Physiological and morphological responses of young mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) plants to drought

Young mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) plants were grown under either well-watered (pre-dawn leaf water potential, Ψ_pd, ca. −0.40 MPa) or drought (Ψ_pd, ca. −3.52 MPa) conditions to examine some physiological strategies that allow the maintenance of leaf turgor. In well-watered plants, stomatal conductance (g_s) was nearly constant (440 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) between 7:00 and 13:00 h. This was accomplished by significant increases in transpiration (E) and apparent total hydraulic conductance (K_T), in which averages were higher at 13:00 h. From 13:00 to 17:00 h, g_s, E, and K_T decreased sharply, reaching their lower values at 17:00 h. In these plants, significant increases in height (116%), stem diameter (50%) and leaf area (200%) were registered over the experimental period (20 days). Analyses of linear regression between g_s or E and leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit (Δ_w) were not significant. In water-stressed plants, g_s and E were higher at 7:00 h and lower from 9:00 to 17:00 h, while K_T was higher in early morning (7:00 h) and in late afternoon (17:00 h) than between 9:00 and 15:00 h. Moreover, both g_s and E decreased potentially (P < 0.001) with the diurnal increases on Δ_w. Drought also decreased leaf and leaflet numbers and reduced total leaf area, but had no effect on stem height and diameter. Leaf proline was higher (ca. 400%, between 13:00 and 15:00 h) in water-stressed plants, suggesting osmotic adjustment under drought. Twelve hours after resumption of irrigation, Ψ_pd was similar (P > 0.05) between well-watered and drought-stressed plants, suggesting an ability of plants to recover turgor after stress cessation. Altogether, our data support the hypothesis that young mahogany plants have the ability to satisfactorily tolerate or postpone drought.     

Genetic variation of xylem hydraulic properties shows that wood density is involved in adaptation to drought in Douglas-fir (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudotsuga menziesii</Emphasis> (Mirb.))

Introduction   

Relationships between wood density and hydraulic efficiency and safety (hydraulic specific conductivity and vulnerability to cavitation, respectively) could clarify the physiological process explaining the impact of density on fitness. We have used new, relatively high-throughput phenotyping methods to estimate genetic variation of wood hydraulic specific conductivity (k _s) and vulnerability to cavitation (VC) as an important step toward demonstrating the adaptive value of wood density.     

Gas exchange responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. africana</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. robusta</Emphasis> to varying soil moisture content in semi-arid (Thika) Kenya

A dramatic decline in forest cover in eastern Africa along with a growing population means that timber and poles for building and fuelwood are in short supply. To overcome this shortage, the region is increasingly turning to eucalyptus. But eucalyptus raises environmental concerns of its own. Fears that it will deplete water supply, affect wildlife and reduce associated crop yields have caused many countries in the region to discourage farmers from planting this exotic. This paper is part of a series of investigations on the growth and water use efficiency of faster growing eucalyptus hybrids, which was introduced from South Africa to Kenya. The hypothesis is that the new hybrids are more efficient in using water and more suitable for the semi-arid tropics than existing eucalyptus and two popular agroforestry species. Gas exchange characteristics of juvenile Eucalyptus grandis (W. Hill ex Maiden), two eucalyptus hybrids (E. grandis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.), Grevillea robusta (A. Cunn) and Cordia africana (Lam) was studied under field and pot conditions using an infrared gas analyzer was used to measure photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), net photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (g _s) and transpiration rate (E) at CO₂ concentrations of 360 μmol mol⁻¹ and ambient humidity and temperature. A, E and g _s varied between species, being highest in eucalyptus hybrid GC 15 (24.6 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) compared to eucalyptus hybrid GC 584 (21.0 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), E. grandis (19.2 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), C. africana (17.7 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and G. robusta (11.1 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). C. africana exhibited high E values (7.0 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) at optimal soil moisture contents than G. robusta (3.9 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and eucalyptus (5.3 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) in field experiment and G. robusta (3.2 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and eucalyptus (4.2 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) in pot-grown trees. At very low soil moisture content, extremely small g _s values were recorded in GC 15 and E. grandis (8 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and G. robusta (14 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) compared to GC 584 (46.9 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and C. africana (90.0 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) indicating strong stomatal control by the species. Instantaneous water use efficiency ranged between 3 and 5 μmol mmol⁻¹ and generally decreased with decline in soil moisture in pot-grown trees but increased with declining soil moisture in field-grown trees.     

