Biomass production, foliar and root characteristics and nutrient accumulation in young silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) stand growing on abandoned agricultural land

The above-ground biomass and production, below-ground biomass, nutrient (NPK) accumulation, fine roots and foliar characteristics of a 8-year-old silver birch (Betula pendula) natural stand, growing on abandoned agricultural land in Estonia, were investigated. Total above-ground biomass and current annual production after eight growing seasons was 31.2 and 11.9 t DM ha⁻¹, respectively. The production of stems accounted for 62.4% and below-ground biomass accounted for 19.2% of the total biomass of the stand. Carbon sequestration in tree biomass reaches roughly 17.5 t C ha⁻¹ during the first 8 years. The biomass of the fine roots (d < 2 mm) was 1.7 ± 0.2 t DM ha⁻¹ and 76.2% of it was located in the 20 cm topsoil layer. The leaf area index (LAI) of the birch stand was estimated as 3.7 m² m⁻² and specific leaf area (SLA) 15.0 ± 0.1 m² kg⁻¹. The impact of the crown layer on SLA was significant as the leaves are markedly thicker in the upper part of the crown compared with the lower part. The short-root specific area (SRA) in the 30 cm topsoil was 182.9 ± 9.5 m² kg⁻¹, specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD) and the number of short-root tips (>95% ectomycorrhizal) per dry mass unit of short roots were 145.3 ± 8.6 m g⁻¹, 58.6 ± 3.0 kg m⁻³ and 103.7 ± 5.5 tips mg⁻¹, respectively. In August the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, accumulated in above ground biomass, was 192.6, 25.0 and 56.6 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. The annual flux of N and P retranslocation from the leaves to the other tree parts was 57.2 and 3.7 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (55 and 27%), respectively, of which 29.1 kg ha⁻¹ N and 2.8 kg ha⁻¹ P were accumulated in the above-ground part of the stand.     

Fine-root dynamics in a young hinoki cypress (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis>) stand for 3 years following thinning

Fine roots play a key role in carbon and nutrient dynamics in forested ecosystems. Fine-root dynamics can be significantly affected by forest management practices such as thinning, but research on this topic is limited. This study examined dynamics of fine roots <1 mm in diameter in a 10-year-old stand of hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) for 3 years following thinning (65% in basal area). Fine-root production and mortality rates were estimated using a minirhizotron technique in combination with soil coring. In both thinned and un-thinned control plots, fine-root elongation occurred from early spring to winter (March to December) and fluctuated seasonally. In the thinned and the control plots, the annual fine-root production rates were estimated to be 101 and 120 g m⁻² year⁻¹, respectively, whereas the estimated annual fine-root mortality rates were 77 and 69 g m⁻² year⁻¹, respectively. At 3 years after thinning, live fine-root biomass was significantly smaller in the thinned plot (143 g m⁻²) than in the control plot (218 g m⁻²), whereas dead fine-root biomass was not (147 and 103 g m⁻², respectively). Morphological and physiological indices of fine roots such as diameter, specific root length, and root tissue density of the live fine roots was similar in both plots. These results suggested that thinning tended to decrease biomass and production of fine roots, but the effects on characteristics of fine roots would be less evident.     

Biomass of fine and small roots in two Japanese black pine stands of different ages

The biomass and the spatial distribution of fine and small roots were studied in two Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) stands growing on a sandy soil. More biomass of fine and small roots was found in the 17-year-old than in the 40-year-old stand. There were 62 g m⁻² of fine roots and 56 g m⁻² of small roots in the older stand, which represented mean values of 608 g for fine and 552 g for small roots per tree, respectively. In the younger stand, a total of 85 g m⁻² of fine roots and 66 g m⁻² of small roots were determined, representing a mean of 238 g for fine and 186 g for small roots per tree, respectively. Fine and small root biomasses decreased linearly with a soil depth of 0–50 cm in the older stand. In the younger stand, the fine and small roots developed only up to a depth of 30 cm. Horizontal distributions (with regard to distance from a tree) of both root groups were homogeneous. A positive correlation in the amount of biomass of fine and small roots per m² relative to tree size was found. Fine and small root biomasses increased consistently from April to July in both stands. The results also indicated earlier growth activity of the fine roots than small roots at the beginning of the growing season. The seasonal increases in fine and small root biomasses were slightly higher in the younger stand than the older stand.     

