The Fundamental Characteristics of the Steppe Vegetation in Xizang Plateau

The steppe vegetation of the Xizang (Tibet) Plateau is somewhat similar to the temperate steppe of our country, but it possesses its own characteristics: 1. The elements of the Qinghai-Xizang floral region or plant species taking the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau as their chief distribution center play a dominant part in tile constitution of the steppe communities. In these communities, the plants are usually sparse and dwarf, their growth period is shorter and the biological productivity is lower than the steppe in the temperate zone. They possess synusia consisting of herbaceous plants fit for cold climate, synusia consisting of kobresia and synusia consisting of cushion plants. 2. There are 4 types of steppe vegetation in the Xizang Plateau. And the tussock-grass steppe is the most typical. According to their different ecological characteristics, they may be divided into 3 types. Of these, the most widely distributed type is the cold temperate-weak semiarid steppe. And there are many characteristical steppe communities. 3. Distributionally, the steppe in the Xizang Plateau belongs to a special type of vertical distribution in the subtropical latitude zone, it is different from the gene- rally known montane vertical belt, and possesses a vertical-horizontal distributive nature, i.e. "zonation of plateau". Within the Plateau steppe region, steppe eommunities with different ecological characteristics have clearly marked areal differentiaton, and which has determined the nature of the vertical belts in these areas. According to different basal belts of the vertical belt spectrum, such belts may be divided into 3 types. There are no forests in the montane vertical belt spectra in the Plateau steppe region, and the upper distributional limit of the steppe vegetation reaches an altitude of about 5200 (5400) m., which is the highest distributional limit of steppe on the earth.     

Species diversity of butterflies in Changbai Mountain in China

Using a modified belt transect method, we investigated the butterfly communities in five different vertical vegetation belts of Changbai Mountain in China from 1992 to 2009; these belts were broadleaf deciduous forest, coniferous–deciduous mixed forest, coniferous forest, erman’s birch forest and alp tundra. We determined the number of species and abundance of butterflies in each belt and in the coniferous–deciduous mixed forest belt, we also compared these parameters among different months. Preston’s lognormal distribution was used to model the species abundance distributions and five indicators (Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′), Pielou uniformity index (J), Simpson predominance centralization index (C), Margalef abundance index (E) and Jaccard similarity coefficients) were used to analyze the butterfly community diversity. We found four main results. (1) Across all five vertical vegetation belts, 9641 butterflies were collected, belonging to 7 families, 98 genera and 196 species. As altitude increased, the number of butterfly genera and species gradually reduced. There was a relationship between the distribution of dominant species and the total species between each belt and the distribution of vascular plants. (2) The species abundance distribution was successfully modeled as a Preston’s lognormal distribution; the best fit was obtained when α = 0.326, the determinant coefficient of the equation was 0.74798. The species abundance distribution indicates that Changbai Mountain provides a suitable environment for butterflies; there was high species richness and an even distribution of butterfly species. There were few very common and very rare species, with most species having an intermediate abundance. (3) As altitude increased, H′ and E gradually became smaller, while C showed the opposite pattern, and J did not significantly change. The similarity coefficients analysis demonstrated a clear difference among belts; the farther apart any two belts, the smaller the similarity coefficient, indicating less similarity in the butterfly communities. The similarity coefficient between the deciduous forest and the coniferous–deciduous mixed forest belt was the largest (0.651) while that between the deciduous forest and the alp tundra was the smallest (0.141). (4) Comparison of the butterfly species communities among different months in the coniferous–deciduous mixed forest found that H′ and E showed similar directional changes, while the opposite pattern was found with C; the changes in J did not necessarily reflect the actual change in diversity.     

