Pathways, mechanisms and predictability of vegetation change during tropical dry forest succession

The development of forest succession theory has been based on studies in temperate and tropical wet forests. As rates and pathways of succession vary with the environment, advances in successional theory and study approaches are challenged by controversies derived from such variation and by the scarcity of studies in other ecosystems. During five years, we studied development pathways and dynamics in a chronosequence spanning from very early to late successional stages (ca. 1–60 years) in a tropical dry forest of Mexico. We (1) contrasted dynamic pathways of change in structure, diversity, and species composition with static, chronosequence-based trends, (2) examined how structure and successional dynamics of guilds of trees shape community change, and (3) assessed the predictability of succession in this system. Forest diversity and structure increased with time but tree density stabilized early in succession. Dynamic pathways matched chronosequence trends. Succession consisted of two tree-dominated phases characterized by the development and dynamics of a pioneer and a mature forest species guild, respectively. Pioneer species dominated early recruitment (until ca. 10 years after abandonment), and declined before slower growing mature-forest species became dominant or reached maximum development rates (after 40–45 years). Pioneers promoted their replacement early in succession, while mature-forest species recruited and grew constantly throughout the process, with their lowest mortality coinciding with the peak of pioneer abundance. In contrast to prevailing stochastic views, we observed an orderly, community driven series of changes in this dry forest secondary succession. Chronosequences thus represent a valuable approach for revealing system-specific successional pathways, formulating hypotheses on causes and mechanisms and, in combination with repeated sampling, evaluating the effects of vegetation dynamics in pathway variation.     

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.     

Phytoplankton population dynamics of a small reservoir: physical/biological coupling and the time scales of community change

This paper describes the day-to-day changes in species compositionthat resulted from intermittent wind mixing of the surface watersof a small reservoir. Two major scales of community change weredetected: a short-term (>1 day) scale associated with theredistribution of cells within the basin, and a 5–14-dayscale associated with growth responses. The physical scalesof change were found to be almost identical to the biologicalscales: wind stress caused changes in the temperature gradientof surface waters at scales of a day, and major vertical mixingevents occurred at scales of 10–14 days. The presenceof buoyant species ensured that rapid advection of populationsfollowed wind events. Community change was a function of bothadvection and growth, so that both real and apparent changesin abundance occurred. The observed seasonal succession wasboth a true succession and a changing sequence of populationsdependent on horizontal advection of water within the basin.Consistent stratification was present throughout the summerperiod and phytoplankton diversity was low. Even so, the seasonalsuccession was best described as a series of allogenic perturbationsfollowed by biological restructuring of the community. Dailysampling was necessary to document fully the mechanisms drivingthe seasonal succession of species.     

不同演替阶段鼢鼠土丘群落植物多样性变化研究

用空间序列代替时间序列的方法对高寒草甸不同演替阶段高原鼢鼠土丘植物群落的物种组成和多样性变化进行了研究．结果表明,不同演替阶段鼠丘植物群落的物种组成及外貌特征与原生植被(对照)之间存在较大差异．在演替的早期阶段,r对策者如萼果香薷、灰绿藜、鹅绒委陵菜、细叶亚菊等演替先锋种在群落中占相对重要地位．随着演替的进展,k对策者如长毛风毛菊、垂穗披碱草、甘肃嵩草、线叶嵩草等在群落中的比例增加．α多样性分析表明,随着演替的进展,群落物种丰富度指数(O)显著增加,其排列顺序为：阶段1<阶段2<阶段3<阶段4<原生植被;均匀度指数(Pielou均匀度指数)的变化趋势与丰富度指数相同;多样性指数(Simpson指数D和Shannon-．Wiener指数H’)按群落的演替梯度呈增加趋势．卢多样性分析表明,阶段1与原生植被及阶段1与阶段4植物群落物种组成的相似系数最小,为0．18;阶段1与阶段2植物群落物种组成的相似系数最大,为0．62．同时,群落生活型功能群组成也随鼠丘的演替进展而发生变化,反映出不同演替阶段的鼠丘植物群落和微生境都发生了改变．     

Long-term monitoring of the succession of a microbial community in activated sludge from a circulation flush toilet as a closed system

