Response of ground beetles(Coleoptera:Carabidae)to forest gaps formed by a typhoon in a red pine forest at Gwangneung Forest,Republic of Korea

In Korea, damaging typhoons related to climate change have increased steadily since the 1990s. Red pine （Pinus densiflora） forests in Gwangneung Forest were greatly disturbed by typhoon Kompasu in 2010. A survey was carried out to clarify differences in ground beetle （Coleoptera： Carabidae） communities between forest gaps and undamaged forests. Ground beetles were sampled using pitfall traps from early May to late October 2011. Vegetation changes, litter layer, organic matter layer, and soil conditions were also measured. A total of 1035 ground beetles of 32 species were collected. Contrary to our expectation, species richness, abundance, and community structure of the ground beetles in forest gaps were similar to those in undamaged forests. Species richness and abundance of habitat type were also similar. However, species diversity and estimated species richness in forest gaps were significantly higher than in undamaged forests. These findings suggest that forest gaps formed by a typhoon did not lead to great change in ground beetle communities.

The effect of low-temperature event on the survival and growth of Juglans mandshurica seedlings within forest gaps

In forest ecosystems, gap formation changes the allocation of abiotic resources and thus affects the survival and growth of understory plants. However, how tree seedling survival and growth respond to low-temperature events and the influencing mechanisms remain unclear. To clarify how low-temperature event limits the survival and growth of tree seedlings in the montane regions of eastern Liaoning Province, northeast China, we investigated temperature and light intensity within secondary forest gaps, and the survival and growth of Juglans mandshurica seedlings after a low-temperature event in the spring of 2014. Damage to seedlings due to low temperature sig- nificantly varied in different aspects. Seedlings in gaps on southeast-facing slopes were the most seriously damaged, followed by those in gaps on northeast-facing slopes. In contrast, seedlings in west-facing gaps and in control plots without slope aspect were not damaged. The freezing injury index for seedlings was negatively correlated with minimum temperature （r = - 0.608, P 〈 0.01）, but it was positively correlated with light intensity （r= 0.818, P 〈 0.01）. In addition, height and root collar diameter of damaged seedlings were significantly lower than those of the undamaged seedlings （P 〈 0.01） during the early growing season （April-July）, but no significant difference were observed during the late growing season （July-Oc- tober） （P 〉 0.05）. The extent of seedling damage was directly related to slope aspect. Low temperature and high light intensity were found to be the dominant factors affecting extent of damage to seedlings on southeast- and northeast-facing slopes.

Forest gaps regulate seed germination rate and radicle growth of an endangered plant species in a subtropical natural forest

The survival rate of Castanopsis kawakamii from seed to seedling is relatively low,leading to difficulties in the regeneration of its natural forests.Forest gaps play a vital role in plant regeneration and biodiversity maintenance in forest ecosystems.Unfortunately,our understanding of the effects of gap size and within-gap position on the seed germination and radicle growth of C.kawakamii is still limited.In particular,our knowledge on the relationship between gap size and environmental factors and their influence on seed germination and radicle growth is incomplete.In the present study,we studied the influences of forest gaps and within-gap position on seed regeneration on the germination and radicle growth of an endangered species C.kawakamii in a subtropical natural forest in China.We selected three large gaps(LG,gap size above 200 m^(2)),three medium gaps(MG,gap size 50-100 m^(2)),three small gaps(SG,gap size 30-50 m^(2)),and non-gap(NG),and planted the seeds of C.kawakamii in five positions within each gap.The results showed that(1)the influence of forest gaps on seed germination rate was,from highest to lowest,medium gaps(51%),non-gap(47%),small gaps(40%)and large gaps(17%),and the seed germination rate was the highest in all positions in medium gaps,with the exception of the east position.(2)Radicle length in forest gaps was,from highest to lowest,medium gaps,small gaps,large gaps and non-gap,and it was the highest in the east,south,west and north positions of medium gaps.(3)Canopy openness(gap size)and air temperature were the main factors influencing seed germination and radicle growth of C.kawakamii.We concluded that medium-sized gaps were the most suitable for seed germination and radicle growth of C.kawakamii,and they promote the regeneration of this endangered species in the investigated natural forest.

