scholarly journals Similarity between seed rain and neighbouring mature tree communities in an old-growth temperate forest

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 2435-2444
Author(s):  
Yunyun Wang ◽  
Jalene M. LaMontagne ◽  
Fei Lin ◽  
Zuoqiang Yuan ◽  
Ji Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Deposition Patterns ◽  
Tree Communities ◽  
Tree Traits

Abstract Seed distribution and deposition patterns around parent trees are strongly affected by functional traits and therefore influence the development of plant communities. To assess the limitations of seed dispersal and the extent to which diaspore and neighbouring parental traits explain seed rain, we used a 9-year seed data set based on 150 seed traps in a 25-ha area of a temperate forest in the Changbai Mountain. Among 480,598 seeds belonging to 12 families, 17 genera, and 26 species were identified, only 54% of the species with mature trees in the community were represented in seeds collected over the 9 years, indicating a limitation in seed dispersal. Understory species were most limited; overstory species were least limited. Species with wind-dispersed seed had the least limitation, while the lowest similarity in species richness was for animal-dispersed species followed by gravity-dispersed species; fleshy-fruited species had stronger dispersal limitations than dry-fruited species. Generalized linear mixed models showed that relative basal area had a significant positive effect on seed abundance in traps, while the contribution of diaspore traits was low for nearly all groups. These results suggest that tree traits had the strongest contribution to seed dispersal and deposition for all functional groups examined here. These findings strengthen the knowledge that tree traits are key in explaining seed deposition patterns, at least at the primary dispersal stage. This improved knowledge of sources of seeds that are dispersed could facilitate greater understanding of seedling and community dynamics in temperate forests.

scholarly journals Rates of change in tree communities of secondary Neotropical forests following major disturbances

2006 ◽  
Vol 362 (1478) ◽  
pp. 273-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin L Chazdon ◽  
Susan G Letcher ◽  
Michiel van Breugel ◽  
Miguel Martínez-Ramos ◽  
Frans Bongers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Neotropical Forests ◽  
Rates Of Change ◽  
Tree Community ◽  
Tree Communities

Rates of change in tree communities following major disturbances are determined by a complex set of interactions between local site factors, landscape history and structure, regional species pools and species life histories. Our analysis focuses on vegetation change following abandonment of agricultural fields or pastures, as this is the most extensive form of major disturbance in Neotropical forests. We consider five tree community attributes: stem density, basal area, species density, species richness and species composition. We describe two case studies, in northeastern Costa Rica and Chiapas, Mexico, where both chronosequence and annual tree dynamics studies are being applied. These case studies show that the rates of change in tree communities often deviate from chronosequence trends. With respect to tree species composition, sites of different ages differ more than a single site followed over time through the same age range. Dynamic changes in basal area within stands, on the other hand, generally followed chronosequence trends. Basal area accumulation was more linked with tree growth rates than with net changes in tree density due to recruitment and mortality. Stem turnover rates were poor predictors of species turnover rates, particularly at longer time-intervals. Effects of the surrounding landscape on tree community dynamics within individual plots are poorly understood, but are likely to be important determinants of species accumulation rates and relative abundance patterns.

Floristic Variation of Tree Communities and Their Association with Soil Properties in Pulau Jerejak, Penang, Peninsular Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Faezah Pardi
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Importance Value ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Endangered Tree ◽  
Endangered Tree Species ◽  
Tree Communities ◽  
Floristic Variation

This study was conducted at Pulau Jerejak, Penang to determine the floristic variation of its tree communities. A 0.5-hectare study plot was established and divided into 11 subplots. A total of 587 trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) of 5 cm and above were measured, identified and recorded. The tree communities comprised of 84 species, 63 genera and 32 families. The Myrtaceae was the most speciose family with 10 recorded species while Syzgium glaucum (Myrtaceae) was the most frequent species. The Myrtaceae recorded the highest density of 306 individuals while Syzgium glaucum (Myrtaceae) had the highest species density of 182 individuals. Total tree basal area (BA) was 21.47 m2/ha and family with the highest BA was Myrtaceae with 5.81 m2/ha while at species level, Syzgium glaucum (Myrtaceae) was the species with the highest total BA in the plot with value of 4.95 m2/ha. The Shannon˗Weiner Diversity Index of tree communities showed a value of 3.60 (H'max = 4.43) and Evenness Index of 0.81 which indicates high uniformity of tree species. The Margalef Richness Index (R') revealed that the tree species richness was 13.02. Myrtaceae had the highest Importance Value of 20.4%. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed that Diospyros buxifolia (Ebenaceae) and Pouteria malaccensis (Sapotaceae) were strongly correlated to low pH. Dysoxylum cauliflorum (Meliaceae) and Eriobotrya bengalensis (Rosaceae) were correlated to phosphorus (P) and calcium ion (Ca2+), respectively. Therefore, the trees species composition at Pulau Jerejak showed that the biodiversity is high and conservation action should be implemented to protect endangered tree species. Keywords: Floristic variation; Tree communities; Trees composition; Pulau Jerejak; Species diversity

