Soil water dynamics, growth of Dendrocalamus strictus and herbage productivity influenced by rainwater harvesting in Aravalli hills of Rajasthan

Degraded Aravalli hills in western India require rehabilitation through resource conservation and afforestation for meeting the biomass needs of resource-poor tribes of the region. Rainwater harvesting treatments i.e., control, Contour trench (CT), Gradonie (G), Box trench (BT) and V-ditch (VD) were prepared in <10%, 10–20% and >20% slopes categories and Dendrocalamus strictus L. seedlings were planted in August 2005 with a view to conserve soil and water and increase the productivity of the hills. Soil water content (SWC), survival and height of D. strictus plants were highest (P < 0.05) in <10% slope and all these variables decreased with increase in slope. SWC increased by 27.45% and 25.68% in <10% and >20% slopes, respectively than in 10–20% slope. From lowest in control SWC increased by 11.95%, 20.21%, 17.61% and 11.49% in CT, G, BT and VD treatments, respectively. Growth variables were highest in VD plots but the increase in shoot number was highest (2.9-fold) in CT plots. Increase in effects of rainwater harvesting with time indicated by a change in production pattern from highest (P < 0.05) fresh and dry herbage in <10% slope in 2005 to 10–20% slope (24.66% and 26.09%) in 2006 and >20% slope (42.42% and 48.35%, respectively) in 2007. The increase in herbage was 1.17–2.40-fold in fresh and 1.20–2.52-fold in dry herbage over control. Highest (P < 0.01) production was in V-ditch plots. The treatments order for herbage production was C < CT < G < BT < VD. But the production was highest in BT in <10% and in V-ditch plots in 10–20 and >20% slopes. Conclusively, soil water status is affected by natural slope, stony soil surface and rainwater harvesting structures influencing seedling growth and herbage production. Box trench and V-ditch enhanced surface soil water facilitating herbage growth, whereas contour trench facilitated deep soil water storage, which was made available to the plants after monsoon. Thus rainwater harvesting practices enhanced vegetation cover and productivity of the degraded hills and can be replicated to conserve soil resource and increase biomass for rural poor of the region.     

Comparative productivity of Prosopis cineraria and Tecomella undulata based agroforestry systems in degraded lands of Indian Desert

Tree-crop interactions were monitored by measuring tree growth characters of Prosopis cineraria L. and Tecomella undulata L. and yields of Vigna radiata (L) in agroforestry systems in degraded lands of Indian Desert. Potential competition for resource between the trees and associated crop was analyzed by measuring soil water contents, soil organic matters and NH₄-N at different depths of soil layers i.e., 0–25 cm, 25–50 cm and 50–75 cm in the experimental plots. The plots size were 16 m × 18 m (D₁), 20 m × 18 m (D₂) and 32 m × 18 m (D₃) with tree densities of 208, 138 and 104 trees·ha⁻¹ after June 2002, respectively. Results showed that tree height increased by 3% to 7% during June 2002 to June 2004. Collar diameter increased by 30% and 11% in D₁, 23% and 19% in D₂ and 18% and 36% in D₃ plots, respectively, in P. cineraria and T. undulata in two years period. The increase in crown diameter was 9% to 18% in P. cineraria and 11% to 16% in T. undulata. Tree growth was relatively greater in 2002 than in 2003. Yield of V. radiata increased linearly from D₁ to D₃ plots. Lowest soil water content at 1 m distance from tree base indicated greater utilization of soil water within the tree rooting zone. Concentrations of soil organic matters and NH₄-N were the highest (p<0.05) in 0–25 cm soil layer. P. cineraria was more beneficial than T. undulata in improving soil conditions and increasing crop yield by 11.1% and thus more suitable for its integration in agricultural land. The yield of agricultural crop increased when density of tree species was appropriate (i.e., optimum tree density), though it varied with tree size and depended upon resource availability. The result indicated bio-economic benefits of optimum density of P. cineraria and T. undulata over traditional practices of maintaining random trees in farming system in arid zones. Biography: G. Singh (1961– ), male, Scientist E and Head, Division of Forest Ecology, Arid Forest Research Institute, New Pali Road, Jodhpur-342005, India.     

