Smith fir population structure and dynamics in the timberline ecotone of the Sejila Mountain, Tibet, China

Smith fir (Abies georgei var. smithii), which grows on cool aspects with elevations ranging between 3600 m and 4400 m, is a major native dominant alpine tree species in Southeast Tibet, China. The smith fir population structure, dynamics and characteristics were investigated in the timberline ecotone of the Sejila Mountain. Results indicate that the minimum crown closure (≤20%) was reached at 4320 m above sea level, where two types of alpine species exist, smith fir and blackseed savin (Sabina saltuaria). On the warm aspects, blackseed savin is a dominant species. Forest line was formed gradually with a wider timberline ecotone. While on the cool aspects, smith fir is a dominant species. Forest line was formed clearly with a narrow timberline ecotone. Furthermore, the upper limits of the distribution of the alpine species were 4570 m and 4390 m on warm and cool aspects, respectively. The timberline ecotone widths of the two species on the warm and cool aspects were 250 m and 70 m, respectively. The optimal distribution of smith fir on the cool aspects was from 3700 m to 3800 m. The smith fir's diameter class distribution was of reversed “J” shape and its density was about 380 stem·hm?2, while the age structure appeared to be of pyramid-shape, suggesting an expanding population. Finally, the static life table and the survivorship curve showed that the populations had experienced severe environmental selection during their first 20 years, self-thinning between 60 to 100 years, and environmental changes related mortality at later stages. The smith fir's physiological life span was around 200 years, and its maximum age was about 400 years old.     

Smith fir population structure and dynamics in the timberline ecotone of the Sejila Mountain, Tibet, China

Smith fir (Abies georgei var. smithii), which grows on cool aspects with elevations ranging between 3600 m and 4400 m, is a major native dominant alpine tree species in Southeast Tibet, China. The smith fir population structure, dynamics and characteristics were investigated in the timberline ecotone of the Sejila Mountain. Results indicate that the minimum crown closure (≤20%) was reached at 4320 m above sea level, where two types of alpine species exist, smith fir and blackseed savin (Sabina saltuaria). On the warm aspects, blackseed savin is a dominant species. Forest line was formed gradually with a wider timberline ecotone. While on the cool aspects, smith fir is a dominant species. Forest line was formed clearly with a narrow timberline ecotone. Furthermore, the upper limits of the distribution of the alpine species were 4570 m and 4390 m on warm and cool aspects, respectively. The timberline ecotone widths of the two species on the warm and cool aspects were 250 m and 70 m, respectively. The optimal distribution of smith fir on the cool aspects was from 3700 m to 3800 m. The smith fir's diameter class distribution was of reversed “J” shape and its density was about 380 stem·hm?2, while the age structure appeared to be of pyramid-shape, suggesting an expanding population. Finally, the static life table and the survivorship curve showed that the populations had experienced severe environmental selection during their first 20 years, self-thinning between 60 to 100 years, and environmental changes related mortality at later stages. The smith fir's physiological life span was around 200 years, and its maximum age was about 400 years old.     

Structure of the Phytoplankton Community and Its Relationship to Water Quality in Donghu Lake, Wuhan, China

The phytoplankton community structure, in terms of species composition, total standing crop,and abundance of the dominant algal species, at four stations in Donghu Lake, Wuhan, China, was investigated monthly from January 1994 to December 1996. A total of 260 taxa was observed, of which Chlorophyta (106 taxa) contributed the highest portion of the total number of taxa, followed by Bacillariophyta (82 taxa)and Cyanophyta (32 taxa). The total standing crop measured by means of chlorophyll a content, cell density,and cell biovolume, as well as the abundance of the dominant species, declined in the order of Station I to Station Ⅳ. Seasonal changes of the standing crop varied greatly among the four stations. Although the cell density at the four stations showed a single peak within a year, the peak density varied from July to November, dependent on the sampling year and the station. For chlorophyll a content and cell biovolume,multiple peaks were observed at Stations Ⅰ and Ⅱ, but a single peak was found at Stations Ⅲ and Ⅳ. The phytoplankton community structure indicated that the trophic status was the highest at Station Ⅰ (most eutrophic), followed by Station Ⅱ; Stations Ⅲ and Ⅳ were the least trophic areas. The long-term changes in phytoplankton community structure further suggested that changes in phytoplankton community structure were correlated with water quality, and eutrophication of Donghu Lake had been aggravated since the 1950s.     

