Carbon sequestration in a high-elevation, subalpine forest

We studied net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) dynamics in a high‐elevation, subalpine forest in Colorado, USA, over a two‐year period. Annual carbon sequestration for the forest was 6.71 mol C m^?2 (80.5 g C m^?2) for the year between November 1, 1998 and October 31, 1999, and 4.80 mol C m^?2 (57.6 g C m^?2) for the year between November 1, 1999 and October 31, 2000. Despite its evergreen nature, the forest did not exhibit net CO₂ uptake during the winter, even during periods of favourable weather. The largest fraction of annual carbon sequestration occurred in the early growing‐season; during the first 30 days of both years. Reductions in the rate of carbon sequestration after the first 30 days were due to higher ecosystem respiration rates when mid‐summer moisture was adequate (as in the first year of the study) or lower mid‐day photosynthesis rates when mid‐summer moisture was not adequate (as in the second year of the study). The lower annual rate of carbon sequestration during the second year of the study was due to lower rates of CO₂ uptake during both the first 30 days of the growing season and the mid‐summer months. The reduction in CO₂ uptake during the first 30 days of the second year was due to an earlier‐than‐normal spring warm‐up, which caused snow melt during a period when air temperatures were lower and atmospheric vapour pressure deficits were higher, compared to the first 30 days of the first year. The reduction in CO₂ uptake during the mid‐summer of the second year was due to an extended drought, which was accompanied by reduced latent heat exchange and increased sensible heat exchange. Day‐to‐day variation in the daily integrated NEE during the summers of both years was high, and was correlated with frequent convective storm clouds and concomitant variation in the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Carbon sequestration rates were highest when some cloud cover was present, which tended to diffuse the photosynthetic photon flux, compared to periods with completely clear weather. The results of this study are in contrast to those of other studies that have reported increased annual NEE during years with earlier‐than‐normal spring warming. In the current study, the lower annual NEE during 2000, the year with the earlier spring warm‐up, was due to (1) coupling of the highest seasonal rates of carbon sequestration to the spring climate, rather than the summer climate as in other forest ecosystems that have been studied, and (2) delivery of snow melt water to the soil when the spring climate was cooler and the atmosphere drier than in years with a later spring warm‐up. Furthermore, the strong influence of mid‐summer precipitation on CO₂ uptake rates make it clear that water supplied by the spring snow melt is a seasonally limited resource, and summer rains are critical for sustaining high rates of annual carbon sequestration.     

A comparison of ammonium, nitrate and proton net fluxes along seedling roots of Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine grown and measured with different inorganic nitrogen sources

Significant spatial variability in NH4+, NO3- and H+ net fluxes was measured in roots of young seedlings of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) with ion-selective microelectrodes. Seedlings were grown with NH4+, NO3-, NH4NO3 or no nitrogen (N), and were measured in solutions containing one or both N ions, or no N in a full factorial design. Net NO3- and NH4+ uptake and H+ efflux were greater in Douglas-fir than lodgepole pine and in roots not exposed to N in pretreatment. In general, the rates of net NH4+ uptake were the same in the presence or absence of NO3-, and vice versa. The highest NO3- influx occurred 0-30 mm from the root apex in Douglas-fir and 0-10 mm from the apex in lodgepole pine. Net NH4+ flux was zero or negative (efflux) at Douglas-fir root tips, and the highest NH4+ influx occurred 5-20 mm from the root tip. Lodgepole pine had some NH4+ influx at the root tips, and the maximum net uptake 5 mm from the root tip. Net H+ efflux was greatest in the first 10 mm of roots of both species. This study demonstrates that nutrient uptake by conifer roots can vary significantly across different regions of the root, and indicates that ion flux profiles along the roots may be influenced by rates of root growth and maturation.     

越南马兜铃属植物分布新记录——凹脉马兜铃

凹脉马兜铃(Aristolochia impressinervis C.F.Liang)曾被认为是中国广西的特有种.该文首次报道了越南植物区系中凹脉马兜铃的分布新纪录,并讨论了凹脉马兜铃的分类及其与A.pierrei L.的区别特征.     

