Aboveground nutrient cycling and forest development on poor sandy soil

The aboveground nutrient turnover of three ecosystems representing the main stages of heathland forest succession in NW Germany was investigated in a comparative study with regard to nutrient availability of the soil and light availability below the canopy. It was expected that nutrient availability would play a decisive role in forest development on nutrient poor acidic soil. The results show that the input of nutrients into the Calluna heathland is higher than the annual aboveground turnover of N, P, Ca, Mg, and K via litterfall. Compared to the pioneering birch-pine forest, the annual aboveground turnover of nutrients within the Calluna heathland, and therefore the nutrient availability is very low, while the light availability below the canopy is high. The increasing productivity of the growing successional forest is combined with an increasing nutrient turnover, mainly via litter fall. As a result, the increasing nutrient availability favours shade tolerant species with a higher nutrient demand at the late stages of succession. Consequently, the presumed terminal stage of succession, the oak-beech forest, is characterized by low light availability below the canopy and higher nutrient supply according to the resource-ratio hypothesis of Tilman (1985, 1986, 1988).     

Leaf-nutrient accumulation and turnover at three stages of succession from heathland to forest

Abstract. Accumulation of nutrients in leaves of the dominating species of three ecosystems, characterizing the secondary succession from Genisto-Callunetum heathland through Leucobryo-Pinetum birch-pine woodland to mature Querco-Fagetum oak-beech forest, as well as nutrient turnover within these ecosystems was studied. The objective of the study was to establish potential variations in quantity and quality of nutrient supply to the plants with respect to succession dynamics. The results show very low leaf nutrient concentrations of all species investigated, coinciding with low nutrient availability in the soil. However, the nutrient content of leaves and leaf litter of Quercus petraea and Fagus sylvatica, which dominate the late succession stages, and in Betulapéndula are higher than in the photosynthetic organs (leaves and young shoots) of Calluna vulgaris and Pinus sylvestris. The combination of the higher nutrient content of the leaves and an increasing leaf-litter production during succession results in an increased nutrient turnover via leaf-litter fall. However, due to the high leaf biomass, the storage of nutrients in the leaf biomass is highest within the birch-pine woodland. From this, it may be assumed that the low demand and the low loss of nutrients via leaf-litter fall are favourable for Pinus at the early stages of forest succession on poor sandy soils. In contrast, Quercus and Fagus are provided with better growth conditions at the later stages of succession resulting from the accumulation of plant-available nutrients in the ecosystem by Pinus sylvestris, combined with a higher nutrient turnover as compared with the heathland.     

The role of plant resources in forest succession: changes in radiation, water and nutrient fluxes, and plant productivity over a 300-yr-long chronosequence in NW-Germany

In the past insufficient attention has been paid to quantitative measurements of resource fluxes in ecosystems that undergo successional change. In this study, simultaneous changes in seven plant resources (photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), water, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and potassium) are quantified by a chronosequence approach for a 300-yr-long secondary succession on poor soil from Calluna vulgaris heathland to Fagus sylvatica-Quercus petraea late-successional forest (heathland-to-forest succession).Above-ground net primary production increases sevenfold, and total above-ground phytomass about fortyfold during heathland-to-forest succession. Plant organs that capture resources increase much more slowly (leaf area index: threefold; fine root biomass: 1.3-fold). The increase in productivity is based both on higher absorptivity and conversion efficiency of PAR by the canopies of the successional plants.Accumulation of organic material on the forest floor significantly improves soil water availability. Evapotranspiration losses increase early in succession as the growing vegetation increases in both height and leaf area but tend to decrease again in the late-successional community. Drainage losses are at their minimum at the conifer-dominated pioneer forest stage.Accumulation of available nutrients in the soil is a key process in heathland-to-forest succession that significantly improves plant nutrient availability but leads to only minor changes in carbon/nutrient ratios and humus quality. Litter decomposition rates increase and result in a more rapid nutrient turnover in late successional stages. External nutrient inputs (from the atmosphere and soil weathering) significantly contribute to plant nutrient supply early in succession, whereas the internal cycling of nutrients through litter fall and nutrient mineralisation by far exceeds external inputs at the late stages.Vitousek & Reiners' (1975) ecosystem nutrient loss hypothesis is supported by the heathland-to-forest succession data. Odum's (1969) hypotheses on how nutrient cycles change during the course of succession is, in one part, rejected, in part supported. Tilman's (1988) hypothesis on nutrient limitation early, and light limitation late in primary succession is rejected.     

