中国北缘分布的鱼尾葵野生资源调查

在进行中国野生棕榈科植物调查中,首次发现在福建省漳州市龙海县的鱼尾葵野生种群,并对其分布、生境和生长情况进行调查。结果表明,漳州龙海为鱼尾葵在福建省的最新发现野生分布点,也是已知的中国鱼尾葵自然分布的最北缘和最东端;鱼尾葵在漳州龙海自然分布区生长良好,有开花结果植株,有小植株的分布,具有自然更新能力。鱼尾葵分布范围较狭窄,呈零星块状分布,野生资源已处于濒危状态,应加强保护。     

棕榈科植物的开发利用及保护

棕榈科植物全世界有198属,约2600种,主要分布于热带和亚热带地区.是热带生态系统中的特殊组成部分.现已广泛应用于园林绿化.笔者根据近年来国内外对棕榈科植物的开发、利用分析,提出在开发的同时应加强对棕榈科植物的保护.     

福建越桔属野生浆果资源与民间利用状况

初步调查了福建越桔属(Vaccinum)主要种类的野生资源、分布和民间利用情况,结果表明,该属野生资源贮量以福建中西部山区较大;民间对越桔属利用方式主要为食用乌饭树(Vaccinum bracteatum)、米饭花(V. mandarinorum)、黄背越桔(V. iteophyllum)的野生浆果,德化、霞浦等地民间还有酿酒习惯,主要用"白曲室温发酵"的方法。提出福建省发展以乌饭树为主的蓝莓产业生态区划。     

中国血竭基源植物的研究与利用

血竭是我国传统名贵中药,目前商品血竭主要来源于棕榈科黄藤属(Daemonorps)植物的果实和百合科龙血树属(Dracaerta)植株茎干的红色树脂.在我国境内发现的、有野生分布的血竭基源植物只为海南龙血树和剑叶龙血树两种.系统综述了我国血竭基源植物的资源状况、血竭形成机理、血竭基源植物的开发利用、人工繁育及栽培技术等方面的研究进展,并对野生血竭基源植物资源的保护、开发与利用、血竭产生机制的研究等进行了展望.     

四川宝兴杜鹃花属植物资源保护及合理利用

四川省是世界杜鹃花属植物主要产地,有丰富的物种资源。是杜鹃花属特有种类和模式标本高密度的分布区域。作者通过野外实地调查、采集标本,对宝兴县境内杜鹃花属植物资源进行了初步调查。结果显示:该县有杜鹃花44种(不包括种下分类等级,其中42种为中国特有种)。本文就宝兴杜鹃花属植物资源及其保护和合理利用策略进行讨论。     

福建凤仙花属植物新资料

通过近年来开展的第四次中药资源普查及其他科研调查,对采集的植物标本进行整理和鉴定,确认福建省产凤仙花属植物共计10种,2种为福建省分布新记录。同时进一步丰富了凤仙花属植物的分布点,并给出福建省凤仙花属植物检索表,为福建省生物多样性的研究及凤仙花属植物的开发利用与保护等提供更全面的基础资料。标本存放于福建中医药大学中药标本室及中国中医科学院中药研究所中药标本馆(CMMI)。     

我国野生樱属植物种质资源调查、收集与保护

我国是樱属植物(Cerasus Mill.)的起源中心,拥有最为丰富的野生资源。为了解和掌握我国野生樱属植物种质资源的现存分布状况、保护现状、受威胁因素等情况,2010-2015年持续对我国西部山区6个省(市)31个调查点的野生樱属植物种质资源进行了实地考察和收集。调查发现,我国野生樱属植物种质资源分布广泛,多样性丰富。但在31个调查点中,除了离城镇较远或自然保护区内的13个调查点外,其他野生樱属植物资源都是零星分布,现存资源分布量很小,约84%的调查点都处于一般保护或无保护状态,任其自生自灭,砍伐频繁,在修路或开荒过程中多会消亡。在调查过程中共收集408份种质资源叶样,进行硅胶干燥室内保存。基于对野生樱属植物种质资源的原生境状况分析,讨论了可能的受威胁因素及保护过程中存在的问题,并提出了对未来樱属植物种质资源的保护策略及开发利用建议。     

贵州省野生兜兰属植物资源现状及保护成效分析

兰科(Orchidaceae)兜兰属(Paphiopedilum)植物花形奇特,研究价值和观赏价值都很高,对环境要求严格,是生物多样性保护中的“旗舰”类群。为掌握贵州省野生兜兰属植物资源现状和保护成效,该研究对野生兜兰属植物进行专项调查,对其资源量、分布格局、受威胁因素和就地保护等进行分析。结果表明:(1)共调查到8种兜兰属植物的103个分布点,分布于27个县,以南部、西南部为主要分布区,生境复杂多样,自然分布不均衡。(2)各物种分布面积从大到小的顺序为硬叶兜兰>小叶兜兰>麻栗坡兜兰>巨瓣兜兰>带叶兜兰>长瓣兜兰>白花兜兰>同色兜兰,资源丰富度从高到低的顺序为硬叶兜兰>小叶兜兰>带叶兜兰>巨瓣兜兰>麻栗坡兜兰>白花兜兰>长瓣兜兰>同色兜兰。(3)该类群受干扰因素复杂,受威胁较为严重,其中过度采挖、干旱、生境退化和破碎化是其濒危的主要原因。(4)该属“有效保护(EP)”2种,“较好保护(WP)”1种,“一般保护(GP)”2种,“较少保护(LP)”3种,未找到目标物种以致“保护状况不明(PSU)”2种。已调查到的物种保护率达100%,但分布点保护率仅29.13%,各物种分布点保护率差异显著; 建议相关部门有针对性地提升全省兜兰属植物的保护强度,进一步优化保护方式和范围,确保这些珍稀濒危的植物资源得到持续的生存发展。     

滇东英武山杜鹃花种质资源的调查

采用实地调查的方法,以云南省东部曲靖地区师宗县境内英武山为调查研究区域,以分布于该区域的杜鹃花属植物为重点调查对象,记录其区域内杜鹃花属植物种类、杜鹃花资源的垂直分布和水平分布。在对英武山杜鹃花属植物进行系统调查和资料整理的基础上,研究了该属植物在英武山的分布规律,结果表明,英武山杜鹃资源有10种,分布于海拔2 000~2 400 m之间。其水平分布呈现不均匀格局。在此基础上对10种(包括亚种和变种)杜鹃花的的生境类型和主要种类的观赏性状,包括花、叶及其花期以及旅游资源开发现状和利用途径的问题进行了详细观察和探讨。提出了进一步加强对杜鹃花属植物资源保护与开发利用、加强野生杜鹃引种驯化、利用杂交及现代生物学技术培育杜鹃花新品种的建议。     

湖南木通属植物种质资源的研究

对湖南省木通属植物种质资源调查发现,湖南木通属植物有2种及1变种,全省均有分布,在湘西武陵山、雪峰山区域海拔200～600m内分布最为广泛,其生境主要为疏林灌丛.用途为药用和食用,野生状态,蕴藏量正在逐年减少,应加以保护和利用.     

Forest characteristics and population structure of a threatened palm tree Caryota obtusa in the karst forest ecosystem of Yunnan,China

中国云南石灰岩山地森林系统中受到威胁的董棕的森林特征和种群结构 别具魅力的董棕(Caryota obtusa)属于棕榈科(Arecaceae)的树种,在中国西南地区、印度、缅甸、泰国、老挝和越南有自然分布。董棕是一个具有重要经济价值且受到人为活动威胁的物种,其在云南的一些石灰岩山地乔木层占据优势。本研究的目的是阐明在云南石灰岩山地森林生态系统中董棕的群落结构、物种多样性、种群现状及其更新动态。为了全面深入的调查董棕群落,我们在云南南部10个县设置56个样方。根据样方数据,我们分析了群落的垂直结构、物种组成和种群结构,并对当地村民进行问卷采访记录了长期以来人为活动对董棕林的干扰情况。研究结果表明,董棕棕榈林分布在石灰岩山坡和沟谷,有7个群落类型。每个群落的垂直结构明显,分为乔木层、灌木层和林床。群落物种组成丰富,各群落类型的木本物种和草本物种的香农-维纳多样性指数均在2.1–3.8。董棕在胸径级上的分布为多峰型,属间歇性更新,且依赖于一定的自然干扰,董棕小树主要在无人为干扰或人为干扰小的群落中出现,重度人为干扰严重地阻碍了董棕的更新,其次的中度人为干扰也给董棕的更新带来了一定的困难。     

