Food habits and selective grazing of Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) in Hulunber Grassland

IntroductionMongoliangazelle(PrOCSPraguttuross)isaspecialruminantspeciesthathasnumerouspopulationsintheeasternpaFtofNetMonggolGrasslandandasignificantcomponentofthegrasslandecosystem.Thisspecieshasthehabittoselectspeciesandqualityofplantstograze.However,thepopulationhasdecreaseddramaticallyandfacesextinctioninChina(JiangetSI.1998).Therefore,itisveryimportanttostudythefoodhabitsandfoodchoicebyMongoliangazelleforpromotingtheprotectionandmanagementofremainingpopulation.Inapreviouspaper(Gao…     

Ecology habits ofEquus hemionus andGazella subgutturosa in Kalamaili Ungulate Reserve in autumn

The food habits of Wild ass (Equus hemionus) and Goitred gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in kalamaili Ungulate Reserve in autumn was described, based on the investigation conducted in 1992. Wild ass was much concentrated around water sources, and had more food resource than Goitred gezelle. The quagmires in the reserve were critical conditions as food and water bases for both species. In terms of present survey, it was estimated that 680 Wild ass and 8840 Goitred gazelle lived in this reserve. (Responsible Editor: Zhu Hong)     

Seasonal,tissue and age influences on frequency and biodiversity of endophytic fungi of Citrus sinensis in Iran

A total of 4,009 endophytic fungal isolates were recovered from healthy leaves, bark and xylem of Citrus sinensis in different seasons and age‐classes. Corresponding to those factors, the majorities of fungal isolates were recovered from leaves, 2‐yr‐old trees and winter, respectively. Fungal isolates were initially categorized based on cultural and morphological characters, and representatives of each morphotype were subjected to molecular identifications based on ITS‐rDNA and β‐tubulin sequences. All isolates obtained in this study belonged to the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota assigned to 30 fungal taxa. The most abundant fungal species were Alternaria spp. Species diversity indices of Margalef richness and Shannon–Wiener revealed a high diversity of fungal taxa recovered from leaf and during winter. Frequency (%) of fungal endophytes was highest in winter followed by summer, autumn, and spring significantly, whereas the corresponding sequence was winter, autumn, summer and spring for the diversity of endophytic fungi. Overall, the results of this study based on the community and diversity of endophytic fungal species in C. sinensis showed that the type of plant tissue, season of sampling and age of tree play a driving role on their abundance while their diversity was mainly dependent on the type of plant tissue, season of sampling than on the age of tree.     

三峡库区云阳县三种类型马尾松林微生物区系及优势种群分析Ⅱ.林地空气、叶面和树皮表面

为探讨马尾松不同类型林地地上部微生物区系及优势种群及其季节性变化,对三峡库区云阳县马尾松近熟龄天然林、中龄天然林和人工林林地空气、叶面和树皮表面等地上部的可培养细菌和真菌进行了分析。结果表明,空气、叶面和树皮表面的真菌、细菌两大类微生物数量四季变化趋势基本一致,夏季和秋季的数量多于冬季和春季,中龄天然林的两大类微生物数量最大且四季变化亦最大;优势种群的种类和数量随季节和林地类型不同而有所变化。人工林空气中可培养真菌种类秋、冬、春、夏分别有4、3、4、3种,近熟龄天然林和中龄天然林四季中均为3种;优势种群多     

Pre- and post-dispersal damage to the acorns of two oak species (Quercus serrata Thunb. andQ. mongolica Fisher) in a species-rich deciduous forest

A comparative study of pre- and post-dispersal damage to the acrons of two oaks,Quercus serrata Thunb. andQ. mongolica Fischer, was done over 3 years in a species-rich deciduous forest in central Japan. The numbers of acorns bored into by moth larvae and byKobuzo rectirostris (Roelofs) was low and relatively uniform each year for both oak species, but the numbers bored into byCurculio spp. varied from year to year. The proportions of acorns attacked were independent of the density of acorns produced for both oak species. The proportions of the dispersed acorns of both oak species on the forest floor that disappeared between autumn and spring were less than 27%, and were lower for species in the stand that belong to family Fagaceae. However, by the next summer, most dispersed sound acorns had been infested by moths that specialized on post-dispersal acorns.     

