西北干旱区灌草型白刺-芨芨草群落根系分布与互作

本文以宁夏沙湖一个典型的干旱区灌草型白刺(Nitraria tangutorum)—芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)群落为研究对象,将该群落自植物聚生丛冠层覆盖区至丛间裸地依次划分为冠盖区、过渡区和空旷区3个微生境分区,通过比较两优势种的根系生物量密度以及根系消弱系数(反映根系总体埋深)在这3个分区中的分布特征,研究了干旱胁迫环境下两物种的根系分布与共存机制。结果表明:两物种的总根与细根均集中分布于冠盖区,但芨芨草根系生物量密度自冠盖区至空旷区的下降幅度更大;白刺总根及细根生物量密度重心自冠盖区至空旷区逐渐下移,而芨芨草的总根和细根生物量密度重心在空旷区较过渡区有所抬升;另外,白刺细根生物量密度在冠盖区10~30 cm土层中最高,而芨芨草在0~10cm层最高;各微生境分区内两物种的根系消弱系数均具有显著性(或接近于显著性)差异。这暗示了白刺与芨芨草的根系分布存在明显的生态位分离现象。"地上聚生,地下分离"的共生方式可能是白刺与芨芨草共同适应干旱环境的生长策略。     

张掖湿地芨芨草叶脉密度和叶脉直径的权衡关系对3种生境的响应

植物叶脉性状间的协同进化影响生理活动中水分利用策略和叶片经济谱的形成,对理解叶片在叶脉建成中的碳投入和叶脉功能回报的经济权衡具有重要的意义。该文结合相关性和标准化主轴估计分析(SMA)方法,研究了张掖洪泛平原湿地乔-草群落冠盖区、过渡区和空旷区3种自然生境下芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)叶脉密度和叶脉直径的生长关系。结果表明:从湿地群落的冠盖区到空旷区,植物群落光合有效辐射(PAR)和水汽压亏缺(VPD)逐渐增加,土壤含水量(SM)逐渐减小、土壤电导率逐渐增大;芨芨草的叶片宽度(LW)、叶脉密度(1.28–1.59 mm·mm~(-2))和水分利用效率(WUE)呈逐渐增大的趋势,叶片长度(LL)和叶脉直径(0.21–0.16 mm)呈逐渐减小的趋势,叶性状的平均可塑性值为0.19,株丛密度(BD)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和净光合速率(P_n)呈先增大后减小的倒U形趋势;3种生境中芨芨草的WUE、PAR、T_r、P_n与叶脉密度和叶脉直径呈显著的相关关系;叶脉密度与叶脉直径呈不同程度的负相关关系,在冠盖区,芨芨草叶脉密度和叶脉直径呈极显著的负相关关系,在过渡区和空旷区,二者呈显著的负相关关系,从冠盖区到空旷区,SMA斜率逐渐增大(0.54–1.50),冠盖区和空旷区的SMA斜率与1.0存在显著差异。为适应光照环境条件的变化,芨芨草在空旷区具有大量细脉的叶脉网络性状,在冠盖区生长少量粗脉的细长型叶片,即在某一给定的叶片长度下,阴生环境中芨芨草叶片需要更大的叶脉直径来支撑,反映了湿地植物较强的表型可塑性机制。     

我国西北地区芨芨草-苦豆子群落根系分布与种间关系

以宁夏沙湖的一个典型的干旱区草本型植物群落——芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)-苦豆子(Sophora alopecuroides) (禾草-非禾草型)群落为研究对象, 自芨芨草-苦豆子聚生丛的基部向丛间裸地依次划分为植冠区、过渡区和空旷区3个分区, 通过比较分析两个优势种根系生物量密度在这3个分区的空间分布格局, 研究了干旱胁迫生境中芨芨草和苦豆子的根际关系。结果表明: 在水平方向上, 芨芨草根系总生物量主要集中分布于植冠区, 而苦豆子根系总生物量密度在3个分区间无显著差异; 在垂直方向上, 芨芨草的根系总生物量密度和细根生物量密度最大的土壤层次从植冠区到空旷区埋深渐深, 而苦豆子的根系总生物量在3个分区主要分布于10~30 cm土层, 但其细根生物量密度最大的土层从植冠区向外呈上升趋势; 同时发现, 在植冠区, 根系总生物量密度较高, 两种植物细根生物量密度最大的土壤层次不同, 但在空旷区和过渡区, 两种植物细根生物量密度的垂直分布格局趋于一致。群落中两个主要植物种的根系在植冠区具有垂直层次的分异性, 在不同分区间具有水平分布格局的差异性, 这可能是群落中两种主要植物种间为了避免根系间直接竞争共同适应干旱胁迫生境的重要机制。     

