Abies Firma Research Articles

Sampling design and required sample size for evaluating contamination levels of 137Cs in Japanese fir needles in a mixed deciduous forest stand in Fukushima, Japan

We estimated the sample size (the number of samples) required to evaluate the concentration of radiocesium (137Cs) in Japanese fir (Abies firma Sieb. & Zucc.), 5 years after the outbreak of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. We investigated the spatial structure of the contamination levels in this species growing in a mixed deciduous broadleaf and evergreen coniferous forest stand. We sampled 40 saplings with a tree height of 150 cm–250 cm in a Fukushima forest community. The results showed that: (1) there was no correlation between the 137Cs concentration in needles and soil, and (2) the difference in the spatial distribution pattern of 137Cs concentration between needles and soil suggest that the contribution of root uptake to 137Cs in new needles of this species may be minor in the 5 years after the radionuclides were released into the atmosphere. The concentration of 137Cs in needles showed a strong positive spatial autocorrelation in the distance class from 0 to 2.5 m, suggesting that the statistical analysis of data should consider spatial autocorrelation in the case of an assessment of the radioactive contamination of forest trees. According to our sample size analysis, a sample size of seven trees was required to determine the mean contamination level within an error in the means of no more than 10%. This required sample size may be feasible for most sites.

Response of Turkish and Trojan fir to Phytophthora cinnamomi and P. cryptogea

ABSTRACTPhytophthora root rot, primarily caused by the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi, is a large problem for the Christmas tree industry in North Carolina. Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) has no known innate resistance to this pathogen while some exotic fir species, such as Trojan (Abies equi-trojani) and Turkish (Abies bornmuelleriana) fir display varying amounts of resistance. A Phytophthora-resistance screening trial was completed with 1600 seedlings from 12 Turkish and Trojan fir families and Fraser and momi fir (A. firma). Seedlings from each family or species were inoculated with each of eight Phytophthora isolates, six P. cinnamomi and two Phytophthora cryptogea, in an effort to describe variability in isolate aggressiveness. Mortality was assessed as percent shoot necrosis bi-weekly for 16 weeks. Overall, rankings of resistance in fir species confirmed previous single-isolate-based results; momi fir was the most resistant, followed by Turkish, Trojan, and Fraser fir. P. cinnamomi isolates were generally more aggressive than P. cryptogea isolates. The two P. cryptogea isolates resulted in 5.6% and 0.8% mortality on Turkish fir, and 10.9% and 6.7% mortality on Trojan fir, the first reported resistance screen of these host-pathogen combinations. Pearson’s correlation testing identified a high degree of correlation between most isolates and overall mean mortality. Turkish and Trojan fir families appear to possess resistance to Phytophthora species common in North Carolina.

Spatial heterogeneity of radiation emission on a secondary mixed forest floor in northeastern Japan after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant explosions

ABSTRACTThe spatial distribution of radiation air dose was assessed on the floor of a secondary mixed forest located 35 km northwest of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. All trees with diameter at breast height ≥5 cm were measured and mapped within two plots. Radiation air doses were measured on the forest floor at each 1-m grid point and at stem bases and were analyzed in relation to bark texture, tree strata position, and leaf phenology. Radiocesium concentration measured from soils sampled in a similar manner (2-m grid point and at stem bases) in one of the two plots showed significant correlation with the air dose rate. Air dose rate showed a highly heterogeneous spatial distribution and tended to increase toward the stem bases. This trend was distinctive in some tree functional groups, with the rate being higher in some smaller deciduous trees with smooth bark (e.g. Fraxinus lanuginosa, Acer rufinerve). The trends were indistinctive in larger canopy trees with thick, coarse bark (Quercus mongolica subsp. crispula): in such trees, air dose rate become lower at stem bases than those in the outer range of the concentric zone in some large evergreen conifer trees (Abies firma). However, radiocesium concentration measured near tree stem bases (1 m away from the base) did not vary in relation to tree functional groups. Bark smoothness, which facilitated immediate vertical runoff of contaminated water to lower positions, may have increased air dose rates at the tree bases but would not have enhanced the heterogeneity of radiocesium concentration in the forest floor soils.

