海南岛尖峰岭的植被垂直带及林型

本文研究了海南岛尖峰岭的植被垂直带和植被类型的分布与特点,探索热带林林型分类的方法和依据,对尖峰岭划分了四个植被垂直带,六个植被类型,十五个林型组和二十五个林型,为合理经营及开发利用尖峰岭的森林提供科学依据。     

Artificial ground shelters for overwintering phytoseiid mites in orchards

Biological control in orchards strongly depends on winter survival of natural enemies, especially in temperate regions. Predacious phytoseiid mites overwinter on trees or on the ground depending on the characteristics of the species. However, the overwintering ecology of phytoseiid mites on the ground is less well known than that of those on trees. We investigated the usefulness of artificial overwintering shelters as a tool for studying the overwintering ecology of phytoseiid mites on the ground. Four kinds of artificial shelter (shading net, felt, cardboard, and urethane foam) were placed on the ground in an apple orchard in Korea. Two dominant phytoseiid species, Neoseiulus makuwa (Ehara) and N. womersleyi (Schicha) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), overwintered in the artificial ground shelters, and numbers were highest in the urethane foam among the four kinds of shelter, and next highest in the shading net. On the other hand, the numbers of phytoseiid mites collected in the ground vegetation plus soil samples under the ground shelters were not significantly different among the five shelter treatments, including the no-shelter control. Our results suggest that artificial overwintering shelters are efficient tools for investigating overwintering ecology of phytoseiid mites on the ground, as well as on trees, in orchards. Furthermore, the artificial shelters would be good sampling units because they are easily formed into identical sizes and can be used almost anywhere in the field with less laborious work. We also discuss some implications about the effects of sheltered structures on the ground on the populations of phytoseiid mites during winter.     

Comparing the Response of Birds and Butterflies to Vegetation-Based Mountain Ecotones Using Boundary Detection Approaches

Mountains provide an opportunity to examine changes in biodiversity across environmental gradients and areas of transition (ecotones). Mountain ecotones separate vegetation belts. Here, we aimed to examine whether transition areas for birds and butterflies spatially correspond with ecotones between three previously described altitudinal vegetation belts on Mt. Hermon, northern Israel. These include the Mediterranean Maquis, xero-montane open forest and Tragacanthic mountain steppe vegetation belts. We sampled the abundance of bird and butterfly species in 34 sampling locations along an elevational gradient between 500 and 2200 m. We applied wombling, a boundary-detection technique, which detects rapid changes in a continuous variable, in order to locate the transition areas for bird and butterfly communities and compare the location of these areas with the location of vegetation belts as described in earlier studies of Mt. Hermon. We found some correspondence between the areas of transition of both bird and butterfly communities and the ecotones between vegetation belts. For birds and butterflies, important transitions occurred at the lower vegetation ecotone between Mediterranean maquis and the xero-montane open forest vegetation belts, and between the xero-montane open forest and the mountain steppe Tragacanthic belts. While patterns of species turnover with elevation were similar for birds and butterflies, the change in species richness and diversity with elevation differed substantially between the two taxa. Birds and butterflies responded quite similarly to the elevational gradient and to the shift between vegetation belts in terms of species turnover rates. While the mechanisms generating these patterns may differ, the resulting areas of peak turnover in species show correspondence among three different taxa (plants, birds and butterflies).     

Projected changes in plant species richness and extent of riparian vegetation belts as a result of climate‐driven hydrological change along the Vindel River in Sweden

