Graveyards or sacred groves are often places of natural vegetation protected by spiritual believers because of their sacred beliefs and indigenous culture.A study of graveyards was conducted to determine their role in...Graveyards or sacred groves are often places of natural vegetation protected by spiritual believers because of their sacred beliefs and indigenous culture.A study of graveyards was conducted to determine their role in species conservation,community formation,and associated indicators and species composition using multivariate statistical approaches.It was hypothesized that variations in the age of graveyards would give rise to diverse plant communities under the impact of various edaphic and climatic factors.Quantitative ecological techniques were applied to determine various phytosociological attributes.All the data were put in MS Excel for analysis in PCORD and CANOCO softwares for cluster analysis(CA),two-way cluster analysis(TWCA),indicator species analysis and canonical correspondence analysis.CA and TWCA through Sorenson distance measurements identified five major graveyard plant communities:(1)FicusBougainvillea-Chenopodium;(2)Acacia-Datura-Convolvulus;(3)Ziziphus-Vitex-Abutilon;(4)Acacia-Lantana-Salsola;and(5)Melia-Rhazya-Peganum.Species such as Capparis decidua,Herniaria hirsuta,Salvadora oliedes and Populus euphratica were only present inside graveyards rather than outside and advocate the role of graveyards in species conservation.The impact of different environmental and climatic variables plus the age of the graveyards were also assessed for comparison of plant communities and their respective indicator species.The results indicate that higher chlorine concentration,age of graveyards,low soil electrical conductivity,lower anthropogenic activities,higher nitrogen,calcium and magnesium concentrations in the soil,and sandy soils were the strong environmental variables playing a significant role in the formation of graveyard plant communities,their associated indicators and species distribution patterns.These results could further be utilized to evaluate the role of edaphic and climatic factors,indicator species and conservation management practices at a greater scale.展开更多
Soil animal communities of Secondary forest,Platycladus forest andQuercus acutissima forest in Confucian graveyard of Qufu were investigated. 3583 specimens were collected, belonging separately to 5 Phylums, 11 Classe...Soil animal communities of Secondary forest,Platycladus forest andQuercus acutissima forest in Confucian graveyard of Qufu were investigated. 3583 specimens were collected, belonging separately to 5 Phylums, 11 Classes and 23 Orders. Two dominant groups and 9 common groups account for 94.45% of the total numbers. The soil animals in these three forest habitats differ in composition, ecological distribution and important indices. The dominant groups of soil animals in the three forests were the same, but other groups differ more greatly. Diversity index (H′) and evenness index (E) of soil animal in Secondary forest are the highest, and yet dominance index (C) inQuercus acutissima forest is the highest. Most soil animals in each forest habitats congregate to the surface soil layer. Their sorts and individual numbers are all layer I>II>III. It is very similar for composition of soil animals in the three forests.展开更多
Three ancient graveyards at Gangxin, Bamupo and Paomagang graveyard in Xiangyang city were excavated from May to July in 2000. The excavation was done to cooperate with the construc tion of Xiang Jing Highway. Fifteen...Three ancient graveyards at Gangxin, Bamupo and Paomagang graveyard in Xiangyang city were excavated from May to July in 2000. The excavation was done to cooperate with the construc tion of Xiang Jing Highway. Fifteen tombs dated from Song to Ming and Qing Dynasty were unearthed, including small -scale brick-chambered tombs with earth pits, pit tombs and relocated tombs. A small quantity of burial objects such as copper cash, copper and jade hairpins are unearthed too. These tombs bear some unique features in forms and burial customs. The excavat ion will be helpful to the research on historical archaeology of Hubei province.展开更多
基金This study is supported by University Research Fund(URF)of Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad.
文摘Graveyards or sacred groves are often places of natural vegetation protected by spiritual believers because of their sacred beliefs and indigenous culture.A study of graveyards was conducted to determine their role in species conservation,community formation,and associated indicators and species composition using multivariate statistical approaches.It was hypothesized that variations in the age of graveyards would give rise to diverse plant communities under the impact of various edaphic and climatic factors.Quantitative ecological techniques were applied to determine various phytosociological attributes.All the data were put in MS Excel for analysis in PCORD and CANOCO softwares for cluster analysis(CA),two-way cluster analysis(TWCA),indicator species analysis and canonical correspondence analysis.CA and TWCA through Sorenson distance measurements identified five major graveyard plant communities:(1)FicusBougainvillea-Chenopodium;(2)Acacia-Datura-Convolvulus;(3)Ziziphus-Vitex-Abutilon;(4)Acacia-Lantana-Salsola;and(5)Melia-Rhazya-Peganum.Species such as Capparis decidua,Herniaria hirsuta,Salvadora oliedes and Populus euphratica were only present inside graveyards rather than outside and advocate the role of graveyards in species conservation.The impact of different environmental and climatic variables plus the age of the graveyards were also assessed for comparison of plant communities and their respective indicator species.The results indicate that higher chlorine concentration,age of graveyards,low soil electrical conductivity,lower anthropogenic activities,higher nitrogen,calcium and magnesium concentrations in the soil,and sandy soils were the strong environmental variables playing a significant role in the formation of graveyard plant communities,their associated indicators and species distribution patterns.These results could further be utilized to evaluate the role of edaphic and climatic factors,indicator species and conservation management practices at a greater scale.
文摘Soil animal communities of Secondary forest,Platycladus forest andQuercus acutissima forest in Confucian graveyard of Qufu were investigated. 3583 specimens were collected, belonging separately to 5 Phylums, 11 Classes and 23 Orders. Two dominant groups and 9 common groups account for 94.45% of the total numbers. The soil animals in these three forest habitats differ in composition, ecological distribution and important indices. The dominant groups of soil animals in the three forests were the same, but other groups differ more greatly. Diversity index (H′) and evenness index (E) of soil animal in Secondary forest are the highest, and yet dominance index (C) inQuercus acutissima forest is the highest. Most soil animals in each forest habitats congregate to the surface soil layer. Their sorts and individual numbers are all layer I>II>III. It is very similar for composition of soil animals in the three forests.
文摘Three ancient graveyards at Gangxin, Bamupo and Paomagang graveyard in Xiangyang city were excavated from May to July in 2000. The excavation was done to cooperate with the construc tion of Xiang Jing Highway. Fifteen tombs dated from Song to Ming and Qing Dynasty were unearthed, including small -scale brick-chambered tombs with earth pits, pit tombs and relocated tombs. A small quantity of burial objects such as copper cash, copper and jade hairpins are unearthed too. These tombs bear some unique features in forms and burial customs. The excavat ion will be helpful to the research on historical archaeology of Hubei province.