中国冷杉属的保护植物

冷杉属是松科中的第二大属,全世界约有５０种,主要分布于北半球的高海拔或高纬度地区。在我国西南和东北,冷杉植物常与云杉伴生,是组成寒温性暗针叶林和亚高山暗针叶林的建群树种。尤其是在我国的西南高山地区（海拔３０００米以上）,云、冷杉林是长江上游主要的水土保护林。但在我国的东南部却很难见到云、冷杉的踪迹。以往,人们只知道在我国台湾岛的高海拔山地有冷杉属树种———台湾冷杉分布。但自从１９７６年吴鸣翔先生依据他在浙江庆元百山祖海拔约１７００米处采到的植物标本,发表冷杉属新种百山祖冷杉（Ａｂｉｅｓｂｅｓｈａ…     

长白山云冷杉针阔混交林主要树种空间分布及其关联性

应用点格局分析方法 O-ring函数,分析了长白山云冷杉针阔混交林主要树种以及各生长阶段的空间分布格局和空间关联性。结果表明:(1)林分整体、主要建群种冷杉、云杉和红松的径级分布呈倒"J"型分布,属于增长型种群。(2)林分整体、冷杉、色木槭在0—10 m小尺度上均呈聚集分布,其他尺度上以随机分布为主,云杉、红松和椴树在整个研究尺度上以随机分布为主。(3)冷杉和色木槭在较低龄级阶段小尺度上呈明显的聚集分布,较大尺度上呈随机分布或者均匀分布,冷杉聚集程度随着龄级增大而降低。(4)在冷杉、云杉、红松、椴树和色木槭5个树种组成的10个种对中,冷杉与红松、云杉与红松在小尺度0—10 m范围上以正相关为主;色木槭与冷杉、红松、椴树在小尺度0—5 m范围上主要以正相关为主;云杉和冷杉、椴树、色木槭在整个研究尺度上均以不相关为主。椴树和冷杉、色木槭在10—25 m尺度范围上以负相关为主。(5)幼龄层冷杉与乔木层冷杉在小尺度上呈显著负相关,与乔木层其他树种主要表现为不相关。     

西藏冷杉原始林林隙对草本植物和灌木树种多样性的影响

研究了西藏东南部亚高山原始冷杉林林隙对草本植物和灌木树种多样性的影响．结果表明,西藏东南部亚高山原始冷杉林林隙与非林隙林分内草本植物和灌木树种的种类组成、数量、密度和物种多样性均存在较大的差异．由于林隙内光照条件的改善,草本植物和灌木树种更加丰富;林隙内有喜光的草本植物和灌木,也有耐荫性较强的草本植物和灌木,而非林隙林分内仅有耐荫和较耐荫的草本植物和灌木;大部分林隙内的草本植物和灌木树种的物种多样性和均匀度大于非林隙林分;林隙内与非林隙林分的群落相似系数较小,表明林隙与非林隙林分草本植物和灌木群落组成存在差异．林隙大小在174．2～562．2m^2之间,群落相似系数与林隙大小无明显关联．林隙促进了草本植物和灌木树种的繁衍,在维持藏东南亚高山原始冷杉林的物种多样性方面起着重要作用．     

长白山白桦林中红松种群动态的研究

山地红松、云杉、冷杉林(简称红松云冷杉林),是山地云冷杉林与红松阔叶林相连接带上的垂直地带性植被。在长白山分布于海拔1100—1400m之间,构成窄狭的山地红松云冷杉林亚带(周以良、李景文,1964)。红松云冷杉林受干扰后,白桦林是最为主要的派生森林类型之一。所以,红松云冷杉林演替过程中。白桦林阶段以及林下红松的更新居于重要的位置。本世纪以来,由于东北山地森林的大规模开发,红松云冷杉林面积急剧减小;而作为红松云冷杉林演替先锋阶段的白桦林比重相     

甘南地区紫果云杉、岷江冷杉生命表

本文以径级(胸径间隔)为基础,编制甘南地区紫果云杉、岷江冷杉生命表。 一、研究方法 本项研究于1986和1987年,在甘肃省南部云、冷杉林主要分布地带的白龙江林区和洮河林区进行。选择原始状态下的紫果云杉(Picea purpurea Mast.)、岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana Rehd.et Wils)林,海拔3000米至3600米之间,位于白龙江中上游;同时选取择伐后的云杉(Picae asperata Mast.)、岷江冷杉林     

