不同生态习性热带雨林树种的幼苗对光能的利用与耗散

研究了生长于100％、25％和8％光照条件下的热带雨林先锋树种团花、演替顶极阶段的冠层树种绒毛番龙眼和中下层树种滇南风吹楠幼苗的光合能力及光能分配特性对光强的响应。与绒毛番龙眼和滇南风吹楠相比,团花具有较高的最大光合速率和最大电子传递速率,从光能分配对光强的响应曲线可以看出,随着光强的增加,3个树种幼苗叶片吸收的光能分配到光化学反应的比例减少,分配到热耗散的比例增加,光能在光化学反应与热耗散之间的分配呈显著负相关,与其它两个种相比,100％光下的团花幼苗将较多的光能分配到光化学反应中,热耗散较弱且未达到饱和。过剩光能少,没有引起长期光抑制,绒毛番龙眼和滇南风吹楠将叶片吸收的较多光能分配到热耗散中,但生长于100％光下的幼苗过剩光能仍然较多,导致幼苗遭受长期光抑制,结果表明,不同生态习性热带雨林树种幼苗更新对光环境的要求与这些幼苗对光能的利用和耗散特性密切相关。     

绒毛番龙眼对生长光强的形态和生理适应

在100％、50％、25％和8％自然光强下栽培绒毛番龙眼幼苗并研究了其对光环境的适应。100％生长光强下绒毛番龙眼通过增大叶片悬挂角(midrib angle,MA)和比叶重(lamina mass per unit area,LMA),减少叶氮在捕光组分中的分配等降低光能捕获;通过增加类胡萝卜素含量增加热耗散。虽如此,还是发生了比较严重的光抑制,加之叶氮在光合机构中的分配最少,导致光合能力最低,长势最差。8％生长光强下绒毛番龙眼通过降低MA、LMA以及叶片技转,增加叶氮在捕光组分中的分配等提高光能捕获能力,光能转换及利用效率较高,热耗散水平较低,但由于环境光较弱,限制了光合碳同化,植株生长也较慢。50％和25％生长光强下绒毛番龙眼有较强的光能捕获、利用和耗散能力,在几种光处理中长势最好。     

光照对两种热带雨林树种幼苗光合能力、热耗散和抗氧化系统的影响

 研究了生长于不同光照条件下（100%、25%和8%光强）热带雨林冠层树种绒毛番龙眼（Pometia tomentosa）和中层树种滇南风吹楠（Horsfieldia tetratepala）幼苗的光合能力、热耗散、活性氧和保护性酶的活性。结果表明,绒毛番龙眼的最大光合速率随着生长光强的增加而提高,而滇南风吹楠在全光条件下的最大光合速率反比25%光照条件下的低。全光条件下两个树种光系统II的最大光化学效率（Fv/Fm）都显著降低,表明发生了长期光抑制。当把生长于遮荫条件下的幼苗移到全光下,从凌晨到中午随着光强的增加光抑制加剧,日落时生长于8%光照条件下的绒毛番龙眼及生长于8%和25%光照条件下的滇南风吹楠的光抑制不能完全恢复。非光化学猝灭对光强的响应曲线表明,随着生长光强的增加滇南风吹楠的热耗散能力增强,而生长在全光和25%光照条件下的绒毛番龙眼的热耗散能力都比滇南风吹楠的弱。两个树种叶片中O-[]·2、H2O2含量、SOD和CAT活性均随着生长光强的增加而提高;在同一光照条件下,绒毛番龙眼叶片中O-[]·2、H2O2含量、SOD和CAT活性显著高于滇南风吹楠。上述结果表明,在光抑制条件下,冠层树种绒毛番龙眼较大程度通过提高保护性酶的活性来保护光合机构免受损伤,而中层树种滇南风吹楠却较大程度通过增强非光化学猝灭来耗散过量光能;滇南风吹楠对强光的适应性差。     

