Fine-scale spatial genetic structure of the distylous Primula veris in fragmented habitats

In Flanders (northern Belgium), the distylous self-incompatible perennial herb Primula veris is common, but mainly occurs in fragmented habitats. Distyly, which favours disassortative mating, is characterized in P. veris by two genetically determined floral morph types (pin or thrum). Using 18 polymorphic loci, we investigated fine-scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) and spatial distribution of the morphs within four populations from two regions that differ in degree of habitat fragmentation. We studied the contributions made by sexual reproduction and clonal propagation and compared the SGS patterns between pin and thrum morph types. Clonal growth was very restricted to a few individuals and to short distances. One population showed a non-random spatial distribution of the morphs. Pin and thrum individuals differed in SGS patterns at a small scale, suggesting intrapin biparental inbreeding, also related to high plant densities. This may be explained by partial self-compatibility of the pin morph combined with restricted seed dispersal and pollinator behaviour. There is an indication of more pronounced SGS when populations occur in highly fragmented habitats. From our findings, we may hypothesize disruption of the gene flow processes if these large populations evolve into patchworks of small remnants, but also a possible risk for long-term population survival if higher intrapin biparental inbreeding leads to inbreeding depression. Our study emphasizes the need for investigating the interactions between the heterostylous breeding system, population demographic and genetic structure for understanding population dynamics in fragmented habitats and for developing sustainable conservation strategies.     

Spatial heterogeneity in a grassland community: Use of power law

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

抚仙湖超微型浮游藻类群落结构空间分布特征

2016年7月对抚仙湖进行采样调查,研究抚仙湖超微型浮游藻类（超微藻）的空间分布特征及关键影响因子。结果表明,抚仙湖超微藻平均丰度为（8.58±3.25）×10³个/mL,其中超微蓝藻丰度显著高于超微真核藻。超微藻丰度在沿岸带较高,敞水区相对较低,北部最深点低于南部最深点;垂直方向上,超微藻丰度在水下10 m处达到最大值,随着深度的增加丰度逐渐下降。通过方差膨胀因子分析和建模得到超微藻丰度和环境因子的相关关系,水体的浊度、pH以及总磷对超微真核藻丰度有显著影响,而超微蓝藻的丰度主要是受到总磷的影响。结合流式细胞分选和高通量测序得到了抚仙湖超微真核藻的群落结构特征,主要是金藻纲、硅藻纲、甲藻纲等,其中金藻纲占绝对优势。在空间上,不同湖区和不同深度超微真核藻的群落组成也存在差异：表层水体以金藻纲、硅藻纲、甲藻纲为主;而在深层水体中超微真核藻的多样性降低,金藻纲为优势种。超微藻作为贫营养湖泊初级生产力的主要贡献者,对其组成和分布的研究有助于更全面的认识抚仙湖生态系统结构和功能。     

科尔沁沙质草地植物群落高度空间异质性对不同放牧方式的响应

放牧是影响草地植被空间异质性的重要生物驱动因素。大型草食动物会通过采食、践踏和排泄粪便等方式影响草地植被空间异质性。同时,植物群落高度是重要的草地结构参数,但目前关于不同放牧方式对草地植物群落高度空间异质性的研究较少。该研究基于传统及地统计学方法,设置未放牧(NG)、牛单牧(CG)、羊单牧(SG)、牛羊混牧(MG) 4种处理,探究科尔沁沙质草地植物群落高度空间异质性对不同放牧方式的响应。结果表明:研究样地内植物群落平均高度为SG (38.86 cm)> NG(21.01 cm)> MG (17.29 cm)> CG (13.36 cm)。各处理下变异系数的结果均为中等变异,且变异范围在37.82%–66.97%之间,依次为NG> MG> CG> SG。通过对半方差函数参数进行最适模型拟合, NG、MG、CG、SG 4种处理分别对应球状模型、指数模型、线性模型、线性模型,且结构比大小为MG (82.7%)> NG (80.3%)> SG (40.2%)> CG (39.1%)。此外,采用Kriging插值法和分形维数对研究样地内植物群...     

