Richness of species and growth-forms within sclerophyll and mesophyll vegetation in eastern Australia

Abstract The patterns in total species richness and in the richness of the dominant growth-forms of vegetation communities of coastal sclerophyll and mesophyll vegetation in eastern Australia are examined. Plant species richness data were obtained from two 500 m² quadrats from 50 sites within a single geographical region north of Sydney, New South Wales. Concentrically nested subquadrats within each quadrat enabled the determination of species-area relationships for total species richness and its components. Three growth-forms were examined (trees, shrubs and ground cover) and patterns in the richness of these components were compared to those exhibited by total species richness. Total species richness was higher in sclerophyll communities on Hawkesbury Sandstone soils than in adjacent mesophyll communities on Narrabeen shales and sandstones. Significant patterns in total species richness within the two soil types were also found. Shrub and ground cover species richness showed strong correlations with total species richness, with higher richness in the sclerophyll communities. However, tree species richness contributed little to the patterns in total species richness. The results of this study suggest that differential patterns in the components of total species richness must be taken into account for effective modelling of natural areas based on species richness and diversity parameters.     

Vegetation Succession After Bauxite Mining in Western Australia

Alcoa World Alumina Australia has been rehabilitating bauxite mines in the jarrah forest of Western Australia for more than 35 years. An experiment was established in 1988 using three different seed treatments (legume and small understorey mix, small understorey mix only, and no seed) and two fertilizer treatments (N and P, and P only). The objectives of this study were to (1) document vegetation changes in the first 14 years after bauxite mining; (2) assess whether the vegetation is becoming more similar to the unmined forest; and (3) gain a better understanding of successional processes. Seed treatments significantly affected 13 of the 14 measured vegetation characteristics. Native species richness was higher in seeded than in unseeded sites at 1, 2, and 5 years of age, whereas diversity and evenness were generally higher at all assessment ages. Exotic species density was higher in unseeded than in seeded sites from 5 years onward, whereas richness was higher from 8 years onward. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased exotic species richness, density, and cover. Ephemerals dominated plant density in all rehabilitation treatments over time, whereas seeder species dominated cover. In contrast, resprouting species dominated density and cover in the unmined forest. Orchids were the only species that were not present in the first year in rehabilitated sites but increased in abundance over time. Vegetation composition in rehabilitated areas did not become more similar to the unmined forest during the 14 years since seeding, instead strongly reflected the initial species mix. Rehabilitated bauxite mines appear to follow the initial floristic composition model of succession.     

黄龙山不同白桦林群落结构特征研究

在黄龙山林区以4种不同白桦林群落类型为研究对象,共设置20 m×20 m的样地15块,从林分特征、物种组成、物种多样性、灌木和草本生物量及乔木蓄积量等方面,对不同白桦林群落类型结构特征进行调查分析.结果显示：（1）群落B林（白桦＋茶条槭昆交）中白桦林分状况为最好,其次为群落A（油松＋白桦混交林）,群落D（自桦纯林）最差;（2）不同群落中植物种类分别为群落A（51种）＞群落B（49种）＞群落D（48种）＞群落C（38种）;（3）物种多样性指数为群落A＞群落B＞群落C＞群落D;（4）不同群落内草本和灌木总生物量排序为群落D（73.19t·hm^-2）＞群落B（65.07 t·hm^-2）＞群落C（59.93 t·hm^-2）＞群落A（44.82 t·hm^-2）,乔木蓄积量为群落A（123.50 m^3·hm^-2）＞群落D（69.50 m^3·hm^-2）＞群落B（53.25 m^3·hm^-2）＞群落C（50.25 m^3·hm^-2）.研究结果表明,黄龙山不同白桦林群落中混交林在生长状况、物种组成、物种多样性和生物量方面均优于纯白桦林.表明白桦混交林对保持黄龙山森林群落稳定性,提高林分质量,实现白桦林向松栎林的逐渐过渡有重要意义.     

