荒漠草原植物群落结构及其稳定性对增水和增氮的响应

通过在荒漠草原开展增水和增氮野外控制试验,研究增水和增氮对荒漠草原植物群落结构、物种多样性及群落稳定性的影响。结果表明：（1）增水和增氮处理显著影响了荒漠草原植物群落结构和地上生物量,而对植物群落稳定性影响不显著（P>0.05）。增水处理显著增加了豆科和禾本科植物地上生物量（101.3%和57.9%）（P<0.05）;增水+增氮处理显著增加了植物群落盖度（43.2%）和地上生物量（112.4%）及不同功能群（禾本科和杂类草）植物盖度（75.5%和47.3%）和地上生物量（139.3%和85.7%）（P<0.05）。与增氮处理相比,增水+增氮处理显著增加了植物群落和不同功能群（禾本科和杂类草）植物高度、盖度和地上生物量（P<0.05）。（2）增水、增氮和增水+增氮处理均显著降低了植物群落Pielou指数（11.7%、8.7%和10.2%）（P<0.05）。（3）增水和增水+增氮处理提高了荒漠草原植物群落稳定性,而增氮处理降低了荒漠草原植物群落稳定性。增水处理荒漠草原植物群落稳定性效应大于增水+增氮处理。研究表明,荒漠草原植物群落结构受到氮沉降和降水增加的共同影响。增加降水对荒漠草原植物群落稳定性的积极效应可能会抵消部分氮沉降的消极影响,荒漠草原植物群落地上生物量及群落稳定性可能有所增加。     

高寒典型草原主要物种的株高和盖度预测种群和群落地上生物量

为快速、准确、无破坏地测定草原地上生物量,在祁连山高寒典型草原植物生长旺季,观测了冬季和春秋季放牧地60个样方内各物种的株高、盖度等生长指标。以冬季牧地紫花针茅（Stipa purpurea）、醉马草（Achnatherum inebrians）、赖草（Leymus secalinus）、扁穗冰草（Agropyron cristatum）、二裂委陵菜（Potentilla bifurca）、银灰旋花（Convolvulus ammannii）6个主要物种的株高、盖度、株高和盖度的乘积为自变量,分别预测同物种、其他物种和群落地上生物量。用春秋季牧场的数据验证模型的精确性和稳定性。结果表明：主要物种的生长指标可预测其自身、其他物种和群落地上生物量。对自身种群,株高和盖度乘积的复合因子预测效果最好;4种禾草对其他物种、二裂委陵菜对菊科植物种群,株高、盖度单因子预测效果优于复合因子;6个主要物种单独或2-6个种结合均可预测群落地上生物量,但是以6个物种株高和盖度的乘积同时预测时决定系数最大,可解释群落地上生物量89.5%的变异,为高寒典型草原群落地上生物量最优预测模型。     

克氏针茅草原群落物种多样性与生物量关系对放牧强度的响应

放牧强度引起的草原植物群落物种多样性与地上生物量变化是近年来草地生态系统研究的热点问题。以内蒙古锡林郭勒克氏针茅草原为研究对象,探究植物群落结构特征、物种多样性与地上生物量之间相互关系及其对不同放牧强度的响应。结果表明：随着放牧强度的增加植物群落结构逐步向退化方向演替;植物群落高度逐渐降低（P<0.05）,密度逐渐增加（P<0.05）,盖度总体呈下降趋势（P<0.05）;植物群落和原有群落优势种地上生物量总体呈下降趋势（P<0.05）,而退化指示物种的地上生物量逐渐增加（P<0.05）;轻度、中度放牧条件下群落物种Margalef指数、Pielou指数、Simpson指数均显著高于重度放牧（P<0.05）;地上生物量与Shannon-Wiener指数、Margalef指数和Pielou指数呈正相关关系,而与Simpson指数呈负相关关系。综上所述,克氏针茅草原植物群落结构和功能在不同放牧强度下产生不同的响应,适度放牧有利于提高群落物种多样性与生物量。     

