Environmental factors controlling seed germination and seedling recruitment of Stipa bungeana on the Loess Plateau of northwestern China

Germination studies are important for collecting information on field seedling recruitment, plant conservation and restoration. This study investigated the role of light, temperature, nitrogen, water stress and burial depth in controlling germination of Stipa bungeana seeds. S. bungeana seeds are photo-inhibited; light significantly decreased seed germination regardless of temperature and water conditions. Seeds germinated at 10–30° C, and the highest germination was 72 % and 88 % at 20° C in light and dark, respectively. Thermal model analysis showed that presence of light significantly increased average thermal requirement [θ _T (50)] from 105°Cd to 186°Cd at sub-optimal temperature, implying that light delays seed germination. Hydrotime model analysis showed that presence of light caused a shift in the median base water potential [Ψ _b(50)] from ?0.68 to ?0.26 MPa, which partly explains why light decreased both percentage and speed of germination, even at optimal conditions. As burial depth increased, seedling emergence initially increased and then decreased; the highest seedling emergence recruitment was 43 %, for seeds buried at a depth of 1 cm. Field observations showed that seedling emergence occurred primarily from July to September, and scarcely occurred from April to June. These results suggest that the light inhibitory effect is an adaptive mechanism that prevents S. bungeana seeds from germinating on the soil surface. To attain highest seedling establishment, seeds of S. bungeana should be sown at a soil depth of 1 cm prior to the rainy season, using seeds stored for 1 year.     

Aboveground environment type, soil nutrient content and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi explain establishment success of Centaurea jacea on ex-arable land and in late-successional grasslands

We studied the relative importance of the aboveground and belowground environment for survival and growth of emerged seedlings of Centaurea jacea to better understand the general difficulty of establishing late-successional species at restoration sites on ex-arable land. Potted seedlings growing on soil from six late-successional grasslands and from six ex-arable (restoration) sites were reciprocally exchanged, and survival and relative growth rate of the seedlings monitored. In addition, we assessed aboveground herbivory and colonization of roots by arbuscular myccorhizal fungi of all plants, as well as nutrient availability, and microbial biomass and community composition using PLFA techniques in all twelve soils. Seedling survival was higher in restoration habitat and soil than in grassland habitat and soil, but growth did not differ between the aboveground and belowground environment types. Shoot growth rate was initially correlated with soil nutrient content, and later in the experiment with mycorrhizal colonization levels. Our results indicate that arbuscular mycorhizal fungi may be important for the successful establishment of C. jacea and that abiotic soil factors, like K availability and N:P ratio, can promote mycorrhizal colonization. Hence, the belowground environment should be considered when selecting sites for restoring species-rich grasslands.     

Establishment and reproduction of Aeschynomene virginica (L.) (Fabaceae) a rare,annual, wetland species in relation to vegetation removal and water level

Aeschynomene virginica is a rare annual plant found in freshwater tidal wetlands of the eastern United States. We hypothesized that standing vegetation and water inundation were two important environmental factors in its population dynamics. To test these hypotheses, we sowed seeds into plots with undisturbed vegetation or plots with all aboveground vegetation removed in 1998 and 1999. Presence/absence of seedlings was noted and seedling survival to reproduction, final size, and seed set were measured throughout both growing seasons. Seedling establishment from germination to the first true leaf stage increased with decreasing water depth. Vegetation removal plots had greater seedling establishment, higher seedling survival, and higher seed set per plant than non-removal plots. In a greenhouse study designed to test the effects of water level on seed germination and seedling establishment, no seedlings established in submerged soils, and seed germination and seedling establishment were lower in waterlogged soil than in wet soil. Physical stress associated with deeper water likely limits the distribution of A. virginica to higher elevations, where seeds that colonize patches with low vegetative cover are more likely to produce reproductive adults that produce more seeds relative to patches with established vegetation. A. virginica appears to be a fugitive species specializing on open habitat patches in tidal wetlands. This species may be dependent on disturbances for population establishment and maintenance.     

