Regeneration growth in different light environments of mixed species, multiaged, mountainous forests of Romania

Growth of regenerating trees in different light environments was studied for the mountainous, mixed-species forests in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. The primary species in these mixtures were silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst). Seedlings/saplings of these species were selected and measured in different stands from two different geographical locations. Regenerating trees were measured for height and diameter growth during the summer of 2002. For each seedling/sapling, percentage of above canopy light (PACL) and stand basal area (BA) were used to assess available and occupied growing space respectively. Regeneration growth was compared against these two variables and regression relationships were developed. Using these models, we predicted the dynamics of regeneration as both growth and species composition. Our results showed that in low-light environments (PACL<20–35%; BA>30 m²/ha), shade tolerant fir and beech clearly outcompeted the spruce. Therefore, in dense stands, spruce could be eliminated by the shade tolerant species. For intermediate levels of cover (PACL=35–70%; BA=15–35 m²/ha) the spruce grew at comparable rates as the beech and fir. All three species showed similar growth rates in open conditions (PACL>80–90%; BA<15–20 m²/ha) with the spruce having a tendency to outgrow the others. However, in terms of establishment, such conditions favor spruce and inhibit fir and beech.     

Aboveground biomass of three conifers in the Qianyanzhou plantation, Jiangxi Province, China

Regressive models of the aboveground biomass for three conifers in subtropical China—slash pine (Pinus elliottii), Masson pine (P. massoniana) and Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata)—were established. Regression analysis of leaf biomass and total biomass of each branch against branch diameter (d), branch length (L), d ³ and d ² L was conducted with functions of linear, power and exponent. A power law equation with a single parameter (d) was proved to be better than the rest for Masson pine and Chinese fir, and a linear equation with parameter (d ³) is better for slash pine. The canopy biomass was derived by adopting the regression equations to all branches of each individual tree. These kinds of equations were also used to fit the relationship between total tree biomass, branch biomass, foliage biomass and tree diameter at breast height (D), tree height (H), D ³ and D ² H, respectively. D ² H was found to be the best parameter for estimating total biomass. However, for foliage biomass and branch biomass, both parameters and equation forms showed some differences among species. Correlations were highly significant (P<0.001) for foliage biomass, branch biomass and total biomass, among which the equation of the total biomass was the highest. With these equations, the aboveground biomass of Masson pine forest, slash pine forest and Chinese fir forest were estimated, in addition to the allocation of aboveground biomass. The above-ground biomass of Masson pine forest, slash pine forest and Chinese fir forest was 83.6, 72.1 and 59 t/hm² respectively, and the stem biomass was more than the foliage biomass and the branch biomass. The underground biomass of these three forests which estimated with others’ research were 10.44, 9.42 and 11.48 t/hm², and the amount of carbon-fixed were 47.94, 45.14 and 37.52 t/hm², respectively. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2006, 17(8): 1382–1388 [译自: 应用生态学报]     

基于树高和树冠因子的立木材积模型研究

[目的]由于激光雷达技术已经能准确测定立木树高及相关树冠因子,应用该技术建立基于树高和树冠因子的立木材积模型,为激光技术在森林蓄积估计中提供技术支撑.[方法]利用云杉、冷杉、栎树、桦树4个树种组的3 010株实测样木数据,分析了立木材积与胸径、树高、树冠因子之间的相关关系;并通过对数回归方法构建了基于树高和树冠因子的立木材积模型,用确定系数R²和平均预估误差MPE等6项指标对模型进行评价.[结果]表明,立木材积与单一因子之间的相关,以胸径最为紧密,其次是树高,再次是冠长和冠幅.基于树高和树冠因子的立木材积模型中,以树高和冠幅作为解释变量的二元模型效果较好,再增加冠长因子的三元模型改进不大.云杉、冷杉、栎树、桦树4个树种组基于树高冠幅的立木材积模型,其R²分别为0.81、0.80、0.76和0.77,MPE分别为4.7%、5.3%、5.4%和5.3%,模型预估精度均能达到95%左右.[结论]本文对材积与林木因子之间相关关系的定量分析,建立了云杉、冷杉、栎树、桦树4个树种的立木材积模型,模型预估精度高.为激光雷达技术定量估测森林参数提供了依据.     

