沙埋对无芒雀麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

研究了沙埋对浑善达克沙地植物群落中多年生禾草无芒雀麦种子萌发、出苗和幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:无芒雀麦种子能在深度≤12cm的沙埋中萌发,≤8cm的沙埋中出苗.在此范围内,随着沙埋深度的增加,无芒雀麦种子的萌发率和出苗率逐渐降低.沙埋深度在植株高度的33%时,无芒雀麦1周龄和2周龄幼苗均全部存活,且总生物量≥对照(未沙埋幼苗);当沙埋深度增至植株高度的66%时,1周龄和2周龄幼苗的存活率分别降至70%和25%,生长也受到抑制;而遭受全部沙埋时,1周龄和2周龄幼苗均不能存活.遭受沙埋后,无芒雀麦幼苗分配较多的生物量用于地上部分的生长,其生物量分配模式改变可能是无芒雀麦幼苗对沙埋环境的重要适应对策.     

差巴嘎蒿幼苗对沙埋的生态适应和生理响应

沙埋对于沙漠植物存活和生长影响的研究文献已有很多,但迄今有关沙漠植物对于沙埋生理生态适应的研究还很少见有报道。差巴嘎蒿(Artemisia halodendron)广泛分布于我国半干旱沙地中,是流动半流动沙地的优势种。为了解沙生植物对沙埋的生态适应及其生理响应,2010—2011年在内蒙古科尔沁沙地研究了不同沙埋深度下差巴嘎蒿幼苗的存活率、株高等生长特性和渗透调节物质含量,保护酶活性和膜透性的变化,得到以下结果:沙埋对差巴嘎蒿幼苗的存活与生长有着显著影响,特别是沙埋深度超过其株高后,其存活率和高生长受到严重抑制,但和非沙生植物相比,差巴嘎蒿幼苗具有很强的耐沙埋能力,即使沙埋深度达到其株高的200%时仍有部分幼苗存活。随着沙埋深度的增加,差巴嘎蒿幼苗叶片含水量没有显著变化,但过氧化物歧化酶活力降低,过氧化物酶活性增强,过氧化氢酶活性变化不明显,脯氨酸含量增加,可溶性糖含量下降,丙二醛含量下降,膜透性增强。和水分、盐分胁迫不同,沙埋并未造成差巴嘎蒿幼苗的水分亏缺,沙埋胁迫下差巴嘎蒿幼苗死亡率增加、生长受到抑制的主要原因是沙埋导致植物光合面积下降,沙埋叶片无法进行正常呼吸和部分幼苗无法破土生长,但沙埋胁迫下脯氨酸含量的和过氧化物酶活性增强分别在渗透调节和保护细胞膜免受损伤中起到了关键作用。     

沙埋和种子大小对柠条锦鸡儿种子萌发、出苗和幼苗生长的影响

研究了沙埋深度和种子大小对内蒙古毛乌素沙地植被群落中占优势的柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinskii Kom.)种子萌发、出苗、幼苗存活和生长的影响.结果表明,沙埋深度显著影响柠条锦鸡儿的种子萌发率、休眠率、出苗率、幼苗存活率及生物量.在0.5-2cm的浅层沙埋下,种子萌发率、出苗率、幼苗存活率及生物量最高,休眠率最低;沙埋深度≥4 cm时,柠条锦鸡儿的种子萌发率、出苗率、幼苗存活率及生物量随着沙埋深度增加显著降低,而休眠率却显著升高;沙埋深度≥12 cm时,柠条锦鸡儿种子不能够出苗,幼苗也不能够存活.种子大小对柠条锦鸡儿种子萌发率没有显著影响,但对出苗率、幼苗存活率及生物量影响显著.在各个沙埋深度下,不同大小的柠条锦鸡儿种子间的萌发率没有显著差异.当沙埋深度≤6 cm时,不同大小的柠条锦鸡儿种子在同一沙埋深度下的出苗率间没有显著差异;但当沙埋深度≥8 cm时,在同一沙埋深度下,大种子的出苗率显著高于中种子和小种子的出苗率,而中种子和小种子出苗率间没有显著差异.0.5-10 cm的沙埋深度中,除6 cm和8 cm深度下中种子和小种子萌发幼苗的生物量间没有显著差异外,其余深度下,大种子萌发的幼苗的存活率及生物量显著高于同一沙埋深度下中种子萌发的幼苗的存活率及生物量,后者又显著高于小种子萌发的幼苗的存活率及生物量.可能正是种子萌发对沙埋环境的忍耐或响应能力以及种子的多态性提高了柠条锦鸡儿在毛乌素沙地的适合度,为其在流动或半流动沙丘环境中成功定居并形成优势群落奠定了基础.     

