Droughts have caused tree growth decline and high tree mortality across temperate forests,however,how to manage planted forests to alleviate drought stress is still challenging.We used tree-ring and forest inventory d...Droughts have caused tree growth decline and high tree mortality across temperate forests,however,how to manage planted forests to alleviate drought stress is still challenging.We used tree-ring and forest inventory data from different density stands to investigate how competition,tree diameter at breast height(DBH),tree age,and their interactions influence drought sensitivity and resistance for three widely-distributed and planted conifer species(Larix principis-rupprechtii,Picea meyeri,and Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica).Our results showed that the drought sensitivity of the three species was influenced by competition,tree size,and their interactions.Large L.principis-rupprechtii trees were particularly sensitive to drought during the growing season in medium to high-density stands,while the growth of large P.sylvestris var.mongolica was most affected by precipitation at low to medium density stands.Drought resistance of L.principis-rupprechtii trees decreased as tree size increased.Large L.principis-rupprechtii trees had lower drought resistance than small trees in all stands.Drought resistance of large P.meyeri trees exhibited high resistance to drought only in high-density stands.However,drought resistance of P.sylvestris var.mongolica trees was affected by tree size,competition,and their interactions.These results indicated that targeted silvicultural interventions,such as thinning,can be implemented to enhance drought resistance specifically for large L.principis-rupprechtii trees and small P.sylvestris var.mongolica trees in medium and high competition stands,and small P.meyeri trees in high competition stands.Our results highlight that properly conducted thinning can in some cases enhance growth resistance to droughts,depending on stand density,tree size,and tree species.展开更多
The number and composition of species in a community can be quantified withα-diversity indices,including species richness(R),Simpson’s index(D),and the Shannon-Wiener index(H΄).In forest communities,there are large ...The number and composition of species in a community can be quantified withα-diversity indices,including species richness(R),Simpson’s index(D),and the Shannon-Wiener index(H΄).In forest communities,there are large variations in tree size among species and individu-als of the same species,which result in differences in eco-logical processes and ecosystem functions.However,tree size inequality(TSI)has been largely neglected in studies using the available diversity indices.The TSI in the diameter at breast height(DBH)data for each of 99920 m×20 m forest census quadrats was quantified using the Gini index(GI),a measure of the inequality of size distribution.The generalized performance equation was used to describe the rotated and right-shifted Lorenz curve of the cumulative proportion of DBH and the cumulative proportion of number of trees per quadrat.We also examined the relationships ofα-diversity indices with the GI using correlation tests.The generalized performance equation effectively described the rotated and right-shifted Lorenz curve of DBH distributions,with most root-mean-square errors(990 out of 999 quadrats)being<0.0030.There were significant positive correlations between each of threeα-diversity indices(i.e.,R,D,and H’)and the GI.Nevertheless,the total abundance of trees in each quadrat did not significantly influence the GI.This means that the TSI increased with increasing spe-cies diversity.Thus,two new indices are proposed that can balanceα-diversity against the extent of TSI in the com-munity:(1−GI)×D,and(1−GI)×H’.These new indices were significantly correlated with the original D and H΄,and did not increase the extent of variation within each group of indices.This study presents a useful tool for quantifying both species diversity and the variation in tree sizes in forest communities,especially in the face of cumulative species loss under global climate change.展开更多
Carbon(C),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus(P)are of fundamental importance for growth and nutrient dynamics within plant organs and deserve more attention at regional to global scales.However,our knowledge of how these nutr...Carbon(C),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus(P)are of fundamental importance for growth and nutrient dynamics within plant organs and deserve more attention at regional to global scales.However,our knowledge of how these nutrients vary with tree size,organ age,or root order at the individual level remains limited.We determined C,N,and P contents and their stoichiometric ratios(i.e.,nutrient traits)in needles,branches,and fine roots at different organ ages(0-3-year-old needles and branches)and root orders(1st-4th order roots)from 64 Pinus koraiensis of varying size(Diameter at breast height ranged from 0.3 to 100 cm)in northeast China.Soil factors were also measured.The results show that nutrient traits were regulated by tree size,organ age,or root order rather than soil factors.At a whole-plant level,nutrient traits decreased in needles and fine roots but increased in branches with tree size.At the organ level,age or root order had a negative effect on C,N,and P and a positive effect on stoichiometric ratios.Our results demonstrate that nutrient variations are closely related to organ-specific functions and ecophysiological processes at an individual level.It is suggested that the nutrient acquisition strategy by younger trees and organ fractions with higher nutrient content is for survival.Conversely,nutrient storage strategy in older trees and organ fractions are mainly for steady growth.Our results clarified the nutrient utilization strategies during tree and organ ontogeny and suggest that tree size and organ age or root order should be simultaneously considered to understand the complexities of nutrient variations.展开更多
