Enumeration and Localization of N2-Fixing Bacteria Associated with Roots of Spartina alterniflora Loisel

Numbers and possible locations of N₂-fixing bacteria were investigated in roots of Spartina alterniflora Loisel, which support nitrogenase activity in the undisturbed native habitat. N₂-fixing bacteria were recovered in cultures both from S. alterniflora roots and from the surrounding sediment, and they formed a greater proportion of the bacteria recovered from root homogenates than from salt-marsh sediment. N₂-fixing bacteria were recovered in high numbers from the rhizoplane of S. alterniflora after roots were treated with 1 or 5% chloramine-T for 1 h or with 1% NaOCl for 1 or 2 h. Immersing S. alterniflora roots in 5% NaOCl for 1 h was more effective in distinguishing bacteria inside the roots since this treatment nearly eliminated N₂-fixing bacteria recoverable from the rhizoplane, although high numbers of N₂-fixing bacteria were recovered from homogenates of roots treated with 5% NaOCl for 1 h. However, this treatment was less effective with roots of Zea mays L. (Funks G4646) and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (CK-60 A), indicating that techniques to surface sterilize roots should be evaluated for different plants. Bacteria were observed by light and electron microscopy inter- and intracellularly in the cortex and in the aerenchyma of S. alterniflora roots. This study clearly shows that bacteria, including N₂ fixers, colonize the interior of roots of S. alterniflora growing in a Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, salt marsh.     

The Impacts of Above- and Belowground Plant Input on Soil Microbiota: Invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina alterniflora</Emphasis> Versus Native <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis>

Invasive plants affect soil food webs through various resource inputs including shoot litter, root litter and living root input. The net impact of invasive plants on soil biota has been recognized; however, the relative contributions of different resource input pathways have not been quantified. Through a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial field experiment, a pair of invasive and native plant species (Spartina alterniflora vs. Phragmites australis) was compared to determine the relative impacts of their living roots or shoots and root litter on soil microbial and nematode communities. Living root identity affected bacteria-to-fungi PLFA ratios, abundance of total nematodes, plant-feeding nematodes and omnivorous nematodes. Specifically, the plant-feeding nematodes were 627% less abundant when living roots of invasive S. alterniflora were present than those of native P. australis. Likewise, shoot and root biomass (within soil at 0–10 cm depth) of S. alterniflora was, respectively, 300 and 100% greater than those of P. australis. These findings support the enemy release hypothesis of plant invasion. Root litter identity affected other components of soil microbiota (that is, bacterial-feeding nematodes), which were 34% more abundant in the presence of root litter of P. australis than S. alterniflora. Overall, more variation associated with nematode community structure and function was explained by differences in living roots than root or shoot litter for this pair of plant species sharing a common habitat but contrasting invasion degrees. We conclude that belowground resource input is an important mechanism used by invasive plants to affect ecosystem structure and function.     

Using sediment alginate amendment as a tool in the restoration of Spartina alterniflora marsh

Growth and survival of transplanted vegetation for salt marsh restoration can be greatly affected by edaphic conditions. We investigated the potential for an organic carbon sediment amendment, alginate, to enhance establishment and growth of Spartina alterniflora transplants, as well as colonization by macroinvertebrates commonly associated with S. alterniflora (Uca sp. and Littoraria irrorata). Plots were established in a bare mud area previously inhabited by S. alterniflora, and transplant rhizospheres were either treated with alginate or left unamended as controls. Growth of transplanted S. alterniflora and colonization by Uca sp. and L. irrorata were evaluated over portions of three growing seasons. Within the first month post-transplantation, a nonsignificant trend toward greater live stem density emerged, but disappeared completely by week ten. Both Uca sp. and L. irrorata densities were significantly greater in the alginate treatment compared to the control only during the first ten weeks post-transplantation. However, the initial organic content of the sediment in the transplant area was more than twice that in the adjacent natural marsh. Therefore, our findings suggest that a threshold level of sediment organic matter above which alginate addition does not confer an advantage on transplanted S. alterniflora may exist, and the conditions under which amendments are most beneficial to transplanted S. alterniflora should be determined.     

