Geographic variation and genetic performance of Picea koraiensis in growth and wood characteristics

Eight provenances of 19-year-oldPicea koraiensis Nakai from the provenance trials of Maoershan (45°20′N, 127°30′E), Liangshui (47°10′N, 128°53′E) and Jiagedaqi (50°24′N, 124°07′E) in Northeast China were investigated to analyze the genetic variation in growth characteristics (tree height and diameter) and wood characteristics (tracheid length, tracheid diameter, tracheid wall thickness, annual ring width as well as wood density). Great variation in height growth and breast height diameter growth was observed among the provenances, and along with the increase of tree age, these provenances presented different geographic adaptability. The growth characteristics ofPicea koraiensis stand at age of 10 in Maoershan and Liangshui provenance trials had a positive correlation with longitude, and with increase of tree age to 15 and 19, the tree growth of the provenances displayed a significant positive correlation with latitude as well as altitude. For wood characteristics, great variation was also found among the provenances. There exists a close relation between growth characteristics and wood properties of the provenance. The height and breast height diameter growth of the provenance had a positive correlation with tracheid diameter and annual ring width, and a negative correlation with tracheid wall thickness and wood density. Genetic performance of the provenance in all above characteristics was also investigated in order to provide more useful information for comprehensive selection of this species for pulpwood and plywood production. Foundation item: The paper was supported by National Key Project of The State Forestry Administration. (96-011-01-06) Biography: WANG Qiu-yu (1957-), female, professor in College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Intraspecific geographic variation and primary selection on the best provenance ofPinus sylvestris var.mongolica

This paper summarizes the result from the provenance test of eight years oldPinus sylvestris var.mongolica in Liangshui Natural Reserve comprehensively. The main contents include:(l) the geographic variation of the growth characters ofPinus sylvestris var. mongolica, tends to negative change gradually at latitude and has obvious climatic nature, (2) no significant difference exists in the morphological adaptability and resistant characteristics and so on; (3)on the basis of the geographic variation study on the growth characteristics, the provenances ofPinus sylvestris var.mongolica were classified into two geographic populations and two subpopulations as follows: the northern population of the Daxing’an Mountain (I) and the southern population of the Daxing’an Mountain as well as the Xiaoxing’an Mountain (II), which includes Honghuarji subpopulation (II -1) and Kalunshan subpopulation (II-2). (4) the height growth rhythm was analyzed according to the divided population and subpopulation; (5) the best provenance was selected for the Liangshui Natural Reserve and its neighborhood according to the results from SSR test of the growth characteristics (the breast height diameter and height of eight year old trees), the possibility of the early provenance selection was also verified by the method of order correlation analysis on the height growth of three, five, seven and eight years old provenances.     

FTIR spectroscopy of early and latewood of Larix gmelinii growing along the polar treeline: the correlation between absorption bands and climatic factors

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results of FTIR spectroscopy of the 1988–1998 annual ring early and latewood of Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr.) found along the polar treeline (Taimyr Peninsula, 70°52′53″ N, 102°58′26″ E). We analyzed samples of early and latewood to identify absorption bands of groups of wood components, as well as the bands that characterized the interactions among the components. We studied bound water spectral characteristics for wood formed in different years. An analysis of the correlation between the values of spectral absorption bands and mean monthly air temperature and precipitation showed that May-August weather had the greatest influence on the synthesis of the main polymeric components of early and latewood. Air temperature had a considerable effect on polymer composition of cell walls forming in early and latewood, whereas precipitation influenced only earlywood. FTIR spectroscopy is a promising tool to develop information on the biochemical composition of the walls of early and late tracheids of annual rings and on weather and climate influences on cell wall synthesis.     

