黑龙江省东部山区森林植物物种多样性的研究

通过对黑龙江省东部山区原始阔叶红松林和次生林物种多样性的比较研究,结合定量化的群落动态和环境梯度,分析论证了演替阶段、环境梯度、生长状况及干扰与物种多样性的相关关系。结论如下：次生林物种多样性高于原始阔叶红松林,但均匀度较原始林小;物种多样性较高的群落其森林生产力中等,森林生产力较大的群落其物种多样性小;中度干扰的群落,其物种多样性较高,而重度和轻度干扰的群落,其多样性低;物种多样性指数从演替初期到中期不断增加,到演替后期逐渐下降。     

长白山北坡暗针叶林群落特征

长白山北坡的暗针叶林带分布海拔为１１００～１８５０ｍ,在野外调查的基础上,对暗针叶林沿海拔梯度物种组成的分布格局进行了研究。文中用α和β多样性指数来度量森林群落的多样性,用群落系数（本质上是一种β多样性指数）来度量不同群落或样地间的相似性,同时用欧氏距离和Ｗａｒｄ法对所有样地进行了聚类分析。研究结果表明主要树种云杉和冷杉在整个暗针叶林带均分布,而伴生树种和多数灌木出现于一定海拔范围内;沿海拔梯度物     

北江干流河岸带植物物种多样性的纵向梯度效应

河岸带生态系统是水生生态系统和陆生生态系统进行物质、能量和信息交换的生态交错带,具有较高水平的物种多样性并能提供多种生态系统服务。本研究基于植物群落调查,探讨了北江干流河岸带植物物种组成以及纵向环境梯度上植物物种α、β和γ多样性的分布规律。结果表明:(1)群落调查共记录植物59科116属136种,以禾本科和菊科植物居多,但样地间物种差异明显,物种出现频率低,其中只出现1次的物种数百分比高达48.7%～71.4%,表明河岸带维持植物物种多样性的功能很大程度上是维持不同的物种共存,而不是单一物种的数量;(2)在纵向环境梯度上,α多样性均呈先减少后增加的趋势,高海拔河岸带物种α多样性最高;(3)纵向环境梯度物种替代性表现出强烈的波动性和间断性,而相似性则呈现连续变化,这与河岸带保存物种多样性的特征以及人类活动、地形、气候要素等影响下物种分布相对不均有关;(4)γ多样性在纵向环境梯度上呈先减少后增加的趋势,说明河岸带γ多样性在区域尺度上受多种环境梯度交互影响,但高海拔河岸带物种γ多样性高于低海拔河岸带。     

新疆喀纳斯旅游区树种多样性垂直格局与自然火干扰

采用典型样带调查法,通过对新疆喀纳斯旅游区树种多样性垂直格局及其与自然火干扰分布关系的研究,揭示了树种多样性沿海拔梯度的分布格局及其对自然火干扰的响应特征.结果表明:①树种多样性随海拔的升高呈现明显的下降态势(P＜0.01),但树种多样性与海拔高度之间的相关程度不高(R2=0.2165),并且表现出以1900m为界的区域性变化特征.②所调查范围内共发生了8次自然火干扰事件,平均间隔时间为14a,干扰事件多集中在1900m以下的较低海拔区.③林分受自然火干扰作用后,树种多样性普遍表现出增加的特征.总体而言,海拔高度是影响喀纳斯森林群落树种多样性垂直分布格局形成的基本因素,但随机发生的自然火干扰是主导1900m以下较低海拔区树种多样性丰富的关键因素之一.     

