陇东黄土高原丘陵沟壑区天然草地植物多样性研究

以陇东黄土高原丘陵沟壑区天然草地30个植被样点的样方资料为依据,以相对生物量为指标,对该地区群落植物多样性进行了研究。结果表明,该地区天然草地可划分为长芒草草原、次生杂类草草原和杂类草草甸草原3个植被类型,16个群落按放牧程度分为禁牧草地、轻牧草地和过牧草地3个层次。多样性指数显示草甸草原>长芒草草原>次生杂类草草原,轻牧草地>禁牧草地>过牧草地的趋势。放牧程度可能是影响该区域天然草地植物多样性的关键因素,出现海拔增高和降水增加多样性指数降低的趋势可能是放牧干扰的结果。相关性分析显示物种的Shannon-wiener和Simpson多样性指数与Shannon和Simpson均匀度指数间均呈显著正相关,而与生物量之间呈显著负相关。     

沙质草地3种优势植物叶片光合生理对增温和降水减少的响应北大核心CSCD

以沙质草地优势物种猪毛蒿、胡枝子和糙隐子草为研究对象,利用开顶式生长室(OTC)模拟增温,研究降水减少20%、40%和60%与增温的交互作用对3种典型植物叶片光合气体交换特征及叶绿素荧光特征的影响,以揭示沙质草地3种优势植物对气候变化的响应规律。结果显示:(1)与自然温度相比,OTC模拟增温增加了猪毛蒿C_(i),显著降低了胡枝子G_(s)、P_(n)和T_(r)、糙隐子草G_(s)和P_(n)、猪毛蒿WUE和L_(s),也显著降低了猪毛蒿和胡枝子F_(v)/F_(m)和F_(v)/F_(o)。(2)无论增温与否,随着降水减少幅度的增加,猪毛蒿G_(s)和P_(n)呈下降趋势,且中度以上的干旱胁迫下(降水减少>40%)胡枝子和糙隐子草P_(n)显著低于对照。(3)在自然温度条件下,轻度干旱胁迫时(降水减少20%)猪毛蒿T_(r)显著低于对照,重度干旱胁迫时(降水减少60%)其WUE、F_(v)/F_(m)和F_(v)/F_(o)显著低于对照;重度干旱胁迫时,胡枝子C_(i)显著高于对照,差异幅度达10.7%,L_(s)显著低于对照,轻度干旱胁迫时(降水减少20%)其F_(v)/F_(m)和F_(v)/F_(o)显著高于中度以上的干旱胁迫;中度以上的干旱胁迫下糙隐子草T_(r)和G_(s)显著低于对照,重度干旱胁迫时,其C_(i)、F_(v)/F_(m)和F_(v)/F_(o)显著低于对照,WUE和L_(s)显著高于对照。(4)增温与降水减少交互作用下,所有处理猪毛蒿C_(i)均高于对照,差异幅度分别达4.5%,6.0%和8.4%;胡枝子T_(r)均显著低于对照,差异幅度达57.8%;重度干旱胁迫时猪毛蒿L_(s)和WUE显著低于对照,糙隐子草F_(v)/F_(m)和F_(v)/F_(o)随降水减少而降低,中度以上的干旱胁迫时其值显著低于对照。(5)相关性分析表明,3个优势物种的P_(n)与F_(v)/F_(m)和F_(v)/F_(o)均呈显著正相关关系,其中猪毛蒿和糙隐子草的P_(n)—F_(v)/F_(m)和P_(n)—F_(v)/F_(o)斜率明显高于胡枝子。研究表明,气候变暖会在一定程度上加剧降水减少对沙质草地3种群落优势物种光合作用的抑制。     

放牧对黄土高原退耕草地土壤有机碳储量的影响

放牧是影响草地土壤碳固存的重要因素。本研究选取黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区西部、中部、东部地区及水蚀区,以各区20年以上退耕封禁地为对照,分析3个放牧强度下(羊粪球密度分别为0～10、10～20、>20 ind·m^-2)退耕草地0～20 cm土层土壤有机碳储量的分布特征,研究放牧及其强度对退耕草地土壤固碳效应的影响。结果表明: 放牧对交错区西部0～20 cm、东部0～10 cm,水蚀区0～5 cm土层土壤有机碳储量有显著影响,对交错区中部各土层均无显著影响;羊粪球密度0～10、＞20 ind·m^-2强度的放牧使交错区西部0～20 cm土层土壤有机碳储量显著降低了34.8%～50.9%,而在其他3个区域,放牧对有机碳储量的影响较退耕封禁地差异不显著。在交错区东部,放牧强度是影响退耕草地土壤有机碳储量的主要因素,而其他3个区域有机碳储量主要受土壤理化性质和(或)枯落物生物量的影响。羊粪球密度10～20 ind·m^-2强度的放牧对各区域退耕草地0～20 cm土层土壤有机碳储量无显著影响。     

