兴安落叶松林生物量、地表枯落物量及土壤有机碳储量随林分生长的变化差异

有关生物量碳随林分生长变化研究较多,而相关土壤有机碳储量随林分生长变化研究较少且结论争议较大。通过对二者随林分生长变化差异的比较,旨在探讨是否可以通过简单林分生长指标来判断土壤有机碳的变化规律。对兴安落叶松人工林分布区内139个样地的生物量与土壤碳动态研究结果表明:(1)林龄是指示生物量碳累积的可靠参数。兴安落叶松个体大小(胸径、树高和单株生物量)随着林龄的增大不断增加,相关性显著(P<0.001),而林分生物量密度随林龄的增大呈线性上升(R²=0.2-0.6,P<0.001)。(2)地表凋落物量与林龄表现显著的二次曲线相关,前37a上升而后开始下降。地表凋落物量与林木大小、生物量密度均相关显著(R²=0.14-0.82,P<0.001),但与树高相关性最高,显示树高变化对于评价地表枯落物生物量可能更有效。(3)林龄、林木大小和林分生物量密度均与土壤不同层碳存在相类似的相关关系。深层土壤有机碳(>40cm)与林龄显著负相关(P<0.05),表层土壤有机碳有增加趋势 (P>0.05),这使得0-40 cm与40-80 cm土壤有机碳储量比值随林龄增加而显著增加(P<0.01);与此类似,林木平均大小也与深层土壤有机碳显著负相关(P<0.05),而表层与深层有机碳储量比值随林木大小(胸径与树高)的增大也呈显著上升趋势(P<0.05);但同时考虑林木个体大小和林分密度的林分生物量密度(地上和地下),并没有发现明显的显著相关关系。这些结果说明,评价土壤有机碳变化的指标中,林龄、树高和胸径可能更优于较为复杂的生物量密度等指标。考虑到深层土壤较表层具有更长期的稳定性,这种表层与深层土壤有机碳比值的增加,意味着土壤碳有向表层积聚而深层减少的趋势,这可能使得土壤有机碳更容易受外界环境变化(如火灾等)的影响。落叶松人工林群落碳储量随林龄增加的变化规律明显,除了占主要部分的生物量碳之外,土壤碳累积值得关注,这一发现对于以固碳增汇为目标的碳汇林建设具有指导意义。     

三峡库区马尾松根系生物量的空间分布

以三峡库区主要植被马尾松人工林为研究对象,用内径为10 cm的根钻,分别在马尾松中龄林、近熟林和成熟林内,据树干0.5、1.0、1.5 m和2.0 m处设置取样点,各样点按0-10、10-20、20-30、30-40、40-60 cm将土壤分为5个垂直层次,对马尾松根系的空间分布格局进行调查。结果表明:(1)三峡库区马尾松总根系生物量(0-10 mm)为中龄林(4.72 t/hm²)显著高于成熟林(2.94 t/hm²)和近熟林(2.40 t/hm²)(P<0.05)。细根(0-2 mm)生物量随年龄增加而递减,差异不显著(P>0.05);(2)马尾松3个林龄中根系生物量表现出一定的水平分布特征,但具体趋势表现各异,细根生物量最大值均出现在距离样木1.0 m处;(3)细根主要分布在土壤上层,其中47.53%-71.73%的活细根集中在0-20 cm土壤深度内,且随土层的加深,其生物量明显减少。粗根(2-10 mm)则主要分布于20-60 cm土层范围内;(4)根系直径越小,受环境变化越明显。马尾松细根生物量分布主要受土壤深度的影响,树龄和不同水平距离对细根分布格局影响不显著(P>0.05),各因素对粗根生物量的影响均未达到显著水平(P>0.05)。     

