天马自然保护区常见秋熟植物种子大小变异分析

以种子千粒质量为指标,对安徽天马自然保护区61种常见秋熟植物(种子数量在500粒以上)的种子大小进行了测定,并从种子大小与生活型、分类群和种子产量的相关性等方面研究了种子大小的变异规律.结果显示:61种植物的种子大小存在很大变异,种子千粒质量的最小值和最大值分别为0.015和79.370 g;根据种子千粒质量可将种子大小划分成A(0～0.05 g)、B(0.05 ～0.5 g)、C(0.5 ～5 g)、D(5 ～50 g)和E(50 ～500 g)5个等级,分别占总种数的8.20％、31.15％、36.06％、21.31％和3.28％,呈正态分布.61种植物包含乔木、藤本、灌木和草本4种生活型,种子千粒质量平均值分别为24.753、6.884、6.812和1.601 g,不同生活型间的种子大小存在极显著差异.61种植物分属33科,不同科间的种子大小具有极显著差异,但各科间的种子大小与分类系统发育方向没有显著相关性.种子较小且种子产量较高的种类有茵陈蒿(Artemisia capillaris Thunb.)、奇蒿(A.anomala S.Moore)、薄雪火绒草(Leontopodium japonicum Miq.)、华东藨草(Scirpus karuizawensis Makino)和庐山藨草(S.lushanensis Ohwi)等,显示种子大小与种子产量呈显著的负相关.     

温带-亚热带栓皮栎种子形态的变异及其与环境因子的关系

在区域尺度上(25.14°-40.25° N, 99.87°-122.07° E), 采集20个栓皮栎(Quercus variabilis)种群的种子样品, 测定种宽、种长, 并计算宽长比形态指标, 探讨了区域尺度上种子形态变异特点及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明, 栓皮栎种子的宽度和长度变化幅度分别为1.21-2.18 cm和1.20-2.96 cm; 宽长比的变化幅度为0.57-1.10。栓皮栎的种宽与种长呈显著的正相关关系。单因素方差分析表明, 种宽、种长和宽长比在种群间差异显著(p < 0.001)。种长与等效纬度呈负线性(R² = 0.18; p = 0.05), 与经度呈凸型的变异关系(R² = 0.43; p = 0.009)。种宽和种长与最热月平均气温呈极显著正相关(R² = 0.35; p = 0.006; R² = 0.30; p = 0.012), 而与最湿季降水量呈显著负相关(R² = 0.28, p = 0.019; R² = 0.24, p = 0.017)。种子宽长比没有明显的变化趋势, 大致趋于恒定(0.88 ± 0.08)。     

养分供应对3种舞花姜属植物繁殖方式的影响

该研究选用的3种舞花姜属植物中,毛舞花姜(Globba barthei)和双翅舞花姜(G. schomburgkii)自然条件下开花不结实,以珠芽进行繁殖;异果舞花姜(G. racemosa)则同时以种子和珠芽进行繁殖。在人工栽培条件下,高养分处理显著增加毛舞花姜的珠芽干重((1.11±0.10) g vs. (3.08±0.69) g,p=0.010 7)、珠芽数量((30.58±2.92) vs. (74.74±9.73),p=0.000 4)、珠芽大小((10.5±1.48) mg vs. (53.50±11.42) mg,p=0.001 5)、植株营养体重((3.99±0.23) g vs. (9.67±1.17) g,p=0.000 2)和双翅舞花姜的珠芽数量((51.74±3.64) vs. (108.71±21.52),p=0.018 1)。不同养分条件下两种舞花姜的开花数量无显著差异。人工去除珠芽、花对两种舞花姜植株当年生花和珠芽的数量无显著影响(p<0.05)。自然条件下异果舞花姜不同居群间珠芽大小、珠芽数、珠芽重、果实重、种子数和营养体重等均存在极显著差异(p<0.001)。异果舞花姜各居群植株珠芽数和营养体重(r=0.901,p<0.05)、珠芽重和珠芽大小 (r=0.849,p<0.05) 呈显著正相关;果实重和种子数(r=0.998,p<0.05) 呈显著正相关。土壤因子主成分分析表明前3个主成分提供的信息量分别为50.575%、18.204% 和11.883%,其中第一主成分中的全氮(0.959)、速效氮(0.885)和有机质(0.821)负荷量最大,第二主成分中土壤速效磷(0.824)负荷量最大。植株营养体重和土壤速效磷极显著正相关(r=0.906,p<0.01),珠芽大小与全氮(r=0.798)、速效氮(r=0.780)和有机质(r=0.821)均呈显著正相关(p<0.05)。果实重和种子数与土壤因子相关性不显著(p<0.05)。3种舞花姜的无性繁殖器官更易受到养分供应的影响,有性繁殖器官对养分供应变化响应不显著,有性和无性繁殖之间似不存在补偿关系。     

