Herbaceous phytomass and nutrient concentrations of four grass species in Sudanian savanna woodland subjected to recurrent early fire

Fire is an integral ecological factor in African savanna ecosystems, but its effects on savanna productivity are highly variable and less understood. We conducted a field experiment to quantify changes in herbaceous phytomass and nutrient composition in a Sudanian savanna woodland subjected to annual early fire from 1993 to 2004. Fire effects were also assessed on two perennial and two annual grass species during the following growing season. Early fire significantly reduced above‐ground phytomass of the studied species (P = 0.03), their crude protein (P = 0.022), neutral detergent insoluble crude protein (P = 0.016) and concentrations of Ca, Fe and Mn (P < 0.05). Perennial grasses had higher above‐ground phytomass but lower total crude protein and fat than annual grasses. Nonstructural carbohydrates tended to be higher for annuals, while fibre and lignin contents were high for perennials. Except Na and Fe, the concentration of mineral elements varied between species. Fire did not affect measures of digestibility and metabolizable energy, but its effect differed significantly among species. In conclusion, the results illustrate that long‐term frequent fire will counterbalance the short‐term increase in soil fertility and plant nutrient concentrations claimed to be accrued from single or less frequent fire.     

Plant species diversity affects plant nutrient pools by affecting plant biomass and nutrient concentrations in high-nitrogen ecosystems

Plant species diversity affects plant nutrient pools, however, previous studies have not considered plant nutrient concentrations and biomass simultaneously. In this study, we conducted an experimental system with 90 microcosms simulating constructed wetlands (CWs). Four species were selected to set up a plant species richness gradient (1, 2, 3, 4 species) and fifteen species compositions. The plant biomass, plant N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations and pools were analyzed. Results showed that, (1) plant species richness increased plant biomass, and the presence of Oenanthe javanicae increased while the presence of Reineckia carnea decreased plant biomass; (2) plant species richness only increased plant K and Mg concentrations of the communities and plant Mg concentration of the species, and the presence of O. Javanica increased while the presence of R. Japonicus decreased plant N and P concentrations of the communities; (3) plant species richness increased plant N, P, K, Ca, and Mg pools, and the presence of O. Javanica increased while the presence of R. Carnea decreased plant N, P, K, Ca and Mg pools; (4) the four-species mixture produced more biomass and nutrient pools than the corresponding highest specific species monocultures. In case the plant uptake can remove nutrients from CWs through harvesting, the results suggest that both nutrient concentrations and biomass must be considered when evaluating the accumulation of nutrients. Assembling plant communities with high species richness (four species) or certain species (such as O. Javanica) is recommended to remove more nutrients from CWs through harvesting.     

不同环境条件下土壤微生物对模拟大气氮沉降的响应

研究了林内及林缘两个生境中,在有苔藓覆盖和无苔藓覆盖条件下,人工加氮对土壤理化性质及土壤微生物群落的影响。结果显示加氮使土壤pH下降,有效态氮和有效态磷的含量上升,但不同生境及有无苔藓植物覆盖在一定程度上影响土壤理化性质及其对加氮的反应。苔藓植物覆盖可以缓解加氮引起的土壤酸化及有效氮含量上升压力,促进有效态磷含量上升。不同生境中,土壤微生物对氮沉降的响应亦不同。低氮使林缘生境土壤微生物的胁迫程度减小,中高氮使其胁迫程度上升,而任何加氮均增加林内生境中土壤微生物的胁迫程度。两个生境中,苔藓植物覆盖均可以缓解过量氮沉降对土壤微生物造成的压力,降低过量氮沉降对土壤微生物的伤害,提高土壤微生物的代谢活性。     

Factors determining soil microbial biomass and nutrient immobilization in desert soils

We examined the 10-day response of soil microbial biomass-N to additions of carbon (dextrose) and nitrogen (NH₄NO₃) to water-amended soils in a factorial experiment in four plant communities of the Chihuahuan desert of New Mexico (U.S.A.). In each site, microbial biomass-N and soil carbohydrates increased and extractable soil N decreased in response to watering alone. Fertilization with N increased microbial biomass-N in grassland soils; whereas, fertilization with C increased microbial biomass-N and decreased extractable N and P in all communities dominated by shrubs, which have invaded large areas of grassland in the Chihuahuan desert during the last 100 years. Our results support the hypothesis that the control of soil microbial biomass shifts from N to C when the ratio of C to N decreases during desertification.     

