Secondary succession of plant communities in a subtropical mountainous region of SW China

Since 1985, originally forested mountainous areas of China have been allowed to return to their natural state after years of exploitation including agriculture, development, and logging. The reforms began earlier in less accessible locations, so that today the successional process is more advanced there. The vegetation in Luquan, Qiongzhusi, and Xishan near Kunming, central Yunnan, exhibits, in a limited area, a range of stages of plant succession that are widely encountered throughout the broader region, and thus affords a special opportunity for a comprehensive study. We analyzed the successional sequence of these various plant communities. They ranged from pioneer coniferous and/or pioneer deciduous broad-leaved stands to pre-mature semi-humid evergreen broad-leaved stands, through mixed coniferous and broad-leaved or mixed deciduous and evergreen broad-leaved stands. The succession proceeded from pioneer coniferous Pinus and Keteleeria, and deciduous Platycarya and Alnus, to late-successional evergreen broad-leaved Cyclobalanopsis and Castanopsis. Two regeneration types of woody species in either the early successional (15–50 years), the mid-successional (40–80 years), or the late-successional (80–180 years) stage were classified. Relatively high species diversity was found in the seral phase at the three study sites. The late-successional stage was commonest where human disturbance was least evident. Poor soil chemical properties under pioneer Pinus were seen as a limitation to plant growth, while the abundance of Alnus at the early stage led to an improved level of organic matter and nitrogen.     

亚热带常绿阔叶林和暖温带落叶阔叶林叶片热值比较研究

植物干重热值(GCV)是衡量植物生命活动及组成成分的重要指标之一,反映了植物光合作用中固定太阳辐射的能力。利用氧弹量热仪测定了亚热带和暖温带两个典型森林生态系统常见的276种常见植物叶片的干重热值,探讨了亚热带和暖温带植物热值分布特征,以及不同生活型、乔木类型间植物热值的变化规律。实验结果发现:亚热带常绿阔叶林和暖温带落叶阔叶林叶片热值的平均值分别为17.83 k J/g(n=191)和17.21k J/g(n=85),整体表现为亚热带植物暖温带植物。不同地带性植被的植物叶片热值在不同生活型间表现出相似的规律,其中亚热带常绿阔叶林表现为:乔木(19.09 k J/g)灌木(17.87 k J/g)草本(16.65 k J/g);暖温带落叶阔叶林表现为:乔木(18.41 k J/g)灌木(17.94 k J/g)草本(16.53 k J/g);不同乔木类型间均呈现常绿乔木落叶乔木、针叶乔木阔叶乔木的趋势。落叶阔叶乔木表现为亚热带暖温带,而常绿针叶乔木则呈现亚热带暖温带的趋势。此外,我们对于两个分布区域内的4种针叶树种叶片热值进行了比较,发现华北落叶松(19.32 k J/g,暖温带)杉木(19.40 k J/g,亚热带)马尾松(19.82 k J/g,亚热带)油松(20.95 k J/g,暖温带)。亚热带常绿阔叶林和暖温带落叶阔叶林植物热值的特征及其变化规律,为森林生态系统的能量流动提供了理论基础。     

Pattern of changes in species diversity,structure and dynamics of forest ecosystems along latitudinal gradients in East Asia

We examined effects of seasonality of climate and dominant life form (evergreen/deciduous, broad-leaf/coniferous) together with energy condition on species diversity, forest structure, forest dynamics, and productivity of forest ecosystems by comparing the patterns of changes in these ecosystem attributes along altitudinal gradients in tropical regions without seasonality and along a latitudinal gradient from tropical to temperate regions in humid East Asia. We used warmth index (temperature sum during growing season, WI) as an index of energy condition common to both altitudinal and latitudinal gradients. There were apparent differences in patterns of changes in the ecosystem attributes in relation to WI among four forest formations that were classified according to dominant life form and climatic zone (tropical/temperate). Many of the ecosystem attributes—Fishers alpha of species-diversity indices, maximum tree height and stem density, productivity [increment rate of aboveground biomass (AGB)], and population and biomass turnover rates—changed sharply with WI in tropical and temperate evergreen broad-leaved forests, but did not change linearly or changed only loosely with WI in temperate deciduous broad-leaved and evergreen coniferous forests. Values of these ecosystem attributes in temperate deciduous broad-leaved and evergreen coniferous forests were higher (stem density was lower) than those in tropical and temperate evergreen broad-leaved forests under colder conditions (WI below 100°C). Present results indicate that seasonality of climate and resultant change in dominant life form work to buffer the effects of energy reduction on ecosystem attributes along latitudinal gradients.     

