流动沙丘区和固定沙丘区丘间低地植物种间关联关系

丘间低地植物种间关联研究对揭示植物对生境变化的响应及植被演替机制具有重要意义。通过χ2检验和AC关联系数对科尔沁沙地22个不同面积的流动沙丘区和固定沙丘区丘间低地植物种间关联进行了比较分析。结果表明:在固定沙丘区,当丘间低地面积<0.5hm2时,|AC|≤0.3的种对数占所有种对数的百分比和|AC|≥0.7的种对数占所有种对数的百分比略大于流动沙丘区,当丘间低地面积>0.5hm2时,|AC|≤0.3的种对数占所有种对数的百分比显著小于流动沙丘区,|AC|≥0.7的种对数占所有种对数的百分比显著大于流动沙丘区;当面积<0.5hm2时,沙丘固定未引起丘间低地植物种间关系发生明显变化;当面积>0.5hm2时,沙丘固定导致丘间低地植物种间关系更加紧密。     

内蒙古草甸草原地下芽库对极端干旱的响应

全球变化引发的极端气候事件严重影响草地生态系统结构与功能。然而,作为多年生草地重要繁殖体库,半干旱草甸草原地下芽库如何响应极端干旱尚未明确。本研究以内蒙古呼伦贝尔草甸草原为对象,利用模拟极端干旱样地平台,探究地下芽库及其与地上植被关系对模拟生长季极端干旱的响应。结果表明,环境降水水平与干旱处理下总芽密度分别为1443和1128芽·m^-2;分株总密度分别为1791和1346株·m^-2;群落整体分生组织制约系数分别为0.84和0.83。极端干旱对草甸草原地下芽库、地上分株密度以及二者之间关联均无显著影响。就优势植物功能群根茎型禾草而言,极端干旱对其地下芽库同样无显著影响。因此,地下芽库表现出对极端干旱一定程度的抵抗力,可作为草甸草原植被应对极端气候事件的保险策略,有效促进草甸草原在极端气候胁迫下的种群更新与植被恢复,有助于草甸草原植被稳定性与生态系统功能维持。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区土壤侵蚀环境下芽库的季节动态及垂直分布

研究了陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区5种土壤侵蚀环境（阳沟坡、阳峁坡、峁顶、阴峁坡、阴沟坡）下的植被组成、芽库组成、芽库季节动态及垂直分布特征.结果表明： 该区拥有永久性芽库的多年生物种占总物种数的80.3%,具季节性芽库的一年生植物占19.7%.在侵蚀严重的阳沟坡和阳峁坡,植物返青期的永久性芽库存量较大,而在侵蚀强度较小的峁顶、阴沟坡和阴峁坡,植物开花结实期的季节性芽库密度较大.不同侵蚀环境下地下部分芽库库存量占总永久性芽库的比例较稳定,地面永久性芽库存量在阳坡较大,而地上部分季节性芽库存量在阴坡和峁顶较大.由于不同侵蚀环境下植物群落的物种组成不同,加上土壤侵蚀干扰和植物季节更新,影响了芽库在季节及垂直分布上的变化.在黄土丘陵沟壑区植被更新过程中, 芽库具有重要作用.     

黄土丘陵沟壑区土壤侵蚀环境下芽库的季节动态及垂直分布

研究了陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区5种土壤侵蚀环境(阳沟坡、阳峁坡、峁顶、阴峁坡、阴沟坡)下的植被组成、芽库组成、芽库季节动态及垂直分布特征.结果表明:该区拥有永久性芽库的多年生物种占总物种数的80.3%,具季节性芽库的一年生植物占19.7%.在侵蚀严重的阳沟坡和阳峁坡,植物返青期的永久性芽库存量较大,而在侵蚀强度较小的峁顶、阴沟坡和阴峁坡,植物开花结实期的季节性芽库密度较大.不同侵蚀环境下地下部分芽库库存量占总永久性芽库的比例较稳定,地面永久性芽库存量在阳坡较大,而地上部分季节性芽库存量在阴坡和峁顶较大.由于不同侵蚀环境下植物群落的物种组成不同,加上土壤侵蚀干扰和植物季节更新,影响了芽库在季节及垂直分布上的变化.在黄土丘陵沟壑区植被更新过程中,芽库具有重要作用.     

