土埋深度影响物种水平的种子质量-种子出苗关系

种子出苗对种间关系和群落组成具有重要影响。种内研究表明种子质量与种子出苗之间存在正相关关系, 但这种关系很少在物种水平进行检验, 尤其是在不同土壤埋藏深度条件下。为此, 该文开展了一个因子实验(10种植物和5种土埋深度(0、1、2、4和8 cm))以检验是否在不同土层中“种子质量-种子出苗之间的正相关关系”始终存在。该文在不同土埋深度播种50粒种子(重复5次), 连续30天观测种子出苗, 并提出了一个耐土埋性指标。结果表明: (1) 10种植物的最适出苗深度为0-2 cm土层; 6种植物的最大出苗率发生在1 cm土埋深度。(2)种子质量与耐土埋性之间存在显著的正相关关系, 种子质量越大耐土埋性越强, 适宜出苗的土层越深。(3)当土层较深(4或8 cm)时, 种子出苗率和持续出苗时间随种子质量增加而增大, 种子出苗率与持续出苗时间之间存在正相关关系; 这些关系在较浅土层(0、1或2 cm)并不存在。这些结果有助于进一步理解种子大小与出苗之间的关系, 以及种子出苗过程中的策略。     

Growth-form regulates the altitudinal variation of interspecific seed mass of woody plants in Mt. Dalaoling,the Three Gorges Region,China

Aims Seed size is one of the most important characteristics of plant seeds, and has significant implications in plant ecological functions. Exploring the altitudinal pattern of seed size would help to detect environmental constraints on species distribution and understand the linkage between plant ecological function traits Methods The present study measured the quantitative features of seed size, including weight of 1 000 grain seeds, lengths of longer and shorter axes, and analyzed the relationships between seed size and altitude, as well as the influence of growth form. Seed samples were all collected from 201 locally common woody plants (belonging to 59 families and 87 genera) in the Dalaoling Natural Reserve in Yichang City, Hubei Province.Important findings Measured values of the seed mass, the longer axis, and the shorter axis of the 201 woody plant species all follow the lognormal distribution. Measurements of seed mass vary across five orders of magnitude. Significant correlation was found between seed mass, seed length of the longer and shorter axes (R² = 0.755; 0.819; 0.630, p < 0.01). Moreover, seed mass of trees and small trees are significantly heavier than those of shrubs and woody vines. Seed mass values of evergreen broad leaved species are significantly heavier than those of deciduous broad leaved species and needle leaved species. Seed mass of all 201 species shows a slightly but statistically significant decreasing trend with the increase of altitude. In addition, altitudinal patterns of seed mass varied between species with different growth form. Our results indicated the variation of altitudinal trends of seed mass for different structural components of plant communities, implying the local community structure as a critical aspect of variation in macro-ecological patterns.     

常绿阔叶林林冠环境对栲幼苗建成的影响

植物幼苗建成阶段是决定种群自然更新的关键生活史阶段。研究林冠环境对常绿阔叶林优势种幼苗建成阶段的影响对该类森林的恢复和管理具有重要意义。2014-2016年, 该研究在重庆市缙云山国家级自然保护区的常绿阔叶林的不同林冠环境(大林窗: >150 m ², 中林窗: 100-150 m ², 小林窗: 50-100 m ², 对照: 林下)下进行栲(Castanopsis fargesii)种子野外播种实验, 并对栲幼苗命运和生长情况进行了3年的持续监测。结果表明: (1)栲幼苗出土时间从7月持续到12月, 出苗时间较长, 大林窗对幼苗出土具有延迟作用; (2)栲种子野外平均萌发率为(62.8 ± 2.0)%, 第3个生长季(2016年)末幼苗平均存活率为(65.1 ± 2.2)%, 枯萎是栲幼苗死亡的主要原因; (3)林冠环境对栲种子萌发率及第1个生长季(2014年)末的幼苗存活率无显著影响, 对第2个(2015年)和第3个生长季末的幼苗存活率具有显著影响; (4)林冠环境在第1个生长季对幼苗生长无明显影响, 但在第2个和第3个生长季具有显著影响, 大、中林窗中幼苗总生物量、株高、基径、根长和叶片数显著高于林下, 比叶面积显著低于林下; (5) 3个生长季内, 4类林冠条件下栲幼苗的叶质量比和茎质量比升高, 根质量比和根冠比降低, 并且从第2个生长季开始大林窗中栲幼苗的叶质量比显著高于林下, 根质量比和根冠比显著低于林下。栲幼苗早期的存活和生长依赖种子储存的能量, 受林冠条件影响较弱, 后期则依赖光合作用, 受林冠条件影响较强, 从整个幼苗建成过程看, 大、中林窗更有利于栲幼苗定居。     

