Assessing Forest Ecosystems across the Vertical Edge of the Mid-Latitude Ecotone Using the BioGeoChemistry Management Model (BGC-MAN)

Abstract

The mid-latitude ecotone (MLE)—a transition zone between boreal and temperate forests, which includes the regions of Northeast Asia around 30°–60° N latitudes—delivers different ecosystem functions depending on different management activities. In this study, we assessed forest volume and net primary productivity changes in the MLE of Northeast Asia under different ecological characteristics, as well as various current management activities, using the BioGeoChemistry Management Model (BGC-MAN). We selected five pilot sites for pine (Scots pine and Korean red pine; Pinus sylvestris and P. densiflora), oak (Quercus spp.), and larch forests (Dahurian larch and Siberian larch; Larix gmelinii and L. sibirica), respectively, which covered the transition zone across the MLE from Lake Baikal, Russia to Kyushu, Japan, including Mongolia, Northeast China, and the Korean Peninsula. With site-specific information, soil characteristics, and management descriptions by forest species, we established their management characteristics as natural preserved forests, degraded forests, sandy and cold forest stands, and forests exposed to fires. We simulated forest volume (m3) and net primary productivity (Mg C ha−1) during 1960–2005 and compared the results with published literature. They were in the range of those specified in previous studies, with some site-levels under or over estimation, but unbiased estimates in their mean values for pine, oak, and larch forests. Annual rates of change in volume and net primary productivity differed by latitude, site conditions, and climatic characteristics. For larch forests, we identified a high mountain ecotype which warrants a separate model parameterization. We detected changes in forest ecosystems, explaining ecological transition in the Northeast Asian MLE. Under the transition, we need to resolve expected problems through appropriate forest management and social efforts.

Generic Carbon Budget Model for Assessing National Carbon Dynamics toward Carbon Neutrality: A Case Study of Republic of Korea

“…The NPP calculated in this study was higher than that reported in previous studies (4.30-6.70 tC ha −1 [55,56], and 7.99 ± 0.62 tC ha −1 in 2000s [57]); the values of NPP differed depending on whether the tree was a conifer or broadleaf. In this study, broadleaf forests exhibit a higher mean NPP than conifer forests, which is similar to the results of other studies [58,59]. Additionally, the differences in the NPP were observed among several species; e.g., pine and larch [59,60].…”

Exploring Ecosystem Functioning in Spain with Gross and Net Primary Production Time Series

“…This paper has explored the dynamics of GPP and NPP variables in Peninsular Spain, which is located in the mid-latitude ecotone (MLE) [54], the zone between 30 • -60 • latitude that comprises a transition belt between forests (temperate forest in Spain) and drylands. GPP and NPP are variables linked to carbon fluxes and biomass production, which can be used to analyze the ecosystem state.…”

Applicability Analysis of Vegetation Condition and Dryness for Sand and Dust Storm (SDS) Risk Reduction in SDS Source and Receptor Region

“…The study area lies in northern MLR where heavy land degradation and ecological transitions have occurred [1,4]. To identify the overall trend of environmental characteristics, we selected the focusing zone, where the land cover has transitioned from forest to bare land, from where the desert starts (Mongolia) to the end of the bare land (Caspian Sea).…”

“…The MLR overlaps the "global dust belt" extending from North Africa to Central and East Asia [2]. Therefore, all countries in MLR are suffered by frequent occurrence of Sand and Dust Storm (SDS) and land degradation driven by various climate, environmental, and socioeconomic factors [3][4][5]. In general, SDS are regarded as global disaster events accompanied by strong winds and sand lifted from desert areas.…”