三江并流区水电站消落带适生草本植物根系固土能力

三江并流区生态脆弱敏感,水电站库周消落带土壤侵蚀严重,为研究消落带适生草本植物的根系固土效应,并为重建植被、控制土壤侵蚀提供依据,以生长期为18个月的风车草(Cyperus alternifolius L.)、美人蕉(Canna indica L.)、花叶芦竹(Arundo donax var. versicolor)和菖蒲(Acorus calamus L.)4种草本植物为研究对象,采用自制的原位剪切仪测定根土复合体和素土的抗剪强度;用根系拉力试验机测定根系的抗拉强度,用Wu和Waldron模型(WWM)对根系提高土体抗剪强度进行预测,并评价模型的可靠性。结果表明：①4种适生草本植物根系都能增强土体的抗剪强度,风车草、美人蕉、花叶芦竹和菖蒲根系使土体的抗剪强度分别提高了403.89%、248.32%、388.50%和200.71%;②4种草本植物根系的抗拉强度均与直径呈现负幂函数关系;③根系抗拉强度较大、破坏面上根面积比较高和根系直径(D)<1 mm细根较多的草本植物,固土效应更加显著;④4种草本植物根系对土体强度增量的WWM模型计算值是实测值的9.37-43.85倍,该模型对高含水率土壤中草本植物根系的预测精度较低。风车草、美人蕉、花叶芦竹和菖蒲的根系均有较强的固土能力,尤其是风车草和花叶芦竹,是三江并流区黄登水库消落带植被重建和固土抗蚀的优选物种。     

三峡库区消落带两种草本植被土壤细菌群落多样性

在三峡库区消落带植被重建区域,选取两种人工草本植被—牛鞭草与狗牙根(处理组),并以裸地土壤为对照,研究植被修复与重建对土壤细菌群落多样性的影响。采用分子生物学T-RFLP技术,分别于2012年7月(T1)、2013年7月(T2)及2014年7月(T3)进行原位取样,对消落带人工植被牛鞭草、狗牙根及裸地土壤细菌群落多样性进行了研究。结果表明:(1)除HhaⅠ酶切结果中,物种因素对消落带土壤细菌Shannon-Wiener指数(H)、时间因素对土壤细菌Simpson指数(D)无显著影响外,采用两种酶切之后(HhaⅠ酶、MspⅠ),物种、时间、以及两者的交互作用均对三峡库区消落带土壤细菌群落多样性指数产生显著影响;(2)HhaⅠ酶切后人工植被土壤丰度与裸地相比显著升高,此外,两种酶切结果均表明,人工植被土壤细菌群落多样性指数与裸地相比更加稳定。(3)植被类型、取样时间不同,土壤中的优势片段种类与丰度均不相同;(4)CCA分析结果表明三峡库区消落带土壤细菌群落多样性与化学性质关系密切。研究表明牛鞭草与狗牙根栽植后土壤细菌群落多样性指数的更加稳定,三峡库区进行植被恢复与重建值得肯定。     

河道生态护坡关键技术及其生态功能

在上海4个生态河道示范区,开展了以生态修复和河岸侵蚀控制为目标的河道生态护坡技术研究。在不同河段分别采用了土壤生物工程护坡、全系列生态护坡以及复合式生物稳定等三类生态护坡技术。护坡工程完成后,以浦东新区机场镇生态河道示范区为重点,对主要护坡工程进行持续3a（2004~2006年）的生态监测,从坡岸的结构稳定性和生态稳定性两方面对护坡工程进行生态功能研究。3a来,护坡植物生长良好,新生枝叶和根系的护坡作用明显,土壤抗剪强度明显增加,河岸土壤侵蚀得到有效控制,坡岸的结构稳定性增强;同时河岸生境得到改善,本地植物快速恢复,生物多样性增加,河岸植物群落结构由单一结构向复杂结构转变,生态稳定性逐渐增强。     

