Organic mound-building ants: their impact on soil properties in temperate and boreal forests

Ants are important components of most soil invertebrate communities, and can affect the flow of energy, nutrients and water through many terrestrial ecosystems. The vast majority of ant species build nests in the mineral soil, but a small group of ants in temperate and boreal forests of Eurasia and North America build large parts of their nests above‐ground using organic materials collected from the surrounding soil. Many studies have shown that ants nesting in mineral soil can affect water infiltration rates, soil organic matter (OM) content, and nutrient cycling, but much less is known on how mound‐building ants influence soil physical and chemical properties. In this paper we summarize what is known on the soil impacts of organic mound‐building ants in temperate and boreal forests, and how these ants could be affected by ecosystem disturbance and future climate change. Much of this information comes from studies on Formica rufa group ants in Europe, which showed that CO₂ emissions and concentrations of C, N, and P are usually higher in ant mounds than in the surrounding forest soil. However, ant mounds are a minor component of total soil C and nutrient pools, but they do increase spatial heterogeneity of soil water and available nutrients. Mound‐building ants can also impact tree growth, which could change the quantity and quality of OM added to soil. Forest management, fire, and projected climate change, especially in boreal forests, could affect mound‐building ant population dynamics, and indirectly, soil properties.     

Wood ants are wood ants: deforestation causes population declines in the polydomous wood ant Formica aquilonia

Abstract.  1. One of the main themes in ecology is adaptation for survival in different habitats and the potential of the environment to regulate populations.
2. The effects of clear-cutting on nest-abandonment rate and local population sizes in the polydomous wood ant Formica aquilonia was studied, using uncut forest stands as controls.
3. The nest-abandonment rate was clearly higher in clear-cuts than in forest interiors. In clear-cuts, 39% of pre-deforestation nests and 73% of new bud-nests were abandoned 4–5 years after deforestation, whereas in forest interiors fewer than 2% of nests were abandoned at the same time period. Local population size decreased 30% in clear-cuts, but fewer than 2% in forest interiors.
4. The results demonstrate that despite modern logging practices in which mechanical harming of nest mounds is reduced, nest mounds are abandoned at high rate, and despite frequent establishment of new bud-nests, populations start to decline.
5. The likely reason for the high nest-abandonment rate in clear-cuts is a combination of changed abiotic conditions, resource limitation, and disturbed reproduction.
6. Species that are sensitive to changes in the size of habitat patch, such as F. aquilonia , likely are harmed by logging, even employing biodiversity oriented management practices. Hence there is a need for conservation actions that are based on the size of protection areas.     

阔叶红松林大径级个体对树木空间分布的影响

对森林空间结构的研究一直是生态学重要研究内容之一,林分中大径级个体直接影响周围林分的空间格局,当大径级个体成为倒木或枯立木时会造成较大林隙,这也将导致周围空间格局发生变化。利用小兴安岭凉水自然保护区内10.4 hm2样地的调查数据,统计了样地内乔木树种组成,分析计算样地内树木个体间的分布规律,探究大径级个体对周围邻木空间分布的影响。研究结果表明:样地中共有乔木24种,共计7412株(去除分株),隶属于11科18属,林分中大径级个体周围存在由小径级树木聚集生长形成的环形结构,该环形结构随着邻木径级的变化而变化,2级邻木(5.0≤DBH10.0 cm)主要在距离大径级个体3—7m范围内形成环形结构,3级邻木(10.0≤DBH30.0 cm)主要在距离大径级个体3—6 m范围内形成环形结构,而1级邻木(1.0≤DBH5.0 cm)与4级邻木(30.0≤DBH50.0 cm)并未形成环形结构,经分析环形结构的产生与林分内个体间的竞争存在密切关系,并且该结构与林隙斑块动态理论间存在内在联系,该结构是森林动态变化的一种表现形式,会伴随林木的生长产生或消失。另外研究表明大径级个体胸径的变化对邻木的环形结构分布范围也有一定影响,当大径级个体胸径增加时邻木的聚集范围有收缩的趋势。本次实验采用单次获取的林木数据,对于环形结构随时间的变化情况还有待进一步探究。     

