Biomass dynamics of Quercus aliena var. acutesrata community on Mountain Xiaolong in Gansu Province, China

The dynamics of tree layer biomass was studied by combining 35 sample plots of field census with biomass model estimation in a natural Quercus aliena var. acutesrata community on Mountain Xiaolong in Gansu Province, China. The tree layer biomass of Quercus aliena var. acutesrata community was 183 660 kg/ha, in which the slow growth group accounted for 64.89% of the total biomass. The fast-medium growth group accounted for 33.40% and the coniferous group accounted for 1.38%. The organs biomass was found to be in the following order: trunk > root > branch > leaf. The total biomass accumulated with the development of the community. The total biomass and the biomass of the organs were highest in the mature community and became stable as the community developed. The relative growth rate of organs was in the following order: trunk > branch > root > leaf. The biomass ratio of the slow growth group trees tended to increase and the fast-medium group trees tended to decrease as the community developed, which was reveresed in the decline development stage. The biomass of the coniferous group was very small throughout the development process. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Ecology, 2005, 24(4) [译自: 生态学杂志, 2005, 24(4)]     

栓皮栎林的生物量

本文对北京西山海拔300米的26年生人工栓皮栎林的生物量作了测定。粮据十株伐倒的标准木分别取得乔木各部分的干重。采用W=a(D2H)b的幂函数方程,获得每公顷土地上的树干重32.16吨,枝条重9.85吨、叶重1.68吨、根重9.95吨。对灌木和草本植物采用收割法作测定：灌木的地上部分每公顷为1.33吨,地下部分为2.3吨;草本植物的地上部分每公顷为0.15吨,地下部分为0.8吨。所以栓皮栎的地上部分总生物量每公顷为45.17吨,地下部分13.05吨,总计58.22吨。     

秦岭锐齿栎群落数量特征的研究

对秦岭锐齿栎群落的研究结果表明,该群落乔木层可划为两个亚层,其生活型以高位芽占优势。地面芽次之,锐齿栎、华山松的胸径结构呈左偏正态分布;油松的胸径主要以小径级居多;漆树的胸径以大径级的个体占有较大的比例,属于衰退种群;板栗主要是以小径级的幼树和小树为主,处于幼龄向中龄过渡阶段;山杨处于由进展向稳定过渡阶段,属于中幼龄林,林分的胸径结构主要受锐齿栎种群的胸径变化的影响,聚类与排序结果一致,得到6个类型：鞘柄菝葜+蔷薇-栓皮栎+灰榆-锐齿栎群丛;美丽胡枝子+鞘柄菝葜-板栗-锐齿栎群丛;榛子-尖叶四照花+山杨-锐齿栎群丛;樱桃+榛子-漆树-锐齿栎群丛;榛子+蔷薇-华山松-锐齿栎群丛;箭竹-华山松+油松-锐齿栎群丛,表明锐齿栎群落在海拔分布上的连续性和群落类型分布的间断性。     

栓皮栎地上部分构型及生物量分配

研究秦岭南坡商洛地区不同径级栓皮栎的地上部分构型、生物量及其分配和构型与生物量的关系.结果表明： 不同径级栓皮栎地上部分构型与生物量的分配存在差异.随着径级的增大,栓皮栎树高、胸径和冠幅逐渐增大;平均递减率先增大后减小;栓皮栎总体分枝率和逐步分枝率先增加后下降;不同径级栓皮栎垂直方向上的比叶面积为0.02～0.03,叶重比、叶面积指数和叶面积比的较大值在径级为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ时出现于树干中、上部,在径级为Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ时出现在树干中部,径级进一步增大则在垂直方向上出现2个峰值,分别位于树干中下部和中上部.栓皮栎地上部分生物量中,树干生物量占71.8%～88.4%,枝生物量占5.8%～19.6%,叶生物量占4.2%～8.6%.随着径级的增大,树干生物量所占比例先减小后增大,而枝、叶生物量所占比例呈先增大后减小再增大的趋势.栓皮栎地上部分生物量与树高、胸径、冠幅和逐步分枝率(R_2∶1)呈显著正相关,与总体分枝率和逐步分枝率(R_3∶2)呈正相关趋势,但相关性不显著.树干生物量、地上总生物量与树干递减率呈负相关趋势,枝生物量、叶生物量与树干递减率呈正相关趋势,但相关性均不显著.     

