晋西黄土区典型植被类型的土壤水分特征

在晋西黄土区,研究了荒草地、锦鸡儿灌木林地和刺槐乔木林地3种典型植被不同土层的土壤密度、含水量、贮水能力和入渗性能的差异及其相关性,结果显示:3种植被类型都能有效减小表层(0 20 cm)土壤密度;3种植被类型表层(0 20 cm)的土壤滞留贮水量较大,锦鸡儿林地(198.80 t·m-3)刺槐林地(166.10 t·m-3)荒草地(87.37 t·m-3),20 40 cm土层的土壤滞留贮水量也是锦鸡儿林地(127.30 t·m-3)刺槐林地(55.60 t·m-3)荒草地(47.30 t·m-3),表明在3种植被类型中,锦鸡儿林地对晋西黄土丘陵区土壤水分的涵养作用最强;锦鸡儿林地的土壤稳渗速率最大,为1.80 mm·min-1,刺槐林地次之,为1.46 mm·min-1,荒草地依然最小,且锦鸡儿林地土壤的均渗速率最大,为4.81 mm·min-1,其次是刺槐林地,为4.51 mm·min-1,荒草地最小。土壤密度与滞留贮水量呈极显著负相关关系,与土壤初渗速率和均渗速率呈极显著负相关关系,与稳渗速率呈显著负相关关系,非毛管孔隙度与稳渗速率和均渗速率存在极显著相关关系。Kostiakov模型和Horton模型对晋西黄土区3种植被类型土壤入渗过程模拟的拟合系数高达0.97和0.95,明显优于Philip模型(0.43)。     

Water Use of Tree Lines: Importance of Leaf Area and Micrometeorology in Sub-Humid Kenya

In this research the relative importance of leaf area and microclimatic factors in determining water use of tree lines was examined in sub-humid Western Kenya. Measurements of tree water-use by a heat-balance technique, leaf area, bulk air saturation deficit, daily radiation, and soil water content were done in an experiment with tree lines within crop fields. The tree species were Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. and Cedrella serrata Royle, grown to produce poles on a phosphorus-fixing Oxisol/Ferralsol with (+P) or without (−P) phosphorus application. Doubling the leaf area of Cedrella and Grevillea doubled water use in a leaf area (LA) range of 1–11 m² per tree. The response of Eucalyptus water use (W) to increases in leaf area was slightly less marked, with W = LAⁿ, n<1. Transpiration rate per unit leaf area (Tr) was the other important determinant of water use, being affected by both tree species and phosphorus fertilization. A doubling of the saturation deficit (SD) halved the water use of all trees except for Cedrella +P, in which water use increased. A direct effect of soil water content on water use was only found in Grevillea -P, with a small increase (60%) as available water increased from 1.4 to 8.9% above wilting point (32%). This low direct response to soil water content is probably due to the extensive tree-root systems and the deep clayey soils supplying sufficient water to meet the evaporative demand. Indirect responses to soil water content via decreases in leaf area occurred in the dry season. The results showed that water use of tree lines was more determined by leaf area and transpiration rate per unit leaf area than by micro meteorological factors. The linear response of tree water use to leaf area, over a wide range leaf areas, is a specific characteristic of tree line configurations and distinguished them from forest stands. In tree lines light interception and canopy conductance increase with leaf area much more than a similar leaf area increase would have caused in a closed forest canopy.     

Influence of three plant species with different morphologies on water runoff and soil loss in a dry-warm river valley, SW China

Understanding of the effects of isolated plants with different morphologies on water runoff and soil loss is important for vegetation restoration in arid environments. We selected three representative species (Artemisia gmelinii; Ajania potaninii; Pulicaria chrysantha) of the dry-warm river valley of the upper reach of Minjiang River, SW China to examine these effects. Twenty-five runoff events were recorded using runoff plots at micro scale (<40 cm × 40 cm) on a south facing slope from July through October 2006. A. potaninii had sparse canopy, the smallest leaf area (0.49 ± 0.25 cm²) and specific leaf area (67.8 ± 16.5 cm²/g), and the highest leaf relative water content (27.1 ± 4.4%). It is the most resistant to drought stress. A. gmelinii was the shortest, and had relatively small leaf area (0.55 ± 0.50 cm²) and the densest canopy. P. chrysantha had the greatest leaf area (1.41 ± 0.49 cm²) and most extended canopy (4450 ± 1646 cm²). Dead branches and leaves of A. gmelinii and P. chrysantha commonly fall and collect on the soil surface. Thus they had greater improvements on soil porosity and soil water content, and higher effectiveness in controlling soil loss. However, A. gmelinii had more stable effectiveness in controlling runoff as compared with P. chrysantha. The characteristics such as relatively small leaf area but low height and dense canopy might be one criterion for selecting species to improve soil properties and controlling runoff and soil loss. Differences in soil environments, and runoff and soil loss production capacity for micro-surfaces regulates water and materials redistribution, which emphasizes the importance in designing vegetation restoration pattern.     

