Planted Tree Species Research Articles

A new index to assess the air quality impact of urban tree plantation

At present, urban planners select tree species for urban plantation based on the size, aerodynamic properties, the aesthetic value of trees and the tree's air pollution tolerance and rank choices based on an anticipated performance index (API). The index does not consider whether the chosen species will aggravate the pollution by emitting highly reactive ozone or secondary aerosol precursors or allergenic pollen. In this study, we introduce a new Air Quality Impact Index (AQII) which ranks choices in a more holistic manner, by taking aerodynamic properties, leaf structure, pollution uptake potential, pollution tolerance, ozone and aerosol precursor emissions, and the pollen allergy impact into account. We demonstrate the advantage of the AQII ranking by evaluating the impact of two species with equally high API that rank on the opposite ends of the AQII scale on urban air quality during summer season. We review the literature to compile a list of 149 species out of 280 tree species, which are commonly considered for urban plantation, for which VOC emissions have been reported. We also compile the allergy potential (107) and air pollution tolerance and calculate the AQII for 98 species, for which sufficient data is available.

Can Wood Ashes of Commonly Planted Tree Species in Ghana be Applied as Fertilizers?

Can Wood Ashes of Commonly Planted Tree Species in Ghana be Applied as Fertilizers?

Natural Advance Regeneration of Native Tree Species in Pinus radiata Plantations of South-Central Chile Suggests Potential for a Passive Restoration Approach

Restoration of natural forests previously replaced by plantations is a widespread challenge for forestry in Chile and elsewhere. However, there is little documented evidence for successful restoration, either through active or passive approaches. In this study, we aimed at (1) determining the potential for passive restoration in first-rotation Pinus radiata plantations through natural regeneration of native tree species and (2) identifying drivers of this advance regeneration. Across different regions in south-central Chile, we established nearly 260 plots to assess regeneration and environmental conditions along 26 transects running from plantations into adjacent natural forests. The regeneration was exclusively composed by native species, except for 7 individuals of P. radiata. Mean density and diversity of seedlings were significantly higher in natural forests than in plantations, but this was not the case for sapling density, and no differences in sapling diversity were supported. Additionally, significant differences in regeneration composition between plantations and natural forests were found only at two of the eight study sites. Compared to climatic and soil chemical variables, which varied mostly at regional scales, local environmental conditions showed little influence on regeneration, possibly due to the structural homogeneity of plantations. Yet, the significantly higher basal area, litter thickness and gap fraction of plantations compared to natural forests suggest that these factors may explain differences at the seedling stage. Our study indicates that the use of appropriate harvesting methods that maintain advance regeneration may facilitate the transition from plantations to native forests through passive restoration. The use this approach should be further investigated through analyzing regeneration’s response to different forms of plantation harvesting.

Effects of Mechanical Site Preparation, Planting Stock, and Planting Aids on the Survival and Growth of American Sycamore in a Marginal Old Field Riparian Restoration

Survival and growth of planted tree species are common indices used to evaluate success of wetland restoration efforts used to compensate for wetland losses. Restoration efforts on marginal agricultural lands have typically resulted in less than satisfactory survival and growth of desired tree species. In an attempt to determine the effects of bottomland hardwood silvicultural methods on the survival and growth of pioneer tree species, this study evaluated combinations of five mechanical site-preparation techniques (mound, bed, rip, disk, pit), four levels of planting stock (gallon, tubeling, bare root, and direct seed), and three planting aids (mat, tube, none) on the four-year survival and growth of American sycamore planted in an old field riparian area in the Piedmont of Virginia. After four growing seasons, results indicated that mounding mechanical site preparation combined with gallon (3.8 L) planting stock provided the most positive influences on mean survival (100%), height (4.72 m), and groundline diameter (9.52 cm), and resulted in the greatest aboveground dry biomass accumulation (5.44 Mg/ha/year). These treatments may be economically viable for restoration and mitigations efforts, and could offer other economic alternatives such as short-rotation woody crops, which might make restoration efforts in marginal old field areas more attractive to private landowners.

