滨海沙地不同人工林凋落物现存量及其持水特性

为了研究滨海沙地沿海防护林凋落物水源涵养功能,采用野外调查和室内浸泡相结合,对滨海沙地4种典型人工林(木麻黄林、湿地松林、尾巨桉林和纹荚相思林)不同分解阶段的凋落物现存量、持水率、持水量和吸水速率进行研究。结果表明:相同林龄的4种人工林凋落物现存量表现为木麻黄林(19.12 t/hm~2)湿地松林(17.51 t/hm~2)尾巨桉林(10.90 t/hm~2)纹荚相思林(10.13 t/hm~2),半分解层凋落物储量占比高于未分解层;4种人工林最大持水率在140.55%～206.47%,为尾巨桉林纹荚相思林木麻黄林湿地松林,最大持水量在20.75～30.85 t/hm~2,为木麻黄林湿地松林尾巨桉林纹荚相思林,4种人工林凋落物最大持水率和最大持水量均为半分解层大于未分解层,不同分解阶段凋落物持水率和持水量与浸水时间呈对数关系;4种人工林不同分解阶段凋落物平均吸水速率在前0.25 h内差异较大,未分解层中尾巨桉林最大为2.05 mm/h,半分解层中湿地松林最大为4.32 mm/h,不同分解阶段凋落物吸水速率与浸水时间均存在幂函数关系;凋落物有效拦蓄深为木麻黄林(2.45 mm)湿地松林(2.04 mm)尾巨桉林(1.87 mm)纹荚相思林(1.72 mm)。综合来看,木麻黄林凋落物的持水能力最强,湿地松林次之,之后是尾巨桉林和纹荚相思林,说明从凋落物水源涵养能力来看,木麻黄林和湿地松林更利于滨海沙地的水源涵养。     

川西亚高山针阔混交林与针叶纯林苔藓凋落物层持水性能研究

采用野外实地观测和室内浸水法对川西亚高山地区针阔混交林与针叶纯林林下苔藓凋落物的持水能力进行了对比研究.结果表明:(1)混交林林下苔藓凋落物层储量为10.02 t/hm~2,最大平均持水量为54.96 t/hm~2,最大平均持水率为839.70%;苔藓储量为2.43 t/hm~2,最大平均持水量为11.47 t/hm~2,最犬平均持水率为472.23%,吸水速率经过24 h从7 683.2 g/(kg·h)下降为256.5 g/(kg·h);凋落物储量为7.59 t/hm~2,最大平均持水量为24.07t/hm~2.最大平均持水率为317.22%.吸水速率经过24 h从8 530.1 g/(kg·h)下降为321.4 g/(kg·h).(2)针叶纯林林下苔藓凋落物层储量为9.37t/hm~2,最大平均持水量为45.70 t/hm~2,最大平均持水率为766.05%;苔藓储量为2.13 t/hm~2,最大平均持水量为9.68 t/hm~2,最大平均持水率为454.85%.吸水速率经过24 h从6 444.4 g/(kg·h)下降为231.4 g/(kg·h);凋落物储量为7.24 t/hm~2,最大平均持水量为21.20 t/hm~2,最大平均持水率为292.68%,吸水速率经过24 h从7 004.9 g/(kg·h)下降为251.4 g/(kg·h).因此,无论是持水量、持水率,还是吸水速率,混交林都强于针叶纯林.两种林分下,苔藓、凋落物持水率随浸泡时间的增加而增加,持水率与浸泡时间呈对数关系;苔藓、凋落物的吸水速率随浸泡时间的增加而降低,吸水速率与浸泡时间呈幂函数关系.     