西双版纳两种生态特性不同的外来草本植物对生长环境光强的适应策略

于干热季测定了紫茎泽兰和阳春砂仁叶片比叶重、色素含量、光合能力和叶绿素荧光动力学参数,探讨了它们适应环境光强的策略及其生理生态学机制。36 %光强下砂仁叶片光抑制较明显;10 0 %光强下紫茎泽兰光抑制不严重,光系统 最大光能转换效率和量子效率始终维持在较高水平。随着环境光强的升高,紫茎泽兰最大净光合速率(Pmax)、比叶重、非光化学猝灭系数(N PQ)和单位面积叶片类胡萝卜素含量升高,单位干重叶片叶绿素含量降低。紫茎泽兰能通过形态和生理特性的变化适应大幅度的光强范围,这可能是其表现强入侵性的重要原因之一。强光下紫茎泽兰热耗散并不多,主要通过提高Pmax利用更多的光能来保护光合机构,光系统 反应中心可逆失活也能耗散部分光能。虽然砂仁Pmax也能随生长环境光强的升高而增大,但其值较低,增幅不大,相反其热耗散的增加较多,N PQ较高,白天初始荧光明显低于黎明,表明砂仁主要是通过热耗散来保护光合机构。     

两种热带雨林树苗对环境光强变化的生理响应和适应机制

干季末雨季初以西双版纳热带雨林中木奶果和玉蕊2种树苗为材料,研究了将生长于12.5%自然光（相当于小林窗的光强）和36%自然光（相当于大林窗的光强）下的这2种树苗分别移至36%自然光和12.5%自然光下之后各自叶片最大净光合速率（Pmax）、叶绿素荧光参数、光合色素含量、比叶重（LMA）以及叶片悬挂角（MA）的变化过程,探讨了2种植物幼苗在生长环境光强改变后其形态和生理生态特性做出的相应调整以适应新的光环境的过程与机制。结果表明,这2种树苗均不适宜生长在大林窗的强光环境下,但木奶果对光环境的增强表现出一定的耐受力,光合适应潜力强于玉蕊,2种树苗对低光环境都能较好地适应;新叶的生成在整株植物对生长光环境变化的适应过程中也起到至关重要的作用。     

热带雨林冠层树种绒毛番龙眼两种发育阶段叶片的光抑制

 通过测定西双版纳热带雨林冠层树种绒毛番龙眼(Pometia tomentosa)完全伸展嫩叶和成熟叶的叶片解剖、生理特征和雨季晴天自然条件下叶绿素a荧光以及午间强光对部分保护酶活性和膜脂过氧化作用的影响,探讨了两种不同发育阶段叶片光合作用的光抑制与强光和温度的关系。结果表明：绒毛番龙眼全展嫩叶和成熟叶表现出明显的解剖和生理特征差异。与全展嫩叶相比,成熟叶的叶片较厚、叶绿素含量高、气孔导度大、羧化效率高、最大净光合速率和光饱和点高,而气孔密度和保卫细胞长度没有显著差别。在雨季晴天自然条件下,午间最高光强可达2 200 μmol·m-2·s-1以上,最高叶温比气温高7～8 ℃,而成熟叶片的最高温度比全展嫩叶高1.5～2 ℃。上午随光强的增大,两种叶片的非光化学猝灭系数（NPQ）增大,PSⅡ原初光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、实际光化学效率［(Fm′_Fs)/Fm′］逐渐减小,在15∶30左右达最小。下午随着光强的减弱,Fv/Fm逐渐恢复,在傍晚基本恢复到清晨值。初始荧光(F0)在一天中变化很小。这表明绒毛番龙眼叶片光抑制是非辐射能量耗散增加引起的保护光合机构免受光破坏的保护性反应,而非光破坏。全展嫩叶比成熟叶有较低的光化学效率和非辐射耗散能力,对强光和高温处理的敏感性也较强,但在自然条件下一天中的光抑制程度与成熟叶没有显著差别。田间午间强光导致两种叶片的保护酶活性(超氧化物歧化酶,SOD;抗坏血酸过氧化物酶,APX)升高,而H2O2含量变化较小。其中,全展嫩叶的保护酶活性高,丙二醛(MDA)含量低。这表明自然条件下,与成熟叶相比,绒毛番龙眼全展嫩叶通过较低的光能利用效率、较低的叶温和高的保护酶活性减轻了强光高温的光抑制程度。     

