半干旱黄土小流域不同植被类型植物与土壤生态化学计量特征

生态化学计量学是研究生态系统元素平衡与能量流动的有效方法,明确不同植被恢复类型下植物与土壤化学计量特征对揭示黄土高原植被恢复中生态系统养分循环具重要意义,可为黄土高原植被恢复类型的选择提供可行性依据。以典型半干旱黄土小流域3种植被恢复方式下（天然荒草、自然恢复、人工恢复）的5种植被类型（长芒草草地、赖草草地、苜蓿草地、柠条灌丛、山杏林）为研究对象,分析不同植被类型下叶、茎、根及土壤碳（C）、氮（N）、磷（P）含量及化学计量特征。结果表明：1）植物不同器官和植被类型对植物生态化学计量特征都具有显著影响,C、N、P含量在5种典型植被中均表现为叶>茎>根。人工恢复植被各器官C、N含量及N ∶ P均显著高于天然荒草地,与自然恢复植被无显著差异;其中,在人工恢复植被中山杏各器官C含量最高,柠条各器官N含量最高。叶、茎、根的C ∶ N则表现为自然恢复植被显著高于人工恢复植被与天然荒草地。P含量、C ∶ P则在不同植被恢复类型间无显著差异。2）不同植被恢复类型下土壤C、N、P含量及化学计量特征具一定差异。人工恢复植被土壤C、N、P含量及C ∶ P、N ∶ P均为最高,显著高于自然恢复植被土壤;人工恢复植被中柠条土壤C、N含量及C ∶ P、N ∶ P均显著高于其他植被土壤。土壤C ∶ N在各植被类型间无显著差异。3）不同植被恢复类型下C、N、P含量在植物叶片与土壤间的相关性存在差异,说明植物自身生长特性影响着养分在植物与土壤间转化与传递。以5种典型植被整体来看,植物叶、茎、根的生态化学计量特征在彼此间均呈显著正相关。在植物与土壤间,植物各器官N含量与土壤C、N、P含量呈显著正相关,植物各器官N ∶ P与土壤N ∶ P呈显著正相关,表明该黄土小流域生态系统中植物与土壤生态化学计量特征的变化是相互制约,相互影响的。     

First come, first served: grasses have a head start on forbs with prompt nutrient patch occupation

Graminoids and forbs are important entities in grassland community assembly, differing in their functional properties. In our study, we asked 1. Do graminoids and forbs differ in the speed of root proliferation into soil patches established under field conditions? 2. Is the patch occupation dynamics affected by the nutrient concentration in the patch? 3. What is the temporal dynamics of available macronutrients in an experimental patch and does it provide comparative advantage to any of these two categories in connection with their root proliferation dynamics? We used ingrowth core technique. Proliferated roots were sampled after 1, 2, 4, 8, or 15 weeks, with forb and graminoid categories distinguished on anatomical basis. We measured root length and root dry weight, concentration of NH4+, NO3?, and of exchangeable phosphorus in the soil. Roots of both functional groups proliferated more intensively in enriched soil patches than in the control ones, but graminoids entered experimental patches more rapidly. Soil concetration of available N fell down to the background level in four weeks. The initial head start by graminoids seems to be crucial for the overall patch exploitation, because the concentration of available nutrient forms, namely nitrate and ammonium, decreases rapidly.     

Foliar macronutrient concentrations of forest understorey species in relation to Ellenberg's indices and potential relative growth rate

In order to investigate broad patterns of variation of the foliar mineral nutrient concentrations of herbaceous plant communities in the ground layer of W Europe forests, correlations were examined between Ellenberg's indices (N-index: mineral nitrogen availability, R-index: pH, F-index: soil moisture and L-index: light intensity) and literature values of macronutrient concentrations for 84 forbs and 39 graminoid species. Significant, positive correlations were found between the R-index and the plants' concentration of Ca and K (forbs only) and between the N-index and the plants' concentration of K, P (forbs only) and N (forbs and graminoids). Multiple regressions showed that the N-index was the best predictor of the plants' concentration of N (forbs and graminoids), P (forbs) and Ca (graminoids) and the R-index of the plants' concentration of Ca and K (forbs). The mineral nutrient concentrations of graminoids were lower and less strongly correlated with Ellenberg's indices than those of forbs. It is argued that the mineral nutrient concentrations in the plants match the availability of mineral nutrients in the soil for N, P (N-index) and Ca (R-index), but not for K and Mg. Significant, positive correlations were found between potential relative growth rate and the concentration of some elements (N, P, K and Ca in forbs, Ca and Mg in graminoids). This suggests that the increase in the concentration of these elements in plants along fertility gradients is due, at least partly, to genetically controlled alterations of leaf anatomy associated with increasing potential relative growth rate.     

