三峡大老岭山地常绿落叶阔叶混交林林隙干扰研究II.林隙干扰的地形格局

 根据对三峡大老岭地区山地常绿落叶阔叶林林隙的调查结果,运用多种方法定量分析和检验了5种地形要素对林隙和3类林隙形成木(GM)各方面特征的空间格局的影响。结果反映了地形对林隙时空格局的影响,和不同类型林隙形成木的响应特征：1）林隙干扰随海拔上升、坡度增大、坡位从山脊到沟谷、坡形由凸到凹而加剧;坡向影响的规律不明显。林隙特征对各地形因素梯度有显著的响应,其中扩展林隙面积、林隙高度、GM数量、种数以及平均胸径是反映地形影响的敏感指标。2）GM的平均胸径、最大胸径和扩展林隙面积与海拔显著正相关;GM平均胸径还与坡位正相关;GM数量沿N→S的坡向梯度减少,而随坡度增大及坡形由凹转凸而增加;GM种类沿坡度和坡形梯度有相同的变化趋势。林隙高度（亦即植被高度）随海拔和坡度增大而减小,但随坡位上升而增大。地形要素对林隙高度和GM平均胸径的空间格局的贡献最大,分别达到75.9%和67.0%。3）折干特征的空间格局受海拔和坡位的显著影响;枯立木的分布特征主要受小地形的坡位和坡形控制;影响翻倒木的最根本地形因素是坡度。     

三峡大老岭山地常绿落叶阔叶混交林林隙干扰研究II.林隙干扰的地形格局

根据对三峡大老岭地区山地常绿落叶阔叶林林隙的调查结果,运用多种方法定量分析和检验了5种地形要素对林隙和3类林隙形成木(GM)各方面特征的空间格局的影响。结果反映了地形对林隙时空格局的影响,和不同类型林隙形成木的响应特征：1）林隙干扰随海拔上升、坡度增大、坡位从山脊到沟谷、坡形由凸到凹而加剧;坡向影响的规律不明显。林隙特征对各地形因素梯度有显著的响应,其中扩展林隙面积、林隙高度、GM数量、种数以及平均胸径是反映地形影响的敏感指标。2）GM的平均胸径、最大胸径和扩展林隙面积与海拔显著正相关;GM平均胸径还与坡位正相关;GM数量沿N→S的坡向梯度减少,而随坡度增大及坡形由凹转凸而增加;GM种类沿坡度和坡形梯度有相同的变化趋势。林隙高度（亦即植被高度）随海拔和坡度增大而减小,但随坡位上升而增大。地形要素对林隙高度和GM平均胸径的空间格局的贡献最大,分别达到75.9%和67.0%。3）折干特征的空间格局受海拔和坡位的显著影响;枯立木的分布特征主要受小地形的坡位和坡形控制;影响翻倒木的最根本地形因素是坡度。     

Microtopography and distribution of canopy trees in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in the northern part of Okinawa Island,Japan

The spatial distribution of trees in relation to topography was investigated using two topographic indices, slope steepness and slope configuration, in a 4-ha plot in a subtropical evergreen forest in the northern part of Okinawa Island, Japan. Most species showed an aggregated distribution and patch size was related to various microtopographical features, including small ridges and valleys. In a cluster analysis based on the dissimilarity of each species distribution, the species were divided into three major clusters. A significant correlation between the dissimilarity and the distance between each species on the axis of the two topographic indices indicated that species association was, in part, explained by the topographic indices. I suggest that species distributed on steep and concave slopes regenerate depending on disturbances such as landslides on unstable topography, whereas species distributed on ridges and upper slopes regenerate depending on the canopy gap. A number of species that were less abundant in the 4-ha plot occurred in the riparian area near a stream, where the density of more abundant species was low. The results of this study support the existence of habitat niche divergence related to topography in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest.     