Spatial variation in the 137Cs inventory in soils in a mixed deciduous forest in Fukushima, Japan

The spatial variation of the radiocesium inventory in forest soil was studied c.a. 44 km northwest of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Japan. This study focuses on the effects of canopy interception and downward transfer from the forest canopy to the forest floor via stemflow and throughfall. We established a study plot (400 m2) in the canopy layer of a secondary mixed deciduous forest dominated by Japanese oak (Quercus crispula) and Japanese fir (Abies firma), in August and November 2014. Soil was sampled from 0 to 5 cm depth and 137Cs was measured under the canopy using a 2-m grid and also at the tree trunk bases. We divided the study plot into the five different types of subplot according to the canopy projection areas and the tree species for the analysis. The geometric mean and coefficient of variation of the 137Cs inventory were 202 kBq m−2 and 0.11 (0.52 in the arithmetic coefficient of variation), respectively. Within the forest, the variation in the 137Cs inventory under trees was larger than in crown gap areas. The large spatial variation may be attributed to canopy interception of the initial deposition and downward transfer of radiocesium via stemflow and throughfall.

Comparative leaf anatomy of some species of Abies and Picea (Pinaceae)

A number of conifer species are still lacking anatomical data, which is significant because morphological and anatomical data are essential for systematic study. Leaf anatomy was studied in selected species of Abiesand Piceausing light and scanning electron microscopy. Both genera were found to have typical coniferous and highly xerophytic leaves with sunken stomata and an epidermis covered by a thick cuticle. In the genus Abies, species can be differentiated by the nature of the lignified hypodermis and the number and position of resin ducts. Abies firma and A. holophylla have a continuous hypodermis whereas in A. koreana and A. nephrolepis the hypodermis is discontinuous and represented by isolated cells or groups of four or five cells. On the other hand, in Picea leaf shape, stomata arrangement, and number, position, and nature of resin ducts are the key features for species differentiation. Picea jezoensis has a flattened leaf with stomata distributed on the adaxial surface whereas P. abies and P. koraiensis have a rectangular leaf with stomata found on surfaces.

福島県北部沿岸地域に生育するモミ（Abies firma)の葉群動態と放射性セシウム蓄積との関係

福島県北部沿岸地域に生育するモミ（Abies firma)の葉群動態と放射性セシウム蓄積との関係

GC-MS Analyses of the Essential Oils Obtained from Pinaceae Leaves in Korea

The essential oils of the genus Abies, Cedrus, and Picea belonging to Pinaceae were analyzed by GC-MS. From three essential oils of the genus Abies, Cedrus, and Picea, twenty-nine components were identified. The major compounds of Abies firma were bornyl acetate (27.1 %), δ-3-carene (16.3 %), α-pinene (14.0 %), β-caryophyllene (9.0 %), and camphene (6.1 %). The main constituents of Cedrus deodara oil were borneol (18.2 %), bornyl acetate (17.3 %), limonene (16.6 %), camphene (14.1 %), and α-pinene (6.7 %). The components of Picea abies were α-pinene (17.5 %), myrcene (16.7 %), β-caryophyllene (11.4 %), β-pinene (10.6 %), and γ-eudesmol (8.3 %).

Applying age-based mortality analysis to a natural forest stand in Japan

Mortality analysis of tree populations is widely applied to forest science studies. When mortality analysis is applied to forest inventories, the use of the variable of tree age is not common due to the difficulty of measuring age data censored in successive observations. The purpose of this study is to apply age-based mortality analysis, i.e., survival analysis, to the individual tree populations in a natural forest. The study site was the secondary natural stand of 0.26 ha dominated by fir (Abies firma), hemlock (Tsuga sieboldii), and oak (Quercus serrata) in the Boso peninsula, Japan. First, we measured the ages of the trees with diameter at breast height greater than or equal to 5 cm using a RESISTOGRAPH. Then, tree mortality probabilities of both non-parametric Kaplan–Meier estimates and parametric probability distributions of Gamma and Weibull were estimated by applying survival analysis techniques to the tree age data. The results implied that the survival analyses could be implemented not only by the non-parametric estimates in any cases but also by the common parametric distributions of Gamma and Weibull in cases in which the tree mortality probability distribution had a monotonously decreasing shape as observed in the immature natural stand in the study site.

