Structure and tree-fall gap dynamics of old-growth Nothofagus forests in Tierra del Fuego,Argentina

Abstract. Tree size and age structure, tree-fall and gap characteristics, and regeneration in gaps were studied in Nothofagus-dominated old-growth forests in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Gap-phase regeneration has resulted in all-aged populations for N. pumilio, N. betuloides, and Drimys winteri, and regeneration in gaps appears to be maintaining coexistence between species in mixed stands. N. betuloides fills many gaps via advance regeneration and some individuals persist for > 150 yr in the understory. Multiple periods of release and suppression indicate that N. betuloides may take advantage of several gap events to reach the main canopy. Likewise, Drimys grows well under closed canopy and can rapidly respond to gap formation, sometimes impeding the regeneration of N. betuloides. In contrast, N. pumilio regenerates in gaps mainly from seed or from advance regeneration of small, ephemeral seedlings. Gap turnover times in Fuegian forests were estimated at 300 - 500 yr, although gap formation was highly episodic and possibly associated with regionally extensive windstorms, earthquakes, and stand-level dieback. 92 % of gaps involved multiple tree-falls, and at least 53 % involved secondary expansion. Gap and tree-fall characteristics in Tierra del Fuego were similar to results from northern Patagonia, Chile, and New Zealand; however, we emphasize that regeneration of Nothofagus spp. and Drimys winteri in gaps depends on associated vegetation and varies along both local and regional environmental gradients.     

干旱和湿润生境中主要优势树种叶片功能性状的比较

以云南南部的沟谷雨林(湿润生境)和干热河谷萨瓦纳(savanna)稀树灌丛(干旱生境)中共31种主要优势木本植物为材料,研究了叶片主要功能性状单位面积叶干重(LMA)、单位干重氮含量(Nmass)和单位干重最大净光合速率(Amass)在2个生境中的差异及各性状间的关系。结果表明:在物种水平上,干旱和湿润生境中各树种的LMA值分别为46.88～178.63和45.35～93.16g·m-2;Amass值分别为48.12～176.65和71.38～265.76nmol·g-1·s-1;Nmass值分别为11.8～36.71和12.98～31.78mg·g-1;在群落水平上,干旱生境中LMA显著高于湿润生境,而Amass显著低于湿润生境,Nmass在2个生境中差异不显著;在群落尺度上,干旱生境中LMA与Nmass和Amass均呈显著负相关;在2生境中Nmass与Amass均呈显著正相关。同一生境下不同植物对环境的适应策略有差异,但各性状间的相关关系具有趋同性;从湿润到干旱生境,植物由快速生长转向以提高资源利用效率为主的适应策略。     

Litterfall of epiphytic macrolichens in Nothofagus forests of northern Patagonia,Argentina: Relation to stand age and precipitation

Abstract: The objective of this study was to analyse how stand age and precipitation influence abundance and diversity of epiphytic macrolichens in southern beech Nothofagus forests, estimated by lichen litter sampling. Five sites of Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirbel) Oersted were selected in Nahuel Huapi National Park, Argentina. At each site, lichen fragments from the forest floor were collected at 12.5 m² plots in pairs of young and mature N. dombeyi forest. Additionally, two sites with multi‐aged subalpine Nothofagus pumilio (Poepp. et Endl.) Krasser forest were investigated in a similar manner. Average litterfall biomass per stand varied from less than 1 kg ha^?1 in a young low‐precipitation stand to a maximum of 20 kg ha^?1 in a mature high‐precipitation stand. In places with higher precipitation, litterfall biomass in N. dombeyi forest was considerably higher in old stands as compared with young ones. In places with less than 2000 mm of precipitation, differences in biomass were less pronounced. Old humid stands contained about twice as many taxa in the litter as old low‐precipitation stands and young stands in general. Mature stands in low‐precipitation sites only contained 17% of the litter biomass as compared with mature stands in high‐precipitation sites. Epiphytic lichen composition changed from predominating fruticose lichens (Usnea spp. and Protousnea spp.) in low‐precipitation stands to Pseudocyphellaria spp., Nephroma spp. and other foliose lichens, in the high‐precipitation stands. There were no clear differences in the proportion of fruticose and foliose lichens between young and old stands. Fruticose lichens dominated litter biomass in both N. pumilio sites.     

