Fluxes of dissolved organic matter in larch forests in the cryolithozone of central Siberia

Fluxes of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in larch biogeocenoses and its export from the drainage basin have been studied in the zone of continuous permafrost. A comparative assessment of DOM input into the soil has been made on slopes of northern and southern exposures (as variants reflecting the current state and warming). The dynamics of DOM export in a creek depending on the increasing depth of the active soil horizon in the drainage area have been revealed. It is concluded that an increase in the depth of the seasonally thawing layer induced by global warming will not have any significant effect on the amount of annual DOM export. Reduction of DOM export may be expected upon a decrease in litter stocks under the effect of their mineralization and forest fires.     

川西亚高山人工针叶林枯落物持水与土壤渗透性能

为川西亚高山人工林水源涵养效益评价与林分结构合理配置提供科学依据,对该区不同恢复阶段的人工针叶林类型林地枯落物蓄积量及其最大持水量、土壤贮水与渗透性能进行了试验研究。研究结果表明：（1）林地枯落物蓄积量随林龄增大而增加,排序为：70 a云杉林(F)>40 a云杉林(C)>40 a云杉 落叶松林(E)>55 a云杉林(B)>40 a落叶松林(D)>桦木林(BF)>25 a云杉 落叶松林(A)>灌木林(SF)>裸露地(BL),林地枯落物最大持水量也呈相同的趋势。（2）随土壤深度增加,土壤容重逐渐增大,有机质与非毛管孔隙度逐渐减小,土壤pH、毛管孔隙度和总孔隙度变化趋势不明显。（3）在0~30 cm土层,滞留贮水量在3632~7037 t/hm2,排序为：E>C>F>SF>D>BF>B>A>BL;最大贮水量在12294~23154 t/hm2,排序为：SF>D>F>E>A>B>BF>C>BL。（4）在0~20 cm土层,初渗率在080~2595 mm/min,排序为：C>D>E>BF>B>SF>F>A>BL;稳渗率在055~425 mm/min,排序为：BF>E>SF>A>B>F>D>C>BL。（5）各渗透率指标与土壤容重极显著负相关 (〖WTBX〗P〖WTBZ〗<001),与有机质含量、非毛管孔隙度极显著正相关 (〖WTBX〗P〖WTBZ〗<001);稳渗率与枯落物蓄积量显著正相关 (〖WTBX〗P〖WTBZ〗<005     

Dynamics of leaf litter and soil respiration in a complex multistrata agroforestry system,Pernambuco, Brazil

High litter inputs in agroforestry systems contribute to soil microbial activity, soil fertility and productivity. Considering that the cycling of organic matter is essential to the maintenance of physical–chemical and microbiological properties of the soil, the aims of this work were to estimate the production, accumulation and decomposition of litter, and assess soil microbial respiration in a complex multistrata agroforestry system located in the north-east of Brazil. This agroforestry system has three strata formed by forest and fruit trees and species of multiple uses. During 3 years (2011–2013), leaf litter was sampled monthly to account for litterfall and quarterly to account for litter accumulation. The rates of litter decomposition were estimated using the ratio produced-to-accumulated litter, and the correlation between litter fall and rainfall was calculated. Precipitation data were provided by the water and climate agency of Pernambuco (APAC). Soil samples (0–15 cm) were also taken quarterly, simultaneously with the litter accumulation samples, and soil microbial respiration was assessed using the capture, by a KOH solution, of the evolved CO₂. The annual production of leaf litter was stable in the 3 years of study in this agroforestry system, and the monthly input of litter to the soil was influenced by rainfall, being higher in the dry seasons. The accumulated litter on the ground was constant, as was microbial activity (respiration) through time. The estimated litter decomposition rates were 1.49 (first year), 1.33 (second year) and 1.42 (third year), being considered rapid rates of decomposition. This guarantees (to the farmer) that this system is capable of maintaining soil fertility and eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers.     