滇中退化山地不同植被恢复下土壤碳氮磷储量与生态化学计量特征

植被恢复对土壤营养元素的存赋及其生态化学计量特征的影响广受关注,为了深入了解不同植被恢复类型下土壤碳、氮、磷储量与生态化学计量特征,选择滇中地区退化山地飒马场流域具有代表性的4种不同修复阶段的典型植被(荒坡灌草丛、云南松林、针阔混交林和次生常绿阔叶林)为研究对象,分析了不同植被类型下不同深度土壤中有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)储量和化学计量变化特征。结果表明,退化山地的植被恢复显著改变土壤碳氮磷储存能力和化学计量比,这种改变作用整体上随土壤深度增加而降低。其中,在0—60 cm土层上,SOC储量在次生常绿阔叶林最高,达123.41 t/hm²,其次是针阔混交林(115.69 t/hm²)和云南松林(93.08 t/hm²),荒坡灌草丛(89.56 t/hm²)最低;TN储量针阔混交林(4.91 t/hm²)>次生常绿阔叶林(4.58 t/hm²)>云南松林(4.43 t/hm²)>荒坡灌草丛(3.98 ...     

南亚热带典型森林演替类型粗死木质残体贮量及其对碳循环的潜在影响

森林生态系统中的粗死木质残体(Coarse woody debris, CWD)不仅能够为其它生物提供生境,维持森林结构,而且对生物地球化学循环起着不可忽视的作用,CWD作为森林生态系统中重要的结构和功能元素,已经引起广泛关注。然而,华南地区典型亚热带森林生态系统中CWD的结构和功能方面的研究很少。该文报道了鼎湖山自然保护区内典型南亚热带森林生态系统中CWD的贮量及其特征,所选择的森林包括马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林、针阔叶混交林和季风常绿阔叶林,它们分别代表该气候区域内处于森林演替早期、中期和后期3个阶段的森林类型。其中马尾松林和针阔叶混交林都起源于20世纪30年代人工种植的马尾松纯林,由于长期受到包括收割松针、CWD和林下层植物等在内的人为活动的干扰,到2003年调查时马尾松林仍属于针叶林;而混交林样地自种植之后就未受到人为活动的干扰,自然过渡为针阔叶混交林类型。人为干扰对马尾松人工林的结构和功能产生了巨大的影响,马尾松林的生物量仅为针阔叶混交林生物量的35%。组成马尾松林、针阔叶混交林和季风常绿阔叶林CWD的树种数量分别为7、18和29;马尾松林中几乎没有CWD存在(贮量仅为0.1 Mg C·hm^-2),针阔叶混交林CWD的贮量为8.7 Mg C·hm^-2,季风常绿阔叶林CWD的贮量为13.2 Mg C·hm^-2,分别占地上部分生物量的9.1%和11.3%;针阔叶混交林和季风常绿阔叶林中只有将近10%的CWD以枯立的方式存在。该区域内CWD的分解速率较快,在区域碳循环中将扮演重要角色,保留林地中的CWD是维持本区域森林生产力和森林可持续管理的重要举措。     

Gap regeneration in primary evergreen broad-leaved forests with or without a major canopy tree,Distylium racemosum,southwestern Japan: A comparative analysis

