鼎湖山马尾松林植物养分积累动态及其对人为干扰的响应

 通过处理（根据当地习惯收割凋落物和林下层植物）和保护（无任何人为干扰）样地的比较试验,在10年时间里（1990～2000年）研究了鼎湖山生物圈保护区马尾松 (Pinus massoniana) 林群落植物养分积累动态及其对人为干扰的响应,在此基础上深入和较系统地分析讨论了不同的经营措施对马尾松林可持续性的影响,为我国目前大面积的退化马尾松林恢复和马尾松林可持续性管理提供理论依据。结果表明：1990～1995年,5年时间里由于人为干扰活动而直接从处理样地取走的各元素养分量,在林下层为（kg·hm－2）：132.72 (N)、4.72 (P)、63.32 (K)、23.51 (Ca)和7.00 (Mg),在地表凋落物为（kg·hm－2）：48.93 (N)、1.85 (P)、17.28 (K)、19.25 (Ca)和2.92 (Mg)。1990～2000年,保护样地林下层和地表凋落物各元素养分贮量分别以39%～41%和37%～38%的年平均增长速率逐年提高,至1995年达到高峰,之后各元素贮量在林下层和地表凋落物均以14%的年平均速率下降。在处理样地,1990～1995年期间各元素贮量在林下层年平均积累速率为17%,之后（1995～2000年期间）则为26%;与此同时,各元素贮量在地表凋落物年平均积累速率为22%～23%,之后（1995～2000年期间）则为28%。在整个试验过程,马尾松林乔木层养分元素总贮量随时间而增加,但其增加的速率随时间和样地不同而异。1990～1995年,保护样地乔木层养分元素总贮量增加了34.9%～38.1%,较处理样地（收获林下层和凋落物）总贮量增加的百分比（29.3%～33.5%）高。然而,1995～2000年,保护样地乔木层养分元素总贮量增加的百分比为26.3%～28.9%,较处理样地（1995～2000年也停止人为干扰）总贮量增加的百分比（28.8%～32.1%）低。可见,1990～1995年,人为干扰活动导致处理样地马尾松林乔木层养分元素年平均积累量降低约1.58%～1.72%,即年平均增长量约减少0.12～2.39 kg·hm－2（2.39 (N)、0.12 (P)、0.77 (K)、1.98 (Ca)、0.29 (Mg)）,这些量约相当于每年通过林下层和凋落物收割活动而直接从林地中取走的养分总量的6%～19%。正是由于长期以来受收割林下层和凋落物这种人为干扰的影响,鼎湖山马尾松林乔木层养分贮量较低。这种利用方式不仅直接从林地中取走大量的养分而且还对林地肥力产生间接的负面影响,其结果使该退化林地不能恢复或继续退化。作者建议的森林利用方法代替目前收割林下层和凋落物方式,既可以满足当地居民燃料的需求还有利于马尾松林的自然恢复。     

鼎湖山退化马尾松林、混交林和季风常绿阔叶林土壤全磷和有效磷的比较

土壤全磷和有效磷浓度的变化随林型和季节不同而异,总的来说,其大小顺序为:季风常绿阔叶林> 混交林>马尾松林(林型);夏季>冬季>春季>秋季(季节),有效磷浓度为:秋季>春季>冬季>夏季(季 节)。收割林下层和凋落物这种人为干扰活动对土壤全磷含量的影响不明显,但对土壤有效磷含量具有显著 的影响。在试验开始时(1990年5月),土壤全磷和有效磷浓度在马尾松林保护样地(停止人为干扰)和处理样 地(按当地习惯继续收割林下层和凋落物)间的差异均不显著。经七年多的试验后,土壤全磷浓度在保护样地 和处理样地间仍十分相似,但土壤有效磷浓度在保护样地显著高于处理样地,说明保护样地在停止人为干扰 后相对于继续受干扰的处理样地其林地条件得到了改善,从而使土壤有效磷含量也得到提高。只要停止人为 干扰,鼎湖山退化马尾松林土壤有效磷供应力是可以自然恢复到季风常绿阔叶林的水平。     

