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Dynamic Secondary Forest: Ecosystem Structure, Functions, and Future Perspectives

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A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 March 2023) | Viewed by 16400

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Prof. Dr. Mitsuru Hirota

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305‐8577, Japan
Interests: carbon cycle; greenhouse gas (GHG) dynamics; nitrogen cycle; secondary forests; succession

Prof. Dr. Toshiyuki Ohtsuka

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Co-Guest Editor

River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu City, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
Interests: carbon cycle; net ecosystem production
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Secondary forests are forests that have been formed after large-scale human disturbance up to the present and include a variety of forests depending on how they are interpreted. While primary forests comprise about 1/3 of the total forest area rapidly disappearing, secondary forests have remained the same or increased slightly. Secondary forests, as familiar forest ecosystems to forest scientists (?), have provided much of the knowledge to the field of forest science. There are also a number of internationally renowned secondary forests, such as the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in the U.S. and the Takayama sites in Japan, which have contributed greatly to the promotion of research in forest science.

However, since these secondary forests are spatially diverse and vary greatly with time, further research is still needed to understand the current situation as well as to predict the future situation under various environmental changes.

In this Special Issue, we invite regular papers and reviews on a wide range of topics related to secondary forest structure (including not only canopy trees but also understory, mid-shrubs, and soil), functions, and future perspectives based on field studies. As for ecosystem functions, we are particularly interested in papers on carbon and nutrient cycles. Future predictions are also an important topic, and we expect papers that include the perspective of sustainable use of secondary forests. However, modeling studies without empirical evidence will not be considered.

Prof. Dr. Mitsuru Hirota
Prof. Dr. Toshiyuki Ohtsuka
Guest Editors

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Keywords

biodiversity
carbon cycling
carbon sequestration
nutrient cycling
succession
sustainable forest management
water relations

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 4002 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Canopy Phenology and Meteorology Shape the Seasonal Dynamics in Hydrological Fluxes of Dissolved Organic Carbon in an Evergreen Broadleaved Subtropical Forest in Central Japan

by Siyu Chen, Ruoming Cao, Shinpei Yoshitake and Toshiyuki Ohtsuka

Forests 2023, 14(5), 1013; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14051013 - 14 May 2023

Viewed by 1591

Abstract

Seasonal variabilities in hydrological fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and their driving factors in the evergreen broad-leaved forest are inadequately understood. To aid this understanding, we conducted a three-year study to examine seasonal changes in DOC concentration and flux in throughfall, stemflow, and litter leachate in an evergreen broad-leaved subtropical forest in central Japan. We specifically addressed (1) how DOC in different hydrological fluxes vary on a monthly to seasonal basis, and (2) how canopy phenology and meteorology shape the DOC concentration and flux of throughfall, stemflow, and litter leachate trends in this evergreen forest. Clear seasonal changes were found in throughfall and stemflow DOC concentration but not in litter leachate DOC concentration; the highest throughfall DOC concentrations were observed in spring (10.03 mg L⁻¹ in 2017 and 9.59 mg L⁻¹ in 2018, respectively) and the highest stemflow DOC concentrations were observed in summer (13.95 mg L⁻¹ in 2017 and 16.50 mg L⁻¹ in 2018, respectively). Correlation analysis revealed the monthly throughfall DOC concentration to be positively related to the dry weight of fallen leaves (r = 0.72, p < 0.05) and flowers (r = 0.91, p < 0.05). In addition, Random Forest models predicted that the dry weight of flowers was a primary driver of throughfall DOC concentration and that the DOC concentrations of stemflow and litter leachate were constrained by the throughfall DOC concentration. DOC fluxes in different hydrological flux were significantly positive related to bulk precipitation amounts and temperature. Moreover, the throughfall DOC concentration had a considerable effect on throughfall and litter leachate DOC fluxes. Over 75% of annual net tree-DOC (throughfall + stemflow) fluxes and more than 70% of the annual litter leachate DOC fluxes were produced in the flowering season. Thus, we speculated that the seasonal phenological canopy changes (leaf emergence, fallen leaves, flowering, and pollen) and the sufficient rainfall had great impacts on the amount and quality of DOC concentrations in the evergreen forest; and, furthermore, that the DOC from different forest hydrological fluxes was a significant fraction of the carbon that accumulates in soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Secondary Forest: Ecosystem Structure, Functions, and Future Perspectives)

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12 pages, 1632 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biometric-Based Net Primary Production (NPP) and the Effects of a Masting Event on Production Allocation in a Secondary Lucidophyllous Forest in Central Japan

by Toshiyuki Ohtsuka, Riona Suzuki, Siyu Chen, Ruoming Cao, Shinpei Yoshitake, Miyuki Kondo and Shogo Kato

