ALBERT

Beschreibung:    We studied the effects of climatic factors on tree-ring width and vessel lumen area (VLA) in earlywood of English oak ( Quercus robur L.) in Latvia. Cores were obtained from healthy canopy oaks in 40 stands located across Latvia. Tree-ring widths and VLA were measured. Principal component analysis was used to arrange the sites along gradients of response of tree-ring width and earlywood to environmental factors. Significant relationships of tree-ring width and mean VLA with climatic factors (mean monthly temperature and precipitation sum) were determined by correlation analysis. Relationships between tree-ring, early- and latewood widths were tested in three sampled stands. The patterns of response of VLA and tree-ring width to environmental factors differed in relation to a west–east gradient of increasing continentality. Three regions of Latvia (western, central and eastern) were distinguished along this gradient. Responses to climate differed between tree-ring width and mean VLA. Occurrence of significant correlations between climatic factors and the proxies differed between regions, likely due to regional differences in temperature and precipitation. Tree-ring width correlated with climatic factors (most commonly with March, May and June temperature and August precipitation of the current growing season and July–August temperatures of the previous growing season); VLA was more strongly related to climatic factors, particularly with temperature in winter and spring months. The proportion of significant correlation coefficients with climatic factors differed between the regions. Among sites, significant correlation of tree-ring width with temperature in spring and summer was more frequent in the western region, while correlation with winter temperature of the previous growing season and precipitation in August was more frequent in the eastern region. For VLA, the frequency of significant correlation coefficients with temperature in winter and spring was higher in the eastern region. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0701-z Authors Roberts Matisons, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Kronvalda bulv.4, Riga, LV-1010 Latvia Guntis Brūmelis, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Kronvalda bulv.4, Riga, LV-1010 Latvia Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Stem CO 2 efflux ( E S ) is an important component of forest ecosystem carbon budgets and net ecosystem CO 2 exchange, but little is known about E S in temperate forests in Northeastern China, an area with a large extent of forest. We measured E S along with stem temperature at 1 cm depth ( T s) over a 9 month period in 2007 on ten dominant tree species of secondary forests of the region. Other measurements included the autotrophic component of soil CO 2 efflux ( E A ) and stem diameter at breast height (DBH). Our objectives were to (1) examine the seasonal patterns and species differences in E S , and (2) determine the correlations between E S and T s, DBH and E A . Mean E S for the measurement period ranged from 1.09 to 1.74 μmol CO 2  m −2  s −1 among the ten species. The sensitivity of E S to T s ( Q 10 ) ranged from 1.87 to 2.61. Across the ten species 57–89% of variation in E S was explained by T S and DBH. There was also a linear relationship between mean E S and E A . E S was better predicted by T s in the dormant season than the growing season, indicating that additional factors such as growth respiration and internal transport of CO 2 in the xylem became more important contributors to E S during the growing season. Stem CO 2 efflux increased, and Q 10 decreased, with increasing DBH in all species. Although temperature exerts strong control on the rate of cellular respiration, we conclude that in tree stems in situ, T S , DBH and many other factors affect the relationship between CO 2 evolution by respiring cells and the diffusion of CO 2 to the stem surface. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0698-3 Authors J. Y. Yang, Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040 China R. O. Teskey, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602 USA C. K. Wang, Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040 China Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    We analyzed the leaf phenology of European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) and its variation due to spatial and temporal climatic variability, using a modified data set of the phenological network in Slovenia. We used first leaf unfolding (LU) and general leaf colouring (LC) time series of 47 sites (altitudes from 55 to 1,050 m a.s.l.) and corresponding climate series (52 of precipitation and 38 of temperature) for the period 1955–2007, collected by the Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia. Across the network in average, LU occurred from 14 April until 13 May, and LC from 3 October until 29 October. LU was delayed by 2.6 days and LC was promoted by 1.9 days when the altitude increased by 100 m. Year-to-year variation of LU was significantly correlated with March and April temperatures. March temperatures had a greater effect at lower elevations and April ones at higher elevations. LC was related to August and September temperatures, and occurred later if the temperatures were higher. Recently, March and April temperatures showed an increasing trend and LU occurred 1.52 days earlier per decade at 1,000 m a.s.l. but no significant shifts were observed at lower altitudes. August temperatures were also increasing but the trends of LC were not significant and were not clearly related to altitude. Our detailed sub-regional data from a relatively small area with high geographic variability showed that changes in climate affect phenological response, mainly leaf unfolding, to a greater degree at higher altitudes than at lower ones. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0686-7 Authors Katarina Čufar, Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Rožna Dolina, Cesta VIII/34, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Martin De Luis, Department of Geography, University of Zaragoza, y O.T. C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain Miguel Angel Saz, Department of Geography, University of Zaragoza, y O.T. C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain Zalika Črepinšek, Agronomy Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Lučka Kajfež-Bogataj, Agronomy Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Tsuga canadensis is often considered a foundation species because of its influence on the biological and ecological processes of upland forest systems. With hemlock woolly adelgid ( Adelges tsugae ; HWA)-induced mortality of T. canadensis in southern Appalachian upland forests, there is a crucial need to understand the regeneration dynamics of this tree species. This research was conducted within mature T. canadensis forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) prior to widespread HWA infestation. Tsuga canadensis regeneration abundance is lower than has been reported in more northern locales, but varies widely among sites in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Ordination results suggest landscape-scale patterns of regeneration abundance that are influenced by gradients in understory Rhododendron maximum cover, soil sand and nutrient content. Regression models reinforce the observed gradients in regeneration abundance. Sites with abundant T. canadensis regeneration have less R. maximum cover, soil sand and litter depth, but more soil nutrient availability. Tsuga canadensis seedlings and saplings tend to be spatially aggregated at the 14 × 21 m plot scale. Sites with spatially aggregated seedlings and saplings have greater canopy openness and more species with gap affinity. This research elucidates associations between successful T. canadensis regeneration and site factors such as soil nutrient availability and canopy dynamics. More forest surveys are required to understand the conditions necessary for successful T. canadensis regeneration. Land managers involved in forest restoration efforts may have to utilize appropriate silvicultural techniques conjoined with R. maximum removal operations to regenerate T. canadensis in southern Appalachian upland forests. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0681-z Authors Joshua A. Kincaid, Environmental Studies Department, Shenandoah University, 1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601, USA Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    To contribute to a deeper understanding of interspecific relations between wood and tree size variables, 23 angiosperm tree species in two East African rain forests were investigated. The tree size variables were maximum tree height, maximum diameter, and maximum crown area. Wood was analyzed in regard of the physical variables specific gravity, water and gas fraction as well as the chemical variables carbon content and nitrogen content. All three tree size variables showed a significantly positive relation to each other. The wood physical variables showed negative correlations between the gas fraction and both specific gravity and the water fraction. Also positive relations were found between the water fraction and nitrogen content and between wood specific gravity and carbon content. Between tree size and wood physical variables, the gas fraction showed positive relations to both maximum tree height and diameter, while wood specific gravity was negatively related to maximum tree height and diameter. No significant correlations were found between the wood physical variables and the maximum crown area. Relationships among tree size variables can be explained by static constraints, while relations between the wood physical variables can be explained by a trade-off underlying structure and survival to support the species specific life strategy and tree architecture. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0687-6 Authors Gabriel Sebastian Becker, Institute of Botany, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany Désirée Braun, Institute of Botany, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany Robert Gliniars, Institute of Botany, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany Helmut Dalitz, Institute of Botany, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Afforestation and reforestation activities enjoy a prominent place on the policy agenda as potential tools to sequester carbon and for biomass production to mitigate climate change and restoring marginal lands. Two provenances (1 from Turkey and 1 from Lebanon) of the species Cedrus libani A. Rich. and two provenances (1 from Morocco and 1 from France) of the species Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Carrier were studied to evaluate to what degree these trees were suitable for afforestation in arid regions of Italy. We measured, seasonal stomatal conductance ( g s ), foliar morphology, foliar carbon isotopic composition (δ 13 C), growth, and assessed bud phenology in a split plot trials. Bud phenology showed that the Turkish and Lebanon provenances of C. libani gave rise to earlier buds (earlier bud provenances) than the Moroccan and French provenances of C. atlantica (later bud provenances) with a mean difference of 23.2 days. Both provenances showed similar bud phenology and seasonal stomatal conductance ( g s ) especially in April–May (earlier bud provenances) and June (later bud provenances). The foliar δ 13 C was negatively correlated with g s in both the earlier bud provenances (i.e., an increase in g s was accompanied by decreasing foliar δ 13 C values) and the later bud provenances. The stomatal conductance values measured over a growth season showed significant correlations with daily means of both temperature and relative humidity. Hence g s in the earlier bud provenances was correlated with daily temperature in spring, whereas correlations with relative humidity were found in later bud provenances in both late spring and summer. We concluded that the earlier bud provenances ( C. libani ) are not suitable in areas affected by both summer drought and late spring frosts, whereas the later bud provenances ( C. atlantica ) are more suitable to be used in future afforestation plans due to their greater tolerance to summer drought. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0692-9 Authors Giovanni di Matteo, CRA-PLF, Agricultural Research Council, Research Unit for Wood Production Outside Forests, Via Valle della Quistione 27, 00166 Rome, Italy Marco Riccardi, CRA-PLF, Agricultural Research Council, Research Unit for Wood Production Outside Forests, Via Valle della Quistione 27, 00166 Rome, Italy Francesco Righi, CRA-PLF, Agricultural Research Council, Research Unit for Wood Production Outside Forests, Via Valle della Quistione 27, 00166 Rome, Italy Ernesto Fusaro, CRA-PLF, Agricultural Research Council, Research Unit for Wood Production Outside Forests, Via Valle della Quistione 27, 00166 Rome, Italy Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Fingered citron ( Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle), a precious fruit ornamental plant, is sensitive to low temperature. Cold tolerance, evaluated by semi-lethal temperature, was lower in wild-type ‘Qingpi’ than in its mutant ‘Aihua’ trees obtained by γ-radiation. The full-length cDNAs of two genes encoding fatty acid desaturases involved in unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis were isolated from the fingered citron leaves. The CmsFAD2 open reading frame (ORF) had 1,152 bp and was uninterrupted, encoding a polypeptide of 384 amino acids that showing 82% homology with the microsomal ω-6 desaturase CiFAD2 in Davidia involucrate . The CmsFAD8 ORF contained 1,373 bp and 7 introns, encoding a polypeptide of 458 amino acids showing 76% homology with the plastidial ω-3 desaturase BpFAD8 in Betula pendula . CmsFAD2 was expressed highly in leaves but low in roots and flowers, while CmsFAD8 was obviously expressed in three tissues. Compared with control group (28°C), the expression of CmsFAD2 and CmsFAD8 in leaves of two genotypes was significantly induced at 6°C. The increase of CmsFAD2 and CmsFAD8 was earlier and larger in cold-tolerant ‘Aihua’ than in cold-sensitive ‘Qingpi’. The linolenic acid content increased significantly in leaves of mutant ‘Aihua’ plants exposed to low temperature of 6°C. The results showed that a positive relationship between CmsFAD expression and genotype tolerance to cold may exist. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0695-6 Authors Ling Yang, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004 Zhejiang, China Jin Ye, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004 Zhejiang, China Wei-Dong Guo, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004 Zhejiang, China Chang-Chun Wang, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004 Zhejiang, China Hai-Tao Hu, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004 Zhejiang, China Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Leaf gas-exchange, leaf and shoot anatomy, wood density and hydraulic conductivity were investigated in seedlings of Quercus suber L. grown for 15 months either at elevated (700 μmol mol −1 ) or normal (350 μmol mol −1 ) ambient atmospheric CO 2 concentrations. Plants were grown in greenhouses in a controlled environment: relative humidity 50% (±5), temperature similar to external temperature and natural light conditions. Plants were supplied with nutrients and two water regimes (WW, well watered; WS, water stress). After 6 months exposure to CO 2 enrichment an increase in photosynthetic rate, a decrease in stomatal conductance and a decrease in carbon isotope discrimination (Δ 13 C) were observed, along with enhanced growth and an increase in the number of branches and branch diameter. Over the same period, the shoot weight ratio increased, the root weight ratio decreased and the leaf weight ratio was unaffected. The specific leaf area increased due to an increase in total leaf thickness, mainly due to the palisade parenchyma and starch. However, after 9 and 15 months of elevated CO 2 exposure, the above-mentioned physiological and morphological parameters appeared to be unaffected. Elevated CO 2 did not promote changes in vessel lumen diameter, vessel frequency or wood density in stems grown in greenhouse conditions. As a consequence, xylem hydraulic efficiency remained unchanged. Likewise, xylem vulnerability to embolism was not modified by elevated CO 2 . In summary, elevated CO 2 had no positive effect on the ecophysiological parameters or growth of water stressed plants. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0691-x Authors M. Vaz, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas (ICAAM), Universidade de Évora, Apartado 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal H. Cochard, INRA, UMR 547 PIAF, 63100 Clermont-Ferrand, France L. Gazarini, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas (ICAAM), Universidade de Évora, Apartado 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal J. Graça, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal M. M. Chaves, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal J. S. Pereira, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    The effect of stone dust deposition on the rate of transpiration in Shorea robusta was studied in three principal seasons in a polluted forest in comparison to an almost non-polluted forest. The extent of particulate pollution was determined by measuring suspended particulate matter in the air and dust fall on leaf surface. Macroscopic and microscopic leaf injury symptoms were studied. Scanning electron microscopic examination of leaf surfaces revealed a number of foliar anomalies. Qualitative determination of rate of transpiration in field condition was done by ‘cobalt chloride method’. It was found that transpiration was diminished as a result of foliar dust deposition which not only caused blockage of stomatal aperture but also physical damage to the leaf surface. Thus, particulate air pollution can be considered as one of the external factors regulating the rate of transpiration in plants. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0697-4 Authors Dulal C. Saha, Centre for Environmental Studies, Institute of Science, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, 731235 India Pratap K. Padhy, Centre for Environmental Studies, Institute of Science, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, 731235 India Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: The ability to restore American chestnut (Castanea dentata) through the planting of blight-resistant (Cryphonectria parasitica) trees is currently being tested. Forest-based research on the species’ silvicultural requirements and chestnut blight development are lacking. Pure American chestnut seedlings were planted in a two-age shelterwood forest with low residual basal area and in a midstory-removal treatment with high residual basal area. Survival did not differ between silvicultural treatments and averaged 67 percent across both treatments by the fifth year. Trees in the two-age shelterwood were 2.36 m and 16.8 mm larger in height and ground-line diameter, respectively, compared to trees in the midstory-removal by the fifth growing season. Blight occurrence was not affected by silvicultural treatment. Exploratory analyses indicated that seedling grading at planting and keeping trees free-to-grow through competition control would have resulted in a two-year gain in height and GLD growth in the two-age shelterwood treatment. The two-age shelterwood represented the most efficacious prescription for chestnut restoration, but the midstory-removal prescription may offer a reasonable alternative in areas where harvesting must be delayed.

