Vegetation Response to Lime and Manure Compost Amendments on Acid Lead/Zinc Mine Tailings: A Greenhouse Study

Land disturbed by mining in China is a serious problem and lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailings constitute the majority of the metal mine tailings produced in Guangdaong Province, China. A greenhouse study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of lime (40, 80, 120, and 160 t/ha) and manure compost (50 and 100 t/ha) amendment on the revegetation of the Pb/Zn mine tailings using Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) and Agropyron elongatum (tall wheatgrass). The results showed that a combination of lime and manure compost amendment together with deionized water leachating was able to increase pH, reduce electrical conductivity and diethylenetraminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)‐extractable concentrations of Zn and Pb in tailings. Using 80 t/ha lime amendment with the supplement of fertilizer or manure compost was able to effectively improve germination of both C. dactylon and A. elongatum. The highest dry weight yields were obtained in tailings receiving 80 t lime/ha and 100 t manure compost/ha for both plant species. Plant tissue analysis showed that lime amendment at 120–160 t/ha reduced Zn accumulation in both shoot and root of C. dactylon. However, this trend was not observed for Pb.     

Use of Vetiver and Three Other Grasses for Revegetation of Pb/Zn Mine Tailings: Field Experiment

The Lechang Pb/Zn mine is located to the north of the Guangdong Province, South of China. The tailings pond had been abandoned for over 5 years, and revegetation was necessary for stabilizing the bare surface and to reduce its environmental impact. The tailings contained high levels of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd) and low levels of major nutrient elements (N, P, and K) and organic matter; therefore, heavy metal toxicity and extreme infertility were the major constraints on revegetation. A field experiment was conducted to compare the growth of Vertiveria zizanioides, Paspalum notatum, Cynodon dactylon, and Imperata cylindrica var. major on the tailings. The tailings were amended with 10 cm domestic refuse + complex fertilizer (NPK) (Treatment A), 10 cm domestic refuse (Treatment B) and complex fertilizer (NPK) (Treatment C), respectively; tailings without any amendment were used as control (Treatment D). Plant growth was improved when either domestic refuse or NPK fertilizer was added to the substrate, but the combination of both amendments gave the best yields. After 6 months' growth, V. zizanioides growing on treatment A had a height of 220 cm, cover of 100% and a yield of 2.1 kg m^-2 (d.w.). The height and biomass of V. zizanioides were significantly greater than the other three grasses growing on the same treatment. Judging from results, V. zizanioides was the best species for tailings revegetation, followed by P. notatum, C. dactylon, and I. cylindrica var. major.     

Old-field successional dynamics on the Inland Pampa,Argentina

Abstract. The first 10 yr of old-field successional dynamics on the Argentine Inland Pampa were studied on a series of adjacent plots established consecutively between 1978 and 1989. We examined differences in species abundance patterns among plots in order to detect the spatial and temporal variability of succession. Perennial grasses steadily increased in cover and replaced the dominant annual species after 5 yr. Pioneer dicots persisted in older seral stages with 20 — 23 species/plot. Overall, exotic species (mostly the grasses Lolium multiflorum and Cynodon dactylon) contributed much to the plant cover in these communities. Native grasses comprised 45 % of total cover at years 7 — 10 of succession, but occurred with less than 7 species/plot. Substantial variation was found in the successional pathway, which reflected the particular sequence from annual forbs to short-lived and perennial grasses in the various plots. The course of succession was apparently influenced by a 2-yr period of unusually high rainfall. Deyeuxia viridiflavescens, a native perennial grass virtually absent before the wet period, spread over the study area and dominated seral communities for 3 yr, irrespective of plot age. Climatic conditions thus affected the successional turnover of life forms by increasing the rate of colonization by perennial grasses. We further point out the constraints imposed on secondary succession by the life histories of ‘available’ species.     

