Viable soil seed banks in disturbed lowland tropical rainforest sites in North Queensland

Four 0.125 m² soil samples, 50 mm deep, from each of eight tropical lowland rainforest sites ranging from primary and secondary forests to degraded Imperata grasslands were exposed to shade-house conditions. Germinations of soil seeds were monitored over 28 weeks in April-October. The viable seed banks in the primary forest (592 m^-2) and the secondary forest sites resulting from one cycle of clearing and abandonment (1300–1400 m^-2) were composed predominantly of secondary species. The viable seed banks were small in Imperata grassland sites that had been burnt regularly (200–400 m^-2) and very large (2000–3000 m^-2) in sites that had not been burnt for five years or more. The seed banks of the burnt and unburnt Imperata grassland sites were composed mostly of agricultural weeds whilst seeds of secondary rainforest trees were rare or absent. Similarities between the species composition of soil seed banks and regrowth vegetation types suggest that soil seed composition is important in determining the initial floristic composition following disturbance and that lack of seed of secondary rainforest trees is one factor which restricts re-growth and secondary succession on degraded Imperata grasslands. Species such as Eucalyptus intermedia R. T. Bak., E. pellita F. Muell. and Imperata cylindrica (L.)Beauv. which can establish and deflect the normal rainforest secondary succession were not present in the soil seed bank, and these species appear to rely on fresh seed inputs, lignotubers or rhizomes to colonize and regenerate after disturbance.     

Evidence of late Pleistocene fires and eucalypt forest from a North Queensland humid tropical rainforest site

Charcoal fragments, some identified as Eucalyptus, with radiocarbon dates spanning the period 27 000–12 000 years bp , were found in a soil profile under moist tropical rainforest in north-eastern Australia. The charcoal indicates that sclerophyll forest occupied a central part of the Windsor Tableland rainforest massif during the late Pleistocene. The widespread presence of identifiable and dateable charcoal under rainforest in north Queensland provides an opportunity to examine the patterns and ecological implications of fluctuations in rainforest distribution in recent history.     

Diversity of fungi on rainforest litter in North Queensland, Australia

Ten leaves from each of 13 different tree types from two differentrainforest sites in North Queensland, Australia were examined in order toestablish the fungal diversity developing on these leaves. A total of 57microfungi were identified, most of which were mitosporic fungi. Speciesdiversity in terms of richness and evenness were compared and the Mt Lewis sitewas found to be richer as compared to the Butchers Creek site. Statisticalmeasurements of diversity indices, however, showed that the two forest siteswere of similar diversity. Thirty-six of the fungi identified occurred only onone leaf type, indicating possible host specificities or recurrences. The samplesize, however, is deemed to be insufficient, as a larger sample size may haveresulted in less of the fungi appearing to be host specific. It is recommendedthat future studies should include more leaf samples and less tree types. It isparticularly important that the same leaf species are collected within the samesite and at different sites in order to establish the effects of host on fungalcomposition.     

海南五指山热带山地雨林主要种群结构特征分析

对海南五指山热带山地雨林线枝蒲桃、毛荔枝、鸭脚木、谷木、山苦茶和海南柿６ 个主要种群进行年龄结构分析,结果表明这６ 个种群均为增长型结构,现处于发展阶段．这些种群的发展状况将直接决定五指山热带山地雨林未来的类型．同时对其中的线枝蒲桃进行静态生命表和波谱分析,结果表明线枝蒲桃种群的动态过程存在周期性,其更新与林窗有密切关系．     

西双版纳勐宋山区热带山地雨林的群落学研究

首次报道了云南西双版纳勐宋的热带山地雨林群落 ,该群落植物区系组成特殊 ,森林上层乔木组成中以古老的单室茱萸科 (Mastixiaceae)和紫树科 (Nyssaceae)植物为优势 ,亦富有木兰科 (Magnoliaceae)的长蕊木兰、云南拟单性木兰 ,红花木莲等系统发育上较原始的植物以及一些典型东南亚热带山地雨林群落的代表植物。通过对该热带山地雨林群落组成与结构的调查研究 ,认为该热带山地雨林可区分为沟谷和山坡 2个类型。沟谷群落类型以八蕊单室茱萸和大萼楠为乔木层优势种 ,可定义为八蕊单室茱萸—大萼楠林。山坡群落类型以云南拟单性木兰和云南裸花为优势 ,可定义为云南拟单性木兰—云南裸花林。     