Tamarack and Black Spruce Growth on a Boreal Fen in Central Alberta 9 Years after Drainage

Tree growth was measured before, and 9 years after draining a boreal fen that supported a 50- to 60-year-old stand of tamarack (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). Treatments consisted of a series of ditches spaced 30, 40 or 50 m apart, and an undrained control. Nine years after drainage, the diameter, height, basal area, and volume growth of tamarack had increased by 2–5 times that on the control site. Black spruce growth on the drained site was 1.6–5 times that on the control. Tamarack average volume growth (1.20 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) on the drained site was superior to that of black spruce (0.21 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). In general for both species, there were no significant differences in growth between trees on the different ditch spacings. This result was attributed to the water table being low enough that adequate aeration zones existed across the strips between ditches on all spacings. Regeneration after treatment was greater on the drained than on the control plots, particularly in the disturbed areas near the ditches where new tamarack seedlings reached densities between 9400 and 12,000 stems ha⁻¹. There was no relationship between increased tree growth and tree distance from the ditches for both species, probably because the water table had been lowered sufficiently so that inadequate substrate aeration was no longer a limiting factor.     

Seasonal variations in species diversity, dry matter and net primary productivity of herb layer of Quercus leucotrichophora-Pinus roxburghii mixed forest in Kumaun Himalaya, India

Plant biomass, species diversity and net primary productivity are presented for herb layer of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus)-chir pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) mixed forest in Kumaun, central Himalaya, India. The species diversity declined from a maximum (3.56) in September to a minimum (2.11) in December. The monthly live shoots biomass exhibited a single peak growth pattern with highest live shoot biomass of 185 g·m-2 in August. The seasonal pattern showed that the maximum above-ground production (131 g·m-2) occurred during the rainy season and the minimum (1 g·m-2) during winter season. The below-ground production was maximum during winter season (84 g·m-2) and minimum during summer season (34 g·m-2). The annual net shoot production was 171 g·m-2 and total below-ground production was 165 g·m-2. Of the total input 61% was channeled to above-ground parts and 39% to below-ground parts. Transfer of live shoots to dead shoots compartments and that of dead shoots to litter compartments was 61% and 66%, respectively. The total dry matter disappearance was 61% of the total input within annual cycle. The herb layer showed a net accumulation of organic matter, indicating the seral nature of the community.     

Soil carbon dynamics and residue stabilization in a Costa Rican and southern Canadian alley cropping system

Agroforestry systems can play a major role in the sequestration of carbon (C) because of their higher input of organic material to the soil compared to sole crop agroecosystems. This study quantified C input in a 19-year old tropical alley cropping system with E. poeppigiana (Walp.) O.F Cook in Costa Rica and in a 13-year old hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × nigra DN-177) alley cropping system in southern Canada. Changes in the level of the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool, residue decomposition rate, residue stabilization efficiency, and the annual rate of accumulation of SOC were also quantified in both systems. Carbon input from tree prunings in Costa Rica was 401 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ compared to 117 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ from litterfall at the Canadian site. In southern Canada, crop residue input from maize (Zea mays L.) was 212 g C m⁻² y⁻¹, 83 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ from soybeans (Glycine max L.) and 125 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and was not significantly different (p < 0.05) from the sole crop. The average yearly C input from crop residues in Costa Rica was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the alley crop for maize (134 g C m⁻² y⁻¹) and Phaseolus vulgaris L. bean crops (35 g C m⁻² y⁻¹) compared to the sole crop. The SOC pool was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the Costa Rican alley crop (9536 g m⁻²) compared to its respective sole crop (6143 g m⁻²) to a 20 cm depth, but no such difference was found for the southern Canadian system. Residue stabilization, defined as the efficiency of the stabilization of added residue (crop residues, tree prunings, litterfall) that is added to the soil C pool, is more efficient in southern Canada (31%) compared to the alley cropping system in Costa Rica (40%). This coincides with a lower organic matter decomposition rate (0.03 y⁻¹) to a 20 cm depth in Canada compared to the Costa Rican system (0.06 y⁻¹). However, the average annual accumulation rate of SOC is greater in Costa Rica (179 g m⁻² y⁻¹) and is likely related to the greater input of organic material derived from tree prunings, compared to that in southern Canada (30 g m⁻² y⁻¹) to a 20 cm depth.     