草海流域3种优势树种凋落物叶分解历程中的水文特征

采用凋落物分解网袋法对草海湿地流域森林优势植物青冈（Cyclobalanopsisglauca）、桤木（Alnus cremastogyne）和云南松（Pinus yunnanensis）凋落物叶分解特性展开研究,揭示凋落物叶分解过程中自然持水率、最大持水率、最大拦蓄率、有效拦蓄率及凋落物持水率规律等。结果表明:（1）凋落物叶自然持水率随分解时间的增加呈先增后降趋势。凋落物叶自然持水率在分解历程中存在极显著性差异（青冈:F=213.79,P < 0.01;桤木:F=77.53,P < 0.01;云南松:F=179.12,P < 0.01）。（2）凋落物叶持水率（R_t）与浸水时间（t）呈显著正相关关系（P < 0.05）,回归分析得到凋落物叶持水率（R_t）与浸水时间（t）符合对数函数方程R_t=a+blnt;凋落物叶持水速率（v）与浸水时间（t）呈显著负相关关系（P < 0.05）,持水速率（v）与浸水时间（t）符合幂函数方程v=at^-b。（3）凋落物叶最大拦蓄率、有效拦蓄率随分解时间的推移,呈逐渐增加趋势。     

亚热带地区3种喀斯特林分凋落物组成对其持水性能的影响

[目的] 揭示亚热带不同喀斯特林分凋落物组成对其持水性能的影响，为丰富森林生态水文研究和加深凋落物层与水文功能关系的认识提供科学依据。 [方法] 收集亚热带喀斯特区的青冈林、青冈+光蜡树林、化香树+密花树林3种代表性林分的凋落物层，将其分为半分解、未分解枝、未分解叶和其他未分解凋落物4种成分，选择每种林分前3种主要成分分别按0%，20%，40%，60%，80%和100%比例混合成21组质量相同、组成比例不同的处理(3种林分共63组处理)。采用浸水法研究其持水性能。 [结果] ①3种林分类型不同组成凋落物的持水率和吸水速率分别与浸水时间呈对数函数关系(R²≥0.718)和幂函数关系(R²≥0.998)；在各浸水时段的持水率和吸水速率以化香树+密花树林纯未分解叶凋落物最大，青冈+光蜡树林纯未分解枝凋落物最小； ②凋落物的持水率和吸水速率均与未分解叶比例呈极显著正相关关系(p＜0.01)，与未分解枝的比例呈极显著负相关关系(p＜0.01)，与半分解凋落物的比例无明显关系； ③3种林分类型凋落物层的总蓄积量及其最大持水量无显著差异，但青冈林凋落物层的最大吸水速率显著高于化香树+密花树林。 [结论] 凋落物组成显著影响其持水性能。在凋落物生态水文效应研究中应综合考虑凋落物蓄积量及其组成的影响。     

三种阔叶林凋落物的持水特性

对火力楠、荷木和黎蒴的凋落物的储量、持水量、持水率和吸水速率进行了研究。结果表明，火力楠、荷木和黎蒴林地的凋落物干重分别为10488，5159，5583kg／hm^2。浸泡2h前凋落物持水量呈现火力楠林地〉黎蒴林地〉荷木林地，浸泡2h后为黎蒴林地〉火力楠林地〉荷木林地。3种林分中黎蒴林地的凋落物最大持水量在居首位，达17709kg／hm^2，火力楠林地居中，为16576kg／hm^2，荷木林地较小，为13374kg／hm^2。不同浸泡时间段的凋落物持水率均呈现黎蒴林地〉荷木林地〉火力楠林地。火力楠、荷木和黎蒴林地的凋落物最大持水率分别为158％，258％和309％。凋落物持水量和凋落物持水率随着浸泡时间的增加按照对数关系增加。凋落物吸水速率呈现黎蒴林地〉荷木林地〉火力楠林地。各林分的凋落物的吸水速率随浸泡时间的增长按反曲线关系下降。     

韶关地区6种阔叶树种幼林的凋落物持水特性研究

对3年生樟树(Cinnamomum camphora)、大叶女贞(Ligustrum Lucidum)、观光木(Tsoongioden-dron odorum)、山杜英(Elaeocar pus sylvestris)、乳源木莲(Manglietia yuyuanensis)和乐昌含笑(Michelia cha pensis)的幼林凋落物持水特性进行了研究.结果表明,各林地的凋落物最大持水量为乳源木莲林地＞乐昌含笑林地＞大叶女贞林地＞观光木林地＞樟树林地＞山杜英林地.林地凋落物的最大持水率呈现观光木林地＞乳源木莲林地＞乐昌含笑林地＞樟树林地＞山杜英林地＞大叶女贞林地.凋落物持水量和浸泡时间的关系及凋落物持水率与浸泡时间的关系按照对数方程变化,凋落物吸水速率与浸泡时间的关系按照负指数方程变化.     

