Genetic relationships of European populations reflect their ethnohistorical affinities

From 420 records of ethnic locations and movements since 2000 B. C., we computed vectors describing the proportions which peoples of the various European language families contributed to the gene pools within 85 land-based 5 × 5-degree quadrats in Europe. Using these language family vectors, we computed ethnohistorical affinities as arc distances between all pairs of the 85 quadrats. These affinities are significantly correlated with genetic distances based on 26 genetic systems, even when geographic distances, a common causative factor, are held constant. Thus, the ethnohistorical distances explain a significant amount of the genetic variation observed in modern populations. Randomizations of the records by chronology result in loss of significance for the observed partial correlation between genetics and ethnohistory, when geography is held constant. However, a randomization of records by location only results in reduced significance. Thus, while the historical sequence of the movements does not seem to matter in Europe, their geographic locations do. We discuss the implications of these findings. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Plant cover estimation based on the beta distribution in grassland vegetation

Cover is the most frequently used measure of abundance in vegetation surveys of grasslands, and various qualitative and semi-quantitative methods have been developed for visual estimation of this metric. Field survey is usually made with a point-grid plate. The frequency distributions of cover derived from point-grid counts follow a beta distribution. Combining point-grid counts from a field survey and the beta distribution for a statistical analysis, we developed an effort-saving cover-measurement method. Cover is measured with a transparent plastic plate on which, for example, 10 × 10 = 100 points are arranged in a lattice with 1-cm grid spacing (thus, one point count represents 1 cm² of cover). N quadrats are set out at randomly dispersed sites in a grassland, and, in each, the plastic plate is used for making counts. The number of grid points located above a given species is counted in every quadrat until the number of counted points reaches a given value c, which is determined in advance. If the number of counted points reaches c in a quadrat, the count is stopped and the quadrat is classified in the category “>c”. In quadrats where c is not attained, full point counts above the species bodies are made. Let g be the number of observed quadrats whose cover is ≤c. Using these g cover measurements and the number of quadrats (N − g) with cover >c, we can quantitatively estimate cover for each species and the spatial pattern index value based on the maximum likelihood method. In trial counts using this method, the time savings varied between 5% and 41%, depending on the shape of the cover frequency distribution. The mean cover value estimates agreed well with conventional measures without a stopping point (i.e., based on full counts of all points in each quadrat).     

Effects of canopy gaps on the genetic structure of Camellia japonica saplings in a Japanese old-growth evergreen forest

The genetic structure of Camellia japonica saplings was investigated in relation to canopy conditions in an old-growth evergreen forest in Tsushima, Japan. To elucidate effects of canopy gaps on genetic structure, a 1 ha study site was divided into 20 x 20 m quadrats, which were classified into a gap quadrats (GAP), closed canopy quadrats (CLS) and mixed quadrats. Five GAP quadrats and six CLS quadrats were analyzed separately. Isolation-by-distance was tested by examining the correlation between genetic distance and geographic distance. A significant positive correlation was detected for GAP quadrats, whilst that for CLS quadrats was significantly smaller and not significantly different from zero. On the other hand, an analysis using Moran's I spatial autocorrelation coefficients indicates that the genetic structure is weaker in GAP quadrats than in CLS quadrats in short distance classes. The values were significantly positive for both types of quadrat. These results, along with our field observations on flowering, suggest that canopy gaps affect the genetic structure of C. japonica saplings in two distinct ways. First, canopy gaps may promote flowering and mating in an isolation-by-distance manner within canopy gaps. Second, canopy gaps may promote seed production and resulting overlap in seed shadows may weaken fine-scale genetic structures.     

The evolution of Queensland spiny mountain crayfish of the genus Euastacus. I. Testing vicariance and dispersal with interspecific mitochondrial DNA

