施用有机肥及地膜覆盖对春玉米土壤温度及水分利用效率的影响

为探究有机肥在河套灌区春玉米种植过程中的适宜性,试验设置施用有机肥、地膜覆盖、有机肥+地膜和对照(不施肥、不覆膜)共4个处理,系统研究了不同处理对春玉米土壤温度、耗水规律、产量及水分利用效率的影响。结果表明:地膜覆盖可显著提高春玉米生育前期的土壤温度,促进春玉米的生长发育,而生育后期的高温季节具有一定的降温效应,避免作物遭受高温的危害;施用有机肥后可一定程度上抑制春玉米生育前期的土壤增温效果,避免了植株生长过盛现象的发生,而生育后期增温效果显著,有利于春玉米籽粒的灌浆成熟;春玉米全生育期内施用有机肥、地膜覆盖和有机肥+地膜处理耗水量平均较对照处理高9.80%,18.05%和18.36%,差异性显著(p0.05),且在拔节至抽雄吐丝期达到了全生育期的峰值,为春玉米产量的提高奠定了基础;各处理较对照处理均显著提高了春玉米的产量和水分利用效率,且以有机肥+地膜处理增幅最大,两项指标平均较对照处理高31.01%和10.69%。综合来看,有机肥+地膜的种植模式较适宜在灌区春玉米种植过程中推广应用。     

降解地膜和渗水地膜覆盖对中国北方主要旱地作物产量和水分利用效率效应的Meta分析

[目的] 明确降解地膜和渗水地膜的最佳适宜区域、适宜作物，以及和普通地膜的效应差异，为降解地膜和渗水地膜的应用提供理论指导。[方法] 通过文献检索，分析整理关于降解地膜和渗水地膜的田间试验研究成果，进行了Meta分析。[结果] 降解地膜覆盖的所有作物产量及水分利用效率均显著高于无覆盖；和普通地膜比，降解地膜覆盖下玉米减产，棉花增产，对其他作物产量无差异；在降雨量小于500 mm时，降解地膜覆盖下作物产量低于普通地膜，而降雨量高于500 mm时产量无显著差异。渗水地膜覆盖下玉米、小麦、谷子和高粱等作物的产量和水分利用效率均显著高于无覆盖；和普通地膜比，渗水地膜覆盖下玉米和谷子产量及水分利用效率高于普通地膜，尤其是谷子增产效果显著。在降雨量小于500 mm的地区，渗水地膜和普通地膜比增产显著，高于500 mm则无差异。降解地膜生育后期的土壤温度低于普通地膜，而渗水地膜在低温下增温效果优于高温，且整个生育期温度更适合作物需求。[结论] 降解地膜在降雨量大于500 mm的短生育期作物上基本可以替代普通地膜，但是在长生育期作物上及降雨量较低地区应用有风险；而渗水地膜应该优先在降雨量低于500 mm地区的短生育期高叶面积指数作物上应用。     

不同类型地膜覆盖对土壤水热及春玉米产量的影响

由于传统普通农用地膜覆盖造成的农田残留污染问题日益加重,因此发展使用可降解新型地膜势在必行。为进一步验证和筛选出适宜河套灌区玉米种植的地膜覆盖类型,试验设置普通地膜、生物地膜、液态地膜和不覆膜4个处理,对比研究了不同地膜覆盖类型对土壤水热状况以及春玉米产量和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明:春玉米生育前期,生物地膜与普通地膜覆盖处理的土壤温度无显著性差异,但5~15 cm深度土壤温度显著高于液态地膜和不覆膜处理,起到了良好的增温、保温效果。生育中后期,生物地膜出现破损,保温效果减弱,但一定的降温效应避免了春玉米遭受高温的危害。整个生育期内,生物地膜与普通地膜覆盖处理的土壤水分含量无显著性差异,但0~40cm土层土壤水分含量显著高于液态地膜和不覆膜处理,为春玉米的生长提供了良好的水分条件。生物地膜和普通地膜覆盖处理显著提高了春玉米的产量和水分利用效率,且两者差异性不显著,但均显著高于液态地膜和不覆膜处理。综合分析,在河套灌区玉米种植过程中较适宜采用生物地膜来逐步替代普通地膜覆盖。     

黑色地膜覆盖土壤水热效应及对玉米产量的影响

为探究黑色地膜覆盖在河套灌区玉米种植过程中的适宜性,试验对比研究了黑、白色地膜覆盖及不覆膜条件对土壤水热及玉米地上部生物量和产量的影响。结果表明:玉米各生育期内,黑色地膜与白色地膜各土层含水率差异性不显著(p0.05),达到了土壤保墒的效果,但两者0—60 cm土壤含水率显著高于不覆膜处理(p0.05)。黑色地膜覆盖达到了土壤增温、保温的作用,且在高温条件下起到了一定的降温效果。生育前期两覆膜处理地上部干物质累积量均显著高于不覆膜处理(p0.05),且两处理间无显著性差异(p0.05),进入抽雄吐丝期以后,各处理间差异不显著(p0.05)。黑色地膜覆盖显著提高了玉米百粒重和产量,百粒重平均较白色地膜和不覆膜处理高6.37%和11.95%,产量平均高5.12%和22.90%。黑色地膜覆盖适宜在河套灌区玉米种植过程中推广应用。     

作物地膜覆盖安全期概念和估算方法探讨

该研究首次提出作物地膜覆盖安全期的概念,将其定义为"某一作物在某一区域要求地膜覆盖的最佳天数,也就是地膜覆盖农田土面能保持膜面完整的日数",在此日数之前地膜应该保持基本完整,维持增温保墒和防除杂草等功能,此日数之后,这些功能基本消失。明确作物地膜覆盖安全期有利于作物生产的高效管理,指导地膜生产者研发出满足农业生产需求和成本较低的地膜产品,协助农民根据覆盖作物种类和生产条件选择合适的农用地膜。在此基础上,该研究构建了基于地膜覆盖增温保墒和抑灭杂草等功能测定和农作物郁闭度测定的2种作物地膜覆盖安全期估算方法。第1种方法是通过对作物覆盖地膜条件下土壤温度和水分的连续监测,构建作物地膜覆盖与未覆盖农田土壤温度、水分和杂草控制的时序图,寻求二者的交汇或者重合点即地膜覆盖的增温保墒功能消失或者基本消失的时间节点,从覆盖到这个日期的天数分别属于某种作物地膜覆盖的温度安全期和水分安全期。第2种方法式是通过系统监测作物全生育期郁闭度和地膜覆盖功能参数,建立作物郁闭度与地膜覆盖主要功能的关系曲线,综合研判后确定地膜覆盖功能消失时作物郁闭度,计算作物地膜覆盖安全期。作物地膜覆盖安全期相关研究可为构建中国地膜覆盖技术适应性评价体系、探明地膜覆盖适宜区域的空间分异规律、以及生物降解地膜生产和应用提供技术支撑。     

基于Meta分析评价东北黑土地保护性耕作与深耕的区域适宜性：以作物产量为例

为防治黑土退化、保护好利用好黑土地,本研究基于东北黑土区已发表61篇文献543组研究数据,利用Meta分析和随机森林模型等方法,分析黑土地保护性耕作与深耕对作物产量的影响及其驱动因素,耦合东北黑土地区气候、地形和土壤等信息,评价保护性耕作与深耕的适宜性。结果表明：与传统耕作相比,东北黑土地区整体而言保护性耕作增产不明显（1.21%）,而深耕增产显著（12.3%）,区域分析表明前者仅在辽河平原显著增产14.6%,而后者在三江、松嫩和辽河平原均增产10%以上。因素分析表明黑土区保护性耕作产量效应主要受多年平均气温（20%）、积温（19%）和干燥指数（16%）的影响,深耕产量效果则受坡度影响最大（14%）,平坦区域适宜深耕,陡坡耕地适宜保护性耕作。综合上述因子评价区域适宜性程度,东北地区的西南部,包括辽宁省西部、吉林省西部以及内蒙古自治区东部（赤峰市、通辽）等严重风蚀区域实行保护性耕作效果更佳;典型黑土带以及三江平原等湿润、冷凉、低洼区域深耕的效果较好。本研究成果可为保护性耕作与深耕技术在东北黑土区的推广应用提供参考。     

沟覆盖材料对垄沟集雨种植土壤温度、作物产量和 水分利用效率的影响

为寻求半干旱地区垄沟集雨环保的沟覆盖材料,改善土壤水分和温度状况,提高降雨资源利用效率,采用完全随机设计大田试验,以玉米和高粱作为供试作物,以沟无覆盖作为对照,研究垄沟集雨不同沟覆盖方式(无覆盖、液体地膜覆盖、秸秆覆盖和生物可降解地膜覆盖)对土壤温度、土壤水分、作物产量、水分利用效率等的影响。结果表明,与沟无覆盖相比,液体地膜和生物可降解地膜覆盖种植玉米的沟中作物全生育期表层(0~25 cm)土壤温度分别提高0.2℃和1.0℃,种植高粱的沟中表层土壤温度分别提高0.2℃和1.1℃,秸秆覆盖种植玉米和高粱的沟中表层土壤温度分别降低1.1℃和1.3℃;液体地膜覆盖、秸秆覆盖和生物可降解地膜覆盖0~140 cm土壤贮水量种植玉米分别提高0.4 mm、21.5 mm和8.6 mm,种植高粱分别提高2.3 mm、21.0 mm和10.9 mm。液体地膜覆盖和生物可降解地膜覆盖玉米青贮产量分别提高增加0.4%和10.4%,玉米籽粒产量分别增加1.6%和11.3%,玉米地上生物量分别增加0.7%和7.3%;高粱青贮产量分别增加0.2%和10.9%,高粱籽粒产量分别增加1.1%和11.8%,高粱地上生物量分别增加1.6%和9.4%;秸秆覆盖的玉米青贮产量、玉米籽粒产量、玉米地上生物量、高粱青贮产量、高粱籽粒产量和高粱地上生物量分别减少2.9%、2.2%、1.9%、0.7%、1.4%和1.0%。液体地膜覆盖、秸秆覆盖和生物可降解地膜覆盖种植玉米的水分利用效率分别提高0.9 kg·hm~(-2)·mm-1、0.5 kg·hm~(-2)·mm-1和4.9 kg·hm~(-2)·mm-1,种植高粱分别提高0.3 kg·hm~(-2)·mm-1、0.4 kg·hm~(-2)·mm-1和2.7 kg·hm~(-2)·mm-1。综合分析表明,生物可降解地膜适宜作为半干旱黄土高原区垄沟集雨沟覆盖材料。     

氧化生物双降解地膜降解性能及其对东北雨养春玉米田间水热和生长的影响

为解决当前农田大量残膜污染问题,设置3种不同降解速率的氧化生物双降解地膜（降解a、降解b、降解c）和普通塑料地膜覆盖及露地对照5个玉米种植试验,研究氧化生物双降解地膜田间降解性能（降解率、拉伸强度和断裂伸长率）及其对土壤水热、玉米生长状况及产量的影响。结果表明：1）不同降解速率氧化生物双降解地膜降解梯度与预期基本相符,3种降解速率的地膜全生育期降解率分别为14.2%、10.0%和6.5%,差异达显著水平。降解a、降解b和降解c地膜在田间覆盖120 d后,垄上地膜拉伸强度损失率分别为30.4%、20.3%和19.1%,断裂伸长率损失率为10.4%、13.5%和5.0%,垄侧地膜拉伸强度损失率为59.0%、50.7%和45.6%,断裂伸长率损失率为71.7%、55.6%和51.0%,其中降解a拉伸强度和断裂伸长率与降解b和降解c相比均达显著差异水平,且垄侧各降解地膜机械性能损失率显著大于垄上地膜。2）氧化生物双降解地膜显著提高了玉米生育前期5~25 cm层土壤温度和0~40 cm层土壤含水率,与露地相比,降解a、降解b和降解c处理下5~25 cm土层平均温度分别提高了4.5℃、4.4℃和4.4℃,0~40 cm土层含水率分别提高了3.2%、2.9%和2.2%。3）氧化生物双降解地膜加快了玉米生育进程,使玉米植株提前3 d出苗,缩短生育期5~7 d,且玉米株高和叶面积指数均显著高于露地处理,略优于普通地膜。4）在产量构成和最终产量方面,氧化生物双降解地膜与普通塑料地膜覆盖均较露地处理增加了玉米穗长、穗粗及百粒重,降解a、降解b、降解c和普通地膜处理较露地对照增产率分别达14.3%、14.3%、10.4%和13.2%。研究认为,氧化生物双降解地膜覆盖具有明显的增温保墒效应,与普通地膜相同,能够显著提高玉米产量,并且可以通过改变配方调节其降解速率。本研究成果可为氧化生物可降解地膜替代普通地膜及其在东北地区推广应用提供科学依据。     

旱作农田保护性耕作-液膜-施肥综合技术研究

在山西寿阳地区旱作春玉米保护性耕作试验基础上,增加液态地膜覆盖处理和肥料用量处理,研究不同耕作-液膜-施肥配合措施对土壤温度、土壤水分利用、作物苗生长和产量的影响。结果表明：与传统耕作比较,采用液态地膜覆盖后,免耕土壤苗期地表温度提高0.5~2℃,春玉米出苗数提高18%以上;玉米增产约5%;0～200 cm土壤水分增加21 mm;ET增加12 mm,为改善旱作保护性耕作-液膜-施肥管理综合技术效果提供依据。     

华北地区滴灌灌水频率对春玉米生长和农田土壤水热分布的影响

针对华北地区春玉米田间灌溉和降雨相结合的灌溉模式,以北京为典型试验区,在保证作物最优土壤水分下限和灌溉定额相同的基础上,研究了滴灌灌水频率对土壤水、热分布及春玉米根系分布和产量的影响.试验结果表明:在春玉米抽雄期以前阶段实施的滴灌各处理中,高频滴灌下土壤平均含水率和不同深度处的土壤基质势波动幅度较小,高频滴灌下土壤水分能保持在一个比较稳定的范围;土壤温度受灌水过程、土壤含水率及作物生育阶段的影响较明显,滴灌能显著延迟气温对土壤温度的影响:灌水频率对春玉米根系分布存在一定影响,高频灌溉能显著促进春玉米根系在上层土壤(0～40 cm)中的分布;此外,在这种典型的灌溉和降雨相结合灌溉模式下,不同灌水频率下玉米产量差异不显著.因此,建议华北地区春玉米滴灌模式采用低频滴灌.     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.