Accentuation of gas exchange gradients in flushes of ponderosa pine exposed to ozone

Two-year-old ponderosa pine seedlings (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) were exposed to episodic O(3) concentrations in open-top chambers for two consecutive growing seasons (June through September of 1990 and 1991). Near the end of the second season of O(3) exposure, gas exchange was measured on needles of surviving flushes at saturating CO(2) and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Both photosynthetic capacity (A(sat)) and stomatal conductance to water vapor (g(wv)) declined linearly with needle age but differences within a flush were also found. Gas exchange rates of needles from the base of the current-year flush were significantly lower than those of needles from the top of the flush, even though age differences between needles were negligible. Although most measurements were conducted at saturating CO(2), similar patterns of gas exchange were also found at 350 micro mol mol(-1) CO(2), indicating that photosynthesis of needles at the bottom of the flush was more strongly affected by O(3) than that of needles at the top of the flush, even though the potential for O(3) uptake was probably less in needles at the bottom of the flush because of reduced stomatal conductance. Carboxylation efficiency (deltaA/deltaC(i)), the linear slope of the A/C(i) response, was highly correlated with A(sat), varying with needle age, needle position in the flush and O(3) exposure, but the magnitude of the reductions was greater than for A(sat). We conclude that susceptibility to O(3) damage among needles of an individual seedling varies not only with needle age but also with needle position, and that reductions in photosynthetic capacity may not be directly attributable to increased uptake of the pollutant. The data also indicate the need to consider within-flush variation when estimating whole-plant carbon gain and O(3) uptake.     

The effects of acid rain and ozone on biomass and leaf area parameters of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.)

Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) seedlings in 24 open-top chambers were exposed to combinations of ozone (carbon-filtered (control), ambient, 1.7 x ambient, and 2.5 x ambient) and acidic precipitation (pH 5.3, 4.3 and 3.3) for 16 months (1989 harvest) or 28 months (1990 harvest). Although the effects of acid rain were generally not significant, there was a trend toward increased aboveground biomass and leaf area in seedlings subjected to the low pH treatments. Because N concentrations in the soils generally increased with decreasing pH, we concluded that the effects of acid rain on aboveground biomass and leaf area were a consequence of an increasing concentration of soil N. In the 1989 harvest, seedlings in the 2.5 x ambient ozone treatment had significantly less biomass in all aboveground plant components and significantly less total leaf area than seedlings in the 1.7 x ambient ozone treatment. In the 1990 harvest, there were no significant effects of ozone on total aboveground biomass, although there was a trend toward reduced biomass in seedlings in the 2.5 x ambient ozone treatment. Both total leaf area and leaf biomass were significantly less in seedlings exposed to 2.5 x ambient ozone for 28 months than in both control seedlings and seedlings in the 1.7 x ambient ozone treatment. The greater, but not always significant, aboveground biomass and leaf area of seedlings in the 1.7 x ambient ozone treatment compared with control seedlings may be associated with the observed increase in soil nitrate concentration as a result of increased rates of leaf senescence and litterfall.     

Retardation of pine wilt disease symptom development in Japanese black pine seedlings exposed to simulated acid rain and inoculated withBursaphelenchus xylophilus

Three- or 4-year-old Japanese black pine seedlings were exposed to simulated acid rain (SAR) at pH 3 for two months, then inoculated with a virulent isolate (S 10) of pinewood nematodes. The experiments were repeated three times in 1996–1998. The exposure to SAR killed no seedlings, and retarded the development of disease symptoms in the seedlings inoculated with nematodes. In the experiments in 1996 and 1997, however, cessation of resin exudation, and primary decrease in the xylem conductivity occurred earlier in the seedlings exposed to SAR than in those exposed to tap water as a control. These results imply that acid rain at pH 3 influenced an increase in some resistance of Japanese black pine seedlings to pinewood nematode, and that this improved resistance could potentially overcome damage caused by acid rain. The exposure to SAR did not have any significant effect on the water relations of the seedlings itself, suggesting that retardation of the symptom development after the exposure to SAR could not be attributed to the improvement in the water relations. This work was supported in part by a Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Forest Technical Association (JAFTA).     

Long-term soil and shortleaf pine responses to site preparation ripping

A shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) ripping study was established by the Missouri Department of Conservation in March 1988 at the Logan Creek Conservation Area, USA. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of ripping on soil chemical and physical properties, on free-to-grow status, and on survival and growth of planted shortleaf pine seedlings. After 16 years, ripping increased exchangeable calcium; however, it had no long-term effects on soil particle size, organic carbon, pH, exchangeable potassium and exchangeable magnesium. Ripping increased the percentage of free-to-grow saplings by 3.8% after two growing seasons. Ripping improved survival by 4% during the 1st three growing seasons and by 7.1% at age 16. After two growing seasons, ripping improved crown spread by 13.6%, height by 14.2%, diameter by 14%, and volume by 41.2%. At age 16, ripping no longer had an effect on shortleaf pine height and had reduced diameter by 5.3% and volume by 11.0%. Our results suggest that ripping 1) had no effect on long-term physical properties or chemical properties of the soil, 2) had no effect on the number of free-to-grow seedlings, and 3) produced short-term benefits on survival and growth of planted shortleaf pine.     

Needle metabolome, freezing tolerance and gas exchange in Norway spruce seedlings exposed to elevated temperature and ozone concentration

Northern forests are currently experiencing increasing mean temperatures, especially during autumn and spring. Consequently, alterations in carbon sequestration, leaf biochemical quality and freezing tolerance (FT) are likely to occur. The interactive effects of elevated temperature and ozone (O(3)), the most harmful phytotoxic air pollutant, on Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings were studied by analysing phenology, metabolite concentrations in the needles, FT and gas exchange. Sampling was performed in September and May. The seedlings were exposed to a year-round elevated temperature (+1.3 °C), and to 1.4× ambient O(3) concentration during the growing season in the field. Elevated temperature increased the concentrations of amino acids, organic acids of the citric acid cycle and some carbohydrates, and reduced the concentrations of phenolic compounds, some organic acids of the shikimic acid pathway, sucrose, cyclitols and steroids, depending on the timing of the sampling. Although growth onset occurred earlier at elevated temperature, the temperature of 50% lethality (LT(50)) was similar in the treatments. Photosynthesis and the ratio of photosynthesis to dark respiration were reduced by elevated temperature. Elevated concentrations of O(3) reduced the total concentration of soluble sugars, and tended to reduce LT(50) of the needles in September. These results show that alterations in needle chemical quality can be expected at elevated temperatures, but the seedlings' sensitivity to autumn and spring frosts is not altered. Elevated O(3) has the potential to disturb cold hardening of Norway spruce seedlings in autumn, and to alter the water balance of the seedling through changes in stomatal conductance (g(s)), while elevated temperature is likely to reduce g(s) and consequently reduce the O(3)-flux inside the leaves.     

Responses of gas exchange to reversible changes in whole-plant transpiration rate in two conifer species

This study examined the autonomy of branches with respect to the control of transpiration (E) in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn) seedlings. Experiments were conducted on whole seedlings in a gas exchange system with a dual-cuvette that permitted independent manipulation and measurement of E in the upper and lower cuvettes. The value of E in one cuvette was manipulated by varying vapor pressure deficit (D) between 2.2 and 0.2 kPa, whereas D in the other cuvette was held at 2.2 kPa. Reducing D, while increasing stomatal conductance (gs), resulted in an overall decrease in E. In western red cedar, this decrease was almost threefold, and in Douglas-fir, approximately fourfold. In well-watered western red cedar, a reduction of whole-plant E by 46% (brought about by reducing D in the upper cuvette) resulted in a 12% increase in gs, a 12% increase in E and a 7% increase in net assimilation (A) of untreated foliage in the lower cuvette. Responses of gs, E and A of untreated foliage were similar irrespective of whether foliage was at the top or bottom of the seedling. When D in the treatment cuvette was restored to 2.2 kPa, gs, E and A of foliage in the untreated cuvette returned to pretreatment values. In contrast, in well-watered Douglas-fir, there was almost no change in gs, E or A of untreated foliage in one cuvette when D in the other cuvette was reduced, causing a 52% reduction in whole-plant E. However, similar manipulations on drought-stressed Douglas-fir led to 7-19% increases in gs, E and A of untreated foliage. In well-watered western red cedar, daytime leaf water potential (Psil) was maintained near -0.9 MPa over a wide range of D, whereas Psil of Douglas-fir decreased from -1.2 to -1.5 MPa as D increased. The tighter (isohydric) regulation of Psil in western red cedar may partly explain its greater stomatal response to D and variation in whole-plant E compared with Douglas-fir. In response to a reduction in E, measured increases in Psil and gs of unmanipulated foliage were less than predicted by a model assuming complete hydraulic connectivity of foliage. Our results suggest the foliage of both species is partially autonomous with respect to water.     

Effect of simulated acid rain on the growth performance of the European pine sawfly [Neodiprion sertifer)

The effect of simulated acid rain on the performance of Neodiprion sertifer larvae fed on treated Scots pine needles was tested in a subarctic area with low ambient pollution level. Acid rain treatments (pH 4 and pH 3, both with H₂SO₄ and HNO₃) did not significantly affect the relative growth rates or cocoon weights of N. sertifer 2 or 3 years after the start of the treatments. The relative growth rate of N. sertifer larvae was slightly (nonsignifi‐cantly) higher on plots receiving only ambient rain than on irrigated control plots. The quality of foliage before the start of the treatments explained a significant proportion of the variation in the performance of N. sertifer larvae in the bioassay conducted 3 years later.     

Effects of inoculum density of pinewood nematode on the development of pine wilt disease in Japanese black pine seedlings pretreated with simulated acid rain

Six‐month‐old Japanese black pine seedlings (Pinus thunbergii) were exposed to simulated acid rain (SAR) at pH 3 and 2 three times a week. After treatment for 2 months, the seedlings were inoculated with a virulent isolate (S10) of the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchusxylophilus), at three inoculum levels (P_i = 50, 160 or 500 nematodes per seedling). In seedlings inoculated with 500 nematodes, both population growth of nematodes and disease development were accelerated by pretreatment with SAR at pH 3 or 2. In seedlings inoculated with 50 nematodes, population growth of the nematodes was suppressed and more time was needed for seedlings to die when pretreated with pH 3 SAR. This suggests that exposure to pH 3 SAR increased not only the progress of mortality, but also simultaneously enhanced the tolerance limit of the seedlings to the pinewood nematode – the critical value of physiological burden (represented as a product of time and initial nematode population) necessary to kill a seedling. Exposure to pH 2 SAR accelerated nematode reproduction in seedlings and increased seedling mortality irrespective of the number of nematodes inoculated.     

Short term effects of simulated acid mist on gas exchange of Eucalyptus globulus1

The effects of simulated acid mist treatment on net photosynthesis were determined on Eucalyptus globulus trees. Net assimilation decreased for all the three levels but after 3—4 days recovered only in the pH 3.5 one. Acidity effects are discussed in terms of morphological change to the leaves and as alteration of stomatal and mesophyll resistances. 1 Research work supported by C.N.R., Italy. Special grant I.P.R.A. sub-project 1. paper N. 2014     

The effects of long‐term exposure to simulated acid rain on the development of pine wilt disease caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

To elucidate the synergetic effects of acid rain on the development of pine wilt disease, we measured the sap flow rate in the stems and the chlorophyll content in the needles of 10‐year‐old Japanese black pine trees, Pinus thunbergii and 12‐year‐old Japanese red pine trees, Pinus densiflora, after exposure to simulated acid rain (SAR, pH 3) or tap water (TW, pH 6.3) as a control. The heat pulse method was used for the estimation of the sap flow rate. No apparent difference was found in the sap flow rate between the trees exposed to SAR and TW, but the chlorophyll content of needles at the end of the treatment was significantly higher in the trees exposed to SAR than in those exposed to TW. When the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causal agent of pine wilt disease, was inoculated onto the Japanese black pines that had been exposed to SAR repeatedly for 1 year, the period to death was shortened. Japanese red pines that had been exposed to SAR for 2 years, however, did not show any development of symptoms after the nematode inoculation, suggesting that acid rain only affects pine wilt disease slightly, if at all.     

Changes in volatile terpene and diterpene resin acid composition of resistant and susceptible white spruce leaders exposed to simulated white pine weevil damage

Induced (traumatic) resin in white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) leaders resistant or susceptible to the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck) was analyzed for volatile terpenes and diterpene resin acids after simulated white pine weevil damage. Leaders from 331 trees were wounded just below the apical bud with a 1-mm diameter drill, coinciding with the natural time of weevil oviposition in the spring. Leaders were removed in the fall, and the bark and xylem from the upper and lower regions of the leader extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography. Unwounded trees had low amounts of resin in xylem compared with bark. In response to wounding, volatile terpenes and diterpene resin acids increased in the upper xylem (area of wounding), with resistant trees showing a greater increase than susceptible trees. Wounding caused monoterpenes in particular to decrease in the lower region of the leader (away from the drilled area) in greater amounts in susceptible trees than in resistant trees. In response to wounding, the proportion of monoterpene to resin acid increased in the upper and lower xylem of resistant trees, and slightly increased in the upper xylem of susceptible trees. Monoterpene-enriched resin is more fluid than constitutive resin, and probably flows more readily into oviposition cavities and larval mines, where it may kill immature weevils. Loss of resin components in the lower xylem suggested catabolism and transport of these materials to the site of wounding; however, energetic and regulatory data are necessary to confirm this hypothesis. This study provides a basis for measuring the ability of a tree to undergo traumatic resinosis that could be used to screen for resistance to white pine weevil.     

Interactive effects of nitrogen and water availabilities on gas exchange and whole-plant carbon allocation in poplar

Cuttings of balsam spire hybrid poplar (Populus trichocarpa var. Hastata Henry x Populus balsamifera var. Michauxii (Dode) Farwell) were grown in sand culture and irrigated every 2 (W) or 10 (w) days with a solution containing either 3.0 (N) or 0.5 (n) mol nitrogen m(-3) for 90 days. Trees in the WN (control) and wn treatments had stable leaf nitrogen concentrations averaging 19.4 and 8.4 mg g(-1), respectively, over the course of the experiment. Trees in the Wn and wN treatments had a similar leaf nitrogen concentration, which increased from 12.0 to 15.8 mg g(-1) during the experiment. By the final harvest, mean stomatal conductances of trees in the wN and wn treatments were less than those of trees in the Wn and WN treatments (1.8 versus 4.6 mm s(-1)). Compared to the WN treatment, biomass at the final harvest was reduced by 61, 72 and 75% in the Wn, wN and wn treatments, respectively. At the final harvest, WN trees had a mean total leaf area of 4750 +/- 380 cm(2) tree(-1) and carried 164 +/- 8 leaves tree(-1) with a specific leaf area of 181 +/- 16 cm(2) g(-1), whereas Wn trees had a smaller mean total leaf area (1310 +/- 30 cm(2) tree(-1)), because of the production of fewer leaves (41 +/- 6) with a smaller specific leaf area (154 +/- 2 cm(2) g(-1)). A greater proportion of biomass was allocated to roots in Wn trees than in WN trees, but component nitrogen concentrations adjusted such that there was no Wn treatment effect on nitrogen allocation. Compared with WN trees, rates of photosynthesis and respiration per unit weight of tissue of Wn trees decreased by 28 and 31%, respectively, but the rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf nitrogen remained unaltered. The wN and Wn trees had similar leaf nitrogen concentrations; however, compared with the Wn treatment, the wN treatment decreased mean total leaf area (750 +/- 50 cm(2) tree(-1)), number of leaves per tree (29 +/- 2) and specific leaf area (140 +/- 6 cm(2) g(-1)), but increased the allocation of biomass and nitrogen to roots. Net photosynthetic rate per unit leaf nitrogen was 45% lower in the wN treatment than in the other treatments. Rates of net photosynthesis and respiration per unit weight of tissue were 48 and 33% less, respectively, in wN trees than in Wn trees.     

Promotion of the population growth of pinewood nematode in 4-month-old Japanese black pine seedlings by pretreatment with simulated acid rain

Simulated acid rain (SAR) at three pH levels (pH 4, 3, 2) was applied to only the top or both the top and roots of 4-month-old Japanese black pine seedlings repeatedly for two months. Then the seedlings were inoculated with a virulent isolate (S10) of pinewood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. The exposure to SAR at any level did not kill the seedlings. When inoculated with nematodes, however, the nematode population build-up was significantly higher in the seedlings pretreated with SAR at any level than in the control at the 7th and 17th day after inoculation, and subsequent disease symptom development was also significantly accelerated by the exposure to SAR at pH 2 and 3. This result indicates that even acid rain at pH 4 has the potential for promoting population growth of pinewood nematodes in 4-month-old Japanese black pine seedlings.     

Effects of ozone on growth and gas exchange of Eucalyptus globulus seedlings

To study the effects of a low concentration of ozone on growth and gas exchange in Eucalyptus globulus Labill. seedlings, ozone was applied for 37 days at a concentration of 50 ppb for 7 h daily under conditions of low light (250 micro mol m(-2) s(-1) (PAR)) and controlled temperature (20 degrees C). The seedlings exhibited extreme sensitivity to ozone. The ozone treatment reduced total plant biomass but had no effect on the partitioning of assimilate. Photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and internal CO(2) concentration were all reduced by ozone. The decline in photosynthesis was partly the result of direct effects of ozone on the stomata.     

Research versus operational correlations between seedling survival and root growth potential of shortleaf pine

Relationships between root growth potential (RGP) and plantation survival were evaluated for 12 families of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) from Oklahoma and Arkansas in 2 consecutive years. Bare-root, 1+0 seedlings were either planted one day after lifting (nonstored) or were stored at 1° to 3°C for 4 weeks. Correlations were obtained using the traditional research method where seedlings are planted in the field prior to obtaining results from the RGP test. In addition, operational correlations were derived by planting seedlings after obtaining RGP test data.For nonstored seedlings, research correlations were generally higher (r values were larger in 18 of 24 cases) than operational correlations. The predictive ability of operational correlations may not be high enough with 28-day pot tests to warrant batch culling of freshly lifted shortleaf pine. However, results were mixed for stored seedlings. In one year, operational correlations were generally higher than research correlations.     

Structure and composition of streamside management zones following reproduction cutting in shortleaf pine stands

Streamside management zones (SMZs) in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma are frequently established along headwater ephemeral and intermittent streams to protect water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and increase landscape diversity. To better understand the function of these riparian forest corridors, we characterized the tree density and composition, forest floor mass, and downed woody debris volume within SMZs located in undisturbed, mature, upper mid-slope shortleaf pine stands and then compared these attributes to those in upland portions of these stands. In addition to evaluate the impact of upland forest harvesting on these riparian corridors, we compared the amounts and distribution of forest floor, downed woody debris (DWD), snags, and windthrows in SMZs within shortleaf pine stands that had been clearcut, had a shelterwood harvest, and had no recent management activity (uncut stands). Total tree and hardwood basal area was significantly higher (4.4 and 4.2 m² ha⁻¹) while forest floor mass was significantly lower (0.5 kg m⁻²) in the SMZs than in the upland portion of the undisturbed stands. Five years following the reproduction cuttings tree basal area, DWD volume, and forest floor mass within SMZs did not significantly differ among stands that had or had not been harvested. Snag density was significantly lower within SMZs that occurred in clearcut stands compared to those in the uncut or shelterwood stands. Harvesting activities that retain few or no residual trees appear to increase the degradation of snags. This study provided evidence that clearcutting may also increase the risk of windthrow in SMZs as well. There was little difference in the distribution of forest floor within SMZs regardless of whether the stand was harvested or the type of harvesting that occurred in the stand. However, DWD amounts were higher near the SMZs edge than in the interior of the SMZs with the greatest differences in distributions in stands that were clearcut.     

模拟酸雨对杜英幼苗生长及养分元素含量的影响

模拟不同酸雨浓度(pH2.5、4.0、5.6)对杜英幼苗进行喷淋控制实验,研究不同酸梯度条件下杜英幼苗的生长及养分元素含量特征,结果表明:(1)对照组(pH7.0)全株干重约为酸处理组的2倍,酸雨处理对植株生长产生抑制作用,其中对茎部影响最为明显。(2)与pH2.5和pH5.6相比,pH4.0处理组全株干重最大,且根冠比最低,说明植株对pH4.0酸雨有较好的适应性。该处理下,植株体内氮、磷元素含量均较高,钾、镁元素含量在茎中较高,在根中较低。(3)随着酸处理组pH值的降低,植株叶片中钾、硫含量呈明显降低趋势,铁含量呈明显增高趋势;茎中铁含量呈明显增高趋势;根中锌含量呈明显降低趋势。(4)酸雨对杜英幼苗体内硫元素含量有一定的抑制作用,且pH 5.6处理组叶、根中的硫含量显著高于pH 2.5和pH 4.0,即酸雨带来的硫输入在植株体内非但没有出现硫富集现象,反而产生淋失现象。     

Nitrogen availability modifies the ozone responses of Scots pine seedlings exposed in an open-field system

Three-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings were exposed to either ambient or elevated (1.5-1.6 x ambient) ozone concentration ([O3]) for three growing seasons in an open-field fumigation facility where they were irrigated during the growing season with a nutrient solution providing nitrogen (N) at 70 (LN treatment), 100 (control) or 150% (HN treatment) of the optimum supply rate. Treatment effects were most evident during the third year of exposure, when the ambient [O3] + HN treatment enhanced whole-plant biomass, root/shoot dry weight ratio, needle pigment concentrations and the number of chloroplast plastoglobuli in the mesophyll cells in current-year (C) needles, whereas it reduced starch accumulation in C needles and abscission of 2-year-old (C+2) needles. In the control fertilization, 3 years of exposure to elevated [O3] decreased stem-base diameter and increased K concentration and electron density of chloroplast stroma in C needles. Plants in the HN treatment exposed for 3 years to elevated [O3] had significantly lower heights, current-year main shoot length and root/shoot dry mass ratio than control plants, and increased abscission of C+2 needles. In contrast, O3-induced changes in the ultrastructure of mesophyll cells were most evident in seedlings grown for 3 years in the LN treatment. We conclude that, in Scots pine, a relatively O3-tolerant species, chronic O3 exposure leads to cumulative growth reduction, increased needle abscission and changes in carbon allocation that are strongly influenced by plant N availability.     

Analysis of gas exchange of Merkus pine populations by the optimality approach

We hypothesized that northern and northeastern Thai populations of Merkus pine (Pinus merkusii Jungh. et de Vriese), which differ in the duration of their grass stage and which originate from slightly different climates in terms of water availability, differ in their gas exchange characteristics. We compared CO(2) exchange response to irradiance, diurnal regulation of leaf conductance within a 10-day period and structural properties among the populations. We used a model, which is based on the concept of optimal stomatal regulation, to analyze CO(2) exchange and transpiration rates. The two geographical groups did not differ in CO(2) exchange response to irradiance, diurnal transpiration, or water use. Mean stomatal length was significantly greater in the northeastern population than in the northern populations, but stomatal frequency did not differ among populations. First-year shoot growth and dry matter production, allocation of nitrogen to needles and root:shoot ratios were similar in the two geographical groups. Genotypic variation in the duration of the grass stage was not reflected in variation in gas exchange, indicating that the grass stage is an adaptation to more site-specific conditions. The modeled response of CO(2) exchange rates to irradiance fitted well the rates measured under laboratory conditions. The transpiration model, which utilized maximum leaf conductance and other parameters derived from the CO(2) exchange measurements, also fitted well the transpiration rates measured in a greenhouse under changing environmental conditions.     

Effects of simulated acid rain on seedling emergence and growth of five broad-leaved species

lntroductionAcidrainemergedasanenvironmentalissueofincreasingconcernintheIate197osinChina.TheresuItsofnationwidemonitoringdatagatheredshowedthatwidespreadoccurrenceofacidrainwasconcentratedinsouthernpartoftheYangtZeRiver,especiallyinsouthwesternregion,whereprecipitationintheIate198oswasfoundtohaveaveragepHvaI-uesbetWeen3.5and4.8(Yang1989;Xu199O).ow-ingtotheincreasingseriousnessofacidraininsouthwesternChina,aseriesofresearchprogramshavebeensetupbytheNationaIEnvironmentaIPro-tectionoffice…