活化风蚀坑沙障固沙技术及植被恢复

风蚀坑活化形成的流动沙地直接危害草场,使土地逐渐丧失生产力。结合风蚀坑内风速变化特征,采取风蚀坑及边坡、风蚀坑积沙区沙障固沙技术,恢复风蚀坑植被。结果表明:风蚀坑及边坡设置黄柳沙障3 a,植被覆盖率达到27.0%,植物种为7种;PE纱网沙障植被覆盖率为31.0%,植物种为11种;PLA沙障植被覆盖率达到15.6%,植物种为4种;黄柳+PE复合沙障植被覆盖率达到75.3%,植物种为6种,而对照植被覆盖率为1.6%,植物种2种。在风蚀坑积沙区,设置沙障3 a后,PE纱网沙障植物种达到10种,黄柳+PE沙障为8种,PLA沙障为4种,黄柳沙障6种,而对照为1种;植被覆盖率分别达到50.3%、50.7%、22.7%、40.0%,而对照为4.0%。采取网格或带状PE沙障,带状黄柳+带状PE沙障对风蚀坑植被恢复具有良好效果。     

浑善达克沙地固定沙丘活化风蚀坑治理技术

针对浑善达克沙地固定沙丘活化风蚀坑风沙危害特征,结合风蚀坑不同部位或立地条件,采取沙障+植物固沙技术、植苗造林和灌木直播、人工植被和天然植被恢复等"三结合"技术措施综合治理风蚀坑流动沙地。结果表明:采用带状或网格状PE纱网沙障、黄柳沙障、PLA沙障以及黄柳+PE纱网复合沙障,对风蚀积沙控制、植物种和植被盖度增加以及植被恢复具有良好效果。和未设置沙障相比,黄柳+PE纱网复合沙障减少风蚀效果最大,其次分别为纱网沙障、黄柳沙障、PLA沙障,且网格沙障好于带状沙障。黄柳+PE纱网复合沙障植被覆盖度由设置前的4. 67%平均增加到54. 61%,带状或网格黄柳沙障植被覆盖度分别增加到15. 88%或20. 09%,带状或网格纱网沙障植被覆盖度分别增加到15. 16%或26. 64%,带状或网格PLA沙障植被覆盖度分别增加到8. 1%或9. 62%。采用沙障+植物固沙技术,人工促进和天然植被恢复相结合能够在2～3年内控制风蚀坑风沙危害,重建固沙植被。     

黄羊滩风蚀沙地地表风蚀量的研究

该文通过对黄羊滩不同类型风蚀沙地的地表风蚀的观测表明,地表风蚀量受地表植被盖度影响较大,地表风蚀量以植被盖度10%以下的沙化林草地为最大,沙化农田次之,这两者为主要沙尘来源,其风蚀沙化量远高于植被盖度10%以上的沙化林草地,是当前防沙治沙工程实施的重点。     

天然樟子松林内沙地风蚀区直播生物沙障治沙效果

在呼伦贝尔鄂温克旗锡尼河东苏木境内天然樟子松林内风蚀区,采用雨季直播杨柴生物复合沙障固沙,2年后植被取得良好恢复,并促进了沙地樟子松的天然更新,风蚀坑内杨柴高度达到46.3 cm,植被盖度为27%;平缓流动沙地杨柴高度达到62.7 cm,植被盖度为37%。另外,在风蚀坑内,不论是杨柴还是天然草本植物,都是坡中部的密度最大,长势最好;风蚀坑阳坡植被恢复好于阴坡。     

固定沙丘风蚀坑不同部位风速特征

固定沙丘活化形成的风蚀坑呈现出斑点状流沙分布,其直接的后果就是扩展为流动沙丘,导致沙地面积扩展。本文采用HOBO风速/风向自动记录仪测定了浑善达克沙地固定沙丘风蚀坑内不同部位不同高度的风速变化。结果表明,风沿着纵轴方向进入风蚀坑后,沿着坡向向上逐渐增加且高于对照(CK)位置,并且风蚀坑内50 cm以下高度范围内风速变化明显,而200 cm高处的风速相对稳定。在风蚀坑横轴方向,在风蚀坑中心线两侧各5 m范围内风速增加,且风蚀坑东北侧或阳面风速明显低于风蚀坑西南侧或阴面。在治理风蚀坑时,不仅要治理风蚀坑底面位置,同时也要治理风蚀坑阴、阳面两侧的坡面,才能有效地控制风蚀坑扩展。     

