Silicate weathering in temperate forest soils: insights from a field experiment

Few studies of silicate mineral weathering have been conducted in carbonate-bearing temperate forest soils. With climate and vegetation held constant, we compared soil mineralogy and major element chemistry of soil waters from a carbonate-free temperate aspen forest site in the Cheboygan watershed, northern Michigan, with that from carbonate-containing soils from experimental tree-growth chambers (low- vs. high- fertility). All soils were well-drained sands (quartz, Na-rich plagioclase, and K-feldspar) with minor amounts of carbonate present only in the experimentally manipulated soils. The Na⁺ concentrations in soil waters corrected for atmospheric deposition (Na*) were used to compare relative rates of plagioclase feldspar weathering across sites. In natural soil water profiles, maximum concentrations of Na*, Si, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were observed by a depth of 15 cm, a soil zone free of carbonate minerals. Mean Na* and DOC concentrations were different in the three soils, and increased in the order natural soil < low-fertility chambers < high-fertility chambers. While low pH environments are generally viewed as enhancing weathering rates, here higher Na* appears to be related to high DOC, which is consistent with observed increases in active organic functional groups as pH increases. Our results suggest that under a specific vegetative cover, the soil carbon environment affects the weathering flux observed. Our study also suggests that disturbed soils provide an enhanced physical and chemical environment for weathering. Generalized silicate weathering models may benefit from including the enhancing effects of organic anions at moderate pH in addition to precipitation and temperature.     

Bacterial conjugation between pseudomonads in the rhizosphere of wheat

Abstract Transfer of plasmid RP4 between introduced pseudomonads was studied in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil of wheat, in soil chambers and in culture tubes. In both experiments, the presence of growing wheat roots stimulated the occurrence of plasmid transfers in the soil. The plasmid transfer frequencies in rhizosphere soil in the soil chambers were consistently higher than those in rhizosphere soil in the culture tubes, indicating an influence of the experimental set-up.
In the soil chambers, both the survival of introduced donor and recipient strains and the plasmid transfer frequencies decreased drastically at increasing distances from the roots. In addition, plasmid transfer frequencies were influenced by the inoculum densities of both donor and recipient strains; higher frequencies were observed in soil that was initially inoculated with higher cell numbers.     

Effect of Watering and Soil Moisture on Mercury Emissions from Soils

This paper presents data from experiments that measured Mercury (Hg) flux as a function of water addition and subsequent soil drying, and maintenance of soil water content over time utilizing small dynamic gas exchange chambers and large mesocosms. When soil surfaces were dry and water was added at an amount less than that necessary to saturate the soil an immediate large (relative to dry soil flux) release of Hg occurred. Diel Hg emissions from soils, unenriched (0.02 μg g⁻¹) and enriched (3 μg g⁻¹) in Hg and wet below saturation, were significantly elevated above that occurring from dry soils (2–5 times depending on soil water content) for weeks to months. Enhancement of emissions from wet soils in direct sunlight were greater than that from soils shaded or in the dark suggesting that a synergism exists between soil moisture and light. When soils were watered to saturation Hg emissions were suppressed or remained the same depending on the degree of saturation. It is hypothesized that the addition of soil water in amounts less than that necessary to saturate the soil surface results in an immediate release of elemental Hg from soil surface as the more polar water molecule out competes Hg for binding sites. As the water moves into the soil, Hg adsorbed to soil particles is desorbed into soil gas and dissolved in the soil water. The process of evaporation facilitates movement of Hg as mass flow to the soil surface where it is made available for subsequent release. The latter is hypothesized to be an important process by which Hg is recharged at the soil–air interface.     

Altitudinal gradients in seed dynamics of Calluna vulgaris in eastern Scotland

Abstract. Relationships between seed deposition, size of soil seed banks and some of the environmental factors affecting them were assessed for Calluna vulgaris throughout its altitudinal range (150–960 m a.s.l.) in eastern Scotland. Seed rain was assessed using pitfall traps, collected every 5–10 wk for 3 yr; germinability was determined by laboratory incubation. Seed bank size was estimated, once only, by counting seedlings emerging from soil cores kept for 50 wk in a glasshouse. Seed deposition varied annually, was related to parent plant cover but always declined with altitude, falling sharply above 600 m a.s.l. Seed bank size was more closely correlated with the proportion of organic matter in the soil than with the amount of seed rain. Seed bank sizes declined gradually with altitude but did not differ significantly between four altitudinal zones. The mean density of buried seeds was less than half the mean annual seed rain at sites below 300 m a.s.l. but was over 200 × greater than annual seed rain above 800 m, suggesting that seeds buried at high altitudes remain viable for much longer than those at lower altitudes.     

