Distribution patterns of acorns after primary dispersion in a fragmented oak forest and their consequences on predators and dispersers

Forest fragmentation affects seed production, but little is known about how seeds are distributed in fragmented forests after primary dispersion and how this affects their interactions with other organisms. This study addressed these issues in a fragmented oak forest of Quercus laeta where four habitat types were recognized: interior and edge of patches, deforested matrix around patches, and an abandoned field. Areas and distances to the abandoned field were measured for 40 patches, and acorns were sampled in all habitats. Only samples from the interior and edge of patches had acorns, which were classified as aborted, viable, and parasitized by insects or fungi. Acorns in all these classes were regressed against patch area and distance to the abandoned field. Field experiments were also conducted to determine whether acorn removal rates varied across habitats. Aborted acorns within patches were not related to area or distance, but they decreased with increasing values of both variables at patch edges. Within patches, viable acorns were positively related to increases in area and distance, while the converse occurred for insect-damaged acorns; fungal-infested acorns were not related to patch variables in this habitat. Complex interactions between area and distance explained how acorns in these classes were distributed across patch edges. Acorn removal was higher within patches and their edges when compared to human-disturbed habitats; both mice and birds were identified as potential acorn dispersers. These results suggest that forest fragmentation affects acorn-mediated processes and that this may influence the recovery of patch connectivity in the landscape.     

湖南黄桑国家级自然保护区植被景观格局探讨

①斑块特征指数分析表明:各景观类型的密度、分维数指数都较小,植被景观的深展指数都不高,扩散比较均匀,没有极端复杂的形状产生,植被景观在演替系列中还没有普遍达到演替的顶级,斑块之间自相似程度较高。②多样性指数分析表明:总体多样性程度高。景观多样性指数、优势度指数与均匀度指数的结果所包含的意义一致,这种一致性充分说明了各植被景观类型分布均匀,各景观类型地位相差较小。③空间构型指数分析表明:保护区的斑块密度为1.001,即1 km2上有1.001个斑块。这说明斑块数目较少。各景观类型分布也较均匀。保护区景观破碎度指数为0.007,这表明该区植被景观在研究期内所表现的生境破碎化程度是很低的。每一植被景观类型破碎度指数最高的是灌丛和灌草丛景观,其次为栲林景观,其余的破碎度都处于较低的水平。内部生境破碎化指数以灌丛和灌草丛景观、栲林景观为最低,它们的单独斑块面积较大,故破碎化指数较低。其它景观类型的破碎化指数相差不大,这与植被顺向演替是相关的。景观分离度指数的排序结果与斑块密度的排序基本一致。     

纳板河自然保护区景观连接度变化分析

自然保护区是保护物种栖息地的重要基础,但频繁的人类活动干扰导致自然保护区内生物栖息地斑块破碎化的问题依然存在,景观连接度定量评价对于保护区生物栖息地保护具有重要作用。以纳板河自然保护区为例,基于图论的指数方法利用2014年和2018年高空间分辨率遥感数据,对保护区栖息地的景观连接度指数的变化及其驱动力因素进行分析。结果表明:1)2014—2018年的景观连接度指数中整体性连接度指数(IIC)、概率连接度指数(PC)都呈现下降趋势,IIC和PC指数分别下降0.29和0.53,指示保护区内栖息地破碎化加剧;2)最大斑块的重要性指数从85.14减少到84.19,重要性前十的斑块时空变化表明了自然保护区栖息地斑块面积不断减小,中部、中西部地区破碎化显著;3)土地利用变化对保护区景观连接度产生重要影响,其中橡胶林、耕地、水库、茶园4类土地利用增加是栖息地破碎化的驱动力因素。研究结果可为纳板河自然保护区栖息地保护管理提供科学依据。     

