内蒙古锡林河流域羊草草原和大针茅草原在放牧影响下的分异和趋同

 在两个具有代表性的牧压梯度上,对羊草草原和大针茅草原的群落结构与牧压的关系借助模糊聚类的方法进行分析,揭示了不同牧压下植物群落的分异和不同群落在重牧压下的趋同,其总模式是：大针茅草原—持续牧压——→冷蒿草原 羊草草原—持续牧压———→冷蒿草原 把“群落趋同”的概念广延到放牧退化演替即次生逆向演替的生态学范畴。     

应用最优分割法划分森林群落演替阶段的研究

 本文以闽北山区自然状态下马尾松群落的进展演替过程为代表,讨论了定量划分群落演替阶段的方法。首先从分析树种关联、确定演替种组入手,重构其群落的演替系列,在此基础上采用有序样本的最优分割法将演替过程划分成五个演替阶段,即1．马尾松纯林阶段;2．马尾松、枢木、苦槠群落阶段：3．亮叶腊梅、马尾松、米槠群落阶段;4．米槠、黄瑞木、青冈群落阶段;5．少叶黄杞、细柄阿丁枫、米槠群落阶段。划分结果较真实地反映了马尾松群落向中生性稳定群落的发展过程,克服了主观判断划分方法的缺陷,在定量的水平上处理群落演替阶段的划分问题。     

退化草原狼毒个体年龄判定方法及其种群年龄结构的研究

详细观察了内蒙古东部退化草原糙隐子草(Cleistogenes squarosa)群落内狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)的根颈分枝形态及其生长发育特点,研究了狼毒种群的年龄结构．结果表明,狼毒个体实际年龄为“类二叉分枝(quasi-dichotomous branching)回数加2”;根颈上茎的残茬、枝痕和环状痕是确定根颈分枝回数的重要辅助特征．重牧、过牧、极牧3个放牧演替阶段内狼毒个体最大年龄依次为15、16和19龄．8龄级个体数最多,其年龄比分别为18．71％、24．20％和19．06％．重牧阶段缺失1和2龄个体;过牧和极牧阶段均缺失1龄个体．狼毒种群年龄结构为“初始衰退型”,存活曲线接近于“凸型”或DeeveyⅠ型．老龄组(13龄以上者)个体数在重牧、过牧、极牧演替阶段分别占4．83％、2．84％和14．02％．随着放牧干扰的加剧,狼毒种群年龄结构呈现老龄化趋势．     

海南岛热带山地雨林天然次生林的功能群划分

热带林极高的物种丰富度使许多生态分析非常困难,把功能相似的物种划分为不同功能群,将为热带林的生态研究提供新的途径。以物种的7个功能特性因子(生长型、分布的海拔高度、分布的林型、木材密度、喜光性、演替地位和寿命)和9个林分结构因子(相对生物量、相对胸高断面积、相对树高、相对密度、相对频度、相对冠幅、相对更新数、相对死亡数和相对萌生数)为基础,应用数量化分析的方法,对海南岛典型的热带山地雨林天然次生林群落进行了功能群的划分。结果表明:(1)应用CCA分析林分结构因子时,可将山地雨林天然次生林的物种划分为6类功能群,它们的相对生物量、相对密度、相对频度、相对更新数、相对萌生数和相对死亡数等,随胸径和高度的增加而呈现有规律的变化;(2)应用CCA分析物种功能特性因子时,可将山地雨林天然次生林的物种划分为5类功能群,它们的功能特性都随演替过程而呈现有规律的变化;(3)在综合考虑两个不同角度CCA分析的基础上,最后将热带山地雨林天然次生林的物种共划分为11类功能群,它们能充分体现物种随胸径和高度结构的变化特点及其在演替过程中所处的阶段;(4)演替初期的灌木类功能群与各不同演替时期的乔木功能群共同分布于的中下层,但其大多处于死亡状态;(5)演替初期与演替中后期的乔木功能群则共同组成的主层林,但其死亡数量也较高。可见,海南岛热带山地雨林天然次生林目前正处不同功能群的激烈竞争阶段。     

