The Nature of Seedling Assemblages in a Fragmented Tropical Landscape: Implications for Forest Regeneration

Whether aging forest fragments are able to recover original assemblages or progressively move toward impoverished successional stages remains as an open question. This study tested the hypothesis that seedling assemblages in forest fragments differ from those across mature forest stands and examined to what extent the uncovered patterns supported the notion that edge‐affected habitats tend to support impoverished tree assemblages dominated by pioneer species. We contrasted a series of small forest remnants (3–91 ha) to old‐growth stands located in the largest (ca 3500 ha) and best preserved forest remnant in northeastern Brazil and found that tree seedling assemblages inhabiting forest fragments exhibited reduced species richness (up to 50%) at different spatial scales in comparison to seedling assemblages in mature forest and adult assemblages in both fragments and mature forest stands. Moreover, ordination analyses clearly segregated fragment seedling assemblages in taxonomic/functional terms and segregation correlated to the richness of pioneer species. Seedlings of pioneer species and those bearing medium‐sized seeds (0.6–1.5 cm) increased in fragments, whereas large‐seeded species (1.5–3.0 cm) were reduced by more than a half. Such a multiple‐scale replacement of the old‐growth flora by pioneers was also confirmed by an indicator species analysis and the resulting pioneer indicator species. Our results suggest that small forest fragments support impoverished and distorted seedling assemblages. This floristic/functional drift implies that forest remnants or edge‐affected habitats tend to be dominated by a small set of pioneer tree species rather than supporting a substantial portion of the old‐growth flora as do mature forest stands.     

Germination and Establishment of Tillandsia eizii (Bromeliaceae) in the Canopy of an Oak Forest in Chiapas, Mexico

We assessed the effectiveness of repopulating the inner canopy and middle canopy of oak trees with seeds and seedlings of the epiphytic bromeliad Tillandsia eizii. Canopy germination was 4.7 percent, considerably lower than in vitro (92%). Of the tree-germinated seedlings, only 1.5 percent survived 6 mo. In contrast, 9.3 percent of transplanted laboratory seedlings survived 15 mo. To repopulate trees, we recommend transplanting laboratory-grown seedlings, as large as practically possible, to branches in the middle canopy.     

茂兰喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林群落组成和优势种更新类型

为探讨茂兰喀斯特森林群落结构和优势种更新机制,对茂兰自然保护区常绿落叶阔叶混交林群落进行了调查。结果表明,群落中有木本植物37科58属70种,以樟科、蔷薇科、无患子科和漆树科为主。常绿树种41种,占总种数的58.6%;落叶树种29种,占总种数的41.4%,这体现了喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林的群落学性质。群落的优势乔木树种有轮叶木姜子(Litseaverticillata)、青冈栎(Cyclobalanopsisglauca)、狭叶润楠(Machilusrehderi)和翅荚香槐(Cladrastisplatycarpa)等。灌木优势种有皱叶海桐(Pittosporumcrispulum)、裂果卫矛(Euonymusdielsianus)、革叶铁榄(Sinosideroxylonwightianum)和南天竹(Nandina domestica)等。优势种种群结构有5种类型:单峰型,如樱桃(Cerasus pseudocerasus)、南酸枣(Choerospondias axillaris)等阳性乔木,为林窗更新种,随林窗的郁闭将衰退消失;逆J字型,如轮叶木姜子、香港四照花(Dendrobenthamia hongkongensis)、皱叶海桐等耐荫性强的常绿阔叶树种,更新能力较强,为顶极群落优势种;间歇型,如青冈栎、狭叶润楠、齿叶黄皮(Clausena dunniana)等树种,群落中的个体多集中在小径级阶段,能长期存在于群落中;L字型,如桂皮(Cinnamomumtamala)、梓叶槭(Acer catalpifolium)、革叶铁榄等;单柱型,如石岩枫(Mallotus repandus)、南天竹等常绿灌木树种,个体集中于幼苗、幼树阶段,为顶极群落亚乔木层和灌木层的主要组成种。因此,这表明调查区域的植物群落处于相对稳定的顶极阶段。     

