Heavy-metal uptake by crops from polluted river sediments covered by non-polluted topsoil

Crop uptake of heavy metals from polluted river clay soils is shown to be reduced by covering the polluted soil with a layer of unpolluted clay soil. Plant experiments have been performed to determine the thickness of such a layer required either to comply with permissible levels for metal concentrations in foods and feeds, or to exclude any effect on plant metal levels. The experiments included cover layers up to 0.7 m and 1.6 m, respectively. Crops grown included cereals, potatoes, sugar beet, maize and various vegetables. Protection of all food crops tested against exceeding permissible levels for cadmium requires a clean topsoil of over 1.6 m; for individual crops ranging from zero (no cover layer required) for red cabbage, leek, onion, potato) to 1.2 m–1.6 m for celery tuber and leaf. Results for feed crops were variable: required topsoil depths for maize range from 0.25–1.2 m, and for wheat straw from 0.55 to 1.6 m. No-effect depths calculated for Cd, Cu and Zn demonstrate that inmany experiments the effect of the polluted soil may be observed at all topsoil depths tested. Heavy-metal concentrations in the soil profile, measured after completion of the experiments, showed no significant migration of metals from the polluted soil into the cover soil.     

Elevated Cd and Zn uptake by aspen limits the phytostabilization potential compared to five other tree species

Phytostabilization of metals using trees is often promoted, although the influence of different tree species on the mobilization of metals is not yet clear. This study examined effects of six tree species on the soil characteristics pH, organic carbon (OC) content and cation exchange capacity (CEC) and on the redistribution of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) on a polluted sandy soil. Soil and biomass were sampled in 10-year-old stands growing on former agricultural land. The tree species included were silver birch (Betula pendula), oak (Quercus robur and Quercus petraea), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), aspen (Populus tremula), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). In the short period of 10 years, only aspen caused significant changes in the soil characteristics. Due to accumulation of Cd and Zn in its leaf litter, aspen increased the total as well as the NH₄OAc-EDTA-extractable Cd and Zn concentrations in the topsoil compared to deeper soil layers and to other tree species. Also, topsoil pH, OC content and CEC were significantly higher than under most of the other species. This caused rather low ‘bioavailable’ CaCl₂-extractable concentrations under aspen. Nevertheless, given the risks of aboveground metal dispersion and topsoil accumulation, it is recommended that aspen should be avoided when afforesting Cd and Zn contaminated lands.     

Importance of site conditions and time since abandonment for coppice vegetation on Langeland, Denmark

In 57 sample plots in neglected coppices on Langeland, Denmark (14—c. 125 years since last coppicing) the cover of trees and shrubs was analysed by the method of Domin-Krajina and the ground layer by the frequency method of Raunkiær. The data were analysed by DC A. The tree and shrub layer showed significant correlations with topsoil pH and litter depth. The ground layer was significantly correlated with inclination, area of the wood in which the coppice was situated, light, topsoil pH and the tree layer, and to a lesser extent with litter depth, but was not correlated with time since last coppicing. It is suggested that for some stands the suppression of Corγlus avellana by tree species ( Quercus robur, Fagus sylvatica, Carpinus betulus ) which form a permanent litter layer and acidify the soil is more important to the ground layer than the time elapsed since last coppicing per se. Formation of a permanent litter layer reduces species density, e-specially of some forest species without clonal growth. One main reason for the lack of correlation between the ground layer and time since coppicing may be the great environmental variation in the neglected coppices on Langeland. Another reason seems to be the absence of competitive forest species (which otherwise would benefit from non-intervention) due to the isolated position of the coppiced woods. It is concluded that neglect in excess of c. 35 years beyond the normal coppice rotation has some effect on the composition of the tree and shrub layer, but not a direct effect on the ground layer.     

