Vegetation-environment relationship in conifer dominating forests of the mountainous range of Indus Kohistan in northern Pakistan

Environmental variables play a crucial role in shaping vegetation structure,mainly in mountainous ecosystems.Different studies have attempted to identify the environment-vegetation relationship of Conifer Dominating Forests(CDF)worldwide.However,due to differences in local climate and soil composition,different environmental drivers can be found.By applying multivariate analysis techniques,this study investigated the vegetation-environment relationship of CDF of Indus Kohistan in northern Pakistan.Our results showed that CDF of Indus Kohistan are distributed in five distinct ecological groups,which are dominated by different trees and understory species.A total of 7 trees and 71 understory species were recorded from the sampling sites.Cedrus deodara was the leading species among four groups,having the highest importance value(IV),density and basal area.Group I was dominated by Pinus wallichiana with the second highest importance value,density and basal area.In addition,elevation,slope,maximum water holding capacity(MWHC),soil moisture(SM),total organic matter(TOM),sodium,phosphorus and nickel showed highly significant influence on composition and distribution pattern of Indus Kohistan vegetation.Therefore,this study shows a new evidence of vegetation-environment relationship,pointing out specific drivers of vegetation structure in CDF of Indus Kohistan region in northern Pakistan.

How do nitrogen-limited alpine coniferous forests acquire nitrogen?A rhizosphere perspective

Background:Alpine coniferous forest ecosystems dominated by ectomycorrhizal(ECM)tree species are generally characterized by low soil nitrogen(N)availability but stabilized plant productivity.Thus,elucidating potential mechanisms by which plants maintain efficient N acquisition is crucial for formulating optimized management practices in these ecosystems.Methods:We summarize empirical studies conducted at a long-term field monitoring station in the alpine coniferous forests on the eastern Tibetan Plateau,China.We propose a root-soil interaction-based framework encompassing key components including soil N supply,microbial N transformation,and root N uptake in the rhizosphere.Results:We highlight that,(i)a considerable size of soil dissolved organic N pool mitigates plant dependence on inorganic N supply;(ii)ectomycorrhizal roots regulate soil N transformations through both rhizosphere and hyphosphere effects,providing a driving force for scavenging soil N;(iii)a complementary pattern of plant uptake of different soil N forms via root-and mycorrhizal mycelium-pathways enables efficient N acquisitions in response to changing soil N availability.Conclusions:Multiple rhizosphere processes abovementioned collaboratively contribute to efficient plant N acquisition in alpine coniferous forests.Finally,we identify several research outlooks and directions to improve the understanding and prediction of ecosystem functions in alpine coniferous forests under on-going global changes.

Species Diversity Based on Vertical Structure as Indicators of Artificial Restoration for Coniferous Forests in Southwest China

Five indices of species richness, species diversity and species evenness were used to assess a diversity of four types of coniferous forests undergone different artificial regeneration time. The study was based on the vertical structure of forests, involving growth-forms of total plants as well as vertical layers of woody plants. The results showed that, except for the fourth layer of woody plants, the vertical structure of the four forests exhibited significant difference in terms of their species richness, species diversity and species evenness, suggesting that a species diversity index provided more detailed information and was a better index reflecting the regeneration processes in this region. It was recommended that silvicultural management of artificially regenerated forests should be strengthened to conserve the biodiversity of the forests, optimize forest structure and, in the long run, promote sustainable development of forest ecosystems.

Effect of thinning intensity on understory herbaceous diversity and biomass in mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests of Changbai Mountain

