苔草草丘恢复湿地的景观格局变化——以哈尔滨太阳岛为例

湿地景观变化是湿地生态学领域研究的重要内容。湿地景观要素在不同时间和空间的变化过程研究是揭示湿地演变规律,开展生态恢复实践的重要科学基础。以哈尔滨太阳岛苔草草丘恢复湿地为例,采用野外调查与3S技术相结合的方法,选取草丘面积、斑块形状特征、草丘数量及形态特征等指标,探究草丘湿地恢复过程中的景观变化,为开展湿地恢复提供了重要的科学依据。结果表明:经过8年的恢复,苔草草丘景观变化明显。草丘数量增多,丘墩高度、直径、植株高度、冠幅显著增加(P0.05);湿地恢复后,苔草群落向外扩展722 m~2,苔草草丘总面积达2222 m~2,扩展率为48.13%;在湿地微地貌和水文条件等因素的综合作用下,草丘群落扩展方向具有一定规律性,斑块边界和质心分别向西南方向扩展了29.91 m和迁移了5.9 m,扩展度和曲线边界比重不断增加,斑块形状和边界趋于复杂,景观空间异质性增强;利用根茎克隆繁殖结合水位调控可实现苔草草丘的快速恢复。     

东洞庭湖丁字堤苔草群落特征及其影响因子

近20年来,洞庭湖湿地的湖草面积大幅度减少,退化严重.为寻求湖草的恢复途径,本文以位于洞庭湖丁字堤的短尖苔草为对象,依高程差划分成7条样带,调查了63个样方的植被特征(株高、盖度、密度、生物量、多样性指数)和土壤理化特征(土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷、土壤容重、土壤含水量).结果表明: 除多样性指数先下降后升高外,其余生物学指标均随高程增加呈现倒“U”型分布,即靠近水域(低海拔区)和堤岸(高海拔区)的苔草长势较差,而位于中间的苔草长势较好;土壤容重随高程增加而增加,土壤含水量的变化则相反,土壤有机碳和全氮含量均呈中海拔区高、低和高海拔区低的分布规律.主成分分析表明,影响苔草生物量的关键因子依次为土壤有机碳含量、氮含量、含水量和土壤容重.可见,提高土壤肥力和保持适当的土壤含水量可能是短尖苔草恢复的有效途径.     

草丘微地貌对苔草泥炭沼泽枯落物分解的影响

苔草沼泽在北半球高纬度地区广泛分布,草丘微地貌是苔草泥炭沼泽普遍存在的外貌特征,草丘和丘间环境差异可能会引起枯落物分解的异质性。为此,选择长白山区敦化东明林场典型臌囊苔草(Carex schmidtii)沼泽为研究对象,采用分解袋法对臌囊苔草枯落物在草丘及丘间位置的分解差异及其影响因素进行研究。结果表明:草丘和丘间枯落物干重损失具有相似的变化趋势,但丘间枯落物总干重损失(40.20%±4.22%)和分解速率(0.0021±0.0001)d~(-1)均高于草丘枯落物总干重损失(21.70%±2.25%)和分解速率(0.0012±0.0001)d~(-1),且丘间枯落物分解速率具有较大的波动性;草丘和丘间粗孔分解袋枯落物干重损失分别比对应位置的细孔分解袋枯落物干重损失高(1.81%±0.32%)和(2.91%±0.30%),在草丘和丘间枯落物分解速率上,微生物贡献分别是土壤动物贡献的6.37倍和5.65倍,而丘间土壤动物和微生物对枯落物分解速率的贡献分别是草丘的1.79倍和1.59倍。相关分析显示,草丘丘间枯落物干重损失与相应位置积温呈显著正相关(P0.05),而枯落物干重损失与草丘水位呈显著负相关(P0.05),与丘间水位呈显著正相关(P0.05)。本研究表明,在草丘微地貌格局下,不同的水热组合影响土壤动物和土壤微生物分布及群落组成,从而对枯落物分解产生影响,而其丘间不稳定的水分环境则是影响苔草泥炭沼泽枯落物分解的关键环境因子。     

