樟树人工林经营效果分析

对福建省永安国有林场和福建农林大学莘口教学林场樟树人工林进行了调查分析,结果表明：立地条件、造林方式对樟树人工林生长效果影响明显。培育樟树丰产用材林应选择I级立地、并以山坡下部为宜。樟树混交林比纯林具有明显的生长优势,适宜与樟树混交的树种有杉木、福建柏、闽楠等。福建柏、闽楠是樟树理想的混交伴生树种和林冠下套种混交树种;杉木与樟树混交,种间竞争比较激烈,需确定目的树种并及时调整林分密度。     

两种培育模式下闽楠生长及生物量研究

在福建宁化国有林场开展了混交(马尾松:闽楠混交比例分别为1:1和2:1)和马尾松间伐后林下套种(25%和40%间伐强度)2种培育模式下闽楠生长、材积及生物量的研究。结果表明,造林后第1年,马尾松林下套种的闽楠成活率高于马尾松+闽楠混交林;造林后1-4年,闽楠树高、胸径和材积在马尾松林下套种和马尾松+闽楠混交林中没有显著差异;造林后7-9年,马尾松+闽楠1:1混交林中闽楠胸径、树高、单株材积和单株生物量均显著高于马尾松+闽楠2:1混交林;40%间伐处理后林下套种的闽楠胸径、树高、单株材积和单株生物量大于25%间伐处理。总体上,造林7年后混交林中闽楠生长量和生物量显著高于林下套种。因此,闽楠与马尾松营造混交林比在马尾松林下套种更有利于其生长,但确定适宜的混交比例和加强后期的抚育管理(如间伐)对于闽楠人工林培育仍是十分重要的。     

福建柏混交造林效果分析

针对福建省安溪白濑国有林场(1967、1976、1978、1984、1986、1991年)营造的福建柏混交试验林进行了调查分析。结果表明:在立地条件较差(Ⅲ、Ⅳ类地)的林地,福建柏与杉科树种(杉木、柳杉、秃杉)树种混交,生长竞争力大,相互促进作用较小,其树高、胸径、单株材积均有差异,福建柏纯林的单位蓄积量比杉木与福建柏混交林反高了31.8%;福建柏与松科树种(马尾松、湿地松)混交,相互促进,其树高、胸径、单株材积均显著差异,混交林单位蓄积比纯林高70.5%、51.2%;福建柏与阔叶树树种(火力楠、木荷)混交,形成复层林,混交林蓄积量比纯林高了34.9%、57.9%。说明在立地条件较差(Ⅲ、Ⅳ类地)的林地,福建柏不宜与杉科树种(杉木、柳杉、秃杉)混交,可以与松科(马尾松、湿地松)、阔叶树(火力楠、木荷)混交,比营造福建柏纯林可以取得更大的经济、生态效益。     

福建柏在混交林与纯林中的生长调查分析

通过对18a生福建柏混交林和福建柏纯林的树高、胸径、材积等性状进行比较分析,结果表明:在7柏2松1杉的混交模式下,福建柏树高、胸径、材积均值分别比纯林高出4.52%、12.97%和31.02%,混交林内福建柏生长表现最优,平均树高、胸径和材积均大于马尾松和杉木,混交林内各树种生长性状变异系数比福建柏纯林生长变异系数高出1.96%、3.76%和6.65%。混交林径阶分布范围更广,纯林径阶分布则较为集中。混交林单位蓄积量比福建柏纯林高出40.34%,混交林内福建柏材积占总蓄积量的77.21%,马尾松占17.52%,杉木占5.27%。综合比较分析,混交造林能显著促进福建柏单株的生长量,提升林分单位蓄积量。     

闽楠人工林生长与干形形质分析

在福建省三明市三元区研究45年生闽楠人工林生长、干形形质与不同坡位、坡向及混交树种的关系,结果表明:坡向和坡位对闽楠生长、干形的影响显著,对枝下高和树干通直度影响很小。地处南坡的闽楠人工林其胸径生长量最大,且干形圆满。北坡土壤水湿条件有利于闽楠的树高生长,能促进闽楠自然整枝。在不同坡位中,下坡的闽楠胸径生长最快,分别为中坡和上坡的1.05倍和1.38倍,且干形通直圆满。除闽楠胸径和树干圆满度外,其它生长和形质性状皆存在极显著的坡向×坡位互作效应,说明人工造林时需综合考虑坡向和坡位。闽楠与杉木混交可明显促进闽楠的胸径和树高生长,且对冠幅、树干通直度和圆满度无明显不利影响,杉木可作为闽楠的优选混交树种。     

