Regenerative and age dynamic of spruce population in pine plantations under conditions typical for spruce development

We have studied the natural regeneration of spruce (Picea abies L.) under a canopy of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) on loamy soils. Spruce survival and growth depend on the duration of the regeneration period from the creation of the plantation and the local conditions formed as a result of uneven thinning of pine and spruce canopy. The formation of spruce population is mainly determined by trees that regenerated upon intensive thinning of 20- to 40-year-old pine trees. Spruce regeneration may be enhanced by timely cleaning cutting in pine plantations. The first one, done at the age of 15–20 years, favors pine growth and spruce regeneration. At the normal reproduction of spruce population under the canopy of 80-year-old pine plantations, the second spruce layer is formed. Trunk reserve in this layer is 20–25% of the reserves of the first layer. After its formation, the light regime in the forest depends greatly on the space volume occupied by spruce crowns. Their percentage is especially high at the relative height equal to 0.4–0.7 of the mean spruce height in the second layer. Smaller spruce trees may exist for a long time period, but their development is slowed down and they die at the undergrowth stage. When the plantation is 150 years old, the reserves of spruce trees regenerated under the canopy of pine comprise one-third of the total reserves of the plantation. If the growing conditions are favorable for spruce (C₃), the stability and productivity of pine-spruce plantations exceed those of the pure spruce plantations. The reasonability of natural spruce regeneration for the creation of pine-spruce plantations under C₃ conditions should be substantiated with the consideration of their designation, ages of cuttings, and the possibility of plantation creation and sanitary cuttings according to the valid regulations.     

Short-term effects of thinning and liming on forest soils of pitch pine and Japanese larch plantations in central Korea

The influences of thinning (50% of standing density) and liming (Ca+Mg, 2 Mg ha⁻¹) on soil chemical properties were investigated for 2 years (2001, 2002) in 40-year-old pitch pine (Pinus rigida Mill.) and 44-year-old Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis Gord.) plantations established on similar soils. In general, soil properties varied significantly among plantations and treatments. For both plantations, thinning significantly increased soil organic C (SOC) concentrations whereas there were no significant changes in soil pH and Ca and Mg concentrations. In addition, thinning increased total soil N and Na concentrations for the pitch pine plantation and available P concentration for the Japanese larch plantation in the second year after the treatment. Liming did not affect soil chemical characteristics for the pitch pine plantation except for Na concentration. However, for the Japanese larch plantation, liming significantly increased soil pH and K, Ca and Mg concentrations and decreased SOC and total soil N concentrations. For both plantations, soil Al concentration did not change after thinning and liming and decreased exponentially with increased pH values. The increases in SOC and total soil N concentrations after thinning were possibly due to increases in decomposition of organic matter and root death. Although differences were not statistically significant, soil available P concentration tended to increase at early stages of liming for both plantations. These results suggested that thinning and liming seemed to regulate soil chemical properties for pitch pine and Japanese larch plantations established on similar soils.     

不同林龄木荷-青冈栎混交林幼林土壤活性有机碳库研究

以中国北亚热带地区退化灌木林补植改造7 a和11 a后形成的木荷-青冈栎混交林为研究对象,以保留的灌木林为对照,分析了造林初期林龄对林分土壤活性有机碳含量的影响。结果表明：(1) 7 a和11 a生木荷-青冈栎林0～50 cm各土层土壤总有机碳含量比灌木林分别增加了22.79%~43.34%和52.33%~96.13%,易氧化碳含量增加了11.11%~25.18%和57.89%~100.90%,轻组有机质含量增加了18.18%~85.20%和74.50%~93.75%,水溶性有机碳含量7 a生木荷-青冈栎林比灌木林降低了4.10%~9.53%(10~20 cm除外),而11 a生林分比灌木林增加了0.71%~5.37%。(2) 3种林分土壤活性有机碳在总有机碳中所占的比率大小顺序、水溶性有机碳/土壤总有机碳均为灌木林>7 a生木荷-青冈栎林>11 a生木荷-青冈栎林,易氧化碳/土壤总有机碳为11 a生木荷-青冈栎林>灌木林>7 a生木荷-青冈栎林。（3）3种林分各活性有机碳组分与土壤总有机碳的相关性均达到极显著水平,而水溶性有机碳与总有机碳的相关系数相对较低;各林分土壤总有机碳、易氧化碳、轻组有机质与土壤养分的相关性均达到极显著水平,而灌木林水溶性有机碳与土壤水解氮、速效钾相关性不显著。研究认为,灌木林改造为常绿阔叶人工林,林分土壤有机碳在幼林期已有显著变化,随着林龄增长,人工林有机碳的积累还有待进一步研究。     