Nutrition analysis of forage plants and foragnig behavior of Mongolian gazella

NutritionAnalysisofForagingPlantNutritionanalysisonwinterfoodconstitutionofMongoliangazella(PIOc~gutturosa)inHulunbeirgrasslandwasmadebyuseofthemicrohistologicalanalysistechniqueoff6ces.Theresultsshowedthat21plantspecies(genus)wereavailabletoMongpliangazellainwinter(Table1).FromTable1,wecouldconcludethattheGramipeaeisthestaplefoodforMongpliangazellainwinter.*T:meansoneforagingplant'spercentageofallforagingplants.AChnatherumSPI6nd6ns,whichdistributesinlakesideandsalinizedlowland,belongs…     

Variation in spring and autumn frost tolerance among provenances of Russian larches (Larix Mill.)

Abstract

Spring and autumn frost tolerance was measured using material from a range-wide (50–67° N, 38–158° E) provenance trial of four Russian larch species (Larix sukaczewii Dyl., L. sibirica Ledeb., L. gmelinii Rupr. and L. cajanderi Mayr.) growing in northern Sweden. Shoots were collected in early May and late September and frozen at ?8, ?12, ?16 and ?20°C. Cambial damage was assessed visually after development under ideal conditions for 2 weeks. Differences in frost damage among provenances were highly significant in both spring and autumn. Autumn frost damage was significantly correlated with provenance latitude and longitude and spring frost damage was significantly correlated with provenance longitude but not latitude. Frost damage was not correlated with provenance elevation. North-western provenances showed the least damage and far-eastern provenances the greatest damage in both spring and autumn. A possible explanation for less spring frost damage to north-western provenances is adaptation to maritime conditions in proximity to the Barents Sea, which is often ice free in late winter. This would counteract early loss of frost tolerance and bud flushing if warm spells occurred in late winter. North-eastern Siberian provenances did not show similar adaptation and may exhibit increased spring frost damage if global warming eventually results in the Arctic Ocean north of Siberia becoming ice free in late winter.     

Mountain pine beetle‐associated blue‐stain fungi in lodgepole × jack pine hybrids near Grande Prairie,Alberta (Canada)

The mountain pine beetle (MPB), the most serious pest of lodgepole pine in mountainous western Canada, spread northeastward into lodgepole × jack pine hybrids in the boreal forest of Alberta in 2006. The MPB vectors three species of blue‐stain fungi, which contribute to the success of the beetles. These fungi were isolated from MPB larvae and galleries in several lodgepole × jack pine stands in the Grande Prairie region of northwestern Alberta in autumn 2006 and winter and spring 2007. Fungi were recovered from more than 95% of gallery systems. The three fungi were similarly prevalent but Ophiostoma montium was the most frequently isolated fungus at each sampling point, isolated from 72% to 90% of gallery systems compared with 63% to 78% for Grosmannia clavigera, and 61% to 86% for Leptographium longiclavatum. Ophiostoma montium and G. clavigera were isolated from more larvae than gallery samples, with the opposite true for L. longiclavatum. Most gallery systems contained multiple fungi with three fungi per gallery system being more common in autumn and winter and two fungi more common in the spring. The combination of G. clavigera and L. longiclavatum was less common among gallery systems with two fungi than either of the pairwise combinations containing O. montium. Fungal prevalence was the same above and below snow level. The prevalence of the three fungi did not differ significantly among stands sampled in the spring but stands with more G. clavigera tended to have less L. longiclavatum. The winter of 2006–2007 was colder than average throughout Alberta with temperatures below ?30°C in November, January and February, and all three fungi were present after the cold winter while most larvae had died, suggesting that overwintering mortality of the fungi will not limit persistence and spread of MPB in the boreal forest.     

Fungi Isolated from Diseased Nursery Seedlings in Spain

Fungal endophytes in container-grown seedlings in forest nurseries located in the North Plateau of Spain have been studied. Influences of nursery, season (spring and autumn), host genus and plant part on those fungal assemblages have been also evaluated. Four nurseries were sampled in spring and three in autumn. Analysed material consisted of stems, roots and rhizosphere from five host species, Quercus ilex, Q. pyrenaica, Pinus pinea, P. nigra and P. sylvestris. A total of 581 isolates corresponding to 13 taxa were found in this study. Fusarium moniliforme, F. oxysporum and Trichoderma viride were the most frequently isolated fungi. Number of fungal species per observation differed significantly among the sampled parts. Multivariate Correspondence Analysis allowed the discrimination of samples in five groups based on nursery, season, host genus and plant part. Isolation frequencies of F. moniliforme and F. oxysporum were higher in the roots and in spring, whereas those of T. viride were higher in the rhizosphere and in autumn. A relationship was observed between presence of T. viride and absence of Fusarium spp. in forest nurseries. T. viride, could serve as a biological control agent against Fusarium spp. in forest nurseries.     