The upland mesic rainforests of eastern Australia have been described as a "mesothermal archipelago" where a chain of cool mountain "islands" arise from a warm "sea" of tropical and subtropical lowlands. An endemic freshwater crayfish belonging to the genus Euastacus is found on each of these mountain "islands." The Euastacus are particularly suitable for the study of evolution because each mountain harbors a unique species, there are many taxa present providing replication within the group and, most importantly, their distribution is linear, extending along a south-north axis. This group could have evolved by "simultaneous vicariance" where there was one vicariant separation event of a widespread ancestor, or by "south to north stepping stone dispersal" where there were long distance dispersal events from neighboring mountain islands, starting in the south and proceeding north in a dispersal-colonization wave. We used pairwise genetic distances between nearest geographic neighbors as a novel way to test the two hypotheses. If diversification was due to "south to north stepping stone dispersal," then pairwise genetic distances between nearest geographic neighbors should decrease progressively the farther north the taxon pairs are found, reflecting the decreasing periods of isolation. In this case there should be a negative correlation between the south to north rank order of nearest neighbors and pairwise genetic distances. A Spearman's correlation on 16S mtDNA pairwise genetic distances and geographic rank order was not significant, indicating there was no support for the south to north stepping stone dispersal hypothesis. If simultaneous vicariance was responsible for diversification then all nearest geographic neighbor taxon pairs should have similar genetic distances and, therefore, the variance in nearest neighbor distances should be zero, or close to it. To test if the observed variance was tending towards zero we developed a randomization test where nearest neighbor taxon pairs were assigned random genetic distances and the variances calculated. The observed variance lay in the < 0.05 range of the simulated variances, providing support for the simultaneous vicariance hypothesis. The data also suggest there was simultaneous vicariance of at least two ancestral Queensland lineages. The timing of this vicariant event was probably in the Pliocene, which is consistent with the divergence times reported for other Australian mesic rainforest restricted taxa.     

The determination of an optimum sampling technique for biomass of herbaceous vegetation in a Central Australian woodland

The green standing material, dry standing material and litter in the herbaceous layer of a Central Australian woodland were sampled using sets of nested quadrats of various proportions. By minimizing the product of the time required to obtain the data and the relative variances of the mean weights of material, the optimum size of quadrat necessary for estimating biomass was found to be 1 m2 or less. The optimum shape of quadrat for litter was a very elongate rectangle, with the lengths of its sides in the ratio 1:16. There was no preferred shape for green or dry standing material in this case. No edge effect was detected. A method is given for determining the optimum number of quadrats for a known mean, variance and cost.     

Sampling communities of ground-foraging ants: Pitfall catches compared with quadrat counts in an Australian tropical savanna

The relative abundances of ant species captured in pitfall traps was compared with those obtained by direct counts in quadrats at a savanna site in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. Two measures of abundance in traps were used, one based on total numbers of ants, the other on species frequency of occurrence. All species commonly recorded in quadrats were collected in traps, and their relative abundances were highly correlated on all occasions. Of the 20 most common species in quadrats, five occurred with a significantly different (in all cases lower) frequency in pitfall traps, but these species represented only 1.8–3.1% of total quadrat counts. Results from quadrats and pitfall traps were particularly similar (r > 0.8) when species-were classified into functional groups. Frequency data from traps may sometimes overestimate the abundance of widespread, solitary foraging species (e.g. ‘Chelaner’ and Tetramorium spp.) and underestimate species with large colony sizes (e.g. Iridomyrmex spp.). Data based on total numbers of ants in traps may be more prone to distortion arising from species differences in locomotor behaviour. Species counts in traps could be scaled to reduce these distortions. The finding that pitfall traps gave results comparable with those from quadrat counts provides support for the use of pitfall traps in studies of Australian ant communities in open habitats.     

Genetic changes across language boundaries in Europe

By means of three different methods we investigated whether 59 allele frequencies and ten cranial variables show increased change at 29 language-family boundaries in Europe. The quadrat-variance method compares variances of map quadrats crossed by language-family boundaries to variances of quadrats that are not crossed. The rate-of-change method examines the directional derivative of surfaces of the variables perpendicular to a language-family boundary and compares these derivatives to the same quantities obtained by randomly placing the language boundaries on the map of Europe. The difference method tests whether these variables differ more across language-family boundaries than across randomly placed boundaries. These special data-analytic techniques had to be developed to avoid the problem of spatial autocorrelation of both language and biological data. All three methods indicate increased genetic change at language-family boundaries. Clearer and more pronounced results are obtained by the first two methods than by the difference method. Thirteen language-family boundaries show significant gene frequency change by at least one of the methods. Changes are more marked in gene frequencies than in cranial variables. Different allele frequencies mark the increased change at different language boundaries. A model, based on the known history of each language-family boundary, was constructed to predict whether given boundaries should exhibit increased genetic change. The model is in good agreement with the observed results.     

