外来树种的耗水特征及其对环境水资源的影响

外来树种常被作为"先锋树种"广泛引种,在荒山造林和水土保持方面发挥了积极作用;然而,不少外来树种具有高耗水和强抗旱的水分利用特性,耗水量大、水分消耗快,若不加甄别地引种会影响甚至危害本土森林生态系统的健康。目前,部分被引种的外来树种已造成入侵;同时,在当前水资源缺乏的形势下,外来树种的引种安全问题已成为全球关注的生态环境问题。本文综述了外来树种在生态系统、整树、叶片及枝条水平的耗水特性,分析了外来树种对引种地水资源的影响。前期的研究结果显示,被引种的外来树种在生态系统及整树水平的耗水量普遍高于乡土树种,但对水资源的影响却因受控于多个因素如环境、气候、植物个体等而不尽相同;同时还显示,外来树种在叶片和枝条水平的耗水特性更多地体现了其应对环境变化的水分利用策略。研究还就提高外来树种耗水特性研究的准确性和提升外来树种危害风险的预警能力方面,提出了若干研究方向,旨在为森林管理者和政府部门平衡外来树种的经济效益和生态效应提供借鉴和指导,以期降低外来树种引种风险,增进生态安全。     

南京地区耐寒常绿阔叶树种资源调查

南京地区地处亚热带北缘,是一些常绿阔叶树种自然分布的北界.通过对南京地区常绿阔叶树种的实地考察,表明南京地区有12种自然分布的常绿阔叶树种;目前园林上引种并已应用的有25种.另外,引种了109种能够露地栽培的常绿阔叶树种,其中乔木28种,灌木77种,藤本4种.可以认为南京地区是耐寒常绿阔叶树种引种分布的关键地区.     

大兴安岭林区引种西伯利亚红松研究进展

西伯利亚红松(Pinus sibirica)是寒温带森林主要成林树种, 具有较强的区域适应性和应用价值, 已成为大兴安岭林区的重要引种树种。文章基于植物引种程序, 从西伯利亚红松引种准备、引种造林试验、引种应用等方面综述了国内外最新研究动态, 并分析当前该树种引种研究存在的不足, 从不同尺度对西伯利亚红松未来可能研究方向进行展望, 以期为西伯利亚红松在大兴安岭林区的推广种植和森林生态系统可持续发展提供科学参考。     

引种桉树对本地生物多样性的影响

桉树以速生和适应多种环境的特性成为世界著名的造林树种.但引种桉树对环境可能产生负面影响,如导致土地退化、地下水水位下降和多样性降低等,特别是对林下本地生物物种多样性的影响及其原因还存有争议.本文对此进行了综述,认为大部分桉树人工林本地物种数量低于天然林,一般不高于乡土树种人工林,但总体上好于其他外来树种人工林.导致桉树人工林生物多样性低的原因主要是桉树的生理生态特性、人类不合理的规划和砍伐等,其中人为因素起主导作用.若根据引种地的群落性质,通过严格的设计和科学管理,可以将这种负面影响最小化.应按照有利于群落正常发育和植被更新的方式栽种桉树人工林,保留天然植被,减少人为干扰,从而减轻引种桉树的负面影响.     

美人树、紫檀和小叶榄仁的引种与栽培

美人树、紫檀和小叶榄仁是福建沿海地区近年来新引进的园林绿化树种,本文介绍其形态特征、生物学特性及引种栽培状况。引种栽培结果表明,三种植物性状表现良好,适于在福建沿海作为庭园景观树种和道路遮荫树种。     

电导率与极端低温分布在闽中桉树引种决策上的研究

依据闽中地区永安市1971～2005年的极端低温与极值分布数学模型和气象学原理,探讨5～10 a内该区域不同海拔高度可能出现的极端异常低温,利用电导率测定引种区所引种的不同抗寒程度的桉树种的半致死温度,事前评价引种的可行性.首次提出利用极端低温与电导率进行引种决策,并把该方法称作"极端环境反应法".结果表明:在出现10 a以上异常低温时,邓恩桉(Eucalyptus dunnii)在该区域垂直分布可达海拔775 m,巨桉(E.grandis)及相近抗寒能力的桉树可在海拔467 m以下栽植,赤桉(E. camaldulensis)可在海拔960 m以下栽植.该方法可广泛应用于其它区域与不同树种引种的事前评价与决策.     

杨树引种在生态建设中的重要作用

引种对林业生产具有重要意义。因为世界上的林木资源分布是不均衡的,从外地或是国外引入树种可以改变现有树种的布局,丰富林木资源,提高林业生产水平。引种是丰富本地区树木质量的捷径,它是提高林地生产、速生、丰产、优质的重要手段。杨树是我地区重要的树种之一通过,通过多年引种研究培育出了耐寒,耐旱生长迅速的树种。在林木育种、经济林研究与开发、生态环境治理方面和社会经济效益方面成绩显著。介绍了我院研究出来的优秀的杨树树种。     

广西热带稀有濒危植物迁地保护地域探讨

对广西热带稀有濒危植物在广西及邻近省份植物园的引种保育进行对比研究。结果表明:大部分树种在热带和南亚热带可以正常生长,通过适当的保护措施,部分树种在中亚热带的桂林可以保存。低温和霜冻是广西热带稀有濒危树种能否成功保存的主要限制因素,因此,在引种保存过程中要注意防寒和树种的选择,以提高迁地保护的有效性。     

中国水杉引种研究

水杉(Metasequoia glyptostrobodies Hu & Cheng)是国家一级保护植物。水杉的发现是中国近代植物学界最值得自豪的一件大事,为中国植物学走向世界开辟了道路,被公认为是我国乃至世界二十世纪植物界的重大发现,它不仅对于中国有重要价值,也具有世界意义。水杉引种过程可以说是新中国植物引种过程的一个缩影,在发现50年后成功引种至26个省、市、区和特别行政区以及世界50多个国家和地区,成为我国重要的用材林树种、沿海防护林树种、农田防护林树种、城市绿化树种以及世界上著名的风景景观树种。水杉既为新中国林业的发展提供了重要实证,又是科学技术在林业及社会发展中的重要体现,同时水杉的发展也是我国林学界最值得骄傲的一件大事,是我国科技工作者集体智慧的结晶。该文仅对我国水杉引种学进行系统的论述,对水杉的引种阶段进行了划分,简述26个省、市、区和特别行政区的引种现状,分析了水杉在中国引种区的适生状况和原因。有关在国外的引种及迁地保护情况将另文发表。     

南京地区12种常绿阔叶树种冬季抗寒性动态变化

选取南京地区露地引种的12种常绿阔叶树种,借助电导法对其抗寒性进行研究,结果表明:12种常绿树种在2003年与2005年冬季期间,抗寒能力高低排序具有很好的一致性与重复性.12种常绿树种在2005年10月至2006年3月期间随冬季低温诱导进行其抗寒能力呈逐渐增强趋势,其中在1月中旬树种抗寒能力均达到最强,而通常在10月份或3月份期间树种抗寒能力最弱.比较而言,12种常绿阔叶树种对冬季低温条件响应的快慢程度各有差异,其中樟科的香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)、浙江樟(Cinnamomum japonicum)属于低温快速响应型,而冬青科的冬青(Ilex purpurea)、大叶冬青(Ilex latifolia)属于低温滞缓响应型,其余树种为正常响应型.12种常绿阔叶树种试验所得抗寒能力结果与引种地冬季观察结果具有很好的对应性.研究结果可为常绿阔叶树种进一步向较高纬度地区的引种与栽培管理工作提供重要的参考.     

The vegetation of roadside verges with respect to environmental gradients in southern New Zealand

Abstract. A survey of the vegetation of roadside verges was made across the southern part of the South Island of New Zealand. Samples were taken at 10-km intervals along selected roads providing a climatic range from the suboceanic conditions of the east coast into semi-arid Central Otago, and from Central Otago through the Southern Alps to the hyper-oceanic areas of high rainfall on the west Coast. The variation in the floristic composition is associated mainly with variation in rainfall, continentality, altitude, soil acidity, soil organic matter, and presence of forest. Sites in the arable and pastoral regions on the eastern side of the Southern Alps support a herbaceous vegetation consisting mostly of exotic species of European origin, with a few native grasses scattered through the drier and less fertile sites. A greater proportion of native species is found at higher altitudes. Roadside vegetation in the area of high rainfall to the west is characterized by indigenous ferns and woody species, although vegetation adjacent to cleared areas is more similar to that on roadsides adjacent to farmland on the east coast. The pattern of distribution of both native and exotic species is strongly related to altitudinal and climatic gradients, and the environmental responses of the exotic species are similar to those recorded in Europe. This suggests a colonization of all available sites by the exotic species, despite the relatively short time since their introduction to New Zealand, rather than an incomplete invasion.     