Beschreibung:    At present, acid rain has become one of the top ten global environmental issues. Acid rain causes slower growth, injury, or decline of forests. Some dramatic effects on forests have been observed in south China since the late 1970s and the situation is deteriorating. We carried out a comparative proteomic analysis on Pinus massoniana Lamb, a staple tree species widely distributed in middle and south China to gain a better understanding of tree response to acid rain at molecular level. Two-year-old P. massoniana saplings were treated with simulated AR (SiAR) or control solution, respectively, for 8 months. The changes in total protein profile of P. massoniana leaves were studied using two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Among the total protein spots reproducibly detected on each gel, 65 spots representing 28 proteins were identified to be differentially regulated. These proteins were annotated in various biological functions, such as photosynthesis and energy metabolism, secondary metabolism, protein stability, amino acid and nitrogen metabolism and defense. Down-regulation of four key enzymes in the Calvin cycle identified that biomass loss by SiAR was mainly due to the inhibition of carbon fixation. Primary energy metabolisms involved in sucrose biosynthesis, glycolytic pathway and Krebs cycle, etc., were also disturbed after SiAR treatment. Specifically, most of up-regulated proteins were related to secondary metabolism, protein stability and defense, suggesting that in response to SiAR stress, plants started a variety of metabolic pathways to prevent cells from damage. Different from the herbaceous plants suffering SiAR, it revealed that secondary metabolites in P. massoniana play pivotal roles against SiAR. Protemoic techniques were demonstrated a reliable and robust tool to expand our understanding of differentially expressed proteins associated with acid rain stress on P. massoniana . Functional analysis of these proteins further revealed biochemical and physiological basis of the plant in response to acid rain and would provide strategies for breeding new acid rain tolerant tree species. To our knowledge, it is the first proteome report on the forest plant suffering long-term acid rain stress. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0799-z Authors Xiaoqin Wang, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206 China Zheng Liu, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002 China Li Niu, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 China Bin Fu, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 China Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Natural hybridization commonly produces individuals with intermediate morphological and genetic characteristics, but their response to environmental stress is still uncertain, with some studies showing that transgressive performance would be common. Prosopis chilensis and Prosopis flexuosa are the most important tree species from Arid Chaco, South-America. Both species occupy different ecological niches in terms of water availability. Genetic and morphological studies have demonstrated the existence of interspecific hybrids in contact areas between these species. Hybrids are characterized by clear intermediate morphological characteristics, which have taxonomical value, and genetic structure compared to both parental species. We studied mechanisms implicated in drought stress tolerance in seedlings of P. chilensis , P. flexuosa and their interspecific hybrids trying to elucidate if hybrids have a morpho-physiological, growth and survival intermediate response to drought compared to differential parental responses or if they out-perform both parental species when subjected to drought. Our results suggest that hybridization does not result in individuals with intermediate mechanisms related to drought resistance, but with a unique trait combination leading to high growth when water availability is high (similar to the most vulnerable parental species) and high survival under drought stress (similar to the more resistant parental species). Certain uncoupling between symplastic and apoplastic resistence to drought was observed in hybrids, as well as decreased physiological-wood anatomical plasticity compared to parental species. The long-term consequences in terms of adaptive response to drought of this particular trait combination of hybrids remain still unknown. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0798-0 Authors Diego A. López Lauenstein, Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales (IFRGV) Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Camino a 60 cuadras Km 5.5, Córdoba, Argentina María E. Fernández, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina Aníbal R. Verga, Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales (IFRGV) Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Camino a 60 cuadras Km 5.5, Córdoba, Argentina Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Estimation of total leaf area (LA T ) is important to express biochemical properties in plant ecology and remote sensing studies. A measurement of LA T is easy in broadleaf species, but it remains challenging in coniferous canopies. We proposed a new geometrical model to estimate Norway spruce LA T and compared its accuracy with other five published methods. Further, we assessed variability of the total to projected leaf area conversion factor (CF) within a crown and examined its implications for remotely sensed estimates of leaf chlorophyll content ( C ab ). We measured morphological and biochemical properties of three most recent needle age classes in three vertical canopy layers of a 30 and 100-year-old spruce stands. Newly introduced geometrical model and the parallelepiped model predicted spruce LA T with an error 〈5 % of the average needle LA T , whereas two models based on an elliptic approximation of a needle shape underestimated LA T by up to 60 %. The total to projected leaf area conversion factor varied from 2.5 for shaded to 3.9 for sun exposed needles and remained invariant with needle age class and forest stand age. Erroneous estimation of an average crown CF by 0.2 introduced an error of 2–3 μg cm −2 into the crown averaged C ab content. In our study, this error represents 10–15 % of observed crown averaged C ab range (33–53 μg cm −2 ). Our results demonstrate the importance of accurate LA T estimates for validation of remotely sensed estimates of C ab content in Norway spruce canopies. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0774-8 Authors Lucie Homolová, Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands Petr Lukeš, Global Change Research Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Bělidla 986/4a, 60300 Brno, Czech Republic Zbyněk Malenovský, Remote Sensing Laboratories, Department of Geography, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland Zuzana Lhotáková, Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 5, Prague, Czech Republic Věroslav Kaplan, Global Change Research Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Bělidla 986/4a, 60300 Brno, Czech Republic Jan Hanuš, Global Change Research Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Bělidla 986/4a, 60300 Brno, Czech Republic Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Imperata cylindrica is an invasive plant species that threatens diversity and forest productivity in southeastern ecosystems. We examined the effects of disturbance events, particularly fire and hurricane/salvage harvesting, to determine the effects on I. cylindrica abundance in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests in the Florida panhandle. Areas that were burned or had greater biomass removal following a hurricane had a greater number of I. cylindrica patches and larger patch size. These results highlight the importance of disturbance events on expanding invasive species populations in this region and are likely applicable for other invasive species as well. Monitoring and treatment should follow disturbance events to ensure that invasive species populations do not exceed unmanageable levels.

Beschreibung:    In the context of global warming, it is of high importance to assess the influence of climatic change and geographic factors on the radial growth of high-elevation trees. Using tree-ring data collected from four stands of Qilian juniper ( Juniperus przewalskii Kom. ) across an altitudinal gradient in the central Qilian Mountains, northwest China, we compared the radial growth characteristics and climate–growth relationships at different elevations. Results indicated that there was little difference in the tree-ring parameters of the four chronologies. Correlation analyses both for unfiltered and 10-year high-passed data of monthly climatic variables and chronologies were presented to investigate the climatic forcing on tree growth, and results revealed that the correlation patterns were consistent among the four sites, especially for high-passed data. We employed the principal components analysis method to obtain the first principal component (PC1) of the four chronologies and computed the correlations between PC1 and climate factors. The PC1 correlated significantly with winter (November–January) temperature, prior August and current May temperature, and precipitation in the previous September and current January and April, indicating that tree growth in this region was mainly limited by cold winter temperature and drought in early growing season and prior growing season (prior August and September). However, the climate–growth relationships were unstable; with an increase in temperature, the sensitivity of tree growth to temperature had decreased over the past few decades. Considering the instability of the climate–growth relationships, climate reconstructions based on tree rings in the study area should be approached with more caution. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0776-6 Authors Linlin Gao, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China Xiaohua Gou, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China Yang Deng, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China Wenhuo Liu, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China Meixue Yang, State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000 China Zhiqian Zhao, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    We assessed growth differences and the foliar traits underpinning production in paired samples of juvenile American beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) that originated from seed versus root sprouts. Root sprouts had significantly greater relative extension growth rate and slightly greater leaf mass per unit area compared to seed-derived individuals, but neither light-saturated net photosynthetic rate nor foliar chlorophyll and nitrogen concentrations differed significantly between paired seedlings and sprouts. The greater height growth rate of saplings originating as root sprouts does not result from differing foliar function, but rather depends on translocation of assimilates from the parent tree to sustain this unusual and ecologically important dual regeneration strategy in American beech. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0781-9 Authors Emad Farahat, Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Avenue Dr. Penfield, H3A1B1 Montréal, QC, Canada Martin J. Lechowicz, Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Avenue Dr. Penfield, H3A1B1 Montréal, QC, Canada Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: A recent policy response to halting global forest deforestation and degradation, and any resulting greenhouse gas emissions is REDD+, which also includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. Although still in its infancy, the success of REDD+ will depend significantly on whether it can be economically viable and if any resulting payments are sufficient to cover the opportunity cost plus any transaction cost. Where tenure security over forest is weak, REDD+ can pose a risk for forest communities, who could be dispossessed, excluded and marginalized. This review of existing studies explores how payment for avoided deforestation, and forest tenure impact the success of REDD+ projects in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and equity. Effectiveness refers to the difference between deforestation with and without REDD+, efficiency refers to avoiding deforestation at minimal cost, and equity refers to the implication of REDD+ on benefit sharing. We conclude that the potential success or failure of REDD+ as a means to reduce deforestation and carbon emission on forest commons depends critically on designing projects that work within existing informal tenure institutions to ensure that carbon storage benefits align with livelihood benefits.

Beschreibung:    European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) covers a large area mainly in the colline and montane ranges in Europe, and a drier and warmer climate, as expected for the coming decades, is likely to alter its distribution. So far, an altitudinal shift has been projected using a variety of modelling approaches. However, we lack knowledge about the climatic and edaphic factors that control the growth and competitive behaviour of beech at its dry distribution limit. We applied and further developed dendroecological methods to study the drought response and sensitivity pattern of beech at sites with different moisture regimes. We compared three pairs of sites from different geographical regions near the dry distribution limit of beech in Switzerland, consisting of a dry and mesic site each. Radial growth differed between mesic and dry sites, in that average ring-width at mesic sites was around double the width at dry sites. For the whole study period (1930–2006), the sites with the lowest available soil water capacity (AWC) were found to respond most sensitively to drought. However, in recent years, sites with higher AWC have shown increasing drought sensitivity, i.e. they have responded even more strongly to drought than the dry sites. This change in sensitivity corresponds to a seasonal shift in drought response at mesic sites, with a change in the months showing significant drought response in all three studied regions compared with the past. Even though dry sites generally displayed a larger number of negative pointer years than mesic sites, it appears that the frequency of pointer years has increased at mesic sites, i.e. they have become more sensitive particularly in the last quarter of the twentieth century. Yet, the frequency of pointer years at the dry sites has remained fairly constant. These results indicate that beech trees near their dry distribution limit are adapted to extreme conditions already, while changes in the growth patterns of beech under mesic conditions have to be expected. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0786-4 Authors P. Weber, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland H. Bugmann, Forest Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland A. R. Pluess, Ecosystem Management, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland L. Walthert, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland A. Rigling, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Special topic: integrating modelling and experimentation Content Type Journal Article Category Editorial Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0778-4 Authors R. Matyssek, Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, von-Carlowitz Platz 2, Weihenstephan, 85354 Freising, Germany G. M. J. Mohren, Forest Ecology and Forest M anagement Group, Centre for Ecosystem Studies, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Individual tree-ring width chronologies and mean chronologies from Pinus tabuliformis Carr. (Chinese pine) and Sabina przewalskii Kom. (Qilian juniper) tree cores were collected and analyzed from two sites in the eastern Qilian Mountains of China. The chronologies were used to analyze individual and time-varying tree-ring growth to climate sensitivity with monthly mean air temperature and total precipitation data for the period 1958–2008. Climate–growth relationships were assessed with correlation functions and their stationarity and consistency over time were measured using moving correlation analysis. Individuals’ growth–climate correlations suggested increased percentages of individuals are correlated with certain variables (e.g., current June temperature at the P. tabuliformis site; previous June, December and current May temperature and May precipitation at the S. przewalskii site). These same climatic variables also correspond to the mean chronology correlations. A decreased percentage of individuals correlated with these climatic variables indicates a reduced sensitivity of the mean chronology. Moving correlation analysis indicated a significant change over time in the sensitivity of trees to climatic variability. Our results suggested: (1) that individual tree analysis might be a worthwhile tool to improve the quality and reliability of the climate signal from tree-ring series for dendroclimatology research; and (2) time-dependent fluctuations of climate growth relationships should be taken into account when assessing the quality and reliability of reconstructed climate signals. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0772-x Authors Fen Zhang, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (MOE), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China Xiaohua Gou, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (MOE), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China Wenhuo Liu, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (MOE), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China D. F. Levia, Departments of Geography and Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA Yingjun Li, Taiyaun Normal University Research Center for Scientific Development in Fenhe River Valley, Taiyuan, 030012 China Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Dendrochronological research in Southeast Asia is under development; however, the amount of tress with potential for dendrochronological studies is restricted. For example, teak trees from India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Java are valuable dendrochronologic studies for ready climate response. Teak from Java is best suited for studying the El Niño-Southern Oscillation and sea-surface temperatures, whereas Indian teak is used to reconstruct periods of drought in India. Further, Thai teak and Vietnamese cypress trees captured the long drought period that led to the demise of the Angkor reign (fourteenth–fifteenth century). Diverse techniques including anatomical observation, cambial markings, cell differentiation, and isotopic analysis prove the age and growth of invisible tropical tree rings. A number of invisible growth rings in trees from both tropical and subtropical forests have been identified, resulting in the advancement of dendrochronology. Climate change is a substantial challenge for most living things and natural resources. A greater understanding of tree species adaptation in this region is necessary. The understanding of long-term paleoclimate can be gained by researching old samples and archaeological materials from this region. Content Type Journal Article Category Review Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0775-7 Authors Nathsuda Pumijumnong, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    The branch autonomy principle has been referred to extensively for using branch cuvettes as a technique of studying ozone (O 3 ) effects within the canopy of adult forest trees. However, this principle may not hold in general regarding biochemical interactions between O 3 -impacted branches exposed inside cuvettes and neighbouring crown parts under the unchanged ambient O 3 regime. After reviewing relevant cuvette studies conducted to date, we will provide evidence that cuvette-exposed branches may serve, given awareness of outlined pre-requisites and restrictions, as surrogates for examining the crown-level response of trees to elevated O 3 regimes. Such a conclusion is based on the defence metabolism of branches, which seems to be autonomous to some extent from neighbouring crown sections. Cuvette studies may, therefore, be used to derive dose response functions as measures of O 3 sensitivity. On such grounds, also validation and improvement of stomatal O 3 uptake modelling becomes feasible. The branch-level approach, however, does not substitute whole-tree free-air O 3 fumigation and related flux assessments, as branches in view of representativeness and boundary layer characteristics represent one stage in scaling O 3 flux between leaf and tree level. Branch level-based flux scaling should be backed, therefore, by independent trunk sap-flow assessment techniques that offer derivation of FO 3 at the whole-tree level. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0715-6 Authors Gerhard Wieser, Division of Alpine Timberline Ecophysiology, Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape, Rennweg 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Rainer Matyssek, Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, 85354 Freising, Germany Bernhard Götz, University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (FH), Botanical Garden, Am Zainhammer 5, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany Ludger Grünhage, Department of Plant Ecology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Visitor information often serves as the basis for the management plan of parks. However, there exist few scientific and fundamental surveys for parks and open spaces in Japan. We analyzed the correlation between the number of visitors and the various factors in a suburban open space in a northern Japanese city, Takino Park. To explain the fluctuations in the number of visitors in Takino Park, multiple regression analyses with the stepwise method were conducted. The analyses employed social factors and meteorological factors, such as the day of the week, school vacations, temperature and the weather. The results show that the most influential factor is the day of the week, i.e., Sundays and holidays. The weather is also influential as the number of visitors decreases on rainy and snowy days. Comparing different seasons of the year, we found that influential factors varied from one season to the other. A key distinguishing finding of our results is that the weather conditions at the departure site and the weather forecast are also determining factors. These findings will help park managers understand the current situations and examine future management strategies to maintain and enhance visitor satisfaction, and improve information services.

