The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Thomas Scholten - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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spatial distribution of lai and its relationship with throughfall kinetic energy of common tree species in a chinese subtropical Forest plantation
Forest Ecology and Management, 2018Co-Authors: Steffen Seitz, Philipp Goebes, Zhengshan Song, Panpan Zhu, Xuezheng Shi, Meiyan Wang, Karsten Schmidt, Thomas ScholtenAbstract:Abstract The hilly red soil region in southern China is still facing serious soil erosion, even after long-term afForestation projects. This might result from structural shortcomings of the tree species chosen for afForestation. Within the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning China project (BEF China), we used point cloud data from terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) and splash cups to analyze spatial leaf area index (LAI) and to predict the potential of splash erosion in subtropical Forests. High LAI of Lithocarpus glaber and Schima superba was measured mainly at the middle and lower parts of the trees while for Sapindus saponaria it was found at the upper parts. LAI was decreasing from the tree stems to the edges of the canopy. Lognormal and exponential linear models were suitable to describe the vertical and horizontal LAI distribution of selected tree species, respectively. Sapindus saponaria generally had the highest values of throughfall kinetic energy (TKE) among the analyzed tree species and measured rainfall events. In the radial direction, higher LAI tended to produce lower TKE, whereas in the vertical direction, higher skewness of LAI distribution had higher TKE. LAI and its spatial distribution both were important for TKE. These findings can help to understand mechanisms of splash erosion in Forest Plantations related to unsuitable spatial LAI of tree species planted. It might further improve our knowledge how tree diversity may influence splash erosion by enriching the canopy layers in an early successional stage of subtropical Forest Plantations.
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species specific effects on throughfall kinetic energy in subtropical Forest Plantations are related to leaf traits and tree architecture
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Philipp Goebes, Helge Bruelheide, Werner Hardtle, Wenzel Krober, Goddert Von Oheimb, Ying Li, Steffen Seitz, Peter Kuhn, Thomas ScholtenAbstract:Soil erosion is a key threat to many ecosystems, especially in subtropical China where high erosion rates occur. While the mechanisms that induce soil erosion on agricultural land are well understood, soil erosion processes in Forests have rarely been studied. Throughfall kinetic energy (TKE) is influenced in manifold ways and often determined by the tree’s leaf and architectural traits. We investigated the role of species identity in mono-specific stands on TKE by asking to what extent TKE is species-specific and which leaf and architectural traits account for variation in TKE. We measured TKE of 11 different tree species planted in monocultures in a biodiversity-ecosystem-functioning experiment in subtropical China, using sand-filled splash cups during five natural rainfall events in summer 2013. In addition, 14 leaf and tree architectural traits were measured and linked to TKE. Our results showed that TKE was highly species-specific. Highest TKE was found below Choerospondias axillaris and Sapindus saponaria, while Schima superba showed lowest TKE. These species-specific effects were mediated by leaf habit, leaf area (LA), leaf pinnation, leaf margin, stem diameter at ground level (GD), crown base height (CBH), tree height, number of branches and leaf area index (LAI) as biotic factors and throughfall as abiotic factor. Among these, leaf habit, tree height and LA showed the highest effect sizes on TKE and can be considered as major drivers of TKE. TKE was positively influenced by LA, GD, CBH, tree height, LAI, and throughfall amount while it was negatively influenced by the number of branches. TKE was lower in evergreen, simple leaved and dentate leaved than in deciduous, pinnated or entire leaved species. Our results clearly showed that soil erosion in Forest Plantations can be mitigated by the appropriate choice of tree species.
