Solubilisation and colonisation of wood ash by ectomycorrhizal fungi isolated from a wood ash fertilised spruce forest

In Sweden application of granulated wood ash has been suggested as a method to supplement nutrient loss resulting from harvesting of forest residues for bioenergy production. Mycelia of two ectomycorrhizal fungi Piloderma sp. 1 and Ha-96-3, were commonly found to colonise ash granules in a wood ash fertilised spruce forest. Thirty-eight fungal isolates were selected from 10 taxa to investigate the possible role of different ectomycorrhizal fungi in nutrient mobilisation from ash. The taxa were Cenococcum geophilum Fr., Piloderma croceum Erikss. and Hjortst., Piloderma sp. 1, Thelephora terrestris (Ehrenb.) Fr., Tylospora fibrillosa Donk, and five unidentified species, all originating from a wood ash fertilised spruce forest. The isolates were tested for their ability to solubilise tricalcium phosphate (TCP) or hardened wood ash (HWA) in vitro. Ha-96-3, P. croceum and Piloderma sp. 1 were the only taxa which solubilised TCP. Abundant calcium oxalate crystals were formed in TCP and HWA plates with Piloderma sp. 1. Ha-96-3 and two isolates of P. croceum produced intermediate amounts of crystals. Ha-96-1 and T. fibrillosa produced low amounts of crystal but no crystal formation was observed by any of the other isolates. Piloderma sp. 1 from HWA plates had significantly higher concentrations of P, compared to P. croceum or Ha-96-3. Piloderma sp. 1 and P. croceum were further tested for their ability to colonise wood ash in microcosms containing intact mycorrhizal associations. After 7 months Piloderma sp. 1 colonised ash amended patches with a dense, mat like mycelium, whereas P. croceum mycelia avoided the ash patches. Possible differences between these fungi in patterns of carbon allocation were investigated by labelling seedlings with 14CO(2). Piloderma sp. 1 mycelia allocated significantly more 14C to ash patches than P. croceum. P. croceum allocated relatively more 14C to control patches than to the ash patches. The possible role of ectomycorrhizal fungi in mobilisation of nutrients from wood ash is discussed.     

Effect of cadmium on composition and diversity of bacterial communities in activated sludges

Microbial communities of two kinds of activated sludge for removing carbon, nitrogen and phosphate (nutrient removal sludge) were identified and compared by combining cloning–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis methods. The sludges were sampled in an anaerobic–anoxic–oxic system operating under the same conditions, except for one without the addition of cadmium (Cd0) and the other with addition of 5 mg cadmium l⁻¹ (Cd5). Bacteria in the phylum Proteobacteria were predominant in both Cd0 and Cd5 sludges (39.6% and 35.1% of total bacteria, respectively). However, bacteria in the class Betaproteobacteria were significantly more abundant in Cd0 than in Cd5 sludge (30.7% and 2.1%, respectively). Species related to nutrient removal, such as nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas communis), floc-forming bacteria (Zoogloea ramigera) and phosphate-accumulating organisms (Rubrivivax gelatinosus), were the predominant species in Cd0 sludge, but were not found in Cd5 sludge. Cadmium was significantly toxic to the bacterial community in nutrient removal sludge, especially to the bacteria in the Betaproteobacteria. The comparison of microbial communities between these two kinds of sludge was further discussed in the paper.     

