Xilingol region is one of the major typical steppes and a major ecological barrier around Beijing, however it is located in an ecologically fragile area. Using AHP and GIS technology, An assessment system of sandstorm risk was established based on the underlying surfaces factors. This article analyzed sandstorm risk assessment during the three periods (1981-1990, 1991-2000, 2001-2010) in the Xilingol region. The assessment result showed that the risk greatly changed during the recent 30 years. The risk had a gradually increasing trend and the risk in the western was higher than thatin the eastern at the same period.

Effects of nitrogen deposition on soil microorganism were evaluated in a Chinese fir plantation subjected to simulated nitrogen deposition for seven years at Shaxian State Forest Farm of Fujian Province, China. Nitrogen loadings were designed at 4 levels as N0 (control), N1, N2 and N3 at the doses of 0, 60, 120 and 240 kg·hm^-2a^-1N, respectively. Low nitrogen deposition (N1) promoted soil microbial biomass, microbial activity, and ability of carbon source utilization by microbes, but intermediate and high nitrogen deposition (N2, N3) showed the opposite effect. All kinds of nitrogen deposition were able to influence microbial community functional diversity. The low nitrogen deposition increased the richness and evenness of microbial community, while the intermediate and high nitrogen deposition reduced these parameters. Principal component analysis (PCA) in substrates indicated that the main carbon sources for soil microbes were carbohydrates and carboxylic acid in all treatments and there were significant differences in carbon substrate utilization patterns between treatments. Our results indicated that functional diversity of soil microbes was altered by nitrogen deposition and the ability of microbes to utilize carbon source and the type of carbon sources were affected by different nitrogen deposition intensities.

One-year-old potting apple saplings were used to study effects of soil drought stress and oligo-chitosan on the osmotic adjustment ability. The saplings were treated with different soil drought degrees and drying speed. The results showed that apple sapling had remarkable osmotic adjustment ability under drought stress, and the ability was influenced by the soil drought degree and drying speed. Under slowly soil drying, ψ_w, 100 of the apple leaves descended obviously. The 100 value under slowly drying was 35 times greater compared with the value under rapidly drying. With slowly drying, the osmotic adjustment increased from mild to moderate drought, while it did not any more from moderate to severe drought stress. Contents of Pro, amino acids and sugars increased under the mild and moderate drought, and the relative contribution of the three osmotica to osmotic adjustment was in such an order: sugars Pro amino acids.

High-precision estimation model of arbor canopy chlorophyll content is important to forestry and ecology. The spectral reflectance of canopy was measured by ASD FieldSpec and the chlorophyll content was measured by spectrophotometry at the same time. The sample data were pretreated by the methods of mean, smoothing and derivative, and then the red edge parameters of samples were extracted from the pretreated spectra data. The eleven red edge parameters were analyzed with principal component analysis (PCA). The anterior 7 principal components computed by PCA were used as the input variables of back-propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN) which included one hidden layer which had four, six, eight, ten, twelve or fourteen neurons, while the chlorophyll content was used as the output variables of BP-ANN, and then the three layers BP-ANN discrimination model was built. Weight value and threshold value of this model were optimized by using genetic algorithm. The fitness between the predicted value and the measured value was tested by the determination coefficient, the lowest root mean-square error and the average relative error. The results show that the precisions of six models are all above 92.0% and the precision of the model which had ten hidden layer neurons is 97.372%. The canopy chlorophyll content of Chinese fir can be accurately estimated by using this model.

Two new varieties, ‘Dajinhong’and ‘Longshangxiongying’ of Dahlia pinnata were used as the experiment material to study, effects of CCC on the phenotype indices of the Dahlia, the content of IBA, IAA and the activity of related enzyme (POD and IAAO) in dahlia leaves. The result indicated that CCC could affect these morphological and physiological indices. The plant was dwarfed significantly, the stem and flower diameter increased, the activity of POD and IAAO improved, and the contents of IBA and IAA changed significantly. The correlation analysis showed that IBA content was negatively correctied with IAA contents and POD activity. IAA content had negative correction with the activity of POD and IAAO. There was positive correction between the activity of POD and IAAO activity. In addition, the CCC effects increased with the concentration. These indicated that CCC had different effects on the content of IBA and IAA, The function of two endogenous hormones was significantly different. IAA affects the growth and development of plants, IBA has close relationship with the plant resistance. POD and IAAO had different impacts on the content of IAA and IBA because of variation distinction of cultivars. A spray treatment of 3 000 mg·L CCC had the best dwarfing effect in the production when the dahlia’s plant height was 20 cm.

