管涔山青扦(Picea wilsoni)天然林年龄结构及其动态的研究

对种群年龄结构的研究表明,虽经人为频繁干扰,管涔山青扦天然林仍表现出异龄林结构特征,立木年龄范围超过一个龄级期,根据年龄结构特征值可分为相对同龄林、相对异龄林和异龄林３种类型。林下新一代种群的数量和结构受林冠郁闭度和结构的影响。具垂直郁闭型林冠的异龄林,林下更新数量充足,幼苗幼树年龄结构合理;而水平郁闭型林冠,不利于新一代种群的发生和发展。青扦种群年龄结构受种群发生和自疏两个过程的控制,林下种群的发生以小规模林冠空隙干扰下的连续更新为主。青扦华北落叶松混交林,在其共同适生范围内是某种干扰格局控制下的稳定群落     

贵州雷公山秃杉林不同林冠环境下箭竹分株种群结构特征

通过对贵州雷公山秃杉林的4种林冠环境,即林下(FU)、中林窗(MG)、大林窗(LG)和林缘旷地(FEW)内的箭竹的分株种群结构（包括株高、基径、生物量、叶和分株数等）和年龄结构进行较系统对比研究。结果显示:（1)从林下→中林窗→大林窗,箭竹分株种群的株高(h)、基径（bd)与生物量显著增加。（2)在4种林窗环境中,箭竹各构件的生物量的百分比发生相应变化,枝和叶片生物量的百分比沿林下→中林窗→大林窗→林缘旷地的顺序显著减小,在林缘旷地,地下茎、粗根（d＞0.5 mm)和细根（d≤0.5 mm)生物量的百分比显著高于其他3种林冠环境。（3)箭竹分株单位叶面积叶重沿林下→中林窗→大林窗→林缘旷地的顺序显著增大,单叶生物量与叶面积以中林窗最大,林缘旷地次之,二者与大林窗或林下差异显著;大林窗的单株叶片数显著高于其余3种林冠环境。（4)在4种林冠环境中,箭竹分株种群死亡率以林下最低,但各种群平均年龄间无显著差异。研究表明,箭竹分株种群对林冠环境变化的响应主要体现在形态与生物量的分配上,而非种群的年龄。     

林窗对岷江冷杉幼苗生存过程的影响

岷江冷杉林是我国西南亚高山暗针叶林的主体之一,其健康的种群动态和更新策略在维持长江上游生态安全方面具有重要意义。为了解岷江冷杉更新过程中林窗对幼苗种群动态的影响,通过调查林窗内和林下岷江冷杉更新幼苗的存活情况,采用数量分析方法研究了幼苗的年龄结构和动态特征。结果表明:林窗内和林下岷江冷杉幼苗的年龄结构金字塔均为两头小中间大的纺锤型,存活曲线均为DeeveyⅡ,生命期望以1龄级的最高、林下种群的高于林窗种群。幼苗的死亡率、消失率、累计死亡率和危险率均随龄级的增加而增大,生存率和死亡密度随龄级的增加而减小;岷江冷杉幼苗种群的数量化动态指数Vpi=0.1059,为增长型种群,在外界随机事件干扰时也可持续增长,尤以林窗种群抵御随机干扰、持续增长的特点更为突出;岷江冷杉幼苗种群的周期波动主要受基波控制,林窗种群在9龄级和11龄级处的波动还受谐波的影响。林窗扩大了岷江冷杉更新幼苗的数量规模、提高了种群抵御外界随机干扰的能力。因此,在岷江冷杉林更新管理中,应高度重视林窗的作用。     