Variations in leaf litter decomposition across contrasting forest stands and controlling factors at local scale

Aims Litter decomposition is a critical pathway linking the above- and belowground processes. However, factors underlying the local spatial variations in forest litter decomposition are still not fully addressed. We investigated leaf litter decomposition across contrasting forest stands in central China, with objective to determine the spatial variations and controlling factors in forest floor leaf litter decomposition in relation to changes in forest stands in a temperate forest ecosystem.Methods Leaf litter decomposition was studied by using litterbag method across several typical forest stand types in Baotianman Nature Reserve, central China, including pure stands of Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata, Q. glandulifera var. brevipetiolata and Q. variabilis, respectively, and mixed pine/oak stands dominated by Pinus armandii and Q. aliena var. acuteserrata, as well as stands of pure Q. aliena var. acuteserrata trees ranging in stand age from ~40 to>160 years. Measurements were made on litter mass remaining and changes in litter chemistry during decomposition over a 2-year period, along with data collections on selective biotic and environmental factors. A reciprocal transplant experiment involving Q. aliena var. acuteserrata and Q. variabilis was concurrently carried out to test the occurrence of 'home-field advantage (HFA)' in local forests when only considering contrasting oak tree species. Correlation analyses and path analyses were performed to identify the dominant drivers and their relative contributions to variations in leaf litter decomposition.Important findings Significant variations were found in the rate of leaf litter decomposition among stands of different tree species but not among stand age classes. The values of decay constant, k, varied from 0.62 in Q. aliena var. acuteserrata stands to 0.56 in Q. variabilis stands. The reciprocal litter transplant experiment showed that the rate of leaf litter decomposition was on average 5% slower in home-fields than on reciprocal sites. Path analysis identified litter acid-unhydrolyzable residue (AUR) to N ratio, soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), soil pH and soil organic carbon (SOC) as most prominent factors controlling the rate of leaf litter decomposition, collectively accounting for 57.8% of the variations; AUR/N had the greatest negative effect on k value, followed by weaker positive effects of SOC and MBC. Our findings suggest that tree species plays a primary role in affecting forest floor leaf litter decomposition by determining the litter quality, with site environment being a secondary factor contributing to the local variations in leaf litter decomposition in this temperate forest ecosystem.     

城市绿化树种香樟不同器官对土壤重金属的富集特征

为了了解不同土壤重金属浓度梯度及污染梯度下香樟不同器官的富集特征,测定了香樟树叶、树枝、树干和根际土壤中6种重金属元素(Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Mn、Ni)的含量.结果表明: 香樟地上部分重金属含量因器官、元素种类、根际土壤重金属浓度的不同而存在差异.香樟树叶和树枝重金属含量的大小顺序均为:Mn＞Zn＞Cu＞Cr＞Pb＞Ni,树干重金属含量为:Mn＞Zn＞Cr＞Pb＞Ni＞Cu.树叶对Mn的富集系数较高,为2.409;树干对Ni的富集系数较高,分别为树叶、树枝的8.6和17倍,且在不同土壤重金属浓度梯度下,香樟树干对Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Ni的富集系数均明显高于其他器官.香樟地上部分器官对Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Mn、Ni 6种重金属元素的综合富集能力大小顺序为:树叶＞树干＞树枝.随着土壤重金属污染等级的增加,香樟地上部分各器官的富集系数均逐渐降低.研究区域平均胸径为22 cm的单株香樟对重金属元素富集效能的大小顺序为:树叶＞树干＞树枝,其中树干对Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Ni的积累量均显著高于树叶和树枝.表明香樟对6种重金属元素均有一定的富集能力,并且树干对Pb和Ni的富集效能明显,分别占地上部分总积累量的82.7%和91.9%,能很好地富集并稳固土壤中的Pb和Ni,可作为修复治理土壤重金属污染的备选树种.     

