Interpreting Larix principis-rupprechtii radial growth in northern China based on the Vaganov-Shashkin model

Changes in annual radial growth is an important indication of climate change. Dendroclimatology studies in northern China have focused on linear statistical analysis,but lacking studies based on the process of ring formation to clarify the radial growth of trees. Tree-ring width standard chronology(STD) was established using samples of Larix principis-rupprechtii collected at 2303 m altitude on Luya Mountain. Using the Vaganov-Shashkin(VS) model to simulate growth and development, the internal physiological mechanism of radial growth is identified. It was concluded that:(1) the growing season of L. principis-rupprechtii was May to September;(2) soil moisture was a significant factor in the early and late growing seasons, and temperature was the dominant factor in its main growth period;and(3) formation of narrow ring widths was closely related to drought stress, the development of wide ring widths will be restricted by increasing future temperatures. The VS model is applicable for radial growth simulation of subalpine coniferous forests and for guiding the cultivation of local tree species in the future.

Phenological observations on Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. in primary seed orchard

Through 5 years of phenological observations on Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. in primary seed orchard and studies on population and individuals of clones, the annual periodic phenological laws were revealed and the annual phe-nological periodic table was drawn up. The correlation between various phenophases, the air temperature and active accumu-lated temperature were analyzed and expounded. The authors also analyzed the similarities and differences of phenophases among clonal individuals as well as the blooming properties of male and female flowers at the same time. This study could pro-vide theoretical reference for working out the production plan of improved varieties and other management measures in seed orchard of Larix principis-rupprechtii.

六盘山南坡华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)树干直径生长及其对气象因子的响应

2005年6~9月份在宁夏六盘山南侧的西峡林场,应用带状树木径向变化记录仪(Dendrom eter)研究了5株华北落叶松树干的直径生长过程,结果表明,在无雨或小雨(日降雨量<10mm)天气下,树干直径变化呈现出明显的日周期性,可将其划分为3个阶段:收缩阶段、膨胀阶段和生长阶段;在连续降雨(日降雨量≥10mm)及随后的几个晴天中,树干直径变化并不表现出完整的日周期性。基于Deslauriers等人的方法,提出了树干直径日生长量估计的修正公式,并计算了华北落叶松树干直径日生长量和累积生长量,结果表明,各样木树干直径日生长量的季节变化趋势一致,即表现为前快后慢的季节变化格局,6~7月份为快速生长期,其日均生长量在27.0~44.2μm之间;8~9月份为缓慢生长期,其日均生长量在10μm以下;各测定样木的树干直径日生长量具有明显的个体差异,这主要与林木个体大小及其所处林分中的微环境条件差异有关;整个观测期内的树干直径累积生长过程可以较好地用幂函数描述。主分量分析和偏相关分析表明,影响树干径向生长的气象因子可划分为3类,其中日降雨量、日最低气温、日平均太阳辐射和日平均空气饱和差是影响树干径向生长的主要因子。

芦芽山华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)树轮宽度年表对气候因子的响应

在芦芽山地区采集3个不同海拔的华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii),在传统去趋势的基础上,采用"signal-free"方法对拟合曲线进行修正,避免了中等频率的气候信息引起的拟合偏差,最终建立3个不同海拔树轮宽度标准年表(STD)。同时以10a为界对上述年表进行滤波处理,得到3个低频年表。年表特征值表明,随着海拔升高,年轮平均轮宽变窄,敏感性和高频信息增强,低频信息减弱,这可能与逐渐恶劣的生境有关。中、低海拔年表的低频信息更一致,中、高海拔的高频信息更接近,而高、低海拔无论是标准年表还是高频、低频年表相似性均较差。树轮气候响应分析显示,低海拔STD年表与5月最低温负相关最为显著,STD和低频年表均与5、6月份土壤温度显著负相关,说明生境暖干,树木主要受生长季的干旱胁迫;中海拔STD年表与当年5月最高温正相关最为显著,STD和低频年表与土壤温度相关均不显著,说明生境逐渐变得冷湿,生长季的低温成为树木生长的限制因子;高海拔STD年表与气象要素相关不显著,低频年表与当年4月土壤温度正相关,说明高海拔最为冷湿,并有季节性冻土分布,生长季的土壤低温成为树木生长的限制因子。因此,全球变暖的趋势将更有利于高海拔树木的生长,而低海拔树木的干旱胁迫进一步加剧。