鼎湖山马尾松林群落生物量生产对人为干扰的响应

通过处理 (根据当地习惯收割凋落物和林下层 )和保护 (无任何人为干扰 )样地的比较 ,在 10 a时间里研究了鼎湖山生物圈保护区马尾松 (Pinus massoniana)林群落生物量生产对人为干扰的响应。 1990～ 1995年 ,由于人为干扰活动而直接从处理样地取走的有机质总量为 2 1.2 1t/hm2 。 1990～ 2 0 0 0年 ,保护样地林下层生物量以 34%～ 5 3%的年增长速率从 2 .2 3t/hm2 逐年提高 ,至 1995年达到高峰 (11.10 t/hm2 ) ,之后因与乔木层马尾松生长竞争原因而下降至 9.4 4 t/hm2 ;地表凋落物主要来源于林下层植物且地表凋落物量变化与林下层生物量变化相类似。在整个试验过程 ,尽管保护样地和处理样地乔木层马尾松个体总数均随时间而减少 ,但它们的总生物量则随时间而增加且其增加的速率随时间和样地不同而异。 1990～ 1995年 ,保护样地总生物量增加了 38.3% (从 81.2 t/hm2增至 112 .3t/hm2 ) ,较处理样地 (收获林下层和凋落物 )总生物量增加的百分比高 4 .7个百分点 (33.6 % ,从 98.8t/hm2增至 132 .0 t/hm2 )。然而 ,1995～ 2 0 0 0年 ,保护样地总生物量增加的百分比为 2 9.1% (从 112 .3t/hm2 增至 14 5 .0 t/hm2 ) ,较处理样地 (1995～ 2 0 0 0年也停止人为干扰 )增加的百分比却低 3.2个百分点 (32 .3% ,从 13     

火烧对黔中喀斯特山地马尾松林分的影响

采用样地比较法在黔中喀斯特山地上覆第四纪粘土的马尾松人工次生林内,研究了林火对马尾松林分的影响,结果表明过火马尾松林不同部位的受害率为树皮(95.51%)＞树枝(71.49%)＞树冠(62.95%),不同层片的植物死亡率为草本层(100.00%)＞灌木层(30.43%)＞乔木层(29.09%)。马尾松树皮受害率不因径级而变化、树枝和树冠受害率及植株死亡率随径级增高而降低,灌木层物种或全部死亡、或部分死亡、或全部存活,草本层物种或死亡、或萌生。过火马尾松林地生物量的潜在损失量(68.7755 t/hm²)＞直接损失量(12.1818 t/hm²)、直接损失率22.41%,直接损失量中乔木层(6.9382 t/hm²)＞枯物层(3.3441 t/hm²)＞灌木层(2.4964 t/hm²)＞草本层(0.8861 t/hm²),直接损失率中草本层或枯物层(100.00%)＞灌木层(33.36%)＞乔木层(23.59%)。过火马尾松林不同层片的Patrick指数、Gleason指数、Simpson指数和Hurlbert指数损失量为草本层＞灌木层＞乔木层、潜在损失量＞直接损失量,直接损失率中乔木层的相应值为14.29%、14.29%、17.85%、-11.29%,灌木层的相应值为26.76%、26.76%、37.63%、-18.53%,草本层为100.00%。     

长白山原始阔叶红松林林下草本植物多样性格局及其影响因素

于2009年生长季(5～9月份)对布置在1.0hm2的原始阔叶红松林样地内的100个草本样方(1m×1m)进行物种及其植株高度、盖度以及土壤因子、光照环境进行调查,分析不同层片与土壤因子、光照环境的相关性以及乔木层、灌木层、土壤因子、光照环境对草本层多样性格局的影响,以阐明长白山阔叶红松林林下草本层多样性格局及其影响因素。结果表明:(1)阔叶红松林下的草本植物存在明显的季节动态变化,其中,5月份黑水银莲花(Anemone amurensis)、延胡索(Corydalis ambigua)等早春短命植物占优势,6月份部分早春短命植物和早夏植物、晚夏植物同时出现,物种丰富度最高,7月份是夏季植物的生长旺季,物种多样性最高,8～9月份草本植物逐渐枯萎。(2)灌木层的多样性与草本层的多样性呈极显著正相关,灌木层的株数密度与不同月份的草本层盖度呈正相关、与草本层多样性呈负相关,而乔木层对草本层盖度和多样性的影响均不显著。(3)土壤速效钾、光照和土壤水分是关联乔木层和草本层的重要环境因子。研究认为,阔叶红松林下的乔木层通过影响光照、降水及枯落物的含量而间接影响草本层的多样性格局。     

