长柄石杉芽胞及芽胞植株形态研究

为研究石杉属植物芽胞形态特征以及芽胞在石杉属植物无性繁殖中的作用,对野外采集和移栽后新生的长柄石杉（Huperzia javanica）芽胞体、芽胞的形态特征、芽胞萌发形成芽胞植株的过程进行了描述,并对芽胞和芽胞残体发生数量进行计数。结果表明,芽胞体由芽胞和芽托部组成,前者是6个小叶围住的小芽,后者为具有6个鳞状叶的柄状体;芽胞脱落后一周开始萌发并进一步发育为芽胞植株;芽胞体发生枝条上平均有5个芽胞发生;芽胞发生具有一定程度的周期性,可以据此估计石杉植株株龄和生长速度。     

20个赤苍藤种质资源表型性状的遗传多样性分析及综合评价

分析木本蔬菜赤苍藤不同种质资源的表型性状特点,为筛选出叶大、枝条生长旺盛的赤苍藤优良种源奠定基础,该研究以来自越南及中国3省(区)(广西、广东、福建)的20个赤苍藤种源为对象,对12个叶性状及4个枝条性状进行测定及计算,对各性状进行描述统计、方差分析及性状相关性分析,采用主成分分析法计算各种源主成分得分并对各种源进行聚类,对不同赤苍藤种源表型性状进行统计、分类及评价。结果表明:(1)各赤苍藤种源间大多数叶、枝条性状存在显著或极显著差异。种源内各性状变异系数变化幅度不尽相同。种源间各性状变异系数变化幅度依次为叶功能性状(15.42%～70.01%)>枝条性状(20.57%～71.71%)>叶形态性状(3.39%～20.01%); 种源内表型变异更突出。(2)就性状间相关性而言,叶形态性状及叶功能性状指标间多为极显著相关,新枝数量与节间数、新叶数极显著相关,但与叶形态性状的相关关系不明显。(3)16个表型性状共可提取4个主成分,累计贡献率达85.528%。4个主成分分别体现出叶的形态、枝叶萌发生长、叶形状及叶干物质积累及枝条增粗状况。(4)对20个种源进行聚类分析可分为三大类,一类为叶大、生长良好的种源,一类为叶较小、枝条生长旺盛的种源,还有一类种源综合表现不突出。各大类种源中的小类在地理分布上较为接近。(5)福建安溪及福清的种源可选择为大叶种源; 广西大新、上思和桂平的种源可选择为枝条生长旺盛种源。综合来看,中国福建安溪种源综合表现最佳,其次为中国福建福清、中国广东海丰、中国广西南宁、越南茶陵。广西昭平、宜州的两种源综合表现最差,不适宜广西南宁地区引种栽培。部分种源中存在生长表现突出的优良单株,可将此类植株开发为无性系,进行更深入的种源试验。该研究结果为赤苍藤种源表型性状分析及广西南宁引种初步表现提供了科学依据,为筛选、培育高产赤苍藤品种奠定了基础。     

气候变化背景下中国南方地区季节性干旱特征与适应Ⅴ.南方地区季节性干旱特征分区和评述

在干旱特征研究的基础上开展季节性干旱分类分区,可为不同干旱区域应对全球气候变化、制定抗旱减灾对策和防控技术提供理论依据.以国家标准中的气象干旱、农业干旱指标为主要依据,利用南方地区268个气象台站1959-2008年的气候资料,在分析南方地区季节性干旱的气候背景和分布特征的基础上,采用综合因子与主导因子相结合方法、逐级指标筛选法,综合灾害分析和聚类分析方法,对季节性干旱进行3级分区.一级分区以年干燥度和季干燥度为主要指标,以年尺度和主要作物生长季的降水量为辅助指标,将南方区域分为半干旱区、半湿润区、湿润区和极湿润区4个一级区;在此基础上再划分为川滇高原山地温凉半干旱区,江北温暖半湿润区、华南暖热半湿润区和西南高原温凉半湿润区3个半湿润区,长江流域温热湿润区、华南暖热湿润区和西南山地温暖湿润区3个湿润区,以及华南暖热极湿润区和江南西南山区温凉极湿润区2个极湿润区,共9个二级干旱分区.最后基于多个干旱指标的干旱频率和干旱强度,将南方区域分成29个三级干旱区.在分区基础上对不同季节性干旱特征分区分布情况、干旱特点及对农业生产影响进行评述,并提出了防旱避灾措施.     

濒危物种胡杨和灰叶胡杨的克隆生长特征

研究不同生态环境条件下胡杨和灰叶胡杨横走侧根的空间分布及其形态特征、不定芽及克隆分株的数量格局特征及其与土壤水分的关系。研究结果表明:(1)16团3个生境中灰叶胡杨克隆分株所在横走侧根均分布在10—20cm的土层;阿瓦提混交林内灰叶胡杨和胡杨克隆分株所在横走侧根分布在20—40cm的土层;轮台县河道边胡杨克隆分株所在横走侧根分布在10—20cm的土层,林内胡杨克隆分株所在横走侧根分布在20—40cm的土层。不定芽、克隆分株所在部位横走侧根最粗,向两端逐渐变细,且远端根始终比近端根要粗;(2)不定芽具有以前期克隆分株为中心向两端延伸发生分布的空间格局特征,横走侧根上不定芽数与出土克隆分株数呈极显著正相关,未出土克隆分株数与出土克隆分株数呈显著正相关,说明不定芽、未出土克隆分株的数量都直接影响出土克隆分株的数量。(3)不定芽、未出土克隆分株和出土克隆分株出现频率、空间分布范围在同一生境同一根段均表现为不定芽未出土克隆分株出土克隆分株,在不同研究区表现为16团(地下水位1.08m)轮台县(地下水位2.56m)阿瓦提县(地下水位3.34m);相关分析显示土壤水分含量与不定芽和出土克隆分株数量均呈极显著正相关。综合分析认为,地下水位和土壤含水量均对不定芽发生以及不定芽向克隆分株转化有显著的影响。     

不同高程短尖苔草对水位变化的生长及繁殖响应

在淡水湿地生态系统中,水位通常是制约植被生长和繁殖动态的关键因素,进而对物种组成、群落演替和植被分布格局产生决定性影响。无性繁殖是洞庭湖湿地克隆植物适应环境胁迫的重要策略之一,以洞庭湖湿地典型克隆植物-短尖苔草(Carex brevicuspis C.B.Clarke)为对象,研究了不同分布高程(23.7 m和25.8 m)的植物对水位变化(0 cm,-15 cm,-30 cm)的生长和繁殖特征响应。结果表明:水位变化对不同分布高程分布短尖苔草的生长和克隆繁殖特征均产生显著影响(P0.05)。对高程区的短尖苔草而言,克隆繁殖特征如分株数、分株总生物量、芽数和芽生物量随水位的降低而增加,而对生长特征(株高及总生物量)无显著影响(P0.05),表明适当干旱有利于高程区苔草的克隆繁殖。对于低程区分布短尖苔草而言,水位变化对其生长特征有显著影响(P0.05),如株高和总生物量随着水位的降低而增加;分株数和总芽生物量等克隆繁殖特征则随水位的降低而减少,而水位对低程区短尖苔草的分株总生物量和总芽数影响不显著(P0.05)。因此,短尖苔草的克隆繁殖特征除受到水位的影响外,还受其分布高程的影响。可见,同一种短尖苔草因长期适应于不同生境而对相同的环境胁迫表现出了不同的生长繁殖策略,     

中国北方气候干湿变化及干旱演变特征

利用中国北方15个省(区、市)320个气象站1960—2014年逐月降水量资料,运用标准化降水指数(SPI)、标准差和相关分析等方法,基于不同时间尺度,对近55年来中国北方及不同干湿区气候干湿时空变化特征进行分析,并从干旱站次比、干旱强度等方面分析了年际干旱的时空变化特征。结果表明:(1)1960—2014年中国北方地区整体呈变干趋势,年际干旱站次比和干旱强度在同步波动中均呈下降趋势。(2)1960—2014年北方地区春季和冬季呈湿润化趋势,冬季湿润化趋势最明显,夏季和秋季呈干旱化趋势,夏季干旱化趋势最显著,夏季降水对年干湿状况的变化起决定性作用。(3)湿润区和半湿润区有干旱化趋势,而干旱区和半干旱区均呈湿润化趋势发展;湿润区和半湿润区年际干旱站次比、干旱强度呈上升趋势,而干旱区和半干旱区则相反。(4)中国北方东部季风区的湿润区和半湿润区以及处于季风区和非季风区分界线两侧的半湿润区和半干旱区气候干湿变化均呈显著同步波动变化趋势,而中国北方东部季风区的湿润区和半湿润区与中国北方西部非季风区的干旱区气候干湿变化呈显著反向波动变化趋势,夏季具有同样的规律,而冬季和春季四大干湿区干湿变化具有较好的同步一致性。     

南方菟丝子对加拿大一枝黄花的寄生控制效应

以安全性较高的本土植物南方菟丝子和重要的外来入侵植物加拿大一枝黄花为材料,于温室中采用盆栽试验在湿润和半湿润条件下用南方菟丝子寄生不同生长阶段(幼苗阶段、过渡阶段和成株阶段)的加拿大一枝黄花植株,考察加拿大一枝黄花植株被寄生后的营养生长、光合生理、逆境生理等指标,探索适宜南方菟丝子寄生加拿大一枝黄花的最佳条件阈值。结果显示:(1)寄生处理与对照之间,加拿大一枝黄花株高、基径、生物量、叶绿素含量、光合速率、可溶性糖、丙二醛、脯氨酸等指标差异均显著;(2)幼苗组、过渡组被寄生加拿大一枝黄花的株高增量、基径增量、生物量、叶绿素含量、净光合速率均显著低于相应对照组,而其可溶性糖、丙二醛、脯氨酸含量均显著高于相应对照组;(3)在半湿润条件下,加拿大一枝黄花的株高、基径增量均小于湿润条件下植株,其净光合速率、叶绿素含量在幼苗组和过渡组均小于湿润条件下植株,而可溶性糖、丙二醛、脯氨酸含量在在幼苗组和过渡组均大于湿润条件下相应指标;(4)幼苗组、过渡组加拿大一枝黄花被寄生后无法正常开花结实,寄生幼苗组加拿大一枝黄花的南方菟丝子亦无法正常开花结实。研究表明,在湿润与半湿润地区,南方菟丝子可以寄生各生长阶段的加拿大一枝黄花,并对株高1.2 m以下的植株产生较强的寄生胁迫;寄生的最佳时间段为每年的4月到8月。     

不同种源羊草表型差异性

研究植物因环境变化产生的表型差异,对于其适应未来全球气候变化具有重要的意义。羊草具有广泛的地理分布,是研究表型差异的理想材料。将白城市镇赉种源地羊草(ZL),白城市洮北种源地羊草(TB),吉林大安市种源地羊草(DA)和大安市姜家甸草场种源地羊草(JC)进行同质园移栽培养,分析了4个种源羊草的表型特征。结果表明,不同种源间羊草表型特征株高、叶长、叶宽、茎直径和生理特征蒸腾速率(Tr)、水分利用效率(WUE)和生物量分配均存在显著差异。在同质园环境培养下,这些表型特征均存在显著的种源差异。从总体上来看,TB种源地的羊草具有最高的株高、叶长和叶宽,分别为72.2 cm、34.4 cm、和10.34 mm。ZL种源有着最高的生物量(46.05 g)和WUE(3.06μmolCO_2/mmol H_2O)。ZL种源叶鲜重和干重均表现出了较高值,分别为2.88 g和0.96 g。不同种源羊草经移栽到同质园环境下,因为对源地气候长期的适应,产生了明显的表型差异,进而引起形态、生理特征的差异。这有利于羊草适应未来剧烈的气候变化,进一步揭示了羊草适应环境的策略。     

不同种源樟树叶片形态特征及生长差异分析

为了解不同种源樟树叶片形态特征和生长差异,该文以30个种源樟树为研究对象,对其叶长、叶宽、叶柄长、周长、叶面积、长宽比、形态因子、株高、地径等指标进行测定和差异性分析.结果表明:(1)30个种源间叶片性状的变异系数为3.88％～16.14％,显示不同种源樟树叶片形态特征存在显著差异;叶长、叶宽、叶柄长、周长、面积、叶厚...     

三峡水库长期水淹条件下耐淹植物甜根子草的资源分配特征

为研究历经三峡水库长期水淹的驯化后,不同海拔高程之间相同种源的甜根子草的生物量分配特征是否发生改变,进而探讨该物种对水淹胁迫表现出的适应性进化特征,试验于2008年初选育相同种源的甜根子草同龄幼苗栽植于三峡水库消落区甜根子草种植试验示范区,并考察了2012年、2013年不同海拔高程甜根子草植株的形态和生物量特征。试验共设置3个海拔高程,即水淹高程168、172m和不受水淹对照高程176m。试验结果表明:(1)较低高程的甜根子草植株较矮小细弱,168m高程的甜根子草植株主茎长和主茎基径显著低于对照176m高程(P0.05);平均节间长度随高程的降低而缩短;与之相反,主茎长/主茎基径随高程的降低而增大。(2)甜根子草的叶片厚度、叶片长/叶片宽、叶片长/叶鞘长均随海拔高程的降低而减小;与之相反,比叶面积随高程的降低而增大。(3)水淹前,甜根子草近端成熟节间的质量密度随高程的降低而增大;水淹后,其地上存活茎段基部成熟节间的质量密度在各高程之间无显著差异(P0.05)。以上研究结果表明,甜根子草历经三峡水库长期水淹的驯化后,生物量分配特征在不同海拔高程之间发生了改变,表现出了相应的驯化特征。相较于高高程的甜根子草植株而言,低高程的植株生长缓慢,采取低株高下的高向生物量投资策略;对叶的物质投资大部分分配到叶面积的增加、叶鞘的伸长生长和叶片的直立生长上,以加强植株的光合生产。     

Age-dependent bark photosynthesis of aspen twigs

The photosynthetic performance of trembling aspen (Populus tremula L.) twigs and leaves was studied in relation to selected structural features of aspen bark. PFD transmittance of intact periderm was reduced by about 90% in current-year twigs through peridermal thickening. However, because of drastic changes within the bark microstructure, PFD transmittance increased in 1-year-old twig segments up to 26% of the incident PFD. On a unit surface area basis, the chlorophyll content of young twigs (425 mg Chl m^-2) almost reached that of leaves (460 mg Chl m^-2). The chlorophyll content of aspen bark chlorenchyma was clearly age-dependent, even increasing in current-year twigs with advancing internodal age. The low bark chlorophyll a/b ratios (about 2.6 compared with 3.9 in leaves) indicate that bark chloroplasts are shade-adapted. Positive net photosynthesis was not found in aspen twigs, but apparent respiration was distinctly reduced in the light due to light-driven carbon refixation (bark photosynthesis) within the chlorenchymal tissues. Under constant microclimatic conditions, dark respiration rates were strongly correlated with stem-internal CO₂ refixation. In accordance with increasing dark respiration rates, the efficiency of this carbon recycling was generally greater in the metabolically more active, younger twig segments than in older segments; carbon refixation rates reached up to 80% of dark respiration values. At least in young twigs and branches and thus in the light-exposed outer parts of tree crowns, respiratory CO₂ losses by the tree skeleton could efficiently be reduced. Refixation of carbon dioxide may be of great importance for carbon budgets in the environmentally controlled or pathogen-induced leafless states of deciduous aspen trees.     

An investigation of browsing enrichment,especially non-leaf foraging,on giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) at Kyoto City Zoo in Japan

Browsing enrichment may aid in developing species-specific behaviors for giraffes managed in zoos as a means of improving animal welfare. By nature, giraffes are tree-feeding animals, including tree bark, but the extent of food other than leaves as a form of browsing enrichment has not been well investigated. Therefore, to investigate the effectiveness of non-leaf foraging, three giraffes at the Kyoto City Zoo in Japan were observed for 228 h from May 2019 to February 2020. In conjunction with behavioral instantaneous sampling, tree use (landscape tree or enrichment branch) and plant part (leaves, twigs, or barks) were recorded by the 1-0 sampling method. There was no significant change in the foraging behavior on the leaves of enriched branches, nor was there any significant change in the foraging behavior of the giraffes, except for one animal in the deciduous phase. No significant changes were observed in rumination or other behaviors between the two phases. Although vegetation foraging behavior significantly decreased, except for one animal, dry hay foraging behavior significantly increased in all the animals during the deciduous phase. Some individuals also showed a significant increase in the foraging behavior for non-leafy parts of the enrichment branches (twigs and bark) during the deciduous phase. This suggests that in some tree species, giraffes forage on the bark and twigs to compensate for the loss of leaves during the deciduous phase, similar to feeding on hay or hay cubes as a substitute for tree leaves.     

Overwintering of the sycamore aphid, Drepanosiphum platanoidis

Spatial and temporal aspects of overwintering in the holocyclic sycamore aphid Drepanosiphum platanoidis (Schrank) (Homoptera: Callaphididae) were investigated. Eggs of D. platanoidis were principally laid on trunks and branches of Acer pseudoplatanusL., at considerable distances from the buds. Trunks with rough bark, followed by branches with moderate roughness supported more overwintering eggs than the relatively exposed smooth surfaces of twigs and terminal buds. Eggs were aggregated on rough bark. Aspect had no effect on the number of eggs laid. Experimental manipulations varying ovipara densities showed intra-specific competition among oviparae for optimal oviposition sites. Overwintering egg mortality was a function of time, with the greatest mortality rate occurring in late winter. Egg mortality varied from 80.4% to 76.9% on trunks and 83.0% to 65.9% on branches in 1996 and 1997.     

Volatiles released from oak, a host tree for the bark beetle Scolytus intricatus

Volatile compounds emitted in different phases of oak (Quercus robur) development (bark, unopened buds, young developing leaves, and blossoms) were analyzed with the aim of finding possible host-plant attractants for the European oak bark beetle, Scolytus intricatus. Complex mixtures of aliphatic, aromatic, and terpenoid compounds were identified in the samples. (E)-2-Hexenal and hexanal dominated in samples of bark. In buds, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate formed a substantial part of the mixture. In both leaves and blossoms (E,E)--farnesene was the main component.

Volatiles released from oak twigs and branches during both the maturation feeding and construction of maternal galleries by Scolytus intricatus were also analyzed. Most compounds found in the samples from females’ and males’ maturation feeding were identical. High contents of anisole, (E)-β-ocimene, -copaene, one unidentified sesquiterpenic hydrocarbon C₁₅H₂₄ and β-caryophyllene were found in both samples of twigs attacked by beetles. During the construction of maternal galleries by bark beetles in oak logs, monoterpene hydrocarbons such as p-cymene, (E)-β-ocimene, and γ-terpinene, and sesquiterpenes -copaene and β-caryophyllene were released in large quantities. No new compound appeared when males were added to the log with feeding females.     

Overwintering form of the causal agent of shot hole disease in Khorasan Razavi, Iran

Shot hole disease of stone fruit trees caused by some plant pathogenic fungi is a major constraint to stone fruit production worldwide where the trees are grown. Identification of the causal agents of the disease and their overwintering forms in stone fruit trees of Khorasan Razavi was necessary for disease management programs. Buds, twigs, fallen leaves and fruits were collected from the infected peach, apricot, nectarine and almond trees in winter 2007. The samples were superficially disinfested in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 2-3 min and then in 70% ethanol for 45 sec. Two to three fragments of 4x4 mm from each tissue were separately cultured on 2% water agar and potato dextrose agar (PDA), and purified on PDA. Just a pathogenic fungal species, Wilsonomyces corpophilus was isolated from the infected buds and twigs. No microorganism was isolated from the fallen leaves and fruits collected from underneath of the infested stone fruit trees. Pathogenicity of the fungus was examined on detached shoots of current year of four varieties of stone fruit trees. Fungal discs were placed under the bark of the bud base. Control shoots were similarly treated with sterile PDA discs. Inoculated shoots were placed in a humid growth chamber at 25 degrees C. Fungal hyphae appeared at 30 days post inoculation. Control shoots were asymptomatic. Pathogenicity intensities or lesion lengths were significantly different among the four varieties tested. A completely randomised design with five replicates was employed to measure the number of spores in infested buds and twigs of each variety of stone fruit tree. The samples were sliced and placed into a glass tube of centrifuge containing 3 ml of sterile distilled water. They were mixed on a vortex mixer for 30-40 min and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 min. Pelleted material from each sample was suspended in 500 microl of sterile distilled water and the spores were counted using a hemocytometre. Results revealed that the fungus overwinters as hyphae and conidia in the infected buds, and as hyphae and globular chlamydospores in twig lesions.     

Evaluation of various parts of the paw paw tree, Asimina triloba (Annonaceae), as commercial sources of the pesticidal annonaceous acetogenins.

Various plant parts of the paw paw tree (Asimina triloba Dunal, Annonaceae) were extracted and partitioned to concentrate the mixture of acetogenins into a standardized pesticidal extract (F005). A bioassay with brine shrimp larvae (Artemia salina Leach) was used to determine the relative potencies of the various extracts. The small twigs (0-0.5 cm diameter) yielded the most potent extract (LC50 = 0.04 ppm); the stem wood (LC50 = 4.9 ppm) and leaves (LC50 = 53.7 ppm) yielded the poorest activities. The unripe fruits, seeds, root wood, root bark, and stem bark were notably potent and, generally, yielded > 2% of their dry weight as F005. The smaller diameter stems were more potent than the larger stems. We conclude that, by pollarding the trees, the entire twigs and small branches of paw paw could be processed to produce a potent acetogenin mixture; this biomass could be made available in quantities needed for commercialization of the pesticidal product and could be renewable through regrowth from the parent trunk and larger branches.     

Crows break off live camphor twigs: an avian disturbance effect on plants

Birds are usually considered beneficial partners for plants, acting as predators on herbivorous insects, pollinators and seed dispersal agents. However, in an urban area of central Japan, birds break off large quantities of live camphor tree ( Cinnamomum camphora ) twigs in winter. This loss of vegetative parts was examined quantitatively to estimate the impact on the trees. I also observed bird foraging behaviour to determine the species involved and the possible reasons underlying this destructive activity. Broken twigs on the forest floor were found to have numerous leaves and spring buds. The densities of leaves and buds in the litter were 288.5 and 54.4 m⁻², respectively. The jungle crow ( Corvus macrorhynchos ) may have broken off the twigs either to peck the fruits while perching on stable branches, or possibly to remove twigs obstructing access to fruit. In contrast, brown-eared bulbuls ( Hypsipetes amaurotis ), oriental turtle doves ( Streptopelia orientalis ) and rove doves ( Columba livia ) ate fruits without breaking twigs. The interaction between C. camphora and C. macrorhynchos only extends back for about 20 years in urban Japan, indicating that this is unlikely to be a stable, co-evolved relationship.     

几种树木的树皮中绿色组织的光合特性初探

测定10个树种树木上的三年生枝条树皮内绿色组织的叶绿素含量、光合速率和枝干的呼吸速率的结果表明：10个树种树皮内叶绿素含量为0.0649～0.3460mg·g^-1（FW）,叶绿素a/b为1.05～1.91,均低于叶片或针叶;树皮内绿色组织的光合速率为0.21（红松）～2.06（水曲柳）μmol（O2）·m^-2·s^-1,枝干呼吸速率1.76（红松）～3.21（落叶松）μmol（O2）·min^-1·g^-1（FW）。树皮内绿色组织的光补偿点（LCP）、光饱和点（LSP）低于叶片,而表观量子效率（AQY）高于叶片或针叶。据此认为,树皮内绿色组织适应于阴生环境,所以有较强的耐阴能力。     

三倍体毛白杨不同有机残体分解特征的研究

为探明三倍体毛白杨纸浆林林地养分状况,寻求可能的养分输入途径,实现林地长期生产力的维持和提高,采用网袋法研究了三倍体毛白杨(Populus tomentosa)落叶、枝条(直径小于0.5 cm)、细根(直径小于2 mm)以及树皮的分解率和分解过程的变化规律。结果表明:4种残余物在一年中分解速率的变化总体表现为快—慢—快的节律,但位于地下的细根分解过程与位于地表的落叶、枝条和树皮有所不同,方差分析表明,不同阶段的分解率之间存在显著差异;4种残余物的分解速率不同,实验后期细根的分解率为42.5%,落叶的分解率为30.5%,树皮的分解率为26.0%,枝条的分解率为20.9%,不同残余物的分解速率之间存在显著性差异。这充分说明三倍体毛白杨纸浆林中不同有机残体在不同分解阶段具有不同特征,今后应进一步研究其养分释放规律,采取针对性措施加快其分解,以不断提高立地生产力。     

The distribution and abundance of barnacles in a mangrove forest

Abstract The grey mangrove tree, Avicennia marina, forms a hard substratum in an area otherwise dominated by soft-sediment. Various intertidal organisms attach to and move about on the trees. The abundant barnacles Elminius covenus, Hexaminius popeiana and Hexaminius foliorum live on a variety of substrata in mangrove forests. Their patterns of distribution and abundance were recorded and models proposed to explain these patterns. Densities of barnacles on bark, leaves and twigs of A. marina were estimated in a locality near Sydney. Elminius covenus were more abundant on bark than on leaves or twigs of A. marina. Hexaminius popeiana, although less abundant on bark than E. covenus, were not found on twigs or leaves. In contrast, H. foliorum were more abundant on twigs than leaves and were not found on the bark of A. marina. Densities of barnacles were greater in the seaward than in landward parts of the forest. Elminius covenus were the most abundant barnacles, H. foliorum were less abundant and H. popeiana were virtually absent in the landward zone. Barnacles in the seaward zone were most abundant at mid-tidal levels, less at high and low tidal levels of trunks and more abundant on lower than upper surfaces of trunks and leaves. The densities of barnacles differed according to the orientation of the bark or leaf. Models are proposed to explain the patterns of distribution and abundance of these barnacles. Each involves larval supply, settlement and post-settlement mortality. It is concluded that similar processes determining patterns of distribution and abundance for sessile organisms living on rock platforms may be applicable to sessile organisms living in the very different habitats of mangrove forests.