兴安落叶松过伐林枯立木分布格局特征分析

以内蒙古根河林业局潮查林场境内的在20世纪80年代初主伐利用后形成的兴安落叶松过伐林为研究对象,利用兴安落叶松林8块标准地每木定位数据,分析林木分布格局和样方(5 m×5 m)林木株数对枯立木株数影响,探讨了林分大树和更新幼树位置与枯立木位置的关系,阐明了枯立木分布格局形成机制。结果表明:1)各树种枯立木比例,随树种组成成数增加而增大。枯立木主要在更新幼树阶段形成,径级分布集中在4径阶以下,其株数占总数的比例平均达82.2%。在更新幼树(含枯立木)中,生成枯立木的比例平均达8.8%。2)枯立木分布格局为聚集分布。林木分布格局、样方林木株数和更新株数与枯立木株数有显著正相关关系,林木分布格局对枯立木分布格局无显著影响。林木聚集度越大,形成枯立木的可能性越大,数量也就越多。3)枯立木位置与更新幼树和大树位置有显著相关关系。主要表现为落叶松和白桦相互关系。枯立木出现位置主要在大树和更新幼树集聚区域。大树对枯立木形成影响较更新幼树大,而且均以落叶松较白桦明显。白桦更新幼树对落叶松枯立木的形成,无显著影响。受影响的枯立木主要是枯立木株数中所占比例和树种组成成数较高的树种。影响枯立木位置的林木主要取决于其样方内位置和林木株数。     

Recruitment of tree species in mixed selection and irregular shelterwood forest stands

Context

Recruitment is an important process in forest stand dynamics, especially in uneven-aged stands. Continuous recruitment is a prerequisite for diverse, uneven-aged silvicultural systems, but patterns may vary significantly.

Aims

The main goals of the study were to examine the recruitment of the main tree species in selection and irregular shelterwood stands in silver fir?CEuropean beech?CNorway spruce forests and to determine the main predictors of the recruitment occurrence.

Methods

Data from 5,486 permanent inventory plots were used to study recruitment of saplings into the tree layer (diameter at breast height ??10?cm).

Results

Recruitment rate differed significantly between selection (7.6?trees?ha^?1?year^?1) and irregular shelterwood (26.1?trees?ha^?1?year^?1) stands. Shade-tolerant fir and beech recruited with higher probability in selection stands, while light-dependent sycamore recruited with higher probability in irregular stands. In addition, forest types, soil pH, stand basal area, mean diameter, and the basal area of the same tree species with respect to recruitment were found to be important predictors of recruitment occurrence.

Conclusions

The application of different uneven-aged silvicultural systems and their forms makes it possible to considerably influence the future tree species composition of uneven-aged forests.     

Browsing damage on broadleaved trees in semi-natural temperate forest in Sweden,with a focus on oak regeneration

Absence of, or poor, oak (Quercus spp.) regeneration is a problem in uneven-aged, mixed closed-canopy broadleaved forests. Browsing by ungulates on small trees may contribute to poor oak regeneration in such forests. This possibility was investigated in 25 Swedish stands, and browsing damage was analysed in relation to landscape and stand factors. The proportion of browsed small (<20 cm tall) oak seedlings and other seedlings was low, and apparently a minor mortality factor. For saplings (20–130 cm tall), accumulated browsing damage was generally higher on oak than on five major competing tree species: Fraxinus excelsior, Corylus avellana, Tilia cordata, Acer platanoides and Sorbus aucuparia. Leaf removal was rare in late summer, except for rowan. The amount of cover (shelter) for ungulates near plots was positively correlated with oak browsing intensity; within plots, a high density of ash saplings may reduce browsing on oak saplings. In these forests, browsing probably retards growth of oak saplings relative to competing trees. Oak may persist as a minor stand component, but monitoring is needed to study future changes.     

