Influences of life history, environmental gradients, and disturbance on riparian tree regeneration in Western Oregon

In two related field studies: (1) a multiscale riparian forest inventory and (2) a comparative study of natural forest gap and nongap environments, we explored regeneration patterns of native riparian trees in relation to large- and small-scale ecological drivers in four western Oregon watersheds spanning a climatic gradient from dry to wet. Twenty-three tree species were classified by life history traits into five functional groups that differed in shade and drought tolerance; distribution and abundance of tree regeneration were analyzed by group. For most groups, seedling abundance varied substantially across the large scale climate gradient. In particular, drought tolerant species decreased sharply in abundance from the drier to wetter watersheds. Overall seedling frequency and diversity also decreased from the driest to wettest watersheds, while nurse log use increased. Regeneration of most, but not all, species was greater in gaps.Principal conclusions are that life history information was useful for categorizing species and quite predictive of regeneration behavior overall, yet for many species contextual factors such as climate, forest structure, and adjoining species were also very important. Species appeared to regenerate opportunistically wherever local conditions fell within their environmental tolerances and competitive abilities. Management or restoration of riparian forests, therefore, requires knowledge of site conditions, the life history of the riparian trees present, and in particular an understanding of the species’ environmental tolerances, disturbance responses, and competitive abilities relative to one another.     

Is colourful self-sustaining forb vegetation mere fantasy?

Biodiversity in urban and suburban environments can be supported through establishment of low maintenance-requiring herbaceous vegetation types. Here, we attempt to provide a perspective on the possibilities and limitations of establishing forb-dominated vegetation to support local biodiversity and contribute to changing public aesthetics concerning green spaces. Plant ecological theories, methods and experiences are the foundation for the design and establishment of such vegetation types. We emphasise the importance of high plant density and recurrent disturbance for the maintenance of forb communities. Well-established ecological theory tells us that totally self-sustaining herbaceous vegetation is not a realistic possibility. Without intervention, herbaceous vegetation will change over time and eventually be colonized by woody species through the process of succession. However, by applying a creative and strategic approach to establishment and subsequent management involving small scale disturbances, rather than solely a uniform maintenance regime, it may be possible to maintain a colourful, aesthetically appealing and species-rich forb dominated community that will support biodiversity and increase public acceptance of alternatives to conventional lawns in urban and suburban environments.     

Establishment,survivorship, and growth of yellow birch seedlings after site preparation treatments in large gaps

The occurrence of yellow birch (YB) in the northeastern forests of North America is a source of concern. Several guidelines suggest ways to favor the regeneration of this species, including creating openings from small gaps to large clearcuts, coupled or not with a variety of soil preparation treatments. However, it is not clear if soil preparation treatment favors YB establishment by simply increasing the availability of good seedbed types, or by also altering competition pressure exerted by interfering species during the period of seedling establishment. For this study, large gaps (900 m²) were created in a 70-year old YB dominated forest, to which three treatments differing in soil disturbance intensities were applied (i.e., soil scarification (i) using a rake [raking]; or (ii) by dragging slash out to the edges of the gap [slash drag]; and (iii) limited to the passage of the harvesting equipment [control]). The proportion of seedbed types reportedly most favorable for YB establishment (i.e., mineral-dominated) increased as the severity of the site preparation increased. The opposite was observed for organic-dominated seedbeds. As a result, the stocking of YB seedlings increased with the severity of site preparation. However, YB stocking was deemed sufficient in all gaps to ensure future canopy dominance, even in the control treatment. Although YB seedlings generally achieved greater heights as site preparation intensity increased, it was clear that this did not reflect vigorous growth as, on average, greater heights coincided with greater seedling height–diameter ratios. At the seedbed level, height–diameter ratio was associated with an increase in surrounding competition pressure and an increase in the incidence of stem apical death (SAD), which in turn decreased height differences among seedbed types by the end of the study. At the gap level, this blurred the advantages of site preparation over a laisser-faire strategy. The incidence of SAD was greatest in the slash drag and the rake treatments. Consequently, we cannot say that intense soil scarification is worth the expenses, especially in stands where YB seed sources are abundant.     

格氏栲林林窗物种多样性动态规律的研究

格氏栲 (Castanopsiskawakamii) ,也称青钩栲 ,属国家二级保护植物 ,是壳斗科常绿阔叶大乔木 ,为亚热带珍贵稀有树种之一。自然分布仅限福建、江西、广东和广西等地 ,多零星生长在海拔 2 0 0～ 1 0 0 0m丘陵地带的常绿阔叶林中。在福建三明小湖地区有近 70 0hm2 的林分 ,多由百年以上的大树组成 ,是中国较为罕见的天然群落 ,有其独特的自然景观 (林鹏等 ,1 986;樊后保 ,2 0 0 0 )。有关学者对格氏栲林开展了一些研究 (刘金福等 ,1 998;1 999a ;1 999b ;2 0 0 1a ;2 0 0 1b ;2 0 0 1c ;2 0 0 2a ;2 0 0 2b ;2 0 0 2c) ,但有关格氏栲林多样性…     

Gap formation in Danish beech (Fagus sylvatica) forests of low management intensity: soil moisture and nitrate in soil solution

