Spatial patterns of trees and juveniles in a laurel forest of Tenerife, Canary Islands

Spatial patterns are important characteristics of the forest and theycan reveal such things as successional status and ecological characteristics ofthe species. We tested the hypothesis that spatial distribution will bedifferent, depending on whether the species is intolerant or tolerant to shade.We assessed the spatial distribution of trees (> 4 cm dbh) andjuveniles in eight laurel forest plots. A univariate spatial analysis(performed with Ripley's K₁) showed that all tree species havesignificantaggregation at short distances (2 m). Nevertheless, two groups ofspecies could be differentiated: Erica scoparia,Myrica faya and Ilex canariensisshowed a tendency for aggregation at large distances (larger than 6m)while L. azorica and Prunuslusitanicashowed aggregation only at shorter distances. Ripley's BivariateK_1,2 analyses showed no significant differences in the spatialdistribution ofanalyzed species pairs from a null model. Only Laurusazoricahad a sufficient sample size for analysis of juvenile distribution. Aunivariateanalysis revealed thatL. azorica seedlings (stems < 50 cm high)were clumped in some plots up to 5 m, but this was not consistent.Saplings (stems > 50 cm high and < 4 cm dbh)didnot show strong clumping even at short distances. L.azoricasaplings had no significant aggregation with, nor repulsionfrom, adults of the same or different species. Spatial patterns of the speciesshould be considered in the development of restoration plans of the laurelforest 90%of which has disappeared or been intensively disturbed on Tenerife Island.     

采用Strauss-Hardcore模型研究不同导管构型被子植物的导管空间分布特征

被子植物木质部导管的分布格局非常多样, 并且与木质部的输水功能有密切的联系, 然而在木材解剖学中对导管分布格局往往采用定性描述, 不利于分析该特征与物种的水力功能、生态地理分布的关系。该文采用点格局分析方法, 依据木材孔型、导管空间排列和导管群集度三类木材宏观结构特征组合, 选取不同导管分布类型的17种代表性阔叶树种, 利用Strauss-Hardcore模型对其木质部横切面解剖影像进行定量分析。Strauss-Hardcore模型能够很好地拟合木质部中导管二维空间位点的分布特征, 该模型的3个参数: 硬核距离、局部聚集距离、点对交互作用强度(局部聚集指数)都有着明确的生物学意义。传统解剖学对导管构型的定性分类同模型相比不能准确表现被子植物的木质部导管空间分布特征, Strauss-Hardcore模型的局部聚集度指数主要受导管群集度影响, 尤其是复导管和导管团的存在都会增大导管小尺度聚集程度。对散孔材、半环孔材的生长轮及环孔材的晚材部分解剖图像分析表明, 导管以单导管为主且没有明显分布方向的散孔材树种, 其木质部导管点对交互作用强度为负值, 局部聚集指数一般小于0.4, 导管空间分布依次在3个局部尺度表现出排斥-排斥-随机格局; 而导管具有径向、弦向、锯齿形等明显目视识别特征的物种, 无论孔型和是否以单复导管为主, 其导管点对交互作用强度为正值, 局部聚集指数均大于0.4, 导管依次在3个局部尺度上表现出排斥-聚集-随机的分布格局。采用点过程模型有利于准确描述导管二维空间分布规律, 增强对导管空间格局形成机理的理解, 可有力地支撑木质部三维导管系统的理论研究和木质部结构-功能的实验研究。     

Long-term fire frequency variability in the eastern Canadian boreal forest: the influences of climate vs. local factors