Organic substances in the artificial forest ecosystems created on overburden dumps of open-cut coal mines in Middle Siberia

The stock and structure of organic substances in the pine tree plantations on the overburden dumps of open-cut coal mines in Middle Siberia have been determined. It has been shown that the forming forest biogeocenoses differ from the natural phytocenoses and soils of the forest landscapes in the structure of the carbon pool and its distribution between the vegetation and soil components. In artificial forest ecosystems, the bulk of the plant component is accumulated in the aboveground part of the forest stand (40–59%). The aboveground grass cover contains only 0.1–1.4% of the total phytomass stock of the ecosystem. The annual accumulation of organic substances in the initial soils amounts to 0.28–1.45 t/ha.     

林龄对红松和落叶松人工林土壤温室气体通量的影响

探讨人工林发育过程中土壤温室气体排放及其机制,可为森林温室气体通量估算提供理论依据.采用室内培养方法研究了黑龙江省帽儿山地区不同林龄(15、30和50年生)红松(Pinus koraiensis)和落叶松(Larix gmelinii)人工林土壤温室气体排放/吸收速率及其调控因素.结果 表明:30年生红松和落叶松人工林...     

亚高山森林自然与人工恢复对土壤涵水能力的影响

西南亚高山原始针叶林被大规模采伐后,在皆伐迹地上营造了大量云杉林进行人工恢复。但关于这些人工林的土壤涵水能力如何,一直没有系统深入的研究与评价。选择川西米亚罗林区系列不同林龄云杉人工林(20 a、30 a、40 a、70 a)为对象,以相邻同龄自然更新恢复的针阔混交林为对照,比较人工林土壤涵水能力随着演替进程的动态及其与自然恢复次生林之间的差异,结合人工与自然恢复后的林地特征(如细根生物量、凋落物储量和土壤有机碳等)和土壤物理结构参数等差异,阐释自然与人工恢复后土壤涵水能力差异的影响因素。结果显示:随着人工林演替,土壤0—40 cm层最大持水量随林龄的增加而降低,但变化不显著,从20年的2200 t/hm~2下降到70年的2138 t/hm~2,年平均下降速率为1.24 t/hm~2;然而在自然次生林中,土壤最大持水量随着林龄的增加呈现出波动式变化,从20年的2142 t/hm~2增加到40年的2565 t/hm~2,到70年又下降为2302 t/hm~2。通过土壤持水特性与林地凋落物贮量、细根生物量和土壤物理结构参数的相关分析表明,由不同恢复途径导致的林地土壤有机碳含量、凋落物特性及细根差异,进而改变土壤物理结构是影响土壤持水性能差异的主要因素。这些结果说明,从土壤持水量角度考虑,在对采伐迹地进行造林恢复时,应尽量避免营造结构单一、高密度的人工纯林,应选择营造针阔混交林的模式进行恢复。     

