Regionalized nitrogen budgets in forest soils for different deposition and forestry scenarios in Sweden

Aim The aim of this work was to estimate on a regional scale the effects of nitrogen (N) deposition and harvest intensity on N‐budgets in forest soils as a basis for strategies of emission reduction and sustainable forest management methods. Location The calculations were applied to Sweden, a country with a managed forest area of 23 × 10⁶ ha. Methods Mass balance calculations, including N‐deposition, N‐fixation, N‐loss through harvest, and N‐leaching, were performed on a GIS platform using 5 × 5 km grids. Modelled deposition data together with spatial data obtained from the National Forest Inventory served as the basis for the calculations. Four different scenarios were run: a ‘base scenario’ involving present deposition and conventional forestry (stem harvest only); a ‘whole‐tree harvesting scenario’ with present deposition and the harvesting of stems, branches and needles; a ‘decreased deposition scenario’; and a ‘whole‐tree harvesting and decreased deposition scenario’. Results There was a sharp N‐accumulation gradient with an increase in accumulation in the direction of the south‐western part of Sweden. In the ‘base scenario’, N‐accumulation appeared in the country as a whole, apart from certain small areas in the northern part. Whole‐tree harvesting led to net losses in extensive areas located mainly in northern and central Sweden. In most parts of the country, whole‐tree harvesting combined with decreased deposition was found to result in net losses. Main conclusions The intensity of the forestry has a strong impact on the N‐budget. Conventional forestry in combination with the present deposition level results in a high net accumulation of N in the south‐western parts of Sweden and accordingly, in a risk of unwanted environmental effects such as increased N‐leaching. With whole‐tree harvesting, the N‐balance is negative in parts of Sweden, mainly in the northern and central parts. N‐fertilization may become necessary there if the present level of forest production is to be maintained.     

Influences of evergreen gymnosperm and deciduous angiosperm tree species on the functioning of temperate and boreal forests

It has been recognized for a long time that the overstorey composition of a forest partly determines its biological and physical–chemical functioning. Here, we review evidence of the influence of evergreen gymnosperm (EG) tree species and deciduous angiosperm (DA) tree species on the water balance, physical–chemical soil properties and biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nutrients. We used scientific publications based on experimental designs where all species grew on the same parent material and initial soil, and were similar in stage of stand development, former land use and current management. We present the current state of the art, define knowledge gaps, and briefly discuss how selection of tree species can be used to mitigate pollution or enhance accumulation of stable organic carbon in the soil. The presence of EGs generally induces a lower rate of precipitation input into the soil than DAs, resulting in drier soil conditions and lower water discharge. Soil temperature is generally not different, or slightly lower, under an EG canopy compared to a DA canopy. Chemical properties, such as soil pH, can also be significantly modified by taxonomic groups of tree species. Biomass production is usually similar or lower in DA stands than in stands of EGs. Aboveground production of dead organic matter appears to be of the same order of magnitude between tree species groups growing on the same site. Some DAs induce more rapid decomposition of litter than EGs because of the chemical properties of their tissues, higher soil moisture and favourable conditions for earthworms. Forest floors consequently tend to be thicker in EG forests compared to DA forests. Many factors, such as litter lignin content, influence litter decomposition and it is difficult to identify specific litter‐quality parameters that distinguish litter decomposition rates of EGs from DAs. Although it has been suggested that DAs can result in higher accumulation of soil carbon stocks, evidence from field studies does not show any obvious trend. Further research is required to clarify if accumulation of carbon in soils (i.e. forest floor + mineral soil) is different between the two types of trees. Production of belowground dead organic matter appears to be of similar magnitude in DA and EG forests, and root decomposition rate lower under EGs than DAs. However there are some discrepancies and still are insufficient data about belowground pools and processes that require further research. Relatively larger amounts of nutrients enter the soil–plant biogeochemical cycle under the influence of EGs than DAs, but recycling of nutrients appears to be slightly enhanced by DAs. Understanding the mechanisms underlying forest ecosystem functioning is essential to predicting the consequences of the expected tree species migration under global change. This knowledge can also be used as a mitigation tool regarding carbon sequestration or management of surface waters because the type of tree species affects forest growth, carbon, water and nutrient cycling.     

