Changes in light levels and stream temperatures with loss of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) at a southern Appalachian stream: Implications for brook trout

The exotic invasive insect, hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand), is causing mortality in eastern hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis [L.] Carr.) throughout the eastern U.S. Because hemlocks produce dense shade, and are being replaced by hardwood species that produce less shade, their loss may increase understory light levels. In the southern Appalachians, increases in light could increase stream temperatures, threatening species such as brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). We studied changes in light and stream temperature with eastern hemlock decline at a headwater southern Appalachian brook trout stream. Our results indicate that stream light levels have increased significantly with adelgid infestation. Leaf-on light levels are currently significantly higher (P < 0.02) in plots containing high basal areas of hemlock (mean global site factor (GSF)(SE) = 0.267(0.01)) compared with plots containing no hemlock (mean GSF(SE) = 0.261(0.01)), suggesting that increases in light have occurred with hemlock decline. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a remotely sensed metric of vegetation density, decreased with hemlock decline from 2001 to 2008. In 2001, NDVI showed no relationship (R² = 0.003; F = 0.14; P = 0.71) with hemlock basal area, but by 2008, there was a significant negative relationship (R² = 0.352; F = 19.55; P < 0.001) between NDVI and hemlock basal area. A gap experiment showed that light levels may increase by up to 64.7% more (mean increase in GSF = 27.5%) as hemlocks fall, creating gaps in the canopy. However, stream temperatures did not increase with hemlock decline during the study period, and we found that ground water inputs have a stronger influence on water temperature than light levels at this site. Linear regression showed a significant negative relationship between water temperature and proximity to ground water sources (R² = 0.451; F = 13.14; P = 0.002), but no relationship between water temperature and light levels (R² < 0.02; P > 0.05). In addition, by comparing light levels between plots containing hemlock and those containing only hardwoods, we found that if hemlocks are replaced by hardwoods, light levels under an all-hardwood canopy (mean GSF(SE) = 0.240(0.005)) are unlikely to be higher than they are under the current forest (mean GSF(SE) = 0.254(0.007)). These results suggest that loss of hemlock along southern Appalachian headwater streams could have short-term impacts on light levels, but that long-term changes in light levels, increases in water temperature, and adverse effects on brook trout may be unlikely.     

Regeneration dynamics in remnant Tsuga canadensis stands in the northern Lake States: Potential direct and indirect effects of herbivory

We examined the effects of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herbivory and microsite limitation on Tsuga canadensis regeneration in 39 randomly selected remnant T. canadensis stands in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Deer of the region migrate to and congregate in T. canadensis stands in winter resulting in strong seasonal habitat use patterns. In each study stand, we quantified vegetation, microsite availability, and deer use (via pellet counts). While some stands contained high densities of T. canadensis regeneration (stems < 4.0 cm dbh), we found complete T. canadensis regeneration failures in 6 out of 39 stands. Additionally, 17 and 22 stands respectively, had complete failures in the small and large sapling categories. General linear models suggested that deer use was the primary limiting factor in the small sapling size class, even at relatively low levels of deer use. T. canadensis seedling density was positively associated with the availability of high-decay coarse woody debris and negatively associated with basal area of Acer saccharum in the overstory. This latter association may be due, at least in part, to negative effects of broadleaf litter on T. canadensis establishment and a general trend toward increasing Acer abundance in the regeneration layer. Our results suggest that differential tolerance to browsing (Tsuga vs. Acer) in conjunction with reduced germination substrate availability may set up a scenario where successful T. canadensis establishments is more limited by legacy and indirect than direct effects given contemporary levels of deer use.     

Seasonal variation of biomass and bioactive alkaloid content of goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis

Seasonal variations in biomass and alkaloid contents of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) were investigated. Five-year-old plants gave 5× the yield of roots and rhizomes of two-year-old plants, and summer growth gave significant increases in root biomass but not rhizomes. Berberine contents of roots plus rhizomes did not vary significantly and were > 3.4% in all samples. Hydrastine contents of 5 y roots plus rhizomes showed significant seasonal variation. These variations were due to significant changes in the hydrastine contents of the roots (1.3–1.9%), but not the rhizomes (2.2–2.8%). Goldenseal leaves plus stems had lower contents of hydrastine (0.4–0.8%) and berberine (1.0–1.5%).     