华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)林大步甲属(Carabus)物种多样性及其变化

在山西庞泉沟国家自然保护区华北落叶松不同林龄的人工林和天然林内，利用巴氏罐诱法，对其地表甲虫大步甲属Carabus物种进行了系统的调查，结果表明：（1）共获得大步甲属标本1290号，分属于10种，9种是该保护区的新记录种类，其中ecanaliculatus沟步甲、ccrassesculptus粗皱步甲、C．maniifestus罕丽步甲、cvladimirskyi长叶步甲为优势种，肩步甲c．hummeli、刻翅步甲C.scultipennis、粒步甲C．granulatus为常见种。（2）不同林地物种丰富度S、多样性H＇、优势度D、个体数量Ⅳ存在显著差异，均匀度J不存在显著差异；S、H’、D、J在人工林25年生林地最高；N在天然林20～30年生林地最多；β多样性人工林5年生林地最高。（3）4种优势种季节性变化总体上是沟步甲的盛发期为7月和8月份；粗皱步甲的高峰期为7月份；罕丽步甲7月、5月、9月份和6月份发生数量多，8月份稀有；长叶步甲8月份和9月份为盛发期；不同物种在不同林地出现的高峰期是不一致的。（4）物种相似性分析结果是天然林35～45a和60～80a，人工林25a和天然林5—8a极相似，其余为中等不相似和中等相似。（5）生境相似性分析的结果是天然林35～45a和60～80a相似性最高，人工林5年生与天然林20～30a、35—45a生境相似性差异逐渐增大。（6）生境指示种分析的结果是粗皱步甲、罕丽步甲为广布种，肩步甲仅在天然林35～45a和60～80a生的林地采集到，其中在天然林35～45a林地生境物种指示值高达96．73。

Variations in stem radii of Larix principis-rupprechtii to environmental factors at two slope locations in the Liupan Mountains,northwest China

Relationships between stem growth and climatic and edaphic factors,notably air temperatures and soil moisture for different slopes,are not completely understood.Stem radial variations were monitored at the bottom and top slope positions in a Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation during the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons.Total precipitation during the growing season in 2017 and 2018 was 566 mm and 728 mm,respectively.Stem contractions typically occurred after mid-morning followed by swelling in the late afternoon in both plots,reflecting the diurnal cycle of water uptake and loss.Trees at the two locations showed the same growth initiation(mid-May)because of the small differences in air and soil temperatures.There were no significant differences in cumulative stem radial growth between the bottom plot(1.57±0.34 mm)and the top plot(1.55±0.26 mm)in 2018.However,in 2017,the main growth period of the bottom plot ceased 17 days earlier than in the top plot,while cumulative seasonal growth of the bottom plot(1.08±0.25 mm)was significantly less than the top plot(1.54±0.43 mm).Maximum daily stem shrinkage was positively correlated with air and soil temperatures,solar radiation,vapor pressure deficits,and negatively correlated with volumetric soil moisture content.The maximum daily shrinkage reflected transpiration rates as affected by environmental factors.Daily radial stem increment was correlated with precipitation and volumetric soil moisture in both years,but with air temperatures only in 2017.The seasonal growth of L.principis-rupprechtii Mayr thus shows interannual dynamics,while precipitation constitutes a key driving factor.

Range-wide genetic diversity in natural populations of Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.

