Plant species diversity is one of the most widely used indicators in ecosystem management.The relation of species diversity with the size of the sample plot has not been fully determined for Oriental beech forests(Fag...Plant species diversity is one of the most widely used indicators in ecosystem management.The relation of species diversity with the size of the sample plot has not been fully determined for Oriental beech forests(Fagus orientalis Lipsky),a widespread species in the Hyrcanian region.Assessing the impacts of plot size on species diversity is fundamental for an ecosystem-based approach to forest management.This study determined the relation of species diversity and plot size by investigating species richness and abundance of both canopy and forest floor.Two hundred and fifty-six sample plots of 625 m^(2) each were layout in a grid pattern across 16 ha.Base plots(25 m×25 m)were integrated in different scales to investigate the effect of plot size on species diversity.The total included nine plots of 0.063,0.125,0.188,0.250,0.375,0.500,0.563,0.750 and 1 ha.Ten biodiversity indices were calculated.The results show that species richness in the different plot sizes was less than the actual value.The estimated value of the Simpson species diversity index was not significantly different from actual values for both canopy and forest floor diversity.The coefficient of variation of this index for the 1-ha sample plot showed the lowest amount across different plot sizes.Inverse Hill species diversity was insignificant difference across different plot sizes with an area greater than 0.500 ha.The modified Hill evenness index for the 1-ha sample size was a correct estimation of the 16-ha for both canopy and forest floor;however,the precision estimation was higher for the canopy layer.All plots greater than 0.250-ha provided an accurate estimation of the Camargo evenness index for forest floor species,but was inaccurate across different plot sizes for the canopy layer.The results indicate that the same plot size did not have the same effect across species diversity measurements.Our results show that correct estimation of species diversity measurements is related to the selection of appropriate indicators and plot size to increase the accuracy of the estimate so that the cost and time of biodiversity management may be reduced.展开更多
An improved understanding of biodiversity-productivity relationships(BPRs)along environmental gradients is crucial for effective ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.The stress-gradient hypothesis sugges...An improved understanding of biodiversity-productivity relationships(BPRs)along environmental gradients is crucial for effective ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.The stress-gradient hypothesis suggests that BPRs are stronger in stressful environments compared to more favorable conditions.However,there is limited knowledge regarding the variation of BPRs along elevational gradients and their generality across different landscapes.To study how BPRs change with elevation,we harnessed inventory data on 6,431 trees from152 plots surveyed twice in eight to ten year intervals in mountain forests of temperate Europe and subtropical Asia.We quantified the relationship between aboveground productivity and different biodiversity measures,including taxonomic,functional,and phylogenetic diversity.To elucidate the processes underlying BPRs,we studied the variation of different functional traits along elevation across landscapes.We found no general pattern of BPRs across landscapes and elevations.Relationships were neutral for all biodiversity measures in temperate forests,and negative for taxonomic and functional diversity in subtropical forests.BPRs were largely congruent between taxonomic,functional and phylogenetic diversity.We found only weak support for the stress-gradient hypothesis,with BPRs turning from negative to positive(effect not significant)close to the tree line in subtropical forests.In temperate forests,however,elevation patterns were strongly modulated by species identity effects as influenced by specific traits.The effect of traits such as community-weighted mean of maximum plant height and wood density on productivity was congruent across landscapes.Our study highlights the context-dependence of BPRs across elevation gradients and landscapes.Species traits are key modulating factors of BPRs and should be considered more explicitly in studies of the functional role of biodiversity.Furthermore,our findings highlight that potential trade-offs between conserving biodiversity and fostering ecosystem productivity exist,which require more attention in policy and management.展开更多
Diversity-biomass relationships(DBRs)in terrestrial ecosystems tend to vary across spatial scales,but,particularly in hyperdiverse forests,the mechanisms driving these trends remain uncertain.Until now,few have simult...Diversity-biomass relationships(DBRs)in terrestrial ecosystems tend to vary across spatial scales,but,particularly in hyperdiverse forests,the mechanisms driving these trends remain uncertain.Until now,few have simultaneously investigated the connections between tree species diversity,stand structural diversity,mycorrhizal associations,and ecosystem functioning.In addition,DBRs have only been studied at limited spatial scales,with limited focus on the direct and indirect effects of environmental factors.We addressed these research gaps using a 30-ha forest dynamics plot located in Pu'er City,Southwest China.Through piecewise structural equation models,we quantified the direct effects of tree species diversity(α,β,γ),stand structural diversity,mycorrhizal associations(AM,EcM),and the environmental factors(soil fertility and topography),as well as the indirect effects of the environmental factors on aboveground tree biomass across spatial scales ranging from 400 to 230,400 m^(2).We hypothesized that complex interactions among these factors underpin the variation in DBRs in natural ecosystems across spatial scales.Our results showed that environmental conditions indirectly affected the tree biomass via changes in tree species diversity,and these effects became stronger as the spatial scale increased.At small to moderate spatial scales,environmental factors were more predictive of tree biomass than tree species diversity(or its components);the effects of stand structural diversity on biomass also gradually increased with spatial scale.Conversely,from the intermediate to the largest spatial scales,mycorrhizal associations gradually became the best predictors of DBR dynamics.Our research offers novel empirical evidence demonstrating the importance of environmental conditions,structural diversity,and mycorrhizal associations in shaping cross-scale DBRs.Future comprehensive studies should consider these factors to assess the mechanisms shaping scale-dependent DBRs in complex natural ecosystems.展开更多
Background： Forest biodiversity is the foundation of many ecosystem services, and the effect of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning and processes （BEF） has been a central issue in biodiversity studies. Although m...Background： Forest biodiversity is the foundation of many ecosystem services, and the effect of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning and processes （BEF） has been a central issue in biodiversity studies. Although many hypotheses have been developed to interpret global gradients of biodiversity, there has not been complete agreement on mechanisms controlling biodiversity patterns and distributions. Differences may be due to limited observation data and inconsistencies of spatial scales in analysis. Methods： In this study, we take advantage of USDA Forest Service forest inventory and analysis （FIA） data for exploring regional forest biodiversity and BEF in New England forests. The FIA data provide detailed information of sampled plots and trees for the region, including 6000 FIA plots and more than 33,000 individual trees. Biodiversity models were used to analyze the data. Results： Tree species diversity increases from the north to the south at a rate about 2-3 species per latitudinal degree. Tree species diversity is better predicted by tree height than forest age or biomass. Very different distribution patterns of two common maple species, sugar maple （Acer sdcchorum） and red maple （Acer rubrum）, highlight the vulnerability of sugar maple and its potential replacement by red maple on New England landscapes. Red maple generally already outperforms sugar maple, and will likely and continuously benefit from a changing climate in New England. Conclusions： We conclude that forest structure （height） and resources （biomass） are more likely foundational characteristics supporting biodiversity rather than biodiversity determining forest productivity and/or biomass. The potential replacement of red maple for sugar maple in the New England areas could affect biodiversity and stability of forest ecosystem functioning because sugar maple plays important ecological roles distinct from red maple that are beneficial to other tree species in northern hardwood forests. Such a change may not affect forest resilience in terms of forest productivity and biomass as these are similar in red maple and sugar maple, however, it would almost certainly alter forest structure across the landscape.展开更多
