Influence of ginseng cultivation under larch plantations on plant diversity and soil properties in Liaoning Province,Northeast China

Currently, transforming the mode of forest management and developing multiple forest management practices are actively encouraged in China. As one forest management type, ginseng cultivation under larch plantations has been developed significantly in the east of Liaoning Province. However, research on the influence of the ecological environment for this mode of production is still deficient. Based on this, our study compares the plant diversity and soil properties in the ginseng cultivation under larch plantations(LG) with larch plantations(LP) and natural secondary forests(SF). First, we randomly selected three plots for each of the three stand types which have similar stand characteristics; then, we carried out a plant diversity survey and soil sampling in each of the nine plots. The results show that no significant difference was found in plant diversity between LG and LP, but theevenness of herbs was significantly lower in LG than LP. No obvious changes in soil physical properties were found in LG, but a significant decrease in most of the soil nutrient content was presented in LG. Furthermore, we found a correlation between plant diversity(H') and soil properties in the three kinds of stand types, especially between herbaceous plant diversity and soil properties. We conclude that ginseng cultivation under larch plantations has no obvious effect on plant diversity, except the herbaceous evenness. Soil fertility can be depleted significantly in LG, but physical structures are not affected. Moreover, maintaining the diversity of herbaceous plants and controlling the density of ginseng cultivation in LG by farmers are important for the ecological environment. Based on this study and its good comprehensive benefits and with the support of policy, we think this forest management type should be promoted moderately in the region.

Carbon Stock of Larch Plantations and Its Comparison with an Old-growth Forest in Northeast China

The overall goal of this study was to understand carbon(C) stock dynamics in four different-aged Japanese larch(Larix kaempferi) plantations in Northeast China that were established after clear-cutting old-growth Korean pine deciduous forests. Four Japanese larch plantations which were at 10, 15, 21, and 35 years old and an old-growth Korean pine deciduous forest which was 300 years old in Northeast China were selected and sampled. We compared the C pools of biomass(tree, shrub and herb), litterfall(LF), and soil organic carbon(SOC) among them. The biomass C stock of larch plantation at 10, 15, 21, and 35 years old was 26.8, 37.9, 63.6, and 83.2 Mg/ha, respectively, while the biomass C stock of the old-growth Korean pine deciduous forest was 175.1 Mg/ha. The SOC stock of these larch plantations was 172.1, 169.7, 140.3, and 136.2 Mg/ha respectively, and SOC stock of 170.4 Mg/ha in the control of old-growth forest. The biomass C stock increased with stand age of larch plantations, whereas SOC stock decreased with age, and C stock of LF did not change significantly(P > 0.05). The increase of biomass C offset the decline of SOC stock with age, making total carbon stock(TCS) of larch plantations stable from stand ages of 10–35 years. The TCS in larch plantations was much smaller than that in the old-growth forest, suggesting that the conversion of old-growth forests to young larch plantations releases substantial C into the atmosphere.

Soil Nitrogen Status of Larch Plantations in Comparison with SecondaryBroad-leaved Forest

Soils were collected from.three neighboring forest sites: 36-year-old larch plantation, 11-year-old larch plantation, and natural secondary broad-leaved forest (as control). Soil pH, total C. totaI N, C/N ratio. and available N (NO3-N and NH4-N) were measured. Laboratory incubations of soil samples were conducted during a 50 days period for the measurement of nitrogen mineralization rate and nitrification potenial. The results proved a degeneration in soil nitrogen status with stand age of larch plantations, which implicated one important aspect of soil degradation when natural forest was replaced by coniferous plantations.

