N-fixing tree species promote the chemical stability of soil organic carbon in subtropical plantations through increasing the relative contribution of plant-derived lipids

Biodiversity experiments have shown that soil organic carbon(SOC)is not only a function of plant diversity,but is also closely related to the nitrogen(N)-fixing plants.However,the effect of N-fixing trees on SOC chemical stability is still little known,especially with the compounding effects of tree species diversity.An experimental field manipulation was established in subtropical plantations of southern China to explore the impacts of tree species richness(i.e.,one,two,four and six tree species)and with/without N-fixing trees on SOC chemical stability,as indicated by the ratio of easily oxidized organic carbon to SOC(EOC/SOC).Plant-derived C components in terms of hydrolysable plant lipids and lignin phenols were isolated from soils for evaluating their relative contributions to SOC chemical stability.The results showed that N-fixing tree species rather than tree species richness had a significant effect on EOC/SOC.Hydrolysable plant lipids and lignin phenols were negatively correlated with EOC/SOC,while hydrolysable plant lipids contributed more to EOC/SOC than lignin phenols,especially in the occurrence of N-fixing trees.The presence of N-fixing tree species led to an increase in soil N availability and a decrease in fungal abundance,promoting the selective retention of certain key components of hydrolysable plant lipids,thus enhancing SOC chemical stability.These findings underpin the crucial role of N-fixing trees in shaping SOC chemical stability,and therefore,preferential selection of N-fixing tree species in mixed plantations is an appropriate silvicultural strategy to improve SOC chemical stability in subtropical plantations.

Seedling potential of trees species along the elevational gradient in temperate hill forest of central Nepal

Regeneration status of tree species along elevation gradient in temperate hill forest was not understood greatly.Present research examined the tree diversity and its regeneration patterns along an elevation gradient in temperate hill forest,central Nepal.Data were collected from 300 sample plots within vertical elevation bands of 10,ranging from 1365 to 2450 m asl.A random sampling method was used for data collection in three seasons,winter,pre-monsoon and post monsoon seasons.Diameter at breast height(DBH)was used to broadly categorize the plant individual into trees,saplings and seedlings.The tree species richness ranged from 12 to 25 with density of 350 to 1200 individuals per hectare.Species richness of tree and sapling showed statistically significant unimodal pattern,which peaked at mid-elevation.Elevation showed a strong and positive linear correlation with the seedling density(Deviance=0.99,p<0.001)and a significant hump-shaped relationship with sapling density(Deviance=0.95,p<0.001).Similarly,elevations showed a statistically significant negative hump-shaped relationship with all trees,saplings and seedling stages(Deviances=0.89,0.87 and 0.57).The highest values of the Shannon-Wiener index and the lowest value of the Simpson index were found at mid-elevation for all growth forms.Nearly 92%of tree species were found at regenerating stage;49%in a good renewal regeneration status,32%in fair renewal regeneration,and 11%at a poor regenerating condition.Nevertheless,4%of tree species were reported as non-regenerating stages and 4%were newly introduced species.Hence,the regeneration status of the study area was considered fairly well since sapling(78.5%)>seedling(10.6%)≤mature(10.9%).Among tested environmental variables,elevation and annual mean rainfall were the most influential factors in the regeneration of tree species.

Tree allometry responses to competition and complementarity in mixed-species plantations of Betula alnoides