青藏高原东缘地区常见植物种子大小变异研究

以青藏高原东部地区常见10科植物作为研究材料,从种子鲜、干重与海拔、生活型、植物丰富度等方面的相关性研究了其种子大小变异。结果表明:①禾本科和菊科植物是高寒草甸上的优势科,分别占到17.49%和22.76%。常见植物种子重量集中于0.1～10.0mg之间。②从种子大小与植物丰富度来讲,小种子的种类和数量多,大种子种类和数量则少。③不同的科之间、不同的生活型,其种子鲜重与干重之间均存在极显著的相关性。④在典型的高寒草甸上,是以多年生草本为主,占总数的61.61%。从草本、灌木到乔木,其种子重量逐渐增大。⑤从整体上说,种子大小与海拔存在极显著的线性负相关性,植物种子重量与生活型的相关性比种子大小与系统分类学的相关性高。     

古尔班通古特沙漠植物种子大小变异的空间格局

在古尔班通古特沙漠70个固定样地中采集了87种植物种子,通过测量种子百粒重,分析了种子大小在不同分类群中的变异规律,并调查了样地中不同类型种子总数目的空间格局。结果发现:1)古尔班通古特沙漠植物种子大小可分为:A(0.1—1 mg)、B(1—10 mg)、C(10—100 mg)、D(100—1000 mg)、E(1000—5000 mg)5种类型。拥有不同类型物种数量差异较大,其中D型种子物种最多,含41种占总物种数目的 47.1%,其次C型种子30种占总物种数目的 34.5%,E型种子占总物种数的13.8%,B型种子总物种数的3.5%,A型种子占总物种数的1.1%。沙漠植物中中等种子大小物种占多数,与以色列特拉维夫以北的Poleg自然保护区地中海沿岸沙漠地区相似。由于本地属、种为地中海区、西亚至中亚分布,所以认为本沙漠种子大小主要受系统演化影响。2)科间种子大小存在极显著差异,百粒重最大科是蓼科(29315 mg)、最小的是列当科(0.3 mg)。藜科,菊科,紫草科的属间种子大小差异显著。3)生活型间种子大小差异显著,种子大小从大到小排序为:灌木类短命植物多年生草本短命植物半灌木1年生草本。4)种子大小与物种相对分布频度相关性不显著,但将相对分布频度小于1.4%的环境特化物种去除后,种子大小与物种相对分布频度呈指数型极显著负相关。5)B型、C型、D型三类种子在样地中的总数目随海拔、经度和降水的增加而极显著增加,随纬度的增加而极显著降低,E型种子则与之相反。表明古尔班通古特沙漠未来随着降水的增加,B型、C型、D型种子的植物优势性逐渐增加,而E型种子的灌木类等物种优势性逐渐减少,注意加以保护。     

