Babassu palm (Attalea speciosa Mart.) super-dominance shapes its surroundings via multiple biotic,soil chemical,and physical interactions and accumulates soil carbon: a case study in eastern Amazonia

Plant and Soil - Aggressive ruderal plant species pose an increasing problem in anthropically degraded lands. They both affect and are affected by other vegetation and by soil fertility in their...     

新疆科古琴山高山流石坡植被的特征

研究对新疆科古琴山高山流石坡植被的植物区系特点、植物群落特征和生物－生态学特性进行了论述。初步查明该地有种子植物17科27属34种、藓类5种、地衣9种。说明该地种子植物种类贫乏,特有种少,植物区纱成人年轻,温带特点突出。植物生长稀疏,盖度小,植物群落结构简单,层次分化不明显、季相单调。植被因坡度,坡向的不同存在明显差异。其植物具有株矮、叶小,根系发达,丛生、莲痤状、体被茸毛、生长期短,以营养繁殖为主,多年生、耐寒等特性。应加强对高山流石坡植被及其野生药用植物资源的保护。     

Experimental assessment of biotic and abiotic filters driving community composition

Species occurrence in a site can be limited by both the abiotic environment and biotic interactions. These two factors operate in concert, but their relative importance is often unclear. By experimentally introducing seeds or plants into competition‐free gaps or into the intact vegetation, we can disentangle the biotic and abiotic effects on plant establishment. We established a seed‐sowing/transplant experiment in three different meadows. Species were introduced, as seeds and pregrown transplants, into competition‐free gaps and the intact vegetation. They included 12 resident plants from the locality and 18 species typical for different habitats. Last two years, gaps were overgrown with vegetation from surrounding plants and we observed the competitive exclusion of our focal plants. We compared plant survival with the expected occurrence in target locality (Beals index). Many of the species with habitat preferences different from our localities were able to successfully establish from seeds and grow in the focal habitat if competition was removed. They included species typical for much drier conditions. These species were thus not limited by the abiotic conditions, but by competition. Pregrown transplants were less sensitive to competition, when compared to seedlings germinated from seeds. Beals index significantly predicted both species success in gaps and the ability to withstand competition. Survival in a community is dependent on the adaptation to both the abiotic environment and biotic interactions. Statistically significant correlation coefficients of the ratio of seedling survival in vegetation and gaps with Beals index suggest the importance of biotic interactions as a determinant of plant community composition. To disentangle the importance of abiotic and biotic effect on plant establishment, it is important to distinguish between species pool as a set of species typically found in given community type (determined by Beals index) and a set of species for which the abiotic conditions are suitable.     

Distribution of Macrophytes in Relation to Environmental Factors in the Ter River,N. E. Spain

Most of the tested water quality factors increase downstream coinciding with changes in the aquatic vegetation, from typical species of fast-flowing oligotrophic waters to those of slower-flowing eutrophic waters. Several statistic analyses were carried out to relate physical and chemical parameters with plant distribution. Five vegetation types are found in a longitudinal distribution along the river system. They are dominated by bryophytes in the initial parts before the reservoirs and by higher plants in the final parts after the reservoirs.     

Plant functional types and traits as biodiversity indicators for tropical forests: two biogeographically separated case studies including birds, mammals and termites

Multi-taxon surveys were conducted in species-rich, lowland palaeotropical and neotropical forested landscapes in Sumatra, Indonesia and Mato Grosso, Brazil. Gradient-directed transects (gradsects) were sampled across a range of forested land use mosaics, using a uniform protocol to simultaneously record vegetation (vascular plant species, plant functional types (PFTs) and vegetation structure), vertebrates (birds, mammals) and invertebrates (termites), in addition to measuring site and soil properties, including carbon stocks. At both sites similar correlations were detected between major components of structure (mean canopy height, woody basal area and litter depth) and the diversities of plant species and PFTs. A plant species to PFT ratio [spp.:PFTs] was the best overall predictor of animal diversity, especially termite species richness in Sumatra. To a notable extent vegetation structure also correlated with animal diversity. These surrogates demonstrate generic links between habitat structural elements, carbon stocks and biodiversity. They may also offer practical low-cost indicators for rapid assessment in tropical forest landscapes.     