Stem CO2 efflux in six co‐occurring tree species: underlying factors and ecological implications

Stem respiration plays a role in species coexistence and forest dynamics. Here we examined the intra‐ and inter‐specific variability of stem CO₂ efflux (E) in dominant and suppressed trees of six deciduous species in a mixed forest stand: Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl, Quercus pyrenaica Willd., Prunus avium L., Sorbus aucuparia L. and Crataegus monogyna Jacq. We conducted measurements in late autumn. Within species, dominants had higher E per unit stem surface area (E_s) mainly because sapwood depth was higher than in suppressed trees. Across species, however, differences in E_s corresponded with differences in the proportion of living parenchyma in sapwood and concentration of non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC). Across species, E_s was strongly and NSC marginally positively related with an index of drought tolerance, suggesting that slow growth of drought‐tolerant trees is related to higher NSC concentration and E_s. We conclude that, during the leafless period, E is indicative of maintenance respiration and is related with some ecological characteristics of the species, such as drought resistance; that sapwood depth is the main factor explaining variability in E_s within species; and that the proportion of NSC in the sapwood is the main factor behind variability in E_s among species.     

树种保护酶活性与PV曲线水分参数变化的关系

在水分胁迫条件下,树种间ＳＯＤ（超氧化物歧化酶）活性与其ＤＩ（抗旱性指数）值的排序结果基本一致,表明ＳＯＤ活性变化所反映的树木抗氧化伤害力大小与ＰＶ曲线水人参数所指示的树木耐旱性强弱具有密切的正相关性。但是树种间ＰＯＤ（过氧化物酶）活性变化与ＤＩ值之间的关系则不密切。其原因：①清除Ｈ２Ｏ２的抗氧化酶类较多（ＰＯＤ只是这一）;②某些树种中且存在歧化Ｈ２Ｏ２的抗氧化剂。在水分胁迫阶段,海红的ＤＩ值最大     

几种海南岛热带雨林优势种植物挥发性有机物排放对模拟氮沉降的短期响应

BVOCs(Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds)是植物向大气释放的一类重要气态化合物,能参与大气化学过程和陆地生态系统碳素循环。分析环境因子对BVOCs排放的影响,对科学认识未来气候变化具有重要意义。氮素作为植物生长、发育所需的大量营养元素之一,其沉降增加是当前全球气候变化的主要驱动因素之一,但学者对BVOCs如何应对氮沉降增加知之甚少。因此以海南岛热带雨林树种：木荷(Schima superba)、厚壳桂(Cryptocarya chinensis)和线枝蒲桃(Syzygium araiocladum)为研究对象,通过温室盆栽实验模拟氮沉降对3个树种BVOCs释放的短期效应。主要结论如下：(1)自然状态下,从木荷、厚壳桂和线枝蒲桃的枝叶中鉴定出14、34和24种挥发性有机化合物,包括异戊二烯、单萜烯、倍半萜烯和其他挥发性有机化合物(烷烃、羰基、醛、醇、酯、醚和酸),此外三个阔叶树种释放BVOCs的速率呈厚壳桂>木荷>线枝蒲桃;(2)外源施氮均促进了三种植物幼苗VOCs释放,其中总VOCs释放速率和成分数量均随施氮浓度的升高而增加,且叶面...     

树木水分利用效率研究综述

在我国干旱半干旱地区,如何高效地利用极为有限的水资源来合理构建和恢复森林植被,并最大程度地发挥其多种功能,已经成为目前森林生态学研究中的一个热点,而对于树木水分利用效率(WUE)的研究则是其核心和关键内容之一。本文从介绍和剖析树木WUE的概念入手,分别在单叶、个体和群体等三个空间尺度上系统地阐述了WUE概念的内涵及其相应的计算方法,并且对各种方法的优缺点进行了评论。最后,在详细分析国内外树木WUE相关研究进展的基础上,针对我国干旱、半干旱地区水资源短缺和植被恢复与重建之间的矛盾,提出了今后树木WUE的研究发展趋势和应用前景。     

Relationships between individual‐tree mortality and water‐balance variables indicate positive trends in water stress‐induced tree mortality across North America