Object-based forest gaps classification using airborne LiDAR data

Object-based classification differentiates forest gaps from canopies at large regional scale by using remote sensing data. To study the segmentation and classification processes of object-based forest gaps classification at a regional scale, we sampled a natural secondary forest in northeast China at Maoershan Experimental Forest Farm.Airborne light detection and ranging(LiDAR; 3.7 points/m2) data were collected as the original data source and the canopy height model(CHM) and topographic dataset were extracted from the LiDAR data. The accuracy of objectbased forest gaps classification depends on previous segmentation. Thus our first step was to define 10 different scale parameters in CHM image segmentation. After image segmentation, the machine learning classification method was used to classify three kinds of object classes, namely,forest gaps, tree canopies, and others. The common support vector machine(SVM) classifier with the radial basis function kernel(RBF) was first adopted to test the effect of classification features(vegetation height features and some typical topographic features) on forest gap classification.Then the different classifiers(KNN, Bayes, decision tree,and SVM with linear kernel) were further adopted to compare the effect of classifiers on machine learning forest gaps classification. Segmentation accuracy and classification accuracy were evaluated by using Mo¨ller's method and confusion metrics, respectively. The scale parameter had a significant effect on object-based forest gap segmentation and classification. Classification accuracies at different scales revealed that there were two optimal scales(10 and 20) that provided similar accuracy, with the scale of 10 yielding slightly greater accuracy than 20. The accuracy of the classification by using combination of height features and SVM classifier with linear kernel was91% at the optimal scale parameter of 10, and it was highest comparing with other classification classifiers, such as SVM RBF(90%), Decision Tree(90%), Bayes(90%),or KNN(87%). The classifiers had no significant effect on forest gap classification, but the fewer parameters in the classifier equation and higher speed of operation probably lead to a higher accuracy of final classifications. Our results confirm that object-based classification can extract forest gaps at a large regional scale with appropriate classification features and classifiers using LiDAR data. We note, however, that final satisfaction of forest gap classification depends on the determination of optimal scale(s) of segmentation.

Microclimate regimes following gap formation in a montane secondary forest of eastern Liaoning Province, China

In order to improve the understanding of the role of a canopy opening/gap on the physical environments in a secondary forest in Northeastern China, a case study was conducted in and around a small irregular gap in a montane secondary forest. The secondary forest, which was severely disturbed by human beings about 50 years ago, was dominated by Quercus mongolica and Fraxinus rhynchophyllaan. Temporal variation in photosynthetic photon flux density （PPFD）, air temperature （TA） at 10 cm above the ground, soil temperature （Ts） and soil water content （SWC） at top-layer （0-15 cm） and sub-layer （15-30 cm） were measured from May to September after the second year since the formation of the small gap （the ratios of gap diameter to stand height were less than 0.5） in 2006 respectively. Results indicated that the highest value of PPFD occurred at the northern edge of the gap, particularly at the beginning of the growing season in May. On sunny days, the highest value of PPFD appeared earlier than that on overcast days. Maximum and mean values of TAwere higher in the northern part of the gap, and the minimum values of TAwere at the southern edge of the gap. Soil temperature varied obviously in the gap with the range from 1 to 8 ℃. Maximum values of Ts occurred at the northern part of the gap, which was significantly correlated with the maximum values of TA （R = 0.735, P〈0.05）. SWC was higher in the top-layer （0-15 cm） than that in sub-layer （15-30 cm）, but the difference of them was not significant （p〉0.05）, which might be attributed to the small gap size and the effects of aboveground vegetations. From these results, the maximum of PPFD in the study area occurred at the northern part of the gap, which was consistent with the results observed in north hemisphere, but the occurrence time varied with the differences of the latitudes. The highest values of air and soil temperatures also occurred in the northern part of the gap because they were affected by the radiation. However, the variation of temperature in July was different from other months due to the influence of gap size. And the values of soil water content were neither higher in the gap in the wet season nor lower in the dry season, which might be affected by the gap size and topography the gap located. The variations of light, soil and air temperatures, and soil moisture in this small irregular gap might be related to the effects of the micro-site, which affects the regeneration of plant species.