内蒙古西鄂尔多斯地区半日花荒漠群落特征及其分类

半日花(Helianthemum songaricum)为亚洲中部特有种和古地中海残遗植物, 其群落为内蒙古西鄂尔多斯地区的特有荒漠植物群落。该文以2016-2017年野外调查数据为基础, 结合相关文献资料, 对半日花荒漠群落的分布、群落特征及其分类进行了总结。结果表明: (1)半日花荒漠群落集中分布于黄河以东内蒙古西鄂尔多斯的阿尔巴斯山麓南北部、千里沟; 少量分布于黄河以西贺兰山北端内蒙古乌海市与阿拉善盟交界处及贺兰山最南端的内蒙古阿拉善盟与宁夏交界处明长城沿线的石质残丘。(2)根据样地调查, 半日花荒漠群落记录到种子植物58种, 隶属于17科39属, 其中灌木、半灌木18种, 多年生草本27种, 一年生草本植物13种; 水分生态类型中强旱生植物(15种)和旱生植物(29种)占绝对优势; 区系地理成分以中亚东部成分为主, 其次为古地中海成分和戈壁成分。(3)根据生活型和优势度, 半日花荒漠群落可分为半日花-草本荒漠群丛组、半日花-灌木-草本荒漠群丛组和半日花-半灌木荒漠群丛组, 进一步分为10个群丛。     

大兴安岭泥炭地植物叶片碳氮磷含量及其化学计量学特征

叶片碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及其化学计量特征为植物养分状况和元素限制性提供依据。为了解不同生活型植物叶片C、N、P化学计量特征的变化,该研究测定、分析了大兴安岭地区18个泥炭地常见的3种草本植物——白毛羊胡子草(Eriophorum vaginatum)、玉簪薹草(Carex globularis)、小叶章(Deyeuxia angustifolia), 5种落叶灌木——柴桦(Betula fruticosa)、越桔柳(Salix myrtilloides)、细叶沼柳(Salix rosmarinifolia)、笃斯越桔(Vaccinium uliginosum)、越桔(Vaccinium vitis-idaea)和3种常绿灌木——杜香(Ledum palustre)、地桂(Chamaedaphne calyculata)、头花杜鹃(Rhododendron capitatum)的叶片C、N、P含量。结果表明: (1)落叶和常绿灌木叶片C、N、P含量总体高于草本植物而C:N、C:P、N:P低于草本植物, 说明不同生活型植物具有不同的养分利用策略,灌木叶片C、N、P储存高于草本植物而N、P利用效率低于草本植物; (2)小叶章和头花杜鹃叶片N:P小于10, 同时其N含量小于全球植物叶片平均N含量, 相比其他植物来说更易受N限制; (3)采样地点解释了叶片C、N、P指标变异的12.8%-40.8%, 植物种类对叶片C、N、P指标变异的解释量占9.3%-25.5%; (4)草本植物C、N、P指标的地点间变异系数高于落叶和常绿灌木, 草本植物C、N、P指标对地点因素变化的响应较灌木敏感; (5)草本植物N含量种间变异系数高于落叶和常绿灌木, 落叶灌木P含量种间变异系数高于草本植物和常绿灌木, 草本植物和落叶灌木N、P吸收的种间生理分化较常绿灌木高。     

Leaf C,N, and P concentrations and their stoichiometry in peatland plants of Da Hinggan Ling,China

