Nodulation and N2 fixation byInga jinicuil,a woody legume in coffee plantations

Summary Nodule biomass and yearly C₂H₂ reduction rates are reported forInga jinicuil, a leguminous tree used for shade in Mexican coffee plantations. Annual fixation by this species approximates 35 kg ha^–1; which, when compared to nitrogen additions from fertilizers, represents an important nitrogen input to the coffee ecosystem.     

European beech in its northeasternmost stands in Europe: Varying climate-growth relationships among generations and diameter classes

Age, genetics and social status of trees affect their sensitivity to environmental factors, and information about such effects is needed for comprehensive assessment of growth potential. Climatic sensitivity of radial increment (i.e., tree-ring width) of introduced European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) of different generations and social status, growing in its northeasternmost stands in Europe, was studied by dendroclimatological methods. At present, the studied stands occur outside of the natural distribution area of the species, providing opportunity to study adaptability and potential growth of beech in novel environments under changing climate. The sensitivity of radial growth to climatic factors was modulated by the generation and social status (size) of trees. The first generation trees, which were propagated from the material transferred from the northern Germany, were highly sensitive to climatic factors and showed wide spectrum of responses. The dominant trees were particularly sensitive to June precipitation, indicating sensitivity to water deficit in summer. The suppressed trees were mainly sensitive to temperature in the dormant period. Tree-ring width of the second generation trees, which were propagated from the first generation stands, was mainly affected by water deficit in summer, yet the local factors, modulated the mechanisms of response. In one stand, tree-ring width was affected by conditions during the formation of tree-ring, indicating direct influence of weather conditions on xylogenesis. In the other stand, tree-ring width was correlated to weather conditions in the preceding year, suggesting influence via carbohydrate reserves. The effect of social status on climatic sensitivity in the second generation stands was considerably weaker, likely due to the natural and anthropogenic selection of the material best adapted for local conditions. The effect of climatic factors on radial growth of beech has shifted during the 20th century. The effect of autumn temperature has weakened, likely due to warming; the effect of factors related to water deficit in summer has intensified that could be related to both, changes in climate and ageing. The observed climate-growth relationships suggested that conditions in winter have become suitable for beech, yet careful selection of sites/regions with appropriate hydrological conditions appear necessary to counteract the increasing effect of water deficit, hence to ensure productivity of future beech sites in Latvia.     

长白落叶松人工林心材变化规律

依据黑龙江省孟家岗林场49株人工落叶松1179个圆盘和轮盘数据,分析了心材半径的纵向变化规律.结果表明: 心材半径随树高增高而逐渐减小,与树干外形基本一致,其中去皮半径(XR)、胸径(DBH)及形成层年龄(CA)与心材半径之间关系较显著,利用逐步回归分析建立落叶松心材半径(HR)和面积(HA)模型:HR=b₁+b₂XR²+b₃CA+b₄XR, HA=b₁+b₂DBH·XR+b₃CA+b₄DBH·XR².应用AIC、BIC、对数似然值以及似然比检验等模型评价指标,对利用样地、样木效应拟合的心材半径和面积模型进行比较.当考虑样木效应拟合心材半径和面积模型时,将b₁、b₂、b₃作为混合参数得出的模型最好.混合模型的预测精度高于基本模型.在应用上,总体心材半径和面积可以通过混合模型来预测.采用Beta回归模型模拟了心材比例,模型中各参数均显著,决定系数较高,模型模拟效果较好.     

Analysis of household's energy consumption,forest degradation and plantation requirements in Eastern Tigray,Northern Ethiopia

This study examines the link between household's energy consumption, forest degradation and plantation requirements in Eastern Tigray. Data on household's fuelwood, cow‐dung, kerosene and electricity consumption in the study sites were collected from 557 urban and 114 rural households. Deforestation rate was estimated following FAO and Woody Biomass Inventory Strategy Planning Project (WBISPP's) conversion factors. The study showed that household's fuelwood consumption in urban areas (mean = 2.5 kg/day) was about 52% lower as compared to the rural villages (mean = 3.8 kg/day). The estimated area abandoned annually in the vicinity of urban areas as the result of urban fuelwood consumption varies from 217 ha around Maichew town to 12047 ha around Mekelle City. The estimated area abandoned in rural areas annually as the result of tree cutting for fuelwood also varies from 6.5 ha around Sinkata to 127 ha around Dergajen village. It is therefore recommended that an estimated annual tree plantation of area ranging from 286 ha around Maichew town to 21,684 ha around Mekelle city is required. Moreover, an estimated annual tree plantation of area ranging from 16 ha around Sinkata village to 229 ha around the Dergajen village is required taking the existing population into account.     