青海湖地区芨芨草群落主要种群分布格局研究

以青海省三角城种羊场地区典型的芨芨草草原为研究对象,采用相邻格子样方法取样,应用方差/均值比率法、负二项参数(K);扩散系数(C);C ass ie指标(CA);丛生指标(I)和聚块性指标(m*/m)等指标,比较了青海湖地区围栏内、外芨芨草群落主要种群的空间分布格局。结果表明,围栏内芨芨草群落优势种群的空间格局除多裂蒲公英为随机分布外,其余均为聚集分布;围栏外除西伯利亚蓼外,其余种群也全部为聚集分布,而且围栏外种群的聚集强度大于围栏内。物种的这种分布格局主要与物种本身的生态和生物学特性有关。     

二化螟种群空间格局的经典分析与地统计学比较研究

为揭示二化螟幼虫空间格局特征并阐明经典格局分析的局限性与地统计分析的优越性,从2个原始样本出发,另构建了一系列格栅样本、随机样本和顺序样本并进行了比较研究。结果表明,经典格局分析不能有效区分频次分布相同但分布型或聚集程度不同的样本,存在受样方大小、格栅初始点位置和样本容量大小影响等许多局限性,其中受格栅初始点位置影响是首次报道;而地统计学半变异函数能有效刻划二化螟种群空间分布格局,表征其聚集强度和空间异质性,且受样方大小、格栅初始点位置和样本容量大小的影响较小,二化螟种群在低密度下呈随机分布;在高密度下呈聚集分布,聚集强度为0．1056,空间依赖范围为193cm,在高密度下二化螟种群空间分布存在几何异向性,行方向上的聚集强度（0．2716)明显高于列方向(0．0867),但行方向上的空间依赖范围(115cm)小于列方向(264cm)。     

稻根象甲种群空间格局及其受耕法的影响

本文根据36块田的调查,用种群空间格局参数I、C_A、I_δ、m~*/m和α、β值进行分析,稻根象甲幼虫和(?)≥0.6头/样方(每样方为0.5m~2)的成虫种群,在稻田均属具公共k值的负二项分布;(?)<0.6头/样方的成虫种群则为随机分布。成虫聚块的大小和面积与平均密度有关。低密度时种群的聚集主要由于环境的异质性;高密度时种群的聚集则由本身的行为习性所致。随着耕作强度的增加,幼虫种群的聚集度和越冬死亡率增大。     

三江平原沼泽湿地4种优势植物空间格局对不同水位环境的响应

水文过程是沼泽湿地最基本的生态过程, 理解物种空间格局形成机制及其种群特征随水位环境变化的规律对于科学指导沼泽湿地植被恢复具有重要意义。本研究分别选择三江平原季节性积水与常年积水沼泽, 应用点格局方法中的完全空间随机模型、泊松聚块模型和嵌套双聚块模型分析了毛薹草(Carex lasiocarpa)、漂筏薹草(C. pseudocuraica)、狭叶甜茅(Glyceria spiculosa)、小叶章(Deyeuxia angustifolia) 4个主要优势植物种群的空间格局, 并测定了不同水位环境条件下的种群密度和个体大小特征。结果表明: 在沼泽湿地中, 4个优势种群在0-200 cm的尺度范围内都偏离了完全随机模型, 表现为集体性聚集分布特征, 且聚集距离主要集中在0-50 cm之间。随着水位的升高, 毛薹草种群密度、个体生物量、株高和基径都呈显著增大趋势, 但其聚集强度变弱; 而小叶章种群密度和个体大小则显著降低, 其聚集强度增大; 漂筏薹草和狭叶甜茅种群密度、个体大小和聚集强度变化并不显著。在季节性积水区, 4个物种在小尺度上均偏离了泊松聚块模型, 符合嵌套双聚块模型, 即在大聚块中分布较高密度的小聚块。但是, 在常年积水区, 仅毛薹草、漂筏薹草和狭叶甜茅3个物种符合嵌套双聚块模型, 而小叶章种群则符合泊松聚块模型, 说明在高水位胁迫下小叶章种群空间格局的大聚块中不存在较高密度的小聚块。综上所述,水位环境胁迫主要通过影响繁殖分配、种内竞争、易化作用以及个体大小变异等生物学过程共同决定着三江平原淡水沼泽湿地植物种群的斑块化分布特征, 不同零模型可以帮助解释种群空间分布格局的形成机制。     

