Pollination Biology of Ficus hispida in the Tropical Rainforests of Xishuangbanna, China

Ficus hispida L. (Moraceae) is a remarkable species in the ecosystem of tropical rainforests in Xishuangbanna, China. The figs and fig_pollination wasps (Chalcidoidae: Agaonidae) are highly co_evolved mutualists that depend completely on each other for propagating descendants. Pollination of all fig species is done by fig wasps; their unique symbiotic associates, the fig wasps, cannot develop in anywhere except in the fig syconia. The present paper reports on the biology and flowering phenology of F. hispida , as well as the propagation character and pollination behavior of the fig wasps (Ceratosolen solmsi marchali Mayr) based on our observations in the rainforests of Xishuangbanna, southern Yunnan of China. F. hispida is a dioecious tree that annually blossoms and bears fruits 6-8 times, with four to five fruit_bearing peaks. The male trees produce pollen and provide fig wasps with reproductive havens, while the female trees produce fig seeds after pollination by the female wasps. Pollen of F. hispida cannot escape from the dehiscent anthers until they are disturbed by fig wasps. The female wasps open the anthers and collect pollen with their antennal scrapes, mandibles and legs, and then carry pollen to the female receptive syconia where fertilization takes place. Meanwhile, some of the female wasps lay eggs in the male receptive syconia. It takes about 3-67 min to search for the receptive syconia for pollination, and 15-23 h to enter the female receptive syconia. The number of female wasps entering a syconium has close relation with the impregnation and seed_bearing rate of female flowers, as well as the oviposition and reproduction rate of the fig wasps themselves. F. hispida is endowed with a relatively high level of seed bearing (54.1%-82.5%, average 73.8 %). The wasp oviposition rate on the male flowers is between 72.3% and 93.8% with a mean of 84.4%.

Bamboo resources,utilization and ex-situ conservation in Xishuangbanna,South-eastern China

This paper describes the geographical distribution, utilization, cultural value and ex-situ conservation of bamboo resources in Xishuangbanna, Yunan Province, China. Sixty species of bamboo in 19 genera are recorded in Xishuangbanna. The area of natural bamboo forest is 14319 ha, accounting for 5.92% of whole area of Xishuangbanna. The abundant resource of bamboo plays an important role in the economics and culture of national minorities in Xishuangbanna. Xishuangbanna Tropic Botanic Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences （CAS）, started to introduce bamboo species in 1961 and established the ex-situ conservation reserve （8 ha） of bamboo in 1981. Up to now, 211 species in 27 genera collected from tropic and sub-tropic of China and South-east Asia have been planted in the bamboo reserve, of which 11 species have bloomed and seeded, and their seeds were cultivated in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Gardens, CAS, China.

A strategic study on biodiversity conservation in Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna harbors valuable tropical rainforests with abundant biod iversity and it is acknowledged as a treasure house of wildlife. By describing t he characteristics of its physical geography, the authors analyzed the habitat c omplex. The major vegetation types and rare wildlife were systematically studied to indicate the major elements and great value of the biodiversity. The present status of general biodiversity conservation was briefly appraised to reveal the potential crises and problems in the conservation practice. Based on the theori es and experience borrowed from modern conservation biology and innovations at h ome and abroad, 4 primary strategies were accordingly suggested to establish a b eneficial mutual-improvement mechanism for the better conservation so that the b iodiversity conservation and utilization can be properly integrated, the local p eople's livelihood effectively uplifted and their over-dependence on the resourc es relatively lessened.

Status quo and Major Causes of Traditional Sacred Natural Sites in Xishuangbanna Prefecture

In the research, sacred natural sites in the areas where Dai people, Hani people, Blang people and Zhuang people live mainly surveyed, covering 819 natural villages, 152 village committees and 31 towns. Presently, the area of sacred natural sites is only 1% of that in 1957 and the reduction of area is mainly caused by concept weakening, population increasing and economic development, as well as historical factors. Hence, it is recommended to strengthen management on sacred natural sites, in terms of formulating village rules or agreements and strengthening promotion.