Variability in cone and seed characteristics and seed testing in various provenances of Himalayan spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea smithiana</Emphasis>)

We investigated the effect of provenance variation on cone and seed morphology and germination behaviour under different pre- treatments in Picea smithiana. Three categories of cones were recognized: large (13.18 cm × 3.30 cm 15.42 cm × 4.35 cm), medium (10.85 cm × 3.93 cm 12.18 cm × 3.98 cm) and small (7.69 cm × 3.06 10.98 cm× 3.39 cm). Significant variation was observed for various cone and seed characteristics. Seeds moisture content varied from 44.48% to 56.91%, seed size from 0.64 cm × 0.31 cm (largest seed) to 0.49 cm × 0.10 cm (smallest seed), and the seed weight from 2.45 g per 100 seeds to 1.36 g per 100 seeds on fresh weight basis of P. smithiana. The highest seed germination (72.0±7.53%) at 10°C was observed under chilling treatment in Tapovan provenance, while the minimum (15.0±5.71%) seed germina- tion was recorded at 25°C under control set in Tapovan provenance. Further among all the sources Pandukeshwar consistently had the highest average (38%) percent germination across all treatments. Compared to other temperature regimes and pretreatments, seeds subjected to 10°C and chilling treatment had the highest germination and took the least time for germination irrespective of provenance effects. Altitude (provenance) had little or no relationship with germination following laboratory treat- ments. Seeds from Tapovan provenance subjected at 10°C following chilling treatment may be suggested for further multiplication of this species.     

A study on the geographic variation and selection of the best provenance ofLarix olgensis

On the basis of the results from the geographic provenance test of nine years oldlarix olgensis in Liangshui Natural Reserve of our university, a study on the geographic varition and the primary selection of the best provenance ofLarix olgensis was carried out. The main results are as follows: I.The different provenances ofLarix olgensis have rich and wide genetic variation, and exist a linear correlation with latitude and longitude in collection area. General trends are enumerated below: Provenances at lower latitude and more west longitude have lighter thousand seed weight, short growth period, higher increment, wide branches, rich leaves and crown as well as worst adaptabillity. It is a dual-way variation along with two directions of latitude and longitude, and also embodies a change gradually in climate condition from south to north. The temperatures in seed production site, especially the mean temperature in January and ≥10 °C accumulated temperature, are important factors that produce geographic variation forlarix olgensis. 2. The variation of different provenances in periodic biological phenomena and growth rhythm trends are that: 1 both of the provenances from Changbai Mt. (III) and Dashitou(IV) at low latitude belong to the centralized growth type, and have shout growth period, the difference between these two provenances is that the provenance from Changbai Mt. grows well in all time, Dashitou provennce is well only in later period; 2 the provenance from Baidao Mt. (II) at middle latitude belongs to even growth type and has longer grpwth period, this provenance has higher increment in early and later periods relatively; 3 Xiaobeihu provenance at high latitude is a growth type among II. III and IV provenances and has a general growth period, the provenance grows better in middle time and worse in later time. 3. The best provenance in Liangshui Natural Reserve and its meighbourhood is Dashitou Procenance, which growth in height, diameter and volume has exceeded 16. 28%, 46. 27%, 30. 58%, 78. 20, 82. 00% as well as 392. 00% by comparison with the mean value of the contrast and the worst provenance respectively, The result from the height growth of three, five, seven and nine years oldLarix olgensis by using the method of order correlation analysis demonstrates that it is possible to make early selection of the provenance. Meanwhile, data from juvenile and mature oflarix olgensis plantation also prove the reliability of the early selection. 4. The provenance heritabilities of nine years oldlarix olgensis in Liangshui Natural Reserve are follows: The heritability of the height growth (h²) is 0.79; The heritability of the diameter breast height (h²) is 0.791; The geretic gain is 24.5% and 40.36% respectively.     

Variations of fine root diameter with root order in Manchurian ash and Dahurian larch plantations