Loss of total phenols from leaf litter of two shrub species: dual responses to alpine forest gap disturbance during winter and the growing season

Aims Alpine forest gaps can control understory ecosystem processes by manipulating hydrothermal dynamics.Here,we aimed to test the role of alpine forest gap disturbance on total phenol loss(TPL)from the decomposing litter of two typical shrub species(willow,Salix paraplesia Schneid.,and bamboo,Fargesia nitida(Mitford)Keng f.).Methods We conducted a field litterbag experiment within a representative fir(Abies faxoniana Rehd.)forest based on‘gap openness treatments’(plot positions in the gap included the gap center south,gap center north,canopy edge,expanded edge and closed canopy).The TPL rate and litter surface microbial abundance(fungi and bacteria)of the two shrub species were measured during the following periods over 2 years:snow formation(SF),snow cover(SC),snow melting(ST),the early growing season(EG)and the late growing season(LG).Important Findings At the end of the study,we found that snow cover depth,freeze–thaw cycle frequency and the fungal copies g−1 to bacterial copies g−1 ratio had significant effects on litter TPL.The abundances of fungi and bacteria decreased from the gap center to the closed canopy during the SF,SC,ST and LG periods and showed the opposite trend during the EG periods.The rate of TPL among plot positions closely followed the same trend as microbial abundance during the first year of incubation.In addition,both species had higher rates of TPL in the gap center than at other positions during the first winter,first year and entire 2-year period.These findings suggest that alpine forest gap formation accelerates litter TPL,although litter TPL exhibits dual responses to gap disturbance during specific critical periods.In conclusion,reduced snow cover depth and duration during winter warming under projected climate change scenarios or as gaps vanish may slow litter TPL in alpine biomes.

How forest gaps shaped plant diversity along an elevational gradient in Wolong National Nature Reserve?

Understanding the underlying ecological processes that control plant diversity within(α-diversity) and among(β-diversity) forest gaps is important for managing natural forest ecosystems, and it is also a prerequisite for identifying the formation and maintenance mechanisms of forest plant communities. In this study, we focused on the interrelationships among habitat type(gap/non-gap plots), gap size, elevation and environmental factors, and we explored their effects on plant diversity(α-diversity and β-diversity). To do this, a total of 21 non-gap(i.e., closed canopy) plots(100 m2) and 63 gap plots, including 21 with large gaps(200–410 m2), 21 with medium gaps(100–200 m2) and 21 with small gaps(38.5– 100 m2),were selected along an elevational gradient in a subalpine coniferous forest of southwestern China. Using structural equation models(SEMs), we analyzed how forest gaps affected plant diversity(α-diversity and β-diversity) along an elevational gradient. The results showed that(1) as elevation increased, unimodal patterns of α-diversity were found in different-sized gaps, and β-diversity showed a consistent sinusoidal function pattern in different-sized gaps. The gap size was positively related to α-diversity, but this effect disappeared above 3500 masl. Moreover, the patterns of α-diversity and β-diversity in non-gap plots were irregular along the elevational gradient.(2) SEMs demonstrated that many environmental factors, such as the annual mean air temperature(AMAT), ultraviolet-A radiation(365 nm, UV-A365), ultraviolet-B1 radiation(297 nm, UV-B297), moss thickness(MT), soil carbon/nitrogen ratio(C/N ratio), NH4-N and NO3-N, were significantly affected by elevation, which then affected α-diversity and β-diversity. The photosynthetic photon flux density(PPFD), UV-A365 and UV-B297 were significantly higher in plots with forest gaps than in the non-gap plots. Moreover, the PPFD and UV-A365 were positively and directly affected by gap size. Surprisingly, except for the NH4-N and the C/N ratios, the below-ground environmental factors showed little or no relationships with forest gaps. All of these effects contributed to plant diversity. Overall, the above-ground environmental factors were more sensitive to gap-forming disturbances than the below-ground environmental factors, which affected α-diversity and β-diversity. The predicted pathway in the SEMs of the elevational effects on α-diversity andβ-diversity was relatively complicated compared with the effects of forest gaps. These results can provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms driving the diversity-habitat relationship in the subalpine coniferous forests of southwestern China.