Beschreibung:    Understanding spatiotemporal tree growth variability and its associations with climate can provide key insights into forest dynamics in the context of global climate change. Here, we conduct a comprehensive investigation on 64 ring-width chronologies across the entire Northwest (NW) China to understand the regional patterns of tree growth and climate–growth relationships. Using rotated principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis, we found that tree growth was mainly determined by the climate and could be classified into nine groups. Most of the tree-ring chronologies in NW China showed high correlations with moisture conditions in the current and previous growing seasons. After removing age-related growth trends, inter-annual tree growth patterns are supposed to be mainly determined by climate and climate–growth relationships. Since climate–growth relationships for most tree-ring chronologies in this arid region are similar, patterns of tree growth are mainly determined by climate variability. Within each group, the strength of the common signal increases under extreme climate conditions. Thus, climate plays a more important role in determining tree growth in extreme climate conditions relative to the non-climate factors, leading to more coherent growth patterns. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0721-8 Authors Keyan Fang, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China Xiaohua Gou, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China Fahu Chen, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China Edward Cook, Tree-Ring Lab, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, New York, NY 10964, USA Jinbao Li, International Pacific Research Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96882, USA Yingjun Li, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Tree growth and form are both influenced by crown architecture and how it effects leaf distribution and light interception. This study examined the vertical distribution of foliage in 4-year-old plantation-grown Eucalyptus pilularis Sm. and E. cloeziana F. Muell. trees. Leaf area (LA) distribution was determined at two different sites using allometric approaches to determine LA in crown sections and for whole trees. Leaf area was distributed more towards the upper crowns when canopies had been closed for longer. Leaf area was also skewed more towards the upper crowns for Eucalyptus pilularis than E. cloeziana . These species differences were consistent with differences in vertical light availability gradients as determined by point quantum sensors. Leaf area of individual branches was highly correlated with branch cross-sectional area (CSA) and whole-tree LA was closely related to stem CSA. Branch-level allometric relationships were influenced by site and crown position. However, the general allometric equations between stem size and whole-tree leaf area could be applied across sites. Results from this study suggest that pruning of live branches in these species should follow species-specific guides for the timing and height of pruning to optimise the effects on stem growth and form. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0809-1 Authors Philip J. Alcorn, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia David I. Forrester, Institute of Silviculture, Freiburg University, 79085 Freiburg, Germany R. Geoff B. Smith, Forests NSW, PO Box J19, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia Dane S. Thomas, Forests NSW, PO Box J19, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia Ryde N. James, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia Adrienne B. Nicotra, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia Jürgen Bauhus, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    The two main objectives of this research were to identify new S -RNase alleles in Iranian almond cultivars and to characterize naturally occurring mutations in these alleles that may cause self-compatibility. We investigated S genotypes of 22 Iranian almond cultivars using stylar RNase electrophoresis, PCR and DNA sequencing. We report six previously unidentified P. dulcis S -RNase alleles ( S 45 , S 46 , S 47 , S 48 , S 49 and S 50 ). Four of 12 tested S -RNases were found to be non-functional in vitro: S 49 , S 50 , S 24 / S na and S 25 / S 47 . Detected point mutations in the C3 coding region of S 49 - and S 50 -RNase, leading to the replacement of a highly conserved cysteine and histidine residues, are with the highest probability the reason of these S -RNases inactivity. Results also suggested that ten Iranian almond cultivars display unique S genotype. All presented data confirm Iranian cultivars as valuable almond sources which are of interest to almond breeding and conservation programs. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0803-7 Authors Akram Hafizi, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Zanjan University, Zanjan, Iran Behrouz Shiran, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran Bahram Maleki, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Zanjan University, Zanjan, Iran Ali Imani, Sections of Horticulture, Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Centre of Karaj, Karaj, Iran Bojana Banović, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Protocols have been established to clone adult cork oak trees by somatic embryogenesis using semisolid medium. However, for economically viable mass propagation, embryogenic cultures in liquid medium need to be developed. In this study, suspension cultures were initiated from embryo clusters obtained by secondary embryogenesis on a gelled medium lacking plant growth regulators. After 6 days of culture, these embryo clusters generated high cell density suspensions that also contained small organized structures (embryos and embryogenic clumps). As the culture duration increased, tissue necrosis and fewer embryogenic structures were observed and the establishment of suspension cultures failed. An alternative method was found adequate for initiation of embryogenic suspensions: embryo clusters from gelled medium were briefly shaken in liquid medium and detached cells and embryogenic masses of 41–800 μm were used as inoculum. Maintenance of embryogenic suspensions was achieved using a low-density inoculum (43 mg l −1 ) by subculturing four embryogenic clumps of 0.8–1.2 mm per 70 ml of medium. Proliferation ability was maintained for almost 1 year through ten consecutive subcultures. The initiation and maintenance protocols first developed for a single genotype were effective when tested on 11 cork oak genotypes. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0763-y Authors Jesús Jiménez, Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDRA), Finca El Encín, Apdo. 127, 28800 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain Dolores López-Vela, Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDRA), Finca El Encín, Apdo. 127, 28800 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain Mar Ruiz-Galea, Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDRA), Finca El Encín, Apdo. 127, 28800 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain Cristina Celestino, Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDRA), Finca El Encín, Apdo. 127, 28800 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain Mariano Toribio, Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDRA), Finca El Encín, Apdo. 127, 28800 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain Jesús Alegre, Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDRA), Finca El Encín, Apdo. 127, 28800 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Reduction of crop yield from high water stress is a serious agricultural problem worldwide, which is expected to intensify under future global change scenarios. Efforts are underway worldwide to improve crops resistance to drought. One possible way is the careful choice of rootstock-scion combination. It is well known that water stress symptoms of grafted cherry trees to a large extent depend on the rootstock variety. Scions grafted on dwarf rootstocks show more serious stress symptoms, so it is reasonable to hypothesize that these symptoms and the tissue structure of the rootstock stem are connected. This paper examines this connection for 1-year-old seedlings of eight cherry rootstocks with different degree of vigor. Tissue structure was observed via scanning electron microscope images. Investigations were focused on number, size, and distribution of vessels, because they are principally responsible for water transport. Stem porosity (i.e., the total vessel area relative to the stem area, in cross-sectional view) of the dwarfing rootstocks was found to be significantly smaller than that of the others, supporting the notion that stem anatomical characteristics might contribute to water stress sensitivity. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0766-8 Authors Anikó Hajagos, Department of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticultural Science, Corvinus University of Budapest, Villányi út 29-43, Budapest, 1118 Hungary György Végvári, Department of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticultural Science, Corvinus University of Budapest, Villányi út 29-43, Budapest, 1118 Hungary Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Long-term changes for invasive trees and shrubs presence in 16 floras encompassing four remnant urban forests of the coastal northeastern United States were examined for relationships with arboricultural introductions’ residence time and planting intensity, and state level recognition of regional invasive woody taxa. The number of invasive woody taxa significantly increased over the period 1818 to 2011 which encompasses the 16 floras. No significant Pearson product moment correlations were found for residence time as the year of introduction to arboriculture with presence in the 16 floras as well as with the 4 most recent floras. In contrast to residence time, planting intensity from the North American flora and two botanical gardens floras of the region from 1811 to 1818 and New York and Philadelphia parks floras from 1857 to 1903 did have significant correlations with the 16 floras and the 4 most recent floras. State level recognition of regional invasive woody taxa showed significant correlations with presence in all 16 floras as well as the 4 most recent floras. Monitoring for range expansion by the regional invasive woody taxa is essential because only 18% of the 98 taxa are present in all 4 of the most recent floras.

Beschreibung: Forest management strategies and policies such as REDD (reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) may have unintentional implications for forest sectors in countries not targeted by such policies. The success of a policy effort like REDD would result in a significant reduction in deforestation and forest degradation and an ensuing reduction in the supply of natural forest timber production within participating countries. This could in turn result in price increases, inducing a supply response outside project boundaries with possible implications for forest management as well as global carbon emissions. This paper reviews the literature to discern potential timber market implications for countries sourcing wood products from developing countries affected by REDD related conservation efforts. The literature reviewed shows varying degrees of market effects leakage—policy actions in one place creating incentives for third parties to increase timber harvesting elsewhere through the price mechanism—ranging from negligible to substantial. However, wood products in the studies reviewed are dealt with on quite an aggregated scale and are assumed to be more or less perfect substitutes for wood products outside conservation effort boundaries. The review suggests that a thorough mapping of the end-uses of tropical timber is needed to comprehensively analyze impacts on wood-product markets in regions such as Europe from conservation efforts in tropical developing countries. The types of tropical timber expected to be affected, in which applications they are used, which are the most likely substitutes and where they would be sourced, are issues that, along with empirical analysis of supply and demand price elasticities and degree of substitutability, should be investigated when assessing the overall effectiveness of REDD.

Beschreibung: Understanding the spatial pattern of ecosystem services is important for effective environmental policy and decision-making. In this study, we use a geospatial decision-support tool (Marxan) to identify conservation priorities for habitat and a suite of ecosystem services (storage carbon, soil retention and water yield) in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest from Misiones, Argentina—an area of global conservation priority. Using these results, we then evaluate the efficiency of existing protected areas in conserving both habitat and ecosystem services. Selected areas for conserving habitat had an overlap of carbon and soil ecosystem services. Yet, selected areas for water yield did not have this overlap. Furthermore, selected areas with relatively high overlap of ecosystem services tended to be inside protected areas; however, other important areas for ecosystem services (i.e., central highlands) do not have legal protection, revealing the importance of enforcing existing environmental regulations in these areas.

Beschreibung:    Citrus plants originate from southeastern Asia, in a large area with various climates characterized by a broad range of temperatures. Some species have been diversified in temperate climates, others in subtropical climates. Temperature is assumed to be a key factor in citrus species adaptation and diversification of basic cellular functions. In a field experiment, the tolerance of the three fundamental Citrus species C. medica L., C. reticulata Blanco and C. maxima (Burm.) Merr., and Fortunella japonica (Thunb.) Swing. to photooxidative stress caused by seasonal climatic changes was evaluated on adult trees by measuring net photosynthesis ( P net), stomatal conductance ( G s), maximum photosynthesis ( P max) and chlorophyll fluorescence ( F v/ F m). In addition, seasonal changes in oxidative status, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase) and antioxidant metabolites (ascorbate and glutathione) were monitored. Mandarin and pummelo appeared to be the most tolerant, showing the lowest down-regulation of photosynthetic parameters, and the lowest accumulation of oxidized compounds associated with efficiency of their antioxidant system. Kumquat showed intermediate behaviour, with a large diminution of photosynthetic parameters and marked accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, whereas the malondialdehyde content remained low, with a strong induction of glutathione synthesis. Finally, citron appeared to be the most sensitive genotype with a marked decrease in photosynthetic performance, the largest accumulation of oxidative parameters, insufficient induction of antioxidant enzymes and down-regulation of ascorbate and glutathione synthesis. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0769-5 Authors Jérémie Santini, UR 1103 Génétique et Ecophysiologie de la Qualité des Agrumes, INRA, 20230 San Giuliano, France Jean Giannettini, Laboratoire Biochimie and Biologie Moléculaire du Végétal, CNRS, UMR 6134 SPE, 20250 Corte, France Olivier Pailly, UR 1103 Génétique et Ecophysiologie de la Qualité des Agrumes, INRA, 20230 San Giuliano, France Stéphane Herbette, INRA, UMR 547 PIAF, 63100 Clermont-Ferrand, France Patrick Ollitrault, CIRAD, UPR 75, Avenue Agropolis, TA A-75/02, 34398 Montpellier cedex 5, France Liliane Berti, Laboratoire Biochimie and Biologie Moléculaire du Végétal, CNRS, UMR 6134 SPE, 20250 Corte, France François Luro, UR 1103 Génétique et Ecophysiologie de la Qualité des Agrumes, INRA, 20230 San Giuliano, France Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Tree species use a variety of strategies to obtain resources. As a result, semi-deciduous forest species and cerrado species can grow in close proximity and in the same climate, while occupying very different vegetation types. The aim of this study was to understand the dynamic responses of Hymenaea courbaril, a forest species, and Hymenaea stigonocarpa, a cerrado species, to annual climatic variation and increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentrations under the same macroclimatic conditions. To that goal, we constructed chronologies of tree-ring width, vessel area, and intrinsic water-use efficiency (calculated from tree-ring δ 13 C content) for Hymenaea trees growing in a mosaic of the two vegetation types. Our analyses revealed that both species responded to climatic variation in similar ways, but with different intensities and at different times of year. Climate models showed that precipitation had a stronger effect on tree-ring width and earlywood vessel area of H. courbaril and temperature was slightly more determinant for H. stigonocarpa . In addition, both species showed increasing intrinsic water-use efficiency over the last five decades, but only individuals with reduced growth rate presented this trend, suggesting that those specimens in favorable growth conditions do not respond to the atmospheric CO 2 enrichment. Despite the trend in water-use efficiency found in some individuals, it did not reflect in a higher growth rate. The differences between the two species documented by us may be due to divergent sources of hydrological stress in the two vegetation types. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0764-x Authors Giuliano Maselli Locosselli, Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, Butantã, CEP 09715-030 São Paulo, SP, Brazil Marcos Silveira Buckeridge, Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, Butantã, CEP 09715-030 São Paulo, SP, Brazil Marcelo Zacharias Moreira, Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Centenário, 303, CEP 131416-000 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Gregório Ceccantini, Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, Butantã, CEP 09715-030 São Paulo, SP, Brazil Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    We applied dendroclimatological techniques to determine long-term stationarity of climate–growth relationships and recent growth trends of three widespread coniferous tree species of the central Austrian Alps, which grow intermixed at dry mesic sites within a dry inner Alpine environment (750 m asl). Time series of annual increments were developed from 〉120 mature trees of Picea abies , Larix decidua and Pinus sylvestris . Calculation of response functions for the period 1911–2009 revealed significant differences among species in response to climate variables. While precipitation in May–June favored radial growth of P. abies and L. decidua , P. sylvestris growth mainly depended on April–May precipitation. P. abies growth was most sensitive to May–June temperature (inverse relationship). Moving response function coefficients indicated increasing drought sensitivity of all species in recent decades, which is related to a decline in soil moisture availability due to increasing stand density and tree size and higher evapotranspiration rates in a warmer climate. While recent trend in basal area increment (BAI) of L. decidua distinctly declined implying high vulnerability to drought stress, moderately shade-tolerant P. abies showed steadily increasing BAI and quite constant BAI was maintained in drought-adapted P. sylvestris , although at the lowest level of all species. We conclude that synergistic effects of stand dynamics and climate warming increased drought sensitivity, which changed the competitive strength of co-occurring conifers due to differences in the inherent adaptive capacity. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0768-6 Authors Roman Schuster, Institute of Botany, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Walter Oberhuber, Institute of Botany, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Stem diameter in Gallesia integrifolia (Spreng.) Harms (Phytolaccaceae) increases by forming concentric rings of xylem alternating with phloem, which show frequent anastomoses. After a period of primary growth and the formation of first (normal) ring of vascular cambium, further successive rings are initiated outside this cambium. The second ring of cambium originates from the pericycle parenchyma located between the proto-phloem, and the pericycle fibres. Each cambium produces centripetally secondary xylem and centrifugally secondary phloem. Differentiation of xylem precedes that of phloem and the first elements formed are always xylem fibres. Structurally, the vascular cylinder is composed by successive rings of secondary xylem and phloem. These rings are separated by wide bands of conjunctive parenchyma tissue. Presence of collateral vascular bundles with irregular orientation is observed in the region of anastomoses of two or more bands of conjunctive tissue. These bundles are surrounded by isodiametric, lignified and thick-walled cells. In some of the cambial rings, occurrence of polycentric rays was also noticed; these rays are tall, and characterized by the presence of meristematic regions that differentiated into thick-walled elements of secondary xylem. Origin and development of the successive cambia and the structure of xylem are discussed. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0762-z Authors Kishore S. Rajput, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, 390002 India Diego Romeiro, Instituto Florestal, CP 1322, Sao Paulo, CEP 02377-000 Brazil Eduardo L. Longui, Instituto Florestal, CP 1322, Sao Paulo, CEP 02377-000 Brazil Carmen R. Marcati, Departamento de Recursos Naturais, Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu, SP, CP 237, Sao Paulo, CEP 18603-970 Brazil Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    In the search of timber species being tolerant towards summer droughts, which are expected to be more frequent in future, Douglas-fir is often discussed as a potential alternative for spruce in Central Europe. To assess physiological and growth reactions of Douglas-fir provenances towards climate- and weather-related environmental conditions we took advantage of a provenance trial with three sites in south-western Germany located along an elevation gradient. We examined six different provenances of Douglas-fir from North America for oxygen (δ 18 O) and carbon (δ 13 C) stable isotope composition in tree rings as well as for radial increment for a 7 year period and long-term height growth. Our results show that different Douglas-fir provenances clearly vary in their drought sensitivity at the driest and warmest site in the valley as shown by the radial growth decline in the extreme dry and hot year 2003. The growth decline in the provenances Pamelia Creek, Cameron Lake, Duncan Paldi and Conrad Creek could be clearly attributed to a reduction in stomatal conductance as assessed by the relations between δ 18 O and δ 13 C in the tree rings. These responses were not related to the long-term average climate at the places of origin of the provenances and the provenances with the lowest long-term (height) growth potential were the ones least affected in radial increment by the extreme drought of 2003. When selecting suitable Douglas-fir provenances, which are adapted to the climatic conditions projected for the future we thus might need to take into account the trade-off between the adaptation to extreme drought periods and the long-term growth performance. Site-specific evaluations of the probability of extreme drought events are thus needed to select the appropriate provenances. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0765-9 Authors Kirstin Jansen, Institute for Landscape Biogeochemistry, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalderstr. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany Jakob Sohrt, Core Facility Metabolomics, Centre for Systems Biology (ZBSA), Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Habsburgerstr. 49, 79104 Freiburg, Germany Ulrich Kohnle, Forest Research Institute Baden-Württemberg (FVA), Wonnhaldestr. 4, 79100 Freiburg, Germany Ingo Ensminger, Forest Research Institute Baden-Württemberg (FVA), Wonnhaldestr. 4, 79100 Freiburg, Germany Arthur Gessler, Institute for Landscape Biogeochemistry, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalderstr. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Mangroves are mainly tropical tree species that occur on either side of the equator and because temperature decreases with increasing latitude, the latitudinal limits of mangroves are expected to be mainly controlled by temperature-related drivers. Here, we hypothesized that the mangrove genera ( Avicennia and Rhizophora ) have the same limiting temperature at all of their upper latitudinal limits at the global scale. We first derived six parameters from monthly mean sea surface temperature (SST) and air temperature (AT). Furthermore, we investigated whether the variation in these temperature parameters is related (i) to the position of the limit, (ii) to specific temperature requirements of congeneric species and/or (iii) to aridity. All temperature-based parameters derived from AT and SST are highly variable among the upper latitudinal limits of Avicennia and Rhizophora . Hence, we found no common isotherms to characterize the limits of the two mangrove genera, which contradict previous studies. The high temperature variation among limits can be due to partial range filling towards the latitudinal limits. This is supported by the higher warmest month temperatures at the latitudinal limits of the northern hemisphere as compared to the southern hemisphere. However, temperature parameters at limits, with no or less than 250 km of available poleward coast, are not different from other limits, and adult tree height at the limits is not correlated with the temperature-based variables. Mean air temperature is warmer at limits with an arid climate, suggesting mechanisms of compensation towards higher temperatures when Avicennia and Rhizophora have to cope with both aridity and low temperature. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0760-1 Authors Katrien Quisthoudt, Laboratory for Plant Biology and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium Nele Schmitz, Laboratory for Plant Biology and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium Christophe F. Randin, Institute of Botany, Universität Basel, Schönbeinstrasse 6, 4056 Basel, Switzerland Farid Dahdouh-Guebas, Laboratory for Plant Biology and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium Elisabeth M. R. Robert, Laboratory for Plant Biology and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium Nico Koedam, Laboratory for Plant Biology and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Site index (SI) curves for H20 (dominant height at 20 years total age) were constructed for hybrid larch (Larix × eurolepis Henry) growing in 26 stands on former farmland in southern and central Sweden (Latitude 56–60° N.). The mean total age of the stands was 23 ± 10 (range 17–49) years; the mean diameter at breast height (ob) was 16 (7–34) cm; the mean height was 14 (8–29) m; and the stands had a mean density of 993 (266–2195) stems ha−1. A model derived by Cieszewski (2001) performed best for the data. The model explained 99% of the observed variation in height development. No apparent bias across the range of predicted site indices was found. SI was examined in relation to soil types. Multiple samples were available for three soil types: light clay, medium clay and till. There were no significant differences between these soil types with respect to the choice of SI curve.

