Seasonal Changes in Microhabitat Use and Niche Overlap between Akodon azarae and Calomys laucha (Rodentia,Muridae) in Agroecosystems of Central Argentina

We examined seasonal changes in microhabitat use by the murid rodents Akodon azarae and Calomys laucha in agroecosystems of the former pampa region of Argentina. In summer, trap data showed that both species had low densities and were almost equally distributed between the mature cropfields and their surrounding weedy borders. Analysis of vegetation at the trap sites revealed no selection for microhabitats at the borders, whereas in the cropfields both species shared preferences for covered microhabitats. In contrast, winter data revealed a sharp habitat segregation, being Calomys numerically dominant in post-harvest cropfields and Akodon more abundant in borders. Moreover, there were clear differences in microhabitat selection at the borders, A. azarae occupying the more covered microhabitats and C. laucha the less covered. Breadth and overlap of niches were calculated using principal component analysis, in order to recognize interspecific competition and its influence on community niche space. Available evidence indicates that the structure of this rodent community is strongly influenced by seasonal changes in habitat stucture and rodent abundance. The socially dominant A. azarae retains the best part of the available niche space, a fact becoming more evident under the harsh winter conditions.     

Teasing apart plant community responses to N enrichment: the roles of resource limitation,competition and soil microbes

Although ecologists have documented the effects of nitrogen enrichment on productivity, diversity and species composition, we know little about the relative importance of the mechanisms driving these effects. We propose that distinct aspects of environmental change associated with N enrichment (resource limitation, asymmetric competition, and interactions with soil microbes) drive different aspects of plant response. We test this in greenhouse mesocosms, experimentally manipulating each factor across three ecosystems: tallgrass prairie, alpine tundra and desert grassland. We found that resource limitation controlled productivity responses to N enrichment in all systems. Asymmetric competition was responsible for diversity declines in two systems. Plant community composition was impacted by both asymmetric competition and altered soil microbes, with some contributions from resource limitation. Results suggest there may be generality in the mechanisms of plant community change with N enrichment. Understanding these links can help us better predict N response across a wide range of ecosystems.     

Long‐term patterns of invertebrate abundance and relationships to environmental factors in arid Australia

Resource pulses are a key feature of semi‐arid and arid ecosystems and are generally triggered by rainfall. While rainfall is an acknowledged driver of the abundance and distribution of larger animals, little is known about how invertebrate communities respond to rain events or to vegetative productivity. Here we investigate Ordinal‐level patterns and drivers of ground‐dwelling invertebrate abundance across 6 years of sampling in the Simpson Desert, central Australia. Between February 1999 and February 2005, a total of 174 381 invertebrates were sampled from 32 Orders. Ants were the most abundant taxon, comprising 83% of all invertebrates captured, while Collembola at 10.3% of total captures were a distant second over this period. Temporal patterns of the six invertebrate taxa specifically analysed (Acarina, ants, Araneae, Coleoptera, Collembola and Thysanura) were dynamic over the sampling period, and patterns of abundance were taxon‐specific. Analyses indicate that all six taxa showed a positive relationship with the cover of non‐Triodia vegetation. Other indicators of vegetative productivity (seeding and flowering) also showed positive relationships with certain taxa. Although the influence of rainfall was taxon‐dependent, no taxon was affected by short‐term rainfall (up to 18 days prior to survey). The abundance of Acarina, ants, and Coleoptera increased with greater long‐term rainfall (up to 18 months prior to survey), whilst Araneae showed the opposite effect. Temperature and dune zone (dune crest vs. swale) also had taxon‐specific effects. These results show that invertebrates in arid ecosystems are influenced by a variety of abiotic factors, at multiple scales, and that responses to rainfall are not as strong or as predictable as those seen for other taxa. Our results highlight the diversity of invertebrates in our study region and emphasize the need for targeted long‐term sampling to enhance our understanding of the ecology of these taxa and the role they play in arid ecosystems.     

四合木根部及茎部导管分子比较解剖学研究

采用显微照相技术对四合木根、茎部导管分子形态特征及数量特征进行比较研究,并运用SMA分析导管分子长度与直径之间的异速生长关系,探讨四合木的次生木质部导管分子对草原化荒漠地区的适应特性。结果表明:(1)四合木根部与茎部导管分子均以孔纹、网纹和两端无尾类型为主,具单穿孔板。(2)四合木根部与茎部导管分子在长度上均为短级水平,直径上均为小级水平,且宽窄导管并存;茎部导管分子较根部导管分子更加"小型化"。(3)不论根部或茎部,其导管分子的长度与直径之间均表现出异速生长的关系,且导管分子长度的增长速率大于直径的增长速率。这些结果有助于从细胞学尺度上了解荒漠区木本植物对草原化荒漠地区的适应策略。     

荒漠草原中间锦鸡儿林土壤养分效应对群落组分和多样性的影响

为系统认识荒漠草原中间锦鸡儿人工林草本植被特征及演变趋势对土壤养分的响应,采用空间代替时间的方法,以天然草地为对照,构建3个中间锦鸡儿林龄(16a、25a、37a)研究序列,调查不同中间锦鸡儿林灌丛内外土壤植被并分析二者之间的关系。结果表明:(1)随林龄增加,不同功能群植物重要值呈不同变化趋势,其中禾本科植物显著增加,豆科植物显著降低,杂草类植物先减小后增加。(2)α多样性分析显示,荒漠草原中间锦鸡儿人工林16a灌丛外物种丰富度(S)、香浓维纳指数(H)最高(P0.01);不同林龄均匀度指数(J)、优势度指数(P)未表现出明显的变化规律。(3)β多样性分析显示,Cody指数(βc)和Morisita-Horn(CMH)相似指数均表现出16a与25a、37a之间的物种差异较大、25a与37a之间物种差异相对较小、37a中间锦鸡儿林与天然草地物种组成相似,βws指数在25a中间锦鸡儿林最大。(4)人工中间锦鸡儿林存在显著的土壤碳氮"肥岛效应",其中土壤有机碳是不同林龄植物群落组成差异的显著性影响因子,土壤速效氮为不同林龄灌丛外植物多样性差异的显著性影响因子,但灌丛内植物多样性对土壤养分的响应并不显著。研究认为,中间锦鸡儿林土壤养分演替正效应提高了植物多样性,增强了植物物种的更替程度,但建植后期(37a)植物群落存在向天然草地演替趋势。     

12种短命植物叶解剖结构及其对荒漠环境的适应性

以分布于新疆北部古尔班通古特沙漠南缘的12种短命植物为研究材料,采用常规石蜡切片法,对其叶的解剖结构进行了观察分析,探讨12种短命植物的叶解剖结构对荒漠生态环境的适应性关系。结果显示:(1)12种短命植物中,有8种植物的叶肉栅栏组织发达,表现出等面叶特征;有7种植物侧脉维管束具有花环状结构,表现出C4植物特点。(2)12种植物叶片均具有气孔下室,其中,小花荆芥等7种植物叶片具有发达的气孔下室。(3)12种植物叶肉及叶脉中常有晶体存在,晶体数量及大小在不同植物中有差异。研究认为,12种短命植物从总体上呈现出旱生结构特征,从个体角度看这些特征是不同类群的植物以不同方式适应沙漠干旱环境的结果,但不足以改变该类植物的中生性质。     

New pollen classification of Chenopodiaceae for exploring and tracing desert vegetation evolution in eastern arid central Asia

Members of the Chenopodiaceae are the most dominant elements in the central Asian desert. The different genera and species within this family are common in desert vegetation types. Should it prove possible to link pollen types in this family to specific desert vegetation, it would be feasible to trace vegetation successions in the geological past. Nevertheless, the morphological similarity of pollen grains in the Chenopodiaceae rarely permits identification at the generic level. Although some pollen classifications of Chenopodiaceae have been proposed, none of them tried to link pollen types to specific desert vegetation types in order to explore their ecological significance. Based on the pollen morphological characters of 13 genera and 24 species within the Chenopodiaceae of eastern central Asia, we provide a new pollen classification of this family with six pollen types and link them to those plant communities dominated by Chenopodiaceae, for example, temperate dwarf semi‐arboreal desert (Haloxylon type), temperate succulent halophytic dwarf semi‐shrubby desert (Suaeda, Kalidium, and Atriplex types), temperate annual graminoid desert (Kalidium type), temperate semi‐shrubby and dwarf semi‐shrubby desert (Kalidium, Iljini, and Haloxylon types), and alpine cushion dwarf semi‐shrubby desert (Krascheninnikovia type). These findings represent a new approach for detecting specific desert vegetation types and deciphering ecosystem evolution in eastern central Asia.     

Resorptions of 10 mineral elements in leaves of desert shrubs and their contrasting responses to aridity

Aims We aim to investigate variations in the resorption efficiencies of 10 mineral nutrients [i.e. nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu)] in leaves of desert shrubs and to explore effects of aridity on resorption efficiency of these nutrients.     

Effects of storage,mucilage presence,photoperiod, thermoperiod and salinity on germination of Farsetia aegyptia Turra (Brassicaceae) seeds: implications for restoration and seed banks in Arabian Desert

Seed viability and germination are key factors in the success of restoration efforts, especially when stored seeds are used. However, the effect of seed storage on germination of most of the native Arabian species is not well documented. We investigated the effect of storage time and role of the seed mucilage in regulating germination, dormancy, salinity tolerance and consequential survival strategy of F. aegyptia in an unpredictable arid desert setting. Effect of light and temperature during germination was studied under two photoperiods and two thermoperiods using intact and de-mucilaged seeds. Presence of mucilage and thermoperiod did not affect the germination. However, seed collection year and photoperiod had a highly significant effect on the germination. Increasing salinity levels decreased the germination of F. aegyptia but ungerminated seeds were able to germinate when salinity stress was alleviated. Seed storage at room temperature enhances the germination percentage, indicating that F. aegyptia seeds have physiological dormancy and it can be alleviated by after-ripening at dry storage. In addition, F. aegyptia seeds show ability to germinate at lower salinity concentration and remain viable even at higher saline conditions, indicating their adaptability to cope with such harsh environmental conditions.