Spatial distribution patterns of trees at different life stages in a warm temperate forest

We have investigated tree distributions in relation to topography between different tree life history stages, from the seed-dispersal stage to the adult stage in a warm temperate evergreen broadleaved forest on Yakushima Island, Japan, to clarify the critical stages in determining adult tree distributions. We conducted a census of all living trees > or =30 cm tall and collected seed falls over three years using 25 seed traps in a 50 m x 50 m quadrat. Four life stages were defined: stage 1, dispersed seed; stage 2, individuals taller than 30 cm and diameter at breast height (DBH) < 1 cm; stage 3, trunks 1 cm < or = DBH < 10 cm; stage 4, trunks with DBH > or = 10 cm. We classified 17 common tree species into three groups; group A was distributed mainly on the upper slope, group B on the lower slope, and group C on both. Most of group A and B trees at stages 2-4 showed an aggregated distribution along the topographical gradient. The densities at stage 1 showed weaker aggregations according to slope. Topography-specific tree distribution was probably determined at the regeneration stage, and later survival was less effective as a mechanism of vegetation differentiation.     

海南杜鹃在河岸带弯道两侧的空间分布格局和年龄结构差异

河岸带是河流与陆地生态系统的交错带, 孕育了丰富的生物多样性。河流的冲刷与地势的作用使得河岸带往往形成弯道, 弯道内外两侧水流速度、泥沙性质与植物繁殖体聚集程度不同, 影响到植物生长与种群动态, 可能导致河岸带弯道凸岸、凹岸两侧植物空间分布格局和种群结构存在较大差异。该研究以中国特有、狭域分布的海南杜鹃(Rhododendron hainanense)为例, 揭示溪流弯道对其两侧海南杜鹃种群空间分布格局与种群动态的影响。在海南岛3个国家级自然保护区内各设置2个河岸弯道样带, 用方差/平均值法对弯道凸岸、凹岸两侧海南杜鹃的空间分布格局和种群动态进行对比研究。结果显示: (1)海南杜鹃弯道凸岸的种群结构呈增长型, 凹岸基本呈衰退型; (2)凸岸一侧上下游的海南杜鹃种群基本呈增长型, 凹岸一侧上下游的海南杜鹃则出现断龄现象; (3)距离弯顶位置或河岸越远, 各龄级海南杜鹃种群个体数量基本呈下降趋势; (4)在2 m × 2 m尺度下, 弯道凸岸及其下游的海南杜鹃主要呈聚集分布, 上游近似随机分布, 凹岸及其上下游则均呈随机分布。海南杜鹃分布的山区河岸带水流较快、坡度较大, 可能是导致弯道凹岸个体较少、种群结构呈衰退型的主要原因。因此, 河岸弯道内外两侧可能存在个体生长与群体差异, 在开展河岸带植物种群动态与物种保育研究中需给予重视。     

Difference in spatial distribution patterns and population structures of Rhododendron hainanense between both sides of riparian bends

河岸带是河流与陆地生态系统的交错带, 孕育了丰富的生物多样性。河流的冲刷与地势的作用使得河岸带往往形成弯道, 弯道内外两侧水流速度、泥沙性质与植物繁殖体聚集程度不同, 影响到植物生长与种群动态, 可能导致河岸带弯道凸岸、凹岸两侧植物空间分布格局和种群结构存在较大差异。该研究以中国特有、狭域分布的海南杜鹃(Rhododendron hainanense)为例, 揭示溪流弯道对其两侧海南杜鹃种群空间分布格局与种群动态的影响。在海南岛3个国家级自然保护区内各设置2个河岸弯道样带, 用方差/平均值法对弯道凸岸、凹岸两侧海南杜鹃的空间分布格局和种群动态进行对比研究。结果显示: (1)海南杜鹃弯道凸岸的种群结构呈增长型, 凹岸基本呈衰退型; (2)凸岸一侧上下游的海南杜鹃种群基本呈增长型, 凹岸一侧上下游的海南杜鹃则出现断龄现象; (3)距离弯顶位置或河岸越远, 各龄级海南杜鹃种群个体数量基本呈下降趋势; (4)在2 m × 2 m尺度下, 弯道凸岸及其下游的海南杜鹃主要呈聚集分布, 上游近似随机分布, 凹岸及其上下游则均呈随机分布。海南杜鹃分布的山区河岸带水流较快、坡度较大, 可能是导致弯道凹岸个体较少、种群结构呈衰退型的主要原因。因此, 河岸弯道内外两侧可能存在个体生长与群体差异, 在开展河岸带植物种群动态与物种保育研究中需给予重视。     