Monitoring natural stand change in the forest reserve of Liedekerke, Flanders (Belgium)

1999 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Van den Meersschaut ◽  
B. De Cuyper ◽  
K. Vandekerkhove ◽  
N. Lust
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Castanea Sativa ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Alnus Glutinosa ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Stem Number ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Natural Stand ◽  
Sweet Chestnut

Natural  stand changes in the forest reserve of Liedekerke were analysed during the  period    1986-1996, using a permanent grid of circular plots. The monitoring  concentrated on natural    changes in species composition, using stem number and basal area as  indicators, and changes    in spatial distribution and colonization capacities of trees and shrubs,  with special interest in the    competition between exotic and indigenous species. After only a decade of  monitoring important    natural changes in the woody layer were detected. The pioneer forest is  gradually maturing    through self-thinning processes and shifts in species composition. The  overall stem number    decreased with 33.6%, while the basal area increased with 20.9%. Birch (Betula pendula/    pubescens) and indigenous oak (Quercus robur/petraea) remained  dominant. More tolerant    exotic species, like red oak (Quercus rubra) and sweet chestnut (Castanea  sativa), are slowly    increasing their share in the species composition and expanding their  range. Pioneer species on    the other hand, like aspen (Populus tremula), willow (Salix  capreaicinerealaurita), alder buckthorn    (Frangula alnus) and  common (Alnus glutinosa)  and grey alder (A. incana),  strongly declined.    Black cherry (Prunus serotina) seems to be slowly invading the forest due to its  massive    natural regeneration. Strong competition may be expected especially from  rowan ash (Sorbus    aucuparia), which showed similar regeneration  and colonization capacities. Elder (Sambucus    nigra) dramatically extented its range, though  its share remains marginal. Beech remained absent    most probably due to the lack of mature trees in the vacinity of the  forest. Finally this    change detection allowed that general predictions could be made on the  future natural development    and composition of this forest reserve, which could serve forest management  decisions.

scholarly journals A simple standardized protocol to evaluate the reliability of seed rain estimates

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
André J. Arruda ◽  
Fernando A.O. Silveira ◽  
Elise Buisson
Keyword(s):  
Restoration Ecology ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Size Dependence ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Sticky Traps ◽  
Standardized Protocol ◽  
Funnel Trap ◽  
Seed Trap ◽  
Cross Site

Abstract Seed dispersal has key implications for community dynamics and restoration ecology. However, estimating seed rain (the number and diversity of seeds arriving in a given area) is challenging, and the lack of standardization in measurement prevents cross-site comparisons. Seed trap effectiveness and accuracy of seed sorting methods are key components of seed rain estimates in need of standardization. We propose and describe a standardized protocol for evaluating the effectiveness of two seed trap types (sticky and funnel traps) and the accuracy of a seed sorting method. We used widely available seeds (arugula, quinoa, sesame and sunflower) to produce a gradient of seed size, weight and colour. Proof-of-concept was tested in a tropical grassland, where traps were set for 30 days. Our results suggest that we underestimate dispersal of seeds with less than 2 mm width that can be easily mistaken for debris and soil particles or that fail to adhere to sticky traps. Seeds on sticky traps may be more vulnerable to removal by wind and rain, whereas seeds in funnel traps are more susceptible to decay. We found no evidence of observer bias on seed sorting for funnel trap samples. However, accuracy on seed sorting for funnel trap samples tended to decline for seeds with less than 2 mm width, suggesting a size-dependence in seed retrieval success. Our standardized protocol addressing trap effectiveness and seed sorting methods will increase the reliability of data obtained in seed rain studies and allow more reliable comparisons between datasets.

scholarly journals Diferentes distúrbios antrópicos na paisagem podem influenciar padrões florísticos e estruturais da Mata Atlântica?

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Morais Paschoal ◽  
Arthur Duarte Vieira ◽  
Thiago José Ornelas Otoni ◽  
Aglaia Maciel Gripp ◽  
Jessica Pereira Freire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Component ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Semideciduous Forest ◽  
Floristic Similarity ◽  
Alpha And Beta Diversity ◽  
Intermediate Disturbance ◽  
Tree Communities ◽  
Environmental Variations ◽  
Tree Component

This study aimed to describe and compare the floristic and structural component of the tree component, as well as the alpha and beta diversity, as well as the floristic similarity of a remnant of Semideciduous Forest. The tree vegetation was sampled at two edges in contact with pasture (BP) and coffee growing (BC), and inside the fragment (INT). 2.840 individuals were sampled, identified in 56 families, 144 genera and 271 species (94 BC, 128 BP and 178 INT). The border stretches were characterized by higher density and smaller basal area than the interior, indicating the occurrence of disturbances. The variations in the structural floristic composition of the tree communities wereinfluenced by regional and local environmental variations, as well as the historical use of the area, according to Niche and Intermediate Disturbance Theories.

