鼎湖山南亚热带常绿阔叶林群落垂直结构及其物种多样性特征

群落结构在森林生态系统中具有重要作用, 其构建机制一直是森林生态学的研究核心。群落结构不仅包括水平方向上的物种分布格局, 还包括垂直方向上的物种分层结构。本文基于鼎湖山南亚热带常绿阔叶林塔吊样地, 利用林冠塔吊和测高杆精准测量样地内每个个体(胸径大于1 cm)的树高, 并划分群落的垂直层次, 研究了每层的群落多样性特征(α多样性)和林层间的群落多样性变化特征(β多样性)。结果表明: (1)样地群落垂直层次由下至上分为5层: 灌木层、亚冠层、林冠下层、林冠中层和林冠上层。(2)随林层向上, 物种丰富度、多度和Shannon-Wiener指数均下降, Pielou均匀度指数在林冠下层最大。(3)利用POD法计算并分解β多样性, 发现随林层向上, β多样性在灌木层与其他各层间呈递增趋势, 在相邻林层间呈单峰型, 不同林层间的物种组成差异主要由丰富度差异造成。 但在林冠下层与林冠中层间丰富度差异较小, 物种替换组分增大, 可能与林冠下层所处特殊位置有关。(4)各林层内微环境从灌木层向上, 趋于高温、强光照和低空气相对湿度, 但林冠下层平均日光强最低。综上, 鼎湖山南亚热带常绿阔叶林林冠下层可能存在强烈的环境筛选作用, 且光照可能是影响群落垂直结构形成的限制因子。     

吉林省蛟河市针阔混交林林层结构与地形的关系

探讨不同林层群落结构动态及其与地形因子之间的关系,为群落结构优化和可持续经营管理提供理论支持。基于吉林蛟河30 hm²针阔混交林固定监测样地的野外调查数据,以2010和2015年胸径（DBH）≥1 cm的木本植物为研究对象,分析了不同林层物种组成、林分密度、群落结构多样性差异及其5年间的动态变化,利用偏相关分析研究了不同林层群落结构特征和地形因子的关系。结果表明：（1）林下层物种丰富度略高于林冠层,林冠层蓄积生产力是整个森林群落蓄积生产力的主要贡献者,林下层的物种多样性和林分结构多样性变化较林冠层明显;（2）林冠层优势树种的重要值在群落演替过程中逐渐扩大,整个样地林冠层树木个体数量减少了175株,林下层树木个体增加了3503株;（3）地形因子中海拔是影响群落结构动态最主要的因子,通过影响土壤和光照等条件从而影响群落结构变化。该林分处于相对稳定状态,不同林层群落结构特征差异显著,正确把握地形因子与不同林层群落结构动态变化的关系对森林的可持续经营具有重要意义。     

天目山常绿落叶阔叶林群落垂直结构与群落整体物种多样性的关系

以浙江省天目山1 hm²常绿落叶阔叶混交林样地调查数据为基础,运用K-means聚类方法将DBH≥1 cm的个体根据树高划分为不同林层,研究比较了各个林层的物种多样性特点;利用通径分析方法和决策系数定量计算各个林层物种多样性对群落整体物种多样性的直接作用和间接作用,天目山常绿落叶阔叶林垂直结构对群落物种多样性构成的影响。结果表明：（1）天目山常绿落叶阔叶林群落层次结构丰富,树高由1.4-36.5 m依次可分为灌木层、亚冠层、林冠下层、林冠中层和林冠上层。（2）天目山常绿落叶阔叶林群落从灌木层依次往向上,物种丰富度、多度、特有种数量、Shannon-Weiner指数和Simpson指数均呈下降趋势。（3）灌木层对群落物种多样性的贡献最大且远高于其他四个林层,其中灌木层对群落整体物种多样性Shannon-Wiener指数、Pielou指数以及Simpson指数的决策系数分别为0.850、0.651、0.755。（4）林冠下层、林冠中层和林冠上层密度的大小对灌木层的物种数目有明显的影响,林冠层密度越大,灌木层群落的物种数目越少,复杂程度越低;偶见种和稀有种对群落物种多样性的维持具有特殊作用。综上,研究认为森林群落的垂直结构在维持森林群落整体物种多样性中具有关键作用,而灌木层在群落整体物种多样性构成中具有决定作用,森林群落中稀有种、偶见种多少在群落物种多样性构成中具有特殊作用。     