黄土丘陵区退耕还草植被恢复阶段优势种铁杆蒿的化感效应

为揭示黄土丘陵区退耕还草植被恢复阶段植被群落结构的形成与植物化感作用之间的关系,阐明退耕还草植被恢复阶段铁杆蒿群落形成的原因,采用种子萌发实验,对黄土丘陵区退耕还草中后期群落优势种铁杆蒿(恢复10 a、15 a、20 a、30 a)浸提液(水浸提液和甲醇浸提液)对其伴生种达乌里胡枝子(Lespedeza davurica,LD)、狗尾草(Setaria viridis,SV)、茵陈蒿(Artemisia capillaries,AC)以及铁杆蒿(Artemisia sacrorum,AS)自身化感作用进行研究。结果表明:铁杆蒿浸提液对3种伴生种以及自身种子萌发的化感作用差异显著(P0.05),总体表现出低促高抑"浓度效应",且根受到的抑制作用要强于芽。茎叶浸提液的浓度为0.1 g/mL时,对茵陈蒿种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感指数RI为-1.00,达到完全抑制。铁杆蒿不同器官的化感作用差异显著(P0.05),茎叶及根系浸提液不同程度的抑制LD、AC种子的萌发和幼苗生长,且在同一浓度下抑制作用随着恢复时间的增长逐渐增强。根际土浸提液促进了伴生植物及铁杆蒿自身种子的萌发,抑制了LD和AC幼苗的生长。铁杆蒿种群的化感作用可能是导致铁杆蒿在退耕还草中后期成为优势种的原因之一。     

Molecular and chemical profiling of ‘sweet flag’ (Acorus calamus L.) germplasm from India

In the present study, molecular (DAMD and ISSR) and chemical (α and β-asarone contents) markers were used to characterize the A. calamus genotypes procured from different parts of India. The cumulative analysis carried out for both DAMD and ISSR markers revealed 24.71 % polymorphism across all genotypes of A. calamus. The clustering patterns of the genotypes in the UPGMA tree showed that the genotypes are diverse, and did not show any specific correlation with their geographical provenances, reflecting the low level of genetic diversity and a high genetic differentiation among the genotypes from the same localities. All the 27 genotypes of A. calamus were also analyzed for α and β-asarone contents, and percentage of essential oil. The genotype (Ac13) from Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) showed maximum (9.5 %) percentage of oil, whereas corresponding minimum (2.8 %) was obtained from the genotypes from Pangthang (Sikkim). Similarly, the highest α and β-asarone contents (16.82 % and 92.12 %) were obtained from genotypes from Renuka (Himachal Pradesh) and Udhampur (Jammu & Kashmir), while lowest α and β-asarone contents (0.83 % and 65.96 %) resulted from Auranwa (Uttar Pradesh) and Pangthang (Sikkim) genotypes, respectively. A. calamus harbours tremendous economic value, and it is therefore, important to identify the genotypes with low α and β-asarone contents for its commercial utilization. Further, this study will help in evaluation and documentation of a large number of diverse genotypes for their value traits.     

New sesquiterpenoids of sweet flag oil (Acorus calamus)

Two new sesquiterpenic ketones of the guaiane type have been isolated from Eastern European sweet flag oil (Acorus calamus together with a new tropone, the structure of which reflects its sesquiterpenic origin.     

Germination response of Arabian desert species to gibberellic acid and potassium nitrate seed treatment

Abstract

Desert plant species commonly use seed dormancy to prevent germination during unfavorable environmental conditions and thus increase the probability of seedling survival. Seed dormancy presents a challenge for restoration ecology, particularly in desert species for which our knowledge of dormancy regulation is limited. In the present study the effect of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and potassium nitrate (KNO₃) on seed dormancy release was investigated on eight Arabian desert species. Both treatments significantly enhanced the germination of most species tested. GA₃ was more effective than KNO₃ in enhancing germination percentage, reducing mean germination time and synchronizing the germination in most of the studied species. Light requirement during germination was species-specific, but in general the presence of light promoted germination more effectively when combined with KNO₃ and GA₃. The wide variation in dormancy and germination requirements among the tested species is indicative of distinct germination niches, which might assist their co-existence in similar habitat/environmental conditions. Seed pre-treatments that optimize germination in this habitat must therefore be assessed for individual species to improve the outcomes of ecological restoration.     

光和不同打破种子休眠方法对紫茎泽兰种子萌发及幼苗状态的影响

紫茎泽兰是著名的外来入侵植物,作为入侵的第一步,发芽及其幼苗生长应该与其强入侵能力有关.基于此,通过不同光照强度处理和不同打破休眠方法的双因素实验,旨在探讨紫茎泽兰种子是否具有需光萌发特性以及低温、水杨酸、聚乙二醇,硝酸钾等常规打破休眠方法和光照如何共同影响其萌发、幼苗生长等问题.结果表明:在全光照条件下,不同处理的紫茎泽兰种子的萌发率均大于63％,铝箔纸覆盖的遮光条件(0.23％光照)萌发率均大于60％,而在完全黑暗条件下,其萌发率较低(均小于30％),这表明紫茎泽兰种子具有需光萌发的特性.有别于以往对其它植物种子的报道,低温处理、水杨酸处理、聚乙二醇处理和硝酸钾处理不能代替光照打破种子休眠,显示紫茎泽兰种子可能处于一种强迫休眠状态(种子静态).全光照与水杨酸处理、PEG处理对幼苗生长具有交互影响:黑暗下水杨酸处理浓度与幼苗生物量成正相关(P＜0.05),但全光照和加铝箔下不相关(P＞0.05);全光照下PEG处理浓度与根长显著正相关(P＜0.05),而加铝箔和黑暗下不相关(P＞0.05).紫茎泽兰种子需光萌发特征及其幼苗生长特点是人为破坏表土壤、深层土壤种子库地表化导致快速入侵的基础.结果也为通过引入适宜树种造林来控制光照因子对紫茎泽兰进行生态控制提供了理论依据.     

Some aspects of the extreme anoxia tolerance of the sweet flag,Acorus calamus L.

Acorus calamus L. is a neophyte in Europe with remarkable properties. Among other things, it is the most anoxial tolerant species and a competitive invader at eutrophic sites. The following overview presents the most recent work on these subjects. Carbohydrates of the rhizomes sustain anaerobic ATP production for very long periods. Ethanolic fermentation naturally occurs in winter and produces rather low, but sufficient amounts of ATP for survival, as shown by adenylate energy charge and total adenylate content. Fermentation energy is mainly used for the synthesis and preservation of essential macromolecules, such as proteins and membrane lipids. The extent of these processes is unique. Moreover, ammonia and sulphide uptake is maintained during the cold season. Both ions are detoxified to alanine and thiols which are translocated into the rhizome, where the nitrogen of alanine is used to form arginine. Overwintering leaves contain asparagine instead of arginine. Recycled nitrogen compounds from the rapidly degrading summer leaves return into the rhizomes. Therefore, the nitrogen nutrition consists of an external and internal cycle. The abundance of carbohydrates and nitrogen compounds allows spring shoot growth earlier than other species. These strategies could contribute markedly to the competitive power ofA. calamus at its natural site.     

An overview on traditional uses and pharmacological profile of Acorus calamus Linn. (Sweet flag) and other Acorus species

Acorus calamus (Sweet flag) has a long history of use and has numerous traditional and ethnomedicinal applications. Since ancient times, it has been used in various systems of medicines such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Chinese medicine, etc. for the treatment of various aliments like nervous disorders, appetite loss, bronchitis, chest pain, colic, cramps, diarrhea, digestive disorders, flatulence, gas, indigestion, rheumatism, sedative, cough, fever, bronchitis, inflammation, depression, tumors, hemorrhoids, skin diseases, numbness, general debility and vascular disorders. Various therapeutic potentials of this plant have been attributed to its rhizome. A number of active constituents from leaves, rhizomes and essential oils of A. calamus have been isolated and characterized. Of the constituents, alpha and beta-asarone are the predominant bioactive components. Various pharmacological activities of A. calamus rhizome such as sedative, CNS depressant, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, cardiovascular, hypolipidemic, immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, cryoprotective, antioxidant, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, anticancer and antidiabetic has been reported. Genotoxicity and mutagenecity of beta and alpha-asarone is reported, which limits their use at high dosage. Though A. calamus has been used since ancient times, many of its uses are yet to be scientifically validated. In the present review an attempt has been made to explore traditional uses and pharmacological properties of A. calamus.     

Recruitment varies among milkweed seed sources for habitat specialist but not generalist

If sufficient seedling establishment can be achieved, seed-based restoration provides an affordable, active restoration approach that can be implemented quickly at scale. However, establishment has served as a major restoration bottleneck, highlighting the need for improved understanding of seed germination niche and interactions with site conditions. Germination niche breadth (NB) is expected to increase with gene flow, resulting in broader environmental tolerance range, reduced sensitivity to site conditions, and less variation among seed sources. To investigate how germination NB relates to inter- and intraspecific variation in establishment from seed, we compared field recruitment for two milkweeds (Asclepias), the larval host plant of the monarch butterfly and thus a high priority group for habitat creation. Consistent with species-level NB derived from laboratory trials, there was strong evidence that early life stages of the habitat specialist (Asclepias incarnata) varied among seed collection regions (separated by 423–572 km) but no evidence that the generalist (A. syriaca) varied among seed sources collected across an approximately 750-km transect. Regeneration trends demonstrate that A. incarnata is significantly more sensitive to seed source and therefore requires more restricted seed zones. However, climate change may necessitate that we separate seed collection zones from seed application zones, upending the traditional framework of seed transfer zones. Until taxon-specific studies have identified the scale of adaptive, phenotypic variance, restoration practitioners should continue to adjust the scale of seed collection zones for milkweeds and other taxa based on species traits known to influence gene flow, such as abundance and habitat specificity.     

Seed Dormancy,Seedling Establishment and Dynamics of the Soil Seed Bank of Stipa bungeana (Poaceae) on the Loess Plateau of Northwestern China

Studying seed dormancy and its consequent effect can provide important information for vegetation restoration and management. The present study investigated seed dormancy, seedling emergence and seed survival in the soil seed bank of Stipa bungeana, a grass species used in restoration of degraded land on the Loess Plateau in northwest China. Dormancy of fresh seeds was determined by incubation of seeds over a range of temperatures in both light and dark. Seed germination was evaluated after mechanical removal of palea and lemma (hulls), chemical scarification and dry storage. Fresh and one-year-stored seeds were sown in the field, and seedling emergence was monitored weekly for 8 weeks. Furthermore, seeds were buried at different soil depths, and then retrieved every 1 or 2 months to determine seed dormancy and seed viability in the laboratory. Fresh seeds (caryopses enclosed by palea and lemma) had non-deep physiological dormancy. Removal of palea and lemma, chemical scarification, dry storage (afterripening), gibberellin (GA₃) and potassium nitrate (KNO₃) significantly improved germination. Dormancy was completely released by removal of the hulls, but seeds on which hulls were put back to their original position germinated to only 46%. Pretreatment of seeds with a 30% NaOH solution for 60 min increased germination from 25% to 82%. Speed of seedling emergence from fresh seeds was significantly lower than that of seeds stored for 1 year. However, final percentage of seedling emergence did not differ significantly for seeds sown at depths of 0 and 1 cm. Most fresh seeds of S. bungeana buried in the field in early July either had germinated or lost viability by September. All seeds buried at a depth of 5 cm had lost viability after 5 months, whereas 12% and 4% seeds of those sown on the soil surface were viable after 5 and 12 months, respectively.     

Habitat-specific responses of seed germination and seedling establishment to soil water condition in two Rheum species in the high Sino-Himalayas

Knowledge of how germination and seedling establishment respond to soil water condition is crucial for plant conservation under global warming and land-use changes. We tested the flooding and drought tolerance of two plant species with different occurrences along a soil water gradient by assessing seed germination, seedling survival, seedling growth, and root characteristics. In the high Sino-Himalayas, Rheum alexandrae typically occurs in wetlands, R. nobile in scree or open slope with well-drained soils. Seeds and seedlings of the two species were subjected to different soil water conditions in controlled greenhouse experiments. Seed germination in both species was inhibited by high soil water content; however, seeds of R. alexandrae were more tolerant to flooding, especially to submergence. Seedling survival, biomass accumulation, root diameter, and root porosity of R. alexandrae increased significantly with increased soil water content, but submergence was lethal for seedlings. Seedling survival, biomass accumulation, and root length of R. nobile increased significantly in response to reduced soil water content. These results indicate that in the two species, seed germination and seedling establishment in response to different soil water condition are habitat-specific. Because both species are susceptible to moderate changes in soil water condition, their species-specific requirements with respect to this factor should be a consideration when planning their conservation.     

Spatiotemporal pattern of seed bank in the annual psammophyte Agriophyllum squarrosum Moq. (Chenopodiaceae) on the active sand dunes of northeastern Inner Mongolia, China

The seed banks of active sand dunes are critical for the adaptation of psammophytes to unstable habitats. However, existing reports have failed to effectively elucidate the spatiotemporal structure of these seed banks and the factors regulating them. The seed bank pattern of the annual psammophyte Agriophyllum squarrosum Moq. in active sand dunes was studied by taking into consideration the time, the depth of the soil profile, dune positions, and seed bank type (released seed bank, belowground and aboveground canopy seed banks). Most canopy-stored seeds were unburied before the following March of the maturation year; however, they were buried from March to May. The seed bank mainly comprised the aboveground canopy-stored seeds from September of the year of seed maturation to the following March. The seed bank was concentrated in the surface soil layers (0–10 cm) from March of the year following seed maturation to June and was concentrated in the deep soil layers (10–50 cm) after June. The seed bank in the lower leeward slope tended to be larger than those in the other dune positions. The canopy-stored seed:released seed ratio differed between dune positions. The findings of this study are: (1) sand burial and wind erosion play key roles in shaping the spatiotemporal pattern of the seed banks of active sand dunes, and (2) delayed seed release may be a major factor regulating the spatiotemporal pattern of the seed banks of certain psammophytes.     

GERMINATION ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF ARENARIA GLABRA,A WINTER ANNUAL OF SANDSTONE AND GRANITE OUTCROPS OF SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

The germination ecophysiology of Arenaria glabra Michx., a characteristic winter annual plant species of granite and sandstone outcrops of southeastern United States, was investigated. Seeds germinate in early autumn, plants overwinter in the rosette stage and then flower, set seeds, and die in late spring; seeds are dispersed soon after maturity. Eighty-five to 90% of freshly-matured seeds were innately dormant, and the other 10–15% germinated only at temperatures lower than those that occur in the habitat at the time of seed dispersal in June. During the summer after-ripening period, seeds stored dry under ambient laboratory conditions exhibited progressive increases in rates and total percentages of germination, a widening of the temperature range for germination, and a loss of the light requirement. At a 14-hr daily photoperiod, seeds kept on continuously moist soil germinated to 83% at simulated July and August temperatures during July and August, and the remainder germinated at September temperatures in September. On the other hand, seeds subjected to alternate wetting and drying during July and August germinated to only 9% during those 2 months, and the remainder germinated after the soil was kept continuously moist, beginning on 1 September, at simulated habitat temperatures during September and October. Thus, the timing of germination of A. glabra in the field is controlled by an interplay of the seeds' physiological state with the dynamics of temperature and soil moisture conditions.     

Edaphic constraints on seed germination and emergence of three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia</Emphasis> species for dryland restoration in Saudi Arabia

In situ edaphic factors affecting seed germination and seedling emergence of three framework species of Acacia were investigated with the intent of developing fundamental and scalable restoration capacity for Arabian dryland restoration. Direct seeding represents the most efficient means to restore vegetation at the landscape scale and this study provides insight into edaphic and ecological limitations, as well as effective protocols governing the use of native seeds for restoration in hyper-arid environments. The study was conducted in extant Acacia woodland habitat on conserved land (Thumamah Nature Park) in close proximity to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Broad-scale direct seeding using un- and pretreated Acacia gerrardii, A. tortilis, and A. ehrenbergiana seed, and two seed burial depths were implemented across three sites with distinct soil surface characteristics. Eight weeks post-sowing, random samples for each species × seed treatment × burial depth combination were excavated, sieved, and categorized as follows: failed to germinate, germinated but died prior to emerging, or successfully emerged. We show that germination and emergence of Acacia gerrardii, A. tortilis, and A. ehrenbergiana were driven by a three-way interaction among species, site, and seed burial depth. Treating seed with the signaling compound Moddus did not have a definitive effect, positive or negative, on any of the species investigated. Acacia gerrardii was the only species that exhibited widespread emergence, though emergence was not consistent across sites or burial depths. Germination was highest in disturbed soil (up to 69% for A. gerrardii), but very few (<2%) successfully emerged; a greater proportion of germinants in sandy soil emerged (up to 44% for A. gerrardii) even though the overall germination was less. Though species-dependent, a 2-cm sowing depth was most effective in sand; while in disturbed soil, sowing depths of 1 and 2 cm were comparable; and no germination was observed in gravelly clay soil. Sandy soil exhibited rapid water infiltration (107.6 mm min^?1), and post-sowing surface crusting was a non-factor (0.44 kg cm^?2). Disturbed soil exhibited moderate water infiltration (1.46 mm min^?1) and post-sowing surface crusting was double that of sand (0.88 kg cm^?2) and restrictive on seedling emergence. Gravelly clay exhibited extremely poor water infiltration (0.12 mm min^?1), and surface crusting was severe (4.49 kg cm^?2) and an order of magnitude greater than sand. The medium-coarse sand fraction, a key driver of the observed soil surface processes, was greatest in sand (55%) and significantly less and uniform in the disturbed (22%) and gravelly clay (22%) soils. Our findings demonstrate that soil surface characteristics and associated processes can dictate ecological processes at depths as shallow as 1–2 cm, and that soil crusts that slow water infiltration and impede seedling emergence rapidly reconstitute after disturbance; both are important considerations for restoring dryland vegetation.     

Soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation within hillslope vegetation restoration sites in Jinshajing hot-dry river valley

Soil seed bank plays an important role in the composition of different plant communities, especially in their conservation. Although soil seed bank, aboveground vegetation and their relationship have been the subject of much recent attention, little is known about the size and species composition of the soil seed bank and about the aboveground vegetation in the semiarid hillslope grasslands. There is limited understanding of how these components interact to determine the importance of seed banks in regeneration. In this study, the size and species composition of a soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation have been assessed in an experiment using 36 vegetation quadrats and 108 soil samples in terrace, slope, gully, and grazing land. This land represents a range of habitats within a hillslope grassland in Jinshajing hot-dry river valley of Yunnan, China. Terrace, slope, and gully represent restored sites and grazing land typifies unrestored sites. Twenty-one taxa in the seed bank were identified with a median and median density of 7 species/m² and 5498 seeds/m², respectively, whereas in the aboveground vegetation, 19 species were observed with a median and median density of 6 species/m² and 1088 plants/m², respectively. Both seed bank density and aboveground vegetation density among grazing land, gully, slope, and terrace differed significantly. There was an absolutely high proportion of herbaceous species in the seed bank and aboveground vegetation. Gramineae predominated over both seed bank and vegetation. The most frequent seeds and plants were Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus and Heteropogon contortus (L.) Beauv that had the highest individual number, importance value, and biomass. In the seed bank, the seeds of Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus and Heteropogon contortus (L.) Beauv accounted for 50.68% and 33.10% of the total seeds, respectively. In the aboveground vegetation, the individual number of Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus and Heteropogon contortus (L.) Beauv accounted for 55.66% and 29.86% of the total, respectively. The biomass of Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus and Heteropogon contortus (L.) Beauv accounted for more than 70% of the total, reaching 206.71 g/m² and 147.76 g/m², respectively. Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus and Heteropogon contortus (L.) Beauv had the highest importance value of 193.01 and 159.99, respectively. Density, biomass, species richness, species diversity, and evenness were the highest in terrace land, whereas these were lowest in grazing land. Similarities between the seed bank and the aboveground vegetation were moderately high and not very different among slope, gully, and terrace lands, while for grazing land, they tended to increase when the restorative stage progressed. This result contrasts with some other studies where the seed bank contributes very little to the seedling flora and the vegetative growth clearly overwhelms sexual reproduction. The hypothesis about significant functional correlation between soil seed bank density and aboveground vegetation density is conformed. Correlation between soil seed bank density and aboveground vegetation density can be described in quadratic and cubic curves. The strong similarity between the vegetation and the seed bank is attributed to a large proportion of the species Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus and Heteropogon contortus (L.) Beauv., which are seed profusive and whose seeds have a significant viability in the ground. The high density, biomass, species richness, species diversity, and uniformity of the reclaimed site are related to the sufficiency of heat and water supplies for species establishment and growth in the site, which partly reflects the effective efforts for hillslope grassland restoration. It is believed that the efforts for vegetation restoration have altered the microhabitat conditions of the site and have provided a favorable habitat for species to establish and grow.     

