Indigenous genetic lineages of Fagus crenata found in the Izu Peninsula suggest that there was one of refugia for the species during the last glacial maximum

Regions believed to be refugia are known to have lineages indigenous to the regions. The Izu Peninsula, where genus Fagus existed during the last glacial period, was focused on to survey chloroplast DNA of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume) that grew there. DNA sequence analysis of chloroplast genome regions of about 14 kb revealed two new haplotypes, O and E-1, in F. crenata populations in the Izu Peninsula and adjacent regions. Both haplotypes were conceivably derived from haplotype E. The result of the genetic analysis in this study in combination with the result of pollen analyses performed in the past clearly showed that refugia for F. crenata existed in the Izu Peninsula, and that F. crenata now in growth are lineages indigenous to the region.     

Genetic evidence for paternal inheritance of the chloroplast in four Australian Callitris species (Cupressaceae)

The mode of chloroplast inheritance was investigated in the four Australian conifer species; Callitris columellaris, C. intratropica, C. gracilis and C. verrucosa (Callitroideae, Cupressaceae), as a basis for future use of chloroplast genetic markers for the genus. Open-pollinated seeds and the foliage tissue of the mother trees were collected from one population per species, in which two distinct chloroplast haplotypes at the trnL (UAA) 5′ exon–trnF (GAA) region were co-distributed. In total, the DNA sequences of the chloroplast fragments in 255 samples were determined, and the haplotypes of the germinated seedlings and the mother trees were compared. Among the 16 mother trees examined across all species, 12 trees were shown to have produced at least one offspring with a different haplotype from the mother, indicating the occurrence of paternal inheritance of chloroplast in the fertilization processes. In binomial GLMM analyses, the haplotype of mother trees in C. columellaris, C. gracilis, and C. verrucosa did not significantly affect those of their offspring, and the predicted frequency of seedlings’ haplotypes was compatible with the observed frequency in adult canopy trees. These findings provide a genetic support that paternal inheritance of chloroplast DNA via pollen dispersal would be dominant in the Callitris species.     

Genetic similarity of natural populations and plantations of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. in Nepal

? Genetic structures of five population pairs each consisting of one natural population and one neighbouring plantation of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. in Nepal were assessed using nuclear (nSSRs) and chloroplast microsatellite loci (cpSSRs).

? The mean number of alleles at nSSRs loci in natural populations was 5.0 compared to 4.93 in plantations while the average observed heterozygosities were the same in both groups (H ₀ = 0.50). Most of the alleles were common to all the populations, indicating that the populations correspond to a single genetic entity. Similarly forty-seven haplotypes were observed in natural populations compared to fifty haplotypes in plantations. Mean haplotype diversities of natural populations (0.953) and plantations (0.955) were very similar. Genetic diversity of Pinus roxburghii was relatively high with low or no evidence of inbreeding while genetic differentiation among all populations was very low (about 1%).

? The very low differentiation among natural populations indicates efficient long-distance gene flow among populations resulting in homogeneous genetic structures at least at selectively neutral loci. Even though the harvest and production of seeds and seedlings was largely uncontrolled, genetic structures of most plantations show no signs of reduced variation, inbreeding or other negative effects compromising the adaptedness or adaptability of planted forests.

     

Identification of chloroplast DNA haplotypes ofAbies firma andA. homolepis using a polymerase chain reaction with species-specific primers

DNA sequences of the chloroplast spacer region between thetrnP andtrnW genes (234 bps) were determined for two Japanese fir species,Abies firma Sieb. et Zucc. andA. homolepis Sieb. et Zucc., using four individuals from each species. No intraspecific variation was found in either species, but interspecific sequence polymorphism was detected between the two species. The interspecific variation was three nucleotide changes, from the 148th to 150th nucleotide position. These three nucleotides were TAC inA. firma and GTA inA. homolepis, which were inverted. In order to identify the cpDNA haplotypes between the two species, this inversion polymorphism was utilized to develop a new marker. Species-specific primers were designed so that the 3′ ends of the primers would anneal to the mutation site, in order for the two haplotypes to be easily identified by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).     

