Near-natural recovery method for vegetation diversity of artificial protection forest in stony mountainous region

Abstract

The invention discloses a near-natural recovery method for vegetation diversity of artificial protection forests in stony mountainous regions, and aims to identify degenerated artificial protection forests in the stony mountainous regions in allusion to the degeneration problem of the artificial protection forests in the stony mountainous regions. The mixed operation of forest stand density and microhabitat regulation and control, soil seed bank activation and germination and complementary planting of associated indigenous broad-leaved tree species is fully performed, popularization and application demonstration and ecological benefit monitoring are performed, a set of near-natural recovery technical system for vegetation diversity of the artificial protection forest in the stone mountainous region is formed, the artificial protection forest restoration practice is guided, and the economic benefit is improved. Community species diversity near-natural restoration is carried out, degradation of artificial protection forests in stone mountainous regions in China can be slowed down, the ecological service function of the artificial protection forests is gradually restored, and the national ecological safety is served.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of forest ecology, and specifically to a method for nearly natural restoration of vegetation diversity in artificial protection forests on rocky mountains. Background Art

[0002] Rocky mountains are widely distributed in China. They are a special natural landscape developed on the basis of carbonate rocks such as limestone or marble. The site conditions of rocky mountains are poor, the soil is barren, and the water retention capacity is not good. Due to the harsh and fragile habitat of rocky mountains, the requirements for suitable species are extremely strict. Facts have shown that only those vegetation types that are physiologically drought-tolerant, calcium-loving, and have well-developed root systems can survive.

[0003] Currently, the vegetation on rocky mountains in China mainly consists of artificial forests, secondary forests, and shrubs that play a protective function. The ecological niches of these vegetation populations are narrow, the plant density is too large, the tree growth is slow, the species richness and diversity of the community have severely declined, pests and diseases occur frequently, the soil and water conservation ability has deteriorated, the soil quality has worsened, the carbon sequestration ability has decreased, and the ability to cope with climate change and extreme climate events has weakened, resulting in the inability to fully play the ecological protection and service functions and forming serious ecological problems.

[0004] Based on the above problems, the present invention proposes a method for nearly natural restoration of vegetation diversity in artificial protection forests on rocky mountains. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for nearly natural restoration of vegetation diversity in artificial protection forests on rocky mountains to solve the problems raised in the above background art.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A method for nearly natural restoration of vegetation diversity in artificial protection forests on rocky mountains, including the following steps:

[0007] S1. Identify the degraded artificial protection forests on rocky mountains: Combine high-resolution remote sensing satellite images and forest distribution maps to identify the degraded artificial protection forests on rocky mountains, and set up plots in the degraded artificial protection forests on rocky mountains;

[0008] S2. Regulation of stand density and microhabitat: Conduct investigations on the site and the basic situation of forest trees and the growth situation of other vegetation in the plots, and set up corresponding-width felling belts according to the target canopy density to regulate the stand density, so as to regulate the microhabitat of the stand and provide living conditions for the growth of reserved trees and the nearly natural restoration of community species diversity;

[0009] S3. First soil seed bank activation and germination test: Obtain soil seed bank samples in the plots. The soil seed bank samples indicate the potential renewal ability, species diversity, future evolution trend and direction of plant communities of the vegetation. Conduct a soil seed bank activation and germination test with this sample;

[0010] S4. Supplementary planting of associated native broad-leaved tree species to form mixed management: Select native broad-leaved tree species (including arbor and shrub species) that are highly adaptable to the rocky mountainous sites with water and fertilizer shortages, have a fast growth rate, high survival rate, and possess landscape benefits as associated tree species. Supplement healthy broad-leaved arbor and shrub seedlings in the logging strips, and conduct enclosure management to promote the near-natural restoration of vegetation within the forest stand, gradually forming a coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest with an arbor-shrub-herb forest stand structure, increasing the species diversity of the community, and improving the ecological service function of the artificial protection forest;

[0011] S5. Microhabitat investigation and monitoring: Conduct microhabitat investigation and monitoring work during the growing season after supplementary planting of associated native broad-leaved tree species to form mixed management. Monitor the changes in microhabitats within the monitoring plots and quadrats, including air temperature, ground temperature, light, precipitation, and humidity. At the same time, investigate the survival of seedlings within various supplementary planting strips and the restoration of understory vegetation, and select and optimize methods as a reference for popularization and demonstration;

[0012] S6. Second soil seed bank activation and germination experiment: Conduct the second soil seed bank activation and germination experiment after the growing season of supplementary planting of associated native broad-leaved tree species to form mixed management. Repeat the experimental process in S3, and record the germinated vegetation from the two experiments in detail. Compare the species richness and diversity of the soil seed bank before and after the regulation of the forest stand microhabitat;

[0013] S7. Popularization and application demonstration: Taking the artificial protection forest vegetation diversity restoration technology formed by the management measures of S1 - S6 as a reference, conduct application demonstration in the mixed management demonstration area of artificial protection forest construction in rocky mountains, gradually form a coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, restore the species diversity of the community, and enhance the ecological service function of the artificial protection forest;

[0014] S8. Ecological benefit monitoring: Conduct investigation and monitoring during the growing season every year after the formation of the demonstration area. Investigate the survival rate of supplementary planted seedlings, the diversity of understory vegetation, and the species diversity of the soil seed bank, and regularly monitor the short-term growth benefits and long-term ecological benefits of the restoration of the artificial protection forest vegetation diversity in rocky mountains.

[0015] According to the above technical solution, the investigation indicators for the basic situation investigation of forest trees in S2 include longitude and latitude, slope, aspect, living tree species, number of trees, and canopy density.

[0016] According to the above technical solution, S2 also includes arranging logging strips with corresponding widths, such as 5m, 10m, and 15m wide, within the plot according to the target canopy density, and logging all non-healthy trees with a diameter at breast height less than 5cm and poor growth in the logging strips, while retaining healthy trees.

[0017] According to the above technical solution, S2 also includes arranging small quadrats within the plot for microhabitat investigation.

[0018] According to the above technical solution, the steps of the soil seed bank activation and germination test in S3 are as follows:

[0019] At the middle and four corners of each plot, a total of 5 quadrats are arranged by the "S" - shaped sampling method. Soil samples at a depth of 0 - 10 cm are collected and taken back to the laboratory for natural air - drying;

[0020] The soil samples are fully mixed, and nutrient fragments, roots, gravel debris in the soil samples are removed. The soil clods are crushed while keeping the original state of the soil to avoid damaging the seeds. The soil samples are poured into a soil sieve with a pore size of 2 mm and sieved for standby;

[0021] Lay 5 cm thick high - temperature sterilized sand at the bottom of the germination pot, lay 2 cm thick soil samples on the high - temperature sterilized sand, and make marks on each germination pot as the experimental group. Set a germination pot filled with high - temperature sterilized sand as the control group for each experimental group;

[0022] Spray gibberellin with a concentration of 0.05% in the soil to break seed dormancy, and conduct the experiment three days later;

[0023] During the experiment, water is applied every other day to keep the soil moist, and the species and quantity of germinated seedlings are observed and recorded. The seedlings are photographed and identified, including observing the leaf shape, leaf color, and stem morphology of the seedlings. Identification and classification are carried out with the help of local plant professional reference books and plant identification APPs, and experts are consulted. The successfully identified seedlings are pulled out, and the seedlings that cannot be identified are continuously cultivated until they are successfully identified. During the process, the soil samples with no germination or no germination for a period of time are stirred. If no new seedlings appear within two weeks, the experiment stops.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention are as follows: A method for nearly natural restoration of vegetation diversity in artificial protection forests on rocky mountains is proposed. Aiming at the degradation problem of artificial protection forests on rocky mountains, the degraded artificial protection forests on rocky mountains are identified, and the stand density and micro - habitat regulation, activation and germination of soil seed banks, mixed management of replanting associated native broad - leaved tree species, promotion and application demonstration, and ecological benefit monitoring are fully carried out. A set of technical system for nearly natural restoration of vegetation diversity in artificial protection forests on rocky mountains is formed to guide the practice of artificial protection forest restoration, conduct nearly natural restoration of community species diversity, help slow down the degradation of artificial protection forests on rocky mountains in China, and gradually restore the ecological service function of artificial protection forests to serve national ecological security. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] The drawings are used to provide further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present invention, they are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute a limitation to the present invention. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 is the overall framework schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the implementation density regulation of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the implementation of associated tree species replanting in the present invention taking a 15m logging and replanting belt as an example; Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the implementation of near-natural restoration of vegetation diversity of the present invention. Specific implementation manners

[0029] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0030] Please refer to Figures 1-5 , the present invention provides a technical solution: a method for near-natural restoration of vegetation diversity of artificial shelter forests on rocky mountains. Taking the artificial cypress forests on rocky mountains in the ecological barrier area of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area as an example, it includes the following steps:

[0031] S1. Identify the degraded artificial shelter forests on rocky mountains: Combine high-resolution remote sensing satellite images and forest distribution maps to identify the degraded artificial shelter forests on rocky mountains, and set up control plots and experimental plots in the degraded artificial shelter forests on rocky mountains. Generally, the plot size is a 100*100m square plot or a rectangular plot with a depth of 100m is set up according to the actual situation;

