A study on the niches of the state’s key protected plants in Bawangling,Hainan Island

Aims An understanding on the living communities of the state’s key protected wild plants and the ability in utilizing resources and occupying ecological spaces by different populations is essential to the protection and propagation of rare and endangered plant species. We use our findings to highlight the knowledge gaps in the conservation strategies for the endangered species.
Methods Field investigations were conducted during 2009-2011. Based on the survey data on 70 forest plots in the Bawangling protected area, the niche breadths and overlaps of 12 species listed as the state’s key protected plants were calculated and analyzed.
Important findings The 12 species, by their niche breadth values in descending order, include Aquilaria sinensis, Nephelium topengii, Camellia sinensis var. assamica, Alseodaphne hainanensis, Keteleeria hainanensis, Podocarpus imbricatus, Firmiana hainanensis, Parakmeria lotungensis, Cephalotaxus mannii, Michelia hedyosperma, Ixonanthes reticulata, Dacrydium pierrei. The niche breadth value of a species is closely related to its range of geographical distribution; both Dacrydium pierrei and Parakmeria lotungensis had a narrow niche breadth corresponding to their narrow ranges of altitudinal distribution. In general, the niche overlap value is higher between species with greater niche breadth; the highest niche overlap value of 0.872 was found between Camellia sinensis var. assamica and Keteleeria hainanensis. However, the niche overlap value between species with smaller niche breadth could also be high; e.g. the niche overlap value was relatively high (0.693) between two species with smaller niche breadth, Michelia hedyosperma and Firmiana hainanensis, indicating that niche overlap value is dependent upon the biological characteristics and requirements for environmental resources of the species of comparison. Some species with low niche breadth values (e.g. Michelia hedyosperma and Ixonanthes reticulata) were found to have smaller populations. Due to lack of suitable community and habitats, these plant species are in dire need of more attention and prioritization for conservation. In conclusion, for the better protection and propagation of these endangered plants in the future, we should combine knowledge of their biological characteristics with that of their living communities such as the montane rainforests, etc.     

末次盛冰期以来观光木的潜在地理分布变迁

观光木(Tsoongiodendron odorum)是木兰科的古老残遗物种, 目前正面临严峻的生存威胁, 属于极小种群濒危植物。通过生态位模型(ENM)能够重建观光木地理分布格局的历史变迁, 探究气候变化对该物种分布的影响, 并了解其地理分布与气候需求间的关系, 从而为全球变暖背景下观光木的保护提供理论基础。该文基于96条现代分布记录和8个环境变量, 采用最大熵(MaxEnt)模型模拟观光木在末次盛冰期、全新世中期、现代和未来(2061-2080年, RCP 8.5)的潜在分布区, 利用SDM toolbox分析观光木的地理空间变化, 并综合贡献率、置换重要值和Jackknife检验来评估气候因子的重要性。研究结果表明: (1)观光木的高度适生区在南岭地区, 末次盛冰期时没有大尺度向南退缩, 很可能在山区避难所原地存活; (2)在全新世中期和未来两个增温的气候情境下, 观光木的分布区均表现为缩减, 其中未来分布的减幅更大, 表明气候变暖对观光木的生长有一定的负面影响; (3)总体上看, 观光木各个时期的地理分布范围相对稳定, 说明观光木对气候变化有一定的适应能力, 人为活动或自身繁育问题可能是致濒的重要原因, 并建议对广东和广西群体进行优先保护。     

中国蔷薇科植物多样性格局及其资源植物保护现状

蔷薇科(Rosaceae)是在中国广泛分布并具有重要经济价值的植物类群, 但蔷薇科资源植物的物种多样性格局及其保护状况尚缺乏较系统的评估。该文旨在: 1)整理中国蔷薇科资源植物名录, 显示其物种多样性格局及热点地区, 并探究这一格局的形成机制。2)评估中国蔷薇科资源植物的保护状况, 为其保护规划提供基础数据。通过广泛收集整理《中国植物志》、省级植物志等资料中关于蔷薇科的记录, 建立了中国蔷薇科物种名录(共914种), 确定了物种的主要经济用途(包括食用植物、园林绿化植物、药用植物和水果种质资源), 并建立了每种植物的高精度分布图。在此基础上, 估算了蔷薇科全部物种及主要资源植物类别的物种多样性格局, 并利用广义线性模型和冗余分析探讨了蔷薇科物种多样性格局与环境的关系。最后将物种分布与中国国家级和省级自然保护区进行叠加分析, 评估了蔷薇科植物的保护现状。结果显示: 1)四川盆地北部、东部和西部山区以及横断山区是中国蔷薇科植物的热点地区。2)蔷薇科植物多样性主要受水分因子影响。3)横断山区、云南东南部和西藏东南部等地是保护薄弱物种集中的区域, 而悬钩子属(Rubus)等类群的保护不足。     

