崇明东滩自然保护区盐沼植被的时空动态

盐沼植被是滩涂湿地的重要组成部分,其动态变化直接影响着湿地的生态服务功能和价值。通过对1998~2005年间4景不同时相的LandsatTM遥感影像的解译分析,结合历史资料数据和近年来的现场调查,分析了崇明东滩鸟类自然保护区自建立以来,盐沼植被的时空演替动态过程。结果显示,随着滩涂的淤涨,东滩盐沼植被的面积从1998年的2478.32hm2增加到2005年的4687.74hm2,而互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)自人为引入至2005年,其面积已增加到1283.4hm2,其增加速率显著高于土著种芦苇(Phragmites australis)和海三棱藨草(Scirpus mariqueter),并且已在东滩保护区相当区域内形成单优势种群落。受1998年和2001年两次高滩围垦和互花米草入侵影响,崇明东滩的芦苇群落面积大大减少,虽随着滩涂的淤涨,芦苇群落的面积逐年有所增加,但增加的速度缓慢。互花米草有着更广的生态幅和竞争优势,是滩涂中扩散最快的植被,而淤涨型滩涂为其提供了可扩张的空生态位,如不加以控制和治理,其快速扩散将会对崇明东滩保护区的生态系统造成更大的威胁和影响。     

崇明东滩盐沼植被变化对滩涂湿地促淤消浪功能的影响

30年来在海平面上升、人类围垦、自然保护、外来物种入侵等自然与人为作用共同影响下,崇明东滩盐沼植被群落结构发生了巨大变化。基于长江口四期遥感影像解译结果,得到盐沼植被群落结构变化,结合对盐沼植被促淤消浪功能已有研究成果,量化崇明东滩盐沼植被促淤消浪功能潜力及其变化。研究表明:1980、1990、2000和2010年崇明东滩芦苇、互花米草、藨草群落面积比例分别为23∶0∶77、73∶0∶27、33∶9∶58、34∶34∶32,同期总植被覆盖面积分别为51、83、37、44 km2。30年来滩涂湿地促淤消浪能力均有下降,1990—2000年变化最大。其中,植被黏附悬浮颗粒物量分别为1976、4645、2192、4695 t;沉积量分别为960、1579、195、286万m3;常规波高情况下堤外没有足够植被保护的岸段长度分别为5、0、7、6 km;风暴潮情况下堤外没有足够植被保护的岸段长度分别为19、5、26、20 km。因此保护堤外盐沼植被对消浪促淤,特别是抵御风暴潮等恶劣气候灾害的影响具有重要意义。     

上海崇明东滩外来物种互花米草二次入侵过程

选取上海崇明东滩“刈割+水位调节”集成技术治理互花米草示范工程样地,对互花米草二次入侵过程进行了2年的监测.结果表明:大量互花米草实生苗在春季随潮水沿潮沟等通道向恢复自然水文区扩散定居,2年即可形成与周边群落无明显差异的二次入侵群落,而群落边缘通过无性繁殖的扩散距离有限.在保持淹水控制区,互花米草两年累计扩散距离小于1 m.在物理隔离区,2年未监测到互花米草的二次入侵现象.实生苗在春季的快速拓植是互花米草实现种群二次入侵的关键.彻底消除治理区周边互花米草扩散源,设置隔离带以阻止其向治理区的扩散,或采用种植芦苇等土著物种进行生物替代,是防止互花米草二次入侵的主要措施.     

生境异质性及源株密度对互花米草入侵力的影响

外来物种互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)被引种到我国海岸带后,已带来一系列生态危害,严重影响了入侵地生态系统结构和功能,深入了解其入侵机制是实施有效控制的基础和理论依据。长江口的滩涂湿地是我国典型的异质潮滩,拥有多种生境。为了探究异质潮滩环境中互花米草初始源株对其入侵力的影响,研究通过野外移栽实验,模拟不同源株密度,探讨潮滩湿地生境异质性及源株密度对互花米草定居、生长和扩散的影响。结果表明:1)生境异质性及源株密度均对互花米草存活率、株高及种群增长率有极显著影响(P0.01)。2)至生长季末,植被区内互花米草存活率、株高均显著高于前沿光滩(P0.05)。此外,淤泥质潮滩植被区内互花米草株高、种群增长率也显著高于粉砂质潮滩植被区(P0.05)。3)互花米草入侵植被区不受源株密度的限制,但随源株密度增加,互花米草种群增长率显著降低(P0.05),而株高无显著差异(P0.05);在光滩区,只有高源株密度才可入侵成功。4)异质生境的冲淤动态、淹水时间和淹水深度是影响互花米草存活和生长的主要环境因子。丰富了河口湿地互花米草入侵力的机理研究,也为我国开展互花米草防控及海岸带保护、修复和管理提供了科学依据,具有重要的理论和实践意义。     

