Patterns of diversity for fungal assemblages of biological soil crusts from the southwestern United States

Molecular methodologies were used to investigate fungal assemblages of biological soil crusts (BSCs) from arid lands in the southwestern United States. Fungal diversity of BSCs was assessed in a broad survey that included the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts as well as the Colorado Plateau. At selected sites samples were collected along kilometer-scale transects, and fungal community diversity and composition were assessed based on community rRNA gene fingerprinting using PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Individual phylotypes were characterized through band sequencing. The results indicate that a considerable diversity of fungi is present within crusted soils, with higher diversity being recovered from more successionally mature BSCs. The overwhelming majority of crust fungi belong to the Ascomycota, with the Pleosporales being widespread and frequently dominant. Beta diversity patterns of phylotypes putatively representing dominant members of BSC fungal communities suggest that these assemblages are specific to their respective geographic regions of origin.     

不同植物群落下铜尾矿废弃地生物结皮中真菌群落结构的比较

分布于铜尾矿废弃地的裸地表面及维管植物群落中的生物土壤结皮在尾矿废弃地生态恢复过程中扮演重要角色。利用分子生物学技术探讨了不同维管植物下以及不同演替阶段的生物土壤结皮中真菌的多样性及其群落结构的变化。结果表明:生物土壤结皮中的真菌主要包括子囊菌门(Ascomycota)、担子菌门(Basidiomycota)和壶菌门(Chytridiomycota),其中子囊菌门占绝对优势,其相对丰度为55.12%—87.73%,其次为担子菌门相对丰度为12.27%—43.86%;不同样本真菌群落结构在门、纲、目以及属的水平存在显著差异;生物土壤结皮中真菌群落结构和多样性的差异与维管植物群落类型以及演替阶段不同的生物土壤结皮的类型有关,与基质化学性质之间无显著的相关性。     

共生与非共生爪哇伪枝藻对高温胁迫的响应

研究以自由生长的爪哇伪枝藻(Free-living S. javanicum, fs)和分离自地衣的爪哇伪枝藻(Symbiotic S. javanicum, ss)为研究对象, 探究了不同生长状态爪哇伪枝藻对高温(45℃)胁迫的响应。结果发现在高温胁迫下, 爪哇伪枝藻光合活性、叶绿素a及类胡萝卜素含量下降; 丙二醛(MDA)、胞外多糖及可溶性蛋白含量上升。在高温处理下, 与fs相比, ss光合活性下降较慢, 且高温处理后ss的叶绿素a及类胡萝卜素含量也明显高于fs。高温处理下, 与fs相比, ss的MDA含量和增长速度均较低; 并且在面临高温胁迫时, ss能够更快的分泌胞外多糖和可溶性蛋白质, 从而在一定程度上达到自我保护的目的。研究结果表明, 在暴露于高温胁迫时, 相较于自由生长状态, 来自地衣的爪哇伪枝藻具有更高的自我保护效率。     