Distribution of seed dormancy classes across a fire-prone continent: effects of rainfall seasonality and temperature

Background and AimsDifferent seed dormancy classes control the timing of germination via different cues. The ecological dissimilarities between classes therefore suggest that they are likely to be subject to different selective pressures, and that species within each class will have diverse functional responses. We aimed to investigate this by assessing how variation in the distribution of dormancy classes is correlated with regional environmental factors, in particular rainfall seasonality and temperature. Additionally, we compare the relative proportions of species with physiological (PD) or physical (PY) dormancy to assess whether dormancy class influences their ability to persist under different rainfall seasonality regimes.MethodsDormancy class was assigned for 3990 species from 281 genera occurring across two climate regions, with either winter or aseasonal rainfall, across temperate fire-prone Australia. All regions have similar vegetation and fire regimes. Using a Bayesian framework, we compared the distribution of dormancy classes across temperature and rainfall climate gradients, for threatened and common species.Key ResultsA high dormant:non-dormant species ratio highlighted the critical role of dormancy across our study regions. Critically, species showing PD were more likely to be threatened in aseasonal rainfall climate regions.ConclusionsOur results support the assumption that dormancy is favoured in environments with stochastic disturbance     

Seasonal community structure of macromycetes in Veracruz, Mexico

A study of phenological patterns in macromycete communities in Veracruz, Mexico was carried out in order to understand changes in community structure across regions of different vegetation types. Previous studies suggest that similarities in community composition occur when there are similarities in certain geographical and climatological characteristics, however they do not address functional groups or seasonal changes across regions. Macromycete communities in Veracruz showed similar species distribution patterns, but individual assemblages changed structure seasonally, changes that were strongly correlated with rainfall. Interestingly, the number of functional groups (species performing similar ecological functions) was not determined by rainfall, but the distribution of species within functional groups was determined by rainfall. Temperature did not appear to play a role in structuring community diversity at this regional scale. However, temperature and other environmental factors such as pH or light may be the mechanism triggering phenological patterns, and influencing the species pool at localized scales. This work brings new light to fungal community diversity patterns in a largely unknown group of species.     

Distribution of plant species in Israel in relation to spatial variation in rainfall

Abstract. Relations between the distribution of herbaceous and woody species from the flora of Israel and the variation (25–900 mm) in mean annual rainfall are described using a grid-based approach integrating multivariate techniques (cluster analysis and DCA-ordination) and GIS. The analysis was based on an extensive data base of vascular plant records in 10 km × 10 km grid cells representing the climatic zones of Israel. Cluster analysis revealed three geographically distinct clusters of grid cells which could be arranged along the main rainfall gradient in the study area. The main subdivision is between cells from the Mediterranean region and cells from the more arid region. The second subdivision separated cells from the arid region into two distinct groups which differed significantly in rainfall. Clustering of herbaceous and woody species was similar, but boundaries separating adjacent clusters based on woody species were consistently linked to more rainy areas. Cell scores on the first DCA-axis were significantly correlated with mean annual rainfall, but this relationship was not linear. Log-transformation of the rainfall data resulted in a higher correlation between the DCA-scores and rainfall, indicating that variation in rainfall had a stronger effect on species composition in relatively dry than in more mesic regions. Slopes of linear regression models relating cell scores on the first DCA-axis to mean annual rainfall, as well as the corresponding R²-values, were highest in the desert, intermediate in the dry Mediterranean, and lowest in the mesic Mediterranean territory. These results indicate that both the per-unit effect of rainfall on plant species composition and its relative importance as a determinant of compositional variation decreased from relatively dry to more mesic regions. The length of the first axis, as well as the slopes of regression models relating cell scores on the first DCA-axis to mean annual rainfall were consistently higher in the case of woody species which are characterized by a higher rate of compositional variation. Due to lack of comparable data, it is difficult to evaluate whether our results can be generalized to other regions. However, an analysis of data obtained from different parts of the world points to a considerable variability in the degree to which rainfall affects patterns of floristic variation. Our findings that compositional responses to rainfall may vary between different groups of species and may depend on the part of the rainfall range which is being considered may partially explain this inconsistency.     