Crown development in tropical rain forest trees in gaps and understorey

Emergence and establishment of Tsuga sieboldii seedlings were monitored for six years in an old-growth mixed forest in Japan, to clarify the reason why adult T. sieboldii trees are distributed only on convex slopes. T. sieboldii seedlings germinated on exposed soils without broad-leaved litter cover on both convex and concave slopes, but they died out from concave slope during the first two years after germination. Along a gradient from convex to concave slope, litter cover became higher and surface soil erosion became severer, and T. sieboldii seedlings died at the plots with severe surface soil erosion. Other environmental variables, such as relative illuminance, vegetation cover of seedling layer and soil water potential were not significantly different between convex and concave slopes. We concluded that the restricted seedling establishment of T. sieboldii to convex slope is determined by stability of surface soils and broad-leaved litter cover.     

Firescape ecology: how topography determines the contrasting distribution of fire and rain forest in the south‐west of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

Aim To test the hypothesis that ‘islands’ of fire‐sensitive rain forest are restricted to topographic fire refugia and investigate the role of topography–fire interactions in fire‐mediated alternative stable state models. Location A vegetation mosaic of moorland, sclerophyll scrub, wet sclerophyll eucalypt forest and rain forest in the rugged, fire‐prone landscapes of south‐west Tasmania, Australia. Methods We used geospatial statistics to: (1) identify the topographic determinants of rain forest distribution on nutrient‐poor substrates, and (2) identify the vegetation and topographic variables that are important in controlling the spatial pattern of a series of very large fires (> 40,000 ha) that were mapped using Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite imagery. Results Rain forest was more likely to be found in valleys and on steep south‐facing slopes. Fires typically burned within highly flammable treeless moorland and stopped on boundaries with less flammable surrounding vegetation types such as wet sclerophyll forest and rain forest. Controlling for the effect of vegetation, fires were most likely to burn on flats, ridges and steep north‐facing slopes and least likely to burn in valleys and on steep south‐facing slopes. These results suggest an antagonism between fire and rain forest, in which rain forest preferentially occupies parts of the landscape where fire is least likely to burn. Main conclusions The distribution of rain forest on nutrient‐poor substrates was clearly related to parts of the landscape that are protected from fire (i.e. topographic fire refugia). The relative flammability of vegetation types at the landscape scale offers support to the proposed hierarchy of fire frequencies (moorland > scrub > wet sclerophyll > rain forest) that underpins the ecological models proposed for the region. The interaction between fire occurrence and a range of topographic variables suggests that topography plays an important role in mediating the fire–vegetation feedbacks thought to maintain vegetation mosaics in south‐west Tasmania. We suggest that these fire–topography interactions should be included in models of fire‐mediated alternative stable vegetation states in other fire‐prone landscapes.     

Habitat degradation,topography and rainfall variability interact to determine seed distribution and recruitment in a sand dune grassland