Species composition and community structure of small pest rodents (Muridae) in cultivated and fallow fields in maize‐growing areas in Mayuge district,Eastern Uganda

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浙江舟山群岛山茶所在群落物种组成及多样性

以山茶Camellia japonica 所在的阔叶林和灌丛群落为研究对象,通过典型样地调查,对物种组成及多样性进行研究。结果表明,8 个植物群落共调查到维管束植物147 种,隶属于65 科118 属;地理成分多样,热带成分大于温带、亚热带成分,表现为亚热带向暖温带过渡的性质,同时反映出群落所在生境热量条件相对优越。山茶所在的阔叶林群落中,乔木层的丰富度和Shannon-Wiener 指数与演替趋势呈明显的负相关关系,处于岛屿较高海拔的灌丛和疏林,其灌木层和藤本层的丰富度和Shannon-Wiener 指数大于阔叶林;受相应群落乔木层的优势种红楠Machilus thunbergii、青冈Cyclobalanopsis glauca 或台湾蚊母树Distylium gracile 以及更新层的舟山新木姜子Neolitsea sericea 优势突出影响,乔木层与更新层的Pielou 指数波动幅度较大。     

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

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濒危植物野生东北红豆杉群落特征及保护策略

以长白山自然保护区野生东北红豆杉种群为研究对象,在野生东北红豆杉的主要分布区设置4块标准地(50 m×50 m),运用群落生态学方法统计野生东北红豆杉的树木特征(树高、胸径、冠幅等),立地条件,林分状况等,分析野生东北红豆杉在分布地区的群落物种多样性特征。所调查的4个样地共有木本植物32种,隶属17科24属,草本植物53种,隶属于23科41属。不同样地的Simpson指数和Shannon指数变化一致,样地C4的均匀度Pielou指数为草本层>灌木层>乔木层,其余的样地均为灌木层>乔木层>草本层。Margalef丰富度指数显示,除了样地C4的草本层物种丰富度最大之外,其余3个样地都是乔木层物种丰富度指数最大。在4个样地中,野生东北红豆杉的重要值偏低,在群落中不占优势。野生东北红豆杉所在的群落主要以红松、长白鱼鳞云杉、紫椴等针阔叶树种组成的混交林。根据这种现象,提出了野生东北红豆杉的保护策略,为野生东北红豆杉资源的保护、繁育和利用提供了合理建议和有效途径。     

Early Dynamics of Plant Communities on Revegetated Motorway Slopes from Southern Spain: Is Hydroseeding Always Needed?

The increasing global rate of road construction is leading to a parallel increase of areas of degraded soil conditions and steep slopes that need revegetation. Hydroseeding with commercial seeds of fast‐growing grasses and legumes is a common practice in revegetation of motorway slopes. We carried out 3 years of monitoring of vegetation dynamics on hydroseeded and nonhydroseeded motorway slopes (48 slopes) in a maritime Mediterranean zone in Málaga (southern Spain). Our main objectives were to test whether hydroseeding significantly increases species richness and plant cover and whether hydroseeded species act as starters, facilitating the establishment of the vegetation and quickly disappearing once the communities are established. A hydroseeding success index (HSI, ranging from 0 to 1) was used to assess the relative abundance over time of the 14 species from the hydroseeding mixture. Species richness and cover was significantly higher on embankments (50–70 species per embankment, 80–90% cover) than on roadcuts (6–10 species per roadcut, 18–30% cover). Performance of hydroseeded species was poor from the very beginning (HSI, 0.2–0.3). On embankments, either presence or abundance of hydroseeded species did not significantly vary throughout the study. Both hydroseeded and nonhydroseeded communities exhibited a significant decrease in species richness, a significant increase in plant cover, and a highly dynamic species composition over time, with Sorensen index of 0.3–0.5 between years. There were no significant differences in plant cover, species richness, and aboveground biomass between hydroseeded and nonhydroseeded plots on embankments throughout the study. Our results demonstrate that there are situations in which the use of hydroseeding for revegetation is not needed. Further research should focus on understanding the establishment of autochthonous species and identifying environmental conditions under which the addition of commercial seeds may not be needed, or indeed situations where it may be harmful in suppressing autochthonous species.     