Zhengshan Song - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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spatial distribution of lai and its relationship with throughfall kinetic energy of common tree species in a chinese subtropical Forest plantation
Forest Ecology and Management, 2018Co-Authors: Steffen Seitz, Philipp Goebes, Zhengshan Song, Panpan Zhu, Xuezheng Shi, Meiyan Wang, Karsten Schmidt, Thomas ScholtenAbstract:Abstract The hilly red soil region in southern China is still facing serious soil erosion, even after long-term afForestation projects. This might result from structural shortcomings of the tree species chosen for afForestation. Within the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning China project (BEF China), we used point cloud data from terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) and splash cups to analyze spatial leaf area index (LAI) and to predict the potential of splash erosion in subtropical Forests. High LAI of Lithocarpus glaber and Schima superba was measured mainly at the middle and lower parts of the trees while for Sapindus saponaria it was found at the upper parts. LAI was decreasing from the tree stems to the edges of the canopy. Lognormal and exponential linear models were suitable to describe the vertical and horizontal LAI distribution of selected tree species, respectively. Sapindus saponaria generally had the highest values of throughfall kinetic energy (TKE) among the analyzed tree species and measured rainfall events. In the radial direction, higher LAI tended to produce lower TKE, whereas in the vertical direction, higher skewness of LAI distribution had higher TKE. LAI and its spatial distribution both were important for TKE. These findings can help to understand mechanisms of splash erosion in Forest Plantations related to unsuitable spatial LAI of tree species planted. It might further improve our knowledge how tree diversity may influence splash erosion by enriching the canopy layers in an early successional stage of subtropical Forest Plantations.
Andrés Giménez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Low tortoise abundances in pine Forest Plantations in Forest-shrubland transition areas.
PloS one, 2017Co-Authors: Roberto C. Rodríguez-caro, José D. Anadón, Eva Graciá, C. S. Oedekoven, Stephen T. Buckland, Miguel Ángel Esteve-selma, Julia Martínez, Andrés GiménezAbstract:In the transition between Mediterranean Forest and the arid subtropical shrublands of the southeastern Iberian Peninsula, humans have transformed habitat since ancient times. Understanding the role of the original mosaic landscapes in wildlife species and the effects of the current changes as pine Forest Plantations, performed even outside the Forest ecological boundaries, are important conservation issues. We studied variation in the density of the endangered spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in three areas that include the four most common land types within the species' range (pine Forests, natural shrubs, dryland crop fields, and abandoned crop fields). Tortoise densities were estimated using a two-stage modeling approach with line transect distance sampling. Densities in dryland crop fields, abandoned crop fields and natural shrubs were higher (>6 individuals/ha) than in pine Forests (1.25 individuals/ha). We also found large variation in density in the pine Forests. Recent pine Plantations showed higher densities than mature pine Forests where shrub and herbaceous cover was taller and thicker. We hypothesize that mature pine Forest might constrain tortoise activity by acting as partial barriers to movements. This issue is relevant for management purposes given that large areas in the tortoise's range have recently been converted to pine Plantations.
Philipp Goebes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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spatial distribution of lai and its relationship with throughfall kinetic energy of common tree species in a chinese subtropical Forest plantation
Forest Ecology and Management, 2018Co-Authors: Steffen Seitz, Philipp Goebes, Zhengshan Song, Panpan Zhu, Xuezheng Shi, Meiyan Wang, Karsten Schmidt, Thomas ScholtenAbstract:Abstract The hilly red soil region in southern China is still facing serious soil erosion, even after long-term afForestation projects. This might result from structural shortcomings of the tree species chosen for afForestation. Within the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning China project (BEF China), we used point cloud data from terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) and splash cups to analyze spatial leaf area index (LAI) and to predict the potential of splash erosion in subtropical Forests. High LAI of Lithocarpus glaber and Schima superba was measured mainly at the middle and lower parts of the trees while for Sapindus saponaria it was found at the upper parts. LAI was decreasing from the tree stems to the edges of the canopy. Lognormal and exponential linear models were suitable to describe the vertical and horizontal LAI distribution of selected tree species, respectively. Sapindus saponaria generally had the highest values of throughfall kinetic energy (TKE) among the analyzed tree species and measured rainfall events. In the radial direction, higher LAI tended to produce lower TKE, whereas in the vertical direction, higher skewness of LAI distribution had higher TKE. LAI and its spatial distribution both were important for TKE. These findings can help to understand mechanisms of splash erosion in Forest Plantations related to unsuitable spatial LAI of tree species planted. It might further improve our knowledge how tree diversity may influence splash erosion by enriching the canopy layers in an early successional stage of subtropical Forest Plantations.