Comparative productivity of Prosopis cineraria and Tecomella undulata based agroforestry systems in degraded lands of Indian Desert

Tree-crop interactions were monitored by measuring tree growth characters of Prosopis cineraria L.and Tecomella undulata L.and yields of Vigna radiata(L) in agroforestry systems in degraded lands of Indian Desert.Potential competition for resource between the trees and associated crop was analyzed by measuring soil water contents, soil organic matters and NH4-N at different depths of soil layers i.e., 0-25 cm, 25-50 cm and 50-75 cm in the experimental plots.The plots size were 16 m × 18 m(D1), 20 m × 18 m(D...     

Enhancing growth and biomass production of plantation and associated vegetation through rainwater harvesting in degraded hills in southern Rajasthan,India

Natural resource conservation and rehabilitation are the best options to control land degradation and enhance biomass for fodder and fuelwood. Rainwater harvesting structures viz. Contour trench (CT), gradonie (G), box trench (BT) and V-ditch (VD) with a control were prepared in <10%, 10–20% and >20% slopes and Acacia catechu L. seedlings were planted in August 2005 to enhance soil water, nutrient and biomass and to rehabilitate degraded hill. Soil pH, SOC and NH₄-N decreased while EC, NO₃-N and PO₄-P increased in June 2009. Soil water, nutrients, plant growth and biomass were highest (P < 0.05) in <10% and lowest in 10–20% slopes. Soil waters were 13 and 52% greater in >20 and <10% than in soil at 10–20% slope. The soil waters were 18, 16, 24 and 14% greater in CT, G, BT and VD treatments, respectively over control, which enhanced plant height and collar diameter in December 2009 over 2005. The highest growth and biomass were in CT and VD plots, respectively. Herbage biomass was highest (P < 0.05) in <10% slope in 2005, 10–20% slope in 2006/2008 and >20% slope in 2007/2009. Harvesting of rainwater increased herbage biomass by 24–71%, and was highest in VD plots. Conclusively, rainwater harvesting enhanced soil water, nutrients, vegetation covers and plant growth and biomass during restoration of degraded hills. Gradonie and CT/BT facilitated herbage and plant growth, respectively, whereas V-ditch was effective for both.     

间伐强度对兴安落叶松林林下植被多样性及生物量的影响

研究了间伐强度对兴安落叶松林林下植物多样性和生物量的影响,为确定兴安落叶松林分的最佳采伐强度提供理论依据。以兴安落叶松林为研究对象,设置4种间伐强度(10%、20%、30%、40%)和对照的试验固定样地,对间伐5 a后各样地林下灌草多样性和生物量进行调查分析。结果表明:1)抚育间伐可以明显提高林下植物种类、Menhinick丰富度指数、Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou均匀度指数,各层均以40%间伐强度最大,而生态优势度指数则呈递减趋势(P <0.05);2)适当加大间伐强度对林分林下植被层和枯落物层生物量具有促进作用,均以间伐强度30%为优(P <0.05);3)综上所述,在30%～40%的间伐强度下,兴安落叶松林林下植被多样性和生物量最高,林分质量最佳。     

不同海拔高度对周公山柳杉人工林植物多样性及土壤养分的影响

【目的】研究海拔高度对周公山柳杉人工林林下植物多样性及土壤养分的影响,对人工林的抚育及合理经营有着重要意义,旨在为人工林近自然改造以及利用山地造林、恢复森林生态提供科学依据。【方法】采用代表性样地法和随机取样法相结合的方法,在800、1 000和1 200 m 3个海拔高度对周公山柳杉人工林林下的物种组成、物种重要值、物种多样性和土壤养分进行了初步研究和对比分析。【结果】1)林下草本层共发现植物33种,属于19科32属;林下灌木层共发现植物49种,隶属于39属26科。2)草本群落Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H)、Simpson优势度指数(H’)和Pielou均匀度指数(JSW)均随着海拔的升高表现为先升高后降低的趋势,符合"中度膨胀"理论,而草本层物种丰富度指数(D)以及灌木层群落各多样性指数则符合负相关关系理论。3)林下植被0~40 cm深度土壤养分随土层深度增加,全氮、全磷、有效磷、速效钾、有机碳、有机质含量均降低。4)物种多样性指数与有机质、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、有效磷(AP)的含量呈显著负相关。【结论】应控制人为干扰的强度,保持合理的林分密度,改善柳杉人工林的物种组成和群落结构,使人工林处于一种天然更新状态。     

