Effects of litter removal on plant species diversity: a case study in tropical Eucalyptus forest ecosystems in South China

作     者：PENGShao-lin RENHai WUJian-guo LUHong-fang 

作者机构：SouthChinaInstituteofBotanyChineseAcademyofSciencesGuangzhou510650China.E-mail:renhai@*** ArizonaStateUniversityWestPhoenixAZ85069USA 

出 版 物：《Journal of Environmental Sciences》 (环境科学学报（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2003年第15卷第3期

页      面：367-371页

核心收录：

学科分类：0830[工学-环境科学与工程（可授工学、理学、农学学位）] 07[理学] 0713[理学-生态学] 

基　　金：TheNationalNaturalScienceFoundationofChina (Nos.3 0 2 0 0 0 3 5 3 0 2 70 2 82 ) ,theChineseAcademyofSciencesgrant(STZ 0 1 3 6,KZ95 1 B1 110 )andresearchgrantsfromGuangdongNaturalScienceFoundation( 0 0 3 0 3 1,980 95 2 ,0 2 162 7) TheKnowledgeInnovation 

主　　题：litter removal biodiversity Eucalyptus plantation South China 

摘      要：The removal of litterfall in the Eucalyptus plantations in South China affected the plant biodiversity in these ecosystems was found based on the field observation and lab analysis. The protection times of species diversity of three Eucalyptus communities were different (Community Ⅰ with no protection, Community Ⅱ with 7-year-protection, Community Ⅲ with 35-year-protection). The total numbers of species in these communities (from Community Ⅰ to Ⅱ to Ⅲ) are 1, 6, and 17, respectively. The results showed that the protection of litterfall from being taken out of the ecosystem is important and can increase plant species diversity. This study combined biomass data, the chemical and physical properties of the soil, and the diversity of microbes in the communities. It is concluded that the mechanism of the effects of litter removal on biodiversity includes three factors: removing the suitable habitat of microbe and animal, decreasing the soil nutrient, and changing the special habitat for the germination and growth of invading plants. These results should have important implications for managing these Eucalyptus forest ecosystems in South China.