Soil chemical and biochemical properties of a salt-marsh alluvial Spanish area after long-term reclamation

Marisma, one of the largest salt-marsh alluvial areas in SW Spain, has been reclaimed since 1970 by artificial drainage and amendment with phosphogypsum (PG) so as to reduce Na⁺ saturation. Within the reclaimed area, two 250- × 20-m plots were treated as follows: (1) amendment with 25 Mg/ha of PG every 2 to 3 years between 1979 and 2003 (plot PY); (2) like PY but PG treatment stopped after 1997 (plot DR). A contiguous virgin Marisma salt-marsh plot (MV), neither drained nor amended, was the control. In MV, soil microbial biomass C, most enzyme activities and total organic C content were much greater than in PY and DR soils, despite the salinity stress. The decrease in soil organic matter content in PY and DR soils was likely due to cotton-cropping practices, which favoured the organic C mineralisation and nutrients removal by crops. Microbial activity of MV soil, probably stimulated by the rhizodepositions of the natural vegetation, did not suffer from the osmotic effect due to the raising of soil solution ionic strength. Microbial quotient could be ranked as MV > PY > DR, whereas the metabolic quotient had an opposite trend. Thus, both quotients suggested that the interruption of PG amendment was not favouring microbial activity. Principal component analysis clearly identified the chemical and biochemical soil properties mostly affected by the reclamation and also indicated the longer PG amendment in PY plot. Stepwise discriminant analysis identified two physiologically different types of soil microflora, one less active present in the MV virgin soil and another more active present in the reclaimed PY and DR soils.     

Anatomical variations in wood among four native species of Leguminosae grown in arid areas of China

Morphological features and anatomical variations are described and illustrated in detail for four native species of Legumi-nosae grown in arid sandy regions in China, which are Hedysarum scoparium Fisch.et Mey., Caragana korshiskii Kom., Lespedeza bicolor Turcz. and Ammopiptanthus mongolicus (Maxim. ex Kom.) Cheng f. All species showed similar morphological features: distinct growth ring boundaries, ring to semi-ring-porosity, simple perforation plates, alternate intervessel pitting, nonseptate fibers, para...     

Influence of different forest conversion strategies on ground vegetation and tree regeneration in pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.) stands: a case study in NE Germany

The conversion of anthropogenic into more natural, self-regenerating forests is one of the major objectives of forestry throughout Europe. In this study, we present investigations on permanent plots with different silvicultural treatment in NE German pine stands. Management of old-growth pine stands on acidic and nutrient-poor sandy sites differs in fencing, thinning, and planting of certain tree species. The investigations were carried out on the community, population, and individual level of the pine forest ecosystems. Thus, vegetation changes, size and height of tree populations, and height increment of tree individuals were observed over a time span of 6 years. Special attention was paid to short-lived tree species such as, e.g., Frangula alnus and Sorbus aucuparia, as well as to Fagus sylvatica as one of the most typical forest tree species of Central Europe. Vegetation changes are interpreted as a consequence of natural regeneration of formerly degraded forest sites, involving an increase in nutrient availability. High browsing pressure can be considered as a key factor for the inhibition of tree seedlings and growth of saplings. Some Sorbus aucuparia individuals, however, succeeded in growing out of the browsing height also in unfenced stands. Few found specimens of Fagus sylvatica proved that this species is able to establish spontaneously on these relatively dry, acidic sites under continental climate influence. Such natural regeneration processes, also including spontaneous rejuvenation of trees, can be integrated into silviculture as passive forest conversion management. An active management like thinning of stands, planting of trees, and fencing can accelerate forest conversion with regard to height growth and species number of trees.     