Environmental and canopy conditions regulate the forest floor evapotranspiration of larch plantations

Background:Integrated forest-water management focusing on forest-water coordination is an important way to alleviate water use conflicts among forests and other sectors in vast dryland regions.Forest floor evapotranspiration(FE),which is an important component of forest evapotranspiration,accounts for a large proportion of the water consumed in arid forests.Elucidating how environmental and canopy conditions impact FE has important significance for guiding integrated forest-water management in a changing environment.Methods:The microlysimeter(ML)-measured evapotranspiration(FE_(ML)),reference evapotranspiration(ET_(o)),volumetric soil moisture(VSM),and canopy leaf area index(LAI)were monitored in a Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation located in the semi-humid Liupan Mountains of Northwest China in 2019(June–September)and 2021(May–September).The response functions of the FE coefficient(the ratio of daily FEML to ET_(o))to the individual factors of VSM and LAI were determined using upper boundary lines of scatter diagrams of measured data.The framework of the daily FE(FE_(ML))model was established by multiplying the response functions to individual factors and then calibrated and validated using measured data to assess the FE response to environmental and canopy conditions.Results:(1)The FE coefficient increased first rapidly and then slowly with rising VSM but decreased slowly with rising LAI.(2)The simple daily FE(FE_(ML))model developed by coupling the impacts of ET_(o),LAI,and VSM in this study performed well for predicting FE.(3)The impacts of ET_(o),LAI,and VSM were quantified using the FE(FE_(ML))model,e.g.,at a given VSM,the impact of ETo on FE increased obviously with decreasing LAI;at a given ET_(o),the impact of LAI on FE increased with rising VSM.(4)In the two study years,when directly using the microlysimeter measurement,the real FE on the forest floor was overestimated when the VSM in microlysimeters was above 0.215 but underestimated below 0.215 due to the difference in VSM from the forest floor.Thus,the VSM on the forest floor should be input into the FE model for estimating the real FE on the forest floor.Conclusions:The daily FE of larch plantation is controlled by three main factors of environmental(ET_(o) and VSM)and canopy conditions(LAI).The variation in daily FE on the forest floor can be well estimated using the simple FE model coupling the effects of the three main factors and by inputting the VSM on the forest floor into the model to avoid the errors when directly using the microlysimeter measurement with different VSMs from the forest floor.The developed FE model and suggested prediction approach are helpful to estimate the FE response to changing conditions,and to guide forest management practices when saving water by thinning is required.

Using multi-source remote sensing data to classify larch plantations in Northeast China and support the development of multi-purpose silviculture

Due to increasing timber demands, large areas of secondary forests have been converted to larch plantations （LPs） in Northeast China because the secondary forests could not produce timber as much as LPs. However, there are a series of ecological problems such as lower soil fertility, reduced water-holding capacity and acidification of surface runoff water occurring in LPs because of the single-species composition of LPs. Therefore, a guidance on how to transform LPs into larch-broadleaf mixed forests （LBMFs） at a large spatial scale is needed for local foresters. First, Landsat time series data set and SPOT-5 images were combined to map the spatial-temporal distribution of LPs in Northeast China. Then, the topographical characteristics of LPs in 2010s were determined. Furthermore, three sub-regions of LPs were divided closely linking to their ecosystem services and forest management aims. Finally, detailed information on how to transform the LPs into LBMFs was given according to the three sub-regions. The results showed that the area of LPs increased during 1980s and 2010s, and reached 2.61 million ha in 2010s. Of which, 0.72 million ha （27.6%） and 1.89 million ha （72.4%） LPs distributed in slopes less than 5° and greater than 5°, respectively. Of the LPs （72.4%） in slopes greater than 5°, 48.7 and 23.7% located in downslope （LPs locating at the down slope of adjacent secondary forests in the same aspect） and upslope （LPs locating at the up slope of adjacent secondary forests in the same aspect）, respectively; 0.10 million ha （3.8%） located in slopes greater than 25°. The LPs were divided into Sub-Regions-I, II, III according to slopes. For Sub-region-I （top role is to produce timber）, self-fertilizing shrub species can be intro- duced after clean cutting for young-aged LPs, and release thinning can be applied for middle-aged LPs, fast growth thinning for near-matured LPs, and clear cutting for matured LPs. For Sub-Region-II （the priority is to provide water conservation combined with timber production）, the LPs should be induced into LBMFs. The LPs located the downslope positions in Sub-Region-II can be transformed to LBMFs by natural regeneration of broadleaved tree species after thinning because of enough seed sources of broadleaved tree species from the secondary forests locating the upslope positions. The LPs located the upslope positions or the region where seed sources of broadleaved tree species are unavailable in Sub-Region-II must be induced to LBMFs by al＇tificial regeneration. For Sub-Re- gion-III （the preference is only for water conservation because the slope is greater than 25°）, the LPs should be particularly protected from intensive disturbances, and induced into LBMFs by natural regeneration.

