Lipids may play an important role in preventing gas embolisms by coating nanobubbles in xylem sap.Few studies on xylem sap lipids have been reported for temperate plants,and it remain unclear whether sap lipids have a...Lipids may play an important role in preventing gas embolisms by coating nanobubbles in xylem sap.Few studies on xylem sap lipids have been reported for temperate plants,and it remain unclear whether sap lipids have adaptational significance in tropical plants.In this study,we quantify the lipid composition of xylem sap for angiosperm species from a tropical savanna(seven species)and a seasonal rainforest(five species)using mass spectrometry.We found that all twelve species studied contained lipids in their xylem sap,including galactolipids,phospholipids and triacylglycerol,with a total lipid concentration ranging from 0.09 to 0.26 nmol/L.There was no difference in lipid concentration or composition between plants from the two sites,and the lipid concentration was negatively related to species’open vessel volume.Furthermore,savanna species showed little variation in lipid composition between the dry and the rainy season.These results support the hypothesis that xylem sap lipids are derived from the cytoplasm of individual conduit cells,remain trapped inside individual conduits,and undergo few changes in composition over consecutive seasons.A xylem sap lipidomic data set,which includes 12 tropical tree species from this study and 11 temperate tree species from literature,revealed no phylogenetic signals in lipid composition for these species.This study fills a knowledge gap in the lipid content of xylem sap in tropical trees and provides additional support for their common distribution in xylem sap of woody angiosperms.It appears that xylem sap lipids have no adaptive significance.展开更多
Forests,the largest terrestrial carbon sinks,play an important role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.Although forest attributes and environmental factors have been shown to impact aboveground biom...Forests,the largest terrestrial carbon sinks,play an important role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.Although forest attributes and environmental factors have been shown to impact aboveground biomass,their influence on biomass stocks in species-rich forests in southern China,a biodiversity hotspot,has rarely been investigated.In this study,we characterized the effects of environmental factors,forest structure,and species diversity on aboveground biomass stocks of 30 plots(1 ha each) in natural forests located within seven nature reserves distributed across subtropical and marginal tropical zones in Guangxi,China.Our results indicate that forest aboveground biomass stocks in this region are lower than those in mature tropical and subtropical forests in other regions.Furthermore,we found that aboveground biomass was positively correlated with stand age,mean annual precipitation,elevation,structural attributes and species richness,although not with species evenness.When we compared stands with the same basal area,we found that aboveground biomass stock was higher in communities with a higher coefficient of variation of diameter at breast height.These findings highlight the importance of maintaining forest structural diversity and species richness to promote aboveground biomass accumulation and reveal the potential impacts of precipitation changes resulting from climate warming on the ecosystem services of subtropical and northern tropical forests in China.Notably,many natural forests in southern China are not fully stocked.Therefore,their continued growth will increase their carbon storage over time.展开更多
Background: The breeding information of most birds in Asian tropical areas,especially in limestone forests,is still poorly known.The Streaked Wren-Babbler(Napothera brevicaudata) is an uncommon tropical limestone bird...Background: The breeding information of most birds in Asian tropical areas,especially in limestone forests,is still poorly known.The Streaked Wren-Babbler(Napothera brevicaudata) is an uncommon tropical limestone bird with a small range.We studied its nest-site selection and breeding ecology,in order to understand the adaptations of birds to the conditions of tropical limestone forest in southern China.Methods: We used methods of systematical searching and parent-following to locate the nests of the Streaked Wren-Babbler.We measured characteristics of nest sites and rock cavities.Data loggers and video cameras were used to monitor the breeding behavior.Results: All the observed nests of the Streaked Wren-Babbler were placed in natural shallow cavities or deep holes in large boulders or limestone cliffs.The great majority(96.6%) of Streaked Wren-Babbler nests had three eggs with an average fresh weight of 3.46-± 0.43 g(n = 36,range 2.52-4.20 g).Most(80.4%) females laid their first eggs between March and April(n = 46).The average incubation and nestling period of the Streaked Wren-Babbler was 10.2 range 9-11 days),respectively.Most(87.9%) nests h± 0.4 days(n = 5,range 1011 days) and 10.5 ± 0.8 days(n = 6,ad at least one nestling fledge between 2011 and 2013(n = 33).Conclusions: Our study suggests that several features of the breeding ecology of the Streaked Wren-Babbler,including building nests in rocky cavities,commencing breeding earlier than most species,and reducing foraging times during the incubation period,are well-adapted to the unique habitat of tropical limestone forest.展开更多
To enhance the productivity of Carya illinoinensis cv.‘Shaoxing’and mitigate the loss of flowers and fruits,the effects of different concentrations of Piperonyl Butoxide(PBO)wettable powder(2,5,and 10 g·L^(-1))...To enhance the productivity of Carya illinoinensis cv.‘Shaoxing’and mitigate the loss of flowers and fruits,the effects of different concentrations of Piperonyl Butoxide(PBO)wettable powder(2,5,and 10 g·L^(-1))and Paclobutrazol(PP_(333))(150,300,and 450 mg·L^(-1),based on active ingredients)on 6-year-old‘Shaoxing’plants were investigated with water sprayed as the control.The results showed that:(1)Treatment with 10 g·L^(-1)PBO and 450 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333)significantly inhibited the excessive growth of‘Shaoxing’branches.Also,10 g·L^(-1)PBO exhibited the best diameter increment effect on fruiting branches,and 150 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333) exhibited the best diameter increment effect on vegetative branches.(2)The content of soluble sugar and soluble protein in leaves treated reached the highest level after treatment with 450 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333),while the content of starch sugar in leaves reached the highest level after treatment with 300 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333).The application of PBO and PP_(333)mitigated the decline in N,P,K,and other nutrient levels observed in the leaves of‘Shaoxing’.As the PBO and PP_(333) concentrations increased,the nutrient elements in the leaves first increased and then decreased.Among them,300 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333)treatment exhibited the best effect on increasing the content of N,P,and K in the leaves at the late stage of fruit development.(3)In terms of fruit setting rate and nutritional quality of‘Shaoxing’fruit,5 g·L^(-1)PBO treatment showed the most promising effect on improving fruit setting rate,150 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333)exhibited the best effect on improving reducing sugar and decreasing tannin content in the kernel,10 g·L^(-1)PBO had the best effect on improving the crude fat content,and 2 g·L^(-1)PBO had the best effect on improving the cellulose content in the kernel.(4)Principal component analysis showed that 450 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333)treatment had the most comprehensive regulatory effect on the growth and development of current-year branches,leaves,and fruits of‘Shaoxing’.This study provided a theoretical basis and data reference for the growth and development of C.illinoinensis cv.‘Shaoxing’fruits from the perspective of the application of plant growth regulators.展开更多
Camellia petelotii(Merr.)Sealy is an endangered Chinese native species that originates from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,China.Previous research demonstrated that proper water and fertilizer treatments could impro...Camellia petelotii(Merr.)Sealy is an endangered Chinese native species that originates from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,China.Previous research demonstrated that proper water and fertilizer treatments could improve the growth and quality of Camellia species.This study uses a three-factor,five-level quadratic rotational combination experimental design to investigate the impact of water-fertilizer coupling on plant growth character-istics and the most suitable treatment for 24-month-old grafted C.petelotii seedlings.The experimental design includes irrigation levels[30%,40%,55%,70%,80%offield capacity(FC)],nitrogen application(0,2.17,5.43,8.70,10.87 g·plant^(-1)),and phosphorus application(0,0.96,2.40,3.85,4.81 g·plant^(-1)).The results indicated that:(1)Water-nitrogen and water-phosphorus interactions significantly affected ground diameter,chlorophyll content and specific leaf weight(SLW),while water-nitrogen interactions significantly affected plant height and photo-synthesis;(2)Application of nitrogen(8.70 g·plant^(-1))and phosphorus(3.85 g·plant^(-1))fertilizers under appropri-ate irrigation conditions(40%FC and 70%FC)improved growth.Applying fertilizers containing either nitrogen(10.87 g·plant^(-1))or phosphorus(4.81 g·plant^(-1))under adequate irrigation(55%FC)increased the Chl content.However,high nitrogen levels(10.87 g·plant^(-1))reduced photosynthesis.Conversely,it was enhanced under appropriate phosphorus(4.81 g·plant^(-1))when the irrigation level was 55%FC,indicating the sensitivity of C.pete-lotii seedlings to nitrogen fertilizer.(3)Under specific conditions of 40%FC or 70%FC irrigation and 8.70 g·plant^(-1) or 2.17 g·plant^(-1) nitrogen fertilizer application,3.85 g·plant^(-1) phosphorus addition boosted the SLW whereas,0.96 g·plant^(-1) phosphorus addition inhibited it.Under W=55%FC,deficiencies in either nitrogen(N=0 g·plant^(-1))or phosphorus(P=0 g·plant^(-1))significantly decreased leaf growth,affecting SLW.In summary,C.petelotii was more sensitive to nitrogen fertilizer at W=55%FC,and nitrogen deficiency inhibited C.petelotii growth in terms of ground diameter more than phosphorus deficiency.The C.petelotii seedlings performed best when treated with 55%FC,5.43 g·plant^(-1) nitrogen,2.40 g·plant^(-1) phosphorus per plant.These parameter esti-mates could optimize water and fertilizer application for C.petelotii seedlings.展开更多
