云南苍山火烧迹地不同恢复期地表蜘蛛群落多样性

为了解云南苍山针阔混交林火烧迹地恢复过程地表蜘蛛群落多样性变化,于2009年1月份-2009年12月份,运用陷阱法,以“空间序列代替时间序列”,调查了苍山森林火干扰后不同恢复期样地(火干扰后2、10、18、23、33a和对照样地)地表蜘蛛多样性.研究结果表明,(1)物种组成及相对多度:不同恢复期随着恢复时间的增加优势类群更替趋势明显;(2)多样性:恢复1Oa样地地表蜘蛛群落多度显著大于其他恢复期(P＜0.05),而不同恢复期地表蜘蛛物种多样性却没有显著差异;(3)群落相似性:PCoA相似性分析将地表蜘蛛群落发展过程划分为火烧后2a、火烧后10a和火烧后18-33a 3个阶段;(4)指示物种:西菱头蛛Sibianor sp.1等是阶段1的指示物种,格氏狼蛛Lycosa grahami等是阶段2的指示物种,花蟹蛛Xysticus sp.2等是阶段3的指示物种,弱蛛Leptoneta sp.1等是对照的指示物种.火干扰改变了苍山针阔混交林原有的地表蜘蛛群落多样性;指示物种对生境的选择能够反映出不同恢复阶段地表环境变化;5个不同恢复时期火烧迹地中恢复最久的火烧迹地地表蜘蛛群落仍没有完成恢复,说明云南苍山火迹地地表蜘蛛的恢复需要30a以上.     

云南松混交林火烧迹地更新早期草本层物种多样性的空间格局

云南松(Pinus yunnanensis)林是我国西南地区最为广布的针叶林。火烧是云南松林常见的一种自然(或人为)干扰, 但对云南松林火后更新群落的物种多样性特征很少研究。该研究以云南禄丰县勤丰镇2013年“4.13”火灾后云南松混交林火烧迹地更新早期群落草本层为研究对象, 设置了47条1000 m²样带进行群落和环境因子调查, 探讨火烧后更新早期群落草本层的物种构成与丰富度的空间格局及其影响因素。结果表明: 火后更新草本层按物种构成可分为4个群落类型; 草本层物种丰富度受地形和火前群落冠层的影响显著, 与立木生物量和地形坡度正相关, 而与坡位和海拔负相关, 但与火烧强度没有显著的相关性。样带内草本群落β多样性与火前立木胸面积及火烧强度显著正相关, 而与海拔和坡位负相关。总体上, 生境地形特征、火前冠层和火烧强度构成了火烧后早期群落草本层物种构成与丰富度变化的主要控制因子。此外, 一年生和多年生草本物种的更新格局及其对环境的响应存在显著差异。     

火干扰对云南苍山地表蜘蛛群落生活型组成及季节动态的影响

为揭示不同蜘蛛类群对火干扰的敏感程度及蜘蛛群落外貌对环境变化产生的响应, 本文选取苍山针阔混交林2007年火烧迹地作为调查样地, 以无火烧记录的样地为对照, 运用陷阱法调查地表蜘蛛群落生活型及季节动态。研究结果显示: (1)火烧迹地中朱氏狂蛛(Zelotes zhui)(相对优势度 DV' =33.03)、晨豹蛛(Pardosa chionophila) (DV'=22.53)和西菱头蛛一种(Sibianor sp.1)(DV'=8.75)占明显优势; 而对照样地中龙隙蛛一种(Draconarius sp.2) (DV'=63.50)占绝对优势; (2)火烧迹地的定居型蜘蛛相对多度为25.82%, 显著少于游猎蜘蛛(P<0.001); 而对照样地的定居型蜘蛛相对多度为92.07%, 显著高于游猎蜘蛛(P<0.001); (3)火烧迹地地表蜘蛛优势类群随季节更替明显, 在夏季和冬季多度为低谷期; 对照样地优势类群稳定, 为漏斗蛛科蜘蛛。研究表明, 火干扰改变了苍山针阔混交林地表蜘蛛群落生活型组成, 降低了定居型蜘蛛的相对多度和地表蜘蛛群落的季节稳定性。     

