秦岭太白山4类森林土壤种子库的储量分布与物种多样性

种子是种子植物的繁殖体。了解种子生态学对于发展群落结构和功能的理论具有关键性作用。土壤种子库可以从另一个角度表现植被的潜在更新能力。本文通过野外植被调查和室内试验 ,从 2 4 0份土样中 ,采用物理方法挑选土壤中的种子进行分类统计 ,研究了秦岭太白山南坡的锐齿槲栎 (Quercusalienavar.acuteserrata)林、糙皮桦 (Betulautilis)林、巴山冷杉 (Abiesfargesii)林、太白红杉 (Larixpotaniniivar .chinensis)林 4类森林的土壤种子库分布状况 ,了解土壤种子库储量分布以及物种多样性特点。主要研究结果如下 :(1) 4类森林中 ,糙皮桦林的土壤种子库总储量最大 ,为 1.77× 10 4ind ./m2 ;太白红杉林的土壤种子库总储量最小 ,为 1.74 2× 10 3 ind ./m2 。种子的特性对于土壤种子库储量有较大的影响。 (2 ) 4类森林的土壤种子库储量在土层中的垂直分布为枯落物层 >腐殖质层 >心土层 ;锐齿槲栎林土壤种子库中物种种类最多 ,有 5 0种 ;阔叶林中潜在的群落优势度为多个种群分配 ,而针叶林的种子库中优势种较少 ;巴山冷杉林种子库群落均匀度大于其他 3种林地的。 (3)土壤种子库的种子储量与种子密度的变化规律基本一致 ;用种子密度来表示种子库的大小特征 ,考虑了土壤性质等对种子库的影响 ,比用种子储量来     

热带森林群落土壤种子库对海拔梯度的响应

在西双版纳海拔800~1400 m的热带森林中,设置海拔梯度垂直样带和样地,研究热带森林群落土壤种子库对海拔梯度的响应。结果发现:(1)土壤种子库的密度和物种丰富度在海拔800 m最大,分别为10540±1578粒·m-2和71个种,最小的土壤种子库密度和物种丰富度则分别出现在海拔1400 m和1200 m。基于Bray-Curtis相似性系数,对4个海拔的土壤种子库物种进行了NMDS排序,发现不同海拔土壤种子库物种组成存在显著的空间分异。(2)土壤种子库中的异质性成分丰富度也因海拔不同存在差异,海拔800 m有9个异质性成分种,海拔1400 m只有5个;而异质性成分种的多度却在海拔1200 m最大。(3)土壤种子库与地上植被的相似性在4个海拔带都低于15%。研究表明,海拔变化对土壤种子库的密度、物种组成格局都能产生显著影响。     

锡林郭勒退化草原不同禁牧恢复演替阶段土壤种子库比较

以冷蒿(Artemisia frigida) 糙隐子草(Cleistogenes squarrosa)退化草原经过长期围栏禁牧恢复演替(23 a和10 a)群落为研究对象,并对比围栏外退化的冷蒿 糙隐子草草原,揭示锡林郭勒退化草原长期围栏禁牧后的土壤种子库特征.随着群落的恢复演替,土壤总种子库物种组成和密度均增加,但持久性土壤种子库占土壤总种子库的比例下降.代表土壤总种子库的4月份取样,围栏禁牧23 a、10 a和围栏外退化样地土壤种子库密度平均值分别为4433、4756粒· m-2和856粒· m-2, 在0.001水平上差异显著,基本代表持久土壤种子库(persistent soil seed bank)的6月底取样,3个样地土壤种子库密度在0.05水平上差异显著;多数植物土壤种子库主要分布在0～3 cm层,各样地种子库密度随土壤深度的增加而减少;围栏禁牧23 a、10 a和围栏外重度退化样地的持久土壤种子库密度分别为土壤总种子库的52.6%、47.4%和90.9%,;各样地一年生植物,构成了草原土壤种子库密度的主要组成部分.结果表明,对于严重退化的冷蒿 糙隐子草群落,只要在恢复起点仍有零星分布的羊草和大针茅植株,经过长期围栏禁牧可恢复其土壤种子库物种组成和种子库规模.     