荒漠草原-灌丛镶嵌体的植被稳态转变特征

以柠条锦鸡儿（Caragana korshinskii）灌丛引入形成荒漠草原-灌丛地镶嵌体为研究对象,选择其内部荒漠草地（DG）、草地边缘（GE）、灌丛边缘（SE）、灌丛地（SL）为试验样地,开展荒漠草原向灌丛地人为稳态转变过程土壤水分与植被变化特征研究。结果如下：各样地0-200 cm土层水分含量随着转变过程呈显著降低趋势（P<0.05）,其中荒漠草地、草地边缘和灌丛边缘样地的土壤水分均在秋季雨水补充期增加,灌丛地由于深层土壤水分过度消耗而愈加降低,且灌丛边缘和灌丛地深层水分显著低于荒漠草地、草地边缘（P<0.05）,垂直动态不显著;地上植被随样地转变除优势度指数表现为灌丛地多样性、均匀度、丰富度指数均显著低于各样地（P<0.05）,多年生优势草本蒙古冰草（Agropyron mongolicum）、短花针茅（Stipa breviflora）逐渐被一年生草本刺藜（Dysphania aristata）、猪毛蒿（Artemisia scoparia）所代替;土壤种子库萌发种类随样地转变逐渐减少,种子库密度则显著升高（P<0.05）,灌丛地以一年生草本植物为主（占总密度的97.51%）,荒漠草地则以多年生草本萌发为主,且各样地土壤萌发种子库及多年生草本多集中于0-5 cm土层（P<0.05）;转变过程荒漠草原和灌丛地植被地上地下相似度分别为0.14和0.19,均显著低于两边缘样地0.35,较两边缘样地群落更为稳定,呈现草原灌丛化过程中草地-灌丛共存的植被双稳态特征。     

荒漠草原向灌丛转变过程两种优势植物定植土壤水分阈值特征

为探究宁夏东部荒漠草原灌丛转变过程中两种优势种蒙古冰草（Agropyron mongolicum）和柠条锦鸡儿（Caragana korshinskii）植物更新土壤水分需求特征,在前期萌发土壤水势阈值研究的基础上,进一步通过野外观测和室内干旱胁迫试验分析确定转变过程中两种优势植物种的定植土壤水分阈值。结果表明：荒漠草原灌丛近30年人为转变过程中0-200 cm土壤水分呈降低趋势,灌丛地土壤水分含量较荒漠草地显著降低了52.43%（P<0.05）,灌丛转变加速了土壤旱化;柠条锦鸡儿和蒙古冰草幼苗定植过程中叶绿素含量随干旱胁迫程度加深呈先增加后降低趋势,其死亡率逐渐上升。通过渗透势和死亡率的拟合函数以及其对应样地的土壤水势、土壤水分关系分析得出,随样地转变柠条锦鸡儿定植土壤水势、水分阈值均低于蒙古冰草,两者平均土壤水势阈值分别为-9.38—-9.95 kPa、-8.72—-9.28 kPa,平均土壤水分阈值分别为4.93%-5.23%、5.92%-6.50%。与蒙古冰草相比,柠条锦鸡儿更适应灌丛引入下或降雨减少引起的土壤旱化,其旱生条件下的定植成功更易发生。     

不同恢复措施对内蒙古乌拉特中旗荒漠草原植物群落的影响

处于干旱地区的内蒙古荒漠草原，在防风固沙、生物多样性保育等方面发挥着重要的生态功能。近年来由于人类活动的干扰及气候变化的影响，内蒙古荒漠草原生态系统发生了严重的退化。如何有效恢复荒漠草原的生态功能是当前亟待解决的问题，科学合理地进行人为定向培育是荒漠草原植物群落恢复与重建的重要措施。本研究以乌拉特中旗荒漠草原为对象，通过控制实验探讨了不同退化程度下植物群落结构及地上生物量对不同恢复措施的响应。结果表明：在重度退化的荒漠草原生态系统，短期封育提高了杂类草的相对盖度，使群落地上生物量增加2.11倍；添加有机肥提高了禾草物种丰富度，使群落地上生物量提高了3.97倍；补播显著提高了植物群落的盖度、密度，使群落地上生物量提高了9.76倍。在重度沙化区，补播显著提高了群落的盖度、密度、地上生物量，但对物种多样性无显著影响。在中度退化区，添加复合肥显著降低了短花针茅群落杂类草物种数，提高了禾草及植物群落的地上生物量；添加复合肥显著提高了柠条锦鸡儿-丛生禾草群落中禾草物种丰富度，但对植物群落盖度、密度及地上生物量无显著影响；喷施叶面肥显著降低了藏锦鸡儿-灌丛化禾草群落杂类草的盖度和密度，提高了禾草的地...     

