盐池荒漠草地拟步甲昆虫群落时间结构和动态

从2009年3月到10月采用巴氏罐诱导法调查了宁夏盐池四墩子6个不同生境中的拟步甲的群落组成以及时间动态,结果表明,本次调查共采集拟步甲昆虫5431只,计10属20种,个体数最多的是弯齿琵甲Blapsfemoralis femoralis Fischer-Waldheim和克小鳖甲Microdera kraatzi kraatzi Reitter,分别占总数的47.30%和40.66%,不同季节的优势种类不同。从时间动态上看,拟步甲物种数和个体数成显著正相关(r=0.887,P=0.003),表现为5月和7—8月2个发生高峰期,且5月最高。从整个景观来看,优势种克小鳖甲的盛发期在5月和7月,弯齿琵甲的盛发期在5月和8月,不同景观样地略有差异。物种-时间对应分析表明,拟步甲成虫发生可以分为春季发生型、春夏发生型、夏季发生型、夏秋发生型和全年发生型5类。5月拟步甲群落多样性和丰富度最高,不同月的拟步甲群落相似性可以聚为3类,由于植被类型和干扰程度的差异,月间拟步甲群落相似性会有所差异。     

Effects of grazing and invasive grasses on desert vertebrates in California

Much of California's San Joaquin Valley is a desert and, like portions of other North American deserts, is experiencing an ecological shift from being dominated by ephemeral native forbs, with widely spaced shrubs, to fire-prone non-native annual grasses. Small terrestrial vertebrates, many of which are adapted to open desert habitats, are declining. One hypothesis is that the invasive plants contribute to the decline by altering vegetative structure. Although cattle may have originally been a factor in the establishment of these non-native plants, their grazing may benefit the terrestrial vertebrates by maintaining an open structure, especially during average or wet winters when the exotic grasses grow especially dense. We experimentally tested the effect of cattle grazing on invasive plants and a community of small vertebrates at a site in the southwestern San Joaquin Desert. We established and monitored 4 treatment (grazed) and 4 control (ungrazed) plots from 1997 to 2006, and assessed the abundances of blunt-nosed leopard lizards (Gambelia sila), giant kangaroo rats (Dipodomys ingens), short-nosed kangaroo rats (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides), and San Joaquin antelope squirrels (Ammospermophilus nelsoni), all of which are listed as threatened or endangered by state or federal agencies. We also recorded abundances of the non-protected western whiptail lizards (Aspidoscelis tigris), side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana), San Joaquin pocket mice (Perognathus inornatus inornatus), and Heermann's kangaroo rats (Dipdomys heermanni). Based on repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a 0.05 alpha level, only Heermann's kangaroo rats showed a treatment effect; they were more abundant on the control plots. However, this effect could be accounted for by the natural re-establishment of saltbush (Atriplex spp.) on part of the study site. Saltbush return also favored western whiptail lizards and San Joaquin antelope squirrels. A regression analysis indicated that populations of blunt-nosed leopard lizard and giant kangaroo rat increased significantly faster in grazed plots than the ungrazed controls, and abundances of 6 of 8 species were negatively correlated with increased residual dry matter. With relaxed alpha values to decrease Type II error, populations of blunt-nosed leopard lizards (500% greater), San Joaquin antelope squirrels (85% greater), and short-nosed kangaroo rats (73% greater) increased significantly on grazed plots over the course of the study compared to ungrazed plots. We did not find grazing to negatively affect abundance of any species we studied. When herbaceous cover is low during years of below average rainfall in deserts and other arid areas, grazing may not be necessary to maintain populations of small vertebrates. However, if cattle grazing is closely monitored in space and time to minimize adverse effects on the habitat, it could be an effective tool to control dense stands of non-native grasses and benefit native wildlife. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Plant diversity and community structure of Wadi Gimal protected area,Red Sea Coast of Egypt

