Growth responses of subalpine fir (Abies fargesii) to climate variability in the Qinling Mountain, China

Dendroecological techniques have been employed to investigate the relationship between subalpine fir (Abies fargesii) growth and climatic variability throughout its elevational range on both south and north aspects in the Qinling Mountain of Shaanxi Province, China. Correlation analyses indicate that early spring and summer temperatures are the principal factors limiting its growth in the low- and middle-elevation distributional areas. In the high-elevation areas, it is the summer precipitation that affects A. fargesii radial growth. The previous year August and November temperatures show positive correlation with the radial growth in the low- and middle-elevation distributional areas of the south aspect, and in the high-elevation areas, precipitation in previous November has significantly negative influences on the radial growth. The previous year's temperature and precipitation have no significant effects on the radial growth of the fir trees in the north aspect. Thus, the growth of the subalpine A. fargesii responds differently to climatic conditions along the elevational gradient and in different aspects.     

楸树与滇楸种间杂交的初步研究

采用常规杂交方法,开展楸树与滇楸种间杂交育种,对结实率、果实性状、千粒质量、有胚率、发芽性状及1年生株高、胸径等数据进行统计分析。结果表明:父本对结实率的影响不显著,母本对结实率影响显著;父本对果实性状的影响均不显著,母本对果实长度的影响显著;父母本对千粒质量的影响均不显著;父母本对有胚率、发芽势、发芽率的影响显著或极显著。不同杂交组合间株高和胸径存在极显著差异,杂交组合8-12×滇3表现最好,其株高为2.09 m,胸径达到1.38 cm,杂交组合8-13×滇2和5-8×滇2表现也较好,依据株高、胸径进行苗期早期选择的潜力较大;表现最差的组合是8-14×滇2,株高1.69 m,胸径1.00 cm。     

Roles of seed and pollen dispersal in natural regeneration of Castanopsis fargesii (Fagaceae): Implications for forest management

Natural regeneration is an important process to reverse the loss of forests. Understanding the process of natural regeneration is crucial for achieving sustainable forest management. In this study, we examined the effects of seed and pollen dispersal in naturally regenerated populations of Castanopsis fargesii. Genetic variation in six populations along two successional series (three successional stages in each series: early, pre-climax, and climax) was assayed using RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers. High genetic variability was observed as measured with Shannon's information index. A majority of genetic variation was distributed within populations (Φ_st = 0.1271) and significant isolation by distance existed among populations. A contrasting pattern of genetic variation along these two series was observed, representing different scenarios of natural regeneration processes. The ratio of the number of migrants between the mature populations to the number of migrants from the mature to immature populations was estimated as 1.146 ± 0.099 to 1.981 ± 0.164, implying that comparable seed and pollen dispersal might exist at a fine spatial scale (∼2 km²). The results suggest the critical role of seed dispersal in shaping genetic composition and diversity in the second-growth forests. Barriers to seed dispersal from a variety of genetic sources could result in low genetic diversity in naturally regenerated populations. Management that facilitates the connectivity of newly regenerated stands with mature forests could be effective for natural regeneration given the predominant role of short-distance dispersal of seeds in this species.     

Spatial distribution of regeneration in West-Carpathian uneven-aged silver fir forests

The objective of our study was to examine whether distribution of regeneration in uneven-aged fir (Abies alba Mill.) forests is related to the spatial pattern of trees. In 12 sample plots of size 0.45–1.00 ha (in total 8.65 ha, with stand basal areas ranging from 27.6 m² ha^–1 to 39.5 m² ha^–1), all live and dead trees above 5 cm in d_1.3 were mapped and their diameters measured. In eight plots, all live and dead fir saplings were mapped. In three plots, the number of live fir saplings and seedlings was registered on small systematically distributed circular plots. The values of an analytically developed index of stand influence were compared in patches occupied and unoccupied by live or dead fir regeneration. Contrary to preliminary assumptions, only in a few cases did saplings and trees 5–15 cm in d_1.3 appear more often in gaps and looser stand patches. Rather, in many plots, the opposite tendency was observed. The seedling density showed a weak but positive correlation with the index of influence. If the spatial pattern of regeneration reflects the spatially varying mortality of juvenile trees, then no evidence was found that stand competition was the most important factor inducing this mortality. On the contrary, on the basis of the results obtained, we can presume that the survival rate of juvenile firs was higher in patches with a relatively higher local basal area. Thus, it was hypothesised that, first, dispersion of regeneration in uneven-aged fir forests is controlled by easy-to-change edaphic factors such as humus form and acidity of the upper soil horizons, and second, that these soil features are linked with the spatial pattern of trees.     

