scholarly journals Litterfall deposition and nutrient return in pine-oak forests and scrublands in northeastern Mexico

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Humberto González-Rodríguez ◽  
Juan Manuel López-Hernández ◽  
Roque Gonzalo Ramírez-Lozano ◽  
Marco Vinicio Gómez-Meza ◽  
Israel Cantú-Silva ◽  
...  

Litterfall and its decomposition represents the main nutrient input in forest soils whereby organic matter is cycled, thus influencing the circulation of nutrients in ecosystems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine litterfall nutrient-input and deposition via fallen leaves. Litterfall was collected at three sites: 1) a pine-oak forest, 2) an ecotone in a transition zone between a pine-oak forest and a piedmont shrubland, and 3) a thorn scrub in the Tamaulipan thorn-scrub vegetation community. At each site, an experimental plot was selected to allocate ten litter canisters to collect litterfall. Total litterfall deposition was highest at the ecotone, followed by the thorn scrub and the pine-oak forest (hereupon, the pine-oak forest will be referred to as “pine forest” for simplicity) (706.0 g m-2 year-1, 495.6 g m-2 year-1, and 483.0 g m-2 year-1, respectively). Leaf litter abundance was greater than that of twigs, reproductive structures, or miscellaneous components (385.3 g m-2 year-1, 84.6 g m-2 year-1, 55.7 g m-2 year-1, and 35.8 g m-2 year-1, respectively). Total deposition of nutrients (mg m-2 year-1)varied as follows: Ca, from 3.7 (pine forest) to 13.5(thorn scrub); K, from 1.0 (pine forest) to 3.8 (ecotone); Mg, from 0.5 (pine forest) to 1.3 (ecotone); N, from 2.7 (pine forest) to 8.3 (ecotone); P, from 0.1 (pine forest) to 0.3 (ecotone); Cu, from 1.0 (pine forest) to 2.9 (ecotone); Fe, from 35.2 (pine forest) to 89.3 (ecotone); Mn, from 27.7 (pine forest) to 71.8 (ecotone), and Zn from 7.3 (thorn scrub) to 7.8 (ecotone). Litterfall and nutrient input was more abundant during the months of winter than at any other time of the year.

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deb Raj Aryal ◽  
Roldan Ruiz Corzo ◽  
Alonso López Cruz ◽  
Carlos Velázquez Sanabria ◽  
Heriberto Gómez Castro ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Tropical forests plays a vital role in mitigating atmospheric CO2 but the retention capacity of such ecosystems has changed greatly due to increasing anthropogenic pressures, of which firewood extraction is the main one activity in rural areas. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the biomass stocks of pine and oak forests with different pressure of fuelwood extraction in Chiapas, Mexico. The study was carried out in four locations in the state of Chiapas, southern Mexico; two of them with high extraction levels and the other two with lower extraction levels. Pine and Oak forests are the predominant forest types in the region. A total of sixteen plots of 400 m2 were established to measure the biomass stocks of the trees with > 7.5 cm DBH. Published allometric equations were used to quantify the biomass stocks. The average biomass of the pine forest with low fuelwood extraction was 213.4 Mg ha-1, and that of the oak forest was 189.5 Mg ha-1. On the other hand, the biomass stocks of the pine forest with high fuelwood extraction was 138.2 Mg ha-1, and that of the oak forest was 92.0 Mg ha-1. Communities with agricultural diversification like apiculture and agroforestry practices were found more effective in forest biomass conservation when compared to those who are only dedicated to Milpa cultivation and extensive bovine livestock production. The adoption of silvopasture systems, the use of crop residues and the use of ecological cooking stoves can be the alternatives to reduce forest fuelwood extraction.


Author(s):  
Volodymyr Rizun

Carabid beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) communities of the «Prypiat-Stokhid» National Nature Park have been investigated in five types of forest in 2006 with using pitfall Barber traps method. 49 species from 25 genuses were registered. The highest carabid catchability were observed in wet alder and fresh hornbeam-oak forests and the lowest in dry pine and fresh oak-pine forests. Generally 4 carabid species prevailed: Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, Carabus hortensis, Oxypselaphus obscurus, Pterostichus niger. In the dry pine forest prevailed: Syntomus truncatellus, Broscus cephalotes, Harpalus flavescens, Pterostichus strenuus, Calathus erratus, Oodes helopioides. In the fresh oak-pine forest prevailed: Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, Agonum duftschmidi, Carabus violaceus, C. hortensis, Oodes helopioides, Pterostichus minor, P. niger. In the fresh hornbeam-oak forest prevailed: Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, Carabus hortensis, Oxypselaphus obscurus, Pterostichus niger, P. Nigrita. In the wet oak-pine forest prevailed: Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, Oxypselaphus obscurus, Pterostichus niger, Epaphius secalis, Pterostichus rhaeticus, Carabus arcensis, Pterostichus minor. In the wet alder forest prevailed: Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, Carabus hortensis, Oxypselaphus obscurus, Pterostichus niger, P. melanarius.


