NATURAL REGENERATION OF ABIES FAXONIANA ALONG RESTORATION GRADIENTS OF SUBALPINE DARK CONIFEROUS FOREST IN WESTERN SICHUAN, CHINA

doi:10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2009.04.003

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Subalpine dark coniferous forests in western Sichuan, China include natural old-growth forests and successional forests that regenerated mainly following logging over the past 50 years. Both the bamboo and moss forest types are comprised of three different restoration stages: broad-leaved forest 20-40 years old, conifer/broad-leaved mixed forest 50 years old and old-growth dark coniferous forest 160-200 years old. Our objectives were to understand how subalpine dark coniferous forests naturally regenerated following disturbance and determine key factors influencing natural regeneration.
Methods We investigated densities of seedlings, saplings and small trees of the climax dominant tree species Abies faxoniana in 50 quadrats along a gradient of the different successional stages in both the bamboo and moss forest types located at 3 100-3 600 m elevation on north or northwest aspects.
Important findings The densities of seedlings, saplings and small trees of A. faxoniana were generally relatively low in both the bamboo and moss forest types, but higher than that in moss forest types. Key factors enhancing natural regeneration of A. faxoniana in the bamboo forest types were density of seed-bearing trees and the stock of fallen wood. Negative factors were coverage of bamboo and thickness of moss. In the moss forest types, the coverage of shrubs and thickness of moss enhanced the occurrence of seedlings of A. faxoniana but limited the development of saplings and small trees.

Key words: Abies faxoniana, natural regeneration, influencing factors, path analysis, subalpine of western Sichuan, China

MA Jiang-Ming, LIU Shi-Rong, SHI Zuo-Min, ZHANG Yuan-Dong, MIAO Ning. NATURAL REGENERATION OF ABIES FAXONIANA ALONG RESTORATION GRADIENTS OF SUBALPINE DARK CONIFEROUS FOREST IN WESTERN SICHUAN, CHINA[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2009, 33(4): 646-657.

