Effects of selection cutting on the forest structure and species diversity of evergreen broad-leaved forest in northern Fujian, southern China

The short-term effects of selection curing of different intensities on the forest structure and species diversity of evergreen broad-leaved forest in northern Fujian Province were investigated and analyzed. The results showed that selection curing of low and medium intensities caused little variation in the forest structure. After curing, the dominant species retained their leading status in the community. However, the community structure changed significantly following selection curing of high and extra-high intensities; the status of the dominant species of the community declined dramatically. Some tree species began to disappear from the sampling plots. Except for extra-high intensity curing, the diversity of tree species did not change significantly for the other three curing intensities. However, the evenness of the stands was very different among the four kinds of curing plots. For low and medium intensity selection cutting, the evenness declined slightly. For extra-high intensity selection curing, the evenness increased to some extent, which might be due to a more even distribution of tree species after curing. CuRing operations resulted in some adverse reactions to development of arborous species diversity of evergreen broad-leaved forest, particularly serious damage to the forest canopy. But the rational selection cuttings, which may benefit the restoration and maintenance of species diversity over a long period and may come about from the variations in environmental factors such as sunlight, temperature and humidity.

Forest structure and anthropogenic pressures in the Pachmarhi biosphere reserve of India

A critical first step in establishing biosphere reserves--under the Man and Biosphere Programme of UNESCO--is to generate baseline information for future courses of action. The present study aims to assess the structure and composition of forests--along with anthro- pogenic pressures mounting on these forests in the buffer zone of one such biosphere reserves--the Pachmarhi bio- sphere reserve of India. The quadrat method was employed for sampling vegetation, and information on anthropogenic pressures was collected by conducting interviews with local people and forest officials and collecting it from secondary sources. A total of 39 tree species were sampled in 82 quadrats; of these 26 tree species were in standing stage, 25 in sapling, and 35 in seedling. Chloroxylon swi- etenia emerged as the most dominant tree species having highest importance value index, followed by Tectona grandis, Terminalia tomentosa, and Hardwickia binata. Nine tree species and their saplings, including Sterculia urens and Terminalia arjuna, were exploited so badly that they were only found in the seedlings stage. The unavail- ability of standing trees of 12 important tree species including Aegle marmelos and Phyllanthus emblicaindicates the intensity and gravity of anthropogenic pres- sures on these important tree species. If the present anthropogenic pressure continues, which has inhibited the regeneration of several tree species, then substantial neg- ative ecological and societal consequences can be expected.

Impacts of canopy structure on the sub-canopy solar radiation under a deciduous forest based on fisheye photographs

Forest canopy in a deciduous forest has significant sheltering effects on the sub-canopy solar radiation,significantly influencing the energy balance of snow and permafrost beneath the forest and their spatial distribution.This study employs a digital camera mounted with a fisheye lens to acquire photographs at various times in a growth cycle of the forest canopy at three selected sites in a deciduous forest near the Greater Khingan Mountains Forest Ecological Station,Northeast China.The vegetation types and conditions at the selected sites include P1 in Ledum-Claopodium-L.dahurica,P2 in Carex tato-L.dahurica,and P3 in Betula fruticosa-L.dahurica.After necessary image processing,these photographs were used to identify the canopy structure and its impacts on the sub-canopy solar radiation.Results show that fisheye photographs can successfully capture the forest canopy structure and are useful in estimating the sub-canopy solar radiation.The order of sheltering effects from the largest to the smallest on sub-canopy solar radiation at three selected sites is P3,P1,and P2,highly depending on the canopy density.Then sub-canopy solar radiation was calculated using fisheye photographs and an algorithm validated by in-situ observed solar radiation beneath the canopy at P1 and P3.The results are reasonable,although the accuracy seems compromised due to the mismatch of conditions for calculation and observation.Results also show that the mean annual solar radiation above the canopy was about 148.3 W/m2 in 2018,and the mean annual solar radiation values beneath the canopy were about 90.0,123.8,and 61.0 W/m2 at P1,P2,and P3,with only 60%,84%,and 42%of the total solar radiation penetrating through the canopy,respectively.Even in winter,when the trees are leafless,the canopy sheltering effects cannot be ignored in dense forests.Despite the limitations,fisheye photographs and related algorithms are useful in investigating the forest canopy structure and its impacts on sub-canopy solar radiation.

