scholarly journals Forest characteristics and population structure of a threatened palm tree Caryota obtusa in the karst forest ecosystem of Yunnan, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Q Tang ◽  
Xia Lu ◽  
Min-Rui Du ◽  
Shu-Li Xiao ◽  
Shuaifeng Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Caryota obtusa of Arecaceae is a fascinating palm tree native to southwestern China, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. It is an economically important and threatened species and appears as a canopy dominant in some karst areas in Yunnan. We aim to clarify the forest structure, species diversity, population status and regeneration dynamics of C. obtusa in the karst forest ecosystem of Yunnan, China. Methods We established 56 vegetation plots dominated by C. obtusa in 10 counties of southern Yunnan. As based on the plot data, we analyzed the community stratification, floristic composition, and C. obtusa’s population structure. We used questionnaires to interview local people and recorded the human activity history on C. obtusa-dominated forests. Important findings: C. obtusa palm forests were distributed on limestone mountain slopes and gullies. There were seven forest community types. The stratification of each community included arborous layer, shrub layer and understory. The communities had rich species composition. For all the plots as a whole of each community type, Shannon-Wiener diversity index of either woody or herbaceous species ranged from 2.1-3.8. The DBH-class frequency distribution of C. obtusa was a multimodal type. The regeneration was sporadic and depended on intermediate natural disturbances. In current population structure, number of C. obtusa trees with small DBHs was consisted mainly of the forest communities with no or a slight degree of human disturbances. Intensive human activities terribly hindered C. obtusa’s recruitment, followed by medium intensity of human activities.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
ARIDA SUSILOWATI ◽  
DENI ELFIATI ◽  
HENTI HENDALSTUTI RACHMAT ◽  
KUSUMADEWI SRI YULITA ◽  
ADI NURUL HADI ◽  
...  

Abstract. Susilowati A, Elfiati D, Rachmat HH, Yulita KS, Hadi AN, Kusuma YS, Batu SAL. 2020. Vegetation structure and floristic composition of tree species in the habitat of Scaphium macropodum in Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3025-3033. Scaphium macropodum (Miq.) Beumee Ex K Heyne is a member of Malvaceae tree species and globally recognized as malva nut and locally known as ‘kembang semangkok’, ‘tempayang’, ‘merpayang’ or ‘kepayang’. The nut of S. macropodum has many benefits for medicinal purposes, yet destructive extraction of this tree species has led them to extinction. Among its natural distribution in Indonesia, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia is known as its original range, but there is limited information about the existence of this species. This study aimed to determine the vegetation structure of some tree species in the habitat of S. macropodum in Sikundur, Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. Purposive sampling technique was employed by creating line transect at some forest areas where the population of S. macropodum is known to grow naturally. Four line transects with each transect consisting of five plots with nested plots within were established to record data at four growth stages, resulting in 80 plots in total. The results showed that the Important Value Index (IVI) of S. macropodum within the floristic community at the studied area was 21.98, 13.85, 27.30, and 39.60 for tree, pole, sapling, and seedlings stages, respectively. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H) were 3.80, 3.70, 3.06 and 2.45, Index of evenness (E) are 0.94, 0.92, 0.86, 0.77 and the Index of Richness (R) are 11.76, 10.73, 6.59, 4.10 for tree, pole, sapling, and seedlings stages. This result suggests that the natural population of S. macropodum in Sikundur forest was still in good condition at all stages from tree to seedling.


2015 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Czarnecki ◽  
Teresa Grażyna Wyłupek ◽  
Wanda Harkot

The study objective was to assess the floristic composition of pastures for wild animals (fallow deer, Manchurian deer and mouflons) at Przytoczno, pastures for horses at Białka, and cow pastures belonging to the Land Community in Tarnogóra. We analyzed the floristic composition of the pastures under study in the growing seasons of 2011 and 2012, carried out 32 phytosociological relevés in the wild animal pastures, 32 in the horse pastures, and 38 in the cow pastures, using the Braun-Blanquet method. We determined the species diversity of the pastures based on the percentage share of species from the botanical families distinguished, the total number of species, and the Shannon–Wiener and Simpson diversity index. Our floristic surveys indicated that the greatest species diversity occurred in the horse pastures, while it was lower in the wild animal and cow pastures. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index for the sward of the pastures grazed by horses was higher (<em>H'</em> = 5.04) than for those grazed by wild animals (<em>H'</em> = 4.32) and cows (<em>H'</em> = 3.53). The Simpson index of species diversity in a community was higher for the pastures grazed by horses (<em>S</em> = 0.96) than for those grazed by wild animals (<em>S </em>= 0.95) and cows (<em>S</em> = 0.90).