Community Characteristics of Early Recovery Vegetation on Abandoned Lands of Shifting Cultivation in Bawangling of Hainan Island, South China

Shifting cultivation is a major form of agricultural practice in most parts of tropical regions worldwide. In places where the bush fallow period is excessively shortened or the period of cultivation is extended for too long, the rate of vegetation recovery and biodiversity on abandoned lands of shifting cultivation would decline. The recovery of the secondary plant communities could even be inhibited for a prolonged period because of grass occupancy. Because of the vital significance of the early recovery communities to secondary succession, we studied the community characteristics of early recovery vegetation on abandoned lands of shifting cultivation in Bawangling of Hainan Island. Measurements were made of the community composition and structure of early recovery vegetation. The sprouting abilities of different functional groups and different species in the same functional group, and the effect of the grass functional group on the composition and quantitative characteristics of tree and shrub functional groups were analyzed. Results indicated that only a few families, genera, or species apparently dominated in the early recovery vegetation on the abandoned lands of shifting cultivation and that deciduous species occurred with a rather high percentage in this early recovery community compared with the natural secondary or old growth forests. Smallsized individuals dominated the woody community. The abundance and basal area of sprouting stems for species in the tree functional group were greater than those of seeder stems, whereas the abundance and basal area of resprouters and seeders for species in the shrub functional group did not differ. The total abundance of stems for the community, stem abundances for species in tree or shrub functional groups, and for seeder or resprouter stems were all negatively correlated with coverage of the grass functional group. The mean sprouting ability in the tree functional group was greater than in the shrub functional group. The sprouting ability for different species in the same functional group was also significantly different.     

Structure of the Phytoplankton Community and Its Relationship to Water Quality in Donghu Lake, Wuhan, China

The phytoplankton community structure, in terms of species composition, total standing crop,and abundance of the dominant algal species, at four stations in Donghu Lake, Wuhan, China, was investigated monthly from January 1994 to December 1996. A total of 260 taxa was observed, of which Chlorophyta (106 taxa) contributed the highest portion of the total number of taxa, followed by Bacillariophyta (82 taxa) and Cyanophyta (32 taxa). The total standing crop measured by means of chlorophyll a content, cell density,and cell biovolume, as well as the abundance of the dominant species, declined in the order of Station I to Station IV. Seasonal changes of the standing crop varied greatly among the four stations. Although the cell density at the four stations showed a single peak within a year, the peak density varied from July to November, dependent on the sampling year and the station. For chlorophyll a content and cell biovolume,multiple peaks were observed at Stations I and II, but a single peak was found at Stations III and IV. The phytoplankton community structure indicated that the trophic status was the highest at Station I (most eutrophic), followed by Station II; Stations III and IV were the least trophic areas. The long-term changes in phytoplankton community structure further suggested that changes in phytoplankton community structure were correlated with water quality, and eutrophication of Donghu Lake had been aggravated since the 1950s.     

Spatio-temporal dynamics of two alpine treeline ecotones and ecological characteristics of their dominate species at the eastern margin of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau北大核心CSCD