The more frequent occurrence and severer drought events resulting from climate change are increasingly affecting the physiological performance of trees and ecosystem carbon sequestration in many regions of the world.H...The more frequent occurrence and severer drought events resulting from climate change are increasingly affecting the physiological performance of trees and ecosystem carbon sequestration in many regions of the world.However,our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the responses and adaption of forest trees to prolonged and multi-year drought is still limited.To address this problem,we conducted a long-term manipulative throughfall reduction(TFR,reduction of natural throughfall by 50%–70%during growing seasons)experiment in a natural oriental white oak(Quercus aliena var.acuteserrata Maxim.)forest under warm-temperate climate.After seven years of continuous TFR treatment,the aboveground growth in Q.aliena var.acuteserrata started to decline.Compared with the control plots,trees in the TFR treatment significantly reduced growth increments of stems(14.2%)and leaf area index(6.8%).The rate of net photosynthesis appeared to be more susceptible to changes in soil water in trees subjected to the TFR than in the control.The TFR-treated trees allocated significantly more photosynthates to belowground,leading to enhanced growth and nonstructural carbohydrates(NSC)storage in roots.The 7-year continuous TFR treatment increased the biomass,the production and the NSC concentration in the fine roots by 53.6%,153.6%and 9.6%,respectively.There were clear trade-offs between the aboveground growth and the fine root biomass and NSC storage in Q.aliena var.acuteserrata trees in response to the multi-year TFR treatment.A negative correlation between the fine root NSC concentration and soil water suggested a strategy of preferential C storage over growth when soil water became deficient;the stored NSC during water limitation would then help promote root growth when drought stress is released.Our findings demonstrate the warm-temperate oak forest adopted a more conservative NSC use strategy in response to long-term drought stress,with enhanced root growth and NSC storage at the expenses of above-ground growth to mitigate climate changeinduced drought.展开更多
[Objectives]This study was conducted to reveal the characteristics of nutrient absorption and accumulation in Pinus massoniana plantations in Northwestern Guangxi.[Methods]Based on field investigation and indoor analy...[Objectives]This study was conducted to reveal the characteristics of nutrient absorption and accumulation in Pinus massoniana plantations in Northwestern Guangxi.[Methods]Based on field investigation and indoor analysis,the contents,accumulation and annual net accumulation of five nutrient elements(N,P,K,Ca and Mg)in a mature P.massoniana plantation(26-year-old)in Nandan County,Guangxi Province were studied.[Results]The contents of nutrient elements in different organs of the mature P.massoniana plantation were the highest in the leaves,followed by the bark,branch and root,and the lowest in the stem.In general,among the contents of the five elements in different organs,N content was the highest,followed by K or Ca,and P and Mg were the lowest.The total accumulation of nutrient elements in the 26-year-old mature P.massoniana plantation in northwestern Guangxi was 1 384.05 kg/hm^2.Among the different structural levels of the stand,the tree layer had the highest accumulation of nutrient elements,which was 1 198.41 kg/hm^2,accounting for 86.59%of the total accumulation of nutrients in the plantation,and the accumulation of nutrients in other layers from the largest to the smallest was the litter layer(91.97 kg/hm^2),herb layer(49.86 kg/hm^2)and shrub layer(43.92 kg/hm^2),accounting for 3.17%,3.60%and 6.64%of the total nutrient accumulation of the plantation,respectively.The annual net accumulation of nutrient elements in the tree layer of the mature P.massoniana plantation was 46.09 kg/(hm^2·a),and the order of the annual net accumulation of different nutrient elements followed N>K>Ca>Mg>P;and the accumulation of 1 t of dry matter needed 6.37 kg of the five nutrients.[Conclusions]This study provides a scientific basis for the rational management of P.massoniana plantations,especially forest soil management.展开更多
Forest structure analysis is important for understanding the properties and development of a forest community,and its outcomes can be influenced by how trees are measured in sampled plots.Although there is a general c...Forest structure analysis is important for understanding the properties and development of a forest community,and its outcomes can be influenced by how trees are measured in sampled plots.Although there is a general consensus on the height at which tree diameter should be measured[1.3 m:diameter at breast height(DBH)],the minimum measureddiameter(MMD)often varies in different studies.In this study,we assumed that the outcomes of forest structure analysis can be influenced by MMD and,to this end,we applied g(r)function and stand spatial structural parameters(SSSPs)to investigate how different MMDs affect forest spatial structure analysis in two pine-oak mixed forests(30 and 57 years old)in southwest China and one old-growth oak forest(>120years old)from northwest China.Our results showed that 1)MMD was closely related to the distribution patterns of forest trees.Tree distribution patterns at each observational scale(r=0-20 m)tended tobecome random as the MMD increased.The older the community,the earlier this random distribution pattern appeared.2)As the MMD increased,neighboring trees became more regularly distributed around a reference tree.In most cases,however,nearest neighbors of a reference tree were randomly distributed.3)Tree species mingling decreased with increasing diameter,but it decreased slowly in older forests.4)No correlations can be found between individual tree size differentiation and MMD.We recommend that comparisons of spatial structures between communities would be more effective if using a unified MMD criterion.展开更多
Although numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain the patterns of species diversity of forests at local and landscape levels,it is still difficult to predict the alpha diversity of species,especially in tropi...Although numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain the patterns of species diversity of forests at local and landscape levels,it is still difficult to predict the alpha diversity of species,especially in tropical and subtropical natural forests where trees of different sizes and shapes are highly mixed.Size might characterize species diversity,and the possible correlation between these variables may contribute to the development of easy-to-use growth indicators to predict diversity and to understand the status of trees within a stand.In this study,diameter classes were divided using the equal diameter class(EDC)and minimum measured diameter(MMD)methods,and five species diversity indices were calculated for each diameter class of 14 permanent plots in five national nature reserves surrounding the Tropic of Cancer(23.5°),southwest China.The results show that species richness,abundance,and spatial diversity indices decreased in a typical inverted J-shape pattern with increasing diameter class and MMD,and could be easily modeled by a negative exponential function.The ShannonWiener index showed a linear decrease while Pielou’s evenness index displayed a linear increase,with a small degree of instability.The results suggest that species diversity in subtropical forests is closely related to tree size,and the relationship is possibly independent of habitat.Measuring DBH of some trees in a stand could be informative regarding species diversity and contribute to the investigation and assessment of biodiversity.展开更多
Human activities have severely impacted on many species and ecosystems.Thus,understanding the local biodiversity situation is crucial for implementing effective biodiversity conservation interventions.Mindanao in the ...Human activities have severely impacted on many species and ecosystems.Thus,understanding the local biodiversity situation is crucial for implementing effective biodiversity conservation interventions.Mindanao in the southern Philippines is home to various unique species,particularly in its pristine ecosystems.However,the available biodiversity data for many terrestrial vertebrates and key areas remain incomplete.To address this issue,we synthesized published literature related to biodiversity from 2000 to 2022 in Mindanao.Moreover,this analysis used four key terrestrial vertebrates(amphibians,reptiles,birds,and mammals)in Mindanao as research objects.According to our findings,there was a significant and positive correlation between the number of biodiversity studies and species recorded.In terms of species richness,birds were the most recorded group(n=334 spp.),followed by reptiles(n=108 spp.),mammals(n=70 spp.),and amphibians(n=52 spp.).We also found that the number of endemic and threatened species varies geographically and across taxonomic groups.Yet,we discovered a significant disparity in the information available on biodiversity in different provinces of Mindanao.For example,the western provinces of Mindanao have had no record of biodiversity for more than two decades.Furthermore,we found that the changes in tree cover loss were consistent with biodiversity records,but this correlation is only significant for birds.Finally,we highlighted some critical threats and challenges to biodiversity,including deforestation,agricultural expansion,mining,and their impact on biodiversity conservation in Mindanao.Our findings suggested that biodiversity conservation should focus not only on areas with high levels of biodiversity but also on areas lacking biodiversity information.To do this,we call for strengthening collaboration among various institutions and digitizing and centralizing of information related to biodiversity.By gaining a deeper understanding of biodiversity in Mindanao,we can better and sustainably protect critical ecosystems in this region from the increasing threats posed by human activities.展开更多
[Objectives]This study was conducted to understand the carbon sequestration function of mature Pinus massoniana plantation in northwest Guangxi.[Methods]The carbon storage and distribution in a 26-year-old P.massonian...[Objectives]This study was conducted to understand the carbon sequestration function of mature Pinus massoniana plantation in northwest Guangxi.[Methods]The carbon storage and distribution in a 26-year-old P.massoniana plantation were investigated through biomass harvesting in Shankou Forestry Farm of Nandan County,Guangxi Province.[Results]The average carbon content of P.massoniana was 489.3 g/kg,and the carbon contents of different organs ranked from large to small as pine needles > trunks > trunk bark > roots > branches.The carbon contents of understory shrub layer,herb layer and litter layer were 453.0,425.6 and 482.5 g/kg,respectively.The soil organic carbon content in forestland varied from 6.20 to 32.15 g/kg,decreasing with the depth of the soil layer.The carbon storage of the mature P.massoniana plantation ecosystem was 232.13 t/hm^2,of which the tree layer,shrub layer,herb layer,litter layer and soil layer were 92.67,1.36,1.12 and 134.49 t/hm^2,respectively,which accounted for 39.92%,0.59%,0.48%,1.07% and 57.94% of the carbon storage of the whole ecosystem,respectively.The annual net productivity of the tree layer of the mature P.massoniana plantation was 10.36 t/(hm^2·a),the annual net carbon sequestration was 5.41 t/(hm^2·a),and the annual net CO2 absorption was 19.83 t/(hm^2·a).[Conclusions]This study provides basic data and scientific basis for rational evaluation of the ecological benefits of P.massoniana plantation in this area.展开更多
