Impacts of recreational trampling on sub-alpine vegetation and soils in Northwest Yunnan, China

Controlled trampling experiments were undertaken to assess impacts of recreation in a sub-alpine environment in an upper-Mekong mountainous protected area in China. Hiking and recreational horse-riding were applied at different trampling intensity to two typical, widespread vegetation types (Carex grassland and low Rhododendron shrubland) and trampling effects were assessed to study vegetation resistance and soil compaction. The results indicate: (1) low shrub vegetation is highly vulnerable to trampling damage while the graminoids-dominated grassland is more resistant; (2) dry soil with low organic matter, which often is found in the shrubland, is more susceptible to compaction than wet soil and (3) horses cause substantially more damage than hikers at equivalent trampling levels. These data are useful to develop a visitor’s management strategy that allows to minimize the impact from recreation on the vegetation.     

荒漠草原-灌丛镶嵌体的植被稳态转变特征

以柠条锦鸡儿（Caragana korshinskii）灌丛引入形成荒漠草原-灌丛地镶嵌体为研究对象,选择其内部荒漠草地（DG）、草地边缘（GE）、灌丛边缘（SE）、灌丛地（SL）为试验样地,开展荒漠草原向灌丛地人为稳态转变过程土壤水分与植被变化特征研究。结果如下：各样地0-200 cm土层水分含量随着转变过程呈显著降低趋势（P<0.05）,其中荒漠草地、草地边缘和灌丛边缘样地的土壤水分均在秋季雨水补充期增加,灌丛地由于深层土壤水分过度消耗而愈加降低,且灌丛边缘和灌丛地深层水分显著低于荒漠草地、草地边缘（P<0.05）,垂直动态不显著;地上植被随样地转变除优势度指数表现为灌丛地多样性、均匀度、丰富度指数均显著低于各样地（P<0.05）,多年生优势草本蒙古冰草（Agropyron mongolicum）、短花针茅（Stipa breviflora）逐渐被一年生草本刺藜（Dysphania aristata）、猪毛蒿（Artemisia scoparia）所代替;土壤种子库萌发种类随样地转变逐渐减少,种子库密度则显著升高（P<0.05）,灌丛地以一年生草本植物为主（占总密度的97.51%）,荒漠草地则以多年生草本萌发为主,且各样地土壤萌发种子库及多年生草本多集中于0-5 cm土层（P<0.05）;转变过程荒漠草原和灌丛地植被地上地下相似度分别为0.14和0.19,均显著低于两边缘样地0.35,较两边缘样地群落更为稳定,呈现草原灌丛化过程中草地-灌丛共存的植被双稳态特征。     

Experimental trampling and vegetation recovery in some forest and heathland communities

Abstract. Over the past decades outdoor recreation has become progressively more important and as a result human‐induced potential damage has increased. In this study, short‐term effects – a 2‐yr period – of human trampling on some common forest and heath communities in Central Belgium were studied experimentally. Vulnerability to disturbance was compared among plant communities in terms of resistance, resilience and tolerance, which are based on cover measurements. The herb layer of the examined mesophilous forest communities appeared to be more sensitive than the heath and dry forest community, which were dominated by more resistant graminoid (Molinia caerulea, Deschampsiaflexuosa) and dwarf‐shrub species (Vaccinium myrtillus, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix). The analysis showed that site structure and vegetation were already affected by low intensities of trampling, while vegetation recovery during the first year after trampling was limited in most plant communities. Recovery during the second year in vegetation cover as well as height was most pronounced in mesophilous forest communities. Occasional trampling clearly can lead to increased visual evidence of previous use and continued recreational disturbance. Therefore management plans should discourage hiking activity off paths and restrict recreation activities to the least vulnerable communities.     