Optimising the management of maize — Grevillea robusta fields in Kenya

The study optimised the management of a Grevillea robusta (A. Cunn.) stand growing in the central highlands of Kenya. The optimisations were conducted separately for even-aged and uneven-aged management system of trees. The management was also optimised with the requirement that maize production under the tree cover must be profitable every year. Technically, the optimisation problems were solved by linking a simulation program with the non-linear optimisation algorithm of Hooke and Jeeves. The simulation program calculated the tree growth, volumes of harvested trees, and maize yields with a given set of management parameters (decision variables). The maize yield predictions and simulated timber yields were converted into gross incomes of which the production costs were subtracted. In even-aged management the objective variable was the soil expectation value with 5% discounting rate. In uneven-aged management the mean annual net income was maximised. The optimal solutions indicated that with both management systems it is optimal to concentrate on wood production. The optimal stand densities were so high that profitable maize production was not possible under the tree cover. The mean annual wood production of the optimal management schedule was more than 50m³ ha^–1. Forcing profitable maize production in the solution decreased the wood production by 57% (even-aged forestry) or 27% (uneven-aged forestry) and net income by 45% (even-aged forestry) or 24% (uneven-aged forestry).This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth and productivity of black spruce in even- and uneven-aged stands at the limit of the closed boreal forest

The increasing commercial interest and advancing exploitation of new remote territories of the boreal forest require deeper knowledge of the productivity of these ecosystems. Canadian boreal forests are commonly assumed to be evenly aged, but recent studies show that frequent small-scale disturbances can lead to uneven-aged class distributions. However, how age distribution affects tree growth and stand productivity at high latitudes remains an unanswered question. Dynamics of tree growth in even- and uneven-aged stands at the limit of the closed black spruce (Picea mariana) forest in Quebec (Canada) were assessed on 18 plots with ages ranging from 77 to 340 years. Height, diameter and age of all trees were measured. Stem analysis was performed on the 10 dominant trees of each plot by measuring tree-ring widths on discs collected each meter from the stem, and the growth dynamics in height, diameter and volume were estimated according to tree age. Although growth followed a sigmoid pattern with similar shapes and asymptotes in even- and uneven-aged stands, trees in the latter showed curves more flattened and with increases delayed in time. Growth rates in even-aged plots were at least twice those of uneven-aged plots. The vigorous growth rates occurred earlier in trees of even-aged plots with a culmination of the mean annual increment in height, diameter and volume estimated at 40–80 years, 90–110 years earlier than in uneven-aged plots. Stand volume ranged between 30 and 238 m³ ha⁻¹ with 75% of stands showing values lower than 120 m³ ha⁻¹ and higher volumes occurring at greater dominant heights and stand densities. Results demonstrated the different growth dynamics of black spruce in single- and multi-cohort stands and suggested the need for information on the stand structure when estimating the effective or potential growth performance for forest management of this species.     

Pre-commercial thinning,birch admixture and sprout management in planted Norway spruce stands in South Sweden

Early management of the regenerated seedlings shapes the future stand properties. To address these issues, pre-commercial thinning (PCT) and control treatments were applied to planted Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) and naturally regenerated birch (Betula pendula Roth., Betula pubescens Ehrh.) stands in forest experiments in southern Sweden (lat. 56–57?N) containing 1.1–5.5?m tall saplings. The treatments were retention of 1000 or 2000?stems?ha^?1 of Norway spruce, with no birch or birch at 1000?stems?ha^?1. Treatments were replicated with and without annual removal of birch sprouts from stumps. The periodic annual increment (PAI) over five years was calculated for total stand volume and individual trees. The mean PAI of dominant trees was significantly higher both following all PCT treatments than controls, and following low rather than high-density PCT. Birch retention did not affect growth of the dominant trees but PAI was lower in plots with uncontrolled sprouting. The PAI of birch was significantly higher in low-density Norway spruce plots than in control plots and the high-density plots. The treatment response was significant even in stands with initial heights of only 1–2?m.     