Benggang erosion is caused by a special type of gully erosion in southern China that seriously endangers the local ecology and environment.In this study,typical Benggang collapsing-wall soils were used as the study ar...Benggang erosion is caused by a special type of gully erosion in southern China that seriously endangers the local ecology and environment.In this study,typical Benggang collapsing-wall soils were used as the study area to investigate the effects of different initial moisture contents and dicranopteris linearis root weight densities,as well as their interactions on disintegration in orthogonal test method.The results showed that the rate of soil disintegration decreased as a linear function of the initial moisture content.The soil disintegration rate tended to rise and then fall as the root weight density increased,reflecting an optimum root weight density of 0.75-1.00 g/100 cm3.The incorporation of dicranopteris linearis roots was most effective for soil consolidation in the shallow layers of soil.In addition,the disintegration rate of the collapsing-wall soils increases as the soil layer deepened.The dicranopteris linearis root system and initial moisture content had an interactive effect that was more pronounced in deeper soils.However,the combined effect of these processes was always dominated by the initial moisture content.Moderate initial soil moisture content(0.20-0.24 g/g)and the addition of a high root density in dicranopteris linearis(0.75-1.00 g/100 cm3)were the optimal combinations that reduced the disintegration rate.In conclusion,maintaining a suitable natural moisture content in collapsing-wall soils and taking measures that use plants to consolidate soil can effectively prevent and control the occurrence of Benggang erosion.The results of this study provided further insight into the factors that influence soil disintegration and offered a scientific basis for soil erosion management in the southern China.展开更多
Birds maintain complex and intimate associations with a diverse community of microbes in their intestine.Multiple invasive and non-invasive sampling methods are used to characterize these communities to answer a multi...Birds maintain complex and intimate associations with a diverse community of microbes in their intestine.Multiple invasive and non-invasive sampling methods are used to characterize these communities to answer a multitude of eco-evolutionary questions related to host-gut microbiome symbioses.However,the comparability of these invasive and non-invasive sampling methods is sparse with contradicting findings.Through performing a network meta-analysis for 13 published bird gut microbiome studies,here we attempt to investigate the comparability of these invasive and non-invasive sampling methods.The two most used non-invasive sampling methods(cloacal swabs and fecal samples)showed significantly different results in alpha diversity and taxonomic relative abundances compared to invasive samples.Overall,non-invasive samples showed decreased alpha diversity compared to intestinal samples,but the alpha diversities of fecal samples were more comparable to the intestinal samples.On the contrary,the cloacal swabs characterized significantly lower alpha diversities than in intestinal samples,but the taxonomic relative abundances acquired from cloacal swabs were similar to the intestinal samples.Phylogenetic status,diet,and domestication degree of host birds also influenced the differences in microbiota characterization between invasive and non-invasive samples.Our results indicate a general pattern in microbiota differences among intestinal mucosal and non-invasive samples across multiple bird taxa,while highlighting the importance of evaluating the appropriateness of the microbiome sampling methods used to answer specific research questions.The overall results also suggest the potential importance of using both fecal and cloacal swab sampling together to properly characterize bird microbiomes.展开更多
Soil aggregates determine the basic structure of soil,and their composition and stability are influenced by the various types of cementitious substances occurring in soil.To explore the main limiting factors of soil a...Soil aggregates determine the basic structure of soil,and their composition and stability are influenced by the various types of cementitious substances occurring in soil.To explore the main limiting factors of soil aggregation in the process of vegetation succession with granite as the parent material,five stages of vegetation succession in an eroded area were selected:bare land(BL),grassland(GL),grassland shrub transition land(GS),shrubland(SL)and secondary forest(SF).Soil samples were collected to determine the composition and stability of aggregates.The contents of organic and inorganic cementitious substances,including organic matter components and iron aluminum oxides,were determined at five soil aggregate grain levels.The results indicated that the stability of soil aggregates and the>0.25 mm water-stable aggregate content(WR_(0.25))increased with vegetation succession.Based on the Le Bissonnais(LB)method,the mean weight diameter(MWD)of soil aggregates increased,and the relative dissipation index(RSI)and relative mechanical crushing index(RMI)decreased.The humic acid(HA)and fulvic acid(FA)contents in soil aggregates increased with vegetation succession,and the soil humus content at the SF stage increased by more than 13.54%over the BL level.Upon different vegetation succession stage,the iron and aluminum oxides for the SL and the SF were at a high level,and the contents of free-form iron oxide(Fe_(d))and amorphous iron oxide(Fe_(o))for BL were high.Correlation analysis indicated that the soil humic degree(PQ)and the contents of amorphous alumina(Al_(o))were positively correlated with aggregate stability to varying degrees.Redundancy analysis(RDA)revealed that PQ values of 1-2 mm(PQ_(2))and 0.25-0.5 mm(PQ_(4))aggregates,the contents of Fe_(o) of bulk soil(Fe_(oB)),>2 mm(Fe_(o1)),1-2 mm(Fe_(o2)),and<0.25 mm(Fe_(o5))aggregates,and the contents of Al_(o) of>2 mm(Al_(o1))aggregates could explain 99.4%of the changes in soil aggregate stability at different vegetation succession stages.Al_(o1) had a contribution rate of 71.2%and is the key factor for improving the stability of soil aggregates.展开更多
The hilly area of red soil in the central subtropical region of China has a long history of severe soil erosion due to its abundance of water,heat,and intense agricultural and forestry activities.The Sandshale red soi...The hilly area of red soil in the central subtropical region of China has a long history of severe soil erosion due to its abundance of water,heat,and intense agricultural and forestry activities.The Sandshale red soil area is hot and rainy,the local land utilization rate and replanting index are high,and the soil easily weathers and erodes,resulting in infertile and sandy soils,extensive soil erosion and large erosion,with far-reaching impacts.In this study,the stability of soil aggregates was studied by the wet sieving method and Le Bissonais(LB)method in six land use patterns in the Sandshale red soil area,including natural forest(NF),Pinus massoniana(PM),Eucalyptus urophylla×E.grandis(EU),orchard(OR),wasteland(WL)and arable land(AL).The transport damage characteristics of the soil aggregates under concentrated water flow were analyzed by using the soil aggregates to simulate the soil surface roughness in the field using a steel scouring flume with a variable slope.The results showed that:(1)the total soil porosity of the natural forest was the highest,with 56.51%in A layer,which was 4.99%higher than the B layer,and the organic matter content ranged from 10.69 to 29.94 g.kg-1 and was highest in NF and lowest in AL;(2)the maximum mean weight diameter(MWD)obtained by the wet sieving method was 4.81 mm for natural forest,and the MWD was the lowest in OR and AL at 2.45-2.77mm.The MWD measured by the LB method was also highest in NF and lowest in AL.The contents of Fed and Ald have a strong correlation with the stability parameters of soil aggregates;(3)the Wr/Wi results for the six land use patterns were NF>PM>EU>WL>OR>AL;the NF had the strongest soil aggregate stability,followed by WL,PM and EU,and AL and OR had the weakest;the stability of soil aggregates gradually weakened as the soil depth increased.Comprehensive analysis shows that forest land has high soil stability and obvious advantages in soil erosion resistance.Strengthening the construction of artificial forests can be an important means to reduce soil erosion in red soil hilly region.展开更多
Background:Mixed-species flocks(MSFs)have been well sampled in the South Asia,but there has been as yet surprisingly little work on MSFs of Nepal,despite a diverse and well-studied avifauna.We surveyed MSFs in two for...Background:Mixed-species flocks(MSFs)have been well sampled in the South Asia,but there has been as yet surprisingly little work on MSFs of Nepal,despite a diverse and well-studied avifauna.We surveyed MSFs in two forest types in and around the Important Bird Area of Chitwan National Park in Nepal,between 150 and 800 m a.s.l.,to provide a first description of the composition of MSFs in this area.We also aimed to understand which species should be considered‘nuclear species',important to forming MSFs or leading them forward.Results:In total,we collected records on 222 MSFs that included 100 species,and 6097 individuals.The MSFs were similar to worldwide patterns in being dominated by leaf-gleaning,non-terrestrial insectivores.However,the MSFs were more dominated by canopy species than usual,and did not have a clear gregarious,understory leading species.Rather drongos(Family Dicruridae)and minivets(Family Campephagidae,Genus Pericrocotus)acted as leaders,and a cluster analysis of composition showed one group of large body size MSFs particularly characterized by the presence of the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo(Dicrurus paradiseus).Conclusions:Drongos are known to provide both costs and benefits to other flock participants:they are aggressive birds that can steal food,and manipulate other species with their vocalizations,but at the same time they are‘sentinel species'that produce information about predation risk other species can use.This study demonstrates that drongos can be considered nuclear species for some types of MSFs,despite the potential costs of their presence.MSFs led by sentinel species thus may form in Asia,as well as in the Neotropics.展开更多
