不同林龄落叶松人工林土壤微生物生物量碳氮的季节变化

为从土壤微生物生物量角度分析不同林龄落叶松人工林的土壤肥力状况,对辽宁东部山区两种林龄(9年生,幼龄林;43年生,成熟林)落叶松人工林不同土层(腐殖质层和矿化层)微生物生物量碳、氮季节变化进行了监测,并分析了微生物生物量碳氮的季节变化与土壤养分及水分的关系.结果表明:两种林龄落叶松腐殖质层微生物生物量碳、氮含量均高于矿化层;在腐殖质层,幼龄林微生物生物量碳、氮含量高于成熟林.方差分析表明,在春、秋季节,同一土层两林龄土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量之间差异达到显著水平(P<0.01).在观测的3个季节内,幼龄林腐殖质层的微生物生物量碳基本无变化,而成熟林的微生物生物量碳在秋季达到最高;两种林龄落叶松微生物生物量氮均在夏季达到最高.在矿化层,两种林龄落叶松微生物生物量碳、氮均在秋季达到最大.相关分析发现,微生物生物量碳、氮之间以及土壤微生物生物量碳、氮与土壤有机碳、全氮呈显著正相关,而与土壤水分无相关性;另外,落叶松人工林内的灌木种类和数量以及季节性温度变化对土壤微生物生物量碳氮也有影响.上述结果表明,研究区域土壤微生物生物量碳、氮的季节波动与土壤养分状况密切相关,幼龄林土壤养分状况优于成熟林.     

贵州中部喀斯特山地不同植被生态系统细根生态特征及养分储量

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

山西太岳山不同林龄华北落叶松林土壤微生物特性!

本文以山西太岳山3个林龄(18、35和51年生)华北落叶松林为对象,研究其土壤微生物生物量、土壤真菌群落结构多样性特征,并利用通径分析,探讨土壤和凋落物养分含量对土壤微生物的影响。结果表明:随着华北落叶松林年龄的增加,土壤微生物生物量碳逐渐增加,微生物生物量碳占其与可溶性有机碳之和的比例也逐渐增加;土壤微生物生物量碳/氮比在51年生华北落叶松林中最大(13),约为其他两个林龄华北落叶松林的1.6倍;土壤微生物碳熵在35年生华北落叶松林中最低(1.5%),在18年生华北落叶松林中最高(2.8%)。土壤微生物生物量氮、真菌Shannon指数、土壤和凋落物碳/氮比在不同林龄华北落叶松林中的变化趋势均为35年生18年生51年生。通径分析结果表明,真菌群落结构多样性对土壤微生物生物量碳有较大的直接作用,凋落物自身化学组成对土壤微生物生物量氮有显著影响,土壤碳/氮比和微生物生物量碳/氮比是调控真菌群落结构多样性的直接因素。总的来说,35年生华北落叶松林的土壤有机碳活性最小,土壤碳库稳定性较好,养分状况优于另外两个林龄华北落叶松林。     

黄土高原子午岭林区两种天然次生林植物叶片-凋落叶-土壤生态化学计量特征

了解我国黄土高原子午岭林区两种天然林下植物叶片-凋落叶-土壤生态化学计量特征,有助于人们更深入地认识黄土高原子午岭天然次生林生态系统养分循环规律和系统稳定机制。结果表明:(1)辽东栎和白桦两种植物叶片碳、氮、磷平均含量为468.6、17.1、2.1 g/kg;凋落叶碳、氮、磷平均含量为457.3、12.5、1.6 g/kg;土壤碳、氮、磷平均含量分别为17.6、1.4、0.5 g/kg。(2)白桦叶片N、P含量之间II类线性回归斜率大于1(P=0.07),表明白桦叶片建成过程中存在N、P元素按比例投入的依赖。白桦凋落叶N、P含量之间的II类线性回归斜率显著小于1(P0.05),两种天然次生林凋落叶整体N、P含量之间的II类线性回归斜率也显著小于1(P0.05),反映了凋落叶中单位P含量与单位N含量间不存在等速损耗关系。(3)黄土高原子午岭两种天然次生林凋落叶氮含量与土壤氮含量具有显著相关性(P0.01),表明凋落叶分解对土壤氮库有增加作用。相比于凋落叶,植物叶片磷含量与土壤磷含量具有较紧密的关系,表现为高的土壤P含量则植物叶片也具有较高的P含量。黄土高原子午岭林区两种天然次生林下土壤有机质具有较快的矿化作用。(4)辽东栎作为植被演替到顶极群落的优势物种,其凋落叶C∶N值为26.7远低于白桦凋落叶C∶N值44.9(P0.05),有利于微生物对凋落叶的分解。两种天然次生林的植物叶片N∶P均值为7.9714,低于全国和全球尺度的其他研究结果,表明这两种天然次生林主要受N限制。     