Comparing aboveground carbon sequestration between moso bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla) and China fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) forests based on the allometric model

The purpose of this study was to compare carbon sequestration between moso bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla) and China fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) forests. The study site was located in the lower mountain area of central Taiwan, where both moso bamboo and China fir were rich. In addition, moso bamboo and China fir forests were surveyed on 12 and 19 plantations, respectively. We predicted carbon sequestration based on the allometric model for moso bamboo and China fir forests and compared the relationships between characteristics of bamboo forests and elevation. The results showed that mean diameter at breast height (DBH), culms per hectare and aboveground biomass were not clearly affected by elevation, whereas a negative correlation (R = −0.600, p = 0.039) between mean DBH and stand density was found for moso bamboo forests. Moreover, the aboveground carbon storage was higher for China fir forests than for moso bamboo (99.5 vs. 40.6 Mg ha⁻¹). However, moso bamboo is an uneven-aged stand which is only composed of 1-5-year-old culms, while China fir is an even-aged stand and the age range is from 15 to 54 years, such that, per year, the mean aboveground carbon sequestration is 8.13 ± 2.15 and 3.35 ± 2.02 Mg ha⁻¹ for moso bamboo and China fir, respectively. On the other hand, the mean carbon sequestration of China fir decreases with increasing the age class. Furthermore, the ratio of moso bamboo to China fir is 2.39 and a T-test showed that the aboveground carbon levels were significantly different between these two species; thus, moso bamboo is a species with high potential for carbon sequestration.     

秦岭西段锐齿栎群落林木个体大小分布特征及物种多样性

对秦岭西段小陇山林区腹地和林缘区的锐齿栎群落的大小分布和多样性进行了分析,结果表明:林区腹地分布区锐齿栎群落的个体较多,锐齿栎成年林木树高频度分布的峰值出现在7 - 19 m间,占总数的73.54%, 3 m以下的幼苗幼树占总数的18.43%,锐齿栎幼苗的萌发受中成林木、灌木的影响较大。在林缘分布区内,小于3 m以下的幼苗幼树与林区腹地分布相类似,但3 m以上各树高阶的数量都很少,特别是成熟林木较少,群落处于不稳定状态。林区腹地锐齿栎群落不同层次的物种组成丰富,物种数均高于林缘区,林区腹地锐齿栎群落多样性灌木层>草本层>乔木层,林缘区锐齿栎群落多样性草本层>灌木层>乔木层。     

Forest management conditioning ground ant community structure and composition in temperate conifer forests in the Pyrenees Mountains

The search for indicators to monitor management impact on biodiversity is a crucial question because management practices promote changes in community structure and composition of different animal groups. This study explores the effect of widely conducted management practices (forest logging and livestock) in Pinus uncinata forests in the Pyrenees range (NE Spain) on the structure and composition of ground ant communities compared to those of old-growth stands. Forest structure clearly differed in stands with different forest managements. These stands managed for different uses also showed marked differences in structure and composition of ground ant communities. There was a great dominance of a single species, Formica lugubris, which accounted for 99% of ants collected in pitfall traps. Rarefaction curves indicated that species richness was highest in old-growth stands and lowest in even-aged ones, with woodland pasture stands showing an intermediate value. Classification methods allowed us to identify two groups of species: six species related to old-growth plots and three species (including F. lugubris) associated to managed stands. Habitat structure played an important role in determining the structure of ant communities: forests with high tree density but low basal area were the most favourable forest type for F. lugubris, while the abundance of the remaining ant species was negatively affected by the abundance of F. lugubris and by tree cover.     

