Changes in forest structure and composition on Changbai Mountain in Northeast China

Introduction   

Long-term ecological studies are essential for understanding the dynamics of natural systems. However, describing long-term dynamics in old-growth forests is often hindered by a lack of archival data.     

Dendroclimatic analysis of Betula ermanii forests at their upper limit of distribution in Changbai Mountain, Northeast China

In order to detect the effects of climate change on Erman's birch (Betula ermanii Charm.), we examined radial growth—climate relationships of Erman's birch forests at their upper limit of distribution in Changbai Mountain, Northeast China. Thirty Erman's birch trees from six stands were sampled at an elevation of about 1950 m a.s.l. Correlation and response function coefficients indicated that radial growth of Erman's birch was positively influenced by previous August, October and current February temperature, and previous winter, and current March, June and September precipitation. In addition, radial growth showed a negative relationship to previous August and current June sunshine ratio. Precipitation and temperatures in annualization periods also positively affected the radial growth of Erman's birch. Regression analyses indicated that precipitation explained more variation in radial growth than minimum temperature. Together, these results suggested that climate affected radial growth of Erman's birch through altering soil water availability. Therefore, the radial growth of Erman's birch at the tree line in Changbai Mountain could not be predicted by temperature alone even under a scenario of global warming.     

择伐后长白山北坡天然次生林乔木种多样性的变化动态

通过调查了不同时期择伐后形成的长白山北坡天然次生林的群落特性,研究了28年恢复期间乔木种多样性的变化动态。结果表明:(1)天然次生林内林分的乔木种丰富度S变化较小,始终保持在18-22;(2)在次生林内更新层、演替层及林分的Simpson指数D变化趋势基本类似,主林层在受到干扰后的前15年恢复期Simpson指数D缓慢减小,第15年以后变化比较小;(3)天然次生林的多样性指数变化较小,Shannon-Wiener指数(H)变化幅度始终保持在原始林的H±10%以内。图3表1参14。     

Dynamics ofBetula ermanni population in subalpine vegetation in Changbai Mountain, Northeast China

Betula ermanni population was divided into three groups: the upper population (2 000–2 200 m), the middle population (1 700–2 000 m), and the down population (1 400–1 700 m) in Changbai Mountain. The dynamics ofBetula ermanni populations in subalpine vegetation are studied and the population life table, fecundity schedule, survival curves, age structure, and fecundity curves were established. The results showed that the, middle population is obviously, the transition from the upper population to the down population. This project is supported by Chinese Academy of Science Responsible editor     

The effects of forest type on soil microbial activity in Changbai Mountain,Northeast China

Key message

Forty years after clear-cutting mixed old-growth forest (broadleaf/Korean pine) in the Changbai Mountain area (Northeast China), a mixed forest with natural broadleaf regeneration and larch plantation displayed larger microbial biomass and activity in the soil than either a naturally regenerated birch forest or a monospecific spruce plantation.

Context

Clear-cutting with limited restoration effort was until the end of the twentieth century the norm for managing primary forests in Northeast China. Forest restoration plays an important role in the recovery of soil quality after clear-cutting, but the effects of different regeneration procedures on forest soil quality remain poorly known in Northeast China.

Aims

We assessed the effects of three regeneration procedures, i.e., (i) naturally regenerated birch forest, (ii) spruce plantation, and (iii) naturally regenerated broadleaf species interspersed with planted larch on soil quality and microbial activity in the Changbai Mountain area. An old-growth mixed broadleaf/Korean pine forest was used as a reference.

Methods

Physical and chemical properties and microbial biomass were recorded in the soil. Basal respiration and carbon mineralization were measured with a closed-jar alkali-absorption method.

