Status of the Mara Woodlands in Kenya

The woodlands of the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya have suffered dramatic declines over four decades as a result of elephant and fire pressure. This study examined the current status of woody resources in the Reserve and browse pressure thereon, using both classification (TWINSPAN) and ordination (DCA) techniques. From 333 widespread regular plots used to survey the vegetation, a total of 62 woody species were identified. Thirteen woody habitats were identified on the basis of species composition, varying from species‐rich closed thickets and forest to less diverse open grasslands. A NW/SE stratification of the more open habitats was observed, possibly as a result of differences in soils, rainfall and drainage. Both plant density and diversity were lower than in communal and privately managed areas outside the Reserve. Moreover, browser pressure was substantially higher than that observed previously in the ecosystem, and suggests increased competition for scarcer woody resources within the Reserve. This has implications for the management of the ecosystem as a whole. As woodland and thickets continue to decline, long‐term monitoring should expand to encompass the wider habitat diversity of the open grasslands and unprotected areas where much of the regeneration potential resides.     

太行山猕猴国家自然保护区木本植物群落结构和空间分布特征

多样化的森林群落为植物生长提供了不同的微生境。然而,物种在不同类型森林群落中是呈随机分布还是生态专化仍有待阐明。基于不同优势物种群落在太行山猕猴国家自然保护区建立了4个1 hm²（100 m×100 m）森林动态监测样地,采用Kruskal-Wallis方法、Betadisper检验分析不同群落间的物种组成和结构差异,利用相关网络和指示种分析探索物种-群落间的关系。结果表明,不同群落间木本植物的多度、丰富度和物种组成存在显著差异;共有5种物种同时出现在四个群落中,有43.82%（39/89）的物种分布在两个或两个以上的群落中;网络分析结果显示,物种与群落之间的连接指数为41.29%,专化指数为60.89%;指示种分析显示不同植物群落间指示物种不同。了解了太行山猕猴国家自然保护区不同群落的物种组成和群落结构特征。研究结果同时表明,木本植物在不同群落中的分布具有较高的专化特征。希望本研究能为该区域木本植物多样性维持机制的理解和物种保护提供一定参考。     

八大公山亚热带森林木质残体中大型无脊椎动物群落特征

木质残体可为大型无脊椎动物提供重要栖息地、食物等资源, 并影响其生物多样性。目前针对不同树种、径级及分解阶段的木质残体如何调控土壤大型无脊椎动物群落结构尚不清楚, 相关研究在亚热带森林地区尤为稀缺。为此, 本文选取湖南省八大公山国家级自然保护区柳杉(Cryptomeria fortunei)、亮叶水青冈(Fagus lucida)及檫木(Sassafras tzumu) 3种树种为研究对象, 每种树种分别选取两类径级(直径分别为10 ± 2 cm、4 ± 2 cm)不同分解阶段的木质残体, 对其中的大型无脊椎动物进行调查。调查于2020年10-11月完成。结果显示: 共捕获大型无脊椎动物2,558只, 隶属4门10纲23目, 不同树种的优势类群、常见类群及稀有类群均存在差异。亮叶水青冈木质残体中大型无脊椎动物个体密度显著高于柳杉和檫木。亮叶水青冈和檫木大径级木质残体中大型无脊椎动物Shannon-Wiener多样性指数显著高于小径级, 3个树种大径级木质残体中大型无脊椎动物的类群数、特有类群数均大于小径级。木质残体中大型无脊椎动物的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson优势度指数及Pielou均匀度指数与木材密度显著负相关, 表明随着分解的进行木质残体中大型无脊椎动物群落呈明显变化趋势。木质残体的理化性质(相对含水率、全氮、全碳及碳氮比)和土壤温度、湿度与木质残体中大型无脊椎动物群落特征具有相关性。研究初步表明, 大型无脊椎动物群落特征在所选树种、径级及分解阶段木质残体中具有差异, 在亚热带森林中同时保留不同树种、不同大小径级的木质残体或有利于增加大型无脊椎动物多样性。     

The Eucleo divinori — Acacietum nigricentis,a new association from the calcareous bottomland clays of the Manyeleti Game Reserve,Eastern Transvaal Lowveld,Gazankulu, South Africa

As part of a vegetation survey programme for nature conservation areas in South Africa, a survey of the plant communities of the mesic calcareous bottomland clays in the Manyeleti Game Reserve was undertaken. The Eucleo divinori — Acacietum nigricentis, a new association, is restricted to these soils. From a Braun-Blanquet analysis of the vegetation, two new subassociations, each with two variants, were identified and described. A quantitative assessment of the woody component of each syntaxon is presented. Ordinations based on the floristic and habitat data revealed the position of the syntaxa on an environmental gradient.     

