The role of shrub (Potentilla fruticosa) on ecosystem CO2 fluxes in an alpine shrub meadow

Aims Recent studies have shown that alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau act as significant CO₂ sinks. On the plateau, alpine shrub meadow is one of typical grassland ecosystems. The major alpine shrub on the plateau is Potentilla fruticosa L. (Rosaceae), which is distributed widely from 3 200 to 4 000 m. Shrub species play an important role on carbon sequestration in grassland ecosystems. In addition, alpine shrubs are sensitive to climate change such as global warming. Considering global warming, the biomass and productivity of P. fruticosa will increase on Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Thus, understanding the carbon dynamics in alpine shrub meadow and the role of shrubs around the upper distribution limit at present is essential to predict the change in carbon sequestration on the plateau. However, the role of shrubs on the carbon dynamics in alpine shrub meadow remains unclear. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the magnitude of CO₂ exchange of P. fruticosa shrub patches around the upper distribution limit and to elucidate the role of P. fruticosa on ecosystem CO₂ fluxes in an alpine meadow.Methods We used the static acrylic chamber technique to measure and estimate the net ecosystem productivity (NEP), ecosystem respiration (R e), and gross primary productivity (GPP) of P. fruticosa shrub patches at three elevations around the species' upper distribution limit. Ecosystem CO₂ fluxes and environmental factors were measured from 17 to 20 July 2008 at 3 400, 3 600, and 3 800 m a.s.l. We examined the maximum GPP at infinite light (GPP max) and maximum R e (R emax) during the experimental time at each elevation in relation to aboveground biomass and environmental factors, including air and soil temperature, and soil water content.Important findings Patches of P. fruticosa around the species' upper distribution limit absorbed CO₂, at least during the daytime. Maximum NEP at infinite light (NEP max) and GPP max of shrub patches in the alpine meadow varied among the three elevations, with the highest values at 3 400 m and the lowest at 3 800 m. GPP max was positively correlated with the green biomass of P. fruticosa more strongly than with total green biomass, suggesting that P. fruticosa is the major contributor to CO₂ uptake in the alpine shrub meadow. Air temperature influenced the potential GPP at the shrub-patch scale. R emax was correlated with aboveground biomass and R emax normalized by aboveground biomass was influenced by soil water content. Potentilla fruticosa height (biomass) and frequency increased clearly as elevation decreased, which promotes the large-scale spatial variation of carbon uptake and the strength of the carbon sink at lower elevations.     

Characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers for Georgia false indigo (Amorpha georgiana Wilbur var. georgiana), an endangered species, and their utility in other dwarf Amorpha L. species

In order to facilitate the addition of a genetic component to conservation management plans for Georgia false indigo (Amorpha georgiana var. georgiana), a rare legume of the southeastern USA, 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed. No gametic disequilibrium was detected among locus pairs, but observations for five of the loci significantly deviated from expected Hardy-Weinberg proportions. Cross-species testing was successful and demonstrated the utility of the majority of the markers in congeners Amorpha georgiana var. confusa and Amorpha herbacea. The results also suggested that A. georgiana var. confusa is tetraploid rather than diploid.     

亚高寒草甸不同坡向金露梅种群的空间分布格局及空间关联

植物种群在不同干扰条件下对环境的适应对策可以通过其空间分布格局及关联性反映出来.金露梅是甘南亚高寒草甸中的优势种,通过野外群落调查,运用空间点格局分析的Ripley K函数,分析甘南不同坡向亚高寒草甸中金露梅种群的空间分布格局及其关联性.结果表明: 金露梅种群在3个坡向的分布具有显著差异,重要值、生物量和盖度在北坡均高于南坡;北坡和西坡金露梅种群Ⅰ、Ⅱ级个体在小尺度上呈显著聚集分布,随着龄级和空间尺度的增加,金露梅种群聚集强度逐渐减弱,趋向于随机分布;南坡由于其生境条件对金露梅生长的抑制,种间竞争激烈,各级金露梅种群的分布格局均以随机分布为主;不同坡向的金露梅种群Ⅰ、Ⅱ级个体之间在一定尺度内表现为负关联,随着尺度增加,关联度降低,Ⅲ、Ⅳ级与Ⅰ、Ⅱ级个体之间的关联性呈显著负关联;较大个体之间无明显关系,表明年龄接近的个体在空间分布上是相互独立的,利于其充分利用环境资源.     

