毛乌素沙地煤矿开采对植被景观的影响

毛乌素沙地气候干燥,水资源短缺,生态环境十分脆弱,对各种人为扰动极为敏感。该地区煤炭资源的开采势必会增加当地环境负担,使得生态环境恶化。以陕西省神木县大保当煤矿为例,通过实地调查,在查明自然植被种类、类型和分布的基础上,借助地理信息系统技术与地表沉陷预测模型,对煤矿开采造成的植被景观格局变化进行了预测,并分析了斑块数、形状指数、多样性指数等指标。结果表明,煤矿开采后矿区景观破碎度上升,斑块形状复杂化,景观异质性降低,植被生物量减少。矿区植被类型发生变化,原先以叉子圆柏(Sabina vulgaris)、北沙柳(Salix psammophila)、斜茎黄耆(Astragalus adsurgens)为优势种的灌木丛向以黑沙蒿(Artemisia ordosica)为优势种的灌草丛转化。从矿区整体变化程度来看,煤矿开采对区域自然生态系统存在一定的干扰,但未造成其根本性改变,自然生态系统仍存在一定的恢复和调控能力,应采取一系列生物与工程措施引导矿区生态环境向可持续方向发展。     

城市公园土壤和植被：自然和人为因子的影响

Various soil surface components, such as trees, shrubs and biological crusts, and human recreational activities, e.g., barbecues and trampling by visitors, may divide the area of the urban park into smaller fragments/microenvironments, differentiated by their microenvironmental conditions, which may differ in soil and vegetation characteristics. The spatial changes in the soil and vegetation characteristics and their causes were investigated in an urban park located south of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel. The area of the park is 0.5 km², including groves, a lake, lawns, and rest areas. Soil was sampled in nine microenvironments, of which seven were within the park: under Ceratonia siliqua trees (CsU), under Ficus sycomorus trees (FiU), rest area between tables under F. sycomorus (FiB), rest area under tables under F. sycomorus (FiT), open area with bare soil (OaS), open area with biological crust cover (OaC), and open area covered by herbaceous vegetation (OaV). Two more microenvironments, planar and sloping open areas (CoP and CoS, respectively) in the vicinity of the park, were used as the controls. Electrical conductivity, concentrations of soluble ions (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and HCO₃^-), pH, contents of organic carbon, calcium carbonate and moisture, and grain size distribution were determined. In addition, herbaceous vegetation cover, number and diversity of herbaceous vegetation species were measured. It was found that soil properties and herbaceous vegetation characteristics varied within the park. Soil organic carbon, electrical conductivity, soluble salts, penetration depth, and vegetation characteristics were affected by human activities, mainly in the rest area between the tables. In contrast, the above characteristics were affected by natural factors mainly in the rest of the microenvironments, which were subjected to low levels of anthropogenic intervention. The heterogeneous structure of the park, as represented by the various microenvironments, offered new habitats and promoted the preservation of natural vegetation.     

黄土丘陵区典型植被群落坡面土壤优先流特征及其影响因素

以黄土丘陵区3种典型植被群落(白羊草、铁杆蒿和杠柳)为研究对象,并以退耕1年的撂荒地作为对照(CK),采用原位染色示踪和实验室分析相结合,对比分析不同植被群落斑块格局下的土壤优先流特征,探究植物根系、土壤理化性质对优先流的影响。结果表明:相较CK,植被恢复提高了优先流发育程度;对于各植被斑块,铁杆蒿植被斑块具有最高的染色面积比(45.62%)、最大染色深度(30.30 cm)、优先流比(39.76%)和长度指数(475.90%),杠柳次之,白羊草最小;而对于同一植被群落,除白羊草群落外,其他群落优先流发育程度表现为植被斑块大于裸地斑块;通过结构方程模型发现,优先流染色面积比主要受到土壤总孔隙度、团聚体稳定性、根系生物量密度和有机质含量的直接影响,解释方差可达70%。因此,植被的自然恢复通过其根系发育影响土壤性质,进而改善土壤优先流发育程度,提高土壤入渗能力。     

