Jun 2009, Volume 4 Issue 2
    

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  • Research articles
    A review of the sampling theory of comprehensive forest resources monitoring
    Xianxian LUO , Songya Xu , Xingang KANG , Hua YANG ,
    2009, 4(2): 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0032-4
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    Sampling is a key technique in comprehensive forest resources monitoring. The history of the sampling survey was briefly reviewed and sampling theories were classified and compared in detail. On the basis of that, the application of different sampling methods in comprehensive forest resources monitoring was illustrated in accordance with the sampling classification of Michael Köhl et al. Improvement of the sampling system in China was discussed to meet the new requirements of forest monitoring.
  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Carbon sink in Phoebe bournei artificial forest ecosystem
    Mingdong MA, Chengde LUO, Hong JIANG, Yuejian LIU, Xi LI
    2009, 4(2): 140-145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0033-3
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    Biomass, carbon content, carbon storage and spatial distribution in the 32-year-old Phoebe bournei artificial forest were measured. The mean biomass of the forest stand was 174.33 t/hm2, among which the arbor layer was 166.73 t/hm2, which accounted for 95.6%. Carbon contents of stems, barks, branches, leaves, root, shrub layer, herb layer, lichen layer and litter layer were 0.5769 g C/g, 0.4654 g C/g, 0.5232 g C/g, 0.4958 g C/g, 0.4931 g C/g, 0.4989 g C/g, 0.4733 g C/g, 0.4143 g C/g, 0.3882 g C/g, respectively. The mean carbon content of soil was 0.0139 g C/g, which reduced gradually along with soil depth. Total carbon storage of the P. bournei stand ecosystem was 227.59 t/hm2, among which the arbor layer accounted for 40.13% (91.33 t/hm2), the shrub layer accounted for 0.17% (0.38 t/hm2), the herb layer accounted for 0.76% (1.71 t/hm2), the lichen layer accounted for 0.28% (0.63 t/hm2), and the litter layer accounted for 0.29% (0.66 t/hm2). Carbon content (0-80 cm) of the forest soil was 58.40% (132.88 t/hm2). Spatial distribution ranking of carbon storage was: soil layer (0-80 cm)>arbor layer>herb layer>litter layer>lichen layer>shrub layer. Net production of the forest stand was 8.5706 t/(hm2·a), in which the arbor layer was 6.6691 t/(hm2·a), and it accounted for 77.82%. Net annual carbon sequestration of the P. bournei stand was 4.2536 t/(hm2·a), and the arbor layer was 3.5736 t/(hm2·a), which accounted for 84.01%.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Relationship between species diversity and biomass of eucalyptus plantation in Guangxi, south China
    Yuanguang WEN, Fang CHEN, Shirong LIU, Hongwen LIANG, Chang'an YUAN, Hongguang ZHU
    2009, 4(2): 146-152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0009-3
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    To reveal the relationship between species diversity and biomass in a eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis) plantation located in the Dongmen State Forestry Farm of Guangxi, south China, 18 sample plots were established and the total biomass, arbor layer biomass and undergrowth biomass of communities were subsequently harvested. The results were as follows: 1) Species richness in eucalypt plantation had remarkable positive correlation with biomass of arbor layer, undergrowth and community (α=0.001), its correlation coefficients were 0.6935, 0.7028 and 0.7106 respectively. 2) Leaf area index (LAI) had remarkable positive correlation with species richness and undergrowth biomass (α=0.001). Its correlation coefficients were 0.7310 and 0.6856, respectively. 3) Arbor layer biomass had remarkable correlation with soil organic matter and hydrolysable N, its correlation coefficients was 0.6416 and 0.6203 respectively. Species richness had remarkable correlation with soil organic matter and correlation coefficient was 0.6359. Among them, the correlation was significant at the 0.1 level. Undergrowth biomass had little correlation with nine soil nutrients and correlation coefficients were under 0.4. To sum up, species diversity was advantageous to the promotion of the biomass of the eucalyptus plantation, and the variation of LAI and soil nutrient in small-scales could result in the difference of species diversity and biomass in different sample plots.

