Comparison of foliar nutrient concentrations between natural and artificial forests of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica on sandy land, China

In order to examine the causes of degradation of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantations on sandy land, the foliar concentrations of N, P, K and C were analyzed and compared between the field grown P. sylvestris var. mongolica trees from two provenances （natural forests and plantations）. The results indicated that natural tree needles had lower N, P and C concentrations, and higher K concentrations than those of plantation tree needles. For plantation tree needles, ratios of N： P, P. K and N： K increased with tree age before 45 years old; but they were not clear for the natural tree needles. Compared with the conclusions reported on Pinus spp., we found that the foliar N and P concentrations were in the optimal range for both natural and plantation tree needles. This result suggested that N or P might not be the absolute limit factors in plant nutrient for P sylvestris var. mongolica on sandy land. However, foliar K concentrations in both natural and plantation tree needles were much lower than those reported on Pinus spp. （〉4.80 g kg-1）.The N： P ratio of natural needles was in the adequate ranges, but N： P ratio of plantation needles was out of the adequate ranges. These results indicated that there was a better balanced nutrition status in the natural forest than in the plantations. If only considering the foliar nutrient concentrations of P sylvestris var. mongolica from different provenances, it might be concluded that the degradation phenomenon of P. sylvestris var. mongolica plantations was not induced by nutrition deficiency of absolute nutrients of N and P, but might be induced by other mineral nutrients or by the effectiveness of N and P nutrients. The unbalanced nutrition status and relatively quick decomposition of needles in the plantations might also contribute to the degradation.     

Effects of gaps on regeneration of woody plants: a meta-analysis

Forest gaps, openings in the canopy caused by death of one or more trees, have a profound effect on forest regeneration and drive the forest growth cycle. It is therefore necessary to understand the effects of forest gaps on regeneration for modern forest management. In order to provide a quantitative assessment of the effects of forest gaps on regen-eration of woody plants, we conducted this review of gap effects on woody plant regeneration on the basis of 527 observations from 42 indi-vidual papers, and reported the results of these data in a meta-analysis. Overall, densities of regenerated woody plants were significantly greater （359%） in forest gaps than on the closed-canopy forest floor. The regen-eration density in gaps of plantation forests was significantly greater （P＆lt;0.05） than that of natural forest because the regeneration in gaps of plan-tation forests was improved by both gap effects and experimental meas-ures. Similarly, in comparison to natural gaps, regeneration was better enhanced in artificial gaps. Regeneration density exhibited a significantly positive correlation with gap size, but a negative correlation with gap age because the gap size decreased with increasing gap age. Shade tolerance of woody plants affected regeneration density in gaps and understory. Average regeneration density of shade-tolerant species exhibited a sig-nificantly positive response to gaps but densities remained lower in total than those of intermediate and shade-intolerant species. Gap effects on regeneration decreased in response to increasing temperature and pre-cipitation because of the limiting effects of lower temperature and moisture on woody plant regeneration. In summary, forest gaps enhance woody plant regeneration, and the effects of gaps varied by forest type, gap characteristics, environmental factors and plant traits. The results of this meta-analysis are useful for better understanding the effects and roles of gaps on forest regeneration and forest management.     

Effects of thinning on microsites and natural regeneration in a Larix olgensis plantation in mountainous regions of eastern Liaoning Province, China