Predictions of potential geographical distribution of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum under climate change

桃儿七(Sinopodophyllum hexandrum)为小檗科多年生草本植物, 是我国濒危传统藏药, 预测气候变化对该物种分布范围的影响对于其保护和资源可持续利用具有重要意义。该文利用获得的桃儿七136个地理分布记录和21个气候环境图层, 通过MaxEnt模型分析桃儿七在我国西部七省的潜在地理分布, 并基于该模型预测政府间气候变化专门委员会(IPCC)发布的SRES-A1B、SRES-A2和SRES-B1气候情景下21世纪20、50和80年代桃儿七分布范围。结果表明: 最热季平均温度、年降水量、温度季节性变动系数和等温性是影响桃儿七分布的主要气候因子; 在当前气候条件下, 桃儿七适宜的生境面积占研究区总面积的11.71%, 主要集中在青藏高原东缘的四川、甘肃、青海境内次生植被丰富、地形复杂的高海拔地区, 低适宜生境与不适宜生境分别占研究区总面积的15.86%与72.43%。由模型预测可知, 在SRES-A1B、SRES-A2和SRES-B1三种情景下, 桃儿七在研究区低适宜生境的数量相对变化较小, 在适宜生境先大幅减少后又缓慢增加。研究结果同时表明, 在未来气候变化条件下, 桃儿七的适宜生境平均海拔将逐渐升高, 范围以及几何重心极有可能先向北移, 然后再向西延伸至青藏高原内部较高海拔的山区。     

《中国植被志》研编内容与规范

植被志是基于植被(或植物群落)调查资料, 全面记叙植被的外貌、物种组成、结构和功能, 以及地理分布和生境条件等特征, 并对同类植被进行归纳和总结的志书。《中国植被志》是第一部对中国植被进行全面记述的志书, 预计完成约48卷110册。在借鉴《中国植被》(1980)(简称“80方案”)植被分类基本原则的基础上,《中国植被志》将对中国植被分类系统的高级分类单位(植被型组、植被型和植被亚型)进行归纳和总结, 对中级和低级分类单位(群系组、群系、亚群系, 群丛组、群丛)进行详细描述。植被高级分类单位的描述具有概括性质, 是在中国植被分类系统中级和低级分类单位描述的基础上, 对其在全球和中国境内的地理分布、自然环境、群落外貌、植被类型及多样性、优势种或共优势种、生物多样性保育价值以及资源现状等进行概述, 并对“80方案”相关内容进行修订和拓展, 将提供对中国植被基本特征客观、准确的记述。在植被中级和低级分类单位中, 群系组描述的内容包括地理分布、自然环境、群落外貌、植被类型以及价值与保育等内容; 群系描述的主要内容包括地理分布、自然环境、生态特征、物种组成、群落结构、群丛组和群丛的分类与描述、优势种的生物学特性、生物量与生产力、植被动态与演替以及价值与保育等方面。作为植被志研编的核心内容, 群丛组和群丛的分类与描述主要基于植被调查资料, 采用数量分类方法, 根据群落结构和物种组成的差异划分出不同的植被类型, 并对其基本特征进行定量描述和归纳。其中, 群落的层片结构、特定植被分类单元的特征种或特征种组的筛选与甄别是植被类型划分的关键环节; 而群落外貌, 群落结构, 物种组成, 各类物种的生长习性、生境的偏适性等是群丛组和群丛描述与归纳的重点内容。该文提出了中国植被中级和低级分类单位的命名方案, 其特点在于植被类型的科学名称中同时体现了植被分类单元特征种或优势种的名称及其所属的高级植被分类单位(植被型组或植被型)的名称, 兼顾了植被名称的规范性与实用性。《中国植被志》的研编工作由文献整编、群落调查、数据分析与整理、文本撰写等环节组成。该文对植被样方的调查与收集, 文献收集与整编, 气候、土壤、地形等相关数据的来源及其整理方法, 植被分类方法, 植被命名, 植被分类单元描述的内容, 植被志章节编写大纲、体裁及撰写等多个规范进行了详细的阐述或示例。     

Community characteristics and spatial distribution of dominant tree species in a deciduous broad-leaved forest of Muzhaling,Henan, China

