Mixed Evergreen Forest Research Articles

Vulnerability of forest vegetation to anthropogenic climate change in China

China has large areas of forest vegetation that are critical to biodiversity and carbon storage. It is important to assess vulnerability of forest vegetation to anthropogenic climate change in China because it may change the distributions and species compositions of forest vegetation. Based on the equilibrium assumption of forest communities across different spatial and temporal scales, we used species distribution modelling coupled with endemics–area relationship to assess the vulnerability of 204 forest communities across 16 vegetation types under different climate change scenarios in China. By mapping the vulnerability of forest vegetation to climate change, we determined that 78.9% and 61.8% of forest vegetation should be relatively stable in the low and high concentration scenarios, respectively. There were large vulnerable areas of forest vegetation under anthropogenic climate change in northeastern and southwestern China. The vegetation of subtropical mixed broadleaf evergreen and deciduous forest, cold-temperate and temperate mountains needleleaf forest, and temperate mixed needleleaf and broadleaf deciduous forest types were the most vulnerable under climate change. Furthermore, the vulnerability of forest vegetation may increase due to high greenhouse gas concentrations. Given our estimates of forest vegetation vulnerability to anthropogenic climate change, it is critical that we ensure long-term monitoring of forest vegetation responses to future climate change to assess our projections against observations. We need to better integrate projected changes of temperature and precipitation into climate-adaptive conservation strategies for forest vegetation in China.

An Ecological Assessment of the Panama Lagoon Complex, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

The Panama lagoon is located in, Ampara District, on the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka. This relatively small brackish water lagoon spans over an area of less than 1.5 km2, but encompasses variety of habitat types ranging from natural and semi-natural habitats to modified habitats by humans, thus performing an important ecological role. Biogeographically, Panama lagoon area falls under floristic regions I and II i.e. Coastal and Marine Belt and Dry and Arid Lowlands. It further belongs to the bioclimatic region B: Dry Zone. Field investigations carried out during the period of August to December, 2015 identified 11 major natural and man-made habitat types, including terrestrial, aquatic and semi-aquatic systems. Natural terrestrial habitats included scrublands, dry mixed evergreen forests, rock outcrop vegetation, and sand dunes. Anthropogenic terrestrial habitats were predominantly represented by chena/crop cultivations and home gardens. Natural wetland habitats included sea shore vegetation, salt marsh, mangrove and lagoon, while paddy fields represented anthropogenic wetland habitats. The plant species recorded included 41 trees, 47 shrubs, 92 herbs, 25 climbers including lianas and epiphytes. Recorded flowering plants included 160 native species (77%) with 2 endemic species (1%). Due to the high human influences on the environment, numerous alien species were found in the terrestrial habitats of the lagoon. There were 43 introduced species (exotics) (20.6%) recorded. Introduced species included 3 invasive alien species and 27 naturalized exotics. Seven (3.36%) nationally threatened plant species were recorded from the area. It includes 4 Nationally Endangered (EN) and 3 Nationally Vulnerable (VU) species. The study site also has 19 Nationally Near-Threatened (NT) species. Rapid faunal assessment undertaken to cover all habitat types in and around the lagoon recorded a total of 242 faunal species. This included 23 mammals, 128 birds, 25 reptiles, 7 amphibians, 35 butterfly species and 23 dragonfly species. Out of the total 242 faunal species recorded, 214 were native to the country (88.4%) while 7 species are listed as endemic (2.9%). There were 14 nationally threatened faunal species recorded in the study area which included 4 mammals, 6 birds, and 4 insect species (butterflies and dragonflies). A considerable area of the lagoon complex has been already subjected to human influences such as agriculture and residential developments, causing substantial threats to lagoon ecological resources. As Panama lagoon is a rich repository of native biodiversity, and an important habitat for migrant birds, it is imperative that the entire system is sustainably managed to achieve a balance between conservation and utilization. Keywords: Panama lagoon, Biodiversity, Dry zone, Floral diversity, Faunal diversity

A Dendroecological Analysis of Forest Dynamics for Old-GrowthAbies-Tsuga-Quercuson the Boso Peninsula, Southeastern Japan

