Influence of variable organic matter retention on nutrient availability in a 10-year-old loblolly pine plantation

The effects of varying forest floor and slash retention at time of regeneration were evaluated 10 years after the establishment of a loblolly pine plantation near Millport, Alabama. Treatments included removing, leaving unaltered, or doubling the forest floor and slash material. Forest floor and litterfall mass and nutrient concentrations, available soil N, foliar nutrient concentrations and stand yield were all impacted by the treatments. Forest floor mass and nutrient contents in the doubled treatment were significantly greater than the other two treatments. The doubled treatment accumulated 25, 45 and 350% more forest floor mass and 56, 56, and 310% more N than the control treatment in the Oi, Oe, and Oa layers, respectively. The other nutrients followed similar patterns. Potentially mineralized NO₃⁻-N in the mineral soil was also significantly higher in the doubled treatment. The positive effect of doubling the forest floor on soil N availability was reflected in greater foliage production, 30% more litterfall and 25% more stand yield for this treatment. This study shows that increasing the forest floor retention has resulted in increased nutrient availability and improved tree growth.     

Comparison of biomass equations for planted vs. natural loblolly pine stands of sawtimber size

Equations predicting biomass of components of sawtimber-size trees in a near-maturity loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation were compared to similar equations for an uneven-aged natural loblolly pine stand. Combined analysis of the two sites revealed that curves estimating total tree, stem wood, stem bark, branches, and foliage + branches weights were significantly different, while curves predicting biomass for total stem and foliage were similar. Biomass equations differ because of variations in tree component ratios and taper associated with site and stand conditions.     

Aboveground biomass and nitrogen in four short-rotation woody crop species growing with different water and nutrient availabilities

We quantified the effect of water and nutrient availability on aboveground biomass and nitrogen accumulation and partitioning in four species from the southeastern United States, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), slash pine (Pinus elliottii), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). The 6-year-old stands received five levels of resource input (control, irrigation with 3.05 cm water week⁻¹, irrigation + 57 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, irrigation + 85 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, and irrigation + 114 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). Irrigation significantly increased foliage, stem, and branch biomass for sweetgum and sycamore, culminating in 103% and 238% increases in total aboveground biomass. Fertilization significantly increased aboveground components for all species resulting in 49, 58, 281, and 132% increases in total aboveground biomass for loblolly pine, slash pine, sweetgum, and sycamore, respectively. Standing total aboveground biomass of the fertilized treatments reached 79, 59, 48, and 54 Mg ha⁻¹ for loblolly pine, slash pine, sweetgum, and sycamore, respectively. Fertilization increased foliar nitrogen concentration for loblolly pine, sweetgum, and sycamore foliage. Irrigation increased total stand nitrogen content by 6, 14, 93, and 161% for loblolly pine, slash pine, sweetgum, and sycamore, respectively. Fertilization increased total nitrogen content by 62, 53, 172, and 69% with maximum nitrogen contents of 267, 212, 237, and 203 kg ha⁻¹ for loblolly pine, slash pine, sweetgum, and sycamore, respectively. Growth efficiency (stem growth per unit of leaf biomass) and nitrogen use efficiency (stem growth per unit of foliar nitrogen content) increased for the sycamore and sweetgum, but not the loblolly or slash pine.     

Simulated biomass and soil carbon of loblolly pine and cottonwood plantations across a thermal gradient in southeastern United States

Changes in biomass and soil carbon with nitrogen fertilization were simulated for a 25-year loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantation and for three consecutive 7-year short-rotation cottonwood (Populus deltoides) stands. Simulations were conducted for 17 locations in the southeastern United States with mean annual temperatures ranging from 13.1 to 19.4 °C. The LINKAGES stand growth model, modified to include the “RothC” soil C and soil N model, simulated tree growth and soil C status. Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased cumulative cottonwood aboveground biomass in the three rotations from a site average of 106 to 272 Mg/ha in 21 years. The equivalent site averages for loblolly pine showed a significant increase from 176 and 184 Mg/ha in 25 years with fertilization. Location results, compared on the annual sum of daily mean air temperatures above 5.5 °C (growing-degree-days), showed contrasts. Loblolly pine biomass increased whereas cottonwood decreased with increasing growing-degree-days, particularly in cottonwood stands receiving N fertilization. The increment of biomass due to N addition per unit of control biomass (relative response) declined in both plantations with increase in growing-degree-days. Average soil C in loblolly pine stands increased from 24.3 to 40.4 Mg/ha in 25 years and in cottonwood soil C decreased from 14.7 to 13.7 Mg/ha after three 7-year rotations. Soil C did not decrease with increasing growing-degree-days in either plantation type suggesting that global warming may not initially affect soil C. Nitrogen fertilizer increased soil C slightly in cottonwood plantations and had no significant effect on the soil C of loblolly stands.     

