Changes in soil microbial communities induced by warming and N deposition accelerate the CO 2 emissions of coarse woody debris

Warming and nitrogen(N)deposition are two important drivers of global climate changes.Coarse woody debris(CWD)contains a large proportion of the carbon(C)in the total global C pool.The composition of soil microbial communities and environmental changes(i.e.,N deposition and warming)are the key drivers of CWD decomposition,but the interactive impact between N deposition and warming on the composition of soil microbial communities and CWD decomposition is still unclear.In a laboratory experiment,we study and simulate respiration during decomposition of the CWD(C 98)of Cryptomeria japonica(CR)and Platycarya strobilacea(PL)in response to warming and N deposition over 98 days.Resuts show that either warming or N addition signifi cantly accelerated the C 98 of the two tree species by altering the soil microbial community(bacterial:fungi and G+:G–).The combined treatment(warming+N)resulted in a decomposition eff ect equal to the sum of the individual eff ects.In addition,the species composition of bacteria and fungi was obviously aff ected by warming.However,N deposition had a remarkable infl uence on G+:G–.Our results indicated that N deposition and warming will observably alter the composition and growth of the microbial community and thus work synergistically to accelerate CWD decomposition in forest ecosystems.We also present evidence that N deposition and warming infl uenced the composition and balance of soil microbial communities and biogeochemical cycling of forest ecosystems.

Review on the decomposition and influence factors of coarse woody debris in forest ecosystem

Coarse woody debris （CWD） is an important and particular component of forest ecosystems and is extremely important to forest health. This review describes the decomposition process, decomposition model and influence factors. CWD decomposition is a complex and continuous process and characterizes many biological and physical processes, including biological respiration, leaching, and fragmentation. All these processes have closed relationships between each other and work synergistically. During decomposition, there are many controlling factors mainly including site conditions （temperature, humidity, and OJCO2concentration）, woody substrate quality （diameter, species and compound） and organism in CWD. The decomposition rate is generally expresses through a constant k which indicate the percent mass, volume or density loss over time, and can be determined by long-term monitoring, chronosequence approach and the radio between input and the total mass. Now using mathematical models to simulate decomposition patterns and estimate the decomposition rate is widely applied, especially the exponential model. We brought forward that managing and utilizing for the CWD in forest was a primary objective on all forest lands. And it is should be intensified to integrate many related research subjects and to carry a comprehensive, long-term and multi-scale research which mainly focus on seven sections.

Ecological functions of coarse woody debris in forest ecosystem

Coarse woody debris is an important structure and function unit in forest ecosystem.This review analyzed the ecological functions of coarse woody debris in forest ecosystem and introduced several hotspots and existing problems in coarse woody debris research field. It is suggested that quantitative research should be intensified in theintensified in the ecological demands of coarse woody debris for providing a technical guidelines in management of productivity, biodiversity and other ecologicalprocesses.

Wood density and carbon concentration of coarse woody debris in native forests,Brazil

Background: With the objective of increasing knowledge on biomass and carbon stocks, and thus improving the accuracy of published estimates, the present study explored wood density and carbon concentration of coarse woody debris (diameter≥10) by decay class in a Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest (SSF) area in the Atlantic Rain Forest and in a Cerrado sensu-stricto (CSS) area (Brazilian savanna), in Brazil. Two strata were identified in each area and ten sampling units were systematic located in each stratum. Data were collected according to the line intersect sampling method. Each tallied element, the diameter, length, and perpendicular width were recorded at the transect intersection point. Each element was classified into a decay class, and the species was identified when possible. Sample discs were cut from each element, from which cylindrical samples were extracted and oven-dried to determine density. These cylinders were milled and analyzed using a LECO-C632 to determine carbon concentration as percentage of mass. Results: In both areas, wood density decreased as the decay class increased. For SSF the mean carbon concentration of all analyzed samples was 49.8% with a standard deviation of 3.3, with a range of 27.9–57.0% across 506 observations. For CSS the general mean was 49.6% with a standard deviation of 2.6, with a range of 31.2–54.5% over 182 observations. Carbon concentration barely change between decay classes. Carbon stock was estimated at 3.3 and 0.7 MgC/ha for the SSF and the CSS, respectively. Similar results were obtained when using a 50% conversion constant. Conclusions: The present study concludes that wood density decreases as the woody debris becomes more decomposed, a pattern found in many previous studies. The carbon concentration, however, barely changes between decay classes, and that result is consistent with most of the literature reviewed. Our carbon concentrations are very close to the 50% used most commonly as a conversion factor. We strongly recommend that future studies of CWD evaluate wood density and carbon concentration by decay class to address the uncertainty still found in the literature.

