Variation in grazing tolerance among three tallgrass prairie plant species

Three tallgrass prairie plant species, two common perennial forbs (Artemisia ludoviciana and Aster ericoides [Asteraceae]) and a dominant C(4) perennial grass (Sorghastrum nutans) were studied under field and greenhouse conditions to evaluate interspecific variation in grazing tolerance (compensatory growth capacity). Adaptation to ungulate grazing was also assessed by comparing defoliation responses of plants from populations with a 25-yr history of no grazing or moderate ungulate grazing. Under field conditions, all three species showed significant reductions in shoot relative growth rates (RGR), biomass, and reproduction with defoliation. In the two forbs, clipping resulted in negative shoot RGR and reductions in both number and length of shoot branches per ramet. Sorghastrum nutans maintained positive RGR under defoliation due to a compensatory increase in leaf production. Defoliation reduced rhizome production in A. ericoides and S. nutans, but not in A. ludoviciana. Clipping significantly reduced sexual reproductive allocation in all three species, although S. nutans showed a smaller reduction than the forbs. All three species showed similar responses to defoliation in burned and unburned sites. Under greenhouse conditions, a similar clipping regimen resulted in smaller reductions in growth and reproduction than those observed in the field. For all three species, the grazing tolerance indices calculated under natural field conditions were significantly lower than those estimated from greenhouse-grown plants, and the interspecific patterns of grazing tolerance were different. Aster ericoides exhibited the highest overall defoliation tolerance under greenhouse conditions, followed by S. nutans. Artemisia ludoviciana, the only study species that is typically not grazed by ungulates in the field, showed the lowest grazing tolerance. In the field experiment S. nutans showed the highest grazing tolerance and the two forbs had similar low tolerance indices. These patterns indicate that, despite high compensatory growth potential, limited resource availability and competition in the field significantly reduce the degree of compensation and alter interspecific differences in grazing tolerance among prairie plants. In all three species, defoliation suppressed sexual reproduction more than growth or vegetative reproduction. Significant interactions between plant responses to defoliation and site of origin (historically grazed or ungrazed sites) for some response variables (root/shoot ratios, rhizome bud initiation, and reproductive allocation) indicated some degree of population differentiation and genetic adaptation in response to a relatively short history of ungulate grazing pressure. The results of this study indicate that patterns of grazing tolerance in tallgrass prairie are both genetically based and also environmentally dependent.     

Response of an allergenic species, Ambrosia psilostachya (Asteraceae), to experimental warming and clipping: implications for public health

We examined the responses of an allergenic species, western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya DC.), to experimental warming and clipping. The experiment was conducted in a tallgrass prairie in Oklahoma, USA, between 1999 and 2001. Warming increased ragweed stems by 88% when not clipped and 46% when clipped. Clipping increased ragweed stems by 75% and 36% in the control and warmed plots, respectively. In 2001, warming resulted in a 105% increase in ragweed aboveground biomass (AGB), and the ratio of ragweed AGB to total AGB increased by 79%. Dry mass per ragweed stem in the warmed plots was 37% and 38% greater than that in the control plots in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Although warming caused no difference in pollen production per stem, total pollen production increased by 84% (P < 0.05) because there were more ragweed stems. Experimental warming significantly increased pollen diameter from 21.2 μm in the control plots to 23.9 μm in the warmed plots (a 13% increase). The results from our experiment suggest that global warming could aggravate allergic hazards and thereby jeopardize public health.     