Lacquer (Toxicodendron vernicifluum) is a unique economic tree species in China, raw lacquer (also known as oriental lacquer) is the sap from phloem of lacquer trees. In this study, the phloem structure and seasonal development of 3 different lacquer varieties were investigated using the anatomical technique. The results showed that phloem structure was basically similar in the 3 varieties. The secondary phloem consisted of sieve tubes, companion cells, parenchyma cells, stone cells and secretory ducts in longitudinal orientation, and phloem rays in radial alignment. In the newly formed secondary phloem, sieve tube had been developed to mature with transporting function, parenchyma and phloem rays were still tender, and the secretion ducts were in the differentiating period. This part of phloem had transportation function. Outside of this part, it was the secondary phloem formed in previous years, and its sieve tubes became atrophic and lost transporting function, and this part of phloem was known as the non-functional phloem and occupied most of the area of phloem. In non-functional phloem, the size of parenchyma cells gradually increased and squeezed sieve tubes; secretory ducts developed to mature and secreted a large number of lacquer in the canals, the phloem rays increased to 3-5 layers. Moreover, some of the parenchyma cells differentiated into stone cells clustered in non-functional phloem. The structure and development characteristics of lacquer tree phloem were related to their physiological functions. This study would provide a scientific basis for tapping lacquer reasonably.

In this study, plasmid pBCC3 with Cry3Aa gene was used. A Cry3Aa gene was cloned and inserted into the middle of CaMV35S promoter and NOS terminator of pCAMBIA1305 by using PCR and DNA recombination technology, and inserted into the pCAMBIA1305- Cry3Aa plant expression vector. This vector was introduced into Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105. Through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, the target Cry3Aa gene was transferred into the genome of transgenic poplar pB29 (hybrid 741 line expressing CryIAc+API gene). Nine regenerated lines with hygromycin resistance were obtained and named pCCA1-pCCA9. The presence and expression of Cry1Ac gene and Cry3Aa gene have been verified using PCR and ELISA analysis. Toxicity evaluation on Plagiodera versicolora (Coleoptera) and Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera) by feeding fresh detached leaves showed double resistance. The deleterious ability was classified into three groups with high, medium and low level according to mortality. Toxicity of pCCA2, pCCA5, pCCA6 and pCCA9 showed high level to both P. versicolora and H. cunea; pCCA3, pCCA4 and pCCA7 showed medium or low toxicity to P. versicolora,but high to H. cunea; while pCCA1 showed extremely low toxicity to H. cunea, but high to P. versicolora.

The role of sexual reproduction of perennials always is underestimated in restoration of vegetation in active dune fields. The objective of this study was to clarify that sexual reproduction of Phragmites communis would play an important role in revegetation of active dunes. Seedling emergence and establishment of P. communis were examined in two transition zones between active dunes and interdune lowlands. The soil seed bank of P. communis and the dynamics of soil moisture were also monitored. When most seedlings emerged, there was a significantly positive correlation between soil moisture and seedling emergence (P<0.05). Seedling establishment was significantly and positively correlated with seedling emergence (P<0.05), and 54.1% of the emergent seedlings were established by the end of the growing season. These results indicated that: (a) seeds dispersed before the rainy season; (b) seeds germinated as soon as they contacted a moist surface and germination and seedling emergence relied on soil moisture. In natural conditions, restoration of active dune fields generally commences with revegetation of transition zones, where sexual reproduction of perennials initiates a new succession procedure, and hence plays a major role in restoration of active dune fields. Furthermore, aeolian erosion in transition zones, leading to good soil moisture, facilitates germination, seedling emergence and establishment of perennials.

A field survey and germination experiments of the soil seed bank were conducted in communities of 15-year restoration, 30-year restoration and primary monsoon broad-leaved evergreen forest in Puer city, Yunnan, China. We investigated basic characteristics and dynamics of the soil seed bank and its relation to the above-ground vegetation. The results showed that 1 667 seeds germinated in all soil samples, and they belonged to 76 species in 65 genera and 30 families. Total seed density of the 15-year restoration community was (361±69.87) seeds·m^-2, and was significantly higher than that in primary forest (142.5±27.5) seeds·m^-2 and 30-year restoration community (108.33±30.01) seeds·m^-2. Shannon-Wiener index of the 30-year restoration forest was significantly higher than that of the 15-year restoration and primary forest. Species composition changes of the soil seed bank reflect seed survival strategies and community structure. Herbaceous species were main components in 3 community types. Seed density of annual herb in the 15-year restoration community was significantly higher than that of the 30-year restoration community. The similarity coefficient between soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation of the 15-year and 30-year restoration community was higher than that of primary forest. Herb layer contributed more to species composition of soil seed bank than tree layer. However, the seedling bank was mainly composed of tree species.