Coarse woody debris and wood-colonizing fungi differences between a reserve stand and a managed forest in the Taborz region of Poland

The aim of this research was to evaluate the amount of woody debris (m3/ha) on the forest floor and the associated wood-colonizing fungi. The study was performed in the Taborz region, known for its Scots pine provenance experiments, against the background of a recently launched Polish legislation to protect the biodiversity on the forest floor in managed (harvested) stands. We investigated a managed stand (136-years-old) and the reserve stand ‘Sosna Taborska’(261-years-old). In the reserve stand, the mean volume of woody debris was six times higher than in the managed forests, i.e. 65 versus 11 m3/ha. In addition, in the reserve stand, the number of fungi taxa colonizing the dead wood was larger than in the managed stands, with a higher number of fruitbodies. Total fungal richness was higher in the reserve than in the managed stand, i.e. 28 versus 12 species. The dominant taxa at both sites were Fomitopsis pinicola and Fomes The aim of this research was to evaluate the amount of woody debris (m^3/ha) on the forest floor and the associated wood-colonizing fungi. The study was performed in the Taborz region, known for its Scots pine provenance experiments, against the background of a recently launched Polish legislation to protect the biodiversity on the forest floor in managed (harvested) stands. We investigated a managed stand (136-years-old) and the reserve stand ‘Sosna Taborska’(261-years-old). In the reserve stand, the mean volume of woody debris was six times higher than in the managed forests, i.e. 65 versus 11 m^3/ha. In addition, in the reserve stand, the number of fungi taxa colonizing the dead wood was larger than in the managed stands, with a higher number of fruitbodies. Total fungal richness was higher in the reserve than in the managed stand, i.e. 28 versus 12 species. The dominant taxa at both sites were Fomitopsis pinicola and Fomes fomentarius, although some taxa were only found in the reserve (e.g., Stereum hirsutum). The volume of woody debris as well as the diversity of fungi in the managed stand were lower than in the reserve, albeit greater than in other Scots pine stands in Poland. These results testify to the gains in biodiversity yielded by the management conservation management approach at the reserve stand.

Status and distribution pattern of coarse woody debris along an altitudinal gradient in Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, West Himalaya

A rapid assessment on the status and distribution patterns of coarse woody debris （CWD） was conducted by laying five curvilinear transects （transects A, B, C, D and E; major trails）, along an altitudinal gradient starting from 900 to 2 600 m, in three major watersheds （Charigad, Dogarhigad and upper Gosigad） of Goriganga catchment in Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, India. At every 100 m rise in altitude a hectare plot （100 m x 100 m） was selected. Results showed that the percentage contribution by different succession phases was in the decreasing order： phase I 〉 phase II 〉 phase IV 〉 phase III for snags, and phase III〉 phase II 〉 phase IV 〉 phase I for logs. Snag density in chir pine forest was high in transect A （11 snags＇ha^-1） at 1 500 m, and the value in rianj oak forest was high in transect B （10 snags.ha-l） at 2 300 m. The total available mass of snags and logs in chit pine forest was 13.9 t, of which snags mass accounted for 41% of the total mass and logs mass for 59%. While the total value was 5.6 t in rianj oak forest, of which snags and logs accounted for 60% and 40% of the total mass, respectively. Moreover, the presence of CWD in the study area if not harvested, would provide a great opportunity to the orchids in future to flourish by providing protection. The high densities of snags and logs in chir pine forest at mid-altitudinal zone led to less species richness and lower density of ground flora as the zone receives more light, accompanying with lower soil moisture, and thus only the dominant species occupy the habitat.