Prince Rupprecht’s larch(Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.),a deciduous conifer,widely grows in middle and high elevations of Northern China.Its natural distribution has sharply decreased and has become fragmented,which may have resulted in the loss of genetic variation.In this study,ten natural populations across the entire range of this species were analyzed using amplifi ed fragment length polymorphism markers.A total of 309 loci were detected from 225 individuals of these populations,of which 261(84.5%)were polymorphic.At the species level,the genetic diversity was high(average of the Nei’s genetic diversity H e=0.2602,and Shannon’s information index I=0.3967).The results of molecular variance analysis showed that 90.71%of the genetic diversity occurred within populations.The genetic diff erentiation among populations was moderate as a whole(F ST=0.0929,G ST=0.1510),which is consistent with the moderate level of gene fl ow among populations(N m=2.8116).Based on the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean and STRU CTU RE analysis,these populations were grouped into three genetically distinct clusters.The degree of inter-population diff erentiation(G ST=0.1338)for the south group was larger than that for the north group(G ST=0.0915).There was a signifi cant correlation between genetic distance and geographic distance across the species range(r=0.316,P<0.05).Genetic diversity was signifi-cantly associated with longitude but not elevation or climatic factors.The populations with high genetic diversity from each cluster are therefore recommended for future conservation and management of this species.

Effect of thinning intensity on the stem CO_(2) efflux of Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr

Background:Stem CO_(2) efflux(E_(S))plays a critical role in the carbon budget of forest ecosystems.Thinning is a core practice for sustainable management of plantations.It is therefore necessary and urgent to study the effect and mechanism of thinning intensity(TI)on E_(S).Methods:In this study,five TIs were applied in Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr 21-,25-,and 41-year-old stands in North China in 2010.Portable infrared gas analyzer(Li-8100 A)was used to measure ES and its association with environmental factors at monthly intervals from May to October in 2013 to 2015.In addition,nutrients,wood structure and nonstructural carbon(NSC)data were measured in August 2016.Results:The results show that ES increased with increasing TI.The maximum ES values occurred at a TI of 35%(3.29,4.57 and 2.98μmol·m^(-2)·s^(-1))and were 1.54-,1.94-and 2.89-fold greater than the minimum E_(S) value in the CK stands(2.14,2.35 and 1.03μmol·m^(-2)·s^(-1))in July for the 21-,25-and 41-year-old forests,respectively.The E_(S) of the trees in low-density stands was more sensitive to temperature than that of the trees in high-density stands.Soluble sugars(SS)and temperature are the main factors affecting ES.When the stand density is low enough as 41-year-old L.principis-rupprechtii forests with TI 35%,bark thickness(BT)and humidity should be considered in addition to air temperature(T_(a)),wood temperature(T_(w)),sapwood width(SW),nitrogen concentration(N)and SS in the evaluation of ES.If a change in stand density is ignored,the CO_(2) released from individual 21-,25-and 41-year-old trees could be underestimated by 168.89%,101.94% and 200.49%,respectively.CO_(2) release was estimated based on the stem equation in combination with the factors influencing ES for reference.Conclusions:We suggest that it is not sufficient to conventional models which quantify ES only by temperature and that incorporating the associated drivers(e.g.density,SS,SW and N)based on stand density into conventional models can improve the accuracy of ES estimates.

Age–age correlations and early selection for growth traits in 40 half-sib families of Larix principis-rupprechtii

Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr is a dominant species in coniferous forests of North China.However,early selection of L.principis-rupprechtii for growth traits is poorly characterised.To explore the optimal selection age for this species,heights(HT)and diameters at breast(DBH)of 40 half-sib families were measured at ages 3,12,22,and 28 years in a progeny test population established in the town of Kangjiahui,Shanxi Province.Age trends in heritability,age–age genetic correlations,and early selection efficiency for height and DBH were analysed.The individual heritability of these growth traits varied over time,and maximized at different ages(0.55 at age 12 for HT and 0.48 at age 28 for DBH).The age–age genetic correlations were always positive,and the majority were high(0.790–0.953)between the juvenile and mature ages for HT and DBH.For the same pairs of measurements,HT demonstrated higher age–age genetic correlations than DBH,and both age–age genetic correlation data sets were described well by the linear relationship with the logarithm of the age ratio(r2[0.90).The regression slope for DBH was lower than that for HT.Based on the early selection efficiency estimates,the optimal selection age could be as early as age 6 for DBH and 8–9 years for HT.The results of this study provide information that can be used to assist early selection practices in L.principis-rupprechtii improvement programs in Shanxi Province.