七种热带雨林树苗叶片气孔特征及其可塑性对不同光照强度的响应

对生长在荫棚3种不同光照条件下和全自然光下的热带雨林4个冠层种(望天树、绒毛番龙眼、团花、红厚壳)和3个中层种(玉蕊、藤黄、滇南风吹楠)树苗叶片气孔特征以及它们的可塑性进行了研究、结果表明,这些植物的气孔全部着生在远轴面．7种植物中,玉蕊和绒毛番龙眼的气孔密度较大,滇南红厚壳和团花的保卫细胞最长．随光强的增大,气孔密度和气孔指数增大,单位叶气孔数在低光强下较大．除团花外,其它植物叶片气孔导度在50％光强处最大,而光强对保卫细胞的长度影响不显著．相关分析表明,气孔密度与植物单位叶的面积呈负相关。而与气孔导度的相关性不显著、尽管两种不同生活型植物气孔指数和单位叶气孔数在不同光强下的可塑性差异较小,但冠层树种气孔密度和气孔导度的可塑性显著高于中层树种．     

夜间低温对2种热带雨林树种幼苗叶绿素荧光的影响

研究了夜间低温(5℃±1℃,12h,连续3个晚上)对生长于3种光照条件下(100%、25%和8%光照)的热带雨林冠层树种绒毛番龙眼(Pometiatomentosa)和中层树种滇南风吹楠(Horsfieldiatetratepala)幼苗叶绿素荧光的影响。结果表明:低温处理使生长于全光下的绒毛番龙眼幼苗的Fv/Fm(PSII最大光化学量子产量)急剧降低,中午发生了强烈的光抑制,但随着低温胁迫的解除Fv/Fm能很快恢复,表明没有发生不可逆的光氧化损伤。低温使生长于全光和25%光照条件下2个树种幼苗的NPQ(非光化学猝灭,热耗散)受到抑制,但没有引起2个树种幼苗Fo(初始荧光)的升高,不会导致幼苗PSII反应中心的失活。2种热带雨林植物对低温的抗性可能与这些植物的地理分布和历史渊源有关。     

生长光强对4种热带雨林树苗光合机构的影响

于雾凉季研究了西双版纳热带雨林 4种植物幼苗对光抑制及光破坏的防御。发现不同光强下生长的玉蕊和滇南红厚壳日间光抑制均较团花树和滇南插柚紫重 ,在中光强下还发生了长期光抑制。中光强下生长的团花树和滇南插柚紫叶绿素含量降低 ,光合能力升高 ,同时增加热耗散量 ,维持光能平衡 ,避免了光破坏的发生。中光强下玉蕊和滇南红厚壳减少光能吸收、提高热耗散的同时 ,发生了光系统II光化学量子产量长期下调。中光强下生长的 4种植物叶片的类胡罗卜素的绝对含量并不高 ,但单位叶绿素的类胡罗卜素含量显著升高 ,相对保护作用增强。先锋树种团花树类胡罗卜素含量低于另 3种植物 ,这与其较低的热耗散速率相一致 ,光合能力的提高对其光破坏的防御有重要的作用     

