RFLP analysis as a tool for identification of lignicolous basidiomycetes: European polypores

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms were generated for 52 species of lignicolous European polypores belonging to 31 different genera. An enzymatically amplified portion of the nuclear-encoded ribosomal DNA was found to be about 1800–1900 bp long for most taxa. After digestion with Hpa II, 44 distinct phenotypes were detected for the species under study; application of the additional restriction endonucleases, Hin 6 I and Hinf I, resulted in 48 species-specific and two genera-specific phenotypes. The procedure described should allow for a reliable identification of unknown mycelia of lignicolous fungi.     

绿竹等30个竹种ISSR遗传多样性分析及指纹图谱构建

为了研究30个竹种的遗传多样性和亲缘关系,建立其DNA指纹图谱,为竹亚科部分植物的分类及种质鉴定提供参考,利用优化的ISSR-PCR体系,筛选出18个多态性较好的的引物,对30个竹种的DNA进行PCR扩增。结果显示,18条引物扩增出的多态性位点占100%,平均每个引物扩增出14个位点,且DNA片段长度在200—3 000bp之间;30个竹种间的平均遗传距离为0.441 4,平均遗传相似度为0.644 44;在遗传距离0.51处进行ISSR聚类分析,可以将竹种分成6组,这与传统的分类大多比较吻合。说明30个竹种具有相当丰富的遗传多样性和基因库,各竹种间有一定的遗传差异和亲缘关系;ISSR技术分析竹种间亲缘关系和遗传多样性具有较高的精确性,可作为竹种分类的参考技术。     

Green fluorescent protein as a tool for monitoring transgene expression in forest tree species

The gene coding for green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria was successfully used as a vital marker for the transformation of three woody plant species, black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP), white pine (Pinus strobus L.) and poplar (Populus spp.). The gfp gene and the gene conferring resistance to kanamycin (nptII) were introduced by microprojectile bombardment or Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated technology. Screening by fluorescence microscopy of the transformed plant material, under the selection of kanamycin, identified five to eight cell lines from each tree species that clearly expressed GFP. Expression of GFP was observed in somatic embryonal cells of the coniferous species and in stem sections of poplar. For all species, GFP transgene expression was stable over multiple subcultures. Stable integration of the gfp gene into plant genomes was confirmed by Southern hybridization or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. We conclude that GFP can be used as a vital marker and reporter protein in transformation experiments with gymnosperms and deciduous trees.     

A computerized database as decision support tool for the selection of agroforestry tree species

Whether in agroforestry in temperate or tropical zones, choosing the right species is one of the most crucial stages of experiments and for reforestation, erosion control or land-improvement projects.Over the last decade, ICRAF has developed a tool to help researchers, extension workers, foresters and others in the decision process. The Multipurpose Tree & Shrub Database (MPTS) contains information about more than 1,000 species. Most of these species are grown in the tropical and subtropical zones, but many of them have a potential for temperate areas as well.MPTS contains first-hand, site-specific information about multipurpose tree species. This information makes it possible for the user to compare his or her site conditions with the site conditions described in the database, and allows him/her to draw conclusions about the possible species performance. MPTS also contains secondary information from publications.Candidate species are searched by entering keywords from a list of 19 correlated criteria, such as soil information, expected services or wood and non-wood products. Detailed information about the selected candidates (e.g. morphology, management, environmental responses) is provided.Beyond this, MPTS is a quick reference tool for the multiple use of tree and shrub species. In future it will include a comprehensive guide to germplasm information. Current activities include the implementation of an interactive use-interface and links to related databases.     

Maximally selected two-sample statistics as a new tool for the identification and assessment of habitat factors with an application to breeding-bird communities in oak forests

Near-natural forest management is one of the major principles of modern forestry in central Europe. A measure commonly used for the assessment of logging is the occurrence and density of character species typical for the local biotope. Near-natural forest structures can be designed only when sufficient knowledge about the relationship between species and habitat factors is available. We suggest the use of simple cutpoint regression models for the derivation of statistically valid rules of thumb. The methodology is applied to bird and structure data of ancient and present oak coppices with standards to demonstrate its practical application. The cutpoints are derived from estimates of break points by means of maximally selected two-sample statistics, and their validity is judged by multiple test procedures. Detailed results are presented for character species and their relationships to the environment. We show that, for example, the tree pipit (Anthus trivialis) is missing in stands with more than 40% canopy overstorey, whereas this species can be regularly observed in more open stands. For the tree pipit, the analysis is illustrated by means of a free software package.     

