华南地区常见树种导管特征与树干液流的关系

为探讨树木结构与功能的关系,对华南地区常见8种树木边材的导管特征进行观察,并利用Granier热扩散探针法测量干、湿季树干的液流密度,分析导管特征与树干液流的关系。结果表明,除红锥(Castanopsis hystrix)有两种导管外,大叶相思(Acacia auriculaeformis)、荷木(Schima superba)、火力楠(Michelia macclurei)、藜蒴(C.fissa)、马占相思(A.mangium)、柠檬桉(Eucalyptus citriodora)、尾巨桉(E.urophylla×E.grandis)的导管类型单一。导管特征在种间存在明显差异,且导管长度、密度和孔径之间存在明显相关性,它们与标准化的边材面积呈现显著相关。湿季液流最大值与导管特征无明显相关性,但整树最大蒸腾速率与导管特征呈显著相关;树木的日蒸腾量与导管特征也有明显相关性。因此,树木的液流速率并不受树干的导管影响;而树干的导管孔径与边材面积间的负相关权衡机制,可以降低树种间由于导管孔径差异引起的树干的水分输送速率的差异性。     

The response of sap flow to pulses of rain in a temperate Australian woodland

In water-limited systems, pulses of rainfall can trigger a cascade of plant physiological responses. However, the timing and size of the physiological response can vary depending on plant and environmental characteristics, such as rooting depth, plant size, rainfall amount, or antecedent soil moisture. We investigated the influence of pulses of rainfall on the response of sap flow of two dominant evergreen tree species, Eucalyptus crebra (a broadleaf) and Callitris glaucophylla (a needle leaved tree), in a remnant open woodland in eastern Australia. Sap flow data were collected using heat-pulse sensors installed in six trees of each species over a 2 year period which encompassed the tail-end of a widespread drought. Our objectives were to estimate the magnitude that a rainfall pulse had to exceed to increase tree water use (i.e., define the threshold response), and to determine how tree and environmental factors influenced the increase in tree water use following a rainfall pulse. We used data filtering techniques to isolate rainfall pulses, and analysed the resulting data with multivariate statistical analysis. We found that rainfall pulses less than 20 mm did not significantly increase tree water use (P > 0.05). Using partial regression analysis to hold all other variables constant, we determined that the size of the rain event (P < 0.05, R ² = 0.59), antecedent soil moisture (P < 0.05, R ² = 0.29), and tree size (DBH, cm, P < 0.05, R ² = 0.15), all significantly affected the response to rainfall. Our results suggest that the conceptual Threshold-Delay model describing physiological responses to rainfall pulses could be modified to include these factors. We further conclude that modelling of stand water use over an annual cycle could be improved by incorporating the T-D behaviour of tree transpiration. Responsible Editor: Stephen S.O. Burgess     

Predicting spatial occurrence of beetles and pseudoscorpions in hollow oaks in southeastern Sweden

We modelled presence/absence per tree of beetles and pseudoscorpions living in tree hollows in relation to trunk circumference, habitat openness, and connectivity (= density of hollow oaks in the surrounding area), using data from 281 oaks. The presence/absence models were then used to predict species’ occurrences in a county (11,600 km²) in southeastern Sweden. For eight of the nine species, the most parsimonious occupancy model included a positive relationship with connectivity and at least one tree characteristic. Occupancy underestimates from occurrence records—the ratio of the area of occupancy based on our predictive model to the area of occupancy based on occurrence records—varied between 3 and 83 among species when using occurrence records up to 1993, with significantly larger underestimates for smaller beetle species. Today (after extensive surveys), underestimation has decreased to 1.3–25, confirming that calculations solely based on species occurrence records greatly underestimate the area of occupancy. We suggest this should be taken into account to a greater extent and in a clearer way than today when constructing red lists. The radius of the connectivity measure that generated the best fit varied between 135 and 2,857 m among species, with longer distances for more threatened species. Consequently, preservation of the most threatened species (Elater ferrugineus and Tenebrio opacus) requires conservation efforts at larger spatial scales than required to protect Osmoderma eremita, which frequently has been used as an indicator and umbrella species.     