Light acclimation of four native tree species in felling gaps within a tropical mountain rainforest

Ecuadorian mountain rainforests are declining dramatically due to deforestation. Exploitation of remaining forests has led to low abundances of native, valuable timber species. Enrichment planting of selected native tree species into forest gaps is a strategy that may increase their abundance and maintain biodiversity. However, the development of successful planting strategies requires knowledge of environmental demands on, and ecological requirements of, native species during their establishment. This knowledge is currently lacking for mid- and late-successional species in Central American forests. Two deciduous, mid-successional (Cedrela montana, Tabebuia chrysantha) and two evergreen, late-successional native tree species (Nectandra membranacea, Podocarpus sprucei) were planted into felling gaps. Photosynthetic performance and growth in height of these species were assessed along light gradients during seedling establishment to test whether species-specific light responses were related to plant successional traits. Both mid-successional species benefited from higher light levels in gaps up to 30% canopy openness_60°. In larger gaps, C. montana exhibited a significant decline in growth. As expected, growth of the late-successional species was only marginally increased at higher light levels. Nevertheless, the photosynthetic apparatus of N. membranacea displayed rapid acclimation to higher light conditions in gaps. Plant response to felling gaps may not always be predicted based on successional status. Our results suggest that the four investigated species may coexist in the same gap by occupying different niches along light gradients. This arrangement may offer an ecological basis to increase the abundance of valuable timber species through enrichment planting in Ecuador mountain rainforests.     

滇南勐宋热带山地雨林木质藤本多样性研究

调查滇南勐宋山地雨林沟谷与坡地两种生境中木质藤本种的丰富度、径级分布、攀缘方式以及样地中被藤本缠绕的树木(dbh≥5cm)的数量和比率。结果表明:沟谷与坡地胸径≥1cm的木质藤本平均密度分别为95.7株/0.1hm2、57株/0.1hm2。调查样地内木质藤本共64种,隶属30个科。茎缠绕是最主要的攀缘方式,占总个体数的57%,卷须缠绕种所占比重最小,仅占3%;沟谷与坡地所调查树木被木质藤本缠绕的比例分别为43.7%和28.6%。与亚洲其它热带地区森林相比,勐宋地区藤本的多样性低,但是木质藤本的密度相当高,并且在一些样地中出现了大型木质藤本,这些可能与该地区森林的演替状态有关。     

尖峰岭热带山地雨林海南特有木本植物群落结构

以海南尖峰岭4.8 hm ²的热带山地雨林原始林为研究对象, 分析了群落内海南特有乔、灌木植物(以下简称特有种)的物种组成、特有种种群的多度和径级结构特点, 分析了保留和剔除特有种对群落物种多样性指数的影响。结果表明, 在4.8 hm ²样地中, 共记录了胸径≥1.0 cm的个体36481株, 隶属于65科134属247种; 其中, 24种为特有种, 占样地内总种数的9.7%; 大多数特有种多度较小, 在群落发展中居从属地位。多数特有种对生境具有选择性, 分布区域相对狭窄, 种实以动物传播型为主。剔除特有种后, 导致群落的Margalef丰富度指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数极显著下降(p < 0.01), 对Simpson和Pielou均匀度指数影响不显著。由此可见, 特有种不仅对维持尖峰岭山地热带山地雨林的物种多样性具有重要的意义, 也具有较高的科学研究价值。     

Wood density predicts plant damage and vegetative recovery rates caused by cyclone disturbance in tropical rainforest tree species of North Queensland,Australia

