Taihang Mountain Region Research Articles

Spatiotemporal Variation and Driving Analysis of Net Primary Productivity of Vegetation in Southern Part of Taihang Mountain, China

The net primary productivity of vegetation (NPP) is an important index to evaluate the carbon sequestration capacity of vegetation and land use change. Using MOD17N3HGF NPP data, climate data and night-time light data from 2000 to 2020, this study explored the relationship between NPP and urban expansion, land use and climate change in the Southern Part of Taihang Mountain through brightness gradient method, trend analysis, partial correlation analysis and contribution analysis. It aims to provide information support for urban and rural planning and ecological management in this region. Key findings include: Over the past 20 years, NPP in mountain areas has shown an overall fluctuating upward trend, with an "N" pattern related to altitude. The human activity area expanded by 9.9%, with expansion of highly active areas holding back NPP growth and moderately active areas contributing to it. The trend of climate change is gradually warming and wetting, and the correlation between precipitation and NPP is strong, while the correlation between temperature and NPP is weak. Compared with human activities (19.9%), precipitation was the main driver of NPP change, contributing significantly up to 79.5%. In the past 20 years, the ecological quality of the south Taihang Mountain region has improved significantly and actively responded to climate change, but human activities have led to spatial and temporal ecological differences.

Ecological assessment and identification strategy of key conservation areas: A case study of the south Taihang Mountains region

The aim of this study was to foster the harmonious advancement of economic development and ecological preservation as well as address concerns regarding the inadequate protection of flagship species, insufficient coverage of protected areas, and anthropogenic influences in the evaluation and establishment of nature reserves. Using the southern Taihang Mountain region as a case, parameters such as habitat prediction, ecosystem services, landscape diversity, and human disturbances were comprehensively evaluated. Data from multiple sources were integrated to identify and demarcate key conservation areas as well as priority conservation areas and potential conservation zones. Our findings revealed the necessity for enhancing ecological service capacity in the southern Taihang Mountain region and highlighted an unequal distribution of animal habitats. Consequently, we propose that efforts should be concentrated on the preservation of flagship species and the creation of key conservation areas that surpass administrative borders. Based on the assessment results, it is advisable to implement conservation strategies tailored for different geomorphic environments within the key conservation areas, accompanied by relevant functional zoning. In this study, we introduce a systematic approach for assessing and designating pivotal conservation zones. Additionally, this study achieves large-scale habitat distribution predictions through minor terrestrial surveys, making it applicable to regions with pronounced anthropogenic disturbance as well as high-elevation mountainous areas. This approach enables enhanced connectivity of nature reserves and facilitates coordinated ecological conservation both within and beyond reserve boundaries, leading to an improved natural environment for humans and the creation of liberated, suitable habitats for protected animals.

Surface and subsurface runoff generation processes and their influencing factors on a hillslope in northern China

Runoff processes are essential to the hydrological cycle in mountainous areas. However, many aspects of surface and subsurface runoff generation mechanisms and their influencing factors remain to be fully understood. In this study, rainfall simulation experiments were conducted in micro runoff plots in different slope positions on a typical hillslope to explore runoff processes and their influencing factors in the Taihang Mountain region in northern China. The surface and subsurface runoff and soil water content (SWC) variation processes were analyzed. Moreover, the impact of the soil properties, such as soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), bulk density (BD), capillary porosity (CP), non-capillary porosity (NCP), and soil organic matter (SOM), on these processes were investigated. The results revealed that the response of the SWC to rainfall was significantly different in different soil layers and slope positions. The response time was slower and the period was longer on the lower slope. However, the middle and upper slopes had a faster response time and shorter period. The surface runoff was the dominant type in the lower slope (67.26 % of the total runoff), while the subsurface runoff was the dominant type in the middle (78.83 %) and upper (83.67 %) slopes. The subsurface runoff was mainly generated in the 40 cm layer on the lower slope, 20 and 30 cm layers on the middle slope, and 30 and 40 cm layers on the upper slope. These layers exhibited good correspondence with the Ks' vertical distribution, but were inconsistent with the other soil properties. These results indicate that the Ks was the most critical factor influencing the runoff generation process. The ratio of the upper layer's horizontal Ks to the lower layer's vertical Ks controlled the subsurface runoff generation process in the hillslope. These findings provide useful information for understanding the hydrological processes in mountainous areas.