We studied the effect of temperature, GA₃ and ethephon treatment on seed dormancy release of Paeonia ludlowii whose seeds were collected from Linzhi and Milin County, Tibet on semptember. The seeds were naturally dried up for 3 months indoor. The result showed that: (1) The seeds were soaked in water at ordinary temperature for 7 d before they were sowed in outdoor seedbed in Kunming, Yunnan province. They began to root 140 d later; started sprouting after 288 d and the course was terminated on the 490^th day with seed germination rate 35%. (2) Temperature affected seed germination significantly. The seeds could not root when it was lower than 10 ℃ or higher than 25 ℃. 15 ℃ was the best temperature for hypocotyl dormancy release; 15 ℃ and 20 ℃ were the appropriate temperature for epicotyl dormancy release. (3) There was no significant difference of seed rooting rate between the treatments and control, which was both more than 96%. (4) GA₃ could break the epicotyl dormancy obviously, of which 300 mg·L^-1 was most effective. (5) In conclusion, the optimum procedure for seed germination was as followed: first, the seeds should be soaked in water at ordinary temperature for 7 d, after that sowed in outdoor seedbed; the seeds were put in 300 mg ·L^-1GA₃ solution for 2 h when their roots grew up to 3 cm in length. According to the procedure, the seed germination duration was about 120 d and germination rate could be more than 95%, accelerated 370 d and increased 171.4% respectively compared with conventional seeding.

In this paper, we proposed an integrated approach combining the rule-based and case-based reasoning to express the complex relationship between tree growth and the environment. The determination of the judgment of the tree planting suitability, and the evaluation of the tree site quality are performed on the basis of rules and cases stored in the ontology-based knowledge base. Tree growth under different environment is simulated by means of the three-dimensional visualization technique, in which the parameters of tree growth are estimated by the site quality. Taking Shunchang forest farm in Pushang country of Fujian Cunninghamia lanceolata as an example, the accuracy of site index reaches 80%. The experimental results show that the proposed method can solve the complex relationship problem between tree growth and the environment. In addition, it provides a feasible method to predict the tree growth under different environment.

Ficus virens, a common ornamental species in Fuzhou, is a monoecious fig species. Ten Ficus virens trees were chosen in Fuzhou to study their pollination biology. The fruit development was synchronization within individual tree and asynchrony among trees. The syconium growth of F. virens was divided into five stages: pre-female phase, female phase, inter-floral phase, male-phase, post-floral phase. F. virens can continuously produce the figs year-round. There were two fruiting peaks in one year, respectively in January-February and June-July, and each tree could produce 1-3 crops annually. The growth time from pre-female phase to post-floral phase in the syconia varied in seasons. In winter and spring (December-May of the following year), figs grew slowly and lasted for nearly 130 days. In summer and autumn (June-November), figs grew faster, the inter-floral phase obviously reduced and the duration was about 80 days. The foundress number of F. virens during female phase was usually by only one wasp, so that the small and numerous syconia received wasps effectively, which significantly raised pollinate efficiency by wasps, and also ensured high ratio of fruiting in the syconia. There were seven kinds of wasps in syconia of F. virens, belonging to seven families (subfamily) of Chalcidoidea. Among them, Platyscapa coronata of Agaonidae was the only species-specific pollinator for F. virens, its pollinational manner was active pollination. Aprostocetus sp. parasitic in figs was discerned for the first time. The type and the amount of pollinators and non-pollinators in the syconia exhibited an obviously seasonal variation. Type and quantity of wasps in figs were more in winter and spring than in summer to autumn. Pollinator was the dominant species. The ratio of fruiting in figs was especially high. In summer and autumn, Camarothorax bismasculinus and Sycophila sp. were the dominant species, and the setting percentage of figs were extremely low, which had a negative effect on the reproductive interests of F. virens. The results would provide useful information for management of the city greening and protection of the tropical rainforest biodiversity.