Fine root lifespan and turnover play an important role in carbon allocation and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Fine roots are typically defined as less than 1 or 2 mm in diameter. However, when categorizing roots by this diameter size, the position of an individual root on the complex lateral branching pattern has often been ignored, and our knowledge about relationships between branching order and root function thus remains limited. More recently, studies on root survivals found that longevity was remarkably different in the same branching level due to diameter variations. The objectives of this study were: (1) To examine variations of fine root diameter from the first-to fifth-orders in Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr and Larix gmelinii Rupr roots; and (2) To reveal how the season, soil nutrient, and water availability affect root diameter in different branch order in two species. This study was conducted at Maoershan Forest Research Station (45°21′–45°25′N, 127°30′–127°34′E) owned by Northeast Forestry University in Harbin, northeast China. Both F. mandshurica and L. gmelinii were planted in 1986. In each plantation, fine roots of two species by sampling up to five fine root branch orders three times during the 2003 growing season from two soil depths (i.e., 0–10 and 10–20 cm) were obtained. The results showed that average diameters of fine roots were significantly different among the five branch orders. The first-order had the thinner roots and the fifth order had the thickest roots, the diameter increasing regularly with the ascending branch orders in both species. If the diameter of fine roots was defined as being smaller than 0.5 mm, the first three orders of F. mandshurica roots and the first two orders of L. gmelinii roots would be included in the fine root population. The diameter ranges of the fine roots from first-order to fifth-order were 0.15–0.58, 0.18–0.70, 0.26–1.05, 0.36–1.43, and 0.71–2.96 mm for F. mandshurica, and 0.17–0.76, 0.23–1.02, 0.26–1.10, 0.38–1.77, and 0.84–2.80 mm for L. gmelinii. The average coefficient of variation in first-order roots was less than 10%, second-and third-order was 10–20%, and fourth-and fifth-order was 20–30%. Thus, variation in root diameter also increased with the ascending root order. These results suggest that “fine roots”, which are traditionally defined as an arbitrary diameter class (i.e., <2 mm in diameter) may be too large a size class when compared with the finest roots. The finest roots have much shorter lifespan than larger diameter roots; however, the larger roots are still considered a component of the fine root system. Differences in the lifespan between root diameter and root order affect estimates of root turnover. Therefore, based on this study, it has been concluded that both diameter and branch order should be considered in the estimation of root lifespan and turnover. __________ Translated from Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2005, 29(6): 871–877 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

Variation in spring and autumn frost tolerance among provenances of Russian larches (Larix Mill.)

Abstract

Spring and autumn frost tolerance was measured using material from a range-wide (50–67° N, 38–158° E) provenance trial of four Russian larch species (Larix sukaczewii Dyl., L. sibirica Ledeb., L. gmelinii Rupr. and L. cajanderi Mayr.) growing in northern Sweden. Shoots were collected in early May and late September and frozen at ?8, ?12, ?16 and ?20°C. Cambial damage was assessed visually after development under ideal conditions for 2 weeks. Differences in frost damage among provenances were highly significant in both spring and autumn. Autumn frost damage was significantly correlated with provenance latitude and longitude and spring frost damage was significantly correlated with provenance longitude but not latitude. Frost damage was not correlated with provenance elevation. North-western provenances showed the least damage and far-eastern provenances the greatest damage in both spring and autumn. A possible explanation for less spring frost damage to north-western provenances is adaptation to maritime conditions in proximity to the Barents Sea, which is often ice free in late winter. This would counteract early loss of frost tolerance and bud flushing if warm spells occurred in late winter. North-eastern Siberian provenances did not show similar adaptation and may exhibit increased spring frost damage if global warming eventually results in the Arctic Ocean north of Siberia becoming ice free in late winter.     

云杉种和种源生长性状早期评价

[目的]通过对引种的云杉种和种源试验林的适应性和生长变异研究,选育出最适合当地栽培的优良种和种源。[方法]以甘肃省小陇山沙坝试验基地引种的欧洲云杉、黑云杉、白云杉、蓝云杉、红皮云杉和青海云杉6个树种20个种源为研究对象,分别对6、7、9 a幼林龄的生长性状(树高、地径、新梢和冠幅)进行方差分析和相关性分析,以早期评价云杉种和种源。[结果]6、7、9 a生长期内不同云杉种间和种源间的差异多数达到极显著,表明不同种间和种源间存在较大的遗传变异。利用树高兼地径为主要指标筛选出7个优良种源,分别为欧洲云杉加拿大AB01、AB03种源、白云杉加拿大GL01种源;黑云杉加拿大MA05、MA07、MA08和MA10种源,树高、地径现实增益均超过11%。欧洲云杉、白云杉种源树高与经纬度呈极显著的正相关,与海拔呈极显著的负相关;黑云杉种源树高也与经纬度呈极显著的正相关,但与海拔相关不显著。[结论]在原产地纬度49°16'～58°38'N,经度68°13'～118°24'W区域范围内引进欧洲云杉、白云杉、黑云杉种源,是适宜在甘肃小陇山栽培的云杉树种。     

Establishment of planted Norway spruce and Scots pine seedlings: effects of light environment,fertilisation, and orientation and distance with respect to shelter trees