秦岭山区人工林地枯落叶客置对土壤生物、化学性质的影响

通过对秦岭山区日本落叶松、油松、灰楸和锐齿栎4种典型人工纯林2年的枯落叶客置试验,探讨了枯落叶客置对土壤生物、化学性质的影响,以及不同树种的种间关系.结果表明：阔叶林枯落叶的年分解速率高出针叶林33.70%.当针叶林枯落叶被客置到阔叶林地后,年分解速率提高8.35%～12.15%,而当阔叶林枯落叶被客置到针叶林地后,年分解速率下降5.38%～9.49%.针阔树种间的枯落叶客置均能不同程度地提高土壤有机碳、速效氮、速效磷和速效钾的含量,且针叶林地的增幅(8.70%～35.84%)明显大于阔叶林地(3.73%～10.44%),其中针叶林地客置灰楸枯落叶后的增幅(24.63%～35.84%)大于客置锐齿栎枯落叶(8.70%～28.15%). 客置阔叶林枯落叶使针叶林地土壤由偏酸向中性方向发展, 土壤酶活性、微生物量C、N含量及其微生物数量提高,其中,客置灰楸枯落叶的增幅大于客置锐齿栎枯落叶;客置针叶林枯落叶后阔叶林地土壤酶活性、微生物量C、N含量及其微生物数量变化因树种而异,其中锐齿栎林地土壤酶活性和微生物量C、N含量有所提高,而灰楸林地却有所下降.客置阔叶林地枯落叶可改善针叶林地的土壤性质,而客置针叶林枯落叶后阔叶林地的效应则因树种而异.说明在人工纯林土壤退化的防治过程中,引入其他树种形成混交林或进行枯落叶客置都应注意种间关系的方向性.     

佛坪国家级自然保护区短柄木包栎林初步研究

对佛坪国家级自然保护区短柄木包栎林进行了初步研究 ,结果表明 :佛坪自然保护区是目前秦岭中短柄木包栎林分布比较集中的地区 ,短柄木包栎林在该地区主要分布于海拔 1 30 0～ 1 70 0 m,处在锐齿槲栎林带中偏干暖条件下 ,与锐齿槲栎林分别占据着不同的生境 ;其物种组成及其生活型谱、种群结构、物种多样性特征等都表明短柄木包栎林在本区是一稳定的群落。     