近丘间低地沙障促进沙丘植被恢复的效应

流动沙丘区的丘间低地的土壤种子库大,种类丰富,但其对流动沙丘植被恢复的作用尚不清楚.以科尔沁沙地为研究对象,在靠近丘间低地的下风向裸沙段设置沙障,研究了其对土壤种子库、幼苗出土与植物定居的效应.结果表明:沙障处土壤种子库物种数和密度都显著大于对照处(P<0.05),5-10 cm深度种子密度达到土壤种子库密度的60%,而对照处低于50%;沙障内的沙生植物出土和定居幼苗密度都显著大干对照处(P<0.001),沙障处与对照处的非沙生植物出土幼苗密度低于1株·m~(-2),建植幼苗密度低至0.1株·m~(-2);对照处种子数与幼苗出土和定居的相关性相对于沙障处的更强,沙生植物种子数与幼苗出土和定居的相关性相对于非沙生植物的更强;对照处种子库与幼苗出土和定居的物种组成相似性较沙障处大,沙生植物种子库与幼苗出土和定居的相似性较非沙生植物大.可见,沙障截留来自丘间低地的种子增加了流动沙丘的土壤种子库种类和密度,改变了土壤种子库的空间格局;沙障的设立提高了沙生植物幼苗的出土和物种定居的水平,但没有显著提高非沙生植物幼苗的萌发和建植.     

沙鞭(禾本科)种子在沙丘上的萌发策略及幼苗的耐干燥特性

沙鞭是鄂尔多斯高原流动沙丘上分布的多年生禾草。对位于沙层不同深度的种子萌发和幼苗出土进行了测定。结果表明 ,种子的萌发和幼苗的出土随着沙埋深度的增加而减少 ,最高的幼苗出土率来自 0 .5～ 2 .0 cm浅层沙埋的种子 ,并且沙埋的深度影响种子萌发的时间。沙埋越深 ,越多的种子不能萌发并且处于强迫休眠的状态。但是 ,当被埋较深种子上层的沙层被移走使种子位于较浅的沙层时 ,种子能够克服强迫休眠。种子的强迫休眠还能够通过改善沙层中的空气含量来克服。在自然生境中 ,沙丘的流动性能够使萌发后的幼苗整个暴露在空气中遭受干旱胁迫 ,或者萌发后的幼苗在因无后续的降雨而变干。但是 ,沙鞭在幼苗的早期具有忍受干燥 ,在下次水合后能够恢复生长的能力。幼根的长度和干燥时间影响幼苗的生长恢复率     

沙埋对西鄂尔多斯珍稀植物种子萌发和幼苗出土的影响

采用不同沙埋深度(0、1、2、3、5、7、10 cm埋深)处理,对内蒙古西鄂尔多斯4种珍稀植物霸王(Zygophyllum xanthoxylum)、沙冬青(Ammopiptanthus mongolica)、蒙古扁桃(Prunus mongolica)和长叶红砂(Reaumuria trigyna)种子萌发及幼苗出土情况进行研究,以揭示其种子萌发特性.结果表明:表层沙土(0 cm埋深)的种子几乎不萌发;除霸王外,其他3种植物在不同沙埋深度处理下的种子萌发率差异显著(P＜0.05);沙埋对4种珍稀植物的幼苗出土均有显著影响,出苗率随着沙埋深度的增加而降低,且遵循指数方程.霸王在2 cm沙埋深度的出苗率最高,其他物种在1 cm沙埋深度的出苗率最高.沙埋深度对幼苗生物量的影响不显著.     