卧龙亚高山暗针叶林不同林冠环境下华西箭竹分株种群结构特征

详细调查了林下、中林窗、大林窗和林缘旷地等4种亚高山暗针叶林林冠环境下的华西箭竹（Fargesia nitida）分株种群,对其表现结构（株高、基径和生物量）和年龄结构进行了较系统的对比研究.主要研究结果如下：（1）分株水平上,华西箭竹表现结构在4种林冠环境下均有极显著差异（p＜0.01）,且随林冠郁闭度的减小,分株个体的高度、基径和生物量有递增的趋势（林下＜中林窗＜大林窗）;（2）分株各构件在总生物量中所占比例随林冠环境变化而改变：除林缘旷地外,叶的生物量百分比与林冠郁闭度呈正相关.林缘旷地中,地下茎和根系的生物量百分比均高于其余3种环境;（3）不同林冠环境下分株单位叶面积叶重存在显著差异（p＜0.05）,且随林冠郁闭度的减小而增大.单叶生物量和单叶面积均以中林窗最大,林缘旷地次之,二者与大林窗或林下均有显著差异（p＜0.05）.华西箭竹的单株叶片数量以大林窗最大,与其余3种环境有极显著差异（p＜0.01）;（4）分株种群的死亡率以林下最低（P＜0.01）,但各种群平均年龄间无显著差异（p＞0.05）.可见,华西箭竹分株种群对林冠环境变化的反应主要体现在形态和生物量分配上,而非种群的年龄上.     

江苏省云台山宿城自然保护区赤松林、年龄结构及其更新的特点

 本文以植被样地调查和树木年轮数据为依据,采用空间代替时间的方法定量地论述了宿城自然保护区赤松林群落区系、种群年龄结构及其更新的特点。通过对群落区系和种群动态两个重要方面的分析,力图为探讨其群落稳定性提供证据。本群落区系组成丰富,以北温带成分为主并含有较大比重泛热带成分,特别是与我国华北山东半岛南部成分具有密切联系。在主林层中,林木大小等级和年龄等级分布都遵循倒“丁”形曲线。林下一年生幼苗枯损率,几乎接近100%。林冠下幼树枯死约占一半,而林冠层枯立木占总活立木数的4%。所有这些信息表明：该种群是以幼苗补员与幼树枯损的平衡来维持其特定的持续生存。从郁闭林冠下幼苗、幼树高枯损率证明其更新速度缓慢,但很有可能由林中空地来更替。本文所建立的种群结构动态模型结果表明：宿城亦松种群现阶段是稳定型种群。论其群落性质则应属于具有南北过渡特点的华北型地文(Physiographic)顶极群落。     

濒危植物太白红杉种群年龄结构及其时间序列预测分析

为了阐明太白红杉(Larix potaninii var.chinensis)种群的年龄结构和未来发展趋势,合理保护现有资源,在太白山地区调查了 29个样地(10 m×10m),对处于不同生境的 5个种群的年龄结构、静态生命表和时间序列预测进行了分析。种群年龄结构分析表明,各种群个体数量主要集中于Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ、Ⅶ龄级(个体数量比重占68.64％),幼、老龄个体数量较少。受所处生境条件影响,不同种群年龄结构特点不同:海拔较低的种群(B)由于水热条件适宜,林内有林窗出现,幼龄级个体数相对丰富;而其他种群由于幼龄个体严重缺乏,衰退趋势明显。太白红杉不同种群生命表和存活曲线的分析表明,尽管所处的生境差异较大,但存活曲线基本属于Deevey Ⅲ型,种群偏离典型存活曲线的程度与幼苗缺乏程度有关,一般V-Ⅸ龄级死亡率较高。时间序列分析表明,在未来20、60、100和200年中,各太白红杉种群均会呈现老龄级株数先增加后减少的趋势,种群稳定性维持困难。太白红杉种群年龄结构和动态趋势与银杉(Cathaya argyrophylla)等其他濒危植物比较,导致种群衰退的原因相似:在郁闭的林下种子萌芽和幼苗生长困难。应该利用太白红杉喜光、耐旱和中老年个体产种量丰富的特性,对现有太白红杉林分实行就地保护,合理抚育管理。低海拔地区,应适当间伐非目的树种     

