A Review of Fine Root Dynamics in Populus Plantations

Production of native and hybridized varieties of Populus has received considerable interest in temperate regions as an alternative to agricultural crops and an additional wood source, while acting as a potential carbon (C) sink to offset emissions of fossil fuel-based greenhouse gases. Research of root system dynamics in Populus species is expanding, however, our understanding of the nature and role of fine roots (FR) is incomplete. The study objective, therefore, was to review the literature regarding FR production, mortality and longevity in Populus, and evaluate the magnitude and significance of the FR fraction to C sequestration. FRs, conventionally defined as less than 2 mm in diameter and responsible for water and nutrient uptake, are an essential component of the tree. Populus FRs are relatively short-lived, with reported lifespans ranging from 30 to 300 days, depending on root diameter, tree species and age, and soil environmental factors. Standing FR biomass fluctuates throughout the growing season. Fine root production generally peaks in mid-summer, and ranges between 1.0 and 5.0 mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, while FR mortality has less seasonal amplitude. Production and mortality dynamics in Populus are highly plastic in response to soil environmental conditions, and although opposing conclusions have been proposed, research suggests soil moisture and nitrogen to be most important. Results from the literature indicate annual FR turnover to the soil C pool may be small (0.2–1.6 mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), but substantial in maintaining or enhancing C levels in natural and managed stands of Populus.     

Adaptation of the LIGNUM model for simulations of growth and light response in Jack pine

LIGNUM is a whole tree model, developed for Pinus sylvestris in Finland, that combines tree metabolism with a realistic spatial distribution of morphological parts. We hypothesize that its general concepts, which include the pipe model, functional balance, yearly carbon budget, and a set of architectural growth rules, are applicable to all trees. Adaptation of the model to Pinus banksiana, a widespread species of economic importance in North America, is demonstrated.

Conversion of the model to Jack pine entailed finding new values for 16 physiological and morphological parameters, and three growth functions. Calibration of the LIGNUM Jack pine model for open grown trees up to 15 years of age was achieved by matching crown appearance and structural parameters (height, foliage biomass, aboveground biomass) with those of real trees. A sensitivity study indicated that uncertainty in the photosynthesis and respiration parameters will primarily cause changes to the net annual carbon gain, which can be corrected through calibration of the growth rate. The effect of a decrease in light level on height, biomass, total tree branch length, and productivity were simulated and compared with field data. Additional studies yielded insight into branch pruning, carbon allocation patterns, crown structure, and carbon stress. We discuss the value of the LIGNUM model as a tool for understanding tree growth and survival dynamics in natural and managed forests.     

济南市生态足迹分析

生态足迹是测量确定人类是否生存于生态系统的承载力范围之内的有效方法。作者通过生态足迹模型分析,对1997~2001年生态经济协调发展状态进行定量评估,结果表明济南市生态有较大赤字,并对赤字产生原因和减少赤字的可行性作简要分析。     

Amazonian deforestation and global warming: carbon stocks in vegetation replacing Brazil''s Amazon forest

Carbon stocks in vegetation replacing forest in Brazilian Amazonia affect net emissions of greenhouse gases from land-use change. A Markov matrix of annual transition probabilities was constructed to estimate landscape composition in 1990 and to project future changes, assuming behavior of farmers and ranchers remains unchanged. The estimated 1990 landscape was 5.4% farmland, 44.8% productive pasture, 2.2% degraded pasture, 2.1% ‘young’ (1970 or later) secondary forest derived from agriculture, 28.1% ‘young’ secondary forest derived from pasture, and 17.4% ‘old’ (pre-1970) secondary forest. The landscape would eventually approach an equilibrium of 4.0% farmland, 43.8% productive pasture, 5.2% degraded pasture, 2.0% secondary forest derived from agriculture, and 44.9% secondary forest derived from pasture. An insignificant amount is regenerated ‘forest’ (defined as secondary forest over 100 years old). Average total biomass (dry matter, including below-ground and dead components) was 43.5 t ha⁻¹ in 1990 in the 410 × 10³ km² deforested by that year for uses other than hydroelectric dams. At equilibrium, average biomass would be 28.5 t ha⁻¹ over all deforested areas (excluding dams). These biomass values are more than double those forming the basis of deforestation emission estimates currently used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Although higher replacement landscape biomass decreases net emissions from deforestation, these estimates still imply large net releases.     

First-year growth response of cold-stored,nursery-grown aspen planting stock

This research examined the first year growth characteristics of cold stored and transplanted nursery-produced aspen (Populus tremuloides) seedlings (container and bareroot (BR)) and compared it to the growth of seedlings that had not been transplanted (established from germinants in the field) and therefore had an unrestricted root system (UR). Prior to planting, nursery-produced seedlings were placed in cold storage (−3°C) and root growth potential (RGP) and total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) root reserves were tested at 0, 10, 75 and after 150 (container) and 190 days (BR) of storage. Both container and BR stock had much lower root to shoot ratios (RSRs) and root carbohydrate reserves compared to UR seedlings after 170 days. During storage, root reserves in container stock declined faster than in the BR and UR seedlings. RGP in all nursery stock was the highest after 75 days of storage, while longer storage resulted in shoot dieback and reduced root growth. After the first growing season, UR seedlings were one tenth the size of the nursery stock; however, in the second growing season they had no stem dieback and grew twice the height and stem diameter. The higher RSRs and root reserves in the UR seedlings was likely caused by early bud set in its first year of growth. This suggests that inducing bud set earlier in the growing regime might allow seedlings to increase root mass and carbohydrate reserves.     

