酸雨区亚热带针阔混交林的冠层淋溶特征

2001年1月至2002年6月在湖南韶山对亚热带针阔混交林4个采样区进行酸雨监测,分析林内穿透水中主要离子的淋溶特征.结果表明:大气降水经过森林冠层后pH值明显升高,亚热带针阔混交林对SO2-4、NO3-、Mg2 、NH4 和Na 具有吸收作用,SO2-4、Ca2 和Mg2 的冠层淋溶百分率随降雨量的增加明显减少.Ca2 、K 和Cl-的冠层淋溶百分率随着pH值增加而增加.韶山地区在常年酸沉降作用下,森林冠层对酸性离子SO2-4、NO3-的吸收作用最强.根据18个月离子浓度平均值来计算,韶山地区森林冠层离子的淋溶序列为:K ＞Ca2 ＞Cl-＞Mg2 ＞SO2-4＞NO3-＞NH4 ＞Na .     

广州流溪河针阔混交林冠层对穿透水离子浓度的影响

2006年7月～2008年5月,在广州流溪河地区采集了70次空旷地降雨水样(雨量范围0.7～184.2 mm)和对应的马尾松-阔叶树混交林的林内穿透雨水样,用于分析当地的雨水酸化特征和林冠影响穿透水中主要离子浓度的作用规律.结果显示:(1)流溪河的酸雨率为64.29%.(2)林冠的缓冲作用使得穿透雨的pH值升高,但穿透雨的多数离子浓度高于林外降雨,表明有离子从林冠淋出或者淋洗.(3)对多数离子而言,冠层作用随雨水酸度变化存在一个转折点,即pH值<5.0或者(SO42++NO3-)>100 μeq·L-1时,冠层增加离子浓度的作用随雨水酸度增强而增加;而在pH值>5.0或者(SO42-+NO3-)<80 μeq·L-1时,穿透水离子浓度的冠层贡献率随雨水酸度减少而增加.(4)林冠层作用的月波动明显.在雨量较大的4～7月间,雨水中离子含量较小,冠层对穿透水离子浓度增加的贡献率小.(5)在单次降雨过程中,有些离子(尤其是NH4+、PO43-、NO2-、和NO3-)出现负淋溶现象,说明森林对这些离子具有吸附或者吸收作用.(6)混交林的林冠对穿透水中F-、Cl-、NO2-、NO3-、PO43-、SO42-、Org-C、NH4+、Al3+、Ca2+、Mg2+、K+、Na+的浓度增加贡献率年值分别为112%、288%、-8%、46%、28%、66%、222%、-35%、82%、413%、770%、790%和51%.     

喀斯特森林群落退化对浅层岩溶地下水化学的影响

对贵州中部喀斯特地区植被调查及径流和岩溶水样分析,探讨喀斯特森林群落退化过程中浅层岩溶地下水化学组成的变化.结果表明:喀斯特森林生态系统降雨中离子浓度大小的排序为SO2-4＞K 、Ca2 、HCO3-＞Na 、Mg2 、Cl-＞NO3-、NH4 ＞PO3-4,而径流中离子浓度的大小排序为HCO3-＞SO2-4、Ca2 ＞Mg2 、Cl-＞K 、Na 、NO3-＞NH4 ＞PO34-;岩溶地下水离子组成与径流总体相似,但岩溶地下水中HCO3-、Ca2 和Mg2 的含量及电导率明显增加高于地表径流.随着喀斯特森林群落从阔叶林群落向灌木林群落、灌草群落方向演替,其岩溶地下水中HCO3-和Ca2 比例明显减少,而SO2-4比例明显增加.岩溶地下水的HCO3-、Ca2 含量与森林覆盖率之间存在显著的正相关,而K 、NH4 含量与森林覆盖率之间则存在显著的负相关.HCO3-含量是影响岩溶地下水电导率的最重要因子,其次是Ca2 ,再次是K 、Mg2 ;岩溶地下水电导率可以作为评价喀斯特森林群落退化对生态环境影响的数量指标.     

