Growth,carbon sequestration,and management of native tree plantations in humid regions of Costa Rica

The Costa Rican government has provided incentives for reforestation programs since 1986 and initiated a Payment for Environmental Services program in 1996. These incentives yielded native species reforestation programs throughout the country. This research aims to provide information about growth, carbon sequestration, and management of seven native tree species (Vochysia guatemalensis, Vochysia ferruginea, Hyeronima alchorneoides, Calophyllum brasiliense, Terminalia amazonia, Virola koschnyi, and Dipteryx panamensis) growing in small and medium-sized plantations in the Caribbean and Northern lowlands of Costa Rica. A total of 179 plots were evaluated in 32 farms. Overall, I found that V. guatemalensis, V. ferruginea, H. alchorneoides, and T. amazonia were the species with the fastest diameter, total height, and volume growth; and T. amazonia and D. panamensis sequestered more carbon. Moreover, I found that the plantations that had been thinned before this assessment had the best growth. The results of the present research enhance the criteria elaborated in previous research findings to improve species choices for reforestation and silvicultural management in Costa Rica and in other regions with similar ecological features. Furthermore, they support the concept that tropical plantations can serve diverse economic, social, and ecological functions that may ultimately help reduce atmospheric CO₂ accumulation.     

Foliar and shoot allometry of pollarded black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia L.

Browse of multipurpose tree species such as black locust could be used to broaden grazing options, but the temporal distribution of foliage has not been adequately studied. Our objective was to determine effects of harvest date, P fertilization (0 and 600 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), and pollard height (shoots clipped at 5-, 50-, and 100-cm above ground) on foliar and shoot allometry of black locust. The experiment was conducted on a naturally regenerated 2-yr-old black locust stand (15,000 trees ha⁻¹). Basal shoot diameter and foliar mass were measured monthly in June to October 2002 and 2003. Foliar and shoot dry mass (Y) was estimated from basal shoot diameter (D) by the function Y = aD ^b , with regression explaining ≥95% of variance. Allometry of foliar mass was affected by harvest date, increasing at a greater rate with D in September than in June or July, but not by P fertilization or pollard height. Foliar mass was predicted best by month-specific equations for the June to October growth interval. Allometry of shoot dry mass was unaffected by harvest date, P fertilization, or pollard height. These equations could be used as a first approximation of foliar and shoot mass for pollarded black locust.     

Assessment of biomass and net primary productivity of a dry tropical forest using geospatial technology

This study quantifies biomass, aboveground and belowground net productivity, along with additional environmental factors over a 2-3 year period in Barnawapara Sanctuary of Chhattisgarh, India through satellite remotesensing and GIS techniques. Ten sampling quadrates20×20, 5×5 and 1×1 m were randomly laid for overstorey (OS), understorey (US) and ground vegetation(GS), respectively. Girth of trees was measured at breast height and collar diameters of shrubs and herbs at 0.1 m height. Biomass was estimated using allometric regression equations and herb biomass by harvesting. Net primary productivity (NPP) was determined by Ssumming biomass increment and litter crop values. Aspect and slope influenced the vegetation types, biomass and NPP in different forests. Standing biomass and NPP varied from 18.6 to101.5 Mg ha^-1 and 5.3 to 12.7 Mg ha^-1 a^-1, respectively,in different forest types. The highest biomass was found in dense mixed forest, while net production recoded in Teak forests. Both were lowest in degraded mixed forests of different forest types. OS, US and GS contributed 90.4, 8.7and 0.7%, respectively, for the total mean standing biomass in different forests. This study developed spectral models for the estimation of biomass and NPP using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and other vegetation indices.The study demonstrated the potential of geospatial tools for estimation of biomass and net productivity of dry tropical forest ecosystem.     

河北省塞罕坝地区樟子松人工林的生物量

为了解塞罕坝地区樟子松人工林生长状况及生物量大小,给该地区樟子松林的经营及生态功能的评价提供科学依据,建立了该地区樟子松生物量模型,并对樟子松林生物量的大小及其分配规律进行了探讨。研究结果表明,该地区单株各器官生物量的最优模型形式均为CAR类型,且均达到显著或极显著水平,分别为W_干=0.026 8 D~(2.643 6)、W_枝=0.061 2 D~(1.862 7)、W_叶=0.112 4 D~(1.542 9)、W_果=0.000 04 D~(3.311)和W_整=0.093 D~(2.342 9);I地位级樟子松平均单株生物量明显高于II地位级,但林分总生物量则相反;与其他分布地区相比,该地区樟子松林生物量处于较高水平;樟子松生物量分配由高到低依次为干、枝、叶、果,其所占比重分别为50.87%~80.66%、10.76%~23.54%、7.31%~24.28%和0.34%~1.25%;树干生物量所占比重随林分年龄及胸径的增加而增加,枝和叶所占比例则随林分年龄和胸径的增加而逐渐下降。     