Distribution Pattern and Phytosociological Study of Agroforestry Trees in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir, India

This study focuses on distribution pattern, diversity and phytosociology of tree species associated with traditional agroforestry in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Data was collected from fifty quadrats (10×10m) sized thrown randomly in agriculture fields. Twenty six tree species belonging to 16 families and 21 genera were encountered. Grewia optiva, Pyrus persica and Celtis australis were the dominant tree species. Grewia optiva was the most dense tree species 3.88 stem/ha followed by Pyrus persica with 3.74 stem/ha. Buxus wallichiana was recorded as the least dense species (0.82 stem/ha). The study revealed that the area has vast potential sites for the plantation of various agroforestry tree species to solve fuel, fodder and timber. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2020, 6(2): 77-82

Procuring Plant Services for Ecological and Human Well Being

Ecosystem services offered by two native tree species viz. Azadirachta indica, Morinda tinctoria, and four exotic species viz. Tamarindus indica, Prosopis juliflora, Leucaena leucocephala, and Ipomoea carnea in the Mathippanur village of Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India were assessed to augment their valuable ecosystem services and to get the management strategy for sustainable use. The selected plant species provide economic benefit through their products, regulating soil health, sequestering carbon, and supporting nests of animals. However, they cause discomfort to the associated vegetation and human beings. Both native and exotic species play a crucial role in the ecosystem and the removal of exotic species will lead to disturbance in the ecosystem resilience. For sustainable management, mixed plantations of tree species can be raised in barren and fallow lands. The plantations will aid in monetary support to the local inhabitants, people’s participation in resource management and conservation, and effective use of land and tree services.

A Novel Approach to Modelling Stand-Level Growth of an Even-Aged Forest Using a Volume Productivity Index with Application to New Zealand-Grown Coast Redwood

Empirical growth models are widely used to predict the growth and yield of plantation tree species, and the precise estimation of site quality is an important component of these models. The most commonly used proxy for site quality in growth models is Site Index (SI), which describes the mean height of dominant trees at a specified base age. Although SI is widely used, considerable research shows significant site-dependent variation in height for a given volume, with this latter variable more closely reflecting actual site productivity. Using a national dataset, this study develops and describes a stand-level growth and yield model for even-aged New Zealand-grown coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). We used a novel modelling approach that quantifies site quality using SI and a volume-based index termed the 300 Index, defined as the volume mean annual increment at age 30 years for a reference regime of 300 stems ha−1. The growth model includes a number of interrelated components. Mean top height is modelled from age and SI using a polymorphic Korf function. A modified anamorphic Korf function is used to describe tree quadratic mean diameter (Dq) as a function of age, stand density, SI and a diameter site index. As the Dq model includes stand density in its formulation, it can predict tree growth for different stand densities and thinning regimes. The mortality model is based on a simple attritional equation improved through incorporation of the Reineke stand density index to account for competition-induced mortality. Using these components, the model precisely estimates stand-level volume. The developed model will be of considerable value to growers for yield projection and regime evaluation. By more robustly describing the site effect, the growth model provides researchers with an improved framework for quantifying and understanding the causes of spatial and temporal variation in plantation productivity.

Increased nitrogen deposition contributes to plant biodiversity loss in Japan: Insights from long-term historical monitoring data