Morphology and anatomy of needle‐leaves and cladode‐like structures in Abies firma Siebold & Zucc. (Pinaceae, Coniferales) and their evolutionary relevance

AbstractNeedle‐leaves and untypical leaf structures in Abies firma were investigated. Among Abies needle‐leaves are generally described as being supplied with two vascular bundles surrounded by a common bundle sheath. However, the results indicate that needle‐leaves of Abies firma are always supplied with only a single vascular bundle, which is strongly interrupted by parenchymatic bands in the middle part of the lamina. This parenchyma lacks in distal and proximal parts. Thus, the leaf‐vasculature among Abies is not open dichotomous as is generally assumed. Studies of the detected untypical leaf structures which seem quite similar to cladodes of Sciadopitys ‐ and Phyllocladus have shown that they are formed exclusively by congenitally fused needle‐leaves. This fusion takes place in the early stage of development favored by the very broad leaf bases. Within a parastichy the primordia of two, three or four directly neighbored leaves are in physical contact. Secondary, they fuse completely with their lateral margins. Thus, they represent contact parastichys of only some leaves within a helical line at the shoot axis. Thus, these untypical leaf structures have no evolutionary relevance in respect to the understanding of the interfamilial phylogeny. Nevertheless, they help towards a better understanding of cladode‐formations in general. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

A novel index of leaf RGR predicts tree shade tolerance

Summary Plant traits responsible for shade tolerance are controversial. An important feature of shade‐tolerant trees is the ability to maintain a positive whole‐plant carbon balance [i.e. positive relative growth rate (RGRplant)] in low‐light environments, but a positive RGRplant does not always ensure continuous growth. To grow successfully in shaded environments, a plant must increase its leaf biomass with time. However, because RGRplant is determined by whole‐plant biomass change, RGRplant can be positive without any increment of leaf mass. Therefore, we developed a new index focussing on the leaf carbon balance to evaluate growth potential in shaded understoreys. We applied this to cool–temperate forest trees, such as Abies firma (evergreen conifer), Fagus crenata and F. japonica (deciduous broad‐leaved trees), and compared their shade tolerance. We termed the new index ‘RGRleaf’ expressed using net assimilation rate (NARleaf), leaf lifespan (LL), leaf mass per area (LMA) and leaf partitioning rate (LP), as [(NARleaf × LP)/LMA – (1/LL)]. RGRleaf >0 shows a positive leaf carbon balance, leading to continuous growth. RGRleaf allows a quantitative analysis of traits affecting the leaf carbon balance. We planted seedlings of each species in different light environments (open site, deciduous canopy site and evergreen canopy site) and measured their traits. RGRleaf and RGRplant were strongly correlated, but RGRplant was positive even when RGRleaf was negative (i.e. no potential of continuous growth). The negative RGRleaf values appeared correspond to low survival rates. We found that in the deciduous canopy site, A. firma showed higher RGRleaf, RGRplant and survival rates compared with F. japonica and F. crenata. Analyses of RGRleaf and its traits explained that A. firma's relatively high NARleaf and long LL are effective in maintaining a positive leaf carbon balance. Especially in deep shade (i.e. very low NARleaf), a prolonged LL is essential for maintaining a positive leaf carbon balance. These results suggest that in cool–temperate forests, evergreen plants can be more shade‐tolerant than deciduous ones.

Analysis on Composition of Pollen Exine and Pollen Morphology in Five Species of Gymnosperm

Fourier transform infrared( FTIR) spectroscopy was used to study the composition of pollen exine in five species of gymnosperm,including Ginkgo biloba L.,Abies firma Sieb et Zucc.,Cedrus deodara( Roxb.) G. Don,Cunninghamia lanceolata( Lamb.) Hook,and Cryptomeria japonica( L. f.) D. DON. The results showed that the infrared spectra of these pollen exines are mainly composed of the absorption bands of protein, lipids and polysaccharides,however,there were different components of pollen exine in these 5 species of gymnosperm. For example,there was much protein in pollen exine of G. biloba; rich lipids in pollen exine of Sonko; and polysaccharides in pollen exine of Taxodiaceae. In addition,there are significant differences in the spectra of different genus. Using scanning electron microscope,we observed that the pollens of C. deodara and A. firma are big in size,with two sacs. In contrast,the pollens of the other three species are small in size, without sacs. The surface of pollen exine in C. japonica and C. lanceolata showes orbicules,but that of C. deodara( Roxb.) G. Don and A. firma Sieb et Zucc shows the ornamentation of microgranulates with rough surfaceand smooth surface showing apertures.

Development of 32 EST-SSR markers for Abies firma (Pinaceae) and their transferability to related species.

• Premise of the study: We developed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for Abies firma, a conifer endemic in Japan, to facilitate evaluation of the population genetic structure in this species.• Methods and Results: We designed primers for 153 EST-SSRs identified from 486322 ESTs from A. sachalinensis ESTs, and tested 96 of them for PCR amplification. Thirty-two primers provided clear amplification, and 14 of those 32 displayed clear polymorphic patterns in multiple populations of A. firma and in two closely related species. The number of alleles per locus and mean expected heterozygosity ranged from one to six and 0 to 0.476, respectively.• Conclusions: The EST-SSR markers developed in this study may be useful for phylogeography and population genetic studies of A. firma. Successful amplifications were obtained for two other Abies species, suggesting that these markers may also be useful for similar applications in other fir species.