In order to study insecticidal activity of spinosad against Lymantria dispar, bioactivity and LC₅₀ of spinosad against the 3rd and 5th instar larva of L. dispar and its effect on activities of the detoxifying enzymes were assayed in this study. The results showed that LC₅₀ of spinosad in 24 h was 0.0249 mg·L^-1 against 3rd instar larva and 0.2269mg ·L^-1 against 5th instar larva. Spinosad had various effects on activities of the detoxifying enzymes under the LC₅₀ treatment. Carboxylesterase (CarE), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), multi-function oxidase (MFO) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were firstly significantly increased and then decreased (P <0.05); But for acid phosphatase (ACP), the change pattern in activity were decreased-increased-decreased, and the variation was significant (P< 0.01). The development duration of the larva treated with LC₁₀ and LC₅₀ of spinosad was not significantly different from control, but the larval survival rate and pupation rate were significantly lower than control (P<0.05). The result indicated that the biochemical indexes of L. dispar were affected by spinosad. Therefore, spinosad is a safe and effective pesticide for L. dispar.

Three Trichoderma strains, T-33,T-14,T-09, which have inhibiting effects on Cytospora chrysosperma, were derived from 29 domestic and foreign strains with methods of antagonistic culture and growth-inhibition. The extracts obviously inhibited mycelium growth and conidia germination of Cytospore chrysosperma were gained. The effect of the most highly efficient extract on pathogen’s cell physiological indicators and protective enzyme activities was systematically studied. The growth-inhibiting rate of the substances extracted from the fermented liquid of strain T-33 was 94%, and the extract also had an inhibiting effect on spore germination. The extract was able to increase the electrical conductivity and MDA content of the pathogen significantly, reduce the protein content and activity of SDH, PK, HK, LDH, MDH, and coenzyme I, and cause a sharp decline in Na⁺、K⁺-ATP, Mg²⁺-ATP and Ca²⁺-ATP enzymes activities. The results indicated that the pathogen cell membrane would be severely peroxided, and some metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, TCA cycle, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, would be restricted. Finally, the extract inhibited pathogen growth by destroying the pathogen’s protection system and metabolic pathways.

Chestnut blight disease caused by Cryphonectria parasitica is widely distributed throughout chestnut tree plantations in the world.Two hypovirulent strains were selected from 60 strains of C. parasitica by abnormal morphology detection such as reduced conidiation, reduced mycelial growth on PDA medium, and colony color on Bavendamm's medium. Double stranded RNA (dsRNA) was detected from the two hypovirulent strains. The vegetable compatibility group test of twenty virulent strains and one hypovirulent strain (KCP-22) was conducted, and the results showed that only hypovirulent strain KCP-22 and virulent strain KCP-9 could be vegetable compatibility, and the amount of transmitted dsRNA and culture characteristics of the vegetable compatibility strains were changed.

In this study, the mycorrhizae of Phellodendron amurense in three different habitats were used as the research objects. The root samples were investigated by means of acid fuchsin stain after they were lysed in alkaline solution. Then, the community composition and diversity of different AM fungi species in samples were analyzed using PCR-DGGE. DGGE results were analyzed in conjunction with DGGE profiles,DNA sequencing and phylogenetics to investigate the pattern of dynamic variation of the AM fungiof Phellodendron amurense in three different habitats, lay the foundation for the study for functional flora in mycorrhizal of P.amurense. The results showed that the roots and AM fungi of P.amurense in different habitats were able to form symbiosis. Distinct differences were detected in infection rate, DGGE band abundance and dominancy. The infection rate, abundance, dominancy and diversity index of the mycorrhizae in urban plantation areas were significantly higher than that in natural secondary forest and natural primary forest. All the detection indexes of the mycorrhizae in natural primary forest was lowest. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed these sequences could be divided in four groups: Glomus, Scutellospora, Diversispora and Hyponectria buxi. Glomus fungi were the dominant species in the roots of P.amurense in the urban plantation, natural secondary forest and natural primary forest.

Based on data of a field positioning survey and the corresponding remote sensing and GIS, the forest fuel load and the influence factors were researched by using ridge trace analysis and artificial neural networks in Maoershan experimental forest station of Northeast Forestry University. Ridge regression method can overcome the negative impact imposed the undetermined parameters there exist in the multicollinearity relationship solution between variables which include ten main influence factors, i.e., TM3, TM(4×3) /7, TM4/3 and altitude. A model was established for estimating forest fuel load with the unit of pixel, and Ridge Regression and Artificial Neural Networks MAPE. The deviation of estimation by the two models was 17.6% and 11.7%. The result indicated that the quantitative estimation of forest fuel load for regional forests could be achieved.