Tree allometry plays a crucial role in tree survival,stability,and timber quantity and quality of mixed-species plantations.However,the responses of tree allometry to resource utilisation within the framework of interspecific competition and complementarity remain poorly understood.Taking into consideration strong-and weakspace competition(SC and WC),as well as N_(2)-fixing and non-N_(2)-fixing tree species(FN and nFN),a mixedspecies planting trial was conducted for Betula alnoides,a pioneer tree species,which was separately mixed with Acacia melanoxylon(SC+FN),Erythrophleum fordii(WC+FN),Eucalyptus cloeziana(SC+nFN)and Pinus kesiya var.langbianensis(WC+nFN)in southern China.Six years after planting,tree growth,total nitrogen(N)and carbon(C)contents,and the natural abundances of^(15)N and^(13)C in the leaves were measured for each species,and the mycorrhizal colonisation rates of B.alnoides were investigated under each treatment.Allometric variations and their relationships with space competition and nutrient-related factors were analyzed.The results showed a consistent effect of space competition on the height-diameter relationship of B.alnoides in mixtures with FN or nFN.The tree height growth of B.alnoides was significantly promoted under high space competition,and growth in diameter at breast height(DBH),tree height and crown size were all expedited in mixtures with FN.The symbiotic relationship between ectomycorrhizal fungi and B.alnoides was significantly influenced by both space competition and N_(2) fixation by the accompanying tree species,whereas such significant effects were absent for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.Furthermore,high space competition significantly decreased the water use efficiency(WUE)of B.alnoides,and its N use efficiency(NUE)was much lower in the FN mixtures.Structural equation modeling further demonstrated that the stem allometry of B.alnoides was affected by its NUE and WUE via changes in its height growth,and crown allometry was influenced by the mycorrhizal symbiotic relationship.Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms driving tree allometric responses to above-and belowground resource competition and complementarity in mixed-species plantations,which are instructive for the establishment of mixed-species plantations.

Effects of natural forest conversion and plantation tree species composition on soil macrofauna communities in Northeast China mountains

As primary and secondary forests are being replaced by plantations across the globe,the soil macrofauna community structure is also affected,but little is known about the impact of mixed culture plantations compared with monocultures on the soil macrofauna.To determine the impact of forest conversion on soil macrofauna,we surveyed the soil macrofauna in two broad-leaved and three coniferous monoculture stands and four coniferous-broadleaved mixed stands,and in adjacent reserved secondary stands as a reference.Soil macro fauna community composition was significant affected by forest type,season and their interaction(P<0.05).The abundance,taxa richness and diversity of soil macro fauna changed to different degrees depending on the plantation type.Broadleaved monoculture stands and secondary stands had similar macrofauna abundance and taxa richness,but values were lower in coniferous stands than in secondary stands.The Shannon index for macrofauna in coniferous stands was also the lowest,but the Pielou index did not differ between forest types.The negative effects of the conifer monoculture on soil macro fauna were not present in the mixed stands with broad-leaved trees.Forest conversion impacted soil properties;soil moisture,NO_(3)^(-),and pH were significant drivers of soil macrofauna community structure.The impact of forest conversion on soil macrofauna was closely dependent on tree species composition and diversity.The macro fauna community structure in the broadleaved and the mixed stands were relatively similar to that in the natural forest,and thus recommended for forest conversion in the study area.

Tree species classification in an extensive forest area using airborne hyperspectral data under varying light conditions

Although airborne hyperspectral data with detailed spatial and spectral information has demonstrated significant potential for tree species classification,it has not been widely used over large areas.A comprehensive process based on multi-flightline airborne hyperspectral data is lacking over large,forested areas influenced by both the effects of bidirectional reflectance distribution function(BRDF)and cloud shadow contamination.In this study,hyperspectral data were collected over the Mengjiagang Forest Farm in Northeast China in the summer of 2017 using the Chinese Academy of Forestry's LiDAR,CCD,and hyperspectral systems(CAF-LiCHy).After BRDF correction and cloud shadow detection processing,a tree species classification workflow was developed for sunlit and cloud-shaded forest areas with input features of minimum noise fraction reduced bands,spectral vegetation indices,and texture information.Results indicate that BRDF-corrected sunlit hyperspectral data can provide a stable and high classification accuracy based on representative training data.Cloud-shaded pixels also have good spectral separability for species classification.The red-edge spectral information and ratio-based spectral indices with high importance scores are recommended as input features for species classification under varying light conditions.According to the classification accuracies through field survey data at multiple spatial scales,it was found that species classification within an extensive forest area using airborne hyperspectral data under various illuminations can be successfully carried out using the effective radiometric consistency process and feature selection strategy.

