黄土高原樟子松和落叶松与其他树种枯落叶混合分解对土壤的影响

通过采集树木枯落叶与土壤进行室内混合分解培养试验,研究了黄土高原常见的樟子松和落叶松与其他树种枯落叶混合分解对土壤性质的影响及存在的相互作用,从而为不同树木种间关系的探索和该地区人工纯林的混交改造提供科学指导。结果表明:12种枯落叶单一分解均明显提高了土壤脲酶(54%—110%)、脱氢酶(85%—288%)和磷酸酶(81%—301%)活性以及有机质(29%—55%)和碱解N(12%—49%)含量,但对土壤速效P含量和CEC的影响存在较大差异。综合而言,樟子松分别与白桦、刺槐、白榆、柠条和落叶松枯落叶混合分解在对土壤性质的影响中存在相互促进作用,而分别与小叶杨、沙棘、紫穗槐、侧柏和辽东栎枯落叶混合分解在对土壤性质的影响中存在相互抑制作用;落叶松分别与刺槐、白桦、小叶杨和紫穗槐枯落叶混合分解在对土壤性质的影响中存在相互促进作用,而分别与柠条、侧柏、辽东栎、沙棘、油松和白榆枯落叶混合分解在对土壤性质的影响中存在相互抑制作用。     

Mediterranean dwarf shrubs and coexisting trees present different radial-growth synchronies and responses to climate

Due to their diversity and dominance in environmentally harsh sites, Mediterranean dwarf shrubs are a valuable tool to understand the consequences of climatic variability on radial growth in woody plants. We evaluate the dendrochronological potential of three Mediterranean dwarf shrubs versus three coexisting tree species inhabiting cold- (Hormathophylla spinosa vs. Pinus sylvestris), mesic- (Ononis fruticosa vs. Abies alba), and xeric sites (Linum suffruticosum vs. Pinus halepensis). Cross-sectional wood sections of the three shrub species and cores in the case of trees were visually cross-dated and ring-widths were measured and converted into residual growth indices. We used linear mixed-effects models to assess how growth indices respond to local factors and climatic variables. The radial growth of the three dwarf shrub species was more asynchronous, i.e., ring-width series differed among conspecific individuals, than that of coexisting tree species. Growth asynchrony was higher for H. spinosa than for O. fruticosa and L. suffruticosum. Similarly, the ring-width series of O. fruticosa and L. suffruticosum was strongly correlated with that of coexisting tree species, while growth series of H. spinosa and P. sylvestris was not related at all. The growth of the three dwarf shrub species was influenced by the regional climatic conditions, but to a lesser degree than coexisting tree species. The highest responsiveness of growth to climate was observed in Mediterranean dwarf shrubs from xeric sites. However, local conditions are also major drivers of growth in Mediterranean dwarf shrubs as indicated by the stronger asynchrony in ring formation of these species as compared with coexisting trees, particularly in cold sites.     

Species-specific growth-climate responses of Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii) and Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) in the Greater Khingan Range,northeast China

Responses of tree growth to climate are usually spatially heterogeneous. Besides regionally varying external environments, species specificity is a crucial factor in determining said spatial heterogeneity. A better understanding of this species specificity would improve our estimations of the warming effects on forests. In this study, we selected two widely-distributed boreal conifers, Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii) and Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica), to compare their growth-climate responses, including long-term growth-climate correlations and short-term growth resilience to drought. We sampled 160 trees and 481 tree-ring cores from the two species in two pure and two mixed forests, located in the Greater Khingan Range, northeast China. We found that Dahurian larch was generally positively correlated with spring temperature and negatively correlated with summer temperature. In contrast, Mongolian pine was more sensitive to summer moisture. Our results suggest that the main climatic limitations were low spring temperatures for Dahurian larch and summer moisture deficits for Mongolian pine. Dahurian larch represented higher growth resistance to drought, while Mongolia pine represented higher recovery. Based on this, we inferred that Dahurian larch was more vulnerable to extreme droughts, while Mongolian pine was more vulnerable to frequent droughts. We also demonstrated the effects of forest type on growth-climate responses. The negative effects of summer temperatures on Mongolian pine seemed to be more significant in mixed forests. As warming continued, Mongolian pine in this area would suffer severer moisture deficits, especially when coexisting with Dahurian larch. Our results suggest that Dahurian larch gained an advantage in the competition with Mongolian pine during high moisture stress. Driven by the warming trends, the species specificity in growth response would ultimately promote the separation of the two species in distribution. This study will help improve our estimations of the warming effects on forests and develop more species-targeted forest management practices.     

