Soil seed banks in a mature Hinoki (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis> Endl.) plantation and initial process of secondary succession after clearcutting in southwestern Japan

To profile secondary succession after clearcutting a conifer plantation, we examined the composition of the soil seed bank and the process of vegetation recovery after clearcutting a mature Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) plantation in southwest Japan. We set up two study plots and collected 25 and 26 soil samples (each 20 cm × 30 cm × 5 cm depth), respectively, in April 1999, before clearcutting. Using the seedling emergence method, we detected 500–839 buried viable seeds m⁻² in 42–44 species. Soil seed banks in both plots contained typical pioneer species but few late-successional species. After clearfelling the plantation in June 1999, we censused seedling establishment for 4 years and the composition of the vegetation for 6 years. More than half of the seedlings emerged in the second year, suggesting that the timing of clearcutting is possibly critical to seedling establishment. Nineteen plant species disappeared after clearcutting, 40 species were retained and 43 species newly emerged after clearcutting. Most of the newly emerged species were pioneer species which originated in the soil seed bank. Seven of the pioneer species, as typified by Rubus crataegifolius, showed clonal growth from the third year after clearcutting. Japanese serow browsed the seedlings of major pioneer species, possibly affecting the process of secondary succession. Late-successional species such as Abies firma declined in coverage or disappeared after clearcutting. Our results suggest that the soil seed bank makes a major contribution to vegetation recovery after clearcutting, but possibly not to restoration of the late-successional species.     

The role of different sources of tree regeneration in the initial stages of natural forest recovery after logging of conifer plantation in a warm-temperate region

We analyzed the role of regeneration type (surviving from advanced regeneration, resprouting from advanced regeneration, or newly recruited seedlings) in determining the quantity and quality of individuals in reestablishing a natural forest following clear-cutting of a conifer plantation. We experimentally clear-cut a plantation and undertook a detailed tree census before and after clear-cutting. After clear-cutting, a species composition partially representing warm-temperate evergreen broadleaf forest was present in the form of surviving and resprouted individuals originating from advanced regeneration that had established in the Chamaecyparis obtusa plantation. On the other hand, seedlings that established after clear-cutting were dominated by pioneer species, and the number of seedlings was far greater than the number of individuals originating from advanced regeneration. Our results suggest that the role of regeneration type would differ in relation to the objectives for forest recovery. When any kind of woody cover of the ground surface after clear-cutting would suffice, we suggest that the contribution of pioneer seedlings originating from buried seeds would be important. If the recovery objective is to form a simple evergreen broadleaf forest, such as a coppice woodland, all three sources of regeneration would play a similar role, provided the understory before clear-cutting was as well developed as the one in this study. If rapid establishment of a lucidophyllous forest with diverse species composition is desired, the role of the surviving and resprouting individuals originating from the advanced regeneration would be much more important.     

Soil seed banks in four 22-year-old plantations in South China: Implications for restoration

To better understand the potentials of the soil seed banks in facilitating succession towards a more natural forest of native tree species, we quantified the size and composition of the soil seed banks in established plantations in South China. The seed banks were from four typical 22-year-old plantations, i.e., legume, mixed-conifer, mixed-native, and Eucalyptus overstory species. Species diversity in the seed banks was low, and the vegetation species differed from those found in the seed bank in each plantation. A total of 1211 seedlings belonging to eight species emerged in a seedling germination assay, among which Cyrtococcum patens was most abundant. All species detected were shrubs and herbs, and no viable indigenous tree seeds were found in soil samples. Size and species composition of the seed banks might be related to the overstory species compositions of the established plantations. The seed bank density in soils was highest in the mixed-conifer plantation followed by Eucalyptus, mixed-native, and legume plantations. Species richness among the seed banks of plantations was ranked as follows: Eucalyptus > mixed-conifer > mixed-native = legume. The results indicated that the soil seed banks of the current plantations are ineffective in regenerating the former communities after human disturbances. Particularly, the absence of indigenous tree species seeds in the seed banks would limit regeneration and probably contribute to arrested succession at the pioneer community stage. It would appear from these data that the soil seed banks under the current plantations should not be considered as a useful tool leading the succession to more natural stages. Introduction of target indigenous species by artificial seeding or seedling planting should be considered to accelerate forest regeneration.     