Effect of human disturbance on the structure and regeneration of forests in the Nevado de Toluca National Park, Mexico

Sample plots were established in the principal forest types in the the Nevado de Toluca National Park, Mexico including those domi- nated by Pinus hartwegii, Abies religiosa, Quercus laurina and Alnus jorullensis. The vertical structure was defined by three strata in the coniferous forests and two strata in the broadleaved forests. Timber harvesting in Abies religiosa and Quercus laurina forests and fires generated by humans in Pinus hartwegii forests impeded the recruitment of saplings. Mature trees were also heavily impacted by logging in Pinus hartwegii forests. On the contrary, Alnusjorullensis forests were increas- ing due to the disturbance of Pinus and Quercus forests, as well aban- doned crop lands within the park. A combination of logging, uncon- trolled fire, and grazing appears to be compromising the recruitment of important tree species in this national park. These factors, together with human settlements, have also increased the proportion of early succes- sional species. Changes in forest structure from human disturbance indicate a need to control these activities if conservation goals are not to be compromised.

Does variable stand structure associated with multi-cohort forests support diversity of ground beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) communities in the central Nearctic boreal forest？

Multi-cohort management （MCM） that retains a range of stand structures （age and size class） has been proposed to emulate natural disturbance and improve management in the Nearctic boreal forest. Although MCM forests contain both single- and multi-aged stands of mixed tree sizes, little is known about how variable stand structure affects associated fauna and biodiversity. Here, we examine the relationship between ground beetle （Coleoptera, Carabidae） communities and stand characteristics across a range of forest structure （=cohort classes）. Given that MCM classes are defined by the distribution of their tree-stem diameters, we ask whether parameters associated with these distributions （Weibull） could explain observed variation in carabid communities, and if so, how this compares to traditional habitat variables such as stand age, foliage complexity or volume of downed woody debris. We sampled carabids using weekly pitfall collections and compared these with structural habitat variables across a range of cohort classes （stand structure and age since disturbance） in 18 sites of upland mixed boreal forests from central Canada. Results showed that richness and diversity of carabid communities were similar among cohort classes. Weibull parameters from the diameter distribution of all stems were the strongest predictors of variation in carabid communities among sites, but vertical foliage complexity, understory thickness, and percentage of deciduous composition were also significant. The abundance of several carabid forest specialists was strongly correlated with tree canopy height, the presence of large trees, and high vertical foliage complexity. Our results demonstrate that variable forest structure, as expected under MCM, may be useful in retaining the natural range of ground beetle species across the central Nearctic boreal forest.

Decomposition and stabilization of organic matter in an old-growth tropical riparian forest:effects of soil properties and vegetation structure

Background:Nutrient cycling in tropical forests has a large importance for primary productivity,and decomposition of litterfall is a major process influencing nutrient balance in forest soils.Although large-scale factors strongly influence decomposition patterns,small-scale factors can have major influences,especially in old-growth forests that have high structural complexity and strong plant-soil correlations.Here we evaluated the effects of forest structure and soil properties on decomposition rates and stabilization of soil organic matter using the Tea Bag Index(TBI)in an old-growth riparian forest in southeastern Brazil.These data sets were described separately using Principal Components Analysis(PCA).The main axes for each analysis,together with soil physical properties(clay content and soil moisture),were used to construct structural equations models that evaluated the different parameters of the TBI,decomposition rates and stabilization factor.The best model was selected using Akaike’s criterion.Results:Forest structure and soil physical and chemical properties presented large variation among plots within the studied forest.Clay content was strongly correlated with soil moisture and the first PCA axis of soil chemical properties,and model selection indicated that clay content was a better predictor than this axis.Decomposition rates presented a large variation among tea bags(0.009 and 0.098 g·g^(−1)·d−1)and were positively related with forest structure,as characterized by higher basal area,tree density and larger trees.The stabilization factor varied between 0.211–0.426 and was related to forest stratification and soil clay content.Conclusions:The old-growth forest studied presented high heterogeneity in both forest structure and soil properties at small spatial scales,that influenced decomposition processes and probably contributed to small-scale variation in nutrient cycling.Decomposition rates were only influenced by forest structure,whereas the stabilization factor was influenced by both forest structure and soil properties.Heterogeneity in ecological processes can contribute to the resilience of old-growth forests,highlighting the importance of restoration strategies that consider the spatial variation of ecosystem processes.