The influence of climatic and local nonclimatic factors on the fire regime of the eastern Canadian boreal forest over the last 8000 years is investigated by examining charred particles preserved in four lacustrine deposits. Herein, we compare the distribution of fire-free intervals (FFIs) and the synchronicity of fire events among sites, using Ripley's K -function to determine the extent of the role of local-scale vs. large-scale processes with respect to fire control. Between 8000 and 5800 cal. bp (calibrated years before present) the climatic and ecological conditions were less conducive to fire events than after this date. After 5800 cal. bp , the number of fires per 1000 years (fire frequency) progressively increased, reaching a maximum ca. 3400 cal. bp . There was a sharp decrease in fire frequency during the last 800 years. Between 8000 and 4000 cal. bp , comparable FFIs and synchronous fire episodes were determined for the study sites. During this period, the fire frequency was predominantly controlled by climate. After 4000 cal. bp , two sites displayed independent fire histories (different FFI distributions or asynchronous fire events), underlining the important influence of local factors, including short-term fuel wetness, characteristics of the watershed and landscape connectivity, in determining fire occurrence. We conclude that climatic changes occurred during the last 4000 years that induced a rise in the water table; this may explain the high spatial heterogeneity in fire history. Current and projected global climatic changes may cause similar spatial variability in fire frequency.     

Ripley''s K(d)函数分析种群空间分布格局的边缘校正

Ripley’sK(d)函数是分析种群空间分布格局最常用的方法,边缘校正是此方法的关键问题。传统的边缘校正包括3种情形：(i)圆完全包含在样地内;(ii)圆与样地的一条边相交;(iii)圆与样地的两条边相交,并有2个或3个交点。实际上,还存在第(iv)种情形,即圆与样地两条边相交有4个交点的情形。本文从数学上证明,传统边缘校正中,当边缘校正属于第(iv)种情形时,仍按第(iii)种情形进行校正,必然导致权重估计偏大,L(d)值偏高,从而影响结果分析。采用我国东北长白山天然云冷杉林样地资料验证了此结论。结果表明,天然云冷杉林中,3个优势种群林木分布格局特点是：鱼鳞云杉和臭冷杉的分布格局曲线非常相近,而与椴木的差异较大。原因是鱼鳞云杉和臭冷杉具有相似的生态学特性。椴木在小尺度显著聚集,因为椴木常在林隙更新。相比较而言,建群种云冷杉分布的均匀程度要比椴木高。     

天山云杉种群空间格局与动态

天山云杉(Picea schrenkiana)林是天山林区的重要针叶林。研究调查了两块分别代表天山云杉不同演替阶段的标准地,应用Ripley’s K系数法研究了天山云杉种群空间格局与动态。结果表明：天山云杉是聚集型种群,天山云杉活立木、枯死木、天山桦(Betula tianschanica Rupr．)和天山柳(Salix tianschanica Rgl．)的空间格局均为聚集型;天山云杉枯死木的聚集强度大于天山云杉活立木的聚集强度;天山桦和天山柳的聚集强度大于天山云杉枯死木的聚集强度;天山桦和天山柳的空间格局随种群所处的演替阶段不同而不同,增长型种群在所有尺度上其空间格局都为聚集型,在大于70m尺度上表现为均匀格局,而天山云杉成熟林中的天山桦和天山柳只在小尺度(0～40m)上表现为聚集。随着天山云杉的生长,其聚集强度逐渐减小,聚集半径不断增大。从50a以下天山云杉到50～100a的天山云杉其聚集强度急速减小,这有利于天山云杉幼树获得足够的资源,是天山云杉幼树的一种生存策略或适应机制。150a以上天山云杉的聚集强度增加,这是由于天山云杉生长到150a左右时开始出现成熟后死亡,形成林窗有利于天山云杉林的更新。研究还对Ripley’s K系数法和频次检验法进行了比较,Ripley’s K系数法能够分析各种尺度下的种群空间格局,且不受样方大小的影响,结果清楚、直观。     

