Phenological and biogeographical aspects of coastal dune plant communities in southern Brazil

The coastline of southern Brazil is characterized by vast sand dunes. From March 1982 to April 1984 the dune vegetation was sampled along a transect between the Atlantic shore and an inland freshwater marsh, and phenological cycles of plant species were observed at monthly intervals.The occurrence of 23 annual species in the local dunes and peak germination, growth and flowering of 21 perennial species during spring, summer and fall, suggest that unfavourable temperatures and inundation of slacks during winter are seasonally limiting factors for this flora.Differences in the floristic composition between this region and its southern and northern extremes in the southwestern Atlantic together with a marked seasonality of the total species number and of germination and flowering periods, suggest that this area corresponds to a warm temperate biogeographic transition zone between northern tropical and southern cold temperate regions.     

科尔沁沙地沙丘迎风坡面干沙层的空间分布

对科尔沁沙地西部地区流动沙丘和固定沙丘的迎风坡表层干沙层厚度进行观测,分析了沙丘坡面干沙层的空间分布特点.结果表明:研究区沙丘迎风坡表层干沙层厚度主要在5 ～15 cm,92.0％的流动沙丘区域和98.6％的固定沙丘区域的干沙层厚度分布在此范围内;固沙植物影响沙丘表层干沙层的厚度变化和空间分布.流动沙丘表层干沙层厚度表现出明显的空间差异性:迎风坡上部西侧区域干沙层厚度较大,下部东侧区域相对较薄,其平均厚度为(9.58±3.95) cm,干沙层厚度在0～ 40 cm范围内变化,变异系数为41％,干沙层空间分布的变异函数表现为球状模型,具有中等的空间相关性;固定沙丘的干沙层厚度表现为明显的均一性,空间差异性不明显,其平均厚度为(10.91±1.70) cm,干沙层厚度变化范围在0～20 cm,变异系数仅16％.     

科尔沁沙地农田-沙丘交错区白草无性系的生态适应性分析

对生长在不同沙地生境下的白草无性系进行了个体生长与形态以及种群生物量等指标的比较研究,结果表明,生长在不同生境下的白草无性系表现出显著的形态可塑性和不同的生物量分配模式,生长在农田-沙丘过滤带上的白草无性系与生长在半固定沙丘上的白草无性系相比,具有更大的生物量,更快的叶片延伸速率,根茎总长度和节间长度更长,不定芽更多,地下生物量所占比例更大且分布更深;这些特征的出现与农田-沙丘过渡带上土壤表层比较疏松而下层水分状况相对优越有着密切关系,因而生长在农田-沙丘过渡带上的白草无性系能更快地拓展其生存空间,在固沙和沙生植被演替中起重要作用。     

Aspect and slope as determinants of vegetation composition and soil properties in coastal forest backdunes of Eastern Cape,South Africa

Coastal sand dune ecosystems are subjected to many stress and disturbance factors that are particularly high in the foredunes compared to the backdunes. Although a few studies have been conducted on eastern coastline sand dunes of South Africa, none have examined the relationship between aspect and slope on vegetation composition and soil properties of coastal forest backdunes. Vegetation and soil sampling were conducted in 11 transects, each with four plots measuring 10 × 10 m, located on the seaward and landward sides and on middle and lower slopes of backdunes of Bathurst coastal forest. A total of 39 species were identified, of which 23 were trees and shrubs, thirteen were forbs and three were grasses. The data show that both aspect and slope had limited influence on vegetation community assemblage and soil properties, but had significant effects on individual species distribution. There was a grass‐dominated community on the middle slope and a tree‐ and shrub‐ dominated community on the lower slope. These two plant communities act as the required coastal forest ecosystem engineer driving variability in soil properties between the slopes, the most prominent being high soil nutrients and moisture in the lower slopes compared to the middle slopes.     

