Influence of the Qinghai-Tibetan railway and highway on the activities of wild animals

The effect of traffic and railway construction on the activities of wild animals during the daytime along the Qinghai-Tibetan highway between Budongquan (35°17′ N; 93°16′ E) and Wudaliang (35°13′ N; 93°04′ E) was studied in August 2003 and August 2004. Furthermore, passageways cross the Qinghai-Tibetan railway were monitored to determine the relationship between the usage frequency of the passageways and the distance to the Qinghai-Tibetan highway and the dimension of the passageways. The results showed that the traffic during the daytime had some effects on the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsoni), Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata) and Kiang (Equus kiang) when they were crossing the road, and especially it is significant on the Tibetan antelope. At the same time, they could adapt themselves to the changes in the surroundings by learning and by adjusting their behavior. Most of their activities took place in the morning in order to avoid the effects of traffic, and they could also find and use the passageways cross the Qinghai-Tibetan railway. The dimensions of the passageways, the distance to the Qinghai-Tibetan highway, the surrounding habitat, and human activities could influence the efficiency of the passageways. Most passageways cross the Qinghai-Tibetan railway could not be effectively used by the wildlife because of the short length and low height or because of human activities in the contiguous areas of the passageways. However, the wildlife could adapt themselves to the changes in the surroundings caused by the construction of the Qinghai-Tibetan railway by learning and by adjusting their behavior.     

Influence of the Qinghai-Tibetan railway and highway on the activities of wild animals

The effect of traffic and railway construction on the activities of wild animals during the daytime along the Qinghai-Tibetan highway between Budongquan (35°17′ N; 93°16′ E) and Wudaliang (35°13′ N; 93°04′ E) was studied in August 2003 and August 2004. Furthermore, passageways cross the Qinghai-Tibetan railway were monitored to determine the relationship between the usage frequency of the passageways and the distance to the Qinghai-Tibetan highway and the dimension of the passageways. The results showed that the traffic during the daytime had some effects on the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsoni), Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata) and Kiang (Equus kiang) when they were crossing the road, and especially it is significant on the Tibetan antelope. At the same time, they could adapt themselves to the changes in the surroundings by learning and by adjusting their behavior. Most of their activities took place in the morning in order to avoid the effects of traffic, and they could also find and use the passageways cross the Qinghai-Tibetan railway. The dimensions of the passageways, the distance to the Qinghai-Tibetan highway, the surrounding habitat, and human activities could influence the efficiency of the passageways. Most passageways cross the Qinghai-Tibetan railway could not be effectively used by the wildlife because of the short length and low height or because of human activities in the contiguous areas of the passageways. However, the wildlife could adapt themselves to the changes in the surroundings caused by the construction of the Qinghai-Tibetan railway by learning and by adjusting their behavior.     

Sap Flow of Populus euphratica in a Desert Riparian Forest in an Extreme Arid Region During the Growing Season

In the present study, the heat pulse technique was applied to investigate the stem sap flow of Populus euphratica in a desert riparian forest in an extreme arid region from April to October 2003 and from May to October 2004. The experimental sites were in Qidaoqiao （101 °10′ E, 41°59′ N） and Bayantaolai farm （101°14′ E, 42°01′ N） in Ejina county, in the low reaches of the Heihe River, China. The results indicated that the diurnal change in the velocity of sap flow showed minor fluctuations. At night, the rising of sap flow could be observed in the main tree species because of root pressure. During the growing season, the maximum average velocity was observed in July, followed by August, and the same velocity was observed in September and May; the minimum velocity was observed in October. The transpiration from June to August during the growing season accounted for approximately 70% of the annual total transpiration. The sap flow velocity of P. euphratica trees of different ages could be arranged in the order： 15 yr 〉 25 yr 〉 50 yr. Sap flow velocity was closely related to changes in micrometeorological factors, with average sap flow velocity showing a significant linear correlation with net radiation, air temperature and relative humidity.     

