Plant Community Types Research Articles

Plant communities and alien invasion in Kalika community forest, Kailai district, Sudurpashchim Province, Nepal

One of the major threats to native biological diversity is caused by invasive alien plant species (IAPS). As the documentation of plant communities and alien plant invasion in Far-west Nepal is very scarce, this study was carried out in the Kalika community forest of Kailali district, Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal. The aim of the study was to identify plant communities and the status of IAPS in the forest. A total of 43 plots (size 10 m × 10 m) were sampled. Plant communities were distinguished based on the Sorenson similarity index and cluster dendrogram. Cover of the tree canopy and IAPS was measured. A total of 101 species of vascular plants were recorded from five types of plant communities in the forest. The communities were named as (i) Buchanania latifolia-Terminalia alata community (ii) Casearia glomerata-Mallotus philippensis community (iii) Shorea robusta-Terminalia alata community (iv) Adina cordifolia-Mallotus philippensis community (v) Terminalia-Shorea-Trewia mixed community. These communities were invaded by invasive Ageratum houstonianum, A. conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Cassia tora, and Argemone mexicana. A high cover of IAPS was found in Terminalia-Shorea-Trewia mixed community. The cover of IAPS was low under the high tree canopy. Control and management of IAPS should be done to protect the native plant communities in the forest for reducing disturbance to maintain tree canopies. It is hoped to be an effective method to reduce alien plant invasions.

Assessment of the Capability of Landsat and BiodivMapR to Track the Change of Alpha Diversity in Dryland Disturbed by Mining

Remotely sensed spectral diversity is a promising method for investigating biodiversity. However, studies designed to assess the effectiveness of tracking changes in diversity using historical satellite imagery are lacking. This study employs open-access multispectral Landsat imagery and the BiodivMapR package to estimate the multi-temporal alpha diversity in drylands affected by mining. Multi-temporal parameters of alpha diversity were identified, such as vegetation indices, buffer zone size, and the number of clusters. Variations in alpha diversity were compared for various plant communities over time. The results showed that this method could effectively assess the alpha diversity of vegetation (R2, 0.68). The optimal parameters used to maximize the accuracy of alpha diversity were NDVI threshold, 0.01; size of buffer zones, 120 m × 120 m; number of clusters, 100. The root mean square error of the alpha diversity of herbs was lowest (0.26), while those of shrub and tree communities were higher (0.34–0.41). During the period 1990–2020, the study area showed an overall trend of increasing diversity, with surface mining causing a significant decrease in diversity when compared with underground mining. This illustrates that the quick development of remote sensing and image processing techniques offers new opportunities for monitoring diversity in both single and multiple time phases. Researchers should consider the plant community types involved and select locally suitable parameters. In the future, the generation of long-time series and finer resolution maps of diversity should be studied further in the aspects of spatial, functional, taxonomic, and phylogenetic diversity.

Vegetation of a hill grassland of the Paititi Natural Reserve (Pampa biome) and early detection of non-native species acting as invasive

Background and aims: Invasive species are the greatest threat to conservation. The objectives of this study were to identify the flora that thrive in a hill grassland of the Paititi Natural Reserve, to perform an early detection of non-native plant species that might be acting as invasive, and to establish the current situation of the native species considered threatened. M&M: Following the altitudinal gradient, 14 sites were selected; the environmental characteristics and cover-abundance of the vascular plant species were recorded in each site. With the collected data, a Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCooA) was performed to group the sites into vegetation units that were later described considering environmental characteristics, identified species and plant community type. Additionally, the threatened species were specified, as well as the most abundant exotic ones, therefore considered invasive. Results: Total richness reached 370 species, 26.5% corresponding to non-native ones. Thirty threatened species were identified. The PCooA grouped the sites into eight vegetation units. The non-native species considered invasive were Dactylis glomerata, Senecio madagascariensis, Holcus lanatus and Racosperma melanoxylon, these last two reached the highest coverage-abundance values. Conclusions: To conserve biodiversity and minimize the invasion process, management efforts should be focused on monitoring the threatened species and controlling the advance of the non-native species acting as invasive. Early detection of those species in similar environments would be fundamental to facilitate rapid responses towards reducing invasions.