丹江口水库消落带土壤种子库与地上植被和环境的关系

以丹江口水库消落带为研究区域,利用层次聚类法将海拔140～145 m区域内37个样地的土壤种子库分为6个组,比较不同组间的种子库物种组成、密度及多样性指数之间的差异;利用相似性指数分析土壤种子库与地上植被的差异;运用主成分分析和多元回归分析土壤种子库密度与地上植被、环境因素的关系.结果表明: 在丹江口水库消落带同海拔区域内,土壤种子库在物种组成上呈明显的异质性,不同组间的种子库密度、多样性指数均存在显著差异;土壤种子库与地上植被的差异较大,而且土壤种子库中的物种数明显少于地上植被中的物种数;土壤种子库密度与地上植被盖度、地上物种数和土壤质地呈显著正相关,而与田间持水量和土壤孔隙度呈显著负相关.     

贺兰山低山区土壤种子库空间分布特征北大核心CSCD

土壤种子库作为地上植被更新的潜在种源,在植被自然恢复和演替过程以及生态系统建设中起着重要作用。该研究对贺兰山低山区不同海拔高度植物群落土壤理化性质变化与其土壤种子库特征之间的关系进行分析,以揭示贺兰山低山区植物群落的土壤种子库空间分布特征和自然恢复潜力。研究结果表明:(1)海拔1200 m处种子主要来源于一年生草本,海拔1600 m土壤种子库主要来源于多年生草本,海拔2000 m土壤种子库主要来源于灌木和小灌木;随着海拔升高,隶属于禾本科的物种数呈下降趋势,菊科和藜科呈增加趋势,蒺藜科、大戟科、豆科和玄参科消失。(2)5个海拔高度土壤种子库物种数均显著低于地上植被;在物种生活型组成上,土壤种子库中物种数占比最大为一年生草本,地上植被为多年生草本。(3)土壤理化性质对种子库物种多样性影响中,土壤pH、电导率最为显著。贺兰山低山区5个海拔高度土壤种子库种子密度和物种多样性均较低,无法满足植被自然恢复需求,可通过飞播等生态恢复措施来弥补表层土壤种子的不足,从而满足地上植被恢复所需种源量。     

元江流域干热河谷灌草丛土壤种子库与地上植物群落的物种组成比较

土壤种子库与地上植被之间的关系和相似性是长期争议的群落生态学问题之一。本研究旨在通过比较元江流域干热河谷典型灌草丛群落与其土壤种子库的物种组成, 探讨土壤种子库与地上植物群落存在怎样的相似性关系。在元江干热河谷上、中、下游选取典型灌草丛群落, 采用典型样地调查法进行植物群落调查, 同时在样方内采集0-5 cm、5-10 cm、10-15 cm三层土壤样品, 采用萌发实验研究土壤种子库的种子数量和物种组成, 并与地上植物群落进行比较。结果表明: (1)全部调查样方的地上植被中共包含种子植物76种, 隶属于25科64属, 主要集中在豆科、禾本科、菊科、大戟科, 群落物种组成以多年生草本为主、灌木为辅; (2)土壤种子库中共发现33种植物, 隶属于14科32属, 以旱生型禾本科、豆科、菊科物种为主; (3)土壤种子库中的植物种子密度在表层土壤中最高, 随着土层的加深而递减; (4)各样方的土壤种子库与地上群落共有物种数较少, 相似性较低; 土壤种子库密度与地上群落的种群密度没有显著的相关性。总体而言, 本研究发现元江流域干热河谷典型灌草丛群落其土壤种子库与地上群落之间没有显著的相关性, 并且地上群落和土壤种子库都有外来入侵种类。     

塔里木河下游不同退化区地表植被和土壤种子库特征

对塔里木河下游不同退化程度的4个典型断面进行了植被和土壤种子库的取样调查,采用种子萌发试验研究了不同退化区植被和土壤种子库的特征,结果表明:(1)塔里木河下游地表植被表现为严重的逆行演替,具体体现为胡杨林都为过熟林,几乎没有胸径在10cm以下的幼林;植被盖度、密度和多样性指数均维持在一个较低的水平上;随退化程度不断加重,地表植被中草本植物的相对密度、相对盖度和相对频度逐渐降低,而灌木和乔木的相对密度、相对盖度和相对频度逐渐增加;(2)研究区土壤种子库的基本特征是:土壤种子库种类贫乏、密度低、多样性指数和相似性系数不高;(3) 随退化程度的加重,土壤种子库物种数不断减少、密度明显下降、优势种组成趋于单一、表层种子库比例升高、1年生草本植物占优势逐渐向多年生草本植物和灌木植物转变及土壤种子库物种组成与地上植被物种组成上差异显著.     

