Common Woody Plants Research Articles

Climate drivers of seed rain phenology of subtropical forest communities along an elevational gradient.

Seed rain phenology (the start and end date of seed rain) is an essential component of plant phenology, critical for understanding population regeneration and community dynamics. However, intra- and inter-annual changes of seed rain phenology along environmental gradients have rarely been studied and the responses of seed rain phenology to climate variations are unclear. We monitored seed rain phenology of four forest communities in four years at different elevations (900m, 1450m, 1650m, 1900m a.s.l.) of a subtropical mountain in Central China. We analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of seed rain phenology of 29 common woody plant species (total observed species in the seed rain), and related the phenological variations to seed number and climatic variables using mixed-effect models with the correlation matrix of phylogeny. We found that changes in the period length were mainly driven by the end rather than the start date. The end date and the period length of seed rain were significantly different between the mast and non-mast seeding years, while no significant elevation-related trend was detected in seed rain phenology variation. Seed number, mean temperature in spring (Tspr), and winter (Twin), summer precipitation (Psum) had significant effects on seed rain phenology. When Tspr increased, the start date of seed rain advanced, while the end date was delayed and the seed rain period length was mainly prolonged by a higher seed number, Twin and Psum. Forest canopy might have a buffering effect on understory climatic conditions, especially in precipitation that lead to difference in seed rain phenology between canopy and shrub species. Our novel evidence of seed rain phenology can improve prediction of community regeneration dynamics in responding to climate changes.

Functional traits influence the growth and mortality of common woody plants in Dajinshan Island, Shanghai, China

Functional traits influence the growth and mortality of common woody plants in Dajinshan Island, Shanghai, China

Population and Nesting Site Evidence for Diamondback Terrapins, Malaclemys terrapin, in Northeast Florida

Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin)are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List Index of Threatened Species. Among the challenges terrapins encounter are habitat loss due to coastal development and sea level rise, mortality at all life stages by mammalian and avian predators, road mortality, boat strikes, harvest for the pet trade, and drowning in crab traps. The primary objective of this study was to locate populations and nesting areas of diamondback terrapins in the four northeastern-most counties of Florida (Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler). We conducted head counts and performed land surveys of shorelines and high spots for evidence of terrapin presence. During the land surveys we searched for crawls, intact and depredated nests, dead terrapins, and terrapin bones. To evaluate whether woody plant presence affected nest site choices, we recorded the occurrence of 10 common woody plant species during each land survey and compared areas where nesting did and did not occur. We collected 404 records of terrapin activity in 2013 and 2014. Most were from Nassau County (277) and only one was from Flagler County. Most data were in the form of depredated nests (205) and terrapin remains (147). The woody plant data suggest that terrapins were significantly more likely to nest when Christmas berry (Lycium carolinianum) was present, and nesting was less likely when either wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) or oak (Quercusspp.) were present.

Dendrometer measurements of Mediterranean-alpine dwarf shrubs and micro-environmental drivers of plant growth – Dataset from long-term alpine ecosystem research in the Sierra Nevada, Spain (LTAER-ES)

Here, we present measurement data of stem diameter variability of three common woody plants, monitored in the Mediterranean-alpine biome for six consecutive years (2015–2020). These focal species (Astragalus granatensis, Cytisus galianoi, and Genista versicolor) are abundant across the Sierra Nevada mountain chain (Southern Spain) and will potentially be affected by severe future climatic changes predicted for the region, including increased aridification in a warming environment. Understanding their fine-scale radial growth-patterns in relation to local environmental parameters might gain further insights into future vegetational shifts. We therefore used 139 high-resolution dendrometers to continuously monitor specimens along a steep elevational gradient and at varying topographical positions within the heterogeneous topography of the region. Additionally, we measured on-site environmental conditions at each studied site, including soil moisture and soil temperature within the root zone. All data were recorded at hourly resolution and are presented as daily mean values. The dataset was collected as a part of our long-term alpine ecosystem research program (LTAER), which functions as the basis for our recent projects on the use of dendrometer data to better understand the physiological mechanisms and the environmental drivers of the ongoing alpine greening.

