Phosphorus limitation on CO_(2)fertilization effect in tropical forests informed by a coupled biogeochemical model

Tropical forests store more than half of the world's terrestrial carbon(C)pool and account for one-third of global net primary productivity(NPP).Many terrestrial biosphere models(TBMs)estimate increased productivity in tropical forests throughout the 21st century due to CO_(2)fertilization.However,phosphorus(P)liaitations on vegetation photosynthesis and productivity could significantly reduce the CO_(2)fertilization effect.Here,we used a carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus coupled model(Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model;DLEM-CNP)with heterogeneous maximum carboxylation rates to examine how P limitation has affected C fluxes in tropical forests during1860-2018.Our model results showed that the inclusion of the P processes enhanced model performance in simulating ecosystem productivity.We further compared the simulations from DLEM-CNP,DLEM-CN,and DLEMC and the results showed that the inclusion of P processes reduced the CO_(2)fertilization effect on gross primary production(GPP)by 25%and 45%,and net ecosystem production(NEP)by 28%and 41%,respectively,relative to CN-only and C-on ly models.From the 1860s to the 2010s,the DLEM-CNP estimated that in tropical forests GPP increased by 17%,plant respiration(Ra)increased by 18%,ecosystem respiration(Rh)increased by 13%,NEP increased by 121%per unit area,respectively.Additionally,factorial experiments with DLEM-CNP showed that the enhanced NPP benefiting from the CO_(2) fertilization effect had been offset by 135%due to deforestation from the 1860s to the 2010s.Our study highlights the importance of P limitation on the C cycle and the weakened CO_(2)fertilization effect resulting from P limitation in tropical forests.

Subtropical forest macro-decomposers rapidly transfer litter carbon and nitrogen into soil mineral-associated organic matter

Background:Forest soils in tropical and subtropical areas store a significant amount of carbon.Recent framework to assess soil organic matter(SOM)dynamics under evolving global conditions suggest that dividing bulk SOM into particulate and mineral-associated organic matter(POM vs.MAOM)is a promising method for identifying how SOM contributes to reducing global warming.Soil macrofauna,earthworms,and millipedes have been found to play an important role in facilitating SOM processes.However,how these two co-existing macrofaunae impac the litter decomposition process and directly impact the formation of POM and MAOM remains unclear.Methods:Here,we set up a microcosm experiment,which consisted of 20 microcosms with four treatments earthworm and litter addition(E),millipedes and litter addition(M),earthworm,millipedes,and litter addition(E+M),and control(only litter addition)in five replicates.The soil and litter were sterilized prior to beginning the incubation experiment to remove any existing microbes.After incubating the samples for 42 days,the litte properties(mass,C,and N contents),soil physicochemical properties,as well as the C and N contents,and POM and MAOM^(13)C abundance in the 0–5 and 5–10 cm soil layers were measured.Finally,the relative influences o soil physicochemical and microbial properties on the distribution of C and N in the soil fractions were analyzed Results:The litter mass,C,and N associated with all four treatments significantly decreased after incubation especially under treatment E+M(litter mass:-58.8%,litter C:-57.0%,litter N:-75.1%,respectively),while earthworm biomass significantly decreased under treatment E.Earthworm or millipede addition alone showed no significant effects on the organic carbon(OC)and total nitrogen(TN)content in the POM fraction,but join addition of both significantly increased OC and TN regardless of soil depth.Importantly,all three macrofauna treatments increased the OC and TN content and decreased the^(13)C abundance in the MAOM fraction.More than65%of the total variations in the distribution of OC and TN throughout the two fractions can be explained by a combination of soil physicochemical and microbial properties.Changes in the OC distribution in the 0–5 cm soi layer are likely due to a decrease in soil pH and an increase in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF),while those in the 5–10 cm layer are probably caused by increases in soil exchangeable Ca and Mg,in addition to fungi and gram-negative(GN)bacteria.The observed TN distribution changes in the 0–5 cm soil likely resulted from a decrease in soil pH and increases in AMF,GN,and gram-negative(GP)bacteria,while TN distribution changes in the 5–10 cm soil could be explained by increases in exchangeable Mg and GN bacteria.Conclusions:The results indicate that the coexistence of earthworms and millipedes can accelerate the litte decomposition process and store more C in the MAOM fractions.This novel finding helps to unlock the processe by which complex SOM systems serve as C sinks in tropical forests and addresses the importance of soil mac rofauna in maintaining C-neutral atmospheric conditions under global climate change.

