森林生态系统林木生长与耗水研究进展

森林生态系统林木的生长和耗水是森林水分利用的研究重点,对当前推进节水林发展、抗旱树种筛选具有重要意义。文章对森林生态系统林木生长的研究方法进行了综述,指出常见的林木生长方法有普通测定法、年轮法、树木径向变化记录仪等,并对3个林木生长模型(全林分模型、径阶分布模型、单木生长模型)的优劣和使用范围进行了比较;从叶片尺度、单株尺度、林分尺度和区域尺度分别比较了林木耗水方法的差异和优劣。通过综述,确定各方法的优劣和使用范围,以更好的指导科学实验,得出精确结果。     

林木耗水性研究述评

系统阐述了林木耗水研究的意义,介绍了林木耗水的概念,辨析了现实耗水性与潜在耗水性的区别及其应用条件,探讨了林木耗水与水分利用的含义,综述了林木耗水研究的方法,重点介绍了林木个体与群体耗水的研究方法及其应用条件。     

最佳效益择伐径级确定方法的研究

异龄林的森林成熟与同龄林不同,不是林分成熟,而是林分中个体林木的相继成熟,个体林木在什么样的径级采伐才能获得最佳经济效果是研究的中心。坚持最佳效益径级采伐是提高森林培育速度,乃至提高木林质量和价值的重要手段。     

不同抚育强度对兴安落叶松人工林的影响

对兴安盟北部林区兴安落叶松人工林林分密度对林木的胸径生长、材积生长的影响进行研究,充分了解不同抚育强度条件下兴安落叶松人工林林分结构变化,认识林木个体与群体和林分间的相互影响、制约和联系的作用规律,从而可以借助于人为措施合理调控经营密度,优化林分结构,使林分内个体间由于对生活因子的争夺而产生的相互抑制作用达到最小,以期获得良好的生态、经济和社会效益,为兴安落叶松人工林的合理经营管理提供科学依据。     

东京城国有林区退化林现状及修复建议

退化林是林分提前或加速进入生理衰退阶段,出现林木枯死、濒死、生长不良等现象,稳定性降低,生态功能退化甚至丧失,难以通过自然能力更新恢复的森林.近些年来,东京城国有林区因自然现象、林木生理现象和人为干扰引起林分退化,通过分析东京城森林的退化现状与特点,提出了修复建议.     

中国天然次生林研究动态及其进展

次生林是天然林采伐后形成的主要森林类型,在林分结构与物种组成、林木生长与生产力、林分环境与生态功能等诸多方面与原始林和人工林有着显著差异.因此,研究次生林生态系统健康诊断、类型分类与评价指标,群落结构与生态功能以及土壤生态过程等,对我国生物多样性保护、生态安全、生态屏障构建和生态文明建设等具有重要意义.本文在广泛收集整...     

永胜县2010—2015年国家森林抚育项目森林资源监测结果分析

2010—2015年6年间在森林抚育区设置监测、对照样地,分别于抚育前、抚育后第三年、抚育后第五年3个时段对林木株数、蓄积、树种组成、树种结构、林木材质等级、森林健康状况等进行定期观测,以评价森林抚育前后森林生长、森林结构和森林健康等变化状况。结果表明,经抚育的林分平均胸径较对照样地增长6.40%,树高增长6.65%,蓄积增长14.91%。抚育作业后,林分的水平结构和空间结构趋于合理,林木个体和林分整体健康水平明显提高,林木生长的营养空间增大,林木径向生长加速,木材质量提高,森林资源结构将更趋于合理。     

基于数学期望的森林稳定性评价——以浙江省江山市为例

森林稳定性是森林群落结构与功能的综合特征,决定了森林的生态功能。提出林分存续期数学期望和林木存续期数学期望两个定量指标,从一个新的角度对森林的稳定性进行衡量。林分形成后能够存在的期望年数称为林分存续期数学期望,林木进界后能够存活的期望年数称为林木存续期数学期望。利用2008年和2016年江山市乔木林固定样地数据,对该市林分存续期和林木存续期的数学期望分森林类别进行了研究,由此来评价江山市森林在当前的经营管理模式下的林分和林木稳定性。结果表明:1)在林分采伐枯损率50%视为中断的情况下,公益林的林分存续期数学期望为41.46a,商品林的为14.16a;在林分采伐枯损率50%,但仍满足乔木林标准视为不中断的情况下,公益林的林分存续期数学期望为95.64a,商品林的为34.89a。2)公益林的林木存续期数学期望为20.58a,商品林的为11.67a。无论林分存续期数学期望还是林木存续期数学期望,公益林的均显著大于商品林的,即公益林的稳定性大于商品林,符合实际情况,也符合经营预期,说明用林分存续期数学期望和林木存续期数学期望评价森林稳定性具有一定的可行性。     