Ecology Habits of Equus hemionus and Gazella subgutturosa in Kalamaili Ungulate Reserve in Autumn

IntroductionKalamailiUngulateReserVe(88"30,-90o001E,44o46,-46o00'N),beingfoundedin1982andcovering17,000km',issituatedinsoutheasternDzungariaBasininXinjiang.Wildass(Equushemionus)andGoitredgazelle(GazedssUbgutturosa)arerankedrespectivelyasclass1and11proteCtedanimalsinChina11].ThereservebelongstoinlandlowhillydesertwitheXtremehotsumm\erandcoldwinter.Thevegetationfeaturepresentsscarcecoverage,dwarfplantsandlowbiomes.DominantplantsareHaIOXyIOnammodondfon,ReaumUfissoogaFI'Ca,Art6miSiBsp…     

花尾榛鸡（Bonasa bonasia）在韩国温带林中的季节性移动特性

This study were carried out in the Experimental Forest (37° 48′ 10″ N, 127° 48′ 50″ E) of Gangwon Forest Development Institute, Gamjeong-ri, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do Province, Korea from Dec. 1999 to Jul. 2002. Eight individuals (three males and five females) of hazel grouse were captured and they were marked with a 14-g necklace-type transmitter. The surveying results showed that females were more active than males throughout the year, but males were more mobile than females in spring. The degree of movement for females and males was similar from summer to winter. The overlap degree of habitat was very large from spring to autumn. Hazel grouse had greater shifts in area use in winter. They used similar area from spring to autumn, made a shift in their habitat use in winter, and then shifted back to the previous habitat. Foundation item: This paper was supported by the Agricultural R & D Promotion Center (No. 198046-3), Korea Biography: Shin-Jae RHIM (1970-), male, Ph. Doctor in University Forests, Seoul National University, Suwon 441-744, Korea. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

Nitrogen nutrition of hedged stock plants of Loblolly Pine. I. Tissue nitrogen concentrations and carbohydrate status

Hedged stock plants of four full-sib families [27-2 × 27-5, 27-3× 27-1, 27-2 × 27-1, and 27-6 × 27-1 (designated B, G, R, andW)] of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) were fertilized dailywith a complete nutrient solution containing N supplied fromNH₄NO₃ at either 10, 25, 40, 55, or 70mg·L^–1. In May (spring softwood), July(summer softwood), and January (winter hardwood) terminal stem cuttings weretaken for tissue analysis and rooting studies. Averaged over families, meantissue concentrations of N were higher in spring (1.8%) and summer (1.7%) thanin winter (1.3%). Concentrations of N increased linearly with increasing levelsof applied N. Concentrations of total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) inwinter (32.8%) were twice those in spring (17.1%) or summer (16.3%), but wererelatively unaffected by N application. In contrast, starch concentrations weresignificantly higher during spring and summer than winter. The greatest numbersof orthotropic shoots 9 cm in length were produced for thespring, followed by summer, and then winter hedgings. Number of shoots producedper hedge increased with increasing applied N rates, and family B producedsignificantly more shoots than the other three families at all applied N levels.Genetic differences among families were evident as several interactions with Nrates were observed.     

浙北马尾松人工林鸟类群落结构和多样性指数的季节变化

浙江省北部马尾松人工林春季鸟各丰富度最高（４７种），秋季最少（３１种），冬、夏季分别为３５种和３６种。留留种类秋季最多是（６７７％），春季的迁徙鸟种类最多（５７．４％）。冬、春、夏、秋，鸟类平均密度分别为５６．８７、５６．８１、４７．２５及４９．３５只／１０ｈｍ＾２。春季留鸟的平均密度最高（４３．１０只１０／ｈｍ＾２），依次是夏、秋、冬季，分别为４１．４７、３９．０５和３６．７６只／１０ｈｍ＾２。     

