米草属引入中国海岸带的利弊分析

1963年以来,中国先后从国外引进3种米草。实践证明,大米草和互花米草是盐渍土壤植物群落形成的先锋植物,适应于中国海岸带自然环境,生长发育正常,具有明显的促淤造陆和保护海岸等生态功能,并具有显著的经济效益.大米草和互花米草在南方海岸繁殖过快是近岸水体富营养化的结果,但并未对环境、动植物种群和人类构成侵害,其在北方海岸未发生异常现象,故应客观地评估米草的功与过。本文从利弊2个方面对中国海岸滩涂引入米草进行了分析。     

有机稻田内不同生态措施对褐稻虱种群的控制作用

应用害虫生态控制理论和方法,以抗性品种、施用有机肥、种植对天敌具有助迁或保护作用的植物为基础,将稻田放鸭、薇甘菊(MikaniamicranthaKunth)乙醇提取物、现代苦楝油(MeliaazedarachL.)等各项生态措施,科学、合理地组配成褐稻虱Nilaparvatalugens(Stl)种群生态控制系统,研究其对褐稻虱种群的控制作用。结果表明稻田放鸭对褐稻虱若虫具有60.92%的控制效果,现代苦楝油200倍对褐稻虱种群的作用优于薇甘菊乙醇提取物1gDW·100mL-1,不同生态措施组合对褐稻虱自然种群的控制作用显著,但其联合作用效果与组合组分不成正比例增长。所组建的生态措施组合可将褐稻虱种群数量降至经济阈值以下,完全可达到持续控制褐稻虱种群的目的。     

中国米草生态工程的功与过

米草生态工程在我国已经走过40年的发展历程,成为中国海岸线一道绿色长城.米草生态工程曾经发挥了显著的生态效益和经济效益,如保滩护堤、促淤造陆、改良盐土、净化水质等,同时也出现了一些负面作用,如绞杀土著物种、侵占航道、危害贝类养殖等.米草的种群爆发可能是因为富营养化、温室效应以及一些可能的人为因素.对待米草,应该科学分析与对待,在种群爆发地区进行科学防治的同时,还应充分发挥其生态与经济效益.     

高山垫状植物团状福禄草开花面积与方位随海拔的变化及其适应性

作为高山生态系统中的奠基种(foundation species), 垫状植物自身种群的繁殖与扩张, 对高山生态系统功能稳定性起着关键作用。但是, 垫状植物如何在极端环境条件下实现资源的有效利用与分配, 达到繁殖最优化, 至今鲜为人知。该研究在滇西北白马雪山沿海拔梯度选择具有不同坡度及坡向的5个团状福禄草(Arenaria polytrichoides)种群, 调查、比较种群内、种群间以及具有不同性系统的植株个体之间的开花面积比、开花方位, 并分析不同生态因子对其开花特性的影响。结果表明: 随着海拔的升高, 团状福禄草个体变小, 其分配到开花的资源比例总体上随海拔上升呈现下降的趋势, 说明团状福禄草的繁殖分配受到由海拔所引起的生态因子的调控。但是, 部分低海拔种群内植物个体的繁殖分配显著低于部分高海拔种群, 说明海拔并非控制植物繁殖分配的唯一因素。此外, 植株开花总面积随植株个体增大而增加, 但开花面积比却随个体增大而变小, 说明植株分配到开花的资源增长速率可能低于植株个体的增长速率。在性别差异方面, 两性植株对开花的资源分配比例要显著高于雌性植株, 但是, 其差异程度受到海拔因素的影响。最后, 在同一种群内, 团状福禄草在冠层表面不同方位上的开花面积比存在显著差异性, 这种差异性在不同种群之间又具有不同的表现形式。     

安徽棉铃虫的生态控制研究

本从气候因子、天敌、耕作栽培措施、诱集技术、生物制剂和转Ｂｔ基因棉等几个方面对安徽棉铃虫种群的生态控制技术研究进行了总结,表明各种生物控制措施对控制棉铃虫的种群是有效的;种群系统分析将是研究棉铃虫生态控制研究的主要方法,建立科学合理的生态控制系统是棉铃虫控制研究的重点。     

放牧影响下羊草草地主要植物种群生态位宽度与生态位重叠的研究

本文采用Shannon—Wiener和Pianka公式,在土壤水分、土壤含盐量和土壤有机质含量三维生态因子梯度上测定了松嫩草原碱化羊草草地放牧演替系列12种主要植物种群的生态位宽度和生态位重叠。结果表明,植物种群长期适应由放牧引起的群落和土壤环境因子梯度变化是种群生态位分化的主要原因。优势种羊草种群生态位宽度最大,三维上生态位宽度分别为0.910、0.869和0.930。五脉山黧豆和湿生植物生态位宽度均很窄。增加种表现出较强的适应环境能力,生态位宽度都较大。在放牧演替的先锋植物中,只有虎尾草生态位宽度较大(三维上平均0.707),角碱蓬和星星草种群生态位宽度均很窄。生态位宽度较大的物种与其它种群间生态位重叠较大。分布于相同或相邻放牧阶段及具有相同或相似环境要求的物种间生态位重叠较大。放牧条件下,羊草群落的演替过程也就是种群生态位分化的过程。     

不同群落中米氏冰草和羊草的年龄结构动态

米氏冰草和羊草都是根茎型禾草,是典型的无性系植物。采取单位面积挖掘取样法,对呼伦贝尔沙地植被次生演替过程中的米氏冰草和羊草种群分株年龄结构进行调查。结果表明,在单生和混合群落中,米氏冰草分株分别由3和4个年龄级组成,羊草均由2个年龄级组成;米氏冰草分株数量和生物量年龄结构变化基本一致,即随着生长年限的延长,呈减少低龄级和增加高龄级比例的趋势,使单生群落中始终为增长型,但接近于稳定型,混生群落中由增长型变为稳定型。羊草分株数量和生物量年龄结构在连续2a均为明显的增长型。羊草各龄级平均单株生产力均高于米氏冰草,平均是米氏冰草的5.2倍。米氏冰草和羊草种群分株年龄结构的变化,蕴含着米氏冰草种群的优势地位将被羊草种群取代的趋势。     

爆发型种群铜锤草增长的密度调节

“生态入侵”已成为国际上生态学领域关心的热点问题之一 ,尤其对引种引起的生态灾难已越来越受到人们的广泛关注。以引进种铜锤草为研究对象 ,通过实验从形态及数量动态、产量等方面考察铜锤草种群调控特点。研究表明 ,铜锤草种群的密度制约主要有以下特点 :①铜锤草单株构件具有随种群密度的增加调节自身数量和生物量的能力 ,以叶构件的数量和生物量对密度的反应最灵敏。②密度对种群数量动态的调节表现在个体和构件两个水平。铜锤草种群叶构件调节表现出各密度种群单株叶密度有如下趋势 :低密度种群 >中等密度种群 >高密度种群 ,而个体数量调节仅出现在高密种群。③密度对单株生物量和小鳞茎产量影响极显著 ;单株生物量与种群密度的关系基本符合 - 3/2幂定律 ,小鳞茎产量与种群密度也表现出近似的幂函数关系。     

梨园芳香植物间作区中国梨木虱与其天敌类群的相互作用

为探讨间作芳香植物对梨园中国梨木虱与其天敌类群相互作用的影响,在梨园中设置不同种类的芳香植物间作处理,以清耕区为对照,研究不同芳香植物间作区中国梨木虱及其天敌类群组成、种群消长动态、时间生态位的变化,并进行灰色关联度分析。结果表明,不同处理区中国梨木虱及其天敌类群数量和发生频率、组成及时序特征、时间生态位宽度与重叠存在明显差别。在梨树年生长周期中,薄荷间作区的中国梨木虱的时间生态位宽度明显增大,多数天敌的时间生态位宽度显著增加,中国梨木虱与天敌种群发生量分布较均匀,但发生的高峰不明显,时间生态位重叠指数均较大,表现出时序上的同步性和跟随性。孔雀草间作区、罗勒间作区、自然生草区的中国梨木虱的生态位宽度较薄荷间作区小,有明显的高峰期,天敌的生态位宽度较对照大,无明显的高峰期。一些天敌种群如跳小蜂、丽草蛉、茧蜂、姬蜂与中国梨木虱在时序上同步性较大,跟随现象明显;而龟纹瓢虫、异色瓢虫和七星瓢虫等天敌种群与中国梨木虱在时序上同步性较差,跟随现象较弱。灰色关联度分析结果表明,薄荷间作区跳小蜂、孔雀草间作区中华大草蛉、罗勒间作区龟纹瓢虫和中华大草蛉、自然生草区丽草蛉、茧蜂、赤眼蜂对中国梨木虱的影响程度较其它种群大。结果显示,梨园间作芳香植物可能通过改变中国梨木虱及其天敌类群的组成、时序特征和生态位特征等控制中国梨木虱的发生。     

温度对2个地理种群莲草直胸跳甲成虫产卵量及存活率的影响

【背景】温度对莲草直胸跳甲种群增长具有重要作用,了解引进的莲草直胸跳甲泰国种群的温度适应性,同时与福州本地种群相比较,可以有效地利用其防治空心莲子草。【方法】采用室内继代饲养的方法,设置3个温度,对莲草直胸跳甲福州本地种群和泰国热带种群的成虫产卵量及存活率进行了研究。【结果】在相同温度条件下,泰国热带种群的繁殖力显著高于福州本地种群。随着温度的升高,泰国热带种群和福州本地种群的产卵量均有显著下降,但泰国热带种群的产卵量均稍高于福州本地种群。在3个试验温度下,莲草直胸跳甲泰国热带种群的成虫寿命较福州本地种群的寿命长。【结论与意义】莲草直胸跳甲泰国热带种群对温度的适应性和繁殖力强,更容易构建种群,有利于对空心莲子草的生物防治。     

互花米草入侵对鸟类的生态影响

生物入侵威胁本地物种生存,破坏生态系统的结构和功能,是导致全球生物多样性丧失的重要原因之一。外来植物是入侵生物中的重要一类,可以显著改变本地植被群落,并影响其他生物类群。鸟类作为生态系统中的较高营养级,对由入侵植物引起的栖息地变化十分敏感。互花米草自引入中国沿海以来,其分布区域不断扩散,多数研究认为互花米草入侵造成本地生物多样性降低和生态系统退化。系统梳理了互花米草入侵对鸟类栖息地、食物资源、繁殖、群落等方面的生态影响。主要负面影响有:(1)植被群落结构不利于鸟类栖息、筑巢、觅食;(2)鸟类食物资源丰度和多样性下降;(3)本地鸟类种群数量和物种多样性显著下降。在我国东部沿海湿地,互花米草入侵已经显著改变了植被与鸟类分布格局。但随着入侵历史的增长,少数小型雀形目鸟类却可以逐渐适应互花米草生境。互花米草入侵为某些非本地鸟类提供了空白生态位,在一定程度上丰富了本地物种多样性,对互花米草的快速清除反而可能不利于已适应并依赖互花米草生境的鸟类。综上,认为互花米草入侵对鸟类群落甚至整个生态系统的影响可能需要更多研究进行综合评价,应开展长期、大尺度、多因子的监测研究和多物种比较研究,建立生态评价模型并制定科学有效的互花米草管理对策。     

米草属植物入侵的生态后果及管理对策

生物入侵是全球变化的重要组成部分,可能对入侵地造成严重的经济和生态后果,所以评价外来种入侵的生态后果是入侵生态学研究的核心问题之一。本文以米草属(Spartina)植物为例,综述了其对入侵地区自然环境、生物种群、群落和生态系统的影响;结合国际上对米草属入侵种的管理策略,讨论了我国米草属植物管理中的一些重要问题。     

Aboveground competition influences density‐dependent effects of cordgrass on sediment biogeochemistry

Interspecific interactions between plants influence plant phenotype, distribution, abundance, and community structure. Each of these can, in turn, impact sediment biogeochemistry. Although the population and community level impacts of these interactions have been extensively studied, less is known about their effect on sediment biogeochemistry. This is surprising given that many plants are categorized as foundation species that exert strong control on community structure. In southern California salt marshes, we used clipping experiments to manipulate aboveground neighbor presence to study interactions between two dominant plants, Pacific cordgrass (Spartina foliosa) and perennial pickleweed (Sarcocornia pacifica). We also measured how changes in cordgrass stem density influenced sediment biogeochemistry. Pickleweed suppressed cordgrass stem density but had no effect on aboveground biomass. For every cordgrass stem lost per square meter, porewater ammonium increased 0.3–1.0 µM. Thus, aboveground competition with pickleweed weakened the effects of cordgrass on sediment biogeochemistry. Predictions about plant–soil feedbacks, especially under future climate scenarios, will be improved when plant–plant interactions are considered, particularly those containing dominant and foundation species.     

Salt tolerance and osmotic adjustment of Spartina alterniflora (Poaceae) and the invasive M haplotype of Phragmites australis (Poaceae) along a salinity gradient

An invasive variety of Phragmites australis (Poaceae, common reed), the M haplotype, has been implicated in the spread of this species into North American salt marshes that are normally dominated by the salt marsh grass Spartina alterniflora (Poaceae, smooth cordgrass). In some European marshes, on the other hand, Spartina spp. derived from S. alterniflora have spread into brackish P. australis marshes. In both cases, the non-native grass is thought to degrade the habitat value of the marsh for wildlife, and it is important to understand the physiological processes that lead to these species replacements. We compared the growth, salt tolerance, and osmotic adjustment of M haplotype P. australis and S. alterniflora along a salinity gradient in greenhouse experiments. Spartina alterniflora produced new biomass up to 0.6 M NaCl, whereas P. australis did not grow well above 0.2 M NaCl. The greater salt tolerance of S. alterniflora compared with P. australis was due to its ability to use Na(+) for osmotic adjustment in the shoots. On the other hand, at low salinities P. australis produced more shoots per gram of rhizome tissue than did S. alterniflora. This study illustrates how ecophysiological differences can shift the competitive advantage from one species to another along a stress gradient. Phragmites australis is spreading into North American coastal marshes that are experiencing reduced salinities, while Spartina spp. are spreading into northern European brackish marshes that are experiencing increased salinities as land use patterns change on the two continents.     

Physical stress, not biotic interactions, preclude an invasive grass from establishing in forb-dominated salt marshes

Background

Biological invasions have become the focus of considerable concern and ecological research, yet the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors in controlling the invasibility of habitats to exotic species is not well understood. Spartina species are highly invasive plants in coastal wetlands; however, studies on the factors that control the success or failure of Spartina invasions across multiple habitat types are rare and inconclusive.

Methodology and Principal Findings

We examined the roles of physical stress and plant interactions in mediating the establishment of the smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, in a variety of coastal habitats in northern China. Field transplant experiments showed that cordgrass can invade mudflats and low estuarine marshes with low salinity and frequent flooding, but cannot survive in salt marshes and high estuarine marshes with hypersaline soils and infrequent flooding. The dominant native plant Suaeda salsa had neither competitive nor facilitative effects on cordgrass. A common garden experiment revealed that cordgrass performed significantly better when flooded every other day than when flooded weekly. These results suggest that physical stress rather than plant interactions limits cordgrass invasions in northern China.

Conclusions and Significance

We conclude that Spartina invasions are likely to be constrained to tidal flats and low estuarine marshes in the Yellow River Delta. Due to harsh physical conditions, salt marshes and high estuarine marshes are unlikely to be invaded. These findings have implications for understanding Spartina invasions in northern China and on other coasts with similar biotic and abiotic environments.     

The relative importance of sexual and asexual reproduction in the spread of Spartina alterniflora using a spatially explicit individual-based model

This study investigates a spatially explicit, individual-based model for simulating the spread of invasive smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) in Yancheng coastal wetlands from 1995 to 2010. The model, which considers the landscape heterogeneity and changes detected by remote sensing, also reveals the relative importance of sexual and asexual reproduction in the spread by global sensitivity analysis. The model was verified as suitable for simulating the range expansion of S. alterniflora. The results show that: (1) although seedling recruitment is low, it significantly contributes to the range expansion of S. alterniflora. Removing sexual propagation greatly reduces the expansion rate. Rapid expansion requires both sexual and asexual reproduction; (2) in the global sensitivity analysis, the most significant affecters of S. alterniflora invasion were seed dispersal distance, adult survival rate and asexual recruitment survival rate. Sexual propagation contributes much more significantly to quick range expansion than asexual reproduction, but asexual reproduction is the main source of recruitment. Invasion control strategies should target a single reproduction mode. Here, limiting the germination and dispersal of seeds is suggested as a realistic strategy for controlling and managing invasion by this species.     

Jump‐starting coastal wetland restoration: a comparison of marsh and mangrove foundation species

During coastal wetland restoration, foundation plant species are critical in creating habitat, modulating ecosystem functions, and supporting ecological communities. Following initial hydrologic restoration, foundation plant species can help stabilize sediments and jump‐start ecosystem development. Different foundation species, however, have different traits and environmental tolerances. To understand how these traits and tolerances impact restoration trajectories, there is a need for comparative studies among foundation species. In subtropical and tropical climates, coastal wetland restoration practitioners can sometimes choose between salt marsh and/or mangrove foundation species. Here, we compared the early life history traits and environmental tolerances of two foundation species: (1) a salt marsh grass (Spartina alterniflora) and (2) a mangrove tree (Avicennia germinans). In an 18‐month study of a recently restored coastal wetland in southeastern Louisiana (USA), we examined growth and survival along an elevation gradient and compared expansion and recruitment rates. We found that the rapid growth, expansion, and recruitment rates of the salt marsh grass make it a better species for quickly establishing ecological structure at suitable elevations. The slower growth, limited expansion, and lower recruitment of the mangrove species show its restricted capacity for immediate structural restoration, especially in areas where it co‐occurs with perennial salt marsh species. Our findings suggest that the structural attributes needed in recently restored areas can be achieved sooner using fast‐growing foundation species. Following salt marsh grass establishment, mangroves can then be used to further assist ecosystem development. This work highlights how appropriate foundation species can help jump‐start ecosystem development to meet restoration objectives.     

Polycross Seed of Genetically Diverse Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) for Erosion Control and Habitat Restoration

Although seed‐based planting is common in crop systems, it is relatively a new concept in coastal erosion control and habitat restoration. This paper discusses the potential use of seed‐based revegetation to accommodate large‐scale erosion control using a highly diverse population of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) from controlled polycross to attain desirable genetic diversity suitable for habitat restoration. Seed‐based restoration provides a more versatile alternative approach to the current clonal revegetation technique in many regions, including the Gulf Coast of the United States. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe seed production and cultural aspects of the polycross population and (2) discuss the potential use of polycross seeds for direct seeding applications and other innovative restoration approaches using seed‐derived planting materials. The polycross population was produced using 15 genetically diverse and high‐seed producing smooth cordgrass lines selected from native populations. The average seed set of the polycross population was 58.5 ± 6.3% with an average germination rate of 82.2 ± 9%. As comparison, Vermilion, the only available smooth cordgrass cultivar, has a seed set of 20.6 ± 5% and a germination rate of 35 ± 8%. The average yield of S. alterniflora seed from the polycross population was 277.5 kg/ha, which is equivalent to approximately 26 million viable seeds. Seed can be stored in 100% humidity at a temperature of 2 ± 1°C for 6–9 months.     

崇明东滩自然保护区盐沼植被的时空动态

盐沼植被是滩涂湿地的重要组成部分,其动态变化直接影响着湿地的生态服务功能和价值。通过对1998~2005年间4景不同时相的LandsatTM遥感影像的解译分析,结合历史资料数据和近年来的现场调查,分析了崇明东滩鸟类自然保护区自建立以来,盐沼植被的时空演替动态过程。结果显示,随着滩涂的淤涨,东滩盐沼植被的面积从1998年的2478.32hm2增加到2005年的4687.74hm2,而互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)自人为引入至2005年,其面积已增加到1283.4hm2,其增加速率显著高于土著种芦苇(Phragmites australis)和海三棱藨草(Scirpus mariqueter),并且已在东滩保护区相当区域内形成单优势种群落。受1998年和2001年两次高滩围垦和互花米草入侵影响,崇明东滩的芦苇群落面积大大减少,虽随着滩涂的淤涨,芦苇群落的面积逐年有所增加,但增加的速度缓慢。互花米草有着更广的生态幅和竞争优势,是滩涂中扩散最快的植被,而淤涨型滩涂为其提供了可扩张的空生态位,如不加以控制和治理,其快速扩散将会对崇明东滩保护区的生态系统造成更大的威胁和影响。