Structure of coniferous forest communities in Western Washington: Diversity and ecotope properties

Summary Vegetation patterns were examined in three regions of coniferous forest, arrayed along a gradient of decreasing maritime influence. The following responses to decreasing maritime influence were noted: all aspects of species diversity increase; growth-form complexity increases; habitat heterogeneity increases; species habitat breadths decrease; and habitat overlaps decrease. These observations result from studies of both individual plots and data aggregated into community types. The contrasts between the maritime western study region and the more continental eastern study region imply that ecotope differentiation increases from west to east.The enhanced structural complexity of the eastern region results from climatical limitation of the dominant tree species. Reduced canopy dominance produces greater within-habitat heterogeneity with respect to moisture, light, and soil properties. Furthermore, contrasts between the extremes of the topographic-moisture gradient increase toward the east. These factors combine to increase alpha, beta, and gamma diversities in the eastern study region above those of the western study region. Corresponding to these diversity trends are decreasing mean relative niche, habitat, and ecotope breadths of species toward the eastNomenclature is that of Hitchcock & Cronquist (1973).Funds for the study were provided in part by the Graduate School Research Fund, University of Washington. We thank Alan F. Watson, B.C. Cannon, S.G. Fleming, C. Brewer, K.E. Wade, K. Loughney, and M. Swanson for their able field assistance and Joan Canfield for assistance with data analysis. R.H. Whittaker, R.K. Peet, and an anonymous reviewer made valuable suggestions.     

Trophic structure of macro- and meso-invertebrates in Japanese coniferous forest: Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes analyses

Few studies have been published on the feeding ecology of Japanese soil fauna based on stable isotope analysis. Therefore, the present work aims to use this technique for studying the trophic structure of Japanese soil fauna at two coniferous forests. Significant differences were observed between investigated sites (Arahama and Gamo) in genus richness and abundance, while for Shannon diversity indexes the difference was non-significant. The isotopic signatures (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of the invertebrates collected at Arahama ranged from 0.3 to 6.3‰ for δ¹⁵N and from −27.3 to −23.3‰ for δ¹³C. At Gamo, invertebrates δ¹³C values ranged from −26.1 to −23.5‰ and δ¹⁵N values ranged from 1.6 to 6.8‰. At both sites, invertebrates formed two distinct groups on the basis of combined C and N stable isotope ratios. The locations of these groups related to δ¹³C values. The less enriched group (δ¹³C < −25‰) and the more enriched one (δ¹³C > −25‰). The range of δ¹⁵N for the present animals exceeded two trophic levels. While, the gradual ¹⁵N enrichment within the invertebrates species may indicate the dominance of omnivory in soil food webs. The differences between sites in δ¹⁵N confirm the importance of studying the trophic structure of soil fauna locally.     

Ectomycorrhizal fungal biomass in roots and uptake of P from apatite by Pinus sylvestris seedlings growing in forest soil with and without wood ash amendment

Forest soil from an experimental Norway spruce forest with four levels of wood ash addition (0, 1, 3 and 6 tonnes ha^–1) was used to inoculate pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings with indigenous ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi. Uptake of ³²P and ⁸⁶Rb in a root bioassay was used to estimate the demand for P and K by seedlings grown in the different soils. Utilisation of P from apatite was tested in a laboratory system where uptake by the ectomycorrhizal mycelium was separated from uptake by roots. The demand for P and K in the seedlings was similar regardless of the ash treatment. Variation in EM levels, estimated as fungal biomass (ergosterol) in roots, was large in the different soils, but not related to ash addition. Uptake of P from apatite was, on average, 23% of total seedling P and was not related to EM levels. It was concluded that the improved P uptake from apatite by EM fungi found in earlier studies is probably not a general phenomenon among EM fungi. The small effect of ash addition on EM levels and P uptake suggests that addition of granulated wood ash is a forest management treatment that will have only minor influence on ectomycorrhizal symbiosis.     

Effect of wood ash treatment on improving the fermentability of wood hydrolysate

Softwood hydrolysates were overlimed with wood ash to improve the fermentability of hydrolysates. It could be demonstrated in fermentation tests that wood ash treatment increases fermentability compared to the hydrolysates untreated and treated with alkaline compounds such as Ca(OH)(2), NaOH, and KOH, which are commonly used for overliming. The enhanced fermentability of the hydrolysate treated with wood ash is due to the reduction of the inhibitors of the fermentation such as furan and phenolic compounds and to nutrient effects of some inorganic components from the wood ash on the fermentation.     