Effects of age-related increases in sapwood area,leaf area,and xylem conductivity on height-related hydraulic costs in two contrasting coniferous species

Introduction  

Knowledge of vertical variation in hydraulic parameters would improve our understanding of individual trunk functioning and likely have important implications for modeling water movement to the leaves. Specifically, understanding how foliage area (A _l), sapwood area (A _s), and hydraulic specific conductivity (k _s) vary with canopy position to affect leaf-specific conductivity (LSC) and whole-tree leaf-specific hydraulic conductance (K _l) may explain some of the contrasting patterns of A _l/A _s reported in the literature.     

Branch CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> efflux in vertical profile of Norway spruce tree

Branch CO₂ efflux of Norway spruce tree [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] was measured in ten branches at five different whorls during the growing season 2004 (from June till October) in campaigns of 3–4 times per month at the Beskydy Mts., the Czech Republic. Branch CO₂ efflux was measured using a portable infrared gas analyzer (LI-6250, LI-COR, Inc., USA), operating as a closed system. Branch woody-tissue temperature was measured continuously in 10-min intervals for each sample position during the whole experiment period. On the basis of relation between CO₂ efflux rate and woody-tissue temperature, a value of Q₁₀ and of normalized CO₂ efflux rate (E₁₀–CO₂ efflux rate at 10°C) was calculated for each sampled position. Estimated Q₁₀ values ranged from 2.12 to 2.89, and E₁₀ ranged from 0.41 to 1.19 μmolCO₂m⁻²s⁻¹. Differences in branch CO₂ efflux were found between orientations, east-side branches presented higher efflux rate than west-side branches. The highest branch CO₂ efflux rate values were measured in August and the lowest in October, which corresponds with woody-tissue temperature and growth processes during these periods. Branch CO₂ efflux was significantly and positively correlated with branch position within canopy and woody-tissue temperature. Branches from the upper whorls showed higher CO₂ efflux activity and seasonal dynamics than branches from the lower whorls.     

Identification of anisotropic vibrational properties of Padauk wood with interlocked grain

Grain deviations and high extractives content are common features of many tropical woods. This study aimed at clarifying their respective impact on vibrational properties, referring to African Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub.), a species selected for its interlocked grain, high extractives content and uses in xylophones. Specimens were cut parallel to the trunk axis (L), and local variations in grain angle (GA), microfibril angle (MFA), specific Young’s modulus (E′ _L /ρ, where ρ stands for the density) and damping coefficient (tanδ_L) were measured. GA dependence was analysed by a mechanical model which allowed to identify the specific Young’s modulus (E′₃/ρ) and shear modulus (G′/ρ) along the grain (3) as well as their corresponding damping coefficients (tanδ₃, tanδ_G). This analysis was done for native and then for extracted wood. Interlocked grain resulted in 0–25° GA and in variations of a factor 2 in E′_L/ρ and tanδ_L. Along the grain, Padauk wood was characterized, when compared to typical hardwoods, by a somewhat lower E′₃/ρ and elastic anisotropy (E′/G′), due to a wide microfibril angle plus a small weight effect of extracts, and a very low tanδ₃ and moderate damping anisotropy (tanδ_G/tanδ₃). Extraction affected mechanical parameters in the order: tanδ₃ ≈ tanδ_G > G′/ρ > > E′₃/ρ. That is, extractives’ effects were nearly isotropic on damping but clearly anisotropic on storage moduli.     

Crop residue effect on crop performance,soil N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> emissions in alley cropping systems in subtropical China

