Life forms affect beta-diversity patterns of larch forests in China

Beta-diversity reflects the spatial changes in community species composition which helps to understand how communities are assembled and biodiversity is formed and maintained. Larch(Larix) forests, which are coniferous forests widely distributed in the mountainous and plateau areas in North and Southwest China, are critical for maintaining the environmental conditions and species diversity. Few studies of larch forests have examined the beta-diversity and its constituent components(species turnover and nestedness-resultant components). Here, we used 483 larch forest plots to determine the total betadiversity and its components in different life forms(i.e., tree, shrub, and herb) of larch forests in China and to evaluate the main drivers that underlie this beta-diversity. We found that total betadiversity of larch forests was mainly dependent on the species turnover component. In all life forms,total beta-diversity and the species turnover component increased with increasing geographic, elevational, current climatic, and paleoclimatic distances. In contrast, the nestedness-resultant component decreased across these same distances. Geographic and environmental factors explained 20%-25% of total beta-diversity, 18%-27% of species turnover component, and 4%-16% of nestedness-resultant component. Larch forest types significantly affected total beta-diversity and species turnover component. Taken together, our results indicate that life forms affect beta-diversity patterns of larch forests in China, and that beta-diversity is driven by both niche differentiation and dispersal limitation. Our findings help to greatly understand the mechanisms of community assemblies of larch forests in China.

Soil Nitrogen Status of Larch Plantations in Comparison with SecondaryBroad-leaved Forest

Soils were collected from.three neighboring forest sites: 36-year-old larch plantation, 11-year-old larch plantation, and natural secondary broad-leaved forest (as control). Soil pH, total C. totaI N, C/N ratio. and available N (NO3-N and NH4-N) were measured. Laboratory incubations of soil samples were conducted during a 50 days period for the measurement of nitrogen mineralization rate and nitrification potenial. The results proved a degeneration in soil nitrogen status with stand age of larch plantations, which implicated one important aspect of soil degradation when natural forest was replaced by coniferous plantations.

Root secretion stimulating ash growth in larch-ash mixed forest

Allelopathic effect of larch (Larix gmelini ) on the ash growth (Fraximus mandshurica) was studied in artificial cultivation tests. The results revealed that the larch root secretion obviously stimulated the ash growth. In order to determine the main stimulation allelochemicals, the chemical composition was analyzed. By contrasting the contents of carbohydrate and aminoacid in root secretion of larch and ash, it was concluded that the carbohydrate and aminoacid were not important stimulation allelochemicals. The organic acid and other components in root secration of larch and ash were analyzed by GC and GC-MS analysis. The sand culture tests were carried out ed selected model compounds. The results showed that benzeneacetic acid, benzenepropionic acid and phenolic acids in root secretion of larch were the main stimulation allelochemicals.

The relationships among structure variables of larch forests in China

Background:Larch(Larix Mill.)forests are widely distributed in the upper parts of mountainous areas in China,playing vital roles in constructing mountain landscapes and maintaining mountain environments.Despite their importance,our knowledges on the large-scale patterns of structure characteristics and the relationships between different structure variables are unclear.In this paper,we investigated 155 plots from 11 natural larch forest types across the country to explore the biogeographic patterns of the structure characteristics and the allometric relationships between different structure variables for Chinese larch forests.Results:The structure characteristics were significantly different among larch forest types.For different larch forest types,the power function fits the relationships between tree height and diameter at breast height(DBH),average DBH and stem density,and taper and stem density well,but with different exponents among larch forest types.The power exponents of the allometric relationships between tree height and DBH for different larch forest types varied from 0.61 to 0.93(mean=0.86)by standard major axis regression(SMA),and from 0.51 to 0.78(mean=0.56)by ordinary least square regression(OLS).The 50%,75%and 95%quantile regression(QR)and OLS indicated that the average DBH and taper of the L.gmelinii forests,L.gmelinii var.principis-rupprechtii forests,and L.sibirica forests were significantly correlated with stem density.Conclusions:The relationship between tree height and DBH showed a power function relationship for all larch forest types in China,but with different exponents.Overall,stem density was negatively correlated with average DBH and taper.The Sect.Larix forests exhibited stand density effect.Our findings provide an important basis for recognizing the biogeographic patterns of structure factors and for the management of larch forests in China.