赣南稀土矿区植被生态修复评价及模式选择

本文以目前公开报道的赣南稀土矿区生态治理的典型为研究对象,调查分析稀土矿区不同的植被恢复模式和土壤状况。结果表明,在赣南稀土矿区,构树+胡枝子+香根草和构树+刺槐+百喜草是较好的恢复模式。未经植被恢复的废弃稀土矿区土壤pH值均小于5.0,通过植被恢复后,土壤酸性得到一定的缓和,植被恢复后稀土矿区土壤养分得到改善,速效氮提高了32.90%～128.28%,速效磷提高了56.38%～73.71%,速效钾提高了37.48%～85.75%。     

Status of floor vegetation under some monoculture and mixculture plantations in North India

A study conducted to assess the floor vegetation shows the presence of 17 species underPopulus deltoides in comparison to 28, 29 and 35 underAlbizia lebbeck, Dalbergia sissoo and mix-culture plantations, respectively. Further, the biomass and density of floor vegetation is considerably reduced underP. deltoides compared to other plantations. In addition, the indices for species richness, evenness, dominance and diversity are also reduced underP. deltoides showing some inhibitory mechanism being operative under these plantations. Based on available literature, allelopathy is speculated to be responsible for this reduction.     

间伐后环境的改变对植物多样性的影响

以河北省围场县境内华北落叶松人工林为研究对象,通过对其间伐林分和未间伐林分林下灌草的调查以及林下光照条件、土壤理化性质的测定,分析其测定指标的相关关系对林下灌草生长的影响。结果表明,间伐后2年,Shannon多样性指数的提高与林冠覆盖度与土壤毛管空隙度存在极显著相关性。林冠覆盖度与土壤总孔隙度、毛管孔隙度及土壤容重存在显著相关性(P<0.05)。而总孔隙度与毛管孔隙度及土壤容重存在极显著相关性(P<0.01),与土壤非毛管孔隙度则存在显著相关(P<0.05)。针对主成分分析而言,光照及其土壤孔隙度与土壤的营养元素共同影响着林下草本的多样性,但是根据之前对各项指标的方差分析中发现,土壤中的营养元素含量之间并不存在显著性差异,因此,对林下草本多样性短期影响的主要因素为光照(林冠覆盖度、林冠均匀度)和水分(土壤毛管含量)。     

Effect of clear-cutting on the understory vegetation,soil and diversity of litter beetles in scots pine-dominated forest

Currently, the aim of modern forest management is not only timber production but also the protection of biodiversity. The initial effects of clear-cut logging on forest understory vegetation, soil and the diversity of litter beetles have been studied. We examined unstudied effects of clear-cutting disturbance on understory vascular plant species abundance, forest soils, and understory vegetation nutrients as well as beetle diversity one year after clear-cutting. Substantial changes in the prominence values and above-ground mass of forest-related vascular plant and moss species were detected. Clear-cuttings resulted in fast appearance of new light-loving plant species. The significant decrease in understory plant biomass influenced the reduction of nutrient pools in clear-cut areas after one year. The clear-cut logging negatively influenced the richness of species and the number of individuals of stenobiontic forest-related beetles in the forest litter. However, forest clear-cuttings were beneficial for eurytopic and open land species.     

Tree species diversity and dominance in a man-made forest on sodic wasteland of North India

The study was conducted with the objective of studying tree species diversity and dominance and the associated changes in soil characteristics in a man-made forest established on formerly barren sodic land at Banthra Research Station (National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India) (80° 45–53E, 26° 40–45N) over three decades. The results revealed that the forest has a moderate value for the tree species diversity index (H). The tree species Derris indica, Dalbergia sissoo, Azadirachta indica, Cassia siamea, Terminalia arjuna, Syzygium cumini, and Tectona grandis were found to be the major dominant species which may be considered suitable for planting on such degraded wastelands. There was a perceptible reduction in soil pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and an increase in organic C and Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺ cation contents over the past three decades, indicating that the sodicity has declined in the surface soil.     