The reverse J-shaped diameter distribution is considered an inherent attribute of natural forests,cru-cial for forest resource utilization and community stability.However,in karst regions,intense habitat heterogeneity...The reverse J-shaped diameter distribution is considered an inherent attribute of natural forests,cru-cial for forest resource utilization and community stability.However,in karst regions,intense habitat heterogeneity might alter species composition,spatial distribution,growth,biomass allocation,and mortality processes,yet its impact on diameter structure remains unclear.A fixed plot of 200 m×110 m was established in the Nanpan River Basin,Southwest China,within an old-growth oak forest(>300 years old),and the influence of site substrates(i.e.,rock and soil),topographic factors,sample area,and orientation on diameter distribution was analyzed.Trees on both rock and soil exhibited a reverse-J shape,quantifiable Project funding:This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32060340 and 31400542),the Scientific Research Capacity Building Project for Laibin Jinxiu Dayaoshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi(22-035-130-01).through the Weibull function.The substrates had a similar density,approximately 2100 plants/ha.However,the average and range of diameter of trees on rock were smaller than those on soil,suggesting that rock constrains tree growth.The diameter distribution of trees across microtopography also displayed a reverse-J shape.Yet,higher elevations and sunny slopes showed a greater curvature of diameter classes compared to lower elevations and shady slopes,indicating habitat preferences in karst trees.Sample area and orientation had minimal effects on diameter class curve that reached stability when the plot size was 6000 m2.These results suggest that the reverse J-shaped diameter distribution prevails at small scales in karst old-growth forests,encompassing multiple curvatures and spanning forest ecosystems.展开更多
Stomatal regulation is critical for mangroves to survive in the hyper-saline intertidal zone where water stress is severe and water availability is highly fluctuant.However,very little is known about the stomatal sens...Stomatal regulation is critical for mangroves to survive in the hyper-saline intertidal zone where water stress is severe and water availability is highly fluctuant.However,very little is known about the stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit(VPD)in mangroves,and its co-ordination with stomatal morphology and leaf hydraulic traits.We measured the stomatal response to a step increase in VPD in situ,stomatal anatomy,leaf hydraulic vulnerability and pressure-volume traits in nine true mangrove species of five families and collected the data of genome size.We aimed to answer two questions:(1)Does stomatal morphology influence stomatal dynamics in response to a high VPD in mangroves?with a consideration of possible influence of genome size on stomatal morphology;and(2)do leaf hydraulic traits influence stomatal sensitivity to VPD in mangroves?We found that the stomata of mangrove plants were highly sensitive to a step rise in VPD and the stomatal responses were directly affected by stomatal anatomy and hydraulic traits.Smaller,denser stomata was correlated with faster stomatal closure at high VPD across the species of Rhizophoraceae,and stomata size negatively and vein density positively correlated with genome size.Less negative leaf osmotic pressure at the full turgor(πo)was related to higher operating steady-state stomatal conductance(gs);and a higher leaf capacitance(Cleaf)and more embolism resistant leaf xylem were associated with slower stomatal responses to an increase in VPD.In addition,stomatal responsiveness to VPD was indirectly affected by leaf morphological traits,which were affected by site salinity and consequently leaf water status.Our results demonstrate that mangroves display a unique relationship between genome size,stomatal size and vein packing,and that stomatal responsiveness to VPD is regulated by leaf hydraulic traits and stomatal morphology.Our work provides a quantitative framework to better understand of stomatal regulation in mangroves in an environment with high salinity and dynamic water availability.展开更多
Background:Soil aggregates are the basic units of soil structure,and their stability is a key indicator of soil quality and capacity to support ecosystem functions.The impacts of various environmental factors on soil ...Background:Soil aggregates are the basic units of soil structure,and their stability is a key indicator of soil quality and capacity to support ecosystem functions.The impacts of various environmental factors on soil aggregates have been widely studied.However,there remains elusive knowledge on the synergistic effects of changing forest stand structure on soil aggregate stability(SAS),particularly in subtropical China where soil erosion remains a critical issue.Methods:We investigated variations in the components of soil humus(HS),including humic acids(HAs),fulvic acids(FAs),and humins(HMs),under pure Chinese fir(Cunninghamia lanceolata)plantation(PP)and multilayered mixed plantation(MP)comprising C.lanceolata,Castanopsis hystrix,and Michelia hedyosperma.The state of soil aggregate stability,was determined by three separate methods,i.e.,dry-sieving,wet-sieving,and the Le Bissonnais.High-throughput sequencing was used to determine the diversity and composition of microbial communities under PP and MP.We then built partial least squares path models(PLS-PM)for assessing the responses of SAS to the variations in soil microorganisms and HS components.Results:The MP stands had significantly greater SAS(P<0.05),higher content of HAs and more rapid organic matter humification within aggregates,than the PP stands.High-throughput sequencing confirmed that the Pielou andα-diversity index values(Chao1 and Shannon)for fungi were all significantly higher under MP than under PP,while no marked difference was found in bacterialα-diversity between the two plantation types.Moreover,there were markedly greater abundance of three bacterial phyla(Verrucomicrobia,Chloroflexi,and Gemmatimonadetes)and three fungal phyla(Ascomycota,Kickxellomycota,and Glomeromycota),and significantly less abundance of two bacterial phyla(Planctomycetes and Firmicutes)and four fungal phyla(Basidiomycota,Mortierellomycota,Mucoromycota,and Rozellomycota)under MP than under PP.The Chloroflexi and Ascomycota phyla appeared to be the primary drivers of soil aggregate distribution.Our findings revealed that the promotion of SAS under MP was mainly driven by increased soil organic matter(SOM)content,which altered bacterial communities and enhanced fungal diversity,thereby increasing HAs content and the rate of organic matter humification.Conclusions:Considering the combined effects of enhanced soil quality,productivity,and relevant economic costs,introducing broadleaved tree species into Chinese fir plantations can be an effective strategy for stabilizing soil structure against erosion in subtropical China.Our study elucidated the controls on variations of SAS in Chinese fir-dominated plantations and demonstrated the benefit of converting pure Chinese fir plantation to multi-layered mixed plantations in increasing soil structural stability and improving site quality.展开更多
The canopy of subtropical natural forests usually consists of several co-dominant populations(CDPs),which play a crucial role in forest structure,formation of the forest environment,and ecological function.However,lit...The canopy of subtropical natural forests usually consists of several co-dominant populations(CDPs),which play a crucial role in forest structure,formation of the forest environment,and ecological function.However,little attention has been given to changes in spatial patterns in CDPs during natural succession.Cyclobalanopsis glauca(Thunb.)Oerst.,Quercus variabilis Blume,and Pinus yunnanensis var.tenuifolia W.C.Cheng & Y.W.Law are canopy species that form CDPs in zonal forests along the Nanpan River in southwest China.We used the g(r) function and its bivariate distribution model,g_(12)(r),which is based on distances between pairs of points,to explore the dynamics of the three CDP species with respect to distribution patterns and spatial correlations in two secondary forests(one 30-year-old forest [30-YF] and one 57-year-old forest [57-YF]).The following key results were obtained:(1) there was a clumped pattern in the 30-YF,but the intensity of aggregation varied among populations and life stages.The distribution pattern gradually shifted to become random with longer succes sion time(i.e.,30-YF vs.57-YF),expansion of the observation scale(r=0-20 m),and at later life stages.(2) Aside from the mid-sized C.glauca trees and large P.yunnanensis trees,the trees repulsed each other at certain scales(r=0-2,5-6,11-12,14-16 m) in the 30-YF.Almost all of the life stages in the CDPs were independently correlated.This independent correlation was exacerbated by a longer succession time.(3) An increase in life stages and longer succession also promoted independent changes in intraspecific correlations.(4) Intraspecific correlations were stronger than interspecific correlations.Our results showed that reducing exclusive competition is essential to coexistence in CDPs.Inter-and intra-specific repulsion may occur at the same time,but intraspecific repulsion was the main driving force behind the random distributions and independent correlations.展开更多
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (project number 31861133008)financial support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG, project number 410768178)
文摘Lipids may play an important role in preventing gas embolisms by coating nanobubbles in xylem sap.Few studies on xylem sap lipids have been reported for temperate plants,and it remain unclear whether sap lipids have adaptational significance in tropical plants.In this study,we quantify the lipid composition of xylem sap for angiosperm species from a tropical savanna(seven species)and a seasonal rainforest(five species)using mass spectrometry.We found that all twelve species studied contained lipids in their xylem sap,including galactolipids,phospholipids and triacylglycerol,with a total lipid concentration ranging from 0.09 to 0.26 nmol/L.There was no difference in lipid concentration or composition between plants from the two sites,and the lipid concentration was negatively related to species’open vessel volume.Furthermore,savanna species showed little variation in lipid composition between the dry and the rainy season.These results support the hypothesis that xylem sap lipids are derived from the cytoplasm of individual conduit cells,remain trapped inside individual conduits,and undergo few changes in composition over consecutive seasons.A xylem sap lipidomic data set,which includes 12 tropical tree species from this study and 11 temperate tree species from literature,revealed no phylogenetic signals in lipid composition for these species.This study fills a knowledge gap in the lipid content of xylem sap in tropical trees and provides additional support for their common distribution in xylem sap of woody angiosperms.It appears that xylem sap lipids have no adaptive significance.
