Vegetation response to intensity of herbaceous weed control in a newly planted loblolly pine plantation

Growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings through three growing seasons after planting increased with intensity of herbaceous weed control using herbicides. Weed control had no effect on pine survival. Two years of complete herbaceous weed control (CHC, control throughout the first two growing seasons after planting) and operational herbaceous weed control (OHC, sulfometuron at 0.42 kg ai/ha at the beginning of the first growing season), resulted in lower biomass of weeds plus trees than with no herbaceous weed control (NHC) during the first growing season. Differences in total biomass during the first year were due to differences in biomass of herbaceous weeds. Total biomass on CHC and OHC plots was at least as great as NHC the second year, and greater by the third year, as pines assumed dominance as a result of increased growth from reduction of herbaceous weeds. The operational herbicide treatment had no significant impact on overall herbaceous weed biomass and cover, and little effect on species composition compared to no herbaceous weed control two and three growing seasons after treatment. The CHC treatment significantly reduced herbaceous weed biomass, cover and composition through three growing seasons.     

Morphological and physiological responses of beech (Fagus sylvatica) seedlings to grass-induced below ground competition

We examined morphological and physiological responses of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings to grass-induced below ground competition in full-light conditions. Two-year-old beech seedlings were grown during two growing seasons in 160-l containers in bare soil or with a mixture of five grass species widely represented in semi-natural meadows of central France. At the end of the second growing season, beech seedlings in the presence of grass showed significant reductions in diameter and height growth, annual shoot elongation, and stem, root and leaf biomass, but an increase in root to shoot biomass ratio. Grasses greatly reduced soil water availability, which was positively correlated with daily seedling diameter increment. Beech seedlings seemed to respond to water deficit by anticipating stomatal closure. There was evidence of competition for nitrogen (N) by grasses, but its effect on seedling development could not be separated from that of competition for water. By labeling the plants with 15N, we showed that beech seedlings absorbed little N when grasses were present, whereas grasses took up more than 97% of the total N absorbed in the container. We conclude that, even if beech seedlings display morphological and physiological adaptation to below ground competition, their development in full-light conditions may be strongly restricted by competition from grass species.     

氮肥对盆栽欧洲水青冈生物量和营养分配的影响(英文)

调查了施加氮肥(15NH4和15NO3)处理后在两个连续生长季内欧洲水青冈(Fagus sylvatica L.)幼苗地上部分和地下部分的生物量和营养元素分配。盆栽欧洲水青冈幼苗培养于温室大棚内,培养土样取自相邻的三种林分:欧洲水青冈,挪威赤松,欧洲水青冈-赤松混交林。结果表明,氮肥(15N)处理对欧洲水青冈营养元素分配没有显著影响,施加氮素形式决定自身流入植物库的情况。欧洲水青獭收氮素主要以硝态氮的形式,因此,尽管植物体内保存的硝态氮和氨态氮并没有统计差异,但是叶片中硝态氮明显减少。施加硝态氮对欧洲水青冈氮素恢复的影响要大于施加氨态氮。与欧洲水青冈茎、粗根相比,优质根系对氮素(15N)固定是一个缓慢过程。表8图1参40。     

Competition for nitrogen between adult European beech and its offspring is reduced by avoidance strategy

Plant growth, reproduction, and biomass allocation may be affected differently by nitrogen availability depending on tree size and age. In this context, competition for limited N may be avoided by different strategies of N acquisition between different vegetation components (i.e., seedlings, mature trees, other woody and herbaceous understorey). This study investigated in a field experiment whether the competition for N between different vegetation components in beech forests was prevented via seasonal timing of N uptake and affected by microbial N use. For this purpose, a removal approach was used to study the seasonal effects on N uptake and N metabolites in adult beech trees and beech natural regeneration, as well as soil microbial processes of inorganic N production and utilisation. We found that the competition for N between beech natural regeneration and mature beech trees was reduced by seasonal avoidance strategies (“good parenting”) of N uptake regardless of the N sources used. In spring, organic and inorganic N uptake capacity was significantly higher in beech seedlings compared to adult beech trees, whereas in autumn mature beech trees showed the highest N uptake rates. Removal of vegetation components did not result in changes in soil microbial N processes in the course of the growing season. Thus, N resources released by the removal of vegetation components were marginal. This consistency in soil microbial N processes indicates that competition between plants and soil microorganisms for N was not avoided by timing of acquisition during the vegetation period, but existed during the entire growing season. In conclusion, N nutrition in the studied forest ecosystem seems to be optimally attuned to European beech.     