浑善达克沙地生物土壤结皮及其下层土壤中固氮细菌群落结构和多样性

【背景】荒漠化是一个重大环境问题,生物土壤结皮(Biological soil crusts,BSCs)可遏制荒漠化,其中的固氮微生物对BSCs的形成和发育有重要作用,但目前BSCs中固氮细菌群落结构和多样性尚不十分清楚。【目的】阐明浑善达克沙地中不同类型生物土壤结皮及其下层土壤固氮细菌的群落结构、多样性及其影响因素。【方法】利用稀释热法和碱解扩散法检测土壤的有机质(Organic matter,OM)和速效氮(Available nitrogen,AN)含量;利用高通量测序对nifH基因进行测序,基于nifH序列比较分析固氮细菌群落结构和多样性;利用典范对应分析(Canonical correlation analysis,CCA)分析群落、样品和土壤理化参数的相关性。【结果】固氮细菌优势菌门除在苔藓结皮(HSM)中为Cyanobacteria和Proteobacteria外,在其他类型BSCs中均只为Cyanobacteria;苔藓结皮下层土壤(HSMs)(下层土壤中只有HSMs检测到了nifH)优势菌门为Proteobacteria,优势菌纲为Alphaproteobacteria和Betaproteobacteria;优势菌属差异较大,藻结皮(HSA)中Unclassified_f_Nostocaceae占90.99%;地衣结皮(HSL)中Scytonema和Unclassified_f_Nostocaceae分别占45.85%和44.14%;HSM中Unclassified_f_Nostocaceae、Scytonema、Nostoc、Skermanella、Unclassified_o_Nostocales分别占29.21%、22.57%、15.34%、14.74%和10.60%;HSMs中Skermanella、Azohydromonas、Unclassified_p_Proteobacteria、Unclassified_c_Alphaproteobacteria分别占33.80%、25.66%、18.20%和10.62%;固氮细菌多样性随结皮的发育逐渐提高;OM和AN对结皮的发育起促进作用。【结论】藻结皮、地衣结皮和苔藓结皮及其紧邻下层土壤中的固氮细菌群落结构和多样性差异明显,且固氮细菌类群和多样性指数随BSCs发育阶段的提高而增加。本研究为认识和利用生物土壤结皮相关固氮细菌提供了基础依据。     

毛乌素沙地固碳功能菌群落随生物结皮发育阶段的演变特征

生物结皮是干旱区生态系统光合固碳的重要贡献者,固碳功能菌是生物结皮碳固定过程中的关键功能群,而毛乌素沙地生物结皮有关固碳功能菌群落多样性的研究未见详细报道。通过qPCR和高通量测序,研究了毛乌素沙地固碳功能菌基因丰度、群落多样性在生物结皮发育过程中的演变规律及其关键环境因子。结果表明,form IAB、IC和ID的基因丰度均随生物结皮发育呈升高趋势,在地衣结皮最高,在藓结皮又明显降低;form IAB的Chao1和form IC的Shannon指数随生物结皮演替呈显著上升趋势,而 form IC和ID的Chao1则在藻结皮达到峰值。物种组成上,IAB型固碳功能菌以蓝藻门的颤藻目占优势,其相对丰度在藻结皮最高,随生物结皮演替逐渐降低;IC型固碳功能菌在裸沙中以土壤红杆菌目为主, 而在三种生物结皮中以生丝微菌目、亚硝化单胞菌目和红螺菌目占优势; ID型固碳菌则以硅藻门的舟形藻目占优势,其丰度在裸沙中最高。IAB和IC型固碳功能菌群落结构在藻结皮和地衣结皮类似,而与裸沙和藓结皮差异显著,裸沙与藓结皮亦具显著差异。生物结皮演替过程中生物类群和土壤理化特征的改变为固碳功能菌提供了不同的生态位,土壤总有机碳、全氮、铵态氮、全磷、速效磷和pH对固碳功能菌群落进行综合调控,通过对固碳功能菌的筛选作用,最终改变固碳功能菌群落组成和结构。为深入理解荒漠生态系统生物结皮的光合固碳功能的微生物学机制提供了理论支撑。     

荒漠结皮层藓类植物死亡对表层土壤水分蒸发和入渗的影响

水分是荒漠植物生长最主要的限制因子,藓类结皮作为荒漠土壤表层重要覆被物,对土壤水分蒸发入渗具有重要影响。研究表明,在全球气候变化背景下,不确定的降水格局变化导致结皮层藓类植物出现集群死亡现象,但这一过程对荒漠地表土壤水分蒸发与入渗过程的影响及其机理尚不清楚。以古尔班通古特沙漠齿肋赤藓结皮为研究对象,利用便携式渗透计和蒸发仪,研究了结皮层藓类植物死亡对土壤水分蒸发与入渗的影响。结果表明,与裸沙相比,藓类结皮的存在显著抑制了水分入渗,而藓类植物死亡的结皮层抑制作用最大,其初渗速率、稳渗速率和累积入渗量分别是活藓类结皮的39.89%、85.91%及64.48%,仅为裸沙的5.96%、13.13%及20.42%。在水分蒸发初期,裸沙的水分蒸发速率明显高于活藓类结皮和藓类植物死亡的结皮层,但藓类植物死亡的结皮层维持相对稳定的蒸发速率的时间长于裸沙和活藓类结皮,这也导致最终累计蒸发量以藓类植物死亡的结皮层最高、裸沙最低。可见,荒漠生物土壤结皮中藓类植物死亡会明显减少土壤水分入渗、增大水分蒸发,进一步影响荒漠表层土壤水分格局,从而影响生物土壤结皮与维管植物的水分利用关系。     

