外源氮添加对温带荒漠地表凋落物分解及养分释放的影响

采用分解网袋法,在古尔班通古特沙漠南缘设置对照N₀(0 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、N₅(5 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、N₁₀(10 g N·m^-2·a^-1)和N₂₀(20 g N·m^-2·a^-1)4个施N处理,研究外源N添加对多枝柽柳、盐角草及两者混合凋落物分解过程及养分释放的影响,分析氮沉降对荒漠生态系统凋落物分解的影响。结果表明: 各物种凋落物的分解速率存在显著差异,经过345 d的分解,多枝柽柳、盐角草及混合物在不同N处理间的分解速率分别为0.64～0.70、0.84～0.99和0.71～0.81 kg·kg^-1·a^-1。凋落物分解过程中,N、P均表现为养分的直接释放,试验结束时,N₀、N₅、N₁₀和N₂₀处理单种凋落物及其混合物N分别释放60.6%～67.4%、56.7%～62.6%、57.4%～62.3%、46.8%～63.0%,P分别释放51.9%～77.9%、59.9%～74.7%、53.0%～79.9%、52.3%～76.4%。N处理对单种凋落物及其混合物的分解影响不显著,但各种凋落物的养分动态对N添加的响应不同,N处理抑制了盐角草N、P释放及混合凋落物P释放,而对多枝柽柳无影响。在温带荒漠,适量的N输入对凋落物分解速率影响不大,但可能会延缓个别物种养分向土壤系统的归还。     

荒漠区地表凋落物分解对季节性降水增加的响应

为探讨季节性降水增加对荒漠生态系统凋落物分解的影响, 在古尔班通古特沙漠南缘, 选择粗柄独尾草(Eremurus inderiensis)叶、尖喙牻牛儿苗(Erodium oxyrrhynchum)叶、尖喙牻牛儿苗茎、沙漠绢蒿(Seriphidium santolinum)茎4种凋落物样品, 在2009-2011年研究了模拟季节降水增加(冬春增雪、夏季增水)和自然降水处理下凋落物的分解。持续2年的分解实验表明: (1)各组分凋落物的质量损失过程可以用负指数衰减方程较好地拟合(R²> 0.90); 经过637天的分解, 各组分凋落物质量残留率在自然降水、冬春增雪、夏季增水处理下均无显著性差异(p > 0.05)。粗柄独尾草叶、尖喙牻牛儿苗叶、尖喙牻牛儿苗茎、沙漠绢蒿茎在自然降水处理下的质量残留率分别为40.59%、35.50%、36.00%和63.96%; (2)各组分凋落物的质量残留率与N残留率显著正相关, 凋落物N的损失快于其质量损失, 且初始N含量与分解速率显著正相关(r = 0.60, p = 0.038), C/N解释了71%的地面凋落物分解速率。研究表明, 季节性的短暂降水增加对荒漠区地表凋落物分解没有显著影响, 凋落物初始化学组成是预测荒漠区地表凋落物分解的重要因素。     

荒漠草原不同放牧强度背景下添加氮水对凋落物分解的影响

凋落物分解是连接生态系统地上、地下过程的重要环节,决定了生态系统养分循环速率,但到目前为止对凋落物分解在荒漠草地生态系统受放牧以及外源资源补给影响的研究较少。本研究通过对不同放牧强度(对照、轻牧、中牧和重牧)短花针茅草原群落进行添加氮素(10.0 g N m~(-2) a~(-1))和增水(108 mm/a)处理,探讨群落水平凋落物分解速率的变化。研究结果显示,过去不同强度放牧历史对群落凋落物分解影响极显著(P0.0001)。凋落物前期分解(135 d)过程中,凋落物初始C∶N比与凋落物分解速率常数呈显著负相关关系,表明凋落物可降解性在凋落物前期分解中起主要作用。轻度放牧影响下凋落物分解速度最快,这与该条件下凋落物C∶N比显著低于其他放牧强度下的有关,说明适度放牧不仅有利于群落维持,也在一定程度上有利于生态系统养分循环。当凋落物分解更长时间(870 d)后,对照区凋落物分解速率显著低于放牧处理样地,但凋落物初始C∶N比对凋落物分解速率没有显著影响。进一步分析显示,不同放牧强度背景下长期凋落物分解速率与分解环境的土壤微生物多样性成正相关关系,与群落盖度呈极显著(P0.001)负相关关系。添加氮素显著(P0.05)降低凋落物分解速度,但对凋落物氮含量无显著影响。生长季加水未影响凋落物质量及凋落物分解速度。研究结果表明,凋落物前期分解受凋落物质量影响,但较长时间凋落物分解则与分解过程中接受到的太阳辐射量有关。     