  • Research articles
    Gap phase regeneration recruitment of mixed conifer-broadleaf forests in Wolong Nature Reserve
    Juan YANG , Jianping GE , Lijuan LIU , Yi DING , Yingchun TAN ,
    2009, 4(2): 153-158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0031-5
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    Wolong Nature Reserve is the largest reserve for protecting the endangered wild giant panda. Due to historical factors, even in many sections of the core protection area, the forests have been seriously destroyed and natural forests are poorly restored. However, the relative importance of the determinants for recruitment of communities under disturbance is rarely explored. In our study the endogenous and exterior factors in a forest gap that affect the conifer-broad-leaved mixed forest regeneration were investigated near Wuyipeng, one of the observation stations at Wolong, to explore which determinant had the greatest effect on gap regeneration and to discover the recruitment of seedling establishment in forest gaps. With a linear sampling method, environmental factors, gap characteristics and recruitment of new individuals were measured and examined in every forest gap along three sampling lines. Data of environmental factors in the gaps were collected for a Pearson correlation analysis in order to explore the disturbance and preprocessed characteristics of the gaps, using principal component analysis in SPSS. Correlation analysis was applied to further explore the relationship between changes in the gaps and the response of the regenerating seedlings. The results show that a range of natural and human disturbances affected the pattern and characteristics of the forest gaps in this area. The richness in the composition of the seedlings was higher than that of gap makers, but the order of dominance of the composition was different between seedlings and gap makers. The success of dominant species in establishing themselves was affected by different environmental factors. For instance, the establishment of Betula spp. was correlated significantly with topographic factors, while that of Abies faxoniana was affected by soil characteristics and that of Rhododendron spp. correlated significantly with topographic factors and characteristics of gap makers. Moreover, all the biodiversity indices of regenerating seedlings were significantly correlated with environmental principle components mostly reflecting soil properties. From this we can infer that soil characteristics are the most important factors affecting the regeneration of dominant species and seedling diversity under gap disturbances.
  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Nutrient distribution and accumulation patterns of natural secondary forests in the Loess Plateau of Shanxi Province, northern China
    Xiaojuan ZHANG, Tianxing WEI, Libo JING, Na YIN, Yanhui LIU
    2009, 4(2): 159-164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0035-1
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    We studied the biomass and its allocation in natural secondary forests, as well as the amounts, accumulation and distribution of nutrient elements (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) in sample plots established in the Loess Plateau in Shanxi Province, northern China. The results show that biomass in natural secondary forests amounted to 36.09 t/hm2, of which the tree layer accounted for 46%, the shrub layer for 29%, the herb layer for 13% and the litter layer for 12%. The total storage of the five nutrient elements is 1089.82 kg/hm2. Nutrient storage in the tree layer is the largest, at 41%. The sequence of storage of the elements varied among different layers and is given as follows: shrub layer 31.27%, herb layer 12.55% and litter layer 15.36%. The accumulation of nutrient elements in the tree layer, ordered from high to low, is: branches > roots > stems > bark > leaves. The total storage of the five nutrient elements in the soil is 634.97 t/hm2, where the accumulation of the nutrients accounts for 95.32% (N), 99.64% (P), 99.91% (K), 99.84% (Ca) and 99.95% (Mg) of the total amounts. The accumulation coefficients of different organs in the tree layer are, from high to low: leaves > branches > roots > bark > stems. The accumulation coefficients in the different layers are listed as follows: shrub layer > tree layer > herb layer and for the elements as: N > P > Ca > K > Mg.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Generation of runoff characteristics over three time periods for four typical forests in Jinyun Mountain, Chongqing City, southwest China
    Xiaoyuan CHU, Yujie WANG, Yiping XIA, Yun WU, Lin CHEN
    2009, 4(2): 171-177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0025-3
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    In order to provide a basis for water conservation in the restoration of vegetation for an urban water resource area, we studied the generation of runoff characteristics in four typical forests over three time periods in Jinyun Mountain, Chongqing City, based on the observation data of rainfall and runoff processes during the period 2002-2005. The results show that: 1) Rainfall was distributed evenly during the years 2002-2005. Annual rainfall variability was 4.46% and coefficient of variation was 0.0618. Average monthly rainfall tended towards a normal distribution N (113.8, 45972). 2) Both precipitation and runoff can be clearly divided into a dry and a wet season. The dry season was from October to March and the wet season from April to September. Most of annual runoff of the four forest stands occurred in the wet season. The surface runoff in the wet season accounted for more than 85% of the annual runoff, and more than 75% of underground runoff. 3) Both peak values of surface runoff and underground runoff occurred in June. The relation between monthly rainfall and surface/underground runoff was fitted by the model W=aP2+bP+c. The order of annual surface runoff was as follows: Phyllostachys pubescens forest > shrub forest > mixed Pinus massoniana-broadleaf forest > evergreen broad-leaved forest. The annual underground runoff was evergreen broad-leaved forest > mixed Pinus massoniana-broadleaf forest >Phyllostachys pubescens forest > shrub forest. 4) Under similar rainstorms events, the order of the surface runoff coefficient was: evergreen broad-leaved forest < mixed Pinus massoniana-broadleaf forest < shrub forest < Phyllostachys pubescens forest. The underground runoff coefficient was: evergreen broad-leaved forest > mixed Pinus massoniana-broadleaf forest >Phyllostachys pubescens forest > shrub forest. The relation between rainstorms and surface runoff was fitted by the linear relationship: Q=mp-n. Both mixed Pinus massoniana-broadleaf forest and evergreen broad-leaved forest have better flood regulation effects on an annual and monthly basis and per individual rainstorm. The function of Phyllostachys pubescens forest is the worst on all three bases.

