Litterfall Dynamics Under Different Tropical Forest Restoration Strategies in Costa Rica

In degraded tropical pastures, active restoration strategies have the potential to facilitate forest regrowth at rates that are faster than natural recovery, enhancing litterfall, and nutrient inputs to the forest floor. We evaluated litterfall and nutrient dynamics under four treatments: plantation (entire area planted), tree islands (planting in six patches of three sizes), control (same age natural regeneration), and young secondary forest (7–9‐yr‐old natural regeneration). Treatments were established in plots of 50 × 50 m at six replicate sites in southern Costa Rica and the annual litterfall production was measured 5 yr after treatment establishment. Planted species included two native timber‐producing hardwoods (Terminalia amazonia and Vochysia guatemalensis) interplanted with two N‐fixing species (Inga edulis and Erythrina poeppigiana). Litter production was highest in secondary forests (7.3 Mg/ha/yr) and plantations (6.3), intermediate in islands (3.5), and lowest in controls (1.4). Secondary forests had higher input of all nutrients except N when compared with the plantation plots. Inga contributed 70 percent of leaffall in the plantations, demonstrating the influence that one species can have on litter quantity and quality. Although tree islands had lower litterfall rates, they were similar to plantations in inputs of Mg, K, P, Zn, and Mn. Tree islands increased litter production and nutrient inputs more quickly than natural regeneration. In addition to being less resource intensive than conventional plantations, this planting design promotes a more rapid increase in litter diversity and more spatial heterogeneity, which can accelerate the rate of nutrient cycling and facilitate forest recovery.     

南亚热带格木、马尾松幼龄人工纯林及其混交林生态系统碳氮储量

研究比较了南亚热带6年生格木(Erythrophleum fordii)、马尾松(Pinus massoniana)幼龄人工纯林及马尾松与格木混交林生态系统碳氮储量及其分配特征。结果表明,生态系统总碳储量依次为马尾松-格木混交林(137.75 t/hm2)格木纯林(134.07 t/hm2)马尾松纯林(131.10 t/hm2),总氮储量则为格木纯林(10.19 t/hm2)马尾松-格木混交林(8.68 t/hm2)马尾松纯林(7.01 t/hm2)。3种人工林生态系统碳氮库空间分布基本一致,绝大部分储存于0—100 cm土壤层,平均占生态系统总储量的81.49%和96.91%,其次为乔木层(分别占17.52%和2.69%),林下植被和凋落物层所占比例最小。林地土壤碳主要集中于表土层,其中0—30 cm土层平均碳储量为52.52 t/hm2,占土壤总碳储量(0—100 cm)的47.99%,土壤氮的分布则无明显规律。相比于纯林,与固氮树种混交的营林方式表现出更大的碳储存能力。3种幼龄人工林生态系统较低的地上与地下部分碳氮分配比,表明其仍具有较强的碳氮固持潜力。     

外来树种日本落叶松和日本花柏对鄂西北森林群落的影响

【目的】研究大面积栽植外来树种日本落叶松和日本花柏对鄂西北森林群落物种多样性的影响,为评价外来树种的入侵风险提供依据。【方法】采用样地调查法对比研究外来树种日本落叶松和日本花柏人工林与当地森林群落特征差异。【结果】日本落叶松人工林样地林下植物种类丰富,样地平均物种数与当地天然林样地物种数相比无显著差异;林下灌木层和草本层多样性指数较高,草本层多样性指数与当地天然林相比无显著差异;林下未发现日本落叶松的更新苗。日本花柏人工林样地平均物种数显著少于当地其他人工林样地;乔木层、灌木层和草本层的4个多样性指数值均小于当地其他人工林样地;在3个样地中出现日本花柏更新苗,更新苗数量达479株·hm~(-2)。【结论】引种栽培日本落叶松不会导致当地森林群落的物种多样性降低,不会引起生物入侵风险;但引种栽培日本花柏会明显降低当地森林群落的物种多样性,对当地森林生态系统的稳定构成一定威胁。     

Recovery of species diversity and composition of braconid parasitic wasps after reforestation of degraded grasslands in lowland East Kalimantan