上海环城林带景观美学评价及优化策略

选取上海环城林带7种植物群落,采用美景度评判法,从林内景观和林外景观2个空间层次和春、夏、秋、冬4个季节,应用数量化理论Ⅰ建立了美景度和各景观因子类目之间的景观评价与预测的多元回归模型,分析了群落的结构特征和季相特征对林内景观以及外貌特征对林外景观的影响,并提出相应的优化对策。结果表明:(1)群落结构特征对林内景观的影响主要因子为胸径(平均胸径和胸径变异系数)、郁闭度和疏透度。在春季,林内美景度随着树木胸径增大而增加;在夏季,郁闭度增大会提升林内美景度;在秋季,胸径变异小的群落具有更高的林内观赏性;在冬季,疏透度对林内景观美景度影响最大。(2)群落季相特征对林内景观的影响,在各季节表现亦不同。在春季,黄色、紫色等明度较高的色相和开花量适中的群落美景度最佳;在夏季,生长势好、林冠层变化小以及树干清晰度高的群落具较高的美景度,且观花可显著提高夏季林内美景度;在秋季,色彩越纯美景度越高;而在冬季,树皮颜色深的群落美景度高。(3)群落外貌特征对林外景观有显著影响,其中林冠线对林外景观美景度影响最大,其次为林缘线。具有起伏不大林冠线和自然流畅林缘线的植物群落美景度高。旨在通过对典型植被群落不同季相的美景度评价,对上海环城林带的群落景观进行定量的评价,进而为不同情景下的群落结构优化提出相应的对策,为城市森林的群落建构与管理提供科学依据。     

不同发育阶段檫木人工林树高、胸径与树冠结构关系的动态关系分析

为充分解析檫木人工林生长发育进程中林冠(冠宽,活冠比,冠形率)变化规律及其与胸径和树高的相关性,本研究对安徽省休宁县岭南国有林场檫木林生长进程中幼龄林、中龄林、近熟林、成熟林、过熟林的胸径和树高与树冠因子关系进行了相关分析和通径分析。研究发现:冠宽随林龄增加而增大,幼龄到中龄期增长最快,达33.33%,冠宽变幅为0.7~7.0 m;从分级效果来看,冠宽小于0.5 m和大于4.5 m及活冠比小于0.2和大于0.9的林木极少。胸径和树高与冠宽的相关性达到显著或极显著正向水平,并在总体上对冠宽起正向作用;随林龄的增大胸径和树高对冠宽的正向作用逐渐减弱,且除过熟林外胸径对冠宽的影响作用要高于树高对冠宽的作用;胸径和树高对冠形率的直接作用大于间接作用,且胸径弱于树高;胸径对于活冠比的作用在幼龄林阶段存在较大的正向作用,随着生长期的延伸作用开始趋于稳定,树高对活冠比的作用整体上逐渐减小,且在中龄林时出现了负向作用。     

海南中部山区天然林群落结构与多样性变化

为了解海南中部山区天然林群落结构与多样性变化规律,对五指山山地雨林原始林、尖峰岭低地雨林、吊罗山山地雨林、霸王岭云雾林次生林内建成的各1600 m²样地进行常年监测,基于2012—2020年监测数据,从群落结构、树木生长、树木死亡、物种多样性等方面分析群落近8年动态特征。结果表明：2012—2020年,(1)五指山山地雨林、尖峰岭低地雨林的径级结构与树高结构均呈倒“J”型,吊罗山山地雨林、霸王岭云雾林的径级结构呈倒“J”型,树高结构呈近“L”型;随着时间的推移,群落结构更加复杂。(2)小径级个体树高生长速率较快,随胸径增加树高生长速率降低,胸径生长速率升高;死亡个体数量随胸径的增加而减少,表现出小径级个体对阳光等资源的强烈竞争。(3)翻白叶(Pterospermum heterophyllum)、岭南山竹子(Garcinia oblongifolia)、四蕊三角瓣花(Prismatomeris tetrandra)、海南山矾(Symplocos hainanensis)种群变化率分别为-6.07%、+7.10%、+12.52%、+14.29%,种群变化率均大于5%...     