CO2 fluxes of a Scots pine forest growing in the warm and dry southern upper Rhine plain, SW Germany

The effects of the warm and dry weather in the southern upper Rhine plain in the southwest of Germany on the carbon balance of the Scots pine forest at the permanent forest meteorological experimental site Hartheim were analysed over a 14-month period. The investigation of the net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide (F _NEE) of the Scots pine forest started in the extraordinary hot and dry August 2003. Carbon dioxide fluxes were measured continuously using an eddy covariance system and analysed by use of the EDDYSOFT software package. After determining the temperature dependence of the forest ecosystem respiration and the daytime light dependence of the CO₂ exchange, monthly and annual carbon balances of the Scots pine forest were calculated. Mean peak daytime F _NEE rates observed in August and September 2003 (−6.5±3.6 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) were drastically lower than in August and September 2004 (−11.8±5.2 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), which did not show pronounced deviations from the mean long-term (1978–2002) climatic conditions. In August 2003, the Hartheim Scots pine forest was a distinct CO₂ source (35 g C m⁻²). The estimates of the annual carbon sink strength of the Scots pine forest ranged between −132 g C m⁻² (August 2003–July 2004) and −211 g C m⁻² (October 2003–September 2004). The main uncertainty in the determination of the carbon balance of the Hartheim Scots pine forest was introduced by the frequently low turbulence levels, i.e. the friction velocity corrected night-time F _NEE fluxes.     

Validation of a canopy photosynthesis model for cocksfoot pastures grown under different light regimes

Daily net canopy photosynthesis (P _n) was predicted for cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) canopies grown under different light regimes by integration of a leaf photosynthesis model developed for the light-saturated photosynthetic rate (P _max), photosynthetic efficiency (α) and the degree of curvature (θ) of the leaf light–response curve. When shade was the only limiting factor, the maximum P _n (P _nmax) was predicted to decrease approximately linearly from 33.4 g CO₂ m⁻² d⁻¹ to zero as photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) fell from full sunlight (1800 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPFD) to 10% of this in a fluctuating light regime. It was also predicted that at 50% transmissivity P _nmax was higher for a continuous light regime (10.4 g CO₂ m⁻² d⁻¹) than for a fluctuating light regime with the same intensity (8.4 g CO₂ m⁻² d⁻¹). The canopy photosynthesis model was then used to predict dry matter (DM) production for cocksfoot field grown pastures under a diverse range of temperature, herbage nitrogen content and water status conditions in fluctuating light regimes. This prediction required inclusion of leaf area index and leaf canopy angle from field measurements. The model explained about 85% of the variation in observed cocksfoot DM production for a range from 6 to 118 kg DM ha⁻¹ d⁻¹. The proposed model improves understanding of pasture growth prediction through integration of relationships between shade limitations in fluctuating light regimes and other environmental factors that affect the canopy photosynthetic rate of cocksfoot pastures in silvopastoral systems.     

Pasture production and tree growth in a young pine plantation fertilized with inorganic fertilizers and milk sewage in northwestern Spain

The use of organic waste materials such as milk sewage as an organic fertilizer could have the dual advantages of organic-waste disposal and reduced dependence on inorganic fertilizers. The effects of fertilization with (1) conventional mineral fertilization, (2) milk sewage sludge at 40 kg N ha⁻¹ target rate and (3) no fertilization on pasture production and tree growth were examined in an experiment consisting of two pasture mixtures under a one-year-old Pinus radiata plantation with a density of 2500 trees ha⁻¹. The two pasture mixtures were: (1) Dactylis glomerata L. var. saborto (25 kg ha⁻¹) + Trifolium repens L. group Ladino (4 kg ha⁻¹) + Trifolium pratense L. var. Marino (1 kg ha⁻¹); (2) Lolium perenne L. var. Tove (25 kg ha⁻¹) + Trifolium repens L. group Ladino (4 kg ha⁻¹) + Trifolium pratense L. var. Marino (1 kg ha⁻¹). The experiment began in the spring of 1995 using a randomized block design with three replicates in Castro Riberas de Lea (Lugo, Galicia, north-western Spain). Plot size was 12 × 8 m², with a 1 m buffer strip between plots. Two-year data showed that fertilization with either material had a positive effect on pasture production, with no significant difference between the two fertilization treatments. Tree growth in the milk sewage sludge plot was significantly higher than in the control plots. Inorganic fertilization increased pasture production, but affected tree growth negatively. The results show that milk sewage sludge could be used as a fertilizer in silvo-pastoral systems. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Responses of fine root mass,length, production and turnover to soil nitrogen fertilization in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix gmelinii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fraxinus mandshurica</Emphasis> forests in Northeastern China