Effects of tropical forest conversion into oil palm plantations on nitrous oxide emissions:A meta-analysis

Oil palm plantations have dramatically expanded in tropical Asia over the past decades.Although their establishment has been projected to increase nitrous oxide(N_(2)O)emissions,earlier reports have shown inconsistent results.This study analyzed these previously published data to compare N_(2)O emissions in oil palm plantations to reference forests.A linear mixed-eff ects model was used to examine the signifi cance of the eff ect of establishing oil palm plantations on N_(2)O emissions,rather than to calculate mean eff ect sizes because of limitations in the data structure.The results indicated that N_(2)O emissions were signifi cantly greater from oil palm plantations than from reference forests,as expected.This is the fi rst study to report the eff ect of oil palm plantations on N_(2)O emissions by synthesizing previously published data.To quantify the size of this eff ect,additional studies with frequent and long-term monitoring data are needed.

Mapping species assemblages of tropical forests at different hierarchical levels based on multivariate regression trees

Background: Vegetation distribution maps are of great significance for nature protection and management. In diverse tropical forests, accurate spatial mapping of vegetation types is challenging;the high species diversity and abundance of rare species challenge classification concepts, while remote sensing signals may not vary systematically with species composition, complicating the technical capability for delineating vegetation types in the landscape.Methods: We used a combination of field-based compositional data and their relations to environmental variables to predict the distribution of forest types in the Wuzhishan National Natural Reserve(WNNR), Hainan Island,China, using multivariate regression trees(MRT). The MRT was based on arboreal vegetation composition in 132plots of 20 m×20 m with a regular spacing of 1 km. Apart from the MRT, non-metric multidimensional scaling(NMDS) was used to evaluate vegetation-environment relationships.Results: The MRT model worked best when using 14 key environmental variables including topography, climate,latitude and soil, although the difference with the simpler model including only topographical variables was small. The full model classified the 132 plots into 3 vegetation types, 6 formation groups, 20 formations and 65associations at different hierarchical syntaxonomic levels. This model was the basis for forest vegetation maps for the WNNR. MRT and NMDS showed that elevation was the main driving force for the distribution of vegetation types and formation groups. Climate, latitude, and soil(especially available P), together with topographic variables, all influenced the distribution of formations and associations.Conclusions: While elevation determines forest-type distributions, lower-level syntaxonomic forest classes respond to the topographic diversity typical for mountains. Apart from providing the first detailed forest vegetation map for any part of WNNR, we show how, in spite of limitations, MRT with existing environmental data can be a useful method for mapping diverse and remote tropical forests.

Evolution of Floristic Composition and Structural Parameters between Two Management Inventories in a Tropical Forest in the East Cameroon Region

The realization of two management inventories in 2003 and 2020 on the same forest concession made it possible to characterize the floristic composition and to describe some structural parameters on three sites established according to the period of exploitation. Due to the change in the orientation of the lines, it was noted that respectively 82 and 85 species from the first inventory are not found in the second and inversely. A total of 311 species were identified in 2003, compared to 314 in 2020. The density varies from 111 to 140 stems/ha for all the individuals, 19 to 25 for the main species and 15 to 20 for the most exploited species. The decrease in the basal area between the two phases of 12% for all the species and 13% for the main species on the site exploited before the first inventory indicates a persistence of the disturbance for years after logging. It is proposed to supplement the management plans decisions with annual measures based on more complete inventories and to ensure the application of reduced impact logging measures.

Application of site-specific biomass models to quantify spatial distribution of stocks and historical emissions from deforestation in a tropical forest ecosystem

Allometric equations developed for the Lama forest, located in southern Benin, West Africa, were applied to estimate carbon stocks of three vegetation types：undisturbed forest, degraded forest, and fallow. Carbon stock of the undisturbed forest was 2.7 times higher than that in the degraded forest and 3.4 times higher than that in fallow. The structure of the forest suggests that the individual species were generally concentrated in lower diameter classes. Carbon stock was positively correlated to basal area and negatively related to tree density, suggesting that trees in higher diameter classes contributed significantly to the total carbon stock. The study demonstrated that large trees constitute an important component to include in the sampling approach to achieve accurate carbon quantification in forestry. Historical emissions from deforestation that converted more than 30% of the Lama forest into cropland between the years 1946 and 1987 amounted to 260,563.17 tons of carbon per year（t CO2/year） for the biomass pool only. The study explained the application of biomass models and ground truth data to estimate reference carbon stock of forests.

