Interannual dynamics of stemwood nonstructural carbohydrates in temperate forest trees surrounding drought

Interactions between water and carbon dynamics underlie drought-related tree mortality.While whole-tree water relations have been shown to play a key role in the response to and recovery from drought,the role of nonstructural carbohydrates(NSC) and how their storage and allocation changes surrounding drought events deserves further attention and is critical for understanding tree survival.Here,we quantified in situ NSC responses of temperate forest trees to the 2016 drought in the northeastern United States.Sugar and starch concentrations were measured in the stemwood of five tree species from 2014 to 2019,which allowed us to monitor NSCs in relation to climatic conditions before,during,and after the natural drought.We found that immediately following the drought,measured stemwood NSC concentrations decreased.However,NSC concentrations rebounded quickly within three years.Notably,trees allocated proportionally more to starch than to sugars following the 2016 drought.In winter 2017,starch comprised 45% of total stemwood stores,whereas starch made up only 1-2% in other years.Further,we modeled and assessed the climatic drivers of total NSC concentrations in the stem.Variation in total NSC concentrations was significantly predicted by the previous year’s temperature,precipitation,and standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index(SPEI),with stemwood concentrations decreasing following hotter,drier periods and increasing following cooler,wetter periods.Overall,our work provides insight into the climatic drivers of NSC storage and highlights the important role that a tree’s carbon economy may play in its response and recovery to environmental stress.

Effect of the seeds provenance and treatment on the germination rate and plants growth of four forest trees species of Cote d’Ivoire

The rapid rate of deforestation in Cote d’Ivoire has led to loss of plant species diversity and also threatens some commercial tree species with extinction.Some reforestation and aff orestation has been completed.However,for some species,the numbers of surviving transplants has declined.Hence,it is necessary to develop properly adapted and resilient genotypes that can eff ectively support the programs of forest restoration.In this context we evaluated the eff ects of the provenances of seeds and of various treatments on the germination rates and on plant growth of four commercial trees species(Pycnanthus angolensis,Terminalia superba,Mansonia altissima and Pterygota macrocarpa).We analyzed these parameters for seeds of three provenances(Daloa,Akoupéand Daoukro)of four species and for thirty plants aged 6 months per provenance.Time to begin germination and time to reach maximum germination were similar among species,and were not infl uenced by either treatment or provenance.Untreated seeds and those soaked for 24 and 48 h in water at room temperature yielded the highest germination rates,irrespective of species or provenance.The one exception was P.angolensis,for which no germination was recorded.Within species,some provenances produced higher germination percentages than did others.No clear relationship was computed between the germination rate and the morphometric characteristics of the seeds which varied signifi cantly between provenances.Plant growth and morphological variability also depended greatly on provenance.Genetic factors might be implicated,therefore provenance trials should be undertaken and evaluated.Furthermore,molecular analysis should be undertaken to confi rm the implications of genetic factors and allow for genetic selection.

Lignin engineering in forest trees: From gene discovery to field trials

Wood is an abundant and renewable feedstock for the production of pulp,fuels,and biobased materials.However,wood is recalcitrant toward deconstruction into cellulose and simple sugars,mainly because of the presence of lignin,an aromatic polymer that shields cell-wall polysaccharides.Hence,numerous research efforts have focused on engineering lignin amount and composition to improve wood processability.Here,we focus on results that have been obtained by engineering the lignin biosynthesis and branching pathways in forest trees to reduce cell-wall recalcitrance,including the introduction of exotic lignin monomers.In addition,we draw general conclusions from over 20 years of field trial research with trees engineered to produce less or altered lignin.We discuss possible causes and solutions for the yield penalty that is often associated with lignin engineering in trees.Finally,we discuss how conventional and new breeding strategies can be combined to develop elite clones with desired lignin properties.We conclude this review with priorities for the development of commercially relevant lignin-engineered trees.