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

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

不同基质中4种电网塔基地被植物种子发芽与幼苗生长研究

以宽叶雀稗(Paspalum wettsteinii)、百喜草(P. notatum)、狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)和猪屎豆(Crotalaria pallida) 4种植物种子为材料,研究其在沙土、园土、红壤、建筑废弃土、碎石块等基质中萌发和幼苗生长情况,筛选4种植物最适栽培基质,以期为电网基塔下及四周裸露地面复绿提供指导。结果表明,沙土适于宽叶雀稗、百喜草、狗牙根种子发芽;猪屎豆在5种基质中均不发芽。宽叶雀稗适于红壤生长;百喜草、狗牙根适于园土生长;宽叶雀稗为沙土、建筑废弃土和碎石块上最适合栽种的植物。通过灰色关联度分析,3种植物苗期生长的综合排序为δ宽叶雀稗(0.553) > δ狗牙根(0.522) > δ百喜草(0.436),故在5种基质中,宽叶雀稗幼苗生长综合表现最佳。     

生态袋护坡技术在三峡水库消落带植被恢复中应用的可行性研究

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

三峡库区消落带4种适生植物根际与非根际土壤养分与酶活性特征研究

三峡库区消落带植被修复过程中,物种的更替对库区土壤的地球化学循环产生潜在影响。以三峡库区忠县石宝寨汝溪河消落带植被修复示范基地165-170 m海拔段人工种植狗牙根、牛鞭草、落羽杉以及立柳根际与非根际土为试验对象,探究其根际与非根际土壤的养分含量及酶活性差异,以阐明不同物种的生长适应性及其根际养分利用策略,比较不同物种对库区土壤的营养改良作用。结果表明：（1）三峡库区消落带4种适生植物根系活动导致根际与非根际土壤养分因子以及土壤酶活性产生差异,不同物种的栽植均在一定程度上使库区土壤营养条件得以改善;（2）碳、氮两种元素在4种适生植物根际土壤中发生不同程度的富集,但磷素与钾素在不同物种根际与非根际土壤之间的变化不一致;（3）蔗糖酶、脲酶以及酸性磷酸酶在4种适生植物根际土中均表现出一定程度的根际正效应（R/S>1）,且狗牙根对3种土壤酶的根际活化效果最为明显,其根际效应分别高达2.39、1.89和2.7;（4）在植物根系的调控下,根际土中有机质与氮素、磷素以及钾素的相关性更为显著,而非根际土壤中,仅钾素与有效氮、有效磷呈显著负相关,其余各土壤养分因子之间均无显著相关性;（5）与落羽杉和立柳两木本植物相比,狗牙根与牛鞭草两草本植物根际具有更为合理的养分调节模式,对库区土壤的改良效果更好。     

三峡消落带不同坡度狗牙根及实生土壤生态化学计量特征

三峡库区消落带反季节水位波动驱使下植物的养分适应策略和内稳态特征研究对消落带植被恢复及生态功能调控有重要意义。然而,三峡消落带范围广、地形复杂,不同生境下植物适应特征仍存在不确定性。本研究以三峡消落带广泛分布的优势植物狗牙根为研究对象,选取28个地形差异较大的样地进行采样分析,重点探讨不同坡度（0-5°、5-10°、10-15°、15-20°、>20°）狗牙根及其实生土壤生态化学计量特征的变异关系,揭示坡度对狗牙根养分适应及内稳态的影响机制。结果表明：（1）坡度对狗牙根实生土壤的养分及化学计量特征具有显著影响,土壤有机碳（SOC）、全氮（STN）、速效氮（SAN）、全磷（STP）、速效磷（SAP）含量均随坡度增加而降低,<10°的缓坡消落带土壤养分显著高于10°以上的样地;土壤碳氮比（C ∶ N）、碳磷比（C ∶ P）均随坡度增加而降低,而氮磷比（N ∶ P）比相对稳定,表明坡度增大,土壤营养物的流失具有同步性,且流失速度较有机碳慢;（2）随坡度增加,狗牙根各营养器官C含量呈增加趋势,而氮（N）、磷（P）则呈降低趋势,且坡度变化改变了狗牙根各营养器官间的养分分配;植物根、茎C ∶ N、C ∶ P随坡度增加而增加,N ∶ P随坡度增加而降低,而叶片均没有明显变化,表明在坡度改变了土壤养分供应水平的情况下,狗牙根优先稳定其叶片化学计量比以提高适应能力;（3）坡度与土壤中SOC、STN、SAN含量呈现显著负相关,而土壤STN与狗牙根植物养分及化学计量特征均有显著相关关系,由此可见,坡度变化导致土壤氮素流失增加是影响狗牙根生态化学计量特征分异的主要机制;（4）狗牙根与实生土壤的碳氮磷元素内稳性整体表现为C>P>N,化学计量比内稳性表现为C ∶ P>C ∶ N>N ∶ P,随着坡度增加,狗牙根N、P的内稳性呈增强趋势,而C ∶ N、N ∶ P呈显著降低,表明坡度变化导致狗牙根形成了不同的适生策略。研究表明,在三峡库区复杂的地形条件下,狗牙根能有效维持体内化学计量平衡以响应不同的坡度条件,并且内稳性较好,是三峡库区消落带植被恢复与保护的优势植物物种。     