间伐强度对阿尔泰山天然林下植被的影响

以阿尔泰山天然林为研究对象,探究不同间伐强度（19%、33%、55%、62%）对林下植被的影响,为该区天然林的经营管理提供理论依据。运用样地调查法,对间伐30 a后的林木进行每木检尺,调查林下植被结构、物种多样性,对测定数据进行单因素方差分析和LSD多重比较检验。结果表明：（1）草本层物种丰富度随间伐强度的增大而增大,62%间伐强度显著大于其他处理;灌木层物种丰富度随间伐强度的增大呈先增后减的趋势,55%间伐强度最大（P>0.05）;不同间伐强度处理之间,林下植被的Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou均匀度指数均无显著差异（P>0.05）,草本植物优势种各间伐强度之间大致相同;（2）适当增加间伐强度可以明显提高灌木层和草本层密度,以55%间伐强度为优（P<0.05）,林下植被的盖度随着间伐强度的增大先增后减,间伐显著影响灌木植物盖度,而对草本层盖度则影响不显著（P>0.05）。以上研究表明从恢复林地多样性的角度考虑,间伐强度选取55%更合理。     

鼎湖山马尾松林凋落物及其对人类干扰的响应研究

通过处理（根据当地习惯收割凋落物和林下层）和保护（无任何人类活动）样地的比较,在3年时间里研究了鼎湖山生物圈保护区马尾松（Pinus massoniana)林凋落物,养分动态及其对人类干扰的响应,处理和保护样地年平均凋落物总量分别为：2．388和2．342t/hm^-2.a^-1,它们主要由针叶组成（45．4％－78．8％）,皮＋枝占12．4％－14．4％,杂物8．6％－40．2％,凋落物量具有明显的年,季和月变化规律。尽管为人工起源的马尾松林,但其凋落物的空间分布很不均匀（变异系数＞22％）,凋落物中主要营养元素浓度因组分和季节不同而异,但总的趋势以杂物和春季的浓度最高。凋落物主要营养元素的归还量亦随季节和组分不同而异,其年平均归还总量为：处理样地N15.85kg.hm^-2.a^-1.P0.63kg.hm^-2.a^-1,K2.86kg.hm^-2.a^-1,Ca6.04kg.hm^-2.a^-1和Mg1.77kg.hm^-2.a^-1;保护样地N16．24kg.hm^-2.a^-1,P0.67kg.hm^-2.a^-1,k2.61kg.hm^-2.a^-1,Ca5.41kg.hm^-2.a^-1和Mg2.09kg.hm^-2.a^-1,当停止人为干扰后,凋落物产量及其养分归还量相对于继续受干扰的松林趋向逐年增加。     

林分密度对新津文峰山马尾松人工林林下物种多样性和生物量的影响

以四川省新津文峰山马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林为研究对象,用典型抽样法探究5种林分密度(A:1000株/hm~2;B:1125株/hm~2;C:1250株/hm~2;D:1375株/hm~2;E:1500株/hm~2)对林下植被物种多样性和生物量的影响及林下植被物种多样性和生物量的相关性。结果显示:(1)共调查到植物124种,隶属于74科115属,灌木层物种少于草本层。(2)灌木或草本层在不同林分密度下的优势种都较一致。(3)灌木层物种丰富度指数D值、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数H值及草本层4个多样性指数均在密度B、E分别有最大和最小值;灌木层D值随密度增大而先增后减,其他3个指数变化规律不明显。灌、草层J_(sw)值较稳定。(4)灌木层生物量比草本层多。总体上灌、草层地上生物量大于地下生物量,都在密度B达最大;灌木地下生物量保持较稳定,而草本层变化幅度较大。(5)除灌木层J_(sw)值与该层各生物量呈负相关外,其余各指标均显示正相关。不同林分密度对马尾松林下植物多样性和生物量产生不同的影响,经综合研究分析认为,林分密度1125株/hm~2相对更利于该地马尾松人工林的可持续健康发展。     