Beschreibung:    We examined the growth and photosynthetic responses of Japanese forest tree species to sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) under different nitrogen (N) loads to soil. We grew Quercus serrata , Fagus crenata , Castanopsis sieboldii , Larix kaempferi , Pinus densiflora, and Cryptomeria japonica seedlings in Andisol supplemented with N as NH 4 NO 3 solution at 0, 20, and 50 kg ha −1  year −1 . Seedlings were exposed daily to charcoal-filtered air or SO 2 at 10, 20, and 40 nl l −1 for two growing seasons. Except for C. japonica seedlings, exposure to SO 2 at a relatively low concentration stimulated whole-plant growth, especially under a relatively high N load. The effects of N load on the negative impact of SO 2 on whole-plant growth were synergistic in Q. serrata , F. crenata , C. sieboldii, and P. densiflora , counteractive in L. kaempferi , and additive in C. japonica . In Q. serrata , F. crenata , C. sieboldii, and P. densiflora seedlings, the different responses of whole-plant growth to SO 2 among the N treatments were because of the effect of N load on the response of the net photosynthetic rate to SO 2 . L. kaempferi seedlings showed N load-induced tolerance of whole-plant growth to SO 2 . This was explained by the effect of N load on the responses of photosynthesis and development of assimilative organs to SO 2 . The different growth responses to SO 2 among the N treatments were explained by the effects of N load on the SO 2 uptake rate (evaluated by stomatal diffusive conductance) or the accumulated SO 2 uptake (evaluated by foliar S concentration). Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0755-y Authors Masahiro Yamaguchi, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan Makoto Watanabe, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8589, Japan Chikako Tabe, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan Junichi Naba, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan Hideyuki Matsumura, Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Abiko, Chiba 270-1194, Japan Yoshihisa Kohno, Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Abiko, Chiba 270-1194, Japan Takeshi Izuta, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    In the National Natural Reserve of the Qilian Mountains, northwest China, automated dendrometers were installed on Qilian juniper ( Sabina przewalskii Kom.) in 2010. Here, we present a complete 1-year data series of dendrometer measurements and synchronous meteorological records. The mean daily radius change index curve obtained by first-difference standardization was analyzed. The results indicate strong similarities of stem radius variations among the studied trees. By graphical inspection of sub-diurnal shrinkage and expansion patterns, seasonal stem radius variations could be divided into two general phases. During early winter to spring, daily amplitudes show strong fluctuations, and meteorological data indicate that both air and soil temperatures are positively related to stem radius swelling. From late March to early November 2011, stem radius expansion is negatively related to both air and soil temperatures, as well as to vapor pressure deficit, and positively related to precipitation and soil moisture. We found that the dividing lines between the two phases were strongly linked to the occurrence of a 0 °C daily mean air temperature, indicating that air temperature played an important effect on stem radius variations in this cold and arid environment. During the growing season in 2011, May and June are the most productive months. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0743-2 Authors Zhangyong Wang, Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000 China Bao Yang, Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000 China Annie Deslauriers, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du québec à Chicoutimi, 555 boul. de l’Université, Chicoutimi, QC G7H 2B1, Canada Chun Qin, Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000 China Minhui He, Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000 China Feng Shi, Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000 China Jingjing Liu, Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000 China Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Eastern forests of the US are valued both as a carbon sink and a wood resource. The amount of biomass that can be harvested sustainably from this biome for bioenergy without compromising the carbon sink is uncertain. Using past literature and previously validated models, we assessed four scenarios of biomass harvest in the eastern US: partial harvests of mixed hardwood forests, pine plantation management, short-rotation woody cropping systems, and forest residue removal. We also estimated the amount and location of abandoned agricultural lands in the eastern US that could be used for biomass production. Greater carbon storage was estimated to result from partial harvests and residue removals than from plantation management and short-rotation cropping. If woody feedstocks were cultivated with a combination of intensive management on abandoned lands and partial harvests of standing forest, we estimate that roughly 176 Tg biomass y−1 (~330,000 GWh or ~16 billion gallons of ethanol) could be produced sustainably from the temperate forest biome of the eastern US. This biomass could offset up to ~63 Tg C y−1 that are emitted from fossil fuels used for heat and power generation while maintaining a terrestrial C sink of ~8 Tg C y−1.

Beschreibung: In 2002, the Biscuit Wildfire burned a portion of the previously established, replicated conifer unthinned and thinned experimental units of the Siskiyou Long-Term Ecosystem Productivity (LTEP) experiment, southwest Oregon. Charcoal C in pre and post-fire O horizon and mineral soil was quantified by physical separation and a peroxide-acid digestion method. The abrupt, short-term fire event caused O horizon charcoal C to increase by a factor of ten to 〉200 kg C ha−1. The thinned wildfire treatment produced less charcoal C than unthinned wildfire and thinned prescribed fire treatments. The charcoal formation rate was 1 to 8% of woody fuels consumed, and this percentage was negatively related to woody fuels consumed, resulting in less charcoal formation with greater fire severity. Charcoal C averaged 2000 kg ha−1 in 0–3 cm mineral soil and may have decreased as a result of fire, coincident with convective or erosive loss of mineral soil. Charcoal C in 3–15 cm mineral soil was stable at 5500 kg C ha−1. Long-term soil C sequestration in the Siskiyou LTEP soils is greatly influenced by the contribution of charcoal C, which makes up 20% of mineral soil organic C. This research reiterates the importance of fire to soil C in a southwestern Oregon coniferous forest ecosystem.

Beschreibung: We investigated the sprouting capacity of poplar stumps in ten 8–21-year old stands growing on former farmland in Sweden situated between 55°N and 60°N. Seven of the stands were planted with the clone OP-42 (Populus maximowiczii Henry × Populus trichocarpa Torr. and Gray), one with black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa Torr. and Gray) and two with unidentified clones. The poplars’ mean age was 17 years (range 8–21); six of the stands were growing on clay soils, two on tills and two on loam. The studied sprouts were 1–7 years old. Stump sprouting was observed in all studied stands. The number of sprouts per living stump decreased as sprout age increased. The mean dry mass of all sprouts stump−1 was 16.1 ± 14.0 (range 3.3–37.2) kg. A biomass equation was constructed for estimating sprout biomass from the sprouts’ diameter at 10 cm above the ground (D10). The mean total sprout weight per hectare for sprouts amounted to 16.9 ± 14.6 (range 1.2–41.3) tons ha−1 when calculated for the actual living stumps in the studied areas.

Beschreibung:    The use of in vitro regenerated plants in forestry and orchard depends ultimately on the development of efficient transplantation protocols, ensuring high survival rates and successful establishment under field conditions. We tested the performance of micropropagated carob trees ( Ceratonia siliqua L.) throughout the acclimatization process in terms of survival, growth and physiological traits, including field comparisons with seed-derived and mother plants. The field trial was 100 % successful, i.e. we found no major differences between micropropagated, seed-derived and mother plants in terms of growth rate, height, number of leaves, photosynthetic efficiency, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content and soluble protein content, although these parameters changed significantly during acclimatization. Stomatal conductance ( g s ) was reduced by fourfold when plants were transferred from in vitro culture to the growth chamber, thus preventing uncontrolled wilting. The photosynthetic rate ( P N ) was relatively low in vitro, in the growth chamber and the greenhouse, but increased to match seed-derived and mother plants in the field. The chlorophyll a / b ratio in leaves from in vitro and growth chamber plants was typical of shade plants (2.1) but became more characteristic of sun plants in the subsequent acclimatization stages (3.1–3.5). The maximum efficiency of photosystem II ( F v / F m ) remained mostly constant at ~0.80 throughout acclimatization, as is typical for healthy, non-stressed plants. We conclude that our micropropagation and acclimatization protocols provide a suitable alternative to traditional mass propagation techniques for the carob tree. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0753-0 Authors M. L. Osório, Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Genomics and Biotechnology (IBB-CGB), Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 8, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal J. Osório, Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (ICAAM), Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 8, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal S. Gonçalves, Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Genomics and Biotechnology (IBB-CGB), Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 8, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal M. M. David, Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (ICAAM), Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 8, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal M. J. Correia, Centro de Estudos em Ciências e Tecnologias Agrárias (CECTC), Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 8, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal A. Romano, Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Genomics and Biotechnology (IBB-CGB), Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 8, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Interactions between photosynthetic rate, transpiration, content of soluble carbohydrates, leaf dimensions and structural parameters and growth of hybrid aspen ( Populus tremula  ×  P. tremuloides Michx.) were studied in relation to soil pH and chemical composition. The investigations were conducted in two plantations on former agricultural lands in North Estonia. One plantation was established on a territory influenced for a long time by alkaline cement dust pollution before plantation establishment and the other on an unpolluted territory. At pH 7.4 and higher concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, N and P in soil on the polluted area inhibition of height growth and diameter at breast height, leaf area and dry mass was observed compared to the unpolluted plantation with an optimum soil pH of 6.7. Differences in hybrid aspen leaves in the two plantations were related to the lower net photosynthetic and transpiration rates and higher starch and sucrose contents in the polluted plantation. Leaves from alkaline soil had a thicker palisade mesophyll layer and lower number of stomata at abaxial epidermis. The relatively low N concentration in leaves in the polluted area was associated with the low height and diameter at breast height of trees. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0754-z Authors Malle Mandre, Department of Ecophysiology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Viljandi mnt 18B, 11216 Tallinn, Estonia Jaan Klõšeiko, Department of Ecophysiology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Viljandi mnt 18B, 11216 Tallinn, Estonia Aljona Lukjanova, Department of Ecophysiology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Viljandi mnt 18B, 11216 Tallinn, Estonia Arvo Tullus, Department of Silviculture, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014 Tartu, Estonia Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Previously, we found that secretory cell degradation typically occurred through programmed cell death during secretory cavity development in Citrus sinensis L. (Osbeck). This finding indicated that secretory cavities could be utilized as a new cell biology model for investigating the regulatory mechanisms of plant programmed cell death. To study further the programmed cell death during secretory cavity development in Citrus fruit, we studied the morphogenetic characteristics of secretory cavities during their development in Citrus grandis cv. Tomentosa. Using light microscope- and electron microscope-TUNEL assays, immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, we described the precise spatial and temporal alterations in caspase 3-like distribution, chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation during the programmed cell death of secretory cavity cells. Caspase 3-like was found to be significantly located in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of secretory cavity cells undergoing programmed cell death, and caspase 3-like is closely associated with chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. Interestingly, both caspase 3-like and DNA fragmentation were detected in the nucleoli. Our findings suggest that caspase 3-like may be involved in the programmed cell death of secretory cavity cells, especially in chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, nuclear degradation and the degradation of certain organelles. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0752-1 Authors Peiwei Liu, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, China Shejian Liang, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, China Nan Yao, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, China Hong Wu, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, China Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Short- and long-term growth responses to drought and climatic influences still remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of climatic drivers (temperature, precipitation) and drought, using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) calculated at different time scales (1–48 months), on earlywood (EW) and latewood (LW) widths in Pinus halepensis. Nine forests subjected to dry summer conditions were sampled in Mediterranean semi-arid areas from north-eastern Spain. In addition, we explored the seasonal dynamics of cambial activity and wood formation in relation to short-term climate variability. We found two peaks of tracheid cell production corresponding to EW (May – June) and LW (mid-July–August) growth phases, associated with a sharp decrease in enlarging cells in early July in response to low water availability. In the period of analysis (1970–2005), EW growth was positively correlated with precipitation in previous December and current January, April, May and June, while it was negatively correlated with temperature in June and July. LW was correlated positively with minimum temperatures in January. Probably this was an indirect relationship as a consequence of increased EW width at higher January temperatures. Drought affected more negatively EW than LW formation as evidenced the higher SPI-EW correlation ( r  = 0.72) than the SPI-LW one ( r  = 0.54). The strongest EW response to drought was observed in July, whereas the highest LW response to drought occurred in September; and this seasonal pattern matched the phases of lowest EW and LW tracheid production. Under a future reduction of winter and spring precipitation, the studied forests may show a decrease in tracheid cell production, causing a decline of radial growth, a reduction in hydraulic conductivity and, indirectly, a hampered carbon uptake in such semi-arid woodlands. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0756-x Authors Edmond Pasho, Faculty of Forestry Sciences, Agricultural University of Tirana, 1029, Kodër-Kamëz, Tirana, Albania J. Julio Camarero, ARAID-Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Avda. Montañana 1005, Zaragoza, 50080 Spain Sergio M. Vicente-Serrano, Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Avda. Montañana 1005, Zaragoza, 50080 Spain Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Biological activity and the physical environment regulate greenhouse gas fluxes (CH4, N2O and NO) from upland soils. Wildfires are known to alter these factors such that we collected daily weather records, fire return intervals, or specific fire years, and soil data of four specific sites along the Colorado Front Range. These data were used as primary inputs into DAYCENT. In this paper we test the ability of DAYCENT to simulate four forested sites in this area and to address two objectives: (1) to evaluate the short-term influence of fire on trace gas fluxes from burned landscapes; and (2) to compare trace gas fluxes among locations and between pre-/post- fire suppression. The model simulations indicate that CH4 oxidation is relatively unaffected by wildfire. In contrast, gross nitrification rates were reduced by 13.5–37.1% during the fire suppression period. At two of the sites, we calculated increases in gross nitrification rates (〉100%), and N2O and NO fluxes during the year of fire relative to the year before a fire. Simulated fire suppression exhibited decreased gross nitrification rates presumably as nitrogen is immobilized. This finding concurs with other studies that highlight the importance of forest fires to maintain soil nitrogen availability.