川西亚高山3种森林群落穿透雨和茎流养分特征研究

观测了王朗自然保护区紫果云杉林、岷江冷杉林和白桦林3种森林群落一个观测年的大气降雨量、穿透雨量和茎流量,并对其中的养分元素进行了同步取样分析。结果表明:1)3个森林群落穿透雨的硫(S)及铵态氮(NH4 -N)浓度都低于大气降雨中的浓度,说明S和NH4 -N在经过林冠表面时被吸附,而穿透雨中的硝态氮(NO3-N)、钾(K)、钙(Ca)、镁(Mg)、全碳(C)和全磷(P)等元素浓度都高于大气降雨中的浓度;2)所有样地茎流中的养分元素浓度都明显高于大气降雨和穿透雨中营养元素的浓度;3)C、N(NH4 -N、NO3--N)、P、K、Ca、Mg、S等随大气降雨输入林地的量分别为40.57、6.44、0.40、38.69、39.92、8.27和44.25kg·hm-2a-1;4)测定期间,S(岷江冷杉林和紫果云杉林内)、P(紫果云杉林内)及3种森林群落中的NH4 -N、NO3--N和Ca的林地净输入量都为负值,而K、C、Mg、和P(白桦林和岷江冷杉林内)为正值;5)3种森林群落内穿透雨和茎流中的S和C可能主要来自于林冠淋溶,而NH4 -N、NO3--N、K(白桦林和紫果云杉林内)、Ca、Mg和P等主要来自于林冠截获的大气干沉降,岷江冷杉林内K与林冠淋溶和林冠截获的干沉降都密切相关。降雨持续时间长、降雨量小及较高的林冠截留量可能是造成林地净输入量为负值的原因。     

黔江区大气降水化学特征及主要成分来源分析

为了解黔江区大气降水化学特性及成分来源,采集了黔江区2016年全年降水的样品共81个,并分析了其降水化学特征。结果表明:黔江区2016年降雨总量为1739.5mm,pH值范围为5.68～7.43,年加权平均值为6.42;电导率为5.2～48.4μs/cm,年加权均值为18.64μs/cm;降水离子组分中SO42-、NO3-、NH4+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Cl-、K+、Na+、F-的年均浓度值分别为4.15、0.48、0.65、1.29、0.13、0.36、0.18、0.17和0.07mg/L,其中,Ca2+和NH4+是中和黔江区降水酸性的主要成分。以Mg2+、NH4+、SO42-、Ca2+、NO3-等因子建立的多元回归模型对黔江区降水的pH有较好的拟合效果,能基本预测黔江区降水pH的变化趋势。阴阳离子三角图表明,阴离子主要来自于人为源;阳离子来源包括地壳源。富集系数分析表明,黔江区降水中Ca2+主要来源于地壳源,占比为95.60%。而Cl-主要来源于海洋源,贡献约98.06%。黔江区降水中有89.06%的SO42-和98.26%的NO3-来源于人为源,地壳源和海洋源贡献很低。研究表明,人为活动对黔江区大气环境产生了重要影响。     

会同广坪林区降雨和杉木林内雨的养分含量

对会同广坪林区的大气降雨、水库水、小河水及杉木林内雨的养分含量进行了5个水文年的定位监测.结果表明水库水、小河水中的10种养分元素N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Cu、Mn、Zn、Si,有的含量高于降雨,而有的含量低于降雨;降雨中各养分元素按含量高低排列顺序为K＞Zn＞Ca＞Org-N＞NH4-N＞NO3-N＞Si＞Mg＞Mn＞P;林内雨中P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Cu、Mn、Zn、Si元素含量均比降雨高;从林冠层淋洗的养分量为79.475 kg*hm-2a-1;从林内雨直接进入林地土壤的养分总量为161.957 kg*hm-2a-1,其中以Ca元素最高,为73.71 kg*hm-2a-1,为外界补充杉木幼林地土壤养分的主要来源,对加速杉木林的养分循环和促进林木生长,具有重要的生态作用.该项研究可为杉木林的持续经营,生态环境保护提供科学依据.     

沿海防护林主要树种的树干径流特性

比较分析了黑松(Pinus thunbergii)、马尾松(P.massoniana)、湿地松(P.elliottii)、枫香(Liquidambar formosana)、麻栎(Quercus acutissima)、白栎(Q.fabri)、浙江楠(Phoebe chekiangensis)、杜英(Elaeocarpus decipiens)、樟(Cinnamomum camphora)9个沿海防护林主要树种的树干径流特性。结果表明:大气降雨的p H值为6.6,各树种的树干径流的p H值都有一定幅度的下降,但黑松、马尾松等针叶树的下降幅度明显更大,而电导率和p H值刚好相反,针叶树树干径流的电导率明显高于阔叶树种和大气降雨;大气降雨中,受海水蒸发形成的盐雾影响较大的Cl-、Na+和Mg2+的浓度较高,而我国酸雨的主要阴离子成分NO3-和SO42-的浓度相对较低;树干径流中,各离子浓度均高于大气降雨,其中Cl-、NO3-、SO42-、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+含量主要来源于降雨的淋洗作用,而K+则更多来源于枝叶的淋溶作用;从不同树种看,除K+是阔叶树种高于针叶树种外,其余离子含量都是针叶树种要高于阔叶树种。     

