高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度对青藏高原高寒草甸群落植物生态位的影响

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)有效洞穴密度扩增会引起高寒草甸植物群落组分的变化。采用野外调查方法研究了高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度对青藏高原高寒草甸群落植物生态位的影响。结果表明:随高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度增加,样方内植物种数逐渐增多,但主要是毒杂草,有效洞穴密度超过15个/625m2时豆科植物出现。优势种高山嵩草(Kobresia pygmaea)的重要值随有效洞穴密度增加呈单峰曲线,峰值出现在15个/625m2。有效洞穴密度低于或等于21个/625m2时,优势种高山嵩草生态位宽度位居第一,但有效洞穴密度达31个/625m2时,其生态位宽度降至并列第三,低于小米草(Euphrasia pectinata)和钝裂银莲花(Anemone obtusiloba),等同于小花草玉梅(Anemone rivularis)和乳浆大戟(Euphorbia esula)。有效洞穴密度分别为10个/625m2,15个/625m2,21个/625m2,31个/625m2时,与高山嵩草生态位重叠度最大的物种分别为莓叶委陵菜(Potentilla fragarioides)、圆叶筋骨草(Ajuga ovalifolia)、乳浆大戟、条叶垂头菊(Cremanthodium lineare)。有效洞穴密度为10个/625m2时,高山嵩草是群落内种群间竞争最激烈的一方,但有效洞穴密度超过或等于15个/625m2时,高山嵩草则退出了种群间竞争最激烈的双方。说明高原鼠兔有效密度增加严重影响了高寒草甸群落组分、重要值、生态位宽度和生态位重叠值。     

Effect of available burrow densities of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) on soil physicochemical property of the bare land and vegetation land in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

The available burrow densities of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) regulate the soil physicochemical property in alpine meadow. A field survey was conducted to investigate the effect of available burrow densities of plateau pika on soil physicochemical property of bare land (bare patch produced by burrowing behavior of plateau pika) and vegetation land (land covered with vegetation). This study indicated that the increase in available burrow of plateau pika caused the soil water content at 0–10 cm layer of bare land and that at 10–20 cm of vegetation land to reduce, and caused the soil water content at 10– 20 cm layer of bare land and that at 0–10 cm layer of vegetation land to firstly increase and then decline. In the increasing process of available burrow of plateau pika, the soil silt content firstly increased and then decreased, and soil sand content firstly decreased and then increased. With the increase of available burrow of plateau pika, the soil porosity at 0–10 cm layer of bare land and that at 10–20 cm layer of vegetation land decreased, while the soil porosity at 10–20 cm layer of bare land and that at 0–10 cm of vegetation land firstly increased and then decreased. Soil pH value, soil organic matter, total nitrogen and total phosphorus content firstly increased and then decreased, peaking at 14 available burrows per 625 m², while total soil potassium content did not respond to available burrow densities of plateau pika. This study suggested that the proper available burrows existing in the alpine meadow increased soil permeability, accelerated soil moisture to penetrate deeply, increased the proportion of soil silt, and improved the soil nutrient; however, this beneficial effect was strongly influenced by the available burrow density of plateau pika, implying that plateau pika did not benefit soil structure when its available burrow was over 34 number/625 m².     

高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度对高山嵩草群落及其主要种群空间分布特征的影响

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)有效洞穴密度变化会引发高山嵩草(Kobresia pygmaea)草甸植物群落及其种群分布格局发生变化。采用野外调查法研究了高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度对高山嵩草群落特征及其主要种群分布格局的影响。结果表明:随高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度增加,高山嵩草草甸植物群落的优势种没发生明显变化,部分伴生种发生更替;高度、盖度、多样性指数和均匀度指数呈现降低态势;地上生物量和丰富度指数变化不明显;高山嵩草和矮火绒草(Leontopodium nanum)种群的盖度、密度以及生物量均呈现降低态势,而达乌里秦艽(Gentiana dahurica)和小花草玉梅(Anemone rivularis var.flore-minors)种群的盖度、密度和生物量呈增加趋势。高山嵩草和矮火绒草的种群分布格局从8个/625m2和14个/625m2的聚集分布分别变为34个/625m2时的均匀分布和随机分布,达乌里秦艽和小花草玉梅种群从8个/625m2和14个/625m2的随机分布变为23个/625m2和34个/625m2时的聚集分布,这说明高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度变化改变了高山嵩草群落的特征和主要植物种群的空间分布格局,而对应群落特征和种群分布格局改变的有效洞穴密度为14个/625m2和23个/625m2。     