片段化景观中壳斗科植物种子捕食和扩散模式

生境片段化伴随的面积效应和边缘效应, 可改变分散贮食动物的竞争强度、觅食行为以及隐蔽条件, 影响种子捕食和扩散模式。阐明生境片段化对多物种种子捕食和扩散的影响, 对理解片段化生境中的植物更新和生物多样性维持十分重要。该研究在浙江省千岛湖地区的岛屿和大陆上开展了针对6种壳斗科植物的种子捕食和扩散实验, 分析了物种、分散贮食动物相对多度、种子产量、岛屿大小和边缘效应如何共同影响种子命运和种子扩散距离。主要结果: (1)种子命运和扩散距离在物种间存在显著差异; (2)大陆比岛屿有更长的种子留存时间, 小岛种子留存时间最短, 岛屿内部比岛屿边缘有更长的种子留存时间; (3)物种和岛屿大小对种子原地取食率存在交互作用, 白栎(Quercus fabri)种子在大岛上有更高的原地取食率; (4)种子在小岛上有最高的扩散率, 分散贮食动物相对多度对种子扩散后贮藏率有负效应。表明在千岛湖地区, 生境片段化改变了种子捕食和扩散模式, 且面积效应对不同物种的种子捕食和扩散模式产生了不同作用, 从而影响森林群落更新和生物多样性维持。     

共生真菌对兰科植物种间杂交后代种子萌发的效应

石斛属(Dendrobium)植物在种子共生萌发过程中与真菌有着较为专一的共生关系, 为探讨这种共生关系在种间杂交后代上的进化和适应, 深入理解兰科植物和真菌共生关系的形成机制, 该研究利用能有效促进铁皮石斛(Dendrobium officinale)和齿瓣石斛(D. devonianum)种子萌发形成幼苗, 并具有较强专一性的胶膜菌属(Tulasnella)真菌SSCDO-5和瘤菌根菌属(Epulorhiza)真菌FDd1, 开展真菌对铁皮石斛和D. tortile种间杂交种子萌发效应的研究。结果表明, 在真菌与种子共生培养68天时, SSCDO-5菌株和FDd1菌株都能有效地促进杂交种子形成原球茎和幼苗, 两个接菌处理之间无显著差异, 来源于铁皮石斛的SSCDO-5菌株不但没有表现出优势, 反而在杂交石斛幼苗形成率上低于来源于齿瓣石斛的FDd1菌株(SSCDO-5: (22.13 ± 6.62)%; FDd1: (29.53 ± 5.51)%); SSCDO-5菌株和铁皮石斛在幼苗形成和发育阶段的共生专一性并没有在杂交后代上得到遗传或表现, 或者说是杂交打破了这种专一性的共生关系, 使得杂交后代能够和不同的真菌建立新的共生关系。该结果不支持关于共生真菌专一性是石斛属植物杂交后代形成的重要限制因素的假设, 推测石斛属植物在幼苗分化和发育阶段与真菌这种专一性的共生关系是在适应特定生态环境的过程中形成和建立的。     

Effects of the supply levels and ratios of nitrogen and phosphorus on seed traits of Chenopodium glaucum