秦岭北坡不同生境栓皮栎实生苗生长及其影响因素

栓皮栎(Quercus variabilis)是中国暖温带和亚热带林区的主要建群种,也是重要的栲胶、软木资源树种。为了阐明栓皮栎在不同生境条件下的种子成苗、实生苗生长及其与环境因素的关系,采用典型样地调查的方法,对秦岭北坡栓皮栎林3种生境中(林窗、林缘、林下)的栓皮栎种子库中种子数量、实生苗的存活数量、生长情况及生物量分配进行了研究,对影响实生苗生长发育的环境因素进行了相关分析。结果表明:林下、林窗和林缘的种子库中种子数量差异显著(P0.05),3种生境中能够萌发形成1a苗的种子数量少,种子能否萌发明显受枯枝落叶层厚度、光照强度和空气湿度的影响;栓皮栎种群有充足的苗库,其中较大年龄实生苗数量是种群能否持续更新的关键,林下、林窗和林缘中8a苗分别占该年龄实生苗总量的22.53%、45.60%和31.87%,林窗中较大年龄实生苗的数量比林下和林缘多,林窗为栓皮栎实生苗的定居提供了有利条件;栓皮栎实生苗的生长与光照强度和空气温度显著正相关,与土壤含水量显著负相关,林窗中实生苗的生长状况和生物量积累均优于林缘、林下。林窗对栓皮栎种群更新有利。在今后的栓皮栎林的经营过程中,可以适当间伐,增加林窗数量,为种群可持续发育提供有利条件。     

库姆塔格沙漠典型植物种群年龄结构特征*

基于实地调查,依据基径和高度分级数据,通过年龄锥和年龄结构拟合函数分析库姆塔格沙漠3个典型种群的年龄结构特征和种群生长状态及发展趋势。结果表明:梭梭种群年龄结构呈反"J"型曲线,目前属于稳定增长型种群,但因其幼苗数量相对较少使其增长受限;沙生柽柳种群年龄结构呈"铃"型曲线,虽然表现出类似稳定型种群特征,但由于幼龄植株数量很小,中龄级的植株数量比例较大,种群存在衰退威胁;胡杨种群年龄结构具有一定的特殊性,呈反转"S"型曲线,中、大龄级植株数量保证了种群能够维持一定的稳定状态,而幼龄级数量较大,使种群具有一定的增长潜力。3个典型种群各自年龄结构特征使其面临着不同程度的生存威胁,必须采取不同的保护措施以维持种群结构的稳定和发展。     

闽楠〔Phoebe bournei(Hemsl.)Yang〕种群的天然更新

调查了福建省罗卜岩自然保护区闽楠〔Ｐｈｏｅｂｅｂｏｕｒｎｅｉ（Ｈｅｍｓｌ．）Ｙａｎｇ〕种群天然更新情况,结果表明：闽楠种群天然更新良好,种子繁殖更新是其天然更新的主要方式,种群年龄结构呈“金字塔”型,它能使闽楠种群稳定增长;也可通过萌蘖繁殖进行天然更新,但更新能力较弱,种群净生殖率Ｒｏ＜１．０,内禀增长能力ｒｍ＜０,种群数量将递减。林冠下和林窗中更新均能使闽楠种群稳定增长,由于闽楠种子以重力传播为主,集中于母树周围,且幼苗与幼树能耐一定荫蔽,故在现存亚热带闽楠群落中,林冠下是闽楠种群更新的主要场所。     

