Structure and functions ofPinus sylvestris var.sylvestriformis plantation ecosystem

Changbai pine (Pinus sylvestris var.Sylvestriformis) is an endemic and important tree species in Changbai Mountain. There were only 63 plant species in Changbai pine plantation, where hemicryptophyte was dominant(39.68%). Simpson diversity index was 0.87, Shannon-Wiener diversity index was 2.96, and evenness index was 0.82. Community structure were divided into three layers: tree layer, shrub layer and herb layer. The total biomass and net production were 111.982 t/hm² and 8942.80 kg/(hm² a) respectively. The total biomass for tree, shrub and herb layers were 106.150, 2.230, 2.264 t/hm², accounting for 94.79%, 1.99%, and 2.02%, respectively, and net production for those were 7465, 223, and 1182 kg/(hm² a), accounting for 83.47%, 2.49%, and 13.22% of the total respectively. The nutrient content in various organs is in the order of needle> branch> root> bark> trunk, For the assimilated organ, the nutrient content is in the order of N> K> Ca> P> Mg, and that in absorption organ is in the order of Ca> N> K> P> Mg. For the whole plantation ecosystem, nutrient content is in the order of soil> litter> herb layer> shrub layer> tree layer. Nutrient storage and its accumulation rate in tree layer take up 88.79% and 76.43% of the total, respectively. The project is funded by the Opened Research Station of Changbai Mountain Forest Ecosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences Responsible Editor: Chai Ruihai     

Nutrient cycle of planted forest of Pinus tabulaeformis in the Miyun Reservoir Watershed, Beijing

We studied the nutrient cycle of a planted forest of Pinus tabulaeformis in the Miyun Reservoir Watershed, Beijing. Results show that the total biomass of P. tabulaeformis stands at age 29 in the experimental area is 92627 kg/hm², and the total nutrient store is 695.17 kg/hm² including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), kalium (K), calium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). The sequence of their contents in different organs was given as follows: needle>branch> trunk>root. The annual amount of 85.37 kg/hm² of five nutrient elements were assimilated by P. tabulaeformis, about 0.34% of the total store in soil, and 3.30% of available nutrient store in soil depth from 0 to 30 cm. The nutrient annual retention is 35.92 kg/hm², annual returning 49.46 kg/hm², the rain input 26.04 kg/hm² to the five nutrient elements. The parameter absorption coefficient, utilization coefficient, cycle coefficient and turnover period were cited to describe the nutrient elements cycle characteristic of the planted forest ecosystem of P. tabulaeformis. The absorption coefficient is the ratio of plant nutrient element content to soil nutrient element content, and its sequence of five nutrient elements was given as follows: N>P>K>Ca>Mg. Utilization coefficient is the ratio of the nutrient element annual uptake amount to the nutrient element storage in standing crops, and its sequence of five nutrient elements was: Mg>K> P>N>Ca. The big utilization coefficient means more nutrients stored in the plant. The cycle coefficient is the ratio of the nutrient element annual return amount to the nutrient element annual uptake amount, its sequence: Ca>N>P>K>Mg. Turnover period is the ratio of the nutrient storage in the crops to the annual returning, its sequence: Mg>K>P>N>Ca. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2008, 30(3): 51–56 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Carbon sink in Phoebe bournei artificial forest ecosystem