Abstract The ability to withstand disturbance (resistance) and the ability to recover biomass following disturbance (resilience) were investigated in Australian wet tropical rainforest tree species. These two attributes are expected to be negatively correlated, because investment of biomass in structural support (conferring resistance) results in trees exhibiting high wood densities and slow growth rates, and vice versa. We examined species’ responses to disturbance caused by a severe tropical cyclone to test this hypothesized trade‐off. We assessed cyclone damage in six species in three Mabi rainforest fragments on the Atherton Tablelands. Species differed in the proportion of individuals within four damage categories (minor damage, severe branch damage, snapped, uprooted). Resistance was positively related to wood density. We found a positive correlation between the proportion of trees experiencing minor damage only and wood density, supporting the hypothesized association between resistance and mechanical strength. Among the subset of trees in which stems snapped, rates of resprouting differed between species and were highest in low wood density species and lowest in species with highest wood density. Resilience, characterized as the ability to recover biomass following disturbance and estimated as growth rate standardized for stem diameter at breast height (g day^?1 · mm^?1), was negatively related to wood density. Thus, species with low wood densities were more likely to suffer stem and branch damage owing to cyclonic winds, but also demonstrated highest resprouting and fastest responses in terms of redeveloping biomass in the 8 months following disturbance. This suggests that a species’ position along the resistance–resilience spectrum can be predicted by mean wood density, which may allow managers to predict species’ responses to future cyclones. Our findings also provide mechanistic evidence for the ‘direct regeneration’ model of post‐cyclone succession, where response is characterized by resprouting and species composition is unchanged.     

西双版纳热带雨林和热带山地常绿阔叶林附生苔藓的组成与多样性格局

为探讨西双版纳热带雨林和热带山地常绿阔叶林附生苔藓的组成、多样性格局及其维持机制,该文对两种植被的树干附生苔藓植物进行了调查与分析.所选择的样地位于西双版纳勐腊县,每种植被类型选择10个20 m×20 m的样方,每个样方选择约10棵样树.结果表明:(1)本调查共记录到附生苔藓20科39属60种,其中热带雨林附生苔藓有1...     

Resprouting of saplings following a tropical rainforest fire in north‐east Queensland,Australia

Abstract In 2002, fire burnt areas of Mesophyll‐ and Notophyll Vine Forest in the Smithfield Conservation Park near Cairns, Australia. We assessed the ability of rainforest plant species to persist through fire via resprouting. Natural rates of mortality and resprouting in unburnt areas were assessed for all saplings (stems < 2 m) via 13, 2 × 50 m belt transects, and compared to estimates of mortality and resprouting in 26 transects in burnt areas. We also tested the resprouting ability per‐individual stem of each species against all other stems with which it co‐occurred. Totals of 1242 stems (138 species) were sampled in burnt transects and 503 stems (95 species) in unburnt transects (total number of unique species = 169). There was no difference in the number of stems existing prior to the fire in burnt and unburnt areas when expressed on a per‐sample area basis. Resprouting from basal shoots and root suckers was significantly greater in burnt than in unburnt areas, but rates of stem sprouting were not different. In burnt areas 72 species were tested for resprouting ability and most (65/72) resprouted at similar rates. All species analysed contained individuals that resprouted. The resprouting response of five species was significantly lower, and in two species was significantly higher. For these species especially, fire may act as a mechanism altering relative abundances. The fire coincided with an extreme El Niño event. Current predictions indicate El Niño conditions may become increasingly common, suggesting fire events within rainforest could become more frequent. Resprouting as a general phenomenon of rainforest species, and differential resprouting ability between species should therefore be an important consideration in assessing the potential path of vegetation change in rainforests after fire.     

热带山地雨林尖峰栲边材液流及其与环境因子的关系

应用热扩散法,采用ICT-2000TE环境与蒸腾系统同步监测了热带山地雨林尖峰栲边材液流速率和环境因子的变化.结果表明：尖峰栲边材液流速率的变化规律是晴天为单峰曲线、阴雨天气为双峰或多峰曲线.边材液流速率与太阳辐射、空气温度、蒸汽压亏缺、林内风速呈极显著正相关,与空气相对湿度呈极显著负相关.在旱季监测期间,其与土壤温度呈极显著正相关、与土壤湿度相关不显著;而在雨季,其与土壤湿度呈极显著正相关,与土壤温度相关不显著,说明降雨过程对边材液流影响较大.建立了旱季和雨季监测期间的边材液流与环境因子多元线性回归模型,经过F值检验,达极显著水平.旱季、雨季监测期间尖峰栲单株平均蒸腾量分别为103.5和41.3 kg·d^-1,单位林地面积蒸腾量分别为1.94和0.77 mm·d^-1.     