亚高山暗针叶林不同林冠环境下华西箭竹的克隆可塑性

以亚高山暗针叶林3种林冠环境中以及暗针叶林林缘的华西箭竹（Fargesia nitida）为对象,对其无性系数量特征、无性系根茎特征、分株生物量以及分株形态特征进行了对比研究。结果表明：（1）林冠环境的差异导致了不同种群的基株密度和每基株分株数的显著差异,但林冠环境差异不影响分株密度。林冠郁闭度愈大,每基株分株数愈少,分株分布愈均匀。（2）不同林冠环境间。分株生物量、分株构件生物量和分株构件的生物量分配百分率均有显著差异。开敞的林冠环境有利于华西箭竹的生长和生物量积累。（3）随着林冠郁闭度的增加,华西箭竹通过增大分枝角度、叶生物量分配百分率、比叶面积和叶面积率以提高光能利用效率,有效适应弱光环境。（4）隔离者长度、隔离者直径和分枝强度在林缘和林窗环境中要显著大于林内环境;同级隔离者分枝角度随林冠郁闭度的增加而最大,其值在林下显著大于林窗和林缘,而异级隔离者分枝角度的变化则正好相反。研究表明,华西箭竹种群在不同的林冠环境中发生了明显的可塑性变化,这些可塑性变化是种群对林冠郁闭度差异的适应性反应的结果,有利于增强种群对环境中有限光资源的利用。     

Changes in Forest Structure and Species Composition during Secondary Forest Succession in the Bolivian Amazon1

Changes in forest structure and species diversity throughout secondary succession were studied using a chronosequence at two sites in the Bolivian Amazon. Secondary forests ranging in age from 2 to 40 years as well as mature forests were included, making a total of 14 stands. Fifty plants per forest layer (understory, subcanopy, and canopy) were sampled using the transect of variable area technique. Mean and maximum height, total stem density, basal area, and species number were calculated at the stand level. Species diversity was calculated for each stand and for each combination of forest layer and stand. A correspondence analysis was performed, and the relationship between relative abundance of the species and stand age was modeled using a set of hierarchical models. Canopy height and basal area increased with stand age, indicating that secondary forests rapidly attain a forest structure similar in many respects to mature forests. A total of 250 species were recorded of which ca 50 percent made up 87 percent of the sampled individuals. Species diversity increased with stand age and varied among the forest layers, with the lowest diversity in the canopy. The results of the correspondence analysis indicated that species composition varies with stand age, forest layer, and site. The species composition of mature forests recovered at different rates in the different forest layers, being the slowest in the canopy layer. Species showed different patterns of abundance in relation to stand age, supporting the current model of succession.     

Characteristics of Old-Growth and Secondary Forests in Relation to Age and Typhoon Disturbance

Many properties of forest ecosystems, such as species composition and forest structure, naturally vary with forest age. However, in regions prone to cyclone disturbances, both forest age and cyclone severities can play a role shaping these properties. To evaluate potential effects of an altered cyclone regime on forest ecosystems, it is necessary to disentangle the roles of cyclones and forest age on different forest characteristics. In this study, we compared species composition and forest structure at plot level across sites with similar climate and topographic backgrounds, yet differing in age and typhoon severities in northeastern Taiwan. We found shorter tree stature, higher wood density, higher tree species diversity, and lower typhoon-induced tree mortality in the sites with more severe typhoon disturbances. On the other hand, regardless of typhoon severity, the sites of younger ages had a considerably smaller amount of woody debris, suggesting that it takes time for the accumulation of woody debris. More typhoon-induced canopy gaps at sites with more severe typhoon influences highlights a role of typhoons in canopy dynamics. However, the lack of gaps prior to typhoon disturbances in the less severely affected forest is likely related to the low background mortality associated with the relative young age of the forest. Our results indicate that frequent or severe typhoon disturbances can homogenize some of the structural differences among forests of different ages. If the frequency or severity of cyclones increase in the future, many forests, including old-growth forests, may gradually lose large trees.     

Tree and bird functional groups as indicators of recovery of regenerating subtropical coastal dune forests