邓下小流域植物多样性与主要植被类型土壤养分效应

以苏南丘陵区邓下小流域为研究区,针对目前小流域内植被物种多样性状况和水平,选择物种丰富度指数（33、Shannon—Weiner指数（SW）、Simpson指数（SP）和Pielou均匀度指数（J）作为物种多样性的测度指标,分析不同植物群落结构特征。对流域内现有主要植被类型（茶园、杉木林、马尾松林、毛竹林、水田和旱耕地共6种）以0—10cm,10—20cm,20～40cm和40～60cm分层挖土壤剖面,分析各植被类型下土壤养分效应,以期为小流域综合治理与植被恢复中植被模式选择提供理论指导。     

Effects of Irrigation and Fertilization on Soil Microbial Biomass and Functional Diversity

Abstract

Optimal water and nutrient treatment effects on soil mi-crobial characteristics, including microbial functional diversity and mi-crobial biomass carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) were assessed at a loblolly pine plantation on a Sandhills site after 6 years of continuous fertilization and irrigation. Fertilization significantly increased soil C and N and microbial C and N. Irrigation significantly increased soil C and N, and microbial C. Fertilization, irrigation, and their interaction changed soil microbial selection of carbon compounds, but did not influence the numbers of carbon compounds utilized by soil microbes, as measured by the BIOLOG method suggesting that soil microbial species may have changed. The increases in soil microbial biomass and soil C and N indicate that the fertilization and irrigation treatments have had a positive effect on soil productivity on this very sandy site.     

五种植被恢复模式对邵阳县石漠化土壤理化性质的影响

通过野外土壤剖面调查和采集土壤样品,对比研究5种植被恢复模式(侧柏纯林、枫香+侧柏林、枫香纯林、湿地松+枫香林、湿地松纯林)下土壤理化性质,探讨不同植被恢复模式对邵阳县喀斯特地区土壤理化性质的影响。研究结果表明:5种植被恢复模式中侧柏纯林、枫香+侧柏混交林以及枫香纯林呈碱性,而湿地松+枫香混交林以及湿地松纯林生长速度快,7年生的湿地松平均胸径7.79 cm,平均高5.07 m,土壤呈酸性;土壤含水率较低,并相差不大,其中上坡位的枫香纯林土壤含水率最小,只有18.11%;土壤质量密度从大到小的顺序为:侧柏纯林、枫香纯林、湿地松+枫香混交林、湿地松纯林、侧柏+枫香混交林,土壤孔隙度则相反。土壤全P、全K、全Ca、全Mg、全Fe、Zn、Cd、速效N和速效K的含量在不同植被恢复模式中差异显著(p0.05),其中,土壤有机质和土壤全Ca的含量差异最为明显;不同植被恢复模式中的土壤全N、Cu、Mn、速效P的含量差异不显著,只与土壤的本底值有关。     

喜玛拉雅嘎瓦耳地区的坡向对温带自然森林的森林成分,群落结构和土壤特性的影响

在喜玛拉雅嘎瓦耳（Garhwal Himalaya）地区,选择7种温带（1500 to 3100 m,a.s.l.）森林类型,研究不同坡面（东北,西北,东南,西南）对自然森林的森林成分、群落结构和土壤特性的影响。在每种森林中自由采样。为了阐明研究不同坡面（东北、西北、东南、西南）对天然森林的森林成分、群落结构和土壤特性的影响,利用标准统计软件计算多种指标,如,重要价值指标、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、优势辛普森浓度、辛普森多样性指数、种均匀度和物种丰富度指数。在每种森林中采集复合土壤样品,分析土壤的物理化学特性、水分含量、持水量、pH、有机碳、磷、钾和有效氮含量。结果表明,北坡森林的总基盖度（高山栎林Quercus semecarpifolia为74.4 m2&#183;ha-1）、优势度（长叶松林Pinus roxburghii为0.85）和树种多样（石斛蟹Quercus floribunda为1.81）均高于其他坡位森林,北坡森林土壤中的水分含量（白橡树Quercusleucotrichophora为40.8%）、持水量（藏柏Cupressus torulos为48.9%）、有机碳（雪松Cedrus deodara为3.8%）、磷（白橡树Quercus leucotrichophora为31.9 kg&#183;ha-1）和氮（西藏长叶松林Pinus roxburghii为1.0%）均比其他坡位土壤值高。因此,北坡森林的生产力较高。     

Effects of different vegetation restoration models on soil microbial biomass in eroded hilly Loess Plateau, China