  • Research articles
    as a fuelbreak: Litter combustibility of three tree species with five water content levels using a cone calorimeter
    Guomo ZHOU , Yufeng ZHOU , Shuquan YU , Shangbin BAI , Fengzhu LU ,
    2009, 4(2): 178-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0022-6
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    To determine the suitability of Schima superba Gardn. et Champ as a fuelbreak, we compared and analyzed the flammability characteristics of tree litter from three trees commonly grown in south China, i.e., Pinus massoniana Lamb., Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook., and S. superba, using a cone calorimeter at five different water content levels. Water content levels of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% for the litter were manually produced with a new technique of adding water to dry litter. The cone calorimeter utilized a radiant heat intensity for leaf litter of 20&#8201;kW/m2 (510&#176;C) and for twig litter of 30&#8201;kW/m2 (608&#176;C). Results show that fixing the water content level by adding water with a pipette was an acceptable technique. For S. superba, compared to P. massoniana and C. lanceolata, 1) the heat release rate (HRR) was slower and lower; 2) the total heat released (THR) from the material was lower and started later in the burning process; and 3) except for the 10% water content, pkHRR/TTI was less. These results show that overall, S. superba was the best of the three species to be used as a fuelbreak in south China.
  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Effects of site conditions and methods of cultivation on growth of sawtooth oak plantations
    Luozhong TANG, Dan ZHAO, Chunfeng YAN, Zhilong LIU, Shengzuo FANG, Mukui YU
    2009, 4(2): 185-190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0024-4
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    The effects of site conditions and cultivation on the growth of sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima Carr.) plantations were evaluated at the Hongyashan forest farm, in Chuzhou City, Anhui Province, China. The results indicate that the position on the slope, the amount of gravel and the thickness of the soil were important factors in the growth of the sawtooth oak. Lower slope positions with small amounts of gravel and a thick soil were better for the growth of this species than middle slope positions with more gravel and a thin soil. Given the site conditions of the hilly and mountainous areas in Chuzhou City, the mixed Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata Hook.) and sawtooth oak forests did not improve forest productivity compared with pure sawtooth oak forests. Both urea and compound fertilizers promoted the growth of sawtooth oak, as did site preparation and intercropping. Two years after planting, the height growth of ordinary seedlings with a starting height of 0.6 m was higher than that of supper seedlings with a starting height of 1.0 m. Compared with planting, the early growth of the coppices was faster, but the later growth of the coppices was slower.

  • Research articles
    Partition of nocturnal sap flow in and its implication for estimating the whole-tree transpiration
    Hua WANG , Ping ZHAO , Xi’an CAI , Ling MA , Xingquan RAO , Xiaoping ZENG , Quan WANG ,
    2009, 4(2): 191-200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0017-3
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    We analyzed the partition of nocturnal sap flow into refilling of internal water storage and transpiration in Acacia mangium. Sap flow of trees was monitored continuously with Granier&#8217;s sensors for estimating the whole-tree transpiration. Possible night transpiration and stomatal conductance at the leaf level in the canopy were measured with a LI-6400 photosynthesis measuring system. For nocturnal leaf transpiration and stomatal conductance were weak, nocturnal sap flow of mature A. mangium trees was mainly associated with water recharge in the trunk. No significant change in night water recharge of the trunk was found at both seasonal and inter-annual scales. Morphological features of trees including diameter at the breast height (DBH), tree height, and canopy size could explain variances of night water recharge. Furthermore, although the contribution of nocturnal sap flow to the total transpiration varied among seasons and DBH classes, the error caused by night water recharge on whole-tree transpiration was negligible.