小兴安岭阔叶红松林大径级个体对同种邻木分布的影响

利用小兴安岭凉水自然保护区内10.4 hm²样地的调查数据,统计并分析样地内乔木树种的组成与分布,借助混交度计算方法探究大径级个体周围同种邻木分布情况,并分析其产生的原因及大径级个体在其中发挥的作用,研究结果表明：（1）大径级个体（DBH ≥ 50.0 cm）与其周围5-6 m范围内的邻木的混交程度最低,易形成围绕大径级个体（以下简称中央木）的同种邻木环形结构,该环形结构在一定程度上推动着未来的森林演替与更新;（2）距离中央木15 m范围内的中小径级个体（1级木（1.0 cm ≤ DBH < 5.0 cm）、2级木（5.0 cm ≤ DBH < 10.0 cm）、3级木（10.0 cm ≤ DBH < 30.0 cm））与中央木均保持较高的混交程度,而4级木（30.0 cm ≤ DBH < 50.0 cm）、5级木（DBH ≥ 50.0 cm）与中央木的混交程度明显下降,以5级木最低,这种现象的产生与密度制约及物种共存机制存在密切关系。通过研究不同物种及不同生长阶段（不同径级）的林木分布,揭示了凉水地区阔叶红松林中大径级个体周围邻木分布格局特征及其成因,论证了大径级个体在控制周围林分结构、维持物种多样性及推动森林演替中的重要作用,为阔叶红松林的经营及管理提供了数据支撑。     

Sensitivity of managed boreal forests in Finland to climate change, with implications for adaptive management

This study investigated the sensitivity of managed boreal forests to climate change, with consequent needs to adapt the management to climate change. Model simulations representing the Finnish territory between 60 and 70 degrees N showed that climate change may substantially change the dynamics of managed boreal forests in northern Europe. This is especially probable at the northern and southern edges of this forest zone. In the north, forest growth may increase, but the special features of northern forests may be diminished. In the south, climate change may create a suboptimal environment for Norway spruce. Dominance of Scots pine may increase on less fertile sites currently occupied by Norway spruce. Birches may compete with Scots pine even in these sites and the dominance of birches may increase. These changes may reduce the total forest growth locally but, over the whole of Finland, total forest growth may increase by 44%, with an increase of 82% in the potential cutting drain. The choice of appropriate species and reduced rotation length may sustain the productivity of forest land under climate change.     

温带红松阔叶混交林凋落叶与主要大型土壤动物热值的季节变化

对温带红松阔叶混交林不同种类凋落叶、混合凋落叶和主要大型土壤动物的干质量热值及季节变化规律进行了研究.结果表明：不同种类凋落叶和3种大型土壤动物的干质量热值不同,且其季节变化规律存在一定的差异.红松凋落叶的干质量热值平均值最高(19.71 kJ·g^-1),枫桦(18.22 kJ·g^-1)、紫椴(18.13 kJ·g^-1)、混合凋落叶(17.91 kJ·g^-1)居中,水曲柳(16.94 kJ·g^-1)和色木槭(16.25 kJ·g^-1)最低.红松和色木槭凋落叶干质量热值随凋落叶分解进行呈逐渐降低趋势,水曲柳凋落叶干质量热值季节变化较小,而紫椴、枫桦和混合凋落叶干质量热值次年有上升的趋势.大型土壤动物中,蜈蚣(22.07 kJ·g^-1)的干质量热值最高,蚯蚓(16.72 kJ·g^-1) 次之,马陆(13.28 kJ·g^-1)最低.蚯蚓和马陆干质量热值的季节变化规律一致,蜈蚣干质量热值的季节变化规律则有所不同.凋落叶和3种大型土壤动物干质量热值的季节变化之间没有明显的相关性.     