Structural changes in lignin of tropical woods during digestion by termite, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptotermes brevis</Emphasis>

Wood samples of apitong (Dipterocarpus grandiflorua) and ilang-ilang (Ilang-Ilang C. dadloyi) and feces of termites [Cryptotermes brevis (Walker)] fed on these woods were collected from University of the Philippines, Los Baňos. Lignin of each sample was isolated by Björkman’s procedure. There was no significant difference in ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra or in the methoxyl content between Björkman lignins from original woods and termite feces. Differences were detected in the contents of aliphatic and unconjugated phenolic hydroxyl groups, suggesting minor structural changes of lignin during digestion by termites. In addition, the ratio of syringyl to guaiacyl nuclei of Björkman lignin from termite feces determined by ¹H NMR spectra was higher than those from the original woods. The molar ratio of syringyl to guaiacyl nuclei of termite feces was higher than those from the original woods as determined by alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation. These results suggest that the structural changes of lignin in the termite gut are due to the insignificant formation of C-C linkages in guaiacyl nuclei. It was concluded that there were minor changes in the structural features of lignin under mostly anaerobic conditions, in contrast to the significant changes that occur through biological modification under aerobic conditions.     

Spectrophotometrical characteristics in the near infrared region in beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus crenata</Emphasis>) and pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus densiflora</Emphasis>) litters at the various decomposing stages

We examined the relationships between the absorptional characteristics in the near infrared region and the chemical changes of decomposing beech (Fagus crenata) and pine (Pinus densiflora) litters. Spectra as well as the concentrations of chemical substances approached each other and converged with decomposition, although both initial characteristics differed markedly between beech and pine. This indicated that the fundamental chemical structures were almost the same, although their organochemical composition differed. Specific absorption bands for lignin, polysaccharide, and protein were identified at 2,140 and 1,670 nm, 2,270, 1,720, 1,590, and 1,216 nm, and 2,350 nm, respectively. Absorbance at 1,670 nm, peculiar band of aromatics, showed a positive correlation with lignin concentration, which suggested the relative increment of aromatics due to condensed lignin in decomposing litters. Absorbance at 2,140 nm, characterized as the C–H bond in HRC = CHR, showed a negative correlation with lignin concentration, which suggested the decrements of some structures such as side-chains in lignin polymers unrelated to aromatics. Absorbance at 2,270, 1,720, and 1,216 nm, specified to O–H/C–O/C–H bonds in saccharide, might reflect the change of polysaccharide during decomposition because they showed a positive correlation to polysaccharide concentration. In the same way, absorbance at 2,350 nm, identified to the C–H/CH₂ bonds in protein, showed a negative correlation to nitrogen concentration in decomposing litters, which might indicate that the C–H/CH₂ bonds in protein decreased with decomposition due to microbial consumption of carbon in protein. Our findings suggested the possibility that the spectral changes indicate the litter digestibility during decomposition and that also explain the compositional change in decomposing litters.     

Chemical analysis of the product in acid-catalyzed solvolysis of cellulose using polyethylene glycol and ethylene carbonate

Degradation and decomposition of cellulose were studied in an acid-catalyzed solvolysis treatment of biomass using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ethylene carbonate (EC). The solvolysis reaction was followed by a typical reaction system of wood liquefaction that uses sulfuric acid catalyst at 140° or 150°C at atmospheric pressure. The methods of fractionation and chemical analysis of the degraded cellulose in the solvolyzed product are discussed. The solvolyzed product was separated into several fractions, and they were hydrolyzed to release glucose and levulinic acid to determine the quantity of glucosides and levulinates in the solvolysis product. The data clearly showed that the solvolysis reaction had the same mechanism when using PEG or EC. Degradation of cellulose leads to the formation of glucosides, which then decompose, resulting in a levulinic acid structure, and producing a water-insoluble fraction. The conversion rates of both glucosides and levulinates strongly depend on the reaction conditions of the solvolysis. In particular, EC promotes faster conversion of the reactions. The method discussed here is a chemical analytical technique for characterization of the products of wood liquefaction.     

