Study on the Changes of Non-structural Carbohydrates and Nitrogen Contents of Quercus aquifolioides Scrub along Different Elevation Gradient

[Objective] The aim was to compare the content changes between the non-structural carbohydrates（NSC）and the total nitrogen in various growing seasons,and to explore the response relationship between altitude and the contents.[Method] Taking Quercus aquifolioides scrub which widely distributed in Zheduoshan in the west of Sichuan as the experimental objects,the changes between NSC and the toal nitrogen in various growing seasons at different altitude were studied.[Result] The results showed that the content of NSC in Quercus aquifolioides underground increased with the lift of elevation in the dormancy,but decreased in the early germination,growing period and growth stage.The content of NSC in the ground tissue changed non-linearly with increasing elevation.In addition,the total nitrogen of Quercus aquifolioides organizations was decreasing with increasing elevation in the dormant period,which did not change significantly in the other periods.This result implied that the content of NSC in Quercus aquifolioides underground was more sensitive to temperature.[Conclusion] The experiment laid basis for the exploration of the physical and ecological mechanism of underground plants adaptability to highland environment,their response to global climate changes and adjustment to high altitude ecological system.

Population structure and spatial pattern analysis of Quercus aquifolioides on Sejila Mountain,Tibet,China

Understanding population structure provides basic ecological data related to species and ecosystems.Our objective was to understand the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of Quercus aquifolioides populations.Using a 1 ha permanent sample plot data for Q.aquifolioides on Sejila Mountain,Tibet Autonomous Region(Tibet),China,we analyzed the population structure of Q.aquifolioides by combining data for diameter class,static life table and survival curve.Simultaneously,the spatial distribution of Q.aquifolioides was studied using Ripley’s L Function in point pattern analysis.The results showed:(1) Individuals in Q.aquifolioides populations were mainly aggregated in the youngest age classes,that accounted for94.3% of the individuals; the older age classes had much smaller populations.Although the youngest age classes(ClassesⅠ and Ⅱ) had fewer individuals than Class Ⅲ,the total number of individuals in classes Ⅰ and Ⅱ was also greater than in classes Ⅳ to Ⅸ.In terms of tree height,fewsaplings,more medium-sized saplings and few large-sized trees were found.The diameter class structure of Q.aquifolioides populations formed an atypical ‘pyramid’type; the population was expanding,but growth was limited,tending toward a stable population.(2) Mortality of Q.aquifolioides increased continuously with age; life expectancy decreased over time,and the survivorship curve was close to a Deevey I curve.(3) The spatial distribution pattern of Q.aquifolioides varied widely across different developmental stages.Saplings and medium-sized tree showed aggregated distributions at the scales of 0–33 m and 0–29 m,respectively.The aggregation intensities of saplings and medium-sized trees at small scales were significantly stronger than that of large-sized trees.However,large-sized trees showed a random distribution at most scales.(4) No correlation was observed among saplings,medium-and large-sized trees at small scales,while a significant and negative association was observed as the scale increased.Strong competition was found among saplings,medium-and large-sized trees,while no significant association was observed between medium-and largesized trees at all scales.Biotic interactions and local ecological characteristics influenced the spatial distribution pattern of Q.aquifolioides populations most strongly.

Spatial Distribution Pattern and Sampling Technology of Soritia leptalina Larvae on Quercus aquifolioides

Soritia leptalina endangers mainly Quercus aquifolioides, and it became particularly rampant on Q. aquifolioides in Linzhi area, Tibet. By applying field investigation and lab analysis, this study explored the spatial distribution type and sampling technology of S. leptalina larvae on Q. aquifolioides. The results showed that insect density in the upper layer of tree canopy is higher than that in the middle and lower layer,that in the upper, middle and lower layer of different levels varies greatly, and insect density in different directions follows the sequence: east > north > west > south; spatial distribution of S. leptalina on Q.aquifolioides belongs to aggregation type, larvae show mutual repulsion; aggregation of S. leptalina is the result of biological characteristics of its larvae and the habitat environment; taking Iwa regression model as the basis, the optimal sampling quantity is determined. The study disclosed the spatial distribution rules of S.leptalina on Q. aquifolioides, and on the basis of which could provide the theoretical basis for preventing Q.aquifolioides from the damage of S. leptalina, and also scientific support for studying the spatial distribution pattern of this insect and its natural enemies on other hosts.