茂兰退化喀斯特森林植被自然恢复中生态系统碳吸存特征

为了了解退化喀斯特森林自然恢复中生态系统碳吸存趋势, 采用空间代替时间的方法, 研究了茂兰退化喀斯特森林自然恢复中生态系统碳吸存特征。结果表明: 总体上植被生物量随恢复进程递增, 其中乔木层与其变化一致, 草本层、灌木层则相反; 喀斯特植被的地上与地下生物量之比较低, 尤其灌木层的地上与地下生物量之比最低; 加权平均含碳率随恢复进展递增; 随恢复进程, 植被乔木层碳密度递增, 草本层、灌木层碳密度递减; 总体上生态系统及其植被、土壤的碳密度由恢复早期(草本阶段、草灌阶段)经中期(灌木阶段、灌乔阶段)至后期(乔木阶段、顶极阶段)呈增加趋势, 而凋落物的相反。在贵州茂兰国家级自然保护区喀斯特森林的恢复进程中, 植被对生态系统碳库的影响最大, 尤其是木本植被, 而土壤的影响较小, 因此, 加强植被恢复对喀斯特地区生态系统碳汇具有极重要的意义。     

不同类型沙地狗尾草的生长特征及生物量分配

在科尔沁沙地封育5年的围栏内选取典型流动、半流动、半固定、固定和丘间低地5种不同样地,并以未封育的流动沙地作为对照,测定了狗尾草生长特征指标及地上、地下生物量.结果表明:随着环境条件的改善,狗尾草的分蘖株数逐渐减少,而围栏内狗尾草叶长、叶片长宽比和最大穗长增大;植株高度排列次序为丘间低地＞固定沙地＞半固定沙地＞半流动沙地＞流动沙地＞对照,而围栏内植株根长及其与株高比值的大小次序与株高正好相反;不同类型沙地狗尾草地上、地下生物量有所不同,但不同类型沙地狗尾草地上、地下生物量的分配比例在一定范围内变动,生物量主要分配在地上部分,地上生物量与总生物量的比值不小于80%,而地下生物量与总生物量的比值不超过20%.     

黑龙江省不同龄组软阔混交林碳密度及其分配

以不同龄组的黑龙江省软阔混交林为研究对象,采用样地清查和异速生长方程模拟的方法,量化了黑龙江省不同龄组软阔混交林碳密度及其分配比例。结果表明:(1)黑龙江省软阔混交林具有较高的碳密度和较强的碳汇功能。不同龄组间的森林生态系统总碳库、植被、碎屑、土壤碳库的碳密度均差异显著,而不同龄组间植被、碎屑及土壤碳库碳密度在生态系统总碳库的分配比例均无显著差异。(2)森林生态系统各碳库碳密度随龄组呈上升趋势。植被碳库中,不同龄组间乔木层及其各器官碳密度(枝除外)均差异显著,而乔木层中各器官碳密度的分配比例均无显著差异;各龄组间灌木和草本层碳密度无显著差异。碎屑碳库中,枯落物碳密度随龄组呈显著上升趋势,而木质残体无显著变化。(3)相同龄组下,不同地区的林地特征会引起软阔混交林各碳库碳密度或其分配格局的差异。(4)林分密度、胸高断面积、平均胸径中,胸高断面积能更准确地反映碳密度随龄组的动态变化。     