秦岭山地天然次生林群落MRT数量分类、CCA排序及多样性垂直格局

采用多元回归树(MRT)对秦岭山地天然次生林群落进行数量分类,采用典范对应分析(CCA)进行排序,分析了秦岭山地天然次生林群落物种多样性沿海拔梯度的变化规律。结果表明:(1) 275个样方共有种子植物195种,隶属61科128属。乔、灌、草3个层次物种多样性变化沿海拔梯度的变化趋势基本一致,呈单峰模型;(2)经交叉验证认为秦岭山地天然次生林群落可分为2类,Ⅰ冬瓜杨(Populus purdomii)+陇东海棠(Malus kansuensis)+蛇莓(Duchesnea indica)群落,Ⅱ锐齿槲栎(Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata)+黄栌(Cotinus coggygria)+茜草(Rubia cordifolia)群落;(3) CCA排序结果揭示了群落生境的分布范围,反映出生态轴的排序意义,较好地反映秦岭山地天然次生林群落与环境因子的关系,其结果表明,海拔、坡向、凋落层厚度和干扰情况4个变量对该地区次生林群落的分布有较大的影响。     

秦岭山地天然次生林群落MRT数量分类、CCA排序及多样性垂直格局

采用多元回归树(MRT)对秦岭山地天然次生林群落进行数量分类,采用典范对应分析(CCA)进行排序,分析了秦岭山地天然次生林群落物种多样性沿海拔梯度的变化规律。结果表明:(1)275个样方共有种子植物195种,隶属61科128属。乔、灌、草3个层次物种多样性变化沿海拔梯度的变化趋势基本一致,呈单峰模型;(2)经交叉验证认为秦岭山地天然次生林群落可分为2类,Ⅰ冬瓜杨(Populus purdomii)+陇东海棠(Malus kansuensis)+蛇莓(Duchesnea indica)群落,Ⅱ锐齿槲栎(Quercus aliena var.acuteserrata)+黄栌(Cotinus coggygria)+茜草(Rubia cordifolia)群落;(3)CCA排序结果揭示了群落生境的分布范围,反映出生态轴的排序意义,较好地反映秦岭山地天然次生林群落与环境因子的关系,其结果表明,海拔、坡向、凋落层厚度和干扰情况4个变量对该地区次生林群落的分布有较大的影响。     

广西猫儿山植物群落物种组成、群落结构及树种多样性的垂直分布格局

沿海拔梯度设置16个样地,对广西猫儿山植物群落物种多样性的垂直分布格局进行了初步研究。结果表明：(1)16个样地中共调查到乔木44科79属184种,其中常绿阔叶树121种、落叶阔叶树61种、针叶树2种;(2)随着海拔的上升,整个乔木层以及不同生活型的最大树高均呈显著下降趋势,而乔木树种的最大胸径、胸高断面积之和以及立木密度都呈现出先增大后减小的趋势;(3)物种丰富度在海拔1350m以下变化不明显,但1350m以上随着海拔的升高明显下降。在研究的海拔范围内,物种丰富度呈非常显著的单峰分布格局,最大的丰富度出现在中海拔群落中;(4)α多样性沿海拔梯度的变化趋势与物种丰富度相似,但没有后者显著。Shannon-Wiener指数(H’)和海拔之间有明显的负相关性,均匀度Pielou指数(E)在取样范围内并没有随着海拔梯度的变化表现出明显的规律;(5)1350m以下的相邻群落之间的Jaccard指数(CJ)大于1350m以上相邻群落之间的Jaccard指数,最小值出现在中海拔的植被过渡带。Cody指数也有类似的趋势,原因在于物种丰富度的变化;(6)在本研究的海拔范围内,海拔比坡度和坡向对群落的结构特征、物种丰富度以及α多样性的影响更大。而在局部尺度上,人为干扰以及小地形而导致的生境异质性对群落的物种多样性和结构特征有着重要的影响。     

澜沧江流域水生昆虫群落分类多样性和功能多样性海拔格局的空间尺度依赖性

群落分类多样性和功能多样性的海拔格局研究, 是了解生物多样性空间分布现状、揭示多样性维持和变化机制的重要途径。当前对水生昆虫分类多样性和功能多样性沿海拔梯度分布格局, 及其尺度依赖性依旧缺乏深入研究。本文基于2013-2018年在云南澜沧江流域500-3,900 m海拔梯度共149个溪流点位的水生昆虫群落调查数据, 利用线性或二次回归模型探索并比较了局部尺度(点位尺度)和不同区域尺度(100 m、150 m、200 m、250 m海拔段)的分类多样性指数(物种丰富度指数、Simpson多样性指数和物种均匀度指数)和功能多样性指数(树状图功能多样性指数(dbFD)、Rao二次熵指数(RaoQ)和功能均匀度指数(FEve))的海拔格局。结果表明, 在局部尺度, 物种丰富度指数和dbFD指数沿海拔梯度均无显著分布特征, Simpson多样性指数、RaoQ指数、物种均匀度指数和FEve指数沿海拔梯度呈现U型或者单调递减趋势。在区域尺度, 随着区域海拔带宽度的增加, 物种丰富度指数沿海拔呈不显著的单调递减格局, 但dbFD指数沿海拔分布由U型转变为单调递减趋势; Simpson多样性指数和RaoQ指数沿海拔梯度由显著U型趋势转变为无显著分布特征; 物种均匀度指数沿海拔梯度无显著分布特征, 但FEve指数呈显著增加的海拔格局。综上, 群落分类多样性指数和功能多样性指数沿海拔梯度分布存在局部和区域尺度的空间差异, 但区域尺度下二者海拔格局随海拔带宽度的增加存在一定程度的一致性。     

长白山牛皮杜鹃群落物种多样性的海拔梯度变化及相似性

采用样地调查法,研究了牛皮杜鹃群落物种组成、群落结构特征、物种多样性及其沿海拔梯度的变化规律,对不同海拔牛皮杜鹃群落进行相似性分析。结果表明:(1)牛皮杜鹃群落相同海拔高度,草本层的物种多样性普遍高于灌木层的物种多样性。自海拔1926—1986m,灌木层α多样性指数先降低后升高,1986m后再次降低,到达海拔2010m处达到最低点,适应高山苔原带特殊生境条件的物种逐渐增多,多样性指数开始回升。海拔2250m,生物多样性指数的变化趋于平缓,物种组成相对较为稳定。海拔2528m以上,生物多样性再次呈降低趋势。草本层的α多样性指数中,物种多样性指数SW、丰富度指数D和均匀度指数R沿海拔梯度的变化趋势大致相同。海拔1986m处时出现最小值,海拔2350m时达最大值。牛皮杜鹃群落α多样性指数间呈P0.01水平极显著正相关性,物种丰富度指数对群落的物种多样性贡献率最大,表现为丰富度指数(D1、D2)种间机遇指数(H)生态优势度指数(SN)群落均匀度指数(R)。(2)牛皮杜鹃群落β多样性沿海拔梯度基本呈波形变化,草本层β多样性指数普遍高于灌木层β多样性指数。在牛皮杜鹃群落物种沿海拔梯度的替换速率上,草本植物高于灌木物种。Routledge指数的变化趋势不显著。海拔1986m处和海拔2250m处,草本层Cody指数出现两处极值,海拔2250m以上群落灌木层之间差异和变化较小,Whittaker多样性指数和Cody指数逐渐趋于平稳。(3)海拔梯度间生境及群落结构差异性越大,生物多样性变化越明显。海拔高度接近的群落间相似性系数较高,海拔是影响牛皮杜鹃群落差异的主要因素。     

云南高黎贡山北段植物物种多样性的垂直分布格局

在高黎贡山北段沿海拔梯度设置17个样地,采用数量分类,对高黎贡山北段植物群落类型、物种组成和多样性的垂直格局进行了研究.结果表明:(1)随着海拔的升高,森林群落类型由常绿阔叶林(2 000～2 300 m)依次过渡为以阔叶树为主的针阔混交林(2 300～2 600 m)、以针叶树为主的针阔混交林(2 600～3 000 m)和针叶林(3 000～3 100 m);(2)木本植物的物种丰富度随着海拔高度的增加显著下降,而草本植物的物种丰富度则随着海拔高度的增加先下降,然后在林线以上显著上升;(3)木本植物β多样性随着海拔的上升呈单调下降趋势,而草本植物β多样性在中海拔附近区域较低;(4)在植物区系方面,热带亚热带成分所占比例随海拔上升而下降,温带成分、世界分布成分则随着海拔的升高而增加.中国特有分布成分所占比重较小,主要分布在中海拔区域.总体上,温带成分占主导地位.区系平衡点在海拔2100～2200 m.     

百花山植物群落物种多样性研究

基于百花山50个样方的调查资料，从不同类型群落的物种多样性及其与海拔的关系等方面对百花山植被进行了分析，并且用DCA排序和海拔高程排序对物种多样性在环境梯度上的分布格局进行了初步研究。结果表明：群落内不同生长型的物种丰富度指数在森林群落中大小顺序为草本层＞灌木层＞乔木层，灌丛群落主要表现为草本层﹥灌木层，只有荆条灌丛表现为灌木层＞草本层；Shannon-Wiener指数在山杨—华北落叶松群落中表现为灌木层＞草本层＞乔木层,其他森林群落为草本层＞灌木层＞乔木层，在灌丛群落中主要表现为草本层＞灌木层，只有荆条灌丛表现为灌木层＞草本层；均匀度指数在灌丛群落中表现为灌木层＞草本层，在辽东栎林和山杨—华北落叶松林中表现为灌木层＞乔木层＞草本层,而其他森林群落表现为乔木层＞灌木层＞草本层。物种多样性在DCA第一轴排序和海拔高程梯度上都表现出单峰曲线变化趋势，但拟和效果的显著程度不同：丰富度和均匀度指数在海拔高程上曲线的拟和效果优于DCA环境梯度排序效果；而多样性指数则相反。     

山西关帝山森林群落物种、谱系和功能多样性海拔格局

探索和揭示生物多样性的空间格局和维持机制是生态学和生物地理学研究的热点内容, 但综合物种、系统进化和功能属性等方面的多样性海拔格局研究很少。该文以关帝山森林群落为研究对象, 综合物种、谱系和功能α和β多样性指数, 旨在初步探讨关帝山森林群落多样性海拔格局及其维持机制。研究结果表明: 随着海拔的升高(1 409-2 150 m), 关帝山森林群落物种丰富度指数(S)、谱系多样性指数(PD)和功能丰富度指数(FRic)整体上表现出上升的趋势, 特别是海拔1 800 m以上区域。随着海拔的升高, 总β多样性(β_total)和更替(β_repl)上升趋势明显, 而丰富度差异(β_rich)则逐渐下降。不同生活型植物的物种、谱系和功能多样性海拔格局差异较大。随着海拔的升高, 草本植物S和物种多样性指数(H′)上升趋势高于木本植物。影响草本植物S分布的主要因素是地形因子, 而影响木本植物S分布的主要因素是历史过程。随着海拔的升高, 木本植物β_total上升趋势要比草本植物明显。随着海拔的升高, 木本植物β_repl和β_rich分别表现出单峰格局和“U”形格局, 而草本植物β_repl和β_rich则分别表现出单调递增和单调递减的格局。随着环境差异和地理距离的增加, 群落间物种、谱系和功能β多样性显著增加。环境差异(环境过滤)对木本植物的β多样性具有相对较强的作用; 而环境差异(环境过滤)和地理距离(扩散限制)共同作用于草本植物的β多样性。     

Vascular diversity patterns of forest ecosystem before and after a 43-year interval under changing climate conditions in the Changbaishan Nature Reserve, northeastern China