Key drivers of ecosystem recovery after disturbance in a neotropical forest Long-term lessons from the Paracou experiment, French Guiana

Background： Natural disturbance is a fundamental component of the functioning of tropical rainforests let to natural dynamics, with tree mortality the driving force of forest renewal. With ongoing global （i.e. land-use and climate） changes, tropical forests are currently facing deep and rapid modifications in disturbance regimes that may hamper their recovering capacity so that developing robust predictive model able to predict ecosystem resilience and recovery becomes of primary importance for decision-making： （i） Do regenerating forests recover faster than mature forests given the same level of disturbance？ （ii） is the local topography an important predictor of the post-disturbance forest trajectories？ （iii） Is the community functional composition, assessed with community weighted-mean functional traits, a good predictor of carbon stock recovery？ （iv） How important is the climate stress （seasonal drought and/or soil water saturation） in shaping the recovery trajectory？ Methods： Paracou is a large scale forest disturbance experiment set up in 1984 with nine 6.25 ha plots spanning on a large disturbance gradient where 15 to 60% of the initial forest ecosystem biomass were removed. More than 70,000 trees belonging to ca. 700 tree species have then been censused every 2 years up today. Using this unique dataset, we aim at deciphering the endogenous （forest structure and composition） and exogenous （local environment and climate stress） drivers of ecosystem recovery in time. To do so, we disentangle carbon recovery into demographic processes （recruitment, growth, mortality fluxes） and cohorts （recruited trees, survivors）. Results： Variations in the pre-disturbance forest structure or in local environment do not shape significantly the ecosystem recovery rates. Variations in the pre-disturbance forest composition and in the post-disturbance climate significantly change the forest recovery trajectory. Pioneer-rich forests have slower recovery rates than assemblages of late-successional species. Soil water saturation during the wet season strongly impedes ecosystem recovery but not seasonal drought. From a sensitivity analysis, we highlight the pre-disturbance forest composition and the post-disturbance climate conditions as the primary factors controlling the recovery trajectory. Conclusions＂ Highly-disturbed forests and secondary forests because they are composed of a lot of pioneer species will be less able to cope with new disturbance. In the context of increasing tree mortality due to both （i） severe droughts imputable to climate change and （ii） human-induced perturbations, tropical forest management should focus on reducing disturbances by developing Reduced Impact Logging techniques.

Demographic variation and habitat specialization of tree species in a diverse tropical forest of Cameroon

Background： Many tree species in tropical forests have distributions tracking local ridge-slope-valley topography. Previous work in a 50-ha plot in Korup National Park, Cameroon, demonstrated that 272 species, or 63% of those tested, were significantly associated with topography. Methods： We used two censuses of 329,000 trees ≥1 cm dbh to examine demographic variation at this site that would account for those observed habitat preferences. We tested two predictions. First, within a given topographic habitat, species specializing on that habitat （＇residents＇） should outperform species that are specialists of other habitats （＇foreigners＇）. Second, across different topographic habitats, species should perform best in the habitat on which they specialize （＇home＇） compared to other habitats （＇away＇）. Species＇ performance was estimated using growth and mortality rates. Results： In hierarchical models with species identity as a random effect, we found no evidence of a demographic advantage to resident species. Indeed, growth rates were most often higher for foreign species. Similarly, comparisons of species on their home vs. away habitats revealed no sign of a performance advantage on the home habitat. Conclusions＂ We reject the hypothesis that species distributions along a ridge-valley catena at Korup are caused by species differences in trees _〉1 cm dbh. Since there must be a demographic cause for habitat specialization, we offer three alternatives. First, the demographic advantage specialists have at home occurs at the reproductive or seedling stage, in sizes smaller than we census in the forest plot. Second, species may have higher performance on their preferred habitat when density is low, but when population builds up, there are negative density-dependent feedbacks that reduce performance. Third, demographic filtering may be produced by extreme environmental conditions that we did not observe during the census interval.