Species richness patterns and the determinants of larch forests in China

Larch forests are important for species diversity,as well as soil and water conservation in mountain regions.In this study,we determined large-scale patterns of species richness in larch forests and identified the factors that drive these patterns.We found that larch forest species richness was high in southern China and low in northern China,and that patterns of species richness along an elevational gradient depend on larch forest type.In addition,we found that patterns of species richness in larch forests are best explained by contemporary climatic factors.Specifically,mean annual temperature and annual potential evapotranspiration were the most important factors for species richness of tree and shrub layers,while mean temperature of the coldest quarter and anomaly of annual precipitation from the Last Glacial Maximum to the present were the most important for that of herb layer and the whole community.Community structural factors,especially stand density,are also associated with the species richness of larch forests.Our findings that species richness in China's larch forests is mainly affected by energy availability and cold conditions support the ambient energy hypothesis and the freezing tolerance hypothesis.

Carbon Stock of Larch Plantations and Its Comparison with an Old-growth Forest in Northeast China

The overall goal of this study was to understand carbon(C) stock dynamics in four different-aged Japanese larch(Larix kaempferi) plantations in Northeast China that were established after clear-cutting old-growth Korean pine deciduous forests. Four Japanese larch plantations which were at 10, 15, 21, and 35 years old and an old-growth Korean pine deciduous forest which was 300 years old in Northeast China were selected and sampled. We compared the C pools of biomass(tree, shrub and herb), litterfall(LF), and soil organic carbon(SOC) among them. The biomass C stock of larch plantation at 10, 15, 21, and 35 years old was 26.8, 37.9, 63.6, and 83.2 Mg/ha, respectively, while the biomass C stock of the old-growth Korean pine deciduous forest was 175.1 Mg/ha. The SOC stock of these larch plantations was 172.1, 169.7, 140.3, and 136.2 Mg/ha respectively, and SOC stock of 170.4 Mg/ha in the control of old-growth forest. The biomass C stock increased with stand age of larch plantations, whereas SOC stock decreased with age, and C stock of LF did not change significantly(P > 0.05). The increase of biomass C offset the decline of SOC stock with age, making total carbon stock(TCS) of larch plantations stable from stand ages of 10–35 years. The TCS in larch plantations was much smaller than that in the old-growth forest, suggesting that the conversion of old-growth forests to young larch plantations releases substantial C into the atmosphere.

Environmental and canopy conditions regulate the forest floor evapotranspiration of larch plantations

Background:Integrated forest-water management focusing on forest-water coordination is an important way to alleviate water use conflicts among forests and other sectors in vast dryland regions.Forest floor evapotranspiration(FE),which is an important component of forest evapotranspiration,accounts for a large proportion of the water consumed in arid forests.Elucidating how environmental and canopy conditions impact FE has important significance for guiding integrated forest-water management in a changing environment.Methods:The microlysimeter(ML)-measured evapotranspiration(FE_(ML)),reference evapotranspiration(ET_(o)),volumetric soil moisture(VSM),and canopy leaf area index(LAI)were monitored in a Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation located in the semi-humid Liupan Mountains of Northwest China in 2019(June–September)and 2021(May–September).The response functions of the FE coefficient(the ratio of daily FEML to ET_(o))to the individual factors of VSM and LAI were determined using upper boundary lines of scatter diagrams of measured data.The framework of the daily FE(FE_(ML))model was established by multiplying the response functions to individual factors and then calibrated and validated using measured data to assess the FE response to environmental and canopy conditions.Results:(1)The FE coefficient increased first rapidly and then slowly with rising VSM but decreased slowly with rising LAI.(2)The simple daily FE(FE_(ML))model developed by coupling the impacts of ET_(o),LAI,and VSM in this study performed well for predicting FE.(3)The impacts of ET_(o),LAI,and VSM were quantified using the FE(FE_(ML))model,e.g.,at a given VSM,the impact of ETo on FE increased obviously with decreasing LAI;at a given ET_(o),the impact of LAI on FE increased with rising VSM.(4)In the two study years,when directly using the microlysimeter measurement,the real FE on the forest floor was overestimated when the VSM in microlysimeters was above 0.215 but underestimated below 0.215 due to the difference in VSM from the forest floor.Thus,the VSM on the forest floor should be input into the FE model for estimating the real FE on the forest floor.Conclusions:The daily FE of larch plantation is controlled by three main factors of environmental(ET_(o) and VSM)and canopy conditions(LAI).The variation in daily FE on the forest floor can be well estimated using the simple FE model coupling the effects of the three main factors and by inputting the VSM on the forest floor into the model to avoid the errors when directly using the microlysimeter measurement with different VSMs from the forest floor.The developed FE model and suggested prediction approach are helpful to estimate the FE response to changing conditions,and to guide forest management practices when saving water by thinning is required.

