Non-woody life-form contribution to vascular plant species richness in a tropical American forest

We provide total vascular plant species counts for three 1-ha plots in deciduous, semi-deciduous and evergreen forests in central Bolivia. Species richness ranged from 297 species and 22,360 individuals/ha in the dry deciduous forest to 382 species and 31,670 individuals/ha in the evergreen forest. Orchidaceae, Pteridophyta and Leguminosae were among the most species-rich major plant groups in each plot, and Peperomia (Piperaceae), Pleurothallis (Orchidaceae) and Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae), all epiphytes, were the most species-rich genera. This dominance of a few but very diverse and/or widespread taxa contrasted with the low compositional similarity between plots. In a neotropical context, these Central Bolivian forest plots are similar in total species richness to other dry deciduous and humid montane forests, but less rich than most Amazonian forests. Nevertheless, lianas, terrestrial herbs and especially epiphytes proved to be of equal or higher species richness than most other neotropical forest inventories from which data are available. We therefore highlight the importance of non-woody life-forms (especially epiphytes and terrestrial herbs) in Andean foothill forest ecosystems in terms of species richness and numbers of individuals, representing in some cases nearly 50% of the species and more than 75% of the individuals. These figures stress the need for an increased inventory effort on non-woody plant groups in order to accurately direct conservation actions. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Liana diversity and distribution in four tropical dry evergreen forests on the Coromandel coast of south India

Liana diversity was inventoried in four tropical dry evergreen forest sites that are characterized by numerous trees, of short stature and small diameter, and a varying degree of anthropogenic disturbance, on the Coromandel coast of south India. A 1-ha plot was established in each of the four sites and was subdivided into 100 quadrats of 10 m× 10 m. All lianas 1 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) rooted within the plot were enumerated. The species richness and density of lianas, with respect to site disturbance and forest stature, varied across the sites. Liana density totaled 3307 individuals (range 497–1163 individuals ha^–1) and species richness totaled 39 species (range 24–29 species ha^–1) representing 34 genera and 24 families. Combretaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Capparaceae and Vitaceae were the well-represented families. The top five species Strychnos minor, Combretum albidum, Derris ovalifolia, Jasminum angustifolium and Reissantia indica contributed 55% of total density. The slopes of the species–area curves were different for each of the four sites and the curve stabilized in only one site. Of the four climbing modes recognized among the total 39 species, 18 were twiners (56% of the total density). Eight species (24% of density) were tendril climbers and 12 species (16% of density) were scramblers. Hugonia mystax was the only hook climber. All the 39 species and 88% of liana density were encountered within a category of 6 cm dbh or less, and a similar pattern prevailed in the individual sites. Of the three diaspore dispersal modes found among the 39 liana species, animal (64%) and wind (23%) dispersal were predominant over the autochorous mode (13%). Liana diversity and distribution in dry forest communities appear to be influenced by forest stature and site disturbance levels. In the light of the extent of liana diversity and sacred grove status of the study sites, the need for forest conservation, involving local people, is emphasized.     

广西中部7种典型灌丛群落的物种多样性特征

为揭示广西中部典型灌丛群落的结构和物种多样性特征,运用样方法调查分析了广西中部7种典型灌丛群落的物种、区系组成、生活型谱和物种多样性指数。结果表明,7个群落中共有85种灌木,隶属37科68属,以大戟科(Euphorbiaceae)和豆科(Leguminosae)为主,分别有10种和9种,占灌木种数的11.76%和10.59%;还有74种草本植物,隶属35科61属,以禾本科(Gramineae)和菊科(Asteraceae)为主,分别有13种和11种,占草本物种数的17.57%和14.87%。龙须藤(Bauhinia championii)群落的物种丰富度指数(S)、Simpson优势度指数(D)、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H′)和Pielou均匀度指数(J)均最高,而光荚含羞草(Mimosa sepiaria)、老虎刺(Pterolobium punctatum)、桃金娘(Rhodomyrtus tomentosa)群落的相对较低。由于研究区域地处中亚热带南缘,灌丛群落的区系组成以泛热带分布最多,占43.94%,生活型以高位芽植物为主,占37.50%。因此,广西中部灌丛群落的区系组成和生活型谱的热带性质强于温带性质,且接近于南亚热带植被的组成特征。     

