松材线虫(Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)入侵对马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林分生长的影响及相关生长模型

松材线虫（Bursaphelenchus xylophilus）是一种松树上发生严重的有害生物,它不仅改变了生态系统的结构和功能,而且改变了系统内生物的原有特性和地理分布。松材线虫及其引起的松树萎蔫病已对中国马尾松林（Pinus massoniana）的树木成长产生了巨大影响。基于此,使用＂每木调查法＂和＂样方法＂,对松材线虫入侵后的马尾松林内松树的各项生长指标因子进行了调查分析,其结果表明：自松材线虫1996年入侵所调查地区的松林后,对于受害松树不管是伐倒木（被伐倒）还是倒木（自然倒地）,其对周围马尾松胸径生长的影响是显著的,而对树高生长的影响不显著。最后建立了一系列的灰色和灰色-马尔可夫链数学模型,其预测结果精度高,可用于今后受害和未受害区马尾松林分因子的生长预测。     

Nitrogen Cycling Responses to Mountain Pine Beetle Disturbance in a High Elevation Whitebark Pine Ecosystem

Ecological disturbances can significantly affect biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial ecosystems, but the biogeochemical consequences of the extensive mountain pine beetle outbreak in high elevation whitebark pine (WbP) (Pinus albicaulis) ecosystems of western North America have not been previously investigated. Mountain pine beetle attack has driven widespread WbP mortality, which could drive shifts in both the pools and fluxes of nitrogen (N) within these ecosystems. Because N availability can limit forest regrowth, understanding how beetle-induced mortality affects N cycling in WbP stands may be critical to understanding the trajectory of ecosystem recovery. Thus, we measured above- and belowground N pools and fluxes for trees representing three different times since beetle attack, including unattacked trees. Litterfall N inputs were more than ten times higher under recently attacked trees compared to unattacked trees. Soil inorganic N concentrations also increased following beetle attack, potentially driven by a more than two-fold increase in ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) concentrations in the surface soil organic horizon. However, there were no significant differences in mineral soil inorganic N or soil microbial biomass N concentrations between attacked and unattacked trees, implying that short-term changes in N cycling in response to the initial stages of WbP attack were restricted to the organic horizon. Our results suggest that while mountain pine beetle attack drives a pulse of N from the canopy to the forest floor, changes in litterfall quality and quantity do not have profound effects on soil biogeochemical cycling, at least in the short-term. However, continuous observation of these important ecosystems will be crucial to determining the long-term biogeochemical effects of mountain pine beetle outbreaks.     

Attack by Hylobius warreni on grafted lodgepole pine and its relationships with monoterpene composition and scion : rootstock diameter ratio

1 A lodgepole pine seed orchard at the Prince George Tree Improvement Station (PGTIS), with up to 60% of grafted trees attacked by the Warren root collar weevil Hylobius warreni was investigated to determine whether relative monoterpene composition or scion : rootstock interactions of grafts affected susceptibility to attack. 2 There was a significant relationship between relative levels of α‐pinene, β‐thujene, β‐pinene, δ‐3‐carene and limonene in scion and rootstock in unattacked trees, indicating a potential effect of the scion monoterpene composition on their composition in the rootstock. 3 Relative content of δ‐3‐carene and β‐phellandrene differed significantly in root stocks of attacked and unattacked trees but, for individual clones, a significant difference was only detected for β‐phellandrene in one clone. δ‐3‐Carene levels may have been too low in the examined trees to exert a strong effect. 4 Interestingly, attack status was significantly associated with two scion monoterpenes: α‐thujene and α‐terpinolene, both of which had higher levels in unattacked than in attacked trees. 5 Warren root collar weevils appear largely unaffected by monoterpene content, but further study is required to determine whether high levels of δ‐3‐carene imparts some level of resistance to attack, and to verify whether the observed effects of scion monoterpenes are real or artefacts of the analysis. 6 Hylobius warreni‐attacked trees had smaller scion : rootstock diameter ratio (i.e. a large rootstock diameter relative to the scion diameter) than unattacked trees. This effect was consistent among clones, and was not due to the absolute diameter of the rootstock or the scion. Trees with increased diameter‐growth at the root collar (e.g. some grafted trees) may have increased susceptibility to attack by H. warreni, or diameter‐growth at the root collar is affected by the attack.     

