Influence of soil nutrients on ectomycorrhizal communities in a chronosequence of mixed temperate forests

Many factors associated with forests are collectively responsible for controlling ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal community structure, including plant species composition, forest structure, stand age, and soil nutrients. The objective of this study was to examine relationships among ECM fungal community measures, local soil nutrients, and stand age along a chronosequence of mixed forest stands that were similar in vegetation composition and site quality. Six combinations of age class (5-, 26-, 65-, and 100-year-old) and stand initiation type (wildfire and clearcut) were replicated on four sites, each representing critical seral stages of stand development in Interior Cedar-Hemlock (ICH) forests of southern British Columbia. We found significant relationships between ECM fungal diversity and both available and organic P; available P was also positively correlated with the abundance of two ECM taxa (Rhizopogon vinicolor group and Cenoccocum geophilum). By contrast, ECM fungal diversity varied unpredictably with total and mineralizable N or C to N ratio. We also found that soil C, N, available P, and forest floor depth did not exhibit strong patterns across stand ages. Overall, ECM fungal community structure was more strongly influenced by stand age than specific soil nutrients, but better correlations with soil nutrients may occur at broader spatial scales covering a wider range of site qualities.     

黄土高原不同林龄刺槐林碳、氮、磷化学计量特征

以黄土高原幼龄林、中龄林、成熟林(分别为5～10、11～15、21～30年生)刺槐人工林为对象,研究刺槐根、茎、叶、枯落物的碳、氮、磷化学计量学特征及其相互关系.结果表明: 不同林龄刺槐林各组分的碳、氮、磷含量分别为376.74～486.67、8.66～29.70和0.79～1.95g·kg^-1,刺槐各组分碳含量变异较小,磷含量变异较大.中龄林碳含量较高,成熟林氮、磷含量较高.不同组分间叶碳、氮、磷含量较高,茎的氮含量较低.不同林龄刺槐林各组分的C/N、C/P和N/P分别为15.74～53.40、242.47～606.39和8.10～20.57;中龄林和幼龄林中茎C/N、C/P和N/P显著高于成熟林,不同组分间茎C/N、C/P较高,叶C/N、C/P较低.刺槐叶片和根的碳氮磷含量间不存在相关关系,枯落物与茎的氮含量和磷含量间存在显著相关关系,反映出枯落物和茎的建成过程中对氮磷按比例投入的依赖.与全球尺度相比,黄土高原人工刺槐林具有较高的储碳能力,氮含量丰富,而磷相对缺乏,成为刺槐人工林生长的主要限制因子.     

Nitrogen released from different plant residues of the Loess Plateau and their additions on contents of microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen in soil

An incubation method was used to investigate the nitrogen release characteristics from the residue of ten plant species which commonly grow in the northern part of the Loess Plateau. The effect of the residue on soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN) was also determined. There were significant differences in the total N content and the C/N ratios among the different types of plant residue. The total N content of the residues ranged from 6.61 to 32.78 g kg^?1. The C/N ratio of the residue ranged from 14 to 65. There was an immediate increase in soil N after alfalfa, erect milkvetch, and korshinsk peashrub residue was added to the soil. In contrast, soil N decreased after elm, sea buckthorn, and wild peach residue was added to the soil. The soil N content remained relatively low for 14–34 days and then increased. This indicated that N immobilization occurred during the early portion of the incubation period when elm, sea buckthorn and wild peach residue was added to the soil. Soil N levels were low during the entire incubation period when simon poplar, locust, Stipa bungeana, and old world bluestem residue were added to the soil. The addition of plant residue significantly increased SMBC and SMBN in all treatments. The SMBC and SMBN values were greatest in treatments containing plant residue with high total N content and low C/N ratios. The C/N ratios of korshinsk peashrub, sea buckthorn, and wild peach residues were similar, but the amount of N released from these residues and the effects of the residue on SMBC and SMBN in soil were significantly different. This indicates that not only the C/N ratio but also the chemical composition of the plant residue affected decomposition. It is important to consider C and N release characteristics from plant residue in order to adjust the C and N balance of soil when revegetating degraded ecosystems.     