Coping with changing plant–plant interactions in restoration ecology: Effect of species, site, and individual variation

AbstractQuestionNurse–beneficiary plant interactions are often used to restore degraded habitats. However, whether and how shifts in plant–plant interactions along the facilitation–competition continuum alter revegetation success has been seldom considered. To test whether and how shifts in plant–plant interactions (due to woody species identity, study site, early life stage, and individual nurse) might alter plant recruitment and thus the success of revegetation projects, we chose a system comprising the Mediterranean dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis) and seven common woody plant species.LocationTwo human‐degraded sites within Doñana National Park (southwestern Spain).MethodsWe carried out several well‐replicated field experiments to compare plant performance (seed survival, seedling emergence, seedling survival, seedling recruitment) in the presence and absence of Chamaerops humilis.ResultsChamaerops humilis had marked effects on the performance of woody species that, however, changed among life stages. Depending on woody species identity, seed survival was up to 193 times greater in adjacent open spaces than beneath Chamaerops humilis. Conversely, seedling survival and recruitment were up to 19 times greater beneath Chamaerops humilis than in open spaces. Importantly, none of the studied woody species showed greater accumulated recruitment in open spaces than beneath Chamaerops humilis. Interestingly, we found strong inter‐individual palm variation in the sign and strength of their effect on woody plant performance.ConclusionsWe found strong seed–seedling conflicts the strength of which was species‐specific. The strong inter‐individual palm variation depicts a facilitation–competition continuum with important implications for restoration. We propose several management recommendations across different hierarchical levels (i.e., from individuals to communities) that may increase plant recruitment and therefore the success of revegetation projects. Our results are particularly relevant for restoring arid, semi‐arid and alpine landscapes worldwide where the nurse–beneficiary plant interactions are critical to ameliorating stressful conditions.

Leaf Morphological and Nutrient Traits of Common Woody Plants Change Along the Urban-Rural Gradient in Beijing, China.

An increasing number of studies have found differences in the diversity of plant functional traits between urban and rural sites as a result of urbanization. However, the results remain inconsistent. In this study, we measured morphological and nutrient traits of 11 common woody plants along a continuous urban–rural gradient in Beijing, China. Leaf size (e.g., length, width, and area), specific leaf area, and leaf nitrogen and potassium contents decreased gradually and significantly along the urban–rural gradient, indicating that urbanization can enhance the capacity of plants to acquire resources for growth and production. Furthermore, soil nutrients and air temperature decreased along the urban–rural gradient, while air relative humidity increased. A structural equation model showed that these alterations in physical factors attributable to urbanization contributed directly or indirectly to changes in leaf functional traits, implying that changes in soil nutrients and micro-climate induced by urbanization may affect plant growth and production because of the improvement in resource acquisition capacity.

Stem cutting rhizogenesis in soſtwood graſting of <i>Philadelphus coronarius L. f. aureus nanus</i>

Sweet mock orange f. golden dwarf (Philadelphus coronarius L. f. aureus nanus) is a promising ornamental shrub in green building within Central Russia. In the Orel Region, this species has a limited occurrence due to the lack of quality planting material, which warrants research into rhizogenesis of P. coronarius f. aureus nanus stem cuttings during soſtwood graſting. Trials were conducted during 2017-2019 in triplicate, 20 cuttings each, adhering to the common woody plant soſtwood graſting propagation technique. Two yearling types were used, side shoots and innovations. Experimental setups: 1 — control (water); 2 — aqueous indolebutyric acid (IBA) 50 mg/L at 18-h exposure; 3 — bottom cutting powdering with 0.5 g/kg active coal-IBA mixture; 4 — bottom cutting treatment with 50 mg/L IBA at 18-h exposure followed by powdering with 0.5 g/kg active coal-IBA mixture. Setup 2 (IBA 50 mg/L) rendered the highest positive effect on the rooting and reproduction of side shoot and innovation-derived stem cuttings. Te best cutting root system biometry (number and length of 1st order roots) was obtained in setup 2 with the innovation cuttings (10.50 roots of 4.53 cm) compared to the side-shoot ones (9.81 roots of 3.68 cm).

Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties of aqueous extract of Nauclea diderrichii (Rubiaceae) stem bark in rats

Nauclea diderrichii, is a common woody plant in Africa where it is traditionally used for the relief and treatment of multiple pain-related conditions. The aim was to evaluate the inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties of the aqueous extract of N. diderrichii stem bark. Carrageenan and formalin were used to induce inflammation while zymosan A was used to induce monoarthritis in rats. The extract was given orally at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg. The extract significantly reduced carrageenan-induced edema up to 6 h, with 61.94% (6th hour). The extract induces a significant inhibition of the formalin-induced edema from the 2nd to the 8th hour with 61.50% (2nd hour). In continuous treatment, the activity of the extract remains significant from the 2nd to the 10th day of treatment with 63.85% (9th day). The extract (400 mg/kg) induces a significant decrease of the organ weight while the body weight increases significantly. At 400 mg/kg, the extract significantly increases the levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin and proteins, as well as the catalase and SOD activities, then a significant decrease of the levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes, hematocrit, MDA and NO. Furthermore, the extract significantly inhibited zymosan A-induced edema from the 1st to the 5th day with 60.99% (5th day). The joints of the treated animals show a close to normal architecture compared to that of the untreated animals. These results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties of N. diderrichii and confirm its traditional use to relieve pain and inflammation.

Extending the host range of Phytophthora multivora, a pathogen of woody plants in horticulture, nurseries, urban environments and natural ecosystems

Phytophthora multivora is a recently described species with a global distribution associated with disease of many woody plant species. However, very few pathogenicity studies have been conducted to determine the host range of this pathogen. A soil infestation pathogenicity experiment was conducted using two P. multivora isolates with Phytophthora cinnamomi, a known virulent pathogen, included for comparison purposes. Twenty-seven plant species were included, 19 native to Western Australia (WA) and eight exotic tree species often used as urban street trees. Plants were harvested 12 weeks after inoculation, damage of root systems were rated and root and shoot dry weight measured. Twenty-four out of twenty-seven tested host species were significantly susceptible to P. multivora. P. cinnamomi was often more pathogenic. Despite this, P. multivora represents an ecological risk for urban forests of Perth and for the whole of the South West Botanical Province of WA. Additionally, the susceptibility of other common woody plants found globally in urban environments suggests P. multivora will, in time, become as ‘well-known’ and damaging as P. cinnamomi.

Assessment of resource-use strategy of some common woody plant species grown under semiarid climatic condition of Quetta Balochistan-Pakistan

The aim of this study was to evaluate the resource use strategy of some woody plants in semi-arid climatic condition of Quetta, Balochistan Pakistan. The plant sample were collected from eleven selected different woody plant species namely; Fraxinus xanthoxyloides, Robinia pseudoacacia, Ficus carica, Morus alba, Morus nigra, Ailanthus altissima, Melia azedarach, Pinus halepensis. Malus domestica, Prunus armeniaca and Tamarix sp. during three seasons spring, summer and autumn, in 2017-18. The resources-use strategy of the selected plant species was determined by commonly used indicators such as Leaf Relative Water Content (LRWC), Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC) and Live Fine Fuel Moisture Content (LFFMC). Data regarding annual average RWC, LDMC and LFFMC in all the investigated plant was found in ranged between 25.12-73.89 %, 0.21-0.40 mg/g and 58.0-221.0 mg/g, respectively. The maximum annual average RWC, LDMC and LFFMC was reported in Ficus carica, Pinus halepensis and Melia azedarach, while the minimum was found in Alianthus altissima, Fraxinus xanthoxyloides and Alianthus altissima, respectively. Among seasons; the highest RWC was found during spring which followed by summer and minimum was originated in autumn season. The higher LDMC was recorded in autumn season as compared to summer and spring, suggesting a more efficient conservation of nutrients and the maximum LFFM contents were found in autumn followed by summer and lowest was in spring. Keywords: Balochistan; Plant species; Relative water content; Live fine fuel moisture content; Dry matter content http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2019.80127