Spatial variation of seed rain and seed banks in gaps of karst forest in the Maolan Nature Reserve, Guizhou Province

Based on an investigation on gaps and non-gap stands of the Maolan National Karst Forest Nature Reserve, Guizhou Province, quantitative characteristics and dynamic changes of seed rain and seed banks in gaps were analyzed. The results show that the total amount of seed rain was 117.4 ± 32.6 seeds/m² during the period of observation. The number of immature seeds was 56.3 ± 10.3 seeds/m², that of mature damaged seeds was 15.7 ± 4.7 seeds/m², and the number of mature germinated seeds was 45.4 ± 8.2 seeds/m². It is suggested that the seed number is rich for gap regeneration. Seed rain in gaps has spatial and temporal heterogeneities which deeply affect regeneration patterns of gap plants. Along a gradient from the gap center to a non-gap stand, seed density in the litter layer, the number of species, and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index were gradually reduced, but these indices increased in the soil. The seed density in the gap center was 2415 ± 639 seeds/m², near the gap center was 2218 ± 421 seeds/m² and at the gap border area 1815 ± 311 seeds/m². This shows that plants in gaps have good latent regeneration potential. In both gaps and non-gap stands, the Jaccard similarity index of seed in litter layer was the largest, second largest at 5–10 cm soil depth, and the least at the 0–5 cm soil layer the index. The Jaccard index between the soil seed bank and the present plant community was large in the litter layer, but decreased with soil depth both in gaps and non-gap stands. The results show that soil seed banks are the main source of gap regeneration in the karst forests of Maolan and contribute significantly to gap regeneration. __________ Translated from Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 2007, 29(3): 327–332 [译自: 云南植物研究]     

Simulation of soil water dynamics in a Caragana intermedia woodland in Huangfuchuan watershed

As vegetation coverage increases, soil water content can decrease due to water uptake and evapotranspiration. At a very high level of plant density, poor growth and even mortality can occur due to the decrease of soil water content. Hence, a better understanding of the relationship between soil water content and the density of plants is important to design effective restoration projects. To study these relationships, we developed a soil water dynamic simulation model of a Caragana intermedia woodland under different slope gradient and slope aspect conditions in the Huangfuchuan watershed on the basis of the previous studies and field experiments. The model took into account the major processes that address the relationships of plants and the environment, including soil characteristics, precipitation, infiltration, vegetation transpiration, and soil evaporation. Daily changes in soil water content, transpiration, and evaporation of the Caragana intermedia woodland with different vegetation coverage, slope gradient, and slope aspect were simulated from 1971 to 2000. Based on the model simulations, we determined the functional relationships among soil water content, plant coverage and slope as well as the optimal plant density on flat slopes. We also determined the effects of slope gradient and slope aspect on soil water content. When slope gradient was less than 10°, the optimal plant density was sensitive to slope gradient. In the slope range from 10° to 30°, plant density was not sensitive to slope gradient. Therefore, it is important to consider planting densities on the hillsides with slope gradients less than 10° for reconstructing vegetation. __________ Translated from Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2005, 29(6): 910–917 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

Effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation on water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, leaf nitrogen content and morphological characteristics of Spiraea pubescens in a warm-temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest

Spiraea pubescens, a common shrub in the warm-temperate deciduous forest zone which is distributed in the Dongling Mountain area of Beijing, was exposed to ambient and enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280–320 nm) radiation by artificially supplying a daily dose of 9.4 kJ/m² for three growing seasons, a level that simulated a 17% depletion in stratospheric ozone. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of long-term UV-B enhancement on stomatal conductance, leaf tissue δ ¹³C, leaf water content, and leaf area. Particular attention was paid to the effects of UV-B radiation on water use efficiency (WUE) and leaf total nitrogen content. Enhanced UV-B radiation significantly reduced leaf area (50.1%) but increased leaf total nitrogen content (102%). These changes were associated with a decrease in stomatal conductance (16.1%) and intercellular CO₂ concentration/ air CO₂ concentration (C _i /C _a) (4.0%), and an increase in leaf tissue δ ¹³C (20.5‰), leaf water content (3.1%), specific leaf weight (SLW) (5.2%) and WUE (4.1%). The effects of UV-B on the plant were greatly affected by the water content of the deep soil (30–40 cm). During the dry season, differences in the stomatal conductance, δ ¹³C, and WUE between the control and UV-B treated shrubs were very small; whereas, differences became much greater when soil water stress disappeared. Furthermore, the effects of UV-B became much less significant as the treatment period progressed over the three growing seasons. Correlation analysis showed that enhanced UV-B radiation decreased the strength of the correlation between soil water content and leaf water content, δ ¹³C, C _i/C _a, stomatal conductance, with the exception of WUE that had a significant correlation coefficient with soil water content. These results suggest that WUE would become more sensitive to soil water variation due to UV-B radiation. Based on this experiment, it was found that enhanced UV-B radiation had much more significant effects on morphological traits and growth of S. pubescens than hydro-physiological characteristics. __________ Translated from Journal of Plant Ecology, 2006, 30(1): 47–56 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

Water consumption of a single tree from the main afforestation tree species in Western Shanxi Province, a loess area

Water is the key factor in vegetation growth in a loess area. Researchers have been keen on the study of tree transpiration for a long time. To provide a scientific basis and practical instruction for vegetation reconstruction and recovery in a loess area, the paper measured and calculated the water consumption of potted Platycladus orientalis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Armeniaca vulgaris and Pyrus hopeiensis separately during the growing season (from Apr. to Nov.). The four were the main afforestation species in a loess area of western Shanxi based on the principle of water balance. Using data on soil water dynamics and the range of available moisture on potted mature trees, the relationship between water supply and consumption and soil moisture availability and deficit state were analyzed. Several conclusions are listed as follows: 1) In the dry year (2002), during the growing season the precipitation was 430.7 mm and the water consumption of potted trees was from 430 to 490 mm. More water consumption and less available water supply occurred, showing a serious water deficiency. In the rainfall-rich year (2003), during the growing season the precipitation was 870.2 mm and the water consumption of potted trees was from 480 to 515 mm. Due to the uneven distribution of rainfall, the water budget balance was slightly affected in May and November. 2) The curves of soil water content of different species had similar annual changes, although the trends were different in the same month, and those of the same tree species in different test plots also had different trends in the same month. 3) Non-available soil water content of Platycladus orientalis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Armeniaca vulgaris and Pyrus hopeiensis was less than 8.0%, 8.4%, 9.2% and 9.7% respectively, which indicated that Pyrus orentalis used water more efficiently than the others. In the dry year (2002), for several months, soil water content of potted trees was lower than its threshold value for non-available soil water content, which could influence the healthy growth of trees. After supplements of precipitation of winter in the year and spring in the next year, soil water content was higher than the lower limit of soil readily available moisture content, which implied that a balance between inter-annual water supply and consumption could be maintained. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2006, 42(9): 18–23 [译自: 林业科学]     

Function and value of water conservation in different age classes of Acacia mangium plantations

For this paper, we studied the water-holding capacity of canopy, vegetation layer under canopy and litter layer, the water-holding capacity and permeability of soil as well as their changes with growth of stands in Acacia mangium plantations of three different age classes (four-, seven-and 11-year-old). Results show that total water-holding above ground in the order of 11-year stand age (52.86 t/hm²)>seven-year stand age (41.90 t/hm²)>seven-year stand age (25.78 t/hm²), the increment tendency increased with stand age. Similar sequence also obtained on the water-holding capacity and permeation capacity of soil (0–40 cm). The total water-storage capacity both above ground and soil in four-year-old, seven-year-old and 11-year-old of A. mangium plantations were 2,023.0, 2,158.4 and 2,260.4 t/hm², respectively, and the all value of water conservation were 1,372.70, 1,474.42 and 1,549.91 yuan (RMB)/hm², respectively. Therefore, A. mangium plantation had a good ability to modify soil structure and good water conservation function. __________ Translated from Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2006, 20(5): 5–8, 27 [译自: 水土保持学报]     