2016 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 912-927 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Oliveira ◽  
I. C. G. Vieira ◽  
A. S. Almeida ◽  
C. A. Silva Junior

Abstract The goal of this study is to analyze the floristic patterns and the structure of disturbed and undisturbed upland forests, in Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs) along the Moju river, in the Brazilian state of Pará. Trees with a diameter equal to or larger than 10cm at 1.30m from the ground (DBH) ≥10cm were analyzed for the upper stratum. For the middle stratum, individuals with DBH between 4.99 and 9.99cm were sampled. Forty-five families and 221 species were found in disturbed forests, and 43 families and 208 species in undisturbed forests. Floristic similarity was high between strata and between forest types, with values above 50%. Similarity was highest between middle strata. The most species-abundant families in undisturbed forests were Fabaceae, Sapotaceae, Chrysobalanaceae and Myrtaceae; the species with the highest density there were Eschweilera grandiflora, Licania sclerophylla and Zygia cauliflora. In disturbed forests, the dominant families were Fabaceae, Sapotaceae, Lecythidaceae and Melastomataceae. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index was 3.21 for undisturbed forests and 2.85 for disturbed forests. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis did not group the forests by their floristic composition in both upper and middle strata. Overall, the PPA forests along the Moju river, even if disturbed, did not show major floristic changes but substantially change their structural characteristics.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 26-30
Author(s):  
Dilkumar Limbu ◽  
Madan Koirala ◽  
Zhanhuan Shang

Himalayan rangelands have diverse floristic composition and important ecological services. The floristic diversity and composition play an important role in grassland ecosystem regulation. It is different in altitudinal gradient due to grazing intensity, climatic condition and topography. To reveal the vegetation composition values, this work was conducted on August and September 2011 in Tinjure-Milke mountain ridge, Guphapokhari, Nepal. In the present study we have described the impact of altitude on the species richness, species diversity and dispersion behavior of different plants (grasses) in Himalayan rangeland. The values of community indices were observed to be: RD (0.09 to 49.57), RF (3.57 to 14.71), RA (0.23 to 47.59), IVI (3.89 to 111.87), Shannan-Wiener diversity index (1.09 to 2.23) and species diversity evenness (0.12 to 0.19) at the study area, MilkeJaljale, eastern Nepal. Similarly, Species richness (R) value of 8.87 to 11.86 and Simpson dominant index value of 0.12 to 0.42 were observed. All diversity indices were reversed to altitudinal gradient higher the altitudes lower the values. Species richness of all plants showed a unimodal relationship with altitude. Similarly, negative correlation of density and species richness with altitude and slope was recorded.


Hacquetia ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-159
Author(s):  
Ivana Šibíková ◽  
Jozef Šibík ◽  
Ivan Jarolímek

The Tall-Herb and Tall-Grass Plant Communities of the ClassMulgedio-Aconiteteain the Subalpine Belt of the Krivánska Malá Fatra MTS (Slovakia)The following paper reports the results of phytosociological research of tall-herb and tall-herb plant communities within the classMulgedio-Aconiteteain the subalpine belt of the Krivánska Malá Fatra Mts. The data set of 209 relevés was sampled and analysed using numerical classification and ordination. Major ecological gradients were interpreted using Ellenberg's indicator values and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index. Ten associations within five alliances were distinguished and characterised:Aconitetum firmi, Digitali ambiguae-Calamagrostietum arundinaceae, Helianthemo grandiflorae-Calamagrostietum arundinaceae, Potentillo aurei-Calamagrostietum arundinaceae, Allio victorialis-Calamagrostietum villosae, Festucetum carpaticae, Adenostylo alliariae-Athyrietum alpestris, Aconito firmi-Adenostyletum alliariae, Geranio robertiani-Delphinietum elatiandAconito firmi-Rumicetum alpini.Relationships between the floristic composition of the communities and environmental variables were analysed by canonical correspondence analysis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-66
Author(s):  
Roland Kueh Jui Heng ◽  
Nik Muhamad Ab. Majid ◽  
Seca Gandaseca ◽  
Osumanu Haruna Ahmed ◽  
Silvester Jemat ◽  
...  

