A galloylated cyanogenic glycoside from the Australian endemic rainforest tree Elaeocarpus sericopetalus (Elaeocarpaceae)

A cyanogenic glycoside -6'-O-galloylsambunigrin - has been isolated from the foliage of the Australian tropical rainforest tree species Elaeocarpus sericopetalus F. Muell. (Elaeocarpaceae). This is the first formal characterisation of a cyanogenic constituent in the Elaeocarpaceae family, and only the second in the order Malvales. 6'-O-galloylsambunigrin was identified as the principal glycoside, accounting for 91% of total cyanogen in a leaf methanol extract. Preliminary analyses indicated that the remaining cyanogen content may comprise small quantities of sambunigrin, as well as di- and tri-gallates of sambunigrin. E. sericopetalus was found to have foliar concentrations of cyanogenic glycosides among the highest reported for tree leaves, up to 5.2 mg CN g(-1) dry wt. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ultrastructural basis and function of iridescent blue colour of fruits in Elaeocarpus

Iridescent colour, caused by physical effects (thin-film interference, diffraction and Tyndall scattering), is relatively common in animals but exceedingly rare among plants1. Some benthic marine algae produce blue to violet iridescence2,3, and the upper leaf surfaces of a few vascular plants from the shady environments of humid tropical forests are iridescent blue4–6. Blue fruit colour has been assumed to be caused by anthocyanins7. A survey of such fruits (26 species in 18 genera) in Costa Rica, India, Florida and Malaysia, showed this to be the case, except for the iridescent colour in fruits of Elaeocarpus angustifolius Blume (Elaeocarpaceae). There I show that the colour is caused by a remarkable structure in the epidermis, and provide evidence for its selective advantage.

Performance of seven hardwood species underplanted to Pinus elliottii in south-east Queensland

Seven hardwood species were tested as underplants under Pinus elliottii plantations on the coastal lowlands of south-east Queensland. The species tested were: Flindersia brayleyana (F. Muell) (Queensland maple), F. australis (R. Br.), (crow's ash), Swietenia macrophylla (King) (American mahogany), Grevillea robusta (A. cunn) (southern silky oak), Elaeocarpus grandis (F. Muell) (silver quandong), F. ifflaiana (F. Meull) (Cairns hickory) and Ceratopetalum apetalum (D. Don) (coachwood). Most species (except E. grandis) established successfully but slowly. Underplants suffered 9-16% mortality during thinning of the overstorey. By 2004 when aged c. 38 years, four underplanted species; F. brayleyana, S. macrophylla, F. ifflaiana and E. grandis, had attained predominant heights of 20 m and mean diameter at breast height of 25 cm or better. The presence of underplants increased total site productivity by up to 23% and did not have any detrimental effect on the development of the overwood.This experiment has demonstrated that some rainforest species will survive and grow healthily as underplants in exotic pine plantations plus produce small merchantable logs within a 38 year rotation. The results also indicated the importance of correct species selection if an underplanting option is to be pursued as some species have been a complete failure (notably G. robusta).

Growth and physiological response of six Australian rainforest tree species to a light gradient

An understanding of growth and photosynthetic potential of subtropical rainforest species to variations in light environment can be useful for determining the sequence of species introductions in rainforest restoration projects and mixed species plantations. We examined the growth and physiology of six Australian subtropical rainforest tree species in a greenhouse consisting of three artificial light environments (10%, 30%, and 60% full sunlight). Morphological responses followed the typical sun-shade dichotomy, with early and late secondary species (Elaeocarpus grandis, Flindersia brayleyana, Flindersia schottiana, and Gmelina leichhardtii) displaying higher relative growth rate (RGR) compared to mature stage species (Cryptocarya erythroxyion and Heritiera trifoliolatum). Growth and photosynthetic performance of most species reached a maximum in 30-60% full sunlight. Physiological responses provided limited evidence of a distinct dichotomy between early and late successional species. E. grandis and F brayleyana, provided a clear representation of early successional species, with marked increase in Am in high light and an ability to down regulate photosynthetic machinery in low light conditions. The remaining species (F. schottiana, G. leichhardtii, and H. trifoliolatum) were better represented as failing along a shade-tolerant continuum, with limited ability to adjust physiologically to an increase or decrease in light, maintaining similar A(max) across all light environments. Results show that most species belong to a shade-tolerant constituency, with an ability to grow and persist across a wide range of light environments. The species offer a wide range of potential planting scenarios and silvicultural options, with ample potential to achieve rapid canopy closure and rainforest restoration goals.