Carbon stock in Korean larch plantations along a chronosequence in the Lesser Khingan Mountains, China

Carbon （C） dynamics are central to understanding ecosystem restoration effects within the context of Grain for Green Project （GGP）. GGP stared in China since 2003 to improve the environment. Despite its importance, how total forest ecosystem C stock （FECS） develops fol- lowing land-use changes from cropland to plantation is poorly under- stood, in particular the relationship of C allocation to pools. We quanti- fied C pools in a chronosequence ranging from 0 to 48 years, using com- plete above- and below-ground harvests based on detailed field inventory Stands were chosen along a succession sequence in managed plantations of Korean larch （Larix olgensis Henry.）, a native planting species in the Lesser Khingan Mountains, Northeast of China. The FECS of Korean larch plantation （KLP） were dynamic across stand development, chang- ing from 88.2 Mg.ha-1 at cropland, to 183.9 Mg.ha·-1 as an average of forest C from 7- through 48-year-old plantation. In a 48-year-old mature KLP, vegetation comprises 48.63% of FECS and accounts for 67.66% of annual net C increment （ANCI）. Soil is responsible for 38.19% and 13.53% of those, and with the remainders of 13.18% and 18.81% in down woody materials. Based on comparisons of our estimate to those of others, we conclude that afforestation of Korean larch plantation is a valid approach to sequester carbon.

Effects of the second-generation larch plantations onsoil fertility and tree growth

In order to realize the effect of second generation of larch plantations on soil fertility and tree growth and to provide the theoretical base and the reasonable management measures, the growth of larch plantations for different generations at different soil conditions were inventoried and compared. The relationship between soil nutrition and tree growth of the second-generation larch plantations was analyzed. Comparing with the first generation, the second generation of larch did not present acidation phenomenon on the dark brown soil. With respect to the organic matter, rapidly available K and N, the values of the second-generation larch is close to that of first generation at later time. Platform-preparation is good measures for improving soil conditions

STUDIES ON BIOMASS AND PRODUCTIVITY FOR DAHUIAN LARCH PLANTATIONS

The biornass and productivity for dahurian larch (Larix gmelini) plantations of four structure types were measured. The biomass of trees, understory' herb and litter was surveyed using methods of average standard tree and subsample yield respectively.The estimated total mean biomass for dahurian larch plantation communities of four structure types was 159. 445 t/hm2 and the net productivity was 12. 237 t/hm2. a.

Modelling the response of larch growth to age,density,and elevation and the implications for multifunctional management in northwest China

Plantations of Rupprecht's larch(Larix principis-rupprechtii)have been widely established in the drylands of northwest and north China under traditional fastgrowing plantation management strategies.These strategies and the long-term logging ban have led to over-populated stands with lower structural and functional stability,less economic benefit and higher water consumption.To guide the sustainable management of larch plantations,field surveys and historical data compilation were undertaken in the Liupan Mountains of northwest China.The main influencing factors(stand structure and site condition)and their effects on mean tree height,mean DBH and timber volumes were determined based on up-boundary line analysis.Tree growth models coupling the effects of tree age,stand density,and elevation were established.Both height and DBH markedly increased initially and then slowly with tree age,decreased with stand density,and showed unimodal change with elevation.The coupled growth models accounted for72-78%of the variations in tree height,DBH and timber growth.Recommendations for future plantation management are:(1)prolong the rotation to at least 60 years to produce large-diameter,high-quality timber and maintain greater carbon stocks;(2)zone the target functions of stands by elevation;and,(3)reduce stand density for balanced supply of multiple ecosystem services.The growth models developed can predict growth response of larch plantations to density alteration under given ages and elevations,and assist the transformation from traditional management for maximum timber production to site-specific and multifunctional management with longer rotations and moderate tree density.

