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.     

Influence of climatic conditions,topography and soil attributes on the spatial distribution of site productivity index of the species rich forests of Jalisco,Mexico

This paper presents an approach based on field data to model the spatial distribution of the site productivity index （SPI） of the diverse forest types in Jalisco, Mexico and the response in SPI to site and cli-matic conditions. A linear regression model was constructed to test the hypothesis that site and climate variables can be used to predict the SPI of the major forest types in Jalisco. SPI varied significantly with topog-raphy （elevation, aspect and slope）, soil attributes （pH, sand and silt）, climate （temperature and precipitation zones） and forest type. The most important variable in the model was forest type, which accounted for 35% of the variability in SPI. Temperature and precipitation accounted for 8 to 9% of the variability in SPI while the soil attributes accounted for less than 4% of the variability observed in SPI. No significant differences were detected between the observed and predicted SPI for the individual forest types. The linear regression model was used to develop maps of the spatial variability in predicted SPI for the individual forest types in the state. The spatial site productivity models developed in this study provides a basis for understanding the complex relationship that exists between forest productivity and site and climatic conditions in the state. Findings of this study will assist resource managers in making cost-effective decisions about the management of individual forest types in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.     

Estimating leaf area index of mature temperate forests using regressions on site and vegetation data

Canopy gap fraction and leaf area index (LAI) were measured using hemispherical photography in 91 mature forests across Switzerland, including coniferous, broadleaved and mixed stands. The gap fraction and LAI derived from five photographs per site could be reproduced with a high coefficient of determination (R² > 0.7) by regression against simple stand parameters obtained from vegetation surveys: coverages of the tree, shrub and herb layers, and tree height. The method appeared to be robust across the different types of forests. Applied to 981 sites across Switzerland, the regression model produced LAI values ranging from 1.4 to 6.7. These predictions were compared with site variables not included in the regression. LAI appeared limited by the altitude, with maximal values decreasing by one third from 400 to 2000 m above see level. Water availability was also clearly a limitation at sites with a negative water balance, i.e. where the yearly potential evapotranspiration exceeded the precipitation. High or low values of a humidity index based on the ground vegetation also corresponded to a limitation of the LAI, with shorter trees at dry sites and more open canopies at wet sites. Compared to optical measurements (including hemispherical photography), our regression method is fast and inexpensive. Such an approach appears very promising for obtaining reliable estimates of LAI for many sites with low costs. These estimates can then be fed into process models at the stand level.     

热带森林与次生林经营研究

文章综述了世界热带地区的森林资源分布、基本类型、主要特征,以及世界次生林的经营现状和主要经营方式。这些经营方式包括建立自然保护区、生态公益林经营、"采掘主义"、限制采伐和伐后更新、"砍三留七"法、"扶持"式育林法、"抑制"式育林法、整体培育法、专门培育法、带状皆伐法、开发欠知名树种、自然更新和封山育林。同时提出了森林分类经营,即按照经营的主要目的将其划分为商品林、公益林和多功能林等基本类型的方法。此外,分析了热带次生林存在的问题,并提出解决这些问题的措施。     

Distribution patterns of tree,understorey, and detritus biomass in coniferous and broad-leaved forests of Western Himalaya,India

Forest biomass pools are the major reservoirs of atmospheric carbon in both coniferous and broad-leaved forest ecosystems and thus play an important role in regulating the regional and global carbon cycle. In this study, we measured the biomass of trees, understorey, and detritus in temperate (coniferous and broad-leaved) forests of Kashmir Himalaya. Total ecosystem dry biomass averaged 234.2 t/ha (ranging from 99.5 to 305.2 t/ha) across all the forest stands, of which 223 t/ha (91.9–283.2 t/ha) were stored in above- and below-ground biomass of trees, 1.3 t/ha (0.18–3.3 t/ha) in understorey vegetation (shrubs and herbaceous), and 9.9 t/ha (4.8–20.9 t/ha) in detritus (including standing and fallen dead trees, and forest floor litter). Among all the forests, the highest tree, understorey, and detritus biomass were observed in mid-altitude Abies pindrow and Pinus wallichiana coniferous forests, whereas the lowest were observed in high-altitude Betula utilis broad-leaved forests. Basal area has showed significant positive relationship with biomass (R² = 0.84–0.97, P < 0.001) and density (R² = 0.49–0.87). The present study will improve our understanding of distribution of biomass (trees, understorey, and detritus) in coniferous and broad-leaved forests and can be used in forest management activities to enhance C sequestration.     