放牧干扰下若尔盖高原沼泽湿地植被种类组成及演替模式

以若尔盖高原退化沼泽植被为研究对象,应用多重比较、双因素方差分析、物种累积曲线、PCA排序、方差分解等方法分析了不同放牧压力、放牧季节下物种丰富度、多度、生活型组成、群落演替的变化。结果表明:不同放牧季节物种丰富度格局不尽相同,其中6、9、10月在各牧压梯度间无显著差异,7、8月均以极重度和极度阶段(中生草甸)的最高,原生沼泽的最低。在物种累积速率上,沿牧压梯度以极重度和极度阶段的最高,沿放牧季节以7、8月最高;双因素方差分析结果进一步表明物种丰富度与放牧季节无显著关系,但与放牧压力关系显著。放牧压力和放牧季节共解释了物种多度总方差的47.6%,其中放牧压力解释了50.1%,放牧季节以及二者方差交集均为负值;沿牧压梯度,沼泽植被逆向演替模式倾向于沼泽→草甸,沼泽化草甸阶段不明显,但是演替方向未发生变化,建群种替代规律为:乌拉草→木里苔草→栗褐苔草,生活型组成中直立型植物比例较少,莲座型和匍匐型植物增加。总之,放牧季节对物种丰富度无显著影响,但在一定程度上改变了其牧压梯度格局,降低了物种累积速率。放牧压力改变了群落物种丰富度、生活型组成和演替模式,但放牧可能仅为沼泽植物群落物种多样性格局和演替的驱动力之一。     

广西常绿阔叶林的聚类分析

 本文用聚类分析法对取自广西不同地区的30个常绿阔叶林的样地资料进行了分类。样地间相似性的计算采用了Bray—Curtis距离和Euclidian距离公式。聚合策略是用最近邻体法、最远邻体法,中线法、形心法、组平均法、可变组平均法、可变法以及平方和增量法等八种聚合方法。结果证明,用聚类法所划分的类型与按优势种划分的类型既有相似之点,又有不同之处。但是聚类分析法可以对样地进行更为仔细的分离,即不但可把取自不同地区而优势种相同的归为一类,有时还可把它们划分开来;同时也会把优势种不同而地区相同的样地归并到一起。这反映了与地区的纬度、海拔等生境条件相联系的区系组成的变化。根据聚类分析结果把25个样地划分出7种类型,并在其中5类中找出了它的标志种,此外还对8种聚类法和等级划分阈值进行了讨论。     

森林演替过程中优势树种凋落叶对土壤微生物组成的影响

为了进一步认识森林群落演替机理,研究了黄土高原马栏林区处于不同演替阶段的森林土壤微生物组成,以及优势树种凋落叶对土壤微生物组成的影响.采用凋落叶浸提液处理不同类型的土壤,利用土壤浸提液固体培养基测定微生物数量,以系统聚类和主成分分析等方法进行数据分析.结果表明:微生物总数量及土壤细菌数量按白桦(Betulaplatyphylla)林→油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)林→辽东栎(Quercus liaotungensis)林递增;在先锋森林群落向顶极群落演替过程中,微生物组成的综合性指标Shannon-Wiener指数呈下降趋势;土壤微生物3大类群中,数量较少者对Shannon-Wiener指数的大小变化起着较大作用;依据可培养微生物组成,8种土样可划分为3个类群,辽东栎及油松凋落叶对土壤微生物组成的影响不同,辽东栎凋落叶对土壤微生物学性质的作用更强;马栏林区森林土壤微生物组成与植被类型及演替阶段关系密切;演替高级阶段森林优势树种凋落叶可能通过其对土壤微生物组成的改造优势,逐渐改变土壤的微生物学性质,进而促进植被演替.     

文峪河上游河岸林的演替分析与预测

以文峪河上游河岸林为研究对象,利用空间代替时间的方法,通过静态演替分析法结合Markov模型对群落的演替趋势和过程进行了研究。根据群落顶极适应值多重比较结果,结合优势树种的生物学和生态学特性,将13个群落区分成4个演替阶段,群落演替梯度分析结果与之吻合,处于同一演替阶段及相邻演替阶段的群落相似性较高,综合上述结果,构建本区河岸林群落的演替系列为:Ⅰ阔叶林阶段(群落PCS和CPM)→Ⅱ阔针混交林阶段(群落CPP、CMM和CPW)→Ⅲ针阔混交林阶段(群落PRL、PCP、MCP、PRM和PRW)→Ⅳ针叶林阶段(群落PWS);青杨辽东栎混交林(PCL)和油松白桦混交林(TPM)与其它群落相关性不强,属于低山森林演替系列。Markov模型预测杨桦落叶松混交林(CPP)和杨桦云杉混交林(CMM、CPW)的演替方向为云杉林,进一步验证了所构建群落演替系列的正确性,同时细化了群落的演替过程。     

