Post-burn succession on Brittany heathlands

Abstract. Vegetation succession after severe burning of a Brittany heathland was recorded in permanent plots for ten years. Mosses are the first colonizers, soon forming a dense layer which locally prevents establishment of new species. Ten years later, the moss layer is still an important component of the regenerating heathland. After ten years the pattern of species distribution is mosaic-like with grassy patches (Agrostis), heath patches (Erica, Flex), and wood (Betula). Processes which may be involved in this successional pattern are discussed. They are found to be pluriform: various strategy types, types of response to disturbance and various succession models operate simultaneously.     

半湿润常绿阔叶林次生演替阶段植物多样性和群落结构特征

以飒马场不同次生演潜阶段的半湿润常绿阔叶林为对象,测定物种丰富度、群落数量特征指标,分析植物多样性与群落结构特征之间的关系.结果表明,随着植物群落演替,物种丰富度不断增加,物种丰富度最高演替阶段的乔木层物种达到24个;植物多样性与植物个体密度间呈正相关关系;乔木层植物个体平均高与植物多样性间呈负相关关系;群落郁闭度和胸高断面积与植物多样性之间则呈对数函数关系.植物多样性与优势种个体密度和群落地上部分现存量间未呈现一致性规律.植物种-个体数间呈幂函数关系.随着植物多样性增加,种间竞争加剧.每个植物种为了维持临界最低种群,可能采取最大种群策略,导致群落植物个体数增加,密度增大,从而改变了群落结构特征.     

Land‐use and fire history effects on post‐fire vegetation dynamics in eastern Spain

Question: Is post‐fire, medium‐term vegetation dynamics determined by land‐use or fire history prior to fire? Location: South‐facing slope in the Gallinera valley, Alicante province, eastern Spain. Methods: After mapping the land‐use and fire history of the study site using photo‐interpretation, we sampled vegetation structure on a set of plots representing the most frequent land‐use and fire history combinations on an area burned six years before sampling. We studied the effects of land‐use history, comparing the one‐fire land‐use trajectories. We analysed the effects of fire history; comparing one‐ and two‐fire plots for both previously cropped and uncropped areas. Results: Most variables were not significantly different between the earliest abandoned plots (abandoned at least 38 years before the fire) and the uncropped plots. On the most recently abandoned plots (abandoned between one and four years before the fire), the therophyte richness and the ratio of seeder: resprouter richness were significantly greatest. Different fire recurrences did not determine different post‐fire vegetation on either the uncropped or the early abandoned plots (all dominated by fire‐recruited seeder shrubs). The most recently abandoned plots had a lower resilience to fire. Conclusions: Land‐use history and recent pre‐fire land use, in particular, determined the post‐fire vegetation in the medium term. The vegetation composition converged during secondary succession among land‐use histories. Increasing fire recurrence had a small effect on mature plant communities, due to the combination of life‐history traits determining the response to fire of the dominant species.     

Understanding ecological community succession: Causal models and theories,a review

Critical review of explanations for patterns of natural succession suggests a strong, common basis for theoretical understanding, but also suggests that several well known models are incomplete as explanations of succession. A universal, general cause for succession is unlikely, since numerous aspects of historical and environmental circumstances will impinge on the process in a unique manner. However, after disturbance, occupation of a site by any species causes changes in the conditions at the site. Sorting of species may result, since different species are adapted to different regions of environmental gradients. Such sorting can generate several patterns of species abundance in time, but commonly results in sequential replacements of species adapted to the varying conditions. This may be due to constraints on species' strategies, or life history traits, placed by the limited resources available to the organism. These constraints often result in inverse correlation between traits which confer success during early and late stages of succession. Facilitatory or inhibitory effects of species on each other are best understood in terms of these life history interactions, perhaps as restrictions on, or as moderation of, these processes.Strong support for the importance of correlations in life history traits stems from comparisons of simulated succession with and without these correlations. These simulations are reviewed in some detail, and followed by brief reviews of other prominent models for succession. Several aspects of the confusion and controversies in the successional literature are then discussed, with a view to a more optimistic synthesis and direction for successional ecology.     

