片断森林植物多样性及其保护和恢复价值

森林片断化是导致生物多样性丧失最严重的单一因素。在片断森林中植物多样性除与片断面积有关外,还受边缘效应、瞬时取样效应、驰豫效应、远距离扩散的挽救效应以及背景生态系统的性质等影响。本文阐述了在这些综合因素影响下,片断森林中植物种类、丰富、性质的变化。由于这些综合因素的影响,不少片断森林尚有较高的保护价值,但需建立合适的评价体系和标准。片断森林在确定生态恢复目标、为恢复实践提供种源等方面也有重要价值。提出了对片断森林的保护措施。     

林业活动和森林片断化对甲虫多样性的影响及保护对策

森林片断化是造成生物多样性丧失的主要原因之一,而林业活动是导致森林片断化的重要因素,同时也在森林恢复中起重要作用。本文从小尺度、局域尺度以及生物地理尺度（大尺度）3个生态尺度分析林业活动和森林片断化对甲虫多样性的影响。在小尺度下,林业活动能够通过改变森林生境或微生境的类型和特性而影响甲虫物种分布。在局域尺度下,林业活动（尤其是森林砍伐）往往能提高许多甲虫类群（如步甲）的物种丰富度（α多样性）,这主要与来自周围环境物种扩散以及保留了若干耐受新环境能力较强的森林物种有关;然而,对森林生境依赖性很强的特有种受到了森林片断化的负面影响,面临局域种群灭绝的危险。在生物地理尺度下,林业活动（伐木或森林恢复）使森林生境单一化、异质性降低,从而导致对森林生境变化敏感的物种种群数量降低甚至灭绝。基于以上结果,可以归纳出3个基本原则用于指导林业管理,既能保证林业经济收益,又能维持森林生物多样性。首先,保留大面积的原始森林作为特有种的栖息环境基地,为这些物种在将来森林恢复后重新定居提供资源;其次,由于保护区内原始森林面积有限,且所代表的生境类型有限,所以发展依据自然干扰模式的新伐木方法十分必要;最后,依据自然规律（如火灾）进行森林恢复和天然演替,避免森林的单一化,丰富森林生境类型。     

哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林木质藤本对边缘效应的响应

全球范围内森林片断化现象日益严重。与其他木本植物(乔木和灌木)相比, 木质藤本更趋向于分布在片断化森林的边缘, 因而了解木质藤本对边缘效应的响应对于进一步了解其对森林动态的影响极其必要。本文对哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林林缘到林内环境梯度上木质藤本的变化进行了调查。在形成年龄分别为13年、35年和53年的3种类型的林缘, 设置从林缘向林内连续延伸的长方形样地(20 m × 50 m)各10个(总面积3 ha), 每个样地再划分为5个20 m × 10 m的样方。在每个样方内对胸径≥ 0.2 cm且长度≥ 2.0 m的木质藤本进行了每木调查。在3 ha的林缘样地中共记录到木质藤本植物2,426株, 隶属于14科19属31种。木质藤本的物种丰富度和多度均随距林缘距离的增加而降低, 边缘效应深度在35年林缘的边缘为30 m, 13和53年林缘的边缘则为20 m; 它们的胸高断面积在53年林缘的边缘效应深度为20 m, 但在13和35年林缘的不同距离上差异不显著。木质藤本对边缘效应的响应在物种水平上存在显著差异, 主要呈现正向和中性的响应格局, 包括只分布于林缘的物种, 和从林缘到林内环境梯度上密度逐渐降低的物种; 也有对边缘效应不敏感的物种。典范对应分析(CCA)表明, 林冠开度、边缘形成年龄和土壤水分是决定木质藤本在片断化森林边缘分布的重要影响因子。     