A review of the roles of forest canopy gaps

Treefall gap, canopy opening caused by the death of one or more trees, is the dominant form of disturbance in many forest systems worldwide. Gaps play an important role in forest ecology helping to pre- serve bio- and pedo-diversity, influencing nutrient cycles, and maintain- ing the complex structure of the late-successional forests. Over the last 30 years, numerous reviews have been written describing gap dynamics. Here we synthesize current understanding on gap dynamics relating to tree regeneration with particular emphasis on gap characteristics consid- ered critical to develop ecologically sustainable forest management sys- tems and to conserve native biodiversity. Specifically, we addressed the question： how do gaps influence forest structure？ From the literature re- viewed, the size of gaps induces important changes in factors such as light intensity, soil humidity and soil biological properties that influence tree species regeneration and differ in gaps of different sizes. Shade- tolerant species can colonize small gaps; shade-intolerant species need large gaps for successful regeneration. Additionally, gap dynamics differ between temperate, boreal, and tropical forests, showing the importance of climate differences in driving forest regeneration. This review summa- rizes information of use to forest managers who design cutting regimes that mimic natural disturbances and who must consider forest structure, forest climate, and the role of natural disturbance in their designs.

Restoration of mixed-species forest by gap technique in Sanjiang Plain

Many methods of restoration and rebuilding of forestry ecosystem were used, because the function of the secondary broad-leaved forests declined. one of these methods was the artificial regeneration carried out with gap technique in the forest. The results showed that the communities had been getting to Korean pine forests mixed with broad-leaved trees and the speed of development was much faster than before.

Canopy gap characteristics and its influence on the regeneration of broad-leaved Korean pine forests in Changbai Mountain

With the concem of regcneration, characteristics of canopy gaps in broad-leaved Korean pine forest were studied.The areas of actual gap, expanded gap and maximum gap were analyzed respectively. The species composition, number, origin,decayed class and sizes of gap makers were studied comprehensively. The comparative studies of regencration inside and outside of canopy gap showed that the density of regeneration inside canopy gaps was 30% higher than that outside canopy gaps. The specific species regeneration response to canopy gap varied greatly. Pinus koraiensis, Picea jezoensis Frarinlis nla)ldshurica, JItghI)ls )nalJholu-i`a and Acer mono generally did not response to canopy gap disturbance. The Regeneration Importantce Valuc (RIV) of Abies nephrolepis, Ulmus Japonica increased with canopy gap disturbance. RIV of Tilia amurensis, Acer madshurica and Ulmus laciniata decreased with canopy gap disturbance. Canopy gap disturbance was not strong enough to result in the regeneration of some rpecies of shade intolerance such as Larix olgensis, Betula platyphylla.

Non-structural carbohydrate levels of three co-occurring understory plants and their responses to forest thinning by gap creation in a dense pine plantation

We investigated non-structural carbohydrates（NSC） levels and components（starch,glucose,fructose and sucrose） in the leaves of three typical co-occurring forestfloor plants,moss Eurhynchium savatieri（ES）,fern Parathelypteris nipponica（PN） and forb Aruncus sylvester（AS） in a 30-year-old Chinese pine（Pinus tabulaeformis）plantation forest on the eastern Tibetan Plateau.We also explored their responses to three gap creation treatments（control and two gap creations of 80 and 110 m2） based on NSC levels.PN had the highest leaf NSC level of the three plants,with AS second and ES lowest.Starch was the predominant component of NSC and the contents of glucose were higher than those of fructose or sucrose for all three species.The NSC level of ES in intermediate gaps was significantly higher than at control sites.PN also had higher NSC levels in both small and intermediate gaps than in control sites.But the differences between treatments were not obvious for AS.Our results suggest that ES and PN benefit from gap formation while the two species have different NSC response sensitivities to gap size,but the leaf NSC level of AS is less sensitive to the disturbance.