1. Riparian plant communities are primarily structured by the hydrological regime of the stream. Models of climate change predict increased temperatures and changed patterns of precipitation that will alter the flow of rivers and streams with consequences for riparian communities. In boreal regions of Europe, stream flows will exhibit earlier spring‐flood peaks of lower magnitude, lower summer flows and higher flows in autumn and winter. We quantified the effects of predicted hydrological change on riparian plant species richness, using four different scenarios for the free‐flowing Vindel River in northern Sweden. 2. We calculated the hydrological niche of vegetation belts by relating the occurrence of species and vegetation belts to data on flood duration for 10 years preceding the vegetation survey. We then used the flood duration predicted for 2071–2100 to estimate expected changes in the extent of each vegetation belt. Using species accumulation curves, we then predicted changes in plant species richness as a result of changes in extent. 3. The two most species‐rich vegetation belts, riparian forest and willow shrub, were predicted to decrease most in elevational extent, up to 39 and 32%, respectively. The graminoid belt below the shrub belt will mainly shift upwards in elevation while the amphibious vegetation belt at the bottom of the riparian zone increases in size. 4. In the Vindel River, the riparian forest and willow shrub zone will lose most species, with reductions of 5–12% and 1–13% per site, respectively, depending on the scenario. The predicted loss from the entire riparian zone is lower, 1–9%, since many species occur in more than one vegetation belt. More extensive species losses are expected in the southern boreal zone for which much larger spring‐flood reductions are projected. 5. With an expected reduction in area of the most species‐rich belts, it becomes increasingly important to manage and protect riparian zones to alleviate other threats, thus minimising the risk of species losses. Restoring river and stream reaches degraded by other impacts to gain riparian habitat is another option to avoid species losses.     

民勤绿洲边缘积沙带植物群落健康分析

甘肃河西走廊经过60多年的防沙治沙,在绿洲边缘形成了一条积沙带。其中,民勤绿洲边缘积沙带相对最典型、最完整。积沙带上的植被不仅是积沙带的形成因素,更是维持积沙带稳定的重要因素。从一定意义上说,积沙带上植被的健康状况,决定着积沙带的稳定性。为了分析积沙带上的植被状况,在民勤绿洲边缘积沙带上等间距设定了11条样线,通过60多个样方的植被调查,对民勤绿洲边缘积沙带上植物群落进行了健康序列分析。结果表明:民勤绿洲边缘积沙带上的植被普遍是不健康的,民勤绿洲边缘人工固沙林积沙带上的植被健康状况相对好于天然灌丛积沙带上的植被健康状况,乔灌混交林积沙带上的植被健康状况最差。民勤绿洲下游积沙带上的优势种植物柽柳严重枯死,健康状况最差,积沙带潜在风蚀活化的危险。农田弃耕后,沙区农田边缘防护林及其积沙带的保护是一个新的值得考虑的问题。     

Recognizing and interpreting vegetational belts: New wine in the old bottles of a von Humboldt's legacy

Since von Humboldt, recognizing and using elevational subdivisions is at the core of biogeographical and ecological studies in mountain ecosystems. However, despite the large use of vegetational belts, their conceptual definition and practical identification appear to be surprisingly loose and inconsistent. Many authors use variations in climatic conditions to identify elevational belts. These belts are useful to set a framework for ecological studies but cannot be considered a surrogate of vegetational belts, because factors different from climate play a major role in determining the distribution of plant assemblages. Vegetation physiognomy can be used to identify ‘biome‐type’ belts that are useful for comparisons across geographical areas with different floras. However, to properly reflect ecological conditions at local scale, vegetational belts should be based on species composition. One of the most effective statistical approaches for this purpose is the use spatially constrained cluster analysis. The use of indicator species analysis may be also recommended to identify the species that most characterize vegetational belts. This can help researchers to identify belts in the field. Since species identification can be difficult, some authors use plant functional types for belt delimitation. Plant functional types can be helpful to trace the adaptative responses of vegetation along elevational gradients, but cannot be recommended as a standard way to identify belts. In general, criteria to identify vegetational belts can be based on both vegetation structure (namely physiognomy and structural parameters) and/or species composition, depending on the scale and the aim of the analyses, and they should be clearly stated.     

