植被类型与坡位对喀斯特土壤氮转化速率的影响

土壤氮素转化对于植物氮素营养具有重要作用,尤其是对于受氮素限制的喀斯特退化生态系统。选取植被恢复过程中4种典型喀斯特植被类型(草丛、灌丛、次生林、原生林)和3个坡位(上、中、下坡位)表层土壤(0—15cm)为对象,利用室内培养的方法,研究不同植被类型和坡位下土壤氮素养分与氮转化速率(氮净矿化率、净硝化率和净氨化率)的特征及其影响因素。结果表明,植被类型对土壤硝态氮含量、无机氮含量、氮净矿化率、净硝化率和净氨化率均有显著影响(P0.01),即随着植被的正向演替(草丛—灌丛—次生林—原生林),土壤硝态氮含量、无机氮含量、土壤氮净矿化速率和净硝化速率整体上呈增加趋势,而坡位以及坡位与植被类型的交互作用对上述土壤氮素指标无显著影响(P0.05)。冗余分析结果表明凋落物氮含量、凋落物C∶N比和硝态氮含量对土壤氮转化速率有显著影响,其中凋落物氮含量是影响土壤氮转化速率的主要因子(F=35.634,P=0.002)。可见,尽管坡位影响喀斯特水土再分配过程,但植被类型决定的凋落物质量(如凋落物氮含量等)对喀斯特土壤氮素转化速率的作用更为重要。因此,在喀斯特退化生态系统植被恢复初期,应注重植被群落的优化配置(如引入豆科植物)和土壤质量的改善(如降低土壤C∶N),促进土壤氮素转化及氮素的有效供给。     

Effects of Soil Carbon Amendment on Nitrogen Availability and Plant Growth in an Experimental Tallgrass Prairie Restoration

Restoration of tallgrass prairie on former agricultural land is often impeded by failure to establish a diverse native species assemblage and by difficulties with nonprairie, exotic species. High levels of available soil nitrogen (N) on such sites may favor fast‐growing exotics at the expense of more slowly growing prairie species characteristic of low‐N soils. We tested whether reducing N availability through soil carbon (C) amendments could be a useful tool in facilitating successful tallgrass prairie restoration. We added 6 kg/m² hardwood sawdust to experimental plots on an abandoned agricultural field in the Sandusky Plains of central Ohio, United States, increasing soil C by 67% in the upper 15 cm. This C amendment caused a 94% reduction in annual net N mineralization and a 27% increase in soil moisture but had no effect on total N or pH. Overall, plant mass after one growing season was reduced by 64% on amended compared with unamended soil, but this effect was less for prairie forbs (?34%) than for prairie grasses (?67%) or exotics (?62%). After the second growing season, only exotics responded significantly to the soil C amendment, with a 40% reduction in mass. The N concentration of green‐leaf tissue and of senescent leaf litter was also reduced by the soil C treatment in most cases. We conclude that soil C amendment imparts several immediate benefits for tallgrass prairie restoration––notably reduced N availability, slower plant growth, and lower competition from exotic species.     

Nitrogen and phosphorus limitation in a coastal barrier salt marsh: the implications for vegetation succession

1 A factorial fertilizer experiment was conducted in a 15-year-old coastal barrier salt marsh with a low soil nitrogen content, and in an older 100-year-old marsh with a higher nitrogen content. Plots were fertilized at high and low marsh elevations in both marshes. Nitrogen and phosphorus were applied at low and high concentrations both separately and in combination in each of 3 successive years.
2 Nitrogen limited above-ground plant growth in both young and old salt marshes in all years. Phosphorus limitation of plant growth was apparent in the first year in the young marsh and in the last year in both marshes. In young marshes with low soil organic matter, phosphorus limitation may occur. In addition, phosphorus limitation occurs at both successional stages when a marsh is saturated with nitrogen.
3 Plant species that are typical of nitrogen-rich habitats and late successional stages significantly increased in biomass after fertilization. Limonium vulgare , a low stature species of early and intermediate successional stages, decreased in biomass, whereas the taller Elymus pycnanthus and Artemisia maritima increased. After 3 years of fertilization, plant species composition in a young marsh was similar to the species composition in an unfertilized older marsh. Fertilization of a 100-year-old marsh, however, still resulted in a change in plant species composition, suggesting that succession was still occurring and that, overall, plants in marshes of different age are similar in their response to fertilization.     

