A study on the niches of the state’s key protected plants in Bawangling,Hainan Island

Aims An understanding on the living communities of the state’s key protected wild plants and the ability in utilizing resources and occupying ecological spaces by different populations is essential to the protection and propagation of rare and endangered plant species. We use our findings to highlight the knowledge gaps in the conservation strategies for the endangered species.
Methods Field investigations were conducted during 2009-2011. Based on the survey data on 70 forest plots in the Bawangling protected area, the niche breadths and overlaps of 12 species listed as the state’s key protected plants were calculated and analyzed.
Important findings The 12 species, by their niche breadth values in descending order, include Aquilaria sinensis, Nephelium topengii, Camellia sinensis var. assamica, Alseodaphne hainanensis, Keteleeria hainanensis, Podocarpus imbricatus, Firmiana hainanensis, Parakmeria lotungensis, Cephalotaxus mannii, Michelia hedyosperma, Ixonanthes reticulata, Dacrydium pierrei. The niche breadth value of a species is closely related to its range of geographical distribution; both Dacrydium pierrei and Parakmeria lotungensis had a narrow niche breadth corresponding to their narrow ranges of altitudinal distribution. In general, the niche overlap value is higher between species with greater niche breadth; the highest niche overlap value of 0.872 was found between Camellia sinensis var. assamica and Keteleeria hainanensis. However, the niche overlap value between species with smaller niche breadth could also be high; e.g. the niche overlap value was relatively high (0.693) between two species with smaller niche breadth, Michelia hedyosperma and Firmiana hainanensis, indicating that niche overlap value is dependent upon the biological characteristics and requirements for environmental resources of the species of comparison. Some species with low niche breadth values (e.g. Michelia hedyosperma and Ixonanthes reticulata) were found to have smaller populations. Due to lack of suitable community and habitats, these plant species are in dire need of more attention and prioritization for conservation. In conclusion, for the better protection and propagation of these endangered plants in the future, we should combine knowledge of their biological characteristics with that of their living communities such as the montane rainforests, etc.     

海南霸王岭海南油杉群落优势种群的种间联结性研究

基于2×2联列表,应用X2统计量、共同出现百分率、联结系数和多物种关联指数为参数,研究分析了海南油杉（Keteleeriahainanensis）所在群落19个主要种群的种间联结性特征。结果表明,19个主要种群在总体水平上表现为不显著的正联结。19个种群组成的171个种对中,有87对表现为正关联,82对为负关联,2对无关联。X2检验有6对表现显著或极显著正关联,有5对表现显著或极显著负关联。有144个种对0     

海南霸王岭山地原始林与伐后林中木质藤本对支持木的选择

通过对海南霸王岭热带山地原始林与伐后林中树木及其攀附木质藤本的调查,研究原始林与伐后林中木质藤本对支持木的选择性。结果表明:1)6科优势树木中附藤率最高的是野牡丹科(Melastomataceae),附藤率最低的科,原始林中是山矾科(Symplocaceae),伐后林中是茜草科(Rubiaceae)。2)原始林中,谷木(Memecylon ligustrifolium)与线枝蒲桃(Syzygiumaraiocladum)的附藤比率和每木藤本数均高于样地平均水平;三角瓣花(Prismatomeris tetrandra)和龟背灰木(Symplocosandenophylla)的附藤比率均低于样地平均水平,而每木藤本数与样地平均水平之间没有显著差异。伐后林中,谷木的附藤比率和每木藤本数高于样地平均水平;九节(Psychotria rubra)的附藤比率和每木藤本数低于样地平均水平。3)杜仲藤(Parabariummicranthum)的主要支持木是谷木,夜花藤(Hypserpa nitida)的主要支持木是线枝蒲桃。研究表明,木质藤本对支持木在科和种水平上都具有选择性,因此木质藤本会对树木造成不对称影响,进而影响森林的结构和动态。