Ascorbic acid and xylem development in trunks of the Siberian larch trees

The contents of ascorbic acid (AA) and its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), were assessed as related to the tracheid differentiation in the course of early and late wood development in the Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ldb.) trees. The samples of the cambium, cell enlargement zone and mature cells were collected at the successive developmental stages by scraping tissues off layer by layer from trunk segments of the 20-year-old trees according to anatomical and histochemical criteria. While cambium initials were rapidly dividing, the AA contents per dry weight and per cell considerably exceeded the corresponding values characteristic of the late xylem development; such difference corresponded to the higher number of early tracheids per annual ring, as compared to the late tracheids. The AA content decreased as cells enlarged. The radial growth of the early wood tracheids, as compared to the late wood tracheids, was accompanied with a threefold increase in the AA and a decline in the DHA contents. The AA/DHA ratio was in line with the early tracheid enlargement. The maximum AA content was observed at the early stage of the secondary cell wall thickening in the tracheids of early and late xylem preceding lignification. During this stage of early wood development, the DHA content exceeded sixfold the corresponding value in the late xylem; as a result, the initial rates of lignification were different in two tissues. The rate of lignification in a newly developing layer of the early xylem increased gradually and was the highest in the completely differentiated tracheids. In the late xylem, the lignification rate was at its highest at the very beginning and then declined in the course of tracheid maturation. The dissimilar patterns of lignification in the early and late xylem were primarily associated with the DHA content, which increased in the early xylem and decreased in the maturing late xylem. Thus, the AA content and its accessibility to oxidation in the growing and mature xylem cells exhibited the diverse developmental patterns in the early and late xylem: two tissues differed in the tracheid number and radial diameter as well as in the rate of lignification.Translated from Fiziologiya Rastenii, Vol. 52, No. 1, 2005, pp. 97–107.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Antonova, Chaplygina, Varaksina, Stasova.     

长白落叶松种群地理变异研究

根据17年生长白落叶松种源试验资料,从生态遗传学的观点出发,采用典型相关分析等方法,揭示了长白落叶松地理变异规律可以认为,以海拔垂直梯度为主、纬向渐变为辅的连续型变异;低海拔、低等效纬度的小北湖种源是长白落叶松优良基因资源中心,生长较快、生长期较长;水热因子的综合选择作用是长白落叶松地理变异的重要因素,其中温度是主导因子;在地理种群的遗传分化中,生长性状的分化最为明显,可以作为种源区区划的主要性状;从长白落叶松分布的低等效纬度地区向高等效纬度地区调种(一般不超过2个等效纬度),可望获得较大的遗传增益.     

Growth trends and dynamics in sub‐alpine forest stands in the Varaita Valley (Piedmont,Italy) and their relationships with human activities and global change

Abstract. A study of the forest lines, tree lines and the structures of the sub‐alpine forest was performed in Vallone Vallanta and in Alevé forest in the Varaita Valley (Cottian Alps, Piedmont, Italy). Forest‐ and tree lines were analysed over 1728 ha while forest structures were studied on six 3000‐m² plots located at the tree line (2), at the forest line (2) and inside the sub‐alpine forest (2). Dendro‐ecological analysis of living plants and stumps showed that Larix decidua was more abundant in the past than today and that Pinus cembra has expanded, both upwards and within sub‐alpine forests. Age structure analysis revealed that the current sub‐alpine forest stands were established 200–220 yr ago, probably following a clearcut. At the forest lines the tree density decreases, and some trees are more than 500 yr old, whereas at the tree lines most of the trees (almost exclusively Pinus cembra) are younger than 100 yr. Growth dynamics were investigated both by observing Basal Area Increment (BAI) in the old and dominant trees, and by comparing the BAIs of classes of trees with a given cambial age range in different time periods. The results showed that the growth rates of mature Pinus cembra and Larix decidua had increased. These increments are more substantial for Pinus than for Larix. The growth rate of young trees (< 100 yr) of both species has decreased over recent decades. This could be due to competition caused by increased tree densities that have resulted from a decrease in grazing.     