Reduction of herbivore density as a tool for reduction of herbivore browsing on palatable tree species

Browsing of overabundant free-living herbivores often limits the natural as well as artificial regeneration of forest in Central-European Mountains. The aim of the study was to assess the efficiency of the extensive reductions of herbivore populations for protection of forest regeneration in preferred areas. We analysed the relationship between the intensity of shoot browsing and relative density of herbivores in viewpoint of natural regeneration of secondary mountain spruce stands with low proportion of broadleaved trees in Králicky Sněžník Reserve (Czech Republic). The distribution of seasonally migrating herbivores was established by counting faecal pellet groups (standing crop method) in growing season. The intensity of browsing of spruce, beech and rowan was assessed using the proportion of browsed shoots on individual tree sapling. Density of red deer was re-counted from the number of pellet groups and it was 15–56 individual/km². The intensity of spruce browsing was low in the whole area in all seasons. In general, the intensity of rowan and beech shoot browsing was high in the whole area. There were no correlations between deer density and browsing intensity of rowan (browsing was severe in all plots). We conclude that the natural regeneration of attractive trees and shrubs is nearly impossible in habitats where proportion of these food items is too small, even when the density of herbivores is low. Reduction of herbivores density is useful for protecting spruce and other tree species with low preference by herbivores. Forest managers should take into account the high palatability of deciduous tree species and distribution of herbivores on localities. Preference of localities is often based on grasses in the food supply. Regeneration of highly palatable tree species requires both low density of herbivores and sufficient protection of saplings.     

宁波城区园林植物多样性调查

以抽样调查的方法,对宁波城市园林植物多样性开展调查,了解了宁波城市绿地中乔木、灌木、草本等植物种类、数量、比例结构等状况,分析了宁波城市绿地群落生物多样性的现状及问题,提出在宁波生态城市建设中绿化事业发展的建议。     

Exploratory analysis of structural diversity indicators at stand level in three Italian beech sites and implications for sustainable forest management

The present study introduces an exploratory data analysis based on structural indicators with the aim to assess the effect of silvicultural practices on tree stand structure. The study was carried out in three Italian beech forests of different ages with stand structures that originated from dissimilar regeneration and cultivation techniques(Cansiglio, northern Italy, Chiarano, central Italy,and Mongiana, southern Italy). Ten structural indicators were considered when investigating the latent multivariate relationship between stand structure attributes before and after thinning operations by using a multiway factor analysis(MFA). The MFA results identified the older stand at Cansiglio as more homogeneous for cultivation regimes,and more stable to practices when compared with the younger sites(Chiarano and Mongiana). Heterogeneous stands were sensitive to silvicultural practice thus suggesting their possible impact on forest attributes. The proposed approach proved to be an operational tool to evaluate comprehensively the response of forest structure to planned interventions.     

Traditional and modern methods for the identification of thrips (Thysanoptera) species

Many thrips are pests of commercial crops due to the damage they cause by feeding on developing flowers or vegetables. Thrips may also serve as vectors for plant diseases, such as tospoviruses. Their small size and predisposition towards enclosed places makes them difficult to detect by phytosanitary inspection. In this review, several methods available for identifying thrips, including their advantages and disadvantages, are discussed. A combination of different methods gives the most reliable identification. Relatively new morphometric, molecular and biochemical methods for identifying thrips species represent valuable alternatives for situations in which correct identification with classical morphological methods is very difficult, time consuming or virtually impossible. However, traditional morphological methods should not be neglected, especially because adequate identification using morphological keys is usually an indispensable first step in the development and validation of these new modern methods. In addition, modern systems may still require specimen identification to the genus level via morphological keys, or such keys may be recommended to confirm the results of modern identification methods.     

松属部分种的ISSR-PCR扩增体系优化及鉴别

对松属部分种的ISSR-PCR的反应体系及扩增程序进行优化,并进行种质鉴别.优化的10 μL扩增体系为:Taq酶0.5 U,10×Buffer(Mg2+ free) ,dNTP 0.35 mmol/L,Mg2+ 2.25 mmol/L,20ng DNA ,0.8 μL引物.扩增程序为:94℃预变性7 min,然后进行40个循环:94℃变性30 s,56℃退火45 s,72℃延伸2 min;最后72℃延伸7 min,4℃保温.从100条UBC系列引物中筛选出5条特异性强、稳定性好的引物UBC823、UBC840、UBC841、UBC855、UBC873,扩增的特异性条带可对松属的7个种进行鉴别.     