东灵山辽东栎林木本植物种间联结取样技术的研究

 在样地面积固定条件下,采用样方设计和样带设计,探讨了样方数目与面积之间的关系,以及样方数目与面积的变化对种间联结的影响。结果表明：正负关联比、平均物种出现率、多物种间X2值、物种对间X2值与显著率以及物种间联结系数的变化范围均可作为确定样方数目与面积的参数。在实际分析中应当综合考虑这些参数,进而选择最佳样方数目及面积进行种间联结分析。在样地总面积均为1 200 m2条件下,样带设计在各项指标上规律性比较明显,样方数为50,面积为25 m2最为合适;样方设计的各项参数稍差一些,需要进一步增加样方总面积才能得到更合适的样方数。分别按选定的最适样方数进行物种对联结性分析,对比分析结果显示样带设计对联结性和关联程度的检测效果好于样方设计,它的研究结果更与实际情况相符合。因此,在总样地面积有限的情况下,样带设计是进行种间联结分析的较好选择。     

Quantitative trait and allozyme divergence in the Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris, Aves: Fringillidae)

Quantitative trait divergence and variability among 12 greenfinch populations across continental Europe was examined and compared to divergence in neutral genetic markers (allozymes). The added among locality variance component for 16 skeletal traits was large (mean 28%, range 4–48%) equalling a divergence of up to three SD units. The divergence in quantitative traits (Qst = 0.04-0.48) greatly exceeded that in alloymes (F_ST= 0.01-0.07), indicating the differentiation in quantitative traits to be larger than expected by mutation and drift alone. This conclusion was consistent also with results from the multivariate approach of Rogers & Harpending. However, genetic and morphometric distances between populations were positively correlated, even when controlling for the geographic distance separating pairs of populations. In concordance with Bergmann's rule, most traits were strongly and positively correlated with latitude, indicating latitudinally ordered genetic or/and environmental effects. However, the correlation between lower mandible width and latitude was strongly negative, demonstrating an inverse relationship between beak size and body size across the populations. These results are interpreted to reflect the re-colonization of history of northern Europe (genetic and geographic distances correlated) which has been paralleled by selection acting on quantitative traits (Q_ST>F_ST)- In particular, the counter-gradient variation in beak width, a functionally important trait, is suggestive of an adaptive basis for quantitative trait divergence.     

Variance and spatial scales in a tropical rain forest: changing the size of sampling units

The size of a sampling unit has a critical effect on our perception of ecological phenomena; it influences the variance and correlation structure estimates of the data. Classical statistical theory works well to predict the changes in variance when there is no autocorrelation structure, but it is not applicable when the data are spatially autocorrelated. Geostatistical theory, on the other hand, uses analytical relationships to predict the variance and autocorrelation structure that would be observed if a survey was conducted using sampling units of a different size. To test the geostatistical predictions, we used information about individual tree locations in the tropical rain forest of the Pasoh Reserve, Malaysia. This allowed us to simulate and compare various sampling designs. The original data were reorganised into three artificial data sets, computing tree densities (number of trees per square meter in each quadrat) corresponding to three quadrat sizes (5×5, 10×10 and 20×20 m⁽²⁾). Based upon the 5×5 m⁽²⁾ data set, the spatial structure was modelled using a random component (nugget effect) plus an exponential model for the spatially structured component. Using the within-quadrat variances inferred from the variogram model, the change of support relationships predicted the spatial autocorrelation structure and new variances corresponding to 10×10 m⁽²⁾ and 20×20 m⁽²⁾ quadrats. The theoretical and empirical results agreed closely, while the classical approach would have largely underestimated the variance. As quadrat size increases, the range of the autocorrelation model increases, while the variance and proportion of noise in the data decrease. Large quadrats filter out the spatial variation occurring at scales smaller than the size of their sampling units, thus increasing the proportion of spatially structured component with range larger than the size of the sampling units.     