参数化林木个体及林分场景可视化模拟技术

以湖南攸县黄丰桥国有林场为试验区,以1块林分边界规整的典型杉木人工同龄纯林为研究对象,测定林木胸径、树高、冠幅、冠高与活枝下高等测树因子及林木位置信息。研究冠形曲线函数,利用Direct 3D技术,实现冠形控制下的参数化林木模拟。研究林木模型格式转换方法,为林分场景构建提供模型数据,结合MOGRE技术,研究林分场景模拟技术方法,实现林分场景可视化模拟。结果表明：参数化林木个体建模算法简单适用,测树因子信息可直接用于林木个体可视化模拟,所建模型可体现林木个体差异,形态逼真;利用MOGRE技术可快速、有效模拟林分场景,所建场景真实感较强。此方法所需数据易于获取,适用性强,可对林木个体及林分场景进行逼真模拟,可为研究林木竞争关系、林分生长、林分结构与林分经营提供新思路。     

生态环境需水的研究进展

文章针对生态环境需水的内涵、国内外研究现状、目前主要采用的研究方法及理论基础作了综述,并指出了在生态环境需水研究中存在的诸多问题,如生态环境需水的合理性界定问题、系统整合性问题、重复性问题、时空尺度问题。在此基础上提出了未来生态环境需水研究的几点建议:完善生态环境需水的理论体系;研究森林蒸散耗水的生态机理与不同类型林木的耗水规律,结合遥感和GIS在测量与计算植被生态需水量的应用,提高区域林木需水量的计算精度;生态环境需水研究时间尺度应与水资源的合理配置与生态环境建设一致等。     

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.     

Growth of Phlebiopsis gigantea in wood of seven conifer species

Heterobasidion parviporum and Heterobasidion annosum are widely distributed root‐rot fungi that infect conifers throughout Europe. Infection of conifer stumps by spores of these pathogens can be controlled by treating fresh stumps with a competing non‐pathogenic fungus, Phlebiopsis gigantea. In this study, growth of three Latvian strains of P. gigantea and the biological control agent ‘Rotstop’ strain was evaluated in stem pieces of Norway spruce, Scots pine, lodgepole pine, Douglas‐fir, Weymouth pine, Siberian larch and Sitka spruce. The growth rates of one H. parviporum and one H. annosum isolate were also measured in the same stem pieces. The growth rate of P. gigantea varied greatly in wood of different conifer species. It was higher in the three pine species, lower in Norway spruce and lowest in Sitka spruce and Siberian larch, and in Douglas‐fir, this fungus did not grow. The largest area of wood occupied by P. gigantea was in lodgepole pine. Growth of Latvian isolates of P. gigantea in the wood of Pinus and Picea species was comparable to that of the Rotstop isolate. Consequently, stump treatment with local P. gigantea isolates should be recommended. However, our results suggest that Douglas‐fir stump treatment against Heterobasidion by P. gigantea may be ineffective and other stump treatment methods should be considered.     

Growth of Mixed Birch-Coniferous Stands in Relation to Pure Coniferous Stands at Similar Sites in South-eastern Norway

Mean age, mean and top heights and yield were studied in 20 mixed stands of birch ( Betula pubescens Ehrh. and B. pendula Roth) and Picea abies (L.) Karst. and nine mixed stands of birch and Pinus sylvestris L. in south-eastern Norway. Each mixed stand and the adjacent pure coniferous stand (control) were growing under the same site conditions and had not been commercially thinned. There were no significant differences in mean age at breast height or in top heights between birch and conifers in the mixed stands, while mean height was significantly higher for birch than for spruce. A growth index was calculated based on total volume and age at breast height. For the spruce sites the growth in young mixed stands (birch < 17 m) was superior to that of pure spruce, while the difference was insignificant in older stands. The growth index correlated positively with the ratio between generatively and vegetatively regenerated birch trees, and negatively with the age of the oldest species in the mixture and with site quality. For the pine sites there was no significant difference in the growth index between mixed birch-pine and pure pine stands. A mixture effect of birch on the volume yield of spruce or pine could not be demonstrated.     

Defoliation by the Needle-shortening Pine Gall Midge,Thecodiplosis brachyntera,on Pines in Central Sweden

An outbreak of the needle-shortening pine gall midge, Thecodiplosis brachyntera , occurred on Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris (L.) and lodgepole pine, P. contorta (Dougl.) in central Sweden during 1995-1998. The larval feeding of T. brachyntera kills current-year needles and heavy infestation causes severe defoliation. A pattern of fluctuating defoliation among years and sites was found on both pine species. Defoliation was evenly distributed in the crown of P. sylvestris during years of high as well as low infestation; apical whorls had as much defoliation as basal whorls. In P. contorta , however, there was a tendency for defoliation to be concentrated on branches in the most apical whorls. Growth ring increments on P. sylvestris with high levels of defoliation (71%) did not differ from trees with moderate levels (26%) of defoliation. Shoot lengths were significantly shorter, however, on heavily infested trees the year after defoliation.