Aims The objective of this paper is to quantify the species composition and spatial distribution pattern in a deciduous broad-leaved forest in temperate to subtropical ecological transition zone.
Methods In this study, a 3-hm² forest was selected in the temperate to subtropical ecological transition zone to analyze the community species composition, structure of diameter at breast height, community classification and spatial distribution pattern of dominant tree species.
Important findings Our results showed that in the plot there were 85 species, 52 genera and 31 families, mainly composed of Betulaceae, Celastraceae, Caprifoliaceae, Salicaceae and Aceraceae. Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata and Pinus armandii are dominant species of the community tree layer. The rare species and occasional species accounted for 20.0% and 28.24% of total species respectively. Size distribution of all species showed an invert J-shape, which indicates that the community is in a stable and normal growth status. Using multiple regression trees, the community in this plot can be divided into four categories: 1) Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata + Pinus armandii + Litsea tsinlingensis + Cerasus clarofolia + Lindera obtusiloba; 2) Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata + Salix chaenomeloides + Sorbus hupehensis; 3) Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata + Ailanthus altissima + Cerasus clarofolia + Litsea tsinlingensis; 4) Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata + Fraxinus chinensis + Litsea tsinlingensis + Philadelphus incanus. Under the completely random distribution model, the main species in the plot display clustered distributions, with the different species occurring in different habitat types, showing obvious terrain habitat preferences. However, under the heterogeneous Poisson distribution model, these species at different scales are distributed randomly or regularly. This study helps to understand the plant community species composition of the Muzhaling World Geopark, community structure and community distribution. The results show that the terrain habitat heterogeneity is an important factor influencing the spatial distribution of the species. The present work improves the understanding of plant community in Muzhaling World Geopark, and provides technical reference for biodiversity conservation and forest management of this area.     

山东省滨海湿地柽柳种群的空间分布格局及其关联性

柽柳(Tamarix chinensis)是暖温带滨海盐碱湿地的先锋灌木物种, 在滨海湿地植物群落演替和防止沿海地区海水入侵中发挥着重要的作用。研究柽柳种群的空间分布格局和不同径级柽柳个体之间的空间关联性, 揭示种群发展规律, 可以为盐碱地柽柳种群的保护提供指导, 并为滨海湿地生态系统的演替和生态管理提供依据。该研究在昌邑国家海洋生态特别保护区核心区内沿平行海岸线方向设置两条间隔800 m左右的样带, 每条样带上设置3个50 m × 50 m的样地, 共设置6块样地进行每木调查, 绘制柽柳种群空间位置分布图, 并将调查的柽柳按照其基径大小分为≤4 cm、4-8 cm、>8 cm 3个不同径级。利用Programita软件对柽柳种群的分布格局以及不同径级间的空间关联性进行分析。结果显示: (1) 6块样地共调查柽柳个体374株; (2)不同样地间柽柳植株密度差别较大, 说明柽柳在区域尺度上的分布并不均匀; (3)柽柳种群在小尺度(小于5 m)上表现为聚集分布, 在大尺度(大于15 m)上表现为随机分布, 总体表现为随空间尺度的增大柽柳种群呈现由聚集分布过渡到随机分布的趋势; (4) 3个径级两两之间在小尺度上表现为正关联, 在大尺度上表现为无关联, 但在15 m尺度上径级II与径级III因为竞争而呈空间负相关关系。     

An evaluation of four threshold selection methods in species occurrence modelling with random forest: Case studies with Davidia involucrata and Cunninghamia lanceolata

Aims Predictive species distribution models (SDMs) are increasingly applied in resource assessment, environmental conservation and biodiversity management. However, most SDM models often yield a predicted probability (suitability) surface map. In conservation and environmental management practices, the information presented as species presence/absence (binary) may be more practical than presented as probability or suitability. Therefore, a threshold is needed to transform the probability or suitability data to presence/absence data. However, little is known about the effects of different threshold-selection methods on model performance and species range changes induced by future climate. Of the numerous SDM models, random forest (RF) can produce probabilistic and binary species distribution maps based on its regression and classification algorisms, respectively. Studies dealing with the comparative test of the performances of RF regression and classification algorisms have not been reported.
Methods Here, the RF was used to simulate the current and project the future potential distributions of Davidia involucrata and Cunninghamia lanceolata. Then, four threshold-setting methods (Default 0.5, MaxKappa, MaxTSS and MaxACC) were selected and used to transform modelled probabilities of occurrence into binary predictions of species presence and absence. Lastly, we investigated the difference in model performance among the threshold selection methods by using five model accuracy measures (Kappa, TSS, Overall accuracy, Sensitivity and Specificity). We also used the map similarity measure, Kappa, for a cell-by-cell comparison of similarities and differences of distribution map under current and future climates.
Important findings We found that the choice of threshold method altered estimates of model performance, species habitat suitable area and species range shifts under future climate. The difference in selected threshold cut-offs among the four threshold methods was significant for D. involucrata, but was not significant for C. lanceolata. Species’ geographic ranges changed (area change and shifting distance) in response to climate change, but the projections of the four threshold methods did not differ significantly with respect to how much or in which direction, but they did differ against RF classification predictions. The pairwise similarity analysis of binary maps indicated that spatial correspondence among prediction maps was the highest between the MaxKappa and the MaxTSS, and lowest between RF classification algorism and the four threshold-setting methods. We argue that the MaxTSS and the MaxKappa are promising methods for threshold selection when RF regression algorism is used for the distribution modeling of species. This study also provides promising insights to our understanding of the uncertainty of threshold selection in species distribution modeling.     