The effects of stand stem density (SSD), orientation and distance with respect to shelter trees, and fertilisation on planted Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies seedlings were examined at two sites, one with a southerly aspect (64°14′N, 19°46′E, 225 m a.s.l.) and one with a northerly aspect (64°09′N, 19°36′E, 274 m a.s.l.) in boreal forests in Sweden. The damage and growth were compared at these sites in stands with three SSD’s and different light regimes: uncut forest (SSD 500, ~500 stems/ha), shelterwood (SSD 150,~150 stems/ha), and clear-cut (SSD, 0 stems). Half of the seedlings were irrigated with fertiliser (10 mM N). Fertilisation and SSD affected the height growth of P. abies, since fertilised seedlings in SSD 0 grew the most (22.2 cm). Fertilised seedlings in SSD 0 also generally had the greatest biomass (twigs, leading shoot and needles), even P. sylvestris seedlings on the North slope, where fertilised and unfertilised pine seedlings in SSD 0 had 62.6 and 39.7 g biomass, respectively. P. sylvestris increased about 150% in dry mass of leading shoot of the increase of P. abies with equal height growth, when comparing SSD 150 and SSD 0. The results indicate that the general conditions of the stand have stronger effects on the growth of planted seedlings than their orientation and distance with respect to the nearest tree and that light requirements cannot be moderated by fertilisation. We postulate that a system in which forest gaps are formed under a shelterwood could provide a way to regenerate forests that exploits the beneficial features of both shelter trees and clear-cuts.     

Dynamics of Zn between soil and plant in Northeast Leymus chinensis grassland

A study was conducted to determine the dynamic of Zn content between soil and plant in the natural protection zone of Leymus chinensis grassland in Changling County (44°30′–44°45′N; 123°31′–124°10′E), Jilin Province, China. Results showed that the total Zn content was lower, available Zn content had a moderate level in the soil, and the plants was not lack of Zn. During the growing season, content of total Zn and available Zn in soil showed a down-trend distribution along the soil profile. Content of total Zn had a significantly positive correlation with that of the organic matter, but it was negatively correlated to soil pH. Monthly dynamic of the average content of total Zn showed a “V” type curve in the growing season from May to August, and July was the nadir. The trend of the average content of available Zn was similar to the content of total Zn, but was down after August; Zn content variation in the organs and litter of L. chinensis was great, with the order of root>rhizome >leaf>stem>litter. The ratio of available Zn content in A layer versus B layer was more than 2 times that of the total Zn, which indicated that the soil of A layer had higher enrichment capacity of available Zn. The enrichment of Zn in the root of L. chinensis was 44.17 times as that in the soil. The absorbing intensity of root had a significantly negative correlation with the activity of Zn in the soil (r=−0.8800, p<0.01). Biography: ZHOU Xiao-mei (1966–), female, Ph.D., associate professor of Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, P.R. China.     

Real-time measurement of vibrational properties and fine structural properties of wood at high temperature

Vibrational properties and fine structural properties of wood were measured at high temperatures. Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Carr.) and Shioji (Japanese ash, Fraxinus spaethiana Lingelsh.) were used as specimens. The specimens, the system to support them, a magnetic driver, and a deflection sensor were in an electric drying oven, where vibration tests were conducted. The heating temperatures ranged from room temperature to 200 °C in 25 °C increments in both heating and cooling processes. X-ray diffractometry was carried out using positive sensitive proportional counter (PSPC) at room temperature to 200 °C in 20 °C increments in both heating and cooling processes. Received 13 December 1999     

Germination and seedling growth in Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. as affected by provenance,seed pretreatment,and temperature regime

Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. seeds germinated and the seedlings grew on under controlled environments (18 h photoperiod and 16/8 h thermoperiods; 10/10^oC, 20/20°C, 20/10°C, and 25/10°C). The experiment was concluded after 180 days, and the seedlings were scored for stem diameter and length. Four provenances were included: Colorado “high elevation”; (CO), Oregon 1 600 m a.s.l. (OR), British Columbia 1200 m a.s.l. (BC), and Finland (BCF; originally from British Columbia 1800 m a.s.l.). A cold‐moist pretreatment for 30 days improved germination and seedling growth in the BC and BCF seed lots, while the CO and OR seed lots were less affected. Daily fluctuating temperatures improved germination in the BC and BCF seed lots, the widest fluctuation 25/10°C producing the greatest germination. The average length of the seedlings was 34 mm at 20/20°C, 33 mm at 20/10°C, and 37 mm at 25/10°C; differences in hypocotyl length being most important. There were small but significant differences between the provenances in their reaction to temperature regime. The major part of the seedlings produced 2 or 3 flushes of growth in the 180 days period, the CO provenance having the most stabile buds and the OR provenance being the most labile.     