Atmospheric deposition of reactive nitrogen compounds (Nrs) has been recognized as a threat to plant diversity in terrestrial ecosystems. As a first attempt to investigate the relationship between Nrs deposition and plant diversity loss in Japan, we collected and analyzed the available long-term nationwide monitoring data on annual Nrs deposition and plant (tree) species, and evaluated the relationship between Nrs deposition and plant species loss at corresponding sites. Analyses of the available data showed that the amount of Nrs deposited annually tended to decrease at two monitoring sites (Yusuhara, Hedomisaki) and increase at six monitoring sites across Japan (Rishiri, Sadoseki, Tokyo, Aichi, Oki, and Ogasawara) during the late 1980s to 2011, especially at Aichi (11.8–21.6 kgN·ha−1·yr−1), Tokyo (10.0–23.5 kgN·ha−1·yr−1), Oki (6.63–14.1 kgN·ha−1·yr−1), and Rishiri (4.52–7.82 kgN·ha−1·yr−1). Another long-term study, the Monitoring Sites 1000 Project, investigated the growth of tree species at 20 core sites across Japan during 2004–2012. The sites with higher potential plant diversity loss were close to those sites where Nrs deposition had markedly increased over the 20 years, such as Tokyo, Aichi, and Oki. Analyses of long-term monitoring data for tree species in the Tokyo University Forest in Aichi revealed that 22 of the 273 tree species (8.05%) disappeared during the period of 1990–2010, and twelve out of the 22 lost species were shrub species less than 5 m tall. Although our study obviously has some limitations in quantitatively presenting the relationship between the loss of plant diversity and increased atmospheric Nrs deposition in Japan, our findings provide evidence for this relationship based on analyses of historical nationwide monitoring data. These findings will be useful for establishing N critical loads for Japanese forests.

Effects of intensive human management on the taxonomic and functional diversity of ground beetles in a planted forest landscape

The rapid expansion of planted forests harms native biodiversity. Few studies report the effects of replacing wetlands with planted forests on ground beetles. We analyze how the taxonomic and functional diversity of ground beetles are affected by intensive management of a planted forest landscape in the Lower Delta of the Parana River. We defined six habitat types (n = 3, N = 18): young and mature willow (YW, MW), young and mature poplar without cattle (YP, MP), young and mature silvopastoral poplar (YS, MS). Using pitfall traps (N = 1728), we recorded 35 species (1896 individuals). YW and MS reached the highest taxonomic diversity and richness. YW with more vertical heterogeneity showed higher species richness than MW. Hydrophilic species were more abundant in YW. Zoophagous species were more abundant in MS. YS, MS, and YW reached the highest functional evenness, which implies that a large part of the functional niches was used. Cattle dung and freshwater canals for livestock offer more resources for ground beetles. The planted tree species, stand age, and presence of cattle affects taxonomic and functional diversity of ground beetles. Willow and silvopastoral planted forests are the most suitable habitats for hosting wetland species. So, we recommend using willow species rather than poplar species when planted forests replace fluvial wetlands, increasing irrigation of poplar planted forests through ditches and canals, conserving or restoring different strata of understory to increase vertical heterogeneity, and maintaining the landscape heterogeneity. These management measures are essential to prevent the loss of wetland species and conserve ground beetle’s diversity.

Effects of Different Tree Species Plantations on Soil Bacterial Community Diversity in South Subtropical China

Effects of Different Tree Species Plantations on Soil Bacterial Community Diversity in South Subtropical China

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА И ОСОБЕННОСТИ РОСТОВЫХ ПРОЦЕССОВ ДРЕВЕСНЫХ РАСТЕНИЙ В ЗАСУШЛИВОМ РЕГИОНЕ

The aim of the study is to study the features of the growth processes of woody plants in an arid region to determine the prospects of their use in protective afforestation of sparsely wooded regions. The objects of research are trees and shrubs of bioresource collections of the Federal Scientific Centre of Agroecology, Complex Melioration and Protective Afforestation of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The structure of dendrological collections was revealed according to the growth forms of woody plants (6 groups: 1 - trees; 2 - medium shrubs, 3 - tall, 4 - tall shrubs with thorns, 5 - medium ones with thorns, 6 - low). It has been established that active growth processes take place in a favorable spring season (April) with moisture in the soil (up to 15 ... 17% to absolutely dry mass) and average daily air temperatures - + 15.1 ... 17,6 ºC. The groups of woody plants were distinguished according to the duration and intensity of growth processes: I - with short and intense monocyclic shoot growth (25 ... 37 days; Quercus, Acer, Tilia, Crataegus, Sorbus, Fraxinus, Amygdalus nana) and II - with a long period (40 ... 63 days; Betula, Gleditsia, Robinia, Juglans, Catalpa, Sumbucus, Cotoneaster). The ranking of shrubs by 4 classes of growth was carried out using the example of the Rosaceae family. With sufficient moisture in a dry steppe, growth processes occur intensively at the age of up to 10 ... 15 years. The average longevity of tree species in artificial plantations of the region is 40 ... 50 years, in chestnut soils, and its subtypes - 30 ... 40, with additional moisture increases to 60 ... 70 years (Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur, Pinus sylvestris, Acer platanoides)