浑善达克沙地黄柳种子发芽和幼苗生长特性的研究

在实验室通过模拟野外自然条件,研究了土壤水分、沙埋厚度和温度对黄柳种子发芽与幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:(1)黄柳种子对水分条件很敏感,发芽的适宜土壤含水量为3%~20%,低于3%或高于20%发芽都会受到抑制;(2)种子萌发需要沙土覆盖,适宜覆沙厚度为0.1~0.4 cm,此条件下第5天种子发芽率达80%以上;但当沙埋厚度超过0.6 cm时,种子出苗就会受到抑制;当沙埋厚度超过1.2 cm时,将不能出苗;(3)种子发芽的适宜温度为15~35℃,当温度高于45℃时种子将不能萌发并最终死亡;(4)幼苗的耐热性较强,40℃处理下幼苗出现热害症状,并且热害症状发展缓慢,60℃处理下90 min后幼苗干枯死亡;(5)种子的寿命为120 d左右。     

风沙干扰在濒危植物沙生柽柳群落形成演变过程中的作用

风沙干扰影响沙生柽柳(Tamarix taklamakanensis M.T.Liu)群落形成、发展和衰亡的全过程.经8年的调查、试验和探索后认为,沙生柽柳群落形成于低湿风蚀洼地,发展于沙埋地,死亡于风蚀地和重度沙埋地.在群落形成初期,风蚀形成的洼地为沙生柽柳种子发芽生根创造了适宜的生境,但高矿化度水胁迫使得沙生柽柳幼苗保存率较低;在群落发展期,沙埋促使沙生柽柳灌丛茁壮生长;在群落衰落期,风蚀或沙埋导致沙生柽柳灌丛消亡.即在沙生柽柳群落的形成发展过程中,风沙干扰具有促进作用;而在沙生柽柳群落的衰落过程中,风沙干扰则具有加速衰亡的作用.此外,结合沙生柽柳生境分析认为,在高干扰和高胁迫情况下,荒漠地区耐胁迫的沙丘先锋植物仍可以生存,这一结果是对CSR对策的补充.     

沙埋对两种沙生植物幼苗生长的影响及其生理响应差异

为了解沙埋对沙生植物生长的影响及其生理响应特征, 比较不同沙生植物耐沙埋能力及其机制, 2010年在内蒙古科尔沁沙地研究了不同深度沙埋下沙蓬(Agriophyllum squarrosum)和盐蒿(Artemisia halodendron)幼苗的存活率、株高等生长特性及其渗透调节物质含量, 保护酶活性和膜透性的变化, 得到以下结果: 沙蓬和盐蒿幼苗均具有较强的耐沙埋能力, 其中沙蓬幼苗最大耐沙埋深度超过幼苗10 cm, 盐蒿幼苗最大耐沙埋深度超过其株高8 cm; 随着沙埋深度增加, 沙蓬和盐蒿幼苗的存活率和株高均显著下降, 沙蓬的下降幅度显著小于盐蒿; 沙埋处理下两种植物均未表现出受水分胁迫, 沙埋导致其光合面积下降, 幼苗顶土困难, 是影响其存活和高生长的主要生态机制; 随着沙埋深度增加, 沙蓬幼苗丙二醛(MDA)含量显著增加, 盐蒿幼苗MDA含量下降, 虽然二者膜透性均呈增加趋势, 但沙蓬膜透性增加幅度显著低于盐蒿, 说明细胞膜受损是导致二者幼苗存活率下降和生长受到抑制的主要生理机制, 沙蓬膜透性受损程度较低是其耐沙埋能力较强的主要生理机制; 沙埋胁迫下, 虽然两种植物都通过提高过氧化物酶活性和脯氨酸含量减轻细胞膜受损程度, 但沙蓬体内超氧化物歧化酶也表现出重要协调作用, 使之酶促系统在保护细胞膜免受胁迫损伤过程中的作用更有效。     