活血丹小尺度空间遗传结构

活血丹(Glechoma lonituba)是唇形科活血丹属的多年生克隆草本植物。采用简单重复序列区(ISSR)分子标记技术,比较分析了3个不同斑块活血丹的遗传多样性、克隆多样性以及小尺度空间遗传结构,并探讨其与生境异质性、繁殖体传播和人为干扰的相关性。结果表明:1)活血丹物种水平的遗传多样性很低,各斑块的遗传多样性较低,以水渠边斑块最高,平葛村斑块次之,竹林下斑块最低。2)活血丹物种水平的克隆多样性较高,各斑块活血丹的克隆多样性以水渠边斑块最大,平葛村斑块次之,竹林下斑块最低。3)遗传分化系数Gst为0.7129,表明活血丹的遗传变异大部分存在于斑块间;斑块间的基因流较小,仅为0.2004。4)空间自相关分析表明活血丹一定的空间距离下存在显著的空间遗传结构,竹林下斑块在100cm时存在显著性正相关,其X轴截矩为205.994cm;平葛村斑块在200cm时存在显著性正相关,其X轴截矩为235.388cm;水渠边斑块在150cm时存在显著性正相关,其X轴截矩为240.336cm。应用软件SPAGeDi 1.2软件对各斑块的空间遗传结构进行量化,表明平葛村斑块具有最强的空间遗传结构,水渠边和竹林下斑块的空间遗传结构较弱。活血丹的遗传结构、克隆结构及空间分布格局受到其繁殖体传播特征、人为干扰和繁殖权衡的影响,是其对生境异质性的适应结果。     

碱化草地群落恢复演替空间格局动态分析

对松嫩平原碱化草地1989年开始围栏封育的1hm^2样地9a间的空间格局进行了分析,结果表明：（1）不同物种斑块空间格局动态不同,在恢复演替各个阶段中的地位与作用也不同。（2）结论基本上支持了斑块化－稳定性假说。     

亚热带山地森林珍稀植物群落的结构与动态

为探讨亚热带山地常绿落叶阔叶混交林中珍稀植物群落的性质和特征,调查了长江三峡大老岭地区６类珍稀树种占优势的森林群落,分析它们植物区系与物种多样性、群落结构、种间关系及其空间格局、珍稀树种的种群结构。结果表明：①这些珍稀植物群落的区系构成中,东亚、东亚－北美和中国特有成份的比例更高;②群落内物种非常丰富,乔木层和草本层多样性尤高;③各珍稀植物群落的生活型谱相似,却与亚热带常绿阔叶林和退化次生的混交林     

黑河上游高寒退化草地狼毒种群小尺度点格局分析

植被斑块化是自然界的一种普遍现象, 斑块的形成和变化对植物种群格局的形成和变化具有重要影响。在黑河上游祁连山北坡高寒退化草地, 采用点格局分析方法, 研究了小尺度上狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)种群的种群密度、组成格局以及分布格局。结果表明: 随着狼毒种群分盖度的增大, 种群密度、领地密度和组成格局呈现规律性的变化, 斑块内部狼毒种群的数量出现增减交替变化趋势, 组成格局规律明显; 狼毒种群的分布格局表现出与尺度关联的变化趋势, 在31%-40%分盖度下, 狼毒种群在所有尺度上表现为随机分布, 在41%-50%、51%-60%、61%-70%、71%-80%分盖度下随着尺度增大, 分布格局的基本模式为: 随机—聚集—随机或均匀—随机—聚集—随机分布, 在聚集状态下, 聚集强度不同。以成株为核心的斑块内部种群表现为随机分布或均匀分布, 相对于外部表现为聚集分布, 随着成株个体数量的逐渐增多, 种群竞争关系由种间竞争转化为种内竞争, 促进了斑块扩张与合并、斑块增多与吞并, 从而实现了种群扩散。     

白音华矿区草地群落主要物种组成及空间分布

以内蒙古白音华矿区周边草地为对象,研究了矿区草地植物群落的主要物种组成及其空间分布特征。结果表明: 草地群落共出现55种植物,优势种为大针茅、黄囊苔草和糙隐子草,常见种有羊草、冰草和知母等,该6个物种的累计相对重要值为79.6%,其密度分别为 26.6、204.7、105.4、107.1、68.2和55.1株·m^-2。对6个主要物种的种群密度通过半方差函数进行模型拟合, 其种群分布分别符合指数模型、指数模型、指数模型、球状模型、线性模型和高斯模型;对其空间分布格局进行分析,各种群的结构比分别为59.2%、97.2%、89.1%、94.5%、62.6%和72.1%,表明黄囊苔草、糙隐子草和羊草种群的空间自相关性程度均较高, 主要受结构性因素影响, 而大针茅、冰草和知母种群主要受随机性因素影响。对分形维数进行分析发现, 大针茅、黄囊苔草、糙隐子草和冰草种群分布格局较简单,空间依赖性较强,而羊草和知母种群分布格局较复杂,空间依赖性较弱,结合2D及3D图看, 大针茅和知母呈现出梯度扩散,而黄囊苔草、糙隐子草、羊草和冰草则主要呈现斑块化分布,表明矿区草地群落主要物种的空间分布与开矿无显著关联性。     