Spatial variation in tree seedling density after the site preparation for planting in a cleared coniferous plantation in Hokkaido,northern Japan

To study spatial variation in natural tree seedling density and the relationship between variation in seedling density and seed dispersal mode at a cleared site, we surveyed natural tree seedlings after the site preparation for planting in a coniferous plantation cleared by a typhoon disturbance in 2004. The site was located near Sikotsuko Lake, Hokkaido, northern Japan. Twenty-five tree seedling species were found and the mean seedling density was 9.8 seedlings/m². Seedlings of non-animal-dispersed species (7.2 seedlings/m²) were approximately five times more abundant than those of animal-dispersed species (1.4 seedlings/m²), and 87% of all seedlings were current. The seedling density of non-animal-dispersed species (almost all wind-dispersed) decreased with distance from a natural forest; however, this trend did not hold for animal-dispersed species (almost all bird-dispersed). The spatial variation in seedling density was lower in animal-dispersed species than in non-animal-dispersed species. Seed dispersal patterns and the viability duration of buried seeds likely affected the variation in seedling density by seed dispersal mode.     

Seedling emergence of Betula maximowicziana following human disturbance and the role of buried viable seeds

We observed seed rain and seedling emergence of a pioneer tree species, Betula maximowicziana Regel., for 5 years at various sites differing in canopy and soil surface conditions, and clarified that a buried seed bank contributed to the recruitment of B. maximowicziana seedlings. More seedlings emerged at sites where the soil surface had been disturbed than at sites where the soil surface had not been disturbed. Within each soil surface condition, the densities of the emerged seedlings were generally proportional to the densities of the seeds dispersed the previous year. However, the seedling densities were disproportionately higher than the dispersed seed densities at the sites where the soil surface had been disturbed in the previous year. Soil samples taken during different seasons indicated that B. maximowicziana maintained a persistent seed bank in the soil below 1 cm deep, while it formed a more transient seed bank in the top 1 cm of the soil. The seed rain in the previous year was the primary contributor to the establishment of B. maximowicziana seedlings in a year after a mast seed year. On the other hand, the soil seed bank had a compensational role in a year after a poor seed year. Canopy cover did not affect seedling emergence. Therefore, the previously reported lack of a persistent seedling bank of B. maximowicziana under a canopy will be partially attributed to a relatively rare soil surface disturbance in a stable stand.     

庞泉沟自然保护区河岸林群落的土壤种子库特征

以人工拣种结合种子萌发法研究了庞泉沟自然保护区9种河岸林群落的土壤种子库特征,结果表明: 9种群落的土壤种子库密度间于684±108 - 2 696±266粒·m^-2,69.27% - 88.65%的种子留存于0 - 5 cm的层次,沙棘灌丛的种子库密度最大,乌柳灌丛最小;离河岸10 m和20 m处的种子库密度大于岸边、离河岸30 m和40 m处;种子库包含的40种植物以多年生草本为主,灌木和草本种多为耐干扰种,存在典型的湿地植物,但种子储量以先锋种白桦最丰;辽东栎无完整种子,白桦、华北落叶松、云杉和油松的种子活力保持期为1 - 2年,多数草本的种子活力保持期超过2年;按照群落土壤种子库的相似性,将群落划分为林分开始期、林分排除期、下层再现期和老熟期4个演替阶段。演替后期群落的种子库密度、丰度以及与地上植被的相似性都小于前期群落。土壤种子库是森林自然更新及种群恢复的重要基础,本文对于研究地区河岸林的保护和重建具有重要的理论意义。     

Comparison of light-regulated seed germination in Ficus spp. and Cecropia obtusifolia: ecological implications

The major components of annual seed deposition in the rain forest at Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, México are seeds of the pioneer tree species Cecropia obtusifolia and those of some species of Ficus. Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol. forms a relatively persistent viable soil seed bank, whereas seeds of Ficus are seldom found in the soil. Both genera require light for seed germination; however, the species differ in their germination responses to far red (FR) light under laboratory and field conditions. Seeds of C. obtusifolia did not germinate in low red/far red (R/FR) or pure FR, whereas seeds of the Ficus species did. This suggests that Ficus seeds do not become dormant under the light conditions (low R/FR ratio) beneath the leaf canopy of the rain forest. This difference may explain why the species differ in their presence in the soil seed bank.     

