缙云山马尾松种群数量动态初步研究

马尾松(Pinus massoniana)种群是我国亚热带森林植被演替的先锋种群之—。研究其数量动态对亚热带森林群落和生态系统的研究有着重要意义。“样地编年序列”的应用为长命多年生植物种群数量动态的研究提供了一条捷径。缙云山马尾松种群,约在7龄前,其密度随时间而增长,其后降低。其间关系可用下式近似表达：(07), 式中,D是种群密度估计值,A是种群年龄。缙云山马尾松种群生物量在灌草从到松阔混交林初期的演替中呈现Logistic增长。符合公式：式中,Bp是种群生物量的估计值,A,e是自然对数的底。在从混交林到常绿阔叶林的演替中,其生物量表现出随时间下降的趋势。在自疏过程中,马尾松种群平均植株生物量与种群密度服从-3/2稀疏定律。符合公式：式中,Bi是平均植株生物量,D是种群密度。导致缙云山马尾松种群数量动态变化的动力,主要是种内光资源竞争引起的自疏和种间光资源竞争引起的他疏。     

浙江省松阳县黄山松种群的密度与生物量动态

 本文研究了浙江省松阳县关山源地区黄山松种群的密度与生物量动态以及它们之间的相互关系。黄山松是该地区森林演替中的先锋种群之一。在演替过程中,黄山松种群的动态可分成三个阶段。大约在黄山松种群入侵次生裸地的最初10年期间,种群的密度和生物量迅速增长(阶段Ⅰ)。此后,种群密度达到饱和,由于自疏作用出现以及其他阔叶树种的入侵,种群密度开始急剧下降,个体平均重量和种群生物量迅速增长(阶段Ⅱ),–3/2自疏定律适用于种群动态的此阶段。随着阔叶树种进入林冠层,虽然个体平均重量仍缓慢增长,黄山松种群的密度和种群生物量逐渐下降直至退出群落(阶段Ⅲ)。但在一些特殊生境中(如裸岩陡坡或山脊),黄山松种群可形成稳定的地形顶极群落,其种群密度、个体平均重量和种群生物量可长期维持相对稳定的状态。     

Population structure and dynamics of Pinus taiwanensis Hayata at Songyang county,Zhejiang Province,China

Pinus taiwanensis is a widely distributed species in the southeastern China (Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, Human, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan provinces) at an elevation of 700–2000 m. This pine is a pioneer in forest succession and is often used as a species for afforestation in this region at an elevation above 700 m. This study was carried out at Guanshanyuan, Zhejiang province, at a latitude of N 28° 18, a longitude of E 119° 16 and an altitude of 800–1502 m above sea level. On the basis of a census of all individuals of Pinus taiwanensis at different successional stages and various habitats, age structure, spatial pattern, density, biomass of population and their dynamics were described. Considering the population dynamics throughout the successional process, three phases could be recognized. Until about 9–10 years after Pinus taiwanensis invaded the stands, the density of population was increased by the recruitments along with increase of the mean tree weight and population biomass (phase I). Thereafter, the population was in full density state, the biomass of population and the mean tree weight increased exponentially, while the density was decreased drastically by the self-thinning and the invasion of other broad-leaved trees (phase II). The –3/2 power law of natural thinning was applicable to the populations in this phase. When the broad-leaved trees reached the canopy, although the mean tree weight increased slowly, the density and biomass of Pinus taiwanensis population decreased gradually (phase III) until the population senesced and retreated from the successional series completely. The population dynamics of Pinus taiwanensis during the successional process was in common with pioneer species in forest succession. At some special habitats such as rocky steep slopes and ridges, however, Pinus taiwanensis population could form such an edaphic climax community that the population density, biomass and the mean tree weight in phase III could be in a stable state for very long period.     