6种不同沿海防护混交林凋落叶持水性能比较

[目的]了解并比较沿海地区6片木麻黄与竹子防护混交林凋落叶持水性能状况,为沿海防护林树种选择提供理论依据。[方法]通过设置标准地,样方搜集和室内浸水试验,测量凋落叶自然含水率、持水率、吸水速率、失水率和失水速率,比较分析混交林凋落叶持水性能。[结果]木麻黄与花吊丝竹混交林凋落叶的最大持水率较高,其次为吊丝单竹+木麻黄、勃氏甜龙竹+木麻黄、绿竹+木麻黄、麻竹+木麻黄和大头典竹+木麻黄;而自然含水率从高到低依次为勃氏甜龙竹+木麻黄花吊丝竹+木麻黄绿竹+木麻黄大头典竹+木麻黄吊丝单竹+木麻黄麻竹+木麻黄;从凋落叶的吸水和自然风干过程来看,6种混交凋落叶的持水率、吸水速率、失水率和失水速率在浸泡或自然风干的0~2h有一个迅速变化的趋势,2h后凋落叶持水率和吸水速率逐步变缓,16h后逐渐趋于平稳。[结论]回归分析结果表明,持水率和浸泡时间及失水率和风干时间之间的关系均为对数函数关系,而吸水速率与浸泡时间及失水速率与风干时间的关系均为幂函数关系。     

南亚热带5种典型人工林凋落物水文效应

以广西国有高峰林场的5种不同人工林(马尾松林、杉木林、桉树林、米老排林、红锥林)为研究对象,结合野外调查和室内浸水法,对各人工林凋落物层的水文效应进行定量分析。结果表明:(1)5种林分凋落物蓄积量范围在1.96～9.05 t/hm~2,大小顺序为红锥林杉木林马尾松林桉树林米老排林。(2)5种林分凋落物中,杉木林最大持水量最大,为14.23 t/hm~2,马尾松林最小,为6.26 t/hm~2;米老排林凋落物最大持水率最大,为577.98%,红锥林最小,为135.46%。(3)杉木林凋落物的有效拦蓄量最大,为10.18 t/hm~2,马尾松林最小,为4.07 t/hm~2;米老排林凋落物有效拦蓄率最大,为463.35%,红锥林最小,为92.38%。(4)回归分析表明,凋落物持水量与浸水时间的关系符合对数函数关系(Q=aln t+b(R~20.773)),凋落物吸水速率和浸水时间的关系符合幂函数关系(V=kt~n(R~20.997))。持水过程中,各林分凋落物均表现为在1 h内持水量迅速增加,1 h后增加速度变慢,在10～12 h之后,吸水基本停止。综上,杉木林、米老排林凋落物层水源涵养功能较强。     

甘肃省兴隆山天然林下苔藓凋落物蓄积量及持水特性

2010年,采用野外实地观测与室内浸水法,对甘肃兴隆山青杄林、青杄—白桦林林下苔藓和凋落物的累积量、持水量、持水率和吸水速率进行了研究。结果表明:(1)青杄—白桦林和青杄林下苔藓及凋落物层总厚度7.10~8.30cm,总重量24.66~30.69t/hm2,青杄—白桦林均高于青杄林;(2)苔藓层最大持水率明显高于凋落物层,但凋落物层最大持水量是苔藓层的11.15倍;(3)苔藓层和凋落物层持水率在开始浸水时增加较快,0.5h后增幅逐渐减慢,浸水10h后基本趋于某一稳定值;(4)凋落物层最大拦蓄量、有效拦蓄量分别是苔藓层的10.41和10.27倍;凋落物层在对降水二次分配及在吸持降水过程中发挥着重要作用,并且位于主导地位。     

湖南省紫鹊界梯田区人工林凋落物持水特性

通过对湖南省紫鹊界梯田区竹林与杉树混交林、竹林、草地、杉树林及板栗林5种植被凋落物样地调查,采用浸水实验和释水实验测定了各种类型凋落物的持水率、吸水速率、释水量和释水速率。结果表明,5种植被凋落物均具有较强的持水能力,最大持水率依次为420%(竹林与杉树林混交林),310%(竹林),283%(草地),252%(杉树林)和226%(板栗林);凋落物的持水率与浸泡时间之间呈对数函数关系,吸水速率与浸泡时间之间呈幂函数关系,释水量与释水时间之间呈对数函数关系,释水速率与释水时间之间呈幂函数关系,且以上函数拟合的相关系数R²均达到0.9以上。     

Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key differences between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments

In order to identify key adaptive traits which affect productivity in Mediterranean grain and forage legumes and simultaneously determine the agricultural potential of a wide range of Vicia species, germplasm collected from the wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean was grown under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya, Syria (313 mm growing season rainfall). These included species currently in use in Mediterranean agriculture, such as V. sativa L., as well as those more widely used in the past-such as V. ervilia L., but also a broad selection from Section Narbonensis (B. Fedtsch. ex Radzhi) Maxted, including V. narbonensis L, V. johannis Tamamsch., V. hyaeniscyamus Mout., V. serratifolia Jacq., and V. kalakhensis Khattab et al. V. faba, a near relative of the taxa in Section Narbonensis, was included as a domesticated control. Where applicable, a representative range of subspecies was used. Accessions were chosen from a wide range of habitats in terms of latitude (31.02–40.72 decimal^o), longitude (27.1–43.17 decimal^o), altitude (20–1510 m), rainfall (180–1700 mm/yr) and soil depth (5–50 cm) in order to maximise diversity within species. Agricultural potential was determined by measuring seed, hay and biological yield, as well as agronomic traits such as harvest index, standing crop height, and seed size. The comparative influence of phenology and key agronomic traits such as plant habit and seed size on productivity varied tremendously between species, depending on their reproductive strategies. In V. sativa and V. ervilia, the smaller seed species which rely on long vegetative phases and growing seasons to accumulate sufficient biomass to set seed, and in which there was comparatively little agronomic variation, phenology had a large impact on yield. In early emerging taxa such as V. ervilia and V. s. subsp. sativa, with built-in long vegetative phases and growing seasons, seed yield was negatively correlated with flower ing (r = –0.86 to –0.88), whereas the opposite was the case for later emerging taxa such as V. s. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (r = 0.95). Within V. narbonensis and relatives, the larger seeded Vicia species which rely on more conservative reproductive strategies where high seedling vigour associated with large seeds enables the species to enter reproductive phases relatively early, phenology had a much smaller impact on yield than did variation of key traits such as seed weight, plant habit and pod shattering. Among the undomesticated germplasm harvest indices ranged from 0.09–0.31, hay yields from 0.1–3.4 t/ha, seed yield from 0–2.0 t/ha, and dry matter at maturity from 1.6–6.5 t/ha. Sub-specific taxonomy was crucial in determining agronomic potential. V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca Kornhuber ex Asch. et Schweinf. showed the most potential, combining an upright habit, large seeds (212 mg) and tendency to retain intact pods after maturity, with the highest yield, harvest index and crop height of all the wild Vicia species. V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. ervilia and V. narbonensis var. narbonensis were less productive, but still showed agricultural potential. The smaller seeded V. narbonensis, var. affinis, var. jordanica H. Schäf. and var. salmonea (Mout.) H. Schäf., and their close relatives V. johannis, V. hyaeniscyamus, V. serratifolia and V. kalakhensis have little to offer Mediterranean agriculture on the basis of poor agronomy.     

Effect of agroforestry woody species on earthworm activity and physicochemical properties of worm casts

