A total 23 morphological traits, 19 AFLP-primer combinations, 80 RAPD primers and 32 SSR primer pair were used to compare the informativeness and efficiency of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in establishing genetic relationships among 29 almond cultivars and three related wild species. SSRs presented a high level of polymorphism and greater information content, as assessed by the expected hetrozygosity, compared to AFLPs and RAPDs. The lowest values of expected hetrozygosity were obtained for AFLPs; however AFLPs showed the highest efficiency, owing to their capacity to reveal large numbers of bands per reaction, which led to high values for various types of indices of diversity. All the three techniques discriminated almond genotypes very effectively, except that SSRs failed to discriminate between ‘Monagha’ and ‘Sefied’ almond genotypes. The correlation coefficients of similarity were statistically significant for all the three marker systems, but were lower for the SSR data than for RAPDs and AFLPs. For all the markers, high similarity in dendrogram topologies was obtained, although some differences were observed. All the dendrograms, including that obtained by the combined use of all the marker data, reflect relationships for most of cultivars according to their geographic diffusion. AMOVA detected more variation among cultivated and related wild species of almond within each geographic group. Bootstrap analysis revealed that the number of markers used was sufficient for reliable estimation of genetic similarity and for meaningful comparisons of marker types.

Eighteen microsatellite primer pairs previously developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for Populus tremuloides Michx. and Populus trichocarpa Torr. & Gray were screened for amplification in Euphrates poplar, Populus euphratica Oliv. Thirteen loci were found to express polymorphisms ranging from two to 17 alleles. The eight most variable loci were selected to set up and optimize two multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Three populations containing altogether 436 trees were used to characterize the selected loci and ascertain their applicability for parentage analysis and genotyping studies. Through cross-checking of clonal identity against sex of the genotyped trees we estimated the maximum error rate for merging genotypes to be less than 0.045.

The variations of drag force acting on the windbreak and the bulk drag coefficients for different windbreak widths were studied experimentally in the Eiffel-type non-circulating wind tunnel at the Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory, Saitama University, Japan, to elucidate the effects of windbreak width in the wind direction on wind velocity reduction behind a windbreak. The variations of flow field for different windbreak widths were studied numerically by using the two-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equation with a k-ε turbulence closure model. Results show that the total drag force to wind increased with increasing windbreak width, but the bulk drag coefficient decreased slightly. The relationship between the bulk drag coefficient C _d and the windbreak width W and height H can be presented by the equation of C _d=k _d (W/H)^−b (k _d, b: constants). The result of the numerical simulation shows that the windbreak width greatly affects the location and the value of the minimum wind velocity. The wind velocity decreased by 15%–22% as the windbreak width increased.

A rapid assessment on the status and distribution patterns of coarse woody debris (CWD) was conducted by laying five curvilinear transects (transects A, B, C, D and E; major trails), along an altitudinal gradient starting from 900 to 2 600 m, in three major watersheds (Charigad, Dogarhigad and upper Gosigad) of Goriganga catchment in Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, India. At every 100 m rise in altitude a hectare plot (100 m × 100 m) was selected. Results showed that the percentage contribution by different succession phases was in the decreasing order: phase I > phase II > phase IV > phase III for snags, and phase III > phase II > phase IV > phase I for logs. Snag density in chir pine forest was high in transect A (11 snags·ha⁻¹) at 1 500 m, and the value in rianj oak forest was high in transect B (10 snags·ha⁻¹) at 2 300 m. The total available mass of snags and logs in chir pine forest was 13.9 t, of which snags mass accounted for 41% of the total mass and logs mass for 59%. While the total value was 5.6 t in rianj oak forest, of which snags and logs accounted for 60% and 40% of the total mass, respectively. Moreover, the presence of CWD in the study area if not harvested, would provide a great opportunity to the orchids in future to flourish by providing protection. The high densities of snags and logs in chir pine forest at mid-altitudinal zone led to less species richness and lower density of ground flora as the zone receives more light, accompanying with lower soil moisture, and thus only the dominant species occupy the habitat.