Estimation of the Volume of Coarse Woody Debris in Eucalyptus Forest using LiDAR Derived Forest Structure Variables

CWD （coarse woody debris） plays an important role in nutrient cycling, habitat for species and more recently carbon accounting in forest ecosystems. LiDAR （light detection and ranging） technology has demonstrated utility in capturing forest structure information. This paper proposes an indirect method of assessing downed CWD using LiDAR derived forest structure variables. Fieldwork was conducted to measure CWD volume in an Eucalyptus forest in Tasmania. A GLM （generalized linear model） to statistically estimate CWD volume in the Eucalyptus forest was developed using a LiDAR derived FCS （forest characterisation scheme）： the openings above the ground, low and medium vegetation, canopy cover, presence of understorey and mid-storey vegetation and high trees, and the vertical canopy density of high trees. Five structural variables were selected for the best model based on AIC （Akaike＇s Information Criterion） by stepwise selection. The applicability of the model was then compared to the outcome of model using field derived variables such as diameter at breast height of trees. The results show that the model using LiDAR derived variables better estimated the amount of CWD. It is concluded that LiDAR derived forest structural variables has the potential to predict the amount of downed CWD in Eucalyptus forest.

Status and distribution pattern of coarse woody debris along an altitudinal gradient in Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, West Himalaya

A rapid assessment on the status and distribution patterns of coarse woody debris (CWD) was conducted by laying five curvilinear transects (transects A, B, C, D and E; major trails), along an altitudinal gradient starting from 900 to 2 600 m, in three major watersheds (Charigad, Dogarhigad and upper Gosigad) of Goriganga catchment in Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, India. At every 100 m rise in altitude a hectare plot (100 m x 100 m) was selected. Results showed that the percentage contribution by different succession phases was in the decreasing order: phase I > phase II > phase IV > phase III for snags, and phase III > phase II > phase IV > phase I for logs. Snag density in chir pine forest was high in transect A (11 snags·ha-1) at 1 500 m, and the value in rianj oak forest was high in transect B (10 snags·ha-1) at 2 300 m. The total available mass of snags and logs in chir pine forest was 13.9 t, of which snags mass accounted for 41% of the total mass and logs mass for 59%. While the total value was 5.6 t in rianj oak forest, of which snags and logs accounted for 60% and 40% of the total mass, respectively. Moreover, the presence of CWD in the study area if not harvested, would provide a great opportunity to the orchids in future to flourish by providing protection. The high densities of snags and logs in chir pine forest at mid-altitudinal zone led to less species richness and lower density of ground flora as the zone receives more light, accompanying with lower soil moisture, and thus only the dominant species occupy the habitat.

Decay rate of Larix gmelinii coarse woody debris on burned patches in the Greater Khingan Mountains

The decomposition of coarse woody debris(CWD)affects the energy flow and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.Previous studies on CWD have focused on the input,decomposition,reserve dynamics,and CWD functions,but coarse woody debris decomposition is complex and the results from different regions vary considerably.It is not clear which factors affect decay rate(k),especially at different decomposition stages.In this study,a single-exponential decay model was used to analyze the characteristics of CWD decomposition in Larix gmelinii forests over the 33 years following a fire in the Greater Khingan Mountains.The results show that the decay rate of coarse woody debris was positively correlated to decay class.The average decomposition rate was 0.019,and 41 years and 176 years are needed for a 50%and 95%mass loss,respectively.CWD nutrient content,density,and water content could explain the variance in the decay rate(~42%)of the decay factors such as amount of leaching,degree of fragmentation,respiration of the debris,and biotransformation,and varied significantly between different decay classes.Using the space-time substitution method,this study arranged the coarse woody debris of different mortality times to form a 33 year chronosequence which revealed the decomposition process.It was concluded that the decay rate was mainly explained by structural component of the debris and its nitrogen and water contents.This paper quantifies the indicators affecting CWD decay to explain the decomposition process.