Gap regeneration was studied in a typical primary evergreen broad-leaved forest withoutDistylium racemosum, at the Kasugayama Forest Reserve, southwestern Japan and the results were compared with those from other primary evergreen broad-leaved forests in southwestern Japan, whereD. racemosum was the dominant species. Several common types of gap regeneration behavior were recognized among the major tree species and forests with or withoutD. racemosum consisted of three typical regeneration guilds which could be detected in the principal component analysis.Castanopsis cuspidata frequently regenerated in gaps from saplings recruited before gap formation in the forest withoutD. racemosum, although elsewhere, in forests withD. racemosum, it lacked advanced regeneration and regenerated in gaps from saplings recruited after gap formation. Some evergreenQuercus had their regenerations in gaps of the forest withoutD. racemosum, although elsewhere, in forests withD. racemosum, evergreenQuercus might not regenerate. The results indicate that tree species may change their regeneration behavior depending on the presence or absence of another key dominant species. This suggests that the presence and the dominance of a potential competitor induces shifts in the regeneration niche of other coexisting tree species.     

Distribution and structural-functional attributes of trees in the high altitude zone of Central Himalaya,India

Patterns of tree species distribution and their structural-functional features were studied along an altitudinal gradient in the Indian Central Himalaya. The forest vegetation falls within three formation types: low to mid-montane sclerophyllous, broad-leaved forests; mid-montane deciduous forests; and high-montane mixed stunted forests. Deciduous tree species formed a considerable (49%) portion of the high altitude forests between 1500–3300 m. The upper limit of forests ranges from 3000 to 3300 m, and three taxa are commonly found at tree line: an evergreen, needle-leaved gymnosperm (Abies pindrow Spach.), an evergreen, broad-leaved sclerophyllous oak (Quercus semecarpifolia Sm.), and a deciduous, broad-leaved birch (Betula utilis Don).The high altitude forests differed from the low altitude forests of Central Himalaya in their greater proportion of microphanerophytes. Vernal flowering is common at this elevation in Central Himalaya. In general, in their elevational distribution and structural-functional attributes, these high altitude forests are similar to other forests of cool temperate zones in Himalaya.     

Effects of canopy gaps on the growth of tree seedlings from subtropical broad-leaved evergreen forests of southern China

Seedling performance, morphology, and leaf characteristics of evergreen tree species from different successional stages of Chinese broadleaved evergreen forests were studied in four simulated gap environments: in 100, 55, 33, and 18% of full sunlight. The first two represent the light regimes of clearings (gaps secondarily become more open due to human activity and natural erosion). The hypothesis was tested that early-successional species achieve their greatest seedling size in clearings and contrast in this respect with late-successional species. Late-successional species were expected to show a stronger morphological response (leaf/root ratio) to clearings than early-successional ones. The results provided some evidence in support of these hypotheses with one exception, namely that late-successional Castanopsis fargesii appeared to be a highly sun-tolerant species. It is suggested that Castanopsis seedlings are competitive in large gaps and clearings.     

Five new species of the Boletaceae from Japan

Five new species of the Boletaceae (Agaricales) from Japan are described and illustrated: (1) Boletus bannaensis sp. nov. (section Luridi), forming a grayish-brown pileus and rufescent flesh, found in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests; (2) Leccinum rhodoporosum sp. nov., forming discolorous red pores, a whitish stipe covered overall with violet-brown to blackish-brown furfuraceous scales and fusoid-cylindrical brown basidiospores, found in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests or warm-temperate Quercus-Pinus forests; (3) Pulveroboletus brunneoscabrosus sp. nov., forming a lemon-yellow pulverulent basidiomata covered overall with orange to brownish-orange appressed scales, found in subtropical to warm temperate evergreen broad-leaved forests; (4) Rubinoboletus monstrosus sp. nov., forming a brownish-orange to yellowish-brown pileus and a very short, nonreticulate, hollow stipe, found in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests; and (5) Tylopilus fuligineoviolaceus sp. nov., having a deep violet to blackish-brown pileus and brunnescent hymenophore, found in warm temperate Quercus-Castanopsis forests.     