Soil Seed Bank as an Input of Seed Source in Revegetation of Lead / Zinc Mine Tailings

The goal of the present study was to assess a soil seed bank as an input seed source for revegetating lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailings. The seed bank source was abandoned farmland, whose top 10‐cm layer of topsoil contained 6,850 ± 377 seeds/m² from 41 species. The seeds in the soil were principally distributed in the upper 0–2 cm, which held 75.8% of total seeds and 92.7% of species composition. The top 2‐cm layer of topsoil may be sufficient to serve the purpose of providing a seed source for revegetation on derelict lands, including mined lands. Four different thicknesses of topsoil (1, 2, 4, and 8 cm, redistributed from the total 0–10‐cm layer from the farmland) were field‐tested on the Pb/Zn mine tailings. There was no significant difference in seedling density among the 4 thickness treatments. Many seeds in the treatments with more than 1‐cm of topsoil were unable to emerge from the deeper layer. Seedlings in plots with topsoil of 1‐, 2‐ and 4‐cm failed to establish within 1 year due to the extremely high acidity (pH 2.39 to 2.76). A shallow layer of topsoil cannot neutralize the sulfuric acid generated from oxidation of pyrites in the tailings. For establishment of seedlings on metalliferous lands, an insulating layer such as subsoil, building rubble, or domestic refuse is necessary before covering with valuable topsoil. The woody legume Leucaena leucocephala grown on the tailings with a topsoil cover of 8‐cm was the most dominant species. Lead was accumulated in root, branch, stem bark, and xylem, which accounted for more than 80% of the total metal concentration in the plant. This portion of Pb will reside in the plant for a long period, while the smaller portion of Pb in the leaf (about 15%) could be returned to the environment as litter during growth. Woody plants may have an advantage in metal‐phyto‐remediation over herbaceous plants.     

Soil-covered strategy for ecological restoration alters the bacterial community structure and predictive energy metabolic functions in mine tailings profiles

Native soil amendment has been widely used to stabilize mine tailings and speed up the development of soil biogeochemical functions before revegetation; however, it remains poorly understood about the response of microbial communities to ecological restoration of mine tailings with soil-covered strategy. In this study, microbial communities along a 60-cm profile were investigated in mine tailings during ecological restoration of two revegetation strategies (directly revegetation and native soil covered) with different plant species. The mine tailings were covered by native soils as thick as 40 cm for more than 10 years, and the total nitrogen, total organic carbon, water content, and heavy metal (Fe, Cu, and Zn) contents in the 0–40 cm intervals of profiles were changed. In addition, increased microbial diversity and changed microbial community structure were also found in the 10–40 cm intervals of profiles in soil-covered area. Soil-covered strategy rather than plant species and soil depth was the main factor influencing the bacterial community, which explained the largest portion (29.96%) of the observed variation. Compared directly to revegetation, soil-covered strategy exhibited the higher relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Deltaproteobacteria and the lower relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria. PICRUSt analysis further demonstrated that soil-covered caused energy metabolic functional changes in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur metabolism. Given all these, the soil-covered strategy may be used to fast-track the establishment of native microbial communities and is conducive to the rehabilitation of biogeochemical processes for establishing native plant species.

     

Using Soil Amendments to Increase Bermuda Grass Growth in Soil Contaminated with Hydraulic Fracturing Drilling Fluid

Hydraulic fracturing is the process of injecting solutions at high pressure to break apart rock formations and increase efficiency of natural gas extraction. The solutions are recovered and have been land-applied as a disposal technique. The objective of this greenhouse study was to evaluate the effects of inorganic fertilizer, broiler litter, or Milorganite®, and soil depth interval on the growth of Bermuda grass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers] in soil from a site that had been contaminated with fracturing fluid and was devoid of vegetation. In soil from 0–15 cm depth, initial electrical conductivity (ECe), Na, and Cl levels were 14.5 dS/m, 2994 mg/kg, and 5603 mg/kg, respectively. For the 0–30 cm depth, initial ECe, Na, and Cl levels were 14.1 dS/m, 2550 mg/kg, and 5020 mg/kg, respectively. Bermuda grass was sprigged and harvested after nine weeks. Addition of inorganic fertilizer, broiler litter, or Milorganite® resulted in 290, 241, and 172%, respectively, greater shoot biomass compared to unamended soil. Plants grown in the 0–30 cm depth soil had greater root biomass (95%), length (67%), volume (61%), and surface area (65%) compared to those grown in soil from the 0–15 cm depth. Fertilization and cultivation may be useful in revegetating sites contaminated with fracturing fluid.     