The effects of five agroforestry woody species (Dactyladenia barteri, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Senna siamea andTreculia africana) on the surface aasting activity ofHyperiodrilus africanus were studied in an Alfisol (Oxic Paleustalf) in southwestern Nigeria. Casting activity under the woody species decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp. (26.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Gliricidia sp. (24.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Treculia sp. (22.9 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Leucaena sp. (18.6 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Senna sp. (18.3 Mg ha^-1 year^-1). These differences in casting activity were partly explained by microclimatic effects. Irrespective of the woody species, the worm casts were higher in clay and silt contents, bulk density, water-stable aggregates, pH, organic C, exchangeable cations, effective cation exchange capacity, and extractable P levels than the corresponding surface soils. The woody species did affect the physicochemical properties and P sorption of the worm casts. The content of water-stable aggregates of worm casts decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp.>Treculia sp.>Senna sp.>Leucaena sp.>Gliricidia sp. Large differences in extractable P levels were observed.Senna sp. was associated with the highest extractable P level (11.5 mg kg^-1) andTreculia sp. the lowest (4.9 mg kg^-1). P sorption was highest on worm casts underDactyladenia sp. and lowest on those underTreculia sp. Without fertilizer application, there were no significant differences in the dry weight of maize grown in the different worm casts. With NPK applications, the dry weight of maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was significantly lower than that of maize grown in the other worm casts, mainly due to the low extractable P level. Despite a high organic C and exchangeable K status, maize grown in the worm casts still responded significantly to N and K applications. The N uptake by maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was lower than that in the other treatments.     

Collection and preliminary evaluation of native turfgrass accessions in Italy

Despite a raising interest on turfs in Italy, all theavailable varieties of this kind in the Country are of foreign origin, and areoften poorly adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions. This prompted tobegin a collection activity of indigenous turfgrass species, with the ultimategoal of identifying promising materials for future breeding based on localgenetic resources. The collection was carried out in three areas of Italy, viz.the northern Po Plain, the coastal region of Liguria, and the island of Sardiniathat are characterised, respectively, by subcontinental, warm temperate, andtypical Mediterranean climate. Altogether, 141 sites were visited, yielding 226accessions belonging to eight species of potential interest for turfs:Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis,Festuca rubra, Festuca arundinacea,Lolium perenne, Agrostis stolonifera,Agrostis tenuis, and Cynodon dactylon,this last being a warm-season grass. Poa pratensis andCynodon dactylon were mostly collected in northern Italyand Sardinia, respectively, whereas Festuca arundinacea andLolium perenne were rather ubiquitous. The collection sitesranged from 0 to 1040 m asl, but sites over 750 m wereonly visited in the inner part of Sardinia. All the accessions, collected aswhole plants, were transplanted at Lodi, northern Italy, where they are beingevaluated. Their preliminary evaluation for traits of importance for turf use,such as sward colour and overall quality, highlighted the great variation andthe occurrence of interesting accessions in all species. Other characters wererecorded, bearing specific importance in individual species, and in all casespromising accessions were identified. The germplasm of Festucarubra, Festuca arundinacea, and Loliumperenne proved highly infected by endophytic (symbiotic) fungi of thegenus Neotyphodium.     

Control of pitch pine seed germination and initial growth exerted by leaf litters and polyphenolic compounds

We investigated the influence of three concentrations of water extracts of three leaf litter species (pitch pine, huckleberry and white oak) and a mixture of all litters on the germination of pitch pine seeds and initial seedling growth in a microcosm experiment. All three plant species are important components of the pine barrens ecosystems in New Jersey, where it has been seen that pine seedling recruitment occurs only after stand replacing fire or in disturbed sites, where surface organic soil horizons and leaf litter have been removed. Leaf litter extracts did not influence seed germination, but significantly reduced seedling growth at high concentrations. There was little difference between the leaf litter species in growth suppression. As charcoal is a natural residue on the forest floor following fire, its influence on growth suppression was examined; it has been shown to immobilize polyphenols. Charcoal removed the inhibitory effect of leaf litter extracts and allowed the fertilizer effect of nutrients leached from the leaves to enhance seedling growth, particularly at the higher concentration of litter extract used. Responses to litter extracts were compared to four pure phenolic compounds, catchecol, p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and tannic acid. None of these compounds suppressed pine seedling growth, suggesting that these phenolics are not allelopathic to pine seedlings. The results are discussed in the context of fire as a driving factor in these oligotrophic and seasonally dry ecosystems and the interactions between nutrient supply and allelopathic chemistry of different leaf litters.     