Stem deformity inPinus radiata plantations in south-eastern Australia

Plantations of radiata pine (P. radiata D.Don) on soils previously under legume based pastures have a high incidence of stem deformity compared with forest soils. A comparison of soil properties and tree nutrition of 5 to 7 year-old radiata pine on former pastures in the first part of the study showed that stem deformity was strongly correlated with mineralisation of soil N and in particular with nitrification. Other soil properties that have changed as a result of pasture improvement, e.g. pH, available P and Mn, were only partially correlated with stem deformity. In the second part of the study, the role of N availability and other soil properties in the expression of deformity was further investigated in a separate field experiment on soils formerly under native eucalypt forest, tobacco cropping, and improved pasture. Young radiata pine plantings were treated with lime, phosphorus, and nitrogen applied as urea and sodium nitrate. Liming increased soil pH by around 1.5 units, raised exchangeable Ca²⁺ and decreased available Mn. Soil mineral N content was only marginally affected by liming. Superphosphate increased soil available P and raised levels of P in foliage. Changes in soil pH, availability of P, Mn, and B did not affect growth or stem deformity at any of the sites. In contrast, application of N fertilisers at 200 and 600 kg N ha^-1 increased mineral N content and stimulated nitrification, particularly at the forest site. The high rate of N fertiliser increased basal area at the forest site by 45%, but also raised the level of stem deformity from 12% to 56%. At the tobacco and pasture sites, this treatment did not increase growth and did not significantly raise stem deformity above the already high basic level of deformity (63%). Implications of stem deformity in young plantations of radiata pine on potential utilisation later in the rotation are discussed.     

Simulation of soil carbon cycling and carbon balance following clear-cutting in a mid-temperate forest and contribution to the sink of atmospheric CO2

A simulation model of soil carbon cycling was developed based on the data observed in a mid-temperate forest in Yoshiwa, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, and soil carbon cycling and carbon budget in a mature forest stand and following clear-cutting were calculated on a daily basis using daily air temperature and precipitation data. The seasonal change in the amount of the A₀ layer was characterized by a decrease from spring to autumn due to rapid decomposition of litter, and recovery in late autumn due to a large litterfall input. There was little change in the amount of humus in mineral soil. These estimates coincides closely with those observed in the field. Most flow rates and the accumulation of soil carbon decreased very markedly just after clear-cutting. The A₀ layer reached its minimum in 10 years, and recovered its loss within 50–60 years after cutting. A large loss of carbon was observed just after cutting, but the balance changed from negative to positive in 15 years after cutting. The total loss of soil carbon following cutting recovered within 30 years, and nearly the same amount of carbon as that stocked in the timber before harvesting accumulated 70–80 years after cutting. The calculation by the simulation model was made using the assumption that the increase in atmospheric CO₂ promoted the primary production rate by 10% over the last three decades. The result suggests that about 8 t C ha^-1 was sunk into soils of the mid-temperate forest over the same period. It indicates that forest soils may be one of the main sinks for atmospheric CO₂.     

华西雨屏区不同林龄柳杉人工林土壤磷组分特征

磷是限制陆地生态系统生产力的关键养分因子。当前尚不了解不同土壤磷组分随柳杉林龄增长如何变化,及其与土壤微生物群落的关系。以华西雨屏区不同林龄（7年生幼龄林、13年生中龄林、24年生近熟林、33年生成熟林,53年生过熟林）柳杉（Cryptomeria japonica var. sinensis）人工林为研究对象,采用Hedley磷素分级方法、磷脂脂肪酸分析法（PLFA）来探究不同林龄柳杉人工林土壤磷组分的分布模式及影响因子。结果表明：不同林龄和土壤深度土壤磷各组分含量差异显著。随林龄增加,可溶性磷和磷灰石含量逐渐减少,残余态磷含量逐渐增加,其余磷组分含量先增加后降低。除可溶性磷、浓盐酸提取态无机磷和残余态磷组分外,其余土壤磷组分含量表现为上层（0-15 cm）高于下层（15-30 cm）。偏门特尔检验表明,微生物群落与土壤磷组分之间存在显著关联。回归分析发现,碳与有机磷比值和酸性磷酸酶活性呈正相关。冗余分析显示,pH、土壤有机碳、土壤含水量,全氮和土壤容重是影响土壤磷组分变化的主导因子。研究显示,造林初期的土壤磷组分快速积累,在中龄林阶段达到最大值,随着柳杉人工林林龄的增加,土壤中磷的限制逐渐加强,土壤磷组分含量在成熟林之后逐渐下降。这些结果可为为柳杉人工林的培育及可持续经营管理提供科学依据。     