贵州普定喀斯特次生林乔灌层地上生物量

生物量是植物群落最重要的特征之一, 也是研究生态系统基本过程和功能的重要参数。我国西南喀斯特山地次生林是退化生态系统恢复过程中的重要阶段, 其生境特殊, 乔灌层种类繁杂且生长形态多样, 物种间体积质量密度差异悬殊, 生物量测定极为困难。所以, 有关其生物量的基础资料极为缺乏。该文根据对普定喀斯特生态站的窄叶石栎(Lithocarpus confinis)+云南鼠刺(Itea yunnanensis)林、圆果化香(Platycarya longipes)+云南鼠刺林、圆果化香+槲栎(Quercus aliena)林3个主要次生森林类型的样地调查资料, 采用样木回归模型法和收获法, 研究了群落乔灌层地上生物量及其分配格局。利用172株样木数据建立了圆果化香、窄叶石栎、云南鼠刺、刺楸(Kalopanax septemlobus)、安顺润楠(Machilus cavaleriei)、槲栎、香叶树(Lindera communis)、川钓樟(Lindera pulcherrima var. hemsleyana)、异叶鼠李(Rhamnus heterophylla)、倒卵叶旌节花(Stachyurus obovatus)、薄叶鼠李(Rhamnus leptophylla)、贵州花椒(Zanthoxylum esquirolii)、竹叶椒(Zanthoxylum planispinum)、铁仔(Myrsine africana)和刺异叶花椒(Zanthoxylum dimorphophyllum var. spinifolium)15个主要树种的分种生物量回归模型。同时, 利用这些样木建立了3个不同胸径(D)组(D＜1 cm、1 cm≤D≤5 cm和D>5 cm)的生物量回归模型。通过进一步分种和分组的计算得出: 这3个次生乔木林的乔灌层地上生物量分别为85.6×10³、65.3×10³和115.2×10³ kg·hm^-2; 层次分配上, 3个样地的乔木层地上生物量占绝对优势, 分别约占乔灌层地上生物量的98.5%、96.6%和99.0%; 径级分配上, 3个样地的生物量主要集中在大径级(D≥10 cm)的个体上; 物种分配上, 3个样地的生物量排序前10位的物种分别约占乔灌层地上生物量的99.3%、97.3%和99.0%, 并集中分配在少量优势树种中。     

Population structure and spatial pattern of predominant tree species in a pine–oak mosaic mixed forest in the Qinling Mountains,China

This study investigated a typical pine-oak mosaic mixed forest in the Qinling Mountains, China. In the sample plot, the population structure and spatial distribution of the stems were analyzed for the predominant species, to identify the mechanisms of species coexistence and successional trends of the forest. The population structures of all species were bimodally distributed, with young trees (DBH <1 cm) more abundant than older trees. The population structures of Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata was bimodal and rather continuous. However, Pinus tabuliformis and Pinus armandii were discontinuously bimodal, with distinct size deficiencies. Q. aliena var. acuteserrata trees were clumped throughout the plot, although those of P. tabuliformis and P. armandii were clumped at small scales. Notable negative spatial associations between Q. aliena var. acuteserrata and P. tabuliformis were found at almost scales. P. armandii and Q. aliena var. acuteserrata were negatively spatially associated at small scales but positively associated at large scales. Our findings suggest that interspecific competition gradually develops among the predominant tree species. The dynamics of the pine-oak mosaic mixed forest formed a mosaic distribution of uniformly mixed types, with the slow infiltration of Q. aliena var. acuteserrata populations that would eventually establish a pure stand.     

广东黑石顶常绿阔叶林生物量及其分配的研究

本文采用标准木和回归分析法(乔木层)及样方收获法(灌木层、草本层)研究了黑石顶自然保护区南亚热带常绿阔叶林的生物量及其分配规律。1．四种回归模型：(a)Y=a+bX,(b)Y=aXb,(c)Y=acbx,(d)Y=a+blnX都能成功地应用于该森林的生物量研究,但一般以(b)及(c)的相关系数较高。对较大胸径的样木组(D≥10cm)直线方程是唯一显著的模型。2．森林总生物量为357.976t·ha-1,其中树干223.017(62.30%),枝45.834(12.80%),叶15.609(4.36%),根(D≤3mm的细根除外1))73.517(20.54%)。生物量绝大部分集中于乔木层(353.520t·ha-1,98.76%)。总生物量及树干生物量随高度分布呈金字塔形,而枝的生物量相反。叶生物量以15m以上的林冠层比例较大,但林下层仍有相当比例,反映了森林结构的复杂性。叶面积指数为17.1。生物量径级分布显示出正态分布特点。3,地上部分生物量和总生物量分别是树干生物量的1.27倍和1.60倍。对其他热带亚热带森林分析也得到相似的结果。     