秦岭太白红杉群落特征及其物种多样性的研究

选择太白红杉群落分布集中的太白山、长安光头山、玉皇山和冰晶顶等4个地段,设计18个样地,用样方法进行调查,共作样方280个。分析了太白红杉群落的种类组成、区系特点、群落外貌、垂直结构和水平结构等群落学特征,并对该群落的环境概况进行分析,计划了不同地段上群落的频、盖度指标和不同层次上的Shannon-Wiener指数,Simpson指数、Pielou指数和种间相遇指数。结果表是,太白红杉主要分布于秦岭海拔2800－3500m的高海拔山地,群落组成种类约85种,北温带分布属占优势,地面芽植物种类多,数量大,是该群落的优质层片。乔木层为太白红杉单优组成,平均高度约8．6m,多样性指数0．207－0．420,灌木层H值为1．779－2．363,草本层H值最高,为2．122－3．025。本研究为太白红杉可持续利用和保护提供了有益的参考。     

春季解冻期不同纬度兴安落叶松林的土壤微生物生物量

以移栽自兴安落叶松林自然分布区内4个纬度梯度(塔河、松岭、孙吴和带岭)的8年生兴安落叶松林为对象,于移栽3年后(2007年)的春季土壤解冻期,采用氯仿熏蒸浸提法测定了4个纬度梯度(处理)土壤的微生物生物量碳(C_mic)和微生物生物量氮(N_mic)的时间动态.结果表明：在相似基质和相同气候条件下,移栽自4个纬度梯度的兴安落叶松林春季土壤解冻期的C_mic和N_mic平均值差异显著,呈随纬度升高而减少、随土层加深而下降的分布格局.其中塔河、松岭、孙吴和带岭的C_mic平均为554.63、826.41、874.81和1246.18 mg·kg^-1,而N_mic分别为70.63、96.78、79.76 和119.66mg·kg^-1.C_mic和N_mic在解冻前达到最大值;解冻初期迅速下降;在冻融交替阶段变化不显著,且维持在较低水平;在解冻末期,来自低纬度的带岭和孙吴的C_mic回升较快. 春季冻融期土壤温度和含水量对C_mic和N_mic的影响显著,其影响程度随冻融阶段而变化.土壤微生物生物量与解冻前的土壤温度呈负相关,与整个解冻期间的土壤含水量呈指数关系.     

Response of larch species to climate changes

Global warming has changed the distributions of forests of northeastern China. Larix are very important species in this area. Predicting the potential distributions of Larix species and their responses to climate change would attract more and more attention.This paper predicted the potential distributions of three Larix species based on 'climatic-topographic' relationships by logistic regression. The results showed that L. gmelinii is predicted to retreat northwestward by 220 km by 2050 and by 270 km more by 2100; L. olgensis var. changpaiensis is predicted to retreat northwestward by 200 km by 2050 and by 190 to 300 km more by 2100; L. principis-rupprechtii is predicted to retreat northeastward by 200 km by 2050 and by 250 to 400 km more by 2100. This indicated that L. gmelinii could have its optimum latitude moved into Russia, L. olgensis var. changpaiensis could move to the Small Xing'an Mountains and L. principis-rupprechtii would move to the middle part of the Great Xing'an Mountains.     

Influence of Forest Types and Effects of Forestry Activities on Species Richness and Composition of Chrysomelidae in the Central Mountainous Region of Japan

Species richness and composition of the Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) were studied in larch (Larix kaempheri [Lamb.] Carrière) plantations, secondary forests, and primary forests. In addition, the effects of forest management practices, such as thinning and long rotation, were examined in the larch plantation. The species richness of Chrysomelidae was higher in the larch plantation than in the secondary forest or in the primary forest. Among the larch plantations, the species richness in old-aged plantations was higher than that in middle-aged plantations. The composition of the beetle assemblages in the larch plantation differed from that in the secondary forest or in the primary forest. Exosoma akkoae (Chujo), Batophila acutangula Heikertinger, and Calomicrus nobyi Chujo were caught with a bias toward the larch plantation. Longitarsus succineus (Foudras) and Sphaeroderma tarsatum Baly were caught more in the secondary forest and the primary forest, respectively. More B. acutangula and S. tarsatum were caught in stands where their host plants occurred at higher rates. Species richness of understory plants was an important factor for chrysomlid species richness, and frequency of host occurrence affected the number of individuals of leaf beetles examined. It seems that forest types and forest management practices affect host plants as well as Chrysomelidae, and that these effects on the host plants also influence chrysomelid assemblages.     