Primary forests are spatially diverse terrestrial ecosystems with unique characteristics,being naturally regenerative and heterogeneous,which supports the stability of their carbon storage through the accumulation of ...Primary forests are spatially diverse terrestrial ecosystems with unique characteristics,being naturally regenerative and heterogeneous,which supports the stability of their carbon storage through the accumulation of live and dead biomass.Yet,little is known about the interactions between biomass stocks,tree genus diversity and structure across a temperate montane primary forest.Here,we investigated the relationship between tree structure(variability in basal area and tree size),genus-level diversity(abundance,tree diversity)and biomass stocks in temperate primary mountain forests across Central and Eastern Europe.We used inventory data from726 permanent sample plots from mixed beech and spruce across the Carpathian Mountains.We used nonlinear regression to analyse the spatial variability in forest biomass,structure,and genus-level diversity and how they interact with plot-level tree age,disturbances,temperature and altitude.We found that the combined effects of genus and structural indices were important for addressing the variability in biomass across different spatial scales.Local processes in disturbance regimes and uneven tree age support forest hete rogeneity and the accumulation of live and dead biomass through the natural regeneration,growth and decay of the forest ecosystem.Structural complexities in basal area index,supporte d by genus-level abundance,positively influence total biomass stocks,which was modulated by tree age and disturbances.Spruce forests showed higher tree density and basal area than mixed beech forests,though mixed beech still contributes significantly to biomass across landscapes.Forest heterogeneity was strongly influenced by complexities in forest composition(tree genus diversity,structure).We addressed the importance of primary forests as stable carbon stores,achieved through structure and diversity.Safeguarding such ecosystems is critical for ensuring the stability of the primary forest,carbon store and biodiversity into the future.展开更多
The origin of a seed strongly impacts its traits, and both origin and seed traits influence seed germination and seedling development. However, in many instances, this effect on the seedling does not persist into adul...The origin of a seed strongly impacts its traits, and both origin and seed traits influence seed germination and seedling development. However, in many instances, this effect on the seedling does not persist into adulthood, and little is known about how seed traits and original environment affect seedling/tree growth over time. In this study, seed size, seed mass, seedling/tree growth and origins were collected and determined for 23 provenances of Quercus acutissima from across China. Origin variables correlated well with seed size and seed mass. In stepwise multiple regressions, a longitudinal aridity index explained 49.2-68.7% of the total variation in seed size and mass, while only seed width was correlated with seedling/tree height (H) and diameter at the ground (D) from seed traits and origins. The total variance in H and D explained by the models decreased over time, for example, the R <sup>2</sup> value of the models for H declined from 0.477 in the first year to 0.224 in the fourth year; no models was significant in the fifth year. These results indicate that seed size, regulated by the longitudinal aridity index strongly impacted seedling and tree growth, but the strength of the influence decreased over time, and disappeared after 4 years.展开更多
It is important to quantify and analyze forest spatial patterns for studying biological characteristics,population interaction and the relationship between the population and environment.In this study,the forest spati...It is important to quantify and analyze forest spatial patterns for studying biological characteristics,population interaction and the relationship between the population and environment.In this study,the forest spatial structure unit was generated based on the Delaunay triangulation model(DTM),and the weights were generated using the comprehensive values of the tree diameter at breast height,total height and crown width.The distance between neighbors determined by the DTM was weighted to transform the original coordinates of trees into logical coordinates.Then,a weighted spatial pattern(WSP)was developed.After weighting,the neighboring trees were replaced,the replacement ratio was 38.3%,and there was 57.4%of the central tree.Correlation analysis showed that the uniform angle index of the WSP was significantly correlated with the tree size standard deviation under uniformity(r=0.932)and randomness(r=0.711).The DTM method not only considers the spatial distance between trees,but also considers the non-spatial attributes of trees.By changing the spatial topological relation between trees,this method further improves the spatial structure measurement of forest.展开更多
