Ecosystem health assessment on the hill and gully area of loess Plateau in Inner Mongolia, China

Maintenance of ecosystem health is the primary focus of a sound ecological restoration. Yet methods involved in quantifying and assessing the health level remain a challenge to the ecological community. In this study, we selected the hill and gully area of Loess Plateau, Inner Mongolia, China, as our study area. The soil and water erosions in this area continue to be responsible for many environmental problems in northern China because of its fragility and long disturbance history. In this study, we developed an assessment method of indicator system (AMIS) based on analytical hierarchy process (AHP), fuzzy mathematics, and the theory of net-hierarchy. At ecosystem or catchment scale, three sample areas, that is (1) intact vegetation (i.e., Aguimiao Natural Reserve, 110°45′E, 39°28′N), (2) reconstructed vegetation (Wufendigou Soil and Water Conservation Experimental Area, 111°07′E, 39°45′N), and (3) severely degraded vegetation (Yangquangou Catchment, 111°06′E, 39°45′N) in the hill and gully area of Loess Plateau in Inner Mongolia, China, were selected to examine ecosystem vigor, organizational structure, service function, and soil health. We applied the AMIS for all three landscapes by categorizing each ecosystem into five health levels. We found that the health index for reconstructed vegetation were at levels of IV, II, IV, and III, while those of degraded vegetation were ranked at V, IV, V, and IV. Overall, the comprehensive ecosystem health index of reconstructed vegetation was lower than that of intact vegetation but higher than that of degraded vegetation. The health index for reconstructed vegetation was at level III, and that of degraded vegetation was still at level IV. The contributing values were: organization structure > soil health > vigor > service function. Based on our results and assessments, we proposed several management recommendations and methods for restoring the regional ecosystems. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(5): 1048–1056 [译自: 生态学报, 2005, 25(5): 1048–1056]     

内蒙古黄土丘陵沟壑区生态系统健康评价

采用指标体系评价法,按自然指标体系,从生态系统活力、组织结构、系统服务功能和土壤健康等方面,以内蒙古黄土丘陵沟壑区为研究对象,分别选择原生植被区、人工恢复治理区、退化未治理区等3个样区,对其生态系统健康状况进行分析和评价,提出了适合于该区域的生态系统健康评价指标体系和权重体系,建立了适合于该区域的生态系统健康评价指数、评价模型和指标分级标准。最后,从自然生态学角度,结合研究区的实际情况,对该区域的生态系统健康恢复途径、生态系统管理和可持续发展策略提出了一些具有针对性的建议和措施,并对生态系统健康评价的进一步研究进行了展望。     

秦岭典型林分土壤活性有机碳及碳储量垂直分布特征

采用野外调查结合室内分析的方法,2013年8月分析了秦岭典型林分锐齿栎(马头滩林区,Ⅰ)、油松(Ⅱ)、华山松(Ⅲ)、松栎混交林(Ⅳ)、云杉(Ⅴ)、锐齿栎(辛家山林区,Ⅵ)土壤剖面上活性有机碳及碳储量的分布规律.结果表明: 研究区各林分土壤的有机碳、微生物生物量碳、水溶性碳、易氧化态碳含量均随着土层深度的增加而不断减小;在整个土壤剖面(0～60 cm)上,云杉和松栎混交林的土壤有机碳和水溶性碳含量明显高于其余林分,不同林分的土壤有机碳和水溶性碳含量的平均值大小均为Ⅴ＞Ⅳ＞Ⅰ＞Ⅱ＞Ⅲ＞Ⅵ;各林分不同土层的微生物生物量碳在71.25～710.05 mg·kg^-1,不同林分的土壤微生物生物量碳大小依次为Ⅰ＞Ⅴ＞Ⅳ＞Ⅲ＞Ⅱ＞Ⅵ;整个土壤剖面上,松栎混交林的土壤易氧化态碳含量降幅最大,不同林分土壤易氧化态碳含量的平均值大小为Ⅳ＞Ⅴ＞Ⅰ＞Ⅱ＞Ⅲ＞Ⅵ.3种活性有机碳占有机碳的比例在不同林分类型中没有表现出一致的规律性.各林分0～60 cm土层的有机碳储量大小为Ⅴ＞Ⅰ＞Ⅳ＞Ⅲ＞Ⅵ＞Ⅱ.各林分的土壤微生物生物量碳、水溶性碳、易氧化态碳两两之间均表现为极显著相关,各林分的土壤微生物生物量碳、水溶性碳、易氧化态碳与土壤有机碳、全氮之间的相关性均表现为显著或极显著水平,与碳氮比、pH、土壤水分、土壤容重的相关关系不显著.     