三峡库区消落带水淹结束后狗牙根的光合生理生态特性

淹水后植物在陆生环境合成和储存碳水化合物的能力及对水淹的耐受机理,是消落带植被恢复和重建中植物材料选择的重要理论依据。狗牙根为三峡库区消落带适生植物之一。本文按照海拔,将消落带分为深水淹没、浅水淹没和未淹3个区段,并分期测定各区段狗牙根的光合特性,研究三峡库区消落带水淹结束后狗牙根的光合生理生态特性。结果表明:(1)生长在深水(22~27 m)和浅水(2~7 m)淹没区段狗牙根的净光合速率显著高于未淹区段,且浅水淹没区段深水淹没区段未淹对照区段。(2)随着狗牙根在陆生环境中生活时间的延长,净光合速率、表观光能利用效率、表观CO2利用效率等增加,表明狗牙根在淹水后碳水化合物的合成能力增强。(3)深水淹没区段和浅水淹没区段狗牙根的最大光合速率、表观量子利用效率均高于未淹区段,而光补偿点显著降低,反映出在淹水后狗牙根对弱光的利用能力得以提高。(4)狗牙根的净光合速率受气孔因素和非气孔因素共同影响,淹水对狗牙根光合潜力的发挥具有一定的激发作用。淹水和干旱胁迫后积极的自我调节能力和光合补偿机制,可能是狗牙根适生于三峡库区消落带水陆变化生境的重要原因。     

不同植物群落下酸化尾矿养分状况及土壤酶活性

调查不同植被群落下铜尾矿的养分状况及土壤酶活性的变化动态,通过常规方法测定了尾矿的pH和电导率,以及有机质,总氮,有效磷,速效钾的含量。用底物反应法测定了过氧化氢酶,芳基硫酯酶,脲酶,酸性磷酸化酶和脱氢酶的活性。结果表明,与酸化的裸露尾矿相比,定居其上的芦苇(Phragmites australis)、狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)和双穗雀稗(Paspalum distichum)均能显著增加尾矿基质pH值(从3.6上升到5.4),降低电导率,减缓尾矿酸化过程。芦苇和狗牙根能够显著提高尾矿基质中N、K和有机质含量(P<0.05),增加尾矿中的养分。3种植物群落下有效磷较裸露尾矿没有显著增加。植物的定居显著提高了尾矿中过氧化氢酶、芳基硫脂酶和脲酶的活性(P<0.05);但酸性磷酸化酶和脱氢酶活性没有显著提高。研究表明,植物对尾矿有明显的改良作用,而且芦苇和狗牙根优于双穗雀稗。在各种植被条件的尾矿中除酸性磷酸化酶以外的其它实验土壤酶活性均与尾矿中有机质和总氮呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。     

崇明岛河道治理中的生态护坡技术

生态护坡技术对于减弱河道生态系统中的河岸侵蚀及其水质保护至关重要。本研究以上海崇明岛瀛东村生态河道示范工程为例,探讨了以生态修复和稳定坡岸为目标的生态护坡技术在河道坡岸修复中的应用及其生态效应;将自主发明的生态护坡技术应用到工程实例,并进行了连续的生态监测。结果表明,护坡工程竣工后第2年采样点河道中段(A2)与村口桥(A4)的坡岸抗剪强度均值分别为62.0和63.5kPa,远大于原始护坡A1处37kPa的抗剪强度,土壤抗剪强度有明显增加,坡岸结构稳定性增强。河水水质经过护坡植物的净化得到较好改善;沿水流方向,总氮(TN)从2.95降到1.08mg·L-1,减少了63.4%;铵态氮(NH4+-N)从2.64降到1.02mg·L-1,减少了61.4%。同时,河岸生境得到改善,生物多样性增加,生态稳定性增强。     