Soil Seed Bank as an Input of Seed Source in Revegetation of Lead / Zinc Mine Tailings

The goal of the present study was to assess a soil seed bank as an input seed source for revegetating lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailings. The seed bank source was abandoned farmland, whose top 10‐cm layer of topsoil contained 6,850 ± 377 seeds/m² from 41 species. The seeds in the soil were principally distributed in the upper 0–2 cm, which held 75.8% of total seeds and 92.7% of species composition. The top 2‐cm layer of topsoil may be sufficient to serve the purpose of providing a seed source for revegetation on derelict lands, including mined lands. Four different thicknesses of topsoil (1, 2, 4, and 8 cm, redistributed from the total 0–10‐cm layer from the farmland) were field‐tested on the Pb/Zn mine tailings. There was no significant difference in seedling density among the 4 thickness treatments. Many seeds in the treatments with more than 1‐cm of topsoil were unable to emerge from the deeper layer. Seedlings in plots with topsoil of 1‐, 2‐ and 4‐cm failed to establish within 1 year due to the extremely high acidity (pH 2.39 to 2.76). A shallow layer of topsoil cannot neutralize the sulfuric acid generated from oxidation of pyrites in the tailings. For establishment of seedlings on metalliferous lands, an insulating layer such as subsoil, building rubble, or domestic refuse is necessary before covering with valuable topsoil. The woody legume Leucaena leucocephala grown on the tailings with a topsoil cover of 8‐cm was the most dominant species. Lead was accumulated in root, branch, stem bark, and xylem, which accounted for more than 80% of the total metal concentration in the plant. This portion of Pb will reside in the plant for a long period, while the smaller portion of Pb in the leaf (about 15%) could be returned to the environment as litter during growth. Woody plants may have an advantage in metal‐phyto‐remediation over herbaceous plants.     

Functional Composition of Tree Communities Changed Topsoil Properties in an Old Experimental Tropical Plantation

Forest biogeochemistry is strongly determined by the interaction between the tree community and the topsoil. Functional strategies of tree species are coupled to specific chemical leaf traits, and thus also to litter composition, which affects mineral soil characteristics. The limited understanding on this interaction is mainly based on shorter-term common garden experiments in temperate forest, and needs to be extended to other forest types and climates if we want to understand the universality of this linkage. In particular, for highly diverse tropical forests, our understanding of this interaction remains limited. Using an old experimental plantation within the central Congo basin, we examined the relationship between leaf and litter chemical composition and topsoil properties. Canopy, litter and topsoil characteristics were measured and we determined how the community-level leaf and litter chemical composition altered the topsoil carbon, major plant nutrients and exchangeable cation concentration, acidity and pH over the last eight decades. We found that functional composition strongly affected topsoil pH. In turn, topsoil pH strongly determined the soil total carbon and available phosphorus, total nitrogen and exchangeable potassium. Our results indicate that, as observed in temperate common garden experiments, trees alter chemical topsoil properties primarily through soil acidification, differently induced by functional composition of the tree community. The strong link between this community-level composition and topsoil characteristics, on a highly representative soil type for the tropics, improves our understanding of tropical forests biogeochemistry.     

福建三种常绿阔叶林碳氮磷生态化学计量特征

为探明福建三种常绿阔叶林生态系统的养分循环状况及其主要影响因素,采用样地调查采样法,研究了福建武夷山自然保护区甜槠（Castanopsis eyrei）林、天宝岩自然保护区刨花润楠（Machilus pauhoi）林和虎伯寮自然保护区薄叶润楠（Machilus leptophylla）林的植物、凋落物和表层土壤（0-10 cm）碳（C）、氮（N）、磷（P）含量、化学计量特征及其与环境因子的相关性。结果表明：（1）比较3个样点同组分C、N和P含量,除了乔木层的N含量外,虎伯寮植物和凋落物层C、N和P含量均显著高于天宝岩和武夷山;武夷山表层土壤的C和N含量显著高于虎伯寮和天宝岩,P含量排序为天宝岩>武夷山>虎伯寮。（2） P是福建天然林植物生长的主要限制因子,土壤P的缺乏是影响福建常绿阔叶林养分循环的重要因素。（3）植物叶片与凋落物中的养分含量及化学计量比呈极显著正相关,与表层土壤呈极显著负相关,可见福建常绿阔叶林生态系统养分循环过程中,土壤养分消耗速率超过了凋落物的养分供给速率,导致生态系统养分循环缓慢。（4）气温和土壤C ∶ N是影响常绿阔叶林生态系统养分循环的关键环境因子。     

引入土壤种子库对铅锌尾矿废弃地植被恢复的作用

检测了丢荒旱作地土壤种子库,其种子含量为（６８５０±３７７）·ｍ－２,共有４１种植物。其中９２．７％的种和 ７５． ８％的种子是分布在 ０～２ ｃｍ的表层中。从丢荒旱作地采挖 １０ ｃｍ深的表层土壤,以 １ｃｍ, ２ ｃｍ, ４ ｃｍ和 ８ ｃｍ 等４种不同厚度分别铺放在铅锌矿尾矿废弃地试验小区上。尽管由于铺土厚度不同,各小区所含有的土壤种子库 中的种子数量也不同,但４种铺土处理试验,其幼苗平均数量分别为每平方米８８３± ４３４,９９５± １５８,１２４２± ３２７ 和８０３±３１株,经检验差异不显著,而不铺放表土的对照区则没有幼苗生长。可见,如果仅仅是作为提供种子资源 而引入土壤种子库,则铺放 １ｃｍ的表土就已足够。然而,经过１年以后,在铺放表土厚度为１ｃｍ, ２ ｃｍ和 ４ ｃｍ处 理上的幼苗全部死亡,只有铺放 ８ ｃｍ厚度表土的小区上实现了植被恢复,共有 １５种植物成功定居,其中有 １１种开 花结果,盖度达１００％。这说明了较薄的表土不足以有效阻隔尾矿与大气的接触,减缓酸化,以及缓冲尾矿酸化的影 响,此外较薄的表土也无法提供植物根系足够的生长空间。因此,如能预先铺放一层阻隔层,如底土、馀坭、垃圾之 类,再引入土壤种子库将有助于土壤种子     

黄土丘陵区三种典型土壤地类造林技术

中国黄土高原丘陵沟壑区是世界上水土流失最严重的区域之一,由于长期水土流失的侵蚀切割作用,表层土壤流失殆尽,黄绵土母质、红胶泥土以及土壤与岩石过渡类型--风化岩沫土等土壤类型依次裸露了出来,形成了3种典型的土壤地类,增加了造林的难度.由于红胶泥与风化岩沫土土壤瘠薄,当地林业部门认为这两种土壤地类不能造林,因此,传统造林只在黄棉土进行.为此,提出了＂适土适树,因土制宜＂的造林原则和＂穴衬膜栽植技术＂,以扩大适宜造林的土壤类型.穴衬膜栽植技术是指树木栽植时,在挖好的栽树坑底部和四周衬贴一层防渗薄膜（厚度为0.0007 mm可降解塑料薄膜）,树木栽好覆土浇水后,再在地表面覆膜,防止栽树浇水（施肥）的渗漏和蒸发,使树根在较长时间内处于含水量较高、四周封闭的潮湿土壤之中,从而达到提高成活率和促进林木前期生长的目的.1997～2001年,我们在黄土丘陵区陕西省延安市下砭沟小流域采用田间对比试验法进行了5年试验,结果表明,穴衬膜栽植技术促进浅层根系的生长发育,保水作用可持续4个月以上,对各种树木成活率和生长量均有显著促进作用,在黄土丘陵地区这3种土壤地类采用穴衬膜栽植技术可达到良好的造林效果,特别是红胶泥和风化岩沫土地类主要位于沟谷两岸,地下水供给较为充裕,是浅根性植物生长发育的良好土壤类型,科学混交可获得更好效果.     

上海地区绿化树种重金属污染防护特性的研究

通过测定土壤样品的重金属含量,调查了上海七宝镇污染水系两侧与上海宝钢集团厂区的重金属污染状况。结果表明,在污染水系两侧重金属含量较对照稍高,而上海宝钢厂区各样点土壤重金属含量明显高于对照,存在较严重的污染．同时在这两处重金属污染地带观察记录了绿化树种的生长状况,采集植物样品以ICP仪进行树木样品的重金属含量分析,综合两方面数据对近20种常见绿化树种的重金属污染的防护特性进行了比较研究．结果表明,法国冬青、紫薇、木芙蓉、女贞和龙柏等植物种类富集重金属能力较强,且生长状况较为良好,最适于作为重金属污染厂区的生态防护绿化的主要树种;而蚊母、夹竹桃和石楠等植物种类虽然富集重金属能力较低,但有较强的耐性,能良好生长。也适于作为污染区绿化美化树种。     