Ski slope vegetation at Snoqualmie Pass, Washington State, USA, and a comparison with ski slope vegetation in temperate coniferous forest zones

Ski slope vegetation at Snoqualmie Pass in Washington State, USA, was surveyed in order to identify community types and to compare it with vegetation development patterns in Japan. Ski slopes in Japan, most of which were constructed after 1960, underwent heavy land recontouring, while those at Snoqualmie Pass were constructed before 1950 with less modification. Three points apply to Japanese ski slope vegetation and differentiate these slopes from those at Snoqualmie Pass: (i) grasslands of introduced species are widespread and persistent; (ii) unvegetated patches are uncommon; and (iii) wetland vegetation has developed. These differences are mainly derived from the intensity of human impact, history of the slope and its scale: namely, ski slopes in Washington are older and larger than those in Japan. Ski slope vegetation in Washington was primarily differentiated by a soil moisture gradient. The large size of Washington ski slopes permitted the inclusion and development of wetland habitats, whereas most ski slopes in Japan are constructed on ridges and do not contain wetlands. Most introduced species in Japan are eliminated soon after seeding. In contrast, the long-term management of ski slopes decreased soil erosion and/or unvegetated patches in Washington and created relatively permanent grasslands composed of introduced species. Tsuga heterophylla and Abies amabilis were found established on the ski slopes in Washington, whereas in Japan the pioneer tree species are shade-intolerant broadleaved species. These differences may be a result of the different disturbance histories of ski slopes in the two countries. In addition, along with the conifers, early successional forbs such as Anaphalis margaritacea and Epilobium angustifolium are well established on Washington ski slopes. Results show that disturbances created by ski slope development greatly affect the vegetation, even on older, less heavily impacted ski slopes.     

Establishment of Transplants on Machine-Graded Ski Runs Above Timberline in the Swiss Alps

The suitability of 24 native species for restoration above the timberline in Switzerland was assessed with demographic monitoring of their populations after transplanting. The plots were laid out in 1985–1986 and 1995–1996 on machine‐graded ski runs using a total of 8,603 transplants of native grasses, legumes and forbs. Establishment conditions were improved with biodegradable wood‐fiber mats and a small addition of garden soil. Transplant survival rates were generally good after 12 years. The regeneration of mixed stands was clearly recognizable because some transplants successfully reproduced by seed, and colonizers immigrated from the adjacent natural vegetation and neighboring restoration plots. Comparative studies of reproductive parameters in transplants and their donor population revealed that differences in seed production may become nonsignificant within a short time span. These fitness features have important diagnostic value for assessing restoration success and provide information on the performance of the same or closely related genotypes in their natural populations and in the restoration site. The plants studied showed species‐specific traits in establishment after transplanting. Most species can be recommended for restoration in the alpine vegetation belt. The risk of restoration failure can be considerably reduced by using species with different life‐history characteristics. From an ecological point of view, this method is a valid alternative to commercial revegetation using seed mixtures of non‐native species and large amounts of fertilizers.     

Plant community composition steers grassland vegetation via soil legacy effects

Soil legacy effects are commonly highlighted as drivers of plant community dynamics and species co‐existence. However, experimental evidence for soil legacy effects of conditioning plant communities on responding plant communities under natural conditions is lacking. We conditioned 192 grassland plots using six different plant communities with different ratios of grasses and forbs and for different durations. Soil microbial legacies were evident for soil fungi, but not for soil bacteria, while soil abiotic parameters did not significantly change in response to conditioning. The soil legacies affected the composition of the succeeding vegetation. Plant communities with different ratios of grasses and forbs left soil legacies that negatively affected succeeding plants of the same functional type. We conclude that fungal‐mediated soil legacy effects play a significant role in vegetation assembly of natural plant communities.     