Biomass, carbon content, carbon storage and spatial distribution in the 32-year-old Phoebe bournei artificial forest were measured. The mean biomass of the forest stand was 174.33 t/hm², among which the arbor layer was 166.73 t/hm², which accounted for 95.6%. Carbon contents of stems, barks, branches, leaves, root, shrub layer, herb layer, lichen layer and litter layer were 0.5769 g C/g, 0.4654 g C/g, 0.5232 g C/g, 0.4958 g C/g, 0.4931 g C/g, 0.4989 g C/g, 0.4733 g C/g, 0.4143 g C/g, 0.3882 g C/g, respectively. The mean carbon content of soil was 0.0139 g C/g, which reduced gradually along with soil depth. Total carbon storage of the P. bournei stand ecosystem was 227.59 t/hm², among which the arbor layer accounted for 40.13% (91.33 t/hm²), the shrub layer accounted for 0.17% (0.38 t/hm²), the herb layer accounted for 0.76% (1.71 t/hm²), the lichen layer accounted for 0.28% (0.63 t/hm²), and the litter layer accounted for 0.29% (0.66 t/hm²). Carbon content (0–80 cm) of the forest soil was 58.40% (132.88 t/hm²). Spatial distribution ranking of carbon storage was: soil layer (0–80 cm) > arbor layer > herb layer > litter layer > lichen layer > shrub layer. Net production of the forest stand was 8.5706 t/(hm²·a), in which the arbor layer was 6.6691 t/(hm²·a), and it accounted for 77.82%. Net annual carbon sequestration of the P. bournei stand was 4.2536 t/(hm²·a), and the arbor layer was 3.5736 t/(hm²·a), which accounted for 84.01%. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2008, 44(3): 34–39 [译自: 林业科学]     

Biocycle of nitrogen in a Cyclobalanopsis glauca-dominated evergreen broad-leaved forest in East China

The nitrogen (N) cycling was elucidated in a 40-year-old subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest dominated by Cyclobalanopsis glauca growing on red soil in Zhejiang Province, East China. The concentrations of N in the representative species ranged from 0.49% to 1.64%, the order of which in various layers was liana and herb layers > understory layer > tree and subtree layers; in various organs was leaf > branch > root > trunk; and aboveground parts > underground parts. The sequence of the concentrations of N in C. glauca was understory > tree > subtree layer; young and high-growing > old organs; reproductive > vegetative organs. Seasonal dynamics of the concentrations of N in C. glauca in the tree and subtree layers was comparatively stable. It was lower in autumn (October) in root, branch, and leaf in the tree layer, and low in January in the understory. There was no evident change in regularity of the concentrations of N in varying diameter classes. The concentrations of N in the litterfall, precipitation, throughfall, litter layer, and soil were 0.74%–2.30%, 0.000,038%, 0.000,09%, 1.94%, and 0.59%, respectively. The standing crop of N in the plant community was 1,025.28 kg/hm², accumulation in the litter layer was 224.88 kg/hm², and reserve in the soil was 55,151 kg/hm². Annual retention of N was 119.47 kg/hm², return was about 84.13 kg/hm², among which litterfall was 78.49 kg/hm² and throughfall, 5.64 kg/hm². Annual absorption of N was 203.60 kg/hm². Annual input of N through incident precipitation was 4.88 kg/hm². Compared with other forest types, cycling rate of N in the community was lower than in deciduous broad-leaved forests, rain forests, and mangroves, and was moderate in evergreen broad-leaved forests. N use efficiency of this forest was moderate among the forest types cited. According to the characteristics of the biocycle of phosphorous, it was concluded that N availability in the soil of this forest was not lower, and phosphorous not N was the limiting factor in the growth of plants in this community. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(4): 740–748 [译自: 生态学报, 2005, 25(4): 740–748]     

滇中高原华山松人工林生物量及营养元素分配格局

对云南玉溪磨盘山华山松人工林（16年中龄林、26年近成熟林、43年成熟林）生物量及N、 P、 K、 Ca和Mg等5种营养元素的分配格局和积累规律进行了研究。结果显示,3种林龄华山松人工林的生物量分别为181.515 t/hm2、284.679 t/hm2、295.311 t/hm2,乔木层生物量分别占林分的91.594％、94.760％、93.838％,乔木层的净生产力分别为10.391 t/（ hm2· a）、10.375 t/（ hm2· a）和6.444 t/（ hm2· a）;3种林龄群落各层生物量均为乔木层＞枯落物层＞灌木层＞草本层;乔木各营养器官营养元素含量大小是树叶＞树枝＞树根＞树皮（或树皮＞树根）＞树干;3种林龄华山松各器官营养元素含量均以N含量最高,其他元素含量依次为K＞Mg＞Ca＞P,其中树叶中的N含量最高,达到16.733 g/kg～21.368 g/kg;3种林龄群落营养物质总积累量分别为1497.993 kg/hm2、2257.161 kg/hm2和2810.246 kg/hm2,乔木层营养物质年积累量分别为77.532 kg/（ hm2· a ）、76.679 kg/（ hm2· a）、58.759 kg/（ hm2· a）。     

