Diversity of xylophagous beetles and vulnerability of debarked-medicinal plants in southern of Benin

We studied the impact of debarking of medicinal tree species on the diversity of xylophagous beetles in Lama Forest Reserve, in Lokoli swampy forest and in crop fields surrounded Lokoli forest. A total of 108 interception traps were set up on debarked and nondebarked trees covering nine medicinal plants that are Anogeissus leiocarpa, Dialium guineense, Khaya senegalensis in Lama Forest; Nauclea diderrichii, Ficus trichopoda, Syzygium owariense in swampy forest; and Parkia biglobosa, Bridelia ferruginea, Pterocarpus erinaceus in crop fields. A total of 116 beetle species were collected belonging to 19 coleoptera families with higher xylophagous beetles than predators. Specific richness and individual abundance of xylophagous beetles were significantly higher in crop fields than in forests. Furthermore, in all habitats, debarked-tree species were more attractive to xylophagous beetles than control trees and were significantly more attacked in crop fields than forests. The most vulnerable medicinal trees to debarking were P. biglobosa, D. guineense, F. trichopoda and P. erinaceus. Three groups of indicator insects according to habitat type, debarking and tree species have been distinguished. Our results clearly imply that by exploiting natural resources humans can impact on the abundance and specific richness of xylophagous beetles by modulating their resources.     

Tree Species Composition and Harvest Intensity Affect Herbivore Density and Leaf Damage on Beech,Fagus sylvatica,in Different Landscape Contexts

Most forests are exposed to anthropogenic management activities that affect tree species composition and natural ecosystem processes. Changes in ecosystem processes such as herbivory depend on management intensity, and on regional environmental conditions and species pools. Whereas influences of specific forest management measures have already been addressed for different herbivore taxa on a local scale, studies considering effects of different aspects of forest management across different regions are rare. We assessed the influence of tree species composition and intensity of harvesting activities on arthropod herbivores and herbivore-related damage to beech trees, Fagus sylvatica, in 48 forest plots in three regions of Germany. We found that herbivore abundance and damage to beech trees differed between regions and that – despite the regional differences - density of tree-associated arthropod taxa and herbivore damage were consistently affected by tree species composition and harvest intensity. Specifically, overall herbivore damage to beech trees increased with increasing dominance of beech trees – suggesting the action of associational resistance processes – and decreased with harvest intensity. The density of leaf chewers and mines was positively related to leaf damage, and several arthropod groups responded to beech dominance and harvest intensity. The distribution of damage patterns was consistent with a vertical shift of herbivores to higher crown layers during the season and with higher beech dominance. By linking quantitative data on arthropod herbivore abundance and herbivory with tree species composition and harvesting activity in a wide variety of beech forests, our study helps to better understand the influence of forest management on interactions between a naturally dominant deciduous forest tree and arthropod herbivores.     

Natural disturbance and tree species coexistence in an old-growth beech - dwarf bamboo forest,southwestern Japan

Abstract. The structure and composition of a cool-temperate old-growth beech (Fagus crenata) - dwarf bamboo (Sasa spp.) forest, partially affected by landslide disturbance, in the Daisen Forest Reserve of southwestern Japan, were investigated in relation to forest floor and canopy conditions. All stems ≥ 4 cm DBH were mapped on a 4-ha plot and analyses were made of population structure, spatial distribution and spatial association of major tree species. The dominant species, F. crenata, which had the maximum DBH among the species present, had the highest stem density. However, for other species, larger-sized species had lower stem density with few smaller stems or saplings, while smaller-sized species had higher stem density with many smaller stems or saplings. Canopy trees of F. crenata were distributed randomly in the plot, while its stems in the other layers and all other species were distributed patchily. Small patches represent gap-phase regeneration. Larger patches correlate with landslide disturbance, difference in soil age, or the presence/absence of Sasa. Cluster analysis for spatial associations among species and stems in the different layers revealed that the forest community consists of several groups. One main group was formed on sites not covered with Sasa. This group contained a successional subgroup (from Betula grossa to Acer mono and/or F. crenata) initiated by landslide disturbance and a subgroup of tree species that avoid Sasa. Another group was formed on sites with mature soils covered largely with Sasa. This contained associations of canopy trees of F. crenata and smaller-sized tree species such as Acanthopanax sciadophylloides and Acer japonicum. It is found that the community of this old-growth beech forest is largely organized by natural disturbance and heterogeneous conditions of the forest floor (difference in soil age and presence/absence of Sasa). The existence of these different factors and the different responses of species to them largely contribute to the maintenance of tree species diversity in this forest.; Keywords: Cluster analysis; Fagus crenata; Forest dynamics; Gap; Landslide; Spatial pattern.     