青藏高原东缘封育和退化高寒草甸种子库差异

采用幼苗萌发法研究了青藏高原东部高寒草甸封育和退化地区土壤种子库的差异.结果表明:(1)两个样地总共有10161株幼苗萌发,分属55个物种,23个科.封育样地多年生植物比例高于退化样地,禾草和单子叶植物比例在两个样地间差异不大.(2)退化样地土壤种子库种子密度((6105±1530) m-2)显著高于封育样地((3883±798) m-2),而物种丰富度差异不显著.所研究区域拥有较为丰富的种子库资源,退化地区资源更丰富,说明恢复不存在种子限制问题,土壤种子库可以成为植被恢复的潜在资源.(3)种子密度和物种丰富度在垂直分层上差异显著,且随着深度的增加而显著减小.(4)用Srensen coefficient指数计算出土壤种子库和地上植被之间的相似性在整体上较低,封育样地(45.3%)略高于退化样地(40.4%),两个样地地上植被之间的相似性为50%,而种子库之间相似性高达84.6%,说明种子库起到一个"缓冲器"的作用.(5)Shannon-Wiener多样性指数分析显示,无论在地上植被或种子库中,物种多样性都是封育样地显著高于退化样地.过度放牧不仅导致地上植被的生物多样性丧失,而且使种子库中的物种多样性降低,而封育管理可以维持地上植被和种子库中的物种多样性.     

三峡库区消落带回水区水淹初期土壤种子库特征

将三峡库区消落带回水区次生灌丛和弃耕地分成水淹区段、未水淹区段和对照样带,通过萌发法对其土壤种子库进行研究.结果表明:两种植被类型的土壤种子库储量存在极显著差异,次生灌丛种子密度为(6991±954)粒·m^-2、弃耕地种子密度为(26193±6928)粒·m^-2.3种生境中,水淹区段的种子密度最低,未水淹区段最高.随着土层加深,种子库密度逐渐下降.土壤种子库萌发试验出现的物种分属45科97属118种,以一年生和多年生草本植物为主,其中菊科、禾本科、玄参科和十字花科为优势科;个体数量占土壤种子库总储量小于0.01%的物种有34种,占28.8%.两种植被类型的土壤种子库中物种数较接近,物种多样性指数和均匀度较高,但优势物种组成差异很大,生态优势度较低.3种生境中,未水淹区段的生物多样性最高,水淹区段的生态优势度最高;而水淹区段和未水淹区段相似性指数最大.     

亚热带常绿阔叶林不同演替阶段土壤种子库的初步研究

 本文把四川缙云山亚热带常绿阔叶林的演替系列分成6个阶段：(1)弃耕地;(2)灌草丛;(3)马尾松林;(4)以马尾松为优势的常绿针、阔叶混交林;(5)以常绿阔叶树为优势的针、阔叶混交林;(6)常绿阔叶林。分别从每个阶段分3层采集0.5m2,l0cm厚度的5个小样地的土样,带回实验室,通过萌发法研究土壤种子库。得到如下结论：A、种子数量和物种多样性在演替早期阶段(从弃耕地到马尾松林)一般随演替发展而减少,种子数目随土层加深而降低;后期阶段(马尾松林到常绿阔叶林)种子数则大致随演替发展而增加;同一阶段各土层种子数差异不大。B、各演替阶段土壤种子库的种类组成均以草本植物为主。C、在湿度和光照比较一致的情况下,萌发种子数与温度成正相关。大多数种类的种子80%以上在实验的头六个星期内萌发。D、演替早期阶段的地上植物种类组成与土壤种子库中种类组成基本一致,演替后期阶段相关甚少。本文还讨论了土壤种子库研究的取样体积问题,以及土壤种子库在植被动态中的作用。     

Seed bank dynamics in tall‐tussock grasslands along an altitudinal gradient

Abstract. We studied the germinable soil seed bank of tall‐tussock grasslands along an altitudinal gradient in the mountains of central Argentina. We selected 10 sampling plots at three altitudinal levels (1200 m, 1600 m and 2200 m). We assessed the composition of the established vegetation and took ten compound soil samples (0 ‐ 5 cm depth) at each plot in autumn and spring. The soil samples were sieved, chilled, and incubated in a glasshouse to assess the composition of the seed bank. The similarity between the composition of the seed bank flora and that of the established vegetation was low throughout the gradient. Most species did not change their seed bank strategy along the gradient. Seed bank richness and density increased with altitude. Most species had a persistent seed bank at all altitudinal levels, and the proportion of such species increased with altitude. These results suggest that a cold climate directly and/or indirectly favours the formation of seed banks and seed persistence in the soil.     

