Characterizing and predicting the response of terrestrial ecosystems to global change is part of the fundamental challenges of contemporary ecology and ecological conservation. The assessment of climate change impact on forest ecosystems has rarely used a multi-index fusion method for quantitative evaluation. We used forest distribution, net primary productivity, and vegetation coverage to establish an assessment model of the...

The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is an economically and ecologically important tree worldwide. However, maturation and position effects affect its asexual reproduction. Despite etiolation treatment and successive subcultures promoting the plant cutting’s rooting rate, whether the promoting effects of aging (upper) branches and young (lower) branches are consistent is unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the relevant root...

Fine roots (<2 mm in diameter) play a significant role in tree growth and stand productivity. However, knowledge of fine root dynamics in saline alkali soil remains limited. Using sequential soil core and ingrowth core methods, we assessed the dynamics of aboveground biomass (AGB) and production (AGP), fine root biomass (FRB), production (FRP) and turnover (FRT), and soil properties (water content [SWC], salt content [SSC], pH...

Forest fragmentation is increasing rapidly around the world, and edge effects caused by fragmented forests can influence ecosystem functions and ecological processes, including coarse woody debris (CWD) decomposition. Understanding the influencing mechanisms of edge effect on CWD decomposition is needed to assess the effects of forest fragmentation on carbon cycling and storage. We measured rates of mass loss of CWD of Cinnamo...

In this study, Pyrus betulaefolia Bunge seedlings were used to investigate the effects of an arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus (AMF; Funneliformis mosseae) on plant-growth characteristics, root morphology, salt tolerance, and ion distribution under saline-alkaline stress. An indoor pot experiment was conducted in which seedlings were inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae under treatments of four different concentrations of Na2CO3 s...