黑河流域额济纳绿洲景观格局分析

黑河流域额济纳绿洲是我国西北干旱区典型的荒漠绿洲。干旱荒漠绿洲有其自身的景观生态特点。根据地貌、水文条件状况及区域土地利用格局等因素将额济纳绿洲划分为3个景观格局分析单元即古日乃拐子湖盆区、冲积平原区、马鬃山剥蚀低山残丘区,依据景观生态特点划分出10个景观嵌块体类型。利用景观空间格局指标分析了荒漠绿洲景观格局及其变化,得出额济纳荒漠绿洲景观空间格局的基本特征,说明额济纳荒漠绿洲区生态环境退化已十分严重,必须进行维护和保护。     

1988-2018年哈密绿洲植被覆盖度时空变化及其驱动力

[目的] 对近30 a来哈密绿洲植被覆盖度时空变化及驱动力进行分析，为该地区绿洲持续健康发展提供理论借鉴。[方法] 以1988，1998，2008及2018年4期影像为基础数据，利用像元二分模型计算了基于AFRI_SWIR2指数提取的植被覆盖度，利用动态度指数与植被覆盖度转移矩阵分析哈密绿洲植被覆盖度动态变化；再通过地理探测器对8个影响因子进行探测，探寻哈密绿洲植被覆盖度的驱动因子。[结果] 近30 a来哈密绿洲面积从1988年的214 km²增长到2018年的632.1 km²，增幅达195%，但绿洲内植被覆盖度等级却较低，同时哈密绿洲面积主要扩展的区域在西北部和东南部区域；哈密绿洲的发展阶段可分为3个阶段：1988-1998年为低强度稳定期，1998-2008年为极度扩张期，2008-2018年为高强度稳定期。[结论] 土地利用类型变化是造成哈密绿洲植被覆盖度变化的直接原因，同时在近30 a内，人为因素对哈密绿洲植被覆盖状况的影响远高于自然因素。     

2000-2020年昌吉州东部平原区地下水位埋深对土地利用及干旱时空演变的动态响应

联合土地利用与覆被变化及气象干旱综合分析区域地下水位埋深变化及其动态响应关系,明晰地下水位埋深变化的阶段性主导因素,对地下水超采地区综合治理和地下水资源有效管控具有现实意义。选取昌吉州东部平原区2000-2020年78眼地下水监测井月尺度地下水位埋深数据资料及5期遥感影像数据并结合同期多尺度标准化降水蒸散发指数SPEI,分析不同时空尺度地下水位埋深对土地利用/覆被变化及SPEI的动态响应规律,探讨研究区土地利用变化与干旱变化趋势对地下水埋深变化的综合影响。结果表明:研究区21年间地下水位埋深表现出不显著变化(2000-2005年)-显著增大(2005-2014年)-变缓(2014-2017年)-持续增大(2017-2020年)的变化特征,整体呈持续增大动态趋势,空间分布呈北向南逐渐增大特征;同期土地利用类型面积发生了显著变化,耕地为其主要的土地利用类型,面积呈持续增加趋势,分形维数呈现出先降低(2000-2005年)后升高(2005-2010年)再降低(2010-2020年)的变化特征;SPEI年际动态变化呈显著干旱趋势变化特征,年尺度序列在2012年、2017年发生突变,2016年开始气象干旱发生频次增加;2000-2015年研究区地下水位埋深动态变化对土地利用变化尤其是耕地变化响应显著,2016-2020年地下水位埋深动态变化是对土地利用变化与气候干旱因素的联合响应。     

2000-2018年塔里木盆地北缘绿洲植被覆被变化及对环境要素的响应

[目的] 研究塔里木盆地北缘绿洲区植被覆被变化与环境要素的相互关系,旨在为该区生态治理与恢复提供科学参考。[方法] 以2000—2018年MODIS/NDVI数据为基础,结合时序内气象因素与人类活动数据,运用趋势线分析法、相关分析法、ArcGIS空间叠加与通径分析方法,总结塔里木盆地北缘绿洲时空变化特征,并探讨环境要素对绿洲区植被NDVI变化的影响。[结果] ①2000—2018年塔里北缘绿洲不同植被类型总体处于波动上升态势,增长速率为0.033/10 a;植被覆盖类型的增长速率由高到低依次为栽培植物、灌丛、阔叶林、草甸、荒漠、草原、湿地、针叶林和高山植被;②在气象因素中,气温与绿洲区植被主要呈负相关,负相关区域面积占绿洲区72.15%。③在人为环境要素中,林业总产值和牧业总产值是影响植被NDVI的主控因子。[结论] 在所选环境要素中,气温对NDVI的综合作用最强,林业总产值次之,牧业总产值对NDVI作用较弱。剩余通径系数为0.26,说明还有部分因素对NDVI增加有较明显的影响,今后需要进一步研究。     

基于土地利用/覆盖的干旱绿洲区植被覆盖度变化--以新疆生产建设兵团第八师为例

为了探讨西北干旱绿洲区土地利用/覆盖类型景观格局特征,以及不同土地利用/覆盖类型植被覆盖度变化,本文以干旱典型绿洲区新疆生产建设兵团第八师为研究区,选取2000年、2005年的Landsat TM和2010年环境一号星CCD遥感影像数据,采用室内解译与野外核查相结合,运用RS和GIS技术分析了该区域的土地利用/覆盖和景观格局变化特征,并基于土地利用/覆盖类型选取3年的MODIS数据进行了植被覆盖度变化分析。结果表明:1)该研究区主要以耕地、草地和灌丛为主,占总面积的88.9%。在自然因素和人为因素的综合作用下,干旱绿洲区土地利用/覆盖类型发生明显变化,草地和灌丛呈减少趋势,面积分别由2000年的2 603.2 km2和1 166.2 km2减少至2010年的1 677.3 km2和933.8 km2;耕地和城镇逐步增加,面积分别由2000年的2 892.8 km2和209.2 km2增加至2010年的4 038.3 km2和259.1 km2;耕地主要由草地和灌丛转化而来,城镇主要由耕地转化而来,土地利用变化整体处于不平衡发展趋势。2)研究区景观特征趋于简单,土地利用变化改变了该区域景观格局,景观多样性、均匀度减少,优势度明显增大,破碎化程度降低,生物多样性也呈向单一方向转变的趋势。3)受气候等主要因素的影响,2000—2010年植被覆盖度呈先降低后逐步升高的趋势,不同土地利用/覆盖类型植被覆盖度表现为林地耕地草地灌丛荒漠,林地、灌丛、草地和耕地植被覆盖度分别增加6.7%、38.2%、15.6%和12.3%;较高和高等级植被覆盖面积增加,中、较低和低等级植被覆盖度面积减少。4)温度一定的条件下,降雨量是影响干旱绿洲区植被覆盖变化的关键因素。该研究结果可为新疆生产建设兵团生态环境保护管理以及合理规划生产模式提供科学的参考依据。     

毛乌素沙区地下水对植被盖度空间格局影响分析

通过在榆溪河流域沿地下水埋深增大方向设置植被调查样带,基于植被盖度、地下水埋深及土壤含水量等数据,利用多元经验模态分解(MEMD)获取植被盖度及其影响因子所表征的空间尺度,结构方程解析植被盖度空间分布的驱动因素,并结合聚类分析划分了植被群落自然恢复演替空间格局状态变化特征。结果表明：(1)MEMD将空间多元数据分解为3个本征模态函数,经希尔伯特转换得到各模态函数相应的空间尺度分别为14,27,38 km;(2)结构方程模型和MEMD分解后的最大表征尺度相关分析表明,地下水埋深与植被盖度在整个样带尺度上呈显著负相关(R²=-0.95,p<0.001);土壤含水量与植被盖度以地下水埋深5 m空间尺度为分界点,<5 m的区域呈显著正相关(路径系数为0.68,p<0.001),>5 m的区域呈显著负相关(路径系数为-0.43,P<0.01);(3)在此基础上,结合系统聚类分类结果将植被盖度划分为核心区(地下水埋深0～3 m)、过渡区(地下水埋深3～4 m)、稳定区(地下水埋深4～5 m)、外围区(地下水埋深5～10 m)及边缘区(地下水埋深1...     

干旱风沙区水库边缘植被-风力侵蚀的变化及成因

[目的] 对干旱风沙区水库边缘植被覆盖度和土壤风力侵蚀的动态变化及其成因进行分析，为该库区风沙危害的防治提供依据。[方法] 基于Landsat影像使用像元二分模型计算植被覆盖度，运用定性与定量相结合的方法，研究甘肃省瓜州县桥子水库边缘植被变化和风力侵蚀状况。[结果] 2006，2011，2018年植被覆盖度分别为0.15，0.13和0.35，水库边缘的植被呈先减后增的趋势，其生长有远离水库的趋势。2006-2011年桥子库群周边环境变化剧烈，2011-2018年植被退化速度减缓。研究区强烈以上侵蚀面积比例仍较大（50%以上）。[结论] 研究区植被和侵蚀变化的原因除了气候等自然因素外，地下水补给量减少，水位降低，超生态负荷扩大绿洲，不合理的种植业结构、耕作方式及牧业发展等人为因素加速了天然植被退化和局部侵蚀，而采取的草场封育、固沙造林等治理和修复措施在一定程度上延缓这一进程。建议采取生态引水、补给地下水、发展节水农业、禁垦禁牧、调整产业结构、恢复植被等抢救性措施和预防保护治理措施，以维护绿洲的持久稳定。     

基于PLUS模型的雅康高速路段景观生态风险评价

[目的] 评价区域景观生态风险,揭示其时空变化规律,为降低区域生态风险,维护区域生态安全,推进区域绿色发展提供支撑。[方法] 以土地利用数据为基础,通过其变化来建立景观生态风险评价模型,探讨2000—2020年雅康高速公路穿越县市景观生态风险的时空变化特征,并利用最优参数的地理探测器模型定量分析景观生态风险变化的驱动因素,采用PLUS模型模拟2035年雅康高速经过县市景观生态风险的空间分布特征和变化趋势。[结果] ①2000—2020年,研究区主要景观类型为林地、草地、耕地,不透水面面积增长速率最快,林地面积增加最多; ②研究区景观生态风险等级以低、较低和中风险等级为主,风险等级由高到低呈向外扩散现象; ③NDVI值、高程、年均降水等自然因素是景观生态风险变化的主要驱动因子; ④2035年两种不同情景下研究区中、较高、高风险等级的面积均有所下降,其中生态保护情景下,下降较为明显。[结论] 研究区内景观生态风险等级较低,以低、较低和中风险等级为主,生态环境呈逐渐向好趋势。生态保护情景更加符合区域可持续发展理念。     

干旱区绿洲稳定性驱动机制研究——以艾比湖流域为例

绿洲稳定性指绿洲系统功能处于持续稳定发展中的一种状态，绿洲稳定性的打破，最终会通过水文、土壤、植被这3个主要因素表征出来。利用灰色系统理论的方法进行分析后发现，绿洲内外过度的人类活动是稳定性变化的主导驱动因素，诱发机制、动力机制及反馈机制则构成了绿洲稳定性变化的复杂驱动过程。     

2001-2013年西鄂尔多斯国家级自然保护区植被覆盖变化

利用2001-2013年生长季(4-10月)MODIS NDVI数据和气象观测数据,结合线性趋势分析法、变率分析法和相关分析法等方法,开展西鄂尔多斯自然保护区植被覆盖年际、月际变化趋势及其与区域气候变化的关系研究.研究表明:西鄂尔多斯自然保护区植被NDVI,无论是在生长季平均值(0.001 5 NDVI/a),还是各月份值都呈增加趋势.尽管通过建立自然保护区能够促使生态环境良性发展,但其植被覆盖年际变化趋势主要受降水量的控制,年总降水量与NDVI的相关系数达到0.66,是植被覆盖年际波动的最直接因素.在空间分布上,研究区南部、东部和北部边缘区域的植被覆盖增加趋势较明显,而中部和北部部分区域未发生明显的趋势性变化.变率分析表明,植被覆盖变化年际波动明显,说明研究区植被变化受外界抗干扰能力较弱,特别是南部区域.从自然保护区各核心区植被覆盖年际变化趋势看,伊克布拉格草原化荒漠生态系统核心区和棋盘井半日花核心区的植被覆盖度呈增加态势,而蒙西珍稀植物群落核心区和阿尔巴斯生态系统过渡带核心区呈下降趋势.     

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.