Seasonal leaf dynamics in an Amazonian tropical forest

The ecological consequences of climate change for large tropical forests such as the Amazon are likely to be profound. Amazonian forests strongly influence regional and global climates and therefore any changes in forest structure, such as deforestation or die-back, may create positive feedback on externally forced climate change. Monitoring, modelling and managing the impacts of anthropogenic climate change on forest dynamics is therefore an important objective of forest researchers, and one that requires long-term data on changes at the level of community, populations and phenotypes. In this paper we provide the most comprehensive study yet on the seasonal dynamics of various leaf traits: leaf area index (LAI), leaf mortality (LM), leaf biomass (LB), leaf growth rate (LG), and leaf residence time (TR) from 50 experimental plots in a forest site at Belterra, Pará State, Brazil. From this study we estimate annual mean leaf area index (LAI) to be 5.07 m² m⁻² and annual mean leaf dry biomass to be 0.621 kg m⁻². The typical leaf grew at 0.049 kg m⁻² month⁻¹ and remained on the tree for 12.7 months. We compare these results to other similar studies and critically discuss the factors driving leaf demographics in Amazonia.     

Growth, nutrition, photosynthesis and transpiration responses of longleaf pine seedlings to light, water and nitrogen

Early growth and physiology of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) seedlings were studied in response to light, water and nitrogen under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted with 1-year-old seedlings grown in 11.3 l pots. The experimental design was a split-plot factorial with two levels (low and high) of each of the factors, replicated in three blocks. The four factorial combinations of water and nitrogen were randomly applied to 15 pots (sub-plots) in each of the light treatment (main plot). Data were collected on survival, root collar diameter (RCD), and height on a monthly basis. Biomass (shoot, root and needle), leaf area index, specific needle area, and needle nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) concentrations were determined following final harvest after 16 months. Physiological data (net photosynthesis and transpiration) were collected monthly from March to July during the second growing season.

Height and RCD were significantly influenced by nitrogen and water and by the interaction between them with no apparent effect of light. Seedlings grew 93% taller in the high nitrogen and well watered (HNWW) treatment compared to the low nitrogen and water stressed (LNWS) treatment. Similarly, a significant increase (78%) in RCD was observed for seedlings in the HNWW treatment over the LNWS treatment. Light, along with water and nitrogen, played an important role in seedling biomass growth, especially when water was not limiting. Biomass partitioning (as measured by root:shoot ratio) was affected only by nitrogen and water. Nutrient stress had a greater influence on carbon allocation (69% increase in root:shoot ratio) than water stress (19% increase). Net photosynthesis (P_net) was significantly higher for seedlings in the high resource than in the low resource treatments with significant light×water and nitrogen×water interactions. Transpiration rate was higher (75%) under the WW treatment compared to the WS treatment. Longleaf pine seedlings grown under the LNWW treatment had the lowest foliar nitrogen (0.71%) whereas seedlings in the HNWS treatment had the highest (1.46%). Increasing the availability of light (through larger canopy openings or controlling midstory density) and soil nitrogen (through fertilization) may not result in greater P_net and improved seedling growth unless soil water is not limiting.     

Early growth and photosynthetic responses to light in seedlings of three tropical species differing in successional strategies

Containerized seedlings of three commercially important tropical species were grown under four different light treatments [i.e., 100 (open site), 45, 22 and 10% sunlight] for 130 days. Light-saturated photosynthesis (A _max) and light saturation estimates (LSE) reflected the species successional status with Terminalia superba Engl. and Diels, the pioneer species showing largest mean A _max and LSE at 100% sunlight, whereas at 10% sunlight, it showed the lowest A _max and LSE. At 22% sunlight, Cedrela odorata L., an intermediate successional species had greater A _max and LSE than Mansonia altissima A. Chev., a non-pioneer light demander and T. superba. T. superba had the lowest relative growth rate (RGR) at 10% sunlight and greatest net assimilation rate (NAR) at 100% sunlight; although a higher RGR at this light level was not seen for this species. Strong and positive linear mean A _max–mean NAR relationship of C. odorata and T. superba indicated that differences in leaf photosynthetic rates of the two species were reflected in their NAR, which increased with increasing light. At final harvest, superior biomass production was found at 45% sunlight for all the species. Seedling responses in specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, leaf mass ratio and root mass ratio were typically those found along a light gradient. At the 100% sunlight, intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUE), F _v/F _m and final root system of the plants was generally superior in T. superba but at 10% sunlight, WUE was inferior in T. superba when compared to C. odorata and M. altissima, reflecting the respective species’ short-term acclimation to high or low light. Results of this study may have practical use in screening tropical tree species for use in plantation forestry.     