Influence of microclimate and species interactions on the composition of plant and invertebrate communities in alpine northern Norway

We assessed the effects of both biotic processes and abiotic factors on the community composition of vascular plant species and invertebrates at a site in northern Norway. Plant species were assigned to functional (woody versus herbaceous) and biogeographic (boreal versus alpine) groups. Invertebrate species were classified as either herbivore or predator. When species interactions and effects of the abiotic environment were partitioned, boreal species appeared to influence the distribution of alpine species and woody species the distribution of herbaceous species. Analysis of partial correlations indicated that facilitation was the dominant mode of interaction between the two pairs of plant groups. Among abiotic factors, the thermal environment probably influenced all components of the plant and invertebrate communities, except for predatory invertebrates, and wind appeared important in determining the composition of woody and alpine components of the plant community but not the herbaceous component. The composition of the boreal component of the plant community apparently influenced the composition of all invertebrate communities, except for predatory invertebrates. The composition of the woody component of the plant community influenced the composition of both herbivore and predator communities. The alpine plant-community composition influenced predatory invertebrate community composition. Woody plant community composition influenced the composition of both herbivore and predator communities. Our analytic approach, based on two kinds of structural equation models (d-separation and path analysis), provides a useful method for identifying the biotic as well as abiotic factors that influence community structure.     

Woody vegetation of a mosaic of protected areas adjacent to the Kruger National Park,South Africa

Question: How is pattern detected and spatial scale defined in a manner that is meaningful to management? Location: Protected areas to the west of the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Methods: A Two‐Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWIN‐SPAN) based on composition and structure was applied to woody survey data. The resulting TWINSPAN classes for individual monitoring sites were used in a supervised classification of Landsat ETM⁺ imagery across the study area. The training sample's co‐ordinates were fed into a GIS and the resulting TWINSPAN point‐feature shape file was processed using a 1 km theme‐buffer function. Results: The supervised classification using the theme‐buffer signatures yielded a satisfactory overall accuracy (κ= 0.75; r²= 0.80; p= 0.05) using a test sample compiled by reserve wardens throughout the study area. The derived vegetation map was smoothed using a majority filter and after on‐screen digitizing a small gabbro intrusion, it was accepted as the best representation of the woody vegetation of the study area at a scale of 1:250 000. Seven plant communities were identified in the current study and satisfactorily accommodated within various topographical units of four extrapolated Landscapes of the Kruger National Park. Conclusions: Vegetation patterns are described of the areas under conservation management to the west of the KNP at a spatial scale that allows for the meaningful examination and comparison of the structure, functioning, and ultimately effective management, of these savannas. This contribution thus links to the co‐ordinated effort extending into the Trans‐Frontier National Park in Mocambique. A key objective is to better understand the functioning of these savanna systems for effective management and we discuss some of the key ecological issues within the plant communities of each landscape. The latter illustrate the usefulness of the technique in practice.     

Legacy effects of top–down disturbances on woody plant species composition in semi‐arid systems

Savanna vegetation is controlled by bottom‐up (e.g. soil and rainfall) and top–down (e.g. fire and herbivory) factors, all of which have an effect on biodiversity. Little is known about the relative contribution of these factors to biodiversity, particularly the long‐term effects of top–down disturbance on patterns of woody plant composition. The aim of this study was to identify if various degrees of disturbance regimes create distinct woody species community assemblages. Data were collected over 1820 plots across Kruger National Park, South Africa. Woody species were identified and categorized into one of three height classes: shrub (0.75–2.5 m), brush (2.5–5.5 m), and tree (>5.5 m). Species richness and composition were calculated for each site and height class. A combination of long‐term fire and elephant density data were used to delineate areas with varying degrees of top–down disturbance (i.e. low, medium and high). Using these degrees of disturbance, species composition was identified and community assemblages constructed according to each disturbance regime. Our results suggest that areas with similar disturbance regimes have similar species composition. Shrub composition was mainly responsive to the number of fires between the years 1941–1990, while tree composition was more responsive to elephant disturbance. A few dominant species were found equally under all degrees of disturbance at all height classes, while others were more regularly found under specific disturbance regimes at particular height classes. This study highlights that while species richness does not appear to be influenced by long‐term, top–down disturbance regimes, species community composition may be responsive to these disturbances. Most species and structural classes persisted across all disturbance regimes, but the long‐term effects of top–down disturbances can influence compositional and structural biodiversity. This information provides context for management policies related to artificial water provision, elephants and fire.     