短花针茅荒漠草原不同斑块优势种植物的C，N，P化学计量特征

[目的]研究斑块中优势种的生活史策略及对养分限制的响应,以及优势种生态化学计量学特征随季节变化的响应规律,为植物种群演替及变化过程研究提供科学依据。[方法]确定3类典型斑块:斑块A(短花针茅)、斑块B(短花针茅+草木樨状黄耆)、斑块C(猪毛蒿+苦豆子+老瓜头),测定优势种的全碳、全氮、全磷含量,计算C∶N, C∶P, N∶P并进行方差分析。采用线性回归分析法对不同斑块C,N,P化学计量进行逐步回归分析。[结果]各斑块优势种的C, N, P及其计量比特征在生长季内的变化规律不同,且各指标季节间的变化特征在不同斑块之间也存在差异;植物C含量在不同优势种和不同斑块间的差异均不显著;短花针茅N含量显著小于其他优势种,导致斑块A的N含量总体显著小于另外两个斑块;植物P含量在斑块A中随着季节的变化表现为增长的趋势,而在斑块C中表现为先减小后增大的变化过程;斑块A植物的C∶N值无显著的季节变化,C∶P和N∶P值在春季显著高于夏秋季;斑块B和斑块C不同优势种的C∶N, C∶P和N∶P值均表现出显著的差异性,但随季节变化过程不同,斑块B除C∶N值外均表现出下降的趋势,而斑块C各比值均表现出先增大后减小的变化规律。[结论] 3种斑块C,N,P含量表现出不同的相关性;斑块A表现为防御性策略,斑块B表现为竞争性策略,而斑块C表现为竞争性和防御性策略共存。     

Values of village fengshui forest patches in biodiversity conservation in the Pearl River Delta, China

Chinese village fengshui forests (VFF) are small remnant forest patches that coexist with natural villages. The indigenous residents protect the forest patches under traditional Chinese geomancy beliefs (namely fengshui). However, the VFF community features and conservation values and relationships with the indigenous people remain poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated tree species diversity conservation of regional VFF patches by sampling a 1200 m² transect within each patch. We also tested our hypothesis that patch size did not significantly impact interior forest community features of well-protected VFF patches. Thirty-two well-protected VFF patches in the Pearl River Delta, China were investigated. The average coefficient of similarity between transects (CS) was employed to evaluate community heterogeneity. Five forest community parameters (tree species richness per 1200 m², tree stem density, tree basal area density, Shannon–Wiener diversity index (SWI), and Simpson diversity index (SI)) were measured and compared with regional well-developed evergreen broadleaved, coniferous and coniferous-broadleaved mixed forests. The relationships between the five parameters versus patch size and elevation were analyzed. A total of 266 tree species comprised of 57 families were recorded in 32 transects, of which 258 (97%) species were indigenous and eight (3%) were exotic. Ten tree species were endangered, rare or nationally protected by the Chinese government, and 57 species were endemic to China. The average CS was 0.38; and the average five forest community parameter values were as follows: 46.8 for tree species richness; 3403 plants/ha for stem density, 49.1 m²/ha for basal area, 4.04 for SWI and 0.90 for SI. These values were consistent with well-developed evergreen broadleaved forests and greater than coniferous and coniferous-broadleaved forests. No significant correlation was detected between the five community parameters and patch area or elevation. We conclude that VFF patches preserve abundant tree species and heterogeneous habitats, which are important for maintaining regional biodiversity. The interior community features of VFF patches were not significantly affected by patch size. We recommend protection of both large and small VFF patches, which can be substantially enhanced by the preservation of associated traditional relic village cultures.     