Study on Soil Moisture Characteristics in Southern China Karst Plant Community Structure Types

An understanding of soil moisture variation patterns under different plant community structures is crucial for the restoration of vegetation in southern China karst regions. Therefore, four plant community structure types: arbor + herb (AH), shrub + herb (SH), arbor + shrub + herb (ASH), and herb (H), were selected as the research objects. A soil moisture sensor was used to monitor the soil moisture content in the 0–70 cm soil layer, to analyze the variation characteristics of soil moisture content and to explore the differences under different plant community structure types. The results indicate that: (1) A total of 31 plant species in 31 genera and 18 families were recorded, among which herbs were the most abundant. There were significant differences in diversity indexes for ASH and H. The differences between Shannon–Wiener index and Simpson index of AH and H were significant, and between AH and SH in Pielou index and Simpson index were statistically significant. The Pielou index between SH and H was significantly different. (2) There were significant differences in soil water content among the four plant community types, showing SH > AH > H > ASH. The variation of soil moisture was consistent with the trend of rainfall, with the surface soil moisture more sensitive to rainfall events, and the deeper soil moisture had a lag. The Shannon–Wiener index was significantly and positively correlated with the Simpson index and the Margalef index. There was a highly significant positive correlation between Margalef index and Simpson index. The 20–30 cm soil layer was highly negatively correlated with the Margalef index and significantly and negatively correlated with the Shannon–Wiener index and the Simpson index. (3) The response of soil moisture of plant community structure types to light rain event was not obvious. The growth rates of soil water content in the 30–50 and 50–70 cm layers of the SH were higher in moderate rain event than that in heavy rain event, and H, AH, and ASH had larger growth rates in heavy rain events. The results provide a reference for the effective utilization of soil and water resources and the restoration of vegetation, as well as for plant community structure configuration decisions in the southern China karst region.

Investigating the Relationship between Landscape Design Types and Human Thermal Comfort: Case Study of Beijing Olympic Forest Park

Urban green space can improve the local thermal environment and thus the quality of the urban residential environment. Taking the green space of Beijing Olympic Forest Park (BOFP) as an example, this study analysed sample points representing different plant community structures, plant community types, and landscape environments based on 15 years of continuous dynamic measurement and selected typical annual data (from 2020). The study analysed and explained the spatial differentiation characteristics of human thermal comfort (HTC) in green space areas of BOFP using the predicted mean vote (PMV)–predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD) physical comfort index model, which comprehensively considers both the objective environment and people’s subjective feelings and psychological states. The results showed that the level of HTC in the park’s green space, across community types and across typical landscape environments, differed between areas with different community structures. PMV–PPD mathematical model fitting further verified the above results.

Plant-moth community relationships at the degraded urban peat-bog in Central Europe.

Peatlands have their own, specific insect fauna. They are a habitat not only for ubiquistic but also stenotopic moths that feed onplants limited to wet, acid and oligotrophic habitats. In the past, raised bogs and fens were widely distributed in Europe. This has changed since 20th c. Due to irrigation, modern forestry, and increasing human settlement, peatlands have become isolated islands in anagricultural and urban landscape. Here, we analyze the flora in a degraded bog situated in a large Lodz city agglomeration in Poland in relation to the diversity and composition of moth fauna. Over the last 40 years since the bog has become protected as a nature reserve, birch, willow, and alder shrubs replaced the typical raised bog plant communities due to the decreased water level. The analysis of moth communities sampled in 2012 and 2013 indicates dominance of ubiquistic taxa associated with deciduous wetland forests and rushes. Tyrphobiotic and tyrphophile moth taxa were not recorded. We conclude that the absence of moths typical of bog habitats and the dominance of common, woodland species are associated with hydrological changes, the expansion of trees and brushes over typical bog plant communities, and light pollution.

