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.

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.

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.

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.

Deadwood position matters:Diversity and biomass of saproxylic beetles in a temperate beech forest

Deadwood plays a key role for biodiversity in forests.A significant number of beetles from this group are currently listed as endangered in the Red List.In addition to other management recommendations,there have been recent efforts to enrich stands with dead wood to promote biodiversity.An important parameter for forestry enterprises is the optimization of these interventions.The study investigated the abundance,species richness,gamma diversity,conservation value and biomass of saproxylic beetles in natural forests using window traps.A total of 89traps were used for saproxylic beetle monitoring,of which 29 were placed on lying logs,30 on snags and 30 as controls in forest stand space.A total of 35,011 beetles were recorded in 564 species(61 families).Notably,20,515 of these belong to saproxylic beetles(59%)in 311 species(55%),with 62 classified as Red-List species(20%).In the group of'all saproxylic beetles',the results indicate that a diversity and y diversity(q=0)remain consistent across various deadwood types,whileβdiversity showed significant differences.Significant differences were found in the Red-List species group,where a diversity and y diversity differed,with higher values observed in snags.Rarefaction based total species richness of site was estimated to be 391 species,including 74 Red-Listed species.Comparing the sample coverage of the studied stand categories showed that all saproxylic species exhibit a pronounced preference for inhabiting areas featuring lying logs.Conversely,Red-List species mainly inhabit snags,withβdiversity being more similar to snags and forest stand space.Notably,both the conservation value(weighted average by conservation status)and beetle biomass are significantly highest in snags,whereas stand space shows the lowest values across all measured saproxylic beetle indices.Furthermore,the use of traps set on the poles in forest stand space resulted in an underestimation of the actual stand richness by 20%-25%.Our results support the conclusion that snags are indispensable features in beech forests,playing a key role in promoting high species diversity,especially among Red-List species,and supporting the biomass of saproxylic beetles.Consequently,it becomes crucial to incorporate a higher percentage of standing deadwood in managed forests or actively create equivalent environments by introducing high stumps.

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.

Dead standing pine trees in a boreal forest landscape in the Kalevala National Park,northern Fennoscandia: amount,population characteristics and spatial pattern

Background： After their death, Scots pine trees can remain standing for decades and sometimes up to 200 years,forming long-lasting and ecologically important structures in boreal forest landscapes. Standing dead pines decay very slowly and with time develop into ‘kelo＇ trees, which are characterized by hard wood with silvery-colored appearance. These kelo trees represent an ecologically important, long lasting and visually striking element of the structure of natural pine-dominated forests in boreal Fennoscandia that is nowadays virtually absent from managed forest landscapes.Methods： We examined and mapped the amount, structural features, site characteristics and spatial distribution of dead standing pine trees over a ten hectare area in an unmanaged boreal forest landscape in the Kalevala National Park in Russian Viena Karelia.Results： The mean basal area of dead standing pine trees in the forested part of the landscape was 1.7 m^2·ha^-1 and the estimated volume 12.7 m^3·ha^-1. From the total number of standing dead pine trees 65% were kelo trees, with a basal area of 1.1 m^2·ha^-1 and volume of 8.0 m^3·ha^-1, the remainder consisting of standing dead pines along the continuum between a recently dead tree and a kelo tree. Overall, standing dead pines were distributed throughout the study area, but there was a tendency towards spatial clustering up to 〈100 m distances. Standing dead pines were most commonly situated on flat ground or in the mid slope in the local topography.In addition, standing dead pines contributed to substrate diversity also by commonly having charred wood and broken tops. Based on the presence of dead pine snags in different stage of transition from a recently dead pine to a kelo with silvery surface, it seems evident that the process of kelo recruitment was continuously in action in the studied landscape.Conclusions： Kelo trees are an omnipresent feature in natural pine-dominated forest landscapes with important contribution to forest structural and substrate diversity. Because of their longevity and extremely slow turnover dynamics and importance for biodiversity, protection of vulnerable kelo tree populations, and ensuring their continuous recruitment, should be of high priority in forest restoration and sustainable management.

喜马拉雅山西部Askot野生动物保护区内粗木质残体沿山高度分布格局与现状

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.

Effects of forest canopy density and epixylic vegetation on nutrient concentrations in decaying logs of a subalpine fir forest

Background:Deadwood and the associated epixylic vegetation influence nutrient cycles in forest ecosystems.Open canopies strongly regulate deadwood decomposition and disrupt epixylic vegetation on logs.However,it is unclear how the forest canopy density and epixylic vegetation growth affect the nutrient concentrations in deadwood.Methods:We measured the concentrations of nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),potassium(K),calcium(Ca),sodium(Na),magnesium(Mg),and manganese(Mn)in experimentally exposed decaying logs placed in gaps,at the edge of gaps,and under the closed canopy during a four-year decomposition experiment in a Subalpine Faxon fir forest(Abies fargesii var.faxoniana)on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,China.To assess the effect of the epixylic vegetation,we experimentally removed it from half of the logs used in the study.Results:Under open canopy conditions in the gap and at the edge,the concentrations for most of the nutrients in the bark and the highly decayed wood were lower than under the closed canopy.The effect of the epixylic treatment on nutrient concentrations for all but K and Na in barks varied with the decay classes.Significantly lower concentrations of N,P,Ca,and Mn following the removal of epixylic vegetation were observed in the wood of decay class IV.Epixylic vegetation significantly increased most nutrient concentrations for decaying barks and wood under open canopy conditions.In contrast,epixylic vegetation had no or minimal effects under the closed canopy.Conclusions:Forest canopy density and epixylic vegetation significantly alter the nutrient concentrations in decaying logs.Open canopies likely accelerate the rate of nutrient cycling between the epixylic vegetation and decaying logs in subalpine forests.

Variable retention forestry in European boreal forests in Russia

We explored whether,and to what extent,variable retention(VR)forestry has been applied in European boreal forests in northwestern Russia.Our survey revealed VR since 1910.Between 1910 and the 1960s,the statistics showing how much was retained are largely missing.However,for example,in the 1950s,on a large scale in the Republic of Karelia,up to 200-ha-sized harvesting areas,18–33%,were retention patches with a mean growing stock of 30–40m3 ha−1.In the fellings defined as“incomplete clear fellings,”which were the most common final felling type at that time,11–40%of the growing stock was left.Between the 1960s and the early 1990s,with more efficient harvesting and skidding techniques,conventional clear fellings with a much lower amount of retention were practiced.Concern about the regeneration of harvested areas gradually led to smaller(maximum 50 ha)harvesting areas and the increase of silvicultural activities.Until now,to ensure natural regeneration,patches of understory and 20–25 seed trees(i.e.,ca.15–25m3)per ha have been left permanently in harvesting areas.Landscape-scale retention for protecting ecosystem functions and biodiversity was legislated in 1978 by preserving key biotopes up to 1000 ha in size.Since 2001,promoted by forest certification,the key biotopes,such as paludified forest patches,buffers around water bodies,and habitats of red-listed species,have also been retained in harvesting areas,together with a dispersed retention of different elements.Quantitative estimates of the amount of key biotopes are largely missing.However,estimates of 1–13%in harvesting areas and 23%in whole managed landscapes have been given.VR applied during the last century has emulated natural disturbances and created diverse uneven-aged forest structures with high amounts of diverse coarse woody debris.We conclude that an analysis of past and current retention practices is essential for estimating the global role of Russian forestry.Further decisions on the general direction of Russian forestry and,specifically,retention practices are important to address the global challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.