Taxonomic and community composition of epigeal arthropods in monoculture and mixed tree species plantations in a deciduous forest of Ghana

Tropical forests provide several ecosystem services and functions and support approximately two-thirds of the world’s biodiversity but are seriously threatened by deforestation.Approaches to counteract this menace have revolved around aff orestation with several or a single tree species.We thus investigated how plantation forests with either a single or several tree species infl uenced arthropod taxonomic and community composition using pitfall traps to sample selected groups of epigeal arthropods(Araneae,Coleoptera,Orthoptera and Hymenoptera)and with environmental variables assessed simultaneously.Our results revealed 54 taxonomic groups with signifi cantly higher taxonomic richness,activity density,and diversity in the mixed stands than in the monoculture stands.The significant differences in community composition were mainly driven by families including Lycosidae,Formicidae,Staphylinidae,Scotylidae,Hydrophilidae,Gryllidae and Scarabaeidae and were explained by distinct habitat characteristics(canopy openness,litter depth,deadwood volume,and tree height).While the diverse tree communities and heterogeneous vegetation structure off ered food and habitat resources for diverse arthropod groups,the allelopathic nature coupled with homogenous stand characteristics of the Tectona grandis stands in the monoculture suppressed the growth of understorey vegetation that could otherwise serve as food and habitat resources for arthropods,which might have led to limited activities and diversity of arthropods in the monoculture plantation stands.The fi ndings thus highlight the need to promote mixed tree plantations in degraded tropical areas,especially when restoring biodiversity is the prime management focus.

Tree species diversity and stand structure along major community types in lowland primary and secondary moist deciduous forests in Tripura,Northeast India

Tree species diversity and population structure at different community types were described and analyzed for primary and secondary lowland moist deciduous forests in Tripura. Overall 10,957 individual trees belonging to 46 family, 103 genera and 144 species were counted at ≥30 cm DBH （diameter at breast height） using 28 permanent belt transects with a size of 1 ha （10 m × 1000 m）. Four different tree communities were identified. The primary forests was dominated by Shorea robusta （mean density 464.77 trees.ha^-1, 105 species） and Schima wallichii （336.25 trees.ha^-1, 82 species）, while the secondary forests was dominated by Tectona grandis （333.88 trees.ha^-1, 105 species） and Hevea brasiliensis （299.67 trees.ha^-1, 82 species）. Overall mean basal area in this study was 18.01m2.ha^-1; the maximum value was recorded in primary Shorea forest （26.21 m2.ha^-1）. Mean density and diversity indices were differed significantly within four different communities. No significant differences were observed in number of species, genera, family and tree basal cover area. Significant relationships were found between the species richness and different tree population groups across the communities. Results revealed that species diversity and density were increased in those forests due to past disturbances which resulted in slow accumu- lation of native oligarchic small tree species. Seventeen species were recorded with 〈2 individuals of which Saraca asoka （Roxb.） de Wilde and Entada phaseoloides （L.） Men＇. etc. extensively used in local ethnomedicinal formulations. The present S. robusta Gaertn dominated forest was recorded richer （105 species） than other reported studies. Moraceae was found more speciose family instead of Papilionaceae and Euphorbiaceae than other Indian moist deciduous forests. Seasonal phenological gap in such moist deciduous forests influenced the population of Trachypithecus pileatus and capped langur. The analysis of FIV suggested a slow trend of shifting the population of Lamiaceae group by Moraceae species in secondary T. grandis L. dominated community.

