科尔沁沙地家榆林的种子散布及幼苗更新

家榆是典型的风播植物,在科尔沁沙地可以形成单一优势种林地.通过对林缘和孤立树不同方向从树基部向外的有序取样与林下和林窗的随机取样调查,分析了家榆林下和林窗不同生境的种子沉降和幼苗分布特征、林缘和孤立树种子散布方向的差异性与规律性.结果表明,家榆种子密度在林下生境阴坡和阳坡明显大于丘顶和丘底,在林窗生境丘顶明显大于丘底.家榆向周围不同方向种子散布的距离和累积数量均有较大差异,其中林缘和孤立树均以当地多逆风频率的西南方向最近,累积数量也最少;孤立树以多顺风频率的东北方向最远,累积数量也最多.林缘和孤立树共6个方向断面从树基部向外单位面积种子数量频度均适合于韦伯分布和对数-正态分布(X2(a)＜0.500)密度函数,具有相同的种子散布格局.家榆幼苗密度在林下阴坡明显大于阳坡,林下和林窗均为丘顶明显大于丘底.林缘19 m内家榆幼苗呈连续分布.在科尔沁沙地,如果不加限制或人为扰动,家榆林不仅可以很好地进行自然更新,而且可以在适宜的沙地生境逐渐扩大其分布空间.     

科尔沁沙地刺榆林种子散布的空间格局

通过对林缘和孤立单株不同方向远离种子源的顺序取样与林下随机取样调查,分析了刺榆林下和林缘的种子雨空间数量特征和孤立单株及林缘的种子散布格局,以揭示科尔沁沙地刺榆林的空间扩展潜力.结果表明:3个样地中,刺榆林下的平均种子雨密度最大,为(13732.5±3106.2)粒·m-2,孤立单株东南样带最多,为(5449.4±1429.3)粒·m-2,并显著地高于其他方向,西北最少,为(650.2±631.6)粒·m-2,并显著地少于其他方向;林缘东和南样带显著地高于西和北样带.孤立单株和林缘不同方向种子密度的变异普遍较大,其变异系数为25.7%～106.3%.刺榆具有风播植物远离种子源的种子散布特性.8个样带在单位面积和累积面积上远离种子源的种子散布格局均具有多样性,包括直线、幂、指数、二次抛物线和对数函数.在科尔沁沙地,刺榆林向南、东南和东等多顺风频率方向的空间扩展潜力将大干北、西北和西等多逆风频率方向.     

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.     

灵山湾国家森林公园刺槐林下垂序商陆种子雨时空动态

垂序商陆(Phytolacca americana)的入侵给山东省沿海防护林的生物多样性及乔木更新造成了严重的危害, 为揭示其繁殖特性和扩散机制, 在灵山湾国家森林公园刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)林下由林缘至林内60 m设置5个梯度, 采用机械布点法对垂序商陆的结实量、种子雨分布和扩散格局进行了调查。结果表明: 1)垂序商陆的结实量与种子雨量由林缘至林内逐渐减小, 分别为2 273-1 846和1 382-621粒·m^-2, 不同空间种子雨密度占结实密度的60.80%-33.64%, 平均为49.52%, 人为搂割及动物取食是种子雨量损失的主要原因; 2)种子雨始于9月中旬, 林缘种子雨的发生早于林内, 种子雨的平均强度由林缘至林内逐渐减小, 在10月下旬和12月中旬各有一次种子雨高峰, 最大强度分别为32-4和59-5粒·m^-2·d^-1; 3)种子雨由林缘至林内散布范围逐渐减小, 同时随距母株距离的增加而减小, 其中最大散布距离与加权平均距离分别为210-180 cm和94.32-63.03 cm, 整体加权平均距离为81.00 cm。表明垂序商陆种子雨具有明显的时空异质性, 对预测其扩散潜力及群落结构组成趋势有重要的意义。     

科尔沁沙地刺榆局域成林机制

刺榆(Hemiptelea davidii)林是科尔沁沙地独特的森林类型,以往尚无文献记载.通过对林缘和林下种子散布及幼苗分布特征的样线断面取样、果实形态及脱落特性的调查,分析了刺榆林地更新与扩展的生物学和生态学机理.结果表明,刺榆林的种子多数沉降在林下和林缘附近,林缘3 m以外显著减少.在郁闭度较大的林分内,刺榆种群主要以根蘖苗补充更新.实生苗不受地形的限制,林地主要是以实生苗扩展空间.提出果实形态及脱落特性是刺榆在科尔沁沙地局域能形成优势种林,而在其他地理分布区仅为伴生种的生物学根源.     