Wood decomposition is more rapid on than off termite mounds in an African savanna

AbstractDecomposition is important for nutrient cycling and the dynamics of soil organic matter. The factors that influence local decomposition rates in savannas dominated by Macrotermes mounds remain uncertain. Here, we experimentally assessed the effects of macro‐ and micro‐detritivores, active and inactive mounds, and vegetation cover on wood decomposition rates for eight common woody plant species in Lake Mburo National Park, in Uganda. Five pairs of Macrotermes mounds, one active and one inactive per pair, were selected. Each mound provided two sample locations, one, the most shaded (with canopy cover), and one, the most open (without canopy cover) edge of mound. In addition, for each mound pair, one additional sample location was located off‐mound, in an open level area between the mounds. After one, three, and 12 months, protected (wrapped in 1‐mm mesh fiber‐glass excluding macrodetritivores) and unprotected wood samples from each location were retrieved, brushed clean, oven‐dried, and weighed. After 12 months, mean percentage mass loss was four times higher for unprotected than protected wood samples across all species located on mound sites (when decomposition in shaded and open microhabitats was combined). Mean percentage mass loss across all species combined was 1.2 times higher on active than inactive mounds. Across all mounds, decomposition was on average 1.1 times more rapid in the shaded than open mound parts. These differences were more pronounced on inactive mounds (1.3 times more rapid in the shaded than open parts). Percentage mass loss was markedly lower off‐mound (12.6 ± 0.8%) than on active (25.9 ± 1.5%) or inactive mounds (19.7 ± 1.2%). Proportional mass loss for unprotected wood decreased with increasing wood density, but proportional mass loss of protected wood samples was not detectably influenced by wood density. Our study highlights the strong and locally contingent influence of termite mounds, termite activity, vegetation, and their interactions on wood decomposition rates within a savanna landscape. Furthermore, variation in per‐species wood decomposition rates, including the negative correlation with wood density, depends on accessibility to macrodetritivores.

Habitat Differences in Morphology and Reproductive Allocation in Guettarda scabra (Rubiaceae)

ABSTRACT To understand reproductive allocation in a common woody plant of Everglades rockland habitats, we compared vegetative and reproductive traits of Guettarda scabra (L.) Vent. (Rubiaceae), in three habitats of Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park, Florida (pineland, hammock, and hammock edge). Plants in the pineland were shorter, with smaller leaves, and allocated more resources to sexual reproduction; plants in the hammock were taller, had larger leaves, and allocated more resources to vegetative growth. Hammock-edge plants were intermediate in height, had leaves intermediate in size, but had more leaves overall than plants in pineland or hammock. Pineland and hammock-edge plants produced many more fruits than hammock plants, with pineland plants having the largest fruit-to-leaf ratio. We interpret these differences as both a response to increased competition for light in the hammock, as well as to effects of fire in the pineland, with this species displaying greatest flowering, fruiting, and r...

Branch Morphology of NonnativeElaeagnusShrubs and Potential Consequences for Avian Activity in Midwestern Habitats

ABSTRACT Invasive nonnative species of woody plants can alter landscapes in ways that are detrimental to native wildlife. We studied branch structure of invasive nonnative Elaeagnus shrubs (autumn and Russian olive E. umbellata and E. angustifolia) as a potential influence on native bird activity in Midwestern habitats. In a comparison to three common native woody plants, Elaeagnus shrubs had a finer branch and denser structure than native black cherry (Prunus serotina) but did not differ from natives in other characteristics tested. Further, the morphological characteristics of Elaeagnus branches did not appear to affect preference for perching substrate at feeders or activity of birds moving through Elaeagnus and native shrub areas monitored using mist nets. Thus, we concluded that any morphological changes that may occur when Elaeagnus shrubs invade a habitat would not negatively impact overwintering and breeding bird perching behavior or movements during the nonfruiting season.