Digital speckle correlation method(DSCM)was used in studying modulus of elasticity(MOE)in tension parallel to grain of bamboo and displacements which contribute to the strain fields of samples during the tension and compressive process. It was showed the MOE in tension parallel to grain kept a decreasing trend from the outer to inner layers of stalks, and it increased with age increasing. Besides, bamboo damage was complex and the whole damage process could be reflected by DSCM intuitively. In addition,DSCM could show the damage state of samples in advance and anticipate failure sites.

Through capillary adsorption effect of wood with physical adsorption of polyethylene glycol(PEG)-10000, polyethylene glycol wood composite phase change materials(PCM)was prepared with wood as skeleton, and polyethylene glycol-10000(PEG-10000)as phase transformation unit. Functional groups were analyzed by fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectra, microscopic morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and degree of crystallinity was analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD), it is concluded that wood was well combined with PEG and the degree of crystallinity of PCM increased gradually with PEG-10000 content going up. By using differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)and thermogravimetry(TG)analysis, the enthalpy of phase change was first increased and then decreased, the largest phase change enthalpy is 43.22 J ·g^-1 and the thermal stability was obviously increased. The study of permeability of PEG ethanol solution to wood shows that PEG adsorption of wood was mainly parabolic three-stage absorption.

A series of radio frequency/vacuum (RF/V) drying tests were conducted on boxed-heart square timber of plantation larch with cross section of 100 mm×100 mm. Drying processes under various RF/V conditions were analyzed in terms of drying quality and drying rate. Kerfing and superheated-steam pretreatment were introduced during the process in order to minimize the surface checks. High drying quality has been achieved with optimizing the drying conditions. The run-through kerf and superheated-steam pretreatment at the temperature of 105 ℃ could significantly reduce the surface check occurred during the drying.

Using the data about wood-based panel trade from UNcomtrade database,this paper measures and compares internationally the level of intra-industry trade of Chinese wood-based panel in the period of 1992—2010 by using G-L index,and analyzes quantitatively the determinants of intra-industry trade of Chinese wood-based panel from the perspective national identity by the double logarithmic multiple regression model. The results show as follows:the intra-industry trade of Chinese wood-based panel is still in low level,and the pattern of foreign trade in Chinese wood-based panel is dominated by inter-industry trade;Forest resources and per capita income have a significant positive effect on the development of intra-industry trade of Chinese wood-based panel.

This review summarized the advantage of populus in remediating the heavy metal contamination soils, the method in screening populus species, varieties and clones with high accumulation capability, the accumulation and distribution characteristics of heavy metal in populus, the influence of heavy metal on populus and the measure in improving the ability of populus in the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils. The research work that should be addressed in the future was proposed.

Somatic embryogenesis is an expression mode of totipotency, it not only has important practical uses in genetic improvements and industrializing propagation, but also is an ideal research model for studying plant developmental biology. This paper reviewed progress of study on roles of polyamines and ethylene during plant somatic embryogenesis, the molecular mechanism mainly related to the biosynthesis catabolism of polyamines and ethylene, and somatic embryogenesis in the gene and proteomics research. The review could provide reference for further understanding the developmental patterns and gene regulation mechanism of somatic embryogenesis and for establishing efficient plant regeneration system.

Wood modification is the technologies with which the properties of wood are permanently altered by heating at high temperatures or reacting with low molecular weight monomers or oligomers. The specific properties of wood are consequently improved and certain new characteristics imparted due to the modification. The modified woods can resultantly serve for a longer term compared to the non-modified ones. As a result, the tension due to the lack of wood resource can be reduced. In this paper, the development and the state of the art of wood modification are systematically reviewed. The typical modification technologies such as thermal treatment, acetylation, treatments with N-methylol compounds, furfurylation, and impregnation with thermoset resins are introduced. The effects of chemical modification on the properties of the resulting wood are analyzed and the commercialization status of modified products presented. Consequently, an outlook for the development trends and challenges of wood modification is given.