Succession Rules of Various Types of Soil Phosphorus in Larch Plantations

By the method of comparison and analysis, the succession pattern of total P, available phosphorus,organic P types and inorganic P types in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil at different developmentstages in Larch (Larix olgensis) plantations was revealed. The result showed: when stand age increased, thecontent of available phosphorus, O-P, total P and organic P in rhizosphere soil decreased greatly or significantly,the content of inorganic P, Ca-P and Fe-P in rhizosphere soil in rhizosphere soil increased greatly orsignificantly. The content of Ca-P in non-rhizosphere soil increased with stand growing. The content of Fe-P in half-mature stand, available P and Fe-P in near mature stand, available P and Ca-P in mature stand in non-rhizosphere soil was more than that in rhizosphere soil.

Characteristics of canopy interception and its simulation with a revised Gash model for a larch plantation in the Liupan Mountains, China

Canopy interception is a significant proportion of incident rainfall and evapotranspiration of forest ecosystems. Hence, identifying its magnitude is vital for studies of eco-hydrological processes and hydrological impact evaluation. In this study, throughfall, stemflow and interception were measured in a pure Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.（larch） plantation in the Liupan Mountains of northwestern China during the growing season（May–October） of 2015, and simulated using a revised Gash model. During the study period, the total precipitation was 499.0 mm; corresponding total throughfall, stemflow and canopy interception were 410.3, 2.0 and 86.7 mm,accounting for 82.2, 0.4 and 17.4% of the total precipitation, respectively. With increasing rainfall, the canopy interception ratio of individual rainfall events decreased initially and then tended to stabilize. Within the study period, the simulated total canopy interception, throughfall and stemflow were 2.2 mm lower, 2.5 mm higher and 0.3 mm lower than their measured values, with a relative error of 2.5, 0.6 and 15.0%, respectively. As quantified by the model, canopy interception loss（79%） mainly consisted of interception caused by canopy adsorption, while the proportions of additional interception and trunk interception were small. The revised Gash model was highly sensitive to the parameter of canopy storage capacity,followed by the parameters of canopy density and mean rainfall intensity, but less sensitive to the parameters of mean evaporation rate, trunk storage capacity, and stemflow ratio. The revised Gash model satisfactorily simulated the total canopy interception of the larch plantation within the growing season but was less accurate for some individual rainfall events, indicating that some flaws exist in the model structure. Further measures to improve the model’s ability in simulating the interception of individual rainfall events were suggested.

STUDY ON THE NATURAL REGENERATION EFFECT OF MANCHURIAN ASH BY OPENING UP EFFECT BELT IN DAHURIAN LARCH PLANTATION

Opening up effect belt in dahurian larch (Larix gmelini) plantation can significantly promote the growth and development of manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshur-ica) natural regcneration seedlings. The quantity, growth and distribution characters of manchurian ash natural regeneration seedling and the seed quantity of manchurian ash on the effect belt are significantly much more than that on remained belt. It provides a theoretical basis for using the management method of - Cutting coniferous to introduce broadleal trees in the coniferous stand, improving the stand structure, increasing the ecological stability and biological productivity.

