植物生态学报 ›› 2023, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (7): 895-911.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2022.0454

所属专题: 生态系统结构与功能

• 综述 •    下一篇

附生维管植物生境营建作用的生态学功能

张中扬1, 宋希强1, 任明迅2, 张哲1,2,*()   

  1. 1热带特色林木花卉遗传与种质创新教育部重点实验室, 海南大学林学院, 海口 570228
    2环南海陆域生物多样性研究中心, 海南大学生态与环境学院, 海口 570228
  • 收稿日期:2022-11-10 接受日期:2023-02-24 出版日期:2023-07-20 发布日期:2023-07-21
  • 通讯作者: *张哲(zhangzhe@hainanu.edu.cn)
  • 基金资助:
    海南省自然科学基金(322RC569);海南省自然科学基金(321QN188);国家自然科学基金(32201347)

Ecological functions of vascular epiphytes in habitat construction

ZHANG Zhong-Yang1, SONG Xi-Qiang1, REN Ming-Xun2, ZHANG Zhe1,2,*()   

  1. 1Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
    2Center for Terrestrial Biodiversity of the South China Sea, School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
  • Received:2022-11-10 Accepted:2023-02-24 Online:2023-07-20 Published:2023-07-21
  • Contact: *ZHANG Zhe(zhangzhe@hainanu.edu.cn)
  • Supported by:
    The Hainan Natural Science Foundation(322RC569);The Hainan Natural Science Foundation(321QN188);The National Natural Science Foundation of China(32201347)

摘要:

在森林生态系统中, 林冠层的附生维管植物通过缓冲环境压力, 为其他生物营建出重要的生境条件, 增加了森林生态系统的复杂性, 提升了物种多样性和群落稳定性。不同附生维管植物类群可以营建出不同的生境形式, 进而发挥独特的生态功能, 根据附生维管植物形态、功能特征的不同, 可将其分为收集型植物和蚁巢型植物两大类, 前者包括“篮式植物”和“水箱植物”, 后者包括“蚂蚁花园植物”和“蚁栖植物”。该文论述了附生维管植物所营建的生境对林冠生物多样性起到的积极作用; 同时揭示这些微生境的存在可以增加林冠群落结构及食物网的复杂性, 使群落更加稳定; 并进一步剖析植食性防御与营养获取是如何促使附生维管植物演化出营建生境的特殊结构, 以及这些结构对其他林冠生物演化产生的影响。结合当前林冠学研究热点, 探究具有生境营建能力的附生维管植物在林冠中的生物互作、群落演替、响应全球变化这3个热点问题中发挥的作用。该文论证了附生维管植物通过营建特殊生境和庇护所, 成为全球变化背景下具有极大保护价值的“伞护种”。建议加强不同类型附生维管植物演化历史与生态功能的研究, 并探讨在全球变化背景下的热带、亚热带森林生态系统生物多样性保护策略。

关键词: 森林生态系统, 生物多样性, 生物互作, 群落生态学, 伞护种, 林冠

Abstract:

In forest ecosystems, vascular epiphytes in the forest canopy act as buffers against environmental pressures, create important habitats for other organisms, increase the complexity of forest ecosystems, and enhance species diversity and community stability. Vascular epiphytes can create distinct habitat forms and perform unique ecological functions. Based on their morphological functional characteristics, they can be categorized into two groups: collecting plants and ant-nest plants. The former group includes “trash-basket” and “tank-form” plants, while the latter group includes “ant-garden” and “ant-house” plants. The present paper discusses the positive effect of vascular epiphytes on canopy biodiversity through the creation of habitats. It reveals the existence of these microhabitats can increase the complexity of the canopy community structure and food web, thereby promoting community stability. Additionally, we analyze how herbivorous defense and nutrient acquisition promote the evolution of special structures of vascular epiphytes for creating habitats, and the impact of these structures on the evolution of other canopy organisms. Drawing on the current research hotspots in canopy science, this paper explores the role of habitat-constructing vascular epiphytes in the three prominent areas: biological interactions in forest canopies, community succession, and responses to global change. This paper highlights the role of habitat-constructing vascular epiphytes as “umbrella species” with significant conservation value in the face of global change. We suggested to strengthen the research on the evolutionary history and ecological functions of different types of vascular epiphytes, and to explore the biodiversity conservation strategies for tropical and subtropical forests ecosystems in the context of global change.

Key words: forest ecosystem, biodiversity, biotic interaction, community ecology, umbrella species, canopy