Production rate of pollen grains in an Abies firma stand on Mt. Takao

Production rate of pollen grains in an Abies firma stand on Mt. Takao

Seedling resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi in the genus Abies

Root rot and stem canker caused by Oomycete species belonging to the genus Phytophthora often seriously limit culture of true firs (Abies spp.) An investigation of the variation of resistance among Abies species to Phytophthor a cinnamomi was carried out to identify potential sources of resistance in the genus. Thirty-two Abies species were grown in a greenhouse for 2 and/or 3 years from seed. Seedlings were moved to an outdoor lath house, inoculated with rice grains colonized with P. cinnamomi, and subsequent mortality was assessed biweekly for 16 weeks. Disease developed rapidly resulting in 88.1 % overall mortality 16 weeks after inoculation. Mortality was less in two of the eight taxonomic sections of the genus evaluated, Momi (0.65 ± 0.0252) and Abies (0.79 ± 0.0193). Mortality in all other sections exceeded 93 %. Final species mortality ranged from 10.6 % (Abies firma) to 100.0 % (several species). Although several caveats apply, results have identified potential sources of Abies to be used as (1) resistant planting stock, (2) grafting rootstock, and (3) parents in hybridization/backcrossing programs in order to mitigate losses caused by P. cinnamomi.

The mechanism of pollination drop withdrawal in Ginkgo biloba L.

BackgroundThe pollination drop (PD) is a characteristic feature of many wind-pollinated gymnosperms. Although accumulating evidence shows that the PD plays a critical role in the pollination process, the mechanism of PD withdrawal is still unclear. Here, we carefully observed the PD withdrawal process and investigated the underlying mechanism of PD withdrawal, which will aid the understanding of wind-pollination efficiency in gymnosperms.ResultsIn Ginkgo biloba, PDs were secreted on the micropyle during the pollination period and persisted for about 240 h when not pollinated under laboratory conditions. The withdrawal of an isolated PD required only 1 h for evaporation, much less than a PD on the living ovule, which required 100 h. When pollinated with viable pollen, PDs withdrew rapidly within 4 h. In contrast, nonviable pollen and acetone-treated pollen did not cause PD withdrawal. Although 100% relative humidity significantly inhibited PD withdrawal, pollinated PDs still could withdraw completely within 48 h. Pollen grains of Cycas revoluta, which are similar to those of G. biloba, could induce PD withdrawal more rapidly than those of two distantly related gymnosperms (Pinus thunbergii and Abies firma) or two angiosperms (Paeonia suffruticosa and Orychophragmus violaceus). Furthermore, pollen of G. biloba and C. revoluta submerged immediately when encountering the PD, then sank to the bottom and entered the micropyle. The saccate pollen of P. thunbergii and A. firma submerged into the PD, but remained floating at the top and finally accumulated on the micropyle after PD withdrawal. In contrast, pollen of the angiosperms P. suffruticosa, Salix babylonica, and O. violaceus did not submerge, instead remaining clustered at the edge without entering the PD.ConclusionsWe conclude that PD withdrawal is primarily determined by the dynamic balance between evaporation and ovule secretion, of which pollen is a critical stimulator. When conspecific pollen grains were submerged in the PD, ovule secretion was subsequently terminated and active absorption occurred. These processes cooperated to influence PD withdrawal. In addition, pollen grain behavior within PDs varied dramatically among taxa, and PDs played a role in distinguishing and transporting pollen in G. biloba.

Bursaphelenchus firmae n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), isolated from Monochamus grandis Waterhouse that emerged from dead firs, Abies firma Sieb. et Zucc.

Bursaphelenchus firmae n. sp. is described. This new species was isolated during a field survey of longhorn beetle-associated nematodes. The fourth-stage dispersal (dauer) juveniles of the new species were recovered from dissected bodies (tracheal system) of Monochamus grandis, which emerged from dead logs of Japanese fir, Abies firma, collected from Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan. The new species is mid-sized for the genus, with females 603-828 μm and males 530-698 μm long. Four lateral lines occur on the body surface and seven genital papillae are found in males (P1 ventral single papilla and P2-P4 pairs). A long and arcuate spicule forms a trapezium in lateral view and a rather large, sub-squared, bursal flap and a vulva with conspicuous vulval flap are present. The female tail is smoothly tapered and possesses a conspicuous and blunt mucro. Based upon its diagnostic morphological characters, the new species belongs to the B. xylophilus group of the genus, and is closely related to B. fraudulentus, B. mucronatus, B. doui, B. macromucronatus and B. populi. It is distinguished from these five species by the morphology of the male bursal flap and the female mucro and several morphometric values. Molecular phylogenetic analyses inferred from D2/D3 LSU suggest that the new species is close to B. mucronatus and B. xylophilus, i.e., these three species form a well supported monophyletic clade within the genus. Although the new species has a weak pathogenicity to pine trees, it does not seem to be a severe risk to native pine forests.

