Responses of Native Tree Species to Soil Water Stress in a Tropical Forest on Limestone,Vietnam

Forests over limestone in the tropics have received little attention and limestone forests in Vietnam have been overlooked to an even greater extent in terms of tree physiology. In Ba Be National Park, Vietnam, soil water availability in limestone forests seems to be the most limiting factor in the dry season. Therefore, in order to enhance the preliminary knowledge of choosing native tree species for enrichment planting in the restoration zone, characteristics of the 20 native tree species to soil water stress were investigated in a limestone forest. One-ha plot each consisting of twenty-five 20 m × 20 m plots was established in undisturbed forests. All trees ≥ 10 cm DBH were measured in 20 m × 20 m plots, while twenty-five 5 m × 5 m subplots were established in order to sample the regeneration of tree species with a DBH < 10 cm. The Scholander apparatus and freezing point osmometry were used in order to measure the leaf water potential (Ψw) and leaf osmotic potential (Ψπ) of the 20 native tree species, respectively in this study. 61 species belonging to 34 families of all trees with a DBH ≥ 10 cm were recorded in one ha, while 31 species representing 18 families of trees < 10 cm DBH were identified in 625 m2. The 20 species’ leaf water and osmotic potential values revealed significant differences among species. The maximum leaf water potential was not affected by any anticipated sources of variation, while the minimum water potential, however, showed significant variation to soil water stress. The results in the study area emphasized the importance of water factors in influencing tree species distribution;it could be concluded that native species with wide water potential ranges would be better able to withstand water changes and might be thus good candidates for reforestation (enrichment planting) in limestone areas.

Orchid diversity and distribution pattern in karst forests in eastern Yunnan Province,China

Global biodiversity loss and mass extinction of species have raised serious global concerns,especially in fragile ecosystems.Karst forest,a well-known fragile ecosystem,is served as a natural laboratory for biogeographical,ecological,evolutionary,and taxonomic research.However,species richness and distribution patterns in karst forests largely remain unclear.Orchidaceae has been regarded as the“flagship”group of plant diversity.In this study,we use Wanfengshan Nature Reserve in southeast Yunnan,China,as a model to determine the conservation status of orchids in the karst forest by conducting systematic field surveys in the past three years from 2019 to 2022.In total,we identified 78 orchid species in 35 genera in Wanfengshan Nature Reserve.The dominant species were Bulbophyllum andersonii,Eria coronaria,Nervilia mackinnonii and Paphiopedilum micranthum.Multiple life forms were also observed,including epiphyte(14.29%),facultative epiphyte(18.18%),lithophyte(23.38%),and terrestrial(44.15%).Orchid species richness showed a bimodal pattern varied with altitude,the higher richness was recorded at 1,500-1,600 and 1,200-1,300 m,while the minimum was below 1,100 m.Each independent hill is rich in orchid species including‘endemic’species.A total of 25(33.8%)orchid species were considered threatened by the Redlist of Chinese Vascular Plants(Qin et al.,2017),including 3 CR species,5 EN species and 17 VU species.We call for more research addressing the mechanisms of ecological adaption,mycorrhizal interactions,and pollination of orchids in karst forests,and effective ways for recovery and conservation of orchids.