The effects of rate and timing of N fertilizer on growth, photosynthesis, N accumulation and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea) subjected to defoliation

Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is characterized by large number of broad oblong shaped leaves in the lower layers. Our earlier studies have shown that removal of these shaded lower leaves on mustard plant axis enhanced growth, photosynthetic capacity and yield of the crop. We now present evidence that soil-applied nitrogen (N) at pre- or post-flowering stage following defoliation of lower leaves influences plant growth, photosynthesis and assimilation balance. Following defoliation at pre-flowering, i.e. 40 d after sowing (DAS) and N applied at the rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹ at the time of sowing and 50 kg ha⁻¹ at post-flowering (60 DAS) enhanced the characteristics maximally. The defoliation treatment together with N combinations and the time of its application, N at 150 kg ha⁻¹ applied as single dose at the time of sowing or N applied in split; 100 kg ha⁻¹ at the time of sowing and 50 kg ha⁻¹ at 40 DAS or 75 kg ha⁻¹ at the time of sowing or 75 kg ha⁻¹ at pre- or post-flowering time proved less effective. The plants which were not defoliated and received 75 kg N ha⁻¹ at the time of sowing and 75 kg ha⁻¹ at 60 DAS showed lowest values. Furthermore, N assimilation was more efficient in plants following defoliation at 40 DAS. The results suggest that split N application (100 kg ha⁻¹ at sowing and 50 kg ha⁻¹ at post-flowering) enhances substantially growth, photosynthesis, N assimilation and yield of mustard following defoliation. This management practice could be adopted in mustard culture for increasing seed yield together with minimizing N loss.     

西双版纳热带雨林与海南热带雨林的比较研究

西双版纳的热带雨林与海南低地热带雨林和热带季雨林有基本一致的植物区系组成,群落中优势科无论在种数百分比还是重要值排名上均较接近,显然属于同样性质的植物区系。在生态特征上,西双版纳热带雨林群落高大,分层不明显,B层为林冠层,散生巨树常见,在生活型谱上以高位芽植物占绝对优势,大、中高位芽植物相对较多,落叶树种比例小;以中叶、纸质,全缘和复叶比例较高为特征,具有最接近海南低地湿润雨林的群落垂直结构和生态外貌,其雨林特点虽不如湿润雨林浓厚,但明显强于海南的热带常绿季雨林和山地雨林,海南常绿季雨林群落高度明显较矮,小叶比例通常较高,革质叶比例亦较高,群落具遥明显的旱生特点,海南的山地雨林群落高度较矮,A层连续,成为林冠,无散生巨树,分层明显,在生活型谱上大高位芽植物比例减少,附生植物丰富,并具有相当比例的地面芽植物;叶级虽以中叶占优势,但通常革质,非全缘和单叶比例较高,明显由于热量不足的影响而带有亚热带森林特色,在物种多样性上,西双版纳热带雨林的乔木物种多样性指数似乎与海南的低地热带雨林相当,低于海南的山地雨林群落,海南的热带雨林群落种类丰富度不同人研究的结果差异较大,如果这些用于比较的数据可靠和具有可比性的话,西双版纳热带雨林的物种多样性要比海南的山地雨林低。     

Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Release in a Tropical Seasonal Rain Forest of Xishuangbanna,Southwest China1

We studied litter decomposition and nutrient release in a tropical seasonal rain forest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. The monthly decay rates (k) of leaf litter ranged from 0.02 to 0.21/mo, and correlated with rainfall and soil moisture. Annual k values for leaf litter (1.79/yr) averaged 4.2 times of those for coarse wood (2.5–3.5 cm in diameter). The turnover coefficients of forest floor mass (annual litterfall input/mean floor mass) were: 4.11/yr for flowers and fruits, 2.07/yr for leaves, and 1.17/yr for fine wood (≤2 cm in diameter), with resident time decreasing from fine woods (0.85 yr) to leaves (0.48 yr) and to flower and fruits (0.24 yr). Nutrient residence times in the forest floor mass were ranked as: Ca (1.0 yr) > P (0.92 yr) > Mg (0.64 yr) > N (0.36 yr) > K (0.31 yr). Our data suggest that rates of litter decomposition and nutrient release in the seasonal rain forest of Xishuangbanna are slower than those in typical lowland rain forests, but similar to those in tropical semideciduous forests.     