Modelling predicts positive and negative interactions between three Australian tropical tree species in monoculture and binary mixture

Computer modelling promises to be an important tool for analysing and predicting interactions between trees within mixed species forest plantations. This study explored the use of an individual-based mechanistic model as a predictive tool for designing mixed species plantations of Australian tropical trees. The `spatially explicit individually based-forest simulator' (SeXI-FS) modelling system was used to describe the spatial interaction of individual tree crowns within a binary mixed-species experiment. The three-dimensional model was developed and verified with field data from three forest tree species grown in tropical Australia. The model predicted the interactions within monocultures and binary mixtures of Flindersia brayleyana, Eucalyptus pellita and Elaeocarpus grandis, accounting for an average of 42% of the growth variation exhibited by species in different treatments. The model requires only structural dimensions and shade tolerance as species parameters. By modelling interactions in existing tree mixtures, the model predicted both increases and reductions in the growth of mixtures (up to +/-50% of stem volume at 7 years) compared to monocultures. This modelling approach may be useful for designing mixed tree plantations.

Species-site matching in mixed species plantations of native trees in tropical Australia

Mixed species plantations using native trees are increasingly being considered for sustainable timber production. Successful application of mixed species forestry systems requires knowledge of the potential spatial interaction between species in order to minimise the chance of dominance and suppression and to maximise wood production. Here, we examined species performances across 52 experimental plots of tree mixtures established on cleared rainforest land to analyse relationships between the growth of component species and climate and soil conditions. We derived site index (SI) equations for ten priority species to evaluate performance and site preferences. Variation in SI of focus species demonstrated that there are strong species-specific responses to climate and soil variables. The best predictor of tree growth for rainforest species Elaeocarpus grandis and Flindersia brayleyana was soil type, as trees grew significantly better on well-draining than on poorly drained soil profiles. Both E. grandis and Eucalyptus pellita showed strong growth response to variation in mean rain days per month. Our study generates understanding of the relative performance of species in mixed species plantations in the Wet Tropics of Australia and improves our ability to predict species growth compatibilities at potential planting sites within the region. Given appropriate species selections and plantation design, mixed plantations of high-value native timber species are capable of sustaining relatively high productivity at a range of sites up to age 10 years, and may offer a feasible approach for large-scale reforestation.