不同发育时间的互花米草盐沼对大型底栖动物群落的影响

2004-2006年对长江口崇明东滩湿地芦苇(Phragmites australis)盐沼和不同发育时间的互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)盐沼的大型底栖动物群落特征进行分析研究.结果表明:互花米草盐沼发育初期,大型底栖动物群落以腹足类为主,物种丰富度(D=2.18)和多样性(H′=2.19)均低于芦苇盐沼(D=2.61, H′=2.29);随着时间的推移,互花米草与本地生物逐渐形成互动和稳定的格局,大型底栖动物群落组成中多毛类的种类逐渐上升(由3种变为6种),物种数和物种丰富度也上升,从而逐步形成新的大型底栖动物群落,物种丰富度(D=2.70)和多样性(H′=2.48)逐渐上升并高于芦苇盐沼(D=2.19, H′=2.09);从大型底栖动物群落的重新形成到稳定阶段,需要若干年的时间.     

长江口滨海湿地潮间带生态系统的多稳态特征

多稳态现象普遍存在于多种生态系统中,它与生态系统的健康和可持续发展密切相关,已成为生态学研究的热点与难点,但是目前有关滨海湿地生态系统多稳态的形成机制还缺乏深入研究.本文以崇明东滩鸟类自然保护区的潮间带生态系统为研究对象,通过以下内容,开展滨海湿地多稳态研究: 1)通过验证多稳态的判定依据“双峰”和“阈值”特征,证实长江口潮间带生态系统存在多稳态,并确定其稳态类型;2)通过监测潮间带生态系统水动力过程、沉积动力过程以及盐沼植物生长和扩散情况,分析盐沼植被与沉积地貌之间的正反馈作用,进而探讨潮间带生态系统多稳态的形成机制.结果表明: 1)潮间带生态系统的归一化植被指数(NDVI)频度分布存在明显的双峰特征,且盐沼植物成活存在生物量阈值效应,均证实潮间带生态系统存在多稳态,“盐沼”和“光滩”是潮间带生态系统的两种相对稳定状态;2)崇明东滩盐沼前沿的沉积地貌表现出泥沙快速淤积的趋势,显著促进了盐沼植物的生长,盐沼植物与泥沙淤积之间的这种正反馈作用是潮间带生态系统形成多稳态的主要原因;3)盐沼植被扩散格局监测结果在景观尺度上也表明,泥沙淤积作用促进了潮间带生态系统“盐沼”和“光滩”多稳态的形成.本研究既丰富了滨海湿地稳态转换的机理研究,也为我国开展海岸带保护、修复和管理提供了科学依据,具有重要的理论和实践意义.     