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species specific effects on throughfall kinetic energy in subtropical Forest Plantations are related to leaf traits and tree architecture
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Philipp Goebes, Helge Bruelheide, Werner Hardtle, Wenzel Krober, Goddert Von Oheimb, Ying Li, Steffen Seitz, Peter Kuhn, Thomas ScholtenAbstract:Soil erosion is a key threat to many ecosystems, especially in subtropical China where high erosion rates occur. While the mechanisms that induce soil erosion on agricultural land are well understood, soil erosion processes in Forests have rarely been studied. Throughfall kinetic energy (TKE) is influenced in manifold ways and often determined by the tree’s leaf and architectural traits. We investigated the role of species identity in mono-specific stands on TKE by asking to what extent TKE is species-specific and which leaf and architectural traits account for variation in TKE. We measured TKE of 11 different tree species planted in monocultures in a biodiversity-ecosystem-functioning experiment in subtropical China, using sand-filled splash cups during five natural rainfall events in summer 2013. In addition, 14 leaf and tree architectural traits were measured and linked to TKE. Our results showed that TKE was highly species-specific. Highest TKE was found below Choerospondias axillaris and Sapindus saponaria, while Schima superba showed lowest TKE. These species-specific effects were mediated by leaf habit, leaf area (LA), leaf pinnation, leaf margin, stem diameter at ground level (GD), crown base height (CBH), tree height, number of branches and leaf area index (LAI) as biotic factors and throughfall as abiotic factor. Among these, leaf habit, tree height and LA showed the highest effect sizes on TKE and can be considered as major drivers of TKE. TKE was positively influenced by LA, GD, CBH, tree height, LAI, and throughfall amount while it was negatively influenced by the number of branches. TKE was lower in evergreen, simple leaved and dentate leaved than in deciduous, pinnated or entire leaved species. Our results clearly showed that soil erosion in Forest Plantations can be mitigated by the appropriate choice of tree species.
Silong Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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allelochemical mediated soil microbial community in long term monospecific chinese fir Forest Plantations
Applied Soil Ecology, 2015Co-Authors: Zhichao Xia, Chuihua Kong, Longchi Chen, Silong WangAbstract:Abstract Productivity decline of monospecific Forest Plantations has remained a serious problem. Despite increasing knowledge of the problem involved in the build-up of soil-borne pathogens and allelopathy, relatively little is known about tree-derived allelochemicals and their impacts on the soil microbial community and root growth. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine a novel allelochemical cyclic dipeptide in relation to the soil microbial community and phytotoxicity to tree roots in 25-year-old monospecific Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) Forest Plantations. We sampled soils and fine roots in situ and quantified soil cyclic dipeptide, microbial and root characteristics along with their correlation analyses. When compared with soil from a plantation established following removal of natural Forest vegetation, soil from a replanted plantation contained a greater amount of cyclic dipeptide. Furthermore, increased soil potentially pathogenic fungi and reduced root biomass, root surface area and root length density were observed in the replanted Plantations. There were negative relationships among cyclic dipeptide concentration, microbial community composition and root biomass in given Plantations. Phospholipid fatty acid profiling showed that the signature lipid biomarkers of soil bacteria and fungi, and soil microbial community structure were affected under cyclic dipeptide application. Soil degradation dynamics indicated that cyclic dipeptide declined rapidly. The results demonstrated that allelochemical cyclic dipeptide not only had direct phytotoxicity to tree roots but also indirectly altered soil microbial community compositions, suggesting that productivity decline of continuous Chinese fir monocultures may be a negative feedback interaction between allelochemical-mediated soil microbial community and root phytotoxicity.
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ecosystem carbon storage and soil organic carbon stability in pure and mixed stands of cunninghamia lanceolata and michelia macclurei
Plant and Soil, 2013Co-Authors: Qingkui Wang, Silong Wang, Micai ZhongAbstract:Background and aims Across the world, about 264 million ha Forest Plantations are monospecific. This practice has been found to cause site productivity and soil fertility decline in the regions where Forests have been harvested several times. To mitigate these problems, mixed-species Plantations, especially with broadleaved and coniferous species, are preferred. Understanding the effects of introducing broadleaved tree in monospecific coniferous plantation on ecosystem carbon (C) storage and soil organic C (SOC) stability is critical to improve our understanding of Forest C sequestration and C cycle.