Filling the“vertical gap”between canopy tree species and understory shrub species:biomass allometric equations for subcanopy tree species

Subcanopy tree species are an important component of temperate secondary forests.However,their biomass equations are rarely reported,which forms a“vertical gap”between canopy tree species and understory shrub species.In this study,we destructively sampled six common subcanopy species(Syringa reticulate var.amurensis(Rupr.)Pringle,Padus racemosa(Lam.)Gilib.,Acer ginnala Maxim.,Malus baccata(Linn.)Borkh.,Rhamnus davurica Pall.,and Maackia amurensis Rupr.et Maxim.)to establish biomass equations in a temperate forest of Northeast China.The mixed-species and species-specifi c biomass allometric equations were well fi tted against diameter at breast height(DBH).Adding tree height(H)as the second predictor increased the R^(2)of the models compared with the DBH-only models by–1%to+3%.The R^(2)of DBH-only and DBH-H equations for the total biomass of mixed-species were 0.985 and 0.986,respectively.On average,the biomass allocation proportions for the six species were in the order of stem(45.5%)>branch(30.1%)>belowground(19.5%)>foliage(4.9%),with a mean root:shoot ratio of 0.24.Biomass allocation to each specifi c component diff ered among species,which aff ected the performance of the mixed-species model for particular biomass component.When estimating the biomass of subcanopy species using the equations for canopy species(e.g.,Betula platyphylla Suk.,Ulmus davidiana var.japonica(Rehd.)Nakai,and Acer mono Maxim.),the errors in individual biomass estimation increased with tree size(up to 68.8%at 30 cm DBH),and the errors in stand biomass estimation(up to 19.2%)increased with increasing percentage of basal area shared by subcanopy species.The errors caused by selecting such inappropriate models could be removed by multiplying adjustment factors,which were usually power functions of DBH for biomass components.These results provide methodological support for accurate biomass estimation in temperate China and useful guidelines for biomass estimation for subcanopy species in other regions,which can help to improve estimates of forest biomass and carbon stocks.

Leaf phenology rather than mycorrhizal type regulates soil nematode abundance,but collectively affects nematode diversity in seven common subtropical tree species

The underlying mechanisms of the relationships between tree species and the soil micro-food web in forest ecosystems remain uncertain,primarily ascribed to an insufficient understanding on how tree functional traits drive soil nematode communities,including in subtropical forests.We investigated the impacts of seven subtropical tree species(evergreen:Pinus massoniana,Mytilaria laosensis,Ilex chinensis,Michelia macclurei;and deciduous:Liquidambar formosana,Quercus acutissima,and Betula luminifera)on the soil nematode communities.We found that the abundance of soil nematodes was not affected by mycorrhizal types,but it was around 83%higher under the deciduous trees than the evergreen trees,indicating the importance of leaf phenology to the abundance of soil nematodes.Nonetheless,both the evergreen and the arbuscular mycorrhizal trees increased soil nematode diversity,resulting from changes in root traits and soil properties.Furthermore,root traits(root C,root N,and root C:N ratio),and soil properties(total C,total N,moisture content,and bulk density)were the best predictors of the community composition of soil nematodes,indicating a key role of resource quality and soil microhabitat in regulating soil nematodes.In contrast,the ectomycorrhizal trees had lower plant parasite and Wasilewska indices,and evenness,whereas the evergreen trees slightly improved the evenness of soil nematodes.This study suggests that tree species affect the soil food web through changes in soil conditions and plant functional traits in subtropical forests.

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.

