Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2020, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3): 266-276.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2019.0077

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Population structure characteristics of Picea purpurea in the upstream of Taohe River

ZHAO Yang,LIU Jin-Qian,CHEN Xue-Long,Yang Meng-Meng,CAO Jia-Hao,QI Rui,CAO Xiu-Wen()   

  1. Institute of Forestry Science of Bailongjiang in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730046, China; and Gansu Bailongjiang National Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Zhouqu, Gansu 746300, China
  • Received:2019-04-08 Accepted:2019-12-13 Online:2020-03-20 Published:2020-01-19
  • Contact: Xiu-Wen CAO
  • Supported by:
    Technology Support Programs of Gansu Province(144FKCK072);Forestry Projects of Gansu Province(2015kj051);Forestry Projects of Gansu Province(2016kj058)

Abstract:

Aims Natural population of Picea purpurea in Gahai-Zecha Nature Reserve and Kache and Yeliguan forest regions in the Taohe River upstream was selected, to reveal the demographic status of P. purpurea populations. The results from the current study will provide theoretical basis for the protection, management and structural restoration of P. purpurea.
Methods Based on field surveys and data analysis, population structure diagram was drawn, static life table was designed, and survival curve of P. purpurea was fitted and analyzed. Quantitative methods were used to study the population dynamics. The population development trend was predicted by time-sequence model.
Important findings In the three forest regions, P. purpurea population showed signs of strong natural regeneration ability with abundant seedling and sapling reserves, yet the mortality rate of saplings was high. The population in Gahai-Zecha forest manifested a Deevey-III type survival curve representing a stable population with a complete population structure, and the population in Kache forest and Yeliguan forest manifested Deevey-II type survival curves with partial declines present in both forests. With population dynamics indexes (Vpi) > 0, the populations of all three forests were in growth. The growth potentials ranking from highest to lowest were Gahai-Zecha > Kache > Yeliguan. The P. purpurea population in Kache forest showed the highest sensitivity to random interference followed by that in Yeliguan forest while Gahai-Zecha population was the most stable. This study showed that competition and self-thinning were the common causes of low survival rate of P. purpurea saplings and that different living situation in the three forests reflected the difference of survivability of P. purpurea populations in different habitats and life histories. The key to regeneration and development of P. purpurea populations was to protect the habitat of seedlings and to improve their quality and survival rate. The P. purpurea population in Gahai-Zecha forest grew well and the survivorship of that population was mainly affected by its own biological characteristics and environmental factors. The population structure of Kache forest was damaged under human interference. The population structure of Yeliguan forest was unstable due to its limited distribution. Appropriate anthropogenic interference measures should be adopted to promote population renewal and growth.

Key words: Taohe River upstream, Picea purpurea, population structure, survival analysis