved organic carbon concentration decreased notably, while the aromaticity index, content of hydrophobic fraction, concentration of colored dissolved organic matter and humification index of the organic materials increased, and differed among the organic materials. The fluorescence index values of all DOM were <1.4, and the autochthonous index values ranged 0.4-0.7, showing a characteristics of exogenous input and low bioavailability. Parallel factor analysis revealed that the relative contents of fulvic acid-like and protein-like fractions in organic manure and fungal bran DOM decreased, while the relative content of humus-like fraction increased. For crop straw DOM, there was a significant decrease in the relative content of protein-like fraction. The properties of DOM exhibited regional variations. The aromaticity and humification degree of DOM increased with the increasing cumulative temperature. From Heihe with the lowest accumulated temperature to Changtu with the highest temperature, the aromaticity and humification indexes of DOM increased by 6.9%-42.7% and 23.9%-59.0%, respectively. The properties of DOM of organic materials were significantly influenced by the type of organic materials, experiment site, and their interactions. Principal component and correlation analyses indicated that the characteristics of organic materials DOM after decomposition linked more to their intrinsically chemical structure of organic carbon than to experiment site. In conclusion, after two-year decomposition, the active components within DOM of all the organic materials converted into more stable components, leading to increased aromaticity and humification degree. The inherent characteristics of organic materials was the predominant factor influencing the changes in DOM characteristics.
    Effects of potassium fertilizer on rhizosphere microbial diversity and community assembly in sugarcane.
    ZHANG Zhongfu, WANG Yutong, AI Jing, DAO Jingmei, LI Aomei, DENG Jun, WU Jianming, ZHAO Yong
    2025, 36(2):  526-536.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202501.015
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    The abundant and rare populations of microorganisms in the ecosystem play a crucial role in preventing pathogen transmission, regulating nutrient cycling, facilitating pollutant degradation. However, less attention has pain on the agroecosystems. We conducted a field experiment to evaluate the effects of different potassium application rates (0, 75, 150, 225, 300 kg·hm-2) on the microbial diversity, the driving factors and the microbial community assembly process of the sugarcane rhizosphere through the high-throughput sequencing and ecological mode-ling techniques. The results showed that the potassium application exerted a significant effect on soil nutrient content and soil enzyme activities, which were highest at the application rate of 300 and 225 kg·hm-2, respectively. The abundant populations mainly concentrated in a few dominant species. Potassium application significantly affected species composition and community structures of the rhizosphere microorganisms. Under potassium application, soil urease, soil organic matter, and catalase were the key limiting factors, which could affect community structures of the abundant and rare microbial populations. The effects of potassium application on the rhizosphere bacterial community were greater than those on the fungal community, and the effects on the abundant microbial community was greater than that on the rare one. Community assembly of bacteria and fungi were predominantly driven by determini-stic processes in the sugarcane rhizosphere, with the heterogeneity selection dominating in bacteria and the homogeneity selection dominating in fungi. The deterministic processes played a key role in the abundant and rare communities assembly. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that potassium application significantly affected soil nutrients and enzyme activities. The potassium application could enhance the diversity of abundant and rare populations of bacteria and fungi and regulate soil microbial community assembly in the rhizosphere.
    Spatial and temporal variations in ecosystem health and coping strategy in the Hexi Corridor under climate change.