Armillaria species distribution on symptomatic hosts in northern hardwood and mixed oak forests in western Massachusetts

Armillaria spp. are some of the most important forest pathogens in mixed hardwood forests of southern New England, yet their role as prominent disturbance agents is still not fully appreciated. We investigated the distribution of Armillaria species across eight separate stands of northern hardwood and mixed oak forests in western Massachusetts. We were specifically interested in the Armillaria species distribution from live, symptomatic hosts and not in determining overall incidence in the forest. From 32 plots (16 within each forest type), 320 isolates were collected. Armillaria was routinely encountered causing disease of live trees. In total, 89% (286/320) of all isolations came from live hosts exhibiting symptoms of root and butt rot. Overall, A. gallica was the dominant species in each forest type, making up 88/160 (55%) isolates from northern hardwood and 153/160 (96%) of all isolations from mixed oak stands. However, northern hardwood forests showed much greater species diversity, as A. calvescens, A. gemina, A. ostoyae, and A. sinapina were all found. At one site, a northern hardwood forest surrounding a high elevation spruce-fir forest, A. ostoyae was the most abundant species encountered. All five Armillaria species were found causing disease of live hosts, including A. gemina, a species considered by some as weakly virulent. Armillaria gallica was found on 22/23 tree species’ sampled, and was found most often causing butt rot.     

Understory abundance,species diversity and functional attribute response to thinning in coniferous stands

Alternative strategies for stand density management in even-aged coniferous forests may increase plant species and functional diversity. We examined the effects of fixed and variable density thinning on tree seedling regeneration as well as on abundance (indexed by cover) and richness of understory vascular plants 11 years after harvesting 45- to 66-year old forests dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) or western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) at three sites in western Oregon. Each site contained an unthinned control (CON), and thinning treatments selected to enhance overstory structural diversity and spatial variability within stands (HD, high density treatment at 300 trees ha⁻¹; MD, moderate density treatment at 200 trees ha⁻¹; VD300, VD200 and VD100, variable density treatments at 300, 200 and 100 trees ha⁻¹). Leave islands are included in HD and the other thinning treatments contain both leave islands and gap openings. Tree seedling regeneration was highly variable and generally increased with thinning. Cover of all understory species was greater in VD100 than in the control whereas richness was greater in HD and MD. Cover and richness of early seral species were greater in most thinning treatments than in the control. Understory plant communities were overwhelmingly dominated by native species. In general, vegetation dynamics was accelerated by thinning, especially in variable density treatments. Cover of N-fixing understory species was greater in VD200 than in the other treatments, and in MD and VD300 than in the control, whereas richness of understory N-fixing species increased in all thinning treatments. Cover of understory species with intermediate soil water requirements was greater in MD, VD200 and VD100 than in the control, whereas richness of these species increased in VD200 compared to the control, HD and VD300. Thinning promoted higher diversity of understory conditions without reducing density and species richness of crop tree regeneration, and seemed to increase functional effect and response diversity.     

Carbon storage in old-growth and second growth fire-dependent western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) forests of the Inland Northwest,USA

There is limited understanding of the carbon (C) storage capacity and overall ecological structure of old-growth forests of western Montana, leaving little ability to evaluate the role of old-growth forests in regional C cycles and ecosystem level C storage capacity. To investigate the difference in C storage between equivalent stands of contrasting age classes and management histories, we surveyed paired old-growth and second growth western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt)–Douglas-fir (Pseudostuga menziesii var. glauca) stands in northwestern Montana. The specific objectives of this study were to: (1) estimate ecosystem C of old-growth and second growth western larch stands; (2) compare C storage of paired old-growth–second growth stands; and (3) assess differences in ecosystem function and structure between the two age classes, specifically measuring C associated with mineral soil, forest floor, coarse woody debris (CWD), understory, and overstory, as well as overall structure of vegetation. Stands were surveyed using a modified USFS FIA protocol, focusing on ecological components related to soil, forest floor, and overstory C. All downed wood, forest floor, and soil samples were then analyzed for total C and total nitrogen (N). Total ecosystem C in the old-growth forests was significantly greater than that in second growth forests, storing over 3 times the C. Average total mineral soil C was not significantly different in second growth stands compared to old-growth stands; however, total C of the forest floor was significantly greater in old-growth (23.8 Mg ha⁻¹) compared to second growth stands (4.9 Mg ha⁻¹). Overstory and coarse root biomass held the greatest differences in ecosystem C between the two stand types (old-growth, second growth), with nearly 7 times more C in old-growth trees than trees found on second growth stands (144.2 Mg ha⁻¹ vs. 23.8 Mg ha⁻¹). Total CWD on old-growth stands accounted for almost 19 times more C than CWD found in second growth stands. Soil bulk density was also significantly higher on second growth stands some 30+ years after harvest, demonstrating long-term impacts of harvest on soil. Results suggest ecological components specific to old-growth western larch forests, such as coarse root biomass, large amounts of CWD, and a thick forest floor layer are important contributors to long-term C storage within these ecosystems. This, combined with functional implications of contrasts in C distribution and dynamics, suggest that old-growth western larch/Douglas-fir forests are both functionally and structurally distinctive from their second growth counterparts.     