The Cushion Plant in the Hoh Xil Area of Qinghai

During the first scientific expedition to the Hoh Xil area of Qinghai, the author had collected about 210 speceis of seed plant, which belong to 30 families and 102 genera. Among these plants, 48 species are cushion plant included 8 families and 15 genera. They occupy respectively 26.7% of the total number of the family, 14.7% of the total number of the genus and 22.9% of the total number of the species of the seed plant in this area. Therefore, Qinghai Hoh Xil is the most developed area for the growth of the cushion plant. These cushion plants are morpho-structural and roughly divided into four types: Typical (spongy) cushion plant; Dense clumping cushion plant; Brevi-rhizome or collar tillaring cushion plant; and collar radial dense branching cushion plant. These cushion plants are very much adaptable to the special harmful climate and the adverse nature environment on the plateau platform of Hoh Xil. The community or the population of cushion plant occurs extensively of the various of types of vegetation are very luxurient in the Hoh Xil area. They often become the dominant community or together with often vegetation form a huge landscape of cushion vegetation. The cushion plants are the pioneers in the Hoh Xil area. Their growth cycle, from sprouting, growing, multiplying, flourishing until dying, contribute to the accumulation of soil rich in organic nutrients and create a favourable condition for migration, growth and development of the flora and vegetation in the Hoh Xil area.     

Vegetation structure,species life span,and exotic status elucidate plant succession in a limestone quarry reclamation

An understanding of the processes involved in plant succession is pivotal in achieving an effective site restoration. In a former limestone quarry (northeastern Italy), we explored the effects of a technical reclamation on the plant community using changes in cover of vegetation layers and two sensitive plant traits (i.e. exotic status and life span), with a chronosequence approach. Four reclaimed areas of different ages (from 8 to 35 years old) and natural vegetation in the surroundings were investigated with seven permanent plots each, for a total of 35. Changes in vegetation layers and species richness of both exotic status and life span were analyzed by generalized linear (mixed) models. Relations with plant community assembly were also considered, using a multivariate approach. Both vegetation layers and plant traits were affected by the age of reclaimed areas, evidencing the main changes in plant succession. Annual and exotic species decreased toward the mature stages of reclamation and target vegetation, whereas overall plant diversity (species richness) was stable. Our findings show that both vegetation layer changes and plant traits can be used to assess the degree to which reclamation efforts produce results that approach the restoration of a natural vegetation reference. Implementation of management practices aimed at favoring native perennial species (e.g. appropriate seed mixtures, mowing, tree, and shrub planting) could limit weed‐control efforts, representing a reasonable trade‐off between biodiversity promotion and invasive plant control.     

青海可可西里地区垫状植物

首次考察青海可可西里地区,共采集到种子植物约２１０ 种,隶属于３０ 科１０２ 属。其中垫状植物有８ 科１５ 属约４８ 种,分别占该地区全部种子植物科的２６．７％ 、属的１４．７％ 、种的２２．９％ 。该区是青藏高原上垫状植物最发达的地区。垫状植物按其形态结构可以划分为４ 种类型：典型（海绵体）垫状植物;密丛垫状植物;短根茎或根蘖型垫状植物;根颈辐状分枝型垫状植物。垫状植物种群或群落广泛存在于该地区各种植被类型中,并且非常发达,甚至可组成优势群落或群丛,形成大面积垫状植被景观。垫状植物是可可西里地区的先锋植物,它们的存在、繁衍、发达和衰退为其它类型植物迁入生长和漫延积累了细土和有机质,改善了生境     

沙地植被碳氮磷化学计量特征与物种多样性的关系

植被化学计量特征表征植物营养限制.它是否会影响物种多样性需要进一步探究.本研究以宁夏哈巴湖国家级自然保护区沙地油蒿群落和沙柳群落为对象,计算了植被碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量,分析了植被C、N、P生态化学计量特征对沙地植物群落物种多样性的影响.结果表明: 在流动沙丘和半固定沙丘生境中的沙柳群落,物种多样性Simpson指数与植被C/N值存在显著的负相关关系,而与植被N/P值的相关性不显著;在半固定沙丘和固定沙丘生境中的油蒿群落,物种多样性Shannon指数与N/P值存在显著正相关关系,而与C/N值存在显著负相关关系.结合C、N、P生态化学计量特征与冗余分析可知,油蒿群落和沙柳群落的植被P含量对物种多样性的影响不同,导致两个群落的植被N/P值对物种多样性产生不同的影响.     