Possibility of grouping of Cyclobalanopsis species (Fagaceae) grown in Japan based on an analysis of several regions of chloroplast DNA

Four regions of chloroplast DNA were sequenced as a prospective genetic marker to identify Japanese representatives of Cyclobalanopsis: Quercus acuta, Q. sessilifolia, Q. salicina, Q. myrsinaefolia, Q. glauca, and Q. gilva. We found that Q. gilva was distinguished from other species based on both the trnL-trnF and trnT-trnL intergenic spacers. The evidence shows good coincidence with the fact that Q. gilva has several peculiar morphological features distinguishable from those of other species. There was no difference in trnL intron and matK. Both trnT-trnL and trnL-trnF intergenic spacers are capable of being used as genetic markers to identify Q. gilva among Cyclobalanopsis species.Part of this paper was presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, April 3–5, 1998     

Effects of previous forest types and site conditions on species composition and abundance of naturally regenerated trees in young <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> plantations in northern Japan

Naturally regenerated trees in young Cryptomeria japonica plantations were investigated in 141 quadrats of 10 × 50 m within a watershed of 1,000 ha, and factors affecting their composition and abundance were examined. The species composition of naturally regenerated trees was classified into four types. Dominant species were Swida controversa, Magnolia hypoleuca and Pterocarya rhoifolia in Type A1, Betula maximowicziana, M. hypoleuca, Quercus crispula and Castanea crenata in Type A2, Q. serrata and C. crenata in Type B1, and Pinus densiflora in Type B2. The results of path analysis showed significant influences of previous forest type and geology among the factors that correlated with the species composition of naturally regenerated trees; previous forest type in particular showed a higher absolute path coefficient value. Species composition types of naturally regenerated trees corresponded to the previous forest types: Types (A1 and A2) corresponded to the natural forests composed of Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai, Fagus crenata, Aesculus turbinata, etc., Type B1 corresponded to the secondary Q. crispula and Q. serrata forest, and Type B2 corresponded to the secondary P. densiflora forest, respectively. The abundance of naturally regenerated trees was strongly affected by geology; i.e., plantations on soft-sedimentary dacitic tuff contained great amounts of colonizing P. densiflora trees.     

Photosynthesis and biomass allocation of beech (Fagus crenata) and dwarf-bamboo (Sasa kurilensis) in response to contrasting light regimes in a Japan Sea-Type beech forest

Regeneration of beech (Fagus crenata) forests depends on the formation of canopy gaps. However, in Japan Sea-type beech forests, a dwarf bamboo (Sasa kurilensis) conspicuously occupies sunny gaps. Therefore,F. crenata seedlings must escape the severe interference ofS. kurilensis in the gaps and persist beneath a closed canopy of the beech forest. We hypothesized that the growth ofF. crenata seedlings in the understory would be favored by their being more plastic thanS. kurilensis in photosynthetic and morphological traits, which would support the matter production ofF. crenata seedlings in a wide range of light availabilities. To examine this hypothesis, the photosynthetic-light response of individual leaves and the biomass allocation in aboveground parts (i.e., the culm/foliage ratio) were surveyed at sites with contrasting light availabilities in a Japan Sea-type beech forest in central Japan. InF. crenata, photosynthetic light utilization efficiency at relatively low light was greater, and the dark respiration rate was smaller in the leaves of seedlings (10 cm in height) beneath the closed canopy than in the leaves of saplings at the sunny forest edge. The culm/foliage (C/F) ratio of theF. crenata seedlings at the shady site was small, suggesting effective matter-production beneath the beech canopy. On the other hand,S. kurilensis both in the gap and beneath the beech canopy showed low plasticity in photosynthesis and the culm/foliage ratio. Because the shoot density ofS. kurilensis was smaller beneath the beech canopy than in the gap, the light availability at the bottom of theS. kurilensis layer was greater beneath the beech canopy. These results suggest that the photosynthetic productivity of theF. crenata seedlings would be enough for the seedlings to survive in the understory with a low density ofS. kurilensis shoots beneath the closed beech canopy.     