Carbon Emission by Soils in Forests Damaged by the Siberian Moth

In the southern-taiga low grass–green moss fir forest completely defoliated by the Siberian moth, the rate of soil respiration in the third year after the pest population outbreak was 1.5 times higher than in an undisturbed tree stand. This was explained by a significant increase in the abundance and activity of soil microorganisms in the pest-defoliated forest, which occurred due to the qualitative changes in the litter composition and the increased temperature and moisture in the upper soil layers. The rate of carbon emission from the soil in the defoliated forest was 41.7 kg/ha per day, compared to 28.3 kg/ha per day in the undisturbed fir forest.     

Modelling the role of humic acid in radiocaesium distribution in a British upland peat soil

The significance of exchange sites on organic matter in the retention of radiocaesium in highly organic soils remains unclear. To quantify this retention, we measured the binding of 134Cs to a humic acid isolated from a British upland peat soil, under a range of chemical conditions. We interpreted our results using Humic Ion Binding Model V, a model of humic substance chemistry which simulates ion exchange by non-specific accumulation of cations adjacent to the humic molecules. Model V could simulate the humic acid-solution partitioning of Cs under all the solution conditions used. The model was used to estimate the contribution of organic matter to Cs sorption by the whole soil composite. An estimate of Cs sorption by illite frayed edge sites was also made. These simulations show that organic matter may play only a minor role in binding Cs. even in highly organic soils.     

长江上游高山森林林窗对凋落物分解过程中可溶性碳的影响

采用凋落物分解袋法, 以川西高山森林典型乔木(四川红杉Larix mastersiana、岷江冷杉Abies faxoniana、红桦Betula albo-sinensis和方枝柏Sabina saltuaria)和灌木(高山杜鹃Rhododendron lapponicum和康定柳Salix paraplesia)凋落物为研究对象, 研究了林窗中心到郁闭林下不同生境(林窗中心、林冠林窗、扩展林窗和郁闭林下)中凋落物第一年分解不同关键时期(雪被形成期、雪被覆盖期、雪被融化期和生长季节)可溶性碳的动态特征。结果表明:6种凋落物可溶性碳和可溶性有机碳在冬季含量增加而在生长季节含量降低, 而可溶性无机碳含量在全年呈降低趋势;雪被形成期, 6种凋落物可溶性碳和可溶性有机碳在郁闭林下达到最大值, 而雪被覆盖期在林窗中心和林冠林窗达到最大值, 生长季节6种凋落物可溶性碳含量均低于初始含量。这表明全球气候变暖情景下, 冬季林内雪被覆盖时间和厚度降低且生长季节延长将减少凋落物可溶性碳含量, 且变化程度受到凋落物质量控制。     

Depth profiles of radiocarbon and carbon isotopic compositions of organic matter and CO2 in a forest soil

Depth profiles of the specific activities of (14)C and carbon isotopic compositions (Delta(14)C, delta(13)C) in soil organic matter and soil CO(2) in a Japanese larch forest were determined. For investigating the transport of CO(2) in soil, specific activities of (14)C, Delta(14)C and delta(13)C in the organic layer, and atmospheric CO(2) in the same forest area were also determined. The specific activity of (14)C and Delta(14)C in the soil organic matter decreased with the increase in depth of 0-60cm, while that of soil CO(2) did not vary greatly at a soil depth of 13-73cm and was more prevalent than that of atmospheric CO(2). Peaks of specific activities of (14)C appeared at the depth of 0-4cm and Delta(14)C values were positive in the depth range from 0 to 15cm. These results suggest that the present soil at a depth of 0-4cm had been produced from the mid-1950s up until 1963, and the bomb C had reached the depth of 15cm in the objective soil area. The delta(13)C in the soil organic matter increased at the depth of 0-55cm, while that of soil CO(2) collected on 8 November 2004 decreased rapidly at the depth of 0-13cm and only slightly at the depth of 53-73cm. By combining the Delta(14)C and delta(13)C of the respective components and using the Keeling plot approach it was made clear that the entering of atmospheric CO(2) showed a large contribution to soil CO(2) at the depth of 0-13cm and a negligible contribution at the depth of 53-73cm for soil air collected on 8 November 2004. Respiration of live roots was presumed to be the main source of soil CO(2) at the depth of 53-73cm on 8 November 2004.     