Rescue and Restoration: Experimental Translocation of Amorpha herbacea Walter var. crenulata (Rybd.) Isley into a Novel Urban Habitat

Though translocations of rare populations should be considered only as the last resort for species’ conservation, when habitat destruction is imminent, it may be the only means to preserve a species. With over half the known, wild federally endangered Crenulate leadplant (Amorpha herbacea var. crenulata), Fabaceae, growing on unprotected land slated for development, preserving this unprotected population was critical. We rescued whole plants, cuttings, and seeds for an experimental translocation. Into a restored pine rockland, once dominated by the invasive exotic tree Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), we transplanted plants from different sources and of different sizes. Plants used were rescued from an unprotected site, seedlings, and 1‐, 2‐, and 7‐year‐old plants from Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s ex situ collection, creating a novel population in a new habitat. We also evaluated which propagule type and source had the best survival, growth, and reproduction. After 40 months, overall transplant survival was 71%. Large whole plants, rescued and nursery grown, had the best survival rates (86 and 78%), whereas cuttings had 67% survival and seedlings had only 26% survival. The restored site, once nearly a monoculture of S. terebinthifolius, is now dominated by 104 native plant species, including 17 naturally recruited state listed, plus the one translocated federally endangered plant species. In addition, one federally threatened snake species was observed on the site. These studies demonstrate that botanic garden collections not only play a vital role in the conservation of species’ genetic diversity but also can be used as source material for habitat restoration.     

青藏高原高寒灌丛植被对长期放牧强度试验的响应特征

在青藏高原中国科学院海北高寒草甸生态系统定位研究站对金露梅高寒灌丛草场植被开展了长期不同放牧强度试验,分别在短期(4年)、中期(11年)和长期(18年)放牧阶段研究不同放牧干扰强度对草地植物物种多样性、群落结构、地上生物量和草场质量的影响.研究表明,在不同放牧阶段,随着放牧强度增加植物群落的高度和盖度都降低.在中期放牧干扰阶段,物种多样性数和均匀度指数随着放牧强度增加呈现典型的单峰曲线模式;在长期放牧干扰阶段,随着放牧强度增加,占优势地位的灌木和禾草被典型杂类草替代,其中的重度放牧干扰简化了高寒灌丛植被群落结构,减少了地上现存生物量,特别是可食优良牧草生物量.植被对放牧的响应除了与放牧强度和放牧时间阶段密切相关外,还与该地区水热条件的变化有一定的相关性.针对长期放牧干扰的反应特性可将金露梅灌丛草场中植物划分为增加型、敏感型、忍耐型和无反应型4种类型.除了丰富度指数、多样性指数和均匀度指数外,其它一些特征参数并不支持著名的中度干扰假说.本研究发现,长期重度放牧促进了青藏高原高寒草地退化,适度放牧有利于高寒灌丛草场的生物多样性保护和牧草利用;"取半留半"的放牧原则在青藏高原草场放牧管理实践中值得推荐,它将有利于防止草场退化,提高牧草利用率和维持较高的生物多样性.     

Restoration of alvar vegetation on Öland,Sweden

Abstract. Alvars in the Baltic region, particularly on the Swedish islands of Öland and Gotland and in western Estonia, are well‐known for their plant species richness and extensive populations of rare species. Grasslands make up most of alvar vegetation. The extent of these grasslands decreases because of bush enchroachment which takes place in most alvars when traditional land use practice changes, notably when grazing is ceased. The main threat for the alvar grassland is formed by the rapid expansion of Juniperus communis and Potentilla fruticosa in dry and wet sites, respectively. Applied research has been carried out during several years in order to develop plans for the restoration of alvar grassland. Thus it was shown that species richness in areas with a mixture of grassland and shrubland decreases in relation to the increased cover by shrubs. In the case of Juniperus there is a distinct drop in species number as soon as the cover exceeds 75‐80%, while the decrease is more gradual with increased cover of Potentilla. The seed banks under dense stands of these shrubs only contain ca. 20% of the species found in dry and wet alvar meadows. This was confirmed by clearing experiments. Long‐term recordings have shown that establishment of juniper seedlings takes place mainly in half‐open areas between already existing junipers. Intermediate‐sized junipers expanded faster than old and big shrubs. Potentilla shrubs recover fast from cutting or burning. After 2‐4 yr they have almost attained their former size. This recovery can be prevented when cattle grazing is introduced. In the framework of a local alvar restoration project on Öland, covering 7000 ha, grazing regimes are re‐established, fences erected and large‐scale clearings carried out. Recently established juniper shrubs are being cleared, intermediate sized junipers (30‐50 yr old) are selectively removed while creating a mosaic landscape with high biological diversity. Older dense juniper stands are left alone or are only partly cleared. Potentilla stands in moist areas are cut to create moist meadows which are breeding grounds for waders, and to establish corridors between remaining open areas. Three items are discussed (1) the importance of the Stora Alvar area; (2) re‐introduction of grazing and (3) re‐introduction of species. The outstanding importance of the area regarding species richness and endemism should be recognized through a ‘golden list’ to be used along with red and blue lists.     

海岸黑松和紫穗槐对间歇强净风和风沙流吹袭的生理响应机制

以海岸防风固沙优势树种紫穗槐(Amorpha fruticosa Linn)和黑松(Pinus thunbergii Parl)为研究对象,利用野外便携式沙风洞用间歇风吹模拟自然阵风,通过分析间歇强净风(18m/s)和强风沙流(172.93g cm^-1 min^-1)吹袭过程中和风后恢复中,两树种叶片膜脂过氧化产物含量、抗氧化酶活力、渗透调节物含量的变化,以探讨其对自然阵风吹袭响应机制及自愈修复生理机制。结果表明,自然状况下,紫穗槐和黑松叶片相对含水量(RWC)相近,但抗氧化酶活力及种类和渗透调节物含量及种类上存在差异。紫穗槐叶片丙二醛含量(MDA)、脯氨酸含量及过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活力分别较黑松高93.3%、78.6%、118.8%、6.5倍。而黑松可溶糖含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力较紫穗槐高111.5%和28.2%。在间歇净风和风沙流处理中,随着风吹袭次数增多,黑松叶片RWC趋于小幅降低,可溶性糖含量及POD、SOD、CAT活力呈小幅波动式变化;紫穗槐叶片RWC大幅下降,伴随着脯氨酸含量,POD、CAT、SOD活...     

紫穗槐种子提取物的抑菌活性研究

目的研究紫穗槐种子提取物的抑菌活性。方法将紫穗槐种子乙醇提取物分别通过石油醚、乙酸乙酯和正丁醇萃取,选择金黄色葡萄球菌和肺炎克雷伯杆菌为供试菌,采用试管二倍稀释法测定紫穗槐种子提取物的最小抑菌浓度（MIC）和最小杀菌浓度（MBC）,涂布平板法绘制杀菌曲线,电镜下观察药物对细菌超微结构的影响。结果紫穗槐种子提取物经乙酸乙酯萃取后对供试菌抑制作用较强,其中对金黄色葡萄球菌的MIC和MBC分别为2．5、5．0mg／mL;对肺炎克雷伯杆菌的MIC和MBC分别为5．0、10．0mg／mL;杀菌曲线结果表明,药物对供试菌的抑制作用存在浓度和时间依赖性;电镜结果说明,药物的作用可能与破坏菌体细胞壁、改变细胞膜通透性有关。结论紫穗槐种子提取物具有显著的抗菌活性。     

接种丛枝菌根真菌对模拟大气氮沉降下灌木铁线莲根系形态及养分承载的影响

为了解菌根化处理的灌木铁线莲(Clematis fruticosa)苗木根系形态及养分承载对氮沉降的应激响应,以1年生盆栽灌木铁线莲为对象,分别采用单接种和混合接种,即：单接种根内根孢囊霉(Rhizophagus intraradices,以下简称+R),单接种摩西斗管囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae,以下简称+F);混合接菌(上述2菌种菌剂按体积1∶1混合,以下简称+RF)的菌根苗。以非菌根苗(未接菌,以下简称-M)为对照。氮沉降处理设置4个梯度(不施氮(0N,0 g·m^-2·a^-1)、低氮(LN,3 g·m^-2·a^-1)、中氮(MN,6 g·m^-2·a^-1)、高氮(HN,9 g·m^-2·a^-1)),1年后测定各处理细根形态(直径≤0.5 mm的总根长、总表面积、总体积、根尖数量)、菌根侵染率、土壤孢子密度及根、茎、叶各器官的养分(碳、氮、磷)含量等指标。(1)在+R和+RF处理下,LN处理的苗...