Impacts of litter and understory removal on soil properties in a subtropical Acacia mangium plantation in China

In forest ecosystems, the effects of litter or understory on soil properties are far from being fully understood. We conducted a study in a pure Acacia mangium Willd. plantation in southern China, by removing litter or understory or both components and then comparing these treatments with a control (undisturbed), to evaluate their respective effects on soil physical, chemical and biological properties. In addition, a litter decomposition experiment was conducted to understand the effects of understory on litter decomposition. Our data showed that the presence of understory favored litter decomposition to a large extent. In 1 year, 75.2 and 37.2% of litter were decomposed in the control and understory removal treatment (UR), respectively. Litter had a profound significance in retaining soil water and contributing to soil fertility, including organic matter (OM), available phosphorus (P) and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (N), but understory exerted less influence than litter on soil physical and chemical properties. Both litter and understory played an important role in soil biological activity as indicated by microbial biomass carbon (MBC), while there were no significant impacts on soil exchangeable potassium (K) after either or both were removed. Contrary to our hypothesis, the effects of understory or litter removal were not always negative. A significant soil pH increase with litter removal was a positive factor for acid soil in the studied site. Except for soil moisture, significant effects, caused by removal of litter or/and understory, on measured soil chemical characteristics were only observed in the top 10 cm soil layer, but not in the 10–20 cm layer. Soil available P and exchangeable K contents were significantly higher in the rainy season than in the dry season, however, for the other soil properties, not substantially affected by season.     

Quantitative estimation of the viability of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in soil

Toxoplasma gondii oocysts spread in the environment are an important source of toxoplasmosis for humans and animal species. Although the life expectancy of oocysts has been studied through the infectivity of inoculated soil samples, the survival dynamics of oocysts in the environment are poorly documented. The aim of this study was to quantify oocyst viability in soil over time under two rain conditions. Oocysts were placed in 54 sentinel chambers containing soil and 18 sealed water tubes, all settled in two containers filled with soil. Containers were watered to simulate rain levels of arid and wet climates and kept at stable temperature for 21.5 months. At nine sampling dates during this period, we sampled six chambers and two water tubes. Three methods were used to measure oocyst viability: microscopic counting, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and mouse inoculation. In parallel, oocysts were kept refrigerated during the same period to analyze their detectability over time. Microscopic counting, qPCR, and mouse inoculation all showed decreasing values over time and highly significant differences between the decreases under dry and damp conditions. The proportion of oocysts surviving after 100 days was estimated to be 7.4% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 5.1, 10.8) under dry conditions and 43.7% (5% CI = 35.6, 53.5) under damp conditions. The detectability of oocysts by qPCR over time decreased by 0.5 cycle threshold per 100 days. Finally, a strong correlation between qPCR results and the dose infecting 50% of mice was found; thus, qPCR results may be used as an estimate of the infectivity of soil samples.     

Influence of Doubled CO2 on Plant Growth and Soil Microbial Biomass C and N

Salix babylonica L., Triticum aestivum L., Chenopodium album L. and Amaranthus cruemus L. were grown in the N-deficient soil in open-top chambers blown with ambient or doubled ambient CO2 air, and their growth was measured. Soil samples were collected to assess the influence of doubled CO2 on the soil microbial biomass C (Cmic) and N (Nmic). Results showed that the biomass of shoot and root was increased by doubled CO2 in the four species of plants. Doubled CO2 increased Cmic in S. babylonica and decreased Cmic in T. aestivum and C. album. On the other hand, Nmic in three species except T. aestivum was stimulated by doubled CO2. Doubled CO2 had no significant effect on Cmic in A. cruentus and Nmic in T. aestivum. However, the ratios of Cmic- to -Nmic of all four species were consistently declined under doubled CO2 treatment. It implies that CO2 enrichment may have positive influence on the quality of organic matter of N-low soil in global change.     