Microecosystem Analysis of the Structure and Functions of Forest Biogeocenoses

The microecosystem approach and an adequate system of quantitative methods have been used to study the relationship between the chorologic changes in the structure and functions of edificator tree stand and other components of the pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest cenoecosystems of the Transural and Northern Turgai regions. Significant correlations of the density of pine undergrowth with the litter thickness; of its growth with root competition, stand closeness, and, to a lower degree, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); and of the numbers of small mammals and groups of soil mesofauna with herbaceous phytomass have been found. The possibility of the synthesis of population-ecological, synecological, and biogeocenological methods has been demonstrated.     

Ecological Consequences of Transient Outbreaks of Siberian Larch Casebearer,Coleophora sibiricella Flkv., in the Udmurt Republic

A transient population outbreak of the Siberian larch casebearer, Coleophora sibiricella Flkv. (Lepidoptera, Coleophoridae), in a protective forest strip and its consequences for the host tree species (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) have been studied for the first time. It has been shown that one-time complete defoliation by this pest and the following infestation by xylophagous insects result in tree death, while the productivity of surviving trees decreases significantly. The results of this study indicate that the Siberian larch casebearer is a major phyllophagous pest of larch and that its populations must be monitored by specialists in forest pathology.     

Climate changes and overstory recruitment of larch at the northern timberline in the Yamal Peninsula

Studies on overstory recruitment of the Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) in open larch forests depending on the time of seedling establishment (1880–1980) have been performed in the northern timberline ecotone on the Yamal Peninsula. Two periods of active larch establishment have been revealed: from 1900 to 1935 and from 1950 to 1970. A comparison of these data with the results of instrumental observations on temperature and precipitation has shown that the overstory recruitment of larch in valleys of northern rivers is largely dependent on July air temperatures in the first years of tree life, when seedlings grow 10–20 cm high.     

长期有机物循环对红壤稻田养分及水稻生长的影响

通过长期有机物循环的定位试验,研究了长期有机物循环利用对红壤稻田养分供应及水稻生长发育的影响,目的是了解长期有机物循环利用后土壤养分含量变化、水稻生长特性及两者的相关性。结果表明有机物循环明显提高了土壤有机质含量,并使土壤养分维持在一个相对较高的水平上。有机物循环处理的土壤有机质,全N、全P和全K及其有效部分的平均含量分别比无循环处理提高了445％、347％、175％、94％,特别是碱解N,速效P和速效K含量提高显著,有机物循环处理比无循环处理提高达469％、452％和347％。有机物循环利用提高了水稻分蘖数和叶面积指数,使水稻群体的透光率减少。有机物循环处理平均单叶净光合速率比无循环处理高68％,蒸腾作用比无循环处理高50％,最终表现为干物质积累量及稻谷产量的增加。对长期有机物循环利用后的红壤稻田养分指标与水稻生长指标进行逐步回归分析后发现,土壤中速效P及有机质含量的增加是促进水稻生长的主要因素.     

Ecological and phytocenotic features of the bryophyte component of water protection forests on the Ufa Plateau

The composition of bryophytes in forests of the Ufa Plateau has been studied. The results obtained by ordination methods show that the coverage of epigeic mosses decreases with an increase in tree stand density and proportion of broadleaf tree species as well as in the coverage and average height of herbaceous layer. The main factors determining the distribution of epigeic mosses are illumination level, soil fertility, and the degree of soil development.     