The use of numerical simulation as a cognitive tool for studying the microwave drying of softwood in an over-sized waveguide

A previously developed mathematical model, which uses a comprehensive two-dimensional heat and mass transport code coupled with a three-dimensional code for resolving Maxwell's equations in the time domain, will be used to investigate numerous aspects of the microwave enhanced convective drying of softwood in an over-sized waveguide. At first, in order to highlight the predictive capabilities of the developed model, comparisons will be made between theory and experiment for spruce heartwood. It will be shown that the model is able to identify most of the important heat and mass transfer phenomena that arise throughout the drying process. After validation of the numerical simulation results, the work focuses on using the model as a cognitive tool for investigating important issues for closed microwave systems which include the effect of varying the sample dimensions and changing the location of the material within the applicator. Finally, a study will be presented that compares the overall drying kinetics generated within two different types of applicator designs. The first design uses a wave-trap located at the end of the waveguide to prevent reflected energy from back-propagating into the over-sized section of the guide, while the second design uses a short-circuit plane to ensure that this reflected energy is back – propagated towards the material. The advantages and disadvantages of these two designs will be deliberated. Received 25 May 1997     

Possibility of using three invasive non-forest tree species as an alternative source for energy production

Non-woody biomass species have high-energy potentials, which could be used for bioenergy production. Invasive species are species spreading into areas, where they are not native, consequently causing environmental and economic problems. Therefore, the present study evaluated the proximate, ultimate, chemical, and fuel characteristics of wood and charcoal of three invasive non-forest tree species in Saudi Arabia: Calotropis procera, Rhazya stricta, and Phragmites australis, which were compared with the wood of Acacia tortilis, a preferable local fuelwood. All these data were discussed to investigate the possibility of using the invasive plants for energy production. The thermal behavior of wood was analyzed using thermo-gravimetric and derivative thermo-gravimetric methods. Overall, compared with the wood of A. tortilis, the woods of R. stricta and P. australis are suitable for energy production. The charcoal produced from P. australis emitted less nitrogen (N) oxide than that of R. stricta.     

北京怀柔山区油松人工林群落特征及物种多样性

从北京市植物种质资源调查数据中选取了48个样地对怀柔山区的油松人工林群落进行分析,得到怀柔山区油松人工林平均每公顷蓄积为82.8 m3,平均株数密度为2 083株/hm2。采用《中国植被》的分类原则将48个600 m2的样地分为5个群丛组,15个群丛。计算了各群丛不同层次上的丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数、Pielou均匀度指数。结果表明,油松人工林不同林分蓄积、胸高断面积、林分密度差异比较大,油松人工林群落的组成成分比较简单。H表现为草本层〉灌木层〉乔木层,丰富度指数和均匀度指数的趋势和H相近,D则相反。     

Models of the longitudinal distribution of ring area as a function of tree and stand attributes for four major Canadian conifers

Context

It is widely accepted that ring area increment generally increases from the tree apex to the crown base and is more-or-less constant below the crown base (Pressler’s law), but few quantitative models of this distribution have been developed.

Aims

The aim of this study was to develop a model of ring area increment using easily obtained crown features and other tree or stand characteristics in order to further the understanding and prediction of tree growth, form, and wood quality.

Methods

The models were fit to stem analysis observations from white spruce, black spruce, balsam fir, and lodgepole pine.

Results

In the final model, which includes tree crown and stand variables, ring area increment within the crown region was slightly curvilinear, the slope of ring area increment below the crown was non-zero, and the effect of butt swell was appreciable up-to a relative height of 0.10.

Conclusions

The high accuracy of the mixed effects model suggests that the three-component model form is appropriate for describing ring area profiles, whereas some tree-to-tree variation remains unexplained. The tree and stand variables used in these models can be easily measured in the field or obtained from remote sensing techniques.     

Laser-excited fluorescence spectra of eastern SPF wood species. An optical technique for identification and separation of wood species?

Summary Use of UV-laser excitation to produce fluorescence spectra for heartwood and sapwood from jack pine (Pinus banksiana), white spruce (Picea glauca) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) was examined. Spectra were fairly broad without sharp spectral features and overlap of spectra between species was common. Sample to sample and in-sample variation of the recorded fluorescence spectra was observed. The fluorescence spectra obtained from heartwood samples of jack pine showed evidence of photochemical bleaching as a result of the multiple laser pulses needed to produce a complete spectrum. Bleaching may have obscured differences between species. For the mix of species examined no sapwood nor heartwood samples were distinguishable by this technique with the detector used. Use of an optical multichannel analyzer (OMA) could reduce the number of laser pulses needed to obtain an entire spectrum. Under these conditions it would be possible to determine whether the minor differences in spectral features observed for the different species are more pronounced in the first few laser pulses and if they are characteristic of species. Certain aspects of the data suggest that with improved analytical equipment UV-fluorescence might prove to be a useful technique for the identification of certain species.     