The redistribution of soil water by tree root systems

Plant roots transfer water between soil layers of different water potential thereby significantly affecting the distribution and availability of water in the soil profile. We used a modification of the heat pulse method to measure sap flow in roots of Grevillea robusta and Eucalyptus camaldulensis and demonstrated a redistribution of soil water from deeper in the profile to dry surface horizons by the root system. This phenomenon, termed “hydraulic lift” has been reported previously. However, we also demonstrated that after the surface soils were rewetted at the break of season, water was transported by roots from the surface to deeper soil horizons – the reverse of the “hydraulic lift” behaviour described for other woody species. We suggest that “hydraulic redistribution” of water in tree roots is significant in maintaining root viability, facilitating root growth in dry soils and modifying resource availability. Received: 26 January 1998 / Accepted: 15 April 1998     

Control model of human stance using fuzzy logic

 A control model of human stance is proposed based on knowledge from behavioral experiments and physiological systems. The proposed model is based on the control of global variables specific to body orientation and alignment, rather than on the control of the body’s center of mass within the base of support. Furthermore, the proposed control model is not based on purely inverted pendulum body mechanics where only motion at one joint is controlled, as for instance the ankle. In the proposed model, the degrees of freedom are controlled by using reciprocal and synergistic muscle actions at multiple joints. The control model is based on three sets of different global variables which act in parallel: (1) limb length and its derivative, (2) limb orientation and its derivative, and (3) trunk attitude and its derivative. An important feature of the control model is the use of fuzzy logic, which enables us to model experimental findings and physiological knowledge in a meaningful and explicit way using fuzzy if-then rules. In the control model, 36 fuzzy if-then rules are implemented and applied using a four-linked segment model consisting of a trunk, thigh, shank and foot. Uni- and biarticular limb muscles and trunk muscles are represented as torque actuators at each individual joint. In the model, three sets of global variables act in parallel and make corrective and coordinated responses to internal, self-induced perturbations. The data show that the use of global variables and fuzzy logic successfully enables us to model human standing with sway about a point of equilibrium. Small changes in, for example, total body sway are comparable to those seen during natural sway in human stance. The selected controllers—limb length, limb orientation and trunk attitude—seem to be appropriate for human stance control. Received: 30 October 1996/Accepted in revised form: 7 April 1997     

Biomass dynamics of Quercus aliena var. acutesrata community on Mountain Xiaolong in Gansu Province, China

The dynamics of tree layer biomass was studied by combining 35 sample plots of field census with biomass model estimation in a natural Quercus aliena var. acutesrata community on Mountain Xiaolong in Gansu Province, China. The tree layer biomass of Quercus aliena var. acutesrata community was 183 660 kg/ha, in which the slow growth group accounted for 64.89% of the total biomass. The fast-medium growth group accounted for 33.40% and the coniferous group accounted for 1.38%. The organs biomass was found to be in the following order: trunk > root > branch > leaf. The total biomass accumulated with the development of the community. The total biomass and the biomass of the organs were highest in the mature community and became stable as the community developed. The relative growth rate of organs was in the following order: trunk > branch > root > leaf. The biomass ratio of the slow growth group trees tended to increase and the fast-medium group trees tended to decrease as the community developed, which was reveresed in the decline development stage. The biomass of the coniferous group was very small throughout the development process. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Ecology, 2005, 24(4) [译自: 生态学杂志, 2005, 24(4)]     

Stem and leaf water potentials, gas exchange, sap flow, and trunk diameter fluctuations for detecting water stress in lemon trees

The sensitivity of continuous (on a whole-day basis) and discretely (at midday) measured indicators of the plant water status in adult lemon trees in response to a cycle of water deprivation and recovery, and the feasibility of obtaining baselines for tree water status indicators was investigated in 30-year-old Fino lemon trees (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. fil.) grafted on sour orange (C. aurantium L.) rootstocks. Control plants (T0) were irrigated daily above their crop water requirements in order to obtain non-limiting soil water conditions, while T1 plants were subjected to water stress by withholding irrigation for 50 days, after which time irrigation was restored and plant recovery was studied for 16 days. In T0 plants the water relations and the plant symptoms confirmed that they had not suffered waterlogging. In contrast, T1 plants showed a substantial degree of water stress, which developed very slowly. Maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) increased in response to water stress during the first 15 days of the experiment, but when the stem water potential (Ψ_stem) fell below −1.8 MPa, the MDS signal intensity decreased. However, Ψ_stem and sap flow (SF) signal intensities progressively increased during the water stress period. The results showed that MDS is a very suitable plant-based indicator for precise irrigation scheduling in adult lemon trees. Reference or baseline relationships for MDS, Ψ_stem, and SF measurements as a function of several parameters related to the evaporative demand of the atmosphere were obtained. This fact open up the possibility of considering a plant-based indicator measurement at a given time relative to the expected value under non-limiting water conditions, which can be calculated from the reference relationships.     