秦岭松栎林带生物量及其营养元素分布特征

秦岭脱齿栎林、油松林和华山林（包括０－６０cm土层）营养元素总贮量达２９．２５００－３９０．１７３９t.hm^-2，其大小为锐齿栎林＞华山松＞油松林，土壤中营养现贮量占系统总量的９３．１０％－９９．３９％，植被层和凋落物层仅占０．５７％－３．００％和０．１０％－１．９９％；３林分乔木层生物量、木材蓄积量和营养元素积累量平均值分别为１２０．４８３t.hm^-2,129.384m^3.hm^-2和１２２６．９kg.hm^-2，锐齿栎林＞油松林＞华山松林。３林分林下植被层生物量现存量和营养元素积累量平均值分别为１．５５３t.hm^-2和５３．１kg.hm^-2，锐齿栎林最大，华山松林最小。林下凋落物现存量和营养元素积量平均值分别为１７．４７５t.hm^-2和５０２．５kg.hm^-2，３林分凋落物现存量、营养元素含量及其积累量都存在明显的差异。锐齿栎林、油松林和华山松林营养元素年吸收量、归还量、存留量和平均归还率分别为３３．４、１４７．２和２６４．３，１９５．６、６６．９和８４．１，１３８．８、８０．４和１８０．２kg.hm^-2和０．５８５、０４５４和０．３１８，３林分各营养元素的年吸收量，归还量和存留量也存在一定的差异，锐齿栎林干和皮中Ｃa和Ｍg含量远远高于油松林和华山松林的，锐齿栎林多代连作势必导致营养元素的大量流失，特别是Ｃa和Ｍg，会破坏土壤原有离子动态平衡，引起林地土壤理化性质改变，林地生产潜力逐渐下降。     

Impact of management on nutrients,carbon, and energy in aboveground biomass components of mid-rotation loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations

Context

To sustainably manage loblolly pine plantations for bioenergy and carbon sequestration, accurate information is required on the relationships between management regimes and energy, carbon, and nutrient export.

Aims

The effects of cultural intensity and planting density were investigated with respect to energy, carbon, and essential nutrients in aboveground biomass of mid-rotation loblolly pine plantations, and the effects of harvesting scenarios on export of nutrients were tested.

Methods

Destructive biomass sampling of a 12 years-old loblolly pine culture/density experiment, and analysis of variance were used to assess the effects of cultural intensity (operational vs. intensive) and six planting densities ranging from 741 to 4,448 trees ha^?1. Two harvesting scenarios (stem-only vs. whole-tree harvesting) were assessed in terms of energy, carbon, and nutrient export.

Results

The concentrations of energy, carbon, and nutrients varied significantly among stem wood, bark, branch, and foliage components. Cultural intensity and planting density did not significantly affect these concentrations. Differences in energy, carbon and nutrient contents among treatments were mainly mediated by changes in total biomass. Nutrient contents were affected by either cultural intensity or planting density, or both. Stem-only harvesting removed 71–79 % of aboveground energy and carbon, 29–45 % of N, 28–44 % of P, 44–57 % of K, 51–65 % of Ca, and 50–61 % of Mg.

Conclusions

Stem-only harvesting would be preferred to whole-tree harvesting, from a site nutrient conservation perspective.     

Effect of complete competition control and annual fertilization on stem growth and canopy relations for a chronosequence of loblolly pine plantations in the lower coastal plain of Georgia

Stem growth, developmental patterns and canopy relations were measured in a chronosequence of intensively managed loblolly pine stands. The study was located on two distinct sites in the lower coastal plain of Georgia, USA and contained a factorial arrangement of complete control of interspecific competition (W) and annual nitrogen fertilization (F). The W treatment increased growth rate for several years, while the F treatments led to sustained growth increases. The combination of the W and F treatments resulted in more than 180 Mg ha⁻¹ stem biomass production at age 15 which is more than double the production of control treatment. Stem biomass production is continuing to increase through age 15 as indicated by the current annual increment in stem biomass continuing to exceed the mean annual increment in stem biomass. The F treatment decreased wood quality by decreasing whole tree latewood specific gravity from 0.565 to 0.535 and by lengthening the transition from juvenile to mature wood from 4 to 5 years. Increased rates of stem growth in response to cultural treatments were largely mediated by increased leaf area, with strong functional relationships between leaf area index and current annual increment. However, growth efficiency (stem production per unit of leaf area) decreased with stand age. These results indicate that nutrient amendments are necessary for sustaining high rates of stand development on relatively nutrient poor lower coastal plain soils.     

