三角洲平原水库堤坝土壤水和可溶性盐空间分布特征

以辽宁省大洼县三角洲平原水库坝体不同坡向、坡位、剖面深度的土壤为研究对象,分析了土壤含水率和可溶性盐总量在水平空间与垂直空间上的变异与分布特征。结果表明:与含水率相比,土壤可溶性盐总量的变异相对较高;二者均为中等变异性且变异性的趋势较一致。坝体南坡土壤的平均可溶性盐总量、平均含水率均大于北坡。不同土层之间平均可溶性盐总量从大到小的顺序为:中层>下层>表层;而平均含水率随土壤剖面深度增加而增加。不同坡位间可溶性盐总量没有显著性差异;上坡位与中坡位的平均含水率基本持平,下坡位最高。研究结果可为辽河三角洲地区平原水库堤坝及其周边盐碱土治理与植被恢复提供依据。     

Ground cover and slope exposure effects on micro- and mesobiota in forest soils

The interrelation of Alpine topography with the micro − and mesobiota is still poorly understood. We investigated the effects of ground cover type and slope exposure on the soil microbial biomass (double-stranded DNA, dsDNA) and abundances (real time PCR, qPCR); hydrolytic enzyme activities; and enchytraeid community structure in top soils (2.5-cm increments depth) in subalpine forests in the Italian Alps. Dominant ground covers were grass, moss, litter and woody debris at the north- and the south-facing slopes. The autochthonous soil microbiota (bacteria, fungi and archaea) was quantified by qPCR in the extracellular (eDNA) and intracellular fraction (iDNA) of the total soil DNA pool. A higher eDNA/iDNA ratio indicative of lower microbial activity was recorded in the deepest layer of the grass plots at the north-facing slope. This can be related to a lower degradation of eDNA and/or to an accumulation of eDNA with increasing depth as a result of leaching. The exposure effect was enzyme-specific and higher activities occurred under woody debris primarily at the south-facing slope. These plots also showed a higher nutrient content and a greater microbial biomass assessed as dsDNA yields. Total microannelid abundance was elevated on north-facing slopes on account of strong acidity indicator species. This was related to soil pH being one unit lower compared to the south-facing slope. The thickness of the organic layer (OL + OF + OH) was elevated at the north-facing slope due to a considerably thicker OH-horizon. The vast majority of microannelids at this slope occurred in the organic layer, while at south exposure they were almost evenly distributed between the organic layer and the mineral soil (A-horizon). Exposure was found to be more determinative for the composition of microannelid assemblages than the ground cover type.     

Environmental factors influencing spatial patterns of shrub diversity in chaparral,Santa Ynez Mountains,California

We examined patterns of shrub species diversity relative to landscape‐scale variability in environmental factors within two watersheds on the coastal flank of the Santa Ynez Mountains, California. Shrub species richness and dominance was sampled at a hierarchy of spatial units using a high‐powered telescope from remote vantage points. Explanatory variables included field estimates of total canopy cover and percentage rock cover, and modeled distributions of slope, elevation, photosynthetically active radiation, topographic moisture index, and local topographic variability. Correlation, multiple regression, and regression tree analyses showed consistent relationships between field‐based measurements of species richness and dominance, and topographically‐mediated environmental variables. In general, higher richness and lower dominance occurred where environmental conditions indicated greater levels of resource limitation with respect to soil moisture and substrate availability. Maximum richness in shrub species occurred on high elevation sites with low topographic moisture index, rocky substrate, and steep slopes. Maximum dominance occurred at low elevation sites with low topographic variability, high potential solar insolation, and high total shrub canopy cover. The observed patterns are evaluated with respect to studies on species‐environment relations, resource use, and regeneration of shrubs in chaparral and coastal sage scrub. The results are discussed in the context of existing species‐diversity hypotheses that hinge on reduced competitive dominance and increased resource heterogeneity under conditions of resource limitation.     