海南岛霸王岭热带季雨林树木的死亡率

树木死亡是调节群落组成和结构的一种方式, 在森林生态系统动态中发挥着重要作用。该文在对海南岛霸王岭热带季雨林群落大量调查和树种功能群划分研究的基础上, 探索了热带季雨林群落及其不同功能群树木的死亡率及其随径级和环境条件的变化规律。结果表明: 海南岛霸王岭热带季雨林群落内树木死亡率的变化范围为3.42%-18.71%, 平均值为7.60%。按照功能群比较, 乔木死亡率显著高于灌木, 落叶树种死亡率高于常绿树种, 但具刺树种死亡率显著低于无刺树种。按照树木径级划分, 5-30 cm径级范围的死亡率均超过10%, 最高值出现在5-10 cm径级范围, 在相同径级范围内比较时, 落叶树种在 胸径(DBH ) < 5 cm时的死亡率显著高于常绿树种, 而在其他径级范围内, 二者之间无显著差异, 具刺和无刺树种的死亡率在所有径级范围内均无显著差异。乔木死亡率与群落距河流距离具有显著的相关性, 距离河流越远死亡率越高; 落叶树种和无刺树种则与坡位存在显著的相关性, 坡上部的死亡率显著高于坡中部。热带季雨林内树木的死亡率与其所处的群落生境有关, 较干旱的生境是导致树木死亡率较高的重要原因。     

Application of self-organizing neural networks to classification of plant communities in Pangquangou Nature Reserve, North China

Vegetation classification is an important topic in plant ecology and many quantitative techniques for classification have been developed in the field. The arti-ficial neural network is a comparatively new tool for data analysis. The self-organizing feature map (SOFM) is powerful tool for clustering analysis. SOFM has been applied to many research fields and it was applied to the classification of plant communities in the Pangquangou Nature Reserve in the present work. Pangquangou Nature Reserve, located at 37°20'-38°20' N, 110°18'-111°18' E, is a part of the Luliang Mountain range. Eighty-nine samples (quadrats) of 10 m x 10 m for for-est, 4 m × 4 m for shrubland and 1m x 1m for grass-land along an elevation gradient, were set up and species data was recorded in each sample. After discussion of the mathematical algorism, clustering technique and the pro-cedure of SOFM, the classification was carried out by using NNTool box in MATLAB (6.5). As a result, the 89 samples were clustered into 13 groups representing 13 types of plant communities. The characteristics of each community were described. The result of SOFM clas-sification was identical to the result of fuzzy c-mean clus-tering and consistent with the distribution patterns of vegetation in the study area and shows significant eco-logical meanings. This suggests that SOFM may clearly describe the ecological relationships between plant com-munities and it is a very effective quantitative technique in plant ecology research.     

Long-term post-fire vegetation dynamics in Pinus halepensis forests of Central Greece: A functional group approach

A hierarchical approach for plant functional classification was applied to describe long-term vegetation change in Pinus halepensis burned forests. Plant species were initially grouped according to their growth form and afterwards data on species modes of regeneration, persistence and dispersal, together with some other specific competitive advantages were explored, resulting in the identification of 29 different functional groups, 14 for woody and 15 for herbaceous species. Three types of Pinus halepensis forests were identified, according to the structure of the understorey. For each forest type, a post-fire chronosequence of communities was selected for sampling. Data sampling was performed for at least two consecutive years in each community, so as to reduce the shortcomings of the synchronic approach and to increase the age range of each chronosequence. Even though the vast majority of the functional groups proved to be persistent throughout the post-fire development of vegetation, their species richness and abundance did not remain stable. An increase of annual herb richness and abundance was recorded in the first years after the fire, with the leguminous species forming the dominant functional group. For perennial herbs, the most abundant group was of species with vivid lateral growth, while the group of species with subterranean resource organs included the highest number of species. Finally, as far as the woody species are concerned, the groups that played the most important role in defining vegetation structure were the mono-specific group of the pine, the group of resprouting sclerophyllous tall shrubs and the group of obligate seeder short shrubs (with Cistusspp., among others). A negative relationship between the abundance of woody obligate resprouters and the regeneration of woody obligate seeders was found. The advantage of the proposed functional group approach over classical floristic or structural approaches for the long-term study of communities is discussed, together with the applicability of this approach in studies of vegetation risk assessments due to fire regime alterations.     

