Allocation of carbon in a mature eucalypt forest and some effects of soil phosphorus availability

Pools and annual fluxes of carbon (C) were estimated for a mature Eucalyptus pauciflora (snowgum) forest with and without phosphorus (P) fertilizer addition to determine the effect of soil P availability on allocation of C in the stand. Aboveground biomass was estimated from allometric equations relating stem and branch diameters of individual trees to their biomass. Biomass production was calculated from annual increments in tree diameters and measurements of litterfall. Maintenance and construction respiration were calculated for each component using equations given by Ryan (1991a). Total belowground C flux was estimated from measurements of annual soil CO₂ efflux less the C content of annual litterfall (assuming forest floor and soil C were at approximate steady state for the year that soil CO₂ efflux was measured). The total C content of the standing biomass of the unfertilized stand was 138 t ha^-1, with approximately 80% aboveground and 20% belowground. Forest floor C was 8.5 t ha^-1. Soil C content (0–1 m) was 369 t ha^-1 representing 70% of the total C pool in the ecosystem. Total gross annual C flux aboveground (biomass increment plus litterfall plus respiration) was 11.9 t ha^-1 and gross flux belowground (coarse root increment plus fine root production plus root respiration) was 5.1 t ha^-1. Total annual soil efflux was 7.1 t ha^-1, of which 2.5 t ha^-1 (35%) was contributed by litter decomposition.The short-term effect of changing the availability of P compared with C on allocation to aboveground versus belowground processes was estimated by comparing fertilized and unfertilized stands during the year after treatment. In the P-fertilized stand annual wood biomass increment increased by 30%, there was no evidence of change in canopy biomass, and belowground C allocation decreased by 19% relative to the unfertilized stand. Total annual C flux was 16.97 and 16.75 t ha^-1 yr^-1 and the ratio of below- to aboveground C allocation was 0.43 and 0.35 in the unfertilized and P-fertilized stands, respectively. Therefore, the major response of the forest stand to increased soil P availability appeared to be a shift in C allocation; with little change in total productivity. These results emphasise that both growth rate and allocation need to be estimated to predict changes in fluxes and storage of C in forests that may occur in response to disturbance or climate change.     

Is primary production in holm oak forests nutrient limited?

Correlations between primary production and patterns of nutrient use and nutrient availability were investigated in 18 plots in closed holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) stands in the Montseny mountains (NE Spain), searching for evidence of nutrient limitation on primary production. The plots spanned a range of altitudes and slope aspects within a catchment. Nutrients considered were nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) in plant samples, and the above plus calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na) in the soil. Primary production was found by summing the annual aboveground biomass increment to the annual litterfall. Across plots, primary production was correlated with the annual return of nutrients in litterfall, but this relationship probably arose from the common effects of the amount of litterfall on both primary production and nutrient return, and not from any nutrient limitation. Primary production was not significantly correlated with nutrient concentrations in mature leaves nor leaf litterfall, nor with absolute or relative foliar retranslocation of nutrients before leaf abscission, nor with the concentration and content (kg/ha) of total N, extractable P, and exchangeable K, Mg, Ca and Na in the upper mineral soil. We conclude that there is no correlational evidence that primary production is nutrient limited in this holm oak forest.     

Carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a Pinus densiflora forest with low and high stand densities

Aims Understanding carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics and their dependence on the stand density of an even-aged, mature forest provides knowledge that is important for forest management. This study investigated the differences in ecosystem total C and N storage and flux between a low-density stand (LD) and a high-density stand (HD) and examined the effects of stand density on aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), total belowground C allocation (TBCA) and net ecosystem production (NEP) in a naturally regenerated, 65- to 75-year-old Pinus densiflora S. et Z. forest.Methods LD (450 trees ha^-1) and HD (842 trees ha^-1) were established in an even-aged, mature P. densiflora forest in September 2006. The forest had been naturally regenerated following harvesting, and the stand density was naturally maintained without any artificial management such as thinning. The diameter at breast height (DBH ≥ 5.0cm) of all live stems within the stands was measured yearly from 2007 to 2011. To compare C and N storage and fluxes in LD and HD, C and N pools in aboveground and belowground biomass, the forest floor, coarse woody debris (CWD) and soil; soil CO₂ efflux (R S); autotrophic respiration (R A); litter production; and soil N availability were measured. Further, ANPP, TBCA and NEP were estimated from plot-based measurement data.Important findings Ecosystem C (Mg C ha^-1) and N (Mg N ha^-1) storage was, respectively, 173.0±7.3 (mean ± SE) and 4.69±0.30 for LD and 162±11.8 and 4.08±0.18 for HD. There were no significant differences in C and N storage in the ecosystem components, except for soils, between the two stands. In contrast, there were significant differences in aboveground ANPP and TBCA between the two stands (P < 0.05). Litterfall, biomass increment and R S were major C flux components with values of, respectively, 3.89, 3.74 and 9.07 Mg C ha^-1 year^-1 in LD and 3.15, 2.94 and 7.06 Mg C ha^-1 year^-1 in HD. Biometric-based NEP (Mg C ha^-1 year^-1) was 4.18 in LD and 5.50 in HD. Although the even-aged, mature P. densiflora forest had similar C and N allocation patterns, it showed different C and N dynamics depending on stand density. The results of the current study will be useful for elucidating the effects of stand density on C and N storage and fluxes, which are important issues in managing natural mature forest ecosystems.     