Plant species diversity in abandoned coppice forests in a temperate deciduous forest area of central Japan

We investigated plant species diversity as it related to stand structure and landscape parameters in abandoned coppice forests in a temperate, deciduous forest area of central Japan, where Fagus crenata was originally dominant. The species occurring in the study plots were classified into habitat types based on a statistical analysis of their occurrence bias in particular habitats (e.g., primary forest, coniferous plantation) in the landscape studied. The relationships between stand structure, which reflected the gradient of management, and forest floor plant species diversity (H and J) and richness (number of species per unit area) were not significant. However, these factors did influence the forest floor plant composition of the different types of habitat. According to the multiple regression analysis, species diversity and the richness of forest floor plants was affected by landscape parameters rather than by stand structure. For trees, species richness was mainly affected by the relative dominance of F. crenata, which is one of the stand structure parameters that decreases with intensive management. This is probably because many of the tree species that are characteristic of coppice forests increase after F. crenata have been eliminated by management; these species are not dominant in the original forest, where they are suppressed by F. crenata, the shade-tolerant dominant species. The species diversity (H and J) of trees was positively correlated with some landscape parameters, including the road density around the study plot, which may be associated with the intensity of management activity. The number of disturbance-tolerant species increased with increasing road density. Stand structure mainly affected disturbance-intolerant forest floor plant species and disturbance-tolerant tree species. Thus, the species diversity responses differed between forest floor plants and trees. The impact of forest management on species diversity was more prominent for forest floor plants.     

Density‐dependence in common tree species in a tropical dry forest in Mudumalai,southern India

Abstract. Density‐dependence in tree population dynamics has seldom been examined in dry tropical forests. Using long‐term data from a large permanent plot, this study examined 16 common species in a dry tropical forest in southern India for density‐dependence. Employing quadrat‐based analyses, correlations of mortality, recruitment and population change with tree densities were examined. Mortality in 1–10 cm diameter trees was largely negatively correlated with conspecific density, whereas mortality in > 10 cm diameter trees was positively correlated. Mortality was, however, largely unaffected by the basal area and abundance of heterospecific trees. Recruitment was poor in most species, but in Lagerstroemia microcarpa (Lythraceae), Tectona grandis (Verbenaceae) and Cassia fistula (Fabaceae), species that recruited well, strong negative correlations of recruitment with conspecific basal area and abundance were found. In a few other species that could be tested, recruitment was again negatively correlated with conspecific density. In Lagerstroemia, recruitment was positively correlated with the basal area and abundance of heterospecific trees, but these correlations were non‐significant in other species. Similarly, although the rates of population change were negatively correlated with conspecific density they were positive when dry‐season ground fires occurred in the plot. Thus, the observed positive density‐dependence in large‐tree mortality and the negative density‐dependence in recruitment in many species were such that could potentially regulate tree populations. However, repeated fires influenced density‐dependence in the rates of population change in a way that could promote a few common species in the tree community.     