Developing allometric equations to estimate forest biomass for tree species categories based on phylogenetic relationships

The development of allometric biomass models is important process in biomass estimation because the reliability of forest biomass and carbon estimations largely depends on the accuracy and precision of such models.National Forest Inventories(NFI)are detailed assessments of forest resources at national and regional levels that provide valuable data for forest biomass estimation.However,the lack of biomass allometric equations for each tree species in the NFI currently hampers the estimation of national-scale forest biomass.The main objective of this study was to develop allometric biomass regression equations for each tree species in the NFI of China based on limited biomass observations.These equations optimally grouped NFI and biomass observation species according to their phylogenetic relationships.Significant phylogenetic signals demonstrated phylogenetic conservation of the crown-to-stem biomass ratio.Based on phylogenetic relationships,we grouped and matched NFI and biomass observation species into 22 categories.Allometric biomass regression models were developed for each of these 22 species categories,and the models performed successfully(R^(2)=0.97,root mean square error(RMSE)=12.9​t·ha^(–1),relative RMSE=11.5%).Furthermore,we found that phylogeny-based models performed more effectively than wood density-based models.The results suggest that grouping species based on their phylogenetic relationships is a reliable approach for the development and selection of accurate allometric equations.

Some of the Mechanisms for Coexistence of Tree Species Diversity in Tropical Forests: A Review of Effects of Tree Density Dependence

Tree communities contribute to maintenance of species diversity in tropical forests. Coexistence of many tree species is not without competition. Therefore, coexistence of tree species and size diversities occur sequentially or simultaneously in tropical natural forests. Understanding coexistence and competition mechanisms of tree species requires knowledge of interactions within and between species. However, many conservation efforts and strategies failed due to inability to identify and maintain functional coexistence mechanisms among tree species in the forest. Also, most trees died because of pressure on their habitats and not because of limiting growth resources. Hence, species identity, minimum distance and size of the neighbouring trees which are responsible for coexistence of competing trees in most tropical forests have not been explicitly reviewed. Therefore, this review evaluated some of the density dependent mechanisms for coexistence of tree species alpha diversity in tropical forests. Many interactive mechanisms are responsible for coexistence tree species in tropical forests. Inter- and intra-specific competitions are the most significant and both facilitate positive and negative density dependence. Therefore, switching from negative to positive density dependence may occur in some situations. Positive and negative density effects regulate species abundance and coexistence through conspecific and heterospecific structures. Aggregates of conspecific and heterospecific neighbours constitute forest spatial structure. Negative density interactions are mutually exclusive and basically ranged from effect of species identity of neighbours, distance to neighbours and tree size of the neighbours to reference trees in the community structures. Some mechanisms shorten distances for heterospecific than conspecific interactions. Conspecific structures improved survival and growth of rare tree species. Interactive mechanisms in tree community and population structures facilitate species diversity and size inequality, respectively.

Selection of Fire-resistant Tree Species for Southwestern China

Selection of fire resistant tree species for the southwestern China and the planting of those species can effectively prevent large area's fire damage. In this paper the components and flammability of leaves, twigs and barks of 12 tree species in the mountain area of southwestern China have been tested and analyzed in the laboratory. The test and analysis indicate the results as follows:(1) for all the tree species, the fire resistance of leaves is much weaker than that of twigs and barks, and the broad leaves are stronger than those of conifers in fire resistance. (2) Heat value, moisture, ignition point and ash content are main indexes to affect fire resistance. Heat value relates to lignose content and benzene ethanol extractive content linearly.(3) Of all the 12 tree species, Schima superba,Castanopsis hystrix, Myrica rubra have the strongest resistance to fire; Machilus pauhoi, Michelia macclurei, Mytilaria laosensis, Camellia olifera and Manglietia tenuipes are relatively strong in fire resistance, and Lithocapus thalassica, Tsoongiodendron odorum, Cunninghamia lanceolata and Pinus massoniana are weak in fire resistance.