Land management practices that simultaneously improve soil properties are crucial to high crop production and minimize detrimental impact on the environment. We examined the effects of crop residues on crop performance, the fluxes of soil N₂O and CO₂ under wheat-maize (WM) and/or faba bean-maize (FM) rotations in Amorpha fruticosa (A) and Vetiveria zizanioides (V) intercropping systems on a loamy clay soil, in subtropical China. Crop performance, soil N₂O and CO₂ as well as some potential factors such as soil water content, soil carbon, soil nitrogen, microbial biomass and N mineralization were recorded during 2006 maize crop cultivation. Soil N₂O and CO₂ fluxes are determined using a closed-based chamber. Maize yield was greater after faba bean than after wheat may be due to differences in supply of N from residues. The presence of hedgerow significantly improved maize grain yields. N₂O emissions from soils with maize were considerably greater after faba bean (345 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹) than after wheat (289 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹). However, the cumulated N₂O emissions did not differ significantly between WM and FM. The difference in N₂O emissions between WM and FM was mostly due to the amounts of crop residues. Hedgerow alley cropping tended to emit more N₂O than WM and FM, in particular A. fruticosa intercropping systems. Over the entire 118 days of measurement, the N₂O fluxes represented 534 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹ (AWM) and 512 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹ (AFM) under A. fruticosa species, 403 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹ (VWM) and 423 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹ (VFM) under Vetiver grass. We observed significantly higher CO₂ emission in AFM (5,335 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹) from June to October, whereas no significant difference was observed among WM (3,480 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹), FM (3,302 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹), AWM (3,877 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹), VWM (3,124 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹) and VFM (3,309 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹), indicating the importance of A. fruticosa along with faba bean residue on CO₂ fluxes. As a result, crop residues and land conversion from agricultural to agroforestry can, in turn, influence microbial biomass, N mineralization, soil C and N content, which can further alter the magnitude of crop growth, soil N₂O and CO₂ emissions in the present environmental conditions.     

Nutrient contents and efficiencies of beech and spruce saplings as influenced by competition and O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> regime

Saplings of Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies were grown under conditions of intra and interspecific competition in a 2-year phytotron study under combinations of ambient and elevated ozone (+O₃ which is 2 × O₃, but <150 nl l⁻¹) as well as carbon dioxide concentrations (+CO₂ which is amb. CO₂ + 300 μl CO₂ l⁻¹) in a full factorial design. Saplings were analysed for various mineral nutrients in different plant organs as well as biomass production and crown development. The study was based on the assumption that nutritional parameters important for growth and competitiveness are affected by stress defence under limiting nutrient supply. The hypotheses tested were (1) that nutrient uptake-related parameters (a) as well as efficiencies in nutrient use for above-ground competition (b) of beech rather than spruce are impaired by the exposure to elevated O₃ concentrations, (2) that the efficiency in nutrient uptake of spruce is enhanced by elevated CO₂ concentrations in mixed culture, and (3) that the ability to occupy above-ground space at low nutrient cost is co-determinant for the competitive success in mixed culture. Clear nitrogen deficiencies were indicated for both species during the 2-year phytotron study, although foliar nitrogen-biomass relationships were not so close for spruce than for beech. O₃ stress did not impair nutrient uptake-related parameters of beech; thus hypothesis (1a). was not supported. A negative effect of elevated O₃ (under amb. CO₂) on the N and P based efficiencies in above-ground space occupation (i.e. lower crown volume per unit of N or P invested in stems, limbs and foliage) of beech supported hypothesis (1b). It appeared that ozone stress triggered a nutrient demand for stress defence and tolerance at the expense of above-ground competition (trade-off). Crown volume of beech under O₃ stress was stabilized in monoculture by increased nutrient uptake. In general, the +CO₂-treatment was able to counteract the impacts of 2 × O₃. Elevated CO₂ caused lower N and S concentrations in current-year foliage of both tree species, slightly higher macronutrient amounts in the root biomass of spruce, but did not increase the efficiencies in nutrient uptake of spruce in mixed culture. Therefore hypothesis (2) was not supported. At the end of the experiment spruce turned out to be the stronger competitor in mixed culture as displayed by its higher total shoot biomass and crown volume. The amounts of macronutrients in the above-ground biomass of spruce individuals in mixed culture distinctly exceeded those of beech, which had been strongly reduced by interspecific competition. The superior competitiveness of spruce was related to higher N and P-based efficiencies in above-ground space occupation as suggested in hypothesis (3). This article belongs to the special issue “Growth and defence of Norway spruce and European beech in pure and mixed stands”.     

