Woody species composition and structure of Kuandisha afromontane forest fragment in northwestern Ethiopia

To investigate the woody species composition,diversity and structure of Kuandisha Afromontane forest,vegetation and environmental data were collected from 53 plots of 10 m 9 50 m for trees and shrubs and 265 subplots of 2 m 9 4 m for seedlings were laid along eight transect lines. The local name, scientific name, abundance,DBH, height and percentage foliage cover of species were recorded. Environmental variables, namely altitude, latitude and longitude as well as disturbance levels were also recorded in each plot. Structure, basal area, importance value index(IVI) and species prioritization were analyzed using spreadsheet programs. Correlation coefficients, frequency, relative frequency, Shannon diversity index,Shannon evenness and vegetation classification were analyzed using an R package. Sixty-six species belonging to40 families were recorded. Fabaceae was the most diverse family consisting of seven species, followed by Euphorbiaceae and Asteraceae. In terms of habit, 29 species were trees, 28 were shrubs, and 9 were lianas. The overall Shannon diversity index was 2.5. The frequency and relative frequency of woody species with DBH C2.5 cm ranged from 1.9 to 92.5 and 0.1 to 5, respectively. Seedling density varied among species ranging from five to 9938 individuals ha-1. The total basal area of woody species having DBH C2.5 cm is 15.3 m2ha-1. The IVI of species ranged from 0.13 for Solanum giganteum Jacq. to 28.4 for Croton macrostachyus Del. The woody vegetation was classified into five community types. Species richness,diversity and evenness of communities were strongly positively correlated. On the other hand, the correlation between disturbance and seedling density, and species richness was strongly negative. Thus, among the recorded woody species, a significant portion was either lacking regeneration or selectively removed for various purposes.The lack of seedlings of those species is mainly attributed to anthropogenic disturbances particularly free grazing. As a result, 14 tree, seven shrub and one liana species were prioritized for conservation and management interventions.     

Woody plant species diversity and composition in and around Debre Libanos church forests of North Shoa Zone of Oromiya,Ethiopia

Dry afromontane forests are among the most poorly managed and endangered ecosystems.Therefore,we assessed the composition,diversity,and conservation status of woody plant species of the Debre Libanos church forests and surrounding forest lands in Oromiya Regional National State,central Ethiopia in 62 nested circular sample plots spaced 200 m apart along two transect lines.Large circular plots 314 m~2 were used to sample trees with DBH of at least 10 cm,and subplots of 28.26 m~2 were laid in each main plot were used to assess saplings and shrubs;a small subplot of 3.14 m~2 was used to assess seedlings.In total,70 woody plant species belonging to 62 genera and 43 families were recorded.Of these,59,28 and 32 were in the church,government and private forest types,respectively.The most dominant families were Fabaceae and Verbenaceae,each represented by five species.In the forests considered,trees accounted for 61%,and shrubs with diameter at breast height(DBH) of 1-10 cm accounted for ca.33%.Among growth forms of woody species,shrubs and seedlings,followed by trees constituted much of the density of woody species in all the three ownership types of forests.The church forest had the most species(59) and highest Shannon(3.12) and Simpson(0.92) species diversity indices,and the government and private forests had a nearly similar total number of species and Shannon and Simpson species diversity indices.Most of the species with higher importance value indices(IVI) were indigenous in origin within the church forest(Juniperus procera=82),government forest(J.procera=66) and private forest(Acacia abyssinica=84).The composition,diversity,and population structure of woody species in the church forest were significantly higher than in the other forest lands.However,interventions of the government and private sectors to conserve forest systems in the areas,particularly the government-owned forest and specific species such as Olea europaea need active enrichment plantings due to their limited natural regeneration.Without improved management interventions,livelihood income diversification and ecosystem services obtained from the forest will not be sustainable.     