Growth and survival of Fagus sylvatica seedlings in relation to light intensity and soil water content

Previous investigations have shown different growth and root/shoot ratio increases of beech seedlings (Fagus sylvatica) with increased light intensity. In the present investigation both light intensity and soil water content were regulated on four levels in a factorial experiment. At the highest level of soil water content the seedling growth increased linearly with light intensity while the root/shoot ratio decreased with light intensity. At low levels of soil water content both the growth and root/shoot ratio slightly increased with increased light. The soil water content was also affected by the light intensity indicating that the soil water content may have caused unobserved effects in responding to increased light in previous investigations. It is concluded that both light intensity and soil water content should be quantified or manipulated even if only the effect of one of the two growth factors are investigated.     

Low light availability affects leaf gas exchange,growth and survival of Euterpe edulis seedlings transplanted into the understory of an anthropic tropical rainforest

Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae) is a threatened palm tree of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest understory with fundamental importance for the restoration of degraded forest environments. We assessed the leaf gas exchange, growth and survival of E. edulis seedlings transplanted at three different forest sites (S1, S2 and S3) in the same area in which cocoa trees had been cultivated in a rustic agroforestry system. Measurement was carried out during the first year after seedling transplantation. The sites were characterised according to canopy openness (CO) and total daily photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Average CO and PPFD values were 13.3%, 8.0% and 6.7%, and 3.34, 2.79 and 0.62 mol m^?2 d^?1 for S1, S2 and S3, respectively. A progressive decline in seedling survival was observed in all sites throughout the experiment. At 387 d after planting, survival at S1, S2 and S3 was 57%, 44% and 37%, respectively. The gross light-saturated photosynthetic rate (A_max), leaf area and plant biomass were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in S1 and S2 when compared with S3. The values of dark respiration rate (R _d) and photosynthetic compensation irradiance (I _c) were sufficiently low for a positive carbon balance. Notwithstanding, the interpretation of results of microclimate variables together with leaf gas exchange and growth variables indicated that seedlings at all sites were in a suboptimal condition to achieve A_max, which is probably the main cause of the dramatic decline in the seedlings’ survival throughout the first year after transplantation. From a practical point of view, if the values of CO and PFD are lower than 10% and 3 mol m^?2 d^?1, respectively, it is suggested that the transplanting of E. edulis seedlings to the understory of abandoned agroforestry systems be accompanied by cultural practices, such as the thinning and pruning of tree tops.     

The effect of photosynthetic photon flux density on development of frost hardiness in top and roots of Larix leptolepis seedlings

Seedlings of Larix leptolepis were grown in a growth chamber under short day conditions (8 h day) at 4 different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD's). After a period of 8 weeks frost hardiness of the shoot tips and roots, dry matter content, dry weight (dw), content of glucose and starch were determined. The frost hardiness in the shoot tips increased from ‐15°C at a PPFD of 55μmol m^‐2s^‐1 to about ‐35°C at 440 μmol m^‐2s^‐1. No effect of PPFD was found on frost hardiness of the roots. A high PPFD results in a high dry matter content. The effect on dry matter content was most pronounced for the shoot tips and less pronounced for the roots. The total dry weight increased for both root and top with increasing PPFD. The height of the plants increased when the PPFD increased up to 220 μmol m^‐2s^‐1.     