Afforestation has an important role in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem function improvement.A meta-analysis was carried out in China,which has the largest plantation area globally,to quantify the effects of pl...Afforestation has an important role in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem function improvement.A meta-analysis was carried out in China,which has the largest plantation area globally,to quantify the effects of plantings on soil microbial diversity.The results showed that the overall effect of afforestation on soil microbial diversity was positive across the country.Random forest algorithm suggested that soil carbon was the most important factor regulating microbial diversity and the positive response was only found with new plantings on low-carbon bare lands but not on high-carbon farmlands and grasslands.In addition,afforestation with broadleaved species increased microbial diversity,whereas planting with conifers had no effect on microbial diversity.This study clarified the effects of plantings on soil microbial diversity,which has an important implication for establishing appropriate policies and practices to improve the multiple functionalities(e.g.,biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation)during plantation establishment.展开更多
Differences in forest attributes and carbon sequestration of each organ and layer between broadleaved and conifer forests of central and outer urban areas are not well-defined,hindering the precise management of urban...Differences in forest attributes and carbon sequestration of each organ and layer between broadleaved and conifer forests of central and outer urban areas are not well-defined,hindering the precise management of urban forests and improvement of function.To clarify the effect of two forest types with different urbanization intensities,we determined differences in vegetation composition and diversity,structural traits,and carbon stocks of 152 plots(20 m×20 m)in urban park forests in Changchun,which had the largest green quantity and carbon density effectiveness.We found that 1.1-fold thicker and healthier trees,and 1.6-to 2.0-fold higher,healthier,denser,and more various shrubs but with sparser trees and herbs occurred in the central urban forests(p<0.05)than in the outer forests.The conifer forests exhibited 30–70%obviously higher tree aboveground carbon sequestration(including stem and leaf)and 20%bigger trees,especially in the outer forests(p<0.05).In contrast,1.1-to 1.5-fold higher branch stocks,healthier and more diverse trees were found in broadleaved forests of both the inner and outer forests(p<0.05).Plant size and dominant species had similarly important roles in carbon stock improvement,especially big-sized woody plants and Pinus tabuliformis.In addition,a higher number of deciduous or needle species positively affected the broadleaved forest of the central urban area and conifer forest of the outer urban area,respectively.These findings can be used to guide precise management and accelerate the improvement of urban carbon function in Northeast China in the future.展开更多
Natural regeneration after disturbances is a key phase of forest development,which determines the trajectory of successional changes in tree species composition and diversity.Regenerating trees can originate from eith...Natural regeneration after disturbances is a key phase of forest development,which determines the trajectory of successional changes in tree species composition and diversity.Regenerating trees can originate from either seeds or sprouts produced by disturbed trees with sprouting ability.Although both regeneration strategies often develop and co-occur after a disturbance,they tend to affect forest development differently due to significant functional differences.However,the origin of tree regeneration is rarely distinguished in post-disturbance forest surveys and ecological studies,and the differential roles of seed and sprout regeneration in forest productivity and diversity remain poorly understood.To address these research gaps,we explored the role of sprout and seed regeneration in the formation of woody species diversity and above-ground biomass(AGB)productivity in early-stage forest development.Data were collected in two experimental forest stands in the Czech Republic,where trees were cut with varying intensities with the density of residual(uncut)trees ranging from 0 to 275 trees per hectare.All trees were mapped and their sizes were measured before cutting and then,either as a stump with sprouts or a residual tree,remeasured 11 years later.In addition,all tree saplings were mapped and measured 11 years after logging,and their origin(sprout or seed)was identified.To assess abundances and productivity,we estimated AGB of all2,685 sprouting stumps of 19 woody species and 504 generative(i.e.,seed origin)individuals of 16 woody species,using allometric equations.Mixed-effects models were used to analyze the effects of each regeneration strategy on woody species diversity and the total AGB under varying densities of residual trees.Nonmetric multidimensional scaling was used to evaluate the effect of regeneration strategies on species composition.AGB and diversity of sprouts were significantly higher than those of seed regeneration.Sprouts formed on average97.1%of the total regeneration AGB in H ady and 98.6%in Sobe s ice.The average species richness of sprouts was4.7 in H ady and 2.2 in Sob e sice,while the species richness of seed regeneration averaged 2.1 and 1.1 in H ady and Sob e sice,respectively.Increasing density of residual trees reduced AGB and diversity of both sprouts and seed regeneration,but seed regeneration was affected to a greater extent.Residual trees had an especially strong inhibitory effect on the establishment of seed regeneration.Consequently,seed-originated saplings were nearly absent in plots with high residual tree density,and abundant sprouts accounted for most of the AGB and diversity.However,unlike sprouts whose species composition resembled that of the original stand,seed regeneration brought in new species,enriching the stand?s overall species pool and beta diversity.Our results demonstrated differential roles of sprout and seed regeneration in the early stage of forest succession.Sprout regeneration was the main source of woody AGB productivity as well as species diversity,and its importance increased with the increasing density of standing mature trees.The results indicate the crucial yet previously underestimated role of sprout regeneration in post-disturbance forest dynamics.They suggest that the presence of residual mature trees,whether retained after partial cutting or undisturbed,can substantially suppress seed regeneration while the role of sprout regeneration in early succession becomes more distinctly evident.展开更多
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)play a vital role in plant productivity and ecosystem functions.However,their responses to abiotic factors(i.e.,climate,physiography,and soil properties)are unknown,especially across c...Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)play a vital role in plant productivity and ecosystem functions.However,their responses to abiotic factors(i.e.,climate,physiography,and soil properties)are unknown,especially across climatic gradients and slope aspects in arid and semi-arid ecosys-tems.In this study,using 60 composite soil samples,direct and indirect effects of climate factors and slope aspects on AMF diversity,composition and spore density were studied.The findings indicate that climate has a more direct influ-ence on soil properties(P<0.001)in comparison to slope aspect(P=0.449).In contrast,climate significantly affected AMF diversity and composition,with the highest diversity in dryer areas.Soil pH had the highest correlation with different facets of AMF diversity.Structural equation modeling(SEM)indicated that only a small part of the variation in AMF diversity and spore density could be explained by climate characteristics,slope aspect and soil properties.Based on SEM results,climate was the most important determinant of AMF diversity and spore density;slope aspect had a less critical role.The outputs suggest that variations in AMF diversity are derived by the direct effects of climate and the indirect effect of soil chemical properties.In addition,with increasing dryness,sporulation and AMF diversity increased.展开更多