全球氮沉降不仅改变土壤氮和磷的有效性, 同时也改变氮磷比例。氮磷供应量、比例及其交互作用可能会影响植物种子性状。该研究在内蒙古草原基于沙培盆栽实验种植灰绿藜(Chenopodium glaucum), 设置3个氮磷供应量水平和3个氮磷比例的正交实验来探究氮磷供应量、比例及其交互作用对灰绿藜种子性状的影响。结果发现氮磷供应量对种子氮浓度、磷浓度和萌发率影响的相对贡献(15%-24%)大于氮磷比例(3%-7%), 而种子大小只受氮磷比例的影响。同时氮磷供应量和比例之间的交互作用显著影响种子氮浓度和磷浓度。同等氮磷比例情况下, 低量养分供应提高种子氮浓度、磷浓度和萌发率。氮磷比例只有在养分匮乏的环境中才会对种子大小和萌发率产生显著影响。总之, 灰绿藜种子不同性状对氮或磷限制的敏感性不同, 同时种子性状也对养分限制表现出适应性和被动响应。     

Diversity of climbing seed plants and their reproductive habit in a karst seasonal rain forest in Nonggang,Guangxi, China

Aims Diversity of climbing seed plants and their reproductive habits and characteristics are central for the understanding of community structure and dynamics of forests and hence are important for forest protection. However, little is known about the climbing seed plants in northern tropical karst seasonal rain forests. Here, using the data of the species diversity and reproductive habits of climbing seed plants in Nonggang, Guangxi, China, we aim to 1) explore the species diversity and distribution of climbing seed plants in northern tropical karst seasonal rain forests, 2) study the flowering and fruiting phenology and 3) the associations of reproductive characteristics to the environment. Methods Species composition, preferred habitat, flowering time, fruiting time and fruit types of climbing seed plants were surveyed. The seasonality of flowering and fruiting were analyzed by concentration ratio and circular distribution. Climbing seed plants were divided into three groups according to their growth forms and places in spatial forest structure: bush ropes, herbaceous vines and lianas. Monthly flowering ratios, fruiting ratios, fruit types and their ratios in different groups were determined. These relationships of flowering ratio, fruiting ratio, fruit type and its ratio to meteorological factors were investigated using Pearson correlation analysis. Important findings There were a total of 333 species of climbing seed plants in Nonggang karst seasonal rain forest, belonging to 145 genera and 56 families. Bush ropes, herbaceous vines and lianas contained 119, 88 and 126 species, respectively. At species level, herbaceous vines were more abundance in valleys, while bush ropes and lianas were more abundance on slopes. Flowering and fruiting of climbing seed plants occurred seasonally, with flowering peaking in April to September, while fruiting peaking in July to December. The seasonality of flowering and fruiting in bush ropes was weaker than in herbaceous vines and lianas. Flowering ratio was significantly positively correlated with rainfall and air temperature, which suggest that flowering peaks in monsoon season. Peak time for fruiting was about three months later than the peak time of flowering, around the end of monsoon season. The ratio of samara species to all fruiting species in lianas was significantly positively correlated with wind speed, but negatively correlated with rainfall and air temperature. It showed that samara in lianas tended to occur in dry season with high wind speed. In conclusion, species diversity and the seasonal features of reproduction of climbing seed plants in Nonggang karst seasonal rain forest were closely related to the spatial and temporal variations of habitat resources.     

Phenotypic variations in cones and seeds of natural Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis populations in Yunnan Province,China

以云南省思茅松(Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis)天然分布区的11个种群的16个种实性状为研究对象, 采用巢式方差分析、变异系数、相关分析和非加权配对算术平均法(UPGMA)等多种分析方法, 探讨思茅松种群间和种群内的表型变异。结果表明: 思茅松种实表型性状在种群间和种群内均存在着较丰富的差异, 种群内的变异(54.76%)大于种群间的变异(10.44%), 种群间平均分化系数为11.95%, 分化程度相对较小。球果总种子数的平均变异系数最高(35.51%), 其次是球果质量(35.1%), 种子大小的平均变异系数最小(8.86%), 成为最稳定的种实性状; 景谷县的表型多样性最丰富, 景洪市则最小。球果和种子大部分表型性状之间存在显著或极显著相关, 其中球果长和球果质量越大, 种鳞长、种子长、种翅长、千粒重、球果总种鳞数和球果总种子数就越大。生态因子中, 年平均气温对表型性状影响最大, 其次是1月平均气温和>5 ℃积温。利用种群间聚类分析可以把思茅松的11个种群分为2类4个亚类, 表型性状依据地理距离进行聚类, 聚类结果与年降水量和>5 ℃积温相关性显著。     