3种藓类植物水分含量与光合作用、呼吸作用和水势的关系

对湿地匍灯藓〔Plagiomniumacutum(Lindb.)T.Kop.〕、大羽藓〔Thuidiumcymbifolium(Dozy&Molk.)Dozy&Molk.〕和垂藓〔Chrysocladiunretrorsum(Mitt.)Fleisch.〕的水分含量与光合作用、呼吸作用和水势的关系进行了初步研究（1999年5月20日到6月10日）。在这3种藓类植物中,其水分含量与光合作用速率（Pn）的关系可以分为2种类型一种类型如大羽藓和垂藓,在藓体水分含量20%～70%时,Pn随着水分含量增加而增加,但是在80%～95%时,Pn随水分含量增加而下降,光合最适水分含量约70%～80%;另一种出现在湿地匍灯藓,水分含量20%～80%时,Pn随着水分含量增加而增加,在80%～95%时,Pn维持一个较高的水平,光合最适水分含量为80%～90%。在一个大的水分含量范围内（60%～95%）,暗呼吸（Rd）保持相对稳定,但是在水分含量较低时（20%～70%）,Rd随着水分含量的下降而下降。在藓体水分含量与水势之间的关系方面,3种藓类植物相似,水分含量与水势对数之间的回归曲线为S形曲线。     

Rain use efficiency as affected by climate warming and biofuel harvest: results from a 12‐year field experiment

The efficiency of a terrestrial ecosystem to use rainfall in production is critical in regulating the ecological functions of the earth system under global change. However, it remains unclear how rain use efficiency (RUE) will be altered by changes in climate and human activities such as biofuel harvest. In this study, we used RUE data from a long‐term experiment in a tallgrass prairie to analyze the effects of warming and biofuel harvest (clipping). From 2000 to 2011, experimental warming enhanced RUE in most years, with larger positive effects in normal and wet than dry hydrological years. Clipping decreased RUE in dry and normal hydrological years, but had no impact on RUE in wet years. The observed RUE responses resulted from treatment‐induced changes in both biologically ineffective (i.e., runoff and soil evaporation) and effective (i.e., transpiration) parts of precipitation. For example, litter cover was increased in warming plots, but reduced by clipping, leading to negative and positive effects on runoff and soil evaporation, respectively. The dominance of C₄ species, which usually have higher water use efficiency than C₃ species, was enhanced by warming, but reduced by clipping. Moreover, RUE was positively correlated with ratios of rainfall in the late growing season (June–August), when the growth of C₄ plants was most active, relative to that in the other seasons. Our results indicate that RUE is positively influenced by climate warming, but negatively affected by biofuel harvest in tallgrass prairie of the Great Plains. These findings highlight the important roles of plant community structure and temporal distribution of precipitation in regulating ecosystem RUE.     

Effect of fruiting on carbon budgets of apple tree canopies

Summary Carbon budgets were calculated from net photosynthesis and dark respiration measurements for canopies of field-grown, 3-year-old apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) with maximum leaf areas of 5.4 m² in a temperature-controlled Perspex tree chamber, measured in situ over 2 years (July 1988 to October 1990) by computerized infrared gas analysis using a dedicated interface and software. Net photosynthesis (Pn) and carbon assimilation per leaf area peaked at respectively 8.3 and 7.7 mol CO₂ m^–2 s^–1 in April. Net photosynthesis (Pn) and dark respiration (Rd) per tree peaked at 3.6 g CO₂ tree^–1 h^–1 (Pn) and 1.2 g CO₂ tree^–1 h^–1 (Rd), equivalent to 4.2 mol CO₂ (Pn) and 1.4 mol CO₂ (Rd) m^–2 s^–1 with maximum carbon gain per tree in August and maximum dark respiration per tree in October 1988 and 1989. In May 1990, a tree was deblossomed. Pn (per tree) of the fruiting apple tree canopy exceeded that of the non-fruiting tree by 2–2.5 fold from June to August 1990, attributed to reduced photorespiration (RI), and resulting in a 2-fold carbon gain of the fruiting over the non-fruiting tree. Dark respiration of the fruiting tree canopy progressively exceeded, with increasing sink strength of the fruit, by 51% (June–August), 1.4-fold (September) and 2-fold (October) that of the non-fruiting tree due to leaf (i. e. not fruit) respiration to provide energy (a) to produce and maintain the fruit on the tree and (b) thereafter to facilitate the later carbohydrate translocation into the woody perennial parts of the tree. The fruiting tree reached its optium carbon budget 2–4 weeks earlier (August) then the non-fruiting tree (September 1990). In the winter, the trunk respired 2–100 g CO₂ month^–1 tree^–1. These data represent the first long-term examination of the effect of fruiting without fruit removal which shows increased dark respiration and with the increase progressing as the fruit developed.     