Spatial Characteristics and Change for Tree Species (Genera) Along Northeast China Transect (NECT)

The 16 tree species on Northeast China Transect (NECT) were analyzed from the change of geographical distribution, frequency and dominance pattern and the spatial correlation at landscape scale in 1986 and 1994. Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc. and Fraxinus rhynchophylla Hemsl. had spread rapidly towards west and east, respectively. The frontier form of species had close relation with its movement. The patch size of Pinus koraiensis , Populus davidiana Dode., Phellodendron amurense Rupr., Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., Betula dahurica Pall., Picea koraiensis Nakai, Abies nephrolepis Maxim. and Larix olgeusis var. koreana Nakai decreased, however, Quercus mongolica Fisch., Betula costata Trautv., Acer mono Maxim., Tilia spp., Ulmus spp., Betula platyphylla Suk. and Fraxinus rhynchophylla increased. The frequency pattern of Populus davidiana , Betula platyphylla , Fraxinus rhynchophylla and Betula dahurica changed significantly. The dominance pattern of Populus davidiana , Tilia spp., Juglans mandshurica , Betula platyphylla , Betula dahurica and Abies nephrolepis changed significantly. The spatial correlation between Quercus mongolica and Betula dahurica , Betula costata and Picea spp., Betula costata and Abies nephrolepis , Picea spp. and Abies nephrolepis declined, however, the spatial correlation between Larix spp. and Betula platyphylla , Acer mono and Ulmus spp. increased.

Study on the Planning of Garden Greening Tree Species in Liuzhou City

By analyzing the application situation of greening tree species in Liuzhou City,this study aimed to put forward several strategies and suggestions for garden tree species planning in Liuzhou City according to relevant theories and principles.

适于GlobalAllomeTree国际数据平台的标准化中国主要树种树高-胸径方程研建

GlobalAllomeTree作为共享异速方程的国际网络平台,逐渐受到全球高度关注。当前,为促进该项国际合作,针对当前该平台缺乏中国主要树种生长异速方程的现状,系统性更新标准化中国主要树种树高-胸径方程。由于树冠和下部灌木及草丛遮挡,树高相对于胸径测量具有一定的难度,因此需要使用数学工具进行计算。选取了36个树种为材料构建树高-胸径关系方程,以全国主要树种的二元材积模型、各地区一元材积表为基础材料,以取样径阶为1 cm间隔所生成1692组树高-胸径数据作为建立方程样本,1238组外业调查数据为验证样本。建模结果表明:36个主要树种的1692组树高-胸径数据建立的全国通用性树高-胸径方程拟合相关系数(R2)为0.801,方程拟合结果较好,说明可以通过测定胸径,带入树高(H,m)-胸径(D,cm)方程(H=aDb)预估树高;对36个主要树种的树高-胸径方程进行拟合,决定系数R2值均大于0.916,平均误差(ME)、平均绝对误差(MAE)和均方根误差(RMSE)相对较小,方程整体精度较高,可广泛推广;将外业采集的1238组树高-胸径数据,根据36个主要树种树高-胸径方程拟合公式及参数估计值a、b进行方程精度验证,方程预测的平均相对误差为16.86%,在误差允许范围内,并且模型形式规范,可为GlobalAllomeTree平台用户提供科学参考。

Growth and Influencing Factors of Three Native Tree Species in Coastal Casuarina equisetifolia Plantation

