不同林龄油茶人工林土壤-叶片碳氮磷生态化学计量特征

油茶是世界四大木本油料植物之一,在我国有着2000多年的栽培和利用历史。碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量元素是近年来研究的热点,通过C、N、P化学计量我们可以深入了解植物-土壤间元素相互关系,并能揭示土壤养分限制状况。为了解油茶人工林生态系统C、N、P化学计量特征及油茶人工林养分元素限制因素,以长江中下游油茶适宜栽培区湖南、江西和湖北三省油茶林为研究对象,采用空间代替时间的研究方法,在区域尺度上随机选择32个典型油茶人工林并分为4个林龄组(9年低龄林;9—20年高产林;21—60年低产林; 60年生产退化林)。测定油茶人工林土壤与油茶叶片中的C、N、P含量并分析其化学计量特征。研究结果表明:(1)随林龄增加,油茶人工林土壤有机碳(SOC)和全氮(TN)含量增大,而土壤全磷(TP)和速效/kg和5.43 mg P在一定的林龄(60 a)内具有增加的趋势。(2)随林龄增加,油茶人工林叶片C含量无显著变化,N、P含量降低,叶片的C、/kg、11.66—15.46 g增大。此外,叶片N∶P阈值分析发现,叶片N∶P比在四个林龄段均16。(3)相关分析结果表明,油茶人工林土壤SOC和TN具有显著正相关,油茶叶片N和P具有显著正相关。同时,叶片N含量与土壤TN无相关性,而油茶叶片P含量与土壤Olsen-P显著正相关。油茶人工林土壤化学计量C∶N、C∶P和N∶P与叶片C∶N、C∶P呈显著正相关,以及叶片N∶P与土壤C∶P、N∶P呈显著正相关(P0.05)。由以上可见,油茶人工林土壤主要受P养分限制,且随林龄增加,P限制增加。此外油茶叶片N、P吸收具有协同效应,且油茶叶片与土壤元素存在广泛的计量耦合关系。本研究综合分析油茶林叶片与土壤的C、N、P计量特征及其关系,有助于全面系统的揭示油茶人工林生态系统的养分状况,对油茶林高效培育、养分补充或退化林诊断等具有指导意义。     

油茶微量元素铜铁锌吸收和积累特征

为弄清油茶(Camellia oleifera)对微量元素铜、铁、锌的吸收利用特征,对5年生‘长林4号’各器官的铜、铁、锌元素含量及其年变化进行了研究。结果表明,油茶植株中铁元素的含量最高,其次为锌和铜元素;单株油茶对锌、铜元素的年积累量分别为62.97 mg和22.60 mg,约为3∶1。从果实发育期至成熟期,锌元素的单株吸收积累量为40.18 mg,约占年吸收积累量的63.81%,从抽梢期至果实成熟期,铜元素的单株吸收积累量为20.04 mg,占年吸收积累量的88.67%,从休眠期至抽梢期,油茶地上部分生长所需的铜、锌元素分别有30.25%和57.90%来源于根系贮存的营养;油茶对铁元素的吸收积累则集中在抽梢期至果实发育期,单株吸收量达0.34 g。这些为指导油茶科学施肥提供了理论依据。     

模拟氮沉降对典型阔叶红松林土壤有机碳和养分的影响

为探讨氮沉降对典型阔叶红松(Pinus koraiensis)林的影响,从2008年6月~2010年8月进行了人工模拟氮沉降实验,实验分为对照、低N、中N、高N4个处理,每个处理3个重复。所施氮肥为CO(NH2)2,以溶液的形式喷施,4个处理浓度分别为0、30、60、120 kg·hm-2·a-1。在氮沉降进行1年后,采集各处理0~20、20~40和40~60 cm的土壤样品,测定其土壤有机C、全N、碱解N和速效P、速效K。结果表明:相同处理下,有机C和全N含量随土层的加深均逐渐减少。总体上低、中N处理显著增加了土壤有机C、碱解N和速效K含量,中、高N处理显著降低了土壤速效P含量(P0.05),而对全N含量影响不显著(P0.05)。土壤有机C与土壤全N、碱解N、速效P、速效K之间存在极显著正相关关系(P0.001)。有机C和土壤养分对氮沉降的响应说明氮沉降在短期内可能影响阔叶红松林土壤碳库积累和土壤肥力水平。     