长白山云冷杉林优势树种的竞争

优势种是植物群落各层次中占优势的植物种,混交林优势树种竞争关系的研究对合理经营混交林具有重要意义.本研究在吉林省汪清县金沟岭林场内,选择立地条件一致的云冷杉天然林,设置大小100 m×100 m样地.首先,用优势度分析法确定群落优势树种;其次,以优势树种为对象木,采用可描述单株林木侧方上方、种内种间竞争强度的林木竞争指数分析优势树种的竞争关系.结果表明: 该云冷杉天然林有3个优势树种:臭冷杉、红皮云杉、红松.样地中,小径级林木较多,群落林木趋于小龄化,3个优势树种的竞争树种主要有臭冷杉、红皮云杉、红松、枫桦、紫椴、青楷槭和白桦.3个优势树种受到的竞争最激烈的是臭冷杉(1412.48),其次是红皮云杉(439.17)、红松(245.28),都主要承受侧方挤占,臭冷杉、红皮云杉、红松的侧方挤占分别占各优势树种竞争强度的64.9%、65.2%、66.0%;3个优势树种侧方上方平均竞争强度大致随个体胸径的增大而减少,小径级林木的侧方上方平均竞争强度几乎相等,对象木径级越大,所承受的侧方挤占比例越大,大径级林木几乎不承受上方遮盖;3个优势树种的侧方上方竞争主要来源于臭冷杉、红皮云杉、红松、紫椴、枫桦、青楷槭和白桦.3个优势树种种间竞争均比种内竞争激烈,臭冷杉、红皮云杉、红松的种间竞争分别占各优势树种竞争强度的58.4%、87.1%、83.7%,且竞争强度大致随个体胸径的增大而减少.     

阿尔泰山萨彦岭4种优势树种径向生长对气候因子的响应

气候变化深刻地影响森林树木的生长,而树种对气候变化敏感度的差异可能影响了气候变化下的森林生态系统响应。因此,研究优势树种间生长对气候变化的敏感度差异,对正确认识气候变化下林分生长动态及分布格局十分重要。基于树木年代学的方法,研究了阿尔泰山萨彦岭西伯利亚落叶松（Larix sibirica）、西伯利亚红松（Pinus sibirica）、西伯利亚冷杉（Abies sibirica）以及西伯利亚云杉（Picea obovata）4种优势树种的径向生长-气候关系。结果显示：（1）西伯利亚冷杉径向生长与上一年10-11月、当年1-9月的干旱指数、2-4月的降水显著正相关,与1月的平均温和最高温呈显著负相关关系,与当年4、6月份的水汽压正相关;（2）西伯利亚落叶松径向生长与上一年8月和当年8月的平均温、最高温以及当年8月的最低温显著负相关,而与当年6月的最低温则正相关,与8月份的水汽压显著负相关;（3）西伯利亚红松径向生长与3月降水、7月最低温、上一年10月的水汽压显著正相关;（4）西伯利亚云杉径向生长与6月平均温、最高温、水汽压正相关,与上一年10-11月、当年2-4月和9月的干旱指数正相关,同时与3、4月的降水量显著正相关。西伯利亚冷杉和西伯利亚云杉、西伯利亚云杉和西伯利亚落叶松、西伯利亚云杉和西伯利亚红松对于特定气候因子表现出相似的响应结果,与年表间相关性的结果一致。但差异也是明显的,西伯利亚冷杉和西伯利亚云杉对区域水分变化敏感,而西伯利亚落叶松和西伯利亚红松主要对区域温度变化敏感。综上所述,气候变化下,该区域优势树种对气候变化响应的差异可能导致区域林分动态和格局的改变,因此,多树种径向生长-气候关系研究有助于正确反映森林动态。研究结果可以为区域森林管理与生态保护工作提供理论依据。     

