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.     

马尾松人工林伐桩储量与分解特征

伐桩在人工林生态系统地力维持、碳吸存、生物多样性保育、水土保持等方面具有十分重要的意义, 但对其储量及其分解特征的研究并不多见。因此, 该文作者基于马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林采伐档案, 2013年7月以1999-2013年间采伐残留的伐桩为研究对象, 调查了1-15年伐桩系统的木桩(SW)、树皮(B)、根桩(SR), 以及不同径级根系(R1: 0 mm <径级≤10 mm; R2: 10 mm <径级≤25 mm; R3: 25 mm <径级≤100 mm; R4: 径级> 100 mm)的储量与分解特征。研究结果表明: 马尾松人工林整个伐桩系统储量介于5-58 t·hm^-2之间, 根桩储量最大, 木桩储量次之, 树皮储量最小, 根桩、木桩和树皮的储量均随着分解时间而降低。伐桩密度随分解时间而降低, 但木桩、根桩和粗根径级均显著影响密度的变化。木桩、树皮和根桩的分解常数分别为0.061、0.027、0.036, R1、R2、R3、R4根系的分解常数分别为0.079、0.042、0.047、0.119。由此可见, 马尾松人工林伐桩系统具有较高的储量, 但分解较慢, 且不同组分的降解速率具有显著差异。     

高寒森林不同生境对凋落叶分解灰分动态的影响

灰分是凋落叶的重要组成部分,其浓度直接关系到凋落叶的分解过程及有机组分的动态特征,且可能受生境和分解时期的影响,然而有关凋落叶分解过程中灰分动态的研究鲜有报道。采用凋落袋法,以岷江上游高寒森林4种代表性植物康定柳(Salix paraplesia)、高山杜鹃(Rhododendron lapponicum)、方枝柏(Sabina saltuaria)和四川红杉(Larix mastersiana)凋落叶为研究对象,研究了高寒森林凋落叶在3种不同环境条件下(林下、溪流、河岸带)分解过程中灰分的动态特征。结果表明,灰分量随凋落叶的分解整体呈现降低的趋势,且不同环境条件和不同物种之间存在明显的差异。与之相反,经过两年的分解,除溪流中康定柳凋落叶灰分浓度略有下降外(-0.99%),林下和河岸带中康定柳凋落叶及其它物种凋落叶中灰分浓度在所有环境条件下均表现出了增加的趋势(5.86%—72.15%)。凋落叶分解过程中灰分浓度变异量在不同分解时期存在明显或显著的差异,且受物种和环境因子的调控。这些结果表明,传统上认为凋落叶分解过程中灰分浓度比较稳定的观点是不准确的,且以凋落叶分解过程中灰分浓度不变的前提下采用无灰分质量损失(ash free mass loss)而计算凋落叶质量损失的方法存在一定的不准确性。研究为认识凋落叶分解过程中灰分的动态特征及凋落叶质量损失的测定方法提供了一定的参考。     

高山森林粗木质残体附生苔藓植物的重金属吸存特征

粗木质残体及其附生苔藓植物是高山森林生态系统中两个相互联系的基本组成部分,二者的相互作用可能影响森林生态系统重金属循环,但有关不同类型和不同腐解等级粗木质残体对附生苔藓植物重金属吸存特征尚不清楚。因此,于2015年7月在川西高山森林调查了岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)原始林内不同类型和不同腐解等级的粗木质残体附生苔藓镉、铅、铜和锌浓度与吸存特征。结果表明:高山森林粗木质残体附生苔藓植物Cd、Pb、Cu和Zn的总吸存量依次为4700mg/hm~2、21236mg/hm~2、6179mg/hm~2和2622mg/hm~2。粗木质残体附生苔藓的4种重金属吸存量都表现为倒木大枯枝枯立木根桩;倒木附生苔藓Cd、Pb、Cu和Zn吸存量分别占高山森林粗木质残体总吸存量的54.53%、66.08%、51.13%和66.30%,根桩附生苔藓重金属吸存量不足总吸存量的3%。粗木质残体的类型和腐解等级都会影响附生植物重金属吸存特征。随着腐解等级的增加,倒木和大枯枝附生苔藓中Cd和Pb呈现"积累-释放"的变化特征,其浓度和吸存量在第Ⅱ、Ⅲ腐解等级较高。附生苔藓Cu和Zn浓度和吸存量在不同腐解等级粗木质残体间的差异均不明显。这些结果表明,粗木质残体附生苔藓对重金属元素具有明显的吸存作用,为认识高山森林生态系统重金属元素循环及其迁移过程提供了新的思路,也为进一步了解粗木质残体在高山森林生态系统中的重要作用提供了新的角度。     

