风沙区柠条沙堆土壤有机质及酶活性特征研究

为探索柠条(Caragana korshinskii)沙堆土壤有机质及土壤酶活性的空间异质性,选取不同大小的柠条沙堆,对其顶部、中部及底部的有机质含量、土壤酶活性变化情况进行分析研究。结果显示:(1)土壤pH值及含水量与柠条灌丛沙堆的大小没有明显的规律,在沙堆不同部位之间差异不显著;土壤有机质随沙堆的增大而减少,且10~20cm土层沙堆顶部的有机质含量显著高于中部和底部。(2)土壤脲酶与蔗糖酶活性随沙堆的增大而降低,磷酸酶与过氧化氢酶活性随沙堆的增大表现为先升高后降低,4种土壤酶活性基本上由沙堆的顶部向底部递减,随着土壤深度的增加,土壤酶活性显著降低。(3)沙堆的大小、土壤pH值及土壤含水量与蔗糖酶活性均存在显著负相关关系,与磷酸酶活性之间存在极显著负相关关系;土壤有机质含量与过氧化氢酶活性之间无明显相关性,与其他3种酶活性之间呈极显著正相关关系。研究表明,柠条能够改善沙堆上的土壤养分,提高土壤酶活性,对荒漠区退化土壤具有改善作用,但随着沙堆的发育这种作用逐渐降低。     

山西太岳山好地方典型植被类型土壤理化特征

以山西太岳山好地方林场4种植被类型(草甸、灌丛、华北落叶松人工林、华北落叶松-白桦混交林)0~60 cm土层土壤为研究对象,采取野外定点取样和实验室分析的方法,研究不同植被类型土壤理化性质特征。结果表明:土壤容重和p H值随土层深度的增加而增加;土壤含水量随土层深度增加而减小;不同植被类型间,土壤含水量大小排序为华北落叶松-白桦混交林草甸华北落叶松人工林灌丛;容重为灌丛华北落叶松-白桦混交林华北落叶松人工林草甸;p H值变化规律为华北落叶松-白桦混交林华北落叶松人工林灌丛草甸;土壤有机质、全氮含量随土层深度增加而减小,各土层之间差异显著;全磷和全钾含量各土层间差异不显著;不同植被类型间,草甸土壤有机质、全氮、全磷含量都高于其他3种植被类型,灌丛土壤全钾含量高于其他3种植被类型;土壤有机质与全氮呈极显著正相关;容重与含水量、有机质、全氮呈极显著负相关;p H值与有机质、全氮、全磷呈极显著负相关。     

新疆干旱区8种常见灌丛生物量碳和土壤有机碳特征

对广布于新疆南北疆各地的8种灌丛(白刺Nitraria tangutorum、高枝假木贼Anabasis elatior、白梭梭Haloxylon persicum、沙拐枣Calligonum mongolicum、狭叶锦鸡儿Caragana stenophylla、膜果麻黄Ephedra przewalskii、短叶假木贼Anabasis brevifolia和金露梅Potentilla fruticosa)生物量碳和土壤有机碳的分布特征进行了研究。结果表明:1)生物量碳密度金露梅狭叶锦鸡儿膜果麻黄白梭梭沙拐枣白刺短叶假木贼高枝假木贼。除金露梅灌丛地上生物量碳密度高于地下外,其余7种灌丛地下生物量碳密度均高于地上。2)土壤有机碳与生物量碳密切相关,除膜果麻黄、短叶假木贼和金露梅灌丛外,其余5种灌丛土壤有机碳密度最高值均出现在0~10 cm土层,且随土壤深度的增加而降低。3)新疆地区植物8种灌丛生物量碳储量和土壤有机碳储量分别在(0.41±0.05)×104~(33.46±0.60)×104Mg和(0.22±0.01)~(6.88±0.03)Tg。4)土壤有机碳与海拔呈显著正相关(P0.05),与土壤含水量、有机质、全N含量呈极显著正相关(P0.01),与容重呈显著负相关;地上生物量碳与海拔、土壤含水量呈显著正相关,与土壤有机质、全N含量、有机碳、地下生物量碳呈极显著正相关;地下生物量碳与土壤有机质、全N含量呈极显著正相关。     

