荒漠草原沙漠化植物群落及土壤物理变化

沙漠化是草地退化最严重的形式之一。以空间代替时间的方法,通过对宁夏中北部荒漠草原沙漠化过程中植物群落特征和土壤物理特性的研究,探讨草地植物群落与土壤物理特性对沙漠化的响应机制。结果表明:(1)潜在沙漠化阶段草地以牛枝子、猪毛蒿、中亚白草为优势种,轻度沙漠化阶段草地以中亚白草、苦豆子为优势种,中度沙漠化阶段草地以狗尾草、虫实为优势种,重度沙漠化阶段草地以沙米、赖草、狗尾草为优势种,极度沙漠化阶段草地以沙米为优势种。(2)随着沙漠化程度的加剧草地植物群落生物量、Shannon-Wiener指数、丰富度指数、盖度均呈降低趋势,但轻度沙漠化阶段草地植被生物量比潜在沙漠化增加了23%。(3)草地沙漠化导致土壤容重和土壤粗砂粒含量增加,而土壤水分,土壤细砂粒和粘粉粒含量降低。荒漠草原沙漠化导致了土壤环境和植被明显退化,草地生产力明显降低。     

Allometric Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agriophyllum squarrosum</Emphasis> in Response to Soil Nutrients,Water, and Population Density in the Horqin Sandy Land of China

We monitored the allometric effects for greenhouse-grown Agriophyllum squarrosum plants in response to variations in population density and the availability of soil nutrients and water. Biomass allocations were size-dependent. The plasticity of roots, stems, leaves, and reproductive effort was “true” in response to changes in nutrient content. At a low level of soil minerals, plants allocated more resources to the development of roots and reproductive organs than to leaves, but data for stem allocations were consistent for tradeoffs between the effects of nutrients and plant size. The plasticities of leaf allocation and reproductive effort were “true” whereas those of root and stem allocations were “apparent” in response to fluctuations in soil water, being a function of plant size. Decreasing soil water content was associated with higher leaf allocation and lower reproductive effort. Except for this “apparent” plasticity of leaf allocation, none was detected with population density on biomass allocation. Architectural traits were determinants of the latter. For roots, the determining trait was the ratio of plant height to total biomass; for stems and reproduction, plant height; and for leaves, the ratio of branch numbers to plant height.     

Diurnal Gas Exchange and Superior Resources Use Efficiency of Typical C4 Species in Hunshandak Sandland,China

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g _s), leaf water potential (ψ_leaf), leaf nitrogen content, and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) were compared between a typical C₄ plant, Agriophyllum squarrosum and a C₃ plant, Leymus chinensis, in Hunshandak Sandland, China. The plant species showed different diurnal gas exchange patterns on June 12–14 when photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), air temperature (T _air), and water potential were moderate. P _N, E, and g _s of A. squarrosum showed distinct single peak while those of L. chinensis were depressed at noon and had two peaks in their diurnal courses. Gas exchange traits of both species showed midday depression under higher photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and T _air when Ψ_leaf was significantly low down on August 6–8. However, those of A. squarrosum were depressed less seriously. Moreover, A. squarrosum had higher P _N, Ψ_leaf, water use efficiency (WUE), and PNUE than L. chinensis. Thus A. squarrosum was much more tolerant to heat and high irradiance and could utilise the resources on sand area more efficiently than L. chinensis. Hence species like A. squarrosum may be introduced and protected to reconstruct the degraded sand dunes because of their higher tolerance to stress and higher resource use efficiency. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

