氮肥添加对川西北高寒草甸植物群落根系动态的影响

该文以川西北高寒草甸为研究对象, 采用微根管法研究了不同施氮(N)水平下高寒草甸植物群落根系现存量、生产量、死亡量和周转率的变化及其与土壤理化性质的相互关系。结果表明: N添加显著增加了土壤速效氮(AN)含量, 降低了土壤pH值, 但是对土壤有机质(SOM)和全氮(TN)含量无显著影响。在0-10 cm土层, 平均根系现存量和累积根系生产量无显著变化, 累积根系死亡量在N10处理下显著降低了206.1 g·m ^-2, 根系周转率在N30处理下显著提高了17%; 在10-20 cm土层, N添加处理的平均根系现存量和累积根系生产量分别显著降低了195.3和142.3 g·m ^-2 (N10)、235.8和212.1 g·m ^-2 (N20)、198.0和204.4 g·m ^-2 (N30), 累积根系死亡量和周转率无显著变化。此外, 累积根系生产量、死亡量和周转率与AN含量相关性较大, 而平均根系现存量与SOM、AN和TN含量相关性较大。综上所述, N添加对高寒草甸的影响主要通过改变土壤可利用N含量, 进而影响根系的动态特征、空间分布格局和周转以及碳分配特征。     

Responses of ecosystem carbon exchange to multi-level water addition in an alpine meadow in Namtso of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,China

高寒草甸是青藏高原的主要草地类型, 对青藏高原生态系统碳收支具有重要的调节作用。目前, 有关高寒草甸生态系统碳交换对气候变化的响应所知甚少, 尤其是降水变化会如何影响高寒草甸碳交换过程的相关研究非常匮乏。该文作者于2013和2014年的生长季(5-9月)在青藏高原纳木错地区高寒草甸进行多梯度人工增水实验, 设置对照和5个水分添加梯度, 分别增加0%、20%、40%、60%、80%和100%的降水, 以研究高寒草甸生态系统在不同降水量条件下的碳交换变化。增水处理后, 各处理梯度之间的土壤温度没有显著差异, 而土壤含水量在不同增水处理后出现显著变化, 相对于对照, 增水幅度越大, 对应的土壤含水量越高。综合2013和2014年的观测结果, 高寒草甸生态系统整体表现为碳吸收, 在20%增水处理中, 净生态系统碳交换(NEE)达到最大值, 随着模拟的降水梯度进一步增加, NEE逐渐下降; 增水处理对生态系统呼吸(ER)无显著影响; 总生态系统生产力(GEP)的变化趋势与NEE一致, 即随着增水梯度增大, GEP先增加, 并在增水20%处理达到最大值, 随后GEP开始降低。研究表明, 在高寒草甸生态系统, 水分是影响GEP和NEE的重要因素, 对ER影响较弱; 未来适度的增水(20%-40%)能促进高寒草甸生态系统对碳的吸收。     

Linking flowering and reproductive allocation in response to nitrogen addition in an alpine meadow

Aims Plants can change in phenology and biomass allocation in response to environmental change. It has been demonstrated that nitrogen is the most limiting resource for plants in many terrestrial ecosystems. Previous studies have usually focused on either flowering phenology or biomass allocation of plants in response to nitrogen addition; however, attempts to link flowering phenology and biomass allocation are still rare. In this study, we tested the effects of nitrogen addition on both flowering phenology and reproductive allocation in 34 common species. We also examined the potential linkage between flowering time and reproductive allocation in response to nitrogen addition.Methods We conducted a 3-year nitrogen addition experiment in Tibetan alpine meadow. We measured first flowering date and the reproductive allocation for 34 common plant species in control, low and high nitrogen added plots, respectively. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine differences of first flowering date and reproductive allocation among treatments. The relationships between the change in species first flowering date and change in reproductive allocation in response to nitrogen addition were examined by calculating Pearson correlation coefficients.Important findings For most species, both first flowering date and reproductive allocation significantly responded to nitrogen addition. Nitrogen addition significantly delayed the first flowering date and reduced the reproductive allocation for all graminoid species, but accelerated flowering and increased reproductive allocation for most forb species. We found that changes in first flowering date significantly negatively correlated with the changes in reproductive allocation over species in response to nitrogen, which indicated a positive relationship between flowering response and plant performance in reproductive allocation. Species that advanced their flowering time with nitrogen addition increased their reproductive allocation, whereas those that delayed flowering time tended to decline in reproductive allocation with nitrogen addition. Our results suggest that species-specific switch from vegetative growth to reproductive growth could influence species performance.     