南亚热带人工针叶纯林近自然改造早期对群落特征和土壤性质的影响

借鉴近自然森林管理理念,用阔叶林或针阔混交林替代南亚热带大面积人工针叶纯林已被认为是一种有效的森林培育方式.1993年,在位于广西凭祥的中国林业科学研究院热带林业实验中心伏波试验场营造了马尾松和杉木纯林.为了提高针叶纯林的生产力和维护生态平衡,2007-2008年间,运用近自然森林培育技术,分别在间伐后的马尾松和杉木纯林中套种等量混合的当地优质乡土树种红椎(Castanopsis hystrix)和香梓楠(Michelia gioii苗木,套种密度均为405株/hm2(以下简称“马尾松近自然林”、“杉木近自然林”).选择邻近地块相同林龄、相似立地条件的未经改造的马尾松、杉木人工纯林作为对照(以下简称“未改造纯林”),研究了马尾松和杉木人工针叶纯林近自然改造早期对群落特征和土壤性质的影响,以期为马尾松和杉木人工林的可持续经营提供科学依据.研究结果表明:(1)近自然林中马尾松和杉木的密度、胸高断面积均显著低于各自未改造纯林(P＜0.05),但其平均胸径均高于各自未改造纯林,其中马尾松达显著差异(P＜0.05).(2)近自然林成年树(DBH≥10 cm)的林木株数少于未改造纯林,树种仍以马尾松和杉木占据绝对优势地位,而近自然林小树(5 cm≤DBH＜10 cm)和幼树(1 cm≤DBH＜5 cm)的物种数、株数均多于未改造纯林,套种的红椎和香梓楠已经成为近自然林中重要值最大的幼树物种,红椎和香梓楠在马尾松近自然林中的生长状况优于杉木近自然林.(3)马尾松近自然林灌木层和草本层的物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数和Pielou指数与其未改造纯林均无显著差异;杉木近自然林灌木层的丰富度指数和草本层的Pielou指数显著高于其未改造纯林(P＜0.05),其他指数则没有显著差异.(4)马尾松和杉木近自然林的土壤容重、总孔隙度、全磷、全氮、全钾和速效钾与各自未改造纯林没有显著差异,但马尾松近自然林的土壤有机碳含量和pH值显著低于其未改造纯林(P＜0.05),杉木近自然林的速效磷含量显著低于其未改造纯林(P＜0.05).     

张广才岭温带次生针阔混交林物种组成和群落结构特征

为了研究温带次生针阔混交林的树种组成和群落结构特征,于2010年在吉林省蛟河林业实验区管理局建立了面积为21.84 hm2(420 m×520 m)的固定样地。从物种组成、种-面积曲线、植物区系特征、径级分布结构和空间分布格局等方面分析了该地区针阔混交林物种组成和群落结构特征。研究结果表明该样地共有DBH≥1.0 cm的木本植物活立木个体25,908株,隶属于18科27属45种,植株密度为1186株/hm2。植物区系以北温带分布属为主体,共有37属,占总数的82.22%,属长白山植物区系。样地内稀有种18种,偶见种14种。通过对该样地物种多样性计算得出,该样地Margalef多样性指数R、ShannonWienner指数H'、Simpson多样性指数D和物种均匀度Pielou指数Jsw分别为4.31、2.48、0.89和0.65。样地中所有个体的径级分布(以2cm等级排列)呈偏倒"J"形,整体更新良好,表现出群落稳定与生长状况良好的趋势。群落中重要值3的9个物种的径级结构表现出一定的差异:胡桃楸、水曲柳呈近似正态分布,表现为中径木个体数量多,而小径木和大径木个体数量少的特点;春榆、大果榆、色木槭、白牛槭、裂叶榆等物种呈倒"J"型或偏倒"J"型,更新良好;而红松由于受到了严重的人为干扰,天然更新不良,径级结构呈现不规律型。通过g(r)双变量函数分析9个优势树种空间分布格局可知,9个优势树种均表现出聚集分布,聚集强度随着尺度的增大而降低。在r20 m的小尺度上物种聚集强度随尺度增大急剧降低,当尺度超过20 m后聚集强度趋于稳定。     

High diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a boreal herb-rich coniferous forest

* Here, the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi was determined in a boreal herb-rich coniferous forest in relation to environmental variables. * Root samples of five plant species (Fragaria vesca, Galeobdolon luteum, Hepatica nobilis, Oxalis acetosella and Trifolium pratense) were analysed from stands differing in age and forest management intensity. * Thirty-four Glomeromycota taxa (small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA) sequence groups) were detected from 90 root samples (911 clones), including eight new taxa. Sequence groups related to Glomus intraradices were most common (MO-G3 and MO-G13). Samples of H. nobilis were colonized by more AM fungal taxa (3.68 +/- 0.31) than those of O. acetosella (2.69 +/- 0.34), but did not differ significantly in this respect from those of F. vesca (3.15 +/- 0.38). Effects of forest management, host plant species (except above) or season on the number or composition of fungal taxa in root samples were not detected, and neither were they explained by environmental variables (vegetation, soil and light conditions). * This is the most taxon-rich habitat described to date in terms of root-colonizing Glomeromycota. The data demonstrate the importance of temperate coniferous forests as habitats for AM fungi and plants. Lack of obvious fungal community patterns suggests more complex effects of biotic and abiotic factors, and possibly no adverse effect of common forest management practices on AM fungal diversity.     

长白山北坡暗针叶林倒木贮量和分解的研究

对长白山北坡海拔 12 6 0m和 16 2 0m暗针叶林中倒木蓄积、生物量和倒木的分解进行了比较研究 ,结果表明 ,暗针叶林中倒木的蓄积为 180 .87m3·hm-2 ,占林分蓄积的 2 1.83 % .低海拔的倒木蓄积和生物量均比高海拔的低 ,海拔 12 6 0m的倒木蓄积为 5 2 .5 7m3·hm-2 ,生物量为 2 6 .2 1t·hm-2 ;海拔 16 2 0m的倒木蓄积为 193.85m3·hm-2 ,生物量为 5 3 .33t·hm-2 .用单项指数衰减模型对倒木的分解进行模拟可知 ,倒木的分解常数随树种和海拔高度的不同而不同 .冷杉倒木的分解常数比云杉倒木大 ;倒木在低海拔的分解常数比在高海拔的大 ,表明云杉倒木完全分解需要较长的时间 .     

The elemental content in the mycelium of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Piloderma sp. during the colonization of hardened wood ash

Piloderma sp., a wood ash-colonizing ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungus, was grown symbiotically with Norway spruce in microcosms which contained granules of hardened wood ash. Mycelium close to the granules was sampled 3 times over a period of 11 weeks and the elemental content was investigated with particle induced X-ray emission. Mycelium from microcosms without wood ash was used as controls. The contents of P and K were similar in mycelium growing close to wood ash granules to those in control mycelium, while the Ca content increased from 23±21 mg g^–1 in controls to 63±8 mg g^–1 in mycelium growing close to wood ash granules. The Ca content was also increased in other parts of the mycelium more distant from the wood ash. Piloderma sp. may have a role in the short-term storage of Ca released from wood ash, rather than in releasing and storing P.     