[Objective] The aim was to study the growth and environment factors of three native tree species（Thespesia lampas,Calophyllum inophyllum and Hernandia sonora）in Hainan in coastal Casuarina equisetifolia plantation.[Method] The coastal sandy soil was treated by adding wood chips,bagasse and the control without adding anything in the plant pits.The growth of three native tree species planted for one year was analyzed.[Result] ① One year later,the survival rate showed an order of T.lampasH.sonoraC.inophyllum;the net increase of basal diameter showed an order of H.sonoraT.lampasC.inophyllum;while the net increase of plant height showed an order of T.lampasC.inophyllumH.sonora.The difference of survival rate between T.lampas and C.inophyllum was extremely significant,the difference of survival rate between H.sonora and C.inophyllum was significant,but the survival rate between T.lampas and H.sonora showed no significant difference.The difference on net growth of plant height among T.lampas,C.inophyllum and H.sonora was extremely significant,and the different on the net growth of basal diameter between T.lampas and C.inophyllum was significant.② Among different soil treatments,the survival rate of three native tree species in the treatment by adding wood chips,bagasse were higher than the treatment without adding anything,and the difference of survival rate of T.lampas between the treatment by adding wood chips,bagasse and the treatment without adding anything was extremely significant,but the treatment by adding wood chips and bagasse had not significant difference.③ The growth of three native tree species showed some correlation with environment factors（∣r∣0.3）.The survival rate of T.lampas showed higher correlation with soil pH value and soil moisture,and the basal diameter and height of T.lampas showed some correlation with soil pH value and soil temperature.The survival rate of C.inophyllum showed higher correlation with soil pH value,soil temperature and light intensity,while the basal diameter and height of C.inophyllum showed some correlation with soil temperature.The survival rate of H.sonora showed higher correlation with soil salinity and soil temperature,while the basal diameter and height of H.sonora showed some correlation with soil temperature.The basal diameter and height of three native tree species had higher correlation（r0.5）,which had reached a significant level.[Conclusion] In the one-year growth period in C.equisetifolia forest,the native tree species of T.lampas grew best and it was the most potential forest species mixed with C.equisetifolia.

Environmental Correlates of Distribution of the 25 Broad-leaved Tree Species Indigenous to Guangdong Province,China

Twenty-five tree species indigenous to Guangdong Province were chosen in this study to portray their distribution patterns in relation to environmental factors. Both data of species distribution and environmental factors were tabulated based on a digitized map of Guangdong Province gridded at 0.5° latitude × 0.5° longitude. Grid-based diversity was mapped using DMAP, a distribution mapping program, and horizontal patterns were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis tests. The diversity center of the indige- nous tree species under study is located north of 23° N. These tree species exhibit significant latitudinal variation (P = 0.007 4), but no significant longitudinal difference (P = 0.052 2). Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) identified five different ecological species groups, while Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed the distribution of tree species along each of the five envi- ronmental gradients. An understanding of the environmental correlates of distribution patterns has great implication for the introduc- tion of the indigenous tree species for afforestation.

Ecological Species Groups and Interspecific Association of Dominant Tree Species in Daiyun Mountain National Nature Reserve

Abstract： Research on the ecological species groups and interspecific association of plant species are helpful to discover species coexistence processes and mechanisms, and to more fully understand plant community structure, function, and its taxonomy. However, little is known about the ecological species groups （ESG） and the interspecific association of dominant species in Daiyun Mountain National Nature Reserve of Fujian Province, China. Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to explore the ESG using maximal tree, and to analyze interspecific associations of 32 dominant species selected from lo2 sample plots using the chi-square test. The results show that： （1） 32 dominant species have a significant overall positive interspecific association, which indicates that the natural forest in Daiyun Mountain National Nature Reserve is stable, （a） The species pairs with weak associations, non-associations and positive associations account for lo.88%, 29.64% and 59.48% of the total 496 species pairs respectively, which suggests that the population distributions of the dominant species investigated are relatively independent, （3） The following species pairs may be useful for practical application, 〈Pinus taiwanensis, Rhododendron farrerae〉, 〈Castanopsis carlesii, Altingia chinensis〉, 〈C. carlesii, Castanopsis fargesii〉, 〈Castanopsis eyrei, C. fargesii〉, 〈P. taiwanensis, Fagus lucida〉 , 〈Machilus thunbergii, Castanopsis nigrescens〉, and （4） The results of clustering analysis based on the maximal tree method indicates that the 32 dominant species can be divided into 3 ESGs when A at o.6o, that is ESG I {Pinus massoniana, Cunning hamia lanceolata}, ESG II {P. taiwanensis, R. farrerae, Enkianthus quinqueflorus}, ESG III {C. carlesii, A. chinensis, C. eyrei, Castanopsis fabri, C. fargesii, Schima superba, Machilus thunbergii, Rhododendron latoueheae}. The results may be used for the selection of afforestation tree species in South China Forest Areas and guide the natural management of plantations.

