Carbon stocks of three secondary coniferous forests along an altitudinal gradient on Loess Plateau in inland China.

Natural forests in inland China are generally distributed in montane area and secondary due to a semi-arid climate and past anthropogenic disturbances. However, quantification of carbon (C) stock in these forests and the role of altitude in determining C storage and its partition among ecosystem components are unclear. We sampled 54 stands of three secondary coniferous forests (Larix principis-rupprechtii (LP) forest, Picea meyerii (PM) forest and Pinus tabulaeformis (PT) forest) on Loess Plateau in an altitudinal range of 1200-2700m a.

Responses of nutrient capture and fine root morphology of subalpine coniferous tree Picea asperata to nutrient heterogeneity and competition.

Investigating the responses of trees to the heterogeneous distribution of nutrients in soil and simultaneous presence of neighboring roots could strengthen the understanding of an influential mechanism on tree growth and provide a scientific basis for forest management. Here, we conducted two split-pot experiments to investigate the effects of nutrient heterogeneity and intraspecific competition on the fine root morphology and nutrient capture of Picea asperata. The results showed that P.

Effects of nutrient heterogeneity and competition on root architecture of spruce seedlings: implications for an essential feature of root foraging.

Background: We have limited understanding of root foraging responses when plants were simultaneously exposed to nutrient heterogeneity and competition, and our goal was to determine whether and how plants integrate information about nutrients and neighbors in root foraging processes.

Methodology/principal Findings: The experiment was conducted in split-containers, wherein half of the roots of spruce (Picea asperata) seedlings were subjected to intraspecific root competition (the vegetated half), while the other half experienced no competition (the non-vegetated half). Experimental treatments included fertilization in the vegetated half (FV), the non-vegetated half (FNV), and both compartments (F), as well as no fertilization (NF).

Assessment of runoff and sediment yields using the AnnAGNPS model in a Three-Gorge watershed of China.

Soil erosion has been recognized as one of the major threats to our environment and water quality worldwide, especially in China. To mitigate nonpoint source water quality problems caused by soil erosion, best management practices (BMPs) and/or conservation programs have been adopted. Watershed models, such as the Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollutant Loading model (AnnAGNPS), have been developed to aid in the evaluation of watershed response to watershed management practices.