Spatial characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal molecular diversity at the submetre scale in a temperate grassland

Although arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form spatially complex communities in terrestrial ecosystems, the scales at which this diversity manifests itself is poorly understood. This information is critical to the understanding of the role of AMF in plant community composition. We examined small-scale (submetre) variability of AMF community composition (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting) and abundance (extraradical hyphal lengths) in two 1 m(2) plots situated in a native grassland ecosystem of western Montana. Extraradical AMF hyphal lengths varied greatly between samples (14-89 m g soil(-1)) and exhibited spatial structure at scales <30 cm. The composition of AMF communities was also found to exhibit significant spatial autocorrelation, with correlogram analyses suggesting patchiness at scales <50 cm. Supportive of overall AMF community composition analyses, individual AMF ribotypes corresponding to specific phylogenetic groups exhibited distinct spatial autocorrelation. Our results demonstrate that AMF diversity and abundance can be spatially structured at scales of <1 m. Such small-scale heterogeneity in the soil suggests that establishing seedlings may be exposed to very different, location dependent AMF communities. Our results also have direct implications for representative sampling of AMF communities in the field.     

烤烟糖含量的空间变异特征

以中国烤烟(Nicotiana tabacum)主产省份2005年B2F(上部二级桔黄色烤烟)、C3F(中部三级桔黄色烤烟)和X2F(下部二级桔黄色烤烟)3个等级烤烟为研究对象,利用地统计学与GIS技术结合的方法研究了中国烤烟主产省份烤烟水溶性总糖、还原糖含量和糖碱比的空间分布特征。结果表明:各等级烤烟水溶性总糖、还原糖含量和糖碱比空间相关性表现为近似相关,东西方向上,均呈现由西向东先降低后升高的趋势,南北方向上,水溶性总糖含量、还原糖含量趋势不明显,糖碱比各等级趋势各异。     

麦红吸浆虫及其卵寄生蜂混合种群空间格局

运用地统计学方法对不同时期麦红吸浆虫及其卵寄生蜂混合种群(宽腹姬小蜂和尖腹黑蜂)的空间格局进行了分析.结果表明:麦红吸浆虫休眠体的半变异函数的最优模型为球型,成虫的最优模型为球型-指数型,幼虫最优模型为线性有基台型,卵寄生蜂混合种群半变异函数的最优模型为球型-指数型.麦红吸浆虫休眠体、成虫羽化初期、成虫羽化高峰期、幼虫和卵寄生蜂混合种群的空间相关范围分别为53.6、190.6、154.1、4.2和280.3 m,空间变异强度分别为30.5%、95.6%、96.3%、14.9%和95.3%.采用普通克立格插值法模拟的空间分布模拟图可较好地从时间、空间两个角度直观地分析不同时期麦红吸浆虫及其卵寄生蜂混合种群的动态变化.     

Green and senescent leaf phenolics showed spatial autocorrelation in a Quercus robur population in northwestern Spain

Intraspecific variation in polyphenols may be important both for the resistance of plants to herbivory and for nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. The spatial pattern and scale of polyphenol concentration in natural populations are practically unknown, despite multiple evidence that resources influencing leaf phenolics (such as light or nutrient availability) show spatial dependence at the scale of meters to tens of meters. By using geostatistical methods, we evaluated the spatial variability in polyphenol concentration in green and senescent leaves in a pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) population of 125 individuals. The spatial pattern of light and nutrient availability for plants was also evaluated. Leaf polyphenols were more variable than other leaf properties, and green polyphenols were significantly correlated with radiation, leaf mass per unit area and leaf N concentration. Both green and senescent leaf polyphenol concentration showed spatial dependence at distances below 6 to 10 m, with structural (spatial) variance explaining between 50 and 80% of the total variance. The variance not explained by space was assumed to be due to individual genotypic variability. Stochastic maps of leaf phenolics in the area showed that the probability of finding high phenolics level was not random. These findings may be important to understand the spatial heterogeneity of plant-herbivore interactions, leaf litter decomposition and mineralization rate.     

