基于植被遥感信息的作物蒸散量估算模型--以华北平原冬小麦为例

本文基于作物系数法并结合植被遥感信息(MODIS/NDVI),提出一种能反映作物空间分布和土壤供水差异信息的作物蒸散量估算模型。利用该模型得到2000—2013年华北平原冬小麦的蒸散量,模拟结果与遥感蒸散产品吻合度较高(R2=0.952,RMSE=1.3×107 m3),并分析了冬小麦蒸散量和灌溉耗水量的时空变化。结果表明:1华北平原冬小麦蒸散量呈南高北低的格局。基于250 m空间分辨率上来看,山东省、河南省的黄河灌区以及太行山前平原的冬小麦蒸散量可达400 mm以上,中部平原区冬小麦蒸散量350 mm,滨海一带蒸散量200 mm。2冬小麦灌溉耗水量与其蒸散量格局相一致。在太行山前平原、河南省和山东省的引黄灌区,灌溉耗水量可达250 mm以上;河北平原北部由于冬小麦种植比例较低,灌溉耗水量100 mm。3近14年河北平原北部冬小麦播种面积下降明显,区域灌溉耗水量减少,地下水位下降趋势得到明显缓解。本文提出的作物蒸散量估算模型能够较好地用于确定较大区域作物蒸散耗水量,并可应用于区域作物灌溉量的评估与管理中。     

夏季黑河中游绿洲样带蒸散量遥感估算

黑河中游绿洲集中了全流域95%的耕地,利用了全流域68%的水资源,绿洲农田蒸散是水资源的主要支出项。为了解绿洲生态系统不同景观单元的耗水规律,高效管理区域水资源,该文利用2011年6-8月的7期Landsat TM影像,结合地面气象、物候数据和土地覆盖类型,基于SEBAL-METRIC模型估算了夏季黑河中游样带尺度不同土地覆盖类型蒸散量,并利用涡度观测数据对卫星过境日模型估算的蒸散量进行验证,发现遥感估算值与实测值具有较好的一致性。结果表明:由于土地覆盖类型和灌溉的差异,黑河中游样带尺度内蒸散量空间变化较大,6-8月农田平均总蒸散量是340 mm,林地是328 mm,草地的平均值是214 mm,荒漠区只有97 mm;夏季不同土地覆盖类型蒸散量均保持在较高水平,农田日蒸散量在6月底达到最大值,荒漠日蒸散量于7月中旬达到最大值,草地6月和7月平均日蒸散值较8月大,林地蒸散量月际变化较小。另外,荒漠与绿洲土壤类型差异较大,在荒漠区与绿洲区分别选取"热点"可有效提高模型估算精度。研究对于干旱半干旱区域水资源利用与管理有参考价值。     

黑土区田块尺度土壤有机质含量遥感反演模型

为了对田块尺度土壤有机质进行空间反演并提高模型精度和稳定性,该文以黑龙江省黑土带41.3 hm~2田块为例,获取2016年5月中下旬两期(受限于拍摄周期和天气原因而选择不同卫星影像,2016年5月17日Landsat 8影像和5月25日Sentinel-2A影像)裸土时期遥感影像和4 m分辨率DEM数据;分析单期影像与土壤有机质(soil organic matter,SOM)的关系,两期影像所包含的土壤含水量变化信息与地形因素对SOM预测模型精度的影响,建立基于BP神经网络的SOM遥感反演模型。结果表明:该田块内SOM含量差异较大;利用单期影像预测SOM时,基于红波段和785~899 nm波段建立的预测模型精度(建模均方根误差RMSE 1.033,检验RMSE 1.079)和稳定性(建模决定系数R2 0.677,检验R20.644)较高;两期影像时,基于红波段和1 570~1 650 nm波段建立的预测模型精度(建模RMSE 0.855,检验RMSE 0.898)和稳定性(建模R2 0.792,检验R2 0.797)显著提高;在两期影像模型基础上,加入地形因子作为输入量,模型精度(建模RMSE 0.492,检验RMSE 0.499)和稳定性(建模R2 0.917,检验R2 0.928)进一步提高。研究成果可为土壤碳库估算和农田精准施肥提供理论与技术支持。     

