Abstract
The establishment of riparian protection forests in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) is an ideal measure to cope with the eco-environmental problems of the water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ). Thus, the information for screening winter-flood-tolerant woody plant species is useful for the recovery and re-establishment of the riparian protection forests in the TGR WLFZ. Therefore, we discussed the possibilities of constructing and popularizing riparian protection forests in the TGR WLFZ from several aspects, including the woody plant species distribution in the WLFZ, the survival rate analyses of suitable candidate woody species under controlled flooding conditions, the survival rate investigation of some woody plant species planted in the TGR WLFZ, and the physiological responses of some woody plant species during the recovery stage after winter floods. The results of woody species investigation showed that most woody plant species that existed as annual seedlings in the TGR WLFZ are not suitable candidates for the riparian protection forests. However, arbor species (e.g., Salix matsudana, Populus×canadensis, Morus alba, Pterocarya stenoptera, Taxodium ascendens, and Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and shrub species (e.g., Salix variegata, Distylium chinensis, Lycium chinense, Myricaria laxiflora, and Rosa multiflora) might be considered suitable candidates for the riparian protection forests in the TGR WLFZ by survival rate analyses under controlled winter flooding conditions, and survival rate investigations of woody plant species planted in the TGR WLFZ, respectively. Physiological analyses showed that P.×canadensis, M. alba, L. chinense, and S. variegata could develop specific self-repairing mechanisms to stimulate biomass accumulation and carbohydrate synthesis via the increases in chlorophyll pigments and photosynthesis during recovery after winter floods. Our results suggested these woody plant species could endure the winter flooding stress and recover well, and be used as candidate for the construction of riparian protection forests in the TGR WLFZ.
Highlights
The portion of the Yangtze River Basin between ChongqingCity and Yichang City is known as the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) Area (TGRA)
The results of woody species investigation showed that most woody plant species that existed as annual seedlings in the TGR water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) are not suitable candidates for the riparian protection forests
Fresh leaves from the six plants of S. variegata, L. chinense, P.6canadensis, and M. alba planted at an elevation of 176 m and 172 m of the Lanling Creek WLFZ were collected on April 10, 2012
Summary
The portion of the Yangtze River Basin between ChongqingCity and Yichang City is known as the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) Area (TGRA). The Three Gorges Dam (TGD) was designed to control floods, generate electricity, improve navigation, and create tourism opportunities on the Yangtze River [1,2,3]. The dam was initiated in 1994 and its first impoundment was conducted in 2003 with a water level rising of 60 m above former riverbank of the Yangtze River. The third impoundment occurred in October 2008 and resulted in a sustained water level at above 170 m for five months. To operate the TGR at full capacity, the water level of the TGR fluctuates between 145 and 175 m, i.e., 145 m in summer for flood control and emission sediment and 175 m in winter for energy generation. In October, the water level rises gradually to 175 m.
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