Over the last three decades, decline of oak (Quercus acutissima) natural regeneration has drawn wide attention. Exploration of the causes and development of the seedling technology, which promotes quick and uniform germination of oak seeds, arise interesting of forest researchers. In this paper, the seed cold storage and mechanical damage treatments were studied on germination of Q. acutissima. Methanol extracts of embryo, cotyledon and pericarp of oak seeds were used to investigate existence of inhibitory substance by testing germination of Brassica campestris seeds that were cultivated in Sanyo growth cabinet. The results showed that: (1) removing scar, pericarp, or cutting off a small piece of basal cotyledon increased the rooting rate and percentage, however, cutting off more than 1/2 cotyledon had negative effects; (2) the seed cold storage accelerated the germination; (3) Germination rates of B. campestris seeds treated by methanol extracts from embryo of Q. acutissima seeds were significantly lower than control, and inhibitors from embryo, cotyledon and pericarp played a negative role in growth of root and shoot of B. campestris seedlings, indicating that the inhibitors of oak seeds might mainly restrict growth of root and shoot themselves, and be responsible for germinating irregularly. The results have guiding significance for directly seeding afforestation and seedling of Q. acutissima.

In order to clarify the effect of different stand types on the genetic structure of Dendrolinus tabulaeformis, we determined a 554 bp segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit (CO Ⅰ) gene sequence of D. tabulaeformis populations from of 4 types of stands, and then analyzed the sequence variability and genetic differentiation. The results showed that in the gene sequence of 544 bp, the average contents of A, T, C and G were 30.6%, 39.4%, 15.3% and 14.7%, respectively, and the contents of A+T accounted for 70% of the total bases and were obviously higher than that of C+G, with an obvious A/T bias. In this sequence fragment, 64 nucleotide sites showed variation and the variability was 11.7%. Genetic distance of the nucleotide sequences was 0.002-0.046, indicating a low genetic variation. A dendrogram was constructed by using NJ and MP method, and the results showed that the genetic differentiations were correlated with the type of stands. Furthermore, the Fst coefficients of gene differentiation were between -0.128 to 0.117, and the number of migrant per generation was all greater than 1, manifesting that there were to some degrees genetic differentiation and gene exchange between D. tabulaeformis populations from different types of stands.

Desert insects, one of the important components of biodiversity in desert regions, play a significant role in maintaining stability of desert ecosystems. In this study,the insect communities and diversity in six different plant communities were studied in the Kumtag Desert. Approximately 1 000 specimen were collected, and belonged to 55 families and 10 orders. The dominant species were from the orders of Lepidoptera and Dipetera. The results showed that there were the most species of insects in the Haloxylon ammodendron community had, and there were the most individuals of insects in the Tamarix taklamakanensis community. The number of both species and individuals was the smallest in Poacynum hendersonii community. The Shannon-Wiener's diversity index was in the following sequence: Phragmites australis>Haloxylon ammodendron>Nitraria tangutorum>Calligonum mongolicum>Tamarix taklamakanensis>Poacynum hendersonii; the Pielou evenness index was in the following sequence: Ph. australis>Po. hendersonii>C. mongolicum>N. tangutorum>H. ammodendron>T. taklamakanensis;and the Berger-Parker dominance index was in the following sequence: T. taklamakanensis>Po. hendersonii>N. tangutorum>H. ammodendron>C. mongolicum>Ph. australis.

Rats were investigated in Beijing Songshan National Nature Reserve in Junes and Octobers of both 2009 and 2010. A total of 95 individuals belonging to eight species, four genera and two families were captured. The survey regions were divided into seven habitat types based on forest vegetations. The rodent community structures of different microhabitats were analyzed on seven indexes, including species (S), capture rate (C), proportion (G), Shannon-Wiener index (H'), evenness index (J'), degree of dominance (D) and similarity index (I). The results showed that Rattus confucianus, Apodemus draco and Apodemus speciosus were dominant species in the nature reserve. The proportion of Apodemus agrarius in rat community became significantly lower than that of 20 years ago, and Apodemus uralensis was found for the first time in the nature reserve. The community diversity and evenness enhanced with increase of the species number, and reduced with increase of the dominant species number.

Catalpa bungei ‘Wanqiu 8401’ is an variety selected from natural populations of C. bungei which is progatated by grafting and cutting methods. Average height and diameter at breast height (DBH) of 5-years- old ‘Wanqiu 8401’was 7.41 m and 7.34 cm, which was improved by 23.5% and 15.6% compared with the control( C. bungei ‘Dayejinsiqiu’); Average DBH and individual volume of old trees was 26.9 cm and 0.43 m³. Moreover, quality of timber had no significant difference between C. bungei ‘Wanqiu 8401’ and ‘Dayejinsi’. This elite variety has the characteristics including fast-growing, excellent timber quality and strong resistance.