Edge effects of forest gap in Pinus massoniana plantations on the ecological stoichiometry of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum

Aims Pinus massoniana is one of the major plantation tree species in the low hilly lands along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Valley in China’s “Grain for Green” project. The objective of this study was to explore the edge effects of forest gap on the ecological stoichiometry of dominant tree species in a P. massoniana plantation forest.Methods We collected Cinnamomum longepaniculatum leaves in a 39-year-old P. massoniana plantation forest with seven forest gap sizes (G1: 100 m²; G2: 225 m²; G3: 400 m²; G4: 625 m²; G5: 900 m²; G6: 1 225 m²; G7: 1 600 m², and the control: closed canopy) located in Gao County, south Sichuan Province during different seasons. The contents of C, N and P in leaves were measured, and the effects of edges, seasons and their interaction on leaf C, N and P contents and C:N:P stoichiometry were evaluated.Important findings The leaf C content, C:N and C:P of C. longepaniculatum at the edge of forest gaps in different seasons were all significantly higher than those of understory plants in P. massoniana plantation. With increasing size of forest gaps, leaf C content and C:N ratio, C:P and N:P of C. longepaniculatum increased initially and then decreased with the maximum at medium size (400-900 m²). From spring to winter, leaf N and P contents of C. longepaniculatum increased after an obvious decrease; and the C:N and C:P increased first but then decreased. However, the inflection point all appeared in the summer. The nutrient utilization of C. longepaniculatum at the edge of forest gaps was more efficient in summer and autumn than in spring and winter, indicating significant edge effects. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that gap size, relative light intensity and monthly average air temperature were the main environmental factors affecting the stoichiometry of C. longepaniculatum at the different edge of forest gaps in the P. massoniana plantation. These results indicated that forest gap with size 625 m² had the highest organic matter storage and nutrient utilization efficiency in the edge areas in all seasons, and therefore had the most significant edge effect on leaf element stoichiometry.     

Accumulation of humic acid and fulvic acid during root humification of three diameters of two dominant subalpine trees in western Sichuan,China

Aims Plant roots store large amount of terrestrial carbon, but little is known about humus formation processes during the decomposing root litter. Compared with coarse roots, fine roots have greater nutrients, which may be favorable to humus formation. The objective of the study was to examine how root diameters affect their humus formation processes. Methods In this study, in order to examine the accumulation of humic acid and fulvic acid of three root diameter classes (0-2, 2-5 and 5-10 mm) of two subalpine tree species (Abies faxoniana and Picea asperata) on the eastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China, a two-year field experiment was conducted using a litter-bag method. Air-dried roots of A. faxoniana and P. asperata were placed in litterbags and incubated at 10 cm of soil depth in October 11th, 2013. Duplicate litter bags were collected in May (late winter) and October (late in the growing season) of 2014 and 2015, respectively. Concentrations of humic acid and fulvic acid were measured, and net accumulations were calculated for different periods. Important findings The concentrations of humic acid and fulvic acid were significantly influenced by root diameter that humic acid and fulvic acid decreased with increase in root diameter. Root diameter had significant effects on the net accumulation of humic acid, but not for the accumulation of fulvic acid. However, there were no significant differences in both humic acid and fulvic acid between A. faxoniana and P. asperata roots. Regardless of tree species, humic acid degraded during the winter but accumulated during the growing season. After two years of decomposition, the net accumulations of humic acid in 0-2, 2-5 and 5-10 mm roots were 8.0, 10.8 and 7.6 g·kg^-1 for P. asperata and 15.2, 8.0 and 7.8 g·kg^-1 for A. faxoniana, respectively. Conversely, the degradation of fulvic acid in 0-2, 2-5 and 5-10 mm roots were 178.0, 166.0 and 118.0 g·kg^-1 for P. asperata and 170.0, 160.0 and 128.0 g·kg^-1 for A. faxoniana, respectively. Our results suggest that diameter-associated variations in substrate quality could be an important driver for root litter humification in this subalpine forest. Moreover, diameter effect is dependent on decomposition period in this specific area.     

