河西走廊天然固沙植被区地表甲虫多样性及其对沙漠化的指示作用

干旱、半干旱区沙漠化强烈影响动植物分布及多样性,地表甲虫是荒漠中主要的动物类群,它们对沙漠化引起的植被和土壤环境变化响应十分敏感。鉴于此,以河西走廊中部张掖绿洲外围的天然固沙植被区作为研究区,依据沙漠化发育程度选择流动沙丘（ASD）、丘间低地（IL）、半固定（SFSD）和固定沙丘（FSD）4种生境,调查了地表甲虫群落组成及影响甲虫分布的植被和土壤环境。研究发现,4种生境地表甲虫群落组成明显不同并存在季节变异,5月ASD与IL、SFSD和FSD生境地表甲虫群落的相异性大于8月。5月和8月SFSD生境地表甲虫活动密度均显著高于其他生境,8月FSD生境地表甲虫多样性指数显著高于其他生境。不同大小甲虫对沙漠化的响应模式不同,大中型甲虫对沙漠化的响应较小型甲虫敏感,这在5月表现尤为明显。地表甲虫与环境因子的RDA分析结果表明,12个植被和土壤环境因子解释了49.8%的地表甲虫群落变异,其中植被环境解释了甲虫群落变异的16.3%,土壤环境解释了甲虫群落变异的4.2%,植被和土壤环境相互作用解释了甲虫群落变异的29.3%。pRDA分析结果表明,草本物种丰富度、灌木盖度、土壤有机碳含量和粗砂含量是影响地表甲虫分布的主要环境因子,它们解释了43.7%的地表甲虫群落变异。Pearson相关分析表明,草本物种丰富度与地表甲虫活动密度呈显著正相关,而与地表甲虫均匀度呈显著负相关;灌木盖度与地表甲虫多样性呈显著正相关;地表甲虫物种丰富度与灌木盖度和草本物种丰富度均呈显著正相关。此外,研究还发现戈壁琵甲、克氏扁漠甲、中华砚甲和甘肃齿足象可以用于指示FSD生境,东鳖甲属昆虫可以用于指数SFSD生境,谢氏宽漠王可以用于指示IL及ASD生境。     

海南霸王岭陆均松空间分布格局及其与微生境异质性的关系

应用地统计学及限制性排序分析方法,对海南霸王岭陆均松(Dacrydium pectinatum)幼苗、幼树、成树及其微生境因子的空间分布特征进行分析。结果表明:1)陆均松不同生活史阶段空间分布格局存在明显差异,幼苗阶段表现为聚集性分布,具有显著的空间自相关结构,聚集强度随年龄增长呈逐渐减弱趋势;2)RDA分析表明,陆均松空间分布格局与微生境因子的关系在不同生活史阶段存在差异,生境过滤的影响会随着生活史阶段的不同而有所差别;3)微生境变量对陆均松幼苗、幼树、成树空间变异的总解释量分别为78.4%、41.2%、33.6%,微生境因素对陆均松分布的限制作用主要集中在幼苗阶段;4)在大尺度条件下,PCNM变量与微生境变量具有较大的共同解释量(22.2%),存在典型的"诱导空间变差"现象,微生境变量空间变化引起响应变量即陆均松幼苗、幼树、成树的分布产生类似的空间结构。研究结果证实了微生境因子与不同生活史阶段陆均松分布的关联性,为深入理解陆均松种群维持机制、空间分布格局、更新动态与生境的关系提供科学依据。     

荒漠植物红砂叶绿素和脯氨酸累积与环境因子的相关分析

通过测定中国境内荒漠植物红砂(Reaumuria soongorica)主要分布区内21个自然种群407株叶片的叶绿素和脯氨酸含量,以及不同种群内土壤含水量、可溶性盐分含量、有机质、全氮、全磷含量等土壤理化性状指标,分析了不同自然种群红砂叶绿素和脯氨酸含量的变异特征以及影响其变化的主要环境因子.研究结果表明:红砂种群间叶绿素含量差异显著.土壤因子对叶绿素合成的影响较气象因子大,而土壤含水量和土壤全磷含量是导致不同红砂种群叶绿素含量出现明显差异的主要原因.红砂脯氨酸含量平均值显著高于盐爪爪、骆驼刺、芨芨草等其它荒漠物种,并且与叶片含水量和土壤含水量呈显著负相关,与土壤可溶性盐分含量呈显著正相关.红砂体内脯氨酸的累积是对干旱盐渍环境的适应性反应,与抗旱性和抗盐性之间存在着一定的关系.     

天然和人工固沙灌木林蜘蛛和甲虫分布与环境因子的关系

干旱区人工植被恢复驱动的土地利用变化强烈影响了地表和土栖的节肢动物群落结构及多样性。然而,我们对地表节肢动物群落关键类群-蜘蛛和甲虫对固沙植被恢复的响应及与环境变化关系的认识还很有限。以天然固沙灌木林和2种人工固沙灌木林为研究对象,运用方差分析和多变量分析等方法定量研究了干旱区天然和人工固沙植被区地表蜘蛛和甲虫分布特征及影响要素。结果表明,天然灌木林与人工梭梭、柽柳林地表蜘蛛和甲虫群落组成明显不同,人工梭梭、柽柳林地表蜘蛛活动密度和甲虫多样性均显著高于天然灌木林,而地表甲虫密度和蜘蛛多样性变化与之相反。两种人工固沙灌木林之间蜘蛛和甲虫群落组成也存在一定差异,人工柽柳林地表蜘蛛活动密度、多样性和甲虫物种丰富度均显著高于人工梭梭林。进一步分析发现,蜘蛛群落中狼蛛科、平腹蛛科、皿蛛亚科和球蛛科与甲虫群落中拟步甲科、步甲科和象甲科等一些甲虫种属对3种生境的选择模式不同决定了蜘蛛和甲虫群落聚集结构。植被、土壤环境因子与蜘蛛和甲虫pRDA和pCCA结果表明,草本生物量、凋落物量、土壤含砂量、电导率和灌木盖度是影响蜘蛛分布的主要环境因子,它们解释了82.1%的蜘蛛群落变异;灌木盖度、草本生物量、土壤pH和砂含量是影响甲虫群落分布的主要环境因子,它们解释了60.6%的甲虫群落变异。总之,人工固沙灌木恢复影响了植被和土壤环境,它们相互作用改变了荒漠-绿洲过渡区蜘蛛和甲虫等地表节肢动物的分布格局。     

荒漠草原区柠条灌丛对地面节肢动物群落小尺度空间分布的影响

在宁夏盐池沙地以围栏封育柠条灌丛林为研究对象, 在距离灌丛0(即灌丛下, S)、1.5(D1)、7.5(D2)、15 m(D3)处分别设置调查样点, 采用陷阱诱捕法调查了地面节肢动物群落小尺度空间分布规律。结果表明, 共捕获地面节肢动物11 目4 科71 个类群。在远离灌丛的小尺度空间上, 优势类群和常见类群多度呈现相反变化趋势, 分别在距离柠条灌丛7.5 m 处达到最低(58%)和最高值(34%), 而稀有类群多度低于10%, 且呈逐渐降低趋势。优势类群数和常见类群的丰富度均少于7 个类群, 而稀有类群数均超过25 个类群, 且波动变化较大, 在D1 和D2 处分别达到最高 (44)和最低值(25)。地面节肢动物总个体数表现为灌丛下与灌丛外样点间无显著差异性(p>0.05), 但远离灌丛的D3 显著高于靠近灌丛的D1 和D2(p<0.05); 总类群数表现为S、D1、D3 间均无显著差异性(p>0.05), 但均显著高于D2 (p<0.05)。冗余分析(RDA)表明土壤粗砂和细砂含量是影响地面节肢动物空间分布的土壤因子, 其中土壤细砂含量是主导因素。研究表明, 柠条灌丛本身对地面节肢动物空间分布的影响范围小于7.5 m, 随着空间距离的增加灌丛对地面节肢动物空间分布的作用逐渐弱化, 而在围封条件下远离灌丛(15 m)处封育草地地面节肢动物群落与灌丛下相似。     

集约种植雷竹林土壤细菌群落结构的演变及其影响因素

应用PCR-DGGE技术研究了雷竹林种植过程中土壤细菌群落结构的变化,并运用冗余分析（RDA）手段提取雷竹林土壤细菌群落多样性的干扰控制因子.结果表明：水稻田改种雷竹后,土壤细菌群落的Shannon指数及丰富度指数均显著增加;长期的集约种植过程对雷竹林土壤细菌群落结构产生了影响,主要细菌种群发生了变化,多样性指数表现为先增加、后期大幅降低的趋势.RDA分析表明,土壤pH、总氮、碱解氮以及速效钾这4个变量能够解释高达76.1%的样本总变异,其中土壤pH对细菌群落结构影响最大,但未达到显著水平,表明长期集约种植的雷竹林土壤细菌群落结构的变化是多种环境因子共同作用的结果.     

沙化草地恢复过程中土壤有机碳物理组分和全氮含量的变化

以宁夏中北部盐池县不同恢复阶段的沙化草地(流动沙地、半固定沙地、固定沙地和荒漠草地)土壤为研究对象,分析土壤粗砂粒有机碳、细砂粒有机碳、粘粉粒有机碳、重组有机碳、轻组有机碳和土壤全氮的变异特征,探讨沙化草地恢复过程中土壤有机碳变化机制。结果显示:(1)荒漠草地、固定沙地、半固定沙地0~30cm土层土壤,粗砂粒有机碳、细砂粒有机碳和粘粉粒有机碳含量分别比流动沙地增加了67.7%、69.8%、212.1%和48.8%、35.3%、99.9%以及33.6%、23.0%、48.9%。(2)随着沙化草地不同程度的恢复,轻组有机碳含量、分配比例和重组有机碳含量均表现为流动沙地半固定沙地固定沙地荒漠草地;重组有机碳分配比例随沙化草地恢复程度的升高呈降低趋势。(3)土壤细砂粒、粘粉粒、重组有机碳、轻组有机碳、粗砂粒有机碳、细砂粒有机碳、粘粉粒有机碳含量与土壤有机碳、土壤全氮含量均呈显著正相关关系,与粗砂粒含量均呈显著负相关关系。研究表明,轻组有机碳和粘粉粒有机碳含量对土壤有机碳的影响最大,轻组有机碳、重组有机碳、粗砂粒有机碳和粘粉粒有机碳对土壤全氮的影响最大,表明沙化草地的恢复有利于减小土壤侵蚀,改善土壤结构与质量。     

干旱区不同年龄灌丛斑块地面节肢动物的聚集效

以荒漠草原区6、15、24、36年生柠条灌丛为研究对象,调查了不同林龄灌丛内外土壤性质和地面节肢动物群落特征,分析了干旱区灌丛斑块生境中地面节肢动物群落随灌木林发育的变化特征.结果表明： 1)6年生林地只对土壤物理性质(土壤质地、含水量、pH和电导率)产生显著影响,从15年开始林地土壤有机质和养分(N、P)显著增加.2)在研究样地共捕获27个节肢动物类群,步甲科、拟步甲科和蚁科是优势类群.从6到15年生林地,地面节肢动物优势类群数减少,常见类群数增加.从15年生经24年生到36年生林地,灌丛内外类群组成差异先缩小后变大.36年生林地某些特殊的动物类群开始大量出现,如蜣螂在36年生林地灌丛中成为优势类群.3)6和24年生林地灌丛内外地面节肢动物群落结构差别较小,15和36年生林地灌丛内外地面节肢动物群落结构差异显著.4)林龄对灌丛内地面节肢动物的分布影响较大,而对灌丛外地面节肢动物的分布影响较小.灌丛发育过程通过对灌丛下微生境的改变如土壤质地、电导率、pH等来显著影响地面节肢动物的分布,并对灌丛外样地产生一定的辐射作用.干旱区灌丛发育过程对地面节肢动物聚集效应产生显著影响,在不同林龄阶段这种聚集效应表现不一,直接影响沙化草地生态系统的恢复过程.     