Plant invasions in treeless vegetation of the Australian Alps

A total of 128 invasive plant species have been recorded in treeless vegetation in the Australian Alps. Most of these are forbs and most are uncommon. Cover of invasive species is generally minimal unless there has been gross disturbance to natural vegetation and soils. Although there is a significantly positive correlation between invasive and native species diversity, suggesting that conditions that allow numerous native species to co-exist also permit more plant invasions, altitude is the most important determinant of invasive species diversity. Only 22 of the 128 species have been recorded above 1800 m. Some plant communities (e.g. those with high pH or relatively nutrient-rich soils), however, seem to be vulnerable to invasions regardless of altitude. Most invasive species appear to have been introduced unintentionally (e.g. as seed attached to vehicles, animals and humans) but a few were introduced to assist with revegetation of disturbed soils and for amenity plantings in ski resorts, and have subsequently established in native vegetation. Treeless communities in the Australian Alps are likely to face increasing pressure from invasive species as a result of global warming and continued introduction of non-native plants to ski resort gardens. Whilst it may be difficult to prevent invasive species of low elevations migrating to higher elevations as temperatures rise, the risk of invasion from garden plants could be minimised through regulation. Non-native plants in ski resort gardens pose a far greater risk than most invasive species currently present in the Alps because they have been chosen for their capacity to survive at high altitudes.     

Understorey plant and soil responses to disturbance and increased nitrogen in boreal forests

Question: How do N fertilization and disturbance affect the understorey vegetation, microbial properties and soil nutrient concentration in boreal forests? Location: Kuusamo (66°22′N; 29°18′E) and Oulu (65°02′N; 25°47′E) in northern Finland. Methods: We conducted a fully factorial experiment with three factors: site (two levels), N fertilization (four levels) and disturbance (two levels). We measured treatment effects on understorey biomass, vegetation structure, and plant, soil and microbial N and C concentrations. Results: The understorey biomass was not affected by fertilization either in the control or in the disturbance treatment. Fertilization reduced the biomass of deciduous Vaccinium myrtillus. Disturbance had a negative effect on the biomass of V. myrtillus and evergreen Vaccinium vitis‐idaea and decreased the relative proportion of evergreen species. Fertilization and disturbance increased the biomass of grass Deschampsia flexuosa and the relative proportion of graminoids. The amount of NH₄⁺ increased in soil after fertilization, and microbial C decreased after disturbance. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the growth of slow‐growing Vaccinium species and soil microbes in boreal forests are not limited by N availability. However, significant changes in the proportion of dwarf shrubs to graminoids and a decrease in the biomass of V. myrtillus demonstrate the susceptibility of understorey vegetation to N enrichment. N enrichment and disturbance seem to have similar effects on understorey vegetation. Consequently, increasing N does not affect the rate or the direction of recovery after disturbance. Moreover, our study demonstrates the importance of understorey vegetation as a C source for soil microbes in boreal forests.     

Physiological and production responses of plant growth forms to increases in limiting resources in alpine tundra: implications for differential community response to environmental change

Physiological and growth measurements were made on forbs and graminoids following additions of water and N+water in a graminoid-dominated dry meadow and a forb-dominated moist meadow, to determine if the community-level response was related to differential responses between the growth forms. Graminoids had higher photosynthetic rates and lower transpiration rates and foliar N concentrations than forbs, and consequently maintained higher photosynthetic N- and water-use efficiencies. Photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates increased significantly only in response to N fertilization and only in moist meadow species. The increase in photosynthetic rates was unrelated to variation in foliar N concentration, but instead correlated with variation in stomatal conductance. Growth based N-use efficiency was higher in moist meadow graminoids than in moist meadow forbs, but did not differ between the growth forms in the dry meadow. The moist meadow community had higher biomass and N standing crops, but the relative increase in these factors in response to N fertilization was greater in the dry meadow. Graminoids had a greater relative increase in biomass and N accumulation than forbs following N fertilization, but moist meadow graminoids exhibited a greater response than dry meadow graminoids. The difference in the growth response between the dry meadow and moist meadow graminoids to N fertilization was correlated with more conservative leaf gas exchange responses in dry meadow species, presumably related to a higher frequency of soil water deficits in this community. Community-level response to the resource additions was therefore mediated by the plant growth form response, corresponding with differences between the growth forms in physiological factors related to resource acquisition and use.     

