Branch mortality and potential litterfall from Douglas-fir trees in stands of varying density

Forest floor characteristics influence nutrient cycling and energy flow properties of forest ecosystems, and determine quality of habitat for many forest plants and animals. Differential crown recession and crown development among stands of differing density suggest that an opportunity may exist to control the input of fine woody litter into the system by manipulating stand density. The objective was to measure the rate of branch mortality among stands of differing density and to estimate the range in total per hectare necromass inputs. Although litter traps are reliable for estimating per hectare rates of litterfall, branch mortality dating on sectioned stems uniquely allows assessment of several other litterfall components: (1) individual tree contributions to total litterfall; (2) the amount of branch material released by mortality, regardless of whether the branches are shed to the forest floor; (3) the distribution of basal diameters characterizing the litterfall from a given tree and stand. Twenty-four trees were felled and sectioned on permanent plots that were part of a silvicultural study of stand density regimes in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco.). Whorl branches were dissected out of bole sections to determine the dates of mortality, and a branch biomass equation was applied to estimate potential rate of litterfall. Periodic annual rates were expressed in four ways: (1) number of branches per tree; (2) mass of branches per tree; (3) mass of branches per unit of crown projection area; (4) mass of branches per hectare. For the growth periods investigated, larger trees and trees growing on denser plots tended to release a greater necromass through branch mortality. Average branch basal diameter generally decreased with increasing stand density. Annual branch mortality ranged from 33 to 430 g m⁻² crown projection area for individual trees, and from 236 to 1035 kg ha⁻¹ for individual plots. These rates approached the low end of the range of previously published fine litterfall rates for Douglas-fir. Rates on these plots were relatively low owing to the temporary delay in crown recession imposed by artificial thinning. A conceptual model of branch litter dynamics is presented to depict consistencies with crown development among stands managed under different density regimes.     

Non-additive Effects of Leaf Litter Mixtures from Robinia pseudoacacia and Ten Tree Species on Soil Properties

ABSTRACT

Litter decomposition plays a critical role in both nutrient cycling and the interspecific relationships between tree species. In this study, leaf litter from Robinia pseudoacacia was mixed with litter from 10 other species, this mixture was then ground and incubated in soil. The soil indexes (i.e., quantity of microbes, activities of enzymes, and chemical properties) were analyzed to study the effects of litter decomposition on soil properties and the interaction between the litters. If mixed separately with Larix principis-rupprechtii or Betula platyphylla, R. pseudoacacia litter exerted synergistic effects on the activities of most enzymes. The mixed litters of R. pseudoacacia and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica or Ulmus pumila exerted synergistic effects on the soil available P. With regard to the soil properties as a whole, the mixed litters of R. pseudoacacia and B. platyphylla, Pinus tabulaeformis, P. sylvestris var. mongolica, or L. principis-rupprechtii exerted synergistic effects on soil during their decomposition. However, the mixed litters of R. pseudoacacia and Populus simonii, Quercus liaotungensis, U. pumila, or Caragana microphylla did not. This indicated that R. pseudoacacia mixed with the litter of other needle-leaf tree species benefits the development and regeneration of soil and thus can be used for sustainable forest management.     

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     

黄土高原沟壑区油松侧柏与沙棘混交的人工林的水文影响

采用国家标准森林分析方法进行了沙棘与油松、侧柏人工混交林的水文影响研究,结果表明:混交林内年均降水量较林外减少了20.1%;林内月降水量的季节变化以夏、秋、春、冬依次递减;年均气温比纯林内低0.1℃,相对湿度高4.5%;乔木层年均截留量较纯林提高了56.6%,灌木层提高了395.7%;年均地表径流量105.8 L,径流摸数为10.58 m3·km-2·a-1,纯林分别为1 349.05 L和134.9 m3·km-2·a-1,土壤侵蚀模数为0.65 t·hm-2·a-1,纯林为9.2 t·hm-2·a-1;枯枝落叶层现存量增加了200%;平均容水量为自身质量的3.1倍;土壤密度和土粒密度分别减少了6.3%和17.7%,含水量、孔隙度和通气度分别提高了6.1 %、13.9%、20.3%.不同土层土壤密度和土粒密度由上到下逐渐增大,孔隙度和通气度表层较高,向下逐渐减少;底层、中层和表层土壤非毛管孔隙度分别提高了113.3%、38.6%和32.6%;最大持水量、最小持水量、毛管持水量分别较纯林平均高11.0%、9.8%、10.5%,较荒地高36.0%、16.0%、25.6%;储水量和0～40 cm储水量分别较纯林和荒地提高了12.4%、22.7%,排水能力也较强.     

Multipurpose tree prunings as a source of nitrogen to maize under semiarid conditions in Zimbabwe

When multipurpose-tree (MPT) prunings are used as a source of nitrogen to annual corps in agroforestry systems, it is important that high levels of N recovery are attained. In order to test the effect of pruning quality and method of pruning application on N-recovery rates, a field experiment was conducted using prunings of five MPT species and two methods of application (surface versus incorporation). There was an interaction of pruning quality and method of pruning application on N recovery and maize grain yield. For most MPT species used, incorporated prunings gave high nitrogen recovery compared to surface applied prunings. In order to achieve synchrony between N supply from prunings and N demand by a maize crop, relatively large amounts of N should be released into the soil before peak N demand by the maize crop. This could be achieved by incorporating adequate quantities of high quality prunings such as those ofCajanus cajan andLeucaena leucocephala. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series Number R-05489.     