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NUTRIENT CYCLING IN BIRCH STANDS WITH DIFFERENT AGE STAGES

SuccessionisthedynanucdeveloPInentofecosystemswhichcanbecharactetindbyenergyandndneralcyclings.Eachsuccessionstagehasitscharaceristicsofelementcycling.SomeschOlarshaveStatedbutbrieflawsofnutrienCyclinginsuccessionstagesI"3I.InthespaPer,thenutrientcyclingcharacterishcsofbirchsuccessionseriesinXiaokinganlingwerediscussed.SwrYAasAroarernoDSThestUdyareaislocatedinLiangshniNatUralReservesinthendddieofXiaox-ing'anlilg(l28"53,2o'rE,47olo'5O"N).Theclimat6belongstocontinentalmonsoonclimate,W…     

新疆杨元素含量与生物量研究

新疆杨(Populus bolleana Lauche)在我国新疆栽培最早,尤以和田、喀什地区生长最好。青海、甘肃、宁夏亦早有栽培,近十余年在陕西、内蒙、山西、辽宁、吉林诸省和北京市也有引种,是我国干旱、半干旱地区农田防护林及人工丰产林的优良树种。为进一步利用新疆杨资源,研究其生物量将具有实际应用价值。     

Nutrient content of standing crop and biological cycling in Pinus patula ecosystem

Nutrient contents were estimated in different components of Pinus patula trees growing in six stands ranging from 8 to 34 years of age in the Darjeeling hills, India. The highest concentrations of most nutrients were found in the leaves but the maximum nutrient pool was contained in the bole which accounted for about 58 to 85% of the total aerial contents of different elements. Among the nutrients, N concentration (2.2%) was the highest, followed by Ca Mg K P Na. Nutrient contents in the standing crop increased with stand age and were nearly 2102 kg Ca, 1911 kg N, 875 kg Mg, 478 kg K, 285 kg P and 82 kg Na per ha in above-ground biomass of the 34-year-old stand. The annual uptake of N is highest but its accumulation in the standing stock is lower than that of Ca in the 34-year-old stand. The uptake and storage of Mg closely resembled those of K. Nutrient return and release were also determined to establish biological cycling in the 34-year-old P. patula ecosystem. Litter is resistent to decay and the forest floor retained a very rich nutrient store over the mineral soil. Turnover rates and times for nutrient fluxes showed the higher efficiency of the return pathway and the greater stability of the soil pool.     

Influences of stand composition and age on forest floor processes and chemistry in pure and mixed stands of Douglas-fir and paper birch in interior British Columbia

The influence of stand composition and age on forest floor chemical properties, nitrogen availability, and microbial activity was examined in mixed and pure stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Decomposition of Douglas-fir and birch litter over two years as well as annual litter input was also measured. Mixed and pure stands of each species aged 10–25, 50–65 and >85 years old were selected in the Interior Cedar Hemlock (ICH) zone of southern interior British Columbia. Significantly more total N was mineralized in the forest floor of pure birch compare to that of pure Douglas-fir stands while forest floor of mixed species stands had intermediate N mineralization values. When sampling times were pooled forest floor N mineralization was lowest in the young stands compared to the older stands. Stand composition did not significantly affect litter decomposition were found in litter decomposition, microbial respiration and biomass. Stand age, however, did affect these parameters significantly. More birch litter mass was lost in young stands than in their older counterparts while the opposite trend was observed for fir litter. Generally, lower basal respiration, microbial biomass and C_mic/C_org was found in young compared to older stands. Concentrations and contents of forest floor total N and exchangeable K and Mg, and pH under pure birch were consistently higher compared to pure Douglas-fir. While forest floor total C, available P contents, exchangeable K and Mg concentrations were lowest in young stands, no differences were observed for total N and exchangeable Ca. All litter nutrient concentrations and contents were highest in pure birch stands. No clear trends could be discerned in litter nutrient concentration data among stand ages, although when converted to nutrient contents, there was a general increase with stand age. Both stand type and age had significant effects on forest floor properties and processes suggesting that stand age is another factor to evaluate when assessing the influence of forest composition on forest floor processes and chemistry. In terms of the effect of mixture, the data indicated that the maintenance of paper birch in mixed stands in these forest may have some effect on nutrient availability and status.     