Hazard assessment of potential debris flow: A case study of Shaling Gully, Lingshou County, Hebei Province, China

The debris flows in the Taihang Mountain region in North China are basically triggered by rainstorms. Firstly, the debris flow susceptibility of the Shaling Gully, Lingshou County, Hebei Province, China was analyzed in this paper to evaluate its hazard and effect on the downstream proposed structures. Secondly, the maximum flow depth and velocity of the potential debris flow in Shaling Gully were numerically simulated based on the FLO-2D model, and the simulation results indicate that the flow depths under the 50-year and 100-year rainstorms will have some effect on the downstream proposed structures. With debris flow intensity classification, the hazard of potential debris flow in Shaling Gully was classified. According to the flow depths and velocities simulated by FLO-2D model, the ARCGIS10.8 software was adopted to optimize the hazard zones, and therefore the hazard zonation map was established. With consideration of simulation results under natural conditions and other factors such as gully feature, a 4 m high and 40 m wide retaining dam was designed. The numerical simulation results show that the retaining dam may decrease the debris flow hazard to a negligible level, which offers some beneficial reference to the subsequent engineering design for Shaling Gully.

Evaluation and Influencing Factors Analysis of Urban Tourism Efficiency in Taihang Mountain Region

The level of tourism efficiency directly affects the level of tourism industry quality, to improve tourism efficiency is an important measure to achieve quality upgrading of tourism. With the Taihang Mountain region as the research object and 18 cities within the region as the decision-making unit, the tourism efficiency of the region during 2016-2020 was comprehensively measured based on the DEA-Malmquist index model, and the influencing factors were analyzed. The results show that: (1) From 2016 to 2020, the comprehensive tourism efficiency of Taihang Mountain region shows a general trend of fluctuation, and the development level of tourism development of each city is uneven. (2) The total factor production efficiency of regional tourism showed an obvious downward trend from 2016 to 2020, mainly due to limited investment scale and no obvious progress in technology; The index of regional total factor production efficiency ranked East Taihang > West Taihang > South Taihang. (3) Industrial structure, transportation convenience and government intervention in tourism economy have significant influences on improving tourism efficiency, while economic development level and scientific and technological innovation level have weak influences.

Evaluating dynamics of GRACE groundwater and its drought potential in Taihang Mountain Region, China

The Taihang Mountain Region (TMR) of China is an important headwater area that provides substantial water resources supporting the social and ecological stability of the North China Plain. Currently, groundwater resources in the TMR are rapidly declining, but the degree of groundwater storage (GWS) depletion and the driving mechanism of groundwater drought remain poorly understood. This study combined the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) datasets to thoroughly analyze GWS changes in the TMR and the dominant driving factors during 2003–2016. In addition, a new index—the groundwater drought potential index (GDPI)—was established to quantify the potential of groundwater drought. We found that GRACE-derived terrestrial water storage in the TMR experienced a significant reduction (-21.82 mm/yr, p < 0.01) during 2003–2016, with a similar reduction in GWS (-21.22 mm/yr, p < 0.01). Human-induced impacts exerted a decisive role in GWS decreases in this region, with a relative contribution rate of 96% compared to the climatic contribution (4%). Climatic impacts on GWS were primarily observed in the southeastern TMR, where climate change appeared to be unbeneficial to groundwater recovery and exacerbated local groundwater depletion. Specifically, the groundwater drought potential was entirely increasing, indicating a worsened climate condition that precipitation increasingly failed to fill the groundwater deficit. Actions should be taken urgently to address the local groundwater crisis and to maintain water security. Our proposed GDPI not only reflected the degree of groundwater depletion but also revealed the relationship between groundwater drought and precipitation, making the index capable of being applied in drought forecasting. This study delivers a new perspective to better understand the mechanisms of GWS change and groundwater drought, and the results are expected to provide a valuable reference for groundwater management and water sustainability goals.

