球囊霉素在土壤团聚体中的分布特征及影响因素的Meta分析

为充分认识球囊霉素在维持土壤有机碳平衡和土壤团聚体稳定性中的重要作用,建立改善土壤结构 和提升土壤质量的管理策略,通过收集整理近些年来已发表的19篇文献中的332组数据,定量分析球囊霉素在不同粒径土壤团聚体中的分布特征,系统解析其影响因素,并比较了不同土地利用方式下球囊霉素在土壤团聚体中的分配差异。结果表明：无论是总球囊霉素还是易提取球囊霉素,在大团聚体（>2 000 μm）和小团聚体（2 000~250 μm）中的质量百分比（分别约占30%）均显著高于微团聚体（250~53 μm）和黏粉粒级微团聚体（<53 μm）（分别约占15%）。易提取球囊霉素占总球囊霉素的比例在粉黏粒级微团聚体（<53 μm）中更低,约为20%,其他粒径均在30%以上。球囊霉素中碳占土壤有机碳的比例在各团聚体中无显著差异,不同粒径团聚体中易提取球囊霉素约占有机碳的2%左右,而总球囊霉素约占有机碳的8%左右。大于250 μm团聚体中球囊霉素随温度和降水的增加而增加,而随着pH的增加而降低。在小于250 μm团聚体中未发现显著相关性,但发现球囊霉素随土壤有机碳增加而增加,呈显著正相关。通过比较不同利用方式的土壤,本研究还发现林地土壤各粒径团聚体中的球囊霉素均不低于耕地和草地土壤,这说明林地土壤较其他类型土壤更有利于球囊霉素的积累。     

长期种植毛竹林土壤丛枝菌根真菌群落演变趋势

为揭示长期种植毛竹林土壤丛枝菌根(Arbuscular mycorrhizae,AM)真菌群落演变特征,通过磷脂脂肪酸(Phospholipid fatty acid,PLFA)和Illumina Miseq测序平台研究了AM真菌生物量及群落结构的演变趋势。结果表明,长期种植毛竹林土壤养分含量总体呈下降趋势,球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(Glomalin-related soil protein,GRSP)含量及AM真菌生物量也显著降低(p0.05),其中易提取态球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(Easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein,EE-GRSP)含量与有机质、碱解氮、速效钾显著正相关(p0.05),而AM真菌菌丝生物量(16:1ω5 PLFA)与碱解氮极显著正相关(p0.01)。长期种植毛竹林显著降低了土壤2~0.25 mm大团聚体比例(p0.05),且与AM真菌菌丝生物量极显著正相关(p0.01)。测序结果表明,毛竹林土壤AM真菌以球囊霉属(Glomus)为优势种群,其次为无梗囊霉属(Acaulospora),长期种植毛竹后土壤球囊霉属相对丰度显著增加而无梗囊霉属显著降低(p0.05)。非度量多维尺度转换排序(Non-metric multidimensional scaling,NMDS)分析显示,对照马尾松林与不同种植年限毛竹林土壤AM真菌群落显著区分(p=0.001),土壤含水量(p=0.005)、碱解氮(p=0.001)、有效磷(p=0.014)对AM真菌群落结构变异具有重要贡献。长期种植毛竹显著降低了AM真菌生物量、球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白含量以及2~0.25 mm大团聚体比例,并改变了AM真菌群落结构,不利于土壤碳固存和维持生态系统稳定。     