湖南会同不同年龄杉木人工林土壤磷素特征

对湖南会同不同年龄(7年生、17年生、25年生)杉木人工林土壤全磷、有效磷、无机磷组分和有机磷进行了研究,结果表明:3种不同林龄杉木林土壤全磷和有效磷的含量分别在317.06—398.56 mg/kg和0.82—1.38 mg/kg之间,土壤全磷和速效磷含量均属低水平;杉木林土壤全磷含量从7年生幼龄林到25a近熟林出现先升高后降低的规律,并且17年生和25年生林分比7年生林分分别增加了19.68%、15.75%,土壤有效磷含量17年生和25年生林分比7年生林分提高了45.55%左右;土壤磷素活化系数均小于2.0%,这表明本研究区土壤全磷向速效磷转化较难,土壤中磷素的有效性较低,但该值随着林分年龄的增加而出现增大的现象;无机磷含量分别为:7年生169.50 mg/kg、17年生182.03 mg/kg、25年生175.94 mg/kg,从幼龄林到中龄林增高,中龄林以后降低;土壤中无机磷组分以O-P含量最高,其次是Fe-P,Ca-P,Al-P最少;杉木不同生长发育阶段对无机磷形态的吸收是有选择性的,幼龄林到中龄林阶段林木以吸收Al-P为主,近熟林阶段林木以吸收Fe-P和Ca-P为主;有机磷含量在全磷所占比例随林龄的变化来看,杉木生长过程中有部分的有机磷矿化为无机磷。土壤不同形态磷的相关性分析结果显示,土壤有效磷与有机磷相关系数为0.667,呈极显著相关性,是研究区杉木人工林土壤有效磷的主要来源。     

Biogeochemistry of trimethyllead and lead in a forested ecosystem in Germany

Lead compounds, especially ionic organolead compounds (OLC), are highly toxic and mobile pollutants strongly affecting many ecosystems. Soil pools and fluxes with precipitation, litterfall and runoff of trimethyllead (TML), one of the dominant ionic OLC in the environment, and Pb_total were investigated in a forested ecosystem in NE-Bavaria, Germany. In addition, ad/desorption of TML to soils was studied in batch experiments and its degradation in soils was investigated using long term incubations. Total soil storage in the catchment was 11.56?mg Pb?ha^?1 for TML and 222?kg Pb?ha^?1 for Pb_total. More than 90% of the soil storage of TML was found in the wetland soils of the catchment representing only 30% of the area. Most Pb_total (>90%) was found in the upland soils. In upland soils, TML was only detectable in the forest floor. The annual total deposition from the atmosphere, estimated as throughfall?+?litterfall fluxes, amounted to 3.7?mg Pb?ha^?1 year^?1 for TML and 52?g Pb?ha^?1 year^?1 for Pb_total. The contribution of litterfall was 1.5 and 32%, respectively. The concentrations of TML and Pb_total in wet precipitation were: fog?>?throughfall?>?bulk precipitation. The annual fluxes with runoff from the catchment was 0.5?mg Pb?ha^?1 year^?1 for TML and 2.8?g Pb?ha^?1 year^?1 for Pb_total. TML degraded rapidly in the forest floor (Oa horizon) with a half-life (t) of 33.5 days. The degradation of TML in Fen (t?=?421 days) and in the mineral soil (Bw-C horizon, t?=?612 days) was much slower. Emission of tetramethyllead from wetland soils was not observed during the 1 year incubation. The adsorption affinity of TML to different soils was Fen?>?Oa?>?A?≥?Bw-C. The ratio of total soil storages to the present annual input were 3.6 years for TML. TML and Pb_total are still deposited in remote areas even after the use of tetraalkyllead as additives has been terminated for years. The rates of deposition are, however, much lower than in the past. Forest soils act as a sink for deposited TML and Pb_total. TML is accumulated mostly in wetland soils and seems to be stable under anoxic conditions for a long time. In upland soils, TML decomposes rapidly. Only small amounts of TML are transferred from soils into runoff.     

