Changes in species diversity and above-ground biomass of shrubland over long-term natural restoration process in the Taihang Mountain in North China

Abstract

In order to restore the impaired forest ecosystem in China, great efforts including the banning of the animal grazing and cutting woods for fuel, and implementation of the ‘Grain for Green’ program have been made by the central and local government of China. The objective of this research was to investigate the changes in above-ground biomass and species diversity after 22 years of vegetation recovery efforts in the lower Taihang Mountain of China. The results indicated that over the natural restoration process shrubs became the dominant species in 2008, while herbs were the dominant species back in 1986. Community coverage, height and above-ground biomass showed significant increases in 2008 compared to 1986. Shrubs showed significant increases in coverage, height, and above-ground biomass, whereas herbs significantly increased in height, but decreased in above-ground biomass. Over the 22-year natural restoration process, the species richness index and the Shannon-Wiener’s index had been significantly decreased, whereas the Simpson’s predominance index and the Pielou’s evenness index had been significantly increased. Long-term vegetation recovery efforts improved the impaired forest ecosystem in lower Taihang Mountain to some extent: significant increases in both community coverage and above-ground biomass. The significant increase in community coverage can reduce the soil loss by wind and water erosion, and increase in the above-ground biomass will improve the soil chemical properties and physical structure. A comprehensive assessment of the success of vegetation recovery should include the evaluation of the changes in ecological process such as soil biological activities in the future research.

The Institutional Challenges of Payment for Ecosystem Service Program in China: A Review of the Effectiveness and Implementation of Sloping Land Conversion Program

“…Indeed, Zhou et al [59] found that the reduction of soil erosion in the Loess Plateau was partly attributable to the increase in forest coverage induced by the SLCP. Second, the program is considered to improve the physical properties of the soil structure and reduce nutrient loss to maintain soil fertility, in addition to decreasing river sediments [60]. The effects of the changes in surface runoff and sediment yields have been widely studied [61].…”

Nutrient and Isotopic Dynamics of Litter Decomposition from Different Land Uses in Naturally Restoring Taihang Mountain, North China

“…However, the nutrient dynamics in different phases of litter decomposition have not yet been documented for this part of the study area. The variation in vegetation composition has been examined [25], but the role of the change in retaining the soil nutrient content of the aggrading forest ecosystem has not yet been documented. It is imperative to understand changes in the nutrient pattern of different litter types along with the shift in their isotopic properties to know the current situation of an aggrading forest and track its functioning further.…”

Soil greenhouse gas fluxes from different tree species on Taihang Mountain, North China

“…Therefore, most plant communities in the area are in a secondary stage of disturbance following the near complete eradication of primary, broad-leaved deciduous forests . Most forests have been converted to shrubs or herbaceous vegetation resulting in a deterioration of their ecological environment, with some areas experiencing desertification and a near complete lack of vegetation (Liu et al, 2010(Liu et al, , 2011. In 1999, the Chinese government initiated the Grainfor-Green (GfG) program designed to reduce the deterioration of natural forests and grasslands, increase vegetation coverage on steep slopes, protect water resources, and promote sustainable development in mountainous areas (Zhang et al, 2000).…”