Difference in uprooting resistance among coniferous species planted in soils of volcanic origin

Uprooting resistance against wind force for coniferous plantations in soils of volcanic origin was studied. The difference in uprooting resistance among Abies sachalinensis, Picea jezoensis, and Larix kaempferi was discussed. The sample site was set in Chitose plantations in Hokkaido Japan, where typhoon 0418 caused fatal uprooting damage in 2004. An uproot resistance index—the ratio of the geometrical moment of area for uprooted root-plate to the moment susceptibility to wind force—was defined to quantify relative uprooting resistance against wind force. It was calculated from the dimensional measurements for the tree forms and root-plates of 100 uprooted sample trees after the typhoon attack. As a result, the uprooting resistance for Picea jezoensis, which was less damaged among the sample species, was estimated to be greater than those for the other two species.     

Genetic variation of Fraxinus angustifolia natural populations in Greece based on nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers

Assessment of genetic variation within and among populations is an essential parameter for the effective conservation of forest genetic resources. In this work, the genetic diversity within and among natural populations of the forest tree species Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl in Greece was studied using selected nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite DNA loci. Eight natural populations of F. angustifolia were identified in different locations of the mainland of Greece, and a total of 230 individuals were studied. High polymorphism was observed within populations, while the genetic differentiation among populations was moderate. Intra-population diversity was correlated with geographical coordinates, but no isolation by distance was observed. Of the three haplotypes identified, only one was dominant. Putative ancestral haplotypes were found at small spatial scales suggesting that population expansions could have originated in the region. This study located in sympatry haplotypes that in other parts of Europe are in allopatry, reinforcing the notion of population expansions from the south of Balkans including Greece. Suggestions for conservation and management of F. angustifolia are also reported.     

Effects of altitudinal gradient on species composition of naturally regenerated trees in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix kaempferi</Emphasis> plantations in central Japan

Species composition and community structure of naturally regenerated trees in Larix kaempferi plantations and natural forests were compared in relation to altitudinal gradient. Fifty-nine L. kaempferi plantations and 26 natural forest stands including old-growth and secondary forests were selected from 1300 to 2000 m a.s.l. in Mt Kushigata of central Japan. Vegetation plots (10 × 10 m) were established in each stand (85 plots in total). Species composition differed significantly between forest types, particularly on high altitude plots. Some species were significantly biased to natural forests, while no species were biased to plantations. Although some species that responded significantly to altitude were common to both forest types (e.g., Acer ukurunduese, Castanea crenata, and Fraxinus lanuginose f. serrata), some differed between forest types (e.g., Fagus japonica, Prunus maximowiczii, and P. nipponica). Thus, plantation management altered species responses to altitude. Altitude should be considered when planning and carrying out forest ecological restoration in plantations, because species composition of naturally regenerated trees has already been changed by past plantation management. In particular, attention should be paid to ecological restoration at high altitude.     

Feasibility of implementing thinning in even-aged <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix olgensis</Emphasis> plantations to develop uneven-aged larch–broadleaved mixed forests