Beschreibung:    Genetic variability and population structure of Sapindus trifoliatus L. (Sapindaceae), collected from Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh states were estimated using three DNA fingerprinting methods viz., random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), directed amplification of minisatellite DNA (DAMD) and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR). The cumulative data analysis carried out for all three markers showed 69.42 % polymorphism. The intra-population genetic diversity analysis revealed the highest values of Nei’s genetic diversity (0.16), Shannon information index (0.24) and polymorphic loci (43.99 %) among Bhavnagar (BH) population, whereas lowest values were found in Junagarh (JU) population. The maximum inter-population average genetic distance (0.20) was between Allahabad (AL) and JU populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed highest percentage of variation among individuals of populations (56 %) followed by 25 % among populations and 19 % among regions. Principal coordinate analysis and UPGMA dendrogram revealed that genetic diversity was in congruence with the geographical diversity. The data strongly suggest that low genetic flow, geographic isolation and to some extent genetic drift are the major factors responsible for high genetic differentiation. Preservation of genetic diversity of S. trifoliatus is important, both to promote adaptability of the populations to changing environment as well as to preserve a large gene pool for future genetic improvement. The present study using RAPD, DAMD and ISSR profiles of S. trifoliatus provide the means of rapid characterization of accessions within the populations, and thus enable the selection of appropriate accessions for further utilization in conservation and prospection programs of this important plant genetic resource. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0770-z Authors Kamalesh Singh Mahar, Molecular Systematics, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226 001 Uttar Pradesh, India Tikam Singh Rana, Molecular Systematics, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226 001 Uttar Pradesh, India Shirish Anand Ranade, Plant Molecular Biology (Genomics) Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226 001 Uttar Pradesh, India Veena Pande, Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, Nainital, 263 136 Uttarakhand, India Lok Man Singh Palni, G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, 263 643 Uttarakhand, India Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Scientists have discussed the halophytic nature of intertidal plants for decades, and have generally suggested that inherent differentiation of an obligate halophyte from a facultative halophyte relates strongly to whether the plant can survive in fresh water, and not much else. In this mini-review, we provide additional insight to support the pervasive notion that mangroves as a group are truly facultative halophytes, and thus add discourse to the alternate view that mangroves have an obligate salinity requirement. Indeed, growth and physiological optima are realized at moderate salinity concentrations in mangroves, but we maintain the notion that current evidence suggests that survival is not dependent upon a physiological requirement for salt. Content Type Journal Article Category Review Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0767-7 Authors Ken W. Krauss, US Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70506, USA Marilyn C. Ball, Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Australian National University, The RN Robertson Bldg. (#46), Biology Place, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Distribution models of invasive plants are very useful tools for conservation management. There are challenges in modeling expanding populations, especially in a dynamic environment, and when data are limited. In this paper, predictive habitat models were assessed for three invasive plant species, at differing levels of occurrence, using two different habitat modeling techniques: logistic regression and maximum entropy. The influence of disturbance, spatial and temporal heterogeneity, and other landscape characteristics is assessed by creating regional level models based on occurrence records from the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis database. Logistic regression and maximum entropy models were assessed independently. Ensemble models were developed to combine the predictions of the two analysis approaches to obtain a more robust prediction estimate. All species had strong models with Area Under the receiver operator Curve (AUC) of 〉0.75. The species with the highest occurrence, Ligustrum spp., had the greatest agreement between the models (93%). Lolium arundinaceum had the most disagreement between models at 33% and the lowest AUC values. Overall, the strength of integrative modeling in assessing and understanding habitat modeling was demonstrated.

Beschreibung:    Research related to the allometric relationships of tree height and projected tree crown area to diameter at breast height was conducted to look at the biological suitability and timber production potential of Douglas fir under the conditions present in central Europe. The dependence of allometric relationships on soil nutrient conditions were described in forest stands of Douglas fir and Norway spruce. The studied sites were climatically similar but differed in soil nutrient availability. A significant difference was found in the allometric relationships of Norway spruce trees from the nutrient poor and nutrient rich site. In contrast to the Norway spruce, there was no significant effect of site fertility on allometric relationships for Douglas fir suggesting that its allocation patterns were less sensitive to site nutrient conditions. Stem growth increment, which was measured weekly during two consecutive seasons for both species, was related to the weather conditions and available soil moisture. Stem growth of Douglas fir began about 2 weeks earlier than in the Norway spruce at both sites. At the nutrient rich site, most of the stem growth of both species occurred at the beginning of the season, while growth at the other site was more evenly distributed throughout the season. Data obtained in this study will be useful for modeling stem growth and analysis of water use efficiency of these two tree species. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0771-y Authors Josef Urban, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, Brno, 613 00 Czech Republic Kateřina Holušová, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, Brno, 613 00 Czech Republic Ladislav Menšík, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, Brno, 613 00 Czech Republic Jan Čermák, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, Brno, 613 00 Czech Republic Petr Kantor, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, Brno, 613 00 Czech Republic Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Species-specific and mixed-species volume and above ground biomass allometric equations were developed for 15 indigenous tree species and four tree fern species in New Zealand. A mixed-species tree equation based on breast height diameter (DBH) and tree height (H) provided acceptable estimates of stem plus branch (〉10 cm in diameter over bark) volume, which was multiplied by live tree density to estimate dry matter. For dead standing spars, DBH, estimated original height, actual spar height and compatible volume/taper functions provided estimates of dead stem volume, which was multiplied by live tree density and a density modifier based on log decay class from field assessments to estimate dry matter. Live tree density was estimated using ratio estimators. Ratio estimators were based on biomass sample trees, and utilized density data from outerwood basic density surveys which were available for 35 tree species sampled throughout New Zealand. Foliage and branch ( 〈 10 cm in diameter over bark) dry matter were estimated directly from tree DBH. Tree fern above ground dry matter was estimated using allometric equations based on DBH and H. Due to insufficient data, below ground carbon for trees was estimated using the default IPCC root/shoot ratio of 25%, but for tree ferns it was estimated using measured root/shoot ratios which averaged 20%.

Beschreibung: The Glentress Trial Area is an extensive research area in southern Scotland of 117 ha where a long-term trial of the transformation of even-aged plantations to continuous cover has been in progress since 1952. During the assessment of permanent sample plots in 1990 information on the species and spatial position of saplings (trees taller than 1.3 m with a diameter at breast height of 〈 7 cm) was recorded. This provided a unique opportunity to investigate the long-term survival of saplings during the transformation process when the Trial Area was reassessed in 2009. The main finding was that 37% of saplings survived the 19-year period and the majority developed into trees (≥7 cm diameter at breast height). There was considerable variation between species, the lowest survival of saplings was European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) (13%) and the highest European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) (55%); however differences between species were not significant. There were, however, significant differences between the six management areas with three with high sapling survival (55% to 61%) but others much lower (27% to 32%). If this result is confirmed by other studies, covering a broader range of sites, management guidance that assumes 90% survival will need to be revised.

Beschreibung: Invasive plant species have long been known to cause extensive damage, both economically and ecologically, to native ecosystems. They have historically been introduced by the public, both intentional and not, for a variety of reasons. Many of the woody shrubs, such as Lonicera maackii and Rosa multiflora were introduced for wildlife cover, forage, and ornamental value. These invasives have quickly out-competed native flora, in many cases drastically impacting and changing the environment they inhabit. In this review, chosen species characteristics have been described, their pathway to invasion explained, and their impacts to native wildlife highlighted. Based on a review of the scientific literature, we determined that not all effects by invasive plants are negative. Many positive impacts can be seen throughout the literature, such as native frogs utilizing Microstegium vimineum for cover and nesting habitat. However, some important invasive plant species were not included in this review due to a lack of literature on the subject of the effects on fauna. While much is known about their economic impact and the impact on native plant species, additional work needs to be done in the field of wildlife research to determine current impacts and future implications of non-native, invasive plants on native fauna.

Beschreibung: To quantify the climate change impacts of forestry and forest management options, we must consider the entire forestry system: the carbon dynamics of the forest, the life cycle of harvested wood products, and the substitution benefit of using biomass and wood products compared to more greenhouse gas intensive options. This paper presents modelled estimates of the greenhouse gas balance of two key native forest areas managed for production in New South Wales for a period of 200 years, and compares it to the option of managing for conservation only. These two case studies show that forests managed for production provide the greatest ongoing greenhouse gas benefits, with long-term carbon storage in products, and product substitution benefits critical to the outcome. Thus native forests could play a significant part in climate change mitigation, particularly when sustainably managed for production of wood and non-wood products including biomass for bioenergy. The potential role of production forestry in mitigating climate change, though substantial, has been largely overlooked in recent Australian climate change policy.

Beschreibung: In dry western Unites States forests where past resource management has altered the ecological role of fire and stand characteristics alike, mechanical thinning and prescribed burning are commonly applied in wildfire hazard abatement. The reduced surface fuel loads and stand structures resulting from fuels modifications are temporary, yet few studies have assessed the lifespan of treatment effects. We sampled forest fuels and vegetation following fuels reduction in a chronosequence of time since treatment in the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade regions of California. Treatments altered overstory characteristics including stand density, basal area, and species composition. These effects were still present on the oldest treatment sites (8–15 years post-treatment). Other stand characteristics, particularly timelag fuel loads, seedling density, and shrub cover, exhibited substantial variability, and differences between treatment age classes and between treatment and control groups were not statistically significant.

Beschreibung: Longleaf pine has been classified as very shade intolerant but leaf physiological plasticity to light is not well understood, especially given longleaf pine’s persistent seedling grass stage. We examined leaf morphological and physiological responses to light in one-year-old grass-stage seedlings and young trees ranging in height from 4.6 m to 6.3 m to test the hypothesis that young longleaf pine would demonstrate leaf phenotypic plasticity to light environment. Seedlings were grown in a greenhouse under ambient levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) or a 50% reduction in ambient PAR and whole branches of trees were shaded to provide a 50% reduction in ambient PAR. In seedlings, shading reduced leaf mass per unit area (LMA), the light compensation point, and leaf dark respiration (RD), and increased the ratio of light-saturated photosynthesis to RD and chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll expressed per unit leaf dry weight. In trees, shading reduced LMA, increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll on a leaf dry weight basis, and increased allocation of total foliar nitrogen to chlorophyll nitrogen. Changes in leaf morphological and physiological traits indicate a degree of shade tolerance that may have implications for even and uneven-aged management of longleaf pine.

Beschreibung: This paper compares carbon (C) and nutrient contents in soils (Alfisols derived from andesite), forest floor and vegetation in a former fire (1960) and an adjacent forest in the Sagehen Watershed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Soils from the former fire (now occupied predominantly by Ceanothus velutinus, a nitrogen-fixing shrub) had significantly lower contents of extractable SO42− and P (both Bray and bicarbonate) but significantly greater contents of exchangeable Ca2+ than the adjacent forested site (dominated by Pinus jeffreyii). 15N data suggested that N fixation had occurred in the former fire site, but N contents did not differ between the two sites. O horizon C and nutrient contents did not differ between the two sites, but vegetation C and nutrient contents were significantly greater in the forested than former fire site. These results contrast with those from a nearby, previous study at Little Valley Nevada, also dominated by P. jeffreyii growing on a different soil type (Entisols derived from granite). In the Little Valley study, soil C, N, Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ contents within the former fire (1981, now also occupied predominantly by Ceanothus velutinus) were greater than in the adjacent forest (Pinus jeffreyii) but soil extractable P contents either did not differ or were greater in the former fire. We conclude that soil parent material is an indirect but strong mediator of the effects of post-fire vegetation on soils in this region, especially with respect to soil P changes, which vary substantially between andesite- and granite-derived soils.

Beschreibung: Erratum to: Real time qPCR expression analysis of some stress related genes in leaf tissue of Pyrus communis cv. Conférence after infection with Erwinia amylovora Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-2 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0751-2 Authors K. Vrancken, Molecular and Physical Plant Physiology, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium H. Schoofs, Pomology Department, PC Fruit Research Station, Fruittuinweg 1, 3800 Sint-Truiden, Belgium T. Deckers, Pomology Department, PC Fruit Research Station, Fruittuinweg 1, 3800 Sint-Truiden, Belgium R. Valcke, Molecular and Physical Plant Physiology, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Pinus massoniana Lamb., a widely distributed coniferous species, is of ecologically and economically high value in southern China. However, it suffers serious damage from acid rain in recent decades. In order to gain a better understanding of the responses of P. massoniana to acid rain at the proteome level, a comparative proteomic study combined with physiological analyses between control and acid rain treatment was conducted. Among the over 1,000 protein spots detected reproducibly on the gel, we successfully identified 41 differentially expressed proteins, including 20 acid rain down-regulated proteins and 21 up-regulated proteins. The identified proteins were classified into five functional categories according to their biological functions. Among them, the photosynthesis and amino acid metabolism related proteins were greatly down-regulated, indicating the serious damages caused by acid rain in P. massoniana . By contrast, some energy- and defense-related proteins were dramatically up-regulated under acid rain, including proteins involved in tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), protein stability as well as those related to antioxidant system, suggesting that a variety of metabolic pathways were affected by acid rain. In particular, the expression of several proteins involved in secondary metabolism was also increased under acid rain stress, implying that the activated secondary metabolism plays an important role in the response of P. massoniana to acid rain. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0750-3 Authors Ting-Wu Liu, Key Laboratory for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 Fujian, People’s Republic of China Wen-Jun Hu, Key Laboratory for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 Fujian, People’s Republic of China Xiao-Qin Wang, Key Laboratory for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 Fujian, People’s Republic of China Li Niu, Key Laboratory for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 Fujian, People’s Republic of China Bin Fu, Key Laboratory for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 Fujian, People’s Republic of China Fei-Hua Wu, Key Laboratory for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 Fujian, People’s Republic of China Zhen-Ming Pei, Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA Hai-Lei Zheng, Key Laboratory for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 Fujian, People’s Republic of China Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Eucalyptus polybractea R.T. Baker is the key species used in Australia to produce commercial quantities of pharmaceutical-grade eucalyptus oil. Much of the variability in oil yield observed in coppiced stands of the species is considered genetically determined. Nonetheless it is not known how genetics acts on leaf and secretory cavity morphology to influence oil yield. To examine this, we first chose similar-sized mature leaves of different genotypes and determined that secretory cavity size accounted for 84 % of the variation in oil yield between genotypes. We then examined natural variation in mature leaf size found along branches and observed oil yield to increase in a linear, but non-proportional fashion with increasing leaf size, suggesting leaves of different final sizes on a given tree can have different volumetric oil proportions. From these analyses, we calculated that a minimum of 2.2 μl of photosynthetic tissue is required to service each additional μl of secretory cavities as leaves expand. This suggests there is likely to be a maximum oil concentration obtainable in E. polybractea leaves for a given leaf size increase. Such information helps to understand the factors that underlie oil yields and provides a potential framework for selection strategies aimed at maximising harvestable oil yields. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0744-1 Authors Jason Q. D. Goodger, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia Ian E. Woodrow, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Many scientists and managers have an interest in describing the environment following a fire to understand the effects on soil productivity, vegetation growth, and wildlife habitat, but little research has focused on the scientific rationale for classifying the post-fire environment. We developed an empirically-grounded soil post-fire index (PFI) based on available science and ecological thresholds. Using over 50 literature sources, we identified a minimum of five broad categories of post-fire outcomes: (a) unburned, (b) abundant surface organic matter (〉85% surface organic matter), (c) moderate amount of surface organic matter (≥40 through 85%), (d) small amounts of surface organic matter (