阔叶红松林森林资源可持续利用方案

天保工程实施后,为了促进次生林向原始阔叶红松林恢复,不采红松只采伐阔叶树种的经营方式在长白山地区被广泛应用,部分林区陷入可采伐资源匮乏的困境。为了探究阔叶红松林森林资源可持续利用方案,针对红松(蓄积)比例不同的阔叶红松林次生林,利用林木材积生长方程与保留系数模型,模拟了预设经营方案下林分总蓄积量与可采蓄积量动态变化。研究结果表明,在禁止采伐红松的经营方式下,红松(蓄积)比例较高的次生林将无法达到森林资源可持续利用的目标,次生林的经营方案需要根据林分中红松(蓄积)比例不同而区别制定:对于红松蓄积低于40%的次生林,推荐不采伐红松、20%采伐强度、40a周期的经营方案;对于红松蓄积高于40%的次生林,推荐可以采伐红松、20%采伐强度、30a周期的经营方案。另外,可采蓄积量的恢复期比总蓄积量的恢复期更长,以可采蓄积恢复期作为评价指标,确定采伐周期,更有利于森林资源的可持续利用。     

不同栽植模式湿地松生长特点的比较

对21年生不同栽植模式的湿地松生长过程分析,结果表明:在幼龄期,混交林中的湿地松与纯林的树高、胸径、材积生长量相近,此后,纯林的生长量落后于混交林,混交林的生长高峰、持续速生期均大于纯林。     

Short-term development of ambrosia and bark beetle assemblages following a windstorm in French broadleaved temperate forests

Abstract: In most temperate deciduous forests, windstorm is the main source of dead wood. However, the effects of this natural disturbance on ambrosia and bark beetle communities are poorly known. In managed oak‐hornbeam forests storm‐damaged in France in 1999, we sampled ambrosia (and second bark beetles) by ethanol‐baited window‐flight traps in 2001. By comparing uncleared gaps, undisturbed closed‐canopy controls and seedling‐sapling stands, we investigated the short‐term effects of gap formation, gap size and surrounding landscape to provide a snapshot of scolytid response. Contrary to expectations, neither the abundance nor the richness of ambrosia beetle species was significantly higher in gaps than in undisturbed stands. Few responses in abundance at the species level and only a slight difference in assemblage composition were detected between gaps and closed‐canopy controls. Gaps were more dissimilar from seedling‐sapling stands, than from closed‐canopy controls. More scolytid individuals and species were caught in gaps than in seedling‐sapling stands. Mean local and cumulative richness peaked in mid‐size gaps. Only mid‐size gaps differed from closed‐canopy controls in terms of species composition. We identified generalist gap species (Xyleborus saxesenii, X. cryptographus), but also species significantly more abundant in mid‐size gaps (Platypus cylindrus, Xyloterus signatus). The faunistic peculiarity of mid‐size gaps seemed to be partly related to a bias in oak density among gap size classes. Few landscape effects were observed. Only the scolytids on the whole and X. dispar were slightly favoured by an increasing density in fellings at the 78 ha scale. We did not find any correlation between scolytid abundance and the surrounding closed‐forest percentage area. We confirmed that temperate, deciduous, managed stands did not come under threat by ambrosia and bark beetle pests after the 1999 windstorm. Nonetheless, our data stressed the current expansion in Western Europe of two invasive species, X. peregrinus and especially X. germanus, now the predominant scolytid in the three oak forests studied.     

Topography and soil content contribute to plant community composition and structure in subtropical evergreen-deciduous broadleaved mixed forests

Topography and soil factors are known to play crucial roles in the species composition of plant communities in subtropical evergreen-deciduous broadleaved mixed forests. In this study, we used a systematic quantitative approach to classify plant community types in the subtropical forests of Hubei Province (central China), and then quantified the relative contribution of drivers responsible for variation in species composition and diversity. We classified the subtropical forests in the study area into 12 community types. Of these, species diversity indices of three communities were significantly higher than those of others. In each community type, species richness, abundance, basal area and importance values of evergreen and deciduous species were different. In most community types, deciduous species richness was higher than that of evergreen species. Linear regression analysis showed that the dominant factors that affect species composition in each community type are elevation, slope, aspect, soil nitrogen content, and soil phosphorus content. Furthermore, structural equation modeling analysis showed that the majority of variance in species composition of plant communities can be explained by elevation, aspect, soil water content, litterfall, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. Thus, the major factors that affect evergreen and deciduous species distribution across the 12 community types in subtropical evergreen-deciduous broadleaved mixed forests include elevation, slope and aspect, soil total nitrogen content, soil total phosphorus content, soil available nitrogen content and soil available phosphorus content.     