Plant species richness and species-area relations in a shortgrass steppe in Colorado

Abstract. Plant species richness and species-area relations were examined for three landscapes (toposequences), each with a summit or upland, a midslope and a toeslope or lowland, in a shortgrass steppe in Colorado. The number of plant species in the largest plot size (0.16 ha) varied from 38 to 53. Neither the exponential relationship: s = a + b log A, nor the power function: S = cAz fit the data equally well in all situations. The processes acting upon species diversity here seem to operate at two spatial scales. The number of species in plots smaller than 3 m² was independent of the total number of species in the 0.16-ha plots and was constrained by the presence of the dominant bunchgrasses. Beyond 3 m², species number in each plot size was a function of the total number of species in the 0.16-ha plot.     

Diversity of understory plants in undisturbed and disturbed tropical lowland forests of Little Andaman Island, India

Species richness and density of understory plants were investigated in eight 1 ha plots, distributed one each in undisturbed and disturbed tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, deciduous and littoral forests of Little Andaman island, India, which falls under one of the eight hottest hotspots of Biodiversity in the world viz. the Indo-Burma. One hundred 1 m⁻² quadrats were established in each 1 ha plot, in which all the understory plants (that include herbs, undershrubs, shrubs and herbaceous climbers) were enumerated. The total density of understory plants was 6,812 individuals (851 ha⁻¹) and species richness was 108 species, representing 104 genera and 50 families. Across the four forest types and eight study plots, the species richness ranged from 10 to 39 species ha⁻¹. All the disturbed sites harbored greater number of species than their undisturbed counterparts. Herbs dominated by species (63%) and density (4,259 individuals). The grass Eragrostis tenella (1,860 individuals; IVI 40), the invasive climber Mikania cordata (803; IVI 20) and the shrub Anaxagorea luzonensis (481; IVI 17.5) were the most abundant species. Poaceae, Asteraceae, Acanthaceae, Orchidaceae and Euphorbiaceae constituted the species-rich families represented by 6 species each. The species-area curves attained an asymptote at 0.8 ha level except in sites DD and DL, indicating 1 ha plot is not sufficient to capture all the understory species in disturbed forests. The alien weeds formed about one-fourth of the species richness (31 species; 28%) and density (1,926 individuals; 28.3%) in the study sites, indicating the extent of weed invasion and the attention required for effective conservation of the native biodiversity of the fragile island forest ecosystem.     

Mesoscale Patterns in the Floristic Composition of Forests in the Central Western Ghats of Karnataka,India

We describe the mesoscale floristic patterns in the central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India, through combined analysis of woody species abundance and stand structure data from a network of ninety-six 1-ha sampling plots spread across 22,000 km². A total of 61,906 individuals (≥10 cm gbh) comprising 400 plant species from 254 genera and 75 families were recorded. Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Lauraceae and Moraceae families constituted 23.5 percent of the total number of species encountered. The relative dominance of species was skewed with Poecilonueron indicum, Xylia xylocarpa, Terminalia tomentosa and Anogeissus latifolia being dominant in some plots. Correspondence analysis (CA) and a nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) of plots by species abundances data showed similar arching patterns, with significant correlation between the first axis of CA and NMDS (r=0.77). Hierarchical clustering of plot scores along the three first CA axes resulted in splitting the plots into five different categories that broadly reflect the major bioclimatic features of the region. A multiscale bootstrapping test indicated that categorization of the wettest (wet evergreen group 1 and 2) and driest (dry deciduous) groups were robust (P<0.05 with 1000 bootstraps), while the remaining two transitional groups were uncertain (P=0.12 and 0.26 for moist deciduous and semi-evergreen group, respectively). Principal component analysis revealed that plots with similar floristic composition can encompass contrastingly different physiognomic structures (canopy cover, canopy height and mean tree diameter) probably in relation to their levels of disturbance. Observed patterns in the floristic composition have been discussed in the light of the complex interaction between the bioclimatic and disturbance regimes that characterize the region.     

