[Objectives]The paper was to understand the occurrence and damage regularity of the invasive plant Mikania micrantha in Huadu District of Guangzhou.[Methods]The damage status of M.micranthFa in different forest lands ...[Objectives]The paper was to understand the occurrence and damage regularity of the invasive plant Mikania micrantha in Huadu District of Guangzhou.[Methods]The damage status of M.micranthFa in different forest lands and its annual growth dynamics were investigated by field investigation.[Results]With the change of canopy density from low to high,the occurrence degree of M.micrantha changed from high to low.The occurrence degree of M.micrantha in different forest land types was:abandoned orchard>wasteland>roadside greenbelt>waterside>forest edge>normally managed orchard.[Conclusions]M.micrantha enters the rapid growth period from March to May in spring,with the growth rate gradually slowing down after June.The result provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the prevention and control of M.micrantha.展开更多
Citral is a monoterpene aldehyde,which is the main chemical component of essential oils from Litsea cubeba and Cymbopogon citratus,as well as one of the most important representatives of open-chain monoterpene compoun...Citral is a monoterpene aldehyde,which is the main chemical component of essential oils from Litsea cubeba and Cymbopogon citratus,as well as one of the most important representatives of open-chain monoterpene compounds.The lemon flavor released by citral is very strong,and thus,it is widely used in essence,spices,manufacturing of various foods and beauty and other industries.It has antibacterial,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,anti-tumor,insecticidal and other biological activity.This paper reviewed citral in Lauraceae plants and its biological activity,in order to provide reference for the development and utilization of citral in Lauraceae plants and its diversified applications.展开更多
Accurate and efficient estimation of forest growth and live biomass is a critical element in assessing potential responses to forest management and environmental change. The objective of this study was to develop mode...Accurate and efficient estimation of forest growth and live biomass is a critical element in assessing potential responses to forest management and environmental change. The objective of this study was to develop models to predict longleaf pine tree diameter at breast height (dbh) and merchantable stem volume (V) using data obtained from field measurements. We used longleaf pine tree data from 3,376 planted trees on 127 permanent plots located in the U.S. Gulf Coastal Plain region to fit equations to predict dbh and V as functions of tree height (H) and crown area (CA). Prediction of dbh as a function of H improved when CA was added as an additional independent variable. Similarly, predic- tions of V based on H improved when CA was included. Incorporation of additional stand variables such as age, site index, dominant height, and stand density were also evaluated but resulted in only small improvements in model performance. For model testing we used data from planted and naturally-regenerated trees located inside and outside the geographic area used for model fitting. Our results suggest that the models are a robust alternative for dbh and V estimations when H and CA are known on planted stands with potential for naturally-regenerated stands, across a wide range of ages. We discuss the importance of these models for use with metrics derived from remote sensing data.展开更多
Microorganisms play a key role in the response of soil ecosystems to the rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) as they mineralize organic matter and drive nutrient cycling. To assess the effects of elevated CO2 on...Microorganisms play a key role in the response of soil ecosystems to the rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) as they mineralize organic matter and drive nutrient cycling. To assess the effects of elevated CO2 on soil microbial C and N immobilization and on soil enzyme activities, in years 8 (2006) and 9 (2007) of an open-top chamber experiment that begun in spring of 1999, soil was sampled in summer, and microbial biomass and enzyme activity related to the carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling were measured. Although no effects on microbial biomass C were detected, changes in microbial biomass N and metabolic activity involving C, N and P were observed under elevated CO2. Invertase and .dehydrogenase activities were significantly enhanced by different degrees of elevated CO2. Nitrifying enzyme activity was significantly (P 〈 0.01) increased in the August 2006 samples that received the elevated COs treatment, as compared to the samples that received the ambient treatment. Denitrifying enzyme activity was significantly (P 〈 0.04) decreased by elevated COs treatments in the August 2006 and June 2007 (P 〈 0.09) samples, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity was increased under elevated CO2 by 7% and 25% in June and August 2006, respectively, compared to those under ambient CO2. The results of June 2006 samples showed that acid phosphatase activity was significantly enhanced under elevated CO2. Overall, these results suggested that elevated CO2 might cause changes in the belowground C, N and P cycling in temperate forest soils.展开更多