南亚热带退化植被重建中土壤动物群落变化

在广东省中部的鹤山市鹤山丘陵综合试验场,分别在草坡、松林、荷木混交林(荷混林)、马占相思林(马占林)和豆科混交林(豆混林)选取5块样地,分别代表5种处理方式(重建植被类型)。在2003~2004年的4个不同季度内分3层取土样,利用Tullgren干漏斗法采集土壤动物,并分析土壤动物群落个体数量、类群丰度和DG指数的变化。研究结果表明,季节、植被类型和土层深度对土壤动物群落的各项指标都有极显著影响(P<0·01,three-way-ANOVA):土壤动物群落指标,在秋季显著为高(P<0·05,DMRT),而夏季显著为低(P<0·05,DMRT);随土层加深而逐级显著降低;不同植被类型比较,豆混林>马占林>荷混林、松林和草坡。此外,植被类型还与季节和土层间存在显著的交互作用:土壤动物群落各项指标秋季最高,不同植被类型间的差异也最大;而土壤动物群落各项指标较高的植被类型内不同土层间的差异也较大。由此推测,对退化生态系统进行人工改造是有积极意义的,而不同植被类型间土壤动物的差异可能与凋落物的数量与质量密切相关。     

The productivity of pine plantations in relation to previous land use

Summary The improved growth of pine plantations on pasture soils compared with that on soils which previously supported native eucalypt forest is primarily explained in terms of soil phosphorus. Pasture development has resulted in a decrease in the P adsorption maximum of about 300 g g^–1 soil, a figure which agrees with the increase in total P due to the application of superphosphate. P adsorption isotherms were used to calculate additions of P to give comparable levels of soil solution P in eucalypt and pasture soils. The growth of pine seedlings in soils thus amended showed a strong N×P interaction. When P was non-limiting, addition of N raised productivity of the eucalypt soil above that of the pasture soil. It is postulated that the different nature of the N×P interaction in eucalypt and pasture soils results from differences in the nitrogen cycle in the two soils.     

The productivity of pine plantations in relation to previous land use

Summary Differences in the productivity of establishedP. radiata plantations on pasture and forest soils were found to be reproducible withP. radiata seedlings in a glasshouse environment. The growth of seedlings on pasture soil exceeded that of seedlings on native forest soil (the ‘primary pasture effect’). After a history of pine on both native and pasture soils a residual effect of pasture on seedling growth was evident (the ‘secondary pasture effect’). However, the effect of a history of pine plantation (the ‘pine effect’) was to decrease the productivity of both native and pasture soil as assessed by seedling growth. These effects were not related to changes due to land management in mycorrhizal infection or in soil structure. The analysis of seedling growth leads to the conclusion that soil fertility, particularly the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus, has changed.     

Floristics of soil seed banks on agricultural and disturbed land cleared of tropical forests

Little is known about how soil seed banks vary in germination, composition, and density under different land uses after tropical forest conversion. Seed banks can potentially act as one source of regeneration for reforestation of old agricultural lands. Our study documents the composition and density of germinants in soil seed banks from four land uses types surrounding the Sinharaja forest in southwest Sri Lanka. These include: (1) kekilla fern lands; (2) pine plantations; and (3) tea. These were compared to the adjacent (4) mature rainforest. During the 6‐month period of monitoring, we recorded 1,674 germinants (0.036 germinants/cm³ soil), representing 46 species. Germinants of tree and shrub species were restricted to the pine and rainforest soils and all of them are considered pioneers. The soils of the rainforest had the lowest species richness, density, and diversity of germinants; tea lands comprised much higher richness, Shannon diversity, and density. However, almost all germinants in tea were grasses and herbs as compared with other land uses. A multivariate analysis of the germinants of soil seed banks revealed that the four land use types comprise very different compositions and abundances, some of which can be associated with differences in growth habit (trees, shrubs, vines, herbs, grasses). Our results suggest that pine plantations may facilitate some tree and shrub regeneration. However, the seed banks beneath tea and kekilla fern land do not comprise any woody plant species. This may explain why agricultural lands such as tea do not revert back to forest easily.     