Alternative expressions for stand diameter in complex forests

Quadratic mean diameter is the most frequently reported descriptor of the diameter distribution of forests.As such,it is often used as an indicator of forest stand structure,developmental stage,and ecological and economic potential.However,quadratic mean diameter can be heavily influenced by the presence or absence of large numbers of small stems in lower canopy strata,and it is also sensitive to left-truncation of the diameter distribution,making its interpretation across inventories with different protocols challenging.Here,we examine three alternative expressions of stand diameter:the arithmetic and quadratic mean diameter of the thickest 100 trees per hectare,and the basal area-weighted mean diameter.Using data from the United States Forest Inventory and Analysis program for New York and New England,these alternative expressions showed closer correlation with multiple stand structural variables than did quadratic mean diameter,including merchantable cubic and board foot volume per hectare,aboveground live tree carbon per hectare,and total number of live and dead standing trees greater than 40 cm diameter at breast height per hectare(previously proposed as an index of old-growth structure).Arithmetic and quadratic mean diameter of the thickest 100 trees per hectare showed nearly identical performance,and the strongest correlations across the board.We develop closed-form expressions for these variables when the diameter distribution is a Weibull,and illustrate their behavior relative to quadratic mean diameter for that situation.While the reasons for prevalence of quadratic mean diameter as an indicator remain valid,we suggest that these alternative measures should be more widely reported and analyzed to give a more informative depiction of stand structure and development in complex forests.

Vertical stratification of ichneumonid wasp communities： the effects of forest structure and life-history traits

Parasitoid wasp communities of the canopy of temperate forests are still largely unexplored. Very little is known about the community composition ofparasitoids between canopy and understory and how much of this difference is related to forest structure or parasitoid biological strategies. In this study we investigated upon the difference in the community composition of the parasitic wasps Ichneumonidae between canopy and understory in a lowland temperate forest in northern Italy. We used general linear models to test whether parasitic strategy modifies species vertical stratification and the effect of forest structure. We also tested differences in β-diversity between canopy and understory traps and over time within single forest layers. We found that stand basal area was positively related to species richness, suggesting that the presence of mature trees can influence local wasp diversity, providing a higher number of microhabitats and hosts. The ichneumonid community of the canopy was different from that of the understory, and theβ-diversity analysis showed higher values for the canopy, due to a higher degree of species turnover between traps. In our analyses, the vertical stratification was different between groups of ichneumonids sharing different parasitic strategies. Idiobiont parasitoids of weakly or deeply concealed hosts were more diverse in the understory than in the canopy while parasitoids of spiders were equally distributed between the two layers. Even though the ichneumonid community was not particularly species-rich in the canopy of the temperate forests, the extension of sampling to that habitat significantly increased the number of species recorded.

Modeling three-dimensional forest structures to drive canopy radiative transfer simulations of bidirectional reflectance factor