高寒山区牧草根中丙二醛、渗透调节物、多胺季节动态与抗冻力关系研究

温带地区的高山多年生草本植物可在－３０℃组织结冰状况下生存,然而人们并不了解其抗冻的生理机理。本研究目的拟通过测定自然生境下生长的４种高寒山区禾本科牧草（无芒雀麦（Ｂｒｏｍｕｓ ｉｎｅｒｍｉｓ Ｌｅｙｓｓ．）、花雀麦（Ｂｒｏｍｕｓ　 ｓｉｎｅｎｓｉｓ　 Ｋｅｎｇ．）、垂穗披碱草（Ｅｌｙｍｕｓ ｎｕｔａｎｓ Ｇｒｉｓｅｂ．）、草地早熟禾（Ｐｏａ ｓｐｈｙｏｎｄｙｌｏｄｅｓ　 Ｔｒｉｎ．）根中渗透调节物、膜脂过氧化产物、多胺含量季节变化,以了解他们与牧草抗冻的关系。结果表明,在晚秋（９月１～１５日）牧草根中ＭＤＡ含量增高,尔后下降,冬季保持恒定。总碳水化合物（ＴＮＣ）,可溶性糖、脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白质含量随晚秋气温下降而增加,在１１月达到最高,尔后下降,且持续到翌年春季。随晚秋气温下降从９月到１１月根中多胺含量迅速增加,４种牧草平均增加１８０％,其中亚精胺（Ｓｐｄ）占多胺含量的５３％。在１１月牧草根中多胺几乎完全消失。上述物质在晚秋入冬增加正好与牧草抗冻锻炼时间相吻合,因而是植物抗冻适应的重要生理响应和植物越冬的低温保护物质。他们在降低细胞冰点、防止细胞结冰引起的膜机械伤害,抑制膜脂过氧化保护膜稳定性方面具有重要作用。     

Persistence of Native C4 Grasses under High-Intensity, Short-Duration Summer Bison Grazing in the Eastern Tallgrass Prairie

Disturbances such as burning or grazing maintain the herbaceous nature of eastern tallgrass prairie. These disturbances are also known to affect the relative abundance of warm-season (C4) and cool-season (C3) grasses in native prairie. Although burning is a commonly used tool, the utility of livestock grazing to manage restored prairie is less understood. We established five monocultures and one mixture of C4 grass species of the eastern tallgrass prairie in southern Wisconsin. To examine their persistence under high-intensity, short-duration summer grazing, we estimated cover of several functional groups and C4 species over a 6-year period (2000 through 2006) in a randomized complete block design. After a 2-year establishment phase (1998–1999), bison were rotated through paddocks two or three times annually during late June, July, or early August. All C4 grasses declined over time but at different rates depending on the species. Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) decreased at the lowest rate, whereas Little bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium ) cover declined faster than Big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii ), Indiangrass ( Sorghastrum nutans ), and Sideoats grama ( Bouteloua curtipendula ), whose rates of decline were not significantly different from each other. Succession followed a predictable trajectory with annual grasses initially colonizing interstitial space among C4 grasses, followed by legumes, which ultimately gave way to exotic C3 forage grasses. The focal C4 grasses remained the dominant functional group 8 years postseeding, but recolonization by non-native C3 grasses increased over the study period.     

Plant nitrogen concentration, use efficiency, and contents in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem under experimental warming

Plant nitrogen (N) relationship has the potential to regulate plant and ecosystem responses strongly to global warming but has not been carefully examined under warmed environments. This study was conducted to examine responses of plant N relationship (i.e. leaf N concentration, N use efficiency, and plant N content in this study) to a 4‐year experimental warming in a tallgrass prairie in the central Great Plains in USA. We measured mass‐based N and carbon (C) concentrations of stem, green, and senescent leaves, and calculated N resorption efficiency, N use efficiency, plant N content, and C : N ratios of five dominant species (two C₄ grasses, one C₃ grass, and two C₃ forbs). The results showed that warming decreased N concentration of both green and senescent leaves, and N resorption efficiency for all species. N use efficiencies and C : N ratios were accordingly higher under warming than control. Total plant N content increased under warming because of warming‐induced increases in biomass production that are larger than the warming‐induced decreases in tissue N concentration. The increases in N contents in both green and senescent plant tissues suggest that warming enhanced both plant N uptake and return through litterfall in the tallgrass ecosystem. Our results also suggest that the increased N use efficiency in C₄ grasses is a primary mechanism leading to increased biomass production under warming in the grassland ecosystem.     

Gas Exchange and Water Use Efficiency of Adenophora lobophylla (Campanulaceae) at Different Altitudes on the East Boundary of the Qing- Zang Plateau

Field measurements were made of leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn), apparent quantum yield (AQY), dark respiration (Rd), transpiration (Tr), water use efficiency (WUE), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), leaf temperature (TI), stomatal density, air temperature (Ta) and relative soil water content (SWC) for Adenophora lobophylla Hong in August, 1996. The species grows in the region from an altitude of 2 300 m to 3 400 m on the eastern boundary of the Qing-Zang Plateau in Sichuan Province, China. Leaf gas exchange, water use efficiency and plasticity of populations in field were compared among different altitudes to evaluate the possible interactions between adaptation of A. lobophylla and environmental factors in these habitats. Pn and AQY at low altitudes were lower than those at high altitudes. They strongly responded to SWC and Ta. On the other hand, Rd at low altitudes was higher than that at high altitudes because of the higher air temperature there. The growth rates at low altitudes were associated with the increases in Rd and a relevant less Pn. Stomata showed strong responses to leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit at the leaf surface (Vpdl) and Tl in these habitats. Increasing stomatal limitations to photosynthesis appeared to be responsible for the reduction in Pn at high Tl, Vpdl and low available soil water for A. lobophylla at low ahitudes. Nonstomatal limitation to photosynthesis also happened at extreme soil water deficits and high Tl and Vpdl at an altitude of 2 300 m. Tr had a close relationship with stomatal conductance and was also affected by leaf temperature and leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit at the leaf surface among habitats grown in different ahitudes. WUE increased with altitude. Increasing stomatal densities showed different plasticity of A. lobophylla as altitude increased. SWC and Ta appeared to be important factors to limit carbon assimilation in A. lobophylla at low altitudes, primarily through the process of stomatal closure. The overall results are in consistence with the hypothesis that strong pressure from tmfavorable environmental factors to gas exchange and wateruse of A. lobophylla may prevent their population expansion at low altitudes, which indicate that the above-mentioned restrictions might lead to the endangerment of A. lobophylla.     

温度变化对烟草光合作用光响应特征的影响

通过Li-6400光合测定系统控温,研究了大田条件下,烟草脚叶采烤期腰叶在17、20、25、30和35℃下的光合作用光响应特征。结果表明:随温度升高,净光合速率(Pn)、最大净光合速率(Pnmax)、初始斜率(α)和气孔导度(Gs)先上升后下降,在20℃下达最大值,35℃下净光合速率受强光的抑制作用明显;光补偿点(LCP)和暗呼吸速率(Rd)随温度升高而上升,但35℃下二者较30℃时有所下降;光饱和点(LSP)随温度升高而呈下降-上升-下降的变化,30℃和17℃时LSP较高;蒸腾速率(Tr)随温度上升而增强,水分利用效率(WUE)则随温度升高而下降,但20℃时水分利用效率在强光下明显较其他温度下的高。结果说明,20℃最适合烟草光合作用,此温度下气孔的水、气调节能力最强,温度高于30℃则对烟草光合作用不利。     