Human-induced disturbances and wildfires can transform areas of tropical rainforest into Imperata-dominated grassland, but it may be possible that recovery of biodiversity is facilitated by reforestation with fast-growing trees. We compared the assemblages of braconid wasps as parasitoids of taxonomically diverse groups of insects among Imperata grasslands, young and mature plantations of Acacia mangium, young secondary forests after wildfires, and old secondary forests in the lowland of East Kalimantan. The abundance and species richness of braconids, which had declined in Imperata grasslands, somewhat increased in Acacia plantations, and also the species composition of braconids in Acacia plantations was transitional between Imperata grasslands and old secondary forests. Parasitoids of detritivores and wood borers increased markedly after plantation, while those of herbivores showed a distinct turnover of species all over the range from grasslands to old secondary forests. The plantation of A. mangium had most likely facilitated the recovery of the diversity of host forest and their parasitoids, but the recovery was just at the rudimentary stage even in mature plantations. Monitoring of parasitic wasps would be useful to test the continuous recovery of forest biodiversity in plantation stands.     

南方红壤区3种典型森林恢复方式对植物群落多样性的影响

合理的森林恢复方式能提高植物多样性,进而提高生态系统服务功能.在我国南方红壤区研究了3种典型森林恢复方式(引进种恢复的湿地松(Pinus elliottii)人工林本地种恢复的马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林和自然恢复的天然次生林)的植物区系构成和植物群落多样性.结果表明:(1)湿地松人工林有155种植物,隶属66科118属,马尾松人工林有137种植物,隶属59科97属;天然次生林有226种植物,隶属86科160属,3种森林恢复方式的乔木层、灌木层和草本层的优势科属明显不同,马尾松人工林的优势物种和天然次生林更相似;(2)天然次生林的植物区系基本构成、植物区系类型种类高于马尾松人工林和湿地松人工林,并且天然次生林的温带成分比例高于湿地松人工林;(3)恢复方式对植物群落的多样性指数有显著影响,天然次生林的物种丰富度、辛普森指数明显高于马尾松人工林和湿地松人工林,两种人工林之间差异不显著;(4)3种森林恢复方式的植物群落结构存在显著差异,相比湿地松人工林,马尾松人工林的植物群落组成与天然次生林更相似.总之,自然恢复的天然次生林植物群落多样性高于人工恢复的马尾松人工林和湿地松人工林,本地种马尾松人工林在维持区域植物群落结构功能上优于引进种湿地松人工林.     

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.     

Seed rain and soil seed bank of Picea asperata Mast. in subalpine coniferous forest of western Sichuan,China

Abstract

Dragon spruce (Picea asperata Mast.) is widely planted on clear-cuts from natural subalpine coniferous forests in western Sichuan. To assess the natural regeneration potential of this species in spruce plantations of different ages, field studies on the seed rain, seed bank, and seedling recruitment were conducted in 20-year, 30-year, and 60-year plantations, and in a retained natural forest ca. 150 years old for comparison. Moreover, a series of temperature and light regimes were also designed in March 2003 to test germination/dormancy responses of the P. asperata seeds to different conditions. In the plantations considered, both the densities of seed rain and soil seed bank increased with increasing stand age, whereas they were both low beneath the natural forest partially due to low adult density of P. asperata adult trees. P. asperata has a transient seed bank, and ca. 60% of seeds were found in the litter layer. Seed decay and seed predation were the two most important factors affecting soil seed bank dynamics, which caused a number of seed losses from the soil. Only a small fraction germinated and produced seedlings, and the indices of the losses from the seed bank via germination in the 30-year plantation, 60-year plantation and natural forest were 4.75, 5.10, and 2.80%, respectively. High seedling mortality was observed after seedling emergence, and most of the germinated seedlings died out within one growing season. The P. asperata seeds showed a high percent germination and no significant differences under most light and temperature regimes except for full sunlight or temperature below 5°C. In conclusion, despite a substantial number of seed produced, the high depletion of soil seed, the low seedling output, and high seedling mortality may obscure the natural regeneration potential of this tree species.     

