Improved production of chlorogenic acid from cell suspension cultures of Lonicera macranthoids

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of Lonicera macranthoids Hand. -Mazz. Yulei1 suspension culture system for enhanced production of the main secondary metabolite, chlorogenic acid. Methods: The callus of L. macranthoides Hand.-Mazz. “Yulei1” was suspension cultured in B5 liquid medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators. Biomass accumulation was calculated by weight method and chlorogenic acid production was measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC was carried out on C18 analytical column at 35 °C and the detection wavelength was set at 324 nm. Results: The results showed that maximum accumulation of biomass and chlorogenic acid were achieved 15 days after culture growth. The optimized conditions for biomass accumulation and chlorogenic acid production were 50 g/L of inoculum on fresh weight basis, B5 medium supplemented with plant growth regulators, 30 - 40 g/L sucrose and initial medium pH of 5.5. Maximum accumulation of chlorogenic acid and biomass were observed when the culture medium was supplemented with 2.0 mg/L6-BA. Optimal accumulation of chlorogenic acid was observed using combination of hormones 2.0 mg/L 6-Benzyladenine (BA) + 0.5 mg/L2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), while optimal accumulation of biomass was observed with 2.0 mg/L 6-BA + 2.0 mg/L2, 4-D. In addition, phenylalanine also contributed to the synthesis of chlorogenic acid at a concentration > 50 mg/L. Conclusion: Cell suspension cultures of L. macranthoides Hand.-Mazz. “Yulei1” have successfully been established. The findings provide a potential basis for large scale production of chlorogenic acid using cell suspension cultures of L. macranthoides.

染色体加倍对忍冬生物学性状及其生态适应性的影响

忍冬（Lonicera japonica Thunb.）属忍冬科忍冬属，是一种重要的药用植物，其花蕾称为金银花（Flos Lonicerae），在我国已有1000多年的药用历史，具有清热解毒、凉散风热等功效。我们利用秋水仙素诱导二倍体“大毛花”品种茎尖选育出同源四倍体“九丰一号”品种，并在生产中发现花蕾产量显著提高，而药效成份含量是否发生变化了呢？四倍体忍冬表现出典型的器官巨大性，这些变化是否与其较强生态适应性之间存在联系呢？染色体加倍增强了忍冬的生态适应性，其生态修复功能如何呢？在本研究中，主要从以下几个方面进行了探讨：（1）染色体加倍对其叶片，茎、花蕾和花蕾产量及其药效成份等生物学性状的影响;（2）染色体加倍后植物对水分胁迫的响应;（3）染色体加倍后植物对热胁迫的响应;（4）除上述两个品种外，增加一个变异品种“红银花”，探讨3个忍冬品种对退化生态系统的修复功能。主要结果如下： 1. 通过测定根尖细胞染色体数目和使用流式细胞仪分析茎尖细胞DNA含量，表明四倍体忍冬（2n = 4x = 36）确实来自二倍体忍冬（2n = 2x = 18）的染色体加倍。四倍体忍冬气孔细胞大小显著大于二倍体，而气孔密度显著低于二倍体。四倍体忍冬没有光合“午休”，而二倍体存在明显的光合“午休”，这可能与其存在抗高温的叶片解剖结构特性有关。四倍体忍冬叶片较二倍体变大、变厚、变浓绿（较高叶绿素含量）。与二倍体相比，四倍体忍冬单位叶面积重量显著增高，表明其具有较强的生态适应性。四倍体忍冬单个花蕾的鲜重和干重均显著大于二倍体。连续3年的花蕾产量调查表明，四倍体显著高于二倍体。染色体加倍使其茎干粗壮、节间变短、新梢上着生花蕾数目增多及单个花蕾变大，这是其花蕾高产的生物学基础。对金银花的药效成份而言，染色体加倍不影响绿原酸的含量，但增加了木犀草苷的含量。结果表明，染色体加倍能增加金银花的产量和药效成份的含量，建议四倍体忍冬在药材生产中推广应用。 2. 水分胁迫显著降低二倍体和四倍体忍冬叶片的净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率。水分胁迫也降低电子传递速率、光系统II实际量子产量和光化学猝灭，而增加非光化学猝灭、总可溶性糖、脯氨酸和丙二醛的含量。四倍体忍冬对水分胁迫的响应表现为其叶片水势、气体交换、叶绿素荧光和有关代谢物含量的变化程度低于二倍体，并且复水后其恢复能力快于二倍体，表明染色体加倍增强了忍冬的抗旱能力。分析其主要原因，可能是由于四倍体植株总叶面积减少、单位叶面积重量增加、叶片表皮细胞和栅栏组织增大以及叶片表皮毛较浓密等形态解剖结构特性有关。结果表明，染色体加倍能增加忍冬植物的抗旱能力，而使其具有较强的生态适应性。 3. 二倍体和四倍体忍冬受48 ºC热胁迫处理6 h和恢复10 h，以及离体叶片45 ºC，50 ºC，55 ºC 水浴热胁迫3 min，应用叶绿素荧光成像系统研究了它们对热胁迫的响应。热胁迫显著降低了两个品种叶片的最大光化学效率、电子传递速率、光系统II实际量子产量和光化学猝灭，降低了四倍体的非光化学猝灭，而增加了二倍体的非光化学猝灭。热胁迫增加了两个品种叶片的总可溶性糖、脯氨酸和丙二醛的含量。四倍体受热胁迫的叶绿素荧光参数和有关代谢物的响应程度低于二倍体，以及其恢复程度快于二倍体，表明染色体加倍提高了抗热性。此外，叶绿素荧光成像的异质性也表明，四倍体的抗热能力大于二倍体。进一步的叶片解剖结构分析表明，四倍体叶片的表皮细胞变大、栅栏组织增厚、表皮毛较浓密等特点，是其抗热性强的主要原因。 4.根据以上的研究结果，通过四倍体忍冬生态修复功能的野外试验证明染色体加倍后其生态适应性变化。在本研究中，针对北京市门头沟区大面积不同类型的废弃地急需恢复植被和景观的问题，在恢复生态学理念的指导下，综合运用集成技术，将3个忍冬品种植物用于这些退化生态系统的恢复。在王平镇的公路下边坡（以碎石和矿渣为主）、煤矿、石灰窑和采石场4种类型废弃地建立生态修复的试验示范区。结果表明，在4个废弃地类型上引进的3个金银花品种，具有使示范区快速复绿、当年成景和群落快速形成的潜力，并具有对不同退化迹地的适应能力和恢复效果，其中四倍体忍冬效果更好些，这主要与其形态解剖结构和较强的生态适应性有关。

盘叶忍冬和贯月忍冬及其子代生长和光合特性的比较研究

以父本贯月忍冬(Lonicera sempervirens．L) 、母本盘叶忍冬(Lonicera tragophylla Hemsl.) 及其子代台尔曼忍冬(Lonicera×tellmanniana Hort. Späth)为试材，研究了整个生长季3种材料的生长与光合特性。结果显示：子代台尔曼忍冬在花期和单株花序数方面存在显著的杂种优势；3种材料的最大光化学效率（Fv/Fm）差异不显著；父本贯月忍冬的光合速率、实际光化学效率、藤茎长、基茎以及盛花期时的生物量和子代差异不显著，但在实验结束时生物量显著低于子代；母本盘叶忍冬各种指标除Fv/Fm外均显著低于子代，表现出了极弱的生长特性；子代台尔曼忍冬生长期能持续到8月下旬，虽然超中优势（HOMP）明显，但只在单株总叶面积、叶片数和盛花期单株花序数方面表现出了显著的超亲优势。我们认为台尔曼忍冬在观赏效果方面形成杂种优势的主要生理基础不是通常所认为的光合能力的提高，而是在生长前期显著高的总叶面积使子代形成足够多的同化物质，在其内部分配机制的影响下，子代把大量的同化物质用于花芽分化，而在盛花期后，由于子代的生长期较长，以及较强地耐高温胁迫能力，就会源源不断地形成同化物用于花芽分化，而使得子代在花期和观赏效果方面明显优于贯月和盘叶忍冬。因此，在生长早期采取一些增加总叶面积的栽培措施将有助于改善贯月忍冬和盘叶忍冬的生长和观赏效果。

沈阳城市森林生态系统健康与管理研究

本文系统研究了沈阳城市森林的布局与结构、城市森林功能、城市森林病虫害发生与树木健康状况和城市自然资源与社会经济状况等指标对沈阳城市森林生态系统健康与管理的影响。同时一，采用2种生态系统健康评价方法对沈阳城市森林生态系统健康状况进行了评价，并提出了沈阳城市森林生态系统健康管理的对策。研究结果如下：1、截至2004年末，沈阳城市森林植被覆盖率已经达到35％，城市森林林地分布基本合理，但需要进一步加强道路林地、居住区林地和城郊大面积生态林建设。2、沈阳城市森林以乔木为主，乔灌株数比为1.7：1，乔灌的覆盖度比约为7:1。3、沈阳城市森林不同类型林地中植物组成不同。公园林地中有74个属，137个种（变种）；庭院林地中有53个属，104个种（变种）；居住区林地中有45个属，81个种（变种）；道路林地中有43个属，94个种（变种）；运河风景林地中有75个属，142个种（变种）；棋盘山风景林地中有48个属，118个种（变种）。4、公园林地、庭院林地、居住区林地、道路林地和运河风景林地的Shannon一Wiener多样性指数分别为2.78、3.05、3.15、3.18和3.18，均匀度指数分别为0.56、0.66、0.72、0.70和0.64。除了棋盘山风景林地外，沈阳城市森林中栽植总量超过乔木总量5％的乔木树种有7个属，分别为李、柳树、杨树、桧柏、榆树、槐树和银杏，7种树木总量达到了全部乔木总量的82.09％；栽植总量超过灌木总量5％的灌木树种也有7个属，分别为水腊、丁香、李属，小聚、玫瑰、忍冬和连翘，7个属灌木总量达到了全部灌木总量的87.92％。5、公园林地、庭院林地、道路林地和防护林地中OBH＜20cm、20cm＜DBH＜60cm和DBH＞60cm树木的比例分别为：57.9％、40.0％、2.1％，49.2％、47.8％、3.0％，65.3％、33.1％、1.6％和64.6％、34.9％、0.5％，表明沈阳城市森林树木的规格总体上偏小。6、经样方调查和CITYgreen模型计算，沈阳城市森林的生态效益约2.0亿USD／yr.。公园林地、庭院林地和风景林地的景观指标相对较高；道路林地和居住区林地的景观效果一般；防护林地的景观效果较差。7、目前已经发现的沈阳城市森林病害约600余种，虫害约700余种，其中杨树主要病虫害39种，柳树的主要病虫害有33种，榆树和槐树的主要病虫害均为，1种。杨柳树腐烂病、光肩星天牛、天幕毛虫、桃红颈天牛和美国白蛾等是近10年来沈阳城市森林中普遍发生和造成严重危害的主要病虫害。沈阳城市森林主要树木的平均健康指数为2.68，处于一般健康状态。8、沈阳城市森林的土壤和水资源状况均不利于树木的健康生长，沈阳的社会经济发展也有待于进一步提高。9、经过生物指示物法（光肩星天牛为生物指示物）、专家权重法、公众问卷调查和对比研究，沈阳城市森林生态系统总体上处于亚健康状态。10、通过对沈阳城市森林资源、管理状况的调查研究和健康状况的评价，本文提出了沈阳城市森林生态系统健康管理的对策，包括合理规划沈阳城市森林林地布局，增加道路林地、居住区林地和城郊林地的面积和植被覆盖率；调整树木种类组成，避免单一或少数树种的大量栽植，提高生物多样性水平；保护大树和古树；增加城市森林管理资金的投入；应用先进技术，采取科学的病虫害防治和植物养护方法，促进树木的健康生长等。This project systematically studied the urban forest ecosystem health and management in Shenyang. The study explored factors, such as urban forest structure, distribution, pests, aesthetic value, ecological benefit, natural resources and socieo-economic status, that affecting the urban forest ecosystem health and management. Two methods were used to evaluate the ecosystem health. This project also proposed Shenyang's urban forest ecosystem health management strategies. The research results can be summarized as follows: 1. As of the end of 2004, urban forest coverage in Shenyang is about 35%, and is in relatively even patch distribution pattern. However, the street trees and roadside forest patches, residential block forest patches should be enhanced. 2. Trees are the major component of the Shenyang s urban forest, followed by shrubs. The quantity ratio of tree to shrub is about 1.7:1, and the coverage ratio of trees to shrub is about 7:1. 3. Species composition varies by location. There are 74 genera, 137 species (including varieties) in the public parks; 53 genera, 104 species (and var.) in the green spaces of the institution (including school), factory, and company; 45 genera, 81 species (var.) in residential blocks; 43 genera, 94 species (var.) in streets and roadside forest patches; 75 genera, 142 species (var.) in the Canal landscape forest patches; 48 genera, 118 species (var.) in the Qipan Mountain recreation forest. 4. The Shannon-Woener indices varies in parks, in institution, factory, and company yards, in streets and roadside forest patches, in residential blocks.there are 2.78, 3.05, 3.18, 3.15, 3.18, respectively; and the evenness indices are 0.56, 0.66, 0.70, 0.72, 0.64, respectively. Besides the Qipan Mountain forest patches, trees of 7 genera, Prunus spp., Salix spp., Populus spp., Sabina spp., Ulmus spp., Robinia spp. and Ginkgo biloba are of more than 5% the total urban trees, respectively. In fact, trees from these 7 genera are about 82% of all trees in Shenyang's urban forests. In terms of shrubs, species of 7 genera, Ligustrum spp., Syringa spp., Prunus spp., Berberis spp., Rosa spp., Lonicera spp., and Forsythia spp. are more than 5% the total urban shrubs, respectively. 88% of all the shrubs in Shenyang s urban forest are from these 7 genera. 5. The diameter class of DBH<20cm, 20cm60cm of trees in parks, in institution, factory, and company yards, in in streets and roadside forests, and in protective forests are 57.9%, 40.0%, 2.1%; 49.2%, 47.8%, 3.0%; 65.3%, 33.1%, 1.6%; and 64.6%, 34.9%, 0.5%, respectively. The result indicated that the DBH is relatively small in Shenyang s urban forests. 6. Using random plots sampling and CITYgreen model calculation, the ecological benefit of Shenyang's urban is about 0.2 billion US dollars per year. The aesthetic value of parks, institution and company yards, and scenary forest patches is relative high; however, the aesthetic value of protective forest patches is low. 7. There are more than 600 types of diseases and more than 700 kinds of insects in Shenyang's urban forest. Among them, Populus spp., Salix spp., Ulmus spp. and Robinia spp., are attached mainly by 39, 33, 11, and 11, difference types of pests respectively. The rot disease of the Populus spp. and Salix spp., and the insects such as, Anoplophora glabripennis, Malacosoma neustria, Aromia bungii, and Hyphantria cunea are major pests in Shenyang s urban forest for the past 10 years. The trees health condition is relatively poor by having the average health index of 2.68 for major species. 8. The urban soil and water resource are not favorable to tree's growth in Shenyang, and so is the socieo-economic status. 9. Through using bio-indicator, professional and public evaluation, and comparision with other urban forests, it can be concluded that the status of Shenyang s urban forest is not very healthy in general. 10. To improve the urban forest ecosystem health in Shenyang, a better urban forest design need to be implemented to enhance the area and vegetation coverage of the street and roadside forests, the residential block forests, and the surburb forest Species biodiversity need to be enhanced by adjust the species composition of urban forest trees to reduce the single or several tree species populations and to plant more varieties. A better fundings for urban forest health management need to be budgeted. Advanced technologies in tree care and scientific measures to control pests need to be adopted to prove better care for plants and to keep trees grow healthfully.