半干旱黄土小流域不同恢复方式对生态系统多功能性的影响

在黄土高原大规模退耕还林（草）背景下,植被恢复对生态系统功能会产生极大影响。以往研究多为比较不同恢复方式或植被类型的单一生态系统功能,对生态系统多功能性的研究亟待加强。因此,基于甘肃定西龙滩流域3种恢复方式（天然荒草、自然恢复、人工恢复）6种植被类型（长芒草草地、赖草草地、苜蓿草地、柠条灌丛、油松林、山杏林）38个样地调查数据,选取与土壤养分储存与循环、水源涵养、初级生产力、多样性维持等相关的23个功能指标利用平均值法量化生态系统多功能性。研究结果显示,（1）除营养物转化与循环功能外,其余土壤相关的生态系统功能在不同恢复方式与植被类型间均具有显著性差异（P<0.05）。人工恢复植被的土壤肥力显著高于自然恢复植被;人工恢复植被中土壤肥力从高到低依次为柠条灌丛、苜蓿草地、山杏林、油松林。自然恢复植被的水源涵养功能显著高于人工恢复植被。（2）除植物生长策略外,其余植物相关的生态系统功能在不同恢复方式与植被类型间均具有显著性差异（P<0.05）。人工恢复植被中地上初级生产力从高到低依次为山杏林、油松林、柠条灌丛、苜蓿草地,并显著高于自然恢复植被。人工恢复植被中植物养分吸收能力从高到低依次为苜蓿草地、柠条灌丛、油松林、山杏林,并显著高于自然恢复植被。自然恢复植被的物种多样性显著高于人工恢复植被。（3）生态系统多功能性在不同恢复方式与植被类型间均具有显著性差异（P<0.05）。生态系统多功能性表现为人工恢复植被高于自然恢复植被,但人工恢复植被的水源涵养功能与物种多样性均低于自然恢复植被,不利于生态系统的可持续发展。研究认为,在植被恢复具体实践中,应针对不同的恢复目标,根据各植被类型的功能特征,制定因地制宜的植被恢复战略。     

Effects of fire on the vegetation of a lowland heathland in North-western Italy

This study focuses on the effect of fire on lowland heathlands at the extreme southern edge of their European distribution (Vauda Nature Reserve, NW Italy). Forty-nine plots (50 m radius) were surveyed between 1999 and 2006. Each year, fire occurrences were recorded and per cent cover of four vegetation types (grassland, heath, low shrubland, and tall shrubland) was estimated in each plot. Vascular plant species richness was also recorded in 255, 1 m² quadrats. After a fire, grassland vegetation expanded, but then declined rapidly as heath and shrubland recovered: 7 years after a fire, tall shrubland encroached on to more than 40% of the plots, and grassland declined from 50% to 20% cover. Between 1999 and 2006, Betula pendula shrubland greatly expanded, while grassland decreased over most of the Reserve, even where fire frequency was high. Tall shrubland had low plant diversity and was dominated by widespread species of lower conservation value. By contrast, early successional vegetation (grassland and low shrubland) had higher richness and more narrowly distributed species, indication that the development of tall shrubland causes significant species loss in the heathland. Italian lowland heathlands are characterized by high rates of shrubland encroachment that threatens both habitat and species diversity. Burning frequencies of once in 3–6 years seem appropriate in this habitat, but burning alone might not suffice without actions to increase herbivore grazing.     

北京山区典型植被土壤水分对次降雨的响应

为了揭示北京山区不同植被类型土壤水分对不同强度降雨的响应过程,选取北京山区内侧柏、荆条灌丛、荒草地为研究对象,基于2022年6—10月降雨和土壤水分的连续观测数据,分析土壤水分对不同降雨事件的响应特征。结果表明：(1)观测期内研究区降雨事件主要由小雨构成,小雨事件的总降雨量占总降雨量的14.78%,小雨事件对土壤水分的响应深度可达到40—60 cm土层;中雨、大雨、暴雨事件的总降雨量占总降雨量的85.52%,中雨、大雨、暴雨事件对土壤水分的响应深度均可达到60—80 cm土层;大降雨事件对土壤水分的补给作用更明显,降雨量越大,降雨能补给的土层深度越深,土壤水分补给效果越好。(2)三种植被平均土壤水分补给速率大小依次为荒草地>侧柏>荆条灌丛,说明降雨对荒草地的补给效果最好;土层活跃程度对植被土壤水分有影响,土层越活跃,土壤水分波动越大,三种植被平均土壤水分变异系数大小依次为荒草地>荆条灌丛>侧柏,而三种植被平均土壤储水量大小则依次为侧柏>荒草地>荆条灌丛,说明侧柏的土壤水分最为稳定。(3)荒草地、荆条灌丛剖面上各层土壤水分逐渐减少,侧柏则增加,说明土壤...     

祁连山排露沟流域典型植被类型的水源涵养功能差异

土壤水分是"绿水"重要的储存,连接植被与水文系统的纽带。水源涵养功能是山地生态系统重要的生态系统服务,这种功能主要体现是生态系统将水分保持在系统内的过程和能力,并受多种因素的影响(如植被类型、土壤类型和地形)。通过对祁连山排露沟流域的土壤属性、土壤温湿度和降雨2个生长季的野外调查与观测,以及计算水源涵养功能指标来评估3种典型植被类型土壤水分涵养能力的差异。研究结果:(1)灌丛和青海云杉林下有机质、粉粒和砂粒含量、田间持水量、饱和持水量和孔隙度等土壤属性值高于草地,而土壤容重和粘粒含量低于草地;(2)青海云杉林的根区土壤累计入渗量高于灌丛和草地,草地土壤水分损失较灌丛和青海云杉林更快;(3)整个生长季内青海云杉林和灌丛土壤湿度明显高于草地湿度,青海云杉林的水源涵养功能指标值多大于1。这些结果表明青海云杉林较灌丛和草地具有更强的水源涵养能力。因此,研究结果能为国内干旱区山地生态系统的流域生态系统管理与可持续发展提供科学参考。     

The impact of trampling by tourists on a high altitudinal grassland in the Tyrolean Alps,Austria

The long term effect of tourist trampling on a high altitudinal grassland (Caricion curvulae) in the Tyrolean Alps was investigated.Even under slight trampling the frequency of sensitive species decreases. The most sensitive species were found to be fruticose lichens, followed by mosses, some forbs and broadleaved grasses. Tolerant to trampling are the dominant species Carex curvula, and Ligusticum mutellina, which do not disappear completely even at a tourist frequency of 150 tourists per metre per day. Trampling increases soil bulk density moderately but has no marked effect on the soil water content.Comparison with high alpine sedge heath vegetation in North America shows a surprising uniformity of this vegetation type in response to trampling and also indicates that the common generalisation that alpine ecosystems are fragile and sensitive to disturbance does not hold true in this context. Furthermore these results represent evidence against the theory that ecosystems with low diversity are much more sensitive to arteficial impact than ecosystems with high diversity. However, if even the most resistant plants which are the dominant sedges are destroyed completely the rate of recovery is very low and may last for a long time. In the case of Carex curvula this is supported by the fact that it has very low seed production and grows mainly vegetatively. The rate of spread of the rhizome system of this species is 8 mm in 10 years. Similar figures may apply for the sedge species dominating in the alpine vegetation of North America. Thus fragility of this vegetation in regard to trampling does not mean low tolerance but low regeneration.Nomenclature of species follows Ehrendorfer (1973) for vascular plants and Poelt (1974) for lichens.The PCA calculations were done at the Computer laboratory of the University of Wales during a post doctoral stay at the School of Plant Biology in Bangor, U.K. I would like to record my thanks to Prof. Dr. P. Greig-Smith for fruitful discussions and reading the draft.     

When vegetation change alters ecosystem water availability

The combined effects of vegetation and climate change on biosphere–atmosphere water vapor (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) exchanges are expected to vary depending, in part, on how biotic activity is controlled by and alters water availability. This is particularly important when a change in ecosystem composition alters the fractional covers of bare soil, grass, and woody plants so as to influence the accessibility of shallower vs. deeper soil water pools. To study this, we compared 5 years of eddy covariance measurements of H₂O and CO₂ fluxes over a riparian grassland, shrubland, and woodland. In comparison with the surrounding upland region, groundwater access at the riparian sites increased net carbon uptake (NEP) and evapotranspiration (ET), which were sustained over more of the year. Among the sites, the grassland used less of the stable groundwater resource, and increasing woody plant density decoupled NEP and ET from incident precipitation (P), resulting in greater exchange rates that were less variable year to year. Despite similar gross patterns, how groundwater accessibility affected NEP was more complex than ET. The grassland had higher respiration (R_eco) costs. Thus, while it had similar ET and gross carbon uptake (GEP) to the shrubland, grassland NEP was substantially less. Also, grassland carbon fluxes were more variable due to occasional flooding at the site, which both stimulated and inhibited NEP depending upon phenology. Woodland NEP was large, but surprisingly similar to the less mature, sparse shrubland, even while having much greater GEP. Woodland R_eco was greater than the shrubland and responded strongly and positively to P, which resulted in a surprising negative NEP response to P. This is likely due to the large accumulation of carbon aboveground and in the surface soil. These long‐term observations support the strong role that water accessibility can play when determining the consequences of ecosystem vegetation change.     

植被恢复对黄土区煤矿排土场土壤团聚体特征的影响

目前关于植被恢复对排土场土壤团聚性的影响还不清楚,以植被恢复下黄土区露天煤矿排土场为研究对象,采用湿筛法测定了排土场土壤水稳性团聚体组成,研究了植被恢复类型(草地、灌木)和排土场地形(平台、边坡)对土壤团聚体特征的影响。结果表明:植被恢复促进了排土场水稳性团聚体的形成,平台0—20 cm土层水稳性大团聚体数量(R_(0.25))、平均重量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD)分别达到31.1%,0.70 mm和0.26 mm,边坡分别达到13.3%,0.37 mm和0.17 mm,均显著高于裸地,分形维数(D)在平台和边坡分别为2.91和2.96,均显著低于裸地;平台土壤团聚性要好于边坡,草地对于平台土壤团聚结构改良效果较好,而灌木对于边坡改良效果较好;排土场土壤有机碳和粘粒含量均与土壤团聚体指标有显著相关性。植被恢复提高了排土场土壤团聚性,植被恢复类型和地形对排土场土壤团聚体特征有显著影响。     

基于黄土高原关键带类型的土地利用与年径流产沙关系空间分异研究

区域植被恢复改变了土地利用类型,从而有效控制了水土流失,但土地利用与水土流失关系的空间分异尚未明晰。整合了黄土高原坡面径流小区试验观测研究文献59篇和1121条年径流产沙记录,以8大关键带类型作为空间分层依据,采用地理探测器分析了土地利用与年径流产沙关系的空间分异。结果显示：撂荒地的年均径流量和产沙量最高分别为35.99 mm和4208.82 g/m²,撂荒地、裸地和耕地的产流产沙能力显著高于人工草地、林地、自然草地和灌丛,灌丛和林地的年均产沙量显著低于人工和自然草地（P<0.05）;除了撂荒地的年均产沙量在山地森林关键带最高（16240.40 g/m²）外,在丘陵沟壑农林草交错关键带的撂荒地年均径流产沙显著高于丘陵农业-草地关键带,丘陵沟壑农林草交错关键带和丘陵农业-草地关键带裸地、耕地的产流产沙能力较高,人工草地和灌丛年均产沙量显著高于其他关键带类型（P<0.05）;在山地森林关键带的林地年均径流量、径流系数和产沙量最低,分别为1.56 mm、0.41%和307.36 g/m²,而自然草地在各关键带类型都有较高的年均产流量和较低的年均产沙量;坡面径流小区的局地特征（如土地利用、面积、坡度、坡长）是影响年径流产沙关键带分异的首要因素,且存在多因子互作、非线性增强的关系。这些结果表明植被恢复能有效地保持水土,但是区域植被恢复时需要选择合适的类型,黄土丘陵沟壑区应首选自然草地、灌丛和林地。研究可为黄土高原区域植被恢复的优化配置提供科学依据。     

Effects of trampling and vegetation removal on species diversity and micro-environment under different shade conditions

Abstract. The effects of disturbance by trampling and vegetation removal on herbaceous communities and their micro-environments were examined at two sites with different levels of shade. The dominant species of the original vegetation were the perennial herb Artemisia princeps at the sunny site and the dwarf-bamboo Pleioblastus chino at the shady site. With no disturbance and marked dominance of these species, diversity was low. After vegetation removal there was a rapid recovery, leading to a more diverse vegetation with many more species, each with a lower dominance. Continuous trampling induced a short vegetation while the light intensity under the foliage was increased. At the sunny site, species richness was depressed by trampling because the soil water potential decreased markedly during summer and only the stress-tolerant annual Digitaria adscendens grew vigorously. Thus, the lowest species diversity was observed in the heavily trampled vegetation in late summer. At the shady site, soil water availability was not affected by trampling. This allowed the survival of many species and prevented a strong decline in diversity. The results suggest that the pattern of change in diversity in communities subjected to various disturbances, was always determined by the original environments.     

关帝山林区退化灌木林转变为华北落叶松林对生态系统碳储量的影响

针对我国大量灌木林出现退化而宜林地又日益减少的现状,在适宜种植乔木的地区,将退化灌木林转变为乔木林被认为是一种可行的植被恢复方式。以关帝山林区退化灌木次生林转变而成的不同林龄（10、18、23、27年和35年）华北落叶松（Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.）林为研究对象,并以相邻的退化灌木次生林为对照,探究这种转变对生态系统碳储量及其组分的影响,将为我国开展造林/再造林、林业碳汇项目等工作提供科学依据和数据支撑。与灌木林相比,造林初期的生态系统碳储量及其组分均出现不同程度的下降。10年生华北落叶松林的生态系统碳储量相对于灌木林显著下降了32.9%（P < 0.05）,但并非所有组分的下降都显著（P < 0.05）。植被碳储量下降34.7%,其植被地上和地下碳储量分别下降5.4%和70.9%,但只有植被地下碳储量是显著减少的（P < 0.05）;凋落物碳储量下降42.8%,但并不显著（P=0.71）;土壤有机碳储量（0-50 cm）显著下降32.6%（P < 0.05）,其不同土层（0-10、10-30 cm和30-50 cm）的碳储量也都出现显著减少（P < 0.05）。林龄从10年到35年,华北落叶松林生态系统碳储量增加了1.6倍,植被及其组成（地上和地下）、凋落物、土壤有机碳及其不同土层（0-10、10-30 cm和30-50 cm）等的碳储量也随之不断增加,从而使得生态系统碳储量及其组分逐渐达到并全面超过灌木林。但是,不同组分要达到灌木林的碳储量水平,需要的时间存在较大差异：土壤有机碳库 > 植被地下碳库 > 植被地上碳库,其中深层土壤有机碳 > 表层土壤有机碳（0-10 cm）。     

Effects of Revegetation on Soil Microbial Biomass,Enzyme Activities,and Nutrient Cycling on the Loess Plateau in China

Revegetation is a traditional practice widely used for soil and water conservation on the Loess Plateau in China. However, there has been a lack of reports on soil microbial–biochemical indices required for a comprehensive evaluation of the success of revegetation systems. In this study, we examined the effects of revegetation on major soil nutrients and microbial–biochemical properties in an artificial alfalfa grassland, an enclosed natural grassland, and an artificial shrubland (Caragana korshinskii), with an abandoned cropland as control. Results showed that at 0–5, 5–20, and 20–40 cm depths, soil organic carbon, alkaline extractable nitrogen and available potassium were higher in natural grassland and artificial shrubland compared with artificial grassland and abandoned cropland. Soil microbial biomass C (Cmic) and phosphorous (Pmic) substantially decreased with depth at all sites, and in abandoned cropland was significantly lower than those of natural grassland, artificial grassland, and artificial shrubland at the depth of 0–5 cm. Soil microbial biomass N (Nmic) was higher in artificial shrubland and abandoned cropland compared with that in natural and artificial grasslands. Both Cmic and Pmic were significantly different between the 23‐year‐old and the 13‐year‐old artificial shrublands at the 0–5 cm depth. The activities of soil invertase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase in natural grassland and artificial shrubland were higher than those in artificial grassland and abandoned cropland. This study demonstrated that the regeneration of both natural grassland and artificial shrubland effectively preserved and enhanced soil microbial biomass and major nutrient cycling, thus is an ecologically beneficial practice for recovery of degraded soils on the Loess Plateau.     

Interaction between large herbivore activities,vegetation structure,and flooding affects tree seedling emergence

Tree establishment in grazed vegetation mosaics involves a series of early bottlenecks, including seed dispersal, germination, seedling emergence, survival and growth. In a field experiment, we studied seedling emergence of two species with contrasting recruitment strategies, Fraxinus excelsior and Quercus robur, in five structurally different vegetations: grazed and ungrazed grassland, ruderal pioneer vegetation, soft rush tussocks, tall sedge mats and bramble scrub. In a simulation experiment, we studied the interaction effects of pre-emergence flooding (3 weeks of inundation), trampling and grazing (simulated by clipping) of grassland vegetation on the emergence and early growth of both tree species in grass swards. Seedling emergence was enhanced in low swards and sparse vegetation types. Despite different recruitment strategies, the interaction of flooding and trampling of swards enhanced seedling emergence of both species. Grazing of soft rush and tall sedges enhanced emergence of F. excelsior. Clipping grass swards increased early growth of emerging Q. robur. Our results support the hypothesis that natural disturbances of soil and vegetation create microsites for seedling emergence and reduce above-ground competition. In grazed systems however, these results suggest a discordant relationship between successful seedling emergence and subsequent seedling growth/survival during the establishment process in structurally different vegetations.     

Biological and geochemical controls on phosphorus fractions in semiarid soils

This study examined the concentration of organic and inorganicphosphorus in surface soils of a Boutelouagracilis-Bouteloua eriopoda grassland, and a Larreatridentata shrubland, in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, NewMexico, U.S.A. In this desert where the grassland vegetation has auniform spatial distribution and individual shrubs have a patchy spatialdistribution across the landscape, vegetation strongly influences thedistribution of soil nutrients. Most studies of soil phosphorusfractions in desert soils have focused primarily on inorganic Pfractions and have demonstrated the importance of geochemical controlson soil P cycling. The research presented here addressed the question ofwhether organic phosphorus, determined by the presence of differentvegetation types, also contributes to soil P cycling. Within soils ofsimilar age, topography, parent material, and climatic regime, sampleswere collected under and between vegetation and analyzed for P fractionsfollowing a modified sequential fractionation scheme. Most soilinorganic P was found in the HCl- and cHCl-extractable forms in both thegrassland and shrubland soils, indicating CaCO₃ control overphosphorus availability. In contrast, most soil organic P was bound toAl and Fe minerals. Labile, plant-available P fractions summed to9.5% of total P in the grassland and 6.1% in theshrubland. Organic P comprised 13.3% of the total phosphorus poolin the grassland and 12.0% in the shrubland. Our results showthat the organic P pool may represent an important, yet oftenoverlooked, source of P in semiarid ecosystems.     

桂西北喀斯特峰丛洼地不同植被恢复方式下土壤有机碳组分变化特征

植被恢复被认为是提升退化区域土壤有机碳（SOC）固持的有效措施。然而,喀斯特脆弱生态系统植被人工恢复和自然恢复模式下SOC不同组分变化特征、稳定性和固持能力的研究还较缺乏。以典型喀斯特峰丛洼地为研究区,以耕地为对照,以恢复15年的人工恢复（人工林）和自然恢复（耕地撂荒后植被自然演替为灌丛）为研究对象,分析不同植被恢复模式下SOC、颗粒态有机碳（POC）、矿质结合态有机碳（MOC）、易氧化态有机碳（ROC）、惰性碳指数（RI）和SOC相对固持能力（SCS_capacity）变化特征。结果发现：（1）人工林和灌丛SOC、POC和ROC含量显著高于耕地,且灌丛POC和ROC含量显著高于人工林,MOC则在三者之间差异不显著;（2）与耕地相比,人工林和灌丛RI显著下降,但SCS_capacity差异不显著。研究表明,桂西北喀斯特峰丛洼地植被恢复15年后主要提升土壤活性碳组分,且自然恢复比人工恢复更有利于于提升土壤活性碳组分;然而,耕地退耕后短期内土壤碳稳定性并未增加,强调植被恢复后避免再次毁林开荒对于维持土壤碳固持的必要性。     

Vegetation structure in gullies developed by the melting of ice wedges along Kolyma River, northern Siberia

Vegetation structure was surveyed in gullies developed by the melting of ice wedges along the Kolyma River, northern Siberia, using 72–50 × 50 cm plots. The mean total plant cover was approximately 50% on gley soils, which were only distributed in the gullies. Based on twinspan cluster analysis, four vegetation types were recognized: (i) Agrostis purpurascens grassland with Ceratodon purpureus moss carpet; (ii) Matricaria matricarioides forbland; (iii) Chamaenerium angustifolium and M. matricarioides forbland; and (iv) Descurainia sophia grassland. Species that produce seeds capable of long-distance dispersal established well. Of the environmental factors surveyed, the gully scales (height and width) and elevational difference within a plot were primarily related to the vegetation development. The gully height was correlated with soil pH and compaction that might be related to intensities of ground surface disturbances. Agrostis purpurascens established in large gullies, while Equisetum arvense and Salix alaxensis established in small gullies. Soil compaction was also related to the vegetation establishment patterns (e.g. Rumex sibirica did not establish on hard soils). We concluded that the gully scales primarily determine soil conditions, including ground surface instability as a function of slope and soil compaction, and subsequent community structure.     

Grassland to shrubland state transitions enhance carbon sequestration in the northern Chihuahuan Desert

The replacement of native C₄‐dominated grassland by C₃‐dominated shrubland is considered an ecological state transition where different ecological communities can exist under similar environmental conditions. These state transitions are occurring globally, and may be exacerbated by climate change. One consequence of the global increase in woody vegetation may be enhanced ecosystem carbon sequestration, although the responses of arid and semiarid ecosystems may be highly variable. During a drier than average period from 2007 to 2011 in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, we found established shrubland to sequester 49 g C m^?2 yr^?1 on average, while nearby native C₄ grassland was a net source of 31 g C m^?2 yr^?1 over this same period. Differences in C exchange between these ecosystems were pronounced – grassland had similar productivity compared to shrubland but experienced higher C efflux via ecosystem respiration, while shrubland was a consistent C sink because of a longer growing season and lower ecosystem respiration. At daily timescales, rates of carbon exchange were more sensitive to soil moisture variation in grassland than shrubland, such that grassland had a net uptake of C when wet but lost C when dry. Thus, even under unfavorable, drier than average climate conditions, the state transition from grassland to shrubland resulted in a substantial increase in terrestrial C sequestration. These results illustrate the inherent tradeoffs in quantifying ecosystem services that result from ecological state transitions, such as shrub encroachment. In this case, the deleterious changes to ecosystem services often linked to grassland to shrubland state transitions may at least be partially offset by increased ecosystem carbon sequestration.     

放牧对鄂尔多斯高原油蒿草场生物量及植被-土壤碳密度的影响

以围封保护和自由放牧油蒿草场为研究对象,通过野外调查与室内分析,研究了围封和放牧条件下沙地草场生物量和植被-土壤碳密度。结果表明:(1)自由放牧使油蒿群落中植物种类增加,但降低了植物群落盖度。自由放牧不仅导致油蒿草场地上、地下总生物量降低,也使得油蒿地上、地下生物量占群落地上、地下总生物量的比例减小。生长季自由放牧样地凋落物生物量显著大于围封保护样地(P0.05);(2)围封保护样地植被碳密度大于自由放牧样地,土壤碳密度却小于自由放牧样地,但两个样地间差异不显著(P0.05);(3)油蒿草场90%以上的碳储存于土壤中,围封保护样地和自由放牧样地油蒿草场土壤碳密度占植被-土壤系统碳密度的91%、93%;(4)围封保护油蒿草场碳密度为2.29 kg/m2,自由放牧油蒿草场碳密度为2.68 kg/m2,两个样地间差异不显著,自由放牧对油蒿草场碳密度影响不大。