重庆缙云山地区森林土壤酸化特征

通过在2010～2012年8月份对重庆缙云山4种典型林分土壤进行野外取样和室内分析,研究了酸沉降对研究地森林土壤酸化的影响,并从多角度深入分析了4种林分土壤在时间和空间上的酸化机理。结果表明：（1）在常年酸沉降的影响下,缙云山森林土壤酸化现象非常严重,pH值较低,表层土壤pH值为387~447,4种林分土壤pH值都随土层加深递增;（2）4种林分有机质含量相差较大,灌木林最高（377 g/kg）,毛竹林最低（1144 g/kg）,且随土层增加而降低,这主要是受枯落物类型和来源的影响;（3）由于长期酸雨淋溶作用,4种林分土壤CEC含量均较低为1276~1973 cmol/kg,表层含量最高,随土层加深递减;（4）4种林分Al3+含量均较高,阔叶林（4097 mmol/kg）>灌木林（3132 mmol/kg）>针阔混交林（3006 mmol/kg）>毛竹林（2615 mmol/kg）。Al3+含量与土壤pH值呈显著负相关关系     

Radiocarbon and stable carbon isotope compositions of chemically fractionated soil organic matter in a temperate-zone forest

To better understand the role of soil organic matter in terrestrial carbon cycle, carbon isotope compositions in soil samples from a temperate-zone forest were measured for bulk, acid-insoluble and base-insoluble organic matter fractions separated by a chemical fractionation method. The measurements also made it possible to estimate indirectly radiocarbon ((14)C) abundances of acid- and base-soluble organic matter fractions, through a mass balance of carbon among the fractions. The depth profiles of (14)C abundances showed that (1) bomb-derived (14)C has penetrated the first 16cm mineral soil at least; (2) Delta(14)C values of acid-soluble organic matter fraction are considerably higher than those of other fractions; and (3) a significant amount of the bomb-derived (14)C has been preserved as the base-soluble organic matter around litter-mineral soil boundary. In contrast, no or little bomb-derived (14)C was observed for the base-insoluble fraction in all sampling depths, indicating that this recalcitrant fraction, accounting for approximately 15% of total carbon in this temperate-zone forest soil, plays a role as a long-term sink in the carbon cycle. These results suggest that bulk soil organic matter cannot provide a representative indicator as a source or a sink of carbon in soil, particularly on annual to decadal timescales.     

Postfire succession in a forest of the cryolithozone: The example of central Yakutia

The results of studies on postfire succession in larch forests of the permafrost zone are discussed. The main directions of successional processes in burned-out areas of different ages are described. It has been shown that secondary pyrogenic successions in larch forests follow the scheme of rapid regeneration without tree species replacement and the model of succession tolerance. Groups of plant species with different life strategies and indicator species characterizing different stages of the overgrowing of burned-out areas have been identified.     

Possible role of organic matter in radiocaesium adsorption in soils

The aim of this review is to examine the hypothesis that organic matter decreases the adsorption of radiocaesium on clay minerals. The factors that determine radiocaesium mobility and bioavailability in soil are briefly outlined to show why a relationship between soil organic matter content and enhanced Cs bioavailability is paradoxical. In all the investigations reviewed the ionic compositions of both the solid and the solution phases have been strictly controlled. We show that the addition of organic matter to reference clay minerals causes decreases of up to an order of magnitude in the distribution coefficient of radiocaesium. Similarly, the chemical removal of organic matter from the clay-sized fraction of soil usually leads to an increase in Cs adsorption. We suggest that the nature of the organic matter and its interaction with mineral surfaces are as important as the amount present.     

Influence of olive mill wastewater in composting and impact of the compost on a Swiss chard crop and soil properties

The suitability of olive mill wastewater (OMW) for composting was studied by the addition of this liquid waste to a mixture of cotton gin waste and sewage sludge, and its composting was compared with that of another pile of similar composition, but without olive mill wastewater. Both piles were composted by the Rutgers static pile system in a pilot plant. To study the effects of both composts on plant yield and soil properties, a plot experiment was carried out with Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla). Five treatments were applied: mineral fertiliser and two doses (30 and 60 tons ha(-1)) of both composts. The olive mill wastewater addition produced a compost with lower organic matter and nitrate concentrations, higher electrical conductivity, and a stabilised and humified organic matter similar to that of the compost produced without olive mill wastewater. The olive mill wastewater compost application to soil did not injure plants, producing a similar plant yield to both compost without olive mill wastewater and inorganic fertiliser. Also, the accumulation of potentially toxic heavy metals in plants cultivated with organic or mineral fertilisers did not reveal significant differences. The olive mill wastewater compost application to soil also improved the chemical and physicochemical properties of the soil.     