Species composition and structure characteristics of the major montane shrub communities in the west slope of Helan Mountains,Nei Mongol,China

灌丛是贺兰山最主要的植被组分, 但关于该地区灌丛群落的专门研究并不多见。为了解该地区灌丛资源的分布及生长状况, 该研究对内蒙古贺兰山国家级自然保护区内主要的山地灌丛群落进行样方调查, 通过分析样方数据, 量化描述了各群落的基本特征。结果表明: 贺兰山自然保护区沿海拔梯度主要有准噶尔栒子群系(Form. Cotoneaster soongoricus)、紫丁香群系(Form. Syringa oblata)、小叶金露梅群系(Form. Potentilla parvifolia)、虎榛子群系(Form. Ostryopsis davidiana)、小叶忍冬群系(Form. Lonicera microphylla)、银露梅群系(Form. Potentilla glabra)、山生柳群系(Form. Salix oritrepha)和鬼箭锦鸡儿群系(Form. Caragana jubata) 8种主要的山地灌丛群系。     

华北地区落叶松林的分布、群落结构和物种多样性

华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)林、日本落叶松(L. kaempferi)林及太白红杉(L. chinensis)林是华北地区常见的3种落叶松林类型, 其中日本落叶松林为人工林, 华北落叶松林既有天然分布又有人工种植, 太白红杉林则主要是天然林。该研究基于野外调查数据, 对这3种落叶松林的分布、物种组成、群落结构、物种多样性及其与环境间的关系进行了分析。研究发现, 3种落叶松林的分布受年平均气温的影响较大, 随着年平均气温的增加, 落叶松林的天然分布减少而人工种植的分布增加。3种森林中落叶松的林分径级及树高均为右偏分布, 说明3种落叶松林均处于相对稳定的演替阶段。3种落叶松林均拥有较高的物种丰富度且差异显著, 其中太白红杉林的物种丰富度最大(39.3 ± 17.9), 而华北落叶松林的物种丰富度最小(人工林27.2 ± 17.7, 天然林27.5 ± 13.8)。除最大树高与经度的关系不显著以外, 落叶松林的最大胸径和最大树高及物种丰富度均随经纬度的增加而显著降低, 随着年降水量的增加而显著增加。此外, 年平均气温对落叶松林的总物种丰富度影响不大, 但是对其群落结构影响显著。随着年平均气温的升高, 落叶松林的最大胸径显著降低而最大树高却显著增加。落叶松天然林和落叶松人工林物种多样性的地理分布格局及与气候因子间的关系与落叶松林总体的基本一致, 但群落结构的格局不尽相同: 随着经纬度的增加, 落叶松人工林的最大树高增加而天然林的最大树高减小; 落叶松天然林的最大胸径和最大树高分别随年平均气温的升高和年降水量的增加而减小, 而落叶松人工林的最大胸径和最大树高分别随年平均气温的升高和年降水量的增加而增大。     

Responses of the distribution pattern of Quercus chenii to climate change following the Last Glacial Maximum