Early selection is an important method to shorten the breeding cycle for tree species, which may differ in the time for early selection. To evaluate the early selected time for Larix kaempferi, tree height and diamete...Early selection is an important method to shorten the breeding cycle for tree species, which may differ in the time for early selection. To evaluate the early selected time for Larix kaempferi, tree height and diameter at breast height of 57 L. kaempferi clones were measured over many different growth years. The results indicated that, except for age × clone interaction for diameter at breast height (P = 0.741), there were significant differences among all variation sources (P 〈 0.01). The coefficient of phenotypic variation ranged from 14.89 to 35.65% for height and from 19.17 to 23.86% for diameter at breast height in different growth years. The repeatability of height and of diameter at breast height among clones was high, ranging from 0.6181 to 0.8531 (height) and from 0.8443 to 0.8497 (diameter at breast height), in different growth years. There were significant positive correlations between all pairs of growth traits except between height in the 2nd growth year and height in the 30th growth year; and between height in the 2nd growth year × diameter at breast height in the 30th growth year. With a comprehen- sive evaluation method and a selection ratio of 10%, L65, L1, L62, L9, L15, and L78 were selected as excellent clones in the 30th growth year. Their average values of height and diameter at breast height were 9.81 and 16.57% higher than the overall average, representing genetic gains of 6.46 and 13.99%, respectively. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of L. kaempferi.展开更多
The circumboreal forest encompasses diverse landscape structures, dynamics and forest age distributions determined by their physical setting, and historical and current disturbance regimes. However, due to intensifyin...The circumboreal forest encompasses diverse landscape structures, dynamics and forest age distributions determined by their physical setting, and historical and current disturbance regimes. However, due to intensifying forest utilisation, and in certain areas due to increasing natural disturbances, boreal forest age-class structures have changed rapidly, so that the proportion of old forest has substantially declined, while that of young post-harvest and post-natural-disturbance forest proportions have increased. In the future, with a warming climate in certain boreal regions, this trend may further be enhanced due to an increase in natural disturbances and large-scale use of forest biomass to replace fossil-based fuels and products.The major drivers of change of forest age class distributions and structures include the use of clearcut shortrotation harvesting, more frequent and severe natural disturbances due to climate warming in certain regions. The decline in old forest area, and increase in managed young forest lacking natural post-disturbance structural legacies,represent a major transformation in the ecological conditions of the boreal forest beyond historical limits of variability.This may introduce a threat to biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and long-term adaptive capacity of the forest ecosystem.To safeguard boreal forest biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and to maintain the multiple services provided to societies by this forest biome, it is pivotal to maintain an adequate share and the ecological qualities of young postdisturbance stages, along with mature forest stages with old-growth characteristics. This requires management for natural post-disturbance legacy structures, and innovative use of diverse uneven-aged and continuous cover management approaches to maintain critical late-successional forest structures in landscapes.展开更多
Population of the rare and endangered species Ammopiptanthus mongolicus (Maxim.) Cheng f. declined rapidly in China's add region and Central Asia. There is an urgent need to protect this species, which is particula...Population of the rare and endangered species Ammopiptanthus mongolicus (Maxim.) Cheng f. declined rapidly in China's add region and Central Asia. There is an urgent need to protect this species, which is particularly important in maintaining biodiversity throughout the arid region of northwestern China. By analyzing the infrared thermal images based on plant-transpiration transfer coef- ficient (hat) and photosynthetic parameters, we made quantitative and accurate diagnoses of the plant growth and health status of A. mongolicus. Using an LI-COR6400 photosynthesis system, we measured the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr). Infrared thermal images obtained in the field were processed by ENVI4.8 software to calculate surface tem- peratures of the plant subjects. We found that the plant transpiration transfer coefficient of A. mongolicus was inthe order of old plants 〉young plants 〉intermediate-aged plants. Declining health levels of young, intermediate, and old plants were divided into three categories: 〈0.4, 0.4-0.7, and 〉0.7. The coefficient showed a significant negative correlation with Tr, Gs, and Pn, indicating that they can simultaneously reflect the state of plant growth. By estab- lishing hat and photosynthetic parameters in regression model Y = a-blnx, we can accurately diagnose plant growth and decline of plant health conditions.展开更多
Ruminants utilize a wide variety of dietary substrates that are not digestible by the mammals, through microbial fermentation taking place in the rumen. Recent advanced molecular based approaches have allowed the char...Ruminants utilize a wide variety of dietary substrates that are not digestible by the mammals, through microbial fermentation taking place in the rumen. Recent advanced molecular based approaches have allowed the characterization of rumen microbiota and its compositional changes under various treatment conditions.However, the knowledge is still limited on the impacts of variations in the rumen microbiota on host biology and function. This review summarizes the information to date on host-microbial interactions in the rumen and how we can apply such information to seek the opportunities to enhance the animal performance through manipulating the rumen function.展开更多