黄土丘陵区露天煤矿复垦土壤熟化过程中团聚体碳氮演变特征

矿区土地复垦中,由于机械碾压导致复垦土壤呈现高压实状态,复垦土壤的有机质则因机械扰动而矿化。探究复垦土壤团聚体与有机质恢复机理,可为深入理解露天煤矿高压实复垦土壤质量演替规律提供依据。以平朔露天煤矿典型植被恢复模式--刺槐纯林不同复垦年限（0、3、12、14、17、25、28、32 a）土壤及周边未扰动土壤（CK）为研究对象,采集0～20 cm表层土壤样品,分析土壤水稳性团聚体（>2 000 μm、>250～2 000 μm、53～250 μm、<53 μm）及团聚体碳（C）、氮（N）以及13C和15N同位素特征。结果表明：1）土地复垦中机械碾压破坏了土壤水稳性团聚体结构与稳定性,但随着复垦时间增加,32 a样地>250～2 000 μm团聚体的比例较0 a提高737.02%,而53～250 μm团聚体比例则降低19.25%;团聚体稳定性随着复垦时间而增加,表现为32 a样地土壤团聚体平均重量直径（Mean Weight Diameter,MWD）较0 a提高133%。2）各粒径团聚体C、N及C/N均随着复垦时间增加而增加,>2 000和>250～2 000 μm团聚体C和N在土壤总C和N中占主导地位。>2 000和>250～2 000 μm团聚体C/N整体上高于53～250 μm团聚体。3）各样地土壤δ13C变化范围为?15.14‰～?26.40‰;δ15N的变化范围为1.13‰～10.87‰。>2 000、>250～2 000和<53 μm团聚体的δ13C值及>2 000 μm团聚体的δ15N值随复垦年限增加呈现降低趋势。与>2000 μm和>250～2 000 μm团聚体相比,53～250和<53 μm团聚体中13C显著富集（P<0.05）,这表明复垦土壤熟化过程中,土壤C从大粒径团聚体向小粒径周转。4）>2 000与>250～2 000 μm团聚体中,新C占土壤总C的比例为>80%,且各样地间差异不显著（P>0.05）,而在<53 μm团聚体中,新C的比例在复垦14～17 a间显著增加,此后则变化不显著。上述结果表明,土地复垦中机械碾压增加了小粒径团聚体的比例,降低了团聚体稳定性,而随着复垦时间增加,植被恢复促进了土壤团聚体结构、稳定性及C、N的恢复。     

长期种植毛竹林土壤丛枝菌根真菌群落演变趋势

为揭示长期种植毛竹林土壤丛枝菌根（Arbuscular mycorrhizae, AM）真菌群落演变特征,通过磷脂脂肪酸（Phospholipid fatty acid, PLFA）和Illumina Miseq测序平台研究了AM真菌生物量及群落结构的演变趋势。结果表明,长期种植毛竹林土壤养分含量总体呈下降趋势,球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白（Glomalin-related soil protein, GRSP）含量及AM真菌生物量也显著降低（p<0.05）,其中易提取态球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白含量与有机质、速效钾、碱解氮显著正相关（p<0.05）,而AM真菌菌丝生物量（16:1ω5 PLFA）与碱解氮极显著正相关（p<0.01）。长期种植毛竹林显著降低了土壤2~0.25 mm大团聚体比例（p<0.05）,且与AM真菌菌丝生物量极显著正相关（p<0.01）。测序结果表明,毛竹林土壤AM真菌以球囊霉属（Glomus）为优势种群,其次是无梗囊霉属（Acaulospora）,长期种植毛竹后土壤球囊霉属相对丰度显著增加而无梗囊霉属显著降低（p<0.05）。非度量多维尺度转换排序（NMDS）分析显示,对照马尾松林与不同种植年限毛竹林土壤AM真菌群落显著区分（p=0.001）,土壤含水量（p=0.005）、有效磷（p=0.014）、碱解氮（p=0.001）对AM真菌群落结构变异具有重要贡献。长期种植毛竹显著降低了AM真菌生物量、球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白含量以及2~0.25 mm大团聚体比例,并改变了AM真菌群落结构,不利于土壤碳固存和维持生态系统稳定。     

长期紫云英还田与化肥配施下水稻土团聚体中铁氧化物的演变规律

铁氧化物是土壤团聚体重要的胶结物质,其主要存在于土壤黏粒中。为探索紫云英还田并配施化肥下土壤团聚体中铁氧化物的变化规律及其在不同粒级黏粒组分中的富集特点,以湖南省南县长期紫云英还田的水稻土为研究对象,选择单施紫云英（MV）、单施化肥（F100）、紫云英配施全量化肥（MV+F100）和紫云英配施80%化肥（MV+F80）4个处理,通过湿筛和离心分离土壤团聚体（>250、53~250 和2~53 μm）和黏粒（<2 μm）,测定不同处理土壤团聚体及其黏粒中铁氧化物的含量,并分析它们与团聚体稳定性的关系。结果表明：（1）与MV和F100相比,紫云英与全量化肥配施增加了>250 μm粒级团聚体的含量,降低了53~250 μm粒级团聚体含量,团聚体平均重量直径（MWD）和几何平均直径（GMD）分别提高了8.2%~20.5%和4.1%~8.5%。（2）与MV相比,紫云英与化肥配施显著提高了各粒级团聚体、2~53 μm团聚体黏粒和自由态黏粒非晶质铁的含量（12.7%~55.6%,52.4%~54.9%和45.9%~48.6%）,降低了>250和53~250 μm团聚体非晶质铁的富集率（32.8%~36.8%和17.2%~28.4%）。而与F100相比,2~53 μm团聚体和团聚体黏粒非晶质铁的含量以及富集率均显著降低（3.5%~21.3%、29.2%~30.4%和10.9%~26.9%）。（3）>250 μm团聚体含量与团聚体黏粒的非晶质铁含量、铁的活化度呈极显著正相关,与团聚体黏粒的游离铁含量、非晶质铁的富集率呈显著正相关。团聚体的MWD和GMD与>250μm团聚体含量呈极显著正相关,而与<2 μm团聚体含量呈极显著负相关。>250、2~53 μm团聚体黏粒和自由态黏粒的游离铁是团聚体MWD和GMD最重要的影响因子。紫云英与化肥配施,能够提高团聚体黏粒铁氧化物的含量,促进>250 μm团聚体的形成,从而增强团聚体的稳定性。     