西双版纳热带季节雨林的树种组成和群落结构动态

研究了西双版纳热带季节雨林1 hm2(hectare)动态监测样地1993年与2007年之间树种组成和群落结构的变化。对样地中胸径≥5 cm的乔木进行了每木调查。目前其树种组成的热带分布科、属所占比例分别为91%和94%,具有较高比例的热带植物区系性质。在1993年与2007年两次调查之间,树种数量由145种增至179种,仅有1到2个个体的稀有树种所占比例从54%降为51.1%。从森林的垂直结构来看,A、B、C三层的个体死亡率分别为12.8%、12.9%和19.0%,各层树木的增长率分别为-8.5%、-1.4%和44.8%。与此相对应,C层小径级的树木所占比例有较大提高。虽然小径级的树木在种类和数量上比例增大,但个体数量和种类组成相对稳定的A、B层优势树种变化不大,维持了群落结构的稳定性。14 a间,群落中新增加的具有先锋性质的树种不超过5个。1993年时,A、B两层尚有先锋树种存在,2007年已经从A、B两层中退出。因此,从14 a间树种组成和群落结构的变化来看,虽然具有树木的死亡和增补,但其物种成分和群落结构的总体格局没有明显的变化,处于动态平衡过程中。     

择伐对阔叶红松林主要树种径向与纵向生长的影响

对择伐37a后的阔叶红松(Pinus koraiensis)林与原始林主要组成树种的年轮和树高数据进行分析,旨在了解择伐对其径向与纵向生长的影响。结果表明:(1)择伐显著促进了主要树种的径向生长(P0.01),但生长增加量在树种间存在显著差异(P0.01),其反应的强弱与耐荫性有关(r=-0.79,P0.01),因择伐所导致的生长加速会持续26—29a。(2)择伐显著减小了主要树种的树高-胸径比(P0.01),即同等胸径时择伐林的树木较矮,因此在计算择伐林蓄积量时应对树高进行实测。(3)径向生长率与树高、胸径之间存在显著相关性(原始林:r=0.65*,r=0.58*;择伐林:r=0.53*,r=0.48*),择伐林内每一树高级的径向生长率均高于原始林,其中树高级在10m以下的树木差异最大(0.69),说明择伐有利于林下树木的生长。择伐显著增加了DBH40cm树木的径向生长率,其中胸径在20—40cm之间的树木有较大的伐后生长率,应予以保护。     

黄土高原柴松群落优势乔木树种的竞争关系

采用Voronoi图确定竞争单元的方法,从树木胸径和冠幅角度对黄土高原柴松(Pinus tabulaefirmisf.shekanensis)群落的优势乔木树种——柴松和辽东栎(Quercus liaotungensis)的种内、种间竞争强度进行了定量分析。结果表明:1)柴松种群受到强烈的种间树冠竞争和种内的胸径竞争,在胸径10cm时受到来自种内种间的竞争压力最大,其结果对柴松的生长有显著影响;2)辽东栎种群在胸径5cm时受到更多来自种间林冠的竞争,当胸径为5~10cm时种内冠幅间的竞争强度超过种间,种间冠幅竞争强度与辽东栎的林木生长无显著相关,说明柴松不能对辽东栎产生强烈持续的树冠竞争;3)柴松、辽东栎种群竞争强度均随着对象木径阶的增大而减小,竞争强度(CI)与对象木胸径大小(D)服从幂函数(CI=ADB)关系。     

广西流星天坑植物群落结构与多样性

以广西乐业流星天坑为研究对象,在流星天坑腰部与底部设置样地,采用样方法调查冠层树种及林下植物群落;并用数量生态学的方法分析了天坑植物群落的组成、结构与物种多样性,探讨其生境关联。结果表明:(1)在天坑调查的样地中,胸径大于10cm的冠层树种个体60株,隶属于13科、17属、18种,个体密度约为188株/hm2。林下植物种群共记录到94株个体,隶属于28科、38属、43种,个体密度为23 500株/hm2。群落物种多样性较丰富,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和均匀度指数均较高;冠层树种的科属多样性很高,体现出群落组成的古老和隔离性质。(2)樟科是流星天坑植物群落的优势科,在群落冠层包含4个种14株个体,在林下包含3个种,7株个体,其中2种与群落冠层共有;群落的林下层含物种数较多的科包括大戟科(4种)、菊科(3种)、凤尾蕨科(3种)、鳞毛蕨科(3种),但天坑植物群落中种群水平的优势现象不明显。(3)林下植物包含了各种生长型,以灌木数量最多,禾草类植物数量最少,乔木的幼苗也较少,体现出天坑的生境提供了较丰富的资源生态位,同时也表明乔木的幼苗更新不良。(4)流星天坑大树数量比例高,在样地中记录到的60株个体中,最小胸径为17.0cm,最大胸径104.0cm,胸径30cm的大树共34株,占全部立木比例56.6%,体现出天坑森林群落的原始性并且未受到干扰破坏。(5)双向指示种分析表明,广西乐业天坑林下植物对生境的响应更为敏感,但无论冠层还是林下层其现状分布并不能完全把坑腰和坑底两种生境分离。该研究结果为深入开展天坑这种特殊生境下植物种群以及群落的发生、演替和生态适应性的研究提供了基础数据及理论依据。     

