Characteristics of soil seed bank in plantation forest in the rocky mountain region of Beijing, China

We investigated characteristics (scales and composition) of soil seed banks at eight study sites in the rocky mountain region of Beijing by seed identification and germination monitoring. We also surveyed the vegetation communities at the eight study sites to explore the role of soil seed banks in vegetation restoration. The storage capacity of soil seed banks at the eight sites ranked from 766.26 to 2461.92 seeds·m -2 . A total of 23 plant species were found in soil seed banks, of which 63 80% of seeds were herbs in various soil layers and 60% of seeds were located in the soil layer at 0 5cm depth. Biodiversity indices indicated clear differences in species diversity of soil seed banks among different plant communities. The species composition of aboveground vegetation showed low similarity with that based on soil seed banks. In the above- ground plant community, the afforestation tree species showed high importance values. The plant species originating from soil seed banks represented natural regeneration, which also showed relatively high importance values. This study suggests that in the rocky mountain region of Beijing the soil seed banks played a key role in the transformation from pure plantation forest to near-natural forest, promoting natural ecological processes, and the role of the seed banks in vegetation restoration was important to the improvement of ecological restoration methods.     

城市近郊林土壤种子库研究

对沈阳、抚顺两城市交接的近郊林区不同林分类型土壤种子库进行研究.结果表明:不同林分类型土壤种子库均具有较好的储量和活力,其储量大小顺序为:乔木林地＞灌木林地＞宜林荒地,土壤种子库物种多样性指数大小顺序为:灌木林地＞乔木林地＞宜林荒地,种子种类以乡土树种为主;数量化分析表明坡位对乔木林地及灌木林地中土壤种子库储量和活力影响较大,而植被覆盖度对宜林荒地中土壤种子库储量和活力影响较大.     

Seed rain,soil seed bank,seed loss and regeneration of Castanopsis fargesii (Fagaceae) in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest

Understanding the seed rain and seed loss dynamics in the natural condition has important significance for revealing the natural regeneration mechanisms. We conducted a 3-year field observation on seed rain, seed loss and natural regeneration of Castanopsis fargesii Franch., a dominant tree species in evergreen broad-leaved forests in Dujiangyan, southwestern China. The results showed that: (1) there were marked differences in (mature) seed production between mast (733,700 seeds in 2001) and regular (51,200 and 195,600 seeds in 2002 and 2003, respectively) years for C. fargesii. (2) Most seeds were dispersed in leaf litter, humus and 0–2 cm depth soil in seed bank. (3) Frequency distributions of both DBH and height indicated that C. fargesii had a relatively stable population. (4) Seed rain, seed ground density, seed loss, and leaf fall were highly dynamic and certain quantity of seeds were preserved on the ground for a prolonged time due to predator satiation in both the mast and regular years so that the continuous presence of seed bank and seedling recruitments in situ became possible. Both longer time observations and manipulative experiments should be carried out to better understand the roles of seed dispersal and regeneration process in the ecosystem performance.     

Increased coniferous needle inputs accelerate decomposition of soil carbon in an old-growth forest

Changes in temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration that are expected in the coming decades will have profound impacts on terrestrial ecosystem net primary production (NPP). Nearly all models linking forest NPP with soil carbon (C) predict that increased NPP will result in either unchanged or increased soil C storage, and that decreased NPP will result in decreased soil C storage. However, linkages between forest productivity and soil C storage may not be so simple and direct. In an old-growth coniferous forest located in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, OR, USA, we experimentally doubled needle litter inputs, and found that actual soil respiration rates exceeded those expected due to the C added by the extra needles. Here, we estimated that this ‘priming effect’ accounted for 11.5–21.6% of annual CO₂ efflux from litter-amended plots, or an additional 137–256 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ loss of stored C to the atmosphere. Soil priming was seasonal, with greatest amounts occurring in June–August coincident with peaks in temperature and dry summer conditions. As a result of priming, mineral soil was more resistant to further mineralization during laboratory incubations. Soil lignin-derived phenols in the Double Litter plots were more oxidized than in the control, suggesting that the soil residue was more degraded. Our hypothesis that excess dissolved organic C produced from the added litter provided the link between the forest floor and mineral soil and a substrate for soil priming was not supported. Instead, the rhizosphere, and associated mycorrhizal fungi, likely responded directly to the added aboveground litter inputs. Our results revealed that enhanced NPP may lead to accelerated processing of some stored soil C, but that the effects of increased NPP on ecosystem C storage will be based on a net balance among all ecosystem C pools and are likely to be ecosystem-dependant. Forest C models need to include these complex linkages between forest productivity and soil C storage.     

Water holding effect of subalpine dark coniferous forest soil in Gongga Mountain, China

由于土壤性质和腐殖质含量的不同,土壤的含水量并不能很好地说明是否适宜植物的生长。本研究以土壤PF(表示土壤的水分状态,与植物的生长发育有密切关系的数值)为主要研究依据,将土壤含水率和PF联系起来,定量研究了贡嘎山地区亚高山暗针叶林不同演替阶段土壤的含水率与PF值之间的相互作用关系。研究结果表明:①在相同的PF时,随着暗针叶林演替的进展,土壤腐殖质层的含水率逐渐增加,即过熟林>成熟林>中龄林>幼龄林。②随着土层深度的增加,土壤容重增加,含水率减小,但各植被演替阶段之间土壤含水率差异并不显著。③植被不同演替系列主要是通过提高其土壤有机质含量,改善土壤结构,降低土壤容重和增加土壤毛管孔隙度等土壤物理特性,改善土壤的蓄水和持水性能。④本区暗针叶林土壤腐殖质层涵养水源作用最为明显。图1表2参15。     

凉风坳亚热带次生常绿阔叶林土壤种子库和种子雨的特征研究

选择四川省沐川县凉风坳亚热带次生常绿阔叶林为研究对象,在2004年5月、2004年12月和2005年5月对其林下土壤种子库、种子雨以及种子天然萌发状况等方面进行系统调查及分析研究。结果显示,种子下落前后土壤种子库储量,变动为643.2～889.2粒.m-2,物种和种子密度多年生草本物种均占优势。天然林土壤种子库Shannon-Wiener指数均在2004年5月最大,2004年12月次之,2005年5月最小;Simpson指数却和Shannon-Wiener指数H＇的变化趋势相反;Pielou均匀度指数在2004年12月有所降低,此后又升高。种子均呈明显垂直分布,其中0～2 cm土层种子数量最多,其次是枯枝落叶层,其数量随着土层加深而降低。土壤种子库年输入活力种子142.3粒.m-2,年输出活力种子268.9粒.m-2,动物取食是造成种子损失的主要原因。对照人工林土壤种子库物种和密度均低于天然林地;种子库与地上植被物种相似性系数,人工林较高,而天然次生常绿阔叶林较低。     

东洞庭湖湿地持久土壤种子库分布特征

沿水位梯度设置三种类型样地,即高水位区、中水位区、低水位区,研究了东洞庭湖湿地持久土壤种子库的数量及分布特征。结果表明,持久土壤种子库主要由13种植物种子组成,其中高水位区最多,为7种,中水位区为6种,低水位区为4种。种子库密度在高水位区最大,为1 818.18粒/m2,中水位区次之,为1 168.83粒/m2,低水位区最小,为649.35粒/m2。土壤种子主要集中在0~15 cm的土层中,且随着土壤深度加深而明显减少。对持久土壤种子库进行丰富度分析表明,三种区域土壤种子库的Margalef丰富度指数与Shannon-Wiener多样性指数均差异明显。其中,Margalef丰富度指数在高、中、低水位区分别为0.56、0.54、0.46,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数分别为0.51、0.43、0.34。可见,水位是影响湿地土壤持久种子库数量及分布最为重要的生态因子。     

新疆野苹果林土壤种子库物种组成及其空间分布特征研究

利用2008年秋季和2009年春季新疆野苹果林林下0~15cm土壤样品,采用萌发法对新疆野苹果林土壤种子库的种子萌发过程、物种组成、空间分布进行研究,结果表明:新疆野苹果林土壤种子库春秋两季种子萌发均出现了2个高峰期,当年秋季物种55种,翌年春季物种63种;无论是当年秋季还是翌年春季,土壤种子量主要集中在0~10cm表层土壤深度空间,占种子库总数的75%以上;在海拔空间分布上,土壤种子库总储量呈现随海拔高度增加先减少后增加,到一定数量后又明显减少的变化趋势;土壤种子库中均未发现新疆野苹果目标种子,因此,新疆野苹果林不能依靠自然更新,必须采用人工更新方式保护种群繁衍与生存。     

大岗山针叶与阔叶林林分结构比较分析

为研究不同林分径级、树高结构差异,在江西大岗山地区设置样地,选取杉木纯林、马褂木纯林各4块,对样地进行每木检尺,运用SPSS对胸径和树高数据进行处理,对胸径、树高的相关关系进行线性拟合,结果表明:大岗山地区杉木纯林与马褂木纯林胸径、树高分布整体上符合正态分布,假设检验的P值均大于0.05,但曲线陡峭程度杉木纯林(-1.487)大于马褂木纯林(-1.670),曲线偏移程度杉木纯林(0.191)大于马褂木纯林(0.010),树高分布曲线陡峭程度马褂木纯林(2.407)大于杉木纯林(-1.706),曲线偏移程度马褂木纯林(1.134)大于杉木纯林(0.459)。     