不同混交模式对杉木幼林生长特征的影响

选择巨尾桉、马尾松、木荷分别与杉木进行混交造林,以杉木纯林作对照,对造林4年后的生长数据进行调查,结果表明：杉木＋巨尾桉混交中杉木的树高和蓄积量显著高于其他模式,巨尾桉的生长和蓄积量也显著高于其他混交树种,林分总蓄积量显著大于其他模式,可见,巨尾桉对杉木的树高生长具有明显的促进作用,提高了林分蓄积量和林地生长率。     

杉楠混交幼林生长特征及竞争强度分析

为探索适宜杉木与闽楠的混交造林模式,分别设置标准地调查8 a林龄、N(杉木)︰N(楠木)分别为1︰1、1︰2、1︰3的杉楠混交林的树高、胸径,并研究林分种内、种间竞争关系,结果表明:N(杉木)︰N(楠木)=1︰3是杉楠混交造林较适宜的模式,杉楠混交幼林期杉木种内竞争大于杉楠种间竞争,且随闽楠比例的增加呈降低趋势。     

杉木闽楠木荷混交林不同坡位生长情况浅析

对福建省将乐国有林场8年生的杉木闽楠木荷混交林不同坡位各树种的树高胸径生长量进行调查分析,结果表明:不同坡位的杉木、木荷及闽楠,下坡的胸径和树高生长量均大于中坡和上坡;坡位对杉木与木荷的生长没有显著影响,对闽楠的胸径和树高生长影响显著;混交林中各树种均生长良好,种间关系较协调。各树种不同部分的生物量都是树干最大,树根次之,树叶和树枝最小。     

杉木枫香不同混交比例造林效果分析

对杉木和枫香不同混交比例造林进行了对比试验,结果表明:不同混交比例林分的平均胸径、树高、蓄积间存在不同差异,杉枫3∶1混交林分蓄积量最大,杉枫2∶1混交林分蓄积量次之,杉枫1∶1混交林分蓄积量再次之,杉木和枫香纯林林分蓄积量最小。在积极采用了营林新技术和集约水平不断提高的情况下,杉枫3∶1混交造林其林分蓄积量、生物量最大,树种结构合理,生态效益最佳。     

韦赤桉与杉木、马尾松混交造林成效研究

为克服单一树种经营的弊端,提高林分生产力,开展韦赤桉纯林、杉木纯林、马尾松纯林、韦赤桉×杉木混交林、韦赤桉×马尾松混交林和杉木×马尾松混交林6种模式造林试验,对其7年生林分生长情况进行调查分析,结果表明:6种造林模式的保存率均超过87％;与3种纯林造林模式相比,林分密度为2505株/hm-2,韦赤桉与杉木1∶3比例混交和杉木×马尾松1∶1比例混交的两种造林模式取得了双赢的效果,在这两种混交造林模式下,韦赤桉、马尾松、杉木的生长状况均较纯林造林模式好,其中韦赤桉与杉木混交林的韦赤桉平均胸径、平均树高和平均单株材积分别较韦赤桉纯林高出9.96％、19.82％和40.05％,杉木的平均胸径、平均树高和平均单株材积分别较杉木纯林提高了24.89％、10.73％和69.23％.     