Structure and composition of grassland habitats used by wintering Smith's Longspurs: the importance of native grasses

ABSTRACT Smith's Longspurs (Calcarius pictus) are a species of concern in North America because of their limited range and apparent low population size. To better understand winter habitat needs and guide management of this species, we examined habitat associations of Smith's Longspurs in eastern Arkansas by comparing grassland patches where Smith's Longspurs flushed to randomly located patches in the same area. Smith's Longspurs were found in sparse grassland patches of relatively low height adjacent to airport runways where the native grass prairie three‐awn (Aristida oligantha) dominated ground cover and vertical structure. Smith's Longspurs were not found in vegetation plots dominated by non‐native Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). Prairie three‐awn grass may provide concealment from predators and their seeds may be an important food source. Occurrence of Smith's Longspurs was also correlated with less litter, perhaps because deeper litter could make walking and searching for seeds more difficult. Availability of suitable habitat for Smith's Longspurs along airport runways may be declining due to natural succession of grassland habitat in the absence of disturbance and recent changes in management that favor Bermuda grass. Conversion and degradation of native prairie has resulted in the decline in abundance and distribution of Chestnut‐collared Longspurs (C. ornatus) and McCown's Longspurs (Rhynchophanes mccownii). Our findings suggest that conversion of native grasslands to non‐native grasslands results in loss and degradation of habitat for wintering populations of Smith's Longspurs.     

河滨湿地不同植物群落根系分布特征与土壤理化性状的关系——以黄河中游荥阳段为例

在黄河中游郑州荥阳段,选择了5种河滨湿地植物群落进行根系和土壤性状特征研究,以期阐明不同植物群落的根系分布规律与土壤性状的关系,为河滨湿地植物群落组成以及土壤质量恢复提供科学参考。结果表明(1)在0—40 cm土层,根生物量密度与根长密度的平均值均表现为：芦苇群落(Phragmites australis)和芦苇-狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)群落均大于芦苇-拂子茅(Calamagrostis epigeios)-狗牙根群落、拂子茅-狗牙根群落、拂子茅-狗牙根-水莎草(Juncellus serotinus)群落。拂子茅-狗牙根、芦苇-拂子茅-狗牙根、拂子茅-水莎草-狗牙根三种植物群落类型下根生物量密度、根长密度在0—20 cm表层土壤较大,芦苇群落和芦苇-狗牙根群落的根生物量密度、根长密度在10—40 cm的土层较大。(2)黄河河滨湿地芦苇群落、芦苇-狗牙根群落的土壤以粉粒为主,拂子茅-狗牙根群落、芦苇-拂子茅-狗牙根群落、拂子茅-狗牙根-水莎草群落的土壤主要以砂粒为主。在0—40 cm土层,芦苇群落、芦苇-狗牙根群落的土壤含水率、土壤有机质、有效氮和有效磷含量均显著高于...     