Reduction of herbivore density as a tool for reduction of herbivore browsing on palatable tree species

Browsing of overabundant free-living herbivores often limits the natural as well as artificial regeneration of forest in Central-European Mountains. The aim of the study was to assess the efficiency of the extensive reductions of herbivore populations for protection of forest regeneration in preferred areas. We analysed the relationship between the intensity of shoot browsing and relative density of herbivores in viewpoint of natural regeneration of secondary mountain spruce stands with low proportion of broadleaved trees in Králicky Sněžník Reserve (Czech Republic). The distribution of seasonally migrating herbivores was established by counting faecal pellet groups (standing crop method) in growing season. The intensity of browsing of spruce, beech and rowan was assessed using the proportion of browsed shoots on individual tree sapling. Density of red deer was re-counted from the number of pellet groups and it was 15–56 individual/km². The intensity of spruce browsing was low in the whole area in all seasons. In general, the intensity of rowan and beech shoot browsing was high in the whole area. There were no correlations between deer density and browsing intensity of rowan (browsing was severe in all plots). We conclude that the natural regeneration of attractive trees and shrubs is nearly impossible in habitats where proportion of these food items is too small, even when the density of herbivores is low. Reduction of herbivores density is useful for protecting spruce and other tree species with low preference by herbivores. Forest managers should take into account the high palatability of deciduous tree species and distribution of herbivores on localities. Preference of localities is often based on grasses in the food supply. Regeneration of highly palatable tree species requires both low density of herbivores and sufficient protection of saplings.     

Feinwurzelmasse und Mykorrhiza von Altbuchen (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Waldschadensgebieten Bayerns

Feeder root biomass and mycorrhizae of old beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) in bavarian forest die-back areas . The feeder root biomass (roots = 2 mm diameter) and the quantity of mycorrhizae of apparently healthy and diseased old beech trees were determined in 7 stands in Bavaria. Canopy die-back correlated with reduction of the feeder root biomass and of mycorrhizae in the topsoil. In the deeper layers of the soil (below 50 cm) there were nearly no differences between the decline classes lor these parameters. The feeder root damage described were encountered in all stand types. For that reason, such damage can be considered, at least for comparable stands, as a general symptom of above ground diseased old beech trees.     

Effects of nurse trees,spacing, and tree species on biomass production in mixed forest plantations

Growing concern about increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and resulting global climate change, has spurred a growing demand for renewable energy. In this study, we hypothesized that a nurse tree crop may provide additional early yields of biomass for fuel, while in the longterm leading to deciduous stands that are believed to better meet the demands for other ecosystem services. Ten different species combinations were planted, with two different stocking densities, at three different sites in Denmark. Significant differences, with regard to biomass production, were observed among the different sites (P?P??1?yr^?1 more biomass. The additional biomass production was similar to what was obtained in stands with conifers only (Sitka spruce, Douglas-fir and Japanese larch), which produced 4.9–6.1?t ha^?1yr^?1 more biomass than the pure beech stands. No effects of initial planting density (P?=?.19), or of initial weeding (P?=?.81), on biomass production were observed. Biomass production of the broadleaved crop was in most cases reduced due to competition. However, provided timely thinning of nurse trees, the qualitative development of the trees will allow for long-term timber production.     

Herb-layer diversity in deciduous forests: Raised by tree richness or beaten by beech?