Estimation of leaf area index from high resolution ZY-3 satellite imagery in a catchment dominated by Larix principis-rupprechtii,northern China

Leaf area index(LAI) is a key factor that determines a forest ecosystem's net primary production and energy exchange between the atmosphere and land surfaces.LAI can be measured in many ways, but there has been little research to compare LAI estimated by different methods. In this study, we compared the LAI results from two different approaches, i.e., the dimidiate pixel model(DPM) and an empirical statistic model(ESM) using ZY-3 high-accuracy satellite images validated by field data. We explored the relationship of LAI of Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr plantations with topographic conditions. The results show that DPM improves the simulation of LAI(r = 0.86,RMSE = 0.57) compared with ESM(r = 0.62, RMSE =0.79). We further concluded that elevation and slope significantly affect the distribution of LAI. The maximum peak of LAI appeared at an aspect of east and southeast at an elevation of 1700–2000 m. Our results suggest that ZY-3 can satisfy the needs of quantitative monitoring of leaf area indices in small-scale catchment areas. DPM provides a simple and accurate method to obtain forest vegetation parameters in the case of non-ground measurement points.

Rules of Changes in Soil Nutrients and Enzyme Activities of Larix principis-rupprechtii in Different Forest Ages

In this study,three different ages of Larix principis-rupprechtii forests in 5,10 and 20 years were selected as the research objects,and the changes in soil nutrient and soil enzyme activities in different growth stages were analyzed. The results showed that the contents of organic matter and available phosphorus in the soil of different growth stages showed a significant downward trend with the increase of soil depth.For different forest ages in the same soil layer,the soil available phosphorus content declined with the increase of the forest age. The organic matter content of 40-60 cm in 20 years of forest age was the lowest in July,which was 4. 17 g/kg,significantly lower than that in other soil layers. Besides,the soil available phosphorus content of 5 years of forest age reached the maximum in July,with an average of 4. 44 mg/kg,which was higher than the available phosphorus content in soil in May and September,but the difference between the three months was not significant. The changes in ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen content in soil with different forest ages were consistent with the changes in the soil depth,showing a downward trend. In the new leaf stage,the ammonium nitrogen content of the L. principis-rupprechtii forest land in5 years of age at 20-40 and 40-60 cm of the soil depth was 13. 47 and 9. 09 mg/kg,respectively,which was 46. 9% and 64. 2% lower than that at 0-20 cm( 25. 36 mg/kg) of the soil depth. The soil nitrate nitrogen content of 20 years of forest age was 19. 24 mg/kg,which was25. 8% lower than that of 10 years of forest age,showing significant difference( P < 0. 05). In addition,with the increase of the age of L. principis-rupprechtii,soil catalase( CAT),alkaline phosphatase( ALP) and urease( Ure) decreased,and the decline of ALP was slow,while CAT and Ure decreased significantly. In summary,it is concluded that the soil fertility of forest land declined with the increase of forest age on the basis of change trend of soil nutrient and soil enzyme activity in the surveyed forest age.

Evaluating the impact of sampling schemes on leaf area index measurements from digital hemispherical photography in Larix principis-rupprechtii forest plots