火烧强度对兴安落叶松群落叶片功能性状及功能多样性的影响

林火是北方针叶林的重要生态因子,直接影响火烧迹地物种多样性及功能多样性,进而影响森林群落的演替.以牙克石地区火后自然恢复12年的兴安落叶松群落为研究对象,在群落尺度上分析火烧迹地土壤养分含量、叶片功能性状、物种多样性和功能多样性在不同火烧强度(轻、中和重度火烧)下的变化规律.结果表明: 火烧显著降低了土壤全氮含量,对土壤全磷含量无显著影响.轻、中度火烧有助于维持群落较高的物种多样性和功能多样性;中度火烧显著增加了群落的物种多样性,物种丰富度指数、Shannon指数、Simpson指数和Pielou均匀度指数均在中度火烧时有最大值;火烧降低了群落的功能丰富度和功能离散度指数,二者分别在中、轻度火烧时最大(除未过火外),而群落的功能均匀度和二次熵指数在林火干扰后增加,轻度火烧后最大.随火烧强度增加,叶干物质含量、叶组织密度和叶磷含量总体呈显著增大趋势,而比叶面积、叶含水量、叶氮含量和叶N∶P则表现出未过火>中度火烧>轻度火烧>重度火烧的规律,叶片厚度呈先增大后减小的变化规律.火烧强度对森林群落的叶片功能性状和功能多样性均有显著影响,且适度的火干扰对森林群落的恢复具有促进作用.     

临安次生灌丛植物多样性对林火烈度空间异质性的响应

以同一过火3a后临安市太阳镇天然次生灌丛为对象,采用样地调查法按不同林火烈度设置火干扰样地进行植物群落调查,以检验林分内部的林火烈度异质性是否与局部的植物多样性变化相关。结果表明:研究区共有高等植物83种,分属于38科67属,群落区系组成以亚热带科属为主,表现出常绿阔叶林已退化过渡到位于演替早期阶段的落叶次生灌丛群落的性质;低林火烈度对灌木层的树种组成有影响,但不明显;中烈度林火对灌木层的物种组成影响较大;低、中林火烈度下草本层的物种组成变化都很明显;灌木层的物种数和多样性指数都表现出低烈度火未火烧中烈度火的趋势;草本层的物种数、多样性指数和均匀度指数表现出中烈度火低烈度火未火烧的趋势;草本层的物种组成和多样性受林火烈度的影响较灌木层更大。研究表明次生灌丛群落过火区内部林火烈度异质性在初期会引起植物多样性的响应差异;低烈度火干扰可以增加次生灌丛生物多样性、促进群落更新;中烈度火干扰下木本植物物种多样性丧失较大,而草本植物多样性显著增加,不利于群落的正向演替。     

苍山火烧迹地蜘蛛群落类型及多样性的量化分析

本研究以"空间序列"代替"时间序列"的研究方法以云南大理苍山地区6个不同时期的火烧迹地为基础,采用群落聚类分析和排序的方法,结合回归分析,探讨了火烧迹地的生境类型、演替历史、季节和海拔梯度对蜘蛛群落类型及多样性的影响.共采集到蜘蛛标本21942号,291种,分属于34科.聚类分析表明,火烧地蜘蛛群落总体可以分为2大群落,即落叶层-树皮下群落和地上(包括草丛、灌木和乔木层)蜘蛛群落; 生境类型是影响蜘蛛群落类型的重要因素,而演替历史对群落分类的影响也值得重视.排序分析表明,生境类型是影响火烧地蜘蛛群落的物种组成与群落结构的重要因素,这与群落的聚类分析结果是一致的.回归分析表明,演替历史、季节和生境类型明显影响火烧地蜘蛛群落的多样性.其中,影响最明显的因素是演替历史,其次是季节和生境类型.     