温带针阔混交林叶片性状随树冠垂直高度的变化规律

自然界中,森林植物叶片的生长随树冠高度呈现明显的垂直分布现象;然而,有关叶片性状随着树冠垂直高度增加的变化规律仍不清楚。为了更好地揭示植物叶片对光环境变化的适应策略以及对资源的利用能力,有必要深入探讨叶片性状与冠层高度的定量关系及其内在调控机制。以中国广泛分布的温带针阔混交林为对象,选取8种主要树种为研究对象(白桦、蒙古栎、水曲柳、大青杨、色木槭、千金榆、核桃楸和红松),通过测定这些物种9个冠层高度的叶片比叶面积(SLA)、叶片干物质含量(LDMC)、叶片氮含量(N)、叶片磷含量(P)、氮磷比(N∶P)和叶绿素含量(Chl)等属性,探讨了针阔混交林叶片性状的差异以及各性状之间的相关关系,进而揭示叶片性状随树冠垂直高度的变化规律。实验结果表明:1)温带针阔混交林内优势树种的部分叶片性状在不同冠层高度之间差异显著。2)随着树冠垂直高度的增加,SLA、LDMC、N、P、N∶P和Chl呈现不同的变化趋势。其中,阔叶树种SLA随着树冠垂直高度的增加而减小;所有树种的LDMC随着树冠垂直高度的增加而增加;不同树种的N、P、N∶P和Chl随着树冠垂直高度的变化规律存在差异。3)对于温带针阔混交林冠层中,SLA与N、P、N∶P均存在显著的正相关关系,高SLA伴随着高的N、P、N∶P,表明植物通过SLA与N、P等性状的协同来提高叶片的光合作用(或对光热资源的利用效率)。本研究通过定量分析探讨温带针阔混交林叶片性状随冠层高度的变化规律,一定程度地揭示了树木对光、热和水资源竞争的适应机制,以及植物叶片的资源利用和分配策略,不仅拓展了传统性状研究的范畴,其相关研究结论也有助于树木生长模型的构建和优化。     

Foliage-canopy structure and height distribution of woody species in climax forests

The correlation between foliage-canopy structure and vertical woody species distribution was examined in seven climax forests ranging from alpine tree limit to tropical rain forest. Foliage density was measured by two-dimensional canopy tomography using photographs. Both foliage density and the vertical species density (the number of woody species having a maximum height within a vertical 1 m) were high in the upper canopy of warm-temperate and subtropical forests, but they were high at lower stratums in the tropical rain forest. Two variables correlated significantly despite the differences in foliage-canopy structures. In contrast to evergreen broad-leaved forests, a clear correlation could not be detected in northern cool-temperate and sub-alpine forests. A possible reason for species convergence in the foliage dense stratum is that species with maximum height in that stratum may be able to survive in the stratum due to symmetrical crown-to-crown interaction. If the maximum height of dwarf species is less than the foliage dense stratum, it may be difficult to survive in the community. The lack of correlation in northern forests may be due to poor canopy tree flora and a mixture of different life forms (non-sprouting trees and sprouting shrubs).     

Planting Seedlings in Tree Islands Versus Plantations as a Large‐Scale Tropical Forest Restoration Strategy

