民勤荒漠白刺群落的分布与结构特征研究

对民勤荒漠白刺群落进行野外调查,对其群落的分布、外貌、结构特征及其物种多样性、分布格局、优势种群动态进行了分析研究。结果表明:1)白刺群落是民勤荒漠分布最广的一种植物群落类型,具有地带性分布特征,主要有唐古特白刺和球果白刺;2种群落类型,面积为310 290.20 hm2,占民勤荒漠草地总面积(934 639.80 hm2)的33.20%;2)民勤荒漠白刺灌丛的形态、外貌特征差异较大,不同演化阶段白刺灌丛沙堆空间分布格局差异较大;3)民勤荒漠白刺群落的层片结构简单,由灌木层和草本层组成,植物个体矮、冠幅小、生物量低、几乎都是灌木或者半灌木;群落多样性比较差、物种丰富度低、均匀性也差;群落优势种呈集群分布格局,整体上表现为稳定型种群;这种分布格局与种群的繁殖策略、生物学特性及恶劣的生境条件有关。     

艾比湖流域2种典型荒漠盐生植物冠下土与叶片的生态化学计量特征

【目的】探明荒漠盐生植物冠下土与叶片生态化学计量特征沿盐分梯度的变异及影响叶片元素计量特征的主要土壤因子,为干旱盐渍化区域生态保育提供理论依据。【方法】以新疆艾比湖流域2种典型荒漠盐生植物骆驼刺和白刺为研究对象,按照盐分梯度对2种植物分别选取3个10 m×10 m样方,基于216个冠下土和植物样品,综合分析不同盐分梯度下骆驼刺(轻度、中度和重度)和白刺(中度和重度)冠下土与叶片碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量特征,并利用冗余分析探究影响盐生植物叶片生态化学计量的主要土壤因子。【结果】盐分适度增加能明显提升荒漠盐生植物冠下土C、N、P含量,但高盐降低骆驼刺冠下土C、N、P含量;骆驼刺冠下土C∶N与C∶P以中盐样方最大,而白刺冠下土C∶N、C∶P、N∶P中盐与高盐样方之间均无显著差异(P0.05)。白刺叶片C、N、P含量随盐分提高而显著增加(P0.05),C∶N与C∶P表现为中盐高盐;低盐增加骆驼刺叶片C和P含量,降低N含量,中盐导致骆驼刺叶片C∶N与C∶P升高。2种荒漠盐生植物叶片N∶P在不同盐分梯度下均无显著差异(P0.05),均值分别为15.41±2.16、8.10±0.83。冗余分析表明,冠下土P含量和盐碱度分别是影响骆驼刺和白刺叶片C、N、P化学计量特征的主要因素。【结论】土壤盐分适度增加能提升荒漠盐生植物冠下土C、N、P含量,改变植物叶片的C、N、P含量及C∶P。盐生植物叶片生态化学计量受土壤盐碱度和元素含量的双重影响。     

辽宁泥质海岸植物群落与土壤的关系及其在造林中的应用

对辽宁泥质海岸盐，碱生植被与土壤盐分，有机质等之间的相关性进行了定性和定量研究，结果表明，土壤含盐量，有机质，ｐＨ值，地下水位决定植物群落类型，空间分布及演替情况，生长成片翅碱蓬或碱蒿，稀疏的白刺，碱蓬群落，指示土壤含盐量在１．０％以上，不经改造不能造林，獐毛，茵陈蒿，补血草群落土壤含盐量为０．６５％左右，可直接栽柽柳枸杞，沙枣，修白田可栽群众杨，１０９柳等，白茅，罗布麻，狗尾草群落土壤含盐量０．     