长白山云冷杉林幼苗幼树空间分布格局及其更新特征

长白山云冷杉针阔混交林是我国东北主要的森林类型之一,其乔木树种幼苗幼树的结构和动态决定着未来林分的结构和生长动态。在长白山地区设置一块具有代表性的云冷杉针阔混交林幼苗幼树更新样地,统计分析幼苗幼树更新特征,绘制地径结构图、树高结构图及其空间分布图。运用点格局分析中的单变量O-ring统计方法,分析更新树种的空间分布格局;用双变量O-ring统计方法,分析更新树种种间的空间关联性。研究结果表明:(1)更新树种组成有冷杉(Abies nephrolepis)、色木槭(Acer mono)、紫椴(Tilia amurensis)、红皮云杉(Picea koraiensis)、红松(Pinus koraiensis)、蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)、春榆(Ulmus japonica)7种,其中以冷杉、色木槭为主,更新幼苗幼树的地径近似呈倒J型分布,树高结构近似呈双峰分布;(2)所有更新树种、冷杉、色木槭在小尺度1—10 m的范围内呈聚集分布,随着尺度增加,聚集程度减弱,逐渐趋于均匀分布和随机分布,紫椴、云杉和红松在空间所有尺度上以随机分布为主;(3)更新树种之间的空间关联性在小尺度范围上正关联性比较多,较大尺度范围上负关联性比较多,随着尺度增加,空间关联性减弱。     

林分、土壤及空间因子对谷地云冷杉林叶面积指数空间异质性的影响

叶面积指数(LAI)的空间异质性对研究植物的生长状况、分布格局及其对气候变化的响应机制至关重要,然而关于不同因素对解释LAI空间变异相对贡献率的报道尚少。该研究依托小兴安岭9.12 hm~2 (380 m×240 m)谷地云冷杉林固定样地,采用LAI-2200植物冠层分析仪测定了228个小样方(20m×20m)的LAI,基于地统计学方法分析了LAI的空间异质性;测定了每个小样方的28个林分因子和10个土壤因子,利用主轴邻距法(PCNM)量化了空间因子,并采用方差分解的方法解析了林分、土壤、空间因子及其相互作用对LAI空间变异的相对贡献率。结果表明:LAI在37 m尺度内具有强烈的空间自相关,且在不同方向上LAI呈现相异的空间格局;3种因子及其相互作用共同解释了LAI空间变异的50.4%,其中空间因子的贡献率最大,单独解释了LAI空间变异的25.5%;中等树(5cm胸径≤10cm)的密度和主要树种(冷杉(Abiesnephrolepis)和云杉(Piceaspp.))的胸高断面积均与LAI显著正相关,质量含水率与LAI显著负相关。总体来看,空间自相关对小兴安岭谷地云冷杉林LAI空间异质性的决定作用明显强于林分因子和土壤因子。     

大熊猫栖息地亚高山针叶林结构和动态特征

亚高山针叶林是大熊猫适宜的栖息环境 ,其结构和动态规律严重影响大熊猫的生存和繁衍及其进化潜力的维持 ,是恢复退化大熊猫栖息地的唯一科学依据。通过样方法和中心点四分法调查了大熊猫栖息地 4个亚高山针叶林样地和该样地所在森林的 6 2个林窗 ,研究了该类森林的结构及其更新与大熊猫主食竹生长、林窗干扰的关系 ,以期揭示亚高山针叶林的动态规律 ,为大熊猫栖息地的恢复提供科学依据。研究结果表明 :岷江冷杉 Abies faxoniana和紫果云杉 Picea purpurea是亚高山针叶林的主体 ,其所构成的森林是大熊猫重要的栖息环境。岷江冷杉种群年龄呈现连续分布格局 ,而紫果云杉种群年龄呈间歇性分布 ,其在 2 5 0～ 5 0 0 a之间没有更新。该类森林中普遍存在着林窗干扰和更新现象 ,90 %的林窗下分布有岷江冷杉和紫果云杉更新的幼苗、幼树和大树。但林窗内不同树种更新密度不同 :岷江冷杉更新幼苗、幼树和大树占所有更新树种的 82 .5 % ,而紫果云杉和糙皮桦的更新幼苗、幼树和大树占 11.3%。岷江冷杉和紫果云杉的更新同时受林下大熊猫主食竹生长状况的影响 :主食竹盖度高 ,更新树种幼苗、幼树的密度低 ,即主食竹的生长抑制了岷江冷杉和紫果云杉的更新。     

Soil phosphorus fractions and tree phosphorus resorption in pine forests along an urban-to-rural gradient in Nanchang, China

Urbanization has been rapid across the world but the responses of phosphorus (P) cycling to urbanization have not been well-investigated. This study was to understand the influences of rapid urbanization on forest P cycling in a developing country. Soil P fractions and P resportion were determined for nine slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) forests along a 30-km long urban-suburban-rural gradient in Nanchang City, southern China. The total P stocks in the surface soils in urban and suburban forests were 317% and 182% higher, respectively, than levels found in rural forests. The concentrations of soil available P, labile P, slow P, occluded P and total extractable P were also much higher in urban and suburban forests than in rural forests (P?<?0.05). Soil weathered P concentrations were highest in urban forests. Annual mean foliar P concentrations were enhanced in urban and suburban forests compared to rural forests. The P resorption efficiency (PRE) was higher in rural forests than in suburban and urban forests, while the P resorption proficiency (PRP) was lower in rural forests than in suburban and urban forests. Urbanization associated with high extraneous P inputs has altered soil P status and plant P uptake. Foliar P concentration, PRE and PRP were largely dependent on soil P availability in our study forests.     

村落文化林与非文化林多尺度物种多样性加性分配

文化林是指村民按照文化传统、风俗习惯或宗教信仰自觉保护和管理的森林,具有一定社会文化功能。目前国内外对文化林物种多样性研究主要为定性描述,缺乏对文化林和非文化林生物多样性的定量比较及差异来源分析。利用物种多样性加性分配方法,将总的Gamma 多样性分成样格内的Alpha多样性以及样格间、样方间和林型间Beta多样性,对中国亚热带地区3个村落文化林的乔木层、灌木层、草本层和藤本层进行物种多样性的多尺度分析。调查发现:(1)文化林共有维管束植物296种,以苦槠,樟和米槠为优势种,非文化林共有维管束植物189种,以杉木、马尾松和毛竹为优势种。文化林乔木层和灌木层物种数显著高于非文化林,草本层和藤本层物种数差异不显著。(2)Beta多样性随尺度增大而增加,林型间Beta多样性最高,占区域总Gamma多样性的41.9%-62.8%,其次是样方间Beta多样性(18.6%-31.9%),对区域多样性贡献最小为样格内Alpha和样格间Beta多样性。(3)林型间的多样性对区域物种多样性的贡献中,文化林占主导作用,乔木层占54.4%-81.0%,灌木层占51.2%-60.2%,草本层占42.9%-64.1%,藤本层占49.9%-62.2%。(4) 物种累积-面积曲线表明,在各个尺度上,文化林物种多样性始终高于非文化林,从而在相同面积下保护了更多的物种。加性分配模型在多个空间尺度上阐明了Alpha和Beta多样性的变化,突出了文化林对区域物种多样性的贡献,对保护对象和保护范围的决策以及生物多样性的保护与恢复具有重要意义。     

Nitrogen dynamics in subtropical fringe and basin mangrove forests inferred from stable isotopes

Mangroves exhibit low species richness compared to other tropical forests, but great structural and functional diversity. Aiming to contribute to a better understanding of the functioning of mangrove forests, we investigated nitrogen (N) dynamics in two physiographic types of mangroves (fringe and basin forests) in southeastern Brazil. Because fringe forests are under great influence of tidal flushing we hypothesized that these forests would exhibit higher N cycling rates in sediment and higher N losses to the atmosphere compared to basin forests. We quantified net N mineralization and nitrification rates in sediment and natural abundance of N stable isotopes (δ¹⁵N) in the sediment–plant–litter system. The fringe forest exhibited higher net N mineralization rates and δ¹⁵N in the sediment–plant–litter system, but net nitrification rates were similar to those of the basin forest. The results of the present study suggest that fringe forests exhibit higher N availability and N cycling in sediment compared to basin forests.     

Where are Europe’s last primary forests?

Aim

Primary forests have high conservation value but are rare in Europe due to historic land use. Yet many primary forest patches remain unmapped, and it is unclear to what extent they are effectively protected. Our aim was to (1) compile the most comprehensive European‐scale map of currently known primary forests, (2) analyse the spatial determinants characterizing their location and (3) locate areas where so far unmapped primary forests likely occur.

Location

Europe.

Methods

We aggregated data from a literature review, online questionnaires and 32 datasets of primary forests. We used boosted regression trees to explore which biophysical, socio‐economic and forest‐related variables explain the current distribution of primary forests. Finally, we predicted and mapped the relative likelihood of primary forest occurrence at a 1‐km resolution across Europe.

Results

Data on primary forests were frequently incomplete or inconsistent among countries. Known primary forests covered 1.4 Mha in 32 countries (0.7% of Europe’s forest area). Most of these forests were protected (89%), but only 46% of them strictly. Primary forests mostly occurred in mountain and boreal areas and were unevenly distributed across countries, biogeographical regions and forest types. Unmapped primary forests likely occur in the least accessible and populated areas, where forests cover a greater share of land, but wood demand historically has been low.