Physiological responses of saplings of rainforest timber species differing in successional group to light regimes and nitrogen

Saplings of 19 valuable rain forest timber species representative of three successional status groups (early secondary, late secondary and climax) were grown in a polyhouse to examine their responses to three light intensity/quality treatments and nitrogen supply. Solar radiation was modified using painted polyethylene sheet to mimic natural light environments across a rain forest vertical column as follows: 1. Transparent plastic, 80% of full sunlight, R:FR = 0.95, 2. Blue shade, 14% of full sunlight, R:FR = 0.69; 3. Green shade, 7% of full sunlight, R:FR = 0.50. Transparent plastic conditions promoted an increase in stem height and diameter (i.e., growth), leaf thickness and gas exchange per unit leaf area. Additional nitrogen availability enhanced growth and specific leaf area (i.e., leaves were thinner), particularly in the full sun environment and on early secondary and late secondary successional species, but did not influence photosynthetic rate. Successional status of the species did not affect photosynthetic rate although early secondary successional species grew faster and had fewer branches than species of the other successional groups. We recommend that for a successful mixed stand the high-light requiring species should be planted first, with increased nitrogen supply, and the shade tolerant species should be introduced later with no extra nitrogen supply required.     

Growth responses of understorey trees to drought perturbation in tropical rainforest in Borneo

At Danum Valley, Sabah, dipterocarp forest is affected by moderately-strong droughts which perturb the ecosystem. Analysing stem growth for c. 3700 understorey trees (12.5-<50 cm girth), measured over four periods (between 1986 and 2007), response to an ENSO-related event (1998) was followed. Relative growth rates (rgr) of the 48 most abundant species in the size class were considered individually, and as relative changes between periods. From them a measure reactivity was derived. Whilst a third of species differed from one another in rgr, within-species rates were highly variable: often species had very different (pluralistic) response patterns over time. The rgr decreased in the drought period, increased and overcompensated directly afterwards, and later returned to original levels. The forest displayed moderate resistance, and high resilience and stability within c. 4 years of the perturbation. Oscillatory responses were more pronounced among true understorey species than among small trees of overstorey ones, suggesting that the former might play a key role in stabilization. Environmental stochasticity in the form of coloured noise may therefore be causing a major part of the variation in rain forest dynamics and explain its complexity.     

Effects of light quality on gas exchange and dry matter partitioning in Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden

Stockplants of Eucalyptus grandis were pruned to a height of 7–10 cm and after 3 weeks were placed in growth cabinets set at a photon flux density (PFD) of 200 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and red to far-red ratios of 0.4, 0.7, 1.3, 3.5 or 6.5. Experiments tested the effects of light quality on growth and gas exchange of stockplants. Light quality did not affect the total shoot dry weight (DW), root DW or shoot to root ratio of stockplants or their total leaf area. However, there were significant effects of light quality on: (i) plant height, which was greatest at red:far-red (R:FR) ratios of 0.4 and 0.7; (ii) partitioning of DW between leaves and stems, with greater stem DW and less leaf DW at low R:FR ratios (0.4 and 0.7); (iii) partitioning of DW and leaf area between the most dominant shoot and all other (non-dominant) shoots; (iv) specific leaf area, which was greatest at low R:FR ratios. In the above characters, the dominance ratio (ratio of most dominant shoot to sum of all other shoots) was greatest at low R:FR ratios and least at ratios of 3.5 and 6.5. Photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area and leaf chlorophyll concentration significantly increased with increasing R:FR ratio. However, photosynthesis per unit chlorophyll concentration was significantly greater at low R:FR ratios. Generally, light quality had no significant effect on photosynthetic rate per leaf or per unit dry weight, but rates of transpiration, stomatal conductance and water use efficiency increased with an increase in R:FR ratio. These data indicate that compensatory changes in plant morphology and gas exchange caused equality in total dry weight per plant between treatments. The above effects of light quality on dry matter partitioning and gas exchange had important effects on the size, number, morphology and physiology of subsequently collected cuttings for vegetative propagation.     