Functional diversity indicators are increasingly used to monitor forest function recovery because they connect biodiversity to ecosystem functions. However, identifying which functions deviate from a reference forest has not received much attention, despite its potential to inform restoration interventions. In this study, we used functional groups to assess the recovery of ecosystem functions in regenerating coastal dune forests. We surveyed birds and trees in forest of different ages and a reference old‐growth forest in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. We classified species into functional groups for each taxa based on functional traits or a priori defined categories (i.e. guilds) and quantified the number of species within functional groups as a proxy of function stability. Bird species density followed an asymptotic trajectory, reaching old‐growth forest values after 25 years. Insectivores and granivores showed saturating trajectories, whereas small frugivores and generalists increased linearly. With the exception of large frugivores, relative abundances of bird functional groups progressed towards old‐growth forest values as the forest aged. Tree species density increased linearly with forest age. In contrast to old‐growth forests, large‐canopy trees and understory shrubs were under‐represented, while mid‐canopy trees dominated regenerating forests. Our result suggests that most bird, but not tree, functions may have been restored. The trend in large frugivore numbers may warrant further investigation, as their low numbers may have hampered the recovery of tree functions. We conclude that functional group trajectories can track functions that deviate from a benchmark, and may therefore direct adaptive actions to recover the stability of regenerating forest.     

Canopy bird assemblages are less influenced by habitat age and isolation than understory bird assemblages in Neotropical secondary forest

Secondary forest habitats are increasingly recognized for their potential to conserve biodiversity in the tropics. However, the development of faunal assemblages in secondary forest systems varies according to habitat quality and species‐specific traits. In this study, we predicted that the recovery of bird assemblages is dependent on secondary forest age and level of isolation, the forest stratum examined, and the species’ traits of feeding guild and body mass. This study was undertaken in secondary forests in central Panama; spanning a chronosequence of 60‐, 90‐, and 120‐year‐old forests, and in neighboring old‐growth forest. To give equal attention to all forest strata, we employed a novel method that paired simultaneous surveys in canopy and understory. This survey method provides a more nuanced picture than ground‐based studies, which are biased toward understory assemblages. Bird reassembly varied according to both habitat age and isolation, although it was challenging to separate these effects, as the older sites were also more isolated than the younger sites. In combination, habitat age and isolation impacted understory birds more than canopy‐dwelling birds. Proportions of dietary guilds did not vary with habitat age, but were significantly different between strata. Body mass distributions were similar across forest ages for small‐bodied birds, but older forest supported more large‐bodied birds, probably due to control of poaching at these sites. Canopy assemblages were characterized by higher species richness, and greater variation in both dietary breadth and body mass, relative to understory assemblages. The results highlight that secondary forests may offer critical refugia for many bird species, particularly specialist canopy‐dwellers. However, understory bird species may be less able to adapt to novel and isolated habitats and should be the focus of conservation efforts encouraging bird colonization of secondary forests.     

Ecological succession following forest decline in a xeric oak forest of south-central United States

Aims The loss of canopy trees associated with forest decline can greatly influence the species composition and structure of a forest and have major impacts on the ecosystem. We studied the changes in forest composition and structure 1 and 5 years following nearly total canopy mortality on several hundreds of hectares of xeric oak forests in south-central United States. Because the forests were within an ecotonal vegetation type composed of a mosaic of forest, savanna and grassland, we sought to learn whether forest decline areas would recover to forest or change to more open savanna and grassland conditions in the landscape pattern of vegetation. Because low intensity fire shaped the vegetation type, we sought to learn whether fire would keep the decline areas open.Methods The study was conducted in a xeric oak forest in east-central Oklahoma, USA. Randomly located vegetation and regeneration surveys were conducted in decline and non-decline stands 1 and 5 years following nearly total canopy mortality. Diameter at breast height (DBH), regeneration and sprout origin were recorded for all woody species.Important findings The major canopy species post oak (Quercus stellata Wangenh.), blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica Muenchh.) and black hickory (Carya texana Buckl.) suffered 85–92% mortality; however, minor canopy components experienced limited mortality. Mortality affected all size classes of canopy trees except those below 5cm breast height diameter. There was abundant regeneration of all species and fire seemed to maintain a high level of sprouting. Decline appeared to decrease the relative importance of stump sprouting and increase other types including root sprouts. Decline areas had abundant true seedlings, with stem origin from a root with the same diameter as the stem, which is very unusual for xeric oak forests. Regeneration height in decline areas was twice that of non-decline forests. Our findings suggest that forest decline may lead to: (i) reduced oak dominance and species change in the canopy, (ii) change in reproduction type to increase success of true seedlings and maintain genetic diversity of oaks.     