Contrasting demographics of tropical savanna and temperate forest eucalypts provide insight into how savannas and forests function. A case study using Corymbia clarksoniana from north‐eastern Australia

Eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp.) dominate many communities across Australia, including frequently burnt tropical savannas and temperate forests, which receive less frequent but more intense fires. Understanding the demographic characteristics that allow related trees to persist in tropical savannas and temperate forest ecosystems can provide insight into how savannas and forests function, including grass–tree coexistence. This study reviews differences in critical stages in the life cycle of savanna and temperate forest eucalypts, especially in relation to fire. It adds to the limited data on tropical eucalypts, by evaluating the effect of fire regimes on the population biology of Corymbia clarksoniana, a tree that dominates some tropical savannas of north‐eastern Australia. Corymbia clarksoniana displays similar demographic characteristics to other tropical savanna species, except that seedling emergence is enhanced when seed falls onto recently burnt ground during a high rainfall period. In contrast to many temperate forest eucalypts, tropical savanna eucalypts lack canopy‐stored seed banks; time annual seed fall to coincide with the onset of predictable wet season rain; have very rare seedling emergence events, including a lack of mass germination after each fire; possess an abundant sapling bank; and every tropical eucalypt species has the ability to maintain canopy structure by epicormically resprouting after all but the most intense fires. The combination of poor seedling recruitment strategies, coupled with characteristics allowing long‐term persistence of established plants, indicate tropical savanna eucalypts function through the persistence niche rather than the regeneration niche. The high rainfall‐promoted seedling emergence of C. clarksoniana and the reduction of seedling survival and sapling growth by fire, support the predictions that grass–tree coexistence in savannas is governed by rainfall limiting tree seedling recruitment and regular fires limiting the growth of juvenile trees to the canopy.     

Influence of foraging behavior and host spatial distribution on the localized spread of the emerald ash borer, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrilus planipennis</Emphasis>

Management programs for invasive species are often developed at a regional or national level, but physical intervention generally takes place over relatively small areas occupied by newly founded, isolated populations. The ability to predict how local habitat variation affects the expansion of such newly founded populations is essential for efficiently targeting resources to slow the spread of an invasive species. We assembled a coupled map lattice model that simulates the local spread of newly founded colonies of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), a devastating forest insect pest of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees. Using this model, we investigated the spread of A. planipennis in environments with different Fraxinus spp. distributions, and explored the consequences of ovipositional foraging behavior on the local spread of A. planipennis. Simulations indicate that increased larval density, resulting from lower host tree density or higher initial population sizes, can increase the spread rate during the first few years after colonization by increasing a density-dependent developmental rate and via host resource depletion. Both the radial spread rate and population size were greatly influenced by ovipositional foraging behavior. Two known behaviors of ovipositing A. planipennis females, attraction towards areas with high ash tree density and attraction to stressed trees, had opposing effects on spread. Results from this model illustrate the significant influence of resource distribution and foraging behavior on localized spread, and the importance of these factors when formulating strategies to monitor and manage invasive pests.     

Wound reaction after bark harvesting: microscopic and macroscopic phenomena in ten medicinal tree species (Benin)

In Africa, little is known about how the vascular anatomy of medicinal tree species is influenced by bark harvesting, and the ability of species to react against debarking needs to be better understood. This study aims to evaluate the temporal and spatial impact of bark harvesting on wood anatomy and to determine the extent to which a tree’s ability to close the wound after bark harvesting is affected by anatomical changes in the wood. We harvested bark from ten medicinal tree species located in an Isoberlinia doka woodland in Central Benin. Two years after debarking, the wound closure was measured and one tree per species was cut at the wound level to collect a stem disc. On the cross section of each disc, vessel features (area, density and specific conductive area) were measured in the radial direction (before and after wounding) and on three locations around the disc surface. We found that during early wound healing, all species produced vessels with a smaller area than in unaffected wood and this significantly decreased the specific conductive area in eight of the investigated species. However, after 2 years, only six trees had restored their specific conductive area. In addition, a significant positive correlation (r = 0.64, P < 0.005) confirmed the relationship between the specific conductive area and tissue production to close the wound and delineated the study group into two groups of trees. Therefore, we concluded that vessels appeared to be very good anatomical indicators of the tree’s reactions to debarking.     

