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Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology ›› 2018, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (3): 775-782.doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.201803.005

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Non-structural carbohydrates characteristics of different forest layers in monsoon broad-leaved evergreen forest in Pu’er, Yunnan Province, China.

LIU Wan-de1,2, SU Jian-rong1,2*, LI Shuai-feng1,2, XU Chong-hua3, LANG Xue-dong1,2, HUANG Xiao-bo1,2, ZHONG Hua4   

  1. 1Research Institute of Resources Insect, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, China;
    2Pu’er Forest Eco-system Research Station, State Forestry Administration, Kunming 650224, China;
    3Administration Bureau of Taiyanghe Provincial Nature Reserve, Pu’er 665000, Yunnan, China;
    4Simao District Wanzhangshan Forestry Farm, Pu’er 665000, Yunnan, China
  • Received:2017-08-14 Online:2018-03-18 Published:2018-03-18
  • Contact: * E-mail: jianrongsu@vip.sina.com
  • Supported by:

    This work was supported by the National Key Research & Development Program of China (2016YFC0503103, 2017YFC0505005), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31370592, 31200461), and the Scientific and Technological Talents and Platform Plan of Yunnan (2017HB095)

Abstract: Based on cluster analysis of species vertical stratification, the variations in concentration, allocation and seasonal dynamics of non-structural carbohydrates were investigated in a monsoon broad-leaved evergreen forest in Pu’er, Yunnan Province. The results showed that the concentrations of soluble sugar (3.9%) and nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC, 13.3%) were the highest in the sub-canopy. In contrast, the sugar/starch (0.76) of understory was the lowest. There was no significant difference in starch content among three forest layers. For all forest stories, the soluble sugar was mainly allocated to leaves and the roots had more starch and NSC. The soluble sugar contents in leaves and trunks of sub-canopy species were higher than canopy and understory species. There were no significant differences in soluble sugar content of twigs and roots among three different forest layers. The starch content of leaves increased with decreasing height of forest layers. In contrast, the lowest starch content (10.7%) of roots was in understory. There was no significant difference in starch content of twigs and trunks among three different forest layers. The NSC content of leaves was lower in canopy (10.7%) than that in sub-canopy (12.3%) and understory (12.0%). The lowest NSC content of roots was in understory (14.2%). The lowest sugar/starch of leaves, twigs, and trunks presented in understory, while the lowest sugar/starch of roots presented in canopy (0.79). There were dramatic seasonal variations in concentrations and components of NSC. The concentration of soluble sugar and the sugar/starch were higher in the rainy season than that in the dry season. However, the concentration of starch and NSC were higher in the dry season than in the rainy season. The variations in concentration of NSC and its components among forest layers indicated that species with different heights varied in their utilization strategies of carbon, which partly explained species coexistence.