珠穆朗玛峰国家级自然保护区密叶红豆杉所在群落的特征及区系分析

基于野外15个群落样方物种调查,对珠穆朗玛峰国家级自然保护区密叶红豆杉(Taxus contorta Griffith)所在群落的结构、物种多样性、区系地理成分及密叶红豆杉的年龄结构进行研究。结果显示:(1)调查样地内共有维管植物53科116属154种,以蔷薇科、毛茛科、菊科、百合科等占优势;在科、属级区系分析中,热带成分分别占46.2%、18.0%,温带成分分别占53.8%、82.0%。(2)密叶红豆杉所在群落的建群种分别为乔松(Pinus wallichiana A.B.Jackson)、云南铁杉(Tsuga dumosa(D.Don)Eichler)和喜马拉雅冷杉(Abies spectabilis(D.Don)Spach),密叶红豆杉为下层乔木的重要伴生成分或优势成分。(3)从各群落内部比较来看,草本层的Margalef指数和Simpson指数在3个群落中都最高,说明群落的草本层物种多样性最丰富,数量也最多;从群落间比较来看,乔松林灌木层和草本层的Margalef指数最高,乔木层的最低。(4)在3种群落中密叶红豆杉数量都呈增长趋势,且幼苗库较充足,在云南铁杉林和喜马拉雅冷杉林中,密叶红豆杉从幼苗到幼树的生长过程经历了较强的环境筛选。     

朱砂莲果实化学成分杀南方根结线虫活性研究

为了解朱砂莲(Aristolochia tuberosa O.F.Liang et S.M.Huang)的化学成分,从其果实的甲醇提取物中分离得到4个化合物。通过波普数据分析,分别鉴定为马兜铃内酰胺W(1)、8-epidiosbulbin e acetate(2)、diosbulbin B(3)和β-sitosterol(4)。化合物1~3对南方根结线虫2龄幼虫具有不同程度的毒杀作用,尤其马兜铃内酰胺W(1)活性最好,其96 h后的LC50为119.94μg m L–1。马兜铃属植物具有开发为新型植物源杀根结线虫剂的潜在价值。     

Foliage influences forced convection heat transfer in conifer branches and buds

Conifer foliage structures affect branch and bud temperature by altering the development and convective resistance of the thermal boundary layer. This paper examines foliage effects on forced convection in branches and buds of Picea glauca (Moench) Voss and Pinus contorta Dougl. Ex. Loud., two species that represent the range of variation in foliage structure among conifers. Forced convection is characterized by a power law relating Nusselt (heat transfer) and Reynolds (boundary layer development) numbers. Data were collected in a laminar flow wind tunnel for free stream velocities of 0.16-6.95 m s(-1). Scaling parameters were compared against literature values for silver cast branch replicas, a bed of real foliage, cylinders, and tube banks. Foliage structures reduced Nusselt numbers (heat transfer) relative to cylinders, which are typically used to approximate leafless branches and buds. Significantly different scaling relationships were observed for all foliage structures considered. Forced convection scaling relationships varied with foliage structure. The scaling relationships reported here account for variation within populations of branches and buds and can be used to characterize forced convection in a forest canopy.     

Floral biology of Aristolochia argentina (Aristolochiaceae)

The floral biology of Aristolochia argentina (Aristolochiaceae) was studied in natural populations in Córdoba, Argentina. This native vine has flowers that attract mainly scuttle fly pollinators of the genus Megaselia (Phoridae). The trap-like perianth is formed by a limb, a tube, and a basal utricle. The limb produces an odor that recalls decaying plant tissues, which apparently mimics the natural oviposition substrate of the flies. The insects stay entrapped inside the utricle for approximately 24 h, making contact with the sexual organs of the flower. When released, they can become captured again in other flowers. The mechanisms of herkogamy and protogyny are efficient. Although self-compatibility exists, as demonstrated by the high percentage of fruits produced by geitonogamy, fruits were not produced under natural or artificial autogamous conditions. Natural pollination showed significantly lower fruit set than xenogamous and geitonogamous crosses.     

Aporphine and bisaporphine alkaloids from Aristolochialagesiana var. intermedia

Corydines, isocorydines, and analogous aporphine alkaloids were isolated from the leaves of Aristolochia lagesiana var. intermedia, together with three bisaporphine salts (lagesianines B-D). Their structures were determined by chemical derivatizations and spectroscopic analyses. Lagesianines B and C are the first examples of N-CH₂-N′ and C-2-O-C-1′ linked dimeric aporphine alkaloids, respectively, while the monomeric units of lagesianine D, which has a carbon skeleton, are linked through C-7-C-5′ via an ethane-1,2-diol group (C-7-CHOHCHOH-C-5′).