Nitrogen released from different plant residues of the Loess Plateau and their additions on contents of microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen in soil

An incubation method was used to investigate the nitrogen release characteristics from the residue of ten plant species which commonly grow in the northern part of the Loess Plateau. The effect of the residue on soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN) was also determined. There were significant differences in the total N content and the C/N ratios among the different types of plant residue. The total N content of the residues ranged from 6.61 to 32.78 g kg^?1. The C/N ratio of the residue ranged from 14 to 65. There was an immediate increase in soil N after alfalfa, erect milkvetch, and korshinsk peashrub residue was added to the soil. In contrast, soil N decreased after elm, sea buckthorn, and wild peach residue was added to the soil. The soil N content remained relatively low for 14–34 days and then increased. This indicated that N immobilization occurred during the early portion of the incubation period when elm, sea buckthorn and wild peach residue was added to the soil. Soil N levels were low during the entire incubation period when simon poplar, locust, Stipa bungeana, and old world bluestem residue were added to the soil. The addition of plant residue significantly increased SMBC and SMBN in all treatments. The SMBC and SMBN values were greatest in treatments containing plant residue with high total N content and low C/N ratios. The C/N ratios of korshinsk peashrub, sea buckthorn, and wild peach residues were similar, but the amount of N released from these residues and the effects of the residue on SMBC and SMBN in soil were significantly different. This indicates that not only the C/N ratio but also the chemical composition of the plant residue affected decomposition. It is important to consider C and N release characteristics from plant residue in order to adjust the C and N balance of soil when revegetating degraded ecosystems.     

黄土高原典型坝系流域碳氮湿沉降与水体碳氮流失特征

本研究通过对黄土高原坝系流域的碳(C)、氮(N)湿沉降过程、降雨径流过程及其基流过程的动态监测,揭示C、N湿沉降对流域水体碳氮流失的贡献,探讨C、N流失负荷在降雨-径流中的分布,进一步评估黄土高原雨季水体碳氮流失状况。结果表明,研究区域碳、氮湿沉降通量分别为173.95 kg km~(-2)mon~(-1)和43.01 kg km~(-2)mon~(-1),而通过径流的碳、氮流失量为11.52 kg km~(-2)mon~(-1)和2.19 kg km~(-2)mon~(-1)。雨季C、N湿沉降对该地区水体C、N流失的贡献率分别为65.81%和100%,其中流水侵蚀引起的C、N流失贡献率为59.20%和56.16%。黄土高原主要以流水侵蚀为主,C、N主要集中在降雨径流后期,因此截留后期径流可以有效控制养分流失。     

喀斯特地区不同类型兰科植物的叶片性状

叶片性状能够反映植物对环境的适应.认识喀斯特地区兰科植物的叶片性状及其适应意义对其科学合理的保育具有重要参考价值.本文于干季与雨季研究了广西雅长兰科植物自然保护区内落叶、常绿地生、常绿石附生三种类型共19种野生兰科植物的叶片性状及其相互关系,并比较了不同类型兰科植物之间的差异.其中18种兰科植物为C3植物,仅棒叶鸢尾兰(Oberonia myosurus)为CAM植物.相比于落叶兰,常绿兰具有较高的比叶重( LMA)和叶片碳氮比(C/N),但其叶片氮、磷含量较低.在常绿兰科植物中,石附生兰的叶片Ca含量与δ13C高于地生兰.石附生兰的叶片磷含量在雨季要高于干季,而地生兰的叶片δ13C在于季要高于雨季.该地区常绿兰科植物的N/P值＞16,表明其可能受到磷的限制.     