Biogas-plant effluent as an organic fertiliser in fish polyculture

Biogas-plant effluent collected from a KVIC model biogas-plant fed on cattle waste was utilised in fish polyculture. Biogas-plant effluent was applied at 0·15% concentration at 3-day intervals. The growth rate of Labeo rohita was 4·52 ±0 ·75 g fish⁻¹ day⁻¹, of Cirrhina mrigala 3·36 ± 0·48 g fish⁻ day⁻¹ and of Cyprinus carpio was 1·82 ± 0·41 g fish⁻¹ day⁻¹. Total fish production was 13·44 ± 0·77 kg 0·002 ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (6653 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) without any supplementary fish-feed.     

Forest Structure and Biomass of a Tropical Seasonal Rain Forest in Xishuangbanna,Southwest China1

Xishuangbanna is a region located at the northern edge of tropical Asia. Biomass estimates of its tropical rain forest have not been published in English literature. We estimated forest biomass and its allocation patterns in five 0.185–1.0 ha plots in tropical seasonal rain forests of Xishuangbanna. Forest biomass ranged from 362.1 to 692.6 Mg/ha. Biomass of trees with diameter at 1.3 m breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm accounted for 98.2 percent of the rain forest biomass, followed by shrubs (0.9%), woody lianas (0.8%), and herbs (0.2%). Biomass allocation to different tree components was 68.4–70.0 percent to stems, 19.8–21.8 percent to roots, 7.4–10.6 percent to branches, and 0.7–1.3 percent to leaves. Biomass allocation to the tree sublayers was 55.3–62.2 percent to the A layer (upper layer), 30.6–37.1 percent to the B layer (middle), and 2.7–7.6 percent to the C layer (lower). Biomass of Pometia tomentosa, a dominant species, accounted for 19.7–21.1 percent of the total tree biomass. The average density of large trees (DBH ≥100 cm) was 9.4 stems/ha on two small plots and 3.5 stems/ha on two large plots, illustrating the potential to overestimate biomass on a landscape scale if only small plots are sampled. Biomass estimations are similar to typical tropical rain forests in Southeast Asia and the Neotropics.     

不同林龄杉木组织迁移养分的再利用

为了清楚了解不同林龄杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)组织迁移养分(氮、磷、钾、钙、镁)再利用特征, 为人工林丰产的经营管理提供科学依据, 该文利用湖南会同杉木林不同林龄段的活的枝叶与枯死枝叶养分浓度及其差异和枝叶枯死量, 估算枝叶枯死前的养分迁移量。用某林龄段开始和结束时的杉木器官的养分浓度差异, 估算那些在某林龄段开始前林分生产的, 在林龄段结束时仍存活的器官(干、皮、枝、叶、根), 即仍存活物质, 在该林龄段的养分迁移量。将枝叶枯死前迁移的养分和这些仍存活物质中转移的养分与从土壤中吸收的养分相结合, 根据森林生产的生物量, 综合分析森林物质生产的养分利用特征。研究表明: 1-7年生林分, 利用枝叶枯死前迁移的养分生产的生物量及占总生产生物量的比例, 分别为217 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1和3.52%; 20-25年生林分则分别上升到2 540 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1和17.50%。枝叶枯死前迁移的养分生产的生物量及占总生产生物量的比例都随林龄增加而增大。林分在12-16、17-20、21-25年林龄段, 由这些仍存活物质中迁移出的养分生产的生物量分别为385、561和450 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1, 分别占总生产生物量的3.40%、3.40%和3.11%。这些仍存活物质中迁移出的养分量随林龄增加呈现先上升后下降的变化, 由这些养分生产的物质量占总生产物质量的比例随林龄增加呈下降趋势。结果显示, 只要有枝叶枯死发生, 就有枝叶枯死前迁移出养分用于物质再生产。林分郁闭后, 才会发生这些仍存活物质中迁移出的养分再利用。杉木体内养分再分配及贮备机制、杉木生长规律和不同生长发育阶段对养分的需求和利用效率等, 共同调节控制着枝叶枯死前迁移的和这些仍存活物质中迁移出的养分再利用的年变化。     

