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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2015, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (3): 8-15.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20150302

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Leaf Calorific Value of 8 Tree Species in the Coastal Areas of Jiaodong and Cost of Construction of Leaf Biomass and Its Adaptability

Dong Zhouyan, Bai Xinfu, Hou Yuping, Bu Qingmei   

  1. College of Life Science, Ludong University Yantai 264025
  • Received:2013-12-22 Revised:2015-01-19 Online:2015-03-25 Published:2015-04-10

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Abstract:

【Objective】Growth potential and adaptability of 8 tree species to the harsh coastal environment were assessed in order to provide a reference for species selection for the construction of coastal shelterbelt forest. 【Method】Based on calorimetric measurement, factorial analysis and biomass buildup costs calculation, a comparative analysis was carried out on the strategy of energy use, growth potential and adaptability of each of the 8 species: Tamarix chinensis, Pinus thunbergii, Juniperus chinensis var. kaizuka, Fraxinus chinensis, Populus langfanggensis, Robinia hispida, Robinia pseudoacacia and Amorpha fruticosa, all grown in the coastal areas of Yantai. 【Result】The results showed that carbon content of Pinus thunbergii was the highest among the 8 species, while Tamarix chinensis was the lowest one. In contrast, Tamarix chinensis displayed the highest ash content and Pinus thunbergii the lowest. Pinus thunbergii and Juniperus chinensis showed the lowest nitrogen content and specific leaf area (SLA). Overall, the broad-leaved species were higher than the conifer species (Juniperus chinensis, Pinus thunbergii and Juniperus chinensis) in term of nitrogen content and SLA. The 8 species were divided into 3 groups in terms of ash free calorific values, and the order from the highest to the lowest was: Amorpha fruticosa, Robinia pseudoacacia, Robinia hispida, Pinus thunbergii and Juniperus chinensis as group 1, followed by Fraxinus chinensis and Populus langfanggensis as group 2 and T. chinensis as group 3. The area-based leaf construction costs (CCarea) of the 8 species from high to low is: R. hispida, A. fruticosa, R. pseudoacacia, Fraxinus chinensis, Populus langfanggensis, Tamarix chinensis, Pinus thunbergii and Juniperus chinensis. Correlation analysis showed that the ash free caloric values were very significantly positively correlated with carbon content (P<0.01), but very significantly negatively with ash content (P<0.01). The mass-based and area-based leaf construction costs both displayed a significant positive correlation with ash free calorific value and carbon content of the leaves (P<0.05), and a significantly negatively correlation with ash content (P<0.05). Furthermore, the area-based leaf construction cost showed a very significant negative correlation with nitrogen content and SLA (P <0.01). The results implies that the higher the proportion of carbon-containing compound in per unit of biomass, the lower the energy utilization efficiency and the higher the construction cost of building up the organism; while the higher ash content of the per unit biomass, the higher its energy efficiency and the lower the construction cost of building up. Meanwhile, the high nitrogen content in leaf is useful for the extension of leaf blade, and reduction of energy cost of construction of per unit area of the leaf. 【Conclusion】The comprehensive analysis of the calorific values, construction costs, specific leaf area, leaf ash/carbon and nitrogen content showed that the order for the growth competitiveness of the 8 species from high to low was: Robinia hispida, Amorpha fruticosa, Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus chinensis, Populus langfanggensis, Tamarix chinensis, Pinus thunbergii, and Juniperus chinensis. The order of adaptability was: Tamarix chinensis, Pinus thunbergii, Juniperus chinensis, Fraxinus chinensis, Populus langfanggensis, Robinia hispida, Amorpha fruticosa and Robinia pseudoacacia. Tamarix chinensis should be taken as the front line plant, followed by Juniperus chinensis and Pinus thunbergii as the second line and Populus langfanggensis and Fraxinus chinensis as the third line in building up the coastal shelterbelt forest in Yantai region. Robinia pseudoacacia, Amorpha fruticosa and Robinia hispida should be planted behind the shelterbelt forest.

Key words: coastal areas, woody plants, calorific value, construction cost, adaptability

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