Forest canopy structure is closely related to species diversity,crown packing efficiency,and ecological processes,while influencing ecosystem functions.However,most existing structural diversity indices only consider ...Forest canopy structure is closely related to species diversity,crown packing efficiency,and ecological processes,while influencing ecosystem functions.However,most existing structural diversity indices only consider internal heterogeneity within the canopy but often neglect the heterogeneity of the external canopy.While,the external canopy heterogeneity can increase the exchange surface area between canopy and external atmosphere,capture more light,which is closely linked to tree growth and ecosystem functions.Comprehensively and accurately estimating canopy structural diversity is crucial in understanding the underlying mechanisms of productivity change.Therefore,in this study,we apply a topographic index–canopy surface rugosity(CSR)–to capture canopy external heterogeneity,and use crown complementary index(CCI)and other canopy structural variables to quantify canopy internal heterogeneity.We find that CSR varies significantly among quadrats(20 m×20 m)and it decreases with species diversity and wood net primary productivity(NPP_(wood)).Species diversity increases NPP_(wood) directly and indirectly through CSR and CCI.Functional diversity increases NPP_(wood) through CSR and CCI.Community weighted mean of light demand decreases with NPP_(wood) through CCI.The mediating effect of CSR on the relationship between species(functional)diversity and NPP_(wood) is greater than the mediating effect of CCI.We find soil fertility positive effects on NPP_(wood) mainly through species richness and CSR.Conversely,water availability affects NPP_(wood) by a direct positive effect and indirect negative effects through species richness,CSR and CCI.Overall,our CSR and CCI provide strong support for a space-based niche partitioning mechanism regulating the relationship between species diversity and NPP_(wood).Additionally,CSR is sensitive to gap dynamics,suggesting mechanistic relationships between local disturbance,species diversity,and NPP_(wood).展开更多
Mao抏rshan region is a representative natural secondary forested region in the eastern mountainous region, north-east of China. Under the support of ARC/INFO, the landscape pattern and landscape diversity of Maoerhsha...Mao抏rshan region is a representative natural secondary forested region in the eastern mountainous region, north-east of China. Under the support of ARC/INFO, the landscape pattern and landscape diversity of Maoerhshan region were studied by combining the forest type map (1:10000), which was drawn from the aerial photographs (1999), field investigation and land utilization map (1:10000). The selected indices included patch number, patch size, patch density index, richness index, dominance index, evenness index and diversity index. The results showed that the landscape dominant forest type in Mao抏rshan region was softwood broad-leaved forest. In all landscape types, the average patch area of natural secondary for-ests was bigger than that of artificial forest. The patch density index of each landscape formed in artificial forest was higher than that of natural secondary forest. The landscape diversity index and landscape evenness index of natural forest were highest, the landscape heterogeneity was also, but the landscape dominance was lower. In natural forest, the control effects of landscape elements on landscape-structure, function and its change were weakened. The artificial forest was on the contrary.展开更多
The present study was undertaken in five major forest types （dominated by Quercus semecarpifolia, Quercusfloribunda, Acer acuminatum, Abiespindrow and Aesculus indica, respectively） between 2400 and 2850 m a.s.1, in...The present study was undertaken in five major forest types （dominated by Quercus semecarpifolia, Quercusfloribunda, Acer acuminatum, Abiespindrow and Aesculus indica, respectively） between 2400 and 2850 m a.s.1, in a moist temperate forest of the Mandal-Chopta area in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. The aim was to assess the variation in composition and diversity in different vegetation layers, i.e., herb, shrub and tree, among these five forest types. Diversity indices, such as the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, density, total basal cover, Simpson＇s concentration of dominance index, Simpson＇s diversity index, Pielou＇s equitability, species richness, species heterogeneity and r-diversity, were calculated to understand community structures. Dominance-diversity curves were drawn to ascertain resource apportionment among various species in different forest types.展开更多
Twenty-three secondary forest communities with different structure were selected in Mao＇er Mountain National Park of Heilongjiang Province, China to study the relationship between diversity of forest plant species an...Twenty-three secondary forest communities with different structure were selected in Mao＇er Mountain National Park of Heilongjiang Province, China to study the relationship between diversity of forest plant species and environmental gradient. The forest plant species diversity was analyzed by the diversity index, and the environmental factors was quantified by the method of Whittaker＇s quantification of environmental gradient. Meanwhile, β-diversity indexes of communities were calculated with similar measurements. The results showed that the Shannon-wiener diversity index of forest plant species increased with the increase of the environmental gradient, and the β-diversity indexes of communities showed a liner increase along with the change of environmental gradient.展开更多
Polymorphism of nine strains （CF05, CF09, 29, 916, AU9, Chang10, Chang7, 8808 and AU. Japanese） of A. auricular cultivated in Heilongjiang Province were analyzed by RAPD （Random Amplication polymorphic DNA）. Thirt...Polymorphism of nine strains （CF05, CF09, 29, 916, AU9, Chang10, Chang7, 8808 and AU. Japanese） of A. auricular cultivated in Heilongjiang Province were analyzed by RAPD （Random Amplication polymorphic DNA）. Thirteen primers were selected from forty PCR primers with 10bp long random primer. The results showed that nine strains of A. auricular have a high level of genetic diversity and the percentage of DNA polymorphic was 96.05. The genotypes of 9 strains of Auricularia auricular were identified by the fingerprints from primer 27 and primer 46 by RAPD analysis. The results are helpful for quickly identifying strains of A. auricular in its early breeding time, and also provides a powerful theoretic basis to differentiate strains （Auricularia auricular） whose morphology is very similar in breeding programs of edible fungus.展开更多
Genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of natural populations of Pinus kesiya var. langbinanensis were examined by means of electrophoresis technique. Analysis of 9 enzyme systems including 16 loci showed that ...Genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of natural populations of Pinus kesiya var. langbinanensis were examined by means of electrophoresis technique. Analysis of 9 enzyme systems including 16 loci showed that all the three natural popu-lations of the pine were high in genetic diversity but low in inter-population genetic differentiation. The proportion of polymorphic loci is 0.667, with each locus holding 2.13 alleles, averagely. The average expected and observed heterozygosity was 0.288 and 0.197, respectively. The gene differentiation among populations was 0.052, but the mean genetic distance was only 0.015.展开更多
A study was conducted to evaluate the cultivable filamentous fungal diversity in organic layers (L, F, and H layers) and A1 layer of two main forest types, Pinus massoniana and Liguidambar formasana mixed forest and Q...A study was conducted to evaluate the cultivable filamentous fungal diversity in organic layers (L, F, and H layers) and A1 layer of two main forest types, Pinus massoniana and Liguidambar formasana mixed forest and Quercus variabilis forest, in Zijin Mountain(325?N, 11848?E), Nanjing, China. A total of 67 taxa comprising 56 Deuteromycetes, 3 Zygomycetes, 5 Asco-mycetes and 3 unidentified fungi were recognized from samples from the forest floor of the two forest types. The most abundant group was Deuteromycetes. The dominant genera in both forests were Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Mucor sp., Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., Gliocladium sp. and Trichoderma spp. The fungal diversity was higher in the mixed forest than that in Q. variabilis forest. For both forest types, the maximum fungal diversity was found in layer F and there existed significantly different in fungal diversity between layer F and layer L. In the mixed forest, richness of fungi isolated from needle litter (P. massoniana) was lower than that from leaf litter (L. formasana). The richness of fungi from needle litter increased with the in-crease of forest floor depth, but for leaf litter, the fungal diversity decreased with the depth of forest floor. The co-species of fungi from the two forest types, as well as from two kinds of litters in mixed forest, increased with the depth of the forest floor. The succession of fungi along with the process of decomposition was discussed here. The results also showed that litter quality was a critical factor affecting fungal diversity.展开更多