Main conclusions

Despite their outstanding conservation value, primary forests are rare and their current distribution is the result of centuries of land use and forest management. The conservation outlook for primary forests is uncertain as many are not strictly protected and most are small and fragmented, making them prone to extinction debt and human disturbance. Predicting where unmapped primary forests likely occur could guide conservation efforts, especially in Eastern Europe where large areas of primary forest still exist but are being lost at an alarming pace.     

中亚热带几种典型森林土壤养分含量分析及综合评价

分析及综合评价不同森林植被对土壤养分因子的影响,对揭示森林植被与土壤养分的相互关系,全面衡量森林土壤养分水平具有重要的意义。以中亚热带杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)纯林、木荷(Schima superb)纯林、木荷+楠木(Phoebe ahenre)混交林、木荷+杉木混交林、青冈栎(Cyclobalanopsis glauca)天然次生林、毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)林6种森林类型为研究对象,在分析不同森林类型土壤养分特征状况差异的基础上,采用结构方程模型确定土壤养分因子权重,对其土壤养分水平进行综合评价。结果表明:(1)6种森林类型0-60 cm土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮和有效磷的含量分别为8.24-28.17 g/kg、0.67-1.31 g/kg、44.88-89.31 mg/kg和1.24-6.50mg/kg,其含量最高的都是青冈栎天然次生林,土壤有机质和碱解氮含量最低的是毛竹林,土壤全氮和有效磷的含量最低的分别为杉木纯林和木荷纯林,0-60 cm土壤全磷和速效钾的含量分别为0.15-0.21 g/kg和35.54-54.32mg/kg,其含量最高的都是木荷+楠木混交林,含量最低的分别为木荷纯林和毛竹林;(2)土壤有机质、全氮、全磷和有效磷的含量在6种森林类型中都一致表现出随土层加深而逐渐减小的规律,而碱解氮和速效钾含量在土壤垂直剖面的变化却因森林类型而异,没呈现出具体的变化规律;(3)栎类天然次生林的土壤养分等级综合评分值为3.47,评价等级属于中上水平,杉木纯林、木荷纯林、木荷+楠木混交林、木荷+杉木混交林的土壤养分等级综合评分值分别为2.45、2.76、2.83、2.68,评价等级均属于中下水平,而毛竹林的土壤养分等级综合评分值仅为1.95,评价等级属于土壤养分缺乏。     

The Conservation Value of Secondary Forests for Vascular Epiphytes in Central Panama

Secondary forests that develop following land abandonment could compensate for the losses of diversity and structure that accompany deforestation of old‐growth forests in tropical regions. Whether secondary forests can harbor similar species richness, density, and composition of old‐growth forests for vascular epiphytes remains largely unknown for secondary forests older than 50 yr. We examined community structure (species richness, density, and species composition) of vascular epiphytes in older secondary forests between 35 and 115 yr after land abandonment and nearby old‐growth forests to determine if the community structure of epiphytes in secondary forests approaches that of old‐growth forests over time. The recovery of epiphyte species richness was rapid with 55‐year‐old forests containing 65 percent of old‐growth epiphyte species richness. Secondary forest epiphyte communities were found to be statistically nested within secondary forests older in age and within old‐growth forests. Similarity of epiphyte communities to old‐growth forests increased to 75 percent, 115 yr after abandonment. This study suggests that secondary forests will likely recover old‐growth epiphyte richness and composition given enough time. Epiphyte densities did not recover quickly with 55‐year‐old forests having 14 percent and 115‐year‐old forests having only 49 percent of the density of old‐growth forest epiphytes. The low density of epiphytes in secondary forests could impact rainforest diversity and function. We conclude that in less than 115 yr, although secondary moist forests have high conservation value for some aspects of community structure, they are unlikely to compensate biologically for the loss of diversity and ecosystem function that high epiphyte densities provide.     

Significance of Riparian Forests for the Conservation of Central African Primates

We compared the structure of 12 Central African primate communities, 6 in riparian forests and 6 in adjacent terra firma forests and discussed the implications for primate conservation. The communities in riparian forests included on average 1.5 times more primate species than those in terra firma forests due to the fact that riparian forests shelter 4 specialist species and 6–7 generalist species. The results differ from findings in Amazonia where riparian forests consistently have fewer primate species than terra firma forests accommodate. This may be partly explained by the water level amplitude in Amazonian riparian forests, which deterred the radiation of semiterrestrial species. In Africa, most riparian-specialist primates are terrestrially-adapted and have access to an enlarged food niche. In terms of African primate conservation, we recommend protecting riparian forests and adjacent terra firma forests so that most of the lowland forest diversity is captured. The linear shape of riparian forests (which allows gene flow over long distance) and their persistence in anthropic landscape (because they represent lands of lesser value for agriculture and logging than mainland forests) predispose them to act as biodiversity sanctuaries.     