辐射松人工幼林生物量和生产力研究

本文对岷江上游干旱河谷区引种栽培的5 a生辐射松幼林生物量和生产力进行了测定和研究,用"平均标准木法"和"样方收获法"分别调查了乔木层、灌木层、草本层、苔鲜层和凋落物层的生物量.据调查数据,用"相对生长法则"建立了乔木层单株立木及其各器官干重的回归方程,方程的精度均在97%以上.同时还研究了林分平均净生产量和产量结构.结果表明岷江上游干旱河谷区5 a生辐射松人工林分生物量平均为19.507 t/hm2,净生产量为3 902.40kg/(hm2·a).其中,乔木层生物量为8.510 t/hm2,占林分总量的43.62%;净生产量1.702 t/(hm2·a),占林分净生产量的43.63%.灌木的生物量和净生产量分别为2.171 t/hm2、434.20 kg/(hm2·a);草本的生物量和净生产量分别为8.091 t/hm2、1 618.20 kg/(hm2·a);苔鲜层的生物量和净生产量分别为0.464 t/hm2、92.80kg/(hm2·a);凋落物的生物量和净生产量分别为0.271 t/hm2、54.20 kg/(hm2·a).辐射松人工林与同区域同龄油松和岷江柏相比,其生物量和生产力都远高于它们.     

甘肃亚高山云杉人工林地上部分生物量研究

通过对甘肃省白龙江林区沙滩林场的22块云杉人工林标准地进行调查研究,以胸径、树高、D2H分别为自变量拟合建立云杉人工林树干、树冠及地上部分生物量模型。通过假设检验,所拟合的生物量具有统计学意义,方程为W树干=0.146 D2.065,W树冠=0.029 D2.431,W地上=0.155 D2.214。     

Species-specific allometric equations for improving aboveground biomass estimates of dry deciduous woodland ecosystems

Allometric equations are important for quantifying biomass and carbon storage in terrestrial forest ecosystems.However,equations for dry deciduous woodland ecosystems,an important carbon sink in the lowland areas of Ethiopia have not as yet been developed.This study attempts to develop and evaluate species-specific allometric equations for predicting aboveground biomass(AGB)of dominant woody species based on data from destructive sampling for Combretum collinum,Combretum molle,Combretum harotomannianum,Terminalia laxiflora and mixed-species.Diameter at breast height ranged from 5 to 30 cm.Two empirical equations were developed using DBH(Eq.1)and height(Eq.2).Equation 2 gave better AGB estimations than Eq.1.The inclusion of both DBH and H were the best estimate biometric variables for AGB.Further,the equations were evaluated and compared with common generic allometric equations.The result showed that our allometric equations are appropriate for estimating AGB.The development and application of empirical species-specific allometric equations is crucial to improve biomass and carbon stock estimation for dry woodland ecosystems.     

Forest biomass and root–shoot allocation in northeast China

Temperate and boreal forests act as major sinks for atmospheric CO₂. To assess the magnitude and distribution of the sinks more precisely, an accurate estimation of forest biomass is required. However, the determinants of large-scale biomass pattern (especially root biomass) are still poorly understood for these forests in China. In this study, we used 515 field measurements of biomass across the northeast part of China, to examine factors affecting large-scale biomass pattern and root–shoot biomass allocation. Our results showed that, Picea & Abies forest and coniferous & broadleaf mixed forest had the highest mean biomass (178–202 Mg/ha), while Pinus sylvestris forest the lowest (78 Mg/ha). The root:shoot (R/S) biomass ratio ranged between 0.09 and 0.67 in northeast China, with an average of 0.27. Forest origin (primary/secondary/planted forest) explained 31–37% of variation in biomass (total, shoot and root), while climate explained only 8–15%, reflecting the strong effect of disturbance on forest biomass. Compared with shoot biomass, root biomass was less limited by precipitation as a result of biomass allocation change. R/S ratio was negatively related to water availability, shoot biomass, stand age, height and volume, suggesting significant effects of climate and ontogeny on biomass allocation. Root–shoot biomass relationships also differed significantly between natural and planted forests, and between broadleaf and coniferous forests. Shoot biomass, climate and forest origin were the most important predictors for root biomass, and together explained 83% of the variation. This model provided a better way for estimating root biomass than the R/S ratio method, which predicted root biomass with a R² of 0.71.     