Drought-induced changes in soil contact and hydraulic conductivity for roots of Opuntia ficus-indica with and without rhizosheaths

Water movement between roots and soil can be limited by incomplete root–soil contact, such as that caused by air gaps due to root shrinkage, and can also be influenced by rhizosheaths, composed of soil particles bound together by root exudates and root hairs. The possible occurrence of air gaps between the roots and the soil and their consequences for the hydraulic conductivity of the root–soil pathway were therefore investigated for the cactus t Opuntia ficus-indica, which has two distinct root regions: a younger, distal region where rhizosheaths occur, and an older, proximal region where roots are bare. Resin-embedded sections of roots in soil were examined microscopically to determine root–soil contact for container-grown plants kept moist for 21 days, kept moist and vibrated to eliminate air gaps, droughted for 21 days, or droughted and vibrated. During drought, roots shrank radially by 30% and root–soil contact in the bare root region of nonvibrated containers was reduced from 81% to 31%. For the sheathed region, the hydraulic conductivity of the rhizosheath was the least limiting factor and the root hydraulic conductivity was the most limiting; for the bare root region, the hydraulic conductivity of the soil was the least limiting factor and the hydraulic conductivity of the root–soil air gap was the most limiting. The rhizosheath, by virtually eliminating root–soil air gaps, facilitated water uptake in moist soil. In the bare root region, the extremely low hydraulic conductivity of the root–soil air gap during drought helped limit water loss from roots to a drier soil.     

Ants and the enigmatic Namibian fairy circles – cause and effect?

1. Parts of the Namibian landscape show extensive surface perturbation in the form of long‐lived, yet dynamic ‘fairy circles'. While exerting profound ecological effects on 7.3% of the land surface, the origin and nature of these large bare discs embedded in an arid grassland matrix remains unresolved. 2. We found no evidence to support the current hypothesis of a termite origin for fairy circles but instead observed a strong spatial association between fairy circles and large nests of the ant Black pugnacious ant Anoplolepis steingroeveri Forel, with much higher ant abundances on the circles compared with the matrix. 3. Aggression trials showed that different colonies of A. steingroeveri were located on different circles, and that the species was polydomous. 4. Fairy circles and Pogonomyrmex ant nests both have a bare disc surrounding the nest, are overdispersed (evenly spaced), and are associated with elevated soil moisture. Fairy circle soils exhibited a five‐fold increase in soil moisture when compared with the matrix. 5. Senescent Stipagrostis obtusa (Delile) Nees seedlings were only observed on the circles and not in the matrix, and were found to have a reduction in both root length and number of roots. 6. Anoplolepis steingroeveri excavated the root system of both S. obtusa seedlings on the disc and Stipagrostis ciliata (Desf.) de Winter grasses on the perimeter of the circles, where they tended honeydew‐secreting Meenoplidae bugs that fed on grass roots and culms. The bugs occurred almost exclusively on grasses associated with the circles. This ant–bug interaction is a possible mechanism for the observed reduction in root length and number of senescent grass seedlings on the circles.     

Hydraulic properties of sphagnum peat moss and tuff (scoria) and their potential effects on water availability