ORDINATION AND GRADIENT ANALYSIS OF CONIFEROUS FOREST IN DAXINGANLING

In this paper,the quantitative approach is applied on the study of coniferous forestbased on the data which were collected by the field investigation in Daxinganling region.The mainpurpose is objectively to show the position of communities in the space and the relationship be-tween the community and environment.By means of ordination,it is found that dahurian larch for-est,mongolian scots pine forest and korean fir forest lie in different positions. Gradient analysis ofthree dominant types of conigerous forest has revealed the difference of ecological amplitude,thedifference is one of the important reasons that determine the different communities in the differentenvironment.     

Inter- and intra-annual variations in canopy fine litterfall and carbon and nitrogen inputs to the forest floor in two European coniferous forests

? Context

The amount and chemistry of litterfall have been known to strongly vary among the years with important implications for ecosystem nutrient cycles, but there are few quantitative data describing such variations.

? Aims

We studied the climatic implications on the variation in litterfall and its C and N input to soil in two distinct European coniferous forests.

? Methods

Year-to-year variations in canopy litterfall were measured in a Scots pine stand (Hyytiälä, Finland) over 13 years, and a Douglas fir stand (Speulderbos, The Netherlands) over 3 years.

? Results

Important inter-annual variations in litterfall were observed in Scots pine. Litterfall was mainly driven by leaf senescence; however, premature needle fall was observed in high wind speed and early frost events. The seasonal variation in litterfall was characterized by a maximum in September in Scots pine, and by a biphasic variation pattern in Douglas fir, in May and November. Lower seasonal variations and lower annual average in litterfall N content were observed in Scots pine.

? Conclusion

Significant inter- and intra-annual variations in litterfall and chemistry and between the sites were demonstrated; and it depended on year-to-year differences in climate and extreme weather events.     

Soil seed bank dynamics in relation to topographic position of a mixed-deciduous forest in southern New England,USA

We examined the floristic significance of soil seed banks in relation to valley, midslope and ridge sites in a 70–90-year old forest in northeastern Connecticut. A-horizon mineral soils were collected to 5 cm depth in the early spring from forest understory sites across the topography. Samples from each of the sites were exposed to full sun within a greenhouse. Records of germination were made at regular intervals over a 60-day period. These showed significant differences among sites in number of species and total number of germinants. Greatest numbers of species and germinants were recorded from valley sites and these progressively declined from midslope to ridgetop. Twenty-five different species were identified. Species were grouped into growth habits – graminoids, herbs, shrubs, trees, and vines. Over 61% of all germinants across all sites were graminoids. Seventy-four percent of all germinants in the valley sites were graminoids, with over 93% of them represented by two sedge species, Carex glaucodea and C. lupulina. On the ridgetop sites graminoids were more evenly distributed among six different species. The percentage in each growth habit changed rank across topographic position with germinants of graminoids and trees most abundant on valley sites; herbs, on midslopes, and shrubs, on ridgetops. All germinants, except for those of the trees, Carex spp., and two herb species were weedy species that were not characteristic of the existing vegetation. Germinants of the trees, Carex spp., and herbs that were characteristic of the existing vegetation were mostly confined to soils from the valley sites. Two weedy herbs, Plantago major and Verbascum thapsus, are exotic introductions that originally came from Europe. Only one vine, Vitis aestivalis, from a midslope site germinated. Species diversity is higher on midslope sites than valleys and ridgetops. The significance of these findings in relation to site productivity and disturbance history is discussed.     

Altitudinal differences in bark stripping by sika deer in the subalpine coniferous forest of Mt. Fuji

Deer expansion is a growing concern for forest ecosystem management. In Japan, upward expansion to subalpine and alpine areas has reached alarming proportions in recent years. We examined bark stripping by sika deer along an altitudinal gradient in the subalpine coniferous forest at three altitude ranges (1800-2000 m, 2000-2200 m, and 2200-2400 m) on the southern slope of Mt. Fuji. We tested differences in densities and diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees and those with bark-stripped stems of all tree species among the three altitude ranges. Then, we compared the relative densities of deer, based on pellet counts, to determine the impact of deer in relation to deer use and forest stand patterns across the altitudinal range studied. The results of the study show that differences in bark stripping by sika deer depended largely on the elevation and the species. Larger stems were sparsely distributed in the lowest elevation zone between 1800 and 2000 m. The relative density of deer was highest in the areas exhibiting high bark-stripping intensity on small regenerating trees of the dominant coniferous species, Abies veitchii, and on broadleaf species. In the highest elevation zone between 2200 and 2400 m, smaller stems were densely distributed, and the relative deer density was lowest where the bark-stripping intensity on small stems was lower for all three species studied. The damage to subalpine tree stems corresponded to the availability of palatable tree species with a small diameter, as reflected by the successional stage along the elevational gradient of subalpine forest on Mt. Fuji. These results suggest that the continuous impact of bark stripping on the dominant tree species might cause severe changes in forest succession.     

