Soil organic carbon density and influencing factors in tropical virgin forests of Hainan Island,China

Aims
Estimating soil organic carbon (SOC) density and influence factors of tropical virgin forests in Hainan Island provide new insight in basic data for SOC pool estimation and its dynamics study.
Methods
The main distribution areas of tropical virgin forests in Jianfengling (JFL), Bawangling (BWL), Wu- zhishan (WZS), Diaoluoshan (DLS), Yinggeling (YGL) of Hainan Island were selected, and soil samples (0-100 cm) were sampled and analyzed. SOC density was estimated by soil vertical fitting method and soil stratification method to discover the distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon in tropical virgin forests of Hainan Island.
Important findings
Results showed that: (1) The average SOC density using soil vertical fitting method in JFL, BWL, WZS, DLS and YGL was 14.98, 18.46, 16.48, 18.81, 16.66 kg·m^-2, respectively, which was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the estimated average SOC density using soil stratification method in these areas (14.73, 16.24, 15.50, 16.91, 15.03 kg·m^-2, respectively). It is better to use soil vertical fitting method for SOC density estimation when the soil was natural without disturbance. (2) The proportion of SOC content in the first 0-30 cm depth interval out of SOC in the whole 0-100 cm soil profiles in JFL, BWL, WZS, DLS and YGL was 50.50%, 48.56%, 43.49%, 47.37%, 42.88%, respectively. (3) SOC density was significantly negative correlated with Shannon-Wiener index, Simpson index, species richness, and soil bulk density; and was significantly positive correlated with altitude, soil porosity, and soil nitrogen. However, SOC density was not significantly correlated to slope, biomass, average diameter at breast height, or average height. (4) Our study area Hainan was located in low latitude area with high rainfall and high temperature, which accelerated the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient recycling, resulting in significantly lower SOC densities in this tropical virgin forests of Hainan Island than the average value in China.     

Trade-off between leaf size and vein density of Achnatherum splendens in Zhangye wetland

Aims Trade-offs between leaf size and vein density are the basis of the theory of leaf economics spectrum, and are to understand the relationship between the physical build and physiological metabolism of plant leaves under different degrees of competition for resources. Our objective was to study the changes in the relationship between leaf size and vein density (leaf dry biomass and leaf area) in Achnatherum splendens populations with four plant bundle densities located in the flood plain wetland of Zhangye. Methods The study site was located at floodplain wetlands of Zhangye, Gansu Province, China. Survey and sampling were carried out in the communities that A. splendens dominated. According to the plant bundle density, the A. splendens communities were divided into four density gradients with “bundle” for the sampling units, high density (I, > 12 bundle·m^-2), medium density (II, 8-12 bundle·m^-2), medium density (III, 4-8 bundle·m^-2) and Low density (IV, <4 bundle·m^-2). According to the density of each combination, we chose seven (5 m × 5 m) A. splendens samples, resulting in a total of 28 samples (4 × 7). The soil physical and chemical properties of four density gradients were investigated and six samples of A. splendens were used to measure the leaf area, leaf dry biomass and vein density in laboratory, and biomass of different organs was measured after being dried at 85 °C in an oven. 28 plots were categorized into three groups: high, medium and low density, and the standardized major axis (SMA) estimation method was used to examine the allometric relationships between leaf area, leaf dry biomass and vein density. Important findings The results showed that with the population density changed from high, medium, to low, the soil moisture decreased, and soil electric conductivityincreased. The leaf area, leaf biomass and height of A. splendens decreased, and the vein density, specific leaf area and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) increased gradually. In addition, leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r) and twig number firstly increased then decreased. There was a highly significantly negative correlation (p < 0.01) between the leaf size and vein density on the high- and low-level densities (I, IV), whereas less significant (p < 0.05) on the level of medium density (II, III). The SMA slope of regression equation in the scaling relationships between leaf size and vein density was significantly smaller than -1 (p < 0.05).     

海南岛热带原始森林主要分布区土壤有机碳密度及影响因素

以海南尖峰岭、霸王岭、五指山、吊罗山、鹦哥岭5个热带原始森林土壤为研究对象, 分层采集0-100 cm的土壤样品并分析有机碳含量, 用纵向拟合法和分层估算法分别估算其土壤有机碳密度。结果显示: (1)纵向拟合法计算的5个热带原始森林土壤有机碳密度分别为14.98、18.46、16.48、18.81、16.66 kg·m^-2, 分层估算法分别为14.73、16.24、15.50、16.91、15.03 kg·m^-2, 前者显著高于后者(p < 0.05); 未经扰动的原始森林土壤, 宜采用纵向拟合法计算土壤有机碳密度。(2) 5个热带原始森林0-30 cm表层土壤有机碳含量分别占0-100 cm的50.50%、48.56%、43.49%、47.37、42.88%。(3)土壤有机碳密度与森林群落Shannon-Wiener指数(p < 0.01)、Simpson指数(p < 0.05)、物种丰富度(p < 0.01)、土壤容重(p < 0.001)存在极显著或显著的负相关关系; 与海拔(p < 0.05)、土壤孔隙度(p < 0.001)、土壤全氮含量(p < 0.001)存在极显著或显著的正相关关系; 与坡向、林分生物量、平均胸径、平均树高无显著相关关系(p > 0.05)。(4)由于海南地处低纬度地区, 其丰富的降水和持续高温条件加速了有机质的分解和物质的再循环, 导致海南森林土壤碳密度远低于全国平均水平。     