草地土壤有机质不同组分氮库对长期氮添加的响应

土壤氮库对生态系统的养分循环至关重要。目前多数研究主要关注氮沉降对土壤总氮的影响, 而对土壤不同有机质组分的氮库对氮沉降响应的研究较为缺乏。该研究基于内蒙古典型草地的长期多水平施氮(0、8、32、64 g·m^-2·a^-1)实验平台, 利用土壤密度分级方法, 探究氮添加处理13年后典型草地中两种土壤有机质组分(颗粒态有机质(POM), 矿质结合态有机质(MAOM))氮含量的变化及调控机制。结果显示: 土壤总碳含量、POM和MAOM的碳含量在施氮处理间均没有显著差异。土壤总氮含量则随着施氮水平增加呈显著增加的趋势, 同时施氮处理下POM的氮含量显著上升, 而MAOM的氮含量没有变化。进一步分析发现, 施氮促进植物地上生物量积累, 增加了凋落物量及其氮含量, 从而导致POM的氮含量增加。由于MAOM主要通过黏土矿物等吸附土壤中小分子有机质形成, 其氮含量受土壤中黏粒与粉粒含量影响, 而与氮添加水平无显著相关关系。该研究结果表明长期氮添加促进土壤氮库积累, 但增加的氮主要分布在稳定性较低的POM中, 受干扰后容易从生态系统中流失。为了更准确地评估和预测氮沉降对陆地生态系统的氮循环过程的影响, 应考虑土壤中不同有机质组分的差异响应。     

半干旱草地不同植物枯落物分解对放牧和封育的响应

为探究放牧和封育对半干旱草地植物枯落物分解的影响,选取赖草、牛枝子及其混合物为研究对象,调查了不同网孔分解袋中宁夏半干旱草地植物枯落物分解特征及对放牧和封育的响应规律。结果表明：（1）放牧样地250目网孔中,枯落物质量残留率表现为牛枝子显著高于赖草和混合物（P<0.05）,而在放牧样地30目网孔、封育样地2种网孔中,枯落物质量残留率均表现为3种枯落物间无显著差异。（2）250目网孔中,放牧和封育样地枯落物分解衰减常数均表现为混合物显著高于牛枝子,而赖草居中;并且,牛枝子枯落物分解衰减常数表现为封育样地显著高于放牧样地。30目网孔中,放牧和封育样地枯落物分解衰减常数均表现为赖草、混合物显著高于牛枝子（P<0.05）;并且,牛枝子枯落物分解衰减常数表现为封育样地显著高于放牧样地（P<0.05）。（3）在放牧样地,仅牛枝子枯落物R_m表现为30目显著低于250目网孔（P<0.05）,k表现为30目显著高于250目网孔（P<0.05）;土壤动物对枯落物分解的贡献率表现为混合物显著低于牛枝子,赖草居中（P<0.05）。而在封育样地,仅牛枝子枯落物k表现为30目显著高于250目网孔（P<0.05）;土壤动物对枯落物分解的贡献率表现为混合物和牛枝子均显著高于赖草,且混合枯落物的土壤动物贡献率表现为封育样地显著高于放牧样地（P<0.05）。（4）枯落物残留率与其初始N、P、木质素/N、C/P呈显著相关性（P<0.05）;枯落物分解衰减常数与其初始N、P、木质素、N/P、C/P和木质素/P间均呈显著相关性（P<0.05）。研究表明,植物种类组成显著影响枯落物的残留率和分解衰减常数。放牧与封育管理通过影响网孔中土壤动物分布来调控半干旱区草地植物枯落物的分解,而且封育管理更有利于促进土壤动物对低质量枯落物（牛枝子）的分解。     