Degradation of longicorn beetle (Coleoptera,Cerambycidae, Disteniidae) fauna caused by conversion from broad-leaved to man-made conifer stands of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> (Taxodiaceae) in central Japan

We studied the species richness and assemblages of longicorn beetles (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Disteniidae) in ten secondary broad-leaved stands and eight plantation stands of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) of various ages after clear-cutting or plantation in Ibaraki, central Japan. The species richness of longicorns, which were collected with Malaise traps, was the highest in young stands, decreasing with the age of the stand for both broad-leaved and conifer stands. A canonical correspondence analysis divided the 18 plots into three groups based on longicorn assemblages and environmental variables. These three groups consisted of (1) very young (1–4 years old) stands after clear-cutting or plantation; (2) 12- to over 100 year-old broad-leaved stands; (3) 7- to 76-year-old conifer stands. The species richness of the longicorns was the highest in the young stands followed, in order of decreasing species richness, by broad-leaved stands and conifer stands. Possible causes of the high species richness in young stands include large amounts of coarse wood debris and flowers, which are resources for oviposition and nutrition for adults, respectively. The lower longicorn diversity in conifer stands than in broad-leaved stands may be due to the lower diversity of trees available as host plants in the former. Almost all species that occurred in conifer stands were also collected in young and/or broad-leaved stands, but the reverse was not true, suggesting that conifer plantations cannot replace broad-leaved stands in terms of longicorn biodiversity. We argue that an extensive conversion of broad-leaved forests into conifer plantations will lead to an impoverishment of the longicorn fauna, which may result in the degradation of ecosystem functions possibly carried out by them.     

Intraspecific sequence variation of chloroplast DNA among the component species of evergreen broad-leaved forests in Japan

For the purpose of phylogeographic study of lucidophyllous (evergreen broad-leaved) forests in Japan, we surveyed intraspecific chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation in 41 component species of such forests. Intraspecific cpDNA variations were detected in 14 species. In 15 species and one species group, 16 non-coding cpDNA regions were examined to find intraspecific sequence variation. The extent of variation in these regions was compared. The largest amount of intraspecific variation was detected in the rps16 region. A relatively large amount of intraspecific variation was detected in the petD-rpoA, rpl16, and trnL-F regions. It is suggested that these regions of cpDNA would be useful for detecting intraspecific variation in plant species, and could provide valuable information for various research purposes.     

峨眉山世界遗产地表土孢粉组合及其生态和古环境启示

通过峨眉山40个样点表土孢粉组合及其与植物群落之间关系的分析,结果表明:(1)花粉组合中木本植物含量(83.3%)占绝对优势,松属、杉科、桤木属、蔷薇科、桦属、枫杨属、蒿属、毛茛科和水龙骨科为主要孢粉类型;(2)中山常绿阔叶林花粉组合未能反映植被的群落特征;低山常绿阔叶林间人工次生林和常绿落叶阔叶混交林花粉组合只能反映母体植被的部分组成;针叶林花粉组合基本可以指示母体植被的群落特征;灌丛草甸花粉组合能够较好地反映母体植被的群落组成;针阔混交林花粉组合不仅可以很好地指示群落特征,花粉高含量类型还可以与植物群落优势种很好地对应;(3)主要花粉类型冷杉属、杜鹃花科、蔷薇科、珙桐属、槭属和盐肤木属具低代表性;枫杨属、栲属/柯属、桤木属和杉科花粉具超代表性;(4) DCA表明,通过花粉百分含量,能较好地区分人类扰动植被、阔叶林和针叶林,但常绿阔叶林、常绿落叶阔叶混交林和针阔混交林之间,针叶林和灌丛草甸之间难以区分;(5)利用孢粉学恢复热带亚热带常绿阔叶代表类群樟科群落和第三纪孑遗落叶阔叶属种珙桐群落时,受其主体植物花粉外壁薄,易破碎影响,原生植被优势种缺失;因此,孢粉实验改良和保存环境研究,与其...     