控制降水梯度对荒漠草原优势植物叶功能性状及土壤养分的影响

探究植物叶功能性状随降水梯度的变化规律,对揭示干旱区优势植物对环境变化的响应和适应策略至关重要。以盐池荒漠草原为研究对象,采用遮雨棚和喷灌系统控制降水梯度,分析了优势植物蒙古冰草（Agropyron mongolicum）、短花针茅（Stipa breviflora）及达乌里胡枝子（Lespedeza davurica）叶功能性状变异,以及土壤水分、养分和微生物特性与响应性状间的相关关系。结果表明：HW（增水50%）处理下3个植物LA（叶面积）、LDMC（干物质含量）显著增大,LW处理（减水50%）下短花针茅和达乌里胡枝子LA、LDMC显著减小,降水处理对短花针茅和达乌里胡枝子SLA（比叶面积）影响不显著,LW处理显著提高了蒙古冰草SLA;LW处理显著提高了蒙古冰草和短花针茅LNC（叶氮含量）和LPC（叶磷含量）;HW显著降低了土壤C、N含量,LW和HW均显著减少了真菌数量,而放线菌数量、微生物生物量C、N显著增加;3种优势植物LA均与土壤水分显著正相关,蒙古冰草和短花针茅通过提高SLA、LNC及LNP来适应干旱生境,蒙古冰草和短花针茅LNC及LNP是表征土壤P、微生物生物量有效性的关键指标,达乌里胡枝子通过自我调节养分利用策略来适应C、N、P含量和微生物活性较低的生境,从而决定其在群落中的优势地位。     

腾格里沙漠东南缘不同植被类型土壤种子库多样性

为探究荒漠地区不同植被类型土壤种子库动态与分布规律,揭示不同植被类型群落的植被演替趋势与多样性特征,以腾格里沙漠东南缘胡杨群落、柠条群落、赖草群落和沙蓬群落为对象,采集0～2、2～5、5～10、10～20 cm土层土样,研究土壤种子库特征及其与地上植被的关系。结果表明: 4个植被类型的土壤种子库中共发现13种植物,隶属于3科12属,1、2年生草本植物种子占多数,藜科植物较多;土壤种子库密度较低,呈现柠条群落＞赖草群落＞胡杨群落＞沙蓬群落;种子库密度和植物种类整体随土壤剖面的加深而降低;综合Shannon指数、Simpson指数、Pielou指数和Patrick丰富度指数进行分析,土壤种子库物种多样性呈现胡杨群落＞赖草群落＞柠条群落＞沙蓬群落,柠条群落土壤种子库与地上植被相似性系数最高,沙蓬群落次之,胡杨群落和赖草群落最低。总体上,以胡杨群落为代表的乔木林较为稳定,以沙蓬群落为代表的沙地生态系统最为脆弱。     

宁夏盐池荒漠草原步甲物种多样性

采用巴氏罐诱法于2009年3月到10月对盐池四墩子3种不同类型荒漠草原的步甲物种组成、数量分布进行了系统调查,共获得步甲标本1318号,分属于9属15种,其中直角通缘步甲Pterostichus gebleri、蒙古伪葬步甲Pseudotaphoxnus mongolicus、径婪步甲Harpalus salinus和短翅伪葬步甲Pseudotaphoxnus brevipennis为优势种,个体数量分别占个体总数的33.08%、19.73%、15.94%和8.04%。多样性分析表明适度干扰荒漠草地的Shannon-Wiener多样性、丰富度和均匀度均高于低干扰和强干扰荒漠草地。群落相似性分析显示猪毛蒿和甘草混交带与围栏放牧带及柠条带有较高的相似性,蒙古冰草带和苜蓿与柠条混种带相似性较高。从时间动态上看,步甲群落的个体数量在8月份达到最高。4种优势种季节性变化分别是直角通缘步甲盛发期为8月,径婪步甲发生的高峰期为8、9月,短翅伪葬步甲在5月和8月,蒙古伪葬步甲7-10月个体数量均多;不同物种在不同类型荒漠草地出现的高峰期是不一致的。典范对应分析(CCA)分析表明土壤含水量是影响步甲分布的最重要环境因子,植物生物量和植被密度次之;土壤含水量与步甲的Shannon-Wiener多样性、均匀度显著负相关,与优势度呈显著正相关。     