高原鼠兔干扰对高寒草甸植物多样性与土壤养分间关系的影响

高原鼠兔干扰虽然能够改变高寒草甸植物多样性与土壤养分含量,但植物多样性与土壤养分间的关系对高原鼠兔干扰的响应尚不清晰。利用高原鼠兔有效洞口密度将高原鼠兔干扰程度划分为T_1(7个/625 m~2)、T_2(12个/625 m~2)、T_3(22个/625m~2)、T_4(38个/625 m~2)4个水平,运用RDA冗余分析法研究了高原鼠兔不同干扰程度下高寒草甸植物多样性与土壤养分间的关系。结果表明:随着高原鼠兔干扰水平的增加,优势种高山嵩草(Kobresia pygmaea)的重要值先增加后降低,而伴生种小花草玉梅(Anemone rivularis var.flore-minors)和莓叶委陵菜(Potentilla fragarioides)的重要值先降低后增加;当高原鼠兔干扰水平从T_1到T_2时植物多样性指数变化不显著,而高原鼠兔干扰程度超过T_2时则植物多样性指数具有降低趋势;土壤全氮和硝态氮含量随高原鼠兔干扰水平增加而降低,而土壤铵态氮含量则降低后增加,土壤有机碳和全磷先增加后降低;多样性指数与0—10cm土壤深度硝态氮、10—20cm土壤深度全钾间的相关性从T_1到T_3时为正相关,而到T_4时则变为负相关,而与0—10cm土壤深度全氮的相关性则表现T_1到T_3时为负相关,T_4时为正相关,与铵态氮间相关性只有T_1时为负相关,这说明高原鼠兔干扰改变了植物多样性与土壤养分间的关系,其变化阈值介于T_2和T_3。     

高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度对高寒草甸优势植物叶片和土壤氮磷化学计量特征的影响

采用有效洞穴密度代替高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)活动强度的方法,研究了高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度(10、15、21和31个/625 m~2)对高寒草甸优势植物高山嵩草(Kobresiapygmaea)、垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)、小花草玉梅(Anemone rivularis)叶片和土壤氮(N)磷(P)化学计量特征的影响。结果表明,3种优势植物叶片N含量随有效洞穴密度增加而显著增加(P0.05),但叶片P含量却出现分异,表现为高山嵩草和垂穗披碱草叶片P含量随有效洞穴密度增加而先增加后降低(P0.05),小花草玉梅叶片P含量逐渐增加(P0.05);高山嵩草叶片N:P随有效洞穴密度增加先降低后增加(P0.05),垂穗披碱草叶片N:P逐渐增加,小花草玉梅叶片N:P则先增加后降低。土壤0-10 cm和10-20 cm土层N含量随有效洞穴密度增加无明显变化;0—10cm土层P含量随有效洞穴密度增加先降低后增加,10—20 cm土层P含量逐渐降低;0—10 cm土层N:P随有效洞穴密度增加元明显变化,而10-20 cm土层N:P则逐渐增加。优势植物叶片N、P、N:P与土壤N、P、N:P的相关性受植物根系分布特征和生存微环境的约束。     

Effects of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) on net ecosystem carbon exchange of grassland in the Three Rivers Headwaters region, Qinghai-Tibet, China

Background and aim

Because the indigenous burrowing lagomorph plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is considered to have negative ecological impacts on alpine meadow steppe grasslands of the Headwaters Region of the Yellow, Yangtze and Mekong Rivers we investigated its effects on ecosystem productivity and soil properties, and especially net ecosystem carbon flux.