Relationships between plant diversity,vegetation cover,and site conditions: implications for grassland conservation in the Greater Caucasus

Overgrazing, land use abandonment and increasing recreational activities have altered the vegetation of high-montane and subalpine grassland of the Caucasus. The failure of previous restoration efforts with unsuitable and exotic plant species indicates the need for information on the present vegetation and in which way it might change. Within the Greater Caucasus, we have described and quantified the mountain grassland which develops under characteristic overgrazed and eroded site conditions. Further, we have proposed potential native plant species for revegetation to restore and conserve valuable mountain grassland habitats. We used non-metric dimensional scaling ordination and cluster comparison of functional plant groups to describe a gradient of grassland vegetation cover. For our study region, we identified four major vegetation types with increasing occurrence of ruderal pasture weeds and tall herb vegetation on abandoned hay meadows within the subalpine zone. Within high-montane grassland a decline of plant diversity can be observed on sites of reduced vegetation cover. Due to a low potential of the grassland ecosystem to balance further vegetation cover damage, the long-term loss of diverse habitats can be expected. We conclude with management recommendations to prevent erosion and habitat loss of precious mountain grasslands.     

广州南沙区植物多样性及植被类型

通过实地调查,对广州南沙区的植物多样性及植被进行了研究。据统计,该区野生维管束植物共有603种,隶属于128科,388属;植被主要为湿生植被、水生植被、滩涂植被及丘陵植被等。对南沙区野生植物多样性和区系地理的分析结果表明：该地区物种集中于少数科内,科属的优势现象明显。在植物区系上,该区具有较强的热带性,但温带成分也有一定程度的入侵。最后对该区植物多样性的保护提出建议。     

Species richness, abundance, rarity and environmental gradients in coastal barren vegetation

Coastal barrens in Nova Scotia are heathlands characterised by short, predominantly ericaceous vegetation, sparse tree cover, exposed bedrock, pockets of Sphagnum bog, and stressful climatic conditions. Although coastal barrens are prominent in the physical and cultural landscape, they are largely unprotected. We selected six barrens along the Atlantic coast, and surveyed 20 1-m² plots at each barren for vascular plants, macrolichens, mosses and environmental factors. We recorded 173 species (105 vascular, 41 macrolichen, 27 moss), including six provincially rare vascular species found predominantly in nearshore areas with high levels of substrate salt and nutrients, variable substrate depth, and short vegetation. Although vascular plant and moss richness were similarly correlated with vegetation height, substrate depth, organic matter content, and rock exposure, there were no clear correlations between vascular plant, macrolichen and moss richness across all sites. Vascular plant rarity and species richness were not correlated, but had inverse relationships with key environmental gradients. Tailoring conservation efforts to protect areas of high richness may thus mean that rare species are missed, and vice versa. Ordination and ANOSIM show that barrens vegetation differs widely among sites; therefore, protecting any singular coastal barren will not protect the entire range of vegetation communities and species in this heathland type. Conservation planning should emphasize protecting environmental gradients correlated with richness, rarity and plant community structure, including substrate depth and moisture, and vegetation height. Additionally, protected areas should include a coastal-inland gradient and a diversity of substrate types, including exposed rock and trees.     

神农架大九湖湿地公园的植被现状与保护对策

大九湖湿地公园共有维管植物103科273属411种,分别占整个神农架自然保护区维管植物科、属、种的51.8%、31.3%和14.9%。在植物地理区系成分上,以温带成分为主。大九湖湿地公园的植被可划分为4个植被型组,7个植被型,20个群系。黑三棱群落(Form.Sparganium stoloniferum)和睡菜群落(Form.Menyanthes trifoliata)为中国首次记载。食虫植物黄花狸藻(Utricularia aurea)和圆叶茅膏菜(Drosera rotundifolia)及苔草群落(Form.Carexargyi)中的浮毛茛(Ranunculus natans)均为神农架地区首次记载,并且圆叶茅膏菜和浮毛茛亦为湖北省首次记载。在全面调查大九湖湿地公园植被现状的基础上,结合大九湖湿地公园存在的主要问题,提出了相应的保护对策。     