极端降雨下黄土高原草被沟坡浅层滑坡特征及其对产流产沙的影响

植被恢复作为黄土高原防治水土流失的重要措施,但极端降雨诱发的浅层滑坡在植被恢复的沟坡上频繁发生,影响流域的产流产沙过程。基于野外原位模拟降雨试验,在60 mm/h降雨强度下,研究草被沟坡浅层滑坡发生特征及其发生前后的产流产沙差异。结果表明：（1）极端降雨所诱发的草被沟坡上的浅层滑坡深度为14-36 cm,与自然强降雨所导致的浅层滑坡深度相贴合,均是低于50 cm。（2）植被根系与土壤容重、孔隙度等土壤性质显著相关（P<0.05）,致使滑坡面上、下层土壤物理性质差异显著（P<0.05）。由于土壤性质的差异,在极端降雨下滑坡面上层土壤水分更快达到饱和（饱和度>90%）,导致浅层滑坡的发生。（3）草被坡面浅层滑坡后的径流与产沙均显著增大（P<0.05）。三个小区的平均径流率在滑坡后增大了4.0-13.1倍,其平均含沙量和产沙率在滑坡后分别增大了9.9-54.9倍和70-841倍。研究结果有助于加深了解植被沟坡的侵蚀产沙机理,并为浅层滑坡防治提供科学依据。     

Effects of Nutrient Manipulations and Grass Removal on Cover,Species Composition,and Invasibility of a Novel Grassland in Colorado

Cover and richness of a 5‐year revegetation effort were studied with ,respect to small‐scale disturbance and nutrient manipulations. The site, originally a relict tallgrass prairie mined for gravel, was replanted to native grasses using a seed mixture of tall‐, mixed‐, and short‐grass species. Following one wet and three relatively dry years, a community emerged, dominated by species common in saline soils not found along the Colorado Front Range. A single species, Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), composed nearly 50% of relative vegetation cover in control plots exhibiting a negative relationship between cover and richness. Seeded species composed approximately 92% of vegetation cover. The remaining 8% was composed of weeds from nearby areas, seed bank survivors, or mix contaminants. Three years of soil nutrient amendments, which lowered plant‐available nitrogen and phosphorus, significantly increased relative cover of seeded species to 97.5%. Fertilizer additions of phosphate enhanced abundance of introduced annual grasses (Bromus spp.) but did not significantly alter cover in control plots. Unmanipulated 4‐m² plots contained an average of 4.7 planted species and 3.9 nonplanted species during the 5‐year period, whereas plots that received grass herbicide averaged 5.4 nonplanted species. Species richness ranged from an average 6.9 species in low‐nutrient, undisturbed plots to 10.9 species in the relatively high‐nutrient, disturbed plots. The use of stockpiled soils, applied sparingly, in conjunction with a native seed mix containing species uncommon to the preexisting community generated a species‐depauperate, novel plant community that appears resistant to invasion by ruderal species.     

Phytoremediation Effect and Growth Responses of Cynodon spp. and Agropyron desertorum in a Petroleum-Contaminated Soil

In order to compare the petroleum tolerance and phytoremediation ability of a native grass, Agropyron desertorum (desert Wheatgrass) with Cynodon spp. (Bermuda grass) in a petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, a 7-month greenhouse experiment was performed. There were 4 soil treatments with 0% (uncontaminated soil), 2%, 4%, and 12% (w_oil/w_soil) petroleum concentration. Parameters including shoot and root fresh weight and dry weight, root penetration depth and root density depth, soil respiration, and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) degradation were measured during and after experiments. The results showed an increase in shoot fresh weight of A. desertorum in soil polluted with 2% petroleum sludge compared to the uncontaminated soil, whereas the growth of Bermuda grass significantly decreased in corresponding treatment. Root growth of A. desertorum was decreased in 2% and 4% petroleum sludge, whereas it was increased in Bermuda grass species. Overall, root fresh weight of Bermuda grass was higher than that of A. desertorum in all treatments. Significant increase in microorganisms' activity was observed in the presence of petroleum sludge and plants in soil compared with uncontaminated soil without plants, and the highest soil respiration (37.6 mg C-CO₂/kg soil day) has been observed in the rhizosphere of Bermuda grass in treatment with 12% petroleum sludge. Plants had a significant role in the degradation of soil contaminants as TPH degradation in planted soils was significantly higher than that in unplanted soil (TPH degradation (%) was 30.4 and 38.9 in A. desertorum and Bermuda grass, respectively, whereas it was just 13.3 in unplanted soil). The rhizosphere of Bermuda grass had significantly less residual TPHs compared to A. desertorum. The results indicated that both Cynodon spp. and A. desertorum had a peculiar tolerance to petroleum pollution. Therefore, as Bermuda grass has already been suggested to be a typical and efficient species for phytoremediating petroleum-contaminated sites, A. desertorum may also prove to be a suitable native alternative.     