北京市典型道路防护林滞尘时空分布及其影响因子分析

[目的]研究北京海淀区3种道路防护林(油松林、圆柏林、银杏林)的滞尘能力、林内滞尘的空间分布规律、滞尘作用与气象因子和PM10浓度的相关性。[方法]滞尘量的测定用单位叶干质量滞尘量(mg·g-1)表征叶面滞尘能力。于冬、春、夏、秋4季对3种道路防护林内距道路不同距离处的滞尘量进行连续观测,比较3种道路防护林滞尘能力,分析3种道路防护林滞尘的空间分布特征及降雨等气象因子及PM10浓度与滞尘作用的相关性。[结果](1) 3种道路防护林总体单位滞尘量圆柏林(4. 20±0. 19 mg·g-1)银杏林(1. 98±0. 07 mg·g-1)油松林(1. 71±0. 07 mg·g-1);油松和圆柏林的单位滞尘量冬季春季秋季夏季,银杏林的单位滞尘量春季和秋季基本无差异,夏季最低; 3种道路防护林的单位滞尘量在各季节均为圆柏林最高,银杏林次之,油松林最低。(2) 3种道路防护林空间分布的总体特征为:油松和圆柏林的滞尘空间分布均表现为"两端高、中间低",银杏林单位滞尘量林分中间位置略高于两侧;不同季节表现为冬季北侧高,春季南侧高,夏、秋季南北侧差异不显著。(3)降水量对3种道路防护林滞尘作用影响最大,是3种道路防护林滞尘的最主要限制因子,极大风速、气温、相对湿度和PM10浓度对3种道路防护林滞尘均具有不同程度的正的直接作用。[结论]在相同配置模式(5 m×5 m)及林龄(18年)下,林地尺度滞尘量油松林最大、圆柏林次之、银杏林最低。道路防护林迎风一侧往往具有较高滞尘量,可根据盛行风向强化迎风侧的树木配置。降雨是树木滞尘的主要限制因子,冬季和春季降雨少,树木滞尘量较大,可结合人工冲洗措施使其发挥更大滞尘作用。     

Interactions between Widely Spaced Young Poplars (Populus spp.) and the Understorey Environment

Silvopastoral systems involving poplars are common to rural landscapes in many parts of New Zealand. The effect of widely spaced trees of Populus nigra × P. maximowiczii, aged 8–11 years, on the surrounding micro-environment in a tree-pasture system was determined over 3 years at a southern North Island hill country site. Relative to open (unshaded, no trees) pasture, understorey pasture received 33% less radiation while radiation on the north side of trees (North) was similar to that on the south side of trees (South). Around one tree, soil temperature averaged 14.9°C annually on the North and 13.8°C on the South. Soil water content was highest in spring and winter (0.35–11;0.39 m³ m⁻³) and lowest in summer and autumn (0.21–11;0.26 m³ m⁻³), and differences occurred between plots in open pasture and those beneath trees in all seasons except spring. Soil water content of tree aspects differed slightly (<10%) in summer (South > North) and autumn (North > South), but not in spring and winter, when contents were similar. Soil pH was 0.2 units higher beneath trees than in open pasture in one of 2 years. Concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, P, and S were similar in tree and open environments. The study results complement those collected for mature trees, and will be useful in developing tree-pasture models.     

Direct and indirect weather impacts on spring populations of lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) in Norway

Abstract

In Norway, a positive relationship between spring numbers of lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) and previous June temperatures has been interpreted as an effect of temperatures on woodpecker survival and reproduction during the breeding season. This article considers the possibility that woodpecker numbers are related to the abundance of the moth Argyresthia goedartella in the current year. Larvae and pupae of A. goedartella are important food for lesser spotted woodpeckers in early spring when few other surface-living invertebrates are available. The occurrence of this moth depends on the flowering of birch (Betula spp.) and alder (Alnus glutinosa), which in turn is influenced by June temperatures in the preceding year. Spring numbers of the lesser spotted woodpecker in two regions of Norway were compared with a trapping index of A. goedartella and weather variables assumed to influence the woodpeckers’ breeding success and adult survival. The best multiple regression model included December temperatures and moth indices, supporting the hypothesis of a strong impact of A. goedartella on spring survival. Conservation strategies for the lesser spotted woodpecker should therefore focus not only on minimum areas of deciduous forests with decaying wood, but also on the availability of the moths’ host trees, birch and alder.     