落叶松和水曲柳带状混交对土壤微生物群落功能多样性的影响

为了探讨造林模式对土壤理化性质和微生物群落功能多样性的影响,以辽宁省新宾陡岭水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)、长白落叶松(Larix olgensis)人工纯林及二者混交林土壤为研究对象,对不同林型土壤pH值、养分含量和土壤微生物活性进行研究,对3种人工林土壤微生物代谢功能多样性进行分析。结果表明:混交林土壤全氮、速效氮、全磷和速效磷分别比落叶松纯林增加28.1%、35.6%、9.5%和12.9%;不同人工林土壤微生物群落代谢活性差异显著,总碳源的利用能力(AWCD)的顺序为水曲柳林混交林落叶松林,落叶松纯林土壤微生物代谢最慢,活性最弱;3种不同人工林土壤微生物群落对六大碳源的利用率存在差异,混交林在L-精氨酸、L-天门冬酰胺、丙酮酸甲酯、腐胺、N-乙酰-D-葡萄糖胺、D-半乳糖醛酸、D-葡萄糖胺酸和4-羟基苯甲酸等8种碳源的利用能力显著高于落叶松纯林;主成分分析显示,糖类和氨基酸类碳源是影响微生物活性的重要碳源;3种不同人工林土壤微生物优势度指数无显著差异,物种丰富度指数依次为水曲柳林混交林落叶松林;落叶松和水曲柳带状混交后可以提高土壤肥力及土壤微生物活性。     

杉木细柄阿丁枫混交林涵养水源功能和土壤肥力的研究

对 2 5年生杉木细柄阿丁枫混交林进行研究表明 :混交林对土壤的物理性质、养分含量、酶活性和涵养水源功能均有良好的作用。混交林林分持水量为 2 2 1 2 .84 t/ hm2 ,杉木纯林为 1 84 1 .6 2 t/ hm2。混交林土壤水稳性团聚体组成、孔隙组成和水分状况均比纯林好 ;混交林土壤养分含量比纯林高 ,0～ 2 0 cm层有机质含量比纯林增加 80 .5 % ,全氮 ,全磷、水解性氮、速效磷和速效钾含量分别比纯林提高 2 8.8%、39.8%、32 .0 %、5 6 .6 %和 76 .8% ;混交林土壤酶活性比杉木纯林高 ,0～2 0 cm层转化酶、脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性分别比纯林增加 1 5 6 .1 %、72 .6 % .30 .0 %和 1 0 .3%。     

白桦、落叶松不同器官水浸液对种子萌发和播种苗生长的种间化感作用

研究了白桦的根、枝、叶,落叶松的根、枝、叶和皮不同浓度水浸液(5.0、12.5、25.0、50.0和100.0 mg·mL-1)对另一树种种子萌发和当年生播种苗生长的化感作用.结果表明:落叶松不同器官水浸液(根5.0 mg·mL-1除外)处理均抑制白桦种子的萌发,其平均发芽率为:对照(75％)＞根(66％)＞皮(59％)＞枝(58％)＞叶(54％),随浓度增加,根、枝水浸液的抑制作用增强,而叶、皮水浸液的抑制作用减弱.落叶松各器官水浸液对白桦胚根和胚轴生长具有较强的抑制作用,且以100.0 mg·mL-1浓度的叶水浸液抑制作用最强,胚根和胚轴长分别降低38％和55％(P＜0.05).落叶松枝、叶水浸液处理对白桦播种苗的苗高、地径及生物量有一定的促进作用,根、皮水浸液则具有抑制作用.白桦各器官水浸液能促进落叶松种子的萌发,根和枝的水浸液促进胚轴生长,叶的水浸液抑制胚轴生长,50.0和100.0 mg·mL-1浓度的叶水浸液处理的种子胚轴分别较对照降低27％和28％(P＜0.05).其对落叶松播种苗生长的影响以促进作用为主,5.0 mg·mL-1浓度的白桦叶水浸液处理的落叶松苗高、地径、生物量分别较对照高54％、60％和100％ (P＜0.05).白桦与落叶松之间存在明显的化感作用,混交可能对林木生长产生一定的促进作用.     