Species composition, diversity and population structure of woody species recovered on three abandoned agricultural fields after 4, 9 and 14 years were characterized. Seedlings, saplings/poles and mature trees were identified and counted in 70 plots of 100 m² in each abandoned site. A total of 13, 29 and 22 families represented by 17, 48 and 44 species were registered in 4, 9 and 14 year-old stands, respectively. There was a shift in dominant species across successional stages. Lonchocarpus acuminatus had the highest importance value in the 4-year old stand, whereas, Myrospermun frutescens, Guazuma ulmifolia and Cordia alliodora had the highest importance value in the 9-year-old-stand and Caesaeria corymbosa, Muntingia calabura, Gliricidia sepium and Tabebuia rosea in the 14-year old stand. The total stem density increased from 5011 to 9631 individuals per hectare as the age of abandonment increased from 4 to 14 years. The total basal area of individuals ≥ 1cm d.b.h. also increased with the age of abandonment. Overall, small individuals (< 10 cm dbh) contributed to more than half of the total basal area. Species diversity was the highest in the 9-year old stand followed by 14- and 4-year old stands. We concluded that floristic composition of secondary forests recovers rapidly to the mature forest level compared to structural attributes, which is consistent with the general successional trajectories of tropical dry forest.

Detailed studies on population structure and regeneration ecology of Ilex khasiana were carried out at five representative natural populations i.e. Mylliem (Population - I), Upper Shillong (Population - II), Shillong Peak (Population - III), Laitkor (Population - IV) and Nongpiyur (Population - V) to probe into the responsible affecting factors for its population structure and regeneration ability in these populations. Experimental observation under three controlled light conditions (full sunlight (100%), intermediate sunlight (50%) and low sunlight (30%)) showed that the growth status and survival rates of seedlings under intermediate and low light were better than those under the high light condition. The density-diameter distribution in population of adult trees (≥5cm dbh) exhibited a typical character of a regenerating population. A higher seedling mortality rate in natural populations of I. khasiana was most probably due to increase in light intensity following vegetation destruction and other anthropogenic disturbances that cause opening of forest canopy. The findings of the present study would be of immense value in formulating appropriate conservation measures for the species.

Changes in phosphorus (P) fractions in a P deficient allophanic soil under P. radiata seedlings grown with broom (Cytisus scoparius L.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in pots were studied 14 months after the application of triple superphosphate at the rates of 0, 50, and 100 μg·g⁻¹, to determine the fate of fertiliser-derived P in the rhizosphere soils. Application of P fertiliser increased NaOH-P_i, NaOH-P_o, and H₂SO₄-P_i concentrations in the soil, but decreased the residual-P concentration. The resin-P_i concentration, which is extremely low in this soil (1 to 3 μg·g⁻¹), remained the same. The majority of the added fertiliser P was however recovered in the NaOH-P_i fraction (40%–49%). This is due to the high P fixation in this soil (92%). The second highest P recovery was in NaOH-P_o fraction (7%–19%). Under P deficient condition or addition at the rate of 0 μg·g⁻¹, the NaOH-P_i concentration in the radiata rhizosphere soil was lower than that in the bulk soil and broom and grass rhizosphere soils. This may be due to higher oxalate production by the roots and mycorrhiza under P deficient conditions which released some of the P fixed to the soils in the rhizosphere, which needs to be tested in future studies.

Low nitrogen (N) availability often results in reduced productivity of Eucalyptus plantations. We studied the response of four eucalyptus plantations (two plantations of E. tereticornis on the coastal lowlands, and two plantations of E. grandis in the upland region of the Western Ghats, Kerala, India) to N addition and related this response to seasonal N mineralization as well as other indices of N availability, in order to examine the utility of soil based indicators of N mineralization for predicting the response of eucalyptus growth to added N fertilizer. Several biochemical indicators were examined for their capacity to predict response to N fertilizer, including total soil N, soil C:N ratio, and N released during anaerobic and aerobic incubation. Results show that nitrogen fertilizer addition increased productivity across the 4 sites from 7% to 70%, N released during an aerobic incubation had the highest correlation with fertilizer response across the 4 sites (R ²=0.92, p<0.01), and that Modelled seasonal soil N mineralisation was a poorer predictor of fertilizer response than N released during an aerobic incubation. Whilst some of these indicators are promising, they need wider validation and testing before they could be routinely applied.