河北小五台山青杨种群中雌雄群体的空间分布及其成因

为揭示雌雄异株植物种群的空间分异现象的内在原因, 以河北小五台山天然青杨(Populus cathayana)种群为研究对象, 采用平均最近邻指数、核密度、方差分析等方法分析了青杨雌雄群体的聚集程度、群体密度和分布格局以及其与到河岸的距离(河距)、海拔和土壤理化性质间的内在关系。结果显示: 1)青杨种群总体上沿金河沟呈狭长带状集聚分布, 中海拔区域个体数量最多, 密度最大; 2)随海拔增加, 雌雄个体数与密度均表现“先增后减”的特点, 而平均胸径的变化正好相反; 3)海拔对性比具有显著影响: 低海拔区域(1 300-1 400 m)偏雌, 中低海拔区域(1 400-1 500 m)偏雄, 其他海拔段的性比接近1:1; 4)随河距增加, 雌雄个体数、密度和平均胸径均表现出逐渐减少或减小的特点, 并且雌株优势分布区内的土壤有机质和全氮含量显著高于雄株优势分布区; 5)局部区域由于海拔和河距改变了土壤理化性质和生长环境, 导致了该区域内的性比发生偏倚。上述结果表明, 青杨雌雄群体的空间分布、动态变化以及性比受海拔、河距以及所在区域的土壤理化性质的综合影响, 雌雄植株在资源需求和环境适应力方面存在的差异会导致局部区域内的性比发生偏倚。     

张掖湿地芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度的权衡关系

叶大小-叶脉密度的权衡关系是植物叶经济谱理论的基础, 对理解资源竞争条件下植物叶片的物理构建与生理代谢的关系具有重要的意义。该文采用标准化主轴估计(standardized major axis estimation, SMA)的方法, 按芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)株丛密度设置I (>12丛·m^-2)、II (8-12丛·m^-2)、III (4-8丛·m^-2)和IV (<4丛·m^-2) 4个密度梯度, 以叶面积和叶干质量分别表示叶大小, 对张掖洪泛平原湿地不同密度条件下芨芨草种群的叶大小和叶脉密度的关系进行研究。结果表明: 随着芨芨草株丛密度的降低, 湿地群落的土壤含水量逐渐减小、土壤电导率逐渐增加, 芨芨草的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和分枝数呈先增大后减小的趋势, 叶面积、叶干质量、比叶面积和株高呈逐渐减小趋势、光合有效辐射(PAR)和叶脉密度呈逐渐增加趋势; 芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度在高密度(I)和低密度(IV)样地均呈极显著负相关关系(p < 0.01), 中密度(II、III)样地二者呈显著负相关关系(p < 0.05); 叶大小和叶脉密度回归方程的SMA斜率在不同密度样地均显著小于-1 (p < 0.05), 即芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度呈“此消彼长”的权衡关系。在高密度湿地群落芨芨草倾向于大叶片低叶脉密度的叶片构建模式, 在低密度湿地群落选择小叶片高叶脉密度的异速生长模式, 体现了密度制约下湿地植物的生物量分配格局和资源利用对策。     

Spatial distribution of male and female Populus cathayana populations and its drivers in Xiaowutai Mountains,Hebei, China