The Effects of Expansive Shrubs on Plant Species Richness and Soils in Semi‐arid Communal Lands,South Africa

Expansion by expansive species can have severe ecological, social and economic impacts through the reduction of ecosystem goods and services and species richness. However, expansion by expansive species may also offer benefits to ecosystems and humans, through the supply of ecosystem goods and services (such as firewood, fodder and fruits), as well as potentially offering refugia in heavily used landscapes. Here, we examine the effects of four expansive dwarf shrub species (Aspalathus subtingens , Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis , Pteronia incana and Oedera genistifolia ) on plant species richness (at the point scale), vegetation cover, soil properties and whether the expansive species offer refugia to other species. Plant species richness, cover and soil properties were recorded in 1‐m² quadrats located within a mosaic of expanded and non‐expanded patches for the four expansive shrub species. Plant species richness was significantly higher in the non‐expanded areas compared to the expanded ones for all four expansive species. Some of the expansive shrubs provided refugia to certain plant species and limited the frequency of other species. With regard to species composition, there was little separation of expanded and non‐expanded samples within sites, indicating that the site factors were stronger determinants of plant species richness and composition than expansion. Therefore, it is more likely that the reduction in species richness in expanded sites is caused by multiple drivers, including vegetation attributes cover, litter cover and soil nutrients (organic C, Zn and P) and soil compaction. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

内盖夫荒漠中小型土壤节肢动物群落的时空变化

Desert ecosystems are characterized by sparse vegetation that affects both abiotic parameters and soil biota along the soil profile.This study was conducted in 2010–2011 in a loess plain in the northern Negev Desert highlands, Israel, to test two main hypotheses:1) the abundance and diversity of microarthropods would vary seasonally in the top 30-cm soil layer, but would be relatively stable at soil depths between 30 and 50 cm and 2) soil microarthropods would be more abundant in soils under shrubs with large litter accumulations than under shrubs with less litter or bare soil. Soil samples were collected each season from the 0–50 cm profile at10-cm intervals under the canopies of Hammada scoparia and Zygophyllum dumosum and from the bare interspaces between them.Soil moisture and soil organic carbon in the top 30-cm layers varied seasonally, but there was little variation in the soil layers deeper than 30 cm. Soil mites were most abundant in the top 30-cm soil layer in autumn and winter, with the highest number of families found in winter. There were no differences in soil microarthropod abundance attributable to the presence or absence of shrubs of either species. The microarthropod communities of the microhabitats studied consisted of Acari, Psocoptera, and Collembola. The Acari were mostly identified to the family level and were dominated by Oribatida(55%) and Prostigmata(41%) in all seasons and microhabitats, while the psocopterans were most abundant in summer. These results are opposite to those obtained in other studies in similar xeric environments. Moreover, our findings were not in line with our hypothesis that a better microhabitat played a major role in microarthropod community composition, diversity, and density.     

Benefactor and allelopathic shrub species have different effects on the soil microbial community along an environmental severity gradient

Patches where shrubs have either positive or negative effects on their understory plant community are common in arid ecosystems. The intensity and balance of these effects change along environmental severity gradients but, despite the major role of soil microbes in plant interactions, little is known about the differences among soil microbial communities under these species and their possible influence on such contrasting shrub effects. We hypothesized that microbial communities associated to benefactor and allelopathic shrubs would differ among them and that differences would increase with environmental severity. To test these hypotheses we characterized soil microbial biomass, activity and community composition under a benefactor shrub species, Retama sphaerocarpa, an allelopathic shrub species, Thymus hyemalis, and in bare soil among plants (gaps) at three sites along an environmental severity gradient. Shrubs promoted an increase in soil bacterial diversity, being bacterial communities associated to benefactor shrubs, allelopathic shrubs and gaps different in composition. Microbial enzymatic activity and biomass increased under shrubs and under more mesic conditions; nonetheless, they were highest under benefactor shrubs at the most arid site and under allelopathic shrubs at the less severe site. Compared to gaps, the presence of shrubs induced changes in microbial activity and community composition that were larger at the most severe site than at the less severe site. Along the gradient, benefactor shrubs enhanced the abundance of bacterial groups involved in organic matter decomposition and N fixation as well as plant pathogens, which could contribute to Retama's outstanding positive effects on understory plant biomass and diversity. Plant patches mitigate the effects of extreme conditions on associated plant and soil microbial communities and promote soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in arid ecosystems, with shrubs actively selecting for specific microbial groups in their understory.     