Aims Temperature limit is the main cause of alpine treeline formation. Therefore, it is important to understand the response mechanisms of alpine treeline as well as their tree species under the global climate change. The present study focused on the spatio-temporal dynamics of treeline and ecological characteristics of the tree species in two treeline ecotones. Methods Two vertical belt-transect plots were established in each treeline ecotone of the Zheduo Mountain and Jianziwan Mountain of the eastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Top and bottom of each transects were lain between species line and forest line, respectively. Detailed information of each tree species treeline, including species name, latitude, longitude, height, age, base diameter, and coordinates, was recorded accordingly. Important findings The temperatures of the two research areas have increased during the past 58 years. The precipitation has decreased slightly in both the Zheduo Mountain and Jianziwan Mountain. The age structure of Abies fabri from the Zheduo Mountain and A. squamata from the Jianziwan Mountain showed a reversed “J” shape curve and a bimodal shape, respectively. Within the two transects, due to the limitation of seed diffusion, the dominate species showed aggregated distributions at the small scale. At the large scale, A. fabri was aggregated at the Zheduo Mountain, while A. squanmata of the Jianziwan Mountain was randomly distributed due to the impact of surrounding environmental factors. Both tree height and base diameter decreased with the increase of elevation. The fir trees (Abies spp.) at the upper part of the treeline ecotone presented an allometric growth, whose height growth rate was higher than that of base growth, while the relationships between height growth and base growth were isometric at almost mid and lower part of the treeline ecotone. Compared with 10 years ago, there was no significant change at the position of treeline and tree species line of the Zheduo Mountain and the Jianziwan Mountain, neither of the tree density in the Jianziwan Mountain. However, the number of trees in the Zheduo Mountain increased by about 25%. Compared with 20 years ago, tree species lines of the Zheduo Mountain and Jianziwan Mountain were shifted upwards by 50 and 30 m, respectively. Besides, their treeline positions were increased by 75 and 40 m, respectively. Furthermore, the number of trees also increased significantly by 220% and 100%, respectively. Therefore, the treeline and its constructive species are mainly affected by temperature at the large spatio-temporal scale, while influenced by temperature and ambient environment at the small spatio-temporal scale. © Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology.     

Changes of Leaf Morphological, Anatomical Structure and Carbon Isotope Ratio with the Height of the Wangtian Tree （Parashorea chinensis） in Xishuangbanna, China

Leaf morphological and anatomical structure and carbon isotope ratio （δ^13C） change with increasing tree height. To determine how tree height affects leaf characteristics, we measured the leaf area, specific leaf mass （ratio of leaf mass to leaf area [LMA]）, thickness of the total leaf, cuticle, epidermis, palisade and sponge mesophyll, stomata traits and δ^13C at different heights of Parashorea chinensis with methods of light and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. The correlation and stepwise regression between tree height and leaf structure traits were carried out with SPSS software. The results showed that leaf structures and δ^13C differed significantly along the tree height gradient. The leaf area, thickness of sponge mesophyll and size of stomata decreased with increasing height, whereas the thickness of lamina, palisade mesophyll, epidermis, and cuticle, ratios of palisade to spongy thickness, density of stomata and vascular bundles, LMA and δ^13C increased with tree height. Tree height showed a significant relationship with all leaf indices and the most significant relationship was with epidermis thickness, leaf area, cuticle thickness, δ^13C. The δ^13C value showed a significantly positive relationship with LMA （R = 0.934）. Our results supported the hypothesis that the leaf structures exhibited more xeromorphic characteristics with the increasing gradient of tree height.     

红池坝炼山后生态恢复过程中群落特征研究

This paper studied the species composition and the structure and species diversity of communities in Hongchiba area of Wuxi County after controlled burning and aerial-sowing afforestation. The results showed that after buming and afforestation, pure Pinus armandii forest was not developed, but various mixed needle board-leaved forests which comprised P. armandii and native board-leaved trees grew. Various native species contributed to the communities with great species diversity. Shannon-Wiener index was 2.305～3.145, ecological dominance was 0.063～0.151, and evenness was 0.600～0.749. The natural regeneration of P. armandii population was very poor, and there was a trend that P. armandii would be gradually replaced by other native board-leaved trees. It was demonstrated that P. armandii should not be taken as a unique afforesr tree, and controlled burning was not a favorite ecological measure in subtropical area. Native trees should play more important roles in the process of ecological restoration.     

The influences of surface water-overflowing disturbance on the fluctuations of Tamarix ramosissima community in Western China