Controlling factors of soil saturated hydraulic conductivity in Taihang Mountain Region, northern China

In this study, 152 undisturbed soil samples from the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm soil depths along two transects across the Taihang Mountain Region in northern China were investigated. The effect of soil properties (bulk density (BD), capillary porosity (CP), non-capillary porosity (NCP), soil organic carbon (SOC), and sand, silt, and clay contents) and environmental properties (land use type, topographical location, and elevation) on the Ks was determined. Moreover, the direct and indirect effects of these factors on the Ks were determined using the structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that the Ks of the 0–10 cm soil depth (4.48 m/d) is significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the 10–20 cm soil depth (3.31 m/d), suggesting more rapid infiltration in the surface soil depth. The coefficients of variance (CVs) are 0.75 and 1.03 for the surface and sub-surface depths, respectively, indicating moderate and strong variations in the Ks in the two depths. The SEM revealed that most of the effects of the environmental properties on the Ks are indirect, accounting for 80.5% and 90.9% of the total effect in the surface and sub-surface soil depths, respectively. This demonstrates that the composite soil property was the direct, but the composite environmental property was the indirect factors influencing the Ks. These results deepen our existing understanding of the factors controlling the Ks in mountainous regions.

The Taihang Mountain Region of North China is Experiencing A Significant Warming Trend

The Earth’s climate has warmed by approximately 0.6 °C over the last century, but temperature change in the Taihang Mountain region—an important transition zone in North China which functions as an ecological barrier for Beijing, Tianjin, and other big cities—is still unknown. In this study, we analyze the spatial and temporal trends in the average annual and seasonal surface air temperature in the Taihang Mountain region from 1968 to 2017. The effect of elevation, longitude, latitude, percent forestland, percent farmland, and gross domestic product (GDP) on temperature was also determined. Our results show that the Taihang Mountain has warmed by 0.3 °C/decade over the past five decades. Partitioned seasonally, average warming was 0.38, 0.14, 0.21, and 0.47 °C/decade in spring, summer, fall, and winter, respectively. Elevation and latitude were significantly negatively correlated with temperature but had no correlation with the temporal warming trend (i.e., the Z value from a Mann–Kendall test). The Z value was significantly negatively correlated with percent forestland and positively correlated with GDP, indicating that economic development has induced warming, but afforestation may reduce the rate of warming increase. Together, our results provide important insights into the rates and drivers of climate change within mountainous regions.

Spatio-temporal precipitation changes and their localized predictors in the Taihang Mountain region, North China

Spatial–temporal variations in precipitation significantly influence infiltration, runoff, and other hydrological processes; and thus, in turn, they influence the risk of natural disasters such as flooding, drought, and erosion. Knowledge of these processes is still limited in the Taihang Mountain region, which is a highly heterogeneous environment in northern China. In this study, annual precipitation data for 1968–2017 from 88 weather stations in the Taihang Mountain region were analyzed. The Mann–Kendall (M–K) test and precipitation-related indices (precipitation amount, Sen’s slope, Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI), and Coefficient of Variation (CV)) were used to analyze the spatial and temporal trends in precipitation in this region. Nine predictors (elevation, longitude, latitude, slope gradient, slope aspect, maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), difference between Tmax and Tmin (DT), and evapotranspiration (ET)) were used to predict the precipitation and the related indices. The results reveal that the annual precipitation generally decreased from 1968 to 2017, but the M–K test indicates a nonsignificant trend. The precipitation decreased from southeast to northwest with significantly different spatial variations over the five decades investigated. The decrease in the PCI was not significant, and it generally decreased from northeast to southwest, suggesting a higher risk of flooding and drought in the northeast. The CV was 0.18–0.32, indicating a moderate spatial variation. In addition, the CV slightly decreased during the 50 years investigated. Multiple linear regression revealed that the amount of precipitation could be predicted from the latitude and longitude. The slope trend could be predicted based on latitude. PCI could be predicted based on longitude and elevation. CV could be predicted based on elevation, longitude, and Tmax. This suggests that the precipitation was mainly influenced by the geographical factors in the Taihang Mountain. This is useful information for the prediction of precipitation and for water management in this mountain region.

