留茬高度对小叶锦鸡儿光合生理和生长特征的影响

[目的] 研究不同留茬高度小叶锦鸡儿生长和光合生理的变化规律,揭示不同留茬高度下小叶锦鸡儿生长和光合能力的强弱,探索其平茬时的最适留茬高度,为寻求合理抚育管理措施、指导小叶锦鸡儿生产实践提供理论依据。[方法] 选择2003年人工种植小叶锦鸡儿为研究材料,设置未平茬（CK）、留茬高度5 cm （T₁）,10 cm （T₂）,15 cm （T₃）,20 cm （T₄）,25 cm （T₅）共6个处理于2018年秋季进行平茬,分别测定次年生长季小叶锦鸡儿生长和光合生理指标。[结果] 平茬能显著提高小叶锦鸡儿株高、冠幅、新稍长的增长;不同留茬高度处理净增长量均不同,留茬高度15 cm处理株高、冠幅长和宽度、新稍长净增长量值最高,分别较未平茬处理增加了203.44%,278.10%,292.59%,385.43%;留茬高度5,10和20 cm处理的净增长量次之,留茬高度25 cm的值最低,较未平茬处理分别增加了25.15%,26.38%,25.93%,88.48%;一定留茬高度平茬能显著提高小叶锦鸡儿净光合速率（P_n）、蒸腾速率（T_r）和水分利用效率（WUE）;不同处理小叶锦鸡儿日变化均有不同程度的光合、蒸腾“午休”现象;留茬高度15 cm处理叶片P_n,T_r,WUE日均值均最高,分别比未平茬处理增加了2.52,0.37和1.52倍;留茬高度5,10和20 cm处理次之,留茬高度25 cm处理值最低,其P_n和WUE值分别比未平茬处理增加了0.45和0.32倍,而T_r值比未平茬处理降低了0.02倍。[结论] 平茬后次年生长季内,留茬高度15 cm的平茬小叶锦鸡儿具有较强的生长补偿和光合能力,留茬5,10和20 cm植株的生长补偿和光合能力次之,留茬25 cm植株的生长补偿和光合能力最弱。     

林下植被对半干旱区不同密度刺槐林地土壤水分环境的指示作用

 研究林下植被对不同密度林地土壤水分环境的指示作用,可以为造林营林中的密度调控、提高林分生产力和林分稳定性等,提供理论根据。为此,对山西黄土丘陵沟壑区的14年生人工刺槐(Robiniapseudoacacia)林6种造林密度(1.5m×2m、1.5m×3m、1.5m×4m、1.5m×5m、1.5m×6m、1.5m×7m)林分的土壤水分、林下光照强度等环境因子进行观测,同时,采用样方调查法,对不同密度林内的树木生长情况和林下植物的类型、数量、分布及发育状况进行了研究。结果表明:密度小的林分内,各小环境指标均优于密度大的林分,其中土壤水分、光照强度有显著的随林分密度增大而减小的趋势,刺槐林地内随着林分密度的增大,渐渐出现干旱、半干旱地区成龄人工林土壤干化的现象,林下植被的种类和数量相应减少,物种丰富度和物种多样性指数也降低,且逐步由以鹅观草(Roegneriakamoji),小菅草(Themedaminor)为典型的中生植物,向以角蒿(Incarvilleasinensis),灰绿藜(Chenopodiumglaucum)为典型的旱生植物过渡,反映出林分内的小环境条件随林分密度变化的特征。因此,在半干旱区造林和营林中,密度不可过大,以便提高林分生产力和林分稳定性。     

