Influence of nutrient availability on phytoplankton growth and community structure in the Port Adelaide River,Australia: [2pt] bioassay assessment of potential nutrient limitation

We investigated the influence of nutrient availability, specifically nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon on growth and community structure of phytoplankton from the Port Adelaide River estuary, South Australia. Two bioassay experiments were conducted. The first, Nutrich1, involved addition of nutrients in vitro to samples of the natural phytoplankton community from a single location in the upper estuary. The second, Nutrich2, involved nutrient addition and incubation of water from five locations in the estuary following inoculation with a `standardised' phytoplankton assemblage derived from laboratory cultures. In Nutrich1, enrichment with silicon led to greatly enhanced phytoplankton biomass due to increased growth of diatoms. Addition of nitrogen or phosphorus had little effect on phytoplankton growth. In Nutrich2, addition of nitrogen resulted in enhanced growth of phytoplankton in water collected from near the mouth the estuary, but there were no differences in growth among nutrient treatments for the remaining locations. Comparison of phytoplankton growth rate among locations revealed a trend of decreasing growth in moving towards the mouth of the estuary. This trend was unaffected by enrichment with nitrate, phosphate or silicate. We suggest that spatial variation in growth potential within the Port Adelaide River estuary may relate to variation in the concentration of nitrogen as ammonium.     

Is the invasion of Prorocentrum minimum (Dinophyceae) related to the nitrogen enrichment of the Baltic Sea?

The abundance of the invasive, bloom-forming dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard) Schiller and triangular, oval, and oval-round cell shapes were examined relative to salinity, temperature, and nutrient concentrations at the selected sites in the Baltic Sea. Based on the multiple regression and multivariate statistical analysis, all cell shapes of P. minimum had highly similar distribution relative to these environmental parameters as well as chlorophyll-a, nitrite + nitrate, ammonium, total nitrogen, phosphate, total phosphorus, and silicate. The species was related positively to total nitrogen, and negatively to salinity, temperature, nitrite + nitrate, and silicate:total nitrogen ratio. The results suggest that P. minimum could well adapt to low salinity and temperature and occurred particularly in coastal waters, rich in total nitrogen relative to silicate or other inorganic nutrients. These results indicate that the recent invasion of P. minimum into the Baltic Sea could have been enhanced by the DON enrichment. The results also support the suggestion that P. minimum is one morphospecies with no distinct subtaxa.     

The relative importance of sediment and water column supplies of nutrients to the growth and tissue nutrient content of the green macroalga Enteromorpha intestinalis along an estuarine resource gradient

Large blooms of opportunistic green macroalgae such as Enteromorpha intestinalis are of ecological concern in estuaries worldwide. Macroalgae derive their nutrients from the water column but estuarine sediments may also be an important nutrient source. We hypothesized that the importance of these nutrient sources to E. intestinalis varies along a nutrient-resource gradient within an estuary. We tested this in experimental units constructed with water and sediments collected from 3 sites in Upper Newport Bay estuary, California, US, that varied greatly in water column nutrient concentrations. For each site there were three treatments: sediments + water; sediments + water + Enteromorpha intestinalis (algae); inert sand + water + algae. Water in units was exchanged weekly simulating low turnover characteristic of poorly flushed estuaries. The importance of the water column versus sediments as a source of nutrients to E. intestinalis varied with the magnitude of the different sources. When initial water column levels of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) were low, estuarine sediments increased E. intestinalis growth and tissue nutrient content. In experimental units from sites where initial water column DIN was high, there was no effect of estuarine sediments on E. intestinalis growth or tissue N content. Salinity, however, was low in these units and may have inhibited growth. E. intestinalis growth and tissue P content were highest in units from the site with highest initial sediment nutrient content. Water column DIN was depleted each week of the experiment. Thus, the water column was a primary source of nutrients to the algae when water column nutrient supply was high, and the sediments supplemented nutrient supply to the algae when water column nutrient sources were low. Depletion of water column DIN in sediment + water units indicated that the sediments may have acted as a nutrient sink in the absence of macroalgae. Our data provide direct experimental evidence that macroalgae utilize and ecologically benefit from nutrients stored in estuarine sediments.     

