浙江古田山自然保护区常绿阔叶林种子雨的时空变异

木本植物种子产量的时间和空间变化格局对植物更新以及群落组成和结构有着重要影响, 是种子雨研究的一个重要方面。2006年6月在古田山亚热带常绿阔叶林24 hm²样地布置了130个面积为0.5 m²的种子雨收集器, 每周收集一次。利用4年的种子雨数据, 研究了种子雨的时间和空间变异。主要结果如下: (1)共收集到124227粒成熟种子, 属于29科51属63种, 每月降水量与平均每月种子数、物种数均呈显著负相关; (2)种子产量在每年干季(秋季)有明显的高峰, 有10个物种在湿季扩散种子, 不同物种结实物候起始和终止时间有差异; (3)基于4年的种子雨数据, 几乎所有物种的种子雨均存在很大的年际变异, 收集到的所有物种的种子产量年际变异系数的中位数为1.72; (4)种子雨在不同收集器之间有很大的变异, 变异系数的中位数为8.06; 几乎所有物种的空间变异都远远大于时间变异, 这可能是由于母树的稀有性、种子传播距离的差异, 以及地形等因素造成。通过与巴拿马Barro Colorado Island 50 hm ²样地108个物种种子产量的年际变异系数相比较, 古田山种子雨数据支持了高纬度地区种子产量变异高于低纬度地区的假说。     

千岛湖片段化生境中木本植物种子雨基本特征及其影响因子

为探究片段化生境中木本植物种子雨的基本特征,该研究根据2015—2020年(研究期间)在千岛湖样岛上的植物群落长期监测样地内每月收集的种子雨数据,采用Kruskal-Wallis检验对木本植物的种子雨密度进行年际差异分析,对不同传播方式物种的种子雨密度进行月份间差异性分析,并利用线性混合效应模型,探究岛屿空间特征(岛屿面积、距最近岛屿的距离、距大陆的距离)以及气候因子(0 ℃以上积温、降水量)对木本植物以及不同传播方式物种的种子雨密度的影响。结果表明:(1)2015—2020年6年间,在29个样岛用240个收集器共收集到877 178粒木本植物的成熟种子,属于26科40属52种。(2)动物传播是木本植物主要的种子传播方式,不同传播方式物种的种子雨时间动态存在较大差异。(3)木本植物的种子雨年密度与岛屿面积和年积温呈显著正相关,与年降水量呈显著负相关。(4)自主传播物种的种子雨月密度与距最近岛屿的距离呈显著正相关,而动物传播物种的种子雨月密度则与距大陆的距离呈显著正相关,风力传播物种的种子雨月密度与月积温呈极显著正相关。综上表明,生境片段化通过岛屿空间特征影响了木本植物种子雨的时间动态。     

杉木人工林种子雨组成和季节动态

杉木人工林已成为亚热带森林的重要组成部分,它具有可持续的自然更新能力,是决定杉木林群落演替方向和维持杉木林大面积存在的基础.本文以杉阔混交林和杉木纯林为研究对象,分析其种子雨的物种组成、数量大小和季节动态,以及林分优势物种种子雨数量特征和季节变化,揭示种源条件是否是制约杉木人工林天然更新的主要因素.结果表明:杉阔混交林和杉木纯林分别收集到13科18属21种和12科16属19种的种子.混交林和纯林的所有物种种子雨强度分别为3797和3300粒·m^-2.乔木物种种子数量在种子雨中占绝对优势,混交林占89.1%,纯林占86.2%,其中杉木种子数量最多,其完整种子雨强度分别为825和345粒·m^-2.两林分种子雨各类型种子所占比例均为完整种子>干瘪或腐烂种子>被取食种子.两林分种子雨均具有明显的季节动态,均在秋季到达高峰,且在落种高峰期种子雨以完整种子为主.无论是杉阔混交林还是杉木纯林都有充足的种源,种源(种子雨)条件不是制约杉木林天然更新的主要因素.     