豆科灌木－小叶锦鸡儿在我国北方半干旱沙地中的作用

Caragana microphylla Lam., a pioneer leguminous shrub species for vegetation re-establishment, is widely distributed in the semi-fixed and fixed sandy lands of the Horqin region. Some soil chemical and physical properties were measured under the canopy of C. microphylla and in the adjacent open areas to determine the effects of individual shrubs on soil properties. The influence of isolated C. microphylla on chemical and physical properties of the topsoil was significantly different between plots under the shrub canopy and in the shrub interspaces. Beneath the shrub canopy greater amounts of fine particle fractions, a higher water-holding capacity, and a lower bulk density, as well as higher aboveground and belowground litter biomass were found. Soil organic C and total N concentrations were 23%-31.6% and 14%-27.2% higher under the shrub canopies than in the shrub interspaces, respectively, giving rise to ＂islands of fertility＂. In a desertified sandy grassland ecosystem, C. microphylla was believed to play a major role in organic C sequestration, N accumulation, and the hydrologic cycle. Additionally, it has been found to be of ecological importance for vegetative restoration and reversal of desertification.     

Composition and abundance of birds in Andean alder (Alnus acuminata) patches with past and present harvest in Bolivia

We compared species richness and abundance of birds between five patches under selective Alnus exploitation and five patches that have not been harvested for at least 10 years prior to our study, during the early dry season (April-July 2001), in Cotapata National Park. Using “point counts” we recorded birds and their distribution in two (<1.5 m and >1.5 m) forest layers. Simultaneously we evaluated the floristic structure (size [dbh] distribution, basal area, tree density, tree height, and vegetation cover) and composition (diversity) on three transects placed within each Alnus patch. Both bird diversity and vegetation cover were significantly higher in not presently used patches but only for the higher layer of the forest, whereas plant diversity was higher in presently used patches. Lack of differences between the two types of Alnus patches in any of the vegetation parameters measured in the lower layer was coupled with an indistinct avifauna. Small changes in habitat characteristics following a perturbation like selective logging have the potential to affect richness and abundance of birds, at least within the habitats directly affected by the perturbation.     

Moderate sheep grazing in semiarid shrubland alters small-scale soil surface structure and patch properties

We investigated whether long-term moderate livestock grazing by sheep (ca. 10 animal unit days/ha) in a semiarid shrubland with a long-term average annual rainfall of 200 mm causes changes in soil surface structure and dimensions of shrub and intershrub patches. We examined grazing-induced changes in landscape patchiness, patch structure, and soil moisture in three grazed and three ungrazed plots of 4 m × 4 m on a south-facing slope and the opposite, more productive north-facing slope. The measurements were done in early spring 2001 and 2002 before grazing started, in two surveys, one using two parallel transects and one using sample quadrats of 20 cm × 30 cm under three shrubs per plot and on an adjacent part of the intershrub matrix. On the north-facing slope, the sheep reduced shrub patch size as they trampled the soil mounds under the shrubs and browsed the shrub canopy. Reduced shrub patch size decreases the area and resources available for plant production. On the south-facing slope, the sheep mainly disrupted the soil crust in the intershrub area. This may increase soil erosion, but also seedling establishment. The contrast in impacts on the two slopes is due to the interaction between environment (productivity, exposure and vegetation) and sheep behavior (herbivory and trampling). On both slopes, the changes due to grazing are significant, though small. Changes in patch size and properties induced by moderate grazing can have positive and negative effects on productivity and diversity, but may also be viewed as early signs of landscape degradation as is often caused by heavy grazing.     