中国4种典型森林中常见乔木叶片的非结构性碳水化合物研究

植物叶片的非结构性碳水化合物(non-structural carbohydrates,NSC)不仅为植物的代谢过程提供重要能量,还能一定程度上反映植物对外界环境的适应策略。以温带针阔混交林(长白山)、温带阔叶林(东灵山)、亚热带常绿阔叶林(神农架)和热带雨林(尖峰岭)4种森林类型的树种为研究对象,利用蒽酮比色法测定了163种常见乔木叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC(可溶性糖+淀粉)含量,探讨了不同森林类型植物叶片NSC的差异及其地带性变化规律。结果显示：（1）从森林类型上看,植物叶片NSC含量从北到南递减,即温带针阔混交林(170.79 mg/g)>温带阔叶林(100.27 mg/g)>亚热带常绿阔叶林(91.24 mg/g)>热带雨林(80.13 mg/g)。（2）从生活型上看,无论是落叶树还是阔叶树,其叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均表现为：温带针阔混交林>温带阔叶林>亚热带常绿阔叶林>热带雨林;北方森林叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均表现为落叶树种>常绿树种,或阔叶树种>针叶树种。（3）森林植物叶片NSC含量、可溶性糖与淀粉含量比值与年均温和年均降水量均呈显著负相关。研究表明,森林植物叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量以及可溶性糖与淀粉含量比值均具有明显的从北到南递减的地带性规律;其NSC含量以及可溶性糖与淀粉含量比值与温度和水分均呈显著负相关的变化规律可能是植物对外界环境适应的重要机制之一。该研究结果不仅为阐明中国主要森林树种碳代谢和生长适应对策提供了数据基础,而且为理解区域尺度森林植被对未来气候变化的响应机理提供新的视角。     

Floristic changes in the Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii-forest communities along the Pacific Ocean coast of the Japanese Islands

The forest vegetation of Japan can be classified into three major regions: (1) the Camellietea japonicae evergreen broad-leaved forest region, e.g. Laurel forest which can be compared with the sclerophyllous gorest (durilignosa sensu Rübel, 1930), in the Mediterranean region, (2) the Fagetea crenatae summergreen Broad-leaved forest region, (3) the Vaccinio-Piceetea japonicae subalpine and subboreal conifer forest region. The distribution of these forest types on the Japanese Islands is related to both the warmth index, WI, and to the coldness index, CI, after Kira (1945). The borderline between the evergreen Camellietea japonicae and the summergreen Fagetea crenatae in Japan almost coincides with the 85°C line of WI. The chorological ariation of the forest vegetation in Japan and Korea shows a close correlation with the amount of warmth in the actual vegetation season.The evergreen broad-leaved Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii forests can be classified into three major alliances; Quercion acuto-myrsinaefoliae, Maeso japonicae-Castanopsion sieboldii, and Psychotrioastanopsion sieboldii.The distribution limit of these three alliances on the Japanese Islands is again related to temperature. Changes in temperature and latitude correspond closely to changes in the Evergreen Broad-leaved Forests long the Pacific Ocean coast of the Japanese Islands. The three forest alliances differ in their number of evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved woody species, secondary forest types and syndynamic processes.Contribution from the Department of Vegetation Science, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Yokohama National University, No. 154.     

The effects of vegetation types and microhabitats on carabid beetle community composition in cool temperate Japan

The effects of vegetation types and environmental factors on carabid beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) communities were studied. Carabid beetles were collected using pitfall traps (total 2844 trapping days) and seven microenvironmental factors were measured in four vegetation types: grassland, natural evergreen coniferous forest (Pinus densiflora), deciduous broad-leaved natural forest (Quercus crispula, Betula platyphylla, Alnus japonica, or Fagus crenata), and deciduous coniferous plantation (Larix kaempferi) in cool temperate Japan. These four vegetation types provided a novel comparison between natural forests and plantations because the vast majority of related studies have investigated only deciduous broad-leaved natural forests and evergreen coniferous plantations. PERMANOVA indicated that vegetation types affected carabid community composition. Ordination plots showed that community composition differed greatly between grassland and forest vegetation types, but that community composition in the plantation forest overlapped with that of natural forest types. Characteristics differentiating the grassland included a high proportion of winged species and a low mean carabid body weight. Among the examined environmental factors, litter depth, soil water content, and depth of the soil A-horizon had large effects on carabid communities. These results suggest that the effect of afforestation on carabid communities in cool temperate Japan might be insignificant compared with the effects of cover types (deciduous vs. evergreen) and microenvironmental factors.     