六盘山华北落叶松林降水转化中的阳离子通量变化特征

在六盘山香水河小流域的华北落叶松人工林样地,测定了2011年生长季降水转化过程中的大气降水、穿透水、干流、枯落物渗透水和主根系层(30 cm土层)土壤渗透水的pH值与多种阳离子的浓度及通量变化.结果表明:林外降水的pH值平均为7.13,转化为穿透雨和干流后降为6.73和6.00,转化为枯落物渗透水和土壤渗透水后回升为6.87和7.28.在降水转为由穿透雨和干流组成的林下降水后,绝大多数阳离子的浓度都不同程度地增大,但Zn2+浓度下降;虽然林冠截持使林下降水的数量减小,但由于雨水对林冠的离子交换及淋洗,林下降水的多数阳离子通量都比林外降水明显增大,K+、Mg2+、H+、Mn2+、Cu2+、Fe3+由林外的17.23、12.51、0.06、0.09、0.13、0.19 mmol·m-2分别上升到林下的141.87、32.93、0.10、0.68、0.24、0.56 mmol·m-2,但Na+、Ca2+、Zn2+的通量分别由林外的33.73、112.91、2.05 mmol·m-2减小为林内的30.70、75.75、1.10 mmol·m-2.在枯落物层渗透水中,绝大多数阳离子的浓度都不同程度地下降,仅Mg2+浓度微弱上升;受枯落物截持部分降水及雨水中阳离子与枯落物交换的影响,枯落物渗透水中所有阳离子的通量都比林下降水明显减小,K+、Na+、Mg2+、Ca2+、H+、Mn2+、Cu2+、Zn2+、Fe3+分别降至83.06、12.30、23.96、65.73、0.04、0.12、0.09、0.13、0.32 mmol·m-2.在主根系层土壤渗透水中,一些阳离子(K+、Mn2+、Cu2、Fe3+)的浓度下降,另一些阳离子(Na+、Mg2+、Ca2+、Zn2+)的浓度则上升,尤其Ca2+浓度显著上升;Na+、M2+、Ca2+、Mn2+、Zn2+的通量比枯落物渗透水增大,其值分别为37.49、62.83、202.41、0.22、1.05 mmol·m-2,但K+、Cu2+、Fe3+的通量比枯落物渗透水减小,其值分别为27.14、0.07、0.09 mmol·m-2.相对于林外降水的阳离子输入通量,林冠层对多数阳离子(除Na+、Ca2+、Zn2+)的通量为净淋出(增加)作用,枯落物层对多数阳离子(除K+、Mg2+、Mn2+、Fe3+)的通量为净固定(减少)作用,主根系层土壤对盐基离子(Na+、K+、Mg2+、Ca2+)和Mn2+的通量为净淋失(增大)作用,但对其他阳离子(H+、Cu2+、Zn2+、Fe3+)的通量为净固定(减少)作用.     

金属离子对4PCA饲料复合酶中蛋白酶活性的影响

文章研究了8种常见金属离子K+、Na+、Mg2+、Mn2+、Ca2+、Zn2+、Cu2+、Fe2+对4PCA饲料复合酶中蛋白酶活性的影响,离子浓度设定为1×10-4mol·L-1、1×10-3mol·L-1以及1×10-2mol·L-1三个浓度梯度。结果表明:在实验特定金属离子浓度范围下,K+、Na+对酶活无特别影响,Mg2+有一定的激活作用,Mn2+的激活作用最大,Ca2+、Zn2+、Cu2+、Fe2+对酶活有不同程度的抑制作用,其大小顺序依次为Cu2+>Fe2+>Zn2+>Ca2+。     

基于修正的Gash模型模拟缙云山毛竹林降雨截留

为了验证修正的Gash模型对缙云山毛竹林林冠截留模拟的适用性,基于2009年4—7月的气象和林分特征资料以及实测的穿透雨和树干茎流等资料,分析缙云山毛竹林林外降雨、穿透雨和树干茎流特征,并应用修正的Gash模型对林冠截留量进行模拟,对比分析周降雨累计截留量和单次降雨截留量的模拟值和实测值,采用敏感性分析法分析模型参数对截留量的影响程度。结果表明:研究期间共29次降雨,总降雨量为531.1mm,平均降雨强度为2.11mm·h-1,大部分为低雨强、低雨量级、长历时的降雨;穿透雨量、茎流量和林冠截留量的实测值分别为463.2,6.5和61.4mm,模拟值分别为461.1,6.1和63.9mm,模拟的截留量约高出实测值4.07%,模型计算的周累积截留量和单次降雨截留量与实测值相比的相对标准差分别为5.02%和7.13%,模拟效果较好,模型适用于缙云山毛竹林;以林冠郁闭度(c)对模拟结果影响最大,其次为平均降雨强度()、林冠持水能力(S)和林冠平均蒸发速率(),树干茎流系数(Pt)和树干持水能力(St)这2个参数对林冠截留总量影响很小。     

广州市酸雨对不同森林冠层淋溶规律的研究

１９９８年４月至１９９９年３月对广州市白云山马尾松林和常绿阔叶林、广州市龙眼洞马尾松林两试验点进行了酸雨的监测,并测定和分析了林内穿透雨物理量及化学量,旨在探讨酸雨对不同森林冠层养分淋溶规律的影响。结果表明：（１）广州市酸雨占次数的７９．７％或占降雨量的９５．１％。（２）酸雨通过林冠层后,ｐＨ值明显增加。（３）在马尾松林和常绿阔叶林中,某些单次降雨出现ＳＯ４＾２－、ＮＯ３＾－、ＮＨ４＾＋Ａｌ＾３＋、Ｎａ＾＋的负淋溶现象,说明森林对这些离子（特别是ＮＯ３＾－、Ａａ＾３＋）具有吸收作用;阔叶林全年的ＮＯ３＾－和Ａｌ＾３＋净淋溶为负值,说明阔叶林比马尾松林对这两种离子具有更强的吸收能力。（４）雨水酸度增加（即ｐＨ值减小）,明显提高阳离子Ｃａ＾２＋、Ｍｇ＾２＋、Ｋ＾＋和Ｎａ＾＋冠层淋溶面分率。（５）ＮＨ４＾＋、ＳＯ４＾     

Deposition pattern of precipitation and throughfall in a subtropical evergreen forest in south-central China

The effects of dry deposition, canopy leaching, precipitation ion concentration, and precipitation H⁺ concentration on net throughfall flux (NTF, throughfall minus bulk precipitation) were evaluated on a seasonal basis by using a multiple regression analysis approach based on an observation period of 4 years in Shaoshan subtropical mixed evergreen forest, south-central China. Regression analysis results indicated that the estimated canopy exchange flux was the dominant factor regulating the NTF and the calculated dry deposition was a minor term. The seasonal dry deposition of base cations accounted for 15%–43% of the NTF. The NTF analysis showed that K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and weak acids in throughfall were derived from foliar leaching and the canopy uptakes of H⁺, NH₄ ⁺, and NO₃ ⁻ were from precipitation. The retention rate of proton (H⁺ and NH₄ ⁺) in the canopy was close to the canopy leaching rate of base cations when corrected for weak acids because weak acid-induced canopy leaching did not exchange with protons, which suggested that the canopy leaching processes neutralized acid precipitation in Shaoshan forest.     

Canopy leaching of subtropical mixed forests under acid rain

Leaching of major ions from acid precipitation in a subtropical forest was examined based on an experiment in four sample sites in Shaoshan City, Hunan Province, China, from January 2001 to June 2002. Results clearly show that when rain passed through the canopy, pH increased and the evidence of ion uptake was presented for SO₄ ²⁻, NO₃ ⁻, Mg²⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ ions, especially of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ⁻. The percentages of dissolved SO₄ ²⁻, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ show a decreasing trend with increasing rainfall. Percentages of leaching Ca²⁺, K⁺ and Cl⁻ ions show an increasing trend as a function of increased pH values. The forest canopy in Shaoshan City has a strong effect on the uptake of SO₄ ²⁻ and NO₃ ⁻ ions under acid rain conditions. The decreasing order of ions leaching in the forest canopy is as follows: K⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Cl⁻ > Mg²⁺ > SO₄ ²⁻ > NO₃ ⁻ > NH₄ ⁺ > Na⁺. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2007, 43(7): 1–4 [译自: 林业科学]     

Transfer characteristics of nutrient elements through hydrological process of a Pinus tabulaeformis stand in the West Mountain of Beijing

Forest precipitation chemistry is a major issue in forest hydrology and forest ecology. Chemical contents in precipitation change significantly when different kinds of external chemical materials are added, removed, translocated and transformed to or in the forest ecosystem along with precipitation. The chemistry of precipitation was monitored and analyzed in a 31-year-old Pinus tabulaeformis forest in the West Mountain of Beijing. Movement patterns of nutrient elements in hydrological processes can be discovered by studying this monitored data. Also, the information is useful for diagnosing the function of ecosystems and evaluating the impact of the environment on the ecosystem. Samples of rainfall, throughfall and stemflow were collected on the site. In the lab, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were analyzed by flame atomic absorption and K⁺ and Na⁺ by flame emission. NH₄ ⁺-N was analyzed by indophenol blue colorimetry and NO₃ ⁻-N was analyzed by phenoldisulfonic acid colorimetry. The results showed that: 1) The concentration gradient of nutrient elements clearly changed except for Na⁺. The nutrients in stemflow were significantly higher than those of throughfall and rainfall as the precipitation passed through the P. tabulaeformis forest. The monthly patterns showed distinct differentiation. There are indications that a large amount of nutrients was leached from the canopy, which is a critical function of intra-ecosystem nutrient cycling to improve the efficiency of nutrient use. 2) The concentrations of NO₃ ⁻-N and K⁺ changed more than those of the other nutrient elements. The concentration of NO₃ ⁻-N in throughfall and stemflow was 4.4 times and 9.9 times higher than those in rainfall, respectively. The concentration of K⁺ in throughfall and stemflow was 4.1 times and 8.1 times higher than those in rainfall, respectively. 3) The leaching of nutrient elements from the stand was an important aspect of nutrient return to the P. tabulaeformis forest, which returned a total amount of nutrient of 54.1 kg/hm², with the contribution of Ca²⁺ and K⁺ much greater than that of other elements. Also, K⁺ was the most active element in leaching intensity. 4) Nutrient input through precipitation was the main source in the West Mountain of Beijing and the amount of nutrient added was 66.4 kg/hm², of which Ca²⁺ and N contributed much more than the other nutrient elements. When precipitation passes through the P. tabulaeformis forest, 121 kg/hm² of nutrient is added to the forest floor. Ca²⁺ recorded the greatest nutrient increase, with 61.2 kg/hm², followed by N (NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ⁻-N), K⁺ and Mg²⁺, with 31.3 and 16.5, and 8.11 kg/hm², respectively. The least was Na⁺, 3.34 kg/hm². Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2006, 26(7): 2,101–2,107 [译自: 生态学报]     

An assessment of rainfall modification in mountainous ecosystems dominated by Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. (Western Balkans,Bulgaria) by multivariate analyses

Bulk precipitation, throughfall, and stemflow samples were collected in Petrohan site (Western Balkan, Bulgaria), operating in the framework of the Long-Term Ecological Research network, during a 6-year period (1995–2000). This mountain area is characterized by the presence of beech and spruce forests (Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and is utilized for drinking water supply. All samples were analyzed for pH and major inorganic anions (Cl^?, NO₃ ^?, and SO₄ ^2?) and cations (Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and NH₄ ⁺). Results show that bulk precipitation in this region is mainly acidic (pH = 5.1), and the dominant neutralization components in the rainwater are Ca²⁺ and NH₄ ⁺. As for Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^?, and SO₄ ^2?, they are not originated by marine source. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used for investigating the possible sources contributing to the chemical composition of the bulk precipitation and its possible modifications during the passing through beech and spruce stands. Results highlight that local and long-range transport-related anthropogenic sources and natural sources contribute to the anion and cation content of the bulk precipitation. The enrichment of the solution through the foliage made up of dry depositions is significant in both stands, but canopy leaching processes are much greater in the spruce forest, especially for Ca²⁺. As for the stemflow, it follows the same pattern as the throughfall, but N uptake and a strong K⁺ and Mg²⁺ leaching are observed mainly in the spruce stand.     