长江河口潮间带盐沼植被分布区及邻近光滩鱼类组成特征

研究鱼类群落在不同生境中的差异或者变化,是评价与预测生境丧失、环境退化等对湿地生物多样性与生态系统功能影响的重要基础。2006年4—11月,在长江河口崇明东滩盐沼植被分布区(简称草滩)和邻近的光滩区域分别设置采样站位,每月大潮期采用定制插网对鱼类群落进行了取样调查。分析研究了长江河口潮间带盐沼植被分布区和邻近光滩区域的鱼类组成及其月际变化,并对影响鱼类分布的主要因子进行了探讨。调查期间共采集鱼类标本1638尾,分属9目14科22种;其中,淡水鱼类2种,定居性河口鱼类12种,海洋鱼类5种,洄游鱼类3种。植被分布区和光滩区域鱼类组成及优势种特征存在明显差异。调查期间,植被分布区记录鱼类13种,主要优势种为斑尾刺虾虎鱼(Acanthogobius ommaturus)、鲻(Mugil cephalus)和棱鮻(Liza carinatus)(IRI>20),其他种类基本不具有优势度特征(IRI<0.05);光滩区域记录鱼类20种,主要优势种鲻(IRI>20),其他包括斑尾刺虾虎鱼、狼牙鳗虾虎鱼(Taenioides rubicundus)、棱鮻和棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)也具有一定的优势特征(20>IRI>10);两个区域共有种为11种,部分种类只出现在光滩或植被分布区,但主要优势种均为定居性河口鱼类。与世界其他河口盐沼湿地鱼类研究结果不同的是,光滩区域记录的鱼类物种数、个体数、生物量和整体物种多样性水平均高于植被分布区;光滩和植被分布区鱼类相应的量比关系存在明显的月际变化,但两种生境鱼类组成间的关联性和差异性均不显著。通过比较两种生境共有的优势种体长发现,长江河口盐沼植被分布区鱼类优势种的平均体长大于光滩区域,而且植被分布区部分优势种体长的上、下限范围也大于光滩区域。长江河口盐沼植被分布区,除了育幼场外,还是许多鱼类成鱼的重要栖息地。影响河口潮间带盐沼湿地鱼类组成与分布的主要因素包括鱼类自身的生物学与生活史特征、饵料生物的组成与分布、植被出现与表形特征等生物因素和水温、盐度、淡水径流、潮汐特性等非生物因素,其对长江河口潮间带盐沼湿地中鱼类群落的组成与分布的综合作用机理有待进一步研究。     

水位调控措施治理互花米草对大型底栖动物群落的影响

采用物理控制措施治理崇明东滩自然保护区外来入侵植物互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)的蔓延和扩散,对保护该地区的生物多样性具有重要的意义.研究跟踪了崇明东滩治理互花米草示范样地内水位调控措施对大型底栖动物群落的影响.结果显示,潮间带大型底栖动物的密度和生物量具有显著的季节性波动,实施持续水位调控措施样地中大型底栖动物的密度、生物量和丰富度指数均显著低于同时期对照样地.破堤排水后的恢复样地中,随着恢复时间延长,大型底栖动物密度、生物量和丰富度指数均有不同程度的恢复.应用DCA排序方法有助于进一步分析大型底栖动物群落与水位调控措施强度之间的相互关系.研究结果表明,水位调控措施会对盐沼植被中大型底栖动物的密度、生物量和多样性产生负面影响,但这种影响在治理互花米草水位调控措施结束后可逐渐自然恢复.     

上海地区外来种互花米草的分布现状

遥感技术(RS)现已广泛应用于海岸带资源调查、资源与环境动态监测以及滩涂植被定量分析。作者应用2003年8月2日Landsat5-TM多光谱遥感影像,利用遥感处理软件ERDASImagine8.6TM,经几何校正和分幅裁剪等图像预处理后,采用监督分类和目视解译相结合的方法对上海地区互花米草(Spartinaalterniflora)扩散现状进行解译分析,并结合全球定位系统(GPS)样点定位,对解译结果进行全面的野外验证和修正。同时,应用地理信息系统(GIS)对解译结果进行数据合成,统计出互花米草分布区域及面积等数据。实际调查与分析统计显示:上海地区互花米草群落总面积(2003年)为4,553.37hm2,占滩涂植被总面积的22.1%。除了崇明西滩和横沙岛外,互花米草群落已广泛分布于长江河口地区,其中南汇边滩最多,为2,069.01hm2,其次是崇明东滩和九段沙,分别为910.17hm2和769.05hm2。人工引种是互花米草种群在上海地区滩涂成功扩散的重要原因。大尺度的上海滩涂互花米草群落空间分布现状及其数量调查为外来物种的宏观定量调查提供了有效的手段,也为上海市滩涂资源生物多样性保护和可持续开发利用提供了科学依据。     