泉州湾蟳埔潮间带大型底栖动物群落的时空分布

为了比较泉州湾蟳埔潮间带沙滩、互花米草滩和牡蛎石泥滩3种生境(3个潮层)的大型底栖动物群落,2011年4月至2012年1月对3种生境的大型底栖动物进行了季度定量取样。在3种生境共获得85种大型底栖动物,其中环节动物39种,软体动物20种,节肢动物21种,刺胞动物、扁形动物、纽虫动物、星虫动物和脊索动物各1种。多维标度排序(MDS)分析表明,春季和冬季泉州湾蟳埔潮间带3种生境的大型底栖动物群落相似性较低;夏季和秋季互花米草滩与牡蛎石泥滩的大型底栖动物群落相似性较高,而与沙滩的大型底栖动物群落相似性较低。沙滩大型底栖动物群落的季节变化较明显,其次是牡蛎石泥滩,而互花米草滩大型底栖动物群落的季节变化较不明显。大型底栖动物栖息密度和生物量随着潮层降低而增加。单变量双因素方差分析(Two-way ANOVA)表明,不同生境之间的大型底栖动物物种数、栖息密度、多样性指数、均匀度指数和丰度指数有显著差异,但生物量无显著差异,这是因为沙滩的物种数较少,栖息密度较低,但优势种弧边招潮蟹(Uca arcuata)个体较大,互花米草滩和牡蛎石泥滩的优势种为加州中蚓虫(Mediomastus californiensis),个体相对弧边招潮蟹小。不同季节之间大型底栖动物物种数、栖息密度、生物量和丰度指数有显著差异,但多样性指数和均匀度指数元显著差异,这是因为沙滩物种数少,但个体分布比较均匀,而互花米草滩和牡蛎石泥滩物种数较多,个体分布较不均匀。以上结果表明,潮汐、沉积物粒径和生境是影响潮间带大型底栖动物群落的主要因素。潮汐导致潮间带的空间异质性,空间异质性导致大型底栖动物群落的差异。     

广西山口红树林保护区互花米草扩散动态及其驱动力

互花米草在红树林湿地中扩散对生境与生态系统造成严重影响,已成为生物入侵问题研究的焦点之一。然而目前关于互花米草扩散动态及其驱动力的研究成果仍为鲜见。论文以广西山口红树林保护区为研究对象,以2009、2013、2019年遥感影像为数据源,采用人机互译、野外勘查结合的方法识别互花米草布局,利用土地类型转移矩阵、质心的变化、景观指数以及灰色关联度等方法分析互花米草扩散特征及其驱动力。结果表明：（1）2009-2019年间,互花米草面积、斑块数量呈现增长趋势,但面积增幅下降,2009-2013年间年均增长率为7.60%,2013-2019年间年均增长率则为1.99%;互花米草面积年均增长率大于红树林,光滩转化为互花米草的面积是其转化为红树林面积的1.507倍;互花米草、红树林均有破碎化趋势;（2）2009-2019年间,互花米草的质心坐标都位于丹兜海潮滩,2009-2013年互花米草斑块质心向西北方向偏移,2013-2019年向东南方向偏移;（3）2009-2019年间,互花米草动态变化受到人为因素与自然因素共同影响。其中,赶海人口比例与最大斑块指数、斑块密度、斑块数相关性最大;年均最高温与互花米草分维数、破碎化指数、面积相关性最大。（4）影响互花米草面积变化的因素依次为：年均最高温、年均最低温、赶海人口比例、地区生产总值;互花米草面积与年均最高、年均低温均呈正相关,与赶海人口比例呈负相关。研究结果将为互花米草监控提供科学借鉴,为红树林保护提供理论依据。     