[0032] S2. Stand density and microhabitat regulation: Conduct surveys on the site conditions and basic tree conditions within the sample plots (including longitude, latitude, slope, aspect, living tree species, number of trees, and canopy density), as well as the growth conditions of other vegetation. Set cutting belts according to the target canopy density to regulate the stand density and thereby regulate the microhabitat of the stand, providing living conditions for the growth of retained trees and the near-natural restoration of community species diversity. Set up small sample plots within the sample plots for microhabitat surveys, including plant communities (tree, shrub, and herb species, species composition, richness, and diversity, etc.), the quantity, height, coverage, frequency, and abundance of shrub and herb plants, and the regeneration situation of tree seedlings (species, quantity, density, height). In order to adjust the stand microhabitat and create living resources for the restoration of vegetation diversity, set three target canopy densities of low (e.g., 0.4), medium (e.g., 0.5), and high (e.g., 0.6) to guide the thinning work for stand density regulation. The target thinning intensity is the ratio of the number of target felled trees to the total number of trees in the sample plot. Set cutting belts with multiple bandwidths for regulating the density of the artificial protection forest according to the target thinning intensity, including narrow sample belts (5 m), medium sample belts (10 m), and wide sample belts (15 m). Note that the cutting belts are generally preferably located in the middle of the sample plot and can be adjusted according to actual needs, including arranging several cutting belts. When arranging, they should be arranged along the rock trend of the rocky mountain and avoid rocky exposed areas to prevent irreversible damage to the already extremely fragile habitat. Conduct in-band thinning within the cutting belt, that is, fell all the degraded-growing trees, such as small old trees with a breast height diameter less than 5 cm, bent trees, diseased trees, and broken-headed trees, and retain the healthy trees with better growth to form forest gaps. Keep other vegetation intact, providing space, light, heat, water, and soil conditions for the near-natural restoration of vegetation and the restoration of community species diversity, and remove the felled trees to reduce the risk of forest fires;

[0033] S3. First soil seed bank activation and germination experiment: Obtain soil seed bank samples within the sample plots. The soil seed bank samples indicate the potential regeneration ability, species diversity, future evolution trends, and directions of plant communities. Conduct soil seed bank activation and germination experiments with these samples;

[0034] The steps of the soil seed bank activation and germination experiment are as follows:

[0035] At the middle and four corners of each sample plot, a total of 5 sample squares are arranged using the "S" - shaped sampling method, and soil samples at a depth of 0 - 10 cm are collected and brought back to the laboratory for natural air - drying;

[0036] Thoroughly mix the soil samples, remove nutrient fragments, roots, gravel debris in the soil samples, crush the soil blocks, and keep the soil in its original state to avoid damaging the seeds. Pour the soil samples into a soil sieve with a pore size of 2 mm and sieve for standby;

[0037] Lay 5 cm thick high-temperature sterilized sand (150 °C for 4 h) at the bottom of the germination pots (16 cm × 16 cm × 7.5 cm), lay 2 cm thick soil samples on the high-temperature sterilized sand, and make marks on each germination pot as the experimental group. For example, 1—1 represents the first soil sample of the first quadrat. Set a germination pot filled with high-temperature sterilized sand as the control group for each experimental group. For example, the control group of the 1-1 experimental group is 1—1—CK1);

[0038] Spray 0.05% concentration of gibberellin in the soil to break seed dormancy and conduct the experiment three days later;

[0039] During the experiment, water every other day to keep the soil moist, observe and record the species and quantity of germinated seedlings, take pictures of the seedlings for identification, including observing the leaf shape, leaf color, and stem morphology of the seedlings, and identify and classify them with the help of local plant professional reference books and plant identification APPs, as well as consult experts. Pull out the successfully identified seedlings, and continue to cultivate the seedlings that cannot be identified until they are successfully identified. Stir the soil samples that have not germinated or have stopped germinating for a period of time during the process. If no new seedlings appear within two weeks, the experiment stops.