Typical plant communities' biodiversity and its environmental drivers in the middle and low floodplains of Lake Poyang wetland

Typical plant communities' biodiversity and its environmental drivers in the middle and low floodplains of Lake Poyang wetland

Does the carnauba-palm riverine vegetation constitute a different type of plant community in the Brazilian semiarid? An analysis of the floristic composition

Abstract Floristic surveys are the main source of information about species composition of different vegetation types and a fundamental input of information for biogeographical studies. Within the Caatinga Domain, there are many vegetation types, of which the most conspicuous is the deciduous caatinga s.s. vegetation. However, along the watercourses of this region, one can find a type of riparian forest called Carnaubais, characterized by a larger presence of evergreen species with access to underground water and a conspicuous occurrence of the endemic “carnauba” palm (Copernicia prunifera). The present study aimed at making a floristic survey on a Carnaubal riverine habitat and a nearby caatinga s.s. site in Ceará, and perform a biogeographical comparison with other sites within the Caatinga Domain. In our study site, we identified 186 species, distributed in 135 genera and 52 families. Of the 186 species recorded, we found 123 species uniquely in the caatinga s.s. phytophysiognomy, 40 uniquely in Carnaubal and 23 in both phytophysiognomies. The most representative families were Fabaceae (31 spp.), Poaceae (15 spp.), and Euphorbiaceae (13 spp.). The UPGMA and NMDS analyses supported the idea that the Carnaubal is a habitat with distinct flora within the Caatinga Domain.

Aesthetic Evaluation of Commercial Rooftop Plants Based on Beauty Degree Evaluation Method: A Case Study of Chengdu City, China

Rooftop greening not only has ecological benefits such as energy savings, water conservation and air quality improvement but also has aesthetic and social benefits, especially for the rooftops of commercial complexes, which should meet people’s demand for beauty while satisfying sustainable urban development. In this paper, 80 samples of ten commercial rooftops in five old urban areas of Chengdu, China, were selected as the research objects, and the beauty values of different roof types and different plant community types were quantified by the aesthetic evaluation method, and the factors influencing the beauty values were investigated. The results showed that the highest average SBE value was for plant ornamental roofs (0.635), followed by recreational roofs (0.080), and the lowest average SBE value was for sports and fitness (-0.555); Mixed needle-broad communities had the greatest average SBE value (0.330), followed by mixed bamboo-broad communities (0.094), while pure bamboo forests had the lowest average SBE value (-0.716). The rooftop plant community’s aesthetic value was highly significant and correlated positively with the type of roof, the community’s growth type, its vertical structure, and the number of plants in the community.

Структура растительных сообществ сукцессионных стадий на торфяниках, нарушенных фрезерной добычей торфа (на примере карбонового полигона «Росянка» в Калининградской области)

Nine plant community types were identified in the central part of the Vittgirrensky Peat­land (designated the Rossyanka Carbon Supersite). All community types represent succes­sional stages of vegetation development on areas transformed by peat milling. Data on the structure and species composition of communities are provided, along with typical phytoso­ciological descriptions for each vegetation variant. Physiognomically, the plant communities on the milled fields consist of low-stature tree stands with varying canopy closure, mainly dominated by Betula pendula, but they exhibit substantial differences in the composition of herb-shrub and moss cover. The described community types are considered as non-hierarchical units in the classification of vegetation cover (at the micro-landscape level). Their identification through electronic and field mapping methods allows for a rapid visualization of the vegetation cover's characteristics on a map and enables its quantitative assessment, which is of practical importance for the purposes of the carbon supersite.

Субфоссильные спорово-пыльцевые спектры горных территорий на примере полуострова Камчатка

The article presents the results of the composition analysis of 27 recent (surface) pollen assemblages collected in typical plant communities in the northern part of the Central Kamchatka Depression and on the surrounding slopes of the Sredinny Range and Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano. Our data show that spore-pollen spectra reliably represent the composition of forest plant communities. However, the proportions of pollen in the spectra of some arboreal taxas does not always correspond to their role in plant communities The adequacy of the spectra for plant communities is confirmed by cluster analysis, according to which the most statistically similar spore-pollen spectra are formed in similar plant communities. Regional components of the spectra in surface samples distort the ratios of main taxa in plant communities, especially in the high altitudinal vegetation belt. The participation of coniferous tree pollen in the spectra is underestimated compared to their actual presence in plant communities. These features must be considered when interpreting fossil spore-pollen spectra. Our materials made it possible to identify taxa whose pollen is often found in the spectra of the subalpine and alpine zones: Alnus alnobetula, Liliaceae, Polygonaceae, Asteraceae, Saussurea and Sanguisorba. The strongest influence of local vegetation is observed in the spectra of swamps and coastal plant communities. The spectra of these communities usually contain pollen of Alnus hirsuta, Salix, and Populus, as well as Rosaceae, Cyperaceae, Comarum, Myrica, and Menyanthes, and spores of Polypodiaceae and Equisetum. Our materials will facilitate more reasonable reconstructions of Kamchatka vegetation based on the pollen analysis in the study of fossil pollen spectra of the Kamchatka Peninsula, as well as in the interpretation of pollen data from other mountainous regions.

A Glimpse of the Ecology and Conservation Strategies of Orchids of Odisha, India

Odisha is endowed with very rich and diverse floristic wealth. Its unique geographic location and varied topography enables it to harbor different types of plant communities of which the orchids deserve special mention due to its horticultural as well as commercial importance. Nevertheless, the orchid flora of Odisha is moderately rich but on the other hand it emphasizes upon some important ecological niches. Many rare and endemic orchid species have been reported from the Odisha state like Habenaria panigrahiana var. parviloba, Cirrhopetalum panigrahianum and Eria meghasaniensis which are new to the science. In the endemic category, Pomatocalpa decipiens and Malaxis purpurea are important being recordedonly from Odisha in India. The orchids of Odisha have undergone severe biotic pressure resulting in rapid shrinkage of this rare and interesting plant group. Hence the conservation of Orchid flora of Odisha is need of the hour. Field studies revealed that for effective conservation of the species, conservation of the habitats in which the species dwell is most vital as well as a pre-requisite. Keeping in view the above mentioned facts, the present communication highlights about the ecology of the orchids of Odisha which act as a baseline data before planning any conservation measure and cultivation of orchids as well. Concurrently some conservational strategies have also been suggested.

大九湖沼泽湿地大泥炭藓种群分布特征及其制约因素

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 大九湖沼泽湿地大泥炭藓种群分布特征及其制约因素 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202102250528 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金项目(42101065); 湖北省中央引导地方科技发展专项(2019ZYYD050); 神农架金丝猴保育生物学湖北省重点实验室开放基金项目(SNJGKL202101) Distribution characteristics of Sphagnum palustre L. population and its influencing factors in Sphagnum wetland of Dajiu Lake Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: The National Natural Science Foundation of China (42101065)；The Central Government Guides Local Science and Technology Development Projects of Hubei Province, China (2019ZYYD050)；The Open Fund of Hubei Key Laboratory of Shennongjia Golden Monkey Conservation Biology(SNJGKL202101) 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:为探究神农架大九湖泥炭藓湿地的关键物种大泥炭藓(Sphagnum palustre L.)种群的分布特征及其制约因素,于2020年8月沿垂直湖岸带方向设置样带和样方进行植被和环境因子的调查和采样,于室内进行各理化指标和生理指标的测定与分析。研究结果显示:(1)大泥炭藓三生长指标(头状枝数量、盖度、生物量)对垂直湖岸带距离的响应具有一致性,均随垂直湖岸带距离的增加呈现先增加后减小的趋势,在距湖岸40m左右时,大泥炭藓种群生产力最高;(2)多元线性回归分析结果显示,在20个环境因子(土壤含水量、容重、孔隙度、固相比、液相比、气相比、pH、TN、TP、TOC、AHN、AP、TOC/TN、TOC/TP、TN/TP;地下水埋深;水样pH、TN、TP、TN/TP)中,地下水埋深是影响大泥炭藓种群生长和分布的最重要环境因子,其次是土壤TOC/TP;在8个生理指标(组织TC、TN、TP、TC/TN、TC/TP、TN/TP、总叶绿素、类胡萝卜素)中,组织TC与大泥炭藓生长显著相关;(3)地下水埋深通过影响大泥炭藓头状枝的光合和呼吸作用,土壤TOC通过影响大泥炭藓吸收同化到自身组织中的TC含量,来影响其种群的生长和分布;(4)除了非生物因子,维管植物的种间作用等生物因子也影响着大泥炭藓种群的生长和分布。本研究可为亚热带山地泥炭藓湿地的保护和恢复提供理论依据和科学指导。 Abstract:Sphagnum species, as the peatland ecosystem engineer, play a key role in both succession of plant communities and development of ecological functions in Sphagnum wetlands. In order to explore the distribution characteristics and its influencing factors of the key species -Sphagnum palustre L. population in Sphagnum wetland of Dajiu Lake, Shennongjia, we carried out the field investigation and sampling for both vegetation and environmental factors in August 2020, by setting belt transects and quadrats along the outward direction perpendicular to lakeshore. A total of 33 quadrats including 11 types of plant communities were investigated and the corresponding soil and pore water samples were collected, then a series of physical and chemical indicators and physiological indicators were determined and analyzed in the laboratory. Combined curvilinear regression analysis, multiple linear regression analysis with Pearson