叶片碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及其化学计量特征为植物养分状况和元素限制性提供依据。为了解不同生活型植物叶片C、N、P化学计量特征的变化,该研究测定、分析了大兴安岭地区18个泥炭地常见的3种草本植物——白毛羊胡子草(Eriophorum vaginatum)、玉簪薹草(Carex globularis)、小叶章(Deyeuxia angustifolia), 5种落叶灌木——柴桦(Betula fruticosa)、越桔柳(Salix myrtilloides)、细叶沼柳(Salix rosmarinifolia)、笃斯越桔(Vaccinium uliginosum)、越桔(Vaccinium vitis-idaea)和3种常绿灌木——杜香(Ledum palustre)、地桂(Chamaedaphne calyculata)、头花杜鹃(Rhododendron capitatum)的叶片C、N、P含量。结果表明: (1)落叶和常绿灌木叶片C、N、P含量总体高于草本植物而C:N、C:P、N:P低于草本植物, 说明不同生活型植物具有不同的养分利用策略,灌木叶片C、N、P储存高于草本植物而N、P利用效率低于草本植物; (2)小叶章和头花杜鹃叶片N:P小于10, 同时其N含量小于全球植物叶片平均N含量, 相比其他植物来说更易受N限制; (3)采样地点解释了叶片C、N、P指标变异的12.8%-40.8%, 植物种类对叶片C、N、P指标变异的解释量占9.3%-25.5%; (4)草本植物C、N、P指标的地点间变异系数高于落叶和常绿灌木, 草本植物C、N、P指标对地点因素变化的响应较灌木敏感; (5)草本植物N含量种间变异系数高于落叶和常绿灌木, 落叶灌木P含量种间变异系数高于草本植物和常绿灌木, 草本植物和落叶灌木N、P吸收的种间生理分化较常绿灌木高。     

广东东部不同生活型植物热带植物区系属性的比较研究

通过对粤东种子植物生活型的调查和统计分析,将粤东2226种种子植物划分为6类生活型。各种木本生活型共有1198种,占53.8%;各种草本类型共有1028种植物,占46.2%。从各生活型的种的区系成分分析来看,该地各生活型热带性成分比例强弱的顺序是：乔木种〉木质藤本种〉灌木种〉陆生草本〉草质藤本〉水生草本。     

环境因子对桂西南蚬木林下植被物种多样性变异的解释

探索林下植被分布格局及其影响因素, 对于天然林保护和森林生物多样性维持机制研究具有重要意义。本文以桂西南喀斯特地区不同蚬木(Excentrodendron tonkinense)天然成熟林为研究对象, 采用植物群落样方调查、单因素方差分析、Pearson相关分析和冗余分析(RDA)等方法, 研究了8个县市蚬木天然成熟林林下植被物种多样性的变异及其对土壤、地形和光照等环境因子的响应。结果表明, 林下植被中灌木层优势种主要有越南槐(Sophora tonkinensis)、鹅掌柴(Schefflera heptaphylla)、毛果翼核果(Ventilago calyculata), 以及乔木层幼苗如蚬木、广西澄广花(Orophea anceps)、岩樟(Cinnamomum saxatile)、金丝李(Garcinia paucinervis)等, 主要来自豆科、五加科、鼠李科、椴树科、番荔枝科、樟科、藤黄科和大戟科等; 草本层优势种主要有肾蕨(Nephrolepis cordifolia)、石山棕(Guihaia argyrata)、崖姜(Pseudodrynaria coronans)、柔枝莠竹(Microstegium vimineum)、水蔗草(Apluda mutica)、沿阶草(Ophiopogon bodinieri)等, 主要来自肾蕨科、棕榈科、槲蕨科、禾本科、百合科、铁角蕨科和鳞毛蕨科等。土壤pH值、土壤含水量(SWC)、土壤全钾(TK)、土壤全磷(TP)和坡度(SLO)是林下植被物种多样性的主要影响因素, 它们分别解释了林下植被物种多样性32.3%、16.1%、9.7%、8.6%和8.6%的变异。灌木丰富度、灌木多样性指数与TK、SWC、土壤pH值和TP显著负相关, 而草本丰富度、草本多样性指数则与TK显著正相关; 灌木密度、灌木盖度与土壤pH值显著正相关, 草本密度与SWC和TK显著正相关, 草本盖度与TP、TK显著正相关, 与坡度显著负相关。土壤和地形因素是影响林下植被物种多样性变异的最主要因素, 而林分冠层结构的影响较小, 土壤各因素对林下植被物种多样性的影响高于地形因素。     