南泥湾片段森林蝗虫群落多样性比较

应用多样性指数、排序和多元逐步回归分析方法比较了南泥湾片断化森林的蝗虫群落结构,并进行了环境因素的解释。结果显示：在南泥湾,树木破坏不严重的片断化森林,随森林面积的减小,林缘草层蝗虫种类、多样性指数和均匀度指数差异不大;林中草层蝗虫密度、多样性指数和均匀度指数减小。在面积小、树木破坏严重、植被结构发生明显改变的片断森林林中草层,相对于树木破坏不严重的片断化森林,蝗虫的密度、多样性指数和均匀度指数明显增大;而林缘草层蝗虫的密度和群落优势度指数上升,多样性指数和均匀度指数下降。以主分量分析方法可明显将林中草层蝗虫群落分为森林破坏严重和不严重两种类型。通过多元逐步回归分析发现,影响片断化森林蝗虫群落结构和多样性的主要因素有片断森林面积、森林植被结构的复杂性、食料植物的多少等几个方面。     

云南哀牢山常绿阔叶林林缘不同热力作用面热力特征

利用云南哀牢山原生的亚热带常绿阔叶林西南向边缘的表温观测资料,探讨了原生常绿阔叶林林缘区域不同热力作用面表温的水平、垂直分布特征及其差异。指出哀牢山原生的亚热带常绿阔叶林林缘与热带片断化季雨林林缘相同,其林缘壁面的热力效应同样是不可忽视的,在林缘区域构成了除了公认的林外地表面,林冠面和林内地表面3个热力作用面之外的一个新的第4热力作用面。对其进行深入研究,将有助于解释森林边缘的小气候效应和生物效应。     

边缘效应对卧龙自然保护区森林-草地群落交错带地表甲虫多样性的影响

本文研究了卧龙国家自然保护区地表甲虫群落在天然落叶阔叶林森林边缘与森林内部和周围草地间多样性差异,在科级水平上探讨边缘效应对地表甲虫群落的影响。调查共设5个重复样带（间距大于500 m）;每个样带以距离梯度（25 m）的方式设置样点,分别由边缘深入到森林内部和草地中央100 m,共设45个样点,通过巴氏罐诱法调查地表甲虫群落组成和季节变化。本研究采集甲虫标本4 736 号,隶属于28个科,步甲科、隐翅虫科和叩甲科分别占总数的49.5%、23.5%和13.0%,共同构成本研究地区地表甲虫的优势类群。甲虫的个体数量从森林内部、边缘到周围草地依次降低,而科多样性和均匀度则依次增高,都达到了显著差异。主坐标分析（PCoA）排序表明,森林内部和周围草地间的地表甲虫群落组成差异较大;而森林边缘的群落组成与两者都有较高程度的相似性,反映了森林边缘的地表甲虫群落已经与森林内部的群落组成发生明显分化,除了森林物种成分外,还包含了若干从周围草地环境扩散来的物种成分。从季节动态看,森林边缘和森林内部在丰富度和个体数量的季节变化曲线方面相似性更高;捕食类和腐食类地表甲虫的季节变化在森林内部和边缘相似性更高,而植食类则在森林边缘和草地的相似性更高。多元回归分析表明,枯落物覆盖率是影响地表甲虫科多样性和均匀度的决定因素,枯落物厚度和林冠层覆盖率是决定甲虫个体数量分布的重要因素。以上结果表明,在科级水平上,地表甲虫群落在天然落叶阔叶林边缘已经与森林内部生境发生分化,而且正在加剧的森林片断化进程将会产生更多的森林边缘,因此,保留大面积的天然落叶阔叶林免受破坏和干扰是保护地表甲虫多样性的必要措施。     

南亚热带演替群落的边缘效应及其对森林片断化恢复的意义

通过对鼎湖山两个群落及其边缘群落的长期定位研究,探讨南亚热带演替群落的边缘效应与森林片断化恢复,通过１６ａ的定位研究,从测度群落的物种结构,多样性,生物量与生产力等指标的比较表明,马尾松林群落和混交林群落本身经过１６ａ的演变,虽然有所发展,但变化不大,群落性质没有改变;边缘群落原非常接近马尾松林群落,经过６ａ的演变,已经发展成为混交林群落,说明边缘效应的作用。边缘群落总体的边缘效应强度Ｅ值为１．６     