Parent tree effects on reestablishment of Acacia koa in abandoned pasture and the influence of initial density on stand development

Increasingly private landholders in Hawaii are considering native forest restoration for their lands, and some public agencies have already started such work. Initial efforts have focused on reestablishing Acacia koa to recover alien-grass-dominated sites. This study was done in Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Island of Hawaii, to determine the efficacy of disk plowing to stimulate natural regeneration of koa from buried seeds. Sites with four different koa parent tree configurations were treated–single live overhead koa canopy, multiple live canopies, downed snags, and no parent koa tree. Tree growth and survival were assessed periodically over 21 years. Average initial stand densities ranged from 100 to 1,500 trees ha^?1 of scarified land, although some open areas had as few as 20 trees ha^?1. The distributions of seedlings with increasing distance from plot center were variable within and between parent tree configurations. Initial seedling density was significantly greater for the multiple-live-parent than for the no-parent configuration. Densities for the single-live and dead configurations differed from the no-parent configuration only when densities were based on the entire scarified area of each plot. Stand densities declined 10–67 % during the next 20 years. Survival was a negative, non-linear function of initial stand density. Initial stand density exerted strong control over stem diameter and crown size at age 21-years, but had little effect on the proportion of trees with single-stems. The relationships between stand basal area and density at 21 years conformed to the existing koa stocking guidelines. While moderate to high densities of natural regeneration can be expected from scarifying around live and dead koa trees, single trees or low density stands are likely in open areas.     

Modelling agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) with laurel (Cordia alliodora) or poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) in Costa Rica

Predictive models were developed for Cordia alliodora branch and Theobroma cacao branch or leaf biomass,based on branch basal areas (r² 0.79) but the model of C. alliodora leaf biomass, although significant, was of very low accuracy (r² = 0.09) due to annual leaf fall. At age 10 years, shade tree stem biomass accounted for 80% of the total above-ground biomass of either tree. However, between the ages of 6 and 10 years, the biomass increment of T. cacao branches (3–4t.ha^–1.a^–1) was similar to that of the shade tree stems. During the same period, the net primary productivity was 35 and 28 t.ha^–1.a^–1, for the Erythrina poepigiana and and C. alliodora systems, respectively.Cocoa production under either of the shade trees C. alliodora or E. poeppigiana was 1000 kg.ha^–1.a^–1 (oven-dry; ages 6–10 yr). During the same period, C. alliodora timber production was 9 m³.ha^–1.a^–1 whilst the leguminous shade tree E. poeppigiana does not produce timber. Litterfall over the same 5 years, including crop and/or shade tree pruning residues, averages 11 and 23 t.ha^–1.a^–1, respectively. The main difference was due to E. poeppigiana pruning residues (10t.ha^–1.a^–1).Soil organic material reserves (0–45 cm) increased over 10 years from 198 to 240 t.ha^–1 in the E. poeppigiana plots and from 168–184 t.ha^–1 in the C. alliodora plots. These values, together with the productivity indices presented, provide evidence that the systems are sustainable.For economic reasons, the use of C. alliodora is recommended under the experimental conditions. however, on less fertile soils without fertilization, the greater biomass and hence nutrient return to the soil surface under E. poeppigiana, might make this the preferable shade tree.     

Productivity of two Douglas fir/subclover/sheep agroforests compared to pasture and forest monocultures

Resource sharing between tree and forage plant components in silvopastoral systems includes a complex set of facilitative and competitive interactions. To the extent that facilitation exceeds competition, agroforests are expected to outyield monocultures of their components. Pasture and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) tree production of young agroforests was compared to pasture and forest monocultures under both grid and cluster patterns of tree planting near Corvallis, Oregon, USA, during 1983–1987. The height and diameter growth of forest and agroforest trees was similar, regardless of tree planting pattern. Five-year average annual forage production was 6500, 5800, and 2800 kg ha^–1 on pasture, agroforest, and forest plots, respectively. The total cumulative 1982–1987 above-ground phytomass yield of forage plus trees was similar for pasture and conventional grid forest monocultures. The total productivity of agroforests, however, was over 30% greater than either pasture or forest components grown in monoculture. Approximately 1.6 ha (0.96 ha forest + 0.64 ha pasture) of monocultures would be needed to equal the productivity of 1 ha of agroforest.Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Paper No. 10, 825.     

