A new methodology for estimating forest NPP based on forest in-ventory data——a case study of Chinese pine forest

Accurately estimating forest net primary productivity (NPP) plays an important role in study of global carbon budget. A NPP model reflecting the synthetic effects of both biotic (forest stand age, A and stem volume, V) and climatic factors (mean annual actual evapotranspiration, E) was developed for Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) forest by making full use of Forest Inventory Data (FID) and dynamically assessing forest productivity. The NPP of Chinese pine forest was estimated by using this model and the fourth FID (1989–1993), and the spatial pattern of NPP of Chinese pine forest was given by Geography Information System (GIS) software. The results indicated that mean NPP value, of Chinese pine forest was 7.82 t m?2·a?1 and varied at the range of 3.32–11.87 t hm?2·a?1. NPP distribution of Chinese pine forests was significantly different in different regions, higher in the south and lower in the north of China. In terms of the main distribution regions of Chinese pine, the NPPs of Chinese pine forest in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces were in middle level, with an average NPP of 7.4 t hm?2·a?1, that in the southern and the eastern parts (e.g. Shichuang Hunan, Henan, and Liaoning provinces) was higher (over 7.7 t hm?2·a?1), and that in the northern part and western part (e.g. Neimenggu and Ningxia provinces) was lower (below 5 t hm?2·a?1). This study provides an efficient way for using FID to understand the dynamics of foest NPP and evaluate its effects on global climate change. Keywords Forest NPP - Forest inventory data - Chinese pine forest - Climatic and biotic NPP model - Spatial distribution pattern CLC number S727.22 - S757.2 Document code A Foundation item: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 30028001, 49905005), National Key Basic Research Specific Foundation (G1999043407); the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSC2-1-07).Biography: ZHAO Min (1973-), female, Ph. D. in Laboratory of Quantitative Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, P. R. China.Responsible editor: Zhu Hong

Evaluation of seed production in a first-generation seed orchard of Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis)

We evaluated seed production in a first-gener- ation orchard of Chinese pine （Pinus tabuliformis） during the crucial transition period from first generation to advanced generations. Clones varied significantly in all traits related to seed production. Repeatability of these traits ranged from 0 to 0.96. Seed production per ramet （SPPR）, seed producing index （SPI）, the number of relative female strobili （RFS）, the number of scales, and the num- ber of ineffective scales had comparatively high repeata- bility at 0.86, 0.87, 0.89, 0.96, and 0.91, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that SPPR was greatly influenced by RFS and by the number of full seeds per cone. Finally, we showed that SPI was the best predictor of the seed-producing ability of clones. Our findings will assist seed orchard managers in effectively predicting and improving seed production of Chinese pine seed orchards.

Ectomycorrhizal Fungus-Induced Changes of Cu and Cd Speciation in the Rhizosphere of Chinese Pine Seedlings

To understand the role of ectomycorrhizas in improving the tolerance of its host to excessive heavy metals in soil, this study was conducted to exam the patterns of four fractions (the exchangeable, the carbonate-bound, the Fe-Mn oxide- bound and the organically bound) of both Cu and Cd in the rhizosphere of Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) seedlings grown in excessive Cu and Cd environment. The results showed that the speciation of Cu and Cd in the rhizosphere was significantly influenced by inoculation of ectomycorrhizal fungus Boletus edulis. Compared to the rhizosphere, the content of exchangeable Cu slightly decreased in the mycorrhizosphere of the seedlings grown in 166 and 400 mg kg-1 Cu contaminated soil, whereas the exchangeable Cd in the mycorrhizosphere decreased remarkably to only 33% and to 60% that of the rhizosphere at 0.75 and 1.50 mg kg-1 Cd levels, respectively. These indicate the potential capacity of mycorrhizas to alleviate the damage of heavy metals to the host plants by reducing the bioavailability of heavy metals in soil. Distribution of the 4 tested fractions of Cu and Cd at different contamination levels showed that there was a strong tendency of changing from loosely associated fractions to strongly associated fractions in the mycorrhizosphere. The most stable Cd fraction, organically bound Cd, was significantly larger in the mycorrhizosphere than in the rhizosphere at different Cd contamination levels. This phenomenon was also observed for Cu but the difference was not statistically significant.

Forest recovery after clear-cutting in Chinese pine(Pinus tabuliformis) plantations of North China

In Hebei Province of North China, forest was recovered with natural recruitment in plantations with large area of clear-cutting Chinese pine（Pinus tabuliformis）. This study was aimed to demonstrate the dynamic characteristics of recruits during the natural recruitment. Both plot survey and the spatial point-pattern analysis were performed. Five developmental stages of natural recruitment were selected and studied, including 1 year before and 2, 5, 8, and 11 years after clear-cutting. Different slope aspects were also included. Natural recruitment was always dominated by Chinese pine with a proportion of higher than 90%. For plots of 1 year before clear-cutting on east-and north-facing slopes, recruit densities were 7886 and 5036 stems/hm2, the average heights were 0.78（±0.85） and 1.06（±1.15） m, and the average diameters at breast height（DBH） were 3.21（±1.38） and 2.91（±1.38） cm, respectively. After clear-cutting, recruit density was initially increased, then it was gradually declined with time; however, the variation of average DBH was contrary to that of recruit density. Both of them were no longer varied between 8 and 11 years after clear-cutting. The average height of recruits continued to increase after clear-cutting. For the plots of 11 years after clear-cutting on east-and north-facing slopes, average heights of recruits reached 2.00（±1.14） and 2.24（±1.20） m, respectively. The statuses of recruits on north-facing slopes were better than those on east-facing slopes after clear-cutting. Meanwhile, recruits on east-facing slopes were always aggregated at small scales, while spatial pattern of recruits varied with time on north-facing slopes. Moreover, forest was recovered more quickly by natural recruitment than by artificial afforestation after clear-cutting. The structural diversity was higher in naturally regenerated forests than in plantations of the same age. Our results demonstrated that clear-cutting of Chinese pine plantations recovered by natural recruitment has the potential to be an effective approach for establishing multifunctional forest.