STUDY ON RETAINING FUNCTION OF LARCH PLANTATION

Based on the data accumulated through two year research work forest hydrology study was conducted at Lao Shan plantation experimental station of Maoer Shan Forest Farm.The experiment reuslts on detention of precipitation, permeability of stand soil water holding capacity, formation and regulation of runoff are discussed in the this paper. The major results in this study are as follows: (1)the function of forest in intercepting and storing rainwater is the outcome of integrating action of stand and soli, while the thickness of soil layers is the important factor which affects the water intercepting and holding capacity of forest. (2)The larch forest land had higher permeability, its stable infiltration velocity is twice as much as that of grassland. (3) It is proved that the interflow and groundwater runoff are the major forms of runoff occured in larch forest land.

Effects of continuous nitrogen addition on microbial properties and soil organic matter in a Larix gmelinii plantation in China

Continuous increases in anthropogenic nitrogen（N） deposition are likely to change soil microbial properties, and ultimately to affect soil carbon（C） storage.Temperate plantation forests play key roles in C sequestration, yet mechanisms underlying the influences of N deposition on soil organic matter accumulation are poorly understood. This study assessed the effect of N addition on soil microbial properties and soil organic matter distribution in a larch（Larix gmelinii） plantation. In a 9-year experiment in the plantation, N was applied at100 kg N ha-1 a-1 to study the effects on soil C and N mineralization, microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and C and N in soil organic matter density fractions, and organic matter chemistry. The results showed that N addition had no influence on C and N contents in whole soil. However,soil C in different fractions responded to N addition differently. Soil C in light fractions did not change with N addition, while soil C in heavy fractions increased significantly. These results suggested that more soil C in heavy fractions was stabilized in the N-treated soils. However,microbial biomass C and N and phenol oxidase activity decreased in the N-treated soils and thus soil C increased in heavy fractions. Although N addition reduced microbial biomass and phenol oxidase activity, it had little effect on soil C mineralization, hydrolytic enzyme activities, d13 C value in soil and C–H stretch, carboxylates and amides, and C–O stretch in soil organic matter chemistry measured by Fourier transform infrared spectra. We conclude that N addition（1） altered microbial biomass and activity without affecting soil C in light fractions and（2） resulted in an increase in soil C in heavy fractions and that this increase was controlled by phenol oxidase activity and soil N availability.

Comparison of soil chemical and microbial properties in monoculture larch and mixed plantations in a temperate forest ecosystem in Northeast China

Background:The introduction of broadleaved tree species in monoculture larch plantations to establish mixed plantations is a feasible way to improve soil properties.However,our understanding of how mixed plantations of larch and broadleaved tree species affect soil properties,particularly microbial community structures and functions,remains limited.We compared three paired monoculture larch(Larix gmelinii)and mixed[L.gmelinii–Fraxinus mandshurica(a dominant broadleaved species)]plantations to investigate the effect of a larch–broadleaved tree species combination on the carbon(C)and nitrogen(N)content,abundance and composition of microbial communities,and enzyme activities associated with litter and soil.Results:The bacterial abundance in the litter,soil N availability,pH and electronic conductivity were significantly higher in the mixed-species plantation in comparison with those of the monoculture plantation.However,in the litter of mixed-species plantation,the relative levels of Agaricomycetes fungi were lower than those of the monoculture plantation,indicating that soil fungal communities were affected more than bacterial communities.In contrast,soil in the mixed-species plantation showed increased exoglucanase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activities.However,the C and N levels,δ^(13)C andδ^(15)N values,and fungal abundance in litter and soil were not significantly different between the monoculture and mixed-species plantations.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that fungal community compositions and enzyme activities are sensitive to the introduction of broadleaved tree species into larch plantations.Thus,these parameters can be used as important indicators to evaluate the effects of tree species selection on soil restoration.