阿拉善荒漠不同密度白沙蒿人工种群生长、繁殖与土壤水分的关系

研究了阿拉善荒漠飞播建植的不同密度人工白沙蒿 (Artemisia sphaerocephala)种群的生长、繁殖与土壤水分的关系 ,主要结果是 :(1)不同密度白沙蒿人工种群的生长与繁殖特征存在明显差异 ,它反映在白沙蒿单株地上生物量、根量、生殖枝数和种子产量随着种群密度的增加而下降。 (2 )不同密度白沙蒿种群的存活率明显不同 ,当种群密度超过 3.1株 /m2时 ,个体植物生长发育不良 ,并出现密度制约死亡 (自疏 )现象 ,植株死亡率急剧上升。(3)不同密度白沙蒿草地不同深度土壤含水量存在明显差异 ,特别是 0～ 2 0和 2 0～ 4 0 cm两个土层的土壤含水量随种群密度的增加显著下降 ,与水资源容量相适应的白沙蒿种群密度约为 2 .1株 /m2 ,在该密度下土壤水分含量基本上能够满足白沙蒿的生理生态需水。 (4 )回归分析显示 ,白沙蒿单株地上生物量与0～ 2 0和 2 0～ 4 0 cm的土壤含水量呈显著正相关 ,而与 4 0 cm以下土层的土壤含水量无显著相关性 ,表明白沙蒿种群的生长主要受 0～ 4 0 cm土层土壤含水量的影响     

黑河流域中游水陆交错带湿地芦苇种群动态变化特征

对自然状态下黑河流域中游水陆交错带湿地芦苇(Phragmites australis)种群生态特征以及地表淹水深度进行调查,分析该区芦苇种群的盖度、高度、密度和地上生物量等生态特征的季节变化和地表水位变化对芦苇种群生态特征的影响。结果表明:黑河中游水陆交错带湿地芦苇种群的生长过程具有明显季节性规律,盖度随着季节的推移呈先升高后下降的趋势,最高值出现在8月下旬,为99.7%;高度则随着季节的推移逐渐升高;密度随着季节的变化具有先升高后下降再升高的特点;地上生物量在5～6月、7～8月间增长较快,6～7月间增长相对较慢,8月下旬达到最大值,随后逐渐减少。淹水深度对芦苇种群的生态特征有显著影响,种群盖度、高度、密度、地上生物量的变化速率与淹水深度变化速率均有显著相关性(p<0.05)。     

洞庭湖典型湿地植被群落土壤微生物特征

以洞庭湖湿地3种典型植被(虉草、苔草、芦苇)为对象,研究了不同植被下土壤微生物生物量和微生物呼吸等特征,并对其主要影响因子进行了分析.结果表明:微生物生物量碳、氮和微生物呼吸以虉草群落最高,苔草群落次之,芦苇群落最低,微生物碳熵变化趋势为虉草群落＞苔草群落＞芦苇群落,微生物呼吸熵具有与微生物碳熵相反的变化趋势.相关分析表明:土壤含水量、容重和有机质是影响土壤微生物特征变化的重要因子,同时,土壤pH和土壤总氮与土壤微生物生物量碳、微生物生物量氮、微生物呼吸等也有较强的关联性.     