Carbon and nitrogen dynamics under windrowed residues during the establishment phase of a second-rotation hoop pine plantation in subtropical Australia

The dynamics of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), derived from the decomposition of windrowed harvest residues, was examined in the establishment phase of a second rotation (2R) hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii Aiton ex A. Cunn) plantation in subtropical Queensland, Australia. Following harvesting and site preparation, when residues were formed into windrows, in situ N mineralisation was measured in positions along the three tree-planting rows formed between the windrows. The position above the windrow had a higher nitrification rate than the other positions, averaging about 18 kg N ha⁻¹/month compared with 12 and 9 Kg N ha⁻¹ for the positions between and below the windrow positions, respectively. This position also had consistently greater soil moisture.

Macroplots were formed extending 5 m above and 10 m below a windrow. Windrowed residues within the macroplots were replaced by ¹⁵N-labelled material comprising hoop pine foliage, branch and stem. Hoop pine trees were planted within each macroplot with foliar samples taken at 12 and 24 months. Differences in foliar ¹⁵N enrichment between positions within macroplots were <1‰. Soil samples were taken from positions along the macroplots at 6-monthly intervals. Samples revealed an initial release of labile C and N but soil δ¹⁵N showed that residue-derived N was largely immobilised within the windrows for the 30-month sampling period. Whilst the use of windrows may act as a barrier to the down-slope movement of water, the residue N within the windrows may not be available to the trees of the following rotation for a considerable period following planting. Trees closest to the windrows may be able to introduce roots under the windrows thereby gaining access to the available N, but trees in the central tree planting row are unlikely to derive any significant benefit from the decomposition of windrowed residues.     

Fire protection of a laminated veneer lumber joint by wood carbon phenolic spheres sheeting

Laminated veneer lumber joints made with metal plate connectors were protected with wood carbon phenolic spheres (CPS) sheeting and tested for creep under fire. The effects of the carbonizing temperature of charcoal, used as raw material for the CPS sheets, the thickness, and the location of the sheet on the joint regarding the fire-resistance performance of the joint were studied. The time to rupture of the joints covered with CPS sheets made from charcoal carbonized at 800°C (CPS800) was slightly prolonged compared with that of uncovered joints. On the other hand, the time to rupture of CPS sheets made from charcoal carbonized at 1600°C (CPS1600) was markedly extended. The changes in the charcoal properties due to increasing the carbonizing temperature might be the main reason the CPS1600 sheets had higher fire-resistance performance. The thickness and location of CPS1600 sheets have significant effects on the fire resistance of the joint. A highly fire-resistant laminated veneer lumber joint was obtained using a CPS1600 sheet. The CPS1600 sheet with a thickness of 3mm covering three sides of the joint prolonged the time to rupture 16-fold compared with that of unprotected joints.Part of this paper was presented at the 4th International Wood Science Symposium, Serpong, Indonesia, September 2002     

Carbon stock and rate of carbon sequestration in Dipterocarpus forests of Manipur,Northeast India

We examined the carbon stock and rate of carbon sequestration in a tropical deciduous forest dominated by Dipterocarpus tuberculatus in Manipur,North East India.Estimation of aboveground biomass was determined by harvest method and multiplied with density of tree species.The aboveground biomass was between18.27–21.922 t ha-1and the carbon stock ranged from9.13 to 10.96 t C ha-1across forest stands.Aboveground biomass and carbon stock increased with the increase in tree girth.The rate of carbon sequestration varied from1.4722 to 4.64136 t ha-1year-1among the dominant tree species in forest stands in tropical deciduous forest area.The rate of carbon sequestration depends on species composition,the density of large trees in different girth classes,and anthropogenic disturbances in the present forest ecosystem.Further work is required to identify tree species having the highest potential to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere,which could lead to recommendations for tree plantations in a degraded ecosystem.     

疏勒河流域2001~2010年水足迹动态特征及评价

随着人口增长、城市化进程的发展和社会经济发展,以及全球气候变化等因素的影响,疏勒河地区生态用水不断被挤占,造成地下水位下降,天然植被也因缺水而退化,水资源供需矛盾突出,为了有效改善水资源利用效率,利用水足迹模型研究了疏勒河流域2001~2010年的水足迹动态特征。结果表明:疏勒河流域2001~2010年总水足迹呈增长趋势,人均水足迹从2001年的772.537m3增加到2010年的1 304.476m3。疏勒河流域水资源集约利用度呈增长趋势,从2001年的6.053增加到2010年的10.875,说明疏勒河流域水资源利用效率提高了。疏勒河流域水资源压力指数从2001年的0.447增加到2010年的0.747,说明疏勒河水资源利用压力虽处于水资源可承载范围内,但其水资源压力不断上升。农田灌溉用水和农田种植面积均与农畜产品虚拟水足迹呈显著正相关关系(P0.05)。未来还需从实施节水农业战略等方面提高流域水资源利用效率,以及通过虚拟水贸易方式优化产业结构,以实现疏勒河流域水资源可持续利用和经济社会可持续发展。