大兴安岭重度火烧迹地地表土壤节肢动物群落特征

火是生态系统的主要干扰因子之一,直接影响地表土壤动物群落多样性。为了解大兴安岭火烧迹地地表土壤动物群落恢复状况,于2016年6月和8月,选取松岭区南瓮河国家级自然保护区内2006年落叶松白桦混交林重度火烧迹地为实验样地、未受干扰的混交林为对照样地,采用陷阱法研究地表土壤节肢动物群落组成与多样性。本研究共捕获地表土壤节肢动物17 460只,隶属5纲14目57科85属。其中大型土壤节肢动物隶属4纲11目36科55属,优势类群为铺道蚁属（Tetramorium）;中小型土壤节肢动物隶属2纲3目18科30属,优势类群为球角跳属（Hypogastrura）。整体而言,重度火烧迹地地表土壤节肢动物总个体数多于对照样地,而总类群数低于对照样地,但仅大型地表土壤节肢动物个体数明显低于对照样地（P < 0.05）。研究时段,8月份中小型土壤节肢动物的个体数明显高于6月份（P < 0.05）。群落多样性分析表明,重度火烧迹地与对照样地的地表土壤节肢动物群落多样性指数差异性不显著（P > 0.05）,其中6月份中小型地表土壤节肢动物Shannon-Wiener指数、Pielou均匀度指数与Margalef丰富度指数明显低于8月份（P < 0.01）,而6月份Simpson优势度指数高于8月份（P < 0.01）。火烧迹地与对照样地土壤节肢动物群落相似性系数为0.78,不同月份之间地表土壤节肢动物群落相似性均为0.43,表明地表土壤节肢动物群落总体变化较小,但地表土壤节肢动物群落随时间发生改变。地表土壤节肢动物对研究区域资源的利用存在明显的差异（P < 0.01）,重度火烧迹地可共同利用资源增多,对照样地可共同利用资源少而优势现象明显。重度火烧迹地地表主要土壤动物类群因可利用资源增加而导致生态位重叠指数增加。典型判别分析显示,地表土壤节肢动物群落受火烧干扰影响,且存在明显的季节变化。     

不同火烧强度迹地林下灌草层物种多样性及其与土壤因子的关系

为揭示胶东丘陵区麻栎黑松混交林过火后林下灌丛群落结构和多样性变化,探究群落物种分布和多样性指数与土壤因子之间的相互关系,该研究以威海仙姑顶中度、轻度、未过火林地为研究对象,对不同火烧强度林地进行土壤的定量分析和植物物种多样性调查,并运用典范对应分析法(CCA)和冗余分析法(RDA)进行排序,以明确影响不同火烧迹地林下灌丛群落物种多样性的关键土壤因子。结果表明:(1)各林地丰富度、多样性、均匀度指数在群落垂直方向上均表现为草本层大于灌木层。灌木层丰富度、多样性、均匀度指数均随火烧强度的增加先升后降,轻度火烧达到最大值,是灌丛群落特征变化的关键转折期;草本层Patrick、Shannon-Wiener和Simpson指数逐渐降低,Margalef指数先降低后微弱上升,均在未过火林地达到最大值,均匀度指数各林地无显著差别(P0.05)。(2)未过火与中度火烧地之间的Morista-Horn指数在灌木层、草本层和灌草层中均为最小,β多样性最高,林下物种组成差别迥异;轻度与中度火烧地在灌木层次上物种异质性较高,未过火与轻度火烧地在草本层次上拥有较高异质性的物种更替。(3)中度和轻度火烧地林下灌丛群落大致均可分为3个类群,未过火林下灌丛植物疏离分散,则未形成类群;中度火烧影响植物物种多样性的正向主要因子为碳氮比(C/N),逆向主要因子为全磷(TP)、全钾(TK);轻度火烧正向因子为氮磷比(N/P),逆向因子为pH;未过火林地物种多样性受多种土壤因子的共同作用。(4)火烧提高了林下灌丛群落物种更替速率,增加了灌木层物种多样性,降低了草本层物种多样性,轻度火烧地的物种丰富度水平较高,火烧迹地影响群落物种多样性的因子既有相似性又存在差异性,TK和TP是火烧迹地物种多样性的共同影响因子,磷(P)是火烧迹地物种多样性的共同限制性元素。     

