水生植物堆肥替代部分氮肥提高水稻产量与稻田土壤肥力

为评价太湖流域水生植物堆肥对水稻产量及稻田土壤肥力效应,在太湖流域典型稻田连续进行4a的田间定位试验,比较在等氮条件下不同比例的水生植物有机堆肥替代处理(有机氮替代率分别为0、20％、40％、60％、80％和100％)引起的水稻籽粒产量、产量构成因子、氮磷钾吸收量以及土壤碳氮含量和pH值变化.结果表明:与单施尿素相比,水生植物有机堆肥与尿素配施利于水稻产量的提高,并随着有机肥替代率增加,水稻产量呈先增后降;当有机肥替代率达40％和60％时产量最高.单施有机肥和单施尿素处理水稻籽粒产量相当.单施有机肥显著降低了有效穗数,有机肥和尿素配合施用则可减轻甚至消除这一效应;有机肥替代率在40％和60％时,有效穗数、穗粒数和结实率均较高.随着有机肥施用量增加,水稻秸秆氮浓度降低,籽粒氮浓度无影响;水稻磷浓度和吸收量均无显著差异;有机肥与尿素配施均显著提高了秸秆钾吸收量,有机肥替代率在80％时可显著提高籽粒钾吸收量.表层土壤全氮和有机碳含量及土壤pH值均与有机肥替代率呈显著正相关关系.有机肥-尿素配施处理下土壤全氮和有机碳均较4a前显著提高.有机肥替代率为80％和100％,土壤pH值较试验前土壤分别显著升高.由此可见,水生植物有机肥与尿素配施可以提高太湖稻作区水稻产量,增加土壤有机质含量和减缓土壤酸化程度,可作为太湖稻作区一项环保型施肥技术.     

长期不同施肥下红壤酸碱缓冲性能变化

土壤酸碱缓冲能力是表征土壤抵抗酸化的重要指标,明确长期不同施肥下红壤酸化特征及酸碱缓冲性能的变化,对红壤酸化防治和耕地质量提升具有重要意义。选取红壤旱地30年定位试验的不施肥(CK)、单施化肥(N、NP、NK、PK、NPK)、化肥加秸秆还田(NPKS)以及单施或配施有机肥(M、NPKM)共9个处理,分析了各处理红壤酸度、酸碱缓冲容量等指标的变化及相关性。与不施肥处理(16.89 mmol·kg-1·pH-1)相比,各施肥处理红壤酸碱缓冲容量均显著增加(19.08～28.01 mmol·kg-1·pH-1),其中增加幅度最大的是NPKM和M处理,分别增加了6.53和11.12 mmol·kg-1·pH-1。土壤酸碱缓冲容量与有效磷、阳离子交换量、有机质、碱解氮、全氮和全磷均呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。长期施用有机肥提高了土壤阳离子交换量和有机质含量,是红壤酸碱缓冲容量提高的主要原因之一。长期施用有机肥既可有效防治红壤酸化,又能提高红壤对酸的缓冲能力,是红壤酸化防治的有效措施之一。     