东灵山暖温带落叶阔叶次生林动态监测样地:物种组成与群落结构

群落结构状态是植被演替进程中的重要体现之一,同时也是下一步演替过程发生的基础.暖温带落叶阔叶次生林是中国暖温带森林植被的主要类型.为了更好地研究其演替动态、生物多样性维持机制,我们参照巴拿马Barro Colorado Island(BCI)50 ha热带雨林样地的技术规范,于2009年11月至2010年9月在北京门头沟区小龙门森林公园的暖温带落叶阔叶次生林内建立了一块20 ha的固定样地(简称DLS),对样地内胸径≥1 cm的所有木本植物进行了鉴定、调查及定位,分析了群落的组成和结构.结果表明,样地内木本植物有58种,隶属于18科33属.独立个体的总数为52,136,包括独立个体分枝的总数为103,284,全部为落叶树种.群落的区系类型以北温带成分居多,同时混有一些亚热带和热带成分,属典型的温带森林类型.群落优势种明显,个体数最多的前5个种的个体数占到总个体数的61%,前20个种占到92%,而其余38个种只占8%.群落成层现象明显,垂直结构由主林层(19个种)、次林层(18个种)和灌木层(21个种)组成.样地所有木本植物个体总径级分布呈倒"J"型,群落更新良好.主林层树种的径级结构近似于双峰或正态分布,而次林层和灌木层树种则表现出倒"J"型或"L"型.几个主要树种的空间分布表现出不同的分布格局,随着径级增大,聚集程度降低.空间分布格局显示主要优势种自身个体在其径级大小的空间分分布上互补,不同径级的个体占据了样地内不同的空间位置.     

Fine-scale community and genetic structure are tightly linked in species-rich grasslands

Recent evidence indicates that grassland community structure and species diversity are influenced by genetic variation within species. We review what is known regarding the impact of intraspecific diversity on grassland community structure, using an ancient limestone pasture as a focal example. Two genotype-dependent effects appear to modify community structure in this system. First, the abundance of individual constituent species can depend upon the combined influence of direct genetic effects stemming from individuals within the population. Second, the outcome of localized interspecific interactions occurring within the community can depend on the genotypes of participating individuals (indicating indirect genetic effects). Only genotypic interactions are thought to be capable of allowing the long-term coexistence of both genotypes and species. We discuss the implications of these effects for the maintenance of diversity in grasslands. Next, we present new observations indicating that losses of genotypic diversity from each of two species can be predicted by the abundance of other coexisting species within experimental grassland communities. These results suggest genotype-specific responses to abundance in other coexisting species. We conclude that both direct and indirect genetic effects are likely to shape community structure and species coexistence in grasslands, implying tight linkage between fine-scale genetic and community structure.     

阿拉善左旗植物物种多样性空间分布特征

通过对内蒙古自治区阿拉善左旗的植被样方调查,研究干旱荒漠地区植物群落物种多样性的梯度变化和空间分布特征。通过对样方数据的群落生活型构成、物种丰富度、α多样性、β多样性分析,结合CCA排序和地统计方法,结果表明：（1）在该区域植物物种的α多样性和β多样性均起伏较大。（2）草本植物的丰富度由西向东呈增高趋势,而灌木的丰富度则呈降低趋势;随纬度的增加,草本植物丰富度呈现下降趋势,而灌木丰富度则显现出上升趋势。但是,38°～39．2°N之间出现了一个灌木和草本物种丰富度都相对比较低的异常区域。（3）α多样性与经度正相关,但与纬度存在负相关关系。β多样性显示,随着经度的增加,自西向东样方问物种构成的相似性降低,物种替代速率升高。随着纬度的增加,群落组成呈现逐渐单一化的趋势。（4）Shannon—Wiener指数和Shimpson指数的CO／（CO＋Cl）都在0．25—0．75之间,α多样性为中等空间相关性。CCA分析的结果表明,地理因素对于物种多样性有显著的影响,而且经度的影响大于海拔的影响。研究阿拉善左旗荒漠区植物物种多样性的梯度变化和空间分布特征,为认识和保护荒漠地区生物多样性资源提供了理论依据和实践基础。     

