Old Pinus massoniana forests benefit more from recent rapid warming in humid subtropical areas of central-southern China

Trees progress through various growth stages,each marked by specific responses and adaptation strate-gies to environmental conditions.Despite the importance of age-related growth responses on overall forest health and management policies,limited knowledge exists regarding age-related effects on dendroclimatic relationships in key subtropical tree species.In this study,we employed a den-drochronological method to examine the impact of rapid warming on growth dynamics and climatic sensitivity of young(40–60 years)and old(100–180 years)Pinus mas-soniana forests across six sites in central-southern China.The normalized log basal area increment of trees in both age groups increased significantly following rapid warming in 1984.Trees in young forests further showed a distinct growth decline during a prolonged severe drought(2004–2013),whereas those in old forests maintained growth increases.Tree growth was more strongly influenced by temperature than by moisture,particularly in old forests.Spring tem-peratures strongly and positively impacted the growth of old trees but had a weaker effect on young ones.Old forests had a significantly lower resistance to extreme drought but faster recovery compared to young forests.The“divergence problem”was more pronounced in younger forests due to their heightened sensitivity to warming-induced drought and heat stress.With ongoing warming,young forests also may initially experience a growth decline due to their heightened sensitivity to winter drought.Our findings underscore the importance of considering age-dependent changes in forest/tree growth response to warming in subtropical forest man-agement,particularly in the context of achieving“Carbon Peak&Carbon Neutrality”goals in China.

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition affects forest plant and soil system carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus stoichiometric flexibility:A meta-analysis

Background:Nitrogen(N)deposition affects forest stoichiometric flexibility through changing soil nutrient availability to influence plant uptake.However,the effect of N deposition on the flexibility of carbon(C),N,and phosphorus(P)in forest plant-soil-microbe systems remains unclear.Methods:We conducted a meta-analysis based on 751 pairs of observations to evaluate the responses of plant,soil and microbial biomass C,N and P nutrients and stoichiometry to N addition in different N intensity(050,50–100,>100 kg·ha^(-1)·year^(-1)of N),duration(0–5,>5 year),method(understory,canopy),and matter(ammonium N,nitrate N,organic N,mixed N).Results:N addition significantly increased plant N:P(leaf:14.98%,root:13.29%),plant C:P(leaf:6.8%,root:25.44%),soil N:P(13.94%),soil C:P(10.86%),microbial biomass N:P(23.58%),microbial biomass C:P(12.62%),but reduced plant C:N(leaf:6.49%,root:9.02%).Furthermore,plant C:N:P stoichiometry changed significantly under short-term N inputs,while soil and microorganisms changed drastically under high N addition.Canopy N addition primarily affected plant C:N:P stoichiometry through altering plant N content,while understory N inputs altered more by influencing soil C and P content.Organic N significantly influenced plant and soil C:N and C:P,while ammonia N changed plant N:P.Plant C:P and soil C:N were strongly correlated with mean annual precipitation(MAT),and the C:N:P stoichiometric flexibility in soil and plant under N addition connected with soil depth.Besides,N addition decoupled the correlations between soil microorganisms and the plant.Conclusions:N addition significantly increased the C:P and N:P in soil,plant,and microbial biomass,reducing plant C:N,and aggravated forest P limitations.Significantly,these impacts were contingent on climate types,soil layers,and N input forms.The findings enhance our comprehension of the plant-soil system nutrient cycling mechanisms in forest ecosystems and plant strategy responses to N deposition.