Mycorrhizal fungal identity and richness determine the diversity and productivity of a tallgrass prairie system

We investigated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) species richness and composition on plant community productivity and diversity, and whether AMF mediate plant species coexistence by promoting niche differentiation in phosphorus use. Our experiment manipulated AMF species richness and identity across a range of P conditions in tallgrass prairie mesocosms. We showed that increasing AMF richness promoted plant diversity and productivity, but that this AMF richness effect was small relative to the effects of individual AMF species. We found little support for AMF-facilitated complementarity in P use. Rather, the AMF richness effect appeared to be caused by the inclusion of particular diversity- and productivity-promoting AMF (a sampling effect). Furthermore, the identity of the diversity-promoting fungi changed with P environment, as did the relationship between the diversity-promoting and productivity-promoting benefits of AMF. Our results suggest that plant diversity and productivity are more responsive to AMF identity than to AMF diversity per se, and that AMF identity and P environment can interact in complex ways to alter community-level properties.     

四川兴文石海小岩湾园区植物群落物种组成与多样性初探

通过野外调查,对世界地质公园四川兴文石海的小岩湾代表性园区植物群落物种组成进行统计分析,结果表明,该园区共有植物48科82属90种,其中天坑物种最丰富(75种),3个溶蚀洼地52种,猴子潭种类最少(12种)。采用香农指数对几个植物群落物种的多样性进行比较,香农指数H'由高到低依次为:天坑(4.056) >溶蚀洼地Ⅰ(2.882) >溶蚀洼地Ⅱ(2.878) >猴子潭(2.821) >溶蚀洼地Ⅲ(2.258),表明天坑物种多样性指数最高,溶蚀洼地Ⅰ和Ⅱ其次,猴子潭地区物种多样性较低,溶蚀洼地Ⅲ最低。建议对石漠化地区植被和植物群落进行深入研究,同时加强对该区植被的保护力度。     

香港桃金娘灌木群落植物生物量和净第一性生产量

本文研究香港桃金娘灌木林植物生物量和净第一性生产量。结果表明：（１）桃金娘茎的直径与高度与各组分的生物量有明显的相关关系。（２）桃金娘叶子占地上部活植物生物量的２０．２％,花和果如果以它的峰值计算,其占地上部活植物生物量的９．６％,茎和枝占７０．４％。（３）地上部和地下部活植物生物量分别为１５５３ｇｍ－２和１４０８ｇｍ－２,其中桃金娘分别占８５％和８２％。（４）桃金娘叶子生物量在研究期间的波动较大,但没有以年为周期的季节变化。花和果的变化则较有规律,花蕾通常于３或４月开始形成,到７月底达到峰值,然后开始下降。（５）桃金娘的净生产量为８２０ｇｍ－２ａ－１,其中,花和果占１５．２％,茎和枝占１８．８％,根和叶分别占２１．３％和４３．７％。灌木林的净第一性生产量为１０１０ｇｍ－２ａ－１。（６）由于未考虑草食和根系的枯死损失,本研究所得的净第一性生产量（尤其是根的生产量）可能偏低。     

Assessing the Relative Sensitivity of Aquatic Organisms to Divalent Metals and Their Representation in Toxicity Datasets Compared to Natural Aquatic Communities

We compared the composition and richness of acute and chronic toxicity datasets for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn to several natural aquatic communities. The richness of acute datasets was reasonably representative, with the largest toxicity datasets containing a higher number of genera than some natural aquatic communities. Acute datasets also had a reasonably diverse composition compared to natural aquatic communities, although insects were under-represented and cladocerans over-represented. Given this robustness, we suggest manipulation of large acute datasets (Cd, Cu, Zn) to account for site-specific differences in aquatic community composition can be accomplished with confidence and that this will not result in under-protection of sensitive taxa. In contrast, the chronic datasets were not representative of natural aquatic communities in terms of composition or richness. Chronic dataset richness is an order of magnitude less than natural aquatic communities. Chronic datasets have minimal representation of insects, whereas cladocera and salmonids are grossly over-represented in some cases. Further, no real patterns in the relative sensitivity of genera groups can be discerned with such limited data. As a result, we conclude there is considerable uncertainty regarding how biases in genera representation may lead to under- or over-protection of aquatic communities on a chronic basis. Given this, manipulation of chronic datasets to better reflect site-specific aquatic communities is not recommended without additional chronic testing using a wider diversity of aquatic genera.     