Background:Herbs are an important part of the forest ecosystem,and their diversity and biomass can reflect the restoration of vegetation after forest thinning disturbances.Based on the near-mature secondary coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest in Jilin Province Forestry Experimental Zone,this study analyzed seasonal changes of species diversity and biomass of the understory herb layer after different intensities of thinning.Results:The results showed that although the composition of herbaceous species and the ranking of importance values were affected by thinning intensity,they were mainly determined by seasonal changes.Across the entire growing season,the species with the highest importance values in thinning treatments included Carex pilosa,Aegopodium alpestre,Meehania urticifolia,and Filipendula palmata,which dominated the herb layer of the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest.The number of species,Margalef index,Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson index all had their highest values in May,and gradually decreased with months.Pielou index was roughly inverted“N”throughout the growing season.Thinning did not increase the species diversity.Thinning can promote the total biomass,above-and below-ground biomass.The number of plants per unit area and coverage were related to the total biomass,above-and below-ground biomass.The average height had a significantly positive correlation with herb biomass in May but not in July.However,it exerted a significantly negative correlation with herb biomass in September.The biomass in the same month increased with increasing thinning intensity.Total herb biomass,above-and below-ground biomass showed positive correlations with Shannon-Winner index,Simpson index and Pielou evenness index in May.Conclusions:Thinning mainly changed the light environment in the forest,which would improve the plant diversity and biomass of herb layer in a short time.And different thinning intensity had different effects on the diversity of understory herb layer.The findings provide theoretical basis and reference for reasonable thinning and tending in coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests.

Responses of soil Collembolans to vegetation restoration in temperate coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests

A total of 900 soil samples were collected from five habitats,including primary coniferous broad-leaved mixed forests,secondary coniferous broad-leaved mixed forests,secondary broad-leaved forests,secondary shrub forests,and cutover lands in spring,summer,and autumn to quantify responses of soil Collembolans(springtails)to the restoration of vegetation of temperate coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests.The results reveal that the taxonomic composition of Collembolans varied in the different stages of vegetation restoration.Seasonal variations were in regard to their abundance and richness.High similarities existed in Collembola communities at different stages of vegetation restoration,and distribution patterns of Collembola taxa displayed an evenness throughout all habitats.Soil Collembolans tended to gather on litter layers and soil surface;the highest abundance was found in the upper 5 cm soil layer during the initial stages of vegetation recovery.Tomocerus,Proisotoma,and Folsomia genera responded positively to the restoration of vegetation.However,responses of Ceratophysella and Parisotoma genera were negative.In addition,the Onychiuridae family did not respond to the vegetation restoration process.It was concluded that restoration of vegetative cover can increase the abundance of soil Collembolans,but different genera respond differently.

Dieback of managed spruce stands in western Germany promotes beetle diversity

Biodiversity loss is a significant problem at a global scale and may be amplified by climate change.In recent years,coniferous forests have had substantial die-back across Europe due to drought and subsequent bark-beetle outbreaks.As many studies on the consequences of disturbance and subsequent management have focused on natural stands,management implications for managed spruce stands are not well understood,even though such stands are widespread throughout Europe.In this study,beetle taxonomy,conservation value,and community com-position are compared among spruce plantations and four post-disturbance management approaches:standing dead-wood,lying deadwood,clear cuts,and long-term succession.Diversity and community composition differed significantly among management categories,while different beetle fami-lies responded similarly.Intact spruce stands harbored the lowest beetle diversity while the highest taxonomic diver-sity and conservation value was on clear cuts and stands with lying or standing deadwood.The proportion of forest specialists was highest in successional forests.In summary,different forest management categories harbored distinct beetle communities at the family-,species-,and ecological guild levels.Therefore,post-disturbance management should consider the landscape scale and include different management types.This enhances landscape heterogeneity and thus overall biodiversity but could also mitigate negative impacts of natural disturbances on ecosystem services.

Active organic carbon pool of coniferous and broad-leaved forest soils in the mountainous areas of Beijing

In order to explore the effects of different forest types on active soil carbon pool, the amounts and density of soil organic carbon （SOC） were studied at different soil horizons under typical coniferous and broad-leaved forests in the mountainous area of Beijing. The results showed that the amount of total SOC, readily oxidizable carbon and particulate organic carbon decreased with increasing depths of soil horizons and the amounts at depths of 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm in broad-leaved forest was clearly higher than that in coniferous forests. The trend of a decrease in SOC density with increasing depth of the soil horizon was similar to that of the amount of SOC. However, no regular trend was found for SOC density at different depths between coniferous forest and broad-leaved forests. The ratio of readily oxidizable carbon to total amount of SOC ranged from 0.36-0.45 and the ratio of particulate organic carbon to total amount of SOC from 0.28-0.73; the ratios decreased with increasing depths of soil horizons. Active SOC was significantly correlated with total SOC; the relationship between readily oxidizable carbon and particulate organic carbon was significant. A broad-leaved forest may produce more SOC than a coniferous forest.

