红壤丘陵区土地利用方式变更后土壤有机碳动态变化的模拟

采用双组分模型模拟土地利用方式变更后土壤有机碳储量的变化,并用一些调查和监测数据进行了初步验证．此双组分模型将土壤有机碳分为新形成有机碳和原有有机碳两个组分．每个组分有机碳的形成转化用一级动力学方程描述．本文用此模型对亚热带土壤开垦利用为马尾松林地、湿地松林地、柑桔园和牧草地４种方式１０年来土壤有机碳储量的变化过程进行了模拟,初步结果表明,模拟值与实测值拟合较好．可见,此方法适于用来模拟不同土壤类型下土地利用系统变更初期的土壤有机碳储量动态变化过程．     

Identification of soil quality indicators for assessing the effect of different tillage practices through a soil quality index in a semi-arid environment

Tillage is known to potentially affect soil quality in various ways. In this study, a soil quality index (SQI) was developed by quantifying several soil attributes either sensitive or insensitive to physical disturbance, using factor analysis as a dimension reduction technique, in order to discriminate different tillage systems. Soil properties including physical (MWD), chemical (pH, organic C, total N, available P and POM contents) and microbial (MBC, MBN, PCM, PNM and three enzymes) parameters were measured to establish a minimum data set (MDS) for the assessment of overall SQI. The soil attributes were determined on samples (0–20 cm depth) collected under moldboard (MP) and disk (DP) plows as conventional tillage (CT), and rotary (RP) and chisel (CP) plows as reduced tillage (RT) systems with a similar plant C input rate and cover crop over a period of six years (2005–2011) in a semi-arid calcareous soil (Calcixerepts) from Central Iran. Results indicated a clear difference in soil quality among the tillage systems with a significant increase of SQI under RT over time, particularly under CP practices. Although RT improved most soil microbial attributes, not all attributes contributed to SQI because of their close interrelationship. The final SQI consisted only of geometric mean of microbial activity (GMA, the square root of the product of PCM and PNM) and geometric mean of enzyme activity (GME, the cube root of the product of enzyme activities). Soil GME and GMA were found to be as key indicators contributing 55% and 36% to SQI, respectively. Therefore, the GME and GMA were the most important indicators effectively discriminating tillage systems, and could be used to monitor the enhancement of soil quality under RT in this semiarid environment. The influence of tillage year on SQI was greater than that of tillage practices. In conclusion, RT systems were characterized by a higher value of SQI, suggesting a good recovery of soil capacity and functions after abandoning CT in the studied area. Smallholder farmers should therefore be aware of the potential for high soil quality in future as a result of continuing RT systems, especially with surface tillage using CP practices.     

Effectiveness of sulfur with Acidithiobacillus and gypsum in chemical attributes of a Brazilian sodic soil

Gypsum and sulfur have been used as amendments for application in sodic and saline sodic soils, although gypsum is not effective in soil pH reduction. In this study the combined effects of elemental sulfur inoculated with Acidithiobacillus (S*) and gypsum (G) in chemical attributes of a Brazilian solodic soil was evaluated. The treatments consisted in addition of S* and G in various levels (0, 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, and 3.2 t ha⁻¹) and different mixing proportions (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 100:0), acting during 15, 30, and 45 days. Sulfur inoculated with Acidithiobacillus (S*) markedly reduced soil pH in the leaching solution, especially when applied in the highest levels. Gypsum or sulfur applied individually was not satisfactory for soil reclamation. At 15 days of incubation Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ showed higher values in the leaching solution, and a marked decrease was observed in the leaching solution at 30 days. Reduction in soil electrical conductivity and in exchangeable Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ was observed and in a general way best results were achieved with S* : G in the ratio 50:50, using 2.4 and 3.2 t ha⁻¹. Sulfur with Acidithiobacillus was more effective than gypsum in decreasing soil pH, and sulfur applied with gypsum in the proportion 50:50 showed the best results in relation to exchangeable sodium and electrical conductivity and showed values below those used for classification as sodic soils.     

Bioleaching of heavy metals from contaminated soil using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans</Emphasis>: effect of sulfur/soil ratio

Bioleaching of heavy metals from contaminated soil was carried out using indigenous sulfur oxidizing bacterium Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. Experiments were carried out by varying sulfur/soil ratio from 0.03 to 0.33 to evaluate the optimum ratio for efficient bioleaching of heavy metals from soil. The influence of sulfur/soil ratio on the bioleaching efficiency was assessed based on decrease in pH, increase in oxidation–reduction potential, sulfate production and solubilization of heavy metals from the soil. Decrease in pH, increase in oxidation–reduction potential and sulfate production was found to be better with the increase in sulfur/soil ratio. While the final pH of the system with different sulfur/soil ratio was in the range of 4.1–0.7, oxidation reduction potential varied from 230 to 629 mV; sulfate production was in the range of 2,786–8,872 mg/l. Solubilization of chromium, zinc, copper, lead and cadmium from the contaminated soil was in the range of 11–99%. Findings of the study will help to optimize the ratio of sulfur/soil to achieve effective bioleaching of heavy metals from contaminated soils.     

Nutrients and antinutrient constituents of Amaranthus caudatus L. Cultivated on different soils

This study investigated variations in the concentration of nutrients, antinutrients and mineral content of Amaranthus caudatus harvested from different soil types at various stages of maturity. Four out the five soils namely; sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, clayey loam and loam were experimentally formulated from primary particles of silt, clay and sand in line with the United State Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) soil triangle protocol. The unfractionated soil was used as the control. After harvesting at pre-flowering (61 days after planting), flowering (71 days after planting) and post-flowering (91 days after planting) stages, nutrient and antinutrient analyses were carried out following Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and other referenced methods while the Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectrometer was used to determine mineral compositions of the plant samples. The results of the study revealed that particle size and physicochemical properties of the soil influenced the number of minerals deposited in plant tissues. It was further observed that the nutritional properties of the plant change as plant ages. For an optimal yield of vitamins A and E, clayey loam proved to be the best soil particularly when A. caudatus is harvested before flowering but for vitamin C, sandy clayey loam yielded the highest output at the same stage. Similarly, clayey loam and loam soils yielded the highest proximate compositions at flowering and pre-flowering; however, mineral elements (micro and macro) were highest in control and loam soils.     

Ultrastructural and Biogeochemical Features of Microbiotic Soil Crusts and their Implications in a Semi-Arid Habitat

This investigation was designed to explore the relationships between lichen symbionts (phycobiont and mycobiont) and the substrate on which they grow by examining the chemical and ultrastructural features of the lichen-soil interface. These lichens form an integral part of microbiotic soil crusts. Fragments of three different lichen biotypes growing over gypsum crystals and marls were fixed and embedded in resin. The lichen-substratum interface was then examined by scanning electron microscopy with backscattered electron imaging. In situ observation, microanalytical (EDS), and FT-Raman plus infrared spectroscopy of the lichen-substratum interface indicated that different ultrastructural features of the mycobiont were related to biogeochemical processes and Ca 2+ distribution in the soil crust. Phycobionts were observed to make direct contact with the substratum and to be surrounded by a nondifferentiated thallus structure. These observations suggest that they can grow outside the thallus in the early stages of lichen development in the semi-arid conditions of their habitat. The particular ultrastructural features of the lichen thallus and of the lichen-substratum interface appear to have marked effects on runoff phenomena and ponding generation of the surface.     

植被覆盖对土壤线虫营养类群空间分布的影响

以中国科学院沈阳生态实验站的裸地和撂荒地为研究对象,采用经典统计学与地统计学相结合的方法,研究裸地和撂荒地土壤线虫总数及各营养类群的空间分布特征.结果表明,裸地和撂荒地植物寄生线虫与土壤pH呈显著负相关;撂荒地土壤线虫总数的平均值显著大于裸地,分别为每百克干土1 485.3和464.0条;撂荒地土壤线虫总数、植物寄生线虫和食细菌线虫的块金值/基台值（27.3%～45.6%）低于裸地（49.5%～100%）,裸地和撂荒地土壤线虫总数及各营养类群的空间分布格局均有明显差异,表明植被覆盖对土壤线虫的空间分布有较大影响.     

供水及间甲酚对小麦间作蚕豆土壤微生物多样性和酶活性的影响

通过盆栽试验,探讨供水(田间持水量的45%、60%和75%)和化感物质间甲酚对小麦、蚕豆不同种植模式生长盛期土壤微生物多样性和酶活性的影响.结果表明,随灌水水平的降低,不同处理的土壤细菌、真菌和放线菌数量随之减少,间甲酚可加剧灌水减少引起的微生物数量的减少;间甲酚对不同处理土壤微生物多样性指数均具有降低作用,提高灌水水平可缓解间甲酚对间作群体土壤微生物多样性的负效应,但间甲酚在75%灌水水平下对单作微生物多样性的负效应最大,45%的供水水平和间甲酚作用下间作可维持更高的土壤微生物多样性.间甲酚对土壤过氧化氢酶的化感作用不显著,对脲酶和酸性磷酸酶活性的化感作用显著;3种土壤酶活性随供水水平的降低均显著下降,但供水与间甲酚、种植模式的互作效应对酶活性的影响不显著;间作对土壤过氧化氢酶和酸性磷酸酶活性具有极显著影响.     

Vegetation and soil properties in restored wetlands near Lake Taihu,China

Riparian wetlands are important components of the lake ecosystem, and they play essential roles in maintaining system health. Remediation of degraded lakeshore wetlands is an essential component of lake restoration. A study was conducted to investigate the restoration of lakeshore wetlands, which were converted to rice fields and then abandoned for 2, 5, 10 and 15 years, near Lake Taihu. Soil samples (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm) were taken and plant species were investigated. The carbon content in the soil had increased significantly, rising from 0.71% to 1.85% between 2 and 15 years. Organic matter accumulation improved soil texture, and water stable aggregate content (>0.25 mm) and soil porosity increased. Total nitrogen in the soil increased from 0.06% to 0.13%, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen increased from 124.4 mg kg⁻¹ to 351.5 mg kg⁻¹. Total phosphorus in the soil increased from 0.045% to 0.071%, and the Olsen-P value increased from 5.13 mg kg⁻¹ to 16.0 mg kg⁻¹. Results showed that phosphorous did not increase as much as nitrogen. In the vegetation restoration process, plant species composition moved towards a natural wetland community, and spatial heterogeneity and landscape diversity increased. The richness of plant biodiversity increased rapidly in the first 2 years, then more slowly in later restoration stages. The wetlands recovery process may be complicated by interactions of biota and soil and hydrological conditions.     

Air temperature and soil phosphorus availability correlate with trait differences between two types of tropical cloud forests

Tropical cloud forests are characterized by lower air temperature and high frequency of fog condensation at canopy level, as compared with forests at lower altitudes. Few studies have been conducted to understand differences of plant functional traits in relation to the environment in this kind of forest. In this paper, we explored the community-level differences of specific leaf area (SLA) and height of plants in relation to major environmental conditions between two adjacent tropical cloud forests on Hainan Island, South China. We measured the two functional traits for all individual plants within twenty-nine and thirty-two 10 m × 10 m plots located in a low altitude tropical montane evergreen forest (TMEF) and a high altitude tropical dwarf forest (TDF), respectively.The results showed that both mean SLA and height decreased from TMEF to TDF, while phenotypic plasticity for the two functional traits increased from TMEF to TDF. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis showed that the mean SLA and its plasticity were significantly correlated with both air temperature and soil phosphorus. The mean height was only significantly correlated with air temperature, but its plasticity was significantly correlated with both air temperature and soil phosphorus.Our results suggest that plants in dwarf tropical cloud forests have decreased SLA and height, correlated with less favorable soil and atmospheric conditions, with a higher plasticity of these traits, as compared with the tropical montane evergreen forest. Community-level differences in SLA and plant height thus can be taken as indicators characterizing plant distribution to different types of tropical cloud forests.