Species Turnover and Vertical Partitioning of Ant Assemblages in the Brazilian Amazon: A Comparison of Forests and Savannas1

We measured beta diversity, or turnover in species composition, of ant assemblages inhabiting patches of forest and savanna (cerrado) near Alter do Chão, in the Brazilian Amazon. In addition, we assessed vertical partitioning of these assemblages by comparing the ground and lower vegetation strata within each habitat. Ants attracted to sardine baits were collected along transects in 39 savanna and 34 forest sites scattered over a 16 km × 16 km landscape. There were about twice as many species in the forest as in the savanna, and within both habitats, we collected more species on the ground than in the vegetation. Similar results were obtained when analyzing data at the level of individual transects, indicating that ant species richness is affected by both habitat and strata. About two‐thirds of the species recorded in the savanna were also found in the forest. Within both habitats, a large proportion of the species found in the least species‐rich stratum (vegetation) were also found in the richer one (ground). However, ordination analysis, using data from individual transects, revealed that different habitats and strata can be clearly discriminated from each other in terms of their ant species composition. Each habitat and stratum had a number of characteristic (indicator) species which, although generally not exclusive to that particular habitat and stratum, predominated there. Our findings indicate that habitat and strata specialization is an important factor governing the organization of ant communities in Amazonia.     

Comparison of Bird Communities in Primary vs. Young Secondary Tropical Montane Cloud Forest in Guatemala

Cloud forests in central Guatemala are fragmented and decreasing in area due to slash-and-burn agricultural activities. We studied bird species composition, abundance, guild composition, and site tenacity of a 102 ha plot located in a cloud forest region of the Sierra Yalijux in Guatemala, half of which was primary forest and half young secondary forest (<7-years-old). Of the 100 species present 14 were restricted to the Endemic Bird Area ‘Northern Central American highlands’ (i.e. 66% of a total of 21 endemics). Five of the 100 analysed species, including one of the restricted-range species (Troglodytes rufociliatus), had a significantly different abundance in primary and secondary forests. Theoretical analysis suggests that seven species out of a community comprised of 141 bird species are already extirpated and only three out of the 14 present restricted-range species might survive the current state of deforestation. Insectivores were the dominant guild on the plot in terms of numbers of species, followed by omnivores, frugivores and granivores. However, in terms of individuals, omnivores made up nearly half of the bird individuals in primary forest, but declined by 44% in secondary forest, whereas granivores more than doubled in this habitat type. Numbers of species per guild were not significantly different between habitats, while numbers of individuals per guild were significantly different. In general, individuals per species are significantly different in the two habitats. Results suggest that most of the species that are currently surviving in the remnant forests of the Sierra Yalijux might be fairly well adapted to a range of forest conditions, but that populations of a number of restricted-range species might be small. Even generalists species like the Common Bush Tanager (Chlorospingus ophthalmicus) are less abundant in secondary vegetation than in primary forest of the study plot.     

Patterns of tree species richness in relation to environment in southeastern New South Wales,Australia

Abstract We present regression models of species richness for total tree species, two growth forms, rainforest trees (broadleaf evergreens) and eucalypts (sclerophylls), and two large subgenera of Eucalyptus. The correlative models are based on a data set of 166 tree species from 7208 plots in an area of southeastern New South Wales, Australia. Eight environmental variables are used to model the patterns of species richness, four continuous variables (mean annual temperature, rainfall, radiation and plot size), plus four categorical factors (topographic position, lithology, soil nutrient level and rainfall seasonality). Generalized linear modelling with curvilinear and interaction terms, is used to derive the models. Each model shows a significant and differing response to the environmental predictors. Maximum species richness of eucalypts occurs at high temperatures, and intermediate rainfall and radiation conditions on ridges with aseasonal rainfall and intermediate nutrient levels. Maximum richness of rainforest species occurs at high temperatures, intermediate rainfall and low radiation in gullies with summer rainfall and high nutrient levels. The eucalypt subgenera models differ in ways consistent with experimental studies of habitat preferences of the subgenera. Curvilinear and interaction terms are necessary for adequate modelling. Patterns of richness vary widely with taxonomic rank and growth form. Any theories of species diversity should be consistent with these correlative models. The models are consistent with an available energy hypothesis based on actual evapotranspiration. We conclude that studies of species richness patterns should include local (e.g. soil nutrients, topographic position) and regional (e.g. mean annual temperature, annual rainfall) environmental variables before invoking concepts such as niche saturation.     