Fruit types and seed dispersal modes of plants in different communities in Shilin Geopark,Yunnan, China

喀斯特植物群落果实类型和种子散布特征的研究, 对于理解喀斯特植物群落更新与拓展特征, 进而揭示喀斯特石漠化地区恢复植被的自然扩展机制及制定植被恢复规划具有重要意义。该研究以石林地质公园不同群落类型为对象, 研究不同群落的果实类型谱与种子散布谱, 以揭示果实类型与种子散布方式对恢复植被的影响。采用石林地质公园不同群落各1 hm ²样地记名计数法调查的维管束物种名录, 依据Flora of China对物种果实的描述确定其果实类型; 根据文献、数据库以及果实、种子形态性状确定种子散布方式。结果表明: (1)石林地质公园282种维管束植物共16种果实类型(含孢子), 其中瘦果、蒴果、浆果和核果的物种比例均大于10%。木本植物、草本植物、藤本植物的优势果实类型分别为核果、瘦果和浆果。石林地质公园各群落的木本植物、草本植物和藤本植物的果实类型谱差异不显著。在原生林、次生林、灌丛、灌草丛和人工辅助云南松林不同群落中, 浆果和核果的物种比例减少, 瘦果、颖果和蒴果的物种比例增加。(2)石林地质公园植物种子以动物传播为主, 其次为风传播。在原生林、次生林、灌丛、灌草丛和人工辅助云南松林不同群落中, 风传播的物种比例增加了73%-87%, 动物传播(包括鸟类传播)减少了31%-36%。(3)物种的种子散布方式直接影响到植被恢复物种和恢复策略的选择。基于恢复目标, 选择自然传播能力强的乡土物种或地带性植被关键种, 辅以传播廊道, 有助于喀斯特的植被恢复。     

植物种群更新的补充限制

补充限制基于生态位理论, 从种子萌发、幼苗存活和生长、繁殖体扩散等生活史阶段的种群统计特征及环境因素(土壤水分、养分、凋落物等)着手, 探讨种群的更新问题。种源限制和微生境限制是补充限制理论研究的核心内容, 但是哪个更为重要并没有统一的结论。种源限制与种子生产、土壤种子库和地下芽库中的繁殖体数量不足有关。其中, 气候的年际波动、土壤种子库寿命和动物的捕食都会影响种子生产在种群更新中的作用; 土壤种子库常被视为种群更新的保险库, 与地上种子雨共同促进种群更新, 但是, 如果土壤里种子具有较高的死亡率和休眠率, 将会降低种子库的作用; 地下芽库及其产生的无性分株对于种群更新的意义更多地体现在干扰后种群更强的恢复能力上。扩散限制是种群更新中的普遍现象, 与种子产量、散布能力、传播媒介、幼苗密度等因素有关。微生境限制主要表现为水分、养分、凋落物等非生物因素以及竞争、捕食等生物因素对种子的活力、萌发性、幼苗的存活力、物质分配等过程的影响, 其重要性随着植物生活史阶段而发生变化。未来需要进行综合的、长期的实验, 并应着重加强种源限制及相关生态过程的进化与生态相结合的机理性研究, 从而更深刻地认识和理解种群更新问题, 建立更为综合、系统的种群更新理论体系。     

Phenotypic variations in seed and fruit traits of Liquidambar formosana populations