Pine needle consumption and bark stripping by sheep grazing annual pastures in young stands of widely spaced Pinus radiata and P. pinaster

The consumption of the pine needles and the stripping of bark by sheep grazing annual pastures in three open stands of P. radiata and one of P. pinaster were measured. The P. radiata were four years old and the densities were 250, 500 and 750 trees ha^-1. The P. pinaster included two, three and four year-old trees and the density was 440 trees ha^–1.Needles were eaten immediately after the sheep were admitted and this continued throughout the year. Within ten weeks of the start of winter grazing, sheep stocked at 7–10 ha^–1 had eaten about half of the accessible needles on both species where densities were less than500 trees ha^–1. The estimated consumption was about 260 g sheep^–1 day^–1 for the P. radiata. Bark stripping then commenced and continued throughout spring and summer on most plots. In some plots at low tree density, bark was stripped from more than 35% of the trees. In denser stands, needle consumption per tree was less and bark was stripped from less than 5% of the trees.Bark damage was most common on the smaller trees, and severity of stripping was negatively correlated with tree size. Of all the trees with bark damage, 22% of the P. pinaster and 14% of the P. radiata had more than half of the stem circumference stripped. A number of these will probably suffer both stem distortion and growth retardation, and some may die.Methods of reducing the incidence of bark damage are discussed.     

红花尔基沙地樟子松天然林枯立木特征分析

[目的]了解沙地樟子松天然纯林中枯立木的数量及空间结构特征,探究枯立木形成的原因,为樟子松林的保护和经营提供依据。[方法]在沙地樟子松天然纯林中设置2块1 hm~2的大样地,用全站仪对样地中所有胸径大于5 cm的立木进行定位并进行全面调查;对调查样地的基本特征,枯立木的数量特征及径级分布进行了分析,提出了用于表达林分中枯立木微环境的活立木比的概念,并采用林分空间结构参数一元分布和二元分布分析方法,对枯立木与其最近4株相邻木的关系进行分析。[结果]2块不同密度的樟子松天然纯林下更新幼苗和枯立木数量相差较大,密度较小(样地1)的样地更新幼苗和枯立木较少,而密度较大的样地(样地2)中枯立木达到200棵,林下更新幼苗数量达到15 280株·hm~(-2);樟子松天然纯林样地内枯立木主要以小径级木为主,胸径集中在11 cm以下;样地1枯立木径级连续分布,幅度较窄;样地2中的枯立木径级幅度较宽,但在20 22 cm缺刻,有2株大于23 cm的枯立木;2块样地中枯立木的分布格局均为随机分布,样地1中枯立木周围的4株相邻立木大多为活立木,且胸径较枯立木大;样地2中,只有一半的枯立木周围的最近4株立木为活立木,且有三分之一以上的枯立木胸径不是最小的,枯立木有连续分布的现象。2块样地中枯立木的角尺度-大小比数二元分布特征的差异不明显,而角尺度-活立木比二元分布特征和大小比数-活立木比二元分布特征差异明显,样地1中枯立木的最近4株随机分布于其周围的相邻木为活立木且胸径大于枯立木的比例明显高于样地2,而枯立木最近4株随机分布于其周围的相邻木有枯立木的比例明显小于样地2。[结论]樟子松天然纯林枯立木以小径级林木为主,枯立木的数量与林分密度相关,林木竞争是林木死亡的主要原因,密度过大也会产生病虫害,因此,对天然樟子松纯林要进行适度经营,保持合理密度。     