额尔齐斯河流域垂枝桦林群落结构特征与物种多样性相关分析

为阐明植物群落结构特征和物种多样性之间的相互关系,选择额尔齐斯河流域白桦林国家森林公园的天然垂枝桦(Betula pendula)纯林、垂枝桦苦杨混交林、垂枝桦白柳混交林为研究对象,分林层调查群落的基本特征参数(高度、枝下高、冠幅、胸径、盖度等),计算物种重要值、丰富度指数、多样性指数、均匀度指数,并进行典范对应分析。结果表明:(1)垂枝桦白柳混交林的乔木层树高、枝下高和灌木层的地径、盖度均最高;3种群落的草本层特征参数(除基径)均具有显著差异;垂枝桦白柳林的盖度分别比垂枝桦苦杨林和垂枝桦纯林高19.1%和51.8%。(2)3种群落的乔木层重要值最高为垂枝桦,灌木层为疏花蔷薇(Rosa laxa)、阿尔泰山楂(Crataegus altaica),草本层为莎薹草(Carex bohemica)。(3)3种群落类型中乔木层的丰富度指数R、Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener指数和灌木层的Pielou指数、Alatalo指数呈现出相同规律,即垂枝桦白柳混交林>垂枝桦苦杨混交林>垂枝桦纯林;草本层中除Alatalo指数之外,其他指数均呈现垂枝桦纯林>垂枝桦苦杨混交林>垂枝桦白柳混交林(P>0.05)。(4)CCA排序结果表明,不同垂枝桦林群落结构特征与物种多样性关系有差异。其中,垂枝桦纯林中,对物种多样性影响最大的是乔木枝下高、灌木株高、冠幅以及草本盖度;垂枝桦苦杨混交林中,对物种多样性影响最大的是乔木高度和冠幅、灌木冠幅和草本高度;垂枝桦白柳林中,对物种多样性影响最大的是乔木胸径、灌木冠幅、盖度以及草本高度。研究表明,乔木枝下高度、灌木冠幅、草本高度是影响3种群落类型物种多样性的主要因素。     

不同坡位对火力楠生长的影响

对广东高明云勇林场的火力楠Michelia macclurei纯林及其混交林2004～2007年的生长状况进行调查。运用多重比较方法分析上、中、下坡位的火力楠地径、树高、冠幅。结果表明,4年间(林分当年至3年生)所有样地的火力楠幼树平均地径、树高和冠幅均有显著增长。坡位对火力楠的地径生长具有显著影响,各坡位的火力楠平均地径为上坡>中坡>下坡,而坡位对树高和冠幅的影响不明显。     

中亚热带湿地松(Pinus elliottii)人工林生长过程

基于树干解析和树轮分析,结合野外调查,揭示了我国主要外来树种--湿地松(Pinus elliottii)的生长规律,从而为人工林经营管理和生态系统服务功能评估提供了依据。2005年调查了1948年江西吉安青原山引种后存留的564株湿地松(1954 1958年生)。胸径(DBH, diameter at breast height)平均值为34.2 cm(18.4-58cm),树高平均值为19.5 m(9-33m)。青原山湿地松树轮分析结果显示:52年间,年树轮宽度增长量平均值为0.32 cm,最大年增长量不超过1.14 cm。胸径年生长量总体上呈下降趋势,直径生长高峰出现在10a左右;林龄达到20a左右时,直径年生长量开始下降;林龄40a后,生长变得极为缓慢。距青原山西南100km的千烟洲湿地松林(20年生)胸径和树高平均值分别为15.9 cm和11.0 m;20a的胸径生长量平均值为0.86 cm;材积方程为V= 0.0000213 D^2.9870924(V为带皮材积,D为胸径)。千烟洲湿地松林生物量低于同期营造的马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林生物量,也明显低于中亚热带地带性植被樟树(Cinnamomum camphora)林的生物量。经比较发现,引种营造的湿地松林,其生长量远不如原产地美国佛罗里达州湿地松林。     