Short-term response of the herbaceous layer within leave patches after harvest

Leave patches, uncut areas in a harvested forest, may conserve herbaceous layer species that decline after forest clearcutting. They may also serve to maintain source populations for the recolonization of the harvest area. The main objective of this study is to characterize the short-term response of the herbaceous layer to clearcut harvesting disturbance within and adjacent to leave patches. Four experimental 1 ha patches and two uncut references were established. Within each patch or reference, belts of five 1 m² quadrats were placed at 50 m and 5 m outside the patch, at 0 m (edge), and at 25 m, 35 m, and 50 m (centre) inside. These belts of quadrats were replicated at all four aspects (North, South, East, and West). Ground vegetation was sampled yearly for 1 year before harvest and 3 years after harvest in the experimental patches and for 2 consecutive years in the references. Some common residual species declined significantly in the clearcuts, but remained stable inside the patches in the short term (3 years after harvest). Overall species composition changed little in the patch interior and edge after harvest. Colonizing species (those that appeared in quadrats after harvest) in the patch exterior were predominantly early-seral species, whereas colonizers in the patch interior tended to be shade-tolerant forest species. Species were grouped a priori based on two habitat preferences (amounts of canopy cover and disturbed substrate). Species characteristic of a habitat with closed canopy and undisturbed substrates that decreased significantly over time in the patch exterior were negatively correlated with the amount of exposed mineral soil and open canopy. Species characteristic of a habitat with open canopy and disturbed substrates that increased significantly at the patch exterior showed a positive correlation with the amount of exposed mineral soil and open canopy. No species’ habitat preference groups declined significantly in the patch interior or edge over time. Based on species’ responses to forest operations, it appears that at least the common forest species are maintained in the short term within leave patches.     

Spatial pattern analysis for quantification of landscape structure of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve,Central India

Landscape structure is often regarded as an important factor that governs the distribution and abundance of species.Therefore it is critical to understand the landscapes and their dynamics.Patterns of landscape elements strongly influence the ecological characteristics.This study was designed to document and map the current status of the tropical dry deciduous forest of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve(TATR),Central India,(using IRS P6 LISS IV data)and to describe its landscape structure at three levels of organization viz.landscape,class,and patch.The study area was classified into 10 land cover classes that include 6vegetation classes.The landscape structure was analyzed using FRAGSTATS using 12 set of indices.The TATR landscapes have a total of2,307 patches with a mean patch size of 25.67 ha and patch density of 1.7patches per km2.Amongst all land cover classes,mixed bamboo forest is dominant—it occupied maximum area(77.99%)—while riparian forest is least represented(0.32%).Mixed forest has maximum number of patches among all vegetation classes.Results have shown that despite being dominant in the area,mixed bamboo forest has low patch density(0.25/100 ha).Dominance of mixed bamboo forest is attributed to large patch sizes and not to the number of patches.This study has focussed on the approach of integrating satellite forest classification and forest inventory data for studying forest landscape patterns.     

Effect of patch size and isolation on mating patterns and seed production in an urban population of Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.)

Fragmentation is a critical issue for tree populations because the creation of small patches can reduce local population size and increase isolation, both of which can promote inbreeding and its negative consequences, as well as loss of genetic diversity. To test the hypothesis that patch size and isolation influence mating patterns or seed production in forest trees, we utilize the spatial array of trees of an urban population of Chinese Pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) planted in patches around Beijing. Our design includes 28 urban patches, with patch size ranging from 1 to 2000 adult trees and isolation (edge distance index) ranging from 37.5 m to 245.8 m. We examined the average number of seeds per cone and percentage of viable seed per cone for each patch as measures of seed production. By utilizing seven paternally inherited chloroplast microsatellite loci, we estimated the mating pattern parameters for each patch, including the level of selfing, the amount of immigrant pollen and the effective number of pollen sources (N_ep). Using a general linear model selection procedure based on AIC value, we found patch size was the best predictor of the selfing and immigration rate; smaller patches had a higher selfing and immigration rate. Small patches with one adult had relatively high N_ep which indicates connectivity among urban patches. However, due to the reduced amount of immigrant pollen and limited diversity of local pollen, intermediate sized patches (with 5–10 adults) had the lowest N_ep among the study patches. For patches with more than 10 adults, N_ep was increased with patch size. The percentage of viable seeds per cone significantly decreased with patch size, indicating a possible negative consequence of inbreeding. The effect of patch size on mating patterns and seed production suggests that the patches of trees experience less connectivity than trees within continuous forest. These findings indicate that forest management practices should emphasize the maintenance of an optimal patch size because, despite the fact that tree species show the potential for long distance pollen movement, the number of local trees strongly influences the mating patterns.     