This study investigated the composition, age- and size-structure, and tree-ring relationships for an old-growth, warm-temperate, mixed-evergreen forest at the University of Tokyo Chiba Forest, Japan. A total of 32 tree species were recorded, which was dominated by Abies firma and Quercus acuta. Tsuga sieboldii dominated the recruitment after 1850, followed by Abies firma. After 1920, many individuals of Castanopsis, Cinnamomum, Cleyera and Quercus became established. The temporal pattern of conifer recruitment did not correspond to the record of strong wind events. Basal area increment in Abies firma and Castanopsis sieboldii trees increased throughout their lives, a trend not seen in the ring width index. Mean annual temperature was below the 100-year mean between 1920 and 1940 and 1960–1980, but increased rather abruptly after 1980. Mean annual precipitation decreased after 1960. Tree-ring releases are very common at the study forest, which are indicative of frequent small to moderate-sized disturbances. At least one release was recorded in every decade from 1890 to the present day, which is likely the primary causal factor promoting tree growth and recruitment. Our results suggest that early logging activities coupled with natural disturbances had a great influence on the developmental process and current structure of the study stand and that tree growth is varying in a manner consistent with forest dynamics.

Wood selection for firesetting: First data from the Neolithic cinnabar mine of Spaccasasso (South Tuscany, Italy)

This paper presents the preliminary results of the analysis of charcoal remains from the Neolithic cinnabar mine of Spaccasasso. Cinnabar is a mineral that was used as a pigment by different cultures worldwide since the Neolithic period. Firesetting was one of the most common mining techniques used for breaking rock to extract ores and minerals from prehistoric times up to the invention of explosives. Anatomical identification of the fuelwood used for mining provides important information about ancient mining techniques. The results show a preference for the use of Erica as a fuelwood, associated with evergreen and deciduous oaks. These data are coherent with the pollen records from nearby sites on the Thyrrenian coast that show the dominance of a mixed deciduous and evergreen oak forest with elements of maquis shrubland. These results are preliminarily discussed considering the heat values and the physiological state of the most common Mediterranean fuelwoods. They suggest a fuelwood selection based on the empiric knowledge of which woody plants serve as the best fuel for firesetting by Late Neolithic Populations.

Meteorological factors associated with abundance of airborne fungal spores over natural vegetation

The abundance of airborne fungal spores in agricultural and urban settings increases with greater air temperature, relative humidity, or precipitation. The same meteorological factors that affect temporal patterns in spore abundance in managed environments also vary spatially across natural habitats in association with differences in vegetation structure. Here we investigated how temporal and spatial variation in aerial spore abundance is affected by abiotic (weather) and biotic (vegetation) factors as a foundation for predicting how fungi may respond to changes in weather and land-use patterns. We measured the phenology of airborne fungal spores across a mosaic of naturally occurring vegetation types at different time scales to describe (1) how spore abundance changes over time, (2) which local meteorological variables are good predictors for airborne spore density, and (3) whether spore abundance differs across vegetation types. Using an air volumetric vacuum sampler, we collected spore samples at 3-h intervals over a 120-h period in a mixed-evergreen forest and coastal prairie to measure diurnal, nocturnal, and total airborne spore abundance across vegetation types. Spore samples were also collected at weekly and monthly intervals in mixed-evergreen forest, redwood forest, and maritime chaparral vegetation types from 12 field sites across two years. We found greater airborne spore densities during the wetter winter months compared to the drier summer months. Mean total spore abundance in the mixed-evergreen forest was twice than in the coastal prairie, but there were no significant differences in total airborne spore abundance among mixed-evergreen forest, redwood forest, and maritime chaparral vegetation types. Weekly and monthly peaks in airborne spore abundance corresponded with rain events and peaks in soil moisture. Overall, temporal patterns in meteorological factors were much more important in determining airborne fungal spore abundance than the vegetation type. This suggests that overall patterns of fungal spore dynamics may be predictable across heterogeneous landscapes based on local weather patterns.