京北山区人工刺槐水源涵养林主要养分元素含量特征分析

北京北部山区刺槐水源涵养林生态系统的总生物量(包括乔木层、灌木层、草本层和枯落物层)为26 301kg/hm2。刺槐林不同器官中各养分元素的含量差异较大,在叶和枝中各养分元素的含量顺序相同,均是Ca>N>K>Mg>P;在干中的含量顺序是N>Ca>Mg>K>P;根系中的养分元素除Ca随着根系直径的增加呈升高的趋势外,其余的养分元素的含量随着根系直径的增加而降低。刺槐林生态系统5种养分元素的贮存量为514.90 kg/hm2,其中,乔木层中的养分贮存量占总贮存量的85.5%。若以各养分元素在生态系统生物层中的贮存量来计,则Ca的贮存量最大,P的最小,不同养分元素贮存量的顺序为Ca>N>K>Mg>P。     

Effects of Ca^2＋concentrations on accumulations of mineral elements in the components of Pteroceltis tatarinowii

The bark ofPteroceltis tatarinowii is a raw material for manufacturing Xuan Paper. The effects of Ca²⁺ concentrations on the accumulation of mineral elements in the bark, leaf and root ofPteroceltis tatarinowii were studied under controlled conditions. The types of Hoagland nutrient solution with three Ca²⁺ concentrations levels (200, 400 and 600 μg·g⁻¹) and a control (without Ca²⁺ were designed to culturePteroceltis tatarinowii. After 6 months, contents of seven mineral elements including Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and Na in the root, leaf and bark were analyzed. The results indicated that Ca accumulations content in the root, leaf and bark had positively relation with Ca²⁺ concentrations (200, 400, 600 μg·g⁻¹), and the order of the Ca content in the three components was root>leaf>bark. Ca content in the root treated with 600 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 5.5 times as high as that of the control, and about 1.4 times as high as that of the root treated in 200 and 400 μg/g Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively. On the contrary, K and Mg contents in the root, leaf and bark were negatively related to Ca²⁺ concentrations, especially in the bark, and their accumulation trend followed the order of leaf>root>bark. K content in the bark treated with 600 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 39.3% of that of the control, and was 79.0% and 91.8% of that of the bark treated with 200μg·g⁻¹ and 400μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively; Mg content in the bark treated with 600μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 23.4% of that of the control, and was 27.1% and 35.4% of that of the bark treated with 200 and 400 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively. Compared with the control, the general tendency of Mn, Zn and Cu content decreased with increasing of Ca²⁺ concentrations and their contents were in the order: root>leaf>bark. Based on the results of this study, the experiment has been useful for providing academic bases in improving the bark quality ofPteroceltis tatarinowii on non-limestone soil. Foundation item: This paper is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 39970608). Biography: Fang Shengzun (1963), male, Professor in Stiiviculture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210027, P.R. China. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

30个桉树无性系人工林碳储量分析

通过对国营雷州林业局30个5年生桉树无性系人工林的调查、试验,旨在阐明不同桉树无性系人工林碳储量的变化规律及营建桉树碳汇林的合理措施.结果表明:30个桉树无性系人工林生态系统平均碳储量为148.743 t·hm-2,高于之前学者研究的桉树人工林碳储量,其中,乔木层和土壤层分别占34.39％、61.88％;乔木层平均碳储量达51.948 t·hm-2,不同无性系间差异极显著(p＜0.01),其中,23(101-1)、25(179-1)、4(BU1)、26(184-1)号无性系表现最优;土壤层的平均碳储量为92.033 t·hm-2,不同无性系土壤层碳储量差异不明显;灌木层、草本层、凋落物层碳储量分别是2.430、0.731、1.592 t·hm-2,占比例较小.营建桉树碳汇林关键在于无性系的正确选择.     