Deep soil heterogeneity and fine root distribution in forests and pastures of eastern Amazonia

Little is known about deep soil heterogeneity, or its relationship with fine root distribution. Beneath a mature, closed-canopy forest of eastern Amazonia, and the pastures and secondary forests that are derived from this forest, soil soft spots and hollow chambers occur to at least 9 meters depth. We measured the vertical distribution of these soil patches, and compared chemical characteristics, mycorrhizal infection, and root density of soil soft spots with the surrounding matrix of more homogeneous soil. Soil soft spots and chambers varied little with depth, but occupied the greatest soil volume (0.8 to 1.2%) from 4 to 6 m depth in the mature forest. Soft spots had lower pH, P availability and arbuscular mycorrhizal infection, and higher K availability than surrounding soil. Root length density was 2 to 15 times higher in soft spots than in surrounding soil. In the pastures, roots were found only in soil soft spots at depths of >3 m. Pastures and secondary forest had more soil chambers in the upper meter of soil than mature forest, but were otherwise indistinguishable in their patterns of deep soil heterogeneity. Soil soft spots may be vestiges of cutter ant nest chambers, while hollow chambers are cutter ant chambers and root channels. Chambers may act as conduits for root penetration and water penetration to deep soil.Abbreviations AM arbuscular mycorrhizae - RLD root length density (root length per unit of soil volume)     

珞珈山森林土壤原生动物生态学研究及土壤原生动物定量方法探讨

１９９３年１月至１２月,用直接计数法和培养计数法对武昌珞珈山森林土壤原生动物进行了周年定量研究,发现原生动物丰度的周年动态趋势为：春季（３—５月）达到高峰,低谷出现在冬季（１—２月）,夏秋季保持较平稳的变动。原生动物丰度与土壤环境因子间的相关性分析结果表明,原生动物丰度的周年动态与土壤含水量及土壤ｐＨ值的变化呈显著的正相关,与土壤温度的变化无明显相关关系。珞珈山森林土壤原生动物优势种为梨波豆虫（Ｂｏｄｏｅｄａｘ）、球波豆虫（Ｂｏｄｏｇｌｏｂｏｓｕｓ）、卵形隐滴虫（Ｃｒｙｐｔｏｍｏｎａｓｏｖａｔａ）、长尾尾滴虫（Ｃｅｒｃｏｍｏｎａｓｌｏｎｇｉｃａｕｄａ）、线条三足虫（Ｔｒｉｎｅｍａｌｉｎｅａｒｓ）、斜口三足虫（Ｔ．ｅｎｃｈｅｌｙｓ）、长匣壳虫（Ｃｅｎｔｒｏｐｙｘｉｓｅｌｏｎｇａｔａ）、宽口圆壳虫（Ｃｙｃｌｏｐｙｘｉｓｅｕｒｏｓｔｏｍａ）。常见种有梨波豆虫（Ｂｏｄｏｅｄａｘ）、球波豆虫（Ｂ．ｇｌｏｂｏｓｕｓ）、跳侧滴虫（Ｐｌｅｕｒｏｍｏｎａｓｊａｃｕｌａｎｓ）、长尾尾滴虫（Ｃｅｒｃｏｍｏｎａｓｌｏｎｇｉｃａｕｄａ）、小滴虫（Ｍｏｎａｓｍｉｎｉｍｕｍ）、斜口三足虫（Ｔｒｉｎｅｍａｅｎｃｈｅｌｙｓ）、线条三足虫（Ｔ     

Controlled water potential in subirrigated pots

Summary A simple method of control for soil water potential in subirrigated pots is presented. The system is tested in a glasshouse trial. No uncontrolled excursions in soil water potential were observed, and the soil water tension was held constant to less than ±15%. Reasons for fluctuations in potentials and recommendations for their reduction are made.     

CO_2倍增对植物生长和土壤微生物生物量碳、氮的影响

关于大气ＣＯ２浓度倍增（即为７００μｍｏｌＣＯ２·ｍｏｌ－１空气）将对植物生长产生诸多影响,已有大量报道［１,２］。但ＣＯ２倍增对植物及所在土壤中微生物影响的研究甚少［３,４］。土壤微生物是陆地生态系统中最活跃的成分,担负着分解动植物残体的重要作用,...     