连续施用不同比例鸡粪氮对水稻土有机质积累及土壤酸化的影响

【目的】土壤酸化是自然过程。随着农业集约化发展,土壤酸化在部分农田呈加速趋势,而施肥是目前农田土壤酸化加速的重要诱因,研究有机肥和化肥对土壤酸化的作用差异及机理,对合理指导施肥及耕地保育有重要的意义。【方法】通过测定不同施肥处理的不同组分有机质含量及酸碱缓冲容量,探明不同施肥处理的酸化影响,从土壤有机质和盐基累积角度对有机-无机肥料不同比例配施条件下土壤酸化特征进行了研究。【结果】① 连续5年在等氮量（N 270 kg/hm2）且有机－无机肥料不同配施比例的处理中,水稻产量以有机肥比例为25%~50%的处理最高,其平均产量比单施化肥处理提高了5.1%,比对照提高44.9%。但处理间无显著性差异;② 土壤各活性有机质及总有机质等指标中仅总有机质含量随鸡粪施用比例的增加而持续增加,不同比例有机无机肥配合施用后,土壤的高活性有机质及低活性有机质均高于CK和纯化肥氮处理,但随着有机肥投入比例的升高,除中活性有机质和水稻产量之间呈显著的正相关外（P=0.0067**）,高活性有机质、活性有机质及总有机质含量与水稻产量之间的相关性不显著（对应的概率值分别为P=0.192,P=0.208,P=0.160）;③ 施肥提高了土壤的碳库管理指数（CPMI）,且其随有机肥施用比例的上升呈增加趋势。增施鸡粪提高土壤的交换性盐基离子（Ca2+、 Mg2+、 K+、 Na+）含量,导致阳离子代换量（CEC）和pH随鸡粪施用比例的提高而升高。供试土壤酸碱缓冲容量为2.07~2.36 cmol/kg,随鸡粪施用比例的上升而增加,其与土壤阳离子代换量及有机质含量呈显著正相关。表明增施鸡粪可使土壤pH及酸碱缓冲容量上升,与鸡粪使土壤盐基累积量及有机质含量的提高有关。【结论】连续有机-无机肥施用下,土壤pH上升和酸碱缓冲容量的提高可能与该试验点下盐基离子和有机质含量随鸡粪施用比例上升有关,但其最终上升幅度及平衡点尚需进一步研究。鸡粪氮替代化肥氮比例为25%~50%时,土壤性质最优,水稻产量最高。     

不同耕作与施肥方式下白土水稻产量及养分吸收量

通过定位试验,研究白土上不同耕作措施及有机肥施用对水稻产量、 养分吸收量及土壤理化性状的影响。试验设置2个翻耕深度（10 cm和20 cm）与4种施肥模式（单施化肥、 化肥+畜禽粪、 化肥+秸秆、 化肥+绿肥）。结果表明,单施化肥时,翻耕20 cm处理两年的平均产量较翻耕10 cm处理减产7.6%; 而在翻耕20 cm的基础上,秸秆还田或施用畜禽粪、 绿肥则可以显著提高水稻产量,较单施化肥分别增产14.8%、 16.1% 和14.6%。水稻养分吸收量也表现出相同规律,在翻耕20 cm后补充有机肥能显著增加植株对氮、 磷、 钾的吸收。同时,翻耕 20 cm结合秸秆还田或施用畜禽粪、 绿肥处理的土壤有机质、 全氮、 碱解氮、 速效磷和速效钾含量均高于单施化肥处理。在白土稻田上,翻耕20 cm后增施有机肥有利于提高水稻产量,促进养分吸收,改善白土耕层土壤理化性状,是适合白土区大力推广的施肥模式。     

降雨及施氮对水耕铁渗人为土土壤酸碱缓冲体系的影响

以太湖地区典型水稻土——水耕铁渗人为土为供试材料,通过添加CaCO3和H2SO4培养及滴定的方法,研究不同pH降雨和施氮对土壤酸碱缓冲体系的影响。结果显示,土壤在添加CaCO3和H2SO4培养后进行不同量酸碱滴定,土壤在pH 4.0~7.5的突跃范围内与酸碱加入量呈显著的线性相关,表明该测定方法对供试土壤适用。同时施氮和降雨对土壤的酸化都有加速作用,各处理0-40 cm层土壤酸碱缓冲容量为1.91~2.20 cmol/kg,增加施氮量、降低降雨pH都降低土壤的酸碱缓冲容量,且土壤酸碱缓冲容量与盐基淋出量呈显著负相关关系,但不同酸度降雨对土壤酸度变化及酸碱缓冲容量变化影响主要为0-20 cm层,而对20-40 cm层影响较小;而施氮除影响土壤pH及酸碱缓冲容量的0-20 cm层外,还影响到20-40 cm层。表明研究土壤处在以盐基离子为主的酸碱缓冲体系,在此体系下,施氮或氮沉降对土体的影响比酸沉降更为深入。     

红壤长期不同施肥对玉米氮肥回收率的影响

为阐明长期不同施肥下玉米氮肥回收率的变化特征,揭示影响红壤玉米氮肥回收率的关键土壤因素,为红壤氮肥合理施用和提高氮肥回收率提供科学依据,在湖南红壤上连续观测了18年不施肥,施氮、磷、钾化肥,化肥配施有机肥和单施有机肥条件下玉米氮肥回收率的变化特征及其原因。结果表明,与施用化肥相比,玉米的子粒产量和植株氮素积累量在化肥配施有机肥下分别增加了61.5%和63.1%。氮、磷、钾化肥施用8年后,玉米氮肥回收率呈显著下降趋势,年平均下降速率达3.34个百分点;而化肥配施有机肥下氮肥回收率以每年1.24个百分点的速率显著增加;单施有机肥下氮肥回收率保持持平并略有上升。土壤pH、全氮和有机质含量均与氮肥回收率呈显著线性正相关,其中土壤pH对氮肥回收率的影响最明显。在土壤pH 4.5～6.3范围内,红壤pH每降低1个单位,玉米氮肥回收率下降10.9%。长期施用化肥的土壤pH以每年0.06的速率下降;单施有机肥尽管可缓解土壤酸化,但玉米产量较低,而化肥配施有机肥能同时抑制土壤酸化和提高玉米产量及氮肥回收率。因此,化肥配施有机肥具有明显的增产和保肥效果,是红壤上农业生产可持续性的施肥模式。     

秸秆还田对滴灌春小麦产量和土壤肥力的影响

为提高秸秆还田的利用效率,采用大田试验研究了秸秆还田及配肥对小麦产量及土壤理化性状的影响,为干旱区土壤培肥提供科学依据。在常规施肥的基础上设置半量秸秆(S1)、全量秸秆(S2)、有机肥(M)、复混肥(CF)、全量秸秆与有机肥(S2+M)、全量秸秆与复混肥(S2+CF)配施6个处理。结果表明,秸秆配施肥(S2+M)、(S2+CF)对提高小麦的株高、单穗重、穗长和单株穗粒数效果优于单施秸秆处理(S1、S2);秸秆配施肥产量显著高于CK。秸秆配施肥显著降低了0~20 cm和20~40 cm土层土壤容重,提高了0~20 cm土层阳离子交换量,而对20~40 cm影响不显著。秸秆配施肥0~20 cm和20~40 cm土层土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾含量均显著高于单施秸秆处理,而单施秸秆处理显著高于单施有机肥和复混肥处理。因此,在施氮、磷肥的基础上全量秸秆还田与有机肥或复混肥配合施用,能更有利于滴灌农田土壤肥力的提升。     

长期施肥下潮土全氮、碱解氮含量与氮素投入水平关系

通过长期肥料定位试验,对不同施肥处理下潮土全氮和碱解氮含量演变特征及其与氮素投入水平的关系进行研究。结果表明,不施氮肥处理,土壤全氮和碱解氮含量基本保持平衡或者缓慢增加;长期施用化学氮肥处理,土壤全氮和碱解氮含量均有所增加;施用有机肥和秸秆还田处理,土壤全氮和碱解氮含量均显著提高。单施化学氮肥处理每投入氮素1 kg/hm2,土壤全氮含量增加0.017 mg/kg;而氮磷钾化肥配施有机肥和氮磷钾化肥并秸秆还田处理每投入氮素1 kg/hm2,土壤全氮含量分别增加0.049和0.035 mg/kg。施氮磷钾处理每投入氮素1 kg/hm2,土壤碱解氮含量增加0.001 mg/kg;而化肥配施有机肥或玉米秸秆处理每投入氮素1 kg/hm2,土壤碱解氮含量均增加0.004和0.004 mg/kg。总的来说,施用化学氮肥、有机肥配施化肥及秸秆还田处理增加氮素投入量均可以提高土壤全氮及碱解氮含量,且有机肥配施化肥及秸秆还田处理优于单施化肥。综上所述,增施有机肥及秸秆还田对于提升土壤肥力及实现农业可持续发展具有深远意义。     

