Tree replacement patterns in subalpine Abies-Betula forests,Wolong Natural Reserve,China |
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Authors: | Alan H. Taylor Oin Zisheng |
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Affiliation: | (1) Department of Geography, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, 21228 Catonsville, MD, USA;(2) Department of Biology, Nanchong Teacher's College, Nanchong, Sichuan, People's Republic of China |
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Abstract: | Vegetation in canopy gaps of two old-growth Abies-Betula forest stands, one with bamboo the other without, was measured. The structure of gap vegetation at each site was used to derive tree replacement probabilities. Transition probabilities indicate different tree replacement trends in forests with bamboo compared to those without. Projected compositions show Betula to be the most abundant species in bamboo stands while Abies remains most abundant where bamboo was absent. A dense bamboo sward seems to reduce the probability of Abies filling gaps by inhibiting establishment and growth of seedlings. Bamboo preempts space after canopy gap formation by increasing shoot production which reduces opportunities for establishment and growth of other woody species. Differences in dispersal ability and longevity of Abies and Betula appear to be important factors contributing to their coexistence forests with a small canopy gap disturbance regime. |
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Keywords: | Bamboo Canopy gap China Disturbance Fir-birch forest Regeneration Sinarundinaria |
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