The Chromosome-Scale Genome and Methylome of Pinus Tabuliformis and the Evolution of Conifers

Conifers dominate large parts of the world’s forest ecosystems and are the most widely planted tree species. Their huge and highly complex genomes pose great challenges for assembling a complete reference genome for various evolutionary and genomic studies. Here, we present a chromosome-scale genome assembly of Pinus tabuliformis comprising 25.4 gigabases. A total of 80,495 genes were annotated based on massive RNA-seq data from 760 biosamples. These data provides novel insights into conifer unique genomic features and adaptive evolution. We presented the first chromosome-scale methylation maps of huge conifer genome, and revealed a high concordance between TE content and methylation level, yet there was no clear correlation between TE insertion time and the methylation level. These results provide us an unprecedented opportunity to conduct evolutionary and genomics studies on its unique adaptation, developmental and secondary growth, reproductive biology, and genomics-assisted breeding.

What level of native beetle diversity can be supported by forestry plantations? A global synthesis

AbstractForestry plantations have been established globally to meet timber demands, often leading to the conversion of natural to artificial forests. Forestry plantations may support natural elements of forest biodiversity, but understanding their role in the maintenance of biodiversity is a crucial question.We performed a meta‐analysis of 48 studies to determine how forestry plantations relative to natural forests influence the species richness and abundance of three important coleopteran groups (i.e., ground beetles, rove beetles, and dung beetles), given their essential role in ecosystem functioning.We assessed whether beetle responses depended on taxonomic group, geographical location, native or exotic character of the planted tree species, and associated management characteristics (i.e., composition, size, age, and connectivity of the plantations).We found that forestry plantations negatively affected coleopteran species richness and abundance compared to natural forests. The negative impact was most severe in plantations with exotic tree species and located in tropical biomes.Species richness and abundance of beetles significantly increased with plantation age in native plantations but decreased in exotic ones. Also, small plantations close to native forest had higher beetle species richness and abundance than ones located far away from native forest.Stopping the conversion of natural forests to plantations, promoting the use of native tree species, and lengthening rotations are critical for allowing biodiversity recovery in forestry plantations, combined with a robust conservation strategy to protect threatened biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

Different mechanisms underlying the divergent responses of soil respiration components to an introduction of N2-fixer tree species into Eucalyptus plantations

Soil respiration (Rs), primarily rhizospheric (Rr) and heterotrophic respiration (Rh) is an important CO2 efflux from soil to the atmosphere. Previous studies demonstrated that introducing N2- fixing species into plantations could increase soil carbon stock and modify carbon chemical composition by altering microbial community and associated enzymes activities. However, their responses of Rs and its two components (Rr and Rh) remain poorly understood. This study investigated how Rs and its components responded to the introduction of N2-fixer tree species in a subtropical eucalyptus plantation and to further ascertain its underlying mechanisms. We measured Rs and its components (Rr and Rh) and used phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) as bioindicators to study soil microbial communities and activities of four extracellular enzymes as indicators of soil microbial functioning in an 8-year-old pure Eucalyptus urophylla plantation (PP) and an 8-year-old mixed E. urophylla and Acacia mangium (N2-fixer tree species) plantation (MP) in subtropical China. We found that Rs was significantly reduced by approximately 12.5%, with divergent responses of Rr and Rh in the MP. Compared with PP, the Rr decreased by 41.7% and Rh increased by 36.6% in plantation with N2-fixer species. The decreased Rr in the MP was largely associated with a reduction in fine root biomass. In contrast, the increased Rh in the MP was induced by an increase in total microbial biomass, changing the microbial community structure and enhancing the activities of β-1,4-glucosidase. The enzymatic changes were associated with an increase in N availability. Our results indicate that shifts in both biotic and abiotic factors resulting from the introduction of N2-fixer species shaped changes in Rs and its components.