黄土丘陵区小流域土壤碳氮磷生态化学计量特征的空间变异性

土壤碳、氮、磷是植物重要的营养来源和保障生态系统健康的重要生态因子,其含量及化学计量比的动态平衡对生态系统的生产力具有重要影响,分析土壤碳、氮、磷养分含量及化学计量比的空间变异性和影响机制,对区域土壤养分管理以及土地可持续利用具有重要意义。本研究选取位于黄土高原东缘的三眼井小流域,利用经典统计与地统计相结合的方法,分析了研究区表层土壤(0～20 cm)有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)和全磷(TP)以及土壤碳氮磷的化学计量比的空间变异性和影响机制。结果表明:(1)研究区表层土壤SOC、TN和TP的平均值分别为3.97、0.83和0.6 g·kg-1,C∶N、C∶P、N∶P的平均值分别为4.73、6.02、1.26,均属于中等变异水平。(2)土地利用类型和地貌类型对研究区土壤SOC、TN具有显著影响,林地和荒草地高于梯田和退耕地,梁上高于沟谷; TP主要受土地利用类型的显著影响,梯田显著高于其他三种土地利用类型;土地利用类型对土壤C∶N、C∶P和N∶P的影响较为一致,表现为梯田显著低于其他土地利用类型; C∶N还受到坡度和地貌类型的显著影响,C∶P和N∶P还分别受到坡度和海拔的显著影响。(3...     

区域尺度上栓皮栎叶性状变异及其与气候因子的关系

叶片在长期进化过程中对环境变化敏感且对气候变化的响应表现出表型可塑性。栓皮栎(Quercus varaibilis)是亚洲大陆地理分布最广泛的树种之一,横跨温带和亚热带地区。本文在中国中东部区域内,选取了25个天然栓皮栎林种群,测量了其叶柄长度、叶片长度、叶片宽度、叶片面积、叶片干重等,并计算了比叶面积和叶形指数(叶片长宽比)等叶性状特征,探讨了区域尺度上叶片性状变异与气候因子关系的格局。结果表明,栓皮栎叶片性状在种群间和种群内均存在显著的变异;叶片宽度与年均温度呈显著的负相关,叶片宽度和叶片面积与纬度均呈显著正相关,说明叶宽及叶片面积相对于其他指标对气候因子的影响变化更敏感,并且在这一区域尺度上温度影响着叶片大小的变异格局。本研究结果为在全球气候变化背景下了解区域尺度上栓皮栎对环境变化的适应与响应机制提供了基础。     

桂西北喀斯特洼地土壤有机碳和速效磷的空间变异

空间变异性的研究有助于认识土壤养分的空间分布特征与生态过程之间的关系。采用网格取样(20m×20m),利用地统计学方法分析了典型喀斯特洼地土壤有机碳(SOC)和速效磷(AP)的空间变异特征。结果表明SOC和AP的半变异函数分别用球状模型和指数模型拟合的效果较好。块金效应对SOC和AP总变异的贡献分别为37.9%和49.8%,说明SOC主要受结构性因素控制,而AP受结构性因素和随机因素双重控制。SOC的分布呈明显的带状各向异性特征,在洼地的长轴方向具有较大的变程和较小的基台值,其全向半变异函数的相关距离为135.5m,与洼地不同种植类型地块的覆盖尺度基本相当。AP的分布特征与SOC存在明显差异,具有较大的漂移趋势,其相关距离为413.4m;但在分离漂移趋势后,其相关距离为167.4m,反映了不同地块间的施肥差异对AP的影响较大。喀斯特洼地SOC的空间分布主要受地形和土地利用结构控制,而AP的分布的规律性不明显,可能与施肥等因素的随机性较强有关。     