Aboveground Woody Biomass, Carbon Stocks Potential in Selected Tropical Forest Patches of Tripura, Northeast India

To estimate woody plant biomass stocks in different patches of forest ecosystems, total 20, 500 × 10 m (0.5 ha) sized line transects were laid in a protected area of Tripura, Northeast India. Overall, 9160 individuals were measured at ≥10 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) in 10 ha sampled area. Estimation of biomass suggested that highest coefficient for allometric relationships between density and biomass in 10 dbh classes was observed in bamboo brakes (R2 = 0.90) than lowest for semi evergreen patch (R2 = 0.48). The stock of carbon (C) was differ significantly along the forest patches (F = 7.01, df = 3.19;p < 0.01). Most of biomass stock (69.38%) was accumulated in lower dbh class (<30 cm) and only 23% of biomass was estimated at higher dbh classes (> 70 cm). Range of biomass stock (37.85 - 85.58 Mg ha-1) was low, compared to other tropical forest ecosystems in India, which implies that the proper management is required to monitor regional ecosystem C pool.

Progresses on SAR Remote Sensing of Tropical Forests:Forest Biomass Retrieval and Analysis of Changing Weather Conditions

This paper is intended to report on the progresses made during the Dragon-4 project Three and Four-Dimensional Topographic Measurement and Validation(ID:32278),sub-project Multi-baseline SAR Processing for 3 D/4 D Reconstruction(ID:322782).The work here reported focuses on two important aspects of SAR remote sensing of tropical forests,namely the retrieval of forest biomass and the assessment of effects due to changing weather conditions.Recent studies have shown that by using SAR tomography the backscattered power at 30 m layer above the ground is linearly correlated to the forest Above Ground Biomass(AGB).However,the two parameters that determine this linear relationship might vary for different tropical forest sites.For purpose of solving this problem,we investigate the possibility of using Li DAR derived AGB to help training the two parameters.Experimental results obtained by processing data from the Tropi SAR campaign support the feasibility of the proposed concept.This analysis is complemented by an assessment of the impact of changing weather conditions on tomographic imaging,for which we simulate BIOMASS repeat pass tomography using ground-based Tropi SCAT data with a revisit time of 3 days and rainy days included.The resulting backscattered power variation at 30 m is within 1.5 d B.For this forest site,this error is translated into an AGB error of about 50~80 t/hm^(2),which is 20%or less of forest AGB.

Impacts of forest management on liana diversity and community structure in a tropical forest in Ghana:implications for conservation

We studied the impacts of liana cutting as a forest management tool on liana diversity （species richness, Shannon diversity index） and community structure （diam- eter distribution, basal area, species dominance） in the Asenanyo Forest Reserve, Ghana. Two types of silvicul- turally treated forests were studied： Logging treated （LT） and Tropical Shelterwood System （TSS） treated forests. An untreated primary forest was included as a control, result- ing in three forest management systems. Lianas with diameter 〉2 cm were identified in ten 40 × 40 m2 plots within each management system. Liana cutting signifi- cantly reduced liana species richness, Shannon diversity index, and basal area in the LT forest after two decades. However, liana species richness and basal area werecomparable in the TSS treated and untreated forests, indi- cating significant recovery in the former after over six decades. Sφrensen similarity index of liana species com- position between the untreated forest and each of the treated forests was moderate. Our findings suggest that liana cutting most likely influenced the dominance of some liana species. In view of the adverse impact of blanket liana cutting on liana diversity, selective liana cutting is rec- ommended as a means of controlling liana numbers while maintaining liana diversity.

Contemporary climate infuence on variability patterns of Anadenanthera colubrina var.cebil,a key species in seasonally dry tropical forests

The distribution of many plant species has been shaped by climate changes,and their current phenotypic and genetic variability refect microclimatically suitable habitats.This study relates contemporary climate to variability patterns of phenotypic traits and molecular markers in the Argentinean distribution of Anadenanthera colubrina var.cebil,as well as to identify the most relevant phenotypic trait or molecular marker associated with those patterns.Individuals from four populations in both biogeographic provinces,Paranaense and Yungas,were investigated.Multivariate analyses and multiple linear regressions were carried out to determine relationships among phenotypic traits and nuclear microsatellites,respectively,to climatic variables,and to identify the phenotypic traits as well as nuclear microsatellite loci most sensitive to climate.Two and three clusters of individuals were detected based on genetic and phenotypic data,respectively.Only clusters based on genetic data refected the biogeographic origin of individuals.Reproductive traits were the most relevant indicators of climatic effects.One microsatellite locus Ac41.1 appeared to be non-neutral presenting a strong correlation with climate variable temperature seasonality.Our findings show complex patterns of genetic and phenotypic variability in the Argentinean distribution of A.colubrina var.cebil related to the present or contemporary climate,and provides an example for an integrative approach to better understand climate impact on contemporary genetic and phenotypic variability in light of global climate change.