哀牢山两类山地森林林冠及林下腐殖质微生物群落比较

中山湿性常绿阔叶林、山顶苔藓矮林是云南哀牢山高海拔山地主要的原生森林植被类型.本文对哀牢山徐家坝地区两类森林林冠及各自林下地表腐殖质的理化特性、微生物组成、数量、生化活性、代谢活性及其季节动态,以及两类森林不同优势树种林冠腐殖质微生物数量及代谢活性进行了研究.结果表明： 两类森林林冠腐殖质的真菌、放线菌的数量、微生物生物量C、N、固氮作用和纤维素分解作用的强度均显著高于林下地表腐殖质;中山湿性常绿阔叶林林冠腐殖质的纤维素分解菌、纤维素分解强度、微生物生物量C、N、有机碳、土壤呼吸强度等指标均显著高于苔藓矮林.在季节变化方面,湿季林冠腐殖质中真菌、细菌及好氧性固氮菌的数量以及呼吸强度均高于干季,放线菌则相反,纤维素分解菌干湿季间差异不显著.两类森林林冠腐殖质微生物数量及生化活性的季节变化幅度均大于林下地表腐殖质.不同树种之间冠层腐殖质的微生物数量差异显著,其中湿季的差异比干季更为明显.林冠层腐殖质的微生物在维系林冠附生植物多样性以及为林冠繁茂的附生植物生长发育提供所需的养分等方面具有重要的生态功能.     

Application of a rapid thin section method for observations on decomposing litter in mor humus form in a subalpine coniferous forest

Morphological changes in the decomposing litter ofAbies spp. andBetula spp. in a mor humus form were studied by a rapid thin section method. According to the morphological characteristics, the epidermis, mesophyll and vascular bundleof Abies needle litter were classified into four types: (i) newly fallen; (ii) slightly decomposed; (iii) moderately decomposed; and (iv) greatly decomposed. The distribution of these tissue types along the profile of the forest floor was then investigated. The morphological changes in other litter types, such as branches, scales andBetula leaves during decomposition were observed directly with microscope and electron microscope. Five vertical thin sections and 80 horizontal thin sections were used for these observations and investigations. the decomposition ofAbies litter was slower than that ofBetula litter. The relative decomposition rate of the tissues was in the order of: mesophyll>vascular bundle >epidermis inAbies needles; mesophyll≥epidermis>vascular bundles inBetula leaves; and inner bark >xylem>outer bark in bothAbies andBetula branches. The last remains of the litter were usually stomata, segments of seminiferous scale and outer bark ofAbies. The decomposition of plant litter occurred mainly within the L and F layers of the soil (0–5 cm in depth).Abies needles andBetula leaves completely disappeared at depths of 0–6 cm and 0–4 cm, respectively. Branches disappeared within the top of 5 cm and 6–8 cm forBetula and forAbies, respectively. The scales ofAbies were most slowly decomposed in the soil layers.     

Separating the effects of moisture and temperature on soil CO2 efflux in a coniferous forest in the Sierra Nevada mountains

Separating the effects of soil temperature and moisture on soil CO₂ efflux is critical to modeling and understanding the belowground carbon dynamics of forest ecosystems. We developed two analytical procedures to separate the effects of soil temperature and moisture, based on continuous measurements of the CO₂ efflux, temperature and moisture of the soil at a ponderosa pine plantation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, from May 1998 to August 1999. We found that the combined effects of temperature and moisture on the seasonal variation of soil CO₂ efflux could be effectively separated and represented with the product of a temperature term and a moisture term. The relationship between soil CO₂ efflux and temperature could be well described using a power function. This relationship was modified by soil moisture which affects only the coefficient, but not the exponent, of the power function. We also found that when soil moisture was held constant, the temperature effect explained 82% of the temporal variation in CO₂ efflux of the soil. Similarly, when temperature was held constant, the moisture effects explained 84% of the variation. Temperature and moisture together explained 89% of the total temporal variations in soil CO₂ efflux. A multiplicative formulation with power functions representing both temperature and moisture dependences was recommended for modeling soil CO₂ efflux. This formulation can be used to model the seasonal trend of soil CO₂ efflux of the forest based on temperature and moisture, two key variables influenced by climate change and management practices.     