The main purpose of this study is to examine the fluctuation characteristics of Tamarix ramosissima community from the year of 2007–2008 in desert riparian forest under human surface water-overflowing disturbance in the lower reaches of Tarim River, China. In this paper, community structure, species diversity and dominant species were chosen as the indicators which could reflect the characteristics of community fluctuation. The representative sampling method was used to investigate and measure the fluctuation process of Comm. T. ramosissima. The main results showed that species numbers of the community increased 66.7% under the surface water-overflowing disturbance within two years comparing with it under non-disturbance. The Sorensen similarity coefficient of plant species is 0.75 in community under the disturbance and non-disturbance, indicating that species composition is very similar and main structure of the community has not changed on these two different treatments. Species diversity index of Comm. T. ramosissima changed a lot under the disturbance. Compared with it under non-disturbance, species richness and species diversity have been increasing while species evenness declined slightly under the disturbance. The numbers and kinds of dominant species also changed in community under the disturbance, of which the dominance of T. ramosissima is significantly increased. Compared with the river channel water disturbance, surface water-overflowing disturbance could enhance seed germination and plant growth through the effect of shallow soil moisture and its physic-chemical properties. And it improved the germination of plant seed in the soil and promoted the clone growth of plant reproductive body. As a result, species diversity was increased and species composition happened significantly changed in Comm. T. ramosissima influenced by the water-overflowing disturbance. In addition, community hierarchical structure was getting more complex. And then, it was concluded that water-overflowing disturbance is an effective way to positively affect the fluctuation of Comm. T. ramosissima in the lower reaches of Tarim River. Thus, it can make up for the insufficient effectiveness of river channel water disturbance to restore damaged vegetation.     

The influences of surface water-overflowing disturbance on the fluctuations of Tamarix ramosissima community in Western China

The main purpose of this study is to examine the fluctuation characteristics of Tamarix ramosissima community from the year of 2007–2008 in desert riparian forest under human surface water-overflowing disturbance in the lower reaches of Tarim River, China. In this paper, community structure, species diversity and dominant species were chosen as the indicators which could reflect the characteristics of community fluctuation. The representative sampling method was used to investigate and measure the fluctuation process of Comm. T. ramosissima. The main results showed that species numbers of the community increased 66.7% under the surface water-overflowing disturbance within two years comparing with it under non-disturbance. The Sorensen similarity coefficient of plant species is 0.75 in community under the disturbance and non-disturbance, indicating that species composition is very similar and main structure of the community has not changed on these two different treatments. Species diversity index of Comm. T. ramosissima changed a lot under the disturbance. Compared with it under non-disturbance, species richness and species diversity have been increasing while species evenness declined slightly under the disturbance. The numbers and kinds of dominant species also changed in community under the disturbance, of which the dominance of T. ramosissima is significantly increased. Compared with the river channel water disturbance, surface water-overflowing disturbance could enhance seed germination and plant growth through the effect of shallow soil moisture and its physic-chemical properties. And it improved the germination of plant seed in the soil and promoted the clone growth of plant reproductive body. As a result, species diversity was increased and species composition happened significantly changed in Comm. T. ramosissima influenced by the water-overflowing disturbance. In addition, community hierarchical structure was getting more complex. And then, it was concluded that water-overflowing disturbance is an effective way to positively affect the fluctuation of Comm. T. ramosissima in the lower reaches of Tarim River. Thus, it can make up for the insufficient effectiveness of river channel water disturbance to restore damaged vegetation.     

两种珍稀植物群落物种多度分布的核方法研究

首次提出物种多度分布的非参数核密度估计方法,介绍了此方法的构造和主要性质。珍稀濒危植物观光木群落和长苞铁杉群落的乔木层、灌木层、所有木本植物物种多度分布实例拟合结果表明,核方法能很好地描述群落物种多度分布。非参数核估计方法是群落物种多度分布模拟的一种有效方法,它丰富了物种多度分布拟合方法,为珍稀濒危植物的管理与保护提供了理论参考。     

施氮对三个南方珍稀树种幼苗生长和生物量分配的影响

为了探讨珍稀树种对短期氮素添加的响应,该文研究了氮素添加(0、0.1、0.2、0.4和0.6g·kg~(-1)土)对观光木、棱角山矾和半枫荷幼苗生长和生物量分配的影响。结果表明:3个树种幼苗对外源氮素添加的反应不同,施氮显著促进观光木幼苗株高、基径、冠幅以及全株生物量和各部分生物量的增加,中低氮促进半枫荷幼苗的生长,但高氮抑制其生长;少量施氮对棱角山矾幼苗的形态和生物量参数没有产生显著影响,中量施氮抑制其生长。氮素营养的改变显著影响3种植物幼苗的生物量分配,观光木幼苗的根生物量比和根冠比均随施氮量的增加而显著降低;除高氮处理外,半枫荷幼苗的根生物量比和根冠比均随供氮量的增加而显著升高;棱角山矾的根生物量比和根冠比均随供氮量的增加而显著升高,可能与施氮抑制其茎叶的生长有关。总的来看,观光木幼苗更能耐受高氮条件,半枫荷幼苗次之,而棱角山矾幼苗不耐高氮;但到当年生长季末,各氮处理半枫荷幼苗的株高、基径和总相对生长速率均显著大于其它两种植物。     