Analysis of organic acids in seleted forest litters of Northeast China

Larch(Larix olgensis), Manchurian ash(Fraxinus mandshurica), Korean pine(Pinus koraiensis) and White birch(Betula platyphylla) are the major planting species in northeast China. The samples of forest litters were collected from the stands of the above 4 species in Laoyeling and Jianlagou experiment stations of Maorshan Exp. Forest Farm (45°12′–45°30′N, 127°30′–127°48′E), Northeast Forestry University, in early October 2002. Quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis were carried out on the organic acids existing in freshly fallen litters (L layer) and hemi-decomposed litters (F layer) of the four forest species by using Gas Chromatogram system. A wide variety of organic acids were identified, including oxalic, malonic, fumaric, succinic, maleic, malic, citric, C₁₆:O, C₁₈:O, C₁₈:1, C₁₈:2, C₁₈:3 and C₂₀:O acids. In respect of L litters of all samples, the oxalic acid content (over 30 mg/g) was the highest of the seven low-molecular-weight organic acids identified, while the content of oleic or linoleic (above 40mg/g) was found to be highest among the six high aliphatic acids identified. As to F litters, oxalic acid content was also the highest, followed by linoleic and oleic. For the same tree species or the same forest, the kinds and contents of organic acids in L litters were more abundant than that in F litters. Foundation item: This paper is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (30170768) Biography: SONG Jin-feng (1976-), female, doctor postgraduate, Harbin 150040, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Three newly recorded species of the genus Diphascon (Tardigrada; Hypsibiidae) from China

This paper reports three newly recorded species, Diphascon modestum Binda, Pilato and Dastych, 1984, Diphascon nobilei Binda, 1969, and Diphascon triodon Maucci, 1996, of the genus Diphascon (Tardigrada; Hypsibiidae) from China. Five specimens of Diphascon modestum were collected from Taibai Mt. (34°18′N, 107°42tpE) at 2,500 m above the sea level (a.s.l.), two specimens of Diphascon nobilei were collected from Tonggu County, Jiangxi Province (28°31’N, 114°26′E) at 900 m a.s.l, and one specimen of Diphascon triodon was collected from Linzhi County, Tibet (29°40′N, 94°23′E) at 3,500 m a.s.l. All specimens are deposited at the College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, China. A key to the Chinese species of Diphascon was also given. Foundation project: This study was supported by scientific research foundation project of Shaanxi Institute of Education (No. 07KJ37Q)     

冷湿层积法对印度冷杉(Abies pindrow)和长叶云杉(Picea smithiana）种子萌发的影响

研究赤霉素(GA3),冷湿和温度 对五个种源的印度冷杉(Abies pindrow)和长叶云杉(Picea smithiana)种子萌发的影响.种子被浸泡在GA3 (10 mg(L-1)中24小时,然后在3(5(C温度的条件下冷藏15天.设计4个温度(10(C, 15(C, 20(C 和 25(C)条件来促进种子的萌发.结果表明,浸泡和冷湿处理明显增加种子的萌发率.在10 (C时种子的萌发率最高.总体结果表明,种子被浸泡在GA3 (10 mg(L-1)中24小时,冷湿藏15天,可以有效地促进印度冷杉和长叶云杉的种子萌发.统计数据表明,浸泡处理、温度和种源以及与温度的相互作用都对种子的萌发有明显的影响.     

Newly recorded species of the genus Isohypsibius （Tardigrada; Hypsibiidae） from China

This paper reports two newly recorded species, lsohypsibius lunulatus Iharos, 1966 and lsohypsibiusprosostomus Thulin, 1928, of the genus lsohypsibius （Tardigrada; Hypsibiidae） from China. The specimens of lsohysibius lunulatus were collected from Taibai Mt （34°18′N, 107°42′E） at 2,500 m a.s.1, and those oflsohypsibius prosostomus from Taibai Mt （34°10′N, 107°35′E） at 2,000 m above sea level. All specimens are deposited at the College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, China. A key to the Chinese species of lsohypsibius was also given.     