Landscape‐scale deforestation decreases gene flow distance of a keystone tropical palm,Euterpe edulis Mart (Arecaceae)

Habitat loss represents one of the main threats to tropical forests, which have reached extremely high rates of species extinction. Forest loss negatively impacts biodiversity, affecting ecological (e.g., seed dispersal) and genetic (e.g., genetic diversity and structure) processes. Therefore, understanding how deforestation influences genetic resources is strategic for conservation. Our aim was to empirically evaluate the effects of landscape‐scale forest reduction on the spatial genetic structure and gene flow of Euterpe edulis Mart (Arecaceae), a palm tree considered a keystone resource for many vertebrate species. This study was carried out in nine forest remnants in the Atlantic Forest, northeastern Brazil, located in landscapes within a gradient of forest cover (19–83%). We collected leaves of 246 adults and 271 seedlings and performed genotyping using microsatellite markers. Our results showed that the palm populations had low spatial genetic structure, indicating that forest reduction did not influence this genetic parameter for neither seedlings nor adults. However, forest loss decreased the gene flow distance, which may negatively affect the genetic diversity of future generations by increasing the risk of local extinction of this keystone palm. For efficient strategies of genetic variability conservation and maintenance of gene flow in E. edulis, we recommend the maintenance of landscapes with intermediary to high levels of forest cover, that is, forest cover above 40%.     

The history and mythology of Endymion nonscriptus

Background: Biological invasions are one of the major causes of biodiversity loss, yet remain rather understudied in tropical environments. The Australian palm tree Archontophoenix cunninghamiana was introduced into Brazil for ornamental purposes, but has become an invasive species in urban and suburban forest patches. The substitution of A. cunninghamiana by the native palm Euterpe edulis has been proposed as a management action.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the regeneration potential of these two palm species in an Atlantic forest remnant in south-eastern Brazil where both species occur.

Methods: We compared seedling establishment and seed longevity of both species through seed sowing, and also measured the contribution of A. cunninghamiana to the local seed rain and seed bank.

Results: Nearly half of the non-anemochoric diaspores collected from the seed rain belonged to A. cunninghamiana, which represented a high propagule pressure in the community. The distribution of the alien palm seeds in the seed rain correlated with the distribution of nearby young and adult individuals inside the forest. Neither A. cunninghamiana nor E. edulis appeared to have a persistent seed bank in a burial experiment; seedling survival experiments suggested a much better performance for A. cunninghamiana, which had a survival rate of ca. 30% compared with a rate of only 3.5% for E. edulis.

Conclusions: The results suggest a higher regeneration capacity for the alien palm over the native species when co-occurring in a forest fragment. Management actions are thus proposed to reduce a potential biological invasion process.     

Migratory bird community structure in oil palm (Elaies guineensis) plantations and native forest fragments in southern Mexico

Oil palm (Elaies guineensis) plantations are among the fastest growing agroecosystems in the Neotropics, but little is known about how Neotropical birds use oil palm habitats. To better understand the potential value of oil palm as an overwintering habitat for migratory birds, we surveyed birds in oil palm and native forest remnants in Tabasco, Mexico, from 19 December 2017 to 27 March 2018. We collected data on bird abundance and vegetative structure and used generalized linear models and multivariate analysis to assess how oil palm development influenced migrant bird diversity, community assemblages, and abundance. We found that species richness of migratory birds tended to be higher in forest patches than in oil palm, that community assemblages of migratory birds differed between native forest and oil palm plantations, and that differences in migratory bird abundance, and subsequent changes in community assemblages were driven by differences between native forest and oil palm plantations in vegetative structure. The bird community of native forest was characterized by migrant species sensitive to forest loss that forage low in the understory and in the leaf litter, whereas the bird community of oil palm plantations was represented by generalist species that occupy a wider range of foraging niches. Our results suggest that most species of migrant birds responded positively to several forest structural features and that integrating more native trees and increasing the amount of understory vegetation in oil palm plantations may increase the value of working landscapes for migratory birds.     