The genetic diversity and population structure of the Dybowski＇s frog（Rana dybowskii） were investigated by using 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci.Total 75 individuals were sampled from six populations in Lesser K...The genetic diversity and population structure of the Dybowski＇s frog（Rana dybowskii） were investigated by using 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci.Total 75 individuals were sampled from six populations in Lesser Khingan Mountains and Changbai Mountains,China.Results showed that allele number of the 11 microsatellite loci was in the range of 2-10 in all populations,with the mean of 5.6.The average expected heterozygosity（HE） was 0.572,indicating a moderate polymorphism.The results of genetic differentiation coefficient（FST） showed that population genetic differentiation was significant between Changbai and Lesser Khingan Mountains（p〈0.001）.This result was verified further by Nei＇s genetic distance（DA） based on UPGMA phy-logenetic trees and by AMOVA analysis.In conclusion,the populations distributed in Lesser Khingan Mountains and Changbai Mountain are proposed to be two distinct management units（MUs） for their protection and management.展开更多
Fourteen plots were chosen along with the altitude of 1600-2600 m in Guandi Mountain, Shanxi Province, China to investigate all the trees in the plots, and the species diversity indexes were calculated for analyzing t...Fourteen plots were chosen along with the altitude of 1600-2600 m in Guandi Mountain, Shanxi Province, China to investigate all the trees in the plots, and the species diversity indexes were calculated for analyzing the effects of altitudinal gradient on plant species diversity. The results showed that the order of dominant species from low altitude to high altitude is as Quercus liaotungensis Koidz, Pinus tabulaeformis, Betula platyphylla, B. albo-sinensis, Picea wilsonii, P. Meyeri and Larix principis-rupprechtii. With altitude increasing, the average height and DBH of the arbor firstly increase and then decrease, the maximal height and DBH of the arbor present the unimodal variable trend, the maximal height of coniferous and broad-leaved trees firstly increases and then decreases, the maximal DBH of broad-leaf trees has no clear fluctuation, and the maximal DBH of the needle-leaf trees decreases gradually. Moreover, in middle altitudinal communities （the altitude of 1900-2200 m）, the maximal height and DBH of the needle-leaf trees are larger than these of broad-leaf trees. Both Shannon-wiener index and Margalef index of the communities present the unimodal variable trend, with a peak in the mid-altitude. Plant species diversity in the mid-altitude （1900-2200 m） is higher than that of the low altitude （1600-1900 m） and the high altitude （2200-2600 m）. In addition, the unimodal variable trend of α species diversity is clearly correlated with the altitudinal gradient. The change of plant species diversity is significantly correlated with the altitudinal gradient, and also related to the community structure, the community composition, the feature of species and the human disturbance.展开更多
Windthrow plays a critical role in maintaining species diversity in temperate forests. Do large-scale strong wind events(i.e., tropical cyclones, including hurricanes,typhoons and severe cyclonic storms) increase tree...Windthrow plays a critical role in maintaining species diversity in temperate forests. Do large-scale strong wind events(i.e., tropical cyclones, including hurricanes,typhoons and severe cyclonic storms) increase tree diversity in severely damaged forest areas? Do hurricanes(tropical cyclones that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific Ocean) lead to altered relative abundance of shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant species? Did historic hurricanes alter the succession trajectory of the damaged forests? We used nearly 70-year tree demographic data to assess the effects of two major hurricanes on woody species diversity in Piedmont forests, North Carolina, USA. Species richness(S) and Shannon–Wiener's diversity index(H') were used to evaluate the changes in tree diversity. The changes in composition were assessed with Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling. The pre-hurricane successional phase can strongly influence both the damage severity and subsequent responses. Although there is often an immediate drop in diversity following a hurricane, understory tree diversity quickly increases to levels that exceed those prior to the disturbance. This leads to an increase in diversity in stands that were substantially damaged. Hurricanes significantly decrease the dominance of shade-intolerant canopy species while increasing preestablished, more shade-tolerant species. We conclude that large, and infrequent hurricanes help to maintain local tree diversity, but also accelerate the increase in dominance of understory species such as red maple and beech.展开更多
Soil microorganisms and physicochemical properties are considered the two most influencing factors for maintaining plant diversity.However,the operational mechanisms and which factor is the most influential manipulato...Soil microorganisms and physicochemical properties are considered the two most influencing factors for maintaining plant diversity.However,the operational mechanisms and which factor is the most influential manipulator remain poorly understood.In this study,we examine the collaborative influences of soil physicochemical properties(i.e.,soil water,soil organic matter(SOM),salinity,total phosphorus and nitrogen,pH,soil bulk density and fine root biomass)and soil microorganisms(fungi and bacteria)on plant diversity across two types of tree patches dominated by big and small trees(big trees:height≥7 m and DBH≥60 cm;small trees:height≤4.5 m and DBH≤20 cm)in an arid desert region.Tree patch is consists of a single tree or group of trees and their accompanying shrubs and herbs.It was hypothesized that soil physicochemical properties and microorganisms affect plant diversity but their influence differ.The results show that plant and soil microbial diversity increased with increasing distances from big trees.SOM,salinity,fine root biomass,soil water,total phosphorus and total nitrogen contents decreased with increasing distance from big trees,while pH and soil bulk density did not change.Plant and soil microbial diversity were higher in areas close to big trees compared with small trees,whereas soil physicochemical properties were opposite.The average contribution of soil physicochemical properties(12.2%-13.5%)to plant diversity was higher than microbial diversity(4.8%-6.7%).Salinity had the largest negative affect on plant diversity(24.7%-27.4%).This study suggests that soil fungi constrain plant diversity while bacteria improve it in tree patches.Soil physicochemical properties are the most important factor modulating plant diversity in arid desert tree patches.展开更多
Background: The importance of structurally diverse forests for the conservation of biodiversity and provision of a wide range of ecosystem services has been widely recognised. However, tools to quantify structural div...Background: The importance of structurally diverse forests for the conservation of biodiversity and provision of a wide range of ecosystem services has been widely recognised. However, tools to quantify structural diversity of forests in an objective and quantitative way across many forest types and sites are still needed, for example to support biodiversity monitoring. The existing approaches to quantify forest structural diversity are based on small geographical regions or single forest types, typically using only small data sets.Results: Here we developed an index of structural diversity based on National Forest Inventory(NFI) data of BadenWurttemberg, Germany, a state with 1.3 million ha of diverse forest types in different ownerships. Based on a literature review, 11 aspects of structural diversity were identified a priori as crucially important to describe structural diversity. An initial comprehensive list of 52 variables derived from National Forest Inventory(NFI) data related to structural diversity was reduced by applying five selection criteria to arrive at one variable for each aspect of structural diversity. These variables comprise 1) quadratic mean diameter at breast height(DBH), 2) standard deviation of DBH, 3) standard deviation of stand height, 4) number of decay classes, 5) bark-diversity index, 6) trees with DBH ≥ 40 cm, 7) diversity of flowering and fructification, 8) average mean diameter of downed deadwood, 9) mean DBH of standing deadwood, 10) tree species richness and 11) tree species richness in the regeneration layer. These variables were combined into a simple,additive index to quantify the level of structural diversity, which assumes values between 0 and 1. We applied this index in an exemplary way to broad forest categories and ownerships to assess its feasibility to analyse structural diversity in large-scale forest inventories.Conclusions: The forest structure index presented here can be derived in a similar way from standard inventory variables for most other large-scale forest inventories to provide important information about biodiversity relevant forest conditions and thus provide an evidence-base for forest management and planning as well as reporting.展开更多
基金funded by Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources(grant number 9318124503).