Effect of increased Populus cover on Abies regeneration in the Picea–feathermoss boreal forest

Question: Does the increase in Populus tremuloides cover within the Picea mariana–feathermoss domain enhance establishment and growth conditions for Abies balsamea regeneration? Location: Boreal forest of northwest Quebec, Canada. Method: To document the effect of Populus tremuloides on A. balsamea regeneration, mixed stands with a heterogeneous presence of P. tremuloides adjacent to Picea mariana‐dominated stands were selected. Abies balsamea regeneration, understorey environment and canopy composition were characterized from 531 sampling units distributed along transects covering the mixed–coniferous gradient. Abundance of understorey A. balsamea regeneration was described using three height groups: seedling (<30 cm), small sapling (30 to <100 cm) and tall sapling (100 to 300 cm). Growth characteristics were measured from 251 selected individuals of A. balsamea (<3 m). Results: Results showed that A. balsamea regeneration was generally more abundant when P. tremuloides was present in the canopy. Differences between seedling and sapling abundance along the mixed–coniferous gradient suggest that while establishment probably occurs over a wide range of substrates, the better growth conditions found under mixed stands ensure a higher survival rate for A. balsamea seedlings. Conclusions: The abundant A. balsamea regeneration observed within mixed stands of the Picea mariana–feathermoss domain suggests that the increase in P. tremuloides cover, favoured by intensive management practices and climatic change, could contribute to acceleration of the northward expansion of the A. balsamea–Betula papyrifera domain into the northern boreal forest dominated by Picea mariana.     

Effects of different tree harvesting intensities on saproxylic beetle diversity in coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest in the Changbai Mountain,Northeast, China

1. Saproxylic beetles have gained increasing attention due to their role in the decomposition of rotting wood in forests. Studying the response of saproxylic beetles to tree harvesting is important for developing harvesting strategies that consider conservation of saproxylic beetle diversity.
2. We report results from a case study in which we designed four treatment stands to test the effects of forest harvesting intensity on saproxylic beetle diversity, harvest intensities of 0% untreated control (CK), 17.2% light harvest (LT), 34.7% moderate harvest (MT) and 51.9% high harvest (HT). Flight intercept traps were used to collect specimens of saproxylic beetles in each stand at 2, 3 and 4 years post-harvest.
3. The richness and abundance of saproxylic beetles were higher in MT and HT than in CK. Twelve of the 15 indicator species were significantly associated with MT or HT, whereas only three species were significantly associated with CK.
4. We found that moderate and high intensity harvesting affected the composition and increased beetle abundance and richness of saproxylic beetles, and light intensity harvesting had no effect on the beetle community in years 2, 3 and 4 post-harvest. There was no difference in the beetle community composition between moderate and high harvest stands.

     

浙江东白山次生针阔混交林群落组成及结构动态

次生针阔混交林是亚热带地区常见的森林类型,研究次生针阔混交林群落的演替特征及其更新规律,将为本地区植被恢复及森林经营管理提供重要依据。该文基于2013和2018年两次调查东白山次生针阔混交林1 hm²固定样地的数据,从木本植物组成、群落物种多样性、物种重要值、径级结构等方面,分析了东白山次生针阔混交林群落组成和结构的动态变化。结果表明：(1)2013—2018年间,群落内物种数和植株数均显著下降(P<0.05);(2)样地内DBH≥1 cm的个体死亡1 505株,年均死亡率6.40%,新增个体71株,年均补员率0.35%;(3)群落物种多样性指数均显著下降(P<0.05),其中Margalef丰富度指数下降最多,降低了25.03%,Shannon-Wiener指数降低了11.88%;(4)林冠层中常绿阔叶树种的优势地位在进一步加强,而针叶树种的优势度在逐渐下降;(5)5 a间,大、中径级的个体比例逐渐增加,小径级植株的存活个体比例逐渐下降。该研究表明,2013—2018年间,东白山次生针阔混交林群落组成和结构总体发生了较为显著的动态变化,群落处于次生针...     