Impacts of variability of habitat factors on species composition of ichthyoplankton and distribution of fish spawning ground in the Changjiang River estuary and its adjacent waters

During June, August and October 2006, there were three multi-disciplinary surveys carried out in the Changjiang River estuary and its adjacent waters (122°00′–125°00′E, 27°50′–34°00′N) by R/V Beidou to study the species composition and abundance of ichthyoplankton (including fish eggs, larvae and juveniles), the spatial distribution of fish spawning ground and their relationship with habitat factors. There were 29, 29 and 25 grid stations sampled in the three cruises, respectively. The ichthyoplankton samples were collected by horizontally towing with a macro-plankton net (mouth diameter 80 cm, length 270 cm, mesh size 0.50 mm) at the sea surface, and the towing speed was 3.0 n mile/h at each sampling station. The towing lasted for 10 min. After hauling for each station, habitat factors including temperature and salinity were measured by Sea Bird-25 CTD. Samples were preserved in 5% formaldehyde solution immediately after sampling for analysis in laboratory. Since the trawl speed could not be accurately evaluated due to the effects of ocean currents and wind-induced wave, the amount of ichthyoplankton was evaluated by actual number of the sampling haul in each station. Ichthyoplankton collected were divided into three categories: dominant species, important species and main species by the index of relative importance (IRI). There are 71 species (including 1200 fish eggs and 2575 fish larvae and juveniles) collected during 3 cruises and 59 species have been correctly identified to species level, which belongs to 50 genera, 37 families and 9 orders; while 5 species can only be identified to genera level, 1 species only identified to family level and 6 species identified to order level. These 59 species identified to species level and 5 species identified to genera level are divided into three ecological patterns, i.e., brackish water species, neritic water species and coastal water species. Warm water species have 34 species in those 59 species identified to species level, accounting for 57.63%, warm temperature species have 25 species, accounting for 42.37%. According to the analysis of IRI, the dominant species are Engraulis japonicus (in June and August, that is important species in October), Scomber japonicus (in August), and Johnius grypotus (in October) during the survey; important species are Cynoglossus joyneri (in June and August), Trichiurus lepturus (in June, August and October), Gonorhynchus abbreviatus (in August), Stolephorus commersonii (in October), Saurida undosquamis (in October) and Saurida elongate (in October), and main species have 12 species in June, 9 species in August and 10 species in October, respectively. The amount of fish eggs and larvae of the dominant species, important species and main species (28 species) are 97.50% and 97.13% of the total amount of fish eggs and larvae, respectively, which are the important composition of fish eggs and larvae in the Changjiang River estuary and its adjacent waters.
In June and August of 2006, if compared with that in corresponding months in 1986, there are great changes in the habitat factors especially for temperature and salinity in the investigating areas: high salinity water from off-shelf is much closer to the coastal areas which results in the dramatic increase of sea surface salinity during all three surveys. Sea surface temperature, on the other hand, decreases distinctively in June, but significantly increases in August. The run-off of the Changjiang River greatly reduced due to the long-term drought in summer 2006, which is responsible for the great changes of habitat factors in the Changjiang River estuary and its adjacent waters. The habitat of the Changjiang River estuary is greatly changed, which consequently has significant influences on the spawning, breeding and the spatial distribution of spawning ground of neritic water species, such as Sardinella zunasi, Thryssa kammalensis, Thryssa mystax, Setipinna taty and S. commersonii ect, and coastal water species, such as Ilisha elongate and Konosirus punctatus ect.     