珍珠番石榴果实发育及其矿质元素含量变化

本文探讨秋季开花的珍珠番石榴果实生长发育及其矿质元素含量的变化。结果表明,秋花春果的番石榴果实生长可分为三个阶段,即幼果较快生长期、生长停滞期和果实迅速膨大期。果实生长曲线呈双S型。随着果实生长发育,果实N、P、K、Ca、Mg相对含量降低,但其吸收总量逐渐增多,尤其在果实生长后期,对N、K养分需求剧增。     

西南喀斯特典型石漠化生态系统土壤养分生态化学计量特征及其影响因素

喀斯特石漠化生态系统土壤养分元素生态化学计量特征及其对环境变异的生态响应是喀斯特退化森林生态系统恢复重建必需明确的关键科学问题。为探明喀斯特石漠化土壤C、N、P、K养分元素生态化学计量特征,探讨其对环境因子的响应,对西南喀斯特3个典型石漠化调查点(贵州毕节鸭池、清镇红枫湖和关岭-贞丰花江) 90个样方土壤及环境因子调查取样,研究了其土壤有机碳(C)、全氮(N)、全磷(P)及全钾(K)的化学计量特征及其影响因素。结果表明:西南喀斯特典型石漠化生态系统土壤C、N、P、K平均含量分别为45.61、2.54、0.79 g/kg和3.33 g/kg,计量比C∶N、C∶P、C∶K、N∶P、N∶K、P∶K平均值分别为19.56、65.07、23.65、3.45、1.32和0.39。4个土壤养分元素中,K元素表现明显高于其他元素的波动性。土壤养分含量及化学计量比在不同调查点、石漠化等级及植被覆盖率环境均有显著差异。无石漠化环境土壤养分C、N、P含量显著大于潜在、轻度、中度和强度石漠化,而强度石漠化环境土壤养分K含量却显著高于其他等级石漠化。土壤养分含量之间及其与化学计量比之间多具有显著的非线性相关关系。降水、温度、岩石裸露率和土地覆被是西南喀斯特石漠化生态系统土壤养分及其化学计量比最主要的影响因素。研究结果对丰富土壤生态化学计量学科学理论和我国西南喀斯特石漠化退化植被科学恢复具有重要意义。     

杉木人工林土壤真菌遗传多样性

为探明杉木人工林土壤真菌遗传多样性及其与环境因子的关系,采用454测序技术对土壤真菌的遗传多样性进行了分析,测定了黄丰桥林场杉木人工林土壤真菌的遗传多样性与环境因子的相关性。试验结果表明:①不同代数、林龄的杉木人工林土壤理化性质及林下植被多样性均有显著差异。第1代杉木幼林林土壤肥力较高,有机质、全N、速效K的均值分别为88.02g/kg、2.56 g/kg、84.96 mg/kg均高于第2代和第3代杉木幼林林,速效N和含水量的均值分别为22.86 mg/kg和26.28%低于其他样地。杉木幼林林下植被多样性最为丰富。②通过454测序技术分析发现第1代杉木幼林真菌Ace丰富度指数、Chao丰富度指数及群落遗传多样性指数均大于第2代杉木幼林和第3代杉木幼林。杉木人工林土壤中粪壳菌纲(Sordariomycetes)真菌为优势种群。不同栽培代数杉木人工林的真菌群落存在差异,其中块菌科(Tuberaceae)为第2代和第3代杉木林特有真菌,而不同发育阶段的杉木人工林的真菌群落差异不明显。③经RDA分析,杉木人工林土壤主要真菌群落受含水量、有机质、速效P、速效K影响较大。土壤真菌群落遗传多样性Shannon-Wiener多样性指数与林下植被多样性、土壤全N显著正相关,土壤真菌Chao指数与土壤真菌Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、土壤全N含量显著正相关。本研究表明不同栽培代数杉木人工林的真菌群落存在差异,土壤真菌群落与环境因子之间具有相关性。     

九段沙芦苇湿地生态系统N、P、K的循环特征

对九段沙(上沙、中沙、下沙)芦苇湿地土壤、植物中N、P、K含量进行了测定,研究其分布规律.结果表明:水平分布上,湿地土壤全量养分与速效性养分含量均是中沙最低,并以中沙为中心向两端递增,速效性养分的这种变化尤为显著.垂直分布上,土壤全N和全K含量的分布规律一致,为上层＞下层＞中层;全P含量分布为中层＞上层＞下层.速效N含量分布为上层＞中层＞下层;速效P含量上层土壤最高,中、下层土壤含量因湿地类型而异;速效K含量多以中层土壤最低,上、下层土壤含量变化不稳定,以不同湿地而异.不同芦苇湿地的土壤速效性养分含量差异显著大于全量养分的差异,0～60 cm深度土壤的全量养分和速效性养分含量排序均为K＞N＞P.中沙湿地植物中养分含量最低,与土壤中营养元素总体水平分布一致;多数芦苇湿地植物中营养元素含量排序为N＞K＞P,与土壤养分含量排序不一致.不同芦苇湿地的吸收系数排序均为N＞P＞K;芦苇湿地利用系数排序为P＞K＞N;循环系数排序为N＞K＞P.     

天然胡杨林龄对营养元素空间分配格局的影响

为了解胡杨林生长过程对主要营养元素在土壤全库、有效库及植被库之间运移规律的影响,以新疆轮台县轮南镇5个不同林龄(幼龄林、中龄林、近熟林、成熟林和过熟林)典型天然胡杨林为研究对象,采用时空替代方法,分析林下土壤和植被中C、N、P、K的空间分配特征。结果表明:(1)总体而言,土壤营养元素全库中全钾含量较富积,有机质、全氮、全磷相对缺乏。土壤有机质及全量养分受林龄影响较显著。土壤全氮量随着林龄的增长显著升高,至近熟林时达到最大值,然后下降。幼龄林土壤有机质、全钾含量较低,中龄林和近熟林含量较高。幼龄林、成熟林和过熟林土壤全磷含量相对较高。土壤垂直层中,土壤有机质、全钾含量深层土壤>浅层土壤,而全氮含量随着土壤深度的增加呈现下降趋势。全磷含量受土壤垂直层影响较小。(2)土壤有效养分库中碱解氮、速效磷含量较低,速效钾含量较高。土壤速效养分受林龄影响较大,碱解氮含量随着林龄的发育,呈现先显著升高到近熟林达到最大值,然后下降的趋势。速效钾、速效磷含量均呈现幼龄林和中龄林显著低于其它龄林。不同土壤垂直层显示,碱解氮、速效钾、速效磷含量均呈现浅层>深层土壤。速效钾、速效磷有明显的表层聚集现象...     

幼龄枇杷园套种科杂1号大豆的效应

幼龄枇杷园套种科杂1号,显著提高土壤肥力,土壤速效P由清耕对照的痕迹增至18.27 mg/kg,全P和速效K分别增加260.0%和183.6%,有机质、全N、全K和速效N的增幅在40%左右;研究还表明,套种提高了枇杷树体营养和促进丰产树冠的形成,叶片N、P、K、Ca、Mg含量均比对照区增加9%以上,冠幅和枝梢数分别增加27.3%和57.7%,枝梢抽穗率提高86.8%,同时,套种对改善果实品质也有一定作用。     

石漠化地区苔藓结皮对土壤养分及生态化学计量特征的影响

苔藓结皮是石漠化生态系统的重要地表覆被物,但其在土壤养分累积和元素循环过程中的作用尚不明确。以我国贵州典型喀斯特高原峡谷石漠化区-花江大峡谷两岸不同等级石漠化生境下的苔藓结皮及其覆被土壤为研究对象,研究了苔藓结皮覆被对土壤养分及生态化学计量特征的影响。结果表明:(1)苔藓结皮层养分含量显著高于下层土壤,结皮覆被土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、全钾(TK)、碱解氮(AN)、速效磷(AP)、速效钾(AK)平均含量分别为25.95、3.05、1.00、5.10 g/kg和189.61、1.59、275.10 mg/kg,较无结皮覆被的裸土分别增加46.08%、26.50%、53.62%、20.25%、25.24%、110.47%和83.76%。(2)苔藓结皮覆被土壤C/N、C/K、P/K显著高于裸土,且随土层加深而递减;N/P显著低于裸土,且随土层加深而升高。(3)苔藓结皮覆被土壤养分恢复指数为33.16%—72.48%,呈现随石漠化等级升高而增加的趋势,中度和强度石漠化阶段较无石漠化阶段分别增加83.26%和118.58。本研究表明苔藓结皮能有效促进土壤养分累积,加速石漠...     

林窗尺度对侧柏人工林土壤微生物生物量碳氮的短期影响

为了明晰林窗尺度对侧柏人工林土壤微生物生物量碳氮的短期影响,以徐州市50年生侧柏人工林为研究对象,探讨了开设林窗2a后3种林窗尺度(半径分别为4m,S林窗;8m,M林窗;12m,L林窗)和位置(林窗内、林缘和林窗外部)对土壤微生物生物量碳氮(MBC,Microbial Biomass Carbon;MBN,Microbial Biomass Nitrogen)的影响。结果表明:(1)与对照样地相比,L林窗显著提高了春季(207.1mg/kg)和夏季(169.5mg/kg)林窗外部的土壤MBN含量;M林窗显著提高了春季林窗内部(2959.3mg/kg)和林缘(3008.8mg/kg)位置土壤MBC含量和林缘位置(207.7mg/kg)土壤MBN含量,且显著提高了夏季林窗内部(144.4mg/kg)土壤MBN含量;S林窗显著降低了春季林窗外部和林缘位置土壤MBC(分别为2159.2mg/kg和1955.1mg/kg)和MBN(分别为153.1mg/kg和131.3mg/kg)含量。(2)土壤MBC含量与土壤全碳和土壤可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量呈极显著(P0.01)正相关,与土壤温度呈极显著负相关(在3—27℃之间);土壤MBN含量与土壤含水量和DOC含量呈极显著正相关,与土壤全碳呈显著正相关;土壤MBC和MBN含量与凋落物量没有显著相关关系。本研究中,相对于S和L林窗,M林窗对土壤微生物生物量的提高作用较为明显,可促进侧柏人工林土壤碳氮循环过程,在徐州侧柏人工林中开设M林窗有利于提高土壤肥力和林木生长。     

模拟酸雨对福州沿江稻田水稻叶片碳氮磷含量及其生态化学计量学特征的影响

为阐明酸雨对早、晚稻叶片不同时期碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及其生态化学计量学特征的影响,设置对照(Control,CK)、pH4.5、pH3.5酸雨处理,对福州沿江稻田早、晚稻叶片不同时期C、N、P含量及其生态化学计量学特征进行测定和分析。研究结果表明:早稻叶片C、N、P含量在拔节期和成熟期分别为(401.08±1.83)、(37.01±2.54)、(1.01±0.05) g/kg和(349.08±4.52)、(15.52±0.05)、(0.48±0.01) g/kg,晚稻C、N、P含量在拔节期和成熟期分别为(389.00±2.82)、(28.52±0.31)、(0.74±0.01) g/kg和(317.25±1.65)、(8.18±0.51)、(0.29±0.03) g/kg,早稻叶片养分含量整体显著高于晚稻(P<0.05),且各处理拔节期养分含量均显著高于成熟期含量(P<0.05),整体上,酸雨处理可显著降低早稻叶片在拔节期的C、N、P含量(P<0.05)。早稻叶片C/N、C/P、N/P在拔节期和成熟期分别为(10.94±0.77)、(400.13±18.9...     

亚热带红壤侵蚀区马尾松针叶养分含量及再吸收特征

叶片衰老过程中的养分再吸收是植物适应养分贫瘠生境的一种重要策略,一直是生态学领域的研究热点。以亚热带红壤侵蚀区生态恢复先锋树种马尾松为研究对象,分析4种不同恢复水平下马尾松叶片养分含量随叶龄的变化情况及养分再吸收特征。结果表明:(1)叶片中N、P、K含量变化范围分别在(6.10±0.52)—(12.02±0.85)mg/g、(0.17±0.03)—(1.02±0.01)mg/g、(1.58±0.49)—(9.46±0.90)mg/g,随叶龄增长整体呈先增加后降低的趋势,具有一个快速积累期和一个相对漫长衰减期的动态特征,这表明叶龄也是影响叶片养分含量的重要因素;(2)叶片N、P、K含量随生境恢复水平的提高而增加,且N、P含量在除凋落叶外的叶龄阶段均表现出显著正相关,表明叶片中这两种营养元素在动态变化上存在协同性;(3)在叶片N、P、K再吸收效率中,P、K再吸收效率较高,而N相对较低。养分再吸收受生境中营养元素的含量水平、循环方式等因素的综合影响表现出一定选择性,对生境中较为贫瘠或使其生长受到限制的元素具有较高的再吸收效率。这不仅可以减小植物对外源养分的依赖性,同时也维持了体内重要营养元素的平衡。随叶龄增长叶片中N/P逐渐增大,反映出在叶片衰老过程中对限制元素P具有较强的再吸收能力,这种反馈调节提高了马尾松对养分贫瘠环境的适应性。本文的研究结果可为亚热带红壤侵蚀退化区先锋物种在贫瘠生境条件下的养分利用机制与适应对策方面的研究提供理论依据。     

Phosphorus fertilization and tillage effect on dinitrogen fixation in soybeans

Summary Tillage has been shown to affect the uptake of phosphorus (P) and yield of soybeans, [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], but there is little information concerning the effects of P fertilization on nitrogen (N₂) fixation in soybeans under no-tillage. Two field experiments were conducted in 1980 and 1981 to determine the effects of soil P on N₂ fixation under no-tillage and to study the interaction of P fertilization and tillage of N₂ fixation, nutrient uptake, and yield of soybeans. In Exp. I, P was applied in 1977 at five rates up to 384 kg P ha⁻¹ and the effects of residual soil P were evaluated in 1980 and 1981 under no-tillage management. Nitrogen fixation rates, as measured by acetylene reduction assay, were significantly affected by soil P in Exp. I, but the assay proved to be a poor technique for estimating total plant N in these tests. Acetylene reduction rates and plant P increased rapidly as soil P increased from 2 to 20 mg kg⁻¹, with little additional increase above 20 mg P kg⁻¹. In Exp. II, rates (0, 32, 64, and 128 kg P ha⁻¹) and time (fall, spring and fall plus spring) of P application were compared under conventional tillage and no tillage. However, plant P increased with increasing levels of applied P. Applied P had no affect on acetylene reduction rates but rates were greater for no-tillage than conventional tillage at the V9 and R5 stages of growth in 1981. Plant uptake of P was more efficient under no-tillage than under conventional tillage in 1980 and 1981. Application of 64 kg P ha⁻¹ under no-tillage resulted in equivalent plant P levels as the 128 kg P ha⁻¹ applied under conventional tillage.     

Rhizome dynamics and resource storage in Phragmites australis

Seasonal changes in rhizome concentrations of total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and mineral nutrients (N, P and K) were monitored in two Phragmites australis stands in southern Sweden. Rhizome biomass, rhizome length per unit ground area, and specific weight (weight/ length ratio) of the rhizomes were monitored in one of the stands.Rhizome biomass decreased during spring, increased during summer and decreased during winter. However, changes in spring and summer were small (< 500 g DW m-2) compared to the mean rhizome biomass (approximately 3000 g DW m^–2). Winter losses were larger, approximately 1000 g DW m-2, and to a substantial extent involved structural biomass, indicating rhizome mortality. Seasonal changes in rhizome length per unit ground area revealed a rhizome mortality of about 30% during the winter period, and also indicated that an intensive period of formation of new rhizomes occurred in June.Rhizome concentrations of TNC and WSC decreased during the spring, when carbohydrates were translocated to support shoot growth. However, rhizome standing stock of TNC remained large (> 1000 g m^–2). Concentrations and standing stocks of mineral nutrients decreased during spring/ early summer and increased during summer/ fall. Only N, however, showed a pattern consistent with a spring depletion caused by translocation to shoots. This pattern indicates sufficient root uptake of P and K to support spring growth, and supports other evidence that N is generally the limiting mineral nutrient for Phragmites.The biomass data, as well as increased rhizome specific weight and TNC concentrations, clearly suggests that reloading of rhizomes with energy reserves starts in June, not towards the end of the growing season as has been suggested previously. This resource allocation strategy of Phragmites has consequences for vegetation management.Our data indicate that carbohydrate reserves are much larger than needed to support spring growth. We propose that large stores are needed to ensure establishment of spring shoots when deep water or stochastic environmental events, such as high rhizome mortality in winter or loss of spring shoots due to late season frost, increase the demand for reserves.     

中亚热带森林更新方式对土壤磷素的影响

为了深入了解磷(P)在中亚热带森林生态系统内的有效性,在三明市梅列区陈大采育场黄坑工区,选择天然林采伐后采取不同更新方式的多种森林,以米槠天然林为对照,研究森林不同更新方式对中亚热带森林土壤全磷、有效磷及可溶性有机磷的影响。结果显示:在0—100 cm土层,(1)土壤全磷平均含量大小顺序依次为米槠天然林(NF)(0.49±0.09)g/kg,米槠轻度干扰人促更新林(LAR)(0.35±0.04)g/kg,米槠强度干扰人促更新林(HAR)(0.34±0.03)g/kg,马尾松人工林(PIM)(0.32±0.02)g/kg,杉木人工林(CUL)(0.3±0.03)g/kg,人促更新林比人工林高,NF显著高于其它的林分(P0.05);(2)土壤有效磷(Na HCO3提取)平均含量大小顺序依次为NF(0.41±0.39)mg/kg,LAR(0.26±0.2)mg/kg,HAR(0.23±0.16)mg/kg,PIM(0.17±0.05)mg/kg,CUL(0.13±0.06)mg/kg,NF显著高于其它林分,LAR显著比人工林高(P0.05)。(3)在0—10 cm土层,各林分可溶性有机磷含量在夏季最高,冬季最低,温度和降水量的季节变化是影响其重要因子之一;同一季节,人促更新林比人工林高,NF显著高于人工林(P0.05)。结果表明,全磷、有效磷和可溶性有机磷含量随人为干扰强度的增强呈降低趋势,其与年凋落物量和土壤有机碳储量呈显著正相关,与土壤容重呈显著负相关,全磷和有效磷在土壤剖面呈表聚性特征。相比于人工林经营,采取人促天然更新的方式,更有利于中亚热带森林养分的贮存和转化,有利于森林的长期经营和管理。     

Estimation of fine root production, mortality and turnover with Minirhizotron in Larix gmelinii and Fraxinus mandshurica plantations

Fine root turnover is a major pathway for carbon and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. However, to estimate fine root turnover, it is important to first understand the fine root dynamic processes associated with soil resource availability and climate factors. The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine patterns of fine root production and mortality in different seasons and soil depths in the Larix gmelinii and Fraxinus mandshurica plantations, (2) to analyze the correlation of fine root production and mortality with environmental factors such as air temperature, precipitation, soil temperature and available nitrogen, and (3) to estimate fine root turnover. We installed 36 Minirhizotron tubes in six mono-specific plots of each species in September 2003 in the Mao’ershan Experimental Forest Station. Minirhizotron sampling was conducted every two weeks from April 2004 to April 2005. We calculated the average fine root length, annual fine root length production and mortality using image data of Minirhizotrons, and estimated fine root turnover using three approaches. Results show that the average growth rate and mortality rate in L. melinii were markedly smaller than in F. mandshurica, and were highest in the surface soil and lowest at the bottom among all the four soil layers. The annual fine root production and mortality in F. mandshurica were significantly higher than in L. gmelinii. The fine root production in spring and summer accounted for 41.7% and 39.7% of the total annual production in F. mandshurica and 24.0% and 51.2% in L. gmelinii. The majority of fine root mortality occurred in spring and summer for F. mandshurica and in summer and autumn for L. gmelinii. The turnover rate was 3.1 a⁻¹ for L. gmelinii and 2.7 a⁻¹ for F. mandshurica. Multiple regression analysis indicates that climate and soil resource factors together could explain 80% of the variations of the fine root seasonal growth and 95% of the seasonal mortality. In conclusion, fine root production and mortality in L. gmelinii and F. mandshurica have different patterns in different seasons and at different soil depths. Air temperature, precipitation, soil temperature and soil available nitrogen integratively control the dynamics of fine root production, mortality and turnover in both species. Transtlated from Journal of Plant Ecology, 2007, 31(2): 333–342 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