Thinning experiments were conducted in larch (Larix olgensis) plantations to assess the feasibility of converting even-aged plantation stands to uneven-aged forests with more complex stand structures. Stands established in 1965 and 1960 were thinned in 2004 (Regime A, for determining the effect of recent thinning on emergence of seedlings) and 1994 (Regime B, for examining the effects of the past thinning on establishments of recruitments), respectively, at two intensities each. Natural regeneration, together with litter depth, canopy openness and vegetation cover, was surveyed in the thinned plots. Results indicated that larch seedlings started to emerge in May, reached a peak in June, decreased from June through September, and then disappeared in October. No larch seedlings exceeded 1 year old in the thinned plots because of the low levels of light and dense litter and vegetation cover. However, there were many naturally regenerated seedlings (5–50 cm in height) and saplings (50–500 cm in height) of broadleaved tree species such as Acer spp., Fraxinus spp., Cornus controversa, Quercus mongolica, and even the climax tree species, Pinus koraiensis, in the thinned plots. The mean density of regenerated seedlings reached 6.7 and 4.5 stems m⁻² in Regimes A and B, respectively, whilst the mean density of regenerated saplings reached 4,595 stems ha⁻¹ in Regime B. These results suggest that it is impractical to turn even-aged larch plantations to uneven-aged larch forests, but it may be feasible to develop uneven-aged larch-broadleaved forests from even-aged larch plantations through thinning.     

Establishment and early growth of introduced indigenous tree species in typical plantations and shrubland in South China

Unsuccessful colonization by indigenous tree species into established plantations has retarded the succession of artificial plantations to more natural, secondary forests in South China. To understand how to improve colonization by seedlings of indigenous species, we determined how performance of indigenous seedlings is affected by seedling species (the shade-intolerant Castanopsis chinensis, the moderately shade-intolerant Michelia chapensis, and the shade-tolerant Psychotria rubra), the site into which the seedlings were transplanted (a mixed-legume plantation, a eucalyptus plantation, a mixed-native plantation, a mixed-conifer plantation, and a shrubland), and site preparation (removal or retention of understory vegetation and litter). Seedling survival and growth were generally increased by removal of understory vegetation and litter. C. chinensis and M. chapensis grew better in the mixed-legume and mixed-conifer plantations, while P. rubra grew better in mixed-native and mixed-conifer plantations. Responses of the transplanted seedlings to environmental factors were species specific. The effects of light on seedling survival and growth were correlated with the shade tolerance of the species. Soil moisture was important; it was positively correlated with survival but negatively correlated with growth of C. chinensis seedlings. Growth of C. chinensis and M. chapensis was positively correlated with soil potassium, while growth of P. rubra was positively correlated with soil organic matter but negatively correlated with soil hydrolyzed nitrogen. These findings suggest that we should select suitable native species under the different plantations before improvement of plantations. Light and soil moisture are most important environmental factors for the selection of species specific. Site preparation and fertilizer are needed during the improvement of those plantations.     

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantations contribute to the regeneration of holly (Ilex aquifolium L.) in mediterranean central Spain

The aim of this study is to evaluate the recruitment possibilities of holly (Ilex aquifolium L.) populations under Pinus sylvestris plantations in the mountains of Central Spain. Population recruitment of holly under P. sylvestris L. plantations was studied at two localities. We sampled holly seed rain, seed bank, and seedling emergence and survival (of both emerged and planted seedlings) in both localities. Seed germination was analysed by randomly sowing Ilex seeds and their subsequent recollection and analysis over the following 3 years (only in one locality). Seed rain, seed bank and emerged seedling densities did not differ between localities. Seed bank density was between 10 and 20 seeds m⁻², considerably higher than the observed seed rain (0.4–1.2 seeds m⁻²), and also higher than the emerged seedling density (0–4 seedlings m⁻²). But Ilex is not very efficient in germinating under pine forests (29.1% germination after 3 years). This may indicate a seed accumulation process of at least 5 years. Seedling survival for the first year differed among the studied sites (50–60 vs. 17%). Nevertheless these survival rates are higher than those found for the same seedling populations in different forest habitats (not Scots pine forests) from near locations. Differences in summer water stress between the study sites are proposed as the main cause of the observed differences in seedling survival. It is concluded that P. sylvestris forests may provide one of the best regeneration habitats for holly in the Mediterranean area, where this species is close to the Southern limit of its distribution.     

