Surface wildfire in conifer broad-leaved forests of the Hyrcanian region of Iran:short-term effect on regeneration and damage to trees

Wildfires in recent years have resulted in degradation and damage to the Hyrcanian forest ecosystems in Northern Iran.This study was carried out to investigate fire damage to trees and changes in regeneration in early-season growth after wildfires in the Golestan Province.For this purpose,a random sampling plan was used,with 60 circular plots（each plot is 1000 m2） for each stand and 240 circular（25 m2） plots for regeneration within the burned and unburned areas,respectively.In each plot,habitat factors were recorded,including crown canopy percentage,forest stratum,herb-layer cover percentage,species,diameter at breast height,tree and regeneration quality,and quantity of seedlings and saplings.Our results showed that bark is an important factor for fire resistance in Hyrcanian forests.The Persian ironwood and European yew has the highest and lowest fire resistance;as broad leave species are more resistant than needle leaf species.Density of regeneration in unburned area was higher than burned area,and statistical analysis showed significant differences for all species between two areas.Fire effects on sapling were different among species which indicates sapling has different resistance to fire.Forest floor fuel,season,stand composition and microclimate have more effects on fire severity while environmental factors,regeneration and management practices shaping future composition stands.

Dynamics of nitrogen nutrition of coexisting dominant trees in mixed broad-leaved/Korean pine forest

Chemical analysis of ammonium, nitrate and total nitrogen in tree leaves and roots and anin-vivo bioassay for nitrate reductase activity (NRA) were used to monitor the seasonal variations in nitrogen assimilation among four coexisting dominant tree species, includingPinus koraiensis, Tilia amurensis, Fraxinus mandshurica andAcer mono, in a virgin mixed broad-leaved/Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forest. The soil study included individual horizons of L+F (0–5 cm), Ah (5–11 cm) and Aw (11–25 cm). All four species had nitrate and ammonium in their roots and leaves, and also NRA in leaves. This indicated that these coexisting species were adapted to ammonium + nitrate nutrition. A negative correlation existed between nitrate use and ammonium use. Ammonium concentration was higher than that of nitrate in tree leaves and roots, and also in soils, which indicated climax woody species had a relative preference for ammonium nutrition. There was a positive relationship between tree nitrogen nutrition use and soil nitrogen nutrient supply. Utilization of ammonium and nitrate as well as the seasonal patterns differed significantly between the species. Peaks of ammonium, nitrate, NRA and total nitrogen in one species were therefore not necessarily synchronous with peaks in other species, and which indicated a species-specific seasonal use of nitrogen. The species-specific temporal differentiation in nitrogen use might reduce the competition between co-existing species and may be an important mechanism promoting stability of virgin mixed broad-leaved//Korean pine forest.

Combined community ecology and floristics,a synthetic study on the upper montane evergreen broad-leaved forests in Yunnan,southwestern China

The upper montane evergreen broad-leaved forest in Yunnan occurs mainly in the zone of persistent cloud and has a discontinuous,island-like,distribution.It is diverse,rich in endemic species,and likely to be sensitive to climate change.Six 1-ha sampling plots were established across the main distribution area of the upper montane evergreen broad-leaved forest in Yunnan.All trees with d.b.h.>1 cm in each plot were identified.Patterns of seed plant distributions were quantified at the specific,generic and family levels.The forests are dominated by the families Fagaceae,Lauraceae,Theaceae and Magnoliaceae,but are very diverse with only a few species shared between sites.Floristic similarities at the family and generic level were high,but they were low at the specific level,with species complementarity between plots.Diversity varied greatly among sites,with greater species richness and more rare species in western Yunnan than central Yunnan.The flora is dominated by tropical biogeographical elements,mainly the pantropic and the tropical Asian distributions at the family and genus levels.In contrast,at the species level,the flora is dominated by the southwest or the southeast China distributions,including Yunnan endemics.This suggests that the flora of the upper montane forest in Yunnan could have a tropical floristic origin,and has adapted to cooler temperatures with the uplift of the Himalayas.Due to great sensitivity to climate,high endemism and species complementarity,as well as the discontinuous,island-like,distribution patterns of the upper montane forest in Yunnan,the regional conservation of the forest is especially needed.

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.

