Communities of saprobic fungi on leaf litter of Vismia guianensis in remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

We examined the mycobiota associated with Vismia guianensis leaf litter in three Atlantic Forest remnants of Brazil's semiarid region. Among the study sites, two remnants were protected forest reserves, whereas the third was influenced by major anthropogenic activities. Eighteen litter samples were collected in wet and dry seasons and were processed by particle filtration technique. A total of 4750 fungal isolates of 142 taxa were identified. Species richness was higher in litter samples collected during wet season.Nonmetric multidimensional scaling multivariate analysis showed differences in the composition of fungal communities among the sampling sites and the seasons. Analysis of similarity showed that the differences were statistically significant(R = 0.85; P = 0.0001). Our findings revealed that spatial and temporal heterogeneity, and human activities had significant impacts on the saprobic fungi of V. guianensis leaf litter.     

Communities of saprobic fungi on leaf litter of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vismia guianensis</Emphasis> in remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

We examined the mycobiota associated with Vismia guianensis leaf litter in three Atlantic Forest remnants of Brazil’s semiarid region. Among the study sites, two remnants were protected forest reserves, whereas the third was influenced by major anthropogenic activities. Eighteen litter samples were collected in wet and dry seasons and were processed by particle filtration technique. A total of 4750 fungal isolates of 142 taxa were identified. Species richness was higher in litter samples collected during wet season. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling multivariate analysis showed differences in the composition of fungal communities among the sampling sites and the seasons. Analysis of similarity showed that the differences were statistically significant (R = 0.85; P = 0.0001). Our findings revealed that spatial and temporal heterogeneity, and human activities had significant impacts on the saprobic fungi of V. guianensis leaf litter.     

Tree species as hosts for arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate endophyte fungi

A survey of 35 tree species(belonging to 28 genera in 19 families) in Aliyar,South India was carried out to ascertain their arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM) and dark septate endophyte(DSE) fungal status.All the tree species examined had AM association.AM and DSE colonization is reported for the first time in 20 and 14 species respectively.Cooccurrence of AM and DSE was observed in 14(40%) tree species.The extent of DSE colonization was inversely related to the extent of AM fungal colonization.Six tree species had Arum-type,18 had intermediatetype and 11 had typical Paris-type AM morphology.AM fungal spore morphotypes belonging to 11 species in two genera were isolated from the rhizosphere soil.AM fungal spore numbers were not related to the extent of AM colonization and Glomus dominated spore diversity.AM association individually and along with DSE were found respectively in the 63% and 44% of the economically important tree species.The occurrence of AM and DSE fungal association in economically important indigenous tree species indicates the possibility of exploiting this association in future conservation programmes of these species.     

Effects of preparation of clear‐cut forest sites on the soil mycobiota with consequences for Scots pine growth and health

Fungal abundance and diversity were assessed in two differently managed forest soils. In soil 1, chipped woody debris had been spread on the top soil and mixed with the soil by standard deep ploughing to 50 cm. In soil 2, woody debris was removed and there was no ground preparation. Ten years later, the different methods of management resulted in unexpectedly distinctive habitat heterogeneity with a high variation in structure of the mycobiota communities. Incorporation of woody debris into soil resulted in lower abundance of fungi but greater fungal diversity (which may enhance ecosystem stability) and was beneficial for the growth of Scots pines. Removal of post‐harvest woody debris from the surface of the clear‐cut site with no subsequent ground preparation, compared with incorporating chipped debris and deep ploughing, resulted in the soil of the subsequent 10‐year‐old Scots pine plantation having: (a) 159‐fold greater abundance of fungi, (b) lower fungal diversity, (c) different fungal community composition, (d) higher proportion of mycorrhizal fungi, (e) no root rot pathogens, (f) less tree biomass. The study showed that removal of post‐harvest woody debris and no ground preparation is potentially beneficial for the health of young coniferous trees.     