An intercontinental comparison of dung beetle diversity between two mediterranean-climatic regions: local versus regional and historical influences

The species richness of biological communities is influenced by both local ecological, regional ecological, and historical factors. The relative importance of these factors may be deduced by comparison between communities in climatically and ecologically equivalent, but geographically and historically separate regions of the world. This claim is based on the hypothesis that community processes driven by similar local ecological factors lead to convergence in species richness whereas those driven by differing regional or historical factors lead to divergence. An intercontinental comparison between the winter rainfall regions of South Africa and the Iberian Peninsula showed that overall species richness of dung beetles was dissimilar at local, subregional and regional scales in Scarabaeidae s. str. but similar at all scales in Aphodiinae. Removal of species widespread in the summer rainfall region of Africa or the temperate region of Europe (regional component) resulted in dissimilarity in species richness of mediterranean endemics at all scales in both dung beetle taxa. However, the lines joining each set of species richness values were parallel which may indicate similarities in processes between different mediterranean climatic regions despite slight differences in latitudinal range. The dominant pattern of dissimilarity or non-convergence may be related primarily to intercontinental differences in regional biogeographical and evolutionary history (faunal dispersal, glaciation effects in relation to geographical barriers to dispersal, speciation history, long-term disturbance history). The limited pattern of similarity or convergence in overall species richness of Aphodiinae may be a chance result or primarily related to intercontinental similarities in local ecological factors.     

Timing of breeding and primary moult of the Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus in the summer and winter rainfall regions of South Africa

Oschadleus, H.D., Underhill, G.D. & Underhill, L.G. 2000. Timing of breeding and primary moult of the Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus in the summer and winter rainfall regions of South Africa. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 91–94.

Timing of breeding and moult is analysed in the Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus. It is common throughout southern Africa, which is largely a summer rainfall area. This species expanded its range into the Western Cape, a winter rainfall region, in the twentieth century. The peak breeding period is one month earlier in the winter rainfall area (September to November) than in the summer rainfall area (October to December). The mean starting date of primary moult is one month earlier in the winter rainfall area (9 January) than in the summer rainfall area (15 February). The duration of primary moult is similar in both regions (74 days in the winter rainfall area and 80 days in the summer rainfall area).     

Emergence dynamics and bet hedging in a desert bee,Perdita portalis

Bees (series Apiformes, superfamily Apoidea) are most diverse in arid regions of the world. Arid regions (deserts and semi-deserts) are characterized by discrete rainy seasons and extreme temporal variability in rainfall. This paper documents several novel mechanisms by which one desert bee species (Perdita portalis) copes with harsh and unpredictable conditions in xeric habitats. These same mechanisms are likely to be present in diverse bee families. First, diapausing P. portalis follow a bet-hedging emergence pattern, such that only approximately half of the larvae pupate under optimal conditions. Second, emergence is condition dependent such that larvae with a low average body weight are significantly more likely to emerge than are larvae with a high average body weight under similar conditions. Finally, larval emergence is induced by exposure to high humidity (rainfall). The parallels between bee larvae and angiosperm seeds in arid environments are striking. In both cases there is clear evidence of bet hedging, emergence (or germination) is dependent on larval (or seed) condition and rainfall triggers emergence (or germination). These patterns of emergence are significant for understanding bee species diversity in arid regions.     