The present study deals with the analysis of the floristic composition and plant diversity of Wadi Gimal protectorate. Its major aim is to identify community types and environmental factors that affect their growth and distribution. These quantitative data provide rangers with knowledge that is necessary for monitoring and managing plant communities within the protected areas, as well as restoration of vegetation‐depleted habitats. Twenty‐seven stands were selected along the length of Wadi and its tributaries. Thirty‐five species were recorded in Wadi Gimal; with Poaceae as the dominant family and Phanerophytes dominating over other life forms. Saharo‐Arabians were the predominant chorological element. Six vegetation groups were recognized in Wadi Gimal. Zilla spinosa (VG C) which inhabited the Wadi bed had the highest species richness, species turnover, relative evenness and relative concentration of dominance. Capparis sinaica (VG A) which inhabited the mountain slope had the lowest species richness, relative evenness and relative concentration of dominance, while Salvadora persica group had the lowest species turnover. Phoenix dactylifera–Hyphaene thebaica (VG F) which dominated the deltaic part of Wadi, had the highest salinity; whilst Acacia ehrenbergiana (VG E) which dominated the upper‐stream part of the Wadi had the lowest value of salinity.     

Aeolian process effects on vegetation communities in an arid grassland ecosystem

Many arid grassland communities are changing from grass dominance to shrub dominance, but the mechanisms involved in this conversion process are not completely understood. Aeolian processes likely contribute to this conversion from grassland to shrubland. The purpose of this research is to provide information regarding how vegetation changes occur in an arid grassland as a result of aeolian sediment transport. The experimental design included three treatment blocks, each with a 25 × 50 m area where all grasses, semi-shrubs, and perennial forbs were hand removed, a 25 × 50 m control area with no manipulation of vegetation cover, and two 10 × 25 m plots immediately downwind of the grass-removal and control areas in the prevailing wind direction, 19° north of east, for measuring vegetation cover. Aeolian sediment flux, soil nutrients, and soil seed bank were monitored on each treatment area and downwind plot. Grass and shrub cover were measured on each grass-removal, control, and downwind plot along continuous line transects as well as on 5 × 10 m subplots within each downwind area over four years following grass removal. On grass-removal areas, sediment flux increased significantly, soil nutrients and seed bank were depleted, and Prosopis glandulosa shrub cover increased compared to controls. Additionally, differential changes for grass and shrub cover were observed for plots downwind of vegetation-removal and control areas. Grass cover on plots downwind of vegetation-removal areas decreased over time (2004-2007) despite above average rainfall throughout the period of observation, while grass cover increased downwind of control areas; P. glandulosa cover increased on plots downwind of vegetation-removal areas, while decreasing on plots downwind of control areas. The relationships between vegetation changes and aeolian sediment flux were significant and were best described by a logarithmic function, with decreases in grass cover and increases in shrub cover occurring with small increases in aeolian sediment flux.     

草原化荒漠草本植物对人工施加磷素的响应

荒漠地区因土壤水分和养分含量较低而限制了植被的生长,且磷素对于植物的生长具有重要的作用。利用人工施加磷素的控制实验研究了不同磷肥处理对荒漠区草本植物物种丰富度、多度、盖度、生物量、植物株高等群落学特征的影响。实验表明：物种丰富度和多度在施肥量分别为12.5,25和50 g?m-2的梯度下,施肥当年和第二年相较于对照均有所降低,且施肥梯度越高,降低越明显;植被盖度和地上部生物量则在两年的实验中表现出相似的规律,在不同的施肥梯度下均有所提高,高肥处理对其促进作用更大,且在降水充足的07年高于降水较少的08年,说明水肥耦合更有助于群落生产力的提高;优势种株高则对磷素的响应存在种间差异,年际间的差异也较大,这或许与荒漠植物本身特有的生物学特性有关。     

荒漠柠条锦鸡儿AM真菌多样性

为了阐明荒漠柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinskii Kom.)根围AM真菌群落组成及其分布特点,2010年7月从河北省与内蒙古交界荒漠带选择多伦湖、黑城子和二羊点3个样地,按0—10、10—20、20—30、30—40、40—50 cm 5个土层采集柠条根围土壤样品,研究了柠条根围AM真菌物种组成、生态分布及与土壤因子的相关性。共分离鉴定出4属24种AM真菌,其中球囊霉属(Glomus)16种,是3个样地共同优势属;无梗囊霉属(Acaulospora)5种,是3个样地共有属;盾巨孢囊霉属(Scutellospora)2种;多孢囊霉属(Diversispora)1种;网状球囊霉(G.reticulatum)是黑城子和多伦湖样地优势种,二羊点亚优势种;黑球囊霉(G.melanosporum)是黑城子和二羊点样地优势种,多伦湖亚优势种;二羊点的AM真菌种类和孢子密度最高;黑城子和多伦湖样地无明显差异。AM真菌孢子密度与土壤碱解N、有机质和速效P含量极显著正相关,其中土壤碱解N影响最大。结果表明,柠条根围AM真菌物种多样性丰富,具有明显空间异质性,并与土壤因子关系密切,这为进一步分离筛选优势AM真菌菌种,充分利用AM真菌资源促进荒漠柠条生长提供了依据。     

1956-2009年内蒙古苏尼特左旗荒漠草原的降水格局

弄清全球变化背景下不同地区降水格局的变化对科学理解气候变化及其影响具有重要意义。苏尼特左旗荒漠草原是温带干旱半干旱地区的典型荒漠草原,对气候变化,特别是降水变化非常敏感。利用1956-2009年的日降水资料探讨了苏尼特左旗荒漠草原降水格局的变化规律,以为揭示气候变化的影响机制提供依据。结果表明,该地区年均降水量为191.9 mm,年际变化剧烈,变异系数达26.63%;年均降水日数为63.8 d,变异系数16.9%。生长季降水占全年的85%,但各月变异系数均>50%;降水日数占全年的63%。年和生长季的各月降水以中等降水量、弱降水日数为主,中等强度以上降水事件较少。近50 a来,年和生长季的降水量、降水日数与各等级降水事件均呈下降趋势,年降水减少的原因在于中等降水事件的减少、生长季降水减少的原因在于弱降水事件的减少。年降水减少将影响草地的土壤水分与植物返青;而生长季降水减少将直接影响草地固碳。气候变化背景下年与生长季降水的减少将进一步加剧该地区干旱程度并影响植物的生长发育,从而直接威胁到草地畜牧业的发展。     

荒漠河岸林植物木质部导水与栓塞特征及其对干旱胁迫的响应

 以同处于干旱区的塔里木河下游(铁干里克)和黑河下游(乌兰图格)断面为研究区, 比较了荒漠河岸林主要建群种胡杨(Populus euphratica)、柽柳(Tamarix spp.)、疏叶骆驼刺(Alhagi sparsifolia)和花花柴(Karelinia caspia)在长期遭受不同干旱胁迫下的根、枝条木质部导水力和栓塞化程度的变化特征, 并分析了木质部导水对干旱胁迫的响应及适应策略。结果表明: 1) 黑河下游荒漠河岸林植物的导水能力显著高于塔里木河下游, 其中柽柳、胡杨、疏叶骆驼刺和花花柴根木质部的初始比导率(K_s0)分别高11.97、6.74、7.10和3.73倍, 枝条的K_s0分别高9.48、3.65、2.07和1.88倍, 地下水埋深导致的干旱胁迫程度不同是诱发荒漠植物导水能力差异的根本原因; 2)柽柳耐干旱能力最强, 适应范围较宽, 而花花柴、疏叶骆驼刺的耐旱性相对较弱, 适生范围较窄, 这可能与植物的根系分布有关; 3)干旱胁迫较轻时, 枝条木质部是荒漠河岸林植物水分传输的主要阻力部位, 干旱胁迫严重时, 根木质部是限制植株水流的最大阻碍部位; 4)荒漠河岸林植物主要通过调节枝条木质部的水流阻力来适应干旱胁迫, 且其适应策略与干旱胁迫程度有关, 干旱胁迫轻时, 植物通过限制枝条木质部水流来协调整株植物的均匀生长; 干旱胁迫严重时, 植物通过牺牲劣势枝条、增强优势枝条水流来提高植株整体生存的机会。     

Photosynthetic pathway of dominant plant species in the Qaidam Basin: evidence from foliar stable carbon isotope measurement

Foliar δ¹³C values of Calligogum kozlovi and Haloxylon ammodendron ranged from −13.13 to −15.11 ‰, while those of the rest 11 species were in the range of −22.22 to −27.73 ‰. This indicates that two of 13 dominant plant species in the Qaidam Basin possess a C₄ photosynthetic pathway. Significant differences were observed for the average foliar δ¹³C values between C₃ or C₄ plant communities, between grass and shrub communities, even between the same species derived from different sites. Precipitation accounted for the major part of the differences.