Assessment of the floristic composition provides information on forest succession stage which is important but only relatively few information are available on the rehabilitated tropical forest. The information can provide an indication of the recovery status of the forest. The objective of this study was to assess the floristic composition of selected age stands at a rehabilitated forest situated in Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia. A 20 x 20 m plot (0.04 ha) was established each in stands planted in 1991, 1999, 2008 and an adjacent natural regenerating secondary forest (± 23-year-old). All stands were tagged, identified and analyzed for species composition, Importance Value (IV), species diversity and similarity. Floristic analysis showed that in the rehabilitated forest, over 50% of the total family was dominated by the Dipterocarpaceae family but only 14% in natural regenerating secondary forest. Based on the IV Index, stand year 1991 was dominated by Shorea dasyphylla (IV=155.8) while stand year 1999, 2008 and natural regenerating secondary forest were Dryobalanops beccarii (IV=156.2), Sandoricum borneense (IV=144.4) Teijsmanniodendron holophyllum (IV=115.3), respectively. The Simpson’s diversity index at the rehabilitated forest ranged from 0.82 to 0.87 compared to 0.98 at the natural regenerating secondary forest whereas the Shannon-Wiener diversity index ranged from 2.04 to 2.29 compared to 4.23, respectively. Jaccard’s Coefficient of Similarity (Cj) between all combinations of the study plots was generally low (2.2-19.4%). Rehabilitated forest exhibited climax species community despite having lower species diversity. This can promote the conservation of these climax species.


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-82
Author(s):  
Marianna Warda ◽  
Ewa Stamirowska-Krzaczek ◽  
Mariusz Kulik

Abstract The paper presents floristic diversity of some plant communities in the Nadwieprzański Landscape Park (middle part of the Wieprz River valley). Phytosociological relevés were made in the years 2005-2007 with Braun-Blanquet method. Species richness was a base to calculate the Shannon-Wiener diversity index. The Wieprz River valley has the character of a floodplain. In its middle reaches, communities of the Molinio- Arrhenatheretea class accounted for nearly 75% of all plant communities in grasslands. Herbaceous communities were represented by associations from the Filipendulion alliance. The greatest diversity (H’ = 3.4) was characteristic for vegetation of the Valeriano-Filipenduletum association. It formed small patches in abandoned meadows. Small patches of plants from the Lythro-Filipenduletum ulmariae association, having a slightly smaller floristic diversity (H’ = 3.0) were found on abandoned meadows located in highly silted and poor organic soils. Characteristic species of herbaceous communities (Filipendula ulmaria, Valeriana officinalis and Lythrum salicaria) occurred also in the sward of abandoned thistle meadows. Typical thistle meadows (Cirsietum rivularis), with the predominance of Cirsium rivulare developed in land depressions, not far from the Wieprz River, in the vicinity of abandoned drainage ditches and along the edges of the valley. However, the total abandonment of these meadows leads to changes in floristic composition of the sward and to succession towards herbaceous communities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 172
Author(s):  
I Made Saka Wijaya ◽  
Luh Putu Eswaryanti Kusuma Yuni ◽  
Ida Ayu Eka Pertiwi Sari

Ayung river is the longest river in Bali. The middle part of the river is frequently utilized as rafting for tourism, such as in Bongkasa Pertiwi Village, Abiansemal District, Badung Regency – Bali. To preserve the river’s ecological function, the information of riparian vegetation as the dynamic component in river is highly required. This research aimed to study the structure of riparian vegetation in Bongkasa Pertiwi Village. The plot method was used and the study site was divided into three stations. Each station was composed by three replications with four plot variations: trees (20 x 20 m), poles (10 x 10 m), saplings (5 x 5), and herbs-shrubs (2 x 2 m). The data was analysed using vegetation analysis that completed with Importance Value (IV), Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H’), Index of Dominancy (C), and Index of Evenness (E). This study found that the structure of riparian vegetation in Bongkasa Pertiwi Village was in good condition which was indicated by the high abundance of local tree species. The floristic composition of riparian vegetation comprised by 18 species of trees, 18 species of poles, 21 species of saplings, and 29 species of herbs and shrubs. Cocos nucifera, Pterospermum javanicum, Bischofia javanica, Cananga odorata, Elaeocarpus serratus, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Coffea canephora, and Nephelium lappaceum were the species with the highest Importance Value (IV). The floor vegetation in form of herbs and shrubs was dominated by Sphaegneticola trilobata, Oplismenus burmanni, and Diplazium esculentum. Based on the Diversity Index (H’), Index of Dominancy (C), and Index of Evenness (E), diversity of riparian vegetation in Bongkasa Pertiwi Village was classified as medium category, without any dominated species, and the vegetation composition was equivalent.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1465
Author(s):  
Chao Shen ◽  
Liuyan Huang ◽  
Guangwu Xie ◽  
Yulai Wang ◽  
Zongkai Ma ◽  
...  