Canopy gaps and regeneration in old-growth Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands, northern Iran

Virgin beech Fagus orientalis forests in northern Iran provide a unique opportunity to study the disturbance regimes of forest ecosystems without human influence. The aim of this research was to describe characteristics of natural canopy gaps and gap area fraction as an environmental influence on the success of beech seedling establishment in mature beech stands. All canopy gaps and related forest parameters were measured within three 25 ha areas within the Gorazbon compartment of the University of Tehran’s Kheyrud Experimental Forest. An average of 3 gaps/ha occurred in the forest and gap sizes ranged from 19 to 1250 m² in size. The most frequent (58%) canopy gaps were <200 m². In total, canopy gaps covered 9.3% of the forest area. Gaps <400 m² in size were irregular in shape, but larger gaps did not differ significantly in shape from a circle. Most gaps (41%) were formed by a single tree-fall event and beech made up 63% of gap makers and 93% of gap fillers. Frequency and diversity of tree seedlings were not significantly correlated with gap size. The minimum gap size that contained at least one beech gap-filling sapling (<1.3 m tall) was 23.7 m². The median gap size containing at least one beech gap-filling sapling was 206 m² and the maximum size was 1808 m². The management implications from our study suggest that the creation of small and medium sized gaps in mixed beech forest should mimic natural disturbance regimes and provide suitable conditions for successful beech regeneration.     

Sap flow measurements reveal influence of temperature and stand structure on water use of Eucalyptus regnans forests

We examined water use by maturing Eucalyptus regnans, growing with or without an mid-storey stratum of Acacia spp. (Acacia dealbata or A. melanoxylon), for >180 consecutive days. Study sites were located in the Upper Yarra catchment area in south-eastern Australia. Depending on their contribution to stand basal area, mid-storey Acacia spp. increased total stand water use by up to 30%. Monthly water use in such stands reached more than 640,000 L ha⁻¹ (compared to 545,000 L ha⁻¹ in stands where acacias were absent) in early spring. Water use was curvilinearly related to sapwood area of Acacia spp. and logistically related to sapwood area of E. regnans. Water use of all three species showed a strong relation to daily maximum air temperatures. Distinct and simple relationships provide clear guides to the likely impacts of climate change and forest management on water yield. We compared a traditional up-scaling approach, from individual tree water use to stand water use, to a new approach that incorporates variation in temperature. Development of this approach can lead to greater precision of stand water use estimates – and in turn catchment water yield – under current climate change scenarios, which predict a rise in air temperatures of 0.6–2.5 °C by 2050 for the study area. Our temperature-dependent approach suggests that under conditions of non-limiting water availability, stand water use will rise by 2% for every 0.25 °C increase in maximum air temperatures during winter, and possibly more than that during summer.     

Synergistic effects of past historical logging and drought on the decline of Pyrenean silver fir forests

The causal factors and effects of forest declines are not well understood in temperate conifer forests. Most studies have focused on climatic and environmental stressors and have obviated the potential role of historical forest management as a predisposing factor of decline. Here, we assess if the recent silver fir (Abies alba) decline observed in the Spanish Pyrenees was predisposed by historical logging and incited by warming-induced drought stress. We analysed a dataset of environmental, structural, and historical variables at the tree and stand level including 32 sites with contrasting degrees of defoliation distributed over 5600 km². We followed a dendroecological approach to reconstruct historical logging and to infer the effects of warming-induced drought stress on growth. The silver fir decline was more severe and widespread in western low-elevation mixed forests dominated by trees of small size and slow growth. These sites were subject to higher water deficits than eastern sites, where late-summer rainfall as the key climatic variable controlling silver fir growth was higher. Declining sites showed more frequent growth releases induced by historical logging than non-declining sites. Historical logging and warming-induced drought acted as long-term predisposing and short-term inciting factors of silver fir decline in the Pyrenees, respectively. We suggest that biomass increases caused by past intense logging affected the vulnerability of silver fir against late-summer water deficit. Future research in declining temperate conifer forests should consider the interacting role of predisposing historical management and inducing climatic stressors such as droughts.     