Prescribed Fire and the Response of Woody Species in Willamette Valley Wetland Prairies

A single fall-season prescribed burn and two consecutive fall-season prescribed burns were conducted in 1988 and 1989 to quantify the effects of fire intensity and frequency on woody species in two Willamette Valley wet prairies. Fuel biomass, fuel properties, fire behavior, biomass consumption, and changes in woody species density and height were documented before and after the burns. Before burning, Rosa nutkana (Nootka rose) was the most abundant woody species at both sites. In 1988, burns were significantly more intense, produced more heat per unit area at Fisher Butte than at Rose Prairie, and were fairly complete, with 37% and 35% woody biomass consumption, respectively. In 1989, burns were spotty; only 11% of woody biomass was consumed at Fisher Butte. The one-burn treatment did not affect R. nutkana density in 1 × 15 m transects at either site; the two-burn treatment significantly increased its density in three of the five communities sampled. Burning significantly reduced height growth by eliminating taller individuals while stimulating sprouts from belowground tissues. Redistribution of R. nutkana and trees into shorter height classes indicates the possibility of reducing the visual dominance of woody species if periodic burns were conducted in native Willamette Valley prairie. The low-intensity burns in this study were sufficient to remove the woody shoots under 3 m tall but did not reduce their capacity to regenerate and did not reduce the density of woody species. After decades of fire suppression, two burns were not sufficient to reestablish the desired balance between native herbaceous and woody species or to reduce the presence of introduced woody species. A long-term commitment to the reintroduction of fire as a management tool will be required to maintain native wetland prairies in the Willamette Valley.     

广东始兴南山木本植物群落特征研究

为了研究广东始兴南山自然保护区的木本植物群落结构特征，通过在不同海拔高度设置3个1 hm²的典型植物群落样地，并对其物种组成、多样性、径级结构、生物量等进行分析。结果表明：(1)研究区共有木本植物193种，隶属于60科115属，其中中海拔样地的物种数最多，为127种，隶属于44科80属，不同样地的优势树种存在差异，优势科主要是壳斗科、樟科。(2)木本植物Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H)和Simpson多样性指数(D)在不同样地间有差异，均随海拔升高呈现降低趋势。(3)高、低海拔区域的群落径级结构主要为小径级(Ⅰ级)个体，而中海拔样地的木本植物群落径级结构以Ⅰ级为主，Ⅱ、Ⅲ 径级树木个体为辅，径级结构更加合理。(4)不同样地的木本植物根、主干、枝、叶生物量有明显变化，随海拔升高呈现升高趋势。该研究为始兴南山保护区的森林合理经营、生物多样性保护以及生产力预测提供了科学依据。     

Growth-form regulates the altitudinal variation of interspecific seed mass of woody plants in Mt. Dalaoling,the Three Gorges Region,China

Aims Seed size is one of the most important characteristics of plant seeds, and has significant implications in plant ecological functions. Exploring the altitudinal pattern of seed size would help to detect environmental constraints on species distribution and understand the linkage between plant ecological function traits Methods The present study measured the quantitative features of seed size, including weight of 1 000 grain seeds, lengths of longer and shorter axes, and analyzed the relationships between seed size and altitude, as well as the influence of growth form. Seed samples were all collected from 201 locally common woody plants (belonging to 59 families and 87 genera) in the Dalaoling Natural Reserve in Yichang City, Hubei Province.Important findings Measured values of the seed mass, the longer axis, and the shorter axis of the 201 woody plant species all follow the lognormal distribution. Measurements of seed mass vary across five orders of magnitude. Significant correlation was found between seed mass, seed length of the longer and shorter axes (R² = 0.755; 0.819; 0.630, p < 0.01). Moreover, seed mass of trees and small trees are significantly heavier than those of shrubs and woody vines. Seed mass values of evergreen broad leaved species are significantly heavier than those of deciduous broad leaved species and needle leaved species. Seed mass of all 201 species shows a slightly but statistically significant decreasing trend with the increase of altitude. In addition, altitudinal patterns of seed mass varied between species with different growth form. Our results indicated the variation of altitudinal trends of seed mass for different structural components of plant communities, implying the local community structure as a critical aspect of variation in macro-ecological patterns.     

