Tree-ring reconstructions of May–June precipitation for western Anatolia

In this study, we aim to examine past dry and wet events for the western Anatolia, performing local and spatial reconstructions. 17 new black pine site chronologies were developed, May–June precipitation time series were reconstructed for four localities, and the first spatial May–June precipitation reconstruction was achieved for western Anatolia. The long-term local May–June precipitation reconstructions contain mostly one-year and, less commonly, two-year drought events. The longest consecutive dry period (AD 1925–1928) in the reconstructed time series for Kütahya lasted four years. Spatial reconstructions revealed that between AD 1786 and 1930 the extreme dry years for all of western Anatolia were AD 1887, 1893, 1794 and 1740. The driest year during the 215-year-long period under consideration was 1887. The wettest years for the entire western Anatolia were determined to be AD 1835, 1876, 1881 and 1901. There is a big overlap between agricultural famine years and dry years as determined from reconstructions. In this context, our study provides a basis for understanding agricultural drought and better management of regional water resources.     

Woodland expansion’s influence on belowground carbon and nitrogen in the Great Basin U.S.

Vegetation changes associated with climate shifts and anthropogenic disturbance can have major impacts on biogeochemical cycling and soils. Much of the Great Basin, U.S. is currently dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate (Rydb.) Boivin) ecosystems. Sagebrush ecosystems are increasingly influenced by pinyon (Pinus monophylla Torr. & Frém and Pinus edulis Engelm.) and juniper (Juniperus osteosperma Torr. and Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) expansion. Some scientists and policy makers believe that increasing woodland cover in the intermountain western U.S. offers the possibility of increased organic carbon (OC) storage on the landscape; however, little is currently known about the distribution of OC on these landscapes, or the role that nitrogen (N) plays in OC retention. We quantified the relationship between tree cover, belowground OC, and total below ground N in expansion woodlands at 13 sites in Utah, Oregon, Idaho, California, and Nevada, USA. One hundred and twenty nine soil cores were taken using a mechanically driven diamond tipped core drill to a depth of 90 cm. Soil, coarse fragments, and coarse roots were analyzed for OC and total N. Woodland expansion influenced the vertical distribution of root OC by increasing 15-30 cm root OC by 2.6 Mg ha⁻¹ and root N by 0.04 Mg ha⁻¹. Root OC and N increased through the entire profile by 3.8 and 0.06 Mg ha⁻¹ respectively. Woodland expansion influenced the vertical distribution of soil OC by increasing surface soil (0-15 cm) OC by 2.2 Mg ha⁻¹. Woodland expansion also caused a 1.3 Mg ha⁻¹ decrease in coarse fragment associated OC from 75-90 cm. Our data suggests that woodland expansion into sagebrush ecosystems has limited potential to store additional belowground OC, and must be weighed against the risk of increased wildfire and exotic grass invasion.     

Influence of livestock on the regeneration of fodder trees along ephemeral rivers of Namibia

Faidherbia albida and Acacia erioloba (Mimosoideae) are important fodder trees for livestock and wildlife along the westward flowing ephemeral rivers of the Namib Desert. Together with other, mainly woody vegetation, F. albida and A. erioloba line these rivers and present a linear oasis in a resource poor environment. For centuries nomadic to semi-nomadic inhabitants seasonally utilised the resources of these ephemeral rivers to survive in the otherwise harsh desert environment. In the past decades, more permanent settlements were established along these rivers, with small stock subsistence farmers making a living from the available resources. Livestock (mainly goats) usually moves freely around, feeding on the available vegetation.This study investigated the influence of free moving animals on the regeneration and recruitment of F. albida and A. erioloba along the Kuiseb ephemeral river. It was found that a large numbers of recently emerged seedlings were removed soon after germination. In addition, tree densities of adult versus juvenile individuals differed in areas with large numbers of livestock. The overall height increase and health of juvenile plants were influenced negatively by browsing livestock. In general, browsing pressure differed spatially and was higher close to the main water channel.     

Frequency and variability of missing tree rings along the stems of Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinea from a semiarid site in SE Spain

We studied the occurrence of missing rings (MR) around and along the stems of three Pinus halepensis and three Pinus pinea trees growing in a semiarid Mediterranean site in SE Spain. Tree-ring analyses were performed along 8 radii on stem discs taken at 1 m distances from the base to the top of the trees. The tree rings analysed showed that 19% were missing in P. halepensis and 10% in P. pinea. MR were recorded in 61% of P. halepensis and 24% of P. pinea in the years analysed. Dry conditions from January to May and high late winter to spring temperatures seem to be the main climatic elements promoting MR in both species. In our research into P. halepensis, the frequency of MR gradually decreased from the bottom upward, but no such pattern was observed in P. pinea. Most tree rings were missing only locally (LMR), indicating that wood formation occurred every year in at least some part of a tree, and the tree rings were often discontinuous around and along the stem. Since the frequency of LMR greatly varies around and along the stem, our results suggest that serial sectioning along the stem provides more information on wood formation and responses of trees to environment than studying the samples at breast height only. The disadvantage of the technique is that, as in our study case, research is based on a limited sample size, since it requires destructive sampling with tree felling, which is not usually possible or desirable on highly vulnerable semiarid forest ecosystems.     