施氮和减水对中亚热带壳斗科三种幼树生物量及其分配的影响

土壤氮素和土壤含水量是森林生态系统中限制植物生长的重要因子。为探讨常绿阔叶树种对模拟氮沉降增加和降水减少的响应,以同质园中自然生长的壳斗科(Fagaceae)丝栗栲(Castanopsis fargesii)、大叶青冈(Cyclobalanopsis jensenniana)和麻栎(Quercus acutissima)五年生幼树为对象,比较了对照(CK)、施氮(+N,施氮60 kg hm~(-2) a~(-1))、减水(-W,减少自然降水的50%)以及施氮和减水(+N-W,施氮60 kg hm~(-2) a~(-1)和减少自然降水的50%)对总生物量、各器官生物量及其生物量分配的影响。研究表明:(1)施氮显著增加了三种幼树的总生物量及各器官生物量(P0.05)。(2)减水未引起三种幼树的总生物量及各器官生物量的显著下降(P0.05)。(3)除麻栎树叶生物量、树枝生物量外,施氮和减水交互作用对三种幼树总生物量及各器官生物量没有明显影响(P0.05)。(4)施氮显著提高了丝栗栲幼树的干重比、大叶青冈幼树的干重比和枝重比(P0.05),降低了大叶青冈的叶重比和根重比(P0.05)。(5)减水导致丝栗栲幼树和麻栎幼树的根重比、麻栎幼树的根冠比显著增加(P0.05),引起丝栗栲幼树的枝重比、麻栎幼树的叶重比、枝重比和干重比显著降低(P0.05)。(6)施氮和减水交互作用显著提高了丝栗栲幼树的根重比(P0.05),降低了麻栎幼树的干重比(P0.05)。     

林隙与林下环境对锐齿槲栎和米心水青冈种群更新的影响

锐齿槲栎 (Quercusalienavar.acuteserrata ) 和米心水青冈 (Fagusengleriana) 是广泛分布在我国暖温带和亚热带山地中海拔地段的主要建群种, 对水土保持和维持生态系统稳定具重要意义。该文通过在神农架地区的典型样地调查, 分析了这 2个种群在林隙和林下不同光环境中的更新状况和径级结构 ;利用便携式Licor₆ 4 0 0光合仪测量了 2种苗木的光饱和及光诱导曲线, 探讨了光对这 2个树种更新的影响机理。实验结果表明, 在所调查的林地中, 锐齿槲栎和米心水青冈种群都有充足的幼苗库, 锐齿槲栎幼苗以实生为主, 米心水青冈幼苗以萌生为主 ;从幼苗到幼树的转化过程中, 锐齿槲栎的成活率几乎为零, 而米心水青冈的成活率约为 6 %~ 8% ;在两者的混交林中, 米心水青冈种群呈稳定的金字塔形年龄结构, 而锐齿槲栎则是某一生长阶段的种群占据主导地位。光饱和曲线显示, 对 2年生同生群苗木, 在林窗下, 锐齿槲栎的最大净光合速率 (4.6 1μmol·m-2 ·s-1) 比米心水青冈的 (4.16 μmol·m-2 ·s-1) 要高 ;而在林冠下, 米心水青冈的最大净光合速率 (Pn=3.89μmol·m-2 ·s-1) 比锐齿槲栎的最大净光合速率 (Pn=3.6 8μmol·m-2 ·s-1) 要高。无论在林窗下或林冠下, 米心水青冈幼苗的光饱和点比锐齿槲栎的要低。两者混交林下的光诱导曲线显示, 与米心水青冈幼苗相比, 锐齿槲栎幼苗对光的反应速度较慢, 最大净光合速率也较低, 在林冠下表现出较弱的竞争力。资源分配试验证明, 锐齿槲栎在幼苗阶段以地上部分生长为主, 而米心水青冈倾向于把更多的干物质贮藏在根部, 显示出不同的光利用策略。     