An exploratory study was conducted in the coastal plantation (12- and 17-year-old Sonneratia apetala) of Char Alim and Char Piya and their adjacent barren lands at Char Rehania and Char Nurul Islam in Hatiya under Noakhali district in Bangladesh to determine afforestation effects on soil properties. At soil depths of 0–10, 10–30 and 30–40 cm across three different land strips viz. inland, middle and sea side in 12- and 17-year-old keora (Sonneratia apetala) plantations, soil moisture, particle density, organic matter and C, total N, pH, available P, K, Na, Ca and Mg were significantly (p≤0.05, p≤0.01, p≤0.001) higher, and soil salinity significantly (p≤0.001) lower than that in their adjacent barren lands. Soil moisture, particle density, organic matter and C, total N, pH, soil salinity, available P, K, Na, Ca and Mg of surface soil in Char Alim plantation at inland were 31.09%, 2.24 g·cm⁻³, 2.41%, 4.14%, 0.58%, 7.07, 0.09 dS·cm⁻¹, 28.06 mg·L⁻¹, 0.50, mg·L⁻¹ 11.5 mg·L⁻¹, 3.30 mg·L⁻¹ and 2.7 mmol·kg⁻¹, respectively. Their corresponding values for the same depth and land position at adjacent Char Rehania barren land were 16.69%, 1.25g·cm⁻³, 0.43%, 0.74%, 0.25%, 6.57, 0.13 dS·cm⁻¹, 13.07mg·L⁻¹, 0.30 mg·L⁻¹, 1.4 mg·L⁻¹, 0.30 mmol·kg⁻¹ and 0.50 mg·L⁻¹, respectively. Soil moisture, particle density, organic matter and C, total N, pH, available P, K and Ca decreased, and soil salinity, available Na and Mg increased from inland towards sea side in the plantations. Although soil texture did not differ in most soil depths between plantation and adjacent barren land, proportion of sand particle was significantly (p≤.01) lower and silt particle significantly (p≤0.001) in the plantations higher than that in their adjacent barren lands. In the study, evaluation of all the parameters was also done for the other pair of lands.

Litter fall and its effect on forest soil properties at each decomposition stages were investigated in tropical monsoon climatic conditions of three plantations (7-year acacia plantation, 15-year acacia plantation and 18-year mixed plantation) and one natural forest (Sitapahar forest) from Chittagong hilly region of Bangladesh. Results showed that total accumulation of organic matter increased with plantation age, accompanying with a decrease of annual accumulation rate. Within the same vegetation type, the organic accumulation of both fresh and partially decomposed litter with humus varied significantly (p≤0.05) on hill positions, being highest on bottom slope and decreased gradually towards hilltop in the forest. Reverse trend in accumulation of soil organic matters was shown in 15-year Acacia auriculiformis plantation, from where fuel wood collected. In 7- and 15-year acacia and 18-year mixed broadleaved plantations, rates of total organic matter production consisting of fresh, partially and completely decomposed litter as well as incorporated organic matter in soil were 2554.31, 705.79 and 1028.01 kg·ha⁻¹·a⁻¹, respectively, and the corresponding contribution from fresh litter were 38.23, 19.40 and 30.48 kg·ha⁻¹·a⁻¹, respectively. In the three plantations and the natural forest, on an average fresh litter constituted 32.45%, partially decomposed litter with humus 13.50% and incorporated organic matter in soil 54.56% of the total organic matter production with mean litter thickness of 0.90 cm. Soil acidity increased with the increase of decomposition stage of organic matter.

Extreme weather events were analyzed based on the meteorological data from the year of 1967 to 2007 for Yamaguchi, Japan. The responses from landscape trees were also investigated mainly by the analysis of image pixel and spectral reflectance. Results show that after the dry, hot and windy summer in 2007, many landscape trees in Yamaguchi City tended to respond the extreme weather events by reducing their leaf surface area and receiving less radiation energy. Premature leaf discoloration or defoliation appeared on some landscape tree species and leaf necrosis occurred on tip and margin of many Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) trees at unfavorable sites. Described by image pixel analysis method, the leaf necrotic area percentage (LNAP) of sampled dogwood trees averaged 41.6% and the sampled Sasanqua camellia (Camelia sasanqua) tree also showed fewer flowers in flower season of 2007 than that in 2006. By differential analysis of partial discolored crown, it presented a logistic differential equation of crown color for sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) trees. It suggested that the persistent higher temperature and lower precipitation could be injurious to the sensitive landscape trees at poor sites, even in relative humid area like Yamaguchi.