It has been argued that increased soil respiration would become a major atmospheric source of CO\-2 in the event of global warming. The simple statistical models were developed based on a georeferenced database with 0...It has been argued that increased soil respiration would become a major atmospheric source of CO\-2 in the event of global warming. The simple statistical models were developed based on a georeferenced database with 0 5°×0 5° longitude/latitude resolution to simulate global soil\|CO\-2 fluxes, to investigate climatic effects on these fluxes using sensitivity experiments, and to assess possible responses of soil\|CO\-2 fluxes to various climate change scenarios. The statistical models yield a value of 69 PgC/a of global soil\|CO\-2 fluxes for current condition. Sensitivity experiments confirm that the fluxes are responsive to changes in temperature, precipitation and actual evapotranspiration, but increases in temperature and actual evapotranspiration affect soil\|CO 2 fluxes more than increases in precipitation. Using climatic change projections from four global circulation models, each corresponding to an equilibrium doubling of CO 2, it can be found that the largest increases in soil\|CO 2 fluxes were associated with the boreal and tundra regions. The globally averaged soil\|CO 2 fluxes were estimated to increase by about 35% above current values, providing a positive feedback to the greenhouse effect.展开更多
Diversity, density and species composition of naturally regenerated woody plants under Eucalyptus grandis plantation and the adjacent natural forest were investigated and compared. Twenty plots, with an area of 20 m &...Diversity, density and species composition of naturally regenerated woody plants under Eucalyptus grandis plantation and the adjacent natural forest were investigated and compared. Twenty plots, with an area of 20 m × 20 m for each, were established in both of E. grand& plantation and adjacent natural forest, independently. In each plot, species name, abundance, diameter and height were recorded. Numbers of seedling were collected in five sub-plots (4 m2) within each major plot. A total of 46 species in the plantation, and 52 species in the natural forest, which belongs to 36 families were recorded. The diversity of species (H') is 2.19 in the plantation and 2.74 in the natural forest. The density of understory woody plant was 3842 stems/ha in the plantation and 4122 stems/ha in the natural forest. The densities of seedlings in the natural forest and the plantation were 8101 stems/ha and 4151 stems/ha, respectively. High similarity of woody species composition was found between the natural forest and the plantation. The E. grand& plantation was found favoring the regeneration and growth of Millitiaferruginia and Coffea arabica in a much better way than other underneath woody species.展开更多
Landscape pathology is a research approach that can provide validation of the effectiveness of regional controls of forest disease at a landscape scale. In this paper, we analyzed the effects of stand features, manage...Landscape pathology is a research approach that can provide validation of the effectiveness of regional controls of forest disease at a landscape scale. In this paper, we analyzed the effects of stand features, management approaches, and geographical locations on poplar canker disease incidence (DI) and disease severity index (DSI) of individual trees at a 10 km x 10 km mesoscale landscape in Qingfeng County, China. DI varied significantly with stand age, tree densities, and the degree of canopy closure. DI in stands younger than 4 years old was significantly lower than that in the stands over 6 years old and reached the highest value at a stand age of 8-10 years. Overall, DI was positively correlated with stand age, stand density, andthe degree of canopy closure. DI was significantly lower in agro-forest stand patches than in other three patch types, i.e. isolated patch, pure stand patch, and mixed stand patch. Poplar plantations distributed around and near to villages exhibited significantly higher DI mainly due to human activities and herbivores. Fragmentation or connectivity in this mesoscale landscape seemed not impact disease occurrence. DSI was not significantly correlated with stand density, but varied significantly with tree varieties and trees ages. DSI was highest in stands of 10-12 year trees for all poplar varieties we studied here. Plantation density and plantation age were thus critical factors in determining DI and DSI. A logistic predictive model of disease occurrence was developed for the study area, considering varieties, age, height, density, canopy cover, stand types, patch types, management status, and stand geographical locations. Our study here shows that adjustment of stand density by thinning at different plantation ages is an effective approach controlling the occurrence canker disease in short-rotation poplar plantations at the landscape scale.展开更多
We undertook ethnobotanical study of forage/fodder plant species used by the Afar and Oromo (Kereyu and lttu) Nations in and around the semi=arid Awash National Park (ANP), Ethiopia. The study aimed at investigati...We undertook ethnobotanical study of forage/fodder plant species used by the Afar and Oromo (Kereyu and lttu) Nations in and around the semi=arid Awash National Park (ANP), Ethiopia. The study aimed at investigating and documenting indigenous knowledge (IK) on forage/fodder plant species and threats to their survival. Ninety-six in= formants between 20 and 80 years old were selected using prior informa- tion. Data were collected using semi-structured interview, guided field wail discussion and field observation. Preference ranking, Jaccard's coefficient of similarity and priority ranking were used for data analysis. One hundred twenty-six forage/fodder species of 90 genera and 43 fami- lies were collected in the study area. More than 88% of the species were reported with their vernacular names, where 68% were reported by the Afar Nation and 70% by the Oromo Nation. Family Poaceae was repre- sented by 25 species (20%), followed by Fabaceae 18 (14%). Preference ranking for the most preferred forage grasses as perceived by key informants revealed that Chrysopogon plumulosus was the most important forage/fodder species. Overgrazing was the major threat in the study area, scoring 22%.展开更多