Vegetation restoration is a key measure to improve the eco-environment in Loess Plateau, China. In order to find the effect of soil microbial biomass under different vegetation restoration models in this region, six trial sites located in Zhifanggou watershed were selected in this study. Results showed that soil microbial biomass, microbial respiration and physical and chemical properties increased apparently. After 30 years of vegetation restoration, soil microbial biomass C, N, P (SMBC, SMBN, SMBP) and microbial respiration, increased by 109.01%–144.22%, 34.17%–117.09%, 31.79%–79.94% and 26.78%–87.59% respectively, as compared with the farmland. However, metabolic quotient declined dramatically by 57.45%–77.49%. Effects of different models of vegetation restoration are different on improving the properties of soil. In general, mixed stands of Pinus tabulaeformis-Amorpha fruticosa and Robinia pseudoacacia-A. fruticosa had the most remarkable effect, followed by R. pseudoacacia and Caragana korshinkii, fallow land and P. tabulaeformis was the lowest. Restoration of mixed forest had greater effective than pure forest in eroded Hilly Loess Plateau. The significant relationships were observed among SMBC, SMBP, microbial respiration, and physical and chemical properties of soil. It was concluded that microbial biomass can be used as indicators of soil quality. __________ Translated from Journal of Natural Resources, 2007, 22(1): 20–27 [译自: 自然资源学报]     

不同树龄油茶林分中土壤养分的变化特征及对细根生物量的影响

以岑溪软枝油茶(Cenxi soft branch Camellia oleifera)无性系林分为研究对象,分析幼龄期(2年生)、结果初期(5年生)和盛产期(8年生) 3种林分中土壤养分的变化特征及对细根生物量的影响。结果表明:3种油茶林分中土壤养分总量差异显著,2年生油茶林分中有机质和水解性氮含量最高,5年油茶林分中有效磷含量最高,8年生油茶林分中速效钾含量最高。水平方向上,4种土壤养分在不同林地中分布较为均匀;垂直方向上,4种养分主要分布在土壤中上层0～30 cm处,整体上元素含量随着土层深度的加深而减少。偏相关分析表明:水解性氮对细根生物量的作用主要表现在40～60 cm土层;有效磷细根生物量的影响主要体现在10～40 cm土层,表现为不同程度的正相关性;速效钾对细根生物量的影响主要体现在10～20 cm土层中,表现为显著的负相关。有机质和有效磷与细根生物量呈极显著相关。     

Relationship between species diversity and biomass of eucalyptus plantation in Guangxi, south China

To reveal the relationship between species diversity and biomass in a eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis) plantation located in the Dongmen State Forestry Farm of Guangxi, south China, 18 sample plots were established and the total biomass, arbor layer biomass and undergrowth biomass of communities were subsequently harvested. The results were as follows: 1) Species richness in eucalypt plantation had remarkable positive correlation with biomass of arbor layer, undergrowth and community (α = 0.001), its correlation coefficients were 0.6935, 0.7028 and 0.7106 respectively. 2) Leaf area index (LAI) had remarkable positive correlation with species richness and undergrowth biomass (α = 0.001). Its correlation coefficients were 0.7310 and 0.6856, respectively. 3) Arbor layer biomass had remarkable correlation with soil organic matter and hydrolysable N, its correlation coefficients was 0.6416 and 0.6203 respectively. Species richness had remarkable correlation with soil organic matter and correlation coefficient was 0.6359. Among them, the correlation was significant at the 0.1 level. Undergrowth biomass had little correlation with nine soil nutrients and correlation coefficients were under 0.4. To sum up, species diversity was advantageous to the promotion of the biomass of the eucalyptus plantation, and the variation of LAI and soil nutrient in small-scales could result in the difference of species diversity and biomass in different sample plots. Translater from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2008, 44(4): 14–19 [译自: 林业科学]     

昆明呼马山公园人工桉树林林下植被的多样性和生物量研究

昆明呼马山公园人工桉树林乔木层树种为单一的直杆桉,林下植被类型有灌木-草本型。草本层紫茎泽兰这一外来物种在整个林地的草本层中占据绝对优势,阳坡林下植被的Shannon-Wiener指数H/和Simpson指数D都比阴坡的要高。灌木层生物量低于草本层的生物量。     

不同退耕还林模式林木生长量及土壤养分的变化

研究结果表明,不同退耕还林模式地土壤理化性质均得到不同程度的提高,其变化的程度：封山育林〉林草混交〉刺槐纯林模式〉阳向坡地。封山育林、林草混交、刺槐沙棘混交、刺槐纯林土壤含水量比荒地分别提高了13.44%、7.91%、2.77%、1.03%;封山育林与林草混交模式地有机质含量比纯林分别增加了23.88%、23.88%,全氮分别增加了23.86%、36.2%,刺槐的蓄积量分别增加了67.4%、56.9%。