沙漠绿洲过渡带柽柳灌丛沙堆-丘间地系统土壤养分空间异质性

以塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘策勒沙漠绿洲过渡带为研究区,选取植被盖度依次为30%、15%—20%、10%和5%的4个典型样地,对各样地的柽柳灌丛沙堆-丘间地系统典型部位0—10 cm和10—20 cm土壤进行系统采样,分析土壤枯落物、有机质、全效N、P、K和速效N、P、K含量,从风沙地貌的角度研究过渡带沙漠化进程中土壤养分分布特征。结果表明:(1)随着植被总盖度的降低,灌丛沙堆表层0—10 cm土壤的枯落物、有机质、全N、全K、速效K含量呈降低趋势,平均降幅为69.3%、37.0%、35.3%、8.3%和24.5%。全P含量没有明显的变化,速效N和速效P含量呈先减小后增大的趋势;(2)从灌丛下→沙堆边缘→丘间地→风影区,土壤枯落物、有机质、全N、全P、速效N、速效P、速效K含量表现出先减小后增大的趋势,最大值位于灌丛下部位,最小值位于丘间地,但在植被盖度5%的样地,沙堆-丘间地系统各部位之间养分含量无显著性差异;(3)与0—10 cm土层相比,10—20 cm土层的枯落物、有机质、全N、全P和速效P含量显著降低,平均降幅为40.0%、27.0%、25.0%、4.5%和2.0%,全K、速效N和速效K含量明显增加,平均增幅为4.8%、103.3%和12.1%。随着植被盖度的降低,10—20 cm土层的养分含量具有与0—10 cm土层相对一致的变化趋势;(4)灌丛的生物反馈作用使得灌丛下部位具有明显的养分富集效应,但随着植被总盖度的降低和风沙活动不断加剧,非生物因素逐渐占据主导,灌丛的养分富集效应趋于减弱和消失。     

内蒙古退化草原中与小叶锦鸡儿相关的小尺度土壤碳、氮资源异质性动态

小叶锦鸡儿在内蒙古典型草原中有着广泛分布,从而对小空间尺度土壤资源异质性产生强烈影响。退化草原中小叶锦鸡儿能够通过克隆生长形成灌丛斑块,不同大小斑块对应于其发育的不同阶段。因此,通过对与不同大小灌丛斑块相关的土壤有机碳（SOC）、全氮（STN）空间分布状况的分析,能够推断内蒙古退化草原中、与小叶锦鸡儿相关的小尺度SOC与STN异质性动态。结果表明：在内蒙古退化草原中,就0-5cm,5-10cm,10-20cm 3个土壤层次,小叶锦鸡儿均导致了与灌丛斑块相关小尺度上SOC与STN分布的空间异质性,且随着灌丛斑块的发育,这种异质性均不断增强,其中土壤表层0-5cm碳氮资源异质性的增强最为强烈,表现在灌丛斑块内部相对于外部（或边缘）对SOC与STN富集程度均显著增加。这表明内蒙古退化草原中,随着灌丛斑块自身的扩展,与小叶锦鸡儿相关小尺度上土壤碳氮资源空间异质性趋于增强。     

小叶锦鸡儿灌丛下土壤水分对降雨的响应

以科尔沁沙地主要固沙灌木小叶锦鸡儿为研究对象,在其生长季次降雨21.5 mm后180 h内,利用TDR和微渗仪测量小叶锦鸡儿灌丛下不同部位的土壤含水量和土壤蒸发,并计算该灌丛下不同部位储水量和水量平衡.结果表明:降雨结束后初期,灌丛枝干的茎流作用使其根部的土壤含水量明显高于其他部位;灌丛根部水分的入渗速率大于灌丛中部和灌丛外缘.因冠幅的庇荫作用,灌丛下蒸发量小于灌丛外裸露沙地.水量平衡表明:小叶锦鸡儿灌丛下降雨后前期蒸散量明显高于灌丛外裸露沙地,与灌丛下根系的分布有直接关系.     