天山云杉天然林不同林层的空间格局和空间关联性

天山云杉(Picea Schrenkiana)林是天山林区的重要针叶林。研究调查了分别代表天山云杉增长型种群和成熟型种群的两块标准地,应用Ripley's K系数法研究了天山云杉更新层、低林层、中林层和高林层的空间格局和不同林层的空间关联性,并应用Moran's I系数法研究了不同林层的林木高度的空间自相关性。结果表明:所有林层的天山云杉活立木都是显著聚集的,只是发生聚集格局的强度和聚集尺度不同。更新层天山云杉具有最大的聚集强度,从更新层到低林层,聚集强度急速降低。两块标准地中天山桦(Betula tianschanica Rupr.)、天山柳(Salix tianschanica Rgl.)和天山云杉活立木的空间关联性的表现不同。研究结果表明:增长型种群中天山桦、天山柳在所有尺度上都抑制天山云杉的生长;而成熟型种群中天山桦、天山柳在1-10 m尺度内对天山云杉种群的生长没有影响,10-40 m表现出正相关,40 m以上没有表现出明显的关联性;同时天山桦、天山柳基本上在所有尺度都抑制天山云杉的更新。在更新层和低林层间表现出正相关;而更新层和枯死木之间的空间关联性为正相关。     

梭梭种群不同发育阶段的空间格局与关联性分析

运用点格局法中的Ripley'sK(r)函数的变形L(r)函数和g(r)函数,对古尔班通古特沙漠不同生境下不同发育阶段梭梭种群的空间格局及关联性进行了研究。结果表明:L(r)函数显示梭梭种群格局倾向于聚集分布,且集中分布在0-25m尺度范围内,而g(r)函数分析在小于3m的尺度上呈聚集分布,大于3m的尺度后波动较小,最大聚集尺度表现在0-10m范围内;梭梭在不同发育阶段过程中,L(r)和g(r)函数都显示由幼苗、幼树的聚集分布变为成年树的随机分布,甚至在某些尺度上变为均匀分布,同时幼苗幼树向成年树过渡过程中,梭梭的聚集强度呈逐渐减弱趋势。在关联性分析中,L(r)函数分析中正关联维持的尺度范围较g(r)函数大。L(r)函数分析幼苗与幼树、成年树在0-15m尺度内呈现正关联,g(r)函数在0-5m范围内表现为正关联,而幼树与成年树在0-10m尺度内多呈负关联,且两个大小级的形体大小差异越大,它们的正关联关系越弱,甚至表现为负关联或无关联。幼苗幼树的聚集分布和正关联是梭梭种子的传播和密度制约的一个平衡,对梭梭种群的生存和发展是有利的。另外,梭梭种群分布格局的强度在不同地形也存在差异,奎屯平地比五家渠的聚集强度和关联性大,缓坡差异较小,这说明地形对各种资源的再分配间接地影响了梭梭的格局。总体上看,同时应用L(r)和g(r)函数进行梭梭空间格局与关联性分析时结果不尽相同。L(r)函数的最大值可以反映典型的聚集尺度,而g(r)函数中出现的第1个最大值可以表示植株间典型距离。在小尺度下两种函数分析所得空间格局是一致的,而在大尺度上有较大差异。g(r)函数在小尺度范围内的分析结果更接近实际情况,有利于揭示出梭梭空间格局与生态过程有联系的"关键尺度",说明梭梭为了适应恶劣环境往往表现为聚集分布,这种聚集生长现象有利于个体的生存与繁衍。因此,联合使用L(r)函数和g(r)函数更有利于揭示植物个体间的关系。     

Anisotropy analyses of population distribution patterns

Direction-dependence,or anisotropy,of spatial distribution patterns of vegetation is rarely explored due to neglect of this ecological phenomenon and the paucity of methods dealing with this issue.This paper proposes a new approach to anisotropy analysis of spatial distribution patterns of plant populations on the basis of the data resampling technique (DRT) combined with Ripley's L index.Using the ArcView Geographic Information System (GIS) platform,a case study was carried out by selecting the population of Pinus massoniana from a needle- and broad-leaved mixed forest community in the Heishiding Nature Reserve,Guangdong Province.Results showed that the spatial pattern of the P massoniana population was typically anisotropic with different patterns in different directions.The DRT was found to be an effective approach to the anisotropy analysis of spatial patterns of plant populations.By employing resampling sub-datasets from the original dataset in different directions,we could overcome the difficulty in the direct use of current non-angular methods of pattern analysis.