Shifts in plant nutrient use strategies under secondary forest succession

In evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBLFs) in Tiantong National Forest Park, Eastern China, we studied the soil chemistry and plant leaf nutrient concentration along a chronosequence of secondary forest succession. Soil total N, P and leaf N, P concentration of the most abundant plant species increased with forest succession. We further examined leaf lifespan, leaf nutrient characteristics and root–shoot attributes of Pinus massoniana Lamb, the early-successional species, Schima superba Gardn. et Champ, the mid-successional species, and Castanopsis fargesii Franch, the late-successional species. These species showed both intraspecific and interspecific variability along succession. Leaf N concentration of the three dominant species increased while N resorption tended to decrease with succession; leaf P and P resorption didn’t show a consistent trend along forest succession. Compared with the other two species, C. fargesii had the shortest leaf lifespan, largest decay rate and the highest taproot diameter to shoot base diameter ratio while P. massoniana had the highest root–shoot biomass ratio and taproot length to shoot height ratio. Overall, P. massoniana used ‘conservative consumption’ nutrient use strategy in the infertile soil conditions while C. fargesii took up nutrients in the way of ‘resource spending’ when nutrient supply increased. The attributes of S. superba were intermediate between the other two species, which may contribute to its coexistence with other species in a wide range of soil conditions.     

Growth,morphology and leaf characteristics after simulated herbivory in Chinese subtropical evergreen saplings

Growth, morphology and leaf characteristics were assessed in late spring following simulated autumnal defoliation in second-year saplings of three Chinese subtropical evergreen tree species.Castanopsis fargesii showed strong compensatory growth in terms of plant biomass after removal of both 50 and 75% of leaf biomass and slight compensatory growth after 90% defoliation. DefoliatedC. fargesii saplings had more leaves per unit shoot length than non-defoliated saplings. New leaves on defoliated plants were smaller and had higher per area nitrogen content than new leaves on non-defoliated plants.Pinus massoniana andElaeocarpus japonicus showed strong and no compensatory growth, respectively, after 50% defoliation. The strong compensatory growth inP. massoniana andC. fargesii may partly explain why these species predominate in the early and late successional phases of evergreen broad-leaved forests     

红壤退化地森林恢复后土壤有机碳对土壤水库库容的影响

亚热带红壤侵蚀退化地实施生态恢复后生物生产力恢复迅速,但土壤尤其是土壤水库的功能并未获得同步恢复,导致土壤水库对于降水和地表径流的调节能力低下,区域性洪涝灾害和季节性干旱依然突出。采用野外调查和室内分析相结合的方式,研究了南方红壤侵蚀退化地典型植被恢复类型(马尾松与阔叶树复层林、木荷与马尾松混交林、阔叶混交林)0—60cm土层土壤水库各种库容差异,以及土壤总有机碳和活性有机碳密度分布特征,采用典型相关分析方法对土壤水库库容与土壤有机碳密度两组指标进行相关分析。结果表明:随着土层深度的增加,各森林恢复类型死库容呈上升趋势,兴利库容和最大有效库容呈下降趋势,防洪库容变化趋势不明显,木荷与马尾松混交林兴利库容略高。不同森林恢复类型同一土层土壤总有机碳密度均表现为马尾松与阔叶树复层林木荷与马尾松混交林阔叶混交林,而活性有机碳密度则以阔叶混交林最大。典型相关分析表明,土壤有机碳水平对土壤水库库容的增加具有显著的因果影响关系(P=0.01),其中对有机碳水平起到主导性贡献作用的是水溶性有机碳。因此,对于退化红壤地森林恢复初期,可通过适当密植和立体种植,提高林地生物量和土壤碳密度,并在马尾松等先锋树种针叶林分中补植阔叶乔灌木,以增加土壤活性有机碳含量,增大土壤水库容量,从而有利于土壤水库结构和功能以及退化生态系统的快速恢复。     

Population structure and succession in temperate forests of southwestern Japan

In the temperate forests of southwestern Japan, the population density of woody plants in the community increases in the early stage of secondary succession, reaches a peak in the old oak-chestnut forest, and decreases towards the climax beech forest. The species richness and diversity of woody plants also show a trend similar to that of the population density. The canopy-tree population decreases in the course of the succession while the basal area increases, showing a self-thinning process. The species richness, diversity and population density of herbaceous plants are much influenced by the dominance of the bamboo, Sasa palmata. The life-history traits of trees, lower trees and shrubs are discussed in relation to their shoot system, reproductive pattern and successional processes.     