Vertical patterns of fine root biomass, morphology and nitrogen concentration in a subalpine fir-wave forest

To clarify the nutrient acquisition strategies for below-ground resources in a subalpine Abies forest with shallow soils, we examined the vertical patterns of fine root biomass, morphology, nitrogen concentration of fine root tissue and soil chemical characteristics in nine quadrats of sapling, young and mature stands in a subalpine fir-wave forest, central Japan. The community characteristics changed with stand development, but stand development did not influence the vertical pattern of fine root characteristics. Fine root biomass decreased with soil depth. Specific root length did not differ among soil depths, and neither average diameter nor tissue density of fine roots changed vertically. The nitrogen concentration of fine roots differed significantly among soil depths, and was higher in surface soils than in deeper soils. Moreover, soil pH, soil electrical conductivity and soil nitrogen concentration were higher in surface layers than deeper layers. Therefore, we suggest that the subalpine Abies community has a nutrient acquisition strategy that allows uptake of more nutrients near the surface in shallow soils due to the larger investment in biomass and more active metabolism, but not due to phenotypic plasticity in fine root morphology. In addition, we observed that fine root biomass changed with stand development, where specific root length was greater in sapling stands than in older stands.     

不同年龄日本落叶松人工林生物量、碳储量及养分特征

以7、17、30和40年生4个发育阶段(幼龄、中龄、近熟和成熟阶段)的日本落叶松人工林为对象,研究了林龄对生物量、碳储量和养分特征的影响.结果表明: 在单木水平上,不同发育阶段干、枝、皮、叶、根生物量和养分浓度差异显著.随年龄增加,各器官生物量呈增大趋势,N、P、K浓度呈下降趋势,Mg浓度先降后升,Ca浓度持续升高.优势木、平均木和劣势木的各器官生物量之间差异显著,但养分浓度差异不显著,表明竞争对各器官养分浓度影响不大.在林分水平上,总生物量、碳储量和养分储量随林龄增加呈增大趋势,与幼龄林相比,成熟林分别增加217.9%、218.4%和56.4%,表明日本落叶松林生长后期能以较少的养分生产较多的干物质,养分利用效率较高.5种元素的积累量除P和K在近熟林(30年生)略有降低外,其他元素都随林龄增加而增加.N集中在叶中,Ca集中在树干,K和Mg主要集中在根,P在不同器官中的分配较均匀.日本落叶松林分年均生物量积累率、固碳率和养分积累率均随林龄的增加而降低,从幼龄林每年7.16 t·hm^-2、3.40 t·hm^-2、104.64 kg·hm^-2降低到成熟林的3.99 t·hm^-2、1.89 t·hm^-2、28.64 kg·hm^-2,表明日本落叶松林幼、中龄阶段固碳潜力大,但养分消耗也高.     