雌雄异株植物鼠李的生殖分配

以雌雄异株树种鼠李为模式物种,分别从树枝、植株和种群水平上分析了雌雄异株树种鼠李的生殖分配过程,检验了营养生长与生殖过程之间的平衡。结果表明:树枝水平,鼠李年生殖生物量(花生物量+果生物量)投资具有显著的性别差异和个体差异(P<0.001)。雌花生物量大于雄花生物量,雌花生物量最大值为雄花生物量最大值的1.75倍。雌树和雄树的叶片生物量差异不显著(P>0.05)。植株水平上,鼠李生殖生物量(花生物量+果生物量)投资具有显著的性别差异和个体差异(P<0.001),雌树与雄树的花生物量和茎干径向增量差异显著(P<0.05),叶片生物量差异不显著(P>0.05)。鼠李胸径大小对花生物量、叶生物量和茎干径向增量影响显著(P<0.05)。鼠李雌树的花生物量和茎干径向增量均大于雄树。种群水平上,鼠李雄树始花期略早于雌树,2010年雌树和雄树分别于5月28日和5月25日始花。在360 m × 660 m研究样地内种群性比为0.17,卡方检验表明种群性比显著偏离1∶1(P<0.001)。雌树和雄树年平均生长量分别为0.78 mm和0.83 mm。因此,在树枝水平、植株水平以及种群水平上,雌雄异株树种鼠李的营养生长和生殖生长不存在平衡关系。推断鼠李雌树能够通过光合过程获得更多生物量来满足其生殖和营养生长过程需要。     

思茅松人工林根系特征与生物量分配

通过研究不同径级思茅松人工林根系特征、地上部分各器官以及根系生物量分配特征,构建以胸径和树高为变量的思茅松人工林各器官生物量的异速生长方程,为思茅松人工林乔木层碳储量的准确测算提供科学依据。结果表明:思茅松的粗根(根径2.0 cm)、大根(1.0~2.0 cm)、中根(0.5~1.0 cm)和小根(0.2~0.5 cm)的根长和比根长随径级增加而增大,细根(0.2 cm)的比根长降低;中根、小根和细根在根生物量中所占的比例随径级增大先减小后增加,粗根和大根先增加后减小;同一径级中,细根的比根长远高于其他根系类型;思茅松各器官生物量分配大小比例为干枝根叶果,树干生物量均占全株生物量50%以上,各器官生物量随着径级的增大而增加,地上生物量和地下生物量之间呈显著正相关。思茅松单株地上部分生物量在2.23~324.95 kg,根生物量在0.52~41.80 kg,根颈、主根和侧根的生物量随径级增加而增加,根颈/主根、根颈/总根、侧根/主根与胸径和树高呈显著正相关,主根/总根与胸径和树高呈显著负相关;思茅松人工林各器官和总生物量异速生长模型的非线性回归与对数转换后的线性回归的AIC差值都大于2,误差为相乘型,选用线性模型更合适。各器官和总生物量线性模型的R_(adj)~2为0.661~0.992,除球果外,加入树高的模型能较好地拟合各器官与全株生物量。     