Nutrient cycling characteristics of Quercus acutissima and Pinus massoniana mixed forest in the Three Gorge Reservoir area, China

The cycling characteristics of nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P) and potassium(K) of the Quercus acutissima and Pinus massoniana mixed forest which is the most common forest type in the Three Gorge Reservoir areas in China, were systematically analyzed. The results showed that N, P and K accumulated in the plant pool and in the litter pool, while total N, P, and K were deficient in the soil pool and in the forest systems. Contents of N in the soil of depth 20—40 cm were the key factor limiting growth of trees. The biological outside cycling coefficients were 878, 725 and 117 times of inside cycling coefficients of N, P and K, respectively. 3392, 1026 and 1588 kg of N, P and K return to the litter pool from branches, leaves and throughfall per year, but, 1431, 132 and 1048 kg of N, P and K return to the soil from litter pool per year respectively. It is clear that 58% of N, 87% of P, and 34% of K are lost by surface runoff per year. 549%, 130%, and 834% of N, P and K withdraw from leaves to branches, 499%, 199% and 730% of N, P and K withdraw from branches to trunks per year, respectively.

天坑森林植物叶-凋落物-土壤C、N、P生态化学计量特征

为探究广西乐业大石围天坑森林群落的C、N、P养分循环特征,比较了天坑内外森林群落的植物叶片-凋落物-土壤C、N、P含量及其化学计量比,采用相关性分析和冗余分析等统计方法研究其内在联系和相互影响。结果表明,与天坑外部森林相比,天坑内部森林植物叶片和凋落物呈现出C低N、P高,土壤为C、N低P高的格局。植物叶片C:N、C:P与凋落物C、N:P显著正相关,植物叶片C与土壤P显著负相关;天坑外部森林的植物叶片N、N:P与土壤N:P显著负相关,植物叶片C:N与土壤C、C:N显著正相关,说明天坑森林内部凋落物的C、P养分可能主要来源于植物叶片,而天坑外部森林的植物叶片C、N主要来自土壤。土壤C:N:P对植物叶、凋落物的C:N:P变化的解释率分别为90.7%和50.6%,其中土壤P对植物叶和凋落物的C:N:P计量特征变化的解释度最高,坑内生境植物对P含量变化更为敏感、坑外植物对于N含量变化更为敏感,表明天坑内部森林可能是P素受限位点、天坑外部森林是N素受限位点。喀斯特天坑内部森林和外部森林植物叶-凋落物-土壤的C:N:P的差异和联系,体现了天坑内外森林群落的养分循环特征和植物群落的适应性。

Development,differentiation,and material distribution of secondary phloem in Pinus massoniana

Phloem is the woody tissue for the storage and long-distance transport of organic matter in vascular bundles.To reveal the process of secondary phloem development and differentiation in Pinus massoniana,the structure of the secondary phloem and the distribution of cell inclusions were observed by histochemical staining,spontaneous fluorescence of phenolic substances and cell segregation.Based on tissue development and differentiation characteristics of P.massoniana secondary phloem,the secondary phloem development was divided into seven stages:the functional phloem stage;the sieve cell lignification stage;the phloem ray bending stage;the parenchyma cell dedifferentiation and division stage;the dedifferentiated parenchyma cell population formation stage;the periderm alteration stage,and the rhytidome stage.An analysis of cell morphology and inclusion distribution characteristics showed that the sieve cells were deformed during lignification,the quantities of parenchyma and resin ducts increased with development and the crystal content in cells,as well as the levels of sugars and lipids in phloem parenchyma cells,increased with development.The results indicate that the P.massoniana phloem first lost longitudinal transport function and then increased its secretory,storage and mechanical functions.Ultimately,the parenchyma differentiated into the cortex and periderm,and the tissue outside the new periderm lignified to form the rhytidome,which fully developed into the protective tissue of the stem.