林地覆盖经营对雷竹鞭根主要养分内循环的影响

为了给林地覆盖经营雷竹(Phyllostachys violascens)林可持续经营提供理论参考,探讨了休养式覆盖经营(覆盖3a后休养3a)、长期覆盖经营(覆盖6a)和不覆盖雷竹林(CK)2年生壮龄竹鞭及其1级、2级根N、P、K、Mg、Ca、Fe浓度和养分迁移、内循环率的差异。结果表明:不同覆盖经营年限雷竹林N、P、K、Mg、Ca和Fe浓度总体上1级根显著高于2级根。1级根和2级根中均存在N、P、K、Mg的养分内循环,且1级根养分内循环率大于2级根,Fe、Ca内循环不明显。N、P、K、Mg养分浓度与养分迁移速率随时间的推延,1级根为持续降低,2级根为先升高后降低。与不覆盖雷竹林相比,休养式林地覆盖经营总体上提高了1级、2级根的N、P、K、Ca的浓度和P、K、Mg的迁移速率、N、P、K的迁移量、P、K的养分内循环率以及1级根Mg的浓度和迁移量、2级根N的迁移速率和Mg的内循环率;长期林地覆盖经营虽提高了雷竹1级根N、K的浓度和N的迁移量及2级根N的浓度和内循环率,但总体上降低了1级根P、K、Mg和2级根N、P、Mg的迁移量与1级、2级根P、Mg的迁移速率及P、K、Mg的养分内循环率。研究表明:雷竹林鞭根中存在明显的养分内循环,且1级根对养分内循环的贡献较大。休养式林地覆盖经营利于雷竹林对养分的循环利用,而长期覆盖经营阻碍了根系对养分的平衡吸收,减弱了根系养分的内循环,不利于雷竹林的生长更新。     

贵州中部喀斯特山地不同植被生态系统细根生态特征及养分储量

为了解喀斯特生态系统退化过程中树木细根生物量和土壤养分的变化,选择贵州中部喀斯特山地乔木林、灌木林和灌草丛3种植被生态系统,比较分析不同深度(0～5 cm、5～10 cm和10～15 cm)土壤细根数量及其养分情况.结果表明:树木细根主要分布在0～10 cm土层,并随土层加深而减少.在0～10 cm土层中,乔木林、灌木林和灌草丛的活细根生物量分别占0～15 cm总细根生物量的42.78%、56.75%和53.38%,总活细根生物量的83.36%、86.91%和93.79%.不同植被下优势种植物细根生物量存在差异.0～5 cm土层乔木林活细根氮素和磷素储量均显著高于灌草丛和灌木林(P0.05),但灌木林和灌草丛间没有差异;5～10 cm土层乔木林活细根氮和磷储量显著高于灌草丛和灌木林(P0.05),灌木林下又显著高于灌草丛下(P0.05).0～10 cm土层的活细根生物量与植株地上部分生物量呈正相关,植物叶片氮、磷养分含量与细根比根长呈显著的负相关,说明细根的养分储量对地上生物量的建成和生态系统功能的发挥具有重要作用.     

Biomass and nutrients in tree root systems–sustainable harvesting of an intensively managed Pinus pinaster (Ait.) planted forest

To develop sources of renewable energy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increasing attention has been given to the extraction of forest biomass, especially in the form of harvest residues. However, increasing the removal of biomass, and hence nutrients, has raised concerns about the sustainability of site fertility and forest productivity. The environmental cost of harvesting belowground biomass is still not fully understood. The objectives of this study were to (i) estimate the stocks of belowground biomass that potentially can be collected; (ii) measure the nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations of the different root compartments (stumps, coarse and thin roots); and to (iii) quantify the biomass and nutrient exports under different scenarios, including harvests of above and belowground compartments. The study was carried out on Pinus pinaster stands located in south‐western France. Results showed that roots could be a significant fuelwood resource, particularly at forest clear cutting. Negative relationships between root diameter and root nutrient concentration were observed, independently of root function or tree age. Such relationships can be used to accurately simulate nutrient concentrations in roots as well as nutrient exports. Combining our original results on roots with previously published data on the aboveground compartments showed that nutrient losses were higher in canopy harvest scenarios than in root harvest scenarios. This was mainly due to high nutrient concentrations of needles. We concluded that stump and root harvest could be sustainable in our study context, conversely to foliage harvest. Because thin roots have higher nutrient concentrations than coarse roots and the proportion of thin roots increased with an increase in the distance from the tree, collecting roots only in the close vicinity of the stumps should limit nutrient exports (particularly N) without unnecessarily reducing fuelwood biomass.     