水稻根系通气组织与根系泌氧及根际硝化作用的关系

通过根箱土培试验研究了不同产量籼稻品种中旱22(ZH,高产品种)及禾盛10号(HS,低产品种)苗期根系生长、通气组织发育、根系径向泌氧量(radial oxygen loss,ROL)以及根表和根际土壤硝化强度差异。结果表明,除水稻播种40 d时二者根数量和根干重无显著差异外,ZH根直径、根数量和根干重均显著高于HS,二者差异尤其表现在根系生物量差异。两个水稻品种在距根尖20 mm处均可见辐射状通气组织,ZH皮层薄壁细胞已经完全崩溃形成连接中柱和外皮层的纵向气腔,而HS皮层薄壁细胞未发生完全离解,但仍能观察到明显的连接中柱和外皮层的纵向气腔的形成。同时ZH外皮层厚壁细胞体积较小,排列紧密,细胞壁增厚程度大;而HS外皮层厚壁细胞体积相对较大,排列疏松,细胞壁增厚程度相对较小。表明高产品种通气组织发育比低产品种更加完善,表现为ZH根孔隙度(porosity of root,POR)显著高于HS,且高产品种对水稻根系ROL的屏蔽作用较低产品种更强,为根系提供更充足的氧气供应,促进根系生长。除了水稻播种后40 d时ZH和HS单根ROL无显著差异外(P<0.05),ZH单株、单位重量以及单根ROL均显著高于HS(P<0.01)。两个水稻品种硝化强度均表现为根际土壤显著高于根表土壤 (P<0.01),前者大约是后者的3-6倍。两个品种根表土壤硝化强度无显著差异,而ZH根际土壤硝化强度均显著高于HS。相关性分析结果表明水稻根际土壤硝化强度和整株水稻ROL呈极显著正相关关系(r=0.803,P<0.01),和水稻POR也呈现极显著正相关关系(r=0.808,P<0.01),同时和根系直径、数量和干重均呈极显著正相关关系(P<0.01)。而根表土壤硝化强度和以上指标均无相关关系。由于硝化作用是好氧过程,因此高产品种由于根系发达,通气组织发育好,相应ROL也较大,造成根际土壤氧气含量高,从而可能导致根际土壤硝化强度显著高于低产品种。     

长白落叶松林龄序列上的生物量及碳储量分配规律

由于多年来的过量采伐和重采轻育,伊春东折棱河林场人工长白落叶松林分质量普遍下降,森林生态功能严重衰退。结合对该研究地同一立地类型的人工长白落叶松林(Larix ologensis)林木各组分生物量垂直分配规律的分析,研究了其生物量在年龄序列上的分布及分配规律,为提高其林分生物量及碳储量采取相应的抚育管理措施提供一定的理论基础。结果表明,处于中龄、近熟及成熟林中的林木树干、树皮及活枝生物量所占比例受年龄影响较小,而叶生物量随林龄增大呈现明显递减变化;不同年龄长白落叶松的垂直分布规律基本一致:其树皮及树干生物量随树高增大呈现递减规律,其活枝及叶生物量主要集中分布于树冠中部,而其死枝生物量未呈现明显分布规律;长白落叶松根系生物量随着林分年龄的增大,其粗根、中根及细根所占比例呈现递减规律,而其大根所占比例随年龄的增大基本呈增大趋势。通过统计分析得出,长白落叶松生物量与林分蓄积的最优模型为:W=0.4909M+9.6624(R²=0.8893),进而估算得出:研究区域幼龄长白落叶松林分生物量为1273.72 t/hm²,碳储量为656.98 t/hm²;中龄长白落叶松林分生物量为15480.13 t/hm²,碳储量为7984.65 t/hm²;近熟、成熟龄长白落叶松林分生物量为7684.41 t/hm²,碳储量为3963.62 t/hm²。随林分结构的改善以及中龄、近熟及成熟林分的不断增加,生物量及碳储量会相应增加。     

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。     

接种AM真菌对玉米和油菜种间竞争及土壤无机磷组分的影响

在温室盆栽条件下,分别模拟单作、间作和尼龙网分隔种植,比较接种丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhizal, AM)真菌Glomus intraradices和Glomus mosseae对菌根植物玉米和非菌根植物油菜生长和磷吸收状况的影响,并分析土壤中各无机磷组分的变化。结果发现,接种AM真菌可以促进土壤中难溶性磷(Ca₁₀-P和O-P)向有效态磷转化,并显著降低总无机磷含量 (P<0.05),显著提高菌根植物玉米的生物量和磷吸收量(P<0.05),特别是在间作体系中使玉米的磷营养竞争比率显著提高了45.0%-104.1% (P<0.05),显著降低了油菜的生物量和磷吸收量(P<0.05),从而增强了了菌根植物的竞争优势,降低了非菌根植物与菌根植物的共存能力。揭示了石灰性土壤中AM真菌对植物物种多样性的影响,有助于更加全面地理解AM真菌在农业生态系统中的作用。     