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。     

Assessing Level of Development and Successional Stages in Biological Soil Crusts with Biological Indicators

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) perform vital ecosystem services, but the difference in biological components or developmental level still affects the rate and type of these services. In order to differentiate crust successional stages in quantity and analyze the relationship between crust developmental level and successional stages, this work determined several biological indicators in a series of different developmental BSCs in the Shapotou region of China. The results showed that crust developmental level (level of development index) can be well indicated by crust biological indicators. Photosynthetic biomass was the most appropriate to differentiate crust successional stages, although both photosynthetic biomass and respiration intensity increased with the development and succession of BSCs. Based on of the different biological compositions, BSCs were quantificationally categorized into different successional stages including cyanobacterial crusts (lichen and moss coverages <20 %), lichen crusts (lichen coverage >20 % but moss coverage <20 %), semi-moss crusts (moss coverage >20 % but <75 %), and moss crusts (moss coverage >75 %). In addition, it was found that cyanobacterial and microalgal biomass first increased as cyanobacterial crusts formed, then decreased when lots of mosses emerged on the crust surface; however nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria and heterotrophic microbes increased in the later developmental BSCs. The structural adjustment of biological components in the different developmental BSCs may reflect the requirement of crust survival and material transition.     

古尔班通古特沙漠生物结皮不同发育阶段中藻类的变化

通过在古尔班通古特沙漠南缘相同的地貌部位,选择裸沙、藻结皮、地衣结皮和苔藓结皮4种不同演替阶段中的生物结皮,研究了藻类的种类组成、优势种和生物量的变化.结果表明:(1)在结皮的不同演替阶段,藻类种类组成不同,其常见物种有一定的差异,如裸沙中藻类常见种是脆杆藻2(Fragilaria sp.2)、威利颤藻(Oscillatoria willei)和奥克席藻(Phormidium okenii),藻结皮的常见种是小聚球藻(Synechococcus parvus)、颗粒常丝藻 (Tychonema granulatum)、韧氏席藻(Phormidium retzli);同时在不同发育阶段亦存在一些特有种.(2)在裸沙发育到成熟生物结皮的过程中,藻类的优势物种也发生相应的变化.裸沙、藻结皮、地衣结皮和苔藓结皮的优势种分别是脆杆藻1(Fragilaria sp.1)、具鞘微鞘藻(Microcoleus vaginatus)、具鞘微鞘藻、眼点伪枝藻(Scytonema ocellatum)或集球藻(Palmellococcus miniatus).(3)藻类生物量在生物结皮不同演替阶段差异极显著(P<0.01),在裸沙中藻类生物量最低,随着生物结皮的逐渐发育,藻类生物量明显升高,地衣结皮最高,约是裸沙的8.3倍,当发育至苔藓结皮时,藻类生物量又有所下降.(4)在裸沙中基本为松散的沙粒,随着生物结皮的演替,丝状种类占明显的优势,尤其是具鞘微鞘藻,另外真菌菌丝和苔藓假根分别在地衣结皮和苔藓结皮中起着重要作用.     

