Species-specific biomass allometric models and expansion factors for indigenous and planted forests of the Mozambique highlands

Secondary Miombo woodlands and forest plantations occupy increasing areas in Mozambique, the former due to anthropogenic activities. Plantations, mainly species of Eucalyptus and Pinus, are being established on sites previously covered by secondary Miombo woodlands. This affects the evolution, cycle and spatiotemporal patterns of carbon(C) storage and stocks in forest ecosystems. The estimation of C storage, which is indispensable for formulating climate change policies on sequestrating CO_2, requires tools such as biomass models and biomass conversion and expansion factors(BCEF). In Mozambique, these tools are needed for both indigenous forests and plantations. The objective of this study is to fit species-specific allometric biomass models and BCEF for exotic and indigenous tree species. To incorporate efficient inter-species variability, biomass equations were fitted using nonlinear mixed-effects models. All tree component biomass models had good predictability; however, better predictive accuracy and ability was observed for the 2-predictors biomass model with tree height as a second predictor. The majority of the variability in BCEF was explained by the variation in tree species. Miombo species had larger crown biomass per unit of stem diameter and stored larger amounts of biomass per stem volume. However, due to relatively rapid growth, larger stem diameters, heights, and stand density, the plantations stored more biomass per tree and per unit area.     

Biomass production and allometric above- and below-ground relations for young birch stands planted at four spacings on abandoned farmland

The objective of the study was to quantify above- and below-stumpbiomass of silver (Betula pendula Roth) and downy (Betula pubescensEhrh.) birches planted at four spacing intervals and growingon two soil types on an area of farmland. The 12-year-old bircheshad been grown at four spacings (1.3, 1.5, 1.8 and 2.6 m) ontwo sites: one on medium clay soil and the other on fine sandsoil. The dry weight of the stem, branches, leaves, stumps androots was estimated by drying and weighing sub-samples. Theprojected leaf area (PLA) m^–2 of trees, leaf area indexof stands and basic density (kg m^–3)of stems were alsoestimated. A significant greater dry weight of stem, branches,stump and roots and species and spacing for pendula birch werefound. The root length of silver birch was significantly greaterthan that for downy birch and for both species the root lengthwas greatest at the widest spacing (2.6 m). There was also asignificant difference between leaf weights of birch of thesame species growing on the two soil types. Significant differenceswere also found between PLA and species, and for both species,between PLA spacing. Basic density of stems was significantlydifferent between soil types. Equations for estimating the above-groundbiomass and root biomass from diameter at breast height weredeveloped for birches growing on fine sand and on medium claysoils. The total biomass production per hectare on fine sandwas higher for silver birch (19.9–65.9 tonnes ha^–1),than for downy birch (13.0–48.3 tonnes ha^–1). Onmedium clay soil, total biomass production for silver and downybirches was 30.8–52.8 and 16.8–42.8 tonnes ha^–1,respectively.     

杂交榛子主栽品种授粉花柱的荧光显微观察与亲和性分析

以5个杂交榛子主栽品种为试材,进行花粉活力测定及自花和异花授粉后花柱的荧光显微观察。结果表明：1-21的花粉活力最高,异花授粉亲和力最强,最适合做授粉品种。     

Comparison between empirical and theoretical biomass allometric models and statistical implications for stem volume predictions

Comparisons between empirical and theoretical allometric modelsfor estimating tree biomass and the statistical caveats attachedto empirical stem volume equations are presented in this paper.First, the elastic and stress similarity models, derived fromfirst biomechanical principles, as well as predictions obtainedfrom geometric similitude, were validated against allometricequations that relate dry above-ground tree biomass M to stemdiameter D. In addition, a recent geometric model which predictsthat M D^8/3 was also validated against a pooled dataset whichconsisted of 764 M-D pairs compiled from empirical studies conductedthroughout the globe and for several tree species. Moreover,59 empirical equations which relate M to D were selected froma European database to validate the aforementioned theoreticalmodels. The analysis indicated that the biomechanical and thegeometric models failed to describe the shape in M-D allometryfor the empirical datasets. Finally, the multicollinearity problem,which is directly related to the reliability of the predictions,was analysed for stem volume equations (V). In total, 23 empiricalmodels based on the six-parameter formula V = a + bD + cD² +dD³ + eH + fD²H were used in order to pinpoint the dependencybetween the parameters. It is illustrated that parameters a,b and c are highly related to each other, and parameter e isalso related to parameter f. It is concluded that the interrelationshipbetween D and stem height (H) could be one of the reasons forthis dependency and scepticism should be placed in the reliabilityof V estimates derived from these models.     