Photosynthetic responses to lightflecks ofFagus crenata seedlings grown in a gap and understory of a deciduous forest

Photosynthetic responses to a series of 1-min lightflecks (1,000μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) superimposed on a background with different duration (1, 5, and 10 min) and intensity (25 and 50μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) of low background photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were measured in the leaves ofFagus crenata grown in a gap and understory of aFagus crenata forest in the Naeba Mountains. The two background PPFD intensities most frequently occurred in understory and gap sites respectively. The maximum net photosynthetic rate (P _Nmax) and maximum stomatal conductance (g _smax) were higher in the gap seedlings than in the understory seedlings. However, when the background PPFD was 25μmol m⁻²s⁻¹, the net photosynthetic rate (P ₂₅) and stomatal conductance (g _s25) were almost the same between the gap and understory. When the background PPFD duration was 1-min, the net photosynthetic rate (P _N ) at the end of each lightfleck increased progressively. When the background PPFD duration was 5- and 10-min, the increase inP _N at the end of each lightfleck was less. This indicates that background PPFD duration is important to photosynthetic responses to lightflecks. The higher ratios ofP ₂₅/P _Nmax andg _s25/g _smax in the understory seedlings indicate that the understory seedlings can maintain relatively lower levels of biochemical and stomatal limitations than the gap seedlings under low light conditions. The ratios ofP _N /P _Nmax at the end of each lightfleck (IS) and light utilization efficiency of single lightflecks (LUE _s) that showed the influence of lightflecks on carbon gain were higher in the understory seedlings than in the gap seedlings when the background PPFD was 25μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. This means that understory seedling are capable of utilizing fluctuating light more efficiently under low light conditions than the gap seedlings although the net carbon gain of single lightflecks (CG _s) in the understory seedlings was not higher than that in the gap seedlings. There were no significant differences inIS andLUE _s between understory seedlings at a background PPFD of 25μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and gap seedlings at a background PPFD of 50μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. However,CG _s in gap seedlings was higher than in understory seedlings. These results provide more evidence thatF. crenata acclimate to a natural light environment in respect to relative induction state at low background PPFD and can capture the fluctuating light at the same efficiency in both the gap and understory seedlings under natural light environments. This study was funded by the research project, Evaluation of Total CO₂ Budget in Forest Ecosystems, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.     

Phylogenetic analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations from cotton plants in Pakistan,China, and Egypt

Bemisia tabaci is a species complex, of which the B and Q biotypes are globally distributed. B. tabaci feeds on more than 600 plant species including cotton, which is one of the main crops in Pakistan. In this study, the biotypes/haplotypes of B. tabaci populations collected from cotton plants in Pakistan, China, and Egypt were identified, and their phylogenetic relationships were investigated. None of the populations from Pakistan or Egypt belonged to the B or Q biotype: all 16 samples from Pakistan belonged to haplotype “PCG-1” and it is a group of unresolved populations all from Pakistan, while all three populations from Egypt belonged to unresolved haplotype “ECG.” The three populations from China belonged to the B biotype. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PCG-1, ECG, and B biotypes clustered into different clades even though they share the same cotton plant species as their host. The association between the outbreaks of cotton leaf curl disease and the occurrence of the PCG haplotype of B. tabaci in Pakistan is discussed.     

Regeneration of Styrax argenteus in natural forest and in plantations of Cupressus lindleyi in Michoacan, Mexico

We evaluated the density and population height structure of Styrax argenteus in natural pine–oak forest and in Cupressus lindleyi plantations in Michoacan, Mexico. We also evaluated whether populations of S. argenteus in pine–oak vegetation and in C. lindleyi plantations had a clumped distribution. Finally, we evaluated whether advanced regeneration of different species was higher under the crown of S. argenteus than around it. Density of S. argenteus was higher in pine–oak forest than under plantations, but density in plantations was high. The structure of populations of S. argenteus in pine–oak vegetation had more individuals with ≤ 0.5 and >2 m, while populations in plantations had more individuals in intermediate height categories. Both populations were clumped. Only one species, Rubus liebmannii had higher densities under S. argenteus, so that other species might also colonize C. lindleyi plantations as a consequence to their affinity to S. argenteus. Although S. argenteus and other native species were apparently establishing under C. lindleyi plantations, Pinus and Quercus, the dominant genera of this forest type, were not. Consequently other activities, like liberation thinning, might be required to re-establish natural vegetation under C. lindleyi plantations.