Response of root distribution of Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings to irrigation amounts in the hinterlands of the Taklimakan Desert, China

We excavated soil to study root distribution in Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings grown with different amounts of irrigation (35, 24.5 and 14 kg water for each plant each time) in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert. The results indicated that: 1) With decreasing irrigation amounts, the root biomass tended to be distributed in deeper soil layers. Underground biomass had a significantly negative logarithmic relationship with soil depth under different irrigation amounts. 2) Maximum horizontal spread of roots was twice that of vertical root spread, and horizontal distribution of root biomass was similar under all irrigation amounts. 3) Vertical distribution of fine roots was nearly consistent with vertical changes in soil moisture, and all had a unimodal curve; but peak values of fine root biomass in different soil layers varied with different irrigation amounts. The smaller the amount of irrigation, the deeper were the fine roots concentrated in soil layers. 4) Root length, root surface area and root volume all exhibited a unimodal curve under different irrigation amounts; the less the irrigation amount, the deeper the peak values appeared in soil layers. 5) Rootshoot ratio and ratio of vertical root depth to plant height both increased as irrigation amounts decreased. __________ Translated from Journal of Plant Ecology (Chinese Version), 2007, 31 (5): 769–776 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

Wood net primary production resilience in an unmanaged forest transitioning from early to middle succession

The mixed deciduous forests of the upper Midwest, USA are approaching an ecological threshold in which early successional canopy trees are reaching maturity and beginning to senesce, giving way to a more diverse canopy of middle and late successional species. The net primary production (NPP) of these forests is generally considered past peak and in decline, but recent studies show a striking resilience in the NPP trajectories of some middle and late successional forests; yet, the mechanisms controlling such temporal changes in NPP are largely unknown. At the University of Michigan Biological Station in northern Michigan, we used a ≥9-year continuous record of wood net primary production (NPP), leaf area index (LAI), canopy composition, and stem mortality in 30 forested plots to identify the constraints on wood NPP as a mixed forest transitions from early to middle succession. Although wood NPP decreased over time in most stands, the rate of decline was attenuated when the canopy comprised a more diverse assemblage of early and middle/late successional species. The mechanism for sustained NPP in stands with more species diverse canopies was the proliferation of LAI by intact later successional tree species, even as stem mortality rates of early successional trees increased. We conclude that projections of carbon sequestration for the aging mixed forests of the upper Midwest should account for species composition shifts that affect the resilience wood NPP.     

Photosynthesis in relation to leaf nitrogen, phosphorus and specific leaf area of seedlings and saplings in tropical montane rain forests of Hainan Island, south China

In order to make clear the relationships between photosynthesis and leaf N, leaf P and SLA of tropical trees, and test the differences in the relationships among life-form groups (trees, shrub-like trees and shrubs), seedlings and saplings of 101 species from a tropical montane rain forest, located in the Diaoluo Mountain of Hainan Island, were selected. The net photosynthesis based on area and mass (A _area and A _mass), leaf nitrogen content based on area and mass (N _area and N _mass), leaf phosphorus content based on area and mass (P _area and P _mass) and specific leaf area (SLA) were measured and/or calculated. The results showed that A _area and A _mass tended to follow the order of shrubs > trees > shrub-like trees. One-way ANOVA showed that the difference in A _area between shrubs and shrub-like trees was significant (p<0.05), and for A _mass there were significant differences between shrubs and shrub-like trees and between shrubs and tree species (p<0.05). The relationships between A _area and N _mass were highly significant in all three life-form groups and for all species (p<0.0001). The correlation between A _area and P _mass was highly significant in shrubs (p = 0.0038), shrub-like trees (p < 0.0002) and for all species (p<0.0001), but not significant in trees (p>0.05). The relationship between A _area and SLAwas highly significant in shrubs (p = 0.0006), trees (p<0.0001) and for all species (p<0.0001), however this relation was not significant in shrub-like trees (p>0.05). The relationships between A _mass and leaf N and SLA were highly significant in all three life-form groups and for all species (p<0.0001). For A _mass and leaf P, there were significant correlations in tree groups (p = 0.0377) and highly significant correlations in shrub groups (p = 0.0004), shrub-like tree groups (p = 0.0018) and for all species (p < 0.0001). Stepwise regression showed that predicted A _mass values were closer to the observed values than those for predicted A _area values. Thus, it can be concluded that the relationships obtained from seedling and sapling measurements are close to those from mature individuals; correlations between photosynthesis and N _mass, P _mass and SLA traits are significant and the relationships are stronger and more stable for A _mass than for A _area. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2007, 27(11): 4651–4661 [译自:生态学报]     