Seasonal change in N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O flux from forest soils in a forest catchment in Japan

Temperate forest soils are one source of nitrous oxide (N₂O), which is an important greenhouse gas and the most important ozone-depleting substance. To clarify N₂O flux mechanisms in relation to soil temperature, moisture, and nitrification activity, we measured N₂O fluxes and net nitrification rates over 3 years at the lower (Japanese cedar) and upper (deciduous broad-leaved trees) parts of a hill slope in a small forest catchment in the northern Kanto region of Japan. The N₂O flux was measured by the closed-chamber technique every month, along with soil temperature and water-filled pore space (WFPS). At the lower slope, the N₂O flux increased with increasing soil temperature (r ² = 0.383, P < 0.01) owing to an increase in the nitrification rate. At the upper slope, no positive linear correlation of N₂O flux with soil temperature, WFPS, or nitrification rate was observed. The low N₂O flux at the upper slope during summer was caused by the low summertime WFPS there. We attributed the higher mean N₂O fluxes observed at the lower slope (median 2.36 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹) than at the upper slope (median 1.10 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹) to a high soil moisture during summer season in the surface soil of the lower slope.     

Modeling leaf maximum net photosynthetic rate of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Festuca pallescens</Emphasis>, the dominant perennial grass of Patagonian pine-based silvopastoral systems

The integrated relationship in a simple mechanistic model between the critical environmental factors controlling leaf photosynthesis of understory species would be a useful tool to optimize the management of the silvopastoral systems. Individual effect of leaf temperature, water stress and light environment over net maximum photosynthetic rate (Pmax) was evaluated on Festuca pallescens leaves grown in a silvopastoral system of two Pinus ponderosa canopy covers (350 and 500 trees ha⁻¹) and natural grassland. The aim was to integrate individual functions for Pmax against these environmental factors into a multiplicative model. We measured pre-dawn water potential (ψ _pd), leaf temperature and net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs) and intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) as a function of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). The highest Pmax under non-limiting conditions was 20.4 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ and was defined as standardized dimensionless Pmax _s  = 1 for comparison of environmental factors. The leaf temperature function showed an optimum range between 20.2 and 21.8°C where Pmax _s  = 1. Then, Pmax _s declined by an average 1 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ C⁻¹ from the optimum to 4.7 and 38.5°C. Pmax _s decreased at a rate of 9.49 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ MPa⁻¹ as water potential reaches −1.9 MPa and showed a lower slope as water potential decreased down to −4.3 MPa. The light environment was estimated from hemispherical photograph analysis. Pmax _s was 20% higher in leaves of open control plants than under the maximum tree canopy cover. The simple multiplicative model accounted for 0.82 of the variation in Pmax. Such a simple mechanistic model is the first step towards a more effective decision support tool.     

Effect of increased rainfall on water dynamics of larch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix cajanderi</Emphasis>) forest in permafrost regions,Russia: an irrigation experiment

Sap flow measurements, from July to August 2004, were coupled with micrometeorological, soil moisture, and soil temperature measurements to analyze forest water dynamics in irrigated and undisturbed (control) larch (Larix cajanderi) forest plots in eastern Siberia. Plots were irrigated with 120 mm (20 mm day⁻¹) of water from 17 to 22 July. Sap flow measurements of ten trees at each plot were scaled up to daily stand canopy transpiration (E _c ). Canopy transpiration at the irrigation and control plots was similar before irrigation. Forest evapotranspiration (E _a ) was obtained from Ohta et al. (Agric For Meteorol 148:1941–1953, 2008) while E _a in the irrigation plot was estimated based on the E _{c_irrig}/E _{c_cont} ratio. Rainfall during July–August was 63.4 mm but, after including water from thawing soil layers, the actual water input was 109.9 and 218.5 mm in the control and irrigation plots, respectively. Despite this large difference, a corresponding difference in E _c (and E _a ) was not observed [42.6 (61.5) mm and 46.4 (71.8) mm in control and irrigation plots, respectively]. Daily canopy conductance (g _c ) increased as long as moisture was well supplied in the upper soil layers and evaporative demand was high. Soil moisture and rainfall contribution to E _a was 36.9 and 24.6 mm in the control plot and 34.5 and 37.3 mm in the irrigation plot, respectively. Water supply from soil thawing layers in the control plot and high runoff (105.6 mm) rates in the irrigation plot accounted for the similarity in water dynamics. Under increased precipitation, the forest used less soil water stored from previous growing seasons.     

