The net primary productivity of the pine species and lesser vegetation (herbaceous ground cover) plus turnover rates between the litter layer and soil organic matter were investigated in young loblolly and slash pine plantations in Beaufort County, North Carolina. Estimations of the aboveground tree biomass and production by components were made by applying multiple regression, weight—prediction equations developed from harvest data (15 slash pine and 41 loblolly pine trees) to tree dimensions from 28 permanent, undisturbed plots. Optimal plot size was determined by time—cost analysis. Total biomass for slash pine ranged from 5.2 mt/ha and 9.9 kg/tree (age 4) to 31.7 mt/ha and 29.8 kg/tree (age 8), and loblolly pine ranged from 4.2 mt/ha and 4.7 kg/tree (age 4) to 107.6 mt/ha and 82.7/tree (age 12). Net production for slash pine was greater than loblolly pine and ranged from 3.9 mt/ha per year and 8.0 kg/tree per year (age 4) to 12.3 mt/ha per year and 11.6 kg/tree per year (age 8). Loblolly pine produced from 4.3 mt/ha per year and 4.8 kg/tree per year (age 4) to 4.1 mt/ha per year and 4.3 mt/ha per year (age 8). Net primary production of loblolly pine was 22.3 mt/ha per year and 18.8 kg/tree per year at age 10 and 11 and dropped to 18.4 mt/ha per year and 13.6 kg/tree per year at age 12. The decrease in production rate of loblolly pine at age 12 was correlated with a decrease in branch needle biomass as canopy closure progressed. Five root systems were excavated, and percentage of aboveground tree biomass was used to calculate root biomass and production. Canopy closure also caused a decrease in net primary production of the lesser vegetation from 1.8 mt/ha per year in the open stands to 0.2 mt/ha per year under closed stands. Simultaneously, the ground—litter component increased from 3.7 to 5.8 mt/ha through litter fall, and the turnover rate to the soil decreased. Soil organic matter accounted for 88% (102.0 mt/ha) to 52% (124.0 mt/ha) of total plot biomass in the youngest and oldest stands, respectively. Caloric analysis was done on all plant material and ground litter. The results are presented as net primary production and turnover rates (10⁹ cal/ha per year).

'Nature's Sewer' is a term which has often been applied to the soil, in the sense that the great variety of micro-organisms residing in the soil ensures that, in almost all instances, materials introduced into it will be readily broken down. Until the advent of industry, the concentration of bi-products discharged on to the soil at any one time was relatively low, the composition of these wastes being in forms easily assimilated. Wastes produced nowadays by industry are often found to be in a form which is not readily broken down. Amounts and concentrations of wastes far in excess of the wastes from natural systems are often produced. Biological systems, including the soil, are reasonably adaptable to changes in their environment. Time is needed however for this adaptation, and there are limits to a system's ability to change. Due to the balance maintained within biological systems, with energy inputs equalling outputs, "overloading" does not often occur to the detriment of the system. This equilibrium can, however be unbalanced by an artificial input. The present investigation at J. Wattie Canneries, Hornby was initiated to determine the effect of food processing wastes, irrigated by the border dyke method, on to specially prepared land. During the summer months, November-March, peas, broccoli, asparagus and brussel sprouts are the main vegetable crops processed. Jams from apricots, raspberries, strawberries and black currants are also made during the summer. In the winter one of the main vegetable crops processed is potatoes for the production of chips called "French Fries". The potato chip production involved the heating of the potatoes in a rotary steam peeler at 90 p.s.i. for approximately 45 seconds, chipping the potatoes with a crinkle-cut chipper, blanching the chips at 88°C for four to six minutes, frying for one minute in fat (Chefade) at 191°C and freezing the chips at -18°C to -20°C before final bagging.

Population attributes including density, distribution, biomass, seed production, and survival were measured at significant stages throughout the life cycles of natural and experimental populations of Sedum smallii (Britt.) Ahles (Crassulaceae) and Minuaritia uniflora (Walt.) Matif. (Caryophyllaceae). These two species along with Viguiera porteri (A. Gray) Blake (Asteraceae) are dominant in island communities on granite outcrops in the southeastern United states. Actuarial life tables and survivorship curves were constructed for natural populations of both Sedum and Minuarita. On the basis of field studies the hypothesis was proposed that the population dynamics of dominant outcrop species are primarily influenced by interspecific competition for soil moisture in habitats of varying soil depth. This hypothesis was tested by growing both species under varying levels of soil moisture, soil depth, and competition in a programmed environment. Final verification of cause—and—effect relationships was obtained through experiments under modified field conditions. Strict zonation of Sedum smallii and Minuartia uniflora along intensity gradients of soil depth and soil moisture in the island communities is due to (1) high tolerance of Sedum to low moisture levels in soils less than 4 cm deep; (2) the competitive superiority of Minuartia over Sedum under more favorable moisture levels prevailing at soil depths from 4 cm to 10 cm; and (3) the competitive disadvantage of Minuartia at high moisture levels in deeper soils that support larger annual and perennial species. Sedum smallii is a primary invader in granite outcrop succession because of adaptations which allow it to exist under low moisture conditions in shallow soil unfavorable for growth of other outcrop species. Minuartia uniflora is less resistant to abiotic stress and invades later. Both Sedum and Minuartia exhibit high reproductive potentials typical of colonizing species. Early juvenile stages are the most vulnerable periods in the life cycles of both species. Washout of seeds and seedlings from the communities and the sensitivity of these juvenile stages to moisture stress are the major causes of early mortality. Sedum plants are stunted by increased abiotic stress although population densities may remain high. On the other hand, interspecific competition causes increased mortality. In Minauritia stunting is largely a response to severe environment, whereas mortality is caused by both abiotic stress and interspecific competition. Species zonation and outcrop community structure are therefore a consequence of shifting competitive superiority as physical conditions shift.