Early Growth of 11 Native and Three Alien Tree Species in Northeastern Mindanao, Philippines

Early growth performances of 11 native tree species were investigated in three different sites in Mindanao, Philippines, to evaluate their adaptability and potential for plantation development. Three alien species were added to assess how native species could potentially compete with these alien species based on survival rate, diameter growth rate (DGR), and height growth rate (HGR). A year after planting, the native species common to all sites that obtained >80% survival rate were Casuarina equisetifolia L. Alstonia macrophylla Wall. ex. G.Don., Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br., and Parkia javanica (Lam.) Merr. and were comparable to an alien species Acacia mangium Willd. The species with the lowest survival rate (30%) across all sites was Duabanga moluccana Blume. Native species P. javanica, Eucalyptus deglupta Blume, and A. macrophylla all had a DGR of 34 mm year−1 and were comparable with the alien species Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) S.F.Blake with 38 mm year−1. However, the HGR of native species E. deglupta (245 cm year−1) and Melia dubia Cav. (230 cm year−1) were higher than an alien species S. parahyba (222 cm year−1). No native species can compete with the DGR (52 mm year−1) and HGR (384 cm year−1) of A. mangium. Rainfall significantly explained 13%–97% of DGR, HGR and survival rate of >70% of the species while air temperature explained about 17%–96% of the variations of similar variables. This early assessment provides a strong basis to better predict the early performances of native species in the Philippines. Through this, appropriate silvicultural intervention can be recommended towards improving the growth and survival of the native seedlings as alternative industrial tree plantation species in the country.

The Tolerance Index for Different Growing Tree Plant Species in Jubail Industrial City, a Polluted Area, KSA

Air pollution is a major risk factor for urban and industrial areas in developing countries...

Urban Tree Growth Characteristics of Four Common Species in South Germany

Urban trees are important, green features of cities. However, knowledge of the size development of frequently planted tree species, which is the basis for modeling environmental benefits of urban trees, is mostly limited. Within this study, allometric relationships for tree structures like tree height, crown parameters, and leaf area were developed for 4 common urban tree species in South Germany (horse chestnut [Aesculus hippocastanum], small-leaved lime [Tilia cordata], black locust [Robinia pseudoacacia], and plane tree [Platanus × hispanica]). Growth and size differences between different tree species, cities, and planting sites (street, park, square) were analyzed. Moreover, the above- and belowground growing conditions were compared and their influences on growth analyzed. Marked differences in the structural development between species were found, mostly due to their species characteristics. Fast growing species (e.g., R. pseudoacacia) also showed fastest development of the tree structures compared to other species. Differences between cities were minor, especially for trees younger than 100 years, whereas the variation of growing conditions within cities strongly influenced their growth. Park trees mostly had greater tree structures compared to trees at other growing sites, though this was also species-dependent. Above- and belowground conditions varied between species, cities, and sites (street, park, square), with obstacles (trees, buildings) south of the trees having a negative influence on crown growth. These patterns can be helpful for better planning of green features in cities. They provide a basis for urban tree management based on the growing space requirements of tree species and their ecosystem service provision.