文摘Plant species diversity is one of the most widely used indicators in ecosystem management.The relation of species diversity with the size of the sample plot has not been fully determined for Oriental beech forests(Fagus orientalis Lipsky),a widespread species in the Hyrcanian region.Assessing the impacts of plot size on species diversity is fundamental for an ecosystem-based approach to forest management.This study determined the relation of species diversity and plot size by investigating species richness and abundance of both canopy and forest floor.Two hundred and fifty-six sample plots of 625 m^(2) each were layout in a grid pattern across 16 ha.Base plots(25 m×25 m)were integrated in different scales to investigate the effect of plot size on species diversity.The total included nine plots of 0.063,0.125,0.188,0.250,0.375,0.500,0.563,0.750 and 1 ha.Ten biodiversity indices were calculated.The results show that species richness in the different plot sizes was less than the actual value.The estimated value of the Simpson species diversity index was not significantly different from actual values for both canopy and forest floor diversity.The coefficient of variation of this index for the 1-ha sample plot showed the lowest amount across different plot sizes.Inverse Hill species diversity was insignificant difference across different plot sizes with an area greater than 0.500 ha.The modified Hill evenness index for the 1-ha sample size was a correct estimation of the 16-ha for both canopy and forest floor;however,the precision estimation was higher for the canopy layer.All plots greater than 0.250-ha provided an accurate estimation of the Camargo evenness index for forest floor species,but was inaccurate across different plot sizes for the canopy layer.The results indicate that the same plot size did not have the same effect across species diversity measurements.Our results show that correct estimation of species diversity measurements is related to the selection of appropriate indicators and plot size to increase the accuracy of the estimate so that the cost and time of biodiversity management may be reduced.
基金supported by the Sino-German Postdoc Scholarship Program of the China Scholarship Council(CSC)the German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD)+4 种基金supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.32071541,41971071)the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(Nos.2021FY100200,2021FY100702,2023YFF0805802)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association,CAS(No.2021392)the International Partnership Program,CAS(No.151853KYSB20190027)the“Climate Change Research Initiative of the Bavarian National Parks”funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection.
文摘An improved understanding of biodiversity-productivity relationships(BPRs)along environmental gradients is crucial for effective ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.The stress-gradient hypothesis suggests that BPRs are stronger in stressful environments compared to more favorable conditions.However,there is limited knowledge regarding the variation of BPRs along elevational gradients and their generality across different landscapes.To study how BPRs change with elevation,we harnessed inventory data on 6,431 trees from152 plots surveyed twice in eight to ten year intervals in mountain forests of temperate Europe and subtropical Asia.We quantified the relationship between aboveground productivity and different biodiversity measures,including taxonomic,functional,and phylogenetic diversity.To elucidate the processes underlying BPRs,we studied the variation of different functional traits along elevation across landscapes.We found no general pattern of BPRs across landscapes and elevations.Relationships were neutral for all biodiversity measures in temperate forests,and negative for taxonomic and functional diversity in subtropical forests.BPRs were largely congruent between taxonomic,functional and phylogenetic diversity.We found only weak support for the stress-gradient hypothesis,with BPRs turning from negative to positive(effect not significant)close to the tree line in subtropical forests.In temperate forests,however,elevation patterns were strongly modulated by species identity effects as influenced by specific traits.The effect of traits such as community-weighted mean of maximum plant height and wood density on productivity was congruent across landscapes.Our study highlights the context-dependence of BPRs across elevation gradients and landscapes.Species traits are key modulating factors of BPRs and should be considered more explicitly in studies of the functional role of biodiversity.Furthermore,our findings highlight that potential trade-offs between conserving biodiversity and fostering ecosystem productivity exist,which require more attention in policy and management.
基金funded by Fundamental Research Funds of Chinese Academy of Forestry(No.CAFYBB2021ZA002).
文摘Diversity-biomass relationships(DBRs)in terrestrial ecosystems tend to vary across spatial scales,but,particularly in hyperdiverse forests,the mechanisms driving these trends remain uncertain.Until now,few have simultaneously investigated the connections between tree species diversity,stand structural diversity,mycorrhizal associations,and ecosystem functioning.In addition,DBRs have only been studied at limited spatial scales,with limited focus on the direct and indirect effects of environmental factors.We addressed these research gaps using a 30-ha forest dynamics plot located in Pu'er City,Southwest China.Through piecewise structural equation models,we quantified the direct effects of tree species diversity(α,β,γ),stand structural diversity,mycorrhizal associations(AM,EcM),and the environmental factors(soil fertility and topography),as well as the indirect effects of the environmental factors on aboveground tree biomass across spatial scales ranging from 400 to 230,400 m^(2).We hypothesized that complex interactions among these factors underpin the variation in DBRs in natural ecosystems across spatial scales.Our results showed that environmental conditions indirectly affected the tree biomass via changes in tree species diversity,and these effects became stronger as the spatial scale increased.At small to moderate spatial scales,environmental factors were more predictive of tree biomass than tree species diversity(or its components);the effects of stand structural diversity on biomass also gradually increased with spatial scale.Conversely,from the intermediate to the largest spatial scales,mycorrhizal associations gradually became the best predictors of DBR dynamics.Our research offers novel empirical evidence demonstrating the importance of environmental conditions,structural diversity,and mycorrhizal associations in shaping cross-scale DBRs.Future comprehensive studies should consider these factors to assess the mechanisms shaping scale-dependent DBRs in complex natural ecosystems.