苏铁研究与园林规划

首先回顾了以往苏铁研究，在此基础上，对苏铁的区系地理、苏铁中种皮形态、台湾苏铁的模式产地与海南苏铁的名实问题、从叶绿体DNA matK序列及应用Trn L(UAA)序列资料分析苏铁目系统发育关系等方面进行了深入的研究。 提出了我国西南及印度支那地区和澳大利亚及太平洋岛屿为现代苏铁两大分布中心，前者是苏铁科的演化中心，而后者是次生的分化中心。首次提出钉羊齿（Rhaphidopteris）可能是现代苏铁科近祖的观点。 首次系统研究了27种苏铁属植物中种皮的形态，据此把苏铁属种子分为苏铁型、台湾苏铁型、韦德苏铁型、拳叶苏铁型、斯曼苏铁型及粉种苏铁型等6个类型。对苏铁亚属中种皮纹饰的演化趋势以及其与种间亲缘关系进行了探讨。 对台湾苏铁（Cycas taiwaniana）的模式产地进行了深入的考证，认为其来自福建厦门一带的栽培植株，而非其他学者认为的广东汕头或台湾高雄。海南苏铁（C.hainanensis）应作为台湾苏铁的异名处理。 描述了苏铁科一新亚属奥苏铁亚属Subgen. Media，二新组台湾苏铁组Sect. Taiwanianae及韦德苏铁组Sect. Wadeanae。 分子研究表明托叶铁属（Stangeria）与波温铁属（Bowenia）并不构成一个单系类群;大泽米铁属（Macroz以mia）与非洲铁属（Encephalartos）关系最近，而与鳞叶铁属（Lepidozamia）稍远。 其次，在园林规划方面，对广东省江门市白水带风景区的森林植被进行深入的研究，在此基础上开展了白水带植物景观规划与植被改造规划。在跨越林学与园林两大学科方面做了开拓性的尝试，大气势、大手笔营造森林植物景观。以小班为单位进行规划，植被改造依据植物群落演替原理，模拟南亚热带季风常绿阔叶林，将种类贫乏、结构简单的人工林逐步改造为种类丰富、结构复杂的异龄复层混交林。首次以四季不同种类的花色变化的大范围森林景观来营造南亚热带平常并不明显的季相变化;而专类园的规划注意生态与景观的结合，从植物的生态学特性、群落学特性和景观要求出发进行配置，从而克服一般北京植物园注重品种收集，按分类系统或地理分布来布置而轻视植物生态习性与景观效果的通病。对现有的海金沙(Lygodium Japonicum)等层片或单优群落加以整理形成自然且景观优美的特色层片以及以江门的乡土植物与优秀外引植物营造独木成林、万雀迎宾、层峦叠嶂、孔雀开屏、仙鹤望天等景观的规划思想为国内首创;在国内首先提出规划建设热带雨林、冷色北京植物园、佛教北京植物园、国树国花园等专类园。 在白水带规划的同时，就江门市的人居环境进行了深入的调研。对国内城市生态环境建设普遍存在的一些倾向与问题进行了反思，在总结江门城市环境建设得失的基础上提出了营造可持续发展的人居环境七个方面的战略性意见。

海南岛蕨类植物的分类、区系地理与保育

摘要 "基于形态－地理学方法，通过野外调查，结合大量标本研究，在前人研究的基础上，对海南蕨类植物的分类进行了进一步修订;主要根据蕨类植物的现代地理分布，结合古生物学等有关资料，初步探讨了海南蕨类植物的区系性质与起源;根据IUCN2001年红色名录的等级和标准，对海南濒危蕨类植物的现状进行了初步评估，讨论了海南蕨类植物的受威胁原因，提出了有关保护的对策。主要结果如下： 1. 海南现有蕨类植物56科140属439个种及种下分类群（包括421种、15变种、2亚种和1变型），其中包括1个中国分布新记录和27个海南分布新记录，1新种――海南符藤蕨Teratophyllum hainanense;另有11个名称首次被处理为异名;澄清了海南假瘤蕨Phymatopteris hainanensis和圆顶假瘤蕨P. obtusa的模式问题，为滇桂三相蕨Ataxipteris dianguiensis、海南假瘤蕨P. hainanensis和浅杯鳞盖蕨Microlepia ampla指定了后选模式。 2. 海南蕨类区系具有以下特点：i. 以水龙骨科Polypodiaceae、金星蕨科Thelypteridaceae、铁角蕨科Aspleniaceae、叉蕨科Tectariaceae和观音座莲科Angiopteridaceae为表征科;ii. 明显的热带性质，科的97.5％、属的92.5％、种的83.6％为热带分布成分;iii. 很高的物种多样性与物种密度，但属内种系贫乏;iv. 与中南半岛的联系最为紧密，海南140个蕨类属中有136个与中南半岛共有，两地属的相似性系数达到87.2%;v. 海南蕨类区系就地起源于华夏古陆，起源时间可以追溯至早石炭世以前。 3. 海南439种蕨类（包括421种、15变种、2亚种和1变型）中，183种为常见蕨类，113种属于资料缺乏的种类（DD），47种属于近危（NT），53种属于易危（VU），37种属于濒危（EN），6种属于极危（CR）。海南的受威胁蕨类植物有96种，海南的绝大部分受威胁蕨类植物都生于保护区以内或得到有效保护的林区之内，已初步得到保护。导致海南96种蕨类受威胁的因素，除了植物本身的生物生态学特性和地理分布上的限制外，主要是人类活动的影响，特别是海南森林在上个世纪被大规模砍伐。为了保护这些受威胁植物，应加强保护区和林区的管理，实施就地保护，积极开展迁地保护和人工繁殖。 "