The population structure of tree species has been explored in order to elucidate regeneration potential of the subalpine forests of Indian western Himalaya. For this study, the subalpine forest area was divided into t...The population structure of tree species has been explored in order to elucidate regeneration potential of the subalpine forests of Indian western Himalaya. For this study, the subalpine forest area was divided into three strata, i.e., lower altitude （〈3000 m）; mid-altitude （3000-3200 m）; and high altitude （〉3200m）. Considering the major compositional attributes, an increase in altitude came with a significant decline in tree density and the total basal area for all the sites. However, no such clear trends were observed for recruits （i.e., seedlings and saplings）. Seedling density did not exhibit uniform patterns for sites and altitude strata. In general, overall seedling density was greater at the Pindari site compared to the Lata and Tungnath sites. By comparison, significant variation in seedling density along the altitude strata was recorded for the Tungnath and Pindari sites only. Likewise, sapling density patterns varied across the sites and altitude strata, and significant variation in sapling density along the altitude strata was recorded only for the Lata site. At the Pin- daft site, the continuous increase in sapling density along with increasing altitude was revealing. The Pindari forests of exhibited expanding population structure. In contrast, greater accumulation of individuals in the sapling class and sharp decline toward both higher tree classes and lower seedling classes was generally apparent for the Lata and Tungnath sites. This indicates that the replacement in tree size classes from sapling stage is not proportional and the population may decline in the long-term. Considerable variation in patterns of forest and dominant species popula- tion structure were evident across altitude strata. But in all cases irrespective of sites, we found growth at the high-altitude stratum, in the form of entire forests or dominant species. This trend deserves further investigation to explore its relevance under changing climate scenarios.展开更多
Using plant community analysis methods, we analyzed the floristic characteristics, species composition, community structure, population structure, and spatial distribution patterns of a Betula dahurica forest on the ...Using plant community analysis methods, we analyzed the floristic characteristics, species composition, community structure, population structure, and spatial distribution patterns of a Betula dahurica forest on the ＂1238＂ mountain of Badaling in Beijing, China. The results show that： 1） There are 33 plant species in the B. dahurica community, including 18 woody plant species. The B. dahurica forest is a monodominant community with 75.9% dominance. 2） Based on diameter at breast height （DBH） size class distribution, the population structure of B. dahurica and Acer mono--two heliophyllous and pioneer tree species-is cascade-type, with both in an increasing stage. The population structure of Ella mandshurica and T. mongolica, two shade-tolerant tree species, is inverse-J type, and they have more young seedling individuals and regenerate more stably. They are associated species of the pioneer tree species. The population structure of Quercus mongolica, as the associated species of climax species in the community, is sporadic, and its regeneration is fluctuating and random. Fraxinus rhynchophylla is a shade-tolerant tree species which has a unibar population structure and climax characteristics of pioneer tree species. The relative frequency of young seedlings reached 0.4. 3） The dominant species B. dahurica is still in an increasing stage, and the regeneration of other species is steady or partly influences the community, putting the community in the pioneer species stage. From the population structure and distribution frequency ofF. rhynchophylla, the B. dahurica forest will approach to a climax state in the future.展开更多
Invasive plant Ageratina adenophora(Sprengel)R.King&H.Robinson has invaded majority of the temperate forests in Kumaun,Central Himalaya.Information on A.adenophora invaded forest types,their structural attributes,...Invasive plant Ageratina adenophora(Sprengel)R.King&H.Robinson has invaded majority of the temperate forests in Kumaun,Central Himalaya.Information on A.adenophora invaded forest types,their structural attributes,population demography and regeneration status are still at rudimentary level.Considering this,the present study was conducted to assess the impacts of A.adenophora on vegetational attributes and regeneration status of three forest types,viz.,Oak(Quercus oblongata D.Don),Pine(Pinus roxburghii Sarg.)and Cypress(Cupressus torulosa D.Don).We selected three sites for each forest type and each site was further purposively stratified into paired sampling plots of 1 ha each i.e.,A.adenophora invaded and uninvaded sites.Our results showed large densities of cut stumps or felled trees throughout invaded sites,but with fewer fire signs in comparison to uninvaded sites.In uninvaded sites,total density and basal area calculated for woody species were relatively higher than those in invaded sites,although results were insignificant(p>0.05).With the exception for Cypress forests,vegetation indices showed low woody species richness and diversity in invaded Oak and Pine forests.Also,regeneration of Q.oblongata,P.roxburghii and C.torulosa tree species did not differ significantly(p>0.05)between invaded and uninvaded sites.These insignificant differences clearly imply that A.adenophora's presence has not entirely changed the perennial plant communities in terms of composition,structure and natural regeneration.However,tree species with poor or no regeneration status requires special attention and needs management strategies involving control of invasive species in forest ecosystems.展开更多