[0040] S4. Replant associated native broad-leaved tree species to form mixed management: Select native broad-leaved tree species (including arbor species and shrub species) that are highly adaptable to the rocky mountainous areas with water shortage and less fertilizer, have a fast growth rate, a high survival rate, and possess landscape benefits as associated tree species. Replant healthy broad-leaved arbor and shrub seedlings in the thinning belts, conduct enclosure management, promote the near-natural restoration of vegetation in the forest, gradually form a needle-broadleaved mixed forest with a complex forest stand structure of arbor-shrub-herb, increase the species diversity of the community, and improve the ecological service function of the artificial protection forest;

[0041] Conduct an investigation on local native broad-leaved tree species in the ecological barrier area of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, investigate their growth and regeneration conditions, and determine two broad-leaved tree species with good growth and one shrub species with good resistance as associated tree species for replanting work. After clearing the thinning sample belts, conduct site preparation and hole digging work, and apply the technology of backfilling with imported soil to avoid the inability of seedlings to survive due to the too thin soil layer in the rocky mountainous areas. According to the actual situation, set replanting points in each width of the thinning belt, set the plant spacing as 4*4 m, and conduct row-by-row mixing, that is, plant one kind of broad-leaved tree seedlings in the odd-numbered rows such as the first row and the third row, and plant another kind of broad-leaved tree seedlings in the even-numbered rows such as the second row and the fourth row. Plant shrub seedlings at the boundary of the replanting belt and at the center position between each even-numbered row and the subsequent odd-numbered row to form row-by-row mixing, and use water-retaining agents and artificial irrigation to improve the survival rate of seedlings.

[0042] S5. Microhabitat investigation and monitoring: Conduct microhabitat investigation and monitoring during the growing season after the formation of mixed forest management by replanting associated native broad-leaved tree species. Investigate and monitor the microhabitat changes within each thinning intensity, different-width belts and quadrats in the investigation and monitoring plots, including air temperature, ground temperature, light, precipitation, and humidity. At the same time, investigate the survival of seedlings and the restoration of understory vegetation in each replanting belt, and select an optimized method as a reference for popularization and application demonstration;

[0043] S6. Second soil seed bank activation and germination test: Conduct the second soil seed bank activation and germination test after the growing season following the formation of mixed forest management by replanting associated native broad-leaved tree species. Repeat the test process in S3, record the germinated vegetation from the two tests in detail, and compare the species richness and diversity of the soil seed bank before and after the regulation of the forest stand microhabitat;

[0044] Conduct identification and analysis, and compare the species composition of the soil seed bank before and after the regulation of the forest stand microhabitat. The study found that the species richness and diversity of the community showed a significant upward trend, indicating that adjusting the forest stand microhabitat helps the near-natural restoration of understory vegetation, thereby enhancing the abundance of the soil seed bank.

[0045] S7. Popularization and application demonstration: Using the artificial protection forest vegetation diversity restoration technology formed by the management measures in S1 - S6 as a reference, conduct application demonstrations in the artificial protection forest construction and mixed forest management demonstration area on rocky mountains, gradually form a coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, restore the species diversity of the community, and enhance the ecological service function of the artificial protection forest;

[0046] During the growing season after the implementation of the above process, after investigating the seedling survival rate and vegetation restoration of each thinning intensity and different-width replanting belts, select typical degraded artificial protection forests in the rocky mountain areas of the ecological barrier zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, arrange felling belts and replant associated broad-leaved tree species to form mixed forest management according to the optimized vegetation restoration plan, form a demonstration area with an area of at least 500 mu, and popularize and demonstrate the near-natural restoration method of the vegetation diversity of artificial protection forests on rocky mountains.

[0047] S8. Ecological benefit monitoring: Conduct investigation and monitoring during the growing season every year after the formation of the demonstration area. Investigate the survival rate of replanted seedlings, the diversity of understory vegetation, and the species diversity of the soil seed bank. Regularly monitor the short-term and long-term ecological benefits of the vegetation diversity restoration of artificial protection forests on rocky mountains, quantitatively evaluate the near-natural restoration technical method of the vegetation diversity of artificial protection forests on rocky mountains, and at the same time provide reliable data support for the restoration of the ecological service function of artificial protection forests.

