The ecological equivalence of quarry floors to alvars

Question: Are the biophysical conditions of abandoned limestone quarry floors and natural alvars sufficiently similar to each other for alvars to be used as a model for quarry floor restoration? Location: Ontario, Canada. Methods: We measured plant species frequency and environmental and soil variables in 13 abandoned limestone quarries and used ANOVA to compare them with data previously collected from seven natural alvars. We used multivariate ordinations on the quarry floor data alone and on the combined quarry floor and alvar data to determine how plant community structure was controlled by the abiotic environment in both habitats. Results: Except for higher levels of many nutrients, the physical characteristics were similar between quarry floors and alvars. 246 plant species were found on quarry floors as compared to 283 on alvars, with 79 species in common between the two habitat types. While quarry floors supported fewer bryophytes and more exotic vascular plants compared with alvars, five alvar endemics and 24 characteristic alvar species were found to grow there. The age of the site, nutrient levels, and presence of standing water and bare rock were important factors influencing species composition in both habitats. Conclusions: Through natural revegetation alone, the abandoned quarry floors surveyed in this study have already taken on many physical and vegetation characteristics of natural alvars. This makes alvars very suitable as the restoration goal for abandoned limestone quarries.     

Effects of Sewage Sludge on Plant Community Composition in Restored Limestone Quarries

The effects of sewage sludge, used to improve fertility of replaced soil, on vegetation were studied in limestone quarry restoration. Plant community growing in the first stages after sludge application was surveyed in six quarries of NE Spain. Areas with a mixture of sewage sludge and residual soil were compared to areas where the application consisted only of residual soil (a mixture of previous top soil and mine spoils). Sewage sludge was hypothesized to increase total biomass and cover, modifying species composition and delaying the early successional recover of the community. The results showed that both biomass and plant cover increased because of sewage sludge addition. The floristic composition was dominated by ruderal species that did not show any dependence on sewage sludge application. Convergence on similarity between sludge and control plots was not detected along a 5‐year period. Although species richness was significantly lower in sludge plots, diversity and equitability indexes did not show differences between treatments. The results did not show differences in the proportion of non‐native species. The proportion of legumes was lower in sludge plots. These results show that the plant communities resulting from the addition of sewage sludge to the soil used in limestone quarry restoration have more biomass and cover, but less number of species, and they do not show a clear trend to converge to those areas restored only with non‐amended soil.     

宁南山区植被恢复对土壤团聚体养分特征及微生物特性的影响

测定了宁夏黄土丘陵区植被恢复近30年的天然草地和农地不同粒径团聚体的土壤养分含量、微生物生物量、呼吸特性和生态化学计量比等指标,探索黄土丘陵区植被恢复对不同粒径土壤团聚体的养分特性和微生物学性质的影响.结果表明: 微团聚体(粒径<0.25 mm)质量百分比、各粒径土壤团聚体养分(有机碳、全氮、速效钾)含量、C/N均表现为天然草地大于农地,其中1～2 mm粒径团聚体有机碳、全氮含量在天然草地和农地中均最高,C/N也较高,说明植被恢复能有效促进土壤团粒的形成,适宜养分积累和有机碳的汇集,且在1～2 mm粒径团聚体上表现最为突出;天然草地各粒径土壤团聚体微生物生物量(碳、氮)、基础呼吸强度均高于农地,而呼吸熵低于农地,可见植被恢复措施可有效提高各粒径土壤微生物生物量与活性,并使土壤生境趋于稳定;但由于养分特性的差异,不同粒径团聚体微生物特性对植被修复的响应存在差异,其中天然草地土壤1～2 mm粒径团聚体微生物生物量碳,<0.25、0.25～1、1～2 mm粒径团聚体微生物生物量氮,以及1～2、>5 mm粒径团聚体基础呼吸强度显著高于其他粒径,即上述粒径团聚体的微生物生物量和微生物活性在植被恢复过程中逐渐被改善.表明宁南山区植被恢复有效改善了土壤团聚体的肥力状况与结构特征,且1～2 mm粒径团聚体的改良效果最为突出.     