correlation analysis, our results showed that: (1) with the increasing vertical distance away from lakeshore, each of the three growth indicators (number of capitula, coverage, and biomass) of S. palustre showed the increased trend at first and then decreased, with the largest productivity of S. palustre population occurred at about 40 m away from the lakeshore vertically. (2) The multiple linear regression analysis showed that among the twenty environmental factors, water table depth was the most important one affecting growth and distribution characteristics of S. palustre population, followed by the soil ratio of total organic carbon content to total phosphorus content (TOC/TP). Among the eight physiological indicators [the tissue total carbon content (TC), the tissue total nitrogen content (TN), the tissue total phosphorus content (TP), the tissue ratio of total carbon content to total nitrogen content (TC/TN), the tissue ratio of total carbon content to total phosphorus content (TC/TP), the tissue ratio of total nitrogen content to total phosphorus content (TN/TP), total chlorophyll content, and carotenoids content], only tissue TC significantly affected S. palustre growth and thus its population distribution characteristics. (3) Water table depth affected photosynthesis and respiration of S. palustre capitula, and soil total organic carbon content (TOC) affected C absorption and C assimilation in S. palustre tissue, which further affected its population growth and distribution characteristics. (4) In addition to abiotic factors, the biotic factors such as the interspecific interaction of vascular plants also played the important roles in the growth and distribution characteristics of S. palustre population. Compared with Veratrum nigrum, which had dense lamina at its basal section of stem and thus larger shading coefficient, the sedge plant Eriophorum comosum, at coverage of 60%, was more favorable for S. palustre. This study provides scientific guidance for Sphagnum wetlands protection and restoration in the subtropical mountain regions. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Database records of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in northern Sydney

This study examined records of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in northern Sydney held in online biodiversity databases. There were 221 unique records distributed across the Northern Beaches, Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby and Hills Shire local government areas from 1788 to 2022, with records from the Northern Beaches local government area comprising 68% of this dataset. Records from the 1970s represented 41% of the dataset (90 records), while there were only 42 records from 2000 to 2022. Post-2000 records were spread broadly, showing no major contraction in distribution compared to the spread of earlier records, but with a notable absence of more recent records on the Barrenjoey Peninsula, a previously documented species stronghold. Substantial proportions of records were found in both protected reserves and privately-owned lands, which alludes to the value of the former but also shows that koala conservation in this capital city cannot rely solely on protected reserves. The 2000–22 records were widely distributed across 15 plant community types and areas of non-native vegetation, probably reflecting breeding and dispersal movements more than specific habitat selection. Possibly due to the same influences, none of the 2000–22 records were matched to areas represented by the Koala Habitat Suitability Model, a prediction model for spatial distribution of potential koala habitat across NSW, with a high habitat suitability score (greater than 0.85). We therefore recommend systematic on-ground surveys to clarify the patterns observed from the records.