Summer habitat selection and impacts of human disturbance on leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis)

ABSTRACT Introduction: As a consequence of habitat loss and degradation, the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in China has become endangered and in need of urgent protection. In situ conservation of leopard cats must be based on an understanding of their habitat selection patterns. We studied the summer habitat of leopard cats using line-transect surveys in the northern Taihang Mountain region surrounding Beijing, China. We compared used plots with non-used plots in elevation, tree canopy, and 20 other ecological variables, and used Vanderploeg＆Scavia’s resource selection index (VSI) to analyze habitat preferences. Outcomes/others: Results show that tree canopy, tree height, tree density, and stump quantity of used plots were significantly lower than non-used plots in summer, and that leopard cats preferred habitats located on northern, flat slopes with lower slope, shrub-dominated, dry soil, and less fallen-wood. Leopard cats had a strong tendency to use habitats near human disturbance areas with moderate levels of disturbance intensity. Conclusion: The results suggest that future conservation efforts should emphasize: (1) strengthening the protection and management of forest fringe shrub habitats to improve summer habitat suitability, and (2) environmental education and animal protection campaigns to promote community biodiversity conservation.

Study on the Application Technique of Vertical Pre-stressed Anchor Retaining Earth Wall in Landslide Field

Based on the landslide treatment project of the highway in Tai-hang mountain region, the mechanism of one particular small sliding slope has been analyzed. By using the methods of engineering geophysical prospecting and geological prospecting, it has been confirmed that the landslide is a traction-extended shallow gravel landslide. Due to the principle of minimum cost and operational, the pre-stressed anchor retaining wall has been proposed to treat this kind of land sliding. The pre-stressed anchor in the basement could have the slope sliding force been balanced, which it would significantly reduce the working amount. Also, it could cost much less than other options. The design thought has been analysed in the paper, along with the introduction of the construction key points and techniques. Affection of the treatment turned out well, which indicates that it is a good example for treating similar geological disasters.

Rare and endangered soils in the Taihang Mountain region, North China

AbstractLoss of pedodiversity is a worsening land degradation issue worldwide. Knowledge of rare and endangered soils is critical for the protection of pedodiversity. However, such knowledge remains limited, especially for mountain regions with intensive human disturbance. In this paper, rare and endangered soils were identified using the Harmonized World Soil Database (HWSD), and their spatial distributions were determined for Taihang Mountain region, North China. Furthermore, the effects of natural (elevation, precipitation, temperature, slope gradient, soil parent, and vegetation) and human (farming and population density) factors on rare and endangered soils were analyzed. The results showed that based on the second‐level HWSD classification, a total of 94 soil types were identified in Taihang Mountain region, 36 of which were rare and 7 endangered soils. It implied that there was the need to protect soil resources in this region. Cluster analysis showed that Dystric Podzoluvisols and Mollic Gleysols were the most endangered soils in terms of both area and distribution, suggesting that these soil types needed to be protected. Most of the rare and endangered soils were distributed in the northern of Taihang Mountain, indicating that the northern part needed more attention. Correlation analysis showed that the effect of human factors on rare and endangered soils was more important than that of natural factors, confirming that human activities were largely responsible for the occurrence of rare and endangered soils. Such results provided not only further understanding of pedodiversity but also useful information for protection of soil resources and control of land degradation.