三江平原恢复湿地土壤种子库特征及其与植被的关系

通过幼苗萌发法和样方调查相结合的方法对三江平原不同演替恢复阶段的种子库特征及其与植被的关系进行了研究。将开垦湿地、不同演替恢复阶段湿地以及天然湿地不同土壤层次(0-5、5-10 cm和根茎)的种子库在两种水分条件下(湿润、淹水10 cm)进行萌发处理。结果表明: 随着演替恢复阶段的进行, 种子库的结构和规模逐渐扩大, 地表群落表现出由旱生物种占优势的群落逐渐演变成以小叶章(Calamagrostis angustifolia)占优势的湿生群落的演替趋势。恢复7年湿地、恢复14年湿地、天然湿地土壤种子库萌发物种数分别为24种、29种、39种, 植被物种数为21种、25种、14种。湿地类型、水分条件和土壤层次均显著影响种子库萌发的物种数及幼苗数(p < 0.01)。种子库具有明显的分层现象, 天然湿地0-5 cm土层种子库种子萌发密度是5-10 cm土层的4倍左右, 而恢复湿地仅1.3倍左右, 且土层间萌发物种相似性系数较低。湿润条件下的萌发物种数显著高于淹水条件, 且两种水分条件下萌发物种的生活型不同。由于恢复时间较短, 不同演替恢复阶段的种子库与植被相似性维持在30%以下。湿地中根茎分蘖出大量的湿地物种, 对于小叶章等优势物种的繁殖具有重要作用。研究表明, 在开垦湿地退耕后的次生演替阶段, 种子库能够保持大量的湿地物种, 通过对湿地种子库与植被的关系研究, 能够为三江平原湿地群落演替与湿地恢复提供策略指导。     

Species,Diaspore Volume and Body Mass Matter in Gastropod Seed Feeding Behavior

Background

Seed dispersal of ant-dispersed plants (myrmecochores) is a well studied ecosystem function. Recently, slugs have been found to act as seed dispersers of myrmecochores. The aim of our study was to (1) further generalize the finding that gastropods feed on seeds of myrmecochores and hence may act as seed dispersers, (2) to test whether gastropod body mass and the volume of diaspores have an influence on the seed dispersal potential.

Methodology and Principal Findings

We assessed the seed dispersal potential of four slug and snail species with a set of seven myrmecochorous plant species from seven different plant families common to Central European beech forests. Diaspores differed in shape and size. Gastropods differed in their readiness to feed on diaspores and in the proportion of seeds that were swallowed as a whole, and this readiness generally decreased with increasing diaspore size. Smaller Arionid slugs (58 mm body length; mean) mostly fed on the elaiosome but also swallowed small diaspores and therefore not only act as elaiosome consumers, a nutrient rich appendage on myrmecochorous diaspores, but may also disperse seeds. Large Arionid slugs (>100 mm body length) swallowed diaspores of all sizes. Diaspores swallowed by gastropods were defecated without damage. Within-species variability in body size also affect seed dispersal potential, as larger individuals of the red slug (Arion rufus) swallowed more diaspores of wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa) than smaller ones.

Conclusions and Significance

Our results help to generalize the finding that gastropods consume and potentially disperse seeds of myrmecochores. The dispersal potential of gastropods is strongly influenced by diaspore size in relation to gastropod size.     

Seed mass and seed nutrient content as predictors of seed output variation between species