水菖蒲的化学成分研究和忍冬属植物的色谱分析

本论文由三章组成。第一章阐述了藏药水菖蒲的化学成分研究，共分离鉴定了39个化学成分，其中6个为新化合物。第二章报道了几种忍冬属植物的HPLC、HPLC-MS、GC分析以及抑菌活性、重金属含量测定结果。第三章概述了菖蒲属植物的研究进展。 第一章报道了水菖蒲(Acorus calamus L.)化学成分的分离纯化与结构鉴定。采用正、反相硅胶柱层析等分离方法，从水菖蒲的根中共分离出41个化合物，通过红外、质谱、核磁共振及X-ray单晶衍射等波谱方法和模拟计算方法鉴定了其中39个化合物的结构，主要为倍半萜、苯丙素、甾体类化合物。其中含有5个新的倍半萜类化合物和1系列新的甾体皂苷衍生物。经波谱分析将它们的结构鉴定为 1b, 7a(H)-cadinane-4a, 6a, 10a-triol (1), (2R,6R,7S,9S)-1(10), 4-cadinadiene-2, 9-diol (2), 1a, 5b-guaiane-10a-O-ethyl-4b, 6b-diol (7), 6b, 7b(H)-cadinane-1a, 4a, 10a-triol (13)，(1R,4R,6S,10R)-1-hydroxy-7(11)-cadinen-5, 8-dione (14)， 4′-O-正n碳酰基-3-O- β-D-葡萄糖基谷甾醇(n=14, 16, 18, 22) (15)。 第二章包括四个部分。第一部分报道了忍冬属三种植物40个样品的HPLC测定和对主要活性成分绿原酸的定量分析结果，以及运用HPLC-MS技术对色谱图中8个峰进行指认。在此基础上，考察了种植和采收多个因素对绿原酸含量的影响。第二部分报道了忍冬属三种植物27个样品的GC分析，根据样品的挥发性成分的保留时间对不同样品进行了定性比较，并考察了花期及海拔高度对植物挥发性成分的影响。第三、四部分分别阐述了灰毡毛忍冬和红腺忍冬的体外抑菌活性研究和重金属含量测定结果。 第三章全面系统地概述了菖蒲属植物的化学成分和药理活性研究进展。 This dissertation is composed by three chapters. The first chapter elaborates the phytochemical investigation of Acorus calamus L. Thirty-nine compounds including six new compounds were isolated and identified. The second chapter reports the research on genus Lonicera by HPLC, HPLC-MS and GC. Antifungal activity and heavy metals measurement of genus Lonicera were reported. The third chapter is a review about the research progress on the plant family of Acorus. The first chapter focuses on the isolation and identification of chemical constituents from Acorus calamus L.. Forty-one compounds were isolated from the root of Acorus calamus L. by repeat column chromatography over normal and reversed phase silica gel, the structure of thirty-nine compounds was identified by spectroscopic methods and computational methods, including IR, MS, NMR and X-ray. Those compounds mainly belonged to sesquiterpene, phenylpropanoid and steroid. Among them, five are new sesquiterpenes and one series are new steroid glycoside derivatives. Their structure were suggested as 1b, 7a(H)-cadinane-4a, 6a, 10a-triol (1), (2R,6R,7S,9S)-1(10), 4-cadinadiene-2, 9-diol (2), 1a, 5b-guaiane-10a-O-ethyl-4b, 6b- diol (7), 6b, 7b(H)-cadinane-1a, 4a, 10a-triol (13), (1R,4R,6S,10R)-1-hydroxy-7(11)- cadinen-5, 8-dione (14), 4′-O-carbonyl-3-O-β-D-glucosyl-sitosterol (carbonyl = tetradecanoyl, hexadecanoyl, octadecyl, docosanoyl) (15). The second chapter consists of four parts. The first part reports the HPLC analysis of forty samples of the genus Lonicera, and the quantitative investigation of chlorogenic acid in these samples by HPLC analysis. Relationship between the content of chlorogenic acid in different samples and their planting conditions and harvesting time were discussed. Furthermore, eight compounds were identified or tentatively characterized based on their mass spectra and UV spectra profiles. The second part is about qualitative analysis of the volatile constituent in twenty-seven samples of genus Lonicera by GC. The effect of planting altitude and harvesting time on the volatile constituent was also investigated. The third and fourth parts describe the antifungal activity and content of some kinds of heavy metals of L. macranthoides Hand.-Mazz. and L. hypoglauca Miq.. The third chaspter is a review about the research progress of the plant family of Acorus.