科尔沁沙地沙丘-丘间低地降雨前后土壤水分分布特征

以科尔沁沙地固定沙丘-丘间低地景观单元为研究对象,在植被生长旺盛期且长时间干旱条件下,对中等降雨(22.6 mm)前后不同微地形土壤水分分布特征和降雨补给情况进行分析。结果表明:水平方向上,降雨前后不同部位0~90 cm深度平均土壤水分有显著差异,雨前其大小顺序为丘间低地(10.30%)沙丘下部(1.18%)沙丘顶部(0.98%)沙丘上部(0.75%);雨后沙丘顶部、上部、下部和丘间低地土壤水分分别增加了2.33、3.50、1.77和0.34个百分点;垂直方向上,降雨前后土壤水分的深度分布与水平位置有关;雨前表层土壤水分均很小,沙丘顶部、上部分别在40~100、20~50和120~200 cm深度有较弱的高值区,沙丘下部和丘间低地土壤水分随深度增大,直至饱和含水量;雨后沙丘顶部、上部、下部、丘间低地土壤储水量增加的深度范围分别是0~110、0~110、0~50和0~90 cm,其储水量增量分别占降雨的12.4%、13.3%、9.7%和14.6%,其中丘间低地0~10 cm土层储水量增量显著高于沙丘顶部和上部,其他深度不同部位储水量增量差异不显著(P0.05);在长时间无降雨条件下,沙丘顶部和上部土壤水分状况趋于恶化,有必要采取一定间伐措施,使土壤水分维持动态平衡,才有利于植被恢复和沙漠化逆转。     

林火干扰对广东木荷林生态系统碳库的影响

森林碳库在调节CO₂浓度及减缓温室效应中发挥重要作用。选择广东木荷林为研究对象,通过相邻样地法,进行植被生物量、凋落物生物量和土壤样品的采样与分析,研究不同林火干扰强度对生态系统各碳库(植被、凋落物和土壤有机碳)及生态系统碳库产生的变化规律和空间分布格局及其影响因素。结果表明:(1)植被碳密度随着林火干扰强度增强而减少,但不同组分的植被碳密度表现不同,乔木碳密度在不同林火干扰强度下变化与植被碳密度变化一致,而草本碳密度则呈现相反的变化趋势。相同林火干扰强度下,植被各组分碳密度均以乔木层降低幅度最大。林火干扰均显著降低了凋落物碳密度(P<0.05),并随林火干扰强度的增加其降低幅度增大,但不同林火干扰强度对凋落物碳密度的影响有所差异。林火干扰降低了土壤有机碳密度,且降低幅度随土层深度增加而逐渐变小。(2)林火干扰有效改变了生态系统碳库的空间分布格局。对照样地木荷林土壤有机碳库占比为61.59%,重度林火干扰后,土壤有机碳库占比为70.96%呈上升趋势,占生态系统碳库的优势地位,而植被和凋落物碳库占比呈下降趋势,处于生态系统碳库的次要地位。(3)双因素方差分析表明,林火干扰强度和土层深度及其交互作用均对土壤有机碳密度有显著影响。林火干扰强度解释了土壤有机碳密度变异的8.78%,土层深度解释了土壤有机碳密度变异的70.29%,林火干扰强度和土层深度之间的交互作用解释了土壤有机碳密度变异的8.16%。研究发现:林火干扰降低了生态系统碳库,且随林火干扰强度增加,生态系统碳库减少幅度增大。轻度林火干扰对森林生态系统碳库的影响差异不显著,而中度和重度林火干扰对森林生态系统碳库的影响差异显著。研究结果对深化亚热带森林固碳效应的影响机制提供理论支撑。     

沙障对流动沙丘区地表节肢动物分布及多样性的影响

沙障作为人工固沙植被恢复与保护绿洲和道路安全的一种手段,可以有效阻止沙丘移动,改变流动沙丘地表生态水文过程,进而影响节肢动物多样性及营养结构及功能变化。鉴于此,选取临泽县中部沙带为研究区,利用陷阱法系统调查了生物、物理沙障和流动沙丘区沙丘不同部位地表节肢动物分布及多样性。研究结果表明,沙障营建强烈影响了流动沙丘区地表节肢动物组成,生物和物理沙障区地表节肢动物的活动密度、物种丰富度及多样性均显著高于流动沙丘区,捕食性和其它食性节肢动物较植食性节肢动物对沙障营建的响应更为敏感。沙障还改变了沙丘地表节肢动物的分布规律,生物和物理沙障区地表节肢动物的活动密度从沙丘底部到顶部依次增加,而流动沙丘区地表节肢动物主要分布在沙丘中下部。谢氏宽漠王和尖尾东鳖甲在流动沙丘区主要分布沙丘的中下部,沙障营建导致沙丘顶部谢氏宽漠王和尖尾东鳖甲的活动密度大幅提高。此外,研究还发现生物和物理沙障对地表节肢动物的影响不同,生物沙障区地表节肢动物活动密度显著高于物理沙障区,捕食性和东鳖甲属等其它食性节肢动物的活动密度在生物沙障区均高于物理沙障区。总之,沙障营建及类型差异强烈影响地表节肢动物的分布及多样性,它通过资源上行效应和土壤物理环境的改变提高了地表节肢动物的多样性及营养结构,从而影响了土壤生态系统结构及功能变化过程。     