Seasonal dynamics of major cations in xylem sap and needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) in stands with different soil solution chemistry

Soil solution, xylem sap and needles of mature trees were sampled in three spruce stands over one vegetation period and analysed for major cations. Investigations of nutrient distribution between these three pools and evaluations of seasonal dynamics give the following results: The highest nutrient concentrations in the xylem sap occur at the time of bud break and become gradually lower during the vegetation period. The trees show similar trends of xylem sap concentrations with time for potassium, calcium and magnesium regardless of the nutritional status of the plots. No coupling of xylem sap to soil solution composition can be observed in spite of a high variability of soil solution chemistry in time. The major cations in the current needles exhibit a significantly different trend with time. No time-based correlations for nutrient contents could be found for the needles from the previous year.Despite mobilisation of storage pools in the deficient stand, trees are not able to increase the Ca and Mg contents in the needles up to the level of the other stands. Potassium could be retranslocated in sufficient extent for nutrition of current needles. Due to seasonal variability and dependence upon internal processes, such as retranslocation and mobilisation of nutrients, xylem sap does not seem to be a good tool for the estimation of the nutritional status of forest sites.It was concluded that only minor transport into new foliage via xylem sap will proceed after nutrient flush during the bud break and the nutrient content in the new biomass will be governed by dilution due to biomass growth or by nutrient transport by other means than xylem sap.     

川滇高山栎灌丛萌生过程中的营养元素供应动态

萌生更新是森林更新的重要方式, 是硬叶栎林受到干扰后植被恢复的主要机制。以位于青藏高原东南缘的川西折多山东坡川滇高山栎(Quercus aquifoliodes)灌丛为研究对象, 调查分析了砍伐后灌丛萌生过程中基株根系和萌株生物量动态、营养元素含量, 以及基株根系和土壤对萌株生长过程中的营养元素供应动态。结果表明, 川滇高山栎灌丛平均地上和地下生物量分别为(11.25 ± 0.92) t·hm^-2和(34.85 ± 2.02) t·hm^-2, 具有较大的根冠比(3.10:1); 萌生过程中, 萌株生物量呈线性增加趋势, 以灌丛活细根生物量变化为最大, 其次是活中根和活粗根, 树桩和根蔸生物量变化最小; 萌生过程中, 灌丛细根和中根N、P含量表现为先增加、后降低的变化趋势, 萌生初期树桩、粗根和根蔸中N和K的含量明显下降, 根蔸中Ca含量略有下降, 而P没有明显下降, 根系Mg含量变化幅度较大, 灌丛地下根系储存了较多的营养元素; 土壤、树桩、粗根和根蔸是川滇高山栎灌丛砍伐后0-120天萌生生长的主要营养来源, 砍伐后60天, 萌株生长所需的营养除K元素主要来源于根系外, 其余营养元素主要来源于土壤; 在砍伐后60-120天, 基株根系对萌株生长所需的N、K和Ca贡献较大, 而对P和Mg的贡献较小; 在砍伐后120-180天, 根系除K元素对萌生生长还保持较大的贡献外, 对其余营养元素的贡献均较小。高山栎林管理要注重加强地下根系的保护。     

Positive tree diversity effect on fine root biomass: via density dependence rather than spatial root partitioning

The importance of species richness to ecosystem functioning and services is a central tenet of biological conservation. However, most of our theory and mechanistic understanding is based on diversity found aboveground. Our study sought to better understand the relationship between diversity and belowground function by studying root biomass across a plant diversity gradient. We collected soil cores from 91 plots with between 1 and 12 aboveground tree species in three natural secondary forests to measure fine root (≤ 2 mm in diameter) biomass. Molecular methods were used to identify the tree species of fine roots and to estimate fine root biomass for each species. This study tested whether the spatial root partitioning (species differ by belowground territory) and symmetric growth (the capacity to colonize nutrient-rich hotspots) underpin the relationship between aboveground species richness and fine root biomass. All species preferred to grow in nutrient-rich areas and symmetric growth could explain the positive relationship between aboveground species richness and fine root biomass. However, symmetric growth only appeared in the nutrient-rich upper soil layer (0–10 cm). Structural equation modelling indicated that aboveground species richness and stand density significantly affected fine root biomass. Specifically, fine root biomass depended on the interaction between aboveground species richness and stand density, with fine root biomass increasing with species richness at lower stand density, but not at higher stand density. Overall, evidence for spatial (i.e. vertical) root partitioning was inconsistent; assumingly any roots growing into deeper unexplored soil layers were not sufficient contributors to the positive diversity–function relationship. Alternatively, density-dependent biotic interactions affecting tree recruitment are an important driver affecting productivity in diverse subtropical forests but the usual root distribution patterns in line with the spatial root partitioning hypothesis are unrealistic in contexts where soil nutrients are heterogeneously distributed.     

