Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Application of Landscape Ecology in Long Term Ecological Research

Case study in China

  • Chapter
Landscape Ecological Applications in Man-Influenced Areas

Abstract

The consequences of the growing world population imply an increasing demand on housing, industry, roads, airports, recreation, land, water resource, etc. Their impacts on natural landscapes and ecosystems are often significant by changing landscape pattern. The current environmental effects due to human activity, such as global change, ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and others, have already arisen the attention from scientists. The long-term and potential environmental effects, however, were difficult to be identified without enough scientific data across both spatial and temporal scales. A primary goal of landscape ecology is to understand the reciprocal relationship between spatial pattern and ecological flows or processes. Achieving this goal may require the extrapolation of results obtained from small-scale experiments to broad scales. Scientific monitoring data makes a solid and convincing base for studying the dynamics of landscape spatial pattern and ecological processes and the overall environmental effects of human activities. In this paper, the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) was introduced. It lays a foundation for landscape ecological research by offering long-term monitoring data. At the same time, how to effectively use the CERN to deepen landscape ecological researches was discussed in detail. Finally, perspectives for the development of landscape ecological researches in China were enumerated with special attention to ecological monitoring and the coupling of landscape pattern and ecological processes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Bastian, O. (2001). Landscape ecology – towards a unified discipline? Landscape Ecology, 16, 757-766.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brook, B.W., Sodhi, N.S. and Ng, P.K.L. (2003). Catastrophic extinctions follow deforestation in Singapore. Nature, 424, 420-423.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, X., Chen, X., Liu, G.B. and Qiu, H.J. (2005). Use of the regional models to the scale conversion research aimed at the hilly and gully regions of the Loess plateau. Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas, 23(2), 142-147 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang, Y., Bu, R., Hu, Y., Xu, C. and Wang, Q. (2004). Dynamics of forest landscape boundary at Changbai Mountain. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 15, 15-20.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X.W., Zhang, X.S., Zhou, G.S. and Chen, J.Z. (2000). Spatial characteristics and change for tree species (genera) along North East China Transect(NECT). Acta Botanica Sinica, 42(10), 1075-1081.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, L.D., Wang, J., Fu, B.J. and Qiu, Y. (2001). Land use change in a small catchment of northern Loess Plateau, China. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 86, 163– 172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, L.Z. (1993) Biodiversity in China—Current Status and Conservation Strategies. China Science Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, W.X., Zhou, G.S. and Zhang, X.S. (2003). Spatial characteristics and change for tree species along the Northeast China Transect (NECT). Plant Ecology, 164, 65-74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X.W. (2001). Change of tree diversity on Northeast China Transect (NECT). Biodiversity and Conservation, 10, 1087-1096.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X.W. (2002). Simulation of shift of range for Betula costata Trautv. And Juglans mandshurica Maim. Along Northeast China Transect (NECT). Polish Journal of Ecology, 50, 397-402.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, L.M., and Sheate, W.R. (2002). Cumulative effects assessment: A review of UK environmental impact statements. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 22, 415–439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dale, V.H. (2003). Opportunities for using ecological models for resource management. In Dale, V.H. (Ed.). Ecological Modeling for Resource Management (pp. 3-19). Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Defries, R.S., Bounoua, L., and Collatz, G.J. (2002). Human modification of the landscape and surface climate in the next fifty years. Global Change Biology, 8, 438-458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding, G., Liu, J., Peng, Y., Wang, M., Wang, S., Cheng, H., et al. (2004). Preliminary results of NO2 flux measurement in low atmosphere at rice paddy in Changshu using conditional sampling. Journal of Applied Meteorological Science, 15(4), 456-467.