Results

Microbial biomass was smaller in the birch forest and spruce plantation than in the old-growth and the mixed broadleaf/larch forests. Moreover, microbial biomass, microbial quotient, and potentially mineralizable carbon were larger in the mixed broadleaf/larch than in the birch forest, while no difference was found between spruce plantation and birch forest for microbial biomass and microbial quotient. Basal respiration and metabolic quotient were larger in the birch forest as compared to the three other forest types, indicating a larger energy need for maintenance of the microbial community and lower microbial activity in the naturally regenerated birch forest.

Conclusion

Mixed broadleaf/larch forest displayed a larger microbial biomass and higher substrate use efficiency of the soil microbial community than either naturally regenerated birch forest or spruce plantation. The combined natural and artificial regeneration procedure (mixed broadleaf-larch forest) seems better suited to restore soil quality after clear-cutting in the Changbai Mountain.

     

长白山北坡土壤线虫的群落结构特征

对长白山北坡不同海拔（7262200m）的阔叶红松林、红松云冷杉混交林、暗针叶林、岳桦林和高山苔原中土壤线虫进行了研究。在2001、2002年春天,分别在样地的枯枝落叶层、不同深度的表层土（0-5、5-10、10．20cm）掘取土壤样品进行分析。土壤线虫群落中共有27个科,60个属,其中Plectus和Tylenchus两属为优势属,优势属线虫主要分布在枯枝落叶层中。土壤线虫数量与土壤含水量显著相关（r=0．357;p〈0.01）。在不同深度和植被群落中丰富度最大的是食细菌类群线虫。土壤线虫总数和营养类群在不同土壤深度中差异显著（p〈0.05）;食真菌类群／食细菌类群（F／B）和食真菌类群数量与食细菌类群数量之和与植食类群数量之比（WI）在不同深度也存在明显差异（P〈0．05）。总之,土壤水分是影响土壤线虫密度和营养组成的最主要因素之一,海拔梯度并未显著影响土壤线虫的生态指标,如营养多样性和Shannon指数。     

Dynamics of Betula ermanni population in subalpine vegetation in Changbai Mountain, Northeast China

lntroductionNotonIyaretimberIinesthemostconspicuousvegetationboundaryinhighmountains,buttheyareaIsoanimportantecologicaIboundary(Bruce1996,Thomas1997).NowondersthenthosetimberIineshaveaIwaysattractedresearchersforbothscientificandpracticaIreasons.InChangbaiMountain,forexample,therestorationoftheclimatictimberlineandestabIishmentofanedectiveprotectiveforestarethetWoprincipalobjectivesofhigh-mountainfor-estmanagement.AIsointhisconnection,thepotentiaIresponseoftimberlinestoexpectedclimaticc…     

Species frequency of communities along northern slope of Changbai Mountain, Northeast China

IntroductionAs an important index reflecting species spatialpatterns, frequency reflects not only the importanceof species, but also the evenness of spatial distribution in community (Lin 1986, Magurran 1988; Dale1999). Frequency figure could reveal the complexityand diversity of community at some extent. Raunkiaer(1918) divided frequency indices into five classes,namely, Ac 1%-20%, Ba 21%-40%, Cd 41%-60%, Da61%-80%, and Ed 81%-100%, and based on 8 078frequency indices of herbaceous vegetat…     

FIRE IN NORTHEAST CHINA FORESTS

Fire plays an important role in Northeast China forests,The occurrence of fires isclosely related to the environmental characteristics.High temperature,drought,and strong wind inspring(March to July)and autumn(September to November)are common fire climatic character-istics in Northeast China.Based on the chemical and physical characters of fuels,fuel quantity dis-tribution,sites as well as fire potential behaviour,fourteen fuel types have been classified inNortheast China Forest area.The fire adaptation of several main tree species has been also analysedin this paper.These species are widely distributed and of great economic significance in NortheastChina.Fire use is paid much more attention recently.Fire have been employed in many silviculturepractice such as fireline creation,fuels reduction and seed bed preparation in Northeast China     