Three-dimensional(3-D)Monte Carlo-based radiative transfer(MCRT)models are usually used for benchmarking in intercomparisons of the canopy radiative transfer(RT)simulations.However,the 3-D MCRT models are rarely applied to develop remote sensing algorithms to estimate essential climate variables of forests,due mainly to the difficulties in obtaining realistic stand structures for different forest biomes over regional to global scales.Fortunately,some of important tree structure parameters such as canopy height and tree density distribution have been available globally.This enables to run the intermediate complexities of the 3-D MCRT models.We consequently developed a statistical approach to generate forest structures with intermediate complexities depending on the inputs of canopy height and tree density.It aims at facilitating applications of the 3-D MCRT models to develop remote sensing retrieval algorithms.The proposed approach was evaluated using field measurements of two boreal forest stands at Estonia and USA,respectively.Results demonstrated that the simulations of bidirectional reflectance factor(BRF)based on the measured forest structures agreed well with the BRF based on the generated structures from the proposed approach with the root mean square error(RMSE)and relative RMSE(rRMSE)ranging from 0.002 to 0.006 and from 0.7%to 19.8%,respectively.Comparison of the computed BRF with corresponding MODIS reflectance data yielded RMSE and rRMSE lower than 0.03 and 20%,respectively.Although the results from the current study are limited in two boreal forest stands,our approach has the potential to generate stand structures for different forest biomes.

Characterizing stand structure in a spruce forests:effects of sampling protocols

Spatial heterogeneity is an inherent characteristic of natural forest landscapes, therefore estimation of structural variability, including the collection and analyzing of field measurements, is a growing challenge for monitoring wildlife habitat di- versity and ecosystem sustainability. In this study, we investigated the combined influence of plot shape and size on the accuracy of assessment of conventional and rare structural features in two young-growth spruce-dominated forests in northwestern China. We used a series of inventory schemes and analytical approaches. Our data showed that options for sampling protocols, especially the selection of plot size considered in structural attributes measurement, dramatically af- fect the minimum number of plots required to meet a certain accuracy criteria. The degree of influence of plot shape is related to survey objectives; thus, effects of plot shape differ for evaluations of the ＂mean＂ or ＂representative＂ stand structural conditions from that for the range of habitat （in extreme values）. Results of Monte Carlo simulations suggested that plot sizes 〈0.1 ha could be the most efficient way to sample for conventional characteristics （features with relative constancy within a site, such as stem density）. Also, 0.25 ha or even larger plots may have a greater likelihood of capturing rare structural attributes （features possessing high randomness and spatial heterogeneity, such as volume of coarse woody debris） in our forest type. These findings have important implications for advisable sampling protocol （plot size and shape） to adequately capture information on forest habitat structure and diversity; such efforts must be based on a clear definition of which types are structural attributes to measure.

Land-use change and windstorms legacies drove the recolonization dynamics of laurel forests in Tenerife, Canary islands

Laurel forests are quite relevant for biodiversity conservation and are among the island ecosystems most severely damaged by human activities.In the past,Canary laurel forests have been greatly altered by logging,livestock and agriculture.The remains of laurel forests are currently protected in the Canary Islands(Spain).However,we miss basic information needed for their restoration and adaptive management,such as tree longevity,growth potential and responsiveness to natural and anthropogenic disturbances.Using dendrochronological methods,we studied how forest dynamic is related to land-use change and windstorms in two well-preserved laurel forests on Tenerife Island.Wood cores were collected from over 80 trees per stand at three stands per forest.We used ring-width series to estimate tree ages and calculate annual basal area increments(BAI),cumulative diameter increases,and changes indicative of released and suppressed growth.Twelve tree species were found in all stands,with Laurus novocanariensis,Ilex canariensis and Morella faya being the most common species.Although some individuals were over 100 years old,61.8%-88.9% of the trees per stand established between 1940 and 1970,coinciding with a post-war period of land abandonment,rural exodus and the onset of a tourism economy.Some trees have shown growth rates larger than 1 cm diameter per year and most species have had increasing BAI trends over the past decades.Strong growth releases occurred after windstorms at both sites,but the effects of windstorms were site-dependent,with the 1958 storm affecting mainly the eastern tip of the island(Anaga massif)and the 1991 storm the western tip(Teno massif).Given the great ability of laurel forest trees to establish after land use cessation and to increase growth after local disturbances such as windstorms,passive restoration may be sufficient to regenerate this habitat in currently degraded areas.