Artificial sowing of endangered dry grassland species into disused basalt quarries

Steppe-like dry (semi) natural grasslands are valuable and endangered habitats in central Europe. In the study area (the ?eské st?edoho?í Hills, Czech Republic), they occur in fragments on southern slopes of volcanic hills, often in the vicinity of quarries, which are numerous there. We performed sowing experiments and observed seedling recruitment of six species, typical for the dry grasslands, in 9 basalt quarries located in 3 different climatic regions over 3 yr. The sowing experiments were established in young successional stages, 5–12 yr after quarrying was stopped. The objectives of the experiments were to evaluate: (i) if seedling recruitment and survival of the target species are possible regarding different climatic regions and (ii) what is the influence of weather fluctuations among years on seedling survival. Seedlings of all studied species were able to recruit and survive in the early successional stages at least in some quarries. The species, except one, showed significant differences in recruitment among the climatic regions, with the best recruitment and survival in the driest and warmest region. Seedlings of two species did not recruit in the wettest and coldest region. All species survived in the driest and warmest region, while only one did so in the coldest and wettest region. Different weather conditions in the studied years significantly influenced recruitment of two species. The number of localities (floristic records) of particular species in the regions was the best predictor of species germination and survival. Thus a traditional floristic survey may help to predict success of species in restoration projects. It emerged that artificial sowing can be considered in restoration programs as a way of contributing to restoration of dry grasslands in disused quarries.     

Association of wintering raptors with Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program grasslands in Pennsylvania

ABSTRACT Conservation grasslands can provide valuable habitat resource for breeding songbirds, but their value for wintering raptors has received little attention. We hypothesized that increased availability of grassland habitat through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) has resulted in an increase or redistribution in numbers of four species of raptors in Pennsylvania since 2001. We tested this by analyzing winter raptor counts from volunteer surveys, conducted from 2001 to 2008, for Red‐tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), Rough‐legged Hawks (Buteo lagopus), Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus), and American Kestrels (Falco sparverius). During that period, numbers of wintering Northern Harriers increased by more than 20% per year. Log‐linear Poisson regression models show that all four species increased in the region of Pennsylvania that had the most and longest‐established conservation grasslands. At the county scale (N= 67), Bayesian spatial models showed that spatial and temporal population trends of all four species were positively correlated with the amount of conservation grassland. This relationship was particularly strong for Northern Harriers, with numbers predicted to increase by 35.7% per year for each additional 1% of farmland enrolled in CREP. Our results suggest that conservation grasslands are likely the primary cause of the increase in numbers of wintering Northern Harriers in Pennsylvania since 2001.     

A comparison of soil quality in adjacent cultivated,forest and native grassland soils

Changes in soil quality after 45 years of continuous production of corn (Zea mays L.) by the conventional tillage method (C) compared with adjacent poplar forest (F) and native grassland (G) sites were examined. The investigated parameters were: total and humified organic C, total N, light fraction content and composition, water-soluble organic C (WSOC), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), phenolic substances, biomass C, cumulative CO₂-C (soil respiration) (C _m), enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase, protease, -glucosidase, urease, catalase and dehydrogenase). Empirical indexes of soil quality were also calculated: biomass C/organic C, specific respiration of biomass C (qCO₂), death rate quotient (qD), metabolic potential (MP), biological index of fertility (BIF), enzyme activity number (EAN) and hydrolysing coefficient (HC). Results indicate that long-term corn production at an intensive level caused a marked decline in all examined parameters. Between the undisturbed systems, native grassland showed higher values of soil quality parameters than forest site. The indexes most responsive to management practices that may provide indications of the effects of soil cultivation, as well as of the differently undisturbed ecosystems were: organic C, WSC, C _m, protease, -glucosidase, urease and HC. Soil enzyme activities were well related with, and not more sensitive than organic carbon.     

Methane emissions from wet grasslands on peat soil in a nature preserve

The area of wet grasslands on peat soil in the Netherlands is slowly increasing at the expense of drained, agriculturally used grasslands. This study aimed (i) to assess the contribution of wet grasslands on peat soil to methane (CH₄) emissions, and (ii) to explain differences among sites and between years in order to improve our understanding of controlling factors. For these purposes, a field study was conducted in the period 1994–1996 in the nature preserve Nieuwkoopse Plassen, which is a former peat mining and agricultural area. Net CH₄ emissions were measured weekly to monthly with vented closed flux chambers at three representative sites, and at ditches near these sites. Three-years average of CH₄ emissions was 7.9 g CH₄ m^–2 yr^–1 for Drie Berken Zudde, 13.3 for Koole, and 20.4 for Brampjesgat. Ditches near the sites emitted 4.2–22.5 g CH₄ m^–2 yr^–1. The time-course of CH₄ emissions for all experimental sites and years was fit with a multiple linear regression model with ground water level and soil temperature as independent variables. Lowering or raising the ground water level by 5 cm could decrease or increase CH₄ emissions by 30–50%. Therefore, ground water level management of these grasslands should be done with care.     

Pollen dispersion, pollen viability and pistil receptivity in Leymus chinensis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Leymus chinensis is an economically and ecologically important grass that is widely distributed across eastern areas of the Eurasian steppe. A major problem facing its propagation by man is its low sexual reproductivity. The causes of low fecundity are uncertain, largely because many aspects of the reproductive biology of this species remained unknown or incomplete. This study aims to address some of these issues. METHODS: Pollen dispersion, pollen viability, pollen longevity and pistil receptivity were studied in a representative, natural population of L. chinensis growing in Inner Mongolia. KEY RESULTS: Flowering of L. chinensis occurred at the end of June and lasted for 5 d. Pollination peaked between 1600 h and 1700 h, and about 56.1 % of the total pollen grains were released at this time. Pollen density was highest towards the middle of flowering spikes and lowest at the bottom over the 5 d measurement period. Pollen viability (62.4 %) assessed using TTC was more accurate than using IKI (85.6 %); 50 % of pollen arriving on stigmas germinated. Pollen remained viable for only 3 h and the pollen : ovule ratio was 79 333 : 1. Pistil receptivity lasted for only 3 h and, overall, 86.7 % of pistils were pollinated. Within the spike, the relative fecundity of different positions was middle > lower > upper throughout the period of pollination; daily variation of fecundity was similar to that of the pollen flow. The spikes that opened on the day of highest pollen density exhibited the highest fecundity (36.0 %). No seeds were produced by self-pollination. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that low pollen viability, short pollen longevity and short pistil receptivity all appear to contribute to the low seed production typical of this important forage crop.     

Long-term behaviour of 15N in an alpine grassland ecosystem

Nitrogen dynamics in semi-natural environments is crucial for the development and ecological stability of these systems. The present paper shows the results of the reinvestigation of a ¹⁵N-tracer experiment, which was established in the Grossglockner massif in Austria at 2300ma.s.l. in 1974/1975. We show that large quantities of nitrogen introduced by a single pulse labelling (amounting to approximately 1.7% of the nitrogen in the system) into an alpine grassland remain in the soil–plant system, with only 55% being lost during 27–28 years. In the first 10cm of the four investigated soil profiles 40% of ¹⁵N was recovered, being mainly bound in organic forms. A simple site specific model was established on the basis of the results considering a biological, residual and labile N-pool, the latter being the source for N-losses. By the model a long mean residence time close to 100 years was derived for the remaining ¹⁵N.     

太白红杉群落物种多样性与环境因子的关系

定量研究了太白红杉群落物种多样性与环境因子的关系,结果表明:(1)海拔与物种丰富度和种间相遇机率呈极显著的负相关;与Shannon指数、Simpson指数和Pielou指数表现为"中间高度膨胀"的规律,即中等海拔高度上多样性高而低海拔和高海拔多样性较低。(2)岩石裸露度与物种丰富度呈显著的负相关。(3)土壤含水量与物种丰富度呈极显著的正相关;与种间相遇机率呈先降后升的趋势。(4)环境因子与物种多样性逐步回归结果是:海拔和岩石裸露度与物种丰富度关系密切,其回归方程为:S=90.62-0.02E-14.14B(r=0.769,P<0.05)。