隔沟交替灌溉条件下玉米根系形态性状及结构分布

为揭示根系对土壤环境的适应机制,研究了隔沟交替灌溉条件下玉米根系形态性状及结构分布。以垄位和坡位的玉米根系为研究对象,利用Minirhizotrons法研究了根系（活/死根）的长度、直径、体积、表面积、根尖数和径级变化及其与土壤水分、土温和水分利用效率（WUE）的相关关系。结果表明,对于活根,在坡位非灌水区域复水后根系平均直径减小,而根系日均生长速率、单位面积土壤根系体积密度、根尖数和表面积均增大,并随灌水区域土壤水分的消退逐渐减小;对于死根,在坡位非灌水区域复水后根系日均死亡速率、根系体积密度、根尖数和表面积变化均减小,其中根系死亡速率和死根直径随土壤水分的消退逐渐降低,而死根体积密度、根尖数和表面积分布随土壤水分降低呈增大趋势;在垄位,根系形态分布趋势与坡位一致,除根系直径与与坡位比较接近外,其他根系形态值均小于坡位。将根系分成4个径级区间分析根系的形态特征,结果表明在根系长度和体积密度分布中以2.5－4.5 mm径级的根系所占比例最大,在根尖数和根系表面积分布中以0.0－2.5 mm径级的根系为主。通过显著性相关分析,死根直径、体积密度、活根表面积等根系形态与土壤含水率、土壤温度和WUE间均存在显著或极显著的正相关关系,部分根系形态指标（如根系的生长速率、活根体积密度）只与坡位土壤含水量、土壤温度具有明显的相关性,表明隔沟交替灌溉对坡位根系形态的调控作用比垄位显著。     

Immediate acetylene reduction by excised grass roots not previously preincubated at low oxygen tensions

Excised roots of Spartina alterniflora Loisel. and corn reduced acetylene in air without the previously reported period of zero activity lasting 8 to 18 hours. The profiles of acetylene-dependent ethylene accumulation by excised roots and intact plants of S. alterniflora were similar. No significant change in the number of bacteria associated with the roots was detectable during the assay. Most of the nitrogenase activity was detected in the roots and rhizomes of the plants. The salt marsh sediment also was capable of reducing acetylene. Additional damage to roots by washing and cutting increased the rate of acetylene reduction with samples incubated in air. Low concentrations of nitrate significantly inhibited the nitrogenase activity associated with the sediment and excised roots, but not with intact plants. Rates of acetylene reduction by excised corn roots were low. Oxidation and endogenous production of ethylene in the absence of acetylene were negligible. Measurements made with excised grass roots as described probably reflect the occurrence and magnitude of nitrogenase activity associated with the plants in the field.     

生境异质性及源株密度对互花米草入侵力的影响

外来物种互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)被引种到我国海岸带后,已带来一系列生态危害,严重影响了入侵地生态系统结构和功能,深入了解其入侵机制是实施有效控制的基础和理论依据。长江口的滩涂湿地是我国典型的异质潮滩,拥有多种生境。为了探究异质潮滩环境中互花米草初始源株对其入侵力的影响,研究通过野外移栽实验,模拟不同源株密度,探讨潮滩湿地生境异质性及源株密度对互花米草定居、生长和扩散的影响。结果表明:1)生境异质性及源株密度均对互花米草存活率、株高及种群增长率有极显著影响(P0.01)。2)至生长季末,植被区内互花米草存活率、株高均显著高于前沿光滩(P0.05)。此外,淤泥质潮滩植被区内互花米草株高、种群增长率也显著高于粉砂质潮滩植被区(P0.05)。3)互花米草入侵植被区不受源株密度的限制,但随源株密度增加,互花米草种群增长率显著降低(P0.05),而株高无显著差异(P0.05);在光滩区,只有高源株密度才可入侵成功。4)异质生境的冲淤动态、淹水时间和淹水深度是影响互花米草存活和生长的主要环境因子。丰富了河口湿地互花米草入侵力的机理研究,也为我国开展互花米草防控及海岸带保护、修复和管理提供了科学依据,具有重要的理论和实践意义。     