西鄂尔多斯珍稀濒危植物长叶红砂种子萌发特征

珍稀濒危灌木长叶红砂是我国西北干旱地区荒漠植被中的古老残遗物种,对维持荒漠植被稳定具有重要作用.本文研究了长叶红砂种子特性,及其在不同光照、温度、土壤水分和沙埋等环境因子中的萌发策略.结果表明:长叶红砂种子具有高活力、高萌发率、耐贮存的特点,在光照和黑暗条件下均能很好地萌发.种子萌发的适宜温度为恒温20 ℃～25 ℃或变温15 ℃/25 ℃,萌发率高达93%.土壤含水量为2%时,种子开始萌发;土壤含水量为12%时,其萌发率最高,达89%.长叶红砂种子适宜的沙埋深度为1 cm,＞5 cm沙埋不出苗.沙埋深度对出苗率和幼苗生长高度的影响显著,而对幼苗质量的影响不显著.水分条件和沙埋深度是制约长叶红砂种子萌发和出苗的主要因素,而种子的高萌发率增加了幼苗生存的风险,不利于其应对荒漠极端环境变化.这种特性是长叶红砂濒危的重要原因之一.     

沙埋和种子大小对固沙禾草沙鞭的种子萌发与幼苗出土的影响

该文研究了野外条件下不同深度的沙埋对沙鞭(Psammochloa villosa)种子萌发和幼苗出土的影响,以及温室条件下种子大小对不同深度沙埋后的种子萌发和幼苗出土的影响。结果表明,沙埋深度显著影响沙鞭的种子萌发率、幼苗出土率和种子休眠率。沙子表面的种子不能萌发。2 cm的浅层沙埋时的种子萌发率和幼苗出土率最高,1 cm 沙埋的种子萌发率和幼苗出土率次之。沙埋深度超过2 cm之后,沙鞭的种子萌发率和幼苗出土率与沙埋深度呈负相关。2 cm的种子休眠率最低。从2 ~12 cm,种子休眠率随着沙埋深度的增加而增加。在幼苗能够出土的深度(1~6 cm),幼苗首次出土所需的时间随着沙埋深度的增加而延长。种子大小对沙鞭的种子萌发率没有显著影响。但是在深层沙埋(6 cm)时,与小种子相比,大种子产生的幼苗的出土率较高。从2~6 cm,大种子形成的幼苗的茎长度都较长。     

The chemical nature of P accumulation in agricultural soils��implications for fertiliser management and design: an Australian perspective

Sand burial, persistent seed bank and soil water content (SWC) are three factors that potentially can affect regeneration in sand dune plant populations. To evaluate the effects of these three factors on population regeneration of Eremosparton songoricum, a rare and endangered legume, we investigated seed germination, seedling emergence and seedling survival in greenhouse and controlled field experiments in different sand dunes microsites. Freshly matured seeds are physically dormant, and the highest germination was only 9.3?±?5.8% at 25/10°C. Seed germination occurred at burial depths from 0 to 10 cm, but the maximum depth from which seedlings emerged was 6 cm; from 1 to 6 cm, the deeper the burial, the lower the percentage of seedling emergence. Only 36.2% of the total soil seed banks occurred at depths of 0?C6 cm. For artificially sown seeds at different dune microsites, mean seedling emergence percentage was 6.8%. Of 150 seedlings that emerged in the field investigation at the study site, only those germinating in flat sandy areas survived, and mean survival percentage was only 2.0%. Thus, the proportion of non-dormant seeds in soil seed banks that developed into seedlings and survived to the end of the growing season was only 0.2%. Minimum SWC for seed germination, seedling emergence and seedling survival was 2.0%. During monitoring of emergent seedlings in the field, low seedling recruitment was at least partly due to the rate of root extension (1.6?±?0.3 cm day^?1) into the sandy soil, which was slower than that of the downward movement of plant-available moisture (2.8?±?0.6 cm day^?1). Thus, population regeneration under natural conditions rarely occurred via sexual reproduction, owing to the limited water resources available for seedling establishment. Rational field seeding practices, including manually scarified or dry stored seeds before sowing, sowing the seeds at right time and suitable place, are suggested for ecological restoration of endangered E. songoricum populations.     