不同光强对两种桤木幼苗光合特性和抗氧化系统的影响

通过搭建荫棚设置3种不同的光强, 模拟森林幼苗生长的旷地(砍伐迹地)、林窗和林下光照环境(分别为100%、56.2%和12.5%的全光照), 比较研究了外来种台湾桤木(Alnus formosana)和乡土种桤木(A. cremastogyne)幼苗的叶形态、光合能力、热耗散和抗氧化酶的活性, 探讨了两树种幼苗对光强的适应及光保护策略。结果表明: 在3种光强下, 一定光强范围内随着光强的增加, 两种桤木幼苗的比叶重(LMA)、类胡萝卜素(Cars)、类胡萝卜素/叶绿素(Cars/Chl)和抗氧化酶(超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX))活性升高, 最大净光合速率(P_max)、光饱和点(LSP)、光补偿点(LCP)和非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)具有升高的趋势; Chl含量和瞬时光能利用效率(LUE)降低; 净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、气孔限制值(L_s)升高, 胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)降低, 推测P_n降低的主要因素是非气孔限制, 表明两种桤木幼苗均能适应不同的生长光强。生长在相同光强下, 桤木幼苗光抑制现象比台湾桤木幼苗严重, 台湾桤木幼苗对光强适应能力较强。随着光照强度的增加, 台湾桤木幼苗NPQ增加不显著, 热耗散较少, 相同光强下P_max和抗氧化酶活性显著高于桤木幼苗, 而桤木幼苗随着光强的增加热耗散显著, 表明在光抑制时, 台湾桤木幼苗主要是通过提高P_max利用光能和抗氧化酶系统进行保护性调节, 桤木幼苗则通过天线系统非辐射耗散将过剩的光能以热能的形式消耗掉。     

Gap regeneration of major tree species in different forest types of Japan

Gap regeneration of major tree species was examined, based on the pattern of gap phase replacement, in primary old-growth stands of warm-temperate, cool-temperate and subalpine forests, Japan. Using principal component analysis, the gap-regeneration behavior of major tree species could be divided into three guilds and that of Fagus crenata (monodominant species of cool-temperate forests). The criteria used for this division were total abundance of canopy trees and regenerations and relative abundance of regenerations to canopy trees. The gap-regeneration behavior of species in the first guild was that canopy trees regenerate in gaps from seedlings or saplings recruited before gap formation; they had higher total abundance and more abundant regenerations relative to their canopy trees. The gap-regeneration behavior of F. crenata was same as species in the first guild, but F. crenata had less abundant regenerations relative to its canopy trees. Species in the second guild had lower total abundance and less abundant regenerations to their canopy trees. The guild contained species whose canopy trees regenerate in gaps from seedlings or saplings recruited after gap formation or regenerate following largescale disturbance. The third guild consisted of species with lower total aboundance and more abundant regenerations relative to their canopy trees. The gap-regeneration behavior of some species in this guild was that trees regenerate in gaps from seedlings or saplings recruited before gap formation, and grow, mature, and die without reaching the canopy layer, while the gap-regeneration behavior of other species was same as that of species in the first guild or F. crenata. Major tree species of subalpine forests were not present in the third guild.     

Cultivation of Non‐timber Forest Products Alters Understory Light Availability in a Humid Tropical Forest in Mexico1

The planting of non‐timber forest products (NTFPs) in the understory of tropical forests is promoted in many regions as a strategy to conserve forested lands and meet the economic needs of rural communities. While the forest canopy is left intact in most understory plantations, much of the midstory and understory vegetation is removed in order to increase light availability for cultivated species. We assessed the extent to which the removal of vegetation in understory plantations of Chamaedorea hooperiana Hodel (Arecaceae) alters understory light conditions. We also examined how any changes in light availability may be reflected by changes in the composition of canopy tree seedlings regenerating in understory plantations. We employed a blocked design consisting of four C. hooperiana plantation sites; each site was paired with an adjacent, unmanaged forest site. Hemispherical canopy photographs were taken and canopy tree seedlings were identified and measured within 12 3 × 2 m randomly placed plots in each site for a total of 96 plots (4 blocks × 2 sites × 12 plots). Plantation management did not affect canopy openness or direct light availability but understory plantations had a higher frequency of plots with greater total and diffuse light availability than unmanaged forest. Comparisons of canopy tree seedling composition between understory plantations and unmanaged forest sites were less conclusive but suggest that management practices have the potential to increase the proportion of shade‐intolerant species of tree seedlings establishing in plantations. Given the importance of advanced regeneration in gap‐phase forest dynamics, these changes may have implications for future patterns of succession in the areas of forest where NTFPs are cultivated.     