Determining the Pattern of Oak Woodland Regeneration for a Cleared Watershed in Northwest California: A Necessary First Step for Restoration

Historically, oak woodlands of northern California have been subject to intensive tree and brush removal efforts to improve land for livestock grazing. As a result of this tree removal, these watersheds are susceptible to soil erosion and stream degradation. Therefore, planting woody vegetation is often required to restore watershed function. Prior to such actions, a thorough understanding of natural vegetation regeneration patterns is essential. The physical and biological attributes of natural vegetation regeneration in a cleared watershed were characterized using remote sensing, a Geographic Information System, and field surveys. A 79‐ha watershed at the University of California's Hopland Research and Extension Center was examined because the clearing of vegetation was part of a well‐documented experiment in the early 1960s, providing essential baseline data. The results of this study reveal that significantly more oak regeneration, consisting mostly of evergreen oaks, occurred on moister and steeper northerly slopes. Deciduous oaks, located primarily on drier and less steep southerly slopes, have not regenerated. Hardwood regeneration was associated with Josephine, Los Gatos, and Maymen soils. The distribution of hardwood regeneration is clustered, suggesting that the presence of other trees may promote regeneration. These results also suggest that without active restoration efforts such as tree planting and seedling protection, southerly slopes will most likely remain barren and erosion will continue, while northerly slopes and riparian areas will recover under the current land management practices. Despite some woody plant regeneration, the once densely forested watershed is now predominantly grassland, emphasizing the need to minimize clearing of California oak woodlands.     

广西石栎林分类的研究

石栎林属于常绿阔叶林的一个群系组,在广西见有粤桂石栎林、华南石栎林、烟斗石栎林和长果石栎林4个群系。前者主要见于中亚热带地区山地,后三者分布在南亚热带范围的山地。文中主要论述其群落分类、种类组成和动态变化,为其科学管理提供基本资料和依据。     

Long-term change in growth, mortality and regeneration of trees in Denny Wood, an old-growth wood-pasture in the New Forest (UK)

Long-term changes in stand composition and structure were recorded in Denny Wood (New Forest, UK) by means of a permanent transect covering 2 ha. Denny is an ancient, mixed deciduous wood-pasture dominated by beech (Fagus sylvatica), pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) and holly (Ilex aquifolium) whose canopy trees ranged in age from approximately 70 years to over 300 years when the study began in 1956. Individual trees, shrubs and saplings were mapped and measured at irregular intervals until 1996.

During the 40 years of observations, storms and drought disrupted the stand. Considerable volumes of dead wood accumulated, and canopy gaps extended to 30% of the transect area. Small trees and saplings were severely damaged by ponies and grey squirrels. Regeneration ceased after 1964, due principally to heavy grazing and browsing by deer and ponies. Despite the disturbances, most mortality was due to competitive exclusion within well-stocked parts of the stand.

Historical records from the 17th century onwards demonstrate a long-term change from oak dominance with groups of beech before 1800 to beech dominance in the late 20th century. The stand through which the transect now runs was enclosed in 1870, and this allowed beech to regenerate abundantly, but in the nearby unenclosed part of Denny Wood holly regenerated more abundantly than beech.

The patterns of growth, mortality and regeneration are compared with natural temperate deciduous woodland. The long-term relationship between beech and oak is likely to involve periodic oak regeneration after major disturbances, interspersed with steady increases in the proportion of beech. The implications for managing and monitoring the “Ancient and Ornamental Woods” of the New Forest are considered.     

Effects of Tree Guards and Weed Mats on the Establishment of Native Tree Seedlings: Implications for Forest Restoration in Hong Kong, China