Structure and regeneration status of Komto Afromontane moist forest, East Wollega Zone, west Ethiopia

We conducted a study in Komto Forest in East Wollega Zone, Oromia National Regional State, West Ethiopia for determining vegetation structure and regeneration status in this forest. We systematically sampled 53 quadrats (20 m × 20 m) along line transects radiating from the peak of Komto Mountain in eight directions. Vegetation parameters such as DBH, height, seedling and sapling density of woody species, and location and altitude of each quadrat were recorded. In total, 103 woody plant species of 87 genera and 45 families were identified. Analysis of selected tree species revealed different population structures. Generally, the forest was dominated by small trees and shrubs characteristic of secondary regeneration. Observations on the regeneration of the forest indicated that there are woody species that require urgent conservation measures. Based on the results of this study, we recommend detailed ecological studies of various environmental factors such as soil type and properties, and ethnobotanical studies to explore indigenous knowledge on uses of plants.     

Altitudinal variability of stand structure and regeneration in the subalpine spruce forests of the Pol’ana biosphere reserve,Central Slovakia

The structure of natural subalpine spruce forest in the Zadná Pol’ana massif of the Western Carpathians was analysed. We focused on the variability of different aspects of stand structure, tree decay and regeneration processes in altitudinal gradient. We used systematic sampling, covering an area of 2 km², to detect even subtle changes in stand structure within one forest type over a range of less than 200 m in elevation. Mean stand density was 290 trees (>7 cm DBH) per hectare, average basal area was 41 m² ha⁻¹, and the volume accumulation in living trees amounted to 500 m³/ha⁻¹. Stand volume decreased by more than 50% between 1,260 and 1,434 m a.s.l. This means for an increase of altitude of 100 m that stand volume decreased by nearly 200 m³. Neither stand density nor basal area was related to elevation. Maximum tree height was strongly correlated to elevation, and it decreased on average by 6 m for each 100 m increment of altitude. No significant changes in the maximum spruce diameter were recorded in relation to the elevation gradient. Spatial distribution of trees was biased toward regularity at lower altitudes. Tree clustering increased with increasing altitude. The stock of coarse woody debris (CWD) decreased slightly along the altitudinal gradient, but changes were not significant. Density of spruce saplings and their number growing on CWD significantly increased across the elevation gradient. Despite the fact that the analysed forest tract was relatively large, highly variable in respect to environmental factors, and that stand volume, spatial structure, and tree height displayed strong variability along the elevation gradient, the diameter structure of stands and regeneration measures were uniform. Our results suggest that the recruitment of new trees in the Zadná Pol’ana subalpine spruce forest is not temporally continuous even at a scale of several square kilometres.     

Valuation and characterization of the timber species in remnants of the Alto Uruguay River ecosystem,southern Brazil

Turvo Park in the Alto Uruguay River region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul is the last intact remnant of the Seasonally Deciduous Forest in southern Brazil. This forest once covered large parts of southern Brazil but it is now reduced to less than 3% of its original size due to intensive logging caused by its exceptional richness in tree species with commercial timber value. The current study presents results on the diversity of timber species inventored in Turvo Park and in a number of small and scattered forest remnants in its vicinity. All timber plants with DBH ≥5 cm were included in the forest inventory on 540 sampling points, established using the point-centred quarter method. On average, 313 plants ha⁻¹ were recorded, belonging to 57 different species from 25 families. Timber species of commercial value represented 64% of all woody species and 36% of all woody plants. Nectandra megapotamica and Apuleia leiocarpa were the main dominant species. Twenty percent of all plants showed a DBH greater than 40 cm, representing 67% of the total log volume. Differences in species diversity and plant density among the forest remnants were detected. The few forest remnants represent an enormous richness of timber species, being the maintainers and propagule repository for all the biodiversity of that ecosystem. A knowledge-based forest management plan is therefore required to secure their vital role in forest enrichment programs or in projects aiming at recovering abandoned and degraded areas, and in breeding programs for the timber production improvement.     