论滇南西双版纳的森林植被分类

本文基于多年研究成果的总结,对西双版纳森林植被的分类、主要植被类型及其特征进行了系统归纳,并讨论了它们与世界类似热带森林植被的关系。以群落的生态外貌与结构、种类组成和生境特征相结合作为植被分类的原则和依据,可以将西双版纳的热带森林植被分类为热带雨林、热带季节性湿润林、热带季雨林和热带山地常绿阔叶林四个主要的植被型,包括有至少二十个群系。热带雨林包括热带季节雨林和热带山地(低山)雨林二个植被亚型。热带季节雨林具有与赤道低地热带雨林几乎一样的群落结构和生态外貌特征,是亚洲热带雨林的一个类型,但由于发生在季风热带北缘纬度和海拔的极限条件下,受到季节性干旱和热量不足的影响,在其林冠层中有一定比例的落叶树种存在,大高位芽植物和附生植物较逊色而藤本植物和在叶级谱上的小叶型植物更丰富,这些特征又有别于赤道低地的热带雨林。热带山地雨林是热带雨林的山地亚型,是该地区热带山地较湿润生境的一种森林类型,它在植物区系组成和生态外貌特征上类似于热带亚洲的低山雨林,隶属于广义热带雨林植被型下的低山雨林亚型。热带季节性湿润林分布在石灰岩山坡中、上部,在群落外貌上类似热带山地常绿阔叶林但在植物区系组成上与后者不同,它是石灰岩山地垂直带上的一种植被类型。热带季雨林是分布在该地区开阔河谷盆地及河岸受季风影响强烈的生境的一种热带落叶森林,是介于热带雨林与萨王纳之间的植被类型。热带山地常绿阔叶林(季风常绿阔叶林)是西双版纳的主要山地植被类型,它分布在热带季节雨林带之上偏干的山地生境。它在植物区系组成上不同于该地区的热带季节雨林,在生态外貌特征上亦不同于热带山地雨林,是发育在受地区性季风气候强烈影响的热带山地的一种森林植被类型。     

On the Classification of Forest Vegetation in Xishuangbanna,Southern Yunnnan

Xishuangbanna of southern Yunnan is a region of extremely interest to biologists and also a hotspot for biodiversity conservation . It is located in a transitional zone from tropical Southeast Asia to temperate East Asia biogeographically. The present paper reviewed vegetation types of Xishuangbanna and suggested a revised classification system based on theupdated study results over the last two decades . By combining physiognomic and floristic characteristics with ecological performances and habitats , the primary forest vegetation in Xishuangbanna can be organized into four main vegetation types: tropical rain forest, tropical seasonal moist forest, tropical montane evergreen broad-leaved forest and tropical monsoon forest. The tropical rain forest can be classified into two subtypes , i. e. tropical seasonal rain forest in the lowlands and tropical montane rain forest on higher elevations. The tropical seasonal rain forest in this region shows similar forest profile and physiognomic characteristics to those of equatorial lowland rain forests and is a type of world tropical rain forest. Because of conspicuous similarity on floristic composition , the tropical seasonal rain forest in Xishuangbanna is a type of tropical Asian rain forest . However , since the tropical seasonal rain forest occurs at the northern edge of tropical SE Asia, it differs from typical lowland rain forests in equatorial areas in maintaining some deciduous trees in the canopy layer , fewer megaphanerophytes and epiphytes but more abundant lianas and more plants with microphyll . It is a type of semi-evergreen rain forest at the northern edge of the tropical zone . The tropical montane rain forest occurs in wet montane habitats and is similar to the lower montane rain forests in equatorial Asia in floristic composition and physiognomy . It is a variety of lower montane rain forests at the northern tropical edges of tropical rain forests . The tropical seasonal moist forest occurs on middle and upper limestone mountains and is similar to the tropical montane evergreen broad-leaved forest of the region in physiognomy, but it differs from the latter in floristic composition. The monsoon forest in Xishuangbanna is a tropical deciduous forest under the influence of a strong monsoon climate and is considered to be a transitional vegetation type between tropical rain forest and savanna in physiognomy and distribution. The tropical montane evergreen broad- leaved forest is the main vegetation type in mountain areas . It is dominated by the tree species of Fagaceae , Euphorbiaceae , Theaceae and Lauraceae in majority. It differs from the tropical montane rain forests in lack of epiphytes and having more abundant lianas and plants with compound leaves . It is considered to be a distinct vegetation type in the northern margin of mainland southeastern Asia controlling by a strong monsoon climate, based on its floristic and physiognomic characteristics.     

Effect of typhoon disturbance on fine litterfall and related nutrient input in a subtropical forest on Okinawa Island, Japan

Typhoons are frequent on Okinawa Island, southwestern Japan. The effects of typhoon disturbance on the patterns of fine litterfall and related nutrient inputs in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest were studied over 5 years from May 1996 to April 2001. Annual fine litterfall averaged 7558 kg ha⁻¹ (range from 6188 to 9439 kg ha⁻¹) for six sampling plots over 5 years, which differed significantly among years (p<0.001) but not among plots (p=0.122). A seasonal maximum was most evident for leaf litter component. Woody litter fell more irregularly through the year, and peak fall varied with typhoon and windstorm. The mean ratio of annual litterfall mass of sexual organs to leaves was 0.06, much lower than that in other tropical and subtropical rain forests. Nutrient concentrations varied in litterfall components, but were not significantly different among plots. The lowest concentrations of N and P in leaf litter were observed in March, which is also the month with the greatest leaf fall. However, the highest concentrations were recorded in typhoon season. Nitrogen and P concentrations were 34% and 106% greater in the green leaves that fell during typhoons than in senescent leaves. Mean nutrient inputs by litterfall were: N 83, P 3.2, K 25, Ca 71, Mg 19, Al 12, Na 10, Fe 0.86 and Mn 3.9 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, and differed significantly among years for all elements (p<0.0005) and among plots only for K (p<0.05) and Mn (p<0.0001). Typhoon disturbance strongly affected annual fine litterfall and related nutrient inputs, which contributed an average of 30% of the annual litterfall mass, and from 30% to 39% (for different nutrient elements) of annual total nutrient inputs. The results from this study suggest that typhoon-driven maintenance of rapid cycling of P and N and their high availability in soil appears to be an important mechanism to maintain productivity in the subtropical forest on Okinawa Island.     

不同林分密度杉木林养分积累与垂直空间分配

在对1800、3000和4500株hm-23种密度杉木林生长调查及生物量测定的基础上,测定3种密度杉木林各组分养分含量和养分积累量,研究其地上部分养分积累量的垂直空间分配,为杉木林高效培育提供科学依据.结果 表明:1800、3000和4500株·hm-2杉木林养分积累总量分别为1311.57、2531.55和2307....     

Potential for woody plant control by Spanish goats in the sagebrush steppe

Botanical composition of the diet of eight Spanish goats was studied on the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range during two stages of plant phenology (active growth in early July and cured forage in mid-August) to assess their potential for the control of sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata sspp. wyomingensis Nutt.) and western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) and their nutritional status on sagebrush-steppe rangelands. Diets were quantified by documenting the number of visits to each species, the bites harvested and time expended grazing each forage over 4 consecutive days in each period. Forage chemical characteristics evaluated included: CP, NDF, ADF, ADL and IVDMD. Diet composition and forage quality indices varied significantly (P < 0.05) with changes in plant phenology. Vegetation cover averaged 52% in the pasture and consisted of 36% grasses, 8% forbs, 7% shrubs and 0.6% trees. Available herbage (excluding woody plants) was 534 kg ha⁻¹ during active growth trials and 572 kg ha⁻¹ when forages had cured. When forages were green goats acquired 28% of their total bites from grasses, 71% from forbs, 0.3% from shrubs and 0.9% from juniper trees. After forages had cured values were 35% from grasses, 56% from forbs, 0.1% from shrubs and 8.8% from juniper. The browsing of juniper (both foliage and bark), after herbaceous forages had cured, was the only substantive use of woody plants. Sagebrush was only lightly used (0.2% of total bites) when herbaceous forages were actively growing. Available herbage was of relatively high quality during both trials. When forages were actively growing, CP of grasses ranged from 8.9 to 5.6%, forbs from 17.7 to 8.5%, sagebrush scored at 8.5%, juniper foliage at 8.1% and juniper bark at 3.2%. After herbaceous forages had cured, grass CPs ranged between 6.2 and 3.1%, forbs from 10.4 to 4.4%, shrubs were not sampled and juniper foliage averaged 7.6%. Given the low levels of browsing exhibited by goats on sagebrush and juniper we see little opportunity for control of these woody plants when pastures provide a diverse (N = 25 species) array of readily available (534–572 kg ha⁻¹) and nutritious forages and pastures are lightly stocked (0.63 goats ha⁻¹ month⁻¹). We do need, however, to further explore their potential for control of these species under several other regimes. These include extended trials on more deteriorated rangelands, trials during seasons or conditions where forage is limited and the animal's selective opportunity is restricted and trials in high quality environments on newly established sagebrush and juniper seedlings.     

西双版纳热带季节雨林的生物量及其分配特征

 根据3块1 hm² 样地的调查资料,利用123株样木数据建立以胸径(D)为单变量的生物量预测方程。采用样木回归分析法(乔木层、木质藤本)和样 方收获法(灌木层、草本层), 获取西双版纳热带季节雨林的生物量,并分析了其组成和分配特征。结果表明,西双版纳热带季节雨林的总生物 量为423.908±109.702 Mg•hm^－2(平均值±标准差,n=3) ,其中活体植物生物量占95.28%,粗死木质残体占4.07%,地上凋落物占 0.64%。在 其层次分配方面：乔木层优势明显,占98.09%±0.60%;其次为木质藤本,占0.83%±0.31%;灌木层和草本层生物量均小于木质藤本的生物量; 附生植物最低,仅为0.06%±0.03%。总生物量的器官分配以茎所占比例最高,达68.33%;根、枝、叶的比例分别为18.91%、11.07%和1.65 %。 乔木层生物量的径级分配主要集中于中等径级和最大径级。大树(D＞70 cm)具有较高的生物量,占整个乔木层的43.67%±12.67%。树种分配方 面,生物量排序前10位的树种占乔木层总生物量的63.43%±4.09%,生物量集中分配于少量优势树种。西双版纳热带季节雨林乔木层叶面积指数 为6.39±0.85。西双版纳热带季节雨林乔木层的地上生物量位于世界热带湿润森林的中下范围。     

Phosphorus limitation on photosynthesis of two dominant understory species in a lowland tropical forest

Aims Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition in tropical regions may accelerate ecosystem phosphorus (P) limitation. However, it is not explicitly addressed that how changes in soil N and P availability affect foliar nutrients and photosynthesis of plants in tropical forests. In this study, we examined the effects of N and P additions on foliar nutrients and net photosynthesis of two dominant understory species, Randia canthioides (R. canthioides) and Cryptocarya concinna (C. concinna) in an N-saturated old-growth tropical forest (>400-year-old) in southern China.Methods A full factorial NP addition experiment (2×2) was established in 2007 and continued through August 2010. Four treatments, including control, N addition (150kg N ha^-1 year^-1), P addition (150kg P ha^-1 year^-1) and NP addition (150kg N ha^-1 year^-1 plus 150kg P ha^-1 year^-1) were set up in this experiment. Photosynthetic traits (maximum photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation (A max), stomatal conductance (g s), leaf transpiration (E), light saturating point, concentrations of chlorophyll a/b and foliar nutrients (N and P) of the two species were measured with standard methods.Important findings Three years of N addition had no significant effects on any measured photosynthetic parameter of either species. However, N addition significantly elevated foliar N and P concentrations of one species (R. canthioides), resulting in lower photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE). N treatments decreased foliar P concentration of the other (C. concinna), resulting in increased photosynthetic phosphorus use efficiency, which was potentially related to N-induced P shortage. In contrast, positive effects of P treatments on g s of R. canthioides, A max and chlorophyll a+b of C. concinna were observed. P treatments also elevated foliar P and PNUE of both species, implying P induced more efficient use of N. Our results suggested a more important role of P than N on influencing photosynthetic traits of these two understory species. Alleviation of P shortage through P addition may enhance photosynthetic performances of some understory species in N-rich tropical forests.     

Phenol inhibition of biological nutrient removal in a four-step sequencing batch reactor

Nutrient removal from synthetic wastewater was investigated using a four-step sequencing batch reactor (SBR) at different phenol (C₆H₅OH) concentrations in order to determine the inhibition effects of phenol on biological nutrient removal. The nutrient removal process consisted of anaerobic, oxic, anoxic, and oxic phases with hydraulic residence times (HRT) of 1 h/3 h/1 h/1 h and a settling phase of 3/4 h. Solids retention time (SRT) was kept constant at 10 days in all experiments. Initial phenol concentrations were varied between 0 and 600 mg l⁻¹ at seven different levels. The effects of phenol on COD, NH₄-N, and PO₄-P removals and effluent nutrient levels were investigated. Phenol was almost completely degraded up to 400 mg l⁻¹ phenol concentration resulting in almost negligible inhibition effects on COD, NH₄-N, and PO₄-P removals. Nutrient removals were adversely affected by phenol at concentrations above 400 mg l⁻¹. Above 95% COD, 90% NH₄-N and 65% PO₄-P removal was obtained for phenol concentrations below 400 mg l⁻¹. The sludge volume index (SVI) was almost constant around 45 ml g⁻¹ for phenol concentrations below 400 mg l⁻¹ but increased to 90 ml g⁻¹ at a phenol level of 600 mg l⁻¹.     

模拟氮沉降对北京东灵山辽东栎林树木生长的影响

传统的元素限制模型认为氮是温带森林生长的限制元素, 不过该结论更多是从地上生物量以及群落水平进行阐述, 忽视了不同物种以及不同径级树木对外源氮的响应差异。辽东栎(Quercus wutaishanica)林是华北地区常见的森林类型, 该研究以北京东灵山辽东栎林为研究对象, 通过设置3个氮添加水平的实验, 即对照CK (0 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1), N50 (50 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1)和N100 (100 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1), 模拟氮沉降对群落和物种水平以及不同径级树木生长的影响。经过7年氮添加, 实验结果显示: 物种水平上, 氮添加明显促进了优势树种辽东栎的生长; 群落水平上, 树木生长随氮浓度增加有不断上升趋势, 但统计学差异不显著; 氮添加显著抑制了辽东栎以及群落内小径级(3-10 cm)树木生长, 中(10-20 cm)、大径级(>20 cm)树木生长随氮沉降水平增加呈上升趋势, 但统计学差异不显著。表明氮是辽东栎以及温带森林树木生长的限制元素; 不同径级的辽东栎和群落内其他植物对氮添加响应不一致, 氮添加抑制了小径级树木生长, 中、大径级树木生长对氮添加响应不明显。     

The response of an emergent sedge Bolboschoenus medianus to salinity and nutrients

The potential for nutrient load (30, 100 and 350 g N m⁻² per year) to alter plant performance under saline conditions (control, 4.5, 9 and 13 dS m⁻¹) was examined in the sedge Bolboschoenus medianus. Relative growth rates (RGR) across nutrient loadings ranged from 30.2 to 41.8 mg g⁻¹ per day in controls and were reduced to 20.9–28.5 mg g⁻¹ per day by salinities of 13 dS m⁻¹. Whilst higher nutrient loads generally increased RGR, the response was smaller at higher salinities. Responses to salinity and nutrient load were specific. Nutrient load increased the RGR via increases in the leaf area ratio (LAR). The LAR ranged from 1.9 to 2.1 m² kg⁻¹ across salinity treatments at 30 g N m⁻² per year, and increased to 2.5–2.8 m² kg⁻¹ at 350 g N m⁻² per year. Salinity reduced the RGR via a reduction in the net assimilation rate (NAR). The NAR in control plants ranged from 14.7 to 16 g m⁻² per day across nutrient loadings and decreased to 11–12 g m⁻² per day at 13 dS m⁻¹. Carbon isotope discrimination of leaves decreased by 2–3‰ in response to 13 dS m⁻¹ at the lower nutrient loadings. A prominent response of B. medianus to salinity was a change in biomass allocation from culms to tubers. In contrast, the response to nutrient load was characterised by a shift in biomass allocation from roots to leaves.     

Structure and function of shisham forests in central Himalaya,India: nutrient dynamics

The structure and function of Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.) forests were investigated in relation to nutrient dynamics in 5- to 15-year-old stands growing in central Himalaya. Nutrient concentrations and storage in different layers of vegetation were in the order: tree > shrub > herb. Forest soil, litter and vegetation accounted for 80.1-91.9, 1.0-1.5 and 7.0-18.4%, respectively, of the total nutrients in the system. There were considerable reductions (trees 32.8-43.1; shrubs 26.2-32.4; and herbs 18-8-22-2%) in nutrient concentrations of leaves during senescence. Nutrient uptake by the vegetation as a whole and also by the different components, with and without adjustment for internal recycling, was investigated. Annual transfer of litter nutrients to the soil from vegetation was 74.8-108.4 kg ha(-1) year(-1) N, 56.8-4 kg ha(-1) year(-1) P and 38.7-46.9 kg ha(-1) year(-1) K. Turnover rate and time for different nutrients ranged between 56 and 66 % year(-1) and 1.5 and 1.8 years, respectively. The turnover rate of litter indicates that over 50% of nutrients in litter on the forest floor are released, which ultimately enhances the productivity of the forest stand. The nutrient use efficiency in Shisham forests ranged from 136 to 143 kg ha(-1) year(-1) for N, 1,441 to 1,570 kg ha(-1) year(-1) for P and 305 to 311 kg ha(-1) year(-1) for K. Compared with natural oak forest (265 kg ha(-1) year(-1) and an exotic eucalypt plantation (18 kg ha(-1) year(-1), a higher proportion of nutrients was retranslocated in Shisham forests, largely because of higher leaf tissue nutrient concentrations. This indicates a lower nutrient use efficiency of Shisham compared with eucalypt and oak. Compartment models for nutrient dynamics have been developed to represent the distribution of nutrients pools and net annual fluxes within the system.     

Effects of irradiance, temperature, and nutrients on growth dynamics of seagrasses: A review

Productivity of seagrasses can be controlled by physiological processes, as well as various biotic and abiotic factors that influence plant metabolism. Light, temperature, and inorganic nutrients affect biochemical processes of organisms, and are considered as major factors controlling seagrass growth. Minimum light requirements for seagrass growth vary among species due to unique physiological and morphological adaptations of each species, and within species due to photo-acclimation to local light regimes. Seagrasses can enhance light harvesting efficiencies through photo-acclimation during low light conditions, and thus plants growing near their depth limit may have higher photosynthetic efficiencies. Annual temperatures, which are highly predictable in aquatic systems, play an important role in controlling site specific seasonal seagrass growth. Furthermore, both thermal adaptation and thermal tolerance contribute greatly to seagrass global distributions. The optimal growth temperature for temperate species range between 11.5 °C and 26 °C, whereas the optimal growth temperature for tropical/subtropical species is between 23 °C and 32 °C. However, productivity in persistent seagrasses is likely controlled by nutrient availability, including both water column and sediment nutrients. It has been demonstrated that seagrasses can assimilate nutrients through both leaf and root tissues, often with equal uptake contributions from water column and sediment nutrients. Seagrasses use HCO₃⁻ inefficiently as a carbon source, thus photosynthesis is not always saturated with respect to DIC at natural seawater concentrations leading to carbon limitation for seagrass growth. Our understanding of growth dynamics in seagrasses, as it relates to main environmental factors such as light, temperature, and nutrient availability, is critical for effective conservation and management of seagrass habitats.     

Geological History,Flora, and Vegetation of Xishuangbanna,Southern Yunnan,China1

Xishuangbanna of southern Yunnan is biogeographically located at a transitional zone from tropical Southeast (SE) Asia to subtropical East Asia, and is at the junction of the Indian and Burmese plates of Gondwana and the Eurasian plate of Laurasia. The flora of the region consists of a recorded 3336 native seed plant species, belonging to 1140 genera in 197 families, among which 83.5 percent are tropical genera and 32.8 percent are endemic to tropical Asia, suggesting a strong affinity to tropical Asian flora. The vegetation of Xishuangbanna is organized into four forest types: tropical rain forest, tropical seasonal moist forest, tropical montane evergreen broad‐leaved forest, and tropical monsoon forest. The tropical rain forest in Xishuangbanna has the same floristic composition of families and genera as some lowland equatorial rain forests in SE Asia, and is dominated (with a few exceptions) by the same families both in species richness and stem dominance. The exceptions include some deciduous trees in the canopy layer, fewer megaphanerophytes and epiphytes, and a higher abundance of lianas and microphyllic plants. We consider the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna as a type of tropical Asian rain forest, based on their conspicuous similarities in ecological and floristic characteristics.