Qualité des eaux en milieu estuarien: Suivi annuel de critères physiques et chimiques dans les eaux de l'estuaire de la Loire

Chemical composition and physical parameters of waters from the Loire estuary were examined in 1981–1982 in order to assess water quality. It appears that riverflow is of first importance on suspended matter load, dissolved nutrient concentrations and oxygenation. The annual hydrological cycle is made of two periods. During the first one low riverflow, low nutrient concentrations, high suspended matter load and oxygen depletion are noticed. During the second one higher riverflows occur accompanied with increasing nutrient concentrations, decreasing turbidity and restoration of dissolved oxygen. Results indicate that annual inputs of dissolved nutrients attain 60 000 t a^–1 for nitrogen, 2 400 t a^–1 for phosphorus and 100 000 t a^–1 for silica. It is suggested that the high suspended matter loading (¹ million t a^–1) is a significant factor disturbing oxygenation and by the way limiting water quality within the estuary.

     

The role of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis in the cycling of nutrients in the Oosterschelde estuary (The Netherlands)

The fluxes of particulate and dissolved material between bivalve beds and the water column in the Oosterschelde estuary have been measured in situ with a Benthic Ecosystem Tunnel. On mussel beds uptake of POC, PON and POP was observed. POC and PON fluxes showed a significant positive correlation, and the average C:N ratio of the fluxes was 9.4. There was a high release of phosphate, nitrate, ammonium and silicate from the mussel bed into the water column. The effluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphate showed a significant correlation, with an average N:P ratio of 16.5. A comparison of the in situ measurements with individual nutrient excretion rates showed that excretion by the mussels contributed 31–85% to the total phosphate flux from the mussel bed. Ammonium excretion by the mussels accounted for 17–94% of the ammonium flux from the mussel bed. The mussels did not excrete silicate or nitrate. Mineralization of biodeposition on the mussel bed was probably the main source of the regenerated nutrients.From the in situ observations net budgets of N, P and Si for the mussel bed were calculated. A comparison between the uptake of particulate organic N and the release of dissolved inorganic N (ammonium + nitrate) showed that little N is retained by the mussel bed, and suggested that denitrification is a minor process in the mussel bed sediment. On average, only 2/3 of the particulate organic P, taken up by the mussel bed, was recycled as phosphate. A net Si uptake was observed during phytoplankton blooms, and a net release dominated during autumn. It is concluded that mussel beds increase the mineralization rate of phytoplankton and affect nutrient ratios in the water column. A comparison of N regeneration by mussels in the central part of the Oosterschelde estuary with model estimates of total N remineralization showed that mussels play a major role in the recycling of nitrogen.     

The Nutrient Status of Mgazana,a Warm Temperate Mangrove Estuary in the Transkei,Eastern Cape,South Africa

Mgazana, a rural southern African mangrove system, was visited monthly from August, 1995 to February, 1997 to collect water samples for nutrient analysis. Surface and bottom samples were taken during spring low tide at seven stations along the estuary and the following physico-chemical parameters measured: river flow, temperature, salinity, oxygen, transparency, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, inorganic carbon (IC), organic carbon (OC), total carbon (TC), soluble nitrogen (SN), particulate nitrogen (PN) and total nitrogen (TN). Using correlation matrix analysis and ANOVA, river flow was found to affect estuarine salinity, transparency and stratification, which influenced nutrient dynamics. Significant seasonal (winter and summer) differences were found for temperature, river flow, nitrate, SN, TN, IC and OC. Most nutrients were significantly correlated with river flow showing gradients down the estuary, indicating allochthonous input from the catchment. OC levels within the estuary were high, probably due to autochthonous mangrove leaf-fall processing by the various in-fauna, but high levels measured at the head of the estuary during high river flow suggested additional allochthonous input from coastal forest litter. Conversely, IC was negatively correlated with river flow suggesting that autochthonous faunal and microbial mineralisation of organic matter occurs within creeks, which is then diluted by increased stream-flow. An N:P ratio of 2.7:1 was obtained for this rural mangrove system, which was low compared with Spartina-based East Cape estuaries subject to urban, industrial and agricultural pollution.     