The use of natural shelter by Red deer (Cervus elaphus) in relation to weather in North-east Scotland

The use of natural shelter in relation to weather by Red deer on open moorland is described. Most shelter-seeking behaviour in winter was associated with the chilling effects of wind. Although deer sheltered from both wind speed and temperature individually, the combined effect of these (i.e. "windchill") was likely to be most important. The most important individual factor was wind. In winter, resting deer sheltered from the wind by lying on lee slopes, in long vegetation, on dry ground and in places with small amounts of geomorphic shelter; they sought very sheltered places only during blizzards. Deer were found in more shelter as windchill increased, and did not appear to seek constant conditions from day to day. They put up with worse conditions when feeding than when resting. On summer days with high temperatures and strong sun, deer were seen standing when at rest, and were found in the shade, and on wet or bare ground; they also lay in the wind, bathed in water or stood on patches of old snow.     

不同植被类型的滩涂湿地土壤线虫群落特征

对江苏盐城湿地保护区内不同植被带土壤线虫的群落结构特征进行了研究.结果表明：调查共鉴定出20科39属,优势属和常见属的数量占总个体数的90%以上;不同植被类型的滩涂湿地土壤线虫总数存在明显差异性,线虫数量范围为每100 g干土79～449条,小麦地显著高于其他植被带,光滩地数量最少.线虫群落生态指数对植被带有不同的响应,土壤线虫群落多样性指数H、均匀度指数J在不同植被带的分布依次为：苇草带＞盐蒿带＞小麦地＞米草带＞光滩带,而优势度指数λ的分布为：光滩带＞米草带＞小麦地＞盐蒿带＞苇草带,表明光滩带的线虫群落多样性和稳定性小于其他植被带,土壤线虫群落趋于单一化;成熟度指数MI表现为保护区内未开垦植被带高于已开垦的小麦地,说明农田受外界干扰明显.不同植被带间的线虫群落结构存在显著差异,各植被带的最大贡献物种各不相同.土壤理化性状与线虫数量、营养类群、生态指数存在明显的相关关系.表明线虫群落的变化能很好地反映植被带生境的多样性,土壤线虫可作为湿地生态系统中一个重要的生物指示因子.     

福建平潭抗风耐盐园林植物的筛选与配置

通过对福建平潭海坛岛植物野外调查研究与查阅相关资料,筛选出适合平潭种植的抗风耐盐园林植物89种,其中乔木34种、灌木28种、地被植物26种、红树植物1种;针对滨海防护林带、环岛景观路四大风口、竹屿湖等不同类型风口地带的绿地提出了抗风耐盐园林植物配置示例,为平潭乃至福建沿海岛屿的园林绿化建设提供参考。     

Diets and habitat preferences of three species of crocidurine shrews in arid southern Africa

The diets and habitat preferences of three species of crocidurine shrews, Crocidura cyanea, C. fuscomurina , and C. hirta (Insectivora: Soricidae), were studied in arid areas of Namibia in March and April, 1992. Simultaneous sampling of the prey ingested and available along foraging trails showed that, although the shrews are generalist insectivores that take most types of prey from the range available, each species selected Araneida, Chilopoda, Isoptera, and insect larvae but avoided Formicidae. The preferred prey were mostly soft-bodied with a relatively high ratio of body water to energy content, which may assist in maintenance of body water balance. The three species showed inconsistent preferences for rarer categories of prey such as Thysanura and Orthoptera, as well as for Coleoptera. Each species of shrew selected sites providing dense ground level vegetation and deep leaf litter, With the preference for cover being strongest in C. fuscomurina. Dense vegetation probably provides shelter from predators and high daytime temperatures; both C. fuscomurina and C. hirta used denser vegetation by day than by night. Each species foraged in leaf litter, perhaps increasing access to preferred types of prey. Preference for moist soil, especially in C. fuscomurina , probably also reflects increased access to preferred prey, although moist soil may also facilitate burrow construction. Because patterns of habitat and diet selection appear to be linked, future research on resource use in these shrews should be pursued most fruitfully in field experiments or captive laboratory trials.     