元谋干热河谷地区新银合欢天然更新的初步调查

通过2005年6和10月对元谋干热河谷地区新银合欢人工林的调查,发现新银合欢林下幼苗数量较多,经过对幼苗刨根后,发现林下的新银合欢幼苗均为种子实生苗,表明新银合欢是通过种子繁殖来完成天然更新。新银合欢单株结实量在602~1513粒,树体高大的结实量多;其林下幼苗生长良好,更新密度最低为368株·m-2,最高达960株·m-2;新银合欢林缘幼苗最远扩散距离为58·3m,幼苗的扩散范围主要集中在距离林缘10m的区域内,种子受风力和流水的影响,可以沿沟谷传播很远。     

松嫩平原碱化草甸朝鲜碱茅种子散布机制的分析

采用顺序远离母株取样的方法,定量分析了松嫩平原碱化草甸朝鲜碱茅（Ｐｕｃｃｉｎｅｌｌｉａｃｈｉｎａｍ ｐｏｅｎｓｉｓ Ｏｈｗ ｉ）的种子散布机制。结果表明,在８个方向中仅西南方向表现为近母株散布距离,其它７个方向均表现为远母株散布距离的种子散布机制。经相关性分析,朝鲜碱茅向不同的方向散布的种子数量与种子散布时期顺风向的风速和风向频率呈正相关,反映了朝鲜碱茅是借助于风媒介实现了远母株距离扩展潜在生态位空间的种群对策。朝鲜碱茅向母株周围散布的种子呈连续分布格局的散布半径平均为１７５ ｃｍ 。     

内蒙古退化草原狼毒种子的种群分布格局与散布机制

狼毒 (Stellera chamaejasme)为瑞香科多年生草本植物 ,是主要的草地有毒植物种类之一。采用邻接格子样方法和分布指数 (DI)以及平均拥挤度 (m* )指标 ,研究了内蒙古西辽河平原北部典型草原区内的狼毒 (Stellera chamaejasme)种子种群分布格局强度、类型与规模 ;根据顺序远离母株的取样调查 ,定量地分析了狼毒种子在 8个方向上的散布格局。结果表明 ,狼毒种子在落种期之前为随机分布 ,而在落种期结束后为聚集分布 ,种子种群斑块大小平均为 0 .0 8m2 。狼毒种子在 8个方向上的散布表现为不同的散布格局模式。在不同方向随着累积面积增加狼毒种子散布数量变化符合 L ogistic曲线增长。各方向种子散布数量与顺风风向频率显著正相关。狼毒种群具有“近母株散布”的种子散布机制 ,基本散布半径为 0～ 5 0 cm。狼毒种群通过种子散布扩展其分布空间的能力是很有限的     

广西靖西西南桦天然林种子雨的时空动态

以一片西南桦(Betula alnoides)天然林和一个西南桦独立单株为研究对象, 通过收集散种期内与林分或母树不同距离的种子以及测定风速和风向, 研究了西南桦群落和个体水平上种子雨的时空动态及其与风速和风向的关系。结果表明: 群落水平上, 西南桦种子散布的初始期、高峰期、消退期分别历时11天、32天和40天, 而个体水平上则为9天、25天和26天。高峰期内群落和个体水平的散种量分别占其总量的83.1%和68.7%, 而且白天的种子雨密度高于夜间; 西南桦个体白天种子雨密度最大的时段为12:00-16:00, 与此时段内风速较高有关。在个体水平上, 距离母树0-30 m范围内散落的种子占总散种量的79.6%; 而在群落水平上, 距离林缘0-45 m范围内集中了总散种量的81.2%。西南桦种子散布具有方向性, 无论个体还是群落水平上不同方向间种子雨密度差异极显著(p < 0.01), 与散种期内的主要风向有关; 而且种子雨密度与风速亦呈极显著正相关关系。研究结果将有助于揭示西南桦天然更新动态和更新机制, 亦为开展西南桦人工促进天然更新提供理论依据。     

