Modelling agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) with laurel (Cordia alliodora) and poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) in Costa Rica

The agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) under laurel (Cordia alliodora) and cacao under poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) were studied at CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica. An inventory was taken of the organic matter and nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) separating the species into their compartments (leaves, branches, trunks and roots). Studies of the litter and of the mineral soil (0–45 cm) yielded these results: Patterns of nutrient accumulation are discussed in relation to the characteristics of these agroforestry systems.     

Relationships between respiratory activity and water-soluble sulfhydryl content of Norway spruce needles

The rate of respiration of spruce needles was affected by the level of foliar glutathione. At 37 degrees C the rate of respiration increased with increasing water-soluble sulfhydryl content up to 1.3 micromol g(-1) fresh weight. Higher thiol concentrations inhibited the rate of respiration. At 25 degrees C no relationship was observed between glutathione content and rate of respiration. It was concluded that the mechanism by which SO(2) affects plants is temperature dependent.     

Die Differenzierunggas-, rauch- und staubförmiger Immissionen bei landwirtschaftlichen,gartenbaulichen und forstwirtschaftlichen Kulturen

Summary The differentiation between acute, direct chronic and indirect chronic immissions caused by atmospheric pollution brought about by emissions having the nature of gas, smoke and dust is described. Several positive examples are quoted to the question whether indirect chronic immissions are possible without damage to growth up, yield and/or production.A differentiation has value for autotrophic and heterotrophic life forms:1. Insignificant immissions in the animate world prevail when autotrophic/heterotrophic life forms are not adversely affected, as compared with their condition in their usual situation and surroundings, i. e. when: their anatomical/morphological development, their function, their efficiency, their powers of propagation, their immunity to disease, their longevity and their physiological function and/or psychical well-being are not impaired.2. Considerable immissions in the animate world prevail when the development, function, efficiency, powers of propagation, immunity to disease and/or general well-being of autotrophic/ heterotrophic life forms, as compared with their condition in their usual situation and surroundings, are affected by reversible physiological/ psychical disturbances (direct and indirect chronic immissions) but when their longevity remains unaffected and when anatomical/morphological anomalies, changes and/or damage (acute immissions) do not occur.3. Severe immissions in the animate world prevail when the development, function, efficiency, power of propagation, immunity to disease, longevity and/or general well-being of autotrophic/heterotrophic life forms, as compared with their condition in their usual situation and surroundings, is affected or interrupted by repeated or irreversible physiological/psychical disturbances (direct and indirect chronic immissions), whereby, under certain circumstances, limited but typical anatomical/ morphological anomalies, changes and/or damage (acute immissions) occur to separate organic parts.4. Excessive immissions in the animate world prevail when the development, function, efficiency, power of propagation, immunity to disease, longevity and/or general well-being of autotrophic/ heterotrophic life forms, as compared with their condition in their usual situation and surroundings, are prevented or ended by repeated or irreversible physiological changes or by psychical disturbances (direct and indirect chronic immisssions), whereby, under certain circumstances, some organs or complete organisms suffer extended and typical anatomical/morphological anomalies, changes and/or damage (acute immissions).     

Demand for forest ecosystem services: a comparison study in selected areas in the Czech Republic and China

European Journal of Forest Research - Ecosystem services are investigated from many perspectives, but there are very few studies comparing the perception of forest and demand for forest ecosystem...     

Genetic variation in foliar nutrient concentration in relation to foliar carbon isotope composition and tree growth with clones of the F1 hybrid between slash pine and Caribbean pine

The objectives of this study were: (1) to quantify the genetic variation in foliar nutrient concentration in relation to foliar carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) and tree growth of 122 clones of ca. 4-year-old F₁ hybrids between slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm var. elliottii) and Caribbean pine (P. caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. et Golf.) grown at two experimental sites with different water and nutrient availability in southeast Queensland, Australia and (2) to examine the potential of using foliar nutrient concentration of the 4-year-old tree canopies for selecting elite F₁ hybrid pine clones with improved nutrient-use efficiency (NUE) and water-use efficiency (WUE), and ultimately enhanced tree growth under ambient growing conditions. There were significant differences in foliar nutrient concentrations between two canopy positions (upper outer and lower outer canopy) sampled, between summer and winter, and between the two sites. This highlights that foliar nutrient concentrations are influenced by sampling and environment. Significant genetic variations in foliar nutrient concentrations were detected between the clones, between the female parents, and between the male parents of the clones in both sampling seasons at both sites. Depending on the nutrient concerned, canopy position, season, and site sampled, the clones accounted for 4.7–33.9% of the total variation in foliar nutrient concentrations, the clone female parents for 0–25.1% and the clone male parents for 0–28.6%. The site-by-clone interactions were statistically significant for foliar N, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and mineral concentrations at the upper outer canopy in summer, and for foliar N concentration in winter. There were significant, positive correlations between clone means of foliar δ¹³C and N concentration at the upper outer canopy in summer for the wet site, while clone foliar δ¹³C was also positively related to clone foliar N concentration at both canopy positions in summer for the dry site. This suggests that clone WUE as reflected in foliar δ¹³C may be improved by selecting elite clones with higher foliar N concentration and increased photosynthesis, leading to enhanced tree growth when both water and N are the major growth-limiting factors. This is supported by the positive correlation detected between clone tree height and foliar N concentration at the upper outer canopy for both sites. Thus, foliar nutrient (particularly N) concentration, together with foliar δ¹³C, may be useful for assisting in selection of exotic pine clones with improved NUE and WUE, and enhanced tree growth under the nutrient- and water-limiting environments.     