Influence of overstory composition on understory colonization by native species in plantations on a degraded tropical site

Abstract. Patterns of understory colonization by native and naturalized trees and shrubs were evaluated in 4.5-year-old plantations of three exotic tree species, Casuarina equisetifolia, Eucalyptus robusta, and Leucaena leucocephala, on a degraded coastal grassland site with reference to overstory composition and understory environmental conditions. 19 secondary forest species were established in the plantation understories (with a total area of 0.52 ha), while no natural regeneration occurred in unplanted, though protected, control areas. The majority of these species (90 %) and the total seedling population (97 %) were zoochorous, indicating the importance of frugivorous bats and particularly birds as facilitators of secondary forest species colonization. Understory species richness and seedling densities were affected significantly by overstory composition, the most abundant regeneration occurring beneath Leucaena and least under Casuarina. Understory colonization rates within mixed-species stands were intermediate between those of single-species stands of the trees comprising their overstories. Significant negative correlations were found between understory species richness and seedling density, and forest floor depth and dry mass, especially for small-seeded ornithochorous species. Higher colonization rates near the peripheries of plantation plots relative to plot interiors were due in part to roosting site preferences by frugivores, particularly bats. The study results indicate that overstory species selection can exert a significant influence on subsequent patterns of colonization by secondary forest species and is an important consideration in the design of plantations for ‘catalyzing’ succession on deforested, degraded sites.     

Litterfall and nutrient dynamics shift in tropical forest restoration sites after a decade of recovery

Multi‐year studies comparing changes in litterfall biomass and nutrient inputs in sites under different restoration practices are lacking. We evaluated litterfall dynamics and nutrient inputs at 5 yr and after a decade of recovery in four treatments (natural regeneration—no planting, plantation—entire area planted, tree islands—planting in patches, and reference forest) at multiple sites in an agricultural landscape in southern Costa Rica. We inter‐planted two native species (Terminalia amazonia and Vochysia guatemalensis) and two naturalized N‐fixing species (Inga edulis and Erythrina poeppigiana) in plantation and island treatments. Although litterfall N was higher in plantations in the first sampling period, litter production and overall inputs of C, N, Ca, Mg, P, Cu, Mn, and Fe did not differ between island, plantation, or reference forest after a decade; however, all were greater than in natural regeneration. Potassium inputs were lower in the natural regeneration, intermediate in island and plantation, and greater in reference forest. The percentage of litterfall comprised by the N‐fixing planted species declined by nearly two‐thirds in both plantations and islands between sampling periods, while the percentage of V. guatemalensis more than doubled, and the percentage from naturally regenerated species increased from 27 to 47 percent in islands. Island and plantation treatments were equally effective at restoring litterfall and nutrient inputs to levels similar to the reference system. The nutrient input changed substantially over the 7‐yr interval between measurements, reflecting shifts in vegetation composition and demonstrating how rapidly nutrient cycling dynamics can change in recovering forests.     

川西亚高山65年人工云杉林种子雨、种子库和幼苗定居研究

川西亚高山人工针叶林已成为亚高山森林的重要组成部分, 它们是否具有持续的自然更新能力, 是决定川西亚高山针叶林群落演替方向和维持该区针叶林大面积存在的基础。以川西米亚罗亚高山人工云杉(Picea asperata)林(65 a)为研究对象, 对种子雨量年际变化、土壤种子库动态、种子萌发和幼苗定居等更新过程的关键环节进行了连续7年(2002-2008年)的野外观测, 以研究人工云杉林更新潜力及影响其更新的限制因素。结果表明: 该区云杉林种子雨一般从每年的10月初开始下落, 一直到翌年的1月底或2月初结束; 云杉种子散落存在明显的大小年现象, 种子散落周期为4年, 且大小年之间种子产量差异极大; 云杉种子从下落到土壤到种子完全失去活力不到1年时间, 属于Thompson和Grime定义的第II类土壤种子库类型。腐烂死亡和动物取食是土壤种子库损耗的主要因素, 而种子通过萌发真正转化为幼苗的比例非常低, 仅占2002年下落种子总量的3.6%。种子萌发后, 环境筛的作用导致云杉幼苗大量死亡, 尤其是在种子萌发后的一个生长季节内, 其死亡率高达78%。凋落物和苔藓是构成人工云杉林下地表的两种主要地被物类型, 二者占所有调查幼苗数量的93%左右; 两种地被物类型上0-2 cm层幼苗存活率最高, 分别占存活幼苗总数的76.07%和86.72%, 随地被物厚度增加, 幼苗存活率呈明显下降趋势, 而幼苗死亡率呈明显升高的趋势, 表明林下地被物厚度也是影响云杉幼苗定居的重要因素。两种地被物对幼苗生长的影响不同, 除株高之外, 分布在苔藓上的云杉幼苗生长参数(地径、分枝数、干重以及干重年增长率)明显高于分布于凋落物上的幼苗, 表明苔藓地被物更有利于云杉幼苗定居。尽管该区大量云杉种子下落, 但由于种子的高损耗率、幼苗的低输出率以及萌发幼苗的高死亡率, 使得人工云杉林下种子通过萌发转为实生幼苗的数量非常少, 最终真正能补充到云杉种群的个体数量非常有限。     