Local and generalized height-diameter models with random parameters for mixed,uneven-aged forests in Northwestern Durango,Mexico

Background:We used mixed models with random components to develop height-diameter(h-d) functions for mixed,uneven-aged stands in northwestern Durango(Mexico),considering the breast height diameter(d) and stand variables as predictors.Methods:The data were obtained from 44 permanent plots used to monitor stand growth under forest management in the study area.Results:The generalized Bertalanffy-Richards model performed better than the other generalized models in predicting the total height of the species under study.For the genera Pinus and Quercus,the models were successfully calibrated by measuring the height of a subsample of three randomly selected trees close to the mean d,whereas for species of the genera Cupressus,Arbutus and Alnus,three trees were also selected,but they are specifically the maximum,minimum and mean d trees.Conclusions:The presented equations represent a new tool for the evaluation and management of natural forest in the region.

Analysis of solute preferential transport in a dark coniferous forest ecosystem of Gongga Mountain,Sichuan Province,southwestern China

We selected a dark coniferous forest ecosystem of Gongga Mountain in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River as our research area to study the preferential flow and solute preferential transport by adding the tracers KNO3 and KBr to the self-made soil column equipment in different ways to examine density and volume changes of inflows and outflows of a mass input （impulse input） and a stable, well-distributed input （step input））. The results showed that this dark coniferous forest ecosystem of Gongga Mountain is a typical area of preferential flow and solute preferential transport, a process that can be classified into five parts. A great amount of solute was transported at high speed as the result of preferential flow in the soil and caused the density of the solute in both deep water and in groundwater to rise rapidly, which definitely increased pollution in the deep soil layer.

Effects of disturbance on regeneration of Abies fabri forests at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River

Mudflow is the principal disturbance in Abies fabri forests. In the Gongga Mountain areas of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, the intensities and periodicity of different scale mudflows vary. Small-scale mudflows are more frequent, occurring every one or two years while large-scale mudflows may occur once in more than one hundred years. Through a field study of A.fabri forests during different stages of growth, we analyzed their structural characteristics and discovered that after different sizes of mudflow, poplar and birch often occupy the dominant canopy at the expense of the slow growing A. fabri, for only a small number of saplings are A. fabri that occurs in the first regeneration stage. However, a large number of seed resources can be found in mature A. fabri forests and as a unique regeneration species, A. fabri will gradually replace all the other species and form a stable community of strong shade-tolerant trees. Because of the intimate relationship between growing conditions and soil and water conservation at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, we should carry out some artificial measurements to control and promote the slow regeneration process ofA. fabri.

Disturbance and forest recovery in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve,Mexico

Analysis of the change in forest cover is important to determine stand dynamics and the processes involved in disturbance and recovery.Forests of the core zone of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve were studied using photo interpretation techniques,considering biennial changes between 1999 and 2013 and changes over the whole period of study 1999–2013.Error matrices were elaborated to determine the processes of change involved in both recovery and disturbance.The biennial changes for the whole period amounted to 2274 ha;343 ha accounted as degraded in more than one biennial period.The total changes in forest cover between 1999 and 2013 involved 4902 ha,out of which,2912 ha were affected by disturbance,and 1990 ha were recovered.For density and 2013 vegetation cover maps,the overall accuracy was 95.6%and 90.2%,respectively.By combining both maps,gradual processes were revealed that were not evident in separate analyses.This methodology is useful for the management and conservation of natural protected areas.