Vegetation succession in basalt quarries: Pattern on a landscape scale

Abstract. A spatio‐temporal variation of vegetation during spontaneous succession was studied in 56 basalt quarries spread over 1800 km² in the ?eské st?edoho?í Hills (NW Czech Republic, Central Europe). Differences in the particular habitats inside a quarry, i.e. steep rocky slopes, bottoms and levels; dumps; and screes were considered. The habitats ranged in age from 1 to 78 yr since abandonment. Macroclimate (mean annual temperature and precipitation) significantly influenced the course of succession, which led to a formation of shrubby grassland, shrubby woodland or tall woodland. Participation of target species typical of steppe‐like communities significantly depended on the occurrence of the communities in the vicinity, up to a distance of 30 m from a quarry. Disused quarries may become refugia for rare plant species. Spontaneous successional processes led in the reasonable time of ca. 20 yr to semi‐natural vegetation. Thus, they can be successfully exploited in restoration programs scheduled for the disused quarries.     

黄土丘陵沟壑区退耕地土壤养分因子对植被恢复的贡献

为了探求各土壤养分因子对植被恢复贡献的大小．利用因子分析(Factor analysis)对黄土高原丘陵沟壑区退耕地植被恢复中的土壤养分进行了多元统计分析,定量研究了土壤养分环境对植被恢复的作用。结果表明：住所选取的6个土壤养分因子中,土壤有机质、有效N、全P和速效P对植被恢复的贡献较大．是限制该地区植被恢复的主导因素,其它养分因子的贡献相对较小。根据土壤养分因子间的相关系数,土壤有机质与全N和有效N呈显著相关。因此,在评价土壤养分因子对植被恢复贡献大小时．选取土壤有机质、氮和磷的含量作为评价指标,不但节省了时间和财力,而且有助于植被恢复的快速评价。     

毛乌素沙地景观的植被与土壤特征空间格局及其相关分析

以毛乌素沙地景观不同尺度和生境中的植被盖度、植物物种数、土壤有机碳和全氮含量的空间格局和相互关系进行了研究。结果表明：不同尺度和生境中的植被盖度与植物物种数之间,以及土壤有机碳含量与全氮含量之间都具有显著的相关。在50－5000m的尺度上,植被盖度与植物物种数之间,以及土壤有机碳含量与全氮含量之间具有相似的空间格局,但植被特征（植被盖度与植物物种数）与土壤特征（土壤有机碳含量与全氮含量）具有不同的空间变化格局,两者之间没有显著的相关关系;在小于50m的尺度上,固定沙丘中的植物物种数与土壤有机碳和全氮含量之间具有显著的正相关,半固定水丘中的植物物种数与土壤有机碳含量具有显著的负相关。这说明,在小于50m的尺度上土壤有机碳和全氮含量格局制约了植被格局,但在50－5000m的尺度上却没有。这一研究表明植被与土壤之间的相互关系依赖于不同的空间尺度。     

采石场废弃地的生态重建研究进展

采石场的开采严重破坏了植被和土壤,形成了大量的裸露岩石斜坡,造成宏观景观支离破碎和极端的环境条件,限制了植物的生长。由于自然恢复所需时间长久,人工恢复被广泛应用于采石场废弃地的生态重建。自然演替过程是采石场生态重建的理论基础,自然演替理论可以为人工恢复措施提供指导。植物群落演替的早期阶段,非生物因素起主要作用,随着演替的推移,生物因素的重要性增强。邻近自然植被的土壤和繁殖体通过外力的扩散,对恢复起重要作用。除了非生物和其他的限制,先到达恢复地的物种竞争能力的变化能决定了演替过程。演替过程中的干扰因素往往成为演替重要的驱动力。裸露岩石斜坡的物理稳定性对植被恢复有重要影响,有机废物的使用和施肥可以影响恢复演替的方向和生物多样性。播种一定的植物能够改变恢复演替方向,加速演替过程。乡土物种适应了当地气候,能够促进演替。随着修复时间的延长,土壤有机质含量,植被覆盖度和物种丰富度不断增加,土壤微生物生物量随之增加。开展不同地区采石场植物种类的选育、研究乡土物种的功能特性、土壤微生物群落和酶的变化、植被演替过程的定位研究、植物种间的竞争关系、自然演替和人工恢复的比较研究、探索经济高效的采石场生态重建方法是未来的研究方向。     

黄土高原森林草原区退耕地植被自然恢复与土壤养分变化

研究了黄土高原森林草原区退耕地植被自然恢复过程与土壤养分变化.结果表明,在显域生境下,植被自然演替过程虽然趋向于该区原有植物群落类型,但经过40～0年的时间,仍未形成灌丛或稀树等群落,分布较多的仍是长芒草、铁杆蒿、白羊草、大针茅和达乌里胡枝子等群落类型.从植被恢复时间对土壤养分变化的影响来看,除全P外(P＞0.0),有机质、全N、速效氮、速效钾的变化极显著(P＜0.001),速效磷变化较显著(0.0＜P＜0.01),并随植被恢复时间的延长而呈增加趋势.除恢复时间外,养分含量变化也随土壤剖面深度而变化,其中除全P含量变化较显著外(P＜0.0),其余各养分含量变化都达极显著水平(P＜0.001).土壤养分变化具有明显的表聚性.相关分析表明,土壤有机质、全N、有效氮与速效钾相互间相关极显著(P＜0.001),而与全P与速效磷相关性不明显(P＞0.0),全P与速效磷二者相关性也不明显(P＞0.0).     

凡口宽叶香蒲湿地植物群落恢复的研究

 调查观测广东韶关凡口铅锌矿宽叶香蒲(Typha latifolia)湿地的水生植物种类、生物多样性、群落结构及生物量,分析湿地基质的理化性质,探索湿地生态恢复的基本特征。研究结果表明：1) 以宽叶香蒲为优势种的湿地生态系统主要植物有98种,隶属44科,86属。次优势种有：芦苇(Phragmites communis)、茳芏(Cyperus malaccensis)。植物群落水平分布从均匀型向群集型分布格局转化,植物群落空间不均匀性增大。2) 随湿地系统的恢复演替进程,表现为土壤肥力（有机质,N,P,K）明     

Mid‐term effects on ecosystem services of quarry restoration with Technosols under Mediterranean conditions: 10‐year impacts on soil organic carbon and vegetation development

The use of Technosols for the restoration of limestone quarries overcomes the usual “in situ” scarcity of soil and/or its poor quality. The use of mine spoils, improved with mineral and/or organic amendments, could be an efficient and environmentally friendly option. Properly treated sewage sludge from urban wastewater treatment plants could be a suitable organic amendment and fertilizer (rich in N and P) whenever its pollutant burden is low (heavy metals and/or organic pollutants). Its appropriate use could improve essential soil physical and chemical properties and, therefore, promote key ecosystem services of restored areas, such as biomass production and carbon sequestration, as well as biodiversity and landscape recovery. However, the mid‐term impacts of these restoration practices on soil functioning and their services have rarely been reported in the available literature. In this study we assess the mid‐term effects (10 years) of the use of sewage sludge as a Technosol amendment on soil organic carbon (SOC), nutrient status, and plant development in several restored quarries. Soils restored using sewage sludge showed a threefold increase in SOC compared to the corresponding unamended ones, despite the moderate sludge dosage applied (below 50 tonnes/ha). Plant cover was also higher in amended soils, and recruitment was not affected by sludge amendment at these doses. This study demonstrates that, used at an appropriate rate, sewage sludge is a good alternative for the valorization of mine spoils in quarry restoration, improving some important regulatory ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, without compromising woody plant encroachment.     

Proximity of valuable habitats affects succession patterns in abandoned quarries

The study tested the hypothesis that the composition of vegetation formed during primary succession in basalt quarries is affected by the distance to, and area of, conservation-valuable biotopes of surrounding xerophilous grasslands. The successional vegetation was recorded in 270 relevés collected in 34 quarries in the area of Ceske Stredohori Hills, Czech Republic. We used detrended correspondence analysis to visualise the relationship between successional vegetation, ages of individual sites, and distances to the closest xerophilous grasslands. Subsequent regression analyses of fidelities of individual reléves to the grassland alliances Festucion valesiacae and Allyso-Festucion pallentis corroborated the view that the probability of development of valuable habitats within the quarries decreased with distance to the closest grassland sites, and increased with their area. It also increased with successional age, but this effect was suppressed if quarry identity was considered as covariable in the regressions. Our results show that the valuable biotopes would eventually develop in quarries situated less than 100 m from adjoining xerophilous grasslands. We advocate that quarry operators pay attention to conservation management of biotopes that surround excavation sites, because maintaining valuable vegetation in the vicinity will eventually reduce costs of post-excavation restoration.     

Changes in vegetation and soil characteristics in coastal sand dunes along a gradient of atmospheric nitrogen deposition

A field survey was conducted to detect signals of atmospheric nitrogen (N) in 11 dune systems along a nitrogen deposition gradient in the United Kingdom. In the mobile and semi-fixed dunes, above-ground biomass was positively related to N inputs. This increase was largely due to increased height and cover of Ammophila arenaria. In the long term, this increased biomass may lead to increased organic matter accumulation and consequently accelerated soil development. In the fixed dunes, above ground biomass also showed a positive relationship with N inputs as did soil C : N ratio while soil available N was negatively related to N inputs. Plant species richness was negatively related to N inputs. In the dune slacks, while soil and bulk vegetation parameters showed no relationship with N inputs, cover of Carex arenaria and Hypochaeris radicata increased. Site mean Ellenberg N numbers showed no relationship with N deposition either within habitats or across the whole dataset. Neither abundance-weighting nor inclusion of the Siebel numbers for bryophytes improved the relationship. The survey reveals that the relationships of soil and vegetation with atmospheric N deposition vary between sand dune habitats but, despite this variability, clear correlations with N inputs exist. While this survey cannot establish causality, on the basis of the relationships observed we suggest a critical load range of 10 - 20 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) for coastal sand dunes in the UK.     

Surface soil chemical and physical patterns in a brigalow–Dawson gum forest,central Queensland

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla)–Dawson gum (Eucalyptus cambageana) open forests are predominantly supported by solodic soils in central Queensland. This report describes relations between some physical, chemical and morphological properties of surface soils (0–0.10 m) within a virgin brigalow–Dawson gum forest. Soil property gradients were found to radiate horizontally from tree-dominated to non-vegetated areas, indicative of a vegetation-induction process. These reflect the importance of litterfall organic matter in determining soil fertility and soil physical conditions at this site. The decomposition of litterfall is probably responsible for significant increases in soil organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N) and total sulphur (S) concentrations with increasing vegetation canopy cover. The composition of soil organic matter appears constant across the study area, as similar soil C:N:S ratios were recorded across all vegetation canopy classes. Soil salinity, total phosphorus, mineral nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable calcium and exchangeable potassium levels also increased with increasing vegetation canopy cover. Surface soil physical properties were also related to vegetation canopy cover. Bulk density and the < 20 μm dispersion ratio decreased while soil micro-relief and A hor?izon depth increased with increasing vegetation canopy cover. Organic C, through inverse relations with bulk density and the < 20 μm dispersion ratio, appears to enhance soil porosity and aggregate stability, indicating the role of organic matter in the stabilization of larger virgin soil aggregates. The close association between virgin forest and surface soil fertility is seen to have implications for changes in land-use, with a decline in nutrient availability, soil aggregate stability and productivity following forest clearing.     

Do not neglect surroundings in restoration of disturbed sites

We examined the influence of surroundings, i.e. proximity effects, on the course of spontaneous vegetation succession using two data sets. In the first data set, we tested the effects of surrounding vegetation (woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, and synanthropic) on succession in various disturbed habitats in the Czech Republic by comparing successional sites with more natural vegetation within 100 m and at 1 km from each site. The habitats included old fields, gravel‐sand pits, spoil heaps from black coal mining, industrially extracted peatlands, and acidic stone quarries. We found that, with the exception of wetlands, the influence of the vegetation types on seral vegetation was nearly always significant using marginal and partial Canonical Correspondence Analyses. In the second data set, which included 27 limestone quarries, we compared species lists outside (up to 100 m apart) and inside the quarries using Detrended Correspondence Analysis and the Sørensen similarity index. We found much higher species similarity between outside and inside particular limestone quarries than among the quarries themselves and among their surroundings, which also indicates that the seral vegetation is decisively influenced by the surroundings. We argue that restoration ecologists should carefully consider the nature of the surroundings of disturbed sites because of its profound impact on restoration processes. They should conduct inventories and prescribe some restoration measures not only inside a restored site, but also in its surroundings.     

黄土丘陵区植被恢复过程中土壤微生物数量演变特征

对黄土丘陵区不同植被恢复模式下土壤理化性状及微生物数量研究表明:植被恢复30年后土壤理化性状和微生物数量都得到明显改善,土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮、速效钾含量以及微生物数量显著增加;人工刺槐恢复林细菌与真菌数量,随种植年限增长呈现为先增加后减少,到40年时再增加的变化规律;放线菌数量变化规律不明显。相关性分析显示细菌数量和有机质、全氮、碱解氮和速效钾相关性显著,真菌数量和有机质、全氮相关性显著,而放线菌数量与土壤肥力指标相关性不显著。主成分分析揭示出微生物数量可作为评价植被改善土壤质量的指标。     

桂西北喀斯特移民区土地利用方式对土壤养分的影响

利用典型喀斯特峰丛洼地主要土地利用方式（灌草地、次生林地、果园、牧草地、旱地）的土壤养分测定数据,研究土地利用变化对土壤养分的影响.结果表明：土壤有机碳、全氮、有效氮含量随土地利用强度的增加而降低,灌草地和次生林地比果园、牧草地和旱地土壤有机质含量高86%～155%、全氮含量高62%～119%、有效氮含量高66%～215%（P<0.05）;全磷和全钾含量主要受养分来源的影响,受土地利用方式影响较小;速效磷含量主要受施肥的影响,有效钾含量则主要受植被覆盖和水土流失状况的影响.土地利用方式是影响土壤有机碳、全氮、有效氮、有效磷、有效钾等养分含量变化的重要因素.粗放的农业耕作降低了土壤养分并引起土壤退化,而植被恢复等措施可以培肥土壤.因此,喀斯特区域应改变粗放的农业耕作方式,加强施用有机肥和平衡施肥,对坡度≥25°的坡耕地采取“退耕还林还草”措施,以恢复和重建喀斯特地区生态环境,实现土地资源的可持续利用.     

Factors determining plant species richness in Alaskan arctic tundra

Abstract. We studied the relationship between plant N:P ratio, soil characteristics and species richness in wet sedge and tussock tundra in northern Alaska at seven sites. We also collected data on soil characteristics, above‐ground biomass, species richness and composition. The N:P ratio of the vegetation did not show any relationship with species richness. The N:P ratio of the soil was related with species richness for both vegetation types. Species richness in the tussock tundra was most strongly correlated with soil calcium content and soil pH, with a strong correlation between these two factors. N:P ratio of the soil was also correlated with soil pH. Other factors correlated with species richness were soil moisture and Sphagnum cover. Organic matter content was the factor most strongly correlated with species richness in the wet sedge vegetation. N:P ratio of the soil was strongly correlated with organic matter content. We conclude that N:P ratio in the vegetation is not an important factor determining species richness in arctic tundra and that species richness in arctic tundra is mainly determined by pH and flooding. In tussock tundra the pH, declining with soil age, in combination with Sphagnum growth strongly decreases species richness, while in wet sedge communities flooding over long periods of time creates less favourable conditions for species richness.     

沙漠绿洲过渡带柽柳灌丛沙堆-丘间地系统土壤养分空间异质性

以塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘策勒沙漠绿洲过渡带为研究区,选取植被盖度依次为30%、15%—20%、10%和5%的4个典型样地,对各样地的柽柳灌丛沙堆-丘间地系统典型部位0—10 cm和10—20 cm土壤进行系统采样,分析土壤枯落物、有机质、全效N、P、K和速效N、P、K含量,从风沙地貌的角度研究过渡带沙漠化进程中土壤养分分布特征。结果表明:(1)随着植被总盖度的降低,灌丛沙堆表层0—10 cm土壤的枯落物、有机质、全N、全K、速效K含量呈降低趋势,平均降幅为69.3%、37.0%、35.3%、8.3%和24.5%。全P含量没有明显的变化,速效N和速效P含量呈先减小后增大的趋势;(2)从灌丛下→沙堆边缘→丘间地→风影区,土壤枯落物、有机质、全N、全P、速效N、速效P、速效K含量表现出先减小后增大的趋势,最大值位于灌丛下部位,最小值位于丘间地,但在植被盖度5%的样地,沙堆-丘间地系统各部位之间养分含量无显著性差异;(3)与0—10 cm土层相比,10—20 cm土层的枯落物、有机质、全N、全P和速效P含量显著降低,平均降幅为40.0%、27.0%、25.0%、4.5%和2.0%,全K、速效N和速效K含量明显增加,平均增幅为4.8%、103.3%和12.1%。随着植被盖度的降低,10—20 cm土层的养分含量具有与0—10 cm土层相对一致的变化趋势;(4)灌丛的生物反馈作用使得灌丛下部位具有明显的养分富集效应,但随着植被总盖度的降低和风沙活动不断加剧,非生物因素逐渐占据主导,灌丛的养分富集效应趋于减弱和消失。     

基于主成分分析的古树土壤肥力综合评价

以广州市海珠区登记在册的40株古树为研究对象,调查其生长状况,采集土壤测定pH、EC值、容重、通气度、有机质、全N、全P、全K、水解N、有效P、速效K含量等11项理化指标,采用主成分分析和聚类分析对古树土壤肥力进行综合评价.结果表明:海珠区大多数古树土壤EC值偏低(<0.35 mS·cm-1),表现为强变异;土壤有机质...     

库布齐沙地两种植被恢复类型根际土壤微生物和土壤化学性质比较研究

油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)与中间锦鸡儿(Caragana intermedia)是库布齐沙地分布广泛的优良固沙植被类型,在植被恢复过程中受到关注。以库布齐沙地自然恢复的油蒿群落与人工种植的中间锦鸡儿群落为研究对象,以流动沙地为对照,采用野外调查、室内生化实验与统计分析相结合的方法,分析两种植被恢复类型根际与非根际土壤微生物、土壤化学性质的差异,研究土壤微生物与土壤化学性质间的相关关系,并运用综合指数法评价两种植被恢复类型对土壤生态系统的恢复效果,为库布齐沙地植被恢复与重建提供科学依据。主要结论如下:(1)与流沙对照相比,两种植被恢复类型根际、非根际土壤微生物数量、微生物生物量碳、氮含量均有不同程度的提高,其中,自然恢复的油蒿群落根际土壤微生物总数、细菌数量、微生物量碳和氮含量均显著高于中间锦鸡儿根际,真菌和放线菌数量分布表现为中间锦鸡儿油蒿;(2)两种植被恢复类型根际、非根际土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、速效氮、速效钾含量均比流动沙地有不同程度地提高,其中,油蒿根际、非根际土壤有机质、全氮、速效氮含量显著高于中间锦鸡儿;(3)影响油蒿和中间锦鸡儿群落土壤微生物数量、生物量碳和氮的土壤因子是有机质、p H值、全氮、速效氮、速效钾、速效磷,其中,对两种植被恢复类型土壤微生物数量和生物量有正向促进作用的主要因子是土壤有机质、速效钾和全氮含量;(4)运用综合指数法计算出基于14个土壤指标的土壤质量综合指数(SQI),SQI值排序为:油蒿根际中间锦鸡儿根际油蒿非根际中间锦鸡儿非根际流沙对照。自然恢复的油蒿群落对土壤质量的改良效果显著优于人工种植的中间锦鸡儿群落,是库布齐沙地生态恢复的适合途径之一。