基金the project NRS-6“Climate,Fire,and Carbon Cycle Sciences”supported by the USDA Forest ServiceBeijing Forestry University for covering the trip to the conference and generous conference venue facilitating this study
文摘Background： Forest biodiversity is the foundation of many ecosystem services, and the effect of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning and processes （BEF） has been a central issue in biodiversity studies. Although many hypotheses have been developed to interpret global gradients of biodiversity, there has not been complete agreement on mechanisms controlling biodiversity patterns and distributions. Differences may be due to limited observation data and inconsistencies of spatial scales in analysis. Methods： In this study, we take advantage of USDA Forest Service forest inventory and analysis （FIA） data for exploring regional forest biodiversity and BEF in New England forests. The FIA data provide detailed information of sampled plots and trees for the region, including 6000 FIA plots and more than 33,000 individual trees. Biodiversity models were used to analyze the data. Results： Tree species diversity increases from the north to the south at a rate about 2-3 species per latitudinal degree. Tree species diversity is better predicted by tree height than forest age or biomass. Very different distribution patterns of two common maple species, sugar maple （Acer sdcchorum） and red maple （Acer rubrum）, highlight the vulnerability of sugar maple and its potential replacement by red maple on New England landscapes. Red maple generally already outperforms sugar maple, and will likely and continuously benefit from a changing climate in New England. Conclusions： We conclude that forest structure （height） and resources （biomass） are more likely foundational characteristics supporting biodiversity rather than biodiversity determining forest productivity and/or biomass. The potential replacement of red maple for sugar maple in the New England areas could affect biodiversity and stability of forest ecosystem functioning because sugar maple plays important ecological roles distinct from red maple that are beneficial to other tree species in northern hardwood forests. Such a change may not affect forest resilience in terms of forest productivity and biomass as these are similar in red maple and sugar maple, however, it would almost certainly alter forest structure across the landscape.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFD2200401)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31901293)。
文摘Afforestation has an important role in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem function improvement.A meta-analysis was carried out in China,which has the largest plantation area globally,to quantify the effects of plantings on soil microbial diversity.The results showed that the overall effect of afforestation on soil microbial diversity was positive across the country.Random forest algorithm suggested that soil carbon was the most important factor regulating microbial diversity and the positive response was only found with new plantings on low-carbon bare lands but not on high-carbon farmlands and grasslands.In addition,afforestation with broadleaved species increased microbial diversity,whereas planting with conifers had no effect on microbial diversity.This study clarified the effects of plantings on soil microbial diversity,which has an important implication for establishing appropriate policies and practices to improve the multiple functionalities(e.g.,biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation)during plantation establishment.
基金the Youth Growth Technology Project,Science and Technology Department of Jilin Province(20230508130RC)Bureau of Forestry and Landscaping of Changchun.
文摘Differences in forest attributes and carbon sequestration of each organ and layer between broadleaved and conifer forests of central and outer urban areas are not well-defined,hindering the precise management of urban forests and improvement of function.To clarify the effect of two forest types with different urbanization intensities,we determined differences in vegetation composition and diversity,structural traits,and carbon stocks of 152 plots(20 m×20 m)in urban park forests in Changchun,which had the largest green quantity and carbon density effectiveness.We found that 1.1-fold thicker and healthier trees,and 1.6-to 2.0-fold higher,healthier,denser,and more various shrubs but with sparser trees and herbs occurred in the central urban forests(p<0.05)than in the outer forests.The conifer forests exhibited 30–70%obviously higher tree aboveground carbon sequestration(including stem and leaf)and 20%bigger trees,especially in the outer forests(p<0.05).In contrast,1.1-to 1.5-fold higher branch stocks,healthier and more diverse trees were found in broadleaved forests of both the inner and outer forests(p<0.05).Plant size and dominant species had similarly important roles in carbon stock improvement,especially big-sized woody plants and Pinus tabuliformis.In addition,a higher number of deciduous or needle species positively affected the broadleaved forest of the central urban area and conifer forest of the outer urban area,respectively.These findings can be used to guide precise management and accelerate the improvement of urban carbon function in Northeast China in the future.
基金supported by an Internal Grant Agency CULS project No.A_21_06by the grant INTER-TRANSFER LTT20017 provided by the Ministry of Education,Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic.
文摘Natural regeneration after disturbances is a key phase of forest development,which determines the trajectory of successional changes in tree species composition and diversity.Regenerating trees can originate from either seeds or sprouts produced by disturbed trees with sprouting ability.Although both regeneration strategies often develop and co-occur after a disturbance,they tend to affect forest development differently due to significant functional differences.However,the origin of tree regeneration is rarely distinguished in post-disturbance forest surveys and ecological studies,and the differential roles of seed and sprout regeneration in forest productivity and diversity remain poorly understood.To address these research gaps,we explored the role of sprout and seed regeneration in the formation of woody species diversity and above-ground biomass(AGB)productivity in early-stage forest development.Data were collected in two experimental forest stands in the Czech Republic,where trees were cut with varying intensities with the density of residual(uncut)trees ranging from 0 to 275 trees per hectare.All trees were mapped and their sizes were measured before cutting and then,either as a stump with sprouts or a residual tree,remeasured 11 years later.In addition,all tree saplings were mapped and measured 11 years after logging,and their origin(sprout or seed)was identified.To assess abundances and productivity,we estimated AGB of all2,685 sprouting stumps of 19 woody species and 504 generative(i.e.,seed origin)individuals of 16 woody species,using allometric equations.Mixed-effects models were used to analyze the effects of each regeneration strategy on woody species diversity and the total AGB under varying densities of residual trees.Nonmetric multidimensional scaling was used to evaluate the effect of regeneration strategies on species composition.AGB and diversity of sprouts were significantly higher than those of seed regeneration.Sprouts formed on average97.1%of the total regeneration AGB in H ady and 98.6%in Sobe s ice.The average species richness of sprouts was4.7 in H ady and 2.2 in Sob e sice,while the species richness of seed regeneration averaged 2.1 and 1.1 in H ady and Sob e sice,respectively.Increasing density of residual trees reduced AGB and diversity of both sprouts and seed regeneration,but seed regeneration was affected to a greater extent.Residual trees had an especially strong inhibitory effect on the establishment of seed regeneration.Consequently,seed-originated saplings were nearly absent in plots with high residual tree density,and abundant sprouts accounted for most of the AGB and diversity.However,unlike sprouts whose species composition resembled that of the original stand,seed regeneration brought in new species,enriching the stand?s overall species pool and beta diversity.Our results demonstrated differential roles of sprout and seed regeneration in the early stage of forest succession.Sprout regeneration was the main source of woody AGB productivity as well as species diversity,and its importance increased with the increasing density of standing mature trees.The results indicate the crucial yet previously underestimated role of sprout regeneration in post-disturbance forest dynamics.They suggest that the presence of residual mature trees,whether retained after partial cutting or undisturbed,can substantially suppress seed regeneration while the role of sprout regeneration in early succession becomes more distinctly evident.
文摘Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)play a vital role in plant productivity and ecosystem functions.However,their responses to abiotic factors(i.e.,climate,physiography,and soil properties)are unknown,especially across climatic gradients and slope aspects in arid and semi-arid ecosys-tems.In this study,using 60 composite soil samples,direct and indirect effects of climate factors and slope aspects on AMF diversity,composition and spore density were studied.The findings indicate that climate has a more direct influ-ence on soil properties(P<0.001)in comparison to slope aspect(P=0.449).In contrast,climate significantly affected AMF diversity and composition,with the highest diversity in dryer areas.Soil pH had the highest correlation with different facets of AMF diversity.Structural equation modeling(SEM)indicated that only a small part of the variation in AMF diversity and spore density could be explained by climate characteristics,slope aspect and soil properties.Based on SEM results,climate was the most important determinant of AMF diversity and spore density;slope aspect had a less critical role.The outputs suggest that variations in AMF diversity are derived by the direct effects of climate and the indirect effect of soil chemical properties.In addition,with increasing dryness,sporulation and AMF diversity increased.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31700356)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB31000000).