The microbial diversity and community succession of a circulation flush toilet were investigated by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and cloning analyses. Clonal libraries of 16S rRNA gene on day 3 and day 127 were constructed. On day 3, 102 clones were sequenced; Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes accounted for 27% and 45%, respectively. On day 127, Proteobacteria had increased to 43% and Bacteroidetes had decreased to 26% of a total of 100 clones. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism peaks were identified by in silico analysis of clone libraries. The relative abundances of Nitrosomonas increased from 1% to 6% with commencement of nitrification and denitrification. Similarly, the relative abundance of terminal restriction fragments generated from Xanthomonas increased from 3% to 10%. Therefore, these bacteria could play a prominent role in this process. To reveal the relationship between stability of the microbial community and performance of the system, microbial community succession was visualized by multidimensional scaling analysis. The microbial community structure changed markedly, particularly during the start-up period of the system. The plots then became stable after the start of nitrification and denitrification. This result suggests that the succession of microbial community structure had a correlation with the performance of the system.     

Culturable bacteria community development in postglacial soils of Ecology Glacier, King George Island, Antarctica

Glacier forelands are excellent sites in which to study microbial succession because conditions change rapidly in the emerging soil. Development of the bacterial community was studied along two transects on lateral moraines of Ecology Glacier, King George Island, by culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches (denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis). Environmental conditions such as cryoturbation and soil composition affected both abundance and phylogenetic diversity of bacterial communities. Microbiocenosis structure along transect 1 (severe cryoturbation) differed markedly from that along transect 2 (minor cryoturbation). Soil physical and chemical factors changed along the chronosequence (time since exposure) and influenced the taxonomic diversity of cultivated bacteria, particularly along transect 2. Arthrobacter spp. played a pioneer role and were present in all soil samples, but were most abundant along transect 1. Cultivated bacteria isolated from transect 2 were taxonomically more diverse than those cultivated from transect 1; those from transect 1 tended to express a broader range of enzyme and assimilation activities. Our data suggest that cryoturbation is a major factor in controlling bacterial community development in postglacial soils, shed light on microbial succession in glacier forelands, and add a new parameter to models that describe succession phenomena.     

Millipede communities in rehabilitating coastal dune forests in northern KwaZulu/Natal, South Africa

The rehabilitation, after mining, of coastal sand dunes north of Richards Bay by Richards Bay Minerals began some 18 years ago, and resulted in the simultaneous availability of a known-aged series of stands representative of coastal dune forest succession.
A survey of the millipede community in this area revealed increases in species diversity and a decrease in their density, with an increase in stand age. Development of these communities is characterized by replacement and addition of species, typical of ecological succession. Colonization of areas disturbed by mining reflects on the species reservoir present in the surrounding unmined forests with apparent pioneer species being either replaced or complemented by the relatively slow invasion of secondary species.
Comparisons of age-specific millipede community variables on rehabilitating dunes with those recorded in relatively undisturbed dunes suggest that the development of communities results from autogenic succession initiated through habitat rehabilitation. With several community parameters in rehabilitating dune forests being similar to those recorded in undisturbed forests, it is concluded that the millipede community can be restored through management options based on principles relating to ecological succession.     

安太堡矿区复垦地植被恢复过程多样性变化

植被生态系统的重建是矿区复垦地恢复的主要环节之一。通过群落调查和实验分析,采用丰富度指数、物种多样性指数和均匀度指数,结合DCCA排序、多元线性回归和相关分析,研究了平朔安太堡矿区复垦地植被恢复过程中多样性的变化。群落多样性分析结果表明:(1)直接种植植被演替后期的植物种大大加速了原始植被演替进程;(2 )多样的人工配置群落比单一的人工配置群落更能促进群落向正向演替的方向发展;(3)能够适应矿区特殊生境的植被配置方式在恢复进程中与自然植被表现出一定的差异,这种差异只持续发生植被恢复的前3a,3a之后群落的演替与自然植被的演替表现出趋同性;(4)森林群落是较灌丛群落更适合安太堡矿区特殊生境的植被配置方式,其中刺槐和油松的混交效果较好。物种多样性的分析表明:(1)多样性偏高的群落与有机质和时间联系较为紧密,而多样性偏低的群落则与锰的联系较为紧密;(2 )制约矿区物种多样性变化的主要因素是土壤水分和演替时间;(3)锌对各多样性指数都有一定的影响(4)有机质、时间与丰富度指数相关显著;(5 )海拔与综合多样性指数相关显著;(6 )铜对均匀度指数的影响较大。方法的比较结果表明:(1)多元线性回归的灵敏度比相关分析高;(2 ) DCCA可以作为对定量分析的补充,解释那些在定量分析中不显著的因     