Where natural production capacity permits, modern silvicultural management in Central Europe frequently aims at the development of mixed broadleaved stands, instead of pure European beech (Fagus sylvatica) stands. It is crucial to study the effects of these tree-layer diversity variations on herb-layer vegetation, since herb-layer vegetation contributes significantly to ecosystem functioning in forests. In Hainich National Park (Thuringia, Germany), we conducted observational research in deciduous stands to investigate whether herb-layer diversity was related to canopy-layer diversity, and to ascertain possible causal mechanisms. We found that herb-layer vegetation of deciduous forest stands rich in canopy species appeared to be more diverse than herb-layer vegetation of beech-dominated stands. We surmise that herbaceous understorey diversity was indirectly influenced by canopy tree species through the medium of the altered environmental factors soil pH and litter layer thickness. Apparently, lower beech proportion had a more profound effect than the number of secondary tree species. There were no correlations between herb-layer diversity and light transmissibility of the canopy layer, indicating that the light factor was not crucial for herb-layer diversity. At least for the Hainich research sites, our results indicated that small-scale light and soil heterogeneity is insignificant for herb-layer diversity. We found several herb-layer species whose occurrence was particularly correlated with tree-layer diversity and environmental factors. Remarkably, all species positively correlated with soil pH were important for the phytosociological classification of the research sites. Beech-dominated research sites showed high tree-layer volumes, whereas research sites with high tree-layer diversity tended to feature lower tree-layer volumes. These findings could be the result of differing former silvicultural systems and varying soil clay contents affecting tree species composition. In contrast, herb-layer biomass was positively correlated with tree-layer diversity. Herb-layer productivity might be promoted in more diverse research sites by increased nutrient supply and base saturation. It is also possible that greater beech proportion interfered with herb-layer productivity. However, herb-layer biomass was also positively correlated with herb-layer diversity. Hence, our study hints that positive diversity-functioning relationships might occur in the herb-layer of the deciduous forest under investigation.     

Amino nitrogen and phenolic constituents of bark of American beech,Fagus grandifolia,and infestation by beech scale,Cryptococcus fagisuga

Concentrations of amino acids, total amino nitrogen, and phenols, ratio of phenol to amino nitrogen, and pH in the bark of American beech, Fagus grandifolia, were determined to see if these chemical constituents were correlated with susceptibility of trees to infestation by the beech scale, Cryptococcus fagisuga. The relationship of these bark constituents with scale infestation levels (none, light, and moderate), tree size (large vs. small trees), and bark shading was determined. Levels of some individual amino acids and total amino acid content in moderately infested trees were significantly higher than in uninfested trees. Large uninfested beech trees, which tend to be more readily infested by scale, had significantly higher concentrations of aspartic acid. Concentrations of phenol in the outer bark of both infested and uninfested trees were significantly higher than in the inner bark. However in bark infected by Nectria, phenol levels in the inner bark were significantly higher than in the outer bark.     

Biomass and nutrients allocation in pot cultured beech seedlings： influence of nitrogen fertilizer

Allocation of biomass and nutrient elements including Nitrogen to above and belowground compartments of beech seedlings (Fagus sylvatica L.) treated by labeled nitrogen fertilizer in the form of ¹⁵NH₄ and ¹⁵NO₃ were investigated at the end of two successive growing seasons. Pot cultured beech seedlings were grown at a green house on intact soil cores sampled from three adjacent stands including beech, Norway spruce and mixed beech-spruce cultures of Solling forest, Germany. Comparing biomass allocation and nutrients concentrations of the seedlings between the control and ¹⁵N-fertilized treatments revealed no significant effect of N fertilization on nutrients uptake by seedlings over the experiment. The form of N input influenced its movement into plant pools. It was demonstrated that beech seedlings take up nitrogen mainly in the form of nitrate, which is then reduced in the leaves, although the differences between the retention of NO₃ ^?-N and NH₄ ⁺-N in plants were not statistically significant. Percent recoveries of ¹⁵N in trees were typically greater after ¹⁵NO₃ than after ¹⁵NH₄ additions. It was indicated that immobilization of 15N tracer in fine roots was a slower process comparing other plant compartments such as stem and coarse roots, but a powerful sink for N during the course of study.     