内蒙古高原荒漠区四种锦鸡儿属植物灌丛沙包形态和固沙能力比较

测定了内蒙古高原荒漠区4种锦鸡儿属优势植物(柠条锦鸡儿、狭叶锦鸡儿、荒漠锦鸡儿和垫状锦鸡儿)不同大小灌丛的灌丛形态参数、沙包形态参数和沙包体积,目的是掌握这些锦鸡儿属植物灌丛的沙包形态特征、沙包发育特征和固沙能力随着灌丛发育的变化,比较4种锦鸡儿属植物灌丛沙包的形态、发育特征和固沙能力的差异。研究发现:柠条锦鸡儿沙包形态呈球冠状,狭叶锦鸡儿沙包呈圆锥状,荒漠锦鸡儿沙包呈圆台状,垫状锦鸡儿沙包呈半球状。同种锦鸡儿属灌丛沙包的底面直径与地上枝条鲜重呈极显著正相关关系(P<0.01),沙包高度与地上枝条鲜重无显著相关性(P>0.05),沙包高度与植物株高呈显著正相关关系(P<0.05),沙包坡角与地上枝条鲜重呈显著负相关关系(P<0.05),沙包半径与沙包高度呈显著正相关关系(P<0.05)。灌丛水平扩展快于垂向生长,灌丛沙包的水平发育也快于垂向发育。随着灌丛地上生物量的增加,4种锦鸡儿属植物不仅沙包体积增大,而且固沙效率也显著增加(P<0.01)。不同锦鸡儿属植物灌丛和沙包形态参数存在显著差异。柠条锦鸡儿和狭叶锦鸡儿的灌丛水平和垂直方向成比例扩展,而荒漠锦鸡儿和垫状锦鸡儿无论灌丛面积多大,高度基本不变。随着灌丛地上枝条鲜重的增加,4种锦鸡儿灌丛沙包底面积都在增大,其中荒漠锦鸡儿增长最快,垫状锦鸡儿次之,柠条锦鸡儿排位第三,狭叶锦鸡儿增长最慢。随着灌丛沙包水平方向的扩展,荒漠锦鸡儿沙包垂向扩展最慢,最终导致其沙包垂向尺度最小;柠条锦鸡儿、垫状锦鸡儿和狭叶锦鸡儿沙包两个方向发育较为均衡。4种锦鸡儿属植物的固定沙包体积和固沙效率都表现为:荒漠锦鸡儿>柠条锦鸡儿>狭叶锦鸡儿>垫状锦鸡儿。这些研究结果表明,灌丛地上生物量的不同决定了种内沙包的体积、形态和植物固沙能力的差异;灌丛形态和发育特征的不同决定了种间沙包形态、沙包发育和植物固沙能力的差异。     

芦芽山鬼箭锦鸡儿灌丛营养特征及土壤养分分布规律

研究了芦芽山自然保护区亚高山草甸带鬼箭锦鸡儿(Caragana jubata)灌丛营养成分季节性变化和土壤养分分布规律.结果表明,鬼箭锦鸡儿具有很高的营养价值,粗蛋白含量达20.27%,粗纤维含量33.83%,灰分5.12%,同时含有丰富的Ca、Fe、Mn等中微量元素,是亚高山草场家畜的优质饲料来源.鬼箭锦鸡儿营养成分呈明显的季节性变化规律:从5月开始,随着灌丛生长发育,体内粗蛋白、灰分和矿质元素含量呈上升趋势,7月(开花期)达到最高,然后逐步降低.为适应海拔高、气温低、土层薄的亚高山草甸带生境, 鬼箭锦鸡儿灌丛周围的土壤养分向灌丛中心聚集,灌丛中心的土壤电导率、有机质、全氮、速效磷和有效钾分别较灌丛边缘高18.8%、16.4%、18.7%、16.6%和8.4%,形成了明显的"肥岛效应".鬼箭锦鸡儿灌丛根际土壤有机质、全氮出现富集,有效磷、速效钾和速效铁、锰在根际周围出现明显亏缺,表明鬼箭锦鸡儿具有高效固氮和吸收利用土壤养分的能力.     