Fine roots refilling process in an artificial gap in a Picea mongolica forest

Picea mongolica is an endemic but endangered species in China. The spruce forest is only found in sandy forest-steppe ecotones. In this study, we examined the initial response of the quantity and refilling process of free roots in an artificial canopy gap with a diameter of 36 m in a P. mongolica forest. Under the canopy, the fine root length densities of trees, shrubs and herbs were 2,622, 864 and 3,086 m·m^- 2, respectively. The free root biomass of trees, shrubs and herbs were 148, 62 and 65 g·m^- 2, respectively. In the gap, the fine root length density of trees was 151 m·m^- 2. The mean fine root densities of shrubs and herbs in the gap were 756 and 2,568 m·m^- 2. The fine root biomass of trees, shrubs and herbs were 9, 52 and 47 g·m^- 2, respectively. Two growing seasons after the gap creation, hardly any fine tree roots were found in the middle of the gap. The living tree roots in the gap edge zone were mainly located within a 4.5 m distance from the standing trees. Indices developed to show the influence of trees on free root length density clearly revealed the effect of the vicinity of living trees on fine root length density. The root densities of shrubs and herbs did not show a clear response to gap creation despite the increase of their foliage. Our results suggest that in P mongolica forests a gap disturbance creates a distinct tree root gap and that the gap edge trees do not extend their root systems rapidly into the formed root gap.

川西冷杉林下地表苔藓固氮速率及林窗的影响

苔藓与蓝细菌的共生固氮作用为许多生态系统贡献了高达50%氮输入,是“新增”氮素的重要来源。然而,苔藓与蓝细菌共生固氮速率如何受林窗等生态系统动态影响仍然未知。本文研究了四川西部典型藓类冷杉林地表苔藓与蓝细菌的固氮速率在生长季内的动态变化,及其在林窗和林冠覆盖两种生境下的差异,并评估了苔藓含水量、气温和光照条件等因素对固氮速率的驱动作用。研究结果发现,锦丝藓(Actinothuidium hookeri)和塔藓(Hylocomium splendens)生长季平均固氮速率分别为77.49和129.69 nmol·(g·d)^(−1)。地表苔藓固氮速率在生长季不同月份的变化极大,固氮速率高峰出现在生长季早期的5月、7月、8月,基本与植物生长高峰期相符;6月苔藓含水量较低,导致苔藓几乎没有固氮活性;生长季末期的10月苔藓固氮速率较低,不及7月的1/7。相比于林冠覆盖生境,林窗提高了地表气温、光照和苔藓含水量,但从整个生长季来看,林窗对苔藓固氮速率仅表现出微弱的促进作用。综上,苔藓与蓝细菌共生体固氮速率和林窗的影响效应可以为深入认识生态系统氮循环提供依据。

Gap Fraction Estimates over Selectively Logged Forests in Western Amazon

Gap fraction is a biophysical variable related to energy balance, forest fauna, micro-climate and regeneration, and is an important indicator of forest management quality. The objective of this study was to compare gap fraction estimates from undisturbed forests and different environments or strata of selectively logged areas. Moreover, gap fraction measurements were collected with two distinct instruments (optical canopy analyzer LAI-2000 and hemispherical photographs). Field data were collected from two sustainable forest management sites at Jamari National Forest, Rondonia State, Brazilian Amazon. Our results indicated significant differences between data acquired using these two instruments. For instance, the LAI-2000 data showed greater variation for each environment compared to hemispherical photographics data, and the data were also more sensitive to the increase in gap fraction. Small variations were found in the gap fraction means for the two study areas, and only data for the undisturbed area were significantly different. A gradient of increasing gap fraction that ranged from primary forests to log decks was observed. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression analysis determined the contribution of the selectively logged environments to decreased forest cover, confirming the observed gradient.

Distribution characteristics and succession regulation of the forests in alpine and canyon region of western Sichuan Province, P.R.China

Since 1950, 700 plots were established in the alpine and canyon region of western Sichuan. The distribution charac-teristics and the relationships between forest succession and environmental gradients were studied. The results showed that the main tree species were Picea and Abies in this region, and there were more than 90 forest types. Abies forests mainly dis-tributed in the middle and upper reaches of rivers and their branches, and Picea forests mainly distributed in wide valleys and on half-shaded and half-sunny slopes. The natural regeneration was poor under primitive spruce and fir forest canopy, but was good in the spruce and fire forest gap. The relationship between forest succession and vertical gradient was closely related to the relationship between forest succession procession and plant synusia under primary forests. Human activities could promote and postpone succession process. The results of expanding regeneration were often influenced by topography, vegetation and wind direction.