Accounting for water stress‐induced tree mortality in forest productivity models remains a challenge due to uncertainty in stress tolerance of tree populations. In this study, logistic regression models were developed to assess species‐specific relationships between probability of mortality (P_m) and drought, drawing on 8.1 million observations of change in vital status (m) of individual trees across North America. Drought was defined by standardized (relative) values of soil water content (W_s,z) and reference evapotranspiration (ET_r,z) at each field plot. The models additionally tested for interactions between the water‐balance variables, aridity class of the site (AC), and estimated tree height (h). Considering drought improved model performance in 95 (80) per cent of the 64 tested species during calibration (cross‐validation). On average, sensitivity to relative drought increased with site AC (i.e. aridity). Interaction between water‐balance variables and estimated tree height indicated that drought sensitivity commonly decreased during early height development and increased during late height development, which may reflect expansion of the root system and decreasing whole‐plant, leaf‐specific hydraulic conductance, respectively. Across North America, predictions suggested that changes in the water balance caused mortality to increase from 1.1% yr^?1 in 1951 to 2.0% yr^?1 in 2014 (a net change of 0.9 ± 0.3% yr^?1). Interannual variation in mortality also increased, driven by increasingly severe droughts in 1988, 1998, 2006, 2007 and 2012. With strong confidence, this study indicates that water stress is a common cause of tree mortality. With weak‐to‐moderate confidence, this study strengthens previous claims attributing positive trends in mortality to increasing levels of water stress. This ‘learn‐as‐we‐go’ approach – defined by sampling rare drought events as they continue to intensify – will help to constrain the hydraulic limits of dominant tree species and the viability of boreal and temperate forest biomes under continued climate change.     

Drivers of native species regeneration in the process of restoring natural forests from mono‐specific,even‐aged tree plantations: a quantitative review

A substantial proportion of the existing tree plantations has been established following clearing of native forests. This form of conversion has become widely unaccepted, and there are increasing demands to reverse it through ecological restoration. Yet, there is a lack of integrated knowledge on how best to restore. Here, we reviewed 68 studies to identify the main factors determining establishment success of regeneration of native woody species when restoring natural forests from plantation forests using active and passive approaches, beneath existing canopies, and following their removal. According to the evidence collected, herbivory, within‐gap position, soil properties, and ground cover type and structure had limited influence on regeneration, showing significant effects in less than 26% of cases in which their influence was tested. In contrast, spatial landscape configuration, overstorey structure, ground vegetation structure, overstorey composition, and climate and geomorphology had significant effects in 67, 47, 47, 52, and 63% of cases, respectively. Regeneration diversity and abundance increased with proximity to natural vegetation remnants and seed sources. Lower canopy and understorey stocking levels positively influenced regeneration, as did interventions to reduce them. Canopy cover reduction proved especially effective in warmer regions, in stands of broadleaved species, younger ages (<30 years), higher densities (>1,000 trees/ha), and taller canopies (>20 m). Restoration of native forests can be optimized by adopting interventions that prove most effective, and prioritizing more responsive stand types. However, the specific stand attributes and environmental factors described should be further studied to understand the mechanisms underlying their influence on regeneration.     

Differences in leaf thermoregulation and water use strategies between three co‐occurring Atlantic forest tree species

Given anticipated climate changes, it is crucial to understand controls on leaf temperatures including variation between species in diverse ecosystems. In the first study of leaf energy balance in tropical montane forests, we observed current leaf temperature patterns on 3 tree species in the Atlantic forest, Brazil, over a 10‐day period and assessed whether and why patterns may vary among species. We found large leaf‐to‐air temperature differences (maximum 18.3 °C) and high leaf temperatures (over 35 °C) despite much lower air temperatures (maximum 22 °C). Leaf‐to‐air temperature differences were influenced strongly by radiation, whereas leaf temperatures were also influenced by air temperature. Leaf energy balance modelling informed by our measurements showed that observed differences in leaf temperature between 2 species were due to variation in leaf width and stomatal conductance. The results suggest a trade‐off between water use and leaf thermoregulation; Miconia cabussu has more conservative water use compared with Alchornea triplinervia due to lower transpiration under high vapour pressure deficit, with the consequence of higher leaf temperatures under thermal stress conditions. We highlight the importance of leaf functional traits for leaf thermoregulation and also note that the high radiation levels that occur in montane forests may exacerbate the threat from increasing air temperatures.     

Mountain landscapes offer few opportunities for high‐elevation tree species migration

Climate change is anticipated to alter plant species distributions. Regional context, notably the spatial complexity of climatic gradients, may influence species migration potential. While high‐elevation species may benefit from steep climate gradients in mountain regions, their persistence may be threatened by limited suitable habitat as land area decreases with elevation. To untangle these apparently contradictory predictions for mountainous regions, we evaluated the climatic suitability of four coniferous forest tree species of the western United States based on species distribution modeling (SDM) and examined changes in climatically suitable areas under predicted climate change. We used forest structural information relating to tree species dominance, productivity, and demography from an extensive forest inventory system to assess the strength of inferences made with a SDM approach. We found that tree species dominance, productivity, and recruitment were highest where climatic suitability (i.e., probability of species occurrence under certain climate conditions) was high, supporting the use of predicted climatic suitability in examining species risk to climate change. By predicting changes in climatic suitability over the next century, we found that climatic suitability will likely decline, both in areas currently occupied by each tree species and in nearby unoccupied areas to which species might migrate in the future. These trends were most dramatic for high elevation species. Climatic changes predicted over the next century will dramatically reduce climatically suitable areas for high‐elevation tree species while a lower elevation species, Pinus ponderosa, will be well positioned to shift upslope across the region. Reductions in suitable area for high‐elevation species imply that even unlimited migration would be insufficient to offset predicted habitat loss, underscoring the vulnerability of these high‐elevation species to climatic changes.     