Decreasing the error in the measurement of the ecosystem effective leaf area index of a Pinus massoniana forest

Decreasing the forest ecosystem leaf-area index error(LAIe)helps accurately estimate the growth and light energy utilization of aboveground foliage.Analyzing light transmission in forest ecosystems can effectively determine LAIe.The LAI-2200 plant canopy analyzer(PCA)is used extensively for rapid field-effective LAI(LAIe)measurements and primarily to measure forest canopy LAIe values.However,sometimes this parameter must also be measured in forests with small clearings.In this study,we used the LAI-2200 PCA to obtain one A-value and four B-values each for the canopy,herbaceous layer,and forest ecosystem LAIe.Field measurements showed that the three LAIe types were obviously different.In certain quadrats,the average herbaceous layer(Dicranopteris dichotoma Bernh.)LAIe apparently exceeded that of the Pinus massoniana forest ecosystem.The sources of this error were measuring and recording A-value readings for small canopies and underestimating the ecosystem LAIe.We obtained similar coefficients of determination for both the pre-recomputation and post-recomputation of the canopy and forest ecosystem LAIe(R^2C 0.96 and R^2C 0.99,respectively);thus,the error was decreased.Measuring field LAIe with the LAI-2200 PCA and recomputation should compensate for LAIe underestimation in complex forest ecosystems.

马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林林窗对土壤不同形态活性有机碳的影响

研究了四川盆地低山丘陵区马尾松人工林不同大小林窗对表层土壤活性有机碳(水溶性有机碳、微生物量碳、易氧化碳)含量、分配比例及碳库管理指数的影响。结果表明:(1)林窗下土壤微生物量碳含量与分配比例较林下土壤有所升高,而水溶性有机碳与易氧化碳含量及水溶性有机碳分配比例有所降低。(2)林窗大小显著影响林窗中心土壤活性有机碳含量与分配比例。随林窗面积增大,水溶性有机碳、微生物量碳与易氧化碳含量呈现较为一致的升高趋势;水溶性有机碳和微生物量碳分配比例也升高,易氧化碳分配比例先下降后升高,稳定态碳先升高后降低;总体表现为较大林窗(900—1225m2)微生物活性强,活性有机碳含量高,且有机碳库稳定性较好。(3)土壤碳库管理指数随林窗面积增大无显著变化,但与各形态活性有机碳含量及总有机碳含量显著相关,说明土壤碳库管理指数能够相对全面地反映林窗大小对土壤碳库的影响。

Cultivation Techniques of Panax notoginseng F.H. Chen under Different Forests

To overcome the issues of high cost and continuous cropping obstacles in facility cultivation of Panax notoginseng_ F. H. Chen, satisfy the market demand, save the production cost, improve the utilization rate of forest land, increase the in-come of forest farmers and protect the ecological environment, the cultivation tech-niques of high-quality P. notoginseng seedlings from Wenshan, Yunnan under four kinds of forests （walnut forest, China fir forest, grape forest and kiwi forest） were in-vestigated in this study. The results showed that the height growth, crown diameter, survival rate and 3-year-old tuber weight of P. notoginseng_under walnut forest were higher than those under the other three kinds of forests; the height growth, crown diameter, survival rate and 3-year-old tuber weight of P. notoginseng under China fir forest were higher than those under grape forest and kiwi forest; and the crown di-ameter and survival rate under grape forest were higher, and the height growth and tuber weight under grape forest were lower than those under kiwi forest. Walnut is a broad-leaved deciduous tree species, so large-scale cultivation of P. notoginseng_should be conducted under broadleaf deciduous forest with canopy density around 0.8, taking advantage of the cool environment and rich humus layer under forest. This cultivation technology could save labor, shade, fertilizer and other costs, and accord with the ecological habit and the growth rules of P. notoginseng, thus im-proving yield and achieving high economic benefit.

Study on Sonneratia apetala productivity in restored forests in Leizhou Peninsula, China

The exotic Sonneratia apetala in Leizhou Peninsula, has shown outstanding fast-growing ability in restored mangrove forests, at the middle and high tide intertidal zone, with year-round fresh water input from drainage. By setting plot and selecting standard tree, investigation and measurement on height growth, diameter growth, biomass, productivity, and so on, were made in a S. apetala plantation at age of six at Lanbei, Fucheng, Leizhou Peninsula in May 2001. The investigating results showed that the mean annual height growth of plantation was 2.03 m and mean annual growth of diameter at breast height (DBH) was 2.35 cm. There exists a significant correlation between the diameter at ground surface (DGS) and DBH. The average biomass of a single standard tree in dry weight was 95.647 kg/m2. A ratio of above-ground biomass to under-ground biomass was 1.60. The stand biomass of unit area was 22.955 kg/m2, singletree wood volume was 88.23 dm3, and the annual wood volume productivity (PA) of the same year was 0.407. The forest energy accumulation was 424.851 MJ/m2, with annual solar energy fixing rate of 40.68 ×10-7%. It is concluded that S. apetala species had characteristics of outstanding high biomass accumulation and could be used as coastal planting tree species in southern China.

