弄岗北热带喀斯特季节性雨林群丛数量 分类及与环境的关系

以弄岗15 ha北热带喀斯特季节性雨林监测样地各样方的相对海拔、坡度、坡向、凹凸度和物种重要值数据为变量, 采用多元回归树方法将喀斯特季节性雨林森林群落分为8个群丛。同时, 按乔木层、亚乔木层优势种为主, 灌木层指示种为辅的方法分别把8类群丛命名为: (A)南方紫金牛(Ardisia thyrsiflora)–苹婆(Sterculia monosperma)–中国无忧花(Saraca dives)群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于土壤和空气的湿度都较大的谷底边缘; (B)对叶榕(Ficus hispida)–苹婆–董棕(Caryota obtusa)群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于伴有季节性水淹、土壤和空气湿度都很大的谷底; (C)山石榴(Catunaregam spinosa)–广西牡荆–蚬木(Excentrodendron tonkinense)群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于受太阳直射时间较长、水分条件中等偏旱的中下坡阳坡地带; (D)垂茉莉(Clerodendrum wallichii)–苹婆–广西棋子豆(Cychidendron guangxiensis)群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于受太阳直射时间稍短、水分条件适中的中下坡阴坡地带; (E)米仔兰(Aglaia odorata)–闭花木(Cleistanthus sumatranus)–蚬木群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于土壤湿度中等偏旱的中上坡半阴坡地带; (F)割舌树(Walsura robusta)–闭花木–蚬木群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于土壤湿度中等偏旱、比较陡峭的半阳坡地带; (G)枝花流苏树(Chionanthus ramiflorus)–广西牡荆–蚬木群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于坡度缓和、太阳直射的时间较短、水分条件适中的垭口部位; (H)齿叶黄皮(Clausena dunniana)–黄梨木(Boniodendron minius)–蚬木群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于受到太阳直射时间最长、岩石裸露度最大、气温干燥、土壤水分严重不足的山顶及其周围。群丛划分说明该区域植被差异主要源于相对海拔和坡向变化, 各群丛物种组成并不存在明显界限, 而是随环境梯度逐渐变化, 反映了植被分布具有连续性, 间断只是相对的。     

桂西南蚬木优势群落物种组成及多样性特征

研究喀斯特山地蚬木优势群落物种组成及多样性特征,可为喀斯特地区植被恢复、蚬木种群的保护及其资源的合理利用提供依据。通过调查和分析广西8个不同地区蚬木优势群落物种组成及多样性,结果表明:8个蚬木群落共调查到维管植物248种,隶属于95科164属,其中乔木层物种较为丰富,其伴生种主要有广西澄广花(Orophea anceps)、苹婆(Sterculia nobilis)等,灌木层除了乔木层主要树种外,主要有鹅掌柴(Schefflera octophylla)、红背山麻杆(Alchornea trewioides)等物种;草本层以蕨类植物居多,而中间层藤本植物主要以豆科植物为主。不同地区蚬木群落各层次Shannon指数(H)、Simpson指数(D)及均匀度指数(J)大小顺序均保持一致的变化趋势。不同地区蚬木群落具有一定的相似性,而地理位置相对靠近的蚬木群落则表现有更高的相似度。从蚬木乔木层生物多样性指数分析,那坡及龙州弄岗蚬木群落恢复较为稳定。     

广西弄岗北热带喀斯特季节性雨林监测样地种群空间点格局分析

种群的空间分布格局是由多种机制的交互作用而形成,是探究生物多样性维持机制的基础。北热带喀斯特季节性雨林是我国北热带石灰岩山地具有地带性特征的植被,其生境的典型特征在于土层浅薄、岩石裸露率高、贮水能力低和周期性水淹,以及富钙强碱性环境等。本研究基于广西弄岗北热带喀斯特季节性雨林15 ha动态监测样地的第一次调查资料,采用双关联g(r)函数点格局方法,分析了雨林中出现个体数≥15株的160个种的种群空间分布格局以及不同类群间种群分布的差异。研究表明:160种木本植物中有146种在0–10 m的尺度上呈聚集分布,且随着空间尺度的增大,聚集度呈下降趋势;物种的种群聚集度与其物种多度、平均胸径和最大胸径成负相关;常绿物种的种群聚集度与落叶物种间差异不显著;不同生活型间的种群聚集度差异显著,总体表现为亚乔木层物种高于乔木层,灌木层物种显著高于亚乔木层;剔除生境异质性后大部分物种表现为随机分布,仅少部分物种的种群表现为聚集分布。这表明物种的功能属性如物种多度、生活型等可较好地预测物种的分布格局。此外,物种种群的分布格局还受生境异质性的影响,且不同物种受生境异质性影响的程度不同。     

幕阜山森林群落结构与物种多样性研究

幕阜山地处中亚热带-北亚热带过渡地带,物种资源丰富.通过对其典型样地的调查,分别采用Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数和Pielou均匀度指数作为测度指标,研究了幕阜山地区森林群落结构及其物种多样性特征.结果表明,该地区主要有21个森林群落类型.其中常绿阔叶林中,物种丰富度指数与多样性指数在群落梯度上的总体趋势均为灌木层相对高于乔木层,乔木层相对高于草本层;在落叶阔叶林中,其丰富度指数的趋势为灌木层＞草本层和乔木层,而在草本层与乔木层间是波动的,多样性指数的趋势为灌木层＞草本层＞乔木层;在针叶林中,物种丰富度、多样性指数表现的总趋势基本一致,即灌木层的丰富度相对较高,其次为草本层,乔木层的相对较小.在其他群落类型中,多样性指数、均匀度指数在乔木层、灌木层和草本层则表现出多样化的趋势;另外,从总体上看,各种指数在海拔梯度上并未表现出明显的规律性.     

弄岗北热带喀斯特季节性雨林15 hm2动态监测样地树木死亡特征分析

以广西弄岗北热带喀斯特季节性雨林15 hm²森林动态监测样地为对象，结合2011年和2016年两次调查数据，分析5年间样地树木死亡个体的数量、径级结构和空间格局特征等。结果显示：2011年至2016年，样地有86.5%的树种出现了个体死亡的现象，死亡个体占个体总数的14.4%；死亡个体的聚集程度随空间尺度的增大而逐渐减弱；小径级个体死亡与周边邻体和环境的关联性较大；竞争是影响弄岗北热带喀斯特季节性云林树木死亡的主要因素。综合来看，北热带喀斯特季节性雨林内树木死亡并非是一个完全随机的过程，而是树木本身特征和生物与非生物环境共同作用的结果。     

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。     

山西庞泉沟自然保护区森林群落物种多样性

在对山西庞泉沟自然保护区森林群落进行数量分类的基础上,运用丰富度指数、物种多样性指数和均匀度指数对保护区内森林群落的物种多样性进行了研究,并对森林群落各层片之间的物种多样性进行了相关性分析.结果表明:(1)森林群落15个群丛的丰富度指数、物种多样性指数和均匀度指数能很好地反映各群丛多样性变化规律.(2)各群丛的丰富度指数和物种多样性指数总体上呈现草本层＞灌木层＞乔木层,草本层的均匀度最小,大多数森林群落乔木层和灌木层的均匀度比较接近.(3) Patrick指数、Simpson指数、Shannon指数以及Pielou指数和Alatalo指数之间表现极显著差异性(P＜0.01).(4)群丛3(华北落叶松-土庄绣线菊+美蔷薇-东方草莓群丛)灌木层和草本层之间呈显著负相关(r=-0.643,P＜0.05);群丛8(白桦+山杨-灰栒子+美蔷薇-中亚苔草群丛)乔木层和灌木层呈显著负相关(r=-0.458,P＜0.05),灌木层和草本层则呈显著正相关(r=0.404,P＜0.05);群丛11(白杄-中亚苔草+烟管头草)的乔木层和草本层之间呈显著负相关(r=-0.949,P＜0.05).     

桂西南蚬木群落优势树种分布与环境因子的关系

蚬木(Excentrodendron hsienmu)是广泛分布于桂西南喀斯特山地的优良用材树种,了解影响蚬木群落物种分布的主要环境因子,对蚬木资源的有效保护具有重要意义。该研究基于桂西南蚬木群落的样地调查,测定了样地中乔木树种的重要值以及海拔、坡度、坡向、土壤养分等8个环境因子,采用Pearson相关分析研究了地形与土壤等环境因子间的相互关系,运用典范对应分析(CCA)方法对群落主要树种与环境因子间的关系进行了排序。结果表明:调查共记录到胸径≥1.0 cm、树高≥1.5 m的立木共176种,隶属于50科128属;群落乔木层以蚬木占绝对优势,主要伴生种有广西澄广花(Orophea anceps)、金丝李(Garcinia paucinervis)、割舌树(Walsura robusta)、苹婆(Sterculia nobilis)。相关分析显示海拔与土壤有机质、全氮间呈极显著正相关;除土壤pH之外,其余土壤肥力因子间均呈极显著正相关。CCA分析显示全钾、全磷对群落优势种的分布影响最为显著,坡向、坡度对优势种分布也具有重要作用。该研究结果揭示了影响蚬木群落物种分布的主要环境因子,为该区域的植被恢复措施提供了科学依据。     