Phylogenetic Structure of Tree Species across Different Life Stages from Seedlings to Canopy Trees in a Subtropical Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forest

Investigating patterns of phylogenetic structure across different life stages of tree species in forests is crucial to understanding forest community assembly, and investigating forest gap influence on the phylogenetic structure of forest regeneration is necessary for understanding forest community assembly. Here, we examine the phylogenetic structure of tree species across life stages from seedlings to canopy trees, as well as forest gap influence on the phylogenetic structure of forest regeneration in a forest of the subtropical region in China. We investigate changes in phylogenetic relatedness (measured as NRI) of tree species from seedlings, saplings, treelets to canopy trees; we compare the phylogenetic turnover (measured as β_NRI) between canopy trees and seedlings in forest understory with that between canopy trees and seedlings in forest gaps. We found that phylogenetic relatedness generally increases from seedlings through saplings and treelets up to canopy trees, and that phylogenetic relatedness does not differ between seedlings in forest understory and those in forest gaps, but phylogenetic turnover between canopy trees and seedlings in forest understory is lower than that between canopy trees and seedlings in forest gaps. We conclude that tree species tend to be more closely related from seedling to canopy layers, and that forest gaps alter the seedling phylogenetic turnover of the studied forest. It is likely that the increasing trend of phylogenetic clustering as tree stem size increases observed in this subtropical forest is primarily driven by abiotic filtering processes, which select a set of closely related evergreen broad-leaved tree species whose regeneration has adapted to the closed canopy environments of the subtropical forest developed under the regional monsoon climate.     

Effects of drought and fire on seedling survival and growth under contrasting light conditions in a seasonal tropical forest

Question: How do tree seedlings differ in their responses to drought and fire under contrasting light conditions in a tropical seasonal forest? Location: Mae Klong Watershed Research Station, 100–900 m a.s.l, Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand. Method: Seedlings of six trees, Dipterocarpus alatus, D. turbinatus, Shorea siamensis, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Xylia xylocarpa var. kerrii and Sterculia macrophylla, were planted in a gap and under the closed canopy. For each light condition, we applied (1) continuous watering during the dry season (W); (2) ground fire during the dry season (F); (3) no watering/no fire (intact, I). Seedling survival and growth were followed. Results: Survival and growth rate were greater in the gap than under the closed canopy for all species, most dramatically for S. siamensis and P. macrocarpus. Dipterocarpus alatus and D. turbinatus had relatively high survival under the closed canopy, and watering during the dry season resulted in significantly higher survival rates for these two species. Watering during the dry season resulted in higher growth rates for five species. All seedlings of D. alatus and D. turbinatus failed to re‐sprout and died after fire. The survival rates during the dry season and after the fire treatment were higher for the seedlings grown in the canopy gap than in the shade for S. siamensis, P. macrocarpus, X. xylocarpa var. kerrii and S. macrophylla. The seedlings of these species in the canopy gap had higher allocation to below‐ground parts than those under the closed canopy, which may support the ability to sprout after fire. Conclusions: The light conditions during the rainy season greatly affect seedling survival and resistance to fire during the subsequent dry season. Our results suggest differentiation among species in terms of seedling adaptations to shade, drought and fire.     