Ski slope vegetation at Snoqualmie Pass, Washington State, USA, and a comparison with ski slope vegetation in temperate coniferous forest zones

Ski slope vegetation at Snoqualmie Pass in Washington State, USA, was surveyed in order to identify community types and to compare it with vegetation development patterns in Japan. Ski slopes in Japan, most of which were constructed after 1960, underwent heavy land recontouring, while those at Snoqualmie Pass were constructed before 1950 with less modification. Three points apply to Japanese ski slope vegetation and differentiate these slopes from those at Snoqualmie Pass: (i) grasslands of introduced species are widespread and persistent; (ii) unvegetated patches are uncommon; and (iii) wetland vegetation has developed. These differences are mainly derived from the intensity of human impact, history of the slope and its scale: namely, ski slopes in Washington are older and larger than those in Japan. Ski slope vegetation in Washington was primarily differentiated by a soil moisture gradient. The large size of Washington ski slopes permitted the inclusion and development of wetland habitats, whereas most ski slopes in Japan are constructed on ridges and do not contain wetlands. Most introduced species in Japan are eliminated soon after seeding. In contrast, the long-term management of ski slopes decreased soil erosion and/or unvegetated patches in Washington and created relatively permanent grasslands composed of introduced species. Tsuga heterophylla and Abies amabilis were found established on the ski slopes in Washington, whereas in Japan the pioneer tree species are shade-intolerant broadleaved species. These differences may be a result of the different disturbance histories of ski slopes in the two countries. In addition, along with the conifers, early successional forbs such as Anaphalis margaritacea and Epilobium angustifolium are well established on Washington ski slopes. Results show that disturbances created by ski slope development greatly affect the vegetation, even on older, less heavily impacted ski slopes.     

Original Articles: Differential Influence of Plant Species on Soil Nitrogen Transformations Within Moist Meadow Alpine Tundra

Plant species can influence nitrogen (N) cycling indirectly through the feedbacks of litter quality and quantity on soil N transformation rates. The goal of this research was to focus on small-scale (within-community) variation in soil N cycling associated with two community dominants of the moist meadow alpine tundra. Within this community, the small-scale patchiness of the two most abundant species (Acomastylis rossii and Deschampsia caespitosa) provides natural variation in species cover within a relatively similar microclimate, thus enabling estimation of the effects of plant species on soil N transformation rates. Monthly rates of soil N transformations were dependent on small-scale variation in both soil microclimate and species cover. The relative importance of species cover compared with soil microclimate increased for months 2 and 3 of the 3-month growing season. Growing-season net N mineralization rates were over ten times greater and nitrification rates were four times greater in Deschampsia patches than in Acomastylis patches. Variability in litter quality [carbon:nitrogen (C:N) and phenolic:N], litter quantity (aboveground and fine-root production), and soil quality (C:N) was associated with three principal components. Variability between the species in litter quality and fine-root production explained 31% of the variation in net N mineralization rates and 36% of net nitrification rates. Site variability across the landscape in aboveground production and soil C:N explained 33% of the variation in net N mineralization rates and 21% of net nitrification rates. Within the moist meadow community, the high spatial variability in soil N transformation rates was associated with differences in the dominant species' litter quality and fine-root production. Deschampsia-dominated patches consistently had greater soil N transformation rates than did Acomastylis-dominated patches across the landscape, despite site variability in soil moisture, soil C:N, and aboveground production. Plant species appear to be an important control of soil N transformation in the alpine tundra, and consequently may influence plant community structure and ecosystem function.     

UV-B增强下施硅对水稻生长及CH4排放的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了UV-B增强下不同施硅量和硅肥种类对水稻生长及甲烷(CH₄)排放的影响.UV-B辐射设2个水平,即对照(自然光,A)和增强20%(E);硅肥设4个水平,即Si₀(不施硅,0 kg SiO₂·hm^-2)、Si₁(硅酸钠,100 kg SiO₂·hm^-2)、Si₂(硅酸钠,200 kg SiO₂·hm^-2)和Si₃(钢渣硅肥,200 kg SiO₂·hm^-2).结果表明: 施硅能缓解UV-B增强对水稻生长的抑制作用,使分蘖数、叶绿素含量、地上部和地下部生物量增加.施硅对水稻生长的促进作用随施硅量(硅酸钠)的增加而增加,钢渣硅肥的促进作用大于硅酸钠.UV-B增强可提高稻田CH₄的排放通量和累积排放量,施硅显著降低CH₄的排放通量和累积排放量,且CH₄排放随施硅量的增加而减少.在施硅量相同的情况下,钢渣硅肥的减排效果优于硅酸钠.表明在水稻生产中,施用钢渣硅肥不仅能实现废弃物利用,而且可有效降低UV-B增强下CH₄的排放量.     

Restoration ecology research above the timberline: colonization of safety islands on a machine-graded alpine ski run

Colonization was studied in safety islands installed on a machine-graded downhill ski run (ca 2500m asl) and respectively aged 7, 8, and 9 years. For comparison, the neighbouring non-restored plots were investigated. The study included assessment of species richness (alpha diversity), size and spatial structure of the immigrant populations, and the nearest possible diaspore sources. The number of colonizing species recorded in the safety islands totalled 44 whereas only 25 species were found in the non-restored ski run plots close by. The mean species number per whole plot, per 1m2 and per 0.1m2 was significantly higher in the safety islands than in the non-restored ski run plots. Population founders and small populations represented more than half of all immigrant species in the safety islands, but medium-sized and large populations were also present. The overall distribution of plants was patchy but the number of individuals per 1m2 was significantly higher in the safety islands than in the ski run. Travelling distances separating the safety islands from the nearest possible diaspore source were often exceedingly short and ranged between 0.10m and 1m in 47.7% of all populations studied. It seems that the diaspore sources were mostly secondary i.e. plants scattered over the non-restored ski run, and those previously used in restoration trials, served as diaspore donors. The results of the study clearly demonstrate that successful colonization of machine-graded alpine ski runs in the study area is ultimately limited by safe-site availability and not by deficiencies in seed rain or remote diaspore sources. The colonization process in the safety islands is apparently well-advanced. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

施氮对不同品种冬小麦植株硝态氮和硝酸还原酶活性的影响

以黄土高原南部半湿润区土垫旱耕人为土为供试土壤进行盆栽试验,以NR 9405、9430、偃师9号、小偃6号、陕229号和西农2208冬小麦品种为供试材料,研究施氮对不同品种冬小麦植株硝态氮含量和硝酸还原酶活性(NRA)的影响.结果表明,施氮能明显增加叶片NRA.不施氮时除小偃6号和偃师9号外,其余品种NRA在全生育时期的动态变化均呈双峰曲线,2个高峰期分别在返青期和开花期,且开花期高峰值(36.17 NO2-μg.-g 1FW.h-1)明显比返青期峰值(15.407 NO2-μg.-g 1FW.h-1)大;施氮时不同品种叶片NRA在全生育期呈单峰曲线变化,最高峰在开花期,平均峰值为80.93 NO2-μg.-g 1FW.h-1),比同期不施氮处理增加1倍以上.施氮后地上部硝态氮含量在各时期均显著提高,在小麦生育前期(出苗到拔节)表现最为显著.氮肥对不同品种硝态氮含量的影响程度基本上与对NRA的影响程度相反,即施氮后硝态氮增加幅度小的品种,NRA却增加幅度大.     