低覆盖度行带式固沙林对土壤及植被的修复效应

在我国干旱、半干旱地区由于水分条件的制约,经过漫长的自然演替过程,逐步发育形成了广泛分布的低覆盖度植被,这些低覆盖度植被类型中存在大量的天然乔木疏林或稀疏灌丛,地表处于半流动状态,而配置成行带式后,能够完全固定流沙,并且不同配置模式下行带式固沙林土壤与植被自然恢复程度不同.因此,通过对不同带宽的低覆盖度行带式固沙林对土壤及植被修复的影响研究,揭示了不同带宽行带式固沙林带间土壤因子与植被因子的变化过程,从而阐明行带式固沙林对带间植被自然恢复和土壤发育的促进作用.结果表明,行带式杨树固沙林能够明显的促进带间土壤与植被修复;带间距离的宽窄影响植被恢复及土壤发育效果;宽带间距固沙林带间植被多样性指数高,地上生物量大,根系生物量,总长度及表面积均高,土壤水分养分条件好,微生物数量大植物残体分解快,有利于植被的生长;模糊综合评估结果表明,不同带间距行带式固沙林土壤植被恢复程度不同,宽带间距20m的恢复效果＞带间距15m＞带间距10m.行带式固沙林通过带间宽度的变化可以调节植被与土壤之间的相互作用,窄带间距固沙林土壤与植被的相互作用则由于造林密度大而受到抑制.宽带间距可以明显加快土壤及植被修复的速度,进而缩短土壤及植被修复的时间.     

Foraging in a risky environment: a comparison of Bennett's wallabies Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) and red‐bellied pademelons Thylogale billiardierii (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) in open habitats

Abstract This study aimed to establish whether red‐bellied pademelons (Thylogale billiardierii) and Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus) alter their foraging distribution in open habitat, in response to food availability and distance to protective shelter, the latter used as a measure of predation risk. Scat counts were used as a measure of the presence or absence of these macropods over two plantations (Russell and Dunalley). These plantations differed in both their on‐site food and shelter characteristics (the presence or absence of windrows). Logistic regression indicated that at Russell, which had low food availability but the presence of on‐site shelter, probability of scats of both species increased with the percentage cover of both edible and inedible vegetation. The probability of both pademelon and wallaby scats decreased with increasing distance from windrows, but increased with increasing distance from forest at the plantation edge. Logistic regression indicated that at Dunalley, which had high food availability but no on‐site shelter, the probability of scats of both species increased with an increase in the percentage cover of edible vegetation. In relation to predation risk, however, the two species differed in their response. Pademelons exhibited a decrease in scat probability with increasing distance from the forest at the plantation edge, while wallabies showed an increase in scat probability with distance from the forest at the plantation edge. Results indicated some differences in antipredation strategies of the two species, which may be a function of differences in body size.     

基于等面积高度带划分的贺兰山维管植物物种丰富度的海拔分布格局

山地植物物种丰富度海拔分布格局是生物多样性研究的热点之一。以往研究中一般将山体划分为等海拔间距的高度带, 以分析物种丰富度的垂直格局, 其缺陷在于因各高度带面积不相等而可比性下降。为消除面积不相等的影响, 作者利用数字高程数据(DEM, Digital Elevation Model)在地理信息系统(GIS)工具支持下, 尝试将贺兰山(海拔范围1,300–3,500 m)划分为等面积的数个高度带, 从而分析其物种丰富度的海拔格局。结果表明: (1) 贺兰山物种丰富度呈现为单峰式海拔格局, 峰值出现在海拔2,000 m附近。(2) 逐步回归分析显示, 坡度异质性是解释物种丰富度海拔分布格局的最优因子。高度带的坡度异质性越大, 意味着地形的起伏变化越大, 反映出生境类型越趋多样化, 从而可维持多个物种的共存。(3) 贺兰山植物物种丰富度在海拔2,000 m 附近达到峰值, 可能与植被演变历史、气候条件、地形复杂度、生态过渡带和中间膨胀效应的共同影响有关。(4) 对山体进行等面积划带, 可直接消除面积不相等带来的影响, 与等间距划带的方法相比, 尤其在物种海拔分布信息准确度较高时更具优势。     

Conserving long unburnt vegetation is important for bird species,guilds and diversity