Patterns of forest vegetation responses to edge effect as revealed by a continuous approach

Context

Understanding the variability of vegetation distribution and its determinants is a central issue for addressing the effects of edges on ecological processes. Recent studies have revealed inconsistencies in the patterns of responses to edge effects that raise important questions about their determinants. We investigated the edge effect response patterns by adapting a recently proposed continuous approach to the case of small forest fragments in southwestern France.

Methods

We surveyed forest understory vegetation (composition, species richness, and percent cover) and abiotic variables (soil temperature, moisture, pH, and canopy openness) along 28 transects across hard forest edges. We tested five statistical models to describe the response pattern of each variable (1) over all transects and (2) per transect. We then compared the response patterns as a function of the attributes of the edge (orientation, topography, and adjacent land cover) and forest patch size.

Results

Over all transects, a general decreasing trend was observed for all variables as the distance from the edge increased. In the individual transects, we evidenced a large variability in the response patterns that was not related to edge attributes or to patch size.

Conclusion

It is difficult to assess the depth of edge influence in highly fragmented forests and to identify the determinants of edge effects. We recommend that care should be taken with studies using pool of transects, and that further studies should be carried out including situations with neutral patterns, in order to gain a broader understanding of edge effects on vegetation.     

鄂西山地景观格局与松材线虫病扩散风险分析——以宜昌伍家岗为例

本文分析伍家岗地区城市景观格局和马尾松林的斑块特征,以松褐天牛飞行距离作为因子,在区域尺度下分析了松材线虫病的扩散风险。结果表明：松材线虫病扩散风险性低,伍家岗区城市居民用地和灌木林地斑块面积最大,占总面积的34．95％和36．22％,破碎化程度低;灌木林地斑块数最多,达到215个,没有充足扩散条件;研究地林地斑块面积较小,仅占总面积10．88％,且破碎化程度高,斑块数达188个;林地中,马尾松纯林比例小,针阔混交林斑块密度高。针阔混交林风险较高,应加强风险斑块的管理,建立边缘隔离区、人工廊道;在城市建设工程中保护自然廊道,隔绝有害生物的自然传播和人为携带扩散。     

基于MODIS卫星影像的湖南省景观格局

景观格局是由自然或人为形成的一系列大小、形状各异,排列不同的景观要素共同作用的结果.利用2005年MODIS卫星数据,经过一系列处理后得到湖南省景观图.利用决策树分类法将研究区分为5种景观类型:水、自然植被、耕地、城镇用地、其它用地.选取斑块数、斑块密度、破碎度、斑块分维数、多样性指数、优势度、均匀度、聚集度、分离度等景观指数,从斑块、斑块类型和景观3个层次上对研究区景观格局进行定量分析.结果表明:湖南省景观斑块共39357块,总面积为21.1984万km2;在5种景观类型中,植被和耕地是主要景观类型,占研究区总面积的88.38%;湖南省景观多样性程度低,且斑块空间形状简单.     