海南尖峰岭热带山地雨林林冠层树种功能多样性特征

以海南尖峰岭热带山地雨林3块1 hm²样地为研究对象,利用11个林冠功能性状结合样地地形及林冠乔木树种样地清查数据,分别基于单维性状和多维性状比较物种多度加权对群落功能离散度指数——平均成对距离(MPD)和平均最近类群距离(MNTD)的影响;同时分析林冠层功能丰富度(FRic)与物种丰富度之间的关系,最后利用零模型探讨不同生境类型下标准化效应MPD和MNTD(经过物种多度加权且剔除群落物种丰富度差异影响)的变化,进而评价林冠层群落水平功能多样性格局及其对局域生境异质性的响应.结果表明: 功能性状维度和物种多度对MPD的影响强烈,不同维度功能性状多度加权前后MPD相关性较弱(R=0.359～0.628);但对MNTD的影响相对较弱,不同维度功能性状多度加权前后MNTD相关性较强(R=0.746～0.820);未经物种多度加权的MPD和MNTD均普遍高估了林冠层的功能离散度.林冠层功能丰富度与物种丰富度基本呈指数相关关系(F=128.20;R²=0.632;AIC=97.72;P＜0.001),且功能丰富度很有可能存在一定的物种丰富度阈值.基于不同维度功能性状的林冠层功能多样性格局及其生境响应存在一定的差异性.在生物竞争激烈的低沟生境中,林冠层功能多样性倾向于比预期零模型随机产生的功能多样性高,林冠树种功能性状表现出离散分布;而在其他生境类型中,林冠层功能多样性倾向于接近或低于随机产生的功能多样性,林冠树种功能性状随机或聚集分布.     

尖峰岭热带山地雨林优势树种白颜树空间分布格局

优势树种对群落的构建和形成起主要作用。该文以海南岛尖峰岭60 hm²样地内重要值第二大的树种白颜树(Gironniera subaequalis)为研究对象, 探索其种群分布格局特征, 讨论环境异质性、密度依赖死亡、扩散限制等机制在格局形成过程中所起的作用。将白颜树10022个植株分为6个径级, 分别归属于幼树、中龄树、成年树三个生活史阶段, 采用成对相关函数分析各径级的空间分布特征; 双变量成对相关函数和标签关联函数分析不同生活史阶段之间的空间关系; Berman检验方法检验3个地形因子分别对幼树、中龄树、成年树分布影响的显著度。结果表明: 白颜树种群内I、II、III、IV径级呈现聚集分布, 聚集程度随径级的增加减弱; V和VI径级小尺度上均匀分布, 大尺度上以随机分布为主。幼树与中龄树空间正关联; 幼树与成年树空间负关联; 成年树与中龄树在较小的尺度上负关联, 大尺度上微弱正关联。但是不同生活史阶段的个体之间彼此分离, 个体间无直接的促进作用。地形因子中, 坡度、海拔、凹凸度对幼树的分布影响显著; 坡度、凹凸度对中龄树的分布影响显著; 仅坡度对成年树的分布影响显著。从现有的空间格局可以推断出环境异质性和密度依赖死亡对格局形成起作用, 但是种子的扩散限制对空间格局的影响没有明确地表现出来。     

Hydrology and fish diversity of a North Queensland tropical stream

Abstract The diversity and distribution of fish and the hydrology of the Black-Alice River System, North Queensland, are described from a 2-year study (September 1972 to August 1974). Most physico-chemical parameters measured exhibited seasonal patterns which are influenced by rainfall and discharge. A total of forty-one species of fishes belonging to four groups: freshwater tolerant, saltwater tolerant, diadromous and sporadic, were recorded during the study. The diversity of fish species decreased with increasing distance from the mouth of the system. Fluctuations in total diversity (H') were due to variations in ‘species richness’ (D) rather than to equitability (E). The ability of the fish community to ‘recover’ its diversity and longitudinal distribution after a flood of above-average magnitude is demonstrated.     