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。     

Establishment of mixed plantations of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica and Populus × xiaozhuanica may not be appropriate: evidence from litter decomposition

Aims Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestrisvar.mongolica) and Xiaozhuan poplar (Populus × xiaozhuanica) are two predominant afforestation tree species in the semi-arid sandy lands of northeast China, which are characterized by poor soil nutrients. Plant litter decomposition plays a critical role in regulating nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Admixture of broadleaf litter to conifer litter is expected to improve litter decomposition and soil fertility, and thus productivity. However, the effects on the decomposition of litter mixture of the above two tree species are not well understood. Therefore, it is essential to assess the decomposition performance of litter mixture with the aim of improving forest nutrient management and the establishment of mixed plantation. Appropriate forest management practice is critical for the sustainability of site productivity in plantation forests.     

Phosphorus conservation during post‐fire regeneration in a Chilean temperate rainforest

Nitrogen and phosphorus are the main elements limiting net primary production in terrestrial ecosystems. When growing in nutrient‐poor soils, plants develop physiological mechanisms to conserve nutrients, such as reabsorbing elements from senescing foliage (i.e. nutrient retranslocation). We investigated the changes in soil N and P in post‐fire succession in temperate rainforests of southern Chile. In this area, forest recovery often leads to spatially scattered, discrete regeneration with patches varying in age, area, species richness and tree cover, representing different degrees of recovery from disturbance. We hypothesized that soil nutrient concentrations should differ among tree regenerating patches depending on the progress of forest regeneration and that nutrient resorption should increase over time as colonizing trees respond to limited soil nutrients. To evaluate these hypotheses, we sampled 40 regeneration patches in an area of 5 ha, spanning a broad range of vegetation complexity, and collected soil, tree foliage and litter samples to determine N and P concentrations. Nutrient concentrations in leaf litter were interpreted as nutrient resorption proficiency. We found that soil P was negatively correlated with all the indicators of successional progress, whereas total soil N was independent of the successional progress. Foliar N and P were unrelated to soil nutrient concentrations; however, litter N was negatively related to soil N, and litter P was positively related with soil P. Finally, foliar N:P ratios ranged from 16 to 25, which suggests that P limitation can hamper post‐fire regeneration. We provide evidence that after human‐induced fires, succession in temperate forests of Chile can become nutrient limited and that high nutrient retranslocation is a key nutrient conservation strategy for regenerating tree communities.     

Leaf litter breakdown, microbial respiration and shredder production in metal-polluted streams

1. If species disproportionately influence ecosystem functioning and also differ in their sensitivities to environmental conditions, the selective removal of species by anthropogenic stressors may lead to strong effects on ecosystem processes. We evaluated whether these circumstances held for several Colorado, U.S.A. streams stressed by Zn. 2. Benthic invertebrates and chemistry were sampled in five second–third order streams for 1 year. Study streams differed in dissolved metal concentrations, but were otherwise similar in chemical and physical characteristics. Secondary production of leaf‐shredding insects was estimated using the increment summation and size‐frequency methods. Leaf litter breakdown rates were estimated by retrieving litter‐bags over a 171 day period. Microbial activity on leaf litter was measured in the laboratory using changes in oxygen concentration over a 48 h incubation period. 3. Dissolved Zn concentrations varied eightfold among two reference and three polluted streams. Total secondary production of shredders was negatively associated with metal contamination. Secondary production in reference streams was dominated by Taenionema pallidum. Results of previous studies and the current investigation demonstrate that this shredder is highly sensitive to metals in Colorado headwater streams. Leaf litter breakdown rates were similar between reference streams and declined significantly in the polluted streams. Microbial respiration at the most contaminated site was significantly lower than at reference sites. 4. Our results supported the hypothesis that some shredder species contribute disproportionately to leaf litter breakdown. Furthermore, the functionally dominant taxon was also the most sensitive to metal contamination. We conclude that leaf litter breakdown in our study streams lacked functional redundancy and was therefore highly sensitive to contaminant‐induced alterations in community structure. We argue for the necessity of simultaneously measuring community structure and ecosystem function in anthropogenically stressed ecosystems.     

Heavy metal accumulation in tissue/organs of a sea cucumber, Holothuria leucospilota

Holothuria leucospilota Brandt, the large black sea cucumber, is a non-selective deposit feeder, and is commonly found in the bottom of shallow waters in Hong Kong, where the sediments are often polluted with heavy metals. This study was designed to test the possibility of heavy metal accumulation by the sea cucumber at two sites in Hong Kong. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to measure Cu and Zn concentrations in various tissue/organs of the animal as well as in the sediments. The result indicated that H. leucospilota accumulated zinc in the longitudinal muscle bands (97.27–98.07 ppm in dry weight) and in the respiratory tree (83.92–89.64 ppm in dry weight). Copper concentrations in these two organs were much lower than that of zinc. After the animals were kept in the aquarium without sediment for40 days, zinc concentration of the longitudinal muscle and respiratory tree decreased by 48% and 39%respectively whereas copper concentration remained unchanged. The concentrations of zinc and copper in the sediment at the two sites differed significantly but the metal level in the animals from the two sites were similar, suggesting that this sea cucumber was not an ideal bioindicator of heavy metal pollution in the sediment. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of a modified zeolite on P and N processes and fluxes across the lake sediment–water interface using core incubations

A new locally produced P-inactivation agent, Z2G1, was tested on sediment cores from Lake Okaro, New Zealand, for phosphorus (P) removal efficacy and any non-target side effects prior to a whole lake trial to manage internal P loading. Z2G1 is a granular product which settles rapidly, and was designed as a sediment capping material. It is a modified zeolite which acts as a carrier for the aluminium (Al)-based P-binding agent. It was found to have a high affinity for P and did not release Al into the water column. Continuous-flow incubation study results showed that a thin layer of Z2G1 (~2 mm) could completely block the release of P from the sediment under aerobic and anoxic conditions, and remove P from the overlying water in contact with the capping layer. The Z2G1 capping layer neither released metals itself nor did it induce the release of metals from the sediments, and the zeolite substrate absorbed arsenic and mercury from the geothermally influenced Lake Okaro sediments. In general, zeolites are strong cation absorbers and the zeolite substrate of Z2G1 absorbed ammoniacal nitrogen, making it the only sediment capping material to actively remove both P and N. There were, however, indications of a suppression effect on microbial denitrification by the Z2G1 capping layer under aerobic conditions. Overall, the Z2G1 sediment capping material is a highly effective P-inactivation agent which might be a useful material for managing internal P loads in eutrophic lakes.     

Phytoextraction of cadmium with Thlaspi caerulescens

The in situ phytoextraction of cadmium from soils can only be achieved using plants that are both tolerant to high Cd concentrations and able to extract sufficient amounts of the metal. However, very few plant species are capable of remediating Cd polluted soils in a reasonable time frame. This paper aims to show that the population of the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens J. & C. Presl. from Viviez (south of France), which has a high Cd-accumulating capability, is an efficient tool to remove Cd from contaminated soils. Roots of T. caerulescensViviez proliferate in hot spots of metals in soils which is particularly advantageous because of heterogeneity of the distribution of metal in polluted soils. Isotopic techniques showed that plants from this population acquire Cd from the same pools as non-accumulating species, but that it was much more efficient than non-hyperaccumulators at removing the metal from the soil labile pool. This is due: to (i) a specific rooting strategy, and (ii) a high uptake rate resulting from the existence in this population of Cd-specific transport channels or carriers in the root membrane. Growth and overall extraction can be improved with appropriate N fertilisation, supplied either as mineral fertilisers or uncontaminated sewage sludge. Selecting bigger plants is possible from within a suitable Cd-accumulating population to improve the phytoextraction process. Growing the Cd-accumulating populations results in a reduction in the availability of Cd and Zn as shown with field and lysimeter experiments conducted for several years. As a result, on a practical aspect, Cd hyperaccumulating populations of T. caerulescens may be used as a tool to efficiently reduce the availability of Cd in soils, providing appropriate populations are used.     

Evaluation of solid polymeric organic materials for use in bioreactive sediment capping to stimulate the degradation of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons

In situ bioreactive capping is a promising technology for mitigation of surface water contamination by discharging polluted groundwater. Organohalide respiration (OHR) of chlorinated ethenes in bioreactive caps can be stimulated through incorporation of solid polymeric organic materials (SPOMs) that provide a sustainable electron source for organohalide respiring bacteria. In this study, wood chips, hay, straw, tree bark and shrimp waste, were assessed for their long term applicability as an electron donor for OHR of cis-dichloroethene (cDCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) in sediment microcosms. The initial release of fermentation products, such as acetate, propionate and butyrate led to the onset of extensive methane production especially in microcosms amended with shrimp waste, straw and hay, while no considerable stimulation of VC dechlorination was obtained in any of the SPOM amended microcosms. However, in the longer term, short chain fatty acids accumulation decreased as well as methanogenesis, whereas high dechlorination rates of VC and cDCE were established with concomitant increase of Dehalococcoides mccartyi and vcrA and bvcA gene numbers both in the sediment and on the SPOMs. A numeric simulation indicated that a capping layer of 40 cm with hay, straw, tree bark or shrimp waste is suffice to reduce the groundwater VC concentration below the threshold level of 5 μg/l before discharging into the Zenne River, Belgium. Of all SPOMs, the persistent colonization of tree bark by D. mccartyi combined with the lowest stimulation of methanogenesis singled out tree bark as a long-term electron donor for OHR of cDCE/VC in bioreactive caps.     

甘肃亚高山云杉人工林生态系统碳、氮储量动态和分配格局

云杉是甘肃亚高山地区重要的造林树种,研究其生态系统碳、氮储量的动态变化和分配格局有利于评价云杉人工造林后的生态恢复效果。以甘南、定西地区不同林龄(包括幼龄林、中龄林、近熟林和成熟林)的云杉人工林为研究对象,共设置16块调查样地。在野外调查、样品采集和分析的基础上,估算了其生态系统的碳、氮储量。结果显示:云杉林乔木不同器官的碳含量相对稳定,氮含量则与器官类型有密切关系;同一土层不同龄级的土壤碳、氮含量无明显差异。从乔木层、灌木层、枯落物层到草本层碳氮含量比值依次减小,土壤层碳氮含量比值最低。该地区云杉人工林生态系统总碳、氮储量分别为257. 75—430.23 t/hm~2和20.50—29.88 t/hm~2。随着林龄的增加,植被层碳、氮储量增加显著,分别从15.5 t/hm~2和0.24 t/hm~2增加到143.51 t/hm~2和1.65 t/hm~2。土壤层(0—100 cm)碳、氮储量分别为242.23—367.79 t/hm~2和20.26—29.58 t/hm~2,在整个生态系统各龄级中所占比例均超过60%和90%。生态系统和土壤层(0—100 cm)碳、氮储量在不同龄级间无显著差异。生态系统中土壤层、乔木层及灌、草、枯落物层的碳储量比例分别为85.72%、13.44%和0.84%,氮储量比例分别为97.60%、2.08%和0.32%。     

湖北省主要森林类型生态系统生物量与碳密度比较

利用野外调查数据对湖北省封山育林下的次生林、次生林、人工林森林生态系统碳密度进行了分析,结果表明:封山育林下的次生林、次生林和人工林生态系统乔木层平均碳密度分别为133.87、73.42和111.62t·hm-2,灌木层平均碳密度分别为1.65、1.40和1.52t·hm-2,草本层平均碳密度分别为0.13、0.09和0.13t·hm-2,枯落物层平均碳密度分别为0.47、1.34和0.93t·hm-2,乔木层碳密度作为生态系统碳储量的主要贡献者占总生物碳密度的98.35%、96.29%和97.74%,林下植被(灌木层和草本层)碳密度分别占1.31%、1.95%和1.44%,凋落物层碳密度分别占0.34%、1.76%和0.82%。土壤(0～100cm)碳密度平均值分别为57.04、66.92和54.12t·hm-2,土壤碳密度的60%储存在0～40cm土壤中,并随土层深度增加,各层次土壤碳密度逐渐减少。森林生态系统的乔木层、灌木层、草本层、凋落物层生物量和土壤层碳密度均表现出:封山育林下的次生林、次生林大于人工林。封山育林下的次生林、次生林和人工林碳密度分布序列为土壤(0～100cm)>乔木层>灌木层>草本层>枯落物层。可见,封山育林下的次生林更有助于提高森林碳汇,实施近自然林经营是提升该区域森林碳汇能力的重要途径。