植物群落动态的模型分析

植物群落的动态是植物群落学的中心问题之一,包括更新、波动、演替、进化等主要内容。空间格局对种群和群落的动态起着至关重要的作用,种群空间格局和群落空间结构是群落中各种过程相互作用的产物。模型是描述群落动态、认识植物群落组建和维持机理的有效工具。本文阐述和比较了描述群落动态的四种具有代表性的经验模型,即镶嵌循环模型、随意游走模型、同资源种团比例模型、空间抢先占有模型及其机理。四种经验模型的空间性及缺陷分别是:(1)“镶嵌循环模型”考虑到了相邻斑块之间的植被空间结合在群落动态中的作用,而另外三种模型没有考虑到这一点;(2)在一定程度上,四种植物群落动态模型对各自针对的植物群落可能是适合的,但要作为描述群落动态发展的一般性模型还需要不断完善和发展;因为四种模型均没有考虑到自然干扰和人类干扰对植物群落动态的影响。作者对将来植物群落动态的研究及实践意义做出以下展望:(1)在不同空间尺度上,更加有效地评价控制群落动态变化的各种过程的相对重要性,并进一步将它们之间的复杂相互作用整合到群落动态模型中;(2)充分认识植物群落中存在的各种自然环境条件和生物群体的结构配置对植物群落动态发展的重要性;(3)重视植物群落动态发展中自然干扰过程和人类干扰过程的整合以     

Population structure and spatial pattern of Caragana tibetica communities in Nei Mongol shrub-encroached grassland

Aims The community structure and function of the shrub-encroached grassland, as well as its formation mechanism, is one of hot scientific problems in vegetation science. The spatial pattern analysis is an important means for studying plant population interactions and the relationships between plant population and environment. The shrub-encroached grassland is one major vegetation type in Nei Mongol. Knowledge on the spatial pattern of shrub can improve our understanding on adaptive characteristics of shrub to steppe environment.
Methods We chose Caragana tibetica encroached grassland distributed in Ordos City as research objects. The spatial position of each C. tibetica individual in 64 m × 64 m study plot was determined by a method of “three-distance location method”, and then the spatial pattern and intraspecific associations of C. tibetica individuals was analyzed with the point pattern analysis.
Important findings The results showed that C. tibetica population was at the rising stage. The mature individuals showed a uniform distribution at the scale of less than 3.7 m, subsequently exhibiting a random distribution with an increased scale. The juvenile individuals showed an aggregation distribution at the scale of 0.3-20.4 m, but a uniform distribution at other scales. The dead C. tibetica individuals were distributed aggregately at the scale from 0.7 to 1.4 m, but randomly at other scales. An indistinctive positive association was found for live C. tibetica individuals to dead individuals at the scale of less than 9.9 m, but no associations was found between them at other scales. The mature individuals negatively interacted with juveniles at the scale of larger than 2.2 m, but unassociated at the other scales.     

科尔沁沙地草地植被恢复演替进程中群落优势种群空间分布格局研究

通过对处于流动沙地、半固定沙地和固定沙地等不同恢复演替阶段的群落的取样调查 ,研究了科尔沁沙地草地植被恢复进程中群落优势种群的空间分布格局及其动态变化。运用扩散系数、聚集指数、平均拥挤度、聚块性指数、Green指数、聚集强度、Poisson分布和负二项分布的 χ2 拟合检验等 7项指标 ,对群落优势种群的分布格局的研究结果基本一致 ,大多数物种的空间分布呈显著的聚集分布。在演替进程中种群格局强度的变化和群落总体聚集程度的变化与种群动态和群落结构的空间异质性相对应 ,较高的聚集程度是种群分布斑块化和群落结构的空间异质性的反映 ,随着演替进展 ,优势种的种群数量扩展 ,但种群分布的聚集强度下降 ,群落结构的空间异质性降低。在 7种测定分布格局的指标中 ,聚块性指数、Green指数和聚集强度是无量纲的指标 ,其大小不受种群大小的影响 ,其变化可以较好地指示格局强度本身的变化 ,并与种群动态和群落结构变化相联系     

