SEASONAL-CHANGES IN STEM DIAMETER AND LEAF DEVELOPMENT IN A TROPICAL MONTANE FOREST

被引:7
作者
SINGH, SP
RALHAN, PK
UPADHYAY, VP
NEGI, GCS
机构
[1] Department of Botany, Kumaun University, Naini Tal
[2] Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
关键词
Central Himalayas; Deciduous; Evergreen; Quercus; Seasonally dry climate; Water stress;
D O I
10.2307/3235655
中图分类号
Q94 [植物学];
学科分类号
071001 ;
摘要
Abstract. Seasonal patterns of stem diameter changes in evergreen and deciduous species of a tropical montane forest in the Central Himalayas (300–2250 m a.s.l.) were investigated in relation to leaf development. Ca. 75 % of the annual rainfall in this region occurs in a short period, from mid‐June to mid‐September and the remaining months are dry. It was assumed that changes in stem diameter are correlated with changes in water stress. Each evergreen species could be characterized by leaf longevity of about one year; each species showed pronounced summer leaf drop and simultaneous new leaf formation. Winter stem shrinkage was more pronounced in deciduous species than in evergreen ones. The deciduous species also showed a greater proportional loss of leaf mass (before abscission) than the evergreen species. Winter leaf fall in deciduous species was related to the pronounced stem shrinkage. The leaf fall enabled these species to control further water loss. Being more resistant to desiccation, the evergreen species retained their leaves throughout the winter but showed gradual loss of leaf mass, presumably in order to control water loss. In all species, leaf expansion was completed before the onset of the rainy season, when water stress was high. This strategy has definite advantages in a climate with a monsoon pattern of rainfall. Evergreen species, showing pronounced leaf drop in summer, have advantages over deciduous species; hence their preponderance in the region. 1990 IAVS ‐ the International Association of Vegetation Science
引用
收藏
页码:165 / 172
页数:8
相关论文
共 26 条
[1]  
Bisht J.S., Bisht J.S., Ecology of termites in a tropical sal forest, An integrated ecological study of eastern Kumaun Himalaya with em‐phasis on natural resources, pp. 305-351, (1984)
[2]  
Boaler S.B., Ecology of amiombo site, Lupa North Forest, TanzaniaII. Plant communities and seasonal variation in the vegetation, The Journal of Ecology, 54, pp. 465-479, (1966)
[3]  
Borchert R., Phenology and ecophysiology of tropical trees: Erythrinapoeppigiona, O. F. Cook. Ecology, 61, pp. 1065-1074, (1980)
[4]  
Bruce I.A., Miller L.N., Chabot B.F., Competitive exploitation of soil water by five eastern‐north American tree species, Bot. Gaz., 138, pp. 168-173, (1977)
[5]  
Daubenmire R., Phenology and other characteristics of tropical semi‐deciduous forests in north‐western Costa Rica, The Journal of Ecology, 60, pp. 147-170, (1972)
[6]  
Frankie G.W., Baker H.G., Opler P.A., Comparative phenological studies of trees in tropical wet and dry forests in the lowlands of Costa Rica, The Journal of Ecology, 62, pp. 881-919, (1974)
[7]  
Hinckley T.M., Lassoie J.P., Running S.W., Temporal and spatial variations in the water status of forest trees, (1978)
[8]  
Koppen W., Grundriss der Klimakunde, (1931)
[9]  
Lieberman D., Seasonally and phenology in a dry tropical forest in Ghana, J. Ecol., 70, pp. 791-806, (1982)
[10]  
Longman K.A., Jenik J., Tropical Forest and its Environment, (1974)