Soil Moisture Rather than Soil Nutrient Regulates the Belowground Bud Bank of Rhizomatous Species <i>Psammochloa villosa</i> in Arid Sand Dunes

In arid and semi-arid sand dune ecosystems, belowground bud bank plays an important role in population regeneration and vegetation restoration. However, the responses of belowground bud bank size and composition to sand burial and its induced changes in soil environmental factors have been rarely studied. In arid sand dunes of Northwestern China, we investigated belowground bud bank size and composition of the typical rhizomatous psammophyte Psammochloa villosa as well as three key soil environmental factors (soil moisture, total carbon and total nitrogen) under different depths of sand burial. Total buds and rhizome buds increased significantly with increasing burial depth, whereas tiller buds first increased and then decreased, with a peak value at the depth of 20–30 cm. Soil moisture increased significantly with sand burial depth, and was positively correlated with the number of all buds and rhizome buds. Soil total carbon concentration first increased and then decreased with sand burial depth, and total nitrogen concentration was significantly lower under deep sand burial than those at shallow depths, and only the number of tiller buds was positively correlated with soil total nitrogen concentration. These results indicate that soil moisture rather than soil nutrient might regulate the belowground bud bank of P. villosa, and that clonal psammophytes could regulate their belowground bud bank in response to sand burial and the most important environmental stress (i.e., soil moisture). These responses, as the key adaptive strategy, may ensure clonal plant population regeneration and vegetation restoration in arid sand dunes.     

Structure, Pattern and Mechanisms of Formation of Seed Banks in Sand Dune Systems in Northeastern Inner Mongolia, China

A comparison of structure and pattern of the soil seed bank was made between active and stabilized sand dunes in northeastern Inner Mongolia, China. The objective of this paper was to determine the significance of seed bank in vegetation restoration of sand dunes. The results showed that (1) average seed density decreased from stabilized sand dune to interdune lowland of stabilized sand dune, to interdune lowland of active sand dune, and to active sand dune; (2) horizontally, along the transect from interdune lowland to ecotone and to sand dune top, a ‘V’ shaped pattern was presented in the active dune system, and a reverse ‘V’ shaped pattern in the stabilized sand dune system; (3) vertically, the proportion (accounting for the total seeds) of seeds found in 0–20 mm soil profile decreased from stabilized sand dune to interdune lowland of stabilized sand dune, to interdune lowland of active sand dune, and to active sand dune. The same order was also found in 20–50 mm and 50–100 mm soil profiles; (4) the Sokal and Sneath similarity indices in the species-composition between soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation were ranked as: the stabilized sand dune (24%) > the interdune lowland of active sand dune (21%) > the interdune lowland of stabilized sand dune (18%) > the active sand dune (5%); and (5) vegetation restoration of active sand dunes depends on the dispersal of seeds from nearby plant communities on the interdune lowlands. Much effort must be made to preserve the lowlands, as lowlands are the most important seed reservoir in the active sand dune field.     