Leafing patterns and leaf traits of four evergreen shrubs in the Patagonian Monte, Argentina

We assessed leafing patterns (rate, timing, and duration of leafing) and leaf traits (leaf longevity, leaf mass per area and leaf-chemistry) in four co-occurring evergreen shrubs of the genus Larrea and Chuquiraga (each having two species) in the arid Patagonian Monte of Argentina. We asked whether species with leaves well-defended against water shortage (high LMA, leaf longevity, and lignin concentration, and low N concentration) have lower leaf production, duration of the leafing period, and inter-annual variation of leafing than species with the opposite traits. We observed two distinctive leafing patterns each related to one genus. Chuquiraga species produced new leaves concentrated in a massive short leafing event (5–48 days) while new leaves of Larrea species emerged gradually (128–258 days). Observed leafing patterns were consistent with simultaneous and successive leafing types previously described for woody plants. The peak of leaf production occurred earlier in Chuquiraga species (mid September) than in Larrea species (mid October–late November). Moreover, Chuquiraga species displayed leaves with the longest leaf lifespan, while leaves of Larrea species had the lowest LMA and the highest N and soluble phenolics concentrations. We also observed that only the leaf production of Larrea species increased in humid years. We concluded that co-occurring evergreen species in the Patagonian Monte displayed different leafing patterns, which were associated with some relevant leaf traits acting as plant defenses against water stress and herbivores. Differences in leafing patterns could provide evidence of ecological differentiation among coexisting species of the same life form.     

Leaf traits and water relations of 12 evergreen species in Costa Rican wet and dry forests: patterns of intra-specific variation across forests and seasons

This study examined variation in leaf traits and water relations in 12 evergreen and semideciduous woody species that occur in both seasonal wet and dry forests in Costa Rica and compared intra-specific leaf–trait correlations to those found in inter-specific global studies. The following traits were measured in both forests across seasons for 2 years: leaf nitrogen (N), leaf carbon (C), specific leaf area (SLA), toughness, cuticle thickness, leaf thickness, and leaf lifespan (LLS). Leaf water potential (LWP) and water content (LWC) were measured as indices of plant available water. Canopy openness, soil moisture, and herbivory were also measured to compare environmental variation across sites. Although species contributed the greatest amount to variation in traits, season, forest, and their interaction had a large influence on patterns of intra-specific leaf–trait variation. Leaf traits that contributed most to variation across sites were C, LWP, leaf thickness, and SLA. Traits that contributed most to variation across seasons were leaf toughness, LWP, and LWC. Furthermore, leaf traits were more correlated (i.e., number and strength of correlations) in the dry than in the wet forest. In contrast to results from global literature syntheses, there was no correlation between LLS and N, or LLS and SLA. Both light and water availability vary seasonally and may be causing variation in a number of leaf traits, specifically those that relate to water relations and leaf economics. Strong seasonality may cause leaf–trait relationships at the local scale to differ from those documented in continental and global-scale studies.     

Cellulase and polygalacturonase involvement in the abscission of leaf and fruit explants of peach