为揭示雌雄异株植物种群的空间分异现象的内在原因, 以河北小五台山天然青杨(Populus cathayana)种群为研究对象, 采用平均最近邻指数、核密度、方差分析等方法分析了青杨雌雄群体的聚集程度、群体密度和分布格局以及其与到河岸的距离(河距)、海拔和土壤理化性质间的内在关系。结果显示: 1)青杨种群总体上沿金河沟呈狭长带状集聚分布, 中海拔区域个体数量最多, 密度最大; 2)随海拔增加, 雌雄个体数与密度均表现“先增后减”的特点, 而平均胸径的变化正好相反; 3)海拔对性比具有显著影响: 低海拔区域(1 300-1 400 m)偏雌, 中低海拔区域(1 400-1 500 m)偏雄, 其他海拔段的性比接近1:1; 4)随河距增加, 雌雄个体数、密度和平均胸径均表现出逐渐减少或减小的特点, 并且雌株优势分布区内的土壤有机质和全氮含量显著高于雄株优势分布区; 5)局部区域由于海拔和河距改变了土壤理化性质和生长环境, 导致了该区域内的性比发生偏倚。上述结果表明, 青杨雌雄群体的空间分布、动态变化以及性比受海拔、河距以及所在区域的土壤理化性质的综合影响, 雌雄植株在资源需求和环境适应力方面存在的差异会导致局部区域内的性比发生偏倚。     

Trade-off relationship between vein density and vein diameter of Achnatherum splendens in response to habitat changes in Zhangye wetland

Aims The coevolution between vein traits has influences on water use strategies of plant and the formation of leaf economic spectrum, and therefore is important for understanding the trade-off between carbon input in leaf vein construction and the functional feedback from leaf veins. Our aim is to study the allometric relationship between vein density and vein diameter of Achnatherum splendens populations at three natural microhabitats (subcanopy, transitional and open areas) in Zhangye wetland. Methods According to the shade condition of the arbor canopy and the distance to arbor, the A. splendens community were divided into three microenvironments: subcanopy, transitional and open areas. We sampled 10 (4 m × 4 m) A. splendens plots from each microenvironment and investigate the biological characteristics of the plots and leaf traits of the plants within the plots. Then the soil physical and chemical properties, and community photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were investigated at three gradients. Six individual of A. splendens were selected in each plot and the leaf length, leaf width, vein density and vein diameter of two or three healthy and complete leaves from four directions of each individual were measured in laboratory. The SMA estimation method and correlation analysis were then used to examine the allometric relationship between vein density and vein diameter. Important findings Along the gradient from subcanopy, transitional zone to open areas, soil moisture displayed a pattern of initial decrease of plant community, and soil electric conductivity displayed increase changing trends. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), vein density (1.28-1.59 mm·mm^-2), leaf width and water use efficiency (WUE) increase gradually, while the leaf length, vein diameter (0.21-0.16 mm) of A. splendens decrease. The average value of plasticity indexes of leaf characteristics was 0.19. Leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r) and bundle density increase first and them decrease. The vein density and vein diameter of A. splendens were negatively correlated with each other in subcanopy environment (p < 0.01), transitional and open areas (p < 0.05). The SMA (0.54-1.50) slope of regression equation in the scaling relationships between vein density and vein diameter decrease gradually from subcanopy to open areas.     

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。     

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.     

Vegetation Change and Soil Nutrient Distribution along an Oasis-Desert Transitional Zone in Northwestern China