Belowground bud banks and meristem limitation in tallgrass prairieplant populations

Rhizome meristem populations were sampled in tallgrass prairie to quantify the size, grass?:?forb composition, and temporal and spatial variability of the soil bud bank and to compare fire effects on bud bank and seed bank composition. Soil cores (10.5 cm diameter, 15 cm deep) were collected from replicate annually and infrequently burned tallgrass prairie sites, and intact rhizomes and rhizome buds were censused. Bud bank densities ranged from approximately 600 to 1800 meristems/m(2) among sites and had high spatial and seasonal variability. In annually burned prairie, the total bud bank density was two-fold greater and the grass?:?forb meristem ratio was more than 30-fold greater than that of infrequently burned prairie. These patterns are opposite those observed in soil seed banks at this site. The rhizome population in annually burned prairie was 34% larger than the established aboveground tiller population. By contrast, the bud bank density in unburned prairie was significantly lower than aboveground stem densities, indicating possible belowground meristem limitation of stem density and net primary production on infrequently burned prairie. The patterns observed in this study suggest that the densities and dynamics of tallgrass prairie plant populations, as well as their response to disturbance (e.g., fire and grazing) and climatic variability, may be mediated principally through effects on the demography of belowground bud populations. Patterns of seed reproduction and seed bank populations have little influence on short-term aboveground population dynamics of tallgrass prairie perennials.     

The effects of fire frequency and grazing on tallgrass prairie productivity and plant composition are mediated through bud bank demography

Periodic fire, grazing, and a variable climate are considered the most important drivers of tallgrass prairie ecosystems, having large impacts on the component species and on ecosystem structure and function. We used long-term experiments at Konza Prairie Biological Station to explore the underlying demographic mechanisms responsible for tallgrass prairie responses to two key ecological drivers: fire and grazing. Our data indicate that belowground bud banks (populations of meristems associated with rhizomes or other perennating organs) mediate tallgrass prairie plant response. Fire and grazing altered rates of belowground bud natality, tiller emergence from the bud bank, and both short-term (fire cycle) and long-term (>15 year) changes in bud bank density. Annual burning increased grass bud banks by 25% and decreased forb bud banks by 125% compared to burning every 4 years. Grazing increased the rate of emergence from the grass bud bank resulting in increased grass stem densities while decreasing grass bud banks compared to ungrazed prairie. By contrast, grazing increased both bud and stem density of forbs in annually burned prairie but grazing had no effect on forb bud or stem density in the 4-year burn frequency treatment. Lastly, the size of the reserve grass bud bank is an excellent predictor of long-term ANPP in tallgrass prairie and also of short-term interannual variation in ANPP associated with fire cycles, supporting our hypothesis that ANPP is strongly regulated by belowground demographic processes. Meristem limitation due to management practices such as different fire frequencies or grazing regimes may constrain tallgrass prairie responses to interannual changes in resource availability. An important consequence is that grasslands with a large bud bank may be the most responsive to future climatic change or other global change phenomena such as nutrient enrichment, and may be most resistant to exotic species invasions.     

Contrasting bud bank dynamics of two co-occurring grasses in tallgrass prairie: implications for grassland dynamics

Because most shoot recruitment in perennial grasses occurs from belowground axillary buds, bud dynamics determine plant population dynamics and meristem limitation to population growth. Therefore, grassland vegetation responses to environmental change or disturbance may be influenced by interspecific differences in bud banks and the patterns and environmental controls of bud development and demography. We examined bud bank dynamics in Andropogon gerardii and Dichanthelium oligosanthes in tallgrass prairie by enumerating and classifying buds throughout 15?months to determine whether grass buds live for multiple years and accumulate; whether bud natality, dormancy and outgrowth are synchronous or variable; and whether bud bank dynamics differ between these co-occurring species. Andropogon gerardii (a C₄ species) maintained a larger dormant bud bank, showed synchrony in bud development and transition to tiller, and its buds lived for multiple years. Thus, multiple previous years?? bud cohorts contributed to recruitment. By contrast, D. oligosanthes (a C₃ species) maintained a smaller dormant bud bank, had asynchronous bud development with active buds present year-round, and its buds lived for 1?year. Buds played different roles in the dynamics of each species, allowing A. gerardii to over-winter and recruit new spring tillers and D. oligosanthes to survive and recruit new tillers following summer dormancy. These differences in bud bank age structure, phenology, and dynamics between these species suggest greater demographic buffering and time-lag effects in A. gerardii populations. Interspecific differences in bud bank structure and dynamics may explain and help predict grassland responses to environmental change.     