Effect of Planting Eucalyptus Trees on Runoff Depth and Its Processes of Forestland Natural Watersheds

The runoff and runoff process of Eucalyptus plantations natural watershed were studied to provide guidance for scientific evaluation of water conservation capacities of Eucalyptus plantations,compared with the Pinus massoniana forest natural watershed. The runoff volumes of Eucalyptus plantations and P. massoniana forest natural watersheds were continuously monitored using the small watershed runoff monitoring method and the automatic data collection devices from August,2013 to December,2016,and effects of heavy rainfall and continuous rainfall on the runoff process were studied. Results showed that the annual runoff coefficient of Eucalyptus plantations natural watershed was 0. 050,and 55. 4% lower than P. massoniana forest（ 0. 112）,with the difference being significant（ P 〈 0. 01）. Total runoff duration,time of maximum runoff lagging behind rainfall peak,and runoff duration caused by a heavy rainfall process（ amounting to 147. 5 mm） between the two kinds of forest watersheds were significant different,those of Eucalyptus plantations were 35. 6 mm,0. 2 h and 13. 8 h,respectively,while those of P. massoniana forest were28. 5 mm,0. 7 h and 35. 5 h,respectively. Eucalyptus plantations natural watershed produced only 4-days runoff,and runoff depth amounted to3. 8 mm with a 7-days continuous precipitation process of rainfall with 125. 0 mm,while P. massoniana forest natural watershed produced continuously 13-days runoff,and the runoff depth was 10. 1 mm. In conclusion,water conservation capacity of Eucalyptus plantations is obviously lower than P. massoniana forest.

浙江省马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林土壤呼吸的研究

本文研究了浙江省马尾松（Pinusmassoniana）林土壤呼吸速率与土壤温度的关系，建立土壤呼吸速率与地表温度的模型，根据气象资料估算得到马尾松林的年均土壤CO2呼吸量为25．33tCO2·hm-2a-1，浙江省马尾松林每年土壤CO2排放量为3．60×107tCO2·a-1．

不同林龄马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林碳氮磷分配格局及化学计量特征

为了解长江上游低山丘陵区马尾松（Pinus massoniana）人工林生态系统的C、N、P分配格局及化学计量特征，本文采用时空互代的方法，在宜宾高县来复林区选取三种不同林龄（5年生幼龄林、14年生中龄林、39年生成熟林），但立地条件相近、样地情况基本一致的马尾松（Pinus massoniana）人工林作为研究对象，对马尾松针叶、凋落物及土壤中的C、N、P含量及 w（C）？w（N）？w（P）化学计量特征进行测定和分析。结果表明，（1）C、N、P 含量均表现为针叶〉凋落物〉土壤，且在三个库之间差异显著；（2）林龄对针叶、凋落物、土壤的 C、N、P 及 w（C）？w（N）、w（C）？w（P）计量比均有显著影响。（3）土壤 C、N、P含量在成熟林中最高；针叶和凋落物的C含量在成熟林中最低，N、P含量则在中龄林中最高。（4）随林龄增加马尾松对N、P的利用效率降低，针叶、凋落物及土壤的w（C）？w（N）与 w（C）？w（P）均表现为下降。（5）马尾松针叶w（N）？w（P）比值在14.37~15.53之间，说明该地区马尾松人工林受N和P的共同限制，但林龄对N、P养分限制的影响不显著。为提高该区马尾松人工林的生产力，建议在人工林的抚育管理中要适当增加N肥和P肥，同时也可在马尾松人工林引入豆科固氮植物以提高地力。该研究将马尾松针叶、凋落物及土壤结合起来探究随林龄增长C、N、P养分元素的分配格局及化学计量特征的变化，有助于全面、系统地揭示马尾松人工林生态系统的养分循环，对指导马尾松人工林生产，调节和改善林木生长环境，提高系统的养分利用效率及林地生产力具有重要意义。