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Resumen Evaluamos la densidad y estructura poblacional en categorías de altura para Styrax argenteus en bosque natural de pino-encino y bajo plantaciones de Cupressus lindleyi en Michoacán, México. También evaluamos si las poblaciones de S. argenteus en bosque de pino-encino y bajo plantaciones de C. lindleyi tenían una distribución agregada. Finalmente, evaluamos si la regeneración avanzada de distintas especies era mayor bajo la copa de S. argenteus, que alrededor de ésta. La densidad de S. argenteus fue mayor bajo vegetación de pino-encino que bajo las plantaciones, pero la densidad en plantaciones también fue alta. La estructura poblacional de S. argenetus en vegetación de pino-encino tuvo más individuos ≤ 0.5 y >2 m, mientras que la población en plantaciones tuvo más individuos en categorías de altura intermedias. Solo una especie, Rubus liebmannii tuvo densidades mayores bajo la copa de S. argenteus que alrededor de la misma, por lo que esta especie podría estar también colonizando plantaciones de C. lindleyi como consecuencia de su afinidad con S. argenteus. Aunque S. argenteus y otras especies se establecieron aparentemente en plantaciones de C. lindleyi, no fue así para los géneros dominantes en este tipo de bosque, Pinus y Quercus. Consecuentemente otras actividades, como cortes de liberación, sean necesarias para re-establecer la vegetación natural bajo dichas plantaciones de C. lindleyi.

     

Pre- and post-dispersal damage to the nuts of two beech species (Fagus crenata blume andF. japonica Maxim.) that masted simultaneously at the same site

A study of pre- and post-dispersal damage to the nuts of two beeches,Fagus crenata Blume andF. japonica Maxim., which masted simultaneously, was performed on a single site in Japan. Most insect damage to the nuts before dispersal resulted from boring by lepidopteran larvae, and the level of attack was markedly higher onF. crenata than onF. japonica. Early nut growth ofF. crenata allowed these borers to act as the first attackers on the nuts. Conversely, late nut growth ofF. japonica delayed the attack of borers, and foliage feeders acted as the first attackers instead, chewing on nuts from the outside. The low level of borer attacks on the nuts ofF. japonica in mast years was thought to have been caused by foliage feeders decreasing the amount of food resource available for later attack by borers in lean years. This could then lead to a subsequent depression of the population of borers in mast years. The proportion of nuts damaged by moth larvae was independent of the density of nuts for both beech species. Caching by vertebrates was thought to be the most important factor in post-dispersal damage because the density of nuts of both beech species on the forest floor in March was half the level measured using seed traps in the previous year. However, post-germination damage caused by a fungus was also an important factor. The survival rate of the nuts (including current-year seedlings) in the year after dispersal was independent of the density of dispersed sound nuts in the previous year for both beech species, with the exception of one set of observations (forF. japonica in July). This research was supported in part by a grant from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.     