纯林和混交林中拟赤杨材性的比较分析

对拟赤杨（Alniphyllum fortunei Makino）纯林、拟赤杨-马尾松（Pinus massoniana Lamb．）混交林和拟赤杨-杉木[Cunninghamia lanceolata（Lamb．）Hook．]混交林中拟赤杨木材的物理力学性质和化学组分进行了测定和比较分析。结果表明,混交林中拟赤杨的木材密度、干缩系数和力学强度均大于纯林,且拟赤杨-马尾松混交林中拟赤杨木材的各指标值均最高。拟赤杨-杉木混交林中拟赤杨木材的热水抽出物、1％NaOH抽出物、苯醇抽出物、硝酸-乙醇纤维素和Klason木素含量分别为2．31％、18．63％、2．52％、45．74％和21．59％,均高于纯林;拟赤杨-马尾松混交林中拟赤杨木材的戊聚糖含量（22．98％）高于纯林。说明拟赤杨-马尾松混交林中拟赤杨木材的材性总体上最优,在拟赤杨木材品质培育过程中宜选择马尾松作为伴生树种。     

Patterns of drought tolerance in major European temperate forest trees: climatic drivers and levels of variability

The future performance of native tree species under climate change conditions is frequently discussed, since increasingly severe and more frequent drought events are expected to become a major risk for forest ecosystems. To improve our understanding of the drought tolerance of the three common European temperate forest tree species Norway spruce, silver fir and common beech, we tested the influence of climate and tree‐specific traits on the inter and intrasite variability in drought responses of these species. Basal area increment data from a large tree‐ring network in Southern Germany and Alpine Austria along a climatic cline from warm‐dry to cool‐wet conditions were used to calculate indices of tolerance to drought events and their variability at the level of individual trees and populations. General patterns of tolerance indicated a high vulnerability of Norway spruce in comparison to fir and beech and a strong influence of bioclimatic conditions on drought response for all species. On the level of individual trees, low‐growth rates prior to drought events, high competitive status and low age favored resilience in growth response to drought. Consequently, drought events led to heterogeneous and variable response patterns in forests stands. These findings may support the idea of deliberately using spontaneous selection and adaption effects as a passive strategy of forest management under climate change conditions, especially a strong directional selection for more tolerant individuals when frequency and intensity of summer droughts will increase in the course of global climate change.     

小兴安岭红松阔叶混交林林隙土壤温度的时空分布格局

采用网格法和十字样线法布设样点,在各样点安置地面温度表和曲管地温表,于2006年5—9月,测定了小兴安岭红松阔叶混交林林隙地表温度、地表最低和最高温度以及浅层（5、10、15和20 cm）土壤温度,分析了该区林隙土壤温度的时空分布格局.结果表明：研究区林隙地表温度的高值区均未出现在林隙中心,其出现位置具有明显的日变化规律,出现次序依次为林隙的西北侧、北侧和东侧;在地表温度的高值区域内,最高温度由高到低的时间排序为14:00、12:00、10:00和16:00,其他时间林隙地表温度的分布较均匀;不同月份研究区林隙地表温度空间分布的复杂程度及斑块等级有所不同;各月林隙地表温度的高值区均位于林隙西北侧和东侧,呈不对称分布;树木生长季初期（5月）和末期（9月）,研究区林隙地表温度平均日较差较大,而树木生长旺季（6—8月）却相对较小;东西方向上各观测点5、10、15和20 cm土壤温度呈双峰型日变化规律,南北方向上呈不明显的单峰型日变化趋势;各月在东西方向上的土壤温度呈双峰型变化趋势,南北方向上除5月呈随机变化以外,其余月份均呈单峰型变化趋势.     

