喀斯特裸坡地地下孔(裂)隙流养分流失特征研究

通过人工模拟试验,研究喀斯特坡耕地地下孔(裂)隙流养分流失特征,结果表明:(1)地下产流、产沙量与雨强、地下孔(裂)隙度呈正相关关系,与坡度呈负相关关系。(2)雨强对地下径流流失浓度影响不显著,不同坡度全钾流失浓度随坡度呈波浪型变化,全磷流失浓度在缓坡(5~10°)地上径流流失浓度最大,是陡坡(15°以上)地上磷素淋失浓度的2~3倍,氮素流失浓度呈现出随着坡度增大而逐渐减小的变化趋势,地下径流全钾流失浓度与地下孔(裂)隙之间没有明显的变化趋势。(3)全钾、全磷和全氮流失量与雨强变化均呈指数函数关系,R~2分别为0.718 7,0.817 1,0.849 2;不同坡度条件下,全钾、全磷和全氮流失量随坡度的变化趋势一致,拟合曲线均为线性关系;全钾和全磷与地下孔(裂)隙度均可用指数函数拟合,全氮流失量与地下孔(裂)隙度可用幂函数拟合,地下径流中养分流失以氮素为主。     

模拟雨强和地下裂隙对喀斯特地区坡耕地养分流失的影响

喀斯特坡面水土地下漏失直接观测难度大,其土壤养分地下漏失的研究仍处于空白,而雨强和地下孔(裂)隙度(以下简称地下裂隙)对其土壤养分流失影响作用尚不清楚。该文以喀斯特坡耕地为研究对象,通过模拟其地表微地貌及地下裂隙构造特征,采用人工模拟降雨试验研究雨强和地下裂隙对喀斯特坡面氮磷钾养分流失的影响。结果表明:雨强对地表产流产沙影响显著(P0.05),其产流产沙量均随雨强增大而增加,且地表产流产沙临界雨强在30~50 mm/h之间;雨强对地表径流各养分输出负荷、地下径流全氮(TN)输出负荷及径流TN总负荷影响亦显著(P0.05)。地下裂隙度对地下径流TN输出负荷影响显著(P0.05),而总体上对其产流产沙、地表径流泥沙各养分输出负荷及总负荷影响不明显。喀斯特坡面TN、全磷(TP)输出负荷总体以径流为主,而全钾(TK)输出负荷则以泥沙为主。雨强是喀斯特坡面土壤养分流失的重要影响因子,地下裂隙度对其养分流失影响不大,但地下径流是喀斯特坡面主要的养分流失方式。研究结果可为喀斯特坡耕地养分流失的机理揭示及源头控制提供基本参数和科学依据。     

不同雨强下喀斯特坡耕地养分流失特征研究

为揭示西南喀斯特坡耕地的养分流失特征,通过人工模拟降雨试验,研究不同雨强下喀斯特坡耕地养分流失的过程机制及特征。结果表明:(1)喀斯特坡耕地产流产沙从地下过渡到地表的临界雨强在30 mm·h~(-1)～50 mm·h~(-1)之间,产流量和产沙量均随降雨强度的增大而增大,且产流产沙主要以地表为主。(2)小雨强(15 mm·h~(-1)和30 mm·h~(-1))下,喀斯特坡耕地TN、TP、TK主要通过地下径流进行流失,大雨强(≥50 mm·h~(-1))下,喀斯特坡耕地TN、TP、TK地表流失比例为地下漏失的3倍左右;TP径流流失量及流失浓度均随雨强的增大而增大,TN和TK径流流失量及流失浓度却随雨强的增大变化不明显。(3)喀斯特坡耕地泥沙养分流失也主要是以地表流失为主,地表流失量较地下高出约5.03倍,且泥沙中流失的养分浓度均大于径流中流失的养分浓度;地表泥沙养分富集率整体高于地下漏失部分;地表、地下泥沙养分流失总量与养分流失模数均随降雨强度的增大而增大。(4)喀斯特坡耕地径流总量与径流养分(TP、TK)、泥沙养分(TN、TP、TK)均呈极显著正相关关系(P0.05),径流总量与径流TN呈现极显著正相关关系(P0.01)。研究结果可为喀斯特区坡耕地养分流失防治及面源污染治理等提供理论参考依据。     

