Stand structure and composition of a 60-year-old larch (Larix kaempferi) plantation with retained hardwoods

Tree retention is understood as a key practice in creating complexity, leading to heterogeneity in resources and habitats in managed stands. In this article, we clarify the long-term effects of tree retention on stand structure and tree-species composition in a 60-year-old Larix kaempferi plantation in central Japan. In our study plot (1.5 ha) there were 18 stems/ha of retained trees (determined by tree-ring analysis), mostly Quercus crispula. We conducted spatial analyses and tested the hypothesis that tree abundance, size structure, and species composition and diversity change with distance from the retained trees. Near the retained trees, L. kaempferi showed a reduction of 40%–60% in basal area, due presumably to the shading effect. In contrast, the nearby area showed greater species diversity in the canopy layer. The retained trees created patches of different species composition in the understory. The spatial gradient of shade and colonization opportunity provided by retained trees greatly affect the distribution of the colonized species, according to their shade tolerance and seed-dispersal ability, which resulted in the stand structure with a heterogeneous shrub-layer vegetation. Retention proved particularly important for the enhancement and long-term maintenance of structural and compositional complexity in L. kaempferi plantations.     

Resistance of larches to bark stripping by sika deer in Hokkaido,northern Japan

Resistance of the Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) (Lk), the Kurile larch (L. gmelinii var. japonica) (Lg), and their F₁ hybrid (Lg × Lk) to bark stripping by sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) were studied in a forest in Hokkaido by cafeteria tests. Several sets of logs prepared from Lk, Lg, and Lg × Lk were fed to the deer. The stripped areas of logs significantly differed between the Lk/Lg set and the Lk/Lg × Lk set (P 0.05). The resistances of Lg and Lg × Lk to bark stripping was stronger than Lk. This result was similar to those of previous studies on gray-sided voles and mountain hares in Hokkaido.     

Impact of bark stripping by sika deer, Cervus nippon, on subalpine coniferous forests in central Japan

We investigated the effect of bark stripping by sika deer, Cervus nippon, on forest regeneration in subalpine coniferous forests on Mt. Ohdaigahara and in the Ohmine Mountains of central Japan. Bark stripping by sika deer occurred in five major tree species: Abies homolepis; Abies Veitchii; Tsuga diversifolia; Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis; and Chamaecyparis obtusa. The percentage of damaged trees on Mt. Ohdaigahara was higher than in the Ohmine Mountains, probably because of the higher deer density. On Mt. Ohdaigahara, the DBH distributions of stems for P. jezoensis var. hondoensis, A. homolepis, T. diversifolia andC. obtusa were bell-shaped with fewer smaller and larger trees. On the other hand, in the Ohmine Mountains the distributions for P. jezoensis var. hondoensis and A. Veitchii showed a reverse-J shaped with more smaller trees. Larger overstory conifers on Mt. Ohdaigahara were killed by bark stripping when 100% barked, although in the Ohmine Mountains ca. 50% of the trees survived even when 100% barked. After the disappearance of the overstory conifers on Mt. Ohdaigahara, the dwarf bamboo, Sasa nipponica, expanded into the forest floor due to changes in light reaching the forest floor. Since S. nipponica is the main forage of deer in this area, this increase caused a corresponding increase in the deer population, which in turn, could cause a further decline in the coniferous forests.     

Development of height curves for Japanese larch in relation to GIS-derived site index

The objectives of this study were: (1) to relate the height growth pattern to the GIS-derived site index, (2) to construct various types of polymorphic height curves, and (3) to select the most accurate height curve for Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi). A total of 14 dominant trees were felled for stem analysis. Richards' function was first fitted to the height/age dataset recorded from stem analyses of 14 trees, and its parameters (i.e., A, k, and m) were then estimated for each sample tree. The relationship between parameter A and the GIS-derived site index was significant, while that of parameters k and m were not significant. The 12 height curve equation forms developed from the Richards' function were then fitted to the dataset consisting of 563 observations of height, age, and GIS-derived site index derived from 14 trees. All height curves were unbiased and provided an equally good fit. The shape of the height curves differed among sites of different site indices. These results indicated that Richards' function was sufficiently flexible to represent the polymorphic height growth pattern of Japanese larch. Finally, the best-fit height curve was selected so that accurate height growth predictions would be possible at any given age and site.     

Use of GIS-derived environmental factors in predicting site indices in Japanese larch plantations in Hokkaido

The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the effects of environmental factors derived from GIS on tree-height growth of Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) and (2) to develop a best-fit regression model for its site index. Based on data from 40 sample plots situated in an even-aged (38 years), pure, and undamaged Japanese larch stand, multiple regression models for a site index of Japanese larch were constructed using environmental factors as independent variables. The average slope gradient, effective relief, distance from ridge, flow accumulation, degree of exposure, shading, solar radiation index, and gravitational water index were used as environmental factors and calculated on GIS using digital elevation model data. These factors were related to the Japanese larch site index through multiple-regression analysis. The result showed that the most effective factor for estimating site index was the degree of exposure. Through a backward stepwise procedure, the degree of exposure, shading, and average slope gradient were selected for a best-fit regression model. This model explained 72% of the variance in site index, with standard error estimates of 1.75 m. This strong relationship suggests that GIS-derived environmental factors can be used to predict site indices of Japanese larch. This study was supported by the experimental forest of Kyushu University.     

Effects of 13-year fencing on browsing by sika deer on seedlings on Mt. Ohdaigahara, central Japan

We examined the effects of fencing on deer browsing on seedlings 13 years after the building the experimental fence on Mt. Ohdaigahara, central Japan, where the sika deer (Cervus nippon) population is high. There was no difference in the species number of seedlings between 1991 and 2004. The density of seedlings in the fenced plot in 2004 was three times higher than in 1991. Although the unfenced plots had no seedlings higher than 20 cm, there were seedlings up to 120 cm in the fenced plot. These results suggest that 13-year fencing promoted regeneration of seedlings in this area.     

Interactions among forestry regeneration treatments,plant vigour and browsing damage by deer.

In a large field experiment we studied the influence of regenerationmethods on the extent to which roe deer (Capreoluscapreolus L.) browse on spruce (Picea abies L.Karst) seedlings. Our objective was to evaluate if treatments that are good atstimulating regeneration may increase browsing damage by deer. Data werecollected between 1993 and 1995, and in the winters of 1993–94 and1994–95 the frequency of browsed seedlings was 13.2% and 13.4%,respectively. The frequency of browsing damage varied considerably betweensitesand clearcuts. Browsing damage was more frequent when the regeneration methodsincluded insecticide treatments. Among insecticide-free treatments, browsingwasheavier on scarified plots than on herbicide-treated or control plots (in whichseedlings were planted on untreated ground and given no post-plantingtreatment). Containerised seedlings were browsed more than bare-rooted ones.Neither the age of clearcut when planting, nor removal of slash, had any effecton browsing. It was demonstrated that regeneration methods that increased plantvigour (as assessed by leader growth and needle colour index) led to morebrowsing damage. Thus, our results support the plant vigour hypothesis, whichstates that many herbivores prefer to feed on vigorous plants because they aremore nutritious. However, the difference in browsing damage betweencontainerised and bare-rooted seedlings could not be explained solely by theplant vigour hypothesis.     

日本落叶松纤维素合酶基因片段的克隆及单核苷酸多态性分析

[目的]纤维素合酶(cellulose synthase,CesA)在植物纤维素合成途径中发挥主要调节作用,是控制木材纤维品质和产量的重要基因.从日本落叶松中分离克隆与纤维素合成相关的LkCesA基因,并对其进行核苷酸多样性以及连锁不平衡分析,为在日本落叶松中开展基于LkCesA基因的连锁不平衡作图及其辅助日本落叶松木材纤维性状的分子育种提供理论依据.[方法]依据日本落叶松转录组数据库检测到的纤维素合酶(CesA)基因ESTs序列设计引物,从日本落叶松中分离获得LkCesA基因片段.在此基础上,利用DnaSP5.0软件对日本落叶松40株基因型个体的LkCesA序列进行核苷酸多样性和连锁不平衡分析.[结果]从日本落叶松中成功克隆了CesA基因片段:该片段长1 209 bp,包含部分开放阅读框,长度为1 053 bp,可编码350个氨基酸,所推导的蛋白质氨基酸序列与火炬松Pt-CesA2的蛋白质氨基酸序列同源性为95.4％.在日本落叶松40株基因型个体的LkCesA序列中共检测到83个SNP位点,SNP发生频率为1/21 bp,多样性指数πT为0.006 05.在这些SNPs中,69个属于转换,14个属于颠换,其中19个为常见SNPs,64个为罕见SNPs.在外显子区域,共检测到54个SNP位点,其中34个为错义突变,20个为同义突变.进一步的连锁不平衡分析显示,随着核苷酸序列长度的增加,SNP连锁不平衡程度逐渐减弱.[结论]克隆到的LkCesA为植物CesA基因家族中的一员.LkCesA基因的连锁不平衡在基因内部就已衰退,说明选择该基因作为候选基因,在日本落叶松中开展连锁不平衡作图用于指导日本落叶松的定向培育及木材品质改良是可行的.此外,在LkCesA基因中检测到多个常见SNP位点,为进一步开展该基因的连锁不平衡作图提供了材料.     

Impact of defoliation caused by the sawfly Cephalcia lariciphila (Hymenoptera: Pamphilidae) on radial growth of larch (Larix decidua Mill.)

The period between 2000 and 2002 repeated outbreaks of the web spinning sawfly Cephalcia lariciphila (Wachtl 1898) around the village of Větrny Jeníkov, Czech Republic. The impact of defoliation, caused by C. lariciphila feeding, on tree-ring formation of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) was studied using dendrochronological methods. Heavy defoliation resulted in much less growth in the years of insect attack, the average incremental loss being 67% for the 2000–2002 period. Also, defoliation resulted in the formation of latewood with fewer cells and reduced cell-wall thickness.     

Clonal variation of carbon content in wood of Larix kaempferi (Japanese larch)

Variations in carbon content in wood among 102 clones, selected from almost the entire natural distribution area, were investigated in Larix kaempferi. The average carbon content was 50.50%, 50.94%, and 50.80% in sapwood, heartwood, and whole wood, respectively. The difference in carbon content between clones was significant. The clonal repeatabilities were 0.46, 0.38, and 0.44 in heartwood, sapwood and whole wood, respectively. The coefficients of variation in the clonal mean carbon content were only 0.43%, 0.42%, and 0.41% in heartwood, sapwood, and whole wood, respectively. This small genetic variation and resulting small relative genetic gain of carbon content indicate that the genetic improvement of carbon content by selection has a small effect on the genetic improvement of carbon sequestration capacity by selection in L. kaempferi.     

Effects of deer and mice on seedling survival in a temperate mixed forest of Japan

To detect the magnitude of indirect positive effects of deer and mice on seedling survival of some woody species in a Japanese temperate forest, we analyzed the data from an earlier field experiment using a hierarchical Bayesian approach. The forest studied was inhabited by sika deer (Cervus nippon) and mice (Apodemus spp.), and the floor was covered with dwarf bamboo, Sasa nipponica, which negatively affected tree seedlings and was in turn negatively affected by deer and mice. The field experiment was designed as the combination of exclusion or removal of these factors: deer, mice and dwarf bamboo. A hierarchical Bayesian model was constructed and the parameters were estimated by the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. The model successfully showed the indirect positive effects of deer and mice, which improved the survival rate of five cohorts of the seedlings of three tree species by ameliorating the direct negative effect of dwarf bamboo. The cohorts studied were formed by the seedlings of Abies homolepis that emerged in 1997 and 2002, those of Fraxinus lanuginosa f. serrata that emerged in 1998 and 2002, and those of Fagus crenata that emerged in 1999. The positive indirect effect was especially large in F. crenata, which is known to be severely affected by dwarf bamboo. The total effect of deer was shown to be positive for all cohorts except the A. homolepis cohort that emerged in 1997, at which time the dwarf bamboo had not yet fully recovered from the browsing pressure of deer. The total effect of mice was shown to be positive for all of the cohorts. We conclude that these positive effects were due to the large negative effect of dwarf bamboo on the seedlings.     

Dynamic feature of flavonoids content in different organs of larch （Larix gmelinii）

Flavonoids in plants is very important in its ecological role and economic value. The dynamic features of flavonoids content in different organs of larch (Larix gmelinii) at different light and temperature conditions were investigated in this study. Results showed that the order of flavonoids content in different organs from high to low was 7.78% (stem bark)>2.79% (leaves) >1.72% (branches) >1.19% (stem xylem)and different organs had a great seasonal variation in flavonoids content, but the change of flavonoids content at different temperature was not obvious in different organs., The content of flavonoids in barck had, a positive correlation with temperature (R ²=0.75), but that in other organs had slight variation with the change of temperature. For all the tested organs, the flavonoids content in summer and autumn was approximately 3–4 times higher than in spring and winter. This is attributed to the great stress from environmental physical variables such as UV radiation, high temperature that induce the accumulation of flavonoids. The flavonoid content of sun leaves was evidently higher than that of shade leaves, and leaves at upper part of canopy had a higher flavonoids content compared with that at other parts. This result indicates that sun radiation could improve flavonoids production in leaves (R ²=0.76). The flavonoids may actively evolve in plant defenses to environmental stress, protecting larch from the damage of high temperature and radiation, and its main function is different in different organs. Foundation item: This paper is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30300271) and the Key Project of Chinese Ministry of Education (104191). Biography: WANG Wen-jie (1974-), male, Lecturer in Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

Red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) management in the dehesa system in Central Extremadura,Spain

In this paper we report the results of a study on the suitability of the dehesa (Mediterranean woodlands) as habitat of red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) in a closed country estate of about 4300 ha total surface situated in the San Pedro Mountain, in Central Extremadura, Spain. We have described the deer management with respect to habitat, exploitation mode, deer feeding, population control and production of goods and services. It is concluded that the dehesa system is a rich natural resource that preserves and improves the degraded environment.

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Resumen En el presente trabajo se estudia la dehesa como hábitat del ciervo (Cervus elaphus hispanicus). Se ha tomado como referencia una finca cerrada de 4300 ha de ST situada en la Sierra de San Pedro, en Extremadura, España. Se describen los sistemas de gestión actuales del ciervo en cuanto a hábitat, modo de explotación, alimentación, control de población y producción de bienes y servicios. Concluyendo con la necesidad de fomentar este tipo de explotaciones cinegéticas de dehesa que ayudan a conservar y potenciar el medio ambiente en zonas despobladas y deprimidas

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Abbreviations CS collected surface - DMFCU deedmixed feed cattle units - Fi final inventory - FS fertilized surface - Ii Initial inventory - K Potassium - N Nitrogen - NBF number of breeding females - NBFIi number of breeding females of initial inventory - NBFR number of breeding females released - NBM number of breeding males - NBMIi number of breeding males of initial inventory - NBMR number of breeding males released - NCCR number of captive calves released - NCFi number of calves of final inventory - NCR number of calves released - NFR number of female renovation - NYMR number of young males released - NYFR number of young females released - P phosphorus - PP permanent Pastures - pts pesetas - QS Quercus stalks - RDED resources directly eaten by deer - SPOM selected hunted down poor quality males - SS sowed surface - TN total needs of deer - TNR total number released - UAS useable agrarian surface - WB wooded brush - WQS wooded Quercus surface - WS wooded surface     

Relationship between resistance to vole browsing and content of ether extract in the bark of larch species and hybrids

We determined the survival rate of tree families produced by the intra- and interspecific crossing of larch species damaged by browsing of vole (Clethrionomys rufocanus bedfordiae Thomas) and the contents of ether extracts (EE) in their bark. The average survival ofLarix gmelini var.japonica Pilg. (L. gmelini)×L. gmelini (G×G) was highest, followed by the hybridL. gmelini×L. leptolepis Gordon (G×L). The families of the hybrid G×L, which is considered suitable for silviculture in Hokkaido, Japan, showed significant differences in survival rates, suggesting that it is possible to produce improved varieties of the hybrid which are more resistant to vole browsing. The EE contents of the bark were under strong hereditary control, and the rank of the EE content among the various families hardly fluctuated between the location of the test fields. The correlation coefficient between the survival rates and the EE contents was highly significant (r=0.89,n=24,p<0.01), indicating that the EE content in the bark may be used as a possible index of resistance or susceptibility to vole browsing in larch plantations. A part of this report was presented at the 106th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society, at Sapporo, April, 1995.     

Effects of radial growth rate on selected indices for juvenile and mature wood of the Japanese larch

To examine the differences between juvenile and mature wood, 12 aged sample trees from two areas of Nagano Prefecture were harvested; and the radial development of tracheid length, the ring density, and the relation of the radial growth rate (observed by ring width) with some selected indices of ring structure were investigated. The results proved that the radial variation of tracheid length with ring number can be described by a logarithmic formula, and both plantations reached the demarcation of juvenile and mature wood at age 18. With the segmented regression method, we also analyzed radial variation of mean density and found that the demarcation of juvenile and mature wood was at age 15 for sample trees from Saku and at age 21 for those from Yabuhara. By using the results of estimates from juvenile and mature wood based on ring density, we found that high growth rates resulted when producing lower-density wood during the juvenile period, but these rates did not occur during the mature period. The basic reason for this phenomenon is the variation in patterns of earlywood and latewood in juvenile and mature wood, respectively. This result advised us that when managing plantations of Japanese larch it is necessary to take different measurements at different growth periods.     

Effects of bark stripping by sika deer, Cervus nippon, on wind damage to coniferous trees in subalpine forest of central Japan

We evaluated the effect of bark stripping by sika deer (Cervus nippon), and subsequent wood decay, on tree fall in a coniferous forest on Mt Ohdaigahara in central Japan from July to September 2006. This valuable primeval coniferous forest is declining because of bark stripping. Broken trunks of Abies homolepis and Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis had more serious decay and larger bark-stripping wounds on the trunk than standing trees, suggesting that bark stripping causes trunk decay and results in broken trunks and uprooting by typhoons.     

Development of a method for forest cafeteria tests for evaluating chemical deterrents against bark stripping by sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis)

Damage caused by sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) is a serious problem in commercial and environmental (non-harvested) forests in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Cafeteria tests in forests may be useful for evaluating the efficacy of chemical deterrents against bark stripping by deer. To develop a method for forest cafeteria tests in the continuous snow cover period, two experiments were carried out. In the experiments, logs were produced from tree trunks, and used as carriers of chemical deterrents. Carriers were installed in forests and fed to deer. The first experiment was to find suitable sites and installation methods for carriers. Criteria for the local suitability and the installation methods were as follows: a) Sites where deer are active should be selected; b) Carriers should be installed along actively used deer trails; c) Installation sites of carriers should be changed in response to deer movement; d) Carriers should be produced from tree species that deer naturally prefer; and e) Each carrier should be partially buried in the snow. The second experiment evaluated the feasibility of a cafeteria test method based on the results of the first experiment. The method was used for 13 sets of the cafeteria test, in which the deterrent effectiveness of 5 chemicals (wood tar, rosin, wood vinegar, and 2 pyroligneous liquors) was examined. We obtained results from all the sets. The chemicals tested did not deter bark stripping by deer. Nevertheless, the method used in the present study was practical for the cafeteria tests.     

Wintering habitat evaluation of Red deer (Cervus elaphus) in forest area of Northeastern China

Six ultimate factors (forage abundance, horizontal sheltering class, distance from human disturbance, snow depth, tree coverage, and edge effect) of Red deer (Cervus elaphus) were investigated in eastern Heilongjiang Province during winter from 1988 to 1991. On the basis of analysis of field data, we evaluated winter habitat conditions of Red deer. The results showed as follows: the wintering habitat quality of Red deer in poplar-birch stands was excellent in the Wanda Mountains, and was moderate in shrub-woods and Korean pine seed stands. According to habitat index (HI) values, the habitat quality in poplar-birch stands (HI=0.8185) was superior to that in shrub-woods (HI=0.4825) and in Korean pine seed stands (HI=0.4385). The wintering habitat quality of Red deer in the Wanda Mountains was superior to that of Dailing Forestry Region. According to the current situations of forestry areas in northeastern China, strengthening habitat management was important for the conservation and management of Red deer population in the next decades. This subject is supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province. (Responsible Editor: Zhu Hong)     

甘肃小陇山日本落叶松人工林不同发育阶段土壤理化性质的变化

采用时序研究法对甘肃小陇山林区日本落叶松人工林不同发育阶段(6、15、23、35 a)的土壤物理性质、化学性质进行多因子综合比较,利用主成分分析的方法,以主成分特征贡献率为权重,计算土壤肥力综合指标值,分析土壤性质的演变规律。结果表明:日本落叶松人工林发育至近熟林阶段,土壤物理性质变差,表现为土壤密度最大1.62g·cm-3,毛管孔隙度和最大持水量降至最低,分别为29.69%、24.45%,并且土壤有机质、氮、磷、钾、镁、钙含量也明显降低;而到成熟林阶段,土壤理化性质有显著改善,土壤密度降低为1.21 g·cm-3、毛管孔隙度和最大持水量恢复至45.56%、42.65%,土壤养分含量也有了很大的提高,甚至超过了中龄林阶段的水平;同时幼龄林、中龄林、近熟林和成熟林土壤性质综合得分分别为-0.329、0.188、-0.565、0.739,也表明近熟林土壤性质最差,成熟林土壤性质最好。     

Bark stripping by sika deer on veitch fir related to stand age, bark nutrition, and season in northern Mount Fuji district, central Japan

We carried out this study to clarify the relationships between the seasonal changes of bark stripping and food quality, and between bark-stripping intensity and bark nutrition with age of veitch fir (Abies veitchii) by sika deer (Cervus nippon) in the northern Mount Fuji district, from June 2000 to July 2003. We found that sika deer gnawed and ate all of the bark stripped, and a seasonal change in bark stripping occurred from December to May or June with a peak in March–April. The stripping period largely overlapped with the periods of low food availability and poor food nutrition (indicated by fecal chemical component index) of sika deer, from January to April. Both bark nutritional quality and bark-stripping intensity related to stand age and tree size of veitch fir negatively. Consequently, bark-stripping intensity related to bark nutritional quality positively. February is the worst forage period in terms of both quantity (due to deep snow) and quality (indicated by fecal chemical components). There was a time lag of 1 to 2 months in the peak of bark stripping in March–April when compared with the poor forage period in February. This time lag may suggest that sika deer need more nutritious and easily digested food from March due to increased nutrient demands that result from depleted body condition in both sexes, gestation of pregnant females, and the recovery of active metabolism.