Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A systematic review of research studies on the estimation of net primary productivity in the Three-River Headwater Region, China

  • Published:
Journal of Geographical Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Three-River Headwater Region (TRHR), known as the “Water Tower of China”, is an important ecological shelter for national security interests and regional sustainable development activities for many downstream regions in China and a number of Southeast Asian countries. The TRHR is a high-elevation, cold environment with a unique, but typical alpine vegetation system. Net primary productivity (NPP) is a key vegetation parameter and ecological indicator that can reflect both natural environmental changes and carbon budget levels. Given the unique geographical environment and strategic location of the TRHR, many scholars have estimated NPP of the TRHR by using different methods; however, these estimates vary greatly for a number of reasons. To date, there is no paper that has reviewed and assessed NPP estimation studies conducted in the TRHR. Therefore, in this paper, we (1) summarized the related methods and results of NPP estimation in the TRHR in a systematic review of previous research; (2) discussed the suitability of existing methods for estimating NPP in the TRHR and highlighted the most significant challenges; and (3) assessed the estimated NPP results. Finally, developmental directions of NPP estimation in the TRHR were prospected.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cai Y L, Zheng Y F, Wang Y L et al., 2013. Analysis of terrestrial net primary productivity by improved CASA model in Three-River Headwaters Region. Journal of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (Natural Science Edition), 5(1): 34–42.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang T J, 2008. The distribution pattern of carbon reserve in Northern Tibet alpine grassland ecosystem [D]. Linzhi: Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College of Tibet University. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapin F S, Matson P A, Mooney H A, 2002. Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology. New York: Springer, 127–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen J F, Liu C, Xu J B, 2011. Research on the remote sensing monitoring of grass productivity based on TM-NDVI. Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences, 39(12): 7365–7366.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen L J, 2015. The study on the temporal and spatial variation of NPP and its driving factors in Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve [D]. Taigu: Shanxi Agricultural University. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cramer W, Field C B, 1999. Comparing global models of terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP): Introduction. Global Change Biology, 5(S1): iii–iv.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cramer W, Kicklighter D W, Bondeau A et al., 1999. Comparing global models of terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP): Overview and key results. Global Change Biology, 5(S1): 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du Y E, Liu B K, Guo Z G, 2011. Changes of forage biomass of grasslands during the growing season in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau based on MODIS data. Pratacultural Science, 28(6): 1117–1123.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan J W, Shao Q Q, Liu J Y et al., 2010a. Dynamic changes of grassland yield in Three River Headwater Region from 1988 to 2005. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 18(1): 5–10.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan J W, Shao Q Q, Liu J Y et al., 2010b. Assessment of effects of climate change and grazing activity on grassland yield in the Three Rivers Headwaters Region of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 170(1): 571–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fan Y J, 2003. Effects of fencing and grazing on plant morphology, community characteristics and carbon balance of Kobresia pygmaea meadow in the Three Headwater Regions [D]. Lanzhou: Gansu Agricultural University. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang J Y, Tang Y H, Lin J D et al., 2000. Global Ecology: Climate Change and Ecological Responses. Beijing: Higher Education Press; Heidelberg: Springer Press, 191. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng X F, Liu G H, Chen S P et al., 2004. Study on process model of net primary productivity of terrestrial ecosystems. Journal of Natural Resources, 19(3): 369–378.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng X F, Sun Q L, Lin B, 2014. NPP process models applied in regional and global scales and responses of NPP to the global change. Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 23(3): 496–503.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao T, Xu B, Yang X C et al., 2012. Review of researches on biomass carbon stock in grassland ecosystem of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Progress in Geography, 31(12): 1724–1731.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill R A, Kelly R H, Parton W J et al., 2002. Using simple environmental variables to estimate belowground productivity in grasslands. Global Ecology & Biogeography, 11(1): 79–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo L Y, Wu R, Wang Q C et al., 2008. Influence of climate change on grassland productivity in Xinghai County in the source regions of Yangtze River. Chinese Journal of Grassland, 30(2): 5–10.