河西走廊西段荒漠戈壁灌木群落物种多样性的海拔格局

【目的】分析河西走廊西段灌木群落结构特征在海拔梯度上的分布规律,探讨荒漠戈壁灌木群落物种多样性的空间分布格局。【方法】以甘肃荒漠戈壁灌木群落为对象,在800～3 200 m的海拔范围内设置12个海拔梯度,探讨物种多样性沿海拔的变化特征。【结果】荒漠戈壁灌木群落类型沿海拔从低到高依次有沙拐枣+梭梭群落、泡泡刺群落、沙拐枣+泡泡刺群落、泡泡刺+红砂+沙拐枣+膜果麻黄群落、合头草+红砂群落、泡泡刺+红砂群落、合头草+盐爪爪+红砂群落、灌木亚菊+细枝盐爪爪群落、合头草群落、盐爪爪群落、盐爪爪+红砂群落、红砂群落,其中,红砂、合头草和泡泡刺等为分布范围较大的优势种;群落的α多样性指数沿海拔梯度从低到高呈先增加后降低的单峰型分布格局,最大值出现在海拔2 000～2 200 m内,其中,丰富度Gleason、Margalef指数和多样性Shannon-Wiener、Simpson指数随海拔上升表现出显著的单峰型格局(P0.05),海拔显著影响荒漠戈壁灌木群落的物种多样性(P0.05);虽然年均降水量和年均气温与海拔极显著相关(P0.01),但物种多样性与年均降水量和年均气温的相关性均未达到显著水平(P0.05);群落物种多样性指数偏低,群落结构简单,物种组成稀少;大多数相邻海拔梯度间灌木群落的Jaccard相似水平较低。【结论】河西走廊西段荒漠戈壁以灌木为优势种的群落呈区域性的斑块状分布格局。不同海拔梯度内灌木群落的建群种都发生了变化。物种多样性在海拔梯度上呈先升后降的单峰分布格局。     

辽宁泥质海岸植物群落与土壤的关系及其在造林中应用

对辽宁泥质海岸盐、碱生植被与土壤盐分、有机质等之间的相关性进行了定性和定量研究。结果表明，土壤含盐量、有机质、ｐＨ值、地下水位决定植物群落类型、空间分布及演替情况。生长成片翅碱蓬或碱蒿、稀疏的白刺、碱蓬群落，指示土壤含盐量在１．０％以上，不经改造不能造林。獐毛、茵陈蒿、补血草群落土壤含盐量０．６５％左右，可直接栽柽柳、枸杞、沙枣，修台田可栽群众杨、１０９柳等。白茅、罗布麻、狗尾草群落土壤含盐量０．１％～０．３％，可直接用于造林。     

黑河桥湿地植物群落组成与多样性研究

采用样带结合样方法,对临泽县平川镇黑河桥北岸、南岸2块样地分别按灌木层、草本层2个层次进行群落植物组成及其物种多样性特征调查,结果表明:该湿地植物群落中,共有高等植物22种,其中灌木层植物4种和草本层植物18种,隶属14科21属。对各群落根据植物重要值进行群落类型划分,可以将黑河桥北岸植物群落类型确定为沙枣+柽柳—假苇拂子茅+芦苇+滨麦群丛,将南岸植物群落类型确定为柽柳+黑果枸杞—滨麦+芦苇群丛。2个植物群落的2种物种丰富度均表现出草本层>灌木层的特点;Shannon-wiener多样性指数在各样地中总的趋势均为草本层>灌木层;Pielou均匀度指数在各层间表现出草本层的均匀度偏低的规律。     

哀牢山植物多样性垂直分布格局

以设于哀牢山各植物群的样地调查材料为依据,分析了哀牢山东、西坡不同海拔高度地带性植物群落乔木层林木的高、径垂直分布特征,植物群落生物多样性指数的垂直分布态势。结果表明:该山地植物群落乔木层和灌木层的植物物种多样性沿海拔梯度呈单峰型分布格局,以中山湿性常绿阔叶林乔木层林木的最大和平均树高、最大胸径值和物种多样性指数最大;而灌木层植物物种多样性指数最大值出现在中山湿性常绿阔叶林带下的季风常绿阔叶林和半湿性常绿阔叶林带内;而草本层植物的物种多样性指数则沿海拔梯度上升呈整体减小的趋势;累加其植物群落乔、灌、草3层植物的物种多样性指数,哀牢山东、西坡植物群落的Shannon-Weiner指数和物种丰富度最大值出现在海拔高度2000 m左右。在相同海拔高度处,西坡植物群落的植物物种多样性高于东坡,季风常绿阔叶林的物种多样性大于半湿性常绿阔叶林,而山顶苔藓矮林的植物物种多样性最小。     