Three new species, Macrophya nigrihistrio Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov., M. parahistrioides Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov. and M. tianquanensis Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov., of the genus Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera: Tenthred...Three new species, Macrophya nigrihistrio Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov., M. parahistrioides Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov. and M. tianquanensis Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov., of the genus Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from China are described. A key to Chinese species of the Macrophya histrio group is provided.展开更多
Phytogenic mounds(nebkhas)formed by shrubs are a common phenomenon in arid and semiarid areas.The formation of nebkhas is accompanied by the appearance of the fertile island effect.Quantitative evaluation of the shrub...Phytogenic mounds(nebkhas)formed by shrubs are a common phenomenon in arid and semiarid areas.The formation of nebkhas is accompanied by the appearance of the fertile island effect.Quantitative evaluation of the shrub sand compost island effect is a key link in preventing soil erosion and nutrient loss.This study took the typical shrub Tetraena mongolica in desert areas as the research object and quantified the sand-trapping capacity of the shrub.We revealed the influence of sediment texture and volumetric soil water content on fertile islands during the development of T.mongolica nebkhas.The results showed that(1)the single shrub intercepted large amounts of sediments due to the high density of branches of T.mongolica,forming nebkhas that were positively correlated with the shrub size.(2)The overall soil nutrient content below the shrub was greater than the soil nutrient content outside the shrub,forming a typical fertile island effect.The soil organic carbon(SOC),alkaline hydrolytic nitrogen(AHN),available phosphorus(AP),and available K(AK)content all increased gradually with increasing nebkha volume.Compared with the deep soil of nebkhas,the nutrient content of the surface soil was generally higher.(3)There was a positive correlation between the volumetric water content and nutrient content in nebkhas.(4)The semi-ellipsoid shape of T.mongolica enabled it to intercept large amounts of coarse-grained material.Fine sand(100–250μm)was the main particle size in the sediment aggregates inside the nebkhas.The fine sand content generally increased with increasing shrub size.Redundancy analysis(RDA)revealed that the fine sand content of the nebkha sediments had a strong positive correlation with the soil nutrient content.This paper provides an example for evaluating the fertile island effect during the deposition process of nebkhas in the desert transition zone.展开更多
Spatial causal effects on water quality are essential in identification of vulnerable watersheds. Modelling landuse variables is an effective method of projecting localized impairment. This study presents an integrate...Spatial causal effects on water quality are essential in identification of vulnerable watersheds. Modelling landuse variables is an effective method of projecting localized impairment. This study presents an integrated index, designed to gauge the ability of an 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code watershed in its ability to produce clean water. This index, I<sub>APCW</sub>, can be successfully applied on a geospatial platform. In this study we utilized I<sub>APCW</sub> to address forest cover dynamics of an impaired watershed, that is, Missouri Watershed James Sub-region in North Dakota. Specific parametric functions were analysed and combined within a customized GIS interface to provide a multi-faceted structured technique to derive I<sub>APCW</sub>. These included ambient forest cover, housing density, agricultural land, soil erodibility and road density;it can be lucidly ascertained that where a prevailing forest cover undergoes conversion processes, the secondary effect may spur an exponential increase in water treatment costs. These parameters when projected statistically validated temporal and spatial relations of landuse/land cover dynamics to nutrient concentrations especially those that would be noted at the mouth of the watershed. In this study, we found that the levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were much higher for the years 2014 to 2016 with a discernible increased alkalizing effect within the watershed. When I<sub>APCW</sub> was compared to Annualized Agricultural Nonpoint Source (AnnAGNPS), the spatial distribution generated by the AnnAGNPS study showed that fallow areas produced significant amounts of sediment loads from the sub-watershed. These same locations in this study generated a low I<sub>APCW</sub>.展开更多
The germination capacity of Ailanthus altissima seeds improved after the seeds were soaked with different concentrations of natural brassinolide (NBR). The germination rate and germination energy of the seeds increa...The germination capacity of Ailanthus altissima seeds improved after the seeds were soaked with different concentrations of natural brassinolide (NBR). The germination rate and germination energy of the seeds increased by 17.6% and 18.8%, and the mean germination speed (i.e., germination time) of the seeds was shortened by 1.4 d under the optimal concentration (0.4 mg·L^-1) treatment, compared with the control. After hypocotyls of A.altissima were treated with NBR, the elongation of the hypocotyls increased. Among different concentrations of the NBR, 0.4 mg·L^-1 NBR appeared to be the optimal concentration for the elongation of A.altissima hypocotyls.展开更多