Factors influencing the natural regeneration of the pioneering shrub Calligonum mongolicum in sand dune stabilization plantations in arid deserts of northwest China

Calligonum mongolicum is a successful pioneer shrub to combat desertification, which is widely used for vegetation restoration in the desert regions of northwest China. In order to reveal the limitations to natural regeneration of C. mongolicum by asexual and sexual reproduction, following the process of sand dune stabilization, we assessed clonal shoots, seedling emergence, soil seed bank density, and soil physical characteristics in mobile and stabilized sand dunes. Controlled field and pot experiments were also conducted to assess germination and seedling emergence in different dune soil types and seed burial depths. The population density of mature C. mongolicum was significantly different after sand dune stabilization. Juvenile density of C. mongolicm was much lower in stabilized sand dunes than mobile sand dune. There was no significant difference in soil seed bank density at three soil depths between mobile and stabilized sand dunes, while the emergence of seedlings in stabilized dunes was much lower than emergence in mobile dunes. There was no clonal propagation found in stabilized dunes, and very few C. mongolicum seedlings were established on stabilized sand dunes. Soil clay and silt content, air‐filled porosity, and soil surface compaction were significantly changed from mobile sand dune to stabilized dunes. Seedling emergence of C. mongolicm was highly dependent on soil physical condition. These results indicated that changes in soil physical condition limited clonal propagation and seedling emergence of C. mongolicum in stabilized sand dunes. Seed bank density was not a limiting factor; however, poor seedling establishment limited C. mongolicum's further natural regeneration in stabilized sand dunes. Therefore, clonal propagation may be the most important mode for population expansion in mobile sand dunes. As a pioneer species C. mongolicum is well adapted to propagate in mobile sand dune conditions, it appears unlikely to survive naturally in stabilized sand dune plantations.     

Aerial and soil seed banks enable populations of an annual species to cope with an unpredictable dune ecosystem

Background and Aims

Simultaneous formation of aerial and soil seed banks by a species provides a mechanism for population maintenance in unpredictable environments. Eolian activity greatly affects growth and regeneration of plants in a sand dune system, but we know little about the difference in the contributions of these two seed banks to population dynamics in sand dunes.

Methods

Seed release, germination, seedling emergence and survival of a desert annual, Agriophyllum squarrosum (Chenopodiaceae), inhabiting the Ordos Sandland in China, were determined in order to explore the different functions of the aerial and soil seed banks.

Key Results

The size of the aerial seed bank was higher than that of the soil seed bank throughout the growing season. Seed release was positively related to wind velocity. Compared with the soil seed bank, seed germination from the aerial seed bank was lower at low temperature (5/15 °C night/day) but higher in the light. Seedling emergence from the soil seed bank was earlier than that from the aerial seed bank. Early-emerged (15 April–15 May) seedlings died due to frost, but seedlings that emerged during the following months survived to reproduce successfully.

Conclusions

The timing of seed release and different germination behaviour resulted in a temporal heterogeneity of seedling emergence and establishment between the two seed banks. The study suggests that a bet-hedging strategy for the two seed banks enables A. squarrosum populations to cope successfully with the unpredictable desert environment.     

Habitat degradation,topography and rainfall variability interact to determine seed distribution and recruitment in a sand dune grassland

Question: Understanding the mechanisms underlying how habitat degradation, topography and rainfall variability interactively affect seed distribution and seedling recruitment is crucial for explaining plant community patterns and dynamics. Interactions between these major factors were studied together in a semiarid sand dune grassland. Location: Eastern Inner Mongolia, China. Methods: The study system used four sites of fixed, semifixed, semishifting and shifting sand dune grasslands, representing a gradient of habitat degradation. We investigated the density of germinable seeds deposited in the top 5 cm of soil and in situ seedling emergence (number of seedlings emerging early in the growing season) and establishment (number of plants recruited at the end of the growing season) at three topographic positions (dune top, windward and leeward sides) within each site over 2 years that differed in rainfall. Habitat characteristics (i.e. vegetation cover, plant species composition and diversity, soil moisture and nutrient availability and soil erodibility) of the four sites were also measured. Results: Habitat degradation (i.e. decreased vegetation cover and enhanced wind erosion rate) significantly reduced the size of the germinable soil seed bank. On average, germinable seed number from the high‐vegetation cover fixed dune was 36‐fold larger than the low‐vegetation cover shifting dune, and eight‐ and two‐fold larger, respectively, than the semishifting and semifixed dunes with intermediate vegetation cover. We observed within‐habitat variability in seed distribution, but among‐topographic position variation differed among habitats. Seedling recruitment showed large between‐year, and among‐ and within‐habitat variability, but these variations varied significantly depending on the response variables evaluated (i.e. initial seedling density, final plant density, emergence rate and recruitment rate). Path analysis revealed complex density‐dependent positive and negative, direct and indirect effects of germinable seed density and initial seedling density on recruitment, but the relative importance of these density‐dependent effects varied depending on habitat type and rainfall availability. Conclusion: Our results suggest that habitat degradation, microtopography and rainfall availability interact in shaping sand dune seed bank and plant community recruitment patterns and dynamics. Their effects were mainly mediated through changes in both the biotic and abiotic environment during the process of habitat deterioration.     

Effects of sand burial on purple sandgrass (Triplasis purpurea): the significance of seed heteromorphism

The effects of sand burial on seedling emergence, growth, and reproduction of the annual dune grass Triplasis purpurea (Walt.) Chapm. were examined. This species matures heteromorphic seeds on panicles enclosed by leaf sheaths along tiller nodes in a characteristic pattern: seeds at the lower nodes are heaviest, whilst those at the upper nodes are lightest. Field excavation of seedlings revealed that seedlings can emerge from seeds buried to 4 cm.In one experiment in an incubator, seeds collected from the upper and lower tiller nodes of glasshouse-grown parental plants were buried in sand at depths of 0, 3, and 6 cm. As expected, the effects of seed depth on seedling growth were due to delayed emergence for seedlings from buried seeds. However, seedlings from the larger seeds from the lower nodes of parental plants had significantly greater dry mass than those from the lighter seeds from upper nodes. Because lower node seeds are the most likely to become buried by sand in nature, the seed heteromorphism may be adaptive in the coastal environment.A second experiment involved the burial of seedlings to 0, 50, or 100% of their height. Although most seedlings did not survive complete burial (100% height), for partially buried seedlings (50% height) there was high survival and a marked stimulation of growth and eventual reproduction compared to unburied seedlings. This stimulation could be linked to increased root growth for seedlings that had been buried. The ability to respond positively to sand accumulation may represent an adaptation to the dynamic dune environment.     