滇西北高原典型湿地湖滨带优势植物种子繁殖对增温的响应

基于IPCC对未来大气增温的预测,采用开顶式生长室(OTC)增温技术,以不增温为对照,研究滇西北高原典型湿地纳帕海湖滨带优势植物水葱和黑三棱在大气增温2.0和3.5℃处理下种子的繁殖特征.结果表明:大气增温对植物结实率影响显著,但存在种间差异.其中,增温对水葱的结实率有促进作用;黑三棱结实率在增温2.0℃处理下显著下降,但在增温3.5℃处理下又恢复到对照水平.增温促进了2种植物穗的生长,在增温2.0、3.5℃处理下水葱的穗长分别增加82.9%、89.0%,小穗数分别增加133.3%、150.0%,每株穗生物量分别增加了10.1%、89.6%,每株穗生物量占总生物量的比例分别增加79.5%、409.3%;在增温2.0、3.5℃处理下,黑三棱穗长分别增加66.1%、95.2%,每株穗生物量占总生物量的比例分别增加878.8%、1052.6%.增温显著增加了水葱和黑三棱每穗种子产量,在增温2.0、3.5℃处理下,水葱每穗种子产量分别增加33.7%、58.3%,黑三棱每穗种子产量分别显著增加3.4%、69.5%.在增温2.0、3.5℃处理下水葱种子长分别增加5.4%、6.9%,种子长宽比分别增大9.1%、5.3%;而增温对黑三棱的种子形态无显著影响.最高温和最低温是影响2种植物种子繁殖的主要温度因子.温度增高引起的生长季提前、营养生长期延长以及有机物积累量增加,为植物繁殖扩散提供了充足的物质和能量积累,可能是2种植物在增温条件下繁殖能力提高的原因.     

新疆乌拉泊库区沙枣与胡杨光合特性比较

用Li-6400便携式光合测定仪,于2009年6~9月测定了新疆乌拉泊库区沙枣和胡杨2种荒漠树种的光合作用日变化,比较了它们光合与水分生理特性的季节动态变化.结果表明:(1)沙枣净光合速率(Pn)的日变化在6月份为典型双峰曲线,在8月和9月份也有微弱的双峰变化,7月份则表现为单峰曲线;胡杨的Pn日变化在6和9月份为双峰曲线,7和8月份为单峰曲线.(2)沙枣各月蒸腾速率(Tr)日变化均呈双峰曲线,胡杨的Tr日变化于6和7月份呈双峰曲线,在8和9月份呈单峰曲线.(3)沙枣水分利用效率(WUE)日变化规律不明显,胡杨各月WUE日变化表现为双峰曲线.(4)沙枣叶片的气孔导度(Gs)的日变化与其Pn的变化基本一致,而胡杨则没有这种现象.(5)气孔因素是引起沙枣光合午睡"的一个原因,但不是引起胡杨Pn降低的主要因素;叶片大气水汽压亏缺(VPD)和气温(Ta)是共同影响沙枣和胡杨Pn的主要生态因子;沙枣平均Pn和Tr明显低于胡杨,而WUE则相反.     

Seasonal Acclimation of Stem Photosynthesis in Woody Legume Species from the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of California

Photosynthesis (Pn) was measured in stems of two desert legumes, Caesalpinia virgata at a low elevation site (118 m) in the Sonoran Desert and Senna armata at a higher elevation (950 m) in the Mojave Desert. The lower elevation site experienced higher spring and summer temperatures than the higher elevation site, but the air vapor pressure, irradiance, and rainfall patterns were similar. Mid-morning maximum stem Pn was highest in May for C. virgata (7.8 [mu]mol m-2 s-1) and in July for S. armata (5.8 [mu]mol m-2 s-1). The seasonal variation in maximum stem Pn was not associated with changes in bulk tissue water potential or chlorenchyma tissue nitrogen concentration. The main environmental regulators of seasonal stem Pn were temperature and leaf to air vapor pressure gradient. Light-response curves indicated no major differences in apparent quantum yield or light compensation point between the spring and summer, but light-saturated stem Pn at ambient temperature decreased for C. virgata between these seasons. The optimal temperature for stem Pn remained the same for both species between the spring and the summer. However, stem Pn of both species increased at all temperatures between the spring and summer. Potential stem Pn under optimal conditions and CO2-saturated stem Pn increased for both species between spring and summer. The increase in stem Pn potential allowed these species to maintain stem Pn during the summer even though stem Pn responses to temperature and vapor pressure did not acclimate to seasonal climatic conditions.     