甘南玛曲植物群落的多元分析与环境解释

应用无偏对应分析（ＤＣＡ）及二岐指示种分析（ＴＷＩＮＳＰＡＮ）对玛曲１７８个植物群落样方资料进行了多斐邓和数量分类,并应用植物群落的排序值与环境参数的多元回归分析出各群类型的定量环境解释,探讨了该区植物群的基本类型生态梯度及其与环境因子的定量关系。结果表明,玛曲的植物群落类型及基分布主要取惟地热量和湿度,并可通过环境参数地数字表达式定量地确定。     

Optimal photosynthetic characteristics of individual plants in vegetation stands and implications for species coexistence

AIMS: This paper reviews the way optimization theory has been used in canopy models to analyse the adaptive significance of photosynthesis-related plant characteristics and their consequences for the structure and species composition of vegetation stands. SCOPE: In most studies simple optimization has been used with trait values optimal when they lead to maximum whole-stand photosynthesis. This approach is subject to the condition that the optimum for one individual is independent of the characteristics of its neighbours. This seems unlikely in vegetation stands where neighbour plants strongly influence each other's light climate. Not surprisingly, there are consistent deviations between predicted plant traits and real values: plants tend to be taller, distribute nitrogen more evenly among their leaves and produce more leaf area which is projected more horizontally than predicted by models. CONCLUSIONS: By applying game theory to individual plant-based canopy models, other studies have shown that optimal vegetation stands with maximum whole-stand photosynthesis are not evolutionarily stable. They can be successfully invaded by mutants that are taller, project their leaves more horizontally or that produce greater than optimal leaf areas. While these individual-based models can successfully predict the canopy structure of vegetation stands, they are invariably determined at unique optimal trait values. They do not allow for the co-existence of more than one species with different characteristics. Canopy models can contribute to our understanding of species coexistence through (a) simultaneous analysis of the various traits that determine light capture and photosynthesis and the trade-offs between them, and (b) consideration of trade-offs associated with specialization to different positions in the niche space defined by temporal and spatial heterogeneity of resources.     

Threatened Alvar Grasslands in NW Russia and their Relationship to Alvars in Estonia

Alvar grasslands are thin-soil calcareous grasslands on Silurian and Ordovician limestone bedrock. They are considered unique plant communities for northern Europe and America with a high conservation value. Until now, European alvar grasslands have only been described in Sweden and Estonia. We described species-rich alvar grasslands on the Izhora plateau, NW Russia and compared this vegetation with that of Estonian alvar grasslands. Floristic composition and environmental conditions of Russian alvars were similar to Estonian alvar grasslands on thicker dry soil. Russian alvars are isolated from similar communities in Estonia, but extensive transport of domestic animals from Estonia to NW Russia in past centuries has probably enhanced species dispersal. Some characteristic Estonian alvar species were missing in NW Russia because it lies outside their natural ranges. Other differences in vegetation were explained by higher atmospheric nitrogen deposition and younger age of Russian sites. In NW Russia the alvar grasslands were small, but several red-listed plant species were present. In order to preserve European alvar vegetation effectively, Russian alvar grasslands need further study and conservation as an outpost of this threatened vegetation type.     

Effects of fire regime on plant species richness and composition differ among forest,woodland and heath vegetation

Question

Do the effects of fire regimes on plant species richness and composition differ among floristically similar vegetation types?

Location

Booderee National Park, south‐eastern Australia.

Methods

We completed floristic surveys of 87 sites in Sydney Coastal dry sclerophyll vegetation, where fire history records have been maintained for over 55 years. We tested for associations between different aspects of the recent fire history and plant species richness and composition, and whether these relationships were consistent among structurally defined forest, woodland and heath vegetation types.

Results

The relationship between fire regime variables and plant species richness and composition differed among vegetation types, despite the three vegetation types having similar species pools. Fire frequency was positively related to species richness in woodland, negatively related to species richness in heath, and unrelated to species richness in forest. These different relationships were explained by differences in the associations between fire history and species traits among vegetation types. The negative relationship between fire frequency and species richness in heath vegetation was underpinned by reduced occurrence of resprouting species at high fire frequency sites (more than four fires in 55 years). However, in forest and woodland vegetation, resprouting species were not negatively associated with fire frequency.