六盘山区华北落叶松人工林小气候特征

【目的】实测华北落叶松(Larixgmelinii var.principis-rupprechtii)人工林的林内和林窗小气候特征,认识森林的小气候调节作用,为促进林下更新和森林多种功能利用提供科学依据。【方法】在宁夏六盘山南部半湿润区,建立林内(林龄40 a,郁闭度0.52)和林窗(面积750 m^(2))小气候观测样地,用自动气象站从2022年12月起连续一年监测气象指标和10 cm深土壤温度湿度,并依据标准气象站数据与海拔的关系线性插值得到林外气象数据作为对照。【结果】与林外相比,林内和林窗有明显的小气候调节作用,这表现在:1)年均太阳辐射日累积值(MJ/m^(2))为林内(4.53)<林窗(8.87)<林外(13.99),林内和林窗仅为林外的32.4%和63.4%;林内和林窗与林外的月均太阳辐射累积值的差在生长季大于非生长季。2)年均气温(℃)为林内(7.2)<林外(7.5)<林窗(7.8),气温日较差(℃)为林内(6.1)<林窗(6.3)<林外(8.0),林内和林窗的气温变化更平缓;林内、林窗、林外之间的气温差平均值在生长季小于非生长季。3)年均空气相对湿度(%)为林内(69.1)>林窗(64.7)>林外(62.5),林内和林窗比林外提高了6.6%和2.2%,林内和林窗在生长季提高空气湿度的能力大于非生长季。4)10 cm深土壤温度年均值(℃)为林内(6.8)<林窗(8.8)<林外(9.1),林内和林窗比林外低2.3℃和0.3℃;土壤温度日较差(℃)为林内(0.7)<林窗(1.5)<林外(4.5);林内和林窗土壤温度与林外相比在生长季降低但在冬季提高。5)10 cm深土壤湿度年均值(%)为林内(24.4)<林窗(29.8)<林外(33.8),林内和林窗比林外降低了9.4%和4.0%,林内与林外土壤湿度差在生长季小于非生长季,林窗与林外土壤湿度差在生长季大于非生长季。【结论】华北落叶松人工林的小气候调节作用明显,且在生长季大于非生长季。与林外相比,林内和林窗大幅降低了太阳辐射、土壤温度、土壤湿度,但显著提高了空气湿度,还减小了各指标变幅、调节了峰值时间,对空气温度有良好的调控缓冲作用。

洪水漫溢对林窗微环境时空差异的影响--以塔里木河中游荒漠河岸林为例

林窗是森林生态系统中普遍存在的干扰形式。探究洪水漫溢对林窗内部微环境时空异质性的影响,对揭示荒漠河岸林物种多样性变化及其更新特征具有重要意义。在塔里木河中游非洪水和洪水漫溢区各选取一个大小相似的林窗样地,并使用便携式气象监测仪对林窗内不同方位的空气温湿度进行监测,对比分析不同水淹条件下林窗内微环境的时空分布差异,为深入探索荒漠河岸林植被更新机制奠定基础。结果表明:(1)非洪水漫溢区和洪水漫溢区林窗内空气温度均呈现先上升后下降的变化趋势,空气湿度均呈现先下降后上升的变化趋势,且同一个样地中温度与湿度之间存在明显的负相关关系,而洪水漫溢改变了森林微环境,使林窗内湿度升高,温度下降。(2)非洪水漫溢区和洪水漫溢区林窗内不同方位温度分布差异较小,洪水漫溢对温度变化影响不大;两个样地林窗内湿度变化过程较为复杂,差异明显,洪水漫溢区湿度变化梯度更为密集。(3)非洪水漫溢区和洪水漫溢区林窗内温度差界限明显,西南方向温度差较小,中心位置温度差最大,洪水漫溢并未改变不同方位温度变化趋势;湿度差以中心偏北方向较大,其中非洪水漫溢区湿度差在西北方向较小,而洪水漫溢区湿度差最小值出现在西南方向。研究结果表示荒漠河岸林林窗微环境时空差异具有干旱区独特性,同时阐明了林窗微环境对洪水漫溢的响应,为深入研究林窗干扰对荒漠河岸林更新与演替提供了科学依据。