黄土高原生态分区及概况

黄土高原地域广阔,水土流失区域差异显著。为了有效治理水土流失,评估水土流失治理技术和模式及生态恢复建设工程的成效性,需要对黄土高原进行区域划分。依据自然条件、水土流失治理技术和模式的区域性特征及差异,基于国家基础地理信息系统数据的县级行政界,对其进行合并,进行生态分区的划分,并分别统计其气候、地形地貌、植被特征及水土流失现状,以期为黄土高原水土流失治理技术和模式的改良优化提供依据。主要结论如下:(1)黄土高原分为黄土高塬沟壑区,黄土丘陵沟壑区,沙地和农灌区,土石山区及河谷平原区。其中黄土高塬沟壑区和黄土丘陵沟壑区分别划分为两个副区。(2)黄土高原的气候、植被、水土流失具有明显的分区差异。降水和植被覆盖度自东南向西北递减,二者在空间分布上具有很好的一致性,降水量大的分区,植被覆盖度也高。在年际变化方面,丘陵沟壑区B2副区降水量呈增加趋势,其他分区呈减小趋势,变化均不显著。80年代以来,黄土高原和各生态分区的植被覆盖度均逐渐增加,黄土丘陵沟壑区的增加量最大。各分区的面平均气温均呈非显著增加趋势,90年代以来增温明显。(3)1970年以来,黄土高原侵蚀产沙强度减弱趋势显著,至2002—2015年,多年平均输沙模数在0.13—3924 t km~(-2) a~(-1)之间,侵蚀强度最大为中度侵蚀(2500—5000 t km~(-2) a~(-1)),但面积较小,主要分布于第二高塬沟壑区的泾河流域。     

黄土丘陵区小流域土地利用和植被恢复对土壤质量的影响

土壤质量的维护和提高是全球生物圈可持续发展的重要因素之一．对黄土丘陵小流域持续利用25年后的荒草地、山杏林地、农地、油松林地、灌木林地和撂荒地土壤性状的研究结果表明,不同土地利用方式和植被恢复类型对土壤质量有很大影响;植被恢复重建和农地撂荒将增加土壤有机质含量,提高土壤质量;粗放的农业耕作措施将降低土壤质量并引起土壤退化;灌丛有明显的肥力岛屿作用;撂荒在一定程度上可以培肥土壤。随着“西部大开发”、“退耕还林还草”和生态重建工程的开展,在半干旱黄土丘陵沟壑区,建植灌木、种植牧草、农地撂荒和自然恢复是较好的生态重建和植被恢复方式。     

陕北黄土高原土壤干层的分布和分异特征

以人工刺槐林为研究对象,经大量野外调查和数据分析,研究了陕北黄土高原土壤干层的分布状况和分异特征,结果表明,土壤干层在陕北黄土高原从南到北大范围内普遍分布,根据干化程度可分为4个类型区：1)以宜君为代表的高原沟壑区南部;2)以富县、黄陵为代表的高原沟壑区北部;3)范围较广的丘陵沟壑区,该区又可分为南、西、北3个小区,南区以延安、延长为代表;西区以吴旗、安塞为代表;北区以绥德、米脂为代表;4)以神木为代表的风沙区,受降雨量的影响,土壤干化程度具有明显的水平分异规律,即随着降雨量从南到北的减少,干化程度亦随之加重;受海拔高度、降雨入渗能力的影响,土壤干化程度在小范围的山地呈现明显的垂直分异规律,海拔愈高,干化程度愈严重;因土地类型的不同,土壤干化程度在局地空间上呈现明显的分异规律。     

农业区城市化对植物多样性的影响:遵化的研究

选择河北省遵化市(39°55'～40°22'N,117°34'～118°14'E),调查了城郊和乡村在东南西北4个方向上以及市区的植物多样性,同时考察了不同取样点土壤养分的差异结果表明,西部和北部接近,而东部和南部的土壤养分特殊,城郊与乡村明显差异;西部物种丰富度低于其它方向,而南部最高,这种差异由草本造成;城市与东南西北4个方向的生物多样性差异明显;城市植物多样性与城郊和乡村呈现梯度变化;本研究统计的物种总数只有126种,而与之同纬度的北京东灵山区却有高等植物997种.城市化的影响是引进了一些观赏物种,区域地形和土壤养分等自然特征的影响微弱.     