Degradation succession of heterotrophic flagellate communities in microcosms

Degradation succession of heterotrophic flagellate communities was studied in samples of detritus and water from a small swamped lake in the environs of the settlement Borok, Yaroslavl province. Three stages of succession with different species composition of the heterotrophic flagellate community were clearly recognized. Cumulative properties of the community change with time. Maximum species richness, diversity, and abundance were observed on the fourth day of succession; their values gradually decreased later. The trophic and taxonomic community structure was most diverse at the earlier stages of succession. Primordial food (bacteria) concentration affects only the size of peak community properties, but has no influence on the pattern of succession changes. The influence of predators considerably reduced heterotrophic flagellate abundance and can shift the time of the stage with maximum species diversity in the course of succession.     

Effects of human trampling and multispecies competition on early-phase development of a tread community

Effects of human trampling and multispecies competition on the development of a tread community in the first year were examined by comparing changes in the relative abundance of three main component species of tread communities,Plantago asiatica, Eragrostis ferruginea andEleusine indica, between monoculture and mixed culture along a trampling gradient. At low trampling levels in mixed culture,Ambrosia artemisiifolia var.elatior andDigitaria adscendens, which are common pioneer species of secondary succession, predominated and suppressed the tread community species. Severe trampling reduced markedly the predominance of the pioneer species, but not that of the tread community species. The maximum cover of the three tread commiunty species was lower in mixed culture than in monoculture. The trampling levels supporting the maximum cover were higher in mixed culture than in monoculture. The differences in these levels between monoculture and mixed culture varied among the three:P. asiatica< Eragrostis ferruginea<Eleusine indica. These results suggest that (1) the pioneer species interfere with the establishment of tread community species under lower trampling intensity, (2) heavier trampling reduces the competitive ability of pioneer species, while it favors the establishment of tread community species, (3), there are competitive interactions among the tread community species under higher trampling intensity, and (4) the species more susceptible to multispecies competition and tolerant to trampling are established in more heavily trampled habitats.     

基于功能性状的毛乌素沙地不同演替阶段适生植物筛选

沙地生态系统修复是恢复生态学研究的热点问题,适生植物筛选是修复的关键。植物功能性状反映了植物在不同环境中的生存策略,探究沙地植物功能性状及其与环境之间的关系,有助于筛选用于植被恢复的物种,为保护沙地生态系统提供理论依据。以毛乌素沙地为研究区,分析了1983-2015年间沙地典型飞播样地群落演替特征及其对环境因子的响应,建立基于10个植物功能性状的毛乌素沙地潜在种库,进一步筛选飞播恢复下沙地不同演替阶段的适生植物。研究表明:(1)飞播恢复下的毛乌素沙地植物群落分为三个演替阶段:固沙先锋物种群落、沙生植物为主的杂类草群落、中生植物为主的杂类草群落。(2)土壤因子是群落演替的主要驱动力,其中土壤全氮、土壤总有机碳、土壤硝态氮是影响群落演替的关键因素。(3)基于功能性状筛选出29种适生物种用于植被恢复,演替第一阶段可用雾冰藜、猪毛菜等,演替第二阶段可用拂子茅、无芒隐子草等,演替第三阶段可用草地风毛菊、猪毛蒿等。通过物种功能性状特征可以快速选择适合沙地退化生态系统修复的候选物种,为植被恢复提供了一定的理论支持。     

Bole epiphytic lichens as potential indicators of environmental change in subtropical forest ecosystems in southwest China