    Google Scholar 

  • Döös, B.R. (2002). Population growth and loss of arable land. Global Environmental Change, 12, 303–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng, L. (2004). The new development of Chinese located forest ecosystem research. Journal of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, 25(4), 58-61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu, B.J. and Lu, Y.H. (2006). The progress and perspectives of landscape ecology in China. Progress in Physical Geography, 30(2), 232-244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, B.J., Ma, K.M., Zhou, H.F., and Chen, L.D. (1999). The effect of land use structure on the distribution of soil nutrients in the hilly area of the loess Plateau, China. Chinese Science Bulletin, 44(8), 732-736.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, B.J., Wang, J., Chen, L.D., and Qiu, Y. (2003). The effects of land use on soil moisture variation in the Danangou catchment of the Loess Plateau, China. Catena, 54(1-2), 197-213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, Q. and Yu, M. (1998). A model of regional vegetation dynamics and its application to the study of Northeast China Transect (NECT) responses to global change. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 12, 329-344.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, Q., Yu, M. and Zhang, X.S. (1997). A simulation study of the responses of North East China Transect (NECT) to global change - a model of regional vegetation dynamics driven by remote sensing information. Journal of Integrative Plant Ecology, 39(9), 800-810.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao, Q. and Zhang, X.S. (1997). A simulation study of responses of the Northeast China Transect to elevated CO2 and climate change. Ecological Applications, 7, 470-483.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gustafson, E.J. (1998). Quantifying landscape spatial pattern: what is the state of art? Ecosystems, 1, 143-156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haase, D. and Halle, L. (2004). Development and perspectives of landscape ecology. Landscape Ecology, 19, 567–569.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haines-Young, R.H. and Chopping, M. (1996). Quantifying landscape structure: a review of landscape indices and their application to forested landscapes. Progress in Physical Geography, 20, 418-445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, H.S. (2000). An aggregation index (AI) to quantify spatial patterns of landscapes. Landscape Ecology 15, 591-601.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, B.W., Zuo, D.K. and Chen, F.Z. (1990). Field experimentation of physical geography in China. Acta Geographica Sinica, 45, 225-234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, H.B. and Wu, J.G. (2004). Use and misuse of landscape indices. Landscape Ecology, 19, 389–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, J. (1993). Approach on rational development and utilization of water resources in the red earth hilly area of Qianyanzhou. Natural Resources, 15(3), 48-54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li. S.C. and Cai, Y.L. (2005). Some scaling issues of geography. Geographical Research, 24, 11-18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, X. (1995). Modeling the response of vegetation in Northeast China transect to global change. Journal of Biogeography, 22, 515-522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C.S., Qi, S., and Shi, M.C. (2001). Process of study on relationship between land use change and soil erosion. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 15(5), 10-17. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, S.L., Ma, K.M., Fu, B.J., Kang, Y.X., Zhang, J.Y., and Zhang, X.Y. (2003). The relationship between land form, soil characteristics and plant community structure in the Donglingshan mountain region, Beijing. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 27, 496-502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, S.R., Sun, P.S. and Wen, Y.G. (2003). Comparative analysis of hydrological functions of major forest ecosystems in China. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 27, 16-22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lou, H. (1997). The administration and management system for comprehensive development of hilly red soil areas-a case study from the experimental region in Qjanyan, Jiangxl province. 5(4), 62-64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma, K.M. and Fu, B.J. (2000a). Spatial neighboring and distribution regularities of landscape types in Donglingshan mountain region, Beijing, China. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 20. 748-752.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma, K.M. and Fu, B.J. (2000b). Landscape pattern and fragmentation in Donglingshan mountain region. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 20, 320-326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadows, M.E. and Hoffman, T.M. (2003). Land degradation and climate change in South Africa. The Geographical Journal, 169 (2), 168-177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ni, J. (2000). Modeling vegetation distribution and net primary production along a precipitation gradient, the Northeast China Transect (NECT). Ekologia-Bratislava, 19, 375-386.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ni, J., Li, Y.Y. and Zhang, X.S. (1999). The Scientific implications of North East China Transect (NECT) in global change research from the perspective of eco-geographical characteristics. Acta Oecologica, 19(5), 662-629.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ni, J. and Wang, G. (2004). Northeast China Transect (NECT): ten-years synthesis and future challenge. Acta Botanica Sinica, 46, 379-391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ni, J. and Zhang, X.S. (2000) Climate variability, ecological and the Northeast China Transect (NECT). Journal of Arid Environments, 46, 313-325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norse, D., (1992). A new strategy for feeding a crowded planet. Environment, 34(5), 6–11, 32–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill, R.V., Kreummer, J.R. and Gardner, R.H. (1998). Indices of landscape pattern. Landscape Ecology, 13, 153-162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Opdam, P., Foppen, F. and Vos, C. (2002). Bridging the gap between ecology and spatial planning in landscape ecology. Landscape Ecology, 17, 767–779.