Can the biomass-ratio hypothesis predict mixed-species litter decomposition along a climatic gradient?

Background and Aims

The biomass-ratio hypothesis states that ecosystem properties are driven by the characteristics of dominant species in the community. In this study, the hypothesis was operationalized as community-weighted means (CWMs) of monoculture values and tested for predicting the decomposition of multispecies litter mixtures along an abiotic gradient in the field.

Methods

Decomposition rates (mg g⁻¹ d⁻¹) of litter from four herb species were measured using litter-bed experiments with the same soil at three sites in central France along a correlated climatic gradient of temperature and precipitation. All possible combinations from one to four species mixtures were tested over 28 weeks of incubation. Observed mixture decomposition rates were compared with those predicted by the biomass-ratio hypothesis. Variability of the prediction errors was compared with the species richness of the mixtures, across sites, and within sites over time.

Key Results

Both positive and negative prediction errors occurred. Despite this, the biomass-ratio hypothesis was true as an average claim for all sites (r = 0·91) and for each site separately, except for the climatically intermediate site, which showed mainly synergistic deviations. Variability decreased with increasing species richness and in less favourable climatic conditions for decomposition.

Conclusions

Community-weighted mean values provided good predictions of mixed-species litter decomposition, converging to the predicted values with increasing species richness and in climates less favourable to decomposition. Under a context of climate change, abiotic variability would be important to take into account when predicting ecosystem processes.     

模拟增温和不同凋落物基质质量对凋落物分解速率的影响

采用凋落物分解袋法,研究了在土壤、水分相当的条件下模拟增温对红松(Pinus koraiensis)、蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)及其混合凋落物分解的影响,以及在不同温度水平下,不同凋落物质量(两种单一凋落物和混合凋落物)的分解特性。利用碱式吸收法测量了凋落物分解累积释放CO₂动态。将N浓度和C/N率作为凋落物质量参数,用呼吸产生CO₂的积累值和凋落物质量损失率确定凋落物分解率。结果表明温度升高对单一凋落物和混合凋落物分解均有促进作用,在不同温度水平上,不同质量凋落物的分解特性有所差别,25 ℃和29 ℃条件下混合凋落物分解速率>蒙古栎单一凋落物>红松单一凋落物分解速率。然而,在31 ℃条件下混合凋落物与蒙古栎单一凋落物分解速率相差不大,二者均大于红松单一凋落物分解速率。     

Relative Susceptibility of Four Pine Species to Infection by Pinewood Nematode

Mature trees of eastern white, jack, Scotch, and shortleaf pines were inoculated with 25,000-34,000 pinewood nematodes, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, isolated from infected Scotch pines in Missouri. Equal numbers of trees of each species inoculated with distilled water served as controls. Nine of fifteen Scotch pines died within 4 months of nematode infection or during the winter and early spring following infection. A single eastern white and shortleaf pine died. No jack pines died. A single Scotch pine control died, apparently the result of natural nematode infection. No other controls died. Mean oleoresin flow did not differ among nematode-inoculated jack and shortleaf pines and their respective controls. Oleoresin flow in nematode-inoculated eastern white and Scotch pines was significantly lower than in their controls. Oleoresin flow was temporarily reduced in mortality-resistant eastern white and Scotch pines following nematode infection. Thus a sublethal impact of nematode infection on mortality-resistant host trees was documented.     

Factors affecting stress tolerance in recalcitrant embryonic axes from seeds of four Quercus (Fagaceae) species native to the USA or China

MethodsWater relations and survival of excised axes in response to water loss and cryo-exposure were compared for four Quercus species from subtropical China (Q. franchetii, Q. schottkyana) and temperate USA (Q. gambelii, Q. rubra).ConclusionsQuercus species adapted to arid and semi-humid climates still produce recalcitrant seeds. The ability to avoid freezing rather than drought may be a more important selection factor to increase desiccation tolerance. Cryopreservation of recalcitrant germplasm from temperate species is currently feasible, whilst additional protective treatments are needed for ex situ conservation of Quercus from tropical and subtropical areas.     

蒙古栎、白桦根系分解及养分动态

采用埋袋法对蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)、白桦(Betula platyphylla)两个树种粗根(>10 mm)、中粗根(5—10 mm)、中根(2—5 mm)和细根(<2 mm)的分解速率和养分动态进行研究。结果表明,根系的重量保持率随时间增加呈下降趋势,这种趋势可用Olson指数衰减模型来拟合,即:Xt/X0=e-kt(t为分解时间,X0为根系初始干重,Xt为分解t时间的残留干重,k为年分解系数),通过拟合计算出年分解系数k。在本研究中,蒙古栎粗根、中粗根、中根、细根的年分解系数分别为:0.2928、0.2562、0.2928、0.3660;白桦依次分别为:0.2196、0.3294、0.3660、0.4392,基本呈现随直径增加分解速率减小的趋势。根系分解过程中,两树种各径级均是N浓度增加,可溶性糖浓度减小。在根系分解的不同时期两树种各径级N表现出不同程度的释放或富集,没有明显的规律性;可溶性糖却一直处于释放状态。分解1a时间,蒙古栎各径级根系表现为释放N元素;白桦表现为细根和中根释放N元素,中粗根和粗根富集N元素。蒙古栎、白桦细根和中根可溶性糖的释放率达90%以上,中粗根和粗根的释放率达80%以上。     

Leaf-traits and growth allometry explain competition and differences in response to climatic change in a temperate forest landscape: a simulation study

Background and Aims

The ability to simulate plant competition accurately is essential for plant functional type (PFT)-based models used in climate-change studies, yet gaps and uncertainties remain in our understanding of the details of the competition mechanisms and in ecosystem responses at a landscape level. This study examines secondary succession in a temperate deciduous forest in eastern China with the aim of determining if competition between tree types can be explained by differences in leaf ecophysiological traits and growth allometry, and whether ecophysiological traits and habitat spatial configurations among PFTs differentiate their responses to climate change.

Methods

A temperate deciduous broadleaved forest in eastern China was studied, containing two major vegetation types dominated by Quercus liaotungensis (OAK) and by birch/poplar (Betula platyphylla and Populus davidiana; BIP), respectively. The Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator (TESim) suite of models was used to examine carbon and water dynamics using parameters measured at the site, and the model was evaluated against long-term data collected at the site.

Key Results

Simulations indicated that a higher assimilation rate for the BIP vegetation than OAK led to the former''s dominance during early successional stages with relatively low competition. In middle/late succession with intensive competition for below-ground resources, BIP, with its lower drought tolerance/resistance and smaller allocation to leaves/roots, gave way to OAK. At landscape scale, predictions with increased temperature extrapolated from existing weather records resulted in increased average net primary productivity (NPP; +19 %), heterotrophic respiration (+23 %) and net ecosystem carbon balance (+17 %). The BIP vegetation in higher and cooler habitats showed 14 % greater sensitivity to increased temperature than the OAK at lower and warmer locations.

Conclusions

Drought tolerance/resistance and morphology-related allocation strategy (i.e. more allocation to leaves/roots) played key roles in the competition between the vegetation types. The overall site-average impacts of increased temperature on NPP and carbon stored in plants were found to be positive, despite negative effects of increased respiration and soil water stress, with such impacts being more significant for BIP located in higher and cooler habitats.     

Spatial pattern of long-distance symplasmic transport and communication in trees

Symplasmic short- and long-distance communication may be regulated at different levels of plant body organization. It depends on cell-to-cell transport modulated by plasmodesmata conductivity and frequency but above all on morphogenetic fields that integrate a plant at the supracellular level. Their control of physiological and developmental processes is especially important in trees, where the continuum consists of 3-dimensional systems of: 1) stem cells in cambium, and 2) living parenchyma cells in the secondary conductive tissues. We found that long-distance symplasmic transport in trees is spatially regulated. Uneven distribution of fluorescent tracer in cambial cells along the branches examined illustrates an unknown intrinsic phenomenon that can possibly be important for plant organism integration. Here we illustrate the spatial dynamics of symplasmic transport in cambium, test and exclude the role of callose in its regulation, and discuss the mechanism that could possibly be responsible for the maintenance of this spatial pattern.     