基金supported by the Guangxi Key R&D Program (project No. AB16380254)a research project of Guangxi Forestry Department (Guilinkezi [2015] No.5)supported a grant for Bagui Senior Fellow (C33600992001)。
文摘Forests,the largest terrestrial carbon sinks,play an important role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.Although forest attributes and environmental factors have been shown to impact aboveground biomass,their influence on biomass stocks in species-rich forests in southern China,a biodiversity hotspot,has rarely been investigated.In this study,we characterized the effects of environmental factors,forest structure,and species diversity on aboveground biomass stocks of 30 plots(1 ha each) in natural forests located within seven nature reserves distributed across subtropical and marginal tropical zones in Guangxi,China.Our results indicate that forest aboveground biomass stocks in this region are lower than those in mature tropical and subtropical forests in other regions.Furthermore,we found that aboveground biomass was positively correlated with stand age,mean annual precipitation,elevation,structural attributes and species richness,although not with species evenness.When we compared stands with the same basal area,we found that aboveground biomass stock was higher in communities with a higher coefficient of variation of diameter at breast height.These findings highlight the importance of maintaining forest structural diversity and species richness to promote aboveground biomass accumulation and reveal the potential impacts of precipitation changes resulting from climate warming on the ecosystem services of subtropical and northern tropical forests in China.Notably,many natural forests in southern China are not fully stocked.Therefore,their continued growth will increase their carbon storage over time.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30970381,31460567)Guangxi(2010GXNSFB013044)a postdoctoral start-up project of Guangxi University(Y336002006,B41049)
文摘Background: The breeding information of most birds in Asian tropical areas,especially in limestone forests,is still poorly known.The Streaked Wren-Babbler(Napothera brevicaudata) is an uncommon tropical limestone bird with a small range.We studied its nest-site selection and breeding ecology,in order to understand the adaptations of birds to the conditions of tropical limestone forest in southern China.Methods: We used methods of systematical searching and parent-following to locate the nests of the Streaked Wren-Babbler.We measured characteristics of nest sites and rock cavities.Data loggers and video cameras were used to monitor the breeding behavior.Results: All the observed nests of the Streaked Wren-Babbler were placed in natural shallow cavities or deep holes in large boulders or limestone cliffs.The great majority(96.6%) of Streaked Wren-Babbler nests had three eggs with an average fresh weight of 3.46-± 0.43 g(n = 36,range 2.52-4.20 g).Most(80.4%) females laid their first eggs between March and April(n = 46).The average incubation and nestling period of the Streaked Wren-Babbler was 10.2 range 9-11 days),respectively.Most(87.9%) nests h± 0.4 days(n = 5,range 1011 days) and 10.5 ± 0.8 days(n = 6,ad at least one nestling fledge between 2011 and 2013(n = 33).Conclusions: Our study suggests that several features of the breeding ecology of the Streaked Wren-Babbler,including building nests in rocky cavities,commencing breeding earlier than most species,and reducing foraging times during the incubation period,are well-adapted to the unique habitat of tropical limestone forest.
基金funded by the Guangxi Innovation-Driven Development Project(Grant Number AA17204058).
文摘To enhance the productivity of Carya illinoinensis cv.‘Shaoxing’and mitigate the loss of flowers and fruits,the effects of different concentrations of Piperonyl Butoxide(PBO)wettable powder(2,5,and 10 g·L^(-1))and Paclobutrazol(PP_(333))(150,300,and 450 mg·L^(-1),based on active ingredients)on 6-year-old‘Shaoxing’plants were investigated with water sprayed as the control.The results showed that:(1)Treatment with 10 g·L^(-1)PBO and 450 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333)significantly inhibited the excessive growth of‘Shaoxing’branches.Also,10 g·L^(-1)PBO exhibited the best diameter increment effect on fruiting branches,and 150 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333) exhibited the best diameter increment effect on vegetative branches.(2)The content of soluble sugar and soluble protein in leaves treated reached the highest level after treatment with 450 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333),while the content of starch sugar in leaves reached the highest level after treatment with 300 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333).The application of PBO and PP_(333)mitigated the decline in N,P,K,and other nutrient levels observed in the leaves of‘Shaoxing’.As the PBO and PP_(333) concentrations increased,the nutrient elements in the leaves first increased and then decreased.Among them,300 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333)treatment exhibited the best effect on increasing the content of N,P,and K in the leaves at the late stage of fruit development.(3)In terms of fruit setting rate and nutritional quality of‘Shaoxing’fruit,5 g·L^(-1)PBO treatment showed the most promising effect on improving fruit setting rate,150 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333)exhibited the best effect on improving reducing sugar and decreasing tannin content in the kernel,10 g·L^(-1)PBO had the best effect on improving the crude fat content,and 2 g·L^(-1)PBO had the best effect on improving the cellulose content in the kernel.(4)Principal component analysis showed that 450 mg·L^(-1)PP_(333)treatment had the most comprehensive regulatory effect on the growth and development of current-year branches,leaves,and fruits of‘Shaoxing’.This study provided a theoretical basis and data reference for the growth and development of C.illinoinensis cv.‘Shaoxing’fruits from the perspective of the application of plant growth regulators.
基金Financial assistance project:Guangxi Forestry Science and Technology Project(Guilin kezi[2012]No.25).
文摘Camellia petelotii(Merr.)Sealy is an endangered Chinese native species that originates from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,China.Previous research demonstrated that proper water and fertilizer treatments could improve the growth and quality of Camellia species.This study uses a three-factor,five-level quadratic rotational combination experimental design to investigate the impact of water-fertilizer coupling on plant growth character-istics and the most suitable treatment for 24-month-old grafted C.petelotii seedlings.The experimental design includes irrigation levels[30%,40%,55%,70%,80%offield capacity(FC)],nitrogen application(0,2.17,5.43,8.70,10.87 g·plant^(-1)),and phosphorus application(0,0.96,2.40,3.85,4.81 g·plant^(-1)).The results indicated that:(1)Water-nitrogen and water-phosphorus interactions significantly affected ground diameter,chlorophyll content and specific leaf weight(SLW),while water-nitrogen interactions significantly affected plant height and photo-synthesis;(2)Application of nitrogen(8.70 g·plant^(-1))and phosphorus(3.85 g·plant^(-1))fertilizers under appropri-ate irrigation conditions(40%FC and 70%FC)improved growth.Applying fertilizers containing either nitrogen(10.87 g·plant^(-1))or phosphorus(4.81 g·plant^(-1))under adequate irrigation(55%FC)increased the Chl content.However,high nitrogen levels(10.87 g·plant^(-1))reduced photosynthesis.Conversely,it was enhanced under appropriate phosphorus(4.81 g·plant^(-1))when the irrigation level was 55%FC,indicating the sensitivity of C.pete-lotii seedlings to nitrogen fertilizer.(3)Under specific conditions of 40%FC or 70%FC irrigation and 8.70 g·plant^(-1) or 2.17 g·plant^(-1) nitrogen fertilizer application,3.85 g·plant^(-1) phosphorus addition boosted the SLW whereas,0.96 g·plant^(-1) phosphorus addition inhibited it.Under W=55%FC,deficiencies in either nitrogen(N=0 g·plant^(-1))or phosphorus(P=0 g·plant^(-1))significantly decreased leaf growth,affecting SLW.In summary,C.petelotii was more sensitive to nitrogen fertilizer at W=55%FC,and nitrogen deficiency inhibited C.petelotii growth in terms of ground diameter more than phosphorus deficiency.The C.petelotii seedlings performed best when treated with 55%FC,5.43 g·plant^(-1) nitrogen,2.40 g·plant^(-1) phosphorus per plant.These parameter esti-mates could optimize water and fertilizer application for C.petelotii seedlings.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China,China(No.2021YFD2200405)National Natural Science Foundation of China,China(No.31930078)+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds of Chinese Academy of Forestry(CAFYBB2020QB009)the special funding for long term forest ecosystem research from National Forestry and Grassland Administration and Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute,Chinese Academy of Forestry.