Question: Understanding the mechanisms underlying how habitat degradation, topography and rainfall variability interactively affect seed distribution and seedling recruitment is crucial for explaining plant community patterns and dynamics. Interactions between these major factors were studied together in a semiarid sand dune grassland. Location: Eastern Inner Mongolia, China. Methods: The study system used four sites of fixed, semifixed, semishifting and shifting sand dune grasslands, representing a gradient of habitat degradation. We investigated the density of germinable seeds deposited in the top 5 cm of soil and in situ seedling emergence (number of seedlings emerging early in the growing season) and establishment (number of plants recruited at the end of the growing season) at three topographic positions (dune top, windward and leeward sides) within each site over 2 years that differed in rainfall. Habitat characteristics (i.e. vegetation cover, plant species composition and diversity, soil moisture and nutrient availability and soil erodibility) of the four sites were also measured. Results: Habitat degradation (i.e. decreased vegetation cover and enhanced wind erosion rate) significantly reduced the size of the germinable soil seed bank. On average, germinable seed number from the high‐vegetation cover fixed dune was 36‐fold larger than the low‐vegetation cover shifting dune, and eight‐ and two‐fold larger, respectively, than the semishifting and semifixed dunes with intermediate vegetation cover. We observed within‐habitat variability in seed distribution, but among‐topographic position variation differed among habitats. Seedling recruitment showed large between‐year, and among‐ and within‐habitat variability, but these variations varied significantly depending on the response variables evaluated (i.e. initial seedling density, final plant density, emergence rate and recruitment rate). Path analysis revealed complex density‐dependent positive and negative, direct and indirect effects of germinable seed density and initial seedling density on recruitment, but the relative importance of these density‐dependent effects varied depending on habitat type and rainfall availability. Conclusion: Our results suggest that habitat degradation, microtopography and rainfall availability interact in shaping sand dune seed bank and plant community recruitment patterns and dynamics. Their effects were mainly mediated through changes in both the biotic and abiotic environment during the process of habitat deterioration.     

Natural regeneration and population dynamics of the tree Afzelia quanzensis in woodlands in Southern Africa

The logging of tree species of high commercial value is increasing throughout the African continent, yet the ecology of these species is generally poorly known. We studied the regeneration pattern and size class distribution of Afzelia quanzensis populations in northern South Africa over a 5‐year period. Recruitment was low as the annual seedling mortality was >65%. Seedlings were located under the canopy and were affected by drought and browsing. The adults were scattered or were in a clump‐dispersed pattern, which would result in higher recruitment of offspring near parents. Individuals of 0–10 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were few, while there were 32 trees ha^?1 at >10 cm DBH with an annual mortality of 0.8%. Annual diameter increments varied between 0.06 and 0.28 cm. It appears that the transition from the sapling into the juvenile stage could be a bottleneck in the regeneration of the species. A longer study, including more rainfall cycles, may reveal other patterns as dry and wet years have different impacts on dynamics.     

长白山北坡与西坡岳桦种群差异分析

本研究通过植被调查,从密度、胸径、树高、树龄、世代和种群分布格局等方面分析长白山北坡与西坡岳桦(Betula ermanii Cham.)种群的坡向差异及随海拔变化的坡向差异,探讨植被坡向差异的干扰因素.结果显示,整体上北坡岳桦种群胸径、二代木比重显著大于西坡,一代木比重则相反,说明尽管西坡生境优于北坡,但西坡植被演替...     

Habitat Associations and Community Structure of Dipterocarps in Response to Environment and Soil Conditions in Brunei Darussalam,Northwest Borneo

Plant habitat associations are well documented in Bornean lowland tropical forests, but few studies contrast the prevalence of associations across sites. We examined habitat associations and community composition of Dipterocarpaceae trees in two contrasting Bornean lowland mixed dipterocarp forests separated by approximately 100 km: Andulau (uniform topography, lower altitudinal range, sandy soils) and Belalong (highly dissected topography, higher altitudinal range, clay‐rich soils). Dipterocarpaceae trees ≥ 1 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) were censused in 20‐m wide belt transects established along topographic gradients at each site. Dipterocarp density, evenness, species richness, and diversity were significantly higher at Andulau than Belalong. Significant site associations (with either Andulau or Belalong) were detected for 19 (52%) of the 37 dipterocarp species tested. Dipterocarpaceae community composition at Belalong correlated with soil nutrient concentrations as well as measures of vegetation and topographic structure, but community composition at Andulau correlated with fewer habitat variables. Within each site, dipterocarp density, species richness, and diversity were consistently higher on ridges than in slopes and valleys. Significant within‐site associations to topographic habitats were less common at Andulau (10% of species tested) than at Belalong (15%). We conclude that edaphic and other environmental factors influence dipterocarp community composition at a local scale, and are more important drivers of community structure in the more variable environment at Belalong. Species richness and diversity of dipterocarps on small plots, however, were higher at Andulau, suggesting that factors other than environmental heterogeneity contribute to contrasts in dipterocarp tree species richness at small scales.     