Soil moisture content (0–90 cm depth) and nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) concentrations in soil solution (90 cm depth) were monitored after gap formation (diameter 15–18 m) in three Danish beech-dominated forests on nutrient-rich till soils. NO₃-N drainage losses were estimated by the water balance model WATBAL for one of the sites. Two forests were non-intervention forests (semi-natural and unmanaged), the third was subject to nature-based management. The study was intended to assess the range of effects of gap formation in forests of low management intensity. In the unmanaged and the nature-based managed forest, soil solution was collected for 5 years and soil moisture measured in the fourth year after gap formation. Average NO₃-N concentrations were significantly higher in the gaps (9.9 and 8.1 mg NO₃-N l⁻¹, respectively) than under closed canopy (0.2 mg l⁻¹). In the semi-natural forest, measurements were carried out up to 29 months after gap formation. Average NO₃-N concentrations in the gap were 19.3 mg NO₃-N l⁻¹. Gap formation alone did not account for this high level, as concentrations were high also under closed canopy (average 12.4 mg NO₃-N l⁻¹). However, the gap had significantly higher N concentrations when trees were in full leaf, and NO₃-N drainage losses were significantly increased in the gap. No losses occurred under closed canopy in growing seasons. Soil moisture was close to field capacity in all three gaps, but decreased under closed canopy in growing seasons. In the semi-natural forest, advanced regeneration and lateral closure of the gap affected soil moisture levels in the gap in the last year of the study.     

中亚热带常绿阔叶林林隙与物种多样性的关系研究

对万木林中亚热带常绿阔叶林非林隙与林隙内物种多样性及物种多样性随林隙大小的变化规律研究结果表明 ,万木林常绿阔叶林林隙内物种多样性高于非林隙内 ,乔木树种物种多样性随林隙大小的变化呈双峰曲线 ,其物种多样性为 2 0 0～ 30 0m2 面积林隙内达最大值 ;而灌木树种多样性随林隙大小的变化呈单峰曲线 ,其物种多样性为 4 0 0～ 5 0 0m2 面积林隙内达最大值。     

Canopy composition as a measure to identify patterns of nutrient input in a mixed European beech and Norway spruce forest in central Europe

The influence of canopy composition on litterfall and throughfall was investigated in a mixed spruce beech forest in central Germany. We hypothesised that different parts of the mixed canopy created distinct patterns of element inputs via litterfall and throughfall. The investigation was carried out in two plots, representing the most contrasting cases of mixed forests: a stand greatly dominated by spruce (SDP) and a stand greatly dominated by beech (BDP). The canopies of the two plots were classified in four categories: pure beech, pure spruce, mixed canopy and gap. Amounts of throughfall water were lower and major element fluxes were higher under spruce than under beech in both plots, indicating that the nutrient inputs under the canopies of individual trees are driven by species-specific properties of the canopies and are quite independent of the degree of admixture. With the exception of K⁺, mixed canopies showed intermediate element inputs via throughfall, compared with pure canopy classes. The K⁺ input was significantly greater under mixed canopies, and these differences were more pronounced in the SDP than in the BDP. Results suggest that individual spruce trees in the BDP induce greater spatial heterogeneity of throughfall input than individual beech trees in the SDP. Nutrient inputs via foliar litterfall were similar among the different canopy classes, but the Mg input was lower under spruce canopy. This effect was balanced by higher Mg input via spruce throughfall. In our study, throughfall was the main source of heterogeneity in nutrient inputs, while foliar litterfall had a homogenising effect.     

缩小城乡差距 实现“城乡等值化”

目前,我国城乡在多方面存在着十分明显的差距,影响了国民经济的协调发展,也违背了社会公正,不利于和谐社会的建设.因此,应加大农村财政投入,大力发展农村经济,保障农民的各项权利,完善农村社会保障体系,提高农村的管理和服务水平,缩小城乡差距,实现"城乡等值化".     

福建万木林中亚热带常绿阔叶林林隙更新研究

对福建万木林中亚热带常绿阔叶林中林隙和非林隙林分进行调查 ,分析主要树种在林隙内外的数量特征、树种对林隙大小的更新反应规律。结果表明 :不同树种在林隙内和非林隙林分中重要值不同。根据不同树种在林隙内外重要值位序的差异大小 ,将万木林中亚热带常绿阔叶林中树种划分为 7种类型 :(1)只出现于林隙中 ;(2 )只出现于非林隙林分中 ;(3)对林隙更新反应不显著 ;(4 )对林隙有强烈正更新反应 ;(5 )对林隙有强烈负更新反应 ;(6 )对林隙有中等正更新反应 ;(7)对林隙有中等负更新反应的树种。不同树种对林隙大小的更新反应不同 ,山矾在林隙面积为 10 0m2 左右时其更新密度达到最大 ,木荷在林隙面积为 30 0～ 4 0 0m2 时 ,其更新密度达到最大 ,其他几种的更新密度都在林隙面积为 10 0～ 2 0 0m2 时达到最大。     

人工林白桦伐根腐朽程度对林隙内土壤温度的影响

通过对不同腐朽程度人工林白桦(Betula platyphylla)伐根林隙内土壤温度的测定,研究了伐根对林隙土壤温度的影响.结果表明:林隙土壤表面温度呈现不同的变异情况,但与伐根无关;有伐根林隙随伐根腐朽程度的加剧,土壤表面下10cm处温度差异性增加;未腐朽和初步腐朽伐根林隙土壤表面下10cm处温度变化趋势--伐根处温度较低,周围温度较高,温度变化梯度最大值发生在伐根南、北侧;严重腐朽伐根林隙伐根处土壤表面下10cm温度较高,且伐根周围温度变化梯度最大.