川西北高寒草地3种主要植物的生长及物质分配对温度升高的响应

在野外自然条件下采用开顶式生长室模拟增温的方法, 研究了增温对川西北高寒草地3种主要植物(单子叶草本植物垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)和双子叶草本植物尼泊尔酸模(Rumex acetosa)和鹅绒委陵菜(Potentilla anserina))的生长及物质分配的影响。研究结果表明, 增温对3种植物的生长产生了显著影响, 垂穗披碱草和尼泊尔酸模的比叶面积和生物量积累在增温后显著增加, 而鹅绒委陵菜在增温后显著减少。在各组分中, 增温处理使尼泊尔酸模的叶生物量显著增加, 根生物量却显著下降, 而鹅绒委陵菜叶和茎的生物量在增温后显著减少, 根生物量却显著增加。增温对尼泊尔酸模各组分的养分含量产生了显著影响, 其中, 根部碳含量在增温后显著增加, 而氮含量在增温后显著减少。增温对尼泊尔酸模和鹅绒委陵菜的生物量在各组分中的分配产生了显著影响, 增温显著增加了尼泊尔酸模的叶重比(LMR)、根重比(RMR)和地下生物量/地上生物量(R/S), 而茎重比(SMR)在增温后却显著降低; 增温显著增加了鹅绒委陵菜的RMR和R/S, 而SMR和LMR在增温后却显著降低。增温对尼泊尔酸模和鹅绒委陵菜各组分中的碳、氮分配产生了显著影响, 增温显著增加了碳、氮在尼泊尔酸模叶片的分配比例, 并且使尼泊尔酸模根部的碳分配比例也显著增加, 而茎部的碳、氮分配比例却显著减少; 增温显著减少了碳在鹅绒委陵菜叶片的分配比例, 而根部的碳、氮分配比例却显著增加。     

模拟增温和降水变化对北京东灵山辽东栎种子出苗和幼苗生长的影响

气候变化将增加地表平均气温、改变降水格局, 会影响到种子出苗和幼苗生长, 进而影响物种的更新动态。为探讨增温和降水变化对东灵山地区建群树种辽东栎(Quercus mongolica)种子出苗和一年生幼苗生长和适应状况的影响, 该文利用环境控制生长箱开展了温度和降水量的双因素控制实验, 温度设置3个梯度: 月平均气温(对照)、增温2 ℃和增温6 ℃; 降水量设置3个梯度: 月平均降水量(对照)、减水30%和加水30%。结果表明: 1)辽东栎的种子出苗率和一年生幼苗的生长对增温和降水变化的响应不一致, 种子出苗率主要受到降水及其与温度交互作用的影响, 幼苗生长仅受到温度和降水独立作用的影响; 2)春季增温2 ℃或降水量增加均使辽东栎种子出苗期提前; 增温6 ℃与降水量减少的水热组合延迟了种子出苗期并使其存活率和出苗率显著降低, 但在此温度下增加降水量则增加了出苗速率和出苗率。3)增温2 ℃对其生长无显著影响, 增温6 ℃则在不同水分条件下显著地增加了幼苗的比叶面积、抑制了叶的伸长生长, 同时也显著降低了各器官生物量积累, 并减少了幼苗生物量向根的分配; 降水量减少降低了幼苗根生物量, 但未影响总生物量和根冠比, 降水量增加显著促进了幼苗地上部分的生长, 特别是叶的生长。因此, 适当地增温或增加降水量将增加辽东栎幼苗的更新潜力, 但增温和降水量减少导致的干旱化将显著降低幼苗的更新潜力。     

Lagged effects of experimental warming and doubled precipitation on annual and seasonal aboveground biomass production in a tallgrass prairie