利用尿液中的雌二醇、孕酮含量监测雌性川金丝猴的月经周期和妊娠

During two consecutive mating seasons from August 2001 to December 2002, we observed the sexual behavior of Sichuan golden monkeys in the Chengdu Zoo and the Shanghai Wild Animal Park. We collected urine samples from females in the early morning. We also measured urinary estradiol and progesterone levels using radioimmunoassay. Based on the estradiol concentration during the menstrual cycle, we discovered that the length of the menstrual cycle was 286.33 1.67 days. The length of pregnancy was about 200 days. The level of estradiol after impregnation was significantly different with the level during the ,same period in the non-receptive part of the cycle. Thus we could diagnose early pregnancy in female Sichuan golden monkeys by checking their urinary estradiol level .     

Impacts of variability of habitat factors on species composition of ichthyoplankton and distribution of fish spawning ground in the Changjiang River estuary and its adjacent waters

During June, August and October 2006, there were three multi-disciplinary surveys carried out in the Changjiang River estuary and its adjacent waters (122°00′–125°00′E, 27°50′–34°00′N) by R/V Beidou to study the species composition and abundance of ichthyoplankton (including fish eggs, larvae and juveniles), the spatial distribution of fish spawning ground and their relationship with habitat factors. There were 29, 29 and 25 grid stations sampled in the three cruises, respectively. The ichthyoplankton samples were collected by horizontally towing with a macro-plankton net (mouth diameter 80 cm, length 270 cm, mesh size 0.50 mm) at the sea surface, and the towing speed was 3.0 n mile/h at each sampling station. The towing lasted for 10 min. After hauling for each station, habitat factors including temperature and salinity were measured by Sea Bird-25 CTD. Samples were preserved in 5% formaldehyde solution immediately after sampling for analysis in laboratory. Since the trawl speed could not be accurately evaluated due to the effects of ocean currents and wind-induced wave, the amount of ichthyoplankton was evaluated by actual number of the sampling haul in each station. Ichthyoplankton collected were divided into three categories: dominant species, important species and main species by the index of relative importance (IRI). There are 71 species (including 1200 fish eggs and 2575 fish larvae and juveniles) collected during 3 cruises and 59 species have been correctly identified to species level, which belongs to 50 genera, 37 families and 9 orders; while 5 species can only be identified to genera level, 1 species only identified to family level and 6 species identified to order level. These 59 species identified to species level and 5 species identified to genera level are divided into three ecological patterns, i.e., brackish water species, neritic water species and coastal water species. Warm water species have 34 species in those 59 species identified to species level, accounting for 57.63%, warm temperature species have 25 species, accounting for 42.37%. According to the analysis of IRI, the dominant species are Engraulis japonicus (in June and August, that is important species in October), Scomber japonicus (in August), and Johnius grypotus (in October) during the survey; important species are Cynoglossus joyneri (in June and August), Trichiurus lepturus (in June, August and October), Gonorhynchus abbreviatus (in August), Stolephorus commersonii (in October), Saurida undosquamis (in October) and Saurida elongate (in October), and main species have 12 species in June, 9 species in August and 10 species in October, respectively. The amount of fish eggs and larvae of the dominant species, important species and main species (28 species) are 97.50% and 97.13% of the total amount of fish eggs and larvae, respectively, which are the important composition of fish eggs and larvae in the Changjiang River estuary and its adjacent waters.
In June and August of 2006, if compared with that in corresponding months in 1986, there are great changes in the habitat factors especially for temperature and salinity in the investigating areas: high salinity water from off-shelf is much closer to the coastal areas which results in the dramatic increase of sea surface salinity during all three surveys. Sea surface temperature, on the other hand, decreases distinctively in June, but significantly increases in August. The run-off of the Changjiang River greatly reduced due to the long-term drought in summer 2006, which is responsible for the great changes of habitat factors in the Changjiang River estuary and its adjacent waters. The habitat of the Changjiang River estuary is greatly changed, which consequently has significant influences on the spawning, breeding and the spatial distribution of spawning ground of neritic water species, such as Sardinella zunasi, Thryssa kammalensis, Thryssa mystax, Setipinna taty and S. commersonii ect, and coastal water species, such as Ilisha elongate and Konosirus punctatus ect.     