Effects of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on photosynthetic physiology in females and males of Populus deltoides exposed to cadmium pollution

Aims Populus deltoides is an important plantation tree species in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and in Huai River Plain. The extensively cultivated varieties are consisted of both females and males of P. deltoides. The objective of this paper was to characterize the difference in cadmium (Cd) tolerance between the sexes and the effects of symbiosis with Rhizophagus intraradices on their Cd tolerance.
Methods The experiment was carried out under semi-controlled conditions in a natural light greenhouse, protected from rain. Rhizophagus intraradices was inoculated on roots of both females and males when transplanting to a sand culture substrate. After one month, half of cuttings were exposed to Cd pollution (10 mg·kg^-1). All cuttings were irrigated with sterile water to avoid infection by other microorganism. About three months later, the gas exchange rate, net photosynthesis rate (P_n)-intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i) curve, chlorophyll fluorescence, osmotic adjustment and phytohormone content of both females and males of P. deltoides were measured.
Important findings Our main results are as follows: (1) when compared to the controls, decreases in P_n, stomatal conductance, C_i, transpiration rate, maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII), effective quantum yield of PSII, photo-chemical quenching coefficient, maximum rate of carboxylation of Rubisco, photosynthetically active radiation-saturated rate of electron transport and rate of triose phosphate utilization to a different degree in both sexes of P. deltoides under Cd pollution were found, and females exhibited a greater decrease in such parameters than males. Rhizophagus intraradices inoculation mitigated the toxic effect of Cd on such parameters to a different degree in females, not in males. (2) Under Cd pollution, there was an increase in proline content in both sexes when compared to the controls. A further increase in proline content occurred in females, not in males, when inoculated with R. intraradices. (3) When compared to the controls, there was a decrease in indoleacetic acid, but an increase in abscisic acid in leaves of both sexes when exposed to Cd pollution. The amplitude changed in both phytohormones in females was greater than that in males. Rhizophagus intraradices inoculation was helpful for recovery of phytohormone balance in females, which was not observed in males. Therefore, our results indicated that (1) there were a greater negative effect exerted by Cd pollution on gas exchange rate, carbon fixation capacity and phytohormone balance and a more impairment of photosynthetic apparatus in females when compared to males, showing a less tolerance to stress conditions in females; (2) Rhizophagus intraradices inoculation could enhance the osmotic adjustment capacity in females, thus mitigate the negative effect of Cd stress on ability of carbon fixation and phytohormone balance in females. However, such positive effects derived from R. intraradices symbiosis were not observed in males.     

干旱及镉污染对巨菌草生理和镉富集特征的影响

巨菌草因具有生长迅速、生物量大等优点而成为重金属污染修复的良好材料,干旱是影响其生长和修复能力的主要原因。该研究采用盆栽实验方法,探讨了干旱处理(25%土壤田间持水量)、镉处理(3mg·kg~(-1))及其交互处理对巨菌草生长、光合、抗氧化酶活性、活性氧含量、镉积累与分配特征的影响。结果表明:(1)与对照相比,干旱处理、镉处理及其交互处理对巨菌草生物量积累和光合作用均有一定抑制作用,但各处理巨菌草的耐性系数均较高;叶片中丙二醛(MDA)含量及过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性在各处理下均不同程度升高,抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性在交互处理下显著升高,而超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性在镉处理和交互处理下显著降低。(2)与单一处理相比,无论从生物量积累,还是叶片活性氧引起的细胞膜受损伤程度(用MDA表示)来看,交互处理并没有引起更严重的负面效应。(3)镉和交互处理下巨菌草各器官的镉含量均显著增加,且主要积累在根部;与镉处理相比,交互处理显著降低巨菌草的镉富集量,但未显著降低其地上部镉富集量。研究发现,巨菌草具有较强的耐旱性和抗镉污染的能力,干旱与镉交互处理并不会造成更严重的叠加负面影响,但会显著降低巨菌草地下部的镉富集量;在受到干旱及镉污染交互影响的区域种植巨菌草具有良好的修复前景。     