贵州喀斯特山区不同植被下土壤C、N、P含量和空间异质性

西南喀斯特地区是中国四大生态脆弱地区之一,为了解喀斯特生态环境下植被演替对土壤养分循环的影响,选取贵州中部喀斯特地区由乔木林、灌木林和灌草丛等不同植被类型下的土壤为研究对象,采用样块法采集了表层土壤样品,测定C、N、P全量及有效态含量,分析了这些元素的空间异质性特点.结果表明,各养分元素无论全量和有效态含量均在乔木林下最高,灌木林下有机碳及N、P全量的下降并不显著,但养分有效态含量显著下降,而灌草丛下土壤养分无论是全量还是有效态含量均较灌木林下显著降低下降;土壤养分空间异质性在灌木林下最高,土壤全磷素特别是速效磷的空间异质性高于有机碳和N.这显示,不仅是土壤养分含量,而且土壤养分的空间异质性都随植被演替而改变.这种变化中,土壤养分有效态较全量更为剧烈.植物类型和结构变化下凋落物返还及土壤生物化学转化环节的变化可能是引起喀斯特生态系统退化下土壤养分库降低而空间异质化提高的主要原因,这最终也会影响土壤养分在生态系统内的循环和分布.     

Coastal heathland succession influences butterfly community composition and threatens endangered butterfly species

Succession has a strong influence on species diversity and composition of semi-natural open terrestrial ecosystems. While several studies examined the effects of succession on butterflies in grassland and forest ecosystems, the response of heathland butterflies to succession had not been investigated so far. To address this issue we sampled butterfly abundance and environmental parameters on the Baltic island of Hiddensee (NE Germany) along a gradient of coastal heathland succession from grey dunes to birch forest. Our results provide evidence that succession of coastal heathland has a strong influence on butterfly diversity, abundance, and species composition. Thereby grass and tree encroachment present the main threats for heathland butterflies. Diversity and abundance of butterflies were highest in shrub-encroached heath directly followed by early stages of coastal heathland succession (dwarf-shrub heath, grey dune). Both observed threatened species (Hipparchia semele, Plebeius argus) were negatively affected by succession: abundance decreased with increasing vegetation density (both species) and grass cover (P. argus); consequently, the two later successional stages (shrub, birch forest) were not occupied. Our findings highlight the importance of the preservation of early stages of coastal heathland succession for endangered butterfly species. For coastal heathland management we therefore suggest to maintain early successional stages by sheep grazing, mowing or, in case of high nutrient contents, intensive techniques such as sod-cutting or choppering. To a lower extend shrub-encroached sites should also be present, which might be beneficial for overall species richness.     

Vkgetation analysis along a successional gradient from heath to oak forest

At Hjelm Hede in Denmark where an oak shrub is invading into a heathland the successional process has been studied on poor sandy outwashed plain. The study used a transect through a successional gradient from open heath to oak shrub where vegetation, major topsoil parameters and tree characteristics were analysed. The study enables us with spatial variation of key parameters to combine numerous detailed studies from the same site into an overall picture of changing vegetation and soil parameters reflecting the succession, which has been documented previously. The data were analysed by the use of Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). Along the gradient from heath to forest the thick mor layer of the heathland soil decomposed, the CM ratio decreased from 25 to 15, pH increased and ammonium became available for the plants during a time span of approximately 120 years. The vegetation on the open heath was typical Danish inland heath vegetation dominated by Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum and Deschampsiaflexuosa. Under the young oak shrub the vegetation was dominated by Deschampsia Jexuosa, Trientalis europaea , and Maianthemum bijiolium. In the oldest and most forest like parts of the shrub a vegetation dominated by Holcus mollis, Anemone nemomsa and Stellaria holostea was found. Woody chamaephytes were replaced first by hemicryptophytes and later by geophytes. The vegetation's Ellenberg values indicated an increase in nitrogen availability and a decrease in acidity and light availability through secondary succession.     

