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Publications

NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.

2012

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Abstract

The ingrowth core method is widely used to assess fine root (diameter < 2 mm) production but has many inherent deficiencies. In this study, we modified this method by adopting mini ingrowth cores (diameter 1.2 cm), extending sample intervals to a growing season, and developing new models to quantify the concurrent production, mortality and decomposition, and applied them to a secondary Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica Fischer ex Ledebour) forest. Annual fine root production, mortality and decomposition estimated by our method were 2.10 ± 0.23, 1.78 ± 0.20 and 0.85 ± 0.13 t ha−1, respectively, and 33.3% of the production was decomposed in the growing season. The production estimate using our method was significantly higher than those using two long-term ingrowth core (sample interval >2 months) methods. However, it was significantly lower than that using the short-term ingrowth core (sample interval <2 months) method, presumably due to the lower root competition and less decomposition occurring in the short-term cores. The fine root estimates using our method in the growing season were generally higher than those using the forward and continuous inflow methods but lower than those using the backward method. Our method reduces the disturbances in roots and soil, minimizes the sampling frequency and improves the quantification of fine root decomposition during the sample intervals. These modifications overcome the limitations associated with the previous ingrowth core methods. Our method provides an improved alternative for estimating fine root production, mortality and decomposition.

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Abstract

Logging exceeded growth and timber trees were sparse in Norwegian forests in the early 1900s. Still, the forest canopy was lush green and characterised by large tree-crowns. This situation was referred to as the “Green lie” and was advocated by foresters throughout Scandinavia as an argument in favour of forestry practices based on clear-felling. Here we examine effects of past selective loggings on forest structure and composition in a spruce forest landscape using dendroecology and historical records. Our results show that forests that were selectively logged up to the early 1900s could be structurally heterogeneous with multi-layered canopies, varying degree of openness and continuous presence of old trees across different spatial scales. Because the past forests were not clear-felled, a diverse forest structure in terms of tree species composition and age and diameter distribution was maintained over time, which could enable forest-dwelling species to persist during the early phase following the loggings in the past. This is in sharp contrast to the situation in most modern managed forest landscapes in Scandinavia. A better understanding of the link between loggings in the past- and present-day forest structure and diversity will contribute to rewarding discussions on forestry methods for the future.

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Abstract

The genera Leiopus Audinet-Serville, 1835 and Acanthocinus Dejean, 1821 are redescribed. New morphological differences at the generic level are described, and the importance of genitalia characters in taxonomy at both species and generic level is emphasized. Carinopus subgen. nov. in Leiopus is described from mainland China and Taiwan. Acanthobatesianus subgen. nov. in Acanthocinus is described from China, the Korean peninsula and Japan. Leiopus (Carinopus) campbelli (Gressitt, 1937) comb. nov. is transferred from Acanthocinus, and Acanthocinus (Acanthobatesianus) guttatus (Bates, 1873) comb. nov. from Leiopus. Six new species of Leiopus from China are diagnosed, described, and illustrated: L. nigropunctatus sp. nov., L. flavomaculatus sp. nov., L. ocellatus sp. nov., L. nigrofasciculosus sp. nov., L. holzschuhi sp. nov. and L. multipunctellus sp. nov. Redescriptions of L. kharazii Holzschuh, 1974, L. albivittis albivittis Kraatz, 1879, L. stillatus (Bates, 1884), L. (Carinopus) shibatai Hayashi, 1974, L. (Carinopus) fallaciosus Holzschuh, 1993, L. (Carinopus) campbelli (Gressitt, 1937) comb. nov. and Acanthocinus (Acanthobatesianus) guttatus (Bates, 1873) comb. nov. are added. A key to the generic and subgeneric levels of Leiopus and Acanthocinus, and a dichotomous key to all six new species of Carinopus subgen. nov. (Leiopus str.) from China, are provided.