大兴安岭北坡落叶松林火后植被演替过程研究

采用由植被空间序列推断时间系列的方法 ,分析大兴安岭呼中林区近 2 0年来不同火烧迹地植被变化情况。结果表明 ,森林火后初始 ,植物尤其是草本物种迅速增多 ,火烧迹地的植被主要由草本所占据 ,但随着时间的推移 ,草本物种不仅在数量上有明显减少 ,在物种组成上有很大的变化 ,而且盖度也逐渐减少。灌木及乔木物种由于种类较少 ,在种类及组成上演替初期变化不如草本明显 ,但是盖度却逐渐增多。在本地区火后植被次生演替过程中 ,高频物种所占的比例较高且呈上升趋势 ,这明显有悖于Raunkiaer频度定律关于在相对稳定的群落中高频物种所占的比例应相对较低的规律。另外 ,不同火烧迹地间灌木的物种相似度明显高于草本的物种相似度 ,火烧年份相近的火烧迹地上的草本物种相似度要明显高于火烧年份远的草本物种相似度 ,但灌木间的物种相似度却没有出现这种现象 ,没有明显的规律。     

大兴安岭白桦-兴安落叶松林火烧迹地林下植被群落恢复过程的动态分析

火干扰在森林生态系统的发育过程中起到重要作用,直接影响着森林生态系统的物种组成、结构稳定性和物种多样性。本文通过调查大兴安岭兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii)-白桦(Betula platyphylla)林林下植被,采用空间序列代替时间序列的研究方法,分析了大兴安岭北方针叶林火烧迹地林下植被的恢复过程。研究表明:1)在灌木层和草本层中林分结构的变化主要表现在一些旱生物种与中湿生物种的替代过程;2)物种多样性随着群落演替顺序未呈现连续增加趋势。在草本层,物种丰富度指数呈先上升后下降的单峰型变化趋势,在火烧后5~8年达到一个峰值,随着进一步的演替有所下降;物种多样性指数也表现出类似的单峰型变化趋势,在火烧后的第5年达到最大值,15年左右开始趋于平稳,20年左右达到一个较为稳定的数值;物种均匀度指数在火烧后5年左右达到最低值,随后上升并最终趋于平稳。在灌木层,物种多样性指数的变化趋势基本与草本物种相同,但滞后于草本群落3~5年;3)林下层的生物量随恢复年份呈指数增加,到25年时生物量达10.5t·hm-2。     

林火对植物根围丛枝菌根真菌多样性的影响

林火是森林生态系统的一种主要干扰因子,以青岛市三标山林火迹地为研究对象,采集荆条(Vitex negundo)、胡枝子(Lespedeza bicolor)、花木蓝(Indigofera kirilowii)、青花椒(Zanthoxylum schinifolium)和野青茅(Deyeuxia arundinacea)5种优势植物根围土壤,研究不同林火强度对丛枝菌根(AM)真菌多样性的影响。结果表明,AM真菌侵染率和孢子密度随火灾强度的加强而降低;非过火区植物根围土壤中,分离鉴定出AM真菌3属11种,轻度过火区分离鉴定出AM真菌3属10种,中度过火区分离鉴定出AM真菌3属9种,重度过火区分离鉴定出AM真菌3属8种。过火区AM真菌种丰度低于非过火区。过火区和非过火区AM真菌的重要值和优势种不同,非过火区植物根围的优势种是地球囊霉(Glomus geosporum)、台湾球囊霉(G.taiwanensis)、分支巨孢囊霉(Gigaspora ramisporophora)、极大巨孢囊霉(Gi.gigantean)、福摩萨球囊霉(G.formosanum)、悬钩子球囊霉(G.rubiforme)、柯氏无梗囊霉(Acaulospora koskei)和松蜜无梗囊霉(A.thomii);轻度过火区植物根围的优势种是地球囊霉和台湾球囊霉;中度过火区的是台湾球囊霉和地球囊霉(野青茅除外);重度过火区植物根围的优势种是地球囊霉。不同强度的过火区对AM真菌群落组成有不同程度的影响。认为林火降低植物根围土壤中AM真菌多样性。     

Differences in ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of original and reconstructed tallgrass prairies in northeastern Iowa, USA, and impact of 3-year spring burn cycles