Tree rings indicate different drought resistance of a native (Abies alba Mill.) and a nonnative (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) species co-occurring at a dry site in Southern Italy

Climate changes induced by the anthropogenic alteration of the atmospheric radiative balance are expected to change the productivity and composition of forest ecosystems. In Europe, the Mediterranean is considered one of the most vulnerable regions according to climatic forecasts and simulations. However, although modifications in the inter-specific competition are envisaged, we still lack a clear understanding of the ability of the Mediterranean vegetation to adapt to climate changes. We investigated how two co-occurring tree species commonly used in afforestation programmes, the native Abies alba Mill. and the nonnative Picea abies L. Karst., adapt to climate change by assessing their growth performance and physiological responses in relation to past climate variability. Growth was addressed by analysing tree-ring width and carbon and oxygen stable isotopes. Statistical relationships between isotopic value and monthly climate data suggest that the two species underwent ecophysiological adaptation to Mediterranean climatic constraints. These adaptations are also expressed in the ring-width data. Based on the carbon isotope ratio reflecting the stomatal response to drought, we found that the precipitation in the first period of the growing season, i.e. early spring, is a major factor influencing the annual growth of A. alba, which although native, proved to be sensitive to drought. P. abies, on the other hand, showed a higher tolerance to summer drought stress. These findings should help define criteria for sustainability and effective forest conservation in the Mediterranean region.     

Stand development patterns as a consequence of the mortality in Austrocedrus chilensis forests

The forests of Austrocedrus chilensis (D. Don) Pic. Sern. et Bizarri in Argentina suffer decline and mortality throughout their natural distribution known as ‘mal del ciprés’. While several aspects of this, to date, temporally unpredictable process of overstory tree mortality have been the focus of detailed studies, there has been little research on tree growth and stand dynamics in symptomatic forests nor stand development patterns and prediction of future stand structure. We studied 12 stands in northern Patagonia (Province of Río Negro) using stand reconstruction studies to examine the changes in stand structure over time as a consequence of overstory mortality and the implications of these structural changes on the establishment and growth of the residual overstory. Dendrochronological analyses were used to reconstruct stand establishment and structure over time, and to study past diameter growth patterns. Mortality in A. chilensis forests was variable in time among stands. As expected, overstory mortality led to the successful establishment of trees in the understory in all stands; however, the response of residual overstory trees was variable. Understory establishment was low in some stands and high in others depending on the density of the overstory. While overstory trees in almost all stands released after the onset of the mortality, the pattern was not distinctive, varying in time, number and magnitude. In some stands, growth releases occurred after single or multiple tree deaths suggesting a relationship between processes, while in others this was not the case. Even when the patterns of recruitment in the understory and the overstory response varied greatly among stands, when examined together, some general patterns emerged. This study is the first to intensively explore the dynamics of A. chilensis forests affected by ‘mal del ciprés’. Additionally, this study showed that arbitrarily categorizing disturbances as discrete or chronic masks the true process of release of growing space and the resulting stand dynamics.     

祁连山北坡青海云杉中龄林结构随海拔的变化

在祁连山北坡中段的大野口流域,沿海拔梯度(2 500~3 300 m)调查了青海云杉中龄林的结构,并分海拔段(每100 m)进行统计。结果表明:1)研究区森林密度较大但树木个体较小,密度、胸径、树高和冠幅直径(平均值±SD)分别为1 550±628 株·hm^-2、13.9±6.2 cm、8.1±3.7 m和3.3±1.7 m。随海拔升高,密度降低、平均胸径和冠幅直径增加,平均树高呈"单峰"变化,峰值在海拔2 800~2 900 m。2)研究区森林的径级组成以小树(DBH: 5~12.5 cm)和中树(DBH: 12.5~22.5 cm)为主,树高(H)以6~12 m的树木为主。随海拔升高,林内幼树(DBH≤5 cm)比例基本稳定,小树比例略有下降,中树比例呈"单峰"变化,峰值在2 800~2 900 m,大树(DBH>22.5 cm)比例增加。H≤6 m的树木比例呈"V"字型变化,在海拔2 800~2 900 m最低,H为6~12 m和H>12 m的树木比例均呈"单峰"变化,峰值分别在海拔2 600~2 700 m和海拔2 800~2 900 m。3)林分高径比介于0.45~0.73,胸高断面积介于7.86~33.32 m²·hm^-2,随海拔升高两者均呈"单峰"变化,峰值在海拔2 800~2 900 m。分析表明,随海拔升高,青海云杉林的结构呈明显变化,并在中间海拔区(海拔2 800~2 900 m)达到最优。因此,分海拔区段建立森林结构与水文过程的定量关系并进行生态水文模型的参数设置十分必要。     