芦芽山鬼箭锦鸡儿灌丛营养特征及土壤养分分布规律

研究了芦芽山自然保护区亚高山草甸带鬼箭锦鸡儿（Caragana jubata）灌丛营养成分季节性变化和土壤养分分布规律．结果表明,鬼箭锦鸡儿具有很高的营养价值,粗蛋白含量达20．27％,粗纤维含量33．83％,灰分5．12％,同时含有丰富的Ca、Fe、Mn等中微量元素,是亚高山草场家畜的优质饲料来源．鬼箭锦鸡儿营养成分呈明显的季节性变化规律：从5月开始,随着灌丛生长发育,体内粗蛋白、灰分和矿质元素含量呈上升趋势,7月（开花期）达到最高,然后逐步降低．为适应海拔高、气温低、土层薄的亚高山草甸带生境,鬼箭锦鸡儿灌丛周围的土壤养分向灌丛中心聚集,灌丛中心的土壤电导率、有机质、全氮、速效磷和有效钾分别较灌丛边缘高18．8％、16．4％、18．7％、16．6％和8．4％,形成了明显的”肥岛效应”．鬼箭锦鸡儿灌丛根际土壤有机质、全氮出现富集,有效磷、速效钾和速效铁、锰在根际周围出现明显亏缺,表明鬼箭锦鸡儿具有高效固氮和吸收利用土壤养分的能力．     

内蒙古半干旱草原灌丛化过程中小叶锦鸡儿引起的土壤碳、氮资源空间异质性分布

过度放牧下内蒙古半干旱草原,由于小叶锦鸡儿多度增加导致植被灌丛化,这已经成为该地草原退化时的普遍现象。草原灌丛化过程中,灌丛内凋落物的累积使得养分循环区域化,草原土壤有机碳(SOC)、土壤全氮(STN)空间异质性增强,导致灌丛沃岛形成。半干旱草原灌丛化过程机制的假说认为:灌丛斑块扩展与其引起的土壤空间异质性的增强之间存在着正反馈作用,正是这种反馈作用促使草地向灌丛地的转变。小叶锦鸡儿通过克隆生长形成不同大小的斑块,它们对应于其发育的不同阶段。因此,将不同大小的灌丛沃岛划分为小灌丛组与大灌丛组,它们代表着灌丛沃岛发育的早期与晚期两个阶段。结果表明:内蒙古半干旱草原灌丛化过程中,小叶锦鸡儿灌丛斑块引起了土壤有机碳(SOC)与土壤全氮(STN)的空间异质性,表现在水平方向上,对于0～5cm,5～10cm,10～20cm3个土壤层次,由灌丛斑块内部向外部SOC与STN均趋于降低;而在垂直方向上,对于灌丛斑块内部、边缘和外部3个位置,由0～10cm到10～20cm再到20～30cm,随着土壤深度增加SOC与STN均趋于降低。随着小叶锦鸡儿灌丛斑块扩展,SOC与STN空间异质性的分布不断增强,表现在灌丛斑块内部相对于外部(或边缘)对SOC与STN富集程度均显著增加。草原灌丛化过程SOC与STN空间异质性变化在0～5cm,5～10cm,10～20cm3个土壤层次中,以表层0～5cm的表现最为强烈。表层0～5cm土壤空间异质性的形成与灌丛自身凋落物的生产以及对灌丛外凋落物的截留有关。由此推断:退化草原灌丛化的过程中,小叶锦鸡儿灌丛斑块引起SOC与STN空间异质性的变化是一个自我增强过程,灌丛斑块扩展与其导致的SOC与STN空间异质性增强之间存在着正反馈作用。因此,以上关于半干旱草原灌丛化机制的假说对我国内蒙古半干旱草原灌丛化也是适用的。     

Microenvironmental and vegetational heterogeneity induced by phytogenic nebkhas in an arid coastal ecosystem