喀斯特典型坡耕地模拟降雨条件下的土壤侵蚀响应

为了定量研究不同降雨强度、坡度和孔(裂)隙度条件下坡耕地土壤侵蚀响应和空间分布特征,采用人工模拟降雨试验,通过模拟喀斯特典型坡耕地耕作层和微地貌特征以及孔裂隙构造特征,研究土壤侵蚀响应和空间分布特征。结果表明:(1)15,30mm/h降雨强度时地表不产流,水土流失形式为地下漏失;50mm/h降雨强度时地表产流产沙,水土流失也以地下漏失为主,地下径流出现最大值。50mm/h以上降雨强度时,土壤侵蚀逐渐向地表侵蚀转变,地表、地下径流泥沙分配呈负相关;(2)在一定条件下,坡度增大,地表径流泥沙量增加,地下径流量减小,当坡度在10°~15°时地表径流泥沙量急剧增加,25°时坡面产流产沙量达到最大值,其中20°坡面径流泥沙与25°接近;地下泥沙与坡度、孔(裂)隙度间变化规律不明显。(3)径流空间分配特征以地下径流为主,其中90 mm/h降雨强度以地表侵蚀为主。(4)降雨强度、坡度和孔(裂)隙度等因子对地表径流及地下径流的影响程度依次为降雨强度坡度孔(裂)隙度。总之,喀斯特坡耕地以地下漏失为主,地表产流之前随雨强增大而增大,地表径流产生后则反之,极端暴雨(90mm/h)下以地表侵蚀为主;降雨强度对水土流失影响程度最大,其次坡度,再次孔(裂)隙度。     

喀斯特坡耕地及其浅层孔(裂)隙土壤侵蚀响应试验研究

通过模拟喀斯特坡耕地地貌特征和喀斯特地下孔(裂)隙构造,采用人工模拟降雨试验,研究不同降雨强度、不同坡度、不同地下孔(裂)隙度及降雨历时条件下地表及地下的土壤侵蚀响应。结果表明,(1)地表径流与降雨强度、坡度的变化呈极显著正相关关系,与地下孔(裂)隙度的变化呈显著负相关关系;地下孔(裂)隙流与坡度、降雨强度的变化呈极显著负相关关系,与地下孔(裂)隙度的变化呈极显著正相关关系。(2)地下孔(裂)隙流流量、累积产沙量均随雨强的增大呈先增大后减小的变化规律。(3)总体上,地表径流随坡度的增大呈增大趋势,地下孔(裂)隙流随坡度的增大呈减小趋势;地表累积推移质和悬移质流失量随坡度的增大总体呈增大趋势,地下孔(裂)隙流的累积悬移质流失量随坡度的增大总体呈减小趋势。(4)地表产流、产沙随地下孔(裂)隙度增大而减小,而地下产流产沙则相反。(5)降雨强度、坡度和地下孔(裂)隙度等因子对地表径流及地下径流的影响程度依次是坡度降雨强度地下孔(裂)隙度。     

下垫面变化对喀斯特坡地地下产流产沙的影响

通过人工模拟降雨试验,探索表土剥离对喀斯特坡耕地侵蚀产沙的影响。采用钢槽装填土石模拟喀斯特坡地的"二元结构",通过正交试验分析了下垫面类型(坡耕地、裸坡地)、雨强(0.5,0.8,1.3mm/min)和地下孔(裂)隙度(1%,2%,3%,4%,5%)对坡地地下产流、产沙的影响。结果表明:表土剥离导致下垫面土壤物理性质改变,是影响坡地产流、产沙特征变化的主要因素。降雨强度主要影响坡地地下产流量和产沙量,地下孔(裂)隙度主要影响径流和泥沙在地表和地下的分配比例。表土剥离后表层土壤的容重和土壤颗粒分形维数呈显著性增大,导致土壤透水性、孔隙大小等发生改变。相比之下,在0.5mm/min雨强下,裸坡地的地下产流量、产流系数、产沙比重均大于坡耕地,雨强增大至0.8,1.3mm/min后,则是坡耕地大于裸坡地。同时,随着降雨强度的增大,坡耕地产流量和产沙量随雨强的变化顺序为0.5mm/min雨强0.8mm/min雨强1.3mm/min雨强。而裸坡地的产流量大小随雨强的变化顺序为0.8mm/min雨强1.3mm/min雨强0.5 mm/min雨强,产沙量大小随雨强的变化顺序为0.5 mm/min雨强0.8mm/min雨强1.3mm/min雨强。增大地下孔裂隙度能显著(p0.05)的增大两种坡地的地下产流、产沙的贡献量。地下孔裂隙度为1%~3%条件下,2种坡地地下侵蚀产沙比重存在极显著差异(p0.01),随着地下孔(裂)隙度增大至4%和5%,两者间的差异缩小。虽然裸坡地的地下侵蚀产沙量小于坡耕地的,但是其地下产沙比重更大。在喀斯特地区进行开发建设时,应注重地下漏失的防治工作。研究成果能够为喀斯特坡地土壤侵蚀研究和水土流失防治提供重要参考。     