Species richness of eruciform larvae associated with native and alien plants in the southeastern United States

With continued suburban expansion in the southeastern United States, it is increasingly important to understand urbanization and its impacts on sustainability and natural ecosystems. Expansion of suburbia is often coupled with replacement of native plants with alien ornamental plants such as crepe myrtle, Bradford pear, and Japanese maple. The purpose of this project was to conduct an analysis of existing larval Lepidoptera and Symphyta hostplant records in the southeastern United States, comparing their species richness on common native and alien woody plants. We found that, in most cases, native plants have the capability of supporting more species of eruciform larvae compared to aliens. Alien congener plant species (those in the same genus as native species) supported more species of larvae than alien, non-congeners. Of the larvae that feed on alien plants, most of them are generalist species. However, most of the specialist species feeding on alien plants use congeners of native plants, providing evidence of a spillover, or false spillover effect. The results of this study are concordant with that which is predicted by the enemy release hypothesis, stating that alien plants are more successful in their non-native ranges due to reduced herbivore attack. With a reduction in primary consumer diversity, secondary consumers such as migratory birds and parasitoid wasps may also be impacted. These results highlight the need for further research in this area.

How to tell a shrub from a tree: A life‐history perspective from a South African savanna

AbstractThe ecological differences between ‘shrubs’ and ‘trees’ are surprisingly poorly understood and clear ecological definitions of these two constructs do not exist. It is not clear whether a shrub is simply a small tree or whether shrubs represent a distinct life‐history strategy. This question is of special interest in African savannas, where shrubs and trees often co‐dominate, but are often treated uniformly as ‘woody plants’ even though the tree to shrub ratio is an important determinant of ecosystem functioning. In this study we use data from a long‐term fire experiment, together with a trait‐based approach to test (i) if woody species usually classified as shrubs or trees in African savanna differ in key traits related to disturbance and resource use; and (ii) if these differences justify the interpretation of the two growth forms as distinct life‐history strategies. We measured for 22 of the most common woody plant species of a South African savanna 27 plant traits related to plant architecture, life‐history, leaf characteristics, photosynthesis and resprouting capacity. Furthermore we evaluated their performance during a long‐term fire experiment. We found that woody plants authors call (i) shrubs; (ii) shrubs sometimes small trees; and (3) trees responded differently to long‐term fire treatments. We additionally found significant differences in architecture, diameter‐height‐allometry, foliage density, resprouting vigour after fire, minimum fruiting height and foliar δ13C between these three woody plant types. We interpret these findings as evidence for at least two different life‐history‐strategies: an avoidance/adaptation strategy for shrubs (early reproduction + adaptation to minor disturbance) and an escape strategy for trees (promoted investment in height growth + delayed reproduction).

Impact of waste water discharge on the plant communities and size structure of Wadi El‐Shees, Al‐Jabal Al‐Akhdar, Libya

AbstractThe present study assesses the impact of waste water discharge on the plant communities and size structure of the common woody species in Wadi El‐Shees, Al‐Jabal Al‐Akhdar, Libya. Thirty stands were selected along two adjacent tributaries (polluted and un‐polluted) in Wadi El‐Shees. Sixty‐five species belonging to 60 genera and 34 families were recorded, predominated with therophytes and mono‐regional taxa and only one endemic species (Arbutus pavarii). The application of TWINSPAN on the data set, led to the recognition of 4 vegetation groups, two represented each of the polluted and un‐polluted regions. Soils of the polluted area have significant higher values of organic matter, salinity, chloride and iron. Ten common woody perennials were selected for estimating the variation in their size structure in the polluted and un‐polluted tributaries. These species include one shrublet, two shrubs and 7 trees. It was found that the density and volume of all species except A. pavarii and Sarcopoterium spinosum were higher in the polluted than the un‐polluted area. Four size distributions were recognized: inverse J‐shaped, bell‐shaped, positive and negative skewed distributions. It was concluded that pollution had significant impact on the plant density and sizes structure of the common woody plants in Wadi El‐Shees. Such study may help in managing and conserving plant diversity in Northern Libya. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