Aboveground biomass and nutrient allocation in an age-sequence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix olgensis</Emphasis> plantations

Biomass and nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) stock in various aboveground tree components (stemwood, stembark, branches and leaves) were quantified in an age sequence of pure Larix olgensis planta- tions (20, 35, 53 and 69 years old) in Northeast China. The results show that the aboveground biomass allocation in various tree components was in the order of stemwood (62%-83%), branches (9%-21%), stembark (7%-11%) and leaves (1%-6%) for all stands. The proportion of stemwood biomass to total aboveground biomass increased whereas that of other tree components decreased consistently with stand age from 20 to 53 years old, but kept relatively constant with stand age from 53 and 69 years old. The nutrient allocation in various tree components generally followed the same pattern as the biomass allocation (i.e. stemwood > branches > stembark > leaves). The proportion of nutrient stock in leaves to total aboveground nutrient stock decreased consistently with increasing stand age, while that in stemwood increased with stand age from 20 to 53 years old but then decreased from 53 to 69 years old. The rate of nutrient removal for stands was estimated at different stand ages under different logging schemes, showing that the rate of nutrient removal would be unchanged when the rotation length was shortened to 20 years by the harvest of stem only, but greatly increased by the harvest of total aboveground biomass. The rate of nutrient removal would be a considerable reduction for all elements by debarking, especially for Ca.     

施肥对尾叶桉MLA无性系幼林生物量及养分含量的影响

对建立在广东开平的尾叶桉MLA6年生无性系施肥试验林进行了生物量和养分的测定与分析,结果表明:尾叶桉MLA无性系幼林早期施肥促进了无性系的生长,也促进了生物量的增加。生长最佳的施肥处理N75P200K50,其6年生的生物量最大,地上生物量和树干生物量分别为65 95、54 94t·hm-2,分别是不施肥处理的2 37和2 36倍,分别是最大施肥量处理N75P300K75的1 65倍和1 67倍。通过胸径和树高与生物量建立的回归方程,可预测尾叶桉MLA无性系单株或林分生物量。叶片的N、P、K含量较高,施肥促进了尾叶桉无性系对营养元素的吸收和积累。     

间伐后杉木人工林生态系统养分动态的研究

将定位试验地杉木人工林间伐后,对其生态系统不同层次养分积累动态特性进行了研究．结果表明：间伐后林木各器官营养元素含量发生了变化;乔木层由于生物量的减少,养分积累量也相应减少,而灌、草及死地被物层养分积累分别增加２７２．１％,３７．２％和１６０．０％;整个杉木人工林生态系统养分的积累无论是大量元素,还是微量元素均超过对照;林下植被和死地被物层在系统养分循环中具有重要作用．     

不同坡位木荷人工林生物量及营养结构研究

对不同坡位３４年生木荷人工林进行林分生长、生物量及营养结构、林地土壤状况等的调查结果表明：下坡平均木及全林的平均树高、胸径、材积及生物量总干重明显大于上坡；叶片中营养元素含量基本与生长状况一致，主杆和枝条中这些元素浓度则相反；全林分中各营养元素的持有量为Ｃ＞Ｎ＞ｃａ＞Ｋ＞Ｍｇ＞Ｐ。     

The influence of nutrient and water availability on carbohydrate storage in loblolly pine

We quantified the effects of nutrient and water availability on monthly whole-tree carbohydrate budgets and determined allocation patterns of storage carbohydrates in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) to test site resource impacts on internal carbon (C) storage. A factorial combination of two nutrient and two irrigation treatments were imposed on a 7-year-old loblolly pine stand in the Sandhills of North Carolina. Monthly collections of foliage, branch, stem, bark, and root tissues were made and total non-structural carbohydrate analyses were performed on samples collected in years 3 and 4 after treatment initiation. Seasonal fluxes of carbohydrates reflected the hypothesized use and storage patterns. Starch concentrations peaked in the spring in all tissues measured; however, minimum concentrations in aboveground tissue occurred in late winter while minimum concentrations in below ground tissue occurred in late fall. Increased nutrient availability generally decreased starch concentrations in current year tissue, while increasing starch in 1-year-old woody tissue. Irrigation treatments did not significantly impact carbohydrate flux. The greatest capacity for starch storage was in below ground tissue, accounting for as much as 400 kg C/ha per year, and more than 65% of the total stored starch C pool. The absolute amount of C stored as starch was significantly increased with increased nutrient availability, however, its relative contribution to the total annual C budget was not changed.     

