Effects of global warming on productivity and soil moisture in Taihang mountain: a transplant study
Yang, Y.; Wang, Z.; Yasuo, S.; Tang, C.; Shizuo, S.
Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao 13(6): 667-671
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 1001-9332 PMID: 12216389 Document Number: 549368
By transferring natural vegetation with soil from high elevation to low elevation, a 2 degrees C warmer condition was created. In each site, 5 different precipitation treatments were applied to test if the temperature and precipitation changes under global warming will result in a lower soil moisture condition and, therefore, feedback negatively on vegetation productivity of the Taihang Mountain. Two years' field experiment suggested that, because of the low adaptability of Arundinelia hirta under a warmer condition, its productivity decreased significantly at the end of the experiment. Productivities of grass with better adaptability such as Themeda japonica and Artemisia sacrorum did not change significantly between the two sites. Tested vegetation demonstrated a significant increase in productivity under the higher precipitation condition by showing 22% increase in productivity under 20% higher precipitation treatment. Soil moisture condition under treatments with higher precipitation was generally higher than that under treatments with lower precipitation. In the warmer site, soil moisture became higher since the beginning of the second year.