中国热带次生林生产潜力与经营模式研究

在完成对中国热带地区次生林现状、经营情况的相关资料分析和重点地区的实地调查后认为：从目前次生林的生态效益来看,对比人工林,次生林在涵养水源、保持水土、维持地力等方面表现出较好的效益;与原始林比较,次生林在吸收CO2和释放O2和改良土壤的功能相对强,而固土效益和蓄水效益则较低。在经济效益方面,通过样地的调查分析,由于缺乏经营,次生林的木材生产能力相当低,单位面积平均蓄积量约仅78m^3／hm^2,为世界平均森林蓄积水平的68％左右。通过经营,中国次生林有较大的生态和经济潜力开发空间。由于中国经济仍然比较落后,特别是在农村,环境保护和生存问题都很突出。因此,要保护和发展次生林,只有选择生态和经济效益同时兼顾的经营模式,才能实现其可持续性。通过一年的调研,根据中国的经营传统和结合现实状况,归纳出目前在中国可以普遍推广的三个主要经营模式,即：社区综合经营模式、天然林的恢复与重建模式和经济物种套种经营模式。     

Mapping site index and age by linking a time series of canopy height models with growth curves

Site index (SI) is one of the main measures of forest productivity in North America. For monospecific even-age stands, it is defined as the height of dominant trees at a given reference age or presented as an age–height curve. SI normally reflects the overall effect of all the environmental parameters that determine height growth locally. However, measuring SI can only be achieved though field observations and is, for this reason, limited to sample plots. In this study, we propose a new method for quantifying and mapping SI and age based on known age–height curves and time series of canopy height models (CHMs) produced using digital photogrammetry and lidar. Digital surface models (DSMs) are created by applying an automated stereo-matching algorithm to scanned aerial photographs. The canopy height is obtained by subtracting the lidar ground elevations from the DSM. Using aerial photographs covering the 1945–2003 interval and a recent lidar coverage, CHMs could be reconstructed retrospectively for a period of over 58 years. Regionally calibrated age–height curves were fitted to observations that were extracted cell-wise from the historical CHMs to estimate SI and age values for all undisturbed locations. Results demonstrate that SI and age of jack pine (Pinus banksiana [Lamb.]) stands can be quantified respectively with an average bias of 0.76 m (2.41 m root mean squared error, RMSE) and 1.86 years (7 years RMSE). The method can be used to produce quasi-continuous maps of SI and age and to estimate productivity in a spatially explicit way.     

广州城区公园风景游憩林径级和高度级结构分布

【目的】探明广州风景游憩林群落结构现状以及存在的问题,进一步为城市风景游憩林群落结构调整和配置优化提供理论依据。【方法】以900 m^2样方为单元分别在广州发展公园风景游憩林群落样地设置样方15个,华南农业大学风景游憩林群落样地设置样方25个,火炉山森林公园风景游憩林群落样地设置样方20个,采用群落生态学的方法,研究了不同生态位风景游憩林径级和高度级结构分布。【结果】1)3个样地风景游憩林径级结构呈现一定差异:广州发展公园以大、中径级乔木占绝对优势,华南农业大学样地风景游憩林小径级乔木相对优势明显,火炉山样地风景游憩林群落以中、小径级乔木占绝对优势。2)根据群落中个体的胸径和树高呈现不同的相关关系表明:广州发展公园样地风景游憩林大径级树木开始出现衰退现象;华南农业大学样地风景游憩林由于存在大量小径级的速生树种,导致胸径—树高曲线在初期迅速增高;火炉山样地风景游憩林结构配置拟自然化,胸径—树高曲线增长较为平稳。【结论】根据高度级比重、相对频度和分布均匀度分析结果得出:广州发展公园样地风景游憩林中、大高度级树木比重较大,且分布更为集中,华南农业大学样地风景游憩林的小、中高度级的树木所占比重较高,小高度级树木分布更为集中;火炉山样地风景游憩林小高度级比重,且分布更为集中。建议通过人工择伐、补植特定树种的方式,调控城市风景游憩林群落的径级和高度级结构分布,促进风景游憩林的逐步稳定。     