人为干扰对川西碧峰峡山矾次生林群落结构和物种多样性的影响

为探讨人为干扰对川西碧峰峡山矾(Symplocos sumuntia)次生林群落结构和物种多样性的影响,对其群落结构、物种组成和物种多样性特征进行了研究。结果表明,在总面积为7200 m~2的12块样地中共记录到维管束植物151种,隶属于58科98属,以樟科(Lauraceae)、山矾科(Symplocaceae)、蔷薇科(Rosaceae)等为主。单因素方差分析表明,不同强度人为干扰对山矾次生林群落径级、高度级结构影响的差异不显著(P0.05),群落乔木层径级为单峰型结构,高度级结构分布呈倒“J”型,群落天然更新能力强。受不同人为强度干扰的山矾次生林群落各层次物种组成和优势种数量不同,乔木层优势种数量差异显著,且轻度干扰中度干扰重度干扰;灌木层和草本层中,中度干扰的优势种数量最多,轻度干扰次之,重度干扰的最少。总体上看,人为干扰对山矾次生林群落乔木层、草本层物种多样性水平具有负面影响,群落Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H)、Simpson优势度指数(H′)、物种丰富度指数(S)和均匀度指数(J_(sw))随人为干扰强度的增加而降低,物种多样性水平呈下降趋势;中度干扰下灌木层的物种多样性有增加的趋势。总体上物种多样性指数表现出灌木层乔木层草本层的规律。     

大蜀山孤岛状山体植被演替阶段物种多样性变化规律

采用"空间差异代替时间变化"的研究方法,以位于安徽省合肥市的孤岛状山体——大蜀山国家森林公园的恢复植被为研究对象,调查了16个典型样地,利用丰富度指数(Margalef richness index,R)、Shannon多样性指数(Shannon diversity index,H)、均匀度指数(Pielou evenness index,Jsw)和生态优势度指数(Simpson index,D)等研究了4个不同演替阶段森林群落的特征变化。结果表明:从马尾松林向针阔混交林、麻栎林的演替过程中,群落乔木层Shannon指数分别为1.957、1.485、0.738,呈下降的趋势;而短毛椴林乔木层Shannon指数为1.694。麻栎林乔木层的物种丰富度和多样性显著低于其他3个群落(P0.05),均匀度显著低于马尾松林和短毛椴林(P0.05)。4种群落灌木层、草本层之间的多样性和均匀度差异均不显著(P0.05)。在群落的垂直结构中,麻栎林物种多样性表现为灌木层草本层乔木层,其他3种群落的物种多样性则表现为灌木层乔木层草本层。处于演替顶极群落的物种多样性并不是最高,群落演替过程的稳定性和多样性有着更为复杂的关系。除人为活动的干扰外,群落的发育程度和内部生境是影响该区演替阶段群落物种多样性变化的主要因素。     

不同林龄马尾松人工林优势种径级结构及物种多样性分析

采用空间代替时间的方法,以黔中山地孟关林场10a、20a、30a和36a的马尾松人工林为研究对象,通过设置12块20 m×20 m的典型样地,分析了马尾松人工林发育过程中径级结构与物种多样性的动态特征。结果表明:(1)马尾松人工林不同林龄阶段,优势种径级结构存在一定差异,10a林分呈单峰型结构,20a、30a、36a林分呈多峰型结构。(2)林下共有植物种类35科53属53种,其中灌木16科24属24种,草本20科29属29种,物种较丰富;不同林龄林分物种组成种类为:20a林分10a林分30a林分36a林分。(3)随林龄增加,马尾松人工林物种丰富度指数先增大后减小,Shannon-Wiener指数和Simpson指数以及Pielou均匀度指数和Alatalo均匀度指数在10a～30a之间变化趋势相反,30a～36a之间变化趋势一致。     