Planting tree seedlings in small patches (islands) has been proposed as a method to facilitate forest recovery that is less expensive than planting large areas and better simulates the nucleation process of recovery. We planted seedlings of four tree species at 12 formerly agricultural sites in southern Costa Rica in two designs: plantation (entire 50 × 50 m area planted) and island (six patches of three sizes). We monitored seedling survival, height, and canopy area over 3 years. To elucidate mechanisms influencing survival and growth, we measured soil and foliar nutrients, soil compaction, and photosynthesis. Survival of all species was similar in the two planting designs. Seedling height and canopy area were greater in plantations than islands at most sites, and more seedlings in islands decreased in height due to damage incurred during plot maintenance. Survival, height, and canopy area were both site‐ and species‐specific with the two N‐fixing species (Inga edulis and Erythrina poeppigiana) greater than the other species (Terminalia amazonia and Vochysia guatemalensis). Foliar N was higher in Terminalia and Vochysia in sites where Inga growth was greater. Soil nutrients, however, explained a small amount of the large differences in growth across sites. Leaf mass per area was higher in islands, and P use efficiency was higher in plantations. Our results show advantages (good seedling survival, cheaper) and disadvantages (more seedling damage, slightly lower growth) to the island planting design. Our study highlights the importance of replicating restoration strategies at several sites to make widespread management recommendations.     

城市机动车道颗粒污染物扩散对绿化隔离带空间结构的响应

通过设置绿化隔离带以减少道路污染物的扩散是目前采用的道路生态防控措施之一。如何减少道路污染对机动车道行人的影响等问题则少有关注。基于对城市非机动车道行人生态安全的考虑,采取现场模拟方法研究道路绿化隔离带对道路中心颗粒污染物向非机动车道扩散的影响。 试验地点选择太原市城区,具体方法是在机动车道和非机动车道之间设置遮阳网。通过增减遮阳网的层数调整模拟隔离带的宽度和疏透度,每50 cm间隔1层遮阳网。为了更接近实际的绿化隔离带和更利于调整疏透度,近机动车道一侧的遮阳网均匀捆扎新鲜的离体植物枝条。实验采用三因素、四水平正交设计方法,通过测定绿带两侧污染物含量的变化评价绿带对非机动车道的净化效应。结果表明,道路绿化隔离带对于减少道路颗粒污染物向非机动车道的扩散具有明显的作用。道路绿化隔离带的诸因子净化非机动车道环境的作用有明显的差异。其中疏透度和高度所起的作用较为显著。本试验中净化PM₁₀过程中三因子的重要性排序依次为高度、疏透度、宽度。净化TSP过程中的重要性依次为疏透度、高度、宽度。三因子净化非机动车道颗粒污染物的最佳水平分别是:疏透度20%,高度350 cm,宽度250 cm,对TSP和PM₁₀的净化百分率分别达到46.10%和42.94%。各因子不同水平的净化效应排序分别为:疏透度20%、30%、40%、10% ,高度350 cm、250 cm、150 cm、50 cm,宽度250 cm、350 cm、150 cm、50 cm。     

Tree species distribution in canopy gaps and mature forest in an area of cloud forest of the Ibitipoca Range,south-eastern Brazil

The tree community of both canopy gaps and mature forest was surveyed in a 5 ha plot of cloud forest in the Ibitipoca Range, south-eastern Brazil, aiming at: (a) comparing the tree community structure of canopy gaps with that of three strata of the mature forest, and (b) relating the tree community structure of canopy gaps with environmental and biotic variables. All saplings of canopy trees with 1–5 m of height established in 31 canopy gaps found within the plot were identified and measured. Mature forest trees with dbh 3 cm were sampled in four 40×40 quadrats laid on the four soil sites recognised in the local soil catena. All surveyed trees were identified, measured and distributed into three forest strata: understorey (<5 m of height), sub-canopy (5.1–15 m) and canopy (15.1–30 m). The following variables were obtained for each gap: mode of formation, age, soil site, slope grade, size, canopy openness and abundance of bamboos and lianas. A detrended correspondence analysis indicated that the tree community structure of gaps in all soil sites was more similar to that of the mature forest understorey, suggesting that the bank of immatures plays an important role in rebuilding the forest canopy and that gap phases may be important for understorey shade-tolerant species. There was evidence of gap-dependence for establishment for only one canopy tree species. Both canonical correspondence analysis and correlation analysis demonstrated for a number of tree species that the distribution of their saplings in canopy gaps was significantly correlated with two variables: soil site and canopy openness. The future forest structure at each gap is probably highly influenced by both the present structure of the adjacent mature forest and the gap creation event.     