Mangrove forests as a nature-based solution for coastal flood protection:Biophysical and ecological considerations

Nature-based coastal protection is increasingly recognised as a potentially sustainable and cost-effective solution to reduce coastal flood risk.It uses coastal ecosystems such as mangrove forests to create resilient designs for coastal flood protection.However,to use mangroves effectively as a nature-based measure for flood risk reduction,we must understand the biophysical processes that govern risk reduction capacity through mangrove ecosystem size and structure.In this perspective,we evaluate the current state of knowledge on local physical drivers and ecological processes that determine mangrove functioning as part of a nature-based flood defence.We show that the forest properties that comprise coastal flood protection are well-known,but models cannot yet pinpoint how spatial heterogeneity of the forest structure affects the capacity for wave or surge attenuation.Overall,there is relatively good understanding of the ecological processes that drive forest structure and size,but there is a lack of knowledge on how daily bed-level dynamics link to long-term biogeomorphic forest dynamics,and on the role of combined stressors influencing forest retreat.Integrating simulation models of forest structure under changing physical(e.g.due to sea-level change)and ecological drivers with hydrodynamic attenuation models will allow for better projections of long-term natural coastal protection.

Recovery Status and Livestock Use of a Kenyan Montane Forest a Decade after Cessation of Human Encroachment

Montane forest ecosystems support biodiversity and provide varied ecosystem services to adjacent and downstream human communities. However, human-induced disturbances are common in many of these ecosystems, threatening their capacity to sustain their functions. This study assessed the status of woody vegetation and livestock use of a Kenyan montane forest 10 years after government-sanctioned cessation of human encroachment. The findings can inform suitable interventions that support recovery of abandoned forest settlements subjected to continuous anthropogenic disturbances. Selected woody vegetation attributes and livestock disturbance indicators were assessed across three human-driven disturbance regimes (light, moderate and heavy) using stratified-systematic sampling technique. Data on the extent of community dependence on forest grazing were collected from 381 randomly selected forest adjacent households using semi-structured questionnaires. Information on the palatability of plants to livestock was obtained from Focus Group Discussions. Vegetation data were analyzed using linear mixed models, while descriptive analysis was applied on household survey data. A total of 33 woody plant species belonging to 22 families were identified, out of which 55% were perceived to be unpalatable to livestock. Species richness, species diversity, stem density and basal areas declined significantly with increasing levels of disturbance. Specifically, these attributes were 59% - 98% lower in heavily disturbed sites than in moderately and lightly disturbed sites. A vast majority (88%) of the sampled households grazed their livestock in the forest throughout the year. Evidence from this study indicates that intense past and ongoing anthropogenic disturbances caused significant negative effects on the forest vegetation condition, and lowered its capacity to recover. Forest managers should prioritize minimizing recurrent anthropogenic disturbances as the forest recovers to ensure successful succession and sustainable provision of ecosystem services.

Vegetation structural characteristics and topographic factors in the remnant moist Afromontane forest of Wondo Genet, south central Ethiopia

For forest ecosystem management to be effective, knowledge of the horizontal and vertical structural diversity of a forest is essential. The moist Afromontane highlands of Wondo Genet in south-central Ethiopia present an opportunity to restore and rehabilitate and enhance the ecosystem services to be obtained from this forest sustainably. We focused on the forest structural characteristics to better understand the current forest conditions to assist in the sustainable management of this resource. A total of 75 （20 m × 20 m） quadrats were sampled and diame- ter at breast height （DBH） 〉2 cm and stem height 〉2 m were measured. Species identity and abundance, elevation, slope, and aspect were recorded for each plot. Structural characteristics were computed for each plot. Relationship of topographic factors with vegetation characteristics was conducted using R-Software. A total of 72 woody species was re- corded. Whereas, the overall diameter distribution shows an inverted J-shaped curve, the basal area followed a bell-shaped pattern. Five types of population structures are revealed. The mean tree density and basal area was 397.3 stems.ha-1 and 31.4 m2.ha-1, respectively. Only 2.8% of the tree species have densities of 〉25 stems.ha^-1 and the percentage dis- tribution of trees show 56.2% in the DBH class 2-10 cm, indicating that the forest is dominated by medium-sized trees. Celtis africana （8.81 m2.ha^-1） and Pouteria adolfi-friederieii （5.13 m2.ha^-1） make the highest contribution to the basal area and species importance value index. The families/species with the highest importance value index are Ulmaceae, Fabacea and Sapotaceae. Species abundance （r2 = 0.32, p 〈0.001） and species richness （P =0.50, p 〈0.001） are positively related with tree density. Tree density is negatively related with elevation （~ = -0.36, p 〈0.001）, slope （r2 =-0.15, p 〈0.001） and aspect （r2 = -0.07, p 〈0.05）. While basal area is negatively related with elevation （r2 =-0.14, p 〈0.001）, it has a positive relationship with tree density （r2 =0.28, p 〈0.001 and species richness （r2 =0.098）. Species with poor population structure should be assisted by restoration tasks and further anthropogenic distur- bance such as illegal logging and fuel wood extraction should be re- stricted.

Analysis of forest structural complexity using airborne LiDAR data and aerial photography in a mixed conifer–broadleaf forest in northern Japan

Determining forest structural complexity,i.e.,a measure of the number of different attributes of a forest and the relative abundance of each attribute,is important for forest management and conservation.In this study,we examined the structural complexity of mixed conifer–broadleaf forests by integrating multiple forest structural attributes derived from airborne Li DAR data and aerial photography.We sampled 76 plots from an unmanaged mixed conifer–broadleaf forest reserve in northern Japan.Plot-level metrics were computed for all plots using both field and remote sensing data to assess their ability to capture the vertical and horizontal variations of forest structure.A multivariate set of forest structural attributes that included three Li DAR metrics(95 th percentile canopy height,canopy density and surface area ratio) and one image metric(proportion of broadleaf cover),was used to classify forest structure into structural complexity classes.Our results revealed significant correlation between field and remote sensing metrics,indicating that these two sets of measurements captured similar patterns of structure in mixed conifer–broadleaf forests.Further,cluster analysis identified six forest structural complexity classes includingtwo low-complexity classes and four high-complexity classes that were distributed in different elevation ranges.In this study,we could reliably analyze the structural complexity of mixed conifer–broadleaf forests using a simple and easy to calculate set of forest structural attributes derived from airborne Li DAR data and high-resolution aerial photography.This study provides a good example of the use of airborne Li DAR data sets for wider purposes in forest ecology as well as in forest management.

Forest plant and macrofungal differences in the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains in Northeast China:A regional-historical comparison and its implications

Forests in Northeast China in the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains(GKM and LKM)account for nearly 1/3 of the total state-owned forests in the country.Regional and historical comparisons of forest plants and macrofungi will favor biological conservation,forest management and economic development.A total of 1067 sampling plots were surveyed on forest composition and structure,with a macrofungi survey at Liangshui and Huzhong Nature Reserves in the center of two regions.Regional and historical differences of these parameters were analyzed with a redundancy ordination of their complex associations.There were 61-76 families,189-196 genera,and 369-384 species,which was only 1/3 of the historical records.The same dominant species were larch and birch with Korean pine(a climax species)less as expected from past surveys in the LKM.Shrub and herb species were different in the two regions,as expected from historical records.There was 10-50%lower species diversity(except for herb evenness),but 1.8-to 4-time higher macrofungi diversity in the GKM.Compared with the LKM,both tree heights and macrofungi density were higher.Nevertheless,current heights averaging 10 m are half of historical records(>20 m in the 1960s).Edible macrofungi were the highest proportion in both regions,about twice that of other fungal groups,hav-ing important roles in the local economy.A major factor explaining plant diversity variations in both regions was herb cover,followed by shrubs in the GKM and herb-dominant species in the LKM.Factors responsible for macrofungi variations were tree density and shrub height.Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Larix gmelinii in the GKM but tree size and diversity were important factors in the LKM.Our findings highlighted large spatial and historical differences between the GKM and LKM in plant-macrofungal composition,forest structure,and their complex associations,which will favor precise conservation and management of forest resources in two region in the future.

Species richness, forest types and regeneration of Schima in the subtropical forest ecosystem of Yunnan, southwestern China

Background: Schima genus of Theaceae is confined to subtropics and tropics of South, East and Southeast Asia.Thirteen species of Schima are distributed in subtropical China. Many of them appear as dominant canopy species in the subtropical forests. To date, Schima species richness distribution patterns of China have remained unknown.Meanwhile, there has been a longtime debate as to whether forests dominated by Schima species are early or late successional forests. We aim to clarify Schima species richness patterns and these species' roles in the forest succession and regeneration dynamics of the subtropical ecosystem in Yunnan Province, China.Method: We mapped Schima species richness distribution patterns in China. Based on 71 vegetation plots, we analyzed forest characteristics, population structure, and regeneration dynamics of Schima species in Yunnan.Results: Yunnan was found to harbor the greatest richness and the highest rarity-weighted richness of Schima species in the subtropical regions of China. We classified five primary and six secondary forest types containing Schima species as one of dominants. Yunnan had the high floristic diversity and varying stand structure of forests containing Schima species. The Schima species studied generally had a sporadic regeneration type and a long lifespan. Four species(Schima argentea, Schima villosa, Schima sinensis, Schima sericans) were shade-intolerant. But three species(Schima noronhae, Schima khasiana and Schima wallichii) were considered as bi-modal type species having shade-intolerant and shade-tolerant traits. Schima noronhae was seen to be a top dominant in late successional forests, while S. wallichii was found as a top-dominant in early or middle or late successional forests. S.khasiana, Schima villosa, Schima sinensis usually appeared as a top dominant in early or middle successional secondary forests, though they also presented as a second dominant in late-successional forests. Schima argentea and Schima sericans dominated only in the early or middle/seral successional forests. Schima species' regeneration establishment depended mainly on forest canopy gap formation through moderate human and natural disturbances.Conclusions: Yunnan has high species richness and rarity-weighted richness of Schima. Both moderate human and natural disturbances have provided regeneration niches for Schima species. Some of the Schima species studied as a second dominant(rare as the top-dominant) present in the late-successional forests. Some of them are more often as the top-dominant in early or middle successional forests, where as time goes by the dominance of Schima species would be replaced by their associated dominant taxa such as Castanopsis species.

Rainforests north of the Tropic of Cancer: Physiognomy, floristics and diversity in ‘lowland rainforests’ of Meghalaya, India

The lowland rainforests of Meghalaya, India represent the westernmost limit of the rainforests north of the Tropic of Cancer. These forests, on the Shillong plateau, are akin to Whitmore's ‘tropical lowland evergreen rainforest' formation and exhibit striking similarities and conspicuous differences with the equatorial rainforests in Asia-Pacific as well as tropical seasonal rainforests in southwestern China near the Tropic of Cancer. We found these common attributes of the rainforests in Meghalaya: familial composition with predominance of Euphorbiaceae, Lauraceae, Meliaceae, Moraceae, Myrsiticaceae,Myrtaceae and Rubiaceae; deciduousness in evergreen physiognomy; dominance of mega-and mesophanerophytic life-forms; abundance of species with low frequency of occurrence(rare and aggregated species); low proportional abundance of the abundant species; and truncated lognormal abundance distribution. The levels of stand density and stand basal area were comparable with seasonal rainforests in southwestern China, but were lower than equatorial rainforests. Tropical Asian species predominated flora, commanding 95% of the abundance. The differences include overall low stature(height) of the forest, inconspicuous stratification in canopy, fewer species and individuals of liana, thicker understory,higher proportion of rare species, absence of locally endemic species and relatively greater dominance of Fagaceae and Theaceae. The richness of species per hectare(S) was considerably lower at higher latitudes in Meghalaya than in equatorial rainforests, but was comparable with seasonal rainforests. Shannon's diversity index(H’=4.40 nats for ≥10 cm gbh and 4.25 nats for ≥30 cm gbh) was lower on higher latitudes in Meghalaya in comparison to species-rich equatorial rainforests, but it was the highest among all lowland rainforests near the Tropic of Cancer.

Delineation of homogeneous forest patches using combination of field measurements and LiDAR point clouds as a reliable reference for evaluation of low resolution global satellite data

Backgrounds： There are many satellite systems acquiring environmental data on the world. Acquired global remote sensing datasets require ground reference data in order to calibrate them and assess their quality. Regarding calibration and validation of these datasets with broad geographical extents, it is essential to register zones which might be considered as Homogeneous Patches （HPs）. Such patches enable an optimal calibration of satellite data/sensors, and what is more important is an analysis of components which significantly influence electro-magnetic signals registered by satellite sensors. Methods： We proposed two structurally different methods to identify HPs： predefined thresholding-based one （static one）, and statistical thresholding-based technique （dynamic one）. In the first method, 3 different thresholds were used： 5%, 10%, and 20%. Next, it was aimed to assess how delineated HPs were spatially matched to satellite data with coarse spatial resolution. Selected cell sizes were 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 m. The number of particular grid cells which almost entirely fell into registered HPs was counted （leaving 2% cell area tolerance level）. This procedure was executed separately for each variant and selected structural variables, as well as for their intersection parts. Results： The results of this investigation revealed that ALS data might have the potential in the identification of HPs of forest stands. We showed that different ALS based variables and thresholds of HPs definition influenced areas which can be treated as similar and homogeneous. We proved that integration of more than one structural variable limits size of the HPs, in contrast, visual interpretation revealed that inside such patches vegetation structure is more constant. Conclusions： We concluded that ALS data can be used as a potential source of data to ＂enlarge＂ small ground sample plots and to be used for evaluation and calibration of remotely sensed datasets provided by global systems with coarse spatial resolutions.

Patterns of species dominance, diversity and dispersion in ‘Khasi hill sal' forest ecosystem in northeast India

Background： The ＇Khasi hill sal＇ forest ecosystem in Meghalaya, India represents the easternmost limit of sal distribution. We tested if tree diversity and compositional heterogeneity of this ecosystem was higher than other sal-dominated forests due to moister environment. Methods： Vegetation was sampled in 11 transects of 10 m width and up to 500 m length covering 5.2 ha area. All stems ≥10 cm girth at breast height were enumerated. Results： We found a pattern of mixed dominance of Shored robusta （sal） and Schima wollichii and co-dominance of Pinus kesiyo and Careya arborea. The Shannon＇s diversity index （H＇） was 3.395 nats. This value is remarkably high and competitive to that of moist sal forests of eastern Himalayan foothills and sal-dominated forests of Tripura. A high value of H＇ was manifested by： a） high species richness （S = 123）, b） good equitability （70.6%）, c） ＇fair＇ resource apportionment, and d） abundance of rare species （84% species with less than one per cent of total individuals, 67% species with two or less individuals ha-1 and 59% species with one or less individuals ha-1）. The compositional heterogeneity was ＇fair＇ （Whittaker＇sβw = 3.15）. The presence of Fagaceae with six species commanding 4.3% of importance value （IVl） and of a pine （P. kesiya） in sal forest was remarkable. As many as 58 species showed ＇low density （〈 10 individuals ha-1）, uniform dispersion＇, five species achieved ＇higher density （〉 10 individuals ha-l）, uniform dispersion＇ and six of the top 10 species were ＇clumped＇. The forest showed an exponential demographic curve illustrating ＇good＇ regeneration of an expanding community. Vertical stratification was simple with a poor canopy and fair subcanopy, which together with low basal area （15.65 m2 . ha-1 for individuals ≥ 10 cm gbh） indicated logging of mature sal trees in the past. Conclusions： The ＇Khasi hill sal＇ forest ecosystem is richer in alpha and beta diversity than most sal-dominated forests, but past logging has reduced basal area. Selective removal of small timber and firewood, slash-and-burn agriculture and recurrent burning of forest floor are the principal anthropogenic factors controlling forest structure and regeneration of species.