一种经济有效的森林土壤粗品DNA纯化方法

尽管人们采用多种提取方法乃至使用商品试剂盒,但从森林土壤中获得纯品DNA仍然是比较困难的事情。本文经多次研究探索提出了一种经济有效的森林土壤粗品DNA进一步纯化方法。此方法由两步组成:1.利用提取缓冲液将提取的粗品DNA溶解,经氯仿/异戊醇去除杂质后,再用异内醇沉淀析出DNA;2.使用普通凝胶回收试剂盒回收柱进一步纯化DNA。结果表明:经第一步纯化后,82%-91%腐殖酸杂质被除去。经第二步纯化后,残留的少量腐殖酸杂质被去除干净。经上述连续的两步纯化后获得的DNA非常纯净,可直接用于对抑制物非常敏感的常规PCR反应。本研究报道的DNA进一步纯化方法有效、经济且省时。此外,采用其它各种提取方法获得的土壤粗品DNA均可使用本方法进一步纯化。图4表2参15。     

The validity of the use of SEM/EDAX as a tool for the detection of UF resin penetration into wood cell walls in particleboard

Summary The interpretation of data from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) is dependent on the size of the excitation volume, the magnitude of which for organic materials such as wood has been little studied. From the analysis of a model system comprised of a thin layer of gold sandwiched between two layers of an epoxy plastic, it was shown that about 90% of all excitations arise from a volume about 6 m wide and 4 m deep. However, these dimensions vary with the orientation of the gold relative to the specimen surface, and the specimen tilt. Theoretical predictions based on these data support, but not conclusively, the previously published SEM/EDAX evidence of the penetration of urea formaldehyde resins into the wood cell wall in particleboard manufacture.This paper was written while A. J. Bolton was Heritage Visiting Scientist at the Forest Products Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Visiting Professor at the Department of Forestry, University of Wisconsin, both at Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A. This support is gratefully acknowledged. The authors would also like to acknowledge the assistance of E. Edwards in machining the SEM specimens     

Relationship between species diversity and biomass of eucalyptus plantation in Guangxi, south China

To reveal the relationship between species diversity and biomass in a eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis) plantation located in the Dongmen State Forestry Farm of Guangxi, south China, 18 sample plots were established and the total biomass, arbor layer biomass and undergrowth biomass of communities were subsequently harvested. The results were as follows: 1) Species richness in eucalypt plantation had remarkable positive correlation with biomass of arbor layer, undergrowth and community (α = 0.001), its correlation coefficients were 0.6935, 0.7028 and 0.7106 respectively. 2) Leaf area index (LAI) had remarkable positive correlation with species richness and undergrowth biomass (α = 0.001). Its correlation coefficients were 0.7310 and 0.6856, respectively. 3) Arbor layer biomass had remarkable correlation with soil organic matter and hydrolysable N, its correlation coefficients was 0.6416 and 0.6203 respectively. Species richness had remarkable correlation with soil organic matter and correlation coefficient was 0.6359. Among them, the correlation was significant at the 0.1 level. Undergrowth biomass had little correlation with nine soil nutrients and correlation coefficients were under 0.4. To sum up, species diversity was advantageous to the promotion of the biomass of the eucalyptus plantation, and the variation of LAI and soil nutrient in small-scales could result in the difference of species diversity and biomass in different sample plots. Translater from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2008, 44(4): 14–19 [译自: 林业科学]     

Agroforestry systems reduce invasive species richness and diversity in the surroundings of protected areas

The Serra do Brigadeiro State Park (PESB) is one of the largest fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, and it is relevant for native species conservation. However, monocultures settled around the Park resulted in extensive open areas that facilitate the establishment of alien species on the PESB perimeter, which may threaten native species conservation therein, since biological invasion is the second main cause of global biodiversity loss. In this region, there are also farmers planting agroforestry systems (AFS), characterized by tree-based intercropping, which are structurally more similar to the Atlantic Rainforest reminiscent fragments present in the region and may limit local occurrence of potentially invasive exotic weeds for several reasons, such as the high levels of shade provided by trees, the groundcover that result from loss of tree leaves and the increased competition for belowground resources. This study aimed to test whether AFS limit exotic species establishment when compared to monoculture systems. Accordingly, three coffee monocultures and three agroforestry coffee plantations around the PESB were studied. In each of the six study areas, 30 plots of 1 m² were established between the lines of coffee plantation, where all species present were surveyed. In both treatments, rarefaction curves were constructed to evaluate native and exotic richness, and diversity of these two categories was estimated through Simpson index inverse (1/D). All 13 sampled exotic species were present in monocultures, but only three of them occurred in AFS. Besides, alien diversity in monocultures (\(1/D\) = 2.173 ± 0.011) was significantly higher than in AFS (\(1/D\) = 1.031 ± 0.001). Such changes in alien plant community between land-use show that AFSs limit invasive species establishment. Therefore, when planted around protected areas, AFS may contribute to the control of biological invasions and to biodiversity conservation.