江西信丰细迳坑自然保护区观光木群落研究

以江西省信丰县细迳坑自然保护区观光木Tsoongiodendron odorum群落为对象,开展样方调查和群落生态学分析。结果表明：(1)群落的种类组成包括维管植物146种,隶属于66科106属。其中,蕨类植物9科10属14种,种子植物57科96属132种。种子植物属的地理成分以热带分布占较大优势(77.66%)。(2)该区域的地带性植被以常绿阔叶林为主,有少部分落叶树种,使得群落秋冬季有一定的季相变化。群落垂直结构包括乔木3亚层及灌木层和草本层;乔木层以观光木、华润楠Machilus chinensis、南酸枣Choerospondias axillaris、锈叶新木姜子Neolitsea cambodiana为主要优势种,灌木层以硬壳桂Cryptocarya chingii、细枝柃Eurya loquaiana、鸭公树Neolitsea chuii为主要优势种。(3)群落各频度级分布规律为A级＞B级＞C级＞D级＞E级,从优势种群年龄结构分析看,该群落在演替上处于亚顶级状态。(4)群落的物种多样性Simpson指数和Shannon-wiener指数表现为：草本层＞乔木层＞灌木层;Pielou指数则表现为：乔木层＞灌木层＞草本层。观光木群落是该地区最重要的植被特征种和生境指示种。     

海南岛霸王岭热带山地雨林群落结构及树种多样性特征的研究

 以海南岛霸王岭自然保护区1 hm2老龄原始林样地的调查材料为基础,分析了热带山地雨林群落的组成、高度结构、径级结构及有关的树种多样性特征。结果表明：霸王岭热带山地雨林树种较丰富,物种多样性指数较高。树种数和树木的密度都随高度级、径级的增加而呈负指数或负幂函数递减;热带山地雨林不同高度级、不同径级和不同小样方斑块内的树种数都与树木密度呈显著的正相关关系。热带山地雨林经过自然的演替达到老龄顶极群落后,最后进入主林层的只是少部分树种的少数个体。     

广东始兴南山木本植物群落特征研究

为了研究广东始兴南山自然保护区的木本植物群落结构特征，通过在不同海拔高度设置3个1 hm²的典型植物群落样地，并对其物种组成、多样性、径级结构、生物量等进行分析。结果表明：(1)研究区共有木本植物193种，隶属于60科115属，其中中海拔样地的物种数最多，为127种，隶属于44科80属，不同样地的优势树种存在差异，优势科主要是壳斗科、樟科。(2)木本植物Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H)和Simpson多样性指数(D)在不同样地间有差异，均随海拔升高呈现降低趋势。(3)高、低海拔区域的群落径级结构主要为小径级(Ⅰ级)个体，而中海拔样地的木本植物群落径级结构以Ⅰ级为主，Ⅱ、Ⅲ 径级树木个体为辅，径级结构更加合理。(4)不同样地的木本植物根、主干、枝、叶生物量有明显变化，随海拔升高呈现升高趋势。该研究为始兴南山保护区的森林合理经营、生物多样性保护以及生产力预测提供了科学依据。     