黄土区露天煤矿排土场土壤与地形因子对植被恢复的影响

在脆弱的生态环境改善和恢复过程中,植被恢复与重建扮演着重要的角色。黄土露天煤矿区生态环境极其脆弱,认识矿区损毁土地植被恢复与地形、土壤因子之间的作用规律对矿区土地复垦与生态恢复改善至关重要。为此,选择山西平朔安太堡露天煤矿南排土场对2条样带27个复垦样地的土壤、地形、植被参数进行了采集与测定,并应用单因素方差分析与CANOCO4.5软件的降趋势对应分析和冗余分析研究了地形与土壤因子对植被恢复的影响。结果表明:植被与土壤变量之间呈显著相关,与地形变量之间相关性不明显;坡度主要影响草本覆盖度,坡向与有机质和速效磷之间具有线性相关性;速效钾对植被的变化起着重要的作用;土壤容重与砾石含量对土壤养分含量具有明显的指示作用;有机质与全氮呈显著正相关,各土壤养分指标之间存在明显的相关关系。为了改善和恢复黄土区露天煤矿排土场脆弱的生态系统,应该考虑植被和土壤的联合演替。在当地的生态环境状况下土地复垦与生态恢复的关键是改善土壤状况和增加人工植被,同时加强对排土场人工和自然植被的保护。     

Depth distribution and composition of seed‐banks in alien‐invaded and uninvaded fynbos vegetation

South African fynbos vegetation is threatened on a large scale by invasive woody plants. A major task facing nature conservation managers is to restore invaded areas. The aim of this study was to determine the restoration potential of fynbos following dense invasion by the Australian tree Acacia saligna. The impacts of dense invasion on seed‐bank composition and depth distribution were investigated to determine which fynbos guilds and species have the most persistent seed‐banks. Soil samples were excavated at three different depths for invaded and uninvaded vegetation at two sand plain and mountain fynbos sites. Seed‐banks were determined using the seedling emergence approach. Invasion caused a significant reduction in seed‐bank density and richness at all sites. There was a significant, but smaller, reduction in seed‐bank density and richness with soil depth at three sites. Seed‐bank composition and guild structure changed following invasion. Low persistence of long‐lived obligate seeders in sand plain fynbos seed‐banks indicates that this vegetation type will be difficult to restore from the seed‐bank alone following alien clearance. The dominance of short‐lived species, especially graminoids, forbs and ephemeral geophytes, suggests that regenerating vegetation will develop into a herbland rather than a shrubland. It is recommended that seed collecting and sowing form part of the restoration plan for densely invaded sand plain sites. As seed density remained higher towards the soil surface following invasion, there is no general advantage in applying a mechanical soil disturbance treatment. However, if the shallow soil seed‐bank becomes depleted, for example following a hot fire through dense alien slash, a soil disturbance treatment should be given to exhume the deeper viable seed‐bank and promote recruitment.     

N-fertilization and disturbance impacts and their interaction in forest-tundra vegetation

The interaction of environmental perturbations is an important, although a seldom studied feature, when evaluating factors influencing plant community structure and potential changes in the vegetation. Since environmental perturbations commonly occur in concert, there is a need for experimental investigations in which single, combined and interactive effects of environmental factors are studied. We studied interactive effects of N-fertilization (40 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) and disturbance, i.e. removing the vegetation and soil organic layers, in the forest-tundra ecotone in northern Finland during 2002–2005. Plant abundances were measured in a coniferous forest, mountain birch forest and tundra heath. Both N-fertilization and disturbance reinforced the proportion of deciduous (Vaccinium myrtillus) and the graminoids (i.e. Deschampsia flexuosa and Carex sp.) at the expense of evergreens in vegetation. N-fertilization also enhanced the post-disturbance recovery of graminoids. Vegetation recovery was slow in the tundra heath, where N-fertilization decreased the abundance of the evergreen Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum. Although the changes in vegetation due to the N-fertilization and disturbance could be detected, they did not change the initial dominance of plant functional types. Taken together, our results suggest that increasing N affects the rate rather than direction of recovery after disturbance. Moreover, plant communities differ in terms of their capabilities to respond to multiple perturbations which should be taken into account when evaluating future vegetation responses under changing environment in at high-latitude and high-altitude ecosystems.     