Beschreibung:    X-ray scattering and microtomography (μCT) are useful techniques to reveal the structure of wood at the nano- and micrometer scales. The nanostructure of xylem in greenhouse-grown 2.5- to 3.5-month-old Populus tremula L. ×  tremuloides Michx. trees was characterized using wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and the cellular structure was investigated using μCT. For comparison, the nanostructure of wood in 2-year-old silver birch, Norway spruce and Scots pine saplings was determined. Based on the μCT results, the lengths of fiber lumina of the hybrid aspen saplings were shorter than any previous results on the lengths of wood fibers. The mean microfibril angles of the hybrid aspen saplings were significantly lower (8°–14°) than those of the birch, spruce and pine saplings (27°–35°) implicating that cellulose microfibrils were oriented nearly parallel to the cell axis in the young hybrid aspen saplings. Hybrid aspen saplings were found to contain tension wood based on the histochemical analysis and μCT images. However, typical tension wood properties, i.e. larger crystallite width and higher crystallinity than in normal wood, were detected only in a few hybrid aspen samples, while in most of the hybrid aspen saplings, the crystallite widths (3.0 ± 0.1 nm) and the crystallinities (30 ± 5 %) corresponded to those of normal wood. The deformations of cellulose crystallites were determined using WAXS in situ upon dehydration of the never-dried samples. In all the species studied, the cellulose unit cell dimension decreased and disorder of cellulose chains increased parallel to the chains upon drying. Also, the transverse disorder of chains increased in birch, spruce and pine, while no changes were detected in this direction in hybrid aspen. The crystallite widths and drying deformation results might indicate that the gelatinous layer has not fully developed in the young hybrid aspen saplings. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0748-x Authors Kirsi Svedström, Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 64, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland Jessica Lucenius, Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 64, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland Jan Van den Bulcke, UGCT-WOODLAB, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Denis Van Loo, UGCT, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Peter Immerzeel, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, SLU, Umeå Plant Science Centre, 90183 Umeå, Sweden Jussi-Petteri Suuronen, Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 64, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland Loes Brabant, UGCT, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Joris Van Acker, UGCT-WOODLAB, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Pekka Saranpää, Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O.B. 18, 01301 Vantaa, Finland Kurt Fagerstedt, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 65, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland Ewa Mellerowicz, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, SLU, Umeå Plant Science Centre, 90183 Umeå, Sweden Ritva Serimaa, Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 64, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Based on theoretical underpinnings and an empirical review of forest laws and regulations of selected countries throughout the Americas, we examine key components of natural forest management and how they are addressed in the legal frameworks of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the U.S. We consider forest policy directives in terms of legislative, planning, operational, environmental/ecological, social, and economic aspects and classify them by the type of policy obligation: (1) non-discretionary laws or rules; or (2) discretionary, voluntary directives; and, further, by the type of policy approach: (1) a specific technology or practice required or recommended; (2) a process or system requirement or recommendation; or (3) a performance or outcome based requirement or recommendation. Protection of at-risk species and riparian buffers are required in all countries and include specific prescriptions in most; forest management planning and secure, legal land title or tenancy are commonly required; and mandatory processes to protect soil and water quality are customary. Less common requirements include forest monitoring and social and economic aspects, and, when in place, they are usually voluntary. Implications for improved policies to achieve sustainable forest management (SFM) are discussed.

Beschreibung:    Vertical leaf distribution and relative irradiance were ascertained for the dominant species Ulmus laevis Pall. at the level of the individual tree and at the level of the stand in a mixed broad-leaved forest in South Moravia, the Czech Republic. The study consisted of detailed, destructive measurement of five selected sample trees and the establishment of basic biometric parameters for the entire stand. Using allometric relationships, measurements from sample trees were generalized to diameter at breast height (DBH) classes and were then scaled up to the level of the imaginary pure stand of elm; the selected independent variables were tree height and DBH. The vertical leaf distribution was unimodal in trees with smaller dimensions and bimodal in trees with larger dimensions. The leaf area index (LAI) of the stand was 4 (6.4 including the undergrowth), and the sunlit leaf area index (SLAI) was 1.7. Dominant trees had a higher proportion of sunlit leaf area than subdominant and suppressed trees. Determination of appropriate methods and intensity of thinning can lead to optimizing of irradiation control, vitality increase of the elm stands and subsequently to a higher resistance to Dutch elm disease vector and disease itself. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0747-y Authors Martin Šrámek, Institute of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocenology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic Jan Čermák, Institute of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocenology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Palaeoclimate proxies have demonstrated links between climate changes and volcanic activity. However, not much is known about the impact of volcanic eruptions on forest productivity. Here we used tree-ring width and annually resolved carbon and oxygen isotopic records from tree rings of Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch, providing a centennial-scale reconstruction of tree ecophysiological processes in forest stands nearby the Lonquimay Volcano (Chile). We observed a mean decrease in tree-ring width following the major eruption of 1988 – 1990 (with aerosol emission), most probably caused by the modified ecological conditions due to acid rain and ash deposition, while a generally negative relationship between δ 13 C and δ 18 O would point to a decline in humidity and precipitation. More negative δ 13 C and lower δ 18 O values (positive correlation) following the major eruption of 1887–1890 (without aerosol emission) would suggest high stomatal conductance and moisture availability, though tree-ring width (and probably photosynthetic rate) was unaltered. At least for this sample of trees, in the case of eruption with large tephra emission, the beneficial effect of aerosol light scattering on tree productivity appears to be outweighed by the detrimental effect of eruption-induced toxic deposition. Signals of the two major eruptions of the past 200 years at Lonquimay were present in tree rings of nearby A. araucana . No unique response of tree functions to volcanic eruptions can be expected, but rather (1) the variable volcanic properties and (2) the complex interplay of diffuse light increase (aerosol scattering), air temperature decrease (cloud shading), and toxic deposition impact (volcanic ash), makes any prediction of tree growth and ecophysiological response very challenging. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0749-9 Authors Roberto Tognetti, Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy Fabio Lombardi, Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy Bruno Lasserre, Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy Giovanna Battipaglia, Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Vivaldi, 81100 Caserta, Italy Matthias Saurer, PSI, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland Paolo Cherubini, WSL, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland Marco Marchetti, Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Theories that incorporate the area-preserving rule of Leonardo da Vinci predict that the sum of the cross-sectional lumen area of xylem conduits (vessels or tracheids) is constant across different levels of branching. If true, this rule obtains the packing rule, according to which (1) vessel cross-sectional lumen area ( A ) will negatively and isometrically scale to vessel number per unit area ( N ) and (2) the distal to proximal vessel diameter ratio (DR =  D n +1 / D n ) should scale as the −1/2 power of the distal to proximal vessel number ratio (NR =  N n +1 / N n ), i.e., DR = NR −1/2 . Using data collected from the terminal twigs and the petioles of 60 temperate (27 evergreen and 33 deciduous) woody species from southwestern China, we determined the scaling relationships for A versus N and for DR versus NR. Analyses of the data revealed contrasting scaling exponents and normalization constants for A versus N and for DR versus NR and no consistent trend across the two species groupings or between the two organ types (as predicted by the area-preserving and packing rules). These results caution against applying these rules ubiquitously to all species or to different organ types (even on the same plant). Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0742-3 Authors Hong Chen, Key Laboratory of Horticulture Science for Southern Mountainous Regions, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China Karl J. Niklas, Department of Plant Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA Shucun Sun, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041 China Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: As part of its efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, China has committed to expanding the country’s forest area by 40 million hectares and stocking volume by 1.3 billion m3 from 2006 to 2020. Our analysis suggests that it is very likely that China will realize its goal of forest area expansion; but the target of volume increase represents only a modest gain, which may absorb about 2% of its cumulative carbon emissions. However, China’s forests can be a much more significant carbon sequester and ecosystem services provider if its forest growth rate and stocking level are boosted by improving forest quality and productivity. To that end, however, the civil cultural practices and governance structure must be transformed.

Beschreibung: Forest carbon stocks—both in terms of the standing biomass and the soil organic carbon (OC)—were monitored in the mangrove plantation reforested from an abandoned shrimp pond for the 10 years following land excavation. Excavation to a level of 25 cm below the existing ground level increased the inundation time of tidal water from 463 to 7,597 hours per year, resulting in a significant increase of survival/growth rates for planted mangrove species, Rhizophora mucronata (RM) and Bruguiera cylindrica (BC), and of carbon stocks as well. RM showed high rates of standing biomass accumulation with 98.7 ton/ha while 28.8 ton/ha for BC was measured over 10 years in the excavated area. In contrast, the unexcavated area showed low rates of biomass accumulation, 1.04 ton/ha for RM and 0.53 ton/ha for BC in the same period. The excavated area recorded a twofold increase of soil OC in the upper 5 cm of the surface soil from 71.8 to 154.8 ton/ha in 10 years, however it decreased to 68.3 ton/ha in the unexcavated area where soil OC is susceptible to decomposition. These results imply that the potential of carbon sinks in reforested land from abandoned areas cannot be developed unless hydraulic conditions are properly recovered. The fast growing species Avicennia marina (AM) grew quickly for the first two years after colonization but its growth slowed down afterwards, showing a limited ability of carbon capture.

Beschreibung: Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems have been reduced dramatically throughout their range. Prescribed burning is considered the best way to restore and maintain plant communities associated with longleaf pine, but little is known about its effects on coarse woody debris and associated organisms. We conducted a 5-year study on the Osceola National Forest in northeastern Florida to determine how dormant-season prescribed burns at different frequencies (annual, biennial, quadrennial or unburned) applied over a 40-year period affected coarse woody debris volume, decomposition and nitrogen content, and subterranean termite (Reticulitermes spp.) activity. Burn frequency had no effect on standing dead tree or log volumes. However, freshly cut longleaf pine logs placed in the plots for four years lost significantly less mass in annually burned plots than in unburned plots. The annual exponential decay coefficient estimate from all logs was 0.14 yr−1 (SE = 0.01), with the estimated times for 50 and 95% loss being 5 and 21.4 years, respectively. Termite presence was unaffected by frequent burning, suggesting they were able to survive the fires underground or within wood, and that winter burning did not deplete their food resources.

Beschreibung:    Droughts are a cyclical disturbance in Mediterranean ecosystems and climate change models forecast an increase of their frequency and severity. Some experimental and observational studies have shown that co-occurring species may cope with drier conditions with different strategies and present different responses. Here, we investigate sap flow response to drought in order to explain the observed differential growth and mortality of Quercus ilex and Phillyrea latifolia at Prades Holm oak forest (NE Spain). We measured sap flow of these species and compared their diurnal, nocturnal and seasonal patterns and their relationship with environmental variables. Both species described qualitatively similar daily patterns, either during daylight or night. Sap flow rates were significantly higher in P. latifolia except in autumn and spring. P. latifolia was more sensitive to soil moisture. Nocturnal sap flow was detected in both species with no significant differences and hourly rates suffered a progressive increase from 3 a.m. to dawn in most sampled nights. Our results indicate a better adaptation of P. latifolia to this site as it can take better advantage of wet periods while maintaining higher sap flow rates during dry periods. Along with previous ecophysiological studies at the same location it may be inferred that at its drier distributional limit Q. ilex would be at disadvantage with respect to other species like P. latifolia , as the latter would cope better with increasing xeric conditions already occurring and further predicted for Mediterranean ecosystems. Our results also show nocturnal sap flow to be relevant in individual water losses in these two species as they can be up to 35–40 % of daily sap flow. Further research on the underlying mechanisms of this nocturnal sap flow is required since it may also enhance early morning CO 2 fixation or nutrient supply to leaves. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0741-4 Authors Adrià Barbeta, CREAF, Cerdanyola del vallès, 08193 Catalonia, Spain Romà Ogaya, CREAF, Cerdanyola del vallès, 08193 Catalonia, Spain Josep Peñuelas, CREAF, Cerdanyola del vallès, 08193 Catalonia, Spain Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    The aim of this study was to clarify the capability of Scots pine seeds ( Pinus sylvestris L.) of different origins to germinate and survive under waterlogging conditions. Seeds were used from one Spanish and three UK sources. All experiments were carried out in the glasshouse and under the optimum conditions for Scots pine seed to germinate and establish. A technique using inner and outer pots was used to produce four depths of waterlogging below the soil surface. Seed mass and viability were examined prior to use in the experiments. Waterlogging reduced germination, but an increase in time between sowing and waterlogging of up to 3 weeks and a watertable 〉4 cm below the surface greatly improved germination and seedling growth. Once established, seedling survival was remarkably tolerant of waterlogging, and seedlings survived 25 months even with the watertable at the soil surface. Seeds collected from trees on a floating bog in the English Midlands were least affected by waterlogging, but the variation among seed sources was small compared to the effects of the timing, depth and duration of waterlogging. Management implications are discussed. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0740-5 Authors Tarek A. Mukassabi, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Huxley Building, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG UK Anthony Polwart, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Huxley Building, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG UK Tim Coleshaw, Natural England, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury, UK Peter A. Thomas, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Huxley Building, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG UK Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    There has been growing recent interest in the adaptations of tree species to seedling establishment in active northern temperate floodplains. In the case of Populus and Salix , most or all of the recent papers overlook a scattered, earlier literature showing that, in many Populus and Salix species, just after germination, the collet produces prominent hairs which, in young seedlings, may play an important role in anchorage and water absorption, the collet being the transition zone between the hypocotyl and the radicle. This earlier literature is briefly reviewed. The significance of collet hairs is then related to the very high seedling mortalities in riparian systems caused by high river flows (scour) or by drought stress arising from water level declines and coarse sediment textures. The need for work to establish just which species have collet hairs and to quantify the effect of collet hairs on anchorage and water absorption is emphasized. Content Type Journal Article Category Review Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0738-z Authors R. F. Parsons, Department of Botany, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086 Australia Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Enhancement of forest growth through silvicultural modification of stand density is one strategy for increasing carbon (C) sequestration. Using the Fire and Fuels Extension of the Forest Vegetation Simulator, the effects of even-aged, uneven-aged and no-action management scenarios on C sequestration in a southern Appalachian red spruce-Fraser fir forest were modeled. We explicitly considered C stored in standing forest stocks and the fate of forest products derived from harvesting. Over a 100-year simulation period the even-aged scenario (250 Mg C ha−1) outperformed the no-action scenario (241 Mg C ha−1) in total carbon (TC) sequestered. The uneven-aged scenario approached 220 Mg C ha−1, but did not outperform the no-action scenario within the simulation period. While the average annual change in C (AAC) of the no-action scenario approached zero, or carbon neutral, during the simulation, both the even-aged and uneven-aged scenarios surpassed the no-action by year 30 and maintained positive AAC throughout the 100-year simulation. This study demonstrates that silvicultural treatment of forest stands can increase potential C storage, but that careful consideration of: (1) accounting method (i.e., TC versus AAC); (2) fate of harvested products and; (3) length of the planning horizon (e.g., 100 years) will strongly influence the evaluation of C sequestration.