Role of urban remnant evergreen broad-leaved forests on natural restoration of artificial forests in Chongqing metropolis

The effects of urban remnant natural evergreen broad-leaved forest (EBLF) on the restoration of artificial pine forests surrounding it were studied with reference to species composition,biodiversity,dominant species and stand structure on Mt. Tieshanping in Chongqing metropolis,Southwest China. The seeds from the remnant EBLF naturally facilitate the restoration process of artificial Pinus massoniana forests near it. The similarity of species composition between the artificial Pinus massoniana forests and the remnant EBLF and biodiversity index of the artificial Pinus massoniana forests decrease as the distance from the remnant EBLF increases. Castanopsis carlesii var. spinusa is the dominant species in the ground vegetation,shrub layer and sub-tree layer of the Pinus massoniana forests near the remnant EBLF. However,the natural restoration processes of those farther away from the remnant EBLF are restricted for the absence of seed source of the inherent components of the remnant EBLF,and the anthropogenic measures should be taken to facilitate the restoration process.

Factors controlling N_2O and CH_4 fluxes in mixed broad-leaved/Korean pine forest of Changbai Mountain, China

Using the closed chamber technique, the in situ measurements of N2O and CH4 fluxes was conducted in a broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest ecosystem in Changbai Mountain, China. from June 1994 to october 1995. The relationships between fluxes (N2O and CH4) and some major environmental factors (temperature, soil water content and soil availabIe nitrogen) were studied. A significant positive correlation between Nzo emission and air/soil temperature was observed, but no significant correIation was found between N2O emission and soil water content (SWC). This result showed that temperature was an important controlling factor of N2O flux. There was a significant correlation between CH4 uptake and SWC, but no significant correlation was found between CH4 uptake and temperature. This suggested SWC was an important factor controlling CH4 uptake. The very significant negative correlation between logarithmic N2O flux and soil nitrate concentration, significant negative correlation between CH4 flux and soil ammonium content were also found.

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.

Age structure of Tilia broad-leaved Korean pine forest on northern slope of Changbai Mountain

Based on a vast of field investigation on stamps in Tilia broad-leaved Korean pine forest on northem slope of Changbai Mountain, age structure of some major species were studied in this paper. The results showed that Korean pine population was composed of grouped patches with different ages. There were not strict intervals among the dominated generations,and the curve of age structure often had two or more peaks. The distribution of broad-leaved species in natural Korean pine forest was grouped or scattered, and age distribution was also uneven-aged. There existed close relation between quantity of broad-leaved species and Korean pine. So, it shaped multi-storied and uneven-aged mixed forest. The model of age structure and growth demonstrated their passive correlation, but growth became slow when woods had reached old age.

A succession and silviculture model for the broad-leaved Korean pine forests of Changbai Mountain Area

A succession and silviculture model (ZELIG.CBA) for broad-leaved Korean pine forest of Changbai Moutain Area was developed based on the framework of ZELIG model and characteristics of Broad-leaved Korean pine forests of Changbai area. ZELIG.CBA model consists four sub-models: growth model simulating annual increment of individual tree in forest, regeneration model simulating annual establishment of different tree species, mortality model simulating annual agerelated and stress-related morality; and silviculture model simulating the forest response to different silviculture scenario. The validation of the ZELIG.CBA showed that the accuracy of the model for the forest growth was more than 95%. The succession from clear cutting site simulating showed that the ZELIG.CBA model was stable for long term simulation. And selective cutting experiment showed that the optimal scenario for broad-leaved Korean pine forests was removal volume 30% combining with 30a rotation.

Effects of simulated acid rain on seedling emergence and growth of five broad-leaved species

Seeds and seedlings of five broad-leaved species were separately exposed to simulated acid rain at pH values of 2.0, 3.5, 5.0, and 6.0, or to distilled water (the control). The results showed that seed germination was remarkably inhibited by pH 2.0 treatment for three species. Significant foliar damage, decline in chlorophyll contents, and retardation of the seedlings growth of all the species, were observed at pH 2.0 treatment. The pH 2.0 treatment seemed to be a threshold level for inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth for all the treated species, while seedling was stimulated at pH value between 3.5 and 5.0.