The species of Pachyprotasis flavipes group in Pachyprotasis Hartig from Zhejiang,Hunan and Jiangxi Provinces of China are investigated.Two new species are described:Pachyprotasis rufofemorata Zhong,Li&Wei sp.nov....The species of Pachyprotasis flavipes group in Pachyprotasis Hartig from Zhejiang,Hunan and Jiangxi Provinces of China are investigated.Two new species are described:Pachyprotasis rufofemorata Zhong,Li&Wei sp.nov.and P.parawui Zhong,Li&Wei sp.nov.A key to all species in the P.flavipes group from China is updated.展开更多
One new species belonging to the septentrionalis group of Nematus is described.Nematus zhongi Liu,Li&Wei sp.nov.is illustrated from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,Guizhou,Hunan and Zhejiang provinces in China.A ...One new species belonging to the septentrionalis group of Nematus is described.Nematus zhongi Liu,Li&Wei sp.nov.is illustrated from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,Guizhou,Hunan and Zhejiang provinces in China.A key to all Chinese species of the Nematus septentrionalis group is provided.展开更多
文摘[Objectives]The paper was to understand the occurrence and damage regularity of the invasive plant Mikania micrantha in Huadu District of Guangzhou.[Methods]The damage status of M.micranthFa in different forest lands and its annual growth dynamics were investigated by field investigation.[Results]With the change of canopy density from low to high,the occurrence degree of M.micrantha changed from high to low.The occurrence degree of M.micrantha in different forest land types was:abandoned orchard>wasteland>roadside greenbelt>waterside>forest edge>normally managed orchard.[Conclusions]M.micrantha enters the rapid growth period from March to May in spring,with the growth rate gradually slowing down after June.The result provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the prevention and control of M.micrantha.
基金Supported by Changsha Science and Technology Program (kh2101007).
文摘Citral is a monoterpene aldehyde,which is the main chemical component of essential oils from Litsea cubeba and Cymbopogon citratus,as well as one of the most important representatives of open-chain monoterpene compounds.The lemon flavor released by citral is very strong,and thus,it is widely used in essence,spices,manufacturing of various foods and beauty and other industries.It has antibacterial,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,anti-tumor,insecticidal and other biological activity.This paper reviewed citral in Lauraceae plants and its biological activity,in order to provide reference for the development and utilization of citral in Lauraceae plants and its diversified applications.
基金supported by the U.S.Department of Defense,through the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program(SERDP)
文摘Accurate and efficient estimation of forest growth and live biomass is a critical element in assessing potential responses to forest management and environmental change. The objective of this study was to develop models to predict longleaf pine tree diameter at breast height (dbh) and merchantable stem volume (V) using data obtained from field measurements. We used longleaf pine tree data from 3,376 planted trees on 127 permanent plots located in the U.S. Gulf Coastal Plain region to fit equations to predict dbh and V as functions of tree height (H) and crown area (CA). Prediction of dbh as a function of H improved when CA was added as an additional independent variable. Similarly, predic- tions of V based on H improved when CA was included. Incorporation of additional stand variables such as age, site index, dominant height, and stand density were also evaluated but resulted in only small improvements in model performance. For model testing we used data from planted and naturally-regenerated trees located inside and outside the geographic area used for model fitting. Our results suggest that the models are a robust alternative for dbh and V estimations when H and CA are known on planted stands with potential for naturally-regenerated stands, across a wide range of ages. We discuss the importance of these models for use with metrics derived from remote sensing data.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.90411020)
文摘Microorganisms play a key role in the response of soil ecosystems to the rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) as they mineralize organic matter and drive nutrient cycling. To assess the effects of elevated CO2 on soil microbial C and N immobilization and on soil enzyme activities, in years 8 (2006) and 9 (2007) of an open-top chamber experiment that begun in spring of 1999, soil was sampled in summer, and microbial biomass and enzyme activity related to the carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling were measured. Although no effects on microbial biomass C were detected, changes in microbial biomass N and metabolic activity involving C, N and P were observed under elevated CO2. Invertase and .dehydrogenase activities were significantly enhanced by different degrees of elevated CO2. Nitrifying enzyme activity was significantly (P 〈 0.01) increased in the August 2006 samples that received the elevated COs treatment, as compared to the samples that received the ambient treatment. Denitrifying enzyme activity was significantly (P 〈 0.04) decreased by elevated COs treatments in the August 2006 and June 2007 (P 〈 0.09) samples, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity was increased under elevated CO2 by 7% and 25% in June and August 2006, respectively, compared to those under ambient CO2. The results of June 2006 samples showed that acid phosphatase activity was significantly enhanced under elevated CO2. Overall, these results suggested that elevated CO2 might cause changes in the belowground C, N and P cycling in temperate forest soils.
基金supported by the Innovation Project of State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding(Northeast Forestry University)(No.2016C02)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2014M561315)
文摘Early selection is an important method to shorten the breeding cycle for tree species, which may differ in the time for early selection. To evaluate the early selected time for Larix kaempferi, tree height and diameter at breast height of 57 L. kaempferi clones were measured over many different growth years. The results indicated that, except for age × clone interaction for diameter at breast height (P = 0.741), there were significant differences among all variation sources (P 〈 0.01). The coefficient of phenotypic variation ranged from 14.89 to 35.65% for height and from 19.17 to 23.86% for diameter at breast height in different growth years. The repeatability of height and of diameter at breast height among clones was high, ranging from 0.6181 to 0.8531 (height) and from 0.8443 to 0.8497 (diameter at breast height), in different growth years. There were significant positive correlations between all pairs of growth traits except between height in the 2nd growth year and height in the 30th growth year; and between height in the 2nd growth year × diameter at breast height in the 30th growth year. With a comprehen- sive evaluation method and a selection ratio of 10%, L65, L1, L62, L9, L15, and L78 were selected as excellent clones in the 30th growth year. Their average values of height and diameter at breast height were 9.81 and 16.57% higher than the overall average, representing genetic gains of 6.46 and 13.99%, respectively. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of L. kaempferi.
基金carried out in the framework of the EBOR-project funded by the Academy of Finland(Proj.No.276255)
文摘The circumboreal forest encompasses diverse landscape structures, dynamics and forest age distributions determined by their physical setting, and historical and current disturbance regimes. However, due to intensifying forest utilisation, and in certain areas due to increasing natural disturbances, boreal forest age-class structures have changed rapidly, so that the proportion of old forest has substantially declined, while that of young post-harvest and post-natural-disturbance forest proportions have increased. In the future, with a warming climate in certain boreal regions, this trend may further be enhanced due to an increase in natural disturbances and large-scale use of forest biomass to replace fossil-based fuels and products.The major drivers of change of forest age class distributions and structures include the use of clearcut shortrotation harvesting, more frequent and severe natural disturbances due to climate warming in certain regions. The decline in old forest area, and increase in managed young forest lacking natural post-disturbance structural legacies,represent a major transformation in the ecological conditions of the boreal forest beyond historical limits of variability.This may introduce a threat to biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and long-term adaptive capacity of the forest ecosystem.To safeguard boreal forest biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and to maintain the multiple services provided to societies by this forest biome, it is pivotal to maintain an adequate share and the ecological qualities of young postdisturbance stages, along with mature forest stages with old-growth characteristics. This requires management for natural post-disturbance legacy structures, and innovative use of diverse uneven-aged and continuous cover management approaches to maintain critical late-successional forest structures in landscapes.
基金supported by the national forestry nonprofit industry research projects of China,‘‘Diagnosis of rare and endangered plants Ammopiptanthus mongolicus degradation and research of conservation technology’’(No.201304305)
文摘Population of the rare and endangered species Ammopiptanthus mongolicus (Maxim.) Cheng f. declined rapidly in China's add region and Central Asia. There is an urgent need to protect this species, which is particularly important in maintaining biodiversity throughout the arid region of northwestern China. By analyzing the infrared thermal images based on plant-transpiration transfer coef- ficient (hat) and photosynthetic parameters, we made quantitative and accurate diagnoses of the plant growth and health status of A. mongolicus. Using an LI-COR6400 photosynthesis system, we measured the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr). Infrared thermal images obtained in the field were processed by ENVI4.8 software to calculate surface tem- peratures of the plant subjects. We found that the plant transpiration transfer coefficient of A. mongolicus was inthe order of old plants 〉young plants 〉intermediate-aged plants. Declining health levels of young, intermediate, and old plants were divided into three categories: 〈0.4, 0.4-0.7, and 〉0.7. The coefficient showed a significant negative correlation with Tr, Gs, and Pn, indicating that they can simultaneously reflect the state of plant growth. By estab- lishing hat and photosynthetic parameters in regression model Y = a-blnx, we can accurately diagnose plant growth and decline of plant health conditions.
文摘Ruminants utilize a wide variety of dietary substrates that are not digestible by the mammals, through microbial fermentation taking place in the rumen. Recent advanced molecular based approaches have allowed the characterization of rumen microbiota and its compositional changes under various treatment conditions.However, the knowledge is still limited on the impacts of variations in the rumen microbiota on host biology and function. This review summarizes the information to date on host-microbial interactions in the rumen and how we can apply such information to seek the opportunities to enhance the animal performance through manipulating the rumen function.