林隙对香樟和枫香幼苗早期生长阶段功能性状的影响

探究林隙对不同需光性树种早期生长特征和功能性状的影响,对揭示林隙微生境影响次生林内幼苗更新机制具有重要意义。以亚热带次生林中耐荫常绿树种香樟和阳性落叶树种枫香幼苗为试验对象,研究大林隙(D/H介于1.5—2.0)、中林隙(D/H介于1.0—1.5)和小林隙(D/H介于0.5—1.0)对不同需光树种幼苗早期(1—3年生)生长特征和功能性状的影响。结果表明：(1)林隙大小对两种幼苗的生长均有显著影响。其中,中林隙可显著促进香樟2—3年生幼苗的生长,大林隙对枫香1—3年生幼苗的生长均具有显著促进作用。(2)对林隙环境因子与幼苗功能性状的关系进行冗余分析表明,香樟幼苗功能性状的变化与林隙土壤有机质含量、水解性氮含量、酸碱度和有效磷含量密切相关,而枫香幼苗功能性状则主要受林隙土壤酸碱度、有机质含量、水解性氮含量、土壤含水率、冠层透光率和土壤有效磷含量的影响。(3)维持较高的根重比、细根比根长、叶碳氮比和叶碳磷比是幼苗应对林隙环境影响的重要生理生态调节机制。     

Invasion of broad-leaf tree species into a larch plantation: seasonal light environment, photosynthesis and nitrogen allocation

We have studied how tree seedlings with differing leaf phenological traits change their nitrogen allocation in seasonally changing light environments. Specifically, we have investigated seasonal changes in maximum leaf photosynthetic rates in situ, and changes in nitrogen, chlorophyll and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (Rubisco) content. We have also estimated nitrogen allocation characteristics from leaf nitrogen to photosynthetic proteins, light-harvesting protein and other proteins in four successional tree species growing in a larch plantation. The gap phase species, Magnolia hyporeuca Siebold et Zucc., displays higher photosynthetic rates to compensate for the short leafy period and allocates more nitrogen to Rubisco. In contrast, tree species that grow at the forest floor, Prunus ssiori F. Schmidt and Carpinus cordata Blume, use the leafless period of the canopy trees to change their allocation of nitrogen from Rubisco to chlorophyll in line with canopy closure. Quercus mongolica Fischer ex Ledeb. var. crispula (Blume) Ohashi is a mid-successional tree species, and maintains a high photosynthetic rate in September because it allocates more nitrogen to Rubisco. We conclude that phenological differences in tree seedlings are clearly reflected in the nitrogen allocation pattern at gaps and at the forest floor in larch plantations.     

长白山红松阔叶混交林林冠空隙树种更新动态规律的研究

分析了长白山红松阔叶混交林林冠空隙(Gap)内更新树种的数量特征.结果表明, 在34个林冠空隙中, 更新乔木树种出现频度为7.27%, 更新灌木树种出现频度为21.02%, Gap形成后, 阳性先锋树种首先侵入, 出现频度较高, 占据较宽的生态位, 随着Gap年龄的增加, 树种间的竞争逐渐增大, 阳性树种的生长逐渐受到限制, 阴性树种逐渐增多;Gap年龄与Gap郁闭度和Gap面积呈负相关, Gap面积与树种出现频度呈负相关;Gap年龄主要分布在5～15a和46～55a两段期间, 树种出现频度与Gap年龄存在着密切关系, 当Gap年龄小于25a时, 二者呈正相关;当Gap年龄在25～40a时, 二者呈负相关;当Gap年龄大于40a时, 树种出现频度趋于稳定;34个Gap内4种主要乔木更新树种和4种主要灌木更新树种的胸径均基本上呈正态分布, 乔木更新树种的最高点胸径为4～6cm径级, 灌木更新树种的最高点胸径为1.2cm径级.     