Hierarchical responses of plant stoichiometry to phosphorus addition in an alpine meadow community

为了探明氮(N)限制的植物群落中物种水平和功能群水平的碳(C)、N、磷(P)含量以及C:N:P对P添加的响应是否一致,明确P添加对群落物种构成改变的内在机制。以青藏高原高寒草甸为研究对象, 通过P添加试验, 研究了功能群水平和物种水平生态化学计量比对P添加的响应, 以及P添加对物种水平的优势度和功能群水平生物量的影响。结果表明: 在青藏高原高寒草甸连续5年添加P显著改变了植物的C、N、P含量以及C:N:P, 且在物种水平和功能群水平(不含典型物种)的响应规律基本一致。在禾本科、莎草科和杂类草功能群(不含典型物种)和相应物种水平上P添加对C含量影响不显著。P添加显著增加了禾本科、莎草科、豆科和杂类草4个功能群(不含典型物种)和相应物种水平的植物P含量, 降低了C:P和N:P。禾本科和莎草科的N含量和C:N对P添加在物种水平和功能群水平上(不含典型物种)的响应规律一致, 表现为N含量显著降低, C:N显著增加; P添加使豆科物种水平上N含量显著增加而C:N显著降低, 但在功能群水平上(不含典型物种)无显著作用; 杂类草的N含量和C:N对P添加在物种水平和功能群水平上(不含典型物种)的响应规律均不一致。在N限制的生境中添加P, 禾本科物种在群落中逐渐占据优势跟其增高的N、P利用效率相关, 而杂类草由于逐渐降低的N和P利用效率使其生物量在群落中所占的比重逐渐下降。     

Effects of N addition on ecological stoichiometric characteristics in six dominant plant species of alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,China

以青藏高原高寒草甸为研究对象, 通过人工氮肥添加试验, 研究6个群落优势种在不同施氮(N)水平下叶片碳(C)、N、磷(P)元素含量的变化以及生态化学计量学特征。结果表明: 自然条件下, 6个物种叶片N、P质量浓度存在显著的差异, 表现为: 黄花棘豆(Oxytropis ochrocephala)最高, 为24.5和2.51 g·kg^-1, 其叶片N含量低于而P含量高于我国其他草地的豆科植物; 其余5个物种叶片N、P质量浓度分别为11.5-18.1和1.49-1.72 g·kg^-1, 嵩草(Kobresia myosuroides)叶片N含量最低, 垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)叶片P含量最低, 与我国其他区域的研究结果相比, 其叶片N和P含量均低于我国其他草地非豆科植物。随氮素添加量的增大, 6种群落优势种叶片的C和P含量保持不变; 其他5种植物叶片N含量显著增加, 黄花棘豆叶片N含量保持不变。未添加氮肥时, 6种植物叶片N:P为7.3-11.2, 说明该区植物生长更多地受N限制。随N添加量的增加, 除黄花棘豆外, 其他5种植物叶片N:P大于16, 表现为植物生长受P限制。综合研究表明, 青藏草原高寒草甸植物叶片N含量较低, 植物受N影响显著, 但不同物种对N的添加反应不同, 豆科植物黄花棘豆叶片对N添加不敏感, 其他5个物种叶片全N含量随着N添加量的升高而增加, 该研究结果可为高寒草甸科学施肥提供理论依据。     

增温施氮对高寒草甸生产力及生物量分配的影响

在青藏高原高寒草甸区设置模拟增温和氮添加处理,研究长期增温与外源氮输入对高寒草甸群落生产及其分配的影响.结果表明:开顶箱增温装置造成小环境暖干化,即显著提高地表空气温度1.6℃,提高表层土壤温度1.4℃,降低土壤含水量4.7%.2012、2013和2014年不施氮处理下增温分别降低地上生物量61.5%、108.8%和77.1%,在高氮(40和80kg N·hm^-2·a^-1)处理下增温对群落地上生物量无显著影响,这说明增温的影响依赖于氮添加水平,且施氮补偿了增温导致的土壤氮损失.增温导致根冠比增加,2012、2013和2014年不施氮处理下增温分别增加根冠比98.6%、60.7%和97.8%.在不增温处理下,植物群落地上、地下生物量的变化率均表现出低氮(10、20 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1)促进、高氮抑制的趋势,达到饱和阈值时的氮添加剂量分别为56.0和55.5 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1;而在增温处理下,地上、地下生物量随施氮量增加呈线性增加趋势.这说明增温改变了高寒草甸生物量分配对外源氮输入的响应模式,增温导致的土壤无机氮含量变化是生物量分配模式改变的主要原因.由氮添加试验估算的高寒草甸氮饱和阈值表明,高寒草甸对氮输入的敏感性高于其他类型草地.     