川西北高寒沙区主要灌木叶片功能性状研究

以川西北高寒沙区金露梅、高山绣线菊、窄叶鲜卑花、康定柳、沙棘等5种主要灌木植物叶性状为研究对象,分析了5种灌木叶片结构功能性状的差异,相关性以及与其他地区叶片结构功能性状的差异,探讨该地区植物对环境的适应性,为该地区生态系统植被的恢复和重建提供理论依据。结果表明:5种灌木的叶片厚度(LT)和比叶面积(SLA)平均值差异大都显著,金露梅和康定柳的SLA显著低于其余3种灌木,金露梅叶组织密度(LTD)平均值显著高于其余4种灌木,除沙棘外,其余4种灌木间叶干物质含量(LDMC)平均值差异均不显著。叶片各功能性状之间存在着显著的相关性:SLA与LDMC、LTD、LT在显著负相关,LDMC与LTD、LT呈显著负相关。川西北高寒沙区5种灌木植物的SLA总体上明显低于北京东灵山、广西大明山、湖北神农架研究点植物的SLA,LT明显高于北京东灵山、广西大明山、湖北神农架研究点植物的LT。由此可得出:川西北高寒沙区5种主要灌木中金露梅和康定柳对干旱贫瘠的沙化土地的适应能力更强。     

Leaf weight per area and leaf size of 85 Estonian woody species in relation to shade tolerance and light availability

Leaf weight per area (LWA) and leaf size were examined in 85 species of woody plants representing 83% of Estonian native flora.

Average values of 68.6 g m⁻² for LWA and 6.62 cm² for leaf size were estimated for the medium light availability. Mean LWA values can be used to correct for the bias in estimating foliage functional properties in forest stand models and for converting leaf biomass into foliage area. LWA increased with relative light availability (1 minus stand canopy cover) and species light demand, indicating that LWA was higher at the same light availability for more intolerant species. Leaf size is a canopy parameter that should be considered when canopy radiative balance and distribution of solar radiation is of interest. Mean leaf size was not so closely related to light availability as LWA, decreasing with species light demand and increasing with total plant height. Variation in leaf size is discussed in terms of species shade tolerance and height growth.     

Importance of woody materials for seasonal variation in leaf area index from optical methods in a deciduous needleleaf forest

Woody materials (woody area index, WAI) is a key error source in estimating leaf area index (LAI) by optical methods, but how to correct the error caused by WAI during different seasons has not reached consensus. In this study, effective plant area index (PAI_e) was first estimated using two indirect optical methods (digital hemispherical photography, DHP, and LAI-2000) in a deciduous needleleaf forest, and then four different schemes for correcting the contribution of WAI to PAI_e were tested here. We also directly estimated the seasonality of LAI by a litter collection method and an allometric method. Directly subtracting WAI from PAI resulted in a greater degree of uncertainty in correcting seasonal changes of PAI_e from both DHP and LAI-2000. Therefore, we introduced a new correction factor, the stem-to-total area ratio, which was reasonable and useful for quantifying seasonal changes in the contribution of WAI to PAI_e. We finally recommend a practical scheme for correcting PAI_e from both DHP and LAI-2000, with accuracies as high as 88% and 87% during most growing seasons, respectively. Additionally, LAI values estimated from allometry were concordant with those estimated from litter collection, indicating that the allometry method is useful for tracking seasonal changes in LAI.     

Differences in ecophysiological responses to summer drought between seedlings of three deciduous oak species

Seasonal variations in water status and gas exchange were assessed in 2-year-old seedlings of Quercus pubescens Willd., Quercus ithaburensis Decaisne subsp. macrolepis (Kotsch) Hedge & Yalt, and Quercus frainetto Ten. during the 2004 growing season characterized by the typical summer drought conditions observed in Greece. The seedlings were grown under field conditions. After establishment half of the seedlings were well watered, while the rest received no irrigation other than natural rainfall. Measurements were conducted from April to October.     

"宫胁生态造林法"在上海外环环城绿带建设中的应用

<正>"宫肋生态造林法"具有建设成本低、后期管护少等优点,可以成为环城绿带建设的可选模式之一。目前,"宫胁生态造林法"已在世界各地被广泛应用,在我国北京、青岛、宁波、马鞍山、上海浦东等地,也成功地用于荒山植被恢复、高速公路绿带建设以及城市绿化建设。 "宫胁生态造林法"的理论基础是潜在植被理论和 理论,它提倡应用顶级群落的组成种采用容器育苗等"模拟自然"的手法和技术,通     

贵阳市冬季高层建筑环境空气中可吸入颗粒物的污染特征

指出了空气颗粒物污染不仅能使大气能见度降低,而且对人体健康造成危害。通过对贵阳市2个高层建筑可吸入颗粒物浓度的监测,对贵阳市冬季高层建筑可吸入颗粒物的污染水平和污染特征进行了研究。结果表明：城市高层建筑面临的颗粒物污染垂直分布是比较复杂的,较大颗粒的质量浓度底层要大于上层。对于同一个高层建筑,在不同楼层,PM2.5/PM10的比值变化幅度不大。大气中PM2.5和PM10没有明显的相关性,这主要和污染源分布以及天气条件有关。     

Organic residue mass at planting is an excellent predictor of tree growth in Eucalyptus plantations established on a sandy tropical soil

Tropical plantation forests are meeting an increasing proportion of global wood demand and comprehensive studies assessing the impact of silvicultural practices on tree and soil functioning are required to achieve sustainable yields. The objectives of our study were: (1) to quantify the effects of contrasting organic residue (OR) retention methods on tree growth and soil nutrient pools over a full Eucalyptus rotation and (2) to assess the potential of soil analyses to predict yields of fast-growing plantations established on tropical sandy soils. An experiment was set up in the Congo at the harvesting of the first rotation after afforestation of a native herbaceous savanna. Six treatments were set up in 0.26 ha plots and replicated in 4 blocks, with OR mass at planting ranging from 0 to 46.5 Mg ha⁻¹. Tree growth over the whole rotation was highly dependent on OR management at planting. Over-bark trunk volume 7 years after planting ranged from 96 m³ ha⁻¹ in the treatment with forest floor and harvest residue removal at planting to 164 m³ ha⁻¹ in the treatment with the largest amount of OR. A comparison of nutrient stocks within the ecosystem at planting and at the end of the rotation suggested that nutrient contents in OR were largely involved in the different response observed between treatments. OR management treatments did not significantly modify most of the nutrient concentrations in the upper layers of the mineral soil. Conventional soil analyses performed before planting and at ages 1 and 3 years were unable to detect differences between treatments despite large differences in tree growth. In contrast, linear regressions between stand aboveground biomass at harvesting and OR mass at planting (independent variable) showed that OR mass was an excellent predictor of stand yield (R² = 0.99). A large share of soil fertility comes from organic material above the mineral soil in highly weathered sandy soils and OR mass at planting might be used in conjunction with soil analyses to assess the potential of these soils to support forest plantations.     

Optical performance of finished and unfinished tropical timbers exposed to ultraviolet light in the field in Costa Rica

This study evaluated wood color change (ΔE*) and the surface quality in 10 tropical wood species painted with three finishes (composed of wax and polyurethane). Two weathering conditions were tested: natural weathering (NW) and artificial weathering (AW). The results showed that the application of these finishes, decreased the luminosity (L*), increased the redness (a*) and the yellowness (b*) parameters in all species. ΔE*, after weathering exposure, was affected significantly by L*, a*, and b, whereas for finished or pretreated wood, L* and b* are the main parameters affecting ΔE* in the 10 tropical species studied. ΔE* values found in different finishes and pretreatments are cataloged as total change of color. Other important results were that tropical light colored timber with natural pretreatment produced higher ΔE* than dark colored timber. The stains and fungal development were observed in polyurethane finishes in NW, but not in AW. The irregular and mosaic flaws were not observed in any kind of finish or pretreatment of surface. The values of the quality index created, which considered long and short lines and switch flaws, were lowest in NW and in waxy finish, while the highest value was obtained with the polyurethane finish.