Modern pollen rain from the Biligirirangan-Melagiri hills of southern Eastern Ghats, India

A total of 39 soil surface samples collected between 11 degrees 30'N 76 degrees 45'E and 12 degrees 45'N 78 degrees 15'E from the mainly deciduous forests in the Biligirirangan-Melagiri hills of the southern Eastern Ghats were analysed for their pollen content. The samples are distributed among four different deciduous and evergreen vegetation types between 210 and 1700m altitudes and fall within three distinct rainfall regimes. The aims of this paper are to provide new data on the modern pollen rain from the Southern Eastern Ghats, a region characterized by a unique and complex climate and vegetation, and to interpret these data using multivariate statistics and the diagram of pollen percentages. We could distinguish first between the deciduous and the evergreen forests and then also between different types of deciduous forest. The distinction between the evergreen and deciduous forests was based on a humidity gradient and that among the deciduous forests on a physiognomic gradient identified through correspondence analysis. The above analysis also allowed us to identify a set of 14 pollen taxa markers and 11 associated pollen taxa that help differentiate the evergreen from deciduous forests. Similarly, a set of 12 pollen taxa markers and six associated pollen taxa was demarcated to help distinguish woodland formations from scrub and thicket formations, among the deciduous vegetation. We could also differentiate amongst the four distinct vegetation types sampled, on the basis of distinct associations of both tree and herb pollen taxa according to their relative abundance in the pollen diagram as well as on the proportion of total arboreal pollen. The ground cover of grasses and other herbaceous plants in the deciduous forests is effectively demonstrated by percentages of non-arboreal pollen varying between 40 and 70%. The 1000m altitude limit reflecting a gradient of humidity and the physiognomic gradient among deciduous forests seem to be important in this region.     

Acanthochlamydoideae—A new subfamily of Amaryllidaceae

Acanthochlamydoideae, a new subfamily of Amaryllidaceae, is proposed in the present paper, based upon the monotypic genus Acanthochlamys which was detected by the writer in 1979 and named Didymocolpus as a new genus but was preceded by P. C. Kao in 1980 under the former name. The genus is indeed of great morphological interest. It has semicylindric leaves with a deep furrow on the ventral and dorsal sides respectively. The lower part of the leaf is connate with, or adnate to, the lower midrib of a rather large and membranous vagina . Such a feature, as far as we know, is very rare in the monocotyledons. The flower resembles that of Amaryllidaceae in having inferior ovary, six stamens and corolla-like perianth with a rather long tube. But it is quite different in other characters, such as head-like cyme, leaf-like bracts and bisulcate leaves, which all are foreign to any taxon known in the Amaryllidaceae. On the other hand, it bears some resemblance particularly in habit and inflorescence to Campynemanthe of the Hypoxidaceae, and also to Borya and Bartlingia of the Liliaceae (in the tribe Johnsonieae), but differs in its long perianth-tube and curious leaf structure. It is highly probable that the resemblance between them is only superficial and not indicative of direct or close relationship. This is no doubt a very curious plant of which we still know incompletely, and for which an appropriate place in the monocotyledons has not yet been found. Considering its floral characters, however, it seems safe for the present to place it as a separate subfamily in the Amaryllidaceae and is juxtaposed with the Ixiolirioideae and Amaryllidoideae, the only two subfamilies of Amaryllidaceae according to H. Melchior (1964), and, of course, to either of them it is not directly related. Its true affinity remains problematic. The only species, Acanthochlamys bracteata, is found in Mar-er-kan (102°12'N, 31°47'E), Qian-ning (101°30'N, 30°33'E), Xiang-cheng (99°39'N, 28°54'E) and Dau cheng (100°10'N, 29°03'E) in western Sichuan of southwest China, in open bushland or grassland at an altitude between 2700—3500 meters. Its geographical distribution is mapped and its morphological details are illustrated to facilitate its identification.     