Ground beetle assemblages were monitored at four tallgrass prairie sites burned on 3-year cycles in northeastern Iowa. The objectives of this study were to quantify differences in carabid communities between original and reconstructed tallgrass prairies, and to determine the responses of ground beetles to 3-year cycles of early spring fire commonly used to manage tallgrass prairies. Using pitfall traps, ground beetle assemblages in two original and two reconstructed tallgrass prairies were compared between 1994 and 1998, where beetles were sampled annually (0-, 1-, and 2-year post-fire conditions) from plots burned every 3 years. When burned, the greatest abundance, activity density, and species richness of carabid beetles occurred the year immediately following a spring burn, with abundance declining steadily with increased time since burning. Overall ground beetle diversity as determined by Shannon's diversity index was greatest in original tallgrass prairies several years after a fire. Some species of ground beetles were found only in original prairies, while others were found primarily in reconstructed prairie. Similarly, some species were more abundant the year immediately following a burn, while others were found in greater abundance with increased time since fire. NMS ordination and indicator species analysis clearly show differences in carabid species between original and reconstructed tallgrass prairies, but did not show differences among burn treatments.     

Effects of fire disturbance on the soil physical and chemical properties and vegetation of Pinus massoniana forest in south subtropical area

A variety of studies on the impact of fire disturbance on ecosystems has shown that the physical and chemical properties of soil after fire disturbance change notably. Meanwhile, little is known about the effects of different fire intensities on the soil properties and vegetation after fire disturbance, especially in the south subtropical area. In this paper, we analyzed the soil physical and chemical properties, vegetation species and species diversity of fire center, fire edge (which was burned a year ago) and non-burned Pinus massoniana plantation in Gaoyao, Guangdong province, China. The results showed that the soil conductivity, water content, total nitrogen, total potassium, and available potassium content of fire center were significantly higher than those of the non-burned land, and pH was higher than that of fire edge, whereas the available nitrogen, total phosphorus and organic matter content were much lower, which were generally existed in 0–10 cm soil layer and 10–30 cm soil layer. Changes of the soil properties of fire edge were similar with those of fire center, but less significant, and seemed to be more complex. Effects of burning on the vegetation of fire disturbance plots were found to be notable, species number and average height of plants of fire disturbance plots were lower than those of the non-burned plots, a difference of species diversity and uniformity were also shown, and finally, the composition of plant community also changed, e.g., pioneer species such as D. dichotoma, etc., dominated, and drought-resistant plants, heat-resistant plants and positive plants increased after burning.     

Intra-annual variations in abundance and species composition of carabid beetles in a temperate forest in Northeast China

In most habitats in temperate zones, species show clear intra-annual shifts in abundance and species composition. Here we aimed to present a comprehensive picture of community composition and seasonal dynamics of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest in Northeast China, which harbors a large diversity. We sampled 23,336 individuals from 14 genera and 39 species with pitfall traps over more than 1 year in a 25-ha plot. The six most abundant species accounted for 76.65 % of all individuals. Species estimations for the 25 ha plot ranged from 40 to 45 species. Overall abundance, species diversity, community composition, and abundance of individual species varied seasonally. Most of the abundant species showed an activity pattern of single peak, and were most active between July and early September. Few species showed a bimodal seasonal activity pattern. Both temperature and precipitation significantly influenced the carabid community within a year. Hierarchical clustering indicated that carabid communities of ten consecutive sampling periods could be partitioned into three time-windows, respectively, corresponding with warm temperature-high rainfall season, warm temperature-low rainfall season, and cool and cold season. By using the extended method of indicator species analysis, 11 indicator species were identified for the three time-groups and their combinations, suggesting the existence of temporal niche partitioning among carabid species. We suggest that intra-annual patterns of carabid abundance and species composition can be explained by species responses to seasonal changes in hydrothermal conditions. Cost-effective sampling effort to assess native carabid diversity and assemblage was also discussed in this study.     