Effects of selective logging on tree diversity and some soil characteristics in a tropical forest in southwest Ghana

We investigated the effects of selective logging disturbances on tree diversity and soil characteristics in the Bia Conservation Area in southwest Ghana. The study was conducted in unlogged, 29-35 years post-logged and swamp forests using ten 25 m× 25 m plots. In total, we identified 310 individual trees belonging to 87 species. Mean Shannon-Weiner index was highest in the post-logged forest but there were no significant differences in tree density, dominance, or DBH size class distributions between these forests. Soil physical properties such as pH and bulk density up to 30 cm depth were similar in the two of forests In terms of soil nutrient status, available P, exchangeable K and total N contents were all similar in the unlogged and post-logged forests. Our findings suggest that the effects of logging on tree diversity are compara-tively long-term, in contrast to its short-term effects on some top soil physical and chemical characteristics.

Dynamics of tree species ecological groups in logged and unlogged tropical forests in the Venezuelan western plains

The study of tree mortality and recruitment contributes to the understanding of forest dynamics and, at the same time, supplies a baseline to evaluate the impact of human activities. The study site is a moist semi-deciduous forest located in the Caparo Forest Reserve, Venezuela. Tree data were obtained from permanent plots established in unlogged and logged stands. Successive measurements were taken during a 15 yr period. Tree species mortality and recruitment was analyzed for individuals with diameter at breast height （d）〉-- 10 cm. The species were classified according to their shade tolerance （low or intolerant, intermediate and high or tolerant） and the maximum height （hmax） （small〈15 m, medium： 15-30 m and large 〉30 m）. Palms were considered as a separate group. In the unlogged stands 307 and 274 trees ha-1 were found at the beginning and final time of the monitoring period, respectively. These trees were classified into 55 and 48 species, respectively. Among them predominate species from the shade intermediate tolerant and large size group and palms. Similarly, in the logged forest 155 and 207 trees ha^-1 were found, whereas 59 and 60 tree species were recorded. Only four species were found with 〉10 individuals had, the majority of these species belong to the functional group of shade intolerant medium size species, which may be partly explained by forest recovering after selective logging. In the unlogged stands the mean annual rate of tree mortality is 2.61% and the highest values corresponded to shade intermediate tolerant and intolerant small size species. Tree density was not significantly correlated to tree mortality in both forest conditions （logged and unlogged）. The recruitment rate in the unlogged forest was 1.33%, with the lowest values obtained for the same groups with highest mortality; whereas in the logged stands reached 2.58%, with the highest value for the shade tolerant small size species, followed by shade intermediate tolerant large size species. A significant difference was found between forest conditions for tree recruitment rates （H=0.0649）. In contrast, the correlation between tree mortality and recruitment was higher for logged （r=0.5988） than unlogged stands （r=0.4904） but not significant.

Spatiotemporal Variation of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Some Tropical Forest Streams of the Nyong Catchment (Cameroon)

With the aim of assessing the benthic macroinvertebrates’ diversity, a study was carried out in some tropical forest streams of the Nyong River catchment in Cameroon from February 2019 to February 2020. A total of 167 samples were carried out from 13 stations during 13 months. Some environmental variables were measured. These parameters varied more or less from station to station but significantly at the temporal level. In this study, 13,690 benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 4 phyla, 7 classes, 16 orders and 93 families were collected. The benthic macroinvertebrates were more abundant and more diversified in the stations whose waters are well oxygenated and present a moderate current compared to the stations with a very weak current. The diversity varied significantly from 1.33 ± 0.14 bits/ind to 2.00 ± 0.35 bits/ind and the high values were found in stations with multiple substrates and well-oxygenated waters. Temporally, the diversity varied significantly from 1.10 ± 0.16 bits/ind in NM sampling station in February 2020 to 1.87 ± 0.1 bits/ind in the OB sampling station in September. In addition, the settlement was more abundant during the short dry season, more precisely during the month of August (1471 individuals) but richer during the long dry season during the month of February (54 families). The distribution of the abundances of the benthic fauna in the different stations made it possible to identify five typological groups using the rarefaction curves, the ascending hierarchical classification and the principal component analyses. Each of these five groups is characterized by a specific taxonomic richness, composition and abundance.