Spatial heterogeneity in a grassland community: Use of power law

A new regression analysis was proposed to evaluate the degree of spatial heterogeneity for individual species comprising a plant grassland community. The weighted average of the heterogeneity value of all the species comprising the community provides a measure of community-level heterogeneity. A field survey was carried out, as an example, in order to analyze the spatial heterogeneity of a pasture with grazing cows, using 100 quadrats 50 cm × 50 cm, each of which was divided into four smaller quadrats 25 cm × 25 cm, on a 50 m long line-transect. The frequency of occurrence for all the species in each small quadrat was recorded. The regression associated with the ratio of the theoretical and observed variances of occurence counts was used to analyse the frequency distribution of species in a pasture community. A good fit to the regression for the whole community was obtained. These results indicate that (i) each species in the example was distributed more heterogeneously than a random pattern; and (ii) the regression could well describe the spatial heterogeneity of the grassland plant community. In most of the observed species, spatial heterogeneity is often characterized by species-specific propagation traits and the architecture of plant bodies. Thus, the spatial patterns of a grassland community can be evaluated in detail by this power-law approach. This measure is suitable for field surveys and comparative studies of grassland communities, and for other plant communities that are generally short in height.     

Sexual dimorphism and sex ratios of two Australian dioecious species of alpine pineapple grass, Astelia alpina var. novaehollandiae and Astelia psychrocharis (Asteliaceae)

Sexual dimorphism and male biased sex ratios have been predicted for dioecious plants experiencing the limited conditions for growth and reproduction found in many alpine environments. To test these predictions, the reproductive ecology of two congeneric, co-occurring, dioecious, clonal, species was examined in the subalpine and alpine zones of Kosciuszko National Park, southeastern Australia. Specifically, plant size (vegetative cover of plants in quadrats), floral display (number of flowers per inflorescence, number of inflorescences per quadrat) and sex ratios (proportion of females in quadrats with flowers) were examined in ten populations of Astelia psychrocharis (Asteliaceae) and nine populations of Astelia alpina var. novae-hollandiae (Asteliaceae). Sexual dimorphism did occur, with males having more flowers per inflorescence (106% more flowers for A.alpina males and 12% more for A.psychrocharis males compared to females) and more inflorescences per quadrat than females (78% more inflorescences for A.alpina males and 46% more inflorescences for A.psychrocharis males compared to females). Plant size did not differ between male and female quadrats of either species, nor were there male biased sex ratios. However, plant size was related to flowering status in A.psychrocharis with the 65 quadrats that did not flower having lower vegetative cover than the 175 flowering quadrats indicating that there may be a minimum size/ cover required prior to flowering in this species. For A.alpina, all but two of the 185 quadrats randomly sampled flowered. There was no effect of altitude on plant size and very little effect of altitude on floral display for either species, apart from a slight increase in the number of inflorescences per quadrat with increasing altitude for A.psychrocharis, and slight decrease in number of flowers per inflorescence with increasing altitude for A.alpina females.     

Are Plant Censuses Carried Out on Small Quadrats More Reliable than on Larger Ones?

Plant censuses are known to be significantly affected by observers’ biases. In this study, we checked whether the magnitude of observer effects (defined as the % of total variance) varied with quadrat size: we expected the census repeatability (% of the total variance that is not due to measurement errors) to be higher for small quadrats than for larger ones. Variations according to quadrat size of the repeatability of species richness, Simpson equitability and reciprocal diversity indices, Ellenberg indicator values, plant cover and plant frequency were assessed using 359 censuses of vascular plants. These were carried out independently by four professional botanists during spring 2002 on the same 18 forest plots, each comprising one 400-m² quadrat, four 4-m² and four 2-m² quadrats. Time expenditure was controlled for. General Linear Models using random effects only were applied to the ecological indices to estimate variance components and magnitude of the following effects (if possible): plot, quadrat, observer, plant species and two-way interactions. High repeatability was obtained for species richness and Ellenberg indicator values. Species richness and Ellenberg indicator values were generally more accurate but also more biased in large quadrats. Simpson reciprocal diversity and equitability indices were poorly repeatable (especially equitability) probably because plant cover estimates varied widely among observers, irrespective of quadrat size. Grouping small quadrats usually increased the repeatability of the variable considered (e.g. species richness, Simpson diversity, plant cover) but the number of plant species found on those pooled 16 m² was much lower than if large plots were sampled. We therefore recommend to use large, single quadrats for forest vegetation monitoring.     