Tree spatial patterns of Abies alba and Fagus sylvatica in the Western Carpathians over 30 years

The decline of Abies alba (fir) in natural fir–beech forests in Europe has fascinated scientists for over a century. During this period, Fagus sylvatica (beech) became the dominant species in this forest type. We hypothesised that (1) the success of beech over fir is significantly connected with the fact that beech suffers less than fir from the presence of conspecific neighbours; that (2) shade tolerance is not a factor which favours beech over fir; and that (3) this is due to a significantly reduced proportion of litter treethrow mounds with suitable conditions for the successful regeneration of fir. We investigated these hypotheses by means of tree spatial pattern analysis. Eight rectangular plots (2–8 ha) were analysed in mountain fir–beech forests of the Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic. Various types of the pair correlation function and L function were used to describe the tree density variability of trees with DBH ≥10 cm. The analyses were carried out on datasets from the 1970s, 1990s and 2000s. Our results suggest that negative density dependence is not responsible for the current decline of fir. It seems that a higher shade tolerance of the advanced regeneration could be one of the factors which favour beech over fir. It is evident that fir trees have a markedly stronger positive association to mounds than beech trees.     

The effects of herbaceous and woody competition on planted white pine in a clearcut site

We investigated the effects of herbaceous and woody vegetation control on the survival and growth of planted eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) seedlings through six growing seasons. Herbaceous vegetation control involved the suppression of grasses, forbs, ferns, and low-shrubs, and was maintained for 0, 2, or 4 years after white pine seedlings were planted. Woody control involved the removal of all tall-shrub and deciduous trees, and was conducted at the time of planting, at the end of the second or fifth growing seasons, or not at all. Seedling height and basal diameter responded positively and proportionally to duration of herbaceous vegetation control. Gains associated with woody control were generally not significant unless some degree of herbaceous vegetation control was also conducted. Only herbaceous control increased pine crown closure and rate of crown closure. Herbaceous control and the presence of 5000–15,000 stems per ha of young overtopping aspen were associated with reduced weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck.) injury and increased pine height growth. The study suggests that white pine restoration strategies on clearcut sites should focus on the proactive, early management of understory vegetation and the gradual reduction of overtopping cover from woody vegetation to create a seedling light environment that supports acceptable growth with minimal weevil damage.     

The influence of damage level in Pinus sylvestris foliage on the performance of diprionid sawflies

I tested the presence of rapid and delayed induced resistance in Pinus sylvestris L. by biotests, rearing three species of diprionid sawflies on defoliated and undefoliated trees. I damaged the pines artificially by cutting mature needles with scissors at the beginning of the growing season. Four levels of defoliation were created on the basis of levels of removed needle biomass. Sawfly larval and cocoon weights were retarded and relative growth rates delayed as a result of an increase in damage level. The larval periods were prolonged at most 2–6 days. The response to the damage was partly species‐specific. The needle water content decreased in the following growing season in connection with low and moderate damage and increased at high damage levels. The nutrient contents of the foliage in the damaged and undamaged trees did not differ significantly. The Scots pine showed damage‐induced changes in food quality after extensive defoliation, which affected, via plant, species using the same host.     

Rodent impact on establishment of direct-seeded Fagus sylvatica,Quercus robur and Quercus petraea on forest land

Abstract

Seed predation by granivorous rodents constitutes a major problem during reforestation using direct seeding. Acorns or beech nuts were sown at 14 different sites in Denmark and southern Sweden, and seedling establishment was inventoried during the first three growing seasons. Around the time of sowing, rodents were either snap-trapped or live-trapped. At some sites, perches for raptors were installed, and at other sites, signs of predation were investigated or predation was monitored by camera surveillance. Granivorous rodents had a profound negative influence on sowings, and the removal of beech nuts occurred rapidly following sowing. Establishment of oak was better when surroundings consisted of mixed forests rather than broadleaved forests. Fewer rodents were caught, and establishment was better, in large reforestation areas. Rodent captures indicated that forest edges, slash piles and stone wall remains were suitable rodent microhabitats. Snap-trapping or raptor perches did not result in increased oak establishment. Neither sowing in summer nor increased seeding depth decreased predation by rodents on beech nuts. In conclusion, seeds need protection from rodents immediately at the time of sowing. Choosing large regeneration areas combined with removal of suitable rodent habitats seems to be a practical alternative for the development of successful strategies for direct seeding.     