黔中喀斯特次生林优势物种空间分布格局及关联性

以黔中天龙山2 hm²喀斯特次生林为对象,采用成对相关函数g(r)结合完全随机模型(CSR)研究重要值前4位优势树种的空间分布格局及其关联性。结果表明: 样地树种的径级结构呈倒“J”型分布,在优势树种窄叶石栎和圆果化香的影响下,第Ⅴ径级(≥10 cm)的数量较多。窄叶石栎呈现倒“J”型分布,种群更新良好,处于生长发育初级阶段;而圆果化香和云南鼠刺随着径级的增大数量逐渐递增,成年树、大树数量远多于幼树、小树,表明该种群更新不足,处于生长发育的中后期并逐渐衰退。除窄叶石栎外,其余优势树种整体呈现出在较大尺度上聚集分布,聚集程度随着尺度的增大逐渐下降并趋于随机分布,此规律在幼树径级中表现得尤为突出;而受各种因素的影响,各个树种不同径级呈现出不同的空间分布格局。在种间关联上,4个优势树种之间大多呈现负关联或者无关联关系,树种重要值越高与其他优势树种关联程度越低,呈现负关联的2个树种在小尺度上关联程度最低,随着尺度的增大负关联程度逐渐降低并趋向于无显著关联。     

Comparative Anatomical Studies on the Vessel Elements of Eight Genera in Magnoliaceae

This paper deals mainly with comparative studies on vessel elements of secondary xylem in Chinese Manglietia, Manglietiastrum, Alcimandra, Parakmeria, Paramichelia, Tsoongiodendron, Aromadendron and Liriodendron. There are some differences between the genera in vessel element length and width. Manglietia species all have scalariform perforation plates, only a few also have simple perforations. The other genera have scalariform perforation plates. only one (Tsoongiodendron odorum Chun) has simple perforations in addition. There are no spiral thickenings in Manglietia except for one species [Manglietia chingii Dandy (M. temuipes Dandy)] . Paramichelia and Liriodendron have no spiral thichenings, but they are present in the other genera. In addition, some other differences in vessel elements between these 8 genera are also discussed.     

不同林分密度下川北白云山地区喜树人工林的群落结构和物种多样性

采用典型抽样方法,以四川绵竹白云山喜树人工林为对象,设置高密度、低密度样地各4块,分析喜树人工林的群落结构（物种组成及重要值、径级结构和高度级结构）和多样性水平（丰富度指数D值、Shannon-wienner指数H值、Simpson指数H′值和Pielou均匀度指数J_sw值）随林分密度的变化规律。结果表明：（1）在高密度下,径级结构和高度级结构均呈偏峰型;在低密度下,径级结构和高度级结构均呈山峰型。（2）高、低密度下喜树人工林乔木层的各物种多样性指数均较低,林下植被对密度变化的响应不同,高密度下的草木层多样性较高,低密度下的灌木层多样性较高。     

观光木的大孢子发生与雌配子体形成

对观光木（Tsoongiodendron odorum Chun)的大孢子发生,雌配子体形成过程的观察结果显示,观光木子房单心皮,心皮腹面壁上着生2-5个胚珠;胚珠倒生型,厚珠心,两层珠被;孢原细胞一个,并且自表皮下1-2层处分化。胚囊发育为蓼型。在四分体和成熟胚囊时期观察到了异常发育现象。初步探讨了观光木濒危的生殖生物学原因。     

车八岭保护区及其邻近地区的木兰科植物种群及其保护现状

报道了广东省始兴县车八岭国家级自然保护区及其邻近地区木兰科植物种群特点及保护现状。木兰科植物通常位于人为破坏较轻 ,林相保存较好 ,以壳斗科、樟科、茶科为主要建群种的中亚热带常绿阔叶林中。共设置了 9个面积为 4 0 0 m2的样方。在样方中共记录了 3种木兰科植物 :观光木 ( Tsoongiodendron odor-um Chun)、深山含笑 ( Michelia maudiae Dunn)和金叶含笑 ( M.foveolata Merr.ex Dandy)。其中 ,深山含笑的种群较大 ,呈稳定结构 ,但主要局限于保护区内保护较好的地域 ;金叶含笑种群面临濒危 ,种群小 ,在保护区呈零星分布 ;观光木的分布区域相对较广 ,在保护区内外均见分布 ,但种群较小 ,特别是在保护区外的种群 ,由于人为的干扰 ,种群在急剧减少。大多数木兰科植物的种群在原生境均表现出自然更新不良 ,必须加以保护。分析了影响车八岭及其邻近地区木兰科植物种群及其群落发展的主要限制因素 ,建议加强自然保护知识的宣传和木兰科植物的人工保育 ,促进该区域木兰科植物资源的管理和发展