Growth and physiological responses to copper stress in a halophyte Spartina alterniflora (Poaceae)

A study quantifying the effects of different copper (Cu) concentrations (50, 200, 800 and 1,000 mg kg^?1 Cu) on Cu bioaccumulation and physiological responses of Spartina alterniflora was conducted. Plant biomass and Cu accumulation were determined. Plant height, tiller number, chlorophyll, leaf electrolyte leakage rate (ELR), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, soluble sugar, and organic acids were also measured. The results showed that S. alterniflora mainly accumulated Cu in fine roots. No significant changes of biomass of fine roots were detected except for obvious reduction under 1,000 mg kg^?1 Cu. In leaves, rhizomes and fine roots, the highest Cu accumulations were detected under 800 mg kg^?1 Cu. The highest Cu accumulation in stem was revealed under 200 mg kg^?1 Cu. Plant height decreased under 1,000 mg kg^?1 Cu; chlorophyll content reduced under >50 mg kg^?1 Cu; levels of ELR and MDA increased under >200 mg kg^?1 Cu. However, osmotic components such as proline and soluble sugar were accumulated to cope with higher Cu stresses (800 and 1,000 mg kg^?1). Further, oxalic and citric acids were positively related with Cu contents in leaves and stems, suggesting that oxalic and citric acids may be related to Cu detoxification in aboveground parts of S. alterniflora. However, in above and belowground parts, no detoxification function of ascorbic and fumaric acids was observed due to unchanged or decreased trend under Cu stress.     

Formyltetrahydrofolate Synthetase Sequences from Salt Marsh Plant Roots Reveal a Diversity of Acetogenic Bacteria and Other Bacterial Functional Groups

Sixty-two partial formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (FTHFS) structural gene sequences were recovered from roots of salt marsh plants, including Spartina alterniflora, Salicornia virginica, and Juncus roemerianus. Only S. alterniflora roots yielded sequences grouping with FTHFS sequences from known acetogens. Most other FTHFS or FTHFS-like sequences grouped with those from sulfate-reducing bacteria. Several sequences that grouped with Sphingomonas paucimobilis ligH were also recovered.     

A GROWTH COMPARISON OF SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA LOISEL. ECOPHENES UNDER AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS

Spartina alterniflora Loisel. culms were collected from tall (creekbank), short (highmarsh) and dieback sites in a North Carolina salt marsh and grown in aerobic and anaerobic simulated marsh systems in the greenhouse. There were no significant differences between density, aerial live biomass, height, leaf width or root biomass and sprig source. All variables were significantly different between aeration treatments. Aerated systems had an average of 6.3 times more biomass than the unaerated treatments. There was a significant interaction between sprig source and aeration treatments based on a multivariate analysis of variance representing overall plant performance. These results demonstrated that pioneer sprigs from the dieback sites had an advantage over the other sprigs when exposed to unaerated systems. Tall plants performed better than plants from short or dieback zones in the aerobic systems.     

Effects of salinity and temperature stress on Ecophysiological characteristics of exotic cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora

Salintiy and temperature are two important ecological factors which affect the distribution and abundance of Spartina alerniflora Loisel. To find out how cordgrass adapts to the environmental conditions in the introduced range, we studied the dynamics of a series of important physiological components including superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble sugar and free proline under different salinity and temperature stresses. The results showed that low NaCl concentration (lower than 100 mmol·L⁻¹) enhanced the growth of S. alterniflora. On the contrary, high NaCl concentration (higher than 100 mmol·L⁻¹) inhibited the growth of S. alterniflora. To a certain extent, S. alterniflora was able to be acclimated to the osmotic pressure created by external solution concentration by adjusting the activities of POD, SOD and CAT, and the contents of free proline and soluble sugar. S. alterniflora varied in its responses to environment in different parts of the plant under 5°C and 38°C temperature stress. Compared with roots, leaves accumulated more soluble sugar, and CAT activities in leaves were higher, whereas SOD and POD activities in leaves were much lower than those in roots.     