Floristic composition and spatial distribution of germinable seeds in a spruce plantation

Introduction

The logging of several spruce plantations is planned for the next years in the Eifel National Park (Western Germany). To understand the ecological mechanisms of spontaneous forest regeneration that follows these impacts, it is crucial to investigate the species composition and functional diversity of the buried germinable seeds in those stands.

Methods

We analysed the soil seed bank by germination method and characterised germination dynamics and distribution of seedlings throughout the samples according to a sigmoid model and cumulative curves, respectively. To compare the proportions of functional and syntaxonomical groups between seed bank and aboveground vegetation, we applied the Fisher??s exact test. Additionally, we described the spatial distribution of the species in the seed bank according to semivariograms.

Results

The studied seed bank reached a density of about 5,300 seed?m^?2. Most of the species detected in the seed bank are related to open vegetation, forest fringes and early successional stages of forest regeneration. In spite of a low floristic similarity between seed bank and aboveground vegetation, the functional and syntaxonomical composition is very similar. Further studies considering the distribution of seeds in the soil and the changes of the seed bank composition during the regeneration process are required.     

二滩库区锥连栎林土壤种子库和幼苗格局初步研究

本文对二滩库区群落优势树种锥连栎林土壤种子库和幼苗分布格局进行了调查研究，结果表明：(1)锥连栎群落土壤种子库不存在霉烂种子，虫蛀种子的数目较少，仅为2.08个／m^2；而败育种子和种子壳数目相对较多，平均密度分别达到42．78个／m^2和42.96个／m^2。(2)锥连栎土壤种子库组成中完好种子的密度为0．28个／m^2；雨季已萌发的种子密度为0．92个／m^2。(3)土壤种子库各组成的垂直分布较为明显，随土层厚度加深而减少，但霉烂种子例外。(4)经测算，锥连栎种子散布后的主要命运是动物捕食和转移，种子的保存率和萌发率分别仅占到单个树木种子产量的0、59％和1．95％。(5)在锥连栎树木分布的上坡有较多的萌生苗，而下坡实生苗的数量较多。(6)距树干距离不同，萌生苗和实生苗的分布模式有差异。     

Endozoochory by European bison influences the build-up of the soil seed bank in subcontinental coniferous forest

The faeces of large herbivores include viable seeds of many plant species. With dung decomposition, some seeds migrate into the soil and influence seed bank build-up. However, only a few papers report evidence of this process, and only from grasslands. In forest studies, this subject has so far been neglected. Therefore, I ask in this paper whether seeds present in the dung of European bison migrate to the forest soil seed bank and influence its build-up. I sampled soil from underneath European bison dung pats and from surrounding areas (control samples). Samples were divided into shallow (0–5 cm) and deep (5–10 cm) series. Soil seed bank content was studied in the greenhouse for 2 years. The shallow seed bank under dung pats was characterized by the highest species richness (49 species) and seed density (>2,000 m^?2). Urtica dioica, Juncus effusus and Carex remota showed a demonstrable increase in seed density in the shallow seed bank underneath dung. Three years after dung deposition, seeds of endozoochoric origin influenced the soil seed bank of coniferous forest. U. dioica, J. effusus, C. remota and other species of deciduous forests and grasslands (Agrostis capillaris, Milium effusum, Polygonum hydropiper, Polygonum mite, Scrophularia nodosa, Stachys sylvatica, Veronica chamaedrys) caused an increase in seed density (by 61 %) and species richness (by 33 %) of the shallow soil seed bank underneath dung in comparison with the control soil seed bank.     