沙丘坡面异质性小生境中准噶尔无叶豆对水分条件变化的响应

以多年生克隆植物准噶尔无叶豆(Eremosparton songoricum(Litv.)Vass.)为材料,选择河边(A种群)和沙漠腹地(B种群)两个沙丘,研究从沙丘底部至顶部,沿着水分条件连续变化的梯度,准噶尔无叶豆在分株种群和克隆片段水平的形态变化特征,以期能揭示其在异质性小生境内利用水分资源的对策,并为准噶尔无叶豆的资源保护、培育和利用提供有意义的参考.研究发现:①在分株种群水平,A种群分株高度及地上部生物量显著高于B种群,而B种群地下部(根)的生物量则显著高于A种群;②在克隆片段水平,随着沙丘底部至顶部,A种群与B种群克隆片段高度和地上生物量都减小,而分株密度都增加,但升高或降低的强度不同;A种群根的生物量和长度增加,主要是水平的位于地下0～10 cm层面的直径10mm以下的根长度增加,而B种群根的生物量减小,但长度却在增加,主要是水平的位于地下0～10 cm层面的直径6mm以下的细根长度增加.水平细根的长度增加,更利于无性系进行广泛觅食,同时促进无性系尽快越过不利生境斑块和提高分株在有利生境中的生长概率.结果表明,准噶尔无叶豆对沙丘坡面水分条件连续变化的异质性小生境存在分株种群及克隆片段两个等级的可塑性响应,并通过可塑性变化适应了沙丘坡面水分条件的分异.     

Structure, Pattern and Mechanisms of Formation of Seed Banks in Sand Dune Systems in Northeastern Inner Mongolia, China

A comparison of structure and pattern of the soil seed bank was made between active and stabilized sand dunes in northeastern Inner Mongolia, China. The objective of this paper was to determine the significance of seed bank in vegetation restoration of sand dunes. The results showed that (1) average seed density decreased from stabilized sand dune to interdune lowland of stabilized sand dune, to interdune lowland of active sand dune, and to active sand dune; (2) horizontally, along the transect from interdune lowland to ecotone and to sand dune top, a ‘V’ shaped pattern was presented in the active dune system, and a reverse ‘V’ shaped pattern in the stabilized sand dune system; (3) vertically, the proportion (accounting for the total seeds) of seeds found in 0–20 mm soil profile decreased from stabilized sand dune to interdune lowland of stabilized sand dune, to interdune lowland of active sand dune, and to active sand dune. The same order was also found in 20–50 mm and 50–100 mm soil profiles; (4) the Sokal and Sneath similarity indices in the species-composition between soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation were ranked as: the stabilized sand dune (24%) > the interdune lowland of active sand dune (21%) > the interdune lowland of stabilized sand dune (18%) > the active sand dune (5%); and (5) vegetation restoration of active sand dunes depends on the dispersal of seeds from nearby plant communities on the interdune lowlands. Much effort must be made to preserve the lowlands, as lowlands are the most important seed reservoir in the active sand dune field.     

沙丘微地形生境蚁丘分布特征及其对恢复过程的响应

为了阐明沙丘微地形生境蚁丘特征及分布规律对沙丘固定过程的响应规律,以科尔沁沙地为研究区,选择不同固沙阶段沙丘的4个方位（西北、东南、西南、东北）布设调查样地,测定了不同样地的蚁丘密度、直径和高度,分析了不同样地蚁丘特征及空间分布规律。结果表明：（1）流动沙丘背风向（即东南方位）蚁丘密度显著高于其他方位,但从流动沙丘到半流动沙丘,背风向（即东南方位）蚁丘密度显著低于其他方位;从半固定沙丘开始,半固定和固定沙丘微地形对蚁丘密度分布的影响较小。（2）在流动沙丘、半流动沙丘、半固定沙丘,不同微地形生境中蚁丘直径和高度均呈现出相似的分布规律,即东南方位均小于其他方位。在固定沙丘,蚁丘高度表现为东南方位亦较低,但蚁丘直径表现为西南和东北方位显著小于西北方位。（3）在流动沙丘,西北、西南和东南方位上蚁丘空间分布均表现为均匀分布型,而在半流动、半固定和固定沙丘,4个方位上蚁丘空间分布均表现为聚集分布型。（4）相关性分析表明,不同固沙阶段不同微生境下蚁丘密度、高度、直径与植物密度、多样性间的相关性不同。随着固沙阶段演替,不同微生境下蚁丘特征与植物密度、多样性的相关性增强。研究表明,在科尔沁沙地,随着流动沙丘固定和生境逐渐恢复,沙丘不同空间方位上蚁丘密度分布差异缩小,而蚁丘直径和高度仍存在沙丘微地形间显著差异性,并且蚁丘空间方位上均呈现聚集分布状态。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Typhula maritima</Emphasis>, a new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Typhula</Emphasis> collected from coastal dunes in Hokkaido,northern Japan

Typhula maritima on coastal dunes in Ishikari and Yoichi, Hokkaido, northern Japan, is illustrated as a new species on the basis of morphology and molecular evidence. The sclerotia in the sand had mycelial strands that extended upward to support basidiocarps. Mycelial strands also connected sclerotia with plant tissues of the dunegrass Eylmus mollis Trin. Typhula maritima is psychrotrophic and halotrophic, and sclerotia floated on seawater for 1 week. These physiological characteristics are important factors for adaptation to the coastal dune environment. Inoculation tests indicated that T. maritima could grow on living E. mollis, but it was not pathogenic. The results suggested that this fungus was, at least, not an active pathogen in the coastal dune ecosystem. Ex-holotype is TH-AIST-Tm-1 (= NBRC 104266).     