Components of spatial patterning in a serpentine grassland

We analyzed the components of spatial patterning in species abundance in a diverse grassland dominated by early season, annual forbs. Species abundance, soil depth and gopher disturbances were measured by means of a nested spatial design on two 8m×20m plots that differed in the amount of larger scale variability in soil depth. Species distributions at the scale of the 10cm×10cm quadrat were highly clumped, with a decline in clumping with mean abundance. Even with the effect of abundance on clumping removed, species showed differences in the degree of clumping and these differences were consistent between the two plots. The abundance of the species and the frequency of disturbance correlated weakly to moderately with soil depth. Semivariance analyses indicated that the most common species all showed complex spatial patterning at a range of scales. Some of this variation corresponded to patterns of soil depth variation and patterns of gopher disturbance; however, a large amount of the spatial patterning in species abundance remains unexplained.     

Fine-scale spatial genetic structure and gene dispersal in Silene latifolia

Plants are sessile organisms, often characterized by limited dispersal. Seeds and pollen are the critical stages for gene flow. Here we investigate spatial genetic structure, gene dispersal and the relative contribution of pollen vs seed in the movement of genes in a stable metapopulation of the white campion Silene latifolia within its native range. This short-lived perennial plant is dioecious, has gravity-dispersed seeds and moth-mediated pollination. Direct measures of pollen dispersal suggested that large populations receive more pollen than small isolated populations and that most gene flow occurs within tens of meters. However, these studies were performed in the newly colonized range (North America) where the specialist pollinator is absent. In the native range (Europe), gene dispersal could fall on a different spatial scale. We genotyped 258 individuals from large and small (15) subpopulations along a 60 km, elongated metapopulation in Europe using six highly variable microsatellite markers, two X-linked and four autosomal. We found substantial genetic differentiation among subpopulations (global F_ST=0.11) and a general pattern of isolation by distance over the whole sampled area. Spatial autocorrelation revealed high relatedness among neighboring individuals over hundreds of meters. Estimates of gene dispersal revealed gene flow at the scale of tens of meters (5–30 m), similar to the newly colonized range. Contrary to expectations, estimates of dispersal based on X and autosomal markers showed very similar ranges, suggesting similar levels of pollen and seed dispersal. This may be explained by stochastic events of extensive seed dispersal in this area and limited pollen dispersal.     

Shallow subtidal macroalgae in the North-eastern Atlantic archipelagos (Macaronesian region): a spatial approach to community structure

Shallow subtidal macroalgal communities in the North-eastern Atlantic archipelagos (Azores, Madeira, Canaries and Cape Verde) were studied in order to identify their spatial organization patterns and the main drivers of change. Fifteen islands and 145 sites across 15º of latitude and 2850 km were sampled. We found high spatial variability across the scales considered (archipelago, island and site). The structure of macroalgal communities differed among archipelagos, except between Madeira and the Canaries, which were similar. Across a latitudinal gradient, macroalgal communities in the Azores were clearly separated from the other archipelagos; communities in Madeira and the Canaries occupied an intermediate position, while those in Cape Verde appeared at the opposite end of the gradient. In the Azores, species with warm-temperate affinities dominated communities. Cape Verde communities were, in contrast, dominated by tropical taxa, whereas in the subtropical Canaries and Madeira there was a mixture of species with colder and warmer affinities. Apart from crustose coralline algae, the Dictyotales were the group with greatest cover; larger and longer-lived species were progressively replaced by short-lived species along a latitudinal gradient from north to south. The perennial species Zonaria tournefortii dominated the sea-bottom in the Azores, the semi-perennial Lophophora variegata in the Canaries, the filamentous algae in Madeira and the ephemeral Dictyota dichotoma in Cape Verde. We hypothesized that the differences among archipelagos could be explained by synergies between temperature and herbivory, which increased in diversity southwards, especially in Cape Verde. This was supported by the predominance of non-crustose macroalgae in the Azores and of crustose macroalgae in Cape Verde, as would be predicted from the greater herbivore activity. At the scale of islands and sites, the same set of environmental variables drove differences in macroalgal community structure across all the Macaronesian archipelagos.