西双版纳望天树林种子雨9年动态

种子雨是森林生态系统过程的重要组成部分。虽然国内外已有部分关于种子雨的研究, 但多数集中在温带和亚热带地区, 热带地区种子雨的长期监测研究仍显不足。为全面了解热带森林种子雨输入的数量动态和物种组成的长期规律, 本文对我国西双版纳望天树(Parashorea chinensis)林群落水平上9年(2008年5月至2017年4月)的种子雨输入进行了研究。9年共收集到木本植物的种子226种8,993,224粒, 其中大型种子(I-1型) 77种9,779粒; 中型种子(I-2型) 61种24,237粒; 小型种子(I-3型) 72种83,399粒; 粒状微小种子(II-1型) 13种1,215,235粒; 粒状极小种子(II-2型) 1种7,244,667粒; 细丝状种子(II-3型) 2种415,907粒。种子雨输入量排名前10位的优势种贡献了70%以上的种子数量。各类型种子的种子雨输入量均具有年际波动, 呈“大小年”的交替变化, 间隔期为1-2年, 物种组成也呈现一定的年际差异。持续9年的监测中, 每类型种子至少观察到了1次大年结实事件。     

梵净山栲树群落的种子雨、种子库及更新

梵净山栲树 (Castanopsis fargesii)群落种子雨丰富 ,对群落更新发展有用的成熟有效种子 2 6 8.9粒·m- 2 。优势种及其它主要种类均有种子产生 ,为维持现存群落的稳定提供了重要基础。种子库中活力种子丰富 ,其数量达 375 4.3粒· m- 2 ,分属 30种植物 ,其中木本植物种子 18种 ,草本植物种子 12种。种子库中有现存植物种子 13种 ,群落演替前期各阶段产生的种子 17种。在种子库中 ,现存群落的优势种和其它主要树种均有活力种子存在 ,群落更新潜力好。在种子库中 ,现存植物产生的种子绝大多数分布于枯枝落叶层 ,只有少部分 (3种 )可分布到土壤层 ,演替前期各阶段产生的种子全部分布在土壤层中。随土壤深度增加 ,种子的种类和物种多样性指数均逐渐减小。从枯枝落叶层向下 ,种子库与现存群落的相似性逐渐减小。在天然情况下 ,种子库中优势种及其它主要种类的种子大量萌发出苗 ,现存群落更新良好 ,稳定性强。     

浙江天童常绿阔叶林栲树种子雨的时空格局

在浙江天童常绿阔叶林中选择5株栲树,通过种子筐和地表取样,分析了栲树种子雨的时空格局特征.结果表明,栲树种子雨从11月3日到12月16日,持续45d,存在散落的高峰期(11月18日～27日);散落在地表的种子雨主要集中在离母株树干1.5～5.5m区段内,占总数的85.6%,最远不超过8m,空间格局符合二次分布;整个种子雨期间,单株平均落果数为112.8个·m^-2(70个·m^-2～239.5个·m^-2),东南向较多(135.6个·m^-2)、西北向较少(86.8个·m^-2),但无显著差异;种子雨中有活力的坚果占总数的27.3%、未成熟的占25.7%,昆虫幼虫侵害的占42%,松鼠啃食的占5%.     

灵山湾国家森林公园刺槐林下垂序商陆种子雨时空动态

垂序商陆(Phytolacca americana)的入侵给山东省沿海防护林的生物多样性及乔木更新造成了严重的危害, 为揭示其繁殖特性和扩散机制, 在灵山湾国家森林公园刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)林下由林缘至林内60 m设置5个梯度, 采用机械布点法对垂序商陆的结实量、种子雨分布和扩散格局进行了调查。结果表明: 1)垂序商陆的结实量与种子雨量由林缘至林内逐渐减小, 分别为2 273-1 846和1 382-621粒·m^-2, 不同空间种子雨密度占结实密度的60.80%-33.64%, 平均为49.52%, 人为搂割及动物取食是种子雨量损失的主要原因; 2)种子雨始于9月中旬, 林缘种子雨的发生早于林内, 种子雨的平均强度由林缘至林内逐渐减小, 在10月下旬和12月中旬各有一次种子雨高峰, 最大强度分别为32-4和59-5粒·m^-2·d^-1; 3)种子雨由林缘至林内散布范围逐渐减小, 同时随距母株距离的增加而减小, 其中最大散布距离与加权平均距离分别为210-180 cm和94.32-63.03 cm, 整体加权平均距离为81.00 cm。表明垂序商陆种子雨具有明显的时空异质性, 对预测其扩散潜力及群落结构组成趋势有重要的意义。     

Fruit types and seed dispersal modes of plants in different communities in Shilin Geopark,Yunnan, China

喀斯特植物群落果实类型和种子散布特征的研究, 对于理解喀斯特植物群落更新与拓展特征, 进而揭示喀斯特石漠化地区恢复植被的自然扩展机制及制定植被恢复规划具有重要意义。该研究以石林地质公园不同群落类型为对象, 研究不同群落的果实类型谱与种子散布谱, 以揭示果实类型与种子散布方式对恢复植被的影响。采用石林地质公园不同群落各1 hm ²样地记名计数法调查的维管束物种名录, 依据Flora of China对物种果实的描述确定其果实类型; 根据文献、数据库以及果实、种子形态性状确定种子散布方式。结果表明: (1)石林地质公园282种维管束植物共16种果实类型(含孢子), 其中瘦果、蒴果、浆果和核果的物种比例均大于10%。木本植物、草本植物、藤本植物的优势果实类型分别为核果、瘦果和浆果。石林地质公园各群落的木本植物、草本植物和藤本植物的果实类型谱差异不显著。在原生林、次生林、灌丛、灌草丛和人工辅助云南松林不同群落中, 浆果和核果的物种比例减少, 瘦果、颖果和蒴果的物种比例增加。(2)石林地质公园植物种子以动物传播为主, 其次为风传播。在原生林、次生林、灌丛、灌草丛和人工辅助云南松林不同群落中, 风传播的物种比例增加了73%-87%, 动物传播(包括鸟类传播)减少了31%-36%。(3)物种的种子散布方式直接影响到植被恢复物种和恢复策略的选择。基于恢复目标, 选择自然传播能力强的乡土物种或地带性植被关键种, 辅以传播廊道, 有助于喀斯特的植被恢复。     

广西靖西西南桦天然林种子雨的时空动态

以一片西南桦(Betula alnoides)天然林和一个西南桦独立单株为研究对象, 通过收集散种期内与林分或母树不同距离的种子以及测定风速和风向, 研究了西南桦群落和个体水平上种子雨的时空动态及其与风速和风向的关系。结果表明: 群落水平上, 西南桦种子散布的初始期、高峰期、消退期分别历时11天、32天和40天, 而个体水平上则为9天、25天和26天。高峰期内群落和个体水平的散种量分别占其总量的83.1%和68.7%, 而且白天的种子雨密度高于夜间; 西南桦个体白天种子雨密度最大的时段为12:00-16:00, 与此时段内风速较高有关。在个体水平上, 距离母树0-30 m范围内散落的种子占总散种量的79.6%; 而在群落水平上, 距离林缘0-45 m范围内集中了总散种量的81.2%。西南桦种子散布具有方向性, 无论个体还是群落水平上不同方向间种子雨密度差异极显著(p < 0.01), 与散种期内的主要风向有关; 而且种子雨密度与风速亦呈极显著正相关关系。研究结果将有助于揭示西南桦天然更新动态和更新机制, 亦为开展西南桦人工促进天然更新提供理论依据。     

Species composition and community structure of a 20 hm2 plot of mid-mountain moist evergreen broad-leaved forest on the Mts. Ailaoshan,Yunnan Province,China

中山湿性常绿阔叶林是分布在我国亚热带气候区的一种山地森林植被。为监测此类森林的动态过程, 按照Centre for Tropical Forest Science的建设标准, 于2014年在云南省景东县徐家坝附近的中山湿性常绿阔叶林中建立了一块20 hm ²的森林动态样地, 测量并记录了样地中所有胸径(DBH) ≥ 1 cm的树木直径及其分枝的直径, 并对其挂牌标记、定位和鉴定, 分析了其物种组成和群落结构。结果显示: 样地内共有DBH ≥ 1 cm的木本植物独立个体44 168株, 隶属于36科63属104种。重要值最大的前3个科依次是壳斗科、茶科和樟科。在属的水平上, 热带区系成分占总属数的46.0%, 温带区系成分占38.1%。重要值≥1的物种有22个, 占总个体数的84.6%。重要值最大的3个种依次是蒙自连蕊茶(Camellia forrestii)、云南越桔(Vaccinium duclouxii)和多花山矾(Symplocos ramosissima)。胸高断面积之和排名前4名的物种为硬斗柯(Lithocarpus hancei)、木果柯(L. xylocarpus)、变色锥(Castanopsis wattii)和南洋木荷(Schima noronhae), 它们同时也是该群落林冠层的优势树种。样地内所有个体的径级分布呈倒“J”型, 群落有充足的增补个体, 如蒙自连蕊茶和多花山矾等。稀有种(个体数少于20的物种)共计49种, 占总物种数的47.1%。常绿木本植物在样地内分别占总重要值、总多度和总胸高断面积的94.7%、96.2%和94.0%, 优势明显。     