Application of Coarse Woody Debris in Urban Greening

Coarse woody debris (CWD) has unique ecological function, historical value and cultural connotation in urban ecosystem, the application prospect of CWD in urban greening was discussed and forecasted.

Low carbon storage of woody debris in a karst forest in southwestern China

The properties of woody debris(WD) vary across different forests under various soil conditions.Owing to the relatively shallow and low amounts of soils on karst terrains, it is necessary to determine the WD carbon inventory of karst forests. In this study, we recorded WD with a basal diameter for standing snags and the largeend diameter for fallen logs of ≥ 1 cm. The carbon density of WD in a secondary karst mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest that had been clear-cut 55 years ago in southwestern China were inventoried in a 2 ha plot. Woody debris carbon density calculated using specific gravity and carbon concentration was 4.07 Mg C ha^-1. Woody debris with diameters ≥ 10 cm(coarse WD) constituted 53.8% of total carbon storage whereas WD < 10 cm in diameters(fine WD) accounted for more pieces of WD(89.9%).Lithocarpus confinis contributed the most WD carbon(26.5%). Intermediate decayed WD was relatively more abundant, but WD with final decay contributed the least to the total pieces of WD(6.7%). The contribution of WD to carbon storage of karst forest was low compared to other forests worldwide. Significant positive correlations were found between WD carbon and biodiversity(R^2= 0.035,p < 0.01) and elevation(R^2= 0.047, p < 0.01) and negative correlations was found in outcrop coverage(R^2= 0.034, p <0.01). Further studies are needed to elucidate the ecological functions of WD to better understand their roles in maintaining biodiversity, enhancing productivity, and controlling vegetation degradation in karst forest ecosystems.

Stock and Flow of Carbon in Plant Woody Debris in Two Different Types of Natural Forests in Bateke Plateau, Central Africa

In order to know the role of plant woody debris in the carbon cycle, a study of carbon stocks and carbon flow of plant woody debris was conducted in the natural forests of the centre of the republic of Congo in the Bateke Plateau. Allometric equations were used to measure the carbon stock of in dead wood debris of Lesio-louna tropical rainforest. Three plots of 40 m × 40 m were delimited in each forest types. All plots were within 300 m of each other. The average stocks of carbon in coarse woody debris obtained are 10993 g·m-2 and 14172 g&#183m-2, respectively, in the Gallery forest (GF) and the hill-slope forest clump (HF), the difference of carbon stock between the two forests is not significant (p = 0.78). The interannual mean flow in both forests is respectively 1776 and 545 g·m-2&#183an-1 in the FG and the MSDS;this medium is not significant (p = 0.10). Carbon stocks of fine woody debris are respectively 965 and 83 g·m-2 in the GF and HF, difference is significant (p = 0.0013). The interannual mean flow of carbon in fine woody debris in the GF and the HF were respectively 310 g·m-2·an-1 and 51 g·m-2·an-1.

Changes in plant debris and carbon stocks across a subalpine forest successional series