Landscape-level wildfires have a major role in structuring faunal assemblages, particularly in fire-prone landscapes. These effects are mediated by changes to vegetation structure and composition that directly influence the availability of shelter, feeding and breeding resources. We investigated the response of a semi-arid shrubland bird community in Western Australia to the prevailing fire regime by examining the abundance, diversity and guild structure in relation to time since fire. We also examined vegetation structural attributes in relation to time since fire. We surveyed 32 sites ranging in age from 12 to 84 years since last fire. A total of 845 birds from 40 species were recorded. Vegetation structure varied with fire history with old and very old sites characterised by less bare ground, more leaf litter cover and greater canopy cover. Bird community composition varied with time since fire, driven by increased bird species richness and abundance of insectivores, granivores/frugivores, golden whistlers, grey shrike-thrush and red-capped robins with time since fire. Frequent, intense landscape-scale fires transform the landscape into homogeneous young shrublands, which may render vegetation unsuitable for several species and guilds.     

Variability of the cones of Siberian larch in variously designed shelter belts in the Shira steppe

The paper presents data on individual variability of Siberian larch cones in the shelter belts in Shira steppe in Khakassia depending on the scheme of planting and design of the forest shelter belt. According to their color, three forms of cones are revealed: green, red, and transitional. The technical germinating capacity and quality of seeds from different forms of cones are determined.     

Assessment of Hedysarum theinum Krasnob. (Fabaceae) population status in Altai

The status of 22 Hedysarum theinum cenopopulations (CPs) located in subalpine and alpine vegetation belts in Kazakhstan and Altai Republic is assessed by a complex of traits. It is detected that conditions of the subalpine belt (12 CPs), where the point sum of organismal and population traits vary from high to average values, are the most favorable for this species. The pessimal state, characterized by the smallest values of most species parameters, is determined in the alpine vegetation belt at an altitude of about 2000 m above sea level in Rudnyi Altai (Kazakhstan) and a shrub community at the junction of alpine and subalpine belts on the edge of the H. theinum area in Russian Altai. A reactive-tolerant type of H. theinum population strategy is detected.     

栖息地荒漠化对蜥蜴群落组成的影响

栖息地改变往往对动物群落及其物种多样性有重要影响,但是目前关于栖息地荒漠化如何影响蜥蜴的群落组成鲜有研究。在内蒙古自治区鄂尔多斯市准格尔旗和达拉特旗地区通过样线法调查了三类不同荒漠化程度样地上的蜥蜴群落组成差异,用典范对应分析探究了关键的影响因素。结果表明,栖息地荒漠化使蜥蜴的群落组成发生显著变化,从固定沙丘、半固定沙丘到流动沙丘,草原沙蜥均是蜥蜴群落的优势物种,密点麻蜥逐渐减少,丽斑麻蜥则消失于荒漠化严重的半固定沙丘和流动沙丘中。随栖息地荒漠化程度的增加,蜥蜴的数量显著减少,密度显著降低,蜥蜴物种的丰富度、香农-威纳(Shannon-Weaver)多样性指数和皮洛(Pielou)均匀性指数均逐次显著下降,而辛普森(Simpson)优势度指数则逐次显著升高。这说明荒漠化不仅使蜥蜴群落组成变得简单,同时造成了蜥蜴物种多样性的下降甚至丧失。荒漠化也使蜥蜴的栖息条件发生显著变化。植被高度、油蒿比例、裸地比例、隐蔽度、表层土壤含水量和表层土壤孔隙度在三类栖息样地之间均存在极显著差异。典范对应分析结果表明,这些环境因子与蜥蜴群落组成的变化密切相关。总体而言,草原沙蜥偏好裸地,密点麻蜥偏好隐蔽性好且土壤湿润又疏松的区域,而丽斑麻蜥则偏好植被高的区域。     

Sexual differences in microhabitat selection of breeding little bustards Tetrax tetrax: Ecological segregation based on vegetation structure