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng, S.L., Zhao, P. and Ren, H. (2002). Potential changes of vegetation and agricultural ecosystems pattern along NECT under the stress of global change. Earth Science Frontiers, 9(1), 217-226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng, S.L. (2001). Significant progress on the study of the interaction between terrestrial agricultural ecosystems in eastern China and global change. China Fundamental Sciences, 7, 18-20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng, S.L. and Ren, H. (2000). The North-South Transect of Eastern China (NSTEC) for global change studies. GCTE News, 16, 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qian, J.P. (2001). The Analysis of productivity pattern for agricultural ecosystems along NECT with remote sensed vegetation index. Chinese Journal of Ecology, 20(6), 46-49,77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, Y., Fu, B.J, Wang, J. and Chen, L.D. (2003). Spatiotemporal prediction of soil moisture content using multiple-linear regression in a small catchment of the Loess Plateau, China. Catena, 54(1-2), 173-195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, W.J., Peng, S.L., Wu, J.G. and Lin, Y.B. (2003). Simulation studies on carbon and nitrogen accumulation and its allocation pattern in forest ecosystems of Heshan in low subtropical China. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 27(5), 690-699.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi, Y., Dai, C. and Lu, L. (2002). Investigation on microorganism community in different kind of red soil from CAS ecological experiment station. Journal of Nanjing Normal University (Natural Science), 25(2), 32-36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun, L., Guo, Q.X., Wang, X.C. and Zhou, X.F. (2003). Change of NDVI for typical vegetation types along the Central Southern Section of North-East China Transect (NECT). Chinese Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology, 9(5), 449-454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang, H.P. (1999). C4 plant distribution and its relatedness with environmental factors along NECT. Chinese Science Bulletin, 44(4), 416-421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, H.P. and Chen, Y.F. (2003). The seasonal changes of NDVI along NECT and their interaction with climatic factors. Quaternary Sciences, 23(3), 318-325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang, H.P., Chen, X.D. and Zhang, X.S. (1998). Preliminary study on the biomes along NECT and their response to global climate change. Acta Botanica Sinica, 22(5), 428-433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teng, L., Ren, H. and Peng, S.L. (2000). Natural conditions of terrestrial agricultural ecosystems in eastern China along North-South Transect of East China (NSTEC). Ecological Science, 19(4), 1-10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian, D.L., Fang, X. and Xiang, W.H. (2004). Carbon density of the Chinese fir plantation ecosystem at Huitong, Hu’nan province. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 24, 2382-2386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian, F.X., Wang, Z.L., Niu, Z.H., and Wang, Y. (2005). Experimental research on soil erosion process in Loess hill slope. Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas, 23 (6), 141-146 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tong, F., Wang, Q., Liu, X. and Xiao, Y. (2004). Dynamics of soil fauna communities during succession process of secondary forests in Changbai Mountain. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 15, 1531-1535.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M.G. (1989). Landscape ecology: the effect of pattern on process. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 20, 171-97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M.G. and Gardner, R.H. (1990). Quantitative methods in Landscape Ecology. Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verburg, P.H., Veldkamp, A. and Bouna, J. (1999). Land use change under conditions of high population pressure: the case of Java. Global Environmental Change, 9, 303–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J., Fu, B.J., Qiu, Y. and Chen, L.D. (2001) Soil nutrients in relation to land use and landscape positin in the semi-arid small catchment on the loess plateau in China. Journal of Arid environments, 48, 537-550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J., Li, X.G. and Liu, E.M. (2003). The relationship between relative evapotranspiration and leaf area index and surface soil water content in winter wheat field of North China Plain. Chinese Journal of Eco-agriculture, (11) 2, 32-34. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G.H. and Ni, J. (2005). Response of plant functional types to an environmental gradient on the Northeast China Transect (NECT). Ecological Research (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M.Z., Chen, S.F. and Xiong, S.J. (2002). Development and difference of rural eco-economy in low hill red earth areas. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 10(1), 104-106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, R. and Gao, Q. (2003). Climate driven changes in shoot density and shoot biomass in Leymus Chinensis (Poaceae) on the northeast China transect (NECT). Global Ecology and Biogeography, 12, 249-259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X., Zhu, J., Gao, R. and Hosen, Y. (2004). Dynamics and ecological significance of nitrogen wetdeposition in Taihu lake region-taking Changshu agro-ecological experiment station as an example. Chinese Journal of Ecology, 15(9), 1616-1620.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wen, Z.M., Jiao, F., Liu, B.Y., Bu, Y.J. and Jiao, J.Y. (2005) Natural vegetation restoration and soil nutrient dynamics of abandoned farmlands in forest-steppe zone on Loess Plateau. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 16(11), 2025-2029. (in Chinese)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiens, J.A. (1999). Landscape ecology: the science and the action. Landscape Ecology, 14, 103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, G. and Yang, X. (1998). Relation between structure of tree-belt and wheat yield in paulownia-wheat integrated system. Acta Ecologica Sinica. 