川西南常绿阔叶林凋落物分解及养分释放对模拟氮沉降的响应

通过原位进行了对照(CK)、低氮(LN,50kgN.hm-2.a-1)、中氮(MN,100kgN.hm-2.a-1)和高氮(HN,150kgN.hm-2.a-1)处理,研究了川西南天然常绿阔叶林凋落物分解及养分释放对模拟N沉降的响应.结果表明:凋落物分解95%需要4.72～6.33年,分解率最高的为CK,最低的为HN.经过365d,各处理的分解率均低于CK,仅HN与CK间差异显著(P<0.05);C残留率均高于CK;N和K残留率均显著高于CK(P<0.05);P残留率均高于CK,仅LN与CK间差异显著(P<0.05).各处理凋落物的C/N升高3.9%～23.7%.凋落物分解过程中N元素的迁移模式为富集-释放,C、P和K元素则表现为直接释放.N沉降对凋落物中养分元素的释放及木质素和纤维素的降解均具有抑制作用.随着处理时间的延长,N沉降对川西南常绿阔叶林凋落物分解的影响从正效应转向负效应,且负效应随沉降浓度的增加而加强.     

Nutrient resorption response to fire and nitrogen addition in a semi-arid grassland

Fire and nitrogen (N) addition, both widely used grassland restoration strategies, strongly influence community composition and ecosystem functioning. However, little is known about their effects on plant nutrient resorption from senescing leaves, especially in semi-arid ecosystems. We evaluated the effects of fire, N addition (5.25 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹) and their potential interactions on nutrient resorption in five plant species in a semi-arid grassland in northern China. Foliar nutrient concentrations and resorption proficiencies and efficiencies varied substantially among species and functional groups. Fire increased green leaf N concentration ([N]g) and decreased N resorption proficiency (N RP), P resorption proficiency (P RP) and P resorption efficiency (P RE). N addition led to higher [N]g and lower N resorption, whereas it did not affect P related responses. There was no interaction between fire and N addition to affect all response variables except for green leaf P concentration ([P]g). These results suggest that fire and N addition can influence ecosystem nutrient cycling directly by changing resorption patterns and litter quality. Given the substantial interspecific variations in nutrient content and resorption and the potentially changing community composition, both fire and N addition may have indirect impacts on ecosystem nutrient cycling in this semi-arid grassland.     

亚热带不同树种凋落叶分解对氮添加的响应

为探究不同质量凋落物对氮(N)沉降的响应, 该研究采用尼龙网袋分解法, 在亚热带福建三明格氏栲(Castanopsis kawakamii)自然保护区的米槠(Castanopsis carlesii)天然林, 选取4种本区常见的具有不同初始化学性质的树种凋落叶进行模拟N沉降(N添加)分解实验(施N水平为对照0和50 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1)。研究结果表明: 在2年的分解期内, 对照处理的各树种凋落叶的分解速率依次为观光木(Michelia odora, 0.557 a ^-1)、米槠(0.440 a ^-1)、台湾相思(Acacia confusa, 0.357 a ^-1)、杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata, 0.354 a ^-1); N添加处理凋落叶分解速率依次为观光木(0.447 a ^-1)、米槠(0.354 a ^-1)、杉木(0.291 a ^-1)、台湾相思(0.230 a ^-1), 除杉木凋落叶外, N添加显著降低了其他3种凋落叶分解速率。N添加不仅使4种树木凋落叶分解过程中的N释放减慢, 同时还抑制凋落叶化学组成中木质素和纤维素的降解; N添加在凋落叶分解过程中总体上提高β-葡萄糖苷酶(βG)和酸性磷酸酶活性, 对纤维素水解酶的活性影响不一致, 而降低β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶活性和酚氧化酶活性。凋落叶分解速率与凋落叶中的碳获取酶(βG)活性以及其化学组分中的可萃取物含量极显著正相关, 与初始碳浓度、纤维素和木质素含量极显著负相关, 与初始N含量没有显著相关性。凋落物类型和N添加的交互作用虽未影响干质量损失速率, 但对木质素和纤维素的降解具有显著效应。综上所述, 化学组分比初始N含量能更好地预测凋落叶分解速率, 而N添加主要通过抑制分解木质素的氧化酶(如PHO)来降低凋落叶分解速率。     

Mixing effects of litter decomposition at plant organ and species levels in a temperate grassland

Plant and Soil - Non-additive effects during the decomposition of mixed litter at species level have important consequences on ecosystem nutrient cycling, whereas such effect at plant organ level...     