Leaf P increase outpaces leaf N in an Inner Mongolia grassland over 27 years

The dynamics of leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) have been intensively explored in short-term experiments, but rarely at longer timescales. Here, we investigated leaf N : P stoichiometry over a 27-year interval in an Inner Mongolia grassland by comparing leaf N : P concentration of 2006 with that of 1979. Across 80 species, both leaf N and P increased, but the increase in leaf N lagged behind that of leaf P, leading to a significant decrease in the N : P ratio. These changes in leaf N : P stoichiometry varied among functional groups. For leaf N, grasses increased, woody species tended to increase, whereas forbs showed no change. Unlike leaf N, leaf P of grasses and forbs increased, whereas woody species showed no change. Such changes may reflect N deposition and P release induced by soil acidification over the past decades. The interannual effect of precipitation may somewhat have reduced the soil available N, leading to the more modest increase of leaf N than of leaf P. Thus, leaf N : P stoichiometry significantly responded to long-term environmental changes in this temperate steppe, but different functional groups responded differently. Our results indicate that conclusions of plant stoichiometry under short-term N fertilization should be treated with caution when extrapolating to longer timescales.     

Spatial pattern changes in aboveground plant biomass in a grazing pasture

Using gamma distribution and spatial autocorrelation, it was demonstrated that plant biomass per unit area of a pasture grazed by cattle exhibited two kinds of spatial heterogeneity: small-scale heterogeneity caused by grazing and large-scale heterogeneity caused by topography, land aspect, etc. For each of the 10 measurement times from May to August, 100 quadrats 50cm × 50cm were arranged along a straight line 50m long in a pasture, and the plants within the quadrats were harvested at the height of 3cm above the ground surface to measure the dry weight. The data were aggregated into frequency distributions, and gamma distribution and the parameter values were estimated. This analysis showed that with the progression of grazing the amount of biomass decreased and the degree of spatial heterogeneity in biomass, measured per 0.25m², increased, and due to plant regrowth the trends were reversed. By rearranging the 100 biomass data in order of weight, it was suggested that plots with an extremely large biomass were not grazed by cattle and remained in the pasture. For the same data, variations of biomass along the straight line were divided into two parts based on the moving average: the spatial trend and the residuals which cannot be explained by the trend. In this analysis, 48–75% of the total spatial variation was explained by the trend along the straight line. Analysis using spatial autocorrelation for the actual biomass changes showed that the biomass changes within a range of about 10m on the straight line gave a positive correlation, which indicates a topographical trend in biomass. Spatial autocorrelation for residuals suggested that the spatial changes in biomass along the straight line followed a wave-like or checker-board pattern. Small-scale spatial heterogeneity in plant biomass may be caused by the uneven deposition of excreta by grazing animals, uneven use of the grassland by grazing animals, and uneven dispersal of plant seeds through faeces over the grassland. The possibility that such unevenness might accelerate energy flow in the grassland ecosystem and contribute to grassland sustainability is discussed.     

QTL analysis of leaf morphological characters in a Quercus robur full-sib family (Q. robur × Q. robur ssp. slavonica)

The distinction between white oak species (section Quercus sensu stricto ) is largely based on leaf morphological characters. There is, however, considerable within-species variation and no single species-diagnostic character, possibly due to phenotypic plasticity and/or underlying genetic variation. The aim of the present study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying the high within-species variation for leaf morphological characters in an F₁ full-sib family derived from a cross between Q. robur and Q. robur ssp. slavonica . In accordance with an earlier QTL mapping study in an intraspecific Q. robur full-sib family, polygenic inheritance was detected for leaf morphological characters that are used to discriminate between the species Quercus robur and Q. petraea . QTLs were distributed over ten linkage groups, showed a moderate effect in terms of phenotypic variance explained (PVE) in the mapping pedigree (3.6–9.6%), but accounted for a considerable amount of the parental differences. Co-localisation of QTLs on the same linkage group in different genetic backgrounds was found for the number and percentage of intercalary veins (NV, PV) on linkage group 3 and for NV on linkage group 5, revealing a high congruence in the relative QTL positions. The generally low correspondence of the other QTLs in the different mapping pedigrees may be an effect of the genetic background and of the environment. In conclusion, leaf morphological characters were found to be under polygenic control, and a comparison to earlier published results led to the identification of two QTLs that were stable across different genetic backgrounds.     