基于耦合协调度的黄土高原地区NDVI与降水关系的变异诊断

植被是地表生态系统的重要"指示器"，在能量交换、水循环、碳循环、生物地球化学循环和维持中发挥着重要作用，降水是影响植被变化的主要气候因子，研究两者之间的作用关系具有重要的意义和价值。利用Mann-Kendall趋势检验法和Hust指数分析了黄土高原地区归一化植被指数（NDVI）的变化趋势，使用相对发展率（RDR）指数和重心转移模型分析了NDVI变化的时空差异，并构建了基于耦合协调度理论和Pettitt检验方法的NDVI与降水关系的变异诊断方法，识别了黄土高原地区NDVI与降水关系的突变点，探讨了降水对NDVI变化的影响以及造成NDVI与降水关系变化的原因。结果表明：（1）黄土高原地区73.49%面积的NDVI在1998-2017年有呈现显著增加趋势（P<0.05），大部分地区NDVI在未来依旧呈现增加趋势；（2）黄土高原地区丘陵沟壑区与高原沟壑区的NDVI增加幅度大于黄土高原地区整体的增加幅度，而北部风沙区和农灌区以及黄土高原地区边界区域的NDVI增加滞后于区域整体变化；（3） NDVI与降水耦合协调程度逐年增强，两者关系在2006年发生显著突变（P<0.05）；（4） NDVI呈现显著增加区域降水明显高于不显著变化区域（P<0.05），降水对NDVI变化存在一定影响，在丘陵沟壑区、高原沟壑区北部和东部河谷及土石山区北部NDVI和降水存在显著正相关关系（P<0.05），然而黄土高原地区大部分区域的降水并不存在显著变化趋势（P>0.05），因此造成黄土高原地区NDVI与降水关系在2006年发生显著突变的主要原因应该是人类活动（P<0.05）。研究成果有助于进一步理解黄土高原植被变化与降水的相互作用，为黄土高原生态建设和水土流失治理提供一定的科学支撑。     

An Ecogeographical Regionalization for Biodiversity in China

Ecogeographical regionalization is the basis for spatial differentiation of biodiversity research. In view of the principle of international ecogeographical regionalization, this study has applied multivariate analysis and GIS method and based on some ecogeographical attributes limited to the distribution of plant and vegetation, including climatic factors, such as minimum temperature, mean temperature of the coldest month, mean temperature of the wannest month, annual average temperature, precipitation of the coldest month, precipitation of the wannest month, annual precipitation, CV of annual precipitation, biological factors such as vegetation types, vegetation division types, NPP, fiorisitic types, fauna types, abundance of plant species, genus and endemic genus; soil factors such as soil types, soil pH;topographical factors as longitude, latitude and altitude etc. The ecogeographical regionalization for biodiversity in China was made synthetically by using fuzzy cluster method. Four classes of division were used, viz., biodomain, subbiodomain, biome and bioregion. Five biodomains, seven subbiodomains and eighteen biomes were divided in China as follows: Ⅰ Boreal forest biodomain. Ⅰ A Eurasian boreal forest subbiodomain. Ⅰ A1 Southern Taiga mountain cold-temperate coniferous forest biome; Ⅰ A2 North Asian mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forest biome. Ⅱ Northern steppe and desert biodomain. Ⅱ B Eurasian steppe subbiodomain. Ⅱ BI Inner Asian temperate grass steppe biome; Ⅱ B2 Loess Plateau warm-temperate forest/shmb steppe biome. Ⅱ C Asia-Mrica desert subbiodomain. Ⅱ C1 Mid-Asian temperate desert biome; Ⅱ C2 Mongolian/Inner Asian temperate desert biome. Ⅲ East Asian biodomain. Ⅲ D East Asian deciduous broad-leaved forest subbiodomain. Ⅲ D1 East Asian deciduous broad-leaved forest biome, Ⅲ E East Asian evergreen broad-leaved forest subbiodomain. Ⅲ El East Asian mixed deciduous-evergreen broad-leaved forest biome; Ⅲ E2 East Asian evergreen broad-leaved forest biome; Ⅲ E3 East Asian monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest biome; Ⅲ FA Western East Asian mountain evergreen broadleaved forest biome. Ⅳ Palaeotropical subdomain. IV F India-Malaysian tropical forest subbiodomain.Ⅳ Fl Northern tropical rain forest/seasonal rain forest biome; Ⅳ F2 Tropical island coral reef vegetation biome. Ⅴ Asian plateau biodomain. Ⅴ G Tibet Plateau subbiodomain. Ⅴ G1 Tibet alpine highcold shrub meadow biome;Ⅴ G2 Tibet alpine high-cold steppe biome; Ⅴ G3 Tibet alpine high-cold desert biome; Ⅴ G4 Tibet alpine temperate steppe biome; Ⅴ G5 Tibet alpine temperate desert biome.     