Effects of landscape-scale broadleaved woodland configuration and extent on roost location for six bat species across the UK

Although forest fragmentation can greatly affect biodiversity, responses to landscape-scale measures of woodland configuration in Europe have been examined for only a limited range of taxa. Almost all European bat species utilise woodland, however little is known about how they are affected by the spatial arrangement of woodland patches. Here we quantify landscape structure surrounding 1129 roosts of six bat species and a corresponding number of control locations across the UK, to examine associations between roost location and landscape composition, woodland proximity and the size of the nearest broadleaved woodland patch. Analyses are performed at two spatial scales: within 1 km of the roost and within a radius equivalent to the colony home-range (3–7 km). For four species, models at the 1 km scale were better able to predict roost occurrence than those at the home-range scale, although this difference was only significant for Pipistrellus pipistrellus. For all species roost location was positively associated with either the extent or proximity of broadleaved woodland, with the greatest effect of increasing woodland extent seen between 0% and 20% woodland cover. P. pipistrellus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Eptesicus serotinus and Myotis nattereri all selected roosts closer to broadleaved woodland than expected by chance, with 90% of roosts located within 440 m of broadleaved woodland. Roost location was not affected by the size of the nearest broadleaved patch (patches ranged from 0.06–2798 ha ± 126 SD). These findings suggest that the bat species assessed here will benefit from the creation of an extensive network of woodland patches, including small patches, in landscapes with little existing woodland cover.     

Soil C and N pools in patchy shrublands of the Negev and Chihuahuan Deserts

Patchy distribution of vegetation within semi-arid shrublands is normally mirrored in the soil beneath perennial shrubs (macrophytic patches), compared to inter-shrub areas (microphytic patches). To determine impacts of (1) litterfall inputs within vegetation patches and (2) rainfall distribution on soil C and N, we investigated soil C and N pools and associated soil properties in two semi-arid shrublands, in the Negev Desert of Israel (Lehavim), which receives >90% of annual rainfall during winter and in the Chihuahuan Desert, USA (FHMR) that experiences a bimodal (Summer-Winter) annual rainfall pattern. We also evaluated grazing effects on soil C and N pools at Lehavim. More distinct differences in soil properties existed between patch types at the Negev site, where the soils contained higher soil organic C and N, amino acids and sugars, asparaginase activity and plant-available N than those at FHMR. Soil organic C (0-5 cm) in macrophytic patches was 39 g/kg at Lehavim and 13 g/kg at FHMR, and asparaginase activity was as high as 70 μg N/g 2 h in macrophytic patches at Lehavim, two times higher than at FHMR. The soil (0-5 cm) δ¹³C was −15 to −18‰ at Lehavim and −18 to −19‰ at FHMR, with significantly lower δ¹³C in macrophytic patches at both sites. The δ¹³C suggested that considerable macrophytic patch soil C was derived from cyanobacteria at Lehavim and C4 grasses at FHMR. Plant litter δ¹⁵N was 0.9‰ at Lehavim and 0.6‰ at FHMR, suggesting that much plant N was derived from N fixation. Concentrations of inorganic soil N (NH₄⁺+NO₃⁻) were up to 37 mg N/kg at Lehavim and <9 mg N/kg at FHMR. Grazing at Lehavim resulted in lower soil CH, AA, and AS. We conclude that differences between the sites are due largely to (i) higher amounts of litterfall C and N inputs within macrophytic patches at Lehavim and (ii) the different precipitation patterns, with summer precipitation at FHMR promoting increased organic matter mineralization compared to Lehavim, which experiences Winter precipitation only. Furthermore, greater differences in soil properties between patch types at Lehavim compared to FHMR can likely be attributed to the increasing importance of physical processes of resource dispersion at the more humid site in Arizona.     

Phytosociology of Sinharaja—A contribution to rain forest conservation in Sri Lanka