Add to citation manager EndNote|Ris|BibTeX

URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2009.04.003

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2009/V33/I4/646

Figures/Tables 12

References 44

[1]	Chen Q (陈强) (1996). The application of path coefficient analysis and its in forestry test statistic analysis. Yunnan Forestry Science and Technology (云南林业科技), (1), 54-61. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[2]	Chrimes D, Nilson K (2005). Overstorey density influence on the height of regeneration in northern Sweden. Forestry, 78, 433-442.
[3]	D’Alessandro CM, Saracino A, Borghetti M (2006). Thinning affects water use efficiency of hardwood saplings naturally recruited in aPinus radiata D. Don plantation.Forest Ecology and Management, 222, 116-122.
[4]	Grassi G, Minotta G, Tonon G, Bagnaresi U (2004). Dynamics of Norway spruce and silver fir natural regene- ration in a mixed stand under uneven-aged management. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 34, 141-149. DOI URL
[5]	Griscom BW, Ashton PMS (2003). Bamboo control of forest succession: guadua sarcocarpa in Southeastern Peru. Forest Ecology and Management, 175, 445-454.
[6]	Guan ZT (管中天) (1982). Conifers Phytogeography in Sichuan Province (四川松杉植物地理). Sichuan People’s Publish House, Chengdu. (in Chinese )
[7]	Harmon ME, Franklin JF (1989). Tree seedlings on logs in Picea-Tsuga forests of Oregon and Washington. Ecology, 70, 48-59.
[8]	He DJ (何东进), Hong W (洪伟), Cui CY (崔春英), Chen YF (陈永芳), Xu GJ (许国建), Wang Q (王强) (2000). A path analysis for the top blight of phyllostachys heterocycle. Journal of Fujian College of Forestry (福建林学院学报), 20, 203-206. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[9]	Huang LL (黄礼隆) (1990). Preliminary studies on water conservative functions of alpine forest in western Sichuan.In: Li CB ed. Ecological Research of Sichuan Forest (四川森林生态研究).Sichuan Publish House of Science & Technology, Chengdu, 87-99. (in Chinese)
[10]	Hunziker U, Brang P (2005). Microsite patterns of conifer seedling establishment and growth in a mixed stand in the southern Alps. Forest Ecology and Management, 210, 67-79.
[11]	Jiang YX (蒋有绪) (1963a). Community characteristic and classification principle of alpine dark coniferous forest in Miyaluo, west Sichuan. Acta Phytoecologia et Geobotanica Sinica (植物生态学与地植物学丛刊), 1, 42-50. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[12]	Jiang YX (蒋有绪) (1963b). The primary study on habitat type of alpine forest in Miyaluo and Markang, west Sichuan. Scientia Silvae Sinicae (林业科学), 8, 321-335. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[13]	Jiang YX (蒋有绪) (1981). Phytocenological role of forest floor in subalpine fir forests in western Sichuan Province. Acta Phytoecologia et Geobotanica Sinica (植物生态学与地植物学丛刊), 5, 89-98. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[14]	Li CX (李春喜), Jiang LN (姜丽娜), Shao Y (邵云), Wang WL (王文林) (2005). Biostatistics 3rd edn (生物统计学第3版). Science Press, Beijing, 263-268. (in Chinese)
[15]	Li GZ (李根柱), Wang HX (王贺新), Zhu SQ (朱书全), Zhu JJ (朱教君), Yu DM (于冬梅), Chen YM (陈英敏) (2008). Barrier effect of litter on natural regeneration in northeast secondary forest. Journal of Liaoning Technical University (Natural Science Edition) (辽宁工程技术大学学报(自然科学版)), 27, 295-298. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[16]	Li XW (李贤伟), Luo CD (罗承德), Hu TX (胡庭兴), Zhang J (张健) (2001). Suggestions on restoration and reconstruction of degraded forest ecosystem in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 21, 2117-2124. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[17]	Li XX (李喜霞), Liu MG (刘明国), Gao XD (高晓东) (2002). Factors of affecting natural regeneration of Chinese pine in gully of Chaoyang. Journal of Shenyang Agricultural University (沈阳农业大学学报), 33, 352-355. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[18]	Li Y (李媛), Tao JP (陶建平), Wand YJ (王永健), Yu XH (余小红), Xi Y (席一) (2007). Effects of Fargesia nitida on regeneration of Abies faxoniana seedlings near the edge of subalpine dark coniferous forest. Journal of Plant Ecology (Chinese Version) (植物生态学报), 31, 283-290. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[19]	Lin F (蔺菲), Hao ZQ (郝占庆), Ye J (叶吉) (2006). Effects of bryophytes on plant natural regeneration. Chinese Journal of Ecology (生态学杂志), 25, 456-460. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[20]	Lin QY (林全业) (1996). Path analysis of sapling quantity naturally regenerated from secondary forest of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora). Acta Phytoecologica Sinica (植物生态学报), 20, 348-354. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[21]	Liu Q ( 刘庆 ) (2002). Ecological Research on Subalpine Coniferous Forests in China(亚高山针叶林生态学研究). Sichuan University Publishing House, Chengdu, 33-98,217-233. (in Chinese)
[22]	Liu SR, Wang JX, Chen LW (2003). Ecology and restoration of sub-alpine ecosystem in western Sichuan, China. Informatore Botanico Italiano 35 (Suppl.), 1, 29-34.
