Variation in the chemical composition of green leaves and leaf litters from three deciduous tree species growing on different soil types

The chemical composition of green leaves and leaf litters of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), oak (Quercus robur) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) were determined for 26 sites grouped into high fertility (HF) and low fertility (LF) soils according to base saturation and N-mineralization potentials. Measurements were made of total carbon, acid detergent fibre (ADF), Klason lignin, holo-cellulose, sugar constituents of hemicellulose and phenylpropanoid derivatives of lignin, and nutrient concentrations (N, Ca, P, Mg, K and Mn). Leaf and litter constituents varied within and between species according to soil groups, but beech showed contrasting responses to oak and chestnut. Beech leaves had lower ADF, lignin and cellulose on HF soils than LF soils, whereas oak and chestnut leaves had higher ADF, lignin and cellulose on HF than the LF soils. Conversely, the same constituents in beech leaf litter were higher on HF soils than LF soils, but lower in oak and chestnut leaf litter on HF soils than LF soils. The phenylpropanoid derivatives of lignin and sugar constituents of hemicellulose also showed similar variations in relation to soil groups with contrasting patterns for in leaves and litters. Re-absorption of N from leaves before litter fall was negatively correlated with soil N mineralization potential for beech (highest on LF soils) but showed an unexpected, positive relationship for oak and chestnut (highest on HF soils). These intra-specific differences of leaf and litter chemistry in relation to soil fertility status are unprecedented and largely unexplained. The observed patterns reflect phenotypic responses to soil type that result in continuum of litter quality, within and between tree species, that have been shown in related studies to significantly influence litter decomposition rates.     

The integration of pasture,livestock and widely-spaced pine in South West Western Australia

This paper expands on a short voluntary presentation, by the first two authors, to the 18th IUFRO World Congress held at Ljubljana, Yugoslavia, in September 1986. It describes management procedures and incorporates biological and economic data, from a number of agro-silvo-pastoral trials in the South West of Western Australia. The integration of pine timber and livestock production is shown to have a range of economic and environmental benefits available in the long-term. Ways in which the choice of tree density, planting pattern and silvicultural regime can each be directed towards the achievement of various objectives are indicated.     

Antibacterial activity of Terminalia pallida

The methanol extract of the dried fruit powder of Terminalia pallida was evaluated for antimicrobial activity. The methanol extract showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.     

Spatially distributed morphological characteristics of macropores in forest soils of Hitachi Ohta Experimental Watershed, Japan

Morphological characteristics of macropores in forest soil profiles were investigated at Hitachi Ohta Experimental Watershed in Japan. Nine individual profiles at different locations (various spatial scales in a catchment) and twenty profiles at one site (a small spatial scale) were excavated to the bedrock to investigate density, origin, diameter, direction, and gradient of macropores. Macropore densities in a soil profile ranged from 3.5 to 29.1 per m and from 5.4 to 75.1 per m², respectively. Subsurface erosion, root channels, and interactions between subsurface erosion and root channels accounted for 36.9, 36.5, and 19.0%, of the described macropores. The mean macropore diameter in organic-rich soil layer (17–20 mm) was larger than in the B horizon (11–14 mm) at both spatial scales. The dominant gradients of all macropores in the organic-rich soil layer and B horizon were at negative oblique angles. Approximately 90% of the macropores in the organic-rich soil layer and approximately 80% of the macropores in the B horizon fell within the range between −50 and 50 degree planar direction. Subsurface flow and root systems are believed to play important roles in determining the morphological characteristics of macropores. These characteristics appear to have variable influences in different soil horizons rather than at different spatial scales. A part of this paper was presented at the 103th (1992) and 105th (1994) Annual Meetings of Japanese Forestry Society.     

Does Biochar Improve Establishment of Tree Seedlings in Saline Sodic Soils?

Reforestation of saline sodic soil is increasingly undertaken as a means of reclaiming otherwise unproductive agricultural land. Currently, restoration of degraded land is limited to species with high tolerances of salinity. Biochar application has the potential to improve physical, biological and chemical properties of these soils to allow establishment of a wider range of plants. In a glasshouse trial, we applied biochar made from Acacia pycnantha (5 Mg ha⁻¹) or no biochar to either a low (EC_e 4·75 dS m⁻¹, ESP 6·9), a moderate (EC_e 27·6 dS m⁻¹, ESP 29·3) or a high (EC_e 49·4 dS m⁻¹, ESP 45·1) saline sodic soil. The regional common reforestation species Eucalyptus viminalis and Acacia mearnsii were planted as tubestock in to the soils. Early establishment indicators, including growth, plant condition and nutrition, were assessed at the end of a simulated growing season, 108 days after biochar application. Application of biochar increased height, and decreased root : shoot and the concentration of Mn, N and S in plants of E. viminalis when grown in the highly saline sodic soil. Biochar application increased the concentration of B in leaves of E. viminalis and increased the concentration of P, K and S in leaves of A. mearnsii when grown in the low saline sodic soil. The results confirm that there is potential for biochar to assist in reforestation of saline sodic soils. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

APEX model simulation of runoff and sediment losses for grazed pasture watersheds with agroforestry buffers

Buffers have been found to reduce non-point source pollution (NPSP) from watersheds. Hydrologic simulation models assist in predicting the effects of buffers on runoff and sediment losses from small watersheds. The objective of this study was to calibrate, validate and simulate runoff and sediment losses and compare buffer effects on NPSP losses relative to control watersheds (no buffer) for seven years. The experimental design consists of four watersheds under pasture management which were monitored from 2002 through 2008; two with agroforestry buffers (AgB 100 and AgB 300) and two control watersheds (CW 400 and CW 600). Pasture areas included red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) and lespedeza (Kummerowia stipulacea Maxim.) planted into fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) while the agroforestry buffer area included Eastern cottonwood trees (Populus deltoids Bortr. ex Marsh.) planted into fescue. The APEX model was calibrated from 2002 to 2005 and was validated from 2006 to 2008. The r ² and NSE values for the calibration and validation periods of the runoff varied from 0.52 to 0.78 and 0.50 to 0.74, respectively. The model did not predict sediment loss very well probably due to insufficient number of measured events and low measured sediment loss. The measured runoff was 57% higher for CW watersheds compared to AgB watersheds. The measured sediment loss was 95% higher for CW watersheds compared to AgB watersheds. After calibrating and validating the model, it was run for long-term scenario analyses for 10 years from 1999 to 2008. Simulated buffer width had a significant influence on runoff. Simulated runoff decreased by 24% when the buffer width was doubled compared to losses associated with the measured buffer width. Simulated runoff from the CW watersheds was 11% higher with double stocking density (relative to measured density) compared to AgB watersheds with double stocking density. With half stocking density (relative to measured density), the AgB watershed had 18% lower runoff compared to CW. Results from this study imply that establishment of agroforestry buffers on grazed pasture watersheds reduce runoff and sediment losses compared to control watersheds without buffers.     

Photosynthate distribution patterns in cherrybark oak seedling sprouts

We used 14C tracers to determine photosynthate distribution in cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Raf.) seedling sprouts following release from competing mid-story vegetation. Fall acquisition of labeled photosynthates by seedlings followed expected source-sink patterns, with root and basal stem tissues serving as the primary sinks. Four months after the seedlings had been labeled with 14C, they were clipped to induce sprouting. First-flush stem and leaf tissues of the resulting seedling sprouts were the primary sinks for labeled photosynthates stored in root tissues. Second-flush stem and leaf tissues, and first-flush stem and leaf tissues the following growing season, were not primary sinks for labeled photosynthates stored in root tissues despite the high radioactivity in root tissues. Root tissues appeared to deposit photosynthates in a layering process whereby the last photosynthates stored in new xylem were the first to be depleted during the initiation of a growth flush the following spring. There were more labeled photosynthates in roots of released seedling sprouts compared with non-released seedling sprouts, indicating increased vigor of released seedling sprouts in response to greater light availability. In contrast, stem and source leaf tissues of non-released seedling sprouts contained greater percentages of labeled photosynthates compared with released seedling sprouts, indicating either greater sink strength or poorly developed xylem and phloem pathways that created inefficiencies in distribution to root tissues. The 14C distribution coefficients confirmed the distribution patterns and provided additional information on the important sinks in released and non-released cherrybark oak seedling sprouts.     