落叶阔叶林冠层光合有效辐射分量的遥感模拟与分析

冠层绿色叶片(光合组分)的光合有效辐射分量(绿色FPAR)真实地反映了植被与外界进行物质和能量交换的能力,获取冠层光合组分吸收的太阳光合有效辐射,对生态系统生产力的遥感估算精度的提高具有重要的意义。研究以落叶阔叶林为例,基于SAIL模型模拟森林冠层光合组分和非光合组分吸收的光合有效辐射,研究冠层FPAR变化规律以及与植被指数的相关关系。结果表明,冠层结构的改变会影响冠层对PAR的吸收能力,冠层绿色FPAR的大小与植被面积指数及光合组分面积比相关;在高覆盖度植被区,冠层绿色FPAR占冠层总FPAR的80%以上,非光合组分的贡献较小,但在低植被覆盖区,当光合组分和非光合组分面积相同时,绿色FPAR不及冠层总FPAR的50%;相比于NDVI,北方落叶阔叶林冠层EVI与绿色FPAR存在更为显著的线性相关关系(R~20.99)。     

Persistent land-use legacies increase small-scale diversity and strengthen vegetation–soil relationships on an unmanaged heathland

Land-use legacies are recognized determinants of vegetation dynamics and plant community assembly. The duration of these legacies and how they influence the structure of vegetation communities developing naturally in nutrient-poor ecosystems is not well understood. Here, we focus on the effects of increased nutrient availability from previous agricultural practices on multiple vegetation properties in a heathland where agriculture and domestic grazing ceased near 1870 and 1895, respectively. We compared diversity, compositional and functional properties of the vegetation responses to land-use legacies in the soil between areas with different agricultural histories (previously cultivated vs. uncultivated). Diversity measures were found to be higher in the previously cultivated soils. β-diversity was mainly driven by changes in species relative cover and increased with increasing nutrient availability in the cultivated area. Furthermore, functional traits related to nutrient acquisition (SLA and Leaf Nitrogen content) and the changes in vegetation composition were directly linked to soil properties only in the previously cultivated part of the heathland. Together these results revealed a shift to a deterministic control of the plant community, where increased nutrient availability leads to stronger associations between soil and vegetation properties. This suggests that as nutrients become available, niche differentiation and competitive interactions become the predominant underlying mechanisms structuring the community. Our study shows that land-use legacies of moderate intensity can alter the assembly mechanisms and diversity patterns in unmanaged vegetation that can be maintained after more than a century since cessation of agricultural practice. Identifying land-use legacies and understanding how they structure heathland communities can thus lead to management decisions adapted to the specific assembly mechanisms and result in a more effective management.     

Influence of soil and microclimate on species composition and grass encroachment in heath succession

Aims and Methods Mostly due to land use changes, European heathlands have become increasingly rare. In addition, the increasing amount of atmospheric nitrogen deposition has resulted in an encroachment of grasses and a loss in species diversity. Despite many investigations, information about the precise environmental parameters that determine the development and maintenance of heathland vegetation is still insufficient. In order to determine the environmental factors that control heath succession and grass encroachment, and to develop appropriate management schemes, we studied the influence of several soil and microclimate parameters on species composition and vegetation characteristics in five successional stages in a coastal heathland on the island of Hiddensee, north-east Germany, where the encroachment of Carex arenaria has become a major problem.Important findings We recorded the highest plant species richness in grey dune and birch forest plots, while the encroachment of C. arenaria let to a significant decline in plant species richness. The most important environmental factors influencing species richness and distribution of single species were microclimate, soil moisture, soil pH and the C/N ratio. While many studies reported the importance of differences in nutrient availability, we found no significant correlations between soil nutrient availability and vegetation pattern. Environmental conditions in dense C. arenaria stands, especially soil properties (e.g. soil pH), showed great differences in comparison to the other successional stages. However, no correlations between the encroachment of C. arenaria and single environmental factors were found. Our results show that not only soil nutrients are important abiotic factors in heaths but that also microclimate and soil moisture play an important role and that many factors are involved in heath succession and in the promotion of grass encroachment. Management plans for the conservation and restoration of heathlands should therefore focus on the specific site conditions and should take several abiotic and biotic factors into account.     