Effects of prescribed fire and season of burn on direct and indirect levels of tree mortality in Ponderosa and Jeffrey Pine Forests in California,USA

Many forests that historically experienced frequent low-intensity wildfires have undergone extensive alterations during the past century. Prescribed fire is now commonly used to restore these fire-adapted forest ecosystems. In this study, we examined the influence of prescribed burn season on levels of tree mortality attributed to prescribed fire effects (direct mortality) and bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) (indirect mortality) in ponderosa pine, Pinusponderosa Dougl. ex Laws., and Jeffrey pine, Pinusjeffreyi Grev. and Balf., forests in California, USA. A total of 816 trees (9.9% of all trees) died during this 3-yr study. Significantly higher levels of tree mortality (all sources) occurred following early and late season burns compared to the untreated control, but no significant difference was observed between burn treatments. The majority (461 trees) of tree deaths were attributed to direct mortality from prescribed burns and was strongly concentrated (391 trees) in the smallest diameter class (<20.2 cm diameter at breast height, dbh). For the largest trees (>50.7 cm dbh), significantly higher levels of tree mortality occurred on early season burns than the untreated control, most of which resulted from indirect mortality attributed to bark beetle attacks, specifically western pine beetle, Dendroctonus brevicomis LeConte, and mountain pine beetle, D. ponderosae Hopkins. Red turpentine beetle, D. valens LeConte, was the most common bark beetle species found colonizing trees, but tree mortality was not attributed to this species. A total of 355 trees (4.3% of all trees) were killed by bark beetles. Dendroctonus brevicomis (67 trees, 18.9%) and D. ponderosae (56 trees, 15.8%), were found colonizing P. ponderosa; and Jeffrey pine beetle, D. jeffreyi Hopkins, was found colonizing P. jeffreyi (seven trees, 2.0%). We also found pine engraver, Ips pini (Say) (137 trees, 38.6%), and, to a much lesser extent, Orthotomicus (=Ips) latidens (LeConte) (85 trees, 23.9%) and emarginate ips, I. emarginatus (LeConte) (3 trees, 0.8%) colonizing P. ponderosa and P. jeffreyi. Few meaningful differences in levels of indirect tree mortality attributed to bark beetle attack were observed between early and late season burns. The incidence of root and root collar pathogens (Leptographium and Sporothrix spp.), including species known to be vectored by bark beetles, was low (18% of trees sampled). The implications of these and other results to management of P. ponderosa and P. jeffreyi forests are discussed in detail.     

Anti-HBV activities of Streblus asper and constituents of its roots

The extracts from leaves, heartwood, barks and roots of the Streblus asper were investigated for anti-HBV activities, separately. The results suggested that the MeOH extracts of the heartwood, barks, and roots exhibited good anti-HBV activities. Further investigations displayed that ethyl acetate and n-butanol soluble parts of their MeOH extracts showed more significant anti-HBV activities. Moreover, a new lignan, together with 11 known compounds, was isolated from n-butanol-soluble part of MeOH extract of the roots of S. asper. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D NMR ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR), 2D NMR (HMQC, HMBC) and HR-EI-MS experiments. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their anti-HBV activities. Honokiol showed significant anti-HBV activity with IC(50) values of 3.14μM and 4.74μM for HBsAg and HBeAg with no cytotoxicity respectively, while lamivudine (3TC, positive control) exhibited weak anti-HBV activity with IC(50) values of 11.81μM and 25.80μM for HBsAg and HBeAg respectively.     

Antituberculosis activity of natural and semisynthetic azorellane and mulinane diterpenoids

The antituberculosis activity of 14 natural azorellane and mulinane diterpenoids isolated from Azorella compacta, Azorella madreporica, Mulinum crassifolium, and Laretia acaulis, together with eight semisynthetic derivatives, was evaluated against two Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. The natural azorellanes azorellanol (3) and 17-acetoxy-13-α-hydroxyazorellane (6), and the semisynthetic mulinanes 13-hydroxy-mulin-11-en-20-oic-acid methyl ester (13) and mulinenic acid methyl ester (23), showed the strongest activity, with MIC values of 12.5 μg/mL against both strains. The methylated derivatives 13-hydroxy-mulin-11-en-20-oic-acid methyl ester (13), mulin-11,13-dien-20-oic acid methyl ester (15) and mulinenic acid methyl ester (23) proved to be more active than the parent compounds.     