Forests 2023, 14(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010108 - 5 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1649

Abstract

Lucidophyllous (evergreen broad-leaved) forests are the dominant forests in human-dominated subtropical/warm-temperate regions in East Asia. Biometric-based estimates of net primary production (NPP) were conducted in a secondary lucidophyllous forest on Mt. Kinka (35°26′ N, 136°47′ E) near the northern limit of their distribution in central Japan for three years, including the masting event. The forest stand mainly consists of Castanopsis cuspidata (Thunb.) Schottky and Cleyera japonica Thunb. in the canopy and subtree layers, respectively. In 2018, the total NPP of the masting year was 14.53 ± 2.03 ton ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, including woody NPP (above: 2.63 ± 0.35 ton ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹; below: 0.57 ± 0.08 ton ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), foliage NPP (4.07 ± 0.23 ton ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), reproductive NPP (4.81 ± 0.77 ton ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), and fine root production (P_fr) (2.46 ± 1.84 ton ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). P_fr and belowground production comprised 16.9% and 20.9%, respectively, of the total NPP. The nut production of C. cuspidata in 2018 (4.31 ± 0.75 ton ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) was significantly higher than that in 2017 (0.77 ± 0.13 ton ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and 2019 (0.23 ± 0.06 ton ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). No significant change was observed for the three years of foliage NPP and total NPP without P_fr. However, the woody NPP in 2018 (3.20 ± 0.43) was lower than in 2017 (5.37 ± 0.33 ton ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and 2019 (4.71 ± 0.38 ton ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). This suggests that nut production in the masting years compensated by decreasing woody production in the Castanopsis forest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Secondary Forest: Ecosystem Structure, Functions, and Future Perspectives)

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10 pages, 3963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temporal Variation and Hysteresis of Soil Respiration and Sap Flow of Pinus densiflora in a Cool Temperate Forest, Japan

by Minaco Adachi, Yudai Hobara, Taku M. Saitoh and Mitsuru Hirota

Forests 2022, 13(11), 1833; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111833 - 3 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1476

Abstract

Soil respiration (R_s) consists of autotrophic (R_a) and heterotrophic (R_h) respiration, and the metabolic responses of R_a and R_h are supposedly affected by environmental factors. Our hypothesis was that the contribution of R_a and R_h would be affected by seasons. To characterize seasonal patterns of R_s, sap flow (as an indicator of photosynthetic activity), and environmental factors, we continuously measured temporal variation in R_s using an automated opening and closing chamber system in a cool temperate forest. R_s had counterclockwise hysteresis (R_s: spring < autumn) with soil temperature at a depth of 5 cm. Daily maximum R_s had a significant positive relationship with daily maximum sap flow over three seasons, and daily maximum sap flow was lower in autumn than in spring (R_a: spring > autumn). The amount of leaf litterfall increased significantly from August to October; the high R_s in autumn would be due to an increase in R_h (R_h: spring < autumn). These results suggest that R_a contributes more in spring than in autumn, and the contribution of R_h is high from summer through autumn. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Secondary Forest: Ecosystem Structure, Functions, and Future Perspectives)

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17 pages, 4252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Thinning Management on the Carbon Density of the Tree Layers in Larch–Birch Mixed Natural Secondary Forests of the Greater Khingan Range, Northeastern China

by Yongbin Meng, Yuanyuan Zhang, Chunxu Li, Zichun Wang and Yaoxiang Li

Forests 2022, 13(7), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13071035 - 30 Jun 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2390

Abstract

Natural secondary forests not only contribute to the total balance of terrestrial carbon, but they also play a major role in the future mitigation of climate change. In China, secondary forests have low productivity and carbon sequestration, which seriously restricts the sustainable development of the forest. Thinning is a core measure of scientific management of forest ecosystems and is a primary natural forest management technique. The carbon density of the tree layer is most affected by thinning. Taking larch–birch mixed natural secondary forests in the Greater Khingan Range, Northeast China, as the research object, we analyzed the changes in tree layer carbon density of secondary forests under different thinning intensities. The results showed that in five thinned groups, when intensity was 49.6%, the diameter at breast height (DBH) and individual tree biomass significantly increased. Thinning had no significant effect on the carbon content of the tree stem, branches and bark, but had significant effects on the carbon content of leaves. Our result showed that the carbon content of birch leaves increased and that of larch decreased. As the thinning intensity increases, the proportion of broad-leaved tree species (birch) increased, yet larch decreased. In the short term, thinning will reduce the total biomass and carbon density of tree layers. However, when the thinning intensity was 49.6%, the carbon accumulation was higher than that of the blank control group (CK group) after thinning for 12 years. This shows that after a long period of time, the carbon density of tree layers will exceed that of the CK group. Reasonable thinning intensity management (49.6% thinning intensity) of natural secondary forests can make trees grow better, and the proportion of broad-leaved trees increases significantly. It can also increase the carbon sequestration rate and lead to more accumulation of biomass and carbon density. This can not only promote the growth of secondary forests, but also shows great potential for creating carbon sinks and coping with climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Secondary Forest: Ecosystem Structure, Functions, and Future Perspectives)