外源氮输入和水分变化对荒漠草原凋落物分解的影响

全球气候变化背景下,大气氮沉降和降水变化日益显著,其对荒漠草原凋落物分解的影响存在很大的不确定性.采用裂区设计,设置主区为自然降雨、增雨30%和减雨30% 3个水分处理,副区为0(N₀)、30(N₃₀)、50(N₅₀)和100 kg·hm^-2·a^-1(N₁₀₀)4个氮素水平,经过21个月(2016年1月—2017年10月)水氮处理,研究水氮共同作用对荒漠草原常见物种猪毛菜、短花针茅和木地肤3种植物凋落物分解的影响.结果表明: 3种凋落物干物质残留率随时间增加而减少,用Olson负指数衰减模型拟合效果较好,凋落物分解系数(k)大小为猪毛菜>短花针茅>木地肤.增雨30%N₁₀₀处理分解系数最高,为0.028.单因素处理下,增雨30%和N₅₀的凋落物分解最快.水氮共同作用下,增雨 30%N₁₀₀处理凋落物分解最快.3种凋落物初始化学全氮含量大小为猪毛菜>短花针茅>木地肤,猪毛菜和短花针茅k值与全氮含量呈显著正相关;全碳含量、纤维素含量、木质素含量、C/N、木质素/N和纤维素/N大小为木地肤>短花针茅>猪毛菜,猪毛菜k值与各指标均呈显著负相关,短花针茅和木地肤k值与C/N、木质素/N和纤维素/N均呈显著负相关.猪毛菜分解最快,木地肤分解最慢.适量的水、氮添加有利于荒漠草原凋落物的分解,可以促进土壤养分循环,对荒漠草原可持续发展及生态平衡有积极作用.     

模拟氮沉降对两种竹林不同凋落物组分分解过程养分释放的影响

利用原位分解袋法研究了华西雨屏区苦竹(Pleioblastus amarus)和撑绿杂交竹(Bambusa pervariabilis × Dendrocala mopsi)人工林几种凋落物组分在模拟氮沉降下分解过程中养分释放状态,试验周期为2 a。氮沉降水平分别为对照(CK, 0 g · m^-2 · a^-1)、低氮(5 g · m^-2 · a^-1)、中氮(15 g · m^-2 · a^-1)和高氮(30 g · m^-2 · a^-1),每月下旬定量地对各处理施氮(NH₄NO₃)。结果表明,苦竹林和杂交竹林凋落物主要由凋落叶、凋落箨和凋落枝组成,其中凋落叶约占80%;两个竹种凋落物在分解过程中养分元素释放的种间差异主要与初始养分元素含量有关;凋落物养分元素初始含量对元素释放模式和最终净释放率的大小具有重要的决定作用;目前,这两种竹林生态系统土壤氮输入主要以大气氮沉降(8.24 g · m^-2 · a^-1)为主,同时凋落物氮输入(苦竹和杂交竹林分别为1.93,5.07 g · m^-2 · a^-1)也是一个重要途径;模拟氮沉降对苦竹凋落物碳、磷、钾、钙元素和杂交竹凋落物碳、氮、磷、钾、钙、镁元素释放的抑制作用较弱,处理与对照之间元素总释放率差异一般小于10%;氮沉降显著抑制了苦竹林凋落物氮元素释放,减小幅度为19.0%-27.2%,但由于氮沉降增加对土壤肥力的直接改良作用,氮沉降的增加并不会因为凋落物分解速率的降低造成植物生长所需养分供应的减少;从短期来看,在氮沉降继续增加的情况下,该地区这类竹林生态系统的碳吸存能力仍可能会因为N沉降对植物生长的促进作用而增加。     

Litter mixture dominated by leaf litter of the invasive species,Flaveria bidentis,accelerates decomposition and favors nitrogen release

Journal of Plant Research - In natural ecosystems, invasive plant litter is often mixed with that of native species, yet few studies have examined the decomposition dynamics of such mixtures,...     

