Spatial patterns of composition modes of fruit type and fruit diversity in land ecosystems of China and their mechanisms

摘要

Land ecosystems or plant communities possess various fruit types (fleshy fruits, dry fruits, capsule, achene, net, caryopsis, berry, legume, follicles, drupe etc.). Fruit type spectrum of land ecosystem is a result of long-term adaptation of plant toits environment for angiosperm. Spatial patterns of fruit type have been rarely explored based on abundant samplings in larger scales ( Debussche et al 1989, Eriksson et al 1991). The object of this study is to explore patterns and adaptation mechanismsof fruit type in angiosperm of different life forms (tree, shrub, herb and liana) according to the flora information in 300 sample sites (small scale of area), 100 nature reserves (middle scale of area) and 22 provinces or regions (large scale of area) of China.