An analysis of the ecological value of Wudalianchi, Heilongjiang Province, China

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1003.2011.08262

Abstract

Abstract:

Wudalianchi is located within the ecotone between the Great Hinggan Mountains, the Less Hinggan Mountains and the forest steppes of the Songnen Plain. As a result of seven volcanic eruptions in the past 2.1 million years, Wudalianchi contains the most well-preserved intra-continental volcanic remains in China, and was nominated in 2010 as a World Heritage Property. In order to state “the outstanding universal values” of the nominated property in terms of biodiversity and ecological processes, we analyzed data from field investigations and scientific literature under the lens of the Operational Guidelines provided by the World Heritage Committee, compared this data with data from other related Word Heritage Properties in order to analyze the ecological value of the site. We found the following: the property exhibits intersecting geographic characters of vegetation and extensive floral components; high relative species richness; special adaptations shown by dwarf poplar forests that developed under harsh climatic conditions and poor substrate; two distinct sequences of terrestrial and aquatic vegetation succession that has developed in this area, and patch dynamic succession model on block lava and pahoehoe lava was more random and efficient than the normal succession model. All of the above-mentioned characteristics show the on-going biological and ecological process and the outstanding ecological values of the property. We hope that our results will promote further scientific research and protection in this area.

Key words: Wudalianchi, ecological value, vegetation succession, ecotone, adaptation

Zhiqiang Zhou, Lijiao Xu, Yuhong Zhang, Chunmei Xia, Hongguang Li, Tong Liu, Keping Ma. An analysis of the ecological value of Wudalianchi, Heilongjiang Province, China[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2011, 19(1): 63-70.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1003.2011.08262

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2011/V19/I1/63

Figures/Tables 7

Fig. 1 Biogeographical provinces of the Eastern Half of the Palaearctic Biogeographical Realm (Udvardy, 1975). The numbers in the figure mean different biogeographical provinces.

Fig. 2 Comparison of the relationship between DBH or DGH and height of dwarf poplar and normal poplar. The data of dwarf poplar come from field investigation; the data of normal poplar come from Forestry Institute of Jilin (1976).

Fig. 3 The sequence of terrestrial vegetation succession and the representative associations

Fig. 4 Sequence of aquatic vegetation succession and the representative associations

Fig. 5 Vegetation patch dynamic succession model on the site of block lava

Table 1 Basic information of different vegetation patches

类型 Type	地衣、苔藓斑块 (25块) Patch of lichen and moss (n=25)			草本斑块 (16块) Patch of herb (n=16)			灌丛斑块 (54块) Patch of shrub (n=54)			乔木群落 (14块) Patch of tree (n=14)
类型 Type	斑块面积(m²) Area	平均高(m) Average height	物种丰富度Species richness	斑块面积(m²) Area	平均高(m) Average height	物种丰富度Species richness	斑块面积(m²) Area	平均高(m) Average height	物种丰富度Species richness	斑块面积(m²) Area	平均高(m) Average height	物种丰富度 Species richness
结壳熔岩 Pahoehoe lava	7.92	0.02	7	8.02	0.44	12	6.90	1.18	11	16.20	2.35	11
块状熔岩 Block lava	18.65	0.03	10	14.32	0.26	14	19.40	1.71	12	49.9	9.93	16

Table 2 Biodiversity characteristic of Wudalianchi (Data of plants come from field investigation and data of animals come from the report “Scientific investigation report of Wudalianchi Nature Reserve”)

	地衣 Lichen	苔藓 Moss	维管束植物 Vascular plant	鱼类 Fish	两栖类 Amphibians	鸟类 Bird	脊椎动物 Mammal
科数 No. of family	8	42	103	9	8	40	16
属数 No. of genus	18	85	316	-	-	-	-
种数 No. of species	40	116	560	41	14	207	46

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