The responses of fine root mass, length, production and turnover to the increase in soil N availability are not well understood in forest ecosystems. In this study, sequential soil core and ingrowth core methods were employed to examine the responses of fine root (≤1 mm) standing biomass, root length density (RLD), specific root length (SRL), biomass production and turnover rate to soil N fertilization (10 g N m⁻² year⁻¹) in Larix gmelinii (larch) and Fraxinus mandshurica (ash) plantations. N fertilization significantly reduced fine root standing biomass from 130.7 to 103.4 g m⁻² in ash, but had no significant influence in larch (81.5 g m⁻² in the control and 81.9 g m⁻² in the fertilized plots). Similarly, N fertilization reduced mean RLD from 6,857 to 5,822 m m⁻² in ash, but did not influence RLD in larch (1,875 m m⁻² in the control and 1,858 m m⁻² in the fertilized plots). In both species, N fertilization did not alter SRL. Additionally, N fertilization did not significantly alter root production and turnover rate estimated from sequential soil cores, but did reduce root production and turnover rate estimated from the ingrowth core method. These results suggested that N fertilization had a substantial influence on fine root standing biomass, RLD, biomass production and turnover rate, but the direction and magnitude of the influence depended on species and methods.     

Growth pattern analysis and stemwood production in an unmanaged old plantation of hiba, Thujopsis dolabrata, in northern Japan

We analyzed the growth patterns of Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai trees in an old plantation (161 years old), where no silvicultural treatments (e.g., thinning) have been conducted since the initial planting. The analysis focused on understanding individual growth under a long-term self-thinning process, and the stand-level stemwood production at the mature stage was evaluated. Nine canopy-layer trees and one suppressed tree were used for the analysis of annual increments in stem diameters, heights, and stemwood volumes for a given past year using the ring-width data. Both the diameter (at basal portion) and height of all the canopy-layer trees increased at similar rates during the early stage (i.e., 60–70 years after planting); however, after this period, only the height growth rates declined sharply. The annual growth rates of stemwood volume also simultaneously leveled off at the stand age of 40–60 years. Subsequently, the patterns diverged conspicuously, e.g., the growth rates were maintained or increased in some individuals, while it gradually decreased in the case of others until the present year. The divergence of growth pattern was likely to be triggered by intertree competition at several decades after the onset of canopy closure. The current stemwood production of the sample trees, including the suppressed one, was positively correlated with certain size parameters such as stem diameter at breast height and sapwood area at a height of 4 m. Based on the diameter-base allometry, the total stand stemwood production was estimated to be about 12.8 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. This estimate was higher than those of some old natural T. dolabrata forests (2.0–8.6 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) that have been well managed by repetitive selection thinning. Furthermore, individual mean stemwood production of the study plantation (0.03 m³ tree⁻¹ year⁻¹) was within the range of these natural stands (0.01–0.05 m³ tree⁻¹ year⁻¹). These comparisons suggested that the old T. dolabrata plantation still maintained a relatively high stemwood production potential despite the absence of artificial controls of tree density in the past. In terms of timber production, this fact implied that a rather long rotation (>100 years) can be applicable in the management of T. dolabrata plantations.     

Evidence for anthropic selection of the Sheanut tree (Vitellaria paradoxa)

The Sheanut tree (Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn.), a multi-purpose species highly valued for the oil obtained from its seeds, is commonly maintained in the semi-arid parklands of sub-Saharan West Africa. An inventory in the West Gonja District, Northern Region, Ghana, revealed that on intensively farmed land this species constituted 79.7 ± 7.2% (Basal area = 2.19 ± 0.64 m² ha⁻¹) of the woody biomass, on low intensity farmland 84.2 ± 10.0% (2.16 ± 0.57 m² ha⁻¹) and only 10.2 ± 3.3% (0.92 ± 0.23 m² ha⁻¹) in unmanaged woodland, with similar environmental characteristics. No significant differences were found between total Sheanut tree densities on different land use intensities, although as a proportion of all trees surveyed, large trees were more common on farmed land. Participatory surveys revealed that these populations are a direct result of anthropic selection as local farmers eliminate unwanted woody species on farmland, leaving only those Sheanut trees that meet criteria based on spacing, size, growth, health, age and yield. Characteristics that could affect population dynamics during traditional management and harvesting including short viability seeds and cryptogeal germination are also discussed with reference to unconscious selection. Tree improvement is currently constrained, as true to type varieties are difficult to propagate. It is proposed that Sheanut trees on farmland are semi-domesticated having been subject to long-term anthropic selection during cycles of traditional fallow and crop cultivation. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of chronic nitrogen application on the growth and nutrient status of a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) stand