Diversity and conservation of palms in Andaman &; Nicobar archipelago

The palm resources of Andaman & Nicobar Islands are quite rich and unique with a substantial number of endemic species. Andaman & Nicobar Islands, falling within the Indo-Burma region constitute “hottest hotspot” of global biodiversity with an exceptional concentration of endemic species, but are experiencing alarming loss of habitat. The flora and fauna of Andaman group of islands show striking dissimilarities with that of Nicobar group. Palms such as Arenga pinnata, A. westerhoutii, Calamus baratangensis, C. basui, C. longisetus, C. palustris, C. viminalis, Corypha utan, Daemonorops aurea, D. kurziana, D. manii, D. rarispinosa, D. wrightmyoensis, Korthalsia rogersii, Licuala spinosa, Phoenix andamanensis, and Pinanga andamanensis which occur in Andaman groups of islands are absent in the Nicobar group of islands. While Bentinckia nicobarica, Calamus dilaceratus, C. nicobaricus, C. pseudorivalis, C. semierectus, C. unifarius, and Rhopaloblaste augusta are confined to the Nicobars, but seldom found in the Andamans. Areca triandra, Calamus andamanicus, Caryota mitis, Korthalsia laciniosa, Licuala peltata and Pinanga manii are widely distributed in both the group of islands. There is a considerable reduction in their natural population probably due to habitat destruction, low regeneration, and inability to compete with other plants. In addition, calamities like tsunami caused irrecoverable loss of valuable genetic diversity of palms. If conservation efforts are not undertaken, many of the existing species, if not all, are likely to disappear within a foreseeable future. There is dire need for habitat preservation and for in situ conservation. Appropriate conservation strategies should be taken to prevent further genetic erosion of these species and to protect these invaluable plant resources.     

Understory Colonization of Eucalyptus Plantations in Hawaii in Relation to Light and Nutrient Levels

Exotic tree plantations may serve as catalysts for native forest regeneration in agriculturally degraded landscapes. In 2001, we evaluated plant species regeneration in the understory of a 7‐year‐old experimental Eucalyptus saligna forest in Hawaii approximately 1 year after the cessation of 5 years of herbicide. These forests were organized in a 2 × 2–factorial design of planting density (1 × 1– or 3 × 3–m spacing) and fertilization (unfertilized control and regular fertilization), which resulted in varying resource availabilities. We found that understory biomass was highest under high light conditions, regardless of fertilization treatment, whereas species richness was lowest under fertilized 1 × 1–m plots. The understory was dominated by species exotic to Hawaii. The most common tree species, the noxious weed Citharexylum caudatum, was particularly successful because high light–saturated photosynthesis rates and a low light compensation point allowed for high growth and survival under both light conditions. To assess longer‐term recruitment patterns, we resurveyed a portion of this site in 2006 and also surveyed five Eucalyptus plantations in this region of Hawaii that differed in age (5–23 years), species (E. saligna, E. grandis, E. cloeziana, E. microcorys), and management (experimental, industrial, nonindustrial stewardship); all were established on previous agricultural sites within approximately 3 km of native‐dominated forest. Again, very few native species were present in any of the stands, indicating that within certain landscapes and for native species with certain life history traits, exotic plantations may be ineffective nursery ecosystems for the regeneration of native species.     

Species dynamics and colonization patterns in an abandoned forest in an urban landscape

Species dynamics in an abandoned urban forest of Central Japan is described in this paper. The dominant species in the urban plantation were Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa. A variety of eight patches of the canopy was produced by previous forest management practices. Progressive and retrogressive species dynamics within these eight patches are investigated in this paper. The study elucidates the deterministic role of patchiness in the nature of species colonization and the maintenance of species diversity in an urban forest. Altogether 139 native and/or naturalized species, including 23 shrub and 35 tree species, were recorded in the study area of 3.2 ha. The performance of species varied according to their successional attributes indicating a selective canopy influence. Twenty percent of the tree species were shade-intolerant pioneers (e.g. Cornus spp., Rhus javanica var. roxburghii) re-established under selective tree-felling. Thirty percent were shade-tolerant climax species (e.g. Neolitsea sericea, Persea thunbergii) dominant in remnant closed patches. The remaining 50% belonged to various seral types with aggressive deciduous species (e.g. Aphananthe aspera, Celtis sinensis) in most of the patches. Some ruderal herbaceous species dominated heavily disturbed clear-felled patches. This study suggests that canopy modification influences the subsequent colonization pattern. Furthermore, heterogeneous patches contribute to greater species diversity and dynamics in isolated woodlands.     