苏打盐碱化土壤pH与团聚体中球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白含量的关系

球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(Glomalin-related soil protein,GRSP)在土壤团聚体形成中起重要作用,与土壤团聚体稳定性正相关。土壤盐碱化破坏土壤结构,降低土壤中GRSP含量,但影响多大尺寸团聚体GRSP含量并不清楚。本文采集45个松嫩盐碱化草地土壤样品,通过干筛法分离出直径0.25、0.25~1和1~2 mm 3种不同粒级团聚体,采用Bradford法测定土壤中GRSP含量,并测定土壤盐碱化指标,经Pearson相关分析和前向选择变量多元线性回归分析,结果显示:土壤pH显著影响各粒级团聚体总球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(T-GRSP)含量和难提取球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(DE-GRSP)含量,二者存在显著负相关关系,特别是0.25~1 mm粒级团聚体DE-GRSP含量与土壤pH存在极显著负相关关系,可解释22.3%的DE-GRSP含量变化。土壤pH、电导率、碱解氮和有效磷对各粒级团聚体易提取球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(EE-GRSP)影响不显著。结果表明土壤苏打盐碱化影响0.25~1 mm团粒结构中较稳定的DE-GRSP含量,可能对土壤团聚体胶联和土壤碳存储产生负影响。     

长期不同施肥下黑土和红壤团聚体氮库分布特征

为阐明长期不同施肥下土壤氮库的演变特征,揭示氮库稳定性不同的团聚体对不同施肥的响应,为化肥和有机物的合理施用提供科学依据。本研究通过对黑土和红壤22年的田间肥料定位试验,研究了长期不同施肥模式对土壤全氮、 微生物氮以及各级团聚体中氮贡献率的影响。结果表明,长期不施肥（CK）和施用化肥（NPK）,黑土土壤全氮含量以0.015 g/(kga)的速率显著下降（P 0.05）;而长期化肥配施有机肥（NPKM）,黑土全氮含量以0.025 g/(kga) 的速率显著上升（P 0.05）。在CK、 NPK、 NPKM和秸秆还田（NPKS）处理下,红壤全氮含量均没有显著变化。施肥22年后,NPKM处理下黑土和红壤微生物氮含量较NPK处理下分别增加了15% 和 43%,全氮含量分别增加了43% 和45%,差异均达到显著水平（P 0.05）。氮素在黑土上主要积累在253 m 微团聚体中,达到0.73~1.21 g/kg,在红壤上主要积累在2 m 微团聚体中,达到0.46~0.98 g/kg。与NPK相比,NPKM 处理下黑土和红壤 250~2000 m大团聚体中氮素贡献率均显著提高,分别增加了4.3% 和 5.1%。与NPK相比,NPKM 和 NPKS 处理下,红壤 253 m 微团聚体中氮贡献率分别降低了5.9% 和 9.7%,而黑土除大团聚体外的各级团聚体氮贡献率均没有显著变化。可见,不同土壤类型对施肥响应不同, 主要是253 m 微团聚体中氮素的响应不同,化肥配施有机肥可提高土壤250~2000 m 大团聚体中氮的贡献率,进而增加土壤对作物的氮素供给能力,是有助于提高土壤肥力和生产力的农业生产可持续性施肥模式。     