松嫩平原碱化草甸野大麦的种子散布格局

根据顺序远离母株的取样调查,定量地分析了松嫩平原碱化草甸野大麦（Ｈｏｒｄｅｕｍ ｂｒｅ－ｖｉｓｕｂｕｌａｔｕｍ （Ｔｒｉｎ．） Ｌｉｎｋ）在６ 个方向上的种子散布格局。结果表明,在风的作用下,野大麦向东北方向散布的种子数量最多,比数量最少的西南方向多４ 倍。种子散布半径平均约１３０ｃｍ 。不同方向单位面积的种子散布格局均较好地适合于Ｗｅｉｂｕｌｌ分布,并反映出在松嫩平原自然条件下,野大麦具有远离母株扩大其潜在生态位空间的种子散布机制。不同方向野大麦顺序远离母株的种子散布数量均随着累积面积的增加呈Ｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃ曲线形式增长,其增长速率以种子散布数量多、距离远的东和东北方向相对较小     

Spatial dynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ilex aquifolium</Emphasis> populations seed dispersal and seed bank: understanding the first steps of regeneration

The objective of this study was to analyse quantitatively the spatial distribution of holly (Ilex aquifolium L.) seed rain and seed bank, and to detect the relationships between these consecutive processes. We measured seed dispersal by birds and fallen fruits, and also density and viability of seed bank in two Ilex populations in central Spain. Analysis was made distinguishing the following microhabitats: holly woodland, edge of holly woodland, open grassland 10 m and 100 m from the woodland, fleshy fruit shrubs, dry fruit shrubs, and adjacent non-holly woodland. Spatial distribution of dispersed and in-soil seeds was measured by the clumping index. Seed rain and seed bank under holly woodlands were significantly higher than in the other microhabitats. Forest edges and fleshy fruit shrubs were the next microhabitats with the highest seed rain and seed bank density. Interannual and interlocality variations were not significant. The relative importance of the different dispersal methods varied between microhabitats, with a similar support of bird dispersed seeds and fallen fruits within the woodland and a greater influence of cattle dispersal in open areas. Seed spatial aggregation was significant in both dispersed seeds and soil seeds from holly woodlands and the edge of the forest. Aggregation under shrubs, grasslands and the adjacent forests evidenced a general random distribution of holly seeds (only in some cases clumping index was significant). Quantitative differences between seed rain and seed bank are important. Post-dispersal seed predation did not modify seed rain distribution, which was mirrored in the seed bank pattern. These two phases of holly regeneration had a heavy spatial influence, determined by the landscape structure and activity of the dispersal agents, that reflects a differential recruitment potential. Comparisons between both populations suggest that in the southern locality (Robregordo) holly has a weaker capacity to colonize open areas, and a stronger recruitment limitation due to propagule availability.     

Seed dispersal of the non-native invasive tree <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ailanthus altissima</Emphasis> into contrasting environments