Spatial distribution pattern of Picea schrenkiana population in the Middle Tianshan Mountains and the relationship with topographic attributes

The spatial distribution of plant populations is an important feature of population structure and it de- termines the population＇s ecological preferences, biological characteristics and relationships with environmental factors. The point pattern analysis method was adopted to study the distribution pattern of Picea schrenkiana indi- viduals of different size classes and the correlations between two size classes as well as the impact of topog- raphical attributes on the population distribution. With increasing diameter at breast height, the plant density of the P. schrenkiana population showed a declining trend. Old trees showed a random distribution at a small spatial scale （0-12 m）, whereas saplings, small trees and big trees all had an aggregated distribution at all scales. With the increase of tree age, the scales at which maximal aggregation occurred gradually increased and the aggregation strength decreased. At a small scale （0-16 m）, all size classes showed a negative correlation and the larger the difference between tree size, the more significant the negative correlation. The number of medium, big and old trees had a significantly positive correlation with elevations, whereas the number of saplings and small trees was not significantly correlated with elevations. The numbers of saplings, small and medium trees showed a significant positive correlation with slope gradient, whereas the number of big trees was not significantly correlated, and the number of old trees was negatively correlated with gradient. With the exception of old trees, saplings, small, me- dium and big trees showed negative correlations with convexity index. The study provides a theoretical basis for the conservation, rehabilitation and sustainable management of forest ecosystems in the Tianshan Mountains.

Insights into seasonal variation of litter decomposition and related soil degradative enzyme activities in subtropical forest in China

We used a litterbag method to investigate litter decomposition and related soil degradative enzyme activities across four seasons in a broad-leaved forest and a coniferous forest on Zijin Mountain in sub-tropical China. Across four seasons, we quantified litter mass losses, soil pH values, and related soil degradative enzyme activities. Litter decomposition rates differed significantly by season. Litter decomposi- tion rates of broadleaf forest leaves were higher than for coniferous for- ests needles across four seasons, and maximal differences in litter de- composition rates between the two litter types were found in spring.

Effects of environmental factors on species richness patterns of herb layer in Eastern Zhongtiao Mountain

The species richness of herb layer was investigated among 43 plots of forest vegetation in the eastern Zhongtiao Mountain, in southern Shanxi Province, China. The forest vegetation was divided into two major vegetation types such as the deciduous forest and the coniferous forest by the two-way indicator species analysis （TWINSPAN）. The species richness of herb layer was fitted in the topographic and soil feature factors, as well as the topographic relative moisture index （TRMI） by the generalized linear models （GLM）. The results showed that canopy cover and altitude were the most significant environmental factors. Soil pH value and soil nutrients index such as total N, organic matter content had no significant influence. The effect of environment factors on species richness of herb layer had significant difference in vegetation types. For the broad-leaved forest, litter depth and TRMI were the important environment factors. For the coniferous forest, soil clay content was another important environment factor. The range of environmental gradient such as altitude may contribute to the difference.

The importance of willow to the Chinese Grouse:evidence from analysis on their breeding territories at Lianhuashan,China

Background: The habitat features of breeding territory have important adaptive significance for the survival and reproduction of territory holders.The Chinese Grouse(Tetrastes sewerzowi) is a rare and endemic species with rela?tively small distribution range and decreasing population trend.It is important to elucidate breeding territory habitat requirements of the Chinese Grouse for habitat management and conservation actions.Methods: Using radio?telemetry and field observations,we determined the core areas of 65 breeding territories of males.Two to three samples were selected in each core breeding territory as used sites and compared with nearby sites with no grouse occurrence using logistic regression.Results: Our model showed a high accuracy in prediction of core breeding territory used by males,which preferred stands with more small deciduous trees(0.5 m ≤ height < 5 m),more small willow trees(Salix spp.,0.5 m infl≤ height < 5 m),greater willow cover,and greater herb cover.The number of small willow trees had the great?estuence on males' core breeding territory selection.Dense shrubs were also chosen compared with unused sites Tall conifer trees was an important determinant in the distribution of Chinese Grouse at the landscape scale,and was relatively important in the univariate model,but not included in our final multivariable model.Conclusions: Male Chinese Grouse established territories at sites with abundant food resources.At the landscape scale,the Chinese Grouse occurred in alpine conifer forest.At the territory scale,small willow trees had the most important effect on males' core breeding territory selection.We suggest that the forest gaps in dense conifer for?est are important for improving the occurrence of willows and facilitating breeding territory establishment for the Chinese Grouse.