钮子瓜和袋花忍冬的化学成分研究

钮子瓜（Zehneria maysorensis Arn.）是一种常用的中草药，其性味苦、凉，主要功效为清热利湿、散风止痛，主治膀胱炎、头痛。体外活性筛选实验表明，袋花忍冬（Lonicera saccata Rehd.）95%乙醇提取物的乙酸乙酯部分对血管紧张素转化酶显示较强的抑制活性。为明确钮子瓜的药用物质基础和袋花忍冬中具有ACE抑制活性的成分，首次对两个植物的成分进行了研究。 1. 从钮子瓜95%乙醇提取物中主要通过色谱方法首次分离了14个化合物，通过波谱方法鉴定为(2S,3S,4R,10E)-2-[(2R)-2-羟基二十四烷酰基氨基]-10-十八烷-1,3,4-三醇（1）、(2S,3S,4R)-2-二十四烷酰基氨基-十八烷-1,3,4-三醇 （2）、胡萝卜苷（3）、swertish （4）、苯甲酸（5）、水杨酸（6）、loliolide （7）、胸腺嘧啶（8）、尿嘧啶（9）、(23Z)-9,19-环阿尔廷-23-烯-3β,25-二醇（10）、(20S,22E,24R)-5α,8α-表二氧-麦角甾-6,22-二烯-3β-醇（11）、十六烷酸 1-甘油酯（12）、大豆脑苷Ⅰ（13）和(22E,24S)-24-甲基-5α-胆甾-7,22-二烯-3β,5α,6β-三醇（14）。其中化合物4为一黄酮碳苷，具有旋转异构现象，有止痛作用；化合物6具有抗炎、镇痛、减热的活性，它们可能是钮子瓜药用物质基础的一部分。 2. 从袋花忍冬95%乙醇提取物中首次分离并鉴定了16个已知化合物：胡萝卜苷（3）、(20S,22E,24R)-5α,8α-表二氧-麦角甾-6,22-二烯-3β-醇（11）、十六烷酸 1-甘油酯（12）、E-p-coumaryl behenate (15)、谷甾醇（16）、2,6-dihydroxyhumula-3(12), 7(13),9(E)-triene (17)、环阿尔廷-25-烯-3β,24ξ-二醇 (18)、二十四烷酸 (19)、2,4-二羟基-3,6-二甲基苯甲酸甲酯 (20)、乌苏酸 (21)、柚皮素 (22)、木犀草素 (23)、柏双黄酮（24）咖啡酸 (25)、洋芹素（26）和木犀草素-7-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷 (27)。其中木犀草素（23）和咖啡酸（25）含量较高，它们为抑制ACE活性的成分。 3．综述了黄酮碳苷的旋转异构现象。 Zehneria maysorensis is a folk medicine for the treatment of cystitis and headache. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the 95% ethanol extract of Lonicera saccata showed obvious ACE inhibitory activity in vitro. To reveal their active constitutents, they were subjected to chemically study. From the 95% ethanol extract of the whole plants of Zehneria maysroensis fourteen compounds were isolated for the first time. On the basis of spectral data and/or by comparison with authentic samples, they were characterized to be (2S,3S,4R,10E)-2-[(2R)-2-hydroxytetracosanoylamino]-10-octadecene-1,3,4-triol (1), (2S,3S,4R)-2-tetracosanoylamino-1,3,4-octadecanetriol (2), daucosterol (3), swertish (4), benzoic acid (5), salicylic acid (6), loliolide (7), thymine (8), uracil (9), (23Z)-9,19-cycloart-23-ene-3β,25-diol (10), (20S,22E,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxy-ergosta- 6,22-diene-3β-ol (11), 2,3-dihydroxypropyl hexadecoate (12), soya-cerebroside (13) and (22E,24S)-24-methyl-5α-cholesta-7,22-diene-3β,5α,6β-triol (14). Compound 4, a C-glycosylflavone, showed a very interesting rotational isomerism. Compounds 4 and 6 may be the active constituents of Zehneria maysorensis considering their sedative and anti-inflammation activity, respectively. From the whole plants of Lonicera saccata, sixteen compounds were isolated for the first time. On the basis of spectral data and/or by comparison with authentic samples, they were identified to be daucosterol (3), (20S,22E,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxy- ergosta-6,22-diene-3β-ol (11), 2,3-dihydroxypropyl hexadecoate (12), E-p-coumaryl behenate (15), β-sitosterol (16), 2,6-dihydroxyhumula-3(12),7(13),9(E)-triene (17), cycloart-25-ene-3β,24ξ-diol (18), tetracosanoic acid (19), methyl 2,4-dihydroxy- 3,6-dimethylbenzoate (20), ursolic acid (21), naringenin (22), luteolin (23), cupressuflavone (24), caffeic acid (25), apigenin (26) and luteolin-7-O-β-D- glucopyranoside (27). Luteolin (23) and caffeic acid (25) were the ACE inhibitory active constituents. Rotational isomerism for C-glycosylflavonoid was reviewed.