Changes in soil properties and resistance to concentrated flow across a 25‐year passive restoration chronosequence of grasslands on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Revegetation represents an effective measure for preventing soil erosion on the Loess Plateau. However, the effects of revegetation‐induced changes in soil and root properties on soil resistance to concentrated flow erosion (SRC) remain unclear. This study sampled soils and roots across a 25‐year chronosequence from farmland to grasslands of different ages (3, 7, 10, 18, and 25 years) to quantify variations in soil and root properties (soil bulk density, SBD; soil disintegration rate, SDR; saturated hydraulic conductivity, SHC; organic matter content, OMC; water‐stable aggregate, WSA; mean weight diameter, MWD; root mass density, RMD; root length density, RLD; and root surface area density, RSAD) and their effects on SRC. Farmland and grassland SRCs were obtained using a hydraulic flume. Soil properties and root density gradually improved with restoration time. In terms of the comprehensive soil property index calculated via principal component analysis, grassland values were 0.66 to 1.94 times greater than farmland values. Grassland SRCs increased and gradually stabilized (>18 years) over time and were 1.60 to 8.26 times greater than farmland SRC. SRC improvement was significantly related to increases in OMC, SHC, WSA, and MWD and decreases in SBD and SDR over time. SRC was effectively simulated by the Hill curve of RMD, RLD, and RSAD. SDR, SHC, and RMD (0.5–1.0 mm) affected SRC the most. This study scientifically describes how revegetation improves soil quality and soil resistance to flow erosion, and suggests that vegetations rich in 0.5–1.0 mm roots should be preferred during revegetation.     

Leaf trait relationships of native and invasive plants: community- and global-scale comparisons

Leaf carbon capture strategies of native and exotic invasive plants were compared by examining leaf traits and their scaling relationships at community and global scales. Community-level leaf trait data were obtained for 55 vascular plant species from nutrient-enriched and undisturbed bushland in Sydney, Australia. Global-scale leaf trait data were compiled from the literature for 75 native and 90 exotic invasive coexisting species. At the community level, specific leaf area (SLA), foliar nitrogen and phosphorus (N(mass) and P(mass)) and N:P ratio were significantly higher for exotics at disturbed sites compared with natives at undisturbed sites, with natives at disturbed sites being intermediate. SLA, N(mass) and P(mass) were positively correlated, with significant shifts in group means along a common standardized major axis (SMA) slope. At the global scale, invasives had significantly higher N(mass), P(mass), assimilation rate (A(mass) and A(area)) and leaf area ratio (LAR) than natives. All traits showed positive correlations, with significant shifts in group means along a common slope. For a given SLA, invasives had higher A(mass) (7.7%) and N(mass) (28%). Thus, exotic invasives do not have fundamentally different carbon capture strategies from natives but are positioned further along the leaf economics spectrum towards faster growth strategies. Species with leaf traits enabling rapid growth will be successful invaders when introduced to novel environments where resources are not limited.     

Leaf gas exchange of trees in old-growth and young secondary forest stands in Sulawesi, Indonesia

In the tropics, old-growth forests are converted to other land cover types at a high rate and young secondary forest may gain in importance. Information on associated changes in leaf gas exchange and other leaf traits can be valuable for modelling biogeochemical fluxes under altered land-use patterns. We studied in situ photosynthetic parameters and stomatal conductance for water vapour in eight abundant tree species of young secondary forest and eight tree species of natural old-growth forest in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. In sun leaves, the average maximal stomatal conductance (g _smax) in the secondary forest (SF) species was 2.1 times higher than in the old-growth forest (OGF) species. Species with a high g _smax reduced g _s sharply when vapour pressure deficit of the air increased, whereas species with a low g _smax were much less sensitive to air humidity. For area-based photosynthetic capacity (A _max-area), the SF species had a 2.3 times higher average than the OGF species. For both, g _smax and A _max-area the variation among species was higher in the OGF than in the SF. When all tree species (n=16) are considered, species means of specific leaf area (SLA), leaf N concentration and leaf P concentration were significantly correlated with g _smax and A _max-area. The strong correlation between A _max-area and foliar P (r ²=0.8) is remarkable as the alluvial soils in the study region are rich in nutrients. If the eight OGF species are analysed separately, the only significant correlation was observed between SLA and mass-based A _max; in the SF species strong correlations were found between leaf size and A _max-area and g _smax. These results show that the conversion of old-growth forest to young secondary forest in Sulawesi significantly alters tree leaf gas exchange characteristics and that chemical and structural leaf traits can be used for the prediction of these changes. The best correlations between leaf gas exchange parameters and leaf traits were obtained by different traits in the SF species, the OGF species and the entire pool of studied species.     