Winter soil CO_2 efflux in two contrasting forest ecosystems on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China

Significant CO2 fluxes from snow-covered soils occur in cold biomes. However, little is known about winter soil respiration on the eastern Tibetan Plateau of China. We therefore measured winter soil CO2 fluxes and estimated annual soil respiration in two contrasting coniferous forest ecosystems （a Picea asperata plantation and a natural forest）. Mean winter soil CO2 effluxes were 1.08 μmol m-2 s-1 in the plantation and 1.16 μmol m-2 s-1 in the natural forest. These values are higher than most reported winter soil CO2 efflux values for temperate or boreal forest ecosystems. Winter soil respiration rates were similar for our two forest ecosystems but mean soil CO2 efflux over the growing sea- son was higher in the natural forest than in the plantation. The estimated winter and annual soil effluxes for the natural forest were 176.3 and 1070.3 g m-2, respectively, based on the relationship between soil respiration and soil temperature, which were 17.2 and 9.7 % greater than their counterparts in the plantation. The contributions of winter soil respiration toannual soil efflux were 15.4 % tor the plantation and 16.5R for the natural forest and were statistically similar. Our results indicate that winter soil CO2 efflux from frozen soils in the alpine coniferous forest ecosystems of the eastern Tibetan Plateau was considerable and was an important component of annual soil respiration. Moreover, reforesta- tion （natural coniferous forests were deforested and refor- ested with P. asperata plantation） may reduce soil respiration by reducing soil carbon substrate availability and input.

Streamwater chemistry and flow dynamics along vegetation-soil gradient in a subalpine Abies fabri forest watershed, China

Streamwater chemistry and spatial flow dynamics from a subalpine Abies fabri forest in an experimental watershed located in the east slope of Gongga Mountain were analyzed to gain insights into the gradient effect of primary community succession on the stream biogeochemical process. Results showed that high sand content(exceeding 80%) and porosity in the soil(exceeding 20% in A horizon and 35% in B horizon), as well as a thick humus layer on the soil surface, made the water exchange quickly in the Huangbengliu(HBL) watershed. Consequently, no surface runoff was observed, and the stream discharge changed rapidly with the daily precipitation. The flow trends of base ions in the stream water were influenced by the Abies fabri succession gradient. Ca 2+ , HCO - 3 and SO 2- 4 were the dominant anions in the streamwater in this region. A significant difference of Ca 2+ , HCO - 3 and SO 2- 4 concentration exported between the succession stages in the watershed can be found. But they had the similar temporal change in the stream flow. Ca 2+ , HCO - 3 and SO 2- 4 showed significantly negative correlations with the daily precipitation and the stream discharge. \;Concentrations of Cl -, Na +, K +, and Mg 2+ were low in all streamwaters monitored and we observed no differences along the Abies fabri succession gradient. Low ratios of Na:(Na+Ca) (range from 0.1 to 0.2) implied cations were from bedrock weathering(internal source process in the soil system) in this region. But, a variance analysis showed there were almost no differences between rainwater and streamwaters for Mg 2+ , Na +, K +, and Cl - concentrations. This indicated that they might be come from rainfall inputs(external source). The highly mobile capacity, rapid water exchange between precipitation and discharge, and long-term export lead to this observed pattern were suggested.