Evaluating Contribution of Trees Outside Forests for Income of Rural Livelihoods of Terai Region of Nepal

Trees Outside Forests (TOF) is a reliable source of income for farmers in rural area but study regarding this has not been explored in depth yet. Therefore, this study was objectively conducted to assess the contribution of income from TOF products in annual income of rural household. Dhangadimai Municipality of Siraha district, Nepal was selected as study site. Altogether, 300 household surveys and 20 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted to find the income sources and their contribution including TOF. The descriptive analysis and unitary method were applied to analyze the collected data. The off-farm income was US$ 1802.57 in total per household. Among it, the highest income was from remittance around US$ 762.34 (42.29%) and the lowest from government job around US$ 166.68 (9.25%). The farm based total annual income per household was US$ 685.94 on which, the highest income was US$ 220.28 (32.11%) from grains and the lowest income was US$ 0.04 from ploughing other farmers’ field. The total value of livestock of average household was US$ 805.99 and out of this, the highest value was of buffalo i.e. US$ 333.01. At the same time, annual income from TOF product was about US$ 853.31 in total per household. Out of this, the highest income was approximately US$ 521.90 (61.16%) from fruits followed by US$ 214.77 (25.17%) from selling of timber. The highest net income per household was US$ 448.66 respectively from selling timber by rich family while US$ 233.78 for medium family. In addition, the net income from selling fruit by rich, medium and poor family was US$ 427.82, 550.71, and 382.43 respectively. Specifically, the total contribution of income only from TOF product was US$ 853.3027 (20.57%). This research will be useful document to develop the economic policy related to TOFs in different agroforestry

Application of Molecular Marker Technology in the Study of Forest Tree Species

Due to its unique advantages, molecular marker technology is widely applied in the research of forest tree species. This paper reviewed the application of molecular marker technology in tree species resource diversity, germplasm identification, genetic map construction, gene mapping and marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding. In addition, it elaborated the great significance of molecular marker technology to promote the sustainable development of forestry production in China.

Phosphate solubilization potential of native rhizospheric microflora and their impact on growth of Madhuca latifolia(Mahua):An oil yielding medicinal plant of India

Madhuca latifolia is an economically important medicinal and oil yielding plant of India having slow growth rate.As microbial application to the rhizosphere of host plant are beneficial for growth and development of plants,a comprehensive experimental study by using native microflora of Madhuca latifolia had been carried out in the nursery conditions.Isolation and identification of native rhizospheric soil revealed the occurrence of 17 different types of bacteria(gram negative and positive)and 30 numbers of fungi belonging to myceloid type,Aspergillus,Alternaria,Colletotrichum,Fusarium and Penicillium.Present study was confined to phosphate solubilizing microbes for which solubilization potential(solubilization index and solubilization efficiency)was evaluated.Inoculation experiments in pot culture with red laterite soil were set in two experimental categories(1)non-transplanted and(2)transplanted.Plants grown under both the conditions with and without microbial application were maintained up to 120 days and final data recorded for morphological,physiological growth and as soil parameters.The mineral solubilizing potential of native microbial strains has been expressed.Fungal inoculants were more effective than the bacterial inoculants as far as the growth and development of plants concerned.Among all,bacteria MLB-1,MLB-6,Aspergillus terreus and non-sporulating dematiaceous form of fungi were prominent in improving plant growth.This has also been confirmed the useful and beneficial impact of indigenous organism.The records made during the study is useful for development of bioinoculants for forest trees,nursery of quality planting material which will also helps in establishment at plantation site.

Proteomic analysis of differentially abundant proteins in the embryo and endosperm of Givotia moluccana (L.) Sreem

Proteome analysis of embryo and endosperm of Givotia moluccana,a promising angiosperm tree species was carried out using two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight to identify differentially abundant proteins and their possible functions.The study revealed the presence of 492 protein spots in the embryo and 432 in the endosperm,and the relative abundance of 44 spots varied significantly between the two.Of the 21 functionally characterized protein spots,14.3%were involved in metabolism and energy,28.6%in protein destination and storage,14.3%in defense and stress and 19%in cell growth and division.The embryo-specific protein ATPdependent zinc metalloprotease FtsH is predicted to be involved in chloroplast biogenesis and the endospermspecific protein hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase in fatty acid synthesis.These results suggested that the seeds have proteins required for germination and for stress responses.