文摘Forest canopy structure is closely related to species diversity,crown packing efficiency,and ecological processes,while influencing ecosystem functions.However,most existing structural diversity indices only consider internal heterogeneity within the canopy but often neglect the heterogeneity of the external canopy.While,the external canopy heterogeneity can increase the exchange surface area between canopy and external atmosphere,capture more light,which is closely linked to tree growth and ecosystem functions.Comprehensively and accurately estimating canopy structural diversity is crucial in understanding the underlying mechanisms of productivity change.Therefore,in this study,we apply a topographic index–canopy surface rugosity(CSR)–to capture canopy external heterogeneity,and use crown complementary index(CCI)and other canopy structural variables to quantify canopy internal heterogeneity.We find that CSR varies significantly among quadrats(20 m×20 m)and it decreases with species diversity and wood net primary productivity(NPP_(wood)).Species diversity increases NPP_(wood) directly and indirectly through CSR and CCI.Functional diversity increases NPP_(wood) through CSR and CCI.Community weighted mean of light demand decreases with NPP_(wood) through CCI.The mediating effect of CSR on the relationship between species(functional)diversity and NPP_(wood) is greater than the mediating effect of CCI.We find soil fertility positive effects on NPP_(wood) mainly through species richness and CSR.Conversely,water availability affects NPP_(wood) by a direct positive effect and indirect negative effects through species richness,CSR and CCI.Overall,our CSR and CCI provide strong support for a space-based niche partitioning mechanism regulating the relationship between species diversity and NPP_(wood).Additionally,CSR is sensitive to gap dynamics,suggesting mechanistic relationships between local disturbance,species diversity,and NPP_(wood).
文摘Mao抏rshan region is a representative natural secondary forested region in the eastern mountainous region, north-east of China. Under the support of ARC/INFO, the landscape pattern and landscape diversity of Maoerhshan region were studied by combining the forest type map (1:10000), which was drawn from the aerial photographs (1999), field investigation and land utilization map (1:10000). The selected indices included patch number, patch size, patch density index, richness index, dominance index, evenness index and diversity index. The results showed that the landscape dominant forest type in Mao抏rshan region was softwood broad-leaved forest. In all landscape types, the average patch area of natural secondary for-ests was bigger than that of artificial forest. The patch density index of each landscape formed in artificial forest was higher than that of natural secondary forest. The landscape diversity index and landscape evenness index of natural forest were highest, the landscape heterogeneity was also, but the landscape dominance was lower. In natural forest, the control effects of landscape elements on landscape-structure, function and its change were weakened. The artificial forest was on the contrary.
基金Department of Scienceand Technology, Government of India for providing financial support (Grant No. SP/SO/PS-52/2004)and the Uttarakh and Forest Department for providing meteorological data
文摘The present study was undertaken in five major forest types （dominated by Quercus semecarpifolia, Quercusfloribunda, Acer acuminatum, Abiespindrow and Aesculus indica, respectively） between 2400 and 2850 m a.s.1, in a moist temperate forest of the Mandal-Chopta area in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. The aim was to assess the variation in composition and diversity in different vegetation layers, i.e., herb, shrub and tree, among these five forest types. Diversity indices, such as the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, density, total basal cover, Simpson＇s concentration of dominance index, Simpson＇s diversity index, Pielou＇s equitability, species richness, species heterogeneity and r-diversity, were calculated to understand community structures. Dominance-diversity curves were drawn to ascertain resource apportionment among various species in different forest types.
基金Foundation project： The paper was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China （39899370）.
文摘Twenty-three secondary forest communities with different structure were selected in Mao＇er Mountain National Park of Heilongjiang Province, China to study the relationship between diversity of forest plant species and environmental gradient. The forest plant species diversity was analyzed by the diversity index, and the environmental factors was quantified by the method of Whittaker＇s quantification of environmental gradient. Meanwhile, β-diversity indexes of communities were calculated with similar measurements. The results showed that the Shannon-wiener diversity index of forest plant species increased with the increase of the environmental gradient, and the β-diversity indexes of communities showed a liner increase along with the change of environmental gradient.
基金The research was supported by Science Foundation of Northeast Forestry University (2004)
文摘Polymorphism of nine strains （CF05, CF09, 29, 916, AU9, Chang10, Chang7, 8808 and AU. Japanese） of A. auricular cultivated in Heilongjiang Province were analyzed by RAPD （Random Amplication polymorphic DNA）. Thirteen primers were selected from forty PCR primers with 10bp long random primer. The results showed that nine strains of A. auricular have a high level of genetic diversity and the percentage of DNA polymorphic was 96.05. The genotypes of 9 strains of Auricularia auricular were identified by the fingerprints from primer 27 and primer 46 by RAPD analysis. The results are helpful for quickly identifying strains of A. auricular in its early breeding time, and also provides a powerful theoretic basis to differentiate strains （Auricularia auricular） whose morphology is very similar in breeding programs of edible fungus.
基金his article was supported by the Natural Science Founda-tion of Yunnan Province (No.98C017Q).
文摘Genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of natural populations of Pinus kesiya var. langbinanensis were examined by means of electrophoresis technique. Analysis of 9 enzyme systems including 16 loci showed that all the three natural popu-lations of the pine were high in genetic diversity but low in inter-population genetic differentiation. The proportion of polymorphic loci is 0.667, with each locus holding 2.13 alleles, averagely. The average expected and observed heterozygosity was 0.288 and 0.197, respectively. The gene differentiation among populations was 0.052, but the mean genetic distance was only 0.015.
基金This paper was supported by Chinese Program for High Technology Research and Development (2003AA209030) Scien-tific Research Foundation for doctoral supervising laboratory State Education Ministry (20030284044) and National Natural Sc
文摘A study was conducted to evaluate the cultivable filamentous fungal diversity in organic layers (L, F, and H layers) and A1 layer of two main forest types, Pinus massoniana and Liguidambar formasana mixed forest and Quercus variabilis forest, in Zijin Mountain(325?N, 11848?E), Nanjing, China. A total of 67 taxa comprising 56 Deuteromycetes, 3 Zygomycetes, 5 Asco-mycetes and 3 unidentified fungi were recognized from samples from the forest floor of the two forest types. The most abundant group was Deuteromycetes. The dominant genera in both forests were Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Mucor sp., Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., Gliocladium sp. and Trichoderma spp. The fungal diversity was higher in the mixed forest than that in Q. variabilis forest. For both forest types, the maximum fungal diversity was found in layer F and there existed significantly different in fungal diversity between layer F and layer L. In the mixed forest, richness of fungi isolated from needle litter (P. massoniana) was lower than that from leaf litter (L. formasana). The richness of fungi from needle litter increased with the in-crease of forest floor depth, but for leaf litter, the fungal diversity decreased with the depth of forest floor. The co-species of fungi from the two forest types, as well as from two kinds of litters in mixed forest, increased with the depth of the forest floor. The succession of fungi along with the process of decomposition was discussed here. The results also showed that litter quality was a critical factor affecting fungal diversity.