西双版纳片断热带雨林植物区系成分及变化趋势

本文以西双版纳地区的6个“龙山”片断热带雨林的植物物种多样性编目为基础,通过与同样类型的原始热带雨林的比较,探讨了片断热带雨林植物区系成分的变化。随着热带雨林的片断化,森林边缘效应和人为干扰加剧,阳性先锋植物和藤本植物等的侵入,导致这些先锋植物和藤本植物所属的科属在群落中的种数增多,优势度增大。而一些含喜荫湿的荫生植物、群落顶极树种及附生植物较多的科属则在群落中的种数减小了,优势度下降。在植物属的地理成分构成上,片断热带雨林中全热带分布和热带亚洲—热带非洲分布成分比例相对增高,而热带亚洲成分相对减少。在种的地理成分构成上,片断热带雨林中广域分布种比例相对增高,显示了与属的地理成分类似的变化。这也是森林片断化后,由于边缘效应和林内生境在一定程度上干暖化,喜光的先锋成分增多,而先锋成分大多为一些广域分布属种所致。     

热带雨林退化生态系统生物多样性消失与修复探讨

热带雨林退化生态系统的主要类型有：（１）人工生态系统;（２）次生森林生态系统和（３）片断森林生态系统等。在退化生态系统中,物种多样性的损失与人类干扰程度、频率和持续时间密切相关;而在片断的热带雨林中则随着环境变化强度的加大和持续时间的延长而增加。退化生态系统的修复主要在于减少人类的干扰、改善地区性的环境和在保护与发展相结合的原则下,采取多种有效的综合措施。尊重当地民族生物多样性传统管理经验,实行封     

千岛湖陆桥岛屿植物群落结构的边缘效应

选取千岛湖29个岛屿建立长期监测样地,研究从森林边缘到林内的木本植物物种丰富度、Shannon指数,以及植株密度、平均株高和平均胸径等群落特征的变化,探讨森林边缘效应的作用.结果表明:研究区物种丰富度和Shannon指数受边缘效应的影响深度超过50m,平均株高的影响深度波及到林内20~30 m,而植株密度和平均胸径的影响深度在林内10m.不同边缘梯度间的群落特征差异显著,物种丰富度和Shannon指数随距离梯度增大呈单峰型变化,而植株密度和平均株高沿边缘梯度呈增大趋势,平均胸径则呈减小趋势.5项群落特征与边缘梯度均有显著相关性.不同植物功能群(常绿/落叶种,乔木/灌木种,耐阴/不耐阴种)受边缘效应的影响程度不同.边缘效应对千岛湖片段化森林中不同群落特征和不同植物功能群的作用强度有所差异.     

Viability of ecological processes in small Afromontane forest patches in South Africa

Abstract The conservation of biodiversity is dependent on protecting ecosystem‐level processes. We investigated the effects of fragment size and habitat edge on the relative functioning of three ecological processes – decomposition, predation and regeneration of trees – in small Afromontane forests in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. Ten sampling stations were placed in each of four forest categories: the interior of three large indigenous forest fragments (100 m from the edge), the edges of these large fragments, 10 small indigenous fragments (<1 ha) and 10 small exotic woodlands (<0.5 ha). Fragment size and edge effects did not affect the abundance of the amphipod Talitriator africana, a litter decomposer, and overall dung beetle abundance and species richness significantly. Bird egg predation was marginally greater at large patch edges compared with the other forest categories, while seed predation did not differ among forest categories. Tree seedling assemblage composition did not differ significantly among large patch interiors and edges, and small indigenous fragments. Sapling and canopy assemblage composition each differed significantly among these three indigenous forest categories. Thus, while tree recruitment was not negatively affected by patch size or distance from the edge, conditions in small fragments and at edges appear to affect the composition of advanced tree regeneration. These ecological processes in Afromontane forests appear to be resilient to fragmentation effects. We speculate that this is because the organisms in these forests have evolved under fragmented conditions. Repeated extreme changes in climate and vegetation over the Pleistocene have acted as significant distribution and ecological extinction filters on these southern hemisphere forest biota, resulting in fauna and flora that are potentially resilient to contemporary fragmentation effects. We argue that because small patches and habitat edges appear to be ecologically viable they should be included in future conservation decisions.     