海南岛不同海拔高度青皮林天然更新特征

在基于不同海拔高度对青皮林群落的物种组成、结构及群落特征影响分析的基础上,进一步分析不同海拔高度对青皮林天然更新的影响,结果表明:青皮林二级幼树的群落组成、青皮重要值、群落多样性及更新数量与海拔高度的关系与成树有相同的规律;青皮一级幼树高度分布像径级分布一样也呈倒J曲线分布;根据成树和二级幼树重要值排序均为前10位的树种可筛选出天然更新能力及竞争能力均较强的树种的原则,青皮为天然更新能力和竞争能力极强的树种,此外,吊罗山高海拔地区的皱萼蒲桃、白榄、黄樟、海南冬青和岭南山竹子,三亚中海拔地区的光叶巴豆、线枝蒲桃、白树、琼榄、叶被木和岭南山竹子天然更新能力和竞争能力也较强。     

小兴安岭阔叶红松林粗木质残体基础特征

以小兴安岭典型阔叶红松林大面积固定样地(9hm2)为对象,分析粗木质残体(CWD)的物种组成及数量特征、径级结构、存在形式、腐烂等级,揭示小兴安岭阔叶红松林CWD的基础特征。结果表明:9hm2典型阔叶红松林固定样地内共计有胸径≥2cm的CWD3418株(由于高度腐烂鉴别不出种的CWD有864株,占总个体数的25.3%),CWD的密度、胸高断面积和体积分别为380株.hm-2、15.80m2.hm-2和90.1m3.hm-2;花楷槭和枫桦是阔叶CWD的主要组成树种,红松和冷杉是针叶CWD的主要组成树种;针叶树种的胸高断面积(9.12m2.hm-2)和体积(57.68m3.hm-2)分别达到总体CWD的57.7%和64%;在各存在形式下不同种的CWD数量随着径级的增加而减少,均呈反J型;除未知种以外,其他CWD都主要以枯立木、干基折断和干中折断形式存在;针叶树种根桩形式CWD的数量随着径级的增加而增加,这一规律有别于其他种;样地内各树种CWD腐烂等级都大致呈正态分布,主要集中在Ⅱ和Ⅲ腐烂等级上;除针叶树种的Ⅴ腐烂等级外,各树种不同腐烂等级CWD的数量都随着径级的增加呈减少的趋势。     

Effect of physiographic factors on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of Cornus mas L. natural stands in Arasbaran forests, Iran

Arasbaran forests are located in East Azerbaijan (northwest Iran). Increasing of socio-economic problems in this area causes destruction of biodiversity and structure of these forests. Using multipurpose trees such as cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L) to encourage villagers to produce forest by-products is a basic approach for preserving these forests. This species grows naturally in Arasbaran forests and the fruit is annually exploited using traditional harvest methods. This study aims to assess the ecological requirements of cornelian cherry and the important factors affecting its distribution. For this purpose, 40 circular sampling plots (300 m 2 ) on various slope aspects were demarcated for sampling the occurrence of cornelian cherry in forest stands. DBH and crown cover percentage on north aspects were significantly greater than on other aspects and 4.5% of all trees were cornelian cherry in mature forest stands. North aspects had more seed-origin trees (standards) of cornelian cherry than coppiced trees, while west facing aspects had more coppiced than standard trees. This species had the highest regeneration rate in the sapling stage of 0 2.5 cm DBH. Thus, I recommend cultivation and development of cornelian cherry as a multi-purpose tree in the Arasbaran region on degraded forest lands on north and west aspects.     