Soil‐nutrient availability under a global‐change scenario in a Mediterranean mountain ecosystem

Changes in rainfall availability will alter soil‐nutrient availability under a climate‐change scenario. However, studies have usually analyzed the effect of either drier or wetter soil conditions, despite the fact that both possibilities will coexist in many climatic regions of the world. Furthermore, its effect may vary across the different habitats of the ecosystem. We experimentally investigated the effect of three contrasting climatic scenarios on different carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) fractions in soil and microbial compartments among three characteristic habitats in a Mediterranean‐type ecosystem: forest, shrubland, and open areas. The climatic scenarios were dry summers, according to the 30% summer rainfall reduction projected in the Mediterranean; wet summer, simulating summer storms to reach the maximum historical records in the study area; and current climatic conditions (control). Sampling was replicated during two seasons (spring and summer) and 2 years. The climatic scenario did not affect the nutrient content in the litter layer. However, soil and microbial nutrients varied among seasons, habitats, and climatic scenarios. Soil‐nutrient fractions increased with lower soil‐moisture conditions (dry scenario and summer), whereas microbial nutrients increased under the wet summer scenario and spring. This pattern was consistent both studied years, although it was modulated by habitat, differences being lower with denser plant cover. Holm oak seedlings, used as live control of the experiment, tended to increase their N and P content (although not significantly) with water availability. Thus, the results support the idea that higher rainfall boosts microbial and plant‐nutrient uptake, and hence nutrient cycling. By contrast, a rainfall reduction leads to an accumulation of nutrients in the soil, increasing the risk of nutrient loss by leaching or erosion. These results show that the projected climate change will have significant effects on nutrient cycles, and therefore will have important implications on the ecosystem functioning.     

Shifts in symbiotic associations in plants capable of forming multiple root symbioses across a long‐term soil chronosequence

Changes in soil nutrient availability during long‐term ecosystem development influence the relative abundances of plant species with different nutrient‐acquisition strategies. These changes in strategies are observed at the community level, but whether they also occur within individual species remains unknown. Plant species forming multiple root symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, and nitrogen‐(N) fixing microorganisms provide valuable model systems to examine edaphic controls on symbioses related to nutrient acquisition, while simultaneously controlling for plant host identity. We grew two co‐occurring species, Acacia rostellifera (N₂‐fixing and dual AM and ECM symbioses) and Melaleuca systena (AM and ECM dual symbioses), in three soils of contrasting ages (c. 0.1, 1, and 120 ka) collected along a long‐term dune chronosequence in southwestern Australia. The soils differ in the type and strength of nutrient limitation, with primary productivity being limited by N (0.1 ka), co‐limited by N and phosphorus (P) (1 ka), and by P (120 ka). We hypothesized that (i) within‐species root colonization shifts from AM to ECM with increasing soil age, and that (ii) nodulation declines with increasing soil age, reflecting the shift from N to P limitation along the chronosequence. In both species, we observed a shift from AM to ECM root colonization with increasing soil age. In addition, nodulation in A. rostellifera declined with increasing soil age, consistent with a shift from N to P limitation. Shifts from AM to ECM root colonization reflect strengthening P limitation and an increasing proportion of total soil P in organic forms in older soils. This might occur because ECM fungi can access organic P via extracellular phosphatases, while AM fungi do not use organic P. Our results show that plants can shift their resource allocation to different root symbionts depending on nutrient availability during ecosystem development.     

Nutrient stoichiometry of linked catchment‐lake systems along a gradient of land use