    LI Jie, LIU Chunfang
    2025, 36(2):  537-546.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.021
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    The health status of ecosystems is the foundation for global climate change adaptation decision-making and a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring regional ecosystem stability. We constructed an ecosystem health assessment indicator system based on a contribution, vigor, organization and resilience model from the perspectives of system integrity and contributive capacity. With this system, we analyzed the spatial-temporal variation of ecosystem health in Hexi Corridor and its relationship with climate change from 2000 to 2020 by utilizing the bivariate Moran’s index. Results showed that the ecosystem health index in the Hexi Corridor improved by 2.5% during 2000-2020. The central oasis area and the southeastern mountainous area showed significant improvement in ecological health, while the northern desert area and some localized regions experienced degradation. During the study period, the overall health status of the Hexi Corridor’s ecosystem remained at a moderate level, with consistent trend across various dimensions that initially declined before subsequently rising. There was a significant spatial positive correlation between climate change and ecosystem health. In the arid and low-precipitation condition of the Hexi Corridor, increased average annual precipitation and elevated average annual temperature contributed positively to ecosystem health, which was the key determinants of regional ecosystem health. Finally, we proposed corresponding strategies for enhancing ecosystem health levels in the southern Qilian Mountain area, the central oasis areas, and the nor-thern desert areas.
    Analysis on coupling and coordination of urbanization and ecological resilience in Hexi Corridor Economic Belt, China.
    LI Xueting, YANG Liangjie, YANG Yongchun, LI Yanan
    2025, 36(2):  547-558.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.023
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    The model of extensive economic growth has intensified the tensions between urban development and ecological resilience. Taking the ecological context, resource and environmental costs, as well as the urbanization development into consideration, we constructed an ecological resilience evaluation system based on scale-density-morphology and a dual dimensional urbanization evaluation system based on population-economy. We measured the level of urbanization and ecological resilience in the Hexi Corridor Economic Belt, and explored the spatiotemporal variations and coordination relationship and between urbanization and ecological resilience based on a coupled coordination degree model. From 2010 to 2023, urbanization levels in the Hexi Corridor Economic Belt fluctuated between 0.42 and 0.49, exhibiting a spatial pattern characterized by low at the center and high at the east and west sides. With respect to urbanization modes, Jinchang was rapid development type, Zhangye was population lagging type, Jiuquan was slow developing type, and Jiayuguan and Wuwei had risen from a slow developing type to a rapid developing type. The ecological resilience levels in the Hexi Corridor Economic Belt fluctuated from 0.46 to 0.45, showing a significant ecological deficit. This ecological resilience exhibited a spatial distribution pattern marked by high values in the northwest and low values in the southeast. In term of ecological resilience category, Jiayuguan was an ecological surplus type, Zhangye and Wuwei were ecological deficit type, Jiuquan and Jinchang were dual-low type concerning both scale and density. Urbanization and ecological resilience was basically coordinated, showing a spatial pattern of low in the middle and high at east and west sides. The heterogeneity of the coupling and coordination effects of the ecological resilience subsystem was significant, the scale resilience hindered Jiayuguan and Wuwei, promoted Zhangye and Jiuquan, and transformed Jinchang from a promoting effect to a blocking effect. Density resilience had promotive effects in Jiayuguan and Wuwei, but inhibitive effects in the other three cities. Morphological resilience had inhibitive effects in Jiayuguan and Zhangye, but promotive effects in the other three cities.
    Spatiotemporal pattern and multi-scenario prediction of carbon sequestration capacity in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Green Heart Area.