Tallgrass prairie restoration: implications of increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition when site preparation minimizes adventive grasses

Site preparation designed to exhaust the soil seedbank of adventive species can improve the success of tallgrass prairie restoration. Despite these efforts, increased rates of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition over the next century could potentially promote the growth of nitrophilic, adventive species in tallgrass restoration projects. We used a field experiment to examine how N addition affected species composition and plant productivity over the first 3 years of a tallgrass prairie restoration that was preceded by the planting of glyphosate‐resistant crops and multiple applications of glyphosate to exhaust the pre‐existing seedbank. We predicted that N addition would increase the percent cover of adventive plant species not included in the original seeding. Contrary to our prediction, only the cover of native species increased with N addition; native non‐leguminous forbs increased substantially, with Conyza canadensis (a weedy native species not part of the restoration seed mix) exploiting the combination of high N and bare ground in the first year, and non‐leguminous forbs (in particular Monarda fistulosa) and native C₃ grasses, all of which were seeded, increasing with N addition by the third year. Native legumes was the only functional group that exhibited lower cover in N addition plots than in control plots. There was no significant response by native C₄ grasses to N addition, and adventive grasses remained mostly absent from the plots. Overall, our results suggest that site pre‐treatment with herbicide may continue to be effective in minimizing adventive grasses in restored tallgrass prairie, despite future increases in atmospheric N deposition.     

Identifying Native Vegetation for Reducing Exotic Species during the Restoration of Desert Ecosystems

There is currently much interest in restoration ecology in identifying native vegetation that can decrease the invasibility by exotic species of environments undergoing restoration. However, uncertainty remains about restoration's ability to limit exotic species, particularly in deserts where facilitative interactions between plants are prevalent. Using candidate native species for restoration in the Mojave Desert of the southwestern U.S.A., we experimentally assembled a range of plant communities from early successional forbs to late‐successional shrubs and assessed which vegetation types reduced the establishment of the priority invasive annuals Bromus rubens (red brome) and Schismus spp. (Mediterranean grass) in control and N‐enriched soils. Compared to early successional grass and shrub and late‐successional shrub communities, an early forb community best resisted invasion, reducing exotic species biomass by 88% (N added) and 97% (no N added) relative to controls (no native plants). In native species monocultures, Sphaeralcea ambigua (desert globemallow), an early successional forb, was the least invasible, reducing exotic biomass by 91%. However, the least‐invaded vegetation types did not reduce soil N or P relative to other vegetation types nor was native plant cover linked to invasibility, suggesting that other traits influenced native‐exotic species interactions. This study provides experimental field evidence that native vegetation types exist that may reduce exotic grass establishment in the Mojave Desert, and that these candidates for restoration are not necessarily late‐successional communities. More generally, results indicate the importance of careful native species selection when exotic species invasions must be constrained for restoration to be successful.     

Variations in the foliar nutrient content of mire plants: effects of growth-form based grouping and habitat

We determined concentrations of major nutrients in the vegetation of six habitat types (hummock, scrub, lawn, fen meadow, hollow and marginal stream), spanning a broad range of environmental conditions as regards water-table depth and water chemistry, in five mires on the southern Alps of Italy. Our study was based on chemical analyses of living tissues of plant species, grouped into growth-form based plant functional types (PFTs). We aimed at assessing to what extent the observed differences in tissue nutrient content were accounted for by community composition (both in terms of species and PFTs) and by habitat. Nutrient concentrations were overall lowest in Sphagnum mosses and highest in forbs, although the latter showed large variations presumably due to heterogeneity in mechanisms and adaptations for acquiring nutrients among species within this PFT. Nutrient content patterns in the other three PFTs varied greatly in relation to individual nutrients, with evergreen shrubs showing low nitrogen (N) concentrations, graminoids showing high N concentrations but low potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations and deciduous shrubs showing rather high phosphorus (P) concentrations. Habitat accounted for a modest fraction of variation in tissue concentration of all nutrients except P. We concluded that the nutrient status of mire vegetation is primarily controlled by community composition and structure although habitat does exert a direct control on P concentration in the vegetation, presumably through P availability for plant uptake.     