基于国家森林资源清查数据的不同生物量和碳储量估计方法的对比分析

[目的]通过对不同生物量和碳储量的估计方法进行对比分析,为确定在国家森林资源清查中生物量和碳储量的具体估计方法提供依据。[方法]以广东省2012年森林资源清查的100个杉木林和80个马尾松林的实测样地资料为基础,利用近年来我国建立的主要树种立木生物量模型,对改进IPCC法、生物量模型法和转换因子连续函数法(即方精云法)3种方法按一元和二元模型共6种方案进行了对比;同时,基于改进IPCC法一元和二元模型的生物量估计值,用平均含碳系数法、组分含碳系数法和固定含碳系数(0.5或0.47)法分别对碳储量进行估计。[结果]用二元生物量模型法得到的杉木林和马尾松林样地的总生物量分别为320 Mg和331 Mg,一元生物量模型法的结果分别相差0.9%和6.2%;改进IPCC法的估计结果,采用二元和一元模型时杉木林分别相差-3.6%和-11.9%,马尾松林分别相差-8.5%和-19.6%;而方精云法的估计结果,采用二元和一元模型时杉木林分别相差6.65倍和6.60倍,马尾松林分别相差-14.3%和-18.0%。平均含碳系数法和组分含碳系数法的碳储量估计结果,杉木林仅相差0.2%,马尾松林相差约0.4%;固定含碳系数法的估计结果因树种而异,对杉木林要低估0.6%5.4%,对马尾松林要低估3.3%9.1%。[结论]对生物量的估计,采用生物量模型法准确性最高,而林木水平的生物量模型其预估精度要高于林分水平的模型;IPCC法是基于材积源的通用方法,将其中的缺省参数改进为可变参数模型,可大大提高方法的适应性;方精云法只是基于IPCC法所建立的林分水平模型在大尺度上的一种具体应用方法,其精度要低于林木水平的生物量模型法,不适于中小尺度应用。对碳储量的估计,采用平均含碳系数法与组分含碳系数法差异很小,但采用固定含碳系数法则误差较大。     

Forest management and temporal effects on food abundance for a ground-foraging bird (Catharus guttatus)

While food abundance is known to limit bird populations, few studies have simultaneously examined both temporal and habitat-related variation in food abundance for ground-foraging birds. We surveyed ground-dwelling arthropods throughout the breeding season and in three forest harvest types (clearcut, selection, and shelterwood stands managed for spruce, fir and hemlock) at the Penobscot Experimental Forest (PEF), Bradley, Maine, USA. Pitfall trapping during 2003 and 2004 was used to measure seasonal and habitat-related variation in abundance of ground-dwelling arthropod food items for hermit thrushes. Arthropods were sorted into relevant taxonomic and size class categories based on the known diet of hermit thrushes. Habitat variables included forest management type, stand-level structure and composition of tree species, and microhabitat measures in a 1 m² area around the pitfall traps. We used redundancy analysis to find stand-level and microhabitat measures that best explained variation in arthropod abundance during 2004. The majority of arthropod captures comprised three groups: ants (Formicidae, 44%), ground beetles (Carabidae, 13%), and spiders (Araneae, 11%). There was significant temporal variation in captures for many taxa. Notably, there were as many as six times more Araneae in early compared to late season samples suggesting the importance of Araneae to ground-foraging birds. Carabidae were more abundant in selection versus either shelterwood or clearcut stands on one sample date. Conversely, Formicidae and Curculionidae were more abundant in shelterwood plots on one and three sampling dates, respectively. Overall, our data provided little evidence that forest management type impacts arthropod food abundance, in stands 5–20 years post-harvest. Abundance of Carabidae was positively correlated with the number of softwoods less than 5 cm DBH and the number of hardwoods greater than 10 cm DBH, while abundance of Formicidae and Homopterans was negatively associated with these same measures. Several taxa were negatively associated with percent of the 1 m² around the pitfall that was shaded, including Araneae, Carabidae, Formicidae, and Staphylinidae. These results suggest that less-shaded forest microhabitats are important areas of increased food abundance for ground-foraging birds, regardless of forest management type or tree composition. Consequently, forest managers seeking to maximize food abundance for ground-foraging birds in managed spruce-fir forests should consider retaining some large diameter hardwood trees and use management techniques that reduce forest floor shading.     