亚热带常绿阔叶林结构、树种多样性和土壤特性的研究(英文)

采用样地调查法,对日本冲绳岛北部的亚热带常绿阔叶林的林分结构,树种组成以及土壤特性等进行了调查分析。结果表明,该亚热带林具有林冠低矮、小径木多等特点。林分的平均林冠高度仅10m,平均立木密度达5400株·hm2(≥3.0cmDBH),其中胸径小于10cm的立木占64%。林分胸高断面积为54.4m2·hm-2。30个调查样地共出现树种数(≥3.0cmDBH)达80种,分属31个科。根据树种的重要值,Castanopsis sieboldii和Schima wallichii分别为优势树种和亚优势树种。树种多样性指数(H’)平均达3.63,均衡度指数(J’)为0.71,丰富度指数(S’)为4.72。这些多样性指数都随着优势树种重要值的增加而显著降低。土壤养分测定结果表明,该森林的土壤肥力低,异质性大,并可能存在Al毒害。由相关分析知,林分密度和优势树高均与土壤pH值呈显著正相关关系;多样性指数则与土壤交换性K ,Ca2 以及Ca2 /Al3 比呈显著的正相关,而与土壤有机碳,全氮和磷呈显著的负相关。这些结果说明土壤性质是影响冲绳亚热带常绿阔叶林林分结构和树种组成多样性的重要因素。图3表4参38。     

大强度抚育对油松人工林天然更新的影响

以油松人工林为研究对象,在大强度抚育条件下,通过林分层次结构、各层次林木胸径结构、树高结构及其林木分布格局等指标研究林下天然更新状况,结果表明:油松人工林在22a、32a时分别进行株数强度50%和40%的下层抚育,后经20a天然更新(林分年龄52a),林分形成明显层次结构,分为主林层、演替层及更新层,整个林分林木胸径、树高结构均呈多峰分布,其中主林层、演替层林木胸径和树高结构均呈单峰山状分布,更新层林木胸径和树高结构呈多峰分布,各林层平均胸径分别为23.2cm、12.6cm和3.1cm,平均树高分别为18.4m、14.5m和2.8m,而对照标准地胸径、树高结构均呈单峰分布,平均胸径、树高分别为18.6cm及17.9m;主林层、演替层各层林木空间分布呈均匀分布,密度分别为840株/hm~2和1 125株/hm~2,更新层林木空间分布呈聚集分布,密度为675株/hm~2,对照样地林木空间分布偏向均匀分布,密度为1 605株/hm~2。     

铜鼓岭自然保护区热带常绿季雨矮林的群落结构特征

应用植物群落学方法,调查分析了铜鼓岭热带常绿季雨矮林的群落结构特征。结果表明,该群落优势树种为黄椿木姜(Litsea variabilis)、海南大风子(Hydnocarpus hainanensis)、滨木患(Arytera littoralis)、无患子(Sapindus mukorossi)和禾串树(Bridelia balansae)等。立木胸径及树高结构分析表明,该群落中2.5～7.5 cm胸径级的个体占有相当高的比例,树高2～8 m各级分布较均匀,整个群落处于稳定发展当中。分别运用y=aD+b和ω=aD+b对优势树种的胸径与树高和冠幅之间的关系进行拟合,显著性检验结果显示,除禾串种群外,各直线方程均存在极显著的相关性,因此今后的调查中可用胸径来估测树高和冠幅。     

Woody plant diversity,structure and regeneration in the Ambo State Forest,South Gondar Zone,Northwest Ethiopia

For this study in the Ambo State Forest on woody plant diversity, structure and regeneration, 70 quadrats, each 25 m by 25 m, were selected using a systematic random sampling technique and intervals of 100 m along a transect line. For assessing seedlings and saplings,two 2 × 10 m sub quadrats were set upon opposite sides of each main quadrat. Data on species diversity, abundance,structure, basal area, density, frequency and regeneration status were collected and analyzed using standard procedures and programs. Of 58 woody plant species identified,69 % were trees, 16 % were shrubs, 12 % were tree/shrubs and 4 % were climbers. Fabaceae was the most speciesrich family comprising 17 species. The Shannon–Weiner diversity index was 2.73, and evenness was 0.67. The population structure in the cumulative diameter class frequency distribution revealed an interrupted and inverted J-shape with a very high decrease in higher diameter class.Acacia lahai(49 %) was the most important woody species with the highest importance value index. To maintain balanced structure, enhanced regeneration and protecting the forest from selective cutting are recommended.     