Altered leaf-litter decomposition rates in tropical forest fragments

The effects of forest fragmentation on leaf-litter decomposition rates were investigated for the first time in an experimentally fragmented tropical forest landscape in Central Amazonia. Leaf-litter decomposition rates were measured at seven distances (0–420 m) along forest edge-to-interior transects in two 100-ha fragments, two continuous forest edges, and at an identical series of distances along two deep continuous forest transects, as well as at the centers of two 1-ha and two 10-ha fragments. Decomposition rates increased significantly towards the edge of 100-ha forest fragments. Litter turnover times were 3–4 times faster within 50 m of the edge of 100-ha fragments than normally found in deep continuous forest. In contrast, there was no significant change in the rate of leaf-litter decomposition from the interior to the edge of continuous forest. It is difficult to account for these very different edge responses. Decomposition rates were not correlated with air temperature differentials, evaporative drying rates, litter depth, biomass or moisture content, or with total invertebrate densities, either within individual edge transects or across all sites. The difference in edge response may be due to chance, particularly the patchy removal of vast quantities of litter by litter-feeding termites, or may be a real, area-dependent phenomenon. Clearly, however, forest fragmentation increases the variability and unpredictability of litter decomposition rates near forest edges. In addition to edge effects, decomposition rates were strongly affected by decreasing fragment area. While sites at the centers of 10-ha and 100-ha forest fragments and continuous forest had equivalent decomposition rates, rates were markedly lower at the centers of 1-ha fragments. Litter turnover times were 2–3 times slower in 1-ha fragments than in continuous forest, and up to 13 times slower than at 100-ha edges. Litter structure and nutrient cycling dynamics are inevitably altered by forest fragmentation. Received: 16 October 1997 / Accepted: 14 April 1998     

Vegetation and microclimatic edge effects in two mixed-mesophytic forest fragments

Forest edges are known to consist of microenvironments that may provide habitat for a different suite of species than forest interiors. Several abiotic attributes of the microenvironment may contribute to this change across the edge to center gradient (e.g., light, air temperature, soil moisture, humidity). Biotic components, such as seed dispersal, may also give rise to changes in species composition from forest edge to interior. We predicted that abiotic and biotic measures would correlate with distance from forest edge and would differ among aspects. To test these predictions, we measured abiotic and biotic variables on twelve 175 m transects in each of two 24 ha forest fragments in east-central Illinois that have remained in continuous isolation for upwards of 100 years. Both univariate and multivariate techniques were used to best describe the complex relationships among abiotic factors and between abiotic and biotic factors. Results indicate that microclimatic variables differ in the degree to and distance over which they show an edge effect. Relative humidity shows the widest edge, while light and soil moisture have the steepest gradients. Aspect influences are evidenced by the existence of more pronounced edge effects on south and west edges, except when these edges are protected by adjacent habitat. Edges bordered by agricultural fields have more extreme changes in microclimate than those bordered by trees. According to PCA results, species richness correlates well with microclimatic variation, especially light and soil moisture; however, in many cases species richness had a different depth of edge influence than either of these variables. The herbaceous plant community is heavily dominated by three species. Distributions of individual species as well as changes in plant community composition, estimated with a similarity index, indicate that competition may be influencing the response of the vegetation to the edge to interior gradient. This study indicates that edge effects must be considered when the size and potential buffering habitat of forest preserves are planned.     

Down by the riverside: Riparian edge effects on three monkey species in a fragmented Costa Rican forest

Rivers represent natural edges in forests, serving as transition zones between landscapes. Natural edge effects are important to study to understand how intrinsic habitat variations affect wildlife as well as the impact of human-induced forest fragmentation. We examined the influence of riparian and anthropogenic edge on mantled howler, white-faced capuchin, Central American spider monkeys, and vegetation structure at La Suerte Biological Research Station (abbreviated as LSBRS), Costa Rica. We predicted lower monkey encounter rate, tree species richness, and median dbh at both edge types compared to interior and that monkeys would show species-specific responses to edge based on size and diet. We expected large, folivorous–frugivorous howler monkeys and small, generalist capuchins would be found at increased density in forest edge, while large, frugivorous spider monkeys would be found at decreased density in forest edge. We conducted population and vegetation surveys along interior, riparian, and anthropogenic edge transects at LSBRS and used GLMM to compare vegetation and monkey encounter rate. Tree species richness and median dbh were higher in forest interior than anthropogenic edge zones. Although spider monkey encounter rate did not vary between forest edges and interior, howler monkeys were encountered at highest density in riparian edge, while capuchins were encountered at highest density in anthropogenic edge. Our results indicate that diverse forest edges have varying effects on biota. Vegetation was negatively affected by forest edges, while monkey species showed species-specific edge preferences. Our findings suggest that riparian zones should be prioritized for conservation in Neotropical forests.     