Effect of Vachellia tortilis on understory vegetation,herbaceous biomass and soil nutrients along a grazing gradient in a semi-arid African savanna

The spatial pattern and abundance of herbaceous vegetation in semi-arid savannas are dictated by a complex and dynamic interaction between trees and grasses. Scattered trees alter the composition and spatial distribution of herbaceous vegetation under their canopies. Therefore, we studied the effect of Vachellia tortilis on herbaceous vegetation composition, biomass and basal area, and soil nutrients on sites with varying grazing intensities in the central rift valley of Ethiopia. Data were collected on species composition, cover and biomass of herbs and grasses, and soil moisture and nutrient contents under light,medium, and heavy grazing pressures, both under the inside and outside of V. tortilis canopies. Species richness was similar in both locations but decreased with increased grazing. Only the overall biomass and herb cover were significantly greater under the canopy than outside, and overall biomass showed significant unchanging decline with increased grazing. However, vegetation cover was significantly greater on moderately grazed sites compared to low and heavily grazed sites. All soil variables were significantly higher under V. tortilis canopies than outside.Our findings suggest that V. tortilis has more effect on composition and diversity of herbaceous vegetation than on species richness, and that V. tortilis promotes the herbaceous layer biomass by reducing soil moisture loss and increasing soil fertility under the inside than outside the canopies. Therefore, we suggest that management practices should be directed on reducing pressure on V. tortilis by regulating grazing. Low to moderate grazing levels(i.e., a stocking rate less than 39.6 TLU ha~(-1) yr~(-1)) seems to be tolerable to ensure sustainable conservation of the species in the study area in particular and in semi-arid savannas in general.     

Enhanced forage production under Samanea saman in a subhumid tropical grassland

The effects of isolated, mature Samanea saman trees on herbaceous production and species composition were investigated over the 1993/1994 growing season in a subhumid tropical grassland in north-east Queensland, Australia. Under the crown, the cumulative aboveground biomass over the season was almost 90% above that of the open grassland. This increase was associated with a difference in species composition. The principal grass under the crown was Panicum maximum, while in the open grassland, the dominant species was Urochloa mosambicensis. Near the crown, cumulative biomass was intermediate and this was reflected in a mixed species composition. This study confirms earlier, largely anecdotal reports of the potential beneficial effects of S. saman on forage production, but by itself was unable to explain the mechanism by which this increase occurred. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

土地利用方式对湖泊洲滩湿地植物生物量的影响——以西洞庭湖国家级自然保护区为例

【目的】为了解土地利用方式对西洞庭湖洲滩湿地生态系统服务功能的影响,探索土壤含水率和物种丰富度在湿地恢复过程中所起的作用,进而为今后西洞庭湖湿地恢复工程提供指导。【方法】于2015年冬季通过收割法和生物量模型对杨树种植区域、退林还湿区域、天然洲滩这3个区域间的土壤含水率、物种丰富度和植物地上生物量差异及土壤含水率和物种丰富度与地上生物量相关性进行了初步探究。【结果】1)不同土地利用方式下洲滩土壤含水率与物种丰富度差异显著;天然洲滩土壤含水率最高,退林还湿区最低,杨树种植区和退林还湿区物种丰富度高于天然洲滩。2)不同土地利用方式下洲滩植被地上生物量差异显著;杨树林种植区的植物地上生物量高于天然洲滩,而退林还湿区与天然洲滩无差异;草本植物地上生物量呈现出天然洲滩区最高、杨树林种植区最低的规律。3)不同土地利用方式下土壤含水率与草本植物地上生物量呈正相关,物种丰富度与草本植物地上生物量呈负相关。【结论】利用和恢复工程对洲滩湿地土壤含水率和物种丰富度存在影响;土地利用方式对洲滩湿地生态系统功能存在影响;土壤含水率和物种丰富度对于修复退化湿地及生态系统功能具有重要意义。后续退林还湿工程开展可考虑人为增加土壤含水率以及移植苔草等优势物种等人工辅助措施,以促进退林还湿区域向天然洲滩湿地的演替。     