Contrasting effects of N addition on the N and P status of understory vegetation in plantations of sapling and mature Larix principis-rupprechtii

Aims The productivity of forest plantations in temperate areas is often lim-ited by nitrogen(N),but may shift towards phosphorus(P)limitation with increasing atmospheric N deposition.Nutrient resorption is a nutrient conservation strategy in plants.Although data on nutrient resorption are available for overstory trees,there are few data for understory vegetation.Methods We examined leaf N and P concentrations and N and P resorption efficiencies(NRE and PRE,respectively)in eight understory species in 11-and 45-year-old Larix principis-rupprechtii stands subjected to N supplementation over a 3-year period.Important findings Leaf N concentrations and N:P ratios increased and P concentrations decreased,with N input in species within the 45-year-old stand,but not in the 11-year-old stand.NRE and PRE were not altered by N input in any of the species in either stand,but N resorption pro-ficiency decreased and P resorption proficiency increased,in the species in the 45-year-old stand.Thus,the growth of understory species may be more P-limited in the 45-versus 11-year-old stand,and nutrient resorption proficiency was more sensitive to N add-ition than nutrient resorption efficiency.These results will improve the understanding of nutrient use strategies and their responses to N addition in understory vegetation.The contrasting effects of N addition on nutrient status between stand ages cannot be ignored when modeling ecosystem nutrient cycling under global N depos-ition conditions.

Health Assessment Indicator System for Larch Plantation in Jin’gouling Forest Farm, Jilin Province

For the healthy management of plantation, a health assessment indicator system was designed at forest stand scale for the larch plantation in Jin'ouling Forest Farm, Wangqing Forestry Bureau, Jilin Province. The system consisted of 3 categories—forest structure, external interferences and management objectives, with 15 indicators. The results showed that: 1) the assessment indicator system was scientific and rational for different age groups of larch plantations; 2) both the half-mature larch plantation and mature larch plantation were semi-healthy, while the near-mature plantation was healthy. The commons of all these plantations were structural integrity, little or no pest diseases and managed by appropriate operating activities; 3) the major problems included single tree species and relatively slow growing in the half-mature larch plantations; in the near-mature plantation, the number of grass species was less; and in the farm, the stock volume of mature plantations was below the average. Therefore, the half-mature larch forest should be thinned to improve the growth and the mature forest should be cut in time.

Succession of Soil Acidity Quality and its Influence on Soil Phosphorus Types

Succession rules of soil acidity quality of larch plantations in first rotation at different development stages, succession rules of soil acidity quality of young stand of larch plantations in second rotation and the relationship between soil acidity and various forms of organic phosphorus and inorganic phosphorus were studied in mountainous area of eastern part of Northeastern China. The results showed that active acidity (pH value) inrhizosphere soil decreased continually with stand age increasing from young stand, half-mature stand, near mature stand to mature stand, but active acidity (pH value) in non-rhizosphere soil, exchange acidity, exchangeable aluminium, total hydrolytic acidity, and the ratio of exchange acidity and total hydrolytic acidity in rhizosphere soil and in non-rhizosphere soil increased apparently; total organic P, moderately resistant organic P, and highly resistant organic P in soil decreased at all age stages in larch plantations when soil acidity added. For rhizosphere soil of all stands of larch plantations at different development stages,there was positive correlation between Ca-P (except in young stand), Al-P(except in half-mature stand), Fe-P (except in near mature stand and mature stand), O-P (except in young stand), and soil active acidity,respectively; For rhizosphere soil, there was negative correlation between Ca-P (except in half-mature stand), Al-P(except in young stand), O-P, and exchange acidity, exchangeable aluminium, there was also negative correlation between Ca-P, Al-P(except in young stand and half-mature stand), Fe-P, O-P, and total hydrolytic acidity respectively. For rhizosphere soil, the correlation coefficient between Ca-P, O-P and total hydrolytic aciditydecreased, respectively, as stand ages up and that between Fe-P and exchange acidity,exchangeable aluminium increased, respectively, as stand ages grew. For non-rhizosphere soil, there was not significant correlation between soil acidity and various forms of inorganic phosphorus and organic phosphorus,respectively.