排土场典型树种穿透雨空间分布特征

穿透雨是降雨再分配的主要组成成分,影响植被生长以及土壤水分分布情况,研究矿区典型树种穿透雨特征对生态恢复具有重要意义。以平朔矿区南排土场典型树种为研究对象,利用地统计学方法与时间稳定性图对比分析了油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)、刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)、白杜(Euonymus maackii)、小叶锦鸡儿(Caragana microphylla)和木半夏(Elaeagnus multiflora)的穿透雨空间分布特征。结果表明:(1)平均穿透率由大到小为木半夏、小叶锦鸡儿、油松、白杜、刺槐,穿透率变异系数由大到小依次为白杜、木半夏、小叶锦鸡儿、油松、刺槐。(2)油松、刺槐、白杜、小叶锦鸡儿与木半夏的穿透率均随降雨量的增加而增加,最后达到平稳状态,降雨量增大,穿透率变异系数先快速下降,最后达到平稳状态,并都以对数函数拟合效果最好。(3)5种树种穿透率的基台值均随着降雨量增加呈指数减小,块金系数随着降雨量的上升而增加,表明随着降雨量的上升,冠层穿透率在空间上趋于均匀化,随机因素带来的空间变异性逐渐增大。此外,5种树种在植株冠层中部和外缘部分均出现穿透率高于100%的情况。(4)灌木穿透雨分布格局的时间稳定性比乔木高,冠层接近基部和外缘出现穿透雨极端稳定性,接近植被基部多为极端干燥状态,冠层外缘多为极端湿润状态。(5)从穿透率大小及其空间变异性考虑,在排土场水土流失地区刺槐为最佳重建植被类型选择,穿透雨在植被冠幅边缘出现持续湿润状态,可种植一些灌木来截留一部分穿透雨。研究结果增进对矿区排土场生态水文过程的认识,可为矿区排土场重建植被选择提供理论基础。     

黄土高原样带典型地貌类型坡面土壤水分分布特征及其差异

为掌握黄土高原典型地貌类型丘陵沟壑区和高塬沟壑区的坡面土壤水分分布特征,选取3个典型坡面(长武高塬沟壑区,安塞丘陵沟壑区,神木丘陵沟壑区(风蚀水蚀交错区)),分析3个坡面土壤水分的时空分布和对应环境因素的分布特征,并采用地统计分析比较不同地貌类型坡面土壤水分的差异。根据不同地貌类型区坡面土壤含水量变异系数(CV)平均值的剖面变化,0 ~ 500 cm土壤剖面可以划分为速变层(0 ~ 40 cm)、活跃层(40 ~ 100 cm)、次活跃层(100 ~ 200 cm)和相对稳定层(200 ~ 500 cm);除丘陵沟壑区坡面0 ~ 40 cm和100 ~ 200 cm土层外,其他土层土壤含水量均具有较好的空间结构特征,理论半方差函数模型可对其进行较好的模拟,拟合模型结果一般表层土壤含水量为球状模型,深层土壤含水量为高斯模型;由于地形、土壤和植被等因子空间分布的差异性,高塬沟壑区坡面土壤含水量的空间变化与容重、海拔高度和最大叶面积指数有显著相关关系(P<0.01),而丘陵沟壑区和风蚀水蚀交错区坡面土壤含水量的空间变化分别只与最大叶面积指数和土壤质地有显著相关关系(P<0.05)。黄土高原典型地貌类型区不同土层间土壤含水量差异较大,地统计分析可以很好地表达坡面水分的空间异质性。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区刺槐混交林生态化学计量特征与碳储量

为了探讨混交林与纯林养分状况和固碳能力的差异,以黄土丘陵沟壑区刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)纯林、油松(Pinus tabuliformis)纯林以及刺槐+油松(Robinia pseudoacacia+Pinus tabuliformis)混交林、刺槐+山杨(Robinia pseudoacacia+Populus davidiana)混交林为对象,通过野外调查和室内分析相结合的方式,研究混交林与纯林生态系统的生态化学计量特征与碳储量。结果表明:(1)刺槐+油松混交林显著增加刺槐枝和根的C含量和叶、干的P含量及枝的C:P与N:P,并显著增加油松叶、枝和根的N含量和枝、干、根的N:P,但显著降低油松各器官的C:N,而刺槐+山杨混交林仅显著增加刺槐枝的P含量。(2)刺槐+油松混交林的土壤C含量显著高于刺槐纯林,土壤P含量显著低于油松纯林;刺槐+山杨混交林与刺槐纯林土壤P含量差异不显著。(3)总体纯林中乔木叶片与凋落物的C含量显著相关,C:N、C:P在乔叶-凋落物-土壤中均显著相关;但在总体混交林中仅有凋落物与土壤中的P含量与C:P显著相关。(4)刺槐+山杨混交林乔木层碳储量显著高于刺槐纯林,刺槐+油松混交林林下植被层与土壤层碳储量显著高于刺槐纯林。研究结果为深入了解黄土高原养分循环机制奠定基础,同时也为黄土高原人工林的经营管理提供理论依据。     