尼加拉瓜废弃农田次生演替后的土壤种子库

定量分析了被废弃4年、9年和14年的农田地上派生的次生林土壤中种子组成和密度,从而检测在次生林演替形成过程中,土壤种子库是否能随着植物种群的集成而集成。分别在废弃了4年、9年和14年的农田地里（15cm&#215;15cm样方、9cm土层深）,掘取了18,37和48份土壤样品。在废弃了4,9和14年的农田地上,分别发现了3,5和9个物种。在这些不同的生命形态中,在9年和14年的迹地上,土壤种子树木占主要成分,分别为60%和33%,而4年废弃迹地主要被非木本植物所占领。三块废弃地里,4年废弃迹地植物种子的总数为327粒,相应可发育的种子密度为141粒/m2,14年废弃迹地种子的总数为46粒,相应的可发育种子的密度为26粒/m^2,指明种子数、种子密度随废弃地龄成下降趋势。在9年和14年龄废弃地上,土壤种子植物种类与立地木本植物种类的相似度较低,而4年龄地上两者比较则完全不同。我们认为：土壤种子库的物种构成是在次生演替过程中逐渐形成的,但是,所获得的总体种子密度太低,仅仅依赖于这些种子来实现树木自然再生是不可靠的。为了加快这些废弃地次生林的恢复,既要依靠自然集成的土壤种子库,还需要通过直播、所需物种的强化种植和设定人工生长环境以利于种子传播。     

Evaluation of regeneration potential of Pinus koraiensis in mixed pine-hardwood forests in the Xiao Xing’an Mountains, China

Large scale harvest of Korean pine(Pinus koraiensis) seeds as a food product in the mixed Korean pine-hardwood forest of northeastern China poses a serious threat to the sustainability and restoration of this endangered regional ecosystem.Seed collection over past decades greatly reduced the seed bank and subsequent seedling and sapling recruitment,and impacting a wide array of granivorous animals that rely on the pine seeds.We surveyed Korean pine seeds,including solid seeds(SS),insect consumed seeds(ICS) and other(animal) consumed(OCS) kernels,of the seed bank(forest floor and the top 10 cm of mineral soil),the seedlings and saplings from 1 m 2 sample plots in five forest types in Liangshui Nature Reserve(LNR) of the southern Xiao Xing’an Mountains in northeastern China to provide accurate information for assessing the Korean pine regeneration potential.The average number of pine seeds in the seed bank were 11.2 seeds/m 2,9.1 seeds/m 2,4.6 seeds/m 2,1.1 seeds/m 2,and 0.2 seeds/m 2 in Korean pine-basswood forest,mixed Korean pine-hardwood forest,mixed conifer-hardwood forest,white birch forests,and oak forests,respectively.In the first three forest types,percentages of SS(potentially viable seeds) were 11.2%,3.5% and 27.8%,respectively.The percentages of ICS(not viable seeds) were consistent at around 35%.The higher but variable percentages of OCS(not viable seeds) indicated high seed predation in these forests.Compared with other studies,we recorded higher percentages of seed damage,probably due to our survey approach and the increased depth of seed bank sampled in our study.Depletion of pine seeds in the seed bank greatly reduced seedling and sapling recruitment.Densities of pine seedlings varied from about 180 trees/ha in the mixed Korean pine-hardwood forest to about 5,400 trees/ha in the mixed conifer-hardwood forests and showed a high degree of spatial variation.Saplings were rare in the mixed Korean pine-hardwood forest,but ranged in the thousands in other forests.Large scale pine seed harvest has seriously threatened the sustainability of the mixed Korean pine-hardwood forest ecosystem.Scaling down the seed harvest or supplemental planting of pine saplings are urgently needed to maintain the health of the existing Korean pine forests and to restore this endangered ecosystem.     

章古台沙地赤松人工林土壤种子库及天然更新特征

研究了章古台沙地赤松人工林土壤种子库及天然更新特征。结果表明：在赤松人工林土壤种子库中,47．47％的种子分布在枯枝落叶层中,种子平均密度可达253粒？m^-2;52．53％的种子分布在0～5 cm 深的土层中,种子平均密度为280粒？m^-2。从种子品质来看,空粒种子占种子总数的40．90％,腐烂种子占39．96％,完整种子占19．14％。赤松天然更新主要为林下更新,更新幼树呈不规则分布,密度为20348～71798株？hm^-2;其次为林隙更新,更新幼树以群团状分布为主,带状分布为辅,密度为7659～14836株？hm^-2;赤松林缘更新的主要条件是有林缘扩展带,林缘更新密度为856～10810株？hm^-2。     