青藏高原东缘川西云杉林皆伐后灌木生长、繁殖与更新的研究

植物群落及其环境在干扰后的演替格局和过程的研究，是群落和生态系统动态研究的一个热点。选取青藏高原东缘山原区川西云杉林皆伐后，从草地过渡到灌丛的关键阶段的4 个皆伐迹地（恢复时间为8 a、10 a、16 a 和21 a），研究皆伐及自然恢复过程对林下典型灌木银露梅（Potentilla glabra）和唐古特忍冬（Lonicera tangutica）的生长与繁殖能力的影响以及灌木植物在迹地上的更新情况，分析灌木在不同生境中的适应对策和适应能力的差异,为揭示青藏高原东缘山原区迹地植被从草甸到灌丛演替的过程和特点及促进迹地演替与植被恢复进程提供理论依据和技术支撑。研究主要结论如下：1）皆伐后银露梅生长和繁殖能力显著提高，但对唐古特忍冬的影响不明显。皆伐后银露梅丛基径、高度和各部分生物量都显著增加（P < 0.05），但唐古特忍冬只有叶生物量和地下生物量增加，总生物量和其余构件生物量无显著变化。皆伐后，银露梅的结实数量、结实株数、不结实株数和结实株/不结实株比例显著增加（P < 0.05）。自然恢复过程中，银露梅和唐古特忍冬生长能力以及银露梅的结实量都表现出降低的趋势。随着迹地自然恢复时间的增加，银露梅和唐古特忍冬的基径、高度、丛叶片数和各部分生物量有减少的趋势。银露梅的结实株数增加, 但结实数量减少。2）皆伐对银露梅和唐古特忍冬生物量分配模式影响不一致。原始林和迹地中（除CT85）银露梅的生物量大小关系皆为：地下>茎>侧枝>叶。唐古特忍冬在原始林中的生物量大小关系为：茎＞地下部分＞侧枝＞叶,而皆伐后生物量的分配情况改变，生物量大小关系变为：地下部分＞茎＞侧枝＞叶。随着自然恢复时间的增加，银露梅减少了地下生物量的分配，而唐古特忍冬增加了地下生物量的分配。3）皆伐和恢复时间的增加改变了迹地物种组成，促使阳性乔、灌木在迹地上定居。4 个迹地上共出现了灌木15 种，乔木3 种，没有出现天然云杉和冷杉幼苗。随着恢复时间的增加，迹地上的灌木物种由原始林下的耐阴物种逐步发展为以针刺悬钩子（Rubus pungens）为主的阳性灌木。4）影响灌木幼苗密度和幼树密度的因子不一致。灌木幼苗密度与灌木层盖度显著负相关，与苔藓层盖度显著正相关。幼树密度与草本层盖度正相关，与苔藓层盖度、灌木层盖度和高度负相关。5）研究发现在青藏高原东缘山原区皆伐15～20 a 后，迹地仍以草本植物为主，推测皆伐后至少20 a 以上迹地才可能向灌丛阶段过渡，比高山峡谷地区的演替进程至少推迟了20 a。银露梅和唐古特忍冬在皆伐后自然恢复过程中表现出不同的生长与繁殖策略是由两个物种的生物学特性的差异引起的。银露梅比唐古特忍冬更适应迹地退化环境。促进青藏高原东缘山原林区迹地森林恢复一方面是尽量减少人为活动的破坏，另一方面，可以通过在迹地中播种适当的乡土乔、灌木种子（如白桦、银露梅）等人工措施，以加快演替进程。The succession pattern and process of plant community and their environments is a hot spotin community and ecosystem dynamic study. Four clearcuts were chosen in Rangtang(recovery time of 8 a、10 a、16 a and 21 a), which represented the key stage of thecommunity evolved from grass stage to shrub stage in the eastern margin of theQinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The growth and reproduction of the Potentilla glabra andLonicera tangutica and the natural regeneration of shrub plants in the primary Piceabalfouriana forest and 4 clearcuts were studied to explore how clear cutting andnatural recovery process affected the understory shrub species during the 21 years inthe eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The main results were below.1) The growth and reproduction of P. glabra significantly increased after forestclear cutting.. But it was not so significant as to the L. tangutica. The organismbiomass and total biomass of P. glabra were increased obviously after clear cutting（P< 0.05）. But only leaves and underground biomass of L. tangutica increasedsignificantly after clear cutting（P < 0.05）. The number of fruit and growth of P. glabraincreased significantly after clear cutting too（P < 0.05）. The ramet height, basaldiameter , organism biomass and friut number of P. glabra and L. tangutica reducedas the increase of recovery time.2) The biomass allocation patterns varied between P. glabra and L. tangutica inthe primary forest and clearcuts. The biomass allocation of P. glabra both in primary forest and clearcuts was followed as: underground part > stem > branch > leaves.However, the biomass allocation of L. tangutica had changed after the clear cutting.The biomass allocation of L. tangutica in the primary forest was followed as: stem >underground part > branch > leaves and it was underground part > stem > branch >leave in clearcuts. The biomass allocation of P. glabra and L. tangutica varied amongclearcuts. Aboveground biomass was increased while underground biomass decreasedfor P. glabra with the increase of recovery period. However, the L. tangutica showedthe reverse changing pattern.3) Clear cutting and recovery time had changed the species composition of theclearcuts. There were 15.shruby species and 3 tree species in the four clearcuts. Nospruce and fir seedlings were found. In the early stage after clear cutting, there wereonly understory shrub species from the primary Picea balfouriana forest. The sunnyspecies, especieally Rubus pungens invaded intensly as the increase of recovery time.4) There was a significant negative relationship between density of seedlingswith shrub layer coverage and positive correlation with moss coverage. The saplingshad significantly positive correlation with herb layer coverage and negativecorrelation with moss coverage, shrub layer coverage and height.5）Comparing to studies in Miyalou, a nearby high mountain and canyon area,the secondary sucession in this subalpine plateau areas lagged at least 20 years.P. glabra and L. tangutica showed different growth and reproduction strategies toclear cutting and natural recovery , which may associated with the difference of theirbiological characters. P. glabra was more adaptive to the clear cutting than the L.tangutica. Two suggestions were probably recommended to promote the recoveryprogress in the subalpine plateau areas based on the results of this study. Limitanthropogenic disturbance, and meanwhile sow native tree and shrub seeds inclearcuts.

