Carbon dioxide emissions of soils under pure and mixed stands of beech and spruce, affected by decomposing foliage litter mixtures

Soil respiration is the largest terrestrial source of CO₂ to the atmosphere. In forests, roughly half of the soil respiration is autotrophic (mainly root respiration) while the remainder is heterotrophic, originating from decomposition of soil organic matter. Decomposition is an important process for cycling of nutrients in forest ecosystems. Hence, tree species induced changes may have a great impact on atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Since studies on the combined effects of beech-spruce mixtures are very rare, we firstly measured CO₂ emission rates in three adjacent stands of pure spruce (Picea abies), mixed spruce-beech and pure beech (Fagus sylvatica) on three base-rich sites (Flysch) and three base-poor sites (Molasse; yielding a total of 18 stands) during two summer periods using the closed chamber method. CO₂ emissions were higher on the well-aerated sandy soils on Molasse than on the clayey soils on Flysch, characterized by frequent water logging. Mean CO₂ effluxes increased from spruce (41) over the mixed (55) to the beech (59) stands on Molasse, while tree species effects were lower on Flysch (30-35, mixed > beech = spruce; all data in mg CO₂-C m⁻² h⁻¹). Secondly, we studied decomposition after fourfold litter manipulations at the 6 mixed species stands: the O_i - and O_e horizons were removed and replaced by additions of beech -, spruce - and mixed litter of the adjacent pure stands of known chemical quality and one zero addition (blank) in open rings (20 cm inner diameter), which were covered with meshes to exclude fresh litter fall. Mass loss within two years amounted to 61-68% on Flysch and 36-44% on Molasse, indicating non-additive mixed species effects (mixed litter showed highest mass loss). However, base cation release showed a linear response, increasing from the spruce - over the mixed - to the beech litter. The differences in N release (immobilization) resulted in a characteristic converging trend in C/N ratios for all litter compositions on both bedrocks during decomposition. In the summers 2006 and 2007 we measured CO₂ efflux from these manipulated areas (a closed chamber fits exactly over such a ring) as field indicator of the microbial activity. Net fluxes (subtracting the so-called blank values) are considered an indicator of litter induced changes only and increased on both bedrocks from the spruce - over the mixed - to the beech litter. According to these measurements, decomposing litter contributed between 22-32% (Flysch) and 11-28% (Molasse) to total soil respiration, strengthening its role within the global carbon cycle.     

五台山地区5种林分类型水源涵养功能研究

对五台山地区门限石林场南梁沟5种林分枯落物蓄积量及持水量与土壤容重及孔隙度进行测定,研究5种林分类型的水源涵养功能。结果表明,5种林分类型的枯落物平均蓄积量为29．7t／hm^2;枯落物平均最大持水率为201．2％;5种林分类型的土壤容重均小于对照荒草坡;总孔隙度、毛管孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度均大于对照荒草坡;林地土壤暂时贮水量与涵养水源总量均大于对照荒坡。由此可知,针阔混交林对林地土壤改良效果及涵养水源功能均优于人工林与灌木林,营造水源涵养林时,可以考虑优先营造针阔混交林。     

沐川天然林与人工水杉林保水功能比较

通过对四川沐川县天然林、人工林（水杉林）枯落物蓄积量调查分析和持水特性的研究结果表明：枯落物蓄积量为天然林＞人工林（25.7 t·hm-2＞ 18.1 t·hm-2）,最大持水量为天然林＞人工林（75.0 t·hm-2 ＞47.0 t·hm-2）,最大持水率为天然林＞人工林,各时段吸水量、吸水速率表现为天然林＞人工林,有效拦蓄量表现为天然林＞人工林（28.6 t·hm-2＞ 17.0 t·hm-2）.总体分析可以看出,天然林落物层保水功能相对要比人工林好.     

Tree Planting in an Urbanizing South Africa / BOOMAANPLANTING IN VERSTEDELIKENDE SUID-AFRIKA

The title of this paper might well read “Tree planting in an urbanizing and industrializing South Africa”, because in modern South Africa industry is prominent in the urban scene. The importance of trees in the urban landscape is stressed. Purposes for which trees are used in commercial, industrial and residential areas are listed. An account is given of tree planting in boulevards and avenues, state and civic centres, car parks, bus termini, recreational parks, botanical gardens and arboreta, zoological gardens, sports enclosures and children's playgrounds. The role of trees in industrial areas is discussed and the vegetating of mine dumps described. Passing reference is made to the uses of trees on the sea front. Tree planting for economic purposes by civic authorities is briefly touched upon. The value of trees in private gardens is underlined.     

Effects of Simulated Acidic Precipitation and Aluminum on the Growth of Alnus glutinosa and Alnus hirsuta Seedlings and Their Nitrogen Fixation

This study was conducted to examine the effect of simulated acidic precipitation and aluminum treatment on the growth of Alnus species and the contents of nitrogen fixed by Frankia. The growth and nitrogen contents of Alnus species inoculated with nitrogen-fixing organisms were greater than those of noninoculated Alnus species when treated with simulated acidic precipitation. The nitrogen contents were higher in the soils used for the growth of Alnus glurinosa inoculated with Frankia than in those without Frankia inoculation when treated with either acidic precipitation or aluminum. The-development of root hairs treated with simulated acidic precipitation was poor as lhe pH level decreased, and the injury of A. glurinosa was more severe than that of Alnus hirsuta under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The growth and nitrogen contents of A. hirsura inoculated with Frankia were greater than those of non-inoculated species and A. glutinosa when treated with aluminum. The leaves of A. glutinosa became yellowish-brown and fell earlier. Under SEM and light microscopy, the surface layer of roots in both Alnus species was injured severely and the number of root hairs decreased as aluminum levels increased.     