江西齐云山自然保护区苔藓植物研究

通过野外考察和标本鉴定,江西齐云山自然保护区共有苔藓植物52科98属191种(包括2亚种和3变种),其中苔类植物22科27属46种1亚种,藓类植物30科71属140种1亚种3变种.报道江西新记录科3科:裸蒴苔科(Haplomitriaceae)、南溪苔科(Makinoaceae)和带叶苔科(Pallaviciniaceae);江西新记录属5属:裸蒴苔属(Haplomitrium)、南溪苔属(Makinoa)、带叶苔属(Pallavicinia)、黄角苔属(Phaeoceros)和细指苔属(Kurzia),以及24种苔类植物为江西新记录.     

台湾海峡水螅水母纲—新属二新种记述

记述台湾海峡生物综合调查区水螅水母纲1新属2新种,即花水母亚纲面具水母科台湾似内胞水母Paraeuphysilla taiwanensis Xu,Huang et Guo,gen.nov.et sp.nov.与软水母亚纲多管水母科平枝多管水母Zygocanna planatus Xu,Huang et Wang,sp.nov..此外,还报道了1种黑圆口水母Stomotoca atra L.Agassiz,1862在我国海域首次记录.模式标本保存在国家海洋局第三海洋研究所.     

皖琅琊山自然保护区大型真菌群落多样性

对安徽省琅琊山自然保护区大型真菌的群落多样性进行了研究。对该区内设置的样地Ⅰ(针阔混交林)、样地Ⅱ(常绿-落叶阔叶混交林)、样地Ⅲ(落叶阔叶林)、样地Ⅳ(琅琊榆-刺槐林)和样地Ⅴ(竹林)共5种具有代表性的植物群落内的大型真菌的种类和数量进行了调查。选用了物种丰富度(R)、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H′)、Pielou均匀度指数(E)和优势度曲线(K-dominance)等指标,对该区大型真菌的群落多样性进行了测定。结果表明,大型真菌的分布与植物群落类型有着密切关系。R的变化趋势为样地Ⅱ样地Ⅰ样地Ⅲ样地Ⅳ样地Ⅴ;H′的变化趋势是样地Ⅰ样地Ⅱ样地Ⅲ样地Ⅳ样地Ⅴ;E的变化趋势是样地Ⅰ样地Ⅲ样地Ⅱ样地Ⅳ样地Ⅴ。另外,季节变化对大型真菌的分布也有较大的影响。秋季大型真菌出现的种类及个体数量较高,R和H′高于春季,而E值却相反。选用的群落多样性指标能较客观地反映该地区大型真菌群落的组成,并揭示不同群落间的关系。     

中国倍唇螺属一新种记述(前鳃亚纲,中腹足目,倍唇螺科)

笔者在贵州省罗甸地区进行野外调查时获得陆生软体动物标本一批,经整理鉴定,得1新种,即罗甸倍唇螺Diplommatina luodiannensis sp.nov.。隶属前鳃亚纲、中腹足目、倍唇螺科、倍唇螺属。我国已记载倍唇螺属的种类有34种和亚种,主要分布于我国南部及长江流域一带地区。对新种形态特征、栖息环境进行了记述,并与近似种进行了比较和讨论。     

论荷叶铁线蕨的分布特点

荷叶铁线蕨是我国近年来在四川发现的又一特有珍稀植物。仅产于万县至西沱的长江河谷。为了弄清它的分布规律,为今后更好地保护和发展这一特有珍稀植物提供科学依据,我们于1985年对该植物进行了实地考察。本文就是在此基础上分析整理而成的。作者从分析荷叶铁线蕨产地的土壤、气候、植物种类等要素入手,初步阐明了荷叶铁线蕨的分布状况及其群落特点。     