显著调控假眼小绿叶蝉行为的迷迭香挥发物之鉴定

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 显著调控假眼小绿叶蝉行为的迷迭香挥发物鉴定 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201312222999 作者: 作者单位: 中国计量学院浙江省生物计量及检验检疫技术重点实验室杭州,中国计量学院浙江省生物计量及检验检疫技术重点实验室杭州,中国计量学院浙江省生物计量及检验检疫技术重点实验室杭州,中国计量学院浙江省生物计量及检验检疫技术重点实验室杭州,中国计量学院浙江省生物计量及检验检疫技术重点实验室杭州,中国计量学院浙江省生物计量及检验检疫技术重点实验室杭州,浙江大学昆虫科学研究所,中国计量学院浙江省生物计量及检验检疫技术重点实验室杭州 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 973项目（2013CB127600）；国家自然科学基金课题（31071744）；浙江省教育厅课题（Y201329611） Identification of volatile compounds from rosemary that significantly affect the tea green leafhopper behavior Author: Affiliation: Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences of China Jiliang University,,,,,,,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection Quarantine,College of Life Sciences of China Jiliang University Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:茶园生态系中生长着众多草本和木本植物，迷迭香就是其中常见的木本杂草。以其幼嫩部分为味源、茶园重要害虫假眼小绿叶蝉为试虫，用Y形管嗅觉仪做行为测定，以洁净空气为CK，发现随着味源剂量增加，其引诱的假眼小绿叶蝉数增至一个数值再减少，二者呈抛物线关系。从迷迭香挥发物中鉴定出46种化合物，包含醇类9种、酮类4种、酯类4种、酸类1种、烯烃类18种、烷烃类7种、醚类1种、醛类1种和酚类1种。醇类含量最大，占总量52.20%；单组分中桉树脑、左旋α-蒎烯和马鞭草烯酮的含量最大，分别占总量的42.54%、10.37%和6.82%。使用迷迭香挥发物中含量较大的25种组分为味源，每味源配制几种剂量，以正己烷为CK，用Y形管嗅觉仪进行行为测定，发现10-2g/mL 樟脑、10-4g/mL 石竹烯、10-6g/mL和10-8g/mL α-水芹烯、10-4g/mL 和10-10g/mL α-松油醇、10-10g/mL 和 10-8g/mL 桉树脑显著引诱假眼小绿叶蝉；而10-10g/mL β-蒎烯显著排斥假眼小绿叶蝉。经分析认为：茶园中除了茶树之外，还有其它植物挥发物引诱假眼小绿叶蝉，可为筛选茶园中诱虫植物提供参考。 Abstract:There exist the various herbaceous and woody plants in tea plantation ecosystem, among which the rosemary is a common woody plant species. Potential effect of volatiles from tender rosemary shoots with fresh leaves on the tea green leafhopper behavior was assayed using Y-tube olfactometer against the clear air as CK. The result showed that the numbers of the tea green leafhoppers to choose the rosemary odor source firstly increased as the increase of odor dosage, and then reduced as further increase of the odor dosage in a parabolic curve-like relationship. 46 volatile compounds were identified from the rosemary shoots with fresh leaves, including 9 alcohols, 4 ketones, 4 esters, 1 acid, 18 alkenes, 7 alkanes, 1 ether, 1 aldehyde and 1 phenol. Alcohol was the major volatile group with 52.20% of the total amount. Eucalyptol, 1s-α-pinene and verbenone were three major components, accounting for 42.54%, 10.37% and 6.82% of the total content, respectively. From the identified rosemary volatile compounds, 25 synthetic candidates representing all the major and some minor components were tested in Y-tube tube olfactometer in several dosages on the tea green leafhoppers against hexane as CK. 10-2g/mL camphor, 10-4g/mL caryophyllene, 10-6g/mL and 10-8g/mL α-phellandrene, 10-4g/mL and 10-10g/mL α-terpineol, 10-10g/mL and 10-8g/mL eucalyptol displayed a significant attraction to the leafhopper, whereas 10-10g/mL β-pinene showed a significant repellency. Thus, it is possible that other plant species in the tea plantation community might be also attractive the tea green leafhoppers, which can be considered as candidate plant species for screening the effective trap plants. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