密度对三种莎草科植物克隆生长的影响

以三种莎草科克隆植物藨草(Scirpus triqueter), 海三棱藨草(Scirpus mariqueter)和糙叶苔草(Carex scabrifolia)为研究对象, 通过盆栽受控实验, 探讨三种初始种植密度处理(1 株/盆、4 株/盆和16 株/盆)对个体表现与种群增长的影响。结果表明, 三种植物种群经过一个月左右的适应后均开始加速增长, 生长季后期增长率逐渐降低, 而海三棱藨草种群甚至出现了一定程度的衰退。生长季中前期藨草在中低密度处理下密度增长率高于高密度和整簇种植处理, 而海三棱藨草、糙叶苔草种群的整体密度增长与初始种植密度成反比。最终收获时, 藨草和海三棱藨草不同处理下的密度、冠层高度、最高高度、地上生物量和地下生物量均没有显著差异, 糙叶苔草在低种植密度下的密度最低, 中等种植密度下冠层高度最高。藨草、海三棱藨草的单株平均生物量与密度呈显著负相关, 而藨草、糙叶苔草的总生物量与密度呈显著正相关, 三种莎草科植物的根冠比都没有随密度发生显著变化。三种莎草科植物在高密度下的种内竞争效应均强于中密度。     

人工固沙区与流沙区准噶尔无叶豆种群数量特征与空间格局对比研究

准噶尔无叶豆(Eremosparton songoricum) 是中亚荒漠特有小半灌木,稀有种,在我国仅片段化分布于新疆古尔班通古特沙漠;它是流动沙丘的先锋物种,也能成功定居于人工固沙区(草方格)。对比研究了人工固沙区及自然流沙区的准噶尔无叶豆群落物种组成、种群密度、高度、盖度、生物量等特征及种群空间分布格局。结果表明:人工固沙区内的准噶尔无叶豆群落物种的科、属、种数均明显多于流沙区,而且2种生境物种相似性指数仅为0.522,表明人工固沙生境显著改变了群落物种组成与结构。除植株密度外,人工固沙区种群的高度,盖度,地上、地下及总生物量密度,单株地上、地下及总生物量等数量特征均显著高于流沙区。2种生境中准噶尔无叶豆种群空间分布的关联维数均接近2.0,体现了较强的个体空间相关性和空间占据能力。2种尺度(1 m和2 m)下的聚集度分析表明,2种生境中种群基本为随机分布。因而,人工固沙生境并未明显改变种群空间分布格局,这可能是种群的固有特性。人工固沙区的土壤有机质、全氮和有效氮含量显著高于流沙区,且与种群数量特征(植株密度除外)呈显著正相关。总之,与流沙区相比,人工固沙使地表得到固定,提高了土壤有机质和氮素含量,明显改变了定居于其中的准噶尔无叶豆种群主要数量特征,增强了种群的生存和适应能力。该结论对荒漠濒危植物的保育具有重要指示意义。     

干湿交替对臌囊苔草草丘生理生态的影响

苔草草丘作为一种典型的湿地植被景观,其生理生态特征受到水文情势变化的影响。本文以臌囊苔草(Carex schmidtii)为研究对象,通过室内模拟实验,研究了不同生长期干湿交替对臌囊苔草株高、茎粗、叶宽和生物量等生态特征的影响,并对苔草的叶绿素含量进行了分析。结果表明:生长初期,30天干湿交替(A1)条件下臌囊苔草生长旺盛,株高、茎粗和叶宽明显高于其他处理;生长后期,苔草生长对不同季节处理的响应显著,5月处理组(A组)苔草的茎粗和叶宽更具优势;臌囊苔草的生物量和叶绿素含量主要受不同生长期处理的影响,而干鲜比随干湿交替处理变化明显。因此,在臌囊苔草生长初期,保持较长周期的干湿交替有利于促进臌囊苔草的生长和叶绿素含量的提高,而生长后期适宜的补水和缩短干湿交替周期可以有效增强臌囊苔草物质积累的能力,增加生物量。研究结果为臌囊苔草草丘湿地的恢复与保护提供了科学依据。     

荒漠草原异质生境下猪毛蒿种群动态

以荒漠草原猪毛蒿种群为对象,设置风沙土、灰钙土和基岩风化沉积土3个生境下增水30%、减水30%和对照3个处理,编制猪毛蒿种群的动态生命表,绘制种群存活和死亡曲线,分析异质生境下猪毛蒿种群动态规律,研究猪毛蒿年内年际间种群动态特征.结果表明: 猪毛蒿种群存活曲线趋于Deevey-Ⅰ型,即生长前期存活率较高,趋于稳定状态,死亡率基本维持在较低的水平,生育期末种群死亡率则上升较快.各生境下猪毛蒿个体的存活数均呈前期波动后期下降的趋势,风沙土和灰钙土生境下死亡率的波动变幅较大,增减水处理对猪毛蒿种群死亡率的影响无显著差异.土壤类型对猪毛蒿株高、冠幅、密度、盖度和生物量均有显著影响,降水处理对猪毛蒿株高、冠幅和盖度影响显著,对密度和生物量无显著影响,而土壤类型和降水处理的交互作用仅对株高和冠幅有显著影响.基岩风化沉积土生境下猪毛蒿生物量的可塑性指数显著高于风沙土和灰钙土,灰钙土和基岩风化沉积土生境下盖度可塑性显著高于风沙土.增水处理的密度可塑性指数显著高于对照和减水处理.株高和冠幅的可塑性指数较高,说明在不同的生境压力下,猪毛蒿可以通过优先调节这两个参数来应对生境的变化.     

长白山区苔草泥炭沼泽植物物种多样性

本研究以长白山区典型苔草沼泽为对象,分析了密丛型苔草(瘤囊苔草、乌拉草)沼泽和疏丛型苔草(毛苔草)沼泽的植物物种多样性.结果 表明:3种苔草沼泽植物群落共有83个物种,隶属于36科59属.其中,乌拉草沼泽有71个物种,瘤囊苔草沼泽有61个物种,毛苔草沼泽有26个物种.密丛型苔草沼泽植物物种数和物种丰富度明显高于疏丛型苔...     

Linking population density and habitat structure to ecophysiological responses in semiarid Spanish steppes

We have studied the underlying factors responsible for the heterogeneous ecophysiological status of a semiarid Stipa tenacissima L. steppe in a subcatchment of SE Spain by assessing population composition and habitat structure of S. tenacissima stands. To do this, we measured and estimated 18 variables (11 biotic and seven abiotic) in 15 plots randomly distributed in the subcatchment, and then zoned this area by plot affinity using PCA. This analysis produced three sectors determined mainly by S. tenacissima cover and soil depth variables. The linear relationship fitted between S. tenacissima tussock biomass and tussock density in monospecific stands (both logarithmic) indicated a curve close to −1, suggesting that the system is close to the maximum constant yield state. Ecophysiological measurements (gas exchange, fluorescence and individual leaf area index) were taken in two periods with different water availability in a representative plot in each sector. The intraspecific competition (inferred from the density dependence of green biomass) and rock outcrops were the main factors influencing the ecophysiological status in the study area. While, in the wet season, intraspecific competition regulated water consumption in zones where S. tenacissima tussocks (monospecific stands) are dominant, during the dry season, stands in zones with extensive rock outcrops and stone cover (tussocks in “soil pockets”) had no access to non-rainfall water gains because of the adjacent bare soil, and so in these stands, gas exchange was lower and photoinhibition higher. This article stresses the importance of considering the connection between tussocks and bare-ground interspace in the functional and structural analysis of semiarid steppes.     

Effects of tussock size and soil water content on whole plant gas exchange in Stipa tenacissima L.: Extrapolating from the leaf versus modelling crown architecture

In this study we evaluated daily whole plant transpiration and net photosynthetic rates in Stipa tenacissima L. (Poaceae) tussocks of different sizes subjected to three levels of soil moisture. The crown architecture of 12 tussocks was reconstructed with the 3D computer model Yplant taking into account the morphology and physiology of the leaves determined at different soil moisture levels. We also calculated whole plant transpiration by extrapolating leaf transpiration in different senescence conditions measured with a diffusion porometer. This extrapolated transpiration overestimated transpiration, particularly when the soil moisture level was high (>15% of volumetric soil water content). At this high level of soil moisture, large tussocks (>60 cm in diameter), which were sexually mature and had a large leaf surface area, were the most efficient with regard to daily water use efficiency (whole plant net photosynthesis/whole plant transpiration). Whole plant water use efficiency decreased with tussock size primarily because small tussocks exhibited high transpiration rates. Small tussocks were more sensitive to soil drying than large and intermediate ones, presenting a faster rate of leaf senescence as water deficit increased. Leaf acclimation to irradiance, which was significantly influenced by the degree of mutual shading among neighbouring leaves, along with the ontogeny of the tussock and its effect upon leaf senescence were found to be the main mechanisms involved in the different responses to water limitations found in whole plant gas exchange variables. Our results show that the size of each individual plant must be taken into account in processes of scaling-up of carbon gain and transpiration from leaf to stand, as this is a particularly relevant aspect in estimating water use by semiarid vegetation.     

外部干扰对根茎型克隆植物甘草自然种群植株生长及主要药用成分含量的影响

克隆植物, 特别是游击型克隆植物, 其分株在一定时间段往往通过连接结构(即间隔子)连接在一起形成克隆网络, 基于克隆网络的克隆植物特性显著提高了克隆植物应对外部干扰的能力。长期封育禁牧使得甘草(Glycyrrhiza uralensis)自然种群免受外部干扰, 却并没有促使受破坏的甘草自然种群快速恢复。因为克隆整合、克隆储存及克隆分株的选择性放置等克隆植物特性的存在, 适度的外部干扰有利于根茎型克隆植物甘草的生长与繁衍。但外部干扰与克隆植物特性在甘草种群恢复中的作用及其机理目前并不清楚。该研究以甘草自然种群为研究对象, 通过野外控制实验进行模拟动物采食和人工采挖干扰, 探讨不同程度干扰对甘草自然种群生长和主要药用成分含量的影响。结果表明在中度放牧采食干扰或者人工采挖干扰下, 甘草自然种群的分株密度、高度和地上生物量与对照相比均没有显著差异, 甘草表现出等补偿生长; 而在不同类型的重度干扰下, 甘草产生的响应不一致。重度放牧采食干扰下甘草表现出欠补偿生长, 而重度人工采挖干扰下甘草表现出超补偿生长。克隆植物特性在甘草应对外部干扰过程中发挥着重要作用。外部干扰一定程度上提高了甘草中甘草苷和甘草酸的含量, 从而提升了药材的品质。进一步的研究应该关注于甘草自然种群与环境因子之间的关系, 解析甘草自然种群退化的原因, 提出相应的复壮技术, 探讨可持续利用的管理模式。     

Light field heterogeneity among tussock grasses: Theoretical considerations of light harvesting and seedling establishment in tussocks and uniform tiller distributions

Although the tussock growth form of caespitose graminoids is widespread, the effect of this growth form on light interception and carbon gain of tillers has received little attention. Daily incident photosynthetic photon flux density (PFD_inc) and carbon gain in monospecific stands of tussock grasses were compared with those of a hypothetical distribution with the equivalent tiller density per total ground area, but evenly distributed rather than clumped in tussocks. This was computed for two tussock grasses Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve (bluebunch wheatgrass) and Agropyron desertorum (Fisch, ex Link) Schult. (creasted wheatgrass) at different plant densities. Daily PFD_inc and net photosynthesis (A) were greater if tillers were distributed uniformly rather than clumped in tussocks, except when the density of tussocks was so great as to approach a uniform canopy. When tussock density per ground area was low, much of the difference between tussock and uniform tiller densities in PFD_inc and A was due to shading within the tussocks; up to 50–60% of the potential carbon gain was lost in A. desertorum due to shading within tussocks. In a matrix of tussocks, the light field for establishing seedlings was very heterogeneous; potential A ranged from 7 to 96% relative to an isolated seedling. The mean of daily PFD_inc and A for seedlings in a tussock stand were nearly identical to the values in corresponding stands of uniform tiller distributions. It is hypothesized that the loss of A resulting from clumping tillers into tussocks is offset by benefits of protecting sequestered belowground resources from invasion by seedlings of competitors.     