火因子对荒漠化草原草本层片植物群落组成的影响

火烧是世界许多地区关键的生态因子,也是人工和自然生态系统重要的干扰因素和管理工具,对格局与过程有着深刻的影响。采用人为放火试验研究了春季不同时间火烧对典型温带荒漠化草原草本植物群落组成的影响,结果表明:晚春火烧后当年,草本植物层片物种多度显著高于未火烧样地(P<0.05),而晚春火烧后第2年和早春火烧当年草本植物层片物种多度与未火烧样地差异不显著(P>0.05);晚春火烧后当年和第2年及早春火烧后当年,草本植物物种丰富度、多样性和均匀度均有所降低,且晚春火烧对植物群落组成的影响大于早春火烧。晚春火烧当年草本植物层片地上部分生物量显著大于未火烧样地(P<0.05),而晚春火烧后第2年和早春火烧当年草本植物层片地上部分生物量大于未火烧样地,但差异不显著(P>0.05);不同物种多度、高生长对火因子的响应不同。表明春季不同时间火烧处理对荒漠化草原草本植物层片植物群落组成的影响存在差异。     

假臭草等12种植物对白花鬼针草幼苗的化感作用

用具有化感作用或潜在抑草活性的12种植物的叶片水浸液对白花鬼针草(Bidens alba)幼苗进行处理,对其幼苗的生长 进行研究,以期筛选出对白花鬼针草生长有较强抑制作用的植物种类。结果表明,12种供体植物叶片水浸液(0.05 g DW mL^-1) 均能显著抑制白花鬼针草幼苗的生长(P<0.05),综合化感效应(SE)均为负值(≤-0.2),抑制强度依次为假臭草(Eupatorium catarium)>胜红蓟(Ageratum conyzoides)>海芋(Alocasia macrorrhiza)>水茄(Solanum torvum)>马缨丹(Lantana camara)>薇甘菊(Mikania micrantha)>构树(Broussonetia papyrifera)>南美蟛蜞菊(Wedelia trilobata)>三裂叶薯(Ipomoea triloba)>葛藤(Pueraria lobata)>鸡矢藤(Paederia scandens)>五爪金龙(Ipomoea cairica),其中假臭草叶水浸液浓度仅为0.04 g DW mL^-1时就可以使白花鬼针草死亡。假臭草和胜红蓟的茎水浸液也可以显著抑制白花鬼针草的生长(P<0.05),抑制效果略低于叶水浸液。回归分析表明,假臭草叶水浸液浓度与白花鬼针草的生物量等指标之间有线性回归关系(R²>0.85, P<0.001),随着水浸液浓度的增加,白花鬼针草的生物量等指标下降。防除白花鬼针草时使用假臭草和胜红蓟的茎、叶水浸液, 其有效浓度低且资源丰富,可作为白花鬼针草天然除草剂的主要资源植物。     