The nebkhas of woody plants represent distinct habitats in arid and semiarid ecosystems. Nebkhas are mounds composed of wind-borne sediment within or around shrub canopies. We studied the effects of widely spaced nebkhas of Retama raetam shrub on their microenvironment and associated herbaceous vegetation in the Mediterranean coast of Sinai Peninsula. Our measurements included nebkha size (height and width) and shrub size (canopy height and diameter). We identified four distinct microsites at each nebkha: crest, mid-slope, edge, and internebkha space. We measured soil temperature and moisture, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and soil properties. The plant species grown at each microsite were identified and their densities were measured. Average soil temperature and PAR were highest at internebkha space and lowest at nebkha crest. The maximum diurnal temperature and PAR of internebkhas exceeded that of nebkhas. Soil moisture and nutrient concentrations showed a gradient of spatial heterogeneity and were highest at the nebkha edge. Regression analysis indicated that total herbaceous plant density was significantly related to nebkha size, and to shrub canopy diameter and area. Detrended correspondence analysis indicated that patterns of species composition were correlated with the spatial variability in soil moisture and nutrient content along the gradient of increasing distance from the nebkha crest. It is assumed that shrub canopy and its nebkha interact in governing ecosystem functioning in this environment.     

干旱荒漠白刺灌丛植被演替过程土壤种子库变化特征

土壤种子库是反映气候与土地利用变化的指示器,也是荒漠植被更新与恢复的基础。典型荒漠白刺灌丛植被广泛分布于我国西北绿洲边缘地带,对保护绿洲免受风沙危害发挥着重要作用。但是,对干旱荒漠白刺灌丛植被土壤种子库仍未见研究报道。应用空间代替时间的方法,选择石羊河下游白刺灌丛植被演替的初始阶段、稳定阶段、衰退阶段与严重衰退阶段样地,研究了白刺灌丛植被演替过程的土壤种子库物种组成、时空分布和数量变化特征。结果表明:石羊河下游白刺灌丛植被演替过程中,土壤种子库共出现9科18种植物,其中草本植物占到55%—80%,是白刺灌丛植被土壤种子库的主体。不同演替阶段土壤种子库密度以稳定阶段最高,达到660.7粒/m2,是初始阶段、衰退阶段和严重衰退阶段的5.6、14.5倍和6.2倍。不同沙堆部位,土壤种子库密度以迎风坡中部与背风坡中部最高,分别达到329粒/m2和309粒/m2;沙堆土壤种子库密度是堆间地的1.9倍,土壤种子库主要分布于灌丛沙堆上。不同演替阶段土壤种子库间的相似性系数均在0.6以下,除稳定阶段外,其他阶段间均属于中等相似水平;土壤种子库与地上植被的相似性系数均在0.5以上,达到中等相似或极相似水平。该研究进一步证明了灌丛沙堆和土壤种子库在白刺灌丛植被中的重要性,也说明人为干扰损害了白刺灌丛地下潜在植被及其恢复潜力。因此,需要开展人工种子库或人工植被建设以控制干旱荒漠白刺灌丛沙堆活化,并实现退化白刺灌丛植被恢复。     

Nebkhas of Salvadora persica and their effect on the growth and survival of Prosopis cineraria,Tamarix aphylla,and Capparis decidua trees and shrubs

Few studies were published on the effect of nebkhas (phytogenic mounds) on species diversity and soil resources, but no detailed study has been conducted yet on possible specific influence of nebkhas on growth and survival of the plants associated with them. We studied the nebkhas of Salvadora persica and their effect on growth and survival of three woody species (Prosopis cineraria, Tamarix aphylla, and Capparis decidua) in the Ommanian coast of Hormozgan Province in the south of Iran. The results showed that mean height and mean canopy diameter of P. cineraria and T. aphylla trees and shrubs inhabiting nebkhas of Salvadora persica were considerably higher than those of plants of these species growing outside nebkhas. The reverse occurred in the case of C. decidua. Generally, the percentages of stems with dead parts were significantly lower in plants inhabiting the nebkha sites in comparison to comparable ones growing outside the nebkhas. Salvadora persica nebkhas are enriched with more soil nutrients in comparison to inter-nebkha sites. Soil accumulated per each hectare in the nebkhas of the study area dominated by trees of Salvadora persica amounted to 237.6 m³. This indicates the great importance of nebkhas in the protection of soil and the associating species.     