    LIU Xianzhao, LUO Zhengying, WANG Yidi
    2025, 36(2):  559-568.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.022
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    As an important ecological barrier, the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Green Heart Area is responsible for providing public ecological services for urban development. We used the FLUS-InVEST model to analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of land use, carbon storage, and carbon sink capacity in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Green Heart Area from 2010 to 2020 based on multi-source data, and predicted carbon storage and carbon sequestration under different scenarios in 2030 and 2060. The results showed that land use pattern in the Green Heart Area had undergone significant changes during the study period. From 2010 to 2015, the area of forest, cultivated land, and grassland displayed a decrease, while the area of construction land, wetland, and water expanded. The land types with the largest decrease and increase in area were forest (loss of 36.25 km2) and construction land (increase of 53.05 km2), respectively. During 2015-2020, the land use decreased significantly in the following order: construction land (5.94 km2), grassland (6.53 km2), and wetland (4.62 km2). The land use increased significantly in the following order: cultivated land (12.94 km2), forest (3.07 km2), and water (1.08 km2). Both cultivated land and forest were at a net inflow state during this period. The carbon source areas in the Green Heart Area showed a downtrend from 2010 to 2020, decreasing from 259.44 km2 in 2010-2015 to 233.32 km2 in 2015-2020. The carbon balance and sink areas represented an increasing trend, increasing from 185.71 and 76.06 km2 in 2010-2015 to 204.56 and 89.79 km2 in 2015-2020, respectively. The overall carbon sequestration capacity exhibited a spatial pattern of firm in the east and west, weak in the central region, which was closely related to the changes in carbon storage in the Green Heart Area. In 2030 and 2060, the carbon storage and sink capacity of the Green Heart Area demonstrated an increasing trend under the S1 scenario (natural development), S2 scenario (farmland protection), and S3 scenario (ecological protection), indicating that ecological protection was the optimal development scenario. The carbon balance area was the most widely distributed in the three scenarios, with the carbon sink area mainly distributed in the eastern part of the Green Heart Area and along the Xiangjiang River and the carbon source area concentrated in the construction land east of the Xiangjiang River. Controlling construction land and strictly enforcing ecological protection regulations was a key pathway to enhance carbon sequestration capacity of the Green Heart Area.
    Distribution characteristics of earthworms in different climatic zones of Yunnan Province, Southwest China.
    LUO Qingrui, LI Hongyang, XIAO Yanlan, ZI Yufen, DUAN Changqun, LIU Chang’e
    2025, 36(2):  569-577.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.031
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    Earthworms, as large soil animals, play a crucial role in soil ecological functions. We investigated the spatial distribution characteristics of earthworms by collecting 1984 earthworm individuals from six climatic zones in Yunnan Province. The results showed that Octolasion tyrtaeum and Aporrectodea trapezoides were the dominant earthworm species in Yunnan Province. The highest diversity of earthworm species was found in the temperate zone, followed by the northern tropics, northern subtro-pics, central subtropics, plateau climatic zone, and southern subtropics. In terms of density, the order was plateau climatic zone (70.7 ind·m-2) > temperate zone (62.4 ind·m-2) > northern subtropics (55.9 ind·m-2) > northern tropics (37.7 ind·m-2) > central subtropics (37.7 ind·m-2) > southern subtropics (22.7 ind·m-2). Regarding biomass, the order was northern subtropics (27.4 g·m-2) > northern tropics (24.5 g·m-2) > southern subtropics (19.1 g·m-2) > temperate zone (17.0 g·m-2) > central subtropics (15.3 g·m-2) > plateau climatic zone (12.5 g·m-2). Climate zones exerted a direct influence on the biomass of earthworms. Furthermore, soil characteristics, including soil moisture, organic matter, and total nitrogen content significantly impacted earthworm communities.
    Prediction of suitable overwintering habitat for Grus grus and key factors influencing population distribution in China.
    YAN Zhongshan, SHAO Mingqin, WANG Jianying
    2025, 36(2):  578-586.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.024
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    Common cranes (Grus grus) are large wading birds widely distributed across China, with populations showing an increasing trend. Identifying the key factors influencing the suitable overwintering habitats and population distribution of G. grus is essential for guiding species conservation. We employed the MaxEnt model to predict the suitable overwintering habitats of G. grus in China, using 300 distribution points from the overwintering period and incorporating 26 ecological factors, including climate, topography, land use, normalized difference vegetation index, and human disturbance. The results showed that the primary factors influencing the selection of overwintering habitats for the eastern population of G. grus included elevation, distance to water sources, precipitation of the driest quarter, and temperature seasonality. For the central population, distance to water sources, precipitation of the coldest quarter, elevation, mean temperature of the coldest quarter, and distance to villages were the key factors. Isothermality, distance to villages, elevation, and distance to water sources were the key factors influencing the western population. The area of highly suitable overwintering habitats for G. grus in eastern China was 33730.91 km2, primarily located in the North China Plain and the wetlands of the middle and lower Yangtze River. In central China, the area was 19336.81 km2, mainly found in the wetlands of the Yellow River in Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan. In western China, the area was 52243.06 km2, predominantly distributed in the wetlands and cropland-mosaic areas of southern Xizang, northern Yunnan, and western Guizhou. Suitable habitats for G. grus were found across nearly all of China, with the species exhibiting adaptability to harsh environments, such as high-altitude and high-latitude areas. Our results could provide guidance for the conservation and management of G. grus.