封育次生马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林优势种群竞争密度效应

以退化红壤区封山育林植被恢复过程中优势种群马尾松为研究对象,研究不同恢复阶段马尾松种群竞争密度效应,并提出一个适用性更强的竞争密度效应模型.研究表明,退化红壤区植被恢复过程中优势种群马尾松竞争密度效应明显,优势种群平均胸径(D)、平均胸高断面积(S)、平均单株材积(V)、林分蓄积量 (M)与种群密度 (ρ)的竞争密度关系密切,达到极显著水平(α<0. 01);新竞争密度效应模型较前人模型描述C-D效应效果更理想,可在森林竞争密度效应研究中应用. 表 4参

Bias of the Random Forest Out-of-Bag (OOB) Error for Certain Input Parameters

Random Forest is an excellent classification tool, especially in the –omics sciences such as metabolomics, where the number of variables is much greater than the number of subjects, i.e., “n p.” However, the choices for the arguments for the random forest implementation are very important. Simulation studies are performed to compare the effect of the input parameters on the predictive ability of the random forest. The number of variables sampled, m-try, has the largest impact on the true prediction error. It is often claimed that the out-of-bag error (OOB) is an unbiased estimate of the true prediction error. However, for the case where n p, with the default arguments, the out-of-bag (OOB) error overestimates the true error, i.e., the random forest actually performs better than indicated by the OOB error. This bias is greatly reduced by subsampling without replacement and choosing the same number of observations from each group. However, even after these adjustments, there is a low amount of bias. The remaining bias occurs because when there are trees with equal predictive ability, the one that performs better on the in-bag samples will perform worse on the out-of-bag samples. Cross-validation can be performed to reduce the remaining bias.

Comparison of foliar nutrient concentrations between natural and artificial forests of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica on sandy land, China

In order to examine the causes of degradation of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantations on sandy land, the foliar concentrations of N, P, K and C were analyzed and compared between the field grown P. sylvestris var. mongolica trees from two provenances （natural forests and plantations）. The results indicated that natural tree needles had lower N, P and C concentrations, and higher K concentrations than those of plantation tree needles. For plantation tree needles, ratios of N： P, P. K and N： K increased with tree age before 45 years old; but they were not clear for the natural tree needles. Compared with the conclusions reported on Pinus spp., we found that the foliar N and P concentrations were in the optimal range for both natural and plantation tree needles. This result suggested that N or P might not be the absolute limit factors in plant nutrient for P sylvestris var. mongolica on sandy land. However, foliar K concentrations in both natural and plantation tree needles were much lower than those reported on Pinus spp. （〉4.80 g kg-1）.The N： P ratio of natural needles was in the adequate ranges, but N： P ratio of plantation needles was out of the adequate ranges. These results indicated that there was a better balanced nutrition status in the natural forest than in the plantations. If only considering the foliar nutrient concentrations of P sylvestris var. mongolica from different provenances, it might be concluded that the degradation phenomenon of P. sylvestris var. mongolica plantations was not induced by nutrition deficiency of absolute nutrients of N and P, but might be induced by other mineral nutrients or by the effectiveness of N and P nutrients. The unbalanced nutrition status and relatively quick decomposition of needles in the plantations might also contribute to the degradation.

Nutrient Accumulation and Distribution of Mature Pinus massoniana Plantation in Northwestern Guangxi

[Objectives]This study was conducted to reveal the characteristics of nutrient absorption and accumulation in Pinus massoniana plantations in Northwestern Guangxi.[Methods]Based on field investigation and indoor analysis,the contents,accumulation and annual net accumulation of five nutrient elements(N,P,K,Ca and Mg)in a mature P.massoniana plantation(26-year-old)in Nandan County,Guangxi Province were studied.[Results]The contents of nutrient elements in different organs of the mature P.massoniana plantation were the highest in the leaves,followed by the bark,branch and root,and the lowest in the stem.In general,among the contents of the five elements in different organs,N content was the highest,followed by K or Ca,and P and Mg were the lowest.The total accumulation of nutrient elements in the 26-year-old mature P.massoniana plantation in northwestern Guangxi was 1 384.05 kg/hm^2.Among the different structural levels of the stand,the tree layer had the highest accumulation of nutrient elements,which was 1 198.41 kg/hm^2,accounting for 86.59%of the total accumulation of nutrients in the plantation,and the accumulation of nutrients in other layers from the largest to the smallest was the litter layer(91.97 kg/hm^2),herb layer(49.86 kg/hm^2)and shrub layer(43.92 kg/hm^2),accounting for 3.17%,3.60%and 6.64%of the total nutrient accumulation of the plantation,respectively.The annual net accumulation of nutrient elements in the tree layer of the mature P.massoniana plantation was 46.09 kg/(hm^2·a),and the order of the annual net accumulation of different nutrient elements followed N>K>Ca>Mg>P;and the accumulation of 1 t of dry matter needed 6.37 kg of the five nutrients.[Conclusions]This study provides a scientific basis for the rational management of P.massoniana plantations,especially forest soil management.

甘南黄河流域4种典型林分土壤C、N、P化学计量特征

土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)是参与植物光合作用和影响生态系统初级生产力的主要元素。甘南高原是黄河流域重要的生态屏障,为了解该区不同林分土壤养分状况的差异,选取该区4种典型林分:云杉林、华北落叶松林、巴山冷杉林以及岷江冷杉糙皮桦混交林为研究对象,研究土壤C、N、P化学计量特征。结果表明:(1)岷江冷杉及糙皮桦混交林土壤C、N含量最高,云杉林土壤N、P含量最低。不同林分间P含量差异显著(P<0.05),不同土层间C、N含量差异均显著(P<0.05)。(2)云杉林土壤C∶N值显著高于其他林分,岷江冷杉及糙皮桦混交林土壤N∶P及C∶P高于其他林分。(3)海拔、土壤pH、容重与土壤含水量是影响土壤养分的重要因素。土壤C含量与N、P含量均显著相关(P<0.05)。总体来说,不同林分土壤化学计量特征具有显著差异,混交林土壤养分状况较纯林好,未来森林管理和植被建设中,可以通过选择合适的树种和提高树种多样性有效改善森林土壤质量。

The Influence of Typical Forest Types on Soil Erosion Resistance in the Water Source Areas of Central Yunnan

In order to clarify the influence of different forest types on soil erosion resistance in water source area of Central Yunnan,with the soils under three different kinds of typical forest in Yizhe watershed as the research object,this paper uses field simulation method and principal component analysis to analyze the soil erosion resistance of three kinds of soils. The results show that there is a significant difference in the shear strength of soil among three types of typical forest,and the size of soil shear strength is in the order of Pinus yunnanensis forest land >mixed broadleaf-conifer forest land > eucalyptus forest land. The difference in the soil erosion coefficient among different forests is not significant,and the soil erosion resistance is highest in mixed broadleaf-conifer forest land( 39. 0%),followed by eucalyptus woodland( 37. 0%)and Pinus yunnanensis forest land( 24. 0%). Under heavy rain intensity and long duration of rainfall,the ability of soil under eucalyptus ×Pinus yunnanensis mixed forests to resist disintegration is more obvious. Using principal component analysis to analyze soil erosion resistance of soils under three different forests,we get the comprehensive evaluation model for soil erosion resistance: Y = 0. 763Y1+ 0. 236Y2. The soil erosion resistance is in the order of mixed broadleaf-conifer forest land( 0. 150) > eucalyptus forest land( 0. 127) > Pinus yunnanensis forest land(-0. 079),indicating that the mixed forests have better water loss and soil erosion control effect than pure forests.