Soil carbon and nutrient pools in Douglas-fir plantations 5 years after manipulating biomass and competing vegetation in the Pacific Northwest

We assessed changes in mineral soil total carbon (C) and nutrient (exchangeable Ca, K, Mg, and total N) pools to 60 cm depth 5 years after manipulating biomass and competing vegetation at two contrasting Douglas-fir plantations (Matlock, WA, and Molalla, OR). Biomass treatments included whole-tree (WT) and bole-only (BO) harvest, and competing vegetation control (VC) treatments were applied as either initial or annual herbicide applications. There were main effects of biomass removal and VC on the absolute change in soil pools of some elements at both sites, but significant effects were more prevalent at the lower soil quality Matlock site than the Molalla site, and were generally confined to the top 15 cm of soil. In all cases, treatment effects were associated with increases in C and nutrients following BO and initial VC treatments combined with little change in soil pools following WT and annual VC treatments. At the Matlock site, total soil pools (0-60 cm) of C, N, and Ca significantly increased in the BO and initial VC treatments, and Mg increased and K decreased regardless of treatment. At the Molalla site, soil C and nutrient pools did not change in response to treatments, but total soil Mg increased in all treatments during the study period. Correlation analyses indicated little influence of soil nutrient pools on early growth at Matlock likely because soil water is more limiting than nutrient availability at that site, but vegetation growth was correlated to nutrient pools at Molalla indicating changes in pools associated with harvesting and treatment could influence crop development in the future. These early results indicate low potential for intensive management practices to reduce mineral soil pools of C and nutrients, but there is uncertainty on the long-term growth response because treatments may have influenced nutrient storage in pools other than mineral soil.     

基于BP神经网络的沙柳地上生物量预测模型

目的 以库布其沙漠沙柳为研究对象,建立基于BP神经网络的沙柳生物量模型,探究不同建模因子下的沙柳生物量估算模型变化,以期探究沙柳生物量估算模型的最优形式。 方法 选取6种沙柳生长因子,并根据与生物量相关性大小加入输入变量,从而组成6组不同输入变量,输入变量包含因子数量逐步增加（1 ～ 6种）。对比BP神经网络沙柳生物量模型不同输入变量所拟合模型的性能,确定最佳输入变量,并在最优输入变量的基础上,确定BP神经网络隐层数量,经过反复训练,建立基于BP神经网络的沙柳生物量估算模型。 结果 基于BP神经网络的沙柳生物量模型最优结构,即输入层节点数（Nin）∶隐层节点数（Nh）∶输出层节点数(Nout)为：4∶9∶1。其中训练数据R2=0.97,RMSE=0.67,MAE=0.50;测试数据R2=0.96,RMSE=1.10,MAE=0.77。 结论 基于BP神经网络的沙柳生物量,随着输入变量中输入因子的数量不断增加,发现其R2、RMSE、MAE所表现出的模型性能逐渐变好,但是输入变量每增加1种后,当输入因子数量为5时,模型精度相比输入因子数量为4时提升幅度较小,考虑模型使用时的精度和野外工作的便利性,输入层最优输入因子数为4种,当隐层数为9时模型性能表现为最优。     

相思人工林生物量分配格局与林下植被多样性分析

对位于漳州平和7年生的3种相思人工林生物量的分配格局和林下植被多样性进行研究,结果表明:马占相思林下植被Shannon-Wiener多样性指数最高(3.0936),黑木相思其次(3.0649),卷荚相思最低(2.2430);而与物种数目无关的Shannon均匀度指数则以黑木相思最高,表明其物种组成比较均匀;3种相思人工林林下植被群落相似性指数均在0.5~0.75之间,表现为中等相似;在3种相思人工林单株各器官生物量组成中,干材生物量所占的比例最大(55.30%~68.28%),其它组分依次为:根(14.72%~19.30%)>皮(10.59%~10.82%)>枝(3.96%~9.19%)>叶(2.42%~8.39%);3种相思人工林林下植被生物量大小顺序为:卷荚相思(6.69 t.hm-2)>马占相思(6.24 t.hm-2)>黑木相思(4.21 t.hm-2);3种相思人工林林分生物量的大小顺序为卷荚相思(75.21 t.hm-2)>黑木相思(49.19 t.hm-2)>马占相思(48.22 t.hm-2)。对3种相思人工林生物量分布格局的比较研究表明:卷荚相思生产力高,适宜在闽南山地营林生产实践中推广。     

燕山山地华北落叶松单株生物量与生产力研究

根据对33株华北落叶松标准木的生物量实测资料,对林木单株与器官生物量分配情况进行了探讨,建立了以胸径、树高为自变量的生物量预测模型;提出了在幼树期（树龄7-15a或胸径1．7-6．6cm）根茎比平均值为0．159,幼树期以后（当树龄超过15a或胸径大于6．6cm时）根冠比平均值为0．236,建立了以林龄、胸径为自变量的根冠比预测模型;以去皮材积一生物量模型为基础进行解析木的生产力模拟,多年平均生产力变化在211．258-4512．804g／a,16a以后进入速生期,到49a时年生产力水平仍很高,建议生产上主伐林龄应推迟到50a以后。     

Allometric equations for estimating the foliage biomass of Scots pine

The research described in this paper was performed in the Niepolomice Forest (Southern Poland) in 2001 as part of the Forest Environmental Monitoring and Management System (FOREMMS; 5FP IST) project. The material for the present study consisted of the measurement results of the biomass of Scots pine shoots with needles and needles alone carried out on 113 felled sample trees. The purpose of this study was to construct empirical equations for estimating the foliage biomass of Scots pine from easy to measure parameters. To achieve this aim, the dependence of the foliage biomass of Scots pine on stem diameter, height, age, crown length, basal area increment of the trees was analyzed. Using the biometric characteristics such as: tree diameter at breast height (dbh), basal area increment, age, height, and crown length empirical equations for estimating the foliage biomass of Scots pine reasonably precisely have been established. The created empirical equation gives accurate foliage biomass estimates. The explained variability varies between 65 and 85%, it depends on the number of variables applied in the equation. The equations presented in this paper were created with a view to their possible use in ecological studies where biomass quantity may be used, for example, in modeling carbon circulation in the forest ecosystem. From the point of view of forestry practice, these equations may help to assess biomass production in Scots pine stands.     

Structure, allometry, and biomass of plantation Metasequoia glyptostroboides in Japan

We quantified structural features and the aboveground biomass of the deciduous conifer, Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Hu and Cheng) in six plantations in central Japan. In order to derive biomass estimates we dissected 14 M. glyptostroboides trees into three structural components (stem wood, branch wood and foliage) to develop allometric equations relating the mass of these components and of the whole tree to diameter at breast height (DBH). We found robust relationships at the branch and whole tree level that allow accurate prediction of component and whole tree biomass. Dominant tree height was similar within five older (>40 years) plantations (27–33 m) and shorter in a 20-year-old plantation (18 m). Average stem diameter varied from 12.8 cm in the youngest stand to greater than 35 cm in the oldest stand.

Metasequoia have relatively compact crowns distributed over the top 30% of the tree although the youngest stand had the deepest crown relative to tree height (up to 38%). At the individual tree level in older stands, 87% of the aboveground biomass was allocated to the stem, 9% to branch wood and 4% to foliage. We found little difference in the relative distribution of above ground biomass among the stands with the exception of lower foliage biomass in larger diameter trees. Total aboveground biomass of the older stands varied twofold, ranging from a maximum of 450 Mg ha⁻¹ in a 42-year-old stand to a minimum of 196 Mg ha⁻¹ in a 48-year-old stand. Total above ground biomass of the 20-year-old stand was 176 Mg ha⁻¹.     

Additive prediction of aboveground biomass for Pinus radiata (D. Don) plantations

A general and two country-specific systems of additive equations were developed to predict aboveground biomass of Pinus radiata plantations from stand variables that are routinely measured in inventory plots and predicted by conventional growth and yield models. The data for this work consisted of 319 plot-based biomass estimates that were derived from individual tree biomass equations developed in situ. These plot-based biomass estimates were compiled from studies reported in the forestry and ecological literature since 1960 and also from personal communications. They represent more than 60 sites worldwide with a majority in Australia and New Zealand. The systems of additive biomass equations developed from these data provide an alternative and addition to the current methods of estimating the aboveground biomass of P. radiata plantations. They also provide a direct linkage between forest inventory measures, outputs from conventional growth and yield models and biomass and carbon stock estimates at the same spatial scale. This direct linkage provides a new basis for scaling to a remote sensing image from which biomass and carbon stocks across the landscape can be mapped. Comparisons of prediction accuracies between this approach and other methods such as scaling up from individual tree biomass estimates and biomass expansion factors highlighted considerable methodological differences in the estimates of aboveground biomass and associated uncertainties over a range of stand age and conditions. These differences should be carefully evaluated before adopting a particular method to estimate aboveground biomass and carbon stocks of P. radiata plantations at a local, regional or national scale.     