    Characterization of zooplankton communities and the interspecific relationships among dominant species in the Jinghe River Basin, Northwest China.
    WANG Siquan, PAN Baozhu, YANG Zijie, HU En, ZHANG Xin, LI Gang, ZHAO Dan, HU Jingxiang
    2025, 36(2):  587-595.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.032
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    To analyze the characteristics of zooplankton community and the interspecific relationship of dominant species in Jinghe River Basin, we conducted a systematic water ecology survey in the autumn of 2021 (October) and the spring of 2022 (May). The results showed that a total of 71 genera and 150 species of zooplankton were identified in spring and autumn. The number of zooplankton species and the average density in autumn were smaller than that in spring. There were significant differences in community structure between the two seasons. There were 13 dominant species in both seasons, according to the criterion of dominance degree Y≥0.02. The results of ecologi-cal niche overlap (Oik) analysis of dominant species showed that the autumn ecological niche overlap (0.455) was greater than the spring (0.381) because of poorer habitat conditions in autumn. Dominant species in autumn showed insignificant positive associations but significant positive associations in spring, indicating that the zooplankton community was more stable in spring. The results of point correlation coefficient (Φ) showed that the significant positive and negative associations in autumn (2.3) were less than those in spring (2.5), indicating positive succession in the zooplankton community in the Jinghe River Basin from autumn to spring.
    Feeding habits and influencing factors of Coilia nasus in the main stream of the Huaihe River in Anhui, China.
    WANG Zixin, ZHOU Yanfeng, XU Junwei, SHEN Duqing, JIANG Yue, WANG Chi, JIANG Shengqi, XUE Ying
    2025, 36(2):  596-604.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.034
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    Coilia nasus is one of the dominant fish species in the Huaihe River basin, with significant ecological and economic values. Research in feeding ecology is a great step towards deep understanding its life history. We analyzed stomach contents of 474 C. nasus samples collected in the main stream of the Huaihe River in Anhui in May and September of 2023, to investigate the composition of food, feeding intensity, feeding strategies, and the impact of environmental factors on food composition. Results showed that C. nasus in the main stream of the Huaihe River in Anhui primarily feed on 14 groups of prey organisms, such as decapods, copepods, and cladocerans. Exopalaemon modestus and Eucyclops sp. were the dominant prey. Individual weight, water temperature, turbidity, transparency, and water depth significantly affected feeding habits of C. nasus, and dissolved oxygen also had a significant impact. The empty stomach rate differed significantly between length groups, but not among seasons. The average stomach fullness index did not vary between length groups, but varied significantly among seasons. Our results indicated that C. nasus is a generalist predator primarily consuming animal-based prey, with intra-specific differences in food composition.