基于STME模型和MODIS数据的滹滏平原实际蒸散量遥感估算

滹滏平原光、热及土壤资源优越,是华北平原重要的粮食生产基地,灌溉是该区农业获得稳产高产的重要保障,持续抽取地下水和无节制利用地表水已经引起了严重的水资源危机,合理高效利用有限水资源进行农业生产势在必行。本文利用单源梯形遥感蒸散发模型(a single-source trapezoid model for evapotranspiration,STME)和中等分辨率成像光谱仪MODIS(2011—2012年共115期)地表温度和反射率产品估算区域地表土壤缺水状况及实际蒸散量,并利用中国科学院栾城农业生态系统试验站(以下简称"栾城站")和赵县梨园涡度相关系统地表水热通量的观测值对STME模型估算结果进行验证。结果表明该模型可以很好地估算区域蒸散量,误差在可接受范围内。赵县梨园净辐射Rn的观测平均值为4.10 mm,估算平均值为4.69 mm,均方根差RMSD为0.80 mm;赵县梨园蒸散量观测平均值为2.86 mm,估算平均值为3.01 mm,均方根差RMSD为0.95 mm;栾城站蒸散量的观测平均值为2.67 mm,估算平均值为2.44 mm,均方根差RMSD为0.87 mm。将STME模型应用到滹滏平原估算日蒸散量,明确了区域尺度蒸散发的时空变化特征:10月份果园生态系统蒸散量多于农田生态系统;11月份区域蒸散量整体小于1 mm;第2年春季小麦返青、拔节期,农田生态系统蒸散量多于果园生态系统蒸散量;5月份处于植被生长旺盛期,农田和果园生态系统的蒸散量相差不大;6月份小麦收获,玉米播种,农田生态系统蒸散量少于果园生态系统;7月份整个区域蒸散量达到最大,蒸散量不仅与植被长势相关,而且与土壤湿度相关;8、9月份随着植被的成熟和收获,区域蒸散量整体变小。不同时期区域水分亏缺指数不同,可根据其指导区域灌溉量。STME模型继承了基于数理计算确定梯形顶点的方法和水分亏缺指数,使得计算过程得以简化且物理机制明确。     

R-K蒸散模型用于华北平原冬小麦农田的参数校正与评价

为了解华北平原冬小麦田蒸散特征,并对蒸散估算模型在冬小麦田的适用性和稳定性进行分析,该文利用涡度相关系统对2013-2015年冬小麦田的蒸散量进行观测,以气象数据为基础对估算模型Rana和Katerji模型(简称R-K模型)进行修正;利用修正后模型对日蒸散量进行预测;并与FAO-PM模型的预测值及涡度相关系统的测量值进行对比,来说明R-K模型在冬小麦田的适用性。结果表明冬小麦田蒸散量有明显的季节变化,日蒸散量在1月底最小,返青期开始逐渐增大,于4、5月份达到最大值;2个冬小麦生长季总蒸散量分别为436.3和334.8 mm。统计参数的对比说明修正后R-K模型对冬小麦田日蒸散量的预测效果优于FAO-PM模型。敏感性分析说明R-K模型对气象因素不敏感,稳定性良好。R-K模型对冬小麦不同生长阶段的蒸散量预测效果在后期表现最佳,其次为发育期、中期和初期,越冬期表现最差。该研究可为利用模型估算蒸散量及指导农田精确灌溉提供参考。     

基于地块特征基元与多时相遥感数据的冬小麦播种面积快速提取

冬小麦播种面积监测是农情遥感的重要研究内容之一,及时、准确地获取冬小麦的播种面积对冬小麦产量估算具有重要的意义。该文在面向对象技术的支持下,首先利用融合的高空间分辨率SPOT5遥感影像提取农田地块专题层信息;然后在专题层控制下对多时相的ETM+遥感数据统一尺度分割,得到不同时相遥感影像相同形状的地块特征基元;通过光谱特征规则集构建不同时相的冬小麦信息提取模型,实现对各个时期冬小麦播种田块对象的提取;最后通过交叉验证,确定最终的冬小麦播种面积。结果表明,该方法能够快速获得冬小麦播种面积,总体精度达到90%以上,基本上能够满足农情遥感监测的需求,为冬小麦种植面积遥感快速监测提供了一种可行的方法。     

基于高光谱数据的杨树叶片干物质含量的估算

将杨树叶片实测的理化数据和土壤背景光谱数据作为PROSPECT和PROSAIL模型的输入参数,输出杨树叶片高光谱数据模拟值,通过实测获得叶片尺度和冠层尺度干物质含量、等效水厚度以及高光谱数据,利用统计方法,分别对两种尺度杨树叶片干物质含量进行分析。结果表明:基于归一化指数计算方法,杨树叶片尺度和冠层尺度的最佳估算干物质含量的干物质含量归一化指数(NDMI)波段组合分别为1685,1704nm和1551,2143nm,使用偏最小二乘法分别对筛选波段组成的NDMI(1685,1704)指数和NDMI(1551,2143)指数构建叶片尺度干物质含量和冠层尺度干物质含量的估算模型,叶片尺度干物质含量估算模型精度为R2=0.663,RMSE=0.001g·cm-2,冠层尺度精度为R2=0.91,RMSE=16.7g·m-2。可见,高光谱技术对杨树叶片干物质含量的估算具有较高的精度,可为杨树叶片干物质含量的快速、无损估算提供参考依据。     

基于无人机遥感植被指数优选的田块尺度冬小麦估产

田块尺度作物快捷精准估产对规模化农业经营管理具有重要意义。因此,急需选取最优植被指数和最佳无人机遥感作业时期,建立冬小麦无人机遥感估产模型,获取及时、快速、低成本的无人机遥感估产方法。该文以山东省滨州市典型规模化农田为研究对象,利用固定翼无人机遥感平台对冬小麦进行多期遥感观测与估产。基于2016年冬小麦返青拔节期、抽穗灌浆期和成熟期的无人机遥感影像数据集,采用最小二乘法,构建了基于不同植被指数与冬小麦实测产量的9种线性模型,并结合作物实测产量进行模型评价。多时相多种类植被指数的优选分析结果显示,抽穗灌浆期估产模型R~2最高,RMSE最低(n=34)。其中,模型R~2达到0.70的植被指数共6个,从高到低依次为EVI2、MSAVI2、SAVI、MTVI1、MSR和OSAVI;RMSE由低到高依次为EVI2、MSAVI2、SAVI、MTVI1、MSR和OSAVI。另外,该文进一步评价农田土壤像元对无人机遥感估产的影响,经过阈值滤波法处理后,返青拔节期估产模型的R~2(n=34)从约0.20提升至0.30以上,RMSE和MRE下降;抽穗灌浆期模型的RMSE降低,R~2(n=34)有所提升但不显著。综上所述,最佳无人机飞行作业时期为冬小麦抽穗灌浆期,最优植被指数为EVI2,土壤像元的滤除对抽穗灌浆期无人机遥感估产模型的影响不显著。因此,优化后的基于植被指数的无人机遥感估产模型,可以快速有效诊断和评估作物长势和产量,为规模化农业种植经营提供一种快捷高效的低空管理工具。     

不同时间尺度农田蒸散影响因子的通径分析

基于2011-2015年冬小麦农田实测大型称重式蒸渗仪数据及农业气象观测数据,分析不同时间尺度农田蒸散量的分布特征,并利用通径分析方法对各时间尺度农田蒸散的影响因子进行辨识。结果表明:(1)冬小麦开花-乳熟期典型晴天小时尺度蒸散呈单峰变化,最大值为0.9~1.1mm·h~(-1),日累计蒸散量7.0~9.1mm·d~(-1);冬小麦全生育期多年平均蒸散总量为385.4mm,日平均蒸散量为2.6mm·d~(-1),最大日蒸散量11.0mm·d~(-1),变化趋势为前期较低、后期较高;在生育期尺度,播种-返青期的蒸散速率较小,多年平均值为1.1mm·d~(-1),返青后,农田蒸散速率加快,多年平均值为4.2mm·d~(-1)。(2)不同时间尺度蒸散变化的影响因子主要包括净辐射(Rn)、饱和水汽压差(VPD)、0cm地温(T_(g0))、20cm土壤水分(SW20)。在小时尺度,VPD对典型晴天蒸散变化的直接作用最大,其次为Rn,T_(g0)通过Rn路径对EThourly变化产生间接影响,对蒸散的综合决定能力排序依次为VPDT_(g0)Rn;在日尺度,Rn作为最关键的影响因子,对蒸散的直接影响最大,VPD对蒸散的间接影响最大,VPD、T_(g0)主要通过Rn路径间接影响蒸散,SW20再通过T_(g0)路径间接影响蒸散且为负效应,各因子决策系数排序依次为RnVPDT_(g0)SW20;在生育期尺度,T_(g0)和Rn是驱动蒸散变化的最主要因子并起直接影响作用,决策系数表明T_(g0)对蒸散变化的促进作用比Rn明显。     

六种冠层阻力模型在冬小麦蒸散估算中的应用

蒸散量是农田水循环中水分损失的主要途径,其准确估算对节水灌溉具有重要意义。单源的Penman-Monteith （P-M）模型是最常用的蒸散量估算方法,但模型中冠层阻力的合理参数化一直是研究中的难点。该研究选取常用6种冠层阻力模型,使用北京顺义2 a（2020年和2021年）的波文比实测结果,分析不同模型进行冬小麦冠层阻力及蒸散估算的可行性。结果表明：1）无参数校正条件下,6种模型均低估了冬小麦冠层阻力,同时高估了蒸散量。其中,Todorovic模型（TD）的普适性最好,其模拟的冠层阻力、蒸散量与实测值的R2都在0.605及以上;耦合的冠层阻力模型（CO模型）普适性最差,冠层阻力、蒸散量与实测值的R2分别为0.113、0.046;2）进一步使用2021年的试验数据进行模型参数校正、2020年的数据进行验证,发现校正后的JA、CO、GA、KP及FAO56-PM模型计算的冠层阻力和蒸散量与实测值的一致性大幅提高。除JA模型低估冠层阻力外,其余均高估冠层阻力、低估蒸散量。其中KP模型模拟的冠层阻力和蒸散量效果最好,R2均在0.907及以上,而其余5种模型估算精度也较好。6种模型的估算精度排序为KP、GA、TD、FAO56-PM、CO、JA。综上,所评价的模型校正后均可作为P-M模型的冠层阻力输入来估算冬小麦蒸散量,但TD 模型不需要参数校正,在数据不足时可作为首选;而KP模型参数较少,校正后拟合精度最高,在数据充足时可作为首选。研究结果对华北地区使用P-M一步法计算冬小麦蒸散量具有重要价值。     

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,     

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.     

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.