公别拉河自然保护区植物群落物种多样性研究

根据公别拉河自然保护区的植物群落样地调查资料,从不同类型和层次的物种丰富度、均匀度和物种多样性指数等方面的关系,对公别拉河自然保护区的植物群落多样性进行了分析。本区植被类型的多样性指数、均匀度指数变化反映了其结构复杂程度、生境的差异。植物生长型与群落多样性指数的关系表现为乔木层与灌木层物种丰富度指数相近且明显低于草本层,基本顺序为“草本层>灌木层>乔木层”,物种多样性指数也表现出草本层>灌木层>乔木层的规律。     

石羊河下游干旱荒漠区盐爪爪群落植物分布区类型

通过对石羊河下游干旱荒漠区盐爪爪群落调查,结果表明:本区域盐爪爪属植物种类有盐爪爪、细枝盐爪爪、圆叶盐爪爪、黄毛头;其群落伴生种有11科19属28种植物,主要由多年生盐生草本和盐生灌木组成;群落植物科的分布区类型以世界分布区类型为主,属的分布区类型以地中海区、西亚至中亚分布及其变型和世界分布成分为主。     

河南省义马市铬污染区植物群落调查及修复植物筛选

植物群落调查及修复植物筛选是重金属污染地生态恢复的主要环节之一,因此对河南省义马市铬污染区植物群落进行野外调查,并对其主要植物铬含量进行测定。结果表明,该污染区共有维管束植物60种,隶属24科53属,多为多年生、耐旱草本植物;随样区内铬污染程度加重,其物种多样性指数降低,群落演替尚处于初期至早中期;污染区内98.3%植物体内铬含量高于普通植物正常铬含量(0.2~8.4mg/kg),其中优势植物铬含量是普通植物最高正常铬含量临界值的3.13~162.91倍,是较好的铬污染区生态修复植物种质资源。综合考虑植物体内铬含量富集、转运系数以及植物生长分布状况,狼尾草、艾蒿、芦苇、皱叶酸模、白莲蒿是修复铬污染区土壤极具潜力的植物物种。     

Decomposition and nutrient loss from prunings of different contour hedgerow species in tea plantations in the sloping highlands of Sri Lanka

Contour hedgerows of multipurpose tree species in the sloping tea lands of Sri Lanka are expected to reduce soil erosion and also add significant amounts of plant nutrients to the soil via periodic prunings. The objective of this experiment was to characterize the biomass decomposition pattern and quantify the amount of nutrients added through prunings of six tree species (Calliandra calothyrsus, Senna spectabilis, Euphatorium innulifolium, Flemingia congesta, Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia) currently being used in hedgerows associated with tea. Withered leaf and stem prunings (50 g) were enclosed in 2-mm litter bags, placed at 5-cm depth and retrieved after one, three, six, nine and 12 weeks. Loss of initial dry weight, N, P and K was measured. Single exponential decay function adequately described both dry weight and nutrient loss. Tree species differed significantly in their rate of breakdown with decomposition constants (k) varying from 0.0299 to 0.2006 week⁻¹ for leaves and from 0.0225 to 0.0633 week⁻¹ for stems. Gliricidia showed the highest k for leaves with the rest in the following descending order: Senna > Tithonia ≥ Euphatorium > Calliandra > Flemingia. A similar pattern was observed for loss of all nutrients with Calliandra and Flemingia always having lower k values than the rest. Although N immobilization was not observed, immobilization of P and K was observed during the first week of incubation in some species, particularly in stem prunings. Annual biomass of prunings differed significantly between tree species in the following descending order: Calliandra > Senna > Flemingia > Tithonia > Gliricidia > Euphatorium. Calliandra added the greatest amount of nutrients annually to the soil with Euphatorium adding the least. Calliandra prunings provided the annual total K requirement and 49% of the N requirement of mature tea. However, none of the species provided more than 5% of the P requirement. It is concluded that among the tree species tested, Calliandra and Flemingia are the most suitable for contour hedgerows in tea plantations of this agroclimatic region because of their higher soil nutrient enrichment capacity and slower decomposition rates which would minimize leaching losses. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of Seed Weight and Seed Type on Early Seedling Growth of Pinus sylvestris under Harsh and Optimal Conditions