Using 3-year-old culms of 8 provenances of Bambusa chungii from Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan Provinces, the indexes of wood properties, such as fiber dimensions and chemical composition were investigated and analyzed by the methods of Analysis of variance and correlation coefficient to reveal the geographic genetic variation situation. The results showed that there are significant differences between fiber length, fibrin and 1% NaOH extraction contents of B. chungii from 8 provenances; moreover, the fiber length and fiber length/width ratio had a decreasing change pattern with geographic variation from the south to the north in altitude (from high to low in elevation). The heritabilities for fibrin, fiber length, 1% NaOH extractive, lignin and fiber length/width ratio were 0.7, 0.84, 0.54, 0.38 and 0.13, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between 1% NaOH extraction, benzo-alcohol extraction contents and bamboo culm yield, whereas there was a significant positive correlation between fibrin contents and bamboo wood yield. Besides, a close correlation was detected between fiber dimensions indices and bamboo growth or bamboo wood yield. Finally, three provenances with high qualities and culm yield, i.e. Huaiji, Xinyi and Guilin, were selected as superior sources based on principal component analysis.

The gymnemic acid contents in various organs of Gymnema sylvestre were investigated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. The results shows that the content of gymnemic acid in various organs, obviously different, was 54.29, 31.66, 28.82, 27.67, 25.39, 20.56 and 1.31 mg·g⁻¹ DW in shoot tips, flowers, nodes, leaves, internodes, roots and seeds, respectively. The highest gymnemic acid content (54.29 mg·g⁻¹ DW) was found in shoot tip, 1.96 fold higher than that in leaves (27.67 mg·g⁻¹ DW). Maximum quantity of gymnemic acid (35.39 mg·g⁻¹ DW) was observed in the young leaves, which was 1.52 times higher than that in old leaves (23.07 mg·g⁻¹ DW). The content of gymnemic acid in young, middle and old internodes was 26.47, 25.77 and 23.94 mg·g⁻¹ DW, respectively, all lower than that in leaves (27.67 mg·g⁻¹ DW), whereas the content of gymnemic acid in young, middle and old nodes was 27.96, 28.81 and 29.66 mg·g⁻¹ DW, respectively, all higher than that in leaves. The study provides the scientific evidences for the rational development and utilization of Gymnema sylvestre resources, since over exploitation of natural stands has caused depletion of these plants in nature.

The bamboo powder/polycaprolactone composites (BPPC) were prepared by torque-rheometer to investigate the effects of recipes and processing conditions on the rheological properties of BPPC. The morphological behavior and mechanical properties of BPPC were also studied. Results showed that the optimum recipe for composite materials is composed of 70% of polycaprolactone, 30% of bamboo powder according to volume, 1.6 % of aluminate coupling agent, 1.2% of stearic acid, and 2% of paraffin to bamboo powder according to mass ratio. The optimum processing condition parameters were determined as the rotational speed at 50 r·min⁻¹ and the temperature at 100°C for BPPC. The BPPC (containing 30 copies bamboo powder) possessed eminent interfacial compatibility and mechanical properties of BPPC.

Taking Linkou Forestry Bureau, Heilongjiang Province, China as the demonstration plot and Dendrolimus pinidiatrea as an example, we developed a WebGIS-based information service platform for forest pest forecast using J2EE and ArcGIS Server technology. The service platform is able to predict the occurrence period, amount of pest, occurrence tendency, and pest zones in the B/S environment and realized the display, querying, analysis and editing of the spatial data and the automatically integrated control of multilevel Data. Additionaly, the service platform offers the visualization of geographic service and predicted results. It provides a solution for prediction of forest pest and forest resource management.

This paper described the main four basic models of ideal landscape in the Mount Lushan National Park as Kunlunshan model, Xumishan model, Peach flower land model, Christian model. Five typical places in Mount Lushan with the ideal landscape characteristics like the East Grove Temple, White Deer Cave Academy, Simplicity and Tranquility Monastery, Lushan Valley, and Villa-cluster of the East Valley were analyzed, and the integration of the basic models for each place was discussed to make the realistic landscape conform to the ideal needs. Moreover, the discussions also involved the characteristics of ideal landscape that are featured in resource, culture, structure, function, process, scale and region. In conclusion, ideal landscape in the Mount Lushan National Park was the product of the interaction between human and nature. Mount Lushan inherits the essence of Chinese traditional culture with a history of more than 1000 years; and it also absorbs the manna of the Western culture as well as the exchanges between nature and humanities together with the conflict and adaptation among different cultures. The natural landscape could be satisfied with the survival demand and cultural taste of mankind by the way of ecological planning.