陕北黄土高原丘陵沟壑区植被覆盖变化及其对气候的响应

利用1982～2007年GIMMS、SPOT VEGETATION两种NDVI数据集和气候资料对陕北黄土高原丘陵沟壑区植被覆盖变化趋势及其与气候的关系进行了分析,结果显示:(1)近26年来该区的植被覆盖总体上处于上升趋势,大致经历了3个阶段: 1982～1998年植被覆盖在波动中缓慢增加,1999～2001年植被覆盖处于一个相对的低谷,2003～2007年植被覆盖快速增加.(2)四季植被活动增强,以秋季NDVI增加最为显著;NDVI的年平均标准差在波动中逐年减小,高覆盖植被面积所占的比例在增加,植被覆盖状况趋于转好.(3)研究区内14个县(区)年平均NDVI线性倾向值都为正值,说明植被覆盖都在增加,但增加的显著性和幅度不同.(4)近26年来陕北黄土高原丘陵沟壑区年平均温度呈极显著(P<0.001)的上升趋势,年降水量具有减少的趋势;春季NDVI与温度之间存在着明显(P<0.10)正相关关系,夏季NDVI与温度之间存在着显著(P<0.05)负相关关系;夏季NDVI与降水量之间存在着极显著(P<0.01)正相关关系,同时夏季NDVI与春季降水量之间存在着显著(P<0.05)正相关关系,且夏季各月降水量对植被覆盖的影响具有滞后效应.研究表明,春季升温和退耕还林(草)生态建设工程是植被增加的主要原因,夏季水分状况是该区植被生长的制约因素.     

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.     

北方农牧交错带植被重建中适宜乔、灌、草种的生态区划

因遭受滥垦及过度放牧破坏的中国北方农牧交错带亟待进行植被的恢复和重建.本文从为该区域植被的恢复与重建提供植物物种上的支持出发,对适宜该区域生长与分布的乔、灌、草种进行了生态区划.生态区划的原则概括为4条:生态保育优先、有利生产发展、适地适树适草以及参考行政区划边界.在该原则指导下,依据限定农牧交错带植物生长和分布的主要生态因子:年最低日均温、年大于0℃积温、湿润度指数(年降水量与年大于0℃积温之比)、反映区域地表组成物质、地形及气候特征影响的土壤类型等,将农牧交错带划分为7个不同的生态区域,依次为:Ⅰ.松辽平原西部及大兴安岭山地区,Ⅱ.辽河上游风沙区,Ⅲ.蒙古高原中、东部及冀西北山地区,Ⅳ.吕梁山、太行山、燕山山地区,Ⅴ.鄂尔多斯高原风沙区,Ⅵ.陕北、陇东黄土高原区,Ⅶ.陇中及青海高原东部黄土区.在上述分区的基础上,对以往文献报道中出现的适宜该区域生长和分布的乔、灌、草,包括乡土种和人工栽培或引种的外来种,按其生态习性分别进行了细致的甄别选择,并在文中择其精要予以列出.     

Soil reconstruction after mining fails to restore soil function in an Australian arid woodland

The biogeochemical properties of soils drive ecosystem function and vegetation dynamics, and hence soil restoration after mining should aim to reinstate the soil properties and hydrological dynamics of remnant ecosystems. The aim of this study is to assess soil structure in two vegetation types in an arid ecosystem, and to understand how these soil properties compare to a reconstructed soil profile after mining. In an arid ecosystem in southeast Australia, soil samples were collected at five depths (to 105 cm) from remnant woodland and shrubland sites, and sites either disturbed or totally reconstructed after mining. We assessed soil physico‐chemical properties and microbial activity. Soils in the remnant arid ecosystem had coarse‐textured topsoils that overlay clay horizons, which allows water to infiltrate and avoid evaporation, but also slows drainage to deeper horizons. Conversely, reconstructed soils had high sand content at subsoil horizons and high bulk density and compaction at surface layers (0–20 cm). Reconstructed soils had topsoils with higher pH and electrical conductivity. The reconstructed soils did not show increased microbial activity with time since restoration. Overall, the reconstructed soil horizons were not organized in a way that allowed rainfall infiltration and water storage, as is imperative to arid‐zone ecosystem function. Future restoration efforts in arid ecosystems should focus on increasing sand content of soils near the surface, to reduce evaporative water loss and improve soil quality and plant health.