Tree species richness enhances stand productivity while stand structure can have opposite effects, based on forest inventory data from Germany and the United States of America

Background： in recent studies, mixed forests were found to be more productive than monocultures with everything else remaining the same. Methods： To find out if this productivity is caused by tree species richness, by a more heterogeneous stand structure or both, we analyzed the effects of forest structure and tree species richness on stand productivity, based on inventory data of temperate forests in the United States of America and Germany. Results： Having accounted for effects such as tree size and stand density, we found that： （I） tree species richness increased stand productivity in both countries while the effect of tree size heterogeneity on productivity was negative in Germany but positive in the USA; （11） productivity was highest at sites with an intermediate amount of precipitation; and （111） growth limitations due water scarcity or low temperature may enhance structural heterogeneity. Conclusions： In the context of forest ecosystem goods and services, as well as future sustainable forest resource management, the associated implications would be：

Tree species diversity and stand structure along major community types in lowland primary and secondary moist deciduous forests in Tripura,Northeast India

Tree species diversity and population structure at different community types were described and analyzed for primary and secondary lowland moist deciduous forests in Tripura. Overall 10,957 individual trees belonging to 46 family, 103 genera and 144 species were counted at ≥30 cm DBH （diameter at breast height） using 28 permanent belt transects with a size of 1 ha （10 m × 1000 m）. Four different tree communities were identified. The primary forests was dominated by Shorea robusta （mean density 464.77 trees.ha^-1, 105 species） and Schima wallichii （336.25 trees.ha^-1, 82 species）, while the secondary forests was dominated by Tectona grandis （333.88 trees.ha^-1, 105 species） and Hevea brasiliensis （299.67 trees.ha^-1, 82 species）. Overall mean basal area in this study was 18.01m2.ha^-1; the maximum value was recorded in primary Shorea forest （26.21 m2.ha^-1）. Mean density and diversity indices were differed significantly within four different communities. No significant differences were observed in number of species, genera, family and tree basal cover area. Significant relationships were found between the species richness and different tree population groups across the communities. Results revealed that species diversity and density were increased in those forests due to past disturbances which resulted in slow accumu- lation of native oligarchic small tree species. Seventeen species were recorded with 〈2 individuals of which Saraca asoka （Roxb.） de Wilde and Entada phaseoloides （L.） Men＇. etc. extensively used in local ethnomedicinal formulations. The present S. robusta Gaertn dominated forest was recorded richer （105 species） than other reported studies. Moraceae was found more speciose family instead of Papilionaceae and Euphorbiaceae than other Indian moist deciduous forests. Seasonal phenological gap in such moist deciduous forests influenced the population of Trachypithecus pileatus and capped langur. The analysis of FIV suggested a slow trend of shifting the population of Lamiaceae group by Moraceae species in secondary T. grandis L. dominated community.

Composition and mineralization of soil organic carbon pools in four single-tree species forest soils

Forest soil carbon （C） is an important compo- nent of the global C cycle. However, the mechanism by which tree species influence soil organic C （SOC） pool composition and mineralization is poorly understood. To understand the effect of tree species on soil C cycling, we assessed total, labile, and recalcitrant SOC pools, SOC chemical composition by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and SOC mineralization in four monoculture plantations. Labile and recalcitrant SOC pools in surface （0-10 cm） and deep （40-60 cm） soils in the four forests contained similar content. In contrast, these SOC pools exhibited differences in the subsurface soil （from 10 to 20 cm and from 20 to 40 cm）. The alkyl C and O-alkyl C intensities of SOC were higher in Schima superba and Michelia macclurei forests than in Cunninghamia lanceolata and Pinus massoniana forests. In surface soil, S. superba and M. macclurei forests exhibited higher SOC mineralization rates than did P. massoniana and C.lanceolata forests. The slope of the straight line between C60 and labile SOC was steeper than that between C60 and total SOC. Our results suggest that roots affected the composition of SOC pools. Labile SOC pools also affected SOC mineralization to a greater extent than total SOC pools.