Successional development of silviculturally treated and untreated high-latitude Populus tremuloides clearcuts in northern Alberta,Canada

Seventy 1–28-year-old clearcuts were sampled to characterize post-harvest vegetation development and to determine the effect of mechanical site treatment and Picea glauca (Moench) Voss (white spruce) crop-seedling planting on regenerating boreal forest stands in the John D’Or—Wood Buffalo National Park area of northern Alberta in western Canada (58°35′N, 114°37′W). Natural Populus tremuloides/Rosa–Viburnum stands of wildfire origin (n = 25), widespread occurrence, and 52–91-year-old were sampled as a benchmark for comparison. Clearcut Populus-Picea and Picea stands reverted to early successional Populus tremuloides Michx. (trembling aspen)—dominated vegetation, with maximum sucker densities (mean 18 716, S.D. 13 239) within 4 years after stand initiation. Stem exclusion occurred most intensively 5–20 years after initiation, but was expected to continue until stands were >40–50-year-old. In untreated clearcuts, tree and understory shrub cover peaked near natural stand levels 18–20 years after harvesting, and graminoid cover remained constant (∼3%) but elevated compared to natural levels (<1%); whereas forb cover decreased linearly to natural stand levels by Year 28. The early composition of clearcuts was primarily composed of species that were common to the natural stands and also vegetatively reproduced. Mechanical site treatment and crop-seedling planting delayed attainment of maximum tree cover by 7 years, with total cover similar to natural stands. Site treatment reduced total shrub cover and prolonged the occurrence of elevated forb and graminoid cover values, probably in response to disruption of the pre-treatment ground vegetation. Calamagrostis canadensis L., a common crop-seedling competitor, was typically of minor importance on the sampled clearcuts compared to levels associated with more southerly boreal clearcuts. Detrended correspondence analysis ordinations based on species cover suggested untreated and treated clearcuts >13–16-year-old approximated the composition of natural stands. The data also suggested that silvicultural planting of P. glauca will accelerate stand development toward late-successional conifer-dominated vegetation relative to unplanted and natural stands.     

Coupling of vegetation layers and environmental influences in a mature, second-growth Central Hardwood forest landscape

Forest communities across the landscape of the Central Hardwood Forest Region are experiencing a transition from dominance by oak (Quercus) and hickory (Carya) to maple (Acer) driven largely by a prolonged period of fire suppression. In many cases, this shift in community composition, structure, and function is considered undesirable as oak-hickory forests are valued for timber, wildlife habitat, and natural heritage. Considerable management and restoration efforts target the restoration of oak-hickory forest communities, yet treatments have yielded varying degrees of success. In some cases, difficulties in meeting targets may be due to ecological thresholds created by complex vegetation-environment interactions that maintain the maple-dominated community state. We examined direct and indirect interactions among vegetation layers and environmental gradients for the mature, second-growth forest communities of the Ironton Unit of the Wayne National Forest (WNF) in southeastern Ohio. Using a stratified random approach, we identified 72 study communities with trees at least 70 years old and without evidence of recent disturbance. Within these communities, we sampled all overstory vegetation on two-four 500 m² plots and recorded saplings and ground-flora species in nested sub-plots. At each plot, we also collected soil samples for physical and chemical analyses and recorded physiographic variables. Our first objective was to describe the Ironton forest landscape, where communities were likely transitioning from oak to maple. To identify such patterns, we used ordination analyses that relate species occurrence to implied environmental gradients. Our second objective was to use the relationships to develop a structural equation model (SEM) to quantify the strength of pathways among the canopy, sapling, and ground-flora vegetation layers and environmental factors (e.g., soil chemistry and physiographic position). Our results indicate that the forest landscape of the Ironton Unit of the WNF is at a transition point with communities dominated by either oak or maple, and a sapling layer dominated by maple. Maple may be most likely to replace oak and hickory in the canopies of communities at mid- and lower-slope positions with intermediate soil moisture. This transition will likely have cascading effects throughout the sapling and ground-flora layers, which SEM demonstrates are directly influenced by the canopy. We believe the simultaneous consideration of direct and indirect interactions shaping vegetation structure and composition using techniques such as SEM will advance understanding of the current transition from an oak-hickory to a maple-dominated forest landscape. This information will contribute to the continued improvement of appropriate forest management and ecosystem restoration techniques for the Central Hardwood Forest Region, including those designed to shift the dominance of forest communities from maple to oak.     