广西马尾松林分类、分布和演替的研究

马尾松林是常绿阔叶林演替系列中的一个演替阶段 ,在广西各个地理区域都有广泛的分布 ,主要见于海拔 1 30 0m以下红、黄壤丘陵山地。本文通过群落分类研究划分出 3个群丛纲 76个群丛。分析这些群丛的外貌、结构和种类成分的变化 ,可确定其演替趋向和所处的演替阶段 ,为其合理经营管理提供科学依据     

陕西子午岭生态因素对植物群落的影响

为探讨生境对植被格局分布的影响,对黄土高原马栏林区60块样地进行植被学调查的基础上,采用17个环境指标刻画植物群落的空间位置、地形和土壤特征;利用双向指示种分析(TWINSPAN)划分了该区不同演替阶段的植物群落类型;利用前向选择法(forward selection)及Monte Carlo检验对不同演替阶段植物群落物种组成影响显著(p＜0.05)的环境因子进行筛选;利用去势典范对应分析(DCCA)排序方法分析不同演替阶段植物群落分布格局与环境的关系;利用偏典范对应分析(partial CCA)定量分离环境、空间及其交互作用对植被格局总体变异的影响.结果表明:(1)马栏林区的植物群落可划分为13个类型,分别属于4个不同的演替阶段;(2)对演替初期阶段群落影响显著的环境因子是土壤含盐量和碱解氮,对演替过渡阶段群落影响显著的环境因子是海拔和腐殖质厚度,对演替亚顶级阶段群落影响显著的因子是海拔、坡向、枯落物厚度、腐殖质厚度和pH值,而对演替顶级阶段群落分异影响显著的因子是海拔、坡向、pH值和速效磷;(3)不同演替阶段群落的生态学特性和分布规律与环境空间的生态梯度格局吻合较好;(4)随着演替的进行,环境因子单独对植物群落的影响越来越大,而样地位置单独作用和样地位置与环境因子的交互作用之和越来越小.     

Plant functional traits under cattle grazing and fallow age scenarios in a tropical dry forest of Northwestern Mexico

Evaluating plant functional traits helps to understand how plants respond to changing environmental conditions and resource availability associated with disturbance events. Livestock production is one of the primary drivers of tropical forest loss and degradation. Livestock alter environmental conditions within the forest by grazing, trampling and nutrient inputs, which in turn can influence species composition and functional traits of species. Understanding how livestock influence functional traits along a successional gradient is poorly understood. Here, we studied the effect of cattle grazing and fallow age on plant functional traits and soil nutrients in secondary and old-growth tropical dry forests. We analyzed plant functional traits of the most important species in successional and old-growth forest communities in both cattle present and cattle excluded plots. Our results showed the effects of cattle grazing and fallow age on plant functional traits, with fallow age explaining more variation than cattle grazing. In early succession, functional traits were associated with water conservation (thicker leaves, lower specific leaf area), and in later successional they were linked with sunlight conservation (larger height, higher specific leaf area). The presence of large fruits and seeds in advanced successional sites suggests high resource availability, which may help plants to successfully reproduce. Moreover, under cattle grazing some functional traits are associated with herbivory defense (high foliar dry weight and thick leaves). Even though N and C increased as succession advanced, the sites with cattle grazing had higher NH4 and NO3 concentrations as a result of fecal deposition. Plant functional traits responded to fallow age than to cattle grazing. Our study showed that cattle exclusion, as a management and biodiversity conservation strategy, contributes positively to soil nutrition. Thus, fallow age and cattle exclusion facilitate soil recovery and allows establishing species with suitable functional attributes for overcoming environmental filters in abandoned cattle fields.     

Influence of late season fire on early successional vegetation of an Oklahoma prairie

Abstract. The study of vegetation dynamics in tallgrass prairie in response to fire has focused on dormant season fire in late successional prairies. Our objective was to determine if late season fire of varying frequency results in divergent successional patterns in an early successional tallgrass prairie disturbed by grazing and cultivation. Specifically, we evaluated the influence of late‐summer fires of varying frequency on community composition and species richness. We collected vegetation and environmental data on two sites burned in the late growing‐season at varying frequencies. These communities differed in composition depending primarily on edaphic factors, time since the last burn, and year‐to‐year variation. We interpret the time effect as related to changes in species composition accompanying plant succession that followed disturbance either from cropping and heavy grazing on the loamy site or heavy grazing on the shallow site. Other unidentified factors also have a role in vegetation dynamics on this prairie. Community composition and species richness were not consistently responsive to frequency of growing‐season fires.     