Interactions with successional stage and nutrient status determines the life‐form‐specific effects of increased soil temperature on boreal forest floor vegetation

The boreal forest is one of the largest terrestrial biomes and plays a key role for the global carbon balance and climate. The forest floor vegetation has a strong influence on the carbon and nitrogen cycles of the forests and is sensitive to changes in temperature conditions and nutrient availability. Additionally, the effects of climate warming on forest floor vegetation have been suggested to be moderated by the tree layer. Data on the effects of soil warming on forest floor vegetation from the boreal forest are, however, very scarce. We studied the effects on the forest floor vegetation in a long‐term (18 years) soil warming and fertilization experiment in a Norway spruce stand in northern Sweden. During the first 9 years, warming favored early successional species such as grasses and forbs at the expense of dwarf shrubs and bryophytes in unfertilized stands, while the effects were smaller after fertilization. Hence, warming led to significant changes in species composition and an increase in species richness in the open canopy nutrient limited forest. After another 9 years of warming and increasing tree canopy closure, most of the initial effects had ceased, indicating an interaction between forest succession and warming. The only remaining effect of warming was on the abundance of bryophytes, which contrary to the initial phase was strongly favored by warming. We propose that the suggested moderating effects of the tree layer are specific to plant life‐form and conclude that the successional phase of the forest may have a considerable impact on the effects of climate change on forest floor vegetation and its feedback effects on the carbon and nitrogen cycles, and thus on the climate.     

Distribution and cycling of C, N, Ca, Mg, K and P in three pristine, old-growth forests in the Cordillera de Piuchué, Chile

We assessed a number of biomass and soil parameters in order to examinerelationships among nutrient availability, forest productivity and vegetationpatterns in two old-growth forested watersheds in a pristine montane landscapeon Isla de Chiloé, Chile. We selected watersheds in both gymnosperm- andangiosperm-dominated forests and determined tree species, d.b.h. and health forall trees < 2 cm d.b.h. in plots established at 50m intervals. Soils were sampled at two depths in each plot andanalyzed for total C and N, and for exchangeable Ca, K, Mg andresin-extractableP. Allometric relationships and vegetation nutrient concentrations were used todetermine above-ground pools from the vegetation survey data. Growth rates werederived from increment core measures. Soil pools of most elements measuredappear adequate to support forest growth indefinitely. Mineralized nitrogen,which is similar in quantity to the annual demand for nitrogen from the soil isthe exception, consistent with the possibility of N limitation in two of theforest types studied. A third type, an evergreen broadleaved forest, appears torequire substantially more nitrogen than would appear to be available from netmineralization measurements. Productivity per unit of nitrogen required fromthesoil is quite high, largely as a consequence of the evergreen habit of thespecies in these forests. Compared to other temperate montane forests in theNorthern Hemisphere, nutrient pools and cycling characteristics were found tobemostly similar across forest types, in spite of considerable variation invegetation and soils.     

桂西北喀斯特峰丛洼地表层土壤养分时空分异特征

本文运用传统统计方法研究了典型喀斯特峰丛洼地4个植被演替阶段(草地、灌木林、次生林、原生林)表层(0—15 cm)土壤养分的空间分异特征,并分析其成因。结果表明：(1)不同植被演替阶段土壤养分（有机碳、全氮、碳氮比、全磷、全钾、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾）及pH值有明显差异（P<0.05）;除全钾外,其他养分含量均随植被正向演替而增加。(2)地貌部位对养分含量的影响不尽一致：各植被演替阶段的磷、钾及原生林的碳氮均符合养分的“洼积效应”,只有受人为干扰较强的草地、灌木林、次生林的碳氮养分存在随坡位升高而增加的现象。通过本研究得知,植被演替对养分积累具有积极作用;磷素（速效磷3.55—11.41 mg/kg）、钾素（速效钾64.05—105.75 mg/kg）是该区域的养分限制性因子;该区域养分的“倒置现象”并不普遍存在。     

Cultivation of Non‐timber Forest Products Alters Understory Light Availability in a Humid Tropical Forest in Mexico1