为了明确我国枫香树(Liquidambar formosana)种子与果实表型变异程度和变异规律, 采用方差分析、相关分析和回归分析等方法对36个天然种群枫香树的10个种子与果实的表型性状在种群间和种群内表型变异和地理变异模式进行探讨。研究结果表明, 枫香树平均表型分化系数为57.55%, 种群间的变异是其表型变异的主要来源; 种子和果实表型性状的变异丰富, 变异幅度为10.05%-24.31%, 平均变异系数为15.83%; 不同种群间变异差别明显, 安福种群平均变异系数最大(16.73%), 建阳种群平均变异系数最小(11.48%)。枫香树多数种子与果实表型性状在地理变化上是随机的, 地理相近种群在表型上没有显著相关性。地理气候因子中1月平均气温、海拔和纬度对种子与果实性状起主要的影响。种子与果实性状与海拔相关分析表明, 枫香树种子长宽比随海拔的升高而减小, 种子长宽比可以推测种群所在的海拔高度。探讨枫香树种群表型多样性, 可为野生优异种质的收集、多目标品种选育等工作提供依据。     

漓江河岸带植物功能性状变异与关联

研究植物功能性状随环境梯度的变异和关联格局, 对于认识不同环境梯度下群落构建和植物适应型具有重要意义。该研究以漓江河岸带不同河段植物群落为研究对象, 调查了研究区内36个样方的物种组成, 测量了样方内42种木本植物的叶面积(LA)、比叶面积(SLA)和木材密度(WD)的功能性状值, 并运用性状梯度分析法对3个功能性状进行群落内(α组分)和群落间(β组分)组分分解及相关性分析。结果表明: (1)群落平均LA表现为中游最小且和下游差异显著, 群落平均WD则表现为中上游显著高于下游, 群落平均SLA在两两河段间均差异显著。(2)不同河段的3个植物功能性状β组分差异显著且实际观测值均小于随机模拟的零模型分布, 但α组分在河岸带不同河段均差异不显著且3个功 能性状的α组分分布范围均小于β组分, 说明在河岸带不同河段的群落构建过程中环境筛选的作用要大于群落内种间的相互作用。(3)性状SLA与LA在群落间和群落内呈现出实际观测和随机模拟的相关性均较低, 暗示了LA和SLA各自代表了植物在不同生态策略上的维度; 但SLA和WD实际观测值和随机模拟值呈现出较强的负相关关系, 暗示这2个性状对于环境筛选表现出较高的整体趋同适应性, 体现了植物功能性状对群落间环境变异的依赖性大于群落内种间相互作用的依赖性。     

黄土高原腹地人工林下草本层群落构建机制

群落构建机制是生态学研究的核心论题。生态位理论和中性理论是阐明群落构建的两种主要理论, 但这两种理论分别强调的环境过滤和扩散限制对群落构建的影响尚存争议。该研究以黄土高原人工林下草本层群落为研究对象, 将群落物种组成数据与地理空间、气候、地形以及生物因子相结合, 运用随机森林模型(RF)和基于距离矩阵的多元回归方法(MRM), 探究了各个因子的重要性, 并通过邻体主坐标矩阵(PCNM)和基于距离的冗余分析(db-RDA)分别筛选显著的空间结构和环境因子, 最后结合筛选出的PCNM特征值和环境变量进行变差分解。研究结果显示: 1)林下草本层群落组成相似性随地理距离和生境差异的增加而减小。2)地理距离与生境差异共同解释了群落组成相似性变化的47.8%。其中, 空间因子和环境因子的独立解释率分别为14.1%和9.8%, 两者的联合解释率为23.9%。3)地理距离和年降水量是引起研究区内物种组成变化的关键因子, 且地理距离的重要性大于年降水量。在黄土高原腹地, 扩散限制与环境过滤共同主导了人工林下草本层群落的构建过程。     

Modeling the potential suitable habitat of Impatiens hainanensis,a limestone-endemic plant