Ailanthus altissima has a long history of invasion in urban areas and is currently spreading into suburban and rural areas in the eastern U.S. The objectives of our study were to (1) determine whether A. altissima seed dispersal distance differed between populations on the edges of open fields and intact deciduous forest, and (2) determine whether dispersal differed for north and south winds. We also assessed the relationship between seed characteristics and distance from source populations in fields and forests, and whether seeds disperse at different rates throughout the dispersal season. Using two fields, two intact forest stands, and one partially harvested stand, we sampled the seed rain at 10 m intervals 100 m into each site from October to April 2002–2003. We compared seed density in field and intact forests using a three-way ANOVA with distance from source, wind direction, and environmental structure as independent variables. To assess the accuracy of common empirical dispersal models, mean seed density data at each site were fitted with alternative regression models. We found that mean seed dispersal distance depended on environmental structure and wind direction, a result driven in large part by dispersal at a single site where seed density did not decline with distance. The two alternative regression models fit each site’s dispersal curve equally well. More seeds were dispersed early than in mid- or late-season. Large, heavy seeds traveled as far as small light seeds. Turbulent winds appear to be necessary for seed release, as indicated by a wind tunnel experiment. A. altissima is able to disperse long distances into fields and into mature forests, and can reach canopy gaps and other suitable habitats at least 100 m from the forest edge. It is an effective disperser and can spread rapidly in fragmented landscapes where edges and other high light environments occur. These conditions are increasingly common throughout the eastern U.S. and in other temperate regions worldwide.     

Forest edges and fire ants alter the seed shadow of an ant-dispersed plant

Exotic species invade fragmented, edge-rich habitats readily, yet the distinct impacts of habitat edges and invaders on native biota are rarely distinguished. Both appear detrimental to ant-dispersed plants such as bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis. Working in northeastern Georgia (USA), an area characterized by a rich ant-dispersed flora, fragmented forests, and invasions by the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta , I monitored the interactions between ants and S. canadensis seeds in uninvaded forest interiors, uninvaded forest edges, invaded forest interiors, and invaded forest edges. I observed 95% of the seed dispersal events that occurred within the 60-min observation intervals. Seed collection rates were similar among all four (habitat × invasion) groups. The presence of invasive ants had a strong effect on seed dispersal distance: S. invicta collected most seeds in invaded sites, but was a poorer disperser than four of five native ant taxa. Habitat type (interior versus edge) had no effect on seed dispersal distance, but it had a strong effect on seed dispersal direction. Dispersal towards the edge was disproportionately rare in uninvaded forest edges, and ants in those habitats moved the average dispersed seed approximately 70 cm away from that edge. Dispersal direction was also skewed away from the edge in uninvaded forest interiors and invaded forest edges, albeit non-significantly. This biased dispersal may help explain the rarity of myrmecochorous plants in younger forests and edges, and their poor ability to disperse between fragments. This is the first demonstration that forest edges and S. invicta invasion influence seed dispersal destination and distance, respectively. These forces act independently.     

格氏栲天然林林窗和林下种子散布及幼苗更新研究

以格氏栲(Castanopsis kawakamii)天然林为研究对象,探讨了林窗和林下格氏栲种子雨、种子库的分布特征及幼苗更新状况。结果表明:林窗种子雨总量和完好种子密度高于林下,未成熟种子比例低于林下;林窗和林下种子雨高峰期掉落数量分别占种子雨总量的77.13%和74.5%;林窗种子库储量低于林下,种子库中以全食或捡拾种子比例最高,其中种子库储量垂直分布表现为枯落物层(约占2/3)>腐殖质层(0～5 cm)(约占1/3)>心土层(5～10 cm)(小于1%),以格氏栲种子占绝对优势;格氏栲从种子到幼苗的转化率低,林窗中格氏栲完好种子密度与幼苗密度均高于林下。林窗微生境提高了种子散布过程中格氏栲成熟种子的密度和比例,有利于促进格氏栲的幼苗更新,表明林窗在格氏栲种群恢复过程中扮演着重要角色。     

Seed Dispersal of a High Quality Fruit by Specialized Frugivores: High Quality Dispersal?1