Snowmelt and early to mid‐growing season water availability augment tree growth during rapid warming in southern Asian boreal forests

Boreal forests are facing profound changes in their growth environment, including warming‐induced water deficits, extended growing seasons, accelerated snowmelt, and permafrost thaw. The influence of warming on trees varies regionally, but in most boreal forests studied to date, tree growth has been found to be negatively affected by increasing temperatures. Here, we used a network of Pinus sylvestris tree‐ring collections spanning a wide climate gradient the southern end of the boreal forest in Asia to assess their response to climate change for the period 1958–2014. Contrary to findings in other boreal regions, we found that previously negative effects of temperature on tree growth turned positive in the northern portion of the study network after the onset of rapid warming. Trees in the drier portion did not show this reversal in their climatic response during the period of rapid warming. Abundant water availability during the growing season, particularly in the early to mid‐growing season (May–July), is key to the reversal of tree sensitivity to climate. Advancement in the onset of growth appears to allow trees to take advantage of snowmelt water, such that tree growth increases with increasing temperatures during the rapidly warming period. The region's monsoonal climate delivers limited precipitation during the early growing season, and thus snowmelt likely covers the water deficit so trees are less stressed from the onset of earlier growth. Our results indicate that the growth response of P. sylvestris to increasing temperatures strongly related to increased early season water availability. Hence, boreal forests with sufficient water available during crucial parts of the growing season might be more able to withstand or even increase growth during periods of rising temperatures. We suspect that other regions of the boreal forest may be affected by similar dynamics.     

寒温带针叶林优势树种倒木分解真菌群落多样性及功能差异

为了揭示寒温带针叶林不同树种倒木分解中真菌群落的分布格局,探讨影响倒木真菌群落分布的养分驱动因子。采用Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术和R语言等分析方法对微生物多样性数据进行信息挖掘,解析白桦(Betula platyphylla Suk.)、兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii(Rupr.)Kuzen)、樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv.)倒木分解初期真菌群落的多样性及功能差异。研究发现,寒温带针叶林中白桦、樟子松倒木优势菌群为Basidiomycota(担子菌门)、Trichaptum(附毛菌属),兴安落叶松倒木优势菌群为Ascomycota(子囊菌门)、Acidea菌属。多样性分析表明,不同树种倒木真菌群落的Alpha多样性由高到低依次为兴安落叶松、白桦、樟子松,树种的差异极显著的改变了操作分类单元(OTU)、属水平上倒木真菌群落的Beta多样性。菌群生态分析表明,腐生型是3种倒木上优势真菌的主要生态类型,木质腐生为白桦、樟子松倒木上真菌的主要生活方式,土壤腐生为兴安落叶松真菌类群的主要生活方式。养分关联分析表明,pH、全碳(TC)、全氮(TN)、碳氮比(C/N)、半纤维素、木质素等养分指标在3种倒木间存在显著性差异,其中含水率(MC)、TC、TN、纤维素、半纤维素是影响倒木优势真菌群落分布的主要养分因素。不同树种对倒木真菌群落的富集具有差异性,这种差异带来的微生物多样性及功能变化对寒温带森林生态系统的物质循环具有重要的科学意义。     

Syntaxonomy of vegetation of the Svyatoi Nos peninsula, Lake Baikal 2. Forests and krummholz in comparison with other regions of northern Buryatia