Ants,Stem Borers,and Pubescence in Endospermum in Papua New Guinea1

The stems of the ant-plant, Endospermum labios Schodde, serve as colonization sites for the ant, Camponotus quadriceps F. Smith. They are also subject to damage by insect borers. We sampled young E. labios trees in distutbed forest to compare evidence of stem boring insect and stem miner damage in plants with and without colonies of C. quadriceps. Dissections of a subsample of plants showed that dipteran stem borers and stem miner damage were significantly more common in plants lacking C, quadriceps colonies than in plants with established colonies. Evidence from these dissections and from field counts of meristem damage caused by emerging borers suggested that coleopteran stem borers were also more abundant when ants were not present. In addition to the incidence of stem boring insects and ant colonies, we examined relative levels of leaf pubescence by measuring trichome density and leaf size for E. labios trees. We found that trichome density was significantly greater in trees with evidence of prior shoot damage (presumably from stem borer emergence at the meristem) but was not significantly related to the presence or absence of an ant colony. This prompted us to compare trichome density on leaves of nearby small trees and of different branches of the same tree, pairing a stem/branch that appeared damaged with one that appeared healthy. Trichome densities on leaves from damaged stems and branches were significantly greater than were trichome densities on healthy branches and stems. Based on these empirical data, we present several possible explanations for the patterns of association between ants, stem borers, and pubescence. Although feeding preference tests with a common folivore showed no effect of trichome densities on leaves, we suggest further study on how trichomes may affect ovipositing stem borers.     

Growth of regenerated tree seedlings associated with microclimatic change in a mature larch plantation after harvesting

In order to further develop methods of sustainable forest management, we evaluated the effects of logging practices during the winter on microclimatic factors and growth of four seral deciduous broad-leaved tree seedlings regenerated in a larch plantation in northern Japan. We found that winter logging practices drastically changed microclimatic factors, especially in terms of light intensity and the vertical distribution pattern of CO₂ concentration. Harvesting overstory larch trees increased photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), which may enhance the photosynthesis of understory plants. We examined the undergrowth for tree seedlings of the following species: two late successional species, Prunus ssiori and Carpinus cordata; one gap phase species, Magnolia hyporeuca; and one mid-late successional species, Quercus mongolica var. crispula. All of the four studied tree species responded well to the practices of winter logging after the second year of harvesting overstoried larch trees. The current shoot diameter and current shoot length increased significantly. Therefore, we conclude that winter logging practices should improve shoot growth of deciduous broad-leaved tree seedlings regenerated in a larch plantation through the change in environmental factors that accompanies larch harvest.     

Variation in structural diversity and regeneration potential of tree species in different tropical forest types of Similipal Biosphere Reserve,Eastern India

Understanding the regeneration potential of tree species in natural forest ecosystems is crucial to deliver suitable management practices for conservation of biodiversity. We studied the variation in structural diversity and regeneration potential of tree species in three different tropical forest types, namely: Dry Deciduous forest (DDF), Moist Deciduous forest (MDF) and Semi-evergreen forest (SEF) of Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR), Eastern India. Random sample plots were laid for studying the diversity and distribution pattern of tree, sapling, and seedling stages of the tree species. A total of 84 species belong to 73 genera and 35 families were recorded from the study area. The highest species richness was reported for tree (54 species) in DDF, sapling (24 species) in MDF and seedling (22 species each) in SEF and DDF. The overall density of trees with GBH (Girth at Breast Height) ≥ 10 cm was 881 individuals/ha. The regeneration potential of tree species was poor in DDF (39%) where as it was fair in SEF (43%) and MDF (49%). Most of the dominant tree species at each forest type performed good regeneration. The species such as Ehretia laevis Roxb., Bridelia retusa (L.)A.Juss., Mitragyna parviflora (Roxb.) Korth., Terminalia tomentosa Wight & Arn., Terminalia chebula Retz., Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.etc. had either no regeneration or poor regeneration potential need immediate attention for conservation measures. The diversity of standing trees did not correlate with seedling or sapling diversity in all the cases but there was significant correlation among seedling and sapling diversity found in DDF (r = 0.67, p ≤ 0.05) and SEF (r = 0.83, p ≤ 0.05). Further, the diversity of tree species increased with their age (trees > saplings > seedlings) and the stem density decreased with their age (trees < saplings < seedlings) in all three forest types. The results of our study would be helpful in understanding the structural attributes, diversity and regeneration potential of different tropical forest types of India for their better conservation and management.     