The potential for increasing rubber production by matching tapping intensity to leaf area index

Understanding resource capture can help design appropriate species combinations, planting designs and management. Leaf area index (LAI) and its longevity are the most important factors defining dry matter production and thus growth and productivity. The ecophysiological modifications and yield of rubber (Hevea spp.) in an agroforestry system (AFS) with beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were studied. The experiment was established in Southeast-Brazil, with three rubber cultivars: IAN 3087, RRIM 600 and RRIM 527. The AFS comprised double rows of rubber trees along with beans sown in autumn and winter seasons in 1999. There was about 50% higher rubber yield per tree in the AFS than the rubber monoculture. Trees within the AFS responded to higher solar radiation availability with higher LAI and total foliage area, allowing its greater interception. All three cultivars had higher LAI in the AFS than monoculture, reaching maximum values in the AFS between April and May of 3.17 for RRIM 527; 2.83 for RRIM 600 and 2.28 for IAN 3087. The maximum LAI values for monocrop rubber trees were: 2.65, 2.62 and 1.99, respectively, for each cultivar. Rubber production and LAI were positively correlated in both the AFS and monoculture but leaf fall of rubber trees in the AFS was delayed and total phytomass was larger. It is suggested that trees in the AFS were under exploited and could yield more without compromising their life cycle if the tapping system was intensified. This shows how knowledge of LAI can be used to manage tapping intensity in the field, leading to higher rubber yield.     

Climatic factors controlling the productivity of Norway spruce: A model-based analysis

The process-based growth model, BIOMASS, was modified to incorporate low-temperature effects on photosynthetic production in Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands growing in northern Sweden. The low-temperature features incorporated in BIOMASS made it possible to simulate and estimate the reduction in photosynthetic rates caused by boreal conditions. The following four simulation-scenarios were used: (i) ‘potential' photosynthesis without boreal restrictions; (ii) reduction caused by a frozen soil; (iii) reduction caused by incomplete recovery of photosynthetic capacity during spring as a result of damage caused by low winter temperatures; and (iv) reduction as an effect of frost-induced autumn decline. Annual photosynthetic production (or gross primary production (GPP)) was simulated for three calendar years, 1990–1992, for stands with low (control) and high (irrigated and fertilized) nutrient availability. The reduction of ‘potential' GPP, caused by the low-temperature effects, ranged from 35–44% for control (C) and from 34–42% for irrigated-fertilised (IL) stands, respectively. The most pronounced loss of ‘potential' GPP originated from reduced photosynthetic capacity, in spring and early summer, which led to losses of 21–28% for C and 19–26% for IL stands. The variation between years differed mainly as an effect of differences in spring temperatures, which resulted in different rates of recovery of photosynthetic capacity. Reductions caused by frozen soil and low photosynthetic capacity during winter were similar in C and IL stands (12–13%), as were the losses resulting from severe autumn frosts (3–4%). It is concluded that, unless the effects of frozen soils and reduced photosynthetic capacity during spring and early summer are considered, large errors (ca. 40%) will be introduced into estimates of the annual photosynthetic production of boreal conifer forests.     

Effects of drought stresses induced by polyethylene glycol on germination of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica seeds from natural and plantation forests on sandy land

Effects of drought stresses induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) (0.0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%, with four replicates) on germination of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) seeds produced in plantations (southern Keerqin sandy land) and natural forests (Hulunbeier sandy plain) were observed. The results indicated that the seeds from both provenances did not germinate when PEG concentration was more than 25%. The time of initial germination and that of its completion of stressed seeds from both provenances were delayed when compared with the unstressed seeds. The germination capacity and germination rate of natural seeds were significantly higher than those of plantation seeds for all treatment levels (P < 0.05). The mean growth rates of radicle and hypocotyl from natural seeds were significantly higher than those from plantation seeds at all treatment levels below 20% PEG treatment (P < 0.05). The ratios of radicle to hypocotyl of 20% PEG treatment were significant higher than those of the corresponding controls for both provenances (P < 0.05). These results suggested that Mongolian pine seeds/seedlings had stronger resistance to PEG drought stresses; 10% PGE stress did not significantly influence germination. Natural seeds exhibited more resistance to PEG stress than plantation seeds. It was concluded that drought stress on seed germination might be one cause of obstructed natural regeneration of Mongolian pine plantations on sandy land. It is recommended that natural seeds be used for afforestation, and light drought stress (e.g., 10% PEG stress) may be useful in improving seed germination and the growth of radicles and hypocotyls.     

中国果用木瓜栽培育种技术研究及其综合开发利用新进展

木瓜为蔷薇科木瓜属（Chaenomeles spp.）植物，其果实在食品、药品等领域具有重要的利用价值。文中围绕木瓜属最为常见的皱皮木瓜（Ch.speciosa）和光皮木瓜（Ch.sinensis），从栽培育种、食品加工特性、活性成分提取、药理作用、香气成分等方面系统总结了中国果用木瓜近些年的研究进展，希望以此推动木瓜栽培育种、食品加工、活性成分利用及香气利用等研究水平的持续提高，并为木瓜产业的发展提供参考。