沙蒿(Artemisia ordosica)水浸提液对4种伴生草本植物的化感作用

以生长在我国荒漠和半荒漠地区的特有植物沙蒿为供体植物,沙米、虫实、草木樨状黄芪、狗尾草为受体植物,研究了沙蒿根、茎、叶、种子水浸提液对受体植物种子发芽、幼苗生长以及根对NH~+_4和K~+吸收的化感效应的差异,为沙区植被恢复中伴生杂草种类的选择提供理论依据。结果表明:沙蒿水浸提液对4种受体植物种子发芽和幼苗生长均具有显著的化感效应,沙米、虫实、草木樨状黄芪表现为抑制作用,狗尾草表现为促进作用。不同部位沙蒿浸提液的化感作用不同,根浸提液对沙米、虫实、狗尾草的化感效应最强,茎浸提液对草木樨状黄芪的抑制最强。不同植物种及植物的不同发育时期对化感作用的敏感性也不同,在4种受体植物中,沙米受抑制最强,其次为虫实、草木樨状黄芪,且随浸提液浓度增加而显著增强,而狗尾草具有一定的耐受力,表现为促进作用。沙蒿浸提液对受体植物根长的影响最强,其次是种子发芽、苗高和幼苗干质量。浸提液显著降低沙米、虫实、草木樨状黄芪根对NH~+_4和K~+的吸收,增加狗尾草根对NH~+_4和K~+的吸收。研究结果表明雨水淋溶是沙蒿向环境中释放化感物质的途径之一,化感作用在增强沙蒿生存竞争力,扩大种群过程中起着不容忽视的作用,可能是沙蒿单优势种群落形成的原因之一。     

The distribution of submerged aquatic macrophyte biomass in a eutrophic stream,Badfish Creek: the effect of environment

The distribution of biomass of the macrophyte community in Badfish Creek was examined in three sections (A–C) totaling ten kilometers. Biomass samples were taken in a stratified-random manner, with sediment characteristics, depth, current velocity and incident light measured at each site to correlate individual biomass samples with environmental factors. Total community biomass decreased in the downstream section (C), with the biomass ofElodea canadensis decreasing abruptly below section A. The only environmental factors which were correlated with the decrease in macrophyte community biomass, especially that ofPotamogeton pectinatus, in section C was the increase in substrate heterogeneity and sand substrates which lacked surface gravel. The change in substrate was related to channelization. Considering the stream as a whole, the biomass of the dominant species,Potamogeton pectinatus, was correlated with incident light. Other species present wereCeratophyllum demersum andCladophora glomerata. Analysis of riparian vegetation type indicates that tree cover significantly reduced macrophyte biomass by incident light reduction.     

Bt toxin is not taken up from soil or hydroponic culture by corn,carrot, radish,or turnip

The culture of transgenic Bt corn (Zea mays L.) has resulted in concern about the uptake of the Cry1Ab protein toxin by crops subsequently grown in soils in which Bt corn has been grown. The toxin released to soil in root exudates of Bt corn, from the degradation of the biomass of Bt corn, or as purified toxin, was not taken up from soil, where the toxin is bound on surface-active particles (e.g. clays and humic substances), or from hydroponic culture, where the toxin is not bound on particles, by non-Bt corn, carrot (Daucus carota L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and turnip (Brassica rapa L.). The persistence of the toxin in soil for 90 days after its addition in purified form or for 120–180 days after its release in exudates or from biomass, the longest times evaluated, confirmed that the toxin was bound on surface-active particles in soil, which protected the toxin from biodegradation. The greater toxicity of the toxin in soil amended with 9% montmorillonite or kaolinite than in soil amended with 3% of these clay minerals indicated that the binding and persistence of the toxin increased as the clay concentration was increased.     

两类植物型沙丘上植物群落的异同及其对沙丘形态的响应

为探究相同环境条件下发育的两类植物型沙丘上植物群落的异同点,以及相异点与沙丘形态的关系,对毛乌素沙地南缘盐碱地上相间分布的抛物线形沙丘和白刺灌丛沙丘分别进行形态学、植物群落学及土壤理化性质的调查分析。结果显示:抛物线形沙丘的水平尺度虽为白刺灌丛沙丘的12-23倍,但两类沙丘上物种数相当,其植物分属12科31属39种和12科30属33种,均以菊科、藜科、禾本科、豆科植物为主(占70%以上),其中共有植物17种,群落相似度0.66;两类沙丘上的群落建群种不同,优势种的重叠度较低,抛物线形沙丘的不同部位共统计到7个植物群丛,可分为沙生植物群落和喜湿耐盐碱群落,白刺灌丛沙丘上均以白刺为建群种,油蒿、冰草、雾冰藜、沙蓬、狗尾草为主要优势种;沙丘形态造成其不同部位风沙活动及土壤水分、PH值和全盐含量的差异是两类沙丘上植物群落相异的重要影响因素。     

Morphological description and DNA barcoding study of sand rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agriophyllum squarrosum</Emphasis>, Chenopodiaceae) collected in Kazakhstan

Background

Sand rice (Agriophyllum squarrosum (L.) Moq.) is an annual shrub-like plant adapted to the mobile sand dunes in desert and semi-desert regions of Asia. It has a balanced nutrient composition with relatively high concentration of lipids and proteins, which results in its nutrition being similar to legumes. Sand rice’s proteins contain the full range of essential amino acids. However, calories content is more similar to wheat. These features together with desert stress resistance make sand rice a potential food crop resilient to ongoing climate change. It is also an important fodder crop (on young stages of growth) for cattle in arid regions of Kazakhstan. In our work, sand rice samples were collected from two distant regions of Kazakhstan as a part of the nation-wide project to determine genetic variation of the native flora.

Results

Samples were collected in western and southeastern parts of Kazakhstan separated by distances of up to 1300 km. Sequences of the nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and the chloroplast matK gene confirmed the identity of species defined by morphological traits. Comparison with GenBank sequences revealed polymorphic sequence positions among Kazakh populations and GenBank references, and suggested a distinction among local populations of sand rice. The phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences showed a clear partition of A. squarrosum (L.) Moq. from Agriophyllum minus Fisch. & C.A. Mey, which grows in the same sand dunes environment.

Conclusions

DNA barcoding analyses of ITS and matK sequences showed a segregation of A. squarrosum from A. minus into separate clades in Maximum-Likelhood dendrograms. ITS analysis can be successfully used to characterize A. squarrosum populations growing quite distant from each other. The data obtained in this work provide the basis for further investigations on A. squarrosum population structure and may play a role in the screening of sand rice plants growing in desert and semi-desert environments of Central Asia and China.

     

Modelling of cometabolic transformation ofortho-xylene in a denitrifying biofilm system

A model describing the cometabolic biotransformation ofo-xylene with toluene as primary carbon source in a continuously fed fixed biofilm reactor is presented. The model is based on the concept of competitive inhibition betweeno-xylene and toluene. The proposed model simulated successfully the transformation ofo-xylene and the associated by-products formation, as well as the toluene degradation. However, it appears that an accurate measurement of active biomass density and distribution in the biofilm is needed, since these factors dramatically affects the modelling. The modelling of various kinetic experiments indicates that the active biomass (or toluene degraders) is accumulated on the top of the biofilm, leading to the conclusion that only a minor part of the biofilm thickness was active. The calibrated model is able to predict the removal of toluene ando-xylene for concentrations ranging from 0 to 30 mg/L. For higher concentrations toxicity phenomena may decrease the accuracy of the model.     

Topographic variations of soil properties and stand structure in aPinus thunbergii plantation

Soil properties and above-and belowground forest structure were studied across various topographies in a 20-year-oldPinus thunbergii Parl. plantation on Mt Tanakami, Japan. The soil properties and stand structure varied greatly with slope position fromridge top to valley floor. Soil thickness, fine soil content and soil moisture content were greater in lower slope positions. The amount of organic carbon in the forest floor was greater in upper slope positions. The organic carbon content in the mineral soil was slightly greater in lower slope positions. These changes in soil properties suggested an upslope decrease in decomposition rate and water and/or nutrient availability. The aboveground structure ofP. thunbergii was more developed at lower slope positions. The mean stem diameter, height and volume ofP. thunbergii increased downslope with decreasing tree density. However, fine root biomass increased greatly upslope. This inverse relationship between tree height and fine root biomass indicated morphological plasticity ofP. thunbergii in exploiting environmental heterogeneity. Variations in soil-plant interactions in the stand along various topographies caused spatial heterogeneity in the accumulation pattern of organic matter in plants and the soil.     

Photosynthetic Response to Soil Water Contents of an Annual Pioneer C4 Grass (Agriophyllum squarrosum) in Hunshandak Sandland,China

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g _s), and leaf water potential (Ψ_l) of an annual pioneer C₄ grass (Agriophyllum squarrosum) were compared under different simulated precipitation events in a field of Hunshandak Sandland, China. The increase of soil water content (SWC) had significant effect on these physiological traits (p<0.001). In the vegetative stage, the values of P _N, E, and g _s went up sharply when SWC increased at the beginning, while they went down with continuous increase of SWC. P _N, E, and g _s increased 1.4, 1.7, and 1.7 fold, respectively, with SWC range from 6.7 to 11.6 %. In the reproductive stage, similar trends were found, except for the climate with a higher SWC. This indicated that A. squarrosum was very sensitive to the small increment of SWC which might have a large photosynthetic potential. Ψ_l increased by about 8 % as the SWC changed from 6.7 to 8.8 %, and then maintained a steady level when the SWC was higher than 8.8 %, while the values of P _N, E, and g _s kept increasing even after this SWC. This might indicate that the adjustment of Ψ_l response to the changes of SWC lagged that of the photosynthetic parameters. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth response of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) to inoculation withGlomus mosseae,Trichoderma aureoviride andPythium ultimum in a peat-perlite mixture

The interactions between the mycorrhizal fungusGlomus mosseae, the plant pathogenPythium ultimum, and a pathogen-antagonistTrichoderma aureoviride in the rhizosphere ofTagetes erecta (marigold) were studied for their effects on plant growth in a peat-perlite substrate. Mycorrhizal fungus inoculation protected the plant againstP. ultimum, since both phytomass production and foliar development were higher in mycorrhizal plants.T. aureoviride had no effect on nonmycorrhizal plants in the presence or absence ofP. ultimum. However, more biomass was produced by mycorrhizal plants whenT. aureoviride was present, whether or not soil was infested withP. ultimum. ei]R Rodriguez-Kabana     

半干旱草地长期封育进程中针茅植物根系格局变化特征

以云雾山不同封育年限草地针茅植物根系和土壤为研究对象,对其根系特征、土壤特性及两者关系进行研究,以探讨分析封育对针茅根系格局的影响。结果表明:(1)针茅植物根系生物量、根长密度、根表面积和根体积在封育初期轻微下降,之后缓慢上升,并在封育30 a草地得到显著增加。(2)随封育年限增加,各根系指标在3种针茅物种间的组成格局具有类似变化规律,具体表现为:长芒草在放牧草地所占比例最高,之后逐渐降低,并在封育30 a草地消失;大针茅所占比例呈先升后降变化规律,并在封育22 a草地达到最大值;甘青针茅仅出现于封育30 a草地,且占据优势地位。(3)大针茅和甘青针茅0—0.6 mm径级根系比例高于大针茅,使其根系直径显著低于大针茅,比根长和比根面积显著高于大针茅;此外,长芒草根组织密度显著高于长芒草和甘青针茅。(4)长期封育在显著提高土壤水分、养分含量和土壤氮磷比的同时显著降低土壤碳氮比,但对微生物生物量碳、氮无明显影响。(5)针茅根系特征与土壤指标的关联性分析显示针茅根系受土壤氮资源的显著影响。     

Seed germination and seedling growth of five desert plants and their relevance to vegetation restoration

Due to significant decreases in precipitation in northern China, knowledge of the response of seed germination and plant growth characteristics to key limiting factors is essential for vegetation restoration. We examined seed germination under different temperatures and water potentials, and we examined seedling growth under different amounts of water supply. Experiments were carried out in automatic temperature‐, humidity‐, and light‐controlled growth chambers. Under low water potentials, the final germination percentages of four herbaceous species were high, while seed germination of the shrub species Caragana microphylla was significantly inhibited. Under the different water supply amounts, seedlings of Agropyron cristatum allocated more biomass to the root and had a higher growth rate than those of Elymus dahuricus and C. microphylla. In light of these results and drier environmental conditions (annual mean precipitation is 366 mm, which falling mainly between June and August), potential selections for revegetation of different landscapes include the following: A. cristatum for shifting sand dunes, the establishment of the pioneer species Agriophyllum squarrosum, C. microphylla for semifixed sand dunes, E. dahuricus for fixed sand dunes, and Melilotus suaveolens and Medicago sativa for cultivation.     

Ecophysiological behavior ofArtemisia ordosica on the process of sand dune fixation

The population structure and water relations ofArtemisia ordosica were studied at different stages of the sand dune fixation process. Vegetation coverage and biomass increased as the sand dune fixation process progressed. In contrast, individual growth rate decreased in the late fixation stage. On fixed sand dunes the modal age ofA. ordosica plants was higher and seedlings or saplings were rearely observed. On active sand dunes, settlement of seedlings was regulated by sand mobility; that is, seedlings were observed only when sand mobility was below 10 cm per year. Leaf transpiration was highest in active sand dunes. Stand transpiration in fixed sand dunes was lower than in semi-fixed sand dunes. These differences in transpiration were related to a decrease in soil water availability, which was affected by the increase in the aeolian fine soil component during the course of sand dune fixation. The reduction in soil water status and the cessation of sand movement were considered to be important factors in the decline of theArtemisia ordosica community.     

Dominant plant species shape soil bacterial community in semiarid sandy land of northern China

Plant species affect soil bacterial diversity and compositions. However, little is known about the role of dominant plant species in shaping the soil bacterial community during the restoration of sandy grasslands in Horqin Sandy Land, northern China. We established a mesocosm pots experiment to investigate short‐term responses of soil bacterial diversity and composition, and the related soil properties in degraded soils without vegetation (bare sand as the control, CK) to restoration with five plant species that dominate across restoration stages: Agriophyllum squarrosum (AS), Artemisia halodendron (AH), Setaria viridis (SV), Chenopodium acuminatum (CA), and Corispermum macrocarpum (CM). We used redundancy analysis (RDA) to analyze the association between soil bacterial composition and soil properties in different plant species. Our results indicated that soil bacterial diversity was significantly lower in vegetated soils independent of plant species than in the CK. Specifically, soil bacterial species richness and diversity were lower under the shrub AH and the herbaceous plants AS, SV, and CA, and soil bacterial abundance was lower under AH compared with the CK. A field investigation confirmed the same trends where soil bacteria diversity was lower under AS and AH than in bare sand. The high‐sequence annotation analysis showed that Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the most common phyla in sandy land irrespective of soil plant cover. The OTUs (operational taxonomic units) indicated that some bacterial species were specific to the host plants. Relative to bare sand (CK), soils with vegetative cover exhibited lower soil water content and temperature, and higher soil carbon and nitrogen contents. The RDA result indicated that, in addition to plant species, soil water and nitrogen contents were the most important factors shaping soil bacterial composition in semiarid sandy land. Our study from the pot and field investigations clearly demonstrated that planting dominant species in bare sand impacts bacterial diversity. In semiarid ecosystems, changes in the dominant plant species during vegetation restoration efforts can affect the soil bacterial diversity and composition through the direct effects of plants and the indirect effects of soil properties that are driven by plant species.     

Measurement of microbial biomass phosphorus in rhizosphere soil

³²P-labelled monocalcium phosphate solution was supplied by point injection to the root system of wheat plants grown in soil cores in a controlled environment. There was no detectable incorporation of³²P into organic P fractions in the soil remaining after roots were removed, confirming field observations. The techniques used to measure organic P (including biomass P) could detect an incorporation of³²P into soil microbial biomass equivalent to 0.3 μgP.g^?1 soil, compared to a total soil biomass P content estimated to be ca. 6.5 μgP.g^?1 soil. The limited incorporation of the added P into microbial biomass in the root-free soil may be due partly to a limited diffusion of³²P into the non-rhizosphere soil and partly to the removal of³²P-labelled microbial biomass adhering to or in very close association with the root surface. it is proposed that in studies of soil nutrient status, total soil biomass P (roots + soil flora + microfauna) should be measured, rather than attempting an estimate of microbial P. A sequential extraction procedure using a single soil sample, where a biocide is added to the extracting solution, is proposed as an alternative to the conventional procedure for measuring soil biomass P where two soil samples, one treated with a biocide, are extracted simultaneously.     

Symbiotic algal nitrogenase activity and heterocyst frequency in sevenAzolla species after phosphorus fertilization

Seven species ofAzolla (A. caroliniana, A. microphylla, A. nilotica, A. filiculoides, A. mexicana, A. rubra, A. pinnata the last from both Malaysia and India) grown in pots of flooded soil were subjected to three different treatments with respect to P: none, single application, split application. The experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions. Heterocyst frequency inAnabaena azollae and acetylene reducing activity (ARA) were studied in successiveAzolla leaves. Both variables increased from the first leaf (shoot apex) to the last one (before branch) in all species in the presence or absence of P. However, heterocyst frequency, ARA andAzolla biomass were all less in the treatment lacking P. Heterocyst frequency inA. azollae, ARA and biomass ofAzolla were higher when P was applied in split doses than in the other treatments.Azolla plants exhibited more ARA than the isolated leaves.     

Solar Pond devices: free energy or bioreactors for<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Artemia</Emphasis> biomass production?

The recent exponential growth in industrial aquaculture has led to a huge increase in Artemia biomass production in order to meet increased fish production needs. The present study explores the potential use of salt gradient solar ponds (SGSPs) for production of Artemia nauplii. An SGSP is a basin of water where solar energy is trapped and collected via an artificially imposed gradient. Three zones can be identified in an SGSP: upper and lower zones, which are both convective, and a middle zone, which is intended to be non-convective. The latter acts as a transparent insulation layer and allows for storage of solar energy at the bottom, where it is available for use. The combination of salt, temperature and high transparency could make SGSPs promising bioreactors for the production of Artemia nauplii. Using particle image velocymetry (PIV) and Shadowgraph visualisation techniques, the behaviour of Artemia nauplii under critical cultivation parameters (namely, salinity, temperature and light) was monitored to determine movement velocity, and how movement of Artemia affects the salt gradient. It was observed that Artemia nauplii constantly follow light, irrespective of adverse salinity and/or temperature conditions. However, despite the substantial displacement of Artemia following the light source, the salt gradient is not disrupted. The suitability of SGSPs as bioreactors for Artemia biomass production was then tested. The results were disappointing, probably due to the lack of sufficient O₂ for Artemia survival and growth. Follow-up trials were conducted aimed at using the SGSP as a green and economically attractive energy source to induce faster hatching of cysts and improved Artemia nauplii growth. The results of these trials, and a case study of Artemia nauplii production using an SGSP, are presented. The authors constructed a Solar Pond device, which they suggest as a novel way of supplying thermal energy for Artemia biomass production in an aquaculture enterprise. Finally, the authors suggest a method of producing and collecting Artemia biomass, and of heating a fish larval tank, in an ‘ideal’ Solar Pond device, profiting from the low investment costs of using a decommissioned salt works.     

Effects of water level fluctuation on the growth ofNelumbo nucifera Gaertn. in Lake Kasumigaura,Japan

Investigations were made of the growth ofNelumbo nucifera, an aquatic higher plant, in a natural stand in Lake Kasumigaura. A rise of 1.0 m in the water level after a typhoon in August 1986 caused a subsequent decrease in biomass ofN. nucifera from the maximum of 291 g d.w. m⁻² in July to a minimum of 75 g d.w. m⁻². The biomass recovered thereafter in shallower regions. The underground biomass in October tended to increase toward the shore. The total leaf area index (LAI) is the sum of LAI of floating leaves and emergent leaves. The maximum total LAI was 1.3 and 2.8 m² m⁻² in 1986 and 1987, respectively. LAI of floating leaves did not exceed 1 m² m⁻². The elongation rates of the petiole of floating and emergent leaves just after unrolling were 2.6 and 3.4 cm day⁻¹, respectively. The sudden rise in water level (25 cm day⁻¹) after the typhoon in August 1986 caused drowning and subsequent decomposition of the mature leaves. Only the young leaves were able to elongate, allowing their laminae to reach the water surface. The fluctuation in water level, characterized by the amplitude and duration of flooding and the time of flooding in the life cycle, is an important factor determining the growth and survival ofN. nucifera in Lake Kasumigaura.