Differential survival among life stages contributes to co‐dominance of Abies mariesii and Abies veitchii in a sub‐alpine old‐growth forest

Questions: Are there interspecific differences in mortality and recruitment rates across life stages between two shade‐tolerant dominant trees in a sub‐alpine old‐growth forest? Do such differences in demography contribute to the coexistence and co‐dominance of the two species? Location: Sub‐alpine, old‐growth forest on Mt. Ontake, central Honshu, Japan. Methods: From 1980 to 2005, we recorded DBH and status (alive or dead) of all Abies mariesii and A. veitchii individuals (DBH ≥ 5 cm) in a 0.44‐ha plot. Based on this 25 year census, we quantified mortality and recruitment rates of the two species in three life stages (small tree, 5 cm ≤ DBH < 10 cm; subcanopy tree, 10 cm ≤ DBH < 20 cm; canopy tree, DBH ≥ 20 cm). Results: Significant interspecific differences in mortality and recruitment rates were observed in both the small tree and sub‐canopy tree stages. In this forest, saplings (< 5 cm DBH) are mostly buried by snow‐pack during winter. As a consequence, saplings of A. mariesii, which is snow and shade tolerant, show higher rates of recruitment into the small tree stage than do those of A. veitchii. Above the snow‐pack, trees must tolerate dry, cold temperatures. A. veitchii, which can more readily endure such climate conditions, showed lower mortality rate at the subcanopy stage and a higher recruitment rate into the canopy tree stage. This differential mortality and recruitment among life‐stages determines relative dominance of the two species in the canopy. Conclusion: Differential growth conditions along a vertical gradient in this old forest determine survival of the two species prior to reaching the canopy, and consequently allow co‐dominance at the canopy stage.     

The relationships between vegetation type and topography in Lassen Volcanic National Park

The relationships between topographic features and the relative abundances of vegetation types were analyzed for the mid-montane conifer forests, the upper montane conifer forests and the alpine areas of Lassen Volcanic National Park in the Cascade Range of northern California using Landsat Thematic Mapper data. Vegetation types were identified from Landsat Thematic Mapper data and included pine, fir, montane chaparral, willow/alder and herbaceous communities. Topographic features including aspect, slope steepness, slope configuration (i.e., convex, straight or concave) and slope position (i.e., ridge top to valley bottom) were computed from USGS Digital Elevation Models. The distribution of montane chaparral was consistent with its dependency on fire with chaparral communities being more abundant on more xeric aspects and on steeper and more xeric slope configurations. Slope position was important in determining the distribution of willow/alder communities which were more abundant in valley bottom locations. Both slope steepness and slope position affected the abundance of herbaceous communities. Herbaceous communities were: (1) more prevalent on steeper slopes due to the distribution of dicotyledonous forb species; and (2) more abundant in valley bottoms due to the distribution of monocotyledonous species in wet meadows. Pines and firs were separated along a gradient of slope steepness with the firs being more abundant on steep slopes and the pines being more abundant on shallow slopes. In the alpine areas above 2350 m, the abundance of most vegetation types declined with increasingly mesic aspects. This decline may be related to the prolonged persistence of snow in areas of less intense solar radiation.     

Determinant factors influencing the spatial distributions of subtropical lianas are correlated with components of functional trait spectra

Lianas are important vegetation components that control structure and function, especially in tropical and subtropical forests. To explore the spatial assembly mechanisms of a subtropical liana community, we tested the following hypotheses: spatial distributions of subtropical lianas are determined by forest structures and topographic features, which are surrogates for host/light availability and edaphic/water conditions, respectively, and these effects are mediated through species functional traits. We examined the spatial distribution of lianas in two plots (areas 9 and 16 ha) representing landscapes in an intact forest and a secondary forest, and analyzed spatial distribution pattern at the species level using a simple, spatially explicit model. We also examined the correlations between determinant factors for species distribution and species functional traits, including climbing habits, leaf traits and wood density. The spatial distribution of lianas was controlled mainly by topographic gradient. Most species had preferences for concave topographies, i.e., valley habitats. Any covariates related to the host (or to light) had little influence on the distribution of most liana species. Distributional responses to topography were different among species, and associated significantly with leaf nitrogen content and climbing habit, but not with wood density. The correlation between variation in habitat preferences and leaf economic spectrum suggests that an environmental filter for physiological response to topography is the important mechanism shaping the spatial patterns of this subtropical liana community.     