崇明东滩湿地不同盐沼植物群落土壤碳储量分布

海岸带盐沼植被的高生产力对湿地土壤碳库的形成具有重要意义.本文研究了长江口崇明东滩湿地3种主要盐沼植物(芦苇、互花米草和海三棱藨草)群落生物量差异、土壤碳储量时空动态和垂向分布特征.结果表明： 湿地盐沼植被总生物量表现为互花米草群落(5750.7 g·m^-2)>芦苇群落(4655.1 g·m^-2)>海三棱藨草群落(812.7 g·m^-2),且地上生物量在夏、秋季最高,地下生物量在冬季最高.湿地土壤碳储量(0～50 cm)在春季最低,随后逐渐增加,至冬季达到最大值.土壤碳储量年增量从高潮滩向低潮滩递减,表现为芦苇群落(711.8 g·m^-2)>互花米草群落(646.2 g·m^-2)>海三棱藨草群落(185.3 g·m^-2)>光滩(65.6 g·m^-2).光滩土壤碳储量在25～30 cm处最高,海三棱藨草、互花米草和芦苇群落土壤碳储量分别在10～15、30～35和30～40 cm处达到最大值,且不同群落土壤碳储量与植被地下生物量具有显著的线性关系.     

Spectral Discrimination of the Invasive Plant Spartina alterniflora at Multiple Phenological Stages in a Saltmarsh Wetland

Spartina alterniflora has widely invaded the saltmarshes of the Yangtze River Estuary and brought negative effects to the ecosystem. Remote sensing technique has recently been used to monitor its distribution, but the similar morphology and canopy structure among S. alterniflora and its neighbor species make it difficult even with high-resolution images. Nevertheless, these species have divergence on phenological stages throughout the year, which cause distinguishing spectral characteristics among them and provide opportunities for discrimination. The field spectra of the S. alterniflora community as well as its major victims, native Phragmites australis and Scirpus mariqueter, were measured in 2009 and 2010 at multi-phenological stages in the Yangtze River Estuary, aiming to find the most appropriate periods for mapping S. alterniflora. Collected spectral data were analyzed separately for every stage firstly by re-sampling reflectance curves into continued 5-nm-wide hyper-spectral bands and then by re-sampling into broad multi-spectral bands – the same as the band ranges of the TM sensor, as well as calculating commonly used vegetation indices. The results showed that differences among saltmarsh communities’ spectral characteristics were affected by their phenological stages. The germination and early vegetative growth stage and the flowering stage were probably the best timings to identify S. alterniflora. Vegetation indices like NDVI, ANVI, VNVI, and RVI are likely to enhance spectral separability and also make it possible to discriminate S. alterniflora at its withering stage.     

Impacts of introduced Spartina alterniflora along an elevation gradient at the Jiuduansha Shoals in the Yangtze Estuary,suburban Shanghai,China

Although much research has focused upon the negative impacts of invasive Spartina alterniflora upon salt marshes dominated by other Spartina spp., little is known about its impacts upon native Scirpus mariqueter marshes. In 1997, S. alterniflora was introduced to the Jiuduansha Shoals, Yangtze Estuary, China, to accelerate the formation of marsh habitat via accretionary processes, with the larger goal of drawing waterfowl away from wetlands near the Pudong International Airport, Shanghai, China. In 2000, a nature reserve was established on the Jiuduansha Shoals, making the impact upon the native S. mariqueter community a high priority for research. Our objective was to quantify the impacts of introduced S. alterniflora and Phragmites australis to the native S. mariqueter-dominated community at this site in four elevation zones, as compared with a nearby natural shoal. We found that species diversity was greater in the lower elevations with the engineering, through elimination of the natural dominance of S. mariqueter. We also found that diversity was lessened in the higher elevations, due to rapid growth and exclusion by the planted S. alterniflora in conjunction with the native P. australis. Moreover, we found that the growth of the native S. mariqueter was stimulated when S. alterniflora was planted nearby. It is quite likely that the net effect of these ecological processes will be to accelerate further accretion, leading to an eventual replacement of the S. mariqueter-dominated community in the long-term. Future management approaches should focus upon harvesting, grazing, and perimeter-ditching the S. alterniflora to avoid this situation.     