Simulating Impact of Larch Caterpillar(Dendrolimus superans)on Fire Regime and Forest Landscape in Da Hinggan Mountains,Northeast China

Larch caterpillar (Dendrolimus superans) is very common in the Da Hinggan Mountains, Northeast China, affecting fire regime and forest ecosystem change at large spatio-temporal scales. In this study, we used a spatially explicit landscape model, LANDIS, to simulate the changes of fire regime and forest landscape under four larch caterpillar disturbance intensity levels scenarios in Huzhong forest area, northern of Da Hinggan Mountains. The results indicate that larch caterpillar disturbances would decrease fine fuel load and increase coarse fuel load in the 300 simulation years. Larch caterpillar disturbances would decrease fire frequency in the first 200 years, and the disturbances also decrease fire intensity and fire risk in the early and late stage of simulation. Larch caterpillar disturbances would decrease the area percent of larch cohorts and increase the proportion of white birch, and increase the degree of aggregation of white birch as a result of its strong seed dispersal and colonization ability. Disturbances would also decrease the mature and over-mature larch cohorts and increase all cohorts of white birch, especially the mature and over-mature cohorts. Larch caterpillar disturbances will decrease the stability of forest landscape, therefore,some measures preventing in- sect outbreak and ensuring the sustainable management of forest ecosystem should been taken in the study area.

Effects of deforestation on microbial diversity in a Siberian larch(Larix sibirica) stand in Mongolia

For evaluating microbial community changes in a Siberian larch stand disturbed by forest fire or clearcutting,357 clones were randomly selected and sequenced using a culture-independent approach and 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize the bacterial composition and diversity from the different disturbed Siberian larch stands.Interestingly,the burned larch stand had an increase in the relative amounts of b-proteobacteria and Firmicutes and a decrease in Acidobacteria,while Gemmatimonadetes increased Verrucomicrobia decreased in the harvested larch stand.Microbial diversity and richness were higher in the undisturbed larch stand than the disturbed(burned or clear-cut)larch stands,and the influence of clear-cutting was more negative than that of the forest fire.This study indicates that evaluating the microbial diversity of undisturbed,burned,and clear-cutting Siberian larch stands provides information about the impact of forest disturbances on soil microbial communities,which may be helpful for understanding and evaluating soil health and devising reafforestation strategies for larch.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON SOIL AGGREGATE INLARCH AND LARCH-WALNUT FORESTS

According to the study on soils under the 34-year-old Larch forest and Larch-Walnut mixed forest. It tvas concluded that, in mixed forest, the total content of water- stable aggregate (0. 25- 5mm) in the upper layers (0- 30cm) of soil was significant ly higher than that in pure forest. The 2mm aggregates increased 48% in mixed forest soil compared with pure fOrest. and consequently, the three-phase ratio of soil was regulate d, the physical properties improved and the fertility of soil raised. Because of the stability of total aggregate content and the importance of 2mm aggregate content in soil fertility.it s advisable using the two indices above to characterize the effect of mixed forest on soil improvement.

