Species composition and community characteristics of a 25 ha forest dynamics plot in deciduous broad-leaved forest, Qinling Mountains, north-central China

doi:10.17520/biods.2018326

Abstract

Abstract:

The deciduous broad-leaved forests in the warm temperate-subtropical transition zone of the Qinling Mountains are well preserved. The forests lie in the transition zone from warm temperate to subtropical forests and have a relatively complex community structure. Few studies have been conducted to investigate community structure based on a large-sized plot in this transitional region. This study analyzed species composition and community characteristics within a 25 ha plot, serving as the baseline information for monitoring long-term forest dynamics and diversity in the future. Based on the field protocol of the Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS) and the Chinese Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Network (CForBio), a 25 ha deciduous broad-leaved forest plot was established in the temperate-subtropical transition zone. All free standing trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 1 cm were tagged, measured and identified to species. A total of 47,739 woody individuals with DBH ≥ 1 cm belonging to 119 species, 66 genera and 36 families were identified. The families and genera of temperate floristic elements accounted for 41.18% and 60.00%, respectively and were the dominant flora in this plot. Fifty-one rare species accounted for 42.86% of the total individuals. Deciduous trees species were dominant accounting for 89.07% of the total species. The 20 species with importance values ≥ 1 contributed 70.35% and 57.41% to the total number of individuals and the total basal area, respectively. The three most abundant species were Quercus aliena var. acutiserrata in the canopy layer, Sorbus alnifolia in the sub-tree layer, and Quercus spinosa in the shrub layer. The mean DBH of all individuals in the plot was 8.61 cm, and the overall structure of DBH size class of all individuals generally shows an inverse “J” type which indicated successful regeneration. All the dominant species exhibited large-scale aggregated spatial distribution closely related to habitat preferences except for Populus purdomii.

Key words: deciduous broad-leaved forest, Qinling Mountains, temperate-subtropical transition zone, species composition, community structure

Fenglin Xie, Quan Zhou, Hang Shi, Xiao Shu, Kerong Zhang, Tao Li, Shuiyuan Feng, Quanfa Zhang, Haishan Dang. Species composition and community characteristics of a 25 ha forest dynamics plot in deciduous broad-leaved forest, Qinling Mountains, north-central China[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2019, 27(4): 439-448.