哀牢山湿性常绿阔叶林木质藤本植物的物种多样性及其与支柱木的关系

分别在哀牢山湿性常绿阔叶林沟谷和坡面调查了10个20m×50m的样地,研究哀牢山湿性常绿阔叶林木质藤本植物的物种多样性及其与支柱木的关系。结果表明:研究区共记录到DBH≥1cm的木质藤本植物402株(隶属于23种21属16科)和DBH≥10cm的林木1522株(隶属于47种30属15科);与其他亚热带森林比较,该森林中木质藤本植物物种较为丰富但多度较低;藤本植物的物种丰富度、密度和基面积在沟谷显著高于坡面,而林木的差异性不显著;木质藤本植物在支柱木上呈集群分布,并且不同种支柱木被藤本植物攀援的百分比间存在显著的差异(P0.001),说明藤本植物的攀援对支柱木具有选择性;云南越桔、薄叶马银花和景东冬青等树种因其树皮光滑而不易被藤本植物攀援,而腾冲栲、七裂槭、山矾和多花山矾等则易于被藤本植物攀援;大径级支柱木被藤本植物攀援的比率高于小径级支柱木;茎缠绕和钩刺攀援藤本的胸径与支柱木胸径极显著相关(P0.001),根攀援和卷须攀援藤本的胸径与支柱木胸径相关性不显著(P0.05)。     

尖峰岭国家级自然保护区青皮林资源及其垂直分布特征

尖峰岭国家级自然保护区三分区的青皮林是目前海南岛保存最好的林分之一，其生态系统的原生性较强．组成种类繁多，林分结构合理，平均胸径为28．6cm，最大植株胸径达143．3cm，23个样方中有14个样方出现了胸径≥70cm的大乔木；林木蓄积量高达469．773m^3／hm^2，而青皮、细子龙、野生荔枝、盘壳栎等13个种的蓄积量占总蓄积量的45％，其余301个少见种或偶见种的蓄积量只占55％，反映了青皮是热带常绿季雨林生态系统关键种的现实。青皮与细子龙、野生荔枝等的最佳分布海拔在300m～650m之间，它们与向低海拔分布的白茶、翻白叶和向高海拔分布的大叶白颜、青兰、拟核果茶等一道组成了热带常绿季雨林的表征种类。     

Species diversity,population structure and regeneration of woody species in fallows and mature stands of tropical woodlands of southeast Angola

This study in the dry tropical woodlands of SE Angola in Cuando-Cubango Province assessed the diversity and composition of woody species in fallows compared to those in mature woodlands. We assessed the population structure of the most harvested woody species by calculating size class distribution and evaluated their regeneration potential based on the density of saplings. The vegetation was surveyed in 20 plots of 20 × 50 m(1000 m2). In each plot, we measured the diameter at breast height(DBH) of all woody species with DBH ≥ 5 cm. The saplings were counted, identified and recorded; 718 individuals, corresponding to 34 species in 32 genera and 15 families were recorded. The size class distribution of target woody species showed three different patterns in fallows and mature woodlands. In general,most of the smaller diameter classes had more individuals than the larger ones did, showing that the regeneration may take place. However, in some diameter classes, the absence of larger stems indicated selective logging of larger trees. Few saplings were recorded in the fallows or mature woodlands; fire frequency and intensity is probably the main obstacle for seed germination and seedling survival rates in the studied area.     