GROWTH EFFECT OF DAHURIAN LARCH-MANCHURIAN ASH MIXED FORESTS

With the method of stem analyses by the microscope, the xylem’s accumulations atdifferent ages were quantitatively studied using the data of typical plant association for Dahurianlarch (Larix gmelini Rupr) and Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr) mixed forests. Thedeveloping process for this important mixed forest type in the study area was systematically established. The result showed that in the artificial stand of Dahurian larch mixed with naturalManchurian ash. only those which have the same origin as Dahurian larch can grow up before theclosing of stand and form the components of the main layers. After 24 years seif-thinning, when theywere 29 years old, Dahurian larch would be at the stage of no self-thinning. At last the stand woulddevelop to the broad-leaved forests dominating with the Manchurian ash.

Allelopathic effect of larch leaching on ash growth in mixed forest

Allelopathic effect of larch (Larix gmelini) leaching on ash (Fraxinus mandshurica) growth was studied with sand culture test. It was understood that the ash growth was stimulated by the larch leaching. The chemical compositions of the larch and ash leaching were identified and determined by chemical and instrumental analysis. The results showed that in the larch and ash leaching there were fatty acids (including monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic and tricarboxylic acids), phenolic acids, tannin, aromatic alcohols, polylol, aminoacids and carbohydrate, etc. on the basis of the analytical results of chemical composition, with reference to the results of model compound test, it is considered that the citric acid in the larch leaching was the main simulative allelochemical to the ash growth, and trihydroxybenzeneacetic acid was the subordinate stimulative allelochemical.

Scale correlation between vegetation and soil in larch forest, NE China

After the analysis on the linages of species, the fractal dimensions of vegetation and soil in a managed larch(Larix gmelini) forest in Daxingan Mountains, NE China were estimated separately, and their scale correlation was discussed. (1) The dominant species of the larch forest, larch and the important accompany species, birch (Betula platyphylla) were homogeneously distributed along the transect. The other species were heterogeneous, and can be divided into three groups located on the right, left and central parts of the transect respectively. The transect can be separated into two parts at the position for the 29th quadrat(580m). (2) The fractal dimension in the large scale range from 200 to 400m was lower than that in the small scale range from 0 to 200m in the forest, indicating the different variation regularities of spatial heterogeneity in different scale ranges. The inflection point at 200m was one of the key scales of spatial hierarchy of the larch forest. (3) The scale variation of the forest was correlated with that of soil pH on large scales, which reflected the indirect control of the dominant species to the spatial pattern and species distribution of understorey by changing soil acidity in the forest and the indirect effects of forest management.

Considering and comparing regeneration in natural and man-made stands in northern Iran

In this study the regeneration diversity of Syahkal forests afforestated and natural stands in north of Iran was studied and compared from the point of view of evenness and diversity index. In order to accomplish this study two natural and man-made stands that almost are located in the same height above the sea level were chosen. The area of each stand was 30 ha and the inventory was done by the random-systematic method with a 5R land measurement （500 m2） selected. Also, in order to study the regeneration in the center of each sample piece 125 square meters micro plots were formed. The results show that regeneration diversity index in natural stands is more than that in man-made stands which in this case Mc-Arthur index with 2.41 has the most amount while Simpson index with 0.543 has the least amount. But the evenness indexes in man-made stands are more than that in natural stand which the main reason is the purity of the man-made stand.

Larch growth across thermal and moisture gradients in the Siberian Mountains

Climate-driven changes in the thermal and moisture regimes may variously influence different tree species growth and ranges.We hypothesize that drought resistant Siberian larch(Larix sibirica Ledeb.)and precipitation-sensitive Siberian pine(Pinus sibirica Du Tour)responded differently to climate change along the elevational thermal and precipitation gradients.We studied the influence of air temperature,precipitation,soil moisture,and atmospheric drought(indicated by the drought index SPEI)on larch and pine growth along the southward megaslope of the West Sayan Ridge.We found that since 2000 climate change resulted in increasing larch and pine radial growth index(GI)(c.1.5–3times)within treeline(2000–2300 m)and timberline(1900–2000 m)ecotones,i.e.within high precipitation zones.Within the forest-steppe ecotone(1100–1200 m)in which L.sibirica is the only species,larch GI stagnated or even decreased.The total forested area increased since 2000 up to+50%in the high elevations,whereas in the low elevations(<1400 m)area changes were negligible.Within treeline and timberline,trees’GI was stimulated by summer temperature.Meanwhile,temperature increase in early spring reduces GI due to living tissue activation followed by tissue damage by desiccation.Within forest-steppe,larch radial growth was mostly dependent on soil moisture.Warming shifted dependence on moisture to the early dates of the growing period.Acute droughts decreased GI within forest-steppe as well as within treeline,whereas the drought influence on both species within highlands was insignificant.Within forest-steppe seedlings establishment was poor,whereas it was successful within treeline and timberline.Current climate change leads to stagnation or even decrease in Larix sibirica growth in the southern lowland habitat.In combination with poor seedlings establishment,reduced growth threatens the transformation of open lowland forests into forest-steppe and steppe communities.Meanwhile,in the highlands warming facilitated the growth of Siberian larch and pine and the increase of forested area.