Interactive effect of CO2 enrichment and temperature on the photosynthesis of field-grown hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) branches

Two branches of a field-grown Chamaecy-paris obtusa tree were enclosed in chambers of an open gas exchange system for continuous CO₂ exchange measurements. One branch was subjected to ambient air (CO₂, 370 μmol mol^–1) and the other was subjected to CO₂-enriched air (800 μmol mol^–1). The CO₂ exchange rate of the branches, air temperature and photosynthetic photon flux density were recorded every 4 min by a computer during the two experimental periods of July 1994 to June 1995 (experiment 1) and April 1996 to August 1997 (experiment 2). The response of CO₂ gas exchange rate to light changed with the seasonal temperature. The highest saturated rate of net photosynthesis on a leaf area basis was observed in May and October in both CO₂ treatments when the mean daytime temperature was about 18–19°C. This temperature was almost equal to the yearly mean daytime temperature. Above and below this temperature, the saturated net photosynthesis rate decreased. The net photosynthesis rate was usually higher in the elevated CO₂ treatment. The ratio of monthly net photosynthesis rate in elevated CO₂ to that in ambient CO₂ was linearly related to the monthly mean daytime temperature. This ratio increased by 3.3% for each 1°C increase in the monthly mean daytime temperature; the highest ratio of 1.8 occurred in August. When the ratio was 1.0, the temperature was about 5–6°C, which was close to the mean daytime temperature of the coldest month. Elevated CO₂ increased per unit area net photosynthesis by 38.5% and 43.7% in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Received: 29 March 1999 / Accepted: 22 October 1999     

Zonal distribution and population biology of Ilyoplax frater (Brachyura:Ocypodoidea:Dotillidae) in a coastal mudflat of Pakistan

<正> Zonal distribution and population biology of Ilyoplax frater were studied in a mangrove mudflat area of Pakistan.The crabs were collected from Korangi creek through transect and quadrat method from low tide level to high tide level. Twotransects were delimited in a mangrove area of Korangi creek (24°79'N/ 67°20'E). On each transect, three 0.25 m quadrats weresampled at three tidal levels on a monthly basis during low tide periods from March 2001 to February 2002. A total of 1124 crabswere obtained, of which 482 were males and 642 were females. Density of crabs varied between 0 and 90 /m". The density andsize distribution varied and showed significant differences from low to high tide level, and were positively correlated with thepercent moisture, percent organic matter and sediment grain size. The carapace width (CW) ranged from 2.5 to 11.5 mm for maleand 2.5 to 11.0 mm for female and was not significantly different. The overall sex ratio did not differ significantly from the expected1:1 throughout the year in small crabs but was significantly different in adult crabs (x~2= 49.73) with more male crabs. Sizefrequency distribution showed recruitment of juvenile crabs ( 4 mm) nearly throughout the year except during June and July.Presence of ovigerous females in all months with seasonal peaks in September, October, December and May indicates seasonalcontinuous breeding. Weight of egg mass increases with weight of ovigerous females and show positive linear relationship. Theestimated mean diameter of egg was 2.83±0.25μm, and the average number of eggs was 3065±902     

湖北省巴东县小神农架地区川金丝猴的种群调查

The population activities of golden monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Xiaoshennongjia of Badong county,Hubei Province had been surveyed by consecutively tracing and grossly counting from 0ct.2000 to June 2002.The result indicated the anmount the golden monkey that iuhabit in here about 600-800 individuals.They moved clockwise in a circular track.236 golden monkeys of 2 groups had recorded by video camera during survey in Apr.2001,among them there were 59.05% adult and 40.95% of underage,the rate was 1:0.9,the sex ratio of adult was 1:1.38 (male:female).117 individuals of three different groups were recorded in random in 2002,among them were 56.41% of adult and 43.59% underage,the rate was 1:0.67,the sex ratio of adult was 1:1.2.The young were hem from the beginning the month of March.     