The effects of seed weight and seed type on seedling growth of Pinus sylvestris (L.) were studied by seeding individually weighed orchard and stand seed in different mixtures under harsh (direct seeding in field) and optimal (seeding in nursery) conditions. In the nursery experiment an increase in the seed weight from 3 to 7 mg increased the seedling height by 10-27% and total weight by 27-113%, and decreased the height/diameter ratio by 5-6% after 2 yrs. With elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 2% taller than stand seedlings in year 2. Without elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 7-13% taller. In the field experiment an increase in the seed weight from 3 to 7 mg increased seedling height by 18-65%, stem volume by 81-274% and the number of top-buds by 23-34% in year 5. After elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 7-13% taller than stand seedlings and without elimination of seed weight effects 20-21% taller after 5 yrs. Even after elimination of both seed weight and genetic effects orchard seedlings were 3-9% larger than stand seedlings in the field experiment. In conclusion, the influence of seed weight and seed type on growth traits and slenderness is highly significant and the influence seems to be greater in harsh conditions.     

Modelling of adequate pretwist for obtaining straight timber

Abstract

Wood in general and wooden studs in particular are often distorted owing to uneven shrinkage during the drying process in the sawmill. Twist is often the most detrimental of all types of distortion, and it is caused by spiral grain in combination with variations in moisture content. For sawmills, the objective is to produce dried, straight boards, and one method of dealing with boards with excessive spiral grain is to sort them out and then dry them in a pretwisted position to obtain straight boards after drying. A model using the finite element (FE) method for the simulation of drying twist distortions was first calibrated against laboratory experiments in which boards were dried with and without restraints and pretwists. After the calibration, the FE results were compared with industrial test results for boards that were dried without restraints or with restraints with zero pretwist, i.e. straight restraints. The FE model used an elastic–ideally plastic material model to obtain permanent deformations. The calibration was to set the yield stresses so that there was a good match between FE results and results from the laboratory experiments. The comparison between the industrial test results and the FE results showed that the FE model is capable of realistic simulations of drying boards with and without restraints and presumably also pretwists.     

Potential to harness superior nutritional qualities of exotic baobabs if local adaptation can be conferred through grafting

Baobab leaves form an important part of the local diet in Sahel countries and elsewhere in Africa. Existing leaf nutritional data and agroforestry performance information are based solely on Adansonia digitata L., the baobab of continental Africa. The introduction potential of Adansonia species from the center of diversity in Madagascar and from Australia remains untapped. To assess this potential, the mineral contents and B₁ and B₂ vitamin levels of dried baobab leaves were determined for five-year old trees of A. digitata, A. gibbosa (A. Cunn.) Guymer ex D. Baum, A. rubrostipa Jum. & H. Perrier (syn. A. fony Baill.), A. perrieri Capuron and A. za Baill. grown in an introduction trial in Mali. Nutritional data were evaluated against survival and vigor to identify promising germplasm. Leaf vitamin and crude protein contents were highest in the Madagascar species, especially A. rubrostipa (B₁ 88 mg 100 g⁻¹, B₂ 187 mg 100 g⁻¹, protein 20.7% dry weight). However, the local species far outperformed the introductions in survival, tree height, basal diameter and resistance to termites. We suggest grafting as a way of harnessing the vigor of well-adapted local baobab varieties to the superior nutritional profiles of A. rubrostipa and others. Cross-species grafting tests in Adansonia were successful, thus creating new agroforestry possibilities with different scion/rootstock combinations.     