1. Catchments export nutrients to aquatic ecosystems at rates and ratios that are strongly influenced by land use practices, and within aquatic ecosystems nutrients can be processed, retained, lost to the atmosphere, or exported downstream. The stoichiometry of carbon and nutrients can influence ecosystem services such as water quality, nutrient limitation, biodiversity, eutrophication and the sequestration of nutrients and carbon in sediments. However, we know little about how nutrient stoichiometry varies along the pathway from terrestrial landscapes through aquatic systems. 2. We studied the stoichiometry of nitrogen and phosphorus exported by three catchments of contrasting land use (forest versus agriculture) and in the water column and sediments of downstream reservoirs. We also related stoichiometry to phytoplankton nutrient limitation and the abundance of heterocystous cyanobacteria. 3. The total N : P of stream exports varied greatly among catchments and was 18, 54 and 140 (molar) in the forested, mixed‐use and agricultural catchment, respectively. Total N : P in the mixed layers of the lakes was less variable but ordered similarly: 35, 52 132 in the forested, mixed‐use and agricultural lake, respectively. In contrast, there was little variation among systems in the C : N and C : P ratios of catchment exports or in reservoir seston. 4. Phytoplankton in the forested lake were consistently N limited, those in the agricultural lake were consistently P limited, and those in the mixed‐use lake shifted seasonally from P‐ to N limitation, reflecting N : P supply ratios. Total phytoplankton and cyanobacteria biomass were highest in the agricultural lake, but heterocystous (potentially N fixing) cyanobacteria were most abundant in the forested lake, corresponding to low N : P ratios. 5. Despite large differences in catchment export and water column N : P ratios, the N : P of sediment burial (integrated over several decades) was very low and remarkably similar (4.3–7.3) across reservoirs. N and P budgets constructed for the agricultural reservoir suggested that denitrification could be a major loss of N, and may help explain the relatively low N : P of buried sediment. 6. Our results show congruence between the catchment export N : P, reservoir N : P, phytoplankton N versus P limitation and the dominance of heterocystous cyanobacteria. However, the N : P stoichiometry of sediments retained in the lakes was relatively insensitive to catchment stoichiometry, suggesting that a common set of biogeochemical processes constrains sediment N : P across lakes of contrasting catchment land use.     

Toward a Low‐Cost Artificial Leaf: Driving Carbon‐Based and Bifunctional Catalyst Electrodes with Solution‐Processed Perovskite Photovoltaics

Molecular hydrogen can be generated renewably by water splitting with an “artificial‐leaf device”, which essentially comprises two electrocatalyst electrodes immersed in water and powered by photovoltaics. Ideally, this device should operate efficiently and be fabricated with cost‐efficient means using earth‐abundant materials. Here, a lightweight electrocatalyst electrode, comprising large surface‐area NiCo₂O₄ nanorods that are firmly anchored onto a carbon–paper current collector via a dense network of nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes is presented. This electrocatalyst electrode is bifunctional in that it can efficiently operate as both anode and cathode in the same alkaline solution, as quantified by a delivered current density of 10 mA cm^?2 at an overpotential of 400 mV for each of the oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions. By driving two such identical electrodes with a solution‐processed thin‐film perovskite photovoltaic assembly, a wired artificial‐leaf device is obtained that features a Faradaic H₂ evolution efficiency of 100%, and a solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion efficiency of 6.2%. A detailed cost analysis is presented, which implies that the material‐payback time of this device is of the order of 100 days.     

黄土高原森林植被对流域径流的调节作用

对黄土高原腹地子午岭典型森林流域与非森林流域年径流变化的对比分析结果表明,森林流域径流年内分配比非森林流域相对均匀,汛期（6～9月）总径流量减少了8.9mm（葫芦河比蒲河）和7.1mm（合水川比东川）,枯季径流与汛期降水及枯水季节降水的回归分析可见,森林植被能将雨季蓄积的部分降水转化为地下径流,增大枯水季节的径流量,但由于黄土区土层深度,植被蒸腾耗水强烈,森林植被对枯水期河川径流的调节作用十分有限,森林植被对10～12月径流总的补枯效应仅为1.69mm（葫芦河比蒲河）和0.5mm（合水川比东川）,对1～4月径流无调节作用,说明森林植被拦蓄的大部分降雨被植物吸收利用,消耗于蒸腾,从而揭示了森林植被对河川径流的削洪补枯效应及其机理。     

Quantitative trait locus mapping and analysis of heritable variation in affiliative social behavior and co‐occurring traits