基金supported by the Ministry of Environment & Forests,Government of India(research grant 10/28/98-CS/BR)
文摘The population structure of tree species has been explored in order to elucidate regeneration potential of the subalpine forests of Indian western Himalaya. For this study, the subalpine forest area was divided into three strata, i.e., lower altitude （〈3000 m）; mid-altitude （3000-3200 m）; and high altitude （〉3200m）. Considering the major compositional attributes, an increase in altitude came with a significant decline in tree density and the total basal area for all the sites. However, no such clear trends were observed for recruits （i.e., seedlings and saplings）. Seedling density did not exhibit uniform patterns for sites and altitude strata. In general, overall seedling density was greater at the Pindari site compared to the Lata and Tungnath sites. By comparison, significant variation in seedling density along the altitude strata was recorded for the Tungnath and Pindari sites only. Likewise, sapling density patterns varied across the sites and altitude strata, and significant variation in sapling density along the altitude strata was recorded only for the Lata site. At the Pin- daft site, the continuous increase in sapling density along with increasing altitude was revealing. The Pindari forests of exhibited expanding population structure. In contrast, greater accumulation of individuals in the sapling class and sharp decline toward both higher tree classes and lower seedling classes was generally apparent for the Lata and Tungnath sites. This indicates that the replacement in tree size classes from sapling stage is not proportional and the population may decline in the long-term. Considerable variation in patterns of forest and dominant species popula- tion structure were evident across altitude strata. But in all cases irrespective of sites, we found growth at the high-altitude stratum, in the form of entire forests or dominant species. This trend deserves further investigation to explore its relevance under changing climate scenarios.
文摘Using plant community analysis methods, we analyzed the floristic characteristics, species composition, community structure, population structure, and spatial distribution patterns of a Betula dahurica forest on the ＂1238＂ mountain of Badaling in Beijing, China. The results show that： 1） There are 33 plant species in the B. dahurica community, including 18 woody plant species. The B. dahurica forest is a monodominant community with 75.9% dominance. 2） Based on diameter at breast height （DBH） size class distribution, the population structure of B. dahurica and Acer mono--two heliophyllous and pioneer tree species-is cascade-type, with both in an increasing stage. The population structure of Ella mandshurica and T. mongolica, two shade-tolerant tree species, is inverse-J type, and they have more young seedling individuals and regenerate more stably. They are associated species of the pioneer tree species. The population structure of Quercus mongolica, as the associated species of climax species in the community, is sporadic, and its regeneration is fluctuating and random. Fraxinus rhynchophylla is a shade-tolerant tree species which has a unibar population structure and climax characteristics of pioneer tree species. The relative frequency of young seedlings reached 0.4. 3） The dominant species B. dahurica is still in an increasing stage, and the regeneration of other species is steady or partly influences the community, putting the community in the pioneer species stage. From the population structure and distribution frequency ofF. rhynchophylla, the B. dahurica forest will approach to a climax state in the future.
基金Department of Science&Technology,New Delhi(DST-SERB/CRG/2019/004139)for providing financial support。
文摘Invasive plant Ageratina adenophora(Sprengel)R.King&H.Robinson has invaded majority of the temperate forests in Kumaun,Central Himalaya.Information on A.adenophora invaded forest types,their structural attributes,population demography and regeneration status are still at rudimentary level.Considering this,the present study was conducted to assess the impacts of A.adenophora on vegetational attributes and regeneration status of three forest types,viz.,Oak(Quercus oblongata D.Don),Pine(Pinus roxburghii Sarg.)and Cypress(Cupressus torulosa D.Don).We selected three sites for each forest type and each site was further purposively stratified into paired sampling plots of 1 ha each i.e.,A.adenophora invaded and uninvaded sites.Our results showed large densities of cut stumps or felled trees throughout invaded sites,but with fewer fire signs in comparison to uninvaded sites.In uninvaded sites,total density and basal area calculated for woody species were relatively higher than those in invaded sites,although results were insignificant(p>0.05).With the exception for Cypress forests,vegetation indices showed low woody species richness and diversity in invaded Oak and Pine forests.Also,regeneration of Q.oblongata,P.roxburghii and C.torulosa tree species did not differ significantly(p>0.05)between invaded and uninvaded sites.These insignificant differences clearly imply that A.adenophora's presence has not entirely changed the perennial plant communities in terms of composition,structure and natural regeneration.However,tree species with poor or no regeneration status requires special attention and needs management strategies involving control of invasive species in forest ecosystems.