Biodiversity management approaches for stream–riparian areas: Perspectives for Pacific Northwest headwater forests,microclimates, and amphibians

Stream–riparian areas represent a nexus of biodiversity, with disproportionate numbers of species tied to and interacting within this key habitat. New research in Pacific Northwest headwater forests, especially the characterization of microclimates and amphibian distributions, is expanding our perspective of riparian zones, and suggests the need for alternative designs to manage stream–riparian zones and their adjacent uplands. High biodiversity in riparian areas can be attributed to cool moist conditions, high productivity and complex habitat. All 47 northwestern amphibian species have stream–riparian associations, with a third being obligate forms to general stream–riparian areas, and a quarter with life histories reliant on headwater landscapes in particular. Recent recognition that stream-breeding amphibians can disperse hundreds of meters into uplands implies that connectivity among neighboring drainages may be important to their population structures and dynamics. Microclimate studies substantiate a “stream effect” of cool moist conditions permeating upslope into warmer, drier forests. We review forest management approaches relative to headwater riparian areas in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and we propose scenarios designed to retain all habitats used by amphibians with complex life histories. These include a mix of riparian and upslope management approaches to address the breeding, foraging, overwintering, and dispersal functions of these animals. We speculate that the stream microclimate effect can partly counterbalance edge effects imposed by upslope forest disturbances, hence appropriately sized and managed riparian buffers can protect suitable microclimates at streams and within riparian forests. We propose one approach that focuses habitat conservation in headwater areas – where present management allows extensive logging – on sensitive target species, such as tailed frogs and torrent salamanders that often occur patchily. Assuming both high patchiness and some concordance among the distribution of sensitive species, protecting areas with higher abundances of these animals could justify less protection of currently unoccupied or low-density habitats, where more intensive forest management for timber production could occur. Also, we outline an approach that protects juxtaposed headwater patches, retaining connectivity among sub-drainages using a 6th-field watershed spatial scale for assuring well-distributed protected areas across forested landscapes. However, research is needed to test this approach and to determine whether it is sufficient to buffer downstream water quality and habitat from impacts of headwater management. Offering too-sparse protection everywhere is likely insufficient to conserve headwater habitats and biodiversity, while our alternative targeted protection of selected headwaters does not bind the entire forest landscape into a biodiversity reserve.     

Assessing the sublethal impacts of anthropogenic stressors on fish: An energy‐budget approach

Fish are increasingly exposed to anthropogenic stressors from human developments and activities such as agriculture, urbanization, pollution and fishing. Lethal impacts of these stressors have been studied but the potential sublethal impacts, such as behavioural changes or reduced growth and reproduction, have often been overlooked. Unlike mortality, sublethal impacts are broad and difficult to quantify experimentally. As a result, sublethal impacts are often ignored in regulatory frameworks and management decisions. Building on established fish bioenergetic models, we present a general method for using the population consequences of disturbance framework to investigate how stressors influence ecologically relevant life processes of fish. We partition impact into the initial energetic cost of attempts to escape from the stressor, followed by the energetic impacts of any injury or behavioural change, and their consequent effects on life processes. As a case study, we assess the sublethal effects of catch and release angling for the European sea bass (Dicentrachus labrax, Moronidae), a popular target species for recreational fishers. The energy budget model described is not intended to replace existing experimental approaches but does provide a simple way to account for sublethal impacts in assessment of the impact of recreational fisheries and aid development of robust management approaches. There is potential to apply our energy budget approach to investigate a broad range of stressors and cumulative impacts for many fish species while also using individual‐based models to estimate population‐level impacts.