历山自然保护区森林群落的典范主分量分析

典范主分量分析是结合环境因子数据的排序方法,能够有效地研究植物群落与环境间的关系．本文应用其对山西历山自然保护区森林群落与环境的关系进行了研究,结果表明它的双序排序图较好地描述了群落与环境的生态关系．海拔高度等地形因子是影响历山森林植被分布的主要因素,土壤有机质、N、P、Cu、Mn、Zn等对植被也有明显影响。     

Herbivore species and grazing intensity regulate community composition and an encroaching woody plant in semi-arid rangeland

Grazing by livestock can influence ecosystems in various ways, including altering plant communities, influencing woody plant encroachment, and determining livestock productivity. Evaluating long term effects of grazing on plant composition is valuable not only to understand herbivory on rangelands but to be able to address the primary factors that can threaten long term livestock productivity. We examined plant species composition and woody plant encroachment 45 years after the initiation of differing grazing treatments within a semiarid savanna of the southern Great Plains, USA. Grazing treatments varied in herbivore type (domestic cattle, sheep, and goats vs. goats only) and grazing intensity (heavy, moderate, and no-herbivory). All individual trees of Juniperus ashei Buchholz, the encroaching woody plant of the area, were removed prior to treatment initiation. Moderate and heavy grazing by a combination of species resulted in similar plant communities, while a history of heavy browsing by goats only and no-herbivory resulted in more distinct communities. Cover of J. ashei did not differ between mixed grazing and no-herbivory treatments, indicating that grazing was not responsible for woody plant encroachment. J. ashei cover within the browsed treatment was a third less compared to other treatments; compositional differences within this treatment are possibly due to reduced cover of woody vegetation. Declines in livestock productivity of the area are likely related to compositional changes resulting from increased woody plants. Livestock production within this semi-arid rangeland is likely unsustainable without management of woody plant encroachment, as communities tend to a closed canopy woodland.     

Habitat suitability for tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus lunatus

The distribution and numbers of tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus) have declined considerably in South Africa, partly due to deteriorating habitat conditions. Identifying important habitat variables will assist in managing the species. The objective of this study was to identify habitat variables important for tsessebe and to develop a predictive model of habitat selection for this species in a savanna biome. The study was conducted in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve over a 2‐year period. A total of eighteen habitat variables were measured in ten plant communities at 200 sites. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictor variables and to construct a habitat model. Tsessebe were found <2 km from the nearest source of water, in flat areas with slopes of <3° and with <10% rockiness. Their distribution was not influenced by the woody component. Sites where tsessebe were present had significantly lower grass heights and tuft heights, with a higher grass density compared with areas not utilized by tsessebe. Nitrogen and sodium levels were also higher at present sites. Habitat type and grass height were the most significant predictors of tsessebe presence. The selected model had an overall percentage prediction of 85.0%. The model was subdivided into five vegetation‐specific models and each model was tested with independent data.     

Effects of termite mounds on composition,functional types and traits of plant communities in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (Benin,West Africa)

Understanding the role of termite mounds in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is a priority for the management of tropical terrestrial protected areas dominated by savannahs. This study aimed to assess the effects of termite mounds on the diversity of plant functional types (PFTs) and herbaceous’ net aboveground primary productivity (NAPP) in plant communities (PCs) of the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve. PCs were identified through canonical correspondence analysis performed on 96 phytosociological ‘relevés’ realized in plots of 900 m². PFTs’ diversity was compared between savannahs and mounds’ plots using generalized linear models. In each plot, 7 m² subplots were harvested and NAPP was determined. Linear mixed models were performed to assess change in herbaceous NAPP regarding species richness, graminoids’ richness, specific leaf area and termite mounds. There is no specific plant community related to mounds. However, the occurrence of termite mounds induced an increase of woody and forbs diversity while the diversity of legumes and graminoids decreased. These diversity patterns led to decreasing of PCs’ NAPP. This study confirms that termite‐induced resource heterogeneity supports niche differentiation theory and increased savannah encroachment by woody species.