Optimizing wildlife habitat mitigation with a habitat defragmentation algorithm

Habitat fragmentation is being increasingly recognized as a serious problem for a variety of wildlife species. While it is possible to approximately determine by eye where on a map a habitat alteration could be used to decrease fragmentation, this is a slow and imprecise method that is impractical for large maps. An algorithm is presented that automates this task. The method is based on concepts of diffusion-based chemical signaling. Many organisms use chemical signals spread by diffusion to detect prey or to find conspecifics. Based on this concept, a ‘scent' is artificially generated for each unit of wildlife habitat and allowed to diffuse randomly. This creates a gradient around all habitat patches. A grid square located between two habitat patches that are close together will have a high concentration of ‘scent' and will be a candidate for converting to wildlife habitat to increase connectivity or to decrease edge. The algorithm chooses for conversion those squares with the highest concentration of ‘scent' that are not already habitat. The algorithm is shown to produce least-cost corridors to connect two patches, to fill in holes in an existing patch, and to decrease edge/interior ratios.     

Microclimatic and spruce growth gradients adjacent to young aspen stands

Effective utilization of a patch or cluster approach to growing aspen-white spruce mixtures in the boreal forest requires an understanding of how the faster growing aspen patches influence microclimate and spruce growth in adjacent spruce patches. In this paper we examine, how young (11–13 year old) aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) patches influence microclimatic conditions in adjacent openings and how these are reflected in the growth of white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) on three boreal mixedwood sites in west-central Alberta, Canada. Light levels increased continuously across the aspen stand boundary and reached maximum levels within the opening, while soil moisture was highest near the edge of the opening and then decreased with distance into the aspen stand or into the adjacent opening north of the aspen stand. Light levels were reduced over a greater distance when moving north from aspen stand edges compared to openings located south of the young aspen. These young aspen stands provided growing season frost protection within one tree length from the edge. The growth of white spruce was positively related to initial crown size and either light levels or distance from the edge. Stem volume growth was best predicted by initial tree size and the light levels at the midcrown of seedlings.     

Importance of habitat type classifications for predicting ruffed grouse use of areas for drumming

To incorporate ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) habitat planning in forest management, it is necessary for managers to understand factors contributing to grouse habitat use. Previous studies examining ruffed grouse drumming habitat documented relationships between drumming grouse and broad vegetation categories (e.g., northern hardwoods, young aspen [Populus spp.], oak [Quercus spp.]), but few studies have documented how drumming grouse respond to ecological variations in site conditions of aspen or other vegetation types that might be used. Our objectives were to determine the utility of habitat type classifications in predicting the occurrence of ruffed grouse drumming habitat in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and demonstrate how classifications may be used to understand how forest management may affect ruffed grouse habitat. We used survey routes on state land and conducted drumming surveys during mid-April and early May at 78 points in 2005 and 2006. We recorded the number of drumming males heard at each point, the azimuth to where the grouse was heard, and a qualitative measure of distance to determine in which forest stands grouse were drumming. Using GIS, we determined the specific vegetation type, age class, and habitat type, evaluated habitat suitability, and determined a suitability score for areas in which grouse were drumming. We constructed a logistic regression model that calculated the probability of grouse use of areas for drumming based on vegetation characteristics at used and random locations. Our results indicated that the probability of grouse use of an area for drumming is based on inherent site characteristics (i.e., habitat type) and habitat suitability. The model is useful for planning forest management activities and understanding how grouse may respond to spatial or temporal changes in vegetation through succession or manipulation.     

岷山山系土地岭大熊猫栖息地廊道特征及影响因素分析

本文采用景观生态学的斑块理论,根据土地岭区域前后两期森林分布信息和大量的野生动植物以及社会经济信息,详细分析了土地岭区域建立大熊猫栖息地走廊带的植被分布格局、斑块结构、廊道特征及主要影响因素,研究结果显示土地岭区域植被符合大熊猫栖息地建设条件。残余班块分布连续,占据区域森林植被的主体,有利于廊道栖息地恢复。引进斑块面积大,质量差,是廊道栖息地建设的主要改造类型。在众多的社区活动影响中,采笋的负面影响最大,最值得重点关注。基于一些主要因素的分析,作者提出了在土地岭建立大熊猫栖息地走廊带的关键措施。     

信宜市土地利用景观格局研究

以广东省信宜市为研究区,利用patch analyst景观格局分析软件,选取斑块数目、斑块面积、斑块密度、平均斑块大小、斑块面积标准差、斑块面积变异系数、平均斑块形状指数、面积加权平均斑块形状指数、平均斑块分维数、面积加权平均斑块分维数、破碎度、均匀度和多样性指数等指标,对信宜市土地利用景观格局进行分析.结果表明:各类...     