In vitro antifungal activities of Allium cepa, Allium sativum and ketoconazole against some pathogenic yeasts and dermatophytes

By using an agar dilution assay, the antifungal activity of aqueous extracts prepared from Allium cepa (onion; AOE) and Allium sativum (garlic; AGE) were evaluated against Malassezia furfur (25 strains), Candida albicans (18 strains), other Candida sp. (12 strains) as well as 35 strains of various dermatophyte species and compared with the activity of a known antifungal drug, ketoconazole (KTZ). All the AOE, AGE and KTZ were found to be able to inhibit growth of all fungi tested in a dose-dependent manner with maximum of 100% at defined concentrations. The results indicate that onion and garlic might be promising in treatment of fungal-associated diseases from important pathogenic genera Candida, Malassezia and the dermatophytes.     

Response of bark beetles and their natural enemies to fire and fire surrogate treatments in mixed-conifer forests in western Montana

Four treatments (control, burn-only, thin-only, and thin-and-burn) were evaluated for their effects on bark beetle-caused mortality in both the short-term (one to four years) and the long-term (seven years) in mixed-conifer forests in western Montana, USA. In addition to assessing bark beetle responses to these treatments, we also measured natural enemy landing rates and resin flow of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) the season fire treatments were implemented. All bark beetles were present at low population levels (non-outbreak) for the duration of the study. Post-treatment mortality of trees due to bark beetles was lowest in the thin-only and control units and highest in the units receiving burns. Three tree-killing bark beetle species responded positively to fire treatments: Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae), pine engraver (Ips pini), and western pine beetle (Dendroctonus brevicomis). Red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens) responded positively to fire treatments, but never caused mortality. Three fire damage variables tested (height of crown scorch, percent circumference of the tree bole scorched, or degree of ground char) were significant factors in predicting beetle attack on trees. Douglas-fir beetle and pine engraver responded rapidly to increased availability of resources (fire-damaged trees); however, successful attacks dropped rapidly once these resources were depleted. Movement to green trees by pine engraver was not observed in plots receiving fire treatments, or in thinned plots where slash supported substantial reproduction by this beetle. The fourth tree-killing beetle present at the site, the mountain pine beetle, did not exhibit responses to any treatment. Natural enemies generally arrived at trees the same time as host bark beetles. However, the landing rates of only one, Medetera spp., was affected by treatment. This predator responded positively to thinning treatments. This insect was present in very high numbers indicating a regulatory effect on beetles, at least in the short-term, in thinned stands. Resin flow decreased from June to August. However, resin flow was significantly higher in trees in August than in June in fire treatments. Increased flow in burned trees later in the season did not affect beetle attack success. Overall, responses by beetles to treatments were short-term and limited to fire-damaged trees. Expansions into green trees did not occur. This lack of spread was likely due to a combination of high tree vigor in residual stands and low background populations of bark beetles.     

Growth and physiological response of six Australian rainforest tree species to a light gradient

An understanding of growth and photosynthetic potential of subtropical rainforest species to variations in light environment can be useful for determining the sequence of species introductions in rainforest restoration projects and mixed species plantations. We examined the growth and physiology of six Australian subtropical rainforest tree species in a greenhouse consisting of three artificial light environments (10%, 30%, and 60% full sunlight). Morphological responses followed the typical sun-shade dichotomy, with early and late secondary species (Elaeocarpus grandis, Flindersia brayleyana, Flindersia schottiana, and Gmelina leichhardtii) displaying higher relative growth rate (RGR) compared to mature stage species (Cryptocarya erythroxylon and Heritiera trifoliolatum). Growth and photosynthetic performance of most species reached a maximum in 30–60% full sunlight. Physiological responses provided limited evidence of a distinct dichotomy between early and late successional species. E. grandis and F. brayleyana, provided a clear representation of early successional species, with marked increase in A_max in high light and an ability to down regulate photosynthetic machinery in low light conditions. The remaining species (F. schottiana, G. leichhardtii, and H. trifoliolatum) were better represented as falling along a shade-tolerant continuum, with limited ability to adjust physiologically to an increase or decrease in light, maintaining similar A_max across all light environments. Results show that most species belong to a shade-tolerant constituency, with an ability to grow and persist across a wide range of light environments. The species offer a wide range of potential planting scenarios and silvicultural options, with ample potential to achieve rapid canopy closure and rainforest restoration goals.     