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo P P, Yang D, Wang H et al., 2013. Climate change and its effects on climatic productivity in the Three-River Headwaters Region in 1960–2011. Chinese Journal of Ecology, 32(10): 2806–2814.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo X Y, He Y, Shen Y P et al., 2006. Analysis of the terrestrial NPP based on the MODIS in the source regions of Yangtze and Yellow rivers from 2000 to 2004. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 28(4): 512–518.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Han B, 2015. Modeling aboveground biomass of alpine grassland in the Three-River Headwaters Region based on remote sensing data [D]. Huainan: Anhui University of Science & Technology. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hidy D, Barcza Z, Haszpra L et al., 2012. Development of the Biome-BGC model for simulation of managed herbaceous ecosystems. Ecological Modelling, 226: 99–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jolly W M, Nemani R R, Running S W et al., 2005. A generalized, bioclimatic index to predict foliar phenology in response to climate. Global Change Biology, 11: 619–632.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar M, Monteith J L, 1981. Remote sensing of crop growth. In: Plants and the Daylight Spectrum. London: Academic Press, 133–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li H M, 2010. Assessment of climate productivity of natural grassland in the Three Rivers Source Regions in Qinghai. Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences, 38(12): 6414–6416, 6460. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li H M, Zhang A L, 2014. Response of grassland climate productivity to climate change in Sanjiangyuan Regions. Journal of Huazhong Agricultural University (Social Sciences Edition), 1: 124–130.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li L, Zhu X D, Zhou L S et al., 2004. Climatic changes over headwater of the Three-River-Area and its effect on ecological environment. Meteorological Monthly, 30(8): 18–21.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieth H, 1973. Primary production: Terrestrial ecosystem. Human Ecology, 1(4): 303–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lieth H, Whittaker R H, 1975. Primary Production of the Biosphere. New York: Springer-Verlag Press, 1–10.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lin H L, 2009. A new model of grassland net primary productivity (NPP) based on the integrated orderly classification system of grassland. In: Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Fuzzy Systems and Knowledge Discovery: 52–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Chen J M, Cihlar J et al., 1997. A process-based boreal ecosystem productivity simulator using remote sensing inputs. Remote Sensing of Environment, 62(2): 158–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu X F, Ren Z Y, Lin Z H et al., 2013. The spatial-temporal changes of vegetation coverage in the Three-River Headwater Region in recent 12 years. Acta Geographica Sinica, 68(7): 897–908.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo T X, Li W H, Zhu H Z, 2002. Estimated biomass and productivity of natural vegetation on the Tibetan Plateau. Ecological Applications, 12(4): 980–997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo T X, Pan Y, Ouyang H et al., 2004. Leaf area index and net primary productivity along subtropical to alpine gradients in the Tibetan Plateau. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 13(4): 345–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma A N, Yu G R, He N P et al., 2014. Above- and below-ground biomass relationships in China’s grassland vegetation. Quaternary Sciences, 34(4): 769–776.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma X L, 2008. The monitoring of rangeland resources productivity of Qinghai Province based on 3S technologies [D]. Lanzhou: Lanzhou University. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Monteith J L, 1972. Solar radiation and productivity in tropical ecosystems. Journal of Applied Ecology, 9: 747–766.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piao S L, Fang J Y, He J S et al., 2004. Spatial distribution of grassland biomass in China. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 28(4): 491–498.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Piao S, Tan K, Nan H et al., 2012. Impacts of climate and CO2 changes on the vegetation growth and carbon balance of Qinghai-Tibetan grasslands over the past five decades. Global and Planetary Change, 98/99: 73–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potter C S, Randerson J T, Field C B et al., 1993. Terrestrial ecosystem production: A process model based on global satellite and surface data. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 7: 811–841.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi W W, Niu H S, Wang S P et al., 2012. Simulation of effects of warming on carbon budget in alpine meadow ecosystem on the Tibetan Plateau. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 32(6): 1713–1722.(in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qin D H, 2014. Ecological protection and sustainable development in the Three-River Headwater Region. Beijing: Science Press, 1–5. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruimy A, Saugier B, Dedieu G, 1994. Methodology for the estimation of terrestrial net primary production from remotely sensed data. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres (1984–2012), 99(D3): 5263–5283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Running S W, 2012. A measurable planetary boundary for the biosphere. Science, 337(6101): 1458–1459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Running S W, Thornton P E, Nemani R et al., 2000. Global terrestrial gross and net primary productivity from the earth observing system. In: Sala O, Jackson R, Mooney H. Methods in Ecosystem Science. New York: Springer Verlag, 44–57.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Running S W, Zhao M S, 2015. Daily GPP and annual NPP (MOD17A2/A3) Products User’s Guide (version 3.0). Missoula, USA: The University of Montana.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sellers P J, Tucker C J, Collatz G J, 1996. A revised land surface parameterization (SiB2) for atmospheric GCMs Part II: The generation of global fields of terrestrial biophysical parameters from satellite data. Journal of Climate, 9(4): 706–737.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shao Q Q, Fan J W, 2012. Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation of Ecosystems in the Three-River Headwater Region. Beijing: Science Press, 15–29, 167–172, 479. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shao Q Q, Zhao Z P, Liu J Y et al., 2010. The characteristics of land cover and macroscopical ecology changes in the source region of three rivers on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during last 30 years. Geographical Research, 29(8): 1439–1451.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Song F L, 2013. Challenges for the Three-River Headwater Region. The Economic Observer, 2013-1-14. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun Q L, Feng X F, Liu M X et al., 2015. Estimation and analysis of net primary productivity in Wuling mountainous area based on remote sensing. Journal of Natural Resources, 30(10): 1628–1640.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang H Y, Xiao F J, Zhang Q et al., 2006. Vegetation change and its response to climate change in Three-River Source Region. Advances in Climate Change Research, 2(4): 177–180.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian D X, Zeng X D, 2015. Research progress in dynamic vegetation model phenology schemes. Climatic and Environmental Research, 20(6): 726–734.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian H Q, Liu M L, Zhang C et al., 2010. The dynamic land ecosystem model (DLEM) for simulating terrestrial processes and interactions in the context of multifactor global change. Acta Geographica Sinica, 65(9): 1027–1047.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang C, 2013. Study on simulation methods of alpine grassland net primary productivity in Three Rivers Source Region of Tibetan Plateau, China [D]. Lanzhou: Lanzhou University. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang J B, Liu J Y, Shao Q Q et al., 2009. Spatial-temporal patterns of net primary productivity for 1988–2004 based on GLOPEM-CEVSA model in the “Three-River Headwaters” region of Qinghai Province, China. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 33(2): 254–269.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang W, Peng S S, Fang J Y, 2008. Biomass distribution of natural grasslands and its response to climate change in North China. Arid Zone Research, 25(1): 91–97.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei Y X, Wang L W, 2010. The study on simulating light use efficiency of vegetation in Qinghai Province. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 30(19): 5209–5216.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • White M A, Thornton P E, Running S W et al., 2000. Parameterization and sensitivity analysis of the Biome-BGC terrestrial ecosystem model: Net primary production controls. Earth Interactions, 4(3): 1–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wo X, Wu L C, Zhang J P et al., 2014. Estimation of net primary production in the Three-River Headwater Region using CASA model. Journal of Arid Land Resources and Environment, 28(9): 45–50.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu H, An R, Li X X et al., 2011a. Remote sensing monitoring of grassland degradation based on NPP change in the Maduo County of the sources region of Yellow River. Pratacultural Science, 28(4): 536–542.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Wu J, Deng Y et al., 2011b. Comprehensive assessments of root biomass and production in a Kobresia humilis meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Plant Soil, 338: 497–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y B, Che R X, Ma S et al., 2014. Estimation of root production and turnover in an alpine meadow: Comparison of three measurement methods. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 34(13): 3529–3537.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao T, Liu J Y, Shao Q Q, 2009. A simulation on changes in vegetation productivity in “Three River Sources” nature reserve, Qinghai province over past 20 years. Journal of Geo-information Science, 11(5): 557–565.(in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu H H, 2010. Effects of different grazing systems on carbon balance in Stipa breviflora desert steppe [D]. Beijing: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan L, Zhou G S, Wang Y H et al., 2015. The spatial and temporal dynamics of carbon budget in the alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau using the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model. Journal of Cleaner Production, 107(16): 195–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Y H, Fang J Y, Ji C J et al., 2009. Above- and belowground biomass allocation in Tibetan grasslands. Journal of Vegetation Science, 20(1): 177–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Y H, Piao S L, 2006. Variations in grassland vegetation cover in relation to climatic factors on the Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Plant Ecology, 30(1): 1–8.