The Changbaishan Nature Reserve (CNR) is the largest protected temperate forest in the world. It was established in 1960 to protect the virgin Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) mixed hardwood forest, a typical temperate forest of northeast China. Studies of vascular diversity patterns on the north slope of the CNR mountainside forest (800–1700 m a.s.l.) were conducted in 1963 and in 2006. The aim of this comparison was to assess the long-term effects of the protected status on plant biodiversity during the intervening 43 years. The research was carried out in three forest types: mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest (MCBF), mixed coniferous forest (MCF), and sub-alpine coniferous forest (SCF), characterized by different dominant species. The alpha diversity indicted by species richness and the Shannon–Wiener index were found to differ for the same elevations and forest types after the 43-year interval, while the beta diversity indicated by the Cody index depicted the altitudinal patterns of plant species gain and loss. The floral compositional pattern and the diversity of vascular species were generally similar along altitudinal gradients before and after the 43-year interval, but some substantial changes were evident with the altitude gradient. In the tree layer, the dominant species in 2006 were similar to those of 1963, though diversity declined with altitude. The indices in the three forest types did not differ significantly between 1963 and 2006, and these values even increased in the MCBF and MCF. However, originally dominant species, such as Pinus koraiensis, tended to decline, the proportion of broad-leaved trees increased, and the species turnover in the succession layers showed a trend to shift to higher altitudes. The diversity pattern of the understory fluctuated along the altitudinal gradient due to micro-environmental variations. A comparison of the alpha diversity indices among the three forest types reveals that the diversity of the shrub and herb layer decreased, and some rare and medicinal species disappeared. Meteorological records show that climate has changed significantly in this 43-year intervening period, and information collected from another field survey found that the most severe human disturbances to the CNR forests stemmed from the exploitation of Ginseng roots and Korean pine nuts. W. Sang and F. Bai are contributed equally to this research.     

Species turnover and diversity patterns along an evergreen broad-leaved forest coenocline

Direct gradient analysis was applied to the evergreen broad-leaved forest coenocline in the Tatera Forest Reserve, Japan. 10 quadrats of 0.1 -0.05 ha were laid out from 140 m to 560 m above sea level at intervals of 25–70 m. Gradient analysis revealed that distributions of many species terminated or started at ca. 400 m. Community similarity, calculated in Percentage Similarity (PS) and Community Coefficient (CC), changed abruptly below and above the 400 m contour, suggesting a change of vegetation structure at this altitude, which was also clear from population distributions. The spatial turnover rate of species along the altitudinal gradient was calculated in two ways: as the Average turnover rate along the whole range of the gradient, and as the Zone turnover rate at individual altitudes. The overall rates calculated for five categories of populations: DBH > 10 cm, DBH >3 cm, all woody species, herb-layer, and total vegetation, were- 0.0011 to- 0.0021 for PS, and - 0.0009 to- 0.0019 for CC. The calculated rates (PS basis) indicate that a 95% change in species composition is reached at 1120 to 620 m altitude. Similarly, the rates -0.0009 to - 0.0019 (CC) correspond to 1410 - 680 m. The altitudinal range expected here for a 95% change agrees with the actual elevation of forest zonation in northwestern Kyushu. The average rate of both PS and CC in the herb-layer population was 1.56 times higher than the rate in the woody species population, showing a more rapid change in herb-layer population than in the woody ones along the gradient. The Zone turnover rates were higher at the 370–440 m belt than those below and above the belt. This coincided with the interchanging pattern in population distributions and the abrupt change in similarity at about 400 m above sea level. This may be due to the change in environmental conditions such as physiography and air humidity. In the diversity measurements, the species density per 100 m² showed a gradual increase in the DBH >3 cm population but a constant level in the DBH >10 cm population along the whole range of the forest coenocline studied, while index values of S₍₁₀₀₎ and Shannon's H showed decreasing trends in the same gradient with a few exceptionally high and low values.     