黄土丘陵区植被恢复对土壤可溶性氮组分的影响

为探究黄土丘陵地区人工植被恢复对土壤氮素养分累积与有效性的影响,研究分析了植被恢复15年刺槐、柠条、刺槐侧柏混交、刺槐山桃混交以及荒草地土壤可溶性氮组分含量及其垂直分布特征。结果表明,与耕地相比,植被恢复显著提高了0—30 cm土壤可溶性氮组分含量,这也使0—30 cm土壤可溶性氮组分密度显著增加,可溶性有机氮密度增幅表现为柠条(262.2%)刺槐(232.8%)刺槐山桃混交、刺槐侧柏混交(34.5%)荒草地(-21.5%),硝态氮密度整体表现为柠条刺槐刺槐山桃混交荒草地刺槐侧柏混交,增幅为7.9%—182.8%,铵态氮密度以刺槐山桃混交增幅最大(110.3%),荒草地最小为2.6%。可溶性有机氮、硝态氮占全氮的比例以刺槐最高,分别提升了2.4倍和0.6倍,铵态氮占全氮的比例以刺槐山桃混交最高,提升了1.0倍。可溶性氮组分受微生物量碳氮的影响大于有机质和全氮,微生物量氮与可溶性氮组分的相关性优于微生物量碳,硝态氮对土壤有机质、全氮和微生物量碳氮的变化最为敏感。综上,植被恢复能够提高土壤可溶性氮组分含量、密度及其占全氮比例,增加土壤氮的有效性,以刺槐、柠条提升效果最好。     

高寒煤矿渣山植被恢复过程中土壤生物化学性质与真菌多样性变异特征研究

【目的】探究不同恢复年限煤矿渣山土壤真菌多样性的变化规律。【方法】选取江仓矿区渣山不同建植年限(2、4、6年)草地土壤为研究对象,测定土壤化学性质及酶活性,并利用高通量测序方法测定土壤真菌多样性。【结果】随着恢复年限的增长,土壤pH、土壤全钾和有机质含量呈现差异显著性,蔗糖酶、脲酶、过氧化氢酶以及磷酸酶含量逐渐上升,并提高了真菌群落的丰富度与多样性,其中复绿4年的效果最为明显。各样地主要以子囊菌门、担子菌门为主;腐生营养型真菌占43.2%-89.7%。氮素、土壤酶活性是影响江仓煤矿区草地土壤真菌多样性的主要因素。【结论】复绿能够改善土壤化学性质以及土壤真菌群落多样性。     

绿化植物的生活型对边坡植被物种多样性及护坡性能的影响

为了探讨绿化植物生活型构成对边坡植被物种多样性及护坡性能的影响, 揭示生活型构成-群落特征-物种多样性-生态系统功能间的内在联系, 借助三物种组装实验, 分别构建以草本、灌木或乔木为主体的草本型(HHX_i)、灌木型(SSX_i)、乔木型(AAX_i)或草-灌-乔混合型(HSA)配置模式的实验小区, 对实验区内边坡植被的群落特征、护坡性能进行持续4年的生态监测。结果表明: (1)边坡植被的物种丰富度与绿化植物生活型构成有关, AAX_i的物种丰富度总体高于其他模式, 呈AAX_i > SSX_i > HSA > HHX_i趋势。(2)不同配置模式边坡植被的群落盖度不一样, 年际间差异显著: 建坪初期(2010-2011年), HHX_i的群落盖度远高于其他模式, HSA次之, AAX_i最低; 2012-2013年间, HSA的群落盖度最高, HHX_i次之, AAX_i最低。(3)边坡植被的Shannon-Wiener指数、Pielou指数与绿化植物生活型构成有关, 其变化规律与群落盖度类似: 建坪初期, HHX_i的多样性水平远高于其他模式, 呈HHX_i > HSA > SSX_i > AAX_i趋势; 之后, 呈HSA > HHX_i > SSX_i > AAX_i趋势。(4)边坡植被的护坡性能与群落内的物种多样性密切相关: 多样性水平越高, 护坡性能越强。可见, 在生态护坡过程中, 绿化植物生活型构成对提高边坡植被物种多样性、改善护坡性能至关重要。     

长白山苔原带凋落物生态化学计量特征及其对模拟氮沉降的响应

长白山苔原是我国乃至欧亚大陆东部独有的高山苔原,根据前人调查植被以灌木苔原为主要类型。在全球变暖背景下,近30年来,长白山岳桦林下的草本植物侵入苔原带,原生灌木苔原分化为灌木苔原、灌草苔原和草本苔原,形成了灌木、灌草混合和草本3种不同类型的凋落物,凋落物数量和质量发生显著改变。与此同时长白山苔原氮沉降量也在逐年增加,导致了土壤中氮的累积,势必影响凋落物的分解。凋落物作为连接植物和土壤的纽带,其分解过程中碳（C）、氮（N）、磷（P）等化学组分和化学计量比的变化直接和间接影响着土壤养分有效性和植物养分利用策略。为揭示氮沉降增加对长白山苔原带不同类型凋落物化学组分及生态化学计量特征早期变化的影响,开展了为期8个月的模拟氮沉降室内凋落物分解实验。在苔原带采集灌木优势种牛皮杜鹃和草本优势种小叶章的凋落物带回实验室,模拟灌木牛皮杜鹃群落、灌草混合的牛皮杜鹃-小叶章群落和草本小叶章群落的3种不同类型凋落物,设置三个施氮处理：对照（CK,0 g N m^-2 a^-1）、低氮（LN,10 g N m^-2 a^-1）、高氮（HN,20 g N m^-2 a^-1）。研究表明：（1）不施氮处理时,3种凋落物的C、P均呈释放状态,木质素（Li）呈先累积再略有降解趋势;牛皮杜鹃凋落物的N元素富集而其余两种凋落物N元素呈释放状态;灌草混合和草本凋落物比原生的灌木凋落物C和N元素释放快、Li累积少;而灌木凋落物的P释放略快于灌草和草本凋落物。3种植被类型凋落物的C/N、C/P、Li/N大小表现为：牛皮杜鹃凋落物>牛皮杜鹃-小叶章混生群落凋落物>小叶章凋落物;N/P表现为：小叶章凋落物>牛皮杜鹃凋落物>牛皮杜鹃-小叶章混生群落凋落物。（2）氮沉降促进3种类型凋落物分解过程中C、N和P化学组分的释放,且氮浓度越高促进作用越显著。在牛皮杜鹃凋落物分解过程中,氮素添加到达某一阈值后,其C/N、C/P、N/P、Li/N的降幅最大,后续若再增加氮素,其对化学计量比的影响均会减弱;本实验中的氮素添加量增加促进了小叶章凋落物的C/N、Li/N下降。（3）草本植物入侵引起凋落物类型的变化带来凋落物分解加快,将导致长白山苔原带养分循环的变化;氮沉降增加对小叶章凋落物化学组分的释放及C/N、Li/N的下降更为促进,小叶章凋落物内难分解化合物减少,分解受到促进。高氮沉降加快了小叶章凋落物与土壤、草本植物之间的养分循环。因此,随着未来苔原带氮沉降量的增加,将更有利于小叶章在与牛皮杜鹃的竞争中获胜,使苔原带呈现草甸化趋势。     

土壤线虫群落对大连石门山森林植被恢复的响应

2007年9月至2008年8月对大连石门山不同植被恢复方式的样地进行土壤线虫调查,淘洗-过筛-浅盘法提取土壤线虫,应用类群属数、个体密度、多样性指数和功能类群指数等多个群落参数,研究不同植被恢复方式间土壤线虫群落特征的差异。共捕获线虫8577条,分别隶属于线虫动物门2纲7目26科43属,个体密度平均4.77条/g干土。研究结果表明,土壤线虫数量存在明显的季节波动,秋季明显高于夏季和春季;土壤线虫群落多样性指数、均匀度指数、丰富度指数和营养类群指数大小依次为阔叶林、针叶林和混交林,而优势度指数却表现为:针叶林混交林阔叶林;土壤线虫群落营养类群f/b值、MI指数、PPI指数、MMI指数、MI2-5指数、SI指数和EI指数均表现为:阔叶林针叶林混交林,而PPI/MI指数则表现为:混交林针叶林阔叶林,表明混交林受干扰明显;土壤理化特征与线虫数量、属数、生态指数间也存在明显相关关系。因此,植被恢复过程中土壤线虫群落结构分异及动态是一个重要的生态响应过程,能为进一步研究土壤生物在植被演替中的地位和作用以及土壤生物多样性保护提供基础数据。     

Nitrogen deposition and reduction of terrestrial biodiversity: Evidence from temperate grasslands

Biodiversity is thought to be essential for ecosystem stability, function and long-term sustainability. Since nitrogen is the limiting nutrient for plant growth in many terrestrial ecosystems, reactive nitrogen has the potential to reduce the diversity of terrestrial vegetation and associated biota through favouring species adapted to quickly exploiting available nutrients. Although the potential has long been recognised, only recently has enough evidence come together to show beyond reasonable doubt that these changes are already occurring. Linked together, experimental, regional/e.rnpirical, and time-series research provide a powerful argument that enhanced deposition of reactive nitrogen across Great Britain, and potentially the rest of Europe, has resulted in a significant and ongoing decline in grassland species richness and diversity.     

Establishment of native grassland vegetation at Organ Pipes National Park near Melbourne, Victoria: Vegetation changes from 1989 to 2003

Summary Native grassland establishment works undertaken on former agricultural land at Organ Pipes National Park, Victoria, during the 1980s were monitored from 1989 to 2003 to assess whether re‐introduced native plant populations had established and persisted at the site. Trends in vegetation were determined by examining the composition and cover of native and weed species in permanent transects at 2‐year intervals. The average number of native and weed species in plots changed little over 15 years, although weed species richness exhibited great variability. Of the 85 native species introduced to the grassland by seed, sods and tubestock, 33 were still present in 2003. The dominant native species, Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), the native intertussock spear grasses (Austrostipa spp.), and the nationally endangered Large‐headed Groundsel (Senecio macrocarpus), have become common elements of the grassland but most other native species remain minor components. The cover of native and weed species has fluctuated dramatically over the study period in response to fire and drought. While the site remains largely weedy, the project has served to introduce native species into a secure reserve. It is clear that on‐going management (weed control, fire) and supplemental plantings will be necessary to maintain and expand the native species populations in the re‐established grassland.     

Vegetation change at high elevation: scale dependence and interactive effects on Niwot Ridge

Background: High-elevation mountain systems may be particularly responsive to climate change.

Aims: Here we investigate how changes along elevation gradients in mountain systems can aid in predicting vegetation distributional changes in time, focusing on how changing climatic controls affect meso-scale transitions at the lower and upper boundaries of alpine vegetation (with forest and subnival zones, respectively) as well as micro-scale transitions among plant communities within the alpine belt. We focus on climate-related drivers, particularly in relation to climate change, but also consider how species interactions, dispersal and responses to disturbance may influence plant responses to these abiotic drivers.

Results: Empirical observations and experimental studies indicate that changing climatic controls influence both meso-scale transitions at the upper and lower boundaries of alpine vegetation and micro-scale transitions among plant communities within tundra. Micro-scale heterogeneity appears to buffer response in many cases, while interactions between climate and other changes may often accelerate change.

Conclusions: Interactions with microtopography and larger edaphic gradients have the capacity to both facilitate rapid changes and reinforce stability, and that these interactions will affect the responsiveness of vegetation to climate change at different spatial scales.     

区域植被恢复对生态安全的影响预测 ——以岷江上游干旱河谷为例

退化生态系统恢复是保障区域生态安全的重要途径之一。在生态系统结构功能严重受损,威胁到区域生态安全时,通过引入物种进行主动的植被恢复可以有效地加速生态系统恢复进程,维护区域生态安全。但是区域尺度的植被恢复是一项规模浩大的工程,其效果和影响难以立即显现。为了评估区域植被恢复的生态风险,根据岷江上游干旱河谷区域植被恢复格局的设计结果,预测了区域植被恢复对生态安全的影响。通过对比分析现状植被盖度及生物多样性与植被恢复格局预测结果的差异,对区域植被恢复的效果进行评价,认为尽管植被恢复格局设计使部分区域生物多样性下降,但它整体提高了地表植被覆盖度,增强了抵御土壤侵蚀的能力。对保障区域生态安全具有积极的效果。     

玛曲高寒草甸湿地植物构成及其集合种群群落的多样性维持机理

高寒草甸及湿地是青藏高原上最为重要的生态系统,它的状况直接关系到我国江河源头的蓄水量.也关系到我国中部和东部广大地区的工农业及人民生活用水．因此对青藏高原高寒草甸与湿地的保护具有重要的现实意义。本研究对青藏高原东北缘黄河源头地区甘南藏族自治州的玛曲县高寒草甸及湿地进行调查,揭示了该地区的植被生物多样性情况与组成结构,利用解析层次方法分析了高寒草甸及湿地的退化原因及恢复手段,同时还从集合种群竞争原理出发对该地区植被生物多样性的维持机理进行了讨论。结果显示出两个现存的主要矛盾：在生物多样性保护与高寒草甸质量提高方面存在矛盾;在地区发展与高寒草甸质量提高方面也存在矛盾。前者表明为了提高物种多样性,必须存在一定干扰．包括人为干扰与自然生态系统干扰,这些干扰会在高寒草甸中形成一定数量的空斑块．这些空斑块为先锋种的繁殖提供了暂时的场所从而使多样性得到提高与维持。但由于先锋种普遍为杂草类而非优良牧草．因此这种多样性维持只能以牺牲草甸质量为代价。第二个矛盾说明为了提高当地经济与社会发展．必然会增加人为干扰,而这些干扰会首先对优良牧草造成不利,从而使杂草比例增加并进一步抑制牧场质量从而限制地区以畜牧业为主的经济发展。     

Nitrogen fertilization alters the functioning of arbuscular mycorrhizas at two semiarid grasslands

The effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization on arbuscular mycorrhizas were studied at two semiarid grasslands with different soil properties and N-enrichment history (Shortgrass Steppe in Colorado, and Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico). These sites are part of the National Science Foundation's Long-Term Ecological Research Network. The experimental plots at Shortgrass Steppe were fertilized with ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) from 1971 to 1975, and have not received additional N since then. The experimental plots at Sevilleta were also fertilized with NH₄NO₃, but were established in 1995, 2 years before the soils were used for this study. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to compare the growth response of local grasses to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi from fertilized (FERT) and unfertilized (UNFERT) field soils, at each site. Two species per site were chosen, Bouteloua gracilis and Elymus elymoides from Shortgrass Steppe, and B. gracilis and B. eriopoda from Sevilleta. Plants were grown for 3 months at HIGH N and LOW N levels, with FERT or UNFERT soil inoculum and in a non-mycorrhizal condition. Fertilization with N altered the functioning of AM fungi at both sites. Grasses inoculated with AM fungi from UNFERT soils had the most tillers, greatest biomass and highest relative growth rates. There were no significant differences in the growth response of plants inoculated with AM fungi from FERT soils and the non-mycorrhizal controls. These results were consistent across sites and species except for the plants grown at LOW N in Sevilleta soils. These plants were deficient in N and phosphorus (P) and did not show growth enhancement in response to AM inoculation with either FERT or UNFERT soils. Percent root length colonized by AM fungi was not directly related to plant performance. However, enrichment with N consistently decreased root colonization by AM fungi in the grasses grown in soils from Shortgrass Steppe with high P availability (18.4 mg kg^–1), but not in the grasses grown in Sevilleta soils with low P availability (6.6 mg kg^–1). Our study supports the hypotheses that (1) fertilization with N alters the balance between costs and benefits in mycorrhizal symbioses and (2) AM fungal communities from N fertilized soils are less beneficial mutualists than those from unfertilized soils.