长白山牛皮杜鹃凋落物分解及土壤动物的作用

凋落物分解是生态系统养分循环的重要环节。土壤动物对凋落物分解具有重要作用。有关高山常绿小灌木凋落物分解及土壤动物作用的研究鲜有报道。采用凋落物网袋法对长白山北坡岳桦林带(42°03'41.23″N,128°03'12.75″E,1900 m)牛皮杜鹃(Rhododendron chrysanthum)凋落物的分解过程进行了为期1a的野外观测与室内试验研究,采用4、2 mm和0.01 mm三种网孔凋落物袋来控制不同体型的土壤动物的参与,以研究凋落物的分解率、养分动态及土壤动物在凋落物分解中的作用。结果表明,4、2 mm和0.01 mm网孔凋落物分解率分别为34.19%、31.22%和25.45%。分解率表现出显著的季节差异性。从总体上来看,网袋内凋落物的总氮含量先增后减;C/N呈下降趋势。对分解起主要作用的优势类群是甲螨亚目和等节跳科。土壤动物总个体数与养分元素的释放关系显著,中小型土壤动物对有机碳的释放起到重要作用。截至2012年10月末试验结束,全部土壤动物对牛皮杜鹃凋落物分解质量损失的贡献率为25.57%,中小型土壤动物贡献率(16.88%)大型土壤动物贡献率(8.69%)。大型土壤动物和中小型土壤动物在牛皮杜鹃凋落物分解过程中所起的作用,具有不同步性。     

滇中亚高山地带性植被凋落物分解对模拟氮沉降的响应

模拟氮(N)沉降对凋落物分解特征的影响对研究森林生态系统物质循环响应大气N沉降的内在机理和应对N沉降全球化具有重要意义。从2018年2月至2019年1月,对滇中亚高山常绿阔叶林(Evergreen broad-leaf forest)和高山栎林(Quercus semecarpifolia forest)两种地带性植被进行模拟N沉降试验,利用尼龙网袋法对两种林型凋落叶和凋落枝进行原位分解试验,N沉降处理水平分别为对照CK(Control check, 0 g N m^-2 a^-1)、低氮LN(Low nitrogen, 5 g N m^-2 a^-1)、中氮MN(Medium nitrogen, 15 g N m^-2 a^-1)和高氮HN(High nitrogen, 30 g N m^-2 a^-1)。结果表明:常绿阔叶林凋落叶和凋落枝分解率分别为44.84%和21.96%,均高于高山栎林的35.97%(凋落叶)和17.5...     

Pathogenicity of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus on Pines in Minnesota and Wisconsin

The pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, was inoculated into established native jack and red pines (Pinus banksiana and P. resinosa) and exotic Austrian pine (P. nigra) in Minnesota and Wisconsin forests during summer 1981. The nematode isolates did not kill established nonstressed pine trees growing in the forest. However, the same nematode isolates killed pine seedlings under greenhouse conditions. Girdling the main stem of some trees to induce stress resulted in the death of the majority of inoculated and noninoculated branches of Austrian and jack pines, but no branch death was observed on red pine. Greater numbers of nematodes were extracted from branches of inoculated, girdled trees than from nongirdled trees. The mean number of nematodes extracted from branches of inoculated, nongirdled trees was 0.3 - 14 nematodes per gram of wood.     

模拟N沉降下不同林龄马尾松林凋落叶分解-土壤C、N化学计量特征

模拟N沉降对森林生态系统的影响是当今全球变化生态学研究的一个热点问题,土壤碳库对N沉降比较敏感,N沉降增加了凋落叶分解过程中外源N含量,间接影响凋落叶分解的化学过程并改变凋落叶分解速率,因此,研究模拟N沉降下凋落叶分解-土壤C-N关系对预测森林C吸存有重要意义。利用原位分解袋法研究了模拟N沉降下三峡库区不同林龄马尾松林(Pinus massoniana)凋落叶分解过程中凋落叶-土壤C、N化学计量响应及其关系;N沉降水平分对照(CK,0 g m~(-2)a~(-1))、低氮(LN,5 g m~(-2)a~(-1))、中氮(MN,10 g m~(-2)a~(-1))和高氮(HN,15 g m~(-2)a~(-1))。结果表明:分解540 d后,N沉降促进20年生和30年生马尾松林凋落叶分解,46年生马尾松林中仅低氮处理促进凋落叶分解,4种处理均是30年生分解最快,说明同一树种起始N含量低的凋落叶对N沉降呈正响应,N沉降处理促进起始N含量低的凋落叶分解,起始N含量高的凋落叶分解过程中易达到"N饱和"。N沉降抑制20年生和46年生凋落叶C释放(低于对照0.62%—6.69%),促进30年生C释放(高于对照0.28%—5.55%);30年生和46年生林分N固持量均高于对照(高于对照0.15%—21.34%),20年生则低于对照(5.70%—13.87%),说明模拟N沉降处理促进起始C含量低的凋落叶C释放和起始N含量低的凋落叶N固持。N沉降处理下仅30年生马尾松林土壤有机碳较对照增加,且土壤有机质与凋落叶C、N和分解速率呈正相关,与凋落叶C/N比呈显著负相关;土壤总氮与凋落叶分解速率、凋落叶N含量呈正相关,土壤有机碳/总氮比与凋落叶C、N含量呈正相关;对照处理中凋落叶分解指标对土壤养分影响顺序是分解速率凋落物C含量凋落物C/N比凋落物N含量,低、中、高氮处理中则是凋落物C含量分解速率凋落物N含量凋落物C/N比。研究表明低土壤养分含量马尾松林对N沉降呈正响应,N沉降促进低土壤养分马尾松林凋落叶分解并提高土壤肥力;凋落叶质量和土壤养分含量低的生态系统土壤C对N沉降响应更显著。     