The composition of common woody plant species and their influence on bird communities in urban green areas

Urban green areas are important habitats for birds in rapidly urbanized areas. The composition of woody plant species has a significant influence on the structure of bird communities in urban green areas. Therefore, to enhance the function of public green areas as wild bird habitats, we studied how woody plants influenced the composition of the bird community in Binjiang Forest Park, a typical urban green area in Shanghai city. A total of 5,368 individual birds belonging to 64 species from 25 families and 10 orders were recorded during line transect and point-count surveys conducted between 2009 and 2010. Data on bird abundance showed significant differences among months, with the two highest abundances recorded in April and November. A plot of the data on bird species richness against time (months) showed a curve with two peaks, with the highest abundance recorded in April and December. The values of the Simpson index showed sig第 2 期 王勇等: 城市公共绿地常见木本植物组成对鸟类群落的影响 197 nificant variation in bird diversity over the year, with the highest value recorded in October and the lowest in August. With square-plot (400 m) sampling analysis, a total of 77 woody plant species in the park was identified. Only 14 of these species were recorded in at least five plots (nine trees and five shrubs). These species were considered common woody species. The fruiting seasons of 12 of these species occurred during periods between September and the following February. The principal outbreaks of insects with significance to forestry occurred from May to November. A principal component analysis was used to group all birds observed on the 14 woody plant species into 8 guilds according to their diets, foraging behaviors, and distributions in various vegetation layers. A Spearman correlation analysis indicated that the autumn-winter fruiting season was significantly positively correlated with 5 bird guilds, including vegetarians, omnivores, raptors, and insectivores. The abundant food supply coincided with the highest bird abundance and richness in autumn and winter. An analysis of the importance of each common woody plant species for the bird community was also performed based on the evaluation of the relative richness, relative abundance, and relative number of bird guilds. The results showed that during autumn and winter, fruiting plants provided rich food resources for terrestrial migratory birds; trees such as Populus lasiocarpa, Pterocarya stenoptera, and Cinnamomum camphora had a greater importance than shrubs. The relatively lower importance of the common shrub species to birds implies that the shrub community of the park needs to be reviewed. Comments and recommendations are provided based on our research results.

Study on the Tolerance of Common Tree Species to Nitrogen Dioxide

The present study analyzed the tolerance of 10 common woody plants to gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Experimental trees species were placed in fumigation chambers and exposed to different concentrations of NO2 (600, 1000, and 2000 ppb) for 48 hours. Their physiological health was determined by measuring how chlorophyll fluorescence varied, identifying which tree species were more adaptive and resistant to NO2. The results showed that NO2-affected plants were harmed to some extent by reduced levels of chlorophyll fluorescence, which decreased more serous with higher concentrations of NO2. Among the experimental tree species, the tolerance to NO2 was ranked as Melia azedarach > Decussocarpus nagi > Palaquium formosanum > Pongamia pinnata > Messerschmidia argentea > Diospyros morrisiana > Lagerstroemia speciosa > Semecarpus gigantifolia > Aglaia formosana > Koelreuteria formosana.

Common Woody Plants of Florida Scrub Ecosystems

The purpose of this fact sheet is to help identify a few of the more common woody plant species found in Florida’s scrub ecosystems. In the individual plant descriptions, words that appear in bold font are considered to be key field characteristics that will aid in identification of the species. This 14-page fact sheet was written by Lynn Proenza and Michael Andreu and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, October 2012.
 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr373