Comparing genetic diversity in agroforestry systems with natural forest: a case study of the important timber tree Vitex fischeri in central Kenya

It is possible that current tree domestication practices undertaken by farmers reduce the genetic base of tree resources on farms, raising concerns regarding the productivity, sustainability and conservation value of agroforestry ecosystems. Here, we assessed possible changes in genetic variation during domestication in the important and heavily utilised timber species, Vitex fischeri Gürke (syn. Vitex keniensis), by comparing geographically proximate forest and farm material in central Kenya. Employing RAPD analysis, a total of 104 polymorphic markers revealed by five arbitrary primers were scored in a total of 65 individuals, 32 from forest and 33 from farmland. Despite concerns of possible genetic erosion, forest and farm stands did not differ significantly in levels of genetic variation, with H values of 0.278 and 0.269, respectively. However, Mantel tests did reveal greater geographically related associative genetic structure among individuals in farm rather than forest material, with r _M values of 0.217 and 0.114, respectively. A more detailed analysis of structure suggested this could be due to local variation in origin of some on-farm trees. Implications of data for the genetic management of V. fischeri stands during farmer-led tree domestication activities are discussed. At present, there appears little reason to reject on-farm V. fischeri as a source of germplasm for future on-farm planting or for conservation purposes, although this situation may change and will require monitoring.     

Ecological Benefit of Reforestation in a Severely Degraded Red Soil Region

Guifeng, Yiyang County, belongs to a seriously degraded red soil region. In 1991, Pinus elliottii and Lespedaza spp. were the species selected for the establishment of a mixed forest in the area. The results of an investigation of the soil system in a 12-year-old forest indicated the following: (1) Organic matter and total nitrogen of the forest soil to a depth of 40 cm were 88.0 and 36.0% higher, respectively, than those of a control plot; total phosphorus and available phosphorus were 40.9 and 22.3% higher than those of the control; available potassium contents were 8.13% lower than those of the control. (2) Soil aeration and the soil air regime improved. (3) Proteinase, catalase, and urease in the forest soil to a depth of 40 cm were usually higher than those in the control plot and decreased with soil depth. Translated from Acta Agriculturae Universitatis Jiangxiensis, 2005, 27(1) (in Chinese)     

Effect of alley cropping on soil aggregate stability of a tropical Alfisol

The beneficial effect of organic matter on soil aggregate stability is well documented. Alley cropping has been suggested as a possible alternative to maintain soil organic matter content in cropping systems without fallowing the land. The objective of this study was to asses the effect of alley cropping on dry and wet soil aggregate stability on land degraded by shifting cultivation. The aggregate size distribution by dry sieving, aggregate stability by wet sieving, soil organic Carbon content and soil bulk density were measured following two and three years of alley cropping with Gliricedia (Gliricidia sepium) and Pigeon pea (Cajanas cajan) in a tropical Rhodustalf. Alley cropping increased the mean aggregate diameter and water stability of soil aggregates. The mean aggregate diameter obtained from dry sieving increased from 1.3 mm of the control to 2.68 and 3.11 mm after three years in Pigeon pea and Gliricidia alley cropped plots, respectively. This is an indication of resistance to wind erosion in alley cropped plots. The wet aggregate stability which shows the resistance to erosion by water also increased in alley cropped plots. These increases were significant after three years of hedge row establishment. The increase in soil organic C in alley cropped plots contributed to the higher dry and wet aggregate stability, and decreased soil bulk density. The improvement was higher in plots alley cropped with Gliricidia than Pigeon pea. This study shows the importance of ally cropping in increasing aggregate stability of degraded sandy soils which in return reduce erosion by wind and water.     

Analysis of Sediment Source of Watershed in Western Shanxi of the Loess Plateau

1 INTRODUCTIONThe Loess Plateau is the most drastic soil erosion regionin China, with the most severe water erosion. Thedistribution of types and intensity of erosion not onlyhave regional diversity but also have perpendicularvariation. In the small watershed, there are differencesin erosion characters among its upper, middle and lowerreaches. It is very significant for taking rationalmeasures of soil and water conservation and forpreventing soil and water loss to analyze the relationbe…     

不同植被恢复模式土壤结构特征与健康评价

对湘西女儿寨流域不同植被恢复类型的土壤结构特征研究和健康评价的结果表明:荒草灌丛容重最高,人工林土壤容重高于天然林及混交林;对土壤孔隙状况的改善作用表现为林分类型优于荒草灌丛类型,天然林优于人工林,0~20 cm土层优于20~40 cm土层;土壤团聚体平均重量直径以油桐人工林、杜仲人工林最高,马尾松天然林、毛竹杉木混交林其次,而润楠次生林、荒草灌丛、杉木人工林较低;各层土壤团聚体分形维数值大小排序为:毛竹杉木混交林>马尾松天然林>荒草灌丛、润楠次生林>杜仲人工林>油桐人工林>杉木人工林;土壤结构健康综合评价的灰色关联分析结果表明,土壤结构以荒草灌丛最差,油桐人工林最好,其余类型介于两者之间.研究结果可为女儿寨流域及我国类似生态脆弱区的植被恢复与重建提供一定依据和参考.     

灌木林对地表风况及空气动力学参数影响的野外调查研究——以丰宁满族自治县小坝子乡为例

通过野外实地调查和定位观测,系统研究了灌木林盖度和高度对地表风况及空气动力学参数的影响。结果表明:风速轮廓线受灌木林覆盖度和高度的影响显著;风蚀率随灌木林覆盖度的减少呈指数增加,灌木林高度对土壤风蚀影响相对较小。空气动力学粗糙度及零风速平面位移高度均与灌木林覆盖度之间呈幂函数关系。灌木林高度对空气动力学粗糙度的影响不明显。     

The role of agroforestry in industrialized nations: the southern hemisphere perspective with special emphasis on Australia and New Zealand

Agroforestry in Australia and New Zealand is dominated by silvopastoralism. Farmers may employ combinations of shelterbelts, shade trees, widely spaced trees over pasture, or more densely planted woodlots. In addition to wood production and shelter, erosion control, amenity and landscape planting, and conservation of natural forest are often important. Many farm forestry people show considerable innovation.In temperate wetter areas of Australia, eucalyptus and, to a lesser extent,Pinus radiata (radiata pine) dominate agroforestry tree plantings for wood, shade, shelter, and salinisation and erosion prevention. The One Billion Tree Program, initiated by the Australian Federal Government, provides limited funding for tree planting. Joint farmer ventures with the State or local industry are also common. Most State governments also provide advice, and planting is tax deductible. Local landcare groups, formed to encourage sustainable agriculture, often promote tree planting, particularly where soil degradation is a problem. Melbourne University and other Techncial Institutes offer training in agroforestry.In New Zealand, a third of the farms require trees for soil conservation. This, together with the growing recognition of the financial benefits of planting trees, has resulted in small landowners doing most of the current planting of 80,000 to 100,000 ha yr^–1. Most farmers plant radiata pine, but eucalyptus and other hardwoods, including willows and poplars, are also widely used. There are almost no government incentives for tree planting in New Zealand. The Farm Forestry Association is the major extension organization. Lincoln University has an important teaching and research commitment, and the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited has developed very useful management models.     

钱塘江流域水土流失特点和动态分析

应用遥感技术和定点调查相结合的方法对钱塘江流域水土流失及其动态进行分析．钱塘江流域省内水土流失量占全省总流失量的４７．６６％．钱塘江中上游的金衢地区是水土流失较严重地区，面租达３９５５ｋｍ２，占该地区山地面积的２３．２５％，衢州市近１０年（１９８１～１９９０年）间统计，水土流失面积由原来的１５８６ｋｍ２增加到２６７５ｋｍ２，扩大６８、６６％；以经济林为主的常山县开发过程中强调水土保持措施，但流失面积仍扩大４７、３８％；．以用材林为主的开化县水土流失有急剧上升的趋势。文章讨论了钱塘江中上游近期水土流失的特点并提出综合治理的建议．     

香根草防治公路边坡水土流失试验研究

香根草在公路边坡上试验种植后生长情况良好，其发达的根系能有效治理公路边坡的水土流失．是生物工程治理公路边坡的一种较好植物，有推广发展的价值。     

水土流失地区的相思栽培技术

通过在新会市罗坑一带的严重水土流失地段营造相思的试验结果表明，造林后１年其郁闭度一般可达０．８～０．９，有效地覆盖光秃的林地，达到了控制水土流失的目的。文中针对水土流失地区的特点，提出了一整套在严重水土流失地上营造相思林的技术措施。