Aims Quercus chenii is a representative species of the flora in East China, with high ecological and economic values. Here, we aim to simulate the changes in the distribution pattern of this tree species following the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and to explore how climatic factors constrain the potential distribution, so as to provide scientific basis for protection and management of the germplasm resources in Q. chenii.
Methods Based on 55 presence point records and data on eight environmental variables, we simulated the potential distribution of Q. chenii during the Last Glacial Maximum, mid-Holocene, present and the year 2070 (the scenario of greenhouse gas emission is Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5) with MaxEnt model. The novel climate area and main factors influencing the changes in distribution pattern were evaluated by multivariate environmental similarity surface analysis and the most dissimilar variable analysis. The importance of environmental variables was evaluated by percent contribution, permutation importance and Jackknife test. Response curves were used to estimate the suitable value range of each variable.
Important findings The accuracy of MaxEnt model is very high, as indicated by the value of the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.9869 ± 0.0045. The highly suitable region for the present distribution covers southern Anhui, western Zhejiang, northeastern Jiangxi and eastern Hubei. The main factors affecting the potential distribution of Q. chenii are temperature and precipitation, with the former being more important. Mean temperature of the driest quarter is likely the main factor restricting Q. chenii growing in the north. During the LGM, the East China Sea Shelf occurs as the highly suitable region for the distribution of Q. chenii. In the mid-Holocene, the outline of the suitable area for the distribution of Q. chenii is similar to the present. The potential distribution region will likely move northward and experience an area expansion under the climate condition in 2070. At that time, climate anomaly will also be most severe compared to the LGM, mid-Holocene and present. Temperature seasonality and precipitation seasonality may be the main climatic factors promoting changes in the distribution pattern of Q. chenii.     

Leaf hydraulic traits and their trade-offs for nine Chinese temperate tree species with different wood properties

Aims Trees with different wood properties display variations in xylem anatomy and leaf vein structure, which may influence tree water transport efficiency and water-use strategy, and consequently constrain tree survival, growth and distribution. However, the effects of wood properties on leaf hydraulic conductance and vulnerability and their potential trade-offs at leaf level are not well understood. Our aims were to examine variations in leaf hydraulic traits of trees with different wood properties and explore potential trade-offs between leaf hydraulic efficiency and safety.
Methods Nine tree species with different wood properties were selected for measuring the leaf hydraulic traits, including three diffuse-porous species (Populus davidiana, Tilia amurensis, Betula platyphylla), three ring-porous species (Quercus mongolica, Fraxinus mandshurica, Juglans mandshurica), and three non-porous species (Picea koraiensis, Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica, Pinus koraiensis). Four dominant and healthy trees per species were randomly selected. The hydraulic traits measured included leaf hydraulic conductance on leaf area (K_area) and dry mass (K_mass) basis, leaf hydraulic vulnerability (P₅₀), and leaf water potential at turgor loss point (TLP), while the leaf structural traits were leaf dry mass content (LDMC), leaf density (LD) and leaf mass per unit area (LMA).
Important findings The K_area, K_mass, and P₅₀ differed significantly among the tree species with different woody properties (p < 0.05). Both K_area and K_mass were the lowest for the non-porous trees, and did not differ significantly between the diffuse-porous and ring-porous trees. The ring-porous trees had the highest P₅₀ values, while the diffuse-porous and non-porous trees showed no significant differences in P₅₀. Both K_area and K_mass were negatively correlated with P₅₀ (p < 0.05) for all the trees, and the relationships for the diffuse-porous, ring-porous, and non-porous trees were fitted into linear, power, exponential functions, respectively. This indicates that significant trade-offs exist between leaf hydraulic efficiency and safety. The K_mass was correlated (p < 0.01) with TLP in a negative linear function for the diffuse- and ring-porous trees and in a negative exponential function for the non-porous trees. The P₅₀ increased with increasing TLP. These results suggest that apoplastic and symplastic drought resistance are strictly coordinated in order to protect living cells from approaching their critical water status under water stresses. The K_mass was negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with LDMC, LD, or LMA, while the P₅₀ was positively correlated with LDMC and LD; this suggests that variations in K_mass and P₅₀ are driven by similar changes in structural traits regardless of wood traits. We conclude that the tree tolerance to hydraulic dysfunction increases with increasing carbon investment in the leaf hydraulic system.     

Predicting the global areas for potential distribution of Gastrodia elata based on ecological niche models

Aims Previous studies on the globally suitable areas for growing the medicinal plant Gastrodia elata is lacking. This study aims to predict the global areas for potential distribution of this plant based on multiple ecological niche models. Methods A total of 220 global distribution points of G. elata and 19 ecological variables were compiled and eight environmental variables were selected for the model training. Three ecological niche models, including BIOCLIM, DOMAIN, and MAXENT, were used to predict the global areas for potential distribution of G. elata. The resulting data of different models were analyzed and compared with two statistical criteria: the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and Kappa value. Important findings The predictions of the three models are basically identical, showing that the global areas for potential distribution of G. elata are predominantly in the range of 20° N to 50° N in Asia, mainly in China, South Korea and Japan. A small proportion of the suitable areas occur in India, Nepal and the European countries near Mediterranean. The most suitable areas distribute in provinces close to the Sichuan Basin and the central East China, the mid-eastern parts of South Korea such as Chungcheongbuk-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam- do, and the Kyushu region and the Shikoku region on Japan’s main island. Therefore, these three countries can be used as the main production areas of G. elata for its commercial development. The AUC average values of the three models are all above 0.9 and the Kappa average values all above 0.65, justifying their applications for predicting the potential areas of G. elata. Among them, the MAXENT model appears to perform the best, followed by DOMAIN and BIOCLIM.     