文摘The genetic diversity and population structure of the Dybowski＇s frog（Rana dybowskii） were investigated by using 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci.Total 75 individuals were sampled from six populations in Lesser Khingan Mountains and Changbai Mountains,China.Results showed that allele number of the 11 microsatellite loci was in the range of 2-10 in all populations,with the mean of 5.6.The average expected heterozygosity（HE） was 0.572,indicating a moderate polymorphism.The results of genetic differentiation coefficient（FST） showed that population genetic differentiation was significant between Changbai and Lesser Khingan Mountains（p〈0.001）.This result was verified further by Nei＇s genetic distance（DA） based on UPGMA phy-logenetic trees and by AMOVA analysis.In conclusion,the populations distributed in Lesser Khingan Mountains and Changbai Mountain are proposed to be two distinct management units（MUs） for their protection and management.
基金This paper was supported by Shanxi Natural Science Foun-dation (20001090)
文摘Fourteen plots were chosen along with the altitude of 1600-2600 m in Guandi Mountain, Shanxi Province, China to investigate all the trees in the plots, and the species diversity indexes were calculated for analyzing the effects of altitudinal gradient on plant species diversity. The results showed that the order of dominant species from low altitude to high altitude is as Quercus liaotungensis Koidz, Pinus tabulaeformis, Betula platyphylla, B. albo-sinensis, Picea wilsonii, P. Meyeri and Larix principis-rupprechtii. With altitude increasing, the average height and DBH of the arbor firstly increase and then decrease, the maximal height and DBH of the arbor present the unimodal variable trend, the maximal height of coniferous and broad-leaved trees firstly increases and then decreases, the maximal DBH of broad-leaf trees has no clear fluctuation, and the maximal DBH of the needle-leaf trees decreases gradually. Moreover, in middle altitudinal communities （the altitude of 1900-2200 m）, the maximal height and DBH of the needle-leaf trees are larger than these of broad-leaf trees. Both Shannon-wiener index and Margalef index of the communities present the unimodal variable trend, with a peak in the mid-altitude. Plant species diversity in the mid-altitude （1900-2200 m） is higher than that of the low altitude （1600-1900 m） and the high altitude （2200-2600 m）. In addition, the unimodal variable trend of α species diversity is clearly correlated with the altitudinal gradient. The change of plant species diversity is significantly correlated with the altitudinal gradient, and also related to the community structure, the community composition, the feature of species and the human disturbance.
基金supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation(DEB-97-07551)
文摘Windthrow plays a critical role in maintaining species diversity in temperate forests. Do large-scale strong wind events(i.e., tropical cyclones, including hurricanes,typhoons and severe cyclonic storms) increase tree diversity in severely damaged forest areas? Do hurricanes(tropical cyclones that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific Ocean) lead to altered relative abundance of shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant species? Did historic hurricanes alter the succession trajectory of the damaged forests? We used nearly 70-year tree demographic data to assess the effects of two major hurricanes on woody species diversity in Piedmont forests, North Carolina, USA. Species richness(S) and Shannon–Wiener's diversity index(H') were used to evaluate the changes in tree diversity. The changes in composition were assessed with Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling. The pre-hurricane successional phase can strongly influence both the damage severity and subsequent responses. Although there is often an immediate drop in diversity following a hurricane, understory tree diversity quickly increases to levels that exceed those prior to the disturbance. This leads to an increase in diversity in stands that were substantially damaged. Hurricanes significantly decrease the dominance of shade-intolerant canopy species while increasing preestablished, more shade-tolerant species. We conclude that large, and infrequent hurricanes help to maintain local tree diversity, but also accelerate the increase in dominance of understory species such as red maple and beech.
基金This work was supported fi nancially by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.and 41,871,031 and 31,860,111)Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang(Grant No.2017D01C080).
文摘Soil microorganisms and physicochemical properties are considered the two most influencing factors for maintaining plant diversity.However,the operational mechanisms and which factor is the most influential manipulator remain poorly understood.In this study,we examine the collaborative influences of soil physicochemical properties(i.e.,soil water,soil organic matter(SOM),salinity,total phosphorus and nitrogen,pH,soil bulk density and fine root biomass)and soil microorganisms(fungi and bacteria)on plant diversity across two types of tree patches dominated by big and small trees(big trees:height≥7 m and DBH≥60 cm;small trees:height≤4.5 m and DBH≤20 cm)in an arid desert region.Tree patch is consists of a single tree or group of trees and their accompanying shrubs and herbs.It was hypothesized that soil physicochemical properties and microorganisms affect plant diversity but their influence differ.The results show that plant and soil microbial diversity increased with increasing distances from big trees.SOM,salinity,fine root biomass,soil water,total phosphorus and total nitrogen contents decreased with increasing distance from big trees,while pH and soil bulk density did not change.Plant and soil microbial diversity were higher in areas close to big trees compared with small trees,whereas soil physicochemical properties were opposite.The average contribution of soil physicochemical properties(12.2%-13.5%)to plant diversity was higher than microbial diversity(4.8%-6.7%).Salinity had the largest negative affect on plant diversity(24.7%-27.4%).This study suggests that soil fungi constrain plant diversity while bacteria improve it in tree patches.Soil physicochemical properties are the most important factor modulating plant diversity in arid desert tree patches.
基金supported by a grant from the Ministry of Science,Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg(7533-10-5-78)to Jürgen BauhusFelix Storch received additional support through the BBW ForWerts Graduate Program
文摘Background: The importance of structurally diverse forests for the conservation of biodiversity and provision of a wide range of ecosystem services has been widely recognised. However, tools to quantify structural diversity of forests in an objective and quantitative way across many forest types and sites are still needed, for example to support biodiversity monitoring. The existing approaches to quantify forest structural diversity are based on small geographical regions or single forest types, typically using only small data sets.Results: Here we developed an index of structural diversity based on National Forest Inventory(NFI) data of BadenWurttemberg, Germany, a state with 1.3 million ha of diverse forest types in different ownerships. Based on a literature review, 11 aspects of structural diversity were identified a priori as crucially important to describe structural diversity. An initial comprehensive list of 52 variables derived from National Forest Inventory(NFI) data related to structural diversity was reduced by applying five selection criteria to arrive at one variable for each aspect of structural diversity. These variables comprise 1) quadratic mean diameter at breast height(DBH), 2) standard deviation of DBH, 3) standard deviation of stand height, 4) number of decay classes, 5) bark-diversity index, 6) trees with DBH ≥ 40 cm, 7) diversity of flowering and fructification, 8) average mean diameter of downed deadwood, 9) mean DBH of standing deadwood, 10) tree species richness and 11) tree species richness in the regeneration layer. These variables were combined into a simple,additive index to quantify the level of structural diversity, which assumes values between 0 and 1. We applied this index in an exemplary way to broad forest categories and ownerships to assess its feasibility to analyse structural diversity in large-scale forest inventories.Conclusions: The forest structure index presented here can be derived in a similar way from standard inventory variables for most other large-scale forest inventories to provide important information about biodiversity relevant forest conditions and thus provide an evidence-base for forest management and planning as well as reporting.
