Restoration of Shorebird‐Roosting Mudflats by Partial Removal of Estuarine Mangroves in Northern Taiwan

Expansion of the monospecific mangrove, Kandelia obovata, has converted intertidal mudflats and other habitats into mangrove forests, thus reducing estuarine biodiversity in the Danshuei River estuary, northern Taiwan. Dense mangrove vegetation was removed to create a small patchwork of mudflats and a tidal creek in February 2007. Subsequent changes in sediment properties and biodiversity of the macrobenthos and avian communities were examined. The results showed that the creation of different habitats led to changes in sediment properties and biodiversity. The water content and sorting degree of the sediments differed significantly among the restored mudflat, the tidal creek, and the mangrove control site. Silt/clay, organic carbon content, and chlorophyll a concentrations varied seasonally, but not among sites. The abundance of polychaetes in the creek was greater than that in the mudflat or the mangrove (12.5 vs. 5.3 and 2.2 individuals/m², respectively), suggesting preferential colonization of infaunal polychaetes in habitats with prolonged submersion. Crabs showed seasonal changes in density, with higher densities in summer than in autumn and winter. The species richness of wintering shorebirds on the created mudflat increased dramatically from 2002 to 2007. The transformation of a vegetated area into an open mudflat appeared to benefit shorebirds by providing roosting habitat. Our study demonstrated that controlling the spread of estuarine mangrove forests could increase biodiversity, and could particularly benefit the migratory shorebird community.     

Utilization of a citizen monitoring protocol to assess the structure and function of natural and stabilized fringing salt marshes in North Carolina

Narrow fringing salt marshes dominated by Spartina alterniflora occur naturally along estuarine shorelines and provide many of the same ecological functions as more extensive marshes. These fringing salt marshes are sometimes incorporated into shoreline stabilization efforts. We obtained data on elevation, salinity, sediment characteristics, vegetation and fish utilization at three study sites containing both natural fringing marshes and nearby restored marshes located landward of a stone sill constructed for shoreline stabilization. During the study, sediment accretion rates in the restored marshes were approximately 1.5- to 2-fold greater than those recorded in the natural marshes. Natural fringing marsh sediments were predominantly sandy with a mean organic matter content ranging between 1.5 and 6.0%. Average S. alterniflora stem density in natural marshes ranged between 130 and 222 stems m⁻², while mean maximum stem height exceeded 64 cm. After 3 years, one of the three restored marshes (NCMM) achieved S. alterniflora stem densities equivalent to that of the natural fringing marshes, while percentage cover and maximum stem heights were significantly greater in the natural than in the restored marshes at all sites. There was no significant difference in the mean number of fish, crabs or shrimp captured with fyke nets between the natural and restored marshes, and only the abundance of Palaemonetes vulgaris (grass shrimp) was significantly greater in the natural marshes than in the restored ones. Mean numbers of fish caught per 5 m of marsh front were similar to those reported in the literature from marshes adjacent to tidal creeks and channels, and ranged between 509 and 634 fish net⁻¹. Most of the field data and some of the sample analyses were obtained by volunteers as they contributed 223 h of the total 300 h spent collecting data from three sites in one season. The use of fyke nets required twice as many man-hours as any other single task. Vegetation and sediment parameters were sensitive indicators of marsh restoration success, and volunteers were capable of contributing a significant portion of the labor needed to collect these parameters. The U.S. Government's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free license in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

Re-establishing a saltmarsh vegetation structure in a changing climate

Summary A major management decision in an ecological restoration or rehabilitation project is whether supplementary planting or natural vegetation regeneration is the better alternative or if a combination can be applied. Management decisions are further complicated when the project involves saltmarsh as tidal cycles, the effects of salinity and sea level rise add to the complexity of decisions. The ecological values of the saltmarsh community in Australia were only recognized relatively recently but the endangered ecological community listing in 1994 (under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995) highlighted the need to protect, rehabilitate and restore saltmarsh. This project measured vegetation change after soil profile reconstruction in saltmarsh surrounding Sponsors Lagoon, Fingal Peninsula in north coastal New South Wales, Australia. Restored sites (planted and non‐planted) were compared with nearby disturbed (control) and reference sites. The dominant species in the community to be restored were Saltwater Couch (Sporobolus virginicus), Suaeda (Suaeda australis), Sarcocornia (Sarcocornia quinqueflora ssp. quinqueflora and Sea Rush (Juncus kraussii ssp. australiensis). Changes in percentage cover of the species in the first three years after soil reconstruction work showed that the dominant Saltwater Couch established only from vegetative growth arising from remnant vegetation but there was strong seedling regeneration of several other species. It was concluded that planting is important for species that are less vagile, in larger, denuded parts of this site where their resilience is lower and natural regeneration potential is limited. An understanding of the biology of the individual species is therefore likely to be essential in saltmarsh restoration projects. A combination of techniques, incorporating planting of slower establishing species and encouragement of seed‐germinated colonizers is useful for initial site stabilization and progressive ecological recovery at this site. The inclusion of migration zones in the planning phase will allow for the long‐term viability of this restoration project.     

长江口滨海湿地潮间带生态系统的多稳态特征

多稳态现象普遍存在于多种生态系统中,它与生态系统的健康和可持续发展密切相关,已成为生态学研究的热点与难点,但是目前有关滨海湿地生态系统多稳态的形成机制还缺乏深入研究.本文以崇明东滩鸟类自然保护区的潮间带生态系统为研究对象,通过以下内容,开展滨海湿地多稳态研究: 1)通过验证多稳态的判定依据“双峰”和“阈值”特征,证实长江口潮间带生态系统存在多稳态,并确定其稳态类型;2)通过监测潮间带生态系统水动力过程、沉积动力过程以及盐沼植物生长和扩散情况,分析盐沼植被与沉积地貌之间的正反馈作用,进而探讨潮间带生态系统多稳态的形成机制.结果表明: 1)潮间带生态系统的归一化植被指数(NDVI)频度分布存在明显的双峰特征,且盐沼植物成活存在生物量阈值效应,均证实潮间带生态系统存在多稳态,“盐沼”和“光滩”是潮间带生态系统的两种相对稳定状态;2)崇明东滩盐沼前沿的沉积地貌表现出泥沙快速淤积的趋势,显著促进了盐沼植物的生长,盐沼植物与泥沙淤积之间的这种正反馈作用是潮间带生态系统形成多稳态的主要原因;3)盐沼植被扩散格局监测结果在景观尺度上也表明,泥沙淤积作用促进了潮间带生态系统“盐沼”和“光滩”多稳态的形成.本研究既丰富了滨海湿地稳态转换的机理研究,也为我国开展海岸带保护、修复和管理提供了科学依据,具有重要的理论和实践意义.     

Evidence for effects of Spartina anglica invasion on benthic macrofauna in Little Swanport estuary,Tasmania

Spartina anglica is an exotic perennial grass that can rapidly colonise the intertidal zone of temperate estuaries and lagoons. Consequently, there is considerable concern about its impact on estuarine flora and fauna. This study provides the first investigation of ecological impacts by S. anglica in Australia. The objective was to investigate the impacts of S. anglica on benthic macroinvertebrate communities inhabiting mudflat and native saltmarsh habitats at Little Swanport estuary, Tasmania. The null hypothesis that species richness and species abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates in exotic S. anglica marsh does not differ from adjacent native saltmarsh and mudflat habitats was tested. Eighteen species and 3716 macroinvertebrates were collected from 60 intertidal core samples in three habitats. Species richness, total abundance of invertebrates, crustacean abundance and mollusc abundance of mudflat communities were significantly (P < 0.05) lower when compared to those inhabiting adjacent S. anglica marsh and native saltmarsh. However, species richness and total abundance of invertebrates of native saltmarsh and S. anglica marsh did not differ significantly. Ordination of macroinvertebrate data clearly separated mudflat sites from vegetated sites but showed remarkable similarity between exotic and native vegetated sites.     

崇明东滩盐沼湿地大型底栖动物功能群分布特征及其影响因子

以长江口崇明东滩典型盐沼分布区为研究区域,在不同站位固定样地月际取样调查基础上,分析了大型底栖动物食性功能群沿高程梯度的分布特征及其主要影响因子,特别是外来入侵植物的影响。结果表明,不同高程区域,大型底栖动物优势种不同,除中潮带分布区以杂食性和植食性功能群为主外,其余各区域均以杂食性功能群为主。沿高程梯度,大型底栖动物各功能群的多度和生物量均发生极显著的变化(P<0.01),而不同功能群在不同植被带间的差异情况有所不同。其中,高程最低的光滩区域,肉食性功能群多度和生物量均显著高于高程相对较高的植被带(P<0.05);中潮带海三棱藨草分布区植食性功能群多度和生物量均显著高于其他高程区域(P<0.05)。主要生境因子,包括沉积物总磷、总氮、有机质、速效磷、硝态氮、铵态氮、中值粒径,以及植物的植株高度和地上部分生物量干重等指标,均随高程梯度变化显著(P<0.05),但不同因子变化特征有所不同。外来种互花米草的入侵并未造成相应区域大型底栖动物优势功能群的改变,但区域内杂食性功能群的多度和生物量均显著增加(P<0.05);环境因子中的部分因子,包括沉积物速效磷、硝态氮、铵态氮和有机质含量,表现出与同高程的本地种芦苇分布区间的显著差异(P<0.05)。导致大型底栖动物食性功能群组成及分布发生变化是多种生境因子综合作用的结果,而对不同食性功能群起作用的主要影响因子存在差异。沉积物营养盐含量差异是造成大型底栖动物食性功能群多度变化的最主要因素;沉积物盐度是影响大型底栖动物食性功能群生物量的最主要因素。要完整揭示底栖动物功能群分布特征及其影响因子的作用机理,需要综合考虑水文、植被、沉积物等多种生境因子。     

Using Functional Trajectories to Track Constructed Salt Marsh Development in the Great Bay Estuary, Maine/New Hampshire, U.S.A.

A growing number of studies have assessed the functional equivalency of restored and natural salt marshes. Several of these have explored the use of functional trajectories to track the increase in restored marsh function over time; however, these studies have disagreed as to the usefulness of such models in long‐term predictions of restored marsh development. We compared indicators of four marsh functions (primary production, soil organic matter accumulation, sediment trapping, and maintenance of plant communities) in 6 restored and 11 reference (matched to restored marshes using principal components analysis) salt marshes in the Great Bay Estuary. The restored marshes were all constructed and planted on imported substrate and ranged in age from 1 to 14 years. We used marsh age in a space‐for‐time substitution to track constructed salt marsh development and explore the use of trajectories. A high degree of variability was observed among natural salt marsh sites, displaying the importance of carefully chosen reference sites. As expected, mean values for constructed site (n = 6) and reference site (n = 11) functions were significantly different. Using constructed marsh age as the independent variable and functional indicator values as dependent variables, nonlinear regression analyses produced several ecologically meaningful trajectories (r ²> 0.9), demonstrating that the use of different‐aged marshes can be a viable approach to developing functional trajectories. The trajectories illustrated that although indicators of some functions (primary production, sediment deposition, and plant species richness) may reach natural site values relatively quickly (<10 years), others (soil organic matter content) will take longer.     

Dynamics of Nutrient Contents (Phosphorus,Nitrogen) in Water,Sediment and Plants After Restoration of Connectivity in Side‐Channels of the River Rhine

During the last century, canalization of the Rhine river led to disconnection of side‐arms, over‐sedimentation of these channels, loss of the fluvial dynamics, and aquatic vegetation change or disappearance. Recent restoration projects aim to reconnect disconnected arms to the main channel. The objective of this study was to assess the nutrient dynamics in restored channels during the vegetation colonization process. In spring, summer, and autumn 2009, the phosphorus and nitrogen contents were measured in water, sediment, and plants, sampled in six channels, two reference sites and four restored ones at different dates. Aquatic vegetation was monitored during the same period. Sites were mesotrophic related to the water nutrient concentrations. However, vegetation communities indicated a eutrophic level, as they were dominated by species like Elodea nuttallii, Myriophyllum spicatum, and Potamogeton perfoliatus. Sites were discriminated by P content and mineral nitrogen in the sediment. We showed an effect of species and season on the plant nutrient content, but there was no relationship between plant nutrient content and nutrients in water and sediment. A negative correlation between mean N plant content and the cover of each species was found. Vegetation characteristics (species richness and cover) and bioavailable phosphorus in the sediment were also correlated. In the restored side‐arms of the river Rhine, phosphorus‐rich sediment seems to be important in the recolonization dynamics, as it was linked to higher species richness, whereas nitrogen played a role in the colonization patterns as a growth limiting factor.     

Vegetation and environmental conditions in recently restored wetlands in the prairie pothole region of the USA

How closely the vegetation of restored wetlands resembles that of comparable natural wetlands is a function of the probability of propagules of wetland species reaching reflooded wetlands and how similar environmental conditions in the restored wetland are those in the natural wetlands. Three years after reflooding, we examined the vegetation composition, water level fluctuations, soil organic carbon content, and soil bulk density as well as surface water pH, alkalinity, conductivity, and calcium and magnesium concentrations of 10 restored and 10 natural wetlands. In the restored wetlands, more species of submersed aquatics colonized than were found in natural wetlands, and they rapidly spread to form extensive beds that were larger than those found in natural wetlands. Emergent and wet meadow species in restored wetlands, however, were found in only sparse stands as were a variety of annuals. The vegetation of natural wetlands was predominantly large stands of emergent species. Fluctuations in water storage volume and basin surface area were similar for both restored and natural wetlands. The surface water in restored wetlands had higher pH and lower alkalinity, conductivity, and calcium and magnesium concentrations than that in natural wetlands. Soils of restored wetlands have a lower organic carbon content and higher bulk density than do those of natural wetlands. Our results suggest that for submersed aquatics, dispersal of propagules to restored wetlands is rapid and environmental conditions in restored wetlands are very suitable for their establishment. For other guilds of wetland species, e.g., sedges and other wet meadow species, dispersal to restored wetlands is likely much slower and may pose a serious problem for the re-establishment of these species in restored wetlands. Even if dispersal is not limiting, low surface organic carbon and high bulk density may prevent the establishment of these species in restored wetlands.     

Influence of quantity and lability of sediment organic matter on the biomass of two isoetids,Littorella uniflora and Echinodorus repens

1. Despite real improvement in the water quality of many previously eutrophic lakes, the recovery of submerged vegetation has been poor. This lack of recovery is possibly caused by the accumulation of organic matter on the top layer of the sediment, which is produced under eutrophic conditions. Hence, our objective was to study the combined effects of quantity and lability of sediment organic matter on the biomass of Echinodorus repens and Littorella uniflora and on the force required to uproot plants of L. uniflora. 2. Lake sediments, rich in organic matter, were collected from four lakes, two with healthy populations of isoetids and two from which isoetids had disappeared. The four lake sediments were mixed with sand to prepare a range of experimental sediments that differed in quantity and lability of sediment organic matter. Two isoetid species, E. repens and L. uniflora, were grown in these sediments for 8 weeks. Sediment quality parameters, including elemental composition, nutrient availability and mineralisation rates, were determined on the raw sources of sediment from the lakes. Porewater and surface water were analysed for the chemical composition in all mixtures. At the end of the experiment, plants were harvested and their biomass, tissue nutrient concentration and (for L. uniflora) uprooting force were measured. 3. For both species, all plants survived and showed no signs of stress on all types of sediment. The biomass of E. repens increased as the fraction of organic matter was increased (from 6 to 39% of organic content, depending upon sediment type). However, in some of the sediment types, a higher fraction of organic matter led to a decline in biomass. The biomass of L. uniflora was less responsive to organic content and was decreased significantly only when the least labile sediment source was used to create the gradient of organic matter. The increase in shoot biomass for both species was closely related to higher CO₂ concentrations in the porewater of the sediment. The force required to uproot L. uniflora plants over a range of sediment organic matter fitted a Gaussian model; it reached a maximum at around 15% organic matter and declined significantly above that. 4. Increasing organic matter content of the sediment increased the biomass of isoetid plants, as the positive effects of higher CO₂ production outweighed the negative effects of low oxygen concentration in more (labile) organic sediments. However, sediment organic matter can adversely affect isoetid survival by promoting the uprooting of plants.     

应用间接排序识别盐沼植被的光谱特征:以崇明东滩为例

遥感技术已成为大尺度植被分类的重要手段,而地面植物群落特征与其光谱特征之间的关系是解译遥感影像的关键。该研究选择上海崇明东滩自然保护区的盐沼植物群落为对象,应用ASD地物光谱仪测定其植物群落的光谱反射率,并采用10个小型机载成像光谱仪(CASI)默认植被波段组,应用主分量分析法和相关分析分析了不同群落光谱特征与生态环境因子之间的关系。分析结果表明,间接排序法PCA能够识别盐沼植被中光滩、海三棱 草(Scirpus mariqueter)群落、芦苇(Phragmites australis)群落和互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)等群落的光谱特征,绝大多数盐沼湿地植物群落组成与光谱特征之间有显著的相关,识别效果最好的波段组是736~744 nm、746~753 nm、775~784 nm、815~824 nm和860~870 nm;对光谱反射率影响最大的生态环境因子分别是植物群落的高度和盖度,高程和其它环境因子的影响次之。研究成果可为遥感监测崇明东滩自然保护区内入侵种互花米草的空间分布和扩散规律提供技术支撑,为高光谱遥感影像的影像判读和解译分类以及盐沼湿地植被制图提供科学依据。     

Impacts of an alien species (Spartina alterniflora) on the macrobenthos community of Jiangsu coastal inter-tidal ecosystem

Spartina alterniflora, a species vegetating on inter-tidal flats that was introduced from the eastern coast of United States, has become a hot topic, focusing on its invasion within local species in the coastal zone of China. Impacts of S. alterniflora on the inter-tidal macrobenthos community in the Jiangsu coastland are addressed by comparing the macrobenthos characteristics in a mudflat and in a four-year-old Spartina salt marsh that had earlier been a mudflat. During the period October 2002–July 2003, we studied the distribution pattern and diversity of macrobenthos, and discussed their correlation with environmental factors caused by Spartina vegetation. The results showed that a total of 43 macrobenthos species were found, mainly consisting of Mollusca, Crustacea, and Annelida. Ten macrobenthos species were found in the Spartina salt marsh, and 36 species were found in the mudflat. Life forms and functional groups of macrobenthos in the Spartina salt marsh were obviously distrinct from that of the mudflat. The study showed that macrobenthos diversity in the Spartina salt marsh decreased, and the community structure altered obviously, whereas the biomass showed no differences in different seasons. Statistical analysis demonstrated that seasonal change of macrobenthos diversity in the Spartina salt marsh negatively related to content of sediment organic matter, total N, bulk density, height and biomass of Spartina vegetation, and positively related to the density of Spartina. All these differences suggested the obvious effects of the Spartina vegetation on the Jiangsu inter-tidal benthic macroinvertebrate ecology. Furthermore, the investigation also showed that the niche of the native macrobenthos living in the mudflat has been transferred down, seaward, due to the invasion of Spartina in our study site.     

互花米草盐沼土壤有机碳库组分及结构特征

在江苏盐城互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)盐沼建立以下样地:光滩(Mudflat)、互花米草建群1a(S.alterniflora flat 2011)、5a(S.alterniflora flat 2007)、12a(S.alterniflora flat 2000)、23a(S.alterniflora flat 1989)以及碱蓬(Suaeda salsa flat 1989),采集表层土壤样品,分析土壤中的活性有机碳(可溶性有机碳、微生物量碳)特征,并利用核磁共振波谱法测定土壤总有机碳的结构图谱,研究互花米草盐沼土壤有机碳库组分及结构特征。结果表明:(1)互花米草建群后,盐沼表层土壤有机碳含量显著增加(P0.05),在0.82—7.6 g/kg之间,各样地表层土壤有机碳含量为:互花米草滩(5.57 g/kg)碱蓬滩(2.4 g/kg)光滩(1.05 g/kg);可溶性有机碳含量为:互花米草滩(36.08 mg/kg)碱蓬滩(17.43 mg/kg)光滩(6.92 mg/kg);微生物量碳含量为:互花米草滩(52.51 mg/kg)碱蓬滩(18.27 mg/kg)光滩(13.56 mg/kg)。互花米草建群后,土壤中活性碳库含量显著增加(P0.05)。(2)土壤有机碳结构以烷氧碳和芳香碳为主,其中芳香碳的平均比例(35.85%)最高,其次为烷氧碳(32.83%)和羧基碳(20.62%),烷基碳的平均比例(10.36%)最低,其中建群5a的互花米草样地(SAF2007)土壤芳香碳、烷氧碳、烷基碳含量最高,建群23a的互花米草样地(SAF1989)土壤羧基碳含量最高。(3)互花米草盐沼土壤中烷基碳/烷氧碳为:SAF2007(0.44)SSF1989(0.43)SAF2000(0.28)SAF2011(0.27)SAF1989(0.22);疏水碳/亲水碳为:SAF2007(0.97)SSF1989(0.87)SAF2000(0.85)SAF2011(0.83)SAF1989(0.81)。烷基碳/烷氧碳在建群5a后达到最高值0.44,烷基化程度最高;疏水碳/亲水碳达到最高值0.97,土壤碳库稳定性高于其它样地。     

互花米草入侵对胶州湾河口湿地土壤总铁分布的影响

互花米草是胶州湾滨海湿地典型的入侵物种,为进一步了解互花米草入侵对胶州湾河口湿地土壤总铁含量分布的影响,于2017年3月、5月、7月、9月和11月分别在互花米草湿地和光滩采集土壤样品,并对土壤总铁含量、有机质含量、土壤可溶性盐、pH、含水率、容重和土壤粒度进行测定与分析。结果表明:互花米草入侵显著提高了土壤总铁含量,两样区0—50 cm土层土壤总铁含量差异显著(P0.05),5月和7月互花米草湿地总铁含量在垂直方向上呈先上升后下降趋势;与光滩在同一采样月份相比,互花米草湿地土壤总铁含量增幅分别为25.36%、29.50%、17.52%、30.28%和14.48%。相关性分析表明,互花米草湿地和光滩土壤总铁含量均与有机质含量和可溶性盐呈显著正相关(P0.01);并且光滩土壤总铁含量与含水率呈显著正相关(P0.01),与容重呈显著负相关(P0.01),表明两样区土壤总铁含量受有机质含量和可溶性盐影响较大。     

Evidence for the influence of seagrasses on the benthic nitrogen cycle in a coastal plain estuary near Beaufort,North Carolina (USA)

A study was undertaken to evaluate the interrelationship between the presence of seagrasses, Zostera marina and Halodule wrightii, and the physical and chemical properties of sediments in a coastal plain estuary near Beaufort, North Carolina. In sediments underlying a cover of seagrass, silt-clay, organic matter, exchangeable ammonium, ammonium dissolved in pore waters and total nitrogen were larger than in unvegetated profiles. The magnitude of the physical and chemical properties of sediments varied according to the location of the station in relation to the vegetation, as well as the continuity in the distribution of the seagrass. The largest pools of nitrogen, the finest sediment texture, and the greatest organic matter content were in sediments associated with the mid bed regions of seagrass meadows, intermediate at the edges of the bed and small isolated patches of grass, and least in unvegetated substrate.General conclusions from this study are: 1) once established, seagrasses appear capable of modifying the sediment texture as well as the organic matter and nitrogen content; 2) nitrogen accumulates beneath the vegetation suggesting that vegetated sediments are sinks; however, functional recycling mechanisms seem to be operating as suggested by the larger magnitude of remineralized nitrogen in the vegetated profiles; and 3) the establishment of seagrasses in this geographical region are not necessarily restricted by the sediment properties measured in this study. These data and conclusions are discussed in regard to an application of contemporary theories of ecosystem development to seagrass systems.Contribution Number 82-22-B     

Use of seagrass wrack in restoring disturbed Australian saltmarshes

Summary Saltmarshes are threatened in many parts of the world, considered wastelands rather than valued as wetlands. This is particularly true in urbanized parts of Australia. Approximately 85% of saltmarsh has been lost or severely damaged in the Tuggerah Lakes of the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Wrack (rotting vegetation) can promote diversity of saltmarshes, by shading soil and reducing physical stress and/or by providing nutrients to nutrient‐poor soil. In many parts of the world, wrack derives from the saltmarsh plants. On the shores of the Tuggerah Lakes, large amounts of seagrass wrack (with varying amounts of macro‐algae), are stranded along the shoreline and in the remaining saltmarshes. This is perceived to reduce public amenity and have no ecological value. Thus, the local council is under pressure to remove wrack. This experimental study examined the influence of wrack on cover and diversity of saltmarsh and provided preliminary data on changes to organic matter and benthos in the sediment. On average, there was a rapid increase in biomass of the dominant plant, Sarcocornia quinqueflora, in experimental areas where wrack was added, although the response was patchy, but there was no change in diversity over 22 months. There were limited changes to benthos, but no changes to nutrients in the sediment in wracked compared to unwracked treatments. Nevertheless, increased biomass in dominant species may reduce physical stress for other smaller saltmarsh plants. This study is part of a programme examining the interaction between the persistence and growth of saltmarshes and recycling of wrack in the lakes. The ultimate aim is to develop ecologically and economically sound plans of management for an increasingly urbanized area of the NSW coast.     

库布齐沙地两种植被恢复类型根际土壤微生物和土壤化学性质比较研究

油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)与中间锦鸡儿(Caragana intermedia)是库布齐沙地分布广泛的优良固沙植被类型,在植被恢复过程中受到关注。以库布齐沙地自然恢复的油蒿群落与人工种植的中间锦鸡儿群落为研究对象,以流动沙地为对照,采用野外调查、室内生化实验与统计分析相结合的方法,分析两种植被恢复类型根际与非根际土壤微生物、土壤化学性质的差异,研究土壤微生物与土壤化学性质间的相关关系,并运用综合指数法评价两种植被恢复类型对土壤生态系统的恢复效果,为库布齐沙地植被恢复与重建提供科学依据。主要结论如下:(1)与流沙对照相比,两种植被恢复类型根际、非根际土壤微生物数量、微生物生物量碳、氮含量均有不同程度的提高,其中,自然恢复的油蒿群落根际土壤微生物总数、细菌数量、微生物量碳和氮含量均显著高于中间锦鸡儿根际,真菌和放线菌数量分布表现为中间锦鸡儿油蒿;(2)两种植被恢复类型根际、非根际土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、速效氮、速效钾含量均比流动沙地有不同程度地提高,其中,油蒿根际、非根际土壤有机质、全氮、速效氮含量显著高于中间锦鸡儿;(3)影响油蒿和中间锦鸡儿群落土壤微生物数量、生物量碳和氮的土壤因子是有机质、p H值、全氮、速效氮、速效钾、速效磷,其中,对两种植被恢复类型土壤微生物数量和生物量有正向促进作用的主要因子是土壤有机质、速效钾和全氮含量;(4)运用综合指数法计算出基于14个土壤指标的土壤质量综合指数(SQI),SQI值排序为:油蒿根际中间锦鸡儿根际油蒿非根际中间锦鸡儿非根际流沙对照。自然恢复的油蒿群落对土壤质量的改良效果显著优于人工种植的中间锦鸡儿群落,是库布齐沙地生态恢复的适合途径之一。     

Development of a meiobenthic nematode community following the intertidal placement of various types of sediment

A field experiment was conducted at an intertidal mudflat in SE England to investigate processes affecting the development of meiobenthic nematode assemblages in response to the placement of different types of sediment, simulating the deposition of fine-grained maintenance dredged material for habitat creation. Natural assemblages were exposed to different types of substrate, including sediment with natural sand and organic content (defaunated control), sediment with elevated sand content (high sand content treatment) and sediment with elevated organic content (high organic content treatment) for a period of 12 months. Differences between colonising assemblages and those from ambient control sediment in terms of total nematode abundance, taxonomic membership (i.e. number of species, species composition) and size (i.e. total biomass, biomass size spectra) were most marked in the plots with elevated organic content. Nematode density, number of species and total biomass in the defaunated control and high sand content treatment came to resemble those in the ambient control sediment after 3 months. In the organically enriched sediment, values only attained background level at the end of the experiment. Multivariate analyses revealed that, although assemblage structure in all treatments, and in particular the defaunated control and the high sand content treatment, became increasingly similar to the ambient sediment over time, recovery to ambient condition had not occurred 1 year after the set-up of the experiment.     

Changes in biomass and spatial distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elodea nuttallii</Emphasis> (Planch.) St. John,an invasive submerged plant,in oligomesotrophic Lake Kizaki from 1999 to 2002

Distribution of pure Elodea nuttallii vegetation was surveyed from 1999 to 2002, immediately after the most recent expansion of the species in Lake Kizaki, Japan. During 2001 and 2002, areas of E. nuttallii vegetation rapidly diminished and the summer plant height decreased wherever the vegetation remained. The organic matter content, total phosphorus, and extracted P of the sediment from the vegetation bed were measured. A linear relationship was observed between the extracted P in the sediment and the biomass. The extracted P significantly decreased in the shallow littoral vegetation bed, where the biomass clearly diminished. A fertilization experiment using the shallow littoral sediment collected in the vegetation bed was conducted in 2001. In this experiment, apical shoots of E. nuttallii were planted in pots with fertilized sediment (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium additions). The growth of E. nuttallii shoots was significantly enhanced by enrichment with phosphorus alone. The ecological implication of sediment phosphorus limitation is discussed in relation to the cause of decline in the E. nuttallii population in Lake Kizaki.     

杭州湾滨海湿地不同植被类型沉积物磷形态变化特征

研究了杭州湾滨海湿地不同植被类型下0-5 cm和10-20 cm沉积物总磷(TP)、无机磷(IP)、有机磷(OP)及其形态变化特征,揭示湿地植被演替对沉积物磷形态的影响.结果表明,沉积物TP,互花米草(MC)显著高于其他植被类型.在IP中,可溶性松散态磷(Soluble and loosely bound P,SL-Pi)含量光滩(CK)最小、MC最大;还原态可溶性磷(Reductant soluble P,RS-Pi)含量芦苇(LW)和MC显著高于CK和海三棱藤草(BC);钙磷(Ca-Pi)含量CK和BC显著大于LW和MC.在OP中,活性有机磷( Labile Po,L-Po)含量最低、中等活性有机磷(Moderately labile Po,ML-Po)含量最高、非活性有机磷(Nonlabile Po,NL-Po)处于中间水平.IP是磷素的主要形态、占TP的74％ -89％,而Ca-Pi又是IP的主要形态、于湿地沉积物淤积初期通过吸附沉淀作用存留.杭州湾湿地植被自然演替过程中不同植物生物量积累和营养物质循环过程的变化导致沉积物中磷形态的差异.植被演替初期,BC显著改变0-5 cm沉积物磷形态,对10-20 cm沉积物无显著影响;植物演替后期的LW和MC促使0-5 cm沉积物有机磷快速积累、10-20 cm沉积物有机磷小幅增加,同时促进Ca-Pi向可溶性、活性态磷转变.