Using the Braun-Blanquet approach, 7 plant communities of forests and 3 communities of krummholz were distinguished on the Svyatoi Nos Peninsula on the eastern coast of Lake Baikal. Dominant species of these communities areAbies sibirica, Larix sibirica, Pinus sibirica, P. sylvestris, P. pumila andBetula divaricata. The data from Svyatoi Nos were combined with all the available data from the northern part of the Republic of Buryatia (289 relevés) and classified into 23 communities. These have been assigned to the following alliances:Aconito rubicundi-Abietion sibiricae—floodplain forests with tall forbs and the relict occurrence of a few nemoral species,Pino sibiricae-Laricion sibiricae—mesic forests with (sub-Atlantic) boreal species and abundant mosses,Vaccinio-Pinion pumilae—krummholz communities of NE Asian distribution,Cladonio stellaris-Laricion gmelinii—Larix gmelinii dominated open forests on permafrosts with NE Asian distribution, andHieracio umbellati-Pinion sylvestris—xeric forests with southern Siberian species. Phytogeographical affinities of these alliances are discussed and a system of high-ranked syntaxa (orders, classes) is proposed for the northern Buryatian forests and krummholz.     

Variation in woody plant mortality and dieback from severe drought among soils, plant groups, and species within a northern Arizona ecotone

Vegetation change from drought-induced mortality can alter ecosystem community structure, biodiversity, and services. Although drought-induced mortality of woody plants has increased globally with recent warming, influences of soil type, tree and shrub groups, and species are poorly understood. Following the severe 2002 drought in northern Arizona, we surveyed woody plant mortality and canopy dieback of live trees and shrubs at the forest–woodland ecotone on soils derived from three soil parent materials (cinder, flow basalt, sedimentary) that differed in texture and rockiness. Our first of three major findings was that soil parent material had little effect on mortality of both trees and shrubs, yet canopy dieback of trees was influenced by parent material; dieback was highest on the cinder for pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and one-seed juniper (Juniperus monosperma). Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) dieback was not sensitive to parent material. Second, shrubs had similar mortality, but greater canopy dieback, than trees. Third, pinyon and ponderosa pines had greater mortality than juniper, yet juniper had greater dieback, reflecting different hydraulic characteristics among these tree species. Our results show that impacts of severe drought on woody plants differed among tree species and tree and shrub groups, and such impacts were widespread over different soils in the southwestern U.S. Increasing frequency of severe drought with climate warming will likely cause similar mortality to trees and shrubs over major soil types at the forest–woodland ecotone in this region, but due to greater mortality of other tree species, tree cover will shift from a mixture of species to dominance by junipers and shrubs. Surviving junipers and shrubs will also likely have diminished leaf area due to canopy dieback.     

黑龙江省帽儿山林区6种主要林分类型凋落物研究

对帽儿山林区水曲柳、落叶松等六种主要林分的年凋落量、凋落物组成及分解动态进行了观测。结果表明：(1) 六种林分的年凋落量分别为水曲柳(5.57 t·hm^-2)、蒙古栎(4. t·hm^-2)、山杨(4.27 t·hm^-2)、落叶松(4.08 t·hm^-2)、红松(5.62 t·hm^-2)、樟子松(5.56 t·hm^-2);(2) 六种林分其叶的年凋落量占年总凋落量的比例明显大于其它组分,是其凋落物中的主要组成部分;(3) 经过近1a时间的分解,测得六种林分凋落叶分解速率依次为：水曲柳>樟子松>落叶松>山杨>蒙古栎>红松;经模拟研究表明,水曲柳凋落叶95%分解需3.5 a;蒙古栎需8.0 a;山杨需6.7 a;落叶松需6.6 a;红松需8.8 a;樟子松需4.4 a。     

呼伦贝尔沙地樟子松林净初级生产力对气候变化的响应

以呼伦贝尔沙地樟子松人工林为研究对象,利用树木年轮学和解析木法,推算过去41年樟子松林的生物量和年净初级生产力,并分析年净初级生产力与气温、降水、湿度等气象因子的关系。研究表明：随着林龄的增加,樟子松林生物量变化符合逻辑斯蒂生长方程;樟子松林生物量从1977年的4.83 t/hm²到2017年的167.95 t/hm²。樟子松林净初级生产力年际差异较大,呈先增加后减小、最后趋于稳定的趋势,多年平均净初级生产力为4.08 t hm^-2 a^-1,最高达到6.13 t hm^-2 a^-1,最低为2.63 t hm^-2 a^-1。气候因子与樟子松林净初级生产力关系较为密切,并具有一定的"滞后效应";樟子松林净初级生产力与上一年8月、12月和当年3月的降水量显著相关;净初级生产力与上一年和当年8-9月的月均湿度极显著正相关;净初级生产力与各月温度均呈不同程度的负相关,尤其是上一年和当年的6-9月温度显著影响着净初级生产力。研究表明,樟子松林净初级生产力受温度和降水的综合影响,净初级生产力与气候因子的关系属于温度敏感型,未来该地区持续升温的条件下樟子松林净初级生产力可能会降低。     