Size structure of current-year shoots in mature crowns

Characteristics of current-year shoot populations were examined for three mature trees of each of three deciduous broad-leaved species. For first-order branches (branches emerging from the vertical trunk) of the trees examined, lengths or diameters of all current-year shoots were measured. Total leaf mass and total current-year stem mass of first-order branches were estimated using an allometric relationship between leaf or stem mass and length or diameter of current-year stems. For each tree, the number of current-year shoots on a first-order branch was proportional to the basal stem cross-sectional area of the branch. On the other hand, first-order branches had shoot populations with size structures similar to each other. As a result, the leaf mass of a first-order branch was proportional to the basal stem cross-sectional area of the branch, being compatible with the pipe-model relationship. All current-year shoot populations had positively skewed size structures. Because small shoots have a larger ratio of leaf mass to stem mass than large shoots, first-order branches had an extremely large ratio of leaf mass to current-year stem mass. This biased mass allocation will reduce costs for current stem production, respiration and future radial growth, and is beneficial to mature trees with a huge accumulation of non- photosynthetic organs. The allometric relationships between leaf mass and basal stem diameter and that between leaf mass and current-year stem mass of first-order branches were each similar across the trees examined. Characteristics of shoot populations tended to offset inter-species diversity of shoot allometry so that branch allometry shows inter-species convergence.     

辽东栎林内不同小生境下幼树植冠构型分析

以黄土高原黄龙山林区辽东栎林内3个小生境（林下、林隙、林缘）下辽东栎天然更新幼树为研究对象,采用典型抽样法对辽东栎幼树侧枝、叶片和树冠的空间分布状况以及生物量分配状况进行调查分析,探讨微生境与幼树植冠构型特征的关系,明确辽东栎幼树对不同小生境的适应策略,为栎林经营和林分结构优化提供理论依据。结果显示：（1）3种生境下辽东栎幼树构型发生了可塑性变化,林下幼树树冠层次比较单一,林隙与林缘的幼树树冠层次更加丰富。（2）由林下至林缘,幼树的树高、枝下高呈逐渐减小的趋势,而地径变化趋势与之相反;幼树的冠幅、树冠面积、树冠率呈先增加后减小的趋势,并且林下与林隙、林缘的差异显著;幼树的总体分枝率、逐步分枝率、枝径比呈先增加后减小的趋势。（3）3种生境下,幼树的一级枝的枝长、直径与倾角随着树高的增加而呈减小的趋势,但3种生境的差异不显著;林下一级枝主要分布在冠层中上部,而林隙与林缘一级枝主要分布在冠层中下、中上部。（4）由林下至林缘幼树叶长、叶宽、单叶面积和比叶面积逐渐降低,而单株叶数、叶总面积、叶面积指数呈先增大后减小趋势;与其他2种生境相比林下叶片分布趋于冠层上部。（5）幼树地上部分生物量中林下主干生物量占83%,枝和叶生物量只占17%;而林隙与林缘虽然各部位生物量有所差异但比例基本一致,其中主干占66%左右,枝和叶生物量占34%左右。研究表明,林隙生境下幼树的构型优于林缘和林下生境,在今后栎林的经营中,可以通过适当间伐来增加林隙数量,为森林更新和结构的优化提供有利条件。     

东北林区不同尺度森林的含碳率

准确估算森林生态系统碳储量对整个陆地生态系统碳循环及全球变化研究具有至关重要的作用.本研究利用2007、2008年东北林区(大兴安岭林区、小兴安岭林区、张广才岭和长白山林区)标准地调查数据及同一时期的一类样地清查数据,采用地面乔、灌、草生物量模型及实验室Multi N/C 3000分析仪测定的林木含碳率,计算不同尺度上森林生物量及碳储量,分析不同尺度森林含碳率的变化及稳定性.结果表明: 东北林区林木不同器官的含碳率差异明显,其平均含碳率为树叶(0.4448)＞树枝(0.4422)＞树皮(0.4398)＞树干(0.4351).张广才岭和长白山林区针叶林的含碳率高于阔叶林,而大、小兴安岭林区阔叶林的含碳率高于针叶林.研究区域森林的含碳率相对稳定,东北林区森林总含碳率为0.44.     