Gradient structure of forest vegetation in the central Washington cascades

Summary Forest vegetation located in three areas of the central Washington Cascades, arrayed along a gradient of increasing continentality and decreasing rainfall, were compared using ordination methods. Within each region, lower and upper elevation sites were analyzed separately and for each set of sites, trees and ground story vegetation were analyzed independently. Principal components analysis, reciprocal averaging, weighted averaging, and polar ordination were applied to each set. The characteristics of the data determined which method gave the most readily interpretable results, but RA and WA usually best ordered the stands along a complex, combined coenocline, while PO often decomposed the gradient into moisture and temperature components. PCA was of little use, even with relatively low beta diversity.Results are presented in the form of stand by species tables for each data set and the most appropriate two dimensional ordination. Both are correlated to the classification. A mosaic diagram for each region is synthesized from these analyses and habitat data. These diagrams indicate that community types occupy a smaller portion of the habitat as continentality increases.The ordination results were in close agreement with our earlier classification of these stands. The maritime (west) region contains stands of low richness and with relatively little coenocline differentiation. In contrast, the continental (east) region has high alpha and beta diversity. Species in the west tend to occupy a broad portion of the available habitat range, while species in the east do not. The analyses reveal that ordinations by different strata may produce similar stand sequences if both strata are responding directly to the same factors, but that the correspondence degenerates where the understory responds primarily to the nature of the canopy dominant species. Thus stand sequence correlations are highest in the lowland eastern region and lowest in the lowland western region.This study demonstrates that none of these metric ordination methods is fool-proof and that none should be used exclusively or in isolation. RA and PO are demonstrated to be useful general methods; WA gave results similar to those of RA. PCA never produced uniquely superior results. Analyses with too few species and moderate beta diversity often produce distortions as pronounced as those with many species and high beta diversity.Nomenclature follows Hitchcock & Conquist (1973).Funds provided by the Graduate School Research Fund, University of Washington and by grants GB-20963 and GB-36810X to the Coniferous Forest Biome, U.S.I.B.P. This is contribution # 318 to the Coniferous Forest Biome. M.F. Denton, R.S. Fleming, A.R. Kruckeberg, and R.H. Whittaker each made significant suggestions. We thank R.S. Fleming, S.G. Fleming, C. Brewer, B.C. Cannon, K.E. Wade, K. Loughney, and J.E. Canfield for their assistance with field work and data analysis.     

高寒森林不同生境对凋落叶分解灰分动态的影响

灰分是凋落叶的重要组成部分,其浓度直接关系到凋落叶的分解过程及有机组分的动态特征,且可能受生境和分解时期的影响,然而有关凋落叶分解过程中灰分动态的研究鲜有报道。采用凋落袋法,以岷江上游高寒森林4种代表性植物康定柳(Salix paraplesia)、高山杜鹃(Rhododendron lapponicum)、方枝柏(Sabina saltuaria)和四川红杉(Larix mastersiana)凋落叶为研究对象,研究了高寒森林凋落叶在3种不同环境条件下(林下、溪流、河岸带)分解过程中灰分的动态特征。结果表明,灰分量随凋落叶的分解整体呈现降低的趋势,且不同环境条件和不同物种之间存在明显的差异。与之相反,经过两年的分解,除溪流中康定柳凋落叶灰分浓度略有下降外(-0.99%),林下和河岸带中康定柳凋落叶及其它物种凋落叶中灰分浓度在所有环境条件下均表现出了增加的趋势(5.86%—72.15%)。凋落叶分解过程中灰分浓度变异量在不同分解时期存在明显或显著的差异,且受物种和环境因子的调控。这些结果表明,传统上认为凋落叶分解过程中灰分浓度比较稳定的观点是不准确的,且以凋落叶分解过程中灰分浓度不变的前提下采用无灰分质量损失(ash free mass loss)而计算凋落叶质量损失的方法存在一定的不准确性。研究为认识凋落叶分解过程中灰分的动态特征及凋落叶质量损失的测定方法提供了一定的参考。