To investigate the potential effects of nitrogen (N) deposition on Japanese forests, a chronic N-addition experiment that included three treatments (HNO₃, NH₄NO₃, and control) was carried out in a 20-year-old Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) stand in eastern Japan over 7 years. The amount of N applied was 168 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ on the HNO₃ plots and 336 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ on the NH₄NO₃ plots. Tree growth, current needle N concentration, and soil solution chemistry were measured. Nitrogen application decreased the pH and increased NO₃ ⁻, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Al concentrations in the soil solution. The needle N concentration increased in both of the N plots during the first 3 years. Nevertheless, the annual increments in height and in the diameter at breast height of the Japanese cedars were not affected by N application, and no visible signs of stress were detected in the crowns. Our results suggest that young Japanese cedar trees are not deleteriously affected by an excess N load.     

Nitrogen retranslocation, allocation, and utilization in bare root Larix olgensis seedlings

We quantified biomass accumulation and nitrogen (N) retranslocation, allocation, and utilization of Changbai larch (Larix olgensis) seedlings subjected to four fertilization treatments (24, 59, 81, 117 kg·ha-1 N) with an unfertilized control during summer and autumn 2009. Ammonium phosphate (18-46-0) was the fertilizer used in all treatments. On both sampling dates, the needles had greater biomass and N content than new (2009) stems and old (2008) stems, and coarse, medium and fine roots (diameters of >5, 2-5 mm, and 0-2 mm, respectively). Higher N concentration was observed in old stems and coarse roots than that in new stems and medium roots. In mid-summer, fine roots had higher N concentration than coarse roots. The treatment with 24 kg·ha-1 N had the greatest biomass and N content in needles and old stems, and highest net N retranslocation (NRA) and amount of N derived from soil. On September 21, no N translocation was observed, while the treatment with 24 kg·ha-1 N had the highest N utilization efficiency and fertilizer efficiency. Vector analysis revealed that all four fertilization treatments induced N excess relative to the control. The treatments with 59, 81, 117 kg·ha-1 N induce N excess compared with treatments at 24 kg·ha-1 N. We conclude that the traditional local fertilizer application rates exceeded N requirements and N uptake ability for Changbai larch seedlings. The application rate of 24 kg·ha-1 N is recommended.     

Effect of planting density on plant growth and camptothecin content of Camptotheca acuminata seedlings

C. acuminata seedlings cultivated in greenhouse were transplanted into the fields with 5 designed planting densities (11, 16, 25, 44 and 100 plants·m⁻²) in May of 2004 and were harvested in the middle of September of 2004. The seedling growth indexes including plant height and crown width, biomass allocation, camptothecin (CPT) content and CPT yield of different organs (young leaf, old leaf, stem, and root) were studied. For the 5 selected planting densities, the plant biomass, height, crown width, and total leaf area ofC. acuminata seedlings all showed highest values at the planting density of 25 plants·m⁻². CPT content in young leaves was higher than that in other organs of seedlings and presented an obvious change with the variation of planting densities and with the highest value at density of 100 plants·m⁻², while for other organs no significant variation in CPT content was found with change of planting density. The accumulation of CPT was enhanced significantly at the planting density of 25 plants·m⁻². It is concluded that for the purpose to get raw materials with more CPT fromC. acuminata, the optimal planting density ofC. acuminata seedlings should be designed as 25 plants·m⁻². Foundation item: This paper was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 3970086) and Heilongjiang Province Foundation for Distinguished Youth Scholars (JC-02-11) Biography: Wei Huan-yong (1978-), male, Graduate in College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

Study onSonneratia apetala productivity in restored forests in Leizhou Peninsula, China

The exoticSonneratia apetala in Leizhou Peninsula, has shown outstanding fast-growing ability in restored mangrove forests, at the middle and high tide intertidal zone, with year-round fresh water input from drainage. By setting plot and selecting standard tree, investigation and measurement on height growth, diameter growth, biomass, productivity, and so on, were made in aS. apetala plantation at age of six at Lanbel, Fucheng, Leizhou Peninsula in May 2001. The investigating results showed that the mean annual height growth of plantation was 2.03 m and mean annual growth of diameter at breast height (DBH) was 2.35 cm. There exists a significant correlation between the diameter at ground surface (DGS) and DBH. The average biomass of a single standard tree in dry weight was 95.647 kg/m². A ratio of above-ground biomass to under-ground biomass was 1.60. The stand biomass of unit area was 22.955 kg/m², singletree wood volume was 88.23 dm³, and the annual wood volume productivity (P _A) of the same year was 0.407. The forest energy accumulation was 424.851 MJ/m², with annual solar energy fixing rate of 40.68×10⁻⁷%. It is concluded thatS. apetala species had characteristics of outstanding high biomass accumulation and could be used as coastal planting tree species in southern China. Foundetion item: The paper was supported by the project of integrated mangrove management and coastal protection (IMMCP) in Leizhou Peninsula, Guangdong Province. Biography: Han Wei-dong (1963-), male, associate professor, in Zhanjiang Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, Guangdong; and presently as postdoctoral researcher in Life Science College, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, P.R. China Responsible editor: Zhu Hong.     