Forest landscape patterns dynamics of Yihe-Luohe river basin

Based on the information from forest resources distribution maps of Luoning County of 1983 and 1999, six indices were used to analyze spatial patterns and dynamics of forest landscapes of the typical region in the middle of the Yihe-Luohe river basin. These indices include patch number, mean patch area, fragment index, patch extension index, etc. The results showed that: (1) There was a rapid increase in the number of patch and total area from 1983 to 1999 in the study area. The fragment degree became very high. (2) The area of all the forest patch types had witnessed great changes. The fractal degree of each forest patch type became big from 1983 to 1999. The mean extension index of Robinia pseudoacacia forest, non-forest, shrub forest, sparse forest, and Quercus species forest increased rapidly, but that of economic forest became zero. The fractal dimension each showed that forest coverage has been promoted. (3) The changes of landscape patterns were different in different geomorphic regions. From 1983 to 1999 the vegetation cover area, the gross number and the density of patch, diversity and evenness of landscape were all reduced greatly in gullies and ravines, but the maximum area and the mean area of patch types were increased. In hilly region, both the forest cover area and the number of patch increased from 1983 to 1999, but the mean area of patch was reduced greatly. In mountain region, even though the area under forest canopy reduced from 1983 to 1999, the patch number was increased greatly, the mean area of all patch types was reduced, the extension index, diversity index and evenness index of landscape were all increased. Furthermore, because of different types of land use, human activity and terrain, the vegetation changes on northern and southern mountain slopes were different. According to these analyses, the main driving forces, such as the policies of management, market economy, influence of human activities etc. are brought out.

Organic matter quality of forest floor as a driver of C and P dynamics in acacia and eucalypt plantations established on a Ferralic Arenosols, Congo

Background: Land-use change and forest management may alter soil organic matter(SOM) and nutrient dynamics,due in part to alterations in litter input and quality. Acacia was introduced in eucalypt plantations established in the Congolese coastal plains to improve soil fertility and tree growth. Eucalypt trees were expected to benefit from N2 fixed by acacia. However, some indicators suggest a perturbation in SOM and P dynamics might affect the sustainability of the system in the medium and long term. In tropical environments, most of the nutrient processes are determined by the high rates of organic matter(OM) mineralization. Therefore, SOM stability might play a crucial role in regulating soil-plant processes. In spite of this, the relationship between SOM quality, C and other nutrient dynamics are not well understood. In the present study, OM quality and P forms in forest floor and soil were investigated to get more insight on the C and P dynamics useful to sustainable management of forest plantations.Methods: Thermal analysis(differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and thermogravimetry(TGA)) and nuclear magnetic resonance(solid state13 C CPMASS and NMR and31 P-NMR) spectroscopy have been applied to partially decomposed forest floor and soils of pure acacia and eucalypt, and mixed-species acacia-eucalypt stands.Results: Thermal analysis and13 C NMR analysis revealed a more advanced stage of humification in forest floor of acacia-eucalypt stands, suggesting a greater microbial activity in its litter. SOM were related to the OM recalcitrance of the forest floor, indicating this higher microbial activity of the forest floor in this stand might be favouring the incorporation of C into the mineral soil.Conclusions: In relation with the fast mineralization in this environment, highly soluble orthophosphate was the dominant P form in both forest floor and soils. However, the mixed-species forest stands immobilized greater P in organic forms, preventing the P losses by leaching and contributing to sustain the P demand in the medium term.This shows that interactions between plants, microorganisms and soil can sustain the demand of this ecosystem.For this, the forest floor plays a key role in tightening the P cycle, minimizing the P losses.