Functional aspects of root architecture and mycorrhizal inoculation with respect to nutrient uptake capacity

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonisation on root morphology and nitrogen uptake capacity of carob ( Ceratonia siliqua L.) under high and low nutrient conditions. The experimental design was a factorial arrangement of presence/absence of mycorrhizal fungus inoculation ( Glomus intraradices) and high/low nutrient status. Percent AM colonisation, nitrate and ammonium uptake capacity, and nitrogen and phosphorus contents were determined in 3-month-old seedlings. Grayscale and colour images were used to study root morphology and topology, and to assess the relation between root pigmentation and physiological activities. AM colonisation lead to a higher allocation of biomass to white and yellow parts of the root. Inorganic nitrogen uptake capacity per unit root length and nitrogen content were greatest in AM colonised plants grown under low nutrient conditions. A better match was found between plant nitrogen content and biomass accumulation, than between plant phosphorus content and biomass accumulation. It is suggested that the increase in nutrient uptake capacity of AM colonised roots is dependent both on changes in root morphology and physiological uptake potential. This study contributes to an understanding of the role of AM fungi and root morphology in plant nutrient uptake and shows that AM colonisation improves the nitrogen nutrition of plants, mainly when growing at low levels of nutrients.     

温带荒漠灌丛和藓类结皮对土壤养分的贡献

灌丛与生物土壤结皮镶嵌分布是温带荒漠常见的地表景观之一,二者的发育均显著影响了地表土壤养分的空间分布特征及循环过程。然而,灌丛和生物土壤结皮对荒漠土壤表层养分的影响存在怎样的差异,二者对养分变化的贡献度如何尚不清楚。因此,选择中国北方典型温带荒漠古尔班通古特沙漠为研究区,以荒漠中的优势灌丛膜果麻黄(Ephedra przewalskii)灌丛和生物土壤结皮发育高级阶段的藓类结皮的结皮层及结皮下层土壤为研究对象,采集不同微生境(裸露地、灌丛下)的裸沙与藓类结皮的土壤样品。为探究不同微生境下不同土层碳、氮、磷和钾养分变化特征,测定了不同土层土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、全钾(TK)、速效氮(AN)、速效磷(AP)和速效钾(AK)含量。结果表明:(1)相较于裸露地,灌丛显著提高了藓类结皮不同土层有机碳、全氮和全钾的含量和裸沙全磷的含量,降低了灌丛下藓类结皮土壤全磷的含量。(2)对于速效养分而言,与裸沙相比,裸露地藓类结皮覆盖降低了土壤速效氮含量,增加了速效磷和速效钾含量;而灌丛下藓类结皮覆盖提高了土壤速效氮和速效钾的含量,但降低了速效磷的含量。 (3) 相关性分析显示,在0-2 cm土壤中速效磷与速效氮呈现显著负相关,而在2-6 cm速效磷与速效氮呈现显著正相关(P<0.01)。(4)贡献度分析表明,土壤中灌丛效应对养分的贡献(42.54%)要远大于藓类结皮的贡献(2.43%),但二者交互作用却降低了除速效氮以外的其他土壤养分含量。综上,灌丛、藓类结皮覆盖和土层深度变化对土壤碳、氮、磷和钾养分均具有显著影响(P<0.05),但三者间的交互效应对养分的影响不显著(P>0.05)。相对于裸露地,灌丛与藓类结皮的覆盖均对表层土壤碳、氮、磷和钾养分具有促进作用,且随着土层深度的下降,土壤养分含量呈现显著的下降趋势(P<0.05)。因此,在荒漠生态系统中耐旱灌丛与生物土壤结皮这两个最重要的斑块单元联合调控了微尺度土壤养分的空间异质性变化。     

模拟降雨减少对刺槐人工林土壤养分和微生物群落的影响

降雨是黄土高原地区土壤水分的最主要来源。为探明降雨减少对黄土高原半湿润区土壤养分和土壤微生物群落的影响,以刺槐人工林为研究对象,通过搭设透光遮雨板将部分穿透雨导流至样地外,实施了4年减少总降雨输入约47%的处理,测定了在不同降雨条件下林地的土壤养分含量、土壤微生物多样性及群落结构特征,分析了土壤养分和土壤微生物对降雨减少的响应。结果表明：减雨处理4年后(1)处理样地土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷含量均低于对照样地,全氮含量差异达到显著水平(P<0.05)。(2)对照样地生长季和非生长季土壤微生物多样性差异不显著,减雨处理样地非生长季的细菌均匀度显著低于处理样地生长季和对照样地非生长季(P<0.05);降雨减少对细菌和真菌的群落结构有显著影响(P<0.05),降雨减少显著降低了酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)的相对丰度,提高了放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)、子囊菌门(Ascomycota)和被孢霉门(Mortierellomycota)的相对丰度(P<0.05)。(3)土壤有机碳、全氮含量与部分细菌相对丰度显著相关,土壤...     