Increasing substrate heterogeneity as a bet‐hedging strategy for restoring wetland vegetation

Mimicking the natural heterogeneity of wetland substrates, e.g. by roughening surface soil or constructing hummocks, has been shown to facilitate wetland plant establishment. We asked if incorporating substrate heterogeneity could also help plants withstand variation in moisture levels. In a wetland with Carex stricta (tussock sedge) as the main restoration target, we manipulated substrates to create different soil moisture environments for planted C. stricta plugs. Our artificial mounds mimicked tussocks formed by C. stricta in natural meadows (circa 10–40 cm in height); we also varied mound compositions and created shallow depressions. Monitoring demonstrated variation in soil moisture among our treatments and natural differences in soil moisture between experimental blocks. Additionally, rainfall varied from severe drought in year 1 to extreme rainfall in year 2. Plug survival, flowering, cover, biomass, leaf length, and growth rate all varied with treatment, block, and/or year. Interactions among those factors were common. Planting plugs in shallow depressions exacerbated stress in a wet block during a wet year, causing low survival. Planting plugs in moisture‐retaining peat pots allowed them to survive and sustain growth even in a dry block during a dry year. We conclude that heterogeneous substrates can be used to hedge against environmental variability by widening the range of microsites available within a restoration site and thereby moderating stressful conditions in some areas.     

Vegetative structure,microclimate, and leaf growth of a páramo tussock grass species,in undisturbed,burned and grazed conditions

In neotropical alpine grasslands (páramo), the natural tussock grass vegetation is extensively grazed and occasionally burned. The low productivity of the tussock grass seems to be the reason for the disappearance of this growth form in the most frequently intervened areas. The structure, microclimate and leaf elongation rates of new emerging leaves were studied for the dominant tussock grass species Calamagrostis effusa, at an undisturbed, a moderately grazed (7 year after fire) and a heavily grazed (3.5 years after fire) site. In absence of grazing and burning, the tussocks had a high standing crop (1.07±0.09 kg DW · m^-2) and leaf area per projected tussock cover (LAI: 9.6±1.4). Two thirds of the total mass was dead and more than half of the leaves were in horizontal position. The tussock growth form protects the meristems from severe climatic conditions. At midday, the temperature was higher at meristem level than in the rest of the tussock. At this level, photosynthetic irradiance (PI) was almost extinct at 2.9±0.74% of PI above the vegetation. The red/far red ratio (R/FR) was strongly decreased. Initial leaf elongation of new born leaves was 2.3 mm · day^-1, and constant during the year; estimated net annual production was 198±73.8 g m^-2. At the moderately grazed and the heavily grazed study sites, the tussocks were smaller, greener and more erect than those at the undisturbed site. More PI reached the meristems and R/FR was higher at the base of grazed tussocks. Leaf elongation rates were lower. Most of the litter disappeared during the fires. The lower elongation rate of leaves in the grazed areas might be a response to defoliation, resulting in increased tillering and a lack growth associated with poor temperature insulation and more UV-B damage.     