The planting of non‐timber forest products (NTFPs) in the understory of tropical forests is promoted in many regions as a strategy to conserve forested lands and meet the economic needs of rural communities. While the forest canopy is left intact in most understory plantations, much of the midstory and understory vegetation is removed in order to increase light availability for cultivated species. We assessed the extent to which the removal of vegetation in understory plantations of Chamaedorea hooperiana Hodel (Arecaceae) alters understory light conditions. We also examined how any changes in light availability may be reflected by changes in the composition of canopy tree seedlings regenerating in understory plantations. We employed a blocked design consisting of four C. hooperiana plantation sites; each site was paired with an adjacent, unmanaged forest site. Hemispherical canopy photographs were taken and canopy tree seedlings were identified and measured within 12 3 × 2 m randomly placed plots in each site for a total of 96 plots (4 blocks × 2 sites × 12 plots). Plantation management did not affect canopy openness or direct light availability but understory plantations had a higher frequency of plots with greater total and diffuse light availability than unmanaged forest. Comparisons of canopy tree seedling composition between understory plantations and unmanaged forest sites were less conclusive but suggest that management practices have the potential to increase the proportion of shade‐intolerant species of tree seedlings establishing in plantations. Given the importance of advanced regeneration in gap‐phase forest dynamics, these changes may have implications for future patterns of succession in the areas of forest where NTFPs are cultivated.     

喀斯特峰丛洼地不同类型森林养分循环特征

以中国西南喀斯特峰丛洼地为研究区域用标准木法和收获法对人工林、次生林、原生林3个不同类型森林的6个代表性群落的生物量、营养元素生物循环量及循环特征进行了研究。结果表明:(1)不同类型森林群落乔木各器官的养分含量大小顺序为:叶枝根干,林下植被层和凋落物层的养分含量比较高,其含量普遍高于乔木层各组分,仅次于乔木叶片;各组分中营养元素以K、Ca最高,P、Mg最低;(2)3种类型森林间乔木层的养分积累量总规律表现为原生林(4540.30 kg/hm~2)次生林(2107.09 kg/hm~2)人工林(719.51 kg/hm~2),分别占林分养分积累量的88.30%、79.57%和62.60%;(3)3种类型森林生态系统养分总贮量相差不大,均主要集中在土壤层在各层分配格局有所差异;营养元素的年吸收量和年归还量均为次生林原生林人工林,年吸收量分别为:418.80、271.17和148.79 kg hm~(-2)a~(-1);年归还量分别为:182.98、111.43和43.37 kg hm_(-2)a~(-1);(4)不同类型森林养分利用系数总规律为人工林(0.35)次生林(0.20)原生林(0.10);循环系数则相反,为原生林(0.48)次生林(0.46)人工林(0.30);而周转时间为原生林(37.32)人工林(18.63)次生林(13.93)。喀斯特峰丛洼地土层薄,养分贮存能力差,森林养分循环能力相对较弱,沿着强、中、弱干扰递减梯度,3种类型森林养分利用效率和循环能力呈增长趋势。     

Conifer Regeneration Problems in Boreal and Temperate Forests with Ericaceous Understory: Role of Disturbance,Seedbed Limitation,and Keytsone Species Change