玉米间作马铃薯对根际土壤酶活性及团聚体稳定性的影响

[目的]阐明影响水稳性团聚体稳定性的主要因素,为云南省红壤坡耕地综合治理提供科技支撑。[方法]设置玉米单作、马铃薯单作、玉米与马铃薯间作3个处理,分析了间作对作物根际土壤养分含量、酶活性、球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(GRSP)含量、团聚体组成和稳定性的影响,以及对作物的农艺性状及产量的影响。[结果](1)相比于单作,玉米与马铃薯间作不仅能使马铃薯根际土壤中的有机质、速效磷含量分别显著增加了13.53%,46.53%(p<0.05),而且能使两种作物根际土壤的总球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(T-GRSP)和易提取球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(EE-GRSP)含量均有增加趋势,其中玉米的差异性达显著水平(p<0.05)。(2)相比于单作,玉米与马铃薯间作可以显著增加两种作物根际土壤的脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性,以及>0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量(R_0.25)和平均质量直径(MWD)值(p<0.05),玉米的增幅为17.63%～41.29%,马铃薯的增幅为10.81%～34.79%。(3)相比于单作,玉米与马铃薯间作均可显著增加两种作物的地上部和根系的干重(p...     

不同施氮水平下土壤微生物种群异步性与稻麦产量的关系

研究稻麦轮作体系中施氮水平对土壤微生物多样性和异步性的影响,可为调控土壤微生物区系以维持作物稳产高产提供理论依据和科学指导。采集长期稻麦轮作体系中不同施氮水平下作物关键生育时期的土壤样品,使用高通量测序技术分析施氮水平对土壤微生物多样性和异步性的影响,研究施氮水平通过改变土壤微生物异步性对稻麦产量产生的影响。小麦季和水稻季的施氮水平梯度分别为：0、50、100、200、300 kg?hm-2和0、90、180、270、360 kg?hm-2;土壤样品采集时期分别为：小麦种植前、拔节期、孕穗期、扬花期、成熟期和水稻种植前、最大分蘖期、拔节孕穗期、扬花期、成熟期。结果表明,施氮水平对各生育时期的土壤微生物多样性和组成均产生显著影响。施氮水平可解释约12%的水稻季微生物丰富度变异（P<0.05）。当小麦季和水稻季施氮水平分别为100和180 kg?hm-2时,土壤微生物群落在作物多个生长阶段均能维持相对较高水平的丰富度。施氮水平可解释9%~11%的小麦季/水稻季微生物群落组成变异（P<0.05）。随着施氮水平的提高,小麦季土壤中Phenylobacterium、Sphingomonas、Cyanobacteria GpI、Desulfovirga、Lacibacter、Terrimonas属和水稻季土壤中Desulfovirga、Spartobacteria genera incertae sedis、Ohtaekwangia、Acidobacteria Gp7、Arenimonas、Niastella属的种群异步性显著上升。其中,Phenylobacterium、Desulfovirga属的种群异步性和Desulfovirga、Spartobacteria genera incertae sedis、Ohtaekwangia、Arenimonas属的种群异步性分别与小麦、水稻的产量存在显著正相关关系。稻麦轮作体系中,土壤微生物多样性受到施氮水平的持续性影响,并随生育期推移而发生变化。施氮水平能够直接影响微生物种群异步性,从而影响微生物功能的互补性,进而对稻麦系统的产量产生积极作用。     

不同秸秆还田方式下黑土玉米田肥料氮素去向

探究不同秸秆还田方式下肥料氮在连续两季作物系统中的去向，为黑土地保护下的氮肥管理提供重要依据。于2020—2021年在吉林梨树开展大田微区试验，设置无秸秆还田 (CK)、深翻还田 (DTS)、免耕覆盖还田 (NTS) 3种秸秆还田方式，每种方式下设置2个施氮水平：180 kg?hm-2(N1)和270 kg?hm-2(N2)。结果表明：当季和第二季玉米成熟期植株氮分别有38.0%~46.8%和12.9%~18.6%来源于15N标记氮肥。肥料氮当季平均利用、残留和损失率分别为32.4%~43.9%、32.8%~51.4%和13.2%~32.7%，秸秆覆盖配施适量氮肥 （180 kg?hm-2）处理下肥料氮当季利用率显著提高29.5%，而秸秆深翻还田则使肥料氮在土壤中的残留率显著增加18.2%。当季施用肥料氮仍有8.5%~14.9%被第二季玉米吸收利用，两季累积利用率达40.9%~58.8%，在高氮（270 kg?hm-2）下秸秆深翻还田显著提高肥料氮的第二季利用率及累积利用效率。综上，秸秆覆盖还田配施适量氮肥有利于提高肥料利用效率，而秸秆深翻还田更有利于高施氮量下土壤对肥料氮的保持，增加其被下季作物利用的机会，两者均能显著减少氮的损失。     

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.