钢铁厂周围不同污染介质的磁学性质及环境意义

为了通过钢铁厂周围不同污染介质的磁学性质研究,实现对环境污染的有效监测,本文系统地采集了河北兴隆和湖南娄底两个钢铁厂周围的树皮和草表面的飞灰、土壤及不同树种的年轮样品.其中前三者用来反映现今污染源,而树木年轮用来追踪长时间尺度的污染历史.通过综合岩石磁学实验分析（包括热磁曲线、磁滞性质和低温实验等）、电子扫描电镜(SEM)和能谱(EDX)以及X射线衍射(XRD)分析,发现钢铁厂周围现今污染源中的主要粗颗粒磁性矿物为磁铁矿、赤铁矿和纯铁.其中8~50 μm的球形磁铁矿颗粒和呈棱角状的铁颗粒是钢铁厂污染物的特征磁性矿物.对不同树种来说,其中香樟树和枫树树木年轮中的磁性矿物以顺磁性物质为主, 不适合用于环境磁学的污染监测.而柳树中的磁性矿物（主要为磁铁矿）与现今污染源的磁性矿物相符.以上研究表明多参数岩石磁学测量并辅以微观分析等手段,可以精确地提取磁性矿物的种类及粒度特征, 判别重工业区污染源,为应用磁学方法来监测环境污染提供依据.     

Acacia salicina, Pinus halepensis and Eucalyptus occidentalis improve soil surface conditions in arid southern Tunisia

Despite low growth rates, plants in arid areas have a strong ability to modify soil surface properties affecting ecosystem processes and community dynamics. But our knowledge on species effects on soil properties in these areas comes largely from observational studies, increasing the risk of confounding factors and precluding estimations of rates of change. We evaluated changes in soil surface properties underneath Acacia salicina, Pinus halepensis and Eucalyptus occidentalis in a 10-year-old common garden experiment established on a degraded Stipa tenacissima steppe in southern Tunisia. The three species tested improved soil properties compared to those of open areas. Acacia salicina ranked first as soil modifier as the soil underneath this species showed higher total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, soil CO₂ efflux and infiltration rate, and lower soil hydrophobicity than soil in open areas. The richness of vascular plants was higher under A. salicina than under the other types of cover. This species showed higher ability to improve microsite conditions and foster succession. Short rotations of A. salicina could thus be employed for the restoration of degraded S. tenacissima steppes provided that other aspects of its ecology are controlled. Pinus halepensis represents a good alternative when native species are a priority, albeit facilitative ability is lower.     

青海湖布哈河流域树轮宽度指数与NDVI植被指数的关系

利用来自青海湖流域乌兰和天峻的树轮指数和1982-2003年逐月标准化植被指数(NDVI)数据及气候数据, 在分析树轮指数及草地NDVI与气候因子关系的基础上, 探讨了树轮宽度指数序列与青海湖布哈河流域草地NDVI之间的关系.结果表明: 树轮宽度指数及草地NDVI主要受6-8月份的水热条件的影响, 温度与同期树轮宽度指数及草地NDVI具有较高的正相关, 而降水的影响存在滞后性.树木年轮指数序列与6-8月草地NDVI有显著的相关关系, 与8月份的NDVI相关性最强.树轮指数与草地NDVI间的显著相关性为研究该地区草地过去的动态变化提供了基础, 利用乌兰和天峻的两条树轮指数重建了8月份NDVI的千年变化.     

树冠叶面积体密度和叶面积指数的间接估值方法研究

本文论述了根据计算机断层成像的原理，对树冠的叶面积体密度和叶面积指数等构造参数进行间接估值的方法。说明了对树冠多角度底视数据的获取，对树冠外形的反投影重构，和获得冠层内叶面积体密度的空间分布的原理和方法。总结了测量工作经验，并用测量数据对估值方法进行了检验。     

贵州省优质烤烟气候区划指标的补充和修正

从贵州省优质烤烟气候区划指标出发,结合威宁县高海拔地区种烟的实际情况,详细分析了贵州省优质烤烟气候区划指标。得出表征热量与作物生长发育的关系,不仅要考虑日平均温度和持天数,还要考虑积温、昼夜温差、地温及叶面温度等。通过分析,对原指标中成熟期平均温度。大田生长期温度、旺长－成熟期天数等指标进行了修正。补充≥１０℃活动积温≥２２００℃,移栽期日平均气温≥１４℃,月平均日较左≥８℃等指标。     

气候变暖对云南烤烟生产影响的初步分析

通过对云南6个烤烟种植区35 a来烤烟大田生长期气温资料的初步分析发现:云南省6个烤烟生产区烤烟大田生长季平均气温呈明显升高趋势,热量条件有较明显的改善;各烟区烤烟成熟—采烤期气候变暖趋势一致性好、增温最突出、增幅最大,增温幅度达到了0.0155~0.0356℃/a,这在一定程度上缓和了云南省烤烟生产过程中烤烟生长中、后期高温不足这一制约云南烤烟品质提高的气候瓶颈问题,对提高云南省烟叶品质有十分重要的促进作用。