Impact of climate change on suitable distribution range and spatial pattern in Amygdalus mongolica

为模拟、预测气候变化对孑遗、濒危植物蒙古扁桃(Amygdalus mongolica)潜在分布的影响, 利用最大熵(MAXENT)模型模拟、预测、对比、分析、揭示蒙古扁桃在最大冰期(CCSM及MIROC模型)、历史气候(1961-1990年)及未来气候(2020年、2050年和2080年, 政府间气候变化专门委员会排放情景特别报告的A2A情景)条件下的适宜分布范围和空间格局的变化。结果表明: (1)蒙古扁桃在历史气候条件下的潜在分布区集中在蒙古的南戈壁省及东戈壁省, 我国内蒙古巴彦淖尔市、阿拉善左旗、鄂尔多斯市、锡林郭勒盟西部, 河西走廊中部及东部, 宁夏北部及陕西北部, 以及河北北部的部分地区; (2)与历史气候条件下的潜在分布相比, 蒙古扁桃在最大冰期CCSM气候情景下的分布经历了明显的、大范围的向南迁移和范围缩小; (3)未来A2A气候情景下, 其潜在分布范围表现出在2020年明显扩大, 在2050年减小, 到2080年又略有增大的趋势。分布格局表现出不断向我国河北及内蒙古东部, 蒙古东部、北部及西部大幅度扩散、迁移的趋势。     

Spatial distribution patterns and association of Picea crassifolia population in Dayekou Basin of Qilian Mountains,northwestern China

研究青海云杉(Picea crassifolia)种群不同发育阶段的空间分布格局及其关联性, 能揭示其种群的发展规律, 推断其潜在的生态学过程或影响机制, 进而为该种群的配置、种植和森林的经营与管理等提供指导。该研究基于祁连山大野口流域10.2 hm²青海云杉动态监测样地调查资料, 分析了青海云杉群落的物种组成和径级结构, 并采用点格局方法, 通过单变量成对相关函数和双变量成对相关函数对不同年龄阶段青海云杉种群的空间分布格局及其空间关联性进行分析。结果表明: (1)青海云杉种群的径级结构呈倒“J”型分布, 属增长型种群, 种群自然更新状况良好。(2)青海云杉种群4个径级的个体在小尺度上呈聚集分布, 但随着空间尺度的增大, 聚集强度逐渐减弱, 趋向随机分布; 较小径级的个体常呈聚集分布, 而随着径级增大, 也趋向于随机分布。(3)青海云杉大树个体在小尺度(<4 m)范围内与其他径级个体都呈负关联, 随着尺度的增加, 大树与幼树表现出正关联且关联性随尺度的增加而减弱, 而与小树、中树则表现为无关联或者微弱的负关联; 径级相近的个体空间关联性为正关联或无关联, 随着个体径级间差距增大, 空间关联性转变为无关联或负关联。研究表明, 祁连山大野口流域青海云杉种群的分布格局及其关联性随空间尺度和发育阶段而变化, 这是由种群自身的生物生态学特性、种内种间关系以及环境条件共同作用的结果。     

石灰岩特有植物海南凤仙花潜在适宜生境分布模拟

模拟物种的潜在分布区是保护管理受威胁物种的重要手段。该研究对海南岛石灰岩特有种、濒危植物——海南凤仙花(Impatiens hainanensis)的潜在适宜生境分布进行预测, 旨在为海南凤仙花的有效保护及重引入工作提供基础的科学依据。研究基于海南凤仙花8个种群分布点和12个环境变量, 利用最大熵模型(MaxEnt)和GIS技术构建海南凤仙花适宜生境预测模型, 模拟了当前时期海南凤仙花在海南岛的潜在分布区; 同时基于5个实际分布数据和5个不存在数据, 采用受试者工作特征曲线下的面积(AUC)、Kappa系数、真实技巧统计值(TSS)及总体精度4个评估指标综合评价模型的预测精度。研究结果表明: 4个评估指标值均在0.9以上, 说明MaxEnt模型能够很好地预测海南凤仙花潜在适宜生境的分布。限制其分布的主要环境因子为坡度、最干季降水量、降水量季节性变异系数。当前, 海南凤仙花的最适宜生境占海南岛总面积的1.8%, 主要分布于白沙西部与南部、昌江中部和南部、东方东部、乐东东北部。海南凤仙花潜在适宜生境分布狭窄, 且破碎化严重, 迫切需要保护。因此建议: 收集海南凤仙花各种群种子, 建立种质资源库; 将东方天安乡、江边乡及乐东东北部(佳西保护区)等可能存在最适宜生境的地区, 作为今后野外深入调查的首选区域和重引入的重点区域。     