Estimating “autotrophic” belowground respiration in spruce and beech forests: decreases following girdling

Seasonal fluxes of CO₂ from soil and the contribution of autotrophic (root + mycorrhizal) to total soil respiration (SR) were estimated for a mixed stand of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) in Central Europe. Mature trees of each species were girdled in August 2002 to eliminate carbohydrate allocation to roots. SR was measured at distances of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5/2.0 m from the bole of each tree at 1–2 weeks intervals throughout the fall of 2002 and monthly during the spring and summer of 2003. The contribution of roots and mycorrhizae to total SR was estimated by the decrease in SR compared to ungirdled control trees to account for seasonal patterns evident in controls. SR decreased with soil temperature in the fall 2002 and increased again in 2003 as soil warmed. During most of the study period, SR was strongly related to soil temperature. During the dry summer of 2003, however, SR appeared to be uncoupled from temperature and was strongly related to soil water content (SWC). Mean rates of SR in beech and spruce control plots as well as root densities did not show a clear pattern with distance from the bole. SR decreased to levels below controls in beech within a few days after girdling, whereas spruce did not show a significant decrease until October 2002, 6 weeks after girdling. In both beech and spruce, decreased SR in response to girdling was greatest closest to the bole, possibly reflecting increased mycorrhizal activity close to the bole. Autotrophic respiration was estimated in beech to be as much as 50% of the total SR in the stand. The contribution of autotrophic respiration was less certain for spruce, although close to the bole, the autotrophic fraction may contribute to total SR as much as in beech. The large fraction of autotrophic respiration in total SR requires better understanding of tree level stresses that affect carbon allocation below ground.     

Stand density and growth of Norway spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> (L.) Karst.) and European beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis> L.): evidence from long-term experimental plots

On the basis of nine Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and ten European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) thinning experiments in Germany, for which both residual and removed stock had been registered first during 1870, I scrutinize how moderate and heavy thinning from below (B-, C-grade) affects the production of merchantable volume compared with light thinning (A-grade). In relation to A-grade, cumulative merchantable volume (CV) of B- and C-grade amounts in average to 103–107% in juvenile and to 97–102% in mature Norway spruce stands. The corresponding findings for European beech are 101–106% and 94–102%. CV of individual stands varies between 89% and 130% for Norway spruce and 73% and 155% for European beech (CV of A-grade = 100%). These findings are substantiated by the relation between stand density (SDI) and periodic annual increment (PAI). On the B- and C-grade plots of spruce and beech, respectively, SDI was reduced down to 41–91% and 31–83% of the A-grade. When SDI is reduced in young stands, PAI follows a unimodal curve. Norway spruce’s PAI culminates in 109% if SDI is reduced to 59%; European beech’s PAI culminates in 123% when density is reduced to 50%. Whereas Norway spruce’s growth reacts most positively on thinning under poor site conditions and with increment reduction on favourable sites, European beech behaves oppositely. With stand development the culmination point of the unimodal relation moves towards maximum density, so that in older stands PAI follows the increasing pattern, which is the left portion of a unimodal curve. A model is presented which apparently unifies contradictory patterns of stand density–growth reactions by integrating relative stand density, average tree size and site fertility effects, and makes the findings operable for forest management.     

Passage of sediment through flumes and over weirs

This paper reports on laboratory research on the sediment passagecapability through long-throated flumes and broad-crested weirs withwhich the Froude number in the approach channel does not exceed 0.6over a distance of about 20 times the water depth upstream of thestructure. Design rules are given for any combination of flume or weirin combination with any channel.     

Factors underlying the investment decision in energy-saving systems in Dutch horticulture

In the Netherlands the greenhouse sector is a major user of energy. It accounts for 7% of the total national energy use and for 79% of the total energy use in agriculture. In order to sustain this sector on the long term, it is important that its use of energy is lowered. One way of reducing energy use by horticultural producers is investing in energy-saving systems. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the investment behavior of firm operators in the adoption of energy-saving systems. Research objectives of the paper are (1) to analyze factors underlying the decision to invest, (2) to explore factors underlying the optimal size of investments. Three investment theories were used to construct an empirical model of investment. Consequently, this model was estimated in a two-stage procedure to analyze the factors influencing the decision of farmers to invest and the level of investments. The paper ends with policy implications.