八英庄林场砬沿沟流域森林景观变化分析

为更好地实现八英庄林场森林资源的优化配置,以河北省木兰围场国有林场管理局八英庄林场2010年和2015年2期地形图、遥感图像及二类调查数据为基础,运用ArcGIS10.0和Fragstats4.2软件,对砬沿沟流域森林景观变化进行分析。砬沿沟流域按一级景观分类划分,斑块类型共5类,有林地斑块面积由473.95hm~2增加为500.88hm~2,其他斑块面积相对减小;有林地的景观形状指数、散布与并列指数减小,分别由3.008 1、59.106 6降为2.481 6、49.060 4;景观多样性由0.426 9减小为0.233 4,说明各斑块的聚集程度有所增加,各斑块之间的连通性有所提高。砬沿沟流域按二级景观分类划分,在有林地类型中,2010年和2015年斑块类型都为5类,到2015年山杏林斑块消失,新增云杉林斑块;2010至2015年华北落叶松林斑块面积、斑块景观形状指数均增加,山杨林斑块面积、斑块景观形状指数均减小。砬沿沟流域森林景观香农多样性指数由1.602 7降为1.389 2。除去一级景观分类中有林地斑块破碎度减小,其他无论是一级景观分类还是二级景观分类,各斑块破碎度都有不同程度的增加,说明近5a一级、二级斑块在总数上有所增加,并且增加的斑块相对独立,并不连续。     

科尔沁沙地疏林典型分布区景观格局分析

以ALOS获得的影像（10 m）为原始数据,借助ArcGIS等软件和景观生态学方法分析了科尔沁沙地疏林典型分布区的景观格局特征。结果表明：①研究区景观破碎化程度不高,类型较单一;另外景观以少数几个大斑块为主,并且斑块的形状相对简单且不稳定。②农田和蒙古黄榆疏林是该地区的主要景观类型,分别占到研究区总面积的33.5921%和20.2617%;同时,虽然农田斑块穿插分布于蒙古黄榆疏林斑块之间,但是蒙古黄榆疏林仍然具有大面积成片分布。③研究区流动沙地分布面积较小、斑块数最多、平均斑块面积最小,以固定沙地和半固定沙地为主。     

Male Kirtland's Warblers’ patch-level response to landscape structure during periods of varying population size and habitat amounts

Forest planners must evaluate how spatiotemporal changes in habitat amount and configuration across the landscape as a result of timber management will affect species’ persistence. However, there are few long-term programs available for evaluation. We investigated the response of male Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) to 26 years of changing patch and landscape structure during a large, 26-year forestry-habitat restoration program within the warbler's primary breeding range. We found that the average density of male Kirtland's Warblers was related to a different combination of patch and landscape attributes depending on the species’ regional population level and habitat amounts on the landscape (early succession jack pine (Pinus banksiana) forests; 15–42% habitat cover). Specifically, patch age and habitat regeneration type were important at low male population and total habitat amounts, while patch age and distance to an occupied patch were important at relatively high population and habitat amounts. Patch age and size were more important at increasing population levels and an intermediate amount of habitat. The importance of patch age to average male density during all periods reflects the temporal buildup and decline of male numbers as habitat suitability within the patch changed with succession. Habitat selection (i.e., preference for wildfire-regenerated habitat) and availability may explain the importance of habitat type and patch size during lower population and habitat levels. The relationship between male density and distance when there was the most habitat on the landscape and the male population was large and still increasing may be explained by the widening spatial dispersion of the increasing male population at the regional scale. Because creating or preserving habitat is not a random process, management efforts would benefit from more investigations of managed population responses to changes in spatial structure that occur through habitat gain rather than habitat loss to further our empirical understanding of general principles of the fragmentation process and habitat cover threshold effects within dynamic landscapes.     