长白山杨桦次生林生长过程与演替动向分析

以长白山金沟岭林场的杨桦次生林为研究对象,根据山杨、白桦解析木资料,利用Richards方程拟合了白桦和山杨的胸径、树高和材积的生长方程,分别编制了二者的生长过程表;同时根据径阶组划分标准,统计各树种在不同径阶组中的株数及其所占的比例,从而对林分内各乔木树种的演替动向进行分析.研究结果表明:山杨和白桦作为林分内的先锋树种,处于衰退趋势;红松、冷杉与云杉为地带性顶级树种,将在地带性顶级群落中占据为优势树种;其他树种在演替过程中变化不明显.     

长白山区人工红松林蓄积生长模型研究

基于吉林省长白山区1 078块人工红松林小班的森林资源规划设计调查数据,选用12种3参数的生长模型对蓄积生长进行模拟,并用决定系数R2、均方根误差RMSE对模型精度进行检验,最后以模型外推检验其生物学意义。结果表明:人工红松林经历缓慢—旺盛—缓慢的生长阶段;理论生长方程Richards模型和Gompertz模型能较好地模拟这个过程,拟合精度较高,生物学意义较好;拟合的生长曲线呈现慢生树种典型的S形。对蓄积生长模型求导计算出连年生长量模型,表明人工红松林分在29a附近时蓄积连年生长量达到最大值。蓄积生长模型能较好地模拟长白山区人工红松林的生长过程,可为森林生长预测和经营优化提供参考依据。     

长白山二道白河溪流大木质物残体的初步研究

主要对长白山北坡溪流大木质物残体现存量进行了调查和研究,包括两段河道内所有大木质物残体的基径、顶径、长度、腐烂级,并在其中一段对树种尽可能进行了鉴别,以分析河岸带植被与溪流大木质物残体的关系。在调查的红松阔叶林植被带内4500 m长河道内,共发现溪流倒木425株,分属于17个树种;其中III、IV级腐烂占相当大的比重,与林地倒木II、III级腐烂占优有所不同,其原因可能与分解环境的不同有关。两段河道溪流大木质物残体的现存量为1.733 m3/100m、 10.83m3/hm2和1.709 m3/100m、 21.36 m3/hm2。处于III、IV级腐烂的溪流大木质物残体所占比重较大,与在森林中情况有所差异,可能与分解环境的不同有关。溪流大木质物残体和林地活立木的个体数量的径级分布基本上为反J型,而它们材积的径级分布均为典型的J型。溪流大木质物残体的树种组成和不同树种的材积与河岸带植被密切相关,但存在差异,分析这种差异可以深入了解河岸带植被动态。图1表4参18。     

Canopy gap characteristics and its influence on the regeneration of broad-leaved Korean pine forests in Changbai Mountain

lntroductionBroad-leavedKoreanpineforestisacldriaxforestli1tCm-peratezoneofNortheaster11Cl1ina.ltscharacteristichasIligllstabilityandproductivity.Therewerenlanyresearcl1worksfocusedontl1estructure,dynandcsanditsmain-tainingmechanisn1.Researchontheforestregeneratio11wasamali1approaclltoundersta11dtlleforestdynanlicsI;j.ThereweremanyresearcI1eso11tl1erege11erationofh1iskindofforestsincel95ol5~ll].Butfewoftl1emweredoneundertheconsiderationofcanopygapdistUrbance.Sincel99O's,moreandmoreresearch…     

Leaf and twig litter decomposition of main species in different forests along the north slope of Changbai Mountain, northeast China