亚热带不同树种土壤水源涵养功能

亚热带地区由于大面积的砍伐使天然林被人工林所代替,对森林土壤水源涵养功能造成了很大影响。树种可以通过自身特性来改变土壤物理结构进而影响土壤持水能力,因此合理选择树种对区域水源涵养具有重要意义。然而,立地条件的差异往往会对实验结果产生影响。为减少立地条件的差异,2012年2月在土壤发育和经营历史相同的林地上建立了中亚热带常见树种同质园。2019年8月测定了种植12个树种后不同土层(0—10、10—20、20—30、30—40 cm和40—50 cm)的土壤容重、含水量、总/毛管/非毛管孔隙度、最大/毛管/非毛管持水量和蓄水量。结果表明,种植不同树种7年后,土壤容重、含水量、总/毛管/非毛管孔隙度、最大/毛管/非毛管持水量和蓄水量均在表层(0—20 cm)土壤中差异显著,而在深层(20—50 cm)土壤中差异不显著。土壤孔隙度、持水量和蓄水量均与土壤容重呈显著负相关关系,而与土壤含水量呈显著正相关关系。与其他树种相比,种植鹅掌楸、枫香和全缘叶栾树等落叶阔叶树种可在较短时间内增加土壤孔隙度,提高土壤持水量和蓄水量。因此,在亚热带人工林经营管理中,可在杉木、马尾松纯林中适当引入鹅掌楸、枫香和全缘叶栾树等落叶阔叶树种,提升亚热带森林土壤水源涵养功能。     

Biogeochemistry of trimethyllead and lead in a forested ecosystem in Germany

Lead compounds, especially ionic organolead compounds (OLC), are highly toxic and mobile pollutants strongly affecting many ecosystems. Soil pools and fluxes with precipitation, litterfall and runoff of trimethyllead (TML), one of the dominant ionic OLC in the environment, and Pb_total were investigated in a forested ecosystem in NE-Bavaria, Germany. In addition, ad/desorption of TML to soils was studied in batch experiments and its degradation in soils was investigated using long term incubations. Total soil storage in the catchment was 11.56 mg Pb ha^–1 for TML and 222 kg Pb ha^–1 for Pb_total. More than 90% of the soil storage of TML was found in the wetland soils of the catchment representing only 30% of the area. Most Pb_total (>90%) was found in the upland soils. In upland soils, TML was only detectable in the forest floor. The annual total deposition from the atmosphere, estimated as throughfall + litterfall fluxes, amounted to 3.7 mg Pb ha^–1 year^–1 for TML and 52 g Pb ha^–1 year^–1 for Pb_total. The contribution of litterfall was 1.5 and 32%, respectively. The concentrations of TML and Pb_total in wet precipitation were: fog > throughfall > bulk precipitation. The annual fluxes with runoff from the catchment was 0.5 mg Pb ha^–1 year^–1 for TML and 2.8 g Pb ha^–1 year^–1 for Pb_total. TML degraded rapidly in the forest floor (Oa horizon) with a half-life (t _1/2) of 33.5 days. The degradation of TML in Fen (t _1/2 = 421 days) and in the mineral soil (Bw-C horizon, t _1/2 = 612 days) was much slower. Emission of tetramethyllead from wetland soils was not observed during the 1 year incubation. The adsorption affinity of TML to different soils was Fen > Oa > A Bw-C. The ratio of total soil storages to the present annual input were 3.6 years for TML. TML and Pb_total are still deposited in remote areas even after the use of tetraalkyllead as additives has been terminated for years. The rates of deposition are, however, much lower than in the past. Forest soils act as a sink for deposited TML and Pbtotal. TML is accumulated mostly in wetland soils and seems to be stable under anoxic conditions for a long time. In upland soils, TML decomposes rapidly. Only small amounts of TML are transferred from soils into runoff.     

Land-use change effects on soil C and N transformations in soils of high N status: comparisons under indigenous forest, pasture and pine plantation