我国南方4种常见人工林林下植物多样性特征及影响因素

为了解长期植被恢复的成熟人工林林下植物组成与多样性特征及其影响因素,基于广东鹤山生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站的南亚热带人工林生态系统,对环境相似(坡度、坡向、海拔)、30 a生4种类型人工林(桉树混交林、马占相思纯林、乡土混交林、针叶混交林)进行调查研究,分析林下植物组成和物种多样性(Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数、Pielou指数)特征。结果表明,人工林林下植物类型丰富,均可形成乔-灌-草垂直结构;4种林型林下植物组成既有相似性,也有差异性,桉树混交林与针叶混交林、马占相思纯林与乡土混交林的灌木层组成相似;桉树混交林与马占相思纯林、乡土混交林与针叶混交林的草本层组成相似,而桉树混交林与针叶混交林的草本层组成极不相似。林分类型影响林下植物多样性,马占相思纯林林下灌草多样性显著低于其他3种混交林(P<0.05),灌木物种数、个体数最少;针叶混交林林下物种丰富度最高。林分郁闭度与林下植物多样性呈正相关(P<0.001),林下植物分布与土壤养分含量相关,桉树混交林、马占相思纯林林下植物多样性与不同形态氮含量相关,有效磷、全磷影响乡土混交林林下物种的分布,针叶混交林受土壤酸碱度、全钾的影响较为明显。在4种人工林林下植物群落中,乡土混交林多样性,均匀度最高,优势度最低,具有更佳的保育和维持林下生物多样性功能。因此,乡土树种混交林更适用于生态公益林构建或对一些针叶林及外来树种纯林进行林分改造。     

马尾松人工林近自然化改造对植物自然更新及物种多样性的影响

中国人工林面积居世界第一位,而马尾松是中国人工林面积较大的树种之一,广泛分布于中国的亚热带区域。马尾松适应能力强,耐干旱、瘠薄,是南方低山丘陵区群落演替的先锋树种,也是荒山绿化造林的主要树种,马尾松人工林对生态防护、生态治理有着重大的意义。但是,绝大部分马尾松人工林为人工纯林,生态系统比较脆弱,生态服务功能较差。人工林的近自然改造对于增加林地生物多样性,提升人工林的生态服务功能具有重要意义。2005年,对中国林业科学院热带林业试验中心1993年造林的马尾松人工林进行4种不同强度(50%、40%、30%、20%)间伐后,套种大叶栎(Castanopsis fissa)、米老排(Mytilaria laosensis)、润楠(Machilus pingii)、红锥(C. hystrix)4个乡土阔叶树种,各种套种密度皆为120株/hm²。分别于间伐前(2004年)及2010年对群落生物多样性及人工套种树种生态情况进行调查,结果表明:(1)间伐处理后,自然更新至乔木层的物种种类和数量都有显著的增加,600 m²的样方中,物种数由(2.75±2.56)种增加到(11.17±4.32)种,个体数由(5.75±4.31)株增加到(32.17±19.09)株,群落中乔木亚层的优势种变化不大,主要有南酸枣(Choerospondias axillaris)、水锦树(Wendlandia uvariifolia),枫香(Liquidambar formosana)、破布木(Cordia dichotoma)、白背桐(Mallotus paniculatus)等。新增加到乔木层的物种大都为之前群落中灌木层的种类,主要有三桠苦(Evodia lepta)、鸭脚木(Schefflera minutistellata)、白花龙(Styrax faberi)、中平树(Macaranga denticulata)、黄毛榕(Ficus esquiroliana)、华南毛柃(Eurya ciliata)、罗浮柿(Diospyros morrisiana)、猴耳环(Pithecellobium clypearia)、木姜子(Litsea pungens)、毛黄肉楠(Actinodaphne pilosa)等。(2)间伐处理前,600 m²样方中出现的灌草种类数量为(24.63±4.24)种,间伐处理后,600 m²样方中出现的灌草种类数量为(27.58±3.80)种,不同间伐强度处理后林下灌草的优势种与间伐前大致相同,灌木层优势种为三桠苦,草本层优势种为弓果黍(Cyrtococcum patens)。不同间伐强度处理林分间,灌木层和草本层的物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数和Pielou指数均无显著差异,且与间伐前林分也无显著差异。(3)间伐促进了4个乡土树种幼树的生长,随着间伐强度的增加,大叶栎、红锥幼树的高度和胸径显著增长;50%的间伐强度的林分中,阔叶树种幼树的长势要显著好于其他间伐强度,50%的间伐强度最有利于马尾松林下套种的阔叶树种生长。(4)在马尾松林下套种的4个阔叶树种幼树的初期生长有明显差异。总体而言,大叶栎与米老排幼树的早期生长速率要明显高于红锥和润楠。     

Changes in the understory during 14 years following catastrophic windthrow in two Minnesota forests

