Effects of differences in forest floor and canopy vegetation on ectomycorrhizas ofBetula platyphylla var.japonica: A test using seedlings planted into soils taken from various sites

Effects of different forest floor vegetation types in secondary forest and of conversion to plantation on the quality and quantity of ectomycorrhizas are mostly unknown.Betula platyphylla var.japonica seedlings were used for bioassays of ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum using soils from four 50-year-oldB. platyphylla var.japonica forests that had different types of forest floor vegetation: two with shrub types, one with aSasa type, and one with a grass type. Seedlings were also grown in soil from a nearby monospecific plantation ofChamaecyparis obtusa. Ectomycorrhizas formed 13 to 26% of root length of seedlings grown in soil from the five different sites. The maximum percentage of ectomycorrhizal formation was obtained from the grass-type forest. The dominant type of ectomycorrhiza in the two shrub-type forest soils was the same as that in theSasa-type forest soil. The dominant types of ectomycorrhizas in the grass-type forest soil and in theC. obtusa plantation soil were different from that in the two shrub-type forest soils and in theSasa-type forest soil. The results of this investigation suggest that the type of forest floor vegetation, accompanied with changes in thickness of the A₀ horizon, might affect the ectomycorrhizal fungi in the soils ofB. platyphylla var.japonica forests. Establishment of artificial plantations ofC. obtusa might change the ectomycorrhizal fungi that could associate withB. platyphylla var.japonica seedlings in soil.     

Four glucosides ofp-hydroxyphenyl derivatives from birch leaves

The extractive of shirakamba (Betula platyphylla Sukatchev var.japonica Hara) leaves was investigated. Four glucosides ofp-hydroxyphenyl derivatives were isolated, and their structures were indentified as betuloside (I), 3,4-dihydroxy-propiophenone-3--d-glucopyranoside (II), salidroside (III), and arbutin (IV). Arbutin was newly found in the leaves of shirakamba.     

Recovery of canopy trees and root collar sprout growth in response to changes in the condition of the parent tree after a fire in a cool-temperate forest

The relationship between the recovery of canopy trees after fire and root collar sprout dynamics was investigated during 1998–2000 in a secondary cool-temperate broad-leaved forest consisting of Quercus mongolica var. grosseserrata and Betula platyphylla var. japonica trees, in northern Hokkaido, Japan, which burned in April 1998. All of the Betula trees that were severely damaged, two-thirds of those slightly damaged, and half of those intact in 1998, died within three growing seasons after the fire. By contrast, half of the Quercus trees that were slightly damaged and half of those severely damaged recovered their foliage, and no slightly damaged or intact trees died during the three growing seasons after the fire. Many Betula trees developed several fruiting bodies of wood-destroying fungi on their stems, irrespective of damage severity. Fungi also infected some of the surviving Quercus, although the crowns tended to recover. Although many sprouting Betula were observed in 1998, the number of sprouts declined rapidly over the study period. Multiple regression analyses showed that the survival and growth of Betula sprouts were positively influenced by the number of sprouts in 1998, damage severity in 1998, and the degree of recover or decline during the study period, and were negatively influenced by parent tree size. On the other hand, a few sprouts of Quercus remained alive. Quercus remained dominant and the dominance of Betula was rapidly reduced after the fire. However, many Betula sprouts remained alive. Stand structure will change drastically for the time being.     

Investigation of change in tangential strain on the inner bark of the stem and root ofBetula platyphylla var.japonica andAcer mono during sap season

Although it is well known that sap exudation during early spring in temperate deciduous trees occurs in response to daytime warming and nighttime cooling, the mechanisms of the process are not yet fully understood. Previous theories suggested that changes in stress in the wood caused by daytime heating and nighttime cooling might be linked with sap flow. Consequently, a study of itaya-kaede maple (Aver mono) and shirakamba birch (Betula platyphylla var.japonica) looked at tangential strains. One-hour intervals for 3 years of the tangential strains on the inner bark of stem and root were measured in itaya-kaede maple and shirakamba birch during the sap exudation season. The measurements indicated different mechanisms of sap exudation in these two trees. During the sap exudation season in late March, when the temperature fluctuated around 0°C, the tangential strain in the root of itaya-kaede maple showed expansion in the daytime and contraction at night. Conversely, in early April the tangential strain in the root of shirakamba birch exhibited contraction in the daytime and expansion at night. The changes in tangential strains in itaya-kaede maple were attributed to conditioning, a known concept used to explain the uptake mechanism of soil water in maple and its exudation during early spring. However, because the change in tangential strain in the roots of shirakamba birch was similar to that found during the rampant season, sap exudation was not attributed to conditioning but to the plentiful supply of water from the roots. The implications of these mechanisms are that different sap harvesting techniques may be appropriate for different tree species.     