围封对不同退化程度荒漠草原植物群落和土壤的影响

围封是退化草原生态系统恢复的有效措施之一,已在中国北方草原地区实施多年并取得良好的效果。由于不同退化草原生态系统具有完全不同的植被和土壤条件,围封对不同退化草原植物群落和土壤的恢复是否具有一致的影响,目前仍不清楚。对内蒙古地区轻度、中度和重度退化荒漠草原分别设置6年围封后,对植物群落特征和土壤理化性质进行了调查和测定。研究结果发现,围封显著提高了3种退化荒漠草原短花针茅（Stipa breviflora）和无芒隐子草（Cleistogenes songorica）种群以及群落的高度、盖度和地上生物量（P<0.05）,表明围封从多组织层次使退化草原植物群落得到有效的恢复。围封总体提高了轻度和中度退化荒漠草原植物多样性,但降低重度退化荒漠草原的植物多样性。重度退化荒漠草原在围封后群落高度、盖度和地上生物量恢复效率显著高于轻度和中度退化的（P<0.05）,表明围封对重度退化荒漠草原植被恢复更加有效。除轻度退化外,围封显著降低中度和重度退化荒漠草原土壤全碳、全氮、全磷、有效氮和速效磷含量（P<0.05）,但对3种退化荒漠草原的土壤水分含量无显著影响,表明围封对不同退化荒漠草原土壤的影响具有滞后性。研究为荒漠草原围封成效评估提供理论指导和退化荒漠草原生态系统科学合理实施围封政策提供科学依据。     

Effects of Elevated Temperature on Growth and Gas Exchange in Dominant Plant Species from Maowusu Sandland,China

We compared the effect of elevated temperature on morphological development, biomass accumulation and allocation, and gas exchange of three dominant plants (Caragana intermedia Kuanget H.C. Fu, Hedysarum mongolicum Turcz., and Artemisia ordosica Krasch.) growing in Chinese Maowusu sandland. Plants were grown in two temperature chambers (25/20, 28/23 °C, day/night) during 60 d. Tree height, number of leaves, and leaf area were increased in C. intermedia and H. mongolicum seedlings, while in A. ordosica temperature only affected tree height. Elevated temperature increased biomass and reduced the root : shoot ratio in C. intermedia and H. mongolicum seedlings, but not in A. ordosica seedlings. The net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and transpiration rate (E) were increased at days 40 and 60 in C. intermedia and H. mongolicum seedlings, while in A. ordosica seedlings no significant effects on E were observed, and P _N was increased only at day 60. Water use efficiency (WUE) was reduced at days 40 and 60 in H. mongolicum seedlings, and at day 60 in C. intermedia seedlings. No temperature effect on WUE was observed in A. ordosica seedlings. These different responses indicate that climate change could alter plant communities in Maowusu sandland.     