Methods

We measured net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) and its components gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) at peak aboveground biomass by the chamber method with reference to plant and soil characteristics of areas of alpine meadow steppe with different densities of pika burrows.

Results

Higher burrow density decreased NEE, GEP and ER. Above-ground biomass, species number, plant cover and leaf area index decreased with increasing pika density. Higher burrow density was associated with lower soil moisture and higher soil temperature. Responses of NEE were related to changes of abiotic and biotic factors affecting its two components. NEE was positively related to soil moisture, soil ammonium nitrogen, plant cover, leaf area index and above-ground biomass but was negatively correlated with higher soil nitrate nitrogen.

Conclusion

Decrease of NEE by plateau pika may reduce the carbon sink balance of Qinghai-Tibet plateau grassland. Such effects may be influenced by grazing pressure from domestic livestock, population levels of natural predators, and climate change.     

The density of active burrows of plateau pika in relation to biomass allocation in the alpine meadow ecosystems of the Tibetan Plateau

Understanding the relationships between plateau pika population and plants biomass is essential for improving small herbivores management in alpine meadow ecosystems. Four degrees of active burrow densities were classified to evaluate pika populations and biomass allocation interactions. Our results showed that plant composition, overall vegetation height and cover, dominant species were significantly different among four sites. Additionally, plant functional groups, above ground, below ground and total biomass, root:shoot ratios and the living roots proportion were the greatest at the zero-density site, and those at the medium-density site were the lowest. We postulate that pika activities may not be the cause of the differences, but a symptom of grassland degradation. Further, pika population fluctuations should be monitored, and when the population exceeds the economic threshold of low-density (110 pikas or/and 512 active burrows ha⁻¹) or reaches high-density (200 pikas or/and 1360 active burrows ha⁻¹), integrated management strategies should be implemented to protect damage.     

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。     

高原鼠兔对垂穗披碱草及豆科植物生长特性的影响

高原鼠兔通过取食对高寒草甸产生广泛的影响,从而影响高寒草甸植物的个体生长特征。2012年在青海省果洛州矮嵩草草甸,以高原鼠兔喜食植物(豆科和垂穗披碱草)为研究对象,通过小区控制研究高原鼠兔取食（对照组、低密度处理组、中密度处理组、高密度处理组）对植物个体生长特征的影响。研究显示：在实验前期（5月和6月）,喜食植物个体特征基本上无明显规律;在实验后期（7月和8月）,随着高原鼠兔取食强度增大,高原鼠兔喜食植物的地上生物量、平均高度、分蘖枝数、分蘖枝长度、丛幅均呈下降趋势;叶片长度和叶片数均呈先上升后下降态势。2.高原鼠兔喜食植物个体特征的增长率对照组显著高于高密度处理组（P<0.05）。以上结果表明(1)高寒草甸豆类植物在其生长后期与高原鼠兔的取食强度呈一定的负相关关系;高原鼠兔取食强度在阈值（中、低密度）内有利于垂穗披碱草的生长,但超过其阈值的取食强度不利于其生长。(2)高原鼠兔高强度的取食对其喜食植物个体的生长率有明显的抑制作用。     

Effects of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) on alpine meadow phytocoenosium and analysis of the strategy it uses to expand habitat

High-density plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) disturbance is one of the main causes of alpine meadow degradation. The response of phytocoenosium to the disturbance of plateau pika may reflect its habitat expanding strategy. We used quadrat sampling method to investigate vegetation height, coverage, and aboveground biomass of non-pika area (NA), transition area (TA), and pika-active area (AA) distributed continuously in alpine meadow located in Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous County of Qinghai Province in 2011 and 2012. The results showed that, from NA to AA (i) vegetation coverage, height, and above-ground biomass decreased (P < 0.01). (ii) While the number of plant species decreased from 41 to 30, and species diversity decreased significantly (P < 0.05), evenness of the alpine meadow showed no significant variations. (iii) Dominant species changed from grasses to weeds. (iv) While plants in TA showed no obvious difference in height between 2011 and 2012, coverage reduced significantly (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that (i) plateau pikas disturbance on alpine meadow will change plant community structure and composition, directly leading to degeneration of alpine meadow. Additionally, (ii) plateau pikas expand their habitat by altering plant coverage firstly.     