Low rainfall-induced shift in leaf trait relationship within species along a semi-arid sandy land transect in northern China

It is unclear whether the shift in leaf traits between species of high- and low-rainfall sites is caused by low rainfall or by species replacement, because leaf traits vary substantially among species and sites. Our objective was to test if the within-species relationship between specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf N concentration (N(mass) ) shifts across a rainfall gradient in the semi-arid sandy lands of northern China. Data for SLA and N(mass) of dominant species and related canopy and soil variables were collected from 33 plots along a rainfall transect (270-390 mm) having similar temperatures in the Mu Us, Inner Mongolia. We further investigated the generality of Mu Us data using 12 additional plots in the southeastern Qaidam Basin, Qinghai. Artemisia ordosica is a widespread species in both regions. Across and within species, the positive SLA-N(mass) relationship shifted between two plant groups in the lowest rainfall plots (270 mm) and other higher rainfall plots (320-390 mm), which was confirmed by additional data from Qinghai. For A. ordosica populations, leaf area index (LAI) decreased and N(mass) increased with decreasing rainfall, while the foliage N pool and SLA varied little. Rainfall was the limiting factor that determined variations in N(mass) and LAI. Accordingly, N(mass) /SLA ratios continually increased with decreasing LAI along the rainfall gradient (r = -0.76, P < 0.001). Results indicate a low rainfall-induced shift in the SLA-N(mass) relationship associated with changes in LAI and foliage N pool, suggesting a link between leaf characteristics and ecosystem function.     

SOME ASPECTS OF THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE WATTLED PLOVER AFRIBYX SENEGALLUS (LINNAEUS)

The question of how aridity might influence avian clutch size, through the influences of rainfall seasonality and environmental stochasticity (unpredictability), has received little attention. A marked east-west gradient in aridity across South Africa provides a unique opportunity to test for such influences. Using an extensive collection of nest records for 106 terrestrial bird species from the South African Nest Record Card Scheme, we tested three predictions related to rainfall seasonality and stochasticity. Analyses were conducted at two levels, the first examining each species independently, and the second grouping species into five dietary guilds. The first prediction, that clutch size should generally increase with higher rainfall seasonality (i.e. higher seasonal fluctuation of food availability), was supported, particularly in the most arid environments where food abundance is more closely linked to rainfall. Controlling for rainfall seasonality, the second prediction, that clutch size should generally decrease as a bet-hedging strategy in arid, stochastic environments, was also supported. Although the timing of the rainy season differs among regions in South Africa (winter, early summer, later summer, year-round), birds primarily nest during spring. The relative timing of rainfall and breeding is expected to have different consequences for seasonal variation in clutch size among rainfall regions. The third prediction, of different patterns of seasonal variation in clutch size between rainfall regions, was also supported. In the winter and early-summer rainfall regions, early-nesting birds (breeding with or soon after the rains) generally had a larger clutch size than late-nesting birds. In the late-summer rainfall region, early-nesting birds (breeding well before the rains) had a smaller clutch size than late-nesting birds.     

A preliminary study of the responsiveness to seasonal atmospheric and rainfall patterns of wash woodland species in the arid Richtersveld

Seasonal carbon and water relations were compared among seven tree or shrub wash woodland species in the winter rainfall desert of the Richtersveld National Park, South Africa. Plants were generally aseasonal with respect to gas exchange, but responsive to rainfall events with respect to water relations and phenology. Relatively narrow annual ranges in potential evapotranspiration due to the maritime influence could explain why these plants respond more to fluctuations in water acquisition potential than to evaporative demand. Two species were summer-deciduous, but one of them (Ozoroa concolor) responded to aseasonal summer rainfall by leafing out and flowering. These two species had high shoot xylem water potentials when in leaf. All other species were sclerophyllous evergreens with low water potentials, particularly the shallow-rooted shrub Zygophyllum prismatocarpum, and Boscia albitrunca which may have a different rooting pattern to the other phreatophytes. The latter species was also unique due to its high leaf nitrogen contents, photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductances, despite very low leaf water potentials. Leaf stable carbon isotope composition C¹³C) varied between species (–22 to –27), but was lower than the mean for arid regions worldwide. The values indicated moderately high levels of water use efficiency, but a less conservative strategy in two species, including Boscia albitrunca. The affinities of these species to summer rainfall biomes, their apparent decline in the western arid regions in recent geological history following aridification, and their absence southwards in the winter rainfall regions, suggest that these wash species rely on sporadic summer rainfall events to some extent. They may be at risk if predicted increases in temperature and changes in rainfall patterns alter their effective moisture availability.