中国热带地区次生林经营现状和技术

文章分析了中国热带地区次生林经营相关资料,在对广东、海南、广西和云南重点热带次生林林区或典型经营区进行实地调查的基础上,分析和总结了中国热带次生林经营管理政策、经营现状和经营技术。中国的热带次生林经营在中华人民共和国成立后不久的1951年开始提出,但在20世纪50至80年代中期,主要以利用为目的,经营方式以封山育林为主。到了80年代后期,经济相对发达的地区如广东开始从木材生产为主向生态营林方向转化的大规模经营活动,自然保护区建设规模加大。1998年发生严重的洪涝之后,中央政府加强了以林业为主题的生态环境建设,热带次生林开始得到有效的保护,这一阶段的经营特点是生态建设,经营方式以政府主导的生态公益林、天然林保护等工程建设为主。经营技术除封山育林外,强调了退耕还林、提高物种的多样性和地带性乡土树种的开发利用。但是,中国的热带次生林经营始终未能走出木材利用或是生态防护的两个极端,缺乏既提高生态效益又提高经济效益、能满足生态和林区居民生存经济需求的可持续经营技术和实践。     

九龙山多脉青冈-鹅掌楸林演替过程种群生态位

浙江九龙山分布有珍稀濒危落叶树种为主要树种的亚热带常绿落叶阔叶混交林。为探明这些落叶树种在常绿落叶阔叶混交林进展演替过程中生态位变化规律,选择该地区多脉青冈—鹅掌楸林演替过程中4个不同阶段的代表性群落,进展演替过程中,在群落垂直空间上常绿阔叶树不断挤压落叶阔叶树的生存空间,该地区常绿阔叶林顶极群落对珍稀濒危落叶树种是致危生境,不利于生物多样性保护。     

Development of site index curves for Pinus kesiya in the Philippines

This study was conducted to develop a height–age growth model and site index curves for site quality evaluation of old secondary-growth stands of Pinus kesiya in the northern Philippines. The Chapman-Richards growth function was used in the guide curve method to generate anamorphic site index curves for this species. In order to evaluate the developed model, coefficient of determination (R ² ), root mean square error (RMSE), bias (ē), absolute mean difference (AMD) and mean percent bias (MPB) were used as statistical criteria. The Chapman-Richards model explained about 96.84% of the total variation of the dominant height. The value of ē was ?0.004 m, AMD was 2.566 m, MPB was 3.88% and RMSE was 3.331. The site index curves developed as a result of this study are significant for forest managers in predicting the growth patterns and classification of site productivities for Pinus kesiya stands.     

Quantitative site classification in the key county in the conversion of farmland to forests project

According to the requirements of the conversion of farmland to forests project (CFFP), we investigated the vegetation factors and environmental factors from more than 6,105 sub-compartments in Liangcheng County, Inner Mongolia by using the Matlab, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and the hierarchical cluster method (HCM). The site conditions were classified quantitatively. The results show that CFFP at this site comprises five site-type groups and 19 site types. A quantitative site classification system method has been established in this paper. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2005, 27(6) [译自: 北京林业大学学报, 2005, 27(6)]     

Comparison of allometric equations and biomass expansion factors for six evergreen broad-leaved trees in subtropical forests in southern Korea

This study was conducted to compare the allometric equations and biomass expansion factors (BEFs) of six dominant evergreen broad-leaved trees (Camellia japonica L, Castanopsis sieboldii Hatus, Quercus acuta Thunb, Q. glauca Thunb, Machilus thunbergii S. et Z., and Neolitsea sericea Koidz) in subtropical forests. A total of 86 trees were destructively sampled to quantify the aboveground biomass of each tree component (i.e., leaves, branches, and stem). Species-specific or generalized allometric equations and species-dependent BEFs were developed for each tree component of the six broad-leaved forest trees. Species-specific allometric equations were significant (P < 0.05), with the diameter at breast height (DBH) accounting for 68–99% of the variation, whereas generalized allometric equations explained 64–96% of the variation. The values of stem density ranged broadly from 0.49 g cm^?3 for C. sieboldii to 0.79 g cm^?3 for Q. glauca, with a mean value of 0.68 g cm^?3. The BEFs were significantly (P < 0.05) lower for C. sieboldii (1.25) than for M. thunbergii (2.02). Stem density and aboveground BEFs had a significant negative relationship with tree ages. The results indicate that species-specific allometric equations and species-dependent BEFs are applicable for obtaining accurate biomass estimates of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests.     

次生常绿阔叶林抚育改造技术的研究

１９８４年在江西省德兴市和信丰县进行次生常绿阔叶林抚育改造试验，１０ａ研究结果表明：（１）更新初期次生林组成抚育树种选择应以林分中速生丰产树种米槠、丝栗栲、木荷等为主。米槠等速生树种材积定期生长量在林分中所占比例比其株数所占比例多１０％以上；（２）幼龄林疏伐强度的生长效应以中—强度疏伐对林分生长有促进作用，林分主要速生树种数量和材积比例可分别提高１５％和５％左右。伐后保留１５００株／ｈｍ２，疏伐间隔期８～１０ａ；（３）中龄林密度管理后，槠栲类、木荷和次要树种所占比例分别为３７％、３３．９％和２９．１％。４ａ后３类树种在林分产量结构中所占比例分别为５３．７％、２９．４％和１６．９％，槠栲类直径和单株材积定期生长量均显著或极显著高于其它２类树种，表明密度管理能较有效地提高槠栲类树种的生产力，林分保留密度以６００～８００株／ｈｍ２为宜。     

Diversity of secondary woody species in relation to species richness and cover of dominant trees in thermophilous deciduous forests

One of the prominent compositional features of thermophilous deciduous forests of southern Europe is their richness in secondary woody species (AWS). To date, no studies have focused on the diversity and contribution to the ecosystem functions and socio-economic benefits provided by these species. Here, we first characterized species richness and diversity for three main functional groups of AWS, sporadic trees, shrubs and vines, in 53 representative stands of central Italy. Secondly, we explored variations in AWS diversity and composition along a four-level gradient of species richness of dominant trees under comparable site conditions. The 40 AWS taxa recorded showed a remarkable taxonomic singularity at both the genus and the family rank. Dominant tree species richness had no significant effect on AWS species richness and composition, while Shannon diversity of AWS, especially shrubs, was associated with cover of the dominant trees. Each AWS possessed, on average, ca. five ability traits over a total of 13 considered that contributed to important ecosystem functions or expected socio-economic benefits such as wood and food production, conservation of genetic resources (wild crop relatives) and ornamentals. This highlights the key role of AWS, and in particular of sporadic trees, for enhancing multifunctionality of thermophilous deciduous forests.     

Diversity of polyporous fungi (Polyporaceae) in northern boreal forests: effects of forest site type and logging intensity

The effects of forest site type and logging intensity on polyporous fungi were studied in subxeric, mesic and herb-rich forests and spruce mires in northern Finland. The species richness of polypores did not follow the fertility gradient of the site types, but was connected with the amount and diversity of coarse woody debris (CWD). The total number of species, and the numbers of indicator and threatened species were equal in subxeric pine forests and in more fertile spruce-dominated stands. The species composition of pine-dominated forests differed conspicuously from that of spruce-dominated site types. The total number of species was not affected by logging intensity, but no virgin forest species or threatened species were found on the sites where the number of cut stumps exceeded 150 stumps ha^?1. Increasing logging intensity decreased the number of polypore observations, indicating reduced substrate availability. The results stress the importance of protecting not only fertile spruce-dominated stands, but also poorer, pine-dominated forests, and sites with high and diverse CWD content.     

Crown Index: a canopy balance indicator to assess growth and regeneration in uneven-aged forest stands of the Coastal Range of Chile

A balanced diameter structure, i.e. similar crown area allocatedto the different cohorts in uneven-aged forest stands, has beentraditionally regarded as a requirement for achieving bettergrowth rates and regeneration. Long-term experiments have demonstratedthe sustainability of these structures, but quantitative datainforming on how growth and regeneration behave under a balanceddiameter structure compared with other structures have beenscarce. Similarly, vertical structure has not been properlyaccounted for as a variable that can affect growth and regenerationin uneven-aged stands. In this study a Crown Index (CI) wasused as a surrogate of a balanced diameter structure and anindicator of vertical structure. This new index is obtainedby dividing the canopy area of trees in the main and upper canopypositions in a stand by the canopy area in lower strata. A CIof 1.0 indicates, on average, an even allocation of canopy areato each of four strata, namely, a balanced structure; values>1.0 or <1.0 reflect unbalanced structures, with excesscanopy cover of large trees or medium and small trees, respectively.From data obtained from stands at relatively poorer and bettersites in uncut and partially cut old-growth stands in the CoastalCordillera of southern Chile, the effects of CI, proportionof large and small trees, canopy area, and basal area on diametergrowth of Laurelia philippiana Looser (Monimiaceae) –the most important species in these forests – and regenerationof all canopy tree species were tested. Results indicated thefollowing: the CI was most strongly correlated to the proportionof large and of small trees (i.e. structural indicator), andto a lesser extent to basal area (a density indicator); theCI was by far the best explanatory variable of growth at bettersites and of regeneration at poor sites; and, in general, greatergrowth and more seedlings occurred as CI values decreased towards1, which reflects a balanced diameter structure. Results supportthe value of balanced diameter structures in managed uneven-agedstands, but also suggest that alternative structures could besought.     

Selective logging in public pine forests of the central Iberian Peninsula: Effects of the recovery process on ant assemblages

Pine forests on the northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula have a long history of use, exploitation, and management. Current management practices consist of selective logging with relatively short periods of time between logging events. The main objective of this study is to detect changes in ant assemblages in the short time periods between selective logging activities. Ants were sampled at 44 sites considering three grouping categories of time periods after the last timber extraction: short (<4 years), medium (4-8 years) and long (>8 years). After selective logging the number of ant species increases as the forest recovers. A look at the differences between the assemblages when the analysis shifts from the species-specific level to functional groups showed differences between the short and long categories. This indicates that in certain circumstances the functional groups may be more informative of the functional restructuring of the ant assemblages in a disturbed habitat. Ant species from three functional groups display significant indicative values (Opportunist, Hot Climate Specialists and Subordinate Camponotini) in the medium- and long-time-after-logging categories: Messor capitatus (HCS) for medium-time category sites; and Aphaenogaster iberica (Op), Camponotus cruentatus (SC) and, Cataglyphis velox (HCS) for long-time category sites. No indicator species were found for the early stages of recovery. This information may also be of interest to managers because it reduces the number of data elements of the recovery status of these forests, and can be translated into monitoring protocols. The continued exploitation of these forests leads to an ant fauna that reflects this change. The results show that ant assemblages need at least 8 years to recover since only after that much time there is an emergence of Subordinate Camponotinae, a behaviorally dominant and low stress-tolerant functional group. This selective logging maintains the relative diversity and structure of ant assemblages.     

The increasing scarcity of red oaks in Mississippi River floodplain forests: Influence of the residual overstory

Red oaks – cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Raf.), willow oak (Quercus phellos L.), water oak (Quercus nigra L.), and Nuttall oak (Quercus texana Buckley; aka: Quercus nuttallii Palmer) – are not regrowing in Mississippi Delta river floodplain forests in the southeastern United States in sufficient numbers to sustain the former species composition and timber and wildlife values. Even if vigorous red oak reproduction becomes established, partial harvesting that does not remove the taller trees will suppress understory red oak height growth more than it will suppress height growth of such other species as sugarberry (Celtis laevigata Willd.), American elm (Ulmus americana L.), cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia Nutt.), swamp dogwood (Cornus foemina Mill.), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall), and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.). Consequently, the red oaks in these partially harvested stands become increasingly suppressed and probably die; and there is a shift in species composition to the other species. In addition to ensuring vigorous oak reproduction, silvicultural clearcutting or rapid removal of the residual trees following shelterwood or seed tree harvesting to provide full sunlight is needed to ensure red oaks become a dominant part of these future river floodplain stands.     

福建常绿阔叶林生物多样性特点、现状和恢复途径的探讨

本文论述了福建森林生态系统的演替进程，中亚热带常绿阔叶林的生物多样性特点、现状和该生态系统的破坏对其它生态环境造成的危害，并就其恢复途径进行初步的探讨。