PEG bulking of wood cell walls as affected by moisture content and nature of solvent

Movement of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1000 from wood cell lumens into adjacent cell walls was studied for different cell wall moisture contents (MCs) and PEG solvents; relative amounts of PEG that penetrated into the cell walls were estimated by Raman microscopy. It was shown that samples treated with PEG from chloroform solution adsorb less PEG than samples treated with PEG-water solution even in the case of samples with open cell wall structure near fibre saturation point MC. Reconditioning of PEG-chloroform treated samples at high relative humidities enhanced PEG bulking of cell walls, but not to the maximum amounts observed with PEG-water treatments. Raman microscopy was a useful tool for estimating relative PEG amounts in the cell walls.     

Influence of stem rot pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fomitiporia</Emphasis> sp. on “Sanbu-sugi” cultivar of the Japanese cedar <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>

An unidentified Fomitiporia sp. causes severe white-rot on stems of a cultivar “Sanbu-sugi” of the Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica. The influence of the fungus on tree health and wood properties was determined. Bark from dead branches and xylem from living branches contained more glucose than bark from living branches and xylem from dead branches. Tree heights at which annual rings were disconnected were 2, 4 and 6 m at ages 37, 15 and 24 years old, respectively. The pH values of damaged parts were lower than those of non-damaged parts, and the damaged parts were clearly identified using bromocresol green solution. Weight loss of sapwood during 60 days of fungal degradation was 1.4 %, which was less than that by a saprophyte, Trametes versicolor. The amount of polyphenols in the heartwood from damaged tree stems was less than that from non-damaged stems. Degraded parts were less stiff than the non-degraded sapwood as measured with a wood-decay tester, Pilodyn. Our observations indicate that damaged stems are chemically and physically inferior to non-damaged stems.     

Anisotropy of wood vibrational properties: dependence on grain angle and review of literature data

The anisotropy of vibrational properties influences the acoustic behaviour of wooden pieces and their dependence on grain angle (GA). As most pieces of wood include some GA, either for technological reasons or due to grain deviations inside trunks, predicting its repercussions would be useful. This paper aims at evaluating the variability in the anisotropy of wood vibrational properties and analysing resulting trends as a function of orientation. GA dependence is described by a model based on transformation formulas applied to complex compliances, and literature data on anisotropic vibrational properties are reviewed. Ranges of variability, as well as representative sets of viscoelastic anisotropic parameters, are defined for mean hardwoods and softwoods and for contrasted wood types. GA-dependence calculations are in close agreement with published experimental results and allow comparing the sensitivity of different woods to GA. Calculated trends in damping coefficient (tanδ) and in specific modulus of elasticity (E′/ρ) allow reconstructing the general tanδ-E′/ρ statistical relationships previously reported. Trends for woods with different mechanical parameters merge into a single curve if anisotropic ratios (both elastic and of damping) are correlated between them, and with axial properties, as is indicated by the collected data. On the other hand, varying damping coefficient independently results in parallel curves, which coincide with observations on chemically modified woods, either “artificially”, or by natural extractives.     

Evaluation of biological activities of extracts from the fruiting body of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus citrinopileatus</Emphasis> for skin cosmetics

Pleurotus citrinopileatus Singer has recently become a popular delicacy in East Asian countries. We prepared a methanol extract, soluble fractions from the methanol extract, and a hot water extract of the fruiting bodies of P. citrinopileatus. The biological activities such as melanin biosynthesis inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition, antioxidant activities [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity], antibacterial activities, and antihyaluronidase activities of these extracts were evaluated. We found that the n-hexanesoluble, diethyl ether-soluble, and ethyl acetate-soluble fractions exhibited melanin biosynthesis inhibition in B16 melanoma cells, as well as antioxidant (ORAC) and antibacterial activities. However, the n-butanol-soluble and water-soluble fractions and the methanol and hot water extracts exhibited antioxidant (DPPH radical scavenging, SOD-like activity) and antihyaluronidase activities. These results indicate that the fruiting bodies of P. citrinopileatus have the potential to be used as an ingredient in skin cosmetics.