Feasibility of implementing thinning in even-aged <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix olgensis</Emphasis> plantations to develop uneven-aged larch–broadleaved mixed forests

Thinning experiments were conducted in larch (Larix olgensis) plantations to assess the feasibility of converting even-aged plantation stands to uneven-aged forests with more complex stand structures. Stands established in 1965 and 1960 were thinned in 2004 (Regime A, for determining the effect of recent thinning on emergence of seedlings) and 1994 (Regime B, for examining the effects of the past thinning on establishments of recruitments), respectively, at two intensities each. Natural regeneration, together with litter depth, canopy openness and vegetation cover, was surveyed in the thinned plots. Results indicated that larch seedlings started to emerge in May, reached a peak in June, decreased from June through September, and then disappeared in October. No larch seedlings exceeded 1 year old in the thinned plots because of the low levels of light and dense litter and vegetation cover. However, there were many naturally regenerated seedlings (5–50 cm in height) and saplings (50–500 cm in height) of broadleaved tree species such as Acer spp., Fraxinus spp., Cornus controversa, Quercus mongolica, and even the climax tree species, Pinus koraiensis, in the thinned plots. The mean density of regenerated seedlings reached 6.7 and 4.5 stems m⁻² in Regimes A and B, respectively, whilst the mean density of regenerated saplings reached 4,595 stems ha⁻¹ in Regime B. These results suggest that it is impractical to turn even-aged larch plantations to uneven-aged larch forests, but it may be feasible to develop uneven-aged larch-broadleaved forests from even-aged larch plantations through thinning.     

Regeneration growth in different light environments of mixed species, multiaged, mountainous forests of Romania

Growth of regenerating trees in different light environments was studied for the mountainous, mixed-species forests in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. The primary species in these mixtures were silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst). Seedlings/saplings of these species were selected and measured in different stands from two different geographical locations. Regenerating trees were measured for height and diameter growth during the summer of 2002. For each seedling/sapling, percentage of above canopy light (PACL) and stand basal area (BA) were used to assess available and occupied growing space respectively. Regeneration growth was compared against these two variables and regression relationships were developed. Using these models, we predicted the dynamics of regeneration as both growth and species composition. Our results showed that in low-light environments (PACL<20–35%; BA>30 m²/ha), shade tolerant fir and beech clearly outcompeted the spruce. Therefore, in dense stands, spruce could be eliminated by the shade tolerant species. For intermediate levels of cover (PACL=35–70%; BA=15–35 m²/ha) the spruce grew at comparable rates as the beech and fir. All three species showed similar growth rates in open conditions (PACL>80–90%; BA<15–20 m²/ha) with the spruce having a tendency to outgrow the others. However, in terms of establishment, such conditions favor spruce and inhibit fir and beech.     

A silvicultural strategy for managing uneven-aged beech-dominated forests in Thuringia,Germany: a new approach to an old problem

Maintaining a permanent forest canopy cover and eventually harvesting wood in a final harvest according to predefined dimensions is often considered as prototype for future management of deciduous forests. An uneven-aged structure is considered by the public to resemble “natural” conditions, and by forest engineers it is considered as being more resilient to disturbances. In the Hainich-Dün region of Thuringia, Germany, beech-dominated selection forests covering about 10,000?ha have been managed for almost 1000 years, initially by irregular use, but as regular selection system since about 200 years. Managing these stands remains difficult, due to the lack of yield tables and a quantification of harvest of uneven-aged stands considering differences in site conditions and handling of over-sized trees. It is the objective of the present study to develop tables of target stand volumes, increments, and harvest for different diameter ranges of uneven-aged stands according to site conditions. The present study is based on repeated grid-based inventories of about 2150 plots, which were partly re-inventoried 3 times over the past 20 years. The recommended target wood volumes vary between 296 and 388 m³ ha^?1. Stand growth rates of different yield classes were estimated to range between 6.7 and 7.7 m³ ha^?1 yr^?1 which is 30% lower than for age class forest. Nevertheless, the economic returns are higher. Thus, selective cutting with single tree selection remains a viable silvicultural system, but it may change over time into small-scale shelter-woods for improving growth of regeneration.     