Characteristics of soil water consumption of typical shrubs (Caragana microphylla) and trees (Pinus sylvestris) in the Horqin Sandy Land area, China

Reforestation is one of the most effective ways to reduce the impacts of desertification. Caragana microphylla Lam. and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litrin have been widely used to stabilize shifting sands in the Horqin sandy land area since the 1980s. However, soil water depletion has been of major concern in C. microphylla and P. ongolica plantations and in many places current soil moisture cannot meet the demand of growing plants. To determine the water budget of C. microphylla and P. mongolica plantations, we studied the effect of plantations on soil moisture and assessed the evapotranspiration in plantations of both species. Investigations were conducted at a fenced plot at Wulanaodu (42°29′N, 119°30′E, 479 m a. s. l), located at the western edge of the Horqin Sandy Land area in Inner Mongolia, northern China. Five year old C. microphylla and seven year old P. mongolica plants were selected from the plantations and transplanted to iron boxes (400 cm×200 cm×120 cm) which can drain extra water. Plant spacing of 1 m×1 m was applied to P. mongolica, and two plant spacings of 1 m×1 m and 1 m×2 m to C. microphylla. The transplanted plants grew for two years in the boxes. Soil moisture from soil surface to a depth 80 cm were measured at 20 cm intervals in boxes every 10 d (2004) or 3 d (2005) during the growing season with a TDR water meter. The evapotranspiration was estimated from a mathematical formula and the characteristics of soil water consumption and evapotranspiration of these two plantations were analyzed. The soil water of P. mongolica was more than that of C. microphylla at the same 1 m×1m spacing. The soil water of C. microphylla with the 1 m×2 m spacing was more than that of the 1 m×1 m spacing. The evapotranspiration ranged from high to low as follows: C. microphylla (1 m×1 m), C. microphylla (1 m×2 m) and P. mongolica (1 m×1 m) during the growing seasons. The evapotranspiration of individual plants ranging from high to low was C. microphylla (1 m×2 m), C. microphylla (1 m×1 m), and P. mongolica (1 m×1 m) during the growing season. C. microphylla grown for five year consumed more water than P. mongolica grown for seven years at the same spacing. __________ Translated from Acta Ecological Sinica, 2008, 28(5): 1981–1990 [译自: 生态学报]     

Differentiation of seed germination and early seedling growth in ten provenances ofEucalyptus microtheca

An investigation of seed germination and early seedling growth ofEucalyptus microtheca was based on seed collection from 10 widely separated provenances in Australia. Genetic variation of seed germination and early seedling growth was observed among a series of provenances whose natural habitats range from different climatic condition. In the ten provenances, both the model of seed relative germination percentage and the model of seed total germination percentage fitted Logistic regression [y=a/(1+exp(-ex+b))]. In comparison with provenances from four high temperature (mean annual maximum temperature >30.0 °C; mean annual minimum temperature >17.0 °C) areas, six low temperature (mean annual maximum temperature <30.0 °C; mean annual minimum temperature <17.0 °C) areas showed the fast germination rate and the high total germination percentage. For each provenance we have 45 seedlings equally divided into three watering levels (100%, 50%, and 25% of field capacity), and studies on relationship between early seedling growth and climatic factors of the natural habitat of provenance. In control treatment, height growth of the seedling has been associated with intrinsically the driest quarter precipitation in the seed collection areas of provenance. In all the treatments, length growth of the biggest leaf of the seedling was related to mean annual maximum temperature and mean annual minimum temperature in origin of provenance. In contrast, basal diameter growth of the seedling was related to mean annual minimum temperature of the seed collection areas in water stress treatment. From an ecological viewpoint, the fast germination rate and the high total germination percentage of the seed and rapid early growth of the seedling appear to be favourable adaptations to the climatic conditions prevailing in the natural habitat of provenance. Responsible Editor: Chai Ruihai     

C and N stocks under three plantation forest ecosystems of Chinese fir, Michelia macclurei and their mixture