干旱区不同年龄灌丛斑块地面节肢动物的聚集效应

以荒漠草原区6、15、24、36年生柠条灌丛为研究对象,调查了不同林龄灌丛内外土壤性质和地面节肢动物群落特征,分析了干旱区灌丛斑块生境中地面节肢动物群落随灌木林发育的变化特征.结果表明:1)6年生林地只对土壤物理性质(土壤质地、含水量、pH和电导率)产生显著影响,从15年开始林地土壤有机质和养分(N、P)显著增加.2)在研究样地共捕获27个节肢动物类群,步甲科、拟步甲科和蚁科是优势类群.从6到15年生林地,地面节肢动物优势类群数减少,常见类群数增加.从15年生经24年生到36年生林地,灌丛内外类群组成差异先缩小后变大.36年生林地某些特殊的动物类群开始大量出现,如蜣螂在36年生林地灌丛中成为优势类群.3)6和24年生林地灌丛内外地面节肢动物群落结构差别较小,15和36年生林地灌丛内外地面节肢动物群落结构差异显著.4)林龄对灌丛内地面节肢动物的分布影响较大,而对灌丛外地面节肢动物的分布影响较小.灌丛发育过程通过对灌丛下微生境的改变如土壤质地、电导率、pH等来显著影响地面节肢动物的分布,并对灌丛外样地产生一定的辐射作用.干旱区灌丛发育过程对地面节肢动物聚集效应产生显著影响,在不同林龄阶段这种聚集效应表现不一,直接影响沙化草地生态系统的恢复过程.     

柴达木盆地荒漠灌丛群落谱系结构研究

谱系信息是群落生态学和保育生物学研究的主要内容之一。为探究柴达木盆地荒漠灌丛群落谱系结构及其与环境因子的关系,该研究以柴达木盆地荒漠灌丛为对象,基于群落中物种存在与否的物种组成数据,使用R语言中picante软件包计算了灌丛群落谱系多样性指数和谱系结构指数,并且分析了谱系结构指数与年均温度、年均降水以及土壤含水量之间的关系,以揭示柴达木盆地灌丛群落物种之间的亲缘关系和群落生物多样性维持机制。结果表明:(1)柴达木盆地灌丛群落谱系结构与土壤含水量之间存在极显著相关性(P=2.77×10-6),随着土壤含水量的增加,群落谱系结构聚集程度逐渐降低,表现出生境过滤作用逐步减弱,生物间相互作用逐渐加强的变化趋势。(2)群落谱系结构与年均温度、年均降水之间无显著相关性。(3)典型荒漠生境灌丛和河谷(河漫滩)生境灌丛群落的谱系结构差异显著(P0.05),整体上分别表现为谱系聚集状态和谱系发散状态;河谷(河漫滩)生境灌丛群落的谱系多样性显著高于典型荒漠生境灌丛(P0.05)。(4)将群落谱系信息应用在生物多样性保护实践中,发现河谷(河漫滩)生境灌丛群落较典型荒漠生境的灌丛群落可能具有更高的保护价值。研究认为,将群落谱系研究与保育生物学理论结合将会使生物多样性保护策略更加科学有效。     

Soil Respiration in the Cold Desert Environment of the Colorado Plateau (USA): Abiotic Regulators and Thresholds

Decomposition is central to understanding ecosystem carbon exchange and nutrient-release processes. Unlike mesic ecosystems, which have been extensively studied, xeric landscapes have received little attention; as a result, abiotic soil-respiration regulatory processes are poorly understood in xeric environments. To provide a more complete and quantitative understanding about how abiotic factors influence soil respiration in xeric ecosystems, we conducted soil- respiration and decomposition-cloth measurements in the cold desert of southeast Utah. Our study evaluated when and to what extent soil texture, moisture, temperature, organic carbon, and nitrogen influence soil respiration and examined whether the inverse-texture hypothesis applies to decomposition. Within our study site, the effect of texture on moisture, as described by the inverse texture hypothesis, was evident, but its effect on decomposition was not. Our results show temperature and moisture to be the dominant abiotic controls of soil respiration. Specifically, temporal offsets in temperature and moisture conditions appear to have a strong control on soil respiration, with the highest fluxes occurring in spring when temperature and moisture were favorable. These temporal offsets resulted in decomposition rates that were controlled by soil moisture and temperature thresholds. The highest fluxes of CO₂ occurred when soil temperature was between 10 and 16 °C and volumetric soil moisture was greater than 10%. Decomposition-cloth results, which integrate decomposition processes across several months, support the soil-respiration results and further illustrate the seasonal patterns of high respiration rates during spring and low rates during summer and fall. Results from this study suggest that the parameters used to predict soil respiration in mesic ecosystems likely do not apply in cold-desert environments.     