Effects of patch size and basal area on avian taxonomic and functional diversity in pine forests: Implication for the influence of habitat quality on the species–area relationship

Relationships between avian diversity and habitat area are assumed to be positive; however, often little attention has given to how these relationships can be influenced by the habitat structure or quality. In addition, other components of biodiversity, such as functional diversity, are often overlooked in assessing habitat patch value. In the Sandhills Ecoregion of Georgia, USA, we investigated the relationship between avian species richness and functional diversity, forest basal area, and patch size in pine forests using basal area as a surrogate for overstory structure which in turn impacts vegetation structure and determines habitat quality within a patch. We conducted bird surveys in planted mature pine stands, during breeding season of 2011. We used three classes of stand basal area (BA): OS, overstocked (BA ≥ 23 m²/ha); FS, fully/densely stocked (13.8 m²/ha ≤ BA < 23 m²/ha); and MS, moderately stocked (2.3 m²/ha ≤ BA < 13.8 m²/ha). MS patches showed more structural diversity due to higher herbaceous vegetation cover than other two pine stocking classes of patches. Total species richness and functional richness increased with the size of MS patches, whereas functional divergence decreased with the size of OS patches (p < 0.05). Functional richness tended to be lower than expected as the size of OS patches increased. Greater richness of pine–grassland species was also found at MS patches. Percent cover of MS patches within a landscape influenced positively the richness of pine–grassland species (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that (a) avian species–habitat area relationship can be affected by habitat quality (structural diversity) and varies depending on diversity indices considered, and (b) it is important to maintain moderate or low levels of pine basal area and to preserve large‐sized patches of the level of basal area to enhance both taxonomic and functional diversity in managed pine forests.     

Soil‐dwelling insect pests of tree crops in Sub‐Saharan Africa,problems and management strategies—A review

This review aims to draw the attention of researchers, ecologists and farmers to the threats of soil‐dwelling insect pests on important tree crops in sub‐Saharan Africa, with a special focus on termites. It synthesizes the information on the effects of various factors affecting soil pest occurrence and damage, suggesting that the resultant undesirable effects of soil pests in this region are largely as a result of indiscriminate tree cutting, slash‐and‐burn agriculture and indiscriminate use of pesticides. Major insect orders, their host ranges and the nature of damage on selected tree crops are described. This study further critiques existing soil pest management practices, showing that majority of soil pest management practices are ineffective. Thus, management strategies like “attract and kill” approach based on entomopathogenic fungi need to be studied, developed and emphasized for the management of soil insect pests in sub‐Saharan Africa. A conclusion section attempts to offer suggestions for ways in which future work on soil pests in sub‐Saharan Africa could proceed.     

管理措施对人工林土壤质量的影响

可持续性生产力是人工林发展的一个关键问题。然而,人工林培育过程中常出现土壤质量退化和人工林生产力下降等问题。管理措施是人工林发展过程中土壤质量变化的一个重要因素,正确的管理措施能够维护和提高林地的土壤质量。管理措施主要包括整地、施肥、林地收获与凋落物管理和营造混交林等。不同的整地方式、整地强度、整地时间等能改变土壤物理、化学和生物学性状,进而对其土壤质量产生一定的影响;施肥措施能改善土壤质量、提高人工林生产力,而过量施肥能够导致林地养分的流失和地下水质的恶化;木材收获和林地凋落物焚烧导致人工林系统养分的大量流失,加强对人工林系统有机物质的保护有利于林地土壤质量的改善;营造混交林在一定程度上有利于土壤质量维护,由于物种间存在复杂的相互关系,其对混交树种、混交方式和立地条件的选择等管理措施均能影响土壤质量。最后,文章对今后人工林管理措施对土壤质量影响的重点研究方向作了展望。     

浅层地下水对华北地区河岸杨树林树干液流的影响

华北地区河岸杨树林生长季的用水特征对杨树人工林经营管理具有重要意义.本文以北京市潮白河畔的杨树人工林为研究对象,采用热扩散式探针(TDP)测定树干液流、管式TDR土壤含水量法测定土壤体积含水量、开路涡度相关系统测定环境因子数据,对2014年6—7月的杨树树干液流及其影响因素进行系统研究,以探究浅层地下水对树干液流的可能影响.结果表明: 杨树树干液流日变化随太阳辐射呈现单峰或双峰变化,在土壤水分相对亏缺时,杨树树干液流密度明显减小,达到峰值的时间从14:00提前到12:30,但树干液流对太阳辐射的时滞效应没有明显变化.在表层土壤水分相对充足时,太阳辐射和空气饱和水汽压差是杨树树干液流变化的主导因子,但在表层土壤水分亏缺时,土壤水会成为杨树树干液流的限制因子;当表层土壤水分相对亏缺时,杨树单株耗水与100 cm土层土壤体积含水量呈显著负相关,与其余各土层体积含水量呈显著正相关.浅层地下水(相对稳定的150 cm及更深处)在土壤表层土壤水分含量相对亏缺时,可在毛管力作用下对上层土壤水进行补充,供给杨树生长需要.