海南热带山地雨林幼苗幼树的光合能力与水分利用效率

应用Li-6400光合测定系统研究了海南岛热带山地雨林林内幼苗、幼树的最大光合能力及其水分利用效率.结果表明:150个树种中,大戟科中平树的最大光合速率(Pmax)和山毛榉科竹叶栎的水分利用效率(WUE)最高,分别为13.27μmol.m-2.s-1和5.99mmol.mol-1;桃金娘科柬埔寨子楝树的Pmax和大戟科山乌桕的WUE最低,分别为1.35μmol.m-2.s-1和2.4mmol.mol-1.其中,Pmax以桑科的平均值最高,桃金娘科最低;WUE以山矾科的平均值最高,桑科最低;但各科间的差异均不显著(P>0.05).乔木和灌木之间的Pmax和WUE也无显著差异(P>0.05).Pmax随着科分布区的扩大而增大,为宽分布科>中分布科>窄分布科,且差异显著(P<0.05);WUE无显著差异.在种的层次上,随着物种分布区的扩大,植物Pmax逐渐增大,为热带亚热带温带种>热带亚热带种>热带种>海南特有种.而WUE则相反,为海南特有种>热带亚热带种>热带种>热带亚热带温带种.     

尖峰岭热带山地雨林林冠层乔木某些功能性状的系统发育信号、关联性及其演化模式

热带雨林林冠层具有丰富的物种、功能和系统发育(谱系)多样性,能够显著影响生态系统生物地球化学循环,调节大气水热平衡,缓解气候变化与人为干扰的负面作用。因此热带雨林林冠层功能和谱系生态学研究是目前群落生态学研究的热点之一。选取海南尖峰岭热带山地雨林3个1 hm2样地的林冠层为研究对象,利用样地林冠树种清查数据基于APG III系统发育结构重建样地林冠层系统发育树。利用Blomber's K对和Pagel'sλ指标结合系统发育独立性比较法对组成林冠层乔木树种的结构、化学计量和水力学功能性状(11个性状)的系统发育信号、关联性和演化模式进行研究,以探讨物种亲缘关系对尖峰岭热带山地雨林林冠层多维功能性状关联性及其动态演化的影响。结果表明,有8个功能性状(叶面积、叶厚度和潜在最大高度除外)具有显著的系统发育信号(通过P0.05的显著性检验),Blomber's K值和Pagel'sλ值分别介于0.202—0.392和0.277—0.847之间,表明尖峰岭热带山地雨林林冠层功能性状普遍存在系统发育保守性。在系统发育背景下,林冠层乔木树种结构、化学和水力学功能性状在物种水平普遍存在显著关联性(P0.05),表现出趋同或趋异进化;而且林冠层乔木随物种分化其功能性状分化模式大致呈水平"漏斗"状,姐妹类群功能性状间差异性在物种分化早期(大约1亿2千万年前至6000万年前)明显小于其在中后期(大约6000万年前至今)的差异性,导致了林冠层性状空间在中后期迅速膨大。然而林冠层主要功能性状在系统发育树内部每一节点上姊妹类群分化产生的系统发育独立性比较值绝大部分与零模型随机模拟值并无显著性差异。了解系统发育背景下林冠层功能性状的权衡关系及其随物种演化的分化模式与时间动态为进一步探究热带雨林林冠生态系统功能发挥奠定基础。     

The zooplankton of a small tropical reservoir (Solomon Dam,North Queensland)

This paper examines seasonal changes in the density and taxonomic composition of the zooplankton of a small tropical impoundment, in relation to factors of water temperature, food supply and reservoir flushing. The response of the zooplankton to management techniques designed to regulate the density of cyanobacteria in the dam are also considered. Cyclopoid copepods were the dominant zooplankters, although Cladocera became much more significant following the introduction of measures to control cyanobacteria. Planktonic Rotifera were a diverse but generally unimportant fraction of the total biomass, except following seasonal or management induced environmental perturbations, when the Rotifera often recovered most rapidly.