九寨沟景区旅游活动扰动形成的退化地段植被恢复试验初报

日益增强的旅游活动干扰已成为九寨沟世界自然遗产的有效保护与持续管理不可回避的问题，也已成为当前区域生态保护与经济发展的焦点问题之一。评估乡土植物种的基本特征、质量、种子休眠程度以及萌发能力；筛选适宜的植被恢复乡土物种并选择有效植被恢复技术措施是开展植被恢复试验的重要前提和保障。本文以九寨沟世界自然遗产为例,通过对景区乡土植物种子基本特征的测定以及采用乡土物种作为植被恢复技术试验与恢复技术筛选的试验物种，在景区旅游干扰区的三种生境类型：原始针叶林、混交林和边坡，根据不同的影响因素设计试验，从而探索适宜的恢复措施和植被恢复物种。初步结论如下： 1． 本文研究的28种乡土植物中，17种测定的物种活力较高(>72%)，均具有作为恢复物种的潜力。但28种种子中75%的发芽率为0%。大部分种子存在一定程度的休眠，包括甘肃山楂、称花藤、疏花槭、陇东海棠、球花荚迷、巴东小檗、蔷薇、宝兴栒子、光泽栒子、光枝柳叶忍冬、甘青铁线莲、毛果铁线莲、宽叶旌节花、糙叶五加和独活。因而种子存在深度休眠是乡土物种自然更新和植被恢复的主要障碍，需要根据种子的形态生理特征，寻求打破乡土植物种子休眠的有效方法，提高种子发芽率。 2．低温层积只显著提高了蔷薇、毛果铁线莲、宽叶旌节花和假升麻3种种子的发芽率，也相对较早地提高了陇东海棠、鲜黄小檗和独活的萌发。对于其它物种的种子，低温层积没能有效打破休眠提高发芽率。综合分析结果表明九寨沟28种林下或林缘乡土植物中窄叶鲜卑花、毛果铁线莲、宽叶旌节花、假升麻、陇东海棠、鲜黄小檗和独活等12种可直播或通过低温层积处理后直播用于旅游干扰退化地段的植被恢复中，而其它的种类尚需进一步寻求打破休眠的措施以提高种子发芽能力。 3．在原始林生境下，七筋菇、巴东小檗、耳叶风毛菊、长叶毛花忍冬及独活5种乡土植物种子的出苗能力不高，因此目前急需提出有关提高种子出苗的方法措施。在相同的处理条件下，不同物种出苗数存在着较大的差异，相比而言，巴东小檗、耳叶风毛菊和长叶毛花忍冬种子出苗与幼苗存活较高，对于其环境适应能力较强，因此它们更适宜采用播种的方式应用于九寨沟原始林践踏地段地表的植被恢复实践；而七筋菇和独活在室内和自然气候条件下萌发都很困难，在植被恢复过程中，可考虑采用其它播种方式。而在边坡和混交林生境试验结果表明，供试物种无萌发和出苗现象，这可能跟外界环境条件、干扰和种子命运有关。 4． 本研究中腐殖质、松土和苔藓覆盖处理措施均未能提高物种出苗，且对样方内植被结构以及物种丰富度也无显著影响，其中的影响因素也是多方面的，因此还需进一步研究探索。但腐殖质对幼苗存活能力方面有一定的积极作用。 The increasing tourism disturbance is an unavoidable issue to effective conservation and sustaind tourist management of Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve. It has become one of the focal problems of regional ecological protect and economic development. Assessing the traits, quality, seed dormancy and germination of native seed and choosing the suitable species and ways for vegetation restoration were the important precondition and guarantee before vegetation restoration. In this paper, as an example to Jiuzhaigou world nature heritage, through the estimation to the basic characteristics of native seeds and the use of native species for the test of vegetation restoration and the choosing of vegetation restoration techniques, in three different habitats being disturbed, including the primitive forest, mixed forest and side slope. According to different factors, designing experiments in order to explore the appropriate measures and species of vegetation restoration . Our results are as follows: 1． There are 77% seeds of the 28 species with high viability(>72%), which had the potential possibility of being restoration species. The germination of 75% of the seed was 0%.Most of the seed was dormant, So dormancy of seed was the barrier for natural regeneration and vegetation restoration, Further research is needed on investigating the other more effective methods to release seed dormancy of these native species in the future. 2． Cold stratification did not release seed dormancy of most species. In our study, there are only 3 species including Clematis peterae var. trichocarpa, Stachyurus chinensis and Aruncus sylvester (P<0.05) with germination percentage increased by cold stratification. By comprehensive analysis, the result shows: In 28 undergrowth native seeds, Sibiraea angustata, Clematis peterae var. trichocarpa, Stachyurus chinensis, Aruncus Sylvester, Malus kansuensis, Berberis diaphana,and Heracleum hemsleyanum could be used to vegetation restoration by sowing directly or sowing after cold stratification in degenerate gland being disturbed by turism, and othes seed of 28 were needed to search other methods to release seed dormancy for advancing the ability of germination. 3．In the habitat of primitive forest, the ability of emergence of the native species Clintonia udensis, Berberis henryana, Saussurea neofranchetii, Lonicera trichosantha var.xerocalyx and Heracleum hemsleyanum was low, so it is urgently needed to search about the methods of advancing emergence. In the sametreatment, the number of emergence of different species was very different. Relatively speaking, the emergence and seedling survival of the species Berberis henryana, Saussurea neofranchetii and Lonicera trichosantha var.xerocalyx was higher, and the adaptability of the species was better, so they were more suitable for vegetation restoration on trampling-induced degraded patches of primitive forest in Jiuzhaigou; But the germination of Clintonia udensis and Heracleum hemsleyanum was both difficult in laboratory and natural conditions, so it could be considered to apply other sowing methods. However, the result showed that: applied species didn’t germinate or emergent in the habitat of side slope and mixed forest, which could be related to external environment conditions, interference and the fate of the seed. 4．In this study, humus, scatification and bryophyte cover measures didn’t advance the emergence of the species or the structure of vegetation and richness in plot significantly, the impact factors of which were many, therefore further research is needed . However, humus had a certain positive effect on the ability of seedling survival.