The relationship between possum density and browse damage on kamahi in New Zealand forests

To minimize the impacts of introduced pests and to justify and prioritize pest control, managers need to know the relationship between pest density and damage. This relationship can be difficult to quantify because pest impacts can be highly variable. In New Zealand, introduced brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) browse a wide range of native forest species. However, possum browse is extremely patchy making it difficult to quantify the relationship between density and damage, meaning the benefits of reducing possum densities are poorly understood. We quantified patterns of possum browse on kamahi (Weinmannia racemosa), a common canopy tree species, at 21 forest sites that were repeat‐measured over an 8‐year period in the North Island, New Zealand, during which time possum densities fluctuated widely. We fitted a multilevel statistical model in order to quantify the relationship between possum density and browse damage while simultaneously quantifying how browse varied among trees, sites and years. Higher possum densities were associated with greater browse damage, but browse was also patchily distributed among trees at the same site, and among sites and years for a given possum density. This heterogeneity meant there was no simple density damage relationship, with the relationship differing from tree to tree and among sites and years. Our results show that at most sites reductions in possum density would have little benefit in reducing the probability of heavy browse on kamahi trees, but at a few sites there would be substantial benefits. This approach provides insights into the pattern and potential causes of variability in possum impacts, and a quantitative basis for prioritizing sites for possum control.     

Factors influencing the distribution and growth of dwarf bamboo, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fargesia nitida</Emphasis>, in a subalpine forest in Wolong Nature Reserve,southwest China

Dwarf bamboos impose intense resource competition in subalpine coniferous forests, and their exclusive densities have crucial impacts on tree regeneration and understory species diversity. We studied the factors influencing the distribution and growth of dwarf bamboo, Fargesia nitida, in a subalpine forest in southwest China. TWINSPAN, based on an attribute matrix, could divide the subalpine forest into 11 sub-associations, and more clearly reflected ecological functional features of the subalpine forest than analysis based on a species matrix. TWINSPAN was also generally consistent with DCA ordination based on the attribute matrix. DCA and DCCA ordination showed relationships between the distribution of F. nitida population and environment factor. The first DCCA axis showed topography and disturbance gradients (except fallen trees and broken branches); the second DCCA axis showed canopy density and composition gradients. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that distribution (culm density and coverage) of F. nitida decreased significantly with landslide and slope aspect, and increased significantly with soil status. The light condition had positive effects on growth and size of bamboo. A stable environment in the northern slope and more broadleaved species dominating in canopy would increase the dwarf bamboo biomass. Thus, the disturbance regimes, the slope aspect and the BA of evergreen conifer trees can provide useful guidelines for the control and management of F. nitida populations, and in helping to understand the succession and regeneration of subalpine forest in this region.     

Plant functional traits explain interspecific differences in immediate cyclone damage to trees of an endangered rainforest community in north Queensland

Abstract Cyclones cause profound immediate impacts on tropical rainforest trees, including defoliation, limb loss, snapping of stems and uprooting. Some studies have shown that plant functional traits such as tree size, buttress roots and wood density are correlated with these forms of cyclone damage. On 20 March 2006, Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry crossed the north Queensland coast and proceeded inland across the Atherton Tablelands, impacting the critically endangered Mabi Type 5b rainforest. We investigated the effects of Cyclone Larry on common tree species by categorizing damage to trees as uprooted, snapped, limbs damaged (light, moderate, severe) or upright and estimating levels of defoliation. Damage was then related to functional traits including tree size, presence of buttress roots, wood density, and leaf size and strength. Levels of damage differed between species. Tree size (diameter at breast height) and the presence of buttress roots were not related to damage levels. Wood density was significantly negatively correlated to proportion of trees with snapped stems and significantly positively correlated with the proportion of trees upright with no or light limb damage. Levels of defoliation were significantly related to leaf strength (specific leaf area – SLA) and to leaf width, but not other components of leaf size (area or length) or petiole length. Species with high wood density and low SLA (e.g. Argyrodendron spp.) were found to have high cyclone resistance, the ability to resist damage, while species with low wood density and high SLA (e.g. Dendrocnide photinophylla) exhibited low resistance. However, traits related to low resistance are also those linked to rapid growth and high cyclone resilience, the ability to recover from damage, so it is unlikely that the Mabi forest will experience long‐term changes in floristic composition following Cyclone Larry.     

Observations on the Ecology of Weaver Ants (Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius) in a Thai Mangrove Ecosystem and Their Effect on Herbivory of Rhizophora mucronata Lam.

Ants of the genus Oecophylla are predators of other insects and are able to protect a variety of terrestrial plants against pest insects; however, observations on the ecology of these ants in mangrove forests are lacking. General observations on the ecology of Oecophylla smaragdina were carried out in a Thai mangrove forest to determine if these ants can protect their host plants in less favorable mangrove habitats. Leaf herbivory and the density of O. smaragdina ants were measured on Rhizophora mucronata trees at two sites. The results showed a negative correlation between ant density and herbivory. At both sites, the mean percent damaged leaf area was more than four times higher on trees without ants compared to “ant‐trees.” A significant negative correlation was found between tree mean percent leaf damage and the density of ants on the tree. Furthermore, on trees with ants, there was less herbivory on leaves close to ant nests compared to other leaves on the tree. Most damage was caused by chrysomelid beetles (62%) and sesarmid crabs (25%) and both types of herbivory were significantly reduced on ant‐trees.     

Seasonal leaf dynamics across a tree density gradient in a Brazilian savanna

Interactions between trees and grasses that influence leaf area index (LAI) have important consequences for savanna ecosystem processes through their controls on water, carbon, and energy fluxes as well as fire regimes. We measured LAI, of the groundlayer (herbaceous and woody plants <1-m tall) and shrub and tree layer (woody plants >1-m tall), in the Brazilian cerrado over a range of tree densities from open shrub savanna to closed woodland through the annual cycle. During the dry season, soil water potential was strongly and positively correlated with grass LAI, and less strongly with tree and shrub LAI. By the end of the dry season, LAI of grasses, groundlayer dicots and trees declined to 28, 60, and 68% of mean wet-season values, respectively. We compared the data to remotely sensed vegetation indices, finding that field measurements were more strongly correlated to the enhanced vegetation index (EVI, r ²=0.71) than to the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI, r ²=0.49). Although the latter has been more widely used in quantifying leaf dynamics of tropical savannas, EVI appears better suited for this purpose. Our ground-based measurements demonstrate that groundlayer LAI declines with increasing tree density across sites, with savanna grasses being excluded at a tree LAI of approximately 3.3. LAI averaged 4.2 in nearby gallery (riparian) forest, so savanna grasses were absent, thereby greatly reducing fire risk and permitting survival of fire-sensitive forest tree species. Although edaphic conditions may partly explain the larger tree LAI of forests, relative to savanna, biological differences between savanna and forest tree species play an important role. Overall, forest tree species had 48% greater LAI than congeneric savanna trees under similar growing conditions. Savanna and forest species play distinct roles in the structure and dynamics of savanna–forest boundaries, contributing to the differences in fire regimes, microclimate, and nutrient cycling between savanna and forest ecosystems.     

Nitrogen resorption from leaves under different growth irradiance in three deciduous woody species