Growth and tillering patterns within tussocks of Eriophorum vaginatum

Growth patterns were investigated for Eriophorum vaginatum tussocks from disturbed and undisturbed tussock tundra at two sites in Alaska. Total basal area of tussocks decreased with increased cryoturbation but mean basal area per tussock did not. Flowering was observed in tussocks of significantly smaller size on disturbed compared to undisturbed tundra. For tussocks with < 10% cover by shrubs and moss, number of tillers per tussock was linearly related to tussock diameter in most disturbed and undisturbed sites. Exceptions occurred in an area that had been bladed with a bulldozer 7 yr before our survey where tiller number increased as the square of diameter and in an area with much frost activity where tiller number was not emulated with diameter. The ratio of daughter tillers to adult tillers decreased with diameter in disturbed tundra, whereas the trend was less pronounced in undisturbed tundra.
Microsuccession in undisturbed tussock tundra was investigated by sampling tussocks with different amounts of shrub and moss cover for number of daughter tillers per adult tiller, weight per tiller, percent nitrogen, and percent phosphorus. Small tussocks without cover by other species and large, partially covered tussocks were not significantly different by any measures, but tussocks that were almost completely buried had significantly (p < 0.05) lower values of tillering index, weight per tiller, and percent phosphorus.     

Patterns of abundance and demography: Collembola in a habitat patch gradient

The demography and abundance of Collembola in relation to a gradient of increasingly isolated tussocks of Carex ursina were investigated near Ny-Alesund, Svalbard The study area was divided into three zones according to tussock density Ten tussocks were sampled in each zone In addition, samples were taken between tussocks, which consisted of ground covered with a layer of cyanobacteria A total of ten Collembola species were found, five of which were chosen for further studies The Carex tussocks were the preferred habitat for the majority of these species Only one species, Hypogastrura viatica, was found regularly between tussocks, although at low density The gradient in tussock distribution was probably an important factor in determining the distribution, abundance and the underlying demographic processes of most species This was indicated by an increase in demographic heterogeneity with patch isolation The different species were affected differently, however Whereas one species appeared to be unaffected by the gradient (H viatica), two species (H longispina) and (Folsomia sexoculata) were somewhat surprisingly found to have their highest density where tussocks were furthest apart Factors other than the spatial configuration of the habitat are probably important in determining the distribution of these two species, indicated by a positive correlation at tussock level between them In accordance with general hypotheses on the effect of patchiness on population dynamics the remaining two species, F quadrioculata and Onvchiurus groenlandicus, occurred in very low numbers or not at all, respectively, in the zone where tussocks were furthest apart Their response is probably dependent on their ability to successfully colonise isolated tussocks We predict that different species specific demographic strategies, and in particular dispersal rates may account for the observed patterns     

The effects of spatial habitat configuration on recruitment, growth and population structure in arctic Collembola

The population density and demography of five species of arctic Collembola were studied in a naturally patchy habitat, consisting of Carex ursinae tussocks with varying degrees of isolation. Focal predictor variables were those describing the spatial configuration of tussocks, including tussock size and isolation and the amount of habitat (cover) at a 1-m² scale surrounding each tussock population. The Collembola populations were heavily influenced by environmental stochasticity in the form of winter mortality and summer drought, and the influence of patchiness on population characteristics was evaluated in this context. The five species showed very different responses to the structuring effect of the habitat, depending on life history characteristics, mobility and habitat requirements. Population density was highly variable in both time and space. Spring densities indicated larger winter mortality compared to observations from a previous study, and the snow- and ice-free season from June to August only resulted in population growth for Folsomia sexoculata. In the other species, adult mortality must have been high as there was no net population growth despite observed reproduction. The exception was Hypogastrura viatica, whose population decline was more likely to have been the result of migration out of the study area. Cover was the most important variable explaining density. No pure area or isolation effects at the tussock level were detected, even in areas with very low habitat cover. Drought was probably an important mortality factor, as July was particularly warm and dry. Due to qualitative differences in the tussocks and the matrix substrate, desiccation risk would be higher during dispersal between tussocks. We suggest that increased dispersal mortality gave the observed pattern of increased density in relation to cover, both in general and in F. quadrioculata, an opportunistic species otherwise known for rapid population growth. Onychiurus groenlandicus, which had a similar density response to cover, may also be influenced by a rescue effect sustaining densities in areas with high cover. The cover effect can be viewed as a large-scale factor which encompasses the general spatial neighbourhood of each tussock, where inter-population processes are important, as opposed to internal patch dynamics. Received: 15 March 1999 / Accepted: 22 March 2000