  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Carbon isotope discrimination in leaf juice of Acacia mangium and its relationship to water-use efficiency
    Lvliu ZOU, Guchou SUN, Ping ZHAO, Xian CAI, Xiaoping ZENG, Xiaojing LIU
    2009, 4(2): 201-207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0027-1
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    Using the PMS pressure chamber and isotope mass spectrometer (MAT-252), the leaf juice of Acacia mangium was obtained, and the carbon isotope discrimination (D) representing the most recently fixed carbon in the juice was determined. At the same time, the water-use efficiency of A. mangium was estimated. The results indicated that the carbon isotope ratio in the air of forest canopy (da), 10 m high above ground averaged -7.57±1.41‰ in cloudy days, and -8.54±0.67‰ in sunny days, respectively. The diurnal change of the carbon isotope ratio in the photosynthetic products of the leaf juice (dp) was of saddle type in cloudy days, but dropped down from morning to later afternoon in sunny days. A strong negative correlation between dp and leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit (D) was observed in sunny days, but a slight change in dp was found in cloudy days. The dp also decreased with decreasing leaf water potential (Ψ), reflecting that water stress could cause the decrease of dp. The carbon isotope discrimination of the leaf juice was positively correlated with the ratio between intercellular (Pi) and atmospheric (Pa) partial pressure of CO2. For A. mangium, the isotope effect on diffusion of atmospheric CO2 via stomata was denoted by a = 4.6‰, and that in net C3 diffusion with respect to Pi was indicated by b = 28.2‰. The results were in reasonable accord with the theoretically diffusive and biochemical fractionation of carbon isotope. It was defined that carbon isotope discrimination of photosynthetic products in A. mangium leaf juice was in proportion to that from photosynthetic products in dry material. The water-use efficiency estimated by the carbon isotope discrimination in leaf juice, fit well with that measured by gas exchange system (R2 = 0.86, p< 0.0001). The application of leaf juice in measuring the stable carbon isotope discrimination would reduce the effects of fluctuating environmental factors during the synthesis of dry matter, and improve the eco-physiological studies on carbon and water balance when scaling from the plant to canopy in the fields.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Effect of NaCl stress on ion distribution in roots and growth of Cyclocarya paliurus seedlings
    Ruiling YAO, Shengzuo FANG
    2009, 4(2): 208-215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0007-5
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    We studied ion distribution in roots and the growth of Cyclocarya paliurus seedlings of three provenances, Huangshan in Anhui, Jiujiang in Jiangxi and Kunming in Yunnan, under conditions of 0, 1, 3 and 5 g/L NaCl stress using X-ray microanalysis. Results show that under NaCl stress of 3 and 5 g/L, the relative contents of Na+ and Cl– in root tissues increased, while the relative content of K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ decreased. With an increase in salinity, the relative contents of Na+ in the epidermis and cortex of the root increased, while the relative content of Cl– in the stele and cortex of the root increased markedly. Thus, ions in the root tissues were unbalanced and the ratios K+/Na+ and Ca2+/Na+ decreased, while Na+/(K++Na++Ca2++Mg2+) increased. The decrease of the K+/Na+ ratio and the substantial increase of Cl– in root tissues contributed to a decline in seedlings survival and reduced the increments for seedling leaf area, height, basal diameter as well biomass. Our preliminary conclusion is that the level of salt tolerance for the tested provenance seedlings was in the order of Huangshan>Kunming>Jiujiang, and the threshold of salt tolerance for C. paliurus seedlings was about 1 g/L.

  • Research articles
    Prokaryotic expression analysis of an NBS-type gene isolated from Carr.
    Yan LI , xing RAO , Qian ZHANG , Haixia LI , Tingting LIU , Xinmin AN , Zhiyi ZHANG ,
    2009, 4(2): 216-222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0036-0
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    In order to investigate the protein features of an NBS gene (PtDRG01, EF157840) isolated from Populus
  • Research articles
    RAPD markers related to sex locus in
    Wanwei HOU , Junfeng FAN , Feimei ZHOU , Shufang ZHAO ,
    2009, 4(2): 223-226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0037-z
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    By using the methods of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and bulked segregate analysis (BSA), we identified markers that are linked to the sex determination in the dioecious Populus tomentosa. Male and female bulks were created through rough mixing equal amounts of its five individual DNA. A total of 88 primers were screened. Twelve primers produced clear patterns with at least one band that appeared to be polymorphic between the two bulks. Subsequently, five male and female individuals were analyzed with those 12 primers, and only S60 (ACCCGGTCAC) could generate a common 1800&#8201;bp DNA fragment in all five male individuals and male pool but not in any female individuals. It can be concluded that the gender of P. tomentosa is most likely connected to the S60-1800&#8201;bp DNA fragment and RAPD markers. S60, therefore, can be used for selecting the gender of P. tomentosa.