    Reviews
    Current situation, problems and suggestions of ancient and notable tree resources in Gansu Province, China
    QIN Chun, MA Jiancheng, LIU Jingjing
    2025, 36(2):  605-613.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.035
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    The diverse natural landscapes and rich historical-cultural heritage have bestowed an abundant resource of ancient and notable trees (ANT) in Gansu Province. Currently, the green economy of ANT has become a pivotal avenue for the construction of ecological civilization in Gansu Province. Based on literature synthesis, we reviewed the current status of ANT resources in Gansu Province. The ANT resources in Gansu are mainly distributed in rural areas and remote mountainous regions. Human activities, pests, and diseases are the main threats to the survival of ANT in residential areas and their surroundings, while climate change, particularly drought, is the primary threat to ANT in remote mountainous areas. The research and management of ANT differ across regions: residential areas and their surrounding areas mainly focus on maintenance and rejuvenation techniques, while remote mountainous areas pay more attention to the development of the scientific value of ANT while neglecting the research on the protection of ANT. There are several challenges, including low accuracy and efficiency in age determination, poor feasibility of management, underdeveloped legal frameworks, and low public engagement. To overcome those challenges, we recommended to promote ANT protection from the following four aspects. 1) Prioritizing the development of tree-ring determination and tree-ring-diameter regression estimation methods. Establishing professional institutions or teams for the ANT protection to enhance the precision and efficiency of age determination. 2) Investigating the population characteristics and biological mechanisms of tree aging of ANT. 3) Deepening our understanding of tree growth patterns of ancient trees at different ages to propose practical conservation measures, and 4) Refining relevant laws and regulations, and increasing public participation.
    Research progress on the application of the MaxEnt model in species habitat prediction.
    YANG Jiayue, DING Guoyu, TIAN Xiujun
    2025, 36(2):  614-624.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.025
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    Climate change and anthropogenic activities are profoundly affecting species distribution range and habitat suitability. In recent years, using models to predict potential suitable habitats for different species has become one of the research focuses in this field. The maximum entropy model (MaxEnt), a machine learning model based on the data of species distribution and environmental variables, has been widely used in predicting species habitats. First, we introduced the mechanism, establishment process, optimization method and assessment system of the MaxEnt model. Then, we reviewed the application of the model in potential habitat prediction of endangered species and invasive species, and the simulation of the potential distribution of species under future climate change. Fina-lly, we proposed current challenges and future development prospects of the MaxEnt model, aiming to strengthen its role in predicting the natural distribution of species, and provide technical references for biodiversity conservation and management.
    Habitat fragmentation and biodiversity response: Controversy, attribution, and prospects.
    CAO Yu, DENG Boyang, WANG Yajuan, YE Jiayang, SU Dan, FANG Xiaoqian
    2025, 36(2):  625-636.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.011
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    As global ecosystems continue to degrade, the impact of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity has become a critical issue in biodiversity conservation. However, both negative and positive impacts of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity have been reported in different studies. The coexistence and exchange of opposing views has increasingly evolved into debates based on inherent positions, which seriously restricts the further research development and the theoretical guidance of biodiversity conservation. We reviewed the connotation and measurement methods of habitat fragmentation, as well as the connotation of different levels of biodiversity. We revealed the academic divergence on this issue at different levels of biodiversity, and found such divergence at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity. We analyzed the reasons for these differences, and discussed the existing problems and directions of future research.
    Research progress on earthworms and soil health.
    LIU Ruowen, ZHAI Junjie, WANG Xing
    2025, 36(2):  637-646.  doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.036
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    Soil health, reflecting the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil is closely related to soil functions and plant productivity. Soil health is crucial for ensuring food security, ecological balance, and human health. Earthworms are known as ecosystem engineers, due to their unique biological characteristics. They are not only indicators of soil health but also play an important role in improving soil health. Earthworms have profound impacts on soil health through their activities such as burrowing, feeding, digesting, excreting, and secreting mucus from their body surface. We reviewed research advances on the roles of earthworms in improving soil structure, accelerating the decomposition of organic matter, increasing soil microbial diversity, promoting nutrient cycling, and providing nutrients for plant growth. Furthermore, we elaborated the role of earthworms in collaborating with their gut microbiota to accelerate the reduction of pollutants in the soil, improve soil purification capacity, maintain ecosystem balance, promote soil health, and increase crop yields. Moreover, we provided an outlook on future researches related to earthworms and soil health.