Environmental dependence of population dynamics and height growth of a subalpine conifer across its vertical distribution: an approach using high‐resolution aerial photographs
Environmental dependence of population dynamics and height growth of a subalpine conifer across its vertical distribution: an approach using high‐resolution aerial photographs
复制标题
亚高山针叶树垂直分布的种群动态和高度生长的环境依赖性：一种使用高分辨率航空照片的方法
DOI：
10.1111/j.1365-2486.2011.02491.x
复制
发表时间：
2011
影响因子：
11.6
通讯作者：
T. Nakashizuka
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Masaya Shimazaki;Takehiro Sasaki;K. Hikosaka;T. Nakashizuka
许多研究报告了植物物种海拔范围的变化，以应对最近的全球变暖。然而，大多数对树种的研究都是小规模进行的，并且由于树木的寿命较长，因此通过检查树木年轮和年龄结构来关注林线交错带。为了研究气候变化对区域尺度森林动态的影响，我们通过分析日本本州八甲田山脉的高分辨率航空照片，调查了 1967 年至 2003 年间日本亚高山针叶树种冷杉 (Abies mariesii) 的种群密度和树冠高度的差异。在照片中的 712 个图中，我们分析了哪些环境变量（包括海拔、坡向、湿度和距沼泽地的距离）导致了这些变化。 A. mariesii 的种群密度下降到 1000 m a.s.l 以下。海拔高度超过 1300 米它在荒原周围也有所增加，这可能会在低海拔地区提供避难所。东南坡和沼泽地边缘的树冠高度增长率最低。 A. mariesii 种群密度在其分布范围内的明显变化可能反映了三十年来种群对气候变化的反应。尽管荒原周围的生长条件很差，但它们可能会成为避难所。
Many studies have reported shifts in the altitudinal ranges of plant species in response to recent global warming. However, most studies of tree species have been conducted on a small scale and have focused on tree line ecotones by examining tree rings and age structure on account of the long life spans of the trees. To examine the impact of climate change on forest dynamics at a regional scale, we investigated differences in the population density and canopy height of a Japanese subalpine coniferous species, Abies mariesii, between 1967 and 2003 by analysis of high‐resolution aerial photographs of the Hakkoda Mountains, Honshu, Japan. In 712 plots within the photographs we analyzed which environmental variables (including elevation, aspect, wetness, and distance from moorlands) account for these changes. The population density of A. mariesii decreased below 1000 m a.s.l. and increased above 1300 m a.s.l. It also increased around moorlands, which may provide refugia at low elevations. The rate of increase in canopy height was lowest on the southeastern slopes and on the periphery of the moorlands. The distinct changes in the population density of A. mariesii at its distribution limits probably reflect the responses of the population to climatic changes during three decades. Areas surrounding the moorlands may offer refugia in spite of the poor growing conditions there.