Effects of surface and light conditions of fallen logs on the emergence and survival of coniferous seedlings and saplings

We surveyed the germination number (N _cs) of 2-year and a 1-year survival of Abies sachalinensis and Picea jezoensis seedlings and saplings on 29 fallen logs from 2004 to 2005 in a natural coniferous forest in Hokkaido, northern Japan, in relation to the surface and light conditions of fallen logs. Moss height (H _moss), log hardness (Hardness), and the area of fallen log (Area) were measured as the surface conditions by each 1-m block from bottom to top of all fallen logs. The relative photosynthetic photon flux density (rPPFD) 10 cm above the tallest seedling in each block was measured as the light condition. In addition, the height of the tallest seedling or sapling in each block (H _max), the difference between a height of each seedling and sapling and the H _max (Shading), and a height of seedlings and saplings in 2004 (H _ini) were considered. N _cs of A. sachalinensis was affected by Hardness and Area, whereas N _cs of P. jezoensis was affected by H _moss, Hardness, Area, H _max, and rPPFD. The survival of seedlings (height < 5 cm) and saplings (5 cm ≤ height < 50 cm) were affected by H _ini, rPPFD, and shading for both species. However, the survival of P. jezoensis saplings was more sensitive to decrease in rPPFD and increase of shading than that of A. sachalinensis. Therefore, seedling emergence was influenced by surface conditions, whereas survival was affected by light conditions. Furthermore, P. jezoensis emergence and survival were more sensitive to surface and light conditions than that of A. sachalinensis.     

不同间伐强度对蒙古栎林下乔木幼树更新及多样性的影响

根据对辽宁山区蒙古栎林下幼树调查资料,采用Simpson指数和Shannon-Wiener指数等进行多样性测度分析,探讨不同间伐强度对蒙古栎林下幼树更新和植物多样性的影响。结果表明:中度间伐强度有利于蒙古栎林下幼树实生更新,从而有利于其诱导成实生林,增强林分抗病虫害能力,提高林下物种多样性,增加林分稳定性。     

Effect of stand density and humus removal on regeneration of Pinus densiflora seedlings in a mixed conifer and broad-leaved forest

We studied the impact of stand density and forest floor humus removal on regeneration of Pinus densiflora in a mixed conifer and broad-leaved forest on the Daimonji-Yama Mountain,Kyoto,Japan.Three levels of stand density were set,i.e.,a clear-cut site,a heavily thinned site and a lightly thinned site.In each density treatment,comparisons were carried out between humus removal (A 0 -free)and humus intact(A 0 -intact)subplots.We counted the emergence of sown pine seeds and measured survival and growth of pine seedlings over the next four years.In addition,light conditions and the recovery of understory were monitored.Results show that thinning intensity and humus removal promoted the establishment and growth of seedlings.One exception,however,was that seedling growth was minimal in the heavily thinned A 0 -intact subplots.This was due to a strong response of understory vegetation growth on the treatment combination,which hindered the pine seedling growth.Furthermore,we found that the canopy openness measured at 1.3-m height remained at least 35%for the heavily thinned site in 2008.The results suggest that the removal of the A 0 layer after heavy thinning is the most effective and labor-saving operation for P.densiflora regeneration.     

间伐对杨树人工林凋落物及养分归还量的影响

为了了解间伐对杨树大径材生长的影响,按人工林不同间伐方式和强度设计了4种间伐处理,分别为对照、30％强度的下层伐(下层30％)、50％强度的下层伐(下层50％)、50％强度的机械伐(机械50％),探讨了不同间伐处理对杨树人工林凋落物及其养分归还量的影响.结果表明,不同间伐强度显著影响林分凋落物及其养分归还量,凋落物及养分归还量均随间伐强度的增大而降低;凋落物中5种营养元素含量及归还量大小为Ca＞K＞N＞Mg＞P;4种处理的凋落物及养分归还月动态变化趋势均为8-11月最多,分别占年归还总量的76.48％ ～79.68％和80.35％～90.46％.该研究结果为杨树人工林的林分结构调控提供参考.     