Changing Landscapes in Xishuangbanna

The warm and wet Xishuangbanna is the only oasis on the desert belt on the Tropic of Cancer. Here is a sea of forests, one of the most beautiful forest areas in China. Growing here are more than 5,000 species of plants of higher order, including 341 rare species. Inhabiting in the forests are many rare wild animals, among them 109 have been listed for state protection. It is really worth the name＇, as the ＂Kingdom of Plants and Animals,＂

THE FLORISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST IN XISHUANGBANNA

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Forest vegetation of Xishuangbanna,south China

Xishuangbanna of southern Yunnan is biogeographically located at a transitional zone from tropical southeast （SE） Asia to subtropical east Asia and is at the junction of the Indian and Burmese plates of Gondwana and the Eurasian plate of Laurasia. The region, though surprisingly far from the equator and at a relatively high altitude, has a rich tropical flora and a typical tropical rain forest in the lowland areas. Based on physiognomic and ecological characteristics, floristic composition and habitats combined, the primary vegetation in Xishuangbanna can be organized into four main vegetation types： tropical rain forest, tropical seasonal moist forest, tropical montane evergreen broad-leaved forest and tropical monsoon forest. The tropical rain forest can be classified into two subtypes, i.e. a tropical seasonal rain forest in the lowlands and a tropical montane rain forest at higher elevations. The tropical seasonal rain forest has almost the same forest profile and physiognomic characteristics as equatorial lowland rain forests and is a type of truly tropical rain forest. Because of conspicuous similarity on ecological and floristic characteristics, the tropical rain forest in Xishuangbanna is a type of tropical Asian rain forest. However, since the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna occurs at the northern edge of tropical SE Asia, it differs from typical lowland rain forests in equatorial areas in having some deciduous trees in the canopy layer, fewer megaphanerophytes and epiphytes but more abundant lianas and more plants with microphyll. It is a type of semi-evergreen rain forest at the northern edge of the tropical zone. The tropical montane rain forest occurs at wet montane habitats and is similar to the lower montane rain forest in equatorial Asia in floristic composition and physiognomy. It is a type of lower montane rain forests within the broader category of tropical rain forests. The tropical seasonal moist forest occurs on middle and upper limestone slopes. It is similar to the tropical montane evergreen broad-leaved forest in the region in physiognomy, but differs from the latter in floristic composition. It is a vegetation type on limestone at high elevations. The monsoon forest in Xishuangbanna is a tropical deciduous forest under the influence of a strong monsoon climate and is considered to be a transitional vegetation type between a tropical rain forest and savanna in physiognomy and distribution. The tropical montane evergreen broad-leaved forest is the main montane vegetation type in the region. It is dominated largely by the families Fagaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Theaceae and Lauraceae. It differs from tropical lower montane rain forests in its lack of epiphytes and in having more abundant lianas and plants with compound leaves. It is considered to be a distinct vegetation type from the northern margin of mainland southeastern Asia, controlled by a strong seasonal climate, based on its floristic and physiognomic characteristics.

THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST VEGETATION IN XISHUANGBANNA

The tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna,Yunnan Province of China,is introduced in detail in this paper.Situated at the northern margin of tropical mainland SE Asia and controlled by monsoon climate,the region has been climatically at the lower limits for tropical rainforests,however true tropical rainforests exist and develop luxuriantly in the region.The reasons for this are discussed.In general phytocoenological characteristics such as vertical stratification,life form spectrum,species riches etc.the tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna is very similar to the typical tropical rainforest in equatorial region,but it is characterized by a clear change of physiognomy between different season.As occurred at the latitudinal and altitudinal limits of tropical rainforest,the flora of the rainforest is endowed with the nature of northern margin of tropical zone of SE Asia and is transitional toward the flora of subtropical forest of China.In recent years the region has been opened up to use in a large scale and the primary forests,eseialy rainforests,have been severely destroyed,The conserva.tion and rsercho lo the ropiranr rnforest are very ugent and have io be doneat once.

Variation in photosynthetic photon flux density within a tropical seasonal rain forest of Xishuangbanna, south-western China

The effects of canopy development, solar angle, and weather conditions on temporal variation in photosynthetic photon flux density（PPFD） at three heights within a tropical rain forest canopy in Xishuangbanna, China, were examined. PPFD was measured every second and stored as 10-min averages from 1 December 2002 to 30 November 2003. PPFD variability was examined at three different temporal scales. Specific days in March, September, and December with clear and overcast sky conditions were selected to separate the effects of leaf area index（LAI） and solar angle on diurnal variability. On both clear and overcast days, mean daily average PPFD was significantly different between March and September at all heights, except 10 m on clear days, suggesting that LAI directly influences PPFD. In contrast, the differences in daily average PPFD among three heights between September and December were likely due to variation in solar angle. In addition, daily average PPFD at all locations were significantly lower under overcast than clear sky conditions in March, September and December. Over the year-long study, the mean daily total PPFD at 2! m, 10 m and 4 m was 2.8, 2.7 and 0.7 mol/（m^2·d）, which accounted for 9.7%, 9.4% and 2.4% of the daily PPFD above the canopy, respectively. Significant differences in mean daily total PPFD occurred at the same heights among different seasons, and diurnal, day-to-day and seasonal PPFD varied at different heights within the canopy. The possible effects of light variability on physiological and morphological responses of plants are discussed.