Effects of mixing radiata pine needles and understory litters on decomposition and nutrients release

A microcosm experiment was conducted to understand the impacts of mixing radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) needle litter and understory (gorse—Ulex europaeus L., broom—Cytisus scoparius L., bracken—Pteridium aquilinum L., and lotus—Lotus pedunculatus L.) litter materials on decomposition and nutrient release dynamics. Mixing of pine needle litter with understory litter material had significant impacts on both the rate of decomposition and nutrient release patterns of pine litter as well as that of the understory species. Incubation in microcosms over 10 months resulted in significantly lower mass loss of radiata pine needle litter mixed with broom and lotus litters (35.8±8.4 and 41.3±0.8%, respectively) than pure pine needle litter (63.5±2.3%). Mixing with pine needle litter significantly increased the mass loss of broom (53.1±6.1%) compared to that of pure broom (30.2±1.0%). Significant transfers of nutrients, especially of magnesium and potassium, were observed in litter mixture treatments. Concentration of K in litter materials was found to be the most limiting factor for the decomposing microorganisms in the present study. The findings of this study suggest that management of understory litter composition via weed control could be used to manipulate carbon turnover and nutrient release in the forest floor. Also, initial selection of understory species will be important and could be managed.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Actinidia and related genera based on micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes

The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Actinidia and among 3 allied genera Clematoclethra, Saurauia, and Sladenia have been very controversial. In order to understand the systematic implication of foliar trichomes in those genera, the micromorphological characteristics of foliar trichomes from 34 taxa were examined by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed micromorphological characteristics were classified into eight main types. A phylogenetic analysis of Actinidia and related genera based on 15 micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes was conducted using Wagner parsimony method and Sladenia celastrifolia, Rhododendron hybridum and R. simsii as a complex outgroup. In the resulting phylogenetic tree, Actinidia is shown to be a monophyletic group, and Clematoclethra and Saurauia form another monophyletic group. This study also presents the phylogenetic relationships among 4 sections within the genus Actinidia: the monophyly of sect. Leiocarpae and of sect. Strigosae, and polyphyly of sect. Maculatae and of sect. Stellatae.     

Synergistic effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and diazotrophic bacteria on nutrition and growth of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

Summary Sweet potatoes were micropropagated and then transplanted from axnic conditions to fumigated soil in pots in the greenhouse. Spores of Glomus clarum were obtained from Brachiaria decumbens or from sweet potatoes grown in soil infected with this fungus and with an enrichment culture of Acetobacter diazotrophicus. Three experiments were carried out to measure the beneficial effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi-diazotroph interactions on growth, nutrition, and infection of sweet potato by A. diazotrophicus and other diazotrophs obtained from sweet potato roots. In two of these experiments the soils had been mixed with ¹⁵N-containing organic matter. The greatest effects of mycorrhizal inoculation were observed with co-inoculation of A. diazotrophicus and/or mixed cultures of diazotrophs containing A. diazotrophicus and Klebsiella sp. The tuber production was dependent on mycorrhization, and total N and P accumulation were increased when diazotrophs and G. clarum were applied together with VAM fungal spores. A. diazotrophicus infected aerial plant parts only when inoculated together with VAM fungi or when present within G. clarum spores. More pronounced effects on root colonization and intraradical sporulation of G. clarum were observed when A. diazotrophicus was co-inoculated. In non-fumigated soil, dual inoculation effects, however, were of lower magnitude. ¹⁵N analysis of the aerial parts and roots and tubers at the early growth stage (70 days) showed no statistical differences between treatments except for the VAM+Klebsiella sp. treatment. This indicates that the effects of A. diazotrophicus and other diazotrophs on sweet potato growth were caused by enhanced mycorrhization and, consequently, a more efficient assimilation of nutrients from the soil than by N₂ fixation. The possible interactions between these effects are discussed.     

Structural parameters and functional patterns of simulated earthworm burrow systems

Summary Earthworm burrow systems have been simulated by modelling, from field observations, five main characteristics of burrow units: density (number of burrows per unit volume), mean length, angular orientation, middle coordinates and diameter. The functional properties of the burrow systems have been analysed using structural parameters, i. e. number of full perforations, mean available burrow surface and minimal burrow spacing, and by estimating the shortest pathway through the burrow system. The simulations are used to study the effects of each of the main characteristics on structural parameters and the shortest pathway. This work reveals that the specific role of density is to lead to a threshold by determining an optimal horizontal distance, and that the mean length governs the vertical critical dimension of the system. These simulations may be applied to explain the nature of field burrow systems.