Removal of cattle accelerates tropical dry forest succession in Northwestern Mexico

Domestic livestock influence patterns of secondary succession across forest ecosystems. However, the effects of cattle on the regeneration of tropical dry forests (TDF) in Mexico are poorly understood, largely because it is difficult to locate forests that are not grazed by cattle or other livestock. We describe changes in forest composition and structure along a successional chronosequence of TDF stands with and without cattle (chronic grazing or exclusion from grazing for ~ 8 year). Forest stands were grouped into five successional stages, ranging from recently abandoned to mature forest, for a total of 2.7 ha of the sampled area. The absence of cattle increased woody plant (tree and shrub) density and species richness, particularly in mid-successional and mature forest stands. Species diversity and evenness were generally greater in sites where cattle were removed and cattle grazing in early successional stands reduced establishment and/or recruitment of new individuals and species. Removal of cattle from forest stands undergoing succession appears to facilitate a progressive and non-linear change of forest structure and compositional attributes associated with rapid recovery, while cattle browsing acts as a chronic disturbance factor that compromises the resilience and structural and functional integrity of the TDF in northwestern Mexico. These results are important for the conservation, management, and restoration of Neotropical dry forests.     

Large herbivore-induced changes in phytogenic hillocks: links to soil and windblown sediment on the desert steppe in China

Phytogenic hillocks are a type of wind-deposited biological micro-topography exhibiting a bulging shape under plant clusters in arid regions. In this study, we quantitatively measured the phenotypic characteristics of phytogenic hillocks, the soil particle size distribution in phytogenic hillocks and bare surfaces, and the sediment particle size distribution in hillocks of three heights under different grazing treatments. The results showed that the proportion of dense cluster phytogenic hillocks in the no grazing treatment was higher than in the moderate grazing treatment, and the proportion of scattered cluster phytogenic hillocks under moderate grazing was higher than under no grazing. The total area of dense cluster phytogenic hillocks under no grazing was higher than under heavy grazing and under moderate grazing. For the scattered cluster phytogenic hillocks, the total area was greatest under moderate grazing, followed by heavy grazing and, finally, no grazing. For single hillocks, grazing had a significant impact on the width of dense cluster phytogenic hillocks, while the heavy grazing treatment had a significant impact on the height of scattered cluster phytogenic hillocks. The results for windblown sediment showed that the only significant difference among grazing treatments occurred at a height of 2–8 cm. Grazing changed the relationships among the phenotypic characteristics of phytogenic hillocks, the soil particle size of phytogenic hillocks, and the particle size of wind-deposited sediments. Our results suggested that grazing increased the proportion of scattered cluster phytogenic hillocks and caused the relationship between somewhat bare land and phytogenic hillocks to change from symbiosis to competition.     

Comparative diversity of ammonia oxidizer 16S rRNA gene sequences in native, tilled, and successional soils.

Autotrophic ammonia oxidizer (AAO) populations in soils from native, tilled, and successional treatments at the Kellogg Biological Station Long-Term Ecological Research site in southwestern Michigan were compared to assess effects of disturbance on these bacteria. N fertilization effects on AAO populations were also evaluated with soils from fertilized microplots within the successional treatments. Population structures were characterized by PCR amplification of microbial community DNA with group-specific 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) primers, cloning of PCR products and clone hybridizations with group-specific probes, phylogenetic analysis of partial 16S rDNA sequences, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. Population sizes were estimated by using most-probable-number (MPN) media containing varied concentrations of ammonium sulfate. Tilled soils contained higher numbers than did native soils of culturable AAOs that were less sensitive to different ammonium concentrations in MPN media. Compared to sequences from native soils, partial 16S rDNA sequences from tilled soils were less diverse and grouped exclusively within Nitrosospira cluster 3. Native soils yielded sequences representing three different AAO clusters. Probes for Nitrosospira cluster 3 hybridized with DGGE blots from tilled and fertilized successional soils but not with blots from native or unfertilized successional soils. Hybridization results thus suggested a positive association between the Nitrosospira cluster 3 subgroup and soils amended with inorganic N. DGGE patterns for soils sampled from replicated plots of each treatment were nearly identical for tilled and native soils in both sampling years, indicating spatial and temporal reproducibility based on treatment.     