In order to understand the effects of thinning on microsite conditions and natural regeneration in the larch plantation, thinning experiment was conducted in a 40-year-old Larix olgensis plantation in Qingyuan County in eastern Liaoning Province, China in 2003-2004 Five thinning treatments （0%, 10.2%, 19.8%, 29.7% and 40.3% thinned） were designed on the same site. After thinning, canopy openness and the microsite conditions such as photosynthetic photon flux density （PPFD）, soil moisture content, and soil temperature were measured in one growing season. Meanwhile, the investigation of natural regeneration was conducted at the end of the growing season. The results showed that the canopy openness increased with the increase of thinning intensities. PPFD and soil temperature and soil moisture content in different soil layers were positively relative with canopy openness after thinning. The richness of regenerating tree species did not significantly increase （p=0.30） after one growing season since thinning, but the regeneration density and frequency of tree species increased significantly （p〈0.05）. In addition, the number of regenerating tree species increased, and the increment was correlated with the characteristics of iudividual tree species. The increasing percentage of regenerating seedlings of the shade-intolerant tree species was more than that of shade-tolerant tree species. Among the investigated regeneration species, the biggest response of seedling emergency to the canopy openness was Phellodendron amurense. This paper confirmed the following conclusions： after thinning, the variety of regenerating tree species was correlative with the characteristics of regenerating tree species, and the distribution of unthinned trees and the site conditions in the investigated larch plantation were the additional factors influencing, the regeneration.     

Genetic variation of height growth rhythm between clones of Larix kaempferi × L. gmelini based on logistic models

Fifty-three larch interspecific hybrid clones(Larix kaempferi × L.gmelini) and their parent clones were used for growth curve analysis of height variations.The growth curves of the 55 clones were 'S'-shaped and 36 exhibited similar curves as the male parent.The coefficients of the logistic models were higher than 0.943,indicating that our results were effective in the simulation of the growth curves.ANOVA analysis showed significant differences in height of different clones (P\0.01).Average date of maximum height growth was Day 173,and average duration of rapid growth lasted for 50 days.Annual average increase in height was 9.7cm d~(-1) and daily average increase was 0.2 cm.The ratio of GR to the total annual increase in height ranged from 51.2 to 68.8%,with the average being 59.8%.There was a positive correlation between k values and plant heights which benefited from the evaluation of early plant height.There was also a positive correlation between GR(growth stage),GD(plant height) and annual increase in height.These results are informative to the evaluation of the elite clone selection and provide a theoretical basis for breeding and management.     

Female Plant Types of Ginkgo biloba L. in China

Ginkgo biloba is a dioecious and unique species within Ginkgo family and Ginkgo genus, but it shows a big variability. From 1950s, resources of female plants in China were investigated and collected, and the seed anatomical structure and morphological characters at different development stages were observed. According to the shape, length, width and thickness of ovule bracket and seed stone, as well as the characteristics of both sides and top of the stone, the female plants of Ginkgo biloba have been divided into five types, long-stone, Buddha-finger, horse-bell, mume-stone and round-stone. In addition, the important cultivars belonging to different types were also determined. The stone weight, index of stone shape, and contents of dry matter, amylose,amylopectin, starch, rough protein, soluble sugar and hydrocyanic acid in seed kernel of each type were measured, and the qualities of seed stone were appraised, which lays a foundation for the improvement and utilization of female plant resources in Ginkgo biloba.     

A STUDY ON ENERGY OF ARTIFICIAL DAHURIAN LARCH COMMUNITY

By means of calorimetry measurement,the caloric values of various components,the standing crop of energy,not energy production and energy conversing efficiency of an artifi-cial dahurian larch community at Laoshan Plantation Experimental Station of Maoer Shan For-est Farm in the eastern part of northeast China were determined and studied in the present paper.The result of the experiment were as follows:(1)caloric value varied with plant species and plant organs,in general,the order of caloric value was tree,shrub and herb,and for different organs,was leaf, branch,trunk(stem),bark and root.(2)The standing crop of energy of larch community and tree layer were 269.719×10~(10)J/ha.and 264.440×10~10J/ha.respectively.Theree xisted different distributions of energy in various components and different layers.(3)Net ener-gy prduction of larch community and its tree layer were 264.346×10~8J/ha.a and 243.678×10~8J/ha.a respectively.To the photosythetical active radiation on the stand,its energy con-versing eff     

Effects of Cold Acclimation on Several Enzyme Activities in Euonymus radicans ‘Emorald & Gold’and Its Relation to Semi-lethal Temperature

The changes in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and ATPase in the leaves of Euonymus radicans were studied when seedlings were cold-acclimated (at 4 ℃) for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and then treated for 1 d under low temperature stress (at 5 ℃). The semi-lethal temperatures of acclimated and unacclimated seedlings were also investigated. The results indicated that the activities of the three enzymes in the leaves of the seedlings treated at 4 ℃ for 1, 2 and 3 weeks were all higher than those of unacclimated seedings (treated at 22 ℃ as controls). The activities of SOD and POD increased continuously with the prolongation of the time of cold acclimation, but stepped up to summits then down to the levels of the controls. The activities of SOD culminated at the first week, and the activities of POD at the second week. When acclimated and unacclimated seedlings were both treated at 5 ℃ for 1 d, the activities of the three enzymes in the leaves of acclimated seedlings were a little lower than those before stress, but higher than those of the controls. Moreover, the decrease rate of enzyme activities was greatly lower than that of the controls. The results showed that cold acclimation could enhance the stability of the three enzymes in the leaves of seedlings under low temperature stress; the semi-lethal temperature was 19.1 ℃ when the seedlings were treated at 4 ℃ for 3 weeks, but it was 5.4 ℃ when the seedlings were treated at 22 ℃. The decline of the semi-lethal temperature caused by the adaptive changes of enzyme activities was one of the foundations of enhancing the cold tolerance.     

Carbon stock in Korean larch plantations along a chronosequence in the Lesser Khingan Mountains,China

Carbon(C) dynamics are central to understanding ecosystem restoration effects within the context of Grain for Green Project(GGP). GGP stared in China since 2003 to improve the environment. Despite its importance, how total forest ecosystem C stock(FECS) develops following land-use changes from cropland to plantation is poorly understood, in particular the relationship of C allocation to pools. We quantified C pools in a chronosequence ranging from 0 to 48 years, using complete above- and below-ground harvests based on detailed field inventory. Stands were chosen along a succession sequence in managed plantations of Korean larch(Larix olgensis Henry.), a native planting species in the Lesser Khingan Mountains, Northeast of China. The FECS of Korean larch plantation(KLP) were dynamic across stand development, changing from 88.2 Mg·ha-1 at cropland, to 183.9 Mg·ha-1 as an average of forest C from 7- through 48-year-old plantation. In a 48-year-old mature KLP, vegetation comprises 48.63% of FECS and accounts for 67.66% of annual net C increment(ANCI). Soil is responsible for 38.19% and 13.53% of those, and with the remainders of 13.18% and 18.81% in down woody materials. Based on comparisons of our estimate to those of others, we conclude that afforestation of Korean larch plantation is a valid approach to sequester carbon.     

Effects of Anatomical Characteristics of Ethiopian Lowland Bamboo on Physical and Mechanical Properties

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of anatomical characteristics of Ethiopian lowland bamboo on selected physical and mechanical properties. A total of 45 solid culms from three different age groups (2-, 3- and 4- year-old) were harvested from natural bamboo forest in Ethiopia and then samples were transported to China for carrying out anatomical characteristics test. Physical and mechanical properties testing were conducted in Ethiopia. The result indicates that age and height had signi...     

Health Assessment Indicator System for Larch Plantation in Jin’gouling Forest Farm, Jilin Province

For the healthy management of plantation, a health assessment indicator system was designed at forest stand scale for the larch plantation in Jin'ouling Forest Farm, Wangqing Forestry Bureau, Jilin Province. The system consisted of 3 categories—forest structure, external interferences and management objectives, with 15 indicators. The results showed that: 1) the assessment indicator system was scientific and rational for different age groups of larch plantations; 2) both the half-mature larch plantation and...     

Effects of phosphorus and potassium addition on growth and nodula- tion of Dalbergia sissoo in the nursery

A study was conducted to test the influence of different inorganic fertilizers （phosphorous and potassium） on the nodulation and growth of Dalbergia sissoo grown in the nursery. Before seeds sowing, different combinations of P, K fertilizers were incorporated with the nutrient-deficient natural forest soils, and then amended with cowdung （soil： cowdung = 3：1）. Nodulation status （nodule number, shape, fresh weight, dry weight and color） in the roots and the plant growth parameters （length of shoot and root, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root） were recorded 60 days after seeds sowing. Nodulation status and growth of the plants varied significantly （P〈0.05） in the soils amended with fertilizers in comparison to the control. The highest nodule number （62）, fresh （0.50 g） and dry （0.07 g） weights were recorded with the dose of PK at the rate of 160 kg/hm2. Nodule shape and color also varied widely in different treatments. In case of plant growth parameters, shoot and root length, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of the plants took on a significant difference （P〈0.05） among various combination of fertilizers. From the study, it is revealed that PK at the rate of 160 kg/hm^2 fertilizer with soil and cowdung mixture （soil： eowdung = 3：1） is recommended for optimum growth and nodule formation of D. sissoo in degraded soils at a nursery level.     

Effects of Cold Acclimation on Several Enzyme Activities in Euonymus radicans ‘Emorald & Gold’ and Its Relation to Semi-lethal Temperature

The changes in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and ATPase in the leaves of Euonymus radicans were studied when seedlings were cold-acclimated (at 4℃) for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and then treated for 1d under low temperature stress (at-5℃).The semi-lethal temperatures of acclimated and unacclimated seedlings were also investigated.The results indicated that the activities of the three enzymes in the leaves of the seedlings treated at 4℃ for 1, 2 and 3 weeks were all higher than those of unacclimated seedings (treated at 22℃ as controls). The activities of SOD and POD increased continuously with the prolongation of the time of cold acclimation, but stepped up to summits then down to the levels of the controls. The activities of SOD culminated at the first week, and the activities of POD at the second week. When acclimated and unacclimated seedlings were both treated at -5℃ for 1d, the activities of the three enzymes in the leaves of acclimated seedlings were a little lower than those before stress, but higher than those of the controls. Moreover, the decrease rate of enzyme activities was greatly lower than that of the controls. The results showed that cold acclimation could enhance the stability of the three enzymes in the leaves of seedlings under low temperature stress; the semi-lethal temperature was -19.1℃ when the seedlings were treated at 4℃ for 3 weeks, but it was -5.4℃ when the seedlings were treated at 22℃. The decline of the semi-lethal temperature caused by the adaptive changes of enzyme activities was one of the foundations of enhancing the cold tolerance.     

Influence of high-temperature convective flow on viability of Scots pine needles(Pinus sylvestris L.)

During a forest fire, plants are affected by high temperatures causing stress. At the time of burning, it is difficult to record temperature changes in tree crowns and the associated effects on photosynthesis. This paper presents the results of modelling a high-temperature effect simulating a convective flow from a ground fire. Evaluation of the response was carried out by the parameters of rapid fluorescence(Fv/Fm, ETR), the state of the pigment complex, and the relative water content in the needles. To characterize the degree of heat endurance and short-term effects concerning thermal damage, saplings of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.) were used at different times during the growing season(June, July, August, September). Experimental heating at 55 ℃ lasted for 5 and 10 min. There were different levels of heat resistance by the needles. Data in June show that heating of the saplings significantly suppressed photosynthesis. In July, August, and September, the photochemical quantum yield(Fv/Fm) was restored to 75% and 60% from the initial level after 5-and 10-min heating, respectively. The electron transport rate(ETR) for saplings in September was restored to their initial level within 3 days after a short heat exposure.Restoration of the photosynthetic activity in needles was observed after a 5-min impact, but by the end of the study period, restoration had not reached control values. A longer heating of 10 min resulted in an irreversible suppression of photosynthesis and destruction of the photosynthetic apparatus, as evidenced by the decrease in the number of photosynthetic pigments.     

Effect of compression on hydroscopicity of extracted Chinese fir heartwood

In order to clarify the effects of extraction and compression on the hydroscopicity of wood, Chinese fir （Cunninghamia lanceolata Hook.） heartwood samples with or without extraction were radially or tangentially compressed under water-saturated condition at room temperature. Warm water and 1% sodium hydroxide were used as different solutions for extraction. Water absorption capacity and moisture adsorption isotherms of the compressed samples were then tested. The fractal dimension of internal wood surfaces （Dfs） was calculated based on adsorption isotherms by FHH equation. Results showed that in both compressed groups, the hydroscopicity of samples extracted by sodium hydroxide solution improved greatly, while that of samples extracted by warm water changed little, compared with that of water-saturated samples. Recovery of set and the change of hydroscopic environment inside wood were main reasons for the difference of water absorption among water-saturated samples and samples extracted with warm water and sodium hydroxide solution. The swelling rate of samples extracted by sodium hydroxide solution significantly increased. Moreover, the swelling rate in the tangential direction of tangentially compressed samples was obviously higher than that in radial direction of radially compressed ones. Dfs values of woods extracted by warm water and sodium hydroxide solution decreased by 0.002 and 0.007 in a radially compressed group and by 0.013 and 0.013 in a tangentially compressed group, compared to those of water-saturated one. Therefore, the conclusion can be made that the extraction and compression treatments used in this study have no obvious effects on internal wood surface.     

Adventitious shoot regeneration of Platanus acerifolia Willd. facilitated by Timentin, an antibiotic for suppression of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in genetic transformation

The effects of Timentin and cefotaxime (Cef) on shoot regeneration of the London plane tree (Platanus acerifolia Willd.) and their use for the suppression of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation were compared. Shoot regeneration was significantly reduced on the media with Cef at concentrations from 100 to 500 mg·L–1. Timentin showed negative effect on plant regeneration at concentrations of 100 and 500 mg·L–1; however, 300 mg·L–1 Timentin was shown to facilitate shoot r...     

Competition effects in an afrotemperate forest

Background： Information about competition responses is mainly available for monospecific stands or mixed stands with a small number of species. Studies on complex multi-species and highly structured forest ecosystems are scarce. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to quantify competition effects and analyse competition responses in a species-diverse afrotemperate forest in South Africa, based on an observational study with mapped tree positions and long-term diameter increment records. Methods： The sensitivity to competition was analysed for individual species and involved the calculation of the slope of the linear relation between the value of a competition index （CI） and diameter growth as a measure of sensitivity. In a next step different competition indices were combined and tree diameters were grouped in three classes as surrogates for canopy status and ontogenetic stage. Results： Five competition indices were found to be effective in showing sensitivity to competition for a number of canopy and sub-canopy species. Significant linear regressions were fitted for 18 of a total of 25 species. Species reactions varied significantly in their sensitivity to the different CIs. The indices were classified as belonging to two groups, those that responded more to local crowding and those that are more sensitive to overtopping, which revealed species-specific sensitivities to both factors. The analysis based on diameter classes revealed that species clearly changed their sensitivity to crowding or overtopping depending on diameter. Canopy and sub-canopy species showed distinct differences in their reactions. Conclusions： The application of multiple CIs brought novel insights relating to the dynamics of afrotemperate forests. The response patterns to different competition indices that focus on crowding and overtopping are varied and tree diameter dependent, indicating that oversimplified assumptions are not warranted in the interpretation of Cl- growth relations.     

High-efficiency somatic embryogenesis and morphohistology and histochemistry of somatic embryo development in Larix leptolepis Gordon

A high-efficiency somatic embryogenesis protocol of Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis Gordon) has been established in our investigation. Calli were induced from immature zygotic embryos of female cones of L. leptolepis and then subcultured regularly on to a modified Gupta and Durzan (DCR) basal medium for 5 years. Embryogenic tissues showed distinct morphological changes dur-ing somatic embryo development when they were transferred to a maturation medium supplemented with abscisic acid (ABA) com-pared with the morphology in a medium lacking ABA. Histological observations indicated that polyembryony was a characteristic feature during early embryogeny and somatic embryos at later stages showed normal histodifferentiation. In addition, histochemical analysis revealed that abundant starch granules and proteins accumulated in mature embryos, indicating that they played important roles in the development and regeneration of normal plantlets from somatic embryos on hormone-free germination media     

Germination characteristics and diversity of soil seed banks and above-ground vegetation in disturbed and undisturbed oak forests

The destruction of natural ecosystems is an important issue in many parts of the world. In the west of Iran, a vast area of the Zagros Mountain range is covered by typical vegetation including several rare plant species, of which many are currently considered endangered by anthropogenic activities. Despite the important role of soil seed banks to help conserve these degraded plant communities, the floristic studies in the Zagros forests have only focused on above- ground vegetation. In this study, the characteristics of soil seed banks and above-ground vegetation were examined at two forest sites： an undisturbed control （Un） and a disturbed （D） site. The objectives of this study were 1） to investigate the diversity of above-ground vegetation and soil seed banks in disturbed and undisturbed forests, 2） to examine the soil properties and the germination characteristics of the soil seed bank in disturbed and undisturbed oak forests and 3） to estimate the potential of soil seed banks in the restoration of disturbed sites. The results show that soil properties between Un and D sites were significantly different with higher values of pH, NH4-N, N~o,, CEC, OC, clay and canopy percentage in the Un site than in the D site. The Simpson diversity, Margalef richness and evenness indices differed significantly between sites, either for the soil seed banks or the above-ground vegetation. After a period of 26 weeks, the germination speed and the mean daily number of germinants were significantly different between Un and D sites. Without other conservation measures, soil seed banks alone cannot result in a full recovery after severe disturbances in the oak forests of Zagros.     

An impacts of logging operations on understory plants for the broadleaved／Korean pine mixed forest on Changbai Mountain, China

Natural regeneration of tree species is important to the sustainability of native forest ecosystems in the temperate zone of northeast China. This study compared the densities and heights of seedlings and the diversities of shrubs and herbs on three sites of logging operations: log-skidding trails (LST), logging gaps (LG) and log landing sites (LLS). Sites undisturbed by logging gaps operations were sampied as control. The species, counts and height of tree seedlings and the species, counts, height and percentage coverage of shrubs and herbs were recorded in the field. The highest density and greatest height of regeneration trees were observed at LG and LST. The effects of LST on the densities of broadleaved trees were greater than those of coniferous trees. The difference in seedling density between LLS and control was significant (p=0.05). There was no significant difference in average seedling height for all the tree species between the disturbed sites and control. There were more shrub and herb species at the disturbed sites than at control. The diversity of understory plants at LG was the highest among all the sites. LST and LLS were different in shrub diversity, so were LLS and control. Both LG and LLS were different from control in herb diversity. Active measures need to be taken on the operation sites to protect the coniferous trees and the diversities of understory plants for sustaining the structure and composition of the broadleaved-Korean pine mixed forest on Changbai Mountain of China.Since different operation sites have different effects on different tree species, site-dependent actions must be taken to assure the regeneration of ecologically important tree species.     

Contamination and browning in tissue culture of Platanus occidentalis L.

Twigs of 2–3-year-old Platanus occidentalis L. were used as experimental material to find the causes for the contamination and browning in the initial stages of tissue cultures. To compare the degree of browning of explants picked off from different growing seasons, the experimental material was excised from trees on each of the first ten days in January, March, May and July, 2006. The results indicated that the contamination and browning rates of the material cut off in January (14.2% and 30.6%, respectively) and March were somewhat lower than those in July. The pretreatment of soaking the explants in different anti-oxidants and absorbents at the same time could diminish some side effects. The pretreatment of using 10 g·L–1 vitamin C reduced the contamination and brown-ing rate effectively. An orthogonal experiment showed that the optimal factor and level arrangement is 0.5 mg·L–1 BA, 2.0 g·L–1 ac-tive carbon and 1.5 g·L–1 PVP which resulted in a browning rate of only 16.5%. In general, sampling period, physical properties and pretreatment of explants are the main factors responsible for the contamination and browning of material in the initial stages of P. occidentalis tissue cultures.