Study on the Current Situation and Protection Countermeasures of Wild Plant Resources in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve

[Objective] The aim was to study the current situation and protection countermeasures of wild plant resources in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve. [Method] The current situation of wild plant resources in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve was researched by means of route survey, sample plot survey and literature survey, and then the main impact factors of wild plant resources were analyzed by using participatory rural appraisal and problem tree analysis, finally protection countermeasures were put forward according to current situation and main impact factors. [Result] There were 2 779 species of vascular plants belonging to 214 families and 1 012 genera (including subfamilies and varieties) in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve, among them, there existed 261 species of pteridophyte belonging to 41 families and 91 genera, 14 species of gymnosperm belonging to 6 families and 6 genera, and 2 504 species of angiosperm belonging to 167 families and 915 genera. Wild plant resources in reserve were mainly affected by planting under forest, habitat fragmentation, cutting trees, collection and utilization of no-timber products, development of animal husbandry, insufficient recognition of community residents to reserve management establishment and lots of floating population. In the future, wild plant resources in reserve could be protected through strengthening propaganda, education and management, enforcing the law strictly and other countermeasures. [Conclusion] The study could provide theoretical foundation for the protection of wild plant resources in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve.

FOREST LANDSCAPE AND BIRD DIVERSITY IN MOUNTAIN REGION, XISHUANGBANNA, YUNNAN

The degeneration of forest landscapes is mainly caused by human impact on the natural environment, which is posing a great threat to biodiversity. We studied the relationship between forest landscapes and birds in mountain regions of Xishuangbanna,Yunnan Province. In Jinuo ethnic region, forest landscape is degenerating, and bird diversity is reducing as a result of human influence. However, in Hani ethnic region of Mengsong area, a comparative study area, there are also traditional practices of agriculture and forestry. The traditional practices are dynamically adaptive to local geographic environment and social economic conditions. A great deal of biodiversity exists in the place where people have lived for many generations and use the resources of environment in a sustainable manner. Considering bird diversity and forest landscape of mountainous area, both economic and ecological benefits should be taken into account, which relate to land use and landscape protection. Biodiversity conservation, resource management and policy making should pay much attention to the best interconnection of land use and landscapes protection.

Perception and Attitudes of Local Communities Towards Wild Elephant-related Problems and Conservation in Xishuangbanna,Southwestern China

The problem of wild elephants, or human-elephant conflict (HEC), influences the daily life of local communities and hinders the conservation of wild elephants.The perception and attitudes of local communities who inhabited the frontiers between human activities and wild elephant movement are important to the mitigation of the HEC and conservation of wild elephants. To analyze the perception and attitudes of local communities, the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was used in the investigation of 423 interviewees from 22 villages in Xishuangbanna from July 2009 to February 2010. The results indicated that local communities had their views on the elephant-related problems. In field survey, we found that 66.5% of interviewees were willing to support, participate in, and assist in the conservation of wild elephants;33.5% of interviewees were opposed or indifferent to such conservation, because their livelihoods and even their lives were endangered by wild elephants. These views and attitudes were influenced by local communities′perception of HEC, education level, gender and self-interest. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the diverse views among local communities and balance profits and costs in addressing HEC.

Effects of frugivorous birds on seed retention time and germination in Xishuangbanna, southwest China

The dispersal of many plants depends on transportation by birds as seed dispersers. The birds play an important role in long distance seed dispersal and may also affect seed germination. However, for plants who have many bird dispersers, the influence of dominant and non-dominant dispersers on retention time （dispersal distance） and germination remains poorly understood. In this study we performed experiments with captive frugivorous birds and fruiting plant species to study the effects of dominant and non-dominant dispersers on seed retention time （SRT） and germination （seed germination percentage and germination speed）. Our study showed a great interspecific variation in the effects of frugivorous birds on both SRT and germination. Some birds enhance the germination of a given plant species, but others do not. Generally, the dominant visitors improved the seed germination and performed longer seed retention time.

Sacred Natural Site and Regional Biodiversity Conservation in Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna is a multinational region and different ethnic groups have self-owned traditional ways of protecting biodiversity, represented by Dragon Moun-tain and Hil Cemetery, and Temple Forest. As population increases and economy develops, people’s consciousness of traditional culture is fading and both of the number and area of sacred natural sites underwent changes, undermining the role of sacred natural sites playing in biodiversity protection, especial y for species pro-tection and gene exchange.