Effects of nitrogen addition on vegetation and ecosystem carbon in a semi-arid grassland

To clarify responses of plant and soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools in grassland ecosystem to N addition, a field experiment was performed in a grassland in Keerqin Sandy Lands, Northeast China. We investigated vegetation composition and C and N pools of plant and soil (0–30 cm) after five consecutive years of N addition at a rate of 20 g N m^?2 y^?1. Vegetation composition and species diversity responded dramatically to N addition, as dominance by C₄ perennials was replaced with C₃ annuals. Carbon in aboveground pool increased significantly (over two-fold), mainly due to the increase of the C in aboveground living plants and surface litter, which increased by 98 and 134%, respectively. Although soil C did not change significantly, the root C pool decreased in response to 5 years of N addition. The total ecosystem C pool was not significantly impacted by N addition because the large soil pool did not respond to N addition, and the increase in aboveground C was offset by the decrease in root C pool. Moreover, N addition significantly increased the aboveground N pool, but had no significant effects on belowground and total ecosystem N pools. Our results suggest that in the mid-term N addition alters the C and N partitioning in above- and belowground pools, but has no significant effects on total ecosystem C and N pools in these N-limited grasslands.     

黄土丘陵区草地植被群落优势种叶片功能性状对氮磷添加的响应

以黄土丘陵区草地植被群落3种优势种白羊草、长芒草和达乌里胡枝子为对象,采用裂区试验设计,设置0、50和100 kg N·hm^-2·a^-13个氮处理和0、40和80 kg P₂O₅·hm^-2·a^-1 3个磷处理,于生长旺盛期测定了各植物的叶长、叶宽、比叶面积、叶片干物质含量、叶片氮、磷含量和氮磷比等指标,分析不同优势种叶片功能性状对氮磷添加的响应差异.结果表明:与未施肥相比,50和100 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1处理下白羊草叶长和叶宽分别显著增加35.3%和64.4%,而长芒草仅有叶长显著增加58.8%,达乌里胡枝子仅有叶宽显著增加33.9%,但三者叶片干物质含量分别显著降低10.7%、15.3%和11.2%,白羊草和长芒草叶片氮含量分别显著增加23.0%和99.2%,氮磷比分别显著增加45.8%和96.9%;40和80 kg P₂O₅·hm^-2·a^-1处理下达乌里胡枝子叶长、叶宽和比叶面积分别显著增加56.9%、41.4%和19.6%,叶片干物质含量显著下降14.9%,三者叶片磷含量分别显著增加96.7%、110.9%和238.4%,氮磷比分别显著降低45.8%、42.8%和53.7%.50 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1处理下,与未施磷相比,40和80 kg P₂O₅·hm^-2·a^-1处理后仅达乌里胡枝子叶长和叶宽显著增大,3种植物叶片磷含量显著增加,白羊草和长芒草叶片氮含量显著降低;100 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1处理下,施磷后白羊草和长芒草叶长、达乌里胡枝子叶宽显著增大,三者叶片磷含量显著增加,白羊草叶片氮含量显著降低.综上表明,3个优势种植物叶片功能性状对短期氮磷添加的响应存在明显差异,这些差异与物种属性和施肥水平有关,不同优势种对氮磷添加响应的差异对维持草地群落多样性和稳定性具有重要作用.     

Coupled response of soil carbon and nitrogen pools and enzyme activities to nitrogen and water addition in a semi-arid grassland of Inner Mongolia

Background and aims

Previous studies have demonstrated positive net primary production effects with increased nitrogen (N) and water availability in Inner Mongolian semi-arid grasslands. However, the responses of soil carbon (C) and N concentrations and soil enzyme activities as indicators of impacts of long-term N (urea) and water addition are still unclear. We tested the effect of 7 years of a N and water addition experiment on soil C, N, and specific soil-bound enzymes in a semi-arid grassland of Inner Mongolia.