易分解有机碳输入量对武夷山不同林型土壤激发效应的影响

土壤有机碳库是陆地生态系统中最大的碳储量库,其微小的变化也能使大气中CO₂浓度发生巨大的改变,植物来源碳的输入能通过激发效应促进或抑制土壤有机碳(SOC)的分解,对SOC的动态平衡产生影响。以武夷山三个林型(阔叶林、马尾松林、针阔混交林)土壤为研究对象,通过向土壤中添加不同量的¹³C标记葡萄糖(0、100、200、400 mg C/kg)研究易分解有机碳输入量对不同林型土壤激发效应的影响,并在此基础上探讨易分解有机碳输入量对土壤激发效应影响的作用机理。结果表明,葡萄糖输入对土壤激发效应的影响与葡萄糖输入量和林型有关。葡萄糖的输入均抑制了三个林型SOC的分解(即,呈现负的激发效应)。阔叶林土壤和针阔混交林土壤激效应强度随着葡萄糖输入量的增加而增加,而马尾松林土壤的激发效应强度对葡萄糖输入量的响应并不明显。然而在马尾松林土壤中由葡萄糖所引起的激发效应强度显著高于其他两种林型土壤。研究结果表明,易分解有机碳的输入可以抑制SOC的矿化,形成负激发效应,阔叶林土壤的激发效应强度与土壤可利用氮、葡萄糖添加量与微生物碳量比值有关,而针阔混交林与马尾松林土壤...     

冠层结构和光环境的时空变化对紫耳箭竹种群特征的影响

选择金佛山国家自然保护区内落叶阔叶林、常绿落叶阔叶混交林、常绿阔叶林3种典型群落类型,研究冠层结构和光环境特征,以及林下优势种--紫耳箭竹的种群特征.结果表明: 随着落叶阔叶林→常绿落叶阔叶混交林→常绿阔叶林的演替,Shannon多样性指数、Simpson优势度指数和Pielou指数呈增加趋势,表明群落趋于稳定发展的状态;冠层结构特征也发生了显著改变,冠层开度和平均叶倾角减小,叶面积指数增加,冠层的消光能力增强,林下光照水平降低.上层林冠是造成林型郁闭的主要原因,其中冠层厚度和冠层面积是2个主要的影响因素.冠层结构与林下光照指标显著相关,对林下散射光的影响最大.冠层开度、林下光照条件均随着生长季的到来而下降,而叶面积指数呈现增长的趋势,峰值出现在6、7月;平均叶倾角在春季达到最大值,在夏季为最小值.紫耳箭竹的生长与冠层结构和光环境密切相关,其在光照适中的常绿落叶阔叶混交林中生长得最好,分株粗壮、密度大(29.69±1.68株·m^-2),地下茎拓展能力强;落叶阔叶林中的强光环境可能造成土壤水分缺失,从而对其生长产生影响;而在常绿阔叶林的低光环境下紫耳箭竹分株矮小,密度小(5.80±1.16株·m^-2),克隆扩展能力降低.在森林结构演变的过程中,冠层结构发生了明显的改变,显著影响林下光环境,过度的低光环境对紫耳箭竹种群的更新和发展有限制作用.     