Using multi-source remote sensing data to classify larch plantations in Northeast China and support the development of multi-purpose silviculture

Due to increasing timber demands, large areas of secondary forests have been converted to larch plantations （LPs） in Northeast China because the secondary forests could not produce timber as much as LPs. However, there are a series of ecological problems such as lower soil fertility, reduced water-holding capacity and acidification of surface runoff water occurring in LPs because of the single-species composition of LPs. Therefore, a guidance on how to transform LPs into larch-broadleaf mixed forests （LBMFs） at a large spatial scale is needed for local foresters. First, Landsat time series data set and SPOT-5 images were combined to map the spatial-temporal distribution of LPs in Northeast China. Then, the topographical characteristics of LPs in 2010s were determined. Furthermore, three sub-regions of LPs were divided closely linking to their ecosystem services and forest management aims. Finally, detailed information on how to transform the LPs into LBMFs was given according to the three sub-regions. The results showed that the area of LPs increased during 1980s and 2010s, and reached 2.61 million ha in 2010s. Of which, 0.72 million ha （27.6%） and 1.89 million ha （72.4%） LPs distributed in slopes less than 5° and greater than 5°, respectively. Of the LPs （72.4%） in slopes greater than 5°, 48.7 and 23.7% located in downslope （LPs locating at the down slope of adjacent secondary forests in the same aspect） and upslope （LPs locating at the up slope of adjacent secondary forests in the same aspect）, respectively; 0.10 million ha （3.8%） located in slopes greater than 25°. The LPs were divided into Sub-Regions-I, II, III according to slopes. For Sub-region-I （top role is to produce timber）, self-fertilizing shrub species can be intro- duced after clean cutting for young-aged LPs, and release thinning can be applied for middle-aged LPs, fast growth thinning for near-matured LPs, and clear cutting for matured LPs. For Sub-Region-II （the priority is to provide water conservation combined with timber production）, the LPs should be induced into LBMFs. The LPs located the downslope positions in Sub-Region-II can be transformed to LBMFs by natural regeneration of broadleaved tree species after thinning because of enough seed sources of broadleaved tree species from the secondary forests locating the upslope positions. The LPs located the upslope positions or the region where seed sources of broadleaved tree species are unavailable in Sub-Region-II must be induced to LBMFs by al＇tificial regeneration. For Sub-Re- gion-III （the preference is only for water conservation because the slope is greater than 25°）, the LPs should be particularly protected from intensive disturbances, and induced into LBMFs by natural regeneration.

Equations for estimating the above-ground biomass of Larix sibirica in the forest-steppe of Mongolia

Biomass functions were established to estimate above-ground biomass of Siberian larch （Larix sibirica） in the Altai Mountains of Mon- golia. The functions are based on biomass sampling of trees from 18 different sites, which represent the driest locations within the natural range ofL. sibirica. The best performing regression model was found for the equations y = （D2 H）/（a＋bD） for stem biomass, y = aDb for branch biomass, and y=aDb Hc for needle biomass, where D is the stem diameter at breast height and H is the tree height. The robustness of the biomass functions is assessed by comparison with equations which had been previously published from a plantation in Iceland. There, y=aDb Hc was found to be the most significant model for stem and total above-ground biomasses. Applying the equations from Iceland for estimating the above-ground biomass of trees from Mongolia resulted in the underesti- mation of the biomass in large-diameter trees and the overestimation of the biomass in thin trees. The underestimation of thick-stemmed trees is probably attributable to the higher wood density, which has to be ex- pected under the ultracontinental climate of Mongolia compared to the euoceanic climate of Iceland. The overestimation of the biomass in trees with low stem diameter is probably due to the high density of young growth in the not systematically managed forests of the Mongolian Altai Mountains, which inhibits branching, whereas the plantations in Iceland are likely to have been planted in lower densities.