Litter Decomposition in Three Plantation Species in Semi-Arid and Sub-Humid Regions of Central India

Abstract

The forest floor litter decomposition rate followed in the order: Tectona grandis(teak) > Madhuka indica (mahua) > Butea monosperma (palas). Higher decomposition rates were observed during rainy season and lowest during winter. The decay rate was significantly correlated with rainfall and soil moisture, and with population densities of earthworms. The lumbricid distribution under three plantations of semi-arid and sub-humid regions of central India in relation to several environmental factors including climate, soil moisture and litter quality was studied. Native species of earthworms and their densities were not abundant in this forest due to less moisture content in soil and accidental forest fires. Eight earthworms were identified and three of them were epigeic earthworms, viz., Eisenia fetida (Savigny), Perionyx excavatus (Perrier) and Dichogaster bolaui (Michaelsen), which were predominant throughout the year.     

Predicting tree regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> snag stands

A bark beetle (Ips typographus) infestation caused the death of almost all Norway spruce (Picea abies) trees in a mountain forest in the Swiss Alps. We developed a tree regeneration model, ‘RegSnag’ (=REGeneration in a SNAG stand), to project the future amount and height of tree regeneration in these snag stands. The model combines a height-class structured tree module with a microsite-based module of snag decay and ground-vegetation succession. Microsite-specific rates of germination, mortality and height growth were modelled for four tree species (Picea abies, Sorbus aucuparia, Acer pseudoplatanus and Betula pendula) in eight height classes (from seedlings to saplings 5 m tall) and on 26 microsite types (e.g. moss, grass). Model tests with independent field data from 8 years after the Picea die-back demonstrated that microsites had a considerable effect on the development of tree regeneration on both the montane and the subalpine level. With microsite-specific parameters, the height and frequency of Picea in each microsite could be simulated more accurately than without considering microsite effects (e.g. bias of 8 vs. 119 saplings ha⁻¹ on the montane level). Results of simulations 40 years into the future suggest that about 330–930 Picea saplings per ha out of those that germinated in 1994 and 1996 will reach a height of 5 m within 30–35 years after Picea die-back. This is due to differences in seed inflow and browsing intensities. Picea and not Betula or Sorbus trees will replace the current herbaceous vegetation in these snag stands.     

Do rates of litter decomposition tell us anything we really need to know?

Results of several long-term studies of non-woody litter decomposition in forests indicate that we need to rethink why and how we measure rates of litter decomposition. Effects on litter decomposition rates were postulated to explain some of the nutritional effects of factors such as tree species, forest harvesting and fertilization. However, the accumulated experimental evidence indicates that litter decomposition rates do not mediate these responses. Many studies have reported litter mass loss becoming extremely slow at values considerably below 100%, indicating that early decay rates may not accurately foreshadow the entire decay process. Exclusion of soil faunal activities from current measurements of decomposition rates seriously reduces the likelihood that we are properly modeling decomposition. Finally, the use of regression and correlation analyses to determine which climate or initial litter quality factors control decay rate has led to many unwarranted and potentially misleading conclusions. These concerns are illustrated with examples from a suite of litter decomposition studies in British Columbia, Canada. Insights into nutrient cycling and carbon storage in ecosystems are more likely to arise from measuring the mass and nutrient content of annual litter input and determining the maximum decomposition limit and nutrient content at that stage, than by measuring early rates of decay. Improved predictions of relative decay rates of plant litters are likely to arise from a holistic approach based on plant life attributes rather than correlations based on individual initial litter chemistry parameters. Finally, a better understanding of the fate of faecal material of soil fauna is necessary before we can accurately predict and model litter decomposition.     

森林枯落物的水文功能

从森林枯落物的蓄水量、雨水截留量、阻延径流流速、改善土壤结构、减沙减流作用5个方面,叙述了森林枯落物的水文功能,提出森林经营中,应采取措施,促进林分森林枯落物的积累。     

杉木人工林树上宿存枯死枝、叶在冠层与在枯枝落叶层分解的比较研究

杉木枯死枝、叶有在树上宿存多年的特性。江西分宜大岗山地区一立地指数 14 ,林龄 13a ,保留密度 2 60 0株·hm- 2 的 1代林 ,树上宿存枯死枝、叶总量达 4 10 8 0kg·hm- 2 ,相当枯枝落叶层生物量的 3 5 4 %。树上宿存枯死枝、叶在冠层的分解速度 ,与置于枯枝落叶层的分解速度的测定结果表明 ,后者比前者快得多。说明在杉木林生长急需养分的速生期和杆材期 ,将树上宿存枯死枝、叶适时地打落于地表 ,使其在枯枝落叶层分解 ,与挂在冠层上的分解相比 ,对林木营养作用不同 ,前者比后者能及时、更多地提供养分。树上宿存枯死枝、叶在林冠下部由低到高呈 4层分布。鉴于各层死亡时间不同 ,经受的分解时间和雨水淋溶的强度也相异 ,其在树冠上的分解速度是分层测定的 ,上下层差异较大。在枯枝落叶层的分解速度也分层测定 ,上下层的差异较小。在枯枝落叶层分解时 ,本实验 1年间枝的各层分解量之和是树冠上分解时的近 2 3倍 ,叶为 5 4倍。在枯枝落叶层分解时 ,1年间各层枝、叶 ,营养元素归还量之和是树冠上分解时的 3 5倍。速生、杆材期 ,适时地将树上宿存枯死枝、叶打落于地表 ,对连栽杉木林长期生产力的保持更是有积极作用