臭冷杉生物量分配格局及异速生长模型

摘 要：臭冷杉是长白山阔叶红松林中重要针叶树种,采用整株收获法分析21株臭冷杉地上地下生物量分配格局。在枝条水平上采用样枝直径（BD）、样枝长度（BL）、样枝所在轮生枝位置（WP）建立活枝、针叶生物量异速生长模型,在植株水平上采用胸径（DBH）、树高（H）、年龄（Age）、树冠长度（CL）、树冠比率（CR）、南北向冠幅（CW1）、东西向冠幅（CW2）等变量建立树干木质、树皮、活枝、针叶、粗根及整株生物量模型。并利用逐步线性回归法获得不同器官生物量最优模型。结果表明：（1）活枝生物量主要集中在树冠中下层,针叶生物量集中在树冠中层。树冠中层和下层枝叶生物量无显著差异（p>0.05）;（2）21株臭冷杉地上生物量和地下生物量变动范围分别为1.026–506.047 kg/株和0.241–112.000 kg/株。粗根、活枝、针叶、树干木质、树皮及枯枝生物量占整株生物量的相对比例分别为18.68%、18.39%、12.02%、39.29%、8.70%和2.92%;（3）地上生物量与地下生物量呈显著线性相关（p<0.001）,拟合线性方程斜率为0.23;（4）枝条水平上,活枝生物量模型解释量超过95%,平均预测误差小于30%。与单变量（BD）活枝生物量模型相比,2变量（BD、BL）和3变量（BD、BL、WP）模型解释量分别提高1.2%和2.0%,平均预测误差分别下降6.26%和9.27%。针叶生物量相对较难预测,模型解释量仅为82.7%,平均预测误差接近50%,模型中增加BL 和WP变量并未提高针叶生物量的预测精度。活枝生物量与BD、BL、WP正相关,针叶生物量与BD正相关,与BL、WP负相关;（5）植株水平上,基于胸径的单变量模型可解释量大于90%,增加树高变量未能显著提高生物量模型的预测精度。年龄决定了臭冷杉的树干生物量,忽视年龄变量将会产生生物量预测误差。树冠特征是影响枝叶生物量预测精度的重要变量。综合考虑模型的可解释量及回归系数显著性可知,胸径是预测臭冷杉不同器官生物量的可靠变量。     

林木分化对兴安落叶松异速生长方程和生物量分配的影响

林木因对资源竞争而产生分化,从而影响林木的异速生长方程和生物量分配,但其影响程度还不清楚。采用林木相对直径法将38株兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii)样木在林分中的分化等级分为优势木、中等木和被压木,量化林木分化对林木异速生长方程和生物量分配的影响。结果显示:生物量组分异速生长方程多以胸径(DBH)为自变量为好,但以枝下高处的树干直径为自变量估测其枝、叶生物量时更精确。在一定的胸径范围内,同一胸径下不同林木分化等级的地下部分各组分生物量没有显著差异(P0.05),但优势木分配更多的生物量给枝和叶,中等木比优势木分配更多的生物量给树干,中等木比被压木分配更多的生物量给地上部分,而且被压木和中等木的树高显著高于优势木。除根茎生物量之外,不同林木分化等级的生物量组分(包括枝、叶、树干和根系)的相对分配比例无显著差异(P0.05),根冠比保持相对稳定。这些结果表明,主要由竞争而引起的林木分化改变了兴安落叶松地上生物量组分的异速生长和分配,但其相对分配格局较为保守。     

辽河源不同龄组油松天然次生林生物量及空间分配特征

油松是中国暖温带区域主要的森林植被,精确计算油松天然林生物量及准确表征空间分布特征对其在固碳释氧、林木积累营养物质等方面的生态服务功能评估具有重要意义。目前,国内基本上没有进行油松天然次生林生物量及空间分配在一个年龄序列上的研究。研究的主要目的是准确估算河北省平泉县辽河源自然保护区4个龄组油松天然次生林林分各组分的生物量,并揭示生物量在空间的分配特征。在每种林分内,林下植被层(灌木和草本)和凋落物层生物量通过样地调查和全挖取样的方法计算。基于胸径(DBH)和树高(H)的异速生长方程则用于计算乔木层生物量。结果表明:(1)林分生物量大小排序为:成熟林(397.793 t/hm2)近熟林(242.188 t/hm2)中龄林(203.801 t/hm2)幼龄林(132.894 t/hm2);(2)乔木层生物量成熟林(373.128 t/hm2)近熟林(224.991 t/hm2)中龄林(187.750 t/hm2)幼龄林(119.169 t/hm2)。地上部分各组分生物量大小关系略有差异,幼龄林和近熟林为:干根枝叶干皮球果,而中龄林和成熟林则是干根枝干皮叶球果。干生物量对于各龄组乔木层生物量来说是最大的贡献者,所占比例表现为:中龄林(66.25%)近熟林(64.38%)成熟林(62.09%)幼龄林(38.41%),而贡献较小的球果则是成熟林(1.02%)幼龄林(0.88%)近熟林(0.72%)中龄林(0.53%)。根系总生物量在18.315 t/hm2(中龄林)—44.849 t/hm2(成熟林)之间,其组分生物量大小整体上表现为:根桩粗根大根细根小细根;(3)灌木层生物量成熟林(0.861 t/hm2)近熟林(0.790 t/hm2)中龄林(0.559 t/hm2)幼龄林(0.401 t/hm2),各组分生物量大小为根茎叶;(4)草本层生物量幼龄林(3.058 t/hm2)近熟林(2.017 t/hm2)中龄林(1.220 t/hm2)成熟林(1.181 t/hm2),地下部分生物量均大于地上部分;(5)凋落物层生物量成熟林(22.623 t/hm2)近熟林(14.390 t/hm2)中龄林(14.272 t/hm2)幼龄林(10.265 t/hm2),各层生物量大小为:未分解层半分解层全分解层。(6)在各层次生物量的比较中,4个龄组均表现为乔木层凋落物层草本层灌木层。其中,幼龄林乔木层生物量占89.67%、中龄林占92.13%、近熟林占92.90%,成熟林占93.80%。     

General allometric equations and biomass allocation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus massoniana</Emphasis> trees on a regional scale in southern China

Applying allometric equations in combination with forest inventory data is an effective approach to use when qualifying forest biomass and carbon storage on a regional scale. The objectives of this study were to (1) develop general allometric tree component biomass equations and (2) investigate tree biomass allocation patterns for Pinus massoniana, a principal tree species native to southern China, by applying 197 samples across 20 site locations. The additive allometric equations utilized to compute stem, branch, needle, root, aboveground, and total tree biomass were developed by nonlinear seemingly unrelated regression. Results show that the relative proportion of stem biomass to tree biomass increased while the contribution of canopy biomass to tree biomass decreased as trees continued to grow through time. Total root biomass was a large biomass pool in itself, and its relative proportion to tree biomass exhibited a slight increase with tree growth. Although equations employing stem diameter at breast height (dbh) alone as a predictor could accurately predict stem, aboveground, root, and total tree biomass, they were poorly fitted to predict the canopy biomass component. The inclusion of the tree height (H) variable either slightly improved or did not in any way increase model fitness. Validation results demonstrate that these equations are suitable to estimate stem, aboveground, and total tree biomass across a broad range of P. massoniana stands on a regional scale.     

Large altitudinal increase in tree root/shoot ratio in tropical mountain forests of Ecuador

Tropical rain forests decrease in tree height and aboveground biomass (AGB) with increasing elevation. The causes of this phenomenon remain insufficiently understood despite a number of explanations proposed including direct or indirect effects of low temperature on carbon acquisition and carbon investment, adverse soil conditions and impaired nutrient supply. For analysing altitudinal patterns of aboveground/belowground carbon partitioning, we measured fine (<2 mm in diameter) and coarse root (2–5 mm) biomass and necromass and leaf area index (LAI), and estimated AGB from stand structural parameters in five tropical mountain rain forests at 1050, 1540, 1890, 2380 and 3060 m along an altitudinal transect in the South Ecuadorian Andes. Average tree height and AGB were reduced to less than 50% between 1050 and 3060 m, LAI decreased from 5.1 to 2.9. The leaf area reduction must have resulted in a lowered canopy carbon gain and thus may partly explain the reduced tree growth in the high-elevation stands. In contrast, both fine and coarse root biomass significantly increased with elevation across this transect. The ratio of root biomass (fine and coarse) to AGB increased more than ten-fold from 0.04 at 1050 m to 0.43 at 3060 m. Under the assumption that fine root biomass does reflect root productivity, our data indicate a marked belowground shift in C allocation with increasing elevation. Possible explanations for this allocation shift are discussed including reduced N supply due to low temperatures, water logging or adverse soil chemical conditions. We conclude that the fine root system and its activity may hold the key for understanding the impressive reduction in tree size along tropical mountain slopes in Ecuador. Analyses of fine root turnover and longevity in relation to environmental factors along altitudinal transects in tropical mountains are urgently needed.     

Root biomass and rooting profile of naturally regenerated beech in mid-elevation Scots pine woodlands

The natural establishment of shade-tolerant forest species such as beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) occurs in naturally regenerated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) woodlands that develop on former pastures and cultivated lands. To examine possible effects of underground competition in beech establishment, we studied the root biomass and the rooting profile of 53 mixed Scots pine-natural beech woodlands in French mid-elevation volcanic areas. Stands were arranged along a maturation gradient. Roots were sampled using the root-auger technique (0 to 75 cm depth every 15 cm). In addition, 23 young beeches were uprooted to study the entire root system. Total beech fine-root biomass was closely correlated with most beech aerial characteristics, (e.g., height, diameter and girth), and correlated moderately with tree age. However, it correlated poorly with basic competition indices such as stand density and basal area. Conversely, competition indices including vertical dimensions of competing trees were correlated with the underground biomass, probably as a result of redundancy with beech height. The rooting profile (fine roots, < 5 mm) of beech and pine were quite similar, and did not change significantly along the stand maturation gradient. Beech has a heart-shaped root system while pine is more plate-like and dimorphic. Beech fine-root biomass progressively surpassed pine biomass throughout the soil layers, thus confirming that it is dynamic and competitive in mature mixed stands. The coexistence of the root systems of beech and pine in the same soil layers presumably results in strong underground competition.     

Allometric equations and biomass expansion factors of Japanese red pine on the local level

This study was conducted to evaluate site-specific allometric equations and biomass expansion factors (BEF) of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora S. et Z.) at five sites in the Hadong, Hamyang, Jinju, Sancheong, and Uiryeong regions, situated in the western part of Gyeongnam province, Korea. Biomass in each tree component, i.e., needle, branch, stem wood, and stem bark, was quantified by destructive tree harvesting. Site-specific as well as generalized allometric equations were developed for each tree component across the entire sites. Both allometric regression equations were significant (P < 0.05), with diameter at breast height (DBH) accounting for 69–99% of the variation (as indicated by coefficients of determination, r ²) in aboveground biomass. The stem densities at different sites were significantly different (P < 0.05) from each other, but no significant difference was observed for stem bark density. The aboveground BEFs also showed a significant variation (P < 0.05) at a landscape scale and ranged from 1.19 to 1.46 among the sites. The results suggest that application of site-specific allometric equations and aboveground BEFs are likely to improve the reliability of biomass estimates on the local level.     

Dwarf pine invasion in an alpine tundra of discontinuous permafrost area: effects on fine root and soil carbon dynamics

Key message

Recent invasion of Pinus pumila , a highly productive shrub-like tree species, into alpine tundra does not significantly modify the dynamics of fine root and soil carbon in the tundra.

Abstract

Climate warming may directly and indirectly affect the large carbon stock in discontinuous permafrost soil at high latitudes. In recent decades, Siberian dwarf pine [Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel] has been invading dry heath alpine tundra in the northern Amur region of Far East Russia. Siberian dwarf pine is known to have high aboveground productivity, comparable to that of tall coniferous trees. We hypothesised that the invasion of Siberian dwarf pine into alpine tundra could increase soil carbon stocks via an increase in fine roots. Contrary to our expectations, the invasion of dwarf pine did not significantly increase the fine root biomass and productivity of the tundra, probably due to the belowground competitive exclusion between the dwarf pine and alpine tundra plants. Furthermore, the invasion of the dwarf pine did not affect soil carbon in the alpine tundra ecosystem. These results show that the recent invasion of Siberian dwarf pine into tundra did not influence the fine root dynamics or the soil carbon stock in the study site. Together, these results implied that (1) it takes a long time for pine invasion to change the belowground ecosystem properties of tundra vegetation to that of pine thickets and therefore (2) the lack of an increase in soil carbon from recent tree invasion should be taken into account when modelling future carbon dynamics in alpine tundra.