Background： in recent studies, mixed forests were found to be more productive than monocultures with everything else remaining the same. Methods： To find out if this productivity is caused by tree species richness, ...Background： in recent studies, mixed forests were found to be more productive than monocultures with everything else remaining the same. Methods： To find out if this productivity is caused by tree species richness, by a more heterogeneous stand structure or both, we analyzed the effects of forest structure and tree species richness on stand productivity, based on inventory data of temperate forests in the United States of America and Germany. Results： Having accounted for effects such as tree size and stand density, we found that： （I） tree species richness increased stand productivity in both countries while the effect of tree size heterogeneity on productivity was negative in Germany but positive in the USA; （11） productivity was highest at sites with an intermediate amount of precipitation; and （111） growth limitations due water scarcity or low temperature may enhance structural heterogeneity. Conclusions： In the context of forest ecosystem goods and services, as well as future sustainable forest resource management, the associated implications would be：展开更多
Pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a nutritionally valuable food and a significant source of income globally. Pumpkin seeds are rich in oil, protein, unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols, which are associated with...Pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a nutritionally valuable food and a significant source of income globally. Pumpkin seeds are rich in oil, protein, unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols, which are associated with improved human health. Understanding the genetic diversity among pumpkin accessions varying in seed nutrition traits is necessary for designing sound breeding strategies for developing superior cultivars. In the current study, 26 simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers were used to assess genetic relatedness among 29 C. pepo accessions varying in seed oil, seed protein, seed-coat phenotype, seed size and fatty acid composition. The SSR markers revealed 102 alleles averaging 3.92 alleles per loci and mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.44. Eleven of the markers had a PIC of ≥0.5. Ward dendrogram and principle component analysis based on seed traits grouped the genotypes into two major clusters corresponding to subspecies pepo and texana, with all the reduced-hull accessions grouping within the former. Collectively, this data suggests wide phenotypic (seed traits) and genotypic variation within C. pepo that may be exploited to develop superior reduced-hull cultivars.展开更多
基金funded by State Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2023YFD2200401)S&T Program of Hebei(Nos.226Z6801G,22326807D)Talent Introduction Program in Hebei Agricultural University(No.YJ201918).
文摘Droughts have caused tree growth decline and high tree mortality across temperate forests,however,how to manage planted forests to alleviate drought stress is still challenging.We used tree-ring and forest inventory data from different density stands to investigate how competition,tree diameter at breast height(DBH),tree age,and their interactions influence drought sensitivity and resistance for three widely-distributed and planted conifer species(Larix principis-rupprechtii,Picea meyeri,and Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica).Our results showed that the drought sensitivity of the three species was influenced by competition,tree size,and their interactions.Large L.principis-rupprechtii trees were particularly sensitive to drought during the growing season in medium to high-density stands,while the growth of large P.sylvestris var.mongolica was most affected by precipitation at low to medium density stands.Drought resistance of L.principis-rupprechtii trees decreased as tree size increased.Large L.principis-rupprechtii trees had lower drought resistance than small trees in all stands.Drought resistance of large P.meyeri trees exhibited high resistance to drought only in high-density stands.However,drought resistance of P.sylvestris var.mongolica trees was affected by tree size,competition,and their interactions.These results indicated that targeted silvicultural interventions,such as thinning,can be implemented to enhance drought resistance specifically for large L.principis-rupprechtii trees and small P.sylvestris var.mongolica trees in medium and high competition stands,and small P.meyeri trees in high competition stands.Our results highlight that properly conducted thinning can in some cases enhance growth resistance to droughts,depending on stand density,tree size,and tree species.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32101260).