Spatial heterogeneity of soil respiration and related properties at the plant scale

Geostatistical techniques were used to quantify the scale and degree of soil heterogeneity in 2 m² plots around 9-year-old poplar trees and within a wheat field. Samples were taken during two years, on an unaligned grid, for analysis of soil respiration, C and N content, available P, gravimetric moisture, pH, nitrification potential, and root biomass. Kriged maps of soil respiration, moisture, and C content showed strong spatial structure associated with poplar trees but not with wheat rows. All soil properties showed higher autocorrelation in June than in April. Isopleth patchiness for all variates was less in June. This was associated with lower respiration rates due to lower litter decomposition. From the degree and scale of heterogeneity seen in this study, we conclude that the main causes of soil heterogeneity at this scale (2 m²) are likely to be found at micro scales controlled in part by plant root and plant residue patterns. These must be understood in the evaluation of ecosystem processes. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Carbon isotope discrimination and wood anatomy variations in mixed stands of Quercus robur and Quercus petraea

The two most common oak species in western Europe, Quercus robur and Quercus petraea, display different ecological behaviours, particularly with respect to their responses to drought. The ecophysiological basis of this niche difference is not understood well. Here we test the hypothesis that these two species present distinct water use efficiencies (WUEs), using the carbon isotope discrimination approach. Leaves and 13 dated ring sequences were sampled in 10 pairs of adult trees growing side by side. Carbon isotope composition was measured on cellulose extracts. In addition, relationships between carbon isotope discrimination and wood anatomy were assessed at the tree level. Quercus robur displayed a 1·0‰ larger isotopic discrimination than Q. petraea, and therefore a lower intrinsic WUE (?13%). This interspecific difference of isotopic discrimination was quite stable with time and independent of tree radial growth and climate fluctuations. A strong positive correlation was observed between average tree values of earlywood vessel surface area and ¹³C isotopic discrimination. This correlation was even higher with ¹³C of the 1976 dry year (r = 0·86). These observations led to the hypothesis that hydraulic properties of xylem could exert a constraint on leaf gas exchange, resulting in a larger WUE for individuals with smaller vessel cross‐section area.     

县域农田土壤氮素空间分布特征及其影响因素

采用地统计学与GIS相结合的方法,研究了四川省双流县土壤氮素空间分布特征及其影响因素.结果表明：土壤全氮和碱解氮含量具有中等空间相关性,其空间相关距离分别为15480 m和26980 m.土壤全氮含量高值区主要位于北边的九江、新兴两镇,低值区主要位于东南方向的合江、三星两镇;土壤碱解氮含量从北向南递减趋势比较明显.灰色冲积物上发育的土壤全氮和碱解氮含量均显著或极显著高于紫色岩风化物和老冲积物;水稻土全氮和碱解氮含量均极显著高于黄壤和紫色土;地形条件对土壤全氮和碱解氮含量的影响程度不同,但均以丘陵最低;不同土地利用方式下,水田全氮和碱解氮含量均显著或极显著高于旱地和果园;土壤氮素高值区施肥量明显高于低值区.     

京东板栗主产区土壤氮磷钾的空间变异

采用经典统计学和地统计学相结合的方法,对京东板栗主产区迁西县土壤氮、磷、钾的空间变异进行了分析.结果表明：迁西县土壤全量氮、磷、钾和速效氮、钾的含量普遍较低,但表层土壤速效磷含量较高;氮、磷、钾的空间分布均表现为中等变异,且以磷的变异最大.表层土壤全氮和碱解氮的分布符合高斯模型,其空间变异主要由结构性因素决定;全钾和速效钾的分布分别符合球状模型和高斯模型,前者空间变异受结构性因素和随机性因素的共同影响,空间相关性为中等;后者主要受结构性因素的影响,空间相关性强烈.氮、钾在全县范围内的空间分布特征相似,高值区均出现在县域南部和西北部,而中部和东北部的含量较低.全磷的高值区主要分布在该县北部,速效磷高值区则分布在县区南部.氮、钾全量和有效态含量之间存在极显著正相关关系,但全磷和速效磷含量的相关性不显著.     