Circadian rhythm in circulating CD16-positive natural killer (NK) cells in macaque monkeys,implication of plasma cortisol levels

The daily change in both percentage and absolute number of circulating major lymphocyte subset was determined with young Japanese monkeys and rhesus monkeys. The blood sample was collected at four hour-intervals beginning at 16:00 for 24 hours under the condition of applying tethering system by which blood samples could be collected without restraint. During the dark period (from 20:00 to 08:00), the number of peripheral lymphocytes increased and that of granulocytes decreased, resulting in no significant change in the number of total peripheral white blood cells. The absolute number of CD4 + T, CD8 + T, and CD20 + B cells showed the significant daily change similar to that in number of peripheral lymphocytes, indicating no proportional change in these subsets. The typical proportional change was observed in CD16 + natural killer (NK) cells and the percentage of CD16 + cells decreased during dark period (from 20:00 to 04:00) and increased in the morning (from 08:00 to 12:00). The NK activity determined by killing K562 target cells showed the same changing pattern as that of percentage in CD16+ NK cells. The changing pattern of both percentage and activity of NK cells was consistent with that of plasma cortisol levels. In addition, the intravenous injection of 300 μg/kg of cortisol induced increase in plasma cortisol levels and decrease in percentage of CD16 + NK cells during the first 60 min after cortisol injection. These results strongly suggest that the levels of peripheral functional CD16 + NK cells might be directly regulated by plasma cortisol level in macaque monkeys.     

青藏高原东部地区田鼠物种的分子鉴定

以线粒体细胞色素b基因序列（Cyt b）为分子标记,结合系统发育分析（最大似然法和贝叶斯法）和遗传距离统计（JC遗传距离模型）等方法,分析青藏高原东部地区田鼠类动物的物种组成和地理分布特征。从16个样点共采集到189个田鼠样品,成功获得所有个体的Cyt b全序列,长度为1 143 bp,共检测到248个变异位点和65个单倍型。系统发育分析显示,最大似然树和贝叶斯树的结构基本一致,将65个单倍型分为三组（G1-G3）,分别与已知的柴达木根田鼠（Microtus limnophilus）、青海松田鼠（Neodon fuscus）和高原松田鼠（N. irene）聚为单系群,支持率都为100%。遗传距离统计显示,G1、G2、G3组内两两单倍型之间的遗传距离范围分别为0.09%~3.04%、0.09%~0.70%、0.18%~1.95%;同时,G1与柴达木根田鼠参考序列之间、G2与青海松田鼠参考序列之间、G3与高原松田鼠参考序列之间遗传距离范围分别为0.61%-2.49%、0.53%-0.97%、1.77%-2.22%。结合系统发育和遗传距离分析结果,本研究中采集到的田鼠个体可以鉴定为3个物种：柴达木根田鼠（n = 135）、青海松田鼠（n = 30）和高原松田鼠（n = 24）。其中,柴达木根田鼠分布最广（10个地点）,青海松田鼠（4个地点）和高原松田鼠（3个地点）的分布区则相对狭小;3种动物在分布区上重叠度很小,仅河南县同时发现有柴达木根田鼠和青海松田鼠分布。研究表明,青藏高原东部地区至少有3种田鼠分布,种间遗传界限清晰,空间分布具有一定规律性。研究结果为了解青藏高原东部地区田鼠类动物的物种分布提供可靠的基础资料,同时,为这一地区的田鼠类动物的分子鉴定方法提供参考。     

对青藏高原野生动物保护生物学研究的思考

青藏高原是我国重要的生态屏障区,动物资源丰富,物种独特,是开展野生动物保护生物学研究的天然实验室。尽管青藏高原野生动物保护研究已取得重要成就,但随着科学技术的发展与进步,未来可以在以下3个方面进一步加强。一是坚持高原野生动物种群及栖息地的长期监测;二是利用多学科交叉及宏微观结合的技术与方法开展整合生物学研究;三是进一步加强高原野生动物保护生物学研究青年科技人才的培养。     