文摘It has been argued that increased soil respiration would become a major atmospheric source of CO\-2 in the event of global warming. The simple statistical models were developed based on a georeferenced database with 0 5°×0 5° longitude/latitude resolution to simulate global soil\|CO\-2 fluxes, to investigate climatic effects on these fluxes using sensitivity experiments, and to assess possible responses of soil\|CO\-2 fluxes to various climate change scenarios. The statistical models yield a value of 69 PgC/a of global soil\|CO\-2 fluxes for current condition. Sensitivity experiments confirm that the fluxes are responsive to changes in temperature, precipitation and actual evapotranspiration, but increases in temperature and actual evapotranspiration affect soil\|CO 2 fluxes more than increases in precipitation. Using climatic change projections from four global circulation models, each corresponding to an equilibrium doubling of CO 2, it can be found that the largest increases in soil\|CO 2 fluxes were associated with the boreal and tundra regions. The globally averaged soil\|CO 2 fluxes were estimated to increase by about 35% above current values, providing a positive feedback to the greenhouse effect.
基金provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
文摘Diversity, density and species composition of naturally regenerated woody plants under Eucalyptus grandis plantation and the adjacent natural forest were investigated and compared. Twenty plots, with an area of 20 m × 20 m for each, were established in both of E. grand& plantation and adjacent natural forest, independently. In each plot, species name, abundance, diameter and height were recorded. Numbers of seedling were collected in five sub-plots (4 m2) within each major plot. A total of 46 species in the plantation, and 52 species in the natural forest, which belongs to 36 families were recorded. The diversity of species (H') is 2.19 in the plantation and 2.74 in the natural forest. The density of understory woody plant was 3842 stems/ha in the plantation and 4122 stems/ha in the natural forest. The densities of seedlings in the natural forest and the plantation were 8101 stems/ha and 4151 stems/ha, respectively. High similarity of woody species composition was found between the natural forest and the plantation. The E. grand& plantation was found favoring the regeneration and growth of Millitiaferruginia and Coffea arabica in a much better way than other underneath woody species.
基金supported by the twelfth five-year science and technology support program of China(2012BAD19B0801)
文摘Landscape pathology is a research approach that can provide validation of the effectiveness of regional controls of forest disease at a landscape scale. In this paper, we analyzed the effects of stand features, management approaches, and geographical locations on poplar canker disease incidence (DI) and disease severity index (DSI) of individual trees at a 10 km x 10 km mesoscale landscape in Qingfeng County, China. DI varied significantly with stand age, tree densities, and the degree of canopy closure. DI in stands younger than 4 years old was significantly lower than that in the stands over 6 years old and reached the highest value at a stand age of 8-10 years. Overall, DI was positively correlated with stand age, stand density, andthe degree of canopy closure. DI was significantly lower in agro-forest stand patches than in other three patch types, i.e. isolated patch, pure stand patch, and mixed stand patch. Poplar plantations distributed around and near to villages exhibited significantly higher DI mainly due to human activities and herbivores. Fragmentation or connectivity in this mesoscale landscape seemed not impact disease occurrence. DSI was not significantly correlated with stand density, but varied significantly with tree varieties and trees ages. DSI was highest in stands of 10-12 year trees for all poplar varieties we studied here. Plantation density and plantation age were thus critical factors in determining DI and DSI. A logistic predictive model of disease occurrence was developed for the study area, considering varieties, age, height, density, canopy cover, stand types, patch types, management status, and stand geographical locations. Our study here shows that adjustment of stand density by thinning at different plantation ages is an effective approach controlling the occurrence canker disease in short-rotation poplar plantations at the landscape scale.
文摘We undertook ethnobotanical study of forage/fodder plant species used by the Afar and Oromo (Kereyu and lttu) Nations in and around the semi=arid Awash National Park (ANP), Ethiopia. The study aimed at investigating and documenting indigenous knowledge (IK) on forage/fodder plant species and threats to their survival. Ninety-six in= formants between 20 and 80 years old were selected using prior informa- tion. Data were collected using semi-structured interview, guided field wail discussion and field observation. Preference ranking, Jaccard's coefficient of similarity and priority ranking were used for data analysis. One hundred twenty-six forage/fodder species of 90 genera and 43 fami- lies were collected in the study area. More than 88% of the species were reported with their vernacular names, where 68% were reported by the Afar Nation and 70% by the Oromo Nation. Family Poaceae was repre- sented by 25 species (20%), followed by Fabaceae 18 (14%). Preference ranking for the most preferred forage grasses as perceived by key informants revealed that Chrysopogon plumulosus was the most important forage/fodder species. Overgrazing was the major threat in the study area, scoring 22%.
基金This research was partly supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(LY18C040001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31672344).