Natural layering, foliation, fertility and plant species composition of a Fagus sylvatica stand above the alpine timberline in the Giant (Krkono?e) Mts., Czech Republic

Layering, long-term development of foliation, beech nut fertility and plant species composition have never before been studied in Fagus sylvatica stands above the alpine timberline in Central Europe. F. sylvatica forms and is present above the timberline (1,260 m a. s. l.) on only one south-facing slope along a 1-km-long stretch of the Giant Mts., which represents the northernmost timberline featuring F. sylvatica worldwide. We investigated the long-term development of this unique stand in which layering of F. sylvatica was discovered (LP—1,310 m a. s. l.), comparing it with a control plot (CP—1,190 m a. s. l.). Research plots were established in 1980, with monitoring of foliation, masting, beech nut fertility and plant species composition performed over the following 30 years. In the LP plot, F. sylvatica was able to reproduce only clonally by layering. Development of adventitious roots on branches reaching the ground took many years. In the LP plot, F. sylvatica was able to survive heavy air pollution during the 1980s and since that time substantial improvement of its health status has been recorded. Generative reproduction of F. sylvatica in the LP plot was extremely rare, as production of fertile nuts was recorded only once in 2007 and seedlings have never been recorded at all. An improvement in F. sylvatica foliation in the LP plot was probably the reason for a decrease in species richness and cover of bryophytes. The herb layer, dominated by Calamagrostis villosa, was highly stable in the LP plot over the 30-year period, contrasting significantly with the marked changes in species composition observed in the understory of the CP plot where massive regeneration of F. sylvatica occurred. Layering, stability of herb layer and rare masting can be expected in F. sylvatica stands above the alpine timberline.     

High genetic diversity of Fusarium circinatum associated with the first outbreak of pitch canker on Pinus patula in South Africa

The disease known as pitch canker results from infection of Pinus species by the fungus Fusarium circinatum. This fungus also causes a serious root disease of Pinus seedlings and cuttings in forestry nurseries. Pinus radiata and P. patula are especially susceptible to the pathogen, but there are no records of pitch canker on P. patula in established plantations. To date, only planting material of this tree species in nurseries or in plantations at the time of establishment have been infected by F. circinatum. Symptoms of pitch canker have recently emerged in an established P. patula plantation in South Africa and this study sought to determine whether the symptoms were caused by F. circinatum. Isolates from cankers were identified as F. circinatum using morphology and DNA-based diagnostic markers. Microsatellite markers were then used to determine the genetic diversity of a collection of 52 isolates. The entire population included 17 genotypes representing 30 alleles, with a greater number of genotypes collected from younger (three- to six-year-old) than older (12- to 19-year-old) trees. Both mating types of F. circinatum were present, but no evidence of sexual recombination was inferred from population genetic analyses. This is the first record globally of pitch canker on P. patula trees in managed plantations. It is of significant concern to South Africa, where P. patula is the most important Pinus species utilised for plantation forestry.     

Effects of deer and mice on seedling survival in a temperate mixed forest of Japan

To detect the magnitude of indirect positive effects of deer and mice on seedling survival of some woody species in a Japanese temperate forest, we analyzed the data from an earlier field experiment using a hierarchical Bayesian approach. The forest studied was inhabited by sika deer (Cervus nippon) and mice (Apodemus spp.), and the floor was covered with dwarf bamboo, Sasa nipponica, which negatively affected tree seedlings and was in turn negatively affected by deer and mice. The field experiment was designed as the combination of exclusion or removal of these factors: deer, mice and dwarf bamboo. A hierarchical Bayesian model was constructed and the parameters were estimated by the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. The model successfully showed the indirect positive effects of deer and mice, which improved the survival rate of five cohorts of the seedlings of three tree species by ameliorating the direct negative effect of dwarf bamboo. The cohorts studied were formed by the seedlings of Abies homolepis that emerged in 1997 and 2002, those of Fraxinus lanuginosa f. serrata that emerged in 1998 and 2002, and those of Fagus crenata that emerged in 1999. The positive indirect effect was especially large in F. crenata, which is known to be severely affected by dwarf bamboo. The total effect of deer was shown to be positive for all cohorts except the A. homolepis cohort that emerged in 1997, at which time the dwarf bamboo had not yet fully recovered from the browsing pressure of deer. The total effect of mice was shown to be positive for all of the cohorts. We conclude that these positive effects were due to the large negative effect of dwarf bamboo on the seedlings.