植物非生物逆境相关锌指蛋白基因的研究进展

植物能够适应多种逆境主要是通过改变其基因表达和代谢途径来实现的,因此研究这些基因表达和功能对提高植物耐逆性具有重要意义。锌指蛋白是一类具有手指状结构域的转录因子,这种结构域由锌离子与多个半胱氨酸和(或)组氨酸组成,锌离子在稳定其结构和发挥调控功能方面具有关键作用。植物锌指蛋白在植物耐逆性方面具有重要作用。本文综述了近几年来从拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)、水稻(Oryza sativa)、小麦(Triticum aestivum)、番茄(Solanum lycopersicum)等植物中克隆的与非生物逆境相关锌指蛋白基因的研究成果,重点阐述了其基因表达部位、受逆境诱导情况及转基因植株的耐逆性等。目前的研究结果表明锌指蛋白能够调控耐逆相关基因的表达,在植物逆境代谢中发挥重要作用,因此可以利用锌指蛋白基因进行作物耐逆性的遗传改良,提高作物的耐逆能力。     

瓦碱的形成与改良

瓦碱是我国半湿润半干旱地区冲积平原上的一种碱化土壤,多呈大小不一的斑块与其它各种盐渍土插花分布于耕地中。典型的瓦碱大多为光板地,或仅生长稀疏的剪刀股(Polyonum sibircum)、罗布麻(Apocynum ventum)及骆驼蓬(Kocbia scoporia)等耐盐碱植物。碱化较轻的斑块,虽有作物生长,但常常缺苗,植株矮小瘦弱,结实不多。     

漓江水陆交错带不同立地类型草本植物根系特征

在漓江流域水陆交错带选取缓坡、陡坡、江心洲、人工岸坡4种典型立地类型,对主要优势草本植物的根长、根表面积、根系生物量、地上生物量、根冠比等指标进行了调查和比较研究。结果表明:(1)同一立地类型不同优势草本植物根系生物量、地上生物量、根冠比差异性均显著。各立地类型不同优势草本植物根长、根表面积均存在一定的差异性,其中不同优势草本植物根长度和表面积在陡坡和人工岸坡立地类型均存在显著性差异(p<0.05);根表面积在江心洲立地类型存在显著性差异(p<0.05)。(2)水蓼(Polygonum hydropiper)、小蓬草(Conyza canadensis)最适合生长的立地类型是缓坡类型;白背黄花稔(Sida rhombifolia L.)、土牛膝(Achyranthes bidentata Bl.)最适合生长的立地类型是陡坡类型;紫菀(Aster tatarian)、艾草(Artemisia argyi)最适合生长的立地类型是江心洲类型;葎草(Humulus scandens Merr.)最适合生长的立地类型是人工岸坡类型。     

黄土丘陵区不同类型农地的养分循环平衡特征

该文以黄土丘陵沟壑区的安塞试验站长期肥料定位试验的实测资料为研究对象，定量研究川地、坡地、梯田不同类型农地养分循环特征。研究结果表明：川地、坡地、梯田与农民习惯施肥水平相类似的处理，年养分盈亏量分别是：川地每年每hm²氮素盈余10.2 kg，P₂O₅盈余56.6 kg；坡地每年每hm²氮素亏损7.0 kg，P₂O₅亏损14.7 kg；梯田每年每km²氮素盈余104.9 kg，P₂O₅盈余107.3 kg。退耕还林和实施“坡改梯”工程是黄土丘陵沟壑区农地养分循环不断朝良性方向发展的关键措施。     

晋陕蒙地区土壤质地重构对土壤水力性质的影响

[目的] 探究晋陕蒙地区土壤质地重构对土壤水力性质的影响,评价砒砂岩不同添加量对砂黄土的改良效果,为该区沙化土地修复工作提供理论依据。[方法] 将砒砂岩与砂黄土按照不同配比进行重构,研究其饱和导水率、土壤水分特征曲线、土壤有效持水量等指标。[结果] ①随着砒砂岩比例的增加(0%～100%),重构土中砂粒(0.05～2 mm)含量下降8.1%～33.5%,粉粒(0.002～0.05 mm)和黏粒(＜0.002 mm)含量分别增加5.2%～21.0%,2.9%～12.5%。当砒砂岩与砂黄土比例达到75∶25时,重构土壤质地由砂壤土转变为壤土;当砒砂岩与砂黄土按照25∶75比例混合时,该处理在10 ℃时的K_s为4.07×10^-6 m/s,与黄土高原地区典型的黄绵土田间自然状态下的K_s值相近; ②砒砂岩添加量对土壤水分特征曲线的影响主要在高吸力段,当砒砂岩与砂黄土的比例为25∶75时,土壤水分有效性相对较高; ③随着砒砂岩含量增加土壤保水性能呈现上升趋势,砒砂岩的添加比例越高,重构土壤饱和含水量(θ_s)和残余含水量(θ_r)越大。[结论] 砒砂岩与砂黄土按25∶75比例重构(土壤容重1.41 g/cm³)土壤有效持水量显著高于其他处理,是晋陕蒙地区土壤改良的有效方法。     