Conifer regeneration failure in the presence of dense ericaceous cover resulting from the removal of canopy trees by forest harvesting observed in boreal and temperate forest has been attributed to allelopathy, competition, and soil nutrient imbalance. Ecosystem-level alleopathic effect has been argued as a cause for conifer regeneration failure by citing examples from a species-poor boreal forest in northern Sweden with ground vegetation dominated by crowberry (Empetrum hermaphroditum, Ericales) and New Zealand dairy pastures invaded by nodding or musk thistle (Carduus nutans). This article aims to explain the phenomenon of vegetation shift from conifer forest to ericaceous heath by extending the argument of ecosystem-level impact of ericaceous plants and linking the disturbance-mediated regeneration strategies of the dominant conifer species and the understory ericaceous species with the quality of seedbed substrate that influence the direction of secondary succession. It has been argued that fire severity plays a pivotal role in controlling seedbed quality and the regeneration mechanisms of conifers, which in turn determines the direction of post-disturbance succession. The post-fire-dominated ericaceous plants and their habitat-modifying effects have been explained from the point of view of keystone species concept and their role as ecosystem engineers. In the absence of high severity natural fires the canopy keystone species (conifer) fails to regenerate successfully mainly due to limitation of favorable seedbed. On the other hand, the understory ericaceous plants regenerate vigorously by vegetative methods from the belowground components that survived the fire. Forest harvesting by clearcutting or selective cutting also create similar vigorous vegetative regrowth of ericaceous plants, but conifer regeneration suffers from the lack of a suitable seedbed. Thus in the absence of successful conifer regeneration, the vigorously growing understory ericaceous plants become the new keystone species. The new keystone ericaceous species bring about a significant long-term habitat change by rapid accumulation of plyphenol-rich humus. Ericaceous phenolic compounds have been found to inhibit seed germination and seedling growth of conifers. By forming protein-phenol complexes they cause a further reduction of available nitrogen of the already nutrient-stressed habitat. A low pH condition in the presence of phenolic compounds causes the leaching of metallic ions and forms hard iron pans that impair soil water movement. The phenolic allelochemicals of ericaceous humus are also inhibitory to many conifer ectomycorrhizae. On the other hand, ericaceous plants perpetuate in the community by their stress-tolerating strategies as well as their ability to acquire nutrients through ericoid mycorrhizae. Three mechanisms working at the ecosystem level can be suggested as the cause of vegetation shift from forest to ericaceous heath. These are (1) the absence of high severity natural fire and the limitation of suitable conifer seedbed in the presence of thick humus, (2) increased competition resulting from the rapid vegetative regeneration of understory ericaceous plants after forest canopy opening by harvesting or nonsevere fire, and (3) habitat degradation by phenolic allelochemicals of ericaceous plants causing a soil nutrient imbalance and iron pan formation. Thus, a shift in keystone species from conifer to ericaceous plant in the post-disturbance habitat may induce a retrogressive succession due to ecosystem-level engineering effects of the new keystone species. Vegetation management in conifer-ericaceous communities depends on land management objectives. If the objective is to produce timber and other forest products then the control of ericaceous plants and site preparation is necessary after forest harvesting. Ploughing and liming followed by conifer planting and repeated N fertilization has been applied successfully to promote afforestation of Calluna heathlands in Britain. However, such practice has not been proven successful in the reforestation of Kalmia-dominated sites in eastern Canada. If, on the other hand, the land management objective is to maintain heathlands for herbivore production or conservation of cultural landscape, as in the case of certain Calluna-dominated heathland in Western Europe, then moderately hot prescribed burning is useful as a management tool.     

Impact of tree species on nutrient and light availability: evidence from a permanent plot study of old-field succession

This paper compares vegetation composition, light availability, carbon and nutrient pools and Ellenberg indicator values among four old-field successional permanent plots that have received an initial treatment (ploughing, herbicide or sterilisation) prior to being left undisturbed in 1969, a second set of six plots received additional treatments (continued ploughing or mulching until 1982). On all plots species rich pioneer forests developed. Vegetation still varies among plots with different initial treatments: Sterilised plots can be distinguished from the others by dominance of Betula pendula, ploughed plots by Fraxinus excelsior, whereas herbicide-treated plots are intermediate with proportions of both species. By affecting light availability at the ground, tree species in turn influences ground vegetation and soil properties. Light availability turned out to be the dominant factor determining the composition of the vegetation in old-field succession.     

浙江天童常绿阔叶林演替过程中土壤碳库与植被碳归还的关系

土壤碳固持量随森林演替显著提高, 对减缓全球变暖具有重要意义; 但是, 演替过程中土壤有机碳库与植被碳归还的关系尚无定论。该研究以浙江天童常绿阔叶林次生演替系列为对象, 通过测定前中后3个演替阶段土壤总有机碳(TOC)、可矿化碳(MC)、可溶性有机碳(DOC)和微生物量碳(MBC) 3种活性有机碳的含量与储量, 植被凋落物年凋落量、地表枯落物现存量和细根年归还量及其碳储量, 利用相关分析和多元逐步回归拟合, 分析土壤碳库与植被碳输入的关系。结果表明: (1)土壤TOC、MC、DOC和MBC含量随演替进行均显著增加(p < 0.05); (2)随演替进行, 土壤TOC储量显著增加( p < 0.05), 而MC、DOC和MBC储量并没有出现一致的变化趋势, 其排序为: 中期>后期>前期; (3)凋落物年凋落量及其碳储量随演替显著增加( p < 0.05), 细根年归还量及其碳储量随演替先增后降( p < 0.05), 而地表枯落物现存量与碳储量显著降低; (4) 3种活性有机碳中, MC储量对土壤总有机碳储量解释的贡献率为34.01% ( R² = 0.388, p < 0.05); (5) TOC和活性碳库(MC、DOC、MBC)受到不同碳归还方式的影响, 但细根的影响最大(分别为28.2%、50.0%、73.4%和68.8%)。总之, 随天童常绿阔叶林演替发生, 土壤总有机碳和3种活性有机碳储量显著增加, 细根生物量和可矿化碳库储量增加是引起土壤碳固持量增加的主要原因。     