不同类型高寒草地群落结构与生产对施氮的响应及其敏感性

大气氮沉降增加被认为是目前重要的环境问题,会引起生物多样性的丧失和生态系统稳定性的降低。但作为草地改良的管理措施,养分添加被广泛应用于退化草地的恢复。但由于不同类型草地所处气候与群落组成的差异,对氮输入的响应可能不同。通过在藏北高原高寒草甸与高寒草甸草原设定长期氮添加梯度试验(对照, 25, 50, 100, 200 kg N hm^-2 a^-1),来探讨氮输入对生物多样性与生产的影响,并估算不同类型高寒草地的氮饱和阈值。施氮对高寒草甸物种多样性指数无影响,而随着施氮量的提高高寒草甸草原植物物种数和多样性指数均逐渐降低。开始施肥前两年,随着施氮量提高高寒草甸地上生物量呈现逐渐增加趋势,随着施肥时间的延长地上生物量呈现先增加后降低的趋势。在高寒草甸草原随着施氮量提高地上生物量均呈现先增加后降低的趋势。随着施氮量提高,开始施氮前三年高寒草甸禾草植物地上生物量逐渐提高;随着施氮时间的延长,禾草和豆科植物地上生物量呈现先增加后降低的趋势。高寒草甸莎草植物地上生物量由施氮开始时的逐渐增加转变为先增加后降低趋势,最后变为逐渐降低的趋势,这说明施氮不利于莎草...     

Characterization of the spatial distribution of plateau pika burrows along an alpine grassland degradation gradient on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Plateau pika burrows are common feature of degraded grassland in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) and serve as an important indicator of pika activity and grassland degradation. However, the current understanding of the spatial pattern changes of pika burrows and their critical thresholds across a degradation gradient in alpine grassland is deficient. In this study, we investigated and quantified changes in the spatial pattern of plateau pika burrows under typical degraded alpine shrub meadows in the northeastern QTP using an unmanned aerial vehicle and landscape pattern metrics. The degradation of the alpine shrub meadow leads to a change in landscape pattern from a two‐layered structure of alpine shrub and alpine meadow to a mosaic of alpine meadow and bare soil, with plateau pika burrows scattered throughout. Moderate degradation is the tipping point for changes in surface landscape patterns, followed by the disappearance of alpine shrub, the retreat of alpine meadows and the encroachment of bare soil, and the increasing density and size of pika burrows. The area characteristics of alpine meadows have influenced changes in the spatial pattern of pika burrow, and maintaining its proportional area is a vital measure to control the threat of pika burrows to pastures. The results of this paper provide a methodological reference and guidance for the sustainable utilization of grassland on the QTP.     

放牧条件下高原鼠兔扰动对高寒草甸植物群落特征的影响

在高寒草甸生态系统中,大型草食动物放牧是重要的管理方式之一,对草地生物多样性起着关键的驱动作用。高原鼠兔是高寒草甸生态系统中生物多样性的重要组成成分,对生态系统的食物网结构以及其功能与稳定性起着关键作用。探明放牧条件下高原鼠兔扰动对高寒草甸的影响,对于高寒草甸建立合理的放牧提供理论依据,为鼠害的防治提供科学依据有一定的现实意义。2017年5—9月在青海省海北州祁连县矮嵩草草甸,以高原鼠兔为研究对象,通过小区控制研究放牧条件下高原鼠兔扰动对高寒草甸植物功能群植物特征的影响。结果显示高原鼠兔扰动降低了除杂类草以外的各植物功能群的高度;同时显著降低了禾本科、豆科功能群盖度及总盖度,而杂类草功能群的盖度有增加的趋势。另外,我们的结果也发现高原鼠兔扰动对各植物功能群生物量和重要值的影响不显著。该研究表明放牧条件下高原鼠兔扰动在一定程度上对杂草群落特征具有积极的作用,对其它功能群的群落特征具有抑制作用。     

青藏高原多年冻土区不同水分条件的高寒草甸根系功能性状对增温的响应

在青藏高原多年冻土广泛分布的风火山地区,选择小嵩草（Kobresia pygmea）草甸和藏嵩草（Kobresia tibetica）沼泽化草甸为研究对象,采用开顶增温室（Open top chambers, OTCs）模拟气候变暖,探讨模拟增温对土壤水分差异的两种草甸地下生物量及根系功能性状的影响。结果显示,（1）增温显著增加小嵩草草甸0—20 cm根系生物量,主要是由于表层（0—10 cm）根系生物量显著增加,而对藏嵩草沼泽化草甸根系生物量无影响。（2）增温显著增加了小嵩草草甸根组织密度,同时提高了藏嵩草沼泽化草甸10—20 cm的比根长和比根面积（3）增温降低了小嵩草草甸的根系碳含量及10—20 cm根系氮含量,增加了藏嵩草沼泽化草甸的碳含量及10—20 cm根系氮含量,显著提高了小嵩草草甸和藏嵩草沼泽化草甸深层（10—20 cm）根系碳氮比。这些结果预示着增温使得土壤水分较低的小嵩草草甸朝着资源保守的慢速生长型发展,以适应暖干化的环境;土壤水分较高的藏嵩草沼泽化草甸朝着资源获取的快速生长型发展,加速利用土壤中的养分满足植物生长需要。可见,土壤水分可以调节高寒草甸对气候变暖的演变趋势,强调了水分的重要性。     

Changes in plant biomass and species composition of alpine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kobresia</Emphasis> meadows along altitudinal gradient on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Alpine Kobresia meadows are major vegetation types on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. There is growing concern over their relationships among biodiversity, productivity and environments. Despite the importance of species composition, species richness, the type of different growth forms, and plant biomass structure for Kobresia meadow ecosystems, few studies have been focused on the relationship between biomass and environmental gradient in the Kobresia meadow plant communities, particularly in relation to soil moisture and edaphic gradients. We measured the plant species composition, herbaceous litter, aboveground and belowground biomass in three Kobresia meadow plant communities in Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station from 2001 to 2004. Community differences in plant species composition were reflected in biomass distribution. The total biomass showed a decrease from 13196.96±719.69 g/m2 in the sedge-dominated K. tibetica swamp to 2869.58±147.52 g/m2 in the forb and sedge dominated K. pygmaea meadow, and to 2153.08±141.95 g/m2 in the forbs and grasses dominated K. humilis along with the increase of altitude. The vertical distribution of belowground biomass is distinct in the three meadow communities, and the belowground biomass at the depth of 0-10 cm in K. tibetica swamp meadow was significantly higher than that in K. humilis and K. pygmaea meadows (P＜0.01). The herbaceous litter in K. tibetica swamp was significantly higher than those in K. pygnaeca and K. humilis meadows. The effects of plant litter are enhanced when ground water and soil moisture levels are raised. The relative importance of litter and vegetation may vary with soil water availability. In the K. tibetica swamp, total biomass was negatively correlated to species richness (P＜0.05); aboveground biomass was positively correlated to soil organic matter, soil moisture, and plant cover (P＜0.05); belowground biomass was positively correlated with soil moisture (P＜0.05). However, in the K. pygnaeca and K. humilis meadow communities, aboveground biomass was positively correlated to soil organic matter and soil total nitrogen (P＜0.05). This suggests that the distribution of biomass coincided with soil moisture and edaphic gradient in alpine meadows.     