Estimating biomass and macronutrient content of some commercially important plantation species in South Africa

The removal of biomass, in any combination of stemwood, bark or branch harvesting, can cause a significant increase in nutrient loss from commercial timber plantations. Ensuring long-term site productivity of forest plantations is a key issue for forestry management. Managers need to secure a continued supply of tree biomass components, while understanding the impact of various harvesting operations on plantation nutrient reserves. It is imperative to quantify the biomass and nutrient stocks and their removal during silvicultural operations, such as harvesting, burning and various forms of site preparation. At present, there are no simple methods to estimate inherent site nutrient reserves, or nutrient gains through processes such as atmospheric deposition or rock weathering, or the quantities of nutrients lost through silvicultural operations (harvesting, burning and site preparation). The aim of this work was to construct simple multipliers that can be used in conjunction with plantation timber volumes to estimate stem, branch and bark biomass and nutrient contents. The multipliers were developed from data existing for Eucalyptus spp., Pinus patula and Acacia mearnsii stands throughout the summer rainfall region of South Africa and Swaziland. Due to limited data unique nutrient multipliers were not developed for each productivity range and the multipliers were assumed to be consistent across all productivity ranges. The ratios may underestimate on fertile sites where luxury consumption of nutrients may occur and not accurately predict where stand management practices have altered wood density, allometry or canopy architecture. Although genus and species impacted on the quantity of nutrients held in the plantation biomass, productivity and harvesting intensity were the biggest driver of nutrient removal. Although the multipliers developed here have value in creating a general estimate of nutrient content they are from a limited dataset and need to be expanded upon across species, site and age ranges before being able to precisely estimate nutrient contents. Although harvesting is a major component of nutrient export, natural additions and losses of nutrients, and site nutrient reserves need to be known in order to gain a complete understanding of the impact of nutrient loss on site nutrient reserves.     

不同栽杉代数29年生杉木林净生产力及营养元素生物循环的研究

对南平溪后２９年生杉木林不同连载代数林分生物量、净生产力及营养元素生物循环的研究结果表明：随连载代数增加，林分总生物量下降，林分净生长量及乔木层净生长量占林分净生长量比例均有明显降低，生态系统中营养元素贮量减少，乔木层营养元素吸收量、存留量和归还量均下降，但林下植被层营养元素吸收量、存留量和归还量则明显增加，林分的营养元素吸收量、存留量和归还量却增大。不同代数杉木林营养元素总的循环速率为２代（０．     

Fine root biomass,distribution, and production in young pine-hardwood stands

Patterns of fine root biomass, production, and distribution were estimated for pure stands and mixtures of three-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) with red maple (Acer rubrum L.) or black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) on the Virginia Piedmont to determine the role of fine roots in interference between pine and hardwood tree species. Estimates were based on amounts of live and dead fine roots separated from monthly core samples during the third growing season after planting. Live and dead fine root biomass and production varied by species, but mixtures of loblolly pine and black locust generally had greater fine root biomass and fine root production than pure stands or loblolly pine-red maple mixtures. Hardwood species had greater live fine root biomass per tree in mixtures with pine compared to pure stands. Greater live fine root biomass in pine-locust stands may be attributed to differential utilization of the soil volume by fine roots of these species. For all stands, approximately 50% of live five root biomass was located in the upper 10 cm of soil.     

Loblolly pine growth and soil nutrient stocks eight years after forest slash incorporation

Incorporation of forest slash during stand establishment is proposed as a means of increasing soil carbon and nutrient stocks. If effective, the increased soil carbon and nutrient status may result in increased aboveground tree growth. Eight years after study installation, the impact of forest slash incorporation into the soil on soil carbon and nutrient stocks, foliar nutrients and loblolly pine growth are examined on mineral and organic sites on the North Carolina Lower Coastal Plain. Treatments include leaving forest slash on the surface and flat planting (control); V-shear and bedding (conventional), mulch forest slash followed by bedding (strip mulch) and mulch forest slash and till into the soil followed by bedding (strip mulch till). After eight years, mulching and/or tillage did not have a significant impact (p > 0.05) on soil bulk density or soil chemical properties (pH, cation exchange capacity, soil nutrients). Additionally, neither tree foliar nutrients nor stand volume were significantly impacted. However, significant effects were observed for soil phosphorus contents and stand volume between the control plots and the other treatment plots. For example, the mean stand volumes on the mineral site were 24.49 ± 1.28, 38.16 ± 2.90, 44.59 ± 3.07 and 46.96 ± 2.74 m³ ha⁻¹ for the control, conventional, strip mulch and strip mulch till plots. These observations are more likely due to the effect of bedding rather than mulching or tillage of the forest slash. These results are consistent for the mineral and the organic sites. Considering the greater expense to install the mulch and tillage treatments, the lack of a treatment effect on soil carbon and nutrient stocks and tree growth does not justify these treatments on these sites.