沙障对风蚀坑种子库特征的影响研究

以浑善达克沙地东南缘的风蚀坑为研究对象,通过野外取样与室内萌发试验相结合的方法,测定了风蚀坑不同类型沙障内土壤种子库种类、数量,对比分析了不同类型沙障防护风蚀坑土壤种子库特征。结果表明:沙障能够有效提高风蚀坑内土壤种子库种类与数量;透风型沙障防护的风蚀坑土壤种子库数量显著高于对照,直播沙障的最高,而不透风型沙障与对照无显著差异;风蚀坑内上部、中部土壤种子库数量最多,下部最少。     

乌兰布和沙漠梭梭—甘草人工治沙植被群落表土粒度特征研究

文章通过对乌兰布和沙漠人工植被区不同建植年份内不同植被覆盖度的梭梭(Haloxylon ammodendron)—甘草(Glycyrrhiza uralensis)植物群落的地表颗粒粒度特征的研究,探讨不同建植年份以及不同植被覆盖度群落地表土壤风蚀粗粒化差异及特征,揭示沙区梭梭—甘草群落配置模式的植被治沙效果,结果表明:①低盖度(20%)梭梭—甘草人工植被群落地表土壤粒度随建植年份增加其组分变化不显著,中高盖度(20%)梭梭—甘草人工植被群落地表土壤粒度随建植年份增加粉沙黏土组分含量显著增加。显然,中高盖度梭梭—甘草群落对沙化地表阻沙固尘能力显著,显著增强地表抗风蚀性。②土壤中细小颗粒(如黏粒、粉粒)的数量与颗粒的分形维数值呈正比关系,细小颗粒数量随分形维数值的增加而增多,同时分形维数值越大,其颗粒的平均粒径、偏度数值就会越小。     

呼伦贝尔沙地封禁保护措施成效的研究

采用封禁保护措施以减轻沙化土地的压力,依靠其自我修复能力,植物种数量明显增加,植被总盖度由原来的不足8%增加到34.3%,土壤风蚀减少了178.2%,沙埋厚度减少了186.9%,土壤的养分和有机质含量增加了17.2%~38.5%,有效的改善土壤的质地和结构,减少了沙面的无效蒸发,土壤的含水量增高,为植被的自然修复创造良好的土壤环境。     

呼伦贝尔沙地风蚀坑综合治理技术研究

在呼伦贝尔沙地鄂温克旗锡泥河东苏木亚日盖嘎查草原风蚀坑,根据本地区沙障材料成本实际情况,结合风蚀坑面积大、坡度大、治理难度大的特点,采用草方格沙障的1m×1m网格设计,6月初雨季期间,沿着沙障边缘人工点播杨柴和沙打旺,播种量4kg/667m2,混播比例杨柴∶沙打旺为3∶1。采用草方格沙障与灌草混播综合治理技术治理风蚀坑能够取得明显固沙效果。造林2a后,植被盖度明显增加,土壤理化性质明显改善,土壤风蚀减少。     

乌兰布和沙区不同下垫面的土壤风蚀特征

【目的】研究荒漠生态系统典型植被群落对近地层风沙活动的影响,揭示荒漠生态系统中不同下垫面条件的土壤风蚀特征。【方法】在乌兰布和沙区东北缘荒漠-绿洲过渡带内,选取油蒿半固定沙丘(盖度约20%)、白刺半固定沙丘(盖度约30%)、油蒿固定沙丘(盖度约40%)、白刺固定沙丘(盖度约40%)、流动沙丘(CK)5种典型下垫面,运用风蚀钎和风沙流采集系统,实时监测5种下垫面的风蚀动态,定量分析不同下垫面条件下的土壤风蚀量、风蚀物的垂向分布及粒度组成的差异性。【结果】乌兰布和沙区不同下垫面同期土壤风蚀深度为:流动沙丘油蒿半固定沙丘白刺半固定沙丘油蒿固定沙丘白刺固定沙丘,当风速达到4.1 m·s~(-1)时,流动沙丘即可观察到沙粒蠕动,当风速达5.1 m·s~(-1)时积沙仪可收集到风蚀物。油蒿半固定沙丘、白刺半固定沙丘、油蒿固定沙丘、白刺固定沙丘的风速分别达到6.3,6.5,6.8,7.9 m·s~(-1)时方可发生风蚀;5种下垫面0~100 cm垂直断面上,67.6%~90.0%的风蚀输沙均分布于30 cm高度范围之内,挟沙气流中输沙率随高度增加呈幂函数规律递减,随风速增大呈幂函数规律递增,各高度层风蚀物粒度组成呈单峰态分布,峰值处在250~100μm之间,0~20 cm高度层峰值与其余各层的峰值范围差异明显且偏向粒径趋大的方向;自下而上,极细沙的粒度构成比例呈递增趋势,中沙的粒度构成比例呈递减趋势。【结论】随着植被盖度的增加,土壤风蚀程度显著减轻,流动沙丘、半固定沙丘、固定沙丘年风蚀深度依次降低。盖度为40%的油蒿、白刺群落,其地表风蚀深度仅为流动沙丘同期风蚀深度的1.73%~1.52%,0~100 cm高度范围内的输沙率仅为流动沙丘输沙率的6.6%~5.1%。在荒漠生态系统中,植物群落主要通过覆盖地表、提高下垫面的粗糙度和拦截沙粒的运动来缓解气流对地表的侵蚀作用。因此,在防沙治沙工程实施过程中,要充分考虑和利用植被防风抗蚀的生态效应。     

Tangential and radial shrinkage variation within trees in sugi (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>) cultivars

The transverse shrinkage variation within trees was examined for five sugi cultivars. The within-tree trends of tangential shrinkage (α _T) were different by cultivar, whereas radial shrinkage (α _R) increased from pith to bark in most cultivars. The tangential/radial shrinkage ratio (α _T/α _R) decreased from pith to bark in most cultivars, because the radial variation of α _R was larger than that of α _T. The cultivars showed significant differences among cultivars in α _T, α _R, and α _T/α _R, but the difference among cultivars for α _T/α _R was smaller. The relationships between transverse shrinkage and microfi bril angle (MFA), basic density (BD), tree ring parameters, and modulus of elasticity were examined. The α _T and α _R showed positive relationships with BD, latewood percentage, latewood density, and modulus of elasticity, and negative relationships with MFA and ring width. The relationships with earlywood density were weak. Sugi exhibited variation in transverse shrinkage within stem and among cultivars, with the variation affected by MFA, density, and tree ring parameters. Part of this article was presented at the 56th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Akita, Japan, August 2006, and the 57th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Hiroshima, Japan, August 2007     

The pharmacokinetical study of plant alkaloid tetrandrine with a simple HPLC method in rabbits

A simple HPLC method was developed to quantify rabbit plasma tetrandrine (Tet) with propranolol (Pro) as internal standard. Based on the established method Tet and Pro were eluted at 7.1 and 12.0 min, respectively. It was shown that the concentration-time data of Tet fit the classical two-compartment model, no matter the drug was administered intravenously or orally to rabbits. The values of AUC_0 → ∞, clearance (Cl_0 → ∞), volume of distribution (Vd), and elimination half-life (t_1/2β) of Tet were 59861.149 ± 26962.196 μg/L ? min, 0.503 ± 0.173 L/min/kg, 179 ± 76.185 L/kg, and 283.808 ± 162.937 min for intravenous injection of 5 mg/kg, or 18986.217 ± 7462.308 μg/L ? min, 0.805 ± 0.267 L/min/kg, 110.284 ± 94.176 L/kg, and 732.919 ± 847.32 min for gavage administration of 10 mg/kg , respectively. The results indicate that Tet displays a limited absorption in intestinal tract, even though it has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile after oral or intravenous administration.     

Aboveground biomass and nitrogen in four short-rotation woody crop species growing with different water and nutrient availabilities

We quantified the effect of water and nutrient availability on aboveground biomass and nitrogen accumulation and partitioning in four species from the southeastern United States, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), slash pine (Pinus elliottii), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). The 6-year-old stands received five levels of resource input (control, irrigation with 3.05 cm water week⁻¹, irrigation + 57 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, irrigation + 85 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, and irrigation + 114 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). Irrigation significantly increased foliage, stem, and branch biomass for sweetgum and sycamore, culminating in 103% and 238% increases in total aboveground biomass. Fertilization significantly increased aboveground components for all species resulting in 49, 58, 281, and 132% increases in total aboveground biomass for loblolly pine, slash pine, sweetgum, and sycamore, respectively. Standing total aboveground biomass of the fertilized treatments reached 79, 59, 48, and 54 Mg ha⁻¹ for loblolly pine, slash pine, sweetgum, and sycamore, respectively. Fertilization increased foliar nitrogen concentration for loblolly pine, sweetgum, and sycamore foliage. Irrigation increased total stand nitrogen content by 6, 14, 93, and 161% for loblolly pine, slash pine, sweetgum, and sycamore, respectively. Fertilization increased total nitrogen content by 62, 53, 172, and 69% with maximum nitrogen contents of 267, 212, 237, and 203 kg ha⁻¹ for loblolly pine, slash pine, sweetgum, and sycamore, respectively. Growth efficiency (stem growth per unit of leaf biomass) and nitrogen use efficiency (stem growth per unit of foliar nitrogen content) increased for the sycamore and sweetgum, but not the loblolly or slash pine.     

Tephrosia species and provenances for improved fallows in southern Africa

Seeking an alternative to Sesbania spp. tree fallows, a Tephrosia species and provenance trial was conducted at Msekera Research Station, Chipata (Zambia) to evaluate eleven Tephrosia vogelii and three Tephrosia candida provenances. They were tested for biomass production, quality of biomass, resistance to root-knot nematodes, nitrogen release, and for their effects on soil nitrogen dynamics. At the end of 1.5 years, the T. candida provenances 02970, 02971 and 02972 from Madagascar produced two times greater amount of aboveground biomass than the T. vogelii provenances. There was little variability among the T. vogelii provenances in terms of litter and biomass production. Weed growth was significantly greater under T. vogelii than T. candida provenances. While Tephrosia vogelii provenance 98/02 from Zambia and T. candida 02972 were highly tolerant to the Meloidogyne incognita nematodes, T. vogelii provenances 02977, 98/03, 02973 from Kenya, Zambia and Malawi, respectively, were highly susceptible to the nematodes. The Tephrosia species and provenances showed a wide variability in terms of N, lignin and polyphenol concentration in their foliage. Mineralization of N in the foliage of T. candida provenances 02970 and 02971 and T. vogelii provenances 98/04 and 02974 from Malawi occurred rapidly within 14 weeks of incubation. At the end of the 2-year growth period, there was significantly greater total inorganic N under T. candida provenance 02972 (12.5 mg kg⁻¹) than T. vogelii (5 mg kg⁻¹) provenance Mungwi 98/02. Maize (Zea mays L.) yields after T. candida provenances were greater than those after T. vogelii provenances. Further testing of the most promising provenances is needed for their effects on subsequent maize yields under a range of farm conditions. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influences of forest tending works on carbon distribution and cycling in a Pinus densiflora S. et Z. stand in Korea

This study was conducted to determine carbon (C) dynamics following forest tending works (FTW) which are one of the most important forest management activities conducted by Korean forest police and managers. We measured organic C storage (above- and below-ground biomass C, forest floor C, and soil C at 50 cm depth), soil environmental factors (soil CO₂ efflux, soil temperature, soil water content, soil pH, and soil organic C concentration), and organic C input and output (litterfall and litter decomposition rates) for one year in FTW and non-FTW (control) stands of approximately 40-year-old red pine (Pinus densiflora S. et Z.) forests in the Hwangmaesan Soopkakkugi model forest in Sancheonggun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. This forest was thinned in 2005 as a representative FTW practice. The total C stored in tree biomass was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the FTW stand (40.17 Mg C ha⁻¹) than in the control stand (64.52 Mg C ha⁻¹). However, C storage of forest floor and soil layers measured at four different depths was not changed by FTW, except for that at the surface soil depth (0–10 cm). The organic C input due to litterfall and output due to needle litter decomposition were both significantly lower in the FTW stand than in the control stand (2.02 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ vs. 2.80 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 308 g C kg⁻¹ year⁻¹ vs. 364 g C kg⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively, both P < 0.05). Soil environmental factors were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by FTW, except for soil CO₂ efflux rates and organic C concentration at soil depth of 0–20 cm. The mean annual soil CO₂ efflux rates were the same in the FTW (0.24 g CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹) and control (0.24 g CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹) stands despite monthly variations of soil CO₂ efflux over the one-year study period. The mean soil organic C concentration at a soil depth of 0–20 cm was lower in the FTW stand (81.3 g kg⁻¹) than in the control stand (86.4 g kg⁻¹) but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). In contrast, the mean soil temperature was significantly higher, the mean soil water content was significantly lower, and the soil pH was significantly higher in the FTW stand than in the control stand (10.34 °C vs. 8.98 °C, 48.2% vs. 56.4%, and pH 4.83 vs. pH 4.60, respectively, all P < 0.05). These results indicated that FTW can influence tree biomass C dynamics, organic C input and output, and soil environmental factors such as soil temperature, soil water content and soil pH, while soil C dynamics such as soil CO₂ efflux rates and soil organic C concentration were little affected by FTW in a red pine stand.     