English

Mycorrhization is known to have beneficial effects on growth vigour and protection against certain pathogens in several plant species including plantains, which has so far been little studied in the Kisangani forest region. This study aimed to determine the importance and biodiversity of mycorrhizae under plantains in the slash-and-burn and non-burn cropping systems. This research was carried out in two experimental sites located at Kisangani region in DR Congo, namely: Simi-Simi and Masako villages. Thus, 96 samples each consisting of the plantain roots and the rhizospheric soil, as well as 4 soil samples were analysed. The mycorrhization rate of the roots was calculated and sporal description to determine the mycorrhizal taxa was carried out. The overall mycorrhization rate was 40.75%. The mycorrhizal spore number was higher in non-burned fields than burned fields. There was no significant difference between the 2 practices at Masako, but the difference was significant at Simi-Simi. Moreover, vigorous plants revealed higher number of spores than non-vigorous plants. There was a significant difference between the two types of plantains. Genera of mycorrhizal spores identified were Glomus (54.96%), Gigaspora (27.84%), Acaulospora (10.50%) and Scutellospora (6.71%). The mycorrhizal sporal numbers significantly varied among plantain cultivars. The presence of tree species in the plantain plantations at high density positively influenced mycorrhization to a small extent. The above sporal genera showed a positive correlation with pH, nitrogen, clay, sand and phosphorus and negatively with organic carbon. These results showed the possibility of isolating high-performance biofertilizing mycorrhizal strains from vigorous plantain crops. Key words: Mycorrhizae, plantain, Kisangani, slash field, burned field, non-burned field.

English

Land degradation affecting the livelihoods of people living in dryland areas, particularly the Sub-Saharan Africa countries like Ethiopia. Degraded land rehabilitation in dryland is a challenging task due to moisture limitation. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil and water conservation structures on growth of planted tree and rehabilitation of indigenous plant species in West Guji Zone, Dugda Dawa District. Four multipurpose tree species (MPTs) namely Faidherbia albida, Melia azedarach, Moringa stenopetala, and Sesbania sesban were planted in four soil and moisture conservation structures (soil level bund, half-moon, trench and normal pit). Data of survival rate, height and diameter growth of planted tree species and, diversity and species richness of indigenous plant species were collected. The survival rate of all planted MPTs species were declining along the study years; however, the survival rate was better under soil level bund and half-moon. Under control treatments, all planted MPTs died at the end of the study period. The height and stem diameter of F. albida, M. azedarach and M. stenopetala were best in soil level bund and half-moon and followed by the trench. Whereas, the growth performance of Sesbania sesban was not significantly different among the three moisture conservation structures. Furthermore, soil moisture conservation structures significantly increased the indigenous plant species regeneration after the intervention. The mean indigenous plant species diversity and richness were significantly highest in half-moon and soil level bund followed by trench and, lowest in Control (normal pit). Thus, the results a potential for alternative forest and soil restoration in arid areas. Key words: Rehabilitation, Land degradation, survival rate,Trees growth, Indigenous plant species diversity, Moisture conservation structures. 

Type of container and Trichoderma spp. inoculation enhance the performance of tree species in enrichment planting

Complementary techniques such as enrichment plantations are used in increasing the diversity of understory of forests undergoing restoration. The choice of suitable species and the development of strategies capable of enhancing the initial establishment of seedlings are crucial for its success. Thus, we aimed to characterize the performance of five native tree species in an enrichment plantation in the extreme south of the Atlantic Forest Biome and identify the effects of substrate volume used in the production of seedlings and Trichoderma spp. inoculation on survival, initial growth, and physiology of planted species. The species used were Cabralea canjerana, Cedrela fissilis, Cordia trichotoma, Erythrina cristagalli, and Luehea divaricata. The experiment was conducted in a 2 × 3 factorial scheme, and the factors are types of containers used in the production of seedlings (180 cm polypropylene tubes and 1500 cm3 polyethylene bags) and three inoculants (control, Trichoderma asperelloides, and Trichoderma harzianum). The seedlings were planted between the lines of mixed plants, in a randomized block design with four replicates. We evaluated survival, the increase in height and diameter of collected seedlings, content of photosynthetic pigments, and the fluorescence of chlorophyll a. The studied species showed satisfactory survival and growth rates at 15 months after planting, indicating that it is able to affect enrichment plantations in areas undergoing restoration in the extreme south of the Atlantic Forest Biome. In enrichment practices, the survival and morphophysiological aspects of the species evaluated were not affected by type of container, suggesting a 180 cm3 polypropylene tube for seedling production. The use of T. asperelloides benefits the physiology and growth of C. canjerana, C. fissilis, and C. trichoma, and is an important tool for enhancing its development in fields.