秦岭皇冠暖温带落叶阔叶林灌木层结构与物种多样性

灌木是森林生态系统中的重要组成部分,探究灌木层的物种组成、结构和空间分布可以为进一步阐明森林物种共存、生物多样性维持和群落演替机制奠定基础。本研究分析了秦岭皇冠25 hm²森林样地灌木层的物种组成、空间分布以及物种多样性。结果表明: 样地内灌木独立个体共20716株(分枝10463个),隶属于28科45属54种。灌木层优势种的优势度不明显,重要值均＜10。灌木层植被的径级结构为倒“J”型;灌木在样地内呈聚集分布且空间分布存在明显的海拔差异。样地内个体数最多的9种灌木的径级结构和空间分布与灌木层整体情况一致。随着海拔升高,Shannon多样性指数(H)和Simpson优势度指数(D)变化不显著,而Pielou均匀度指数(E)降低。多样性指数H、D、E随乔木层优势种个数增加而降低,E随亚乔木层优势种个数增加而升高。多样性指数H、D、E与土壤全磷呈显著负相关;H与土壤pH呈显著正相关,E与土壤全钾呈显著正相关。本研究区灌木层物种丰富,结构稳定,更新良好;灌木层的物种多样性主要受到乔木层优势种个数和土壤pH、全磷的影响。     

土壤有机质含量对黔南喀斯特天然次生林土壤理化指标与植物多样性的影响

为探讨自然恢复过程中喀斯特森林土壤有机质含量(SOM)与土壤理化指标及植物多样性指数的相关性,对贵州省茂兰国家级自然保护区中不同森林类型的SOM、土壤理化性质和植物多样性进行了研究。根据乔木层物种的重要值,将保护区的41个调查样地划分为香叶树-枫香林、檵木-马尾松林、槭树-朴树林、小叶栾树-化香林、灯台-小花梾木林和四照花-青冈栎林类型。结果表明,部分森林类型土壤A层或B层的SOM差异显著,且部分森林类型的植物种数、直径、高度和密度,以及Margalef指数、Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou指数也差异显著。土壤孔隙度、蓄水量和主要肥力与养分指标随SOM增加而增大。乔木层的植物多样性指数与SOM呈正相关,与土壤A层SOM相关显著、Simpson指数和Pielou指数与土壤B层SOM相关显著。灌木层、草本层的植物多样性指数与SOM相关不显著。多元分析结果表明,植物多样性指数对土壤A层SOM的总贡献率呈灌木层乔木层草本层、对土壤B层SOM的总贡献率呈草本层乔木层灌木层的趋势,表明喀斯特地区SOM管理的植物多样性措施适宜以乔木树种为主、辅以灌木与草本层植物的复合经营方式。同时,土壤SOM不仅受乔木层植物多样性指数的影响、也受林分所处演替阶段与结构指标的影响,植物多样性指数的二次多项式拐点可成为喀斯特石漠化治理工程中物种量化管理的参考依据之一。     

广西中越边境喀斯特地区叶附生苔类植物物种多样性研究

为了解日益恶化的喀斯特环境下叶附生苔类植物的分布状况,对广西中越边境喀斯特地区叶附生苔类植物多样性展开调查。结果表明,广西中越边境喀斯特地区有叶附生苔类植物5科15属43种,其中,九洲疣鳞苔(Cololejeunea yakusimensis)、巴氏薄鳞苔(Leptolejeunea balansae)、斯氏唇鳞苔(Cheilolejeunea streimannii)、麦氏细鳞苔(Lejeunea micholitzii)、巨齿细鳞苔(L.kodamae)和纤细细鳞苔(L.exilis)为广西苔藓植物新记录。该地区叶附生苔类植物区系具有热带性质和东亚分布特点。与邻近地区比较,该地区叶附生苔类植物与贵州茂兰的亲缘关系和区系关系最紧密。该地区叶附生苔类植物分布随海拔增加呈增加趋势。那坡老虎跳保护区、龙州和宁明弄岗保护区以及靖西龙邦镇风水林是叶附生苔类植物分布最丰富的地区,因此,建议应对这些地区的叶附生苔类植物进行优先保护。     