Tempo-spatial dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under clonal plant Psammochloa villosa Trin. Bor in Mu Us sandland

Tempo-spatial dynamics of AM fungi within the rhizome system of Psammochloa villosa (Poaceae) were investigated in Mu Us sandland, northwest China. Soil samples in the annual and perennial ramet rhizospheres of P. villosa were collected in 2007. AM fungal percent colonization reached maximal values in the rainy season and spore number in the dry season. Spore number exhibited positive correlation with soil pH and available phosphorous (P) (P < 0.01), and negative correlation with available nitrogen (N) (P < 0.05). Vesicular, arbuscular, hyphal and total colonization were positively correlated with soil organic matter and available P (P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with available N (P < 0.01). Fourteen species of AM fungi in four genera were isolated. The same AM fungal taxa were found in the annual and perennial ramet rhizospheres, although the last ones had higher fungal colonization and spore number. A high Shannon-Weiner diversity index of AM fungi was observed. Spore number and species richness indicated that Glomus was the predominant AM fungi, especially the small-spored taxa. AM fungal dynamics under P. villosa are highly seasonal: different aged ramets and nutrient availability have effects on AM fungal development and abundance in Mu Us sandland.     

Identification and evaluation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Forsythia</Emphasis> germplasm using molecular markers

This study identifies Forsythia germplasm and evaluated the genetic relationships of F. ×intermedia hybrids, cultivars and their putative parental species. Leaf samples of F. ×intermedia cultivars and species, such as F. koreana and F. suspensa, were collected in the Netherlands, Korea, and USA. Total genomic DNA was extracted and evaluated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses. Dendrograms were constructed by using the neighbor-joining (NJ) clustering algorithm applying the interior branch (IB) test or analyzed by STRUCTURE. In the dendrogram generated by RAPD markers, two major clusters were observed. One cluster (CL-I) contained most of the F. ×intermedia cultivars, F. suspensa, and F. koreana. The other cluster (CL-II) included F. europaea, F. ovata, F. densiflora, F. mandshurica, F. japonica, F. viridissima, and cultivars derived from F. ovata. In the AFLP dendrogram, the placement of F. ×intermedia cultivars with F. suspensa was similar, forming cluster CL-A I. The RAPD and AFLP results clearly separated most F. ×intermedia cultivars from F. ovata derived cultivars. The full range of genetic diversity of F. suspensa and F. viridissima should be investigated to verify whether these two species are truly parental taxa for F. ×intermedia. Placement of F. viridissima, F. ovata, and F. japonica in different sub-clusters requires further investigation regarding genetic diversity in the species, and their close relationship with F. koreana, F. mandshurica, and F. saxatalis.     

黄土丘陵区主要植物根系对土壤有机质和团聚体的影响

植物根系是植物与土壤进行物质交换的通道,在土壤侵蚀严重、生态脆弱的黄土丘陵区,深入认识根系对土壤物理化学性质的影响具有重要意义。选取了白羊草(Bothriochloa ischaemum)、苔草(Carex lanceolata)、茭蒿(Artemisia leucophylla)、铁杆蒿(Artemisia sacrorum)、狼牙刺(Sophora viciifolia)、柠条(Caragana intermedia)6种植物作为研究对象,取0—10,10—20,20—30,30—40,40—50,50—60 cm土层根系和土样,分析不同土层各物种根长密度、根表面积密度、平均根直径、土壤有机质(SOM)、土壤容重以及各级水稳性团聚体重量百分含量。结果表明:所研究植物根系以细根为主。在0—20 cm土层中,白羊草、苔草根长密度显著大于其余植物(P0.05),表现为苔草白羊草铁杆蒿茭蒿狼牙刺柠条,平均根直径则相反。根系能不同程度地增加SOM含量,SOM含量与根系平均直径和根系表面积密度呈极显著的正相关关系(P0.01)。在土壤剖面上,水稳性团聚体重量百分含量明显减少的是白羊草、苔草和铁杆蒿样地,水稳性团聚体重量百分含量随土层深度变化不明显的是茭蒿、狼牙刺和柠条样地。根表面积、根长密度能够显著增加0.5～2 mm水稳性团聚体重量百分含量(P0.05),说明根系能够使小粒径团粒凝聚成更大粒径的土壤团粒。根系能够提高土壤有机质含量,增加中等粒径团聚体含量,改善土壤结构,提高土壤稳定性,对增加土壤抗蚀性起到重要作用。     