Growing season net ecosystem CO2 exchange of two desert ecosystems with alkaline soils in Kazakhstan

Central Asia is covered by vast desert ecosystems, and the majority of these ecosystems have alkaline soils. Their contribution to global net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) is of significance simply because of their immense spatial extent. Some of the latest research reported considerable abiotic CO₂ absorption by alkaline soil, but the rate of CO₂ absorption has been questioned by peer communities. To investigate the issue of carbon cycle in Central Asian desert ecosystems with alkaline soils, we have measured the NEE using eddy covariance (EC) method at two alkaline sites during growing season in Kazakhstan. The diurnal course of mean monthly NEE followed a clear sinusoidal pattern during growing season at both sites. Both sites showed significant net carbon uptake during daytime on sunny days with high photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) but net carbon loss at nighttime and on cloudy and rainy days. NEE has strong dependency on PAR and the response of NEE to precipitation resulted in an initial and significant carbon release to the atmosphere, similar to other ecosystems. These findings indicate that biotic processes dominated the carbon processes, and the contribution of abiotic carbon process to net ecosystem CO₂ exchange may be trivial in alkaline soil desert ecosystems over Central Asia.     

内蒙古温带草原土壤微生物生物量碳的空间分布及驱动因素

【目的】探索内蒙古温带草原土壤微生物生物量碳的空间分布特征以及驱动因素。【方法】在内蒙古自治区境内沿着年均温、年降水梯度选择17个草原样点,在土壤剖面上分0-10 cm、10-20 cm、20-40 cm、40-60 cm、60-100 cm五层,分别采集土壤样品,测定土壤微生物生物量碳以及主要的环境和生物影响因子,分析不同草地类型以及不同土壤深度土壤微生物生物量碳的差异,探索非生物因子和生物因子对土壤微生物量碳的影响。【结果】草甸草原土壤微生物量碳最高,典型草原次之,荒漠草原最低。在0-10 cm土壤中,草地类型间的微生物量碳变异系数高于草甸草原和典型草原,低于荒漠草原;在0-100 cm土壤中,草甸草原样点间的微生物量碳的变异系数低于典型草原和荒漠草原。土壤微生物量碳与年降水、土壤含水量、粘粒含量、土壤养分元素、地上生物量、地下生物量呈显著正相关,与年均温和土壤p H值呈显著负相关关系。随着土壤深度的增加,土壤微生物量碳显著减少,非生物因子与微生物量碳的相关性减弱,草地类型间以及同一草地类型不同样点间的变异系数增加。0-10 cm土壤微生物量碳与10-40 cm土壤微生物量碳的相关指数高于0.5,与40-100 cm的土壤微生物量碳的相关指数小于0.3。【结论】内蒙古温带草原土壤微生物量碳的垂直分布呈现一定的规律性,且非生物因子对微生物量碳的影响也呈现垂直减弱的规律。     

盐池四墩子拟步甲昆虫群落组成与环境因子的相关性

2009年3-10月,对宁夏盐池四墩子不同植被类型和人工干扰强度的荒漠草地的拟步甲昆虫群落结构及其环境因子特征进行了调查, 采用多样性指数和典范对应分析(CCA)研究了昆虫群落与环境因子之间的相关性.共收集拟步甲10属20种,5431只,以弯齿琵甲、克小鳖甲和蒙古漠王占优势,分别占总数的47.30%、39.90%和3.59%.CCA分析表明：拟步甲与环境因子之间的相关性高达100%,提示盐池四墩子环境因子变化影响拟步甲的分布,植物群落多样性、植物生物量和土壤含水量对拟步甲昆虫群落的分布影响最大;从物种的分布状况看,谢氏宽漠王对环境最为敏感;小丽东鳖甲、宽突东鳖甲、尖尾东鳖甲、宽腹东鳖甲次之,与植物生物量、植被盖度呈负相关,戈壁琵甲、中华砚甲、网目土甲和淡红毛隐甲与植被密度和土壤含水量呈正相关,蒙古漠王、克小鳖甲、小皮鳖甲和异距琵甲与植物群落多样性呈正相关,奥氏真土甲、弯齿琵甲和达氏琵甲与植物生物量和植被盖度呈正相关;相关和回归分析结果也显示,拟步甲群落的活动密度与土壤含水量极显著正相关(r=0.943,P=0.005).同时,排序反映了拟步甲对生态环境的需求以及其在不同资源维上的生态分化现象.     