Increasing discharge of plastic debris into aquatic ecosystems and the worsening ecological risks have received growing attention. Once released, plastic debris could serve as a new substrate for microbes in waters. The complex relationship between plastics and biofilms has aroused great interest. To confirm the hypothesis that the presence of plastic in water affects the composition of biofilm in natural state, in situ biofilm culture experiments were conducted in a lake for 40 days. The diversity of biofilm attached on natural (cobble stones (CS) and wood) and plastic substrates (Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)) were compared, and the community structure and composition were also analyzed. Results from high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA showed that the diversity and species richness of biofilm bacterial communities on natural substrate (observed species of 1353~1945, Simpson index of 0.977~0.989 and Shannon–Wiener diversity index of 7.42~8.60) were much higher than those on plastic substrates (observed species of 900~1146, Simpson index of 0.914~0.975 and Shannon–Wiener diversity index of 5.47~6.99). The NMDS analyses were used to confirm the taxonomic significance between different samples, and Anosim (p = 0.001, R = 0.892) and Adonis (p = 0.001, R = 808, F = 11.19) demonstrated that this classification was statistically rigorous. Different dominant bacterial communities were found on plastic and natural substrates. Alphaproteobacterial, Betaproteobacteria and Synechococcophycideae dominated on the plastic substrate, while Gammaproteobacteria, Phycisphaerae and Planctomycetia played the main role on the natural substrates. The bacterial community structure of the two substrates also showed significant difference which is consistent with previous studies using other polymer types. Our results shed light on the fact that plastic debris can serve as a new habitat for biofilm colonization, unlike natural substrates, pathogens and plastic-degrading microorganisms selectively attached to plastic substrates, which affected the bacterial community structure and composition in aquatic environment. This study provided a new insight into understanding the potential impacts of plastics serving as a new habitat for microbial communities in freshwater environments. Future research should focus on the potential impacts of plastic-attached biofilms in various aquatic environments and the whole life cycle of plastics (i.e., from plastic fragments to microplastics) and also microbial flock characteristics using microbial plastics in the natural environment should also be addressed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 788
Author(s):  
Qiuxuan Wang ◽  
Carlos Duarte ◽  
Li Song ◽  
George Christakos ◽  
Susana Agusti ◽  
...  

Spartina alterniflora has extensively invaded the coastline of China, including in Maoyan Island of Zhejiang Province. Ecological restoration has been conducted using non-native mangrove Kandelia obovata to replace S. alterniflora in an attempt to restore the impacted intertidal zones. To illustrate the ecological effectiveness of the restoration projects, macrobenthos communities were studied among different habitats within the restored areas, including one non-restored S. alterniflora marsh (SA) and three differently-aged restored K. obovata stands planted in 2003, 2009, and 2011 respectively (KF14, KF8, and KF6). Besides, one unvegetated mudflat (MF) adjacent to the non-restored S. alterniflora marsh and one K. obovata forest transplanted in 2006 (RKF) at a previously barren mudflat without invasion history of S. alterniflora were set as reference sites. A total of 69 species of macrobenthos were collected from Maoyan Island, and the species richness was dominated by gastropoda (23 species), polychaeta (18 species), and malacostraca (16 species). There was no significant difference between the six sites in terms of the abundance of macrobenthos, with the average values of abundance peaking in KF6 (734.7 ind m−2) and being lowest in RKF (341.3 ind m−2). The six sites had significant differences in terms of the biomass of macrobenthos. The KF8 site contained the highest average biomass (168.3 g m−2), whereas the MF site had the lowest (54.3 g m−2). The Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Pielou’s evenness index of the macrobenthos did not exhibit significant differences among the six sites. However, the results of permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) revealed significant spatial differences in the macrobenthos community structure between the sites. Since KF14 shared a similar macrobenthos community structure with RKF, while representing a strikingly different structure from SA, we infer that ecological restoration using K. obovata can restore the macrobenthos community to resemble to a normally planted K. obovata forest about 15 years after restoration.


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