黄龙世界自然遗产地岷江冷杉原始林群落结构与植物多样性：生境差异性研究

黄龙世界自然遗产地岷江冷杉林(Abies faxoniana)生境类型多样，群落结构复杂，群落植物种类组成多样性丰富。揭示不同生境的生物多样性及其差异是认识生物多样性格局、形成及维持机制的前提和进行多样性保育的基础。本文采用样方法对黄龙钙化滩生境、阴坡非钙化生境及半阳坡非钙化生境的岷江冷杉原始林植物群落结构及植物多样性进行了研究。结果表明： 黄龙岷江冷杉林具有明显的复层异龄结构，垂直结构明显，乔木、灌木、草本、苔藓层次分明。共发现高等植物386 种，其中维管植物46 科103 属163 种，苔藓植38 科83 属物223 种。各层片结构及物种组成如下: (1)钙化滩生境、阴坡非钙化生境、半阳坡非钙化生境分别发现乔木18 种、13种、8 种。乔木层均可分为两个亚层，第一亚层优势种均为岷江冷杉，第二亚层主要为岷江冷杉异龄树或其它大高位芽物种。钙化滩生境第一亚层除优势种岷江冷杉外混生有巴山冷杉(Abies fargesii)、粗枝云杉(Picea asperata)以及阔叶树种白桦(Betula platyphylla)等，第二亚层主要为岷江冷杉异龄树；阴坡非钙化生境第一亚层除优势种岷江冷杉外间有巴山冷杉和白桦，第二亚层物种主要为川滇长尾槭(Acer caudatum var. prattii)；半阳坡非钙化生境第一亚层除优势种岷江冷杉外混生有巴山冷杉，第二亚层主要为岷江冷杉异龄树。依乔木层优势种的差异，钙化滩生境及半阳坡非钙化生境为岷江冷杉纯林，阴坡非钙化生境为岷江冷杉－川滇长尾槭混交林。不同生境乔木层郁闭度、乔木密度、树高结构、直径结构均存在差异。 (2)钙化滩生境发现灌木41 种，平均盖度为18.49±1.72(％)，平均高度为52.12±4.45(cm)，优势种为直穗小檗(Berberis dasystachya)；阴坡非钙化生境发现灌木30 种，平均盖度为29.33±2.56 (％)，平均高度为119.55±8.01 (cm)，优势种为箭竹 (Fargesia spathacea) 、唐古特忍冬(Lonicera tangutica) 和袋花忍冬(Lonicera saccata)；半阳坡非钙化生境发现灌木29 种，平均盖度为31.35±1.93 (％)，平均高度为107.55±4.24 (cm)，优势种为箭竹(Fargesia spathacea)。不同生境灌木层结构和物种组成多样性差异显著，钙化滩生境的灌木盖度、高度总体上较非钙化的坡地生境低, 钙化滩生境灌木以小型叶的落叶灌木为主，沟两侧非钙化的坡地生境上则发育了丰富箭竹。 (3)钙化滩生境发现草本46 种，平均盖度为7.18±0.79 (％)，平均高度为5.04±0.26(cm)，以山酢浆草(Oxalis griffithii)为优势种；阴坡非钙化生境发现草本物种71 种，平均盖度达29.04±2.31(％)，平均高度为9.08±0.52(cm)，以钝叶楼梯草(Elatostema obtusum)、山酢浆草为优势种；半阳坡非钙化生境草本物种50 种，平均盖度为以8.79±0.82(％)，平均高度为7.67±0.43 (cm)，以扇叶铁线蕨(Adiantum flabellulatum)、双花堇菜(Viola biflora)、华中蛾眉蕨(Lunathyrium shennongense)、山酢浆草为优势种。阴坡非钙化生境草本层片发育良好，多样性最为丰富，盖度和物种丰富度均显著高于钙化滩生境和半阳坡非钙化生境。 (4)钙化滩生境发现苔藓物种140 种，平均盖度达84.25±1.30 (％)，以仰叶星塔藓(Hylocomiastrum umbratum) 等大型藓类为优势种；阴坡非钙化生境发现苔藓物种115 种，平均盖度为79.29±1.64 (％)，以刺叶提灯藓(Mnium spinosum)、大羽藓(Thuidium cymbifolium)、毛尖燕尾藓(Bryhnia trichomitra)等个体较小的物种为优势种；半阳坡非钙化生境发现苔藓物种91 种，平均盖度为60.64±1.93 (％)，也以刺叶提灯藓为优势种。 (5)钙化滩生境、阴坡非钙化生境、半阳坡非钙化生境的物种数分别为234 种、221 种、175 种。乔木层的Shannon-Wiener 指数分别为0.75 ±0.12、1.87±0.12、1.78±0.07（灌木层，0.44±0.08、1.71± 0.15、2.49±0.06；草本层，0.33±0.13、1.31±0.15 、2.15±0.08； 苔藓层1.30±0.11、2.08±0.04、1.73±0.11，）；Pielou 均匀度指数分别为0.45±0.05、0.29±0.06、0.28±0.08（灌木层，0.75±0.03、0.68±0.05、0.52±0.06；草本层，0.68±0.02、0.77±0.02、0.74±0.02；苔藓层，0.40±0.03、0.63±0.02、0.52±0.03）；Simpson's 优势度指数分别为0.63±0.06、0.78±0.04、0.83±0.07（灌木层，0.21±0.03、0.28±0.05、0.45±0.06；草本层，0.25±0.02、0.12±0.01、0.17±0.01；苔藓层，0.45±0.04、0.18±0.01、0.31±0.04）。三种生境间乔木层、草本层的Sorenson 群落相似性系数较低, 灌木层、苔藓层的的Sorenson 群落相似性系数较高。 综上所述，黄龙岷江冷杉林的群落结构、植物多样性在三种生境间存在差异性，这将意味着我们在进行黄龙世界自然遗产地的森林经营管理时要较多地关注岷江冷山林群落在不同生境中的差异性。 There were multiplex habitat types, complicated community structure and abundant species composition in the Huanglong World Natural Heritage Site. Uncovering the differences of biodiversity among different habitats was a precondition to understand the distribution, formation and sustaining mechanism of the biodiversity, and the foundation of biodiversity conservation. In the present study, using plenty of quadrants, we investigated the community structure and the biodiversity of the primitive Abies faxoniana forest in different habitats (travertine bottomland, semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat and shady-slope non-calcified habitat) in the Huanglong World Natural Heritage Site. The main results are as follows: All the primitive Abies faxoniana forests in the three habitats were uneven-aged with obvious vertical structure including tree layer, shrub layer, herb layer and bryophyte layer. A total of 386 higher plants including 163 vascular plant species (103 generic, 46 families) and 223 bryophyte species (83 generic, 38 families) were investigated. The structure and species composition of each layer are as follows: (1) There were 18, 13 and 8 tree species in travertine bottomland, shady-slope non-calcified habitat and semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, respectively. The tree layers in all habitats can be divided into two clear sub-layers. The upper tree layers were dominated by Abies faxoniana, and the lower tree layers were dominated by uneven-aged Abies faxoniana or other phanerophytes species. There were Abies fargesii , Picea asperata and Betula platyphylla besides the dominated species (Abies faxoniana) in the upper tree layer in travertine bottomland, and the lower tree layers were dominated by uneven-aged Abies faxoniana; There were Abies fargesii and Betula platyphylla besides the dominated species (Abies faxoniana) in the upper tree layer in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the lower tree layers were dominated by Acer caudatum var. prattii; There was Abies fargesii besides the dominated species (Abies faxoniana) in the upper tree layer semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the lower tree layers were dominated by uneven-aged Abies faxoniana. According to composition percentage of dominate species in tree layer, both the forest in travertine bottomland and in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat could be ranked as pure forest, and the forest in shady-slope non-calcified habitat could be ranked as mingled forest. There were significant differences in crown density, plant density, height structure and diameter structure among the three habitats. (2) A total of 41 shrub species (average coverage 18.49±1.72％; average height 52.12±4.45 ㎝)were found in travertine bottomland, and the dominate species was Berberis dasystachya; A total of 30 shrub species (average coverage 29.33±2.56 ％;average height 119.55±8.01 ㎝)were found in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Fargesia spathacea, Lonicera tangutica and Lonicera saccata. A total of 29 shrub species (average coverage 31.35±1.93％; average height 107.55±4.24 ㎝) were found in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Fargesia spathacea. There were significant differences in structure and species diversity of the shrub layers among the three habitats. The coverage and height of shrub had lower value in travertine bottomland than in two non-calcified habitats. Moreover, travertine bottomland was dominated by deciduous shrub species with microphyll and non-calcified habitats developed abundant Fargesia spathacea species. (3) A total of 46 herb species (average coverage 7.18±0.79％;average height 5.04±0.26 ㎝)were found in travertine bottomland, and the dominate species was Oxalis griffithii; A total of 71 herb species (average coverage 29.04±2.31％;average height 9.08±0.52 ㎝)were found in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Elatostema obtusum and Oxalis griffithii. A total of 50 herb species (average coverage 8.79±0.82％;average height 7.67±0.43 ㎝) were found in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Adiantum flabellulatum, Viola biflora, Lunathyrium shennongense and Oxalis griffithii. Herb layers developed well in shady-slope non-calcified habitat and had the higher species richness and coverage than travertine bottomland and semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat. (4) A total of 140 bryophyte species (average coverage 84.25±1.30％)were found in travertine bottomland, and the dominate species was big bryophyte species such as Hylocomiastrum umbratum and so on; A total of 115 bryophyte species (average coverage 79.29±1.64％)were found in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was small bryophyte species such as Mnium spinosum, Thuidium cymbifolium, Bryhnia trichomitra and so on. A total of 91 bryophyte species (average coverage 60.64±1.93％) were found in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Mnium spinosum. (5) There were 234, 221 and 175 plant species in travertine bottomland, shady-slope non-calcified habitat and semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, respectively. Shannon-Wiener index of the tree layer was 0.75 ±0.12, 1.87±0.12 and 1.78±0.07 (the shrub layer, 0.44±0.08, 1.71± 0.15 and 2.49±0.06; the herb layer, 0.33±0.13, 1.31±0.15 and 2.15±0.08; the bryophyte layer, 1.30±0.11, 2.08±0.04 and 1.73±0.11.) for the three habitats, respectively; Pielou index of the tree layer was 0.45±0.05, 0.29±0.06 and 0.28±0.08 (the shrub layer, 0.75±0.03, 0.68±0.05 and 0.52±0.06; the herb layer, 0.68±0.02, 0.77±0.02 and 0.74±0.02; the bryophyte layer, 0.40±0.03, 0.63±0.02 and 0.52±0.03.) for the three habitats, respectively. Simpson's index of the tree layer was 0.63±0.06, 0.78±0.04 and 0.83±0.07 (the shrub layer, 0.21±0.03、0.28±0.05、0.45±0.06; the herb layer, 0.25±0.02, 0.12±0.01 and 0.17±0.01; the bryophyte layer, 0.45±0.04, 0.18±0.01 and 0.31±0.04.) for the three habitats, respectively. There were low Sorenson index both in the tree layer and in the herb layer among the three habitats, whereas, high Sorenson index occurred both in the shrub layer and in the bryophyte layer. To sum up, there were differences both in community structure and plant diversity among the three different habitats, which means that we should pay more attention to habitats heterogeneities of the primitive Abies faxoniana forest when we take action to manage the forest in the Huanglong World Natural Heritage Site.