O3浓度升高和太阳辐射减弱对小麦根际土壤微生物功能多样性的影响

采用开顶箱(OTC)法和遮光网技术,设置100 n L/L臭氧熏气与3个辐射减弱梯度结合,模拟臭氧浓度升高和太阳辐射减弱的复合大气背景。用BIOLOG生态测试板,采用孔平均颜色变化率法(AWCD)测定冬小麦根际土壤微生物利用不同碳源的能力,计算微生物群落多样性指数,对不同碳源的利用率进行了主成分分析。两年试验结果显示,臭氧熏气与太阳辐射减弱复合作用,降低了土壤微生物对碳源的利用速度和利用总量;除了聚合物以外其它碳源利用率显著降低;对土壤微生物多样性没有直接的影响;对碳源降解的抑制效应大于增强的O3与减弱的太阳辐射两因素各自的单独作用。太阳辐射减弱20%,一定程度上增加了对聚合物类的分解。O3熏气条件下太阳辐射减弱,糖类、胺类代谢变异度较高,受环境影响较大。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区农林草地土壤热量状况及植被生长响应——以燕沟流域为例

利用CoupModel模型模拟了黄土丘陵沟壑区燕沟流域刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)林地、辽东栎(Quercus liaotungensis)林地、荒草地、农地等7种土地类型的土壤热量状况,分析了不同植被类型的潜热通量、感热通量、土壤热通量以及植被生长对土壤热量的响应.结果表明,农地潜热通量较小,林地和荒草地潜热通量较大,各地类潜热通量季节变化规律基本一致.潜热通量是黄土丘陵区土壤-植被-大气系统能量的主要支出项,占总净辐射的72.1%～81.4%以上;感热通量变化振幅相对较小,占总净辐射的16.4%～26.4%;土壤热通量仅占总净辐射的1.4%～2.4%,但直接影响土壤温度的变化速度和变化时间.试验地各地类地表温度随季节的变化趋势均呈单峰曲线型.2～7月份0～20cm平均土壤温度随累积土壤热通量的增大而升高,9月到翌年1月份0～20cm平均土壤温度随累积土壤热通量的减小而降低,但累积土壤热通量的变化滞后于土壤温度变化.同一植被类型条件下,阳坡土壤温度年变幅显著高于阴坡.在阴坡,0cm、10cm、20cm深土壤温度年变幅农地＞阴坡荒草地＞阴坡辽东栎林地＞阴坡刺槐林地;在阳坡,阳坡荒草地＞阳坡刺槐林地＞阳坡辽东栎林地.阴坡刺槐林地、阴坡荒草地和农地0～20cm土壤温度达到5℃以上的时间比阳坡刺槐林和阳坡荒草地推迟1周左右,根系开始生长活动的时间也推迟1周左右;而阴坡辽东栎林地则晚于阳坡辽东栎林地5d左右,根系开始生长活动的时间也较阳坡辽东栎林晚5d左右.出叶时间阳坡刺槐林和阳坡荒草地植物比阴坡刺槐林、阴坡荒草地和阳坡辽东栎林的早1周左右,比阴坡辽东栎林早12d左右.     

Root systems of chaparral shrubs

Summary Root systems of chaparral shrubs were excavated from a 70 m² plot of a mixed chaparral stand located on a north-facing slope in San Diego County (32°54 N; 900 m above sea level). The main shrub species present were Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos pungens, Ceanothus greggii, Erigonum fasciculatum, and Haplopappus pinifolius. Shrubs were wired into their positions, and the soil was washed out beneath them down to a depth of approximately 60 cm, where impenetrable granite impeded further washing and root growth was severely restricted. Spacing and interweaving of root systems were recorded by an in-scale drawing. The roots were harvested in accordance to their depths, separated into diameter size classes for each species, and their dry weights measured. Roots of shrubs were largely confined to the upper soil levels. The roots of Eriogonum fasciculatum were concentrated in the upper soil layer. Roots of Adenostoma fasciculatum tended to be more superficial than those from Ceanothus greggii. It is hypothesized that the shallow soil at the excavation site impeded a clear depth zonation of the different root systems. The average dry weight root:shoot ratio was 0.6, ranging for the individual shrubs from 0.8 to 0.4. The root area always exceeded the shoot area, with the corresponding ratios ranging from 6 for Arctostaphylos pungens to 40 for Haplopappus pinifolius. The fine root density of 64 g dry weight per m² under the canopy was significantly higher than in the unshaded area. However, the corresponding value of 45 g dry weight per m² for the open ground is still high enough to make the establishment of other shrubs difficult.     

Seasonal changes of fine root density in the Southern Californian chaparral

Summary Fine root extractions from soil cores of a south facing slope in the Southern Californian chaparral were used to study the dynamics of feeder root growth in a summer-dry area. The studies were concentrated on the root systems of Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos glauca, Ceanothus greggii, and Rhus ovata. The total fine root biomass of Adenostoma fasciculatum increased from 0.6 g dm^-3 in early spring to 3.6 g dm^-3 in late summer. Considering the specific soil conditions at this site and earlier gained information on fine root distribution with depth, the value of 3.6 g dm^-3 converts to 1.58 kg m^-2 of ground shaded by the shrub canopy. The observed seasonal biomass increase is mainly due to the accumulation of dead root material in the soil when low soil moisture contents presumably inhibited decomposition processes. The total length of living fine roots also increased during the season, e.g. from 0.8 m dm^-3 to more than 5 m dm^-3 (0.35 km m^-2 to 2.2 km m^-2) in A. fasciculatum. Unusual summer rains in the research year stimulated vigorous fine root growth at a time when the normally low soil moisture would prohibit further fine root growth. The average fine root diameters and total lengths of fine roots beneath one square meter of ground surface allowed an estimate of root area indices (RAI) analogous to the leaf area indices (LAI). The data provide evidence for a significant fine root turnover in the chaparral.     

麦田根际土壤反硝化作用对O_3熏气和太阳辐射减弱的响应

为研究臭氧浓度升高和太阳辐射减弱复合背景下,麦田土壤反硝化作用及N2O排放的变化,采用开顶箱(OTC)法和遮光网技术,设置3个臭氧浓度梯度及3个辐射减弱梯度,连续4a对小麦生长季麦田土壤进行臭氧浓度增加太阳辐射减弱以及它们的复合作用的试验。采用MPN(最大或然数)法测定反硝细菌的数量,用气相色谱法测定反硝化强度。结果显示反硝化细菌数量和反硝化强度受小麦生长发育的影响,在小麦成熟期收割后土壤反硝化细菌数量和反硝化强度增加得特别明显。O3连续作用3个生长季后,以及太阳辐射减弱处理,土壤反硝化菌和反硝化强度显著升高,N2O排放量显著增加。减弱的太阳辐射与增加的O3复合作用,在小麦的每个生育期均显著促进了反硝化菌数量增加和反硝化强度增强,促进率显著高于O3和遮荫的单独作用。结果说明,O3浓度增加以及太阳辐射减弱对土壤反硝化菌和反硝化强度均有一定的促进作用,减弱的太阳辐射与高浓度的O3两因素之间存在协作关系,太阳辐射减弱有利O3的吸收,增加O3伤害,促进反硝化过程。     

猫儿山不同海拔植物群落树木构型差异及其影响因子

通过对猫儿山海拔梯度上常绿阔叶林(低海拔,1100 m)、常绿落叶阔叶混交林(中海拔,1500 m)和常绿针阔叶混交林(高海拔,1900 m)3种典型植物群落中乔木层植物构型性状以及环境因子的测定,分析乔木层植物构型性状在3个群落间的变异规律及其影响因素.结果表明:随海拔升高,乔木层树冠面积、45 cm基径、胸径和叶片聚集度持续增加,树高、枝下高和树冠厚度先增加后减小;枝条伸展方向表现为在低海拔群落中水平枝条比例最大,高海拔群落次之,中海拔群落最小;中海拔群落中乔木层植物构型性状之间的相关性更强.冗余分析表明,土壤有机质和总辐射是乔木层植物构型性状变异的主要环境影响因素,它们分别解释了构型性状39.6%和23.9%的变异.土壤有机质对树冠面积和枝下高影响较大,总辐射对胸径和45 cm基径影响较大,且都呈正相关.猫儿山乔木层植物在不同海拔群落间存在构型分异,影响乔木层植物构型变化的主要环境驱动力是土壤有机质和总辐射.     

Modeling a solar radiation topoclimatology for the Rio Grande River Basin

Abstract. Key components in the climatology of the Earth are incoming and net solar radiation. Next to clouds, the major modulator of solar radiation at the surface is topography. Variability in elevation, slope, aspect, and shadowing can lead to large gradients in incoming and net solar radiation fields. The response of vegetation to these gradients can often be dramatic, as in the distribution of vegetation on south- and north-facing slopes. Recently much progress has been made in modeling the effects of topography on incoming and net solar radiation. Such models produce fields of radiation that have been adjusted for topography derived from digital elevation data. This paper presents a topographic solar radiation model that combines digital elevation data with surface and satellite measurements. Specifically, a monthly topoclimatology for the Rio Grande River Basin in Colorado is constructed for the hydrological years 1987 - 1990. Using digital elevation models with 30 m x 30 m grid spacing, representing a mosaic of 39 U.S. Geological Survey 1:24 000 Quadrangles, a digital representation of the watershed is created. Hourly pyranometer measurements taken nearby the basin are then used with satellite reflectances to drive the solar radiation model. The results are monthly maps at 30 m x 30 m grid spacing covering the entire basin that show considerable variability by location and season. Such maps may be useful for vegetation modeling, especially for pattern analysis and ecosystem process modeling.     

刺槐树冠光合作用的空间异质性

林木冠层是森林与外界环境相互作用最直接的部分,冠层光合作用是研究森林生产力的基础。为了深入了解冠层内部光合作用的差异性,以陕西省永寿县马莲滩流域阳坡和阴坡立地的刺槐林为研究对象,对比分析了光合速率(An)、蒸腾速率(E)、水分利用效率(WUE)、气孔导度(gs)、羧化效率(Vc)、水汽压亏缺(VPD)、气孔限制值(ls)、光合有效辐射(PAR)、空气温度(Ta)在树冠不同层次、不同方位,以及不同坡向之间的差异性。结果表明,刺槐树冠不同层次的光合作用差异性显著,大部分光合生理生态指标表现为:上中下。对于阳坡刺槐,VPD、Ta、gs、E是影响不同层次An的主要因子;对于阴坡刺槐,VPD、E、PAR是影响不同层次An的主要因子。光合作用在刺槐树冠的不同方位没有显著差异,大多数光合指标变化很小,E、ls、PAR、Ta是影响不同方位An的主要因子。对于刺槐冠层内部的任何层次或方位,阴坡刺槐具有更高的日均An、E、Vc、VPD、ls,而阳坡刺槐具有更高的日均WUE、gs、PAR、Ta。阳坡刺槐树冠中层西方和阴坡中层东方的日总光合速率值,可以分别代表阳坡和阴坡刺槐整个冠层的日总光合速率。研究认为,在冠层水平模拟和估计森林生产力时,必须考虑冠层光合作用的空间异质性,对于从单木到林分的尺度推演和模型拟合具有重要的意义。     

Differentiation and maintenance of topo-community patterns with reference to regeneration dynamics in mixed cool temperate forests in the Chichibu Mountains,central Japan

Topo-community structure and dynamics were studied in mixed cool temperate forests, using the regeneration dynamics, to clarify the maintenance mechanisms of community patterns along a microtopographic gradient. The 76 stands studied were classified into two groups (i.e. convex slope and concave slope stands). The soil surface was more eroded on the concave slope than on the convex slope, while water potential was not significantly different between topographies. On the convex slope, even-aged patches alternated between young phase patches dominated by shade intolerant species, such asAcer rufinerve andBetula grossa, and mature phase patches, withTsuga sieboldii andFagus crenata. A slower lateral growth rate ofTsuga canopy trees and the absence of suppressed saplings in the mature phase may prolong the gap phase, which provides a favorable situation to shade-intolerant species. On the concave slope, patch structure was less clear, and process of replacement of canopy species by previously suppressed individuals of the same species was seen in the mature phase, which was mainly composed ofF. crenata, Fagus japonica, Acer sieboldianum andStewartia pseudo-camellia. Gaps on the concave slope were formed frequently but were generally closed within 10 years by lateral growth of deciduous canopy trees and by upgrowth of suppressed trees, and thus some individuals underwent recurrent periods of suppression until they reached the canopy. We concluded that soil surface stability and gap encroachment pattern are critical to the maintenance of the community pattern along a microtopographic gradient.     

太阳辐射对长白山阔叶红松林净生态系统碳交换的影响

太阳辐射是植物进行光合作用的前提条件, 因此成为影响植被吸收大气CO₂的重要环境因子。该研究基于30 min通量和常规气象数据, 以相对辐射和晴空指数为指标, 分析了2003~2006年生长旺季(6~8月)太阳辐射的改变对长白山阔叶红松(Pinus koraiensis)林净生态系统碳交换(Net ecosystem exchange, NEE)的影响。结果表明: 天空有一定云层的覆盖对阔叶红松林碳的净吸收有明显的促进作用。4年里6~8月间生态系统最大光合速率在天空有云覆盖时较晴空条件下分别提高了34%、25%、4%和11%。在晴空指数约为0.5的中等辐射条件下, 该生态系统的NEE达到最大。对生态系统碳的净吸收有促进作用的临界相对辐射约为37%, 而使该生态系统NEE达到最大的最适相对辐射约为75%。进一步分析表明, 天空云量的增多和云层厚度的增加会引起散射辐射比例的增加、大气温度和水汽亏缺程度的降低等环境效应, 由此可能会导致冠层光合作用的增加和地上部分呼吸的减弱, 从而共同决定了净生态系统碳吸收作用的增强。     

陕北水蚀风蚀交错带柠条适应不同生境的形态和生理可塑性

以陕北水蚀风蚀交错带4个不同坡位与土壤质地生境[沟底+坝淤绵沙土(A)、梁坡+红黄土(B)、坡顶+绵沙土(C)、坡顶+风沙土盖绵沙土(D)]中生长的柠条为研究对象,研究了其生长、光合和水力性状的可塑性变化,以揭示柠条对不同生境的适应机制。结果表明:(1)生境D和生境A样地1~3m和3m土层的平均含水量明显高于生境B和C;(2)与生境B和C相比,生境A和D中生长的柠条冠幅、株高和新枝长显著增加,叶厚度减小,正午叶水势、净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率亦显著增加,但不同生境中柠条枝比导水率、Huber值和栓塞程度无显著差异;(3)柠条各测定指标中,新枝长、净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率表现出较大的可塑性。研究认为,柠条可能主要通过新枝长或光合生理特征的改变来适应不同的水分生境。     

黄土高原丘陵区不同生境小叶杨人工林物种多样性及其群落稳定性分析

通过样地调查,对黄土高原丘陵沟壑区处于阴坡、半阴坡、半阳坡、阳坡4种生境条件下,经过30年发育的小叶杨人工林物种多样性,群落结构动态和土壤水分养分效应进行了系统研究,结果表明:(1)不同生境小叶杨人工林总体上物种丰富度、多样性指数和均匀度指数均呈现出阴坡>半阴坡>半阳坡>阳坡的趋势,且林内物种多样性指数表现为:草本层>灌木层;(2)不同生境条件下的小叶杨人工林年龄结构分析表明,尽管阴坡小叶杨长势相对较好,但更新幼苗数量相当有限,很难实现种群的自我更新,不适合作为人工林培育;(3)土壤含水量和养分因坡向不同而呈现出明显的差异,尽管阴坡和半阴坡的水分、养分条件相对较好,但也出现了枯梢、病虫害等衰老特征,因此阴坡、半阴坡的生境对小叶杨来说也不合适.未来应该对现有林地在保护的前提下,间伐衰老个体,补植和引入乡土物种,进行天然化培育.     

Nitrogen utilization efficiencies in mediterranean-climate shrubs of California and Chile

Summary Comparative studies of nitrogen utilization efficiencies (g assimilation mg^-1 leaf nitrogen expended) for dominant chaparral shrubs of California and matorral shrubs of central Chile indicate varying relationships of these efficiencies to total shrub productivity and community dominance. In California where nitrogen is limiting for shrub growth, increasing nitrogen utilization efficiency is correlated with increased productivity, and species with the highest values are dominant on polar (north-facing) slopes. In Chile where soil nutrients are not strongly limiting, increased nitrogen utilization efficiency beyond a low threshold has little or no effect on productivity. This may be an important aspect of the relative ecological success of deciduous shrubs in Chile. High nitrogen utilization efficiency in Chile is associated with broad ecological amplitude rather than increased competitive ability through higher productivity.     

树冠结构对典型阔叶红松林生产力的影响

阔叶红松(Pinus koraiensis)林是东北东部山区的地带性森林植被, 阐明其生产力的影响因素, 对于理解温带森林生产力维持机制具有重要意义。该研究依托小兴安岭典型阔叶红松林9 hm²动态监测样地, 基于2005和2015年的30 m × 30 m样方内所有胸径>6.5 cm的木本植物的调查数据, 计算各样方的树冠结构复杂性、物种多样性和林分胸高断面积, 结合各样方的地形和土壤理化性质数据, 拟合结构方程模型, 定量分析影响典型阔叶红松林生产力的直接和间接因素。研究结果显示: 树冠结构复杂性和物种多样性与生产力显著正相关, 且树冠结构复杂性对生产力的影响显著高于物种多样性; 树冠结构复杂性对生产力的作用分为树冠垂直分层和树冠可塑性, 其中树冠垂直分层是树冠结构复杂性影响阔叶红松林生产力的主要因素, 而树冠可塑性无显著影响; 林分胸高断面积与生产力显著正相关, 其解释权重仅次于树冠结构复杂性, 树冠结构复杂性与物种多样性均通过影响林分胸高断面积对阔叶红松林生产力产生间接影响; 考虑不同树冠结构复杂性时, 坡度和土壤全磷含量代表的环境因素在调节生产力上发挥的作用存在差异, 移除树冠垂直分层的作用后两者与生产力呈显著的负相关关系。综上可知, 在典型阔叶红松林中, 树冠结构复杂性比物种多样性更有效地解释了生产力的变化, 同时不可忽视其他生物和非生物因素对生产力的作用。     

Highly predictable photosynthetic production in natural macroalgal communities from incoming and absorbed light

Photosynthesis–irradiance relationships of macroalgal communities and thalli of dominant species in shallow coastal Danish waters were measured over a full year to test how well community production can be predicted from environmental (incident irradiance and temperature) and community variables (canopy absorptance, species number and thallus metabolism). Detached thalli of dominant species performed optimally at different times of the year, but showed no general seasonal changes in photosynthetic features. Production capacity of communities at high light varied only 1.8-fold over the year and was unrelated to incident irradiance, temperature and mean thallus photosynthesis, while community absorptance was a highly significant predictor. Actual rates of community photosynthesis were closely related to incident and absorbed irradiance alone. Community absorptance in turn was correlated to canopy height and species richness. The close relationship of community photosynthesis to irradiance is due to the fact that (1) large differences in thallus photosynthesis of individual species are averaged out in communities composed of several species, (2) seasonal replacement of species keeps communities metabolically active, and (3) maximum possible absorptance at 100% constrains the total photosynthesis of all species. Our results imply that the photosynthetic production of macroalgal communities is more predictable than their complex and dynamic nature suggest and that predictions are possible over wide spatial scales in coastal waters by measurements of vegetation cover, incoming irradiance and canopy absorptance.     

Frequencies, Microclimate and Root Properties for Three Codominant Perennials in the Northwestern Sonoran Desert on North-vs.South-facing Slopes

At a site in the northwestern Sonoran Desert the percent groundcover for the C₃subshrubEncelia farinosawas eight-times higheron more arid 20° south-facing slopes than on 20° north-facingslopes at 820 m elevation, and was six-times higher on north-facingslopes at a 300-m-lower elevation, also the more arid condition.The ground cover of the C₄bunchgrassPleuraphis rigidadecreasedover 50% from 20° north-facing slopes to the more arid conditionsof a 36° north-facing slope, a 20° south-facing slopeand a 20° north-facing slope at a 300-m-lower elevation.The CAM leaf succulentAgave desertialso had greater ground coverfor the 20° north-facing slopes at 820 m compared with 520m. For these three codominants that averaged 58% of the totalground cover, the key for the relative frequency ofE. farinosawasapparently its greater root growth on the warmer slopes duringthe winter. The key for the other two species was most likelysoil water availability, especially during the seedling stageforA. deserti. The wetter soil conditions on 20° north-facingslopes at 820 m apparently led to individual plants ofP. rigidathatwere twice as large as on south-facing slopes. Thus root propertiesmay exert the primary influence on relative plant frequencyin this desert ecosystem for which soil temperature and wateravailability are crucial.Copyright 1997 Annals of Botany Company Agave deserti; Encelia farinosa; Pleuraphis rigida; rooting patterns; soil temperature; Sonoran Desert; water availability     

Organisation of the soil seed bank in mixed chaparral

Seed densities, estimated from germinations under glasshouse conditions, were determined for fire-treated and control soils sampled from north and south facing stands of mixedAdenostoma fasciculatum-Ceanothus greggii chaparral that last burned 10, 17, 36, 62 and 86 years before 1987. A total of 53 species was recorded. Total germinable seed density was not influenced by aspect nor by an experimental fire treatment, however, densities varied significantly, but not predictably, over the time since fire sequence. Species diversity was significantly lower in the 86 year old stand, but neither diversity or richness was influenced by the fire treatment. Soils from north facing slopes supported a higher species diversity overall, and seed densities of six species were significantly higher on north than on south slopes.We identify two functional groups in the seed bank on the basis of the direct effects of fire on seed densities: a fire-dependent group, comprising 6 species and about 21% of the total seed bank, in which germinable densities increased after the fire treatment, and a fire-independent group, made up of 11 species and almost two-thirds of the seed bank. The fire-independent group is further separated into two: a shrub-centred sub-group (Crassula erecta, Filago californica, Pterostegia drymarioides, Streptanthus heterophyllus andCryptantha intermedia) maintained larger seed banks in older stands and was associated with shrub cover; and an opportunistic sub-group (Camissonia hirtella, Gnaphalium chilense, Mimulus pilosus andSenecio vulgaris) tended to have larger seed banks in younger stands and was associated with canopy gaps.Overall, the soil seed assemblage from this mixed chaparral does not appear to be tightly coupled to fire-generated opportunities for recruitment. The reason for this is that the fire-dependent group represents only 6 species. In addition, among the fire-independent species, the shrub-centred group of 5 annuals made up almost 40% of total soil seed density. This group shows ecological and taxonomic affinities with desert annuals.