Determination of the Geographical Origin of Fruits by Using 26S rDNA Fingerprinting of Yeast Communities by PCR-DGGE： An Application to Shea Tree Fruits

International trade intensifies the process of globalization which has extended to the entire planet and extends to the entire planet. In view of the difficulties of installing these documentary systems in developing countries, in particularly the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, the new strategies of traceability emerge. Among the new tools of tracing the products of vegetable origin, a ＂biological code bar＂ based on the analysis of the DNA of micro-organisms present on the fruits is an interesting tool. A molecular technique employing 26S rDNA profiles generated by PCR-DGGE was used to detect the variation in yeast community structures of Shea tree fruits （Vitellaria paradoxa） from Senegal, Ghana and Mali. When the 26S rDNA profiles were analyzed by image analysis and multivariate analysis, distinct microbial communities were detected on Shea tree fruits. The band profiles of yeasts from different countries were specific for each location and could be used as a bar code to discriminate the origin of the fruits. This method is a new traceability tool which provides fruit products with an unique biological bar code and makes it possible to trace back the fruits to their original location.

Estimation of Population of Ten Selected Forest Tree Species Used by Communities around Kalinzu Forest Reserve, South-Western Uganda

Local communities depend on Kalinzu Forest Reserve (KFR) for plant resources. This resource utilization affects the population of tree species in the forest. This study set out to estimate the population of ten tree species in the forest. Results of this study are hoped to provide a basis for studying future changes in population dynamics of the species. The ten species selected were: Newtonia buchananii, Cynometra alexandrei, Teclea nobilis, Prunus africana, Entandrophragma exelsum, Sapium ellipticum, Diospyros abyssinica, Zanthoxylum gilletii, Rytiginia kigeziensis and Spathodea nilotica. Their selection was based on the results of a study (Aine-Omucunguzi et al., 2010) about utilization of plant resources by the local people around KFR. Species with high demand from the local people were selected. Alternate nested quadrants along five line transects, were used to estimate the population. The plants were categorized into three classes as trees (>5 cm diameter at breast height), saplings (2 cm root collar diameter-5 cm diameter at breast height) and wildings (<2 cm root collar diameter). Population, population density, relative density, frequency, and relative frequency of each species were determined. Generally, the number of wildings, saplings and trees of each species increased away from the forest edge inwards. For all the species, wildings had the highest population density followed by saplings and then trees. Teclea nobilis had the highest number of individual per hectare, followed by Newtonia buchananii, while Rytiginia kigeziensis and Spathodea nilotica had the lowest number of individuals per hectare.

Propagation of Grevillea banksfi Affects the Dynamic of Mycorrhizal Fungi Communities Associated with Native Tree Species of Madagascar

Propagation of exotic plant species is found in many regions of Madagascar Island. This work aims to describe the impacts of the propagation of Grevillea banksii on soil microbial activities and on the regeneration of two native tree species （Intsia bij＇uga and Dalbergia trichocarpa） in the eastern part of Madagascar. The study was conducted within Ianjomara forest where some types of the vegetation are observed such as an area characterized by grassland （P 1）, by homogeneous population of G. banksii （P2） and by a natural forest composed mainly of L bijuga or D. trichocarpa （P3 and P4）. Structure of mycorrhizal fungi communities and associated microorganisms were described on soils from each study plot. The development of I. b^juga and 1）. trichocarpa, was evaluated 4 months after planting on P1, P2, P3, P4 soils formerly colonized by G. banksii. According to the nutrients availability on each soil type, the development of G. banksii was accompanied or not by a high formation of cluster roots. The authors＇ results also show that soil occupied by G. banksii decreased the global microbial and phosphatase activities of soil especially on soil within a high density of cluster roots. Moderately mycotrophic, G. banksii disturbs the structure and the dynamics of symbiotic microflora such as endomycorrhizal fungi （MA） and rhizobia associated with the two native tree species. The findings illustrate the negative impact of G. banksii propagation on the regeneration and the conservation of native tree species in Madagascarian forest.