水资源紧缺地区土壤水分植被承载力论述

在详细论述土壤水资源概念发展和土壤水分植被承载力研究尺度的基础上,介绍土壤水分植被承载力量化模型,包括经典的承载力模型、种群增长通用模型,密度-土壤水分模型和基于物理过程的土壤水分植被承载力模型,述评土壤水分植被承载力研究现状,提出今后应在完善土壤水分植被承载力理论的同时,加强水资源紧缺地区土壤水分与植物生长的野外长期定位研究,从不同时空尺度确定不同植物群落的土壤水分承载力.     

Characteristics of leaf areas of plantations in semiarid hills and gully loess regions

The objectives of our study were to explore the relationship of leaf area and stand density and to find a convenient way to measure stand leaf areas. During the 2004 growing season, from May to October, we used direct and indirect methods to measure the seasonal variation of the leaf areas of tree and shrub species. The trees were from Robinia pseudoacacia stands of four densities (3333 plants/hm², 1666 plants/hm², 1111 plants/hm², and 833 plants/hm²) and Platycladus orientalis stands of three densities (3333 plants/hm², 1666 plants/hm², and 1111 plants/hm²). The shrub species were Caragana korshinskii, Hippophae rhamnoides, and Amorpha fruticosa. Based on our survey data, empirical formulas for calculating leaf area were obtained by correlating leaf fresh weight, diameter of base branches, and leaf areas. Our results show the following: 1) in September, the leaf area and leaf area index (LAI) of trees (R. pseudoacacia and P. orientalis) reached their maximum values, with LAI peak values of 10.5 and 3.2, respectively. In August, the leaf area and LAI of shrubs (C. korshinskii, H. rhamnoides, and A. fruticosa) reached their maximum values, with LAI peak values of 1.195, 1.123, and 1.882, respectively. 2) There is a statistically significant power relation between leaf area and leaf fresh weight for R. pseudoacacia. There are significant linear relationships between leaf area and leaf fresh weight for P. orientalis, C. korshinskii, H. rhamnoides, and A. fruticosa. Moreover, there is also a significant power relation between leaf area and diameter of base branches for C. korshinskii. There are significant linear relations between leaf area and diameter of base branches of H. rhamnoides and A. fruticosa. 3) In the hills and gully regions of the Loess Plateau, the LAIs of R. pseudoacacia stand at different densities converged after the planted stands entered their fast growth stage. Their LAI do not seem to be affected by its initial and current density. The same is true for P. orientalis stands. However, the leaf area of individual trees is negatively and linearly related with stand density. We conclude that, in the hills and gully regions of the Loess Plateau, the bearing capacity of R. pseudoacacia and P. orientalis stands we studied have reached their maximum limitation, owing to restricted access to soil water. Therefore, in consideration of improving the quality of single trees, a stand density not exceeding 833 and 1111 plants/hm² is recommended for R. pseudoacacia and P. orientalis, respectively. In consideration of improving the quality of the entire stands, the density can be reduced even a little more. __________ Translated from Journal of Plant Ecology (Chinese Version), 2008, 32 (2): 440–447 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

Phosphorus Enhanced Establishment,Growth, Nutrient Uptake,and Productivity of Dalbergia sissoo Seedlings Maintained at Varying Soil Water Stress Levels in an Indian Arid Zone

We assessed interactive effects of varying levels of applied phosphorus fertilizer and water stress on growth, productivity, and mineral accumulation in container-grown Dalbergia sissoo L. seedlings. Height, collar diameter, leaf size and area, root volume and total biomass were reduced, and dry matter allocation to root was increased with increasing levels of soil water stress. The reduction was >32% in growth, >50% in leaf, and >77% in biomass when seedlings were grown with <50% of soil field capacity. Phosphorus application at the level of 10 mg kg^?1 soil enhanced stems and leaf biomass and nutrient accumulation at all irrigation levels, and thus tolerance to drought. Phosphorus responses to growth and biomass production increased with irrigation levels. Thus, 20 mg P kg^?1 soil is beneficial at sufficient soil water availability and a lower dose (i.e., 10 mg P kg^?1) is recommended under high soil water stress conditions to benefit growth and productivity of D. sissoo.     

Appropriate density of water and soil conservation of Pinus tabulaeformis and Robinia pseudoacacia forests in loess area, North China

In this paper, based on a long-term monitoring of water cycle in the water and soil conservation forest stands of Pinus tabulaeformis and Robinia pseudoacacia, the soil moisture deficit is calculated. Following the principles of runoff-collecting forestry and applying the forest structure investigation results, the authors developed a formula to calculate appropriate density for forests on the basis of different diameters at breast height (DBH). Using this method to manage forests, the natural water requirement of forests can be met and soil drought can be avoided. In addition, with long-term monitoring of soil moisture in stands, the authors also give an appropriate managing density specifically for the water and soil conservation forests of P. tabulaeformis and R. pseudoacacia in the loess area which is according to soil moisture content, or with the lowest soil moisture content and invalid moisture frequency as the indexes. __________ Translated from Science of Water and Soil Conservation, 2007, 5(2): 55–59 [译自: 中国水土保持科学]     

Potential of nine multipurpose tree species to reduce saline groundwater tables in the lower Amu Darya River region of Uzbekistan

This paper evaluates the potential of nine multipurpose tree species for afforestation of degraded land in the Khorezm region, Central Asia, particularly their suitability for biodrainage i.e., lowering the elevated groundwater table through the transpirative capacity of plantations. For this purpose water use (WU), water use efficiency (WUE) and tree physiological factors influencing transpiration were assessed during two consecutive years. Mean daily leaf transpiration differed significantly among the species and ranged during the seasons from 4.5–5.2 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for Prunus armeniaca L. to 4.5–10 mmol ⁻² s⁻¹ for Elaeagnus angustifolia L. WU differences were triggered by species physiological features such as capability of water uptake by roots. Transpiration rates and the length of fine roots correlated highly (r = 0.7). Correlations of leaf transpiration rates with leaf area were weaker (r = 0.6). No correlations were found between salt content in plants and water uptake under conditions of slight-to-moderate rootzone soil salinity. Values of WUE per root and shoot DM were similar averaging, respectively, 0.2 and 0.3 g DM g⁻¹ water for two-year-old trees, and decreased with age. In addition to WU characteristics, also salinity tolerance, growth rate and the ability to produce fodder and fuelwood must be considered during species selection. Regarding these features, the N-fixing E. angustifolia ranked the highest, combining high WU, fast growth and production of nutritious feed. Examined Populus spp. and Ulmus pumila L. ranked lower but still represented potential candidates for biodrainage purposes. Typical fruit species in the region such as P. armeniaca and Morus alba, showed low biodrainage potential.     

Vegetation succession process induced by reforestation in erosion areas

Reforestation is one of the most important and efficient measures of water and soil conservation. Based on field investigations in the Shangyang Soil Conservation and Reforestation Station in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China, we studied the variation in vegetation development, vegetation succession processes and soil erosion. The regional vegetation consists mainly of monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forests (MEBF). The area was deforested and became a denuded hill area with extremely high soil erosion in the 1960s and 1970s. Then, the area was closed in order to allow recovery of the vegetation. Under natural conditions the vegetation development and succession processes were slow during which soil erosion and strong sunshine and evaporation slowed down the development of the vegetation. About 25 years later, the vegetation cover was still merely 35% or so. The dominant vegetation types were heliophilous herbage and shrubs which formed a poorly developed shrub-herbage community and erosion remained high. In contrast, reforestation with selected tree species dramatically speeded up the vegetation succession process. About 12 years after reforestation, vegetation cover of the Acacia auriculiformis plantations in the Shangyang Station was 90% and erosion was under control. After 23 years, understory vegetation, consisting of indigenous species, had developed in the plantations. The planted trees and naturally developing herbage, shrubs, bamboo, local trees and liana formed a complex vegetation community in three layers. It will take 60 years for the vegetation to succeed from bare land to a secondary growth forest under natural conditions. Reforestation may speed up the vegetation succession process. The time may be reduced to 20 years. Reforestation is the most effective measure of vegetation restoration and erosion control in this area. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2006, 26(8): 2558–2565 [译自: 生态学报]     

Effects on site water balance of conversion from native mixed forest to Douglas-fir plantation in N.W. Patagonia

One of the main concerns of afforestation with exotic fast-growing species is their higher soil water consumption compared with the native vegetation they replace. In this regard, sites downstream of the plantations may suffer temporal or permanent droughts. Under this hypotheses, soil water use of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) plantations and natural woodlands or shrublands (“ñirantales”) was evaluated in two sites during two growing seasons in El Foyel Valley (Río Negro province), Patagonia Argentina. Two methodological approaches were applied: water balances and sapflow measurements. Douglas-fir forests doubled the leaf area index (LAI) of the native forests (12.6 and 5.1 m² m^?2, respectively). Methodological problems were found while constructing water balances because a non-quantified influx of water to the soil was detected in all systems at the beginning and end of the growing season. This flux was not in correlation with precipitation input demonstrating the geological complexity of the valley. For this reason, caution has to be paid to water balance results. However, we have confidence on sapflow measurements, which indicated, as suggested by the water balances, that there are no differences in transpiration between systems (average of 4.8–3.6 mm day^?1 for the exotic and native forests, respectively) in spite of Douglas-fir plantations having twofold LAI than native ñirantales. However, a different response of transpiration to atmospheric demand was found between the exotic and native species, suggesting differences in their ecophysiological characteristics.     

Temperature controls temporal variation in soil CO2 efflux in a secondary beech forest in Appi Highlands, Japan

Forest soil is a huge reserve of carbon in the biosphere. Therefore to understand the carbon cycle in forest ecosystems, it is important to determine the dynamics of soil CO₂ efflux. This study was conducted to describe temporal variations in soil CO₂ efflux and identify the environmental factors that affect it. We measured soil CO₂ efflux continuously in a beech secondary forest in the Appi Highlands in Iwate Prefecture for two years (except when there was snow cover) using four dynamic closed chambers that automatically open after taking measurements. Temporal changes in soil temperature and volumetric soil water content were also measured at a depth of 5 cm. The soil CO₂ efflux ranged from 14 mg CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ to 2,329 mg CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹, the peak occurring at the beginning of August. The relationship between soil temperature and soil CO₂ efflux was well represented by an exponential function. Most of temporal variation in soil CO₂ efflux was explained by soil temperature rather than volumetric soil water content. The Q ₁₀ values were 3.7 ± 0.8 and estimated annual carbon emissions were 837 ± 210 g C m⁻² year⁻¹. These results provide a foundation for further development of models for prediction of soil CO₂ efflux driven by environmental factors.     

Competition for water in a pecan (Carya illinoensis K. Koch) – cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) alley cropping system in the southern United States

Understanding the belowground interactions between trees and crops is critical to successful management of agroforestry systems. In a study of competition for water in an alley cropping system consisting of pecan (Carya illinoensis) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in a sandy loam soil (Rhodic Paleudult) in Jay, Florida, root systems of the two species were separated by trenching to 120 cm depth. A polyethylene barrier was installed in half of the plots. Spatial and temporal variations in soil water content, root distribution and water uptake by both species, and leaf area development and height of cotton were measured. Interspecific competition for water was greater in the non-barrier treatment near tree rows than at the alley center. Competition became evident 3 to 4 weeks after emergence of cotton and increased during the following 7 to 8 weeks. Compared with the non-barrier treatment, the barrier treatment had higher soil water content and better growth of cotton (height, leaf area, and fine root biomass). Cotton lint yield in the barrier treatment (677 kg ha^–1) was similar to that in a sole-crop stand, but higher than in the non-barrier (502 kg ha^–1) treatment. Lint production efficiency of plants was higher in the interior rows in the non-barrier treatment (0.197 kg lint per square meter of leaf area, compared to 0.117 kg in the barrier treatment). The results suggest that trenching or even deep disking parallel to the tree row may reduce competition for water, but the impact on tree growth cannot be established from this study. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Regional influences of soil available water-holding capacity and climate,and leaf area index on simulated loblolly pine productivity

We simulated loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) net canopy assimilation, using BIOMASS version 13.0, for the southeastern United States (1° latitude by 1° longitude grid cells) using a 44-year historical climate record, estimates of available water-holding capacity from a natural resource conservation soils database, and two contrasting leaf area indices (LAI) (low; peak LAI of 1.5 m² m⁻² projected, and high; 3.5 m² m⁻²). Median (50th percentile) available water-holding capacity varied from 100 to 250 mm across the forest type for a normalized 1.25 m soil profile. Climate also varied considerably (growing season precipitation ranged from 200 to 1600 mm while mean growing season temperature ranged from 13° to 26°C). Net canopy assimilation ranged from 9.3 to 19.2 Mg C ha⁻¹ a⁻¹ for high LAI and the 95th percentile of available water-holding capacity simulations.We examined the influence of soil available water-holding capacity, and annual variation in temperature and precipitation, on net canopy assimilation for three cells of similar latitude. An asymptotic, hyperbolic relationship was found between the 44-year average net canopy assimilation and soil available water-holding capacity. Shallow soils had, naturally, low water-holding capacity (<100 mm) and, subsequently, low productivity. However, median available water-holding capacity (125–150 mm) was sufficient to maintain near maximum production potential in these cells.Simulations were also conduced to examine the direct affects of soil available water on photosynthesis (P_N) and stomatal conductance (g_S) on net canopy assimilation. In the absence of water limitations on P_N and g_S, net canopy assimilation increased by only 10% or less over most of the loblolly pine region (when compared to simulations for median available water-holding capacity with water influences in place). However, the production differences between high and low LAI, at the median soil available water-holding capacity, ranged from 30% to 60% across the loblolly pine range. Vapor pressure deficit was found to dramatically reduce productivity for stands of similar LAI, incident radiation, rainfall, and available water-holding capacity. Thus, these simulations suggest that, regionally, loblolly pine productivity may be more limited by low LAI than by soil available water-holding capacity (for soils of median available water-holding capacity or greater). In addition, high atmospheric forcing for water vapor will reduce net assimilation for regions of otherwise favorable available water and LAI.     

Hydrological effects of forest litter and soil in the Simianshan Mountains in Chonging, China

A preliminary study of the hydrological effects of forest litter and soils in the Simianshan Mountains was carried out. Results indicate that the annual accumulation of different forest litters is about 6.80–20.21 t/hm² and the maximum water carrying capacity ranges from 1.8 to 4.6 mm. Among them the water carrying abilities of the litter of Lithocarpus glabra and natural deciduous forests are larger than that of Pinus massoniana. A power function relationship exists between the accumulated water-carrying volume and time. An investigation of the physical properties shows that forest soils, to a depth of 1 m, have a powerful water-carrying ability, varying from 7.84 to 18.87 mm. Non-linear regression analysis shows that the soil infiltration rate is significantly correlated with time. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2005, 27(1): 33–37 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Biomass production, foliar and root characteristics and nutrient accumulation in young silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) stand growing on abandoned agricultural land

The above-ground biomass and production, below-ground biomass, nutrient (NPK) accumulation, fine roots and foliar characteristics of a 8-year-old silver birch (Betula pendula) natural stand, growing on abandoned agricultural land in Estonia, were investigated. Total above-ground biomass and current annual production after eight growing seasons was 31.2 and 11.9 t DM ha⁻¹, respectively. The production of stems accounted for 62.4% and below-ground biomass accounted for 19.2% of the total biomass of the stand. Carbon sequestration in tree biomass reaches roughly 17.5 t C ha⁻¹ during the first 8 years. The biomass of the fine roots (d < 2 mm) was 1.7 ± 0.2 t DM ha⁻¹ and 76.2% of it was located in the 20 cm topsoil layer. The leaf area index (LAI) of the birch stand was estimated as 3.7 m² m⁻² and specific leaf area (SLA) 15.0 ± 0.1 m² kg⁻¹. The impact of the crown layer on SLA was significant as the leaves are markedly thicker in the upper part of the crown compared with the lower part. The short-root specific area (SRA) in the 30 cm topsoil was 182.9 ± 9.5 m² kg⁻¹, specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD) and the number of short-root tips (>95% ectomycorrhizal) per dry mass unit of short roots were 145.3 ± 8.6 m g⁻¹, 58.6 ± 3.0 kg m⁻³ and 103.7 ± 5.5 tips mg⁻¹, respectively. In August the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, accumulated in above ground biomass, was 192.6, 25.0 and 56.6 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. The annual flux of N and P retranslocation from the leaves to the other tree parts was 57.2 and 3.7 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (55 and 27%), respectively, of which 29.1 kg ha⁻¹ N and 2.8 kg ha⁻¹ P were accumulated in the above-ground part of the stand.