Monitoring microbial biomass and respiration in different soils from the Czech Republic--a summary of results

The microbial biomass (Cbio), respiration (basal respiration (BR) and potential respiration (PR)), and derived indices for 520 independent soil samples of 117 different soils from the Czech Republic were statistically analysed. The broad range of soil samples allowed the stepwise breakdown of the database into six reasonable categories of soil: arable soils, loamy grassland soils, sandy grassland soils with weak organic matter content, sandy grassland soils with moderate organic matter content, forest soils with moderate organic matter content, and forest organic soils with rich organic matter content. Because soil microbiology lacks benchmarking values, the ranges of the microbial characteristics for these categories were stated and are presented here. The separation into soil groups narrowed the ranges enough to be useful for comparative purposes. The groups displayed significant differences in basal microbial parameters. The lowest microbial biomass was found in arable soils and grassland sandy soils with weak organic matter content. The highest microbial biomass was shown by loamy grassland soils and organic forest soils. Respiration displayed similar results to the microbial biomass. The derived indices revealed less significant differences confirming their inner-standard nature. The relationships between the soil contamination and microbial parameters were not explored because of the confounding effect of soil organic matter. However, it was not shown by the category of grassland sandy soils with weak organic matter content suggesting they could be especially suitable for the biomonitoring of harmful effects of chemicals on soil microorganisms.     

森林对污染物（SO2-4）的过滤器效应研究

森林的过滤器效应是指森林对污染物所具有的净化缓冲作用，这是森林生态系统所具有的重要生态服务功能之一。森林生态系统对污染物的截留、吸附与净化一般是通过污染物在森林生态系统中的乔木层与灌草层植物、枯落物和土壤（微生物）等组分间的转化过程来实现，阐明森林生态系统各组分对污染物的净化效应是正确评估森林过滤器效应的关键。系统综述了森林生态系统各组分对污染物净化效应的国内外主要研究成果，指明了目前该方面研究存在的问题和努力的方向,并指出目前国内已有的大多数研究还处于实验观测与现象揭示阶段，缺乏对过程与机理的深入研究，很少进行多因素的动态综合研究和系统分析，这都限制了我们对森林生态系统对污染物净化过程内在运行机制和客观规律的正确认识和评估。把整个森林生态系统当作一个过滤器，从植物、凋落物、土壤、微生物几个亚系统方面介绍了森林过滤器对污染物净化缓冲作用方面的主要研究进展。     

Soil organic horizons as a major source for radiocesium biorecycling in forest ecosystems

Here we review some of the main processes and key parameters affecting the mobility of radiocesium in soils of semi-natural areas. We further illustrate them in a collection of soil surface horizons which largely differ in their organic matter contents. In soils, specific retention of radiocesium occurs in a very small number of sorbing sites, which are the frayed edge sites (FES) born out of weathered micaceous minerals. The FES abundance directly governs the mobility of trace Cs in the rhizosphere and thus its transfer from soil to plant. Here, we show that the accumulation of organic matter in topsoils can exert a dilution of FES-bearing minerals in the thick humus of some forest soils. Consequently, such accumulation significantly contributes to increasing 137Cs soil-to-plant transfer. Potassium depletion and extensive exploration of the organic horizons by plant roots can further enhance the contamination hazard. As humus thickness depends on both ecological conditions and forest management. our observations support the following ideas: (1) forest ecosystems can be classified according to their sensitivity to radiocesium bio-recycling, (2) specific forest management could be searched to decrease such bio-recycling.