复合菌剂调控连作当归根围土壤养分及对产量的影响

【背景】连作可引起微生物群落结构失调,导致土壤环境恶化、养分循环不畅、当归[Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels]产量降低,通过现代微生物技术改良土壤、消减连作障碍势在必行。【目的】于大田条件下,研究施用复合菌剂对当归根围土壤酶活、速效养分及产量的影响,明确增产机制,改进增产措施。【方法】利用溶磷圈法检测不同菌株溶磷活性、乙炔还原法检测固氮活性、试剂盒法检测过氧化物酶和硝化能力;复合菌剂T1[荧光假单胞菌(Pseudomonas fluorescens)CBS5、产碱假单胞菌(Pseudomonas alcaligenes) CBS7、嗜冷假单胞菌(Pseudomonas extremaustralis)CBSB、生枝动胶菌(Zoogloea ramigera) CBS4]和T2 (荧光假单胞菌CBS5、产碱假单胞菌CBS7、嗜冷假单胞菌CBSB)及对照CK (无菌马铃薯葡萄糖肉汤培养基)分别处理连作当归,分光光度法测定根围土壤及根中养分循环、转化相关酶活,氮、磷、钾速效养分含量;常规方法测产量;统计软件进行相关数据方差分析和主成分分析。【结果】产碱假单胞菌C...     

混合生物结皮对土壤养分的影响与群落结构之关联——以黄土丘陵区的生物结皮为例

自然条件下生物结皮是藻、藓及地衣等结皮类型以不同比例组成的混合群落,显著影响土壤养分含量,目前混合生物结皮对土壤养分的影响与其群落结构的关系尚不清楚,限制了混合生物结皮土壤养分的评估。为此,研究通过测定单一组成的藻结皮、藓结皮以及80%藻+20%藓、60%藻+40%藓、40%藻+60%藓和20%藻+80%藓4个不同藻藓比例的混合生物结皮土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷、速效磷、铵态氮和硝态氮含量,研究了混合生物结皮土壤养分与其群落结构之间的关联。结果显示：(1)藓结皮层土壤有机碳、全氮、速效磷、铵态氮和硝态氮含量显著高于藻结皮,分别高出166.4%、77.2%、55.1%、56.2%和42.2%。(2)藻藓混合生物结皮土壤有机碳、全氮、速效磷和铵态氮含量与组成和盖度等结构特征有关,可以通过单一类型生物结皮土壤养分含量与盖度加权预测混合生物结皮土壤养分储量。(3)混合生物结皮土壤有机碳、全氮、速效磷和铵态氮储量实测值(x)与预测值(y)拟合的线性函数分别为y=0.97x、y=0.96x、y=1.18x和y=0.92x。(4)混合生物结皮对全磷和硝态氮含量的影响与群落结构无关。生物结皮对下层0—5 ...     

Growth ofAgrostis capillaris andDeschampsia flexuosa in relation to decomposition of and nutrient release by Sitka spruce litter

Summary Bags containing Sitka spruce litter (0, 15, 50 g) were placed in flower pots and covered with sand. Pots were watered at weekly intervals with nutrient solutions with and without nitrogen and with and without phosphorus. Decomposition was measured by carbon dioxide evolution from pots without plants. Neither added nitrogen nor added phosphorus had any marked effect on the rate of decomposition, which amounted to 14% loss of carbon in a year. The two grass species responded similarly to fertilizer; 72% of added nitrogen and 90% of added phosphorus were recovered in plant parts.A. capillaris captured nutrients more effectively from spruce litter than didD. flexuosa, recovering 13% of the phosphorus in the litter but only 5% of the nitrogen. Neither uptake of nitrogen nor uptake of phosphorus was enhanced in plants receiving fertilizer additions of the other nutrient.     

AN EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF NUTRIENT ENHANCEMENT ON THE INTERTIDAL KELP HEDOPHYLLUM SESSILE (LAMINARIALES,PHAEOPHYCEAE)1

We tested whether experimentally enhancing nutrients around the kelp Hedophyllum sessile would increase growth, tissue nitrogen, or allocation to phenolic compounds. Packets of time‐released fertilizer were anchored adjacent to fronds in the field, and algae were monitored for several months. Although fertilizer packets increased the concentration of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphorus adjacent to treatment algae by an order of magnitude, there was little evidence that this increased frond growth or size. Hedophyllum individuals showed no tendency to alter allocation patterns in response to nutrient addition. Tissue carbon and nitrogen was unchanged by the nutrient manipulation; most H. sessile had tissue nitrogen concentrations in excess of 2.0% of dry mass. Additionally, the concentration of phloroglucinol equivalents was also unaffected by the presence of increased water column nutrients. Although nutrient concentrations in the water column surrounding the study site show relatively high mean values for ammonium, nitrate, and phosphorus, they are characterized by high spatial and temporal variation. Nonetheless, these data suggest that this intertidal kelp is not limited by nitrogen or phosphorus in wave‐exposed areas in the northeast Pacific Ocean.     

Nitrogen metabolism of Plantago lanceolata as dependent on the supply of mineral nutrients

Various aspects of nitrogen metabolism of Plantago lanceolata L., a grassland species from a relatively nutrient poor habitat, were investigated under high nutrient conditions or low nutrient conditions. In addition the responses after switching the plants from high nutrient conditions to low nutrient conditions and vice versa were studied. The activities of nitrate reductase (NR), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and glutamine synthetase (GS) were determined. In the roots they were correlated with the level of the nutrient supply. Not only NR but also GDH and GS increased upon a switch from low nutrients to high nutrients and decreased upon a switch from high nutrients to low nutrients. Reduced nitrogen content of both roots and shoots was also correlated with the nutrient supply and changed rapidly after a switch. The flexibility of the nitrogen metabolism of Plantago lanceolata is discussed in relation to its ecological habitat.     

Seasonal patterns of nutrient deposition in a Quercus douglasii woodland in central California

The monthly deposition of total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium via canopy throughfall, and various components of the litterfall was measured for 31 months under mature Quercus douglasii and in the bulk precipitation in the surrounding open grassland. Seasonal patterns of nutrient concentration in leaf litter, throughfall, and precipitation were also measured. Total annual subcanopy deposition exceeded open precipitation deposition by approximately 45–60x for nitrogen, 5–15x for phosphorus, 30–35x for potassium, 25–35x for calcium, and 5–10x for magnesium. Total annual subcanopy deposition was low in comparison to other oak woodland sites reported in the literature. Throughfall and leaf litter were the primary sources of nutrients and thus determined the seasonal peaks of nutrient deposition. The first autumn rains and leaf fall were associated with one peak in nutrient deposition, and throughfall during early spring leaf emergence was associated with a second peak in potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. Non-leaf plant litter (excluding acorns) provided approximately 15–35% of most nutrients, with twigs and bark depositing over 12% of the annual calcium flux in 1987–1988, and flower litter depositing over 8% of the annual nitrogen flux in 1986–1987. Acorns had high concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen and during the mast season of 1987–1988 they contained a large proportion of the total subcanopy annual flux of these elements. With acorns excluded, total annual nutrient deposition was similar between years, but timing of nutrient deposition differed. Late summer leaf fall associated with drought, variation in precipitation, and variation in deposition of non-leaf parts were associated with seasonal differences in nutrient deposition between years.     

长期养分添加对贝加尔针茅草原土壤微生物群落的影响

土壤微生物是土壤生态系统的重要组成部分,是土壤生态系统物质循环和能量流动的主要参与者,在维持土壤生态系统过程和功能方面发挥着关键作用。以内蒙古贝加尔针茅草原为研究对象,采用磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA)技术,探讨连续12年氮(N)、磷(P)、钾(K)养分单一添加和复合添加条件下草地土壤理化性质、微生物群落结构特征的变化及其主要影响因素。结果表明,长期养分添加条件下,土壤有机碳和全氮均无显著变化,但磷(P、NP、PK、NPK)和钾(K、NK、PK、NPK)添加处理分别显著提高了土壤速效磷和速效钾含量(P < 0.05)。单一氮添加显著增加了土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量,并显著降低了土壤pH值(P < 0.05)。单一磷和钾添加均提高了土壤细菌、真菌、放线菌和总PLFA含量,而单一氮添加和复合养分添加(NP、NK、PK、NPK)均显著降低了以上指标的含量(P < 0.05)。此外,各养分添加处理均未显著改变革兰氏阳性细菌与革兰氏阴性细菌比(G⁺/G^-),但含氮的复合添加处理(NP、NK、NPK)均显著降低了真菌与细菌比 (F/B) (P < 0.05)。相关性分析结果表明,多种微生物PLFA含量与速效磷和铵态氮显著负相关,与土壤pH值显著正相关。基于冗余分析和随机森林模型分析发现土壤pH值和土壤磷含量是影响土壤微生物群落特征的主要驱动因素。综上,长期养分添加显著改变了土壤速效养分含量和土壤pH值,并显著影响了土壤微生物群落结构。     