文摘The more frequent occurrence and severer drought events resulting from climate change are increasingly affecting the physiological performance of trees and ecosystem carbon sequestration in many regions of the world.However,our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the responses and adaption of forest trees to prolonged and multi-year drought is still limited.To address this problem,we conducted a long-term manipulative throughfall reduction(TFR,reduction of natural throughfall by 50%–70%during growing seasons)experiment in a natural oriental white oak(Quercus aliena var.acuteserrata Maxim.)forest under warm-temperate climate.After seven years of continuous TFR treatment,the aboveground growth in Q.aliena var.acuteserrata started to decline.Compared with the control plots,trees in the TFR treatment significantly reduced growth increments of stems(14.2%)and leaf area index(6.8%).The rate of net photosynthesis appeared to be more susceptible to changes in soil water in trees subjected to the TFR than in the control.The TFR-treated trees allocated significantly more photosynthates to belowground,leading to enhanced growth and nonstructural carbohydrates(NSC)storage in roots.The 7-year continuous TFR treatment increased the biomass,the production and the NSC concentration in the fine roots by 53.6%,153.6%and 9.6%,respectively.There were clear trade-offs between the aboveground growth and the fine root biomass and NSC storage in Q.aliena var.acuteserrata trees in response to the multi-year TFR treatment.A negative correlation between the fine root NSC concentration and soil water suggested a strategy of preferential C storage over growth when soil water became deficient;the stored NSC during water limitation would then help promote root growth when drought stress is released.Our findings demonstrate the warm-temperate oak forest adopted a more conservative NSC use strategy in response to long-term drought stress,with enhanced root growth and NSC storage at the expenses of above-ground growth to mitigate climate changeinduced drought.
基金Supported by Special Fund for Innovation-driven Development in Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region(GK AA17204087-11)Natural Science Foundation of China(31560206 31760201)
文摘[Objectives]This study was conducted to reveal the characteristics of nutrient absorption and accumulation in Pinus massoniana plantations in Northwestern Guangxi.[Methods]Based on field investigation and indoor analysis,the contents,accumulation and annual net accumulation of five nutrient elements(N,P,K,Ca and Mg)in a mature P.massoniana plantation(26-year-old)in Nandan County,Guangxi Province were studied.[Results]The contents of nutrient elements in different organs of the mature P.massoniana plantation were the highest in the leaves,followed by the bark,branch and root,and the lowest in the stem.In general,among the contents of the five elements in different organs,N content was the highest,followed by K or Ca,and P and Mg were the lowest.The total accumulation of nutrient elements in the 26-year-old mature P.massoniana plantation in northwestern Guangxi was 1 384.05 kg/hm^2.Among the different structural levels of the stand,the tree layer had the highest accumulation of nutrient elements,which was 1 198.41 kg/hm^2,accounting for 86.59%of the total accumulation of nutrients in the plantation,and the accumulation of nutrients in other layers from the largest to the smallest was the litter layer(91.97 kg/hm^2),herb layer(49.86 kg/hm^2)and shrub layer(43.92 kg/hm^2),accounting for 3.17%,3.60%and 6.64%of the total nutrient accumulation of the plantation,respectively.The annual net accumulation of nutrient elements in the tree layer of the mature P.massoniana plantation was 46.09 kg/(hm^2·a),and the order of the annual net accumulation of different nutrient elements followed N>K>Ca>Mg>P;and the accumulation of 1 t of dry matter needed 6.37 kg of the five nutrients.[Conclusions]This study provides a scientific basis for the rational management of P.massoniana plantations,especially forest soil management.
基金financially supported by the National Science Foundation of China (grant no. 31400542 31460196)+1 种基金Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (grant 2016GXNSFBA380233)Guangxi special fund project for innovation-driven development (AA 17204087-8)
文摘Forest structure analysis is important for understanding the properties and development of a forest community,and its outcomes can be influenced by how trees are measured in sampled plots.Although there is a general consensus on the height at which tree diameter should be measured[1.3 m:diameter at breast height(DBH)],the minimum measureddiameter(MMD)often varies in different studies.In this study,we assumed that the outcomes of forest structure analysis can be influenced by MMD and,to this end,we applied g(r)function and stand spatial structural parameters(SSSPs)to investigate how different MMDs affect forest spatial structure analysis in two pine-oak mixed forests(30 and 57 years old)in southwest China and one old-growth oak forest(>120years old)from northwest China.Our results showed that 1)MMD was closely related to the distribution patterns of forest trees.Tree distribution patterns at each observational scale(r=0-20 m)tended tobecome random as the MMD increased.The older the community,the earlier this random distribution pattern appeared.2)As the MMD increased,neighboring trees became more regularly distributed around a reference tree.In most cases,however,nearest neighbors of a reference tree were randomly distributed.3)Tree species mingling decreased with increasing diameter,but it decreased slowly in older forests.4)No correlations can be found between individual tree size differentiation and MMD.We recommend that comparisons of spatial structures between communities would be more effective if using a unified MMD criterion.
基金supported by the Open Foundation of Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation(Grant No.20221203)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32060340)+1 种基金Scientific Research Capacity Building Project for Laibin Jinxiu Dayaoshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi under(Grant No.22-035-130-01)the Guangxi Key Research and Development Program(Grant No.Guike AB16380254)。
文摘Although numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain the patterns of species diversity of forests at local and landscape levels,it is still difficult to predict the alpha diversity of species,especially in tropical and subtropical natural forests where trees of different sizes and shapes are highly mixed.Size might characterize species diversity,and the possible correlation between these variables may contribute to the development of easy-to-use growth indicators to predict diversity and to understand the status of trees within a stand.In this study,diameter classes were divided using the equal diameter class(EDC)and minimum measured diameter(MMD)methods,and five species diversity indices were calculated for each diameter class of 14 permanent plots in five national nature reserves surrounding the Tropic of Cancer(23.5°),southwest China.The results show that species richness,abundance,and spatial diversity indices decreased in a typical inverted J-shape pattern with increasing diameter class and MMD,and could be easily modeled by a negative exponential function.The ShannonWiener index showed a linear decrease while Pielou’s evenness index displayed a linear increase,with a small degree of instability.The results suggest that species diversity in subtropical forests is closely related to tree size,and the relationship is possibly independent of habitat.Measuring DBH of some trees in a stand could be informative regarding species diversity and contribute to the investigation and assessment of biodiversity.
基金the ‘Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in Changing Environment Project’ funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOST-BARMM)
文摘Human activities have severely impacted on many species and ecosystems.Thus,understanding the local biodiversity situation is crucial for implementing effective biodiversity conservation interventions.Mindanao in the southern Philippines is home to various unique species,particularly in its pristine ecosystems.However,the available biodiversity data for many terrestrial vertebrates and key areas remain incomplete.To address this issue,we synthesized published literature related to biodiversity from 2000 to 2022 in Mindanao.Moreover,this analysis used four key terrestrial vertebrates(amphibians,reptiles,birds,and mammals)in Mindanao as research objects.According to our findings,there was a significant and positive correlation between the number of biodiversity studies and species recorded.In terms of species richness,birds were the most recorded group(n=334 spp.),followed by reptiles(n=108 spp.),mammals(n=70 spp.),and amphibians(n=52 spp.).We also found that the number of endemic and threatened species varies geographically and across taxonomic groups.Yet,we discovered a significant disparity in the information available on biodiversity in different provinces of Mindanao.For example,the western provinces of Mindanao have had no record of biodiversity for more than two decades.Furthermore,we found that the changes in tree cover loss were consistent with biodiversity records,but this correlation is only significant for birds.Finally,we highlighted some critical threats and challenges to biodiversity,including deforestation,agricultural expansion,mining,and their impact on biodiversity conservation in Mindanao.Our findings suggested that biodiversity conservation should focus not only on areas with high levels of biodiversity but also on areas lacking biodiversity information.To do this,we call for strengthening collaboration among various institutions and digitizing and centralizing of information related to biodiversity.By gaining a deeper understanding of biodiversity in Mindanao,we can better and sustainably protect critical ecosystems in this region from the increasing threats posed by human activities.