A water-centred framework to assess the effects of salinity on the growth and yield of wheat and barley

We conducted a field experiment in two alpine meadows to investigate the short-term effects of nitrogen enrichment and plant litter biomass on plant species richness, the percent cover of functional groups, soil microbial biomass, and enzyme activity in two alpine meadow communities. The addition of nitrogen fertilizer to experimental plots over two growing seasons increased plant production, as indicated by increases in both the living plant biomass and litter biomass in the Kobresia humilis meadow community. In contrast, fertilization had no significant effect on the amounts of living biomass and litter biomass in the K. tibetica meadow. The litter treatment results indicate that litter removal significantly increased the living biomass and decreased the litter biomass in the K. humilis meadow; however, litter-removal and litter-intact treatments had no impact on the amounts of living biomass and litter biomass in the K. tibetica meadow. Litter production depended on the degree of grass cover and was also influenced by nitrogen enrichment. The increase in plant biomass reflects a strong positive effect of nitrogen enrichment and litter removal on grasses in the K. humilis meadow. Neither fertilization nor litter removal had any impact on the grass biomass in the K. tibetica meadow. Sedge biomass was not significantly affected by either nutrient enrichment or litter removal in either alpine meadow community. The plant species richness decreased in the K. humilis meadow following nitrogen addition. In the K. humilis meadow, microbial biomass C increased significantly in response to the nitrogen enrichment and litter removal treatments. Enzyme activities differed depending on the enzyme and the different alpine meadow communities; in general, enzyme activities were higher in the upper soil layers (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm) than in the lower soil layers (20–40 cm). The amounts of living plant biomass and plant litter biomass in response to the different treatments of the two alpine meadow communities affected the soil microbial biomass C, soil organic C, and soil fertility. These results suggest that the original soil conditions, plant community composition, and community productivity are very important in regulating plant community productivity and microbial biomass and activity.     

青藏高原东缘高寒草原有毒植物分布与高原鼠兔、高原鼢鼠的相关性

青藏高原高寒草原生态系统是我国特有的生态系统类型,由于受到人为破坏的影响,目前该地区草原生态系统功能退化,优良牧草减少,有毒植物蔓延。高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)和高原鼢鼠(Myospalax baileyi)是青藏高原东缘高寒草原中最重要的两种小型哺乳动物,其采食行为和挖掘洞穴的生活特性必然对生态系统产生影响,但其与有毒植物之间的互作关系尚未揭示。基于此,在甘肃省玛曲县河曲马场自然生长的高寒草原生态系统中开展了有毒植物的分布与高原鼠兔、高原鼢鼠之间的相关性研究。结果表明,该高寒草原生态系统中分布有毒植物27种,分属于菊科、豆科、毛茛科等11科。在此基础上,测定了该地区有毒植物的生物多样性指数、均匀度指数和丰富度指数,并探究了单位面积条件下有毒植物的分布特征与高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠种群密度之间的相关性,发现该地区高寒草原有毒植物的蔓延与高原鼠兔的密度之间存在密切的负相关关系(P0.05),而与高原鼢鼠的相关性不显著(P0.05)。     

Changes in plant biomass and species composition of alpine Kobresia meadows along altitudinal gradient on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Alpine Kobresia meadows are major vegetation types on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. There is growing concern over their relationships among biodiversity, productivity and environments. Despite the im-portance of species composition, species richness, the type of different growth forms, and plant bio-mass structure for Kobresia meadow ecosystems, few studies have been focused on the relationship between biomass and environmental gradient in the Kobresia meadow plant communities, particularly in relation to soil moisture and edaphic gradients. We measured the plant species composition, her-baceous litter, aboveground and belowground biomass in three Kobresia meadow plant communities in Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station from 2001 to 2004. Community differences in plant species composition were reflected in biomass distribution. The total biomass showed a de-crease from 13196.96±719.69 g/m2 in the sedge-dominated K. tibetica swamp to 2869.58±147.52 g/m2 in the forb and sedge dominated K. pygmaea meadow, and to 2153.08±141.95 g/m2 in the forbs and grasses dominated K. humilis along with the increase of altitude. The vertical distribution of below-ground biomass is distinct in the three meadow communities, and the belowground biomass at the depth of 0-10 cm in K. tibetica swamp meadow was significantly higher than that in K. humilis and K. pygmaea meadows (P<0.01). The herbaceous litter in K. tibetica swamp was significantly higher than those in K. pygnaeca and K. humilis meadows. The effects of plant litter are enhanced when ground water and soil moisture levels are raised. The relative importance of litter and vegetation may vary with soil water availability. In the K. tibetica swamp, total biomass was negatively correlated to species richness (P<0.05); aboveground biomass was positively correlated to soil organic matter, soil moisture, and plant cover (P<0.05); belowground biomass was positively correlated with soil moisture (P<0.05). However, in the K. pygnaeca and K. humilis meadow communities, aboveground biomass was posi-tively correlated to soil organic matter and soil total nitrogen (P<0.05). This suggests that the distribu-tion of biomass coincided with soil moisture and edaphic gradient in alpine meadows.     

青藏高原矮嵩草草甸地下和地上生物量分配格局及其与气象因子的关系

基于2006—2015年青海海北站10年生物量及气候因子监测数据,分析了青藏高原高寒矮嵩草草甸生物量的季节及年际动态,并探讨了气候因子对其影响。结果表明:(1)季节尺度上,高寒矮嵩草草甸地上生物量表现为单峰变化曲线,8月为其峰值点,为(345.72±27.01) g/m~2,代表了高寒草甸的地上净初级生产力。而地下根系的现存量变化较为复杂,其中5—7月呈现持续上升趋势,8月快速下降,之后9月份急剧,且各月份之间未达到显著水平(P0.05);年际尺度上,10年间高寒矮嵩草草甸地上生物量整体呈现波动增加趋势,2014年为其峰值点,达(437.12±32.01) g/m~2。地下生物量呈现波动性变化,变异较大,10年间平均值为(2566.99±138.11) g/m~2;(2)高寒草甸光合产物分配主要分布在地下,80%地下根系生物量分布于地表0—10 cm土层,且不同土层根系生物量占总地下生物量的比值在不同月份较为稳定。(3)气候因子中,大气相对湿度是影响高寒草甸地上生物量大小的主要因素;而气候因子对地下根系生物量的影响极为微弱。研究表明,高寒嵩草草甸对环境变化具有较高的自我调节能力,且高寒草甸的演化受制于人类干扰,而非气候变化。     

高原鼠兔种群恢复过程中的洞穴分布动态

高原鼠兔洞穴系统的恢复是其种群恢复的关键指标之一,洞穴分布的变化可以反映种群的动态。本研究于2014-2016年在青海省祁连县对2.79 hm2高寒草甸内高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)种群密度、洞穴密度和洞穴的相对位置进行跟踪观测。其中包括6个50m×50m 的灭鼠堵洞处理、6个30m×30m 的灭鼠处理和3个50m×50m的对照处理。分别采用平均最近邻指数和平均拥挤度指数分析洞穴系统中有效洞、弃洞、粪坑和嬉戏坑的分布模式及洞系表现面积,并对各参数进行描述性和相关性分析。结果显示：高原鼠兔种群密度恢复过程中（1）有效洞的空间格局由随机向离散分布转变,弃洞由随机向聚集分布转变,粪坑和嬉戏坑无明显变化趋势;有效洞和弃洞分布格局的恢复都朝向灭鼠前状态,但恢复的都不充分;（2）有效洞最近邻指数与其自身密度正相关;弃洞最邻近指数与其自身密度负相关;粪坑、嬉戏坑最近邻指数与其自身密度无显著相关性;其中,仅粪坑的分布最近邻指数与高原鼠兔种群密度呈显著负相关;（3）有效洞与粪坑、嬉戏坑表现面积的变化情况较为一致,与弃洞呈互补态势;洞系表现面积的变异性远小于洞穴密度。结果说明：（1）高原鼠兔洞穴分布格局和洞穴密度的恢复具有滞后性;（2）有效洞、弃洞的分布格局主要受洞穴密度的影响;（3）高原鼠兔种群的恢复过程中对洞系面积的需求优先于洞口数量。