In patch‐occupancy models for vegetation, propagule output per area occupied is a key species trait, influencing the potential to colonize vacant patches, and hence species dynamics and coexistence. We estimated seed output across a range of species and quantified its relationship to seed dry mass, seed N and P content, and accessory costs in fruiting structures. Fruiting and seed production data were obtained for 47 woody perennial species, spanning an almost 3000‐fold range of seed mass, over a period of one year in Ku‐ring‐gai Chase National Park, New South Wales, Australia. Seed output was measured as numbers per m² canopy outline and per m² leaf area.
Of cross‐species variation in seed output per m² canopy outline per year, 72% could be predicted from seed mass alone, with a directly inverse relationship (log‐log slope not significantly different from ?1). Seed output per m² leaf area could be predicted somewhat more tightly (75%), indicating leaf area per canopy outline area accounted for some cross‐species variation. Reproductive production per m² occupied per year varied much less than seed mass and accounted for the remaining variation in seed output. Although accessory costs were about equal in magnitude to seed mass as a component of aggregate investment per seed, they were strongly correlated with seed mass, and consequently did not add substantially to the predictive power.
Total mass of N or P per seed were found to be slightly but significantly better predictors of seed output variation than dry seed mass (83% and 78%, respectively). This supports the idea that mineral nutrients are a more fundamental currency for seed production than dry mass. Seed mass, whether measured as dry mass or as N or P, appears to be the principal driver of variation in seed output per m² occupied, and consequently is among the most important dimensions of ecological variation across coexisting species.     

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。     

Latitude, seed predation and seed mass

Aim We set out to test the hypothesis that rates of pre‐ and post‐dispersal seed predation would be higher towards the tropics, across a broad range of species from around the world. We also aimed to quantify the slope and predictive power of the relationship between seed mass and latitude both within and across species. Methods Seed mass, pre‐dispersal seed predation and post‐dispersal seed removal data were compiled from the literature. Wherever possible, these data were combined with information regarding the latitude at which the data were collected. Analyses were performed using both cross‐species and phylogenetic regressions. Results Contrary to expectations, we found no significant relationship between seed predation and latitude (log₁₀ proportion of seeds surviving predispersal seed predation vs. latitude, P = 0.63; R² = 0.02; n = 122 species: log₁₀ proportion of seeds remaining after postdispersal seed removal vs. latitude, P = 0.54; R² = 0.02; n = 205 species). These relationships remained non‐significant after variation because of seed mass was accounted for. We also found a very substantial (R² = 0.21) relationship between seed mass and latitude across 2706 species, with seed mass being significantly higher towards the tropics. Within‐species seed mass decline with latitude was significant, but only about two‐sevenths, as rapid as the cross‐species decline with latitude. Results of phylogenetic analyses were very similar to cross‐species analyses. We also demonstrated a positive relationship between seed mass and development time across ten species from dry sclerophyll woodland in Sydney (P < 0.001; R² = 0.77; Standardized Major Axis slope = 0.14). These data lend support to the hypothesis that growing period might affect the maximum attainable seed mass in a given environment. Main conclusions There was no evidence that seed predation is higher towards the tropics. The strong relationship between seed mass and latitude shown here had been observed in previous studies, but had not previously been quantified at a global scale. There was a tenfold reduction in mean seed mass for every c. 23° moved towards the poles, despite a wide range of seed mass within each latitude.     

Geographic variation in seed traits within and among forty‐two species of Rhododendron (Ericaceae) on the Tibetan plateau: relationships with altitude,habitat, plant height,and phylogeny

Seed mass and morphology are plant life history traits that influence seed dispersal ability, seeding establishment success, and population distribution pattern. Southeastern Tibet is a diversity center for Rhododendron species, which are distributed from a few hundred meters to 5500 m above sea level. We examined intra‐ and interspecific variation in seed mass and morphology in relation to altitude, habitat, plant height, and phylogeny. Seed mass decreased significantly with the increasing altitude and increased significantly with increasing plant height among populations of the same species. Seed mass differed significantly among species and subsections, but not among sections and subgenera. Seed length, width, surface area, and wing length were significantly negative correlated with altitude and significantly positive correlated with plant height. Further, these traits differed significantly among habitats and varied among species and subsection, but not among sections and subgenera. Species at low elevation had larger seeds with larger wings, and seeds became smaller and the wings of seeds tended to be smaller with the increasing altitude. Morphology of the seed varied from flat round to long cylindrical with increasing altitude. We suggest that seed mass and morphology have evolved as a result of both long‐term adaptation and constraints of the taxonomic group over their long evolutionary history.     