Biogeochemical impacts of clearfelling and reforestation on blanket-peatland streams: II. major ions and dissolved organic carbon

Streams and drains in blanket-peatland forest in western Ireland were sampled weekly over 5 years, 1996–2000, using continuous, depth-proportional passive sampling. Analysis was for pH, alkalinity by Gran titration, anions by IC, metals by ICP, aluminium speciation by loaded-resin exchange, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by absorbance at 320 nm.

Effects of felling are identified graphically from two forest drains whose catchments (both about 1 ha) were clearfelled, and partial clearfelling of one larger catchment (somewhat over 1 km²), in summer 1999. Calcium concentrations and alkalinity were increased in the drain- and streamwater from the felled areas. The pH was increased in drains, while in the larger stream, pH range decreased while the mean increased. Phosphorus increased markedly with clearfell, in the absence of recent fertilising, and also increased with fertilising; these results are reported in an accompanying paper. Ammonium-nitrogen concentrations were increased in the two drains with felling, and temporarily decreased in the larger stream. Nitrate increased in some cases. Potassium and manganese concentrations also increased. Concentrations of DOC and organic monomeric aluminium increased gradually, subject to a continuing strong annual cycle. There were no clearfelling effects on concentrations of solphate, suspended solids or inorganic monomeric aluminium. In the two drains (fully clearfelled), concentrations of sodium, chloride and magnesium, and conductivity, were all reduced after felling. Fertilising effects other than for phosphorus were indistinct.

Effects of the combined clearfell–reforestation treatment were testable statistically, using randomised intervention analysis, between two larger streams (1 km²) as a treatment–control comparison. There were statistically significant positive responses in streamwater concentrations of nitrate, potassium, calcium, DOC and aluminium fractions. The implications for management practice depend on whether the loss of nutrients is sustainable for future crop productivity, and whether critical limits and loads of receiving ecosystems are exceeded.     

Effect of Drought on Growth and Mortality of Actively Growing Norway Spruce Container Seedlings Planted in Summer

Survival, root egress and height growth of 13-month-old actively growing Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) container seedlings exposed to preplanting drying treatments (0, 4, and 8 days) and postplanting drought periods (1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks) were studied in the field between 5 July and 18 August 1999. The mortality of seedlings increased and the height growth and root egress decreased throughout the postplanting drought period. Postplanting performance was also affected by preplanting drying treatments. The results indicate that no risk of excessive mortality and growth restrictions occurs when actively growing seedlings are planted in summer, provided that seedlings are well watered before planting and the drought period does not exceed 3 weeks.     

Rehabilitation of diseased cacao fields in Peru through shade regulation and timing of biocontrol measures

The objective of this case study was to test the effectiveness of biocontrol for the rehabilitation of abandoned, diseased (moniliasis, witches' broom and black pod) cocoa and to develop testable hypotheses regarding the effect of shade and biocontrol timing. Three trial fields differed in their shade regimes. Biocontrol was administered starting either at flowering or pod filling. Disease incidence and yield were compared with cultural control alone. Biocontrol reduced moniliasis from 49% to 25%, independent of the shading regime and application time. Witches' broom was most severe without shade and unaffected by biocontrol. No significant effects on black pod were observed. Although biocontrol increased percentage healthy fruit independent of shading and timing, only the shaded plot with biocontrol from flowering onwards responded with increased yield. Our hypothesis is: 'In the rehabilitation of abandoned cacao, only fields under sustainable shade management and early onset of biocontrol can realise their production potential.' This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

qPCR quantification of Ophiognomonia clavigignenti‐juglandacearum from infected butternut trees under different release treatments