Recent patterns of change in vegetation structure and tree composition of British broadleaved woodland: evidence from large-scale surveys

Evidence is presented of widespread changes in structure and species composition between the 1980s and 2003–2004 from surveys of 249 British broadleaved woodlands. Structural components examined include canopy cover, vertical vegetation profiles, field-layer cover and deadwood abundance. Woods were located in 13 geographical localities and the patterns of change were examined for each locality as well as across all woods. Changes were not uniform throughout the localities; overall, there were significant decreases in canopy cover and increases in sub-canopy (2–10 m) cover. Changes in 0.5–2 m vegetation cover showed strong geographic patterns, increasing in western localities, but declining or showing no change in eastern localities. There were significant increases in canopy ash Fraxinus excelsior and decreases in oak Quercus robur/petraea. Shrub layer ash and honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum increased while birch Betula spp. hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and hazel Corylus avellana declined. Within the field layer, both bracken Pteridium aquilinum and herbs increased. Overall, deadwood generally increased. Changes were consistent with reductions in active woodland management and changes in grazing and browsing pressure. These findings have important implications for sustainable active management of British broadleaved woodlands to meet silvicultural and biodiversity objectives.

Pollen and macroremains from sediment core Aschenhütte

The Upper Pleistocene sediments of the Aschenhütte sink-hole (west of Herzberg am Harz, Lower Saxony) enable one to make interesting correlations between palynological and geological results. The sequence is composed of limnic-telmatic deposits (Eemain to Lower Weichselian) and loess with paleosoils (Weichselian). Sedimentation started during the hornbeam-dominated phase of the Eemian interglacial period and continued throughout the Eemian, the Weichselian Brörup interstadial (sensu Andersen) and parts of the preceding and the following stadial phases, the Herning and the Rederstall stadials. As opposed to most of the known Eemian sites spruce was a major tree species during the hornbeam-dominated phase of the Eemian. The vegetational development during the interstadial phase does not show a period of climatic deterioration as is the case for the Brörup interstadial when considering regions with a more demanding vegetation or regions close to the natural boundaries of the tree species concerned. Pollen or seeds of Bruckenthalia and Picea omoricoides have not been found in the Aschenhütte cores. The limnic-telmatic sediments interlock with loess-paleosoils (Eemian soil and Lower Weichselian bleaching soils) at the lake shore. They are overlaid by loess paleosoils of the Stillfried-B interstadial (Hattorf soil and Lohne soil). Lake level fluctuations were determined by means of the facies distribution and isochrones as defined by pollen analysis. A relatively high stand of the lake level existed after the end of the Eemian interglacial and during the Brörup interstadial periods. In the course of the Herning stadial period the water level dropped, whereas during the Rederstall stadial phase the lake basin was covered by sediments and therefore dried up.