Bradford reactive soil protein in Appalachian soils: distribution and response to incubation, extraction reagent and tannins

Bradford reactive soil protein (BRSP) is thought to correlate to glomalin, an important soil glycoprotein that promotes soil aggregate formation and may represent a significant pool of stable soil organic matter (SOM). However, more information is needed about its importance in Appalachian soils and its relationships with other soil properties. We measured BRSP in 0–20 cm soil from pastures, hayfields, cultivated fields or forest areas in southern West Virginia. Highest amounts of BRSP were found near the soil surface and decreased significantly with depth for all land uses except cultivated sites. Forest and pasture sites contained more BRSP than hayfields or cultivated fields but these differences occurred only in the 0–5 cm depth. Overall averages of C and N in BRSP represented about 4.0 and 6.5% of the total soil C and N respectively. During a 395 day soil incubation, we found CO₂–C evolution rates comparable to other studies but only small changes in BRSP (<10%) including some evidence for increases during incubation. Sodium citrate, sodium pyrophosphate, and sodium oxalate recovered significantly more BRSP from soil than the other extractants we tested with highest extraction efficiencies observed for sodium citrate and pyrophosphate. Recovery of BRSP appears related to negative charge and buffering capacity of both the soil and extractant. Extractants with low negative charge had little buffering capacity and yielded little BRSP. Tannic acid appeared to increase extraction of BRSP but less soluble-N was recovered from tannin-treated samples than from untreated controls and E4/E6, the ratio of absorbance at 465 and 665 nm, decreased, evidence for the formation of larger or heavier molecules. Formation of dark-colored substances during extraction suggests the colorimetric Bradford assay may overestimate soil protein when tannins are present. Recovery of less soluble-N from soil extracts and lower E4/E6 ratios suggests tannins may bind with soil constituents themselves or form non-extractable N-containing complexes.     

Influence of temperature on rate of uptake and subsequent horizontal transfer of [14C]fipronil by eastern subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

The effect of temperature on [14C]fipronil uptake and transfer from donor (D) to recipient (R) Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) workers was evaluated. Test chambers used in the fipronil uptake study were constructed from petri dishes containing autoclaved soil treated with 1 ppm [14C]fipronil (1.14 microCi of total radioactivity per petri dish), distilled water, and R. flavipes workers. Test chambers were held in environmental growth chambers preset at 12, 17, 22, 27, and 32 degrees C. For the fipronil transfer study, donor termites stained with Nile blue-A were exposed to soil treated with 1 ppm [14C]fipronil for 2 h. Donors were then combined with unexposed recipient termite workers at either 1D:5R, 1D:10R, or 1D:20R ratios. Test chambers consisted of a nest and feeding chamber connected by a piece of polyethylene tube and held in growth chambers at 12, 17, 22, 27, and 32 degrees C. Worker termites were sampled over time and the amount of [14C]fipronil present was measured by scintillation counting. Some degree of uptake and transfer occurred at all temperatures and ratios in this study. The highest level of uptake occurred by termites held at 22-32 degrees C, followed decreasingly by 17 and 12 degrees C. Maximum transfer of [14C]fipronil occurred at the higher ratios (1:5 > 1:10 > 1:20) of donors to recipients. Data presented in this study suggest that temperature is one of the key factors affecting the rate of uptake and subsequent horizontal transfer of [14C]fipronil in subterranean termites.     

Laboratory sources of error for algal community attributes during sample preparation and counting

Applied algal studies typically require enumeration of preserved cells. As applications of algal assessments proliferate, understanding sources of variability inherent in the methods by which abundance and species composition data are obtained becomes even more important for precision of measurements. We performed replicate counts of diatoms on permanently fixed coverglasses and all algae in Palmer–Maloney chambers to assess precision and accuracy of measurements derived from common counting methods. We counted diatoms and all algae with transects and random fields. Variability estimates (precision) of diatom density, species diversity, and species composition on permanent coverglasses were low between replicate subsamples and between replicate transects. However, average density estimates of diatoms settled on coverglasses determined with transect methods were 42–52% greater than density estimates made with random fields. This bias was due to a predictable, nonrandom distribution of diatoms on the coverglass with few diatoms near edges. Despite bias in density when counting diatoms along coverglass transects, no bias was observed in estimates of species composition. Estimates of density and taxa richness of all-algae in Palmer–Maloney chambers also had low variability among multiple transects and high similarity in species composition between transects. In addition, counting method in Palmer–Maloney chambers did not affect estimates of algal cell density, taxa richness, and species composition, which suggested that counting units were distributed randomly in the chambers. Thus, most sources of variability in sample preparation and analysis are small; however, transect counts should not be used to estimate cell density, and sufficient numbers of random fields must be counted to account for edge effects on cell distribution with material settled on permanently fixed coverglasses.     

环境因子和AM真菌分布的关系

由我国东、南沿海七省278个土样中的908个AM真菌种次分析了AM真菌属和种的分布和7种环境因子的关系。球囊霉属在各种环境下均占绝对多数,巨囊霉属＋盾巨囊霉属则为最少。球囊霉属在各pH水平土壤中分布较均匀。而其它四属主要出现在pH低于7的土壤中。摩西球囊霉C.mosseae（Nocol．＆Gerd．）Gerdemann＆Trappe在pH低于5的土壤中仍能发现。所有五属AM真菌的出现率都随土壤有机质含量增高而减少,但在有机质含量小于1．5％时出现率均稍低于1．5-3．0％;地球囊霉G．geosporum（Nicolsom＆Gerdemann）Walker的孢子数与属的规律相同,而台湾球囊霉G．formosanumWu＆Chen和弯丝硬囊霉SclerocystissinuosaGerdemann＆Bakshi则在有机质含量小于15％时数量最少。五属在不同速效磷含量土壤中的出现没有明显规律;而不同菌种对土壤含磷量有不同反应。无梗囊霉属随土壤中铁含量增加而减少其出现率;而硬囊霉属在铁含量大于15mg／kg时出现率均较多,摩西球囊霉在高于25mg／kg的土壤中明显减少而台湾球囊霉则多见于25～40mg／kg的土壤中。在15个土类中,无梗囊霉属和硬囊霉属主要分布在赤红壤和砖红壤中,前者在水稻土中也较多;台湾球囊霉主要在红壤和赤红壤中,而细四无梗囊霉A．scrobiculataTrappe则在潮土和棕壤中     

菠萝-甘蔗轮作的土壤生态效应

通过2000～2002年进行菠萝-甘蔗轮作田间试验,研究了菠萝、甘蔗轮作对甘蔗土壤生态的影响。结果表明：菠萝甘蔗轮作田与甘蔗连作田比较,能明显地改善土壤的通气和蓄水性,加速速效性养分的释放;增强土壤酶活性;增加土壤微生物总量(一般好气性细菌、真菌、放线菌);有益的氨化细菌和硝化细菌成倍增加,而无益的厌氧性细菌、反硝化细菌则受到抑制;固氮菌数量小且变化不大。菠萝-甘蔗轮作对甘蔗土壤生态环境的改善其实质在于：菠萝、甘蔗轮作后,由于其作物种类的不同导致土壤结构的改善和土壤微生物种类和数量增多,土壤生物活性增强,并导致土壤速效养分的增加。     

Soil textural class plays a major role in evaluating the effects of land use on soil quality indicators

Inappropriate land use that negatively affects ecological processes and soil quality is generally considered to be the primary cause of soil degradation in tropical agroecosystems. We hypothesized that in addition to land use, soil textural class also has an important effect on ecological processes and soil quality. To test our hypothesis, effects of land use change on soil organic fractions as well as microbial and biochemical indicators were quantified for clayey and sandy-clay-loam soils within the native Cerrado biome, pasture (Brachiaria brizantha) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) agroecosystems in southwestern Brazil (Minas Gerais state). Labile carbon, humic substances, soil microbial respiration (SMR), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), metabolic quotient (qCO₂), hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate (FDA), beta-glucosidase, urease, phosphatase and arylsulphatase activities were measured for each sample. Labile carbon concentrations were not affected by land use but were lower in sandy-clay-loam soil than clayey soil. Humic substances were at the highest concentrations in the native Cerrado and the lowest in sugarcane agroecosystems. Sandy-clay-loam soil had lower humic acid concentrations than clayey soil. Soil microbial indicators (SMR, MBC and FDA) showed lower values in pasture and sugarcane agroecosystems than in the native Cerrado. FDA was a more sensitive microbial indicator than SMR and MBC for detecting land use and textural class differences. The qCO₂ indices were greater in sugarcane systems than in either pasture or native Cerrado systems. The activity of exocellular hydrolytic enzymes, such as beta-glucosidase, urease, phosphatase and arylsulphatase, was smaller in sugarcane and pasture agroecosystems than in native Cerrado ecosystems. Within the same land use, the activity of these enzymes was always greater in clayey soil than in sandy-clay-loam soil, indicating a higher impact of land uses on enzyme activities in clayey soils. Results for the measured indicators support the hypothesis that soil textural class plays a major role in assessing differences between land use systems in the Brazilian Cerrado biome.     

A new in vitro assay for cell motility and proliferation

We have described and characterized a new micropore membrane assay for migration and proliferation of cells of various tumourigenic potential. The assay was developed to facilitate analysis of some aspects of cancer invasion and metastasis. Tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic C3H/10 T 1/2 cells grow in and migrate out of a culture chamber during a 1-11 day period, the shorter periods are used for chambers with 6 micron thick polycarbonate membranes, the longer ones for 140 micron thick cellulose nitrate membranes. Cell growth within the chambers, in their micropore membranes and on the outside of the membranes, was assessed with microscopy, electronic cell counting, flow cytometry of propidium iodide (PI) stained cells, and 3H-thymidine [( 3H]TdR) incorporation. A complete retrieval of intact cells that have traversed the membraneous chamber wall is possible, and these cells can be recultured or used in other studies. The tumorigenic cells had a steeper growth curve in vitro than the non transformed cells, but the relative sizes of the emigrated subpopulations were not significantly different. The subpopulation of tumorigenic cells that emigrated spontaneously from the chambers was less able than the subpopulation retained to populate secondary chamber cultures, suggesting that the clonogenic (stem) tumour cells are 'slow movers'.     

Links between the detritivore and the herbivore system: effects of earthworms and Collembola on plant growth and aphid development

Effects of Collembola (Heteromurus nitidus and Onychiurus scotarius) and earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa and Octolasion tyrtaeum) on the growth of two plant species from different functional groups (Poa annua and Trifolium repens), and on the development of aphids (Myzus persicae) were investigated in a laboratory experiment lasting 20 weeks. Using soil from a fallow site which had been set aside for about 15 years, we expected that nitrogen would be of limited supply to plants and hypothesized that the soil animals studied, particularly earthworms, would increase nutrient availability to plants and thereby also modify aphid reproduction and development. Plant growth was modified strongly by the presence of soil animals. Earthworms caused a more than twofold increase in shoot and root mass of P. annua but increased that of T. repens by only 18% and 6%, respectively. However, earthworms neither affected plant shoot/root ratio nor the nitrogen concentration in plant tissue. In contrast, the presence of Collembola caused a reduction in plant biomass particularly that of P. annua roots, but plant tissue nitrogen concentration was increased, although only slightly. Aphid reproduction on T. repens was lowered in the presence of Collembola on average by 45% but on P. annua increased by a factor of about 3. It is concluded that Collembola decrease aphid reproduction on more palatable host plants like T. repens but increase that on less palatable ones like P. annua. Earthworm presence also affected aphid reproduction but the effect was less consistent than that of Collembola. In the presence of earthworms, aphid reproduction was in one experimental period increased by some 70%. Earthworms also modified the numbers of Collembola and their vertical distribution in experimental chambers. Exploitation of deeper soil layers by H. nitidus was increased but, generally, O. scotarius numbers were reduced whereas those of H. nitidus increased in earthworm treatments. The presence of Collembola also influenced earthworm body mass during the experiment. In general it declined, but in the presence of Collembola loss of body mass of A. caliginosa was more pronounced. We conclude that inhibiting effects between Collembola and earthworms resulted from the use of a common resource, litter material rich in nitrogen. This is supported by the higher C/N ratio of the litter material in the presence of earthworms and Collembola by the end of the experiment. Effects of soil invertebrates like Collembola and earthworms on plant performance and aphid development are assumed to be modified by complex direct and indirect interactions among soil animal groups. Received: 6 July 1998 / Accepted: 1 March 1999     

岷江上游不同植被下土壤团聚体特征分析

以岷江上游卧龙自然保护区内不同植被条件下土壤为对象,研究了暗针叶林、针阔混交林、暗针叶林林窗下箭竹林、高山栎4种植被土壤的团聚体数量特征.结果表明,湿筛法得到的4种植被类型土壤团聚体服从对数正态分布,其几何平均直径与标准差之间存在负相关关系.其中,针阔混交林和高山栎林土壤具有较大的团聚体直径.土壤的分维数范围在2.40～2.78之间,＜0.25mm团聚体含量越高,土壤团聚体分形维数越大,暗针叶林土壤的第2层和暗针叶林窗箭竹林土壤的第3层的分形维数最大.土壤团聚体的保存机率以3～1mm、1～0.5mm粒径级团聚体为大,遭到破坏的可能性小;＞10mm、0.5～0.25mm粒径级的团聚体的保存机率小,容易遭到破坏.对团聚体稳定性指数进行剖面加权平均发现,针阔混交林土壤的稳定性指数最高,其次为高山栎林土壤、暗针叶林林窗下箭竹林和暗针叶林土壤,说明针阔混交林和高山栎林有利于土壤团聚体的稳定.团聚体的3个数量特征之间具有密切联系,均可用于说明土壤团聚体稳定性的大小.