A dataset of species composition in a typical subtropical mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest (2001)

A dataset of species composition in a typical subtropical mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest (2001)

The dynamic response of forest vegetation to hydrothermal conditions in the Funiu Mountains of western Henan Province

This paper uses HJ-1 satellite multi-spectral and multi-temporal data to extract forest vegetation information in the Funiu Mountain region. The S-G filtering algorithm was employed to reconstruct the MODIS EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index) time-series data for the period of 2000–2013, and these data were correlated with air temperature and precipitation data to explore the responses of forest vegetation to hydrothermal conditions. The results showed that: (1) the Funiu Mountain region has relatively high and increasing forest coverage with an average EVI of 0.48 over the study period, and the EVI first shows a decreasing trend with increased elevation below 200 m, then an increasing trend from 200–1700 m, and finally a decreasing trend above 1700 m. However, obvious differences could be identified in the responses of different forest vegetation types to climate change. Broad-leaf deciduous forest, being the dominant forest type in the region, had the most significant EVI increase. (2) Temperature in the region showed an increasing trend over the 14 years of the study with an anomaly increasing rate of 0.27°C/10a; a fluctuating yet increasing trend could be identified for the precipitation anomaly percentage. (3) Among all vegetation types, the evergreen broad-leaf forest has the closest EVI-temperature correlation, whereas the mixed evergreen and deciduous forest has the weakest. Almost all forest types showed a weak negative EVI-precipitation correlation, except the mixed evergreen and deciduous forest with a weak positive correlation. (4) There is a slight delay in forest vegetation responses to air temperature and precipitation, with half a month only for limited areas of the mixed evergreen and deciduous forest.

喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林土壤磷钾养分空间异质性

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林土壤磷钾养分空间异质性 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201611182348 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家重点研发计划（2016YFC0502405）；国家自然科学基金项目（31370485，31370623，31400412，31460135）；广西科技惠民项目（桂科转1599001-6）；广西重点研发计划（桂科AB16380255）；湖南省研究生科研创新项目（CX2015B231）；广西特聘专家项目 Spatial heterogeneity of soil phosphorus and potassium in a mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest in karst region of southwest China Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:在木论国家级自然保护区内喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林内建立500 m×500 m长期监测样地，采用经典统计学和地统计学方法研究喀斯特森林土壤磷钾养分含量及其空间变异特征。结果表明：研究区土壤全磷（TP）、全钾（TK）、速效磷（AP）、速效钾（AK）含量分别为（1.60±0.76）g/kg、（5.42±2.74）g/kg、（5.74±3.63）mg/kg、（5.20±2.96）mg/kg；磷钾养分含量均为中等变异，变异强度为AP > AK > TK > TP。研究区土壤TP、TK、AP、AK变异函数值的最佳拟合模型均为指数模型，决定系数均很高（0.671-0.995），TP、AP呈中等强度空间自相关，TK、AK呈弱空间自相关。TP、AP的变程较长，分别为336.00 m和373.50 m，空间连续性较好，TK、AK变程较短（33.30 m、64.50 m），空间依赖性较强。土壤TP表现为坡下（含洼地）含量高，坡上含量较低；AK表现为坡中含量高于洼地含量；AP、TK呈斑块破碎化分布。海拔、坡度和地面凹凸度是土壤磷钾养分空间异质性的主要影响因素。喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林土壤磷钾养分存在不同空间异质性和空间关联性，这为小流域尺度上土壤养分管理、可持续利用策略、喀斯特退化生态系统生态恢复提供理论依据。 Abstract:The availability of soil nutrients, e.g. phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), and their spatial distribution are key factors controlling plant growth, community development, and ecosystem restoration. Karst is one of the main fragile habitat zones in China. In this study, we examined the soil P and K and their spatial heterogeneity in a 500 m×500 m long-term monitoring forest plot in the Mulun National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, using classical statistics and geostatistics methods. The results showed that the average contents of total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK) in the studied area were (1.60 ±0.76) g/kg, (5.42 ±2.74) g/kg, (5.74 ±3.63) mg/kg, and (5.20 ±2.96) mg/kg, respectively. The variability of soil P and K at a moderate intensity level, and the order of which was AP > AK > TK > TP. Exponential model was best-fitted for the semivariogram of soil TP, TK, AP and AK, and the coefficients of determination are very high, ranging from 0.671 to 0.995. The contents of TP and AP showed moderate spatial autocorrelation, which indicated that the variations were caused by structural variation and random factors, whereas TK and AK had weak spatial autocorrelation. TP and AP had a relatively long autocorrelation distance (336.00 m and 373.50 m, respectively), indicating a relatively good spatial continuity. The autocorrelation distances of TK and AK (33.30 m and 64.50 m, respectively) were shorter than those of TP and AP, suggesting a strong spatial dependence. The distribution of TP in the soil was high on the toe slope (including depressions) and low on the upslope. AK content was higher on the slope than in depression. In addition, both AP and TK had patchy distributions. Elevation, slope, and convex topography were the main factors determining the spatial heterogeneity of soil P and K. Overall, soil P and K showed different patterns for spatial heterogeneity and spatial correlation in karst mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest, which provides a reference for site-specific soil nutrients management and designing strategies for ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems in the karst region. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Controls over leaf litter decomposition in a mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest, Central China

Our understanding of the determinants of leaf litter decomposition is lacking for mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forests compared with tropical and temperate forests. This study aimed to assess the relative importance of litter properties, climate and soil on decomposition in a mixed above-mentioned forest in a transitional zone, central China. We utilized leaf litter from seven canopy tree species in conjunction with a transplant litterbag experiment along an elevational gradient over three years by measuring decomposition rate. Initial leaf litter nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) as well as C:P were robust predictors of leaf litter decomposition. Mg was the single best predictor of leaf litter decomposition across all species. Soil moisture and air temperature could predict leaf litter decomposition very well across the elevational gradient. The explanatory power of elevation-related variables (27.75 %) was much lower than that of species-related variables (38.97 %). More nutrients such as Mg than N and P commonly used in proposed indices should be taken into account when evaluating the decomposability of leaf litter. Tree species identity is the most important determinant of leaf litter decomposition in this target transitional mixed forest. Therefore, shifts in tree species composition may influence leaf litter decomposition rates more than changes in site conditions under the context of future climate change.

Mixing litter from deciduous and evergreen trees enhances decomposition in a subtropical karst forest in southwestern China

In the karst region of southwestern China, mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest is typical vegetation, differing remarkably from the evergreen broad-leaved forest developed in non-karst regions in the same latitudinal zone. Litter input from deciduous trees influences the characteristics of the litter layer, which could affect decomposition dynamics. We evaluated the role of deciduous trees in regulating the decomposition of mixed leaf litter in a karst forest. Four species richness treatments (one, two, four and six species) were designed to evaluate the decomposition rates of litter mixtures for two years. The ratio of deciduous to evergreen species numbers was 1:1 in all mixtures. Litter mass loss was positively correlated with initial nitrogen concentrations and negatively correlated with carbon:nitrogen ratios, suggesting that mass loss was controlled by nitrogen concentration of the litter mixture. Litter mixing accelerated the mass loss by 5.0% and enhanced nutrient release by 4.8%–26.2% for different elements. Synergistic effects in the four-species mixture were usually strongest and increased over time. Although individual litter species within the mixtures showed idiosyncratic responses to litter species richness, mixing effects enhanced decomposition of evergreen litter species more than deciduous species. This study suggests that species composition was more important than species richness in driving non-additive effects on decomposition in this forest. Deciduous trees in karst ecosystems significantly contribute to nutrient cycling, through enhancing the decomposition of evergreen leaf litter.

Cardamine kuankuoshuiense (Brassicaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China

A new species of the genus Cardamine Linn.(Brassicaceae), Cardamine kuankuoshuiense M. T. An, Yun Lin & Y. B. Yang is described, illustrated and photographed from Suiyang County, Guizhou Province, SW China. This species was found growing on damp precipice or between moist rock crevices in evergreen broad-leaved forests or mixed needle-leaved and evergreen broad-leaved forests in carst mountains at altitudes of 1400–1430 m. The new species is related to both Cardamine griffithii J. D. Hook. & Thomson and Cardamine multijuga Franch., but differs from both of them by herbs 15–25 cm tall, scapose, with a few stolons, stems terete, cauline leaves absent.