Methods

We determined concentrations of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (TN) in both the 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil layers. Concentrations of labile carbon (LC) and inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium), and soil pH were measured. Additionally, soil dehydrogenase (DHA), β-glucosidase (BG) and acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterase (PME) enzyme activities were determined in the 0–10 cm soil layer.

Results

SOC concentration in the 0–10 cm soil layer showed no response to N addition or N plus water addition, but increased with water addition alone by 0.3–15.7 %. N addition significantly increased nitrate by 46.0–138.4 % and ammonium by 19.0–73.3 % in the 0–10 cm soil layer, whereas water addition did not affect them. The activities of DHA and alkaline PME enzymes, as well as soil pH, in the 0–10 cm layer decreased with N addition, however water addition alone caused these enzyme activities to increase. Unlike the surface soil (0–10 cm), the lower soil layer (10–20 cm), was responsive to N and water addition in that SOC and TN concentrations decreased with N addition and increased with water addition.

Conclusions

The accumulation of SOC and TN in N and water addition plots may be caused by the input of plant biomass exceeding SOC decomposition. Decrease in microbial activity, derived from decreased DHA and alkaline PME activities might result from suppression effects of lower pH and decreased microbial N supply. Water availability is proved to be more important than N availability for soil C and N accumulation in this semi-arid grassland.     

内蒙古草原不同基因组大小植物对氮水添加的响应

被子植物基因组大小的种间差异巨大,约为2400倍.基因组大小与植物从细胞核到个体水平的一系列性状密切相关,进而影响植物对环境变化的响应.作为水分和养分共同限制的生态系统,内蒙古草原植物群落对氮素、水分有效性变化的响应具有明显的种间差异,这种差异可能与种间基因组大小不同有关.本研究利用流式细胞术测定了内蒙古典型草原水分、氮素添加实验平台植物的基因组大小,研究了不同基因组大小植物地上净初级生产力(ANPP)和物种丰富度对水分、氮素添加及其交互作用的响应.结果表明:基因组大小显著影响了不同植物ANPP对水分的响应,小基因组植物ANPP对氮水添加响应更敏感,加水和氮水共同添加显著增加了小基因组植物ANPP,而大基因组植物ANPP对所有处理响应均不显著.加氮对大小基因组植物ANPP都无显著影响.大小基因组植物的物种丰富度对氮水添加的响应也均不显著.基因组大小影响内蒙古草原不同植物ANPP对水分增加的响应.作为植物细胞核水平上十分稳定且种间差异巨大的物种性状,将基因组大小引入生态学研究将对全球变化背景下生态系统结构与功能变化研究起到重要作用.     

半干旱黄土区不同管理措施下草地群落结构对短期氮、水添加的响应

氮沉降和降水变异显著影响草地群落结构和功能,但缺乏对不同管理措施下草地群落结构对氮沉降和降水变异响应的研究。为模拟不同管理措施下草地群落结构对氮沉降和降水变异的响应特征,以半干旱黄土区云雾山国家自然保护区典型草原为研究对象,系统分析了在封育、刈割和火烧三种管理措施下,氮添加和水添加对群落地上生物量、功能群组成和群落多样性的影响。结果表明,氮添加和水添加对地上生物量、功能群组成和群落多样性指数的影响因管理措施不同有所差异。（1）在封育草地上,氮添加显著降低物种多样性,对地上生物量影响较小;水添加显著增加物种多样性指数,氮添加和水添加的交互作用显著增加地上生物量、禾本科所占比例和莎草科所占比例;物种多样性指数均与地上生物量无显著相关,与不同功能群所占比例显著相关。（2）在刈割草地上,氮添加和水添加显著提高草地群落地上生物量,氮添加和水添加交互作用尤为显著;氮添加和水添加显著增加物种丰富度指数,对物种均匀度影响较小;杂草类所占比例和地上生物量对Shannon-Weiner多样性指数的贡献率较大。（3）在火烧草地上,氮添加和水添加显著提高群落地上生物量,对物种多样性的影响因年份不同有所差异,氮添加和水添加交互作用具有累加效应;Shannon-Weiner多样性指数与地上生物量呈显著负相关,与莎草科所占比例呈显著正相关。研究表明管理措施显著影响群落结构对氮添加和水添加的响应特征,亦改变生产力和物种多样性的关系模式,为更好地应对全球变化进行草地管理提供数据支撑。     

荒漠草原植物群落结构及其稳定性对增水和增氮的响应

通过在荒漠草原开展增水和增氮野外控制试验,研究增水和增氮对荒漠草原植物群落结构、物种多样性及群落稳定性的影响。结果表明：（1）增水和增氮处理显著影响了荒漠草原植物群落结构和地上生物量,而对植物群落稳定性影响不显著（P>0.05）。增水处理显著增加了豆科和禾本科植物地上生物量（101.3%和57.9%）（P<0.05）;增水+增氮处理显著增加了植物群落盖度（43.2%）和地上生物量（112.4%）及不同功能群（禾本科和杂类草）植物盖度（75.5%和47.3%）和地上生物量（139.3%和85.7%）（P<0.05）。与增氮处理相比,增水+增氮处理显著增加了植物群落和不同功能群（禾本科和杂类草）植物高度、盖度和地上生物量（P<0.05）。（2）增水、增氮和增水+增氮处理均显著降低了植物群落Pielou指数（11.7%、8.7%和10.2%）（P<0.05）。（3）增水和增水+增氮处理提高了荒漠草原植物群落稳定性,而增氮处理降低了荒漠草原植物群落稳定性。增水处理荒漠草原植物群落稳定性效应大于增水+增氮处理。研究表明,荒漠草原植物群落结构受到氮沉降和降水增加的共同影响。增加降水对荒漠草原植物群落稳定性的积极效应可能会抵消部分氮沉降的消极影响,荒漠草原植物群落地上生物量及群落稳定性可能有所增加。     

Soil fertility promotes decomposition rate of nutrient poor,but not nutrient rich litter through nitrogen transfer

Plant and Soil - Litter decomposition is a critical process in terrestrial ecosystems and understanding the effects of soil fertility on the litter decay rate is of great ecological relevance. Here...     

Microbial responses to nitrogen addition in three contrasting grassland ecosystems

The effects of global N enrichment on soil processes in grassland ecosystems have received relatively little study. We assessed microbial community response to experimental increases in N availability by measuring extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) in soils from three grasslands with contrasting edaphic and climatic characteristics: a semiarid grassland at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA (SEV), and mesic grasslands at Konza Prairie, Kansas, USA (KNZ) and Ukulinga Research Farm, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (SAF). We hypothesized that, with N enrichment, soil microbial communities would increase C and P acquisition activity, decrease N acquisition activity, and reduce oxidative enzyme production (leading to recalcitrant soil organic matter [SOM] accumulation), and that the magnitude of response would decrease with soil age (due to higher stabilization of enzyme pools and P limitation of response). Cellulolytic activities followed the pattern predicted, increasing 35–52% in the youngest soil (SEV), 10–14% in the intermediate soil (KNZ) and remaining constant in the oldest soil (SAF). The magnitude of phosphatase response did not vary among sites. N acquisition activity response was driven by the enzyme closest to its pH optimum in each soil: i.e., leucine aminopeptidase in alkaline soil, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase in acidic soil. Oxidative enzyme activity varied widely across ecosystems, but did not decrease with N amendment at any site. Likewise, SOM and %C pools did not respond to N enrichment. Between-site variation in both soil properties and EEA exceeded any treatment response, and a large portion of EEA variability (leucine aminopeptidase and oxidative enzymes), 68% as shown by principal components analysis, was strongly related to soil pH (r = 0.91, P < 0.001). In these grassland ecosystems, soil microbial responses appear constrained by a molecular-scale (pH) edaphic factor, making potential breakdown rates of SOM resistant to N enrichment.