干旱胁迫下广东石漠化地区造林树种光合和耗水特性

石漠化地区土层稀薄、干旱贫瘠、植被破坏、生态恶化等问题较为突出,人工恢复森林植被是一项快速有效的生态恢复途径。采用盆栽苗木称重法和Li-6400光合系统测定方法分别测定3个常见石漠化造林树种浙江润楠(Machilus leptophylla),枫香(Liquidambar formosana)和亮叶含笑(Michelia fulgens Dandy)苗木在不同土壤水分条件下耗水特性和光合特性,为进一步筛选和评价石漠化地区造林树种抗旱特性提供理论依据。研究结果表明:(1)整个干旱胁迫期间,3种幼苗叶片的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和胞间CO_2浓度(Ci)持续下降。重度干旱时,浙江润楠光合和水分利用效率分别是枫香的2.5倍、89.6倍和亮叶含笑的1.9倍、26.3倍。(2)干旱胁迫中期和后期,枫香和亮叶含笑净光合速率(Pn)和气孔导度(Gs)下降而胞间CO2浓度(Ci)升高,说明Pn下降的主要原因已经由气孔因素转变为非气孔因素的限制。(3)3个石漠化树种在不同干旱胁迫下日耗水总量和日平均耗水速率均存在显著性差异(P0.05),白天耗水量占总耗水量74%—92%之间。浙江润楠在重度干旱时期还对水分要求还比较大,维持一个相对较高的耗水速率,是枫香和亮叶含笑的3.7倍和2.2倍。(4)不同干旱胁迫下,3个石漠化树种耗水速率日变化均表现出单峰曲线,不同干旱胁迫下峰值点会发生变化。(5)综合来看,浙江润楠和枫香是相对高光合和高水分利用效率树种。隶属函数结果表明,在正常、轻度和重度干旱下抗旱能力均为枫香浙江润楠亮叶含笑,重度干旱下为浙江润楠枫香亮叶含笑。     

The impact of nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration in European forests and forest soils

An estimate of net carbon (C) pool changes and long‐term C sequestration in trees and soils was made at more than 100 intensively monitored forest plots (level II plots) and scaled up to Europe based on data for more than 6000 forested plots in a systematic 16 km × 16 km grid (level I plots). C pool changes in trees at the level II plots were based on repeated forest growth surveys At the level I plots, an estimate of the mean annual C pool changes was derived from stand age and available site quality characteristics. C sequestration, being equal to the long‐term C pool changes accounting for CO₂ emissions because of harvest and forest fires, was assumed 33% of the overall C pool changes by growth. C sequestration in the soil were based on calculated nitrogen (N) retention (N deposition minus net N uptake minus N leaching) rates in soils, multiplied by the C/N ratio of the forest soils, using measured data only (level II plots) or a combination of measurements and model calculations (level I plots). Net C sequestration by forests in Europe (both trees and soil) was estimated at 0.117 Gton yr^?1, with the C sequestration in stem wood being approximately four times as high (0.094 Gton yr^?1) as the C sequestration in the soil (0.023 Gton yr^?1). The European average impact of an additional N input on the net C sequestration was estimated at approximately 25 kg C kg^?1 N for both tree wood and soil. The contribution of an average additional N deposition on European forests of 2.8 kg ha^?1 yr^?1 in the period 1960–2000 was estimated at 0.0118 Gton yr^?1, being equal to 10% of the net C sequestration in both trees and soil in that period (0.117 Gton yr^?1). The C sequestration in trees increased from Northern to Central Europe, whereas the C sequestration in soil was high in Central Europe and low in Northern and Southern Europe. The result of this study implies that the impact of forest management on tree growth is most important in explaining the C pool changes in European forests.     

热带森林中的斑块动态与物种多样性维持

斑块作为景观要素之一,直接到景观结构的空间格局及其内部各要素之间的相互关系,其动态也将导致景观格局的变化。异质性的斑块在自然森林中是普遍存在的,这就是说,顶极森林中仍然存在着由不同种类或不同生长时期的植物种群组成的森林斑块。由自然或人为干扰所驱动的森林生长循环导致敢这些斑块在空间上的镶嵌,对于持定的地域片段,也导致了不同生长时期的森林斑块的周期性循环。在热带森林中,森林的生长循环由林窗期（ｇａｐ     

亚热带常见造林树种对土壤细菌及微生物功能群的影响

为揭示亚热带人工林常见造林树种对森林土壤微生物群落的影响,本研究选取马尾松、米老排、枫香、冬青、火力楠、麻栎和光皮桦7个树种为研究对象,采用16S rRNA高通量测序和实时荧光定量PCR技术,探究不同树种土壤细菌的多样性、群落构成以及微生物功能群基因丰度。结果表明: 变形菌门、酸杆菌门和放线菌门是亚热带造林树种的优势细菌门,不同树种细菌多样性和丰富度指数无显著差异。冗余分析表明,土壤容重、土壤C/N、凋落物氮和凋落物C/N是影响土壤细菌组成的主要环境因子。不同造林树种土壤中氨氧化古菌、氨氧化细菌和完全氨氧化菌amoA基因丰度均具有显著差异。完全氨氧化菌在数量上占据优势地位,但只有氨氧化古菌amoA基因丰度与土壤硝态氮呈显著正相关关系,表明氨氧化古菌在亚热带酸性森林土壤自养硝化作用中可能发挥主要作用。相关分析表明,凋落物氮是不同树种影响氨氧化微生物丰度变化的关键驱动因子。本研究表明,土壤微生物功能群对树种的响应比细菌群落结构更加敏感,未来应从微生物功能群角度深入探究不同造林树种对森林生态系统功能的影响机制。     

中国东部南北样带森林优势植物叶片的水分利用效率和氮素利用效率

通过测定中国东部南北样带主要森林生态系统中10种优势植物(兴安落叶松、蒙古栎、水曲柳、紫椴、色木槭、红松、杉木、木荷、马尾松、锥栗)叶片的碳氮含量(Cmass、Nmass)、同位素丰度(δ13C、δ15N)以及光合响应曲线,分析了不同优势植物叶片的水分利用效率和氮素利用效率之间的差异及其相互关系.结果表明： 不同生活型植物叶片的Nmass和δ15N差异显著,表现为阔叶植物>针叶植物,落叶植物>常绿植物;最大光合速率(Pn max)表现为针叶植物>阔叶植物,落叶植物>常绿植物;植物叶片的瞬时水分利用效率(WUEi)和长期水分利用效率(WUE)均表现为阔叶植物>针叶植物,常绿植物>落叶植物;植物叶片的瞬时氮素利用效率(NUEi)和长期氮素利用效率(NUE)则表现出相反的规律,且常绿植物和落叶植物叶片的NUE差异显著;WUEi和WUE之间相关性不显著,而NUEi和NUE之间呈显著正相关.植物叶片的水分利用效率与氮素利用效率显著负相关.两种资源利用效率均受植物生活型的影响,并且存在一定的制约关系.     

Climate severity and land‐cover transformation determine plant community attributes in Colombian dry forests

Tropical dry forests (TDF) are known to be resource‐limited due to a marked seasonality in precipitation. However, TDF are also shaped by factors such as solar radiation, wind speed, soil fertility, and land‐cover transformation. Together, these factors may determine different gradients of environmental harshness that are likely to drive changes in plant community attributes. Here, we evaluated the effects of environmental harshness on plant community diversity and structure of Colombian TDF, based on floristic and environmental data from 15 1‐ha permanent plots. We also analyzed these effects on legumes species only (including both deciduous and non‐deciduous species), deciduous species only (including both legumes and non‐legumes species), and on the whole community excluding either legumes or deciduous separately. Drier conditions and higher land‐cover transformation had the strongest negative effects on species diversity, basal area (BA), and canopy height. Soil fertility, on the contrary, did not have a significant effect on any of the evaluated response variables. Interestingly, legumes maintained their diversity and BA along the climatic gradient, while deciduous species were negatively affected by drier conditions and by an increase in secondary vegetation at the landscape level. Our results suggest that although TDF are limited by water availability, land‐cover transformation strongly increases environmental harshness. Yet, both legumes and deciduous species were differentially impacted by climatic and land transformation variables. Thus, to better understand TDF plant community attributes, it is necessary to consider these gradients and to disentangle their effects on different plant functional groups. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.