Article
Agronomy
Yi Zhu, Kailiang Yu, Qian Wu, Xu Cheng, Zhiguo Li, Zhongwu Wang, Mengli Zhao, Andreas Wilkes, Ton Bisselling, Guodong Han, Haiyan Ren
Summary: This study investigated the effects of warming and nitrogen addition on soil microbial communities and plant net photosynthetic rates during dry and wet months in a desert steppe in Inner Mongolia, based on a 13-year manipulative field experiment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhiwei Gao, Chaowei Han, Jing Huang, Ziying Liu, Li Zhang, Guogang Zhang, Meiqing Jia, Xiaodan Li
Summary: Grazing is a key regulator of desert steppe biodiversity in Inner Mongolia, and long-term light grazing promotes soil nematode community stability and diversity.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yang Yu, Lu Liu, Jing Wang, Yushu Zhang, Chunwang Xiao
Summary: The study shows that warming increases the α-diversity of soil bacteria, enhances network complexity and stability, and promotes the development of keystone taxa. Additionally, warming also increases the ability of bacteria to decompose organic matter and emit greenhouse gases.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhiwei Gao, Jing Huang, Wei Gao, Meiqing Jia, Xiaodan Li, Guodong Han, Guogang Zhang
Summary: This study used high-throughput sequencing to investigate the impacts of warming and nitrogen addition on soil nematode communities in a desert steppe. The results showed that warming primarily affected deep soil nematode diversity and community stability, while nitrogen addition mainly influenced surface soil nematode community. Furthermore, the interaction between warming and nitrogen addition exacerbated the negative effects on nematode richness and diversity. Soil pH was negatively correlated with NH4+ and NO3- content, and all three physicochemical parameters were significantly correlated with desert steppe soil nematode community structure. Paratylenchus, Cervidellus, and Acrobeloides were identified as the major hub soil nematode genera responding to soil warming and nitrogen addition in a desert steppe.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Fengjuan Pan, Ruirui Yan, Jinling Zhao, Linghao Li, Yanfeng Hu, Ye Jiang, Jie Shen, Neil B. McLaughlin, Dan Zhao, Xiaoping Xin
Summary: Increasing soil depth weakens the effect of grazing intensities on soil nematode fauna. Grazing affects the soil nematode community structure via different paths in different soil layers.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yong Zhang, Xiaoli Cheng, Kees Jan van Groenigen, Pablo Garcia-Palacios, Junji Cao, Xunhua Zheng, Yiqi Luo, Bruce A. Hungate, Cesar Terrer, Klaus Butterbach-Bahl, Jorgen Eivind Olesen, Ji Chen
Summary: Anthropogenic nitrogen loading affects the abundance of soil ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria, leading to changes in soil nitrification. Climate is the most important factor determining the response of the ammonia-oxidizing community to nitrogen loading, and it affects nitrification indirectly through its influence on the ammonia-oxidizing community.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lu Bai, Shijie Lv, Zhiqiang Qu, Haiyan Ren, Qian Wu, Guodong Han, Zhiguo Li
Summary: The study observed the flowering phenology of a plant species in a desert steppe and found that increasing temperature was an important factor in advancing the flowering phenology. However, when high temperatures exceeded the physiological thresholds of the plants, there was a temporary delay in flowering. Additionally, the study found that the reproductive phenology was delayed from 2015 to 2018, but continued to advance after that. These findings are significant for understanding how plant species adapt to climate warming and the response mechanism of desert steppe ecosystems to climate change.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhiwei Gao, Ziying Liu, Zhaohui Wu, Jing Huang, Li Zhang, Guogang Zhang, Meiqing Jia, Guodong Han
Summary: Using high-throughput sequencing, this study analyzed the impact of ecological package restoration on soil properties and nematode community structure and function in open-pit mine wasteland. The study found that after 7 years of ecological package restoration, the restoration project achieved the expected outcomes. The study also evaluated the soil health status of an abandoned open-pit iron mine at different restoration time periods and identified key soil nematode genera.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhixia Guo, Haitao Chang, Rentao Liu
Summary: Soil moisture and temperature are important factors affecting the distribution of soil microarthropods. The abundance and diversity of soil microarthropod communities were significantly higher in summer compared to spring and autumn. There was stable diversity distribution across seasons in the Urat desert steppe in northern China.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jianling Fan, Hao Jin, Chuanhong Zhang, Jinjin Zheng, Jun Zhang, Guodong Han
Summary: In this study, the impacts of different grazing intensity on soil microbial community diversity and composition in a long-term enclosed grazing desert steppe were examined. The results showed that 15 years of grazing significantly increased the soil organic carbon content. Microbial communities were influenced by grazing intensity and aggregate fractions, with proper grazing being identified as a key factor for maintaining the long-term sustainability of the desert steppe ecosystem.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Emma Dawson-Glass, Charlotte R. Hewins, David J. Burke, Lara Souza, Katharine L. Stuble
Summary: Climate warming is impacting plant and soil microbial communities, leading to changes in litter decomposition. The shifts in plant composition and microbial activity/composition are not fully understood in terms of their effects on decomposition.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Zhiyuan Mu, Shikui Dong, Yaoming Li, Shuai Li, Hao Shen, Jing Zhang, Yuhui Han, Yudan Xu, Zhenzhen Zhao