吕梁山森林群落草本层植物物种多样性的空间格局及其对模拟增温的响应

为研究气候变暖背景下森林群落草本层植物物种多样性对温度升高的响应及其随海拔、纬度的空间分布格局,按照纬度梯度选择吕梁山系北段的管涔山和南段的五鹿山为研究区,并在每个山地的不同海拔梯度(高、中、低)分别设置对照(CK)、低度增温(OTC1)和高度增温(OTC2) 3种试验样地。于2017年植被生长季对植物多度、频度、盖度、高度进行调查,计算物种多样性指数(Simpson指数、Shannon指数、Pielou指数、Patrick指数)。结果表明:(1)吕梁山森林群落草本层植物物种多样性随海拔呈"v型"变化格局,即在中间海拔梯度处最低,且海拔梯度对各多样性指数的影响均达到极显著水平(P0.01)。(2)物种多样性随纬度升高呈递增趋势(P0.05),即较高纬度山地具有较高的物种多样性。(3)物种多样性随温度升高整体呈递减趋势(P0.05),即温度升高可抑制林下草本层植物物种多样性。(4)在增温处理下,五鹿山草本植物的Simpson指数、Shannon指数和Patrick指数呈递减趋势,Pielou指数先降低后升高;管涔山草本植物的Simpson指数、Shannon指数和Pielou指数先增加后减小,Patrick指数呈递增趋势。整体来说,在吕梁山较低海拔,持续增温会使物种多样性降低;在中等海拔,物种多样性随温度升高呈现先下降后上升的变化趋势;在较高海拔,适度增温可提高物种多样性,持续增温则抑制多样性。因此,增温对吕梁山森林群落草本植物物种多样性的影响随海拔升高整体呈下降趋势。     

喀斯特天然林植物多样性指数和土壤理化指标的相关性

植物多样性的土壤生态系统功能是喀斯特生态学研究的热点之一。在贵州省茂兰国家级自然保护区不同功能区(干扰等级)内采用野外样地调查和实验室分析相结合的方法,分析了41个喀斯特森林样地的植物多样性指数和土壤理化指标值的变化规律与相关性。结果表明:(1)依据乔木层物种重要值聚类法划分的5个喀斯特森林类型包括小叶栾树-青冈栎林、香叶树-枫香林、香椿-香叶树林、灯台-小花梾木林和檵木-马尾松林,由核心区、缓冲区、实验区至外缘区,乔木层植物多样性指数、林地岩石裸露率、土壤蓄水量、肥力及养分指标呈降低趋势。(2)因子分析表明不同层片植物多样性和不同土层土壤理化因子的相关趋势性各异。相关显著的因子对数量率呈乔木灌木草本的趋势,乔木植物多样性因子起主导作用。(3)喀斯特森林乔木层植物多样性指数和土壤理化指标的相关性分3种类型。直线型是植物多样性指数和土壤理化指标值相关性中较普遍的一类,相应指标对数量率为39.84%;曲线型是植物多样性指数和土壤理化指标值相关性中机理较复杂的一类,相应指标对数量率为46.10%,其中植物多样性指数有拐点值无生态意义的指标对数量率为11.72%,有拐点值有生态意义且呈先降后升、或先升后降趋势的指标对数量率分别为17.19%;无关型是植物多样性指数和土壤理化指标值相关性不显著,相应指标对数量率为54.69%。(4)喀斯特地区水土资源管理为目标的营林措施中,天然林乔木层植物多样性指数对土壤物理、肥力和养分指标响应的拐点值可成为人工造林中物种数量与株数比例选择的参考依据之一。     

Fly pollination and duodichogamy in Bridelia stipularis and Cleistanthus sumatranus (Phyllanthaceae)