The importance of macrostructure to root growth of ryegrass (L. perenne) seedlings sown on the soil surface was studied in two soils in which the macrostructure had resulted mainly from root growth and macro-faunal activity. Sets of paired soil cores were used, one of each pair undisturbed and the other ground and repacked to the field bulk density. Undisturbed and repacked soils were first compared at equal water potentials in the range −1.9 to −300 kPa. At equal water potential, the undisturbed soil always had the greater strength (penetration resistance), and root growth was always greater in the repacked soil with no macrostructure than it was in the soil with macrostructure intact. At equal high strength (low water potentials) it appeared that root growth was better when soils were structured. When strength was low (high water potentials), root growth was better in the unstructured soil. Soils were then compared during drying cycles over 21 days. The average rate at which roots grew to a depth of 60 mm, and also the final percentage of plants with a root reaching 60 mm depth, was greatest in repacked soils without macrostructure. The species of vegetation growing in the soil before the experiment affected root growth in undisturbed soil; growth was slower where annual grasses and white clover had grown compared with soil which had supported a perennial grass. It appears that relatively few roots locate and grow in the macrostructure. Other roots grow in the matrix, if it is soft enough to be deformed by roots. Roots in the matrix of a structured soil grow more slowly than roots in structureless soil of equal bulk density and water potential. The development of macrostructure in an otherwise structureless soil, of the type studied, is of no advantage to most roots. However, once a macrostructure has developed, the few roots locating suitable macropores are able to grow at low water potential when soil strength is high. The importance of macrostructure to establishing seedlings in the field lies in rapid penetration of at least a few roots to a depth that escapes surface drying during seasonal drought. ei]{gnB E}{fnClothier}     

Living Vessel Elements in the Late Metaxylem of Sheathed Maize Roots

The two types of nodal roots of field-grown maize, sheathedand bare, were found to have such different water conductivitiesthat an investigation of the anatomy of their large metaxylemvessels was made. While the vessels of the bare roots were openfor scores of centimetres, those of the sheathed roots werefound to be not vessels but developing vessel elements, withcross walls at 1 mm intervals, and protoplasts. The cross wallsbetween the elements had several unique histochemical properties.Previous investigators have often failed to find the cross wallsbecause they are very easily dislodged during the usual methodsof tissue preparation. They are best identified by microdissectionof fresh xylem. The living elements persist in the late metaxylemup to 20 – 30 cm from the tip. As the roots become longerthan this both the cross walls and the soil sheaths disappearand there is a transition to a bare root with open vessels inthe proximal region. The soil sheath persists a little longerthan the cross walls. The two types are thus stages in a developmentalsequence through which all nodal roots pass. A fundamental differencebetween the two types is in their water status, since the estimatedconductive capacity of a bare root is about 100 times greaterthan that of a sheathed root. These observations point to theneed for a reassessment of the published work on transport ofions into the xylem of grass roots through a reinvestigationof the ‘maturity’ of their xylem vessels. Grass roots, dimorphic roots, ion secretion to xylem, soil sheaths, xylem vessels, xylem differentiation, water conduction, Zea mays L     

自然降雨下黄土丘陵区草灌植物垂直覆盖结构的减流减沙效应

黄土高原是我国水土流失和生态环境问题最为严重的地区之一,植被恢复是防治水土流失的重要措施。植物垂直覆盖结构包括地上冠层、地表枯落物和地下根系,各组分具有不同的水土保持作用,是研究植被与水土流失关系的基本单元。目前,关于植物垂直覆盖结构不同组分对土壤侵蚀影响的研究主要是基于人工模拟降雨,缺少自然降雨条件下不同植物的垂直覆盖结构对产流、产沙和入渗等多过程影响的系统研究。本研究以黄土丘陵区典型的草本(须芒草)、半灌木(铁杆蒿)和灌木(绣线菊)为研究对象,每种植物进行三种处理(自然状态、去除枯落物和仅留根系)以及裸地对照,观测2015—2016年降雨事件的产流产沙量和入渗量,分析植物不同垂直覆盖结构的减流减沙效益及其相对贡献。结果表明:三种植物均具有较好的减流(45.9%—73.2%)、减沙效益(87.5%—94.6%)和增加入渗作用(4.7%—10.8%),灌木的减流效果(73.2%)显著高于草本(45.9%)和半灌木(63.5%),但三种植物间的减沙效益没有显著性差异。冠层的减流作用最大,贡献率接近一半(48%—50%),草本枯落物的减流贡献率与根系基本一致,而半灌木和灌木枯落物的减流贡献...     