准噶尔盆地典型地段植物群落及其与环境因子的关系

沿88°E线,南北纵穿新疆北部准噶尔盆地,选择环境梯度明显的典型地段,设置33个具有代表性的野外样方,应用TWINSPAN与DCCA分析样方的物种数据和环境数据。研究结果表明:(1)样方TWINSPAN分类结果的第一级分类将分布于流动、半流动沙丘(垄)上的白梭梭群落与固定、半固定沙地上的梭梭群落区分开来,进一步的分类,可将33个样方划分为12个组。35种优势植物种TWINSPAN第1级分类把沙漠内部植物种与外缘物种分开。第2级分类把沙漠内部垄上与垄间植物种以及沙漠外缘旱生、中生和盐生植物种分开。(2)在各种环境因子中,土壤水分与相对高度(或地面活动性)是影响植物群落分布的最主要环境因子,DCCA第一排序轴反映生境水分环境条件,第2轴反映土壤结构梯度的变化。(3)除相对高度(或地面活动性)与土壤水分外,在沙漠南部外缘的山前冲积、洪积扇扇缘,土壤盐分状况亦为植物生长的重要胁迫因子;在沙漠北部外缘的砾石戈壁平原,基质的机械组成对群落分布格局有重要影响;在沙漠内部,土壤质地、地面坡度对植物群落的分布有较大影响。(4)以沙漠为中心的准噶尔盆地地势相对高度与地面活动性、土壤有机质与土壤粘粒、土壤水分与土壤总盐、pH值、有机质、相对高度之间存在显著相关关系。     

A Strategic Interpretation of Beetle (Coleoptera) Assemblages, Biotopes, Habitats and Distribution, and the Conservation Implications

The identification of beetle, and other invertebrate, biotopes based on the recording of species assemblages has become a regular occurrence as a result of increased survey work, with the approach expanded into classifications of grid square pooled species lists at the national scale. A reassessment of beetle biotopes and distribution has been attempted by interpreting the classifications in terms of the major environmental factors of productivity and disturbance, identified as being important drivers in work on habitat templates and strategic triangles. For grassland ground beetle biotopes, productivity was generally related to soil quality whilst disturbance was associated with land management or cover. Productivity of exposed riverine sediment ground beetle biotopes was dependent on deposited organic matter and disturbance on the effects of water flow on site structure. With both ground beetle biotopes, the distribution of assemblages was also affected by substrate water, another abiotic driver. Productivity in aquatic beetle biotopes was a function of base-status, generally reflected by pH, whilst disturbance was mainly due to water flow and wave action. However, disturbance in ditches was also the result of site vegetation management whilst another factor affecting assemblage distribution was water permanence, with temporary water having specific assemblages. For large-scale British, grid-based, classifications productivity and disturbance were interpreted from satellite-derived land cover data. At the national scale, the other important factor influencing distribution was temperature. There is a requirement for better quantification of a number of the factors influencing biotope and assemblage definition. Species strategies employed to cope with the various environmental variables were reflected in traits in such factors as morphology and life-cycles. The effects of environmental perturbations including climate change, pollution and land use are discussed in relation to the environmental variables and to the various species strategies. Biotope classifications, using standardised and reproducible survey methods, allied to a better understanding of the underlying environmental pressures, could produce a unified approach for the conservation of beetle and other invertebrate species.     

