Vegetation recovery dynamics of tropical lowland rain forest in Bawangling of Hainan Island, South China

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2011.00577

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Our objective was to elucidate the trajectory and pattern of tree succession on lands abandoned after multiple cycles of shifting cultivation in comparison to old-growth communities.

Methods We established seven 100 m × 100 m plots in lowland sites. There were two old-growth forest plots, one 12-year-old fallow plot, two 25-year-old fallow plots, and two 55-year-old fallow plots. We recorded species, diameter at breast height (DBH), and height of all woody stems (excluding lianas) ≥1 cm DBH in 100 subplots (10 m × 10 m) in each plot. Analysis methods included non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS).

Important findings NMS showed large differences in community composition between fallow and old-growth forest, even after 55 years of natural recovery. Saplings (DBH < 5 cm) showed more convergence with old-growth forest composition than did adult trees (DBH ≥10 cm). Species accumulation rates for all three ages of fallow plots were slower than for old-growth forests. The recovery of community structure was relatively faster, especially for tree height, but structural complexity did not reach that of old-growth forests. Sprouting stems accounted for 39.9% of density and 55.9% of basal area in the 12-year-old fallow plot, but less in older plots. The proportion of three functional groups (pioneer, non-pioneer light-demanding and shade-tolerant species) showed directional patterns of change during succession, indicating that pattern of recovery was determined by life-history traits. However, cessation of recovery during mid succession indicated that return to pre-disturbance species composition may take centuries or never occur. This should be considered when structuring successional models and predicting carbon accumulation in tropical forest.

Key words: community recovery, disturbance, functional groups, Hainan Island, secondary forest, shifting cultivation, tropical lowland rain forest

DING Yi, ZANG Run-Guo. Vegetation recovery dynamics of tropical lowland rain forest in Bawangling of Hainan Island, South China[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2011, 35(5): 577-586.

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Figures/Tables 5

Fig. 2 The species-area accumulation curves, species-abundance accumulation curves, and species rank-abundance distribution curves for saplings (A, D, G), treelets (B, E, H), and adult trees (C, F, I) in plots across secondary forests with different recovery time and old growth forests. Gray dashed lines represent 12-year-old secondary forest plots; black dotted lines represent 25-year-old secondary forest plots; gray lines represent 55-year-old secondary forest plots; black lines represent old growth forest plots.

Fig. 3 Beanplots of diameter at breast height (DBH) (A) and height (B) for adult trees in plots across secondary forests with different recovery time and old growth forests. The bold black short lines represent mean values of DBH and height of adult trees. Y axis in Fig. A is logarithmic transformed. Of the first two characters of plot codes, figures represent recovery time (year), OG represents old growth forest. The third character of plot code represents abbreviation of the site name of each plot located in Bawangling. B, Bailongtan; D, Dongganxian; M, Mangguodi; N, Nanchahe; W, Wuliqiao.

Fig. 4 Individual density (A) and basal area (B) for sprouting stems (black bars) and seeder stems (white bars) across secondary forests with different recovery time and old growth forests. OG represents old growth forest.

Fig. 5 Important value for three functional groups across secondary forests with different recovery time and old growth forests. Black bars represent pioneer species; white bars represent non-pioneer light-demanding species; gray bars represent shade-tolerant species. OG represents old growth forest.

Fig. 1 Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) for saplings (s), treelets (t), and adult trees (at) in plots across secondary forests with different recovery time and old growth forest. The symbols before underline represent codes of plots. White squares represent 12-year-old secondary forest plot; white triangles represnet 25-year-old secondary forest plots; white circles represent 55-year-old secondary forest plots; black squares represent old growth forest plots.

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