Vegetative Life History of a Dominant Rain Forest Canopy Tree1

Tetramerista glabra has a remarkable combination of life history traits. It is a dense-wooded, large, common canopy tree in primary peat swamp rain forest. Its seedlings, although shade tolerant, can grow rapidly in high light conditions, but frequently lack structural stability. Most juvenile stems (94% in the understory and 38% in canopy gaps) collapse under their own weight or from branchfalls. Fallen stems then ramify into vegetative sprouts, which in turn may collapse, perpetuating a vegetative juvenile cycle. Most recruitment is from sprouts rather than from seed. Structural analysis of stem dimensions shows that stems 2–8 cm DBH (diameter at breast height) are close to the theoretical buckling limit, especially for those dependent on neighboring vegetation to maintain vertical form. Trees > 4 cm DBH persisting as upright stems develop stilt root support and become structurally independent at ca 8 cm DBH. Eventually, as stems thicken, stilt roots anastamose and trees adopt the cylindrical growth form of mature canopy trees (up to 150 cm DBH). Thus, the vegetative life history strategy of the species is to: (i) regenerate a large “ramet bank” from the majority of juveniles that fail structurally while suppressed in the understoty, and (ii) to maximize height growth at the expense of diameter growth in high light conditions. The growth pattern and plastic form of T. glabra shows how a shade tolerant species may adapt to utilize the ephemeral light resource in canopy gaps. The growth strategy of this species allows it to circumvent the normal trade-off between shade tolerance and rapid growth in canopy gaps.     

Herbivory patterns in mature sugar maple: variation with vertical canopy strata and tree ontogeny

1. Although leaf morphology and chemistry show profound changes as trees age, the consequences of such changes to herbivory have received little attention, particularly late in the ontogeny of canopy trees. 2. Using a mobile aerial lift for canopy access, patterns of leaf damage were evaluated in canopy‐dominant mature sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh) trees ranging from ～20 to 70 cm in diameter, corresponding to an age range of ～40–180 years. 3. Herbivore damage patterns varied in relation to both vertical canopy position (among upper‐, mid‐, and lower‐canopy positions) and with tree size. Damage types attributable to herbivores active on leaf surfaces, including leaf skeletonizers and leaf cutters (both principally Lepidoptera), and leaf stippling inducers (Hemiptera) showed decreases with tree size, and with increasing height in the canopy. In contrast, leaf damage from the most abundant gall‐forming arthropod in the system, the eriophyid mite Vasates aceriscrumena, increased markedly with tree size. 4. The results indicate that herbivory patterns vary with both canopy stratum and with tree size in sugar maple, and that the relative strength of vertical stratification and tree ontogeny effects are similar in magnitude. The predominant patterns are of a decrease in herbivory with increasing height in the canopy and with tree size, but certain galling arthropods exhibit the reverse trends.     

Complexity of leaf miner–parasitoid food webs declines with canopy height in Patagonian beech forests

1. Consumer–resource species interactions form complex, dynamic networks, which may exhibit structural heterogeneity at various scales. This study set out to address whether host–parasitoid food web size and topology vary across forest canopy strata, and to what extent foliar resources and species abundances account for vertical patterns in network structure. 2. The vertical stratification of leaf miner–parasitoid food webs was examined in two monotypic beech (Nothofagus pumilio) forests in northern Patagonia, Argentina. Quantitative food webs were constructed for separate canopy layers by sampling foliage from three tree‐height classes at 0.5–1, 2–3 and 5–6 m above ground. 3. Leaf miner abundance per unit leaf mass and foliar damage (%) did not differ across strata, although foliage quality and quantity increased from the understorey to the upper canopy. Parasitism rates and food web complexity decreased with canopy height, as reflected by reduced linkage richness, linkage density, mean interaction strength, and host vulnerability. 4. Null model analyses revealed that food web metrics, especially in the upper canopy, were often lower than expected when compared with randomly structured networks. Overall, these patterns held for two forests differing in vertical structure and in dominant miner morphotype and parasitoid species. 5. These results suggest that vertical declines in network complexity may be driven by the parasitoids' limited functional response to host abundance and dispersal from pupation sites in the forest floor. A broader constraint on food web structure seemed to be imposed by host–parasitoid trait matching, a reflection of large‐scale assembly processes.     

A reassessment of the fire‐tolerance of some miombo woody species in the Central Province,Zambia

The fire‐tolerance of 21 woody species in a dry miombo woodland in the Central Province, Zambia was evaluated and compared to an existing classification. The evaluation is based on differences in the vertical distribution of canopy volumes over a range of height intervals after repeated exposure of woodlands to fire. Woody species that showed an inverse correlation between canopy volume and tree height were classified as fire‐sensitive, whilst those that showed a positive correlation were classified as fire‐tolerant. A new method of a rapid and simple field evaluation is described, and further applications are discussed.