Conclusions

We hypothesize that differing relationships among vegetation types were underpinned by differences in fire behaviour, and/or biotic and abiotic conditions, leading to differences in plant species mortality and post‐fire recovery among vegetation types. Our findings suggest that even when there is a high proportion of shared species between vegetation types, fires can have very different effects on vegetation communities, depending on the structural vegetation type. Both research and management of fire regimes may therefore benefit from considering vegetation types as separate management units.     

Climate and coastal dune vegetation: disturbance, recovery, and succession

The sand dune habitats found on barrier islands and other coastal areas support a dynamic plant community while protecting areas further inland from waves and wind. Foredune, interdune, and backdune habitats common to most coastal dunes have very different vegetation, likely because of the interplay among plant succession, exposure, disturbance, and resource availability. However, surprisingly few long-term data are available describing dune vegetation patterns. A nine-year census of 294 plots on St. George Island, Florida suggests that the major climatic drivers of vegetation patterns vary with habitat. Community structure is correlated with the elevation, soil moisture, and percent soil ash of each 1 m² plot. Major storms reduce species richness in all three habitats. Principle coordinate analysis suggests that changes in the plant communities through time are caused by climatic events: changes in foredune vegetation are correlated with temperature and summer precipitation, interdune vegetation with storm surge, and backdune vegetation with precipitation and storm surge. We suggest that the plant communities in foredune, interdune, and backdune habitats tend to undergo succession toward particular compositions of species, with climatic disturbances pushing the communities away from these more deterministic trajectories.     

Influences of the individualistic concept of vegetation on syntaxonomy

The individualistic concept of vegetation is based on three principles: (1) vegetation continuum, (2) ecological and chorological individuality of species and (3) multidimensional variability of vegetation. All principles reflect phenomena existing in nature. The conclusions arising from these principles are these: (1) plant communities (phytocoenoses) are not natural objects (wholes) as such but merely mixtures of plant individuals coexisting on the same site as the result of migration and environmental selection, (2) the classification of vegetation is quite arbitrary if not pseudoscientific, and (3) vegetation phenomena can be reduced to phenomena of plant individuals.The integrated concept of vegetation considers the phytocoenoses as real functional systems (wholes) where plant populations are integrated both by the environment and by interactions among and within plant populations. The principles of the individualistic concept, but not the above conclusions arising from them, are compatible with the integrated concept. Phytocoenoses limit the individualistic performance of species through restriction of ecological amplitudes and shifting of ecological optima (as compared with physiological amplitudes and optima). The individualistic behaviour of species does not exclude the formation of coenological groups of species which form a basis for the classification of vegetation according to floristic-coenological criteria. Under natural conditions, plant communities are usually interconnected by transition zones to form a vegetation continuum. Phenomena of the vegetation continuum do not cause greater difficulties in syntaxonomy than those of polymorphic taxonomic groups in plant taxonomy.     

Climate change and hydrological regime in arid lands: Impacts of dams on the plant diversity,vegetation structure and soil in Saudi Arabia

As the direct effects of climate change on the hydrological regime, Saudi Arabia has constructed more than 522 dams of various capacities as part of economic and environmental development. The study aims to assess the impact of dams on plant diversity, vegetation structure and soil in Saudi Arabia. Thirty-five stands were selected from the dams of different sizes of Saudi Arabia. Vegetation samples were established before (upstream) and after (downstream) the dam, and at the undammed (unaffected by the dam) to compare species diversity in the dam sites and undammed sites and to document the potential effects of dams on vegetation structure. A total of 151 plant species belonging to 36 families have been recorded. The vegetation associations are essentially shrubby with widespread annuals. Six novel associations were identified with the application of TWINSPAN, DCA, and CCA programs. They were named after the characteristic species as follows: VG I: Acacia gerrardii-Caralluma retrospiciens; VGII: Acacia tortilis-Maerua oblongifolia; VGIII: Lycium shawii-Farsetia aegyptiaca; VG IV: Farsetia stylosa-Cornulaca monocantha; VG V: Suaeda aegyptiaca-Salsola imbricata-Prosopis farcta and VGVI: Xanthium strumarium-Ochradenus baccatus. These plant communities are evaluated and discussed according to their floristic structure, vegetation diversity and edaphic variables. The riparian or streamside zones upstream and downstream that are periodically flooded contain highly diverse plant communities that are structured by flooding, which creates disturbance and acts as a dispersal mechanism for plants than undammed sites.