Experimentally reduced root–microbe interactions reveal limited plasticity in functional root traits in Acer and Quercus

Background and Aims

Interactions between roots and soil microbes are critical components of below-ground ecology. It is essential to quantify the magnitude of root trait variation both among and within species, including variation due to plasticity. In addition to contextualizing the magnitude of plasticity relative to differences between species, studies of plasticity can ascertain if plasticity is predictable and whether an environmental factor elicits changes in traits that are functionally advantageous.

Methods

To compare functional traits and trait plasticities in fine root tissues with natural and reduced levels of colonization by microbial symbionts, trimmed and surface-sterilized root segments of 2-year-old Acer rubrum and Quercus rubra seedlings were manipulated. Segments were then replanted into satellite pots filled with control or heat-treated soil, both originally derived from a natural forest. Mycorrhizal colonization was near zero in roots grown in heat-treated soil; roots grown in control soil matched the higher colonization levels observed in unmanipulated root samples collected from field locations.

Key Results

Between-treatment comparisons revealed negligible plasticity for root diameter, branching intensity and nitrogen concentration across both species. Roots from treated soils had decreased tissue density (approx. 10–20 %) and increased specific root length (approx. 10–30 %). In contrast, species differences were significant and greater than treatment effects in traits other than tissue density. Interspecific trait differences were also significant in field samples, which generally resembled greenhouse samples.

Conclusions

The combination of experimental and field approaches was useful for contextualizing trait plasticity in comparison with inter- and intra-specific trait variation. Findings that root traits are largely species dependent, with the exception of root tissue density, are discussed in the context of current literature on root trait variation, interactions with symbionts and recent progress in standardization of methods for quantifying root traits.     

How the timberline formed: altitudinal changes in stand structure and dynamics around the timberline in central Japan

Background and Aims

Altitudinal timberlines are thought to move upward by global warming, a crucial topic in ecology. Tall tree species (the conifer Abies mariesii and the deciduous broad-leaved Betula ermanii) dominate the sub-alpine zone between 1600 and 2500 m a.s.l., the timberline, on Mount Norikura in central Japan. Dwarf pine Pinus pumila dominates above the timberline to near the summit (3026 m a.s.l.). This study evaluated how the timberline formed on Mount Norikura by examining altitudinal changes in stand structure and dynamics around the timberline.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-five plots of 10 m × 10 m were established around the timberline (2350–2600 m a.s.l.). Trunk diameter growth rate during 6 years was examined for A. mariesii, B. ermanii and P. pumila. Mortality during this period and mechanical damage scars on the trunks and branches due to strong wind and snow were examined for A. mariesii only.

Key Results

The density, maximum trunk height and diameter of A. mariesii in plots decreased with altitude. The maximum trunk height of B. ermanii decreased with altitude, but density and maximum trunk diameter did not decrease. In contrast, the density of P. pumila abruptly increased from around the timberline. A strong negative correlation was found between the densities of P. pumila and tall tree species, indicating their interspecific competition. Trunk diameter growth rates of A. mariesii and B. ermanii did not decrease with altitude, suggesting that these two tall tree species can grow at the timberline. The ratio of trees with mechanical damage scars increased with altitude for A. mariesii, a tendency more conspicuous for larger trees. The mortality of larger A. mariesii was also greater at higher altitude. Tall tree species may not increase their trunk height and survive around the timberline because of mechanical damage.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the altitudinal location of the timberline is mainly affected by mechanical damage due to strong wind and snow rather than by growth limitation due to low temperature. Therefore, the timberline would not move upward even under global warming if these growth and mortality characteristics do not change for a long time.     

Tree litter and forest understorey vegetation: a conceptual framework to understand the effects of tree litter on a perennial geophyte, Anemone nemorosa

Background and Aims

Litter is a key factor in structuring plant populations, through positive or negative interactions. The litter layer forms a mechanical barrier that is often strongly selective against individuals lacking hypocotyle plasticity. Litter composition also interacts with plant growth by providing beneficial nutrients or, inversely, by allowing harmful allelopathic leaching. As conspicuous litter fall accumulation is often observed under deciduous forests, interactions between tree litter and understorey plant populations are worthy of study.

Methods

In a 1-year ex-situ experiment, the effects of tree litter on the growth of Anemone nemorosa, a small perennial forest geophyte, were investigated. Three ‘litter quantity’ treatments were defined, representative of forest floor litter (199, 356·5 and 514 g m⁻²), which were crossed with five ‘litter composition’ treatments (Quercus petraea, Fagus sylvatica, Carpinus betulus, Q. petraea + F. sylvatica and Q. petraea + C. betulus), plus a no-litter control. Path analysis was then used to investigate the pathways linking litter characteristics and components of adult plant growth.

Key Results

As expected, the heavier the litter, the longer the petiole; rhizome growth, however, was not depreciated by the litter-induced petiole lengthening. Both rhizome mass increment and number of initiated buds marginally increased with the amount of litter. Rhizome mass increment was in fact determined primarily by leaf area and leaf life span, neither of which was unequivocally correlated with any litter characteristics. However, the presence of litter significantly increased leafing success: following a late frost event, control rhizomes growing in the absence of litter experienced higher leaf mortality before leaf unfolding.

Conclusions

The study questions the role of litter as a physical or chemical barrier to ground vegetation; to better understand this role, there is a need for ex-situ, longer-term experiments coupled with in-situ observations in the forest.     

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。     

Descriptions of Meloidogyne camelliae n.sp. and M. querciana n.sp (Nematoda:Meloidogynidae), with SEM and Host-Range Observations

Meloidogyne camelliae n.sp. on camellia (Camellia japonica) from Japan and M. querciana n.sp. on pin oak (Quercus palustris) from Virginia, USA, are described and illustrated. M. camelliae n.sp. is distingnishable from other species of the genus especially by its striking perineal pattern having heavy ropelike striae forming a squarish to rectangular outline with shoulders or projections, appearing sometimes ahnost starlike. M. querciana differs from other species by its characteristic perineal pattern round to oval in outline, sometimes with a low arch, and sunken vulva surrounded by a prominent obovate area devoid of striae. M. querciana shows some relationship to M. ovalis, but differs further fxom the latter by longer larvae, absence of annules on head of larvae, and rarity of males. Examination of specimens of M. camelliae n.sp. and M. querciana n.sp. with the scanning electron microscope confirmed observations made by optical microscopy and revealed diagnostic and other structures in greater detail. In greenhouse host tests, M. camelliae infected camellia heavily, showed moderate infection on oxalis, only a trace infection on tomato, and no infection on five other plants tested; and M. querciana attacked pin oak, red oak, and American chestnut heavily, but did not infect nine other test plants. In another test, pin oak seedlings did not become infected when heavily inoculated with and grown in the presence of two populations of M. incognita incognita and one of M. incognita acrita. The common names "camellia root-knot nematode" and "oak root-knot nematode" are respectively proposed for M. camelliae and M. querciana.     

Survival and Infectivity of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Wood Chip-Soil Mixtures

To determine the effect of soil environment on the life stages and total numbers of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, nematode-infested wood chips alone and mixed with soil were incubated at 12 and 20 C. Nematodes were extracted at 2-week intervals for 12 weeks. Numbers of nematodes and percentage of third-stage dispersal larvae were greater at 12 C and in chips without soil. Percentage of juveniles of the propagative cycle was greater at 20 C and in chips with soil. Although B. xylophilus survived in chips with soil for 12 weeks, nematode numbers and life stage percentages changed little over time. To determine if B. xylophilus was capable of infecting wounded roots, infested and uninfested chips were mixed with soil in pots with white and Scots pine seedlings. Trees were maintained at 20 and 30 C and harvested at mortality or after 12 weeks. Only seedlings treated with infested chips contained nematodes. In field experiments, planted seedlings were mulched with infested chips to determine if nematodes would invade basal stem wounds. Among these trees, Scots pine was more susceptible than white or red pines to infection and mortality.     

针阔凋落叶混合分解过程中可溶性有机碳释放的动态特征

为了调整低效马尾松(Pinus massoniana, P)人工纯林的林分结构,探明其与乡土阔叶树种凋落叶混合分解过程中的可溶性有机碳(DOC)释放规律,该研究以马尾松、香樟(Cinnamomum camphora, C)和香椿(Toona sinensis, T)的凋落叶为研究对象,将其按照不同树种和质量比例组合为15个处理(3个单一树种处理 + 12个混合处理)后进行野外凋落叶分解实验,并探讨DOC释放最佳的凋落叶树种组合以及混合比例。结果表明:(1)马尾松和大部分混合处理凋落叶(除了PT64)在分解初期(0～6个月)的DOC含量均显著升高,出现富集现象,之后随着分解时间的延长而降低,在分解中后期(12～18个月)或分解末期(18～24个月)再次出现小幅度的碳富集现象。阔叶所占比例越高,其后期DOC含量越低。(2)分解前期(0～6个月)凋落叶DOC释放的拮抗效应较强(58.33%),仅有8.33%(1/12)的混合处理表现出协同效应。之后(6～18个月)其协同效应逐渐增强(91.67%),分解末期(18～24个月)凋落叶的协同效应有所减弱(66.67%)。在所有混合处理中,PT64在整个分解期间均出现协同效应,其次为PT73、PCT622和PCT613在大部分分解时期(3/4)出现协同效应。(3)偏最小二乘法(PLS)回归分析表明,凋落叶初始质量因子中N含量、P含量、木质素含量、缩合单宁含量、C/N、C/P、木质素/N以及木质素/P是影响该研究区域中凋落物DOC释放的重要因素。总体而言,马尾松与阔叶凋落叶混合后的DOC释放受到树种、混合比例及分解时间的共同影响。相对于其他混合处理,阔叶占比大于等于30.00%且含有香椿(T)的凋落叶混合处理(PT64、PT73、PCT622和PCT613)更能促进DOC的释放。     

Predicted changes in vegetation structure affect the susceptibility to invasion of bryophyte-dominated subarctic heath

Background and Aims

A meta-analysis of global change experiments in arctic tundra sites suggests that plant productivity and the cover of shrubs, grasses and dead plant material (i.e. litter) will increase and the cover of bryophytes will decrease in response to higher air temperatures. However, little is known about which effects these changes in vegetation structure will have on seedling recruitment of species and invasibility of arctic ecosystems.

Methods

A field experiment was done in a bryophyte-dominated, species-rich subarctic heath by manipulating the cover of bryophytes and litter in a factorial design. Three phases of seedling recruitment (seedling emergence, summer seedling survival, first-year recruitment) of the grass Anthoxanthum alpinum and the shrub Betula nana were analysed after they were sown into the experimental plots.

Key Results

Bryophyte and litter removal significantly increased seedling emergence of both species but the effects of manipulations of vegetation structure varied strongly for the later phases of recruitment. Summer survival and first-year recruitment were significantly higher in Anthoxanthum. Although bryophyte removal generally increased summer survival and recruitment, seedlings of Betula showed high mortality in early August on plots where bryophytes had been removed.

Conclusions

Large species-specific variation and significant effects of experimental manipulations on seedling recruitment suggest that changes in vegetation structure as a consequence of global warming will affect the abundance of grasses and shrubs, the species composition and the susceptibility to invasion of subarctic heath vegetation.     

Effect of Copper Sulfate and Lead Acetate on Infection of Pines with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Treatment of 3-year-old Scots, white, and Austrian pine seedlings with copper sulfate or lead acetate significantly affected energy homeostasis and oleoresin production in the seedlings but did not induce wilting of the seedlings. Inoculation of copper sulfate-treated or lead acetate-treated white, Scots, and Austrian pine seedlings with the white pine specific pathotype of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, VPSt-1, caused a significant increase in oleoresin production, stressed energy homeostasis, and induced rapid wilting of the seedlings. Scots pine lost tolerance and Austrian pine lost resistance to VPSt-1 after the seedlings were treated with either copper sulfate or lead acetate. These results suggest that environmental pollution may significantly affect susceptibility of pines to B. xylophilus and may have a role in establishment of this nematode in uninfested areas.