Ecological distribution of homobaric and heterobaric leaves in tree species of Malaysian lowland tropical rainforest

Tree species can generally be classified into two groups, heterobaric and homobaric leafed species, according to whether bundle-sheath extensions (BSEs) are found in the leaf (heterobaric leaf) or not (homobaric leaf). In this study, we study whether the leaf type is related to the growth environment and/or life form type, even in a tropical rain forest, where most trees have evergreen leaves that are generally homobaric. Accordingly, we investigated the distribution of leaf morphological differences across different life forms of 250 tree species in 45 families in a tropical rainforest. In total, 151 species (60%) in 36 families had homobaric leaves, and 99 species (40%) in 21 families had heterobaric leaves. We found that the proportion of heterobaric and homobaric leaf species differed clearly across taxonomic groups and life form types, which were divided into five life form types by their mature tree heights (understory, subcanopy, canopy, and emergent species) and as canopy gap species. Most understory (94%) and subcanopy (83%) species such as Annonaceae had homobaric leaves. In contrast, heterobaric leaf trees appeared more frequently in the canopy species (43%), the emergent species (96%) (such as Dipterocarpaceae), and the canopy gap species (62%). Our results suggest that tree species in the tropical rainforest adapt to spatial differences in the environmental conditions experienced at the mature height of each tree species, such as light intensity and vapor pressure difference, by having differing leaf types (heterobaric or homobaric) because these types potentially have different physiological and/or mechanical functions.     

辽东山区次生林乔木优势树种幼苗更新动态

以辽东山区次生林4 hm²动态监测样地为平台,2014—2016年连续3年对样地进行乔木优势树种幼苗调查和半球面影像拍摄,分析森林更新过程中林下乔木幼苗和冠层结构的动态,研究幼苗的天然更新规律及其对冠层结构变化(以叶面积指数LAI的变化来表示)的响应.结果表明: 调查期间冠层LAI先减少后增加,且存在显著的年际差异.12种乔木优势树种幼苗对冠层结构变化存在明显的响应,且不同树种幼苗的响应明显不同;中性树种幼苗的相对多度或频度一般会随着冠层LAI的减小而增大;阳性树种幼苗的相对多度或频度一般会随着冠层LAI的增大而减小.2014—2016年乔木优势树种幼苗的多响应置换过程分析表明,优势树种幼苗的数量组成和分布存在显著差异,且年际间的差异逐渐减少.调查期间优势树种幼苗指示种发生明显变化,也反映出其对冠层结构变化的响应.     

Do carbon-based defences reduce foliar damage? Habitat-related effects on tree seedling performance in a temperate rainforest of Chiloé Island, Chile

Carbon-based secondary compounds (CBSCs), such as phenols or tannins, have been considered as one of the most important and general chemical barriers of woody plants against a diverse array of herbivores. Herbivory has been described as a critical factor affecting the growth and survival of newly established tree seedlings or juveniles then, the presence of secondary metabolites as defences against herbivores should be a primary strategy to reduce foliar damage. We examined whether light-induced changes in leaf phenolic chemistry affected insect herbivory on seedlings of two rainforest tree species, Drimys winteri (Winteraceae) and Gevuina avellana (Proteaceae). Seedlings of both species were planted under closed canopy and in a canopy gap within a large remnant forest patch. Half of the seedlings in each habitat were disinfected with a wide-spectrum systemic insecticide and the other half were used as controls. Seedling growth, survival, and foliar damage (estimated by an herbivory index) due to insect herbivores were monitored over a period of 16 months (December 2001–April 2003). The total leaf content of phenols and condensed tannins were assessed in seedlings from both habitats. As expected, access to light induced a greater production of CBSCs in seedlings of both tree species, but these compounds did not seem to play a significant defensive role, as seedlings grown in gaps suffered greater leaf damage than those planted in forest interior. In addition, in both habitats, seedlings without insecticide treatment suffered a greater foliar damage than those with insecticide, especially 16 months after the beginning of the experiment. Canopy openness and herbivory had positive and negative effects, respectively, on seedling growth and survival in both tree species. In conclusion, despite the higher levels of defence in tree-fall gap, the higher densities of herbivore override this and lead to higher damage levels.