Biogeography of seed-dispersal syndromes, life-forms and seed sizes among woody rain-forest plants in Australia's subtropics

Aim To enhance our understanding of the evolutionary interactions between seed‐dispersal syndromes, life‐forms, seed size, and habitat characteristics by studying their association with the regional‐scale distributions of subtropical rain‐forest plants in the context of climatic gradients. Location South‐east Queensland, subtropical eastern Australia (152° E, 26° S). Methods We classified 250 rain‐forest sites into six floristic site‐groups based on their woody plant composition. The resulting classification was strongly associated with variation in rainfall. The distribution of species across the floristic site‐groups was used to assign 568 species to seven habitat classes (one class for ‘widespread’ species, with all other species classified according to the site‐group within which they were most frequent). Species were also classified for three other categorical life‐history factors: three dispersal syndromes based on diaspore morphology (fleshy, wind‐assisted, and unadorned); four life‐forms (trees, shrubs and small trees, tall climbers, and short and shrubby climbers); and four seed‐diameter classes (< 3 mm, ≥ 3 and < 4.5 mm, ≥ 4.5 and < 7 mm, and ≥ 7 mm). We used a basic comparative approach augmented by simple phylogenetically constrained comparisons to assess association between dispersal syndrome, seed size, life‐form, and habitat class. Results Across the rain forests of south‐east Queensland, the proportion of species with fleshy diaspores or of large stature increases with rainfall. High‐rainfall sites also have larger average seed sizes, but the difference in average seed size between high‐ and low‐rainfall sites is small compared with variation within sites. Among species, those with fleshy fruit tend to have larger seeds and to favour high‐rainfall sites. Very few small trees produce diaspores adapted for wind‐assisted dispersal. On average, species with unadorned diaspores have smaller seeds than those with fleshy diaspores. However, within sites, species with unadorned and fleshy diaspores have similar average seed sizes, and some species with unadorned diaspores from high‐rainfall habitats have extremely large seeds. Main conclusions Commonly observed associations between fleshy fruit, larger plants, larger seeds, and productive habitats are apparent within the rain‐forest flora of south‐east Queensland. However, these associations are generally weak and involve complex interactions. For example, the strong tendency for species with fleshy fruit to have larger seeds than those with unadorned diaspores concealed a significant group of species from wetter forests that produce extremely large seeds and unadorned diaspores. The most widespread species in this study tend to be large plants (particularly robust lianes) and to produce fleshy fruit, but they tend not to have relatively large seeds. The association between large seeds, large plants, fleshy fruit and productive habitats is discussed as part of an evolutionary strategy favouring fitness in populations close to carrying capacity. We review some problems with focusing on establishment chances per seed as the driver towards association between large seeds, large plants and productive rain‐forest habitats (the difficult‐establishment hypothesis). Instead we suggest that production of large, short‐lived seeds by long‐lived plants in temporally stable, closed habitats may reflect the limited evolutionary potential for strategies enhancing colonization (e.g. producing large numbers of dormant seeds), thus allowing the establishment benefits of large seeds greater selective influence (the slow‐replacement hypothesis). The association of fleshy fruit with large seeds probably reflects the difficulty of dispersing large seeds by other means (the difficult‐dispersal hypothesis).     