Spatial pattern of soil organic carbon of the main forest soils and its influencing factors in Guangxi,China

Aims
Our objectives were to study the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) density and its influencing factors in the main forest ecosystems in Guangxi.
Methods
A total of 345 sample plots were established in Guangxi, and the size of each plot was 50 m × 20 m. Based on the forest resource inventory data and field investigation, the SOC storage of the main forests in Guangxi was estimated. Geostatistics was applied to analyze the spatial pattern of SOC density and the main influencing factors on SOC density were also explored by principal component analysis and stepwise regression.
Important findings
The total SOC storage in the main forests in Guangxi was 1686.88 Tg, and the mean SOC density was 124.70 Mg·hm^-2, which is lower than that of China. The best fitted semivariogram model of SOC density was exponential model, and the spatial autocorrelation was medium. The contour map based on Kriging indicated that northeastern Guangxi had high SOC density and northwestern Guangxi had low SOC density, which corresponded to high SOC density in non-karst region and low SOC density in karst region. The SOC density followed the sequence of bamboo forest > deciduous broadleaf forest > warm coniferous forest > mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaf forest > evergreen broadleaf forest, and yellow soil > red soil > lateritic red soil > limestone soil. The dominant environment factors affecting SOC density included soil depth, longitude, latitude, and altitude. Soil depth was the most influential factor, which was mainly attributed to the karst landscape.     

Seasonality and drivers of stem CO2 efflux for four temperate coniferous tree species

Aims Stem CO₂ efflux (E_s) is an important component of annual carbon budget in forest ecosystems, but how biotic and environmental factors regulate seasonal and inter-specific variations in E_s is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were: (1) to compare seasonal dynamics in E_s for four temperate coniferous tree species in northeastern China, including Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), Korean spruce (Picea koraiensis), Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica), and Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii); and (2) to explore factors driving the inter-specific variability in E_s during the growing and non-growing seasons.
Methods Ten to twelve trees for each tree species were sampled for E_s and stem temperature at 1 cm depth beneath the bark (T_s) measurements in situ with an infrared gas analyzer (LI-6400 IRGA) and a digital thermometer, respectively, from July to October 2013 and March to July 2014. The daily stem circumference increment (S_i), sapwood nitrogen concentration ([N]), and related environmental factors were monitored simultaneously.
Important findings The temporal variation in E_s for the four tree species overall followed the changes in T_s throughout the study period, with the maxima occurring in the summer months (late May to early July) characterized by higher temperature and more rapid stem growth and the minima in spring (late March to April) or autumn (October) having lower temperature. T_s accounted for 42%-91% and 56%-89% of variations in E_s during the growing (May to September) and non-growing (other months) seasons, respectively. Furthermore, apart from T_s, we also found significant regression relationships between E_s and S_i, relative air humidity and [N] during the growing season, but their forms and correlation coefficients were species-dependent. These results indicated that T_s was the dominant environmental factor affecting seasonal variations in E_s, but the magnitude of the effect varied with tree species and growth rhythm. Mean E_s for each of the four tree species was significantly higher in the growing season than in the non-growing season, whereas within the season there were also significant differences in mean E_s among the tree species (all p < 0.05). The temperature sensitivity of E_s (Q₁₀ value) did not differ significantly among the tree species during the growing season, ranging from 1.64 for Dahurian larch to 2.09 for Mongolian pine, but did differ during the non-growing season which varied from 1.80 for Korean pine to 3.14 for Dahurian larch. Moreover, Korean spruce, Mongolian pine and Dahurian larch had significantly greater Q₁₀ values in the non-growing season than in the growing season (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that the differences of the response of E_s to temperature change for different tree species were mainly from the non-growing season. Because the seasonality and inter-specific variability in E_s for these temperate coniferous tree species were primarily controlled by multiple factors such as temperature, we conclude that using a single annual temperature response curve to estimate the annual E_s may lead to more uncertainty.     

Geostatistical analysis of spatial variations in leaf traits of woody plants in Tiantong,Zhejiang Province

AimsExploring spatial variations in leaf traits and their relationships with environmental properties is crucial for understanding plant adaptation strategies and community assembly. This study aimed to reveal how leaf traits varied spatially and the role of environmental factors.MethodsThe study was conducted in a 5-hm² forest plot in Tiantong, Zhejiang Province. Three leaf traits, including individual leaf area (ILA), specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) were measured for 20253 individual trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥1 cm. Soil properties measured included contents of soil total nitrogen, soil total phosphorus, soil total carbon, soil pH value, soil volumetric water content, bulk density, and humus depth. Topographic variables measured included elevation, slope and convexity. We used geostatistical analysis to reveal spatial variations of the three leaf traits. Relationships between leaf variability and environmental factors were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson’s correlation.Important findings Spatial variability followed the order of ILA > SLA > LDMC. Spatial autocorrelation of three leaf traits was weak within a distance of 5.16 m. The optimal model of the semi-variogram function was Gaussian model for ILA, and exponential model for SLA and LDMC. ILA showed the largest variability at the direction of northeast-southwest, and smallest variability at the direction of northwest-southeast. In contrast, SLA and LDMC had the highest variability at the direction of northwest-southeast and least variability at the direction of northeast-southwest. There were significantly negative relationships between ILA and topographic factors (r = -0.12, p < 0.0001), and between SLA and soil nutrients (r = -0.16, p < 0.0001). In contrast, LDMC was positively correlated with soil nutrients (r = 0.13, p < 0.0001). Relative to soil nutrients, topographic factors affected much more variations in ILA, SLA and LDMC at the direction of northeast-southwest. Distinctly, at the direction of northwest-southeast, variability of ILA was affected mainly by topographic factors, while soil nutrients resulted in the most variability of SLA and LDMC. In conclusion, leaf traits varied considerably with spatial direction in the studied forest plot. Associations between leaf traits and topographic factors and soil nutrients indirectly indicated effects of environmental filtering on community assembly.     

树种相互作用、林分密度和树木大小对华北落叶松生产力的影响

本研究以塞罕坝地区华北落叶松纯林、白桦纯林和华北落叶松与白桦混交林为对象,每种林分类型设置2个林分密度(200～340和880～1100株·hm^-2)。基于树木大小分层取样,采集树芯样本668条。运用线性混合模型,分析了树种相互作用、林分密度和树木大小对华北落叶松生产力的影响。结果表明: 华北落叶松断面积生长量不同程度地受竞争、胸径、年龄和邻体密度的影响;在林分密度较高的混交林中,由于白桦对华北落叶松生长的促进作用,落叶松生产力发生明显的增益效应;在林分密度较低的混交林中,落叶松和白桦之间不发生相互作用,2个树种的生产力均低于相应的纯林;种内竞争是影响华北落叶松生产力的主要因素;树木大小对华北落叶松生产力产生积极的影响,但影响程度因林分密度和树种组成而异。适当增加林分密度和选择白桦作为混交树种可以提高华北落叶松生产力。     

基于超声清洗的树木叶面颗粒物粒径分布与吸滞效率研究——以银杏和油松为例

明确在常规叶片清洗方法(泡洗或泡洗+刷洗)上增加超声清洗对叶面各径级颗粒物滞纳量定量评估的影响, 并在此基础上研究叶面颗粒物的粒径分布和吸滞效率, 可进一步提高城市树木大气颗粒物吸滞能力的定量评估精度。该文以城市森林建设常用阔叶树种银杏(Ginkgo biloba)和针叶树种油松(Pinus tabuliformis)为研究对象, 于雨后(降水量>15 mm) 4天(短滞尘时长)和14天(长滞尘时长)分别采集叶样, 并依次对其进行泡洗(WC)、刷洗(BC)、超声清洗(UC)等洗脱程序, 然后对每个清洗步骤下叶片洗脱液中颗粒物的质量和粒径分布进行测试, 并依此估算叶片各径级颗粒物的吸滞效率。结果表明, 以“泡洗+刷洗+超声清洗”清洗流程的测试结果为参照, 若只对叶片进行泡洗, 则银杏和油松对大气颗粒物(PM₁, 粒径d ≤1 µm)、PM_2.5 (d ≤ 2.5 µm)、PM₅ (d ≤ 5 µm)、PM₁₀ (d ≤ 10 µm)吸滞量会分别被低估约一半(54%、53%、53%和53%)和40% (42%、42%、42%和42%); 若只进行“泡洗+刷洗”, 则银杏和油松对相应径级颗粒物的吸滞量仍会分别被低估约15% (17%、16%、15%和15%)和20% (21%、20%、20%和20%)。油松叶面颗粒物粒径分布呈双峰曲线, 而银杏叶面颗粒物粒径则呈单峰分布, 且银杏叶面颗粒物平均粒径在短、长滞尘时长下均大于油松。油松叶片对PM₁、PM_2.5、PM₅、PM₁₀和总悬浮颗粒物的吸滞效率分别为8.96、23.92、23.96、23.96和23.96 mg·m^-2·d^-1, 分别比银杏叶片高112%、73%、34%、37%和42%。     

Plant nutrient dynamics and stoichiometric homeostasis of invasive species Spartina alterniflora and native Cyperus malaccensis var. brevifolius in the Minjiang River estuarine wetlands

Aims Stoichiometric homeostasis is an important mechanism in maintaining ecosystem structure, function, and stability. The invasion of exotic species, Spartina alterniflora, has largely threatened the structure and function of native ecosystems in the Minjiang River estuarine wetland. However, how S. alterniflora invasion affect plant stoichiometric homeostasis is largely unknown. This could enhance our understanding on wetland ecosystem stability and expand the applications of ecological stoichiometry theory.
Methods Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents of plant organs and soils in the S. alterniflora, Cyperus malaccensis var. brevifolius, and S. alterniflora-C. malaccensis var. brevifolius mixture were measured, and the homeostatic index (H) was calculated according to the stoichiometric homeostasis theory.
Important findings Our results showed that the invasion of S. alterniflora significantly increased soil N:P ratio (p < 0.05), but did not affect soil N or P contents. The N and P contents of leaf and stem were the highest for S. alterniflora, and those of the stem were the highest for C. malaccensis var. brevifolius. At the ecosystem level, the average of homeostatic index (H) of N (H_N, 25.31) was larger than those of P (H_P, 10.33) and N:P (H_N:P, 2.50). At the organ level, root H_N was significantly larger than stem H_N (p < 0.05) and sheath H_N:P was greater than root H_N:P (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference for H_P among root, stem, leaf, and sheath (p > 0.05). As for species, root H_N of S. alterniflora was significantly larger than that of C. malaccensis var. brevifolius in the mixture community (p < 0.05). In the monoculture, stem H_N:P of S. alterniflora was significantly higher than that of C. malaccensis var. brevifolius (p < 0.05). Furthermore, root H_N, leaf H_N and sheath H_N of S. alterniflora in the mixed community was significantly larger than that of S. alterniflora in the monoculture (p < 0.05), suggesting that S. alterniflora invasions increased their stoichiometric homeostasis. Meanwhile, the stoichiometric homeostasis of invasive and native plants were influenced by multiple factors, such as nutrients, organs, vegetation, and invasion. However, larger homeostasis was found in S. alterniflora than in C. malaccensis var. brevifolius in some particular organs either in mixture or monoculture communities. Therefore, the successful invasion of S. alterniflora may result from higher homeostatic index than the native species, C. malaccensis var. brevifolius.     

Greenhouse gas fluxes of typical northern subtropical forest soils: Impacts of land use change and reduced precipitation

Aims It is important to study the effects of land use change and reduced precipitation on greenhouse gas fluxes (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O) of forest soils. Methods The fluxes of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O and their responses to environmental factors of primary forest soil, secondary forest soil and artificial forest soil under a reduced precipitation regime were explored using the static chamber and gas chromatography methods during the period from January to December in 2014. Important findings Results indicate that CH₄ uptake of primary forest soil ((-44.43 ± 8.73) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) was significantly higher than that of the secondary forest soil ((-21.64 ± 4.86) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) and the artificial forest soil ((-10.52 ± 2.11) μg C·m^-2·h^-1). CH₄ uptake of the secondary forest soil ((-21.64 ± 4.86) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) was significantly higher than that of the artificial forest ((-10.52 ± 2.11) μg C·m^-2·h^-1). CO₂ emissions of the artificial forest soil ((106.53 ± 19.33) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) were significantly higher than that of the primary forest soil ((49.50 ± 8.16) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) and the secondary forest soil ((63.50 ± 5.35) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) (p < 0.01). N₂O emissions of the secondary forest soil ((1.91 ± 1.22) μg N·m^-2·h^-1) were higher than that of the primary forest soil ((1.40 ± 0.28) μg N·m^-2·h^-1) and the artificial forest soil ((1.01 ± 0.86) μg N·m^-2·h^-1). Reduced precipitation (-50%) had a significant inhibitory effect on CH₄ uptake of the artificial forest soil, while it enhanced CO₂ emissions of the primary forest soil and the secondary forest soil. Reduced precipitation had a significant inhibitory effect on CO₂ emissions of the artificial forest soil and N₂O emissions of the secondary forest (p < 0.01). Reduced precipitation promotes N₂O emissions of the primary forest soil and the artificial forest soil. CH₄ uptake of the primary forest and the secondary forest soil increased significantly with the increase of soil temperature under natural and reduced precipitation. CO₂ and N₂O emission fluxes of the primary forest soil, secondary forest soil and artificial forest soil were positively correlated with soil temperature (p < 0.05). Soil moisture inhibited CH₄ uptake of the secondary forest soil and the artificial forest soil (p < 0.05). CO₂ emissions of the primary forest soil were significantly positively correlated with soil moisture (p < 0.05). N₂O emissions of primary forest soil and secondary forest soil were significantly correlated with the nitrate nitrogen content (p < 0.05). It was implied that reduced precipitation and land use change would have significant effects on greenhouse gas emissions of subtropical forest soils.     

张掖湿地芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度的权衡关系

叶大小-叶脉密度的权衡关系是植物叶经济谱理论的基础, 对理解资源竞争条件下植物叶片的物理构建与生理代谢的关系具有重要的意义。该文采用标准化主轴估计(standardized major axis estimation, SMA)的方法, 按芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)株丛密度设置I (>12丛·m^-2)、II (8-12丛·m^-2)、III (4-8丛·m^-2)和IV (<4丛·m^-2) 4个密度梯度, 以叶面积和叶干质量分别表示叶大小, 对张掖洪泛平原湿地不同密度条件下芨芨草种群的叶大小和叶脉密度的关系进行研究。结果表明: 随着芨芨草株丛密度的降低, 湿地群落的土壤含水量逐渐减小、土壤电导率逐渐增加, 芨芨草的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和分枝数呈先增大后减小的趋势, 叶面积、叶干质量、比叶面积和株高呈逐渐减小趋势、光合有效辐射(PAR)和叶脉密度呈逐渐增加趋势; 芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度在高密度(I)和低密度(IV)样地均呈极显著负相关关系(p < 0.01), 中密度(II、III)样地二者呈显著负相关关系(p < 0.05); 叶大小和叶脉密度回归方程的SMA斜率在不同密度样地均显著小于-1 (p < 0.05), 即芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度呈“此消彼长”的权衡关系。在高密度湿地群落芨芨草倾向于大叶片低叶脉密度的叶片构建模式, 在低密度湿地群落选择小叶片高叶脉密度的异速生长模式, 体现了密度制约下湿地植物的生物量分配格局和资源利用对策。     

Leaf hydraulic traits and their trade-offs for nine Chinese temperate tree species with different wood properties

Aims Trees with different wood properties display variations in xylem anatomy and leaf vein structure, which may influence tree water transport efficiency and water-use strategy, and consequently constrain tree survival, growth and distribution. However, the effects of wood properties on leaf hydraulic conductance and vulnerability and their potential trade-offs at leaf level are not well understood. Our aims were to examine variations in leaf hydraulic traits of trees with different wood properties and explore potential trade-offs between leaf hydraulic efficiency and safety.
Methods Nine tree species with different wood properties were selected for measuring the leaf hydraulic traits, including three diffuse-porous species (Populus davidiana, Tilia amurensis, Betula platyphylla), three ring-porous species (Quercus mongolica, Fraxinus mandshurica, Juglans mandshurica), and three non-porous species (Picea koraiensis, Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica, Pinus koraiensis). Four dominant and healthy trees per species were randomly selected. The hydraulic traits measured included leaf hydraulic conductance on leaf area (K_area) and dry mass (K_mass) basis, leaf hydraulic vulnerability (P₅₀), and leaf water potential at turgor loss point (TLP), while the leaf structural traits were leaf dry mass content (LDMC), leaf density (LD) and leaf mass per unit area (LMA).
Important findings The K_area, K_mass, and P₅₀ differed significantly among the tree species with different woody properties (p < 0.05). Both K_area and K_mass were the lowest for the non-porous trees, and did not differ significantly between the diffuse-porous and ring-porous trees. The ring-porous trees had the highest P₅₀ values, while the diffuse-porous and non-porous trees showed no significant differences in P₅₀. Both K_area and K_mass were negatively correlated with P₅₀ (p < 0.05) for all the trees, and the relationships for the diffuse-porous, ring-porous, and non-porous trees were fitted into linear, power, exponential functions, respectively. This indicates that significant trade-offs exist between leaf hydraulic efficiency and safety. The K_mass was correlated (p < 0.01) with TLP in a negative linear function for the diffuse- and ring-porous trees and in a negative exponential function for the non-porous trees. The P₅₀ increased with increasing TLP. These results suggest that apoplastic and symplastic drought resistance are strictly coordinated in order to protect living cells from approaching their critical water status under water stresses. The K_mass was negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with LDMC, LD, or LMA, while the P₅₀ was positively correlated with LDMC and LD; this suggests that variations in K_mass and P₅₀ are driven by similar changes in structural traits regardless of wood traits. We conclude that the tree tolerance to hydraulic dysfunction increases with increasing carbon investment in the leaf hydraulic system.     

Fine root production of Pinus massoniana plantation and Castanopsis carlesii plantation at different successional stages in subtropical China

AimsOur objectives were to determine differences in fine root production, its relationships with environmental factors, and its diameter- and depth-related distribution patterns between plantations of two subtropical tree species differing in successional stages. MethodsPlantation forests of an early-successional species, Pinus massoniana, and a late-successional species, Castanopsis carlesii, in Sanming, Fujian Province, were selected. Fine root production was monitored for two years using minirhizotrons methods. At the same time, environmental factors including monthly air temperature, monthly precipitation, soil temperature, and soil water content were determined.Important findings 1) During the two years, there was significant difference in annual fine root length production between these two forests, with annual production of P. massoniana plantation nearly four times that of C. carlesii plantation. Fine root length production under both forests showed significant monthly dynamics and maximized in summer, a season when most of fine roots were born. 2) Roots of 0-0.3 mm in diameter accounted for the largest proportion of total fine root length production. Fine roots were concentrated mostly at the 0-10 cm soil depth in P. massoniana plantation, but happened mostly at the 30-40 cm soil depth in the C. carlesii plantation. 3) Partial correlation analysis suggested that, monthly fine root production of both forests was significantly correlated with both air temperature and soil temperature, while it had no significant correlation with either rainfall or soil water content. Linear regression analysis illustrated that monthly fine root production was more correlated with air temperature and soil temperature in the P. massoniana plantation than in the C. carlesii plantation. It was concluded that fine root production in the early-successional P. massoniana plantation was not only much higher in amount, but also more sensitive to temperature, than that in the late-successional C. carlesii plantation.     

Effects of calcium fertilizer on yield,quality and related enzyme activities of peanut in acidic soil

AimsPeanut (Arachis hypogaea) is one of the calcium (Ca)-like crops. In acidic soil, low soil exchangeable Ca²⁺ content, which usually is caused by eluviation, can affect peanut pod development, even causes pod unfilled. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of calcium fertilizer on yield, quality and related enzyme activities of peanut in acidic soil.Methods ‘Huayu22’ was used as materials, and field experiments were conducted in Wendeng, Weihai (2013) and Sanzhuang, Rizhao (2014), respectively. Three treatments were carried out, i.e. No Ca-application (T₀), 14 kg·667 m^-2 fused CaO (T₁) and 28 kg·667 m^-2 fused CaO (T₂). Top 3rd leaves of main stems were harvested to determine the activities of carbon and nitrogen metabolism enzyme every 15 days from anthesis to mature period. Additionally, the pod traits and yield were investigated at harvest time. Uniform dry pods were used to determine the quality of kernel.Important findings Application of calcium fertilizer significantly increased the pod yield of peanut in acid soil. Yield of T₁ treatment increased by 26.92% and T₂ increased by 21.65% on average at two sites. It might be related to higher pod numbers per plant, higher double kernel rate, and higher plumpness of kernel under T₁ and T₂ treatment than under T₀ treatment. Simultaneously, application of calcium fertilizer also significantly increased the protein and fat content of peanut in acidic soil. The protein content increased 2.02% and the fat content increased 3.01% on average in T₁ treatment, respectively. The protein content increased 1.56% and the fat content increased 2.58% in T₂ treatment, respectively. Additionally, Calcium fertilizer not only improved the lysine and total amino acid content but also improved oleic/linoleic acid (O/L) ratio of peanut in acidic soil. These might be due to higher activities of glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthetase (GOGAT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in the leaves of peanut in acidic soil under T₁ and T₂ treatments than under T₀ treatment. What’s more, the activity of GS of peanut treated with T₁ was higher than that treated with T₂. Application of Calcium fertilizer also improved the activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase), sucrose synthase (SS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) of peanut at early growing period, but the activities at late growth stage were lower than T₀ treatment. Our results demonstrate that the economic performance of 14 kg·667 m^-2 fused CaO was the best one among these three treatments applied.     

Effects of nitrogen addition on soil respiration of Rhododendron simsii shrubland in the subtropical mountainous areas of China

Aims As the second largest C flux between the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems, soil respiration plays a vital role in regulating atmosphere CO₂ concentration. Therefore, understanding the response of soil respiration to the increasing nitrogen deposition is urgently needed for prediction of future climate change. However, it is still unclear how nitrogen deposition influences soil respiration of shrubland in subtropical China. Our objectives were to explore the effects of different levels of nitrogen fertilization on soil respiration, root biomass increment, and litter biomass, and to analyze the relationships between soil respiration and soil temperature and moisture.
Methods From January 2013 to September 2014, we conducted a short-term simulated nitrogen deposition experiment in the Rhododendron simsii shrubland of Dawei Mountain, located in Hunan Province, southern China. Four levels of nitrogen addition treatments (each level with three replicates) were established: control (CK, no nitrogen addition), low nitrogen addition (LN, 2 g·m^-2·a^-1), medium nitrogen addition (MN, 5 g·m^-2·a^-1) and high nitrogen addition (HN, 10 g·m^-2·a^-1). Soil respiration was measured by LI-8100 soil CO₂ efflux system. At the same time, we measured root biomass increment and litter biomass in each plot.
Important findings Soil respiration exhibited a strong seasonal pattern, with the highest rates found in summer and the lowest rates in winter. Annual accumulative soil respiration rate in the CK, LN, MN and HN was (2.37 ± 0.39), (2.79 ± 0.42), (2.26 ± 0.38) and (2.30 ± 0.36) kg CO₂·m^-2, respectively. Annual mean soil respiration rate in the CK, LN, MN and HN was (1.71 ± 0.28), (2.01 ± 0.30), (1.63 ± 0.27) and (1.66 ± 0.26) μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1, respectively, and it was 17.25% higher in the LN treatment compared with CK (p = 0.06). The root biomass increment was increased by LN, MN, and HN treatments by 18.36%, 36.49% and 61.63%, respectively, compared to CK. The litter biomass was increased by LN, MN, and HN treatments by 35.87%, 22.17% and 15.35%, respectively, compared with CK. Soil respiration exhibited a significant exponential relationship with soil temperature (p < 0.01, R² is 0.77 to 0.82) and a significant linear relationship with soil moisture at the depth of 5 cm (p < 0.05, R² is 0.10 to 0.15). The temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) value of CK, LN, MN and HN plots was 3.96, 3.60, 3.71 and 3.51, respectively. These results suggested that nitrogen addition promoted plant growth and decreased the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration. The increase of root biomass under N addition may be an important reason for the change of soil respiration in the study area.     

Short-term responses of winter soil respiration to snow removal in a Picea asperata forest of western Sichuan

Aims Seasonal snow cover is one of the most important factors that control winter soil respiration in the cold biomes. The warming-induced decreases in snowpack could affect winter soil respiration of subalpine forests. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of snow removal on winter soil respiration in a Picea asperata forest.Methods A snow removal experiment was conducted in a P. asperata forest stand in western Sichuan during the winter of 2015/2016. The snow removal treatment was implemented using wooden roof method. Soil temperatures, snow depth and soil respiration rate were simultaneously measured in plots of snow removal and controls during the experimental period.Important findings Compared to the control, snow removal increased the fluctuations of soil temperatures. The average daily temperature of the soil surface and that at 5 cm depth were 1.12 °C and 0.34 °C lower, respectively, and the numbers of freeze-thaw cycles of the soil surface and that at 5 cm depth were increased by 39 and 12, respectively, in plots of snow removal than in the controls. The average rate of winter soil respiration and CO₂ efflux were 0.52 μmol·m^-2·s^-1 and 88.44 g·m^-2, respectively. On average, snow removal reduced soil respiration rate by 21.02% and CO₂ efflux by 25.99%, respectively. More importantly, the snow effect mainly occurred in the early winter. The winter soil respiration rate had a significant exponential relationship with soil temperature. However, snow removal significantly reduced temperature sensitivity of the winter soil respiration. Our results suggest that seasonal snow reduction associated with climate change could inhibit winter soil respiration in the subalpine forests of western Sichuan, with significant implications for the carbon dynamics of the subalpine forests.     

Effects of nitrogen enrichment on root exudative carbon inputs in Sibiraea angustata shrubbery at the eastern fringe of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

Aims Understanding the responses of root exudative carbon (C) to increasing nitrogen deposition is important for predicting carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. However, fewer studies have investigated the dynamics of root exudation in shrubbery ecosystems compared to forests and grassland ecosystems. This objective of this study was to determine the effects of nitrogen fertilization on the rate and C flux of root exudates.Methods Three levels of nitrogen addition treatments were applied to a Sibiraea angustata shrubbery ecosystem situated at the eastern fringe of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, including N₀ (without nitrogen application), N₅ (nitrogen addition rate of 5 g·m^-2·a^-1), and N₁₀ (nitrogen addition rate of 10 g·m^-2·a^-1), respectively, in 5 m ´ 5 m plots. Root exudates were collected in June, August and October of 2015, using a modified culture-based cuvette system. Root biomass in each plot was measured with root core method.Important findings The rates of root exudates on biomass, length, and surface area basis all displayed apparent seasonal variations during the experimental period, with the magnitude ranked in the order of: August > June > October, consistent with changes in soil temperature at 5 cm depth. With increases in the nitrogen addition rate, the rate of root exudates on biomass, length, and area basis all trended lower. Compared with the control (N₀), the N₅ and N₁₀ treatments significantly reduced fine root biomass in the Sibiraea angustata shrubbery, by 23.36% and 33.84%, respectively. The decreasing root exudation and fine root biomass in response to nitrogen addition significantly decreased C flux of root exudates. Our results provide additional evidences toward a robust theoretical foundation for better understanding soil C-nutrient cycling process mediated by root exudation inputs in Alpine shrubbery ecosystems under various environmental changes.     

Plant species change and water budget in restored grasslands in Taibus Banner,Inner Mongolia,China

2008年和2009年(均为枯水年), 在半干旱区内蒙古太仆寺旗农田-草地生态系统国家野外站开展观测实验, 通过观测蒸散发(波文比系统)、土壤水分(烘干称重法)、降水量, 以及植被土壤特征调查, 基于水量平衡理论, 对比研究了3块天然草地、3块不同退耕时间草地共6个样地的水分收支, 旨在定量地评估退耕草地的水分收支, 为采取科学措施促进退耕草地尽快向天然草地过渡提供依据。结果表明: 1)随着退耕时间增加, 植被盖度逐渐增加, 但是群落中科、属、种的数量趋于减少, 且优势种从一年生的中旱生草本植物逐渐转变成多年生的旱生草本植物; 2)植被蒸腾是草原植被主要的耗水途径, 随着退耕时间增加, 退耕草地的蒸散发量呈增加趋势, 其最大值在4.5-5.8 mm·d^-1之间; 3)退耕草地土壤含水量平均值为0.09 m³·m^-3, 其水分剧烈变化主要发生在距地 表60 cm内, 且随退耕时间增加土壤含水量减少, 而天然草地土壤含水量平均值为0.06 m³·m^-3, 其水分剧烈变化发生在距地 表20 cm内; 4)随退耕时间增加, 退耕草地与天然草地的土壤水分与蒸散发在数值上差距逐渐缩小; 5)退耕草地水分收支基本平衡, 但在极枯年份(降水量174 mm)的生长季, 降水不能满足蒸散发需求, 呈现水分亏损。退耕草地逐步向天然草地过渡, 但是退耕草地的土壤水分在逐渐减少, 呈现“生境干旱化现象”。今后应加强对草地的封育与监测, 促进植物群落向水分利用效率更高、更适应半干旱环境的方向演替。     

Canopy structure and radiation interception of Salix matsudana: Stand density dependent relationships

Aims Plants can enhance their photosynthetic efficiency and competitiveness by adjusting canopy structure and radiation interception. The objective of this paper was to quantify the relationship between canopy structure (crown depth and crown area) and light interception (LI) in a Salix matsudana stand under three different stand densities in a flood plain of Zhangye.Methods Our study site is located at the Heihe flood plain of Xichengyi in Ganzhou district, Zhangye City, Gansu Province in the middle Heihe River, where S. matsudana is the dominant species. Based on stand density (10 m × 10 m), the S. matsudana community is divided into three types: low density (I, 25-36 Ind.·plot^-1), medium density (II, 37-48 Ind.·plot^-1), and high density (III, 49-60 Ind.·plot^-1). Community characteristics, soil physical and chemical properties of each type were measured. At each plot, we measured photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), LI, net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), crown depth, crown area, leaf area index (LAI), twig numbers, twig length, and bifurcation angle. The standardized major axis (SMA) estimation method was used to determine the relationships between LI and canopy structure.Important findings With increasing in stand density, we found that soil moisture increased, and soil electric conductivity decreased, while twig length and crown depth increased, and PAR, twig numbers, bifurcation angle and crown area decreased. LAI and LI, P_n and T_r reached their maximum at the stand of medium density. There was a significant, positive correlation and negative correlation (p < 0.01), respectively, between the LI, crown depth and crown area at low density (I), whereas low significant (p < 0.05) at high density (III), and high significantly positive correlation (p < 0.01) at the medium density (II). S. matsudana has more horizontal branches that reduce LI. Canopy thickness and increased crown area at low density. More vertical distribution of branches at high density, and a more balanced spacial distribution were found at medium density.     

不同林龄、树种落叶松人工林径向生长与气候变化的关系

研究人工林径向生长与气候变化的关系对全球气候变暖背景下人工林合理经营有着重要的意义。该文对在辽东山区广泛栽培的黄花落叶松(Larix olgensis)和日本落叶松(Larix kaempferi)人工林, 运用树木年轮气候学方法建立了辽宁草河口和湾甸子林场落叶松人工林年表, 分析了落叶松径向生长对气候变化的响应以及气候条件、树种、立地条件和林分因子(林龄、密度、蓄积量等)的相对影响程度。结果发现在影响年轮-气候关系的因素中, 气象因子的潜在蒸发散(PET)的影响力最大; 林龄、密度和蓄积量同时也具有重要的影响作用。中龄落叶松人工林径向生长主要与气温呈正相关关系, 成熟落叶松人工林径向生长主要与气温呈负相关关系; 而其他因素, 如树种、立地条件等的影响作用不大。这表明在气候变暖背景下随着林龄增加, 林分会逐渐受到气温升高导致的水分亏缺的限制, 导致明显的生长下降趋势, 因而气候变暖对成熟落叶松人工林威胁更为严重, 所以要注重对成熟林的优先保护, 同时可以预测, 随着东北地区今后气候进一步变暖, 可能将逐步影响到林龄更小的林分的生长, 因此需要进一步研究如何在落叶松人工林经营中采取科学的措施来更好地应对未来气候变化。