From lowlands to highlands: searching for elevational patterns of species richness and distribution of scarab beetles in Costa Rica

Aim Understanding the heterogeneous distribution of species on mountains is an important aim in ecology. Altitudinal gradients have enormous potential for improving our knowledge of trends in biodiversity and conservation. In this study, we investigated the variation in scarab beetle diversity (Dynastinae, Rutelinae and Melolonthinae) along an elevational tropical forest gradient. Location The Atlantic slope of the Guanacaste mountain range in Costa Rica. Methods Ultraviolet light traps placed in six forests situated from 100 to 1510 m were used. Changes in species composition and richness among elevations were investigated. Differences in the altitudinal patterns using different groups of species were examined: the whole assemblage, each separate subfamily and two different trophic habits (phytophagous or saproxylic). The effects of temperature, humidity and elevation on scarab distribution were tested using canonical correspondence analyses. The relationship between the community similarity of the studied forests and the altitudinal distance among them was also analysed. Results Species composition and richness changed along the gradient. The peak in species richness varied depending on the species group considered and in all cases occurred 500 or 800 m. Forests at these altitudes were also the richest in exclusive species. Species composition turnover among elevations appeared with a clear separation between lowland and highland fauna. The latter was lower in richness but also had exclusive species. Temperature, humidity and altitude affected species distribution, with altitude being the most important factor for all the subfamilies studied. Main conclusions Our results showed that species distribution fits a hump‐shaped pattern. The peak of this pattern varied depending on the taxonomic group and mountain analysed, highlighting the importance of evolutionary processes as species distribution drivers. The fact that species richness peaked at elevations where human impact is currently important underlines the value of the development of conservation strategies for these areas.     

西双版纳热带山地雨林的植物多样性研究

 根据6块样地的调查资料,分析了西双版纳热带山地雨林植物多样性特征。结果表明：在2 500 m2的样地上,西双版纳热带山地雨林群落共有植物物种99～181种。其中乔木层的物种丰富度（S）为54～113,Shannon-Wiener指数（H′）为1.648 7～4.049 1,Simpson指数（λ）为0.503 5～0.969 5,Pielou 均匀度指数（Jsw）为0.413 3～0.854 9。灌木层的S为35～89,H′为2.413 2～3.716 2,λ为0.762 7～0.958 2,Jsw为0.678 8～0.859 3。草本层的各指数值：S为31～65,H′ 为2.792 1～3.499 2,λ为0.902 0～0.938 2,Jsw为0.729 3～0.838 2。低海拔带上的山地雨林（Ⅰ号、Ⅱ号样地）的各指数值（H′、λ、Jsw）在群落不同层次中均表现为草本层 > 灌木层 > 乔木层,而物种丰富度在不同层次中无一定变化规律;高海拔带上山地雨林（Ⅲ号、Ⅳ号、Ⅴ号、Ⅵ号样地）的物种丰富度和多样性指数（H′、λ）表现为乔木层 > 灌木层 > 草本层,而均匀度指数（Jsw）在不同层次中则无一定变化趋势。高海拔带上的山地雨林乔木层和灌木层的物种丰富度、多样性和均匀度指数均明显高于低海拔带上的山地雨林,这是由于前者所处生境较为优越。沿着海拔梯度,群落乔木层的物种丰富度、多样性和均匀度指数均在中等海拔高度地带（约1 200～1 220 m）达到最高值,这是由于中等海拔高度的山地雨林位于生境条件最为优越的沟谷地带,而且与低地季节雨林毗邻,热带雨林植物成分丰富。     

Zonal transition of evergreen,deciduous, and coniferous forests along the altitudinal gradient on a humid subtropical mountain,Mt. Emei,Sichuan, China