人类工程活动对青藏高原北部多年冻土融化层及其环境的影响

人类工程活动对多年冻土环境的影响是评价人类工程活动对冻土生态系统影响的重要组成部分.以修建青藏公路时的工程干扰带与非干扰带为对比,研究了人类工程活动对多年冻土环境及其融化层的影响.结果表明,干扰带的融化层厚度比非干扰带要小,在非工程干扰带内,融化层厚度随海拔高度的升高,总体上呈下降趋势;而在工程干扰带内,融化层厚度随海拔高度的变化无规律可循.植被类型对冻土融化层厚度的影响表现为:草原＞灌丛＞草甸.干扰带和非干扰带的土壤含水量垂直分布格局主要受海拔高度的影响,在海拔接近时,受植被状况的影响.人类工程活动对地温的影响表现为干扰带温度低于非干扰带温度.     

摩天岭北坡森林植被垂直带的初步研究

本文对摩天岭北坡森林植被的垂直分布特点进行了初步研究。采用排序的方法,结合对群落生态外貌特点的分析,以及群落所处海拔高度,划分出森林植被垂直带如下：(1)山地常绿落叶阔叶林带,海拔1600m以下;(2)山地落叶阔叶林带,海拔1600—2100m;(3)山地针阔叶混交林带,海拔2100—2900m;(4)亚高山针叶林带,海拔2900—3450m;(5)高山灌丛草甸带,海拔3450m以上。     

The 29°N latitudinal line: an important division in the Hengduan Mountains, a biodiversity hotspot in southwest China

This paper aimed to explore the division of the southern and northern Hengduan Mountains based on gradients in species similarity and richness, and to analyze species richness in each sub-region. The Hengduan Mountain region was divided into nine latitudinal belts using one degree of latitude to define the belt after which distribution of seed plants within each latitudinal belt was recorded. Latitudinal patterns of species similarity were measured using the Jaccard similarity index for each pair of adjacent latitudinal belts. Non-metric multidimentional scaling (NMDS) was also used to analyze the similarity in species composition among the nine latitudinal belts. The latitudinal pattern of species similarity and the NMDS ordination both showed a great change in species composition across the 29°N latitudinal line, essentially dividing the Hengduan Mountain region into southern and northern sub-regions. Species richness, shown by the c-value of the species–area power function, and species–area ratio along a latitudinal gradient both showed a sharp decrease across the latitudinal belt from 29°0' to 29°59'N. The southern sub-region occupied 40% of the total area of the Hengduan Mountain region, but contained more than 80% of all the seed plants in the region. The higher species richness and endemism in the southern sub-region showed it to be the core of the Hengduan biodiversity hotspot, a result not unexpected because of the greater extremes of topography and wider diversity of habitats in the southern portion.     

Climate and vegetation at the Eurosiberian-Mediterranean boundary in the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract. The Northern Iberian Peninsula is dominated by various types of vegetation from deciduous oak and ash to evergreen oak woodlands. A recent vegetation map of Spain portrays vegetation series which are characterized in terms of their phytogeographic region or bioclimatic (altitudinal) belt. The aim of this paper is to determine whether the areas comprised by both phytogeographic regions (Eurosiberian and Mediterranean) in the study area, as established from the phytogeographic characterization of the vegetation, can be discriminated by climatic variables using multivariate methods, and to compare these with other conventional approaches. In addition, bioclimatic (altitudinal) belts and the main vegetation types were tested for discrimination by climatic variables. Conventional climatic criteria as well as discriminant and principal component analysis were applied to climatic data from 205 meteorological stations for which vegetation information had been taken from the vegetation map. Conventional criteria are good predictors of the phytogeographic division (Mediterranean and Eurosiberian regions) in the study area. Results were improved by multiple discriminant analysis based on climatic data of the dry period of the year (June to September). Both regions in the study area can be predicted with over 95 % accuracy. Using the same multivariate procedure and temperature data the bioclimatic (altitudinal) belts of the study area can be predicted with over 90 % accuracy. The main vegetation groups of the study area can also be predicted with over 80 % accuracy. Ordination analysis supported the results of the discriminant analysis. Empirical models have been generated to predict the phytogeographic- and belt character of any station in the area. The significance of the various periods of the year for discriminating regions and belts is evaluated. The responsiveness to climatic events during the year may be region specific. This study confirms the strong relationship between climate and vegetation in the Northern Iberian Peninsula, particularly regarding the Eurosiberian-Mediterranean boundary.     