Beschreibung:    The New York Pine Plains are a unique ecosystem with normal statured and a dwarfed variety of pitch pines ( Pinus rigida Mill.). Growing interspersed with the dwarf pines are trees of intermediate height and features. Several hypotheses have been put forward as to why some of the trees are dwarfed, but none have been substantiated. In this study, we tested whether dwarf or medium trees are hydraulically limited compared to normally growing trees. Granier style sap flux sensors were installed in three to six trees of each tree type and sap flux was measured in early August 2004. Sap flux measurements were scaled to crown stomatal conductance using leaf area to sapwood area ratios for each tree. Contrary to expectation, dwarf and medium stature trees had very low leaf area to sapwood area ratios, but high crown stomatal conductances compared to normal trees. Analyses of leaf area, ring widths, and crown stomatal conductance indicate that differences between normal, and dwarf and medium pines are not due to hydraulic limitation, but that stunted growth may be due to other causes. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0736-1 Authors D. W. Vanderklein, Department of Biology and Molecular Biology, Montclair State University, Science Hall 116, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA K. V. R. Schäfer, Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, 195 University Ave., Newark, NJ 07102, USA J. Martinez-Vilalta, CREAF, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Wood density is an important plant trait that influences a range of ecological processes, including resistance to damage and growth rates. Wood density is highly dependent on anatomical characteristics associated with the conductive tissue of trees (xylem and phloem) and the fibre matrix in which they occur. Here, we investigated variation in the wood density of the widespread mangrove species Avicennia marina in the Exmouth Gulf in Western Australia and in the Firth of Thames in New Zealand. We assessed how variation in xylem vessel size, fibre wall thickness and proportion of phloem within the wood contributed to variation in wood density and how these characteristics were linked to growth rates. We found the wood density of A. marina to be higher in Western Australia than in New Zealand and to be higher in taller seaward fringing trees than in scrub trees growing high in the intertidal. At the cellular level, high wood density was associated with large xylem vessels and thick fibre walls. Additionally, wood density increased with decreasing proportions of phloem per growth layer of wood. Tree growth rates were positively correlated with xylem vessel size and wood density. We conclude that A. marina can have large xylem vessel sizes and high growth rates while still maintaining high wood density because of the abundance and thickness of fibres in which vessels are found. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0729-0 Authors Nadia S. Santini, The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia Nele Schmitz, General Botany and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium Catherine E. Lovelock, The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Foliage dynamics of three functional tree types representing major components of the tropical montane evergreen forest in southern part of Central Ethiopia were compared. The species were Podocarpus falcatus (evergreen gymnosperm), Prunus africana (evergreen broadleaf), and Croton macrostachyus (facultative deciduous). The hypothesis examined is that in such tropical trees, endogenous control of foliage dynamics by the leaf life-spans (LLS) is largely dominant over external signals. Crown foliage turnover, leafiness of twigs, LLS, photosynthetic performance, respiration rate, specific leaf area, and relative growth rates of the stems were investigated. Foliage dynamics and leafiness of the twigs were monitored over 2 years while leaf traits were followed over 3 months. The degree of inter and intra-individual synchronization of foliage phenophases was examined to get an estimate of the contributions of endogenous and external signals to the dynamics of the foliages. Autoregression analysis indicated significant influence of the moisture regime on leaf sprouting of Croton and Podocarpus . During pronounced dry periods, new leaves were not developed. Analysis of phenological data using circular statistics revealed that in spite of strong inter-individual synchronization of leaf flush and fall ( Podocarpus and Croton ), the dynamics of individual parts of the crowns were less synchronized. LLS was independent of climate factors and it had substantial contribution to the control of foliage turnover. Moreover, examination of ecophysiological traits of developing leaves of the studied functional types showed differing patterns with LLS corroborating the ecophysiological characteristics. Although overlaid by fungal infestation, both the foliage and ecophysiological properties of Prunus resemble that of Podocarpus but the former exhibited a shorter LLS and slightly higher metabolic rates. Nevertheless, all species reacted positively to high moisture with respect to stem growth. In spite of largely differing weather conditions of the 2 years, direct competitive advantage of one of the species over the others could not be detected. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-18 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0723-6 Authors Yigremachew Seyoum, Department of Biology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box, 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Masresha Fetene, Department of Biology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box, 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Simone Strobl, Department of Plant Physiology and Bayreuth Centre for Ecology and Environmental Research (BAYCEER), University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany Erwin Beck, Department of Plant Physiology and Bayreuth Centre for Ecology and Environmental Research (BAYCEER), University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Metallothioneins are Cys-rich, low-molecular weight, metal-binding proteins. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the roles of type 2 metallothionein in Kandelia candel ( KcMT2 ) by analyzing its mRNA expression in leaves in response to heavy metals, as well as the metal-binding properties of its protein. The transcriptional response of KcMT2 gene to different heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) was measured using real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed that the gene was regulated by the four metals tested. Significant increase in the expression of KcMT2 mRNA was also found in response to Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd. To analyze further the possible roles of KcMT2 against heavy metals, it was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 as a carboxy-terminal extension of glutathione- S -transferase (GST). The E. coli cells expressing GST-KcMT2 fusion protein showed higher growth compared to the control cells under Zn, Cu, Pb or Cd exposure, and the GST-KcMT2 fusion protein had a stronger binding affinity for Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd than GST alone. Results presented here reveal that KcMT2 may play important roles in the heavy metal homeostasis or detoxification. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0727-2 Authors Guo-Yong Huang, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Environmental Dynamics, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301 China You-Shao Wang, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Environmental Dynamics, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301 China Guang-Guo Ying, State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640 China Ai-Cui Dang, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Environmental Dynamics, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301 China Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Riparian ecotones in the fynbos biome of South Africa are heavily invaded by woody invasive alien species, which are known to reduce water supply to downstream environments. To explore whether variation in species-specific functional traits pertaining to drought-tolerance exist, we investigated wood anatomical traits of key native riparian species and the invasive Acacia mearnsii across different water availability proxies. Wood density, vessel resistance against implosion, vessel lumen diameter and vessel wall thickness were measured. Wood density varied significantly between species, with A. mearnsii having denser wood at sites in rivers with high discharge. As higher wood density is indicative of increased drought tolerance and typical of drier sites, this counter-intuitive finding suggests that increased wood density was more closely related to midday water stress, than streamflow quantity per se. Wood density was positively correlated with vessel resistance against implosion. Higher wood density may also be evidence that A. mearnsii is more resistant against drought-induced cavitation than the studied native species. The observed plastic response of A. mearnsii anatomical traits to variable water availability indicates the ability of this species to persist under various environmental conditions. A possible non-causal relationship between wood anatomy and drought tolerance in these riparian systems is discussed. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0726-3 Authors Casparus J. Crous, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 South Africa Shayne M. Jacobs, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 South Africa Karen J. Esler, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 South Africa Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    To fulfill the US Thanksgiving and Christmas tree markets, balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) is generally harvested before the cold season, anecdotally leading to premature needle senescence. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that LT exposure before harvest induces specific hormonal changes and delays postharvest senescence and/or abscission in balsam fir. Two hundred and six seedlings exposed to two temperature treatments for 48 h, LT at 5 °C and controls at 22 °C were severed off roots and monitored for their postharvest needle senescence. Root and shoot (needles and buds) tissues were examined for major endogenous hormone metabolites. LT increased shoot ABA (2,007 ng g −1 DW) by 2.5× and decreased GA 44 (9.84 ng g −1 DW) by 3.5× over those in roots. LT did not alter cytokinins, auxins or any root hormonal concentration. With auxins, only IAA, IAA-Asp, IAA-Leu and IAA-Glu were detected and the concentrations of IAA and IAA-Asp in shoots were lower than those found in roots. Among cytokinins, shoot c-ZR (58.95 ng g −1 DW) and t-ZR (4.17 ng g −1 DW) were 3× higher than those in roots. Apart from GA 44 , GA 9 (136.76 ng g −1 DW) was abundant in shoots. The PBL and PNL were 46 and 1.2 %, irrespective of treatments. LT seedlings held needles 11 days longer than the controls (122 days). In balsam fir, short-term LT exposure augmented ABA and decreased GA 44 levels in shoots and delayed postharvest needle senescence. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0728-1 Authors Arumugam Thiagarajan, Department of Environmental Sciences, Christmas Tree Research Center, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada Rajasekaran Lada, Department of Environmental Sciences, Christmas Tree Research Center, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada Steeve Pepin, Centre de recherche en horticulture, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada Charles Forney, Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5, Canada Yves Desjardins, Centre de recherche en horticulture, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada Martine Dorais, Centre de recherche en horticulture, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    During the last few years, considerable effort has been directed toward understanding how Eucalyptus globulus responds and adapts to low temperature due to its low freezing resistance, especially through gene expression analysis. A recent study has confirmed that freezing stress induces the expression of three dehydrin (DHN) genes in E. globulus . This work reports the identification of a new YSK-type DHN gene in E. globulus ( EuglDHN3 ) and examines the responses of this gene and the three previously reported ( EuglDHN1 , EuglDHN2 and EuglDHN10 ) under low temperature (LT), short photoperiod and water deficit (WD) in one sensitive and one freezing-resistant genotype of E. globulus , to assign them to a class: low temperature responsive, photoperiod responsive or water deficit responsive. Results indicated that two SK n -type DHNs ( EuglDHN1 and EuglDHN2 ) were strongly induced by LT and WD, the KS-type DHN ( EuglDHN10 ) was strongly induced by LT and the Y n SK n -type by WD. The expression patterns under LT and WD were consistent with the regulatory elements identified in the promoter regions of the four DHN genes. The differential accumulation of EuglDHN1 , EuglDHN2 and EuglDHN3 transcripts suggests a differential regulation in specific tissues under WD, and EuglDHN1 and EuglDHN10 under LT. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0722-7 Authors Marta Fernández, Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of Concepción, Concepcion, Chile Sofia Valenzuela, Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of Concepción, Concepcion, Chile Hita Barraza, Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of Concepción, Concepcion, Chile Javier Latorre, Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of Concepción, Concepcion, Chile Valeria Neira, Genomica Forestal S.A, Concepcion, Chile Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Today there is an increasing demand for biomass for use in energy production. In this study we investigated stumps and roots from six poplar (Populus sp.) stands growing on former farmland in Sweden, situated between latitudes 55 and 60°N. The mean age of the poplar was 20 years (range 16–23), the mean stand density 1151 stems ha−1 (range 361–3279), and the mean diameter at breast height (over bark) 288 mm (range 81–574). All poplar stands were on clay soils (light and medium clay and light clay tills).The mean dry mass weight of the 72 excavated stumps was 45 ± 39 kg (range 1–185), with the roots ≥ 50 mm weighing 14 ± 16 kg (range 0.2–87). Dry mean stump weight represented 21% (by dry weight) of the stem. The mean total dry weight per hectare for stumps amounted to 34.9 ± 21.8 (range 12.9–66.9) tons and the equivalent value for roots was 12.0 ± 9.6 (range 4.7–10.9) tons. The excavation of below-ground biomass can either focus on the stump or the stump and parts of the root system. Depending on the combination of soil type and soil moisture the weight of soil adhering to stumps and the cleaning requirements will vary.

Beschreibung:    The phenology of tree species in environments that are subject to strong climatic seasonality is mainly determined by water availability, which may vary as a function of wood density. The relationship among phenology, water potential, wood density and the capacity of water storage in the stem were determined for woody species of caatinga vegetation (dry forest) in the semiarid region of NE Brazil. Leaf flush and fall, flowering and fruiting events were recorded over a 31-month period, and the water potential was measured over a two-year period. These data were related to precipitation, water availability in the soil and photoperiod. Seven deciduous species exhibited low wood density (DLWD, 〈0.5 g cm −3 ), high capacity of water storage in the stem (until 250 % of the dry weight) and high water potential during the year, as opposed to 15 deciduous species that showed high wood density (DHWD, ≥0.5 g cm −3 ). Leaf flush, flowering and the fruiting of DHWD species were related to precipitation, whereas these phenological events occurred at the end of the dry season and/or the beginning of the rainy season for DLWD species and were related to the photoperiod. The two evergreen species showed variations of water potential that were intermediate between those of DHWD and DLWD deciduous species, leaf flush during the dry season and flowering at the end of dry season. These results suggest the existence of three functional groups: evergreen species, DHWD deciduous species and DLWD deciduous species. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0735-2 Authors André Luiz Alves de Lima, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Unidade Acadêmica de Serra Talhada (UAST), Fazenda Saco s/n, Caixa Postal 063, 56900-000 Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil Everardo Valadares de Sá Barretto Sampaio, Centro de Tecnologia, Departamento de Energia Nuclear, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Prof. Luís Freire 1000, Cidade Universitária, 50740-540 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil Cibele Cardoso de Castro, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Unidade Acadêmica de Garanhuns, Avenida Bom Pastor, s/n-Boa Vista, 55296-901 Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil Maria Jesus Nogueira Rodal, Departamento de Biologia/Área de Botânica, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil Antônio Celso Dantas Antonino, Centro de Tecnologia, Departamento de Energia Nuclear, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Prof. Luís Freire 1000, Cidade Universitária, 50740-540 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil André Laurênio de Melo, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Unidade Acadêmica de Serra Talhada (UAST), Fazenda Saco s/n, Caixa Postal 063, 56900-000 Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung:    Despite numerous studies on nitrogen (N) cycling in forest ecosystems, many uncertainties remain, particularly regarding long-term N accumulation in the soil. Models validated against tracer isotopic data from field labeling experiments provide a potential tool to better understand and simulate C and N interactions over multiple decades. In this study, we describe the adaptation of the dynamic process-based model TRACE to a new site, Alptal, where long-term N-addition and 15 N-tracer experiments provide unique datasets for testing the model. We describe model parameterization for this spruce forest, and then test the model with 9- and 14-year time series of 15 N-tracer recovery from control and N-amended catchments, respectively. Finally, we use the model to project the fate of ecosystem N accumulation over the next 70 years. Field 15 N recovery data show that the major sink for N deposition is the soil. On the control plot, tracer recovery in the soil increased from 32 % in the second year to 60 % in the ninth year following tracer addition, whereas on the N-saturated plot, soil recovery stayed almost constant from 63 % in the third year to 61 % in the twelfth year. Recovery in tree biomass increased over the decadal time scale in both treatments, to ca. 10 % over 9 years on the control plot and ca. 13 % over 14 years on the N-amended plot. We then used these time series to validate TRACE, showing that the adaptation and calibration procedure for the Alptal site was successful. Model-data comparison identified that the spreading method of 15 N tracers needs to be considered when interpreting recovery results from labeling studies. Furthermore, the ground vegetation layer was recognized to play an important role in controlling the rate at which deposited N enters soil pools. Our 70-year model simulation into the future underpinned by a Monte-Carlo sensitivity analysis, suggests that the soil is able to immobilize a constant fraction of 70 and 77 % of deposited N for the treated and the control plot, respectively. Further, the model showed that the simulated increased N deposition resulted in a relatively small elevated C sequestration in aggrading wood with an N use efficiency of approximately 7 kg C per kg N added. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-20 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0737-0 Authors Kim Krause, Swiss Fed. Inst. for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland Isabelle Providoli, Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland William S. Currie, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA Harald Bugmann, Forest Ecology, Swiss Fed. Inst. of Technology (ETH), 8092 Zurich, Switzerland Patrick Schleppi, Swiss Fed. Inst. for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: The documented role of United States forests in sequestering carbon, the relatively low cost of forest-based mitigation, and the many co-benefits of increasing forest carbon stocks all contribute to the ongoing trend in the establishment of forest-based carbon offset projects. We present a broad analysis of forest inventory data using site quality indicators to provide guidance to managers planning land acquisition for forest-based greenhouse gas mitigation projects. Specifically, we summarize two condition class indicators of site productivity within the FIA forest inventory database—physclcd and siteclcd—as they relate to current aboveground live tree carbon stocks. Average carbon density is higher on more productive sites, but compared to the overall variability among sites, the differences are relatively small for all but the highest and lowest site classes. Some minor differences in eastern- versus western-forests were apparent in terms of how carbon on the least productive sites differed from most other forest land over time. Overall results suggest that xeric sites in most regions as well as sites that correspond to the lowest, non-productive classifications of forest land should preferentially not be used forestry-based greenhouse gas mitigation projects, but all other forest areas appear to be suitable.