Edge Effects of Linear Canopy Openings on Tropical Rain Forest Understory Microclimate

We investigated microclimatic edge gradients associated with grassy powerlines, paved highways and perennial creeks in wet tropical forest in northeastern Australia during wet and dry seasons. Photosynthetically active radiation, air temperature and vapor pressure deficit, soil temperature, canopy temperature, soil moisture, and air speed in the rain forest understory were measured during traverses perpendicular to the forest edge. Light intensity was elevated near the edges of powerlines, highways, and creeks, but this effect was strongest for creek edges. Air temperature and vapor pressure deficit were elevated near powerline edges in the dry season and highway edges in both wet and dry seasons but were not elevated near creek edges in either season. In contrast, soil moisture was lowered near creek edges but not near either powerline or highway edges. No edge gradients were detected for air speed. Canopy temperature was elevated near highway edges and lowered near powerline edges in the wet season but no edge gradients in canopy temperature were detected near creek edges in either the wet or the dry season. We suggest that these different edge gradients may be largely the result of differences in the fluxes of latent and sensible heat within each type of linear canopy opening, with periodic flood disturbance assisting by maintaining a more open canopy near creek edges. Our data indicate that the nature of the linear canopy opening is at least as important as the width in determining the nature and severity of microclimatic edge effects, analogous to the "matrix effect" of traditional fragmentation studies.     

Forest fragmentation relaxes natural nest predation in an Afromontane forest

Nest predation is widely regarded as a major driver underlying the population dynamics of small forest birds. Following forest fragmentation and the subsequent invasion by species from non-forested landscape matrices, shifts in predator communities may increase nest predation near forest edges. However, effects of human-driven habitat change on nest predation have mainly been inferred from studies with artificial nests, despite being regarded as poor surrogates for natural ones. We studied variation in predation rates, and relationships with timing of breeding and characteristics of microhabitats and fragments, on natural white-starred robin Pogonocichla stellata nests during three consecutive breeding seasons (2004–2007) in a Kenyan fragmented cloud forest. More than 70% of all initiated nests were predated during each breeding season. Predation rates nearly quadrupled between the earliest and the latest nests within a single breeding season, increased with distance to the forest edge, and decreased with the edge-to-area ratio of forest fragments. These spatial relationships oppose the traditional perception of edge and fragmentation effects on nest predation, but are in line with results from artificial nest experiments in other East African forests. In case of inverse edge and fragmentation effects on nest predation, such as shown in this study, species that tolerate edges for breeding may be affected positively, rather than negatively, by forest fragmentation, while the opposite can be expected for species restricted to the forest interior. The possibility of inverse edge effects, and its conservation implications, should therefore be taken into account when drafting habitat restoration plans.     

Edge-related changes in tree communities in the understory of mesic temperate forest fragments of northern Japan

We have assessed the effects of habitat fragmentation on understory tree communities in mesic temperate forests of the Tokachi plain of northern Japan. Tree community composition was analyzed across 13 forest fragments of various sizes ranging from 0.30 to 8.51 ha. The community composition varied along the edge-to-interior gradient: there was a lower abundance of shade-tolerant shrubs in forest edges than in forest interiors, while saplings of dominant canopy trees and pioneer trees were more abundant near the edges. The edge influence extended approximately 56 m into the forest interiors. Even the interior area of small fragments were likely to be affected not only by the nearest edge but also by more distant edges. Consequently, most areas in fragments smaller than 2 ha were covered by these “edge-type” communities. These results indicate that it is of primary importance to conserve and restore forests with an area at least larger than several hectares to sustain forest-interior tree communities.     