The Utility of Spectral Indices from Landsat ETM+ for Measuring the Structure and Composition of Tropical Dry Forests1

There is a growing emphasis on developing methods for quantifying the structure and composition of tropical forests that can be applied over large landscapes, especially for tropical dry forests that are severely fragmented and have a high conservation priority. This study investigates the relationships between various measures of forest structure (annual woody increment, canopy closure, stand density, stand basal area) and composition (tree species diversity, tree community composition) measured in semi‐deciduous tropical dry forests on islands in Lago Guri, Venezuela and three spectral indices derived from Landsat ETM+: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Infrared Index (IRI), and Mid‐Infrared Index (MIRI). Even though there were significant autocorrelations among spectral indices, there were significant differences in the relationships between spectral indices and forest attributes. IRI was not significantly correlated with any of the structural variables while MIRI was correlated with canopy closure and NDVI values were correlated with canopy closure as well as annual woody increment. NDVI and MIRI were both related to relative tree diversity and all three indices were associated with aspects of tree species composition. Based on the results of this study, it appears that spectral indices, and in particular NDVI, may be useful indicators of forest attributes in tropical dry forest habitats. Further research needs to be undertaken to identify if the results of this study can be applied to other tropical dry forests at a global spatial scale.     

Environmental landscape determinants of maximum forest canopy height of boreal forests

Aims Canopy height is a key driver of forest biodiversity and carbon cycling. Accurate estimates of canopy height are needed for assessing mechanisms relating to ecological patterns and processes of tree height limitations. At global scales forest canopy height patterns are largely controlled by climate, while local variation at fine scales is due to differences in disturbance history and local patterns in environmental conditions. The relative effect of local environmental drivers on canopy height is poorly understood partly due to gaps in data on canopy height and methods for examining limiting factors. Here, we used airborne laser scanning (ALS) data on vegetation structure of boreal forests to examine the effects of environmental factors on potential maximum forest canopy height.     

不同生境下刺五加种群构件生物量结构与生长规律

从构件水平对针阔混交林、蒙古栎林和次生杂木林3个生境的刺五加种群各功能构件的生物量结构及生物量比率与年龄之间的关系进行了定量分析. 结果表明,刺五加种群的个体生长和各构件生物量动态与环境条件关系密切.不同环境条件下,刺五加种群各功能构件生物量平均值具有相同的规律：茎构件>根茎构件>叶构件.3个生境中刺五加整体种群水平具有一定的相似性.在郁闭度为40%的蒙古栎林中,刺五加种群个体生物量和各构件生物量较针阔混交林和次生杂木林中大.不同生境下刺五加种群分株生物量的差异蕴涵着重要的生长调节和物质分配策略.在分株较小的幼龄个体以及郁闭度较大而不利于分株生长的次生杂木林中,分株优先建造叶器官,以保证充分的物质生产. 3个生境刺五加种群的叶、茎与分株的相对增重均具有相同的幂函数异速生长规律.     

Aerial arthropod communities of native and invaded forests, Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile

Invasive species significantly contribute to biological change and threaten biodiversity, with a growing body of evidence that plant invasions affect higher trophic levels. We explored the relative importance of plant invasion and forest structure on aerial arthropod abundance, diversity, and composition on Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile. We used flight intercept traps to sample aerial arthropods within distinct canopy strata of native and invaded forests over 3-mo periods in 2006 and 2007. Arthropod abundance and diversity were higher in native than invaded forest, and arthropod communities were distinct between forest types. In both forest types, arthropod abundance was highest in the lower canopy, and canopy strata exhibited some differences in arthropod community composition. Several morphospecies were distinctly associated with each forest type. The strong differences in aerial arthropod communities associated with the invasion of native forest by non-native plants may affect other trophic levels, such as insectivorous birds. Steps to stop invasive plant spread and to restore native forest composition and structure are needed to safeguard the integrity of native communities, from plants to higher-level consumers.