热带森林中的斑块动态与物种多样性维持

斑块作为景观要素之一，直接到景观结构的空间格局及其内部各要素之间的相互关系，其动态也将导致景观格局的变化。异质性的斑块在自然森林中是普遍存在的，这就是说，顶极森林中仍然存在着由不同种类或不同生长时期的植物种群组成的森林斑块。由自然或人为干扰所驱动的森林生长循环导致敢这些斑块在空间上的镶嵌，对于持定的地域片段，也导致了不同生长时期的森林斑块的周期性循环。在热带森林中，森林的生长循环由林窗期（ｇａｐ

Patch dynamics in tropical forests and the maintenance of tree species diversity

As one of the elements contributing to landscape, patches have direct effects on the spatial patterns of landscape and functional interactions among the landscape cells. Patch dynamics leads to the change in landscape patterns. Heterogeneous patches commonly occur in tropical forests. This is to say, climax forest also maintains patches of different species composition and community structure. Forest growth cycle induced by natural events or human disturbance brings about the spatial mosaic of different patches. In any spot of forest, the patches at different growth phases, i.e., gap phase, building phase and mature phase, turn over. In the process of the growth cycle, the replacement of floristic elements takes place, too. These patches, on the other hand, shift on the forest background. The species diversity of tropical forests is maintained in the dynamics of forest patches.