凉风坳亚热带次生常绿阔叶林土壤种子库和种子雨的特征研究

选择四川省沐川县凉风坳亚热带次生常绿阔叶林为研究对象,在2004年5月、2004年12月和2005年5月对其林下土壤种子库、种子雨以及种子天然萌发状况等方面进行系统调查及分析研究。结果显示,种子下落前后土壤种子库储量,变动为643.2～889.2粒.m-2,物种和种子密度多年生草本物种均占优势。天然林土壤种子库Shannon-Wiener指数均在2004年5月最大,2004年12月次之,2005年5月最小;Simpson指数却和Shannon-Wiener指数H＇的变化趋势相反;Pielou均匀度指数在2004年12月有所降低,此后又升高。种子均呈明显垂直分布,其中0～2 cm土层种子数量最多,其次是枯枝落叶层,其数量随着土层加深而降低。土壤种子库年输入活力种子142.3粒.m-2,年输出活力种子268.9粒.m-2,动物取食是造成种子损失的主要原因。对照人工林土壤种子库物种和密度均低于天然林地;种子库与地上植被物种相似性系数,人工林较高,而天然次生常绿阔叶林较低。     

不同土壤埋藏深度下山杏(Prunus srmeniaca)种子的萌发和幼苗发育

A semi-greenhouse study was conducted to understand the effects of soil burial depth on seed germination and seedling development. The seeds of wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca) were buried at the soil depths of 0-cm, 4-cm, 8-cm, and 12-cm, respectively, to simulate the seed hoarding behavior of rodents in the field. The results revealed that the rates of seed germination and established seedlings from buried seeds were both the highest in 4-cm burial depth group, and then decreased with increasing soil depth. The number of rotten seeds increased in deeper burial depth. It is unfavourable for seed germination at 0-cm burial depth (i.e., seeds were laid on soil surface). There was insignificant effect of burial depth on growth of established seedlings. The results from this study indicated that proper burial depth in soil would be helpful for the seed germination and seedling growth. The seedlings derived from buried seeds at shallower depth (4 cm) in this research have advantage in their early development.     

林木抗旱生理研究进展

从林木的表型特征、生理生化特性、抗旱分子生物学与抗旱基因表达3方面对国内外林木抗旱性研究进行综述。当前国内外学者对植物叶茎根的表形特征、渗透调节、光合生理、叶绿素荧光变化、活性氧代谢、植物激素的研究较多, 而对受干旱胁迫下林木的分子生物学与基因表达研究相对较少。最后提出了林木抗旱生理研究的主要评价方法、研究指标、研究方法与内容。随着技术的发展及相关研究的深入, 抗旱分子生物学与抗旱基因等方面的研究将成为林木抗旱生理方面的热点。     

Mangrove community recovery potential after catastrophic disturbances in Bangladesh

The objective of this study was to compare the variation in the soil seed banks and the aboveground vegetation in relation to three habitats, i.e., swamp forests, grassland and sand dunes within the Sundarbans mangrove forests of Bangladesh. We collected vegetation data (species and their percentage cover) by using quadrat sampling: 10 m × 10 m for swamp forests and 5 m × 5 m for grassland and sand dunes. We estimated the density of viable seeds of species in the seed bank by counting germinants from soil cores in a germination chamber. Species richness and composition of both aboveground vegetation and the soil seed banks differed significantly among habitats. We identified a total of 23 species from the soil seed bank. Of these, two were true mangrove species and the remaining were non-mangrove species, including halophytic grasses, herbs and mangrove associate species. Our results confirm that mangrove species do not possess a persistent soil seed bank. The presence of high-density non-mangrove and associated mangrove species in the soil seed bank implies that after frequent catastrophic disturbances which limit incoming propagules from adjacent forest stand, large canopy gaps can easily become invaded by non-mangrove and mangrove associate species. This would result in the formation of a cover of non-mangrove species and cryptic ecological degradation in mangrove habitats. We suggest that forest managers should actively consider gap plantations with mangrove species in the large canopy gaps created after catastrophic disturbances to counteract the invasion of non-mangrove species and cryptic ecological degradation.     