Variations in maturation strains and root shape in root systems of Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.)

 In order to determine if different types of wood were being laid down in the root system of Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait), in response to wind loading, longitudinal residual maturation strains (LRMS), indicating the existence of mechanical stress in developing wood cells, were measured in the trunk and lateral roots. Two age groups of trees (5- and 13-year- old) were compared. LRMS were greater in the trunk and roots of 13-year-old trees than in 5-year-old trees. This phenomenon may be due to increased competition between older trees. LRMS in leeward roots of both age-groups were positive i.e. the wood cells had developed under compression, as also occurs in reaction wood of gymnosperms. As leeward roots are placed under compression during tree sway, an abnormal type of wood may form in the roots in order to counteract the increased stress. In other roots, the strains were negative i.e. the cells had developed under tension, as occurs in normal wood. In the roots of younger trees, LRMS were also positive nearer the stem, thus indicating that wood formation may also be influenced by bending stresses experienced in this zone. In addition to LRMS measurements, radial growth in roots was examined in order to determine the influence of mechanical loading on secondary growth. In older trees, there was a significant increase of 34% in woody growth below the biological centre, compared to that above. This eccentricity is unlike that found in most other tree species, where secondary growth is usually greater on the upper side of the root. However, Maritime pine has a tap root, which will alter the pattern of stress within the root system. Under wind loading, a concentration of mechanical stress will develop at the bases of the stem, lateral roots and tap root. Received: 7 July 1997 / Accepted: 11 December 1997     

Combining sap flow and trunk diameter measurements to assess water needs in mature olive orchards

Sap flux (Q) and trunk diameter variation (TDV) are among the most useful plant-based measurements to detect water stress and to evaluate plant water consumption. The usefulness of both methods decreases, however, when applied to species that, like olive, have an outstanding tolerance to drought and a remarkable capacity to take up water from drying soils. Evidence shows that this problem is greater in old, big trees with heavy fruit load. Our hypothesis is that the analysis of simultaneous measurements of Q and TDV made in the same trees is more useful for assessing irrigation needs in old olive orchards than the use of any of these two methods alone. To test our hypothesis, we analysed relations between Q, TDV, midday stem water potential (Ψ_stem), relative extractable water and atmospheric demand in an olive orchard of 38-year-old ‘Manzanilla’ trees with heavy fruit load. Measurements were made during one irrigation season (May-October), in fully irrigated trees (FI, 107% of the crop evapotranspiration, ET_c, supplied by irrigation), and in trees under two levels of deficit irrigation (DI60, 61% ET_c; DI30, 29% ET_c). Time courses of Q and TDV measured on days of contrasting weather and soil water conditions were analysed to evaluate the usefulness of both methods to assess the crop water status. We calculated the daily tree water consumption (E_p) from Q measurements. For both DI treatments we calculated a signal intensity by dividing daily E_p values of each DI tree by those of the FI tree (SI−Ep). We did the same with the maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) values (S_I−MDS). Neither SI−Ep nor S_I−MDS rendered useful information for assessing the crop water needs. On the contrary, the daily difference for maximum trunk diameter (MXTD) between each of the DI trees and the FI tree (D_MXTD) clearly indicated the onset and severity of water stress. A similar analysis with the E_p values, from which DEp values were derived, showed the effect of water stress on the water consumption of the trees. We concluded that the simultaneous use of D_MXTD and DEp values provides more detailed information to assess water needs in mature olive orchards than the use of Q or TDV records alone.     

