森林动物与植物果实（种子）种间互作网络多样性与稳定性研究

The mechanisms for the maintenance of biodiversity and stability in communities have been debated in ecology over a long time, but at present there exist some major conflicts between theoretical research and empirical observation regarding to the relationships between biodiversity and stability. Therefore, it is necessary to incorporate both experimental research and theoretical models to test related theories and hypotheses. Through field investigation and model simulation, this project aims to explore the impacts of forest fragmentation on the diversity and stability mechanisms related to species interaction networks between animals (insects, birds and mammals) and plant fruits (seeds). This study includes the following aspects: (1) diversity and stability mechanisms between specialist systems (insects) and generalist systems (birds and mammals) and predator-prey systems (seed predation) and mutualism systems (seed dispersal), (2) how loses of key species and functional groups affect biodiversity and stability by model simulation (3) the responses of interaction networks involving animals and fruits (seeds) to forest fragmentation, and (4) analyzing the ability of biodiversity persistence and ecological restoration after disturbances (e.g. forest fragmentation) in forest communities. This study will be helpful to elucidate the interaction network structure between animals and plant fruits (seeds); to elucidate the unique mechanisms of diversity-stability and ecological restoration in specialist and generalist systems or predator-prey and mutualism systems; to elucidate ecological and evolutionary mechanisms involving species interactions in community structures and functions; to provide basic knowledge and management advice for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management and restoration of degenerated forest ecosystem.

群落多样性维持和稳定机制是生态学领域的重大科学问题，但目前理论研究与实际结果仍有很大矛盾，非常需要实验生态学研究及理论模型的验证。本项目拟通过野外调查和模型分析，探讨森林破碎化对动物（昆虫、鸟类和兽类）与植物果实（种子）之间种间互作网络多样性和稳定性的影响。重点研究专食性系统（昆虫）与广食性系统（鸟兽）以及捕食系统（种子捕食系统）与互惠系统（种子扩散系统）的多样性形成、维持和稳定机制，检验关键种及功能群缺失对群落多样性与稳定性的作用特征，揭示动物与果实（种子）种间互作网络对森林破碎化的响应机制及森林群落生态恢复的过程。本项研究结果将有助于阐明以动物各功能群和植物果实（种子）间的互作网络结构，解析专食性系统与广食性系统以及捕食系统和互惠系统的稳定机制，有助于解决多样性与稳定性这一重大生态学命题的争议，为生物多样性保护、退化森林生态系统恢复提供科学依据。

已知人类砍伐造成的森林碎片化显著地减少了物种多样性，但其如何影响物种互作关系、网络结构及其稳定性尚不清楚。本项目于2014-2018年选取我国都江堰的亚热带森林若干斑块，研究了森林砍伐、森林破碎化对鸟类与植物种子、小型兽类与植物种子、昆虫与植物种子的互作关系及网络结构的影响，并利用模型模拟，探讨了影响互作网络的关键因素。本项目创建了可以在个体水平上测定鼠类-植物种子互作强度的红外相机法与种子标签法以及基于无线射频的自动识别系统，创建了结合直接观测法和红外相机法测定鸟类-种子互作强度的方法，较好地构建了物种互作网络。研究发现森林碎片化、森林砍伐会导致物种多样性降低、互作强度增大、网络稳定性降低，发现低密度互惠、高密度对抗有利于维持生态网络结构复杂性和稳定性，丰富了物种互作网络理论。该研究明确了维持森林更新的关键种类，在森林保护和恢复上具有重要的实践意义。本项目发表著作1册，论文24篇（其中，SCI论文19篇， CSCD论文5篇），研发2套测定鼠类-植物种子关系的设备，培养研究生7名、博士后3名。