Carbon storage,spatial distribution and the influence factors in Tianshan forests

Aims
Accurate estimation of carbon density and storage is among the key challenges in evaluating ecosystem carbon sink potentials for reducing atmospheric CO₂ concentration. It is also important for developing future conservation strategies and sustainable practices. Our objectives were to estimate the ecosystem carbon density and storage of Picea schrenkiana forests in Tianshan region of Xinjiang, and to analyze the spatial distribution and influencing factors.
Methods
Based on field measurements, the forest resource inventories, and laboratory analyses, we studied the carbon storage, its spatial distribution, and the potential influencing factors in Picea schrenkiana forest of Tianshan. Field surveys of 70 sites, with 800 m² (28.3 m × 28.3 m) for plot size, was conducted in 2011 for quantifying arbor biomass (leaf, branch, trunk and root), grass and litterfall biomass, soil bulk density, and other laboratory analyses of vegetation carbon content, soil organic carbon content, etc.
Important findings
The carbon content of the leaf, branch, trunk and root of Picea schrenkiana is varied from 46.56% to 52.22%. The vegetation carbon content of arbor and the herbatious/litterfall layer was 49% and 42%, respectively. The forest biomass of Picea schrenkiana was 187.98 Mg·hm^-2, with 98.93% found in the arbor layer. The biomass in all layers was in the order of trunk (109.81 Mg·hm^-2) > root (39.79 Mg·hm^-2) > branch (23.62 Mg·hm^-2) > leaf (12.76 Mg·hm^-2). From the age-group point of view, the highest and the lowest biomass was found at the mature forest (228.74 Mg·hm^-2) and young forest (146.77 Mg·hm^-2), respectively. The carbon density and storage were 544.57 Mg·hm^-2 and 290.84 Tg C, with vegetation portion of 92.57 Mg·hm^-2 and 53.14 Tg C, and soil portion of 452.00 Mg·hm^-2 and 237.70 Tg C, respectively. The spatial distribution of carbon density and storage appeared higher in the western areas than those in the eastern regions. In the western Tianshan Mountains (e.g., Ili district), carbon density was the highest, whereas the central Tianshan Mountains (e.g., Manas County, Fukang City, Qitai County) also had high carbon density. In the eastern Tianshan Mountains (e.g., Hami City), it was low. This distribution seemed consistent with the changes in environmental conditions. The primary causes of carbon density difference might be a combined effects of multiple environmental factors such as terrain, precipitation, temperature, and soil.     

Variations and interrelationships of foliar hydraulic and photosynthetic traits for Larix gmelinii

Aims Variations and potential trade-offs of leaf hydraulic and photosynthetic traits are essential for assessing and predicting the effect of climate change on tree survival, growth and distribution. Our aims were to examine variations and interrelationships of leaf hydraulic and photosynthetic traits in response to changes in site conditions for Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii)—a dominant tree species in Chinese boreal forests.Methods This study was conducted at the Maoershan Forest Ecosystem Research Station. A transect of 27 year-old Dahurian larch plantation was established that consisted of five plots extending from the valley to the ridge of a slope. The predawn leaf water potential (Ψ_pre), area- and mass-based leaf hydraulic conductance (K_area and K_mass, respectively), resistance to embolism capacity (P₅₀), leaf mass per area (LMA), net photosynthetic rate (A), and leaf nitrogen content (N) were measured in August 2016.Important findings The Ψ_pre, K_area, K_mass, P₅₀, A, LMA, and N all varied significantly among the plots (p < 0.05), indicating significant intra-specific variations in these traits in response to the changes in site conditions. The P₅₀ was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with Ψ_pre, K_area or K_mass, suggesting that a trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety exist within the species to some degree. There were significant (p < 0.05) pairwise correlations between A, LMA, and N. Nevertheless, there was no significant (p < 0.05) correlation between the measured photosynthetic traits and hydraulic traits. We concluded that the intra-specific variations and multiple interrelationships of the leaf hydraulic and photosynthetic traits for the larch reflect the plasticity of its leaf traits and strategies of its survival and growth as a result of its acclimation to diverse site conditions.     

Forest species diversity mapping based on clustering algorithm

该研究基于机载激光雷达(LiDAR)和高光谱数据, 从森林物种叶片的生理化学源头探寻生化特征与光谱特征的内在关联, 探讨生化多样性、光谱多样性与物种多样性之间的响应机制, 选择最优植被指数并结合最优结构参数, 通过聚类方法构建森林物种多样性遥感估算模型, 在古田山自然保护区开展森林乔木物种多样性监测。研究结果表明: (1)从16种叶片生化组分中, 筛选出叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素、叶片含水量、比叶面积、纤维素、木质素、氮、磷和碳可通过偏最小二乘法用叶片光谱有效模拟(R² = 0.60-0.79, p < 0.01), 并选择有效的植被指数: 转换型吸收反射指数/优化型土壤调整指数(TCARI/OSAVI)、类胡萝卜素反射指数(CRI)、水波段指数(WBI)、比值植被指数(RVI)、生理反射指数(PRI)和冠层叶绿素浓度指数(CCCI)表征相应的最优生化组分; (2)基于机载LiDAR数据利用结合形态学冠层控制的分水岭算法获得高精度单木分离结果(R ² = 0.77, RMSE = 16.48), 同时采用逐步回归方法从常用的森林结构参数中选取树高和偏度作为最优结构参数(R ² = 0.32, p < 0.01); (3)基于6个最优植被指数和2个最优结构参数, 以20 m × 20 m为窗口通过自适应模糊C均值方法进行聚类, 实现了研究区森林乔木物种丰富度(Richness, R ²= 0.56, RMSE = 1.81)和多样性指数Shannon-Wiener (R ² = 0.83, RMSE = 0.22)与Simpson (R ² = 0.85, RMSE = 0.09)的成图。该研究在冠层尺度上获取了与物种多样性相关的生化、光谱和结构参数, 将单木个体作为最小单元, 利用聚类算法直接估算物种类别差异, 无需判定具体的树种属性, 是利用遥感数据进行区域尺度森林物种多样性监测与成图的实践, 可为亚热带地区常绿阔叶林的物种多样性监测提供借鉴。     

《中国植被志》的植被分类系统、植被类型划分及编排体系

植被志(vegegraphy)是基于植被调查资料, 全面记叙植被的群落外貌、种类组成、结构和功能、生境条件, 以及地理分布等特征, 并对同类植被进行归纳和总结的志书。“植被志”的英文译为“vegegraphy”, 是本文的新造词, 它是由“vegetation”的词头“vege-”和英文后缀“-graphy” (记叙之意)组成的合成词。《中国植被志》的研编是一项时间紧迫、内容复杂、工作量浩繁的重大科学工程。它的完成将极大提升中国植被科学和生态学的研究水平, 并为中国植被资源的合理利用、生物多样性保护及生态环境治理等提供不可或缺的基础资料。本文首先简述了植被的基本特征(主要包括外貌特征、种类组成、群落结构以及动态变化等)和国内外植被调查的进展情况, 简要回顾了中国植被分类系统的研究历史, 并对以往的分类系统进行了若干修订。在此基础上, 着重讨论并提出了《中国植被志》卷册编排体系和用于《中国植被志》研编的植被类型划分方案。在对植被分类系统的修订方面, 主要对高级分类单位及相对应的英文名称进行了讨论和修订。按照本文修订的分类系统, 中国植被的分类单位及其对应的英文名称分别是: 植被型组(Vegetation Formation Group)、植被型(Vegetation Formation)和植被亚型(Vegetation Subformation)、群系组(Alliance Group)、群系(Alliance)和亚群系(Suballiance)、群丛组(Association Group)以及群丛(Association)。在植被型组中, 划分为9类: 森林、灌丛、草本植被、荒漠、高山冻原与稀疏植被、沼泽与水生植被、农业植被、城市植被及无植被地段。关于《中国植被志》的卷册编排和“植被类型”划分, 首先按高级分类单位——植被型划分相应的“卷”; 在此框架下, 模糊“植被亚型”、“群系组”和“群系”的概念, 确定“植被类型” (Vegetation type), 并将其作为植被志各卷中的“册”。这样处理不仅保证了研编工作的可操作性, 也保持了同一卷册中特定植被类型的完整性。《中国植被志》编排体系中的“植被类型”的划分很重要, 它是指具有相同建群种及相同优势类群(如种、属)的植被组合, 但它不是严格意义上的植被分类单位。“植被类型”的划分遵循“优势类群及生活型的同一性, 生境条件的相对重要性, 植被特征及用途的差异性, 以及突出植被志的应用性”等原则。按该编排体系, 《中国植被志》将由48卷约110册组成。