川西高寒生态系统不同海拔土壤动物对冬季凋落叶腐殖化过程的影响

凋落叶在冬季的腐殖化过程是高寒生态系统土壤有机质形成和碳固定的重要阶段,并可能受到严酷冻结环境下仍具有一定活性的土壤动物的影响,但缺乏必要的关注。因此,以川西高山峡谷区海拔3000、3600、4000m的高寒森林和草甸典型凋落叶为研究对象,采用不同孔径大小的凋落物网袋去除土壤动物的方法,根据凋落叶的自然腐解过程,于2013年11月—2014年4月研究了不同冻融时期(冻结前期、深冻期、融化期)土壤动物对凋落叶腐殖化过程的作用。结果表明:通过对色调系数(Δlog K)和光密度值(E_4/E_6)值的分析,在高寒生态系统中,冬季随着温度的降低土壤动物促进了凋落叶的腐殖化,而随着温度的升高土壤动物抑制了凋落叶的腐殖化。深冻期土壤动物对海拔3000m的森林凋落叶腐殖化过程具有显著促进作用;在冻结前期土壤动物对海拔3600m森林凋落叶腐殖化过程具有显著促进作用;而融化期土壤动物对海拔4000m的草甸凋落叶腐殖化过程具有显著的抑制作用;其他海拔和时期没有显著影响。冻结初期土壤动物对凋落叶的腐殖化速率的作用高于深冻期和融化期,腐殖化度在深冻期达到最大值。这些结果表明气候变化情景下冬季变暖可能导致土壤动物抑制凋落物腐殖化,减少凋落物向土壤有机质的转化。     

川西高山林线交错带凋落物纤维素分解酶活性研究

以川西高山林线交错带3种典型植被类型(针叶林、高山灌丛、高山草甸)下两个层次(LF层: 新鲜凋落物层和发酵层; H层: 腐殖质层)的凋落物为研究对象, 分别模拟凋落物分解的前期和后期阶段, 对凋落物分解过程中的纤维素酶活性及凋落物质量进行了研究。结果表明, 凋落物分解前期的纤维素酶活性和纤维素含量均显著高于分解后期, 但植被类型对LF和H层的纤维素含量的影响都不显著。双因素方差分析结果表明, 凋落物分解阶段对纤维素酶活性和纤维素含量的影响比植被类型对纤维素酶活性和纤维素含量的影响更大。不同种类的纤维素酶活性在分解前期和分解后期受到不同因子的限制。凋落物分解前期, 微晶纤维素酶和β-葡萄糖苷酶活性可能受N、P含量的限制, 而羧甲基纤维素酶主要受底物纤维素含量控制; 凋落物分解后期, 羧甲基纤维素酶和β-葡萄糖苷酶可能受C、N含量的限制。生态化学计量学的理论预测, 底物质量比C:N > 27或C:P > 186时会限制微生物生长, 因此判断高山林线交错带凋落物微生物生物量和纤维素酶活性同时受到底物N、P的限制, 尤其是高山草甸上微生物生物量在凋落物分解前期受到底物N、P的限制比分解后期更显著, 这充分说明了底物质量调控着凋落物分解过程中的纤维素酶活性和微生物生物量。     

季节性雪被对高山森林凋落物分解的影响

季节性雪被可能对高山森林凋落物分解产生重要影响, 但一直没有深入的研究。该文采用凋落物分解袋法, 于2010-2012年雪被覆盖下几个关键时期(冻结初期、深冻期和融化期)以及生长季节, 研究了川西高山森林代表性树种岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)、红桦(Betula albosinensis)、四川红杉(Larix mastersiana)和方枝柏(Sabina saltuaria)凋落叶在不同厚度冬季雪被下的分解动态。经过两年的分解, 不同雪被覆盖下岷江冷杉凋落物分解率为33.98%-39.55%, 红桦为46.49%-48.22%, 四川红杉为42.30%-44.93%, 方枝柏为40.34%-43.84%。相对于无雪被覆盖环境, 厚型雪被覆盖均小幅提高了4种凋落物两年的失重率(1.57%-5.57%)。3个针叶树种(岷江冷杉、四川红杉和方枝柏) Olson凋落物分解系数k均以厚型雪被覆盖最大, 薄型雪被覆盖最小, 而阔叶树种红桦分解系数k则表现为无雪被>薄型雪被>较厚型雪被>厚型雪被>中型雪被。尽管在第二年生长季中雪被对红桦凋落物分解的促进作用不明显, 但雪被覆盖明显促进了两年各个关键时期岷江冷杉、四川红杉和方枝柏凋落物的分解。第一年雪被期凋落物分解对当年分解总量的贡献达42.5%-65.5%, 季节性雪被变化明显改变了凋落物冬季分解格局, 对深冻期凋落物分解过程影响尤为显著。综上所述, 当前气候变化情景下冬季雪被的减少可能减缓该区森林凋落物分解过程, 但相对于易分解的阔叶凋落物, 针叶凋落物的响应特征可能更为强烈。     

长期施肥对小麦-玉米作物系统土壤颗粒有机碳和氮的影响

通过对华北平原小麦-玉米轮作农田生态系统18年田间施肥试验,研究了长期不同施肥处理对耕层(0～20 cm)土壤颗粒有机碳和氮及矿质结合有机碳和氮的影响.施肥处理包括化肥NPK不同组合（NPK、NP、NK、PK）、全部施用有机肥(OM)、一半有机肥+化肥NPK(1/2OMN)及不施肥(CK)共7个处理.结果表明：各施肥处理均能在不同程度上增加土壤颗粒有机碳和氮及矿质结合有机碳和氮含量,提高土壤颗粒有机碳和氮分配比例及颗粒有机质C/N.施肥处理颗粒有机碳和氮储量较不施肥处理分别增加11.7%～196.8%和13.0%～152.2%,土壤颗粒有机碳对总有机碳储量增加的贡献率为31.5%～67.3%,土壤颗粒有机氮对全氮储量增加的贡献率为14.3%～100.0%;矿质结合有机碳和氮储量较不施肥处理分别增加2.0%～75.0%和0.0%～69.8%.各处理颗粒有机碳和氮及矿质结合有机碳和氮储量均以OM处理最高,且有机肥与化肥NPK配施高于单施化肥各处理,而化肥处理中NPK均衡施用效果最好.说明施用有机肥、有机肥与化肥NPK配施及化肥NPK均衡施用是增加土壤颗粒有机碳和氮及矿质结合有机碳和氮的关键.     

亚热带常绿阔叶林6个常见树种凋落叶在不同降雨期的分解特征

地处长江上游的四川盆地亚热带常绿阔叶林具有典型雨热同季的气候特点,季节性干湿交替可能显著影响凋落物分解,但迄今缺乏相应的报道。因此,采用凋落物分解袋法,研究了常绿阔叶林区最具代表性的马尾松(Pinus massoniana)、柳杉(Cryptomeria fortunei)、杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)、香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)、红椿(Toona ciliata)、麻栎(Quercus acutissima)等6种凋落叶在第1年不同雨热季节的分解特征。结果表明,经历1a的分解,6种凋落叶质量残留率大小顺序依次为:红椿(27.90%)柳杉(41.39%)杉木(48.93%)麻栎(49.62%)马尾松(68.82%)香樟(72.23%),6种凋落叶在不同干湿季节质量损失差异显著(P0.05)。阔叶树种在旱季(MRS、SRS和WRS)的质量损失显著高于针叶树种。雨季(ERS和LRS)对6种凋落叶质量损失的贡献率(69.73%—89.68%)均明显大于旱季(10.32%—30.27%)。6种凋落叶在不同时期中质量损失速率差异显著(P0.05),且6种凋落叶在雨季的质量损失速率明显高于旱季。相关分析结果表明,凋落叶质量损失及其速率均与降雨量和温度呈极显著(P0.01)正相关关系。凋落叶质量损失与初始C、木质素含量及C/N、木质素/N极显著(P0.01)负相关,与N含量极显著(P0.01)正相关。这些结果表明亚热带地区森林凋落物分解的质量损失主要发生在雨季,雨季温湿度的改变可显著影响凋落物分解过程。