信阳市南湾水库库区森林植被调查分析

信阳市南湾水库库区森林植被南湾水库库区的水资源涵养和水土保持具有重要的作用。本文对水库加区的森林植被的环境,资源状况,类型进行了调查分析,并提出了保护管理的建议。     

Non-mycorrhizal fungal endophytes in two orchids of Kaiga forest (Western Ghats), India

We used standard isolation protocols to explore the endophytic fungal communities in three tissue types of two dominant orchids (Bulbophyllum neilgherrense and Vanda testacea) of the Kaiga forest ofthe Western Ghats. We surface sterilized and assessed 90 segments ofeach orchid for the occurrence and diversity of endophytic fungal taxa.The 118 fungal isolates were obtained from root, bulb and leaves of B.neilgherrense, consisting of 17 anamorphic taxa (range, 10 15 taxa) with 1.3 fungal taxa per segment (range, 1.2 1.4 taxa). Four taxa (Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium sp. and morpho sp. 1) belonged to the coregroup (11.1% 32.2%). The relative abundance of A. flavus and morpho sp.1 was more than 10%. A total of 130 fungal isolates from roots, stems and leaves of V. testacea yielded 20 anamorphic taxa (range, 11 15 taxa)with 1.4 fungal taxa per segment (range, 1.4 1.5 taxa). Aspergillus flavus,A. niger, A. ochraceus, Gliocladium viride, Penicillium sp. and morphosp. 1 belonged to the core group. Relative abundance exceeded 10% for A. flavus, A. niger, and morpho sp. 1. The Simpson and Shannon diversity indices were higher in leaf than root or bulb/stem of both orchids.Jaccard’s similarity coefficient was higher between root and leaf in both orchids (56.3% 60%) than between other pairs. Our study revealed thatthe endophytic fungal assemblage and diversity of B. neilgherrense and V.testacea of Kaiga forest of the Western Ghats were relatively similar between orchids and their tissues.     

Agroforestry systems reduce invasive species richness and diversity in the surroundings of protected areas

The Serra do Brigadeiro State Park (PESB) is one of the largest fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, and it is relevant for native species conservation. However, monocultures settled around the Park resulted in extensive open areas that facilitate the establishment of alien species on the PESB perimeter, which may threaten native species conservation therein, since biological invasion is the second main cause of global biodiversity loss. In this region, there are also farmers planting agroforestry systems (AFS), characterized by tree-based intercropping, which are structurally more similar to the Atlantic Rainforest reminiscent fragments present in the region and may limit local occurrence of potentially invasive exotic weeds for several reasons, such as the high levels of shade provided by trees, the groundcover that result from loss of tree leaves and the increased competition for belowground resources. This study aimed to test whether AFS limit exotic species establishment when compared to monoculture systems. Accordingly, three coffee monocultures and three agroforestry coffee plantations around the PESB were studied. In each of the six study areas, 30 plots of 1 m² were established between the lines of coffee plantation, where all species present were surveyed. In both treatments, rarefaction curves were constructed to evaluate native and exotic richness, and diversity of these two categories was estimated through Simpson index inverse (1/D). All 13 sampled exotic species were present in monocultures, but only three of them occurred in AFS. Besides, alien diversity in monocultures (\(1/D\) = 2.173 ± 0.011) was significantly higher than in AFS (\(1/D\) = 1.031 ± 0.001). Such changes in alien plant community between land-use show that AFSs limit invasive species establishment. Therefore, when planted around protected areas, AFS may contribute to the control of biological invasions and to biodiversity conservation.     

Agroforestry Impacts on Soil Fertility in the Rima'a Valley,Yemen

Yemen is one of the world's least developed countries and experiences problems of scarcity of natural agricultural resources as well as soil erosion and degradation. Agroforestry systems (AFS) are being promoted as a more appropriate land use system than monocropping systems (MCS) worldwide. Unfortunately, long-term studies on agroforestry and other land use systems (LUS) do not exist in Yemen. Agroforestry in the Rima'a region has started to deteriorate and many farmers turned to (MCS). This study was conducted in the Rima'a Valley, near Alsharq town, Dhamar, Yemen. The study evaluates the soil nutrients, organic matter (OM), and other soil properties such as pH, bulk density, and porosity under AFS and compares it with soil under MCS. Standard procedures for soil sampling and analyzing were used to collect and analyze 36 composite samples from Site 1 and 36 composite samples from Site 2 from six cropping systems (treatments). The results showed that there were significant variations in relation to LUS. Agroforestry practices—mixed trees with coffee (S1), and Cordia africana L. with coffee (S2) have higher nitrogen concentration (0.17–0.26%) as compared to the Ziziphus spina-christi L. with maize (S3) and the monocropping maize (S5), (<0.16% in both Sites 1 and 2). Similar results were seen on the effect of the different LUS on the soil P, K, and OM contents at the two sites (p < .01). While soil N, P, and soil K were higher under agroforestry systems S1, and S2 in both sites, it was the lowest in S5 in both sites. It can be concluded that agroforestry has more favorable effects on soil fertility and other soil properties. The government should establish programs and campaigns to disseminate AFS technology and promote the importance of agroforestry in soil conservation.     

广州流溪河国家森林公园冬季甲螨群落对毛竹扩张的响应

为研究毛竹 Phyllostachys heterocycla 扩张对土壤甲螨群落的影响,2017 年冬季在从化流溪 河森林公园内,采用样方调查法分别对毛竹林、竹阔混交林、阔叶林 3 种林地进行调查取样,通过室内 Tullgren 漏斗法对土壤甲螨进行分离和鉴别。结果表明：共捕获 5 607 头甲螨,隶属于 67 属,优势属为角 单翼甲螨属、大奥甲螨属和大头甲螨属。竹林土壤甲螨数量最多;但阔叶林样地的土壤甲螨类群数最多, 群落的 4 种多样性指标亦最高,毛竹扩张导致竹林地下土壤甲螨数量增加但多样性降低,各样地土壤甲 螨群落相似性和 MGP 分析得出类似的结论。     

Variation of endophytic cork oak‐associated fungal communities in relation to plant health and water stress

The main objective of this study was to obtain more comprehensive knowledge about the effect of water stress on endophytic fungal communities in asymptomatic and declining cork oak trees. Six asymptomatic and six declining cork oak trees were randomly selected in a natural cork oak forest located in Sardinia, Italy. In February 2003, the soil around three asymptomatic and three declining trees was covered with a circular plastic film to reduce rain water supply with the intention to induce water stress. The remaining six trees served as controls. Predawn xylematic water potential (PWP) was used as water status indicator and measured seasonally. Between July 2003 and June 2004, fungal endophytes were isolated every 2–4 months from twigs, branches and woody tissues. Significant differences in PWP between covered and control trees were detected mainly in autumn. Gas exchange was greatest in asymptomatic control plants. All tissues were colonized by endophytic fungi. Nineteen fungal species were isolated from 1620 plant fragments. Biscogniauxia mediterranea was the most frequently isolated fungus. Its isolation frequency was significantly higher in declining covered trees than in control trees (p < 0.05). Presence of this fungus in asymptomatic control trees was significantly higher in winter than in summer. Water stress seems to reduce species diversity of the endophytic mycobiota in cork oak and to promote proliferation of some potentially pathogenic endophytes.     

Plant diversity at Chilapatta reserve forest of Terai Duars in sub-humid tropical foothills of Indian eastern Himalayas

From March 2007 to March 2009 we quantified plant diversity at Chilapatta Reserve Forest in Terai Duars in the Indian eastern Himala-yas. We sampled stratified random nested quadrats. Species richness was 311, representing 167 genera and 81 families. The species diversity index and concentration of dominance of the forest were 2.20 and 0.0072, respectively. Shannon-Wiener index and evenness indices were 4.77 and 1.44, respectively. The Importance Value Index （IVI） of species ranged from 0.13 to 37.94. The estimated diversity indices indicated heterogene-ity of the forest in its composition, structure, function and dynamics. Rich forest plant diversity supports the need for continued conservation of tropical forests.     

Diversity of soil fungi in dry deciduous forest of Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary, western Ghats of southern India

We assessed soil fungal diversity in the dry deciduous forest of a Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary of the Western Ghats(210.31 m a.s.l.;N 13°44’ and E75°37’).Soil samples were collected by random mixed sampling during winter(November,2008),summer(March,2009) and monsoon(August,2009) seasons,and physico-chemical parameters were recorded.During winter,summer,and monsoon seasons,49,45 and 49 of fungal species belongs to 20,18 and 19 of genera were isolated,respectively.Isolated soil fungi were mainly of the Mitosporic fungi,followed by Zygomycotina,Ascomycotina,Oomycotina and Coelomycetes.Indices of diversity,dominance and fisher alpha during winter,summer and monsoon seasons were 3.756,3.638 and 3.738(H’),0.9737,0.9694 and 0.9726(1-D) and 18.84,29.83 and 19.46(α),respectively.Spearman’s(r) correlation coefficient of fungal population with physico-chemical parameters of soils showed significantly positive and negative correlations(p<0.01) during winter,summer and monsoon seasons.Physico-chemical soil parameters played an important role in the occurrence,diversity,distribution,and relative abundance of fungal species in the tropical dry deciduous forest soil.     

Effects of Different Forest Fire Intensities on Microbial Community Functional Diversity in Forest Soil in Daxing’anling

Microbial community functional diversity is a sensitive indicator of soil.Forest fires can change microbial community functional diversity.In this research,the fired soil samples were collected from Huzhong of Daxing’anling in Heilongjiang Province. The functional diversity of soil microbial community was detected by BIOLOG system.The average well color development(AWCD) in BIOLOG plates indicated the ability of carbon substrate utilization of microbial community.The indices of Shannon, Simpson and Mcintosh were calculated to show the richness,dominance and evenness of the functional diversity,and the principal component analysis of substrate reactions reflected the main carbon sources utilized by microbial community.The results showed that all the samples exhibited the reduction of AWCD during the first 144 hours of incubation,but there were obvious differences in the reduction degree among the samples.All kinds of fire intensities could influence microbial community functional diversity. The low fire intensity increased the richness (Shannon),dominance(Simpson) and evenness (Mcintosh) of microbial community.However,the intermediate and high fire intensity reduced these parameters,suggesting that the burned soil emitted gaseous nitrogen,a number of organic carbon and available phosphorus,which caused the reduction of the microorganism in quantity and type,and change in soil ingredients.The organic material reduced in the burned soil,in the same time,the pH values rose,which changed environment in which microorganism lives.The changed environment might not be conducive to activities of the microorganism.The principal component analysis showed that the main carbon sources for soil microbes were carbohydrates and amino acids and the carbon substrate utilization patterns in different samples were significant different.The results indicated that functional diversity of soil microbes were altered by forest fires,and the ability of microbes to utilize carbon source and the type of carbon sources were affected by dif     

Does biomass production depend on plant community diversity?

In order to ensure the sustainability of agroecosystems, biodiversity must be a priority. Agroforestry, which includes trees, is an example of such diverse systems. We evaluated plant diversity and aboveground biomass production to assess whether areas under fallow following traditional cultivation return to their initial condition. Also, plant diversity and aboveground biomass production were assessed in agroforestry systems (AFS) to determine if these were similar to unmanaged ecosystems. Another objective of the study was to observe the influence of plant diversity on aboveground biomass production in plant communities and also in the population of the dominant species, Cordia oncocalyx. Plant diversity was evaluated by assessing species richness, as well as using Shannon’s (H′) and Pielou’s (J′) indices. Aboveground plant biomass was evaluated in two AFS: agrosilvopastoral (ASP) and silvopastoral (SP), and also in a traditionally managed agricultural system (AG), areas that had been under fallow for six years (F6) and nine years (F9) and an area of unmanaged caatinga (CAT) vegetation. We observed that the ASP system had a lower diversity and number of species, especially tree species. However, it sustained the same total biomass production as CAT and fallow areas. The SP system, despite having lower H′ and J′ indices as well as lower total biomass production, had a similar number of species to CAT and cropped and fallow systems AG, F6 and F9. Plant biomass in F6 and F9 had recovered to productivity levels of unmanaged CAT vegetation; however the diversity indices were not restored to the same level. Plant diversity did not have an effect on the productivity of the agroecosystems. Likewise, annual biomass production by C. oncocalyx is not dependent upon diversity, but it is influenced by the growth stage of individuals.     

大渡河上游天然岷江柏木移植试验及种质资源保存

为寻找岷江柏木最佳的种质资源保存方式,以马尔康市天然起源岷江柏木为对象,从岷江柏木移植试验入手,结合已有的岷江柏木种质资源保存方法,进行了两方面研究:1)探讨了不同移植时间、不同树龄、不同修枝比例对岷江柏木移植的影响。试验共移植216株个体,1 a后成活8株,成活率3.70%。主根发达、须根偏少,土壤贫瘠且砾石含量多,移植施工的直接伤害、移植地环境难以完全相似等因素,直接影响到岷江柏木移植的成活率。2)比较了原地保护、异地移植、采种育苗、存入种质资源库等岷江柏木种质资源保护方式。提出在原地保存不可行的情况下,应优先采取采种育苗,结合入库保存等方式保护岷江柏木种质资源。     

Dendroclimatological analysis of major forest species of the central Appalachians

A dendroclimatological study was carried out in the 80-year-old Fernow Experimental Forest of the U.S. Forest Service near Parsons, West Virginia (39°20′N, 79°40′W). The relationship between radial and basal area increments and corresponding monthly, seasonal, and yearly mean air temperature and precipitation were obtained over 53 years for four species: black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), white ash (Fraxinus americana L.), and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.). These species show positive growth responses to rainfall of previous summer, autumn, and current summer. They show significantly inverse correlation to air temperature of the current growing season. The indices of radial increment show a close correlation to those of basal area increment. However, in our analyses, basal area increment indices are more sensitive to climatic variations than radial growth indices.     

不同林火强度对大兴安岭偃松林土壤微生物功能多样性的影响

采用BIOLOG方法研究黑龙江省大兴安岭地区呼中林区不同林火强度对土壤微生物功能多样性的影响。在培养144h达到对数增长期的土样中,土壤微生物的碳源利用率因不同林火强度火烧而不同。高、中、低火烧强度均影响微生物群落多样性,特别是低强度火烧能提高微生物物种丰富度(Shannon指数)、物种优势度(Simpson指数)及群落均匀度(McIntosh指数);而中、高强度火烧使指数降低,这可能是由于土壤经过高温高热的灼烧,挥发了大量的气态氮、有机碳、速效磷,使火烧后土壤中的微生物数量、多样性锐减,并使成分发生改变,土壤中的有机质含量减少,同时,火后土壤的pH值升高,使微生物生存环境发生了变化,不利于微生物的活动。主成分分析表明:不同处理土壤微生物主要利用氨基酸类和糖类碳源,但不同火烧强度对微生物群落在碳源的利用上存在着较大的差异。林火可以改变土壤微生物功能多样性,不同林火强度使土壤微生物群落在碳源利用能力、利用类型以及群落的多样性上产生了较大的分异。     

Can small-scale altitudinal gradients predict spatial and temporal patterns in tropical forests?

In tropical montane forests,compositional and structural changes are commonly driven by broad-scale altitudinal variation.Here,given the lack of knowledge on small-scale vegetation changes and temporal dynamics,we address the effects of small-scale variations in soil and altitude on tree community structure,temporal dynamics and phylogenetic diversity in a semi-deciduous tropical forest of the Atlantic Forest Domain,southeastern Brazil.In 2010 and 2015 we sampled thirty plots of 400 m~2,set up along an altitudinal gradient between 1000 and 1500 m a.s.I..In each plot,we collected soil samples for chemical and textural analyses.We fitted linear models to test the effects of altitude and soil on community dynamics and phylogenetic parameters.Altitude and soil explained the spatial variation in number of individuals and phylogenetic diversity metrics.From lower to higher altitudes,we found decreasing fertility,increasing tree density and decreasing phylogenetic diversity.Altitude significantly influenced the increases in total biomass(from 240.9 to 255.4 t ha~(-1)) and individual biomass(from 0.15 to 0.17 t) recorded in the interval.And while community temporal dynamics had rates of 1.96% for mortality,1.02% for recruitment,1.61% for biomass loss and 2.81% for biomass gain,none of them were explained by altitude or soil.Temporal species substitution averaged0.1 in the interval.Altogether,these results suggest that the small-scale variations in altitude and soil likely determine the conditions and resources that drive community assembly and structure,which are expressed by spatial variations along the altitudinal gradient.At the same time,temporal patterns were not influenced by altitude-related environmental variation,resulting in a similar dynamic behaviour across the gradient,suggesting that broad-scale factors may play a more important role than local ones.     

森林采伐迹地清理方式对迹地土壤理化性质的影响

采伐剩余物迹地清理是森林作业的重要组成部分之一。本文通过在黑龙江省带岭林业局野外迹地取样和实验室分析 ,对森林采伐剩余物迹地清理方式对迹地土壤的影响进行了初步研究。结果表明 ,迹地清理方式对作业迹地土壤理化特性产生一定程度的影响 ,进而影响森林采伐后的迹地天然更新与苗木生长质量。研究结果还表明 ,火烧和堆积方法对迹地土壤物理特性影响不十分显著 ,但对土壤的化学特性影响十分显著 ,尤其是火烧迹地土壤养分流失程度差异比较显著     

Plant diversity patterns in different forests in Aershan, Inner Mongolia

Taking the communities of the sample sites in Aershan of Inner Mongolia as an investigation object, the indices affecting plant diversity were studied. The investigation was carried out in three different forest types (natural forests, plantations and regenerated forests after fire). Results show that 95 plant species belonging to 19 families and 50 genera were identified in total. Of these species, nine were arbors, six were shrubs and the other 80 were herbs. We found some differences in the dominant species of different layers in three forest types. Natural forests had the largest importance value for the total number of species, followed by plantations and regenerated forests after fire. Plantations and natural forests had a similar change in richness indices. The largest value of richness indices was obtained in natural forests, while the lowest value was in regenerated forests after fire. Three diversity indices (Simpson’s, Shannon-Wiener and Pielou’s indices) indicate a similar trend in all sample plots. With an increase in elevation, values of diversity indices first increased and then decreased. In different forest types, similarity between natural forests was largest, while similarity between the regenerated forests and plantations was lowest.