Floristic diversity along altitudinal gradient under Betula utilis in North Western Himalayas of Kashmir,India

A study on community structure was carried out along three altitudinal gradients viz., Lower (3000–3200m), Middle (3200–3400m) and upper (3400–3600m) asl in Sindh Forest Division (Sonamarg) and Tangmarg Forest Divisions (Gulmarg) in sub alpine zone of North Western Kashmir Himalayas, India. The floristic structure revealed that Betula stands at Sonamarg forests supported 48 species belonging to 26 families on South Eastern aspect and 53 species belonging to 28 families on South Western aspect, whereas Gulmarg forest was represented by 54 species of 28 families. The overall community structure of Betula stands depicted that Asteraceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae and Lamiaceae were the dominant families in these timberline forests. The dispersion showed that 65.48% species were contagiously distributed, 25.67 and 8.85% species showed random and regular distribution. Betula utilis shared the top niche with the dominance of 61.56 and 76.27% on SE and SW aspect at Sonamarg, and 71.81% at Gulmarg. Species richness decreased with elevation and species diversity of the forest was relatively low, the decrease in these parameter with increasing altitude can be directly related to high grazing pressure, harsh climatic conditions, topography and snow, which covers these areas for longer times especially during the growing season.     

Variations of the germinable soil seed bank along the altitudinal gradient in the northwestern Red Sea region

The variations in the size, composition and diversity of the germinable soil seed bank were studied along an altitudinal gradient in the northwestern Red Sea region. The standing vegetation and the germinable seed bank were studied in 58 stands distributed along the altitudinal range from sea level to coastal mountain peaks. The classification of the germinable seed bank by the two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) led to the recognition of five groups representing different altitudinal ranges. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) shows that these groups are clearly distinguished by the first two DCA axes. The results demonstrate significant associations between the floristic composition of the seed bank and the edaphic factors such as CaCO₃, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and soil texture. Species richness, Shannon index of diversity and the size of the germinable seed bank show a hump-shaped curve along the altitudinal gradient, whereas evenness shows a weak increase with elevation increasing. Beta diversity of the seed bank declines with altitude increasing. The similarity between the standing vegetation and the seed bank approaches a U-shaped pattern along the elevation gradient. About 34.8% of the species that constitute the standing vegetation are vulnerable to elimination from the standing vegetation because they are not represented in the seed bank. Soil seed bank can be used for restoration of the vegetation at some of the degraded sites.     

Precipitation controls seed bank size and its role in alpine meadow community regeneration with increasing altitude

The Tibetan Plateau has undergone significant climate warming in recent decades, and precipitation has also become increasingly variable. Much research has explored the effects of climate change on vegetation on this plateau. As potential vegetation buried in the soil, the soil seed bank is an important resource for ecosystem restoration and resilience. However, almost no studies have explored the effects of climate change on seed banks and the mechanisms of these effects. We used an altitudinal gradient to represent a decrease in temperature and collected soil seed bank samples from 27 alpine meadows (3,158–4,002 m) along this gradient. A structural equation model was used to explore the direct effects of mean annual precipitation (MAP) and mean annual temperature (MAT) on the soil seed bank and their indirect effects through aboveground vegetation and soil environmental factors. The species richness and abundance of the aboveground vegetation varied little along the altitudinal gradient, while the species richness and density of the seed bank decreased. The similarity between the seed bank and aboveground vegetation decreased with altitude; specifically, it decreased with MAP but was not related to MAT. The increase in MAP with increasing altitude directly decreased the species richness and density of the seed bank, while the increase in MAP and decrease in MAT with increasing altitude indirectly increased and decreased the species richness of the seed bank, respectively, by directly increasing and decreasing the species richness of the plant community. The size of the soil seed bank declined with increasing altitude. Increases in precipitation directly decreased the species richness and density and indirectly decreased the species richness of the seed bank with increasing elevation. The role of the seed bank in aboveground plant community regeneration decreases with increasing altitude, and this process is controlled by precipitation but not temperature.     