杉林细柄阿丁枫混交林涵养水源功能和土壤肥力的研究

对25年生杉木细柄阿丁枫混交林进行研究表明：混交林对土壤的物理性质、养分含量、酶活性和涵养水源功能均有良好的作用。混交林林分持水量为2212.84t/hm^2,杉木纯林为1841.62t/hm^2。混交林土壤水稳性团聚体组成、孔隙组成和水分状况均比纯林好／混交林土壤养分含量比弛林高,0－20cm层有机质含量比纯林增加80.5%,全氮,全磷、水解性氮、速效磷和速效钾含量分别比纯林提高28.8%、39.8%、32.0%、56.6%和76.8%;混交林土壤酶活性比杉木纯林高,0－20cm层转化酶、脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性分别比纯林增加156.1%、72.6%、30.0％和10.3%。     

渤海泥质海岸典型防护林土壤微生物量季节动态变化

土壤微生物生物量碳、氮是研究土壤肥力、土壤养分转化、循环以及环境变化的重要指标。研究渤海泥质海岸白榆、刺槐、白蜡、群众杨、辽宁杨纯林和辽宁杨刺槐混交林及当地自然生灌草地土壤微生物生物量碳、氮的季节动态及与土壤养分含量变化的关系,以期为沿海防护林树种的选择及林地管理提供科学依据。结果表明:造林能显著增加土壤微生物生物量含量,其中白榆(25 a)土壤微生物生物量碳、氮最高,是对照的2.50倍和2.09倍。0—10 cm土壤层微生物生物量碳、氮大于10—30 cm土层,季节动态变化差异显著。在0—10 cm土层内,渤海泥质海岸典型防护林土壤微生物生物量碳、氮季节动态多表现为春秋两季较高,夏季较低的"V"字型变化;在10—30 cm土层内,防护林土壤微生物生物量碳季节变化规律与0—10 cm土层一致,表现为夏季较低春秋较高的"V"字型,微生物生物量氮主要表现有"V"字型、倒"V"字型与直线型3种变化形式。在0—30 cm土层内,白榆(25 a)、刺槐、白蜡、群众杨、辽宁杨刺槐混交林、白榆(10 a)、辽宁杨及灌草地微生物生物量碳对土壤有机碳的平均贡献率分别为1.59%、1.68%、1.42%、1.54%、2.29%、1.80%、2.02%和1.12%,土壤微生物生物量氮对土壤全氮的平均贡献率分别为1.85%、1.30%、1.08%、1.35%、2.49%、1.57%、2.08%和2.32%。不同类型防护林地土壤微生物量碳、氮之间显著正相关,它们与土壤全氮、有机碳显著正相关,与土壤电导率显著负相关,另外,土壤微生物量碳还与土壤速效磷含量显著正相关。从不同土层微生物量碳、氮季节动态来看,造林可以增加泥质海岸土壤微生物生物量,但是夏季地下水位升高,盐碱上扬,加之树木生长大量利用养分,土壤微生物生物量夏季较低。综合分析土壤微生物生物量和土壤营养库的贡献率,白榆纯林和辽宁杨刺槐混交林更有利于泥质海岸土壤微生物群落功能恢复和营养固定。     

冀北土石山区不同土地利用类型土壤质量评价

为防止北方土石山区的土地和植被在人类活动下进一步退化,为冬奥会赛后制定战略性植被恢复计划,以白桦天然林、落叶松人工林、天然灌草地和弃耕农地为研究对象,基于土壤容重、孔隙度和土壤养分含量等13种土壤理化指标,对冀北土石山区不同土地利用类型土壤质量进行综合评价。结果表明: 冀北土石山区不同土地利用类型土壤质量呈现出白桦天然林>天然灌草地>落叶松人工林>弃耕农地。白桦天然林的土壤质量显著高于其他3种土地利用类型,其土壤全氮(3.24±1.42 g·kg^-1)和全磷(0.59±0.10 g·kg^-1)含量较高,土壤养分的长期积累是阻止白桦天然林土壤退化的最主要原因;天然灌草地受到土壤粗粒含量和地形因素的影响,土壤质量仅次于白桦天然林;经过40年植被恢复的落叶松人工林土壤物理性质得到改良,土壤砾石含量显著降低,而土壤养分指标未发生显著变化;弃耕农田土壤质量最低的主要原因是植被覆盖低及低海拔区域较高的人类活动强度。受土壤全氮含量的影响,4种土地利用类型下的土壤质量随海拔升高而增加,且均在1700 m左右达到峰值。综上,建议加强在低海拔生态脆弱区域的封禁管理和生态恢复措施,同时兼顾高密度林分的可持续发展,增强人工林的生态适应性。     

