Dynamics of profiles and storage of carbon dioxide in broadleaved/Korean forest in Changbai Mountain

CO2 concentrations at different heights in a broadleaved/Korean forest (with a mean height of 26 m) were measured with infrared gas analyzer IRGA (model 2250D, LI-COR Inc. and LI-COR, 820) from Aug. to Oct. of 1999, Apr. to Jul. of 2000, and from Aug. 2002 to Sept. 2003. Based on the collected dada, the diurnal and seasonal dynamics of profiles and storage of carbon dioxide in the forest were analyzed. The diurnal CO2 profiles showed that the vertical distribution of CO2 concentration were different for daytime and nighttime, and the CO2 concentration was highest close to forest floor, no matter at daytime and nighttime. The seasonal profiles of CO2 showed that stratification in the canopy was evident during growth season. CO2 concentrations at different heights (60 m to 2.5 m) had a little change in March, with a difference of 10 mmolmol-1, but had a significant change in July, with a difference of 60 mmolmol-1. In July, there also existed a greater gradient of CO2 concentrations at canopy (22, 26 and 32 m), with a difference of 8 mmolmol-1. The calculated total storage (ΔC/Δt ) of CO2 in the air column with height of 40 m beneath eddy covariance instrument was negative, and made a little contribution to NEE.

Changes in Soil Carbon Pools Induced by Substitution of Plantation for Native Forest

Changes in soil carbon pools under Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) andbamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) plantations substituted for a native forest (Quercus acutissima,Cyclobalanopsis glauca, Cas-tanopsis sclerophylla, Platycarya strobilacea, Lithocarpus glaber) werestudied on the hills with acid parent rock and soils classified as red soils (Ferrisols) in Huzhou,Zhejiang Province of east China. It was found that total soil organic carbon (TSOC), easilyoxidisable carbon (EOC) and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) under bamboo plantation wereincreased, but microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was decreased. On the contrary, Chinese fir induceddeclines of all fractions of C including TSOC, EOC, WSOC and MBC. The percentages of the activefractions of soil C (EOC and WSOC) were increased in the plantations as compared to the nativebroad-leaved forest, but proportions of soil organic C as MBC were decreased. It could be concludedthat bamboo plantation had a great ability of not only fixing C but also accelerating soil C poolcycle, improving nutrient and microorganism activity; therefore, it is a good ecosystem and could berecommended for wide development. Chinese fir would shrink the soil C pool and deteriorate soilbiological fertility, so it did not benefit CO2 fixing and land sustainable utilization.

Primary Host Tree Species of the Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar （Lepidoptera： Lymantriidae）in Hyrcanian Forests

Invasions by exotic insects and diseases are one of the most important threats to the stability and productivity of forest ecosystems around the world. Lymantria dispar （Lepidoptera： Lymantriidae） in Iran was observed for the first time in 1937 by Jalal Afshar in oak forests of the Guilan state region. Since its introduction, gypsy moth has spread to the northern, western and south-western regions of Iran. The largest outbreaks of gypsy moth occurred in the Talesh Oak forests of the Hyrcanian zone in 1975. The gypsy moth is a highly polyphagous folivore species that feeds on over 300 species of woody plants. Among its most preferred hosts are oaks and aspens. Some trees are resistant to the gypsy moth including honey locust, black locust, silver maple, green ash, dogwood, sycamore, horse chestnut, firs, and tulip trees. Defoliation during severe outbreaks alters the appearance of forest habitats and leads to tree mortality and changes in stand composition. This study was conducted during 2008 and 2009 in an effort to determine the primary host tree species that the gypsy moth infests in the Hyrcanian forests of lran. For that purpose all egg masses in the area were counted and conclusively significant differences in defoliation levels among tree species were found. The primary host tree species of gypsy moth in Iran was Persian ironweed, Parrotia persica.