云南纳板河热带季节雨林20 ha动态监测样地的树种组成与群落分类

大型森林动态监测样地是研究物种共存、群落演替等生态学核心问题的重要平台。纳板河流域国家级自然保护区管理局与中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园合作, 于2016-2017年参照美国史密森热带森林科学中心的技术标准, 在纳板河流域国家级自然保护区内建立了一块热带季节雨林20 ha动态监测样地。本研究分析了该样地的树种组成特征, 并进行了群落数量分类。结果表明: 该样地中DBH ≥ 1 cm的木本植物个体共有59,498株, 分属63科197属296种; 个体数超过1,000株的常见物种有15个, 个体数小于20株的稀有物种有126个。科的区系分布型以热带成分为主, 占总科数的65.08%, 温带成分占17.46%。属的区系分布型以热带成分为主, 占总属数的88.32%, 温带成分占10.66%。该样地群落类型的形成主要受海拔和凹凸度这两个地形因子的影响, 500个20 m × 20 m的样方可以分为4个群丛, 分别为: (1)灰毛浆果楝 + 粗糠柴 - 假山萝 + 番龙眼群丛(Cipadessa baccifera + Mallotus philippensis - Harpullia cupanioides + Pometia pinnata Association); (2)长梗三宝木 + 腋球苎麻 - 顶果木 + 番龙眼群丛(Trigonostemon thyrsoideus + Boehmeria glomerulifera - Acrocarpus fraxinifolius + Pometia pinnata Association); (3)云南银柴 + 大果山香圆 - 湄公锥 + 普文楠群丛(Aporusa yunnanensis + Turpinia pomifera - Castanopsis mekongensis + Phoebe puwenensis Association); (4)歪叶榕 + 密花火筒树 - 毒药树 + 番龙眼群丛(Ficus cyrtophylla + Leea compactiflora - Sladenia celastrifolia + Pometia pinnata Association)。     

小兴安岭阔叶红松林地表甲虫Beta多样性

Beta多样性用来衡量集群内物种组成的变异性,可以被分解为空间物种转换和物种集群镶嵌两个组分,是揭示群落构建机制的重要基础。目前开展了较多的地上生态系统beta多样性研究,然而地下生态系统beta多样性进展缓慢。以小兴安岭凉水和丰林自然保护区为研究地区,于2015年8、10月采用陷阱法对阔叶红松林进行调查,揭示地表甲虫(步甲科、隐翅虫科、葬甲科)的beta多样性。结果表明:(1)凉水共发现39种、856只地表甲虫,丰林共发现43种、1182只地表甲虫。8月凉水明显具有较高的全部甲虫(三个科的总和)物种多样性和丰富度,10月正好相反。(2)凉水和丰林之间地表甲虫beta多样性的差异仅发现于8月的步甲科和葬甲科之间。(3)凉水和丰林地表甲虫的beta多样性主要由空间物种转换组成,物种集群镶嵌对beta多样性的贡献很小,说明地表甲虫物种组成变异主要由本地物种之间较高的转换引起。研究表明小兴安岭阔叶红松林地表甲虫的beta多样性主要由空间物种转换组成,在揭示群落构建机制过程中,其内部物种交换和环境调控不容忽视。     

鹞落坪国家级自然保护区草本植物多样性及空间分布

鹞落坪国家级自然保护区森林群落研究主要集中于乔木层生物多样性、群落组成与结构及其维持机制,但对保护区林下草本层植物多样性及空间结构缺乏研究。以鹞落坪国家级自然保护区内落叶阔叶林11.56 km²永久大样地（以下简称大样地）林下草本植物为研究对象,探讨草本层植物多样性、空间分布格局及优势种的种间联结性和相关性。结果表明：（1）大样地内的草本植物共有52科134属195种,其中百合科、唇形科、堇菜科、菊科与毛茛科草本植物占主导作用。（2）大样地内草本植物优势种明显,多样性指数较高且整体分布较为均匀,其中北部阳坡物种多样性较低,南部阴坡、中部半阳坡的物种多样性较高。（3）七种空间格局分析方法均表明大样地内草本植物优势种呈现聚集分布。（4）大样地内10个草本优势种45个优势种对的χ²检验、联结系数AC检验、Pearson相关系数检验和Spearman秩相关系数检验结果显示,种对间正联结、正相关的数量多于负联结、负相关的数量;Spearman秩相关系数检验更具灵敏性;种间联结强度与相关度较弱,说明林下草本植物种间及与环境之间关系尚未达到相对稳定状态。对鹞落坪落叶阔叶林下草本植物调查与长期监测,为深入研究林下草本植物的生态功能、对林下草本植物资源的保护利用及自然保护区管理提供理论依据。     