Ramet Population Structure of Fargesia nitida （Mitford） Keng f. et Yi in Different Successional Stands of the Subalpine Coniferous Forest in Wolong Nature Reserve

Forest structure and succession in Wolong Nature Reserve is influenced by the understory dwarf bamboo population. However, less is known about how the forest succession affects the dwarf bamboo population. To examine the bamboo ramet population growth of Fargesla nitida （Mltford） Keng f. et Yi and to determine how ramet population structure varies along the succession of coniferous forest, we sampled ramet populations of F. nitida from the following three successional stages： （i） a deciduous broad-leaved （BL） stand; （ii） a mixed broad-leaved coniferous （MI） stand; and （ill） a coniferous （CF） stand. We investigated the population structure, biomass allocation, and morphological characteristics of the bamboo ramet among the three stand types. Clonal ramets, constituting the bamboo population, tended to become short and small with succession. The ramet changed towards having a greater mass investment in leaves, branches and underground roots and rhizomes rather than in the culm. With respect to leaf traits, individual leaf mass and area in the BL stand were markedly bigger than those In both the MI and CF stands, except for no significant difference in specific leaf area. The age distribution showed that the bamboo population approached an older age with succession. The results demonstrate that the ramet population structure of F. nitida is unstable and its growth performance is inhibited by succession.

Patterns and drivers of tree carbon stocks in Kashmir Himalayan forests:implications for climate change mitigation

Background:Temperate forests are major carbon sinks because of their high storage potential and low decomposi-tion processes.We quantified tree carbon(TC)storage from 143 plots distributed across three major forest types of Kashmir Himalaya,relative to differences in ecological factors.Combined regression and Random Forest(RF)analysis were used to examine the distribution of TC stock along ecological gradients and recognize the role of driving factors on TC stocks.Results:Among the three forest types,sub-alpine(SA)forest was the primary TC sink,accounting for 228.73 t ha^(−1)of carbon,followed by mixed conifer(MC;181.29 t C ha^(−1))and blue pine(BP;133.04 t C ha^(−1))forests.The distribution of TC stocks among the three forest types differed significantly(χ^(2)=18.87;P=0.000).Relative carbon stock analysis demonstrated that Abies pindrow and Pinus wallichiana accounted 91%of TC stocks across the landscape.Basal area,mean diameter at breast height(DBH),elevation,disturbance and precipitation had significant effects on TC stocks in bivariate regression models.The RF model explained 86%of the variation;basal area interpreted 30.15%,followed by mean DBH(17.96%),disturbance complex(10.64%),precipitation(8.00%)and elevation(7.34%).Conclusions:Kashmir Himalayan forests are significant carbon sinks as they store a substantial quantum of carbon in trees.Forest carbon,an essential climatic indicator,is determined by a complex interaction of other ecological vari-ables,particularly stand structural features.The study provides insights into the role of these natural forests in climate change mitigation and in REDD+/national commitments to offset the carbon.

Response of clonal plasticity of Fargesia nitida to different canopy conditions of subalpine coniferous forest

The aim of this study is to explore the effects of canopy conditions on clump and culm numbers,and the morphological plasticity and biomass distribution patterns of the dwarf bamboo species Fargesia nitida.Specifically,we investigated the effects of canopy conditions on the growth and morphological characteristics of F.nitida,and the adaptive responses of F.nitida to different canopy conditions and its ecological senses.The results indicate that forest canopy had a significant effect on the genet density and culm number per clump,while it did not affect the ramet density.Clumps tended to be few and large in gaps and forest edge plots,and small under forest understory plots.The ramets showed an even distribution under the closed canopy,and cluster distribution under gaps and forest edge plots.The forest canopy had a significant effect on both the ramets’biomass and biomass allocation.Favourable light conditions promoted ramet growth and biomass accumulation.Greater amounts of biomass in gaps and forest edge plots were shown by the higher number of culms per clump and the diameter of these culms.Under closed canopy,the bamboos increased their branching angle,leaf biomass allocation,specific leaf area and leaf area ratio to exploit more favourable light conditions in these locations.The spacer length,specific spacer length and spacer branching angles all showed significant differences between gaps and closed canopy conditions.The larger specific spacer length and spacer branching angle were beneficial for bamboo growth,scattering the ramets and exploiting more favourable light conditions.In summary,this study shows that to varying degrees,F.nitida exhibits both a wide ecological amplitude and high degree of morphological plasticity in response to differing forest canopy conditions.Moreover,the changes in plasticity enable the plants to optimize their light usage efficiency to promote growth and increase access to resources available in heterogeneous light environments.