Background:As a structurally and functionally important component in forest ecosystems,plant debris plays a crucial role in the global carbon cycle.Although it is well known that plant debris stocks vary greatly with tree species composition,forest type,forest origin,and stand age,simultaneous investigation on the changes in woody and non-woody debris biomass and their carbon stock with forest succession has not been reported.Therefore,woody and non-woody debris and carbon stocks were investigated across a subalpine forest successional gradient in Wanglang National Nature Reserve on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Results:Plant debris ranged from 25.19 to 82.89 Mg∙ha−1 and showed a global increasing tendency across the subalpine forest successional series except for decreasing at the S4 successional stage.Accordingly,the ratios of woody to non-woody debris stocks ranged from 26.58 to 208.89,and the highest and lowest ratios of woody to non-woody debris stocks were respectively observed in mid-successional coniferous forest and shrub forest,implying that woody debris dominates the plant debris.In particular,the ratios of coarse to fine woody debris stocks varied greatly with the successional stage,and the highest and lowest ratios were found in later and earlier successional subalpine forests,respectively.Furthermore,the woody debris stock varied greatly with diameter size,and larger diameter woody debris dominated the plant debris.Correspondingly,the carbon stock of plant debris ranged from 10.30 to 38.87 Mg∙ha−1 across the successional series,and the highest and lowest values were observed in the mid-coniferous stage and shrub forest stage,respectively.Most importantly,the carbon stored in coarse woody debris in later successional forests was four times higher than in earlier successional forests.Conclusions:The stock and role of woody debris,particularly coarse woody debris,varied greatly with the forest successional stage and dominated the carbon cycle in the subalpine forest ecosystem.Thus,preserving coarse woody debris is a critical strategy for sustainable forest management.

Concept and Classification of Coarse Woody Debris in Forest Ecosystems

Coarse woody debris(CWD)is generally considered as dead woody materials in various stages of decomposition,including sound and rotting logs,snags,and large branches.CWD is an important functional and structural component of forested ecosystems and plays an important role in nutrient cycling,long-term carbon storage,tree regeneration,and maintenance of heterogeneous environmental and biological diversity.However,the definition and classification of CWD have been the subject of a long debate in forest ecology.CWD has not been precisely defined.Recently,with the rapid development of landscape ecology in CWD,the USDA Forest Service and the Long Term Ecological Research(LTER)have provided a standardized definition and classification for CWD,which makes data comparison in landscape scale possible.Important characteristics of their definition include:(1)a minimum diameter(or an equivalent crosssection)of CWD≥10 cm at the widest point(the woody debris with a diameter from 1 to 10 cm should be defined as fine woody debris,and the rest is litterfall);and(2)sound and rotting logs,snags,stumps,and large branches(located above the soil),and coarse root debris(larger than 1 cm in diameter).This classification has greatly facilitated CWD studies.Therefore,it has been widely applied in some countries(particularly in North America).However,this classification has long been a source of confusion for forest ecologists in China.Furthermore,different definitions and criteria are still adopted in individual studies,which makes the interpretation and generalization of their work difficult.This article reviewed recent progress in classifying CWD,with an emphasis on introducing the classification system of the USDA Forest Service and the LTER.It is expected that this review will help facilitate the development of standardized definition and classification suitable to forest ecosystems in China.

粗木质残体(CWD)的水文生态功能——当前森林水文研究中被忽视的重要环节

目前对森林生态系统粗木质残体的研究主要着眼于数量动态、分布格局、分解速率以及对生物多样性保护的作用上 ,而对江河上游森林生态系统中粗木质残体的水文调蓄、缓洪滞淤等功能至今还未能引起足够的重视。CWD作为森林生态系统的重要部分 ,其水文生态功能的发挥主要是通过影响降水在林内的再分配以及林内微环境来实现的。森林CWD水文功能的发挥要同时受到外界环境和其本身持水性能的影响。CWD腐朽级的级别愈高 ,自然相对含水量愈高 ,而且愈容易吸水达到饱和。在长江上游亚高山暗针叶林生态系统中 ,自然状态下CWD可以蓄持约 7.41mm的降水 ,若使CWD全部达到饱和则可以蓄持降水达 9.91mm ,这意味着自然状态下的CWD的有效持水量可达到 2 .5 0mm ,无疑对于长江上游森林生态系统的蓄水调水。