When Big Data are Too Much: Effects of LiDAR Returns and Point Density on Estimation of Forest Biomass

Analysis of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data is becoming a mainstream approach to mapping forest biomass and carbon stocks across heterogeneous landscapes. However, large volumes of multireturn high point-density LiDAR data continue to pose challenges for large-area assessments. We are beginning to learn when and where point density can be reduced (or aggregated), but little is known regarding the degree to which multireturn data—at varying levels of point density—improve estimates of forest biomass. In this study, we examined the combined effects of LiDAR returns and data reduction on field-measured estimates of aboveground forest biomass in deciduous and mixed evergreen forests in an urbanized region of North Carolina, USA. We extracted structural metrics using first returns only, all returns, and rarely used laser pulse first returns from reduced point densities of LiDAR data. We statistically analyzed relationships between the field-measured biomass and LiDAR-derived variables for each return type and point-density combination. Overall, models using first return data performed only slightly better than models that utilized multiple returns. First-return models and multiple-return models at one percent point density resulted in 14% and 11% decrease in the amount of explained variation, respectively, compared to models with 100% point density. In addition, variance of modeled biomass across all point densities and return models was statistically similar to the field-measured biomass. Taken together, these results suggest that LiDAR first returns at reduced point density provide sufficient data for mapping urban forest biomass and may be an effective alternative to multireturn data.

A new species of <i>Polygonatum</i> Mill. (Asparagaceae) from Guizhou, China

A new species Polygonatum sinopubescens from Yinjiang County, Guizhou Province, South-west China is described and illustrated. This species was found growing in evergreen broad-leaved forests or mixed needle-leaved and evergreen broad-leaved forests on slopes at altitudes of 870-930 m. It is related to Polygonatum filipes Merr. ex C. Jeffrey & Mc Ewan, but differs from the latter by pubescent stems, petiole, peduncle and pedicel, leaf blade shortly dense pubescent on abaxial surface, 2-3-flowered inflorescences and filaments 7-11 mm long.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23(1): 7-11, 2016 (June)

Subtle Ecological Gradient in the Tropics Triggers High Species-Turnover in a Local Geographical Scale.

Our perception of diversity, including both alpha- and beta-diversity components, depends on spatial scale. Studies of spatial variation of the latter are just starting, with a paucity of research on beta-diversity patterns at smaller scales. Understanding these patterns and the processes shaping the distribution of diversity is critical to describe this diversity, but it is paramount in conservation too. Here, we investigate the diversity and structure of a tropical community of herbivorous beetles at a reduced local scale of some 10 km2, evaluating the effect of a small, gradual ecological change on this structure. We sampled leaf beetles in the Núi Chúa National Park (S Vietnam), studying changes in alpha- and beta-diversity across an elevation gradient up to 500 m, encompassing the ecotone between critically endangered lowland dry deciduous forest and mixed evergreen forest at higher elevations. Leaf beetle diversity was assessed using several molecular tree-based species delimitation approaches (with mtDNA cox1 data), species richness using rarefaction and incidence-based diversity indexes, and beta-diversity was investigated decomposing the contribution of species turnover and nestedness. We documented 155 species in the area explored and species-richness estimates 1.5–2.0x higher. Species diversity was similar in both forest types and changes in alpha-diversity along the elevation gradient showed an expected local increase of diversity in the ecotone. Beta-diversity was high among forest paths (average Sørensen's dissimilarity = 0.694) and, tentatively fixing at 300 m the boundary between otherwise continuous biomes, demonstrated similarly high beta-diversity (Sørensen's dissimilarity = 0.581), with samples clustering according to biome/elevation. Highly relevant considering the local scale of the study, beta-diversity had a high contribution of species replacement among locales (54.8%) and between biomes (79.6%), suggesting environmental heterogeneity as the dominant force shaping diversity at such small scale, directly and indirectly on the plant communities. Protection actions in the Park, especially these addressed at the imperative conservation of dry forest, must ponder the small scale at which processes shape species diversity and community structure for inconspicuous, yet extraordinarily diverse organisms such as the leaf beetles.