The globally distributed family Phyllanthaceae comprises 1745 species, all of which produce unisexual flowers, and most of the species occur in the tropics. The few species in which the pollination system has been studied are pollinated by flies, wasps, or specialized moths, and at least two species are duodichogamous. Here we report on the flowering phenology and pollination of the Chinese species Bridelia stipularis and Cleistanthus sumatranus, which were studied on the tropical Hainan Island. Both species are duodichogamous and indicated to be fly‐pollinated. The calliphorid species Chrysomya megacephala, Isomyia isomyia, Pierretia sp., Hemipyrellia sp., and Achoetandrus tufifacies were the most frequent flower visitors to B. stipularis; some of these species together with syrphids (Meliscaeva cinctella, Dideopsis sp., and Eristalis sp.) were the most abundant visitors to Cl. sumatranus flowers. Fruit set in hand‐pollinated flowers was higher than in open‐pollinated flowers, but because of natural fruit abortion the difference was not significant, indicating that fly pollinators do not limit reproduction of these Phyllanthaceae species. This study provides an addition to the limited Asian literature on pollination by flies and the even more limited literature on duodichogamy. It could help to broaden our understanding for analysis of the evolution of duodichogamy in future research, but the specific ecological factors behind the evolution of this rare sexual system are still difficult to generalize.     

Species diversity in relation to ultramafic substrate and to altitude in southwestern New Zealand

Altitudinal trends in species diversity were examined on a New Zealand ultramafic mountain, and on nearby normal (schist) substrate. At lower altitudes, diversity is similar on the two substrates. On the ultramafic substrate, species diversity decreased with increasing altitude; on schist substrate the opposite trend was found. This difference was demonstrable in species richness, based on species presence/absence, and in indices of species diversity based on cover data (the ShannonH and the Simpson/Yule — InD). It is suggested that on ultramafics, altitudinal stress and soil conditions lead to a decrease in diversity with altitude. On schist, in contrast, the opening of the canopy with altitude is suggested to be the predominant influence, leading to an increase in diversity with altitude. Nomenclature: Allan, H. H. 1961. Flora of New Zealand, Vol I, Government Printer, Wellington; Mark, A. F. & Adams, N. M. 1986. New Zealand alpine plants. 2nd rev. Reed Methuen, Wellington; Connor, H. E. & Edgar, E. 1987. Name changes in the indigenous New Zealand Flora, 1960–1986 and Nomina Nova IV, 1983–1986, N.Z. Jl Bot. 25: 115–170; except where indicated.     

云南花椒园中昆虫群落特征的海拔间差异分析

分析了金沙江畔7个不同海拔区域花椒园中昆虫群落特征的动态变化及其与温、湿度变化的关系。结果表明:花椒园中昆虫群落的多样性、均匀度、丰富度、Ss/Si、Sn/Sp指标随海拔升高先增加后减少,而个体数、优势集中性指数则随海拔升高先减少后增加;低海拔(450—750 m)区域花椒园中由于总体温度高、湿度低,较高海拔(1300—1550 m)区域总体温度低、湿度高,均不利昆虫群落多样性、均匀度、丰富度、Ss/Si、Sn/Sp指标的提高和群落的稳定,而中等海拔(750—1300 m)区域的温度、湿度较为适中,昆虫群落的物种数及个体数量均相对较高,昆虫群落多样性、均匀度、丰富度、Ss/Si、Sn/Sp指标也较高,群落较稳定;相反,低海拔、较高海拔区域花椒园中昆虫群落优势集中性指数较高,而中等海拔区域却相对较低。综合分析表明,海拔高度及温湿度对花椒园昆虫群落特征影响较大,而海拔高度及温湿度的测量和分析较为方便。     

四川米仓山自然保护区台湾水青冈群落学特征沿海拔梯度的变化

为了解不同生境中台湾水青冈(Fagus hayatae)的群落特征,对四川米仓山国家级自然保护区不同海拔的台湾水青冈群落的物种组成、区系特征、生活型谱、重要值和物种多样性等进行了研究。结果表明,台湾水青冈群落中的植物种类随海拔存在差异。群落中植物区系均以北温带分布类型为主,且其分布比例与海拔呈正相关关系。不同海拔群落的物种生活型谱主要以高位芽植物为主,其它生活型较少。群落乔木层中台湾水青冈的重要值随海拔上升不断增大。中海拔群落中的物种多样性指数均低于高海拔和低海拔,具有物种种类少、多样性低的特点。因此,不同海拔段上的台湾水青冈群落学特征有明显的差异。     

Environmental factors influencing liana community diversity,structure and habitat associations in a tropical hill forest,Malaysia

Background: Although lianas are important in forest ecosystems, information on the environmental factors influencing their diversity, structure and habitat associations is scanty.