Salinity and nutrients in a tropical coastal lagoon with groundwater discharges to the Gulf of Mexico

This study described the nutrient dynamics in a tropical coastal lagoon that is affected by the infiltration of cold nutrient-rich groundwater. The spatial and time variation of physicochemical characteristics (e.g., temperature, salinity, oxygen) and nutrients (e.g., nitrate, ammonium, soluble reactive silicate, soluble reactive phosphorus) are depicted and show changes with respect to weather conditions. The lagoon shows a permanent salinity gradient from the inner zone (14–19). Nitrate and soluble reactive silicate (SRSi) are inversely correlated with salinity. Soluble phosphorus (SRP) shows highest levels in the inner zone during winter months (>9 µM). Ammonium shows two high peaks, one in the rainy season (15 µM) and the other during winter (11 µM). The intensity and quality of rainfall influences the nitrate and SRSi inputs, while biological activity influences the SRP and ammonium levels.     

Factors influencing biomass and nutrient content of the submersed macrophyte Egeria densa Planch. in a pampasic stream

We identified factors influencing biomass and nutrient content in E. densa in an enriched pampean stream of Argentina. Physical (current velocity, temperature), chemical (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nutrient content in water and sediments), and biological variables (biomass and nutrient content of E. densa, biomass of periphyton and other macrophytes) were estimated at each sampling occasion, and mean monthly values estimated. Biomass and nutrient content in E. densa were correlated with these physical-chemical and biological variables. Biomass was positively correlated with ammonium in stream water (P<0.05) and sediment total nitrogen (P<0.01). Nitrogen showed a positive relationship with ammonium (P<0.01), and a negative one with nitrate and periphyton biomass (P<0.05). Phosphorus was positively correlated with soluble reactive phosphorus (P<0.01). The growth of other macrophyte species in the stream seemed to influence E. densa biomass, probably through competition for light. Current velocity was low and not significantly related with E. densa biomass, however, a flood at the beginning of the study washed the macrophyte stand downstream.     

Nutrient-uptake and nutrient-use efficiency ofPinus thunbergii Parl. along a topographical gradient of soil nutrient availability

To examine responses of a plant species to nutrient availability, we investigated changes in soil nutrient availability, litterfall production and nutrient content in litterfall along a topographic gradient in aPinus thunbergii Parl. plantation. Responses were evaluated in terms of three efficiency indices: (i) nutrient-uptake efficiency (the ratio of nutrient return in litterfall to soil nutrient availability); (ii) nutrient-use efficiency (the ratio of litterfall mass to nutrient return in litterfall); and (iii) nutrient-response efficiency (the ratio of litterfall mass to soil nutrient availability). These indices can distinguish the ability of a species to acquire nutrients and its ability to use them in litterfall production. Nitrogen and phosphorus availabilities in soil were lower in upper slope positions. The three efficiencies were higher in upper slope positions and negatively correlated with soil nutrient availability for both nitrogen and phosphorus. An increase in nutrient-response efficiency was achieved by both increases in nutrient-uptake and nutrient-use efficiencies.     

不同林龄刺槐叶片养分重吸收特征及其对土壤养分有效性的响应

为揭示丘陵沟壑区刺槐的养分重吸收特征及其驱动因素,研究该区不同林龄刺槐叶片全氮和全磷的浓度,以及土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷、铵态氮、硝态氮和速效磷浓度及其化学计量,分析了叶片氮磷重吸收效率与土壤养分特性之间的关系。结果表明: 植物和土壤的养分随林龄增长发生显著变化,而土壤总磷和速效磷浓度较低。氮重吸收效率随林分生长先增加后降低,范围为48.2%～54.0%,平均为48.5%;磷重吸收效率则显著增加,范围为45.2%～49.4%,平均为46.9%。氮重吸收效率与土壤氮素和氮磷比呈负向响应,而磷重吸收效率与氮磷比呈显著正相关,与土壤速效磷呈负相关。表明土壤养分有效性的变化负向驱动养分重吸收效率。由于该生境中刺槐林的固氮效应及磷限制,叶片养分重吸收策略对土壤氮磷比响应强烈。