Temporal and spatial changes of blue water and green water in the Taihang Mountain Region, China, in the past 60 years

ABSTRACTAppropriate allocation of limited freshwater resources to humans and ecosystems is an important issue hampering sustainable development in mountainous regions. The Taihang Mountain Region (TMR), including the Yellow and Hai river basins, is an important water source area for the North China Plain. The distributed hydrological model Water and Energy transfer Processes in Large river basins (WEP-L) was used to simulate the water cycle processes and to summarize the temporal and spatial changes in the blue and green water in the TMR from 1956 to 2015. The results show that in the period 2011–2015 the annual average blue water decreased by 7.31 × 109 m3, while the annual average green water increased by 13.60 × 109 m3 compared to 1956–1960. At the inter-annual time scale, the blue water exhibited a downward trend while the green water exhibited an upward trend. The amount of seasonal blue water in the TMR is ranked in descending order: summer, autumn, spring and winter, while for green water, the rank is summer, spring, autumn and winter. The amounts of blue and green water are higher on the windward than on the leeward slopes. The blue water yield is generally higher in forests and grasslands than in farmland, while the green water exhibits the opposite response. A greater emphasis should be placed on the widening gap between blue water and green water due to climate warming, and on soil and water conservation measures.

Simulation of the Migration and Leaching of Nitrate Nitrogen in the Farmland Soil Profile in a Hilly Area of Taihang Mountain with the RZWQM Model

Taihang Mountain region is the recharge area for groundwater in the North China Plain (NCP). In recent years, the elevated nitrate concentration in the groundwater in the Taihang Mountain has often been associated with the increased area of farmland and the excessive application of nitrogen. Thus, it is significant to study the soil nitrogen leaching process in typical farmland. In this study, the root zone water quality model (RZWQM) was used to simulate the nitrate nitrogen leaching of winter wheat/summer maize rotation systems in the Hilly Ecosystem Experimental Station in Taihang Mountain. The results showed that during the 2015-2016 winter wheat/summer maize season, the nitrate nitrogen from the soil leaching occurred mainly in the summer maize season (rainy season), with the nitrate nitrogen leaching amount reaching 59.9 kg·hm-2, while the nitrate nitrogen leaching amount during the winter wheat season was only 2.12 kg·hm-2. The soil nitrate nitrogen leaching condition was simulated using the RZWQM model for different nitrogen contents and years with different rainfall. Significant linear correlations were observed between nitrogen use and nitrate leaching in winter wheat/summer maize rotation systems. In summary, the results showed that the nitrate nitrogen leaching values were 10.5, 59.9, and 136.5 kg·hm-2 for nitrogen fertilizer applications of 0, 300, and 450 kg·hm-2, respectively, during extreme precipitation in a wet year (2015). The value of nitrate nitrogen leaching in the maize season of 2013 (dry year), 2015 (normal year), and 2016 (wet year) accounted for 9%, 10%, and 20% for the 300 kg·hm-2 of nitrogen fertilizer applied, respectively. However, the value of nitrate nitrogen leaching in the maize season of 2013 (dry year), 2015 (normal year), and 2016 (wet year) accounted for 11%, 17% and 30% of the 450 kg·hm-2 of nitrogen fertilizer applied. These results show that extreme precipitation events not only greatly recharge the groundwater, but also increase the leaching of accumulated nitrate nitrogen and potential nitrate contamination in the groundwater.

Changes in the Ecological Footprint of Rural Populations in the Taihang Mountains, China

Due to massive rural–urban migration, population size and age structure are subject to significant changes in the mountainous areas of China. This can influence the ecological pressure of the mountainous areas correspondingly. In particular, large numbers of young laborers migrate from rural areas, which may greatly decrease the intensity of local human activities. However, it is still unclear how population changes (size and age structure) affect environmental changes and how to measure these changes. We analyzed changes in the ecological footprint (EF) in the Taihang Mountain region in northern China using field survey data. From 2000 to 2016, the population size in the study area decreased by 9.7%, while the EF declined by 32.1%. The EF per capita (EF_per) decreased more rapidly with decreasing elevation, which indicated that at lower elevations, households were less dependent on local resources. For households with more elderly people, the EF_per was considerably lower than for other households in 2000. However, in 2016, this was not the case, and the households with a share of the working-age population between 50–75% had the lowest EF_per. Our study is of great practical significance for reasonably guiding population migration and rural sustainable development.

