Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2014, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (7): 687-693.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1258.2014.00064

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Life table and survival analysis of Loranthus tanakae population in Mount Ziwuling

ZHANG Liang, WANG Xiao-An*(), LIU Peng, WANG Xian, DENG Mei-Jiao, ZHU Yun-Yun   

  1. College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
  • Received:2014-01-06 Accepted:2014-04-18 Online:2014-01-06 Published:2014-07-10
  • Contact: WANG Xiao-An

Abstract:

Aims Loranthus tanakae is a parasitic plant found on Quercus liaotungensis, which is a dominant and constructive tree species in forests of Mount Ziwuling. Our objective was to determine the ecological characteristics of L. tanakae in this region.
Methods In the paper, based on investigations on the age structure of a L. tanakae population, a static life table was constructed, curves of survival, mortality, disappearance rate, and survival function were established, and the dynamics of the L. tanakae population were analyzed.
Important findings The survival curve of the L. tanakae population studied is characterized as the type Deevey II, with relatively stable mortality. The pattern of the disappearance rate curve is similar to that of the morality curve; they both have two peaks: one occurring at the 5th age and the other at the 10th age. A fluctuation occurred in the risk rate curve at the 6th age. The survival curve showed a declining trend while the cumulative morality rate curve displayed an uptrend, and the L. tanakae reached the senescence after the 8th age. According to the age composition of the survival curve, the L. tanakae population studied remained stable in the early and middle stages, but declined in the late stage.

Key words: life table, Loranthus tanakae, population quantity, survival analysis, survival curve