滇西北亚高山地区落叶松-高山栎混交林土壤种子库初步研究

采用随机取样的方法,对滇西北高山地区落叶松-高山栎针阔混交林的土壤种子库进行了研究。结果表明:亚高山地区落叶松-高山栎针阔混交林土壤种子库由分属9科17属的18种植物的种子组成,种子密度343粒/m2,其中75%的种子分布在0~5 cm的土层中。土壤种子库的物种组成与其地上植被物种组成相关不明显,相关系数仅为0.042 6。其树木群落种子雨由云杉、白桦和高山松等5个树种组成,密度为3 520粒/m2,发生时间集中在每年的9~11月。     

Seed and microsite limitation for seedling recruitment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus wutaishanica</Emphasis> on Mt. Ziwuling,Loess Plateau,China

The relative influence of seed and microsite availability in the seedling emergence and recruitment of Liaodong oak (Quercus wutaishanica), which dominates the native hardwood forest in Loess Plateau, was examined by seed sowing experiments. Experiments were performed in 216 plots (30 × 30 cm), located in three typical stands (Pinus tabulaeformis plantation, Liaodong oak forest and grassland, 72 plots per stand). A seed augmentation experiment was performed in an oak forest and a conifer plantation, and a seed introduction experiment was carried out in a grassland. Three main factors were considered: seed addition, disturbance and shrub cover. The seedling number and growth in every plot were recorded continuously over 3 years. GLM multivariate was used to analyze the relationships between seedling emergence/recruitment and the explanatory variables in every stand. The results showed that seed addition in undisturbed or disturbed plots always caused significantly increased seedling emergence and recruitment in oak and conifer forests. It demonstrated that the recruitment of Liaodong oak was limited by seed and microsite availability under closed forest, and litter is one of the factors leading to microsite limitation. However, in the grassland, no treatments improved recruitment, indicating that the grassland was not suitable for seedling recruitment because of intense light and soil drought. In the conifer forest, more recruited seedlings, and lower herbivory on seedling leaves, as well as thicker stem basal diameters, indicated that the P. tabulaeformis plantation was safer for Liaodong oak seedling establishment. Unexpectedly, shrub cover did not affect the recruitment of Liaodong oak in the three stands.     

Spatio-temporal variation of environmental signals inducing seed germination in temperate conifer plantations and natural hardwood forests in northern Japan

To document the spatial and temporal variation of environmental signals inducing seed germination in temperate forests, we measured temporal patterns of environmental signals and seed germination of six pioneer tree species in unthinned and thinned stands of conifer forests (Cryptomeria japonica plantations) and in the understory and gaps of hardwood forests in Japan. We also conducted germination experiment in laboratory for the six pioneer species to test the effects of red:far-red (R:FR) light ratio and temperature fluctuations on the seed germination. In conifer forests, the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), the R:FR ratio, and the amplitude of temperature fluctuations in thinned stands were 2, 1.5, and 3 times higher, respectively, than those of unthinned stands. The PPFD and R:FR ratios just above forest floor also increased after the removal of thick litter accumulation. As a result, higher seed germination was observed in thinned compared to unthinned stands for three photoblastic species, whereas little differences were observed for three non-photoblastic species. These findings suggest that thinning, which frequently reduces litter accumulation, can substantially affect the regeneration of pioneer species and the resultant species diversity in conifer plantations. None of the measured environmental signals changed seasonally in unthinned stands of conifer forests, but they all changed remarkably in the understory of the hardwood forests. In this system, all signals were high and nearly identical to those in the gaps in early spring prior to canopy closure. Thus, the percent germination of the three photoblastic species was enhanced by high R:FR ratios and/or large temperature fluctuations even beneath the canopy and was nearly equal to that in the thinned conifer stands where the environmental conditions were nearly identical to those in the gaps. However, all of the environmental signals decreased with the expansion of canopy leaves and reached minimums at canopy closure. Even in the thinned stands and the gaps, the PPFD and magnitude of temperature fluctuations decreased over time due to shading by growing herbs and/or emerging canopy leaves. In these temporally changing environments, the germination of all photoblastic species ceased simultaneously. This study clearly demonstrated that the environmental signals inducing seed germination of photoblastic pioneer species spatially and temporally change in temperate forests, particularly in deciduous hardwood forests. Furthermore, these signals, PPFD, R:FR ratio, and the amplitude of temperature fluctuations, appear to play a very important role in tree regeneration and subsequent species diversity.