文摘The number and composition of species in a community can be quantified withα-diversity indices,including species richness(R),Simpson’s index(D),and the Shannon-Wiener index(H΄).In forest communities,there are large variations in tree size among species and individu-als of the same species,which result in differences in eco-logical processes and ecosystem functions.However,tree size inequality(TSI)has been largely neglected in studies using the available diversity indices.The TSI in the diameter at breast height(DBH)data for each of 99920 m×20 m forest census quadrats was quantified using the Gini index(GI),a measure of the inequality of size distribution.The generalized performance equation was used to describe the rotated and right-shifted Lorenz curve of the cumulative proportion of DBH and the cumulative proportion of number of trees per quadrat.We also examined the relationships ofα-diversity indices with the GI using correlation tests.The generalized performance equation effectively described the rotated and right-shifted Lorenz curve of DBH distributions,with most root-mean-square errors(990 out of 999 quadrats)being<0.0030.There were significant positive correlations between each of threeα-diversity indices(i.e.,R,D,and H’)and the GI.Nevertheless,the total abundance of trees in each quadrat did not significantly influence the GI.This means that the TSI increased with increasing spe-cies diversity.Thus,two new indices are proposed that can balanceα-diversity against the extent of TSI in the com-munity:(1−GI)×D,and(1−GI)×H’.These new indices were significantly correlated with the original D and H΄,and did not increase the extent of variation within each group of indices.This study presents a useful tool for quantifying both species diversity and the variation in tree sizes in forest communities,especially in the face of cumulative species loss under global climate change.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2022YFD2201100)Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province of China (TD2023C006)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2572022DS13).
文摘Carbon(C),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus(P)are of fundamental importance for growth and nutrient dynamics within plant organs and deserve more attention at regional to global scales.However,our knowledge of how these nutrients vary with tree size,organ age,or root order at the individual level remains limited.We determined C,N,and P contents and their stoichiometric ratios(i.e.,nutrient traits)in needles,branches,and fine roots at different organ ages(0-3-year-old needles and branches)and root orders(1st-4th order roots)from 64 Pinus koraiensis of varying size(Diameter at breast height ranged from 0.3 to 100 cm)in northeast China.Soil factors were also measured.The results show that nutrient traits were regulated by tree size,organ age,or root order rather than soil factors.At a whole-plant level,nutrient traits decreased in needles and fine roots but increased in branches with tree size.At the organ level,age or root order had a negative effect on C,N,and P and a positive effect on stoichiometric ratios.Our results demonstrate that nutrient variations are closely related to organ-specific functions and ecophysiological processes at an individual level.It is suggested that the nutrient acquisition strategy by younger trees and organ fractions with higher nutrient content is for survival.Conversely,nutrient storage strategy in older trees and organ fractions are mainly for steady growth.Our results clarified the nutrient utilization strategies during tree and organ ontogeny and suggest that tree size and organ age or root order should be simultaneously considered to understand the complexities of nutrient variations.
基金funded by the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague(Internal Grant Agency:A_03_22-43110/1312/3101)the Czech Science(GACR 21-27454S)。
文摘Primary forests are spatially diverse terrestrial ecosystems with unique characteristics,being naturally regenerative and heterogeneous,which supports the stability of their carbon storage through the accumulation of live and dead biomass.Yet,little is known about the interactions between biomass stocks,tree genus diversity and structure across a temperate montane primary forest.Here,we investigated the relationship between tree structure(variability in basal area and tree size),genus-level diversity(abundance,tree diversity)and biomass stocks in temperate primary mountain forests across Central and Eastern Europe.We used inventory data from726 permanent sample plots from mixed beech and spruce across the Carpathian Mountains.We used nonlinear regression to analyse the spatial variability in forest biomass,structure,and genus-level diversity and how they interact with plot-level tree age,disturbances,temperature and altitude.We found that the combined effects of genus and structural indices were important for addressing the variability in biomass across different spatial scales.Local processes in disturbance regimes and uneven tree age support forest hete rogeneity and the accumulation of live and dead biomass through the natural regeneration,growth and decay of the forest ecosystem.Structural complexities in basal area index,supporte d by genus-level abundance,positively influence total biomass stocks,which was modulated by tree age and disturbances.Spruce forests showed higher tree density and basal area than mixed beech forests,though mixed beech still contributes significantly to biomass across landscapes.Forest heterogeneity was strongly influenced by complexities in forest composition(tree genus diversity,structure).We addressed the importance of primary forests as stable carbon stores,achieved through structure and diversity.Safeguarding such ecosystems is critical for ensuring the stability of the primary forest,carbon store and biodiversity into the future.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31570583)the Lecture and Study Program for Outstanding Scholars from Home and Abroad(No.CAFYBB2011007)
文摘The origin of a seed strongly impacts its traits, and both origin and seed traits influence seed germination and seedling development. However, in many instances, this effect on the seedling does not persist into adulthood, and little is known about how seed traits and original environment affect seedling/tree growth over time. In this study, seed size, seed mass, seedling/tree growth and origins were collected and determined for 23 provenances of Quercus acutissima from across China. Origin variables correlated well with seed size and seed mass. In stepwise multiple regressions, a longitudinal aridity index explained 49.2-68.7% of the total variation in seed size and mass, while only seed width was correlated with seedling/tree height (H) and diameter at the ground (D) from seed traits and origins. The total variance in H and D explained by the models decreased over time, for example, the R <sup>2</sup> value of the models for H declined from 0.477 in the first year to 0.224 in the fourth year; no models was significant in the fifth year. These results indicate that seed size, regulated by the longitudinal aridity index strongly impacted seedling and tree growth, but the strength of the influence decreased over time, and disappeared after 4 years.