Rainfall redistribution of a virgin Pinus koraiensis forest and secondary Betula platyphylla forest in Northeast China

A virgin Pinus koraiensis forest in the Xiaoxing’an Mountains was selected to study its rainfall redistribution effect via 97 rainfall occurrences during a growing season. The following results were obtained: 1) The canopy interception of the P. koraiensis virgin forest amounted to 98168 mm during a growing season (May to September), which was 19.6 per cent of the total rainfall and 1.3 times that of a secondary Betula platyphylla forest. Compared with other forest types in China (11.4%–36.5%), the ratio of the canopy interception in the virgin pine forest was at a medium level. 2) The throughfall of the virgin pine forest was 395.77 mm, which accounted for 78.7% of total precipitation, and the stem-flow was 8.78 mm, accounting for 1.74% of total precipitation. Compared with the secondary birch forest, the virgin pine forest had lower throughfall but higher stem-flow. 3) Cubic regression equations (p < 0.01) which describe the relation between throughfall, stem-flow and canopy interception in the virgin pine forest and rainfall in an open field were fitted. A linear regression equation (p < 0.01) was found to be a better fit for the relationship between throughfall of the secondary birch forest and rainfall outside the forest. Factors affecting throughfall and stem-flow were analyzed, with results providing a good reference to the study of rainfall redistribution in coniferous and broadleaved mixed forests. __________ Translated from Science of Soil and Water Conservation, 2006, 4(6): 61–65 [译自: 中国水土保持科学]     

林龄对思茅松人工林根系生物量的影响

[目的]以云南省普洱市主要植被思茅松人工林为研究对象,探讨不同林龄思茅松人工林根系生物量的大小分布及变化特征。[方法]分别在5、8、15、25、36年生思茅松人工林内,利用内径为8.5 cm的根钻分3层(0~10、10~20、20~30 cm)获取思茅松与其它物种的细根、粗根及死根生物量数据。[结果]表明:随着思茅松人工林林龄的增长,思茅松细根生物量呈减少的趋势,而其它物种细根生物量呈增加趋势,细根生物量最大出现在36年生思茅松人工林。不同林龄思茅松人工林的思茅松粗根和死根生物量之间无显著差异,而其它物种及林分的粗根生物量和根系生物量则随林龄增长而增加。思茅松人工林的细根生物量主要分布在土壤深度0~10 cm内,其中,思茅松、其它物种、林分细根生物量以及根系生物量随土层深度的增加呈减少趋势。林龄和土壤深度对思茅松与其它物种的细根生物量有显著影响,林龄与土壤深度的交叉作用对思茅松细根生物量有显著影响,林龄对死根生物量有显著影响,林龄、土壤深度及林龄与土壤深度的交叉作用对粗根与根系的生物量有显著影响。[结论]思茅松人工林随着林龄增长,群落结构与树种组成随之发生变化,从而对根系生物量产生较大影响。     

Construction and analysis of a subtracted cDNA library of Betula platyphylla female inflorescence

Female inflorescence of Betula platyphylla was sampled at an interval of each two days to analyze the background of gene expression in floral phase. On the basis of SMART strategy, the driver cDNA was obtained from total RNA of the last sample and the tester cDNA was from that of the others by RT-PCR which were subsequently used to construct a subtracted cDNA library. The result of the ESTs (expression sequence tags) blastX showed that the genes in the subtracted cDNA library could be mainly clustered into 5 groups related to metabolism, transportation and signal transduction, cell cycle, stress response, and regulation. The relationship between gene expression and development was also discussed.     

Spatial distribution characteristics of fine roots of Populus euphratica in a desert riparian forest

The soil-plant system is a very important subsystem of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC). The water uptake by plant roots is an important subject in the research on water transport in this SPAC and is also the most active study direction in the fields of ecology, hydrology and environment. The study of the spatial distribution pattern of fine roots of plants is the basis of constructing a water absorption model of plant roots. Our study on the spatial distribution pattern of fine roots of Populus euphratica in a desert riparian forest shows that the density distribution of its root lengths can be expressed horizontally as a parabola. The fine roots are concentrated within the range of 0–350 cm from the tree trunk and their amount accounts for 91.9% of the total root mass within the space of 0–500 cm. In the vertical direction, the density distribution of the fine root lengths shows a negative exponential relation with soil depth. The fine roots are concentrated in the 0–80 cm soil layer, accounting for 96.8% of the total root mass in the 0–140 cm soil layer. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Ecology, 2007, 26(1): 1–4 [译自: 生态学杂志]     

Initial seedling emergence of hairy birch and silver birch on abandoned fields following different site preparation regimes

Experiments were carried out at four sites in Sweden to investigate the possibility of establishing hairy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) on abandoned fields using natural regeneration and (or) direct seeding. The effects of six soil preparation methods (no preparation, ordinary ploughing, rotary cultivation, deep ploughing, inverted ground, removal of top-soil) and five additional treatments (no treatment, herbicide, peat litter, wood-ashes, slaked lime) on seedling emergence percentages (SEP) and vegetation cover percentages (VCP) were studied. SEP-values were estimated in June (SEP(J)) and October (SEP(O)). The experimental designs used were: 1) split-plot design with whole plots in a randomized complete block design (RCBD); 2) RCBD. The SEP-values observed with no preparation were close to 0% while the SEP-values obtained with mechanical soil preparation methods mostly were much higher (p0.014). Seedbeds with top-soil in the surface, created by ordinary ploughing or rotary cultivation, and seedbeds with mainly bare mineral soil in the surface, created by deep ploughing, inverted ground or removal of top-soil, obtained SEP-values of equal merit on silty soils, reaching SEP(O)-values up to 15%. The latter seedbeds obtained the best results on sandy soil, with as high SEP(O)-values as 47% after removal of top-soil. Seedbeds with top-soil in the surface were quickly colonized by ground vegetation, reaching VCP-values between 70% and 100%. Herbicide spraying with glyphosate and application of peat litter to the seedbed surface promoted seedling emergence. However, herbicide spraying before soil preparation was of little effect when followed by mechanical soil preparation.     

Growth variation and early selection ofBetula platyphylla in natural stands

The stem analysis ofBetula platyphylla in natural forest at the Maoershan Forest Experimental Station of Northeast Forestry University, showed that the growth variation of the trees, including height and diameter breast height, decreases with the increase of the age. There is the turning point for the growth variation of the tree from acute change to relative stability when the trees are in eighteen years old. There are significant differences among the height, diameter and volume growth of the trees at that time. Therefore, the optimal age for early selection of this species in natural stands is eighteen years old (18 a). Diameter is used as main index for selection and height growth as auxiliary one. (Responsible Editor: Zhu Hong)     

Root biomass and underground C and N storage of the primitive Korean pine and broad-leaved forest and its different succession stages in Changbai Mountain, northeast China

This paper studied root biomass and underground carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage of a more than 200-year-old primitive Korean pine and broad-leaved forest and its two 20-and 80-year-old secondary Populus davidiana and Betula platyphylla forests in Changbai Mountain, northeast China. The results showed that with forest succession, the root biomass of 20-year-old, 80-year-old, and primitive forests was 2.437, 2.742, and 4.114 kg/m², respectively. The root C storage was 1.113, 1.323, and 2.023 kg/m², soil C storage was 11.911, 11.943, and 12.587 kg/m², and underground C storage was 13.024, 13.266, and 14.610 kg/m², respectively, while the root N storage was 0.035, 0.032, and 0.038 kg/m², soil N storage was 1.208, 1.222, and 0.915 kg/m², and underground N storage was 1.243, 1.254, and 0.955 kg/m², respectively, which indicated that along with forest succession, the forest underground became a potential “carbon sink,” whereas underground N storage did not change obviously. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2005, 16(7): 1,195–1,199 [译自: 应用生态学报, 2005, 16(7): 1,195–1,199]     

An alternative of soil scarification treatment for forest restoration: effects of soil replacement

We examined an alternative natural regeneration practice with a scarification treatment, in which removed soil is replaced on the scarified area, in northern Japan. The effect of the soil replacement on tree establishment was quite obvious; the basal area of trees, composed mostly of Betula ermanii, in the soil-replaced site was about 150-fold greater than that of the normally treated site. The greater growth rates together with higher density, both of which seemed to be enhanced by improved (i.e., deeper, tender, and nutrient-rich) soil properties, produced the marked difference to the normally treated site. The expected enhancement of species diversity owing to utilizing buried seeds in the replaced soil was not found. The current study revealed that the soil replacement could substantially improve forest restoration management with emphasis on biomass production for large nonwooded sites.     

黄土高原不同水分生态区刺槐细根垂直分布的差异

以生长在陕西黄土高原半干旱气候区安塞县和半湿润气候区长武县的刺槐人工林为研究对象,采用土钻法获取根样,研究不同气候区刺槐细根的垂直分布特征.结果表明:两地刺槐细根分布差异较大,安塞县刺槐细根平均分布深度为250 cm,长武为200 cm;安塞阴、阳坡立地上刺槐细根表面积特征值分别是长武的5.06和8.29倍.无论是在阴坡还是阳坡立地上,安塞刺槐细根表面积特征值均在土壤表层0～20 cm处达到最大值,且随土层加深逐渐减小;长武刺槐细根表面积特征值峰值出现在较深的土层,阴、阳坡均在60 cm左右.安塞刺槐细根约80%分布于0～150 cm土层中,长武集中在0～100 cm土层.此外,两地刺槐细根表面积特征值阴坡大于阳坡.水分条件不同是造成这种差异的主要原因.模型S＝AhB(C Dh Eh2 Fh3)可以较好地拟合两地刺槐细根的垂直分布特征,安塞县不同立地的拟合决定系数R2均在0.94以上,长武县在0.80以上.     

Changes and effects of a natural fire on ectomycorrhizal inoculum potential of soil in a Pinus halepensis forest

A typically mediterranean forest of Pinus halepensis wass tudied. During two years following fruiting fungal species, the number of sclerotia in soil, and the percentages and types of mycorrhizas present were determined. In burned stands ascomycetes were typical carbonicolous while basidiomycetes were strongly reduced. The sclerotia extracted from soils were mainly Cenococcum. The number of sclerotia in burned stands was greater than in unburned stands. Seven types of mycorrhizas were recognized in Pinus halepensis root systems from bioassays: Cenococcum, E-strain, Rhizopogon, Suillus, Tuber, Xerocomus, and one non-identified. Nearly 100% of the roots were colonized by mycorrhizal fungi. Ectendomycorrhizas represented 50–90% of the total number. The predominant type is ectendomycorrhizas formed by ascomycetes included in the E-strain group.     

Comparison of species diversity betweenLarix gmelini pure forest andLarix gmelini-betula platyphylla mixed forest in Daxing'an Mountains

Based on the investigation data about the species diversity in Daxing'an Mountains, the difference of species diversity indexes betweenLarix gmelini forest andLarix gmelini-Betula platyphylla forest was analyzed by the Simpson index (D), Shannon-Wiener index (H), Pielou index (J _sw &J _si), Alatalo index (E _a) and Species richness index (S). The result showed that the species diversity index ofLarix gmelini-Betula platyphylla forest was much higher than that ofLarix gmelini forest in this region. AndLarix gmelini-Betula platyphylla forest was beneficial to maintain the species diversity in Daxing'an Mountains region. Biography: SONG Guan-ling (1969-), female, Master, assistant professor in Zibo College, Zibo 255000, P.R. China. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

Root morphology and nutritional status of Japanese red cedar saplings subjected to in situ levels of aluminum in forest soil solution

There is little information on the effects of in situ levels of aluminum (Al) in the forest soil solution on the root morphology of Japanese red cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don). We evaluated whether morphological and nutritional changes in the white roots of Japanese red cedar saplings grown in glass-bead culture for 18 weeks occurred in response to Al solutions at five concentrations: 0 (control), 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0mM. Branching white roots treated with 0.5 or 1.0mM Al had some stunted, brown, thickened tips. Their mean lengths were significantly shorter than those of roots treated with 0.05 or 0.1mM Al. The maximum diameters of white roots treated with 0.5 or 1.0mM Al were significantly larger than those of the control. Treatment with 0.5 or 1.0mM Al reduced the concentrations of Ca and Mg in the white roots and increased the concentration of Al compared with the control. These results indicate that between 0.1 and 0.5mM Al, a drastic change occurs in the effects of Al on the morphology and nutritional status of white roots of Japanese red cedar saplings, and suggest that the Al levels in Japanese forest soils may induce morphological changes in the white roots.     

11条白桦BpSPL家族基因的生物信息学和表达分析

[目的]研究白桦中SPL转录因子的基因序列特征及其在不同时期不同组织中的表达规律。[方法]依据白桦45个转录组测序结果,共获得12条全长SPL基因,依次命名为白桦BpSPL1-BpSPL12,对其中11条BpSPL进行了生物信息学及基因表达特征分析。[结果]生物信息学分析发现,11条BpSPL均含有1个高度保守的SBP结构域,且基因长度差异较大,含有2 10个不等数目的外显子,系统进化分析发现11条白桦SPL分属于六大类SPL蛋白;qRT-PCR分析结果显示,白桦BpSPL基因在不同时期的叶、顶芽、茎、雄花序中表达变化显著,多数SPL基因在顶芽中7月5日和8月20日至9月20日时期表达较高,除BpSPL1基因外在雄花序从6月份到9月份的生长阶段中,SPL的表达水平呈现逐渐升高的总体趋势。[结论]BpSPL基因可能参与到了白桦顶芽和雄花序的生长发育过程。     

Comparison of organic matter dynamics in soil between Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forest and adjacent Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) forest established on flatland

In order to clarify the effects of tree species on organic matter dynamics in soil, we investigated the amount of forest floor material, leaf litter decomposition rate, soil chemical characteristics, soil respiration rate and cellulose decomposition rate in a Japanese cedar forest (cedar plot) and an adjacent Japanese red pine forest (pine plot) established on a flatland. The amount of forest floor material in the cedar plot was 34.5 Mg ha⁻¹ which was greater than that in the pine plot. Because the leaf litter decomposition rate was higher in the pine plot than in the cedar plot, it is likely that the difference in the amount of forest floor material between the plots is caused by the difference in the leaf litter decomposition rate. The C concentrations of soil in the cedar plot were 1.2–2.1 times higher than those in the pine plot. Soil pH(H₂O)s in the cedar plot were significantly higher than those in the pine plot. The soil respiration rates and the rates of mineralized C in the cedar plot byin vitro incubation were higher than those in the pine plot. From this result, it is assumed that soil organic matter in the cedar plot was decomposed relatively faster compared with the pine plot. Furthermore, microbial activities, which were reflected as cellulose decomposition rates in the cedar plot, were higher than those in the pine plot. A part of this paper was presented at the 109th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society (1998).     

Genetic diversity of Quercus glandulifera var. brevipetiolata populations in three forest communities with different succession stages

In order to understand the relationship between population succession and its genetic behavior, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to analyze the genetic diversity of Quercu glandulifera var. brevipetiolata populations in three forest communities with different succession stages (coniferous forest, coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, evergreen broad-leaved forest). The results showed that 145 repetitive loci were produced in 60 individuals of Q. glandulifera using 11 primers, among which 120 loci were polymorphic, and the total percentage of polymorphic loci was 82.76% with an average of 64.14%. Estimated by the Shannon information index, the total genetic diversity of the three populations was 0.4747, with an average of 0.3642, while it was 0.3234, with an average of 0.2484, judged from the Nei index. Judged from percentage of polymorphic loci, Shannon inform at ion index and Nei index, the genetic diversity followed a decreasing order: coniferous forest > broad-leaved mixed forest > evergreen broad-leaved forest. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 69.73% of the genetic variance existed within populations and 30.27% of the genetic variance existed among populations. The coefficient of gene differentiation (GST) was 0.2319 and the gene flow (N _m) was 1.6539. The mean of genetic identity among populations of Q. glandulifera was 0.8501 and the mean of genetic distance was 0.1626. The genetic identity between the Q. glandulifera population in the coniferous forest and that in the coniferous and broadleaved mixed forest was the highest. UPGMA cluster analysis based on Nei’s genetic distance showed that the population in the coniferous forest gathered with that in the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest firstly, then with that in the evergreen broad-leaved forest. The genetic structure of Q. glandulifera was not only characteristic of the biological characteristics of this species, but was also influenced by the microenvironment in different communities. __________ Translated from Journal of Northwest Forestry University, 2008, 23(1): 18–22 [译自: 西北林学院学报]     

Distribution of Frankia, ectomycorrhizal fungi, and bacteria in soil after the eruption of Miyake-Jima (Izu Islands, Japan) in 2000

Miyake-Jima, a round island of about 8 km in diameter, is located about 200 km south of Tokyo, Japan (34°08′ N, 139°53′ E). In July 2000, the central cone of this island collapsed and a new eruption started with the falling of volcanic ash and SO₂ emission. In October 2001, we measured the distribution of bacteria, and Frankia, a symbiotic nitrogen-fixing actinomycete that forms root nodules, and ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with alder in newly deposited ash and its underlying soil by cultivation of Alnus sieboldiana seedlings in these soils. There were fewer bacteria growing on the nutrient broth agar and fewer bacteria growing on 100-fold diluted nutrient broth agar in newly deposited volcanic ash than there were growing in the buried old soil. In four out of five sites, little or no nodulation was observed in newly deposited ash; abundant root nodules were formed in the underlying soil. Ectomycorrhizae formed in the seedlings cultivated in the underlying soil. In May 2003, the distribution of Frankia and ectomycorrhizal fungi in soil at different depths (up to 160 cm) was also investigated. Frankia and ectomycorrhizal fungi were relatively abundant in surface soil layers.