Background:Digital hemispherical photography(DHP)is widely used to estimate the leaf area index(LAI)of forest plots due to its advantages of high efficiency and low cost.A crucial step in the LAI estimation of forest plots via DHP is choosing a sampling scheme.However,various sampling schemes involving DHP have been used for the LAI estimation of forest plots.To date,the impact of sampling schemes on LAI estimation from DHP has not been comprehensively investigated.Methods:In this study,13 commonly used sampling schemes which belong to five sampling types(i.e.dispersed,square,cross,transect and circle)were adopted in the LAI estimation of five Larix principis-rupprechtii plots(25m×25 m).An additional sampling scheme(with a sample size of 89)was generated on the basis of all the sample points of the 13 sampling schemes.Three typical inversion models and four canopy element clumping index(Ωe)algorithms were involved in the LAI estimation.The impacts of the sampling schemes on four variables,including gap fraction,Ωe,effective plant area index(PAIe)and LAI estimation from DHP were analysed.The LAI estimates obtained with different sampling schemes were then compared with those obtained from litter collection measurements.Results:Large differences were observed for all four variable estimates(i.e.gap fraction,Ωe,PAIe and LAI)under different sampling schemes.The differences in impact of sampling schemes on LAI estimation were not obvious for the three inversion models,if the fourΩe algorithms,except for the traditional gap-size analysis algorithm were adopted in the estimation.The accuracy of LAI estimation was not always improved with an increase in sample size.Moreover,results indicated that with the appropriate inversion model,Ωe algorithm and sampling scheme,the maximum estimation error of DHP-estimated LAI at elementary sampling unit can be less than 20%,which is required by the global climate observing system,except in forest plots with extremely large LAI values(~>6.0).However,obtaining an LAI from DHP with an estimation error lower than 5%is impossible regardless of which combination of inversion model,Ωe algorithm and sampling scheme is used.Conclusion:The LAI estimation of L.principis-rupprechtii forests from DHP was largely affected by the sampling schemes adopted in the estimation.Thus,the sampling scheme should be seriously considered in the LAI estimation.One square and two transect sampling schemes(with sample sizes ranging from 3 to 9)were recommended to be used to estimate the LAI of L.principis-rupprechtii forests with the smallest mean relative error(MRE).By contrast,three cross and one dispersed sampling schemes were identified to provide LAI estimates with relatively large MREs.

Family selection and evaluation of Larix gmelinii var.principis-rupprechtii(Mayr.)Pilger based on stem analysis data at multiple sites

Larix gmelinii var.principis-rupprechtii(Mayr.)Pilger is an important native tree species in North China with advantages of fast growth,straight trunk,and good wood properties.The multi-year and multi-site breeding research of families of the species has not been reported previously.Based on diameter at breast height(DBH),height and volume of 25 families on four experimental sites,we calculated variance components,genetic parameters,juvenile and mature trait correlations and made genotype main effect plus genotype×environment interaction effect(GGE)biplot based on the breeding values estimated using the method of best linear unbiased prediction(BLUP).Compared with height,DBH and volume had higher heritability and larger variation coefficients,making them the more suitable traits for family selection and evaluation.Based on these,GGE biplots containing 20 combinations of site×age were drawn using data at 13 to 17 years when the interactions between family and location were strong.Test sites classifications based on DBH,and volume were inconsistent,with two categories for DBH and one for volume.The Guyuan site was the most suitable with strong discriminating ability,high representativeness and stability among tree ages.Integrating the ranking results of DBH and volume,families 66,76,82 and 111 were high-yielding and stable,families 78 and96 were high-yielding with above average stability,families72 and 79 were high-yielding with below average stability,whereas stability of family 100 was inconsistent between DBH and volume.Early selection based on DBH was convenient and reliable,and can be made at seven years.This study provides support for the selection of Larix gmelinii var.principis-rupprechtii families in Hebei province and an example for the application of stem analysis data from multiple sites in tree breeding.