广州三种森林粗死木质残体(CWD)的储量与分解特征

粗死木质残体(Coarse Woody Debris,CWD)对森林生态系统的稳定性具有不可忽视的贡献。对广州3种森林CWD的储量与分解特征进行了调查分析,结果表明:(1)CWD储量及其与相应森林总生物量比值均表现为常绿阔叶林>针阔混交林>针叶林;枯立木与倒木为CWD的主要成分,其中,针叶CWD主要物种为马尾松(Pinus massonianai),阔叶CWD物种主要为荷木(Schima superba)与黄杞(Engelhardtia chrysolepis)等。(2)CWD径级主要集中在<10cm的范围内,存在状态主要为中级腐烂状态,干扰与竞争是3种森林CWD产生的主要因素。(3)针叶林、针阔混交林与常绿阔叶林CWD的分解常数k分别为0.0244、0.0407和0.0487,即分解速率为常绿阔叶林>混交林>针叶林;随着CWD的分解,N、P与木质素的含量逐渐升高,C、C/N与木质素/N呈降低趋势。

长江上游暗针叶林生态系统CWD水文效应研究(英文)

粗木质残体 (CWD)对于长江上游暗针叶林生态系统水管理具有极其重要的作用。通过研究表明 :长江上游暗针叶林生态系统的CWD总量是 10 1 74m3/hm2 ,它的组成体———倒木和站杆在不同演替阶段的容积和腐烂程度是明显不同的 ,随演替递进 ,程度加大 ,分布呈正态分布。CWD的腐朽级以处于第Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ级为主 ,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ级的倒木、站杆和总的CWD蓄积量分别占倒木、站杆和粗木质残体总蓄积量的 86 12 % ,78 4 0 %和 79 6 5 % ,CWD的吸湿和脱湿过程是时间的指数函数。随着腐烂程度降低 ,CWD的持水能力也降低。Ⅰ级粗木质残体的天然和饱和的持水能力是 10 0 % ,Ⅴ级能分别达到它本身干———湿状态的 3 5～ 7 5倍 ,倒木的持水性大约是站杆的 10倍。暗针叶林生态系统的天然粗木质残体 ,能够截持 7 4 1mm的降雨量 ,饱和粗木质残体能够截持 9

天宝岩3种典型森林类型CWD持水能力的比较

对天宝岩国家级自然保护区3种典型森林类型内粗死木质残体(CWD)的持水量进行研究。结果表明,柳杉(Crytomeria fortunei)林内CWD的持水量最低;不同森林类型各类CWD的水分蓄持能力不同,猴头杜鹃(Rhododendron simiarum)林内以倒木>枯立木>树桩,长苞铁杉(Tsuga longibracteata)林和柳杉林内为枯立木>倒木>树桩;CWD有效持水量和自然含水率随CWD腐烂程度增加呈上升趋势。

胜山阔叶红松林粗木质残体空间分布格局

为探究胜山阔叶红松(Pinus koraiensis)林粗木质残体(Coarse woody debris,CWD)的形成过程及机制,采用点格局分析法对10.4 hm^(2)大型样地内不同分类的CWD的空间格局、空间关联性进行了研究。结果表明:(1)总CWD在0—7 m尺度聚集分布,7—50 m尺度随机分布。(2)腐烂等级5级CWD、倒木、伐根在所有尺度随机分布;其他CWD随尺度增大由聚集分布转为随机分布,但格局尺度不同(在2—10 m之间)。(3)大、中径级与小径级CWD在0—4 m、0—6 m尺度正相关;高腐烂等级与低腐烂等级CWD在0—5 m尺度以内正相关;枯立木与倒木在0—4 m尺度正相关;落叶松(Larix gmelinii)CWD与小径级、腐烂等级2级的红皮云杉(Picea koraiensis)CWD在0—3 m尺度正相关,与中径级、腐烂等级1、2级在13—16 m尺度负相关。胜山阔叶红松林CWD的形成是由树种特性、小尺度的个体竞争、大尺度的自然衰老、外界干扰、生境异质性等共同决定的;大、中径级对小径级CWD、先形成对后形成CWD、枯立木对倒木具有一定的正向影响,落叶松对红皮云杉CWD在小尺度有正向影响,而在稍大尺度有负面影响;在一定程度上揭示了该林型CWD的形成过程和机制。