FRACTAL PROPERTIES OF DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF TAXUS CHINENSIS VAR. MAIREI CLONAL POPULATIONS IN THE YUANBAOSHAN MOUNTAIN, CHINA

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2007.0073

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Taxus chinensis var. mairei is the material from which taxol, an effective low-toxicity cancer-resistance medicine, is distilled. This species reproduces asexually, especially through sprouting from stems, which enables Taxus to expand its spatial occupation and maintain its population. Therefore, study on clonal properties of Taxus populations may provide a scientific basis for protecting and regenerating populations. This study addresses the following questions: 1) what are the fractal properties of population distribution patterns, 2) are clonal architecture and fractal properties correlated and 3) are fractal properties and aggregation correlated?
Methods Based on a survey of Taxus, we established four 40 m × 15 m plots in its central distribution area in Yuanbaoshan Nature Reserve. For each plot, we determined the spatial coordinates of each Taxus individual. For Taxus > 3 m tall, we measured height, crown size, height to branches and diameter at breast height; for shorter Taxus seedlings and saplings, only height was measured. We also estimated or measured cover and height of shrubs and herbs. Fractal properties of population patterns were analyzed by using the box-counting dimension and the information dimension.
Important findings The box-counting dimension ranged from 0.993 1 to 1.353 1, which was far from the theoretical value 2, indicating low degree of spatial occupation. Significant correlation between the clonal architecture index and the box-counting dimension indicates that degree of spatial occupation was closely related to clonal architecture, i.e., populations tending to have phalanx clonal architecture had a stronger degree of spatial occupation than those tending to have guerrilla clonal architecture. The information dimension varied from 1.350 8 to 1.652 1 with community type. The Pearson correlation between information dimension and pattern index is significant, suggesting that differences of information dimension could reflect variation of the aggregation intensity. Information dimension was closely related to number and spatial distribution patterns of ramets.

Key words: count-box dimension, information dimension, clonal architecture, aggregate intensity, Yuanbaoshan Mountain, clonal populations

XIANG Wu-Sheng, LI Xian-Kun, SU Zong-Ming, OU Zu-Lan, LU Shu-Hua. FRACTAL PROPERTIES OF DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF TAXUS CHINENSIS VAR. MAIREI CLONAL POPULATIONS IN THE YUANBAOSHAN MOUNTAIN, CHINA[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2007, 31(4): 568-575.

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https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2007/V31/I4/568

Figures/Tables 9

References 17

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样地 Plot number	海拔 Elevation (m)	坡向 Aspect	坡度 Slope	乔木层郁闭度 Arbor canopy density (%)	灌木层盖度 Shrub coverage (%)	乔木层优势种 Dominant species of tree layer
样地1 Plot 1	1 880	E	20°	83	30	南方红豆杉Taxus chinensis var. mairei
样地2 Plot 2	1 920	E	10°	89	39	南方红豆杉+细柄萸叶五加Taxus chinensis var. mairei+Acanthopanax evodiaefolius var. gracilis
样地3 Plot 3	1 960	S	20°	84	67	包果石栎+南方红豆杉Lithocarpus cleistocarpa+Taxus chinensis var. mairei
样地4 Plot 4	1 940	E	25°	88	36	南方铁杉+南方红豆杉Tsuga tchekiangensis+Taxus chinensis var. mairei

样地 Plot number	海拔 Elevation (m)	坡向 Aspect	坡度 Slope	乔木层郁闭度 Arbor canopy density (%)	灌木层盖度 Shrub coverage (%)	乔木层优势种 Dominant species of tree layer
样地1 Plot 1	1 880	E	20°	83	30	南方红豆杉Taxus chinensis var. mairei
样地2 Plot 2	1 920	E	10°	89	39	南方红豆杉+细柄萸叶五加Taxus chinensis var. mairei+Acanthopanax evodiaefolius var. gracilis
样地3 Plot 3	1 960	S	20°	84	67	包果石栎+南方红豆杉Lithocarpus cleistocarpa+Taxus chinensis var. mairei
样地4 Plot 4	1 940	E	25°	88	36	南方铁杉+南方红豆杉Tsuga tchekiangensis+Taxus chinensis var. mairei

样地 Plot number	回归方程 Regression model	计盒维数 Box-counting dimension	相关系数 Correlation coefficient	显著水平 Significant level
样地1 Plot 1	y=-1.242 8x+1.694 0	1.242 8	0.963 0	p<0.01
样地2 Plot 2	y=-1.128 0x+1.597 6	1.128 0	0.961 7	p<0.01
样地3 Plot 3	y=-0.993 1x+1.454 1	0.993 1	0.954 4	p<0.01
样地4 Plot 4	y=-1.353 1x+2.136 0	1.353 1	0.984 3	p<0.01

样地 Plot number	回归方程 Regression model	计盒维数 Box-counting dimension	相关系数 Correlation coefficient	显著水平 Significant level
样地1 Plot 1	y=-1.242 8x+1.694 0	1.242 8	0.963 0	p<0.01
样地2 Plot 2	y=-1.128 0x+1.597 6	1.128 0	0.961 7	p<0.01
样地3 Plot 3	y=-0.993 1x+1.454 1	0.993 1	0.954 4	p<0.01
样地4 Plot 4	y=-1.353 1x+2.136 0	1.353 1	0.984 3	p<0.01

样地 Plot	萌生枝强度±SE (分枝/基株) Branching intensity±SE(ramets/genet)	间隔物长度±SE Spacer length±SE (m)	克隆构型指数 Architectural index	克隆构型 Architecture
样地1 Plot 1	12.70±0.84	0.387±0.085	0.672	趋于密集型 Tending to phalanx
样地2 Plot 2	6.80±0.41	0.943±0.166	0.823	趋于游击型 Tending to guerrilla
样地3 Plot 3	5.00±0.70	0.702±0.153	0.840	趋于游击型 Tending to guerrilla
样地4 Plot 4	6.90±1.04	0.287±0.106	0.593	趋于密集型 Tending to phalanx