青藏铁路可可西里区段沿线的夏季鸟类

2009年7～8月对青藏铁路沿线格拉段青海境内尤其是可可西里保护区段的夏季鸟类进行了调查.结合历史记录,该地区共计50种鸟类.其中留鸟29种,夏候鸟20种,迷鸟1种,国家一级保护动物3种,为黑颈鹤Grus nigricollis、胡兀鹫Gypaetus barbatus、金雕Aquila chrysaetos;国家二级保护动物7种,为猎隼Falco cherrug、燕隼F. subbuteo、红隼F. tinnunculus、游隼F. peregrinus、秃鹫Aegypius monachus、鸢Milvus migrans、大鵟Buteo hemilasius.铁路沿线的鸟类中,优势种为棕颈雪雀Montifringillla ruficollis和地山雀Pseudopodoces humilis,分别占发现总数量(349只)的23.2%和12.0%;常见种包括渡鸦Corvus corax(7.4%)、赤麻鸭Tadorna ferruginea(7.2%)、白斑翅雪雀M. nivalis(6.9%)、棕背雪雀M. blandfordi(6.3%)以及斑头雁Anser indicus(6.0%).     

青藏铁路沿线景观保护评价方法研究

采用遥感和地理信息系统技术 ,对新建青藏铁路唐古拉山口至拉萨段铁路沿线景观进行分类和制图的基础上 ,以景观类型为评价对象 ,采用专家评分法对铁路沿线景观美景度进行了评价 ;根据海拔高度、降水量、植被覆盖度、Shanon-Winner多样性指数、物种丰富度、表层土壤厚度、净第一性生产力、工程扰动的敏感系数和破坏后恢复能力系数计算了景观的阈值。在景观美景度和景观阈值的基础上 ,确定了景观的质量级别。以景观相对于观景者的坡度和景观的可见度对铁路沿线景观敏感度进行了分析与评价。根据景观质量、景观敏感度和距离带 ,将铁路沿线分为不同的景观保护级别 ,为铁路工程建设合理设计工程和施工场地提供科学依据     

青藏高原八种菊科植物染色体核型报道

对产自青藏高原的8种菊科植物进行染色体核型分析,其中6种为首次报道.其核型公式和不对称性如下:葵花大蓟Cirsium souliei 2n=34m,1A;绵刺头菊Cousinia thomsonii 2n=26=22m+4sm,2A;小还阳参Crepis minuta 2n=14=10m+4sm,2A;缘毛橐吾Ligularia liatroides 2n=60=32m+28sm,2A;肉叶雪兔子Saussurea thomsonii 2n=36=22m+ 14sm,2A;西藏蒲公英Taraxacum tibetanum 2n=16=10m+6sm,1A;其余2种的染色体数目及核型与前人的报道一致.     

青藏铁路沿线温性草原区芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)群落特征

芨芨草群落是青藏铁路沿线一类重要的温性草原植被类型,对青藏铁路两侧及其四周的水土保持起着非常重要的作用。对青藏铁路西格段海晏县附近的芨芨草草原的空间分布特征、物种丰富度和生物量等特征进行了分析。结果显示,研究地区芨芨草群落由芨芨草斑块和针茅斑块镶嵌而成,两类斑块的数量、大小和斑块间大小变化幅度等特征在空间上表现出一定的规律;芨芨草斑块大小在样线上所占的比例比针茅斑块为小,且有随远离铁路而减小的趋势,而物种丰富度则出现相反的变化趋势;芨芨草斑块的盖度和单位面积上地上生物量显著高于针茅斑块。斑块的大小和数量在一定程度上反应了芨芨草群落的退化状况。人为活动往往会加剧芨芨草群落的斑块片段化。针对芨芨草群落的特征和现状,建议加强对这些区域内人为活动的限制力度以减少对芨芨草群落的干扰。     