河北坝上樟子松人工林径向生长及其对气候因素的响应

利用树木年轮学方法测定了河北坝上地区樟子松逐年树轮宽度和胸高断面积增量,建立了樟子松树轮宽度差值年表并分析其对气候因素的响应以及生态弹性,为河北坝上地区利用樟子松开展退化杨树防护林更新建设的适宜性提供理论参考。研究结果表明,河北坝上地区樟子松树龄在28 a左右,其生长阶段可划分为快速生长期(0—10 a),生长下降期(11—20 a)和生长平稳期(21—28 a);樟子松树轮宽度在1992—2000年期间为快速增长期((4.49±1.15)mm/a),在2001—2010年期间呈现下降趋势((3.62±1.39)mm/a),而在2011—2019年期间樟子松生长呈平稳特征((2.21±0.68)mm/a),约为快速增长期增长速度的一半;樟子松BAI在1992—2000年间一直呈上升趋势((5.09±2.26)cm~2/a),2001—2019年期间呈平稳特征((10.46±0.67)cm~2/a),表现出稳定且持续的生长能力。樟子松差值年表与气候因素的相关性显示：樟子松径向生长主要与上一年生长季末期(9、10月)、休眠期(12月)及当年生长季(7月)平均温度和最高温度呈显著负相关,其中...     

长期极端高温胁迫对樟子松幼苗生物量及非结构性碳水化合物的影响

采集东北地区(红花尔基、黑河、漠河)3个地理种群樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica)的种子在温室进行育苗和培养,通过连续4年温室持续高温控制培育实验。研究了极端高温(+15℃,+18℃,+21℃)对不同地理种群樟子松幼苗的株高、基径、根冠比、生物量分配及非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)含量的影响,探明樟子松对高温的耐受程度。结果表明:不同地理种群间幼苗的株高、基径、生物量累积存在显著差异,株高、基径、生长速率和总生物量都表现为:黑河(He)(+15℃)红花尔基(Ho)(+18℃)漠河(M)(+21℃);根冠比大小依次为:红花尔基(Ho)(+18℃)黑河(He)(+15℃)漠河(M)(+21℃)。可溶性糖和淀粉百分含量在同种群不同器官,及不同种群相同器官间均有差异。可溶性糖与淀粉在不同种群间均表现为:黑河(He)(+15℃)红花尔基(Ho)(+18℃)漠河(M)(+21℃),可溶性糖与淀粉在不同地理种群的相同器官中均表现为:叶根茎。黑河樟子松种群的幼苗对高温胁迫表现出较强的适应能力,具有比红花尔基和漠河樟子松更强的抗高温胁迫的生理基础,意味着樟子松幼苗可适应升高15℃的高温环境,而升高20℃则对其产生严重胁迫,是东北地区适应未来全球气候变暖的理想樟子松种源。     

Contrasting climate-growth relationship between Larix gmelinii and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica along a latitudinal gradient in Daxing’an Mountains,China

The Daxing’an Mountains is one of the areas with the most serious climate warming in northern China. Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii) and Mongolian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) are two major coniferous species in boreal forests of the region. Their growth-climate relationship is crucial for understanding the effects of climate change on boreal forest ecosystems. To examine and compare the changes of climate-growth relationship between larch and pine, a total of 418 tree-ring cores of the two species were collected at six sites in the Daxing’an Mountains, and the tree-ring chronologies were developed. The results showed that water availability (Palmer Drought Severity Index, PDSI) played a key role in the stable growth of larch and pine. The temperature and precipitation in January, June-August are important factors affecting the radial growth of the two coniferous species along the latitude gradient. The correlation coefficients of growth and the seasonal temperature and precipitation of larch and pine showed a completely opposite trend with the increase of latitude. In summer and autumn, the correlation coefficients between larch growth and seasonal mean temperature decreased first and then increased with the increase of latitude, while that of pine, on the contrary, increased first and then decreased. In winter, spring and autumn, the correlation coefficients between larch growth and seasonal total precipitation decreased first and then increased with the increase of latitude, while that of pine was opposite. However, the correlation coefficients between larch and pine growth and PDSI showed the same trend with the increase of latitude, decreasing at first and then increasing. Before and after rapid warming (around 1980), the correlation coefficients between larch and pine growth and PDSI showed a completely opposite change. Our findings emphasize that the growth-climate relationships of Dahurian larch and Mongolian Scotts pine shows an opposite trend with latitude, which means that the two species may exhibit a completely opposite response with climate change along the latitude gradient.     

黄土高原不同树种枯落叶混合分解效应

混交林中不同树种枯落物混合分解是否产生促进或抑制作用是评价种间关系和混交适宜性的重要依据之一。以黄土高原主要树种为对象,通过室内枯落叶混合分解模拟试验,结果表明:(1)沙棘、白榆、柠条和小叶杨枯落叶分解最快(周转期1 a左右),其次为旱柳、侧柏和白桦枯落叶(周转期略大于1 a),紫穗槐、辽东栎和刺槐枯落叶分解稍慢(周转期1.5 a左右),而樟子松、落叶松和油松枯落叶分解最慢(周转期略大于2 a)。(2)对于针叶树,与油松枯落叶混合,存在明显促进分解作用的是侧柏、落叶松,其次是白桦、沙棘和刺槐;与樟子松枯落叶混合,存在明显促进分解作用的是落叶松、侧柏、沙棘、白榆,其次是柠条、紫穗槐和小叶杨,而存在明显抑制分解作用的是刺槐,其次是白桦和辽东栎;与落叶松枯落叶混合,存在较明显促进分解作用的是白榆、白桦和辽东栎,存在较明显抑制作用的是刺槐;紫穗槐与侧柏枯落叶混合存在较明显的抑制分解作用。(3)对于阔叶树,与小叶杨枯落叶混合,存在较明显促进分解作用的是紫穗槐,其次是辽东栎和刺槐;与刺槐枯落叶混合,存在较明显促进分解作用的是白榆和沙棘,存在明显抑制分解作用的是柠条,其次是辽东栎和白桦;与白桦枯落叶混合,存在较明显促进分解作用的是辽东栎和紫穗槐,存在较明显抑制分解作用的是柠条;白榆与辽东栎、旱柳枯落叶混合均存在较明显的促进分解作用,而白榆与柠条枯落叶混合存在较明显的抑制分解作用;紫穗槐与旱柳、沙棘枯落叶混合均存在较明显的促进分解作用,而紫穗槐与柠条枯落叶混合有较明显的抑制作用。     

The structure and dynamics of old-growth Pinus sylvestris (L.) stands in the Wigry National Park,north-eastern Poland

The paper describes the structure and the developmental trends of old-growth Pinus sylvestris stands in the Wigry National Park, in north-eastern Poland. The stands represent a transitional zone between deciduous forests of Central Europe and boreal, coniferous forests of north-eastern Europe. Besides P. sylvestris, the most important tree species are Picea abies and Quercus robur. Among the subcanopy species, Corylus avellana and Sorbus aucuparia occur most frequently. On the basis of the data from 6 permanent sample plots (total size: 1.90 ha), several parameters and stand indices are analysed including species composition of the canopy and the regeneration, diameter distribution, age structure of main tree species, and the relationship between canopy and spatial dispersion of woody regeneration. The most striking feature of the stands studied is the almost complete absence of natural regeneration of P. sylvestris. This seems to be in contradiction with the apparently natural origin of this species in the stands, and a common occurrence of natural disturbances resulting in openings and gaps in forest canopy. The main tree species replacing P. sylvestris in the canopy are P. abies and Q. robur. Also increasing are some broad-leaved species typical of high fertility sites: Acer platanoides, Tilia cordata, Ulmus glabra, and Fraxinus excelsior. A shrub C. avellana occurs extensively competing with tree species and delaying tree replacement processes. While no direct data on the changes in the site conditions can be provided and the recovery hypothesis appears to be the most straightforward explanation of the changes in P. sylvestris stands, the possible role of the allogenic changes in environmental conditions (climate warming, nitrogen deposition) is also discussed.     

Effects of different planting methods on the early establishment of two introduced tree species in the Mu Us Sandy Land of China

We investigated the effects of planting density and relative ground height (distance from the water table) on the early establishment of two introduced tree species [Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) and white poplar (Populus alba var. pyramidalis)] in the Mu Us Sandy Land of China; we used GLMM to analyze experimental effects. In total, 14 afforestation plots (seven plots per species) with variable relative ground heights were established on a shifting sand dune. Trees were planted at intervals of 3, 5, and 7 m, and the distances between neighboring trees were fixed within plots. Planting intervals and numbers of neighboring trees were treated as measures of planting density, and relative ground height was treated as an indicator of water supply stability. For both species, tree survival rates decreased with increasing planting interval; the number of neighboring trees had a positive effect on survival. The effect of relative ground height differed between species. Pine tree survival rates decreased with increased relative ground height, while the survival rates of poplar trees were unaffected. We recommend that pine trees be planted at high density on lower sectors of sand dunes to prevent wind erosion in early spring. Poplar trees should be planted at high density without reference to relative ground height for the provision of fuelwood.     

Wildfires affect tree growth and resilience in Northeastern China natural Dahurian larch forests: A dendrochronological perspective

Wildfires are natural and ubiquitous disturbances in boreal forests. Assessing their impacts on tree growth and resilience are particularly important to recognize the adaptation strategies of fire-tolerant species and forest succession in fire conditions. To date, the growth resilience of fire-tolerant species in boreal forests remains largely unquantified, and the drivers of resilience are poorly understood. Here, we measured the tree-ring widths of 99 fire-scarred trees from three sites in natural Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii) forests. Three moderate-severity fire events in years 1987, 1990, and 2000 occurring at three sites were detected from the records of local forestry bureau. Based on tree-ring width data, we calculated resilience components (i.e., resistance, recovery, resilience and relative resilience) to quantify the responses of growth resilience in the larch trees to fires and analyzed their drivers at three sites. Results indicated that fires significantly reduced the tree growth. With the increasing tree age, these reductions were more pronounced. As for resilience components, our study showed a limited resistance but high recovery of tree growth against fires, and resistance tended to increase northwards but recovery showed the opposite, suggesting a growth-survival tradeoff was exhibited in Dahurian larch trees. With an increasing tree age, regional resistance and resilience showed a decreasing trend, whereas recovery and relative resilience showed an increasing trend. Resilience components were mainly affected by the climatic factors in spring. An increase in moisture availability enhanced resistance, a reduction in diurnal temperature range enhanced recovery, and an increase in mean temperature enhanced resilience and relative resilience. This study reveals that Dahurian larch could be even less favorable when faced with moderate or severe fire events, but a high capacity of recovery enables this species to adapt to the fire-prone condition. Moreover, this work highlights that the resilience of tree growth should be considered to understand tree behaviors and survival strategies of boreal forests following fires across fire-prone regions under future climate warming.     

辽宁省人工林樟子松径向生长对水热梯度变化的响应

基于树轮年代学的理论和方法,建立辽宁地区人工林樟子松年轮宽度年表网络,研究人工林樟子松树木年轮生长变化,探讨樟子松生长与气候变化的关系以及其对水热梯度变化的响应规律。结果表明,研究区各采样点人工林樟子松的径向生长变化呈现较为一致的显著下降趋势(P0.05),并且下降趋势由西北至东南降低。空间上水平上,研究区樟子松的径向生长与研究区降水和相对湿度的空间梯度变化吻合(P0.05),均呈西北至东南增加的特点;各采样点樟子松年轮宽度变化的平均敏感度与降水量、相对湿度显著负相关关系(P0.05),但与温度的正相关关系不显著。各样点樟子松径向生长与月降雨量和月平均相对湿度多呈正相关关系,与月平均温度多呈负相关关系,进一步表明区域水分因子对人工林樟子松生长的限制作用明显。     

Effects of wind and thermal conditions on timberline formation in central Japan: a lattice model

The upper distribution limit of tall tree species Abies mariesii is the timberline in central Japan, and dwarf pine Pinus pumila dominates above the timberline to near the summit. My previous studies suggested that the main cause of the timberline formation is the increase in mortality due to strong wind in winter rather than low growth due to low summer temperature. This study evaluated how wind velocity affects timberline formation and if the altitude of timberline moves upward due to high thermal conditions, by using a lattice model. Increase in wind velocity throughout the altitude lowered the altitudes of upper distribution limits of the two species. On the contrary, prolonged growth period due to high thermal conditions increased the upper distribution limit of P. pumila, and the upper distribution limit of A. mariesii was hardly affected by the change of growth period. However, the upward shift of the upper distribution limit of P. pumila due to the prolonged growth period in the model would not be realistic because P. pumila had already distributed up to near the summit. This study concludes that A. mariesii is a superior competitor to P. pumila at low altitudes with low wind velocity, but dwarf pine P. pumila can dominate at higher altitudes because A. mariesii suffers severe mechanical damage due to strong wind in winter, and that the altitude of the timberline does not move upward even under high thermal conditions due to global warming.     

Arboreal and prostrate conifers coexisting in Mediterranean high mountains differ in their climatic responses

In contrast to most high elevation areas, plant growth at Mediterranean mountains is exposed to a summer drought period, which represents an additional climatic constraint to low temperatures. Although arboreal and shrubby conifers coexist at high altitudes, most dendroecological studies have focused on climatic responses of tree species, whereas those of shrubby species remain mostly unexplored. We built tree-ring width chronologies for two conifer species, a shrub (Juniperus sabina) and a tree (Pinus sylvestris), coexisting at three high-altitude localities of the Iberian System mountains, eastern Spain. We analyzed their climate–growth relationships for the period 1950–2009 using correlation analyses and multiple regressions. Coexisting species responded to year-to-year climatic variability in different ways. Radial growth in junipers and pines responded positively to April and May temperatures, respectively. Summer drought constrained growth in both cases, although its impact was stronger on junipers than on pines. Our findings suggest that junipers respond earlier than pines to spring temperatures due to their prostrate morphology which may enhance a fast warming of their cambial meristems after snowmelt. The higher dependence of J. sabina on summer rainfall as compared with co-occurring pines confirms that drought stress negatively impacts secondary growth in Mediterranean mountains. This sensitivity to water availability may be caused by the juniper shallow root systems, which mainly use superficial soil water. The climatic signal registered in J. sabina allows studying the response of other similar shrubby woody species growing in Mediterranean alpine areas to the ongoing climate warming, which could also reduce water availability.     

塞罕坝地区人工针叶林径向生长对水热条件的响应

树木生长对水热条件响应的研究在揭示气候变化的生态影响中发挥着重要作用。为探讨水热因子对亚洲最大的人工针叶林生长的影响及不同树种生长-水热因子关系特征,选取塞罕坝地区龄级较高的人工针叶林群落的优势树种华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)和樟子松(Pinus sylvestrisvar.mongolica),采集树木年轮样芯,并通过年轮宽度数据建立标准年表。通过分析两树种的标准年表数据与气温、地温、降水量、饱和水汽压差等水热因子的相关关系,揭示不同树种对水热因子响应的异同。研究结果显示:华北落叶松的生长受到6、7、9月的干旱胁迫和8月过多降水的限制,同时受到冬季较高的平均地温和降水的促进;樟子松的生长则受到夏季的高温干旱胁迫和8月过多降水的抑制,但8月较高的平均地温以及春季较高的平均最低地温对樟子松的生长存在明显促进作用。塞罕坝地区华北落叶松受干旱胁迫强于樟子松,而樟子松受较低地温的胁迫强于华北落叶松。考虑到区域增温的趋势,推断樟子松应是更适合在塞罕坝等半干旱地区继续进行大面积人工造林和经营管理的树种。