Effect of disturbance on biomass,production and carbon dynamics in moist tropical forest of eastern Nepal

Background： Forest biomass is helpful to assess its productivity and carbon （C） sequestration capacity. Several disturbance activities in tropical forests have reduced the biomass and net primary production （NPP） leading to climate change. Therefore, an accurateestimation of forest biomass and C cycling in context of disturbances is required for implementing REDD （Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation） policy. Methods： Biomass and NPP of trees and shrubs were estimated by using allometric equations while herbaceous biomass was estimated by harvest method. Fine root biomass was determined from soil monolith. The C stock in vegetation was calculated by multiplying C concentration to dry weight. Results： Total stand biomass （Mg.ha-1） in undisturbed forest stand （US） was 960.4 while in disturbed forest stand （DS） it was 449.1. The biomass （Mg.ha-1） of trees, shrubs and herbs in US was 948.0, 4.4 and 1.4, respectively, while in DS they were 438.4, 6.1 and 1.2, respectively. Total NPP （Mg.ha-l.yr-1） was 26.58 （equivalent to 12.26 Mg C.ha-1.yr-1） in US and 14.91 （6.88 Mg C.ha-1.yr-1） in DS. Total C input into soil through litter plus root turnover was 6.78 and 3.35 Mg.ha-1.yr-1 in US and DS, respectively. Conclusions： Several disturbance activities resulted in the significant loss in stand biomass （53 %）, NPP （44 %）, and C sequestration capacity of tropical forest vegetation is far greater than that returned to the soil n eastern Nepal. The net uptake of carbon by the by the turnover of fine root and litter. Therefore, both stands of present forest act as carbon accumulating systems. Moreover, disturbance reflects higher C emissions which can be reduced by better management.

Carbon Sequestration in Tropical Forest Stands: Its Control by Plant, Soil and Climatic Factors

This study investigated the relationships amongst floristic, soil and climatic parameters and their control on carbon sequestration (CS) in two selected forest stands of Sri Lanka. Representative sampling sites were selected from the dry zone (Sigiriya forest sanctuary) and the wet zone (Udawattakele forest reserve) of Sri Lanka. Litter and soil samples were collected from each sampling site randomly in monthly intervals to cover an annual cycle. Plant biomass carbon stocks were calculated using standard biomass equations. Soil carbon stocks were determined by chemical oxidation and loss on ignition (LOI) methods. Principle Factor Analysis and multiple regression were used to quantify the relationships among the plants, soil and climatic variables. Plant biomass carbon stocks of the forests were governed by labile and stable C fractions, soil moisture, and plant diversity. The soil fulvic fraction acts as a focal point of interacting the variables such as soil N, free litter fraction (FLF) and humic fraction. During dry period in the dry zone forest, CS was governed by maximum relative humidity through an atmosphere-floor litter-soil continuum. Air temperature and FLF play a vital role in determining soil N. In addition, MacIntosh distance (U) diversity index showed a significant positive relationship with soil N. The dry zone forests are seen to be more climatic sensitive and vulnerable than the wet zone forests in Sri Lanka due to influence of more climatic parameters that govern the soil organic carbon fractions.

Responses of Native Tree Species to Soil Water Stress in a Tropical Forest on Limestone,Vietnam

Forests over limestone in the tropics have received little attention and limestone forests in Vietnam have been overlooked to an even greater extent in terms of tree physiology. In Ba Be National Park, Vietnam, soil water availability in limestone forests seems to be the most limiting factor in the dry season. Therefore, in order to enhance the preliminary knowledge of choosing native tree species for enrichment planting in the restoration zone, characteristics of the 20 native tree species to soil water stress were investigated in a limestone forest. One-ha plot each consisting of twenty-five 20 m × 20 m plots was established in undisturbed forests. All trees ≥ 10 cm DBH were measured in 20 m × 20 m plots, while twenty-five 5 m × 5 m subplots were established in order to sample the regeneration of tree species with a DBH < 10 cm. The Scholander apparatus and freezing point osmometry were used in order to measure the leaf water potential (Ψw) and leaf osmotic potential (Ψπ) of the 20 native tree species, respectively in this study. 61 species belonging to 34 families of all trees with a DBH ≥ 10 cm were recorded in one ha, while 31 species representing 18 families of trees < 10 cm DBH were identified in 625 m2. The 20 species’ leaf water and osmotic potential values revealed significant differences among species. The maximum leaf water potential was not affected by any anticipated sources of variation, while the minimum water potential, however, showed significant variation to soil water stress. The results in the study area emphasized the importance of water factors in influencing tree species distribution;it could be concluded that native species with wide water potential ranges would be better able to withstand water changes and might be thus good candidates for reforestation (enrichment planting) in limestone areas.