半干旱黄土区植被恢复对土壤团聚体稳定性及抗侵蚀能力的影响

土壤水稳性团聚体强烈影响土壤过程和功能,是反映土壤质量和土壤抗侵蚀能力的重要指标。为探究半干旱黄土区植被恢复对土壤抗侵蚀能力的影响,以甘肃省定西市龙滩流域为研究区,选取3种恢复方式（天然荒草、自然恢复、人工恢复）7种植被类型（大针茅草地、长芒草草地、赖草草地、苜蓿草地、柠条灌丛、山杏林以及油松林）为研究对象,通过测定0-20 cm、20-40 cm和40-60 cm土壤水稳性团聚体,分析土壤团聚体组成、稳定性及抗侵蚀能力特征。结果表明：1）不同恢复方式不同植被类型间土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性差异显著（P<0.05）,自然恢复方式的土壤水稳性团聚体平均重量直径显著高于天然荒草和人工恢复方式,且7种植被类型土壤大团聚体质量百分比均在67.97%-90.12%之间;人工恢复方式土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性较差,其中油松林稳定性最差。2）土壤团聚体破坏率和土壤抗侵蚀能力均表现出自然恢复方式更有利于土壤结构稳定性的提高。3）土壤水稳性大团聚体含量越高,土壤团聚体越稳定,土壤结构稳定性就越好;平均重量直径与土壤可蚀性因子K值呈极显著性负相关（P<0.01）。本研究结果表明自然恢复方式能够显著提高土壤团聚体的稳定性,从而提升土壤的抗侵蚀能力,建议当地在未来植被恢复规划中采取自然恢复方式更有利于生态恢复的有效进行。     

Roadside Revegetation in Glacier National Park, U.S.A.: Effects of Herbicide and Seeding Treatments

From 1992 to 1995 we experimentally evaluated the effectiveness of several revegetation treatments along a segment of Going-to-the-Sun Highway in Glacier National Park, U.S.A. This segment, reconstructed during the spring and summer of 1992, is bordered by fescue prairie vegetation and is known to be susceptible to invasion by several alien species, including Centaurea maculosa (spotted knapweed) and Phleum pratense (common timothy). We used a split plot study design to evaluate the effectiveness of herbicide and seeding treatments on assisting recovery of native flora and limiting the establishment of alien species. The herbicide treatment consisted of a yearly herbicide spray application of clopyralid (3,6-dichloropicolinic acid). Five seeding treatments were evaluated, three of which included an indigenous graminoid-forb seed mix. Percent canopy coverages of four species groups—alien graminoids, native graminoids, alien forbs, and native forbs—were determined in July 1995. In addition, community-level patterns in sprayed plots and unsprayed plots were compared with a reference site of native fescue prairie. Herbicide treatments decreased mean canopy coverage of alien forbs (treated = 4.2%, untreated = 23.4%) and increased mean canopy coverage of native graminoids slightly (treated = 6.3%, untreated = 4.0%). But herbicide treatments reduced mean coverage of native forbs (treated = 3.9%, untreated = 8.9%) and likely increased coverage of alien graminoids. Treatments that included a fall 1992 seed mix increased native graminoid coverages 2.8–4.6 times, although coverages were still lower than those attained by alien graminoids. Native and alien forb coverage appeared unaffected by seeding treatments. Species composition was less diverse in sprayed plots and more dominated by alien grasses than in unsprayed plots and the reference site. Areas for additional study are suggested, including seed bank assays to determine treatment effects on recruitment of alien versus native species and the use of native graminoids to create low-diversity communities with high canopy coverages to resist establishment of alien species.     