Changes in plant biomass and species composition of alpine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kobresia</Emphasis> meadows along altitudinal gradient on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Alpine Kobresia meadows are major vegetation types on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. There is growing concern over their relationships among biodiversity, productivity and environments. Despite the importance of species composition, species richness, the type of different growth forms, and plant biomass structure for Kobresia meadow ecosystems, few studies have been focused on the relationship between biomass and environmental gradient in the Kobresia meadow plant communities, particularly in relation to soil moisture and edaphic gradients. We measured the plant species composition, herbaceous litter, aboveground and belowground biomass in three Kobresia meadow plant communities in Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station from 2001 to 2004. Community differences in plant species composition were reflected in biomass distribution. The total biomass showed a decrease from 13196.96±719.69 g/m2 in the sedge-dominated K. tibetica swamp to 2869.58±147.52 g/m2 in the forb and sedge dominated K. pygmaea meadow, and to 2153.08±141.95 g/m2 in the forbs and grasses dominated K. humilis along with the increase of altitude. The vertical distribution of belowground biomass is distinct in the three meadow communities, and the belowground biomass at the depth of 0-10 cm in K. tibetica swamp meadow was significantly higher than that in K. humilis and K. pygmaea meadows (P＜0.01). The herbaceous litter in K. tibetica swamp was significantly higher than those in K. pygnaeca and K. humilis meadows. The effects of plant litter are enhanced when ground water and soil moisture levels are raised. The relative importance of litter and vegetation may vary with soil water availability. In the K. tibetica swamp, total biomass was negatively correlated to species richness (P＜0.05); aboveground biomass was positively correlated to soil organic matter, soil moisture, and plant cover (P＜0.05); belowground biomass was positively correlated with soil moisture (P＜0.05). However, in the K. pygnaeca and K. humilis meadow communities, aboveground biomass was positively correlated to soil organic matter and soil total nitrogen (P＜0.05). This suggests that the distribution of biomass coincided with soil moisture and edaphic gradient in alpine meadows.     

火烧迹地柽柳灌丛资源岛特征及植被的自然恢复

干旱半干旱地区灌丛资源岛特征及形成机制多有报道,但资源岛土壤对群落稳定性与火烧迹地植被的自然恢复作用尚不明确。以酒泉盐碱地柽柳灌丛地火烧3年后,自然恢复的柽柳(Tamarix ramosissima)及其冠下草本群落为研究对象,构建柽柳枯立株体量指数(SSI,Shrub Size Index)和恢复力综合指数,探讨了资源岛特征与植被恢复、冠下草本群落多样性的关系,量化不同大小柽柳灌丛的恢复力稳定性。结果表明:(1)在不同SSI的柽柳枯立株下土壤有机质和含水率明均显高于灌丛间地,形成了明显的资源岛特征。土壤有机质最大值出现在0—10 cm土层,中灌丛的肥力积聚效果最明显。(2)土壤主要以中性盐为主,在0—40 cm土层,灌丛区域土壤可溶性盐低于冠外,呈明显的盐谷特征,中灌丛的盐谷分布最为明显。(3)随着枯立株SSI的增大,柽柳新生枝条的数量及其高度均有所增大,冠下植物的高度、盖度、密度和地上植物量也明显高于灌丛间地,且灌丛越大恢复效果越明显。(4)灌下植物Simpson指数、Shannon⁃Wiener指数、Margalef指数和Pielou指数随着枯立株SSI的增大均先降后升,多样性指数低,群落结构简单。(5)恢复力综合指数随着枯立株SSI的增大呈先升后降的趋势,当SSI=52.17时灌丛群落的稳定性最强。柽柳较小时主要是冠下草本植物的恢复维持群落稳定性,随着灌丛的增大逐渐以柽柳灌木的恢复来维持群落稳定性。柽柳灌丛形成的高养低盐的土壤环境对植物群落稳定性的维持和植被的恢复有促进作用,对荒漠生态系统火烧迹地植被恢复和生态保护具有重要意义。     