北京城市扩展轴上的绿地景观格局梯度分析

应用梯度分析与景观指数相结合的方法,分析了2004年北京城市绿地系统沿东西和南北两条城市扩展轴分布的空间格局。结果表明:城市绿地整体上破碎化程度高,连通性好,边缘效应较强;从城市中心到边缘,绿化覆盖率不随距城市中心远近而变化,小型斑块数量比例、斑块数量、形状指数、破碎度、平均最近邻体距离等指标则表现出明显的梯度变化;影响绿化覆盖率和斑块面积频率分布的主要因素是公园性质大型斑块的分布状况。研究结果说明:在目前城市绿化覆盖率较难提高的情况下,通过应用梯度分析与景观指数相结合的方法对现有绿地空间结构进行分析调整,不仅能优化城市绿地的景观格局,还能更好地发挥出城市绿地缓解环境问题的功能。     

Persistent Acacia savannas replace Mediterranean sclerophyllous forests in South America

Mediterranean ecosystems are global hotspots of biodiversity threaten by human disturbances. Growing evidence indicates that regeneration of Mediterranean forests can be halted under certain circumstances and that successional stages can become notoriously persistent. The Mediterranean sclerophyllous forest in central Chile is been largely transformed into savannas dominated by the invasive legume tree Acacia caven as result of interacting management and ecological factors. We used multi-temporal satellite imagery to study the transition dynamics of these major vegetation types over the last four decades (1975-2008). Vegetation changes were related to indicators of resource availability (topography, water availability, solar radiance), potential propagule availability (distance to forest remnant patches) and disturbance regimes (grazing, fire occurrence and distance to roads and cities). During this study period, forests were mostly converted into Acacia savannas (46.1%). Acacia savanna was the most persistent natural vegetation type. The probability of sclerophyllous forest degradation into Acacia savanna increased on drier northern-exposed slopes, close to roads and further away from forest remnants. In contrast, forest regeneration from Acacia savanna was higher on moister southern-exposed slopes and closer to forest remnants. Acacia savannas are increasingly being converted into cultivated land on the moister locations or switching into a bare soil state in locations close to cities and further away from forest remnants. These results highlight the vulnerability of diverse sclerophyllous forests and its increasing conversion into persistent Acacia savannas in the Mediterranean region of central Chile and identify the ecological conditions for successful conservation and restoration of the native sclerophyllous forest vegetation that can be used for sensible land use planning.     

Historical fire and vegetation dynamics in dry forests of the interior Pacific Northwest,USA, and relationships to Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) habitat conservation

Regional conservation planning frequently relies on general assumptions about historical disturbance regimes to inform decisions about landscape restoration, reserve allocations, and landscape management. Spatially explicit simulations of landscape dynamics provide quantitative estimates of landscape structure and allow for the testing of alternative scenarios. We used a landscape fire succession model to estimate the historical range of variability of vegetation and fire in a dry forest landscape (size ca. 7900 km²) where the present-day risk of high severity fire threatens the persistence of older closed canopy forest which may serve as Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) habitat. Our results indicated that historically, older forest may have comprised the largest percentage of the landscape (∼35%), followed by early successional forest (∼25%), with about 9% of the landscape in a closed canopy older forest condition. The amount and condition of older forest varied by potential vegetation type and land use allocation type. Vegetation successional stages had fine-grained spatial heterogeneity in patch characteristics, with older forest tending to have the largest patch sizes among the successional stages. Increasing fire severities posed a greater risk to Northern Spotted Owl habitat than increasing fire sizes or frequencies under historical fire regimes. Improved understanding of historical landscape-specific fire and vegetation conditions and their variability can assist forest managers to promote landscape resilience and increases of older forest, in dry forests with restricted amounts of habitat for sensitive species.