[0048] Finally, it should be noted that the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for nearly natural restoration of vegetation diversity in artificial shelter forests on rocky mountains, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: S1. Identify the degraded artificial protection forests in rocky mountain areas: Combine high-resolution remote sensing satellite images and forest distribution maps to identify the degraded artificial protection forests in rocky mountain areas, and set up sample plots within the degraded artificial protection forests in rocky mountain areas; S2. Stand density and microhabitat regulation: Conduct investigations on the site conditions and basic tree conditions as well as the growth conditions of other vegetation within the sample plots, and set up corresponding-width logging belts according to the target canopy density for stand density regulation, so as to regulate the microhabitat of the stand and provide living conditions for the growth of retained trees and the near-natural restoration of community species diversity; S3. First soil seed bank activation and germination experiment: Obtain soil seed bank samples within the sample plots. The soil seed bank samples indicate the potential regeneration ability, species diversity, future evolution trends and directions of plant communities. Conduct a soil seed bank activation and germination experiment with this sample; S4. Replant associated native broad-leaved tree species to form mixed management: Select native broad-leaved tree species (including arbor and shrub species) that are highly adaptable to the site conditions of water shortage and low fertility in rocky mountain areas, have a fast growth rate, a high survival rate and possess landscape benefits as associated tree species. Replant healthy broad-leaved arbor and shrub seedlings in the logging belts, and conduct enclosure management to promote the near-natural restoration of vegetation within the stand, gradually form a needle-broadleaved mixed forest with a complex stand structure of arbor-shrub-herb, increase community species diversity, and improve the ecological service function of the artificial protection forest; S5. Microhabitat investigation and monitoring: Conduct microhabitat investigation and monitoring work during the growing season after replanting associated native broad-leaved tree species to form mixed management. Monitor the microhabitat changes within the sample plots and sample quadrats, including air temperature, ground temperature, light, precipitation, humidity. At the same time, investigate the survival of seedlings within various replanting belts and the restoration of understory vegetation, and select an optimized method as a reference for popularization and application demonstration; S6. Second soil seed bank activation and germination experiment: Conduct the second soil seed bank activation and germination experiment after the growing season of replanting associated native broad-leaved tree species to form mixed management. Repeat the experimental process in S3, and make a detailed record of the germinated vegetation in the two experiments, and compare the species richness and diversity of the soil seed bank before and after the regulation of the stand microhabitat; S7. Popularization and application demonstration: Take the artificial protection forest vegetation diversity restoration technology formed by the management measures in S1-S6 as a reference, and conduct application demonstration in the construction of a mixed management demonstration area of artificial protection forests in rocky mountain areas, gradually form a needle-broadleaved mixed forest, restore community species diversity, and enhance the ecological service function of the artificial protection forest; S8. Ecological benefit monitoring: Conduct investigation and monitoring during the growing season every year after the formation of the demonstration area. Investigate the survival rate of replanted seedlings, the diversity of understory vegetation, and the species diversity of the soil seed bank, and regularly monitor the short-term and long-term ecological benefits of the restoration of vegetation diversity in the artificial protection forests of rocky mountain areas.

2. A method for nearly natural restoration of vegetation diversity in an artificial shelter forest on rocky mountains according to claim 1, characterized in that: The investigation indicators for the basic tree conditions investigation in S2 include longitude and latitude, slope, aspect, living tree species, number of trees and canopy density, etc.

3. A method for nearly natural restoration of vegetation diversity in artificial shelter forests on rocky mountains according to claim 1, characterized in that: S2 also includes setting up corresponding-width logging belts within the sample plots according to the target canopy density, such as 5m, 10m, 15m wide. Log all non-healthy trees with a diameter at breast height less than 5cm and poor growth in the logging belts, and retain the healthy trees.

4. A method for nearly natural restoration of vegetation diversity in artificial shelter forests on rocky mountains according to claim 1, characterized in that: S2 also includes arranging small quadrats within the sample plots for microhabitat investigation.

5. A method for nearly natural restoration of vegetation diversity in an artificial protection forest on rocky mountains according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steps of the soil seed bank activation and germination test in S3 are as follows: At the middle and four corners of each sample plot, a total of 5 quadrats are arranged by the "S"-shaped sampling method, soil samples at a depth of 0 - 10 cm are collected, and taken back to the laboratory for natural air drying; The soil samples are fully mixed, nutrient fragments, roots, gravel debris in the soil samples are removed, soil clods are crushed, and the soil is kept in its original state to avoid damaging the seeds. The soil samples are poured into a soil sieve with a pore size of 2 mm and sieved for standby; Lay 5 cm thick high-temperature sterilized sand at the bottom of the germination basin, lay 2 cm thick soil samples on the high-temperature sterilized sand, and mark each germination basin as the experimental group. Set a germination basin filled with high-temperature sterilized sand as the control group for each experimental group; Spray gibberellin with a concentration of 0.05% on the soil to break seed dormancy, and conduct the test three days later; During the test process, water is applied every other day to keep the soil moist, and the species and quantity of germinated seedlings are observed and recorded. The seedlings are photographed and identified, including observing the leaf shape, leaf color, and stem morphology of the seedlings, and identifying and classifying them with the help of local plant professional reference books and plant identification APPs, as well as consulting experts. The successfully identified seedlings are pulled out, and the seedlings that cannot be identified are continuously cultivated until they are successfully identified. During the process, the soil samples that do not germinate or stop germinating after a period of germination are stirred. If no new seedlings appear within two weeks, the test stops.

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