南亚热带不同树种人工林生物量及其分配格局

通过收获法和建立的单木相对生长方程研究了南亚热带5种树种人工林乔、灌、草不同组分的生物量及其分配。结果表明:在立地条件相似,林龄和经营管理措施相同的情况下,不同树种人工林生物量有较大差异,表现为米老排林(404.95 t·hm-2)火力楠林(376.61 t·hm-2)马尾松林(239.94 t·hm-2)红椎林(231.01 t·hm-2)铁力木林(181.06 t·hm-2)。林分生物量空间分布格局以乔木层为主,占总生物量的87.71%97.86%;其次为地表凋落物层,占1.96%10.90%;灌木层和草本层最低,仅占0.02%1.09%。林分乔木层各器官的生物量分配格局总体呈树干生物量所占比例最大,根或枝所占比例次之,再其次是干皮,叶生物量最低。林下灌木层、草本层和地表凋落物层生物量在不同林分间的差异均较大,其中,灌木层生物量以红椎林和马尾松林较高,火力楠林和米老排林较低,铁力木林最低;草本层和地表凋落物层表现出相似的规律,即马尾松林最高,红椎林其次,米老排林、火力楠林和铁力木林较低。     

灰木莲人工林营养元素分配及其积累特征

对南宁市46年生灰木莲人工林的9种营养元素(N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Zn和Cu)的含量、积累量、年净积累量及其分配特征进行了研究。结果表明:灰木莲不同组分的营养元素含量大致为树叶>树皮>树根>树枝>干材。大量元素N、K在树根中的含量最高,P、Mg在树叶中的含量最高,而Ca则在树皮中含量最高;微量元素在各组分中的含量则以Mn最高,Fe、Zn次之,Cu最低。灰木莲人工林营养元素积累总量为1 948.78 kg/hm2,其中乔木层的营养元素积累量为1 715.22 kg/hm2,占林分营养元素积累总量的88.02%;草本层为74.33 kg/hm2,占总积累量的3.81%;灌木层为83.19 kg/hm2,占总积累量的4.26%;凋落物层为76.04 kg/hm2,占总积累量的3.90%。灰木莲人工林营养元素年净积累量为37.32 kg/(hm2·a),各组分营养元素年净积累量排列顺序为干材>树根>树皮>树叶>树枝。     

Comparative analyses on the litter in Korean pine Mongolian Scots pine and Dahurian Larch plantations

Comparative analyses were conducted on the nutrient element content and returning amount of main fractional compositions of litter in Korean pine (KP), Mongolian Scots pine (MSP) and Dahurian larch (DL) plantations in Laoshan Plantation Experiment Station of Maoershan Experiment Forest Farm of Northeast Forestry University. The results are as follows: (1) The nutrient element content and returning amount in litter varies among different fractional compositions and tree species, the total returning amount of all nutrient elements and the returning amount of K, Ca, Mg, N and P are DL > MSP > KP, the returning amount of Cu is DL > KP > MSP, the returning amount of Fe and Mn are MSP > DL > KP; (2) To KP and DL plantations, the main nutrient element returned is dead needles; dead branches, bark scales and dead cones account for a little proportion; whereas to MSP plantation, besides dead needles, dead branches and bark scales also play an important role in the return of nutrient elements; (3) A little deal of dead leaves can provided a great deal of returning amount of nutrient elements.     