Tree competition and species coexistence in a cool-temperate old-growth forest in southwestern Japan

Abstract. The growth dynamics and mode of competition between adult trees ≥ 4 cm in DBH (stem diameter at breast height 1.3 m) of eight abundant species occupying ca. 90 % of the total basal area were investigated in a 4-ha study plot (200 m × 200 m) of a cool-temperate, old-growth forest on Mount Daisen, southwestern Japan. In the study plot, 30 tree species with individuals ≥ 4.0 cm DBH co-occurred. A bimodal DBH distribution showing upper and lower-canopy layers was found for the most dominant and largest species, Fagus crenata (ca. 78 % of the total basal area), whilst other tree species showed unimodal DBH distributions corresponding mostly to the lower-canopy layer. We developed a model for individual growth incorporating both intra and interspecific competition and the degree of competitive asymmetry. Onesided interspecific competition was detected only from Fagus crenata (upper-canopy species) to Acer japonicum and Acanthopanax sciadophylloides (lower-canopy species) on the scale of the 4-ha study plot. Only Acanthopanax sciadophylloides showed symmetric intraspecific competition. However, a positive (non-competitive) interspecific relationship between adult trees prevailed over a competitive relationship; for example, individual DBH growth rate of Fagus crenata (especially lower-canopy trees) was correlated with the abundance of Acer mono. The positive relationship represented a group of species with similar habitat preference [soil type (mature or immature) caused by landslide disturbance and the presence/absence of Sasa dwarf bamboos in the understorey], where tree densities were not so high as to bring about competition. Competitive interactions between adult trees ≥ 4 cm in DBH occurred only locally between a few specific species and were suggested to be almost irrelevant to the variation in species coexistence on the 4-ha scale of cool-temperate forest. Rather, the coexistence of 30 tree species (species diversity) on this large scale was suggested to be governed by the regeneration pattern of each component species (habitat preference, seedling establishment, sapling competition) with respect to landslide disturbance.     

Land snail species richness and diversity in Idanre hills,Ondo State,Nigeria

The land snail community of Idanre hills was studied using a combination of direct search and leaf litter‐sieving techniques. In total, 36 species and 2192 individuals in nine molluscan families were collected from 19 plots of 400 m² each. Species richness varied from 8 to 23 and the number of individuals from 21 to 566 per plot. Species richness was dominated by the carnivorous Streptaxidae, while numerical abundance was dominated by the Subulinidae, Streptaxidae and Urocyclidae, contributing to more than 95% of the total number of individuals. The single most abundant species was the urocyclid Trochozonites talcosus, contributing to almost 20% of the total number of individuals. The species richness and high abundance of land snails make Idanre hills a unique site for molluscan conservation in Nigeria.     

Rarity and abundance in a diverse African forest

We censused all trees ≥1 cm dbh in 50 ha of forest in Korup National Park, southwest Cameroon, in the central African coastal forest known for high diversity and endemism. The plot included 329,519 individuals and 493 species, but 128 of those taxa remain partially identified. Abundance varied over four orders of magnitude, from 1 individual per 50 ha (34 species) to Phyllobotryon spathulatum, with 26,741 trees; basal area varied over six orders of magnitude. Abundance patterns, both the percentage of rare species and the dominance of abundant species were similar to those from 50-ha plots censused the same way in Asia and Latin America. Rare species in the Korup plot were much less likely to be identified than common species: 42% of taxa with <10 individuals in the plot were identified to species, compared to 95% of the abundant taxa. Geographic ranges for all identified species were gleaned from the literature and online flora. Thirteen of the plot species are known only from Korup National Park (all discovered during the plot census), and 39 are restricted to the Nigeria–Cameroon coastal zone. Contrary to expectation, species with narrow geographic ranges were more abundant in the plot than average. The small number of narrow endemics (11% of the species), many locally abundant, mitigates short-term extinction risk, either from demographic stochasticity or habitat loss.     