基金funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China(31570627)Hunan Forestry Science and Technology Project(XLK201740)+1 种基金Hunan Science and Technology Innovation Platform and Talent Plan(2017TP1022)Hunan Science and Technology Plan Project(2015WK3017)。
文摘It is important to quantify and analyze forest spatial patterns for studying biological characteristics,population interaction and the relationship between the population and environment.In this study,the forest spatial structure unit was generated based on the Delaunay triangulation model(DTM),and the weights were generated using the comprehensive values of the tree diameter at breast height,total height and crown width.The distance between neighbors determined by the DTM was weighted to transform the original coordinates of trees into logical coordinates.Then,a weighted spatial pattern(WSP)was developed.After weighting,the neighboring trees were replaced,the replacement ratio was 38.3%,and there was 57.4%of the central tree.Correlation analysis showed that the uniform angle index of the WSP was significantly correlated with the tree size standard deviation under uniformity(r=0.932)and randomness(r=0.711).The DTM method not only considers the spatial distance between trees,but also considers the non-spatial attributes of trees.By changing the spatial topological relation between trees,this method further improves the spatial structure measurement of forest.
基金supported in parts by the Biodiv ERs A project, “Green Future Forests” (#01LC1610B)the FORD project Biotip (#01LC1716D)promoted by the German Aerospace Center (DLR)+2 种基金the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the project Sumforest – REFORM Risk Resilient Forest Management (#2816ERA02S)by the West Virginia University, and the USDA Mc Intire-Stennis Funds WVA00126the Bavarian State Ministry of Nutrition, Agriculture, and Forestry for permanent support of the project W 07 “Long-term experimental plots for forest growth and yield research” (#7831-22209-2013)
文摘Background： in recent studies, mixed forests were found to be more productive than monocultures with everything else remaining the same. Methods： To find out if this productivity is caused by tree species richness, by a more heterogeneous stand structure or both, we analyzed the effects of forest structure and tree species richness on stand productivity, based on inventory data of temperate forests in the United States of America and Germany. Results： Having accounted for effects such as tree size and stand density, we found that： （I） tree species richness increased stand productivity in both countries while the effect of tree size heterogeneity on productivity was negative in Germany but positive in the USA; （11） productivity was highest at sites with an intermediate amount of precipitation; and （111） growth limitations due water scarcity or low temperature may enhance structural heterogeneity. Conclusions： In the context of forest ecosystem goods and services, as well as future sustainable forest resource management, the associated implications would be：
文摘Pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a nutritionally valuable food and a significant source of income globally. Pumpkin seeds are rich in oil, protein, unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols, which are associated with improved human health. Understanding the genetic diversity among pumpkin accessions varying in seed nutrition traits is necessary for designing sound breeding strategies for developing superior cultivars. In the current study, 26 simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers were used to assess genetic relatedness among 29 C. pepo accessions varying in seed oil, seed protein, seed-coat phenotype, seed size and fatty acid composition. The SSR markers revealed 102 alleles averaging 3.92 alleles per loci and mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.44. Eleven of the markers had a PIC of ≥0.5. Ward dendrogram and principle component analysis based on seed traits grouped the genotypes into two major clusters corresponding to subspecies pepo and texana, with all the reduced-hull accessions grouping within the former. Collectively, this data suggests wide phenotypic (seed traits) and genotypic variation within C. pepo that may be exploited to develop superior reduced-hull cultivars.