Effects of forest-floor avalanche disturbance on the structure and dynamics of a subalpine forest near the forest limit on Mt. Fuji

In subalpine forests near the forest limit on Mt. Fuji in central Japan, slush avalanches occasionally destroy forest-floor vegetation through an influx of volcanic gravel from bare upper sites. The vegetation structure of Larix kaempferi–Abies veitchii forests near and distant from avalanche paths was investigated to determine the effects of forest-floor disturbance on successional processes. The Larix population in a forest near an avalanche path, where there had been signs of forest-floor disturbance by avalanches, had a discontinuous age structure with three age groups, indicating that Larix seedlings established under the Larix canopy after the forest-floor disturbance. In contrast, the Larix population in a forest distant from avalanche paths, where there had been no forest-floor disturbance, had a continuous age structure, with no plants younger than the 90-year-old trees, indicating that this population had established on bare ground over a long period. These data suggest that the primary requirement for the regeneration of L. kaempferi on the forest floor is a mineral substrate. Conversely, A. veitchii had a continuous age structure in both forests. However, forest-floor disturbances by avalanche(s) may exclude A. veitchii from the forest because A. veitchii is very sensitive to scoria deposition. In conclusion, forest-floor disturbance by avalanche(s) provides L. kaempferi with an opportunity to establish on the forest floor, resulting in the maintenance of Larix forests alongside avalanche paths in the upper subalpine area on Mt. Fuji.     

松墨天牛化学生态学

松墨天牛(Monoohamus alternatus)是危害针叶树的重要蛀干害虫,而且是松材线虫病(Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)的主要传播媒介昆虫.本文综述了松墨天牛与寄主植物之间、松墨天牛种内及松墨天牛与松材线虫之间的化学生态学研究进展.在松墨天牛与寄主植物相互关系中,寄主植物中的萜烯类挥发物在松墨天牛选择取食和产卵寄主时发挥重要的调节作用,这些挥发物常常因寄主危害与否而发生改变,并对天牛表现出性别差异;寄主中的化学物质如碳水化合物、氨基酸、甾醇、磷脂和黄酮等能够刺激或驱避天牛的取食和产卵行为.松墨天牛种内通讯过程中,两性天牛的吸引、求爱和交尾等生殖行为由性信息素所引起;雌天牛分泌的产卵忌避信息素能够调节产卵刻槽的空间分布,有助于卵的分散,避免下一代幼虫对生存空间和食物的竞争.松墨天牛与松材线虫之间化学生态关系的物质基础为寄主植物、天牛及线虫产生的单萜、CO2及不饱和脂肪酸,它们调控线虫向蛹室的聚集、进入虫体和脱离虫体等行为.最后,展望了松墨天牛化学生态学的研究方向.     

Influences of forest floor cleaning on the soil respiration and soil physical property of a larch plantation in Northeast China

Aimed to estimate how forest floor cleaning affected the carbon budget and soil physical feature, a 2-yr (2005–2006) measurement on soil respiration, soil bulk density, capillary porosity, soil temperature and soil volumetric moisture was carried out in a larch plantation. Firstly, forest floor cleaning evidently decreased soil respiration. Annual cumulative soil CO₂ efflux decreased from 44.2 μmol·m^?2 a^?1 to 22.4 μmol·m^?2 a^?1. Secondly, cleaning practice slightly increased soil temperature at the growing season, but reduced it at the dominant winter season. It also made soil moisture higher in summer, but lower in spring and autumn. Moreover, the cleaning practice induced more compact soil compared with the uncleaned control. Thirdly, forest floor cleaning of litters and understory shrubs could cause non-respiratory carbon loss of about 175.0 mol·m^?2. This loss decreased from 175.0 mol·m^?2 to 137.4 mol·m^?2 when soil respiratory carbon loss decreased. However, the alteration of soil physical characters in the cleaned plots should be carefully considered since this alteration was not favorable to the growth of larch plantation in a long run.