Multiple modelling of water chemistry flows assessed in a mountain spruce catchment

The study was carried out over a period of 1999–2003 in the Dupniański Stream catchment located in Silesian Beskid Mts. Region (Southern Poland). Analysis of the chemical composition of bulk precipitation, throughfall, stemflow, surface flow, soil water (horizontal + vertical and vertical penetration) and outflow water samples was performed. The complex data matrix with more than 3,000 observations of water reaction, major anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻) and cations (NH₄ ⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺) were treated by regression modelling. The modelling approach took into account seasonal variability according to winter and growing season, as well as chronosequence of spruce stands. The retention of considerable levels of contaminants by the canopy, and their removal or washout from needles by rainfall caused changes in the concentration of anions and cations reaching the soil surface compared to the concentrations in bulk precipitation. In the youngest stand, most elements except NH₄ ⁺, SO₄ ²⁻ and K⁺ were retained in the canopy, and even H⁺ ions were neutralized. In the older stands, most elements increased in net throughfall fluxes, and the acidity increased strongly. Soil water was slightly correlated with throughfall, while outflow water showed no correlations with the above ground water flows, and seemed to depend mostly of the bedrock.     

Water quality of Kaptai reservoir in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

A study was conducted in Kaptai reservoir, one of the largest man-made freshwater lakes of South-east Asia, to determine present status of water quality and its suitability for fishing and other uses. Water samplings were from middle part of the reservoir at 0.2 and 0.8 fractional depths at five different locations from upstream to downstream viz. Burburichara, Maichchari, Subolong, Basanthakum, and Rangamati. Water analyses show that concentrations of NO3-N, K+ and total P, and suspended solid at all the sampling stations were beyond the recommended values for fish culture. Concentrations of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, Cl-, total dissolved solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were within the standards for aquaculture. Concentrations of NO3-N, SO42-, K+ and total P showed no definite trend with depths, locations as well as rainy and dry seasons. Water pH, conductivity, Na+ and HCO3- contents were lower in rainy season, and DO and COD higher at almost all the locations in both the depths, compared with dry season. Total solids and concentrations of TDS, DO, COD, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ were higher in upstream and decreased gradually towards downstream in the reservoir. Concentrations of DO and Ca2+ and pH were higher and Mg2+ less at 0.2-fractional depth than those at 0.8-fractional depth at almost all the locations. The reservoir is in mesotrophic condition containing high concentration of NO3-N and total P, in alarming status with the presence of excessive suspended solids from urban pollution around the town. It is necessary to adopt measures for protecting water quality in the reservoir due to such deteriorations.     

Long-term influence of stream water chemistry in Japanese cedar plantation after clear-cutting using the forest rotation in central Japan

Because both natural and anthropogenic disturbances affect biogeochemical cycles in forest ecosystems, monitoring is needed to separate their influences. Chronosequence is very useful for such studies. In our study area, plantation through forest rotation on a watershed basis resulted in more than 40 adjacent watersheds of between 0 and 87 years of stand age, kind of chronosequence. Here, we examined the biological similarity of the watersheds and the long-term effects of clear-cutting on stream water chemistry. The stream water NO₃⁻–stand age relationship was similar between the two observation years; stream water NO₃⁻ concentrations increased dramatically in the watersheds after clear-cutting and decreased in 7–10-year-old replanted watersheds. The slope of stream water NO₃⁻ concentrations between the different watersheds covered by same age stand was significant, at 1:1. Additionally, stream water NO₃⁻ concentrations were more strongly correlated between the different watersheds covered by same aged stand than between the observations at 4 years intervals within a watershed. These findings indicate that stream water NO₃⁻ concentration is mainly regulated by stand age, i.e., by vegetation regrowth, rather than watershed-specific characteristics. Hence, adjacent watersheds are biologically similar apart from stand age and can be regarded as a chronosequence. While there was a clear relationship between stream water NO₃⁻ concentration and stand age, there was significant correlation with stream water SO₄²⁻, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻ or Na⁺ between two observations in the same watershed. This indicates that watershed-specific characteristics, rather than vegetation regrowth, control stream SO₄²⁻, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, and Na⁺ concentrations. After 25 years of clear-cutting Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Na⁺ concentrations significantly increased. It is likely the contribution of forest floor accumulation with stand development. Based on these results, clear-cutting influences stream chemistry, not only NO₃⁻, but also the major cation and the influence of clear-cutting continues for several decades at this study site.