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), a type of subtropical fast-growing conifer tree, is widely distributed in South China. Its plantation area covers more than 7 × 10⁶ hm², accounting for 24% of the total area of plantation forests in the country. In recent decades, the system of successive plantation of Chinese fir has been widely used in southern China due to anticipated high economic return. However, recent studies have documented that the practice of this system has led to dramatic decreases in soil fertility and forest environment as well as in productivity. Some forest ecologists and managers recognize the ecological role performed by broadleaf trees growing in mixtures with conifers, and a great deal of studies on mixture effects have been conducted, particularly on mixture species of temperate and boreal forests, but these research results were not completely consistent. Possibilities include dependence of the mixture effects in large part to specific site conditions, the interactions among species in mixtures and biological characteristics of species. Although some researchers also studied the effects of mixtures of Chinese fir and broadleaf tree species on soil fertility, forest environment and tree growth status, little information is available about the effects of Chinese fir and its mixtures with broadleaves on carbon and nitrogen stocks. The experimental site is situated at the Huitong Experimental Station of Forest Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan Province (26°40′–27°09′ N, 109°26′–110°08′ E). It is located at the transition zone from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the low mountains and hills of the southern bank of the Yangtze River at an altitude of 300–1,100 m above mean sea level. At the same time, the site is also a member of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN), sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). This region has a humid mid-subtropical monsoon climate with a mean annual precipitation of 1,200–1,400 mm, most of the rain falling between April and August, and a mean temperature of 16.5°C with a mean minimum of 4.9°C in January and a mean maximum of 26.6°C in July. The experimental field has red-yellow soil. After a clear-cutting of the first generation Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantation forest in 1982, three different plantation forest ecosystems, viz. mixture of Michelia macclurei and Chinese fir (MCM), pure Michelia macclurei stand (PMS) and pure Chinese fir stand (PCS), were established in the spring of 1983. A comparative study on C and N stocks under these three plantation forest ecosystems was conducted in 2004. Results showed that carbon stocks were greater under the mixtures than under the pure Chinese fir forest and the pure broad-leaved forest, and the broadleaves and the mixtures showed higher values in nitrogen stocks compared with the pure Chinese fir forest. The spatial distribution of carbon and nitrogen stocks was basically consistent, the value being greater in soil layer, followed by tree layer, roots, understory and litter layer. The carbon and nitrogen stocks in soil layer were both highly correlated with the biomass in understory and litter layer, indicating that understory and forest litterfall exerted a profound effect on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks under plantation ecosystems. However, correlations among soil carbon, nitrogen stocks and below ground biomass of stand have not been observed in this study. Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(12): 3,146–3,154 [译自: 生态学报]     

Effects of seed water content and storage temperature on the germination parameters of white spruce, black spruce and lodgepole pine seed

The effect of seed water content (WC) (2–3, 5–6 and 22–25%, on a fresh weight basis), storage temperature (+4, −20, −80 and −196°C) and storage duration (6, 12, 24, 48 and 60 months) on the germination of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) seed was investigated. Germination of white spruce control (untreated) seeds and seeds adjusted to 2–3% and 5–6% WC declined after 48 months of storage at −80 and −196°C, with a further decline at 60 months at −20, −80, −196°C. Germination remained high when control white spruce seeds and seeds with 2–3, 5–6% WC were stored at +4°C, over all storage durations. Generally, black spruce and lodgepole pine exhibited high germination at all storage temperatures at 2–3% and 5–6% WC as well as the control (untreated) seed, for up to 60 months in storage. Germination declined for all three species when seed was conditioned to 22–25% WC. This loss in germination was partially recovered in white spruce seed stored at +4, −20 and −80°C after storage durations of 24, 12 and 48 months, respectively, and in black spruce seeds stored at −20 and −196°C after storage durations of 24 months. Mean germination time (MGT) was relatively constant for all species, under all conditions, except for seed conditioned to 22–25% WC, where MGT increased for white spruce seed stored 48 months at −80 and −196°C, and for black spruce seed stored 24 months at +4 and −80°C and 60 months at −196°C. These results show that the optimal storage temperatures are 4°C for white spruce, and 4, −20, −80, and −196°C for black spruce and lodgepole pine, and 2–6% water content is optimal for all 3 species at these temperatures.