Vegetation dynamics of coastal sand dunes near Malindi, Kenya

This study describes the composition, structure and distribution of coastal dune vegetation near Malindi, Kenya. The vegetation was made up of 156 plant species. Sixty families were recorded with Gramineae (seventeen species) and Papilionaceae (sixteen species) being the most widely represented. Fifteen plant communities were described in the different geomorphologic units. The plant communities exhibited a distinct zonal distribution. Halopyrum mucronatum and Ipomoea pes‐caprae plant communities were common in the unstable geomorphologic units. Cordia somaliensis and Pluchea dioscoridis plant communities were common in the more stable geomorphologic units. Most of the plants in the more stable geomorphologic units were shrubs and trees. Succulent herbs were identified in the slacks and the drowned valley, which have moist and damp environments.     

Limiting factors for seedling emergence and establishment of the invasive non-native Rosa rugosa in a coastal dune system

The relative importance of seed, habitat and microhabitat limitation has rarely been investigated for invasive non-native species, although this is critical for their effective management and for predicting future range expansion. Rosa rugosa is an abundant non-native shrub in coastal habitats of NW Europe; it is common along the Baltic coast but more scarce in exposed dunes of the North Sea. To investigate whether invasion of exposed dunes is limited by seed, habitat and microhabitat limitation, seedling emergence and establishment were examined in a factorial sowing, transplant and disturbance experiment. Twenty plots were randomly placed in each of five dune habitats (white dune, Empetrum dune, grey dune, outer dune heath, inner dune heath), and studied over 2 years. Seedling emergence in control subplots was zero in all habitats, whereas 96% and 98% of the undisturbed and disturbed seeded subplots produced seedlings. Disturbance had a positive effect on emergence and subsequent survival in white dune, outer and inner dune heath. Seedling survival and growth, and growth of transplanted seedlings, were markedly lower in grey dune. These findings indicate that establishment of R. rugosa is seed-limited in coastal dune habitats, and that the species is able to establish in both active and fixed dunes once seeds have arrived. Although differential seedling emergence and growth indicate that habitats differ in their degree of invasion susceptibility by R. rugosa, the positive influence of small-scale disturbance suggests microhabitat limitation in some dune habitats as well. Dune management should aim to reduce seed production and dispersal of R. rugosa in near-natural sites, and anthropogenic changes of habitat dynamics should be prevented.     

流动沙丘先锋灌木差巴嘎蒿的种子散布格局

通过对科尔沁沙地流动沙丘上先锋植物差巴嘎蒿的种子散布格局及机理的实验研究,主要得出以下结论:差巴嘎蒿母株向不同方向散布的种子,其数量与距离存在明显的差异.母株向西南方向散布的种子数量最多,种子累积数量高达4 590±1 260,比其它各方向多29%至12倍.向北方向散布的种子数量最少,距离最短,种子累积数量为344±44,距离仅在100 cm的范围内.不同方向差巴嘎蒿种子散布的密度均随着散布距离的增加而呈对数关系减小,表现出显著的相关性.不同方向差巴嘎蒿远离母株的种子散布密度与累积面积之间存在显著的相关性,其间关系可用对数曲线来描述.结果显示,差巴嘎蒿向不同方向散布的种子密度均随着累积面积的增加而增加.     

海岸红树林地沙丘移动对林内大型底栖动物的影响

沙丘在广西北海大冠沙白骨壤红树林内的移动,破碎了原有的平滩,形成了埋没滩、过渡滩、侵蚀滩３种沙化滩涂生境。比较研究了不同滩涂生境间大型底栖动物群落的差异。结果表明：除藤壶外,研究地点共有大型底栖动物３１种。平滩跟其它滩涂生境间的动物群落相似度都小于０．５,表明沙丘移动使原有底栖动物群落异质化。沙化不仅使原有底栖动物群落的种类、密度和生物量分别下降了３５．１％,７４．６８％和８９．７６％,而且还降低     