Differences in seed rain composition in small and large fragments in the northeast Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Tropical forests are seriously threatened by fragmentation and habitat loss. The impact of fragment size and forest configuration on the composition of seed rain is insufficiently studied. For the present study, seed rain composition of small and large forest fragments (8–388 ha) was assessed in order to identify variations in seed abundance, species richness, seed size and dispersal mode. Seed rain was documented during a 1‐year period in three large and four small Atlantic Forest fragments that are isolated by a sugarcane matrix. Total seed rain included 20,518 seeds of 149 species of trees, shrubs, palms, lianas and herbs. Most species and seeds were animal‐dispersed. A significant difference in the proportion of seeds and species within different categories of seed size was found between small and large fragments. Small fragments received significantly more very small‐sized seeds (<0.3 cm) and less large‐seeded species (>1.5 cm) that were generally very rare, with only one species in small and eight in large fragments. We found a negative correlation between the inflow of small‐sized seeds and the percentage of forest cover. Species richness was lower in small than in large fragments, but the difference was not very pronounced. Given our results, we propose changing plant species pools through logging, tree mortality and a high inflow of pioneer species and lianas, especially in small forest fragments and areas with low forest cover. Connecting forest fragments through corridors and reforestation with local large‐seeded tree species may facilitate the maintenance of species diversity.     

Comparison of three seed trap types in a chalk grassland: toward a standardised protocol

In a chalk grassland in north-western France, vegetation and seed rain were studied along two transects. We compared the efficiency of three types of seed traps (funnel traps, sticky traps, pots exposed in the field) to estimate the annual seed rain and to reveal various processes involved in plant community regeneration. Data were analysed to compare seed density, species richness and composition across seed traps and vegetation. Geostatistical analyses (semivariograms. were used to detect possible autocorrelation and to examine patterns of spatial variation in seed rain and vegetation. The results show that (1) funnel traps are most efficient (56 species, 8079 seeds.m^–2). (2) Each type of seed traps brings different information about the processes involved in seed dispersal and seedling establishment. Sticky traps help to understand import and export of seeds in a community through anemochory. Funnel traps may provide a measure of the auto-regeneration capacity of the vegetation through its local seed production. Pot traps integrate various processes involved between seed dispersal and seedling emergence. (3.) The exposition to environmental conditions generates marked spatial patterns in species richness measured in pots and in vegetation, selecting species able to survive. Pot traps indicate that numerous species producing seeds in standing vegetation are unable to establish in the field through seedling recruitment. Our study emphasizes the need of using different types of seed traps and spatial sampling configurations to assess the regenerative potential of standing vegetation and the various mechanisms involved in seed dispersal. A standardised protocol for seed rain sampling was finally developed.     

Composition and seasonal dynamics of seed rain in broad-leaved Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) mixed forest in Changbai Mountain, China

To explore the composition and spatio-temporal dynamics of seed rain in broad-leaved Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) mixed forest, 150 seed traps were set up in a 25 hm2 plot in Changbai Mountain. Seeds, fruits, anthotaxy and others in seed traps were collected, identified and divided into 4 types. From 2005 to 2006, we collected 47 different types. Total number of seeds and fruits was 121291, including 23147 mature seeds and fruits (19.1% of the total). Tilia amurensis and Fraxinus mandshurica, with the most seeds and fruits, accounted for 90% of the total. The analysis on seasonal dynamics of seed rain showed that there were the largest number of seeds and fruits between July and October, which were composed of immature seeds and fruits. In mid-October, mature seeds and fruits reached their peak, but immature seeds and fruits still accounted for high proportion. There were 91 traps that contained 100–200 mature seeds and fruits, and one trap without any mature seed or fruit. The largest number of species found in a trap was 7, and usually 3 or 4 species were found in most of the traps. There were obvious relationships between spatial patterns of mature seeds and fruits and their parent trees, indicating that their mature seeds and fruits were not dispersed far from their parent trees.     

Community seed rain patterns and a comparison to adult community structure in a West African tropical forest

We examined the seed rain throughout a twelve month period in a lowlandtropical forest in Cameroon, West Africa, 1996–97. Traps (0.5m², n = 216) were erected throughout a 25km² area in 24 randomly placed clusters of nine trapseach. Fruits and seeds that landed in traps were collected every 7–10daysand classified by species and dispersal type. More than 32,000 seeds fromapproximately 200 species fell into the traps, an average of 297 seedsm^–2 yr^–1 Thirty species represent 82%of the total seed rain while an additional 175 species comprise the remaining18%. When we compared the adult community to the seed rain community within thesame plots, we found no apparent correlation between seed rain patterns andadult community structure for this year of study. Furthermore, only 49% of theadult tree community produced and dispersed seed into traps in this year. Morethan 100 species (52%) found in the seed rain represented long-distanceimmigrant seed rain. Seed rain was highly variable at several scales, bothspatially and seasonally, although seeds arrived in traps during eachcollectionperiod. Cluster analyses showed that traps within plots were seldom moresimilarto one another than traps between plots. While 82% of the tree species in thecommunity are thought to be animal dispersed, only 28% of all seeds that fellinto traps had been obviously handled (bitten, chewed, or passed)by animals. Tests for fruit and seed removal by predators or dispersers found5%or less removal rate from traps.     