Summary: A field experiment was conducted in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau to investigate the responses of soil bacterial communities in alpine steppes to nitrogen application and warming. The study found that soil bacterial diversity and community structure remained relatively stable in the short term, with warming having a significant impact on bacterial composition and rare species. The interaction between nitrogen application and warming also affected community beta-diversity, while above-ground plant variables were highly correlated with bacterial community characteristics.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Na Guo, Shijie Lv, Guangyi Lv, Xuebao Xu, Hongyun Yao, Zhihui Yu, Xiao Qiu, Zhanyi Wang, Chengjie Wang
Summary: The study found that warming and increased precipitation had significant impacts on soil CO2 efflux and stable carbon isotopes. Warming stimulated an increase in CO2 efflux, while increased precipitation led to a decrease in stable carbon isotopes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chaowei Han, Zhiwei Gao, Zhaohui Wu, Jing Huang, Ziying Liu, Li Zhang, Guogang Zhang
Summary: The research found that vegetation blanket restoration had better effects on slope rehabilitation in damaged areas of desert steppe coal mines. For rehabilitation of the platform area under the slope, analysis under alien soil restoration conditions exhibited similar characteristics to those of the native vegetation. Key genera of soil nematodes in the damaged ecosystem of open-pit coal mines in desert steppe include Paraphelenchus, Cervidellus, Panagrolaimus, and others.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Biology
Yuanhu Shao, Zuyan Wang, Tao Liu, Paul Kardol, Chengen Ma, Yonghong Hu, Yang Cui, Cancan Zhao, Weixin Zhang, Dali Guo, Shenglei Fu
Summary: In this study, nematode diversity in forest soils was found to be mainly influenced by soil organic carbon content, but climatic factors such as temperature, soil phosphorus content, soil pH, and precipitation also played significant roles. Furthermore, there were differences in nematode diversity between different climatic zones. Therefore, high-resolution studies are necessary to accurately predict the response of soil functions when climate conditions exceed the coping range of soil organisms.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Miao Qi, Xiaodi Liu, Yibo Li, He Song, Zuotian Yin, Feng Zhang, Qijin He, Zhenzhu Xu, Guangsheng Zhou
Summary: Abnormally altered precipitation patterns induced by climate change have profound global effects on crop production. Plant functional responses to various precipitation regimes were investigated and it was found that drought and flooding can hinder photosynthetic capacity. However, photosynthetic traits can recover after rewatering, with possible regulative trade-offs in response to episodic drought and subsequent rewatering, enhancing drought resistance and resilience in plants.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhenzhu Xu, Guangsheng Zhou, Qijin He
Summary: Within a maize canopy, carbon and water fluxes are primarily contributed by the top and middle leaf layers during vegetative growth, while gas exchange processes are mainly carried out in the middle leaves near the ears during the grain-filling stage. Significant relationships were observed between leaf gas exchange rates and ecosystem-level evapotranspiration rates.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Xiaodi Liu, Quanhui Ma, Hongying Yu, Yibo Li, Lang Li, Miao Qi, Wenjuan Wu, Feng Zhang, Yuhui Wang, Guangsheng Zhou, Zhenzhu Xu
Summary: The research shows that under climatic warming, aboveground net primary production of plant community significantly decreases, mainly due to reduced soil moisture induced by climatic warming. Climatic warming also decreases the temporal stability of the plant community by weakening plant species asynchrony and shifting key functional groups.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wenjuan Wu, Guangsheng Zhou, Zhenzhu Xu
Summary: Grassland plants contribute to carbon fixation and biomass production through photosynthesis. The response of biomass productivity to climate-plant-soil patterns in different grassland ecosystems vary. Climate is the most important factor determining biomass production, followed by soil and plant factors. The findings improve our understanding of the mechanisms of different grasslands and their response to environmental change.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Quanhui Ma, Yibo Li, Yu Zhu, Xiaodi Liu, Hongying Yu, Lang Li, Miao Qi, Hongru Sun, Zuotian Yin, Yuhui Wang, Feng Zhang, Guangsheng Zhou, Zhenzhu Xu
Summary: This study investigated the ecophysiological responses of three dominant plant species in a desert steppe to precipitation changes and N deposition. The results showed that increased precipitation promoted the leaf photosynthesis rate and N use efficiency of C-3 grasses, and the forbs were more sensitive to water availability, leading to a significant shift in plant community structure and composition.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hongying Yu, Yingting Chen, Guangsheng Zhou, Zhenzhu Xu
Summary: The study found that there is a coordinated trade-off between leaf functional traits of different plants in arid ecosystems, which is influenced by climatic warming. Few key species play a crucial role in balancing their functional performances to cope with environmental change.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongying Yu, Xiaodi Liu, Quanhui Ma, Lang Li, Wenjuan Wu, Miao Qi, Yibo Li, Feng Zhang, Yuhui Wang, Guangsheng Zhou, Zhenzhu Xu