大兴安岭森林火烧后不同演替阶段土壤细菌多样性动态

【目的】研究我国最大的林区之一——大兴安岭森林火烧后不同演替阶段土壤细菌多样性动态,为天然林保护工程对于生物多样性的影响增添新的认识。【方法】以空间替代时间的方法分析大兴安岭森林演替对于土壤细菌多样性动态的影响。大兴安岭森林火烧后典型的自然演替序列为火烧迹地(LG-BA)、灌丛(SHR)、白桦林(BP)、白桦落叶松混交林(BP-LG)、落叶松林(LG-OM)。在演替序列的每个典型样地上采集0-10 cm土样,采用Illumina Mi Seq高通量测序技术测定土壤细菌群落组成及其多样性。【结果】细菌操作分类单位(OTU)数量从少到多的顺序为火烧迹地落叶松白桦混交林灌丛落叶松林白桦林。随着森林演替,多样性指数Simpson先增高后降低;Shannon指数先增加后减少再增加;OTU的丰度变化比较平缓,表明物种变化较小。在各演替阶段中,土壤细菌种类主要有变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)和浮霉菌门(Planctomycetes),4个门的种类含量随演替顺序都呈现先增加后减少的趋势。主成分分析表明不同演替阶段土壤细菌群落存在一定的差异性。冗余分析表明有机质(SOM)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)和p H对于土壤细菌群落变化有影响。【结论】随着森林演替,大兴安岭地区土壤细菌种类和生物多样性会发生变化,其变化与土壤化学成分和p H有关。     

Changes in microbial nutrient status during secondary succession and its modification by earthworms

Summary Microbial biomass, nutrient (N and P) status, and carbon and nutrient limitation of the microflora were investigated in soils from five different sites (field, 5-, 12-, and about 50-year-old fallow, beechwood), which represent different stages of a secondary succession from a wheat field to the climax ecosystem of a beechwood on limestone. In addition, the effect of faeces production by the substrate feeding earthworm species Octolasion lacteum (Örley) on the nutrient status of the soil microflora of these sites was studied. Humus had accumulated in the soil of the third fallow site, with an enhanced biomass of microflora. However, in the beechwood soil, which had the highest humus content, microbial biomass was lower than in the soil of the third fallow site and similar to that of the field and the two younger fallow sites. In general, soil microbial biomass was little affected by the passage of soil through the gut of O. lacteum. The soil microflora of the field, the 5-, 12-, and about 50-year-old fallow was limited by carbon, whereas in the beechwood soil phosphorus limited microbial growth. NItrogen availability to the soil microflora was low in the two younger fallow sites and high in the field and the third fallow. In the beechwood soil nitrogen supply did not affect microbial carbon utilization. Application of phosphorus stimulated glucose mineralization in the soil of the field, the third fallow, and the beechwood, but not in the two younger fallow sites. Therefor, the nutrient status of the soil microflora seems to have changed during secondary succession: presumably, during the first phase the availability of nitrogen decreased, whereas during the second phase microbial phosphorus supply became more important, which resulted in phosphorus limitation of the soil microflora in the climax ecosystem. The passage of soil through the gut of O. lacteum caused an alteration in the microbial nutrient status. Generally, microbial growth in earthworm casts was limited by carbon. The relative effect of the gut passage of the soils on microbial carbon utilization seems to increase during succession. Therefore, the effect of decomposer invertebrates on microbial nutrient supply seems to increase during secondary succession. In general, nitrogen did not limit microbial carbon utilization in earthworm casts. Phosphorus requirements of the soil microflora were lowered by the gut passage of the soil of the third fallow site and the beechwood, which indicates an increased phosphorus supply in earthworm casts. Howerver, this additional supply was not sufficient to enable optimal carbon utilization by the soil microflora. The results indicate that the effect of decomposer invertebrates on the soil microflora depends on the nutrient status of the ecosystem.     

Colonization and early succession on anthropogenic soils

Abstract. This paper reports on vegetation development on permanent experimental plots during five years of succession. Nine (1 m²) plots were filled with three typical substrates from man-made habitats of urban and industrial areas in the region of Berlin. The three substrates (a commercial ‘topsoil’, a ruderal ‘landfill’ soil and a sandy soil), differ in organic matter and nutrient contents. Relevés of species composition and percent cover of each species present were made monthly during the growing season from the start of vegetation development. This paper describes the different successional pathways on topsoil and ruderal soil and the colonization process on sandy soil. On topsoil, ruderal annuals are dominant in the first year and are replaced by short-lived perennials from the second year. Those species were replaced by long-lived perennial herbs (Ballota nigra or Urtica dioica) from the third year of succession onwards. On the ruderal land-fill soil the early successional stages are less sharp and the perennial Solidago canadensis is able to dominate within one year after the succession was initiated. On sandy soil there is still an ongoing colonization process, where pioneer tree species like Betula pendula and Populus nigra play a main role. The importance of ‘initial floristic composition’, the role of substrate for community structure and the peculiarities of successional sequences on anthropogenic soils in the context of primary and secondary successions are discussed.     