Comparison of size vs. life-state classification in demographic models for the terrestrial orchid Cleistes bifaria

Recent studies using capture-recapture modelling in terrestrial orchids have shown relationships among survival, life-state, climate and dormancy, but to date, there has been no rigorous study of the effects of size on demographic rates. Here we use multistate capture-recapture models to investigate the relationships between survival, ramet size, life-state, and propensity for extended dormancy of Cleistes bifaria in two populations in Florida and West Virginia. Using estimated leaf area as a measure of ramet size, we investigated relative fit to the data of models in which ramets were classified by life-state alone (dormant, vegetative, and flowering), size alone (dormant, small, and large), or by a combination of size and state (dormant, small vegetative, large vegetative, small flowering, and large flowering ramets). This scheme allowed us to compare the effects of a size versus state classification on survival and transition probabilities, including the propensity for dormancy. For survival rates, the size-classified model was preferable in terms of parsimony (AIC) to models classified either by state or by a combination of size and state. In C. bifaria, annual survival rate for large ramets was close to 1.0 and for small and dormant ramets, 0.91 and 0.76, respectively. This highlights the importance of protecting large plants. In contrast, a model combining life-state with ramet size was most parsimonious for explaining variation in transition rates. As the ‘size + state’ classification is convenient, holds more information, and seems more closely tied to fitness than classification by either size or life-state alone, it may be particularly useful in planning and assessing conservation management of orchids.     

Leaf litterfall and decomposition of different above- and belowground parts of birch (Betula ermanii) trees and dwarf bamboo (Sasa kurilensis) shrubs in a young secondary forest in Northern Japan

In many Japanese forests, the forest understory is largely dominated by dwarf bamboo (Sasa) species, which compete with overstory vegetation for soil nutrients. We studied the rate of leaf litterfall, and decomposition and mineralization of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) from various components (leaf, root, wood, and rhizome) of overstory and understory vegetation in a young Betula ermanii forest from 2002 to 2004. Total litterfall was 377 g m⁻² year⁻¹, of which the overstory vegetation contributed about two thirds. A litter decomposition experiment conducted for 770 days indicated that mass loss of different litter components varied significantly, except for Sasa kurilensis wood and rhizome. Relative decomposition rates were significantly greater in the first growth period (June to October) than the dormant period (November to May) in most cases. Rainfall was the most important abiotic variable, explaining 75–80% of the variability in mass loss rates. Concentrations of ethanol soluble substances and N were significantly positively correlated (r=0.77 to 0.97, P<0.05) with mass loss at an early stage (41 days). The ratios of lignin/N and C/N were found to be negatively correlated with mass loss rates at all stages of litter decomposition. C stock loss was similar to that of mass loss, whereas N stock loss was slower, except for S. kurilensis fine root litter. The evergreen understory species S. kurilensis exhibited greater N use efficiency than B. ermanii, suggesting better competitive ability that might favor the production of a high biomass and invasion under tree species like B. ermanii.     

晋西黄土丘陵沟壑区人工林下草本植物生物多样性研究

以长武王东沟小流域径流小区为试验点,研究了于黄土高原高塬沟壑区坡面表层土壤水分特征,分析了降雨量、植被覆盖度对地表土壤水分的影响,旨在为该区植被恢复和水土流失治理提供科学的理论依据。研究结果表明,0—30cm土层土壤含水量呈现中等变异。15°阳坡土壤含水量小于35°半阳坡土壤含水量。土壤水分的变化趋势与降雨量的变化趋势基本一致,0—10cm土层土壤含水量与降雨量具有良好的同步性,而10—20cm土层和20—30cm土层土壤含水量的同步性较差。植被覆盖度越高,其土壤平均含水量就越高,植被覆盖度达到40%时,中坡和下坡的剖面各层土壤含水量随深度增加而减少的趋势更加明显。土壤平均含水量从坡顶到坡底逐渐增加。0—30cm土层土壤含水量随深度增加而减少。     