天然赤松个体生物量的研究

对延边地区不同密度天然赤松林中不同生长势的赤松个体地上部生物量进行了研究。结果表明,不同生长势赤松生物量变化受密度影响的顺序为：优势木〈平均木〈被压木;各器官生物量分配比例受密度影响的顺序为：干〉枝〉叶〉皮。不同生长势赤松的生物量垂直分布虽然各具特点,但都表现为：树干和树皮生物量主要分布在６ｍ树高范围内,树枝则集中在６～１０ｍ范围,针叶在上、中、下３层林冠中均分,上层林冠的枝叶量受密度影响最小。     

Ontogenetic changes in crown architecture and leaf arrangement: effects on light capture efficiency in three tree species differing in leaf longevity

Pronounced strategy shifts along ontogeny have been observed in several tree species, mainly because of the trend to maximize growth during the seedling stage, which constitutes the most vulnerable part of the tree’s life cycle. Our aim here was to analyze the ontogenetic changes in crown characteristics and light capture patterns in three Quercus species: the evergreens Quercus ilex and Quercus suber and the deciduous Quercus faginea co-occurring in a Mediterranean open woodland. The seedlings were distributed in the large clearings among the adults and received full sunlight. We constructed three-dimensional models of the aerial parts of seedlings and mature trees of the three species, using the YplantQMC program. Large differences between growth stages were observed for all variables. The seedlings exhibited smaller branch sizes and crown densities than those observed in the adult trees. Leaf angles to horizontal also tended to increase during ontogeny, whereas leaf dispersion and the observed distances between leaves tended to decrease. The amount of photosynthetic radiation absorbed per unit leaf area throughout the growing season was lower in adult specimens than in young specimens. Changes in absorption efficiency during ontogeny were more intense for the species with longer leaf life span at maturity. We conclude that more intense ontogenetic shifts in species with longer leaf life span reflect the priority change from the maximization of short-term productivity at the seedling stage to maximizing leaf longevity during the adult stage.     

History of Disturbance and Regeneration Strategies of Fagus engleriana and Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata Forests in Shennongjia,Hubei Province

Based on plot investigation, stem analysis and radial growth pattern, the authors studied the history of suppression, release and regeneration strategies of Fagus engleriana Seem. and Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata Maxim. forests, which were widely distributed in Shennongjia of Hubei Province. It was found that (85.9 ± 6.9) % of the Fagus engleriana samples showed periods of suppression during their canopy recruitment. The average number of suppression periods was 2.1 ± 0.8, the average total length of suppression time was (47 ± 24.1) a, the length of longest suppression time was 73 a, the average number of periods of release was 1.6±0.7, and the average total length of release time was 23 a. (60.83±17.3)% of the Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata samples showed periods of suppression but without release. Combined with height and radial growth characteristics, these suggest that Fagus engleriana was shade-tolerant species, and its regeneration strategies was release from seedling sprouts in canopy gaps, while Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata was shade-intolerant species, and its regeneration strategies was seedling establishment and growth in large canopy gaps by producing large amount of seeds.     

L-system-based model of growth of dark coniferous tree species

On the basis of L-systems a mathematical model was designed to describe the growth of a dark coniferous tree. The software models a virtual timber stand composed of single trees and its further development. To eliminate branch crossing of growing trees, the rule forbidding shoot growth into the space already occupied was applied to the model. The model parameters were defined for two dark coniferous species of the southern Sikhote-Alin’ — Jezo spruce (Picea jezoensis) and Khingam fir (Abies nephrolepis). The model describes various modifications of tree crown under the influence of neighbouring trees, height uncertainty of crown starting point, variation of taper and shape of a trunk depending on plantation density, and recovery of normal tree growth after singling. Comparison of the modelled results and empirical observations show that the model succeeds in describing the growth both of single trees and of mixed plantations.