The R. R. Reynolds Research Natural Area in Southeastern Arkansas

The R. R. Reynolds Research Natural Area is a 32-ha pine-hardwood forest in southeastern Arkansas, U.S.A., that originated from diameter-limit cutting of the virgin forest before 1915. In 1935, these 32 ha were reserved from timber management. Between 1937 and 1993, eight inventories were taken of all living trees > 9-cm DBH, using 2.5-cm DBH classes within three species groups: Pinus spp., Quercus spp., and other hardwoods. In 1994, all standing dead snags of pines and hardwoods > 9-cm DBH were inventoried by 2.5-cm DBH classes. During 56 years, thc overstory pine-hardwood ratio remained stable in terms of relative basal area, but pine density decreased with a commensurate increase in hardwood density. In 1993, pines represented 63% of basal area but only 23% of stem density. Just before the 1993 inventory, a pine bark-beetle infestation developed on the area, and within one year the pines lost about 2.5 m2/ha in basal area and had 180% more snags than were contributed by hardwoods. The overstory pine component is decreasing in density as a result of natural senescence and the allogenic effects of bark beetles. Hardwood species are expected to eventually dominate the forest because shade-intolerant pine regeneration will not develop to maturity beneath the closed hardwood canopy which can be altered only by catastrophic natural disturbances or anthropogenic intervention.     

林火对马尾松杉木混交林的影响

马尾松（Pinus massoniana）和杉木（Cunninghamia lanceolata）作为中国南方亚热带常绿针叶林的建群树种,在生态公益林营造及石漠化治理中广泛应用.林火作为马尾松杉木混交林的主要扰动因子,逐渐成为其结构、功能和演替的重要驱动力.以火烧5年后的马尾松杉木混交林为研究对象,研究森林火灾对马尾松杉木混交林的林分结构、林木死亡率、林木质量（健康状况）以及林分更新的物种组成等方面的影响,探讨了林木胸径与它们之间的相互关系.结果表明,林火对小径级林木和幼苗幼树可直接致死,胸径＜ 20cm的林木受火灾的影响较其他径级更明显,而活立木的平均胸径得到显著增长（P＜0.01）.马尾松和杉木的死亡率与它们的胸径存在一种负相关关系,分别为R2 =0.7743和R2=0.7473,林木胸径越小,则死亡率更高.林木胸径10～20、20～30、30～40、40 ～ 50、50～ 60 cm受火灾影响以及死亡林木的百分比分别为37.3％、18.9％、12.8％、4.8％、1.6％.     

Diversity and regeneration status of woody species in Tara Gedam and Abebaye forests,northwestern Ethiopia

A study was conducted in Tara Gedam and Abebaye forests l,northwestern Ethiopia to investigate the diversity,regeneration status,socio-economic importance and the factors causing destruction of the forests.A total of 30 plots,measuring 20 m ×20 m,were established along line transects laid across the forests.Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method was employed to generate the socio-economic data.Primary data were collected by field observation,semi-structured interview with key informants and discussion with relevant stakeholders.A total of 143 woody species belonging to 114 genera and 57 families were recorded,and of all the species 44 (30.8%) were trees,57 (39.9%) trees/shrubs,33 (23.1%) shrubs and 9 (6.3%) lianas.The diversity and evenness of woody species in Tara Gedam forest are 2.98 and 0.65,respectively,and in Abebaye forest they are 1.31 and 0.31,respectively.The total density and basal area of woody species in Tara Gedam forest are 3001 individuals ha-1 and 115.36 m 2 ha-1,respectively,and in Abebaye forest the values are 2850 individuals ha-1 and 49.45 m 2 ha-1,respectively.The results on the importance value index (IVI) and DBH class distributions suggest that the species with low IVI value and poor regeneration status need to be prioritized for conservation.In the socio-economic survey,the responses from the key informants indicatedthat the forests are the major sources of fuelwood (90%),construction material (80%),timber (75%) and farm implements (55%).The forests are also sources of medicines,animal fodder,bee forage and edible fruits.Tara Gedam monastery,assisted by the local people who have strong religious belief and high respect to the monastery,has played a great role in the maintenance of the sacred forest since a long time.At present,the conservation efforts are made jointly by the monastery and institutions concerned with conservation.The major factors that cause destruction of the forests are livestock grazing,tree cutting for various purposes and farmland expansion.The implications of the results are discussed,and the recommendations are suggested for conservation,management and sustainable utilization of the forest ecosystems.