Fine root dynamics of shaded cacao plantations in Costa Rica

Root turnover may contribute a significant proportion of recycled nutrients in agroforestry systems and competition between trees and crops for nutrients and water may depend on temporal fine root regrowth patterns. Fine root biomass ( 2 mm) and fine root productivity were measured during one year in plantations of cacao (Theobroma cacao) shaded by Erythrina poeppigiana or Cordia alliodora planted on a deep alluvial soil in Turrialba, Costa Rica. Fine root biomass of approximately 1.0 Mg ha^–1 varied little during the year with maximum values at the beginning of the rainy season of 1.85 Mg ha^–1 in the cacao-C. alliodora system compared to 1.20 Mg ha^–1 for cacao-E. poeppigiana. Fine root productivity of C. alliodora and E. poeppigiana (maximum of 205 and 120 kg ha^–1 4 week^–1, respectively) was greatest at the end of the rainy season, while for cacao it was greatest at the beginning of the rainy season (34–68 kg ha^–1 4 week^–1), which suggests that if nutrient competition occurs between the shade trees and the cacao, it could be minimized by early fertilization during the beginning of the rains immediately after pruning the shade trees. Annual fine root turnover was close to 1.0 in both systems. Assuming that fine root biomass in these mature plantations was constant on an annual basis, nutrient inputs from fine root turnover were estimated as 23–24 (N), 2 (P), 14–16 (K), 7–11 (Ca) and 3–10 (Mg) kg ha^–1 year^–1, representing 6–13% and 3–6% of total nutrient input in organic matter in the C. alliodora and E. poeppigiana systems, respectively.     

Productivity and optimal management of the uneven-aged hardwood forests of Hyrcania

Hyrcania is a productive region near the southern coast of Caspian Sea. Her forests are mostly uneven-aged beach-dominated hardwood mixtures. There is increasing willingness to treat these forests without clear-felling, following the ideas of continuous cover management. However, lack of growth and yield models have delayed this endeavor, and no instructions for uneven-aged management have been issued so far. This study developed a set of models that enable the simulation of stand development in alternative management schedules. The models were used to optimize stand structure and the way in which various initial stands should be converted to the optimal uneven-aged structure. The model set consists of individual-tree diameter increment model, individual-tree height model, survival model, and a model for ingrowth. The models indicate that the sustainable yield of the forests ranges from 2.2 to 7 m³ ha^?1 a^?1 in uneven-aged management, depending on species composition. Better ingrowth would substantially enhance productivity. The optimal stand structure for maximum sustained yield has a wide descending diameter distribution, the largest trees of the post-cutting stand being 80–100 cm in dbh. If cuttings are conducted at 30- or 40-year intervals, they should remove 20–40 largest trees per hectare. Despite moderate growth rate, uneven-aged management produces high incomes, 850–1,000 UDS ha^?1a^?1, because the timber assortments that are obtained from the removed large trees have very high selling prices. Optimal conversion to uneven-aged structure showed that the steady-state stand structure depends on initial stand condition and discount rate when the length of the conversion period is fixed. Discount rates higher than 1 % lead to reduced wood production, heavy cuttings, and low basal areas of the steady-state forest.     