海南木莲人工林生物量及养分分配

本文测定并分析了海南尖峰岭地区３０年生的热带乡土树种海南木莲人工林生物量及其估算模型，论述了生物量及其养分分配规律。指出：海南木莲各器官及整株生物量模型以幂函数模型Ｗ＝ａ（Ｄ２Ｈ）ｂ比较理想；全林分的总生物量为１４４．０６６ｔ／ｈｍ２，其中地上部分生物量８９．９３５ｔ／ｈｍ２。乔木层生物量占７８．８１％，林下植物层占２１．１９％；在乔木层中，树干、树叶、树枝、树皮和树根所占的比例分别是５４．１２７％、２．３５４％、７．７６２％、９．３７０％和２６．３８８％；乔木层中，各器官的养分含量，除Ｃａ外，都是叶比其它器官（枝、皮、干、根）的养分含量高许多，Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ、Ｃａ、Ｍｇ５个常量养分元素在海南木莲人工林生物体中的总贮量分别为５５７．７５４，２４．３３０，５９９．９０８，２７５．５５７，６４．１０３ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，各养分贮量在各器官中分布，除Ｐ外，从小到大为树叶、树枝、树皮、树干、树根     

Carbon storage of artificial forests in rehabilitated lands in the upper reaches of the Yellow River

We studied 10-to 27-year-old artificial forests on rehabilitated lands in the upper reaches of the Yellow River with the objective of comparing the carbon densities of various artificial and natural forests. Under artificial plantations, the vegetation layer (including roots) had a mean carbon density of 111.3 t/hm², the litter layer a density of 5.1 t/hm², and the soil layer a density of 64.9 t/hm². These values accounted for 28.6%, 13.8%, and 61.0% of their respective counterparts in the natural secondary forests under the same site conditions in the region. The ratios of carbon density among vegetation, litter, and soil pools were 39.6:1.8:58.6 for artificial forests and 57.4:2.7:39.9 for natural forests. The carbon densities of the vegetation and litter layers increased exponentially with forest age. The total carbon density ratios were also increasing gradually. Although the mean total carbon density of the artificial forests in the rehabilitated lands was 281.2 t/hm² in the experimental area, it accounted for only 41.5% of the carbon density of the natural secondary forests (677.4 t/hm²). The annual increase in total carbon density of artificial forests was as high as 15.2 t/hm², which was 11.7% more than that of natural forests and 6.8 times higher than that (1.95 t/hm) of artificial forests in the entire country as measured during 1994–1998. This indicates that growth and carbon storage capacity of artificial forests in the rehabilitated lands were higher than those of forests on the barren hills and the secondary forests. We concluded that the conversion project from croplands to forests and grasslands based on scientific principles is very important in the formation of carbon sinks for reducing greenhouse effects. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2005, 27(6): 1–8 [译自: 北京林业大学学报, 2005, 27(6): 1–8]     

热带山地雨林生态系统水文化学循环规律的研究

根据５ａ定位观测，对尖峰岭热带山地雨林更新林生态系统的水文化学循环规律的数据分析表明，年均降雨量为２６６８．３ｍｍ，其中总径流量占４６．７％，蒸散量５３．３％，冠层截留量１４．０％。Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ、Ｃａ、Ｍｇ的年均降雨输入量为７８．４ｋｇ／（ｈｍ２·ａ），总径流输出５６．７ｋｇ／（ｈｍ２·ａ），净积累２１．６ｋｇ／（ｈｍ２·ａ）；Ｓｉ、有机Ｃ、Ａｌ、Ｍｎ的年均降雨输入量为２５．０ｋｇ／（ｈｍ２·ａ），总径流输出为１１２．３ｋｇ／（ｈｍ２·ａ），净损失８７．３ｋｇ／（ｈｍ２·ａ），更新林系统仅处于更新进展过程中，同时证实了冠层对降水化学的淋溶效应，净淋溶系数达４．１１；提出了降雨、林内净降雨、总径流的各水化学物含量与其相应水量的回归模式     

热带山地雨林生态系统水文化学循环规律的研究

根据５ａ定位观测，对尖峰岭热带山地雨林更新林生态系统的水文化学循环规律数据分析表明，年均降雨量为２６６８．３ｍｍ，其中总径流量占４６．７％，蒸散量５３．３％，冠层留量１４．０％。Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ、Ｃａ、Ｍｇ的年均降雨输入量为７８．４ｋｇ（ｈｍ＾２．ａ），总径流输出５６．７ｋｇ／（ｈｍ＾２．ａ），净积累２１．６ｋｇ／（ｈｇｍ＾２．ａ），Ｓｉ，有机Ｃ、Ａｌ、Ｍｎ的年均降雨输入量为２５．０ｋｇ（ｈｍ＾２．ａ）     

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]     

Effects of Different Management Regimes for Cutover Areas on Soil Carbon Storage in Chinese Fir Plantations

Based on data collected (through local observations) for several consecutive years, comparative analyses of Chinese fir plantations in Huitong, Hunan, were made. Results show that, before harvesting, carbon storage in forest soils in these 22-year-old plantations (0–60 cm) amounted to 160.38 t/hm²; 1 year after a 100% clear-cutting, loss of carbon storage in the soil (0–60 cm) of cutover areas was 35.00%; 2 years later, the rate was 44.65%; and, after 3 years, the rate was 43.93% compared with a control area of a standing forest. Three years after 50% thinning and 100% clear-cutting, the loss of carbon storage in the soil (0–60 cm) of cutover areas was 16.14 and 45.15%, respectively. There existed an evident difference in carbon storage in the soil (0–60 cm) of cutover areas in four kinds of management regimes, which followed the order: closed Chinese fir forests (108.20 t/hm²) > fallow lands after farming (92.68 t/hm²) > commercial forests (85.80 t/hm²) > naturally regenerated forestlands after harvesting. Carbon storage in unburnt soil (0–45 cm) reached 73.36 t/hm², which was 15.20 t/hm² higher than that in the soil of burnt areas. A total of 20.7% of carbon storage in the soil (0–45 cm) of burnt areas was lost 40 days after burning. Carbon storage in surface soil (0–15 cm) was higher than in the lower soil layer, which amounted to 30.04% (0–60 cm) and 53.52% (0–30 cm) of total carbon storage in the soil. Translated from the Journal of Central South Forestry University, 2004, 24(1) (in Chinese)     

日本北海道北部寒温带森林流域林冠层凋落物及其养分归还量的景观格局(英文)

Within a forested watershed at the Uryu Experimental Forest of Hokkaido University in northern Hokkaido, overstory litterfall and related nutrient fluxes were measured at different landscape zones over two years. The wetland zone covered with Picea glehnii pure stand. The riparian zone was deciduous broad-leaved stand dominated by Alnus hirsuta and Salix spp., while the mixture of deciduous broadleaf and evergreen conifer dominated by Betula platyphylla, Quercus crispula and Abies sachalinensis distributed on the upland zone. Annual litterfall averaged 1444, 5122, and 4123 kg.hm^-2·a^-1 in the wetland, riparian and upland zones, respectively. Litterfall production peaked in September-October, and foliage litter contributed the greatest amount （73.4%-87.6 %） of the annual total litterfall. Concentrations of nutrients analyzed in foliage litter of the dominant species showed a similar seasonal variation over the year except for N in P glehnii and A. hirsuta. The nutrient fluxes for all elements analyzed were greatest on riparian zone and lowest in wetland zone. Nutrient fluxes via litterfall followed the decreasing sequence： N （11-129 kg.hm-2.aq） 〉 Ca （9-69） 〉 K （5-20） 〉 Mg （3-15） 〉 P （0.4-4.7） for all stands. Significant differences were found in litterfall production and nutrient fluxes among the different landscape components. There existed significant differences in soil chemistry between the different landscape zones. The consistently low soil C：N ratios at the riparian zone might be due to the higher-quality litter inputs （largely N-fixing alder）.     

Above- and belowground nutrients storage and biomass accumulation in marginal Nothofagus antarctica forests in Southern Patagonia

The above- and belowground biomass and nutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, S and Mg) of pure deciduous Nothofagus antarctica (Forster f.) Oersted stands grown in a marginal site and aged from 8 to 180 years were measured in Southern Patagonia. The total biomass accumulated ranged from 60.8 to 70.8 Mg ha⁻¹ for regeneration and final growth stand, respectively. The proportions of belowground components were 51.6, 47.2, 43.9 and 46.7% for regeneration, initial growth, final growth and mature stand, respectively. Also, crown classes affected the biomass accumulation where dominant trees had 38.4 Mg ha⁻¹ and suppressed trees 2.6 Mg ha⁻¹ to the stand biomass in mature stand. Nutrient concentrations varied according to tree component, crown class and stand age. Total nutrient concentration graded in the fallowing order: leaves > bark > middle roots > small branches > fine roots > sapwood > coarse roots > heartwood. While N and K concentrations increased with age in leaves and fine roots, concentration of Ca increased with stand age in all components. Dominant trees had higher N, K and Ca concentrations in leaves, and higher P, K and S concentrations in roots, compared with suppressed trees. Although the stands had similar biomass at different ages, there were important differences in nutrient accumulation per hectare from 979.8 kg ha⁻¹ at the initial growth phase to 665.5 kg ha⁻¹ at mature stands. Nutrient storage for mature and final growth stands was in the order Ca > N > K > P > Mg > S, and for regeneration stand was Ca > N > K > Mg > P > S. Belowground biomass represented an important budget of all nutrients. At early ages, N, K, S, Ca and Mg were about 50% in the belowground components. However, P was 60% in belowground biomass and then increased to 70% in mature stands. These data can assist to quantify the impact of different silviculture practices which should aim to leave material (mainly leaves, small branches and bark) on the site to ameliorate nutrient removal and to avoid a decline of long-term yields.     

Changes in species composition and diversity in the restoration process of sub-alpine dark brown coniferous forests in western Sichuan Province, China

By adopting the concept of space as a substitute for time, we analyzed the dynamics of species composition and diversity of different restoration sequences (20, 30, 40, 50 years) in two secondary forest types in western Sichuan Province, distributed in a northerly or northwesterly direction. The analysis was based on the results of measurements of 50 plots located at elevations between 3100–3600 m. The forests originated from natural regeneration in combination with reforestation of spruce when the old-growth bamboo-dark brown coniferous forests and moss-dark brown coniferous old growth forests were harvested. Similar old-growth dark brown coniferous forests at ages ranging between 160 and 200 years were selected as the reference forests for comparisons. We recorded 167 species of vascular plants from 44 families and 117 genera. There was no significant difference in terms of the number of species among secondary forests. But the importance values of dominant species varied during the restoration processes. The dominant species in the secondary forests is Betula albo-sinensis, while Abies faxoniana is the dominant species in old-growth dark brown coniferous forests. Species richness increased significantly with restoration processes. It increased quickly in secondary forests during the period from 30 to 40 years, but decreased significantly in the old-growth dark brown coniferous forests. The species richness among growth forms decreased in the following order: herb layer > shrub layer > tree layer. The maximum value of the evenness index occurred in secondary forests at age 40 and remained relatively stable in the bamboo-birch forests, but the evenness index tended to decrease in moss-birch forests and slightly increased in the old-growth mossdark brown coniferous forests. There was a statistically significant difference in the eveness index between the tree and shrub layers as well as between the tree layer and the herb layer, but there was no significant difference between the shrub layer and the herb layer. The value of the Shannon index increased over restoration time. In bamboo-birch forests, the maximum value of the Shannon index was 3.80, recorded at age 50. In moss-birch forests, the maximal value was 3.65, reached in this forest at age 30. The value of the Shannon index of old-growth dark brown coniferous forests was recorded between younger secondary and older secondary forests. The value of the dominance index of communities varied. At the first stage of restoration, it increased, and at the end it was decreased. The dominance index of the tree layer had a similar trend as that of the community dominance index, but was more variable. The minimum value of the dominance index of the tree layer in the moss-birch forests reached 20 years earlier than that of the bamboo-birch forests. There was a significant difference among restoration sequences in the α diversity indices except for the dominance index. No significant differences between the two secondary forest types were detected. Over age, the value of the Bray-Curtis index between secondary forest and old-growth dark brown coniferous forest increased. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2007, 43(5): 17–23 [译自: 林业科学]