[23]	Ma JM (马姜明), Li K (李昆), Zhang CS (张昌顺) (2006). Regeneration of Acacia glauca and Leucaena leucacephala plantations in Yuanmou dry and hot valley. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 17, 1365-1369. (in Chinese with English abstract) URL PMID
[24]	Nakamura T (1992). Effect of bryophytes on survival of conifer seedlings in subalpine forests of central Japan. Ecological Research, 7, 155-162.
[25]	Nakashizuka T (1987). Regeneration dynamics of beech forests in Japan. Vegetatio, 69, 169-175.
[26]	Narukawa Y, Yamamoto S (2003). Development of conifer seedlings roots on soil and fallen logs in boreal and subalpine coniferous forests of Japan. Forest Ecology and Management, 175, 131-139.
[27]	O’Brien MJ, O’Hara KL, Erbilgin N, Wood DL (2007). Overstory and shrub effects on natural regeneration processes in native Pinus radiata stands. Forest Ecolo- gy and Management, 240, 178-185.
[28]	Peng SJ (彭闪江), Huang ZL (黄忠良), Peng SL (彭少麟), Ouyang XJ (欧阳学军), Xu GL (徐国良) (2004). Factors influencing mortality of seed and seedling in plant nature regeneration process. Guihaia (广西植物), 24, 113-121. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[29]	Sugita H, Tani M (2001). Difference in microhabitat-related regeneration patterns between two subalpine conifers,Tsuga diversifolia and Abies mariesii, on Mount Hayachine, northern Honshu, Japan. Ecological Research, 16, 423-433.
[30]	Takahashi K (1994). Effect of size structure, forest floor type and disturbance regime on tree species composition in a coniferous forest in Japan. Journal of Ecology, 82, 769-773. DOI URL
[31]	Takahashi K (1997). Regeneration and coexistence of two subalpine conifer species in relation to dwarf bamboo in the understorey. Journal of Vegetation Science, 8, 529-536.
[32]	Takahashi K, Kohyama T (1999). Size structure dynamics of two conifers in relation to understorey dwarf bamboo: a simulation study. Journal of Vegetation Science, 10, 833-842.
[33]	Taylor AH, Jang SW, Zhao LJ, Liang CP, Miao CJ, Huang JY (2006). Regeneration patterns and tree species coexistence in old-growth Abies-Picea forests in southwestern China. Forest Ecology and Management, 223, 303-317.
[34]	Taylor AH, Jinyanb H, Zhou SQ (2004). Canopy tree development and undergrowth bamboo dynamics in old -growth Abies-Betula forests in southwestern China: a 12-year study. Forest Ecology and Management, 200, 347-360.
[35]	Taylor AH, Qin Z (1988a). Regeneration patterns in old-growth Abies-Betula forests in the Wolong Natural Reserve, Sichuan, China. Journal of Ecology, 76, 1204-1218.
[36]	Taylor AH, Qin Z (1988b). Tree replacement patterns in subalpine Abies-Betula forests in Wolong Natural Reserve, China. Vegetatio, 78, 141-149.
[37]	Wang ZQ (王政权), Wang JB (王军邦), Sun ZH (孙志虎), Fan ZQ (范志强), Han YZ (韩有志) (2003). Quantitative study of below-and above-ground competitions in mandchurican ash seedlings. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 23, 1512-1518. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[38]	Wang W (王微), Tao JP (陶建平), Hu K (胡凯), Li ZF (李宗峰), Song LX (宋利霞) (2007). Effects of Fargesia nitida on structure and spatial pattern of the seedlings of dominant tree species in gaps of Abies faxoniana forest. Scientia Silvae Sinicae (林业科学), 43,1-7. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[39]	Xu ZB (徐振邦), Dai LM (代力民), Chen JQ (陈吉泉), Wang Z (王战), Dai HC (戴洪才), Li X (李昕) (2001). Natural regeneration condition in Pinus koraiensis broad-leaved mixed forest. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 21, 1413-1420. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[40]	Yang YP (杨玉坡), Ye ZQ (叶兆庆), Qian GX (钱国禧) (1956). Primary observation of natural regeneration under the crown of fir and spruce in Southwestern of China. Scientia Silvae Sinicae (林业科学), 4, 337-354. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[41]	Zeng LY (曾龄英) (1980). Study on natural regeneration of coniferous forest in Yulong Mountain, Yunnan. Yunnan Forestry Science and Technology Communications (云南林业科技通讯), 2, 1-13. (in Chinese)
[42]	Zeng DH (曾德慧), You WZ (尤文忠), Fan ZP (范志平), Liu MG (刘明国) (2002). Analysis of natural regeneration barriers of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantation on sandy land. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 13, 257-261. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[43]	Zhang YD (张远东), Liu SR (刘世荣), Ma JM (马姜明), Shi ZM (史作民), Liu XL (刘兴良) (2005a). Woodland hydrological effects of birch forests in sub-alpine region of western Sichuan, China. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 25, 2939-2946. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[44]	Zhang YD (张远东), Zhao CM (赵常明), Liu SR (刘世荣) (2005b). The influence factors of sub-alpine forest restoration in Miyaluo, West Sichuan. Scientia Silvae Sinicae (林业科学), 41, 189-193. (in Chinese with English abstract)