长白山温带森林生态系统关键要素耦合及演替过程动态模拟

认识生态系统内和生态系统间耦合机制,揭示复合生态系统功能规律,对促进我国山水林田湖草沙项目一体化修复和保护实践具有重要的意义。针对目前修复和保护工程中出现的缺乏系统性、连续性等问题,以拥有丰富生态资源的长白山温带森林生态系统为研究区域,对其关键要素“水土气生”进行耦合建模。通过分析模型的运行机理,探究重要子模块之间的相互作用以及子模块内部生态关键要素的耦合机制,并以长白山温带落叶阔叶林的组成树种和环境因素为对象构建模型参数,通过运行林窗模型1000次,得出长白山温带森林的动态演替过程。结果表明:在森林生态系统的演替过程中,“水土气生”体现为模型中有效积温、干旱天数(低于土壤凋萎点的天数)、土壤可利用氮以及可利用光,这些关键要素之间相互影响,综合决定着每棵树木的更新、生长、死亡过程。模拟结果显示在长白山温带针阔混交林的动态演替过程中0—70 a, 70—170 a, 170—280 a, 280—400 a四个阶段分别有不同的树种组成特征,与真实演替过程比较发现模拟林具有明显的阶段性。白桦、山杨为演替先锋树种,0—70 a期间生物量共占比为55%,70 a后生物量减少最后消失;紫椴、蒙古栎、水曲柳等为过渡树种,这些树种进一步改变了生长环境。红松在170 a前生物量占比仅为3%左右,随演替的发展生物量持续增加,170—280 a期间生物量占比15%,280 a之后红松生物量占总林分的50%。该结果模拟森林动态过程符合演替规律,充分说明多关键要素“水土气生”耦合机制的合理性,对于促进生态系统尺度上多生态要素耦合的相关研究提供了科学理论基础以及方法技术。

林隙(GAP)干扰研究进展

本文系统地介绍了森林循环的理论、自然干扰的概念、林隙的一般特征和林隙干扰的时空格局。干扰是森林循环的驱动力，干扰形成的林隙是森林循环的起点。林隙的大小、形成年龄、形成方式以及形成木的特征是研究林隙特征的重要参数，虽然不同森林群落中，林隙干扰的频率和程度及其时空变化规律不同，但大多数森林的年平均干扰率是在１％左右。不同的森林类型中，大、小型干扰的比例不同。小型林隙干扰与大型灾难性干扰在不同时空条件下的组合，就形成了不同森林景观的时空变化格局。

林窗对黄檗幼树空间分布及生长发育的影响

【目的】林窗增加了林分空间结构的复杂性和林下生境的异质性,对林下幼树的更新具有重要影响。黄檗是我国国家重点保护野生植物,研究黄檗幼树的生长状况、空间分布与林窗空间结构的关系,有助于了解其对林下生境的适应性,对促进黄檗种群的更新具有重要意义。【方法】本文以2014年在北京百花山自然保护区内林下栽种的黄檗幼树为研究对象,于2021年对黄檗的生长及存活状况进行了调查,并使用背包式激光雷达获取了样地的林窗空间结构数据。采用空间点格局、生境关联性检验和方差分析等方法研究了林窗对黄檗幼树空间分布及生长状况的影响。【结果】(1)自然生长条件下,7年后黄檗幼树存活率为19.25%,在排除扩散限制后,存活黄檗幼树的空间分布表现为聚集分布。(2)林窗空间结构是黄檗幼树空间分布格局形成的重要原因,黄檗幼树分布与林窗边缘呈显著正关联,而与林冠区呈显著负关联。(3)黄檗幼树的基径在林窗边缘显著高于林冠区和林窗中心(P<0.01),在林冠区与林窗中心之间没有显著差异;黄檗幼树的冠幅和树高则呈现显著的梯度变化(P<0.05),即林窗边缘>林冠区>林窗中心。【结论】研究表明林窗对黄檗幼树的空间分布格局和生长状况具有重要的影响。林窗边缘的生境条件更有利于黄檗幼树的存活和生长,而林窗中心和林冠区则会对黄檗幼树的生长发育产生一定的抑制作用。