沙区植物多样性保护研究进展

沙区景观表现为沙丘和低地交错分布.沙区常具独特的植物区系,含有特有和稀有植物.沙区植物丰富度降低和特有(稀有)植物消失问题近些年已受到很大关注,被列入国际生物多样性保护计划,很多国家和地区都对此开展了专门的研究.本文以近期发表的文献为基础,从植物多样性保护问题的提出、植物多样性形成机制、植物多样性保护途径、植物多样性研究与生态学理论的发展等方面论述了沙区植物多样性保护及其研究进展.沙区植物多样性保护应注意植物多样性保护目标的地域间差异(维持沙丘上的高植物丰富度还是保护特有或稀有植物)、流沙固定-植物多样性保护间的均衡、"植物多样性保护的量(高的植物丰富度)-质(特有或稀有植物出现)"间的均衡.还应将沙丘体和丘间低地视为一个统一体,研究干扰和生境破碎化对植物多样性造成的影响.     

绿洲-荒漠交错带环境特征初步研究

以甘肃省石羊河下游的民勤绿洲为例,对其绿洲外围与荒漠交错地带的植被和植被关系密切的灌丛沙包特征进行了系统研究,结果表明,由于生态交错带边缘效应的存在,植被盖度的变化呈现绿洲附近与交错带外围靠近流沙的地方较低,而位于流沙和绿洲之间的部分相应较高,植被盖度较高的部位主要集中于自流动沙丘至绿洲外600m处,而非紧靠近绿洲、这与地下水自沙漠向绿洲方向运移有关,在绿洲外缘300～600m的范围内植被盖度出现下降,原因可能与绿洲荒漠交错带界外区的形成有关,说明研究区绿洲0～600m范围即是该区域绿洲界外区的存在区域,灌丛沙包上的裸沙率以绿洲界外区为最大,大量沙包裸露,可致沙子的活动性增强,因此该地带是对绿洲土地造成沙质荒漠化的最大流沙来源。     

Tasmania revisited: rotifer communities and habitat heterogeneity

The results of four field surveys for Rotifera in Tasmania are summarized. Most new species and records in a 1987 survey were from acid waters (pH < 4.0) of dune lakes on the west coast (42° S). Marked intra- and interhabitat differences in rotifer communities of lakes and ponds were demonstrated by cluster analysis and related to habitat heterogeneity.     

绿洲边缘夹粘沙丘持水特性

夹粘沙丘是指剖面中分布有一层红褐色粘化层的沙丘,其夹粘层埋藏深度常在120—500cm左右,厚度在40—100cm之间,粘粉粒含量达到90%以上。夹粘沙丘人工梭梭固沙植被郁闭度在0.5以上,明显高于相同水热条件下的植被生产力,这可能与夹粘层通过改变土壤持水性及水分状况,从而提高了土壤水分承载力有关。以河西走廊绿洲边缘夹粘沙丘为研究对象,在测定0—8.0m剖面土壤物理性质和土壤水分特征曲线的基础上,计算了土壤孔隙分布和持水特性,研究了剖面中土壤持水性的变化规律及其影响因素。结果表明:(1)夹粘层土壤含水量最高,上覆沙土土壤含水量最少且随深度增加而增加,下伏沙土受地下水毛管作用影响水分含量较高;(2)土壤机械组成决定了不同土层的持水特性,土壤中粘粉粒含量越高,田间持水量和饱和含水量就越大,夹粘层的土壤持水性远高于沙土层;(3)夹粘层是沙丘土壤水分暂时贮存的重要土层,可以为植被提供深层土壤水分,这对绿洲边缘人工固沙植被的生存和繁衍有重要影响,而土壤持水性和毛管作用的强弱决定了夹粘层对沙丘水分调节能力的强弱。本研究为深入理解绿洲边缘雨养固沙植被斑块状分布的机理提供了一定的理论依据。     

Microbial Diversity in Soil,Sand Dune and Rock Substrates of the Thar Monsoon Desert,India

A culture-independent diversity assessment of archaea, bacteria and fungi in the Thar Desert in India was made. Six locations in Ajmer, Jaisalmer, Jaipur and Jodhupur included semi-arid soils, arid soils, arid sand dunes, plus arid cryptoendolithic substrates. A real-time quantitative PCR approach revealed that bacteria dominated soils and cryptoendoliths, whilst fungi dominated sand dunes. The archaea formed a minor component of all communities. Comparison of rRNA-defined community structure revealed that substrate and climate rather than location were the most parsimonious predictors. Sequence-based identification of 1240 phylotypes revealed that most taxa were common desert microorganisms. Semi-arid soils were dominated by actinobacteria and alpha proteobacteria, arid soils by chloroflexi and alpha proteobacteria, sand dunes by ascomycete fungi and cryptoendoliths by cyanobacteria. Climatic variables that best explained this distribution were mean annual rainfall and maximum annual temperature. Substrate variables that contributed most to observed diversity patterns were conductivity, soluble salts, Ca²⁺ and pH. This represents an important addition to the inventory of desert microbiota, novel insight into the abiotic drivers of community assembly, and the first report of biodiversity in a monsoon desert system.     