Interacting effects of physical environment and anthropogenic disturbances on the structure of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) forests

Most forested landscapes have been strongly influenced by humans, and hence prediction of response to future perturbations or climate change requires understanding of the interaction among human influences and the abiotic environment. Environmental and anthropogenic influences on forest structure in Larix decidua Mill. stands were investigated in two watersheds of the central Italian Alps (Valtellina, SO). We related three data sets (forest structure, anthropogenic influences, and topography) using ordination methods. Path models of correlative and causal relationships between these sets of variables were developed and used to differentiate the two watersheds with respect to levels of historical human influence. The two study areas (Musella and Ventina) were characterized by strong climatic and topographic gradients as well as a long history of human settlement, although historical intensity of agricultural activities was much greater for Musella. We hypothesized a weaker influence of abiotic variables on forest structure where the intensity of the primary human disturbance factors, forest thinning and cattle grazing, had been strongest.     

Variation in the abundance of invertebrate predators of the green spruce aphid Elatobium abietinum (Walker) (Homoptera: Aphididae) along an altitudinal transect

Green spruce aphid Elatobium abietinum (Walker) is a major defoliator of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) in north-west Europe and other parts of the world that have a mild and wet maritime climate. Periods of cold weather during the winter currently limit E. abietinum populations and the amount of damage, but as mean winter temperatures rise in response to global climate change, overwinter survival of the aphid is likely to improve and the risk of severe and more widespread defoliation will increase. Populations of E. abietinum are also influenced by mortality caused by generalist invertebrate predators, although the extent to which predation might modify the response of E. abietinum to climate change is unclear. In this study, the response of generalist predators to changes in environmental conditions and potential increases in E. abietinum populations was evaluated by sampling invertebrate predators in the canopy of Sitka spruce along an altitudinal gradient from 310 m to 610 m above sea-level. Variation in predator abundance was related to local climate and aphid numbers. Population densities of E. abietinum differed widely between altitudes, and showed different patterns in different years, but mean densities over the 3-year study were highest at mid altitudes. In contrast, the majority of invertebrate predators (coccinellid and cantharid beetles, syrphid larvae, brown lacewings, spiders and harvestmen) were most abundant at low altitudes. Their abundance was not correlated with E. abietinum densities, but coincided with the more favourable climatic conditions at low altitudes and the availability of alternative prey. The association of low population densities of E. abietinum with greater general abundance of invertebrate predators at low altitudes, where higher temperatures would have been expected to promote higher aphid populations, suggests that above a certain temperature regime generalist predators have the capacity to prevent E. abietinum responding to further increases in environmental temperatures and eventually cause mean population densities to decline. Consequently, increases in the activity and abundance of natural enemies need to be considered when predicting how E. abietinum might respond to climate change.     

