Fanjingshan

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Fanjingshan from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Daily activity rhythm of sympatric ungulate species in Fanjingshan Reserve, China

  Sympatric ungulate species in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, China, exhibit distinct daily activity rhythms influenced by seasonal changes, altitude, and breeding cycles. A study analyzing monitoring data from 2017 to 2022 revealed significant temporal partitioning among four species: tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus), Reeves' muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and mainland serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii). Activity patterns varied notably across seasons, altitudes, and reproductive periods, suggesting a combination of environmental factors and interspecific competition. These findings highlight the importance of integrating temporal dynamics into conservation strategies for effective wildlife and forest ecosystem management.

  Xiang, D., Meng, B., Xie, B., Huang, X., Wang, C., Ran, J., Su, H., & Zhang, M. (2024). Daily activity rhythm of sympatric ungulate species in Fanjingshan Reserve, China. Global Ecology and Conservation, 56, e03271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03271

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• Spatial Heterogeneity of Soil Bacterial Community Structure and Enzyme Activity along an Altitude Gradient in the Fanjingshan Area, Northeastern Guizhou Province, China

  Soil bacterial diversity and enzyme activity in Fanjingshan, China, exhibit significant spatial heterogeneity along an altitude gradient. Research reveals that soil pH, which decreases with increasing altitude, is strongly correlated with both enzyme activity and bacterial community structure, particularly at altitudes below 900 meters. Enzyme activities such as sucrase, catalase, urease, and acid phosphatase peak at different altitude ranges, indicating complex interactions between altitude, soil chemistry, and microbial processes. The study provides insights into the spatial succession of soil in subtropical mountain ecosystems, offering a deeper understanding of how altitude influences microbial populations and soil enzyme dynamics.

  Xie, Y., Zhang, L., Wang, J., Chen, M., Liu, J., Xiao, S., Tian, X., & Wu, T. (2022). Spatial Heterogeneity of Soil Bacterial Community Structure and Enzyme Activity along an Altitude Gradient in the Fanjingshan Area, Northeastern Guizhou Province, China. Life, 12(11), 1862. https://doi.org/10.3390/life12111862

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• Changes in carbon storages of Fagus forest ecosystems along an elevational gradient on Mt. Fanjingshan in Southwest China

  Beech (Fagus) forests on Mt. Fanjingshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Southwest China, exhibit significant variation in carbon storage across an elevational gradient (1095–1930 m). Total ecosystem carbon pools range from 190.5 to 504.3 Mg C ha⁻¹, with biomass and soil contributing the most (33.7–73.9% and 23.9–65.5%, respectively), while litter and woody debris contribute minimally (<4%). Notably, ecosystem carbon storage increases significantly with elevation, driven primarily by rising biomass and woody debris, whereas litter and soil carbon show no elevational trend. Climate and stand age emerge as key drivers of these patterns in Guizhou Province's beech forests, contrasting with global trends where stand age dominates. This study underscores the importance of local climate and stand age in shaping carbon accumulation, providing critical data for regional carbon budgets and conservation strategies.

  Cai, Q., Ji, C., Zhou, X., Bruelheide, H., Fang, W., Zheng, T., Zhu, J., Shi, L., Li, H., Zhu, J., & Fang, J. (2019). Changes in carbon storages of Fagus forest ecosystems along an elevational gradient on Mt. Fanjingshan in Southwest China. Journal of Plant Ecology, 13(2), 139–149. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpe/rtz055

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• Mapping Vegetation and Land Use Types in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve Using Google Earth Engine

  Researchers developed a robust method to map vegetation and land use types in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve (FNNR), a biodiversity hotspot in China, using Google Earth Engine. The study demonstrated that multi-seasonal Landsat image composites combined with elevation data significantly improved mapping accuracy by addressing challenges posed by steep terrain and persistent cloud cover. By leveraging spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) and shade/illumination normalization techniques, the team achieved consistent classification accuracies above 70%, even with limited training data. Advanced machine learning routines, optimized through tuning techniques, ensured reliable monitoring of forest cover and land use in FNNR and similar mountainous, cloud-prone regions.

  Tsai, Y. H., Stow, D., Chen, H. L., Lewison, R., An, L., & Shi, L. (2018). Mapping Vegetation and Land Use Types in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve Using Google Earth Engine. Remote Sensing, 10(6), 927. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs10060927

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• Quantifying canopy fractional cover and change in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, China using multi-temporal Landsat imagery

  A study on Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, China, reveals that anthropogenic activities are the primary drivers of changes in forest canopy fractional cover (CFC) over a 15-year period. Researchers used multi-temporal Landsat imagery and a modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI) to quantify CFC, finding that topographical variability affects illumination and thus CFC estimates. Implementing an illumination stratification approach, which selects different closed canopy endmembers based on topography, helps minimize these effects. The analysis, combined with limited high-resolution imagery verification, suggests that most observed CFC changes are likely due to human influences.

  Tsai, Y. H., Stow, D., Shi, L., Lewison, R., & An, L. (2016). Quantifying canopy fractional cover and change in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, China using multi-temporal Landsat imagery. Remote Sensing Letters, 7(7), 671–680. https://doi.org/10.1080/2150704x.2016.1177243

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• Neoproterozoic Mafic-Ultramafic Intrusions from the Fanjingshan Region, South China: Implications for Subduction-Related Magmatism in the Jiangnan Fold Belt

  Neoproterozoic mafic-ultramafic intrusions from the Fanjingshan region, South China, provide evidence of subduction-related magmatism preceding the amalgamation of the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks. These rocks, primarily olivine pyroxenites and gabbros, show minimal crustal contamination and isotopic signatures indicative of a mantle wedge metasomatized by slab-derived fluids and melts. Their compositional similarities to Alaskan-type intrusions further support their formation in a subduction-related environment. The study utilized geochemical and isotopic analyses (e.g., εNd(t), 207Pb/204Pb, Os-Re-Os) to characterize the magmatic sources and processes, offering insights into the tectonic evolution of the Jiangnan Fold Belt during the Neoproterozoic.

  Wang, W., Zhao, J.-H., Zhou, M.-F., Yang, S.-H., & Chen, F.-K. (2014). Neoproterozoic Mafic-Ultramafic Intrusions from the Fanjingshan Region, South China: Implications for Subduction-Related Magmatism in the Jiangnan Fold Belt. The Journal of Geology, 122(4), 455–473. https://doi.org/10.1086/676596

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• Altitudinal Movements of Guizhou Snub-Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus brelichi) in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, China: Implications for Conservation Management of a Flagship Species

  Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus brelichi) at Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve exhibit a distinct daily altitudinal movement pattern, ascending to higher elevations in the morning and descending in the afternoon. This behavior, observed between 1,350 and 1,870 meters with an average of 1,660 meters, suggests a trade-off between foraging efficiency and predation avoidance within the mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaf vegetation zone. No seasonal migration to lower elevations was detected, indicating that this habitat may be crucial for the species' survival. The study used observational data to analyze movement patterns and their implications for conservation management.

  Niu, K., Tan, C. L., & Yang, Y. (2010). Altitudinal Movements of Guizhou Snub-Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus brelichi) in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, China: Implications for Conservation Management of a Flagship Species. Folia Primatologica, 81(4), 233–244. https://doi.org/10.1159/000322115

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