藏北高寒草甸群落结构与物种组成对增温与施氮的响应

气候变暖和氮沉降增加作为全球环境问题,将严重影响陆地生态系统的结构与功能.研究发现,近几十年来青藏高原增温显著,其中冬季升温最明显.而已有的研究更多关注全年增温,对冬季增温研究较少.本文基于高寒草甸地区增温和氮素添加影响研究的不足,在青藏高原高寒草甸区开展模拟增温和氮添加试验,研究长期增温与氮添加对高寒草甸群落结构与物种组成的影响.试验布设于2010年7月,地点在西藏当雄高寒草甸区,共有3种增温方式:对照、全年增温、冬季增温;每种增温处理下设置5个氮素添加梯度:0、10、20、40、80 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1,系统研究气候变暖与氮添加对高寒草甸生态系统群落结构与物种组成的影响.结果表明: 2012—2014年,增温与施氮处理均显著影响群落总盖度:全年增温处理降低了群落总盖度;在不施氮处理下,冬季增温降低了群落盖度,但在施氮处理下,随着氮剂量的提高群落盖度逐渐升高.增温与施氮对不同功能群植物的影响不同,增温处理降低了禾草与莎草植物盖度,而施氮提高了禾草植物盖度.相关分析表明,植被群落总盖度与生长旺盛期土壤含水量呈正相关关系,推测在降雨较少的季节增温导致的土壤含水量降低是群落盖度降低的主要原因.半干旱区高寒草甸土壤水分主要受降雨的调控,未来气候变化情景下,降雨时空格局的改变会显著影响植被群落盖度及组成,且大气氮沉降的增加对植被群落的影响也依赖于降雨条件的变化.     

The interactive effects of nitrogen addition and increased precipitation on gross ecosystem productivity in an alpine meadow

氮水添加对高寒草甸生态系统生产力的影响 降水变化和大气氮沉降增加对草原生态系统碳交换具有重要的影响,进而影响草地生产力、群落组成和生态系统功能。然而,氮水添加对高寒草甸生态系统碳交换的影响目前尚不清楚。因此,本研究在青藏高原高寒草甸布设氮水添加试验,设置4种不同处理：对照、 加氮、加水和同时添加氮水,对生态系统碳交换过程进行了连续4年的原位观测。研究结果发现,氮添加可以增加总生态系统生产力(GEP)、植物地上生物量、群落盖度和群落加权平均高度(CWMh),而水分添加没有显著影响。生态系统碳交换对氮水添加的响应在干湿年存在显著差异。水分添加仅在干旱年对净生态系统碳交换(NEE)具有显著影响,原因是GEP的增加量大于生态系统呼吸(ER)。相反,氮添加仅在湿润年显著提高了生态系统碳交换,其中GEP的增加归因于NEE的增加量大于ER。结构方程结果表明,氮添加主要通过增加优势种的盖度从而提高NEE。本研究强调了降水和优势物种在调节高寒草甸生态系统响应环境变化中的重要作用。     

氮硅添加对青藏高原高寒草甸土壤氮矿化的影响

为了解全球气候变化背景下氮沉降对土壤氮矿化的影响及硅添加对土壤氮矿化的促进作用, 该试验设置不同浓度的氮肥单独添加(0、20、40、60 g·m ^-2, 分别为对照CK、N20、N40、N60)以及与硅肥配施(硅酸4 g·m ^-2, Si4), 测定不同处理下0-20、20-40、40-60 cm土层土壤硝态氮含量、铵态氮含量、净硝化速率、净氨化速率以及净矿化速率。结果显示: (1)单独添加氮肥, 各土层土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量均随处理浓度的增加而增加, 0-20 cm土层N20、N40、N60处理下土壤硝态氮和铵态氮分别较CK增加63.48%、126.04%、247.03%和80.66%、152.52%、244.56%; 随着土层深度增加, 土壤硝态氮、铵态氮含量均有下降, 20-40、40-60 cm土层较0-20 cm土层硝态氮含量分别平均减少53.90%、76.05%, 铵态氮含量分别平均减少48.62%、68.23%。(2)土壤净硝化速率、净氨化速率及净矿化速率随着氮肥浓度增加均呈上升趋势。相同氮肥添加浓度下, 土壤净硝化速率、净氨化速率和净矿化速率随着土层深度增加逐渐下降(除CK外)。(3)与单独添加氮肥比较, 氮硅肥配施, 土壤氮含量有显著提高, 在0-20 cm土层硝态氮和铵态氮较CK分别增加98.78%、192.62%、330.16%和99.96%、195.82%、306.32%, 20-40、40-60 cm土层也有类似趋势。同时, 氮硅配施促进了土壤氮矿化行为, 在0-20 cm土层, N60Si4处理下的土壤净硝化速率、净氨化速率较单独施氮时分别增加35.88%、27.41%。以上结果表明, 与单独氮肥添加相比, 氮硅配施不但能提高土壤氮含量, 而且能促进土壤氮的矿化作用, 对大气氮沉降有一定的缓解作用。     

Responses of soil respiration to reduced water table and nitrogen addition in an alpine wetland on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

近20年来, 青藏高原高寒湿地经历了明显的气候变化, 从而导致多数湿地水位下降和氮沉降的增加。对于湿地生态系统来说, 水位下降意味着土壤通气性能的改善, 可能会导致土壤呼吸的增加; 而氮沉降的增加可能会降低土壤微生物生物量和pH值, 从而可能抑制土壤呼吸。为此, 在青海海北高寒草地生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站利用中宇宙(Mesocosm)实验方法, 探讨了青藏高原高寒泥炭型湿地土壤呼吸对水位降低和氮添加的响应。结果表明: (1)水位降低显著增强了土壤呼吸, 而氮添加对土壤呼吸的影响依赖于水位的变化: 对照水位下, 氮添加显著抑制土壤呼吸; 而水位降低时, 氮添加对土壤呼吸速率无显著影响。(2)土壤呼吸速率与地上生物量、枯落物累积量之间呈显著正相关关系, 而与根系生物量无显著相关关系。(3)水位降低显著提高了土壤呼吸的温度敏感性, 而氮添加对其无显著的影响。因此预测: 随着氮沉降的升高, 高寒泥炭湿地土壤CO₂的排放量将会减少; 然而随着暖干化背景下水位的降低, 青藏高原高寒湿地会排放更多的CO₂。     

氮添加对高寒草甸土壤微生物呼吸及其温度敏感性的影响

土壤氮素的可利用性是控制土壤微生物呼吸的重要因素之一,大量研究已经表明增加土壤活性氮的含量可以降低微生物呼吸,但是土壤氮输入对土壤微生物呼吸温度敏感性的影响还不清楚。以青藏高原高寒草甸为研究对象,通过野外施氮试验和室内控制试验相结合的方式,在5℃、15℃和25℃条件下对3种施氮水平的土壤(对照,0g N m~(-2)a~(-1);低氮,5g N m~(-2)a~(-1);高氮,15g N m~(-2)a~(-1))进行培养,探讨土壤微生物呼吸及其温度敏感性对不同氮添加水平的响应情况。结果表明:(1)3个温度培养下的土壤微生物呼吸速率和累积碳释放量均随施氮量的增加而显著降低(P0.05);(2)氮添加对5℃和15℃培养条件下的微生物呼吸温度敏感性没有显著影响,但显著地增加了15℃和25℃培养条件下的微生物呼吸温度敏感性(P0.05);(3)线性相关分析表明,土壤累积碳释放量与土壤有机碳的难降解性显著负相关(P0.05),而15℃和25℃培养条件下的微生物呼吸温度敏感性与土壤有机碳的难降解性显著正相关(P0.05)。结果表明,在全球气候变暖的背景下,土壤氮输入将增加预测青藏高原高寒草甸地区土壤碳排放的不确定性。     

Effects of experimental warming on plant reproductive phenology in Xizang alpine meadow

Aims Climate warming strongly influences reproductive phenology of plants in alpine and arctic ecosystems. Here we focus on phenological shifts caused by warming in a typical alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Our objective was to explore phenological responses of alpine plant species to experimental warming. Methods Passive warming was achieved using open-top chambers (OTCs). The treatments included control (C), and four levels of warming (T1, T2, T3, T4). We selected Kobresia pygmaea, Potentilla saundersiana, Potentilla cuneata, Stipa purpurea, Festuca coelestis and Youngia simulatrix as the focal species. Plant phenology was scored every 3-5 days in the growing season. The reproductive phenology phases of each species were estimated through fitting the phenological scores to the Richards function. Important findings Under soil water stress caused by warming, most plants in the alpine meadow advanced or delayed their reproductive events. As a result, warming significantly delayed phenological development of K. pygmaea. Warming significantly advanced reproductive phenology of P. saundersiana, S. purpurea and F. coelestis, but not of P. cuneata and Y. simulatrix. In addition, warming significantly shortened the average flowering duration of alpine plant species. The potentially warmer and drier growing seasons under climate change may shift the reproductive phenology of the alpine systems in similar pattern.     

青藏高原高寒草甸植物群落生物量对氮、磷添加的响应

青藏高原正经历着明显的温暖化过程, 由此引起的土壤温度的升高促进了土壤中微生物的活性, 同时青藏高原东缘地区大气氮沉降十分明显, 并呈逐年增加的趋势, 这些环境变化均促使土壤中可利用营养元素增加, 因此深入了解青藏高原高寒草甸植物生物量对可利用营养元素增加的响应, 是准确预测未来全球变化背景下青藏高原高寒草甸碳循环过程的重要基础。该研究基于在青藏高原高寒草甸连续4年(2009-2012年)氮、磷添加后对不同功能群植物地上生物量、群落地上和地下生物量的测定, 探讨高寒草甸生态系统碳输入对氮、磷添加的响应。结果表明: (1)氮、磷添加均极显著增加了禾草的地上绝对生物量及其在群落总生物量中所占的比例, 同时均显著降低了杂类草在群落总生物量中的比例, 此外磷添加极显著降低了莎草地上绝对生物量及其在群落总生物量中所占的比例。(2)氮、磷添加均显著促进了青藏高原高寒草甸的地上生物量增加, 分别增加了24%和52%。(3)氮添加对高寒草甸地下生物量无显著影响, 而磷添加后地下生物量有增加的趋势。(4)氮添加对高寒草甸植物总生物量无显著影响, 而磷添加后植物总生物量显著增加。研究表明, 氮、磷添加可缓解青藏高原高寒草甸植物生长的营养限制, 促进植物地上部分的生长, 然而高寒草甸植物的生长极有可能更受土壤中可利用磷含量的限制。     

Interactive effects of soil warming and nitrogen addition on fine root production of Chinese fir seedlings

Aims There have been a large number of studies on the independent separate responses of fine roots to warming and nitrogen deposition, but with contradictory reporting. Fine root production plays a critical role in ecosystem carbon, nutrient and water cycling, yet how it responds to the interactive warming and nitrogen addition is not well understood. In the present study, we aimed to examine the interactive effects of soil warming and nitrogen addition on fine root growth of 1-year-old Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) seedlings in subtropical China.
Methods A mesocosm experiment, with a factorial design of soil warming (ambient, +5 °C) and nitrogen addition (ambient, ambient + 40 kg·hm^-2·a^-1, ambient + 80 kg·hm^-2·a^-1), was carried out in the Chenda State-owned Forest Farm in Sanming City, Fujian Province, China. Fine root production (indexed by the number of fine roots emerged per tube of one year) was measured biweekly using minirhizotrons from March of 2014 to February of 2015.
Important findings (1) The two-way ANOVA showed that soil warming had a significant effect on fine root production, while nitrogen addition and soil warming × nitrogen addition had no effect. (2) The three-way ANOVA (soil warming, nitrogen addition and diameter class) showed that soil warming, diameter class and soil warming × diameter class had significant effects on fine root production, especially for the number of fine roots in 0-1 mm diameter class that had been significantly increased by soil warming. Compared with the 1-2 mm roots, the 0-1 mm roots seemed more flexible. (3) Repeated measures of ANOVA (soil warming, nitrogen addition and season) showed that soil warming, season, soil warming × season, and soil warming × nitrogen addition × season had significant effects on fine root production. In spring, the number of fine roots was significantly increased both by soil warming and soil warming × season, while soil warming, nitrogen addition, soil warming × nitrogen addition significantly decreased fine root production in the summer. (4) Soil warming, soil layer, soil warming × soil layer had significant effects on fine root production. The number of in-growth fine roots was significantly increased by soil warming at the 20-30 cm depth only. It seemed that warming forced fine roots to grow deeper in the soil. In conclusion, soil warming significantly increased fine root production, but they had different responses and were dependent of different diameter classes, seasons and soil layers. Nitrogen addition had no effect on fine root production. Only in spring and summer, soil warming and nitrogen addition had significant interactive effects.     

Indirect effect of nitrogen enrichment modified invertebrate herbivory through altering plant community composition in an alpine meadow

Aims Nitrogen enrichment may affect ‘community invertebrate herbivory’ (hereafter ‘herbivory’) directly by changing plant species’ specific herbivory, or indirectly by altering the composition of natural plant communities. Here, we investigated how community composition altered the community herbivory in natural ecosystems and compared the relative importance of direct and indirect effects of nitrogen addition on community herbivory.     

高寒草甸植物群落不同根序根系特征对降雨量变化的响应

根系是草原生态系统中最重要的碳库之一,分析高寒草甸植物群落生物量和地下不同径级根系碳分配特征及根系的生长特征对降雨变化的响应,有利于了解全球变化背景下高寒草甸植物根系、土壤碳氮循环及其过程。采用微根管技术原位监测5种降雨处理下(增雨50%:1.5P、自然降雨:1.0P、减雨30%:0.7P、减雨50%:0.5P、减雨90%:0.1P)高寒草甸植物群落和根系属性(现存量、生产量、死亡量、根系寿命和周转速率)的变化特征,结果表明:(1)降雨变化对地上植物群落生物量无显著影响,但0.5P和0.1P显著增加禾本科生物量(P<0.05)。(2)总根系现存量在处理间无显著差异,但随着降雨量减少呈先增加后降低的趋势。土层间不同径级根系现存量差异显著,0-10 cm土层1.5P和0.7P1级根现存量显著增加,2级和3级根现存量显著降低;在10-20 cm土层,1.0P2级根系现存量显著高于其余处理(P<0.05)。(3)总根生产量与死亡量随降雨减少而降低,在0-10 cm土层,1.0P总根生产量和死亡量最高,0.1P显著降低了1级根生产量(P<0.05)。(4)0.1P显著增加10-20 cm土层1级根和总根寿命(P<0.05)。(5)根系周转随降雨量减少呈降低趋势,但无显著差异(P>0.05)。(6)结构方程模型进一步表明:根系现存量和生产量受土层和水分的直接影响,土层和养分对根系周转有负效应。综上所述,降雨量的变化并未显著改变地下总根系生物量,但少量降雨变化(0.7P、1.5P)会降低植物对2、3级根生物量的分配,投入更多资源以促进1级根的生长;而水分下降至轻度水分胁迫(0.1P),植物会减少地下各径级根系生物量的分配,保持低根系生物量消耗和低根系生长来维持其正常的生长状态,完成其正常的生态功能。     

Effects of experimental warming on net ecosystem CO2 exchange in Northern Xizang alpine meadow

AimsGlobal warming could have profound effects on ecosystem carbon (C) fluxes in alpine ecosystems. The aim of our study is to examine the effects of gradient warming on net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE).MethodsIn the Northern Tibetan Grassland Ecosystem Research Station (Nagqu station), Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, we conducted various levels of temperature increasing experiments (i.e., 2 °C and 4 °C increments). The warming was achieved using open-top chambers (OTCs). In total, there were three levels of temperature treatments (control, 2 °C and 4 °C increment), and four replicates for each treatment. The ecosystem NEE was monitored every five days during the growing season in 2015.Important findings Our findings highlight the importance of soil moisture in mediating the responses of NEE to climatic warming in alpine meadow ecosystem. The 4 °C warming significantly stimulated NEE,except for July measurements. The 2 °C warming had no effects on NEE during the growing season. Compared to the 2 °C warming, the 4 °C warming significantly stimulated NEE. The results showed that our targeted ecosystem acts as a carbon sink under 2 °C warming, whereas will act as a net carbon source under 4 °C warming in the future. This study provides basic data and theoretical basis for evaluating the alpine ecosystem’s responses to climate change.     

模拟增温对西藏高原高寒草甸土壤供氮潜力的影响

过去几十年青藏高原呈现显著的增温趋势,冬季增温幅度显著高于生长季的季节非对称特征。气候变暖会对生态系统氮素循环产生重要影响,但关于全年增温与冬季增温对高寒生态系统氮循环的不同影响仍缺乏研究。在青藏高原高寒草甸区开展模拟增温试验,研究季节非对称增温对高寒草甸生态系统氮循环的影响。该试验布设于2010年7月,设置3种处理(不增温、冬季增温与全年增温)。研究结果发现,开顶箱增温装置造成了小环境的暖干化:显著提高了地表空气温度和表层土壤温度,降低了表层土壤含水量。冬季增温会加剧土壤中氮素的流失,所以在经历了冬季增温后土壤氮含量显著降低;在生长季节,土壤氮素周转速率受土壤水分的调控,在降雨较少的季节,增温引起的土壤含水量降低会抑制土壤氮周转速率。对于土壤微生物量而言,高寒草甸土壤微生物量碳表现出明显的季节动态,在生长季旺盛期较低,在生长季末期和初冬季节反而较高,这说明为了降低对土壤养分的竞争,高寒草甸植物氮吸收与土壤微生物氮固持在时间上存在分离。研究结果表明,冬季增温导致的土壤养分含量变化会影响随后生长季植物群落的生产力、结构组成与碳氮循环等过程,对生态系统过程产生深远的影响。     

Effects of short-term nitrogen addition on fine root biomass,lifespan and morphology of Castanopsis platyacantha in a subtropical secondary evergreen broad-leaved forest

Aims Fine roots are the principal parts for plant nutrients acquisition and play an important role in the underground ecosystem. Increased nitrogen (N) deposition has changed the soil environment and thus has a potential influence on fine roots. The purpose of this study is to reveal the effect of N deposition on biomass, lifespan and morphology of fine root.Methods A field N addition experiment was conducted in a secondary broad-leaved forest in subtropical China from May 2013 to September 2015. Three levels of N treatments: CK (no N added), LN (5 g·m^-2·a^-1), and HN (15 g·m^-2·a^-1) were applied monthly. Responses of fine root biomass, lifespan, and morphology of Castanopsis platyacantha to N addition were analyzed by using a minirhizotron image system from April 2014 to September 2015. Surface soil sample (0-10 cm) was collected in November 2014 and soil pH value, and concentrations of NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^--N were measured.Important findings The biomass and average lifespan of the fine roots of C. platyacantha were 128.30 g·m^-3 and 113-186 days, respectively, in 0-45 cm soil layer. Nitrogen addition had no significant effect on either fine root biomass or lifespan in 0-45 cm soil layer. However, LN treatment significantly decreased C. platyacantha root superficial area in 0-15 cm soil layer. HN treatment significantly decreased soil pH value. Our study indicated that short-term N addition influences soil inorganic N concentration and thus decreased pH value in surface soil, and thereafter affect fine root morphology. Short-term N addition, however, did not affect the fine root biomass, lifespan and morphology in subsoil.     

长期氮添加对草甸草原生态系统氮库的影响

大气氮沉降增加深刻影响生态系统物种多样性、生产力及其稳定性,研究草原生态系统N库如何响应不断增加的大气氮沉降至关重要。本研究在内蒙古额尔古纳草甸草原开展刈割和不同水平外源氮添加试验,设置6个氮添加水平: 0、2、5、10、20和50 g·m^-2·a^-1,同时设置刈割处理,分为刈割和不刈割2个水平。在连续处理的第7年,采集群落中优势植物地上部分、群落根、地表凋落物和0～100 cm分层土壤样品,测定N含量并计算N库储量。结果表明: 氮添加显著增加植物地上部分和凋落物N含量,以及羊草、植物群落和凋落物的N库及生态系统N库总量。刈割处理显著增加羊草叶片和凋落物N含量,降低羊草、植物群落和凋落物N库,但并不改变它们对氮添加的响应格局。此外,刈割和氮添加对植物群落N库存在显著的交互作用。在不刈割处理下,高水平氮添加使更多的氮储存在凋落物中等待分解,植物群落N库的饱和阈值出现在10 g·m^-2·a^-1;在刈割处理下,植物群落N库表现为随氮添加量增加而不断增加,并且在相同水平氮添加条件下刈割后进入到植物群落N库中的氮更多。刈割可以缓解氮沉降不断增加对生物多样性和生态系统稳定性造成的不利影响,并可以在一定程度上推迟氮沉降增加引起的生态系统氮饱和的发生。