18(2), 167-170. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J. and David, J.L. (2002). A spatially explicit hierarchical approach to modeling complex ecological systems: theory and applications. Ecological Modelling, 153, 7-26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J. and Hobbs, J. (2002) Key issues and research priorities in landscape ecology: an idiosyncratic synthesis. Landscape Ecology, 17, 355-365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, G.L., Zhou, G.Y., Mo, J.M., Zhou, X.Y., Zhou, X.Y. and Peng, S.J. (2005). The responses of soil fauna composition to forest restoration in Heshan. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 25, 1670-1677.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, H. and Liu, W. (2005). Species diversity and distribution of epiphytes in the montane moist evergreen broad-leaved forest in Ailao Mountain, Yunnan. Biodiversity Science, 13(2), 137-147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, Q.G. (1996). Land use and soil erosion study by use of remote sensing information in Hongtagou watershed on rolling Loess Plateau. Journal of Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation, 2(2), 24-31 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, X. (2000). Introduction to Huitong forest experiment station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Research Progress of CERN, 11(2), 33-34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yue, T., Cheng, T. and Zhang, H. (1997). Analysis on landscape dynamics and its driving forces and effect-a case study in Qianyanzhou of Taihe county, Jiangxi province. Natural Resources, 19(6), 19- 26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X.S., Gao, Q. and Yang D.A. (1997). Gradient analysis and prediction along NECT. Acta Botanica Sinica, 39(9), 785-799.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, D.X., Li, X.W., Liu, S.X. and Shi, X.Z. (2003). Analysis on the dynamics of cultivated land quantity in Changshu city based on remote sensing data. Geography and Geo-Information Science, 19(3), 38-41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, D.X., Pan, X.Z., Li, X.W., Shi, X.Z. and Yu, D.S. (2004). Evaluating loss of rice yield caused by city expansion in recent 17 years-a case study of Changshu city from 1984-2001. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 24(1), 31-36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, H. and Li, J. (2002). Herbivorous animal husbandry in the middle of Jiangxi province: benefit evaluation and development potentiality analysis. Resources Science, 24(4), 61-67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Q.J., Fu, B.J., Chen, L.D., Zhao, W.W., Yang, Q.K., Liu, G.B. and Gulinck, H. (2004). Dynamics and driving factors of agriculture landscape in the semi-arid hilly area of the Loess Plateau, China. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 103, 535-543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, Q.J., Luo, Y. and Ouyang, Z.Y. (2002). Water use and irrigation management of winter wheat in the North-western Plain of Shandong Province. Progress in Geography, 21(6), 600-608. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, G.S. (2002). NECT and Global Change: Desertification, Human Activities and Ecosystems. China Meteorological Press, Beijing , 415p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, G.S., Wang, Y.H. and Jiang, Y.L. (2002). Global change and NECT. Earth Science Frontiers, 9(1), 198-216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, G.S., Wang, Y.H. and Xu, Z.Z. (2003). Progress of the study on carbon cycle along NECT. Progress in Natural Science, 13(9), 917-922.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, G.Y. (1997). The Role of water and thermo effect of forests in the transect-based research on global change along NECT. Progress on the research based on natural resources and ecological networks, 8(2), 4-10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zong, H. (1998a). Survey and prospect of the physical-chemical laboratory in Yingtan station of CERN. Research Progress of CERN, 9(2), 10-14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zong, H. (1998b). The main concerns of long term monitoring research in upland red soil, CERN Yingtan station. Research Progress of CERN, 9(3), 34-40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zonneveld, I.S. (1989) The land unit-a fundamental concept in landscape ecology, and its applications. Landscape Ecology, 3(2), 67-86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Systems Ecology Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085

    B.J. Fu, D. Niu, L.D. Chen, K.M. Ma & Y.H. Lu

  2. Bureau of Science and Technology for Resources & Environment Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864

    B.J. Fu & D. Niu

  3. Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resource Research Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101

    G.R. Yu & Y. Luo

  4. Institute of Land Resources and Management, College of Resources Science and Technology Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

    W.W. Zhao

Authors
  1. B.J. Fu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. Niu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G.R. Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. L.D. Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. K.M. Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Y. Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Y.H. Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. W.W. Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, Korea

    Sun-Kee Hong

  2. Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan

    Nobukazu Nakagoshi

  3. Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China

    Bojie Fu

  4. Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Yukihiro Morimoto

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Fu, B. et al. (2008). Application of Landscape Ecology in Long Term Ecological Research. In: Hong, SK., Nakagoshi, N., Fu, B., Morimoto, Y. (eds) Landscape Ecological Applications in Man-Influenced Areas. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-5488-2_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation