Overgrowth on ammonite conchs: environmental implications for the Lower Toarcian Posidonia Shale

Ammonites of the south–west German Posidonia Shale (Early Toarcian) are occasionally overgrown by bivalves, brachiopods or serpulids. Attachment to both sides of the conchs in some specimens suggests attachment during the ammonite's lifetime, with a pseudoplanktic mode of life for the epizoans. However, dense overgrowth restricted to the upper surface of some ammonite shells indicates post–mortem colonization. Our study shows that apart from oxygen supply as a main factor controlling benthic colonization, substrate consistency also played an important part. Unfavourable living conditions prevailed during deposition of the organic–rich sediments, excluding macrofauna in the benthic environment. However, less than 0.1 per cent of the ammonite conchs found during the excavation show overgrowth, indicating that pseudoplanktonism was an infrequently adopted strategy for inhabiting surface waters.     

Increased leaf area dominates carbon flux response to elevated CO2 in stands of Populus deltoides (Bartr.)

We examined the effects of atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and soil moisture stress (SMS) on leaf‐ and stand‐level CO₂ exchange in model 3‐year‐old coppiced cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr.) plantations using the large‐scale, controlled environments of the Biosphere 2 Laboratory. A short‐term experiment was imposed on top of continuing, long‐term CO₂ treatments (43 and 120 Pa), at the end of the growing season. For the experiment, the plantations were exposed for 6–14 days to low and high VPD (0.6 and 2.5 kPa) at low and high volumetric soil moisture contents (25–39%). When system gross CO₂ assimilation was corrected for leaf area, system net CO₂ exchange (SNCE), integrated daily SNCE, and system respiration increased in response to elevated CO₂. The increases were mainly as a result of the larger leaf area developed during growth at high CO₂, before the short‐term experiment; the observed decline in responses to SMS and high VPD treatments was partly because of leaf area reduction. Elevated CO₂ ameliorated the gas exchange consequences of water stress at the stand level, in all treatments. The initial slope of light response curves of stand photosynthesis (efficiency of light use by the stand) increased in response to elevated CO₂ under all treatments. Leaf‐level net CO₂ assimilation rate and apparent quantum efficiency were consistently higher, and stomatal conductance and transpiration were significantly lower, under high CO₂ in all soil moisture and VPD combinations (except for conductance and transpiration in high soil moisture, low VPD). Comparisons of leaf‐ and stand‐level gross CO₂ exchange indicated that the limitation of assimilation because of canopy light environment (in well‐irrigated stands; ratio of leaf : stand=3.2–3.5) switched to a predominantly individual leaf limitation (because of stomatal closure) in response to water stress (leaf : stand=0.8–1.3). These observations enabled a good prediction of whole stand assimilation from leaf‐level data under water‐stressed conditions; the predictive ability was less under well‐watered conditions. The data also demonstrated the need for a better understanding of the relationship between leaf water potential, leaf abscission, and stand LAI.     

A stable and productive marine microbial community was sustained through the end‐Devonian Hangenberg Crisis within the Cleveland Shale of the Appalachian Basin,United States

The end‐Devonian Hangenberg Crisis constituted one of the greatest ecological and environmental perturbations of the Paleozoic Era. To date, however, it has been difficult to precisely constrain the occurrence of the Hangenberg Crisis in the Appalachian Basin of the United States and thus to directly assess the effects of this crisis on marine microbial communities and paleoenvironmental conditions. Here, we integrate organic and inorganic chemostratigraphic records compiled from two discrete outcrop locations to characterize the onset and paleoenvironmental transitions associated with the Hangenberg Crisis within the Cleveland Shale member of the Ohio Shale. The upper Cleveland Shale records both positive carbon (δ¹³C_org) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N_total) isotopic excursions, and replenished trace metal inventories with links to eustatic rise. These dual but apparently temporally offset isotope excursions may be useful for stratigraphic correlation with other productive end‐Devonian epeiric marine locations. Deposition of the black shale succession occurred locally beneath a redox‐stratified water column with euxinic zones, with signs of strengthening denitrification during the Hangenberg Crisis interval, but with an otherwise stable and algal‐rich marine microbial community structure sustained in the surface mixed layer as ascertained by lipid biomarker assemblages. Discernible trace fossil signals in some horizons suggest, however, that bioturbation and seafloor oxygenation occurred episodically throughout this succession and highlight that geochemical proxies often fail to capture these rapid and sporadic redox fluctuations in ancient black shales. The paleoenvironmental conditions, source biota, and accumulations of black shale are consistent with expressions of the Hangenberg Crisis globally, suggesting this event is likely captured within the uppermost strata of the Cleveland Shale in North America.     

Preservational modes of some ichthyosaur soft tissues (Reptilia,Ichthyopterygia) from the Jurassic Posidonia Shale of Germany

Konservat-Lagerstätten, such as the Toarcian (Early Jurassic) Posidonia Shale of southwestern Germany, are renowned for their spectacular fossils. Ichthyosaur skeletons recovered from this formation are frequently associated with soft tissues; however, the preserved material ranges from three-dimensional, predominantly phosphatized structures to dark films of mainly organic matter. We examined soft-tissue residues obtained from two ichthyosaur specimens using an integrated ultrastructural and geochemical approach. Our analyses revealed that the superficially-looking ‘films’ in fact comprise sections of densely aggregated melanosome (pigment) organelles sandwiched between phosphatized layers containing fibrous microstructures. We interpret this distinct layering as representing condensed and incompletely degraded integument from both sides of the animal. When compared against previously documented ichthyosaur fossils, it becomes readily apparent that a range of preservational modes exists between presumed ‘phosphatic’ and ‘carbonized’ soft-tissue remains. Some specimens show high structural fidelity (e.g. distinct integumentary layering), while others, including the fossils examined in this study, retain few original anatomical details. This diversity of soft-tissue preservational modes among Posidonia Shale ichthyosaurs offers a unique opportunity to examine different biostratinomic, taphonomic and diagenetic variables that potentially could affect the process of fossilization. It is likely that soft-tissue preservation in the Posidonia Shale was regulated by a multitude of factors, including decay efficiency and speed of phosphatic mineral nucleation; these in turn were governed by a seafloor with sustained microbial mat activity fuelled by high organic matter input and seasonally fluctuating oxygen levels.     

Water salinity and inundation control soil carbon decomposition during salt marsh restoration: An incubation experiment

Coastal wetlands are a significant carbon (C) sink since they store carbon in anoxic soils. This ecosystem service is impacted by hydrologic alteration and management of these coastal habitats. Efforts to restore tidal flow to former salt marshes have increased in recent decades and are generally associated with alteration of water inundation levels and salinity. This study examined the effect of water level and salinity changes on soil organic matter decomposition during a 60‐day incubation period. Intact soil cores from impounded fresh water marsh and salt marsh were incubated after addition of either sea water or fresh water under flooded and drained water levels. Elevating fresh water marsh salinity to 6 to 9 ppt enhanced CO₂ emission by 50%?80% and most typically decreased CH₄ emissions, whereas, decreasing the salinity from 26 ppt to 19 ppt in salt marsh soils had no effect on CO₂ or CH₄ fluxes. The effect from altering water levels was more pronounced with drained soil cores emitting ~10‐fold more CO₂ than the flooded treatment in both marsh sediments. Draining soil cores also increased dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. Stable carbon isotope analysis of CO₂ generated during the incubations of fresh water marsh cores in drained soils demonstrates that relict peat OC that accumulated when the marsh was saline was preferentially oxidized when sea water was introduced. This study suggests that restoration of tidal flow that raises the water level from drained conditions would decrease aerobic decomposition and enhance C sequestration. It is also possible that the restoration would increase soil C decomposition of deeper deposits by anaerobic oxidation, however this impact would be minimal compared to lower emissions expected due to the return of flooding conditions.     

An example for black shale development on a carbonate platform (late Triassic, Seefeld, Austria)

Summary East of Seefeld/Tyrol the Hauptdolomit facies (Triassic, Norian) is accompanied by an organic-rich intercalation, the Seefeld facies. Three facies were distinguished, which developed within a separate basin within the Hauptdolomit carbonate platform. These facies have been investigated in an environmental and palaeoecological context applying microfacies analysis, palynology, organic petrology, organic geochemistry and stable isotope geochemistry. As the controlling factors of sedimentation, sea level changes are suggested for large scale fluctuations, and climatic changes for variations on a smaller scale. Within the basin facies a μm-scaled rhythm can be observed, which was obviously seasonally controlled. Amajor amount of organic material of the deposit has been produced by microbial activity under anoxic conditions. Causes for the absence of pollen and spores in many black shale deposits are discussed.     

Role of Corollospora maritima in the degradation and bioconversion of leaf material from Posidonia oceanica

Posidonia oceanica supports mainly saprophytic marine flora, comprising predominantly lignicolous fungi. The frequency of occurrence of species recorded on this marine angiosperm, was high, indicating that they play a major role in the biological degradation of the sea grass Posidonia oceanica. In vitro experiments with Corollospora maritima (isolated from leaf material) were conducted in order to evaluate their role in the degradation of leaf material. Corollospora maritima actively degrade leaf material. Biophysical and biochemical changes (particle detritus formation, C and N variation), enzymatic activity involved and sterol production were studied during the transformation process of leaves to mycelial biomass.     

Palaeobathymetric zonation of foraminifera from lower Permian shale deposits of a high-latitude southern interior sea

Foraminifera are documented from the type section of the Quinnanie Shale in order to interpret their bathymetric distributions in a shallow high-latitude interior sea during the Kungurian. The marine setting was a narrow elongate half-graben (Merlinleigh Sub-Basin of the Southern Carnarvon Basin) in the Western Australian portion of eastern Gondwana. The Quinnanie Shale is part of the Byro Group of formations that display pronounced shale–sand cyclicity recording frequent changes in bathymetry. The type section of the Quinnanie Shale shows an overall progradational pattern in lithofacies, and consists of five ‘cycles’, each culminating in a prominent sandstone bed. Foraminifera are abundant in the shale and are almost entirely siliceous (organic-cemented) agglutinated types that probably dominated the original fauna of the interior sea. Hierarchical cluster analysis of samples taken every meter through the 162-m-thick type section is used to distinguish ten biofacies, each defined by a different set of dominant agglutinated species. Although biofacies frequently change up-section, there is an overall trend that is related to the progradational trend suggested by the lithofacies. Based on comparisons between lithofacies and biofacies, a palaeobathymetric zonation is established for the foraminifera. This zonation, the sparse macrofauna, and the lithofacies suggest that the interior sea was stratified in terms of salinity and dissolved oxygen levels, and the water was generally hyposaline. Most of the agglutinated foraminiferal species have analogous morphotypes present in modern confined estuaries and interior seas and this points to great conservatism in the evolutionary and ecological development of this component of interior-sea faunas. Aaptotoichus quinnaniensis sp. nov., an organic-cemented agglutinated foraminifer, is described from the Quinnanie Shale type section.     

Trace-element budgets in the Ohio/Sunbury shales of Kentucky: Constraints on ocean circulation and primary productivity in the Devonian–Mississippian Appalachian Basin

The hydrography of the Appalachian Basin in late Devonian–early Mississippian time is modeled based on the geochemistry of black shales and constrained by others' paleogeographic reconstructions. The model supports a robust exchange of basin bottom water with the open ocean, with residence times of less than forty years during deposition of the Cleveland Shale Member of the Ohio Shale. This is counter to previous interpretations of these carbon-rich units having accumulated under a stratified and stagnant water column, i.e., with a strongly restricted bottom bottom-water circulation. A robust circulation of bottom waters is further consistent with the palaeoclimatology, whereby eastern trade-winds drove upwelling and arid conditions limited terrestrial inputs of siliciclastic sediment, fresh waters, and riverine nutrients. The model suggests that primary productivity was high (~ 2 g C m^− 2 d^− 1), although no higher than in select locations in the ocean today. The flux of organic carbon settling through the water column and its deposition on the sea floor was similar to fluxes found in modern marine environments. Calculations based on the average accumulation rate of the marine fraction of Ni suggest the flux of organic carbon settling out of the water column was approximately 9% of primary productivity, versus an accumulation rate (burial) of organic carbon of 0.5% of primary productivity. Trace-element ratios of V:Mo and Cr:Mo in the marine sediment fraction indicate that bottom waters shifted from predominantly anoxic (sulfate reducing) during deposition of the Huron Shale Member of the Ohio Shale to predominantly suboxic (nitrate reducing) during deposition of the Cleveland Shale Member and the Sunbury Shale, but with anoxic conditions occurring intermittently throughout this period.     

MARINE REPTILES FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA: ELEMENTS OF A HIGH-LATITUDE COLD-WATER ASSEMBLAGE

Abstract: The Lower Cretaceous rocks of South Australia have yielded a diverse marine reptile assemblage of up to five families of plesiosaur (including a new cryptoclidid or cimoliasaurid, indeterminate elasmosaurids, a possible polycotylid, rhomaleosaurids, and pliosaurid) and one family of ichthyosaur (ophthalmosaurid). Other common associated vertebrates include chimaerids and osteichthyans. Sharks, dipnoans and dinosaurs are uncommon and marine turtles are notably absent. The main fossil‐producing strata belong to the Lower Aptian–Lower Albian Bulldog Shale although the Upper Albian Oodnadatta Formation has produced isolated elements. Both these units comprise finely laminated shaly mudstones and claystones deposited in a transgressive shallow coastal, epicontinental marine environment. Estimates of palaeolatitude place South Australia between 60° and 70°S, in the late Early Cretaceous. Sedimentary structures (including lonestone boulders and glendonites), fossils, isotope data and climatic modelling also indicate that seasonally cool–cold conditions (possibly with winter freezing) prevailed during deposition of the Bulldog Shale. This contrasts markedly with climate regimes typically tolerated by modern aquatic reptiles but suggests that some of the South Australian Mesozoic taxa may have possessed adaptations (including elevated metabolic levels and/or annual migration) to cope with low temperatures. A high proportion of juvenile plesiosaur remains in the Bulldog Shale might also indicate that nutrient‐rich cold‐water coastal habitats functioned as both ‘safe calving grounds’ and refuges for young animals prior to their entering the open sea as adults. The occurrence of plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs in the high‐latitude Lower Cretaceous of southern Australia, along with plesiosaurs and mosasaurs in the Upper Cretaceous of South America, Antarctica, New Zealand and the Chatham Islands, demonstrates that Mesozoic marine reptiles utilized southern high‐latitude environments over a considerable period of time, and that these records do not represent casual occupation by isolated taxa.     

Holocene sea level changes and reef development in the southwestern Indian Ocean

 The sedimentological and chronological study of Holocene reef sequences recovered in drill cores through modern reefs of Mauritius, Réunion Island and Mayotte allows the reconstruction of sea level changes and reef growth patterns during the Holocene. The branching-coral facies systematically predominates over coral head facies throughout the Holocene reef sequences, and Acropora is the main frame builder among the branching forms. The reconstructed sea level curves, based both on identification of coral assemblages and on radiometric U/Th ages, are characterized by a rapid rise between 10 and 7.5 ky BP, followed by a clear inflection between 7.5 and 7 ky BP. The stabilization of sea level at its present level occurred between 2000 and 3000 years ago, probably without a higher sea level stand. Rates of vertical reef accretion range between 0.9 and 7 mm. y^-1. In Mauritius, and also probably in Réunion Island, the reef first tracked, then caught-up to sea level to reach an equilibrium position (“catch-up” growth), while the barrier reef margin off Mayotte has been able to keep pace with rising sea level (“keep-up” growth). Accepted: 1 March 1997     

Conodont biostratigraphy of Upper Devonian–Lower Carboniferous deposits in eastern Alborz (Mighan section), North Iran

The Devonian/Carboniferous (D/C) transition is characterized by a major transgressive/regressive cycle which led to a widespread ocean anoxia known as the Hangenberg Black Shale Event (HBSE), as well to a major sea-level fall (Hangenberg Sandstone Event, HSSE), recognized around the world. Both events are known as the Hangenberg Crisis. In order to examine the D/C transition in shallow water environment, the Mighan section in eastern Alborz was studied in terms of conodont biostratigraphy and stable isotope geochemistry. Twenty-five conodont species belonging to seven genera were identified and 5 conodont zones discriminated; namely, the Bispathodus aculeatus aculeatus Zone, Bispathodus costatus Zone, Bispathodus ultimus Zone, Siphonodella praesulcata Zone, costatus-kockeli Interregnum, and the sulcata Zone. Below the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary (DCB), the Hangenberg Black Shale and Hangenberg Sandstone equivalents were recognized, representing the Hangenberg Crisis that highly affected trilobite, ammonoid, brachiopod and conodont faunas at Mighan and worldwide. The kockeli Zone of the latest Famennian is missing at Mighan due to the lack of conodonts, probably related with the major environmental changes linked with the Hangenberg Crisis recognizable worldwide. Carbon isotopes measured of micrites from Mighan indicate a proximal depositional environment of a shallow shelf with terrestrial input and the oxygen isotope values from conodont apatite suggest warm seawater temperatures of tropical and subtropical setting in the study area.     

Oxygen minimum expansion in the Sulu Sea,western equatorial Pacific,during the last glacial low stand of sea level

The Sulu Sea in the western equatorial Pacific is presently a shallowly-silled, dysaerobic, deep-marine basin. Deep waters in the Sulu Sea are ventilated through a single sill at 420 m depth which connects it to the China Sea. Benthic and planktonic foraminiferal oxygen and carbon isotope records, benthic and planktonic foraminiferal census data and total organic carbon measurements have been used to evaluate changes in water mass conditions in the Sulu Sea between the last glacial maximum (18,000 yrs. B.P.) and the present day.An increase in the abundance of the planktonic foraminiferaNeogloboquadrina dutertrei and relatively light planktonic foraminiferal δ¹⁸O values suggest that during the last glacial maximum surface water salinities were reduced in the Sulu Sea. Enhanced isolation of the basin due to glacio-eustatic lowering of sea level and reduced surface salinities resulted in stagnation of deep water and an expansion of the mid-water oxygen minimum layer. Increased organic carbon preservation at mid-water depths occurs at this time. Benthic carbon isotope data and an increase in the abundance of benthic foraminiferal species considered to prefer low oxygen environments support the conclusion of an oxygen-minimum expansion at mid-water depths during the last glacial maximum. At water depths greater than 4000 m, bottom waters appear to have maintained some degree of oxygenation during the last glacial maximum. Stronger Pacific Ocean trade winds at this time may have caused the influx of denser Celebes Sea surface water into the southern part of the Sulu Sea. The slow sinking of this water would have then ventilated bottom waters in this part of the basin.At the transition from glacial to interglacial conditions, rising sea level caused denser water to flow over the deepest sill into the Sulu Sea. Vertical circulation increased, resulting in a greater downward flux of oxygen and a dissipation of the oxygen minimum. Continued post-glacial sea level rise caused periodic ventilation of deep water until the present dysaerobic conditions were established.     

Lower–middle Frasnian organic carbon isotope record of conodonts in East European Platform

The early–middle Frasnian boundary interval of the northern part of the East European Platform (northwest of Russia) corresponding to the transitans-punctata isotope event is revealed by biostratigraphically constrained conodont carbon stable isotope data (δ¹³C_con). The dynamics of δ¹³C_con demonstrate a three-fold pattern with positive peaks at the onset of the main phase of the transitans-punctata isotope event (upper part of Montagne Noire 4 conodont Zone, MN4; up to -22.5‰ VPDB), and during the late part of the event (lower and middle parts of MN6 Zone; up to -24.0‰ VPDB and -22.1‰ VPDB). The stratigraphic level near the MN5 and MN6 boundary is marked by a prominent negative excursion in δ¹³C_con (down to -31.8‰ VPDB) that resembles the negative excursion in the terminal phase of the transitans-punctata isotope event worldwide. The δ¹³C_con variations in different taxa are generally consistent but demonstrate some differences in values and amplitudes. It is assumed that variations in the carbon isotopic compositions of conodonts were mainly controlled by changes in the isotope composition of the planktons as the main food source for conodonts.     

Carbon isotope discrimination and the integration of carbon assimilation pathways in terrestrial CAM plants

Measurement of carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) of organic plant material integrates the combination of C₄ and C₃ carboxylation processes during the phases of CAM through dark and light periods. These processes are tempered by environmental conditions which regulate CAM activity at the molecular, biochemical and ecological level. The factors contributing to short-term changes in Δ are discussed in terms of the day-night changes in metabolite pools and integration via on-line, instantaneous discrimination techniques. Thus, the isotope signature of newly fixed carbon in malic acid reflects the balance between diffusion and carboxylation limitation together with direct and indirect effects of respiratory metabolism. Leakage of CO₂ during decarboxylation leads to greater discrimination being expressed than is predicted from existing models. Over the timescales of seasonal growth and productivity, most constitutive CAM and C₃-CAM intermediate plants show little variation in Δ (2–4‰). The changes induced by developmental and environmental signals and genetic regulation of CAM are compared for stem and leaf succulents. The role of CAM as a potentially highly productive photosynthetic pathway is contrasted with the induction of CAM as a maintenance mechanism in response to environmental stresses. Analyses of Δ have already contributed much to our understanding of the distribution and regulation of CAM, and in turn can also be used to analyse phylogenetic relationships and the origins of CAM as determined from palaoecological evidence.     

On the circulation in the Puerto Morelos fringing reef lagoon

For a period of 22 months beginning in September 2003, an array of four current profilers were deployed on the Puerto Morelos fringing reef lagoon, a microtidal Caribbean environment characterised by the influence of the Yucatan Current (YC) and a Trade Wind regime. The dataset includes water currents, bottom pressure, and surface waves complemented with coastal meteorological data and surface currents from an acoustic Doppler current profiler moored 12 km offshore. Normal circulation conditions consisted of a surface wave-induced flow entering the lagoon over a shallow reef flat and strong flows exiting through northern and southern channels. This wave induced flow was modulated by a low-frequency sea level change related to a geostrophic response to the YC variability offshore, with tidal and direct wind forcing playing additional minor roles. Under extended summer low-wave height conditions, together with a decrease in sea level from the intensification of the offshore current, the exchange of the lagoon with the adjacent ocean was drastically reduced. Under normal wave conditions (H _S = 0.8 ± 0.4 m, mean ± SD), water residence time was on average 3 h, whereas during Hurricane Ivan’s extreme swell (H _S = 6 m) it decreased to 0.35 h.     

Does Drought Influence the Relationship Between Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning in Boreal Forests?

In mixed forests, interactions among species influence ecosystem functioning but environmental conditions also play an important role in shaping relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In the context of climate change, the carbon and water balance in pure versus mixed forest stands may be differentially influenced by changing soil water availability. To test this hypothesis, we compared the influence of biodiversity on stand water use efficiency (WUE_S) in boreal forests between wet and dry years. We assessed the carbon isotope composition (δ ¹³C) of tree rings in Betula pendula, Pinus sylvestris, and Picea abies growing in pure versus mixed stands. In addition, we tested whether differences in WUE_S affected patterns of stand basal area increment (BAI_S). No biodiversity effect was found for stand δ ¹³C (δ ¹³C_S) during the wet year. However, there was a significant increase in δ ¹³C_S between the wet and the dry year and a significant effect of biodiversity on δ ¹³C_S in the dry year. The increase in δ ¹³C_S in mixed stands was associated with both selection and complementarity effects. Although BAI_S decreased significantly in the dry year, changes in δ ¹³C_S did not translate into variations in BAI_S along the biodiversity gradient. Our results confirmed that the physiological response of boreal forest ecosystems to changing soil water conditions is influenced by species interactions and that during dry growing seasons, species interactions in mixed stands can lead to lower soil moisture availability. This illustrates that biodiversity effects can also be negative in mixed stands in the sense that soil resources can be more intensively exhausted. Overall, our results confirm that in boreal forests, the biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationship depends on local environmental conditions.     

Relative sea‐level change regulates organic carbon accumulation in coastal habitats

Because coastal habitats store large amounts of organic carbon (C_org), the conservation and restoration of these habitats are considered to be important measures for mitigating global climate change. Although future sea‐level rise is predicted to change the characteristics of these habitats, its impact on their rate of C_org sequestration is highly uncertain. Here we used historical depositional records to show that relative sea‐level (RSL) changes regulated C_org accumulation rates in boreal contiguous seagrass–saltmarsh habitats. Age–depth modeling and geological and biogeochemical approaches indicated that C_org accumulation rates varied as a function of changes in depositional environments and habitat relocations. In particular, C_org accumulation rates were enhanced in subtidal seagrass meadows during times of RSL rise, which were caused by postseismic land subsidence and climate change. Our findings identify historical analogs for the future impact of RSL rise driven by global climate change on rates of C_org sequestration in coastal habitats.     

黄河三角洲莱州湾湿地柽柳种群分布特征及其影响因素

为探明黄河三角洲莱州湾柽柳(Tamarix chinensis Lour)灌丛环境因子的基本特征及其对柽柳灌丛空间分布类型的影响,采用样地与样方相结合的测定方法,对柽柳灌丛样地距海远近、地下水水位、土壤盐碱含量、土壤容重和孔隙度等基本物理参数以及土壤有机质、速效氮、磷养分等13个环境因子参数进行相关性和主成分分析。结果表明:莱州湾柽柳种群空间分布表现为聚集型分布,林分密度与距海距离和地下水水位呈极显著正相关,与土壤含水量呈极显著负相关;土壤含盐量与土壤含水量呈极显著正相关,与地下水水位和土壤孔隙度呈极显著负相关;土壤含水量与地下水位呈极显著负相关。莱州湾柽柳灌丛13个环境因子的变异系数在0.060—1.296之间,土壤K+含量、土壤含盐量和林分密度变化幅度较大;其次为土壤有机质和有效磷,地下水水位的空间变异性高于至海距离,而土壤p H值、土壤容重和总孔隙度等基本物理性状变化幅度较小。土壤盐碱含量分别为0.47%和p H为8.48,呈重盐土和偏碱性特征。主成分分析表明,土壤盐碱含量是影响黄河三角洲莱州湾湿地柽柳灌丛分布的主导因素,其次是距海距离,土壤速效磷和地下水位次之。