Global climate change is expected to result in a greater frequency of extreme weather, which can cause lag effects on aboveground net primary production (ANPP). However, our understanding of lag effects is limited. To explore lag effects following extreme weather, we applied four treatments (control, doubled precipitation, 4 °C warming, and warming plus doubled precipitation) for 1 year in a randomized block design and monitored changes in ecosystem processes for 3 years in an old‐field tallgrass prairie in central Oklahoma. Biomass was estimated twice in the pretreatment year, and three times during the treatment and posttreatment years. Total plant biomass was increased by warming in spring of the treatment year and by doubled precipitation in summer. However, double precipitation suppressed fall production. During the following spring, biomass production was significantly suppressed in the formerly warmed plots 2 months after treatments ceased. Nine months after the end of treatments, fall production remained suppressed in double precipitation and warming plus double precipitation treatments. Also, the formerly warmed plots still had a significantly greater proportion of C₄ plants, while the warmed plus double precipitation plots retained a high proportion of C₃ plants. The lag effects of warming on biomass did not match the temporal patterns of soil nitrogen availability determined by plant root simulator probes, but coincided with warming‐induced decreases in available soil moisture in the deepest layers of soil which recovered to the pretreatment pattern approximately 10 months after the treatments ceased. Analyzing the data with an ecosystem model showed that the lagged temporal patterns of effects of warming and precipitation on biomass can be fully explained by warming‐induced differences in soil moisture. Thus, both the experimental results and modeling analysis indicate that water availability regulates lag effects of warming on biomass production.     

Descriptive phenology and seasonality of a Canadian brown-water stream

A phenological-type synthesis was attempted for 10 years of limnological data of a brown-water stream of Alberta, Canada. The objectives were to predict the normal occurrence of seasonal events in the stream and to formulate indices upon which to base general stream management strategies. The stream supports a diverse chironomid fauna (109 species); and four taxa, chironomids, ostracods and the ephemeropteransLeptophlebia cupida andBaetis tricaudatus, account for 61% of the total yearly fauna by numbers. There are two obvious major seasons: a 7 month ice-free season (ca 15 April–15 November) and a 5 month winter season. Based on numerical classification of physical and chemical parameters, the ice-free season is separated into spring (April and May), summer (June, July and August) and autumn (September and October) seasons; and these four seasons can serve as the basis for describing biological seasonality. There are few detectable periodic events during the long, 5-month winter season: flow and water temperature are relatively constant and at minimum values. There are no reproductive periods for species studied; no new generations appear; drift densities are at minimum values; and for most taxa, little growth takes place in winter. Some of the important phenological events of the three ice-free seasons include: (1) a total emergence, hence reproductive, period of 6 months (April–September) for aquatic insects studied, with the largest number of taxa reproducing in late June and early July; (2) a 31/2 month period (late April–early August) when water temperatures are on the rise (log phase of total degree days curve), with maximum rate increase in May, maximum rate decrease in October, and maximum water temperature values in early August; (3) a completely green (trees and marsh grasses) watershed of less than 2 months (late June–early August); (4) a leaf-drop period of 11/2 months (September–mid October), with maximum litter-fall rate in early September; (5) maximum discharge in April; (6) minimum standing crop by numbers in April and maximum numbers in September; (7) maximum daily drift and drift densities (all taxa) in August; (8) maximum impounding effect of beaver dams in September; (9) maximum aquatic macrophyte standing crop in September; and (10) maximum ‘potential’ food resources (detritus of aquatic macrophyte and terrestrial leaf origin) in mid October.     