Form and function of grass ring patterns in arid grasslands: the role of abiotic controls

Ring-shaped growth patterns commonly occur in resource-limited arid and semi-arid environments. The spatial distribution, geometry, and scale of vegetation growth patterns result from interactions between biotic and abiotic processes, and, in turn, affect the spatial patterns of soil moisture, sediment transport, and nutrient dynamics in aridland ecosystems. Even though grass ring patterns are observed worldwide, a comprehensive understanding of the biotic and abiotic processes that lead to the formation, growth and breakup of these rings is still lacking. Our studies on patterns of infiltration and soil properties of blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) grass rings in the northern Chihuahuan desert indicate that ring patterns result from the interaction between clonal growth mechanisms and abiotic factors such as hydrological and aeolian processes. These processes result in a negative feedback between sediment deposition and vegetation growth inside the bunch grass, which leads to grass die back at the center of the grass clump. We summarize these interactions in a simple theoretical and conceptual model that integrates key biotic and abiotic processes in ring formation, growth and decline.     

Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Its Influencing Factors in Desert Grasslands of the Hexi Corridor,Northwest China

Knowledge of the distribution patterns of soil organic carbon (SOC) and factors that influence these patterns is crucial for understanding the carbon cycle. The objectives of this study were to determine the spatial distribution pattern of soil organic carbon density (SOCD) and the controlling factors in arid desert grasslands of northwest China. The above- and belowground biomass and SOCD in 260 soil profiles from 52 sites over 2.7×10⁴ km² were investigated. Combined with a satellite-based dataset of an enhanced vegetation index during 2011–2012 and climatic factors at different sites, the relationships between SOCD and biotic and abiotic factors were identified. The results indicated that the mean SOCD was 1.20 (SD:+/− 0.85), 1.73 (SD:+/− 1.20), and 2.69 (SD:+/− 1.91) kg m⁻² at soil depths of 0–30 cm, 0–50 cm, and 0–100 cm, respectively, which was smaller than other estimates in temperate grassland, steppe, and desert-grassland ecosystems. The spatial distribution of SOCD gradually decreased from the southeast to the northwest, corresponding to the precipitation gradient. SOCD increased significantly with vegetation biomass, annual precipitation, soil moisture, clay and silt content, and decreased with mean annual temperature and sand content. The correlation between BGB and SOCD was closer than the correlation between AGB and SOCD. Variables could together explain about 69.8%, 74.4%, and 78.9% of total variation in SOCD at 0–30 cm, 0–50 cm, and 0–100 cm, respectively. In addition, we found that mean annual temperature is more important than other abiotic factors in determining SOCD in arid desert grasslands in our study area. The information obtained in this study provides a basis for accurately estimating SOC stocks and assessing carbon (C) sequestration potential in the desert grasslands of northwest China.     

荒漠生态系统磷循环及其驱动机制研究进展

磷(P)循环在维持荒漠生态系统的生物多样性水平、结构和功能的稳定性、元素的动态平衡,以及荒漠自然资源的可持续利用方面有重要作用。通过查阅国内外有关P循环的文献资料,发现当前国内尚缺乏针对荒漠生态系统P循环的系统研究,特别是P循环的生物和非生物驱动机制。综述了荒漠生态系统P的输入-输出过程,植物对P的吸收转运机制以及对P循环的作用,生物土壤结皮(BSC)有机分泌物对P循环的贡献,以及荒漠生态系统P循环过程对气候变化的响应机制等。文末展望了荒漠生态系统P循环的一些重要研究方向和亟需解决的科学问题,包括(1)P在荒漠生态系统中的存在形态、分配及动态平衡;(2)土壤微生物对荒漠植物获取土壤有效P的驱动作用;(3)入侵植物对P循环的影响与潜在生态风险评估;(4)利用分子生物学和基因组学手段揭示真菌-荒漠植物根系系统P循环的基因调控机制;(5)微生物分泌物、土壤磷酸酶类(包括磷酸单酯酶、磷酸二酯酶和三磷酸单酯水解酶)和作用于含磷酸酐和N—P键的酶对土壤P循环的调控;(6)气候变化(干旱、高温和降水节律变化等)如何影响P的生物和非生物转化过程;(7)基于同位素示踪和生态化学计量学理论解释荒漠生态系统...