Effects of gap microsites and bamboo onAbies faxonianaregeneration in a subalpine forest, China

Abstract

To clarify the effects of gap size and age, as well as microsites on Abies faxoniana recruitment in gaps with or without dwarf bamboo, the occurrences of A. faxoniana seedlings and saplings on four microsites were examined in a subalpine forest in Wanglang Natural Reserve, southwestern China. Results showed that: (1) while increased gap size had little effect on the seedling densities, it significantly reduced the sapling densities on moss-cover ground in A gaps (without bamboos) and those on moss-cover ground and decaying logs in AF gaps (with bamboos; P < 0.05). (2) Increased gap age also exerted little effect on the seedling densities while significantly reduced the sapling densities on decaying logs in AF gaps (P < 0.05). (3) Most of A. faxoniana seedlings and saplings occurred on decaying logs in AF gaps, but in A gaps A. faxoniana regeneration had no preference on microsites. Compared to gap characteristics, microsites are more important for A. faxoniana regeneration.

<i>Bambusa bambos</i> (L.) Voss. alters Structure and composition of native forests: A study from moist evergreen forests in Sri Lanka

“…The results also demonstrated that B+ forests are more diverse than that of B-forests. The frequent canopy openings in bamboo forests seem to have provided suitable microsites in the forest floor to establish and grow light-loving species other than those confined to the forest undergrowth (Caccia et al, 2009;Kang et al, 2015;Wang and Liu, 2011), thus increasing the species diversity (Zhang et al, 2013). SIMPER and CA analyses revealed compositional differences between bamboo-and non-bamboo forests further supporting bamboo-driven modifications to these native forests.…”

Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Non-Structural Carbohydrates in Faxon Fir (Abies fargesii var. faxoniana), Subalpine Mountains of Southwest China

“…faxoniana) survives in the cool and wet subalpine region of Sichuan province in southwest China, and its distribution area is also the main habitat of Chinese giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca David) [43]. It is the dominant tree species of the subalpine coniferous forest [45]. It is naturally distributed from 2700 to 3900 m a.s.l in the subalpine area of Sichuan province [41].…”