模拟物种的潜在分布区是保护管理受威胁物种的重要手段。该研究对海南岛石灰岩特有种、濒危植物——海南凤仙花(Impatiens hainanensis)的潜在适宜生境分布进行预测, 旨在为海南凤仙花的有效保护及重引入工作提供基础的科学依据。研究基于海南凤仙花8个种群分布点和12个环境变量, 利用最大熵模型(MaxEnt)和GIS技术构建海南凤仙花适宜生境预测模型, 模拟了当前时期海南凤仙花在海南岛的潜在分布区; 同时基于5个实际分布数据和5个不存在数据, 采用受试者工作特征曲线下的面积(AUC)、Kappa系数、真实技巧统计值(TSS)及总体精度4个评估指标综合评价模型的预测精度。研究结果表明: 4个评估指标值均在0.9以上, 说明MaxEnt模型能够很好地预测海南凤仙花潜在适宜生境的分布。限制其分布的主要环境因子为坡度、最干季降水量、降水量季节性变异系数。当前, 海南凤仙花的最适宜生境占海南岛总面积的1.8%, 主要分布于白沙西部与南部、昌江中部和南部、东方东部、乐东东北部。海南凤仙花潜在适宜生境分布狭窄, 且破碎化严重, 迫切需要保护。因此建议: 收集海南凤仙花各种群种子, 建立种质资源库; 将东方天安乡、江边乡及乐东东北部(佳西保护区)等可能存在最适宜生境的地区, 作为今后野外深入调查的首选区域和重引入的重点区域。     

苔藓植物岩溶作用研究进展

苔藓植物参与岩溶作用的过程是生物岩溶的重要内容。开展苔藓植物岩溶作用研究可为石漠化裸岩的生态恢复及其综合治理提供理论依据和技术支撑。该文系统论述了苔藓植物岩溶作用的过程(溶蚀与沉积)、机理及其与生境互作机制的最新研究进展。苔藓植物及其生物结皮在干湿交替下发生膨胀、卷缩、冻融等物理机械力, 以及其代谢分泌物和因呼吸作用而产生的H₂CO₃与岩石中矿物反应, 破坏矿物晶体结构, 导致矿物裂解、使岩面崩解脱落而改变岩面形态, 塑造岩溶地貌, 形成原始土壤。苔藓植物岩溶作用驱动力的大小与植物功能性状、基岩性质与生存环境密切相关。此外, 生物岩溶作用需要长时间尺度的监测, 研究周期长, 建议建立野外长期监测基地, 加强对其内在机制与过程以及与生境间互作机制, 苔藓植物的生理代谢过程及其生物酶等与岩溶作用的相互关系, 岩溶地区苔藓植物环境适应性特征及其生物多样性维持机制等方面的研究。     

Effects of groundwater salinity on the characteristics of leaf photosynthesis and stem sap flow in Tamarix chinensis

AimsThe objective of this study was to investigate the change pattern of leaves photosynthesis and stem sap flow of Tamarix chinensisin under different groundwater salinity, which can be served as a theoretical basis and technical reference for cultivation and management of T. chinensis in shallow groundwater table around Yellow River Delta.MethodsThree-year-old T. chinensis, one of the dominated species in Yellow River Delta, was selected. Plants were treated by four different salinity concentrations of groundwater—fresh water (0 g∙L^-1), brackish water (3.0 g∙L^-1), saline water (8.0 g∙L^-1), and salt water (20.0 g∙L^-1) under 1.2 m groundwater level. Light response of photosynthesis and the diurnal courses of leaf transpiration rate, stem sap flux velocity and environment factors under different groundwater salinity were determined via LI-6400XT portable photosynthesis system and a Dynamax packaged stem sap flow gauge based on stem-heat balance method, respectively.Important findings The result showed that groundwater salinity had a significant impact on photosynthesis efficiency and water consumption capacity of T. chinensis by influencing the soil salt. The net photosynthetic rate (P_n), maximum P_n, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, apparent quantum yield and dark respiration rate increased first and then decreased with increasing groundwater salinity, while the water use efficiency (WUE) continuously decreased. The mean P_n under fresh water, brackish water and salt water decreased by 44.1%, 15.1% and 62.6%, respectively, compared with that under saline water (25.90 µmol∙m^-2∙s^-1). The mean WUE under brackish water, saline water and salt water decreased by 25.0%, 29.2% and 41.7%, respectively, compared with that under fresh water (2.40 µmol∙mmol^-1). With the increase of groundwater salinity from brackish water to salt water, light saturation point of T. chinensisdecreased while the light compensation point increased, which lead to the decrease of light ecological amplitude and light use efficiency. Fresh water and brackish water treatment helped T. chinensis to use low or high level light, which could significantly improve the utilization rate of light energy. The decrease in P_n of T. chinensis was mainly due to non-stomatal limitation under treatment from saline water to fresh water, while the decrease in P_n of T. chinensis was due to stomatal limitation from saline water to salt water. With increasing groundwater salinity, stem sap flux velocity of T. chinensis increased firstly and then decreased, reached the maximum value under saline water. The mean stem sap flux velocity under fresh water, brackish water and salt water decreased by 61.8%, 13.1% and 41.9%, respectively, compared with that under saline water (16.96 g·h^-1). Tamarix chinensis had higher photosynthetic productivity under saline water treatment, and could attained high WUE under severe water deprivation by transpiration, which was suitable for the growth of T. chinensis.     

Research advancement in the processes and mechanisms of transporting methane by emerged herbaceous plants and hygrophytes

Methane (CH₄) is an important greenhouse gas, and is involved in atmospheric chemical reactions. Aquatic and hydric environments are important sources of atmospheric CH₄. Majority of CH₄ are transported and released to atmosphere by emerged herbaceous plants and hygrophytes in aquatic and hydric environments. In recent decades, there has been increasing attention on how plants transport CH₄. During CH₄ transportation processes, several interfaces of CH₄ exchange play important roles. First, the tips of lateral roots are primary locations (hotspots) for CH₄ entering the root systems and regulate the gross CH₄ transportation. Then, the diaphragms in the aerenchyma and the root collar impose great resistances for the overall CH₄ transportation processes. In early studies, it was controversial that whether CH₄ emission from plants to atmosphere was controlled by stomas or micropores (small cracks and holes in aboveground part of plant except the blade). Recent studies have confirmed the dominant role of micropores for CH₄ transportation and emission. The dead and damaged stems are widely considered to have positive effects on CH₄ transportation. Diffusion and convection are the two main transporting mechanisms of CH₄, with the efficiency of convection being generally higher than that of diffusion. Both biological (e.g. biomass and photosynthesis) and environmental (e.g. light, temperature and humidity) factors regulate the CH₄ transportation. Many studies have contributed to understanding the CH₄ transportation processes and mechanisms by emerged herbaceous plants and hygrophytes. However, there are still some questions needing further investigations. Issues of consideration may include the operational efficiency in the critical interfaces of CH₄ exchange, the plant parts that play a decisive role in the entire CH₄ transportation, the underlying roles of diffusion and convection on CH₄ interfaces exchanges and entire long distance transports, the combined and coupling effects and mechanisms of biotic and abiotic factors, and the similarities and differences of CH₄ transporting processes and mechanisms among plant species.     

Preliminary study on pollen distribution in the surface soil of the Turpan region in the southern slope of Tianshan Mountains,Xinjiang, China

Aims Our main purposes were to analyze the relationship between vegetation and pollen in the surface soil of the Turpan region, which is located in the southern slope of the eastern Tianshan Mountains, and to compare different pollen assemblages between the Turpan region and the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains.Methods We collected 36 modern pollen samples and carried out modern vegetation survey in the Turpan region along an altitudinal gradient from 2 000 m to -154 m. Detrended correspondence analysis and Redundancy analysis were applied to analyze the distribution pattern of pollen in surface soils. Important findings We divided the pollen spectra into four pollen assemblage zones (mountain desert-steppe and desert, Gobi gravel, typical desert and salt mash vegetation), corresponding to the major vegetation types in the Turpan region. When compared with the northern slope, the characteristics of pollen assemblages in the mountain desert-steppe and desert were similar to those in the forest-steppe on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains; the pollen assemblages in the Gobi gravel and the typical desert seemed to be more consistent with those in the typical desert on the northern slope; however, no analogue was found in the salt mash vegetation. Obviously, the vertical pollen spectra in Turpan region were incomplete, lacking typical forest and Artemisia desert pollen zones. Besides, similar pollen zones in the Turpan region were found at an elevation of about 300 m higher than those in the northern slope. It is remarkable that the typical tree pollen, such as Picea and Pinus, showed their extra representation in the Turpan region. On one hand, the valley forest on the southern slope of the Tianshan mountains played an important role in pollen dispersal. On the other hand, with the cold air on the northern slope over the Tianshan Mountains, pollen may be carried and deposited in the Turpan region. The rivers feeding into Aiding Lake in the Turpan region may also contribute to the distribution of Picea and Pinuspollen. Lots of pollen studies have shown that the ratio of Artemisia to Chenopodiaceae (A/C) can be used as a good indicator of the degree of humidity in the semi-arid and arid areas. Our study revealed that A/C can roughly reflect the characteristics of the desert zone in the study area. The results of Redundancy Analysis ordination on pollen assemblages and environmental factors (mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP) and altitude (ALT)) revealed that MAP was the main environmental factor affecting the pollen assemblages in the surface soil in the Turpan region and had more significant effects on the distribution of Nitraria pollen than on the distribution of Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae.     