Estimation of whole-stem respiration,incorporating vertical and seasonal variations in stem CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> efflux rate,of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis> trees

We examined vertical and seasonal variations in stem respiration rates in a 50-year-old plantation of Japanese cypress, Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl., in central Japan, and discuss a practical and precise method to scale a point-measured stem CO₂ efflux rate up to whole-stem respiration. For five selected trees, stem CO₂ efflux rates were measured at breast height (1.3 m) and at five or six points above breast height (at approximately 2 m intervals) every 1 or 2 months over two consecutive years. Daily total stem respiration rate (surface area basis) was greater inside the crown than below the crown, especially during the growing season. By incorporating the vertical profile of the respiration rate, annual whole-stem respiration was estimated for each sample tree (R _y). We then compared this estimate (R _y) with another estimate of annual whole-stem respiration (R′_y) obtained using a conventional method; it is assumed that the area-based respiration rate at breast height is constant throughout the stem. The ratio of these two estimates (R′_y/R _y) was usually less than 1, indicating that the assumptions used to calculate R′_y underestimate annual whole-stem respiration. We found that R′_y/R _y was negatively correlated with the ratio of crown length to tree height (crown ratio). These results suggest that annual whole-stem respiration in this C. obtusa plantation is substantially affected by the relative proportion of within-crown stem with higher respiratory activity. Methodologically, our results imply that incorporating the crown ratio into the conventional method would improve the accuracy of annual whole-stem respiration estimates.     

Modelling the influence of site and weed competition on juvenile modulus of elasticity in Pinus radiata across broad environmental gradients

Data from a nationwide set of Pinus radiata D. Don plots established at a range of conventional stand densities were analysed at age 6 to (i) determine how environment and competition from weeds influence dynamic modulus of elasticity (E) of the lower stem base, (ii) develop a predictive multiple regression model of E for basal stemwood and (iii) identify significant direct and indirect environmental influences (through stem slenderness) on E using path analysis.Site had a highly significant (P < 0.001) influence on E, which exhibited a 3-fold range from 1.6 to 5.3 GPa, across 30 sites. When compared to the weed-free controls, weed competition had a significant (P < 0.0001) and substantial effect on E, increasing values by on average 16% (2.76 GPa vs. 2.38 GPa).The positive linear relationship between stem slenderness (determined as tree height/ground-line tree diameter) and E was by far the strongest relationship (R² = 0.71; P < 0.001) among the 20 variables that were significantly related to E. A multiple regression model that included stem slenderness, mean minimum air temperature in mid-autumn, T_min, as positive linear relationships and net nitrogen (N) mineralisation in a negative linear form accounted for 86% of the variance in E. A cross-validation indicated that this model was stable and unbiased, with the validation accounting for 82% of the variance in E. The final path analysis model included T_min, net N mineralisation, below canopy solar radiation and stem slenderness as significant (P < 0.05) direct influences on E. Below canopy radiation, maximum air temperature during mid-summer, soil total phosphorus and carbon:nitrogen ratio were indirectly associated with E through their significant (P < 0.05) direct relationship with stem slenderness.These results provide considerable insight into how environment regulates E of juvenile P. radiata. Low fertility sites that have warm air temperatures and either a high canopy leaf area index, or high levels of woody weed competition, are most likely to produce trees with high stem slenderness and high E. Conversely, sites that are cool over summer and autumn and high in fertility, with low levels of intra- or inter-specific competition for light are likely to produce trees with low stem slenderness and low E.     

A glucosylceramide with antimicrobial activity from the edible mushroom <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus citrinopileatus</Emphasis>

The golden oyster mushroom Pleurotus citrinopileatus is a popular edible mushroom with multifunctional biological activities, but there are a limited number of previous studies on its chemical composition. This is the first report of the isolation of glucosylceramide with antimicrobial activity from the fruiting body of this mushroom. This compound was identified as 1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3R,4E,8E)-2-[(2R)-2-hydroxyhexadecanoylamino]-9-methyl-4,8-octadecadiene-1,3-diol. The IC₅₀ value of this compound for the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was 275.1 μM (200 μg/ml) and 323.2 μM (235 μg/ml), respectively.     

Genetic variation in traits affecting sawn timber recovery in plantation-grown <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus nitens</Emphasis>

• Introduction   

There is increasing interest in managing Eucalyptus nitens plantations for sawn timber production.     