  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Investigation of anti-salt stress on tetraploid Robinia pseudoacacia
    Fanjuan MENG, Jiangjiang WANG, Chuanping YANG, Jianxin LIU
    2009, 4(2): 227-235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0023-5
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    Tetraploid Robinia pseudoacacia was used as a main test material and diploid R. pseudoacacia was used as the control. The indices of shape, physiology and biochemistry, photosynthesis and anatomic structure of the young plants were investigated under salt stress (NaCl and Na2SO4). The treatment time was 30 d with an interval time of 7 d. Before and after treatment, the indices were measured. Results show that: 1) the growth of diploid R. pseudoacacia inhibited an evident symptom of salt damage and the leaf moisture content was lower under salt stress than that of control. But the tetraploid R. pseudoacacia was contrary. 2) The relative electric conductivity and proline (Pro) of tetraploid R. pseudoacacia increased slightly and had no significant difference compared with its control, which was contrary to diploid R. pseudoacacia. At the same time, three protective enzymes including perocidase (POD), superoxide (SOD) and catalase (CAT) kept higher activities at a post stage of salt stress to tetraploid R. pseudoacacia, which enhanced its anti-salt characteristics. Diploid R. pseudoacacia was sensitive to salt and had contrary information. 3) Salt stress had little influence to photosynthesis of tetraploid R. pseudoacacia. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) had no significant changes, but those of diploid R. pseudoacacia decreased singificantly. 4) After salt stress, the anatomic structure of tetraploid R. pseudoacacia had a positive reaction, including the palisade parenchyma of diachyma, was prolonged and arranged more tightly. The spongy parenchyma was shrunk and was arranged tightly, which was contrary with diploid R. pseudoacacia. These data demonstrate that tetraploid R. pseudoacacia had superior anti-salt performance.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Relationship between plant hormone level excreted by ectomycorrhizal fungi and growth of poplar NL-895
    Lei MA, Xiaoqin WU, Ling ZHENG
    2009, 4(2): 236-241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0029-z
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    To explore theeffects of plant hormones levels excreted by ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi on the growth of poplars, Populus × euramericana cv. NL-895 seedlings were inoculated with nine species of ECM fungi. We investigated the status of ectomycorrhizal formation and the effects of these fungi on poplar growth, and using the HPLC method, we measured the contents of four kinds of plant hormones, indole acetic acid (IAA), zeatin (Z), gibberellin (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) in both the culture filtrate and the mycelium of these fungi. The results showed that the effects of nine ECM fungi on the growth of poplar NL-895 varied. The inoculated seedlings, whether or not obvious mycorrhizas were developed, grew better than those non-inoculated ones. All nine ectomycorrhizal fungi excreted the four plant hormones, but at different levels. The hormone contents in culture filtrate were higher than that in mycelium, which show a definite relationship with poplar growth. Significantly, correlation analysis suggested the height and stem diameter of the poplar were positively correlated with zeatin contents in the mycelium, and were negatively correlated with the levels of ABA or IAA in the mycelium.

  • Research articles
    Relationship between parameters of electrical impedance spectroscopy and frost hardiness in stems and needles of
    Yaqing LI , Gang ZHANG , Bao DI , Shupeng QUE , Liang ZHU , Xiumei JIN ,
    2009, 4(2): 242-248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0038-y
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    Westudied the frost hardiness (FH) in stems and needles of different Pinus bungeana provenances during frost hardening by means of electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and conventional electrolytic leakage (EL) and compared the regression equations of the two methods in order to optimize the EIS method for studying FH on plants. During frost hardening, EIS and EL were applied to one-year old stems and needles of P.
  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Effect of microwave plasma treatment on surface wettability of common teak wood
    Zhaobin SUN, Guanben DU, Linrong HUANG
    2009, 4(2): 249-254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-009-0028-0
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    The improvement of wood surface wettability can clearly improve bonding properties, as well as enhance physical and mechanical properties of wood composites. In our investigation, the microwave plasma (MWP) technique was adopted to treat the surface of common teak. The treatment effect was evaluated by measuring the contact angles of liquids and calculating the free surface energy. The results show that the modification effect improved when the sample was located 120 mm from the resonance cavity, rather than at 80 mm. A MWP treatment over a short span of time is useful to lower the contact angles and improve the surface wettability considerably. The range of decreasing contact angles, tested by water, could reach 74% at a distance of 120 mm.