长期有机无机肥配施对水稻产量及土壤有效养分影响

利用中国农业科学院红壤实验站开始于1982年的水稻长期定位试验,研究长期有机无机肥配施对水稻产量及土壤速效氮、磷、钾含量的动态变化(1982—2011年)特征。29年研究结果表明:长期有机无机肥配施(NPKM)能提高水稻产量,培肥地力。长期施用化肥(NPK)导致水稻产量降低。稻谷产量随着施肥量的增加而增加。在等氮投入情况下,增施化学磷肥的增产效应要高于化学钾肥,且早稻表现尤为明显;长期单施有机肥和单施化肥对稻谷产量的影响没有显著差异。随着施肥时间的延长,各处理水稻产量差异越显著。各施肥处理土壤碱解氮增加速率表现为慢-快-慢三个阶段,有机肥的施用相较单施化肥,能够显著提高土壤碱解氮含量(p0.05)。土壤有效磷的累积主要与化学磷肥的施用有关,各施肥处理土壤有效磷历年平均含量变化趋势为:NPKM、NPM、PKMNPKM、NKM(p0.01);土壤速效钾以有机肥和化学钾肥配施的处理(NPKM、NKM、PKM)增加最快,单施化学肥料的处理(NPK)增加最慢。随着氮、磷施用量的增加,土壤中氮、磷素出现盈余,但NPKM处理相比其他处理能够有效降低盈余量;各处理土壤中钾素均表现为亏缺状态,红壤性水稻田至少每年应补充投入钾素200 kg hm-2才能基本维持土壤钾素平衡。     

长期施肥砂姜黑土微生物学特征差异及评价

【目的】作为安徽省主要中低产土壤类型之一,砂姜黑土不良属性严重制约旱地粮食作物稳产增产,因此本研究利用长期定位试验研究砂姜黑土微生物特征对不同施肥模式的响应,为改善砂姜黑土生态功能、提高地力可持续性等提供理论依据。【方法】基于安徽省杨柳长期定位试验(始于1981年),研究5种施肥模式不施肥(CK)、单施化肥(NPK)、单施有机肥(M)、有机肥与化肥配施(等氮)(MNPK)、有机肥与化肥配施(高氮)(HMNPK)砂姜黑土耕层土壤可培养微生物数量、微生物生物量及酶活性等微生物学性状的变化规律,并通过主成分分析方法对不同施肥模式下的土壤微生态进行综合评价。【结果】与不施肥相比,长期施用有机肥(M、MNPK和HMNPK)可显著增加土壤微生物总数量(15.68~22.80倍),尤其是细菌和放线菌数量二者分别于M、MNPK处理达最高值(30.50×10~5cfu/g和15.50×10~4 cfu/g);长期单施有机肥对土壤真菌有明显抑制作用,单施化肥有利于土壤真菌数量的增加。施用有机肥(M、MNPK和HMNPK)可有效增加土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量,其中MNPK处理微生物量碳含量增幅最高,达119.74%但与M、HMNPK处理差异不明显,微生物量氮含量增幅达88.46%,显著高于M、HMNPK处理;长期单施化肥仅对微生物量碳含量有提增作用(38.87%)对微生物量氮作用不明显,其对微生物量碳的提增作用显著低于其他施肥处理。长期单施有机肥可显著提高土壤脲酶与转化酶活性,抑制磷酸酶活性,长期单施化肥的作用则相反。用主成分分析方法将9个生物指标降维提取出2个主成分,第一主成分以细菌、放线菌、微生物量碳、微生物量氮、脲酶和转化酶为主要影响因子,第二主成分以为真菌、酸性和中性磷酸酶为主要影响因子分别代表了与碳、氮和磷循环密切相关微生物影响因子。通过综合得分把不同施肥模式下砂姜黑土微生物生态划分为3个等级,一等包括长期有机肥与化肥配施(等氮与高氮),二等包括长期单施有机肥,三等为长期单施化肥与不施肥。【结论】通过综合评价可得砂姜黑土的微生物生态状况在长期有机肥与化肥配施条件下最佳单施有机肥次之而长期单施化肥与不施肥的较差。     

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.