凋落物输入改变对慈竹林土壤有机碳的影响

通过野外试验,研究了凋落物输入改变对慈竹林土壤有机碳的影响。设置10%,50%和70%这3种去除凋落物量和分别添加15%,25%的绵竹、杉木凋落物处理及对照。结果发现,去除凋落后慈竹林土壤有机碳含量明显减少(p<0.05),而且去除量越大,有机碳含量减少越大。添加外源凋落物显著提高了慈竹林土壤有机碳含量(p<0.05),其中,15%的添加比例比25%更有利于土壤有机碳的积累,添加绵竹凋落物对土壤有机碳增加的效应高于添加杉木凋落物。研究表明,选择适合的树种和恰当的混交比例以及加强对凋落物层的保护,对维持慈竹林土壤有机碳具有重要的意义。     

Prioritisation of novel pasture species for use in water-limited agriculture: a case study of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cullen</Emphasis> in the Western Australian wheatbelt

In the face of a drying climate, identification of perennial pasture species suited to low-rainfall agricultural areas is needed. Effective prioritisation of putative pasture species may be possible through the use of desktop methods that are commonly employed to investigate the effect of climate change on native plant populations or the weed risk potential of plants. Species of Cullen Medik. native to Australia may be useful as perennial pasture legumes. It is not known, however, if species have adaptations for growth in low rainfall regions like the wheatbelt of Western Australia (WA). We tested the hypothesis that some Cullen species would be adapted to the climate and soils of the low-rainfall wheatbelt of WA using an analysis of soils and climate niche models of herbarium and germplasm records of 16 perennial, herbaceous and Australian Cullen species. We identified nine Cullen species that had some likely adaptation to the climate in the wheatbelt of WA, five of which (C. australasicum, C. cinereum, C. discolor, C. patens and C. tenax) had widespread adaptation to the climate and showed some adaptation to the soils of the wheatbelt of WA, making these priorities for further evaluation as perennial pasture species. The methodology is useful to identify species with likely best adaptation to low rainfall regions, generate expectations of where these may be most successful and to identify gaps in existing germplasm collections.     

Aspen demographics in relation to spatial context and ungulate browsing: Implications for conservation and forest management

Aspen has a high conservation value and has been targeted as a priority species in sustainable forest management. However, sustained and intense browsing pressure by ungulates has raised concerns about the recruitment of aspen to mature growth stages. Here we investigate the influence of ungulate browsing on the demographic structure of European aspen populations in two managed boreal forest areas in Sweden with contrasting amounts of aspen and high densities of ungulates. The contrast in size distribution of ramets in the two areas was striking. The aspen-poor environment contained a much lower density of small-sized ramets than the aspen-rich environment. Ramet abundance was strongly associated with the abundance of ramets in the smaller size classes in both areas, reflecting demographic inertia in these populations. Ungulate use was most strongly associated with abundance of medium-sized aspen saplings growing in forest interiors. Otherwise, use of ungulates was only weakly correlated with aspen population parameters. The strong demographic momentum exhibited by these populations suggests that aspen conservation and management should pay more attention to additional factors than browsing to promote ramet establishment. Large variation in abundance of ramets in the smallest size-class shows that some aspen stands have a disproportionate effect on aspen recruitment, particularly in areas where aspen is less abundant. Identifying aspen stands with a large capacity for self regeneration may be the key to meet aspen conservation goals.     

Carbon and nitrogen dynamics of decomposing leaf litter in a tropical hill evergreen forest

This study was carried out in a tropical hill evergreen forest in northern Thailand. Two tree species Castanopsis accuminatissima and Schima wallichii were the dominant species in the study plot. Decomposition processes of these two species were studied using a litter bag method to evaluate the roles of these species in the nutrient cycling in this hill evergreen forest. The decomposition rates (k) were 0.99–1.05 and 0.55–0.61 in C. accuminatissima and S. wallichii, respectively. In this monsoon forest, the relationship between the onset of rain and the accumulation and decomposition of litter is an important mechanism for linking climate and availability of plant nutrient. Weight loss for both species showed a similar pattern shaped by the seasonal availability of water. However, the nitrogen dynamics were apparently different in the two species. During the rainy season, C. accuminatissima released nitrogen during the decomposition processes, while S. wallichii nitrogen was immobilized in the leaf litter over the rainy season. C. accuminatissima released nitrogen, subsequently available for uptake by trees, while S. wallichii accumulated nitrogen over 15 months and so their roles are important for the retention of nutrients in the hill evergreen forest ecosystem. Thus the two species have different functions in the nutrient dynamics in the forest floor.