Carbon dioxide exchange of a larch forest after a typhoon disturbance

A typhoon event catastrophically destroyed a 45-year-old Japanese larch plantation in southern Hokkaido, northern Japan in September 2004, and about 90% of trees were blown down. Vegetation was measured to investigate its regeneration process and CO₂ flux, or net ecosystem production (NEP), was measured in 2006–2008 using an automated chamber system to investigate the effects of typhoon disturbance on the ecosystem carbon balance. Annual maximum aboveground biomass (AGB) increased from 2.7 Mg ha⁻¹ in 2006 to 4.0 Mg ha⁻¹ in 2007, whereas no change occurred in annual maximum leaf area index (LAI), which was 3.7 m² m⁻² in 2006 and 3.9 m² m⁻² in 2007. Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) had become dominant within 2 years after the typhoon disturbance, and came to account for about 60% and 50% of AGB and LAI, respectively. In comparison with CO₂ fluxes measured by the eddy covariance technique in 2001–2003, for 4.5 months during the growing season, the sum of gross primary production (GPP) decreased on average by 739 gC m⁻² (64%) after the disturbance, whereas ecosystem respiration (RE) decreased by 501 gC m⁻² (51%). As a result, NEP decreased from 159 ± 57 gC m⁻² to −80 ± 30 gC m⁻², which shows that the ecosystem shifted from a carbon sink to a source. Seasonal variation in RE was strongly correlated to soil temperature. The interannual variation in the seasonal trend of RE was small. Light-saturated GPP (P_max) decreased from 30–45 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ to 8–12 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ during the summer season through the disturbance because of large reduction in LAI.     

Post-fire soil respiration in relation to burnt wood management in a Mediterranean mountain ecosystem

After a wildfire, the management of burnt wood may determine microclimatic conditions and microbiological activity with the potential to affect soil respiration. To experimentally analyze the effect on soil respiration, we manipulated a recently burned pine forest in a Mediterranean mountain (Sierra Nevada National and Natural Park, SE Spain). Three representative treatments of post-fire burnt wood management were established at two elevations: (1) “salvage logging” (SL), where all trees were cut, trunks removed, and branches chipped; (2) “non-intervention” (NI), leaving all burnt trees standing; and (3) “cut plus lopping” (CL), a treatment where burnt trees were felled, with the main branches lopped off, but left in situ partially covering the ground surface. Seasonal measurements were carried out over the course of two years. In addition, we performed continuous diurnal campaigns and an irrigation experiment to ascertain the roles of soil temperature and moisture in determining CO₂ fluxes across treatments. Soil CO₂ fluxes were highest in CL (average of 3.34 ± 0.19 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and the lowest in SL (2.21 ± 0.11 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Across seasons, basal values were registered during summer (average of 1.46 ± 0.04 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), but increased during the humid seasons (up to 10.07 ± 1.08 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in spring in CL). Seasonal and treatment patterns were consistent at the two elevations (1477 and 2317 m a.s.l.), although respiration was half as high at the higher altitude.Respiration was mainly controlled by soil moisture. Watering during the summer drought boosted CO₂ effluxes (up to 37 ± 6 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ just after water addition), which then decreased to basal values as the soil dried. About 64% of CO₂ emissions during the first 24 h could be attributed to the degasification of soil pores, with the rest likely related to biological processes. The patterns of CO₂ effluxes under experimental watering were similar to the seasonal tendencies, with the highest pulse in CL. Temperature, however, had a weak effect on soil respiration, with Q₁₀ values of ca. 1 across seasons and soil moisture conditions. These results represent a first step towards illustrating the effects of post-fire burnt wood management on soil respiration, and eventually carbon sequestration.     