文摘Three new species, Macrophya nigrihistrio Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov., M. parahistrioides Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov. and M. tianquanensis Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov., of the genus Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from China are described. A key to Chinese species of the Macrophya histrio group is provided.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41967009)the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Talent Development Fund(Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Human Resources and Social Security Office issued[2020]98)。
文摘Phytogenic mounds(nebkhas)formed by shrubs are a common phenomenon in arid and semiarid areas.The formation of nebkhas is accompanied by the appearance of the fertile island effect.Quantitative evaluation of the shrub sand compost island effect is a key link in preventing soil erosion and nutrient loss.This study took the typical shrub Tetraena mongolica in desert areas as the research object and quantified the sand-trapping capacity of the shrub.We revealed the influence of sediment texture and volumetric soil water content on fertile islands during the development of T.mongolica nebkhas.The results showed that(1)the single shrub intercepted large amounts of sediments due to the high density of branches of T.mongolica,forming nebkhas that were positively correlated with the shrub size.(2)The overall soil nutrient content below the shrub was greater than the soil nutrient content outside the shrub,forming a typical fertile island effect.The soil organic carbon(SOC),alkaline hydrolytic nitrogen(AHN),available phosphorus(AP),and available K(AK)content all increased gradually with increasing nebkha volume.Compared with the deep soil of nebkhas,the nutrient content of the surface soil was generally higher.(3)There was a positive correlation between the volumetric water content and nutrient content in nebkhas.(4)The semi-ellipsoid shape of T.mongolica enabled it to intercept large amounts of coarse-grained material.Fine sand(100–250μm)was the main particle size in the sediment aggregates inside the nebkhas.The fine sand content generally increased with increasing shrub size.Redundancy analysis(RDA)revealed that the fine sand content of the nebkha sediments had a strong positive correlation with the soil nutrient content.This paper provides an example for evaluating the fertile island effect during the deposition process of nebkhas in the desert transition zone.
文摘Spatial causal effects on water quality are essential in identification of vulnerable watersheds. Modelling landuse variables is an effective method of projecting localized impairment. This study presents an integrated index, designed to gauge the ability of an 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code watershed in its ability to produce clean water. This index, I<sub>APCW</sub>, can be successfully applied on a geospatial platform. In this study we utilized I<sub>APCW</sub> to address forest cover dynamics of an impaired watershed, that is, Missouri Watershed James Sub-region in North Dakota. Specific parametric functions were analysed and combined within a customized GIS interface to provide a multi-faceted structured technique to derive I<sub>APCW</sub>. These included ambient forest cover, housing density, agricultural land, soil erodibility and road density;it can be lucidly ascertained that where a prevailing forest cover undergoes conversion processes, the secondary effect may spur an exponential increase in water treatment costs. These parameters when projected statistically validated temporal and spatial relations of landuse/land cover dynamics to nutrient concentrations especially those that would be noted at the mouth of the watershed. In this study, we found that the levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were much higher for the years 2014 to 2016 with a discernible increased alkalizing effect within the watershed. When I<sub>APCW</sub> was compared to Annualized Agricultural Nonpoint Source (AnnAGNPS), the spatial distribution generated by the AnnAGNPS study showed that fallow areas produced significant amounts of sediment loads from the sub-watershed. These same locations in this study generated a low I<sub>APCW</sub>.
文摘The germination capacity of Ailanthus altissima seeds improved after the seeds were soaked with different concentrations of natural brassinolide (NBR). The germination rate and germination energy of the seeds increased by 17.6% and 18.8%, and the mean germination speed (i.e., germination time) of the seeds was shortened by 1.4 d under the optimal concentration (0.4 mg·L^-1) treatment, compared with the control. After hypocotyls of A.altissima were treated with NBR, the elongation of the hypocotyls increased. Among different concentrations of the NBR, 0.4 mg·L^-1 NBR appeared to be the optimal concentration for the elongation of A.altissima hypocotyls.
基金This research was supported by the National Special Construction Agriculture Technology System of China(CARS-44-SYZ 13)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province(LY18C040001).
文摘The species of Pachyprotasis flavipes group in Pachyprotasis Hartig from Zhejiang,Hunan and Jiangxi Provinces of China are investigated.Two new species are described:Pachyprotasis rufofemorata Zhong,Li&Wei sp.nov.and P.parawui Zhong,Li&Wei sp.nov.A key to all species in the P.flavipes group from China is updated.
基金partly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31970447)starting fund for doctoral research of Lishui University(6004LMM01Z)+1 种基金special fund for scientific research of postdoctoral work station assessment in Zhejiang ProvinceChina and GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development(2020GDASYL-20200102021,2020GDASYL-20200301003)。
文摘One new species belonging to the septentrionalis group of Nematus is described.Nematus zhongi Liu,Li&Wei sp.nov.is illustrated from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,Guizhou,Hunan and Zhejiang provinces in China.A key to all Chinese species of the Nematus septentrionalis group is provided.