Patterns and mechanisms of plant succession after fire on Artemisia-grass sites in southeastern Idaho

Cover data for plant species on eight environmentally similar sites that were each burned in a different year (from 2 to 36 years ago) were used to construct a composite sequence of vegetational change after fire on Artemisia-grassland sites in southeastern Idaho. Some species were early successional such as Lithospermum ruderale, and some late successional: Artemisia tridentata, A. tripartita, and Gutierreza sarothrae. But many species: Purshia tridentata, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Amelanchier alnifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Achillea millefolium, Agropyron dasystachyum, and A. spicatum were present in both early and later stages. Shannon and Simpson indices of diversity and species richness indicated little change in alpha diversity through time. This was attributed mainly to the limited change in species composition from early to later stages. The general pattern of succession is compatible with the tolerance model of Connell & Slatyer (1977) in most respects. Species traits relating to persistence through a disturbance or re-establishment on the site, and tolerance of competition shape the course of succession on a site. Perennial grasses and forbs which sprout from the base after fire are the first species to dominate the sites. Sprouting shrubs, which require some years to regrow to their pre-fire form, are prominent by the sixth year. Shrubs which rely on dispersal become co-dominants in later stages, at which time some herbaceous species are reduced oreliminated. The pattern of succession can differ due to presence or absence of species with particular traits.     

Nutrient dynamics in milpa agriculture and the role of weeds in initial stages of secondary succession in Belize,C.A.

Nutrient levels, soil moisture and soil organic matter were monitored monthly during a three year period in a site cleared for shifting agriculture (milpa) and in adjacement undisturbed high bush forest soils in Belize. Throughout the study there was no evidence of a decline in available nutrient levels in the cleared site. Sharp changes in P and Mn were considered indicative of wetting and drying periods. Corn yields for the rainy season crop in the first two years were average for the region ca 2500 kg ha⁻¹ dry wt, but declined dramatically in the third year. Total weed biomass for the rainy season crop conversely increased every year and reduced grain yield probably through competition for nutrients (especially N), light and water. Substantial amounts of nutrients were also immobilized in the weed biomass, which served the agroecological purpose of preventing nutrient loss by leaching.     

Effects of time since fire on birds in a plant diversity hotspot

Global changes are influencing fire regimes in many parts of the world. In the Fynbos plant diversity hotspot (Cape Floristic Region, South Africa), fire frequency has increased in protected areas where the mean fire interval went from 12–19 to 6–9 years between 1970 and 2000. Fire is one of the main drivers of plant diversity in the Cape Floristic Region. Too frequent fires threaten the persistence of slow-maturing plant species, and such insights have led to the adoption of fire management principles based on plant responses. The effects of fire on Fynbos fauna are much more poorly understood, and have not generally been considered in depth in Fynbos conservation policies, planning or management. We assessed the response of bird communities to long-term fire-induced vegetation changes using space-for-time substitution. We studied bird communities, vegetation structure and plant functional composition in 84 Fynbos plots burnt between two and 18 years before. Ten of the 14 bird species analysed showed a significant change in their abundance with time since fire. We observed a significant species turnover along the post-fire succession due to changes both in vegetation structure and plant functional composition, with a characteristic shift from non-Fynbos specialists and granivorous species to Fynbos specialists and nectarivorous species.If current trends of increasing fire frequency continue, Fynbos endemic birds such as nectarivores may become vulnerable. Conservation management should thus aim more carefully to maintain mosaics of Fynbos patches of different ages. Future research needs to estimate the proportion of vegetation of different ages and patch sizes needed to support dependent fauna, particularly endemics.     

华北盐渍化改造区蚯蚓种群次生演替与生产投入的关系——以河北省曲周试区为例

通过对河北省曲周县盐渍化改造区农田生态系统中蚯蚓物种多样性分析,发现蚯蚓种群的次生演替与农田肥料投稿有很好的相关性,合理的投稿特别是有机肥的投入可以加速农田生态系统中生态演替;该地区蝗蚓种群分布总的趋势是：第2代试区＞第1代试区＞第3代试区＞原貌区;不同土壤利用方式蚯蚓的分布和数量各不相同,菜地＞农田、边缘地和果园。     

Mycorrhizal features and leaf traits covary at the community level during primary succession

The mycorrhizal association between fungi and plants is thought to be an important component of the functional diversity of plant communities, although evidence is weak. We explored community-level changes to mycorrhizal features and leaf traits along a primary successional gradient on a sedimentation coast. We found that community weighted mean values of mycorrhizal features and leaf traits varied systematically along the successional series, representing a transition from communities dominated by more stress-tolerant plant species (less mycorrhizal colonization and lower specific leaf area) to less stress-tolerant plant species (higher mycorrhizal colonization and specific leaf area). Despite the co-variation in leaf traits and mycorrhizal features at the community level, only mycorrhizal features showed an increasing functional diversity with successional age. These results suggest that mycorrhizal fungi should not be forgotten in trait-based plant community ecology.     