Dry matter partitions and specific leaf weight of soybean change with tree competition in an intercropping system

In 2004 and 2005, the yield, leaf area, dry weight and dry weight partitions of soybeans were determined at the Agroforestry Research Site (ARS) (est. 1987, Ontario, Canada). Soybean was intercropped with poplar (Populus deltoides x nigra DN-177 L., 556 m³crown tree⁻¹), silver maple (Acer saccharinum L., 308 m³), black walnut (Juglans nigra L., 148 m³) and pecan (Carya illinoensis Wangenh., 114 m³), or grown alone (monoculture). Yield of soybean was not different in either year between the monoculture and the black walnut or pecan intercrops. In the poplar and silver maple treatments, yield was 66 and 85% (2004 and 2005) lower than in the monoculture. Despite the fact that different tree species were used, there was a significant negative linear regression between yield and tree crown volume (R ² = 0.76, P = 0.0049 and R ² = 0.93, P < 0.0001 in 2004 and 2005, respectively). With increasing tree crown volume, soybean tended to partition more dry matter to the photosynthetic and reproductive parts and less to structural tissue and petiole. This demonstrates the phenotypic flexibility of the crop component in agroforestry systems. Contrary to theoretical predictions, soybean leaves were thicker as shade increased (increase by 6.2 × 10⁻⁴–1.2 × 10⁻³ mg cm⁻², per unit of crown volume), pointing to competitive interactions specific to tree-based intercrops.     

Effects of seed water content and storage temperature on the germination parameters of white spruce, black spruce and lodgepole pine seed

The effect of seed water content (WC) (2–3, 5–6 and 22–25%, on a fresh weight basis), storage temperature (+4, −20, −80 and −196°C) and storage duration (6, 12, 24, 48 and 60 months) on the germination of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) seed was investigated. Germination of white spruce control (untreated) seeds and seeds adjusted to 2–3% and 5–6% WC declined after 48 months of storage at −80 and −196°C, with a further decline at 60 months at −20, −80, −196°C. Germination remained high when control white spruce seeds and seeds with 2–3, 5–6% WC were stored at +4°C, over all storage durations. Generally, black spruce and lodgepole pine exhibited high germination at all storage temperatures at 2–3% and 5–6% WC as well as the control (untreated) seed, for up to 60 months in storage. Germination declined for all three species when seed was conditioned to 22–25% WC. This loss in germination was partially recovered in white spruce seed stored at +4, −20 and −80°C after storage durations of 24, 12 and 48 months, respectively, and in black spruce seeds stored at −20 and −196°C after storage durations of 24 months. Mean germination time (MGT) was relatively constant for all species, under all conditions, except for seed conditioned to 22–25% WC, where MGT increased for white spruce seed stored 48 months at −80 and −196°C, and for black spruce seed stored 24 months at +4 and −80°C and 60 months at −196°C. These results show that the optimal storage temperatures are 4°C for white spruce, and 4, −20, −80, and −196°C for black spruce and lodgepole pine, and 2–6% water content is optimal for all 3 species at these temperatures.     

Reaction behavior of lignin in supercritical methanol as studied with lignin model compounds

 The reaction behavior and kinetics of lignin model compounds were studied in supercritical methanol with a batch-type supercritical biomass conversion system. Guaiacol, veratrole, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, and 1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene were used as model compounds for aromatic rings in lignin. In addition, 5-5, β-1, β-O-4, and α-O-4 types of dimeric lignin model compounds were used as representatives of linkages in lignin. As a result, aromatic rings and 5-5 (biphenyl)-type structures were stable in supercritical methanol, and the β-1 linkage was not cleaved in the β-1-type structure but converted rapidly to stilbene. On the other hand, β-ether and α-ether linkages of β-O-4 and α-O-4 lignin model compounds were cleaved rapidly, and these compounds decomposed to some monomeric compounds. Phenolic compounds were found to be more reactive than nonphenolic compounds. These results indicate that cleavages of ether linkages mainly contribute to the depolymerization of lignin, whereas condensed linkages such as the 5-5 and β-1 types are not cleaved in supercritical methanol. Therefore, it is suggested that the supercritical methanol treatment effectively depolymerizes lignin into the lower-molecular-weight products as a methanol-soluble portion mainly by cleavage of the β-ether structure, which is the dominant linkage in lignin. Received: December 19, 2001 / Accepted: April 30, 2002 Acknowledgments This research has been done under the research program for the development of technologies for establishing an ecosystem based on recycling in rural villages for the twenty-first century from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan; by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(2) (no.12460144, 2001.4–2003.3) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan; and under the research program from Kansai Research Foundation for Technology Promotion, Japan. The authors thank them for their financial support. This study was presented in part at the 45th Lignin Symposium, Ehime, Japan, October 2000 and the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, Japan, April 2002 Correspondence to:S. Saka