潮间带盐沼植物种子及实生苗漂浮起动临界剪切应力研究

盐沼是分布在海陆过渡区域,以大型草本植物为优势种的潮间带生态系统。在潮间带生态系统中,盐沼植物的种子和实生苗在潮流作用下的漂浮起动是盐沼植物自然扩散的重要前提,决定了盐沼植物能否实现有效扩散和长距离传播。然而,目前缺乏有关盐沼植物繁殖体在复杂潮滩环境下漂浮起动扩散过程的定量研究。以长江口典型盐沼先锋物种海三棱藨草(Scirpus mariqueter)为研究对象,应用U-GEMS微观侵蚀系统,测定了在不同沉积物底质条件下,海三棱藨草种子及不同萌发阶段实生苗漂浮起动时的临界剪切应力,定量分析不同萌发阶段和沉积物底质对海三棱藨草种子和实生苗漂浮起动的影响。研究结果表明：(1)不同种子萌发阶段和沉积物底质对海三棱藨草种子和实生苗漂浮起动的临界剪切应力均有极显著影响(P<0.01);(2)随着萌发阶段的进展,海三棱藨草实生苗漂浮起动所需的临界剪切应力逐渐减小,因而随潮流漂浮起动进而扩散的机会也相应增大;(3)相比于淤泥质潮滩底质,海三棱藨草种子和实生苗在粉砂质潮滩更易于漂浮起动。研究结果丰富了盐沼植物在潮间带自然扩散过程和机理的研究,也为今后长江口及其他区域开展高效、低成本、以种子为修复...     

Crustacean metamorphosis: an omics perspective

We quantified the independent impacts of flooding salinity, flooding depth, and flooding frequency on the native species, Phragmites australis and Scirpus mariqueter, and on the invasive species Spartina alterniflora in the Yangtze River Estuary, China. Total biomass of all three species decreased significantly with increasing salinity, but S. alterniflora was less severely affected than P. australis and S. mariqueter. Elevated flooding depth significantly decreased their live aboveground biomass of P. australis and S. mariqueter, while S. alterniflora still had high live aboveground biomass and total biomass even at the highest flooding depth. These findings indicated that S. alterniflora was more tolerant to experimental conditions than the two native species, and an unavoidable suggestion is the expansion of this non-native species in relation to the native counterparts in future scenarios of increased sea-level and saltwater intrusion. Even so, environmental stresses might lead to significant decreases in total biomass and live aboveground biomass of all three species, which would potentially weaken their ability to trap sediments and accumulate organic matter. However, the relatively high belowground-to-aboveground biomass ratio indicated phenotypic plasticity in response to stressful environmental conditions, which suggest that marsh species can adapt to sea-level rise and maintain marsh elevation.     

互花米草盐沼土壤有机碳库组分及结构特征

在江苏盐城互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)盐沼建立以下样地:光滩(Mudflat)、互花米草建群1a(S.alterniflora flat 2011)、5a(S.alterniflora flat 2007)、12a(S.alterniflora flat 2000)、23a(S.alterniflora flat 1989)以及碱蓬(Suaeda salsa flat 1989),采集表层土壤样品,分析土壤中的活性有机碳(可溶性有机碳、微生物量碳)特征,并利用核磁共振波谱法测定土壤总有机碳的结构图谱,研究互花米草盐沼土壤有机碳库组分及结构特征。结果表明:(1)互花米草建群后,盐沼表层土壤有机碳含量显著增加(P0.05),在0.82—7.6 g/kg之间,各样地表层土壤有机碳含量为:互花米草滩(5.57 g/kg)碱蓬滩(2.4 g/kg)光滩(1.05 g/kg);可溶性有机碳含量为:互花米草滩(36.08 mg/kg)碱蓬滩(17.43 mg/kg)光滩(6.92 mg/kg);微生物量碳含量为:互花米草滩(52.51 mg/kg)碱蓬滩(18.27 mg/kg)光滩(13.56 mg/kg)。互花米草建群后,土壤中活性碳库含量显著增加(P0.05)。(2)土壤有机碳结构以烷氧碳和芳香碳为主,其中芳香碳的平均比例(35.85%)最高,其次为烷氧碳(32.83%)和羧基碳(20.62%),烷基碳的平均比例(10.36%)最低,其中建群5a的互花米草样地(SAF2007)土壤芳香碳、烷氧碳、烷基碳含量最高,建群23a的互花米草样地(SAF1989)土壤羧基碳含量最高。(3)互花米草盐沼土壤中烷基碳/烷氧碳为:SAF2007(0.44)SSF1989(0.43)SAF2000(0.28)SAF2011(0.27)SAF1989(0.22);疏水碳/亲水碳为:SAF2007(0.97)SSF1989(0.87)SAF2000(0.85)SAF2011(0.83)SAF1989(0.81)。烷基碳/烷氧碳在建群5a后达到最高值0.44,烷基化程度最高;疏水碳/亲水碳达到最高值0.97,土壤碳库稳定性高于其它样地。     