青藏高原微生物生态功能研究进展

青藏高原作为地球“第三极”和全球气候变化敏感区,有着复杂和极端的气候环境,同时也蕴藏了丰富而特殊的生物资源,因此其生物多样性及其对全球气候变化的响应等研究备受关注。随着免培养的分子生态学和高通量测序等技术的迅速发展,青藏高原微生物的多样性及其功能、与其他生物互作等方面的研究不断深入,人们得以进一步认识青藏高原微生物在调节和维持生态系统平衡稳定等方面的重要作用。本文以青藏高原微生物合成功能中的固碳、固氮和藏区特色食品生产和分解作用中的碳、氮、磷、硫元素循环和有毒有害物质的降解以及共生作用中的与微生物、动物、植物共生为主要内容,讨论了微生物对青藏高原其他物种以及生态环境等方面的独特贡献,并对其生态功能进行总结,明确青藏高原微生物对于其脆弱生态环境的重要意义,以期为青藏高原生物多样性保护及微生物资源的开发利用提供参考。     

Characteristics of the Achnatherum splendens community along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, China

The Achnatherum splendens community is an important type of warm steppe vegetation which plays a very important role in environmental protection in the area along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. In order to under-stand its dynamic features, the characteristics of the A. splendens community, such as spatial distribution pattern, species richness and biomass, were examined near Haiyan County, Qinghai Province. Results showed that the A. splendens community consisted of two types of mosaic patches, the microaggregation dominated by A. splendens and the microaggregation dominated by Stipa sp. The number and size of the two patches showed an interesting distribution pattern. The A. splendens patch decreased with increasing distance away from the railway, while species diversity increased. The total coverage of A. splen-dens was significantly higher than that of Stipa sp. The number and size of patches may indicate the degradation of the A. splendens community, which could be acceler-ated by human activities. Based on the characteristics and status quo of the A. splendens community, we suggest that some measures be taken to control human activities and rodents to conserve the A. splendens community.     

青藏高原东缘灌木种子的萌发特性

种子萌发和种子大小是植物生活史中的两个关键性特征,它关系到幼苗的建成、存活、竞争和个体未来的适合度。对青藏高原东缘43种灌木（12种优势种,31种常见种）种子的萌发特性、萌发模式以及种子大小对萌发能力的影响进行了比较研究。结果显示,萌发率在80%以上的物种：优势种有3种（鲜卑花、千里香杜鹃和山生柳）,占25%;常见种有1种（白毛银露梅）,占3.23%。萌发率在60%～80%的物种：优势种有1种（中国沙棘）,占8.33%;常见种有12种（红毛杜鹃、蒙古绣线菊、短叶锦鸡儿等）,占38.71%。萌发率在40%～60%的物种：优势种有1种（锥花小檗）,占8.33%;常见种有5种（暴马丁香、密叶锦鸡儿和肋果沙棘等）,占16.13%。萌发率在20%～40%的物种：优势种有2种（烈香杜鹃和小叶金露梅）,占6.45%;常见种有1种（紫丁香）,占3.23%。萌发率在20%以下的物种：优势种有5种（置疑小檗、高山绣线菊和岩生忍冬等）,占41.67%;常见种有12种（甘肃小檗、刚毛忍冬、陕甘花楸等）,占36.36%。优势种和常见种的萌发主要有爆发型、过渡型、缓萌型和低萌型。优势种具有较多的过渡型和缓萌型种,有较少爆发型和低萌型种;常见种中过渡型、缓萌型和低萌型物种比例均在30%左右,爆发型仅有3.32%。优势种中的爆发型要多于常见种,而低萌型的种要少于常见种。萌发率和萌发速率与种子大小呈显著的负相关关系,萌发开始时间和萌发持续时间与种子大小有较弱的关联性。