Distribution of Decline of Momi fir (Abies firma) in Mountains of Western Tokyo

Distribution of Decline of Momi fir (Abies firma) in Mountains of Western Tokyo

Comparison of climatic effects on radial growth of evergreen broad‐leaved trees at their northern distribution limit and co‐dominating deciduous broad‐leaved trees and evergreen conifers

AbstractUsing dendrochronological techniques, this study examined whether tree‐ring width of two evergreen broad‐leaved species (Cleyera japonica, Eurya japonica) at their inland northern distribution limit in central Japan is more limited by low temperature compared with two co‐dominating deciduous broad‐leaved species (Fagus japonica, Magnolia hypoleuca) and two evergreen conifer species (Chamaecyparis obtusa, Abies firma), whose distribution limits are further north. The two deciduous broad‐leaved species and the two evergreen conifers are tall tree species. Evergreen broad‐leaved Cleyera japonica is a sub‐canopy species and Eurya japonica is a small tree species. The tree‐ring widths of four of the six species (except for Eurya japonica and Magnolia hypoleuca) correlated positively with the March temperature just before the start of the growth period. For deciduous broad‐leaved Magnolia hypoleuca, the tree‐ring width was correlated positively and negatively with July temperature and precipitation, respectively. However, the other deciduous broad‐leaved Fagus japonica showed no such relationships. For the evergreen broad‐leaved Cleyera japonica and evergreen conifers Chamaecyparis obtusa and Abies firma, tree‐ring widths correlated positively with winter temperatures, probably because evergreen species can assimilate during warm winters. The tree‐ring width of Cleyera japonica also correlated positively with temperatures of many months of the growth period. By contrast, the tree‐ring width of the other evergreen broad‐leaved Eurya japonica showed no positive correlation with the temperature in any month. Most Eurya japonica trees were suppressed by tall trees, which might disguise any climate effect. Thus, there were species differences in response to climate for each life form, and the tree‐ring width of Cleyera japonica at the northern distribution limit was more limited by low temperatures compared with co‐dominating species. It is suggested that growth of Cleyera japonica is increased by global warming at the latitudinal ecotone.

Monitoring of tube‐nesting bees and wasps with bamboo tube nest traps of different types in two types of forests in temperate Japan

AbstractTube‐nesting bees and wasps were collected with bamboo tube nest traps in a cherry blossom forest and an old secondary forest in Tama Forest Science Garden in the western suburbs of Tokyo. Curtain type traps, in which bamboo tubes were vertically arranged, attracted more bees and wasps to nests than bundle type traps, in which bamboo tubes were bundled haphazardly. The attractiveness of small tubes was similar between small tube traps, which were only composed of small tubes (about 4 mm in diameter), and size mixture traps, which set small tubes together with larger tubes, indicating that the presence of the larger species did not affect the nesting of small species. In the cherry forest, which was characterized by the sparse distribution of deciduous cherry trees with a thin canopy layer and rich growth of weeds, Megachilidae, Colletidae, Sphecidae and Eumenidae were common. In the shady secondary forest, where evergreen trees (Abies firma Sieb. et Zucc., Quercus glauca Thunb.) and shrubs (Aucuba japonica Thunb., Eurya japonica Thunb., Camellia japonica L.) were prevalent, Pompilidae was abundant. Among five species of Crabronidae recorded in this study, four were collected mostly in the cherry forest, whereas the most abundant, Trypoxylon malaisei Gussakovskij, was also common in the secondary forest. Likewise, Auplopus carbonarius (Scopoli) (Pompilidae) was common in the secondary forest and not rare in the cherry forest. These results suggest that the tube‐nesting bees and wasps can be a good bioindicator for monitoring environment.

モミ丸太より羽化脱出したヒゲナガカミキリより分離された Bursaphelenchus 属線虫

モミ丸太より羽化脱出したヒゲナガカミキリより分離された Bursaphelenchus 属線虫