Effects of red-yellow soil acidification on seed germination of Chinese pine

Acid treatments significantly change the physical and chemical properties of red yellow soil by lowering its pH value and leaching out aluminum(Al) ions that are harmful to the growth of plants. The structure of soil will be damaged, resulting in higher viscosity, higher water retention rate and lower air permeability of the soil. The germination rate of Chinese pine( Pinus tabulacformic Carr. ) seeds sowed in soil treated with sulphuric acid(H 2SO 4) decreased compared to that for untreated soil. The direct cause was the large amount of Al ions leached out because of low pH values(≥3.5). The added acid decreased the soil aggregation and increased the number of micro aggregates(under 250 μm in diameter). Such changes increased the soil's viscosity, which tied the pine needles to the soil after the seeds had germinated and prevented the seedlings from fully developing.

Effect of laser pretreatment on germination and membrane lipid peroxidation of Chinese pine seeds under drought stress

The germination of laser-irradiated Chinese pine seeds was carried out under drought stress.The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and peroxidase(POD),and the content of malondialdehyde(MDA)were determined.Results showed notably increased germination percentage,root length,vitality index and fresh weight.The SOD and POD protective enzyme system activity of the Chinese pine seedlings obviously rose.It can be concluded that the germi-nation and juvenile resistance of Chinese pine seeds under drought stress are enhanced after laser processing.

Response of understory plant species richness and tree regeneration to thinning in Pinus tabuliformis plantations in northern China

Background:Chinese pine(Pinus tabuliformis Carr.)is one of the major afforestation species in northern China and plays a key role in restoring forest ecosystems and preserving soil and water.However,most Chinese pine plantations are experiencing ecological problems such as the low diversity of understory plants and difficulty in natural regeneration.Thinning has been widely used to maintain and improve a variety of forest ecosystem services from plantations.To date,however,few studies have been conducted to systematically determine the effects of thinning on understory plant diversity and the regeneration of Chinese pine in plantations.Methods:We conducted a literature search,and selected 22 publications covering a total of 83 treatments related to thinning effects on the species richness of understory plants and 15 publications covering a total of 43 treatments related to thinning effects on the regeneration of Chinese pine,in tree plantations of northern China.The data from the literature were synthesized and evaluated with meta-analysis approach to determine the treatment effects.Results:Compared with the control stands,thinning increased the species richness of shrubs and herbs by an average of 25.3%and 26.5%,respectively.While the varying thinning intensities all had significantly positive effects on the species richness of understory plants,only moderate thinning(30%–50%)had a positive effect on the density of regenerating seedlings and saplings of Chinese pine(60.2%).The species richness of understory plants was greatest after 14 years of thinning with an increase of 36.3%,whereas the density of regenerating Chinese pine seedlings and saplings reached a maximum after≥11 years of thinning with an increase of 76.5%,compared to that of the unthinned stands.Thinning in the half-mature plantations had the greatest effects on the understory shrub richness(44.1%)and the density of regenerating Chinese pine seedlings and saplings(86.5%).Both single and multiple thinning were found to significantly promote the species richness of understory plants and the density of regenerating Chinese pine seedlings and saplings,and the positive effects of thinning were greater in areas with a humidity index(HI)<30 than in areas with an HI≥30.In general,age group,planting density and recovery time were prominent factors affecting the species richness of understory plants,whereas the slope,HI and recovery time were the dominant controls of the density of regenerating Chinese pine seedlings and saplings,indicating differential effects of thinning on the species richness of understory plants and the regeneration capacity of Chinese pine in plantations.Conclusion:Thinning appears to be a feasible management measure to improve the understory plant diversity and regeneration capacity of Chinese pine in plantations.We postulate that moderate thinning in half-mature forest stands with an HI<30 can help effectively promote the species diversity of understory plants and the natural regeneration of Chinese pine,thereby maintaining a more resilient stand structure and the development of Chinese pine plantations.

Response of density-related fine root production to soil and leaf traits in coniferous and broad-leaved plantations in the semiarid loess hilly region of China

Fine roots are the most active and functional component of root systems and play a significant role in the acquisition of soil resources. Density is an important structural factor in forest plantations but information on changes in fine roots along a density gradient is limited. In this study, plantations of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis Carr.) with four density classes were analyzed for the influence of soil and leaf traits on fine root growth. Fine root biomass increased with stand density. High fine root biomass was achieved through increases in the fine root production and turnover rate in the high-density black locust plantations and through an increase in fine root production in the pine plantations. In the high-density Chinese pine stand, there was a high fine root turnover which, coupled with high fine root production, contributed to a high fine root biomass. Overall, fine root production and turnover rate were closely related to soil volumetric water content in both kinds of plantations, while fine root biomass, especially the component of necromass, was related to soil nutrient status, which refers to phosphorous content in black locust plantations and nitrogen content in Chinese pine plantations. There was a close linkage between leaf area index and fine root dynamics in the black locust plantations but not in the pine plantations.

A Study on the Impacts of Climate Change on the Distribution of Pinus tabulaeformis in China

A special interpolation program GREEN has been developed to determine the climatic parameters for the distribution region of Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) based on the researches on the distribution of the tree species. The central region, which is the most suitable distribution region, and potential distribution region of the species under current climatic conditions were mapped using a Geographic Information System IDRISI. According to the averaged predictions by 5 GCMs for 2030, a projecti...