The rapid climate change-caused dichotomy on subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Yunnan: Reduction in habitat diversity and increase in species diversity

Abstract

Yunnan's biodiversity is under considerable pressure and subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in this area have become increasingly fragmented through agriculture, logging, planting of economic plants, mining activities and changing environment. The aims of the study are to investigate climate change-induced changes of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in Yunnan and identify areas of current species richness centers for conservation preparation. Stacked species distribution models were created to generate ensemble forecasting of species distributions, alpha diversity and beta diversity for Yunnan's subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in both current and future climate scenarios. Under stacked species distribution models in rapid climate changes scenarios, changes of water-energy dynamics may possibly reduce beta diversity and increase alpha diversity. This point provides insight for future conservation of evergreen broad-leaved forest in Yunnan, highlighting the need to fully consider the problem of vegetation homogenization caused by transformation of water-energy dynamics.

Tropical Vertical Greenery Systems: Irrigation Systems, Biophysical Characteristics, and Influential Criteria

“…Several factors need to be considered in choosing the plants. There are four types of light conditions: a) sun (i.e., direct sunlight with continuous exposure of at least six hours per day); b) partial sun (i.e., filtered light or no direct light with most sunlight during the morning or afternoon hours when the light is weaker; sometimes called 'light shade'); c) partial shade (i.e., filtered light beneath trees with high limbs, usually offering some protection from direct afternoon sun); and, d) full shade, i.e., a dense shade that does not allow penetration by direct light (Mattis & Hershey, 1992;Yu et al, 2009;Ren et al 2016;Morton, 1957;Wilde et al, 2012;Hvoslef-Eide, 1991;Woltering, 1987;Pandey et al, 2015;Vogelezang, 1991;Alaba & Chichioco-Hernandez, 2014). Moisture requirements are categorized by plant types; e.g., outdoor plants or indoor plants.…”

“…The following terms provide indications of the watering needs for both plant types: a) normal (soil is kept evenly moist and regularly watered to a depth of 18 inches, yet it periodically dries out in the top seven inches between watering); and, b) moist and well-drained (soil is moist but not soggy; excess moisture is allowed to drain away due to the soil texture). Most plants like about one inch of water per week (Mattis & Hershey, 1992;Yu et al, 2009;Ren et al 2016;Morton, 1957;Wilde et al, 2012;Hvoslef-Eide, 1991;Woltering, 1987;Pandey et al, 2015;Vogelezang, 1991;Alaba & Chichioco-Hernandez, 2014).. For outdoor plants, regular watering is important to ensure average water demand is met. Watering is necessary when normal rainfall is insufficient to provide one inch of water.…”

“…The watering frequency is important to indoor plants as it ensures thorough water saturation around the roots. Plants should be chosen for their light and moisture requirement compatibility with the conditions where they will be installed (Mattis & Hershey, 1992;Yu et al, 2009;Ren et al 2016;Morton, 1957;Wilde et al, 2012;Hvoslef-Eide, 1991;Woltering, 1987;Pandey et al, 2015;Vogelezang, 1991;Alaba & Chichioco-Hernandez, 2014).…”

“…The rate of these processes increases with an increase in temperature until a maximum threshold is reached. Optimal plant growth usually occurs in a fairly narrow range from 60 to 100 degree F. Meanwhile, soil organisms' health can be affected by changes in the soil pH level (Mattis & Hershey, 1992;Yu et al, 2009;Ren et al 2016;Morton, 1957;Wilde et al, 2012;Hvoslef-Eide, 1991;Woltering, 1987;Pandey et al, 2015;Vogelezang, 1991;Alaba & Chichioco-Hernandez, 2014). Owing to the limited volume and shallow depth provided by VGS structures, the growing media must be amended to provide appropriate physical and chemical properties for plant growth.…”

Pérdida y fragmentación de ecosistemas boscosos nativos y su influencia en la diversidad de hábitats en el hotspot Andes tropicales

“…Los mayores impactos en la biodiversidad se han producido a nivel de la diversidad de hábitats de bosques nativos, como son la reducción y pérdida de hábitat (Hooftman y Bullock, 2012;Liu et al, 2014;Ren et al, 2016). Estos impactos se han generado por el aumento de la población humana, que ha transformado paisajes boscosos en paisajes antrópicos en las últimas décadas (Bai et al, 2011;Pan et al, 2013).…”