Post-fire recovery of ant communities in Submediterranean Pinus nigra forests

This study analyzes the variations in the structure and composition of ant communities in burned Pinus nigra forests in central Catalonia (NE Spain). Pinus nigra forests do not recover after fire, changing to shrublands and oak coppices. For this reason, we suggest that ant communities of burned P. nigra forests will change after fire, because the post‐fire scenario, in particular with the increase of open areas, is different to the unburned one, and more favourable for some species than for others. In four locations previously occupied by P. nigra forests where different fires occurred 1, 5, 13 and 19 yr before the sampling, we sampled the structure and composition of ant communities with pitfall traps, tree traps and net sweeping in unburned plots and in plots affected by canopy and understory fire. The results obtained suggest that canopy and understory fire had little effect on the structure of ant communities. Thus, many variables concerning ant communities were not modified either by fire type (understory or canopy fire) or by time since fire. However, a number of particular species were affected, either positively or negatively, by canopy fire: three species characteristic of forest habitats decreased after fire, while eight species characteristic of open habitats increased in areas affected by canopy fire, especially in the first few years after fire. These differences in ant community composition between burned and unburned plots imply that the maximum richness is achieved when there is a mixture of unburned forests and areas burned with canopy fire. Moreover, as canopy cover in P. nigra forests burned with canopy fire is not completed in the period of time studied, the presence of the species that are characteristic of burned areas remains along the chronosequence studied, while the species that disappear after fire do not recover in the period of time considered. Overall, the results obtained indicate that there is a persistent replacement of ant species in burned P. nigra forests, as is also the case with vegetation.     

转植酸酶基因玉米对步甲群落动态的影响

本研究以陷阱法研究转植酸酶基因玉米及其亲本玉米在整个生长季节对地表步甲类群的影响。每个玉米品系设置6块样地, 两个玉米品系交替排列, 每个样地设置2个采样点, 共设置24个样点, 整个玉米生育期取样8次。本研究共采集步甲标本8 012头, 隶属于11属23种, 其中黄斑青步甲Chlaenius micans个体数量分别占个体总数的87.54%, 为玉米田内的主要常见物种, 蠋步甲Dolichus halensis、 后斑青步甲Chlaenius posticalis和单齿蝼步甲Scarites terricola个体数量分别占除黄斑青步甲之外所有步甲个体总数的34.77%, 31.16%和6.21%, 这些物种组成当地玉米田内的常见物种。步甲物种多样性与常见物种个体数量随季节变化明显, 且转植酸酶基因玉米与其亲本玉米田内步甲物种多样性和常见物种个体数量的季节变化趋势相似度较高。重复测量方差分析（Repeated ANOVA）结果表明, 转植酸酶基因玉米对步甲物种丰富度、 物种多度、 香农威纳多样性指数和均匀度指数均没有显著影响; 转植酸酶基因玉米田内的后斑青步甲个体数量明显增加, 但其他常见物种没有显著变化。基于非度量多维度（NMDS）的群落结构分析表明转植酸酶基因玉米与亲本玉米田内的步甲群落结构非常相似。本文结果表明转植酸酶基因玉米的种植对步甲物种多样性及常见物种没有明显影响。     

The effects of green tree retention and subsequent prescribed burning on ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in boreal pine-dominated forests

We studied how two methods to promote biodiversity in managed forests, i.e. green tree retention and prescribed fire, affect the assemblages of carabid beetles. Our experiment consisted of 24 study sites, each 3–5 ha in size, which had been prepared according to factorial design. Each of the eight treatment combinations determined by the two factors explored – tree retention level (0, 10, 50 m³/ha^?1 and uncut controls) and prescribed use of fire (yes/no) – was replicated three times. We sampled carabids using pitfall traps one year after the treatments. Significantly more individuals were caught in most of the burned sites, but this difference was partially reflective of the trap‐catches of Pterostichus adstrictus. The fire did not increase no. of P. adstrictus in the uncut sites as much as in the other sites. Species richness was significantly affected by both factors, being higher in the burned than in the unburned sites and in the harvested than in the unharvested sites. Many species were concentrated in the groups of retention trees in the burned sites, but only a few were in the unburned sites. The species turnover was greater in the burned than in the unburned sites, as indicated by the NMDS ordinations. Greater numbers of smaller sized species and proportion of brachypterous species were present in the burned sites. Fire‐favored species, and also the majority of other species that prefer open habitats were more abundantly caught in the burned sites than in the unburned sites. Dead wood or logging waste around the traps did not correlate with the occurrence of species. We conclude that carabids are well adapted to disturbances, and that frequent use of prescribed fire is essential for the maintenance of natural assemblages of carabid beetles in the boreal forest. Small retention tree groups can not maintain assemblages of uncut forest, but they can be important by providing food, shelter and breeding sites for many species, particularly in the burned sites.     

