Drivers and regulating mechanisms of grassland and desert ecosystem services

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2014.00009

Abstract

Abstract:

Examining the drivers and regulating mechanisms of multiple ecosystem services has emerged as a central issue in ecology in recent years. In this paper, we start with the definition of ecosystem services, recent progresses and research priorities in the field. Then, we propose an experimental network to examine the key drivers of ecosystem services and relationships among multiple ecosystem services across grassland and desert ecosystems in northern China. The research network include conceptual diagram, research questions and objectives, field experimental design, ecosystem properties and processes observed across four grassland and desert sites. We review the major findings from the experimental network and future research directions in grassland and desert ecosystem services.

Key words: desert, experimental network, grassland, ecosystem services

BAI Yong-Fei, HUANG Jian-Hui, ZHENG Shu-Xia, PAN Qing-Min, ZHANG Li-Xia, ZHOU Hua-Kun, XU Hai-Liang, LI Yu-Lin, MA Jian. Drivers and regulating mechanisms of grassland and desert ecosystem services[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2014, 38(2): 93-102.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1258.2014.00009

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2014/V38/I2/93

Figures/Tables 3

Fig. 1 Field setup of the experimental network across four national ecosystem observation and research stations. A, National Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Xilin Gol. B, National Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Haibei. C, National Agricultural Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Naiman. D, National Desert Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Fukang.

Table 1 Snow addition amount and schedule in winter and water addition amount and schedule in summer at four field stations

野外台站 Field station	冬季增雪 Snow addition in winter (mm)			夏季增雨Water addition in summer (mm)
野外台站 Field station	1月5日 Jan. 5	2月5日 Feb. 5	3月5日 Mar. 5	6月5日 June. 5	6月15日 June 15	6月22日 June 22	6月29日 June 29	7月6日 July 6	7月13日 July 13	7月20日 July 20	7月27日 July 27	8月2日 Aug. 2	8月9日 Aug. 9	8月15日 Aug. 15
Fukang	15	15	10	10				10
Haibei	20	15	15		14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14	14
Naiman	10	10	5		10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10
Xilin Gol	10	10	5		10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10

Fig. 2 The first and second treatment schemes of the randomized complete-block design in each site. Blocks 1 to 6 denote six replicates.

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