Seasonal variation in CH4 emission and its 13C-isotopic signature from Spartina alterniflora and Scirpus mariqueter soils in an estuarine wetland

Although invasions by non-native species represent a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, little attention has been paid to the potential impacts of these invasions on methane (CH₄) emission and its ¹³C-CH₄-isotope signature in salt marshes. An invasive perennial C₄ grass Spartina alterniflora has spread rapidly along the east coast of China since its introduction from North America in 1979. Since its intentional introduction to the Jiuduansha Island in the Yangtze River estuary in 1997, S. alterniflora monocultures have become the dominant component of the Jiuduansha’s vegetation, where monocultures of the native plant Scirpus mariqueter (a C₃ grass) used to dominate the vegetation for more than 30 years. We investigated seasonal variation in soil CH₄ emission and its ¹³C-CH₄-isotope signature from S. alterniflora and S. mariqueter marshes. The results obtained here show that S. alterniflora invasion increased soil CH₄ emissions compared to native S. mariqueter, possibly resulting from great belowground biomass of S. alterniflora, which might have affected soil microenvironments and /or CH₄ production pathways. CH₄ emissions from soils in both marshes followed similar seasonal patterns in CH₄ emissions that increased significantly from April to August and then decreased from August to October. CH₄ emissions were positively correlated with soil temperature, but negatively correlated with soil moisture for both S. alterniflora and S. mariqueter soils (p?<?0.05). The δ¹³C values of CH₄ from S. alterniflora, and S. mariqueter soils ranged from -39.0‰ to -45.0‰, and -37.3‰ to -45.7‰, respectively, with the lowest δ¹³C values occurring in August in both marshes. Although the leaves, roots and soil organic matter of S. alterniflora had significantly higher δ¹³C values than those of S. mariqueter, S. alterniflora invasion did not significantly change the ¹³C- isotopic signature of soil emitted CH₄ (p?>?0.05). Generally, the CH₄ emissions from both invasive S. alterniflora and native S. mariqueter soils in the salt marshes of Jiuduansha Island were very low (0.01–0.26 mg m^-2 h^-1), suggesting that S. alterniflora invasion along the east coast of China may not be a significant potential source of atmospheric CH₄.     

The relative importance of sexual and asexual reproduction in the spread of Spartina alterniflora using a spatially explicit individual-based model

This study investigates a spatially explicit, individual-based model for simulating the spread of invasive smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) in Yancheng coastal wetlands from 1995 to 2010. The model, which considers the landscape heterogeneity and changes detected by remote sensing, also reveals the relative importance of sexual and asexual reproduction in the spread by global sensitivity analysis. The model was verified as suitable for simulating the range expansion of S. alterniflora. The results show that: (1) although seedling recruitment is low, it significantly contributes to the range expansion of S. alterniflora. Removing sexual propagation greatly reduces the expansion rate. Rapid expansion requires both sexual and asexual reproduction; (2) in the global sensitivity analysis, the most significant affecters of S. alterniflora invasion were seed dispersal distance, adult survival rate and asexual recruitment survival rate. Sexual propagation contributes much more significantly to quick range expansion than asexual reproduction, but asexual reproduction is the main source of recruitment. Invasion control strategies should target a single reproduction mode. Here, limiting the germination and dispersal of seeds is suggested as a realistic strategy for controlling and managing invasion by this species.     