Point pattern analysis of different age-classes of Larix principis-rupprechtii in Luya Mountain Reserve,Shanxi Province,China

Larix principis-rupprechtii forest is an important vegetation formation and has a large distribution area in Luya Mountain Reserve,China.Spatial pattern analysis on individual trees in different age-classes of Larix principis-rupprechtii was made in this paper.Here,we employed the technique of point pattern analysis,which could analyze pat-terns under all scales along a gradient.It was based on spatial mapped points of individual distribution.The results of this study showed that the densities of the five age-classes varied in the order:age-class 3>age-class 4>age-class 5>age-class 2>age-class 1.Although age-classes 1 and 2 have much fewer individuals than other three age-classes do,the popula-tion was stable at present.However,it would be necessary to take some measures for improving population regeneration for a long-time view.The individuals of all age-classes focused on clumping distribution in space;however,their distribution pattern varied with the change of scale.This mainly depended on biological features of Larix principis-rupprechtii and forest environments,but it also meant that the scale was an important factor in controlling spatial distribution pattern of tree individuals.The feature of clumping distribution became more significant with the increase of age.The relationships between individuals in different age-classes were almost all significantly correlated with each other.These associations became more significant within the older age-classes.This suggested that the individuals of different age-classes were interdistributed,by which the population could get benefits in resource utilization.The technique of point pattern analysis is effective and easy to be used in species pattern study.Its results are more closer to the reality,especially for community structure.

Comparison and Dynamic Calibration between LAI Values of Larix principis-rupprechtii Plantation Determined by Canopy Scanner and Litter-fall Collection

In order to test the accuracy of the usually-used fixed calibration factor of the canopy scanner of LAI-2000 for measuring the leaf area index(LAI),a Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation was chosen in the small watershed of Xiangshuihe located at the Liupan Mountains of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of NW China,the LAI was measured in October 2010,a period from full canopy to the total fall of needles,by using both the LAI- 2000 and litterfall collection method.Then,a comparison was made between the LAI values determined by the litter-fall collection and that calculated based on the figures read from LAI-2000 and the fixed calibration factor(1.49).It showed that the average of LAI measurements of the 2 methods was very close,with a difference of only 5%.However,the calculated LAI from LAI-2000 was obviously higher than the true values determined by litter-fall collection when the canopy was full of needles;and obviously lower than the true value when the canopy was sparse after needle falling.The reason may be that LAI-2000 takes the projection of twigs as needles.So,a dynamic calibration factor is needed,especially in the seasons when the needle amount and the percentage of twigs projection in crown projection change quickly.Therefore,a statistic relation in a quadratic polynomial form between the 2 series of LAI data was well fitted. This relation can be used for a more accurate estimation of LAI based on the data read from the easilyused canopy scanners like LAI-2000.

Altitude shape genetic and phenotypic variations in growth curve parameters of Larix kaempferi

To study the effects of geoclimatic variables of provenances on growth phenotypes and selected plus provenances,over 3000 trees of 22-year-old Larix kaempferi were evaluated from trials established in two climate zones for provenance selection and to explore the influence of climate variables on provenance performance.The material was replicated plantings of 84 open pollinated families from six provenances distributed in the mountains of central Japan.Provenance variation was observed in most age groups and the heritability of growth traits showed large differences.The phenotypic maximum value of height and diameter were significantly positive with altitude,and mean annual precipitation being important factors.Diameter at breast height growth was significantly negative with altitude and spring rainfall.The Ina provenance of relatively high altitudes,was well adapted to a variety of climates.Altitude might be the driving force for phenotypic and genetic variations and local adaptation.

Patterns of Ips cembrae(Herr)infestation on trap and standing trees of European larch(Larix decidua Mill.)

The large larch beetle,Ips cembrae,is a significant pest causing the death of larch.In 2020,the attack density of I.cembrae on larch trap trees and standing trees was evaluated using sample sections placed along the trunk.As a defensive measure against I.cembrae,trap trees were highly effective in both spring and summer.The attack density increased with increasing trap tree surface area/volume.Galleries were established evenly throughout the entire trunk including the thin upper portion.When the number of trap trees was low and their capacity full,a continual aggregation of adults occurred due to pheromone communication,leading to attacks on healthy standing trees in the immediate vicinity.It was found that I.cembrae attacked standing trees from the trunk base,with a continual colonization of the stem up to 70%of the tree height in a time-differentiated progression of development stages.The attack density of I.cembrae on standing trees was up to 40%lower than on the trap trees.