Aims: This study had the aim of determining variation in liana diversity, structure and habitat associations across different topographic habitats, and the environmental factors influencing them, in the Penang Hill Forest Reserve, Malaysia.

Methods: Liana diversity, structure and habitat associations were examined in 30 plots, 40 m × 40 m, randomly demarcated within three topographic habitats (flatland, slope and valley). The physico-chemical properties of the soils in the plots were determined and the altitude and slope of the plots recorded.

Results: Liana species richness, diversity and structure varied significantly among the topographic habitats. Liana species richness, diversity and abundance variations were related to soil moisture, phosphorus content, pH and altitude, whereas liana diameter and basal area were associated with soil magnesium and slope. A total of eight species had a positive association with the habitat and a further six showed a negative association. Four species had a positive association with the flatland habitat, but only three and two species, respectively, with slope and valley habitats. The slope habitat gave the highest number of species that showed a negative association.

Conclusions: Liana diversity and structure varied between habitats. Some liana species showed different associations with specific habitats. Environmental variables were identified that influence liana diversity, structure and habitat associations. The study provides important information about the factors influencing liana success, and these will be of value in liana conservation and management in tropical forests.     

Ecology of inland sand dunes “nafuds” as a hyper-arid habitat,Saudi Arabia: Floristic and plant associations diversity

Sand seas of Saudi Arabia cover about one-third of the Arabian Peninsula and are still poorly explored in scientific literature. This study aimed to address the floristic structure and association diversity of the inland sand seas in central Saudi Arabia after 20 years of protection. Twenty-three relevés were selected in Nafud Al-Urayq reserve to cover different sandy dune variations. These relevés are subjected to floristic and multivariate analysis of classification with TWINSPAN and ordination with DECORANA & CANOCO techniques. One hundred thirty-five species belonging to 108 genera in 37 families have been recorded. Annual and perennial species are equally represented. Four vegetation groups (i.e., plant associations) are identified as the following: VG I (Haloxylon salicornicum-Lycium shawii-Acacia raddiana), VG II (Calligonum comosum-Tetraena propinqua), VG III (Haloxylon persicum-Haloxylon salicornicum-Stipagrostis drarii), and VG IV (Pulicaria undulata-Citrullus colocynthis). The association of VG I inhabited in the wadi and non-dune or shallow sand habitat had the high species diversity indices (i.e., total species, species richness, species evenness and Shannon index). In contrast, the association of VG II inhabited hyper-arid and salinized habitat and had low species diversity indices. These associations are discussed and illustrated in accordance with competition and adaptation. The advantages of inland sand dune vegetation therefore apply specifically to habitat management and the conservation of plants. These studies extend the advantages of succession of sand dunes and show that rising vegetative diversity is consistent with the combat of desertification.     

Intra-population genetic diversity of two wheatgrass species along altitude gradients on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: its implication for conservation and utilization

A fluorescence-based AFLP fingerprinting was applied to investigate genetic diversity in 22 natural populations of two wheatgrasses from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau at different altitudes: the hexaploid Elymus nutans Griseb and the tetraploid E. burchan-buddae (Nevski) Tzvelev (Poaceae). Five selective primer combinations used in this study generated a total of 637 AFLP fragments across all the samples, with 612 fragments in E. nutans and 570 in E. burchan-buddae. About 45% of the scored fragments were <200 bp and about 13% of the fragments were >400 bp. Results showed that genetic diversity within populations of the two Elymus species increased gradually with the increase in altitudes from the lowest sampling sites (2800 m) and reached a plateau at the medium altitudes, and then started to decrease with the increase in altitudes. Regression analysis demonstrated a clear pattern between the expected heterozygosity (H _e) or Shannon index (I) and altitude variation, where the highest H _e values (0.3449 for E. nutans and 0.3167 E. burchan-buddae) and I values (0.5123 and 0.4759) were expected at the altitudes 3399 m and 3418 m across all sampling sites, respectively for E. nutans and E. burchan-buddae. In other words, higher genetic diversity was observed in populations occurring at the medium altitudes (3200–3600 m) than those at the low and high altitudes for the two Elymus species. Principal coordinate analysis (PCA) did not show clear association between genetic relationships of populations and their occurrences at a particular altitude. The above results suggest that efforts for conservation and utilization of two wheatgrasses species should focus more on populations occurring at the medium altitudes.