Measure of simultaneous tree sways and estimation of crown interactions among a group of trees

We present a technique to measure the simultaneous sway of a group of trees and reconstruct the frequency of crown collisions and sway dynamics of individual or groups of trees. We placed a biaxial clinometer (tiltmeter) at the live crown base in each of ten neighboring 15-m-tall lodgepole pine trees in Alberta, Canada. Tree bole rotation at tiltmeter mount height was recorded during windy conditions at a rate of 10 times/s for the cluster of trees. Rotation angles were used in a bole curve calculation to estimate tree displacement in 2-dimensional (x, y) space. Collision reconstruction was done in Arc/Info by assigning asymmetrical crown area dimensions (polygons) to calculated bole displacement for each tree. Reconstruction of each time step measured any overlaps between crown polygon areas. Crown polygon overlaps estimated in this manner allowed assessment of collision frequencies, area of crown overlap during collisions, and identification of the tree(s) that a subject tree contacted. Collision statistics are only given for trees interior to the sensored cluster (n=3). For 15.0 min of data with an average wind speed of 4.5 m/s and a maximum of 10.0 m/s there was an average of 65 collisions/min for each tree, and an average collision overlap area of 24%. This frequency and depth of collisions supports the notion that wind-induced crown interaction inhibits lateral shoot extension and is an important mechanism for the development of crown asymmetry and crown shyness. Insight into dynamic tree sway behavior and crown interactions will allow estimation and cultivation of a forest stand structure that is more resistant to damage from wind. The techniques of recording multiple simultaneous bole sway and their reconstruction are applicable to a broad range of wind-forest interaction research.     

大青山赤松林和黑松林生态适应研究

针对山东省大青山省级自然保护区典型植物群落,设置21个样方,分析主要乔木种群和群落特征.结果表明:1)大青山样方内共发现维管植物111种,其中乔木29种、灌木14种、草本植物68种,群落植物种类少,物种多样性低.2)29种乔木根据径级结构划分为13种扩展种、2种隐退种,5种稳定侵入种、6种随机侵入种和3种随机隐退种.主要乔木种群径级结构型为2种:黑松种群、栓皮栎种群、麻栎种群、小叶朴种群、黄檀种群、君迁子种群和槲树种群为增长型;刺槐种群和赤松种群为稳定型.大青山群落乔木整体上为增长型群落.3)大青山乔木层物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Simpson多样性指数从高到低依次为赤松林、黑松林、刺槐林,而Pielou均匀度指数从高到低依次为黑松林、赤松林、刺槐林,显示赤松更适合作为大青山造林树种.     

Mountain Pine Beetles Use Volatile Cues to Locate Host Limber Pine and Avoid Non-Host Great Basin Bristlecone Pine