三峡库区马尾松天然林林分结构特征分析

以三峡库区无干扰马尾松天然林为研究对象,调查了群落物种组成和天然更新状况,并选择角尺度、混交度和大小比数3个空间结构参数及直径分布等非空间结构参数,对马尾松天然林林分结构特征进行分析,为马尾松次生林的科学经营提供理论依据。研究结果表明:研究地区马尾松群落物种数量丰富,共出现维管束植物117种,林下天然更新状况良好,共有树种24种,数量达5 221株·hm^-2,其中高度小于100 cm的幼苗占48.9%。林分随着直径增大,林木株数逐渐减少,呈典型异龄林直径分布特征。林分平均角尺度为0.508,林木整体分布格局属随机分布;林分平均混交度为0.60,整体处于中度以上混交;林分平均大小比数为0.50,大部分林木个体分化程度较高,处于不同竞争地位的林木个体数量基本相等。优势树种马尾松属轻度聚集分布,接近中度混交,且60.2%的个体处于竞争优势或亚优势地位。     

Crop yields of rice and wheat grown in rotation as intercrops with three tree species in the outer hills of Western Himalaya

Studies on tree crop interaction under rainfed condition in Dehradun valley were conducted for 13 years during 1977 to 1990. Grewia optiva (Bhimal), Morus alba (Mulbery) and Eucalyptus hybrid were tried along with rice (CV: Akashi) — wheat (CV: RR-21) rotation. One-year-old tree seedlings of the above tree species were planted in line, 5 m apart in N-S direction, in July 1977, in the middle of the plot (size 20 m × 20 m). Eucalyptus was first harvested in 1987. Grewia optiva, Morus alba and coppice of Eucalyptus were harvested in 1990. All tree species had depressing effect on crop yields. Eucalyptus had maximum effect in depressing crop yield till the first harvest and had least effect thereafter. From 1987 onwards, Morus alba affected rice most, while wheat was mostly affected by Grewia optiva. The depressing effect on an average varied from 28 to 34% depending upon the species.Distance of tree line from the crop significantly affected the crop yield upto a distance of 5 m and there was 39% decrease in crop yield upto 1 m, 33% from 1–2 m, 25% from 2–3 m and 12% from 3–5 m distance. Annual removal of lops and tops from trees partly compensated the deficit. Grewia optiva could produce 1.08 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of branches and 0.26 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of leaves (air dry) and 1.28 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of branches and 0.28 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of leaves were obtained from Morus alba. Wood (ADT) produced by the trees was 33.6 t ha^–1 from Eucalyptus, 9.5 t ha^–1 from Grewia optiva and 11.6 t ha^–1 from Morus alba.     

Modelling agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) with laurel (Cordia alliodora) and poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) in Costa Rica II. Cacao and wood production,litter production and decomposition

During 7 years (1979–1985) cacao harvests (beans and husks) have been recorded for the agroforestry systems ofTheobroma cacao underCordia alliodora andErythrina poeppigiana shade trees. The mean oven dry cacao yields were 626 and 712 kg.ha^–1.a^–1 cocoa beans underC. alliodora andE. poeppigiana respectively. Harvests have gradually increased over the years and the plantation has now reached maturity.Annual extraction of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in fruits, which is relatively small, was calculated on the basis of chemical analyses. The following average values were found (kg.ha^–1.a^–1): At the age of 8 years, theC. alliodora trees have reached 26.7 cm diameter (DBH) and 14.0 m in height. Mean annual growth (from age 5 to 7) is 14.6 m³.ha^–1.a^–1.Natural plant residue production has been measured for 4 years (Nov. 1981–Oct. 1985). UnderE. poeppigiana it has reached a value of 8.91 t.ha^–1.a^–1 and underC. alliodora 7.07 t.ha^–1.a^–1. The shade trees have contributed 57 and 47% respectively. Transference and decomposition rates are high and important in the nutrient cycles.The nutrient content of the litter was analysed and corresponding average yearly transfers were (kg.ha^–1.a^–1): For part I see Vol. 4, No. 3, 1986.Agroforestry Project, CATIE/GTZ (Tropical Agricultural Research and Training Center/Gesselschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit), Turrialba, Costa Rica