Revegetation Methods for High-Elevation Roadsides at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Establishment of native plant populations on disturbed roadsides was investigated at Bryce Canyon National Park (BCNP) in relation to several revegetation and seedbed preparation techniques. In 1994, the BCNP Rim Road (2,683–2,770 m elevation) was reconstructed resulting in a 23.8‐ha roadside disturbance. Revegetation comparisons included the influence of fertilizer on plant establishment and development, the success of indigenous versus commercial seed, seedling response to microsites, methods of erosion control, and shrub transplant growth and survival. Plant density, cover, and biomass were measured 1, 2, and 4 years after revegetation implementation (1995–1998). Seeded native grass cover and density were the highest on plots fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus, but by the fourth growing season, differences between fertilized and unfertilized plots were minimal. Fertilizers may facilitate more rapid establishment of seeded grasses following disturbance, increasing soil cover and soil stability on steep and unstable slopes. However the benefit of increased soil nutrients favored few of the desired species resulting in lower species richness over time compared to unfertilized sites. Elymus trachycaulus (slender wheatgrass) plants raised from indigenous seed had higher density and cover than those from a commercial seed source 2 and 4 years after sowing. Indigenous materials may exhibit slow establishment immediately following seeding, but they will likely persist during extreme climatic conditions such as cold temperatures and relatively short growing seasons. Seeded grasses established better near stones and logs than on adjacent open microsites, suggesting that a roughened seedbed created before seeding can significantly enhance plant establishment. After two growing seasons, total grass cover between various erosion‐control treatments was similar indicating that a variety of erosion reduction techniques can be utilized to reduce erosion. Finally shrub transplants showed minimal differential response to fertilizers, water‐absorbing gels, and soil type. Simply planting and watering transplants was sufficient for the greatest plant survival and growth.     

Abundance and Activity of 16S rRNA,AmoA and NifH Bacterial Genes During Assisted Phytostabilization of Mine Tailings

Mine tailings in semiarid regions are highly susceptible to erosion and are sources of dust pollution and potential avenues of human exposure to toxic metals. One constraint to revegetation of tailings by phytostabilization is the absence of microbial communities critical for biogeochemical cycling of plant nutrients. The objective of this study was to evaluate specific genes as in situ indicators of biological soil response during phytoremediation. The abundance and activity of 16S rRNA, nifH, and amoA were monitored during a nine month phytostabilization study using buffalo grass and quailbush grown in compost-amended, metalliferous tailings. The compost amendment provided a greater than 5-log increase in bacterial abundance, and survival of this compost-inoculum was more stable in planted treatments. Despite increased abundance, the activity of the introduced community was low, and significant increases were not detected until six and nine months in quailbush, and unplanted compost and buffalo grass treatments, respectively. In addition, increased abundances of nitrogen-fixation (nifH) and ammonia-oxidizing (amoA) genes were observed in rhizospheres of buffalo grass and quailbush, respectively. Thus, plant establishment facilitated the short term stabilization of introduced bacterial biomass and supported the growth of two key nitrogen-cycling populations in compost-amended tailings.     