Resistance to wildfire and early regeneration in natural broadleaved forest and pine plantation

The response of an ecosystem to disturbance reflects its stability, which is determined by two components: resistance and resilience. We addressed both components in a study of early post-fire response of natural broadleaved forest (Quercus robur, Ilex aquifolium) and pine plantation (Pinus pinaster, Pinus sylvestris) to a wildfire that burned over 6000 ha in NW Portugal. Fire resistance was assessed from fire severity, tree mortality and sapling persistence. Understory fire resistance was similar between forests: fire severity at the surface level was moderate to low, and sapling persistence was low. At the canopy level, fire severity was generally low in broadleaved forest but heterogeneous in pine forest, and mean tree mortality was significantly higher in pine forest. Forest resilience was assessed by the comparison of the understory composition, species diversity and seedling abundance in unburned and burned plots in each forest type. Unburned broadleaved communities were dominated by perennial herbs (e.g., Arrhenatherum elatius) and woody species (e.g., Hedera hibernica, Erica arborea), all able to regenerate vegetatively. Unburned pine communities presented a higher abundance of shrubs, and most dominant species relied on post-fire seeding, with some species also being able to regenerate vegetatively (e.g., Ulex minor, Daboecia cantabrica). There were no differences in diversity measures in broadleaved forest, but burned communities in pine forest shared less species and were less rich and diverse than unburned communities. Seedling abundance was similar in burned and unburned plots in both forests. The slower reestablishment of understory pine communities is probably explained by the slower recovery rate of dominant species. These findings are ecologically relevant: the higher resistance and resilience of native broadleaved forest implies a higher stability in the maintenance of forest processes and the delivery of ecosystem services.     

Stand- and plot-level changes in a boreal forest understory community following wildfire

Background: Boreal forest understory plant communities are known to be resilient to fire – the species composition of stands after a fire is quite similar to the pre-fire composition. However, we know little about recovery of individual plants within particular locations in forest stands (i.e. plot-level changes) since we usually do not have pre-fire data for plots.

Aims: We wanted to determine whether species recruited into the same or different locations in a Pinus banksiana stand that experienced a severe wildfire.

Methods: We used pre-existing permanent plots to evaluate the cover of understory after an unplanned wildfire.

Results: Across the entire stand nine of 47 species showed a significant change in cover. The largest change in a plant functional group was in the mosses, with all species present before fire being eliminated. There was no change in species diversity or total cover. At the plot level, species composition showed a much greater change. An average of 47% of the species present in a plot before the fire were absent in the same plot after the fire, and the total species turnover in plots was 88% of the species present before the fire. The plots showed a similar shift in species composition.

Conclusions: These results confirm that boreal forest communities show a high degree of resilience to fire, but within a forest stand species will be found in different locations following fire, potentially exposing them to a different set of biotic and abiotic conditions in these new locations.     

The effects of vegetation types and microhabitats on carabid beetle community composition in cool temperate Japan

The effects of vegetation types and environmental factors on carabid beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) communities were studied. Carabid beetles were collected using pitfall traps (total 2844 trapping days) and seven microenvironmental factors were measured in four vegetation types: grassland, natural evergreen coniferous forest (Pinus densiflora), deciduous broad-leaved natural forest (Quercus crispula, Betula platyphylla, Alnus japonica, or Fagus crenata), and deciduous coniferous plantation (Larix kaempferi) in cool temperate Japan. These four vegetation types provided a novel comparison between natural forests and plantations because the vast majority of related studies have investigated only deciduous broad-leaved natural forests and evergreen coniferous plantations. PERMANOVA indicated that vegetation types affected carabid community composition. Ordination plots showed that community composition differed greatly between grassland and forest vegetation types, but that community composition in the plantation forest overlapped with that of natural forest types. Characteristics differentiating the grassland included a high proportion of winged species and a low mean carabid body weight. Among the examined environmental factors, litter depth, soil water content, and depth of the soil A-horizon had large effects on carabid communities. These results suggest that the effect of afforestation on carabid communities in cool temperate Japan might be insignificant compared with the effects of cover types (deciduous vs. evergreen) and microenvironmental factors.