Many studies have focused on soil nutrient heterogeneity and islands of fertility in arid ecosystems. However, few have been conducted on an oasis-desert transitional zone where there is a vegetation pattern changing from shrubs to annual herbs. The goal of the present study was to understand vegetation and soil nutrient heterogenity along an oasis-desert transitional zone in northwestern China. Three replicated sampling belts were selected at 200 m intervals along the transitional zone. Twenty-one quadrats （10 x 10m） at 50m intervals were located along each sampling belt. The vegetation cover was estimated through the quadrats, where both the soil under the canopy and the open soil were sampled simultaneously. The dominated shrub was Haloxylon ammodendron in the areas close to the oasis and Nitraria tangutorum dominated the areas close to the desert. In general, along the transitional zone the vegetation cover decreased within 660 m, increased above 660 m and decreased again above 1 020 m （close to the desert）. The soil nutrients （organic matter, total N, NO3^- and NH4^＋） showed significant differences along the zone. The soil nutrients except the soil NH4^＋ under the canopy were higher than those in open soil, confirming ＂islands of fertility＂ or nutrient enrichment. Only a slight downward trend of the level of ＂islands of fertility＂ for soil organic matter appeared in the area within 900 m. Soil organic matter both under canopy and in interspace showed a positive correlation with the total vegetation cover, however, there was no significant correlation between the other soil nutrients and the total vegetation cover. We also analyzed the relationship between the shrubs and annuals and the soil nutrients along the zone. Similarly, there was no significant correlation between them, except soil organic matter with the annuals. The results implied that annual plants played an important role in soil nutrient enrichment in arid ecosystem.     

油蒿演替群落密度对土壤湿度和有机质空间异质性的响应

如何用环境属性空间异质性解释植被动态是生态学中的一个重要问题。在该项研究中,选择油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)演替群落为研究对象,在小区面积相同、样方数目和面积相同的条件下,将统计学方法和地统计学方法结合起来,讨论分析了土壤湿度和有机质与油蒿和冷蒿(A. frigida)密度空间异质性变化趋势的相关性,结果表明:在块尺度上(80 m × 80 m),油蒿和冷蒿密度的空间异质性都与土壤湿度的空间异质性有关,其中与冷蒿密度呈现为单调递增,与油蒿密度不呈单调变化,说明土壤湿度与油蒿密度空间异质性的相关性已逐渐减弱,但与耐旱的冷蒿依然较强;土壤有机质的空间异质性也与两种植物密度的空间异质性有关,其中与油蒿密度呈现为单调递增,与冷蒿密度不呈单调变化,说明油蒿的长期定居增加了土壤有机质含量,并促进了冷蒿的侵入;进一步分析表明,该群落中油蒿种群和冷蒿种群均呈集群分布,这种集群分布使得油蒿或冷蒿的密度与土壤湿度或有机质空间异质性之间的关系增强,这从一定程度上说明了冷蒿和油蒿之间的竞争替代关系。因而,土壤空间异质性的变化是半荒漠带油蒿群落演替的基础。     

宁夏沙湖几种主要荒漠植物成丛性分析

该文对宁夏沙湖地区几种主要荒漠植物成丛或聚集分布的空间特征进行了研究,提出应用成丛性表征植物丛聚水平,并以丛生植物的丛径或散生植物的聚集分布尺度范围衡量植物成丛性的发育程度。其中散生植物的聚集尺度以Riplay's K点格局法进行计算。结果表明,植物的丛聚水平与生境条件密切相关,强日照、干热风、空旷的立地、较高土壤含水率、强透水蓄水能力等生境条件会促进植物成丛性的发育,而蒸腾胁迫低、土壤供水能力较差的生境条件下植物成丛性发育较弱。荒漠植物通过成丛或聚集分布可以形成局部微生境,减少地上部分的水分胁迫,是植物在群落水平适应环境的重要途径。     

Element concentrations in the boreal forest moss Hylocomium splendens: variation related to gradients in vegetation and local environmental factors