Dynamics of herbaceous vegetation during four years of experimental coppice introduction

Understanding the effects of coppicing on forest ecosystems is important for progress towards sustainable forest management. A newly established coppicing experiment in a secondary temperate deciduous forest in the SE Czech Republic provides a rather unique insight into succession driven by canopy thinning in a forest still lacking species typical for forests established a long time ago. Herbaceous layer vegetation was monitored for four subsequent years in 2012–2015. We focused on the influence of canopy thinning intensity in two different forest types defined by dominant tree species (oak and lime). Our results showed that the opening of the canopy had immediate effects on herbaceous vegetation. Coverage, species richness and compositional patterns followed the coppicing intensity gradient. The dominant tree species had contrasting effects. Under oak, the reaction to coppicing was weak. Under lime, strong reaction both related to coppicing intensity and temporal development was observed. Herbs with short life cycle had the greatest contribution, but perennial grasses also began to increase their coverage after coppicing. Several invasive species, mostly short-lived herbs, emerged but are supposed to retreat as the succession will proceed. We conclude that coppice introduction into a secondary forest led to contrasting patterns related to dominant tree species. The marked difference was probably due to the slow succession towards a future forest community saturated by species. This process may now be further diversified by coppicing management.     

西双版纳热带森林土壤种子库与地上植被的关系

通过实验研究探讨了西双版纳几类热带森林的土壤种子库与地上植被的关系．结果表明,在森林演替的初期,土壤种子库与地上植被共有的种类和种子储量较多,随着林龄的增大,外来种子的比例逐渐增加,到季节雨林阶段,土壤种子库中的种子大部分为来自群落外的先锋种类．这些种子在郁闭的林冠下很难萌发,一旦森林受到干扰出现林窗或空旷地,这些潜在的种源将迅速萌发,参与植被的恢复或演替     

Tropical Secondary Forest Management Influences Frugivorous Bat Composition,Abundance and Fruit Consumption in Chiapas,Mexico

Most studies on frugivorous bat assemblages in secondary forests have concentrated on differences among successional stages, and have disregarded the effect of forest management. Secondary forest management practices alter the vegetation structure and fruit availability, important factors associated with differences in frugivorous bat assemblage structure, and fruit consumption and can therefore modify forest succession. Our objective was to elucidate factors (forest structural variables and fruit availability) determining bat diversity, abundance, composition and species-specific abundance of bats in (i) secondary forests managed by Lacandon farmers dominated by Ochroma pyramidale, in (ii) secondary forests without management, and in (iii) mature rain forests in Chiapas, Southern Mexico. Frugivorous bat species diversity (Shannon H’) was similar between forest types. However, bat abundance was highest in rain forest and O. pyramidale forests. Bat species composition was different among forest types with more Carollia sowelli and Sturnira lilium captures in O. pyramidale forests. Overall, bat fruit consumption was dominated by early-successional shrubs, highest late-successional fruit consumption was found in rain forests and more bats consumed early-successional shrub fruits in O. pyramidale forests. Ochroma pyramidale forests presented a higher canopy openness, tree height, lower tree density and diversity of fruit than secondary forests. Tree density and canopy openness were negatively correlated with bat species diversity and bat abundance, but bat abundance increased with fruit abundance and tree height. Hence, secondary forest management alters forests’ structural characteristics and resource availability, and shapes the frugivorous bat community structure, and thereby the fruit consumption by bats.