粤东桥溪村风水林群落特征初探

在粤东梅州市桥溪村风水林设立样方,对其乔木层、灌木层和草本层植物进行调查,分析该风水林的群落特征及植物多样性。结果表明:该风水林3 000 m2的样方内,共有维管植物67种,隶属于37个科54个属,其中蕨类植物4科4属4种,裸子植物3科3属3种,被子植物30科47属60种。群落分布型以热带性分布占优势,热带属所占比例为74.08%。群落主要优势科为樟科、壳斗科、金缕梅科,优势种为细柄阿丁枫、刺毛杜鹃、鼠刺、阿丁枫。群落为常绿阔叶林,生活型以高位芽为主,占73.13%,其中又以中高位芽类型最多,约占43%。乔木层可分为三层,但以株高6~9.9 m的个体数为最多;藤本的比例高达17.91%。马尾松、杉木、细柄阿丁枫以及阿丁枫都缺少幼苗贮备,其种群属于衰退状态;而刺毛杜鹃、越南山龙眼幼苗贮备较充足,且刺毛杜鹃种群是典型的增长型种群。该风水林群落比周边其他群落有较高的物种丰富度、植物多样性,且物种分布较为均匀,种间相遇率较大。在群落不同层中,物种丰富度、Margalef指数、Shannon-Winer指数、Simpson指数、种间相遇机率乔木层均为最高,均匀度指数以灌木层较高,草本层的优势度指数最高。桥溪村风水林与粤东和华南地区的其他常绿阔叶林有很大的相似性。该风水林在粤东地区是一种典型的地带性森林,其树种组成是经过长时间对当地环境适应而形成的,具有稳定性和多功能性,对其研究可为华南地区的植物资源保护、生态公益林的保护和营造提供科学依据。     

Assessing the above‐ground biomass of a complex tropical rainforest using a canopy crane

Abstract Current estimates of the total biomass in tropical rainforests vary considerably; this is due in large part to the different approaches that are used to calculate biomass. In this study we have used a canopy crane to measure the tree architectures in a 1 ha plot of complex mesophyll vine forest at Cape Tribulation, Australia. Methods were developed to measure and calculate the crown and stem biomass of six major species of tree and palm (Alstonia scholaris (Apocynaceae), Cleistanthus myrianthus (Euphorbiaceae), Endiandra microneura (Lauraceae), Myristica insipida (Myristicaceae), Acmena graveolens (Myrtaceae), Normanbya normanbyi (Arecaceae)) using the unique access provided by the crane. This has allowed the first non‐destructive biomass estimate to be carried out for a forest of this type. Allometric equations which relate tree biomass to the measured variable ‘diameter at breast height’ were developed for the six species, and a general equation was also developed for trees on the plot. The general equation was similar in form to equations developed for tropical rainforests in Brazil and New Guinea. The species equations were applied at the level of families, the generalized equation was applied to the remaining species which allowed the biomass of a total of 680 trees to be calculated. This has provided a current estimate of 270 t ha⁻¹ above‐ground biomass at the Australian Canopy Crane site; a value comparable to lowland rainforests in Panama and French Guiana. Using the same tree database seven alternative allometric equations (literature equations for tropical rainforests) were used to calculate the site biomass, the range was large (252–446 t ha⁻¹) with only three equations providing estimates within 34 t ha⁻¹ (12.5%) of the site value. Our use of multiple species‐specific allometric equations has provided a site estimate only slightly larger (1%) than that obtained using allometric equations developed specifically for tropical wet rainforests. We have demonstrated that it is possible to non‐destructively measure the biomass in a complex forest using an on‐site canopy crane. In conjunction the development of crown maps and a detailed tree architecture database allows changes in forest structure to be followed quantitatively.     