《中国植被志》研编内容与规范

植被志是基于植被(或植物群落)调查资料, 全面记叙植被的外貌、物种组成、结构和功能, 以及地理分布和生境条件等特征, 并对同类植被进行归纳和总结的志书。《中国植被志》是第一部对中国植被进行全面记述的志书, 预计完成约48卷110册。在借鉴《中国植被》(1980)(简称“80方案”)植被分类基本原则的基础上,《中国植被志》将对中国植被分类系统的高级分类单位(植被型组、植被型和植被亚型)进行归纳和总结, 对中级和低级分类单位(群系组、群系、亚群系, 群丛组、群丛)进行详细描述。植被高级分类单位的描述具有概括性质, 是在中国植被分类系统中级和低级分类单位描述的基础上, 对其在全球和中国境内的地理分布、自然环境、群落外貌、植被类型及多样性、优势种或共优势种、生物多样性保育价值以及资源现状等进行概述, 并对“80方案”相关内容进行修订和拓展, 将提供对中国植被基本特征客观、准确的记述。在植被中级和低级分类单位中, 群系组描述的内容包括地理分布、自然环境、群落外貌、植被类型以及价值与保育等内容; 群系描述的主要内容包括地理分布、自然环境、生态特征、物种组成、群落结构、群丛组和群丛的分类与描述、优势种的生物学特性、生物量与生产力、植被动态与演替以及价值与保育等方面。作为植被志研编的核心内容, 群丛组和群丛的分类与描述主要基于植被调查资料, 采用数量分类方法, 根据群落结构和物种组成的差异划分出不同的植被类型, 并对其基本特征进行定量描述和归纳。其中, 群落的层片结构、特定植被分类单元的特征种或特征种组的筛选与甄别是植被类型划分的关键环节; 而群落外貌, 群落结构, 物种组成, 各类物种的生长习性、生境的偏适性等是群丛组和群丛描述与归纳的重点内容。该文提出了中国植被中级和低级分类单位的命名方案, 其特点在于植被类型的科学名称中同时体现了植被分类单元特征种或优势种的名称及其所属的高级植被分类单位(植被型组或植被型)的名称, 兼顾了植被名称的规范性与实用性。《中国植被志》的研编工作由文献整编、群落调查、数据分析与整理、文本撰写等环节组成。该文对植被样方的调查与收集, 文献收集与整编, 气候、土壤、地形等相关数据的来源及其整理方法, 植被分类方法, 植被命名, 植被分类单元描述的内容, 植被志章节编写大纲、体裁及撰写等多个规范进行了详细的阐述或示例。     

An update of the vegetation classification in China

The vegetation classification in China was updated by referring to recent advances for vegetation classification worldwide and on the basis of our former paper Recognition and Proposal on the Vegetation Classification System of China (hereafter, “Recognition and Proposal”). In this revision, the criteria for vegetation classification were discussed and unified, and a quantified standard for high, medium, and low level units in a new hierarchical classification scheme was supplemented. Compared with the old classification scheme in “Recognition and Proposal”, the units at the level of vegetation type were substantially changed. Finally, in order to improve mutual communication among international peers, a comparison was carried out between the new revised scheme and each of International Classification and Mapping of Vegetation of UNESCO, The National Vegetation Classification Standard of United States, and The Braun-Blanquet Classification Scheme.