Diversity and Community Quantitative Characteristics ofFloor Lichen in Yaoluoping National NatureReserve of Anhui,China

Twenty nine quadrats belonging to various habitats were sampled in Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve, lichen species in each quadrat were identified and the lichen coverage of each quadrat was measured, combined with several environmental indices, with the purpose of understanding the lichen distributing pattern and community quantitative characteristics. Factor analysis was used to appraise relationships among ecological factors, cluster analysis and Spearman rank correlation coefficient test were employed for ordination and Fisher’s exact test was applied to evaluate interspecific correlation. Factor analysis showed that the number of species decreased as the altitude increased, and there was significant positive correlation between dominant species quantity and coverage (P=0.034), very significant positive correlation between humidity and habitat type (P=0.001). Based on cluster analysis data, twenty nine quadrats were divided into 5 types of association. Fisher’s exact test indicates 10 species pairs were very significant positive association and four species pairs significant positive, but no species pair was negative significant association. Fisher’s exact test demonstrated that the competition between the species was low.     

Contribution to the knowledge on macrofungi in mangroves of the southwest India

Forty-six species of macrofungi (27 genera) were recorded in 25 quadrats (625 m²) in five mangroves of the southwest India (Paduhithlu, Nadikudru, Sasihithlu, Thokottu and Batapady). A maximum of 20 species occurred in Sasihithlu with a highest diversity value. Four species belong to coregroup ( ≥ 10 sporocarps/quadrat), while 29 species were confined to specific mangrove (exclusive species). Out of 1591 sporocarps, Paduhithlu supported the highest number of sporocarps (564) followed by Nadikudru (502). Rarefaction curves showed a steep increase in the expected number of species against the number of sporocarps in Sasihithlu. Pearson correlation between biotic factors (species richness, sporocarp richness and species diversity) and edaphic factors (air and soil) was not significantly correlated. Woody litter supported the highest number of macrofungi (26 species) followed by soil (22 species) and least in leaf litter (7 species). Up to one-third of macrofungi recovered in mangroves are economically valuable (edible, medicinal and ectomycorrhizal).     

Comparing two methods for estimating floral resource availability for insect pollinators in semi-natural habitats

Pollinator and flowering plant interactions play a critical role in maintaining most terrestrial ecosystems, including agroecosystems. Although estimates of floral resource availability are essential to understand plant–pollinator relationships, no generally accepted methodology exists to date. We compared two methods for sampling floral resources in a single meadow. About every three days, we recorded species lists of insect-pollinated plants with abundance categories assigned to each species (hereafter referred to as scanning) and we counted the flowering shoots in 36 2 × 2 m quadrats (hereafter quadrat sampling). These methods were compared with respect to (i) the number of species detected, (ii) estimated floral resource abundance, and (iii) temporal changes in flowering. With scanning, we found more potential nectar-plant species and species were found earlier than with quadrat sampling. With the latter, abundant species were found with higher probability than the scarce. Flower abundances were correlated between the two methods. We predicted that a cover of 6.3 ± 3.6% should be used for an appropriate estimate of flower abundance in our study site, although the optimal cover probably varies across different habitats. Furthermore, flower abundance changed 6% per day compared to the flowering peak. Overall, scanning seems to be more appropriate for detecting presence and the timing of species, while quadrats may provide higher resolution for abundance estimates. Increased sampling coverage and frequency may enhance research accuracy and using scanning and quadrat sampling simultaneously may help to optimize research effort. We encourage further development of sampling protocols.     

鹞落坪自然保护区地面生地衣多样性及群落数量特征

在鹞落坪保护区设置样方,调查样方内地面生地衣种类和生境指标,探讨森林地面生地衣的分布模式和群落特征。对地衣群落进行了因子分析和排序;应用2×2联表的Fisher精确检验和Spearman秩相关系数进行了种间关联分析。因子分析表明随海拔上升,种类趋于减少,优势种的数目和盖度之间存在显著的正相关（P=0.034）,样方湿度和样方生境类型存在极其显著的正相关（P=0.001）。根据组平均分析结果并综合生境特征,将保护区地面生地衣划分为5个群丛类型。Fisher精确检验表明仙人掌绵腹衣Anzia opuntiella与红心黑蜈蚣衣Phaeophyscia erythrocardia等10个种对呈极显著正相关,4个种对呈显著正相关,无显著负相关种对出现。各个地衣种之间的竞争很小。     

Large-scale geographic patterns of genetic variation in Melica nutans, a widespread Eurasian woodland grass