三江平原沟渠土壤种子库特征及其与地上植被的关系

为了探究三江平原沟渠土壤种子库在湿地植物保护中的作用及其在湿地恢复中的潜力,该文采用幼苗萌发法与样方调查相结合的方法,对三江平原不同开挖年限沟渠的土壤种子库特征及其与地上植被的关系进行了研究。结果表明:沟渠具有较大规模的土壤种子库,边坡种子库显著大于底泥种子库,边坡种子库密度为8 973–25 000 seeds·m–2,底泥种子库密度为506–1 488 seeds·m–2。开挖10年、20年和30年的沟渠土壤种子库共有50种植物萌发,隶属于20科41属。开挖10年、20年和30年的沟渠土壤种子库萌发物种数分别为37种、34种和33种,地上植被物种数分别为25种、33种和22种。土壤种子库和相应地上植被的相似性系数分别为38.7%、35.8%和32.7%。随着植物群落演替的进行,地上植被的Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数均逐渐增大。三江平原沟渠土壤种子库和地上植被中保存了大量湿地植物,表明沟渠具有保护植物物种多样性的作用,沟渠土壤种子库具有湿地恢复的潜力。随着沟渠开挖年限增加,沟渠植物群落呈现退化特征,建议对沟渠系统加强管理。     

Resource distribution and the trade-off between seed number and seed weight: a comparison across crop species

In grain crops, total sink capacity is usually analysed in terms of two components, seed number and individual seed weight. Seed number and potential individual seed weight are established at a similar timing, around the flowering period, and seed weight at maturity is highly correlated with the potential established earlier. It is known that, within a species, available resources during the seed set period are distributed between both yield components, resulting in a trade-off between seed number and seed weight. Here we tested if this concept could apply for interspecific comparisons, where combinations of numbers and size across species could be related to the total available resources being either allocated to more seed or larger potential individual seed weight during the seed set period. Based on this, species differences in seed weight should be related to resource availability per seed around the period when seed number is determined. Resource availability per seed was estimated as the rate of increase in aboveground biomass per seed around the period of seed set. Data from 15 crop species differing in plant growth, seed number, seed weight and seed composition were analysed from available literature. Because species differed in seed composition, seed weight was analysed following an energy requirement approach. There was an interspecific trade-off relationship between seed number per unit of land area and seed weight (r = 0.92; F(1, 13) = 32.9; n = 15; P < 0.001). Seed weight of different species was positively correlated (r = 0.90; F(1, 13) = 52.9; n = 15; P < 0.001) with resource availability per seed around the seed set period. This correlation included contrasting species like quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa; ∼100000 seeds m⁻², ∼4 mg equivalent-glucose seed⁻¹) or peanut (Arachis hypogaea; ∼800 seeds m⁻², ∼1000 mg equivalent-glucose seed⁻¹). Seed number and individual seed weight combinations across species were related and could be explained considering resource availability when plants are adjusting their seed number to the growth environment and seeds are establishing their storage capacity. Available resources around the seed set period are proportionally allocated to produce either many small seeds or few larger seeds depending on the particular species.     

浙江古田山自然保护区常绿阔叶林种子雨的时空变异

木本植物种子产量的时间和空间变化格局对植物更新以及群落组成和结构有着重要影响, 是种子雨研究的一个重要方面。2006年6月在古田山亚热带常绿阔叶林24 hm²样地布置了130个面积为0.5 m²的种子雨收集器, 每周收集一次。利用4年的种子雨数据, 研究了种子雨的时间和空间变异。主要结果如下: (1)共收集到124227粒成熟种子, 属于29科51属63种, 每月降水量与平均每月种子数、物种数均呈显著负相关; (2)种子产量在每年干季(秋季)有明显的高峰, 有10个物种在湿季扩散种子, 不同物种结实物候起始和终止时间有差异; (3)基于4年的种子雨数据, 几乎所有物种的种子雨均存在很大的年际变异, 收集到的所有物种的种子产量年际变异系数的中位数为1.72; (4)种子雨在不同收集器之间有很大的变异, 变异系数的中位数为8.06; 几乎所有物种的空间变异都远远大于时间变异, 这可能是由于母树的稀有性、种子传播距离的差异, 以及地形等因素造成。通过与巴拿马Barro Colorado Island 50 hm ²样地108个物种种子产量的年际变异系数相比较, 古田山种子雨数据支持了高纬度地区种子产量变异高于低纬度地区的假说。