Esophageal High-Grade Squamous-Cell Dysplasia

This case presentation of a 56 year old female with high grade squamous cell dysplasia of her distal, normal appearing esophagus is extremely rare. A review of the medical literature found no other similar case reports, making decisions on treatment options challenging. A 56 year-old female presented to her outpatient gastroenterologist with a one month history of worsening acid reflux-like symptoms and atypical non-cardiac chest pain. She reported a substernal burning sensation that was non-radiating in nature. Her symptoms did not exacerbate with food and while originally intermittent, the heartburn had become more constant. She denied similar symptoms in the past. The patient had no past medical history and denied taking any medications. She denied smoking history, alcohol, and illicit drug abuse. Family history was significant for her father with Barrett's esophagus, but otherwise unremarkable for gastrointestinal pathology. Her physical examination was unremarkable and vital signs were within normal limits. She was prescribed a 6 week trial of 40mg Protonix daily without any resolution of her symptoms. A non-emergent EGD was scheduled. It revealed a normal appearing esophagus with no clear evidence of Barrett's epithelium. Random biopsies were taken which showed foci of high grade squamous metaplasia on the subsequent pathologic report. There was no consensus among multiple esophageal specialists on how to treat her. Recommended treatment options included a partial esophagectomy or a thermal ablation. The patient opted for a thermal ablation with biopsies afterwards still showing high grade squamous dysplasia. Over the course of the next 3 years, despite having 3 more thermal ablations, repeat biopsies continued to show low grade dysplasia. She opted to undergo observation with 6 month intervals between EGDs. Squamous cell dysplasia is a histological lesion confined to the epithelium and characterized by cytologic and architectural abnormalities. It is considered to be the only pre-malignant lesion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The few studies conducted to evaluate esophageal squamous dysplasia have all been conducted in the high-risk Taihang Mountain region in China. The difference in patient populations and lack of follow up made it hard to compare treatment strategies. With no consensus among multiple specialists on how to proceed with treatment, this can be used as an example for future similar cases.

EarlyCretaceous adakitic granitoids from theZhijiazhuang skarn iron deposit,NorthTaihangMountain,China: Implications for petrogenesis and metallogenesis associated with craton destruction

AbstractThe North Taihang Mountain region located within the Trans‐North China Orogen is one of the major Mesozoic metallogenic belts in the North China Craton and carries varied polymetallic mineralization associated with multiple magmatic pulses. Here, we investigate the Zhijiazhuang skarn iron deposit from this region through petrological, geochemical, zircon U–Pb geochronological and Lu–Hf isotopic studies of the associated granitoids to constrain the ages, petrogenesis, and process of mineralization. Zircon U–Pb dating shows multiple pulses of magmatism with three major peaks at 134, 129, and 125 Ma as well as some scattered spot ages of 121, 118, and 112 Ma consistent with regional multistage magmatic events during the Early Cretaceous. Zircon Hf data display negative εHf(t) values from −21.7 to −7.8 and two‐stage crustal model ages (TDMC) in the range of 1,680–2,560 Ma, indicating magma derivation from reworking of late Neoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic crustal materials possibly with minor lithospheric mantle input. Geochemical data indicate I‐type adakitic signature for the intrusion, suggesting the involvement of subduction‐related components. The adakitic rocks identified in this study originated from a mixture of crustal and lithospheric mantle components followed by upper crustal fractional crystallization. Collectively, the data suggest that the granitoids were formed by interaction of crust–mantle materials through partial melting of a thickened or delaminated lower continental crust and lithospheric mantle corresponding to the peak event of lithospheric thinning and craton destruction of the North China Craton. The tectonics is correlated with the westward subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate. Combined with information from previous studies associated with porphyry–skarn‐type deposits in the whole Taihang Mountain region, we correlate the multiple phases of magmatism and mineralization of the deposit to the peak event of lithospheric thinning and destruction of the North China Craton, and the Zhijiazhuang skarn iron deposit was likely generated by the interaction of magmas and fluids with the dolomitic wall rocks.