模拟降雨条件下喀斯特坡耕地氮磷元素地下漏失特征

为揭示不同降雨强度和地下裂隙度对喀斯特坡耕地地下养分漏失的影响,采用人工模拟降雨的方法,以喀斯特坡耕地为研究对象,通过模拟其微地貌及地下裂隙度构造特征,探索不同降雨强度和地下裂隙度条件下喀斯特坡耕地氮磷元素地下漏失特征。结果表明:1)地下产流量与降雨强度和地下裂隙度成正相关;2)全氮全磷浓度随降雨强度呈波状变化,全氮浓度总体上随降雨强度呈增大趋势,地下裂隙度对全磷浓度的影响不大,对全氮浓度的影响呈显著正相关,相关系数R为0.906;3)全氮全磷流失总量与降雨强度可用线性拟合,与地下裂隙度可用多项式拟合;4)累积径流量与地下径流中全氮全磷的累积流失量有显著关系,进行线性拟合相关系数R分别为0.986 3和0.9974。喀斯特坡耕地养分地下漏失浓度总体上与地下裂隙度没有显著的变化规律,而降雨强度则是喀斯特地区土壤养分流失的一个关键因子,本研究结果可为解决水土及养分流失问题对社会经济,生态环境,人类生活发展的影响提供理论依据。     

草被覆盖对养分迁移机制的影响

为探讨草被覆盖对养分流失机制的影响,采用室内模拟降雨试验,在30mm/h雨强下,对不同水土保持先锋植物种(紫花苜蓿、狗尾草)、4种植株密度(0,80,120,160株/m~2)、2种处理方式(保留整株植物、仅保留地下部分)下养分随泥沙和径流的流失浓度与流失总量进行研究。结果表明:草被覆盖能有效控制坡面侵蚀,其中紫花苜蓿和狗尾草植株控制土壤侵蚀作用与地下部分关系密切,地上部分作用不明显。裸坡养分随泥沙的流失量是有植被坡面的1.49~5.90倍(全氮),1.24~8.61倍(全磷),1.17~1.82倍(速效钾),但两者的流失浓度差异不显著,表明草被控制养分随泥沙流失作用主要来源于控制侵蚀量,其中狗尾草地下部分减少养分随泥沙流失的作用强于紫花苜蓿地下部分,紫花苜蓿地上部分减少养分流失的作用强于狗尾草地上部分;同时随植株密度增加,草被地下部分减少养分随泥沙流失的作用逐步增强。草被覆盖能有效减少坡面养分随径流流失,地下部分坡面与全株坡面的全氮流失量比值为1.02~1.05(狗尾草),1.10~1.14(紫花苜蓿),表明草被控制养分随径流流失作用主要来源于地下部分,其中狗尾草地下部分作用较紫花苜蓿明显;同时随植株密度增加,地下生物量控制全氮和全磷养分随径流流失的作用逐步强化,但地下部分控制速效钾流失作用的权重没有明显的定向变化。径流养分浓度动态变化前期不断下降,后期趋于稳定,其中幂函数对养分浓度动态变化的拟合效果最佳;同时全氮和全磷动态变化与植株状况关系密切,而全磷对植株完整状况变化响应不明显。     

喀斯特坡地土壤地下侵蚀模拟试验研究

通过人工降雨及模拟喀斯特坡地地下孔(裂)隙构造,研究坡地地下产流产沙特征。结果表明:在降雨强度与孔(裂)隙度条件不变的情况下,地下孔(裂)隙累积径流量、径流率与坡度呈负相关关系,随坡度的增大而减小,地下孔(裂)隙产沙量总体上随坡度的增大而减小,但当地下孔(裂)隙度相差较大时,其产沙量在坡度变化上并非绝对随坡度的增大而减小;其他条件相同时,在50~80mm/h之间存在临界雨强,使地下孔(裂)隙累积径流量及产沙量先随坡度的增大而增大,达到临界降雨强度后,呈减小趋势,地下孔(裂)隙径流率总体随降雨强度的增大而减小;地下孔(裂)隙累积径流量、径流率、产沙量与地下孔(裂)隙度呈正相关关系;地下孔(裂)隙产沙量随地下孔(裂)隙累积径流量变化呈正相关关系;地下土壤漏失产流产沙与各因子间相关程度为坡度降雨强度地下孔(裂)隙度。     

喀斯特坡耕地产流特征及影响因素

选取我国西南喀斯特地区作为研究区域,以黄壤为试验土壤,通过人工降雨模拟喀斯特坡耕地坡面产流过程,探索其特征及影响因素。结果表明:(1)地表径流与降雨强度的变化呈极显著正相关关系,与地下孔(裂)隙度、岩石裸露率的变化均呈负相关;地下孔(裂)隙流与降雨强度、地下孔(裂)隙度及岩石裸露率的变化均呈正相关,但其相关性均较弱。随着坡度的增大,地表产流量呈先增大后减小,而地下孔(裂)隙流则表现为持续减小。(2)岩石裸露率、降雨强度、坡度和地下孔(裂)隙度等因子对地表径流的影响程度依次是降雨强度>坡度>地下孔(裂)隙度>岩石裸露率,其对地下径流的影响程度依次是坡度>降雨强度>地下孔(裂)隙度>岩石裸露率。(3)地表径流率随时间的变化总体特征为先迅速增大,然后缓慢减小,最后在50～60min以后趋于稳定,地下径流率总体呈现出随降雨历时增长而减小的趋势,但不同变化因素水平下地表及地下径流率随时间的变化差异都较大。     

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.