草海国家级自然保护区华山松群落特征及物种多样性研究

为探讨喀斯特地区森林群落的演替动态和生物多样性维持机制,采用样地调查法对草海国家级自然保护区的华山松(Pinusarmandii)群落的物种组成、植物区系特征、种群结构和物种多样性等进行了分析。结果表明,样地内共有种子植物37科69属81种,其中乔木11种、灌木32种、草本38种;群落内植物的科、属区系成分类型多样,以温带成分为主;生活型谱主要以高位芽植物(46.91%)和地面芽植物(27.16%)为主;乔木层华山松的重要值达58%,为群落的单优势种;径级结构呈左偏正态型分布,树高分布集中在12～21 m,冠幅分布呈V型;乔木层与灌木层、草本层间的多样性差异显著(P0.05),物种丰富度指数S和D_M、多样性指数H和D_S均为草本层灌木层乔木层,物种均匀度指数J为灌木层草本层乔木层。因此,草海国家级自然保护区内的华山松群落特征和物种多样性具有明显的地域特点。     

Management impacts on vegetation dynamics of hyper‐eutrophicated fields at Berlin,Germany

Abstract. This paper reports on vegetation dynamics on terrestrial, temperate grassland sites at the upper range of the productivity scale, i.e. on abandoned sewage fields (fields once used for waste water disposal) at Berlin‐Blankenfelde, Germany. I studied regeneration and the influence of different management practices (removal of top soil and mowing in late summer). Changes in species composition and cover were followed on permanent plots of 2m × 2m size through five years of vegetation development. At the outset of the experiment the abandoned fields were dominated by dense Urtica dioica /Elymus repens stands. Species richness was 7 species/ 4m², and it remained low on unmanaged plots during the time of observation (7.6 species/plot in year 5). Removal of 20 cm of top soil caused a severe decline of Urtica and a large increase in species richness (21 species in year 1 after disturbance). Mowing was slightly higher compared with unmown plots on both initially excavated and unexcavated plots. Total cover was always near 100 % (except immediately after top soil removal). Colonization of bare soil was very rapid and in late summer of the first year after disturbance cover already increased towards 100%. On all plots the vegetation was mostly dominated by perennial herbs and grasses. Winter season gaps are occupied by Galium aparine, a large‐seeded annual scrambling climber. Monocarpic perennials behaved as winter annuals in most cases. Woody species were inhibited by dense above‐ground biomass and litter cover. The paper questions whether succession on abandoned sewage fields may proceed towards a woodland stage and advises how vegetation of such hyper‐eutrophicated sites can be managed towards higher diversity.     

Biodiversity inventory of trees in a large-scale permanent plot of tropical evergreen forest at Varagalaiar, Anamalais, Western Ghats, India

A permanent plot of 30 ha (600 × 500 m²) was established for long-term ecological research on biodiversity and forest functioning in a tropical evergreen forest at Varagalaiar, Anamalais, Western Ghats. This paper gives the results of the first census of trees in the 30 ha plot. All trees 30 cm gbh were permanently tagged with sequentially numbered aluminium tags and their girth measured. 148 tree species (in 120 genera and 49 families) were enumerated in a total sample of 13,393 individuals. Species diversity, density and dispersion patterns were determined. The mean species richness, density and basal area per hectare were 65 species, 446 stems and 36.26 m² respectively. The Sorensen similarity index for thirty 1-ha subplots varied from 0.7 to 0.9, indicating the homogeneity in species composition of the stand. The pronounced species hierarchy has resulted in the dominance of four species that occupy four different forest storeys: Drypetes longifolia (lower storey) Reinwardtiodendron anamallayanum (middle storey), Poeciloneuron indicum (upper storey) and Dipterocarpus indicus (emergent). The forest was dominated by Euphorbiaceae in terms of richness (18 species) and abundance of species (3788 stems), and Dipterocarpaceae based on the contribution to basal area (18.4%). Species richness and density decreased with increasing girth-class. Girth class frequency of the stand exhibited an expanding population of trees. Twenty-nine tree species, analysed for spatial dispersion at 1-ha scale, exhibited both clumped and uniform patterns, except Vateria indica which was randomly distributed in one hectare. Repeat census scheduled for subsequent years, will elucidate the behaviour of the individual species and the population dynamics of the tree flora and will be useful for forest conservation and management. It will also help to monitor human activity within this forest.     