Comparative Study of Carbon Storage and Allocation Characteristics of Mature Evergreen Broad-leaved Forest

Evergreen broad-leaved forest is an important forest type in China.This paper analyzes the allocation characteristics of vegetation and soil carbon pool of evergreen broad-leaved forest,to understand the current status of research on the carbon storage of evergreen broadleaved forest as well as shortcomings.In the context of global climate change,it is necessary to carry out the long-term research of evergreen broad-leaved forest,in order to grasp the formation mechanism of evergreen broad-leaved forest productivity,and the impact of climate change on the carbon sequestration function of evergreen broad-leaved forest ecosystem.

NITROGEN NUTRIENT MECHANISM IN SECONDARY SUCCESSION PROCESS OF THE MIXED BROAD-LEAVED/ KOREAN PINE (PINUS KORAIENSIS) FOREST

Chemical and biochemical analysis methods were used to monitor the vedations of nitrogen nutrient among the dominance trees species in secondary succession process of the mixed broad - leaved/Korean pine forest on Changbai Mountains, Northeast China. Amounts of total nitrogen, anunonium and NRA in soils of virgin broad-leaved/Korean pine forest which is in climax were higher than those of secondary birch forests those are in succession Stage. The amount of nitrate was in the other hand. In climax, dominance trees species are tolerant mesophytic trees such as Pinus Koraiensis, Tilia amurensis, Acer mono and also Fraxinus mandshurica, they are all ammonium + nitrate adapted species, but they show a preference for the anunonium rather than those of the pioneer trees species in secondary birch forest, such as Populus davidiava and Betula platyphylla. Because they have more ammonium in their leaves and roots, especially Pinus koraiensis. Populus davidvana and Betula plaaphlla are intolerant trees, amounts of nitrate and total nitrogen is higher in their leaves and roots and also NRA in their leaves, so they preference for the nitrate rather than the others.In secondary birch forest, the regeneration trees species adapt their nitroggn nutrient to the variation of nitrogen nutrient situation in soil, finally they could survival well and the secondary birch forest would succession to climax. In climax, dominance trees species adapt their Nitrogen nutrient to the situation in soil and there are not strong competition in nitrogen nutrient among them, so they can coexist well and keep the climax as stable vegetation.

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.

DIVERSITY OF HIGHER PLANT IN BROAD LEAVED KOREAN PINE AND SECONDARY BIRCH FORESTS IN LIANGSHUI NATURAL RESERVE

Shannon diversity index and its evenness are used to analyze the difference of higher plants in brod-leaved Korean pine forest and secondary birch forest. The result show that the species diversity of higher plants in secondary bireh forest is higher than that in broad-leaved Korean pine forest. Many of rare species existing in broad-leaved Korean pine forest are few or absent in secondary birch forest. The diversity of herbs both in broad-leaved Korean pine and in secondary birch forest is very rich and has a great change in different scesons.

Recovery of species diversity after disturbance of broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest in Changbai Mountain

Recovery of species diversity after catastrophic disturbance was influenced by a few factors, such as intensity of disturbance, availability of propagules, and the environmental conditions, In this paper, we examined pattems of species development after nearly 60a succession in bumed broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest on northem slope of ChangbaiMountain. We aasessed the recovery of plant species diversity in 3 types of forests under the contition with gradient of soil moisture. Results revealed that recovery of plant species (liversity varied greatly under different environmental conditions.Species richness of secondary forests greatly related to the site condition. Secondary birch forest on mesic site had the greatest number of plant species and the following was poplar-birch forest and larch-birch forest.Most of characteristic taxa couldbe found in birch forest after 60a succession. For larch-birch forest on hydra site, most of climax species were still not able to invade, so it had the lowest species diversity.

Carbon Reserve Characteristics of Arbor Layer in Mid-subtropical Evergreen Broad-leaved Forest

In this paper, secondary forest of Pinus massoniana , coniferous-broad-leaved mixed forest and broad-leaved evergreen forest were taken as research objects, to explore carbon reserve of arbor layer and its spatial distribution characteristics. At different succession stages, the sequence of organic carbon content in each organ was secondary forest of P. massoniana > coniferous-broad-leaved mixed forest> broad-leaved evergreen forest. Carbon reserve of arbor layer was the highest in broad-leaved evergreen forest, which was 129.34 t/hm 2, followed by coniferous-broad-leaved mixed forest (95.83 t/hm 2), and the minimum was 85.27 t/hm 2 in secondary forest of P. massoniana . In each stand type, the sequence of carbon reserve of each organ in arbor layer was trunk>root>branch>leaf>bark. Carbon reserve of arbor layer mainly concentrated in trunk, and the proportion to carbon reserve of arbor layer declined from secondary forest of P. massoniana to broad-leaved evergreen forest, while it had increasing relationship in root. In secondary forest of P. massoniana , coniferous-broad-leaved mixed forest and broad-leaved evergreen forest, individual with the diameter more than 20 cm accounted for the majority of carbon reserve in the arbor layer.

