Spatial patterns of surface soil properties and vegetation in a Mediterranean semi-arid steppe

In arid and semi-arid areas with sparse vegetation cover, the spatial pattern of surface soil properties affects water and nutrient flows, and is a question of considerable interest for understanding degradation processes and establishing adequate management measures. In this study, we investigate the spatial distribution of vegetation and surface soil properties (biological crusts, physical crusts, mosses, rock fragments, earthworm casts, fine root accumulation and below-ground stones) in a semi-arid Stipa tenacissima L. steppe in SE Spain. We applied the combination of spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) and geostatistics to assess the spatial pattern of soil properties and vegetation, and correlation analyses to explore how these patterns were related. SADIE analysis detected significant clumped patterns in the spatial distribution of vegetation, mosses, fine root accumulation and below-ground stone content. Contoured SADIE index of clustering maps suggested the presence of patchiness in the distribution of earthworm casts, fine roots, below-ground stone content, mosses and biological crusts. Correlation analyses suggested that spatial pattern of some soil properties such as biological crusts, moss cover, surface rock fragments, physical crusts and fine roots were significantly related with above-ground plant distribution. We discuss the spatial arrangement of surface soil properties and suggest mechanistic explanations for the observed spatial patterns and relationships.     

Effects of vegetation and fertilizer on metal and Sb plant uptake in a calcareous shooting range soil

Shooting range soils frequently contain anomalous concentrations of metals (e.g. Pb, Zn, Mn) and Sb coming from bullets which may be released into the environment. In a pot experiment, we investigated metal and Sb uptake by three plant species (Plantago lanceolata, Lolium perenne and Triticum aestivum) growing on a calcareous shooting range soil (pH 7.8; 500 mg kg⁻¹ Pb, 21 mg kg⁻¹ Sb) and the uptake changes when an acidic fertilizer solution was applied to the soil. Metal and Sb solubility in the soil was determined by extraction with 0.1 M NaNO₃. In addition, we measured pH, electrical conductivity and dissolved organic carbon in drainage samples. The results showed significant increase over time of pH (from 7.8 to 8.3) and decrease of electrical conductivity and dissolved organic carbon (from 230 to ∼130 mg L⁻¹). Fertilizer application increased NaNO₃-extractable Pb and Sb and root:shoot biomass ratio but not plant metal uptake. In T. aestivum spikes accumulated more Zn, Ni and Cu than shoots and grains. Mn and Zb uptake was correlated in L. perenne shoots. P. lanceolata, a Sb-bioindicator, did not accumulate high amounts of Sb (<1 mg kg⁻¹).     

红壤坡地不同土地利用方式土壤侵蚀的时空分布规律研究

应用定位土芯Eu(Europium)示踪新方法 ,研究红壤坡地不同土地利用方式下土壤侵蚀的时空分布规律 .结果表明 ,新方法对以片蚀和细沟侵蚀为主的红壤坡地是适用的 ;土壤侵蚀的时间分布与降雨量的年时间分布相一致 ,过程性暴雨期表现为全年土壤侵蚀的高峰期 ;在复合坡面 ,随坡面的陡、缓、凹 ,土壤侵蚀表现强、弱、沉积 ;相同坡度和坡长条件下 ,幼龄板栗园的土壤侵蚀速率 >雷竹园 >稀疏马尾松林地 >茶园 .     

Plant–soil interactions in the expansion and native range of a poleward shifting plant species

Climate warming causes range shifts of many species toward higher latitudes and altitudes. However, range shifts of host species do not necessarily proceed at the same rates as those of their enemies and symbionts. Here, we examined how a range shifting plant species performs in soil from its original range in comparison with soil from the expansion range. Tragopogon dubius is currently expanding from southern into north-western Europe and we examined how this plant species responds to soil communities from its original and expansion ranges. We compared the performance of T. dubius with that of the closely related Tragopogon pratensis , which has a natural occurrence along the entire latitudinal gradient. Inoculation with the rhizosphere soil from T. dubius populations of the original range had a more negative effect on plant biomass production than inoculation with rhizosphere soil from the expansion range. Interestingly, the nonrange expander T. pratensis experienced a net negative soil effect throughout this entire range. The effects observed in this species pair may be due to release from soil born enemies or accumulation of beneficial soil born organisms. If this phenomenon applies broadly to other species, then range expansion may enable plants species to show enhanced performance.     