柴达木盆地尕海湖区白刺灌丛沙堆剖面土壤养分的分布和富集特征

白刺沙堆作为柴达木沙漠地区一种特殊的生物地貌景观,在固定流沙、改良土壤和维持区域生态环境稳定等方面发挥着极为重要的作用。本研究以柴达木盆地尕海湖区的白刺沙堆为对象,选取了盖度分别约15%、25%、45%和60%的白刺沙堆分析其剖面及堆间地的土壤有机质(SOM)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、全钾(TK)、碱解氮(AN)、速效磷(AP)、速效钾(AK)含量,探究白刺灌丛沙堆土壤养分垂直分布规律和富集特征。结果表明: 研究区SOM、TN、TP、TK、AN、AP、AK含量在4个沙堆中变化范围分别为1.67～10.22 g·kg^-1、0.05～0.42 g·kg^-1、0.31～0.54 g·kg^-1、15.87～18.84 g·kg^-1、2.26～11.68 mg·kg^-1、0.80～15.00 mg·kg^-1、45～161 mg·kg^-1。垂直方向上,在盖度15%的白刺沙堆中,除TP无明显变化外,其余土壤养分指标均随土层深度的增加呈先减少后增加再减少趋势;在盖度25%、45%和60%的白刺沙堆中,SOM、TN、AN、TP、AP均表现为随土层深度的增加整体呈减少趋势,而TK、AK随土层变化不明显。在沙堆地平面以上,除TP未表现出富集效应外,SOM、TN、TK、AN、AP、AK均有富集,且基本在表层富集程度最大,其中AN富集率达5.19;在沙堆地平面以下,TN、TK、AN、AK、AP也均表现出富集效应。Pearson相关性分析和逐步回归分析表明,SOM、TN、AN、TP、AP、TK、AK均与土壤含水量呈显著正相关,与海拔呈极显著负相关;其中除TP外,其余养分指标均主要受海拔的影响。综上,白刺沙堆剖面土壤养分含量在表层最高,其富集效应不仅体现在沙堆内部,在沙堆地平面以下也有所体现。本研究结果可为柴达木盆地地区白刺沙堆科学利用和环境保护提供参考。     

Unraveling landscapes with phytogenic mounds (nebkhas): An exploration of spatial pattern

Phytogenic mounds (nebkhas) often are symptoms of desertification in arid regions. Interactions among nebkhas and between nebkhas and their environment are however poorly examined. To this end, three main hypotheses of nebkha pattern formation were evaluated in this study. These state that nebkha patterns are either shaped by: (i) biologically induced recruitment inhibiting zones, (ii) biologically induced recruitment encouraging zones, or (iii) by the spatial distribution of abiotic factors which are not biologically driven. Contrasting nebkha landscapes were examined: a highly dense New Mexican mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae and Gutierrezia microcephala) ecosystem, and a low-density mixed Tamarix aphylla and Calligonum comosum field in central Libya. Spatial second-order statistics of strategically chosen nebkha subpatterns were compared with those of null models in which observed patches were spatially randomized without overlap. Null model deviations were assessed with goodness-of-fit tests, and interpreted in terms of hypothesized mechanisms of nebkha pattern formation. Our results suggest that biologically induced recruitment inhibiting zones surround adult mesquite nebkhas. The configuration of Calligonum and Tamarix nebkhas may be driven by spatial dynamics of abiotic microsites which are not caused by nebkha interactions. Hence we conclude that both biotic and abiotic drivers can shape nebkha spatial patterns.     

The Importance of Phytogenic Mounds (Nebkhas) for Restoration of Arid Degraded Rangelands in Northern Sinai

Abstract Natural accumulation of wind‐borne sediments within or around the canopies of plants plays an important role in the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of many coastal and desert ecosystems. The formation of such phytogenic mounds (nebkhas) creates patches that can strongly influence the spatial distribution of plant and soil resources. In land restoration of arid and semiarid environments it is important to study the potential role of such biological patchiness that may provide sites for coexistence of species with different life and growth forms. Our main objective was to test whether the nebkhas of a leguminous shrub, Retama raetam (white broom), promote restoration of herbaceous vegetation and soil in the degraded rangelands of northern Sinai. Vegetation and microclimatic and edaphic characteristics within the nebkhas, as well as within internebkha spaces, were compared for ungrazed and grazed sites. Abundance and richness of herbaceous plants were positively related to nebkha area, which explained more of the variance of abundance and richness in the grazed site than in the ungrazed one. Protection from grazing, especially on nebkhas, was associated with an increase in abundance and richness of herbaceous plants, improved soil microclimate, and increased soil fine particles and nutrient concentrations. The results suggest that management (in casu protection from grazing) of nebkhas of woody perennial shrubs changes rangeland conditions and improves the resource regulatory processes. Furthermore, nebkhas of unpalatable plants have the potential to preserve plant diversity in overgrazed plant communities, because they are effective in capturing and retaining water, soil materials, and propagules within and from nearby areas, resources that would otherwise be lost.     