The potential of hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa [Sieb. et Zucc.] Endlicher) plantation forests for the restoration of the original plant community in Japan

We estimated the potential of plantation forests for the restoration of the original plant community. We compared the understory vegetation in hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa [Sieb. et Zucc.] Endlicher) plantations at the understory re-initiation stage and in adjacent natural forests. To estimate the effect of the original natural forests on the understory species composition of plantation forests, we established study sites in five types of natural forests (mature evergreen broadleaf, mature deciduous broadleaf, mature evergreen coniferous, immature deciduous broadleaf warm-temperate, and immature deciduous broadleaf cool-temperate) and nearby plantation forests. The understory vegetation of the plantation forests had a higher species richness, a higher proportion of early-seral species, and a higher proportion of herb or fern species than the natural forests. The differences between natural and plantation forests varied according to the species composition of the natural forests. The composition of the understory vegetation of the plantations at the understory re-initiation stage was similar to that of the immature deciduous forests. The characteristics of immature, disturbed forests remained in the understory vegetation of the hinoki forests. No great loss of species was observed. Our findings suggest that most of the original forest species still survive in the understory of the plantation forests. These forests have the potential to follow the successional pathway to broadleaf or mixed forests via thinning or clear-cutting without planting.     

Response of bark beetles and their natural enemies to fire and fire surrogate treatments in mixed-conifer forests in western Montana

Four treatments (control, burn-only, thin-only, and thin-and-burn) were evaluated for their effects on bark beetle-caused mortality in both the short-term (one to four years) and the long-term (seven years) in mixed-conifer forests in western Montana, USA. In addition to assessing bark beetle responses to these treatments, we also measured natural enemy landing rates and resin flow of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) the season fire treatments were implemented. All bark beetles were present at low population levels (non-outbreak) for the duration of the study. Post-treatment mortality of trees due to bark beetles was lowest in the thin-only and control units and highest in the units receiving burns. Three tree-killing bark beetle species responded positively to fire treatments: Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae), pine engraver (Ips pini), and western pine beetle (Dendroctonus brevicomis). Red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens) responded positively to fire treatments, but never caused mortality. Three fire damage variables tested (height of crown scorch, percent circumference of the tree bole scorched, or degree of ground char) were significant factors in predicting beetle attack on trees. Douglas-fir beetle and pine engraver responded rapidly to increased availability of resources (fire-damaged trees); however, successful attacks dropped rapidly once these resources were depleted. Movement to green trees by pine engraver was not observed in plots receiving fire treatments, or in thinned plots where slash supported substantial reproduction by this beetle. The fourth tree-killing beetle present at the site, the mountain pine beetle, did not exhibit responses to any treatment. Natural enemies generally arrived at trees the same time as host bark beetles. However, the landing rates of only one, Medetera spp., was affected by treatment. This predator responded positively to thinning treatments. This insect was present in very high numbers indicating a regulatory effect on beetles, at least in the short-term, in thinned stands. Resin flow decreased from June to August. However, resin flow was significantly higher in trees in August than in June in fire treatments. Increased flow in burned trees later in the season did not affect beetle attack success. Overall, responses by beetles to treatments were short-term and limited to fire-damaged trees. Expansions into green trees did not occur. This lack of spread was likely due to a combination of high tree vigor in residual stands and low background populations of bark beetles.     

Influence of variable retention harvests on forest ecosystems: Plant and mammal responses up to 8 years post-harvest

Green-tree retention systems are an important management component of variable retention harvests in temperate zone coniferous forests. Residual live trees (“legacy trees”) provide mature forest habitat, increase structural diversity, and provide continuity in the regenerating stand. This study was designed to test the hypotheses that, at up to 8 years after harvest, abundance and species diversity of communities of (i) understory plants and (ii) forest-floor small mammals, and (iii) relative habitat use by mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), will decline with decreasing levels of tree retention. Communities of plants and forest floor small mammals were sampled in replicated clearcut, single seed-tree, group seed-tree, patch cut, and uncut forest sites in mixed Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)—lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forest in southern British Columbia, Canada from 2000 to 2003 (5–8 years post-harvest). Habitat use by mule deer was measured during summer and winter periods each year from 1999 to 2003 in these same sites.     

A comparison of impacts from silviculture practices and North American beaver invasion on stream benthic macroinvertebrate community structure and function in Nothofagus forests of Tierra del Fuego

The sub-Antarctic biome of South America is the world's southernmost forested ecosystem and one of the last remaining wilderness areas on the planet. Nonetheless, the region confronts various anthropogenic environmental impacts, such as the invasive North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and timber harvesting, particularly in stands of Nothofagus pumilio. Both of these disturbances can affect terrestrial and aquatic systems. To understand the influence and relative importance of these disturbances on sub-Antarctic watersheds, we characterized in-stream and riparian habitat conditions (pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature, stream size, distance to riparian forest, bank slope, substrate heterogeneity, benthic organic matter) and benthic macroinvertebrate community structure (density, richness, diversity, evenness) and function (biomass, functional feeding group percent) in 19 streams on Tierra del Fuego Island. To explain the effects of beaver invasion and timber harvesting, we compared these physical and biotic variables among four habitat types: (a) beaver meadows, (b) shelterwood cut harvested areas without forested riparian zones, (c) variable retention harvested areas with riparian buffers, and (d) unmanaged old-growth primary forests. Most habitat variables were similar at all sites, except for dissolved oxygen (significantly higher in streams from old-growth primary forests). Benthic communities in beaver meadows had significantly lower diversity, compared to streams of unmanaged old-growth primary forests, and managed sites presented intermediate values between the two. Functionally, the benthic community in beaver meadows displayed a reduction of all functional feeding groups except collector-gatherers; again variable retention harvested areas with riparian buffers were similar to unmanaged old-growth primary forest streams, while shelterwood cut harvested areas occupied an intermediate position. These results indicated that current forestry practices that include both variable retention and legally mandated riparian forested buffers may be effective in mitigating impacts on stream benthic communities. Finally, these data demonstrated that C. canadensis invasion was a relatively larger impact on these streams than well-managed forestry practices.     

Snag longevity of Douglas-fir,western hemlock,and western redcedar from permanent sample plots in coastal British Columbia

Snags are important both as structural components and as animal habitat in forests, but abundance is often low and their dynamics poorly understood in young, managed stands. Using a large data set of 19,622 snags from permanent plots in second-growth forests of coastal British Columbia, we modeled snag longevity (time from tree mortality to snag fall) for three species: Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and western redcedar (Thuja plicata). Snag longevity was strongly related to species and snag size (diameter): the median snag longevity was 16 years for Douglas-fir, 11 years for hemlock and 5 years for redcedar. Western redcedar was predominantly in the subcanopy and its rapid fall rate was related to the small size of its snags. In addition to diameter, other attributes (height to diameter ratio, height, and live crown ratio before death) contributed significantly to models for one or two of the species. However, site level variables did not contribute significantly to any of the models. Snags greater than 50 cm diameter, especially Douglas-fir snags, have the potential for persistence well beyond 20 years in these second-growth forests, and could be important for wildlife.     

新疆额尔齐斯河流域苦杨与欧洲黑杨遗传多样性分析

应用SSR标记技术,对新疆额尔齐斯河流域河谷分布的苦杨(Populus laurifoli)和欧洲黑杨(Populus nigra)天然居群的遗传多样性和遗传分化进行了研究。结果显示:苦杨和欧洲黑杨的天然居群具有较高的遗传多样性,且苦杨明显高于欧洲黑杨。与苦杨居群相比,欧洲黑杨居群间基因流较高,居群间的遗传分化程度较小,变异主要源于居群内。苦杨和欧洲黑杨居群内的杂合度较高,各个居群的各项遗传参数都要小于物种水平。苦杨和欧洲黑杨均偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡,表现为杂合子过量的现象。     

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.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur established for stand conversion from Picea abies

Efforts in Europe to convert Norway spruce (Picea abies) plantations to broadleaf or mixed broadleaf-conifer forests could be bolstered by an increased understanding of how artificial regeneration acclimates and functions under a range of Norway spruce stand conditions. We studied foliage characteristics and leaf-level photosynthesis on 7-year-old European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) regeneration established in open patches and shelterwoods of a partially harvested Norway spruce plantation in southwestern Sweden. Both species exhibited morphological plasticity at the leaf level by developing leaf blades in patches with an average mass per unit area (LMA) 54% greater than of those in shelterwoods, and at the plant level by maintaining a leaf area ratio (LAR) in shelterwoods that was 78% greater than in patches. However, we observed interspecific differences in photosynthetic capacity relative to spruce canopy openness. Photosynthetic capacity (A₁₆₀₀, net photosynthesis at a photosynthetic photon flux density of 1600 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) of beech in respect to the canopy gradient was best related to leaf mass, and declined substantially with increasing canopy openness primarily because leaf nitrogen (N) in this species decreased about 0.9 mg g⁻¹ with each 10% rise in canopy openness. In contrast, A₁₆₀₀ of oak showed a weak response to mass-based N, and furthermore the percentage of N remained constant in oak leaf tissues across the canopy gradient. Therefore, oak photosynthetic capacity along the canopy gradient was best related to leaf area, and increased as the spruce canopy thinned primarily because LMA rose 8.6 g m⁻² for each 10% increase in canopy openness. These findings support the premise that spruce stand structure regulates photosynthetic capacity of beech through processes that determine N status of this species; leaf N (mass basis) was greatest under relatively closed spruce canopies where leaves apparently acclimate by enhancing light harvesting mechanisms. Spruce stand structure regulates photosynthetic capacity of oak through processes that control LMA; LMA was greatest under open spruce canopies of high light availability where leaves apparently acclimate by enhancing CO₂ fixation mechanisms.     

柽柳属植物遗传改良研究进展

柽柳属植物具有抗旱、抗寒、抗盐碱、耐水湿等特性,作为干旱区、半干旱区大面积沙荒地和盐碱化土地上广泛分布的一类重要灌木植物,以其独特的生物、生态学特征和重要的生态、社会经济价值成为学者的研究热点。文中综述了柽柳属植物种质资源遗传多样性、相关抗逆基因研究、育种技术以及良种繁育等方面的研究进展,指出在柽柳属植物分子生物学研究和品种培育工作中存在的问题,并提出柽柳遗传资源开发利用的建议,旨在为包括柽柳在内的干旱区主要植物资源遗传育种研究提供参考。     

白花树天然群体表型多样性研究

调查了9个群体的14个表型性状,采用巢式方差分析、变异系数、相关分析和聚类分析等方法,分析了群体间和群体内表型多样性.结果表明:白花树表型性状在群体间和群体内都存在丰富的变异,群体间表型分化系数为59.08％,大于群体内变异;侧枝、叶片、果实和种子4类表型性状的平均变异系数分别为31.02％、16.85％、8.2％和6...     

新疆阿尔泰地区白杨派3个树种半同胞家系子代遗传多样性分析

利用SSR分子标记技术,对采自新疆额尔齐斯河流域阿尔泰市哈巴河及北屯地区的白杨派3个树种银白杨、银灰杨、欧洲山杨的半同胞家系子代进行遗传多样性分析.结果表明:筛选12对SSR引物在90个样本中共检测到58个等位基因(A)、112种基因型,多态位点百分率是100％,Nei遗传多样性指数(h)平均为0.648 5,Shannon多样性指数平均为1.234.基因分化系数(Fst)为0.337 l,即在总的遗传变异中有33.71％的变异来自于不同树种之间,绝大部分存在于子代个体间.白杨派内种间分化程度较高,种间遗传距离为0.3863～1.869;银灰杨的遗传变异最大,而银白杨的遗传变异最小.     

黑松和马尾松苗受松材线虫侵染后部分化学物质的响应

为研究松材线虫侵染对寄主植物生理生化物质代谢的影响,以黑松和马尾松4 5年生苗为实验材料,测定了接种松材线虫对2种寄主植物的营养物质和次生代谢物质含量的变化及其规律。结果显示:接种松材线虫初期,黑松和马尾松的总糖含量均较高,随接种时间的延长,总糖含量呈不断下降趋势;黑松的可溶性糖含量一直降低并明显低于对照,马尾松的可溶性糖含量在侵染前期与对照相比变化不明显,而15 d后快速降低;黑松和马尾松的可溶性蛋白含量侵染前期均低于对照,后升高,再降低;黑松的单宁含量明显高于对照,马尾松的单宁含量接种第1天略低于对照,第3天后开始升高;黑松和马尾松的总酚含量均在侵染前期高于对照,而后降低。这些物质的变化趋势显示松材线虫侵染不同寄主植物的生理反应。