Biomass Characteristics of the Arbor Layer in Different Stands of the Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forest

In this paper, the Pinus massoniana forest in the early stage of succession, the coniferous broad-leaved mixed forest in the middle stage of succession, and the evergreen broad-leaved forest in the late stage of succession were studied, and the biomass and its spatial distribution characteristics of the tree layer in different succession stages of the ecosystem were discussed. The results showed that the biomass of the arbor layer was the highest in the evergreen broad-leaved forest, which was 292.51 t/ hm2, followed by the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, which was 206.87 t/hm2, and the Pinus massoniana forest, which was 171.76 t/hm2. The biomass of trunks accounted for the largest proportion in the total biomass of the arbor layer, which reduced from the Pinus massoniana forest to the evergreen broad-leaved forest. The proportion of the biomass of roots in the total biomass of the arbor layer increased from the Pinus massoniana forest to the evergreen broad-leaved forest. The biomass of the diameter class above 20 cm in the Pinus massoniana forest, the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest and the evergreen broad-leaved forest accounted for a large proportion of total biomass.

Magnetic Properties of Tree Leaves and Their Significance in Atmospheric Particle Pollution in Linfen City,China

Fifty-one tree leaves were sampled in the industrial area,residential area,and Fenhe River ecological zone,for the purpose of a magnetic study on atmospheric pollution in Linfen City,Shanxi Province,China.Measurements of mass-specific magnetic susceptibility(χ) show a significant variation range(from 11.6 × 10-8 m3/kg to 129.7 × 10-8 m3/kg).Overall values of magnetic susceptibility decline in the following sequence:industrial area > residential area > Fenhe River ecological zone.The relatively elevated concentration-related magnetic parameters(saturation isothermal remanent magnetization,anhysteretic remanent magnetization and magnetic susceptibility) appear in the industrial area,with their highest values in the vicinity of Linfen Steel Mill.Magnetic particles are dominated by multidomain,magnetite-like minerals.Magnetic particle concentration and grain size both decrease with the increasing distance from industrial area,indicating the industrial area,especially Linfen Steel Mill,is the main source of atmospheric particle pollution.Residential area and Fenhe River ecological zone are also affected by industrial emission to a certain extent.The results of this study indicate that magnetic measurements of tree leaves are practicable for monitoring and determination of atmospheric pollution in Linfen City.

The steady and vibrating statuses of tulip tree leaves in wind

The study of tree leaf aerodynamics is useful to tree protection, solar panel design and development of new power generation technology. 73 tulip leaves were tested in suspended condition and with front as well as back surface of the lamina facing wind. Three types of vibrating statuses, two types of steady statuses, and five critical wind speeds were observed. The existence probabilities of the statuses and criticals, the probability density distribution of every critical over the range of wind speed 0-27 m/s, and the expected values of the criticals were obtained by statistics. The critical Reynolds number, defined by critical wind speed and lamina length, shows an increasing trend with increasing the lamina area or length to width ratio of the lamina, but it shows no trend of increase or decrease with increasing the length ratio of petiole to lamina.

Removal of Nickel（II） from Aqueous Solution Using Activated Charcoal Derived from the Leaves of Bitter Orange Tree （Citrus aurantium）

The present work deals with the removal of Ni（II） ion using activated charcoal prepared from the dry leaves of bitter orange tree （Citrus aurantium）. The effects of its concentration, adsorbent dosage, particle size, pH and temperature on removal of Ni（II） ion have been studied. The removal of Ni（II） ion is higher at lower concentration and gradually decreases as the concentration increases. The pH of 5 was the most suitable. The removal of Ni（II） ion increases with the increases in the adsorbent dosage. The effect of particle size reveals that the percentage removal of Ni（II） ion decreases with increase in particle size of adsorbent. The effect of temperature shows that as temperature increases, the percentage removal of Ni（II） ion decreases and this is due to the interaction forces weakening at high temperature. Thermodynamic parameters from the effect of temperature were calculated.