Microbial Community Structure and Carbon-Utilization Diversity in a Mine Tailings Revegetation Study

Restoration of metals‐contaminated environments requires a functional microbial community for successful plant community establishment, soil development, and biogeochemical cycling. Our research measured microbial community structure and carbon‐utilization diversity in treatment plots from a mine waste revegetation project near Butte, Montana. Treatments included two controls (raw tailings) either (1) with or (2) without tilling, (3) shallow‐tilled lime addition, (4) deep‐tilled lime addition, (5) lime slurry injection, (6) topsoil addition, and (7) an undisturbed area near the tailings. Microbial community structural differences were assayed by plate counts of heterotrophic bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, and bacterial endospores, and quantification of arbuscular mycorrhizae colonization. Metabolic diversity differences were assessed by carbon‐utilization profiles generated with Biolog microtiter plates. Heterotrophic bacteria counts were significantly higher in the limed and topsoil treatment plots than the control plots, and the actinomycete and fungal counts increased in the tilled control plot as well. Endospore counts were significantly higher in the topsoil addition and the undisturbed plots than the other treatment plots. Carbon‐utilization activity was very low in untreated plots, intermediate in lime‐treated plots, and very high in topsoil and undisturbed plots. Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) colonization levels of two grass species showed low levels of colonization on control, shallow‐limed, and lime slurry‐injected plots, and high levels on the deep‐limed and topsoil‐addition plots. Plant and soil system components increased across the treatment plots, but individual components responded differently to changing environmental conditions.     

Detection of Biogenic Silica in Leaf Blade, Leaf Sheath, and Stem of Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon) Using LIBS and Phytolith Analysis

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used to perform in situ analysis of major and minor elements present in the different parts of the Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). In situ, point detection/analysis of the elements in plants without any sample preparation has been demonstrated. LIBS spectra of the different parts (leaf blade, leaf sheath and stem) of fresh C. dactylon plant have been recorded to study the pattern of silica deposition in its different parts. Atomic lines of Si, Mg, Ca, C, Al, Zn, N, Sr, etc. have been observed in the LIBS spectra of the C. dactylon. A close observation of LIBS spectra of the different parts of the plants shows that silica concentration is greater in leaf blades than leaf sheaths and stems. The results obtained with LIBS analysis are also compared with the number density of phytoliths deposited in different parts of C. dactylon. It is observed that the highest silicified cell frequency is present in leaf blades followed by leaf sheaths and stems which is in close agreement with LIBS analysis.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Biosolids Enhance the Growth of a Native Australian Grass on Sulphidic Gold Mine Tailings

We tested the effect of the addition of biosolids combined with a native mycorrhizal inoculum (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi [AMF]) on growth of a native Australian grass, and on trace element stabilization of sulphidic gold mine tailings. A glasshouse trial was established on four substrates: tailings (T); tailings with a layer of 5 cm topsoil (TS); tailings amended with 100 dry t ha^?1 biosolids (LB), and tailings amended with 500 dry t ha^?1 biosolids (HB). Pots of 1.2 L of capacity were established; some were inoculated with a mixture of Glomus sp. (WUM51–9227), Scutelospora aurigloba (WUM51–53), and Acaulospora levis (WUM46) culture mix, and others were uninoculated controls. Seeds of the native Australian grass, Bothriochloa macra were sown in the pots. Root infection, plant biomass production, nutrients and trace element concentrations in shoots were investigated. Addition of biosolids significantly increased AMF infection of roots compared to unamended substrates. No clear qualitative differences in colonization were detected. Addition of biosolids and AMF together clearly improved the establishment and growth of the native grass. Similar trends in nutritional status were shown for biosolids and inoculation with AMF treatments. Mycorrhizal inoculation increased plant biomass production and the effectiveness of nutrient uptake. The combined use of biosolids and mycorrhizal inoculation could be a reliable method for phytostabilization purposes in polluted substrates.     