Floristic composition and community analysis of woody species in Hereje Natural Forest, southwest Ethiopia

The floristic composition, diversity, and conservation status of woody plant species in Ethiopia are determined in this study. Data on vegetation are collected using a systematic random sampling method from 45 20 m × 20 m (400m2) plots laid every 100 m along four parallel transect lines running from south to north. The Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea identification key (Volume I–VIII) is used to identify the scientific names of all woody plant species. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index is used to calculate species diversity, whereas Sorensen's similarity coefficient is used to assess similarities and differences among plant communities. The studied forest contains 44 plant species from 29 families and 40 genera. The Fabaceae is the most dominant family, followed by the Rubiaceae and Combretaceae. In terms of habit, the collected woody species consisted of 30 (68.2%) trees and 14 (31.8%) shrubs. The two most frequent species are Syzygium guineense (51.11%) and Maytenus gracilipes (46.66%). Three plant community types are identified using Agglomerative Hierarchical Cluster Analysis. Most species (Calpurnia aurea-Combretum molle) are observed in community type two. The study is generally limited to the floristic and diversity of woody plant species. Therefore, a thorough investigation of all species' floristic composition, population structure, regeneration status, and ecological aspects is recommended.

Floristic Composition, Diversity, and Vegetation Structure of Woody Species in Kahitassa Forest, Northwestern Ethiopia

Kahitassa forest is one of the State Forests of Ethiopia with great floral diversity. However, the forest is under threat due to selective cutting of important indigenous tree species and encroachment of the forest area for agricultural purpose. Therefore, the study was intended to explore the floristic composition, structure, and regeneration status of Kahitassa forest. Vegetation data were collected from June to November 2020 using systematic sampling technique from 6 parallel transect lines laid out 500 m apart each other. A total of 101 plots (20 × 20 m) were laid with 100 m apart along transect lines. Vegetation description parameters including Shannon–Weiner Index, evenness, density, DBH, basal area, frequency, and importance value indices (IVI) were computed to characterize both species diversity and vegetation structure. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify plant communities using R (Version 3.1.2) software. A total of 46 woody plant species belonging to 45 genera and 36 families were identified in the forest. Fabaceae and Rosaceae were the dominant families both constituting 34.78% of the total species. The Shannon diversity index (H’) and evenness (E) values of the study area were 2.92 and 0.72, respectively, showing the healthy status of the forest. Five plant community types, namely, Croton macrostachyus–Embelia schemperi, Maytenus undata–Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Pavetta abyssinica–Bersama abyssinica, Peucadanum mattiroli, Albizia schimperiana, and Rubus apetalus–Phytolacca dodecandra were identified. The most dominant species as indicated by their important value index (lVI) were Pavetta abyssinica (34.08), Vachellia abyssinica (IVI = 25.13), and Albizia schimperiana (IVI = 21.45). Analyses of DBH revealed that the forest exhibits an inverted J-shape which is typical for selective cutting of multipurpose trees from the forest. Conservation approaches such as enrichment of selected species as well as in situ and ex situ conservation are needed for some plant species under threat.

Botanical Assessments of High-Quality Southern Shrub-Carr and Hardwood Swamp Wetlands in the Undeveloped Lowell Regional Greenspace, Kent County, Michigan

The 2019–2023 Masterplan for Kent County Parks includes the future development of acquired properties that have been designated as the Lowell Regional Greenspace (528 acres), occupying nearly the entirety of Section 22 of Lowell Charter Township in Kent County, Michigan. Four wetlands located in the same drainage basin along Karen Creek in the Lowell Regional Greenspace were inventoried for floristic quality assessments during the summers of 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021. One of the wetlands was forested and determined to be a southern hardwood swamp community type. The other three wetlands are best classified as shrub-carr communities. In the southern hardwood swamp, we recorded 94 species, of which 87 (92%) are native. A total of 321 species were documented in the three shrub-carrs wetlands combined. The number of species in each shrub-carr site, ranging from 172 to 238, is roughly twice that for the southern hardwood swamp site. Two of the species documented are listed as Special Concern in Michigan, and two are new county records for Kent County, Michigan. A non-metric multidimensional scaling model (NMDS) was run to spatially compare similarities and differences among the sites. The Sørensen Index of Similarity, which was employed to further discern differences between pairs of individual sites, was also useful for assigning plant community types as described by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (2016). The Floristic Quality Assessments indicate that all four of the wetlands are floristically important statewide; furthermore, the three shrub-carr communities have exceptional conservation value. We discovered that the three shrub-carr sites have a high degree of similarity in their species assemblages, whereas the southern hardwood swamp was markedly different. The high richness and significant floristic quality of the shrub-carr sites highlight the conservation value of these often-overlooked habitats. This study underscores the importance of preserving even small tracts of persisting remnant natural habitats. Our research should be of use to Kent County Parks as they approach development of the Lowell Regional Greenspace into a multiple-use recreational space, as well as to those interested in learning more about how to assess and compare habitat quality of remnant natural areas.