Plant succession and rhizosphere microbial communities in a recently deglaciated alpine terrain

This study describes how early and late successional plant species affect soil microorganisms in alpine ecosystems. We quantify the relative importance of plant species and soil properties as determinants of belowground microbial communities. Sixteen plant species were selected from six successional stages (4–14–20–43–75–135 years) within the foreland of the Rotmoosferner glacier, Austria, and at one (reference) site outside the foreland. The size, composition and function of the communities of microorganism in the bulk soil and the rhizosphere were characterized by ninhydrin-reactive nitrogen, phospholipid fatty acids and enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, leucine aminopeptidase, acid phosphatase, sulphatase). The results show that the microbial data could be grouped according to early (up to 43 years) and late-colonizing plant species (75 or more years). In early succession, no plant species or soil age effect was detected on the microbial biomass, phospholipid fatty acids, or enzyme activity. The rhizosphere microbial community was similar to that in the bulk soil, which in turn was determined by the abiotic environmental conditions. In late succession, improved soil conditions probably mediated plant species effects on the belowground microbial community. The most pronounced rhizosphere effects were attributed to plant species of the 75- and 135-year-old sites. The microbial colonization (size, composition, activity) of the bulk soil predominantly followed changes in vegetation cover, plant life forms and soil organic matter. In summary, the observed successional pattern of the above- and belowground communities provides an example of the facilitation models of primary succession.     

Bacterial diversity in relation to secondary production and succession on surfaces of the kelp Laminaria hyperborea

Kelp forests worldwide are known as hotspots for macroscopic biodiversity and primary production, yet very little is known about the biodiversity and roles of microorganisms in these ecosystems. Secondary production by heterotrophic bacteria associated to kelp is important in the food web as a link between kelp primary production and kelp forest consumers. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between bacterial diversity and two important processes in this ecosystem; bacterial secondary production and primary succession on kelp surfaces. To address this, kelp, Laminaria hyperborea, from southwestern Norway was sampled at different geographical locations and during an annual cycle. Pyrosequencing (454-sequencing) of amplicons of the 16S rRNA gene of bacteria was used to study bacterial diversity. Incorporation of tritiated thymidine was used as a measure of bacterial production. Our data show that bacterial diversity (richness and evenness) increases with the age of the kelp surface, which corresponds to the primary succession of its bacterial communities. Higher evenness of bacterial operational taxonomical units (OTUs) is linked to higher bacterial production. Owing to the dominance of a few abundant OTUs, kelp surface biofilm communities may be characterized as low-diversity habitats. This is the first detailed study of kelp-associated bacterial communities using high-throughput sequencing and it extends current knowledge on microbial community assembly and dynamics on living surfaces.     

鼢鼠土丘植物群落演替生态位动态及草地质量指数

采用"空间代替时间"的方法,以不同演替系列的鼢鼠土丘植物群落为对象,通过种群生态位动态和功能群变化探讨其演替机制.选取20个主要群落组分种,采用Shannon生态位宽度和Pianka生态位重叠指数进行定量分析.结果表明:较大的生态位宽度常伴随着较大的生态位重叠,但一些具较小生态位宽度的物种之间也存在着较大的生态位重叠;物种之间的生态位重叠普遍较大.功能群变化分析表明:随着演替的进行,1、2年生杂草先迅速减小后缓慢增大,但总体减小;多年生杂草先增大后减小;多年生禾草类线性增加.反映了多年生禾草类最终在演替顶极群落中占据主导地位.采用草地质量指数分析了鼢鼠土丘植被状况,表明随着演替的进行,草地质量指数显著增加.     

香港石鼓洲植物传播与植被次生演替初探

在香港石鼓洲生物多样性调查的基础上,对该岛的324种植物的果实类型和种子的传播方式进行了统计和分析。该岛植物的果实类型可划分为13类,主要是核果、浆果、蒴果和荚果四类,分别占总数的19.75%、18.83%、16.98%和11.11%。岛上植物种子传播的类型主要有4种,即动物传播(含鸟类传播和其它动物传播)、风传播、人力传播和水流传播,分别有植物233种、74种、39种及22种,动物传播中鸟类传播的有139种,其它动物传播的有156种。有86种植物有2种以上的自然传播方式(不包括人力传播)。此外,还对石鼓洲植物种子传播方式与植被次生形成之间的关系进行了初步探讨,认为石鼓洲火烧之后岛上残存植物物种是目前植被的基础,鸟类和其它动物的传播作用对岛上的植被的次生形成具有重要的作用。