青藏高原东缘半湿润沙地典型生态恢复模式的效果比较研究

草地退化与沙化直接影响草地生态系统的功能与服务,植被恢复是沙地恢复治理的重要方式之一,但是探究沙化草地典型生态恢复模式的恢复效果及模式优化研究不足。以野外调查与室内分析相结合的方法,以重度沙化草地为对照（CK）,比较研究了青藏高原东缘沙地三种典型生态恢复模式（围栏封育（Fencing enclosure,FE）、布设高山柳沙障（Salix cupularis sandy barrier,SCSB）、布设高山柳沙障+种草（Salix cupularis sandy barrier plus planting grasses,SCSBPPG））对草本植物群落和土壤理化性质的影响。结果显示：（1）与CK相比,FE的地上草本盖度、生物量、Margalef丰富度指数和Shannon-Weiner多样性指数分别显著提高了13.54倍、13倍、3.09倍和1.80倍,且SCSBPPG的这些指标分别显著提高了11.24倍、10.50倍、1.05倍和0.83倍（P < 0.05）,而SCSB对以上指标影响均不显著。（2）三种典型生态恢复模式对沙地的土壤容重无显著影响,而三种典型生态恢复模式0-10 cm、10-20 cm和20-30 cm土层土壤含水量变化规律一致（SCSBPPG > FE > SCSB）,且SCSBPPG和FE的0-10 cm土层土壤含水量的增加最明显,分别为244.90%、176.92%（P < 0.05）,而SCSB土壤含水量相较于CK无显著差异。（3）该研究区的pH在5.74-6.21之间,FE和SCSBPPG较CK显著降低了0-30 cm各土层土壤pH（P < 0.05）。此外,三种生态恢复模式0-30 cm各土层土壤有机质、全N、全P、全K含量递减变化规律为FE > SCSBPPG > SCSB,FE和SCSBPPG各土层土壤有机质、全N、全P均高于CK,且都在土层10-20 cm增幅最大,FE的最大增幅分别为243.62%、93.94%、68.97%,SCSBPPG的最大增幅分别为118.46%、45.45%、41.38%,而SCSB显著降低了各土层土壤有机质、全N和全P量（P < 0.05）。因此,在青藏高原高寒轻度沙化草地围栏封育有利于其恢复,而重度沙化草地的生态恢复需采用植灌和种草结合的模式。研究结果可为沙地的恢复治理和可持续管理提供依据。     

生态袋护坡技术在三峡水库消落带植被恢复中应用的可行性研究

通过对三峡水库重庆市巫山县双龙镇和巫峡镇段消落带开展生态袋护坡复绿试验7年后，生态袋上（内）、生态袋堆叠处上方和左侧消落带狗牙根（Cynodon dactylon）的种群密度、表型生长性状、地上和地下生物质量，以及土壤理化性质的测定，探讨以狗牙根为生态袋上的种植植物，将生态袋护坡技术用于三峡水库消落带植被恢复的可行性。结果表明：（1）各试验地生态袋上与其堆叠处上方和左侧消落带的狗牙根种群密度和地上生物质量差异不显著。（2）狗牙根的表型生长性状和根系生物质量因地和在生态袋堆叠处的方位不同而异。在双龙镇试验地，生态袋上比其堆叠处上方消落带上狗牙根的植株长度和节间长度低23.9%和22.6%（P<0.05），除此之外的各项指标差异均不显著；生态袋内0-5 cm土层的根系生物质量比其堆叠处上方消落带增加了75.7%（P<0.05），比其堆叠处左侧消落带降低了11.8%，在5-15 cm各土层降低了91.6%-96.9%（P<0.05），15-20 cm土层的差异不显著。在巫峡镇试验地，生态袋上与其堆叠处上方和左侧消落带的各表型生长性状的差异均不显著；生态袋内各土层的根系生物质量均比其堆叠处上方和左侧消落带增加了20.0%-138.7%。（3）各试验地生态袋内与其堆叠处上方和左侧消落带土壤容重的差异不显著，土壤化学性质因地和在生态袋堆叠处的方位不同而异。在双龙镇试验地，生态袋内的土壤全氮和速效氮含量比其堆叠处上方消落带分别降低了13.6%和40.9%（P<0.05），比其堆叠处左侧消落带分别降低了11.9%和33.0%（P<0.05）；速效钾含量比其堆叠处上方和左侧消落带分别增加了18.3%和34.1%（P<0.05）；除此之外各指标的差异均不显著。在巫峡镇试验地，生态袋内的土壤pH值和全氮含量比其堆叠处上方消落带分别降低了1.4%和27.9%（P<0.05），全钾含量增加了6.1%（P<0.05）；土壤全钾和速效钾含量比生态袋堆叠处左侧消落带分别降低了8.1%和24.9%（P<0.05）；除此之外各指标的差异也不显著。（4）狗牙根种群密度、大多数生长指标和生物质量与土壤理化指标相关不紧密。总体上，生态袋上（内）与其堆叠处上方和左侧消落带的大多数表型生长指标，地上和地下生物质量，以及土壤理化指标的差异不显著。狗牙根耐淹、抗旱、耐贫瘠，根系发达，且穿透力强，能够在生态袋上正常生长；生态袋透水不透土，且具有一定的保肥能力。因此，以狗牙根为生态袋上的种植植物，将生态袋护坡技术用于三峡水库消落带植被恢复具有一定的可行性。     