Ethylene-induced abscission in leaf and fruit explants of peach involves different enzymes. In leaves abscission is accompanied by increased occurrence of cellulase forms differing in isoelectric point (pI 6.5 and 9.5). A polypeptide with a molecular mass of 51 kDa gives in a western blot a strong cross-reaction with an antibody raised against a maturation cellulase from avocado fruit. Cellulase activity is also found in abscising fruit explants but the amount is very low compared to that of the leaf explants. A northern analysis with a cellulase clone from avocado reveals the presence of two hybridizing mRNAs with a size of 2.2 kb and 1.8 kb, respectively. The steady-state level of the 2.2 kb mRNA is significantly increased by treatment with ethylene.Polygalacturonases are not detected in abscising leaves, but are strongly induced by ethylene in fruit explants. Of the three forms found, two are exopolygalacturonases while the third is an endoenzyme. Ethylene activates preferentially the endoenzyme and the basic exoenzyme but depresses the acid exopolygalacturonases. A northern analysis carried out with a cDNA coding for tomato endopolygalacturonase shows hybridization only with one endopolygalacturonase mRNA from in the fruit abscission zone. Treatment with ethylene causes an increase in the steady-state level of this mRNA. The differences in the enzyme patterns observed in fruit and leaf abscission zones and a differential enzyme induction suggest the feasibility to regulate fruit abscission in peach with the aid of antisense RNA genes.     

Plasticity of leaf traits and insect herbivory in Solanum incanum L. (Solanaceae) in Nguruman, SW Kenya

Plasticity of leaf traits of Solanum incanum was evaluated by comparing its expression in three sites differing in soil moisture (dry, intermediate, humid) in Nguruman, SW Kenya. Leaf size and shape, and leaf traits related to defence against herbivores, varied significantly among sites. The relationship between leaf traits showing among-site variation and insect herbivory was evaluated at a within-site scale. Leaf thickness was correlated with the level of foliar herbivory by a flea beetle ( Epitrix sp.). This correlation was negative at the dry site and positive at the humid site. No relationship was found at the intermediate site. Interestingly, leaf thickness and toughness were positively and significantly correlated at the dry site, but not elsewhere. Finally, overall patterns of herbivory by the flea beetle and unidentified defoliators differed among sites. The importance of scale when evaluating plant plasticity is discussed.     

Dendroecological analysis of defoliator outbreaks on Nothofagus pumilio and their relation to climate variability in the Patagonian Andes

In the temperate forests of the southern Andes, Nothofagus pumilio, the dominant species of the most extensive forest type, experiences severe defoliation caused by caterpillars of the Ormiscodes genus (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). This study uses tree rings to reconstruct the history of Ormiscodes outbreaks for the 1850–2005 period and examines relationships between outbreaks and climate variability. We used local climate records to compare outbreak–climate relationships in the northern Patagonian Andes (c. 41°S) and the cooler southern Patagonian Andes (c. 49°S). We also examined relationships between outbreak events and regional climate variability driven by variability in the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation. Although relationships between Ormiscodes outbreaks and climate proved to be complex, in northern Patagonia defoliation events are associated with drier and warmer than average growing seasons. Warming and drying trends in Patagonia during the latter part of the 20th century have been linked to a positive trend in SAM. During the post‐1976 period of accelerated warming in Patagonia, widespread defoliation outbreaks have occurred in both northern and southern Patagonia but the increase in frequency of events has been greater in the south. In southern Patagonia the increases in frequency of outbreaks in the late 20th century appear to be unprecedented over the c. 150 year tree‐ring record of reconstructed outbreaks. These results are consistent with the greater magnitude of recent warming in southern Patagonia, and suggest that under predicted warmer and drier climates in the 21st century, defoliator outbreaks may continue to increase in frequency. This study is the first systematic reconstruction of past insect outbreaks in South America and provides a preliminary understanding of how climate variability affects defoliator outbreaks in Patagonian Nothofagus forests.     

Influence of human disturbance on patterns of leaf herbivory at Gazi Bay mangrove forest,Kenya

Mangrove herbivores cause leaf serration, perforation and galls prior to leaf abscission. This study compared damage by herbivores on leaves of four mangrove species at sites under different levels of human physical disturbance, and provides further evidence of the indirect effects of man on these valuable habitats. From 2001 to 2003 leaves collected fortnightly using litter traps were examined for evidence of herbivore damage, e.g. holes, margin damage, and a mix of both holes and margin damage on the leaf, and compared using ANOVA. Of 10 600 leaves examined, 3 604 had evidence of herbivore attack, with margin damage being most prevalent (60%). On Rhizophora mucronata, holes and mixed damage occurred on over 30% of damaged leaves, while margin damage was common to all other species examined. Leaf attack intensity was 14% lower at undisturbed sites, with margin damage being most common. Comparison between corresponding mangrove forest sites in Kenya showed significant increase in margin damage and concurrent decline in holes and mixed damage at disturbed sites. Variation in leaf damage occurrence was attributed to changes in forest structural and biological complexity owing to selective harvesting of flora and fauna that influenced the competitive ability and prevalence of aerial herbivorous guild.     

Stoichiometric characteristics of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus in Phyllostachys edulis forests of China

Aims Stoichiometric ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are important characteristics of the ecological processes and functions. Studies on population ecological stoichiometry can refine the content of flora chemometrics, determine the limited nutrient, and provide data for process-based modeling over large scale. Phyllostachys edulis is an important forest type, whose area accounts for 74% of total bamboo forest area in Southern China. However, little is known about the ecological stoichiometric in P. edulis. This study aimed to reveal C:N, C:P and N:P stoichiometry characteristics of the “plant-soil-litter” continuum and to provide a better understanding nutrient cycling and stability mechanisms in P. edulis forest in China. Methods The data were collected from the published literature containing C、N、P content in leaf or surface soil (0-20 cm) or littefall in P. edulis forests. Important findings 1) The leaf C, N, P content were estimated at 478.30 mg·g^-1, 22.20 mg·g^-1, 1.90 mg·g^-1 in P. edulis, and the corresponding C: N, C: P and N: P were 26.80, 299.60 and 14.40, respectively. Soil C, N, and P content in 0-20 cm were 21.53 mg·g^-1, 1.66 mg·g^-1, 0.41 mg·g^-1, with ratios of 14.20 for C:N, 66.74 for C:P and 4.28 for N:P. The C, N and P contents were 438.49 mg·g^-1, 13.39 mg·g^-1, 0.86 mg·g^-1 for litterfall, with the litter C:N, C:P and N:P being 25.53, 665.67, 22.55, respectively. 2) In the plant-soil-litter system in P. edulis forest, leaf had higher C:N, litter had higher C:P and N:P, while soil were the lowest. The N, P resorption rate was 39.68% and 54.74%, indicating that P. edulis forest growth and development was constrained by P or by both of N and P in China. 3) N content and N:P in leaf showed a tendency to increase with latitude, while the C:N of leaf declined with latitude. N:P of leaf increased with longitude, but the P content and the C:N of leaf showed a opposite trend. C: N of soil increased with longitude, whereas the N content of soil declined longitude. The N content of litter declined with longitude. 4) The leaf N content was negatively correlated with mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation, but being more sensitive to temperature than precipitation. The positive correlations between N content and latitude support “Temperature-Plant Physiological” hypothesis, reflecting an adaptive strategy to environmental conditions.     

中国毛竹林碳氮磷生态化学计量特征

碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)生态化学计量比是生态系统过程与功能的重要特征, 开展种群生态化学计量学研究可以细化植物种群化学计量学内容, 确定限制植物生长的元素类型, 同时为大尺度模型的发展提供数据基础。为阐明我国毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)林C、N、P化学计量学特征, 通过对毛竹主要产区文献数据的搜集整理与分析, 探索我国毛竹林“植物-土壤-凋落物”系统C、N、P及C:N、C:P、N:P生态化学计量特征, 以及不同组分生态化学计量特征与经纬度之间的关系。结果表明: 1)我国毛竹林叶片C含量为478.30 mg·g^-1, N含量为22.20 mg·g^-1, P含量为1.90 mg·g^-1, C:N为26.80, C:P为299.60, N:P为14.40; 毛竹林0-20 cm土层C含量为21.53 mg·g^-1, N含量为1.66 mg·g^-1, P含量0.41 mg·g^-1, C:N为14.20, C:P为66.74, N:P为4.28; 毛竹凋落物C含量为438.49 mg·g^-1, N含量为13.39 mg·g^-1, P含量为0.86 mg·g^-1, C:N为22.53, C:P为665.67, N:P为22.55。2)毛竹林“植物-土壤-凋落物”系统中, C:N表现为: 叶片>凋落物>土壤, C:P和N:P均表现为: 凋落物>叶片>土壤, 叶片N、P再吸收率分别为39.68%和54.74%, 我国毛竹林生长发育总体上可能受到P限制或者N和P两种元素的双重限制。3)纬度梯度: 叶片N含量、N:P随纬度增加而增加, C:N随纬度增加而降低。经度梯度: 叶片N:P随经度增加而增加, P含量、C:N随经度增加而降低; 土壤C:N随经度增加而增加, N含量随经度增加而降低; 凋落物N含量随经度增加而降低。4)叶片N含量与年平均气温和年降水量均存在明显负相关关系, 但对温度的响应比降水更敏感, 叶片N含量与纬度呈正相关关系, 支持“温度-植物生理假说”, 反映了植物对自然环境的适应。     

中国温带典型森林植物比叶面积的空间格局及其影响因素

比叶面积(SLA)能够反映植物自身生长对策、对光能的捕获能力、对外界环境变化的适应和对可利用资源的分配策略,对植物的生境适应状况和群落的自然演替程度也起到重要的指示作用。为了深入了解温带森林植物SLA随空间变化的变异特征及其影响因素,跨越1200 km选取中国东北部12个典型温带森林(寒温带兴安落叶松林、温带红松针阔混交林和暖温带落叶阔叶栎林),通过对样地内物种进行系统性的调查,分析了植物SLA在空间上的变化规律及环境因素的影响效应。结果显示：中国温带森林植物SLA范围为2.02—99.65 m~2/kg(均值为34.18 m~2/kg),其中乔木SLA范围为2.02—58.74 m~2/kg(均值为21.32 m~2/kg),灌木SLA范围为2.88—99.65 m~2/kg(均值为31.60 m~2/kg),草本SLA范围为4.66—98.53 m~2/kg(均值为38.75 m~2/kg)。SLA在不同森林类型之间差异显著,具体表现为：温带红松针阔混交林>暖温带落叶阔叶栎林>寒温带兴安落叶松林。SLA受到气候因素和土壤因素的影响,其中随着年均降水、土壤碳氮含量的增加显...     

深圳福田红树林植被碳储量和净初级生产力

红树林是滨海湿地“蓝碳”的主要类型之一.准确和定位评估不同植物群落的固碳能力,对于红树林保育管理和恢复造林具有指导作用.本研究对深圳福田红树林4种代表性群落(白骨壤群落、秋茄群落、海桑群落、无瓣海桑群落)的各个植被碳库组分(乔木植物生物量碳库、林下灌丛碳库、呼吸根碳库、枯立木碳库、枯倒木碳库和枯枝落叶层碳库等)进行调查,计算各群落的植被碳储量,并通过生长增量-凋落物产量法计算得到各群落的净初级生产力.结果表明: 白骨壤群落、秋茄群落、海桑群落和无瓣海桑群落的植被碳储量分别为28.7、127.6、100.1、73.6 t C·hm^-2,各群落的净初级生产力分别为8.75、7.67、9.60、11.87 t C·hm^-2·a^-1.位于深圳市中心的福田红树林,每年固定大气CO₂高达4000 t.本研究结果将为红树林“蓝碳”碳汇功能的评估提供理论指导,并为我国红树林碳汇林建设提供依据.     

Comprehensive assessment of carbon productivity, allocation and storage in three Amazonian forests

The allocation and cycling of carbon (C) within forests is an important component of the biospheric C cycle, but is particularly understudied within tropical forests. We synthesise reported and unpublished results from three lowland rainforest sites in Amazonia (in the regions of Manaus, Tapajós and Caxiuanã), all major sites of the Large‐Scale Biosphere–Atmosphere Programme (LBA). We attempt a comprehensive synthesis of the C stocks, nutrient status and, particularly, the allocation and internal C dynamics of all three sites. The calculated net primary productivities (NPP) are 10.1±1.4 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (Manaus), 14.4±1.3 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (Tapajós) and 10.0±1.2 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (Caxiuanã). All errors bars report standard errors. Soil and leaf nutrient analyses indicate that Tapajós has significantly more plant‐available phosphorus and calcium. Autotrophic respiration at all three sites (14.9–21.4 Mg C ha yr⁻¹) is more challenging to measure, with the largest component and greatest source of uncertainty being leaf dark respiration. Comparison of measured soil respiration with that predicted from C cycling measurements provides an independent constraint. It shows general good agreement at all three sites, with perhaps some evidence for measured soil respiration being less than expected. Twenty to thirty percent of fixed C is allocated belowground. Comparison of gross primary productivity (GPP), derived from ecosystem flux measurements with that derived from component studies (NPP plus autotrophic respiration) provides an additional crosscheck. The two approaches are in good agreement, giving increased confidence in both approaches to estimating GPP. The ecosystem carbon‐use efficiency (CUEs), the ratio of NPP to GPP, is similar at Manaus (0.34±0.10) and Caxiuanã (0.32±0.07), but may be higher at Tapajós (0.49±0.16), although the difference is not significant. Old growth or infertile tropical forests may have low CUE compared with recently disturbed and/or fertile forests.     

亚热带常绿阔叶林散孔材和环孔材树种导管及叶片功能性状的比较

植物导管结构特征对其自身的生存策略具有重要影响, 但目前对于亚热带常绿阔叶林树种这方面的认识仍然不足。为了研究这一地区的植物导管特征与叶片功能性状之间的关系, 该研究选择广东石门台自然保护区亚热带森林中两种优势种桂林栲(Castanopsis chinensis)和木荷(Schima superba), 通过比较旱季(10月至次年3月)两树种的导管形态特征、叶片形态特征、叶片生理特征来研究环孔材树种和散孔材树种的功能性状差异。用独立样本t检验对两个树种的这些性状进行差异性分析。结果表明: 1)木荷(散孔)导管密度显著高于桂林栲(环孔), 而桂林栲导管的直径远大于木荷导管的直径。2)木荷叶片含水量(LWC)、叶绿素a/b值显著大于桂林栲, 而气孔密度和比叶面积则显著低于桂林栲, 两者气孔导度和光合速率并没有显著差异。以上结果表明, 在亚热带森林中, 环孔材树种桂林栲在温度高湿度低的干旱条件下, 能够通过增加叶片比叶面积维持较高的光合能力, 而另一方面, 其叶片对干旱胁迫的耐受性较弱, 而散孔材木荷则具有较好的光能转化能力和干旱耐受能力, 这种差异性在降水格局变化逐渐加深的背景下, 可能会引起森林群落结构发生分化。     

华南地区6种阔叶幼苗叶片形态特征的季节变化

对山杜英、米老排、樟树、海南红豆、红花油茶和红锥6种幼苗叶长和叶宽的相关性和叶片的比叶重变化进行了研究,结果表明：幼苗各月份的叶长和叶宽呈极显著正相关。根据相关系数把6种幼苗分为：a),叶长和叶宽的相关性随季节变化型,包括山杜英、红花油茶、海南红豆、红锥;b),叶长和叶宽的相关性稳定型,有樟树和米老排。6种幼苗叶片的比叶重随幼苗种类和季节而变化,新叶的比叶重上半年比下半年变化大,老叶全年变化较小,上半年新叶的比叶重比老叶低,下半年两者相近。红花油茶新叶和老叶的平均比叶重明显大于其余5种幼苗。