Dragonets (Callionymidae) of soft bottoms from the coastal zone of southern Central Vietnam

A review of dragonets (Gallionymidae) from the coastal waters of Khanh Hoa (Nha Trang and Van Phong bays) and Binh Thuan (Phu Quy Island) provinces, Vietnam, was conducted based on the samples of the author. In total, nine species were recorded, including three species indicated in the fauna of the country for the first time. In addition, geographic and bathymetric distribution of C. altipinnis, as well as morphological variation of several other species, was specified.     

Association between bryophytes and seedlings in Nothofagus sub-Antarctic forests

Bryophytes, which include mosses, liverworts and hornworts, indeed play a significant role in the natural dynamics of native forests. They contribute to fundamental ecological processes such as tree regeneration. In this context, the objective was to analyse the association of bryophytes with Nothofagus seedlings, as well as whether the substrates where bryophytes grew influenced bryophyte-tree seedling association, in sub-Antarctic forests at two contrasting landscapes (coastal and mountain) of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina), to better understand their impacts on the natural regeneration processes. We hypothesized that bryophytes act as a substrate for seed germination and initial regeneration growth in pure and mixed forests of N. pumilio and N. betuloides, resulting in widespread tree seedlings–bryophyte associations in all landscapes. In each forest and landscape location, 60 transects were established (10 m in length) to evaluate bryophyte cover (by point intercept method) and substrate type (bare soil, decaying wood and litter cover) where they were growing. An adaptation of the relative interaction index (RII) based on tree seedling cover associated with bryophyte species (%) and tree seedling cover in the absence of bryophytes (%) was calculated and analysed to assess competition or facilitation between bryophytes and tree seedlings. Nothofagus pumilio seedlings were less abundant in bryophytes compared to other substrates, suggesting an inhibitory effect on the germination and/or survival of N. pumilio. In contrast, the seedlings of N. betuloides, in both pure and mixed forests, exhibited higher abundance on bryophyte substrates, particularly in mosses at mountain landscape (RII = 0.83 ± 0.08 in litter and 0.62 ± 0.11 in decaying wood). These findings suggest that bryophytes play a facilitating role for N. betuloides seedlings during germination and initial phases of growth, mainly in the mountain. Therefore, their conservation promotes N. betuloides forest continuity, both in pure and mixed structures.     

Influence of Forest Types and Effects of Forestry Activities on Species Richness and Composition of Chrysomelidae in the Central Mountainous Region of Japan

Species richness and composition of the Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) were studied in larch (Larix kaempheri [Lamb.] Carrière) plantations, secondary forests, and primary forests. In addition, the effects of forest management practices, such as thinning and long rotation, were examined in the larch plantation. The species richness of Chrysomelidae was higher in the larch plantation than in the secondary forest or in the primary forest. Among the larch plantations, the species richness in old-aged plantations was higher than that in middle-aged plantations. The composition of the beetle assemblages in the larch plantation differed from that in the secondary forest or in the primary forest. Exosoma akkoae (Chujo), Batophila acutangula Heikertinger, and Calomicrus nobyi Chujo were caught with a bias toward the larch plantation. Longitarsus succineus (Foudras) and Sphaeroderma tarsatum Baly were caught more in the secondary forest and the primary forest, respectively. More B. acutangula and S. tarsatum were caught in stands where their host plants occurred at higher rates. Species richness of understory plants was an important factor for chrysomlid species richness, and frequency of host occurrence affected the number of individuals of leaf beetles examined. It seems that forest types and forest management practices affect host plants as well as Chrysomelidae, and that these effects on the host plants also influence chrysomelid assemblages.     

油樟幼苗对马尾松林窗面积的光合响应特征

为了解马尾松人工林窗对伴生树种的影响,为马尾松人工纯林的团块状混交提供科学依据,研究了10 m×10 m(T1)、15 m×15 m(T2)、20 m×20 m(T3)、25 m×25 m(T4)、30 m×30 m(T5)、35 m×35 m(T6)和40 m×40 m(T7)马尾松人工林窗中油樟(Cinnamomum longepaniculatum)幼苗叶片形态和光合生理特征的变化,探讨马尾松林窗斑块对混生树种生长的影响。结果表明:1)林窗面积低于20 m×20 m时,油樟幼苗叶片最大净光合速率显著低于旷地对照;2)叶片比叶重随着林窗面积的增大显著升高;林窗内油樟幼苗叶氮含量在小林窗中(10 m×10 m)显著低于旷地对照,但在大林窗中(如20 m×20 m)显著高于对照;林窗内幼苗叶磷含量则与旷地无显著性差异;3)叶氮在光合组分中的总分配系数随着林窗面积的增加而增大,其中叶氮在羧化组分中的分配系数升高尤为明显,而捕光组分的分配系数在林窗面积10 m×10 m—20 m×20 m范围内随林窗面积的增加而显著降低。可见,当马尾松林窗面积低于20 m×20 m时,林窗环境会显著影响油樟幼苗的光合能力,油樟幼苗可以通过调节比叶面积、叶氮含量以及叶氮在光合组分中的分配等形态、生理适应特征来适应林窗环境的变化。     

Effects of forest modification on bird community composition and seed removal in a heterogeneous landscape in South Africa

Human disturbance threatens and modifies forest ecosystems worldwide. Previous studies have investigated the effects of human impact on local bird communities in disturbed forests, but we still lack information on how bird species richness and ecological processes respond to different forest modifications present at a landscape scale. In a heterogeneous South African landscape, we chose six types of indigenous scarp forest, differing in the intensity of human disturbance: continuous natural forests and natural forest fragments in nature reserves, forest fragments in eucalyptus plantations, fragments in the agricultural matrix, forest gardens and secondary forests in game reserves. In 36 study sites, we investigated the bird community using point counts and observed the seed removal of birds at the native tree species Celtis africana. Species richness did not differ among the forest types, but abundance varied significantly with most birds observed in fragments in the agricultural matrix, forest gardens, and secondary forests. The higher bird abundance in these forests was mainly due to forest generalists, shrubland and open country species whereas forest specialists were rarely present. Changes in species composition were also confirmed by multivariate analysis which clearly separated bird communities by forest type. Frugivore abundance in C. africana was highest in natural forest fragments, fragments in the agricultural matrix, forest gardens and secondary forests. The same trend was found for the estimated total number of fruits removed per C. africana tree, though the differences among forest types were not significant. Consequently, modified forests seem to maintain important ecological functions as they provide food sources for generalist species which may, due to their mobility, enhance natural plant regeneration. However, we could show that protected forest habitats are important refugees for specialist species sensitive to human disturbance.     

杉木人工林种子雨组成和季节动态

杉木人工林已成为亚热带森林的重要组成部分,它具有可持续的自然更新能力,是决定杉木林群落演替方向和维持杉木林大面积存在的基础.本文以杉阔混交林和杉木纯林为研究对象,分析其种子雨的物种组成、数量大小和季节动态,以及林分优势物种种子雨数量特征和季节变化,揭示种源条件是否是制约杉木人工林天然更新的主要因素.结果表明:杉阔混交林和杉木纯林分别收集到13科18属21种和12科16属19种的种子.混交林和纯林的所有物种种子雨强度分别为3797和3300粒·m^-2.乔木物种种子数量在种子雨中占绝对优势,混交林占89.1%,纯林占86.2%,其中杉木种子数量最多,其完整种子雨强度分别为825和345粒·m^-2.两林分种子雨各类型种子所占比例均为完整种子>干瘪或腐烂种子>被取食种子.两林分种子雨均具有明显的季节动态,均在秋季到达高峰,且在落种高峰期种子雨以完整种子为主.无论是杉阔混交林还是杉木纯林都有充足的种源,种源(种子雨)条件不是制约杉木林天然更新的主要因素.     

Factors Limiting the Survival of Native Tree Seedlings Used in Conservation Efforts at the Edges of Forest Fragments in Upland Madagascar

We tested four reforestation techniques in tropical forest fragments that were damaged by fire in upland Madagascar. We conducted a full‐factorial experiment on the survival of transplanted seedlings of five native tree species in grassland plots adjacent to the forest fragments in the Ambohitantely Forest Reserve. The species studied were Dodonaea madagascariensis, Filicium decipiens, Olea lancea, Podocarpus madagascariensis, and Rhus taratana. A total of 480 seedlings were planted; 207 survived the 15 months of the experiment. The factors examined were distance of the reforestation plots from the forest, mixing of forest soil into the plots, application of chemical fertilizers, experimental shading of plots, and the cover of naturally establishing shrubs. Both increasing the distance of plots from the forest edge and adding chemical fertilizers significantly reduced the survival of all seedlings. The surprising negative effects of fertilization may be partly due to increased competition from naturally establishing shrubs that are adapted to exploit high nitrogen levels. Mixing soil from the forest areas into the plots did not change seedling survival. Shading reduced the survival of D. madagascariensis seedlings and did not increase the survival of any species. These findings suggest that the success of reforestation projects can be increased by planting seedlings close to the existing forest fragments. Reforestation of similar tropical forests is likely to be more successful if efforts are focused on expanding the size of existing fragments of tropical forest, rather than on establishing new fragments in grassland openings.     

Benefits and risks of biotic exchange between Eucalyptus plantations and native Australian forests

Australia is unique in having two highly diverse plant genera, Eucalyptus and Acacia, that dominate the vegetation on a continent‐wide scale. The recent shift in plantation forestry away from exotic Pinus radiata to native Eucalyptus species has resulted in much more extensive exchange of biota between native forest and plantation ecosystems than exchange in the past with plantations of exotic species. Growing numbers of hectares are being planted to Eucalyptus globulus across Australia, and plantations are providing resources and corridors for native biota. The present paper focuses on both the benefits and risks of having large‐scale forestry plantations of native species that are closely related to dominant native taxa in local forests. At least 85 species of insects have been recorded as pests of Eucalyptus plantations around Australia; the vast majority of these have been insects using the same host species, or closely related taxa, in native forests. Plantations of native species may also benefit from closely related local forests through the presence of: (i) the diverse array of ectomycorrhizal fungi favourable for tree growth; (ii) natural enemies harboured in native habitats; and (iii) recruitment of other important mutualists, such as pollinators. Exchanges work in two directions: plantations are also likely to influence native forests through the large amount of insect biomass production that occurs in outbreak situations, or through the introduction or facilitation of movements for insects that are not native to all parts of Australia. Finally, older plantations in which trees flower may exchange genes with surrounding forest species, given the high degree of hybridization exhibited by many Eucalyptus species. This is an aspect of exchange for which few data have been recorded. In summary, because of Australia’s unique biogeography, plantation forestry using eucalypt species entails exchanges with natural habitats that are unparalleled in scale and diversity in any other part of the world. More exchanges are likely as plantations occupy greater area, and as the time under cultivation increases.     

中亚热带森林更新方式对土壤磷素的影响

为了深入了解磷(P)在中亚热带森林生态系统内的有效性,在三明市梅列区陈大采育场黄坑工区,选择天然林采伐后采取不同更新方式的多种森林,以米槠天然林为对照,研究森林不同更新方式对中亚热带森林土壤全磷、有效磷及可溶性有机磷的影响。结果显示:在0—100 cm土层,(1)土壤全磷平均含量大小顺序依次为米槠天然林(NF)(0.49±0.09)g/kg,米槠轻度干扰人促更新林(LAR)(0.35±0.04)g/kg,米槠强度干扰人促更新林(HAR)(0.34±0.03)g/kg,马尾松人工林(PIM)(0.32±0.02)g/kg,杉木人工林(CUL)(0.3±0.03)g/kg,人促更新林比人工林高,NF显著高于其它的林分(P0.05);(2)土壤有效磷(Na HCO3提取)平均含量大小顺序依次为NF(0.41±0.39)mg/kg,LAR(0.26±0.2)mg/kg,HAR(0.23±0.16)mg/kg,PIM(0.17±0.05)mg/kg,CUL(0.13±0.06)mg/kg,NF显著高于其它林分,LAR显著比人工林高(P0.05)。(3)在0—10 cm土层,各林分可溶性有机磷含量在夏季最高,冬季最低,温度和降水量的季节变化是影响其重要因子之一;同一季节,人促更新林比人工林高,NF显著高于人工林(P0.05)。结果表明,全磷、有效磷和可溶性有机磷含量随人为干扰强度的增强呈降低趋势,其与年凋落物量和土壤有机碳储量呈显著正相关,与土壤容重呈显著负相关,全磷和有效磷在土壤剖面呈表聚性特征。相比于人工林经营,采取人促天然更新的方式,更有利于中亚热带森林养分的贮存和转化,有利于森林的长期经营和管理。