Biodiv Sci ›› 2007, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (5): 500-509.  DOI: 10.1360/biodiv.060234

Special Issue: 三峡工程对生物多样性的影响

• Special Issue • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatial and temporal pattern of seed rain of Abies fargesii in Shennongjia Nature Reserve, Hubei

Li Zou1, 2, Zongqiang Xie1*, Qingmei Li3, Changming Zhao1, Chuanlong Li1, 2   

  1. 1 Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093
    2 Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049
    3 The Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091
  • Online:2007-09-20 Published:2007-09-20

Abstract: Abies fargesii is endemic to China and its distribution center is located in Qinling-Bashan Mountains. To study the spatial and temporal pattern of seed rain of Abies fargesii, we conducted experiments from 9 October to 24 November in Shennongjia Nature Reserve, Hubei in 2005. The results showed that patterns of Abies fargesii seed rain were different in three communities. In Abies fargesii–Fargesia nitida community, the average seed rain intensity was 167.93±111.14 seeds per m2, in which the proportion of viable seed was 22.31%; and the seed rain pattern mainly showed clump distribution which peaked in 27 October to 2 No-vember. In Abies fargesii–Skimmia reevesiana community the seed rain intensity was just 16.41±14.41 seeds per m2 in which viable seed only accounted for 3.05%. In Abies fargesii–Sorbus koehneana community, seed traps were set up in four lines at 90°intervals, of which two lines run directly up and down the hill slope. In this community, the seed rain intensity peaked from 15 October to 21 October. And the most quantity of seed rain was concentrated under the crown, which accounted for 87.95% of the total amount. One-Way ANOVA analysis showed that no significant differences existed among four directions but significant difference existed between 0–6 m and other distance from the center mother tree in terms of seed rain quantity. The distri-bution pattern of seed rain in Abies fargesii–Sorbus koehneana community fitted the equation y=ae–bx2. The result showed although Abies fargesii had high seed rain intensity, but inviable seeds accounted for a large proportion, and the dispersal distance of seed rain was limited. These characteristics would influence the pat-tern and regeneration of Abies fargesii population.