Altitudinal zonation of evergreen, deciduous and coniferous forests on Mt. Emei (3099 m asl, 29°34.5' N, 103°21.5' E), Sichuan, China was studied to understand the transition of vegetation zonation from tropical to temperate mountains in humid Asia. On the basis of quantitative data on floristic composition and community structure sampled at ten plots selected in different altitudes on the eastern slope of the mountain, forest zonation and the inter-relationships among different life-forms of trees in each zonal forest community were studied quantitatively. Three forest zones were identified physiognomically along the altitudinal gradient, viz. (i) the evergreen broad-leaved forest zone (660–1500 m asl), (ii) the mixed forest zone (1500–2500 m asl), and (iii) the coniferous forest zone (2500–3099 m asl). Great compositional changes were observed along elevation, and the zonal forest communities were characterized by their dominants and floristic composition. Maximum tree height decreased from 33 m at lower middle altitude (965 m asl) to 13 m near the summit (2945 m asl). There was no apparent deciduous forest zone along the altitudinal gradient, but true mixed forests of three life-forms (evergreen, deciduous, and coniferous) were formed around 2000–2500 m asl. Patches of deciduous forest were found in a lower part of the mixed forest zone, particularly on scree slopes, between 1450 m and 1900 m asl. These patches were dominated by the Tertiary relic deciduous trees, such as Davidia involucrata, Tetracentron sinense, and Cercidiphyllum japonicum var. sinense. High species diversity in the mixed forest zone resulted from the overlapping of different life-forms at middle altitudes, which is partly due to wider variety of temperature-altitude correlations. A comparison of the altitudinal zonation with the other east Asian mountain vegetation clarified that Mt. Emei is located exactly at the ecotone between tropical and temperate zonation types in eastern Asia.     

Changes in tropical forest vegetation along an altitudinal gradient in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Tanzania

This study describes changes in woody vegetation in the Mwanihana forest, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Tanzania, over an altitude range of 470–1700 m. Two methods, fixed‐ and variable‐area plots, are compared to elucidate altitudinal variation in tropical forest structure, diversity and community composition. Six 25 m × 100 m fixed area plots recorded a total of 2143 woody stems of ≥3 cm d.b.h. from 204 species. The 78 variable‐area plots recorded the nearest twenty trees of ≥20 cm d.b.h. to an objectively chosen point, giving a total of 1560 stems in 9.1 ha from 156 species. A linear trend of increasing stem density with altitude was seen for variable‐area plots. Species diversity is highest at high elevations. There was no clear zonation of elevational vegetation types. Restricted range taxa occur at all altitudes sampled. The study also revealed some methodological considerations. Bias in sample size and plot area can be tested by employing two sampling methods. Of the two methods used, fixed area plots are preferred as variable area plots are impractical in tangled understorey. Plot size must be controlled for in order to make reliable observations of diversity. Sampling along a continuous or near‐continuous altitudinal gradient with sufficient replication is also important.     

Floristic diversity in fragmented Afromontane rainforests: Altitudinal variation and conservation importance

Question: How does the floristic diversity of Afromontane rainforests change along an altitudinal gradient? What are the implications for conservation planning in these strongly fragmented forest areas that form part of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot? Location: Bonga, southwestern Ethiopia. Methods: Based on evidence from other montane forests, we hypothesized that altitude has an effect on the floristic diversity of Afromontane rainforests in southwestern Ethiopia. To test this hypothesis, detailed vegetation surveys were carried out in 62 study plots located in four relatively undisturbed forest fragments situated at altitudes between 1600 m and 2300 m. Floristic diversity was evaluated using a combination of multivariate statistical analyses and diversity indices. Results: Ordination and indicator species analyses showed gradual variations in floristic diversity along the altitudinal gradient with a pronounced shift in species composition at ca. 1830 m. Upper montane forest (>1830 m) is characterized by high fern diversity and indicator species that are Afromontane endemics. Lower montane forest (<1830 m) exhibits a greater diversity of tree species and a higher abundance of the flagship species Coffea arabica. Conclusions: Our results provide crucial ecological background information concerning the montane rainforests of Ethiopia, which have been poorly studied until now. We conclude that both forest types identified during this study need to be considered for conservation because of their particular species compositions. Owing to the high degree of forest fragmentation, conservation concepts should consider a multi‐site approach with at least two protected areas at different altitudinal levels.