Original Articles: Nitrogen Availability and Old-Field Succession in a Shortgrass Steppe

The relationship between soil nitrogen (N) availability and plant community structure was investigated in old-fields in the shortgrass steppe of Colorado. Nitrogen availability was manipulated by N or sucrose additions for 4 years at three old-fields (early-seral, mid-seral, and late-seral) and at an uncultivated control site. The addition of N generally resulted in increased abundance of annual forbs and grasses relative to perennials at all of the previously cultivated sites. Conversely, experimental reduction of N availability generally increased the relative abundance of perennials. Despite a lack of detectable differences in N mineralization between sites and treatments, ion-exchange resin bags confirmed that sucrose additions reduced plant-available N and that N additions increased plant-available N. This was evidenced further by similar observations for plant tissue N content. The degree to which N additions increased N availability at the various sites supported the idea that late-seral plant communities are less effective at N capture relative to earlier-seral communities. The mid-seral old-field had the lowest rates of litter decomposition and a relatively large accumulation of litter on the soil surface. This mid-seral old-field was dominated by an exotic annual grass (Bromus tectorum), which appears to be a major hindrance to redevelopment of the plant-soil system. By experimentally reducing N availability at this stage, we were able, in 4 years, to change the plant community into one that more closely resembled the late-seral community. We also observed that the natural recruitment of weedy annual species on the uncultivated site during an unusually wet year was suppressed by reducing N availability. Our results suggest that available N is an important factor controlling the rate and course of plant and soil community redevelopment on abandoned croplands in the shortgrass steppe, and that manipulation of N availability might be useful in restoration of rangeland vegetation. Received 19 May 1998; accepted 27 August 1999.     

库布齐沙地两种植被恢复类型根际土壤微生物和土壤化学性质比较研究

油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)与中间锦鸡儿(Caragana intermedia)是库布齐沙地分布广泛的优良固沙植被类型,在植被恢复过程中受到关注。以库布齐沙地自然恢复的油蒿群落与人工种植的中间锦鸡儿群落为研究对象,以流动沙地为对照,采用野外调查、室内生化实验与统计分析相结合的方法,分析两种植被恢复类型根际与非根际土壤微生物、土壤化学性质的差异,研究土壤微生物与土壤化学性质间的相关关系,并运用综合指数法评价两种植被恢复类型对土壤生态系统的恢复效果,为库布齐沙地植被恢复与重建提供科学依据。主要结论如下:(1)与流沙对照相比,两种植被恢复类型根际、非根际土壤微生物数量、微生物生物量碳、氮含量均有不同程度的提高,其中,自然恢复的油蒿群落根际土壤微生物总数、细菌数量、微生物量碳和氮含量均显著高于中间锦鸡儿根际,真菌和放线菌数量分布表现为中间锦鸡儿油蒿;(2)两种植被恢复类型根际、非根际土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、速效氮、速效钾含量均比流动沙地有不同程度地提高,其中,油蒿根际、非根际土壤有机质、全氮、速效氮含量显著高于中间锦鸡儿;(3)影响油蒿和中间锦鸡儿群落土壤微生物数量、生物量碳和氮的土壤因子是有机质、p H值、全氮、速效氮、速效钾、速效磷,其中,对两种植被恢复类型土壤微生物数量和生物量有正向促进作用的主要因子是土壤有机质、速效钾和全氮含量;(4)运用综合指数法计算出基于14个土壤指标的土壤质量综合指数(SQI),SQI值排序为:油蒿根际中间锦鸡儿根际油蒿非根际中间锦鸡儿非根际流沙对照。自然恢复的油蒿群落对土壤质量的改良效果显著优于人工种植的中间锦鸡儿群落,是库布齐沙地生态恢复的适合途径之一。     

Carex sempervirens tussocks induce spatial heterogeneity in litter decomposition, but not in soil properties, in a subalpine grassland in the Central Alps

Tussocks of graminoids can induce spatial heterogeneity in soil properties in dry areas with discontinuous vegetation cover, but little is known about the situation in areas with continuous vegetation and no study has tested whether tussocks can induce spatial heterogeneity in litter decomposition. In a subalpine grassland in the Central Alps where vegetation cover is continuous, we measured soil properties [concentration of N, C, organic matter (OM) and pH] and monitored litter decomposition traits (dry mass loss, loss of C, N, P and K) inside and outside tussocks of Carex sempervirens. Soil C, N, OM concentrations or pH inside tussocks did not differ significantly from those outside tussocks. After 1 year of decomposition, litter dry mass loss, C and K loss were significantly smaller inside than outside tussocks. The slower litter decomposition inside tussocks was likely caused by the elevated tussock base, which made environmental conditions inside tussocks much dryer than those outside in early spring when snow melts. Our results suggest that in areas with continuous vegetation cover tussocks induce spatial heterogeneity in litter decomposition but not in soil properties.