基金Supported by Special Fund for Innovation-driven Development in Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region(GK AA17204087-11)Natural Science Foundation of China(31560206 31760201)
文摘[Objectives]This study was conducted to understand the carbon sequestration function of mature Pinus massoniana plantation in northwest Guangxi.[Methods]The carbon storage and distribution in a 26-year-old P.massoniana plantation were investigated through biomass harvesting in Shankou Forestry Farm of Nandan County,Guangxi Province.[Results]The average carbon content of P.massoniana was 489.3 g/kg,and the carbon contents of different organs ranked from large to small as pine needles > trunks > trunk bark > roots > branches.The carbon contents of understory shrub layer,herb layer and litter layer were 453.0,425.6 and 482.5 g/kg,respectively.The soil organic carbon content in forestland varied from 6.20 to 32.15 g/kg,decreasing with the depth of the soil layer.The carbon storage of the mature P.massoniana plantation ecosystem was 232.13 t/hm^2,of which the tree layer,shrub layer,herb layer,litter layer and soil layer were 92.67,1.36,1.12 and 134.49 t/hm^2,respectively,which accounted for 39.92%,0.59%,0.48%,1.07% and 57.94% of the carbon storage of the whole ecosystem,respectively.The annual net productivity of the tree layer of the mature P.massoniana plantation was 10.36 t/(hm^2·a),the annual net carbon sequestration was 5.41 t/(hm^2·a),and the annual net CO2 absorption was 19.83 t/(hm^2·a).[Conclusions]This study provides basic data and scientific basis for rational evaluation of the ecological benefits of P.massoniana plantation in this area.
基金supported by the Special Projects of the Central Government Guiding Local Science and Technology Development in China(Guike.ZY21195022)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42007055 and 42107350)。
文摘Benggang erosion is caused by a special type of gully erosion in southern China that seriously endangers the local ecology and environment.In this study,typical Benggang collapsing-wall soils were used as the study area to investigate the effects of different initial moisture contents and dicranopteris linearis root weight densities,as well as their interactions on disintegration in orthogonal test method.The results showed that the rate of soil disintegration decreased as a linear function of the initial moisture content.The soil disintegration rate tended to rise and then fall as the root weight density increased,reflecting an optimum root weight density of 0.75-1.00 g/100 cm3.The incorporation of dicranopteris linearis roots was most effective for soil consolidation in the shallow layers of soil.In addition,the disintegration rate of the collapsing-wall soils increases as the soil layer deepened.The dicranopteris linearis root system and initial moisture content had an interactive effect that was more pronounced in deeper soils.However,the combined effect of these processes was always dominated by the initial moisture content.Moderate initial soil moisture content(0.20-0.24 g/g)and the addition of a high root density in dicranopteris linearis(0.75-1.00 g/100 cm3)were the optimal combinations that reduced the disintegration rate.In conclusion,maintaining a suitable natural moisture content in collapsing-wall soils and taking measures that use plants to consolidate soil can effectively prevent and control the occurrence of Benggang erosion.The results of this study provided further insight into the factors that influence soil disintegration and offered a scientific basis for soil erosion management in the southern China.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31870370)the Key Grant of Guangxi Nature and Science Foundation(2018GXNSFDA281016)。
文摘Birds maintain complex and intimate associations with a diverse community of microbes in their intestine.Multiple invasive and non-invasive sampling methods are used to characterize these communities to answer a multitude of eco-evolutionary questions related to host-gut microbiome symbioses.However,the comparability of these invasive and non-invasive sampling methods is sparse with contradicting findings.Through performing a network meta-analysis for 13 published bird gut microbiome studies,here we attempt to investigate the comparability of these invasive and non-invasive sampling methods.The two most used non-invasive sampling methods(cloacal swabs and fecal samples)showed significantly different results in alpha diversity and taxonomic relative abundances compared to invasive samples.Overall,non-invasive samples showed decreased alpha diversity compared to intestinal samples,but the alpha diversities of fecal samples were more comparable to the intestinal samples.On the contrary,the cloacal swabs characterized significantly lower alpha diversities than in intestinal samples,but the taxonomic relative abundances acquired from cloacal swabs were similar to the intestinal samples.Phylogenetic status,diet,and domestication degree of host birds also influenced the differences in microbiota characterization between invasive and non-invasive samples.Our results indicate a general pattern in microbiota differences among intestinal mucosal and non-invasive samples across multiple bird taxa,while highlighting the importance of evaluating the appropriateness of the microbiome sampling methods used to answer specific research questions.The overall results also suggest the potential importance of using both fecal and cloacal swab sampling together to properly characterize bird microbiomes.
基金financial support for the research provided by the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation(2021GXNSFBA075017)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42007055,42107350)the Guangxi Science and Technology Base and talent Special project(No.AD20159031)。
文摘Soil aggregates determine the basic structure of soil,and their composition and stability are influenced by the various types of cementitious substances occurring in soil.To explore the main limiting factors of soil aggregation in the process of vegetation succession with granite as the parent material,five stages of vegetation succession in an eroded area were selected:bare land(BL),grassland(GL),grassland shrub transition land(GS),shrubland(SL)and secondary forest(SF).Soil samples were collected to determine the composition and stability of aggregates.The contents of organic and inorganic cementitious substances,including organic matter components and iron aluminum oxides,were determined at five soil aggregate grain levels.The results indicated that the stability of soil aggregates and the>0.25 mm water-stable aggregate content(WR_(0.25))increased with vegetation succession.Based on the Le Bissonnais(LB)method,the mean weight diameter(MWD)of soil aggregates increased,and the relative dissipation index(RSI)and relative mechanical crushing index(RMI)decreased.The humic acid(HA)and fulvic acid(FA)contents in soil aggregates increased with vegetation succession,and the soil humus content at the SF stage increased by more than 13.54%over the BL level.Upon different vegetation succession stage,the iron and aluminum oxides for the SL and the SF were at a high level,and the contents of free-form iron oxide(Fe_(d))and amorphous iron oxide(Fe_(o))for BL were high.Correlation analysis indicated that the soil humic degree(PQ)and the contents of amorphous alumina(Al_(o))were positively correlated with aggregate stability to varying degrees.Redundancy analysis(RDA)revealed that PQ values of 1-2 mm(PQ_(2))and 0.25-0.5 mm(PQ_(4))aggregates,the contents of Fe_(o) of bulk soil(Fe_(oB)),>2 mm(Fe_(o1)),1-2 mm(Fe_(o2)),and<0.25 mm(Fe_(o5))aggregates,and the contents of Al_(o) of>2 mm(Al_(o1))aggregates could explain 99.4%of the changes in soil aggregate stability at different vegetation succession stages.Al_(o1) had a contribution rate of 71.2%and is the key factor for improving the stability of soil aggregates.
基金financial support for the research provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42107350)the Special Projects of the Central Government Guiding Local Science and Technology Development in China(Guike.ZY21195022)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42007055)。
文摘The hilly area of red soil in the central subtropical region of China has a long history of severe soil erosion due to its abundance of water,heat,and intense agricultural and forestry activities.The Sandshale red soil area is hot and rainy,the local land utilization rate and replanting index are high,and the soil easily weathers and erodes,resulting in infertile and sandy soils,extensive soil erosion and large erosion,with far-reaching impacts.In this study,the stability of soil aggregates was studied by the wet sieving method and Le Bissonais(LB)method in six land use patterns in the Sandshale red soil area,including natural forest(NF),Pinus massoniana(PM),Eucalyptus urophylla×E.grandis(EU),orchard(OR),wasteland(WL)and arable land(AL).The transport damage characteristics of the soil aggregates under concentrated water flow were analyzed by using the soil aggregates to simulate the soil surface roughness in the field using a steel scouring flume with a variable slope.The results showed that:(1)the total soil porosity of the natural forest was the highest,with 56.51%in A layer,which was 4.99%higher than the B layer,and the organic matter content ranged from 10.69 to 29.94 g.kg-1 and was highest in NF and lowest in AL;(2)the maximum mean weight diameter(MWD)obtained by the wet sieving method was 4.81 mm for natural forest,and the MWD was the lowest in OR and AL at 2.45-2.77mm.The MWD measured by the LB method was also highest in NF and lowest in AL.The contents of Fed and Ald have a strong correlation with the stability parameters of soil aggregates;(3)the Wr/Wi results for the six land use patterns were NF>PM>EU>WL>OR>AL;the NF had the strongest soil aggregate stability,followed by WL,PM and EU,and AL and OR had the weakest;the stability of soil aggregates gradually weakened as the soil depth increased.Comprehensive analysis shows that forest land has high soil stability and obvious advantages in soil erosion resistance.Strengthening the construction of artificial forests can be an important means to reduce soil erosion in red soil hilly region.