腾格里沙漠东南缘不同类型生物土壤结皮对土壤有机碳矿化的影响

生物土壤结皮(BSCs)是荒漠生态系统的重要组成部分,是该区土壤碳循环及碳平衡的关键影响因素。研究了腾格里沙漠东南缘不同类型生物土壤结皮覆盖下土壤碳矿化过程及其对温度(10℃、25℃和35℃)和水分(土壤含水量10%和25%)变化响应特征,分析了土壤碳矿化过程与土壤理化性质的关系。结果表明:(1)结皮的形成和发育显著影响土壤有机碳矿化过程,藻类、地衣和藓类结皮覆盖的土壤碳矿化速率和CO_2-C累积释放量均显著高于去除结皮的土壤,不同类型BSCs覆盖土壤和去除结皮土壤之间均表现为藓类结皮土壤地衣结皮土壤藻类结皮。(2)含结皮层土壤的平均和最大矿化速率均随温度升高和水分增加而逐渐增大,有结皮覆盖的土壤和去除结皮的土壤对温度和水分变化的响应规律相同。(3)有结皮土壤和去除结皮土壤碳矿化速率的温度敏感性(Q_(10))与结皮类型密切相关,均表现为藓类结皮地衣结皮藻类结皮。结果表明生物土壤结皮由以藻类为主向以藓类为主的演变进一步促进了土壤碳矿化过程,结皮对土壤碳循环的调控作用受水热等环境因子的共同影响。     

腾格里沙漠东南缘生物土壤结皮的固氮潜力

以腾格里沙漠东南缘广泛分布的3类典型生物土壤结皮(藻类结皮、地衣结皮和藓类结皮)为研究对象,在野外环境下连续一年(2010年6月至2011年5月)测定了不同类型结皮的固氮潜力、季节变化,及其对环境因子的响应特征.结果表明：整个试验期间,藻类、地衣和藓类结皮的固氮活性分别为14～133、20～101和4～28 mol·m^-2·h^-1,差异显著,这种差异主要是由结皮种类组成的差异所致.3类结皮固氮活性对环境因子的响应特征基本一致.3类结皮固氮活性与降水量关系不显著,但与试验前3天小于3 mm的降水量均呈显著的正相关关系,说明该地区3类结皮在3 mm降水条件下即可达到最大固氮速率.3类结皮固氮活性与试验期温度均呈显著的二次函数关系,随气温升高均呈先上升后下降的趋势,藻类和地衣结皮的固氮活性在超过30 ℃后即迅速下降,而藓类结皮的固氮活性在超过25 ℃后即开始下降,说明不同类型结皮具有不同的固氮适宜温度区间.3类结皮固氮活性的季节变化均表现为秋季>春季>夏季>冬季,夏季高温和冬季低温抑制了结皮固氮酶活性,而春末秋初适宜的水热条件促进了其固氮活性的提高,结皮固氮活性的季节变化主要受水热因子的共同调控.温带荒漠区生物土壤结皮在湿润条件下全年均具有固氮能力,环境因子对其氮固定的控制作用层次分明,水分是影响其固氮速率和持续时间的关键因子,在水分和碳源充足的条件下,温度则是制约其固氮能力的主要因子.     

黄土丘陵区生物土壤结皮表面糙度特征及影响因素

地表糙度是影响地表径流和侵蚀过程的重要属性.生物结皮在干旱半干旱区广泛分布,是地表糙度的影响因子之一.本文采用链条法测定了黄土丘陵区不同发育阶段生物结皮表面糙度特征,分析了不同发育阶段生物结皮表面糙度对坡向、土壤含水量和冻融作用的响应及其与各理化性质的相关性,初步探索了生物结皮对地表糙度的影响及其相关因素.结果表明: 生物结皮显著改变地表糙度,随着生物结皮从藻结皮向藓结皮演替,其糙度先降低后增加,生物结皮发育形成10年以后,其表面糙度基本趋于稳定;研究区早期形成的藻结皮表面糙度较裸土降低47.0%,深色藻结皮(藓类盖度<20%)较裸土降低20.4%,混生结皮(藓类盖度为20%～60%)和苔藓结皮(藓类盖度>70%)表面糙度与深色藻结皮基本一致;坡向对发育10年以上的生物结皮表面糙度的影响不显著;土壤含水量影响地表糙度特征.研究区浅色藻结皮表面糙度随水分变化较为剧烈;随着生物结皮发育,深色藻结皮、混生结皮和苔藓结皮表面糙度随水分的变化趋于平缓.冻融增加了生物结皮表面糙度.浅色藻结皮经两次冻融后表面糙度增加29.7%;深色藻结皮、混生结皮和藓结皮表面糙度的影响需经过反复冻融才有所体现.生物结皮表面糙度与藓结皮盖度呈显著正相关(P＜0.1).     