Effects of shelter tubes on hardwood tree establishment in western Oregon silvopastures

Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) are warm season forage trees with potential to efficiently share site resources with cool season pasture plants in Pacific Northwest silvopastures. Establishment of hardwood trees can be difficult, however, because of feeding damage from wildlife and livestock. This study compared establishment and growth of trees planted in 88 cm tall solid plastic shelter tubes to 88 cm tall plastic mesh tubes, used to protect trees from animal damage. Three replications were established in May 1995 for each of the three tree species on a hill pasture near Corvallis, Oregon. Initial tree survival during the first summer and winter following planting was higher in shelter tubes than in mesh tubes. At the end of the third growing season, 58% of black locust and 94% of honey locust trees in shelter tubes were still alive compared to only 14% of black locust and 47% of honey locust in mesh tubes. Few honey mesquite trees survived regardless of tube type used. Average three-year total height growth for black locust was increased by 650% and basal diameter growth by 380% within shelter tubes, while honey locust height growth was increased by 300% and diameter growth was increased by 150% compared to trees in mesh tubes. However, shelter tube trees tended to be taller relative to their diameter and had difficulty standing upright if tubes were removed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of site preparation on emergence and early establishment of Larix olgensis in montane regions of northeastern China

Larix olgensis is one of the important commercial timber tree species in northeastern China, but it does not naturally regenerate in L. olgensis forests even after cutting. To identify the causes of the regeneration failure, the authors tested the effects of site preparation in a thinned stand and in a clearcut on the emergence and early establishment of L. olgensis seedlings. The results indicated that there was no correlation between cumulative emergence percentage (CEP) of L. olgensis seedlings and canopy openness, but the CEP was significantly affected by site preparation (P < 0.001). The average seedling survival rates after treatments consisting of removing both litter cover and understory vegetation cover were significantly higher in the clearcut than in the thinned stand (P < 0.001). Without site preparation, all seedlings in both the thinned stand and the clearcut disappeared within the first growing season, meaning that ground cover (understory vegetation cover and litter cover) was not beneficial to seedling survival. The average growth of seedlings exhibited significant differences between the thinned stand and the clearcut, and among the site preparations (P < 0.001). Intensely thinned stands without ground cover improved seedling growth. These results imply that light and ground cover might be the main factors limiting the early establishment of L. olgensis seedlings in managed plantation forests     

Effects of management techniques on the establishment of eucalypt seedlings on farmland: a review

Research into the effects of seven management techniques on survival and growth of eucalypt seedlings planted on farmland is reviewed. The techniques include: pre- and post-planting weed control; soil cultivation; fertiliser; mulch; tree guards/shelters; and irrigation. The initial and ongoing effects of each technique are discussed—including the effects of timing, type and quantity. Consideration is given to site, species and climatic influences. A statistical analysis of the published survival rates is then presented, to provide information on the relative importance of, and interactions between, practices. The analysis shows that maximum survival may be achieved by using one or two management techniques. Combining this result with the insights gained from the review suggests that the use of soil cultivation and post-planting weed control are likely to achieve the greatest improvements in early eucalypt survival and growth.

The Effects of Seed Mass on Germination, Seedling Emergence, and Early Seedling Growth of Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus L.)

Half-sib seed of several eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) families was used to examine seed mass effects on laboratory germination, and seedling emergence and growth under moderate and low light (47 and 13% full sunlight) in a greenhouse. Percent germination and speed of germination under laboratory conditions were not related to seed mass among half-sib families or multi-family seedlots bulked by seed mass. Percent seedling emergence in the greenhouse was not related to seed mass, but families with heavier seeds exhibited faster emergence. Both rate and percent emergence were significantly increased under low light. Family differences in leaf, stem, root, and total seedling dry mass, primary root length, and the number of first-order-lateral-roots were positively related to seed mass in both light environments. Low light diminished the absolute biomass increment per unit seed mass, but the proportional change in biomass with seed mass was similar between light environments. Rate of emergence also influenced seedling size within families, with earlier emergence increasing seedling dry mass from 7 to 58%, dependent on light environment. Biomass partitioning coefficients were influenced by light environment but largely independent of seed mass.     

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.     