The tree-killing mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) is an important disturbance agent of western North American forests and recent outbreaks have affected tens of millions of hectares of trees. Most western North American pines (Pinus spp.) are hosts and are successfully attacked by mountain pine beetles whereas a handful of pine species are not suitable hosts and are rarely attacked. How pioneering females locate host trees is not well understood, with prevailing theory involving random landings and/or visual cues. Here we show that female mountain pine beetles orient toward volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from host limber pine (Pinus flexilis James) and away from VOCs of non-host Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva Bailey) in a Y-tube olfactometer. When presented with VOCs of both trees, females overwhelmingly choose limber pine over Great Basin bristlecone pine. Analysis of VOCs collected from co-occurring limber and Great Basin bristlecone pine trees revealed only a few quantitative differences. Noticeable differences included the monoterpenes 3-carene and D-limonene which were produced in greater amounts by host limber pine. We found no evidence that 3-carene is important for beetles when selecting trees, it was not attractive alone and its addition to Great Basin bristlecone pine VOCs did not alter female selection. However, addition of D-limonene to Great Basin bristlecone pine VOCs disrupted the ability of beetles to distinguish between tree species. When presented alone, D-limonene did not affect behavior, suggesting that the response is mediated by multiple compounds. A better understanding of host selection by mountain pine beetles could improve strategies for managing this important forest insect. Moreover, elucidating how Great Basin bristlecone pine escapes attack by mountain pine beetles could provide insight into mechanisms underlying the incredible longevity of this tree species.     

Attack preference of Ips pini on Pinus ponderosa in northern Arizona: tree size and bole position

1 The present study investigated the influence of tree size and bole position on selection of ponderosa pines (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) by Ips pini Say (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in a northern Arizona forest. Ips pini were attracted to lower and upper bole positions with pheromone lures, and the number of attacks counted. In addition, tree phloem and bark thickness, resin flow in response to wounding and characteristics of tree water and carbon relations were all measured. 2 Bark thickness was the most strongly related tree characteristic to number of I. pini attacks. Thin bark and a high number of attacks occurred at the lower bole position of 10‐cm diameter trees and upper bole positions of 23‐, 35‐, and 50‐cm diameter trees. 3 Phloem thickness increased directly with tree size, was greater at the upper bole compared with the lower bole, but was not associated with number of attacks. 4 Resin flow did not differ strongly over tree sizes or bole positions, and was not related to number of I. pini attacks. Attacks were not related to characteristics of tree carbon and water relations measured during I. pini flights.     

云南哀牢山6种常绿阔叶树木质部解剖特征的轴向和径向变化

West、Brown和Enquist提出的树木水分传导的分形网络模型(简称WBE模型)认为,树木连续分枝之间的导管或管胞直径按照一定的比率均匀变细,其总的水力阻力与水分传导的路径长度无关,从而使不同部位叶片获得基本相当的水分供应。该模型对树木高生长的水力限制假说提出了置疑。为了验证WBE模型中树木导管或管胞均匀变细的假说,该文研究了云南哀牢山中湿性常绿阔叶林中6种常绿阔叶树, 腾冲栲(Castanopsis wattii)、景东石砾(Lithocarpus chintungensis)、木果石砾(L. xylocarpus)、长尾青冈(Cyclobalanopsis stewardiana)、滇木荷(Schima noronhae)和舟柄茶(Hartia sinensis)木质部解剖特征随树高和年龄的变化。对这6个树种共14株样木进行了不同高度树干圆盘和边材生长轮取样,样木的高度为15~25 m,按照常规木材解剖的处理和分析方法,在显微镜下测定木材切片的导管直径和密度等特征。结果表明:在14株样木中,有4株树木导管直径随树木高度增加呈线性减小, 1株没有明显变化,其它9株树木导管直径在树冠以下的树干部分变化幅度较小或没有明显变化,而从树冠基部往上直到树木顶端导管直径显著减小。同一植株随着高度的增加,导管密度增加并且在树冠内增加更显著。有三分之一的树木导管占边材面积的比例随树高增加没有明显变化,其余树木导管占边材面积比在树冠以上有所减小。多数树木理论比导率在树冠以下没有明显变化而在树冠基部往上显著降低。在从髓芯开始往外的20~40个年轮范围内导管直径增加显著,但大部分植株导管直径在40个年轮后趋于稳定。不同高度圆盘导管直径随形成层发育时间的变化呈相似的趋势,并且相同发育年龄的导管直径没有明显差异。该文的研究结果说明,导管直径的轴向和径向变化一定程度上补偿了水分运输阻力随树木个体增大而增加的缺陷,但是6种常绿阔叶树树干的导管基本不按一定比率均匀变细,不支持WBE模型。     

Developmental patterns of above-ground hydraulic conductance in a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) age sequence

Hydraulic resistance to water flow was measured in branches and stems of Scots pine trees ranging from 7 to 59 years of age in Thetford (East Anglia, UK). On the basis of these measurements, tree above-ground conductance was calculated and related to the amount of leaf area sustained by each tree. Branches at the crown bottom had a lower proportion of sapwood area and a lower total hydraulic conductance than branches of the same diameter at the tree top. Within branches, most of the hydraulic resistance was located near the needles. Tree above-ground conductance was positively related to tree diameter and inversely related to tree height. Compared with young trees, mature trees had about 4 times less above-ground conductance per unit of leaf area. Apparently, the increase in pathway length associated with tree height growth could be only partially compensated for by the increase in conductive capacities resulting from diameter growth. We argue that this reduction may account for reported decreases of stomatal conductance with tree age. It is suggested that the increase in branchiness associated with tree maturation may represent a compensation mechanism to reduce the overall resistance to water flow in the crowns.     

Host Deception: Predaceous Fungus,Esteya vermicola,Entices Pine Wood Nematode by Mimicking the Scent of Pine Tree for Nutrient

Background

A nematophagous fungus, Esteya vermicola, is recorded as the first endoparasitic fungus of pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, in last century. E. vermicola exhibited high infectivity toward PWN in the laboratory conditions and conidia spraying of this fungus on Japanese red pine, Pinus densiflora, seedlings in the field protected the pine trees from pine wilt disease to some extent, indicating that it is a potential bio-control agent against PWN. Previous research had demonstrated that the living fungal mycelia of E. vermicola continuously produced certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which were responsible for the PWN attraction. However, identity of these VOCs remains unknown.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, we report the identification of α-pinene, β-pinene, and camphor produced by living mycelia of E. vermicola, the same volatile compounds emitted from PWN host pine tree, as the major VOCs for PWN attraction using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition, we also confirmed the host deception behavior of E. vermicola to PWN by using synthetic VOCs in a straightforward laboratory bioassay.

Conclusions/Significance

This research result has demonstrated that the endoparasitic nematophagous fungus, E. vermicola, mimics the scent of PWN host pine tree to entice PWN for the nutrient. The identification of the attractive VOCs emitted from the fungus E. vermicola is of significance in better understanding parasitic mechanism of the fungus and the co-evolution in the two organisms and will aid management of the pine wilt disease.     

Understanding 3D structural complexity of individual Scots pine trees with different management history

Tree functional traits together with processes such as forest regeneration, growth, and mortality affect forest and tree structure. Forest management inherently impacts these processes. Moreover, forest structure, biodiversity, resilience, and carbon uptake can be sustained and enhanced with forest management activities. To assess structural complexity of individual trees, comprehensive and quantitative measures are needed, and they are often lacking for current forest management practices. Here, we utilized 3D information from individual Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees obtained with terrestrial laser scanning to, first, assess effects of forest management on structural complexity of individual trees and, second, understand relationship between several tree attributes and structural complexity. We studied structural complexity of individual trees represented by a single scale‐independent metric called “box dimension.” This study aimed at identifying drivers affecting structural complexity of individual Scots pine trees in boreal forest conditions. The results showed that thinning increased structural complexity of individual Scots pine trees. Furthermore, we found a relationship between structural complexity and stem and crown size and shape as well as tree growth. Thus, it can be concluded that forest management affected structural complexity of individual Scots pine trees in managed boreal forests, and stem, crown, and growth attributes were identified as drivers of it.     

基于线性分位数混合效应的辽东山区红松冠幅模型

冠幅是反映单木生长状态及构建林木生长收获模型的重要变量。本研究以辽东山区大边沟林场10～55年生红松人工林为对象,基于66块固定样地的2763株红松的每木检尺数据,选取冠幅基础模型,采用再参数化的方法引入单木竞争指标(R_d),利用哑变量的方法引入了林分密度、林层变量,构建不同分位点(0.50、0.90、0.93、0.95、0.96、0.99)的冠幅分位数回归模型,并与传统方法进行比较,选取模拟林分最大冠幅的最优分位点。为反映林分中单木冠幅在林木个体之间的差异,建立了基于样地水平的最优分位点的线性混合效应分位数回归冠幅模型,分析各变量对单木冠幅的影响。结果表明: 基于F统计检验,不同林分密度和林层的冠幅模型具有显著差异,在基础模型中引入林层、林分密度和竞争后,模型R_a²提高0.0104,均方根误差降低0.0115,均方误差降低为7.4%;与最小二乘法比较,分位数回归模型能够较好地模拟林分状态下的单木最大冠幅,并选出0.96分位点和0.93分位点作为上林层和下林层的分位数回归模型的最优分位点。引入混合效应的线性分位数回归模型的赤池信息准则、贝叶斯信息准则、HQ信息准则等评价指标优于传统分位数回归,参数标准误显著降低,混合效应的引入很好地解释了样地之间的差异。就上林层和下林层而言,林分密度越大,最大冠幅越小;相对直径越大,最大冠幅越大,其中林分密度对下林层的冠幅影响大于上林层,当林分密度足够大时,冠幅随着胸径的增大先增大后降低。本研究构建的基于混合效应的分位数回归模型能有效提高模型的拟合优度,今后可通过调控林分密度、适度抚育间伐等措施,实现对辽东山区红松人工林的科学营建和可持续发展。     

桥山栎林群落结构特征与物种多样性相关关系分析

为了解森林群落结构特征与物种多样性之间的相关关系,以黄土高原桥山林区典型麻栎纯林、麻栎阔叶混交林和麻栎油松混交林为研究对象,调查分析了群落结构特征,计算物种重要值及物种多样性,并进行了冗余分析,结果表明:(1)麻栎油松混交林主要以乔木层胸径、树高、枝下高等最高;麻栎阔叶混交林以灌木层盖度、地径、冠幅、高度等最高;麻栎纯林以草本地径、草本盖度及草本冠幅最高。(2) 3种类型林分乔木层重要值最高的均为麻栎(Quercus acutissima),灌木层为狼牙刺(Sophora viciifolia)、南蛇藤(Celastrus orbiculatus)、胡枝子(Lespedeza bicolor),草本层为苔草(Carex tristachya)。(3)麻栎油松混交林乔、灌层物种多样性较高,麻栎阔叶混交林以草本层物种多样性最高。(4)不同类型麻栎林群落结构特征与物种多样性关系有差异。松栎混交林中,对物种多样性影响最大的为乔木胸径、新稍长及灌木高度;麻栎阔叶混交林对物种多样性影响最大的为灌木层高度及冠幅;麻栎纯林中,对物种多样性影响最大的为乔木胸径。(5)麻栎油松混交林、麻栎阔叶混交林的胸径、树高、物种多样较麻栎纯林高,具有较高木材生产能力和生态防护功能,是未来森林经营培育的方向。     

樟子松人工林分枝结构的分析

基于对6块樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica)人工林固定标准地中的30株样木枝解析调查数据,通过分析不同林分、不同大小林木1级枝和2级枝的分枝概率、分枝格局和分枝角度,揭示了樟子松人工林树冠的分枝结构特点。研究结果表明：樟子松人工林1级枝和2级枝的平均分枝数量分别为3.84个和2.80个,两者分枝概率均呈正态分布;1级和2级枝条在光照条件好的几个区间（方位角46°～225°）分布较多,1级枝条的水平分布遵从均匀分布,而2级枝条则不遵从均匀分布;树冠上层枝条的分枝角度略小于树冠中、下层,上层平均分枝角度为45.6°,而中下层平均分枝角度都为49.4°。不同大小林木的1级枝分枝结构规律表明：Ⅰ级木和Ⅴ级木的每轮平均分枝数非常接近,分别为3.89和3.94个,比Ⅲ级木每轮分枝数大0.5个左右;1级枝水平分布在各区间内(45°间隔)相差在0.24%～2.81%之间,方差分析结果表明枝条水平分布与林木大小无关;不同大小林木的分枝角度有所差别,Ⅰ级木、Ⅲ级木和Ⅴ级木的平均分枝角度分别为48.5°、42.2°和50.7°。     

Long-Term Effects of Liming on Health and Growth of a Masson Pine Stand Damaged by Soil Acidification in Chongqing,China

In the last decades, the Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) forests in Chongqing, southwest China, have increasingly declined. Soil acidification was believed to be an important cause. Liming is widely used as a measure to alleviate soil acidification and its damage to trees, but little is known about long-term effects of liming on the health and growth of declining Masson pine forests. Soil chemical properties, health condition (defoliation and discoloration), and growth were evaluated following application of limestone powder (0 (unlimed control), 1, 2, 3, and 4 t ha⁻¹) in an acidified and declining Masson pine stand at Tieshanping (TSP) of Chongqing. Eight years after liming, in the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm mineral soil layers, soil pH values, exchangeable calcium (Ca) contents, and Ca/Al molar ratios increased, but exchangeable aluminum (Al) levels decreased, and as a result, length densities of living fine roots of Masson pine increased, with increasing dose. Mean crown defoliation of Masson pines (dominant, codominant and subdominant pines, according to Kraft classes 1–3) decreased with increasing dose, and it linearly decreased with length densities of living fine roots. However, Masson pines (Kraft classes 1–3) in all treatments showed no symptoms of discoloration. Mean current-year twig length, twig dry weight, needle number per twig, needle length per twig, and needle dry weight per twig increased with increasing dose. Over 8 years, mean height increment of Masson pines (Kraft classes 1–3) increased from 5.5 m in the control to 5.8, 6.9, 8.3, and 9.5 m in the 1, 2, 3, and 4 t ha⁻¹ lime treatments, and their mean DBH (diameter at breast height) increment increased from 3.1 to 3.2, 3.8, 4.9, and 6.2 cm, respectively. The values of all aboveground growth parameters linearly increased with length densities of living fine roots. Our results show that liming improved tree health and growth, and these effects increased with increasing dose.     

Crown allometries are less responsive than stem allometry to tree size and habitat variations in an Indian monsoon forest

While theoretical allometric models postulate universal scaling exponents, empirical relationships between tree dimensions show marked variability that reflects changes in the biomass allocation pattern. As growth of the various tree compartments may be controlled by different functions, it is hypothesized that they may respond differently to factors of variation, resulting in variable tree morphologies and potentially in trade-offs between allometric relationships. We explore the variability of tree stem and crown allometries using a dataset of 1,729 trees located in an undisturbed wet evergreen forest of the Western Ghats, India. We specifically test whether species adult stature, terrain slope, tree size and crown light exposure affect the relationships between stem diameter and stem height (stem allometry), and between stem diameter and crown width, crown area and crown volume (crown allometries). Results show that both stem and crown allometries are subject to variations in relation to both endogenous (tree size, species adult stature) and exogenous (terrain slope, crown light exposure) factors. Stem allometry appears to be more affected by these factors than are crown allometries, including the stem diameter–crown volume relationship, which proved to be particularly stable. Our results support the idea that height is a prevailing adjustment factor for a tree facing variable growth (notably light) conditions, while stem diameter–crown volume allometry responds more to internal metabolic constraints. We ultimately discuss the various sources of variability in the stem and crown allometries of tropical trees that likely play an important role in forest community dynamics.