The fine-scale utilization of forest edges by mammalian mesopredators related to patch size and conservation issues in Central European farmland

The marked negative impact of habitat fragmentation and the edge effect on many populations of bird species is a recent major concern in conservation biology. Here, we focus on the edge effect in different sized forest patches in Central European farmland. In particular, we tested whether the distribution of mammalian mesopredators is related to fragment size and distance to habitat edge, and whether the contribution of these factors is additive or interactive. To assess fine-scale utilization of forest edges, we established transects of four scent stations at different distances from forest edges into the interior (0, 25, 50, 100 m) in 146 forest fragments of variable patch size (3.2–5099.6 ha) from May to June, 2008–2009. This large sample size allowed us to perform detailed analyses separately for all detected species. Our findings confirm that mammalian mesopredators strongly prefer habitat edges and small forest fragments. The probability of occurrence tended to decrease with increasing distance from the edge for all seven carnivore species detected. The carnivores’ occurrence was also negatively correlated with forest fragment area. All detected species tended to prefer small fragments, with the exception of the Eurasian badger (showing the reverse but non-significant pattern) and the red fox (no effect of fragment size). In addition, the non-significant interaction between fragment size and distance to edge suggests that both of these factors contribute independently and additively to mesopredator-mediated effects on biota in a fragmented landscape.     

Does forest fragmentation cause an increase in forest temperature?

Forest fragmentation is considered by many to be a primary cause of the current biodiversity crisis. The underlying mechanisms are poorly known, but a potentially important one is associated with altered thermal conditions within the remaining forest patches, especially at forest edges. Yet, large uncertainty remains about the effect of fragmentation on forest temperature, as it is unclear whether temperature decreases from forest edge to forest interior, and whether this local gradient scales up to an effect of fragmentation (landscape attribute) on temperature. We calculated the effect size (correlation coefficient) of distance from forest edge on air temperature, and tested for differences among forest types surrounded by different matrices using meta-analysis techniques. We found a negative edge-interior temperature gradient, but correlation coefficients were highly variable, and significant only for temperate and tropical forests surrounded by a highly contrasting open matrix. Nevertheless, it is unclear if these local-scale changes in temperature can be scaled up to an effect of fragmentation on temperature. Although it may be valid when considering “fragmentation” as forest loss only, the landscape-scale inference is not so clear when we consider the second aspect of fragmentation, where a given amount of forest is divided into a large number of small patches (fragmentation per se). Therefore, care is needed when assuming that fragmentation changes forest temperature, as thermal changes at forest edges depend on forest type and matrix composition, and it is still uncertain if this local gradient can be scaled up to the landscape.     

Edge Structure Determines the Magnitude of Changes in Microclimate and Vegetation Structure in Tropical Forest Fragments1

Edge structure is one of the principal determinants of the extent and magnitude of edge effects in forest fragments. In central Amazonia, natural succession at forest edges typically produces a dense wall of vegetation dominated by Cecropia spp. that buffers the forest interior. Fire encroachment into forest edges, however, eliminates the soil seed bank, enhances plant mortality, and promotes succession to an open, Vismia–dominated edge that does not buffer the forest interior. Contrasting open, fire–encroached forest edges and closed, non–fire–encroached edges were examined in central Amazonia to assess the effects of edge structure on microclimate and vegetation structure in tropical forest fragments. Edge penetration distances for most microclimate and vegetation structure variables were as much as two to five times greater at open edges than at closed edges. The magnitude of these differences suggests that edge structure is one of the main determinants of microclimate and vegetation structure within tropical forest fragments. Edge effects also varied systematically with fragment area. For a given edge type, 100–ha fragments had consistently lower canopy height, higher foliage density, higher temperature, a higher rate of evaporative drying, lower leaf litter moisture content, and lower litter depth than continuous forest, at all distances from the forest edge. These differences, however, were relatively minor compared to the striking differences in edge penetration between open and closed forest edges. For organisms in small fragments, the difference between open and closed edges may be the difference between total edge encroachment on one hand and an effective nature reserve on the other, relatively independent of absolute fragment area.