Relationship between Tree Richness and Temporary Stability of Plant Communities: A Case Study of a Forest in Northeast China

The relationship between diversity and stability is a classic issue in ecology, but no general consensus has been achieved. To address this relationship, a field survey of a forest in Northeast China was conducted. The temporary stability was defined from the perspective of community characteristics. The results showed that communities with the highest temporary stability value were characterized by a single dominant species. A significant linear relationship with a low R2 value was observed between temporary stability and tree richness. When dominant and non-dominant tree species were studied, no significant linear relationship was obtained between temporary stability and non-dominant tree richness. However, the relationship between temporary stability and dominant tree richness was significant with a high R2 value, and the temporary stability decreased with increasing dominant tree richness. This study demonstrates that dominant tree richness is closely related to temporary stability, and temporary stability can serve as a stability indicator. The results provide a new perspective for understanding stability and additional information for revealing the relationship between diversity and stability in forest ecosystems.

The status of the Dactylorhiza incarnata populations in the Kalba Altai, Kazakhstan

Danilova AN, Sumbembayev AA. 2021. The status of the Dactylorhiza incarnata populations in the Kalba Altai, Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 22: 3180-3195. The article provides a botanical description of the current state of populations of threatened species Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soo in the Kalba. The ecological analysis of the flora, the ecological optimum of the species, the vitality of plant communities, and the degree of anthropogenic load are presented in the research. On the basis of field surveys, four main populations were identified in 13 typical plant communities. Flora of plant communities of D. incarnata on the Kalba Ridge includes 117 species belonging to 30 families and 80 genera. The ecological optimum of D. incarnata can be spotted on the southeastern slopes with diffused lighting and moderate wind impact. The plant communities with optimal conditions are Filipendulo-Sanguisorbo-Thalictrosum and Carexoto-Equiseto-Filipendulo-Festucosum characterized by highly humid meadows and forest edges with low density and competition. Self-maintenance and reproduction of the species are fulfilled mainly by seeds, less often by vegetative reproduction of the finger root. Due to analysis of the age composition of populations and the dynamics and stability of plant communities the recovery index is within the optimum. Typical indicator species are Thalictrum simplex L., Salix viminalis L., Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim., Sanguisorba officinalis L., Geranium pratense L., Festuca pratensis Huds.