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13 pages, 2598 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fine Litter Dynamics in Tropical Dry Forests Located in Two Contrasting Landscapes of the Colombian Caribbean

by Jeiner Castellanos-Barliza, Victoria Carmona-Escobar, Jean Linero-Cueto, Eber Ropain-Hernández and Juan Diego León-Peláez

Forests 2022, 13(5), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13050660 - 24 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2363

Abstract

Tropical dry forests (TDFs) represent 42% of all tropical forests; they are extensive, but little is known of their structure and function. The fine litterfall represents the main route of circulation of organic materials and nutrients in these ecosystems. The objective of this study was to compare several remnants of TDFs located in contrasting landscape units—Mountain and Lomerio—and with different precipitation, in terms of the fluxes of organic materials to the soil, derived from the production of fine litterfall from the canopy. The fine litterfall (including woody material up to 2 cm in diameter) was collected monthly from April 2020 to March 2021, in 29 circular plots of 500 m² randomly established. High rates of litterfall were recorded in the Lomerio landscape (4.9 Mg ha⁻¹) than in the Mountain landscape (4.5 Mg ha⁻¹). The monthly leaf litter production showed clear seasonal patterns, which were largely driven by the importance of the species in the landscape and the effect of precipitation during the study. Annual fine litter production observed in this study in comparison with other TDFs indicates relevant productivity levels, which contribute to the activation of biogeochemical cycles and improved ecosystem functionality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Secondary Forest: Ecosystem Structure, Functions, and Future Perspectives)

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16 pages, 3043 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Gross Primary Production of Dwarf Bamboo, Sasa senanensis, in Cool-Temperate Secondary Forests with Different Canopy Structures

by Yihan Cai, Ririko Koido, Taichi Umino, Hiroki Sakamoto, Yuki Hasebe, Ragini Sarmah, Mio Yoneda, Hideyuki Ida and Mitsuru Hirota

Forests 2022, 13(4), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13040564 - 1 Apr 2022

Viewed by 2761

Abstract

Secondary forest accounts for almost 60% of the forest area in Japan. Dwarf bamboo (Sasa senanensis) grows widely in the understory of such forest and could make a significant contribution to the overall CO₂ sink function (gross primary production, GPP) of forest ecosystems. It is, therefore, necessary to evaluate the GPP of Sasa in various forests and estimate its controlling factors. In this study, we estimated the Sasa GPP at the community level by using a chamber system in an evergreen coniferous forest, a mixed forest, and a deciduous broadleaved forest. We hypothesized that (1) the seasonal trends of Sasa community GPP and Sasa annual GPP would differ in different forest types, (2) in addition to light intensity, the seasonal changes of the Sasa community GPP would be controlled by different factors in the different forest types. As a result, although the seasonal trends of the Sasa GPP and the controlling factors differed among the three forests, the annual Sasa GPP was almost the same for the three forests. This study reveals the possible effect of forest type on the seasonal trends of Sasa GPP and its controlling factors; however, for the annual Sasa GPP, the length of the growing periods would also be an important factor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Secondary Forest: Ecosystem Structure, Functions, and Future Perspectives)

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12 pages, 3844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Canopy Structure and Community Structure of the Understory Trees in a Beech Forest in Japan

by Yosuke Tanioka, Hideyuki Ida and Mitsuru Hirota

Forests 2022, 13(4), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13040494 - 22 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3161

Abstract

Understory trees occupy a spatially heterogeneous light environment owing to light interception by patchily distributed canopy leaves. We examined the spatial distribution of canopy leaves and the spatial structure of the understory tree community (height < 5 m) and their relationships in a beech forest in Nagano, Japan. We measured the canopy leaf area index (LAI) at 10 m intervals (n = 81) in a permanent research plot (1 ha). We established a circular subplot centered on each LAI measurement point, and determined the species composition and the aboveground net primary production of wood (ANPPW) of the understory tree community by using tree size data from an open database in the Monitoring Sites 1000 project. There was a significant negative correlation between canopy LAI and the ANPPW of understory trees and a significant positive correlation between the ANPPW of understory and understory tree density. The dominant species of understory trees differed between subplots with high and low LAI values. Our results suggest that niche differentiation allows trees in the understory community to make use of various light conditions, thereby enhancing the primary productivity of the entire community. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Secondary Forest: Ecosystem Structure, Functions, and Future Perspectives)

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