Development of artificially induced biological soil crusts in fields and their effects on top soil

Aims

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) could improve severe environment ecological conditions by increasing soil moisture, soil nitrogen concentration, and so on. In order to control desertification and recover the destroyed soil fertility utilizing a new means using BSCs, the soil surface was artificially inoculated with Microcoleus vaginatus and Scytonema javanicum. Relationships between the development of the artificially induced biological soil crusts and the distribution and dynamic changes of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil crusts have been analyzed.

Methods

Crusts of different ages were investigated by measuring soil physical and chemical factors, such as moisture, pH, total and available N content, and total and available P, which were correlated with the depths of the crusts.

Results

This study found that the types of color, shape, and species components of the algal crusts increased with crust development. Soil moisture, total N, available N, and available P increased gradually with crust growth. Soil with crusts was wetter than the controlled naked sandy soil, and a significant correlation was observed between biomass and total nitrogen (r?=?0.946, P?=?0.015). Soil pH was lower than that of control. The scytonemin on the soil surface was exceptionally higher than the other pigments, and all the pigments were mainly distributed at the soil surface level. Though the crusts were mainly distributed on soil surface, the available P was mainly stored below the crust layer.

Conclusions

Pearson correlation tests indicated that artificially inoculated biological crusts could improve soil fertility and micro-environment of the top soil: The development of artificially induced BSCs was very well, and this was favorable to inducing the following crust succession.     

火电厂周边不同生物结皮细菌群落特征差异及其影响因素

为探究大气降尘重金属污染对矿区周边不同类型生物结皮细菌群落结构的影响,利用高通量测序技术分析位于宁东能源化工基地典型火电厂周边的3类生物结皮(藻结皮ZB、混生结皮HB、苔藓结皮TB)和对照(CK,裸土)的细菌丰度和群落结构,并探讨了影响细菌群落结构的环境因子。结果表明: 不同类型生物结皮的理化性质和重金属含量存在差异,且由于生物结皮对大气降尘重金属的富集作用造成各类结皮均达重度污染级别。在相对丰度排名前10的优势细菌门中,芽单胞菌门、蓝细菌门在不同类型生物结皮之间差异显著。细菌群落α多样性由高到低排序依次为CK>TB>HB>ZB。非度量多维排序(NMDS)结果显示,裸土细菌群落与其他3种生物结皮存在明显差异。相关性分析表明,生物结皮演替对细菌群落组成具有显著影响,细菌多样性和组成与pH、养分、重金属含量等密切相关。放线菌门、绿弯菌门相对丰度与pH值呈显著正相关关系,而与全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、Pb、Zn、Cd均呈显著负相关关系;冗余分析结果表明,TN、pH、TP、有机碳(SOC)是影响3种生物结皮细菌群落α多样性以及一些优势菌群相对丰度的主要土壤环境因子,而重金属Pb、Zn、Cd是影响细菌群落结构的主要重金属元素,对细菌群落数量和多样性有抑制或刺激作用。说明pH、重金属和养分是影响结皮细菌群落组成的关键因子。总体而言,长期的重金属富集作用会对生物结皮的细菌多样性和群落组成产生影响。     

Ecological Succession,Hydrology and Carbon Acquisition of Biological Soil Crusts Measured at the Micro-Scale

The hydrological characteristics of biological soil crusts (BSCs) are not well understood. In particular the relationship between runoff and BSC surfaces at relatively large (>1 m²) scales is ambiguous. Further, there is a dearth of information on small scale (mm to cm) hydrological characterization of crust types which severely limits any interpretation of trends at larger scales. Site differences and broad classifications of BSCs as one soil surface type rather than into functional form exacerbate the problem. This study examines, for the first time, some hydrological characteristics and related surface variables of a range of crust types at one site and at a small scale (sub mm to mm). X-ray tomography and fine scale hydrological measurements were made on intact BSCs, followed by C and C isotopic analyses. A ‘hump’ shaped relationship was found between the successional stage/sensitivity to physical disturbance classification of BSCs and their hydrophobicity, and a similar but ‘inverse hump’ relationship exists with hydraulic conductivity. Several bivariate relationships were found between hydrological variables. Hydraulic conductivity and hydrophobicity of BSCs were closely related but this association was confounded by crust type. The surface coverage of crust and the microporosity 0.5 mm below the crust surface were closely associated irrespective of crust type. The δ ¹³C signatures of the BSCs were also related to hydraulic conductivity, suggesting that the hydrological characteristics of BSCs alter the chemical processes of their immediate surroundings via the physiological response (C acquisition) of the crust itself. These small scale results illustrate the wide range of hydrological properties associated with BSCs, and suggest associations between the ecological successional stage/functional form of BSCs and their ecohydrological role that needs further examination.     

内蒙古黑岱沟露天煤矿植被恢复区生物土壤结皮的固氮潜力

氮素限制在陆地生态系统中普遍存在,在干旱受损生态系统中表现得尤为明显.生物土壤结皮是干旱、半干旱区受损生态系统植被恢复过程中的重要组成部分和氮源贡献者.以黑岱沟露天煤矿植被恢复区广泛分布的两类典型生物土壤结皮(藻类结皮和藓类结皮)为研究对象,通过野外调查采集样品,在实验室条件下测定了两类结皮的固氮活性,分析了其固氮活性对水热因子的响应特征及其与草本、结皮盖度的关系.结果表明：不同演替阶段人工植被及相邻撂荒地和天然植被下生物土壤结皮的固氮活性在9～150 μmol C₂H₄·m^-2·h^-1,藻类结皮(平均为77 μmol C₂H₄·m^-2·h^-1)显著高于藓类结皮(17 μmol C₂H₄·m^-2·h^-1).人工植被区3种常见植被类型下藻类和藓类结皮固氮活性均表现为“灌-草型”显著高于“乔-灌型”和“乔-灌-草型”.藻类和藓类结皮的固氮活性与样品相对含水量(10%～100%)和培养温度(5～45 ℃)均呈显著的二次函数关系,其固氮活性随水分、温度升高均呈先上升后下降的趋势,分别在60%和80%相对含水量时达到最大固氮速率,其最适固氮温度均为25 ℃.藻类结皮固氮活性与草本盖度呈显著的二次函数关系,草本盖度超过20%时固氮活性开始降低,藓类结皮固氮活性与草本植物盖度呈显著负相关.两类结皮固氮活性与其盖度均呈显著的正相关关系,随结皮盖度增加其固氮活性显著升高.露天煤矿植被恢复区两类生物土壤结皮固氮活性差异主要由结皮组成生物体即隐花植物的差异所致,不同植被类型下的水热差异及不同植被演替阶段草本、结皮盖度的差异是影响生物土壤结皮氮固定的关键因子,生物土壤结皮在人工植被区的拓殖发育及其氮输入是系统健康发展的重要标志.     

古尔班通古特沙漠生物土壤结皮对土壤氮库垂直分布特征的影响

生物土壤结皮在干旱区氮素地球化学循环中具有重要作用,研究不同生物土壤结皮下不同形态氮素含量的变化,解析生物土壤结皮对土壤养分影响过程和范围,有助于进一步理解生物土壤结皮的生态功能。本研究以古尔班通古特沙漠藻-地衣混生结皮和藓类结皮两种生物土壤结皮为研究对象,以裸沙为对照,测定生物土壤结皮层和0—100 cm内8个土层全氮、无机氮、可溶性有机氮、游离态氨基酸氮、微生物生物量氮等氮库含量,和土壤脲酶、硝酸盐还原态酶、亮氨酸氨基肽酶等土壤胞外酶活性。结果表明：1)结皮层各形态氮素含量和各土壤酶活性显著高于其下层土壤,结皮层和结皮下各层土壤氮库整体上表现为藓类结皮>藻-地衣混生结皮>裸沙;土壤氮库各形态氮素含量和土壤酶活性在垂直分布上均呈现先显著下降(0—20 cm)后稳定(20—100 cm)的趋势;在20—30 cm土层,除裸沙的无机氮、铵态氮以及藻-地衣混生结皮的硝态氮外,其余速效氮(无机氮、硝态氮、铵态氮)含量具有增加的特点。2)土壤各氮库含量与全磷、有机碳、电导率、土壤脲酶和亮氨酸氨基肽酶活性呈正相关,与pH、土壤含水率呈负相关。3)利用氮循环相关指标建立土壤氮循环多功能...     