鄱阳湖湿地景观恢复的物种选择及其对环境因子的响应

湿地是重要的生态系统,对人类和野生生物都具有极其重要的价值。由于自然因素的变化和人类活动的干扰,湿地退化严重。近年来,湿地恢复已成为世界环境问题改善的重要工具之一。选择适用的湿地植物是退化湿地恢复的关键途径。本文以鄱阳湖湿地为研究对象,通过专家赋值、野外调查、定位观测等方法,筛选了苦草、野菱、芦苇、苔草等25种鄱阳湖常见植物作为湿地景观恢复的优先物种。对苦草、黑藻、菹草、菖蒲、芦苇等5种植物对环境因子的响应进行观测。结果表明,苦草在清水环境130-140cm处的生长最好;黑藻在清水环境中100-110cm处的生长最好;菹草在不同水深(50-160cm)下都能够生长,菹草高度随水深增加而增加;菖蒲具有一定的耐淹能力(< 80cm),但完全淹水(水深100-120cm)明显影响到菖蒲根状茎萌发、幼苗生长和生物量的积累;芦苇根状茎萌发对水深要求严格,土壤要湿润且透气性良好才是芦苇萌发的最好条件,芦苇根状茎萌发前淹水超过20 cm其萌发将会受到明显抑制,淹水超过30 cm则无法萌发。通过对沉水植物的透明度研究表明,植物对水质的透明度都有一定的要求,透明度较好更利于湿地植物的生长发育。     

三江平原沟渠土壤种子库特征及其与地上植被的关系

为了探究三江平原沟渠土壤种子库在湿地植物保护中的作用及其在湿地恢复中的潜力,该文采用幼苗萌发法与样方调查相结合的方法,对三江平原不同开挖年限沟渠的土壤种子库特征及其与地上植被的关系进行了研究。结果表明:沟渠具有较大规模的土壤种子库,边坡种子库显著大于底泥种子库,边坡种子库密度为8 973–25 000 seeds·m–2,底泥种子库密度为506–1 488 seeds·m–2。开挖10年、20年和30年的沟渠土壤种子库共有50种植物萌发,隶属于20科41属。开挖10年、20年和30年的沟渠土壤种子库萌发物种数分别为37种、34种和33种,地上植被物种数分别为25种、33种和22种。土壤种子库和相应地上植被的相似性系数分别为38.7%、35.8%和32.7%。随着植物群落演替的进行,地上植被的Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数均逐渐增大。三江平原沟渠土壤种子库和地上植被中保存了大量湿地植物,表明沟渠具有保护植物物种多样性的作用,沟渠土壤种子库具有湿地恢复的潜力。随着沟渠开挖年限增加,沟渠植物群落呈现退化特征,建议对沟渠系统加强管理。     

Mechanisms regulating seedling emergence of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii [Rydb.] L.): Dormancy change,seed fate and seeding date

Seed germination and seedling emergence of ‘Arctic’ and ‘Lineta’ orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and ‘Walsh’ and ‘LC9078a’ western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii [Rydb.] L.) were studied both in the field and laboratory. Four seeding dates were conducted each year over 2 years and seedling emergence and seed fate in the soil were monitored. The effects of alternating temperature and light on germination were quantified and correlated with seedling emergence from soil and in the field. Orchardgrass seeds were less dormant than western wheatgrass as indicated by the disparity in germination percentage between constant and alternating temperatures. Seed germination percentage was usually higher than seedling emergence in the field for orchardgrass but lower for western wheatgrass, and temperature was not responsible for the difference. Exposing orchardgrass seeds to light during germination check helped break dormancy in orchardgrass when temperature was unfavorable (low and/or constant temperatures), while favorable temperatures (optimal, alternating temperatures) conditions overcame the inhibiting effect of light in western wheatgrass. The final seedling emergence of orchardgrass was either similar among the four seeding dates or decreased slightly from early May to early June. For western wheatgrass, however, final seedling emergence increased with seeding dates from early to late May and decreased in early June. Soil temperatures of the first 2 weeks after seeding increased from the early May to late May and then decreased. These temperatures were below or near the optimal temperatures for western wheatgrass seeds to release dormancy and germinate. Germination of the previously buried seeds indicated that orchardgrass and western wheatgrass had the potential for a high germination percentage under field conditions for all seeding dates. While soil temperatures close to the optimal temperature for dormancy breaking and germination promoted germination of orchardgrass, the same conditions could cause deterioration of seeds if they failed to germinate. For western wheatgrass, deeper dormancy reduced seed mortality.