Differences in ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of original and reconstructed tallgrass prairies in northeastern Iowa, USA, and impact of 3-year spring burn cycles

Ground beetle assemblages were monitored at four tallgrass prairie sites burned on 3-year cycles in northeastern Iowa. The objectives of this study were to quantify differences in carabid communities between original and reconstructed tallgrass prairies, and to determine the responses of ground beetles to 3-year cycles of early spring fire commonly used to manage tallgrass prairies. Using pitfall traps, ground beetle assemblages in two original and two reconstructed tallgrass prairies were compared between 1994 and 1998, where beetles were sampled annually (0-, 1-, and 2-year post-fire conditions) from plots burned every 3 years. When burned, the greatest abundance, activity density, and species richness of carabid beetles occurred the year immediately following a spring burn, with abundance declining steadily with increased time since burning. Overall ground beetle diversity as determined by Shannon's diversity index was greatest in original tallgrass prairies several years after a fire. Some species of ground beetles were found only in original prairies, while others were found primarily in reconstructed prairie. Similarly, some species were more abundant the year immediately following a burn, while others were found in greater abundance with increased time since fire. NMS ordination and indicator species analysis clearly show differences in carabid species between original and reconstructed tallgrass prairies, but did not show differences among burn treatments.     

Nectar Dynamics and Sugar Composition in Flowers of Silene and Saponaria Species (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract: Nectar production in Saponaria officincilis and in five species of Silene (S. ciba, S. dioica, S. noctiflora, S. nutans, S. vulgaris ) was examined during two consecutive years (May to July 1993, and May to June 1994) in the Botanical Garden of the University of Giessen. Nectar volume and sugar concentration were studied in relation to time of day, flower sex, flower age, and flowering stage. Nectar amount in all species studied (except S. dioica ) increased in the afternoon or in the evening until midnight (or until the early morning in S. nutans ). After midnight and until midday, nectar volume in non-visited flowers (except S. dioica ) decreased. Nectar volume in non-visited S. dioica flowers increased constantly with flower age, indicating a stable nectar secretion rate, possibly favouring both day- and night-active flower visitors. Even at the time of highest nectar secretion, all species studied presented several nectarless flowers. Sucrose dominance in the nectar of the nocturnal species S. nutans and Saponaria officinalis fits well with the general syndrome of flowers pollinated by hawkmoths. The syndrome also applies to the nocturnal but regularly selfing, S. noctiflora . The more generalis-tic species S. dioica and S. vulgaris , which are regularly visited by bumblebees as well as nocturnal moths, secreted hexose-domi-nant nectar. Unexpectedly, Silene alba , the only nocturnal species that strictly excluded day-active flower visitors by closing flowers during the day, also secreted hexose-dominant nectar. In some cases, nectar volumes and nectar concentration differed significantly between hermaphroditic, male, and female flowers. Female flowers of S. alba, S. dioica , and S. nutans contained significantly less concentrated nectar than male or hermaphroditic ( S. nutans ) ones. In S. noctifiora and S. vulgaris the difference was not statistically significant but nectar concentration did show the same tendency.     

帽儿山地区兴安落叶松人工林树木年轮气候学研究

通过帽儿山兴安落叶松（Larix gmelinii）人工林树木年轮样本和气象资料,对该地区兴安落叶松进行了树木年轮气候学研究,结果表明：过去50年年均温度上升达到了显著水平（p<0.05）,平均温度每10年约上升0.4℃,年平均最高气温每10年约上升0.3℃,年平均最低气温每10年约上升0.5℃,但是年降水量随着年份变化不显著（p>0.05）。从月均温度来看,所有月份均出现明显上升趋势,其中冬季2月份温度上升最为明显,达到0.9~1℃/10年,而夏季（6~8月）上升的较小,达到0.2~0.7℃/10年;多数月份降雨量随年龄变化不显著（p>0.05）。在这一气候变暖过程中,早材及总年轮宽度生长随着夏季（6~7月）温度上升而下降,春季(5月)温度的升高而升高,晚材随着秋季（9月）温度上升而增加,导致在年水平上,年轮生长随着年均温的变化不显著（p>0.05）。降雨量在未来气候变化过程中,没有稳定的变化趋势,但是对年轮影响明显,在年水平上,早材与年轮的生长均受降水量的影响较大(p<0.05)。如果未来东北地区气候变暖趋势明显,而降水量变化不明显,春季和秋季温度升高导致的年轮生长增加会被夏季过高温度抑制年轮生长所抵消,因此,落叶松林径向生长受到的影响可能不大。