The structure and floristic composition of the vegetation over 30 cm girth at breast height (gbh) in five relatively undisturbed forest sites, each 5 ha in extent, in the Sinharaja International Man and Biosphere rain forest reserve investigated reveal a similarity in their (a) mean density of individuals (594–769) per ha, (b) basal area (36·0–41·6 m²) per ha and vertical distribution of individuals. The 17 427 individuals enumerated were identified into 211 species, 119 genera and 43 families. Contribution of endemic species to density, basal area and floristic richness in terms of total species complement ranged between 75–93%, 87–93% and 64–75% respectively.Clusiaceae [Improtance Value Index (IVI) = 27·3–78·1] and Dipterocarpaceae (IVI = 39·9–50·3) were the two most dominant families in this forest. Based on height attained by mature individuals of a species, 59 canopy, 49 subcanopy and 103 understorey tree species were discerned. In all except sample site 2, Garcinia hermonii (Clusiaceae) followed by Xylopia championii (Annonaceae) dominated the understorey tree stratum, but in the subcanopy and canopy the dominants were more diverse.Of the 211 species recorded, 40% had population densities of 10 individuals or less per 25 ha and 43% were restricted either to one or two sites sampled. These species, particularly the endemics among them, may be considered vulnerable species and further encroachments into the reserve will jeopardise their survival. Even for those endemics once widespread in the lowland wet zone of the island, Sinharaja has now become the last refugium as most of their habitats have been modified, leaving a mere 9% of the wet zone land area under natural forest cover. This too, is fragmented and inadequately protected. Conserving Sinharaja in its entirety is therefore all the more important and is highlighted in this phytosociological survey.     

黄河中下游典型河岸缓冲带植被景观连接度及其网络构建

植被作为河岸缓冲带生态系统服务形成与维持的基础,在维持生物多样性方面,能为多种物种提供栖息地和迁移廊道。因此,本文以黄河中下游典型河岸缓冲带植被为对象,采用遥感解译、景观连接度指标、斑块重要性评价和廊道网络分析相结合的方法,分析2003年、2009年和2015年研究区的植被景观连接度和斑块重要值变化,并构建河岸缓冲带植被廊道网络,以期为黄河中下游河岸缓冲带生物多样性保护提供支持。结果表明,研究区植被斑块的连接度在2003—2015年呈增加趋势,且随距离阈值的增大而增大;不同距离阈值下,斑块重要值随斑块面积增大而增大,且随距离阈值增大的而增大;小型斑块(0~5 hm~2)重要值呈增加趋势,中型斑块(5~10 hm~2)重要值呈先增加后降低趋势,而大型斑块(10 hm~2)重要值呈降低趋势。植被廊道网络分析表明,基于重要生态节点同时考虑沟渠和道路廊道可作为研究区植被廊道网络构建的重要参考。     

Tradeoffs in the Rehabilitation of a Succulent Karoo Rangeland

Rangeland rehabilitation has multiple, sometimes conflicting goals, such as the reestablishment of the predisturbance vegetation, soil protection, and forage production. The rehabilitation techniques should be also cost‐effective and practicable. Given the difficulties and high costs of restoring Succulent Karoo rangelands and the continuously high grazing pressure in the communal lands, tradeoffs should be accepted in the achievement of these goals. We tested the capability of paddock manure redistribution to reverse degradation trends in a heavily grazed Succulent Karoo rangeland in South Africa. Over 3 years, the effects of the manure application were compared with areas planted with mature shrubs as a benchmark for a predisturbance vegetation structure and with four popular rehabilitation techniques: (1) livestock exclusion; (2) brushpacking (coverage of dead shrubs); (3) mineral fertilizing; and (4) microcatchment construction. Manure was, besides planting, the only treatment that resulted in a significant increase in drought‐resistant vegetation cover, but it compromised the dominance of native vegetation. In the manure plots, a pasture‐like vegetation of non‐native forage plants (which germinated mainly from seeds in the dung), developed (foremost Atriplex semibaccata). Manure application counteracted erosion as effectively as the planted shrubs and brushpacks. Expected negative side effects such as a decrease in plant species richness or salinization of topsoil were not detected. We also checked the potential of topsoil salinization by the halophytic A. semibaccata and found it to be low. For sites where a decrease in grazing pressure is unrealistic under current land tenure, redistribution of manure should be further explored to mitigate acute symptoms of degradation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