Relative effects of nutrient enrichment and grazing on epiphyte-macrophyte (Zostera marina L.) dynamics

The independent and interactive effects of nutrient concentration and epiphyte grazers on epiphyte biomass and macrophyte growth and production were examined in Zostera marina L. (eelgrass) microcosms. Experiments were conducted during early summer, late summer, fall, and spring in a greenhouse on the York River estuary of Chesapeake Bay. Nutrient treatments consisted of ambient or enriched (3× ambient) concentrations of inorganic nitrogen (ammonium nitrate) and phosphate. Grazer treatments consisted of the presence or absence of field densities of isopods, amphipods, and gastropods. epiphyte biomass increased with both grazer removal and nutrient enrichment during summer and spring experiments. The effect of grazers was stronger than that of nutrients. There was little epiphyte response to treatment during the fall, a result possibly of high ambient nutrient concentrations and low grazing pressure. Under low grazer densities of early summer, macrophyte production (g m^–2 d^–1) was reduced by grazer removal and nutrient enrichment independently. Under high grazer densities of late summer, macrophyte production was reduced by enrichment only with grazers absent. During spring and fall there were no macrophyte responses to treatment. The relative influence of epiphytes on macrophyte production may have been related to seasonally changing water temperature and macrophyte requirements for light and inorganic carbon.     

Phosphorus limitation and competitive capacities of Pinus halepensis and Quercus ilex subsp. rotundifolia on different soils

Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) and the evergreen holm oak (Quercus ilex) dominate forest areas of the Mediterranean Basin. Both species regenerate abundantly after fires: pine through seedlings and holm oak through resprouts. Cumulative nutrient losses caused by frequent fires may have decreased soil nutrient availability in such areas. To assess the role of nitrogen and phosphorus as limiting factors for growth of these species during post-fire recovery, a field fertilisation and competition experiment was conducted in a 5-year post-fire shrubland on calcareous soil, where naturally-regenerated saplings of Aleppo pine and resprouts of interior holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. rotundifolia) coexist. Three years after fertilisation, relative basal area increment was 56% greater in pines fertilised with 250 kg P ha^–1 than in non fertilised ones. N fertilisation had small or no effects. Interactions between N and P fertilisation were not observed. Growth of Aleppo pine only increased with P fertilisation when neighbours were removed. Hence, the negative effect of neighbours on growth was greater when P availability was enhanced by fertilisation. In contrast, holm oak was able to grow more (110%) in response to increased P supply even without neighbour removal. A common garden experiment was then conducted with potted seedlings to investigate whether the suggested higher competitive capacity of holm oak for P held under a range of P amendments on different soils and competitive situations. P fertilisation increased seedling biomass yield of both species. When P availability increased, a negative effect of neighbours on growth was observed for holm oak and in 70 a lesser extent for Aleppo pine. In conclusion, in the field, holm oak resprouts showed higher competitive ability for P uptake compared to Aleppo pine saplings, but in potted seedlings in common garden conditions this trend was not observed. Therefore holm oak is not always competitively superior to Aleppo pine for P. Potted seedlings of both species had a notable plasticity in shoot/root biomass allocation, but only holm oak increased its proportional allocation to roots when neighbours were present. P availability can be a key factor in growth and competitive relations of these two species, but effects differ depending on soil type, individual age, regeneration type (i.e., seedling versus resprouts), and competitive situation. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.