RESPONSE TO PHOTOPERIOD AND TEMPERATURE BY SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA (POACEAE) FROM NORTH CAROLINA AND SPARTINA FOLIOSA FROM CALIFORNIA

Seedlings of Spartina alterniflora Loisel. from Oregon Inlet, North Carolina were generally taller and produced significantly more culms and total dry weight than those of S. foliosa Trin. from two California populations (Alameda Beach and Marin County) in eight photoperiod-temperature treatments over a 17-wk period. Seedlings of S. alterniflora produced maximal biomass in 30–26 C whereas those of S. foliosa produced maximal biomass in 22–18 C, both under long-day conditions. The average photosynthesis rate for S. alterniflora (3.0 mg C g dry wt^−- hr^−-1) was 1.6 times higher than that for S. foliosa (1.9 mg C g dry wt^−-1 hr^−-1), but the dark respiration rates (0.3 and 0.4 mg C g dry wt^−-1 hr^−-1, respectively) were not significantly different. The proportion of rhizomes was greater under short than long-day conditions for both species in most temperature regimes. The average shoot soluble carbohydrate and starch concentrations were higher for S. foliosa (8.4 and 0.9%, respectively) than those for S. alterniflora (6.0 and 0.4%, respectively). The average rhizome soluble carbohydrate concentration (18%) for S. alterniflora under long-day conditions was significantly lower than that under short-day conditions (28%) and also lower than those for S. foliosa under both long (26%) and short-day (25%) conditions. Rhizome starch concentrations of S. alterniflora were significantly higher in the short than in most long-day temperatures and were generally higher for S. alterniflora than for S. foliosa under short-day conditions. The root starch concentration of S. alterniflora under short-day conditions (1.3%) was higher than that under long-day conditions (0.2%) and also higher than those of S. foliosa under both long (0.2%) and short-day (0.7%) conditions. The two species exhibited similar patterns of carbohydrate storage in belowground organs, similar flower initiation processes not under strict photoperiod control, and similar respiration rates, but significantly different photosynthetic rates and growth responses with S. alterniflora having the potential to be the more productive species.     

Cd、Zn及其交互作用对互花米草中重金属的积累、亚细胞分布及化学形态的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了Cd、Zn及其交互作用下互花米草中Cd、Zn的含量及积累量,并分析了Cd、Zn在互花米草中的亚细胞分布及化学形态。结果表明：Cd-Zn处理组互花米草地上部及根部Cd含量显著高于Cd处理组;Cd-Zn处理组根部Zn含量显著低于Zn处理组,但地上部差异不显著,说明Zn促进Cd的吸收,Cd抑制Zn的吸收。Cd-Zn处理组互花米草地上部Cd积累量显著高于Cd处理组,但是根部Cd积累量却显著低于Cd处理组;Zn处理组地上部及根部Zn积累量均显著高于对照组及Cd-Zn处理组。Cd单因素胁迫下,Cd主要分布在细胞壁,Cd-Zn交互作用下,Cd在胞液中的分配比例高于其他细胞组分;Zn单因素及Cd-Zn交互作用下,Zn在胞液中的分配比例均较高,总的分配比例呈现以下趋势：胞液>细胞壁>细胞器,说明Zn的添加影响了Cd的亚细胞分布,Cd的出现对Zn在互花米草细胞中的分布影响不明显。Cd和Zn在互花米草叶中主要以氯化钠提取态存在,表明互花米草中Cd和Zn多以果胶酸盐结合态或蛋白质结合态存在。     