Grazing and mowing as management tools on dunes

A brief review of mowing and grazing of sand dune vegetation introduces the first results of the use of these management techniques at Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve, Anglesey, north Wales. In the mowing experiments, plots are mown one (May), twice (May and July), three times (May, July and September) and five times (May, June, July, August and September).The grazing experiment has the equivalent of one or two animals to three-quarter acre paddocks (0.3 ha) which are grazed for one third, two thirds or for the whole year.Mean numbers of species per plot, and Lotus corniculatus have increased in both sets of experiments whereas Arrhenatherum elatius has declined. Other species do not show clear-cut changes. Both methods provide practical means of maintaining a short turf, but the long-term effects of mowing may not be beneficial to the vascular plant flora. Grazing can however provide a crop as well as a desirable flora although manpower and capital costs may limit its use by conservationists.Nomenclature follows Clapham, A. R., Tutin, T. F. & Warburg, E. G. (1962), Flora of the British Isles, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, London.A large grazing experiment can not proceed without the help and advice of many people. The Nature Conservancy Council has allowed the establishment of the grazing and mowing experiments at Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve. The staff of the North Wales region of NCC have encouraged and aided the work in many ways. Mr W. D. Martin, Mr R. A. Bennett, Mr L. C. Colley and the Estate Workers merit special thanks. Dr J. Hodgson, late of the Grasslands Research Institute, now with the Hill Farming Research Organisation and Mr P. Rothery (ITE) gave useful, practical and statistical advice at the planning stages of the grazing experiment. Mr R. J. C. MacMullen assisted with the field survey in 1982 and preparation of the data for computer analysis. Dr D. Moss (ITE) has provided statistical advice and computations. Professor F. T. Last and Dr C. Milner, my senior officers in ITE, have been especially helpful with advice and encouragement.     

The role of E. maritimum (L.) in the dune pollination network of the Balearic Islands

Eryngium maritimum L. (Apiaceae) is a geophyte that inhabits in the dunes of the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Although it is a highly entomophilous species, there is little literature on its pollinator assemblage. The aim of this study is to analyze the role played by E. maritimum in the dune pollination network of the Balearic Islands, where there is an intense anthropogenic impact in its habitat. For this purpose, two populations located in the North and South of Mallorca were chosen, in which diurnal transects were carried out to observe and capture pollinators on 15 plant species during the anthesis period of E. maritimum. The flowering period of 10 plant species flowering at the same period than E. maritimum was analyzed to identify periods of competition. A total of 71 pollinator species were found, belonging to 30 different families. Eryngium maritimum is a strongly generalist species, with a total of 45 pollinator species. Two new species, Odice blandula and Leucospis gigas, were found for the first time in Mallorca. In terms of pollinators, Teucrium dunense and Helichrysum stoechas are the most similar species to E. maritimum. However, analysis of phenology suggests that these three species have been able to decouple their blooms to avoid competition. The present study shows that E. maritimum plays an important role in the dune pollination network, being its anthesis located at the end of the dune flowering season, when there are no functionally similar species in flower.     

Nested Coleoptera and Orthoptera on sand dunes in the Basin and Range Province of western North America

The sand dunes of the Basin and Range Province of western North America contain obligate and endemic species of Coleoptera and Orthoptera. These dune habitats represent islands on which the isolated insular faunas are in a state of relaxation. The calculated temperature metric used in this study reflects the relative measure of disorder, by which the degree of nestedness can be determined. Sixteen dunes in the Basin and Range Province are shown to comprise a nested subset of obligate Coleoptera and Orthoptera. These sixteen sand dunes remain nested even when the endemic species are excluded from the analysis. The absence of endemic species slightly decreased the calculated temperature of the island-dune archipelago. Therefore, endemic species present in the sand dunes do not significantly contribute to the high degree of nestedness of dune obligate Coleoptera and Orthoptera in the Basin and Range Province. The dunes can also be separated into five distinct sub-basins, two of which contain only one sand dune. These sub-basins are not significantly nested, but together define the nested structure of the Basin and Range Province.