基金supported by a Special Talent Recruitment grant from Guangxi University to EGa Chinese Government Scholarship to KRG。
文摘Background:Mixed-species flocks(MSFs)have been well sampled in the South Asia,but there has been as yet surprisingly little work on MSFs of Nepal,despite a diverse and well-studied avifauna.We surveyed MSFs in two forest types in and around the Important Bird Area of Chitwan National Park in Nepal,between 150 and 800 m a.s.l.,to provide a first description of the composition of MSFs in this area.We also aimed to understand which species should be considered‘nuclear species',important to forming MSFs or leading them forward.Results:In total,we collected records on 222 MSFs that included 100 species,and 6097 individuals.The MSFs were similar to worldwide patterns in being dominated by leaf-gleaning,non-terrestrial insectivores.However,the MSFs were more dominated by canopy species than usual,and did not have a clear gregarious,understory leading species.Rather drongos(Family Dicruridae)and minivets(Family Campephagidae,Genus Pericrocotus)acted as leaders,and a cluster analysis of composition showed one group of large body size MSFs particularly characterized by the presence of the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo(Dicrurus paradiseus).Conclusions:Drongos are known to provide both costs and benefits to other flock participants:they are aggressive birds that can steal food,and manipulate other species with their vocalizations,but at the same time they are‘sentinel species'that produce information about predation risk other species can use.This study demonstrates that drongos can be considered nuclear species for some types of MSFs,despite the potential costs of their presence.MSFs led by sentinel species thus may form in Asia,as well as in the Neotropics.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32060340 and 31400542)the Scientific Research Capacity Building Project for Laibin Jinxiu Dayaoshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi(22-035-130-01).
文摘The reverse J-shaped diameter distribution is considered an inherent attribute of natural forests,cru-cial for forest resource utilization and community stability.However,in karst regions,intense habitat heterogeneity might alter species composition,spatial distribution,growth,biomass allocation,and mortality processes,yet its impact on diameter structure remains unclear.A fixed plot of 200 m×110 m was established in the Nanpan River Basin,Southwest China,within an old-growth oak forest(>300 years old),and the influence of site substrates(i.e.,rock and soil),topographic factors,sample area,and orientation on diameter distribution was analyzed.Trees on both rock and soil exhibited a reverse-J shape,quantifiable Project funding:This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32060340 and 31400542),the Scientific Research Capacity Building Project for Laibin Jinxiu Dayaoshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi(22-035-130-01).through the Weibull function.The substrates had a similar density,approximately 2100 plants/ha.However,the average and range of diameter of trees on rock were smaller than those on soil,suggesting that rock constrains tree growth.The diameter distribution of trees across microtopography also displayed a reverse-J shape.Yet,higher elevations and sunny slopes showed a greater curvature of diameter classes compared to lower elevations and shady slopes,indicating habitat preferences in karst trees.Sample area and orientation had minimal effects on diameter class curve that reached stability when the plot size was 6000 m2.These results suggest that the reverse J-shaped diameter distribution prevails at small scales in karst old-growth forests,encompassing multiple curvatures and spanning forest ecosystems.
基金financially supported by a grant of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31670406)the Bagui Fellow scholarship(C33600992001)of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to KFC.
文摘Stomatal regulation is critical for mangroves to survive in the hyper-saline intertidal zone where water stress is severe and water availability is highly fluctuant.However,very little is known about the stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit(VPD)in mangroves,and its co-ordination with stomatal morphology and leaf hydraulic traits.We measured the stomatal response to a step increase in VPD in situ,stomatal anatomy,leaf hydraulic vulnerability and pressure-volume traits in nine true mangrove species of five families and collected the data of genome size.We aimed to answer two questions:(1)Does stomatal morphology influence stomatal dynamics in response to a high VPD in mangroves?with a consideration of possible influence of genome size on stomatal morphology;and(2)do leaf hydraulic traits influence stomatal sensitivity to VPD in mangroves?We found that the stomata of mangrove plants were highly sensitive to a step rise in VPD and the stomatal responses were directly affected by stomatal anatomy and hydraulic traits.Smaller,denser stomata was correlated with faster stomatal closure at high VPD across the species of Rhizophoraceae,and stomata size negatively and vein density positively correlated with genome size.Less negative leaf osmotic pressure at the full turgor(πo)was related to higher operating steady-state stomatal conductance(gs);and a higher leaf capacitance(Cleaf)and more embolism resistant leaf xylem were associated with slower stomatal responses to an increase in VPD.In addition,stomatal responsiveness to VPD was indirectly affected by leaf morphological traits,which were affected by site salinity and consequently leaf water status.Our results demonstrate that mangroves display a unique relationship between genome size,stomatal size and vein packing,and that stomatal responsiveness to VPD is regulated by leaf hydraulic traits and stomatal morphology.Our work provides a quantitative framework to better understand of stomatal regulation in mangroves in an environment with high salinity and dynamic water availability.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31960240 and 32171755)the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation(No.2019GXNSFAA185023)the Scientific Research Capacity Building Project for Youyiguan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi under Grant No.2203513003。
文摘Background:Soil aggregates are the basic units of soil structure,and their stability is a key indicator of soil quality and capacity to support ecosystem functions.The impacts of various environmental factors on soil aggregates have been widely studied.However,there remains elusive knowledge on the synergistic effects of changing forest stand structure on soil aggregate stability(SAS),particularly in subtropical China where soil erosion remains a critical issue.Methods:We investigated variations in the components of soil humus(HS),including humic acids(HAs),fulvic acids(FAs),and humins(HMs),under pure Chinese fir(Cunninghamia lanceolata)plantation(PP)and multilayered mixed plantation(MP)comprising C.lanceolata,Castanopsis hystrix,and Michelia hedyosperma.The state of soil aggregate stability,was determined by three separate methods,i.e.,dry-sieving,wet-sieving,and the Le Bissonnais.High-throughput sequencing was used to determine the diversity and composition of microbial communities under PP and MP.We then built partial least squares path models(PLS-PM)for assessing the responses of SAS to the variations in soil microorganisms and HS components.Results:The MP stands had significantly greater SAS(P<0.05),higher content of HAs and more rapid organic matter humification within aggregates,than the PP stands.High-throughput sequencing confirmed that the Pielou andα-diversity index values(Chao1 and Shannon)for fungi were all significantly higher under MP than under PP,while no marked difference was found in bacterialα-diversity between the two plantation types.Moreover,there were markedly greater abundance of three bacterial phyla(Verrucomicrobia,Chloroflexi,and Gemmatimonadetes)and three fungal phyla(Ascomycota,Kickxellomycota,and Glomeromycota),and significantly less abundance of two bacterial phyla(Planctomycetes and Firmicutes)and four fungal phyla(Basidiomycota,Mortierellomycota,Mucoromycota,and Rozellomycota)under MP than under PP.The Chloroflexi and Ascomycota phyla appeared to be the primary drivers of soil aggregate distribution.Our findings revealed that the promotion of SAS under MP was mainly driven by increased soil organic matter(SOM)content,which altered bacterial communities and enhanced fungal diversity,thereby increasing HAs content and the rate of organic matter humification.Conclusions:Considering the combined effects of enhanced soil quality,productivity,and relevant economic costs,introducing broadleaved tree species into Chinese fir plantations can be an effective strategy for stabilizing soil structure against erosion in subtropical China.Our study elucidated the controls on variations of SAS in Chinese fir-dominated plantations and demonstrated the benefit of converting pure Chinese fir plantation to multi-layered mixed plantations in increasing soil structural stability and improving site quality.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2016YFC0502101-04)the Guangxi Key Research and Development Program (Grant No.Guike AB163 80254)+1 种基金the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No.31400542)Guangxi Special Fund Project for Innovation-driven Development (Grant No.AA 17204087-8)。
文摘The canopy of subtropical natural forests usually consists of several co-dominant populations(CDPs),which play a crucial role in forest structure,formation of the forest environment,and ecological function.However,little attention has been given to changes in spatial patterns in CDPs during natural succession.Cyclobalanopsis glauca(Thunb.)Oerst.,Quercus variabilis Blume,and Pinus yunnanensis var.tenuifolia W.C.Cheng & Y.W.Law are canopy species that form CDPs in zonal forests along the Nanpan River in southwest China.We used the g(r) function and its bivariate distribution model,g_(12)(r),which is based on distances between pairs of points,to explore the dynamics of the three CDP species with respect to distribution patterns and spatial correlations in two secondary forests(one 30-year-old forest [30-YF] and one 57-year-old forest [57-YF]).The following key results were obtained:(1) there was a clumped pattern in the 30-YF,but the intensity of aggregation varied among populations and life stages.The distribution pattern gradually shifted to become random with longer succes sion time(i.e.,30-YF vs.57-YF),expansion of the observation scale(r=0-20 m),and at later life stages.(2) Aside from the mid-sized C.glauca trees and large P.yunnanensis trees,the trees repulsed each other at certain scales(r=0-2,5-6,11-12,14-16 m) in the 30-YF.Almost all of the life stages in the CDPs were independently correlated.This independent correlation was exacerbated by a longer succession time.(3) An increase in life stages and longer succession also promoted independent changes in intraspecific correlations.(4) Intraspecific correlations were stronger than interspecific correlations.Our results showed that reducing exclusive competition is essential to coexistence in CDPs.Inter-and intra-specific repulsion may occur at the same time,but intraspecific repulsion was the main driving force behind the random distributions and independent correlations.