长白山红松针阔叶混交林林冠层叶面积指数模拟分析

根据长白山原始红松针阔叶混交林光合有效辐射的连续3年自动观测结果,结合便携式叶面积仪的季节观测,建立了以林冠上下光合有效辐射估算森林冠层叶面积指数的半经验公式.结果表明,该方法可以很好地反映叶面积的季节动态. 通过3年叶面积指数的季节动态比较发现,该森林冠层叶面积的起始生长日期随气温稳定通过0 ℃的日期延迟而延迟,整个生长季的叶面积动态可划分成上升期、相对稳定期和下降期,每个阶段都与大于0 ℃的积温存在较好的相关关系,分别用Logistic曲线和线性方程表达. 并对叶面积的观测和估算方法中存在的问题进行了讨论.     

小兴安岭天然针阔混交林主要树种空间格局及其关联性

在小兴安岭天然针阔混交林1.1 hm~2的固定样地内,本文调查和统计了其物种组成和林分径级结构。运用空间点格局分析方法中的O-ring函数,对种群的空间分布格局及其关联性进行分析。结果表明:样地内共有乔木树种15种,重要值排在前四位的依次为红皮云杉(Picea koraiensis)、枫桦(Betula costata)、春榆(Ulmus davidiana)和色木槭(Acer mono),红皮云杉和枫桦属于样地内的优势种,重要值分别为15.81%和11.10%。林下更新状态良好,枫桦的径级结构有呈正态分布的趋势,其余三种均呈现倒"J"形。O-ring函数结果证实,四个主要树种的种群空间分布格局相似,均在0—5 m小尺度上呈聚集分布,随着尺度的增大,逐渐变为随机分布;红皮云杉与其他三个主要种群之间在较大尺度上均呈现显著正相关或无相关,在小尺度上仅与枫桦呈极显著正相关;色木槭在较小尺度上与其他三个种群呈弱负相关性,随着尺度的增大,逐渐变为无相关性。     

红松阔叶混交林林隙光量子通量密度的时空分布格局

以小兴安岭原始红松阔叶混交林林隙为对象,采用网格法布点,对生长季林隙内各样点光量子通量密度(photosynthetic photon flux density,PPFD)进行连续观测,利用基本统计学和地统计学方法分析其时空分布格局.结果表明:红松阔叶混交林林隙的PPFD高值区日变化明显,最大值出现在12:00,位于林隙北侧.林隙的PPFD 6月最高,7、8、9月依次递减,其中7月PPFD不同位置间的变异系数最大;各月均为中等变异.不同月份林隙PPFD空间异质性的强度和尺度不同,6月变程最大,7月基台值和结构比最大;各月林隙PPFD斑块复杂程度不同,最大值均位于林隙东北侧.郁闭林分和空旷地的月平均PPFD变化次序与林隙一致.各样点月平均PPFD为空旷地最高,林隙次之,郁闭林分最低.     

林隙对小兴安岭阔叶红松林树种更新及物种多样性的影响

研究了小兴安岭阔叶红松林不同林隙梯度(林隙中心、林隙近中心、林隙边缘)中主要树种的数量特征,以及林隙大小对树种更新的影响.结果表明:不同梯度林隙内灌木树种的密度均明显高于非林隙,同种灌木密度的比值在1.08～18.15之间;随林隙面积增加,乔木幼苗更新密度逐渐增大,幼树Ⅰ(高度H≥1 m,胸径DBH≤2 cm)和幼树Ⅱ(H≥1 m,2 cm＜DBH≤5 cm)的更新密度呈多峰曲线.林隙灌木总体更新密度主要随幼苗和幼树Ⅰ数量而变化.林隙内不同位置幼苗的平均树高、平均基径、种密度和个体密度有所差异.从林隙中心到非林隙,更新层乔木幼苗重要值的大小顺序为:林隙中心＞林隙近中心＞林隙边缘＞非林隙;物种均匀度呈高-低-高的变化,物种多样性的变化为早期林隙＞中期林隙＞晚期林隙.     