Seedling emergence, growth, and allocation of Oriental bittersweet: effects of seed input, seed bank, and forest floor litter

The establishment of invasive plant populations is controlled by seed input, survival in the soil seed bank, and effects of soil surface disturbance on emergence, growth, and survival. We studied the invasive vine Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. (Oriental bittersweet) to determine if seedlings in forest understory germinate from the seed bank or from seed rain. We also conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the role of leaf litter mass and physical texture on seedling survival, growth, and allocation. In the understory of an invaded mixed hardwood forest, we measured seed input, seedling emergence with seed rain, and seedling emergence without seed rain. Mean seed rain was 168 seeds m⁻²: mean seedling emergence was 107 m⁻², and there was a strong correlation between seed rain and seedling emergence. The ratio of seedlings to seed input (0.61) was close to the seed viability (0.66) leaving very few seeds to enter the seed bank. Seed bank germination under field conditions was low (1 seedling m⁻²). Soil cores were incubated in a greenhouse to determine seed bank viability, and germination from these soil cores did not occur. To determine how litter affects seedling establishment and growth, we measured seedling emergence and biomass allocation in a greenhouse experiment. Seeds were placed below intact and fragmented deciduous leaf litter in amounts ranging from zero to the equivalent of 16 Mg ha⁻¹. Seedling emergence was not affected by fragmented litter, but decreased to <20% as intact litter increased to 16 Mg ha⁻¹. Increasing litter resulted in greater allocation to hypocotyl and less to cotyledon and radicle, and this effect was greater in intact litter. C. orbiculatus seedlings achieve emergence through forest floor litter through plasticity in allocation to hypocotyl growth. The low survival of C. orbiculatus in the seed bank suggests that eradication of seedling advance regeneration and adult plants prior to seed rain may be an effective control strategy. However, the intact forest floor litter of an undisturbed forest will not prevent seedling establishment.     

A soil seed bank in a mature conifer plantation and establishment of seedlings after clear-cutting in southwest Japan

Compositions and spatial distribution patterns of buried viable seeds, and demographic transition from buried viable seeds to seedlings after clear-cutting were examined in a 75-year-old conifer plantation in southwest Japan. A part of the plantation was cleared in December 1997 and study plots were set up on a cleared site and a preserved site. Soil samples (a total of 105 l for the preserved plot and 90 l for the cleared plot) were collected from surface soils in spring 1998 and were incubated in a greenhouse for 120 days. There were an estimated 1064 buried viable seeds per square meter from 67 species in the preserved plot and 1754 seeds/m² from 53 species in the cleared plot. The soil seed bank was from mostly low density species with some high density species, and contained many pioneer species that were absent in the floor vegetation. Buried viable seeds were clumped together, especially in gravity-dispersal species. Although plenty of buried viable seeds were pooled in the soil, few seedlings emerged on the forest floor. In contrast, a number of seedlings, including many pioneer species, emerged in the cleared plots, showing a positive correlation between seed weight and germination rate. It is assumed that dominance of the seedlings established after clear-cutting depends on germination rates and/or growth rates of the seedlings rather than the initial density of buried viable seeds. These results suggest strong contribution of the soil seed bank to the establishment of the secondary vegetation after disturbance in a mature conifer plantation.     

Single-tree influences on soil properties in agroforestry: lessons from natural forest and savanna ecosystems

Climate, organisms, topographic relief, and parent material interacting through time are the dominant factors that control processes of soil formation and determine soil properties. In both forest and savanna ecosystems, trees affect soil properties through several pathways. Trees alter inputs to the soil system by increasing capture of wetfall and dryfall and by adding to soil N via N₂-fixation. They affect the morphology and chemical conditions of the soil as a result of the characteristics of above- and below-ground litter inputs. The chemical and physical nature of leaf, bark, branch, and roots alter decomposition and nutrient availability via controls on soil water and the soil fauna involved in litter breakdown. Extensive lateral root systems scavenge soil nutrients and redistribute them beneath tree canopies. In general, trees represent both conduits through which nutrients cycle and sites for the accumulation of nutrients within a landscape. From an ecological perspective, the soil patches found beneath tree canopies are important local and regional nutrient reserves that influence community structure and ecosystem function. Understanding species-specific differences in tree-soil interactions has important and immediate interest to farmers and agroforesters concerned with maintaining or increasing site productivity. Lessons from natural plant-soil systems provide a guide for predicting the direction and magnitude of tree influences on soil in agroforestry settings. The challenge for agroforesters is to determine under what conditions positive tree effects will accumulate simultaneously within active farming systems and which require rotation of cropping and forest fallows.     