We examined sexual differences in patterns of vegetation structure selection in the sexually dimorphic little bustard. Differences in vegetation structure between male, female and non-used locations during reproduction were examined and used to build a presence/absence model for each sex. Ten variables were measured in each location, extracting two PCA factors (PC1: a visibility-shelter gradient; PC2: a gradient in food availability) used as response variables in GLM explanatory models. Both factors significantly differed between female, male and control locations. Neither study site nor phenology was significant. Logistic regression was used to model male and female presence/absence. Female presence was positively associated to cover of ground by vegetation litter, as well as overall vegetation cover, and negatively to vegetation density over 30 cm above ground. Male presence was positively related to litter cover and short vegetation and negatively to vegetation density over 30 cm above ground. Models showed good global performance and robustness. Female microhabitat selection and distribution seems to be related to the balance between shelter and visibility for surveillance. Male microhabitat selection would be related mainly to the need of conspicuousness for courtship. Accessibility to food resources seems to be equally important for both sexes. Differences suggest ecological sexual segregation resulting from different ecological constraints. These are the first detailed results on vegetation structure selection in both male and female little bustards, and are useful in designing management measures addressing vegetation structure irrespective of landscape composition. Similar microhabitat approaches can be applied to manage the habitat of many declining farmland birds.     

河西绿洲边缘积沙带形成的典型相关因子

绿洲边缘积沙带的形成因素及其生态效应是一个新的科学问题。为了研究河西绿洲边缘积沙带的形成原因,运用方差分析、相关分析以及典型相关分析等方法,对河西绿洲边缘积沙带的21个样点的观测资料进行了分析。结果表明:河西绿洲边缘积沙带的分布趋势大致为东高西低、东宽西窄,大部分地段目前处于稳定阶段;积沙带上的优势种植物以天然柽柳最多,不同优势种植物的积沙带的迎风坡植被盖度及植被纯盖度差异较显著。典型相关分析结果表明:积沙带的高度和宽度是降水量、到沙源的距离、背风坡植被盖度和年平均风速等气候环境因子共同作用的结果。积沙带的生态效应:一是自身作为一种障碍物的防护作用,二是阻截、减少流沙流沙进入农田的作用。     

Vegetation discontinuities and altitudinal indicator species in mountains of West Greenland: finding the best positions and traits to observe the impact of climate warming in the Arctic

Aims

To delineate boundaries of vegetation belts, characterize these belts by indicator species, plant functional types and plant distribution types, and explore options for climate change monitoring.

Location

Three research sites in the continental inland of West Greenland.

Methods

Based on spatially constrained clustering of 147 vegetation relevés and 145 transect plots of plant communities, boundaries of altitudinal vegetation belts were assessed. Indicators for altitudinal sections were identified from 664 vegetation relevés among vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens and plant functional types using indicator species analysis. The performance of different plant groups along the altitudinal gradient was visualized with response curves.

Results

Boundaries of altitudinal vegetation belts were detected at 400, 800 and 1175 m a.s.l. on north‐facing slopes and at 450, 900 and 1250 m a.s.l. on south‐facing slopes. The resulting four vegetation belts were well defined by 99 indicator species and nine indicator plant functional types. Species, plant functional types and vascular plant distribution types showed clear sequences along the altitudinal gradient, which partly resemble their distribution along the latitudinal gradient.

Conclusions

As an easily observable expansion of shrubs and a decline of mosses and lichens is expected, the boundary at 400/450 m a.s.l. is particularly promising for climate change monitoring. The anticipated replacement of numerous cryophilous by thermophilous indicator species, as well as an obvious shift of plant functional types suggest several monitoring options at 800/900 m a.s.l. The summit areas above 1175/1250 m a.s.l., having a discontinuous plant cover, are considered to be especially vulnerable to fast invasion by species of lower altitudes such as woody plants and sedges. Due to steep gradients and short migration distances in mountains, it can be assumed that these anticipated changes in the study area will be stronger and faster than the already observed changes along the latitudinal gradient in lowland areas of the Arctic.