Replication of wood into biomorphous nanocrystalline Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphor materials

Biomorphous Eu³⁺-doped Y₂O₃ was fabricated by replication of wood templates using vacuum-assisted infiltration of a water-based sol–gel mixture and subsequent calcination at 750°C. The precursor sols were prepared from (Y_0.95Eu_0.05)₂O₃ dissolved in 10 vol% nitric acid and adding citric acid as the chelating agent. X-ray powder diffraction analyses and Rietveld refinements confirmed that the calcined samples were solely composed of bixbyite Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phase with a mean crystallite size of 16 nm. Scanning electron micrographs and cathodoluminescence imaging showed that the cellular preform anatomy was retained and that the original wood cell walls were completely transformed into phosphor struts with pore sizes ranging from 5 to 20 μm. The optical properties of the biomorphous phosphor materials were analyzed by photoluminescence spectroscopy and assigned to the characteristic Eu³⁺ (4f⁶ → 4f⁶) electric dipole or magnetic dipole transitions. From fluorescence lifetime measurements, the mean lifetime was calculated as 1.62 ms.     

Water relations of pine seedlings in contrasting overstory environments

Overstory conditions influence understory microclimate and resource availability, leading to gradients in evaporative demand and moisture availability that influence seedling water relations. Partial canopies may either reduce seedling moisture stress by ameliorating environmental conditions, or increase moisture stress by reducing soil moisture availability. This study used stable isotope ratios of oxygen (δ¹⁸O) and carbon (δ¹³C) and mass-based foliar nitrogen concentrations to investigate changes in transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (g_s) and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) of pine seedlings across an overstory gradient from open canopy gap environments to closed canopy forest. Foliar δ¹⁸O increased sharply from basal areas of 0–10 m² ha⁻¹ in Pinus banksiana, Pinus resinosa, and Pinus strobus seedlings, followed by a more gradual increase with further increases in basal area. Foliar δ¹³C followed a similar, but less pronounced pattern in P. banksiana and P. strobus seedlings, and had no apparent relationship with overstory basal area in P. resinosa seedlings. The slope of the δ¹⁸O:δ¹³C relationship was positive for every species. Foliar nitrogen concentrations were not correlated with overstory basal area. These results suggest seedling E declined as overstory basal area increased due to reductions in g_s, while iWUE increased slightly from open gaps to partial canopy environments. Open gap environments appear to provide sufficient moisture to sustain high leaf-level gas exchange rates in the species we studied, while relatively small increases in overstory basal area apparently promote rapid declines in g_s, leading to greatly reduced seedling water loss and small increases in iWUE.     

Carbon isotopic signature of CO2 emitted by plant compartments and soil in two temperate deciduous forests

? Context

The carbon isotope composition of the CO₂ efflux (δ¹³C_E) from ecosystem components is widely used to investigate carbon cycles and budgets at different ecosystem scales. δ¹³C_E, was considered constant but is now known to vary along seasons. The seasonal variations have rarely been compared among different ecosystem components.

? Aims

We aimed to characterise simultaneously the seasonal dynamics of δ¹³C_E in different compartments of two temperate broadleaved forest ecosystems.

? Methods

Using manual chambers and isotope ratio mass spectrometry, we recorded simultaneously δ¹³C_E and δ¹³C of organic matter in sun leaves, current-year twigs, trunk bases and soil in an oak and a beech forest during 1 year.

? Results

In the two forests, δ¹³C_E displayed a larger variability in the tree components than in the soil. During the leafy period, a pronounced vertical zonation of δ¹³C_E was observed between the top (sun leaves and twigs with higher values) and bottom (trunk and soil with lower values) of the ecosystem. No correlation was found between δ¹³C_E and δ¹³C of organic matter. Causes for these seasonal variations and the vertical zonation in isotope signature are discussed.

? Conclusion

Our study shows clear differences in values as well as seasonal dynamics of δ¹³C_E among different components in the two ecosystems. The temporal and local variation of δ¹³C_E cannot be inferred from organic matter signature or CO₂ emission rates.     

Canopy structure analysis for estimating forest regeneration dynamics and growth in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nothofagus pumilio</Emphasis> forests

•Introduction   

Silviculture systems applied in Nothofagus pumilio forests are based on opening the canopy to stimulate natural regeneration by modifying light and soil moisture. The objective is to evaluate regeneration dynamics of N. pumilio along different forest canopy and solar radiation gradients.     

Predicting the growth and yield of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus radiata</Emphasis> in Bolivia

Context   

Pinus radiata D. Don is the most widely planted conifer in the Inter-Andean Valleys of Bolivia. However, Bolivia lacks knowledge on stand dynamics and yield prediction of radiata pine, and the particular Bolivian conditions prevent a straightforward application of equations developed elsewhere.