The herb community of a tropical forest in central Panamá: dynamics and impact of mammalian herbivores

Mammals are hypothesized to either promote plant diversity by preventing competitive exclusion or limit diversity by reducing the abundance of sensitive plant species through their activities as browsers or disturbance agents. Previous studies of herbivore impacts in plant communities have focused on tree species and ignored the herbaceous community. In an experiment in mature-phase, tropical moist forest sites in central Panamá, we studied the impact of excluding ground-dwelling mammals on the richness and abundance of herbs in 16, 30×45-m plots. Within each plot, we censused the herbaceous community in 28, 2×2-m subplots (1,792 m² total area sampled). We identified over 54 species of herbs averaging 1.21 ramets m⁻² and covering approximately 4.25% of the forest floor. Excluding mammals for 5 years had no impact on overall species richness. Within exclosures, however, there was a significant two-fold increase in the density of rare species. Overall herbaceous density and percent cover did not differ between exclosures and adjacent control plots, although cover did increase over time. Mammalian exclusion significantly increased the total cover of three-dominant herb species, Pharus latifolius, Calathea inocephala, and Adiantum lucidum, but did not affect their density. This study represents one of the most extensive herbaceous community censuses conducted in tropical forests and is among a few that quantify herbaceous distribution and abundance in terms of both density and cover. Additionally, this work represents the first community level test of mammalian impacts on the herbaceous community in a tropical forest to date. Our results suggest that ground dwelling mammals do not play a key role in altering the relative abundance patterns of tropical herbs in the short term. Furthermore, our results contrast sharply with prior studies on similar temporal and spatial scales that demonstrate mammals strongly alter tree seedling composition and reduce seedling density. Thus, we question the pervasiveness of top–down control on tropical plant communities and the paradigm that defaunation will inexorably lead to widespread, catastrophic shifts in plant communities.     

Post-fire uptake of nutrients by diverse ephemeral herbs in chamise chaparral

Summary Diverse populations of ephemeral herbs form the dominant element of community biomass in the first year of growth following a fall burn in chamise chaparral. Ephemeral herbs constituted 337 kg ha^-1 of above-ground biomass after the first season of post-fire growth. This was 64% of the total, with the majority of the remaining biomass being in resprouts of Adenostoma fasciculatum. Ephemeral herb biomass following fire in other stands was as high as 1117 kg ha^-1. Nutrient contents of ephemeral herbs were 6.68 kg N ha^-1, 0.71 kg P ha^-1, 10.05 kg K ha^-1, 4.75 kg Ca ha^-1 and 0.91 kg Mg ha^-1. These were 55, 54, 81, 71 and 70% respectively of the above-ground totals. In the second year following fire, the total herb biomass was 40% higher, but the nutrient pool in above-ground biomass of these herbs was only 30–60% of what it had been the first year. Resprouts of A. fasciculatum and short-lived wood shrubs constituted more than 90% of above-ground biomass at this stage of postfire succession.     

西双版纳勐腊望天树热带季节雨林蕨类植物组成及生态特征

采用生态学样方调查及统计学方法,研究了云南勐腊望天树热带季节性雨林蕨类植物的组成及生态特征。结果表明:在1hm2(4个50m×50m,含400个5m×5m小样方)面积的样地里,记录有蕨类植物48种13 159株(丛);在生态特征上,40个地生蕨类的盖度之和占调查样地面积的22.45%,缺乏高盖度级种类;黑鳞轴脉蕨、长叶实蕨、多形叉蕨等属高频度级种类;长叶实蕨、多形叉蕨、黑鳞轴脉蕨、毛柄短肠蕨、薄叶牙蕨、思茅叉蕨等种的重要值之和占86.31%,它们是望天树林蕨类植物的典型代表种。生活型组成上,以地面芽植物占优势(达80%)。叶质主要由纸质叶(占54.17%)和草质叶(占27.08%)种类组成;叶形主要由羽状复叶种类组成(89.58%)。与西双版纳相同取样面积的山地常绿阔叶林比较,望天树林蕨类植物的种数及种群数量分别是山地常绿阔叶林的1.55倍及2.23倍。同一地区不同海拔和生境异质性是导致蕨类植物组成不同、种群数量变化的主要原因。该研究揭示了赤道热带北缘热带雨林蕨类植物的组成及生态特征,有利于与其它热带地区蕨类植物作进一步的比较研究。