水蚀风蚀交错区不同土地利用方式的土壤水气传输特性

研究水蚀风蚀交错区土地利用方式转变对土壤水气传输的影响,可为黄土高原生态恢复过程中有限水土资源的高效利用提供参考.为了分析不同土地利用方式下的土壤水气传输特性,探究饱和导水率(K_s)、导气率(K_a)和相对气体扩散率(D_P/D₀)间的关系,对柠条地、撂荒地、苜蓿地、农地和裸地样地0~5 cm深度土层原状土,采用定水头法测定K_s,气室法测定D_P/D₀,土壤导气率测定仪测定田间持水量(FC)下的K_a.结果表明: 土壤0~5 cm容重(ρ_b)的大小顺序为苜蓿地>裸地>撂荒地>柠条地>农地,撂荒地、裸地和苜蓿地ρ_b与农地差异显著.土壤总孔隙度(Φ)的大小顺序为农地>柠条地>撂荒地>裸地>苜蓿地,相比农地,苜蓿地、裸地和撂荒地土壤Φ分别低7.5%、4.7%和3.1%.充气孔隙度(ε₁₀₀)的大小顺序为农地>撂荒地>柠条地>裸地>苜蓿地,苜蓿地、裸地、柠条地和撂荒地ε₁₀₀分别较农地低38.3%、33.6%、12.8%和10.1%.土壤K_s的大小顺序为撂荒地>柠条地>苜蓿地>裸地>农地,其中,撂荒地K_s显著高于其他4种土地利用方式;土壤K_a的大小顺序为撂荒地>苜蓿地>柠条地>裸地>农地,撂荒地与农地之间差异显著;土壤D_P/D₀的大小顺序为撂荒地>柠条地>苜蓿地>农地>裸地,其中,柠条地和撂荒地土壤D_P/D₀显著大于农地,分别较农地高36.8%和61.6%.土壤K_s和FC条件下的K_a、D_P/D₀之间呈显著相关.土地利用方式转变显著改变了土壤的通透性,耕地撂荒或者种植柠条及苜蓿改善了表层土壤导水和导气性能,农地和裸地土壤水气传输能力较差.     

Root System Development of Oak Seedlings Analysed using an Architectural Model. Effects of Competition with Grass

A dynamic 3D model of root system development was adapted to young sessile oak seedlings, in order to evaluate the effects of grass competition on seedling root system development. The model is based on a root typology and the implementation of a series of developmental processes (axial and radial growth, branching, reiteration, decay and abscission). Parameters describing the different processes are estimated for each root type. Young oak seedlings were grown for 4 years in bare soil or with grass competition and were periodically excavated for root system observation and measurements (topology of the root system, length and diameter of all roots with a diameter greater than 0.3 mm). In the fourth year, 40 cm×20 cm×20 cm soil monoliths were excavated for fine root measurement (root density and root length). Root spatial development was analysed on a sub-sample of roots selected on four seedlings. The model was a guideline that provided a complete and consistent set of parameters to represent root system development. It gave a comprehensive view of the root systems and made it possible to quantify the effects of competition on the different root growth processes. The same root typology was used to describe the seedlings in bare soil and in grass. Five root types were defined, from large tap roots to fine roots. Root system size was considerably reduced by grass competition. Branching density was not affected but the branch roots were always smaller for the seedlings grown in competition. Reiteration capacity was also reduced by competition. Cross sectional areas before and after branching were linearly related with a scaling coefficient close to 1, as predicted by the pipe model theory. This relationship was not affected by grass competition.     

Mechanisms of competition: thermal inhibition of tree seedling growth by grass

The relative importance of thermal interference and competition for below-ground resources in the inhibition of tree seedling growth by grass was determined under field conditions. Snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora) seedlings were grown in bare soil or soil covered with either live grass or straw. Covering soil with straw produced thermal conditions in soil and air that were indistinguishable from those associated with live grass. In contrast, seedlings grown in bare soil experienced more rapid increase in soil temperatures during late winter and spring, less frequent and less severe frosts, and temperature maxima that more closely followed those of the atmosphere than seedlings growing in live grass or straw. After 1 year, seedlings in bare soil had four times the biomass of those grown in grass or straw. Inhibition of seedling growth by grass was attributed to alteration of the thermal environment which caused (1) seedlings to have a short growing season largely restricted to summer, (2) temporal separation in competition for resources with consumption of below-ground resources by grass in spring reducing availability of resources to support tree seedling growth in early summer, and (3) seedlings to be more subject to stress from temperature extremes. These results show that thermal interference plays a major role in interactions between plants.