高山森林林窗和生长基质对苔藓植物氮和磷含量的影响

苔藓在森林生态系统养分富集和循环方面有重要作用,苔藓植物在氮磷循环中的作用可能受到森林更新和生长基质的影响.为理解苔藓在森林生态系统养分循环中的作用,研究了高山森林不同位置(林窗中心、林窗边缘、林下)和不同生长基质(活立木、倒木、枯立木、大枯枝、根桩、地表)上的苔藓植物氮磷含量.结果表明:地表苔藓氮含量(3.12 mg·g^-1)显著低于其他生长基质上的苔藓,尽管枯立木附生苔藓氮含量高达17.41 mg·g^-1,但倒木、大枯枝、枯立木和活立木苔藓氮含量差异不显著;最高(1.09 mg·g^-1)和最低(0.61 mg·g^-1)的磷含量分别出现在森林地表和枯立木的苔藓,且森林地表的苔藓磷含量显著高于其他生长基质上的苔藓,但倒木、大枯枝、根桩和活立木上的苔藓磷含量差异不显著.林窗位置显著影响了倒木和大枯枝上的苔藓氮、磷含量,林窗内倒木和大枯枝上的苔藓氮、磷含量显著高于林窗边缘.粗木质残体的类型、腐烂等级对苔藓氮、磷含量的影响存在差异,两者交互作用的影响显著;第Ⅴ腐烂等级倒木上的苔藓氮含量显著高于其他腐烂等级;第Ⅲ腐烂等级大枯枝上的苔藓氮含量显著高于其他腐烂等级;第Ⅱ腐烂等级倒木上的苔藓磷含量显著高于其他腐烂等级;第Ⅳ腐烂等级枯立木上的苔藓磷含量显著高于其他腐烂等级.可见,森林林窗更新和粗木质残体腐解过程会影响苔藓植物的氮、磷含量,同时影响森林生态系统的养分循环过程.     

马尾松与阔叶树种混合凋落叶分解过程中总酚和缩合单宁的变化

采用凋落物分解袋法,研究四川低山丘陵区马尾松与檫木、香椿、香樟3种阔叶树种的混合凋落叶及纯马尾松凋落叶分解过程中总酚和缩合单宁的变化特征.设置马尾松:檫木质量比为6:4、7:3、8:2,马尾松:香椿质量比为6:4、7:3、8:2,马尾松:香樟质量比为6:4、7:3、8:2混合处理.结果表明:经过180 d的分解,纯马尾松凋落叶缩合单宁的降解率为84.4%,混合凋落叶缩合单宁的降解率均高于纯马尾松凋落叶.在所有组合中,马尾松:香樟6:4混合凋落叶的缩合单宁和总酚降解率最高,分别为90.3%和68.6%,凋落叶的混合促进了马尾松凋落叶缩合单宁和总酚的分解.随着分解时间的延长,马尾松与3种阔叶凋落叶所有混合处理缩合单宁的降解率均呈现先上升后趋于稳定的趋势.而纯马尾松凋落叶、马尾松:香樟(7:3)和马尾松与香椿的所有混合处理总酚的降解率呈现在分解前90 d上升此后下降的趋势;马尾松与檫木的所有混合处理及马尾松:香樟6:4和8:2混合处理总酚降解率呈现上升趋势.混合凋落叶分解过程中,单宁和总酚的变化特征还与凋落物基质质量、凋落物分解相关酶(多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶、亮氨酸氨基肽)的活性有关.     

温度对川西亚高山3种森林土壤氮矿化的影响

川西亚高山森林群落土壤氮循环对全球气候变化非常敏感。采用室内培养法,研究川西3个森林群落(天然针叶林、云杉人工林和桦木次生林)土壤有机层和矿质土壤层无机氮含量在两个培养温度(20℃和10℃)下4周内动态变化。结果表明:培养4周后,在20℃培养条件下天然针叶林、云杉人工林和桦木次生林硝态氮含量比在10℃培养条件下分别高出104.32%、52.11%和25.57%;而铵态氮含量仅高出10.18%、24.06%和44.82%。有机层土壤氨化速率、硝化速率和净氮矿化速率大多表现为20℃显著高于10℃;相反,温度对矿质土壤层氮转化速率影响大多不显著。此外,天然林土壤净氨化速率、硝化速率和净氮矿化速率均高于桦木次生林和云杉人工林。实验期间,3个森林群落土壤净硝化速率20℃比10℃高79.03%—128.89%,而净氨化速率仅高37.81%—63.33%。综上所述,温度变化对川西亚高山森林土壤氮矿化具有显著影响,而温度效应因森林类型、土壤层次和氮形态而不同。与矿质土壤层相比,土壤有机层氮矿化对温度变化更为敏感。     

川西亚高山森林土壤动物对杨树和箭竹凋落物分解过程中微生物群落的影响

为了解凋落物分解过程中碎屑食物链土壤动物与微生物的相互联系,本研究以川西亚高山森林杨树和箭竹凋落叶为对象,通过原位控制试验,于2016年4月至2018年4月采用磷脂脂肪酸(PLFAs)生物标记法,研究了土壤动物对两种凋落叶分解过程中微生物丰度、群落结构和多样性的影响.结果表明: 土壤动物的参与显著影响两个树种凋落叶分解过程中微生物PLFAs含量,降低了分解前240天的PLFAs含量,增加了分解360~480 d的PLFAs含量;土壤动物的参与降低了杨树分解过程中的真菌/细菌比值,增加了革兰氏阳性菌(G⁺)/革兰氏阴性菌(G^-)比值,对箭竹分解过程中真菌/细菌和G⁺/G^-比值的影响作用相反;两个树种凋落叶的微生物多样性和均匀性在分解的120 d和480 d维持着较高水平,在分解的360 d和720 d急剧降低,土壤动物的参与显著影响杨树凋落叶的微生物多样性和均匀性,但对箭竹影响不显著;土壤动物对凋落叶微生物PLFAs变化的影响随分解持续时间和树种变化存在差异.亚高山森林凋落物分解过程中土壤动物与微生物群落的相互作用随季节和树种变化具有变异性.     

青藏高原东缘高寒森林小型兽类地表洞穴选择与生境特征

高寒森林地表的小型兽类洞穴是生态系统重要的景观特征,对于认识小型兽类的分布格局及其生态功能具有重要意义.为此,以青藏高原东缘典型高寒森林生态系统小型兽类洞穴为对象,于2015年夏季(7—9月)研究了其地表分布与生境特征.结果表明: 小型兽类洞穴平均洞口密度为182.8个·hm^-2,不同森林植被类型显著影响洞穴密度,表现为针叶林(328.6个·hm^-2)>针阔混交林(160.0个·hm^-2)>灌木林(125.0个·hm^-2)>阔叶林(81.5个·hm^-2)>竹林(66.7个·hm^-2). Mann-Whitney U Test和主成分分析表明,小型兽类栖息样地的乔木郁闭度、乔木均高、乔木胸径、乔木密度、地表植被盖度、倒木密度、倒木覆盖度、灌木均高都显著大于非栖息样地;乔木因子是决定小型兽类生境选择的首要因子,贡献率最大(44.8%),其次是倒木因子(23.2%)和灌草丛因子(13.9%).说明高寒森林地表有明显的小型兽类洞穴分布,其分布格局主要受植被和倒木的影响.     

川西高山林线交错带凋落叶分解速率与初始质量的关系

对我国川西高山林线交错带14种代表性植物凋落叶分解速率与初始质量的关系进行研究.结果表明: 高山林线交错带植物凋落叶分解速率（k）为0.16～1.70,乔木和苔藓凋落叶分解较慢,灌木凋落叶次之,草本凋落叶分解最快.凋落叶分解速率与N、木质素、酚类物质、C/N、C/P、木质素/N均具有显著的线性回归关系.通径分析得出,木质素/N和半纤维素含量可以解释k变异的78.4%,其中木质素/N可以解释k变异的69.5%,木质素/N对k的直接通径系数为-0.913.主成分分析表明,第1排序轴k、分解时间（t）的贡献率达99.2%,木质素/N、木质素含量、C/N、C/P与第1排序轴呈显著正相关,其中木质素/N与第1排序轴的相关关系最强(r=0.923).木质素/N是影响川西高山林线交错带植物凋落叶分解速率的关键质量指标,且凋落叶初始木质素/N越高,分解速率越低.