重庆四面山林下典型植被对水分截留的影响

为探究西南地区林下植被与水分运移的定量关系,研究林下植被对水分截留的影响,在重庆四面山选取草珊瑚(Sarcandra glabra Nakai)、杜茎山(Maesa japonica Moritzi)、常山(Orixa japonica Thunb)3种典型常见灌木,采用人工模拟降雨方法分别研究了单株灌木、枯落物截留特征以及灌木和枯落物组合结构的截留特征。结果表明:(1)单株灌木、枯落物、灌木和枯落物组合结构对降雨的截留过程大致分为3个阶段,即快速截留阶段、饱和稳定阶段和降雨结束滞后冠滴雨阶段;(2)3种典型灌木草珊瑚、杜茎山、常山的截留量均随降雨强度的增大呈先增大后减小的规律;(3)枯落物最大截留量与降雨强度呈正相关关系,枯落物单位面积质量与枯落物平均最大、最小截留量间呈正相关关系;(4)与单株灌木和枯落物各自截留状况相比,灌木和枯落物组合结构最大截留量与降雨强度呈正相关关系,且快速截留阶段历时较长、最大截留量也较大。在雨强为35mm/h时,草珊瑚、杜茎山和其枯落物组合结构最大截留量大于灌木和枯落物各自最大截留量之和,常山和其枯落物组合结构最大截留量小于常山和其枯落物各自的最大截留量之和,在雨强为70,95mm/h时各组合结构最大截留量小于单株灌木和枯落物单独的最大截留量之和。林下灌木和枯落物在水分运移过程中均扮演了重要角色,其中枯落物对水分截留的贡献更大。因此,合理进行林下植被构建与配置能有效截留水分,对减少林地土壤侵蚀有一定的积极作用。     

Determinants of bird community composition on patches in the suburbs of Paris, France

The ecological processes responsible for the spatial assemblages of breeding bird communities in urban landscapes are more and more investigated. Indeed, understanding these processes is imperative to plan relevant management policies. We investigated breeding bird communities on 67 patches in the suburbs of Paris, France. We examined the role of patch characteristics and geographic distance between patches in determining similarity between bird assemblages. To do this, we proposed a new SØrensen similarity index based on estimators of change in community composition taking into account the detection probability of species. The patch occupancy by sedentary and migratory species was also estimated to compare their sensitivity to urbanization. Patches close to each other supported more similar bird assemblages, suggesting an effect of the spatial distribution of patches on bird dispersal and a posteriori on local community composition. Accounting for spatial location of patches, bird assemblage similarity was related to the similarity of the surrounding level of urbanization but not to the similarity of patch size or to the similarity of patch vegetation. The mean estimated occupancy rate of sedentary species was higher than that of migratory species in the whole study area. While sedentary species occupied patches surrounded by both moderate and high levels of urbanization, migratory ones primarily occupied patches surrounded by moderate levels of urbanization. Human choices in degrees, styles, and extent of urbanization, including designation and design of patches within an urban matrix, affect the composition of local bird communities.     

Landscape and patch-level factors influence bird communities in an urbanized tropical island

As human population continues to increase and intensification of human land use escalates, it is important to address the role of urban forest patches in supporting bird communities. We related bird species richness and community assemblage to landscape- and patch- level factors in 40 forest patches in the densely populated metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto Rico. In total, 54 bird species were observed including 26 resident, 10 endemic, 12 migratory, and 6 introduced species. Patch size, level of urbanization in the surrounding matrix, and vertical heterogeneity of forest patches were the most important variables in explaining species richness. Patch size had the highest predictive power in explaining species richness for all groups except migrants, which were best predicted by patch-level factors (vegetation heterogeneity). The degree of matrix urbanization was correlated negatively with endemic species richness, but positively with introduced species. Endemic species were particularly sensitive to landscape factors (patch size, matrix urbanization, and canopy texture). Introduced species richness was not dependent on any patch-level factors. Eight species were relatively unaffected by urbanization, whereas two species were only found in large forest patches, and two species were sensitive to urban development. Seven species demonstrated a preference for small patches. Recommendations for land managers and conservation agencies to maintain a high bird species richness and diversity include: (1) preserve both large and small forest patches, (2) limit urban development near forest patches, (3) manage forest patch structure to maintain vertical heterogeneity, and (4) maintain forest patches with different vegetation types.