First evidence of epizoochorous seed dispersal by golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in temperate forest

Plant Ecology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 219 (4) ◽  
pp. 417-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Chen ◽  
Haochun Chen ◽  
Youji Zhang ◽  
Hui Yao ◽  
Wanji Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Rhinopithecus Roxellana

scholarly journals Barking up the right tree: comparative use of arboreal and terrestrial artificial refuges to survey reptiles in temperate eucalypt woodlands

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian R. Michael ◽  
Daniel Florance ◽  
Mason Crane ◽  
Wade Blanchard ◽  
David B. Lindenmayer
Keyword(s):  
Survey Methods ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Closed Cell ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Cell Foam

Context Artificial refuges (cover boards) are a popular method to survey and monitor herpetofauna worldwide. However, one limitation of using artificial refuges in terrestrial environments is the low detection rates of arboreal species. Furthermore, destructive search techniques can damage critical microhabitat such as exfoliating rock or flaking bark of mature trees. Aim We tested a non-destructive, passive method of sampling arboreal reptiles in fragmented agricultural landscapes in south-eastern Australia. Methods We installed 84 artificial bark refuges consisting of strips of non-toxic, closed-cell foam attached to eucalypt trees in 13 patches of remnant vegetation. We used Bayesian statistics to compare differences in detection rates among artificial bark refuges, terrestrial artificial refuges and active searches of natural habitat over a 4-year period. Key results Active searches combined with terrestrial artificial refuges detected the highest number of reptile species, including several cryptic fossorial species. Artificial bark refuges detected, on average, 132 times more individuals of the arboreal southern marbled gecko, Christinus marmoratus, than did terrestrial refuges. Gecko abundance patterns were related to tree characteristics such as tree size, bark thickness and stand basal area, as well as survey year. Conclusions Traditional survey methods such as terrestrial cover boards, in combination with active searches of natural habitat, may significantly underestimate counts for arboreal gecko species. Implications Artificial bark refuges provide a cost-effective, non-destructive and durable method for surveying and monitoring arboreal reptiles in woodland environments over short to medium time frames. Foil-backed, closed-cell foam has broad application for use in spatial capture–recapture studies and long-term monitoring of arboreal reptiles. This method also may be effective for procuring records of threatened arboreal geckos or as a solution for providing temporary habitat in ecological restoration projects.

scholarly journals Employing plant functional groups to advance seed dispersal ecology and conservation

AoB Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Aslan ◽  
Noelle G Beckman ◽  
Haldre S Rogers ◽  
Judie Bronstein ◽  
Damaris Zurell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Plant Functional Groups ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Seed Dispersal Effectiveness ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Population And Community Dynamics ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Seed dispersal enables plants to reach hospitable germination sites and escape natural enemies. Understanding when and how much seed dispersal matters to plant fitness is critical for understanding plant population and community dynamics. At the same time, the complexity of factors that determine if a seed will be successfully dispersed and subsequently develop into a reproductive plant is daunting. Quantifying all factors that may influence seed dispersal effectiveness for any potential seed-vector relationship would require an unrealistically large amount of time, materials and financial resources. On the other hand, being able to make dispersal predictions is critical for predicting whether single species and entire ecosystems will be resilient to global change. Building on current frameworks, we here posit that seed dispersal ecology should adopt plant functional groups as analytical units to reduce this complexity to manageable levels. Functional groups can be used to distinguish, for their constituent species, whether it matters (i) if seeds are dispersed, (ii) into what context they are dispersed and (iii) what vectors disperse them. To avoid overgeneralization, we propose that the utility of these functional groups may be assessed by generating predictions based on the groups and then testing those predictions against species-specific data. We suggest that data collection and analysis can then be guided by robust functional group definitions. Generalizing across similar species in this way could help us to better understand the population and community dynamics of plants and tackle the complexity of seed dispersal as well as its disruption.

scholarly journals Tree structure and richness in an Atlantic Forest fragment: distance from anthropogenic and natural edges

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1123-1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maíra Taquiguthi Ribeiro ◽  
Flavio Nunes Ramos ◽  
Flavio Antonio Maës Dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
The State ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Tree Communities ◽  
Standing Dead ◽  
Total Study Area ◽  
Tree Branch

Approximately 7.2% of the Atlantic rainforest remains in Brazil, with only 16% of this forest remaining in the State of Rio de Janeiro, all of it distributed in fragments. This forest fragmentation can produce biotic and abiotic differences between edges and the fragment interior. In this study, we compared the structure and richness of tree communities in three habitats - an anthropogenic edge (AE), a natural edge (NE) and the fragment interior (FI) - of a fragment of Atlantic forest in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (22°50'S and 42°28'W). One thousand and seventy-six trees with a diameter at breast height > 4.8 cm, belonging to 132 morphospecies and 39 families, were sampled in a total study area of 0.75 ha. NE had the greatest basal area and the trees in this habitat had the greatest diameter:height allometric coefficient, whereas AE had a lower richness and greater variation in the height of the first tree branch. Tree density, diameter, height and the proportion of standing dead trees did not differ among the habitats. There was marked heterogeneity among replicates within each habitat. These results indicate that the forest interior and the fragment edges (natural or anthropogenic) do not differ markedly considering the studied parameters. Other factors, such as the age from the edge, type of matrix and proximity of gaps, may play a more important role in plant community structure than the proximity from edges.

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