Beschreibung:    Defoliation by herbivores may alter the source:sink balance of trees leading to transient decreases in carbon (C) stores. When C stores are replenished concurrently with re-growth both processes may compete, store formation proceeding at the expenses of growth. However, the interactions between both processes are not fully understood. We investigated the effects of defoliation by the pine processionary moth (PPM, Thaumetopoea pityocampa Dennis and Schiff.) on the non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) and nitrogen (N) stores and the growth of Pinus nigra Arnold trees. Short-term effects were evaluated immediately after a PPM outbreak and at the end of the first growing season in trees suffering a range of defoliation damage. Long-term effects were explored by a 17-year-long PPM defoliation experiment, with 11 years of repeated defoliation treatments followed by 6 years of recovery. Defoliation by PPM was followed by transient NSC decreases, but trees were able to exceed initial NSC pools and compensate growth in just one growing season. Such recovery was linked to increased foliage N. Repeated severe defoliations decreased growth and survival of trees in the long-term, but trees increased starch allocation to stems. Defoliation led to an accumulation of C storage compounds in P. nigra trees irrespective of their ability to re-grow. In trees included in the short-term experiment, the accumulation of stores proceeded concurrently with re-growth. However, the repeated severe defoliations included in our long-term experiment impaired the growth of trees, surplus C being accumulated as stores. These results indicate that, growth declines in pines defoliated by PPM are not due to C (source) limitation but may respond to the reduced sink strength of growing meristems due to defoliation, and thus, a decrease in C allocation to growth. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00468-012-0739-y Authors Sara Palacio, Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE-CSIC), Avda. Nuestra Sra. de la Victoria s/n Apdo. 64, 22700 Jaca, Huesca, Spain Rodolfo Hernández, Laboratorio de Sanidad Forestal, Servicio Provincial de Medio Ambiente de Teruel, Depto. Medio Ambiente, Gob. Aragón, C/Agustín Planas Sancho 10, 44400 Mora de Rubielos, Teruel, Spain Melchor Maestro-Martínez, Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE-CSIC), Av. Montañana, 1005 Apdo. 13034, 50080 Zaragoza, Spain J. Julio Camarero, ARAID, Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE-CSIC), Av. Montañana, 1005 Apdo. 13034, 50080 Zaragoza, Spain Journal Trees - Structure and Function Online ISSN 1432-2285 Print ISSN 0931-1890

Beschreibung: Sector sampling is a new and simple approach to sampling objects or borders. This approach would be especially useful for sampling objects in small discrete areas or “polygons” with lots of internal or external edge, but it may be extended to sampling any object regardless of polygon size. Sector plots are wedge-shaped with a fixed sector angle. The probability of object selection is constant and equal to the sector angle in degrees divided by 360°. A unique property of sector sampling is that the point from which the angle originates may be located subjectively when the sector direction is at random. Another advantage over traditional sampling (such as fixed or variable area plots) is that there is no edge effect; that is, there is no altering of selection probabilities of objects close to polygon boundaries. Various approaches are described for deriving polygon means and totals with their associated variances. We review the genesis of sector sampling and develop two new components: sub-sampling using fixed area plots and line sampling using the sector arcs as transects. Sector sampling may be extended to measuring a variety of objects such as trees, shrubs, plants, birds, animal trails and polygon borders.

Beschreibung: The objective of REDD+ is to create incentives for the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and for the increase of carbon stocks through the enhancement, conservation and sustainable management of forests in developing countries. As part of the international negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), compensation would be estimated in relation to national performance but how these incentives will be channeled within countries has not been specified and there are concerns about how the benefits will be shared among different stakeholders. One central issue is that under the national approach good performance in one region can be offset by underperformance in other regions of the country thus preventing the generation of predictable local incentives. Other issues relate to the need to provide incentives to a wide range of stakeholders and to avoid perverse reactions. To address these and other issues we propose separating the accounting of reduced deforestation, reduced degradation and enhancement of forests. The local attribution of credits would be easier for carbon enhancement, and possibly reduced degradation, than for reduced deforestation, since carbon gains can, in principle, be measured locally in the first two cases, while estimating achievements in reduced deforestation requires a regional approach. This separation in attribution of rewards can help to create adequate incentives for the different stakeholders and overcome some of the problems associated with the design and implementation of national REDD+ programs.

Beschreibung: This paper assesses quantification methods for carbon leakage from forestry activities for their suitability in leakage accounting in a future Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) mechanism. To that end, we first conducted a literature review to identify specific pre-requisites for leakage assessment in REDD. We then analyzed a total of 34 quantification methods for leakage emissions from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), the Climate Action Reserve (CAR), the CarbonFix Standard (CFS), and from scientific literature sources. We screened these methods for the leakage aspects they address in terms of leakage type, tools used for quantification and the geographical scale covered. Results show that leakage methods can be grouped into nine main methodological approaches, six of which could fulfill the recommended REDD leakage requirements if approaches for primary and secondary leakage are combined. The majority of methods assessed, address either primary or secondary leakage; the former mostly on a local or regional and the latter on national scale. The VCS is found to be the only carbon accounting standard at present to fulfill all leakage quantification requisites in REDD. However, a lack of accounting methods was identified for international leakage, which was addressed by only two methods, both from scientific literature.

Beschreibung: This study analyzes the latent demand to outdoor recreation participation and identifies what factors are constraining people from realizing this demand. In Sweden, recreation in the outdoors is seen as a public right as articulated in public policy and much of the outdoor recreation centre around forested landscapes—over 60 percent of the land area is classified as forest. Using data from a nationwide survey of 43 recreation activities, the study takes a time-contextual approach to reveal variations in recreation constraints across weekdays, weekends and holidays. Results show that almost half the population has a latent demand to increase their participation in outdoor recreation. Three categories of time contextual constraints are identified and several of the constraints studied show variations across outdoor activities and socio-economic factors. Practical implications for the promotion of outdoor recreation participation by public agencies, recreation managers and tourism businesses are discussed based on the study findings.

Beschreibung: Bhutan was an inhabited wilderness until 1961, when road construction started after the closure of the Tibetan border. Since then, the road network has expanded from the Indian boarder, often tracing traditional trails. This has accelerated commerce as well as movement of people from India, benefitting both the Bhutanese and foreign tourists. At the same time, dependence on imported automobiles and fossil fuel has risen, and roadless areas have begun to shrink. This brought an inevitable loss of traditional environmental knowledge, such as the care of mules for packing, and reduction in physical and mental health among the Bhutanese. People who lost jobs as horsemen moved into towns to find jobs. Road extension is also a double-edged sword for visitors. It has resulted in shrinking trekking areas and loss of traditional culture, both of which have been sacrificed for easy access. Protected areas often function as fortifications against mechanical civilization. However, protected-area status or its zoning does not guarantee that an area will remain roadless where there is considerable resident population. An analysis in Jigme Dorji National Park showed the gradual retreat of trailheads and increasing dependence on automobiles among residents and trekkers. B. MacKaye, a regional planner in the Eastern United States, proposed using trails as a tool to control such mechanical civilization. His philosophy of regional planning suggests two measures; one is consolidated trailheads as dams, and the other is confinement of roads by levees, consisting of new trails and wilderness belts. According to case studies, the author proposed six options for coexistence of trails with roads.

Beschreibung: Despite the widespread agreement on the importance of preserving ecological integrity in conservation and outdoor recreation decision-making processes, traditional metrics analyzing the supply of and demand for conservation and recreation resources have focused on geographical and population-centric units of measurement rather than ecological ones. One tool past researchers have used to inform recreation resource planning is the recreation location quotient (RLQ). While simple park-to-population ratios or acres-per-capita metrics provide a base measure of carrying capacity and are often useful to set broad recreation supply standards, the RLQ offers a more nuanced snapshot of supply and demand by comparing regional ratios to a standardized reference region. The RLQ is thus able to provide a statistic or quotient that highlights regions where recreation resources are particularly abundant and/or scarce relative to a reference area. This project expands the past RLQ analyses by investigating the distribution of recreation resources across the 10 ecological sections found within the US state of Minnesota. RLQs were calculated using recreation trail mileage, natural resource and recreation area acreage data, and recreation facility data from federal, state, and local agencies. Results found notable differences in supply of recreation resources across ecological sections. Some sections were considerably underrepresented in recreation resources-per area (e.g., Red River Valley and North Central Glaciated Plains) while others were underrepresented in recreation resources-per capita (e.g., Minnesota and Northeast Iowa Morainal). The RLQ statistics and resulting maps illustrating relative surplus or deficiencies can inform future land acquisition decisions and highlight the need for cross-jurisdictional planning in order to ensure outdoor recreation systems are ecologically representative. Possible implications and recommendations for future planning decisions are discussed.

Beschreibung: Cyclaneusma needle-cast has a major impact on the New Zealand forest industry. The causal agent, Cyclaneusma minus, causes most severe damage to 11–20 year-old trees and currently there are no economically viable procedures for control of the disease in New Zealand. Here we present a method for genetic transformation of C. minus using protoplasts generated by incubation with Glucanex™ enzyme. C. minus was transformed with a gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) and expression was stable after successive sub-culturing of the strain in the absence of selective pressure. Expression of the gfp gene allowed us to utilize an in vitro GFP-based screening method to identify strains of Trichoderma with potential for biocontrol of this disease. The strain that showed the most promise as a potential biocontrol candidate exhibited a low level of inhibition by uncharacterized metabolite(s) that C. minus secretes into the medium, and consistently caused a loss of GFP expression from the GFP-labeled C. minus strain. The interaction between C. minus and the biocontrol strain, in the interaction zone where GFP expression was lost, was determined to be fungicidal. The utility of such biocontrol strains is discussed. This study represents the first genetic manipulation of C. minus and will pave the way for further studies of the life cycle and infection biology of this organism.

Beschreibung: Forest biomass is an important energy source in Sweden and some other European countries. In this paper we estimate the physically available (i.e., total potential) forest biomass for energy from annual forest harvesting (1970–2008) or in the total standing stock (2008) in Sweden. To place Sweden’s forest resources into perspective we relate this to an estimated need for renewable energy sources in Europe. As Swedish forests supply a range of goods and ecosystem services, and as forest biomass is often bulky and expensive to procure, we also discuss issues that affect the amount of forest biomass that is actually available for energy production. We conclude that forests will contribute to Sweden’s renewable energy potential, but to a limited extent and expectations must be realistic and take techno-economical and environmental issues into consideration. To meet future energy needs in Sweden and Europe, a full suite of renewable energy resources will be needed, along with efficient conversion systems. A long-term sustainable supply of forest resources for energy and other uses can be obtained if future harvest levels are increased until they are equal to the annual growth increment. Delivering more than this would require increasing forest productivity through more intensive management. The new management regimes would have to begin now because it takes a long time to change annual production in temperate and boreal forests.

Beschreibung: Coping or adaptation following large-scale disturbance may depend on the political system and its preparedness and policy development in relation to risks. Adaptive or foresight planning is necessary in order to account and plan for potential risks that may increase or take place concurrently with climate change. Forests constitute relevant examples of large-scale renewable resource systems that have been directly affected by recent environmental and social changes, and where different levels of management may influence each other. This article views disturbances in the forest sectors of Sweden and Canada, two large forest nations with comparable forestry experiences, in order to elucidate the preparedness and existing responses to multiple potential stresses. The article concludes that the two countries are exposed to stresses that indicate the importance of the governing and institutional system particularly with regard to multi-level systems including federal and EU levels. While economic change largely results in privatization of risk onto individual companies and their economic resources (in Canada coupled with a contestation of institutional systems and equity in these), storm and pest outbreaks in particular challenge institutional capacities at administrative levels, within the context provided by governance and tenure systems.

Beschreibung: New diseases in forest ecosystems have been reported at an increasing rate over the last century. Some reasons for this include the increased disturbance by humans to forest ecosystems, changed climatic conditions and intensified international trade. Although many of the contributing factors to the changed disease scenarios are anthropogenic, there has been a reluctance to control them by legislation, other forms of government authority or through public involvement. Some of the primary obstacles relate to problems in communicating biological understanding of concepts to the political sphere of society. Relevant response to new disease scenarios is very often associated with a proper understanding of intraspecific variation in the challenging pathogen. Other factors could be technical, based on a lack of understanding of possible countermeasures. There are also philosophical reasons, such as the view that forests are part of the natural ecosystems and should not be managed for natural disturbances such as disease outbreaks. Finally, some of the reasons are economic or political, such as a belief in free trade or reluctance to acknowledge supranational intervention control. Our possibilities to act in response to new disease threats are critically dependent on the timing of efforts. A common recognition of the nature of the problem and adapting vocabulary that describe relevant biological entities would help to facilitate timely and adequate responses in society to emerging diseases in forests.

Beschreibung: Our objective was to compare and evaluate the practical applicability to REDD+ of ten forest management, social, environmental and carbon standards that are currently active worldwide: Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB), CCB REDD+ Social and Environmental Standards (CCBA REDD+ S&E), CarbonFix Standard (CFS), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Global Conservation Standard (GCS), ISO 14064:2006, Plan Vivo Standard, Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), SOCIALCARBON Standard and the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). We developed a framework for evaluation of these standards relative to each other using four substantive criteria: (1) poverty alleviation, (2) sustainable management of forests (SMF), (3) biodiversity protection, (4) quantification and assessment of net greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits; and two procedural criteria: (5) monitoring and reporting, and (6) certification procedures. REDD programs require assessment of GHG benefits, monitoring, reporting and certification. Our analysis shows that only the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) treats these three criteria comprehensively. No standard provides comprehensive coverage of the social and other environmental criteria. FSC, PEFC and CarbonFix provide comprehensive assessments of the sustainable forest management criterion. CCBA REDD+ S&E, CCB, and GCS provide comprehensive coverage of the biodiversity and poverty alleviation criteria. Experience in using these standards in pilot projects shows that projects are currently combining several standards as part of their strategy to improve their ability to attract investment, but costs of implementing several certification schemes is a concern. We conclude that voluntary certification provides useful practical experience that should feed into the design of the international REDD+ regime.

Beschreibung: One of the main issues regarding the implementation of REDD+ in Latin America has been the growing concern that such projects may infringe upon the rights and negatively affect the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. Various indigenous and civil society organizations are ardently opposed to the initiative. Such is the case in Ecuador, where indigenous opposition to REDD+ represents a considerable obstacle in the creation of a national strategy since more than 60% of the country’s remaining forest cover is on indigenous land or under indigenous occupation. Thus one of the most critical challenges remaining for Ecuador will be the construction of a strong legal, financial, and institutional framework—one that the greater indigenous community might be willing to accept. Closer examination of this topic however, reveals just how difficult this may become. Lack of information, a recent political split between national authorities and the indigenous sector, and the dissimilar organizational capacity levels of indigenous communities make the feasibility of carrying out REDD+ projects on these lands extremely complex. However, the biggest obstacle may be ideological. Many indigenous groups view REDD+, with its possible emphasis on international markets and neoliberal mechanisms, as a continuation of the type of policies that have impeded their quest for sovereignty and self determination. As such, indigenous people are only willing to consider such projects if they clearly see preconditions in place that would safeguard their cultures, territories, and autonomy.

Beschreibung: We evaluated the effects of site preparation treatments on growth of lodgepole pine and white spruce in north-eastern British Columbia, Canada. These treatments can provide yield gains of up to 10 percent for lodgepole pine and white spruce at 60 and 80 years, respectively (estimated using TASS). Stands of these two species are showing a Type 1 response. Using growth multipliers, based on measurements collected at ages 10 to 20 results in inflated estimates of potential yield responses while the age-shift method provides the most appropriate estimates of yield gains when measured during the first 20 years of growth.