Nitrogen acquisition and competitive ability of Kalmia angustifolia L., paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) seedlings grown on different humus forms

Two species of boreal tree seedlings, paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), and the ericaceous shrub Kalmia angustifolia L. were grown in pots with humus from a birch-dominated site and two spruce-Kalmia sites. Root systems interacted with humus form in controlling soil-N cycling as well as energy and nutritional deficiencies of soil microorganisms. In general, Kalmia seedlings affected microbial dynamics and N cycling differently than birch and spruce seedlings did. Birch and spruce seedlings reduced gross N mineralization and immobilization rates, soil mineral-N pools and the amounts of NH –N accreted on buried cation exchange resins in all three soils. Compared to birch and spruce seedlings, the growth of Kalmia resulted in significantly higher gross N mineralization rates, soil mineral-N pools and resin-NH accretion in soil from the fertile birch site. Gross N immobilization rates in all soils were generally higher with Kalmia than with spruce or birch seedlings. All three species of seedlings acquired N from the birch site soil, whereas only Kalmia seedlings acquired N from the two spruce-Kalmia site soils. Relative to control treatments, the amount of N mineralized anaerobically increased in the birch-site soil and decreased in the poor spruce-Kalmia site soil with all three species of seedlings. All seedlings increased the microbial biomass in the birch-site soil. Kalmia humus and Kalmia root systems increased microbial energy-deficiency and decreased microbial nutritional deficiency compared to the other humus and seedlings used. Results are discussed in terms of each species' nutrient acquisition mechanism and its competitive ability during secondary succession.     

Mycorrhizas and C and N transformations in the rhizospheres of Pinus sylvestris,Picea abies and Betula pendula seedlings

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula L.) seedlings were grown in a greenhouse for four months in three different soils. The soils were from a field afforestation site on former agricultural land: soil from a pine site, soil from a spruce site and soil from a birch site. Pots without seedlings were included. The aim was to discover, independent of the effects of the different quality of aboveground litter and microclimate under the tree species, whether the roots change the microbial activities and chemical characteristics of the soil, whether the changes are dependent on the tree species, and whether the changes vary in different soils. Pine, spruce and birch had, on average, five, one and six meters of roots, respectively. Birch had by far the highest number of short root tips, on average 11 450 per seedling, compared to 1900 and 450 in pine and spruce seedlings, respectively. The majority of the short roots of pine and spruce were brown sheathed mycorrhizas, and those of birch were mycorrhizas in an early stage of development. The seedlings caused no major changes in either the soil pH or the concentrations of nutrients in the soils, but did affect the microbial characteristics of the soils. The effect of the tree species did not differ in different soils. Microbial biomass C and N, C mineralization rate and the concentration of ergosterol were all higher under birch and pine than under spruce and in plantless soils. Nitrate concentrations were lowest under pine and birch, but rates of net N mineralization, nitrification and denitrification did not differ under different seedlings. The stimulative effect of pine and especially birch on soil microbes was possibly due to them having more roots and releasing more root exudates to soil. There were, however, indications that not only the length/mass of roots determined the changes in microbial activities, but also differences in root activities per unit of root or in the quality of root exudates.     

Influencing factors on early vegetation restoration in burned area of Pinus pumila – Larch forest

Pinus pumila (Dall.) Regel, a rare conifer and key species in high latitude and high altitude mountains, has an important role in soil and water conservation. This evergreen shrub grows 3–6 m high in P. pumila – larch (Larix gmelini) open forest at altitudes of 800–1200 m in the Greater Kingan Mountain Range (Daxing’an Mountain). Forest fires are major natural hazards to P. pumila – larch forest. The unique ecological role of this community gives important theoretical and practical significance to research on P. pumila – larch forest restoration after fires. Literature concerning factors influencing early vegetation restoration in burned areas in this habitat is sparse. We studied these factors, especially those related to P. pumila seedling establishment. The results showed fires in P. pumila – larch forest usually resulted in severe burns. Typically almost no P. pumila survived after fires. Nearly all ground fuels were consumed. Second growth after fires exhibited low species richness. The dominant tree/shrub seedlings found after fires were birch (Betula platyphylla) and larch, with small number of P. pumila. Other shrub seedlings found were Ledum palustre, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Betula fruticosa, and Rubus arcticus. The main herb species found were Deyeuxia langsdorffii, and Chamaenerion angustifolium. Important factors influencing early vegetation restoration after fires included seed dispersal, fire size, and site condition. Seed dispersal in birch and larch is higher than in P. pumila; more seedlings of birch and larch were found in burned areas than seedlings of P. pumila. Most seeds germinated in the first year following a fire. The extent of the burned area influences seedling distribution patterns, especially in species with limited seed dispersal ability. Birch and larch seedlings were evenly distributed in the entire burned area, while seedlings of P. pumila were found only at the fire edge. No P. pumila seedlings were found more than 50 m away from seed source trees. Site condition significantly influenced seed germination and growth in birch and larch; these seedlings only grew well in burned areas with good site conditions (shallow slopes, thick soils, etc.). They did not grow well in burned areas with poor site conditions (steep slopes, thin soils, etc.). However, P. pumila seedlings could grow well in burned areas with either good or poor site conditions. The strong vitality of P. pumila seedlings gives this species an enormous ecological advantage in soil conservation and environmental restoration and conservation. We conclude that the main factor influencing seedling establishment in P. pumila is its weak seed dispersal ability. Although the P. pumila seeds can germinate in all burned areas, natural regeneration rarely restores burned areas to the original P. pumila – larch forest. Planting seeds and/or seedlings may facilitate burned area restoration to P. pumila – larch forest. Because P. pumila seedlings grow very slowly, the restoration process may take decades.     

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

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

Effects of vegetation change and soil disturbance on ectomycorrhizas ofBetula platyphylla var.japonica: A test using seedlings planted in soils taken from various sites

The occurrence and character of different types of ectomycorrhizas of birch seedlings were investigated in soils from three naturally regenerating birch stands: a forest site, a clear-cut site, and a site recently disturbed by plowing. Birch grown in soil from an evergreen broad-leaved forest without birch was also studied. The rate of ectomycorrhizal formation in the soil from the evergreen broad-leaved forest was lower than that in the soil from the other three sites. The ectomycorrhizal formation of seedlings grown in soil from the clear-cut and plowed sites were the same as or higher than that in soil from the birch forest site. The largest number of ectomycorrhizal types were formed in soil from the birch forest site. In the soil from the plowed site, only one type of ectomycorrhiza was formed, and it was different from the dominant type formed in soils from the birch forest site and the clear-cut site. The results of this investigation showed that equal levels of ectomycorrhizas were formed in soils from the different birch stands, but the types formed were different among those sites. It is likely that the different ectomycorrhizal fungi were better adapted to the soil conditions at each of those sites.     

Nutrient limitation of plant growth on the floodplain of the Narran River, Australia: growth experiments and a pilot soil survey

Water resource development has altered the hydrological regime on the Lower Balonne River in Queensland, Australia. Concerns have been raised about possible impacts to floodplain plant communities, which support a pastoral industry and a range of native fauna. Water and nutrients commonly limit plant growth in south central Queensland, where the climate is semi-arid and the soils are infertile. Floodplain plant productivity is boosted by inundation with water, but the role of flooding in nutrient provision is not known. Growth experiments and a pilot soil survey were conducted to help determine if soil nutrient deficiencies exist and if regular flooding is required to maintain floodplain soil fertility. Soils were sampled from areas representing three flood frequency classes: high, moderate, and low. Chemical extractions were performed as a surrogate for `bioavailable' nutrients. Soil nitrogen (N) but not phosphorus (P) limited the growth of seedlings of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Gardia) based on responses to nutrient additions: plants supplied with N had greater shoot length and total biomass than plants without N. Clear evidence of an effect of flood frequency on fertility was not revealed. Neither soil P, soil N, nor plant growth varied significantly with flood frequency. However, this analysis had low statistical power. There were trends for greater biomass of seedlings grown on moderately flooded soils and thinner roots for seedlings grown on frequently flooded soils, but neither of these growth responses was clearly linked to nutrient limitation. Nevertheless, the possibility that flooding provides a nutrient subsidy to plants cannot be ruled out because of a number of factors, including the statistical power of this analysis and the possibility that short-term nutrient subsidies occur with floods.     

Effects of aluminium on growth and nutrient uptake of Betula pendula seedlings

The response to aluminium concentrations was evaluated for birch seedlings ( Betula pendula Roth, formerly Betula verrucosa Ehrh.) by using a growth technique that provides stable internal concentrations of nutrients in plants. Aluminium was added as aluminium nitrate and aluminium chloride and pH was kept at 3.8±0.2 by adding HCl or NaOH. The seedlings were grown in two different series of nutrient treatments, either with near-optimum conditions (relative addition rate 25% day⁻¹) or with constant nutrient stress (relative addition rate 10% day⁻¹) before the aluminium addition. Growth reduction occurred at aluminium concentrations greater than 3 m M , and lethal effects at aluminium concentrations greater than 15 m M . In plants subjected to near-optimum conditions before aluminium addition, the internal nutrient concentrations decreased with increasing aluminium concentration for all macronutrients. The concentration of the macronutrients N, K and P decreased gradually with increasing aluminium concentration, while the concentration of Ca and Mg decreased fairly abruptly when aluminium concentrations exceeded 1 m M . The same tendency was observed in nutrient stressed birch seedlings, but the pattern was more scattered. Relative growth rate of the seedlings was not affected by a low Ca/Al ratio. In all treatments, the molar Ca/Al ratio in/on the roots was below 0.2 at the end of the experiments. As decrease in growth occurs only at high aluminium concentrations, there is no reason to suggest that aluminium in acid soils is growth limiting for natural birch stands.     

The impact of secondary forests conversion into larch plantations on soil chemical and microbiological properties

Background and aims

Conversion of natural forests to plantations often results in a considerable loss of plant species and thus likely a reduction in quantity and quality of plant debris entering the soil. Larch plantation is widespread in northeastern China, but its ecological impacts receive little attention. This study aimed to assess soil quality under larch stands against the secondary forest stands using a suite of soil chemical and microbiological properties.

Methods

Four pairs of larch plantations and secondary forests were randomly selected from a mountainous area and mineral soils of top 15 cm were collected from each field.

Results

Soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentrations, microbial biomass, C and N mineralization and the activities of hydrolytic enzymes were significantly lower in the larch plantations than those in the secondary forests. However, light fraction C as a proportion of soil C was greater in the larch plantations, suggesting less accumulation and stabilization of soil C to heavy fraction in the larch plantations compared to the secondary forests. We also used δ¹⁵N records in light and heavy fractions to derive the relative stability of soil C and found that soil C stability was lower in the larch plantations. This was supported by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis because carboxylate stretching, which might result from microbial oxidation, was less abundant in the larch plantations.

Conclusions

The differences in soil organic matter quality between the larch plantations and the secondary forests were reliably reflected in soil microbial properties and microbially-mediated processes. Our results indicated that the larch plantations reduced soil quality as well as nutrient cycling rate.     

Correlation of greenhouse bioassay with field response to fertilizer by paper birch

Summary Bulk soil samples were collected from the top 15 cm of untreated areas adjacent to field fertilizer trials at 2 locations. Amounts of N, P, K, and lime equivalent to the field treatments were mixed with the soil in 15-cm diameter pots. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera March.) trees were grown from seed for a greenhouse bioassay. Height and dry weight of the bioassay seedlings were significantly correlated with 3-year volume growth of 10-year-old paper birch seedlings in the field. Correlation coefficients were 0.88 for height growth and 0.91 for dry weight growth on one site, and 0.72 and 0.63 on the other. With further refinements and observations on a larger number of sites, this bioassay technique should be a valuable tool for estimating potential response to fertilizer by young paper birch in the field, and for ranking the relative productivity of different soils.     

Nutrient dynamics and carbon partitioning in larch seedlings (Larix kaempferi) regenerated on serpentine soil in northern Japan

Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) grows at a relatively high rate in northern Japan, even in serpentine soil. Serpentine soil has high concentrations of heavy metals (Ni, Cr), excessive Mg, and is nutrient deficient. These factors often suppress plant growth. We examined the mechanisms of Japanese larch’s tolerance to serpentine soil. We compared growth, photosynthetic capacity, and concentrations of elements in needles and roots between larch seedlings growing in serpentine soil and in nonserpentine (i.e., brown forest) soil. Dry mass of needles, stems, and branches were lower in seedlings grown on serpentine soil than in those grown on brown forest soil. There were lower concentrations of phosphorus and potassium in seedlings grown on serpentine soil than in those grown on brown forest soil. Seedlings growing on serpentine soil had lower Ni in plant organs. Our results suggest that larch seedlings grown on serpentine soil were able to exclude toxic elements. Moreover, the photosynthetic capacity and nitrogen concentration in needles was almost the same for seedlings grown in the two soil types. A wide range in growth was observed among individuals grown on both soil types. This may be regulated by nitrogen storage in the roots.