乌拉山自然保护区白桦种群的年龄结构和点格局分析

白桦群落是乌拉山森林植被的主要类型之一,在高海拔阴坡、半阴坡以纯林形式分布.根据乌拉山自然保护区白桦林不同林龄结构设置3个典型样地,采用种群径级结构代替年龄结构、点格局分析(Ripley's K-Function)方法探讨了乌拉山白桦种群年龄结构、空间分布规律和种群动态.结果表明:(1)乌拉山自然保护区白桦种群径级结构呈典型的“金字塔”型,种群自然更新良好,属增长型种群;(2)由于种内不同个体间为争夺空间和资源,种群在第Ⅲ、Ⅳ径级死亡率较高,自疏作用明显;(3)白桦种群的存活曲线接近于Deevey Ⅰ型曲线;(4)在研究尺度内白桦种群以幼树、中龄树为主时呈聚集分布,而成龄树或老龄树占多数时呈随机分布,即随着种群年龄的增加,其分布格局逐渐由集群分布向随机分布转变.乌拉山白桦种群在小于1.5m的尺度呈聚集分布,即具有2株以上个体“丛生”现象.在环境条件相似的情况下,白桦种群自身的生物、生态学特性是影响其分布格局的最主要因素.     

Spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of high‐elevation forest stands in southern Siberia

Aim To evaluate the hypothesis that topographic features of high‐elevation mountain environments govern spatial distribution and climate‐driven dynamics of the forest. Location Upper mountain forest stands (elevation range 1800–2600 m) in the mountains of southern Siberia. Methods Archive maps, satellite and on‐ground data from1960 to 2002 were used. Data were normalized to avoid bias caused by uneven distribution of topographic features (elevation, azimuth and slope steepness) within the analysed area. Spatial distribution of forest stands was analysed with respect to topography based on a digital elevation model (DEM). Results Spatial patterns in mountain forests are anisotropic with respect to azimuth, slope steepness and elevation. At a given elevation, the majority of forests occupied slopes with greater than mean slope values. As the elevation increased, forests shifted to steeper slopes. The orientation of forest azimuth distribution changed clockwise with increase in elevation (the total shift was 120°), indicating a combined effect of wind and water stress on the observed forest patterns. Warming caused changes in the forest distribution patterns during the last four decades. The area of closed forests increased 1.5 times, which was attributed to increased stand density and tree migration. The migration rate was 1.5 ± 0.9 m year^–1, causing a mean forest line shift of 63 ± 37 m. Along with upward migration, downward tree migration onto hill slopes was observed. Changes in tree morphology were also noted as widespread transformation of the prostrate forms of Siberian pine and larch into erect forms. Main conclusions The spatial pattern of upper mountain forests as well as the response of forests to warming strongly depends on topographic relief features (elevation, azimuth and slope steepness). With elevation increase (and thus a harsher environment) forests shifted to steep wind‐protected slopes. A considerable increase in the stand area and increased elevation of the upper forest line was observed coincident with the climate warming that was observed. Warming promotes migration of trees to areas that are less protected from winter desiccation and snow abrasion (i.e. areas with lower values of slope steepness). Climate‐induced forest response has significantly modified the spatial patterns of high‐elevation forests in southern Siberia during the last four decades, as well as tree morphology.     