21年生杉木无性系生长与遗传评价

对来源于湖南省的38个杉木无性系在广西柳州市21年生试验林各生长性状进行了调查与分析,发现中林龄杉木无性系间的胸径、树高、单株材积及树冠指标生长量均存在显著或极显著的差异;无性系树高、胸径、材积、枝下高、冠长及冠幅等性状重复力为58.65%87.19%,均达50%以上,表现为中等以上重复力,说明杉木无性系生长性状及树冠性状具有较高的遗传稳定性;无性系生长性状胸径、树高及材积与树冠性状冠长、冠幅均呈显著或极显著正相关;从38个供试杉木无性系中筛选出88号、68号、300号等3个优良杉木无性系,单株材积分别达0.494 8、0.438 9、0.412 9 m3,较优良种源、改良代种子园种子及优良家系组成的5个实生对照平均值分别高出43.59%、27.37%和19.82%。     

大兴安岭不同区域落叶松相容性材积方程及异方差研究

[目的]对不同区域立木相容性材积方程以及不同异方差校正方法进行详细对比分析,建立相容性材积方程预估大兴安岭不同区域落叶松的立木材积。[方法]以大兴安岭3个不同区域的落叶松为研究对象,采用误差变量联立方程组的方法构建不同区域立木相容性材积方程。采用非线性额外平方和的方法(F检验)进行区域性检验。使用多种权函数分别对3个区域存在异方差的材积方程进行加权回归。[结果]表明:任何2个区域的立木材积方程都有显著不同(P0.000 1),区域1和区域3的材积相差较大,区域2与区域1和区域3的材积相差较小。不同区域立木材积方程的错误应用会导致较大的预测误差。在参数稳定性和评价指标方面,加权估计会优于普通最小二乘估计。基于平均相对误差(MRE)和总相对误差(TRE),区域1(-0.11、0.97)、区域2(0.04、0.08)和区域3(1.04、0.93)的最优权函数分别为1/F(x)、1/D4.99、1/D3.38。[结论]立木材积方程是森林调查和林分生长与收获模型的主要组成部分,本文所构建3个区域的相容联立方程组模型预测误差均不超过±3%。建立相容性立木材积方程时应考虑其异方差的影响。最优权函数没有统一的形式。为尽可能得到稳定的参数估计,在加权回归估计过程中应选用多种权函数进行对比分析。     

杉木相容性立木材积表系列模型研建

以我国南方地区最重要的针叶树种杉木（Cunninghamia lanceolata）为研究对象,采用误差变量联立方程组方法,建立了相容性二元立木材积方程、胸径和地径一元立木材积方程、树高胸径回归模型及地径胸径回归模型。利用3种树高模型和2种地径模型组合了4个相容性立木材积表系列模型联立方程组,通过6项指标进行综合评价,结果表明由最简单的树高模型和地径模型构成的相容性系列材积模型就能取得良好效果,其二元材积表、胸径一元材积表和地径一元材积表的平均预估误差分别为1.31%、3.66%和7.39%,可用于不同目的的杉木林蓄积量估计。     

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.     

利用线性混合模型和哑变量模型方法建立贵州省通用性生物量方程

以贵州省人工杉木和马尾松地上生物量数据为例,通过利用线性混合模型和哑变量模型方法,建立了适合不同树种和区域(中心区和一般区)的通用性立木生物量方程,为简化生物量建模工作提供了有效途径。结果表明,相同直径林木的地上生物量估计值随树种、区域的不同存在一定程度的差异,带随机参数的线性混合模型和带特定参数的哑变量模型比总体平均模型的精度高;线性混合模型和哑变量模型方法均同等有效,可推广应用于其它通用性模型(如材积方程)的建立。     

Tamarack and Black Spruce Growth on a Boreal Fen in Central Alberta 9 Years after Drainage

Tree growth was measured before, and 9 years after draining a boreal fen that supported a 50- to 60-year-old stand of tamarack (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). Treatments consisted of a series of ditches spaced 30, 40 or 50 m apart, and an undrained control. Nine years after drainage, the diameter, height, basal area, and volume growth of tamarack had increased by 2–5 times that on the control site. Black spruce growth on the drained site was 1.6–5 times that on the control. Tamarack average volume growth (1.20 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) on the drained site was superior to that of black spruce (0.21 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). In general for both species, there were no significant differences in growth between trees on the different ditch spacings. This result was attributed to the water table being low enough that adequate aeration zones existed across the strips between ditches on all spacings. Regeneration after treatment was greater on the drained than on the control plots, particularly in the disturbed areas near the ditches where new tamarack seedlings reached densities between 9400 and 12,000 stems ha⁻¹. There was no relationship between increased tree growth and tree distance from the ditches for both species, probably because the water table had been lowered sufficiently so that inadequate substrate aeration was no longer a limiting factor.     

Herbaceous weed control in conifer plantations with hexazinone and nitrogen formulations

In order to determine if herbicide efficacy is affected by nitrogen fertilizer, the influence of different nitrogen fertilizers applied in different combinations with hexazinone formulations were evaluated on herbaceous weed communities. Field studies comparing three application methods in conifer plantations showed greatest reduction in total weed cover with a co-granular formulation of hexazinone and triamino-s-triazine. Slightly less control was achieved with separate applications of liquid hexazinone and triamino-s-triazine granules, and poorest control with granular urea followed by liquid hexazinone. Weed control increased with an increase in hexazinone rate. Statistical analysis of the effect on conifers showed that the highest hexazinone rate significantly increased survival of noble fir (Abies procera Rehd.) and stem diameter of both noble fir and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), and that the highest nitrogen rate significantly decreased survival of both species but did not affect stem diameter. Survival of noble fir and diameter of both noble fir and Douglas-fir were significantly increased where a co-granular formulation of hexazinone and triamino-s-triazine granules was used.     

Aboveground biomass equations for individual trees of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix kaempferi</Emphasis> in Japan

Generic equations are proposed for stem, branch and foliage biomass of individual trees in even-aged pure stands of Cryptomeria japonica, Chamaecyparis obtusa and Larix kaempferi. Biomass data was collected from a total of 1,016 individual trees from 247 stands throughout Japan, and five regression models were assessed by root mean square error, mean bias, fit index (FI), and AIC. The results show that a power equation using diameter at breast height (dbh) and height is the most suitable for all species and components. This equation is more accurate than the familiar power equation that uses ‘dbh² height’, and it expresses the greater volume of branch and foliage mass of trees with a lower height/diameter ratio. A power equation using dbh is more reasonable for models with dbh as the only independent variable and more accurate than a power equation using ‘dbh² height’ for estimating branch and foliage mass. Estimating error for branch and foliage mass is larger than that for stem mass, but the entire aboveground biomass can be estimated with an error of less than 19%, except in the case of small trees with dbh less than 10 cm.     

Selective logging and fire as drivers of alien grass invasion in a Bolivian tropical dry forest

Logging is an integral component of most conceptual models that relate human land-use and climate change to tropical deforestation via positive-feedbacks involving fire. Given that grass invasions can substantially alter fire regimes, we studied grass distributions in a tropical dry forest 1–5 yr after selective logging, and experimentally tested the effect of forest fire on populations of invasive grasses. In unlogged forests and in microhabitats created by selective logging we found a total of four alien and 16 native grass species. Grasses covered 2% of unlogged and 4% of logged forest, with grass cover in logged forest concentrated in areas directly disturbed by logging; log landings and roads had relatively greater grass cover (37% and 17%, respectively) than did skid trails (10%) and felling gaps (8%). Total grass cover and grass species richness increased with canopy openness and were greatest in sites most severely disturbed by logging. The grass flora of these disturbed areas was composed mostly of native ruderal species (e.g., Digitaria insularis, Leptochloa virgata), a native bamboo (Guadua paniculata), and Urochloa (Panicum) maxima, a caespitose C₄ pasture grass introduced from Africa. Urochloa maxima formed monodominant stands (up to 91% cover and 2–3 m tall) and grew on 69% of log landings and 38% of roads. To better understand the potentially synergistic effects of logging and fire on the early stages of grass invasion, we tested the effect of a 12-ha experimental fire on U. maxima populations in a selectively logged forest. Three years after the fire, the area covered by alien grass in burned forest increased fourfold from 400 m² (pre-fire) to 1660 m²; over the same period in a logged but unburned (control) area, U. maxima cover decreased from 398 m² to 276 m². Increased canopy openness due to fire-induced tree mortality corresponded with the greater magnitude of grass invasion following fire. Selective logging of this dry forest on the southern edge of the Amazon Basin promotes alien grass invasion; when coupled with fire, the rate of invasion substantially increased. Recognition of the grass-promoting potential of selective logging is important for understanding the possible fates of tropical forests in fire-prone regions.     

Species differences in total and vertical distribution of branch- and tree-level leaf area for the five primary conifer species in Maine, USA

Vertical distribution of leaf area largely governs both tree structure and function. Models of this important tree attribute have been constructed for several commercially important conifers. However, a limited number of studies have compared alternative modeling techniques and inherent species differences. This study used several existing datasets for the five primary conifer species in Maine, namely balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.], northern white-cedar [Thuja occidentalis (L.)], eastern hemlock [Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.], eastern white pine [Pinus strobus (L.)], and red spruce [Picea rubens (Sarg.)] to examine species variation in total and vertical distribution of projected leaf area at the individual branch- and tree-levels. In addition, multiple methods for modeling the vertical distribution of leaf area were examined across the species. For a given branch diameter and location within the crown, eastern hemlock branches held the greatest amount of leaf area, followed by balsam fir, northern white-cedar, white pine, and red spruce. At the tree-level, eastern white pine held the greatest amount of leaf area followed by eastern hemlock, balsam fir, red spruce, and northern white-cedar for a given tree size. Across species, the two-parameter, right-truncated Weibull distribution performed the best for predicting vertical distribution of leaf area when compared to the four-parameter beta and Johnson's S_B distributions (reduction of root mean square error of 1.7–21.1%). Northern white-cedar had a relative distribution of leaf area distinctly different than other species in this study with a mode shifted towards the upper crown. In contrast to red spruce and white pine, the mode of the relative distribution of leaf area for balsam fir and eastern hemlock occurred lower in the crown. Results of this study suggest that differences in total and vertical distribution of leaf area exist between species, but significant amounts of their variation are largely accounted for by bole and crown size.     

Characterisation of Afzelia africana Sm. habitat in the Lama forest reserve of Benin

A study was carried out in the Lama forest reserve of Benin to characterize the habitat of Afzelia africana Sm., an endangered multipurpose tree species (found in African humid, dry forests and woodlands), in order to define a sustainable management strategy for its conservation. An estimation of species density was done on 100 square plots of 1 ha each, while tree height and dbh of all the species were measured on subplots of 50 m × 30 m within the 1 ha plots. The regenerations of A. africana (dbh < 10 cm) were counted in the diagonal quadrats of the principal plots. Presence–absence data of the species was subjected to multidimensional scaling and results showed four vegetation communities including: young fallow, old fallow, typical dense forest and degraded dense forest. Significant differences were noted between the four communities with respect to dendrometric parameters of the species. High values of these parameters were noted for the species in typical dense forest (5.2 stems/ha, 66.7 cm, 17.9 m, 7.9 m²/ha and 38.8% for the tree-density, the mean diameter, the mean height, basal area and basal area contribution of the species, respectively) whereas the lowest values were obtained for the old preforest fallow as far as the mean diameter (59.7 cm), the mean height (15.7 m) and the basal area contribution (27.7%) of the species were concerned. In general, the basal area of A. africana in the over vegetation types was less than 3 m²/ha. No A. africana tree was found in the young preforest fallow while more than 80% of A. africana trees were found in the typical dense forest community. Stem diameter and height structures of the species in all the four communities showed a left dissymmetric Gaussian shape and were well adjusted to Weibull distribution.     

Compatible volume and taper models for economically important tree species of Turkey

• Introduction  

The accurate estimation of stem taper and volume are crucial for the efficient management of the forest resources. Compatible segmented polynomial taper and volume equations were developed for Brutian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.), Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.), Cilicica fir (Abies cilicica Carr.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and Black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.).     

Estimation of stand volumes using the <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>-nearest neighbors method in Kyushu,Japan

The k-nearest neighbors (kNN) method is widely employed in national forest inventory applications using remote sensing data. The objective of this study was to evaluate the kNN method for stand volume estimation by combining LANDSAT/ETM+ data with 622 field sample plots from the Japanese National Forest Inventory (NFI) in Kyushu, Japan. The root mean square error (RMSE) and relative RMSE of the volume estimates rapidly decreased as the number of nearest neighbors (k) increased up to five, and then it slightly declined. They were consistently smaller for the Euclidean distance than for the Mahalanobis distance. The estimation errors (RMSE and relative RMSE) were 169.2 m³/ha and 66.2%, respectively (k = 10). The relative RMSE was similar to the previous studies. The estimated values were more accurate towards the mean value of the total volume, with an overestimation of the low volumes and an underestimation of the high volumes. We found a significant linear relationship between the observed stand volumes and estimated errors, which suggests that systematic errors may be reduced using this linearity. This research concluded that the kNN method is suitable for estimating stand volumes in Kyushu.     

Water and nitrogen dynamics in rotational woodlots of five tree species in western Tanzania

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of woodlots of five tree species, continuous maize (Zea mays L.) and natural fallow on soil water and nitrogen dynamics in western Tanzania. The tree species evaluated were Acacia crassicarpa (A. Cunn. ex Benth.), Acacia julifera (Berth.), Acacia leptocarpa (A. Cunn. ex Benth), Leucaena pallida (Britton and Rose), and Senna siamea (Lamarck) Irwin & Barneby). The field experiment was established in November 1996 in a completely randomized block design replicated three times. Maize was intercropped between the trees during the first three years after planting and thereafter the trees were allowed to grow as pure woodlots for another two years. Transpiration by the trees was monitored when they were 3 years old using sap flow gauges. Soil water content was measured using the neutron probe approach between November 1999 and March 2001. Soil inorganic N profiles were measured when the trees were four years old in all treatments. The results indicated that the trees transpired more water than natural fallow vegetation during the dry season. The difference was apparent at a depth of 35 cm soil, but was more pronounced in deeper horizons. The water content in the entire soil profile under woodlots and natural fallow during the dry period was 0.01 to 0.06 cm³ cm⁻³ lower than in the annual cropped plots. This pattern was reversed after rainfall, when woodlots of A. crassicarpa, A. leptocarpa, A. julifera, S. siamea and L. pallida contained greater quantity of stored water than natural fallow or continuous maize by as much as 0.00 to 0.02, 0.01 to 0.04, 0.01 to 0.04, 0.01 to 0.03 and 0.00 to 0.02 cm³ cm⁻³, respectively. Natural fallow plots contained the lowest quantity of stored water within the entire profile during this period. Transpiration was greatest in A. crassicarpa and lowest in L. pallida. All tree species examined were `scavengers' of N and retrieved inorganic N from soil horizons up to 2-m depth and increased its concentration close to their trunks. This study has provided evidence in semi-arid environments that woodlots can effectively retrieve subsoil N and store more soil water after rains than natural fallow and bare soil. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Provenance and progeny results for the tropical white pine, Pinus chiapensis, at five and eight years of age

Eleven provenances and 132 open-pollinated families of Pinus chiapensis were established at six locations in Brazil, Colombia, and South Africa and assessed for height, volume, and forking percent at five and eight years of age. Provenance × site and family × site interactions were examined in a subset of three trials with 38 open-pollinated families in common. Average volume production of P. chiapensis in Colombia and South Africa was 25 m³/ha/yr and 12 m³/ha/yr, respectively, at eight years of age. Provenance and family differences for height and volume were significant at the individual test sites at eight years of age. The La Trinidad (Chiapas) source was the most productive. Forking percent ranged from 3% in South Africa to 38% in San Jose, Colombia at eight years. Provenance × site interactions were significant for forking but not for height and volume. Family × site interactions were significant for height and volume but not for forking. Forty-six percent of the interaction variance between height and location was contributed by only six families. Height/diameter ratios for P. chiapensis were 0.29 and 0.39 in Colombia and South Africa, respectively, and significantly different.