Population status,habitat dependence,and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species

ABSTRACT Recent elevation of critically endangered Bahama Orioles (Icterus northropi) to species status prompted us to evaluate their population status, habitat use, and breeding ecology. From surveys, we estimated that at least 141 to 254 individuals remain globally, with 90 to 162, 24 to 44, and 27 to 48 individuals remaining on North Andros Island, Mangrove Cay, and South Andros Island, The Bahamas, respectively. Orioles were observed nesting exclusively in anthropogenic habitat (residential and agricultural land), but home ranges also included nearby pine forest and coppice (dry broadleaf forest). Most nests (40 of 46, or 87%) were in nonnative coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), with native Sabal palmetto and Thrinax morrisii, and an introduced Brassaia actinophylla also used. Trees selected by orioles for nesting were significantly taller, less likely to have shrubs underneath, further from cover, and had more palm trees nearby than randomly selected palm trees. Three of eight nests with known contents were parasitized by Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis). Lethal yellowing disease recently devastated coconut palms and reduced the number of orioles on North Andros, but palms on Mangrove Cay and South Andros remain healthy. The juxtaposition of anthropogenic habitat to suitable native habitats may be more important than any single factor for Bahama Orioles, especially for breeding adults and fledged young. Conservation of coppice habitat, at high risk for agricultural and residential development, is crucial for survival of this critically endangered synanthropic species.     

Contrasting Cloud Forest Restoration Potential Between Plantations of Different Exotic Tree Species

The role of exotic tree plantations for biodiversity conservation is contested. Such plantations nevertheless offer various ecosystem service benefits, which include carbon storage and facilitation of indigenous tree species regeneration. To assess forest restoration potential in tropical exotic tree plantations, we assessed native cloud forest tree regeneration in 166 plots in ca. 50‐year‐old plantations of five timber species that are widely used in tropical plantations (Pinus patula, Eucalyptus saligna, Cupressus lusitanica, Grevillea robusta and Acacia mearnsii). Differences in species abundance, diversity and composition were compared among plantations, and between plantations and disturbed and undisturbed indigenous Afromontane cloud forest (southeast Kenya) relicts after controlling for environmental variation between plots (i.e. altitude, distance to indigenous forest, soil depth, slope, aspect) and for environmental and stand structural variation (i.e. dominant tree height and basal area). Regenerating trees were mostly early‐successional species. Indigenous tree species regeneration was significantly higher in Grevillea plantations, where the seedling community also included late‐successional tree species. Regeneration under Eucalyptus was particularly poor. Acacia had a strong invasive nature, reducing its potential role and usefulness in indigenous forest restoration. Our study underlined that exotic tree plantations have differential effects on native tree species regeneration, with high potential for Grevillea plantations and low potential for invasive exotic species.     

Heterogeneity of tree diversity and carbon stocks in Amazonian oil palm landscapes

ABSTRACT

Background: Quantitative effects of large-scale oil palm expansion in the Neotropics on biodiversity and carbon stocks are still poorly documented.

Aims: We evaluated differences in tree species composition and richness, and above-ground carbon stocks among dominant land cover types in Pará state, Brazil.

Methods: We quantified tree species composition and richness and above-ground carbon stock in stands in remnant primary rain forest, young secondary forest, oil palm plantation and pastures.

Results: We sampled 5,696 trees with a DBH ≥ 2 cm, of 413 species in 68 families, of which 381 species were recorded in primary forest fragments. We found significant differences in species richness and carbon stock among the four land cover classes. Carbon stocks in remnant primary forest were typically over 190 Mg ha^?1, while those in other land cover types were typically less than 60 Mg ha^?1.

Conclusion: Oil palm plantations have a species-poor tree community given active management; old plantations have a standing carbon stock which is comparable to that of secondary forest and far greater than that of pastures. Private forest reserves within oil palm company holdings play an important role in preserving primary forest tree diversity in human-modified landscapes in Amazonia.