FVS关键字解析及在侧柏人工林经营技术决策中的应用

侧柏Platycladus orientalis是北京山区主要的造林树种,其人工林面积约占全市森林总面积的25.96%,但是目前该地区侧柏人工林普遍存在密度过大、树木生长分化严重、树木生长过慢等一系列问题。为使北京地区侧柏人工林经营技术决策更加科学合理,通过将之前建立的模型应用于美国FVS软件,对侧柏典型林分自然生长和采取经营措施后(主要为疏伐)的生长动态进行了可视化预测和模拟,得到了合理的预测结果。结果表明,33年生3 200株/hm2的侧柏人工林适合采用30%~45%的中弱度机械疏伐。     

Effects of thinning on microsites and natural regeneration in a Larix olgensis plantation in mountainous regions of eastern Liaoning Province, China

In order to understand the effects of thinning on microsite conditions and natural regeneration in the larch plantation, thinning experiment was conducted in a 40-year-old Larix olgensis plantation in Qingyuan County in eastern Liaoning Province, China in 2003-2004 Five thinning treatments （0%, 10.2%, 19.8%, 29.7% and 40.3% thinned） were designed on the same site. After thinning, canopy openness and the microsite conditions such as photosynthetic photon flux density （PPFD）, soil moisture content, and soil temperature were measured in one growing season. Meanwhile, the investigation of natural regeneration was conducted at the end of the growing season. The results showed that the canopy openness increased with the increase of thinning intensities. PPFD and soil temperature and soil moisture content in different soil layers were positively relative with canopy openness after thinning. The richness of regenerating tree species did not significantly increase （p=0.30） after one growing season since thinning, but the regeneration density and frequency of tree species increased significantly （p〈0.05）. In addition, the number of regenerating tree species increased, and the increment was correlated with the characteristics of iudividual tree species. The increasing percentage of regenerating seedlings of the shade-intolerant tree species was more than that of shade-tolerant tree species. Among the investigated regeneration species, the biggest response of seedling emergency to the canopy openness was Phellodendron amurense. This paper confirmed the following conclusions： after thinning, the variety of regenerating tree species was correlative with the characteristics of regenerating tree species, and the distribution of unthinned trees and the site conditions in the investigated larch plantation were the additional factors influencing, the regeneration.     

间伐对辽东山区长白落叶松人工林生境和更新的影响

为弄清间伐对落叶松人工林内环境因子,进而对落叶松林内天然更新的影响,在辽东山区对40年生落叶松人工林进行了5种不同强度的间伐试验(分别为0%、10%、20%、30%和40%)。间伐后,对环境因子和更新状况进行了观测。结果表明,林冠开阔度随间伐强度增大而增加,间伐后其林冠下光量子数量、地表平均温度、不同层次土壤平均含水量与空隙度大小成线形关系;落叶松人工林间伐一年内,更新树种丰富度没有显著变化,而更新密度和更新频度都明显增加(p<0.05)。更新树种数量增加与树种特性有关,增长幅度为阳性树种>耐荫树种。所有的更新树种中,对林冠开阔度变化响应最大的是黄波罗(Phellodendronamurense)。实验结果证实了辽东地区落叶松人工林间伐后,更新数量变化与周围保留的树种分布、树种特性和立地条件有关。图9表2参43。     

Seed rain and natural regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lophostemon confertus</Emphasis> plantations in Hong Kong,China

Natural forests have been increasingly replaced by artificial plantations around the world. Some research results suggest that artificial plantations can promote natural regeneration. The efforts in establishing protective forests in Hong Kong over the last 50 years after the Second World War have resulted in many exotic tree plantations which are ideal sites for the study of natural regeneration. This study looked at the seed rain and understorey woody plant diversity in three Lophostemon confertus plantations (25–40 years old) in Hong Kong. All the plantations were > 1 km from the nearest seed sources. Two of the plantations had a seed rain comparable in density and diversity to unplanted grasslands, and the understorey plant diversity was also low and dominated by shrubs. The other site had a higher and more diverse seed rain, as well as higher understorey stem density, but both the seed rain and the understorey were dominated by the shrub Psychotria asiatica. The poor seed rain at two sites and the rarity of potential canopy tree species in both the seed rain and understory regeneration at all sites suggest that planting exotic monocultures does not promote succession. Enrichment planting will be needed to restore forest diversity.     

Microsite patterns of conifer seedling establishment and growth in a mixed stand in the southern Alps

In many forests of the Alps, permanent forest cover and, therefore, its continuous renewal is the main silvicultural goal. Regenerating these forests must be based on a sound understanding of the ecology of the tree species in question. The regeneration of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in the upper montane zone of the southern central Alps has so far received little attention. The aim of this study was, therefore, to characterize the ecological niche for the establishment and growth of silver fir and Norway spruce seedlings in this zone. The study was conducted as a case study on a plot of 1.5 ha in the upper montane zone of southern Switzerland, at an altitude of 1380 m. The basal area of the mixed Norway spruce–silver fir stand was 43.7 m² ha⁻¹. Seedlings were censused on 375 plots of 1.0 m² area. Seedling density was 1.30 ± 4.25 m⁻² (mean ± standard deviation) for Norway spruce and 0.87 ± 1.50 m⁻² for silver fir. Logistic regression models were used to test the effect of microsite characteristics on seedling occurrence, and general linear models for effects on seedling height growth and biomass increment. Most seedlings received less than 10% light (photosynthetic photon flux density) as compared to values in the open. Silver fir occurrence was positively related to microsites at the edge of canopy trees, but unrelated to ground cover type, light and micro-relief. Norway spruce occurrence was only, and positively, related to the presence of mosses. Height growth and biomass increment of seedlings of both species were only loosely correlated with microsite conditions. Seedlings without canopy cover grew faster than those under canopy cover, probably as a result of light and moisture limitations under the canopy of adult trees. Diffuse radiation was positively correlated with average annual biomass increment of silver fir, but not of Norway spruce seedlings. In general, the results suggest that silver fir seedlings have less specific microsite requirements than Norway spruce seedlings in terms of ground cover. They are also more shade tolerant, and therefore, grow faster than Norway spruce in low-light environments of the upper montane zone of the southern Alps. While the microsite concept can be helpful in designing silvicultural operations, it has limitations when only patch characteristics that are easy to assess are used, and others neglected. Finally, our study suggests that counting the number of green shoots is a promising method to quickly and non-destructively estimate the biomass of a great number of small seedlings.     

Effects of root zone trenching on soil nitrogen dynamics in Japanese cedar and cypress plantations

The effects of root exclusion and planted tree species on soil nitrogen (N) dynamics were examined at two plantations, one planted with Japanese cedar and the other with Japanese cypress. We set up ten 1 × 1 × 0.2-m-deep trenched sites and ten untrenched control sites at each plantation. We measured the pool size and leaching of inorganic N at each site for 2 years and the net N mineralization 1 and 2 years after trenching. Despite similar soil conditions, the cedar plantation showed higher net N mineralization than the cypress plantation. Stopped tree uptake of N was expected to cause an increased pool size and leaching of inorganic N at the trenched sites. Nevertheless, we found no significant increase in those variables at both plantations. The trenched cypress sites showed no decrease in the net N mineralization during the 2 years after trenching. However, the net nitrification at the trenched cypress sites increased remarkably at the deeper horizons in comparison with that at the control sites. Enhanced nitrification might result from improved ammonium availability through root exclusion. Net N mineralization at the trenched cedar sites decreased more than 60% compared with that at the control sites 2 years after trenching. Higher nitrification potential at the cedar plantation and enhanced nitrification potential at the trenched cypress sites never resulted in increased leaching of N, due to added fine root litter which acted as an immobilization agent for excess N, thus preventing N loss.     

Community structure and biodiversity in plantations and natural forests of seabuckthorn in southern Ningxia, China

Two types of sampling plots of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) communities were investigated in Pengyang County of Ningxia region by a typical sampling method to study the characteristics of community structure and biodiversity. Composition and dominant species of each community were analyzed by the importance value of species as an index. The number of individuals and the importance value, as well as Sorensen’s similarity coefficient, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Pielou’s evenness index and Simpson’s dominance index, were used as indices to compare characteristics of community structure, similarity and biodiversity between plantations and natural forests of seabuckthorn. The results indicate that the importance values of species of natural seabuckthorn communities were dispersed and the difference between dominant species was not statistically significant. Diversity indices of natural seabuckthorn communities reflected by species richness and evenness were higher than that of plantations. Com-munity structure of natural seabuckthorn forests is more complex. We propose that natural forest can be used as sample to guide se-lection of plant species in silviculture in order to improve biodiversity of plantation.     

Tree-root influence on soil physical conditions, seedling establishment and natural thinning of Acacia seyal var. seyal on clays of Central Sudan

Acacia seyal is an important component of the agrosilvopastoral systems of the Sahelian zone of Africa. The relationships between lateral spreading of the tree roots and the establishment of the understorey vegetation are, however, little understood. The effect of the tree roots on soil bulk density, soil moisture content and understorey vegetation was studied in the Central Clay Plains of the Sudan. Three study sites were included: a forest, a-two-year-old logged-over area and a-one-year-old abandoned farm, and these sites were distributed over three different geographical locations. Roots of trees, tree seedlings and annual herbs were concentrated in the top 70 cm of soil, possibly due to compacted soil and the confinement of rain water in this layer. Soil bulk density at the 60 to90 cm layer was high in forest, low in logged-over and intermediate in farm. Soil moisture content varied in the reverse order. The low soil moisture content and the high soil bulk density reduced seedling survival. Abundant Acacia seyal seeds germinated and grew during the rainy season. During the first dry season, however, 86% of seedlings of forest died, whereas only 11% of logged-over and 14% of farm died; canopy shading did not seem to affect seedling survival. Tree seedlings and agricultural crops are not able to compete with the A. seyal trees for soil resources but appear to benefit from the ameliorated soil texture, structure and fertility following tree felling. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Expansion of dwarf bamboo, Sasa nipponica, grassland under feeding pressure of sika deer, Cervus nippon, on subalpine coniferous forest in central Japan

The long-term changes of the area of Sasa nipponica grassland, bark stripping damage to trees by sika deer, Cervus nippon, and sika deer densities on Mt. Ohdaigahara were assessed with aerial photographs, information from previous studies, and field experiments. The grasslands expanded year after year. The expansion rate was highest from 1982 to 1992, and lowest from 1992 to 1997. Bark-stripping damage on coniferous trees was heavier than that on broadleaf trees in both the early 1980s and 1998. The deer density in the eastern part of the area had been high (14.4–64.3 km⁻²) from 1984 until 1998. We presume that rich growth of S. nipponica and heavy feeding pressure by sika deer over the long term caused expansion of S. nipponica grasslands by killing canopy trees by bark stripping and preventing forest regeneration.     

林分密度和立地对油松人工林生长的影响

以北京山区25块油松人工林样地为研究对象,调查了40年生油松人工林在不同林分密度和立地条件下的生长状况,建立了林分密度与平均胸径、平均树高、平均冠幅和单木材积之间的回归方程,相关指数都在0.9以上;以样地平均优势木的解析材料确定40年生优势木树高,按单项立地因子实际分布区间分组,进行方差分析、差异显著性检验、多重比较。结果表明:随着林分密度的增大,平均胸径、平均树高、平均冠幅、单木材积逐渐减小;北京山区40年生油松人工林密度应控制在1 500株/hm2以下;明确了北京山区油松人工林生长与立地因子的关系,初步确定了油松人工林适宜的立地条件为:低山、阴坡、有效土层厚度(A+B层)45cm以上。     

Effects of light and intraspecific competition on growth and crown morphology of two size classes of understory balsam fir saplings

This paper characterizes the growth and crown morphology of young balsam fir saplings naturally regenerated under a gradient of understory light environments and intraspecific competition densities for two size classes (50–100 cm and 100–200 cm). Most growth and crown morphological parameters investigated were strongly related to the natural light gradient investigated (3–83% full sunlight), but the relationship tended to plateau at around 25% full sunlight. The relationships were generally better for the larger size class. Intraspecific competition did not significantly affect growth and crown morphology of saplings receiving less than 25% full sunlight, but it affected relative height growth, relative radial growth and the apical dominance ratio for those receiving more than 25% full sunlight (R²=0.506; p<0.001; R²=0.403; p<0.002; R²=0.348; p<0.001, respectively). These results suggest that live crown ratio, apical dominance ratio and the number of internodal branches can provide, alone or in combination, useful indicators of vigour for understory fir. Such a study provides the basic data inputs required for the development of empirically-derived mechanistic models that can predict understory tree growth and survival.