Humans exhibit broad heterogeneity in affiliative social behavior. Twin and family studies show that individual differences in core dimensions of social behavior are heritable, yet there are knowledge gaps in understanding the underlying genetic and neurobiological mechanisms. Animal genetic reference panels (GRPs) provide a tractable strategy for examining the behavioral and genetic architecture of complex traits. Here, using males from 50 mouse strains from the BXD GRP, 4 domains of affiliative social behavior—social approach, social recognition, direct social interaction (DSI) (partner sniffing) and vocal communication—were examined in 2 widely used behavioral tasks—the 3‐chamber and DSI tasks. There was continuous and broad variation in social and nonsocial traits, with moderate to high heritability of social approach sniff preference (0.31), ultrasonic vocalization (USV) count (0.39), partner sniffing (0.51), locomotor activity (0.54‐0.66) and anxiety‐like behavior (0.36). Principal component analysis shows that variation in social and nonsocial traits are attributable to 5 independent factors. Genome‐wide mapping identified significant quantitative trait loci for USV count on chromosome (Chr) 18 and locomotor activity on Chr X, with suggestive loci and candidate quantitative trait genes identified for all traits with one notable exception—partner sniffing in the DSI task. The results show heritable variation in sociability, which is independent of variation in activity and anxiety‐like traits. In addition, a highly heritable and ethological domain of affiliative sociability—partner sniffing—appears highly polygenic. These findings establish a basis for identifying functional natural variants, leading to a new understanding typical and atypical sociability.     

Nutrient Uptake and Mineralization during Leaf Decay in Streams – a Model Simulation

We developed a stoichiometrically explicit computer model to examine how heterotrophic uptake of nutrients and microbial mineralization occurring during the decay of leaves in streams may be important in modifying nutrient concentrations. The simulations showed that microbial uptake can substantially decrease stream nutrient concentrations during the initial phases of decomposition, while mineralization may produce increases in concentrations during later stages of decomposition. The simulations also showed that initial nutrient content of the leaves can affect the stream nutrient concentration dynamics and determine whether nitrogen or phosphorus is the limiting nutrient. Finally, the simulations suggest a net retention (uptake > mineralization) of nutrients in headwater streams, which is balanced by export of particulate organic nutrients to downstream reaches. Published studies support the conclusion that uptake can substantially change stream nutrient concentrations. On the other hand, there is little published evidence that mineralization also affects nutrient concentrations. Also, there is little information on direct microbial utilization of nutrients contained in the decaying leaves themselves. Our results suggest several directions for research that will improve our understanding of the complex relationship between leaf decay and nutrient dynamics in streams. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

晋西北黄土高原丘陵区不同土地利用方式下土壤碳氮储量

对晋西北黄土高原丘陵区杨树-小叶锦鸡儿人工林、小叶锦鸡儿人工灌丛、杨树人工林、撂荒地和农田5种土地利用方式下土壤碳氮储量进行研究.结果表明: 不同土地利用方式下土壤碳氮含量、碳氮密度和碳氮储量存在显著差异.5种土地利用方式0～20 cm表层土壤碳氮含量和碳氮密度均显著大于20～40 cm和40～60 cm土层.5种土地利用方式同一土层碳氮含量和碳氮密度大小为: 杨树-小叶锦鸡儿人工林>小叶锦鸡儿人工灌丛>杨树人工林>撂荒地>农田;0～60 cm土层土壤有机碳储量大小为:杨树-小-叶锦鸡儿人工林(30.09 t·hm^-2)>小叶锦鸡儿人工灌丛(24.78 t·hm^-2)>杨树人工林(24.14 t·hm^-2)>撂荒地(22.06 t·hm^-2)>农田(17.59 t·hm^-2);土壤氮储量与有机碳储量变化规律相似,杨树-小叶锦鸡儿人工林0～60 cm土层土壤氮储量(4.94 t·hm^-2)最高,其次是小叶锦鸡儿人工灌丛(3.53 t·hm^-2)、杨树人工林(3.51 t·hm^-2)和撂荒地(3.40 t·hm^-2),农田土壤氮储量(2.71 t·hm^-2)最低.杨树-小叶锦鸡儿人工林和小叶锦鸡儿人工灌丛是晋西北黄土高原丘陵区植被建设和生态恢复过程中较好的两种土地利用方式.