How to Develop Rubber Production in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture?

The natural rubber planting area in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture accounts for about 30% of rubber planting area in China. At the end of 2013,the rubber planting area in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture was 29. 4 ha,the tapped rubber plantation area was 17. 49 ha,and the dry rubber production was 317000 t. Currently,the production and management level of rubber plantation has declined in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture,the tapping technique is outdated,and the tapping technology management system is difficult to implement. Therefore,some ways can be employed to promote the development of rubber industry such as enhancing the operation and management level of rubber industry,organizing the rubber production team,and developing the new rubber farmers' cooperatives.

Study on Current Status of Urban Green Land in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna

Urban green land was the important component of urban ecological system and occupied a decisive position in ameliorating urban ecological environment. By using GIS, the author analyzed the image data of Quick Bird satellite, interpreted remote sensing images, and extracted patch space attribute information of urban green land. The author also obtained highly-precise attribute information and map of urban green space of Jinghong City, through establishing and compiling of geographic data, drawing of maps and measuring of area. And the survey on garden plants' species, quantity, distribution, growth and establishment of artificial plants community had been carried out, so as to analyze the basic characteristics of urban green land in Jinghong City. It could be known from the survey result that each green land index had reached state standard for garden city. It could be concluded that the characteristics of urban green land in Jinghong City were:diversified urban green land types, unique character of park green land, remarkable maintenance effect of green land, rich garden plants species, garden plants with distinguish national culture and widespread application of native plants.

Conservation Planning of Plant Diversity in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna

General situation of Jinghong City was introduced in this study.Based on analyzing its vegetation components,species diversity,rare and endangered species,alien species,plant resources,7 biodiversity conservation contents were planned,including focusing on the construction and management of nature reserves,constructing forest park and developing science popularization engineering,establishing the area of banning hunting(picking) wild species and connection corridors,constructing wild elephant park into a zoo,promoting the role of urban parks in protecting biodiversity,devoting more in protecting rare and endangered species,preventing the danger of invasive species.4 countermeasures for applying biodiversity in urban green spaces were proposed,specifically,creating urban garden plant community by simulating natural ones to form urban plant ecosystem,determining species cardinal of urban garden plants to protect and develop species diversity,applying both local and alien plants to create diversified landscapes,introducing,domesticating or culturing new garden plants to enrich the diversity of garden plants.Also 3 countermeasures for protecting biodiversity in urban green spaces were put forward,that is,joint development of rural economy and biodiversity protection around cities,protecting species and comprehensively renovating habitats,fully utilizing ex-situ conservation to protect biodiversity.

Co-opetition Development of Cultural Tourism Complexes in Xishuangbanna: A Case Study of Gaozhuangxishuangjing and Xishuangbanna-Based Wanda International Resort

The cultural tourism complex is a comprehensive development model with cultural soft power as its core competitiveness, and is an industrial development system with tourism as the forerunner, culture as the core, and real estate as the platform and consumption carrier. The development status and trend of the cultural tourism complex as a new format of tourism industry integration under the guidance of the national strategy of all-for-one tourism are worthy of attention and discussion. With Xishuangbanna's two cultural tourism complexes of Gaozhuangxishuangjing and Xishuangbanna-based Wanda International Resort as the research object, this paper compared the similarities and differences of the two tourism complexes in their development and their respective problems, and analyzed the basis and condition for their co-opetition development. The ultimate goal of this paper was to seek the relevant countermeasures and suggestions for the two cultural tourism complexes to complement each other, promote each other, and jointly promote the development of tourism in Xishuangbanna.

Diversity of Cultivable Actinomycetes in Tropical Rainy Forest of Xishuangbanna, China

In order to obtain much more un-known actinomycetes for discovering new drug lead, one hundred soil samples were collected from five national natural protection areas of tropical rain forests, Mengla, Menglun, Mandian, Xiaomengyang and Guanping, in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. 1652 purified cultures of actinobacteria were isolated from these samples by using 5 media. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of 388 selected strains were analyzed, and the phylogenetic analysis was carried out. 35 genera which belong to 8 orders and 14 families of the Class actinobacteria were identified. It is showed from research results that actinomycete diversity in tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna is the highest comparing with all areas studied in our laboratories before. Selective isolation methods for un-known actinomycetes from soil samples, including medium and inhibitors are discussed in this paper.