2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-28
Author(s):  
Piotr T. Zaniewski ◽  
Wojciech Ciurzycki ◽  
Katarzyna Marciszewska

AbstractAcidophilous oak forests Calamagrostio arundinaceae-Quercetum petraeae (hartm. 1934 scam. et Pass. 1959) are mostly known from the western part of Poland, while its eastern border has not been determined accurately. in order to address this issue, we performed a phytosociological analysis of two newly identified stands of acidophilous oak forest located in the southern part of the Mazovian Voivodeship near Kiedrzyn (vicinity of Nowe Miasto nad Pilicą) and Mikówka (vicinity of Białobrzegi). For comparison, we also examined the distribution of known patches in the region (Łódź and Mazovian Voivodeships) against this association’s background of the eastern range border.Within the identified sites, a total of 10 phytosociological relevés were taken and soil samples were collected from a depth of 10 cm. the content of organic matter, soil ph and sieving analysis were performed in the laboratory. the phytosociological material was ordered and numerically classified which gave two groups of relevés: typical for this association (seven relevés) and a degenerated form (three relevés), which has an increased share of pine in the stand. All our relevés were similar to acidophilous oak forests from the Wielkopolska region and thus different from oak-pine forests of eastern Poland. habitat conditions of the patches and the bonitation of oak were analogous to patches of this association from other parts of Poland. Furthermore, the sites we studied are located between known locations from the Bolimowska and Kozienicka Forests and are therefore connecting these two previously known areas of occurrence. this indicates that the range of the Calamagrostio-Quercetum association is at least a few dozen kilometers wider in this part of the country than the assumed range.


Author(s):  
Māris Laiviņš ◽  
Agnese Priede ◽  
Dārta Kaupe ◽  
Andis Lazdiņš

Abstract The succession of semi-natural xeric calcareous grassland plant communities toward deciduous forest communities is poorly studied in Latvia. There is insufficient knowledge on the natural transformation of dry calcareous grasslands of Festuco-Brometea into thermophilous quasi-climax oak forest communities of Quercetea pubescentis that are very rare in Latvia. In this paper, a geobotanical study is presented that included studies of soils, tree age, spatial pattern of trees, vegetation composition of different succession stages, and analysis of environmental factors. The study was conducted in the Abava Valley, West Latvia, an area that is unique with species-rich xeric calcareous Festuco-Brometea grasslands, thermophilous oak forests dominated by Quercus robur, and intermediate secondary succession stages with young to medium-aged Juniperus communis and Pinus sylvestris formations.


2013 ◽  
pp. 27-55
Author(s):  
Rade Cvjeticanin ◽  
Olivera Kosanin ◽  
Milun Krstic ◽  
Marko Perovic ◽  
Marijana Novakovic-Vukovic

This research was carried out in natural stands of sessile oak (Quercus petraea agg. Ehrendorfer 1967) on Miroc mountain. Three comunities were investigated: Pure sessile oak forest (Quercetum montanum Cer. et Jov. 1953. s.l.), sessile oak-common hornbeam forest (Querco-Carpinetum moesiacum Rud. 1949. s.l.) and sessile oak-balkan beech forest (Querco-Fagetum Glis. 1971). Pure sessile oak forests are found on the following soils: dystric ranker and acid cambic soil on sandstone, dystric ranker and acid cambisols on phyllite, and acid cambic soil on schists. Sessile oak-hornbeam forests grow on sandstone, granite and schists. Sessile oak-beech forests are found on acid cambisol on phyllite and sandstone conglomerate. Various ecological conditions (exposition, slope, altitude, soil types and bedrock) on Mt Miroc caused the occurence of diverse sessile oak forest communities, while different states of these forest stands resulted from the implementation of management measures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e70549
Author(s):  
Jordi Bou ◽  
Lluís Vilar