北部湾大风江口互花米草湿地有机碳储量的分布特征

互花米草被引入我国滨海地区后,经过多年的生长与演替,改变了潮间带原有生态系统的碳储量,而影响机制仍有待深入研究。为进一步探讨互花米草入侵后潮滩有机碳储量演变特征,该文以广西北部湾大风江口入侵约6 a的互花米草湿地为研究对象,分析了2018年8月、11月及2019年1月、3月采集的样品中有机碳及相关理化指标。结果表示:(1)互花米草植物年均地上碳储量为9.68 t·hm~(-2),高于地下根系的5.56 t·hm~(-2);(2)互花米草入侵湿地土壤碳储量显著高于互花米草植物本身,且不同季节中春季土壤碳储量显著高于其他季节;(3)土壤的C/N比值为3.53～9.67,表明互花米草入侵群落有机碳受海源的潮汐输入影响较大;(4)互花米草生态系统总碳储量与土壤碳储量之间呈极显著正相关关系,且季节性变化规律一致;(5)随着入侵时间的延长,互花米草生态系统中有机碳储量呈逐渐增加的趋势,表明互花米草入侵提高了光滩的有机碳储量,并能提高光滩的固碳能力。该文可为科学评价互花米草入侵对光滩碳储量的影响提供参考。     

TILLERING AND MORTALITY OF THE SALT MARSH CORDGRASS,SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA

Recruitment and mortality of Spartina alterniflora tillers and culms were estimated from measurements of live standing crops at Wallops Island, Virginia. Stands of tall and medium form grass produced from 452 to 1,227 tillers m⁻² yr⁻¹. Those tillered in spring lengthened into culms their first year, while those tillered in late summer and fall may have overwintered and lengthened into culms their second year. Biennial growth was most prevalent in tall form Spartina. Fifty-six to sixty-one percent of all tillers died before lengthening into culms. Of the remainder, 9 to 56% died as culms before the time of flowering. Sixty-three percent of the surviving culms of tall form Spartina flowered, compared to only 14 to 23% in medium form. Mortality of tillers and culms removed 16 to 35% of the annual production of Spartina biomass from live standing crops before the time of flowering.     

Spartina alterniflora invasions in the Yangtze River estuary,China: An overview of current status and ecosystem effects

The Yangtze River estuary is an important ecoregion. However, Spartina alterniflora, native to North America, was introduced to the estuary in the 1990s through both natural dispersal and humans and now it is a dominant species in the estuarine ecosystems, with its invasions leading to multiple consequences to the estuary. S. alterniflora had great competitive effects on native species, including Scirpus mariqueter and Phragmites australis, and could potentially exclude the natives locally. The presence of S. alterniflora had little influence on the total density of soil nematodes and macrobenthonic invertebrates, but significantly altered the structure of trophic functional groups of nematode and macrobenthonic invertebrate communities. The conversion of mudflats to Spartina meadows had significant effects on birds of Charadriidae and Scolopacidae, which might be attributable to the reduction of food resources and the physical alterations of habitats for shorebirds. S. alterniflora invasions increased the primary productivity of the invaded ecosystems, and altered carbon and nitrogen cycling processes. Our studies focused mainly on the effects of S. alterniflora invasions on the structure of native ecosystems; thus further studies are clearly needed to investigate how ecosystem functioning is affected by the modification of the structure of estuarine ecosystems by S. alterniflora invasions.     

Seasonal variation in CH4 emission and its 13C-isotopic signature from Spartina alterniflora and Scirpus mariqueter soils in an estuarine wetland