Seedling growth response of two tropical tree species to nitrogen deposition in southern China

Seedling growth response of two tropical tree species (Schima superba and Cryptocarya concinna) to simulated N deposition was studied during a period of 11 months. One-year-old seedlings were grown in forest soil treated with N as NH₄NO₃ at Control–no N addition, N5–5, N10–10, N15–15, and N30–30 g N m⁻² year⁻¹. The objective was to examine the effects of N addition on seedling growth and compare this effect between the two tropical tree species of different species-N-requirement. Results showed that both species responded significantly to N addition and exhibited positive effect to lower rate of N addition and negative effect to higher rate of N addition on growth parameters (height and stem base diameter, biomass production, and net photosynthetic rate). The highest values were observed in the N10 plots for S. superba and in the N15 plots for C. concinna, but the lowest values were observed in the N30 plots for both species. However, the reduction in the N30 plots was more pronounced for S. superba than for C. concinna relative to the control plots. Our findings suggest that response of seedling growth of tropical tree species to atmospheric N deposition may vary depending on rate of N deposition and species-N-requirement.     

Response of seedlings growth ofPinus sylvestriformis to atmospheric CO2 enrichment in Changbai Mountain

The biomass and ratio of root-shoot ofPinus sylvestriformis seedlings at CO₂ concentration of 700 μL·L⁻¹ and 500 μL·L⁻¹ were measured using open-top chambers (OTCs) in Changbai Mountain during Jun. to Oct. in 1999. The results showed that doubling CO₂ concentration was benefit to seedling growth of the species (500 μL·L⁻¹ was better than 700 μL·L⁻¹) and the biomass production was increased in both above-ground and underground parts of seedlings. Carbon transformation to roots was evident as rising of CO₂ concentration. This project is supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Tree Performance and Root-Zone Salt Accumulation in Three Dryland Australian Plantations

Doubts exist about the effectiveness of establishing trees near saline discharge areas on farmland to manage dryland salinity. These centre on low rates of water uptake from saline water tables, salt accumulation in tree root zones and the consequent poor growth and survival of trees. Despite this, trees still survive in many plantations established adjacent to saline discharge areas and land-holders often favour such locations, as they do not compete for arable land such as that occurs with plantings in recharge areas. Tree performance and salt accumulation were assessed in three experimental plantations established adjacent to saline discharge areas 20–25 years ago. These were all in the 400–600 mm rainfall zone of south-western Australia. Mean soil salinity, within 1 m of the surface, ranged from 220 to 630 mS m⁻¹, while permanent ground-waters occurred within 2–5 m of the surface and had electrical conductivities ranging from 175 to 4150 mS m⁻¹. The study confirmed the low growth rates expected for trees established over shallow, saline water tables in a relatively low rainfall environment, with estimated wood volumes in Eucalyptus cladocalyx, E. spathulata, E. sargentii, E. occidentalis and E. wandoo of between 0.5 and 1.5 m³ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Values of up to 3 m³ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ were obtained on soils with low salinity (<200 mS m⁻¹). The excellent survival (>70%) of several Eucalyptus species confirms that discharge plantations species can persist, despite increasing soil salinity. However, the long-term sustainability of such plantings (50–100 years) without broader landscape treatment of the present hydrological imbalance must be questioned.     

Modeling to assess growth respiration of stems inPinus densiflora trees

Multiple regression analyses were applied to the respiration data obtained by an excision method to distinguish between maintenance and growth respiration in stems ofPinus densiflora. Among several types of regression models, a few models showed marked stability of coefficient of growth related respiration that are independent of degrees of correlation between predictors and any combinations of predictors. These models predicted growth respiration as 0.45 g CO₂ g (dry weight)⁻¹. At 15°C, sapwood maintenance respiration rate was estimated to 0.72 mg CO₂ g⁻¹ day⁻¹. These estimates were not different from the results obtained with standing trees.