Harvester ants modify seed rain using nest vegetation and granivory

1. In annual plant communities, the seed bank determines each generation's potential emergence and any factor that influences it could alter community structure. Harvester ants are common seed predators that may cause seed sources and seed rain composition to vary. 2. In semi‐arid shrubland of the Negev desert of Israel, we hypothesised that the positive effects of dense vegetation on nests of the harvester ant Messor ebeninus Sant. would outweigh reduction by granivory. 3. To test whether nests were seed sources, we removed vegetation on 10 of 20 sampled nests prior to seeding. We tested the interaction between seed sources and granivory by locating seed traps at three locations: nests, foraging trails, and unvisited areas. Trapped seeds were recorded during spring and summer dispersal. Plant recruitment from the altered seed bank was recorded the following spring. 4. During April, seeds were more abundant near nests than the other locations and at uncut compared with cut nests. Foraging trails had fewer species and higher equitability compared with nests or unvisited areas. May and June to August had highest species richness at nests, but richness of cut and uncut nests were similar. Ordination of plant recruitment showed slightly lower vegetation community variation by diminished species in the cut seed bank. 5. While intact nest vegetation initially had high abundance of locally deposited seeds, it apparently blocked wind‐dispersed seeds later in the summer. Conversely, granivory reduced seed species richness only on trails and decreased dominance structure by preferential removal of some species.     

Recovery of rain forest soil seed banks under different reforestation pathways in eastern Australia

Summary Seed availability is a major factor limiting the recruitment of rain forest to cleared land, but little is known about the composition of the soil seed bank under different reforestation pathways. We quantified changes in the viable soil seed bank following rain forest clearing and pasture establishment and subsequent reforestation in subtropical eastern Australia. Major reforestation pathways in the region include planting of a diverse suite of native trees for ecological restoration purposes, autogenic regrowth dominated by the non‐native tree Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) and management of this regrowth to accelerate the development of a native tree community. These pathways differ considerably in cost: restoration plantings are expensive, autogenic regrowth is free, whilst managing regrowth generally costs much less than restoration plantings. We surveyed five sites within each of three reforestation pathways as well as reference sites in remnant rain forest and pasture. The composition of the seed bank was determined by germinating plants from soil samples collected from each site. Germinants were classified into several functional groups according to life form, origin, dispersal mode and successional stage. The majority of functional groups varied significantly in abundance or richness between rain forest and pasture sites. Most of the functional groups that varied between rain forest and pasture were restored to values similar to rain forest by at least one of the three reforestation pathways examined. The species richness of native woody plants in the soil seed bank was slightly higher in restoration plantings than in autogenic or managed regrowth; nevertheless, the species richness and abundance of native woody plants and vines were higher in the seed bank of autogenic regrowth than pasture, and both attributes were enhanced by the management of regrowth sites. The results of this study show that autogenic regrowth can make an important contribution to rain forest restoration at a landscape scale. The optimal reforestation approach or mix of approaches will depend on the desired rate of recovery and the resources available for restoration.     

Seed Rain in High-Altitude Restoration Plots in Switzerland

Seed rain was studied in restoration plots installed in 1985 and 1987, respectively, on an alpine downhill ski run at circa 2,500 m above sea level. The study was initiated in late autumn 1996 and completed in autumn 1998; it included temporal and spatial variation in density per m², as well as alpha diversity (species richness), and species composition of the seed rain versus that of the resident vegetation. This is the first report on post-restoration monitoring of seed rain above the timberline. Seed rain density and alpha diversity varied seasonally, with the first peak occurring immediately after spring snowmelt and the second in early autumn. The density of seed rain varied between plots and years (1,528–1,778 seeds per m² in one plot [RPF] versus 1,096–3,557 seeds per m² in another plot [RPG]). Total species number per plot was nearly twice as high in RPF as in RPG in both study years. Seed rain totaled 18 species; all but one represented either transplants introduced in restoration or colonizers established in the plots soon after restoration. Distribution of species in seed rain was largely asymmetric and only a few species provided substantial contributions. Composition of species and their respective contribution to seed rain differed between plots and was clearly influenced by performance of some species used in restoration as transplants; together they provided as much as 51% of the total seed rain. The results of the study demonstrate that restoration enhanced increase of species richness as well as seed rain in situ.