Analysis of genetic diversity and prediction of Larix species distribution in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau,China

Larix resources in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau have important ecological and economic values.However,the lack of genetic diversity background and related research hinders the development of conservation strategies.In this study,genetic diversity and distribution of fi ve Larix species were investigated.Using 19 polymorphic microsatellite markers to study 272 representative individuals from 13 populations,the results show low genetic diversity at the population level,with variation explained mainly by diff erentiation among populations.The Larix populations were classifi ed into two clades,one formed by eight populations,including three of the species in this study,L.kongboensis,L.speciosa,and L.potaninii var.australis.The other clade consists of fi ve populations,including the other two species in this study,L.griffi thii and L.himalaica.Genetic distance of the species was aff ected by geographical isolation and genetic diversity was mainly aff ected by altitude.The area suitable for Larix spp.decreased during the Last Glacial Maximum compared to the current distribution according to the niche model,but should increase in future climate scenarios(2050s),expanding westward along the Himalayas.These results provide an important scientifi c basis for the development of conservation strategies and further the sustainable utilization of Larix resources in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

华北落叶松林林分密度对林下更新影响研究

[目的]华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)是寒温带针叶林的优势树种之一。探究华北落叶松的更新特征,可为深入探测华北落叶松林天然更新潜在的生态学机制提供依据。[方法]以关帝山华北落叶松林为研究对象,设置3种林分密度类型,分析不同林分密度林下更新苗组成、结构及空间格局特征。[结果]中密度(825~875株·hm^(-2))华北落叶松林林下更新状况良好,更新苗数量明显增多(3500株·hm^(-2)),低龄级更新苗较多,高龄级的更新苗相对较少,更新苗龄级结构呈连续及相对稳定的分布;而低密度(575~700株·hm^(-2))和高密度(1000~1125株·hm^(-2))华北落叶松林下更新不佳,更新苗数量明显减少(≤1250株·hm^(-2)),高密度林下更新苗龄级结构间断,幼苗到幼树的过渡不连续。从更新苗的生长情况看,低密度林分中林下更新苗的株高、地径生长表现最好。更新幼树中的优势树种在3种密度的林分中均呈现明显的集聚分布。低密度和中密度华北落叶松林下更新幼苗的空间异质性强,高密度林下更新幼苗的空间异质性弱。更新幼苗空间变异主要由结构性因素引起。[结论]林分密度过密或过疏都不利于华北落叶松更新,及时进行密度调控有利于华北落叶松林的可持续发展。

施肥对日本落叶松母树种子球果和形质特征的影响

以日本落叶松1.5代和2代种子园为研究对象,施用N肥、P肥、K肥,采用正交试验设计,调查并分析了施肥处理对日本落叶松种子园母树球果和种子特性的影响,有效提高落叶松种子园种子产量,满足生产上对落叶松良种的需求。结果表明:从球果形质特征上看,施肥可显著促进日本落叶松1.5代和2代种子园单果质量、球果纵径和横径的增加,其中,1.5代种子园中,“N(0.4 kg/株)+P(0.6 kg/株)+K(0.6 kg/株)”处理的单果质量和球果纵径最大,分别达到4.01g和3.14cm,分别为CK的1.79倍和1.37倍,“N(0.2kg/株)+P(0.6kg/株)+K(0.4kg/株)”处理的球果横径最大,达到2.26cm,为CK的1.1倍;2代种子园中,“N(0.2 kg/株)+P(0.8 kg/株)+K(0.6 kg/株)”处理的单果质量、球果纵径和横径等指标均较高,分别达到8.23g、3.74 cm和2.58 cm。从种子形质特征上看,施肥对日本落叶松1.5代、2代种子园种子形质指标的影响有限,施肥仅对1.5代种子园种子纵径、横径和侧径及2代种子园千粒质量有显著影响。较高的K肥和适量的N肥施用量有利于球果和种子的增大,日本落叶松种子园施肥较优方案为N肥0.4 kg/株、P肥0.6 kg/株、K肥0.6 kg/株。