Abstract. We studied the effects of windthrow on the understory plant species composition of a pine forest (dominated by Pinus strobus) and an oak forest (dominated by Quercus ellipsoidalis). We recorded the presence of vascular plant species in randomly located quadrats in the two forests, and in three microsite types associated with tipup mounds (pit, old soil and new soil) in the pine forest at irregular intervals over the course of 14 years. The understories of the two forests remained distinct throughout the study. The frequency of occurrence of a number of forest floor species considerably increased; few species decreased. The disturbance specialists Rubus idaeus and Polygonum cilinode increased in frequency throughout the study in the pine forest, but are beginning to decline in the less disturbed oak forest. Annuals and biennials preferentially colonized the disturbed soil of microsites on tipups, and declined in frequency after about 7 yr. Both forests have increased in understory species richness, but have not changed substantially in the distribution of growth forms. Despite early differences in species composition, microsite types associated with tipup mounds became more similar through time. Although small in magnitude, there was a directional change in understory composition at both forests, with no apparent sign of a return to pre‐disturbance conditions.     

Patterns of Richness and Abundance in a Tropical African Leaf‐litter Herpetofauna1

I compared species richness and habitat correlates of leaf‐litter herpetofaunal abundance in undisturbed and selectively logged forests, and an abandoned pine plantation in Kibale National Park, Uganda. I sampled 50 randomly located 25 m² litter plots in each area during the wet and dry seasons in 1997. Ten anuran, five lizard, and three snake species were captured in plots over the study. Assemblage composition was most similar at logged and unlogged sites. The logged forest herpetofauna had higher species richness and abundance than the unlogged forest, but diversity was greater in the unlogged forest due to greater evenness. In contrast, the pine plantation site had the highest richness, abundance, and evenness of the three study sites, but species composition was distinct from the other areas. Herpetofaunal densities were significantly lower in all three areas during the dry season than in the wet season. During the dry season, soil moisture, litter mass, topography, shrub cover, and number of fallen logs were significant positive predictors of herpetofaunal presence in litter plots, but only soil moisture was significant in the wet season. The interaction of moisture and topography appears to be important in determining seasonal patterns of litter herpetofaunal distribution. Comparison of litter herpetofaunal studies across the tropics have shown that mid‐elevation faunas generally support fewer species than lowland faunas. Compared with other tropical mid‐elevation litter faunas, Kibale supports an intermediate number of species, but at lower densities than observed at any other mid‐elevation site reported in the literature.     

Diversity of understory plants in undisturbed and disturbed tropical lowland forests of Little Andaman Island, India

Species richness and density of understory plants were investigated in eight 1 ha plots, distributed one each in undisturbed and disturbed tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, deciduous and littoral forests of Little Andaman island, India, which falls under one of the eight hottest hotspots of Biodiversity in the world viz. the Indo-Burma. One hundred 1 m⁻² quadrats were established in each 1 ha plot, in which all the understory plants (that include herbs, undershrubs, shrubs and herbaceous climbers) were enumerated. The total density of understory plants was 6,812 individuals (851 ha⁻¹) and species richness was 108 species, representing 104 genera and 50 families. Across the four forest types and eight study plots, the species richness ranged from 10 to 39 species ha⁻¹. All the disturbed sites harbored greater number of species than their undisturbed counterparts. Herbs dominated by species (63%) and density (4,259 individuals). The grass Eragrostis tenella (1,860 individuals; IVI 40), the invasive climber Mikania cordata (803; IVI 20) and the shrub Anaxagorea luzonensis (481; IVI 17.5) were the most abundant species. Poaceae, Asteraceae, Acanthaceae, Orchidaceae and Euphorbiaceae constituted the species-rich families represented by 6 species each. The species-area curves attained an asymptote at 0.8 ha level except in sites DD and DL, indicating 1 ha plot is not sufficient to capture all the understory species in disturbed forests. The alien weeds formed about one-fourth of the species richness (31 species; 28%) and density (1,926 individuals; 28.3%) in the study sites, indicating the extent of weed invasion and the attention required for effective conservation of the native biodiversity of the fragile island forest ecosystem.     