Geostatistical analysis of pedodiversity in Taihang Mountain region in North China

The protection of pedodiversity is very important for biodiversity maintenance and food production. However, where and how large should the protection focus on in a given region (especially in mountain regions with complex environment) remains unclear. In this study, geostatistical analysis was used to study pedodiversity indexes (Shannon's index, the maximum Shannon's index, Richness index and Evenness index) in Taihang Mountain region in North China. Then pedodiversity protection and buffer zones were designed. Moreover, the relationship between protection zone and human activities was determined. The results showed that average Shannon's index for the study area was 1.72, with two lower value zones appeared in the north and the south of Taihang Mountain region, respectively. This suggested that there was the need to enhance the protection of pedodiversity in the two regions. The ranges of the Richness index and the Shannon's index were respectively 57.16 km and 96.00 km, indicating that pedodiversity had spatial dependence within these distances. Therefore, protection zones with radius of 57.16 km and buffer zones with radius of 96 km was designed. For both the northern and southern protection zones, the percent area of population density lower than 1 person/km2 (35.27% for the north and 51.71% for the south) was much higher than the average value (27.91%) of Taihang Mountain region. Furthermore, the percent area of farmland (43.72% for the north and 40.48% for the south) were higher than the average value (35.92%). This demonstrated that human activity, especially farming, was a key consideration in the protection of pedodiversity in the study region. The results of the study constitute a significant contribution to the theory of pedodiversity protection and soil resources management.

Ecosystem Services Management Based on Differentiation and Regionalization along Vertical Gradient in Taihang Mountain, China

The regulation and management of ecosystem services are fundamental for sustainable development in mountain areas. Although no obvious vertical band spectrum exists in Taihang Mountain region, vertical differentiation of ecological characteristics in the region is obvious. The ecosystem characteristics of vertical differentiation were analyzed using 4 typical ecological indices (land use, temperature, net primary productivity, and water yield). The ecosystem service functional pattern was determined based on analysis of the ecosystem services value per unit area. The 2 ecosystem critical zones of vertical differentiation (500–600 m and 1400–1500 m) were determined. The mountain area was divided into 3 ecological zones—sub-alpine zone (&gt;1500 m), mid-mountain zone (600–1400 m) and hilly zone (&lt;500 m). The ecosystem services functional pattern was as follows: provisioning services was the main ecosystem services function in the hilly zone, 4 ecosystem service functions were equally important in the mid-mountain zone, regulating, supporting and cultural services were the main ecosystem service functions in the sub-alpine zone. The model of ecosystem service regulation and management in 3 ecological zones was built based on the functional patterns to promote sustainable development.

Pedodiversity and its controlling factors in mountain regions — A case study of Taihang Mountain, China

Knowledge on pedodiversity is crucial for the management and protection of soil resources. However, little is known about the controlling factors of pedodiversity, especially in mountain regions with a highly heterogeneous environment. This paper analyzed pedodiversity (soil taxa diversity) and the influencing factors in Taihang Mountain region in China. The richness (S), Menhinick's index (M), Shannon index (H), maximum Shannon index (Hmax) and evenness index (E) were used to explain pedodiversity in the study area. The influences of natural factors (including elevation, slope gradient, precipitation and temperature) and anthropogenic factors (including population density and percentage of farmland) were analyzed using partial correlation analysis and canonical correspondence analysis. The results showed that for the 101 counties in Taihang Mountain, average H was 1.69, which suggested a relatively low pedodiversity (normal H range is 1.5–3.5, and rarely exceeds 4.5) in the study area. Logarithmic normal distribution had the best fit for the abundance distribution model, indicating that intermediate abundance of soil type was most common. The best fit Logarithmic function was for the relationship between richness and area. Soil taxa richness increased significantly for areas less than 1000km2, but increased gradually for areas larger than 1000km2. This suggested that 1000km2 was the breakthrough point on the richness-area curve, and that the effect of area on pedodiversity could be negligible for regions larger than 1000km2. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that the influence of these factors on pedodiversity decreased in the order of: elevation>percent farmland>slope gradient>population density>precipitation. This suggested that elevation and farming had the highest effect on pedodiversity. The study provided further insight into pedodiversity in mountain regions, which is critical for the protection of soil resources and pedodiversity.