Soil microbial parameters and stability of soil aggregate fractions under different grassland communities on the Loess Plateau,China

Over-grazing and large-scale monocultures on the Loess plateau in China have caused serious soil erosion by water and wind. Grassland revegetation has been reported as one of the most effective counter measures. Therefore, we investigated soil aggregation, aggregate stability and soil microbial activities as key parameters for soil remediation through grassland revegetation. The results showed that soil microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and microbial biomass nitrogen (Nmic) increased under revegetated grass communities compared to cropland and overgrazed pastures and were higher in surface layers (0–10 cm) than in the subsurface (10–20 cm). Although there are variations between the four investigated grassland communities, their values were 10 to 50 times higher in comparison to the cropland and overgrazed pastures, similar to the increase in soil enzyme activities, such as β-glucosidase and β-glucosaminidase. Soil aggregate stability (SAS) showed clear differences between the different land uses with two main soil aggregate fractions measured by ultra sound: < 63 μm and 100–250 μm, with approximately 70% and 10% of the total soil volume respectively. We also found positive correlations between SAS and soil microbial parameters, such as Cmic, Nmic, and soil enzyme activities. From this, we concluded that revegetation of eroded soils by grasses accelerates soil rehabilitation.     

Revegetation of Roadcut Slopes in Mesa Verde National Park, U.S.A.

The geology of Mesa Verde National Park (MVNP) poses unique problems to road construction and maintenance. Major geologic formations of the Park consist of an overlying resistant sandstone cap underlain by highly erodable shales. Once this sandstone cap is removed, the shales are easily eroded away, creating the notable mesas of the region. In many places, road construction has removed the sandstone layer and vegetation resulting in unaesthetic barren slopes that require continual maintenance and have proven difficult to revegetate. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of several cultural techniques combined with seeding and transplanting indigenous plants for revegetation of these roadcut slopes. Techniques evaluated were fertilization, mulching, soil pitting, and polyacrylamide amendments. Replicated test plots were established at three roadcut sites in MVNP to evaluate these techniques by measuring percent plant cover by species over a 4‐year period. A combination of seeding grasses and transplanting forbs and shrubs appeared to be the optimal way to maintain species diversity and structure on the roadcuts while accomplishing the goal of revegetating these difficult sites. The perennial forb Aster glaucodes and the shrub Artemisia ludoviciana showed high survival when transplanted in the experimental roadcut sites. These species, as well as the perennial grass Pascopyrum smithii, also established well from seed. The addition of an organic fertilizer, in combination with mulch, proved to be the most effective method of improving vegetation cover for these and other transplanted species.