Changes in structure and composition of evergreen forests on an altitudinal gradient in the Venezuelan Guayana shield

There have been several ecological studies in forests of the Guayana Shield, but so far none had examined the changes in structure and composition of evergreen forests with altitude. This study describes and analyzes the structure, species composition and soil characteristics of forest stands at different altitudinal zones in Southeastern Venezuelan Guayana, in order to explain the patterns and the main factors that determine the structure and composition of evergreen forests along the altitudinal gradient. Inventories of 3 948 big (>10cm DBH) and 1 328 small (5-10cm DBH) woody stems were carried out in eleven plots, ranging from 0.1 to 1.0ha, along a 188km long transect with elevations between 290 and 1 395masl. It has been found that 1) hemiepihytes become more dominant and lianas reduce their dominance with increasing altitude and 2) the forest structure in the study area is size-dependent. Five families and 12 genera represented only 9% of the total number of families and genera, respectively, recorded troughout the gradient, but the two groups of taxa comprised more than 50% of the Importance Value (the sum of the relative density and the relative dominance) of all measured stems. Moreover, the results suggest that low species richness seems to be associated with the dominance of one or few species. Stand-level wood density (WD) of trees decreased significantly with increasing elevation. WD is an indicator of trees'life history strategy. Its decline suggests a change in the functional composition of the forest with increasing altitude. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated a distinction of the studied forests on the basis of their altitudinal levels and geographic location, and revealed different ecological responses by the forests, to environmental variables along the altitudinal gradient. The variation in species composition, in terms of basal area among stands, was controlled primarily by elevation and secondarily by rainfall and soil conditions. There are other interacting factors not considered in this study like disturbance regime, biological interactions, productivity, and dispersal history, which could affect the structure and composition of the forests in the altitudinal gradient. In conclusion, it appears that the structural and floristic variability observed in the studied transect is produced by a combination of different climates and randomly expressed local processes interacting across a complex physical landscape.     

重庆四面山亚热带常绿阔叶林种子库研究

对重庆四面亚热带常绿阔叶林不同海拔、不同类型、不同土层的种子库中种子种类、数量、分布特征进行了研究。结果如下：⑴种子库中种子种类和数量随海拔升高而减小;⑵低海拔的种子库生态优势度最高,高海拔次之,中等海拔最低。生态优势度高的种子库物种多样性指数和群落均匀度都低;⑶种子密度随土层加深而减小;⑷山脊林窗种子库数量和种数最少,但损耗率最低,萌发率最高。     

Soil propagule banks of ectomycorrhizal fungi share many common species along an elevation gradient

We conducted bioassay experiments to investigate the soil propagule banks of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi in old-growth forests along an elevation gradient and compared the elevation pattern with the composition of EM fungi on existing roots in the field. In total, 150 soil cores were collected from three forests on Mt. Ishizuchi, western Japan, and subjected to bioassays using Pinus densiflora and Betula maximowicziana. Using molecular analyses, we recorded 23 EM fungal species in the assayed propagule banks. Eight species (34.8 %) were shared across the three sites, which ranged from a warm–temperate evergreen mixed forest to a subalpine conifer forest. The elevation pattern of the assayed propagule banks differed dramatically from that of EM fungi on existing roots along the same gradient, where only a small proportion of EM fungal species (3.5 %) were shared across sites. The EM fungal species found in the assayed propagule banks included many pioneer fungal species and composition differed significantly from that on existing roots. Furthermore, only 4 of 23 species were shared between the two host species, indicating a strong effect of bioassay host identity in determining the propagule banks of EM fungi. These results imply that the assayed propagule bank is less affected by climate compared to EM fungal communities on existing roots. The dominance of disturbance-dependent fungal species in the assayed propagule banks may result in higher ecosystem resilience to disturbance even in old-growth temperate forests.     

Characteristics of the soil seed bank in Mediterranean temporary ponds and its role in ecosystem dynamics

Species in temporary ponds overcome periods of unfavorable weather conditions by building up a large seed bank. With this strategy, the species diversity of ponds is preserved and information on their dynamics and structure is retained. Little is known about the characteristics, spatial patterns and role in the vegetation dynamics of the soil seed banks of Mediterranean temporary ponds, which are regarded as priority habitats under protection. We studied two sites of western Crete: Omalos, a mountain plateau at 1,060 m a.s.l. and Elafonisos, located near the coast at 60 m a.s.l. The seed bank was surveyed along transects using the germination method. Aboveground vegetation was measured on quadrats along the same transects. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was run to define the zonation patterns. High density and species richness were recorded in both sites, with an average of 75,662 seeds/m² found in Omalos and 22,941 seeds/m² in Elafonisos. The community composition of both sites was remarkably different but in both locations perennial species were inconspicuous while annuals, prevailed in the seed banks. An important array of protected or rare species as well as several others which were absent from the vegetation were hosted in the soil seed banks, thereby rendering a low similarity between their composition. Soil seed banks in these ecosystems indicated a spatial heterogeneity that mirrored the aboveground vegetation distribution, sorted along the moisture gradient by their tolerance to flooding. Soil seed banks play a key role in the vegetation recovery after summer drought. The acts of preserving the soil seed bank and ensuring a transient flooding regime are essential to protect the unique vegetation communities of Mediterranean temporary ponds.     

轮牧时间对荒漠草原土壤种子库特性的影响

探讨季节性放牧下土壤种子库的特性对荒漠草原合理利用具有重要作用。以宁夏荒漠草原为对象,通过封育(FY)、传统时间轮牧(FG)、延迟开始轮牧(YG)、提前结束轮牧(TG)、延迟开始并提前结束轮牧(YT)和自由放牧(ZY)处理,研究了0～5、5～10、10～15 cm土层土壤种子库物种组成、种子库密度、垂直分布、多样性及其与地上植被的关系,探讨了种子库与土壤环境因子的关系。结果表明: 研究区土壤种子库物种组成共有9个科21个种。土壤种子库物种组成以TG种子库种类最多,达13种,而FY和ZY土壤种子库种类最少,各8种。ZY土壤种子库密度显著高于FY、YG、TG、YT;FY的土壤种子库中多年生植物种子数量最多,达32.0%;ZY种子库中多年生植物种子数最少,仅为12.4%,主要以有性繁殖的一年生杂类草种子为主;土壤种子库主要集中于0～5 cm表层土壤,随着土层深度的增加,土壤种子库大小降低。土壤种子库的优势度和多样性均以FY最高,优势度、多样性和均匀度均以ZY最低。土壤种子库与地上植被的相似性总体较低,相比之下FG及ZY种子库与地上植被相似性较高,FY最低。土壤水分、有机质、全氮、全磷、土壤容重是影响土壤种子库的主要土壤因子。与传统全年自由放牧相比,季节性四区轮牧能使荒漠草原土壤种子库多年生植物种类、密度以及种子库物种丰富度、多样性和均匀度增加,虽作用不及长期封育草地,但对荒漠草原的利用与保护具有重要意义。     

Effects of roads on alpine and subalpine plant species distribution along an altitudinal gradient on Mount Norikura, central Japan

We investigated the effects of roads on alpine and subalpine plant species distribution along an altitudinal gradient on Mount Norikura (3026 m a.s.l.), Japan. We examined the vegetation of herb and tree species shorter than 1.3 m along roadsides and adjacent natural vegetation at 200 m intervals between 1600 and 3000 m a.s.l. The timberline was at 2500 m a.s.l. Although the canopy opening was greater at the roadsides than in the natural vegetation, it was similar above the timberline. Soil cover and litter depth of the soil surface were less at roadsides than the natural vegetation, and gravel and rock cover were greater at roadsides. Species composition changed in similar directions from natural vegetation to roadsides along the altitudinal gradient. This direction was related to canopy opening and litter depth. Liliaceae, Ericaceae and Pinaceae were dominant families in the natural vegetation, and Asteraceae and Poaceae were greatest at the roadsides. Roadside plants were mostly herb species, while tree species increased in natural vegetation. Five exotic species were also observed at the roadsides. Sunny plant species gradually increased with altitude in the natural vegetation, indicated by the increase in canopy opening. By contrast, roadside plants were mostly sunny plant species irrespective of altitude. The number of lowland and montane species increased at the roadsides in the subalpine zone. Thus, roads strongly altered species composition of the natural vegetation along the altitudinal gradient probably because of changes in light and soil-surface conditions for growth and seedling establishment.