Fine‐scale habitat heterogeneity influences browsing damage by elephant and giraffe

Effects of large mammalian herbivores on woody vegetation tend to be heterogeneous in space and time, but the factors that drive such heterogeneity are poorly understood. We examined the influence of fine‐scale habitat heterogeneity on the distribution and browsing effects of two of the largest African terrestrial mammals, the elephant and giraffe. We conducted this study within a 120‐ha (500 x 2,400 m) ForestGEO long‐term vegetation monitoring plot located at Mpala Research Center, Kenya. The plot traverses three distinct topographic habitats (“plateau,” “steep slopes,” and “valley”) with contrasting elevation, slope, soil properties, and vegetation composition. To quantify browsing damage, we focused on Acacia mellifera, a palatable tree species that occurs across the three habitat categories. Overall tree density, species richness, and diversity were highest on the steep slopes and lowest on the plateau. Acacia mellifera trees were tallest and had the lowest number of stems per tree on the steep slopes. Both elephant and giraffe avoided the steep slopes, and their activity was higher during the wet season than during the dry season. Browsing damage on Acacia mellifera was lowest on the steep slopes. Elephant browsing damage was highest in the valley, whereas giraffe browsing damage was highest on the plateau. Our findings suggest that fine‐scale habitat heterogeneity is an important factor in predicting the distribution of large herbivores and their effects on vegetation and may interact with other drivers such as edaphic variations to influence local variation in vegetation structure and composition.     

Topographical pattern of the forest vegetation on a river basin in a warm-temperate hilly region,central Japan

The relationship between tree distribution and topography was examined in a small river basin (3.4 ha) comprising a complex mosaic of topographical units at 10² to 10³ m² order, each of which had a shallow valley bordered by small ridges or breaks of slopes. Twenty-five major woody species were divided into two groups (groups A and B) based on a cluster analysis using the distribution data in the basin. Group A, which mainly consisted of early-successional species, was distributed around the valley sites of the topographical units, while group B, which mainly consisted of late-successional species, was distributed around the ridge sites of the topographical units. This vegetation pattern coincided with erosional condition in the basin. That is, the valley sites were eroded more actively than the ridge sites, as soil depth tended to be thin in the valley sites and thick in the ridge sites, and because large (canopy) trees were restricted in the ridge sites. There was no tendency that group B was replacing group A, and hence it was suggested that repeated disturbance by slope failures or small-scale shallow landslides have prevented compositional change from the early-successional (group A) to the late-successional (group B) species by preventing the invasion of the latter into valley sites.     

Modelling the influence of change in fire regime on the local distribution of a Mediterranean pyrophytic plant species (Cistus salviifolius) at its northern range limit

Aims To assess the potential distribution of an obligate seeder and active pyrophyte, Cistus salviifolius, a vulnerable species in the Swiss Red List; to derive scenarios by changing the fire return interval; and to discuss the results from a conservation perspective. A more general aim is to assess the impact of fire as a natural factor influencing the vegetation of the southern slopes of the Alps. Location Alps, southern Switzerland. Methods Presence–absence data to fit the model were obtained from the most recent field mapping of C. salviifolius. The quantitative environmental predictors used in this study include topographic, climatic and disturbance (fire) predictors. Models were fitted by logistic regression and evaluated by jackknife and bootstrap approaches. Changes in fire regime were simulated by increasing the time‐return interval of fire (simulating longer periods without fire). Two scenarios were considered: no fire in the past 15 years; or in the past 35 years. Results Rock cover, slope, topographic position, potential evapotranspiration and time elapsed since the last fire were selected in the final model. The Nagelkerke R² of the model for C. salviifolius was 0.57 and the Jackknife area under the curve evaluation was 0.89. The bootstrap evaluation revealed model robustness. By increasing the return interval of fire by either up to 15 years, or 35 years, the modelled C. salviifolius population declined by 30–40%, respectively. Main conclusions Although fire plays a significant role, topography and rock cover appear to be the most important predictors, suggesting that the distribution of C. salviifolius in the southern Swiss Alps is closely related to the availability of supposedly competition‐free sites, such as emerging bedrock, ridge locations or steep slopes. Fire is more likely to play a secondary role in allowing C. salviifolius to extend its occurrence temporarily, by increasing germination rates and reducing the competition from surrounding vegetation. To maintain a viable dormant seed bank for C. salviifolius, conservation managers should consider carrying out vegetation clearing and managing wild fire propagation to reduce competition and ensure sufficient recruitment for this species.