 The geographic distribution of allozyme variation within the Eurasian boreo-nemoreal woodland grass Melica nutans L. has been investigated together with a minor subset of other Melica species. Twenty alleles were found at nine polymorphic loci in M. nutans. Allelic richness was highest in areas central in the species' European distribution, i.e. in southern Fennoscandia. High population densities, reducing the effects of genetic drift, as well as accumulation of variation through long-distance gene-flow from different marginal populations, is proposed to explain high allelic richness in this area. Several alleles showed geographic patterns in distribution and frequency variation. However, these patterns were not congruent, e.g. some alleles appear to have migrated to northern Europe from the south-west whereas others may have spread from the east. Genetic distances between geographic regions, each consisting of 2–6 populations, were generally low between all Fennoscandian, Russian and Siberian regions, but much higher between western and continental European regions. On the population level, cluster analysis grouped populations from Siberia, Russia, coastal and lowland areas in Fennoscandia and British Cumbria into one subcluster whereas other subclusters contained mainly south-west European populations or populations from almost throughout the distribution range. A scenario with several independent glacial refugia in central Europe, south-western Siberia and possibly western Norway, and subsequent colonisation of Fennoscandia mainly from the east, but with some long-distance gene-flow from central Europe, is proposed. Received April 3, 2002; accepted September 17, 2002 Published online: December 11, 2002     

Genetic substructure in South African Bantu-speakers: evidence from autosomal DNA and Y-chromosome studies

The extent of genetic differentiation between seven South African Bantu-speaking groups (Zulu, Xhosa, Tsonga/Shangaan, Southern Sotho, Pedi, Tswana, and Venda) was assessed from coancestry coefficients (F(ST)) estimated from autosomal serogenetic, DNA, and Y-chromosome DNA haplotypes. The overall F(ST) obtained from the autosomal data was 0.002, and that from the Y chromosome data was 0.014. The genetic relationships between groups examined were inferred from their cluster affinities in phylogenetic trees constructed from the genetic distances between them. Both autosomal and Y-chromosome DNA studies reveal that 6 of the 7 South African Bantu-speaking groups cluster according to their linguistic groupings, the exception being the Tsonga, who do not cluster with other Nguni language speakers, but rather with the Venda who live close to them. This suggests that the invading Shangaan-speakers, whose Nguni language was adopted by the Tsonga, did not have a major effect on the Tsonga gene pool, and that gene flow from the Venda into the Tsonga may have been considerable. Genetic distances were found to correlate with geographic distances between the regions where each group's apparent population density is the highest. Linguistic distances were also found to correlate with genetic distances, but linguistic and geographic distances showed no correlation. Together, these results suggest that linguistic and some genetic differentiation took place before the groups (or their forerunners) reached their present-day locations, and that further genetic change occurred after their arrival.     

武夷山大安源甜槠常绿阔叶林群落物种组成及多样性分析

采用相邻格子样方法对武夷山大安源甜槠〔Castanopsis eyrei(Champ.ex Benth.)Tutch.〕常绿阔叶林群落的物种组成及物种多样性进行了研究,并分析了群落的种-面积曲线以及样方面积与物种多样性的关系。结果表明:在面积4 800 m2的样方中共记录维管植物31科57属97种,其中乔木78种、灌木8种、草本植物5种、藤本植物6种;乔木主要为常绿树种,落叶树种仅10种;优势科为壳斗科(Fagaceae)、杜鹃花科(Ericaceae)、杜英科(Elaeocarpaceae)和山茶科(Theaceae)等,优势属为栲属〔Castanopsis(D.Don)Spach〕、杜鹃属(Rhododendron Linn.)和杜英属(Elaeocarpus Linn.);优势树种为甜槠、马银花〔Rhododendron ovatum(Lindl.)Planch.〕、鹿角杜鹃(R.latoucheae Franch.)和薯豆(Elaeocarpus japonicus Sieb.et Zucc.)等,其中甜槠的相对胸高断面积达64.93%,重要值也最高(25.70%),在群落中具有明显的优势地位。群落中胸径小于5 cm的乔木个体数量占76.88%,径级越高个体数量越少。南坡样方的Simpson指数和Shannon-Wiener指数均高于北坡,显示该群落南坡的物种多样性高于北坡。该群落的种-面积曲线拟合方程为y=21.836ln(x)-87.287(R2=0.990 2),且随样方面积的增加,物种数量、Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou指数呈增加且趋于稳定的趋势,总体上调查样方面积应设置在2 000 m2以上。综合分析结果说明:武夷山大安源甜槠常绿阔叶林的物种组成较丰富、物种多样性水平较高;光照条件是导致该群落南坡多样性大于北坡的主要环境因素。