贡嘎山地区主要植被类型的分布

贡嘎山位于青藏高原东南缘横断山系大雪山脉中段,主峰海拔高7556m。该地区有维管束植物185科,869属,约2500种。其植物区系特点为：区系成分起源古老;物种分化显著,特有种丰富;成分复杂,地理替代明显。贡嘎山主要植被类型有：冷杉、云杉组成的亚高山针叶林;松、铁杉组成的中山针叶林;松、杉、柏、油杉组成的低山针叶林;铁杉、桦木、槭树组成的针叶,阔叶混交林;樟、楠、阔楠、石栎,青冈等组成的常绿阔叶林;栎、桦、槭、杨、桤等组成的落叶阔叶林;高山栎类组成的硬叶常绿阔叶林;杜鹃、柳、圆柏等组成的高山灌丛;仙人掌(Opuntia monacantha)、金合欢、羊蹄甲等组成的河谷灌丛;嵩草(Kobresia)、羊茅(Festuca ovina), 韭和风毛菊、绢毛菊、绵参(Eriophyton wallichii)等组成的高山草甸与高山流石滩稀疏植被。贡嘎山地区水平地带性植被为常绿阔叶林,它兼有我国亚热带东部和西部常绿阔叶林的特点。 贡嘎山东坡植被垂直带谱是：1．常绿阔叶林带,海拔1100—2200m。2．山地针叶、阔叶混交林带,2200—2500m。3．亚高山针叶林带,2500—3600m。4．高山灌丛草甸带,2600—4600m。5．高山流石滩稀疏植被带,4600—4900m。6．永久冰雪带,海拔4900m以上。贡嘎山西坡植被垂直带谱是：1．亚高山针叶林带,海拔2800一4000m。2．高山灌丛草甸带,4000—4800m。3．高山流右滩稀疏植被带,4800—5100m。4．永久冰雪带,海拔5100m以上。     

Relationships between environmental variables and vegetation across mountain wetland sites,N. Iran

The mountain wetlands studied represent a unique habitat on the southern slopes of the Alborz mountain range, the second largest range in Iran. In comparison with other parts of this range the western section is ecologically and botanically unknown. Floristic and vegetation variation were assessed using diverse environmental variables along a broad altitudinal span (350 m to 3200 m a.s.l.). Using both statistical and ordination analyses floristic variation was assessed on three defined altitudinal belts which were delimited based on Alborz macro-climatic boundaries. The distribution of individual wetland plant species, of phytogeographic elements and of life-forms all differ among altitudinal belts. This result is also shown in both direct and indirect analyses of ordinations. The proportion of geophytes significantly increases with altitude and geophytes are very well represented in the upper altitudinal belt. The number of species of a narrow phytogeographical distribution (e.g. endemics) increases with altitude, soil pH and EC declined with altitude. The first axis of DCA ordination with passively projected environmental variables indicates that, organic matter and concentration of Fe²⁺ are increased toward higher altitude. The second axis of ordination is related to both soil texture and slope inclination. The distribution of species in the CCA species plot is also close to the distribution of those in the DCA ordination. This study indicates that altitude and slope together with other dependent environmental variables (pH, EC, Ca²⁺ and soil texture) are the main ecological factors controlling species distribution across the Western Alborz wetland sites.     

民勤绿洲边缘积沙带植物群落健康分析

甘肃河西走廊经过60多年的防沙治沙,在绿洲边缘形成了一条积沙带。其中,民勤绿洲边缘积沙带相对最典型、最完整。积沙带上的植被不仅是积沙带的形成因素,更是维持积沙带稳定的重要因素。从一定意义上说,积沙带上植被的健康状况,决定着积沙带的稳定性。为了分析积沙带上的植被状况,在民勤绿洲边缘积沙带上等间距设定了11条样线,通过60多个样方的植被调查,对民勤绿洲边缘积沙带上植物群落进行了健康序列分析。结果表明:民勤绿洲边缘积沙带上的植被普遍是不健康的,民勤绿洲边缘人工固沙林积沙带上的植被健康状况相对好于天然灌丛积沙带上的植被健康状况,乔灌混交林积沙带上的植被健康状况最差。民勤绿洲下游积沙带上的优势种植物柽柳严重枯死,健康状况最差,积沙带潜在风蚀活化的危险。农田弃耕后,沙区农田边缘防护林及其积沙带的保护是一个新的值得考虑的问题。     

Pattern of soil methanotrophs on the natural vertical zones of the North Tianshan Mountain

Methane is one of the most important greenhouse gases and plays an essential role in atmospheric chemistry. Knowledge about methanotrophs and their diversity is important to understand the microbial mediation of the greenhouse gas CH₄ under climate change. The methanotrophs is one of main functional microbial groups in soil mediating methane cycles of terrestrial ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to explore spatial distribution pattern of methanotrophs diversity and the major factors affecting soil methanotrophs diversity along an elevation gradient on vertical natural belt of the North Tianshan Mountains, soil samples were collected at six sites in 2010, which were desert grassland belt (H1), Mountain grassland belt (H2), Mountain forest belt (H3), sub-alpine cushion belt (H4), alpine cushion belt (H5), alpine tundra vegetation (H6). Methanotrophs diversity in six sites from the North Tianshan Mountain were assessed with terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP).The carbon–nitrogen ratio was significant difference under different vertical natural belt, ranged from 10.34 to 20.10, soil organic carbon were lowest in alpine tundra vegetation and highest in Mountain forest belt, those numbers of belts ranging from H1 to H3 were increased, with increasing elevation, then H3 to H6 were decreased. The total number of Terminal Restriction Fragments (T-RFs) derived from all those soil samples was 233, indicating high genetic diversity of methanotrophs on vertical natural belt of the North Tianshan Mountains. Microbial communities of T-RFs 55 bp, 242 bp, 376 bp represented the dominant species in sampling sites. However, some of the T-RFs were more sensitive to environment, such as 79 bp, 176 bp and 250 bp. Methanotrophs diversity index and T-RFs numbers were lowest in mountain forest belt and highest in subalpine cushion belt. Along the elevation gradient, the trendency of those numbers are as follows, H1>H2>H3<H4>H5>H6. Cluster analysis revealed that the samples could be separated into two groups, H4, H5 and H6 clustered into one group, while H2 and H3 clustered into other group.The community shifts were further investigated by Principle component analysis (PCA). The first PCA axis, which is related to the main compositional variation, separated the communities of the different sites. The main variation was mainly caused by changes in the relative abundance of the 58 bp, 87 bp, 137 bp, 243 bp and 248 bp T-RFs.Based on canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), Shannon index(H) of methanotrophs was positively correlated with soil pH and C/N ratio and negatively correlated with elevation, content of total nitrogen and total phosphorus; and Simpson index (D) and Evenness (E) were positively correlated with soils’ C/N ratio, soil surface temperature, pH and organic carbon, and negatively with elevation, total nitrogen and total phosphorus; indicating that plant communities and soil nutrients influence the soil microbial structure.Our research showed that soil methanotrophs was high genetic diversity along the elevation gradient on vertical natural belt in the North Tianshan Mountain. Soil microorganisms were positively correlated with vegetation, soils pH, C/N ratio, and soil moisture, total nitrogen, these parameters might be the main factors controlling soil methanotrophs diversity.     

Assessment of Hedysarum theinum Krasnob. (Fabaceae) population status in Altai

The status of 22 Hedysarum theinum cenopopulations (CPs) located in subalpine and alpine vegetation belts in Kazakhstan and Altai Republic is assessed by a complex of traits. It is detected that conditions of the subalpine belt (12 CPs), where the point sum of organismal and population traits vary from high to average values, are the most favorable for this species. The pessimal state, characterized by the smallest values of most species parameters, is determined in the alpine vegetation belt at an altitude of about 2000 m above sea level in Rudnyi Altai (Kazakhstan) and a shrub community at the junction of alpine and subalpine belts on the edge of the H. theinum area in Russian Altai. A reactive-tolerant type of H. theinum population strategy is detected.     

Phytogeographical data and modern pollen rain of the puna belt in southern Peru (Nevado Coropuna, Western Cordillera)

Aim To improve knowledge of the distribution of species and modern pollen dispersal in the puna vegetation belt (central Andes) for palaeoenvironmental analysis and reconstructions. Location Puna belt, Nevado Coropuna, Western Cordillera, Peru. Methods The vegetation facies and belts of the area were mapped by remote sensing using a March 1998 SPOT4 image. This was complemented by the interpretation of aerial photographs, by field sampling, and by the identification of plants. Data from 1940 to 1994 from the Peruvian meteorological station network were modelled to characterize the relationship between climate and vegetation. Twenty‐four soil‐surface samples were collected in the various vegetation facies identified on the map, and standard palynological techniques were applied to analyse these samples. A principal components analysis was performed on the pollen data set. Results The map shows three bioclimatic belts and seven facies in the puna sensu lato, and identifies the main plants that are characteristic of each bioclimatic area. The pollen results fit the vegetation facies and belts, including the plant species of the distinct facies that are well represented in the pollen assemblages. The mesotropical belt is characterized by the predominance of Asteraceae‐type Ambrosia; the supratropical belt shows significant frequencies of Asteraceae‐type Senecio; the orotropical belt is characterized by high frequencies of Apiaceae and includes Polylepis woodland and peat bogs; and the cryorotropical belt shows significant frequencies of Asteraceae‐type Senecio and Apiaceae. Main conclusions The pollen grains of the plants that grow on the puna sensu lato are generally entomophilous and are therefore not transported far from their plant source. The distinct bioclimatic facies and belts identified by the cartography can thus be well distinguished by their pollen production and deposition. We were therefore able to characterize the relationship between pollen, vegetation and climate that can be used for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. An altitudinal pollen gradient on the western slopes of the central Andes was revealed by the pollen study, with the succession of Asteraceae‐type Ambrosia (1800–2200 m), Malvaceae (2700–3300 m), Asteraceae‐type Senecio (3500–4100 m) and Apiaceae (above 4600 m).     

六盘山森林植被的数量分类

 六盘山位于我国黄土高原西部,秦岭西段以北,是一座南北走向的狭长石质山地,具明显 的温带大陆性季风气候。地处温带森林草原地带,地带性植被类型为落叶阔叶林和草甸草原。 本文运用相似系数法和组平均法等数学方法进行森林植被的分类。通过比较和分析,划 分出9个群系,初步建立六盘山森林植被的分类系统。这一结果与定性分类(依据植物群落学——生态学原则)所得出的结果基本相同,说明本文所采用的数量分类方法和分类指标是适用于温带地区森林植被的分类。     

基于视觉廊道的青藏铁路沿线旅游动态景观评价

青藏铁路作为一种重要的"线性"廊道,不仅起着重要的区域连接作用,促进着区域经济和社会发展,还具有旅游观光和体验的功能。基于游客视角对青藏铁路沿线10个自然景观段进行了青藏铁路沿线旅游动态景观评价研究。详细界定了铁路沿线动态景观评价的对象,构建了"游客眼"——青藏铁路沿线动态景观评价模型。动态景观评价是基于旅游列车在行进过程中以旅游者的眼睛感受到的景观质量高低——景观基底(包括地貌景观多样性、动植物点缀度、人文景观丰富度等),在列车行进过程中哪些景观能被游客捕捉到受到景观视域(包括相对坡度、景观在视域内出现几率、距离的远近等)的制约,哪些景观能被游客留下深刻印象要受到景观美感(包括色彩、奇异罕见景观、水体配置等)的影响。搭建了青藏铁路沿线旅游动态景观评价指标体系,青藏铁路沿线旅游动态景观评价指标体系包括沿线景观基底指标、景观视域评价指标和景观动态美感指标3个类指标和9个基础指标,动态景观评价指标的选择和权重确定主要采用层次分析法(Analytic Hierarchy Process,简称AHP),动态景观评价主要是基于模糊综合评判方法。通过对青藏铁路沿线10个自然景观段的各指标量化打分以及计算,结果发现:青藏铁路沿线不同景观带给游客的感受差异很大,10个旅游景观段的景观质量从高到低排序为:念青唐古拉宽谷盆地高寒草原草甸景观段、昆仑高山荒漠与荒漠草原景观段、可可西里—长江源宽谷高寒草原景观段、唐古拉极高山高寒草甸景观段、青海湖盆地草甸草原景观段、怒江源宽谷高寒草甸景观段、拉萨河谷灌丛草原景观段、柴达木盆地东北亚高山荒漠草原景观段、湟水谷地温性草原景观段、柴达木盆地盐湖戈壁荒漠景观段。其中旅游动态景观质量极高的有1个,旅游动态景观质量较高的有6个,旅游动态景观质量一般的有2个,旅游动态景观质量低的有1个。客观评估青藏铁路沿线各景观段的景观,有助于游客预知和了解青藏铁路途中旅游景观质量,对于地方相关部门指导青藏铁路旅游业的发展和景观管理、打造、开发、决策提供了参考依据。     

Is the ecological belt zonation of the Swiss Alps relevant for moth diversity and turnover?

Mountain ecosystems are traditionally envisioned as elevational belts of homogenous vegetation, separated by intervening ecotones. Recent research has cast doubt on such predictable layering at least in animal communities. We test the link of two a priori defined ecological belt zonations to noctuid moth distributions in the Swiss Alps. Predictions, in particular, were a coincidence of proposed ecotones with increased range endpoint frequencies and with increased species turnover or species richness between equidistant elevational bands. Using >320,000 distributional records for >500 noctuid species, we found no support for these three predictions despite several contrasting analytical approaches. Concurrent with recently published vertebrate data, we conclude that simple ecological belt zonations are unrelated to the moth communities found along mountain slopes. Rather, species are distributed idiosyncratically following their specific niche requirements. Additional rigorous evidence, particularly comparing insect clades spanning a spectrum of host-plant relationships, may be required to support the relevance of the ecological belt concept in structuring mountain ecosystems beyond tree and plant communities.     

不同植被类型的滩涂湿地土壤线虫群落特征

对江苏盐城湿地保护区内不同植被带土壤线虫的群落结构特征进行了研究.结果表明：调查共鉴定出20科39属,优势属和常见属的数量占总个体数的90%以上;不同植被类型的滩涂湿地土壤线虫总数存在明显差异性,线虫数量范围为每100 g干土79～449条,小麦地显著高于其他植被带,光滩地数量最少.线虫群落生态指数对植被带有不同的响应,土壤线虫群落多样性指数H、均匀度指数J在不同植被带的分布依次为：苇草带＞盐蒿带＞小麦地＞米草带＞光滩带,而优势度指数λ的分布为：光滩带＞米草带＞小麦地＞盐蒿带＞苇草带,表明光滩带的线虫群落多样性和稳定性小于其他植被带,土壤线虫群落趋于单一化;成熟度指数MI表现为保护区内未开垦植被带高于已开垦的小麦地,说明农田受外界干扰明显.不同植被带间的线虫群落结构存在显著差异,各植被带的最大贡献物种各不相同.土壤理化性状与线虫数量、营养类群、生态指数存在明显的相关关系.表明线虫群落的变化能很好地反映植被带生境的多样性,土壤线虫可作为湿地生态系统中一个重要的生物指示因子.     

THE OPTIMUM DIVISION FOR THE VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ACRIDOIDEA INSECTS OF THE CANGSHAN MOUTAIN IN WEST YUNNAN,CHINA*

Abstract Using the method of optimum division for ordinal elements, the vertical distribution of Acridoidea insects of Cangshan Mountain in the west of Yunnan Province is divided into four parts: (1) the belt of slopes with bushes and grasses in dry and hot valleys with elevation between 1500–1900 m; (2) the belt of subtropical evergreen broad leaf forests on uplands with elevation between 1900–2300 m; (3) the belt of temperate zone mixed broad leaf and needle leaf forests of up lands with elevation between 2 300–2500 m; and (4) the belt of temperate zone mixed broad leaf and needle leaf forests on medium mountain heights between 2500–2900 m. By this division, the species differences within each belt are the smallest and each belt has its vegetation, climate and Acridoidea insect characteristics.     

Response of pollen diversity to the climate-driven altitudinal shift of vegetation in the Colombian Andes

Change in diversity of fossil pollen through time is used as a surrogate for biodiversity history. However, there have been few studies to explore the sensitivity of the measured pollen diversity to vegetation changes and the relationship between pollen diversity and plant diversity. This paper presents results of a study to assess the relationship between pollen diversity and relative abundance of pollen from different altitudinal vegetation belts (subandean forest, Andean forest, subparamo and grassparamo) in three records from the tropical Andes in Colombia. The results indicated that plant diversity in the vegetation declined with altitude and pollen diversity is positively correlated to the abundance of pollen from lower altitude vegetation belts and negatively correlated to that from the grassparamo. These results, therefore, suggest that pollen diversity coarsely reflects the diversity of the surrounding vegetation. Using this interpretation, we were able to predict changes in plant diversity over the past 430000 years in the Colombian Andes. Results indicated that under warmer climatic conditions, more species-diverse vegetation of low elevation moved upslope to contribute more pollen diversity to the study sites, and under colder conditions, species-poor grassparamo moved downslope and observed pollen diversity was lower. This study concludes that fossil pollen diversity may provide an important proxy to reconstruct the temporal changes in plant diversity.     

Drift–line vegetation on well–drained, medium exposed beaches in the outward region of the fjords of Hordaland, Western Norway

Drift vegetation of annual and perennial species in the littoral belt above mean high water of 10 beaches in Western Norway is considered. Spatially the variation of vegetation is effected mainly by tidal fluctuations, and the vegetation units are grouped in four belts according to position in zonation. Eleven driftcommunities are recognized. Major patterns of physical contact between stands of communities are shown, variations probably result from differences in nutrient supplies and drainage. Variation of vegetation in time is due to impacts of extreme high tides, heavy storms and changes in level due to allochthonous and autochthonous material which are superimposed on established gradient structures. The disturbances have greater consequences in the outer parts of the investigated areas, and the vegetation usually is more stable in the inner parts.     

Comparing the Response of Birds and Butterflies to Vegetation-Based Mountain Ecotones Using Boundary Detection Approaches

Mountains provide an opportunity to examine changes in biodiversity across environmental gradients and areas of transition (ecotones). Mountain ecotones separate vegetation belts. Here, we aimed to examine whether transition areas for birds and butterflies spatially correspond with ecotones between three previously described altitudinal vegetation belts on Mt. Hermon, northern Israel. These include the Mediterranean Maquis, xero-montane open forest and Tragacanthic mountain steppe vegetation belts. We sampled the abundance of bird and butterfly species in 34 sampling locations along an elevational gradient between 500 and 2200 m. We applied wombling, a boundary-detection technique, which detects rapid changes in a continuous variable, in order to locate the transition areas for bird and butterfly communities and compare the location of these areas with the location of vegetation belts as described in earlier studies of Mt. Hermon. We found some correspondence between the areas of transition of both bird and butterfly communities and the ecotones between vegetation belts. For birds and butterflies, important transitions occurred at the lower vegetation ecotone between Mediterranean maquis and the xero-montane open forest vegetation belts, and between the xero-montane open forest and the mountain steppe Tragacanthic belts. While patterns of species turnover with elevation were similar for birds and butterflies, the change in species richness and diversity with elevation differed substantially between the two taxa. Birds and butterflies responded quite similarly to the elevational gradient and to the shift between vegetation belts in terms of species turnover rates. While the mechanisms generating these patterns may differ, the resulting areas of peak turnover in species show correspondence among three different taxa (plants, birds and butterflies).