Globally, land-use change is occurring rapidly, and impacts on biogeochemical cycling may be influenced by previous land uses. We examined differences in soil C and N cycling during long-term laboratory incubations for the following land-use sequence: indigenous forest (soil age = 1800 yr); 70-year-old pasture planted after forest clearance; 22-year-old pine (Pinus radiata) planted into pasture. No N fertilizer had been applied but the pasture contained N-fixing legumes. The sites were adjacent and received 3–6 kg ha^–1 yr^–1volcanic N in rain; NO₃ ^–-N leaching losses to streamwater were 5–21 kg ha^–1 yr^–1, and followed the order forest < pasture = pine. Soil C concentration in 0–10 cm mineral soil followed the order: pasture > pine = forest, and total N: pasture > pine > forest. Nitrogen mineralization followed the order: pasture > pine > forest for mineral soil, and was weakly related to C mineralization. Based on radiocarbon data, the indigenous forest 0–10 cm soil contained more pre-bomb C than the other soils, partly as a result of microbial processing of recent C in the surface litter layer. Heterotrophic activity appeared to be somewhat N limited in the indigenous forest soil, and gross nitrification was delayed. In contrast, the pasture soil was rich in labile N arising from N fixation by clover, and net nitrification occurred readily. Gross N cycling rates in the pine mineral soil (per unit N) were similar to those under pasture, reflecting the legacy of N inputs by the previous pasture. Change in land use from indigenous forest to pasture and pine resulted in increased gross nitrification, net nitrification and thence leaching of NO₃ ^–-N.     

Conversion of hardwood forests to spruce and pine plantations strongly reduced soil methane sink in Germany

Well‐drained forest soils are thought to be a significant sink for atmospheric methane. Recent research suggests that land use change reduces the soil methane sink by diminishing populations of methane oxidizing bacteria. Here we report soil CH₄ uptake from ‘natural’ mature beech forests and from mature pine and spruce plantations in two study areas of Germany with distinct climate and soils. The CH₄ uptake rates of both beech forests at Solling and Unterlüß were about two–three times the CH₄ uptake rates of the adjacent pine and spruce plantations, indicating a strong impact of forest type on the soil CH₄ sink. The CH₄ uptake rates of sieved mineral soils from our study sites confirmed the tree species effect and indicate that methanotrophs were mainly reduced in the 0–5 cm mineral soil depth. The reasons for the reduction are still unknown. We found no site effect between Solling and Unterlüß, however, CH₄ uptake rates from Solling were significantly higher at the same effective CH₄ diffusivity. This potential site effect was masked by higher soil water contents at Solling. Soil pH (H₂O) explained 71% of the variation in CH₄ uptake rates of sieved mineral soils from the 0–5 cm depth, while cation exchange capacity, soil organic carbon, soil nitrogen and total phosphorous content were not correlated with CH₄ uptake rates. Comparing 1998–99, annual CH₄ uptake rates increased by 69–111% in the beech and spruce stands and by 5–25% in the pine stands, due primarily to differences in growing season soil moisture. Cumulative CH₄ uptake rates from November throughout April were rather constant in both years. The CH₄ uptake rates of each stand were separately predicted using daily average soil matric potential and a previously developed empirical model. The model results revealed that soil matric potential explains 53–87% of the temporal variation in CH₄ uptake. The differences between measured and predicted annual CH₄ uptake rates were less than 10%, except for the spruce stand at Solling in 1998 (17%). Based on data from this study and from the literature, we calculated a total reduction in the soil CH₄ sink of 31% for German forests due in part to conversion of deciduous to coniferous forests.     

Carabids of differently aged reforested pinewoods and a natural pine forest in a historically modified landscape

We studied the responses of carabid beetles to Pinus sylvestris ageing in four plantations aged 2–3, 10–12, 40–45 and 80 years, and one mature natural pine forest – in NW Spain. In 2003, a total of 16,866 carabid individuals (50 species) were collected using pitfall traps. Overall carabid abundance and species richness differed significantly among the five age classes with the highest values occurring in the youngest age class. The carabid assemblages of the initial stages of the ageing sequence differed considerably from the later stages that were relatively similar to each other – a consequence of differences in species dominance at specific age classes. Yet, the carabid assemblage of the 80-year-old stage did not approach that of the natural pine forest, but, unexpectedly, the 40–45-year-old age class did. Canopy cover and soil pH were the main environmental variables that affected the carabid distribution. We also detected species-level responses to the ageing process, with open habitat species more abundantly collected at the youngest stages and forest specialists at the older stages. We conclude that carabid beetles responded predictably to the pine plantation ageing process, and that although pine forests in NW Spain do not seem to provide habitat for unique species, they act as secondary habitats for forest specialist species.