Soil microstructure as an under-explored feature of biological soil crust hydrological properties: case study from the NW Negev Desert

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) can play an important role in hydrological cycles, especially in dryland ecosystems where the availability of water is limited. Many factors influence the hydrological behavior of BSCs, one of which is the microstructure. In order to describe the influence of the soil microstructure of BSCs on water redistribution, we investigated the change of the pore system of three different successional stages of BSCs, as well as their respective subcrusts in the NW Negev desert, Israel, using 2-dimensional thin sections, as well as non-invasive X-ray 3D computed microtomography (XCMT) and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Our results show that the pore system undergoes significant changes during crust succession. Both the total porosity, as well as the pore sizes significantly increased from cyano- to lichen- to mosscrust and the pore geometry changed from tortuous to straight pore shapes. We introduce two new mechanisms that contribute to the hydrological properties of the BSCs in the NW Negev that impede infiltration: (i) vesicular pores and (ii) a discontinuous pore system with capillary barrier effects, caused by a rapid change of grain sizes due to sand burial. Since both of these mechanisms are present mostly in early stage cyanobacterial crusts and their abundance decreases strongly with succession, it is very likely that they influence BSC hydrology to different extents in the various crust types and that they are partly responsible for differences in runoff in the NW Negev.     

The prokaryotic diversity of biological soil crusts in the Sonoran Desert (Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ)

We studied prokaryotic community structure and composition in biological soil crusts (BSCs) from the Sonoran Desert, and their variability over space and time, using statistically analyzed, PCR-based molecular surveys of environmental 16S rRNA genes. Four sites, tens of km apart, were sampled, 3 times over a 1 year period, collecting 10 duplicate samples every 50 m in each site. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) revealed communities much less diverse than those of typical soil assemblages, displaying dominance of some bacterial types. No differences in crust microbial diversity or composition were detected between crusts under plant canopies and those in plant interspaces, indicating a likely crust independence from higher plant resources. However, statistically significant variability with space and time could be detected, and samples within a site were more similar than samples between sites. Both temporal and spatial variability in community composition involved non-dominant members of the community. Extensive sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed a large array of bacterial types, many novel. The most common included members of Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria. Bacteriodetes, Chloroflexi and Gemmatimonadetes were not seen in high numbers, but were present in all sites, and Deinococci were also detected. Archaea were present, but as minor components. Sonoran BSC communities were distinct in rough compositional character from those in bulk arid soils or agricultural soils, and contained reoccurring, uncultured microbes.     

Diurnal variations of chlorophyll fluorescence and CO2 exchange of biological soil crusts in different successional stages in the Gurbantunggut Desert of northwestern China

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) formed by different combinations of photosynthetic algae, cyanobacteria, lichens and mosses are well-developed in the Gurbantunggut Desert of northwestern China. To investigate the different responses of BSCs to environmental factors, the diurnal variations of chlorophyll fluorescence and CO₂ exchange of BSCs in different successional stages were measured following artificial rehydration in the field. Results showed that the maximum potential quantum efficiency of PSII (F _v/F _m), the actual PSII efficiency (Φ_PSII) and the relative rate of electron transport as well as net photosynthesis of the different successional BSCs varied similarly and changed markedly with diurnal fluctuations in light and temperature. Further analyses indicated that CO₂ exchange and photosynthetic pigment content of chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b and carotenoids increased with the developmental level of BSCs, from cyanobacterial crust to lichen crust to moss crust. The differences in responses of BSCs to environmental factors and photosynthetic pigment content may be partially attributed to differences in species composition and morphological characteristics of the various BSCs. Overall, moss crust is better adapted to a wide range of irradiance and higher temperatures than lichen and cyanobacterial crusts. Therefore, BSCs in a later successional stage are expected to play a more important role in desertification control than those of the earlier stages.