The effects of tree guards and weed mats on establishment and growth of native tree seedlings, Thick‐leaved oak (Cyclobalanopsis edithiae (Skan) Schott., Fagaceae), planted in an exposed hillside grassland in Hong Kong, were investigated. The natural regeneration of C. edithiae is poor due to a lack of seed dispersal agents and high seed predation, and therefore, this species is often targeted for forest restoration. The experiment lasted for 3.5 years during which the height, basal diameter, and crown diameter of individual seedlings were measured and survivorship recorded. The use of weed mats alone did not have a significant effect, but a combination of tree guards and weed mats led to a significant improvement in establishment, survivorship, and growth of the seedlings during the experimental period. Initially, the guards promoted rapid height growth of the seedlings, although lateral growth and secondary stem thickening were compromised. After the seedlings grew over the tree guards, the basal diameter and crown diameter increased at a notably faster rate. The combined effect of the tree guard and weed mat on the seedling growth pattern was found to be beneficial and contributed to the high survivorship of the seedlings. Comparing the survivorship data and the costs of various treatments, the use of tree guards in combination with the weed mats was demonstrated to be more cost‐effective than planting the seedlings without tree guards or weed mats. The potential for applying the technique in afforestation programs with native tree species for forest restoration in Hong Kong and other tropical regions is discussed.     

福建三明不同更新方式的米槠林物种多样性研究

本文从α多样性尺度总结三种不同更新方式的米槠林群落的物种多样性状况。结果表明,不同更新方式的米槠林群落中,物种丰富度、多样性指数和均匀度表现为天然更新> 人促更新> 人工造林。天然更新和人促更新米槠林是在皆伐迹上未经炼山发育起来的群落,而人工造林米槠林是从火烧迹地上发育的。天然更新米槠林处于演替的中级阶段,未达到顶级群落;而人促更新和人工造林米槠林则处于衰退阶段。     

贡嘎山峨眉冷杉林原生扰动土壤溶质运移的持续降雨模拟研究

以人工持续(5d)降雨模拟方式研究了贡嘎山物眉冷杉林原生土壤地表覆被层破坏后土壤中矿质元素与营养盐的迁移输出动态与规律。模拟降雨采用当地最为常见的小到中雨雨型（5.7-26mm/h),壤中流以垂直入渗为主,并滞后于降雨0.2-4.2h,通过0模拟实验发现,降雨总量和降雨事件的持续时间对壤中流产生量的影响比单位时间降雨强度的影响更为明显,在持续降雨影响下,主要离子（Mg^2 ,Ca^2 ,Cl^-,SO4^2-和Na^ K^ ）和营养盐（NH4^ -N,NO3^--N和活性磷酸盐）在短期内急剧流失,模拟降雨的第1天,壤中流结束时离子浓度仅为初始时浓度的29%,营养盐浓度为初始浓度的21%-55%。至第3天,上述离子和营养盐输出浓度趋于恒定,约为首日降雨壤中流初始浓度的1%-15%,在主要矿质元素流失后,原生土壤内过程转为有机质控制的HCO3^-输出过程,伴随着土壤矿质养分的输出,土壤缓冲能力下降,壤中流pH值由6.1降为5.2,研究结果表明,贡嘎山区峨眉冷杉林原生土壤系统十分脆弱,养分易于流失,对人类活动的敏感性很高。     

Age and Long-term Growth of Trees in an Old-growth Tropical Rain Forest, Based on Analyses of Tree Rings and 14C1

In an old‐growth tropical wet forest at La Selva, Costa Rica, we combined radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating and tree‐ring analysis to estimate the ages of large trees of canopy and emergent species spanning a broad range of wood densities and growth rates. We collected samples from the trunks of 29 fallen, dead individuals. We found that all eight sampled species formed visible growth rings, which varied considerably in distinctiveness. For five of the six species for which we combined wood anatomical studies with ¹⁴C‐dates (ring ages), the analyses demonstrated that growth rings were of annual formation. The oldest tree we found by direct ring counting was a Hymenolobium mesoamericanum Lima (Papilionaceae) specimen, with an age of ca. 530 years at the time of death. All other sampled individuals, including very large trees of slow‐growing species, had died at ages between 200 and 300 years. These results show that, even in an everwet tropical rain forest, tree growth of many species can be rhythmic, with an annual periodicity. This study thus raises the possibility of extending tree‐ring analyses throughout the tropical forest types lacking a strong dry season or annual flooding. Our findings and similar measurements from other tropical forests indicate that the maximum ages of tropical emergent trees are unlikely to be much greater than 600 years, and that these trees often die earlier from various natural causes.