This study aims at assessing the suitability of Hylocomium splendens as a biomonitor for heavy metal deposition and contributing to the understanding of mineral nutrient uptake mechanisms in forest floor bryophytes. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Cd, Cu and Pb were determined in Hylocomium splendens segment samples collected at 196 permanent vegetation plots from eleven monitoring areas, where the vegetation-environment relationships had previously been thoroughly studied. Element concentrations in Hylocomium splendens were related to environmentally interpreted vegetational gradients, cover of understorey vascular plants, and local environmental conditions, including element concentrations in humus, soil moisture and tree impact, by means of correlation analyses performed separately for each area. A combined test was performed for each Hylocomium splendens variable over all eleven areas, showing that concentrations of Ca, Cd and Mg in Hylocomium splendens were strongly correlated with the main vegetational gradient and with pH and concentrations of Ca and total N in humus, indicating considerable uptake of nutrients by Hylocomium splendens from water that has been in contact with humus. These relationships were less strong in the climatically most humid areas. Concentrations of all elements were more or less strongly correlated with one or more variables reflecting tree influence (tree density as measured by basal area and two crown influence indices) reflecting that throughfall precipitation, modified by leaching from the canopy, partly accounts for input of elements, especially for K, Cd and Mg. Only concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cu were significantly correlated, negatively, with vascular plant cover, indicating that supply of elements by leaching from understorey vascular plant foliage is negligible. The concentration of Cu in Hylocomium splendens was only weakly correlated, and the concentration of Pb unrelated to vegetational gradients and most environmental conditions. The results indicate that atmospheric deposition accounts for most of the input of Pb, confirming the suitability of Hylocomium splendens as a biomonitor for this element. For elements such as Cd local environmental conditions should be carefully considered, even when data from regional moss surveys are to be interpreted. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Heterogeneity of terrestrial bromeliad colonies and regeneration of Acacia praecox (Fabaceae) in a humid-subtropical-Chaco forest, Argentina

In several tropical and subtropical forests, plants of the understorey act as an ecological filter that differentially affects woody species regeneration. In convex sectors of the Schinopsis balansae (Anacardiaceae) forests of the Southeastern Chaco there are dense colonies of terrestrial bromeliads. These may influence forest regeneration by intercepting rain water and propagules in their tanks. Within colonies, the spatial distribution of bromeliads is clumped because their clonal growth leaves numerous internal gaps. In this study we describe the internal heterogeneity of three bromeliad colonies (plots) and analyze how this heterogeneity affects Acacia praecox regeneration (i.e. seedling recruitment and survival). In January 1996, we randomly placed three transects with 150 contiguous quadrats of 100 cm(2) in each plot. For each quadrat we recorded the type of floor cover (i.e. bromeliads, herbs, litter, or bare soil) and the presence of A. praecox seeds or seedlings. In July 1996 we relocated the transects and recorded seedling survival. Bromeliad colonies showed a high internal heterogeneity. Almost half of the 450 quadrats were covered by two terrestrial bromeliads. Aechmea distichantha was recorded in 81% of all quadrats with bromeliads, and Bromelia serra in the others. All quadrats with bromeliads were covered by litter. Half of them were occupied by the bases of bromeliads and the others were covered by their leaves. In contrast, where bromeliads were not present, soil surface was covered by litter in 83% and by herbaceous vegetation in 11% of the quadrats; very few quadrats were covered by bare soil. In January 1996, we recorded 127 seeds and 176 seedlings of A. praecox. Seed and seedling densities of A. praecox were similar in quadrats with and without bromeliads, but variability in seedling density of A. praecox was higher within than among plots. Seed density was higher in quadrats covered by bromeliad leaves than inside the tanks. Seedling survival of A. praecox was slightly higher in quadrats with bromeliads in only one of the three plots. No seedling survived inside the bromeliad tanks. Apparently. bromeliad colonies have no effect on seedling regeneration of A. praecox.     

Structure,composition and regeneration of riparian forest along an altitudinal gradient in northern Iran

In order to protect and understand the regeneration of riparian forests, it is important to understand the environmental conditions that lead to their vegetation differentiation. We evaluated the structure, composition, density and regeneration of woody species in forests along the river Safaroud in Ramsar forest in northern Iran in relation to elevation, soil properties and distance from the river. Using 60 transects located perpendicularly to river and 300 quadrats, we examined forests 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 m from the stream along an elevation gradient spanning from 350 to 2,400 m a.s.l. We found that total density, regeneration, diameter and basal area of trees were significantly higher in the interior of the forest whereas shrub density was higher close to the river. The uneven-aged forest structure showed no significant differences among gradient from the river to the forest interior. Hydro-geomorphic processes, flooding, the elevation gradient, distance from the river and soil properties were the most important factors that influenced plant community distribution in relation to the river.