Litter eco-hydrological function characteristics of three typical plant communities in the area of Karst peak-cluster depressions from Guizhou, China.

Litter is an important component of forest ecosystems and plays an important eco-hydrological function. Many studies have been carried out on litter at present, but less research has been carried out on the eco-hydrological service functions of litter in different plant communities in Karst, especially in the area of Karst peak-cluster depressions in southwest China. To reveal the characteristics of the hydrological function of the litter layer of the plant community in the area of Karst peak-cluster depressions around FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), three typical plant community litter layers of the broad-leaved forest, coniferous forest, and shrub were selected as research objects, and the hydrological function of the litter layer of different plant community types was studied using the immersion method. The results indicated: 1) The litter layer of the broad-leaved forest plant community has the strongest function of intercepting and regulating precipitation (Mlmax = 24.17±0.33 t/ha, Msv = 19.93±0.21 t/ha), and its hydrological service function is the best. 2) The higher the decomposition degree of litter, the stronger the interception function. 3) The fitted equations for both the litter water-absorption capacity (Qct) and time (t) for plant communities were Qct = b + alnt, and the fitted equations for both the litter water-release capacity (Qst) and time (t) were Qst = a t b. 4) The fitted equations for both the water absorption and release rates (vc and vs) and time (t) of the litter were v = a t -b. The water absorption rates of litter were the fastest within 5 min (15529.01~22634.43 g/kg·h), with the greatest interception and storage function for short-term rainfall.

ГОМОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ РЯДЫ И ТЕОРЕТИЧЕСКАЯ ЭКОЛОГИЯ

Different variants of the parallel variability (homology) of ecological objects referred to different classes are considered. Envisioned is an in-principle possibility of using the N.I. Vavilov’s law of homological series at the levels of populations (a variant of the periodic system of group behavior of animal populations), communities (exemplified with both close and distant types of plant communities), and theoretical constructs of modern ecology (subordination schemes of the basic concepts that are meant to describe the «core of ecological theory» or «central conceptual link»).

Effects of Dynamic Changes of Soil Moisture and Salinity on Plant Community in the Bosten Lake Basin

To estimate the potential risks of plant diversity reduction and soil salinization in the Bosten Lake Basin, the dynamic changes in the plant community and species diversity affected by soil moisture and salinity were analyzed from 2000 to 2020 based on remote sensing technology and field experiments. A model for simulating soil moisture, salinity, and the productivity of the plant communities was proposed. The results demonstrated that: (1) The soil moisture index (SMI) increased but the soil salinity index (SSI) decreased from 2000 to 2020 in the study areas. Accordingly, the plant community productivity indices, including the vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and ratio vegetation index (RVI), exhibited an increasing trend. It was found that the Alpine meadow, Alpine steppe, and temperate steppe desert were the main types of plant communities in the study areas, accounting for 69% of its total area. (2) With increasing SMI or decreasing SSI, the vegetation productivity such as NDVI, RVI, and EVI all exhibited an increasing trend. With the increment of SMI, the species diversity indices of the Simpson, Shannon–Wiener, and Margalef exhibited a distinctly increasing trend. However, the indices of the Simpson, Shannon–Wiener, and Alatalo increased with the decreasing SSI. (3) The study discovered from the SVM model that the species diversity index was optimal when the soil salinity was 0–15 g/kg and the soil moisture was 12–30% in the study areas. It was found that soil moisture, not soil salinity, controls the plant species diversity change in the study areas. (4) A multiple linear regression model was established for simulating the effect of soil water-salinity on the vegetation productivity index at the watershed scale. The model indicated that higher salinity would reduce vegetation productivity and higher soil moisture would promote vegetation growth (except for RVI). The SSI had a higher impact on NDVI and EVI than the SMI in the study areas. This study would support decision-making on grassland ecosystem restoration and management in the other arid areas.