Some of the Mechanisms for Coexistence of Tree Species Diversity in Tropical Forests: A Review of Effects of Tree Density Dependence

Tree communities contribute to maintenance of species diversity in tropical forests. Coexistence of many tree species is not without competition. Therefore, coexistence of tree species and size diversities occur sequentially or simultaneously in tropical natural forests. Understanding coexistence and competition mechanisms of tree species requires knowledge of interactions within and between species. However, many conservation efforts and strategies failed due to inability to identify and maintain functional coexistence mechanisms among tree species in the forest. Also, most trees died because of pressure on their habitats and not because of limiting growth resources. Hence, species identity, minimum distance and size of the neighbouring trees which are responsible for coexistence of competing trees in most tropical forests have not been explicitly reviewed. Therefore, this review evaluated some of the density dependent mechanisms for coexistence of tree species alpha diversity in tropical forests. Many interactive mechanisms are responsible for coexistence tree species in tropical forests. Inter- and intra-specific competitions are the most significant and both facilitate positive and negative density dependence. Therefore, switching from negative to positive density dependence may occur in some situations. Positive and negative density effects regulate species abundance and coexistence through conspecific and heterospecific structures. Aggregates of conspecific and heterospecific neighbours constitute forest spatial structure. Negative density interactions are mutually exclusive and basically ranged from effect of species identity of neighbours, distance to neighbours and tree size of the neighbours to reference trees in the community structures. Some mechanisms shorten distances for heterospecific than conspecific interactions. Conspecific structures improved survival and growth of rare tree species. Interactive mechanisms in tree community and population structures facilitate species diversity and size inequality, respectively.

基于刘完素“火热论”探析“热-风”病因树在治疗抽动障碍中的应用

抽动障碍是起病于儿童或青少年时期的一种神经精神障碍性疾病,以不自主、反复、突发、快速、重复、无节律性的一个或多个部位运动抽动和发声抽动为主要特征,亦可共患一种或多种心理行为障碍,但智力一般不受影响。研究以刘完素创立的河间流派“火热论”观点为纲领,以小儿抽动障碍的临床特征为基础,提出儿童在外感六淫、饮食调护、情志内伤、先天禀赋等因素作用下,阴阳失衡,五脏失调,肝木之气郁结,郁久而化热,热极则生风;脾土失健,难化水湿,聚而成痰,痰热胶结,引动肝风;血液受热煎熬,化为瘀血,瘀、热互结;热久伤阴,使得阳亢而风动。“热”为本病的发病始动因素,“风”为本病的发病续动因素,且与痰、火、瘀、虚等病理要素紧密相干,提出建立“热-风”病因树模型,热为“热-风”病因树之根蒂,痰、瘀、虚为“热-风”病因树之叶、枝、蔓,风则为“热-风”病因树之果。以此模型来探析抽动障碍的病因机制,确定疾病发展阶段,防治小儿抽动障碍。在确定治疗原则上以河间流派“火热论”为指导,治以伐根摘叶之清热化痰,削其结果之息风止痉,平其枝蔓之滋水涵木等,提供治疗此病的新思路,并可从其中探寻完善和高效的论治方法和临床研究方向,为患儿带来福祉。

Changes of growth-climate relationships of Smith fir forests along an altitudinal gradient

Temporal changes in the relationship between tree growth and climate have been observed in numerous forests across the world.The patterns and the possible regu-lators(e.g.,forest community structure)of such changes are,however,not well understood.A vegetation survey and analyses of growth-climate relationships for Abies georgei var.Smithii(Smith fir)forests were carried along an altitudi-nal gradient from 3600 to 4200 m on Meili Snow Mountain,southeastern Tibetan Plateau.The results showed that the associations between growth and temperature have declined since the 1970s over the whole transect,while response to standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration indices(SPEI)strengthened in the mid-and lower-transect.Comparison between growth and vegetation data showed that tree growth was more sensitive to drought in stands with higher species richness and greater shrub cover.Drought stress on growth may be increased by heavy competition from shrub and herb layers.These results show the non-stationary nature of tree growth-climate associations and the linkage to for-est community structures.Vegetation components should be considered in future modeling and forecasting of forest dynamics in relation to climate changes.

Conversion of pure Chinese fir plantation to multi-layered mixed plantation enhances the soil aggregate stability by regulating microbial communities in subtropical China

Background:Soil aggregates are the basic units of soil structure,and their stability is a key indicator of soil quality and capacity to support ecosystem functions.The impacts of various environmental factors on soil aggregates have been widely studied.However,there remains elusive knowledge on the synergistic effects of changing forest stand structure on soil aggregate stability(SAS),particularly in subtropical China where soil erosion remains a critical issue.Methods:We investigated variations in the components of soil humus(HS),including humic acids(HAs),fulvic acids(FAs),and humins(HMs),under pure Chinese fir(Cunninghamia lanceolata)plantation(PP)and multilayered mixed plantation(MP)comprising C.lanceolata,Castanopsis hystrix,and Michelia hedyosperma.The state of soil aggregate stability,was determined by three separate methods,i.e.,dry-sieving,wet-sieving,and the Le Bissonnais.High-throughput sequencing was used to determine the diversity and composition of microbial communities under PP and MP.We then built partial least squares path models(PLS-PM)for assessing the responses of SAS to the variations in soil microorganisms and HS components.Results:The MP stands had significantly greater SAS(P<0.05),higher content of HAs and more rapid organic matter humification within aggregates,than the PP stands.High-throughput sequencing confirmed that the Pielou andα-diversity index values(Chao1 and Shannon)for fungi were all significantly higher under MP than under PP,while no marked difference was found in bacterialα-diversity between the two plantation types.Moreover,there were markedly greater abundance of three bacterial phyla(Verrucomicrobia,Chloroflexi,and Gemmatimonadetes)and three fungal phyla(Ascomycota,Kickxellomycota,and Glomeromycota),and significantly less abundance of two bacterial phyla(Planctomycetes and Firmicutes)and four fungal phyla(Basidiomycota,Mortierellomycota,Mucoromycota,and Rozellomycota)under MP than under PP.The Chloroflexi and Ascomycota phyla appeared to be the primary drivers of soil aggregate distribution.Our findings revealed that the promotion of SAS under MP was mainly driven by increased soil organic matter(SOM)content,which altered bacterial communities and enhanced fungal diversity,thereby increasing HAs content and the rate of organic matter humification.Conclusions:Considering the combined effects of enhanced soil quality,productivity,and relevant economic costs,introducing broadleaved tree species into Chinese fir plantations can be an effective strategy for stabilizing soil structure against erosion in subtropical China.Our study elucidated the controls on variations of SAS in Chinese fir-dominated plantations and demonstrated the benefit of converting pure Chinese fir plantation to multi-layered mixed plantations in increasing soil structural stability and improving site quality.

Delineation of an Urban Community Life Circle Based on a Machine-Learning Estimation of Spatiotemporal Behavioral Demand

Delineating life circles is an essential prerequisite for urban community life circle planning. Recent studies combined the environmental contexts with residents’ global positioning system(GPS) data to delineate the life circles. This method, however, is constrained by GPS data, and it can only be applied in the GPS surveyed communities. To address this limitation, this study developed a generalizable delineation method without the constraint of behavioral data. According to previous research, the community life circle consists of the walking-accessible range and internal structure. The core task to develop the generalizable method was to estimate the spatiotemporal behavioral demand for each plot of land to acquire the internal structure of the life circle, as the range can be delineated primarily based on environmental data. Therefore, behavioral demand estimation models were established through logistic regression and machine learning techniques, including decision trees and ensemble learning. The model with the lowest error rate was chosen as the final estimation model for each type of land. Finally, we used a community without GPS data as an example to demonstrate the effectiveness of the estimation models and delineation method. This article extends the existing literature by introducing spatiotemporal behavioral demand estimation models, which learn the relationships between environmental contexts, population composition and the existing delineated results based on GPS data to delineate the internal structure of the community life circle without employing behavioral data. Furthermore, the proposed method and delineation results also contributes to facilities adjustments and location selections in life circle planning, people-oriented transformation in urban planning, and activity space estimation of the population in evaluating and improving the urban policies.

STUDY ON COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND SELF-SUSTAINING MECHANISM OF BROAD-LEAVED/KOREAN PINE FORESTS IN NORTHEAST CHINA

The regeneration, tree growth, and community structure and dynamics were studied in old-growth Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forest.The results showed that the formation of tree form and growth character have been obviously related with the gap-phase regeneration.The ecological effects of the gap suppress the tree growth in diameter,and control that young tree stem fork in early stage.The heterogeneity of tree growth in time and space is the results of high quality in tree height and diameter.The hardwood species mixth Korean pine have different ecological effect on regeneration and tree growth of Korean pine in the early stage of gap reconstructing. Community dynamics depends on tree gaps oceurs,in which a 'cyclic sucession'between Korean pine and hard wood species may occurs.The process would take about 200 yers.

SERVICE COMMUNITY CONSTRUCTION METHOD OF INTERNET OF THINGS BASED ON SEMANTIC SIMILARITY

Internet of Things (IoT) as an important and ubiquitous service paradigm is one of the most important issues in IoT applications to provide terminal users with effective and efficient services based on service community. This paper presents a semantic-based similarity algorithm to build the IoT service community. Firstly, the algorithm reflects that the nodes of IoT contain a wealth of semantic information and makes them to build into the concept tree. Then tap the similarity of the semantic information based on the concept tree. Finally, we achieve the optimization of the service community through greedy algorithm and control the size of the service community by adjusting the threshold. Simulation results show the effectiveness and feasibility of this algorithm.

Tree structure and diversity of lowland Atlantic forest fragments：comparison of disturbed and undisturbed remnants

This study describes the tree community structure of three moist lowland Atlantic Forest fragments in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. Two fragments were disturbed and an undisturbed one was used as reference. Our hypothesis was that disturbed fragments show distinct structural patterns in comparison with undisturbed stands due to past disturbance practices and forest fragmentation. Four 100 ×5 m sampling plots were demarcated in each fragment and all live and dead trees with DBH C 5 cm were located, measured and identified. The results supported our hypothesis, due to the high values found for standing dead trees, an increase of dominance of a few pioneer species, lower values of large trees and species richness in disturbed fragments in comparison with the undisturbed one. The advanced fragmentation process in the Southern Brazilian lowland areas and the high species richness in undisturbed areas highlight these forest fragments as priority areas for conservation and management.

Phylogenetic Structure of Low Altitude Forest Communities in Baotianman Mountain

[Objectives]The paper was to reveal the phylogenetic structure of low altitude forest communities in Baotianman Mountain.[Methods]Ten 20 m×20 m plots were set at an altitude of 249-796 m in Baotianman Nature Reserve,in which 62 plant species were found.A phylogenetic tree was established on Phylomatic website,and the community related phylogenetic indexes at low altitude were calculated and analyzed,including net relatedness index(NRI),nearest taxon index(NTI),phylogenetic diversity Faith's PD index,phylogeneticβdiversity PhyloSor index and Dnn index.[Results]The NTI and NRI values of low altitude forest communities were generally greater than 0,showing phylogenetically clustered communities,and habitat filtration was the dominant factor in community construction.Combined with the species abundance matrix of plots,it was found that PD index had a significantly positive correlation with species richness.Phylogeneticβdiversity PhyloSor index was larger in the lower altitude area,which was exactly opposite to Dnn index.In other words,the more similar the community,the closer the distance between species,and the communities were phylogenetically clustered.[Conclusions]The study can provide a scientific basis for forest community management and restoration.

Effect of Soil Properties on Tree Distribution across an Agricultural Landscape on a Tropical Mountain, Tanzania

Distribution of tree species can result in many factors including environmental variables, biotic interaction and management. Better understanding of these interacting factors is crucial in planning management interventions especially in managed landscapes: this study on the effect of soil properties on tree species distribution in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania will aid in this. Standard tree inventory procedures and soil sampling techniques were used to survey 48 plots from altitudinal level of 680 to 1690 m a.s.l. along 25 km long transect. All trees ≥ 5 cm at DBH were recorded, while soils were sampled from top and subsoils (0 - 20 and 21 - 50 cm depths). Tree species distribution index was assessed through abundance and frequency, while species interaction with environmental variables was assessed using Detrended Correspondence Analysis. Distribution index indicated that 77% of tree species were categorized as rare, while 10% and 13% were categorized as occasional and abundant respectively. Soil organic carbon and moisture content have shown high correlation with tree species (r > 0.8, p < 0.01), while ExMg, soil pH, P, ExCa, ExK, ExNa and bulky density indicated less correlation (r < 0.2, p < 0.001). The DCA-1 axis explained nearly 70% of the relationships between soil properties and tree species distribution: suitability of tree species were influenced by soil properties across the land use systems which exhibited different soil types. Different tree species communities correspond differently with soil properties between the land use systems. Fewer tree species spread in the lowland, which is known to have saline soils. Therefore, despite intensive human management of the landscape, tree species indicated distribution patterns in line with the soil properties.

发达地区村级集体经济组织费用支出研究——以东莞市A社区股份经济合作社为例

本文通过对东莞市D城区A社区股份经济合作社的案例研究,分析了其费用支出存在的问题,并进一步剖析了问题产生的原因:收入依赖出租,增长缓慢,旧的发展模式难以为继。提出相应的对策,如:加快经济多元化发展、加强对新经济形态费用的控制、促进偿还债务、推行村级预算制度等。

Isolated alpine habitats reveal disparate ecological drivers of taxonomic and functional beta-diversity of small mammal assemblages

The interpretation of patterns of biodiversity requires the disentanglement of geographical and environmental variables.Disjunct alpine communities are geographically isolated from one another but experience similar environmental impacts.Isolated homogenous habitats may promote speciation but constrain functional trait variation.In this study,we examined the hypothesis that dispersal limitation promotes taxonomic divergence,whereas habitat similarity in alpine mountains leads to functional convergence.We performed standardized field investigation to sample non-volant small mammals from 18 prominent alpine sites in the Three Parallel Rivers area.We estimated indices quantifying taxonomic and functional alpha-and beta-diversity,as well as beta-diversity components.We then assessed the respective importance of geographical and environmental predictors in explaining taxonomic and functional compositions.No evidence was found to show that species were more functionally similar than expected in local assemblages.However,the taxonomic turnover components were higher than functional ones(0.471±0.230 vs.0.243±0.215),with nestedness components showing the opposite pattern(0.063±0.054 vs.0.269±0.225).This indicated that differences in taxonomic compositions between sites occurred from replacement of functionally similar species.Geographical barriers were the key factor influencing both taxonomic total dissimilarity and turnover components,whereas functional betadiversity was primarily explained by climatic factors such as minimum temperature of the coldest month.Our findings provide empirical evidence that taxonomic and functional diversity patterns can be independently driven by different ecological processes.Our results point to the importance of clarifying different components of beta-diversity to understand the underlying mechanisms of community assembly.These results also shed light on the assembly rules and ecological processes of terrestrial mammal communities in extreme environments.

Composition and Regeneration of Trees in the Community Forests of Lamjung District,Nepal

The community forest program in Nepal is one of the successful conservation initiatives.Tree species in a forest ecosystem have a fundamental role in maintaining the vegetation structure,complexity,and heterogeneity.This study analyzes the composition and regeneration of tree species in five community forests(CFs)of the sub-tropical region,Lamjung district,Nepal for preparing baseline data for long-term research projects and helps the community to manage their CFs scientifically.Tree species data were generated by stratified random sampling using 35 quadrate plots(size:20 m x 20 m).The density of adult trees in the forests ranged from 575 Ind ha^(-1)(Tilahar CF)to 1196 Ind/ha(Deurali Thadopakha CF).The sapling ranged from 2533 Ind ha^(-1)(Tilahar CF)to 4000 Ind ha^(-1)(Thuliban CF)and seedling from 19583 Ind ha^(-1)(Tilahar CF)to 37500 Ind ha^(-1)(Thuliban CF).Similarly,the adult tree basal area varied from 28.34 m^(2) ha^(-1)(Tilahar CF)to 49 m^(2) ha^(-1)(Deurali CF).The adult tree diversity index(Shannon-Weiner’s H)also ranged from 1.08(Thuliban CF)to 1.88(Tilahar CF).The tree species such as Sapium insigne,Ficus benghalensis,Lagerstroemia parviflore,Albizia sp.and Pinus roxburghii were weak regeneration.In general,the forests have good regeneration status except for Tilahar Community Forest,but based on the DBH size class distribution diagram,there is no sustainable regeneration.Among the five community forests the DBH size of adults was significantly different,and the DBH of Deurali Thadopakha was the lowest.But only few species have good regeneration and most of the species have weak,poor to no regeneration.The dominancy of fewer species like Shorea robusta,Castanopsis indica,and Schima wallichii accordingly maintain the overall regeneration of tree of CFs,so further plantation needs to be done inside the CF by triage accordingly those species whose regeneration has poor.

Latitudinal gradients of associations between beta and gamma diversity of trees in forest communities in the New World

Aims We analyze two continental data sets of forest communities from across the New World to examine the latitudinal gradients of beta diversity after accounting for gamma diversity and the latitudinal gradient of gamma diversity after accounting for beta diversity.Methods Correlation and regression analyses were used to relate beta and gamma diversity to latitude along two latitudinal gradients in the New World(one including 72 forest sites located south of the equator and the other including 79 forest sites located north of the equator).Important Findings Beta diversity and gamma diversity were negatively correlated with latitude.Beta diversity was strongly and positively correlated with gamma diversity(Pearson’s correlation coefficient:0.783 for New World North and 0.848 for New World South).When beta diversity was regressed on latitude and gamma diversity,69.8 and 85.7%of the variation in beta diversity were explained,respectively,for New World North and New World South.When gamma diversity was regressed on latitude and beta diversity,81.8 and 84.3%of the variation in gamma diversity were explained,respectively,for New World North and New World South.After statistically removing the relationship between beta and gamma diversity,latitude has weak or no relationships with beta and gamma diversity.However,strong positive correlations between beta and gamma diversity may not be considered as evidence of one driving the other along a latitudinal gradient.

Patterns of forest composition and their long term environmental drivers in the tropical dry forest transition zone of southern Africa

Background： Tropical dry forests cover less than 13 % of the world＇s tropical forests and their area and biodiversity are declining. In southern Africa, the major threat is increasing population pressure, while drought caused by climate change is a potential threat in the drier transition zones to shrub land. Monitoring climate change impacts in these transition zones is difficult as there is inadequate information on forest composition to allow disentanglement from other environmental drivers. Methods： This study combined historical and modern forest inventories covering an area of 21,000 km2 in a transition zone in Namibia and Angola to distinguish late succession tree communities, to understand their dependence on site factors, and to detect trends in the forest composition over the last 40 years. Results： The woodlands were dominated by six tree species that represented 84 % of the total basal area and can be referred to as Bdikioea - Pterocarpus woodlands. A boosted regression tree analysis revealed that late succession tree communities are primarily determined by climate and topography. The Schinziophyton rautanenfi and Baikiaea plurijuga communities are common on slightly inclined dune or valley slopes and had the highest basal area （5.5 - 6.2 m^2 ha＆-1）. The Burkea africana - Guibourtia coleosperma and Pterocarpus angolensis - Diafium englerianum communities are typical for the sandy plateaux and have a higher proportion of smaller stems caused by a higher fire frequency. A decrease in overall basal area or a trend of increasing domination by the more drought and cold resilient B. africana community was not confirmed by the historical data, but there were significant decreases in basal area for Ochna pulchra and the valuable fruit tree D. englerianum. Conclusions： The slope communities are more sheltered from fire, frost and drought but are more susceptible to human expansion. The community with the important timber tree P. angolensis can best withstand high fire frequency but shows signs of a higher vulnerability to climate change. Conservation and climate adaptation strategies should include protection of the slope communities through refuges. Follow-up studies are needed on short term dynamics, especially near the edges of the transition zone towards shrub land.