Plant Diversity ›› 2013, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (3): 317-326.DOI: 10.7677/ynzwyj201313062

• Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Relationship between Seed Germinability and Species Abundance in Communities on Eastern QinghaiTibet Plateau

 ZHANG  Jia-Ning-1、2, LIU  Kun-2, WANG  Jie-Gong-3   

  1. 1 Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of Gansu, Lanzhou 730000, China; 2 School of Life Science, Lanzhou University,
    Lanzhou 730000, China; 3 Department of Biology, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou 521041, China
  • Received:2013-03-23 Online:2013-05-25 Published:2013-04-07
  • Supported by:

    科技部科技基础性工作专项重点项目 (2007FY110100) 和中央高校自由探索面上项目 (lzujbky-2012-118)

Abstract:

We haven’t found any studies on the relationship between seed germinability and species abundance at community level. And the relationship between seed germinability and species abundance may differ in communities of different successional stages and vegetation types. This is because communities usually have different biotic and abiotic environmental factors, consequently, the possibility for seedling establishment in them may be different. Yet, no research has tested the relationship between germinability and species abundance along successional gradients in different types of vegetation. We extracted sampling data of the successional gradients in three types of secondary vegetation (zokor mounds, artificial grassland and abandoned arable land), and tested the germination of species appeared in these successional gradients. Then, we tested the relationship between seed germination and species abundance along the successional gradients. Linear regressions showed no significant relationships between seed germination and species abundance in the various successional stages on zokor (a burrowing rodent) mounds or in an Elymus nutans artificial grassland. Although the relationship between seed germination and species abundance in the initial successional stage of abandoned arable land was significantly positive, there was no such relationship in the later successional stages. In abandoned arable land, the magnitude and direction of the relationship between seed germination and species abundance (percentage cover) varied with successional stage, with a positive relationship in the original successional stage and a trend towards a negative relationship as succession progressed.

Key words: Secondary vegetation, Seed germination, Species abundance, Sub-alpine meadow, Succession

CLC Number: