Photosynthetic physio-response of Taxodium ascendens seedlings to different soil water gradients

Four different kinds of water treatments were applied to study the photosynthetic eco-physiological characteristics of Taxodium ascendens seedlings in the environment of the Three Gorges hydro-fluctuation belt. The four kinds of water treatments were: normal growth water condition (CK), light drought stress (T1), soil water saturation (T2), and soil submersion (T3). The results showed that different water treatments could effectively influence the content of the photosynthetic pigment, leaf gas exchange and apparent resources use efficiency of T. ascendens seedlings. It was also demonstrated that the T. ascendens seedlings could not only tolerate water submersion and wet conditions but also endure a certain degree of drought. To establish a protection forest system in the hydro-fluctuation belt in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, the species T. ascendens is suitable for planting in conditions of root submersion or water-saturated soil. In case it is planted in drought conditions, this tree species should be watered appropriately in order to keep its normal net photosynthetic rate. Translated from Forest Research, 2006, 19(1): 54–60 [译自: 林业科学研究]     

Mixed planted-fallows using coppicing and non-coppicing tree species for degraded Acrisols in eastern Zambia

The widespread planting of Sesbania sesban fallows for replenishing soil fertility in eastern Zambia has the potential of causing pest outbreaks in the future. The pure S. sesban fallows may not produce enough biomass needed for replenishing soil fertility in degraded soils. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at Kagoro in Katete district in the Eastern Province of Zambia from 1997 to 2002 to test whether multi-species fallows, combining non-coppicing with coppicing tree species, are better than mono-species fallows of either species for soil improvement and increasing subsequent maize yields. Mono-species fallows of S. sesban (non-coppicing), Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia angustissima (all three coppicing), and mixed fallows of G. sepium + S. sesban, L. leucocephala + S. sesban, A. angustissima + S. sesban and natural fallow were compared over a three-year period. Two maize (Zea mays) crops were grown subsequent to the fallows. The results established that S. sesban is poorly adapted and G. sepiumis superior to other species for degraded soils. At the end of three years, sole G. sepium fallow produced the greatest total biomass of 22.1 Mg ha⁻¹ and added 27 kg ha⁻¹ more N to soil than G. sepium + S. sesban mixture. During the first post-fallow year, the mixed fallow at 3.8 Mg ha⁻¹ produced 77% more coppice biomass than sole G. sepium, whereas in the second year both sole G. sepium and the mixture produced similar amounts of biomass (1.6 to 1.8 Mg ha⁻¹). The G. sepium + S. sesban mixture increased water infiltration rate more than sole G. sepium, but both these systems had similar effects in reducing soil resistance to penetration compared with continuous maize without fertilizer. Although sole G. sepium produced high biomass, it was G. sepium + S. sesban mixed fallow which resulted in 33% greater maize yield in the first post-fallow maize. However, both these G. sepium-based fallows had similar effects on the second post-fallow maize. Thus the results are not conclusive on the beneficial effects of G. sepium + S. sesban mixture over sole G. sepium. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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]     

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza effects on Gliricidia sepium and Senna siamea in a fallowed alley cropping system

Nitrogen fixing and non-N₂ fixing legumes such as Gliricidia speium and Senna siamea have been used in alley cropping systems for soil improvement and source of N for food crops. However their establishments could be limited by P and moisture deficiencies in degraded soils. Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can help to overcome these deficiencies. We examined the effects of a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus, Glomus deserticola, on the performance of sole hedgerow trees of Gliricidia sepium and Senna siamea and their mixtures (interplanted) in a fallowed alley cropping experiment on a degraded Alfisol in southwestern Nigeria. Percentage root infection by VAM fungi was higher in inoculated plants than in uninoculated ones irrespective of whether they were interplanted or non-interplanted. Inoculation with G. deserticola increased dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake (N. P, Mg and K) but there was no significant interaction between mycorrhizal inoculation and interplanting for growth and nutrient uptake except for the uptake of P, Mg and K in G. sepium. Inoculation with G. deserticola reduced leaf shedding of G. sepium by 50% but did not have the same effect for S. siamea. For both tree species inoculated plants extracted more water from 0–30 cm depth than the uninoculated ones.     

Effects of landscape restoration on soil water storage and water use in the Loess Plateau Region,China

Large-scale vegetation restoration in China's Loess Plateau has been initiated by the central government for controlling soil and water losses in the past three decades. However, there is virtually no guidance for plant species selection for the restoration purpose. We investigated the effects of planting trees and shrubs, land-use conversions from croplands to pastures and native grasslands on soil water dynamics and water stresses by using long-term field measurements from 1986 to 1999 in the semi-arid loess hilly area. Our research has led to the following three major findings. Firstly, the amount of soil water storage within a 100 cm depth decreased as measured at both the beginning and the ending point of growing seasons regardless land cover types. The soil water replenishment by rainfall during rainy seasons was not sufficient to fully recharge the soil water storage. Landscape restoration through shrub planting may help retain more soil water than other land cover types. Secondly, the ratio of actual evapotranspiration (ET) and pan evaporation (PET) generally declined for all land cover types during the study period. Shrub lands had the largest ET/PET ratio, followed by native grassland, cropland/alfalfa, and pine woodland. The ET/PET ratio of native grasslands declined fastest, followed by pine woodlands, shrub lands, alfalfa, and croplands. Pine woodland's low ET/PET ratios were mainly caused by its higher runoff due to soil compaction resulted from soil desiccation. Lastly, we found that the soil water storage at the beginning of growing season was important in determining the ET/PET ratios. This study suggested that pine plantations may not be appropriate for landscape restoration in such a semi-arid loess hilly area while shrubs may be highly recommended.     

Rapid changes of soil properties following Caragana korshinski plantations in the hilly-gully Loess Plateau

In the semi-arid area of the Loess Plateau, Caragana korshinski, a leguminous shrub, is the dominant plant species widely used in vegetation rehabilitation programs. We collected soil samples in 8-and 18-year-old C. korshinski plantations to assess the effects of the shrub on the physical and chemical properties of the soil as well as enzyme activities. Soil samples were taken from two depths (0–20 and 20–40 cm) under the shrub canopy between shrubs. Results showed that shrub rehabilitation and development enhanced accumulation of organic C and total N. Carbon and nitrogen concentrations increased significantly with plantation age and had increased by 15.3–20.5-fold and 11.1–13.6-fold at 0–20 cm depth at the 18-year-old plantation compared with farmland soil. It was found that C. korshinski contributed significant enrichment of C and N contents under their canopies compared with farmland. The content of water stable aggregates in 18-year-old shrub land soil is higher than the 8-year-old shrub land, and the big aggregates (>5 mm) increased for the most part, by 67.4% and 59.0% in different layers, respectively. The contents of aggregates of over 0.25 mm in two shrub land soils in the upper layer (0–20 cm) increased by 4.6% and 14.1% compared with farmland. It indicates that C. korshinski afforestation can increase the content of aggregates. C. korshinski plantation can accelerate the increase of soil urea activity and invertase activity, respectively, especially in the upper layer. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2006, 42(1): 70–74 [译自: 林业科学, 2006, 42(1): 70–74]     

Stress responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salix gracilistyla</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salix subfragilis</Emphasis> cuttings to repeated flooding and drought

To compare the responses to repeated flooding and drought of Salix gracilistyla, which grows on coarse gravel substrates, and Salix subfragilis, which grows on fine silt or clay substrates, we measured pre-dawn leaf water potential (Ψw _pd), osmotic adjustment (Ψw _tlp, Ψo _sat), and biomass production of cuttings under greenhouse conditions. The experimental design involved a control and four treatments that crossed 1 or 3-week flooding (F) with 1 or 2-week droughts (D). Ψw _pd was reduced after 2 weeks of drought when preceded by 1 week of flooding. Neither species increased osmotic adjustment in response to increased duration of drought between repeated 3-week flooding. Moreover, a decrease in the ratio of leaf biomass to total biomass or an increase in the ratio of root biomass to total biomass with longer drought repetitions was not observed for either species. The root ratio of S. gracilistyla was more strongly inhibited by flooding than that of S. subfragilis. The shoot-to-root ratio of S. subfragilis was higher than that of S. gracilistyla in all F combinations. The hypertrophied lenticel ratio of S. gracilistyla after 1 week of flooding was nearly the same as that after 3 weeks of flooding, whereas values for S. subfragilis after 1 week of flooding were lower than those after 3 weeks of flooding. The low allocation to roots and the generation of hypertrophied lenticels by S. gracilistyla in response to flooding, as compared with S. subfragilis, seem to be related to the different habitat substrate conditions of the two species.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on leaf solutes and root absorption areas of trifoliate orange seedlings under water stress conditions

The effects of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus mosseae on plant growth, leaf solutes and root absorption area of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.) seedlings were studied in potted culture under water stress conditions. Inoculation with G. mosseae increased plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and plant dry weight, when the soil water content was 20%, 16% and 12%. AM inoculation also promoted the active and total absorption area of root system and absorption of phosphorus from the rhizosphere, enhanced the content of soluble sugar in leaves and roots, and reduced proline content in leaves. AM seedings had higher plant water use efficiency and higher drought tolerance than non-AM seedlings. Effects of G. mosseae inoculation on trifoliate orange seedlings under 20% and 16% soil water content were more significant than under 12% soil water content. AM infection was severely restrained by 12% soil water content. Thus, effects of AM fungi on plants were probably positively related to the extent of root colonization by AM fungi. The mechanism of AM fungi in enhancing drought resistance of host plants ascribed to greater osmotic adjustment and greater absorption area of root system by AM colonization. __________ Translated from Journal of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, 2005, 30(5): 583–588 [译自: 植物生理与分子生物学报, 2005, 30(5): 583–588]     

喀斯特断陷盆地不同植被恢复模式土壤水分动态变化

[目的]以喀斯特断陷盆地小流域中典型植被恢复模式,即桉树(Eucalyptus maideni)林、冲天柏(Cupressus duclouxiana)林、马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林以及天然次生灌丛、高盖度车桑子(Dodonaea viscosa)灌丛和低盖度车桑子灌丛为研究对象,探究断陷盆地不同植被恢复模式土壤水分时空变异规律,为该地区植被生态恢复工作提供参考。[方法]利用自动气象观测系统和土壤水分传感器同步监测2016年5月—2017年4月期间小流域降雨量与各林地土壤水分,采用变异系数与克里金插值分析方法,对6种植被恢复模式林地的土壤水分时空异质性以及持续干旱条件下土壤水分衰减特征进行研究。[结果]表明:(1)同一植被类型不同土层雨季和旱季土壤体积含水量垂直变化趋势相同,且雨季土壤水分含量显著高于旱季(P0.05),均为中等变异(Cv:12.88%28.66%)。(2)同一乔木林雨季和旱季的土壤活跃层与次活跃层垂直分布不同,但同一灌丛雨季和旱季分布相同。(3)6种植被恢复模式土壤体积含水量均在降雨量较充足的8—9月达到最大值,其变化范围介于26.25%44.08%之间,在降雨量明显不足的3—4月达到最小值,土壤体积含水量介于9.48%17.47%之间。(4)3种乔木林0 30 cm土层、3种灌丛0 10 cm土层充分降雨后约10 d土壤水分恢复为降雨前1 d水平,低盖度和高盖度车桑子灌丛10 30 cm土层土壤水分降雨后15 d恢复为降雨前1 d水平,并且接近植物萎蔫系数。[结论]不同植被恢复模式间雨季、旱季和月均土壤体积含水量均表现为桉树林天然次生灌丛冲天柏林马尾松林高盖度车桑子灌丛低盖度车桑子灌丛。喀斯特断陷盆地季节性干旱和临时性干旱问题严峻,乔木林和灌丛经充足降雨,达到田间持水量后,在连续放晴天气下林地土壤水分可供植物10 15 d的消耗。     

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.     

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]     

A model for vertical distribution of fine roots in Robinia pseudoacacia plantations on the Loess Plateau

Based on a detailed investigation of vertical distributions of fine roots in Robinia pseudoacacia plantations at the Ansai Soil and Water Conservation Station, Shaanxi Province, a model was developed for the deep distribution of fine roots of R. pseudoacacia, which reflects the growth of fine roots affected by the mixed process of infiltration water and deep soil water. The maximum depth of the distribution h _max and the depth of the highest fine root density (FRD) h _p were determined and the maximum depth of infiltration water supplied for fine root growth h _q could also be calculated, h _q was considered as the approximate boundary between infiltration water and deep soil water in support of the growth of fine roots. According to the model, the soil water of R. pseudoacacia woodland in the profile could be classified into three layers: the first layer from the soil surface to h _p was the active water exchange layer, very much affected by precipitation; the second was the soil water attenuation layer, between h _p and h _q and largely affected by the vertical distribution of fine roots; the third was the relatively stable soil water layer below h _q, below which soil water did not change much. The percentage of infiltration water supplied for the growth of fine roots reached a level of 88.32% on the shaded slopes and 85.21% on sunny slopes. This indicated infiltration of precipitation played a crucial role in the growth of R. pseudoacacia in the gully region of the Loess Plateau. The research of interaction between the distribution of fine roots and soil water in the profile will help to explain the reasons for the complete drying out of soils and provide a theoretical basis for continuing the policy of matching tree species with sites on the Loess Plateau. Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2006, 42(6): 40–48 [译自: 林业科学]     

Testing research for assessing suitability of multi-species of trees introduced in habitats in hilly and gully areas of Loess Plateau

To enrich resource of species, 105 arbor species (25 genera, 15 families) were introduced to the hilly and gully areas on Loess Plateau. By acclimation and selection, more than 90 tree species (12 genera, 8 families) were identified as fine species, including trees suitable for sloping fields such as Pinus sylvestri var mongolica, Pinus tabulaeformis, Platycladus orientalis, and Robinia pseudoacacia, trees suitable for gully bottoms such as Populus davidiana, Populus diversifolia, and Salix cheilophila and non-timber trees such as Prunus armeniaca, Ziziphus jujuba and Prunus persica. For those fine trees, habitat conditions and regularity of requirement of water and fertilizers were studied and then habitat ranges were given. From research results, it could be seen that Robinia pseudoacacia consumed more water, but it could improve the content of organic matters in soil; by contrast, Pinus tabulaeformis and Platycladus orientalis consumed less water and were suitable for dry sloping fields; species of apricot were suitable for sunny or semi-shady sloping fields with good conditions of water and fertilizer; species of pear were suitable for both shady sloping fields and sunny sloping fields; species of Chinese date were suitable for sunny sloping fields. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinica, 2005, 41(5) [译自: 林业科学, 2005, 41(5)]     

Response of Quercus pyrenaica (melojo oak) to soil water deficit: a case study in Spain

In the present study, carried out from 2004 to 2006, leaf and stem water potential and stem water content were measured in Quercus pyrenaica Willd. individuals in an experimental forested catchment located in Central Western Spain under Mediterranean subhumid conditions. These indicators of tree water status were compared with soil moisture contents measured in the same area from 0 to 1 m depth and from 0 to 2.5 m depth during the last year of the study. The objectives were to clarify the seasonal and year-to-year variations in tree water status, to examine applicability of stem water content as useful water stress indicator and to discuss how deep soil water and root uptake contribute to survival during the long dry summer. Seasonal variations in the tree variables measured revealed a typical pattern, with maximum values at the end of spring followed by a progressive decline during the summer drought in response to the decrease in soil water content (almost exhausted at 0–100 cm depth). The relatively high values and the non-significant variation in predawn leaf water potentials (except for 2005, which was exceptionally dry) indicate that no clear water stress situations occurred. This may be explained in terms of a progressive absorption of water from the deeper layers. The results also suggest that the stem water content is a more sensitive indicator of long-term water limitation than the other variables measured.     

黄土高原3种乡土灌木的水分利用与抗旱适应性

人工模拟不同强度干旱胁迫,研究黄土丘陵区常见灌木杠柳、丁香和连翘的2年生苗木的生长、耗水及抗旱生理生化特性。结果表明:连翘耗水量与生长速度显著高于杠柳和丁香,为高耗水快速生长树种,丁香为低耗水树种;在3种土壤水分条件下,3树种的耗水和快速生长期均集中在6—8月,与黄土丘陵区雨热期相吻合;水分亏缺处理下,杠柳和连翘根冠比显著增大,丁香根冠比表现为75%田间最大持水量>40%田间最大持水量>55%田间最大持水量;丁香的水分利用效率显著高于杠柳和连翘;选择11个有显著性差异的生理生化指标,用主成分分析对3树种进行综合评价,结果表明杠柳抗旱性最强,其次为丁香,连翘最弱,且3树种抗旱机制不同。     

Summer field performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus petraea</Emphasis> (Matt.) Liebl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus pyrenaica</Emphasis> Willd seedlings,planted in three sites with contrasting canopy cover

In 2000, one-year-old seedlings of pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl) were planted in a thinned and an unthinned plot in a pinewood (Pinus sylvestris), and in a nearby clearing. In summer 2002 and 2003, water relations and gas exchange parameters were measured to address the impact of drought on the seedlings. Chlorophyll a fluorescence was also measured to explore leaf photochemistry and a possible non-stomatal limitation to photosynthesis (A). Reduction in stomatal conductance (g) in response to the decrease of predawn water potential (Ψ_pd) resulted the main cause affecting net carbon uptake. Water potential at midday (Ψ_md) was similar in both species but Quercus petraea was more sensitive to soil water deployment occurred along summer, showing slightly lower Ψ_pd because worse recover of water potential during night. Rate of photosynthesis was higher in Q.␣pyrenaica probably in relation to its greater leaf mass per area (LMA) and nitrogen content per leaf area (N_a). Mortality was highest in the clearing and lowest in the thinned pinewood. Throughout the summer, soil moisture was higher in the thinned area, possibly because of the reduction in tree transpiring surface and interception of rainfall. Accordingly, Ψ_pd of both species was higher in the thinned site.     

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]     

Soil water regime under rotational fallow and alternating hedgerows on an Ultisol in southern Cameroon

Soil moisture depletion during dry seasons by planted hedgerows to lower levels than under natural fallow, would reduce drainage and nutrient losses in the following rainy season when food crops are grown. The volumetric water content of the 0–150 cm soil profile was measured under planted hedgerows (alternating Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium) and natural fallow, both either annually cropped to sole maize or in a two-year crop/two-year fallow rotation, in the humid forest zone (annual rainfall 1700 mm) of southern Cameroon during the 1995–1996 and 1996–1997 dry seasons. Hedgerows were cut to 0.05 m height, largely eliminating trees’ water consumption during cropping phases. Differences in total soil water content at 0–150 cm depth, between systems, occurred only in the early phases of the 1996–1997 dry season. In both dry seasons, differences between systems in water content were found in some soil layers, all within 0–60 cm depth, yet, without consistent advantage of any system in exploiting the topsoil water resources. Soil water content was lower under L. leucocephala than G. sepium at 20–40 cm depth only. Below 60 cm depth, no differences in water regimes between systems were found. Under southern Cameroonian conditions it is unlikely that any of the systems has an advantage in accessing or recovering water and thus, if available, nutrients from the sub-soil. None of the systems examined was capable of delaying drainage and thus it appears unlikely that downward displacement of nutrients is delayed after the start of the rains.     

Acclimatation of three co-occurring tree species to water stress and their role as site indicators in mixed pine-oak forests in the Sierra Madre Oriental,Mexico

Water availability and salt excess are limiting factors in Mexican mixed pine-oak forest. In order to characterise the acclimatation of native species to these stresses, leaf water (Ψ_w) and osmotic potentials (Ψ_s) of Juniperus flaccida, Pinus pseudostrobus and Quercus canbyi were measured under natural drought and non-drought conditions under two different aspects in the Sierra Madre Oriental. Factorial ANOVA revealed significant differences in Ψ_w and Ψ_s between two aspects, species and sampling dates. In general, all species showed high predawn and low midday values that declined progressively with increasing drought and soil–water loss. Seasonal and diurnal fluctuation of Ψ_w and Ψ_s were higher for J. flaccida and Q. canbyi than for P. pseudostrobus. Leaf Ψ_w and Ψ_s were mainly correlated with soil water content, while Ψ_s of P. pseudostrobus were hardly correlated with environmental variables. Thus, species have different strategies to withstand drought. P. pseudostrobus was identified as a species with isohydric water status regulation, while J. flaccida and Q. canbyi presented water potential patterns typical for anisohydric species. The type of water status regulation may be a critical factor for plant survival and mortality in the context of climate change. Nevertheless, for precise conclusions about the advantages and disadvantages of each type, further long-term investigations are required.     

Response of cocoa trees (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Theobroma cacao</Emphasis>) to a 13-month desiccation period in Sulawesi,Indonesia

In South-east Asia, ENSO-related droughts represent irregularly occurring hazards for agroforestry systems containing cocoa which are predicted to increase in severity with expected climate warming. To characterize the drought response of mature cocoa trees, we conducted the Sulawesi Throughfall Displacement Experiment in a shaded (Gliricidia sepium) cocoa agroforestry system in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Three large sub-canopy roofs were installed to reduce throughfall by about 80% over a 13-month period to test the hypotheses that (i) cocoa trees are sensitive to drought due to their shallow fine root system, and (ii) bean yield is more sensitive to drought than leaf or stem growth. As 83% of fine root (diameter <2 mm) and 86% of coarse root biomass (>2 mm) was located in the upper 40 cm of the soil, the cocoa trees examined had a very shallow root system. Cocoa and Gliricidia differed in their vertical rooting patterns, thereby reducing competition for water. Despite being exposed for several months to soil water contents close to the conventional wilting point, cocoa trees showed no significant decreases in leaf biomass, stem and branch wood production or fine root biomass. Possible causes are active osmotic adjustment in roots, mitigation of drought stress by shading from Gliricidia or other factors. By contrast, production of cocoa beans was significantly reduced in the roof plots, supporting reports of substantial reductions in bean yields during ENSO-related drought events in the region. We conclude that cocoa possesses traits related to drought tolerance which enable it to maintain biomass production during extended dry periods, whereas bean yield appears to be particularly drought sensitive.