Comparative analysis of respiratory activity in the wild type strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neurospora crassa</Emphasis> and its photoreceptor complex mutants

Cell respiratory activity of protoplasts obtained from the wild type of Neurospora crassa and photoreceptor complex WCC—white collar 1 (wc-1) and white collar 2 (wc-2)—mutants of Neurospora crassa strains was investigated. Respiration inhibition by KCN in the presence of 25 mM succinate was similar in all strains and did not exceed 83–85% against control. The significant induction of KCN-resistant respiratory pathway occurred under 1% glucose oxidation in wc-1 and wc-2 mutants if compared with the wild type strains. The inhibitors of the main (cytochrome) pathway of electron transfer in mitochondria—1 mM KCN and antimycin A (4 μg/ml)—blocked the respiration rate of the protoplasts from N. crassa wild type by 75%, while the cell respiration of wc-1 and wc-2 strains was suppressed by approximately 50%. The specific inhibitor of alternative oxidase—10 mM salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM)—in combination with the blockers of mitochondrial electron transfer chain caused the total suppression of respiratory activity of protoplasts in all studied strains. It is supposed that an increase of KCN-resistance in WCC mutants under glucose oxidation is connected with alternative oxidase activation as the result of failure in reception and signal transduction of active oxygen species.     

pH and expansin action on single suspension-cultured tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cells

The aim of this study was to measure key material properties of the cell walls of single suspension-cultured plant cells and relate these to cell-wall biochemistry. To this end, micromanipulation was used to compress single tomato cells between two flat surfaces until they ruptured, and force-deformation data were obtained. In addition to measuring the bursting force, we also determined the elastic (Young’s) modulus of the cell walls by matching low strain (≤20% deformation) experimental data with a cell compression model, assuming linear elastic cell walls. The walls were most elastic at pH 4.5, the pH optimum for expansin activity, with an elastic modulus of 2.0 ± 0.1 GPa. Following the addition of exogenous expansins, cell walls became more elastic at all pH values. Western blot analysis of proteins from walls of cultured cells revealed the presence of expansin epitopes, suggesting that the inherent pH dependence of elasticity and other compression phenomena is related to the presence of endogenous expansin proteins and their wall-loosening ability. Although strict application of the linear-elastic model could not be applied to large deformations—for example, up to cell bursting—because of irreversible behaviour, the deviation of the data from the model was generally small enough to allow estimation of the strain in the cell wall at failure. This strain was greater at pH 4.5 and when expansins were added to the suspension. The changes in elasticity are consistent with suggestions about the mode of expansin action. The estimated strains at failure are compatible with data on the failure of Acetobacter-derived cellulose–xyloglucan composites and proposed mechanisms of such failure. Through the measurement of cell-wall material properties using micromanipulation, it may be possible to understand more fully how cell-wall composition, structure and biochemistry lead to cell mechanical behaviour.     

基于茎干直径微变化制定苹果灌溉制度

茎干直径的动态微变化是研究植物体水分和生长状况的重要指标。利用测树器监测西北旱区盛果期苹果树茎干直径微变化规律,根据监测记录获得茎干直径日最大值(MXTD)、茎干直径日最大收缩量(MDS)数据,并探讨茎干直径微变化规律及其对环境因素的响应,为茎干直径微变化用于指导精确灌溉提供科学依据。实验结果表明,晴天或多云天气下,苹果树茎干直径在每天的7:00或8:00时刻达到一天最大值,在16:00左右达到一天的最小值,茎干直径年增长量与果实产量成反比例关系。整个生育期MXTD呈先快速增加后平稳的变化特征。2010年MDS与茎干水势(φstem)呈显著负相关关系(r2=0.76***,n=14),这表明MDS可以反映苹果树的水势状况。生育后期的MDS对环境因素响应比生育前期敏感,全生育期MDS与气象因素的决定系数大小顺序为日最大水汽压差(VPDmax)日最高温度(Tmax)净辐射(Rn)。茎干直径微变化规律可以反映西北旱区盛果期果树的水分状况,可以为果园灌溉制度的确定提供科学依据。     

DNA amounts in the nuclei ofParamecium aurelia andTetrahymena pyriformis

DNA amounts have been determined in the micronuclei and macronuclei of 8 strains ofParamecium aurelia and 6 strains ofTetrahymena pyriformis. In the case ofTetrahymena a distribution of values for the amount of DNA in the macronuclei of all the strains was observed but the lowest values were approximately the same, viz. 1.17×10⁻¹¹ g. There are two groups of strains in relation to micronuclear DNA values ofTetrahymena, one giving an average of 0.36×10⁻¹² g and the other 0.815×10⁻¹² g. The ratio of MIC/MAC DNA varies in the two groups.Paramecium again has a range of macronuclear values within each stock—lowest value 2.51×10⁻¹⁰ g—and the micronuclear values are similar in all stocks—approximately 0.613×10⁻¹² g. The ratio of MIC/MAC DNA is similar in each stock.—The haploid genome values calculated from these data show excellent agreement with the values obtained by DNA renaturation studies. Supported by a Research Grant B/SR/8276 from the Science Research Council. The Vickers densitometer was purchased with a grant from the Medical Research Council.     

Predatory behaviour of common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) in the wild

The predatory behaviour of eight wild adult common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) was recorded during predatory tests carried out in the wild under controlled conditions. Those birds were offered one laboratory mouse each, which was restrained on a base, thereby simulating natural predation. The predatory sequence was recorded directly, but also video-taped. The sequence was rather homogeneous among the kestrels, with most kestrels starting the attack glide from a perch, then capturing the prey at high speed. The mouse was grabbed directly, upon landing; in one instance, however, it disentangled from the bird’s foot and was captured after a few seconds. The target was usually grabbed at the shoulders or neck, or at the trunk. Soon after capture the kestrel flew to a distant perch, where it usually stroked the prey with one single peck, before starting ingestion, which began about 1 min time after prey grasping. Our results are the first to show the possibility of maintaining standardized conditions to study the predatory behaviour of birds of prey. As they are very similar to those obtained in previous tests carried out in captivity using rehabilitated kestrels, our results also confirm earlier ones showing that the kestrel’s predatory behaviour is rather stereotyped—i.e. performed with limited variation—and that it can be studied reliably even in captivity.     

Seasonal variation of water uptake of a Quercus suber tree in Central Portugal

Hydraulic redistribution (HR) is the phenomenon where plant roots transfer water between soil horizons of different water potential. When dry soil is a stronger sink for water loss from the plant than transpiration, water absorbed by roots in wetter soil horizons is transferred toward, and exuded into dry soil via flow reversals through the roots. Reverse flow is a good marker of HR and can serve as a useful tool to study it over the long-term. Seasonal variation of water uptake of a Quercus suber tree was studied from late winter through autumn 2003 at Rio Frio near Lisbon, Portugal. Sap flow was measured in five small shallow roots (diameter of 3–4 cm), 1 to 2 m from the tree trunk and in four azimuths and at different xylem depths at the trunk base, using the heat field deformation method (HFD). The pattern of sap flow differed among lateral roots as soil dried with constant positive flow in three roots and reverse flow in two other roots during the night when transpiration ceased. Rain modified the pattern of flow in these two roots by eliminating reverse flow and substantially increasing water uptake for transpiration during the day. The increase in water uptake in three other roots following rain was not so substantial. In addition, the flux in individual roots was correlated to different degrees with the flux at different radial depths and azimuthal directions in trunk xylem. The flow in outer trunk xylem seemed to be mostly consistent with water movement from surface soil horizons, whereas deep roots seemed to supply water to the whole cross-section of sapwood. When water flow substantially decreased in shallow lateral roots and the outer stem xylem during drought, water flow in the inner sapwood was maintained, presumably due to its direct connection to deep roots. Results also suggest the importance of the sap flow sensor placement, in relation to sinker roots, as to whether lateral roots might be found to exhibit reverse flow during drought. This study is consistent with the dimorphic rooting habit of Quercus suber trees in which deep roots access groundwater to supply superficial roots and the whole tree, when shallow soil layers were dry.     

New Analytic Results for Speciation Times in Neutral Models

In this paper, we investigate the standard Yule model, and a recently studied model of speciation and extinction, the “critical branching process.” We develop an analytic way—as opposed to the common simulation approach—for calculating the speciation times in a reconstructed phylogenetic tree. Simple expressions for the density and the moments of the speciation times are obtained. Methods for dating a speciation event become valuable, if for the reconstructed phylogenetic trees, no time scale is available. A missing time scale could be due to supertree methods, morphological data, or molecular data which violates the molecular clock. Our analytic approach is, in particular, useful for the model with extinction, since simulations of birth-death processes which are conditioned on obtaining n extant species today are quite delicate. Further, simulations are very time consuming for big n under both models.     

A latex lectin from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphorbia trigona</Emphasis> is a potent inhibitor of fungal growth

In this study we identified and characterized a major latex lectin — designated as EtLLH — with antimicrobial activity from the succulent African milk tree Euphorbia trigona. The lectin is highly concentrated in the latex of E. trigona and appears to be composed of at least two subunits with a molecular mass of 32 kDa. EtLLH shares significant similarities to known plant lectins — ricin from Ricinus communis and agglutinin from Viscum album coloratum — which specifically bind D-galactose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, the major building blocks of many fungal cell walls. Antimicrobial activity assays revealed an impact of EtLLH on three phytopathogenic filamentous ascomycetes. The germination of the conidiospores and the hyphal growth of Aspergillus niger and Fusarium graminearum were severely inhibited by EtLLH already at concentrations below 0.1 mg cm⁻³, while the effect on germination of the melanized conidiospores of Botrytis cinerea was less significant.     

Molecular Diversity of Auricularia polytricha Revealed by Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat and Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism Markers

Due to unsatisfying attempts to fingerprint Auricularia polytricha, two different molecular maker systems—Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) and Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP)—were established and tested to quantify molecular diversity among 19 strains of this fungus. A total of 202 (99.0%) and 459 (95.9%) polymorphic bands were detected by 13 ISSR primers and 14 SRAP primer combinations, respectively. By parsimony method, a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on each analysis; the two trees show that 19 A. polytricha strains were distributed into five or four groups. These results demonstrated that both methods were suitable for discriminating among strains of A. polytricha, and the novel SRAP markers are more efficient and preferable. The result also indicated the high level of genetic diversity of A. polytricha and their relationship between each other. These findings would benefit future research in A. polytricha, especially in breeding and medicine development. It also gives a useful method for fingerprinting of other fungi.     

Relationships Between Climatic Variables and Sap Flow, Stem Water Potential and Maximum Daily Trunk Shrinkage in Lemon Trees

The feasibility of obtaining sap flow (SF), maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) and midday stem water potential (Ψ_stem) baselines or reference values for use in irrigation scheduling was studied in adult Fino lemon trees (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. fil.) grafted on sour orange (C. aurantium L.) rootstocks. Plants were irrigated daily above their water requirements in order to obtain non-limiting soil water conditions. The results indicated that baselines for plant-based water status indicators (MDS, SF and Ψ_stem) can be obtained, even though there was a certain scattering of the data points representing the relations between the plant-based measurements and the environmental variables (reference evapotranspiration, solar radiation, vapour pressure deficit and temperature). SF was more closely associated with changes in the studied evaporative demand variables than were MDS and Ψ_stem. SF and Ψ_stem were more closely correlated with changes in reference evapotranspiration (ETo) (r ² = 0.93 and 0.79, respectively), while MDS behaviour was best correlated with mean daily air temperature (T _m) (r ² = 0.76). Increases in the evaporative demand induced more negative Ψ_stem values and, as a consequence, SF increased, which, in turn, was translated into an increase in MDS. This confirmed that SF and MDS were very good predictors of the plant water status during the observation period and their continuous recording offers the promising possibility of their use in automatic irrigation scheduling in lemon trees.     

Some views on the role of noise in “self”-organizing systems

This paper deals with information transfer from the environment and “self”-organization in open, nonlinear systems far from thermodynamic equilibrium — in the presence of either non-stationary phase jitter noise, or amplitude stationary noise. By “self”-organization we mean here the progressive formation within the system of sequential, ordered (coherent) relationships between appropriate dynamical variables-like for example, the phase differences between the oscillating components of the system. We take up (in Section II) the classical Laser as a specific example and examine in detail the influence of phase jitter noise in the mode (phase) locking process. We find—as expected—that phase fluctuations in the cavity cause degradation of the coherent behaviour (i.e. increase the entropy) of the system — which, however, levels off, or saturates with time. Further (in Section III) we examine systems where the number of self-sustained oscillating components may vary with time in such a way that the maximum entropy of the system increases faster than the overall instantaneous entropy. We put forth the hypothesis that in such cases — because of the increase of the redundancy — the system gets organized not just in spite of, but merely because of the presence of Noise. Possible applications in biological systems (especially concerning a model of cerebral organization) are briefly discussed. It is understood here, that the system has to display some preliminary dynamical structure before the organizing procedure takes over. What happens afterwards is the subject of this paper.