Tillandsia spp.: Epiphytic weeds of trees and bushes

This paper comments on the increase of population of two species: Tillandsia recurvata (L.) Linne and Tillandsia aëranthos (Loisel) L.B. Smith (Bromeliaceae) in the La Plata area of Argentina. These small, oligotrophic, herbaceous plants were observed on many species of trees and bushes growing in the arboretum of the Faculty of Agronomy and in parks of the city. Such woody species are present in other areas of the country and would be susceptible to attack in the future.Both species grow initially on the branches of the trees and later colonise the whole host, causing abscission of the leaves and the death of the tree. Consistent with this finding, these epiphytes are considered specialised weeds of the host plant and preliminary results of this study demonstrate the presence of a natural inhibitor in crude extracts of the plants. At present, work is in progress to study its effect upon leaf abscission and the colonisation strategy related to damage upon host trees.     

Habitat use of large ungulates in northeastern Germany in relation to forest management

Estimating large herbivore density has been a major area of research in recent decades. Previous studies monitoring ungulate density, however, focused mostly on determining animal abundance, and did not interpret animal distribution in relation to habitat parameters. We surveyed large ungulates in the Biodiversity Exploratory Schorfheide-Chorin using faecal pellet group counts. This allowed us to explore the link between relative ungulate abundance, habitat use, and browsing damage on trees in a region with several types of forest, including unharvested and age-class beech forests, as well as age-class pine forests. Our results demonstrate that roe deer and fallow deer relative abundance is negatively correlated with large tree cover, and positively correlated with the cover of small shrubs (Rubus spec., Vaccinium spec.), and winter food supply. Habitat use of roe deer and fallow deer, as estimated by counting faecal pellet groups, revealed a preference for mature pine forests, and avoidance of deciduous forests. This differential habitat use is explained by different distributions of high quality food resources during winter. The response of deer to understory cover differed between roe deer and fallow deer at high cover percentages. The amount of browsing damage we observed on coniferous trees was not consistent with the relative deer abundance. Browsing damage was consistently higher on most deciduous trees, except for beech saplings which sustained less damage when roe deer density was low. Because roe deer is a highly selective feeder, it was reported to affect tree diversity by feeding only on trees with high nutritional value. Consequently, we propose that managing the number of all deer species by hunting is necessary to allow successful forest regeneration. Such an adjustment to deer numbers would need to account for both current tree diversity and alternative food resources. Our findings may be applicable to other forest landscapes in northeastern Germany including mature pine stands and differently harvested deciduous forests.     

Role of plant defense in the utilization of native browse in southern Ethiopia

Browse is an important forage in pastoral systems, especially during dry seasons, because it is high in nitrogen and digestibility. However, browse palatability may be reduced by possible plant defenses such as tannins and physical attributes. Chemical and physical properties of 20 browse species were correlated with the feeding preference of camels, sheep and goats during wet and dry seasons in a densely wooded, semi-arid savanna. Preference was assessed by comparing relative use with abundance of browse species. Chemical components included nitrogen, available nitrogen, acid-detergent fibre, in vitro digestibility, total tannins and condensed tannins. Physical defenses included thorns, hooks, spines, and leaf surface properties. Animal preference was negatively related to chemical and physical defense factors, positively related to N content, and unrelated to fibre and digestibility with results depending on animal species and season. Understanding the physical and chemical factors which influence browse selectivity aids in identifying promising forage resources.