Estimating carbon stock in secondary forests: Decisions and uncertainties associated with allometric biomass models

Secondary forests are a major terrestrial carbon sink and reliable estimates of their carbon stocks are pivotal for understanding the global carbon balance and initiatives to mitigate CO₂ emissions through forest management and reforestation. A common method to quantify carbon stocks in forests is the use of allometric regression models to convert forest inventory data to estimates of aboveground biomass (AGB). The use of allometric models implies decisions on the selection of extant models or the development of a local model, the predictor variables included in the selected model, and the number of trees and species for destructive biomass measurements. We assess uncertainties associated with these decisions using data from 94 secondary forest plots in central Panama and 244 harvested trees belonging to 26 locally abundant species. AGB estimates from species-specific models were used to assess relative errors of estimates from multispecies models. To reduce uncertainty in the estimation of plot AGB, including wood specific gravity (WSG) in the model was more important than the number of trees used for model fitting. However, decreasing the number of trees increased uncertainty of landscape-level AGB estimates substantially, while including WSG had limited effects on the accuracy of the landscape-level estimates. Predictions of stand and landscape AGB varied strongly among models, making model choice an important source of uncertainty. Local models provided more accurate AGB estimates than foreign models, but high variability in carbon stocks across the landscape implies that developing local models is only justified when landscape sampling is sufficiently intensive.     

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]     

血水草营养元素含量及贮量特征研究

采用样方法和取样法,对血水草的生物量、土壤营养元素含量、植株各器官营养元素含量及贮量特征进行了研究.结果表明:血水草生物量为1 744.70 g·kg-1,以地下根系生物量最高,占总生物量的73.3％.血水草生长的土壤呈酸性,pH为5.53,有机质含量为52.74 g·kg-1,N 2.67 g·kg-1,P0.66 g·kg-1,K5.68 g·kg-1,Ca和Mg分别为1.73 g·kg-1和7.78 g·kg-1.血水草体内有机营养成分中,总糖含量为46.59 g·kg-1,蛋白质为291.17 g·kg-1,脂肪37.74 g·kg-1,纤维素303.58 g·kg-1;矿质营养元素含量中,N 36.08 g·kg-1,P 1.33 g·kg-1,K 29.89 g·kg-1,Ca 15.13 g·kg-1,Mg 7.80 g·kg-1,S 2.88 g·kg-1.营养元素总贮量为106.99 kg·hm-2,其中叶贮量占23.0％、茎占14.0％、根占63.0％.研究结果,可为进一步深入地研究血水草的生态功能,评价血水草的经济、社会和生态效益,科学保护和利用血水草资源,提供科学依据.     

海岸防风林中山杉木材生长特性

研究了20年生海岸防风林中山杉302木材的生长特性,结果表明,单株平均材积为0.359 m3.生长轮平均宽度为8.12 mm,其径向变异为由髓心向外先增加后减小,随后趋于稳定.冬季休眠期立木生材含水率平均值为153.61%;其径向变异为由髓心向外逐渐减小,至边材向心材转化前1～2年,达到最低值,为59.44%;随后生材含水率逐渐增加,至树皮附近的2～3年趋于稳定.心材平均含水率是179.46%.边材平均含水率是127.79%.基本密度的径向变异为自髓心向外以抛物线状增加,基本密度与生长轮龄具有Y=-0.000 4x2+0.009 7x+0.323 2的相关关系.     

基于叶重的桉树单叶面积估计模型

叶面积是树木生长模型和树木的生理过程的一个重要参数。根据叶重量估计叶面积。本文以我国南方主要树种桉树为对象,实测了从25株桉树上摘取的455片桉树叶子的重量和面积,分别建立了基于叶鲜重的嫩叶与成熟叶单叶面积预测模型。其中80％的数据用于建模,20％的数据用于模型验证。基于模型拟合效果、误差和残差分布,确定了成熟叶和嫩叶的叶面积模型分别为幂函数和线性方程。经检验,模型精度均达95%以上。建立的模型为估计单叶面积提供了一个简单可靠的方法,并且在桉树的结构-功能模型研究中有应用潜力。     

Development of allometric leaf area models for intensively managed black walnut (Juglans nigra L.)

? Introduction

Intensive plantation management of high-value hardwoods, such as black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), is focused on maximizing both stem form and growth at the stand and tree level. While significant research has focused on genetic improvement in black walnut, little is known about the production ecology of this species in plantation settings.

? Objectives

The aim of this study is to assess the applicability of nondestructive projected leaf area (PLA) estimation based on the pipe model theory in three single-aged J. nigra plantations representing discrete age classes ranging from 3 to 27?years of age.

? Results

Branch-level PLA was modeled as a function of branch basal cross-sectional area (R ²?=?0.875). Six nondestructive tree-level PLA models were assessed, with four models yielding R ²?>?0.90. Tree-level models performed well across age classes, with model fits comparable to previous studies in coniferous species.

? Conclusion

This study demonstrates that allometric approaches to modeling leaf area distribution in hardwoods are feasible, but future efforts may need to use different sampling approaches and/or quantify variables that have not been significant in conifers. This study represents an important first step into more quantitative analysis of production ecology of deciduous species in the CHFR of the USA.     