Resorption of nitrogen (N) from senescing leaves is an important conservation mechanism that allows plants to use the same N repeatedly. We measured the extent of N resorption in plants co-occurring in a beech forest to examine the variability of N resorption, especially in relation to growth irradiance. Measurements were done in three deciduous woody species; one adult and several juvenile trees of Fagus crenata and several adult trees of Lindera umbellata and Magnolia salicifolia. N resorption efficiency (R_EFF; percentages of leaf N that is resorbed during leaf senescence) did not differ significantly among leaves under different growth irradiances in any species we studied. R_EFF was affected by the growth stage of the tree in F. crenata with the values being consistently lower in juvenile trees than in the adult tree. N resorption proficiency (R_PROF; N concentration of dead leaves) converged to a similar value in F. crenata juvenile trees and M. salicifolia, irrespective of the presenescent leaf N concentration that was affected by growth irradiance. Again, R_PROF was lower (i.e. absolute N concentration was higher) in juvenile trees than in the adult tree in F. crenata. These results suggest that the growth irradiance does not place a great impact on the extent of N resorption, but the growth stage of the tree is influential in some species. The difference between the adult and juvenile trees may be ascribed to the size of N sink tissues, which is likely to increase with plant age.     

Plant species diversity and tree population structure of a humid tropical forest in Tamil Nadu, India

Vegetation structure and species composition of tropical ecosystems were studied through nine transects at Veerapuli and Kalamalai reserve forests in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. Species diversity, dominance, species richness and evenness indices of plant communities and also population structure of woody plants were enumerated. A total of 244 species (183 genera and 76 families) were recorded. Species richness (number of species) were 82,142 and 96 species per 0.3 ha respectively for the study areas of low-elevation forest (LEF), mid-elevation forest (MEF) and high elevation forest (HEF). Species diversity indices were greater in MEF compared to the other two forests except juveniles. In contrast, greater dominance value indices were recorded in LEF than other forests. Density and basal area of the MEF were twice greater than the LEF, while HEF showed greater tree density and low basal area when compared to LEF. The stem density and species richness (number of species) decreased with increased size classes of trees observed in the present study indicated good regeneration status. Population structure of juveniles and seedlings also reflects good regeneration status. Terminalia paniculata (IVI of 99.9) and Hopea parviflora (IVI of 103.8) were dominant tree species respectively in LEF and MEF whereas in HEF Agrostistachys meeboldii (63.65), Cullenia excelsa (63.67) and Drypetes oblongifolia (39.67) share the dominance. Past damage (anthropogenic perturbation) may be one of the reasons for single species dominance in LEF and MEF. Occurrence of alien species such as Eupatorium odoratum and Ageratum conyzoides also indicated the past disturbance in LEF. The variations in plant diversity and population structure are largely due to anthropogenic perturbation and other abiotic factors.     

Population structure and succession in temperate forests of southwestern Japan

In the temperate forests of southwestern Japan, the population density of woody plants in the community increases in the early stage of secondary succession, reaches a peak in the old oak-chestnut forest, and decreases towards the climax beech forest. The species richness and diversity of woody plants also show a trend similar to that of the population density. The canopy-tree population decreases in the course of the succession while the basal area increases, showing a self-thinning process. The species richness, diversity and population density of herbaceous plants are much influenced by the dominance of the bamboo, Sasa palmata. The life-history traits of trees, lower trees and shrubs are discussed in relation to their shoot system, reproductive pattern and successional processes.     

Densities of Two Frugivorous Primates with Respect to Forest and Fragment Tree Species Composition and Fruit Availability

Conservation of wildlife populations requires extensive knowledge of their habitat requirements, efficient methods to evaluate habitat quality, and an understanding of the value of fragments and edges. Kibale National Park, Uganda has areas that differ in the densities of 2 species of frugivorous monkeys—Cercopithecus mitis and Lophocebus albigena—including one on an edge and forest fragments outside the park that lack both species. We compared the basal area densities of important food trees with primate densities. The density of Cercopithecus mitis correlates most strongly with the basal area density of all types of food trees combined. The density of Lophocebus albigena does not correlate with the basal area densities of any category of food trees or with fruit availability. An index of their density—number of groups seen per km walked—correlates to fruit availability but with marginal significance. Lack of a relationship between the basal area densities of food trees and density of Lophocebus albigena may be the result of a mismatch in scale between the forest area measured and their large home ranges. We compared the unused area of forest to the other areas of the forest and the fragments and found it had higher basal area densities in all food tree categories for both species than the fragments and lower basal area densities of most categories than the other parts of the forest, indicating that the fragments are poor quality and would probably be unused even if dispersal were likely.