中国不同地理区域鸟兽物种丰富度的相关性

生物类群之间物种丰富度的相关性研究是当前物种多样性研究中的热点问题之一,目前,中国尚无相关的研究报道。我们收集了中国三种区域类型：动物地理亚区、行政区和保护区的鸟兽名录,分析了行政区与保护区、动物地理区和经纬度带中鸟兽物种数比值及其相关性。 结果表明：不同区域、动物地理区和经纬度带中鸟兽物种数都显著相关。保护区尺度鸟兽物种 数的相关系数为0.818和动物地理区中的华北区为0.768,其他所有区域和地理区域的鸟兽物 种数的相关系数都高于0.850。因此,鸟兽物种数的相关关系在一定程度上具有预测价值。我们发现不同区域鸟兽物种数比值无显著性差异;但是,不同区域间鸟兽物种数 比值差异显著。该比值在中国呈中间低四周高的分布趋势,其中东北地区最高。我们还利用历史累积调查数据与非历史累积调查数据进行了鸟兽物种数比值及其相关性分析,发现利用累积数据计算的相关性低于非累积数据计算的相关性,但利用累积数据计算的鸟兽物 种数比值高于非累积数据计算的比值。最后,探讨了为什么鸟类与兽类的物种数目会相关。我们根据物种－面积公式,S=CA^Z,导出了两个生物类群物种丰富度的相关关 系式。利用全国不同区域数据拟合,得到Z₁/Z₂＝0.913,Z₁/Z₂接近于1。于是 ,C₁/C2可视为近似等于R_am。本研究可推广到其他不同生物类群物种。物种数量的相关关系为快速评估区域的物种多样性提供了一条途径。     

Forest Invasibility in Communities in Southeastern New York

While biological invasions have been the subject of considerable attention both historically and recently, the factors controlling the susceptibility of communities to plant invasions remain controversial. We surveyed 44 sites in southeastern New York State to examine the relationships between plant community characteristics, soil characteristics, and nonnative plant invasion. Soil nitrogen mineralization and nitrification rates were strongly related to the degree of site invasion (F= 30.2, P < 0.0001 and F= 11.8, P < 0.005, respectively), and leaf C : N ratios were negatively correlated with invasion (R ²= 0.22, P < 0.0001). More surprisingly, there was a strong positive relationship between soil calcium levels and the degree of site invasion (partial r= 0.70, P < 0.01), and there were also positive relationships between invasion and soil magnesium and phosphorus. We found, in addition, a positive factor-ceiling relationship between native species diversity and invasive species diversity. This positive relationship between native and invasive diversity contradicts earlier hypotheses concerning the relationships between species diversity and invasion, but supports some recent findings. Cluster analysis distinguished two broad forest community types at our sites: pine barrens and mixed hardwood communities. Invaders were significantly more abundant in mixed hardwood than in pine barrens communities (Mann–Whitney U = 682.5, P < 0.0001). Even when evaluating the mixed hardwood communities alone, invasion remained significantly positively correlated with soil fertility (calcium, magnesium, and net nitrogen mineralization rates). Soil texture and pH were not useful predictors of the degree to which forests were invaded. Nitrogen and calcium are critical components of plant development, and species better able to take advantage of increased nutrient availability may out-perform others at sites with higher nutrient levels. These results have implications for areas such as the eastern United States, where anthropogenic changes in the availability of nitrogen and calcium are affecting many plant communities.