Modelling interception loss using the revised Gash model: a case study in a mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaved forest in China

AbstractInterception loss accounts for a substantial portion of incident precipitation and evapotranspiration in forest ecosystems. Hence, identifying its magnitude is crucial for our understanding of biogeochemical cycling and related hydrological processes. In this study, gross rainfall partitioning into interception loss, throughfall and stemflow were measured and modelled using the revised Gash model for a mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaved forest over the 2014 growing season. Field survey results revealed that interception loss accounted for 14.3% of gross rainfall, while understory rainfall was 84.8% throughfall and 0.9% stemflow. The revised Gash model produced a fairly good agreement between observed and estimated rainfall partitioning. The model underestimated interception loss by only 6.6%, while throughfall and stemflow were also slightly misestimated. Hence the interception loss predictions from the model were robust and reliable for this mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaved forest. As quantified by the model, the vast majority of interception loss occurred as evaporation from the canopy under saturated conditions: 54.9% evaporated during rainfall events, and 38.3% after rainfall ceased. The sensitivity analysis indicated that predictions from the revised Gash model were most affected by changes in canopy storage capacity (S), followed by the mean evaporation rate (Ē) during rainfall events, the mean rainfall rate ( ) and last canopy cover (c). Model predictions were least sensitive to trunk parameters (St and pt). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Wildfire and forest disease interaction lead to greater loss of soil nutrients and carbon.

Fire and forest disease have significant ecological impacts, but the interactions of these two disturbances are rarely studied. We measured soil C, N, Ca, P, and pH in forests of the Big Sur region of California impacted by the exotic pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, cause of sudden oak death, and the 2008 Basin wildfire complex. In Big Sur, overstory tree mortality following P. ramorum invasion has been extensive in redwood and mixed evergreen forests, where the pathogen kills true oaks and tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus). Sampling was conducted across a full-factorial combination of disease/no disease and burned/unburned conditions in both forest types. Forest floor organic matter and associated nutrients were greater in unburned redwood compared to unburned mixed evergreen forests. Post-fire element pools were similar between forest types, but lower in burned-invaded compared to burned-uninvaded plots. We found evidence disease-generated fuels led to increased loss of forest floor C, N, Ca, and P. The same effects were associated with lower %C and higher PO4-P in the mineral soil. Fire-disease interactions were linear functions of pre-fire host mortality which was similar between the forest types. Our analysis suggests that these effects increased forest floor C loss by as much as 24.4 and 21.3% in redwood and mixed evergreen forests, respectively, with similar maximum losses for the other forest floor elements. Accumulation of sudden oak death generated fuels has potential to increase fire-related loss of soil nutrients at the region-scale of this disease and similar patterns are likely in other forests, where fire and disease overlap.

Inter- and intra-specific variation in stemflow for evergreen species and deciduous tree species in a subtropical forest

Quantification of stemflow is necessary for the assessment of forest ecosystem hydrological effects. Nevertheless, variation of stemflow among plant functional groups is currently not well understood. Stemflow production of co-occurring evergreen broadleaved trees (Cyclobalanopsis multinervis and Cyclobalanopsis oxyodon) and deciduous broadleaved trees (Fagus engleriana and Quercus serrata var. brevipetiolata) was quantified through field observations in a mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaved forest. The research results revealed that stemflow increased linearly with increasing rainfall magnitude, with precipitation depths of 6.9, 7.2, 10.0 and 14.8 mm required for the initiation of stemflow for C. multinervis, C. oxyodon, F. engleriana and Q. serrata, respectively. Stemflow percentage and funneling ratio (FR) increased with increasing rainfall in a logarithmic fashion. Stemflow percentage and FR tended to grow rapidly with increasing rainfall magnitude up to a rainfall threshold of 50 mm, above which, further rainfall increases brought about only small increases. For C. multinervis, C. oxyodon, F. engleriana and Q. serrata, FR averaged 19.8, 14.8, 8.9 and 2.8, respectively. The stemflow generating rainfall thresholds for evergreen species were smaller than for deciduous species. Furthermore, stemflow percentage and FR of the former was greater than the latter. For both evergreen species and deciduous species, overall funneling ratio (FRs) decreased with increasing basal area. We concluded that: (1) although stemflow partitioning represented a fairly low percentage of gross rainfall in mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaved forests, it was capable of providing substantial amount of rainwater to tree boles; (2) the evergreen species were more likely to generate stemflow than deciduous species, and directed more intercepted rainwater to the root zone; (3) small trees were more productive in funneling stemflow than larger trees, which may provide a favorable condition for the survival and growth of small trees when competing with larger trees.