南京灵谷寺森林50年来的动态变化研究

 为进一步揭示北亚热带森林次生演替规律,于2002年5月在定点样带上沿用前人的方法,对南京灵谷寺森林进行了群落调查。通过比较1951、1981、2002年的定点样带资料,对灵谷寺森林的物种组成、多度、频度、重要值、种群结构以及物种多样性的动态变化进行了研究。50多年来,群落中立木株数相对基本稳定,但空间分布异质性逐渐增加,而林下苗木和灌木个体数波动幅度极大,由1951年的4 712株大幅上升至1981年的44 130株,到2002年又回落至7 372株。群落中物种数和建群种构成等都存在明显变化,物种数由1951年的75种下降到1981年的50种,2002年又上升为73种。物种多样性指数也存在波动,但目前尚未发现物种多样性指数有明显的上升或下降趋势。历经50多年的次生演替,早期人工针叶林中的马尾松（Pinus massoniana）逐渐衰退,首先被阳性落叶阔叶树,如黄连木（Pistacia chinensis）、枫香（Liquidambar formosana）等取代,之后又被相对耐荫的栓皮栎（Quercus variabilis）等树种所替代,一些常绿树种成功入侵,人工针叶林经针阔混交林、落叶阔叶林,逐渐向地带性植被落叶 常绿阔叶混交林方向演替,其中立地条件较好地段的群落演替速度也较快。     

The Community Dynamics of the Forest Secondary Succession in Heishiding Natural Reserve of Guangdong Province

Studying on the community structure, species composition and species diversities of the secondary succession of lower subtropical forest in Heishiding Natural Reserve, Guangdong Province, the following results were obtained. In 2 ~4 years of restored stage the seedlings of pioneer species, heliophytes and mesophytes occur simultaneously. In 10 years of restored stage pioneer species are superior as heliophytes maintain stable and mesophytes are being decreased. In the stage of mixed forest pioneer species are on the decreasing and heliopytes are on the increasing trend. In the stage of evergreen broad-leaved forest dominated by heliophytes pioneer species are being declined, heliophytes are dominant and mesophytes are being increased. In the stage of evergTeen broad-leaved forest dominated by mesophytes heliophytes are being declined and mesophytes are superior. The vertical structure, horizontal structure, the structure of species composition determine stability of communities in secondary succession process. The vertical structure of community is building up in the stage of restoration. The community is composed of the stands under the third class. The forest canopy is not stratified. The individual density is stable. From restored stage to mixed forest the vertical structure of community is diversified. There are the third and forth class stands in community. The tree layer is divided into three sub-layers. The individual density declines rapidly because of self-thinning. In the mixed forest the vertical stmcture is relatively stable. The abundance of the fifth class stands and area of breast height reach the first peak in the succession serial. The individual density increases rapidly. In stage of evergreen broad-leaved forest dominated by heliophytes, the vertical structure changes largely. The abundance of the fifth class and area of breast height decline rapidly, but the individual density changes slowly. In the stage of evergreen broad-leaved forest dominated by mesophytes, the vertical structure of community is stable and the composition of every stand class becomes more stable. The area of breast height is the biggest in the succession serial. When succession develops, the coverage of communities increases gradually but the turnover rate of species declines. The species composition tends to be stabilized. The diversity of species and community evenness increase gradually thus, the ecological dominance declines gradually.     