Needle longevity, photosynthetic rate and nitrogen concentration of eight spruce taxa planted in northern Japan

Growth characteristics of Picea glehnii Masters, P. jezoensis (Sieb. et Zucc) Carr., P. jezoensis var. hondoensis (Mayr) Rehder and P. shirasawae Hayashi from Japan, P. abies (L.) Karst. from Europe and P. glauca Voss, P. mariana Britt., Sterns and Pogg. and P. rubens Sarg. from North America were compared. The trees were grown in similar conditions at the Tomakomai Experimental Forest of Hokkaido University in northern Japan. Tree growth, needle biomass, longevity, photosynthetic rate, nitrogen concentration and specific leaf area (SLA) were measured, and photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency was calculated. Picea jezoensis, P. jezoensis var. hondoensis, P. abies and P. glauca had high growth rates, high photosynthetic rates in young needles, high needle nitrogen concentrations and short needle life spans. In contrast, P. glehnii, P. shirasawae, P. mariana and P. rubens had low growth and photosynthetic rates, low needle nitrogen concentrations, long needle life spans and maintained a high photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency in older needles. Examination of relationships between several growth parameters of the eight taxa revealed positive correlations between SLA and mass-based photosynthetic rate and between SLA and mass-based nitrogen concentration, whereas mass-based photosynthetic rate and mass-based nitrogen concentration were negatively correlated with needle longevity. The species differed greatly in growth characteristics despite being grown in similar conditions.     

桉树速生丰产栽培技术研究

根据桉树的生物学和生态学特性，结合泉州市多年来开展桉树引种试验结果，总结提出：适地适树、宜适种源；定向培育、合理密植；防治白蚁、栽前防治；细致整地、配施基肥；品系混造、精心栽植；除草抚育、追施肥料；间伐抚育、提高产量；道路设置、集约经营；森林防火、以防为主；二代更新、人工促进；实施标准、确保丰产等桉树速生丰产配套技术措施，以供大面积营造桉树提供参考。     

Carabid species responses to hybrid poplar plantations in floodplains in France

Hybrid poplar plantations have become an important component of forest and agricultural landscapes in alluvial floodplains since poplars are among the fastest-growing trees in temperate regions. However, these habitats are thought to decrease biodiversity, including ground beetle diversity, as compared to other traditional land-uses such as grasslands and semi-natural forests. To evaluate the impacts of poplar plantations on carabid diversity, we tested whether carabid assemblages are more affected by land-use type than by canopy cover type in three alluvial floodplains in North-Eastern France. We stratified our 63-plot sampling design according to four habitat types based on land-use and plantation age. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed a successional gradient in species composition related to canopy cover progressing from grasslands through young, then adult poplar plantations, to semi-natural forests. Species-level response models showed that many carabid species distinguished the open habitats (grasslands and young poplar plantations) from the closed ones (adult poplar plantations and semi-natural forests). Only a few species preferred one of the traditional land-uses such as grasslands or semi-natural forests. Based on our data, the deleterious effect of poplar plantations on the conservation of ground beetles may not be as high as expected.     

桉树爬树修枝机的设计与测试

为了实现快速修枝,结合桉树的通直度较其他林木高的特点,设计一种以两个对置分布的驱动轮作为攀爬驱动机构,从而使自身可以沿着树干直接往上爬升的爬树修枝机.该爬树修枝机主要由攀爬装置和修枝装置组成.对攀爬装置进行动力学分析,确定了驱动轮与树干之间的摩擦系数和攀爬装置夹紧力所要满足的关系式;根据滑切切割可降低切割阻力的原理,对...     

Critical RGC-Expected Survival models for predicting Survival of planted white fir (Abies concolor Lindl.) seedlings

Heretofore, only regression models using average RGC as the independent variable were available to predict the survival of planted seedlings. Now, however, Critical RGC-Expected Survival models are available. Each model predicts the survival of a population on sites with the same Critical RGC as specified by the model. Survival is predicted to equal the percent of the seedlings in the population that have RGCs that Critical RGC. These models are validated by a chi-square goodness of fit test which determines the probability that the survival predictions made by a model agree with the survivals observed on a planting site. In validating a model, the harshness of the planting site is also quantified in terms of its Critical RGC. In this paper, three Critical RGC-Expected Survival models are validated, demonstrating that RGC controls survival on both harsh and gentle sites. On the harsher sites, the Critical RGC for survival was 40 cm; whereas on the gentler sites, it was 20 cm.     

Generalized allometric volume and biomass equations for some tree species in Europe

Since biomass is one of the key variables in ecosystem studies, widespread effort has aimed to facilitating its estimation. Numerous stand-specific volume and biomass equations are available, but these cannot be used for scaling up biomass to the regional level where several age-classes and structural types of stands coexist. Therefore simplified generalized volume and biomass equations are needed. In the present study, generalized biomass and volume regression equations were developed for the main tree species in Europe. These equations were based on data compiled from several published studies and are syntheses of the published equations. The results show that these generalized equations explain 64–99% of the variation in values predicted by the original published equations, with higher values for stem than for crown components.