Tanoak (<i>Notholithocarpus densiflorus</i>) Coarse Root Morphology: Prediction Models for Volume and Biomass of Individual Roots

Descriptions of tree root morphology inform design of belowground biomass and carbon inventories and sampling for research. We studied root morphology of tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus), an important component in mixed evergreen forests of California and Oregon, USA. Tanoak re-sprouts from belowground lignotubers after disturbances, and stores an unknown amount of carbon in coarse roots underground. We sought to ascribe explanatory nomenclature to roots’ morphological features and to identify models describing tanoak root morphology. Twelve tanoak root systems were excavated, dissected, and measured. Roots tapered according to their circumference and location. Larger roots closer to the lignotuber (located at the base of the tree stem) tapered more rapidly per unit of length. Tanoak roots forked frequently. Root cross-sectional area was preserved after forking events (i.e., the sum of cross-sectional areas for smaller roots on one side of the fork correlated with the adjoining large root). Occurrence and quantity of root branches (small roots branching laterally from larger roots) was dependent upon length of the source root segment. Our models of tanoak root morphology are designed to be organized together to estimate biomass of any segment or collection of lateral roots (e.g., roots lost/missed during excavation, or in lieu of destructive sampling), given root diameter at a known distance from the lignotuber. The taper model gives distal- and proximal-end diameters for calculation of volume for segments of root tapering between forks. Frequency of forking and branching can also be predicted. Summing the predicted mass of each lateral root segment, branch, and forked segment would produce an estimate of mass for a contiguous network of lateral roots.

Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus Horsfield, 1821 (Ciconiiformes: Ciconiidae) in the dry lowlands of Sri Lanka: distribution, ecology, and threats

<p>The<strong> </strong>Lesser Adjutant <em>Leptoptilos javanicus</em> is a globally threatened species of stork; in Sri Lanka, it is a scarce resident breeder, and the largest bird in the country, yet the population status and ecology of the species is poorly understood. This study tracks the stork’s spatial distribution and habitat use within the island, along with aspects of its ecology. Data was collected via field sampling and questionnaire surveys, over a period of five years across the lowlands of the country. The bird was observed 184 times, with numbers per sighting ranging from 1–17 individuals. The species’ distribution was restricted to dry lowlands (rainfall <2200mm, elevation <300m). The bird showed preference for savannah/woody savannahs, dry mixed evergreen forests, permanent wetlands, and croplands, and was prominently found within protected areas. Lesser Adjutants were generally solitary, except in the driest months of the year (i.e., August–September and March–April), which are probably the two breeding periods of the bird in Sri Lanka. Except for an abandoned nest, no active nest was found. Habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, agricultural intensification, and development projects were identified as potential threats faced by the species, which varied in magnitude across the country.</p><div> </div>

Mahseers genera Tor and Neolissochilus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from southern Vietnam.

Two new species and two new basin records of mahseers in the genera Tor and Neolissochilus are described from the upper Krong No and middle Đồng Nai drainages of the Langbiang Plateau in southern Vietnam. These new species and new records are known from streams and rivers in montane mixed pine and evergreen forests between 140 and 1112 m. Their populations are isolated in the Sre Pok River of the Mekong basin, the middle of the Đồng Nai basin, and the An Lão River. Both new species are differentiated from their congeners by a combination of the following characters: 23-24 lateral scales, 9-10 predorsal scales, 2/7 or 1/8 pelvic-fin rays, mouth position, median lobe of lower lip, rostral hood, colour in life and by divergent mitochondrial DNA. Tor mekongensis sp. nov. is differentiated from Tor dongnaiensis sp. nov. by the number of transverse scale rows (3/1/2 vs. 4/1/2), number of pelvic-fin rays (2/7 vs. 1/8), a blunt rostral hood vs. pointed, caudal-fin lobes that are equal vs. unequal, and by mitochondrial DNA (0.7% sequence divergence). Molecular evidence identifies both species as members of the genus Tor and distinct from all congeners sampled (uncorrected sequence divergences >1.9% for all Tor species for which homologous COI sequences are available). Tor sinensis is recorded in the Krong No and the Sre Pok rivers, further south of its known distribution. Polymorphism is described in Neolissochilus stracheyi with a Tor-like morph and a Neolissochilus-like morph.