Dispersal quality, as estimated by the cumulative effects of dispersal, germination, seed predation, and seedling survival, was examined for Beilschmiedia pendula (Lauraceae) in Monteverde, Costa Rica. I determined the pattern of dispersal by finding seeds deposited by birds, protected the seeds from seed predators with cages to assess germination and seedling survival, and examined seed predation rates with marked seeds. Seed predation, germination, and seedling survival were compared between seeds naturally dispersed by birds and seeds placed at randomly located sites. Approximately 70 percent of seeds dispersed by birds (N= 244) were deposited <10 m from crown edges of fruiting B. pendula trees, although some seeds were dispersed at least 70 m away. Larger seeds were more likely to be dispersed under or close to the parent trees, and larger seeds produced larger seedlings. Seed size was not correlated directly with seedling survival, but larger seedlings at three months were most likely to survive one year. Seed predation by mammals and insects and seedling mortality due to fungal pathogens were concentrated beneath the crowns of parent trees. Seedlings and saplings were more abundant beneath fruiting B. pendula trees, but individuals farther away were taller on average. Thus, dispersal is beneficial for B. pendula, but such benefits appear most pronounced at a small spatial scale; seeds dispersed >30 m from the crown edges actually had a lower probability of survival than those dispersed 10–20 m. Only 10 percent of B. pendula. seeds received high‐quality dispersal in terms of landing in the zone with the highest per seed probability of seedling survival 10–20 m from parental crowns.     

SPATIAL PATTERNS OF SEED DISPERSAL AND POSTDISPERSAL SEED PREDATION OF CRYPTANTHA FLAVA (BORAGINACEAE)

I examined the spatial patterns of seed dispersal and postdispersal seed predation of the semidesert perennial Cryptantha flava (A. Nels.) Payson (Boraginaceae) at two sites in north-eastern Utah. Most flowers mature only one seed (nutlet) which is permanently retained within a pubescent calyx. The calyx and enclosed seed abscise from the plant as a unit. These dispersal units are effectively dispersed by wind as evidenced by the highly directional seed shadows and the long distances some of them travel (up to 31.3 m). Potential seed predators at the sites include five species of rodents, of which Peromyscus maniculatus is the most common, and two species of ants, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis and an undescribed species of Conomyrma. There were no strong spatial patterns of postdispersal seed predation. More seeds were removed from dishes placed at the bases of fruiting adults than from dishes ≥ 1.0 m away in one of three experiments. More seeds were removed from under shrubs or clumps of grass than in the open in one of four experiments. After 3–4 days, there was a consistent tendency for more seed removal from high density (75 seeds per .25 m²) quadrats than from low density (75 seeds per 6.25 m²) quadrats, but the difference was not always significant. There was a similar nonsignificant difference between high- and low-density quadrats exposed for 21 days. The pubescent calyx greatly discourages seed predation by ants, and probably also reduces predation by rodents. In addition, by increasing the surface area of the dispersal unit, the calyx may facilitate dispersal by wind.     

Combining distances of ballistic and myrmecochorous seed dispersal in Adriana quadripartita (Euphorbiaceae)

The separate contributions of different vectors to net seed dispersal curves of diplochorous systems have rarely been characterised. In Australia, myrmecochory is a common seed dispersal syndrome and in the majority of such systems, seeds are initially dispersed ballistically. We measured ballistic and myrmecochorous seed dispersal distances in relation to canopies of Adriana quadripartita (Euphorbiaceae) and used a simulation model to estimate the net dispersal curve. We also compared seed removal rates and ant abundances under, and outside, plant canopies to examine how foraging patterns by ants may affect net dispersal.Overall ant abundance did not show a significant numerical response to seedfall; however, the abundance of the main seed dispersing ant, Rhytidoponera ‘metallica’ did. Despite this, seed removal rates did not differ significantly between canopy and open locations. Rhytidoponera ‘metallica’ account for 93% of observed seed dispersal events. On average, the ants dispersed seeds 1.54 m and in doing so, moved seed a mean radial distance of 0.76 m away from canopy edges. This contribution to net dispersal distance by ants is considerable since ballistic dispersal moved seeds a median distance of 7.5 cm. Our simulation model indicated that the combination of ballistic and ant seed dispersal is expected to result in seeds being transported a median net radial dispersal distance of 1.05 m from the canopy edge.Thus in this system, an important function of diplochory may simply be to move a higher proportion of seeds from under the canopy of parent plants than is possible by ballistic dispersal alone. This ‘dispersal-for-distance’ may result in reduced parent–offspring competition or may increase the probability that seeds reach rare safe sites for germination and recruitment.