Lichen epiphytes are applied as excellent environmental indicators worldwide. However, very little is known about epiphytic lichen communities and their response to forest dynamics in subtropical China. This paper proposes the applications of the cover, diversity, and functional traits of epiphytic lichens to assess environmental changes associated with succession in subtropical forests of southwest China. Bole lichens were sampled from 120 plots of eight representative forest types in the Ailao Mountains. Total cover, species richness, diversity and community structure of bole lichens differed significantly among forest types, and the highest cover and diversity occurred in the Populus bonatii secondary forest (PBSF). Sixty-one indicator species were associated with particular forest types and more than 50% occurred in the PBSF. Both cover and diversity of most lichen functional groups varied regularly during forest succession. Lichen pioneer species were not displaced by competitively superior species as succession proceeds and cyanolichens were more prevalent in secondary forests. The results also highlight the importance of habitat variables such as canopy openness, host diversity, forest age, tree size, the size of the largest tree, tree density, and basal area on the lichen community. Consequently, our findings support the notion that epiphytic lichens, in terms of cover, diversity, species composition and functional traits can be used as effective indicators for large-scale and long-term forest monitoring. More importantly, the narrowly lobed foliose group was the best candidate indicator of environmental conditions in this region. The combined application of lichen indicator species and functional groups seemed to be a more reliable and more powerful method for monitoring forest dynamics in subtropical montane ecosystems.     

茂兰喀斯特山地广东松种群结构和动态初步研究

 广东松(Pinus kwangtungensis)是国家三类重点保护植物,为贵州茂兰国家自然保护区喀斯特山顶森林群落演替先锋树种和建群种之一。基于大小结构分析法、矩阵模型和分布格局距离方法,对茂兰喀斯特山地广东松种群结构和动态进行了初步研究。结果表明：(1)广东松种群大小结构近倒金字塔形,为中衰至衰退型种群;(2)广东松年龄(E)和胸径(D)的回归方程为E=59.968／(4.041-lnD);(3)广东松种群分布格局为斑块内种群个体集聚分布,斑块个体均匀分布;(4)广东松各径级度的种群密度(DS)随径级度(DG)呈S形变化,DS=1／(0.0584+0.018e-DG);(5)广东松种群为先锋种群,也能在山顶特殊生境中一定时期内与其它种群一起形成稳定群落;(6)分布格局距离方法能有效地用于亚热带森林树种的种群分布格局研究,矩阵模型能在—定程度上反映森林树种种群的数量和结构动态。     

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.

     

亚高山草甸弃耕地植物群落演替的数量研究I.群落组成分析

本文采用由植被的空间序列推断时间上演替系列的方法对甘南亚高山草甸弃耕地上的植物群落组成进行了分析。结果表明：(1)弃耕初期,莎草,禾草类在群落中的地位从开始时的71%急剧地下降到弃耕十二年时的6%;以后随着密丛型的莎草,禾草的侵入,它们地位又开始上升而恢复到30%一40%：杂类草的地位在开始时上升较快,而到了后期又有所下降;毒害草在群落中的地位基本稳定,保持在10%左右。 (2)群落的种丰富度、均匀度、Simpson多样性指数随弃耕年限增加而增大,而群落优势度随弃耕年限而减小。 (3)优势度—多样性曲线在弃耕初期为几何分布型,中后期演变为对数正态分布型,而对放牧顶极群落又近似于MacArthur分布型。     

广西英罗湾红树植物群落的研究

 对广西英罗湾红树植物群落的种类组成、类型、外貌、结构、物种多样性和演替等进行了较系统的探讨。组成群落的优势红树植物有木榄、红海榄、秋茄、桐花树、白骨壤和海漆6种,隶属6属4科。主要的群落类型有木揽群落、木榄+红海榄群落、红海榄群落、红海榄+秋茄群落、秋茄群落、秋茄+桐花树群落、秋茄+白骨壤群落、桐花树群落、白骨壤群落、白骨壤+桐花树群落和海漆群落等11个群系。群落外貌由单叶、革质、全缘、中型叶的高位芽植物决定。群落层次结构简单．单层或两层。和陆地植物群落相比较,组成群落的红树植物的物种多样性较低。受潮滩土壤质地、养分状况、环境盐度和潮淹程度以及红树植物自身对盐渍生境的适应性等因子制约,群落的分布形成了明显的生态系列。随着海平面的相对降低和土壤理化性质的改善,群落具有向陆生植物群落演化的趋势。     

塔里木盆地塔里木沙拐枣群落特征

塔里木沙拐枣(Calligonum roborowskii)主产塔里木盆地,是该地区主要防风固沙先锋树种。以塔里木盆地5个天然塔里木沙拐枣群落为研究对象,通过样方调查,对物种组成,区系成分,群落结构,物种丰富度和多样性等要素进行了初步研究,结果表明:塔里木沙拐枣天然群落共出现种子植物11种,分属6科10属;该群落植物种类组成贫乏,区系成分简单。从属的地理成分分析来看,古地中海成分明显多于温带成分;群落生活型以高位芽植物占优势,1年生植物次之;群落的垂直结构简单,可分为灌木层、草本层;从多样性指数的数量特征来看,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数的变化范围为0.808—1.175,Simpson多样性指数的变化范围为0.489—0.641。     

黄土丘陵区退耕地先锋群落演替过程中细根特征的变化

采用空间序列取代时间序列的方法,对退耕时间分别为2、4、6和8年的退耕地群落细根特征进行了分析,以探讨退耕地植被演替过程中细根特征在土壤剖面上的变化及其在演替过程中的作用.结果表明:(1)群落细根根长密度和根面积密度随植被演替显著增加;比根长、比根面积和地下/地上生物量也有增加趋势;细根平均直径随植被演替波动,但有减少趋势;(2)在土壤剖面上根长密度、根面积密度和根系生物量均随土壤深度的增加而降低.其中超过63%的根长、61%的根面积和72%的生物量分布在0～20 cm的表层土壤中;(3)根径级统计表明,多数细根直径在0～0.5和0.5～1.0 mm之间,这两级细根长度占细根总长度的80%以上;(4)逐步回归分析表明,植被演替过程中细根特征的变化主要与土壤有效氮(第2年)、有效磷(第2～8年)和土壤水分(第8年)的含量有关,且随着植被演替,2～6年退耕地中细根特征与土壤资源正相关,而第8年中二者呈负相关.这可能与植物生长对资源的需求与土壤提供资源的能力之间的平衡有关.研究表明,退耕地植被演替过程对土壤资源有一定影响,尤其是土壤水分含量显著减少;而土壤水分等土壤资源的变化又对群落产生影响,导致茵陈蒿先锋群落向地带性长芒草群落演替.     

鼎湖山植被演替过程中椎栗和荷木种群的动态

 森林群落的演替过程,是以各优势种群的动态为其表现特征的。本项研究系统地研究了鼎湖山森林植被演替过程各优势种群的动态。本文研究演替顶极建群种椎栗和荷木等阳生性种群的动态,结果表明其生态位宽度在演替过程中由入侵针叶林起逐渐开始增大,至阳生性为优势常绿阔叶树阶段时为最大,此后渐渐下降,但不会下降为零。在其演变过程中,这些阳生性的种群格局由集群分布演变为趋于随机分布;其与早期先锋种马尾松树种的生态位宽度重叠值和种间联结值由高向低转变,而与中生性树种却有较高的生态位重叠值和种间联结值,但这两方面的值在后期有减弱的趋向。这些结果一方面说明该种群的先锋特性,另一方面也说明由于成熟群落的循环更新使群落结构出现不均匀与镶嵌,使这些阳生性先锋种群 在演替的后期仍以一定数量存在。     

科尔沁沙地植被恢复系列上群落演替与物种多样性的恢复动态

通过对科尔沁沙地植被恢复系列上不同阶段的群落取样,研究了植被恢复过程中群落物种组成、物种多样性的变化过程.在演替时间分别为1年、3年、5年、12年、20年和30年的群落中,物种丰富度分别为7、11、17、14、28和30种,而物种多样性指数分别为1.458 8、2.610 0、3.108 4、1.696 8、3.738 6、3.639 6.在生活型结构上,一年生植物的种类数量占绝对优势,但随着演替进展,多年生植物的种类数量增加且单种植物的优势度超过了一年生植物,表明多年生植物在群落功能维持中占据重要地位.随演替进展,来自不同科属的植物增加.藜科植物在演替过程中种类数量较为稳定,特别是在演替早期藜科植物占有很高的优势度.禾本科种类随演替进展不断增加,且在群落中的优势度逐渐上升.总体上,随演替进展群落种类组成与物种多样性增加,群落生态优势度下降,而均匀度增加,群落趋向稳定.