小兴安岭5种林型土壤呼吸时空变异

原始阔叶红松林、谷地云冷杉林、阔叶红松择伐林、次生白桦林、人工落叶松林是小兴安岭乃至东北地区的重要森林类型。采用红外气体分析法比较测定了这几种森林类型的土壤呼吸及其相关环境因子,分析探讨了这几种森林类型土壤呼吸的时空变异。结果表明:各林型土壤呼吸与5 cm深土壤温度(T5)呈显著的指数相关,并且土壤呼吸与土壤温度、土壤湿度及其相互作用的回归模型可以解释各林型土壤呼吸约71%的季节变异。生长季平均土壤呼吸速率为次生白桦林(3.59μmolCO.2m-.2s-1)>谷地云冷杉林(3.52μmolCO.2m-.2s-1)>阔叶红松择伐林(3.44μmolCO.2m-.2s-1)>原始阔叶红松林(2.58μmolCO.2m-.2s-1)>人工落叶松林(2.29μmolCO.2m-.2s-1),说明土壤呼吸对原始阔叶红松林人为干扰的响应是不同的。各林型Q10值介于1.84(人工落叶松林)—2.32(次生白桦林)之间。在整个生长季,各林型之间土壤呼吸的变异系数变化幅度为19.74%—37.39%,而各林型内土壤环间其变化幅度为32.13%—60.20%,显著大于样地间的变化幅度14.28%—35.70%(P<0.001),说明土壤呼吸在细微尺度上的差异更大。土壤湿度可以解释各林型(阔叶红松林除外)内部土壤呼吸15.8%—33.5%的空间异质性。     

吉林省天然阔叶混交林生态系统多功能性及驱动因素

量化天然林生态系统的多功能性,分析不同功能间的权衡-协同关系及驱动因子,对于天然林保护及修复具有重要的意义。基于吉林省第8次森林资源清查天然阔叶混交林固定样地调查数据、土壤及气候数据,选取土壤保持、涵养水源、碳储量、气候调节、土壤肥力维持、生物多样性、生产力和木材生产8个生态系统功能来表征生态系统多功能性。利用平均值法中的最大值转换法计算多功能性指数。结果表明：（1）8个功能间权衡、协同和中性关系均存在,但以协同关系为主。生物多样性除与气候调节为权衡关系外,与其他功能均为协同关系;碳储量-木材生产协同关系最强（r=0.960,P<0.01）,气候调节-涵养水源间权衡关系最强（r=-0.934,P<0.01）;（2）吉林省天然阔叶混交林的多功能性指数在0.31-0.89之间,且生物多样性和气候调节为主导功能;（3）多功能性与驱动因子的结构方程模型确定系数为R²=0.795,多功能性的驱动因子的总路径系数依次为：林分密度指数（0.752） > 平均年龄（0.375） > 年降雨量（0.365） > 树种丰富度（0.101） > 土壤pH（0.064） > 结构多样性（-0.037） > 年均温（-0.105）,林分密度是最重要的驱动因子。结果对理解天然阔叶混交林的多功能形成及经营调控有一定的意义。     

喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林粗木质残体的空间分布格局

粗木质残体(coarse woody debris,CWD)是森林生态系统中重要的结构性和功能性组成要素,是维护系统完整性和稳定性的关键。对CWD空间格局的研究将有助于深入探索种群格局的形成和森林生态系统的维持机制。采用g(r)函数对茂兰喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林1.28 hm~2固定样地内不同径级、不同腐烂等级、不同存在形式的CWD的空间分布格局及空间关联性进行了研究。结果表明:1)在40 m的空间尺度内,CWD总体在0—12 m尺度上表现为集群分布,随着尺度的增加格局强度降低,趋于随机分布,剔除生境异质性后,格局尺度降低至7 m。2)CWD径级格局表现为:小径级中径级大径级。拔根倒和干中折断在整个研究尺度上为随机分布,其他不同径级、不同腐烂等级、不同存在形式的CWD均在小规模尺度(2—8 m)表现为集群分布,随着尺度的增加聚集强度急剧变小,趋于随机分布或均匀分布。3)除了干中折断与树段之间、大径级与小径级之间的CWD在空间上相互独立,其他不同径级、不同腐烂等级或不同存在形式的CWD之间均在小规模尺度(2—8 m)上表现为显著的正相关,随着尺度的增加空间关联性降低。喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林CWD的分布格局可能是在小尺度内由密度制约、在大尺度内由生境过滤和个体自然衰老等生态学过程所形成,大径级对临近的小径级、先死亡对后死亡、站杆对倒下的个体具有一定的正向影响作用,在一定程度上揭示了该林型天然更新的作用和机制。