Variation of δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C of wood and foliage with canopy height differs between evergreen and deciduous species in a temperate forest

We investigated post-photosynthetic fractionation and carbon transfer mechanisms of different plant functional types growing under the same climatic conditions in North-eastern China. The variations in δ¹³C of trunk and branches were compared with leaf δ¹³C at different canopy heights of Pinus koraiensis (evergreen coniferous species), Larix gmelinii (deciduous coniferous species) and Quercus mongolica (deciduous broad-leaved species). Results showed that δ¹³C of leaves increased (became more enriched) with increasing canopy height for both coniferous species (P. koraiensis, L. gmelinii) but not for Q. mongolica (a deciduous broad-leaved species). δ¹³C of both trunk and branches also increased with sampling height for the evergreen conifer P. koraiensis but did not significantly vary for either of the deciduous species (L. gmelinii or Q. mongolica), except a significant increase in branch δ¹³C for L. gmelinii. Similarly, δ¹³C of trunk and branches were strongly correlated with leaf δ¹³C only in the evergreen conifer, P. koraiensis. ¹³C was consistently more enriched in trunk, branches, and roots compared to leaves in all three species. Our findings suggest that, even under the same climatic conditions, different plant functional types may exhibit different carbon transfer mechanisms. This is contrary to the previous hypothesis that different carbon transfer mechanisms operate in forests of different climatic zones, especially in tropical and temperate forests. Particularly, the differences occur predominantly between evergreen and deciduous trees rather than between coniferous and broad-leaved trees. The significant difference in δ¹³C between leaves and wood tissues confirms a previous post-photosynthetic isotope fractionation in temperate forests.     

Successional status of trees in gallery forest along the river Rhine

Abstract. 20 alluvial forest stands of different ages along the river Rhine in central Alsace, France, are described. A natural complex landscape occurs which is formed by erosion activity of the river. Recent human impact (canal construction, cutting) has affected river hydrology: flooding is eliminated over large areas and the underground water levels are stabilized. The forest vegetation varies in species diversity and structure, from young pioneer to older, mid-successional forests. The forests were classified into four associations: Salici-Populetum nigrae, Ligustro-Populetum nigrae, Fraxino-Populetum albae and Querco-Ulmetum minoris. The first three communities are ‘softwood’ because of the dominance of Salix and Populus, the fourth, dominated by Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior and Ulmus minor, is ‘hardwood’. Differences in structure, species composition and diversity in 10 widely varying stands in 30-yr and 150-yr old forests are quantified and interpreted in relation to the processes and gradients (moisture and texture) involved. A model of forest succession is developed as follows:

• 1 Whatever the topographic level, Salix and Populus species are the most competitive in colonizing bare sediments.
• 2 Under natural conditions, pioneer softwoods are generally replaced by hardwoods in less than 100 yr.
• 3 Old Querco-Ulmetum is basically the terminal stage of the alluvial succession.
• 4 Old softwood forests result from an interruption of the natural course of succession. Softwoods may be an intermediate or late-successional phase depending on the interruption.
• 5 Successional processes change according to hydrological and edaphic gradients.
• 6 Allogenic processes of flooding are fundamental in the space-time species pattern.
• 7 Allogenic processes are responsible for the high species and community diversity.

     

4种不同演替阶段森林群落物种组成和多样性的比较研究

通过空间变化代替时间差异和样方法等手段,对浙江省马尾松林针叶（针叶林）、马尾松针阔叶混交林、中龄常绿阔叶林和近熟常绿阔叶林4种不同演替阶段森林群落的物种组成和多样性、群落间相似性进行了研究。结果表明,23个样地共记录维管植物53科105属170种。随着演替的进行,群落物种数、各层次的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数基本上呈现先下降后上升的趋势,并以针阔叶混交林最低,估计跟先锋物种的消失和后期物种的出现这一更替有关。随着演替的进行,各群落间的Jaccard相似性系数逐渐降低,其中针阔叶混交林和中龄常绿阔叶林之间的相似性系数最高,马尾松与近熟常绿阔叶林之间的相似性系数最低。群落主成分分析也得出相似的结果。群落之间的差异主要体现在物种组成尤其是乔木层的组成上;针阔叶混交林是物种丰富度和物种多样性较低的一个群落,但它与其它群落间的相似性较高,并已储存了常绿阔叶林中的大部分物种,对演替起着承前启后的作用。