Seed mucilage interacts with soil microbial community and physiochemical processes to affect seedling emergence on desert sand dunes

Seedling emergence is a critical stage in the establishment of desert plants. Soil microbes participate in plant growth and development, but information is lacking with regard to the role of microbes on seedling emergence. We applied the biocides (captan and streptomycin) to assess how seed mucilage interacts with soil microbial community and physiochemical processes to affect seedling emergence of Artemisia sphaerocephala on the desert sand dune. Fungal and bacterial community composition and diversity and fungal–bacterial interactions were changed by both captan and streptomycin. Mucilage increased soil enzyme activities and fungal–bacterial interactions. Highest seedling emergence occurred under streptomycin and mucilage treatment. Members of the phyla Firmicutes and Glomeromycota were the keystone species that improved A. sphaerocephala seedling emergence, by increasing resistance of young seedlings to drought and pathogen. Seed mucilage directly improved seedling emergence and indirectly interacted with the soil microbial community through strengthening fungal–bacterial interactions and providing favourable environment for soil enzymes to affect seedling emergence. Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanisms by which soil microbial community and seed mucilage interactively promote successful establishment of populations of desert plants on the barren and stressful sand dune.     

The role of reproductive phenology, seedling emergence and establishment of perennial Salix gordejevii in active sand dune fields

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The function of sexual reproduction of perennials in restoration of vegetation of active dune fields frequently has been underestimated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of sexual reproduction of the perennial Salix gordejevii in the revegetation of active dunes. METHODS: Seedling emergence and establishment of S. gordejevii were examined both in controlled experiments (germination at different burial depths with different watering regimes) and in field observations in three dune slacks. The reproductive phenology and soil seed bank of S. gordejevii, the dynamics of soil moisture, the groundwater table and the landform level of three dune slacks were monitored. KEY RESULTS: Seeds of S. gordejevii began maturation on 1 May, and seed dispersal lasted from 8 May to 20 May. Seeds on the soil surface germinated significantly faster than those buried in soil (P<0.05). Seedling emergence was negatively correlated with landform level. When most seedlings emerged, there was a significantly positive correlation between soil moisture and seedling emergence (P<0.01). Rainfall was negatively correlated with seedling emergence. Seedling establishment was significantly and positively correlated with seedling emergence (P<0.05), and 72.3 % of the emergent seedlings were established at the end of the growing season. These results indicated that (a) seeds matured and dispersed before the rainy season; (b) seeds germinated as soon as they contacted a moist surface and relied more on soil moisture than on rainfall; and (c) more seedlings emerged at lower sampling points in dune slacks. CONCLUSIONS: In natural conditions, restoration of active sand dune fields generally commences with revegetation of dune slacks where sexual reproduction of perennials contributes greatly to species encroachment and colonization and hence plays an important role in restoration of active dune fields. Furthermore, aeolian erosion in dune slacks, leading to good soil moisture, facilitates seed germination, seedling emergence and establishment of S. gordejevii.     

沙丘生态系统种子库研究现状、趋势与挑战

风蚀和沙埋赋予沙丘生态系统独特的自然物理和生物过程。沙丘生态系统种子库研究对于沙区植物多样性保护和生态恢复至关重要。但是人们对沙丘生态系统种子库的时空格局、形成机制和生态功能的认识还很肤浅。近些年, 沙丘生态系统种子库开始受到关注。该文对20年来沙丘生态系统种子库研究进行了回顾总结, 论述了沙丘生态系统种子库研究现状, 剖析了沙丘生态系统种子库现有结论, 阐述了沙丘生态系统种子库研究趋势与面临的挑战。沙丘生态系统种子库研究已获得以下认识: 1)沙丘生态系统类型、部位和深度决定种子库大小与组成; 2)沙丘生态系统种子库季节、年际变化受风沙活动和降水调控; 3)沙丘生态系统种子库受各种干扰的综合影响; 4)生境对沙丘生态系统种子库具有重要影响; 5)沙丘生态系统种子库结构和组成与植物繁殖对策密切关联; 6)种子库对沙丘生态系统植被恢复贡献率因沙丘类型而异。沙丘生态系统种子库研究应强化如下方面: 1)种子库区域分异规律研究; 2)种子库与植物生活史阶段的联系的研究; 3)多种干扰方式综合影响下的种子库研究; 4)种子库对沙丘生态系统植被恢复贡献的研究; 5)沙丘生态系统自然物理过程与种子库耦联关系的研究。