Summary: The study conducted in a desert steppe over 4 years revealed that precipitation fluctuations significantly affected plant community structure and function, while nitrogen deposition played a role as well. Increased precipitation under high nitrogen levels led to higher aboveground net primary production, but this effect was reversed when the precipitation regime was reversed in the final year. Soil microbial carbon and nitrogen content increased with precipitation, but the reversal of precipitation regime partly eliminated these microbial effects from previous precipitation alterations.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Wenjuan Wu, Ruojun Sun, Leren Liu, Xiaodi Liu, Hongying Yu, Quanhui Ma, Miao Qi, Lang Li, Yibo Li, Guangsheng Zhou, Zhenzhu Xu
Summary: Vegetation production in temperate and alpine grasslands has not been well studied, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study conducted surveys in Inner Mongolia and Tibet, China, to compare temperate grassland (TG) and alpine grassland (AG). The results showed that climatic factors have a greater influence on biomass and precipitation use efficiency than soil and biological factors. Increased precipitation consistently increased above-and belowground biomass, while increased temperature had different effects in TG and AG. The study highlights the divergent mechanisms of biomass production and precipitation use efficiency between temperate and alpine grasslands.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Hongying Yu, Lang Li, Quanhui Ma, Xiaodi Liu, Yibo Li, Yuhui Wang, Guangsheng Zhou, Zhenzhu Xu
Summary: Climatic change significantly impacts soil microbial communities in arid ecosystems, but the effects of precipitation patterns and underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study conducted a field experiment to examine soil microbial responses to precipitation changes with nitrogen addition. Key findings revealed that increasing precipitation increased soil microbial biomass, while reversing the precipitation treatments reversed these responses. Nitrogen addition reduced the response rates of most microbial groups, and antecedent soil features played a role in distinguishing microbial responses. Precipitation patterns can regulate soil microbial community responses to climatic change through nitrogen deposition and soil chemical and biological mediation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ji Hongchao, Yang Guang, Lv Xiaomin, Jia Bingrui, Xu Zhenzhu, Wang Yuhui
Summary: This study analyzed the changes in plant phenology in terrestrial ecosystems, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, and found that climate extremes have a significant impact on plant phenology compared to mean climate change. The study also revealed that plant phenology responds quicker and stronger to extreme temperatures. These findings provide insights into the effects of key climatic factors on plant phenophases and can be used to improve phenological models and grassland ecosystem management.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kuo Sun, Ruojun Sun, Yibo Li, Hongchao Ji, Bingrui Jia, Zhenzhu Xu
Summary: In this study, the authors analyzed variations in eight leaf morphological, nutritional, and physiological traits in a large number of plant species in two distinct but comparable harsh habitats. They observed contrasting and/or consistent relationships between leaf functional traits in the two climate regions. The habitat specificity for these relationships could be a critical determinant of local plant communities and provide insights into plant ecological adaptation and evolutionary strategies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongru Sun, Ben Bond-Lamberty, Tianyu Hu, Juan Li, Jinshi Jian, Zhenzhu Xu, Bingrui Jia
Summary: Forest soil respiration (Rs) is crucial for the carbon balance of terrestrial ecosystems, but uncertainties exist in its evaluation in China due to the lack of integrated observation data and appropriate upscaling methodologies. This study used a machine learning technique (Random Forest) to re-evaluate the total forest soil carbon effluxes in China, providing reliable estimates and insights into soil CO2 emissions in China's forest ecosystems. The average annual Rs was 776.9 g C m(-2) yr(-1), with a total of 1.17 Pg C yr(-1).
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Feng Zhang, Wenjuan Wu, Lang Li, Xiaodi Liu, Guangsheng Zhou, Zhenzhu Xu
Summary: Assessing plant community traits is crucial for understanding the response and adaptation of terrestrial ecosystems to global climate change. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of field hyperspectral remote sensing for quantitatively estimating vegetation properties in the Tibetan Plateau. By measuring canopy reflectance and conducting plant community investigations, the researchers were able to estimate community structural and functional traits and analyze their contributions to community function using spectral vegetation indices. The study highlights the potential of field imaging spectroscopy in predicting the responses of alpine grassland communities to climate change.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongru Sun, Ben Bond-Lamberty, Tianyu Hu, Juan Li, Jinshi Jian, Zhenzhu Xu, Bingrui Jia
Summary: Forest soil respiration is re-evaluated in China, revealing a total carbon efflux of 1.17 Pg C yr -1 and an average annual soil respiration of 776.9 g C m(-2) yr (-1). The spatial pattern of soil respiration shows an increasing trend from northeast to southwest, with bamboo and evergreen broadleaf forests having higher respiration rates compared to other forest types.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Hongru Sun, Zhenzhu Xu, Bingrui Jia
Summary: This article presents a comprehensive dataset of soil respiration in undisturbed forest ecosystems in China, including monthly respiration rate, soil temperature, and relevant information on climate factors and stand characteristics. The authors hope that the scientific community can utilize this dataset to enhance understanding of the carbon cycle in China's forest ecosystems and reduce uncertainty in large-scale carbon budget evaluations.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2022)