Influence of ginseng cultivation under larch plantations on plant diversity and soil properties in Liaoning Province,Northeast China

Currently, transforming the mode of forest management and developing multiple forest management practices are actively encouraged in China. As one forest management type, ginseng cultivation under larch plantations has been developed significantly in the east of Liaoning Province. However, research on the influence of the ecological environment for this mode of production is still deficient. Based on this, our study compares the plant diversity and soil properties in the ginseng cultivation under larch plantations(LG) with larch plantations(LP) and natural secondary forests(SF). First, we randomly selected three plots for each of the three stand types which have similar stand characteristics; then, we carried out a plant diversity survey and soil sampling in each of the nine plots. The results show that no significant difference was found in plant diversity between LG and LP, but theevenness of herbs was significantly lower in LG than LP. No obvious changes in soil physical properties were found in LG, but a significant decrease in most of the soil nutrient content was presented in LG. Furthermore, we found a correlation between plant diversity(H') and soil properties in the three kinds of stand types, especially between herbaceous plant diversity and soil properties. We conclude that ginseng cultivation under larch plantations has no obvious effect on plant diversity, except the herbaceous evenness. Soil fertility can be depleted significantly in LG, but physical structures are not affected. Moreover, maintaining the diversity of herbaceous plants and controlling the density of ginseng cultivation in LG by farmers are important for the ecological environment. Based on this study and its good comprehensive benefits and with the support of policy, we think this forest management type should be promoted moderately in the region.

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS FOR INTERSPECIFIC RELATIONSHIP OF LARCH STAND MIXED WITH ASH

Permanent sample plots were set up for researching interspecific relationship of the artificia1 larch stand mixed with natural ash in the slash site in Maoershan Experiment Forestry Farm of Northeast Forestry University. All trees in the plots were taken as objective trees and tree number,DBH, distance between trees and that of crown diameter were measured in range of 1-6m from every objective tree. Then study by Alemdag competition index, variance analysis and quantitation method were made. The result showed that the intraspecific competition was more intensive than the interspecific competition. Especially the competition between larch and ash was least relatively. For these kinds of site, the suitable mixture at 20-30 ages should be 2800 Ind/hm2 in density and 2 larch;1 ash in mixed ratio, which might improve site condition to promote stand produetivity.

Carbon stock in Korean larch plantations along a chronosequence in the Lesser Khingan Mountains, China

Carbon （C） dynamics are central to understanding ecosystem restoration effects within the context of Grain for Green Project （GGP）. GGP stared in China since 2003 to improve the environment. Despite its importance, how total forest ecosystem C stock （FECS） develops fol- lowing land-use changes from cropland to plantation is poorly under- stood, in particular the relationship of C allocation to pools. We quanti- fied C pools in a chronosequence ranging from 0 to 48 years, using com- plete above- and below-ground harvests based on detailed field inventory Stands were chosen along a succession sequence in managed plantations of Korean larch （Larix olgensis Henry.）, a native planting species in the Lesser Khingan Mountains, Northeast of China. The FECS of Korean larch plantation （KLP） were dynamic across stand development, chang- ing from 88.2 Mg.ha-1 at cropland, to 183.9 Mg.ha·-1 as an average of forest C from 7- through 48-year-old plantation. In a 48-year-old mature KLP, vegetation comprises 48.63% of FECS and accounts for 67.66% of annual net C increment （ANCI）. Soil is responsible for 38.19% and 13.53% of those, and with the remainders of 13.18% and 18.81% in down woody materials. Based on comparisons of our estimate to those of others, we conclude that afforestation of Korean larch plantation is a valid approach to sequester carbon.