PATCH STRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS OF LARIX CHINENSIS FOREST ON MT. TAIBAI, CHINA

doi:10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2009.03.005

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims According to forest-growth-cycle theory, forest communities are dynamic, mosaic systems composed of patches in different developmental phases. Our purposes were to describe the patch mosaic patterns, quantify the distribution patterns of different patch types and compare the species composition and similarities of different patch types in the forest cycle.

Methods We recognized four distinct growth phases or patch types in Larix chinensis forest on Mt. Taibai, China and studied patterns of patch mosaics and changes in species diversity. We measured and analyzed diurnal changes in light and temperature regimes in different patch types.

Important findings The percentages of different patch types were gap phase 40.3%, building phase 34.0%, mature phase 17.2% and degenerate phase 8.5%. Environmental factors changed significantly, both diurnally and during the forest cycle. Light intensity and soil surface temperature changed more in the gap phase than the other three phases. There were significant differences in tree densities in the forest growth cycle. Average diameter at breast height (DBH), height, basal area, volume per individual and stand volume all increased during the forest cycle. Changes of species diversity with the forest growth cycle showed a wave-like pattern. The theories of natural disturbance and patch dynamics have dramatically advanced our knowledge of biodiversity maintenance.

Key words: Larix chinensis, patch structure, subalpine conifer forest, species diversity

DUAN Ren-Yan, WANG Xiao-An, HUANG Min-Yi, WANG Zhi-Gao, WANG Chao. PATCH STRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS OF LARIX CHINENSIS FOREST ON MT. TAIBAI, CHINA[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2009, 33(3): 460-468.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2009.03.005

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2009/V33/I3/460

Figures/Tables 10

Fig.1 Diagram of patch mosaics in a 1 hm2 area (400× (5 m×5 m) quadrates combined) in Larix chinensis forest

Fig.2 Diurnal changes of light intensity in different patch types (G, B, M and D) in Larix chinensis forest

Fig.3 Diurnal air-temperature changes in different patch types (G, B, M and D) in Larix chinensis forest

Fig.4 Diurnal changes of soil surface temperature in dif-ferent patch types (G, B, M and D) in Larix chinensis forest

Table 1 The maximum and minimum temperatures at the soil surface in different patch types in Larix chinensis forest

Table 2 Variations of selected environment factors in different patch types in Larix chinensis forest (mean±SD)

Table 3 The presence frequencies of selected species in different patch types in Larix chinensis forest (%)

Table 4 The average densities of trees of different height and size (diameter at breast height, DBH) classes in different patch types in Larix chinensis forest (ind.·hm-2) (mean±SD)

Table 5 Variations of selected factors in different patch types in Larix chinensis forest (mean±SD)

Table 6 Species diversity indexes for tree species in dif-ferent patch types in Larix chinensis forest

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