Effect of slope farmland soil and water and soil nitrogen and phosphorus loss based on different crop and straw applications and ridge patterns in the basin of the main stream of the Songhua River

For soil and water erosion control in slope farmland, field experiments consisting of corn?+?no straw application?+?longitudinal ridge (CNL-CK), corn?+?stubble standing?+?cross ridge (CSSC), corn?+?straw application?+?cross ridge (CSC), soybean?+?straw application?+?cross ridge (SSC) and alfalfa?+?straw application?+?cross ridge (ASC) were conducted. Compared with the traditional CNL cropping pattern, soil loss in CSSC, CSC, SSC, and ASC was decreased 43.6%, 48.6%,58.2% and 62.1%, respectively, soil nitrogen loss load was decreased 53.8%, 50.8%, 62.1% and 66.2%, respectively, and soil phosphorus loss load was decreased 50.7%, 50.7%, 60.0%, and 66.7%, respectively. Runoff volume was decreased 42.4%, 52.3%, 54.6% and 61.0%, runoff nitrogen loss load was decreased 52.8%, 56.8%, 46.1% and 50.2%, respectively, and runoff phosphorus loss load was decreased 46.9%, 78.2%, 67.2%, and 62.7%, respectively. Soil and water erosion control of soybean and alfalfa were better than that of corn. Soil loss was decreased 19.2% and 26.7%, soil nitrogen loss load was decreased 22.9% and 31.3% respectively, soil phosphorus loss load was decreased 18.9% and 32.4% respectively, runoff volume was decreased 4.8% and 18.4% respectively, runoff nitrogen loss load was decreased ?24.9% and ?15.3% respectively, and runoff phosphorus loss load was decreased ?50.4% and ?71.2% respectively. Though runoff volume of SSC and ASC were lower than CSC, the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in SSC and ASC runoff liquid were higher than CSC, so the runoff nitrogen and phosphorus of SSC and ASC were increased. The runoff nitrogen and phosphorus loss load could be negligible because the soil nitrogen and phosphorus loss load were large. The concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus of all treatment runoff liquid was less than the environmental quality standards for class III surface water, so the runoff from slope farmland did not influence the water quality of the Songhua River.     

Soil drying and nitrogen availability modulate carbon and water exchange over a range of annual precipitation totals and grassland vegetation types

Increased intensity in precipitation events and longer periods of water deficit are predicted as a general trend under future climate scenarios with potentially large effects on terrestrial ecosystem function. The primary objective of this study was to understand how variation in the intensity of precipitation inputs followed by intermittent soil drying events influence leaf and ecosystem carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water exchange in a California annual grassland mesocosm experiment. We further examined how nitrogen (N) availability, and differences in plant community composition (grass-forb combinations) affected gas exchange responses to the precipitation treatments. Net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) and evapotranspiration (ET) increased significantly with greater precipitation and were positively correlated with soil moisture. A repeated 10-day soil drying period, following 11 days of watering, strongly depressed NEE over a range of annual precipitation totals (297, 657 and 987 mm), and plant community types. Ecosystem dark respiration ( R _e) and leaf level photosynthesis ( A _max) showed greater sensitivity to periods of soil drying in the low precipitation plots (297 mm). N additions significantly increased NEE and R _e, particularly as water availability was increased. Across the range of precipitation totals and plant community types, intermittent periods of soil moisture deficit and native soil N availability constrained leaf and ecosystem level CO₂ exchange, while the influence on water vapor exchange was less pronounced.     

Material properties of coyote dentine under bending: gradients in flexibility and strength by position

We investigate the nonlinear properties of dentine from the upper canines of coyotes Canis latrans with bending tests. With the results we predict the behavior of whole canines under load. Coyote dentine is not homogeneous but is stronger and more ductile farther away from the pulp cavity. The modulus of rupture (MOR) first increases and then declines with distance from the pulp cavity. Our analysis of the composite nature of dentine produced by these gradients indicates that there may be an adaptive explanation with the composite having nearly the strength of the strongest dentine and a work of fracture greater than even the most ductile dentine. Coyote dentine is considerably stronger than human dentine. In coyotes, the peak MOR, a measure of bending strength, is 480 MPa, compared with a maximum of 225 MPa for human dentine. This value is about the same as the weakest coyote dentine that we found near the pulp cavity. Finally, enamel plays, at most, a small role in the bending strength of the whole tooth. Our results indicate that enamel under tension adds little to strength, but we cannot dismiss a small role for enamel in compression.     