Growth and Nutrient Retranslocation in Needles of Radiata Pine in Relation to Nitrogen Supply

The effects of N application on tree growth and the retranslocationof N, P, and K from young needles to new growth were examinedin young radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) trees. Nitrogen fertilization increased the number and size of needles,rates of shoot production, stem volume growth and tree biomass.Foliar N and P contents (µg per needle) fluctuated ina cyclic fashion with prominent phases of accumulation, retranslocationand replenishment. The patterns of these fluctuations in controland N-fertilized trees were similar, although the fluxes ofN, P and K in and out of needles were increased by N fertilization.Greater translocation (g per tree) of N and K from needles ofN fertilized trees occurred because fertilization increasedthe needle weight and the proportion of N and K retranslocatedfrom individual needles. Nitrogen fertilization increased theretranslocation of P largely as a result of higher needle mass.Trees supplied with more than adequate amounts of P in the soilretranslocated up to 58 per cent of the initial pool of P fromyoung needles. The periods of high retranslocation coincidedwith periods of high concentrations of soil mineral N and withshoot production. Conversely, the periods of rapid replenishmentof N and P into the needles coincided with the time of slowshoot growth and low concentration of soil mineral N. The growthrate of trees, rather than the availability of nutrients inthe soil was the main factor controlling retranslocation. For radiata pine, retranslocation from needles is not a mechanismspecific for coping with low soil fertility. It seems to bea mechanism which enhances the nutrient supply to apical growingpoints, especially during periods of flushing. Pinus radiata, nitrogen supply, shoot growth, nutrient fluctuations and retranslocation, nutrient use and adaptation     

Pattern of carbon allocation across three different stages of stand development of a Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) forest

The pattern of carbon (C) allocation across different stages of stand development of Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) forests is poorly documented. In order to understand the effects of stand age on the C pool of the Chinese pine forest ecosystem, we have examined the above- and belowground C pools in three differently aged stands of Chinese pine in the northern mountains of Beijing, China, by plot-level inventories and destructive sampling. Our results suggest that tree branch and foliage biomass should be estimated by age-specific equations. Reasonably accurate estimates of tree stem, tree root, aboveground, and total tree biomass in a Chinese pine forest at different development stages were obtained using age-independent allometric equations from tree diameter only. The ratio of belowground to aboveground tree biomass was relatively constant with stand aging, remaining around 21?%. The contribution of aboveground tree biomass C increased from 21?% of the total ecosystem C in a 25-year-old stand to 44?% in a 65-year-old stand, subsequently falling to 41?% in a 105-year-old stand, while the contribution of mineral soil C decreased from 64?% of the total ecosystem C in 25-year-old stand to 38?% in a 65-year-old stand, subsequently increasing to 41?% in a 105-year-old stand. The C stock of the total ecosystem and its aboveground tree, tree root, forest floor, and mineral soil components continuously increased with stand ageing, whereas the C stock of the understory showed a declining trend and contributed little to the total site C pool.     

Elevation effects on the carbon budget of tropical mountain forests (S Ecuador): the role of the belowground compartment

Carbon storage and sequestration in tropical mountain forests and their dependence on elevation and temperature are not well understood. In an altitudinal transect study in the South Ecuadorian Andes, we tested the hypotheses that (i) aboveground net primary production (ANPP) decreases continuously with elevation due to decreasing temperatures, whereas (ii) belowground productivity (BNPP) remains constant or even increases with elevation due to a shift from light to nutrient limitation of tree growth. In five tropical mountain forests between 1050 and 3060 m a.s.l., we investigated all major above‐ and belowground biomass and productivity components, and the stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC). Leaf biomass, stemwood mass and total aboveground biomass (AGB) decreased by 50% to 70%, ANPP by about 70% between 1050 and 3060 m, while stem wood production decreased 20‐fold. Coarse and large root biomass increased slightly, fine root biomass fourfold, while fine root production (minirhizotron study) roughly doubled between 1050 and 3060 m. The total tree biomass (above‐ and belowground) decreased from about 320 to 175 Mg dry mass ha^?1, total NPP from ca. 13.0 to 8.2 Mg ha^?1 yr^?1. The belowground/aboveground ratio of biomass and productivity increased with elevation indicating a shift from light to nutrient limitation of tree growth. We propose that, with increasing elevation, an increasing nitrogen limitation combined with decreasing temperatures causes a large reduction in stand leaf area resulting in a substantial reduction of canopy carbon gain toward the alpine tree line. We conclude that the marked decrease in tree height, AGB and ANPP with elevation in these mountain forests is caused by both a belowground shift of C allocation and a reduction in C source strength, while a temperature‐induced reduction in C sink strength (lowered meristematic activity) seems to be of secondary importance.     

Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in volcanic soils following afforestation with native birch (Betula pubescens) and introduced larch (Larix sibirica) in Iceland

Afforestation has become an important tool for soil protection and land reclamation in Iceland. Nevertheless, the harsh climate and degraded soils are growth-limiting for trees, and little is know about changes in soil nutrients in maturing forests planted on the volcanic soils. In the present chronosequence study, changes in C, N and total P in soil (0–10 and 10–20 cm depth) and C and N in foliar tissue were investigated in stands of native Downy birch (Betula pubescens Enrh.) and the in Iceland introduced Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.). The forest stands were between 14 and 97 years old and were established on heath land that had been treeless for centuries. Soils were Andosols derived from basaltic material and rhyolitic volcanic ash. A significant effect of tree species was only found for the N content in foliar tissue. Foliar N concentrations were significantly higher and foliar C/N ratios significantly lower in larch needles than in birch leaves. There was no effect of stand age. Changes in soil C and the soil nutrient status with time after afforestation were little significant. Soil C concentrations in 0–10 cm depth in forest stands older than 30 years were significantly higher than in heath land and forest stands younger than 30 years. This was attributed to a slow accumulation of organic matter. Soil N concentrations and soil P_tot were not affected by stand age. Nutrient pools in the two soil layers were calculated for an average weight of soil material (400 Mg soil ha⁻¹ in 0–10 cm depth and 600 Mg soil ha⁻¹ in 10–20 cm depth, respectively). Soil nutrient pools did not change significantly with time. Soil C pools were in average 23.6 Mg ha⁻¹ in the upper soil layer and 16.9 Mg ha⁻¹ in the lower soil layer. The highest annual increase in soil C under forest compared to heath land was 0.23 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 0–10 cm depth calculated for the 53-year-old larch stand. Soil N pools were in average 1.0 Mg N ha⁻¹ in both soil layers and did not decrease with time despite a low N deposition and the uptake and accumulation of N in biomass of the growing trees. Soil P_tot pools were in average 220 and 320 kg P ha⁻¹ in the upper and lower soil layer, respectively. It was assumed that mycorrhizal fungi present in the stands had an influence on the availability of N and P to the trees. Responsible Editor: Hans Lambers.     

在杉木林和马尾松林中雨水的养分淋溶作用

本试验地是在杉木林和马尾松林中,主要对降雨和径流水中所含各种养分物质进行测定。结果表明:降雨的养分含量与降雨量存在着半对数函数关系。降雨输入林地的养分量显著地大于径流输出的养分量。林内雨和树干茎流淋溶的养分量占养分还原总量的48—53％。林内雨和树干淋溶的K、Mg、N养分物质量超过凋落物归还养分量。     

辽东山区落叶松人工林地上生物量和养分元素分配格局

落叶松是我国北方最主要的人工用材林树种,由于人工林树种单一、结构简单等原因,导致土壤养分循环出现失衡.研究落叶松生物量和养分元素分配规律,可以为落叶松人工林的合理经营和养分循环研究提供科学参考.本文以辽东山区19年生二代落叶松人工林(胸径12.8 cm,树高15.3 m,密度2308株·hm^-2)为对象,研究其地上各器官(干、枝、皮、叶)生物量、碳和养分元素含量(N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn)的积累规律和分配格局.结果表明：单株落叶松生物量为70.26 kg,林分水平落叶松生物量为162.16 t·hm^-2,各器官生物量差异显著,排序为：树干>树枝>树皮>树叶;单株落叶松养分积累量为749.94 g,林分水平落叶松养分积累量为1730.86 kg·hm^-2,其中,大量元素和微量元素的养分积累量均为树干显著高于树枝、树皮和树叶.全叶期每砍伐一棵落叶松(19年生),平均从系统中带出749.94 g养分元素;如果将树皮、树枝、树叶留在林地仅仅带走树干,带出的养分元素可减少40.7%.
     

Global‐scale patterns of nutrient density and partitioning in forests in relation to climate

Knowledge of nutrient storage and partitioning in forests is imperative for ecosystem models and ecological theory. Whether the nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) stored in forest biomass and their partitioning patterns vary systematically across climatic gradients remains unknown. Here, we explored the global‐scale patterns of nutrient density and partitioning using a newly compiled dataset including 372 forest stands. We found that temperature and precipitation were key factors driving the nutrients stored in living biomass of forests at global scale. The N, K, and Mg stored in living biomass tended to be greater in increasingly warm climates. The mean biomass N density was 577.0, 530.4, 513.2, and 336.7 kg/ha for tropical, subtropical, temperate, and boreal forests, respectively. Around 76% of the variation in biomass N density could be accounted by the empirical model combining biomass density, phylogeny (i.e., angiosperm, gymnosperm), and the interaction of mean annual temperature and precipitation. Climate, stand age, and biomass density significantly affected nutrients partitioning at forest community level. The fractional distribution of nutrients to roots decreased significantly with temperature, suggesting that forests in cold climates allocate greater nutrients to roots. Gymnosperm forests tended to allocate more nutrients to leaves as compared with angiosperm forests, whereas the angiosperm forests distributed more nutrients in stems. The nutrient‐based Root:Shoot ratios (R:S), averaged 0.30 for R:S_N, 0.36 for R:S_P, 0.32 for R:S_K, 0.27 for R:S_Ca, and 0.35 for R:S_Mg, respectively. The scaling exponents of the relationships describing root nutrients as a function of shoot nutrients were more than 1.0, suggesting that as nutrient allocated to shoot increases, nutrient allocated to roots increases faster than linearly with nutrient in shoot. Soil type significantly affected the total N, P, K, Ca, and Mg stored in living biomass of forests, and the Acrisols group displayed the lowest P, K, Ca, and Mg.     

The variable effects of soil nitrogen availability and insect herbivory on aboveground and belowground plant biomass in an old-field ecosystem

Nutrient availability and herbivory can regulate primary production in ecosystems, but little is known about how, or whether, they may interact with one another. Here, we investigate how nitrogen availability and insect herbivory interact to alter aboveground and belowground plant community biomass in an old-field ecosystem. In 2004, we established 36 experimental plots in which we manipulated soil nitrogen (N) availability and insect abundance in a completely randomized plot design. In 2009, after 6 years of treatments, we measured aboveground biomass and assessed root production at peak growth. Overall, we found a significant effect of reduced soil N availability on aboveground biomass and belowground plant biomass production. Specifically, responses of aboveground and belowground community biomass to nutrients were driven by reductions in soil N, but not additions, indicating that soil N may not be limiting primary production in this ecosystem. Insects reduced the aboveground biomass of subdominant plant species and decreased coarse root production. We found no statistical interactions between N availability and insect herbivory for any response variable. Overall, the results of 6 years of nutrient manipulations and insect removals suggest strong bottom-up influences on total plant community productivity but more subtle effects of insect herbivores on aspects of aboveground and belowground production.     

Carbon Accumulation Patterns During Post-Fire Succession in Cajander Larch (Larix cajanderi) Forests of Siberia

Increased fire activity within boreal forests could affect global terrestrial carbon (C) stocks by decreasing stand age or altering tree recruitment, leading to patterns of forest regrowth that differ from those of pre-fire stands. To improve our understanding of post-fire C accumulation patterns within boreal forests, we evaluated above- and belowground C pools within 17 Cajander larch (Larix cajanderi) stands of northeastern Siberia that varied in both years since fire and stand density. Early-successional stands (<20-year old) exhibited low larch recruitment, and consequently, low density, aboveground larch biomass, and aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP_tree). Mid-successional stands (21- to 70-year old) were even-aged with considerable variability in stand density. High-density mid-successional stands had 21 times faster rates of ANPP_tree than low-density stands (252 vs. 12?g?C?m^?2?y^?1) and 26 times more C in aboveground larch biomass (2,186 vs. 85?g?C?m^?2). Density had little effect on total soil C pools. During late-succession (>70-year old), aboveground larch biomass, ANPP_tree, and soil organic layer C pools increased with stand age. These stands were low density and multi-aged, containing both mature trees and new recruits. The rapid accumulation of aboveground larch biomass in high-density, mid-successional stands allowed them to obtain C stocks similar to those in much older low-density stands (~8,000?g?C?m^?2). If fire frequency increases without altering stand density, landscape-level C storage could decline, but if larch density also increases, large aboveground C pools within high-density stands could compensate for a shorter successional cycle.