Changes in plant biomass and species composition of alpine Kobresia meadows along altitudinal gradient on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Alpine Kobresia meadows are major vegetation types on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. There is growing concern over their relationships among biodiversity, productivity and environments. Despite the im-portance of species composition, species richness, the type of different growth forms, and plant bio-mass structure for Kobresia meadow ecosystems, few studies have been focused on the relationship between biomass and environmental gradient in the Kobresia meadow plant communities, particularly in relation to soil moisture and edaphic gradients. We measured the plant species composition, her-baceous litter, aboveground and belowground biomass in three Kobresia meadow plant communities in Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station from 2001 to 2004. Community differences in plant species composition were reflected in biomass distribution. The total biomass showed a de-crease from 13196.96±719.69 g/m2 in the sedge-dominated K. tibetica swamp to 2869.58±147.52 g/m2 in the forb and sedge dominated K. pygmaea meadow, and to 2153.08±141.95 g/m2 in the forbs and grasses dominated K. humilis along with the increase of altitude. The vertical distribution of below-ground biomass is distinct in the three meadow communities, and the belowground biomass at the depth of 0-10 cm in K. tibetica swamp meadow was significantly higher than that in K. humilis and K. pygmaea meadows (P<0.01). The herbaceous litter in K. tibetica swamp was significantly higher than those in K. pygnaeca and K. humilis meadows. The effects of plant litter are enhanced when ground water and soil moisture levels are raised. The relative importance of litter and vegetation may vary with soil water availability. In the K. tibetica swamp, total biomass was negatively correlated to species richness (P<0.05); aboveground biomass was positively correlated to soil organic matter, soil moisture, and plant cover (P<0.05); belowground biomass was positively correlated with soil moisture (P<0.05). However, in the K. pygnaeca and K. humilis meadow communities, aboveground biomass was posi-tively correlated to soil organic matter and soil total nitrogen (P<0.05). This suggests that the distribu-tion of biomass coincided with soil moisture and edaphic gradient in alpine meadows.     

沿干旱梯度小叶锦鸡儿灌丛化对草本植物叶片矿质元素浓度及地上生物量累积的影响

草原灌丛化通过改变物种之间的相互作用深刻影响着群落的结构和功能。然而，当前有关灌木如何影响不同功能群草本植物对矿质元素吸收和累积的研究仍明显不足。在内蒙古草原沿干旱梯度选取了4个研究地点，对比分析了小叶锦鸡儿(Caragana microphylla)灌丛斑块内和斑块外群落中禾草和非禾草功能群植物叶中矿质元素浓度以及地上生物量生产的差异，旨在阐明干旱和灌木对群落草本植物叶元素累积的影响，揭示灌草间相互作用的元素利用特征及其随干旱梯度的变化。结果显示：1)随干旱加剧，灌丛斑块内的非禾草功能群植物地上生物量保持恒定，但叶中的K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn和Cu元素浓度显著增加(P<0.05)。该结果表明群落中的非禾草功能群植物通过提高叶中的矿质元素水平来抵御和适应干旱胁迫。2)随干旱加剧，灌丛对非禾草功能群植物地上生物量，叶中Ca、Fe、Cu和Zn,禾草功能群植物叶中的P的累积影响从负(RII<0)或中性(RII=0)转变为正效应(RII>0)。该结果与胁迫梯度假说相符，表明灌木对草本植物的促进效应随干旱胁迫加剧而增加。3)灌丛的“沃岛”效应是驱动灌木对草本植物元素累积正效应...     

洮河上游紫果云杉群落土壤种子库特征及其与地上植被的关系

该研究以甘肃洮河国家级自然保护区大峪沟林区(TH)、冶力关林区(YLG)、尕海 则岔国家级自然保护区则岔林区(GZ)的紫果云杉(Picea purpurea)天然林群落为研究对象,通过样地调查与萌发实验,分析洮河上游紫果云杉群落土壤种子库特征,以揭示洮河上游紫果云杉群落土壤种子库特征及与地上植被的关系,为紫果云杉群落恢复和管理提供依据。结果表明：(1)3个林区土壤种子库共萌发27科45属50种植物,种子库密度在958~1 129粒/m²之间,草本植物是构成研究区土壤种子库的主体。(2)3个林区紫果云杉群落土壤种子库垂直结构明显,物种数及种子密度随土层的加深呈减少趋势。(3)3个林区地上植被物种数大于土壤种子库物种数,相似性系数在0.15~0.23之间,表现为极不相似性;土壤种子库的多样性指数除Pielou指数高于地上植被外,Margalef指数、Shannon Wiener指数、Simpson指数均低于地上植被。研究认为,洮河上游紫果云杉群落土壤种子库以草本植物为主,乔木和灌木的储量较小,特别是建群种紫果云杉的储量较小;地上植被和土壤种子库之间相互的贡献力较低,仅依靠紫果云杉林土壤种子库进行自然恢复,远不能缓解现阶段紫果云杉林退化的问题,因此需开展人工育苗、造林等措施来促进紫果云杉的更新与发展。     