A study of the population dynamics of Spartina alterniflora at Jiuduansha shoals,Shanghai, China

This study investigated the population expansion pattern of an exotic species of Spartina alterniflora for a period of 7 years, after it had been newly introduced to the neonatal shoals of Jiuduansha (GPS), in the Yangtze Estuary, Shanghai. Remote sensing, in conjunction with geographical information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS) was used to map saltmarsh vegetation on the Jiuduansha shoals and the classifications were then checked using in situ field surveys of selected areas. The results showed that the S. alterniflora population had expanded from 55 hm² when first introduced in 1997, to 1014 hm² in 2004. The population expansion pattern of S. alterniflora on the Jiuduansha shoals was compatible with the common feature of invasions, i.e. the initial colonization, a lag time and the onset of rapid population growth and range expansion. In the first year of plantation (1997), about 35 hm² of S. alterniflora was successfully colonized on the Jiuduansha shoals. The period between 1998 and 2000 was characterized by a lag time, and the area of S. alterniflora increased only to 101.6 hm². The year 2000 marked an onset of rapid population growth and range expansion and the annual expanding rate reached 25–116%, which exceeded any of the indigenous species and indicated the strong competitive capability, rapid range expansion and wide ecological niche of S. alterniflora.The advent of remote sensing, in conjunction with geographical information systems and global positioning systems, provides a potential tool for mapping vegetation, and for monitoring population dynamics and range expansion of invasive species on a large scale. The implications for population and community dynamics, biodiversity conservation and wetland management in terms of the analysis of the sequence of events associated with the initial colonization, a lag time, rate of geographic spread and features of geographic spread of the exotic S. alterniflora and the native P. australis on the Jiuduansha shoals are discussed.     

Local competitive effects of introduced Spartina alterniflora on Scirpus mariqueter at Dongtan of Chongming Island, the Yangtze River estuary and their potential ecological consequences

Dongtan of Chongming Island, Shanghai, China is a wetland of international importance, in which dominant vegetation is Scirpus mariqueter community that supports a great diversity of bird species. Spartina alterniflora, native to the eastern and gulf coasts of the USA, was intentionally introduced to the tidelands of Dongtan in May 2001. Field work were conducted at Dongtan from March 2002 to May 2003 to determine how introduced S. alterniflora affects S. mariqueter population dynamics. The results obtained here show that S. alterniflorahad strong competitive effects on S. mariqueter, and that the introduction of S. alterniflora to S. mariqueter community resulted in a significant decreases of S. mariqueter's abundance, coverage, seed and fresh corm output after two growing seasons. A concomitant consequence might be the decline in bird diversity. It is suggested that further introduction of S. alterniflora should be avoided to conserve the wetlands and their associated birds. A plan for controlling further spread of existing S. alterniflora populations in the Yangtze River estuary is urgently needed.     

Effects of environmental gradients on the performances of four dominant plants in a Chinese saltmarsh: implications for plant zonation

Physical conditions and biotic interactions are believed to be the determinants of plant zonation in saltmarshes. However, in rapidly developing estuarine marshes, succession is regarded as the primary process responsible for plant zonation and it is controlled mainly by environmental factors. Salinity and inundation are two important factors responsible for the distribution pattern of dominant plants in coastal saltmarshes. Here we conducted a common garden experiment as well as a field transplanting to examine the responses of four dominant saltmarsh plants (native Scirpus mariqueter, Scirpus triqueter and Phragmites australis, and exotic Spartina alterniflora) in the Yangtze River estuary to environmental gradients, which may help us understand their current and potential zonation. The results showed that Scirpus adapted to freshwater and less inundated habitats, Phragmites performed well in brackish or freshwater environments with less inundation, and Spartina tolerated the highest salinity and deepest inundation. In the harshest environments (the highest salinity and water level), only Spartina performed well. In the mild environments, however, there were only minor differences in the performances among the four species. The potential ranges of Phragmites and Spartina were predicted to be larger than their current ones, and their lower boundaries might be set by tidal scour rather than edaphic factors. With the saltmarsh succession, invasive Spartina in the Yangtze River estuary might ultimately replace Scirpus, and alter the zonal patterns of native saltmarsh plants, which will lead to severe ecosystem consequences. Thus, proper management measures (e.g., repeated mowing) need to be implemented to control this invasive exotic plant, and restore the vulnerable ecosystems invaded by Spartina in the Yangtze River estuary.