马尾松林向香樟林改造林下植物功能多样性研究

在生物多样性研究中,功能多样性比物种多样性可以更直接地反映生态系统的结构和功能,从而在群落生态学研究中受到越来越多的推崇。马尾松次生纯林是一种亟待改造的森林类型,而在亚热带地区香樟是马尾松林改造的理想树种之一。为了完善马尾松林向香樟林改造的研究,以更好地指导马尾松林改造的实践,本文用空间代替时间的方法,选取马尾松林向香樟林改造过程中4种不同阶段群落为研究对象,对林下灌木层和草本层植物的功能性状及其多样性展开了研究。结果表明:(1)随着森林改造的进行,林下植物的物种数目、功能性状多样性均表现为先上升后下降的变化趋势,其中功能丰富度和功能均匀度在改造前期达到峰值,而物种数目和功能离散度则在改造中期表现最高。(2)比较森林改造的4个时期,林下植物功能多样性的综合表现大致为:改造前期>改造中期>改造后期>未改造时期。(3)森林改造过程中,林下植物"光响应性状"和"繁殖性状"的功能多样性变化趋势相似,但前者比后者对改造的响应更敏感。(4)在森林改造过程中,林下植物的生长、发育和扩散受到林下光照资源的影响,并在长时间的生物竞争中逐渐表现为物种种类、多度和空间分布格局的变化,最终影...     

桤柏混交林种群生物量动态与密度调节

研究了四川省盐亭县桤柏混交林中桤木和柏木种群的生物量动态、密度动态及 种群密度对生物量动态的调节．结果表明,桤木种群生物量在１８ ａ内符合逻辑斯蒂增长, 柏木种群生物量在２０ ａ内呈幂函数增长．而种群密度在 １８ ａ内均呈负幂函数降低在桤 柏混交林中．密度制约是决定种群生物量动态的主要因素,棺木和柏本平均单株生物量较 符合Ｙｏｄａ提出的－３／２自疏定律为快,其自疏系数分别为一２．３３和一３．９７．个体平均生 物量的增长比由密度下降引起的生物量降低快,因此,两种群生物量在密度调节过程中仍 然保持增长状态．其中柏木是生物量增长旺盛的种群．     

不同群落冠层环境下紫耳箭竹笋期生长发育研究

对金佛山国家级自然保护区内3个不同类型群落(落叶阔叶林、常绿落叶阔叶混交林、常绿阔叶林)下紫耳箭竹(Fargesia decurvata J. L. Lu)幼笋的生长发育进行研究。结果显示:(1)落叶阔叶林和常绿落叶阔叶混交林下的紫耳箭竹出笋期早而长,历时110 d,出笋量大,出笋率高;常绿阔叶林下的出笋期晚而短,历时88 d,出笋量少,出笋率低;常绿落叶阔叶混交林中出笋量最大。(2)出笋期分为3个阶段:初期、盛期和末期,各群落中的紫耳箭竹进入每个时期的时间有所差异,常绿落叶阔叶混交林中最早进入出笋盛期,落叶阔叶林次之,常绿阔叶林最迟。出笋盛期也是退笋的高峰期,退笋率的大小为:常绿落叶阔叶混交林落叶阔叶林常绿阔叶林。(3)同一群落冠层环境下,紫耳箭竹不同时期出土的幼笋地径无显著差异。在落叶阔叶林和常绿落叶阔叶混交林林冠环境中,各时期出土的幼笋地径间无显著差异,但均显著大于常绿阔叶林(P 0.05)。(4)紫耳箭竹幼笋出土后80 d左右完成高生长过程,且符合Logistic方程,呈"慢-快-慢"的生长趋势。高生长速率为:常绿落叶阔叶混交林落叶阔叶林常绿阔叶林,且差异显著(P 0.05)。(5)紫耳箭竹的克隆繁殖与分株密度间有密切关系。随着分株密度的增加,出笋数量增加,成竹数量降低。本研究表明不同群落冠层环境下紫耳箭竹生长发育存在显著差异,在常绿落叶阔叶混交林中发育最好,常绿阔叶林中发育最差,种群密度对竹类的更新发展起重要调节作用。     

不同生境下刺五加种群构件生物量结构与生长规律

从构件水平对针阔混交林、蒙古栎林和次生杂木林3个生境的刺五加种群各功能构件的生物量结构及生物量比率与年龄之间的关系进行了定量分析. 结果表明,刺五加种群的个体生长和各构件生物量动态与环境条件关系密切.不同环境条件下,刺五加种群各功能构件生物量平均值具有相同的规律：茎构件>根茎构件>叶构件.3个生境中刺五加整体种群水平具有一定的相似性.在郁闭度为40%的蒙古栎林中,刺五加种群个体生物量和各构件生物量较针阔混交林和次生杂木林中大.不同生境下刺五加种群分株生物量的差异蕴涵着重要的生长调节和物质分配策略.在分株较小的幼龄个体以及郁闭度较大而不利于分株生长的次生杂木林中,分株优先建造叶器官,以保证充分的物质生产. 3个生境刺五加种群的叶、茎与分株的相对增重均具有相同的幂函数异速生长规律.     

宁德三都澳海岛马尾松林群落特征及物种多样性

海岛人工林建设有利于减弱和消除海岛生态脆弱性,但目前单一的人工林群落结构存在较多的缺点,选用的植被也存在不适应海岛环境的问题。通过样方法对宁德三都澳6个海岛的马尾松(Pinus massoniana)半自然林的植被类型、物种组成、植物功能性状、物种多样性进行分析,并利用冗余分析法分析物种多样性与环境因子的相关性,旨在了解其演替状况,群落结构特征和物种组成,及其物种多样性与环境因子的相关关系,丰富当地植被基础资料,同时为海岛人工林建设、植被修复选择及当地马尾松林的合理经营和管理提供理论基础。结果表明:(1) 40个样方共记录维管束植物86科168属255种(含5变种),在生活型谱上,以乔木(37.25%)和灌木(30.20%)植物种类最多,高位芽植物(83.92%)占比显著,对光耐受性以中性植物(69.02%)为主。(2) 通过组平均聚类法将研究区植被划分为5类群系33类群丛,分属于常绿针阔混交林和常绿针叶林2种植被型。(3) 常绿针阔混交林的多样性指数显著(P<0.05)高于常绿针叶林,但受林分郁闭度的影响,马尾松+杨桐(Adinandra millettii)林灌木层多样性指数明显偏低。(4) 灌木层是马尾松林中的绝对优势层片,多样性指数(除Pielou指数外)均显著(P<0.05)高于乔木层和草本层。草本层受芒萁化感作用的影响,多样性指数明显偏低。(5) 冗余分析法(RDA)分析结果表明,土壤pH和速效钾显著(P<0.05)影响群落的物种多样性指数,两者对物种多样性的总解释量为27.6%。(6) 灌木层鹅掌柴重要值与群落郁闭度之间存在显著(P<0.05)的二次函数关系。     

气候变化情景下天宝岩国家级自然保护区森林景观演替长期动态模拟

气候变化将会对森林树种结构、空间结构以及林龄结构等产生重大影响,准确预测森林景观演替对未来气候变化的响应,不仅能够为科学管理森林生态系统提供理论依据,而且对制定生物多样性保护与珍稀物种保护策略也具有重要意义。本文运用LANDIS Pro 7.0与LINKAGES模型,模拟天宝岩国家级自然保护区8个树种在2种不同气候变化情景(RCP4.5和RCP8.5)下未来300年的森林植被演替动态,分析森林景观格局变化特征及其对气候变化的响应。结果表明：毛竹、马尾松、猴头杜鹃、长苞铁杉以及杉木的潜在面积分布与景观格局指数对气候变化的响应较为显著。在气候变化情景下,各树种的景观分维度均介于1.03—1.08,保护区内各景观斑块相对简单规则。毛竹、猴头杜鹃和杉木聚集度下降趋势明显而斑块密度显著上升,长苞铁杉随演替进行面积逐渐减少而聚集度相对较高且斑块密度剧增,马尾松斑块密度缓慢增加而聚集度先降后升,随气候变化这些树种的景观完整度都遭到了不同程度的破坏,且在RCP8.5气候情景下景观破碎化更严重。而气候变化对阔叶林与柳杉的影响则较小,且阔叶林在演替期间斑块密度下降而聚集度稳中有增,潜在面积分布呈现出良好的...     

Stand and self-thinning dynamics in natural <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies</Emphasis> stands in northern Hokkaido,Japan

Stand dynamics and self-thinning were analyzed in relation to the dynamics of above-ground biomass in natural Abies sachalinensis stands growing on sand dunes in northern Hokkaido, Japan. This was done in order to examine wave-type regeneration in the stands. Fifty-two plots were established in almost pure Abies stands that ranged from saplings to the mature and collapsing growth stages. Above-ground biomass and tree height reached asymptotic levels prior to the collapsing phase, unlike wave-regeneration Abies stands in central Japan and North America. Stand density was high in the young growth stages, but the self-thinning rate, that is, the density decrease per biomass growth in the study stands was greater than in wave-regeneration stands in central Japan, as indicated by a large self-thinning exponent (–1.26 by reduced major axis regression). The range of tree height distribution was very narrow, and the stands vertical structure was typically single-layered. The slenderness ratio of trees was large, except in young stands. In mature and collapsing stands, advanced seedling density increased markedly. These stand and tree characteristics were considered to be correlated with the wave-type regeneration in the study stands, and it is assumed that prevailing winds affect tree mortality.     

The Community Dynamics of the Forest Secondary Succession in Heishiding Natural Reserve of Guangdong Province

Studying on the community structure, species composition and species diversities of the secondary succession of lower subtropical forest in Heishiding Natural Reserve, Guangdong Province, the following results were obtained. In 2 ~4 years of restored stage the seedlings of pioneer species, heliophytes and mesophytes occur simultaneously. In 10 years of restored stage pioneer species are superior as heliophytes maintain stable and mesophytes are being decreased. In the stage of mixed forest pioneer species are on the decreasing and heliopytes are on the increasing trend. In the stage of evergreen broad-leaved forest dominated by heliophytes pioneer species are being declined, heliophytes are dominant and mesophytes are being increased. In the stage of evergTeen broad-leaved forest dominated by mesophytes heliophytes are being declined and mesophytes are superior. The vertical structure, horizontal structure, the structure of species composition determine stability of communities in secondary succession process. The vertical structure of community is building up in the stage of restoration. The community is composed of the stands under the third class. The forest canopy is not stratified. The individual density is stable. From restored stage to mixed forest the vertical structure of community is diversified. There are the third and forth class stands in community. The tree layer is divided into three sub-layers. The individual density declines rapidly because of self-thinning. In the mixed forest the vertical stmcture is relatively stable. The abundance of the fifth class stands and area of breast height reach the first peak in the succession serial. The individual density increases rapidly. In stage of evergreen broad-leaved forest dominated by heliophytes, the vertical structure changes largely. The abundance of the fifth class and area of breast height decline rapidly, but the individual density changes slowly. In the stage of evergreen broad-leaved forest dominated by mesophytes, the vertical structure of community is stable and the composition of every stand class becomes more stable. The area of breast height is the biggest in the succession serial. When succession develops, the coverage of communities increases gradually but the turnover rate of species declines. The species composition tends to be stabilized. The diversity of species and community evenness increase gradually thus, the ecological dominance declines gradually.     

红壤侵蚀地不同人工恢复林对土壤总有机碳和活性有机碳的影响

土壤有机碳尤其是活性有机碳可快速反映土壤肥力和土壤质量的恢复程度。研究了南方红壤侵蚀地3种典型人工恢复林(马尾松与阔叶复层林(Pinus massoniana-broadleaved multiple layer forest(PB))、木荷与马尾松混交林(Schima superba-Pinus massoniana mixed forest(SP))、阔叶混交林(broad-leaved mixed forest(BF)))土壤(0—60 cm)总有机碳和不同活性有机碳的垂直分布特征及其差异。结果表明:不同恢复林分土壤总有机碳(SOC)含量和有机碳储量均表现为PBSPBF,均随土层深度的增加而逐渐降低;土壤表层有机碳富集系数为0.49—0.55,表明表层土壤具有较高的有机碳恢复水平和保持强度。不同林分土壤易氧化有机碳(ROC)、水溶性有机碳(DOC)和微生物量碳(MBC)含量变化范围为0.92—9.17 g/kg、535.89—800.46 mg/kg和27.24—261.31 mg/kg,且均随土层深度的增加而降低,土壤活性有机碳含量总体以BF较高。土壤活性有机碳分配比例以ROC/SOC最高,DOC/SOC次之,MBC/SOC最低,且随土层深度的增加,ROC/SOC的值呈逐渐降低趋势,DOC/SOC的值却呈逐渐升高趋势,MBC/SOC(微生物熵)则变化规律不明显;不同林分间土壤活性有机碳分配比例以BF最高,表明阔叶混交林更有利于活性碳的积累。因此,对于红壤侵蚀地森林恢复初期,可适当密植和立体种植,以提高土壤碳储量和土壤肥力,并在马尾松等先锋树种林分中补植阔叶树种,以增加土壤活性有机碳含量,从而有利于退化生态系统土壤速效养分和土壤功能的快速恢复。     

Ecological and mathematical considerations on self-thinning in even-aged pure stands

It is emphasized in growth analysis of self-thinning populations that relative mortality rate pertains to the difference between relative growth rates and net assimilation rates, each of which are definable on a mean plant size basis or on a biomass basis. The time trends of the ratio of relative mortality rate to relative growth rates to be expected according to Tadaki's, Shinozaki's and Hozumi's models are compared with that of the eastern white pine population, and a good agreement is exhibited. As an alternative to Hozumi's model, a new model is constructed to unite the logistic theory of plant growth and the 3/2 power law concerning self-thinning, which so far have usually been applied independently to growth analysis. To construct the model the following assumptions are made: the fundamental equation to relate mean plant weight with density in self-thinning population proposed by Shinozaki, and a special population with a specific initial density which follows thew-p trajectory of the 3/2 power law type and has an exponential decrease in its density with biological time. Properties of the model are examined from ecological and mathematical viewpoints.     

Temporal patterns of net soil N mineralization and nitrification through secondary succession in the subtropical forests of eastern China

Linking temporal trends of soil nitrogen (N) transformation with shifting patterns of plants and consequently changes of litter quality during succession is important for understanding developmental patterns of ecosystem function. However, the successional direction of soil N mineralization and nitrification in relation to species shifts in the subtropical regions remains little studied. In this study, successional patterns of net soil N mineralization and nitrification rates, litter-fall, forest floor litter, fine root and soil properties were quantified through a successional sequence in the subtropical forests of eastern China. Net N mineralization rate was ‘U-shaped’ through succession: highest in climax evergreen broad-leaved forest (CE: 1.6?±?0.2 mg-N kg^?1 yr^?1) and secondary shrubs (SS: 1.4?±?0.2 mg-N kg^?1 yr^?1), lowest in conifer and evergreen broad-leaved mixed forest (MF: 1.1?±?0.1 mg-N kg^?1 yr^?1) and intermediate in conifer forest (CF: 1.2?±?0.1 mg-N kg^?1 yr^?1) and sub-climax forest (SE: 1.2?±?0.2 mg-N kg^?1 yr^?1). Soil nitrification increased with time (0.02?±?0.1, 0.2?±?0.1, 0.5?±?0.1, 0.2?±?0.1, and 0.6?±?0.1 mg-N kg^?1 yr^?1 in SS, CF, MF, SE and CE, respectively). Annual production of litter?fall increased through succession. Fine root stocks and total N concentration, soil total N, total carbon (C) and microbial biomass C also followed ‘U?shaped’ temporal trends in succession. Soil bulk density was highest in MF, lowest in CE, and intermediate in SS, CF and SE. Soil pH was significantly lowest in CE. Temporal patterns of soil N mineralization and nitrification were significant related to the growth of conifers (i.e. Pinus massoniana) and associated successional changes of litter-fall, forest floor, fine roots and soil properties. We concluded that, due to lower litter quality, the position of Pinus massoniana along the succession pathway played an important role in controlling temporal trends of soil N transformation.