Add to citation manager EndNote|Ris|BibTeX

URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2018326

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2019/V27/I4/439

Figures/Tables 5

References 33

[1]	Bunyavejchewin S, Baker PJ, LaFrankie JV, Ashton PS (2004) Structure, history, and rarity in a seasonal evergreen forest in western Thailand. In: Forest Diversity and Dynamism: Findings from A Network of Large-scale Tropical Forest Plots(eds Losos EC, Leigh EG), pp. 145-158. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois.
[2]	Chen Y, Guo L, Yao CL, Wei BL, Yuan ZL, Ye YZ (2017) Community characteristics of a deciduous forest in a temperate-subtropical ecological transition zone: Analysis of a 5-ha forest dynamics plot in Baiyunshan Nature Reserve, Henan Province. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 37, 5602-5611. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 陈云, 郭凌, 姚成亮, 韦博良, 袁志良, 叶永忠 (2017) 暖温带-北亚热带过渡区落叶阔叶林群落特征. 生态学报, 37, 5602-5611.]
[3]	Chen Y, Yuan ZL, Li PK, Cao RF, Jia HR, Ye YZ (2016) Effects of environment and space on species turnover of woody plants across multiple forest dynamic plots in East Asia. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, 1533.
[4]	Condit R (1998) Tropical Forest Census Plots: Methods and Results from Barro Colorado Island, Panama and a Comparison with Other Plots. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
[5]	Connor EF, McCoy ED (1979) The statistics and biology of the species-area relationship. The American Naturalist, 113, 791-833. DOI URL
[6]	Fu ZJ, Zhang XY, Liu SY, Tao M (1996) The summarize of research on the flora and vegetation of the Qinling Mountain range. Acta Botanica Boreali-Occidentalia Sinica, 5, 93-106. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 傅志军, 张行勇, 刘顺义, 陶铭 (1996) 秦岭植物区系和植被研究概述. 西北植物学报, 5, 93-106.]
[7]	Getzin S, Wiegand T, Wiegand K, He FL (2008) Heterogeneity influences spatial patterns and demographics in forest stands. Journal of Ecology, 96, 807-820. DOI URL
[8]	Hao ZQ, Li BH, Zhang J, Wang XG, Ye J, Yao XL (2008) Broad-leaved Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) mixed forest plot in Changbaishan (CBS) of China: Community composition and structure. Journal of Plant Ecology (Chinese Version), 32, 238-250. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 郝占庆, 李步杭, 张健, 王绪高, 叶吉, 姚晓琳 (2008) 长白山阔叶红松林样地(CBS): 群落组成与结构. 植物生态学报, 32, 238-250.]
[9]	Hu YH, Sha LQ, Blanchet FG, Zhang JL, Tang Y, Lan GY, Cao M (2012) Dominant species and dispersal limitation regulate tree species distributions in a 20-ha plot in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. Oikos, 121, 952-960. DOI URL
[10]	Hubbell SP, Foster RB (1986) Commonness and rarity in a neotropical forest: Implications for tropical tree conservation. In: Conservation Biology: Science of Scarcity (ed. Soule ME), pp. 205-231. Sinauer Press, Sunderland, UK.
[11]	Jia HR, Chen Y, Yuan ZL, Ye YZ, Huang QC (2015) Effects of environmental and spatial heterogeneity on tree community assembly in Baotianman National Nature Reserve, Henan, China. Polish Journal of Ecology, 63, 175-183. DOI URL
[12]	Linares-Palomino R, Alvarez SIP (2005) Tree community patterns in seasonally dry tropical forests in the Cerros de Amotape Cordillera, Tumbes, Peru. Forest Ecology and Management, 209, 261-272. DOI URL
[13]	Liu HF, Li L, Sang WG (2011) Species composition and community structure of the Donglingshan forest dynamic plot in a warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved secondary forest, China. Biodiversity Science, 19, 232-242. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 刘海丰, 李亮, 桑卫国 (2011) 东灵山暖温带落叶阔叶次生林动态监测样地: 物种组成与群落结构. 生物多样性, 19, 232-242.]
[14]	Liu XJ, Ren SY, Li LX, Ye YZ, Yuan ZL, Wang T (2016) Detecting density dependence on tree survival in a deciduous broad-leaved forest in Baotianman National Nature Reserve. Biodiversity Science, 24, 639-648. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 刘晓静, 任思远, 李鹿鑫, 叶永忠, 袁志良, 王婷 (2016) 宝天曼国家级自然保护区落叶阔叶林密度制约效应对树木存活的影响. 生物多样性, 24, 639-648.]
[15]	Luo Y, Zhang BP (2006) Land use patterns differentiation based on vertical belts in Qinling Mountains. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 26, 5574-5579. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 罗勇, 张百平 (2006) 基于山地垂直带谱的秦岭土地利用空间分异. 地理科学, 26, 5574-5579.]
[16]	Sha YY, Yuan ZL, Zhu XL, Zhuang JJ, Yin WK, Guo JR, Ye YZ (2012) The species composition and community structure of 1-ha Quercus serrata var. brevipetiolata forest in Baotianman National Nature Reserve. Journal of Henan Agricultural Sciences, 41, 148-153. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 沙迎迎, 袁志良, 朱学灵, 庄静静, 殷卫抗, 郭建荣, 叶永忠 (2012) 宝天曼短柄枹林1公顷样地物种组成与群落结构. 河南农业科学, 41, 148-153.]
[17]	Shang SH, Xing HH (2016) Comparison of vertical distribution of vegetation in the north and south slopes of Qinling Mountains. Agriculture of Jilin, ( 1), 114-115. (in Chinese)
	[ 尚升海, 邢海虹 (2016) 秦岭南北坡植被垂直分布的差异比较. 吉林农业, ( 1), 114-115.]
[18]	Tjørve E (2003) Shapes and functions of species-area curves: A review of possible models. Journal of Biogeography, 30, 827-835. DOI URL
[19]	Wang YC, Wang DX (2013) Study on elevational patterns of plant species diversity and community complexity in Foping Natural Reserve. Acta Botanica Boreali-Occidentalia Sinica, 33, 169-176. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 王宇超, 王得祥 (2013) 佛坪自然保护区植物群落物种多样性和复杂性的海拔格局研究. 西北植物学报, 33, 169-176.]
[20]	Wang YP, Wei BL, Yin WK, Chen Y, Wang J, Ye YZ (2014) Species composition and spatial distribution in Baotianman National Nature Reserve Shaw. Journal of Henan Agricultural Sciences, 43, 94-100. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 王亚平, 韦博良, 殷卫抗, 陈云, 王进, 叶永忠 (2014) 宝天曼杂木林样地的物种组成及空间分布格局. 河南农业科学, 43, 94-100.]
[21]	Wen HD, Lin LX, Yang J, Hu YH, Cao M, Liu YH, Lu ZY, Xie YN (2018) Species composition and community structure of a 20 hm ² plot of mid-mountain moist evergreen broad-leaved forest on the Mts. Ailaoshan, Yunnan Province, China Chinese . Journal of Plant Ecology, 42, 419-429. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 温韩东, 林露湘, 杨洁, 胡跃华, 曹敏, 刘玉洪, 鲁志云, 谢有能 (2018) 云南哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林20 hm ² 动态样地的物种组成与群落结构 . 植物生态学报, 42, 419-429.]
[22]	Wiegand T, Molone KA (2004) Rings, circles, and null-models for point pattern analysis in ecology. Oikos, 104, 209-229. DOI URL
[23]	Wu ZY (1980) Vegetation of China. Science Press, Beijing. (in Chinese)
	[ 吴征镒 (1980) 中国植被. 科学出版社, 北京.]
[24]	Wu ZY (1991) The areal-types of Chinese genera of seed plant. Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 13(Suppl.), 1-139. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 吴征镒 (1991) 中国种子植物属的分布区类型. 云南植物研究, 13(增刊), 1-139.]
[25]	Wu ZY, Zhou ZK, Li DZ, Peng H, Sun H (2003) The areal-types of the world families of seed plants. Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 25, 245-257. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 吴征镒, 周浙昆, 李德铢, 彭华, 孙航 (2003) 世界种子植物科的分布区类型系统. 云南植物研究, 25, 245-257.]
[26]	Xie JY, Chen LZ (1994) Species diversity characteristics of deciduous forests in the warm temperate zone of north China. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 14, 337-344. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 谢晋阳, 陈灵芝 (1994) 暖温带落叶阔叶林的物种多样性特征. 生态学报, 14, 337-344.]
[27]	Ye WH, Cao HL, Huang ZL, Lian JY, Wang ZG, Li L, Wei SG, Wang ZM (2008) Community structure of a 20 hm ² lower subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest plot in Dinghushan, China . Journal of Plant Ecology (Chinese Version), 32, 274-286. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 叶万辉曹洪麟黄忠良, 练琚愉, 王志高, 李林, 魏识广, 王章明 (2008) 鼎湖山南亚热带常绿阔叶林20公顷样地群落特征研究. 植物生态学报, 32, 274-286.]
[28]	Yuan ZL, Chen Y, Wei BL, Zhang BQ, Wang DY, Ye YZ (2013) Species habitat correlation analysis in temperate- subtropical ecological transition zone. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 33, 7819-7826. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 袁志良, 陈云, 韦博良, 张斌强, 汪东亚, 叶永忠 (2013) 暖温带-北亚热带生态过渡区物种生境相关性分析. 生态学报, 33, 7819-7826.]
[29]	Yue M, Ren Y, Dang GD, Gu TQ (1999) Species diversity of higher plant communitis in Foping Natural Reserve. Chinese Biodiversity, 7, 263-269. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 岳明, 任毅, 党高弟, 辜天琪 (1999) 佛坪国家级自然保护区植物群落物种多样性特征. 生物多样性, 7, 263-269.]
[30]	Yue M, Zhang LJ, Dang GD, Gu TQ (2002) The relationships of higher plants diversity and elevation gradient in Foping National Reserve. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 22, 349-354. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 岳明, 张林静, 党高弟, 辜天琪 (2002) 佛坪自然保护区植物群落物种多样性与海拔梯度的关系. 地理科学, 22, 349-354.]
[31]	Zhao AH, Du XJ, Zang J, Zhang SR, Jiao ZH (2015) Soil bacterial diversity in the Baotianman deciduous broad- leaved forest. Biodiversity Science, 23, 649-657. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 赵爱花, 杜晓军, 臧婧, 张守仁, 焦志华 (2015) 宝天曼落叶阔叶林土壤细菌多样性. 生物多样性, 23, 649-657.]
[32]	Zhu Y, Bai F, Liu HF, Li WC, Li L, Li GQ, Wang SZ, Sang WG (2011) Population distribution patterns and interspecific spatial associations in warm temperate secondary forests, Beijing. Biodiversity Science, 19, 252-259. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 祝燕, 白帆, 刘海丰, 李文超, 李亮, 李广起, 王顺忠, 桑卫国 (2011) 北京暖温带次生林种群分布格局与种间空间关联性. 生物多样性, 19, 252-259.]
[33]	Zhu Y, Zhao GF, Zhang LW, Shen GC, Mi XC, Ren HB, Yu MJ, Chen JH, Chen SW, Fang T, Ma KP (2008) Community and structure of Gutianshan forest dynamics plot in a mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest, East China. Journal of Plant Ecology (Chinese Version), 32, 262-273. (in Chinese with English abstract)
	[ 祝燕, 赵谷风, 张俪文, 沈国春, 米湘成, 任海保, 于明坚, 陈建华, 陈声文, 方腾, 马克平 (2008) 古田山中亚热带常绿阔叶林动态监测样地——群落组成与结构. 植物生态学报, 32, 262-273.]

样地 Plot	面积 Area (ha)	位置 Locality	平均海拔 Average altitude (m)	科的温带/ 热带成分 Temperate/tropical floristic elements of family	属的温带/ 热带成分 Temperate/tropical floristic elements of genus	物种数 No. of species	个体数 No. of individuals	稀有种数量 No. of rare species (%)	落叶树种数量 No. of deciduous tree species (%)	来源 Reference
秦岭 Qinling	25	107.84° E, 33.68° N	1,773.49	41.18%/38.24%	60%/24.62%	119	47,739	51 (42.86)	106 (89.07)	本研究 This study
长白山 Changbaishan	25	128.08° E, 42.38° N	801.5	-	-	52	38,902	18 (34.6)	-	Hao et al, 2008
东灵山 Donglingshan	20	115.43° E, 39.96° N	1,395	44.44%/22.22%	93.75%/3.13%	58	52,136	11 (18.97)	58 (100)	Liu et al, 2011
宝天曼 Baotianman	25	111.94° E, 33.49° N	1,301	-	-	> 98	63,600	-	-	-
古田山 Gutianshan	24	118.12° E, 29.25° N	580.6	26.53%/48.98%	42.31%/50.96%	159	140,700	59 (37.1)	68 (42.8)	Zhu et al, 2008
鼎湖山 Dinghushan	20	121.32° E, 23.10° N	230-247	-	6.72%/89.92%	210	71,617	110 (52.38)	-	Ye et al, 2008
哀牢山 Ailaoshan	20	101.03° E, 24.53° N	2,550	-	38.10%/46.00%	104	44,168	49 (47.1)	23 (22.8)	Wen et al, 2018

样地 Plot	面积 Area (ha)	位置 Locality	平均海拔 Average altitude (m)	科的温带/ 热带成分 Temperate/tropical floristic elements of family	属的温带/ 热带成分 Temperate/tropical floristic elements of genus	物种数 No. of species	个体数 No. of individuals	稀有种数量 No. of rare species (%)	落叶树种数量 No. of deciduous tree species (%)	来源 Reference
秦岭 Qinling	25	107.84° E, 33.68° N	1,773.49	41.18%/38.24%	60%/24.62%	119	47,739	51 (42.86)	106 (89.07)	本研究 This study
长白山 Changbaishan	25	128.08° E, 42.38° N	801.5	-	-	52	38,902	18 (34.6)	-	Hao et al, 2008
东灵山 Donglingshan	20	115.43° E, 39.96° N	1,395	44.44%/22.22%	93.75%/3.13%	58	52,136	11 (18.97)	58 (100)	Liu et al, 2011
宝天曼 Baotianman	25	111.94° E, 33.49° N	1,301	-	-	> 98	63,600	-	-	-
古田山 Gutianshan	24	118.12° E, 29.25° N	580.6	26.53%/48.98%	42.31%/50.96%	159	140,700	59 (37.1)	68 (42.8)	Zhu et al, 2008
鼎湖山 Dinghushan	20	121.32° E, 23.10° N	230-247	-	6.72%/89.92%	210	71,617	110 (52.38)	-	Ye et al, 2008
哀牢山 Ailaoshan	20	101.03° E, 24.53° N	2,550	-	38.10%/46.00%	104	44,168	49 (47.1)	23 (22.8)	Wen et al, 2018