Distribution and nest site selection of red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) in forests of northeastern Wisconsin (USA)

Red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) are threatened in Wisconsin and when nest sites are found during the cruising or marking stage of timber harvesting, the harvest is altered to accommodate the hawks. If nest site locations are known before initiation of timber harvest, foresters can employ a proactive approach to manage red-shouldered hawks while maintaining timber production. We searched for red-shouldered hawks nest sites on Marinette County Forest (MCF) which encompasses 94,000 ha in northeastern Wisconsin and is the second largest county forest in the state. We used a comparative modeling approach to evaluate distribution and habitat relationships of red-shouldered hawk nest sites in relation to a suite of environmental variables in MCF. Models were used to develop forest management recommendations for red-shouldered hawks in Wisconsin. During the spring of 2006 and 2007, we broadcasted conspecific calls to survey 1121 calling stations along forest roads and trails. We located 20 and 25 active nesting territories in 2006 and 2007, respectively (11 of which were active in both years). To understand nest site selection, we measured 22 habitat variables within 0.04-ha plots at active nest sites (n = 34) and at stratified random sites (n = 61). Logistic regression with information-theoretic model selection identified a model including greater tree species richness and closeness to forested wetland as the best-approximating model. Variable selection with Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) indicated that nest selection was best explained by greater number of tree species, closer distance to forested wetlands, greater volume of downed woody debris, fewer small sawlogs, and increased proximity to streams. Univariate comparisons identified four of the five aforementioned variables in the DFA model as significant. Red-shouldered hawks are likely more common in Wisconsin than their state status suggests. Forest management for red-shouldered hawk nest sites should focus on increasing tree species richness, increasing down woody debris volume, and protecting forested wetlands. These recommendations may assist property managers to locate and plan for continued persistence of this species on MCF.     

Regeneration characteristics of gaps and their effect on Abies fargesii forests in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, China

Abies fargesii is an evergreen tree species of the Pinaceae family, one of the most important cultivated timber species,     

Post-fire regeneration dynamics in whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) forests in Wind River and Absaroka Mountains,Wyoming, USA

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) populations are in decline across the species’ range due to historic wildfire exclusion, mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae, MPB) outbreaks, and an invasive...     

Successional process of Picea crassifolia forest after logging disturbance in semiarid mountains: A case study in the Qilian Mountains,northwestern China

Selective logging is the most widely employed method of commercial timber production in Asia, and its impact on forest structure, composition, and regeneration dynamics is considerable. However, the successional processes in forest communities after logging in semiarid mountains are poorly understood. To provide more information on these processes, we used data from tree rings, direct and indirect age determinations, and field measurements of stand structure to reconstruct the historical disturbance regime, stand development patterns, and successional processes in a natural Picea crassifolia forest community in the Qilian Mountains of northwestern China. The results showed that the density of P. crassifolia forest increased significantly after logging. The densities of second growth forests 30 and 70 years after logging disturbance had increased to 2874% and 294% of primary forest's density, respectively. Logging disturbance did not alter tree species composition of logged stands. However, the diversity of understory species changed significantly among the successional phases. Logging disturbance decreased the spatial heterogeneity of second growth forest. The spatial distributions of recruitment were affected by the location of the remaining trees. There was less recruitment near the remaining trees than near forest that had been cut. In addition, logging disturbance also induced a growth release for the trees on the sites sampled. Our results imply that the succession and regeneration of P. crassifolia forest may be improved if the remaining trees could be retained relative uniform distribution pattern, thinning or selective logging could be performed to height density, exotic shrubs could be removed or the shrubs cover could be reduced during the earlier successional stages.     

海南岛尖峰岭卵叶樟种群结构与分布格局动态研究

卵叶樟(Cinnamomum rigidissimum H. T. Chang)是樟科(Lauraceae)樟属(Cinnamomum Trew)植物,是第一批被列入<国家重点保护植物名录>的二级重点保护物种[1],具有重要的经济和科研价值.根据以往调查,卵叶樟在海南尖峰岭的数量较少,一般生长在海拔6001 000 m的热带山地雨林中,这与森林商业性采伐和盗伐等人为干扰活动导致森林环境变迁有关[2-3].种群是群落构成的基本单位,种群结构不仅对群落结构有直接影响,而且能客观地体现群落的发展趋势[4].研究种群空间格局及其动态可为研究森林群落演替趋势、森林生态系统可持续经营提供基础理论,其数量分析指数还可为生物多样性保护、森林可持续经营评价等提供可靠依据[5].本文通过探讨卵叶樟种群结构和分布格局及其动态的数量特征,为探讨其濒危机制及合理保护提供理论依据.