天然次生白桦林凋落物的分解及其生态效应

1988～1990年间以长白山支脉张广才岭帽儿山老爷岭生态站天然次生白桦林为研究对象,对林分凋落物的积累,组成与分解进行了定位观察研究。结果表明,38年生白桦林凋落物的现存量为13.644t/ha,其中叶为10.49t/ha,枝为2.58t/ha,树皮、种实、动物尸体及粪便等仅为0.57t/ha,年凋落盈为3.38t/ha,年分解量为0.633t/ha,年分解率为18.7％。     

栎林凋落层土壤动物群落结构及其在凋落物分解中的变化

2002年4月～2002年10月,采用凋落袋法(5、1、1/300 mm)对北京九龙山栎树(Quercus liaotungensis)纯林和混交林(辽东栎∶油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)=2∶ 1)凋落层土壤动物群落特征及在凋落叶分解过程中动态变化进行研究.在两种林型98只分解袋中,共采集到土壤动物3 564只,隶属3门10纲19目,其中膜翅目(Hymenoptera)、啮虫目(Psocoptera)、双翅目(Diptera)、弹尾目(Collembola)和蜱螨目(Acariformes)为优势类群.土壤动物以杂食性为主.混交林中小型土壤动物个体数量和类群数均大于栎树纯林,而大型土壤动物个体数量类群数均低于栎树纯林,两种林型土壤动物类群数和个体数在α=0.05差异不显著.3种凋落物袋中,栎树纯林土壤动物总类群数和个体总数均为1 mm＞5 mm＞1/300 mm;混交林土壤动物个体数1 mm＞5 mm＞1/300 mm,类群数则5 mm＞1 mm＞1/300 mm,并在8或9月达最大值.土壤动物多样性指数随时间推移呈增长趋势,土壤动物群落异质性较高.土壤动物优势类群与凋落物分解残存量之间的相关性不显著(rs<0.786, p>0.05).蜱螨目在栎树纯林凋落物中集聚的时间最长,啮虫目集聚的时间最短,分别为10.33和8.53个月;膜翅目在栎树混交林凋落物中集聚的时间最长,双翅目集聚的时间最短,分别为9.95和8.13个月.     

三峡库区莲峡河小流域马尾松水文生态效应

2004年,在三峡库区莲峡河小流域马尾松林地进行了大气降水、林内透雨、树干茎流的测定,进行了林下枯落物和土壤对降雨影响的研究.结果表明:观测期,马尾松林内透雨占大气降水总量的76.70%,林冠层截留量占降雨总量的23.03%,树干茎流占降雨总量的0.27%;林下枯落物的最大持水量为3.40 mm,林地0～40 cm层土壤饱和蓄水量为183.60 mm;林内透雨、树干茎流、林冠截流与大气降水量以及降雨强度具有显著的二元线性相关关系.     

Leaf-litter decomposition of 15 tree species in a lowland tropical rain forest in Sarawak: decomposition rates and initial litter chemistry

In a lowland tropical rain forest in Sarawak, leaf-litter decomposition and the initial litter chemistry of 15 tree species were studied. During 13 months of field experiment, weight loss of litter samples was between 44% and 91%, and calculated decomposition rate constants (k) ranged from 0.38 to 2.36 year⁻¹. The initial litter chemistry also varied widely (coefficients of variation: 19%–74%) and showed low N and P concentrations and high acid-insoluble residue (AIS) concentration. For nutrient-related litter chemistry, correlations with the decomposition rate were significant only for P concentration, C/P ratio, and AIS/P ratio (r _s = 0.59, −0.62, and −0.68, n = 15, P < 0.05, respectively). For organic constituents, correlations were significant for concentrations of AIS and total carbohydrates, and AIS/acid-soluble carbohydrate ratio (r _s = −0.81, 0.51, and −0.76, n = 15, P < 0.05, respectively). These results suggested that the relatively slow mean rate of decomposition (k = 1.10) was presumably due to the low litter quality (low P concentration and high AIS concentration), and that P might influence the decomposition rate; but organic constituents, especially the concentration of AIS, were more important components of initial litter chemistry than nutrient concentrations.     

Management of pigeon pea in short fallows for crop-livestock production systems in the Guinea savanna zone of northern Ghana

Crop and livestock production in the Guinea savanna zone of northern Ghana has been declining over the past years as a result of increasing pressure on land. To sustain soil productivity, pigeon pea(Cajanus cajan), a leguminous perennial crop was evaluated for its potential as a short duration fallow crop for fodder and grain, and maize (Zea mays)production. It involved comparing a natural fallow (i.e., control) and four improved fallows of pigeon pea pruned annually at 30 cm, 60 cm and 90 cm from the ground, and unpruned pigeon pea over a two-year period. After this time, the land was cleared manually and planted to maize. The highest mean annual biomass of pigeon pea over the two-year period of 6.1 t ha⁻¹ dry matter (DM) was obtained by pruning at 60 cm. The highest leaf litter production and pigeon pea seed yield was obtained from the no pruning treatment. The mean maize grain yield from the improved fallow (3.02 t ha⁻¹) in the first year after clearing was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that of the natural fallow (1.54 t ha⁻¹). Considering the biomass of pigeon pea from pruning, pigeon pea seed yield and maize grain yield after the pigeon pea, pruning pigeon pea at 60 cm is the most promising regime for crop-livestock production systems. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.