桂西北西南桦人工林生长规律和生物生产力

以广西天峨县林朵林场12年生西南桦人工林为研究对象,研究其生长过程和生物生产力特征。结果表明:西南桦在桂西北具有较强的生长适应性,12年生平均胸径(去皮)、平均树高和平均蓄积量分别达到15.6 cm,16.8 m,170.10 m3/hm2;西南桦树高和胸径生长均以前5 a最快,随后随林龄的增长而下降;材积生长在8年生时达到峰值,之后开始下降但仍然保持较高的年生长量。12年生西南桦人工林林分生物量为130.86 t/hm2,其中乔木层、灌木层、草本层和凋落物层生物量依次为122.38,2.35,1.87和4.26 t/hm2,分别占93.52%,1.80%,1.43%和3.26%。林分乔木层年净生产力为10.20 t/(hm2·a),不同器官净生产力大小次序为树干、树叶、树枝、树根、树皮。     

Equations for estimating above- and belowground biomass of Norway spruce,Scots pine,birch spp. and European aspen in Latvia

This study aims to derive allometric functions to estimate the above- and belowground biomass components of the most important tree species in Latvia. The study material included a total of 81 Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst), 102 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), 105 birch spp. (mainly silver birch (Betula pendula Roth)) and 84 European aspen (Populus tremula L.) trees sampled in 124 forest stands. The suitability of three mathematical models for the prediction of total aboveground biomass, stem biomass, total live and dead branch biomass, belowground biomass and small root biomass was evaluated. Our analysis revealed that the use of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change mean default values for the root-to-shoot ratio recommended for temperate and boreal ecological zones leads to the overestimation of root biomass of young trees, especially Scots pine and Norway spruce. Our findings indicate that biomass functions recommended for other Baltic Sea countries are not appropriate for the assessment of the biomass stock in Latvia’s forests because these lead to biased estimates. The biomass functions derived in our study are recommended for reporting the biomass stock in Latvia.     

Field performance of Salix clones propagated via shoot cultures in vitro

Survival, growth, plant structure and insect damage of in vitro‐derived cuttings from two Salix clones (5. schwerinii and 5. viminalis) were compared in a field trial with performance of conventional cuttings of the same clones. No obvious morphological abnormalities were induced by in vitro treatment. The survival rate of in vitro‐derived cuttings of the S. schwerinii clone was much higher than that of conventional cuttings. In the 5. viminalis clone, height growth was slightly but significantly reduced for in vitro‐derived cuttings compared with conventional cuttings although stem basal area and estimated plant dry weight were unaffected. The number of stems per cutting, the number of side shoots per stem and gall midge damage did not appear to be affected by the type of cutting. Electrophoretic analysis of 12 enzyme systems revealed identical isozyme patterns for m vitro‐derived and conventionally propagated plants.     

德昌杉无性系种子园生长性状异速生长关系初步研究

本文以德昌杉无性系种子园为研究材料,对38年生30个无性系870个分株的胸径、树高和冠幅进行生长量统计分析,以及从异速生长指数上分析不同无性系间生长量上的差异。30个无性系的胸径、树高和冠幅的均值分别为28.24 cm、19.18 m和5.18 m,其变异系数的均值分别为0.29、0.19和0.24;胸径-树高、胸径-冠幅异速生长关系分析显示德昌杉的在胸径生长量上分配的速率明显高于树高和冠幅,表明无性系间胸径、树高和冠幅的异速生长轨迹发生了显著变化;胸径-冠幅和胸径-树高之间的SMA斜率在不同无性系间,无相同的SMA斜率,除16和28号无性系的胸径-树高外,差异均显著(P<0.05),30个无性系间没有一致的生长量分配速率。无性系间异速生长关系的差异导致不同的生长量分配模式进一步体现了环境对各构件生长的生态可塑性和无性系间生长性状存在着丰富的遗传变异,为德昌杉优良无性系的早期选择提供了可能性。