海拔 Elevation (m)	坡向 Slope direction	坡度 Gradient (°)	郁闭度 Canopy density (%)	主要树种 Dominant tree species
3 100~3 500	N, NE, NW	25~40	84	红桦(Betula albo-sinensis)、野樱桃(Prunus spp.)、花楸(Sorbus spp.)、槭树(Acer spp.)、岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)
3 100~3 450	N, NW	25~40	82	红桦、岷江冷杉、花楸(Sorbus spp.)、槭树(Acer spp.)
3 400~3 500	NE, N, NW	25~40	79	岷江冷杉、紫果云杉(Picea purpurea)
3 300~3 550	N, NE, NW	25~40	83	红桦、野樱桃(Prunus spp.)、花楸(Sorbus spp.)、岷江冷杉
3 350~3 500	N, NW	25~40	81	红桦、岷江冷杉、花楸(Sorbus spp.)
3 300~3 550	NE, N, NW	25~40	78	岷江冷杉、紫果云杉

海拔 Elevation (m)	坡向 Slope direction	坡度 Gradient (°)	郁闭度 Canopy density (%)	主要树种 Dominant tree species
3 100~3 500	N, NE, NW	25~40	84	红桦(Betula albo-sinensis)、野樱桃(Prunus spp.)、花楸(Sorbus spp.)、槭树(Acer spp.)、岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)
3 100~3 450	N, NW	25~40	82	红桦、岷江冷杉、花楸(Sorbus spp.)、槭树(Acer spp.)
3 400~3 500	NE, N, NW	25~40	79	岷江冷杉、紫果云杉(Picea purpurea)
3 300~3 550	N, NE, NW	25~40	83	红桦、野樱桃(Prunus spp.)、花楸(Sorbus spp.)、岷江冷杉
3 350~3 500	N, NW	25~40	81	红桦、岷江冷杉、花楸(Sorbus spp.)
3 300~3 550	NE, N, NW	25~40	78	岷江冷杉、紫果云杉

项目 Items	幼苗 Seedlings	幼树 Saplings	小树 Small trees
恢复阶段 Restoration stages	4 228.81^**	500.18^**	470.15^**
森林类型 Forest types	3 054.16^**	653.76^**	670.22^**
恢复阶段×森林类型 Interaction	2 366.74^**	7.26^**	70.59^**

项目 Items	幼苗 Seedlings	幼树 Saplings	小树 Small trees
恢复阶段 Restoration stages	4 228.81^**	500.18^**	470.15^**
森林类型 Forest types	3 054.16^**	653.76^**	670.22^**
恢复阶段×森林类型 Interaction	2 366.74^**	7.26^**	70.59^**

项目 Items	X2	X3	X4	X5	X6	Y1	Y2	Y3
林分郁闭度 (X1) Canopy density (%)	-0.578 0^*	0.474 4	~0.459 1	0.540 9^*	-0.554 6^*	-0.501 2	-0.552 1^*	-0.476 8
母树密度 (X2) Density of mother tree (stems·hm^-2)		-0.785 6^**	0.944 8^**	-0.704 1^**	0.958 6^**	0.789 2^**	0.873 2^**	0.822 3^**
草本层盖度 (X3) Coverage of herbage (%)			-0.787 7^**	0.657 9^**	-0.679 7^**	-0.871 9^**	-0.885 9^**	-0.811 4^**
倒木蓄积量 (X4) Stock of fallen wood (m³·hm^-2)				-0.627 9^*	0.898 1^**	0.788 1^**	0.868 4^**	0.797 6^**
箭竹盖度 (X5) Coverage of bamboo (%)					-0.601 1^*	-0.844 4^**	-0.860 1^**	-0.861 6^**
苔藓层厚度 (X6) Thickness of moss (cm)						0.625 8^*	0.752 5^**	0.687 0^**