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Cleome viscosa and Gmelina asiatica

The ethanolic extracts of the leaves and flowers of Cleome viscosa and roots of Gmelina asiatica were tested for antimicrobial activity. The two plants exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, particularly significative against Escherichia coli , Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The leaf extract of C. viscosa showed moderate activity against pathogenic fungi.     

Larvicidal and growth inhibition of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi by triterpenes from Dysoxylum malabaricum and Dysoxylum beddomei

Secondary metabolites from Dysoxylum malabaricum and Dysoxylum beddomei were tested against mature and immature stage of the mosquito vector Anopheles stephensi under laboratory conditions. The triterpenes 3beta,24,25-trihydroxycycloartane and beddomeilactone from D. malabaricum and D. beddomei showed strong larvicidal, pupicidal and adulticidal activity. They also affected the reproductive potential of adults by acting as oviposition deterrents. The highest concentration tested (10 ppm) of both compounds evoked more than 90% mortality and oviposition deterrence.     

Ungulate herbivory of regenerating conifers in relation to foliar nutrition and terpenoid production

Ungulate browsing greatly influences regeneration dynamics of some forest ecosystems, yet the relationship between browse susceptibility and foliar chemistry of forest tree seedlings is not well understood. We applied field fertilization (15N-9P-10K controlled-release fertilizer at 0, 20, 40, and 60 g per seedling) and investigated how subsequent changes in terpenoid production and foliar nutrition influence ungulate browse preference for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla Raf. Sarg.), and western redcedar (Thujaplicata Donn ex D. Don) seedlings across four sites in northwestern Oregon, USA. Fertilization increased foliar N concentration of all three species, but above-ground growth of only Douglas-fir and western hemlock. Foliar monoterpene concentrations for western hemlock and western redcedar also increased at higher fertilization rates, while Douglas-fir monoterpene production was not affected by fertilization. Regardless of monoterpene levels, ungulate browse preference was greater for fertilized western hemlock seedlings. The opposite response, however, was observed for western redcedar at two of the four study sites where the likelihood of browse was greater for non-fertilized than fertilized seedlings. Differences in browse preference among species may depend on the type and amount of individual monoterpenes manufactured in response to fertilization. Western redcedar produce α- and β-thujone, oxygenated monoterpenes known to promote gastroenteritis and possibly inhibit microbial rumen activity, which were absent from Douglas-fir or western hemlock. Higher concentrations of α- and β-thujone associated with increasing fertilizer rate provide a plausible explanation as to why ungulates preferred non-fertilized western redcedar. Our results illustrate species-specific adaptation in browse avoidance and selective ungulate browsing behavior of individual trees as linked to foliar chemistry.     

Optimizing the joint production of timber and bilberries

Berries and mushrooms are increasingly appreciated products of Finnish forests. Therefore, there is a need to integrate them in silvicultural planning. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is an economically important wild berry that is widely collected for household consumption and sale in North Karelia, Finland. In this study, bilberry yield models developed recently were included in a stand growth simulator and the joint production of timber and bilberry was optimized by maximizing soil expectation value (SEV) with 3% discounting rate, assuming that 75% of the bilberry yield is harvested. The effect of bilberry production on the optimal stand management increased with increasing bilberry price. With high bilberry prices (4–8 € kg⁻¹) it was optimal to manage the mixed stand of Scots pine, Norway spruce and birch, and the pure stand of Norway spruce so as to promote bilberry production. In the Scots pine stand, where bilberry yields are higher, bilberry production affected optimal stand management already with a price of 2 € kg⁻¹. Compared to timber production, joint production led to longer rotation lengths, higher thinning intensities, more frequent thinnings, and higher share of Scots pine in the mixed stand. The contribution of bilberries to the total SEV increased with increasing bilberry price and discounting rate. In the mixed stand and pine stand the SEV of bilberry production, calculated with 3% discounting rate, exceeded the SEV of timber production when bilberry price was 4 € kg⁻¹.With 4% discounting rate this happened already with bilberry price of 2 € kg⁻¹. It was concluded that forest management which promotes bilberry yields is the most profitable in pine stands where the potential bilberry yields are high.