Comparison of two coniferous plantations in central Japan with respect to forest productivity, growth phenology and soil nitrogen dynamics

Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) are common species for plantation forestry in Japan. Cypress is conventionally planted on sites of low fertility whereas for cedar high fertility sites are used. Objectives of this study were to compare the productivities of cypress and cedar plantations grown on adjacent sites where common properties of soils, such as pH values and C and N contents, were similar, and to relate the N cycling at their site with productivities. The stem diameter of trees, aboveground litter production and fine root biomass were measured as indices of forest productivity. Parameters of N cycling included pools of total N and mineral N (ammonium + nitrate), annual N leaching, and potentially mineralizable N. The radial stem increment of the two tree species was similar. However, cedar site had higher total basal area and annual basal increment than cypress site reflecting higher tree density on the cedar site. Aboveground litter, fine root biomass, soil organic matter, and N turnover were higher on the cedar site than on the cypress site. However, litter production and fine root biomass per unit basal area was greater at the cypress site. Phenological pattern of stem growth and periodical litter production were similar for both species during the study period (1992–2000), but showed distinct annual variations caused by the fluctuation in the ambient temperature and precipitation. Mineral N content and the N mineralization potential were greater on the cedar site, indicating greater N availability and higher total tree productivity at the cedar site than those at the cypress site. When provided with more space in the canopy to expand more needles and in the soil to develop more fine roots to exploit sufficient resources, the individual cypress trees have the potential to grow faster. On fertile site and at lower tree density, thicker logs of cypress might be yielded.     

用土壤养分系统研究法评价杨树人工林土壤养分状况

A study was conducted to evaluate the soil nutrient status of poplar plantation by Soil Nutrient Systematic Approach(SNSA) in Jianghan Plain, Hubei Province, China. Soil physiochemical properties were analyzed in laboratory through collection soil samples of study site. Ten treatments of application different fertilizers were designed such as CK, optimum treatment (N, P,K, Zn), -N(P, K, Zn), -P(N, K, Zn), -K(N, P, Zn), Mg(N, P, K, Zn, Mg), -Zn (N,P,K), 2P(N, 2P, K, Zn), 2K(N, P, 2K, Zn), and 2N 2P 2K(2N, 2P, 2K, Zn) for field experiment to test the effect on tree height, diameter (DBH) growth, and dry weight of poplar.The results showed that there was no significant difference in tree heights between treatments with different fertilizers, diameter growth of poplar trees in treatments of lack of N and Zn was significantly slower than that of trees in optimum treatment, and dry weight of poplar dropped significantly for treatment of CK as well as treatments without application N and Zn. It is concluded that N and Zn were main limiting factor for poplar growth. Results from laboratory analysis and field experiment were uniform perfectly, which proved that SNSA was reliable in evaluating soil nutrient status of poplar plantation.     

Survival and germination of an experimental seed bank population of two species of Lauraceae in a tropical montane forest in Thailand

The survival and germination traits of two tropical species of Lauraceae, Lindera metcalfiana and Litsea cubeba, were investigated in a 2-year burial experiment and subsequent germination tests of sequentially excavated seeds. Fresh seeds extracted from fruit were packed in aluminum mesh bags and buried 5cm deep in a mature montane forest in northern Thailand (1700m altitude). No seed mortality was recorded for Litsea, but Lindera experienced 26%–48% mortality after being buried for 122 days. These seeds did not germinate in the forest soil during the 2-year experimental period. We found that fresh seeds of these two species did not germinate even under open conditions, suggesting that the seeds are initially deeply dormant after dispersal. In contrast, 29%–60% of excavated Lindera seeds germinated under open conditions after being buried for 30–753 days, and excavated Litsea seeds began to germinate after being buried for 408 days. These findings suggest that seeds enter a state of enforced dormancy. The ratio of germinable seeds peaked 184 days after burial in Lindera (33%) and 930 days after burial in Litsea (91%). The longer period of deep dormancy in Litsea prior to enforced dormancy is concordant with the fact that for regeneration Litsea requires larger-scale disturbance than Lindera.