Although invasions by non-native species represent a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, little attention has been paid to the potential impacts of these invasions on methane (CH₄) emission and its ¹³C-CH₄-isotope signature in salt marshes. An invasive perennial C₄ grass Spartina alterniflora has spread rapidly along the east coast of China since its introduction from North America in 1979. Since its intentional introduction to the Jiuduansha Island in the Yangtze River estuary in 1997, S. alterniflora monocultures have become the dominant component of the Jiuduansha’s vegetation, where monocultures of the native plant Scirpus mariqueter (a C₃ grass) used to dominate the vegetation for more than 30 years. We investigated seasonal variation in soil CH₄ emission and its ¹³C-CH₄-isotope signature from S. alterniflora and S. mariqueter marshes. The results obtained here show that S. alterniflora invasion increased soil CH₄ emissions compared to native S. mariqueter, possibly resulting from great belowground biomass of S. alterniflora, which might have affected soil microenvironments and /or CH₄ production pathways. CH₄ emissions from soils in both marshes followed similar seasonal patterns in CH₄ emissions that increased significantly from April to August and then decreased from August to October. CH₄ emissions were positively correlated with soil temperature, but negatively correlated with soil moisture for both S. alterniflora and S. mariqueter soils (p?<?0.05). The δ¹³C values of CH₄ from S. alterniflora, and S. mariqueter soils ranged from -39.0‰ to -45.0‰, and -37.3‰ to -45.7‰, respectively, with the lowest δ¹³C values occurring in August in both marshes. Although the leaves, roots and soil organic matter of S. alterniflora had significantly higher δ¹³C values than those of S. mariqueter, S. alterniflora invasion did not significantly change the ¹³C- isotopic signature of soil emitted CH₄ (p?>?0.05). Generally, the CH₄ emissions from both invasive S. alterniflora and native S. mariqueter soils in the salt marshes of Jiuduansha Island were very low (0.01–0.26 mg m^-2 h^-1), suggesting that S. alterniflora invasion along the east coast of China may not be a significant potential source of atmospheric CH₄.     

Differences in macrobenthic faunal communities in mangrove wetland habitats (Zhanjiang,China) invaded and non-invaded by exotic cordgrass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina alterniflora</Emphasis>

Mangroves are essential for maintaining local biodiversity and human well-being, and mangrove structure and functioning depend on the macrobenthos. Although exotic cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, is an increasing threat to the mangrove wetlands (including the associated unvegetated shoals) of China, its effects on the macrobenthic fauna in such wetlands is poorly understood. The macrobenthic faunal communities were compared in (1) an Avicennia marina monoculture vs. an S. alterniflora-invaded A. marina stand (a mixture of A. marina and S. alterniflora) and in (2) an unvegetated shoal vs. an S. alterniflora-invaded shoal that had rapidly become an S. alterniflora monoculture in Zhanjiang, China. S. alterniflora invasion significantly increased plant density regardless of invaded habitat but significantly increased the contents of total carbon, organic matter, and total sulfur in the sediment only in the unvegetated shoal. The presence of S. alterniflora had little influence on indices of the macrobenthic faunal community in the A. marina monoculture, but significantly decreased the density and biomass of macrobenthic faunal community in the unvegetated shoal. These results indicate that the effects of S. alterniflora on the macrobenthic faunal community depend on which type of mangrove habitat is invaded. The composition of the macrobenthic faunal community was more similar between the invaded and non-invaded A. marina stand than between the invaded and non-invaded unvegetated shoal. Overall, the differences in the macrobenthic faunal community between invaded and non-invaded habitats were associated with increases in the sediment organic matter content and plant density.     

郭岩山不同海拔丝栗栲细根功能性状及其与土壤因子的关系

为揭示丝栗栲(Castanopsis fargesii)细根功能性状对环境变化的适应机制,对郭岩山500、700、900 m海拔处丝栗栲细根功能性状及其与土壤因子的关系进行研究。结果表明,丝栗栲细根生物量与细根根长密度、表面积密度、组织密度及体积密度呈正相关,细根根长密度、体积密度、表面积密度和比根长4个性状间均呈极显著正相关关系,且均与细根组织密度呈显著负相关。根际土含水量、C和N含量与细根比根长、根长密度、体积密度、表面积密度均存在显著正相关关系,而土壤容重与细根组织密度呈正相关。海拔700 m的细根生物量、根长密度、表面积密度及体积密度显著大于海拔500和900 m的。500和900 m海拔的根长密度、表面积密度与土壤深度呈负相关,而500 m海拔细根的组织密度与土壤深度呈正相关。因此,郭岩山丝栗栲通过改变细根功能性状来适应海拔和土壤的变化。