Bud banks of perennial savanna grasses in Botswana

Three semi‐arid savanna grasses in Botswana (Stipagrostis uniplumis, Eragrostis lehmanniana, and Aristida stipitata) were sampled to quantify their belowground bud banks during the dormant season and to estimate their relative allocation to vegetative and sexual reproduction. Bud banks of these African perennial caespitose grasses were also compared with four perennial caespitose grasses of semi‐arid North American grasslands. The three African grasses each maintained approximately two buds per tiller and showed a high percentage (88–99%) of tillers producing seed. Only E. lehmanniana produced new aerial tillers from axillary buds at elevated nodes on the stem as well as from the belowground bud bank. Compared with species of North American grasslands, these African grasses produced fewer belowground buds but showed a much higher percentage of tillers producing seed. These patterns indicate relatively greater belowground meristem limitation, lower allocation to vegetative reproduction (tillering) and higher allocation to seed reproduction in these African grasses, although studies of more species are needed to assess the generality of this pattern. The management of savannas in ways that favour the maintenance of a reserve population of belowground buds may increase the ability of grasses to respond to pulses of resource availability, increase their compensatory growth capacity following grazing or drought, and decrease the invasibility of these plant communities by exotic species, whereas maintaining allocation to sexual reproduction may be important for conserving genetic variation and enhancing their capacity to adapt to environmental change.     

Differential responses to defoliation frequency in little bluestem (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizachyrium scoparium</Emphasis>) in tallgrass prairie: implications for herbivory tolerance and avoidance

Plant responses to herbivory are complex. In grasses, relative growth rate (RGR), seed, and vegetative reproduction, resource allocation, and architecture vary differentially and often nonlinearly with grazing intensity. High grazing tolerance may be achieved through compensatory photosynthesis and leaf growth, or through demographic mechanisms such as activation of a belowground dormant bud bank. This study assessed the relationship between grazing frequency and responses of Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) in a tallgrass prairie, and examined the roles of tiller growth, reproduction, and bud (meristem) populations in its persistence under grazing. Genets were subjected to varying simulated grazing frequencies for a period of 2 years. Strong differential responses were observed among plant traits. RGR, biomass, and flowering showed strong nonlinear reductions in response to increasing clipping frequency, with no evidence of threshold effects. However, meristem density was unaffected, and plants maintained a large bud bank across all clipping treatments. Tiller natality decreased initially, but increased with >4 clippings, suggesting that declines in tiller RGR are partially offset by increasing tiller natality, and that variation in genet size is driven more by demography than by variation in individual tiller growth. Increased grazing frequency also resulted in differential activation of buds at different positions (emerging within vs. outside the subtending leaf sheath), explaining the shift to a more prostrate growth form observed in many caespitose grasses under persistent grazing. Thus, although this grass species lacks the capacity for compensatory foliage re-growth, the maintenance of a large dormant bud bank and the differential activation of buds in different positions contribute to its grazing tolerance and avoidance, respectively, and its long-term persistence in grazed grasslands.     

Belowground bud production is linked to population establishment in Sorghastrum nutans (Poaceae)

Belowground bud production mediates many responses of tallgrass prairie grasses to temporal environmental variation, and clonal spread contributes to dominance in successional plant communities. However, we know little about the importance of these regenerative traits for vegetation establishment in grassland restoration and about their regional variability. Further, geographic seed or transplant sources affect plant performance. We investigated the effects of seed source on the number of belowground buds per tiller, clonal spread (total rhizome length adjusted for plant biomass), and population establishment in the native C₄ grass Sorghastrum nutans sown into tallgrass prairie restorations using reciprocal common gardens in three sites (in Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma). We characterized buds per tiller and clonal spread at the plant level and related both traits to population establishment at the restoration plot level. Plant-level bud production significantly differed among seed sources and common garden sites, and was positively associated with plot-level establishment (density and canopy cover), but plant-level clonal spread did not differ among seed sources or common garden sites and was not associated with the plot-level establishment. Our results are among the first to link bud production, which varied among source populations, to differences in plant population establishment. These results suggest that we should more often consider differences among sources in traits closely tied to post-seeding population establishment. The use of sources that possess such traits may facilitate successful establishment in restoration settings.