Positive effects of plant diversity on soil microbial biomass and activity are associated with more root biomass production

This study aims to explore relationships between plant diversity and soil microbial function and the factors that mediate the relationships. Artificial plant communities (1, 2, 4 and 8 species) were established filled with natural and mine tailing soils, respectively. After 12 months, the plant species richness positively affected the soil microbial functional diversity in both soil environments but negatively affected microbial biomass and soil basal respiration in the natural soil. The root biomass positively correlated with the microbial biomass, cultural bacterial activity and soil basal respiration in both soil environments. Moreover, the D_i (deviations between observed performances and expected performances from the monoculture performance of each species of mixture) of microbial biomass, cultural bacterial activity and soil basal respiration positively correlated with the D_i of root biomass in both soil environments. Consistent with stress-gradient hypothesis, the D_mix (over-function index) of aboveground biomass positively correlated plant species richness in the mine tailing soil. Results suggest that the root biomass production is an important mechanism that affects the effects of plant diversity on soil microbial functions. Different responses of soil microbial function to increasing plant diversity may be due to root biomass production mediated by other factors.     

Biomass responses to elevated CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, soil heterogeneity and diversity: an experimental assessment with grassland assemblages

While it is well-established that the spatial distribution of soil nutrients (soil heterogeneity) influences the competitive ability and survival of individual plants, as well as the productivity of plant communities, there is a paucity of data on how soil heterogeneity and global change drivers interact to affect plant performance and ecosystem functioning. To evaluate the effects of elevated CO₂, soil heterogeneity and diversity (species richness and composition) on productivity, patterns of biomass allocation and root foraging precision, we conducted an experiment with grassland assemblages formed by monocultures, two- and three-species mixtures of Lolium perenne, Plantago lanceolata and Holcus lanatus. The experiment lasted for 90 days, and was conducted on microcosms built out of PVC pipe (length 38 cm, internal diameter 10 cm). When nutrients were heterogeneously supplied (in discrete patches), assemblages exhibited precise root foraging patterns, and had higher total, above- and belowground biomass. Greater aboveground biomass was observed under elevated CO₂. Species composition affected the below:aboveground biomass ratio and interacted with nutrient heterogeneity to determine belowground and total biomass. Species richness had no significant effects, and did not interact with either CO₂ or nutrient heterogeneity. Under elevated CO₂ conditions, the two- and three-species mixtures showed a clear trend towards underyielding. Our results show that differences among composition levels were dependent on soil heterogeneity, highlighting its potential role in modulating diversity–productivity relationships. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible to authorized users.     

Vegetation structure and microclimate of three Dutch Calthion palustris communities under different climatic conditions

Three Dutch Calthion palustris communities, situated in different phytogeographic districts which vary in elimatic conditions, are compared with respect to vegetation structure and microclimate. The three Calthion stands which are similar in soil, management and hydrology, differ slightly in total aboveground biomass in the period just before cutting, but there is a larger difference in the biomass contributed by phanerogams, bryophytes and litter. The structure of the Calthion communities varies in vertical distribution of biomass and leaf area (LAI), and growth form and leaf size composition. These differences are interpreted in terms of elimatic differences such as length of growing season, temperature and wind. Profiles of decreasing light intensity within the vegetation canopy are related to the vertical distribution of biomass, LAI and leaf inclination of the various Calthion communities. Temperature and saturation deficit of the air on the different sites show profiles of a similar shape which suggests that in such ecologically comparable plant communities, vegetation structure differs under influence of the macroclimate in such a way that the resulting vegetation canopies modify the microclimate within the vegetation to become homologous.Nomenclature of species follows Heukels-van Ooststroom (1977). Acknowledgement. This study is part of the pfoject on vegetation structure, financially supported by the Foundation for Fundamental Biological Research (BION), of the Dutch Organization for the Advancement of Pure Research (ZWO). Much of the research was carried out at the Division of Geobotany, University of Nijmegen. The authors kindly acknowledge this hospitality. Also the data contributed by B. Aerssens, J. Cortenraad, and S. Troelstra and the typing help of Mrs R. Jaegermann are gratefully acknowledged.