From 2001 to 2003, the litter decomposition dynamics of dominant tree species were conducted using a litterbag burying method in the broadleaf-Korean pine forest, spruce-fir forest and Ermans birch forest, which represents three altitudinal belts in Changbai Mountain, northeast China. The spatial and temporal dynamics of litter decomposition and the effects of litter properties were examined. Furthermore, the decomposition trend of different species was simulated by the Olson model, and results showed that annual mass loss rates increased over time, but was not significantly correlated. Leaf decomposition rates increased after decomposing for 638 days (1.75 years), and the order of dry weight remaining rates of leaf litter for different species is: Asian white birch (Betula platyphylla) (24.56%) < Amur linden (Tilia amurensis) (24.81%) < Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) (38.48%) < spruce (Picea jezoensis var. microsperma) (41.15%) < Ermans birch (Betula ermanii) (41.53%) < fir (Abies nephrolepis) (42.62%). The dry weight remaining rates of twig litter was smaller than that of leaf litter, and followed the order of Amur linden (44.98%) < fir (64.62%) < Korean pine (72.07%) < spruce (73.51%) < Asian white birch (77.37%) < Ermans birch (80.35%). The simulation results by the Olson model showed that, in leaf, the 95%-decomposition rates ranged from 4.5 to 8.0 years, and annual decomposition rate (k) followed the order of Amur linden (0.686) > Asian white birch (0.624) > Korean pine (0.441) > spruce (0.406) > fir (0.397) > Ermans birch (0.385); in twig, it ranged from 7.8 to 29.3 years, and k follows the order: Amur linden (0.391) > fir (0.204) > Korean pine (0.176) > spruce (0.157) > Asian white birch (0.148) > Ermans birch (0.102). In general, the differences of decomposition rate are evident between leaf and twig litter and among species, and were higher in broad-leaved species compared with coniferous species at the same elevation, and decreased with the ascending of elevation. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2006, 26(4): 1,037–1,046 [译自: 生态学报]     

Deciduous and deciduous—evergreen forests in Northeast China

Two types of forests in Northeast China is divided in this paper, that is, the deciduous forests in the northern part and the deciduous—evergreen forests in the eastern part. Both distributions of the two types of forests have also been presented. Meanwhile, the development and succession as well as components of forests have been studied in detail. In the end, the vertical distribution of the deciduous forests have been shown, in which, the near—temperate cold temperate deciduous coniferous forests are distributing in the low elevation area between 450m—600m from the north to the south, the typical Siberian cold temperate deciduous coniferous forests are widely distributing from 450m–820m in the north to 600m-1050m in the south, the humid cold temperate deciduous coniferous forests can only be found in high elevation area from 820m–1100m in the north to 1050m–1380m in the south, the cold temperate deciduous coniferous open forests can seldom appear at the top of a few peaks.     

长白山苔藓植物研究进展与展望

长白山是我国温带地区苔藓植物具有代表性的区域，自19世纪末以来，众多的苔藓学家涉足长白山，对该地区的苔藓植物进行了采集和鉴定，野外调查它们的分布，初步揭示了该地区苔藓植物在物种水平上的多样性特点。20世纪90年代以来，对长白山地区苔藓植物研究的领域日渐广泛，工作也不断深入，已涉及到生物多样性，分布格局，生态位，分布与生态因子关系，重要种类的碳同化特点，苔藓对生态界在的指示作用，苔藓植物生态系统中的作用以及重要类群的生态分化等，并取得了丰富的成果，长白山已成为我国系统全面研究苔藓植物的代表性山地。今后，该地区苔藓植物的研究应该侧重在苔藓植物对全球气候变化的响应及蓣警作用，环境污染长期变化监测，重要类群对微环境的生态适应及其与形态，生理特点间的关系，长白山与世界其它重要山地苔藓植物区系关系，苔藓植物种群生态学以及苔藓植物资源的开发利用等方面。     

A succession and silviculture model for the broad-leaved Korean pine forests of Changbai Mountain Area

IntroductionGaPSinforestSwereoftenfomledduetobigtreesfalldown.Regenerationandgrowtl1inthegapsincreasebe-causeofIheAnprovementoflightcondition-Thegapwillbefilledwithnewregeneratedtrees.Wattnamedtl1isforesIdynamicsastheforestgrowtllcycle.SinceD.Bot-kindevelopedthefirstGapmo`Iel(JANOWAnlodel)basedontheforestgrowthcycletheory,dleresearchongapmodelbecameoneofthemostactivedirectio11slilecologybecauseofJANoWAnlodeI'ssuccess.H.Sl1ug-artandhisstUdentSmadegreatc()ntributio11stogapmodeI'sdeve…     

Determining suitable selection cutting intensities based on long-term observations on aboveground forest carbon,growth, and stand structure in Changbai Mountain,Northeast China

We studied the effects of different cutting intensities (0%, 5–10%, 15%, and 20% basal area removal) on stand growth, structure, and net carbon storage in spruce–fir (Picea jezoensis (Sieb. et Zucc.) Carr.–Abies nephrolepis (Trautv.) Maxim.) and broadleaf mixed forests on Changbai Mountain (Northeast China) over 19 years. At this site, inventory-based low-intensity selection cutting was used to maintain a continuous forest canopy. After two cutting events, results showed significant differences in growth, structure, and carbon storage among cutting intensities. When increasing cutting intensity, the growth rate of average diameter, basal area, and volume significantly increased, with the highest increment rates found in the plots with 20% basal area removal. Tree diameters for all plots showed a roughly inverse J-shaped distribution before cutting and a left-skewed unimodal distribution after two cuttings. Volume ratio (the relative amount of volume contained in different diameter classes) for small (6–14 cm), medium (14–26 cm), large (26–36 cm), and very large (>38 cm) diameters remained unchanged in the plots with 5 and 10% basal area removal, but the volume ratio of large and very large diameters increased in the plots with 15 and 20% basal area removal, reaching approximately a 1:2:3:4 ratio in the plots with 20% basal area removal after two selection cuttings. Net carbon storage increased when increasing cutting intensity, reaching maximum storage in the plots with 20% basal area removal (cutting intensity and net C storage increase: 0%, 7.21 Mg C ha^?1, 5–10%: 11.68 Mg C ha^?1, 15%: 21.41 Mg C ha^?1, 20%: 26.47 Mg C ha^?1). Therefore, our results show the potential of low-intensity selection cutting to meet demands of both timber production and maintenance of forest cover for biodiversity values.     

Habitat associations of saplings and adults in an old-growth temperate forest in the Changbai mountains,northeastern China

Species-habitat association analysis is useful to detect spatial arrangement of individual plants, to discover rules about the distribution of species and to generate hypotheses about the possible underlying process controlling observed structures. Quantifying methods were used to classify habitats in terms of topographical variables in a mixed temperate broad-leaved Korean pine forest of the Changbai mountains in northeastern China. All of the 625 20 m × 20 m quadrats of the plot could be unambiguously assigned to one of three habitat categories (low-plateau, high-plateau and slope). Torus-translation tests were used to estimate species-habitat associations. Many species are clearly distributed in a biased fashion with respect to habitats. Fifteen (55.6%) out of 27 species showed strong positive or negative association with specific habitats. We compared species-habitat associations at the sapling and adult stages. Adjusted density values indicated few species exhibit extremely strong habitat associations. Only 9 out of 26 species had adjusted densities > 3 in the habitat for which they had strong positive affinity. Few species show the same associations at the small tree and large tree stages. Only 3 out of 22 occurring associations with a specific habitat appeared to have a consistent habitat association at the two stages. These results suggest that species-habitat associations exist in the 25-ha plot of the temperate forest of the Chang- bai mountains. Owing to limitations in our statistical methodology, we partly underestimated associations by ignoring rare species. Regeneration niches can contribute to co-existence, but regeneration niches due to habitat associations play a limited role in species co-existence, since most species show a similar trend in habitat associations at the sapling and adult stages. We should pay more attention to shifts in habitat associations, i.e. niche shifts at different stages of existence.