Response of soil respiration to nitrogen addition in two subtropical forest types

Anthropogenic activities have increased nitrogen(N)deposition in terrestrial ecosystems,which directly and indirectly affects soil biogeochemical processes,including soil respiration.However,the effects of the increases in N availability on soil respiration are not fully understood.In this study,soil respiration was measured using an infrared gas analyzer system with soil chambers under four N treatments(0,5,15,and 30 g Nm^-2 year^-1 as control,low N(LN),moderate N(MN),and high N(HN),respectively)in camphor tree and slash pine forests in subtropical China.Results showed that soil respiration rates decreased by 37% in the camphor tree forest and 27% in the slash pine forest on average on an annual base,respectively,in the N-fertilized treatments when compared with the control.No significant differences were found in the soil respiration rate among the LN,MN,and HN treatments in both forest types as these fertilized plots reached an adequate N content zone.In addition,soil microbial biomass carbon(C)content and fine root biomass declined in N-treated plots compared to the control.Our results indicated that elevated N deposition might alter the tree growth pattern,C partitioning,and microbial activity,which further affect soil C sequestration by reducing soil respiration in subtropical forests of China.

Concept of the integrative aspects of the forest ecosystem services with case study on recreation services assessment in Slovakia

Introduction:This paper presents basic information on the research,classification,and application of the functions of tree species and their communities(mainly forest)in Slovakia.The main aim is a scientific assessment of acquired knowledge regarding the functional effects of forests under real ecological,forest management and socio-economic conditions from various regions in Slovakia;the most up-to-date findings concerning the ecology and economics of natural resources will be applied here.The second part of the paper presents methodological possibilities for valuation of outdoor recreation in forests.Different methods and methodological approaches suitable to a valuation of recreation based on various principles and criteria(preference and non-preference methods,cost-based methods,revenue-based methods,and direct and indirect methods)are analyzed.A practical application of one indirect preference method(travel cost method)is made to evaluate outdoor recreation in forests in Slovakia.Results and conclusions:A new classification system and a methodology of integrative utilization of forest functions for the forest ecosystem services are constructed.Outdoor recreation in forests,besides recreational forests and areas,assumes the character of a public good:its use by individuals has some influence on utilization by other individuals,and single users cannot be excluded from its utilization.Therefore,some stimulation for its production is missing.In principle,there are no markets for these kinds of public goods and services.The total value of outdoor recreation in forests in Slovakia amounted to€163.4 million;if opportunity time costs were included,this amounted to as much as€825.7 million.

Carbon mitigation potential of different forest ecosystems under climate change and various managements in Italy

This study reviews carbon stocks and carbon dynamics in diferent types of forest land in Italy:ordinary managed forests,forest plantations,old growth forests,and trees outside forests.Forest management,combined with global environmental changes,increases the capacity of carbon uptake of ordinary managed forests.Forest plantations,particularly the ones subject to short-rotation forestry systems,potentially have high soil carbon accumulation,especially in agricultural lands.Old growth forests,recently discovered as a carbon sink,cover a significant surface area in Italy.Moreover,the trees outside forests may represent a sensible carbon stock,especially in the context of urban environments.Our study points out the management actions that can be implemented in Italy to increase the carbon stocks of different forest ecosystems,such as increasing the mean annual increment in managed forests,enhancement of the national network of old growth forests,and expansion of forest plantations in suitable areas.These aspects have important implications after the recent recognition of the Land Use,Land Use Change and Forestry sector in the EU target within the 2030 Climate and Energy Policy Framework.