(in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ye J S, 2010. Response of vegetation net primary productivity to climate change on the Tibetan Plateau. Lanzhou: Lanzhou University. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang G L, Zhang Y J, Dong J W et al., 2013. Green-up dates in the Tibetan Plateau have continuously advanced from 1982 to 2011. PNAS, 110(11): 4309–4314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J P, Liu C L, Hao H G et al., 2015a. Spatial-temporal change of carbon storage and carbon sink of grassland ecosystem in the Three-River Headwaters Region based on MODIS GPP/NPP data. Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 24(1): 8–13.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang M L, Jiang W L, Chen Q G et al., 2011. Research progress in the estimation models of grassland net primary productivity. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 19(2): 356–366.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Q Y, Li P, Zong Y Z et al., 2015b. Research and application of CENTURY model in different ecological systems. Journal of Shanxi Agricultural Sciences, 43(11): 1563–1566.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, 1992. Estimation and distribution of net primary productivity of natural vegetation in China. Natural Resources, 1: 15–21.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Chen H Y, Li J L, 2014. Quantitative estimation for net primary productivity of Three-Rivers Source Ecosystem in Recently 10 years. Tianjin Agricultural Sciences, 20(10): 25–28.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y Q, Tang Y H, Jiang J et al., 2007. Characterizing the dynamics of soil organic carbon in grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Science in China Series D (Earth Sciences), 50(1): 113–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao X Q, 2009. Alpine Meadow Ecosystem and Global Change. Beijing: Science Press, 169, 219–221. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng L Y, 2006. Study on dynamic change of NPP and grassland change in Northern Tibet based on remote sensing and biological processes model BEPS [D]. Beijing: Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng W J, Bao W K, Gu B et al., 2007. Carbon concentration and its characteristics in terrestrial higher plants. Chinese Journal of Ecology, 26(3): 307–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou C P, Ouyang H, Wang Q X et al., 2004. Estimation of net primary productivity in Tibetan Plateau. Acta Geographica Sinica, 59(1): 74–79.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou G S, Wang Y H, 2003. Global Ecology. Beijing: China Meteorological Press, 82–102. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou G S, Zhang X S, 1995. A natural vegetation NPP model. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 19(3): 193–200.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou X M, 2001. Chinese Kobresia Meadow. Beijing: Science Press, 132–133, 146–195. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu W Q, Pan Y Z, He H et al., 2006. Simulation of maximum light use efficiency of typical vegetation in China. Chinese Science Bulletin, 51(6): 700–706.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhuang Q, He J, Lu Y et al., 2010. Carbon dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau during the 20th century: An analysis with a process-based biogeochemical model. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 19(5): 649–662.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing, 100101, China

    Qingling Sun, Baolin Li, Chenghu Zhou, Tao Zhang & Lili Xu

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Qingling Sun, Baolin Li, Chenghu Zhou, Tao Zhang & Lili Xu

  3. Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing, 210023, China

    Baolin Li & Chenghu Zhou

  4. Remote Sensing Monitoring Center of Qinghai Ecology and Environment, Xining, 810007, China

    Fei Li, Zhijun Zhang & Lingling Ding

Authors
  1. Qingling Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Baolin Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chenghu Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Fei Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zhijun Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Lingling Ding
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Tao Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Lili Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Baolin Li.

Additional information

Foundation: National Key Research and Development Program of China, No.2016YFC0500205; National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program), No.2015CB954103, No.2015CB954101

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sun, Q., Li, B., Zhou, C. et al. A systematic review of research studies on the estimation of net primary productivity in the Three-River Headwater Region, China. J. Geogr. Sci. 27, 161–182 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-017-1370-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-017-1370-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation