Carbon sink in Phoebe bournei artificial forest ecosystem

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

Nutrient distribution and accumulation patterns of natural secondary forests in the Loess Plateau of Shanxi Province, northern China

We studied the biomass and its allocation in natural secondary forests, as well as the amounts, accumulation and distribution of nutrient elements (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) in sample plots established in the Loess Plateau in Shanxi Province, northern China. The results show that biomass in natural secondary forests amounted to 36.09 t/hm², of which the tree layer accounted for 46%, the shrub layer for 29%, the herb layer for 13% and the litter layer for 12%. The total storage of the five nutrient elements is 1089.82 kg/hm². Nutrient storage in the tree layer is the largest, at 41%. The sequence of storage of the elements varied among different layers and is given as follows: shrub layer 31.27%, herb layer 12.55% and litter layer 15.36%. The accumulation of nutrient elements in the tree layer, ordered from high to low, is: branches > roots > stems >bark > leaves. The total storage of the five nutrient elements in the soil is 634.97 t/hm², where the accumulation of the nutrients accounts for 95.32% (N), 99.64% (P), 99.91% (K), 99.84% (Ca) and 99.95% (Mg) of the total amounts. The accumulation coefficients of different organs in the tree layer are, from high to low: leaves > branches > roots > bark > stems. The accumulation coefficients in the different layers are listed as follows: shrub layer > tree layer > herb layer and for the elements as: N > P > Ca > K > Mg. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2008, 30(3): 57–62 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Hydrological effects of forest litter and soil in the Simianshan Mountains in Chonging, China

A preliminary study of the hydrological effects of forest litter and soils in the Simianshan Mountains was carried out. Results indicate that the annual accumulation of different forest litters is about 6.80–20.21 t/hm² and the maximum water carrying capacity ranges from 1.8 to 4.6 mm. Among them the water carrying abilities of the litter of Lithocarpus glabra and natural deciduous forests are larger than that of Pinus massoniana. A power function relationship exists between the accumulated water-carrying volume and time. An investigation of the physical properties shows that forest soils, to a depth of 1 m, have a powerful water-carrying ability, varying from 7.84 to 18.87 mm. Non-linear regression analysis shows that the soil infiltration rate is significantly correlated with time. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2005, 27(1): 33–37 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Function and value of water conservation in different age classes of Acacia mangium plantations

For this paper, we studied the water-holding capacity of canopy, vegetation layer under canopy and litter layer, the water-holding capacity and permeability of soil as well as their changes with growth of stands in Acacia mangium plantations of three different age classes (four-, seven-and 11-year-old). Results show that total water-holding above ground in the order of 11-year stand age (52.86 t/hm²)>seven-year stand age (41.90 t/hm²)>seven-year stand age (25.78 t/hm²), the increment tendency increased with stand age. Similar sequence also obtained on the water-holding capacity and permeation capacity of soil (0–40 cm). The total water-storage capacity both above ground and soil in four-year-old, seven-year-old and 11-year-old of A. mangium plantations were 2,023.0, 2,158.4 and 2,260.4 t/hm², respectively, and the all value of water conservation were 1,372.70, 1,474.42 and 1,549.91 yuan (RMB)/hm², respectively. Therefore, A. mangium plantation had a good ability to modify soil structure and good water conservation function. __________ Translated from Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2006, 20(5): 5–8, 27 [译自: 水土保持学报]     

Density structure and growth dynamics of a Larix principis-rupprechtii stand for water conservation in the Wutai Mountain Region of Shanxi Province, North China

To discover the site adaptability and density suitability of Larix principis-rupprechtii as a water conservation forest in Wutai Mountain, Shanxi Province, the growth process and diameter distribution characteristics of 10-year-old artificial L. principis-rupprechtii forests with density structures of 2600 trees/hm² and 3500 trees/hm² were studied using trunk analysis of a sample tree. The results showed that: 1) The tree height increment of the two kinds of forests were the same, and it was almost not affected by density. However, the growth process of the diameter and timber volume showed a great distinction. The growth status and density structure of the low density forest were superior to the high density forest. 2) The skewness (S _k) of diameter distribution had great distinction. The S _k (0.01) of the low density forest approached a normal distribution, which showed that the density structure was reasonable, while the S _k (0.45) of the high density forest was partial to a normal distribution, which showed that the density structure was on the high side. The kurtosis (K) of the two forests (one was −0.64, the other was −0.74) had little distinction and the density factor had limited function to forest polarization. 3) The increment of diameter at breast height, timber volume and trunk stock of the low density forest increased yearly without the effect of density. However, the increment of high density forests had declined from the sixth year, which was restricted by high density. 4) The reasonable density of the 10-year-old L. principis-rupprechtii artificial forest was about 2600 trees/hm², which is also the reasonable planting density if the utilization of double cutting is not considered. __________ Translated from Science of Soil and Water Conservation, 2007, 5(1): 1–6 [译自: 中国水土保持科学]     

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

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

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

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

长白山云冷杉针阔混交林半分解层凋落物生态功能

[目的]以长白山天然云冷杉针阔混交林为研究对象,分析凋落物的现存量及持水性能和养分归还量等,从水源涵养和养分归还两方面阐述森林凋落物的生态功能。[方法]基于等距离网格布点法,在4块1 hm~2样地上采集凋落高峰期前(8月下旬)半分解层的凋落物样品400个,并对其生态功能指标进行测定分析。[结果]4块云冷杉针阔混交林样地半分解层凋落物现存量均值为19.50 t·hm~(-2);持水量均值为5.56 t·hm~(-2),持水率均值为64.08%;全碳(C)、全氮(N)和全磷(P)的养分浓度均值分别为421.68、18.86和1.26 g·kg~(-1),养分归还量均值依次为8.16、0.36和0.02 t·hm~(-2),养分利用效率大小顺序为PNC。[结论]天然云冷杉针阔混交林各样地间虽存在差异,但其半分解层凋落物的水源涵养和养分归还等生态功能均较好,林下凋落物分解速度较快,持水性能较好,养分归还量较多。     

甘肃兴隆山主要森林类型凋落物累积量及其影响因子

[目的]为了阐明森林凋落物累积量与主要影响因子的关系。[方法]2013-2014年,采用时空互代法和标准样地调查法,研究了兴隆山山杨-白桦-青杄林演替过程中山杨-白桦-青杄中龄林、青杄中龄林和青杄近熟林3种森林群落凋落物累积量及其主要影响因子。[结果]表明:1)随森林正向演替的进行,森林凋落物层厚度和总累积量先减小后增加,3种森林群落凋落物层厚度均值依次为5.26、5.03和5.59 cm,总累积量均值依次为57.08、51.44、56.34 t·hm^-2; 2)随海拔高度的升高,青杄近熟林凋落物总累积量不断增加,海拔2300、2400和2500 m均值依次为48.56、55.93和64.55 t·hm^-2;林分密度大的、坡度小的青杄中龄林凋落物总累积量较大,林分密度为2133、1705和1065株·hm^-2的均值依次为49.87、48.59和45.36 t·hm^-2,坡度为22°、32°和41°的均值依次为58.35、49.90和48.59 t·hm^-2; 3)凋落物未分解层与林分胸径、树高、针叶树密度呈显著相关性。[结论]森林凋落物累积量影响因子较多,其大小是众多因子共同作用的结果。在林分和立地因子中,海拔影响较为明显,随海拔高度的升高而不断增加;林分密度、坡度等因子均有影响,但作用不明显;林分胸径、树高、针叶树密度与未分解层累积量呈显著负相关性,而与已分解层呈显著正相关性。     

Root biomass and productivity in dominant plantation populations in the mountainous area in western Sichuan

This study investigated root biomass and productivity in dominant populations in western Sichuan, China. A total of 4 plots (Picea balfouriana plantation for 22 age in Maerkang, 9 trees, mean DBH of population for 10.4 cm and height for 10.5 m; Larix maxteriana plantation for 22 age in Wolong, 9 trees, mean DBH of population for 17.0 cm and height for 13.8 m; Abies fabri plantation for 35 age in Ebian, 18 trees, mean DBH of population for 14.1 cm and height for 11.9 m; Larix kaempferi plantation for 23 age in Miyaluo, 8 trees, mean DBH of population for 17.4 cm and height for 14.5 m; a 20 m×25 m plot located on each of the 4 types in western Sichuan, China) were randomly selected and excavated to a depth of 60 cm for each of the 4 plantation types. To estimate the root biomass of an individual tree using D ² H, an exponential model was selected with the highest coefficient ranging from 0.94 to 0.99. The total root biomass per hm² varied among plantation population types following the order: L. kaempferi (37.832 t/hm²) > A. fabri (24.907 t/hm²) > L. maxteriana (18.320 t/hm²) > P. balfouriana (15.982 t/hm²). The biomass fractions of a given root size class compared to the total root biomass differed among plantation population types. For all 4 studied plantation types, the majority of the roots were distributed in the top 40 cm of soil, e.g., 97.88% for P. balfouriana population, 96.78% for L. maxteriana, 95.65% for A. fabri, and 99.72 for L. kaempferi population. The root biomass fractions distributed in the top 20 cm of soil were 77.13% for P. balfouriana, 77.13% for L. maxteriana, 65.02% for A. fabri and 80.66% for L. kaempferi, respectively. The root allocation in the 0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm soil layers gave ratios of 34:12:1 for P. balfouriana, 24:6:1 for L. maxteriana, 15:7:1 for A. fabri, and 64:4:1 for L. kaempferi populations. The root biomass density of dominant plantation population was 10.782 t/(hm²·m) for P. balfouriana, 8.230 t/hm²·m) for L. maxteriana, 24.546 t/(hm²·m) for A. fabri, and 13.211 t/(hm²·m) for L. kaempferi population, respectively. The root biomass productivity was found to be 0.57 t/(hm²·year) for P. balfouriana, 0.83 t/(hm²·year) for L. maxteriana, 0.71 t/(hm²·year) for A. fabri and 1.64 t/(hm²·year) for L. kaempferi population, respectively. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2006, 26(2): 542–551 [译自: 生态学报, 2006, 26(2): 542–551]     

Nutrient dynamics of foliar litter in reciprocal decomposition in tropical and subtropical forests

In order to explore the release of nutrients and the effects of global warming on the decomposition rate of forest litter, an experiment is designed to reciprocally decompose forest foliar litter in two sites across climatic zones: Mt. Jianfengling in Hainan Province in the tropics and Mt. Dinghushan in Guangdong Province in the subtropics. The two sites have similar altitudes, soil types, annual mean rainfall and seasonality of dry and wet. The main difference between these two sites is the annual mean temperature with the difference of 3.7°C. Foliar litters of 10 native dominant tree species have been collected respectively from the two sites and divided into single-species litter and mixed litter. They are decomposed reciprocally in the two sites. The results indicate that litter decomposes in the tropical site 1.36–3.06 times more rapidly than in the subtropical site. Apparent Q ₁₀, calculated on the basis of the temperature difference between the two sites, ranges from 3.7 to 7.5. The return amount of N, P and C will increase by 32.42, 1.033 and 741.1 kg/hm², respectively in Mt. Dinghushan in the first year’s litter decomposition under the prevailing temperature condition. Only in Mt. Dinghushan is the correlation between decomposition rate constant and initial litter quality high and significant in the ratio of lignin to N, lignin, the ratio of lignin to P, HLQ and C. This is not the case at Mt. Jianfengling. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2005, 27(1): 24–32 [译自: 北京林业大学学报, 2005, 27(1): 24–32]     

Carbon return and dynamics of litterfall in natural forest and monoculture plantation of Castanopsis kawakamii in subtropical China

The amount of carbon returned through litterfall and its seasonal pattern were studied in a natural forest of Castanopsis kawakamii (NF) and adjacent monoculture plantations of C. kawakamii (CK) and Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) (CF) in Sanming, Fujian Province, China. Mean annual carbon return through total litterfall over 3 years (from 1999 to 2001) was 5.097 t·hm⁻² in the NF, 4.337 t·hm⁻² in the CK and 2.502 t·hm⁻² in the CF respectively. Of the total carbon return in the three forests, leaf contribution accounted for 58.96%, 68.53% and 56.12% and twig 24.41%, 22.34% and 26.18%, respectively. The seasonal patterns of carbon return from total litterfall and leaf-litter were quite similar among the three forests. A peak of carbon input from litterfall in the NF and the CK occurred in spring except for the highest annual C return through branch litter of the NF in summer, while the CF showed the maximum C return in summer. The results of this study demonstrate that the natural forest has a greater C return through litterfall than monoculture plantations, which is beneficial to the increase of soil organic matter storage and the maintenance of soil fertility. [Supported by the Teaching and Research Award Program of MOE P.R.C. (TRAPOYT) and the Key Basic Research Project of Fujian Province (2000F004)]     

Effect of forest vegetation on runoff and sediment production in sloping lands of Loess area

According to fixed-position data for 1985–2003 from nine runoff plots of Caijiachuan watershed which lies in Jixian County of Shanxi Province in Loess area, this paper studied the relationship between vegetation and runoff and sediment production in sloping lands in detail, which helps to provide scientific basis for vegetation re-construction and studies on environmental transformation of water and sediment in watersheds of Loess area. Although, many study results testify that forest vegetation has an important function in soil and water conservation and cutting runoff, the effect of vegetation on runoff and sediment transmission is complicated, and this needs to be studied in depth. The results of the paper showed the following. Firstly, the natural secondary forest performs better function of soil and water conservation than artificial Robinia pseudoacacia forest, and runoff and sediment produced in the former in individual rainfall were 65%–82% and 23%–92% of those produced in the latter. At the same time, better correlative relationship between runoff and sediment production and rainfall and rainfall intensity were testified by multiple regression, but the correlation decreased gradually with the increase of canopy density of forest. Secondly, the difference of runoff and sediment production in several land use types was very distinct, and the amount of runoff and sediment produced from Ostryopsis davidiana forest and natural secondary forest were the least, and runoff and sediment produced from in artificial Robinia pseudoacacia forest and Pinus tabulaeformis forest were 5-fold as much as those from O. davidiana forest. Besides, runoff and sediment produced in mixed planting of apple trees and crops were 16.14-fold and 2.96-fold than those of O. davidiana forest, respectively, but the amount decreased obviously after high-standard soil preparation in the case of the former. Thirdly, based on gray cognate analyses of factors affecting runoff and sediment production in sloping land, the factors of stand canopy density and herb and litter biomass were the most significant ones, whose gray incidence degree exceeded 0.6. Therefore, mixed forest with multi-layer stand structure and shrub forest should be developed in vegetation re-construction of Loess area, which will help to increase coverage and litter thickness in order to cut down the runoff and sediment dramatically in sloping land. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2005, 16(9): 1,613–1,617 [译自: 应用生态学报, 2005, 16(9): 1,613–1,617]     

Root biomass and underground C and N storage of the primitive Korean pine and broad-leaved forest and its different succession stages in Changbai Mountain, northeast China

This paper studied root biomass and underground carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage of a more than 200-year-old primitive Korean pine and broad-leaved forest and its two 20-and 80-year-old secondary Populus davidiana and Betula platyphylla forests in Changbai Mountain, northeast China. The results showed that with forest succession, the root biomass of 20-year-old, 80-year-old, and primitive forests was 2.437, 2.742, and 4.114 kg/m², respectively. The root C storage was 1.113, 1.323, and 2.023 kg/m², soil C storage was 11.911, 11.943, and 12.587 kg/m², and underground C storage was 13.024, 13.266, and 14.610 kg/m², respectively, while the root N storage was 0.035, 0.032, and 0.038 kg/m², soil N storage was 1.208, 1.222, and 0.915 kg/m², and underground N storage was 1.243, 1.254, and 0.955 kg/m², respectively, which indicated that along with forest succession, the forest underground became a potential “carbon sink,” whereas underground N storage did not change obviously. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2005, 16(7): 1,195–1,199 [译自: 应用生态学报, 2005, 16(7): 1,195–1,199]     

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

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

Forest biomass at Xiaolong Mountain in Gansu Province, China

In order to accurately estimate the size of the carbon pool and the capacity of the carbon sink in the forested areas of Xiaolong Mountain in Gansu Province, we have established regression equations of organ biomass of eight tree species. We measured and investigated the biomass of different forest stand types based on data from 1259 standard sample plots and 836 standard sample trees. The results show that stand biomass, expressed in t·hm⁻² for eight types of forest stands on Xiaolong Mountain, are as follows: Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata 84.05, Pinus tabulaeformis 62.44, Quercus variabilis 81.77, Populus sp. and Betula sp. combined 77.44, Larix sp. 69.00, Pinus armandii 70.07, Picea sp. 96.49 and Abies sp. 98.72. We also looked at other broad-leaved mixed forests. Our study shows that the biomass of a single tree of each tree species is closely related to the diameter at breast height (DBH) and to tree height. The biomass of single trees as well as stand volumes is closely related to average DBH, average tree height and to stand density. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2007, 29(1): 31–36 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Analysis of the change in the original Metasequoia glyptostroboides population and its environment in Lichuan, Hubei from 1948 to 2003

Lichuan, located at the foot of the Wuling Mountain in southwest Hubei Province of central China, is well known in the world for the discovery of the living fossil Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu & Cheng in the 1940s. Its natural habitat has been well protected by the Chinese government. In order to provide a scientific foundation for the protection of the Metasequoia resource, it has become necessary to analyze the changes in the original, natural Metasequoia mother trees (ONMMT) and their environment from 1948 to 2003. The results and countermeasures are as follows: First, the distribution areas have little changed, involving four towns/farmland, 45 villages, 5,746 individual trees in 1983 and 5,388 trees in 2003, covering nearly 600 km², with an average density of less than 0.1 tree/hm². The Metasequoia distribution consists of two main types: a scattered distribution type found mainly at the foothills or near houses, roads, villages and rivers while the population distribution type is found mainly at the mountains and valleys with a minority at low elevations in the mountains and basins. The largest Metasequoia populations have 105 and 123 trees. Second, in the past, attention was only paid to the protection of individual trees while the protection of the Metasequoia population and environment was neglected. This led to a shift from the past mixed forests to pure Metasequoia forests, with a simpler structure, reduced biodiversity and conditions non-conducive for natural renewal. From 1983 to 2003, 386 original Metasequoia mother trees died. So it is vital to enhance the protection of the only original Metasequoia population in the world and its habitat. Third, modern ecological means should be taken to protect the original Metasequoia population and its habitat. Research on the restoration and rehabilitation of Metasequoia vegetation should be carried out. Restoration and rehabilitation should be put into practice in the Xiaohe Valley, where the highest concentration of Metasequoia is found. Fourth, efficient measures should be taken to stop human activities that are harmful to Metasequoia and to improve the environment of ONMMT in order to promote the protection of the ONMMT population and its ecosystem. Eco-emigration and the return of marginal agricultural land to forestry can be practiced. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(5): 972–977 [译自: 生态学报, 2005, 25(5): 972–977]     

Selection, propagation and cultivation of Pinus massoniana clones for pulp use

Based on the growth, wood property of the ortets, and rooting abilities of cuttings, 32 Pinus massoniana clones for pulp use were selected from forests of superior provenance, mixed families, and progeny test of seed orchard by two-step selection. The average height and DBH growth of three-year-old clones were 28.6% and 16.7%, respectively, higher than those from seedlings, and average gain of wood density reached 8.7%. Rooting rate of all these clones was over 80%, 28% higher than the clones selected by a single step. A cutting orchard of 0.33 hm² on the hillside was constructed to intensively produce cuttings according to the tests on construction methods, pruning, and fertilization. A total of 50,000 grade I, 37,500 grade II, and 62,500 grade III cuttings were collected per hectare of this cutting orchard each time, and were cut three times each year. With all the above techniques, 48 hm² of clonal forests for pulp use of those clones had been planted in five places in Fujian Province. Container stecklings are more likely to increase the planting survival rate. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2004, 40(1): 64–69 [译自: 林业科学]     

Effects of forest canopy gap on biomass of Abies faxoniana seedlings and its allocation in subalpine coniferous forests of western Sichuan

Using a strip transect sampling method, the density, height (≤ 100 cm), basal diameter and components of biomass of Abies faxoniana seedlings, living in a forest gap (FG) and under the forest canopy (FC) of subalpine natural coniferous forests in western Sichuan, were investigated and the relationships among different components of biomass analyzed. The results indicated that the density and average height (H) of A. faxoniana seedlings were significantly different in the FG and under the FC, with the values being 12903 and 2017 per hm², and 26.6 and 24.3 cm. No significant differences were found in the average basal diameter (D) and biomass. The biomass allocation in seedling components was significantly affected by forest gap. In the FG, the biomass ratio of branch to stem reached a maximum of 1.54 at age 12 and then declined and fluctuated around 0.69. Under the FC, the biomass ratio of branch to stem increased with seedling growth and exceeded 1.0 at about age 15. The total biomass and the biomass of leaves, stems, shoots and roots grown in the FG and under the FC were significantly correlated with D ² H. There were significant and positive correlations among the biomass of different components. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2007, 18(4): 721–727 [译自: 应用生态学报]     

Organic carbon storage in trees within different Geopositions of Chittagong （South） forest division,Bangladesh

The organic carbon storage in trees and organic carbon flow with geoposition of trees was estimated in the forest area of Chittagong （South） Forest Division within geo-position 91°47′ and 92°15′ East longitude and 21°45′ and 22°30′ North latitude. The study was conducted through stratified random sampling by identifying each sampling point through Global Positioning System （GPS）. It was found that above ground organic carbon storage （t/hm^2）, below ground organic carbon （t/hm^2） and total biomass organic carbon （t/hm^2） was respectively the highest in Dipterocarpus turbinatus （Garjan） （7.9, 1.18 and 9.08 t/hm^2） followed by Tectona grandis （Teak） （5.66, 0.85 and 6.51 t/hm^2）, Artocarpus chaplasha （Chapalish） （2.32, 0.34 and 2.66 t/hm^2）, Artocarpus lacucha （Batta） （1.97, 0.29 and 2.26 t/hm^2） and Artocarpus heterophyllus （Jackfruit） （1.7,0.25 and 2.26 t/hm^2）. From the study it was revealed that organic carbon stock was the highest （142.7 t/hm^2） in the geo-position 22° Latitude and 92° Longitude and was the lowest （4.42 t/hm^2） in the geo-position 21° 50′ Latitude and 92° 2.5′ Longitude. The forest of the study area is a good reservoir of organic carbon so has a good capacity to sequester organic carbon from the atmosphere. Sustainable forest management may help to sequester more organic carbon so that economic benefit for the country and environmental benefit in the international arena are possible from the study area.