Comparative Diversity of Ammonia Oxidizer 16S rRNA Gene Sequences in Native, Tilled, and Successional Soils

Autotrophic ammonia oxidizer (AAO) populations in soils from native, tilled, and successional treatments at the Kellogg Biological Station Long-Term Ecological Research site in southwestern Michigan were compared to assess effects of disturbance on these bacteria. N fertilization effects on AAO populations were also evaluated with soils from fertilized microplots within the successional treatments. Population structures were characterized by PCR amplification of microbial community DNA with group-specific 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) primers, cloning of PCR products and clone hybridizations with group-specific probes, phylogenetic analysis of partial 16S rDNA sequences, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. Population sizes were estimated by using most-probable-number (MPN) media containing varied concentrations of ammonium sulfate. Tilled soils contained higher numbers than did native soils of culturable AAOs that were less sensitive to different ammonium concentrations in MPN media. Compared to sequences from native soils, partial 16S rDNA sequences from tilled soils were less diverse and grouped exclusively within Nitrosospira cluster 3. Native soils yielded sequences representing three different AAO clusters. Probes for Nitrosospira cluster 3 hybridized with DGGE blots from tilled and fertilized successional soils but not with blots from native or unfertilized successional soils. Hybridization results thus suggested a positive association between the Nitrosospira cluster 3 subgroup and soils amended with inorganic N. DGGE patterns for soils sampled from replicated plots of each treatment were nearly identical for tilled and native soils in both sampling years, indicating spatial and temporal reproducibility based on treatment.     

Grassland composition affects season shifts in seed preference by Pogonomyrmex barbatus (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae) in the Edwards Plateau, Texas

The effects of season and community composition as generated by livestock herbivory of differing intensity on seed species preference by Pogonomyrmex barbatus (F. Smith) were studied in a semiarid savanna on the Edward's Plateau, TX. Seasonal differences in nutrient requirements of the colony could lead to differential preferences for seeds harvested in spring and fall. Field cafeteria studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that late successional species, with their high nutrient content, would be chosen regardless of grazing intensity or season. Commercial seeds of known nutrient content were used to test the hypothesis that high protein levels would be chosen in spring and high carbohydrate levels in the fall. Naturally occurring seeds were differentially harvested and some were preferred regardless of relative availability. Total seed harvest in cafeteria experiments was higher in spring than in fall. Commercial seeds were harvested equally among treatments within a season; thus, nutrient selection was indistinguishable. Preference for native species was significantly different in both seasons but was influenced by a significant interaction with grazing treatments. Bouteloua curtipendula, a late successional mid-grass, was harvested significantly more in the spring than the fall and at higher rates in the heavily grazed treatment, rejecting the hypothesis that they would be chosen regardless of treatment or season. Seed preference for late successional grasses within heavily grazed communities may slow succession after grazing. During disturbance recovery, late successional species may be reduced by forager preference and rates of spring harvest.     

Long-term vegetation dynamics mediated by herbivores,weather and fire in a Juniperus-Quercus savanna

Abstract. Long-term (45-yr) basal area dynamics of dominant graminoid species were analyzed across three grazing intensity treatments (heavily grazed, moderately grazed and ungrazed) at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research Station on the Edwards Plateau, Texas. Grazing intensity was identified as the primary influence on long-term variations in species composition. Periodic weather events, including a severe drought (1951–1956), had little direct influence on composition dynamics. However, the drought interacted with grazing intensity in the heavily grazed treatment to exacerbate directional changes caused by grazing intensity. Species response to grazing was individualistic and noisy. Three response groups were identified. Taller, more productive mid-grasses were most abundant under moderate or no grazing. Short grasses were most abundant under heavy grazing. Intermediate species were most abundant under moderate grazing and opportunistic to weather patterns. Graminoid diversity increased with the removal or reduction of grazing intensity. The moderately and ungrazed treatments appeared most resistant to short-term weather fluctuations, while the heavily grazed treatment demonstrated significant resilience when grazing intensity was reduced after over 110 yr of overgrazing. Identification of a ‘climax’ state is difficult. Significant directional change, which took nearly 20 yr, appears to continue in the ungrazed treatment after 45 yr of succession. The observed, relatively linear patterns of perennial grass composition within the herbaceous patches of this savanna were generally explained by traditional Clementsian succession. However, when dynamics of the herbaceous community are combined with the woody component of this savanna, the frequency and intensity of fire becomes more important. Across the landscape, successional changes follow several pathways. When vegetation change is influenced by several factors, a multi-scale model is necessary to demonstrate interactions and feedbacks and accurately describe successional patterns. Absence of fires, with or without grazing, leads ultimately to a Juniperus/Quercus woodland with grazing intensity primarily influencing the fuel load and hence fire intensity.     

水磨河底栖动物群落结构的生态位分析

本文利用生态位理论,对水磨河6个站点,讨论了14个优势种的群落结构与水体污染之间的关系,在r—k连续统中进行种的生态位排序,通过聚类分析绘出底栖动物群落树状图,将水磨河底栖动物群落分成四个集群类型和一个边缘种,并叙述了其污染生态学特性和生态对策。