土壤可溶性无机磷对微生物生物量磷测定的干扰

对于可溶性无机磷含量高于50mg/kg土的土壤,薰蒸处理前必须去除这部分磷,否则将严重干扰微生物量磷的测定,讨论了去除土壤中可溶性无机磷的方法。     

长期模拟升温对崇明东滩湿地土壤微生物生物量的影响

以崇明东滩芦苇湿地为对象,采用开顶室生长箱(Open top chambers OTCs)原位模拟大气升温试验,研究了连续升温8a对崇明东滩湿地0—40cm土层土壤微生物生物量碳氮含量的影响。结果表明:连续升温显著提高了崇明东滩湿地土壤微生物生物量碳氮含量,从土壤表层到深层(0—10,10—20,20—30,30—40cm),微生物生物量碳分别增加了39.32%、70.79%、65.20%、74.09%,微生物生物量氮分别增加了66.46%、178.27%、47.24%、64.11%。但升温对土壤微生物生物量的影响因不同土层和不同季节并未表现出统一的规律,长期模拟升温显著提高4月0—20cm土层和7月0—40cm土层微生物生物量碳氮含量,对10月0—40cm土层微生物生物量碳含量没有影响,但是显著提高了10月0—40cm土层微生物生物量氮含量,同时,微生物生物量碳氮比在7月也显著提高。相关分析表明:无论在升温条件还是在对照条件下,土壤温度、含水量、总氮与土壤微生物生物量碳氮及微生物生物量碳氮比均无相关关系,升温条件下,有机碳与微生物生物量碳氮含量以及微生物生物量碳氮比呈显著正相关,但是在对照条件下有机碳与微生物生物量碳氮含量以及微生物生物量碳氮比呈显著负相关。因此,土壤有机碳是影响土壤微生物生物量碳氮含量对长期模拟升温响应的重要生态因子。     

Changes in soil microbial biomass and community structure with addition of contrasting types of plant litter in a semiarid grassland ecosystem

Aims Elevated atmospheric CO₂ has the potential to enhance the net primary productivity of terrestrial ecosystems. However, the role of soil microorganisms on soil C cycling following this increased available C remains ambiguous. This study was conducted to determine how quality and quantity of plant litter inputs would affect soil microorganisms and consequently C turnover.Methods Soil microbial biomass and community structure, bacterial community-level physiological profile, and CO₂ emission caused by different substrate C decomposition were investigated using techniques of biological measurements, chemical and stable C isotope analysis, and BIOLOG-ECO microplates in a semiarid grassland ecosystem of northern China in 2006 and 2007 by mixing three contrasting types of plant materials, C₃ shoot litter (SC 3), C₃ root litter (RC 3), and C₄ shoot litter (SC 4), into the 10- to 20-cm soil layer at rates equivalent to 0 (C 0), 60 (C 60), 120 (C 120) and 240 g C m ?2 (C 240).Important findings Litter addition significantly enriched soil microbial biomass C and N and resulted in changes in microbial structure. Principal component analysis of microbial structure clearly differentiated among zero addition, C₃ -plant-derived litter, and C₄ -plant-derived litter and among shoot- and root-derived litter of C₃ plants; soil microorganisms mainly utilized carbohydrates without litter addition, carboxylic acids with C₃ -plant-derived litter addition and amino acids with C₄ -plant-derived litter addition. We also detected stimulated decomposition of older substrate with C₄ -plant-derived litter inputs. Our results show that both quality and quantity of belowground litter are involved in affecting soil microbial community structure in semiarid grassland ecosystem.     

暖温带森林土壤微生物量、群落结构和活性对植物地下碳源的响应

该研究以典型的亚热带—温带过渡区森林为对象,采用野外过程监测和控制试验相结合的方法,利用磷脂脂肪酸和土壤胞外酶活性分别表征土壤微生物群落结构和活性,并结合微环境因子,重点探究土壤微生物生物量、群落结构和活性对植物地下碳输入的响应特征。结果表明：在观测周期内,处理均能显著降低三组年龄段林分的土壤微生物量碳,其变化幅度在－8.72％~－5.72％之间,其中在80年的林分中降幅最大,而在160年的林分中降幅最小;微生物量氮的变化规律与相应的微生物量碳的变化规律相似,但与对照相比其差异性均未达到显著性水平;另外,经壕沟处理2~4个月后,所有林分的土壤微生物量碳和氮与对照相比出现增加的现象。处理均能对三组年龄段林分的土壤微生物群落结构产生不同程度的影响,其中40年林分的土壤微生物群落对处理的响应程度要高于另外两个年龄段的林分;与对照相比,壕沟处理样方的腐生真菌的相对丰富度均下降明显,其中在40年和80年林分中的下降幅度达到显著水平,而细菌、放线菌和丛枝菌根真菌均无明显变化;壕沟处理样方的水解酶(β-葡萄糖苷酶和N-乙酰-葡萄糖苷酶)活性均显著下降,而氧化酶(酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶)活性的变化相对较小,除80年的林分外,其余林分均不显著。此外,处理均不能显著影响土壤的含水量和温度。该研究结果为初步阐明全球气候变化背景下森林土壤微生物结构及其功能的变化特征以及更加精确预测未来森林土壤碳的变化趋势提供了科学依据。     

Effect of pruning material compost on the nitrogen dynamic,soil microbial biomass,and plant biomass in different soil types

Landscape and Ecological Engineering - Compost prepared using pruning material (PM) contains a higher amount of mineralizable carbon (C) than conventional compost, readily causing nitrogen (N)...     

Effects of recycled bentonite addition on soil properties, plant growth and nutrient uptake in a tropical sandy soil

The only way to increase the low CEC of sandy tropical soils over the long term is to apply high CEC materials such as 2:1 clay minerals. Acid activated bentonite is used in Thailand in the vegetable oil industry during the clarification process. The waste bentonite is discarded afterwards. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of the addition of these oil bentonites (OB) with the addition of cation beneficiated bentonite (BB) on soil properties and plant growth. Palm, rice and soybean OB, and bentonite beneficiated with calcium, magnesium, and potassium were applied at rates between 5 and 40 t ha⁻¹ to an Arenic Acrisol. Three consecutive crops of sorghum were grown in pots. Biomass and plant nutrient content were determined at each growth phase, and selective soil properties were measured at the start and the end of the study. Beneficiated bentonite was not water repellent, but the addition of OB resulted in soil water repellency. The application of bentonite at the rate of 40 t ha⁻¹ increased the cation exchange capacity (CEC) from 0.6 cmolc kg-1 in the control to 1.9 and 0.7 cmol_c kg⁻¹ in the BB and OB, respectiveley. The lower value of the CEC for OB compared to BB was probably due to the activation process and oil coating. OB applications at rates higher than 20 t ha⁻¹ did not increase biomass, and biomass decreased with increasing water repellency. The other treatments produced a higher biomass than the control. However biomass was below potential because of widespread nitrogen deficiency. Exchangeable K was exhausted in two crops, whatever the initial level, stressing the issue of K management in this soil type. Soybean OB is a promising material for soil chemical properties and biomass production, probably because of its low oil content.     

Short-term soil inorganic N pulse after experimental fire alters invasive and native annual plant production in a Mojave Desert shrubland

Post-fire changes in desert vegetation patterns are known, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Theory suggests that pulse dynamics of resource availability confer advantages to invasive annual species, and that pulse timing can influence survival and competition among species. Precipitation patterns in the American Southwest are predicted to shift toward a drier climate, potentially altering post-fire resource availability and consequent vegetation dynamics. We quantified post-fire inorganic N dynamics and determined how annual plants respond to soil inorganic nitrogen variability following experimental fires in a Mojave Desert shrub community. Soil inorganic N, soil net N mineralization, and production of annual plants were measured beneath shrubs and in interspaces during 6 months following fire. Soil inorganic N pools in burned plots were up to 1 g m⁻² greater than unburned plots for several weeks and increased under shrubs (0.5–1.0 g m⁻²) more than interspaces (0.1–0.2 g m⁻²). Soil NO₃ ⁻−N (nitrate−N) increased more and persisted longer than soil NH₄ ⁺−N (ammonium−N). Laboratory incubations simulating low soil moisture conditions, and consistent with field moisture during the study, suggest that soil net ammonification and net nitrification were low and mostly unaffected by shrub canopy or burning. After late season rains, and where soil inorganic N pools were elevated after fire, productivity of the predominant invasive Schismus spp. increased and native annuals declined. Results suggest that increased N availability following wildfire can favor invasive annuals over natives. Whether the short-term success of invasive species following fire will direct long-term species composition changes remains to be seen, yet predicted changes in precipitation variability will likely interact with N cycling to affect invasive annual plant dominance following wildfire.     

Carbon,fire and seed addition favour native over exotic species in a grassy woodland

Cumberland Plain grassy woodland in western Sydney has been reduced to less than 12% of its pre‐settlement distribution; efforts to restore it on cleared and grazed sites within its former distribution have met with mixed success. Elevated soil nitrate levels, coupled with propagule and establishment limitation, have been identified as barriers to restoration in other grasslands. Our study used a factorial combination of carbon addition, fire and native seed addition to test whether these barriers operated on a former Cumberland plain woodland site dominated by exotic perennial grasses. Replicate field plots were established in November 2004; fire plots were burnt in December 2004; carbon was then added as sugar every 3 months until September 2005; and seeds of five native grasses were added in January 2005. Carbon addition significantly reduced soil nitrate, the effect appearing in October 2005. Carbon addition and fire each reduced the total abundance of exotics; when combined, they halved the abundance of the two dominant exotic grasses. Total abundance of native species responded positively to carbon and seed addition, but significant responses to carbon were not detected for individual species. Abundance of two native grasses responded positively to fire; after treatment the native proportion of total abundance rose from 26% on controls to 44–65% on carbon and/or fire plots. Exotic species richness was decreased independently by carbon addition and fire. Native species richness was increased independently by fire and seed addition. All five native grasses established sporadically, but only on carbon and/or fire plots. The three treatments each significantly and independently affected species composition, which showed the greatest change when all three were applied. The three treatments collectively increased the proportion of natives in measures of both plant abundance and species richness. The study confirmed that elevated soil nitrate, plus propagule and recruitment limitation are barriers to restoring this grassy woodland on cleared and grazed sites.     

黄壤稻田土壤微生物生物量碳磷对长期不同施肥的响应

本研究以进行了22年的黄壤稻田长期定位试验为依托,分析了不同施肥模式下土壤碳(C)、磷(P)与微生物生物量C(MBC)、P(MBP)的变化及其耦合特征,旨在探讨黄壤地区合理培肥模式以提高土壤磷素有效性.试验包括10个处理,分别为不施肥(CK)、单施氮肥(N)、磷钾配合(PK)、氮钾配合(NK)、氮磷配合(NP)、氮磷钾配合(NPK)、单施有机肥(M)、3种有机无机肥配施(1/4M+3/4NP、0.5MNP、MNPK).结果表明:与不施肥相比,N和NK处理土壤有机碳(TOC)、全磷(TP)、MBC、MBP均有不同程度的降低,施磷处理(PK、NP、NPK)则有不同程度的提升;与不施肥和施用无机肥相比,施用有机肥各处理TOC、MBC、MBP及MBP/TP均显著增加,其中M和MNPK处理增幅最大.MBC/MBP、TOC/MBP、MBC/TP以施用有机肥处理最低,N处理最高.土壤MBC、MBP及其耦合关系与土壤TOC和有效磷均呈极显著相关,TOC是影响MBC、MBP、MBP/TP的直接因素,而有效磷则是影响MBC/MBP、TOC/MBP、MBC/TP的直接因素.土壤MBP及碳、磷耦合关系各指标可以有效区分单施化肥和施用有机肥的不同施肥方式,可作为评价黄壤稻田磷素肥力的生物学指标.配施有机肥是增加黄壤稻田磷有效性、提高土壤供磷潜力和保持土壤生物健康的有效途径.     

Asynchronous fluctuation of soil microbial biomass and plant litterfall in a tropical wet forest

Carbon availability often controls soil microbial growth and there is evidence that at regional scales soil microbial biomass is positively correlated with aboveground forest litter input. We examined the influence of plant litterfall on annual variation of soil microbial biomass in control and litter-excluded plots in a tropical wet forest of Puerto Rico. We also measured soil moisture, soil temperature, and plant litterfall in these treatment plots. Aboveground plant litter input had no effect on soil microbial biomass or on its pattern of fluctuation. Monthly changes in soil microbial biomass were not synchronized with aboveground litter inputs, but rather preceeded litterfall by one month. Soil microbial biomass did not correlate with soil temperature, moisture, or rainfall. Our results suggest that changes in soil microbial biomass are not directly regulated by soil temperature, moisture, or aboveground litter input at local scales within a tropical wet forest, and there were asynchronous fluctuation between soil microbial biomass and plant litterfall. Potential mechanisms for this asynchronous fluctuation include soil microbial biomass regulation by competition for soil nutrients between microorganisms and plants, and regulation by below-ground carbon inputs associated with the annual solar and drying-rewetting cycles in tropical wet forests.     

Root, mycorrhiza and earthworm interactions: their effects on soil structuring processes, plant and soil nutrient concentration and plant biomass

Earthworms, arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) and roots are important components of the belowground part of terrestrial ecosystem. However, their interacting effects on soil properties and plant growth are still poorly understood. A compartmental experimental design was used in a climate chamber in order to investigate, without phosphorus (P) addition, the single and combined effects of earthworms (Allolobophora chlorotica), AMF (Glomus intraradices) and roots (Allium porrum) on soil structure, nutrient concentration and plant growth. In our experimental conditions, plant roots improved soil structure stability (at the level of macroaggregates) whereas earthworms decreased it. AMF had no effect on soil structure stability but increased P transfer from the soil to the plant and significantly increased plant biomass. Earthworms had no direct influence on P uptake or plant biomass, and the N/P ratio measured in the shoots indicated that P was limiting. Interactions between AMF and earthworms were also observed on total C and N content in the soil and on total root biomass. Their effects varied temporally and between the different soil compartments (bulk soil, rhizosphere and drilosphere). After comparison with other similar studies, we suggest that effects of earthworms and AMF on plant production may depend on the limiting factors in the soil, mainly N or P. Our experiment highlights the importance of measuring physical and chemical soil parameters when studying soil organism interactions and their influence on plant performance.     

古尔班通古特沙漠土壤酶活性和微生物量氮对模拟氮沉降的响应

本文以新疆古尔班通古特沙漠为研究区,原位设定0 (N0)、0.5 (N0.5)、1.0 (N1)、3.0 (N3)、6.0 (N6)和24.0 (N24) g N m?2 a-1 6个模拟施氮浓度,研究氮沉降对土壤酶活性和微生物量N的影响。结果表明：不同浓度的氮增加未改变土壤酶活性和微生物量N原有的垂直分布格局,0 ~ 5 cm土层土壤多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性分别比5 ~ 10 cm土层低11.5 ~ 29.1%和1.4 ~ 14.2%,而该土层的蔗糖酶、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶活性和微生物量N则分别比5 ~ 10 cm土层高4.3 ~ 98.1%、45.3 ~ 119.0%、76.1 ~ 138.1%和77.5 ~ 162.3%。氮增加后,0 ~ 5 cm土层的土壤酶活性和微生物量N比5 ~ 10 cm土层受影响更大。低氮和中氮(N0.5～N3)增加对0 ~ 5 cm土层氧化酶活性影响较小,各处理间差异不显著;高氮(N6,N24)对该层氧化酶活性有明显抑制作用。与对照相比,N24处理下土壤多酚氧化物活性和过氧化物酶活性分别降低了22.4%和12.1%;5 ~ 10 cm土层氧化酶活性对氮增加响应不敏感,各施氮量之间差异不显著;两层土壤的蔗糖酶和碱性磷酸酶活性随氮的增加具有先增加再减少的趋势,而两层土壤的脲酶活性和土壤微生物量N随着施氮量增加分别降低和增加;随着土壤酶活性变化,土壤有效氮和微生物量N增加,有效磷先增加后减少。这些响应表明,氮增加可以改变该荒漠土壤系统的土壤酶活性和微生物量并影响土壤相关营养元素循环。     

氯嘧磺隆与尿素对土壤微生物生物量碳、氮及无机氮的影响

通过室内培养试验,研究了不同浓度氯嘧磺隆(20、200、2000 μg·kg-1土)单一施用及与尿素(120 mg· kg-1土)配合施用情况下,土壤微生物生物量碳、氮和土壤铵态氮、硝态氮随时间的动态变化规律.结果表明:各浓度氯嘧磺隆单独处理在整个培养期(60 d)中对微生物生物量碳、氮均有抑制作用,且浓度越高,后期抑制作用越强;各浓度氯嘧磺隆处理在培养前期对硝态氮、铵态氮没有明显影响,中期(15 d)能显著提高土壤中铵态氮的含量,后期(30 d后)显著提高了土壤中硝态氮的含量.尿素单独施用及与氯嘧磺隆配施均能在短时间内增加微生物生物量碳、氮,但随后配施处理的促进作用减弱;尿素单独和配施均能持久增加土壤中铵态氮、硝态氮含量.