The use of a molecular assay for quantifying conidia of Ophiognomonia clavigignenti‐juglandacearum, the fungal pathogen responsible of butternut canker, was investigated. Purified DNA from conidia collected on glass fibre filters of a passive rain collectors was quantified using a TaqMan real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. The qPCR assay could specifically discriminate the target species from all other North American known species of Ophiognomonia, and it was sensitive enough to repeatedly detect one conidium. A linear relationship between numbers of conidia and qPCR C_t values was determined, and used to assess the sporulation of the pathogen under trees that were released to promote their vigour. In total, 977 samples of field‐captured conidia from 49 trees, at two locations, and from two successive growing seasons were analysed. No significant difference of sporulation was observed under control and release treatments. However, our results demonstrated that qPCR assay was reliable for detecting and quantifying O. clavigignenti‐juglandacearum from environmental samples, which will be useful to assess further control methods for this disease.     

The potential of alley cropping in improvement of cultivation systems in the high rainfall areas of Zambia I. Chitemene and Fundikila

Three trials investigating the potential of alley cropping to improve the traditional systems of cultivation, chitemene and fundikila, in the Northern Province of Zambia are described. Flemingia congesta, Tephrosia vogelii, and Sesbania sesban, were grown in association with finger millet, groundnut, cowpea, and maize in various traditional cropping sequences. The indigenous species Tephrosia vogelii and Sesbania sesban were not able to withstand repeated pruning and the long following dry season, and were replaced with Calliandra calothyrsus, and Cassia spectabilis.Over a four year period, there was no benefit by alley cropping with any of the tree species on crop yields, and yields in alley crop treatments even dropped significantly below the control treatments in the fourth year, casting doubt on the potential of alley cropping for sustainable production. There was also no consistent effect on soil chemical characteristics in any of the trials. It was suggested that this lack of beneficial response to alley cropping was due to low tree biomass production low quality of prunings, and an inappropriate cropping sequence. There was no evidence that alley cropping contributed to enhanced nutrient recycling, despite substantial localised pools of soil nutrients, particularly in the chitemene, with which recycling could potentially occur.     

Toxicity of biocide GCSC-BtA on arthropod pests under different temperature conditions

The present research dealt with the toxicity of GCSC-BtA (Germany–China Scientific Cooperation-Bacillus thuringiensis-Abamectin), a new type biocide developed by conjugating a toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) with Abamectin from Streptomyces avermitilis, on arthropod pests under different temperature conditions. The results showed that GCSC-BtA possessed higher toxicity than B.t. crystal, Abamectin or Cypermethrin, with pest mortalities of 97.9, 93.7, 96.4, 82.3 and 96.7% for Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisd.) (Acari, Tetranychidae), Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thys., Thripidae), Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hom., Aphididae), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae) and Cameraria ohridella Deschka et Dimić (Lep., Gracillariidae), respectively. Toxicities of GCSC-BtA to T. cinnabarinus and P. xylostella decreased significantly at the older developmental stage with an exception that egg stage had the highest tolerance, in which LC₅₀s of GCSC-BtA were 0.0001, 0.0019 and 0.0708 mg/ml for nymph, adult and egg of T. cinnabarinus, and that 0.0399, 0.2035 and 0.9033 mg/ml for the 2nd instar larvae, 4th instar larvae and egg of P. xylostella, respectively. Also, the biocide was more effective to the lower stage of A. fabae than the higher one with LC₅₀s of 0.0023, 0.0086 and 0.0171 mg/ml against 1st instar nymph, 3rd instar nymph and adult, respectively. In general, toxicity of the new type of biocide was positively related to temperature against all the tested pests, except against T. cinnabarinus, where it was almost similar at the three temperature conditions. GCSC-BtA displayed significantly lower toxicities at 15/20°C than 20/25°C or 25/30°C against F. occidentalis, A. fabae, P. xylostella and C. ohridella. However, no significant difference was found in the toxicities against F. occidentalis, A. fabae and C. ohridella above 20°C, whereas toxicity against P. xylostella increased as temperature raised. Therefore, to achieve higher efficacy in the field, application rate and time should be devised according to these factors.