Spatial variability of soil fertility factors in the Xiangcheng tobacco planting region, China

It is essential to understand the spatial variability of soil properties in tobacco planting regions, so that the right decision can be made as to how many fertilizer rates are likely to be appropriated for the high-quality tobacco production. A total of 159 soil samples were taken from the surface soil (0-20cm) in the Xiangcheng tobacco planting fields, Henan Province, in April 2002 to examine the concentration of soil organic matter, pH, available N, available P, and available K. The spatial variability was evaluated using geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) analyses. The results show that among those five soil fertility factors, the variation coefficient of soil pH was the smallest, while that of available P was the greatest, which resulted from different cultivation methods and uneven fertilization. Analysis of the isotropic variogram indicated that the soil pH, organic matter, and available P semivariogram were well described with spherical models, with the distance of spatial dependence being 21020, 19150, and 8460m, respectively, whereas the available N and available K semivariogram were well described with an exponential model, with the distance of spatial dependence being ranged from 7484 to 25320 m. Soil pH value was strongly spatially dependent with C0/sill being 0.1935, while the other four soil fertility factors were moderately spatially dependent with C0/sill ranging between 0.3528 to 0.5260. Through the Kriging analysis, the spatial distribution maps of soil properties were drawn using the arcview software. This study provides a scientific basis for field management, which targets soil quality improvement in the Xiangcheng tobacco planting region.     

Spatial variability of soil fertility factors in the Xiangcheng tobacco planting region, China

It is essential to understand the spatial variability of soil properties in tobacco planting regions, so that the right decision can be made as to how many fertilizer rates are likely to be appropriated for the highquality tobacco production. A total of 159 soil samples were taken from the surface soil (0-20 cm) in the Xiangcheng tobacco planting fields, Henan Province, in April 2002 to examine the concentration of soil organic matter, pH, available N, available P, and available K. The spatial variability was evaluated using geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) analyses. The results show that among those five soil fertility factors, the variation coefficient of soil pH was the smallest, while that of available P was the greatest, which resulted from different cultivation methods and uneven fertilization. Analysis of the isotropic variogram indicated that the soil pH, organic matter, and available P semivariogram were well described with spherical models, with the distance of spatial dependence being 21020, 19150, and 8460 m, respectively, whereas the available N and available K semivariogram were well described with an exponential model, with the distance of spatial dependence being ranged from 7484 to 25320 m. Soil pH value was strongly spatially dependent with C0/sill being 0.1935, while the other four soil fertility factors were moderately spatially dependent with C0/sill ranging between 0.3528 to 0.5260. Through the Kriging analysis, the spatial distribution maps of soil properties were drawn using the arcview software. This study provides a scientific basis for field management, which targets soil quality improvement in the Xiangcheng tobacco planting region.     

QTL analysis of leaf morphological characters in a Quercus robur full-sib family (Q. robur x Q. robur ssp. slavonica)

The distinction between white oak species (section Quercus sensu stricto) is largely based on leaf morphological characters. There is, however, considerable within-species variation and no single species-diagnostic character, possibly due to phenotypic plasticity and/or underlying genetic variation. The aim of the present study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying the high within-species variation for leaf morphological characters in an F(1) full-sib family derived from a cross between Q. robur and Q. robur ssp. slavonica. In accordance with an earlier QTL mapping study in an intraspecific Q. robur full-sib family, polygenic inheritance was detected for leaf morphological characters that are used to discriminate between the species Quercus robur and Q. petraea. QTLs were distributed over ten linkage groups, showed a moderate effect in terms of phenotypic variance explained (PVE) in the mapping pedigree (3.6-9.6%), but accounted for a considerable amount of the parental differences. Co-localisation of QTLs on the same linkage group in different genetic backgrounds was found for the number and percentage of intercalary veins (NV, PV) on linkage group 3 and for NV on linkage group 5, revealing a high congruence in the relative QTL positions. The generally low correspondence of the other QTLs in the different mapping pedigrees may be an effect of the genetic background and of the environment. In conclusion, leaf morphological characters were found to be under polygenic control, and a comparison to earlier published results led to the identification of two QTLs that were stable across different genetic backgrounds.