Removal of invasive shrubs alters light but not leaf litter inputs in a deciduous forest understory

The establishment and spread of non‐native, invasive shrubs in forests poses an important obstacle to natural resource conservation and management. This study assesses the impacts of the physical removal of a complex of woody invasive shrub species on deciduous forest understory resources. We compared leaf litter quantity and quality and understory light transmittance in five pairs of invaded and removal plots in an oak‐dominated suburban mature forest. Removal plots were cleared of all non‐native invasive shrubs. The invasive shrubs were abundant (143,456 stems/ha) and diverse, dominated by species in the genera Ligustrum, Viburnum, Lonicera, and Euonymus. Annual leaf litter biomass and carbon inputs of invaded plots were not different from removal plots due to low leaf litter biomass of invasive shrubs. Invasive shrub litter had higher nitrogen (N) concentrations than native species; however, low biomass of invasive litter led to low N inputs by litter of invasive species compared to native. Light transmittance at the forest floor and at 2 m was lower in invaded plots than in removal plots. We conclude that the removal of the abundant invasive shrubs from a native deciduous forest understory did not alter litter quantity or N inputs, one measure of litter quality, and increased forest understory light availability. More light in the forest understory could facilitate the restoration of forest understory dynamics.     

南亚热带人工马尾松林下植物组成特征及主要木本种群生态位研究

1引言物种多样性是生态系统的重要特征并维持系统的功能运行,生物多样性与生态系统抵御逆境和抗干扰能力有关,多样性的提高会增强系统的稳定性及生态服务功能[4,5,13,14,24,25,32,36].林下植被在维持森林物种多样性、立地指示、水土保持、促进人工林养分循环、维护林地地力和揭示植被演替特征等方面具有不可忽视的作用[3,12,19,20,35].马尾松(Pinus massoniana)是我国南亚热带地区的主要针叶林之一,由于人为活动(造林、抚育、樵采等)对人工林下物种丰富度干扰很大,造成了森林的严重退化[33,34,37],不利于人工林的可持续发展.南亚热带植被的…     

茂县土地岭植被恢复过程中物种多样性动态特征

植被恢复是退化生态系统重建的重要途径,植被恢复过程物种多样性的变化反映了植被的恢复程度.通过群落调查和多样性分析,研究了岷江上游土地岭植被恢复过程中群落物种多样性特征.结果表明： 恢复过程中6类不同类型群落分别表现其对于不同环境特征、干扰及更新方式等的响应;森林是较灌丛更适合当地环境状况的植被类型;人工恢复无干扰和轻度干扰群落的多样性相对较高,是较好的恢复模式.重度干扰使得1年生植物与地下芽植物比例增加,其它口食性较好的多年生草本减少.较强的干扰是群落无法更新、长期处于灌丛阶段且多样性较低的重要原因.本地区人工恢复群落在更新进程和多样性维持上优于自然更新群落,种植华山松加速了本地区植被演替进程.建议以适合恢复区域的多种恢复配置方式进行造林,并避免较强干扰,可以加速群落演替进程并保持恢复群落较高的物种丰富度与多样性.     

Understory vegetation response to mechanical mastication and other fuels treatments in a ponderosa pine forest

Questions: What influence does mechanical mastication and other fuel treatments have on: (1) canopy and forest floor response variables that influence understory plant development; (2) initial understory vegetation cover, diversity, and composition; and (3) shrub and non‐native species density in a second‐growth ponderosa pine forest. Location: Challenge Experimental Forest, northern Sierra Nevada, California, USA. Methods: We compared the effects of mastication only, mastication with supplemental treatments (tilling and prescribed fire), hand removal, and a control on initial understory vegetation response using a randomized complete block experimental design. Each block (n=4) contained all five treatments and understory vegetation was surveyed within 0.04‐ha plots for each treatment. Results: While mastication alone and hand removal dramatically reduced the midstory vegetation, these treatments had little effect on understory richness compared with control. Prescribed fire after mastication increased native species richness by 150% (+6.0 species m²) compared with control. However, this also increased non‐native species richness (+0.8 species m²) and shrub seedling density (+24.7 stems m²). Mastication followed by tilling resulted in increased non‐native forb density (+0.7 stems m²). Conclusions: Mechanical mastication and hand removal treatments aided in reducing midstory fuels but did not increase understory plant diversity. The subsequent treatment of prescribed burning not only further reduced fire hazard, but also exposed mineral soil, which likely promoted native plant diversity. Some potential drawbacks to this treatment include an increase of non‐native species and stimulation of shrub seed germination, which could alter ecosystem functions and compromise fire hazard reduction in the long‐term.