The sessile oak forests found on the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula are ascribed to the Lathyro-Quercetumpetraeae association and play a key role in understanding the ecology of this habitat, as this region represents its xeric limit. For this reason, we analysed the biodiversity patterns and current conservation status of the sessile oak forests in the region. To do so, we collected Braun-Blanquet inventories of 34 plots randomly distributed throughout the sessile oak forests. The results showed a relationship between the climatic conditions and the biodiversity variables. While the richness of the community increased with decreasing temperatures, the characteristic species found within the community decreased at these same temperatures. This result was due to the presence of most companion species in the cool zones at high elevations.Sessile oaks are found close to other communities, such as silver birches and Scot pine forests.On the other hand, in the warm areas at low elevations, the sessile oak community was more established, with plants typical of this type of forest. These slightly warmer zones with sessile oaks are very important in terms of conservation and more vulnerable to climate change and the thermophilization of the community, as has been studied. As such, protecting and managing these forests is key to conserving this community. Nevertheless, as current protection measures do not safeguard most of these forests, it is essential to define a conservation strategy to preserve them. Using the conservation status, we have established criteria to improve the conservation strategy for sessile oak forest on the NE Iberian Peninsula.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 894-906
Author(s):  
Jordi Bou ◽  
Lluís Vilar

AbstractAimsOur aims were 3-fold: (i) to determine whether global change has altered the composition and structure of the plant community found in the sessile oak forests on the NE Iberian Peninsula over the last decades, (ii) to establish whether the decline in forest exploitation activities that has taken place since the mid-20th century has had any effect on the forests and (iii) to ascertain whether there is any evidence of impact from climate warming.MethodsWe assess changes in the plant community by comparing a current survey of sessile oak forest with a historical data set obtained from previous regional studies dating from 1962 to 1977. We analyse the regional changes in the community in terms of biodiversity variables, species composition and plant traits. Furthermore, plants traits such as plant life forms and chorological groups are used to discern any effects from land-use changes and climate warming on the plant community.Important FindingsThere has been a loss of diversity in the community and, in the hottest region, there is also a loss of species richness. The composition of the community suggests that, although significant changes have taken place over recent decades, these changes differ between regions as a result of the low impact global change has had in the western regions. For instance, while the tree canopy cover in the western sessile oak forests remains stable, the eastern sessile oak forests are still recovering from the former exploitation that led to a loss of their rich and abundant herbaceous stratum. In fact, the recovery process in the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range has constituted an increase in the Euro-Siberian plants typical to this community. Moreover, in the eastern forests, there is evidence that climate warming has impacted the thermophilization of the sessile oak forests found on the Coastal Range.


2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 204-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Růžková ◽  
L. Růžek ◽  
K. Voříšek

Formerly arable luvic chernozem set aside for ten years (1997–2006) with different herbaceous cover (grass, legumes and their mixtures) and agronomical practices (mulching and cut/harvesting) was studied. The experimental plot was maintained as black, spontaneous and controlled fallows from 1997 until July 2003 (BD period). In July 2003 the plots were desiccated by glyphosate herbicide and were run as a black fallow until August 2004 (AD). The last period (AG) was characterized by monoculture of Italian ryegrass cut/harvested twice a year until October 2006. The experimental soils were characterized with 18 parameters. Mulched plots in all periods (BD, AD and AG) were evaluated as highly microbial active plots. The black fallow (BD) permanently maintained by glyphosate herbicide was the lowest in biological parameters. The desiccation caused a highly significant increase (<I>P</I> < 0.01) of nitrates in topsoil, but in following period (AG) their significant decrease was detected. Desiccation enhanced carbon immobilization into microbial cells especially on mulched and cut/harvested sites (BD, AD). Due to mulching accumulation of soil organic matter highly significantly increased (<I>P</I> < 0.01). This induced a highly significant (<I>P</I> < 0.01) increase in the basal respiration (AD, AG) as the soil organic matter accumulated in the period BD was intensively mineralized.


1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 609-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
William S Currie ◽  
John D Aber ◽  
Charles T Driscoll

Nitrogen saturation results in greater mobility of nitrate, which in turn is often correlated with concentrations of nutrient cations in soil solution and streamwater. At the Harvard Forest, U.S.A., under long-term NH4NO3 inputs, a Pinus resinosa Ait. forest has exhibited signs of N saturation more rapidly than a mixed-Quercus forest. We test the hypothesis that increased nitrate leaching causes increased concentrations of nutrient cations in soil solution. Over 2 years (years 6 and 7 of treatment) we measured SO42-, NO3-, Cl-, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, H+, and NH4+ in throughfall solution and in forest-floor (Oa) leachate. Concentrations of NO3- in forest-floor leachate increased with rates of N amendment and correlated positively with cation concentrations, with stronger overall correlations in the pine forest: r2 values were 0.51 (pine forest) and 0.39 (oak forest) for Ca2+, 0.45 (pine) and 0.16 (oak) for K+, and 0.62 (pine) and 0.50 (oak) for Mg2+. In summer and fall, the oak forest showed some negative relationships between nutrient cation leaching and rate of N amendment. These contrasts showed retention of cations and N to occur together in an N-limited system, whereas increased nitrate mobility occurred with increased cation losses in an N-saturated system.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document