河岸带不同植被类型土壤氮素转化过程对冻融交替的响应

河岸带是水陆交错地带氮素生物地球化学循环的热点区域,春季融雪时期的气温变化引起的冻融交替是影响土壤氮素转化过程和氮素流失重要因素之一.通过室内模拟,研究了河岸带珍珠梅、落叶松和农田3种植被类型土壤可溶性氮含量与净氮矿化速率对不同冻结温度和冻融频次的响应.结果表明,冻融频次对3种植被类型河岸带土壤可溶性氮影响显著(P＜0.05),不同植被类型土壤可溶性氮含量变化趋势相似,在第1次冻融之后达到峰值,在第10次冻融之后稳定.3种植被类型土壤无机氮含量受冻融交替影响显著升高(P＜0.05).冻融温度对土壤净氮矿化速率影响显著(P＜0.05),土壤净氮矿化速率在第1次冻融之后达到最大值,随冻融次数增加而下降.3种植被类型土壤受冻融交替影响均有一定程度的氮素流失风险,农田土壤无机氮含量本底值较高,土壤氮素随冰雪融水流失风险较大.     

喀斯特峰丛坡地不同土地利用方式下土壤N、P空间变异特征

基于网格点(5 mx5 m)采样法采集土壤样品,利用经典统计学和地统计学方法,研究了喀斯特峰丛坡地不同土地利用方式(火烧迹地、刈割地、草地、封育地)下表层(0～20cm)土壤氮、磷的空间变异特性.结果表明:研究区4种不同土地利用方式土壤全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、速效氮(AN)、速效磷(AP)均为中等程度变异,含量分别为5.40 ～6.26 g·kg-1、1.24 ～1.44 g·kg-1、365.87～507.32 mg·kg-1、3.91 ～8.04 mg·kg-1,封育地、火烧迹地土壤质量优于草地和刈割地;4种土地利用方式中火烧AN、火烧AP、刈割AN、封育TN的半方差函数最佳拟合模型为球状模型,火烧TN、刈割TN、刈割AP最佳拟合模型为指数模型,其他指标的最佳拟合模型均为高斯模型.刈割TP、火烧TP、草地TP、刈割TN、火烧AP、草地AP、封育TP表现为强烈的空间自相关性,其他土壤养分表现为中等的空间自相关.4种土地利用类型土壤TN与AN、TP与AP具有相似的空间分布格局.火烧、刈割处理TN和AN呈凹形分布,TP和AP呈单峰分布特征,中下坡含量最高,往两端含量逐渐降低;草地TN、AN、TP、AP 4种养分含量均随着坡位的升高而降低;封育样地中4种养分呈类似凹形分布,中间含量低,两端略微升高.土地利用方式的变化改变了喀斯特峰丛坡地土壤养分质量,造成了土壤养分空间格局的变化,因此,在地形破碎、土层浅薄的喀斯特地区进行生态恢复与重建时,应采取合理土地利用方式,进行保护和适度开发,提高喀斯特退化生态系统土壤质量.     

Montane vegetation of the Mt. Field massif,Tasmania: a test of some hypotheses about properties of community patterns

direct gradient analysis was applied to the montane vegetation of the Mt. Field massif, Tasmania. Ecological response surface were constructed, describing the relationship between the mean % cover of each of 100 vascular plant species and two major environmental complex-gradients represented by soil drainage and altitude. The hypotheses tested were that: (1) the ecological responses of species are generally of Gaussian form; (2) the modes of minor species have a uniform random distribution along gradients; (3) the modes of major species are evenly distributed; (4) the frequency distribution over species of modal abundance is either lograndom or lognormal; and (5) alpha diversity has a unimodal trend along environmental gradients. The hypotheses were tested both for the full site of vascular species and for each of five species groups defined by structural form. Hypothesis (1) was rejected: only 45% of species had response surface which appeared unimodal and symmetric. Hypotheses (2) and (4) were rejected for the full set of species, but each was supported for all but one of the structural groups. The modes of herb species were clumped, rather than random and the frequency distribution of modal percentage cover for shrubs was inconsistent with both lograndom and lognormal hypotheses. Contrary to hypothesis (3), the modes of major species were randomly distributed. Although total alpha diversity had a complex trend surface, the patterns for the alpha diversities of each structural group were unimodal, in accordance with hypothesis (5). The results suggest that an adequate model of community variation along environmental gradients must take into account differences in response patterns between species groups.     

Agronomic properties of a volcanic ash-derived soil as affected by uncomposted organic materials

A sandy soil from the Vesuvian volcanic area, low in organic matter, was treated in pot experiments with raw farm-yard manure, green horse bean and wheat straw in order to study the effects of organic amendments on physical, chemical and biological properties. Farm-yard manure, rawly composted, caused a significant decrease of bulk density and improved water retention and the content of available phospate and potassium. It also showed the higher conversion co-efficient to stable humus during two years of the incubation period. It depressed the wheat seed germination and cotyledon growth for a one-year incubation period. Horse bean green manure was rapidly mineralized and did not remarkably improve the physical properties of the soil. Furthermore, it produced the lowest humus content and negatively affected seed development for eight months, but remarkably increased nutrient elements' contents (P and K). Wheat straw, added with N (2% urea form), improved humus formation and soil structure compared to horse bean; it increased K and P content and negatively affected seedling development for two months only.     

NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation comprises a family of temporally overlapping forms of synaptic plasticity that are induced by different patterns of stimulation

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) is extensively studied since it is believed to use the same molecular mechanisms that are required for many forms of learning and memory. Unfortunately, many controversies exist, not least the seemingly simple issue concerning the locus of expression of LTP. Here, we review our recent work and some of the extensive literature on this topic and present new data that collectively suggest that LTP can be explained, during its first few hours, by the coexistence of at least three mechanistically distinct processes that are all triggered by the synaptic activation of NMDARs.     

Pattern formation in a ts-cell-lethal mutant ofDrosophila: The range of phenotypes induced by larval heat treatments

Summary We describe the range of phenotypes caused by cell death when larvae of the heat-sensitive cell-lethal mutant,l(1)ts726 ofDrosophila, are subjected to heat treatment at different stages of development. When the treatment extends into the pupal period, certain bristles fail to develop but the disc derivatives are otherwise normal. Earlier treatments cause the replacement of sets of leg and eye-antennal markers by mirror image duplications of neighbouring sets. The results are compared in detail with those expected under a gradient model proposed earlier to account for the phenotype. It is found that although the results for the second leg are in excellent agreement with the predictions of the model, a more elaborate hypothesis is necessary to account for the eye-antennal disc data. Abnormal head patterns fall into several distinct categories, any one of which could be explained by postulating the existence of a gradient, if other categories did not also occur. The markers affected in each case belong to overlapping sets, and each category of pattern can be induced by heat treatments administered throughout the temperature-sensitive period. The statistical distribution of the data is such that only one category of pattern would be detected in a small scale experiment. The possible implications relative to pattern formation in normal development are discussed.Supported by NRC (Canada) grant number A6485 to M.A.R. and funds from the Committee for Computer Utilisation of the University of Alberta     

Dynamics of soil organic carbon and soil fertility affected by alfalfa productivity in a semiarid agro-ecosystem

We explore the dynamics of soil organic carbon of various forms and its relation with soil fertility in seeded alfalfa grassland established using a field micro-catchment technique to harvest water on the semiarid Loess Plateau in China. Five regimes were set up: (1) conventional flat cultivation without mulch (CK), (2) ridges and furrows were set up alternately on flat land, with 15 cm between each so that the distance between successive ridges (or successive furrows) was 30 cm, and the ridges were mulched with plastic film (M30), (3) similar to M30, but with twice the distance between furrows and ridges (M60), (4) similar to M30, but the ridges were not mulched (B30), (5) similar to M60, but the ridges were not mulched (B60). The increase in alfalfa forage yield in the mulch regimes promotes soil organic carbon (SOC) content, the light fraction of organic carbon (LFOC), the heavy fraction of organic carbon (HFOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). MBC was significantly higher in M30 and M60 than in the other regimes. Significant positive correlation is found between MBC and LFOC (R=0.89; P<0.0001), and MBC and HFOC (R=0.82; P=0.00016). At the end of our three-year experiment, the C/N ratio of 10.09 in M60 was significantly (P<0.005) higher than the other regimes. Since a lower C/N ratio accelerates SOC decomposition in this region, the higher C/N ratio in M60 could limit mineralization of soil nitrogen, conserving soil nitrogen and SOC. The lower ratio of nitrate and nitrite nitrogen to total nitrogen, of 10.74, in M60 at the end of this experiment than in the other regimes and before sowing supports this point. The correlations of SOC with available P and with the ratio of available P to total P are positive in the dry year of 2001, but negative in the wet year of 2002. This can be explained on the basis that a high forage yield of alfalfa requires more soil available P in the wet years than in the dry years.     

Transition of a Sambucus nigra L. dominated woody vegetation into grassland by a multi-species herbivore assemblage

We describe and analyse how large herbivores strongly diminished a woody vegetation, dominated by the unpalatable shrub Sambucus nigra L. and changed it into grassland. Density of woody species and cover of vegetation were measured in 1996, 2002 and 2012 in the grazed Oostvaardersplassen. In 2002 and 2012 we also measured density and cover in an ungrazed control site. In 2002 we measured intensity of browsing and bark loss of Sambucus shrubs in the grazed and control sites. In the grazed site the density of Sambucus and Salix spp. declined significantly between 1996 and 2012, and large areas changed into grassland. In the control site the density of Sambucus increased significantly during this period, the density of Salix spp. did not change, and the vegetation consisted of a mixture of woody species and a field layer dominated by tall herbs. In 2002 and 2012 the percentages of dead Sambucus shrubs were significantly higher in the grazed site than in the control site. In 2002 the percentages of twigs browsed and ring barked stems of Sambucus shrubs were significantly higher in the grazed site than in the control site. Our results show that debarking caused mature Sambucus shrubs to die, but that heavy browsing may have helped this process. Our results also point to a significant neighbour effect on the break down of Sambucus, suggesting that Aggregational Resistance and Associational Palatability were both active. Essential conditions for the break down of this woody vegetation were the presence of large herbivores, the low ratio between the areas of summer and winter feeding habitats and the competition amongst herbivores. Browsing may have been responsible for seedling death, as seedlings were found only in the control site and not on the old and newly established grasslands in the grazed site.     

Decomposition of humic acids by incubation in a soil water-extract under various conditions of oxygen availability

Summary Decomposition of humic acids suspended in a soil water-extract under various conditions of oxygen availability (aerobic, anaerobic, alternating aerobic/anaerobic) led to the formation of fulvic acids, lower molecular weight compounds, and humin, a more complex mixture of insoluble compounds. The transformation of humic acids and formation of new humic compounds were higher under aerobic conditions than under either anaerobic or alternating aerobic/anaerobic ones.Although subjected to decomposition under greatly differing conditions of oxygen availability, the residual humic acids showed essentially the same types of chemical alterations, an increase of functional groups containing oxygen and a decrease of hydrolysable ternary and quarternary fractions.     

凤丹连作对土壤理化性质和酶活性影响的研究

研究了安徽南陵凤丹园1~5年连续种植地中凤丹根际土壤的理化性质和几种酶活性的变化规律。结果表明：所有种植年限的凤丹根际土壤pH值均小于非种植土壤（p〈0.05）。全N、全P、全K、有机质等理化性质及酶活性（脲酶,硝酸还原酶,多酚氧化酶和蛋白酶）均显著高于非种植土壤（p〈0.05）。各年限根际土壤的脲酶,硝酸还原酶,多酚氧化酶和蛋白酶的R/S值均大于1,显示凤丹对4种根际土壤酶酶活性影响为正效应。连作5年凤丹和1年生凤丹根际土壤相比多酚氧化酶,脲酶和蛋白酶的活性分别下降了64.84%、52.55%、51.59%（均p〈0.05）;连作5年和2年相比,硝酸还原酶下降了23.26%（p〈0.05）,同时土壤全N、全P、全K和有机质分别下降了57.84%,36.76%,47.89%和19.84%（p〈0.05）。说明随凤丹连作,土壤中积累的根系分泌物对4种土壤酶活性表现出抑制作用,可能影响了土壤的理化性质。为揭示凤丹连作障碍的机理提供了实验依据。     

Mineralization of soil organic P induced by drying and rewetting as a source of plant-available P in limed and unlimed samples of an acid soil

This study assessed the effects of different farming systems, namely woodlot (WL), alley farming (AL), conventional tillage (CT) and natural fallow (NF) on the variability of organic carbon (OC) content and mean weight diameter (MWD) of a degraded Ferric Acrisol in the sub-humid zone of Ghana. The soils under woodlot accumulated the highest amount of organic carbon (18.6 g kg^–1) with the least spatial variability apparently due to the greater additions of litter and minimum tillage. The conventionally tilled soil had the least OC content (13.1 g kg^–1). Similar to the OC content, the woodlot soils also had the highest aggregate stability (MWD = 1.78 mm) and the least spatial variability. The stability of soil aggregates under the farming systems was greatly influenced by OC content; there was a good correlation between OC and MWD (r > 0.62^**). Correlograms showed that OC and MWD are space dependent. The correlation length for OC under the different farming systems followed the order WL > NF > AL > CT, indicating that WL ensured a greater uniform distribution soil organic matter. The spatial distribution in MWD followed the same trend observed for OC. The MWD in the other farming systems was poorly related from point to point with shorter k-values, suggesting lack of uniformity due to low accumulation of OC. Generally, the woodlot system appeared to be a better, low-input restorer of soil productivity.     

Blood coagulation induced by Bothrops atrox venom: identification and properties of a factor X activator

The coagulating activity of Bothrops atrox venom was investigated in vitro with purified fibrinogen, with normal plasma and with plasma deficient in various factors of the coagulation cascade. This study indicated that Bothrops atrox venom possesses a thrombin-like action caused by one or several serine proteases sensitive to DFP treatment, but that its clotting action is in fact mainly due to components insensitive to DFP which activate prothrombin and factor X (Stuart factor). We partially purified the DFP insensitive activator of factor X from Bothrops atrox venom and found it to be a protein of molecular weight 77,000. Analysis of the purified fraction by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel in the presence of SDS showed that it is mainly composed of one heavy polypeptide chain (65,000) and one light doublet (12 - 13,000). This activator is calcium-dependent and catalyzes in vitro the conversion of purified factor X into factor X alpha. By its molecular properties, it resembles the factor X activator from Vipera russellii venom rather than physiological activators.     

Improvement of degraded physical properties of a saline-sodic soil by reclamation with kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca)

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of growing salt tolerant plants to improve the physical characteristics of a saline-sodic soil. Kallar grass [Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth], a species tolerant to salinity, sodicity and alkalinity, was irrigated for five years with poor quality ground water (EC = 0.14 S m^–1, SAR_adj=19.3, RSC = 9.7 meq L^–1). The soil physical properties of plant available water, saturated hydraulic conductivity, structural stability, bulk density and porosity were determined at the end of each year. The growth of kallar grass for three years significantly improved the physical properties of the soil and these were maintained with further growth of grass up to five years. Kallar grass significantly increased plant available water with time (r=0.97^**). The available water was highly correlated (r=0.92^**) with increases in soil organic matter content, porosity (r=0.99^**) and other physical properties. Soil hydraulic conductivity increased substantially with time from 0.035 to 55.6 mm d^–1 in the topsoil (0–20 cm) in five years and was significantly correlated with porosity, water retention, structural stability and organic matter content of soil. The soil structural stability index improved significantly from 32 to 151 with kallar grass and showed greater increases in the surface soil than at depth. The cropping of kallar grass resulted in a linear increase of soil organic matter content (r=0.92^**) which improved porosity and other soil physical properties (r0.82^*). This study confirmed that kallar grass is effective for rehabilitation and restoration of soil fertility in saline-sodic areas on a sustainable basis.