Pre-emergence herbicides affect seedling emergence of tropical forest tree species

Testing techniques to reduce weed infestation is a crucial step in developing direct tree seeding systems. The use of pre-emergence herbicides may be an alternative to manual weeding techniques, but so far, information on how they affect the seeds of native tree species is scarce. We established a greenhouse experiment to evaluate the effects of four pre-emergence herbicides (atrazine, diuron, isoxaflutole and oxyfluorfen) on weed suppression and seedling emergence and early growth of seven tropical forest tree species (Annona coriacea Mart., Citharexylum myrianthum Cham., Cordia ecalyculata Vell., Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub., Psidium guajava L., Pterogyne nitens Tul. and Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with five treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of a single dose of each pre-emergence herbicide and a control. Throughout the 60 days after sowing we evaluated weed cover and seedling emergence and early growth of tree species. Overall, our results suggest that all tested herbicides reduced weed cover; however, they also negatively affected tree species seedling emergence. Of the four herbicides tested, atrazine and diuron showed the greatest effects on tree seedling emergence, oxyfluorfen was least aggressive towards native species and isoxaflutole was most effective in weed control. Native tree species varied in their responses to herbicides, indicating that future experiments should increase the number of species tested as well as investigate how seed traits can affect the species responses to different herbicides.

Changes in Chemical Composition of Soluble Organic Chemical Compounds during Litters Decomposition into Tropical Forest of Milletia laurentii De Wild

Recent publication attested that in the urban forest of Brazzaville, litter decomposition is faster with almost 45% of initial weight loss than in the dry season, where an average loss of 26% in initial litter weight is noted (Ifo et al., 2018). This study was carried out in the urban forest of Brazzaville to follow the decomposition of some organic compounds/secondary metabolites (reducing Sugars, total Flavonoid and Polyphenols) of the leaves litters of two tropical species Antiaris toxicaria Lesch and Millettia laurentii De Wild. Thin-layer chromatography and spectrophotometric assay of these metabolites were used on the samples of litters collected in the field on various dates of follow-up of the decomposition (0 d, 14 d, 28 d, 42 d, 56 d, 72 d and 84 d). The chromatographic profile of initial litters shows a series of spots on yellow florescence materializing presence of flavonoids, green fluorescence revealing the presence of the acids phenols derived from the cinnamic acid. But the chromatographic profile of the two litters in decomposition after two weeks remains without structural information, being able to characterize the decomposition of the chemical families highlighted in the initial litters. Also, the analysis of quantitative total reducing sugar in the initial litters, gives average concentrations of 64.4, 58.6, 57.5 g EG/kg Ms respectively for the litters of Millettia laurentii De Wild, Antiaris toxicaria Lesch and the mixed litters (Millettia laurentii and Antiaris toxicaria). Comparatively with the other types of litters, the initial average concentrations in phenolic compounds (polyphenols and flavonoids totals) were the highest for the litters of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch (27.3 g EAG/kg Ms and 13.07 g EC/kg Ms) (P = 0.001). The losses of organic chemical compounds are more significant during the first two weeks of experiment than after this period. Antiaris toxicaria Lesch loses on average 43.8 g EG/kg Ms of reducing Sugars, 12.21 g EC/kg Ms of totals flavonoids and 26.4 g EAG/kg Ms of total polyphenols, equivalent to 30% of loss of the initial weight. Average losses of 45.7 g EG/kg Ms were obtained for reducing sugars, 1.5 g EC/kg Ms for totals flavonoids and 8.72 g EAG/kg Ms for totally phenols in for the litters of Millettia laurentii, comparable to 24% in initial weight loss. This study showed on the one hand, the direct link between rainfall and litters decomposition and the losses in weight of the litters resulted in dissolution in the water of the studied compounds.