Quantifying carbon storage and sequestration by native and non-native forests under contrasting climate types

Non-native trees may have significant impacts on the carbon sink capacity of forested lands. However, large-scale patterns of the relative capacity of native and non-native forests to uptake and store carbon remain poorly described in the literature, and this information is urgently needed to support management decisions. In this study, we analyzed 17,065 plots from the Spanish Forest Inventory (covering c. 30 years) to quantify carbon storage and sequestration of natural forests and plantations of native and non-native trees under contrasting climate types, while controlling for the effects of environmental factors (forest structure, climate, soil, topography, and management). We found that forest origin (non-native vs. native) highly influenced carbon storage and sequestration, but such effect was dependent on climate. Carbon storage was greater in non-native than in native forests in both wet and dry climates. Non-native forests also had greater carbon sequestration than native ones in the wet climate, due to higher carbon gains by tree growth. However, in the dry climate, native forests had greater carbon gains by tree ingrowth and lower carbon loss by tree mortality than non-native ones. Furthermore, forest type (classified by the dominant species) and natural forests versus tree plantations were important determinants of carbon storage and sequestration. Native and non-native Pinus spp. forests had low carbon storage, whereas non-native Eucalyptus spp. forests and native Quercus spp., Fagus sylvatica, and Eurosiberian mixed forests (especially not planted ones) had high carbon storage. Carbon sequestration was greatest in Eucalyptus globulus, Quercus ilex, and Pinus pinaster forests. Overall, our findings suggest that the relative capacity of native and non-native forests to uptake and store carbon depends on climate, and that the superiority of non-native forests over native ones in terms of carbon sequestration declines as the abiotic filters become stronger (i.e., lower water availability and higher climate seasonality).     

Distribution and structural-functional attributes of trees in the high altitude zone of Central Himalaya,India

Patterns of tree species distribution and their structural-functional features were studied along an altitudinal gradient in the Indian Central Himalaya. The forest vegetation falls within three formation types: low to mid-montane sclerophyllous, broad-leaved forests; mid-montane deciduous forests; and high-montane mixed stunted forests. Deciduous tree species formed a considerable (49%) portion of the high altitude forests between 1500–3300 m. The upper limit of forests ranges from 3000 to 3300 m, and three taxa are commonly found at tree line: an evergreen, needle-leaved gymnosperm (Abies pindrow Spach.), an evergreen, broad-leaved sclerophyllous oak (Quercus semecarpifolia Sm.), and a deciduous, broad-leaved birch (Betula utilis Don).The high altitude forests differed from the low altitude forests of Central Himalaya in their greater proportion of microphanerophytes. Vernal flowering is common at this elevation in Central Himalaya. In general, in their elevational distribution and structural-functional attributes, these high altitude forests are similar to other forests of cool temperate zones in Himalaya.     

Tropical rain forest fragmentation and its ecological and species diversity changes in southern Yunnan

Three fragmented rain forests and one primary forest in southern Yunnan were plotted. The microclimate and soil conditions of these forests were also studied. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) The microclimatic differences between inside and outside forest are less in the fragmented forests than in the primary forest, which indicates that the buffer effects to climatic change have been reduced in the fragmented forests. The soil has deteriorated to some extent due to forest fragmentation. (2) In species composition, especially the abundance of some species and the dominant ranks of some families have changed with fragmentation. Barringtonia macrostachya, the most dominant species in the control primary forest, disappeared from the fragmented forests, while Antiaris toxicaria, which is a characteristic but not dominant species in the primary forest, is dominant in fragmented forests. (3) The total number of species per plot was reduced in the fragmented forests and the more seriously disturbed the fragment was, the more the species richness diminished. (4) In life form spectra, the liana and microphanerophyte species increased, but epiphyte, megaphanerophyte, mesophanerophyte and chamaephyte species decreased in the fragmented forests. (5) The plant species diversity is generally lower in the fragmented forests than in the primary forest, although for some life forms it could be higher. (6) The tree species with small populations could be lost first in the process of rain forest fragmentation. (7) The heliophilous or pioneer tree species increased and the shade-tolerant species were reduced in the fragmented forests.