Role of host identity in effects of phytogenic mounds on plant assemblages and species richness on coastal arid dunes

Question: Phytogenic mounds (nebkhas) ‐ the natural accumulation of wind‐blown sediments within or around the canopies of plants ‐ have been proposed as important structures for locally maintaining high species richness in coastal and arid ecosystems. Nebkhas are assumed to increase habitat heterogeneity, but what is the importance of the nebkha host species relative to other nebkha characteristics in determining the associated plant assemblages? Are some host species more effective in creating diversity hotspots, or does a single species‐area relationship apply to all nebkhas, regardless of host species? Can the influence of the host be ascribed to its indirect effects on abiotic attributes of the nebkha complex? Methods and location: We investigated plant species richness and composition on nebkhas around six psammophytic species on Mediterranean coastal dunes of the Sinai Peninsula. Results: Plant species richness was significantly related to nebkha size by the single power function according to the general prediction of island biogeography theory, but this relationship was modified ‐ though to a limited degree ‐ by nebkha host species identity. Canonical Correspondence Analysis revealed that nebkha host species identity and nebkha environmental and non‐environmental factors significantly explained species composition on the nebkhas, but host species identity did so to a greater extent. The latter might reflect differences in seed trapping ability or free space for colonization between host species. Conclusion: Differences in community composition and richness among nebkhas formed by different host species represent a key factor in the maintenance of plant diversity on arid coastal dunes.     

The relationship between nebkha formation and development and desert environmental changes

Because of the absence of natural records with high resolution, the study of environmental changes in arid and semi-arid desert regions, an important component of the global system, lags behind studies in other regions. In this paper, we summarize the literature on the evolution, forms, and profile features of nebkhas (coppice dunes), and discuss the environmental implications of their formation and development. Based on this review, we argue that future research should focus on the quantitative conversion of environmental proxies revealed by nebkha evolution into the corresponding environmental factors: quantitative definition of the stages of nebkha evolution, enhancing the precision of age-dating, strengthening of cross-disciplinary research, and the comparison of nebkha results with other natural records to provide stronger, more reliable conclusions.     

Effect of Caragana tibetica nebkhas on sand entrapment and fertile islands in steppe�Cdesert ecotones on the Inner Mongolia Plateau, China

Phytogenic mounds (nebkhas) formed by shrubs are a common phenomenon in arid and semi-arid areas and play important roles in preventing soil erosion and nutrient loss. One feature of nebkhas is the development of fertile islands. We investigated whether fertile islands were present inside and underneath Caragana tibetica-formed nebkhas in the northwest portion of the Ordos on the Inner Mongolia Plateau, China, and if such a fertile island effect increased with the age of the nebkhas. We also analyzed the spatial heterogeneity of the soil properties and quantified the amount of sand trapped by C. tibetica. The morphometric characteristics of C. tibetica nebkhas were investigated in a 4.5 ha area. Soil samples were collected inside, underneath and outside of the nebkhas and the soil organic matter (SOM), total phosphorus (TP), soil moisture (SM) and soil texture were determined. The SOM, TP and SM inside and underneath nebkhas at later stages of growth were higher than those at smaller, younger growth stages, which in turn were higher than those outside the nebkhhas. Inside the nebkhas at the establishment and early growth stages, SOM and TP first increased and then decreased with increasing soil depth, but SM steadily increased. The amount of sand trapped by C. tibetica per unit area was 0.0313 m³m^?2. Nebkhas of C. tibetica primarily accumulated fine sand, which accounted for 74% of the soil, and is significantly higher than that outside the nebkhas. Caragana tibetica significantly increased sand entrapment, and fertile islands are formed inside and underneath C. tibetica nebkhas.