砒砂岩区主要造林树种枯落物及林下土壤持水特性

为了探究砒砂岩区不同造林树种水文特征,以该地区油松、侧柏、青杨、山杏、沙棘、柠条为研究对象,通过浸泡法和环刀法,对比分析了不同树种枯落物层和土壤层的持水特性。结果表明:砒砂岩区主要造林树种枯落物蓄积量变动范围为1.55~7.89t/hm~2,青杨林下枯落物最大持水率最高为281.26%,其他树种枯落物最大持水率依次为油松(217.14%)、侧柏(201.05%)、山杏(202.79%)、沙棘(170.96%)、柠条(158.08%)撂荒地(143.88%)。油松林下土壤层容重最小为1.46g/cm3,总孔隙度和毛管孔隙度最大分别为43.55%和36.99%,毛管持水量最大为14.50mm;山杏林下土壤非毛管孔隙度最大为13.12%,非毛管持水量最大为6.86mm。油松枯落物及其林下土壤层持水能力良好,更适宜作为砒砂岩地区植被建设树种。     

小兴安岭不同森林类型枯落物储量及其持水特性比较

[目的]对小兴安岭主要森林类型林下枯落物蓄积量进行调查分析和持水特性研究,为该区森林生态服务功能评价提供重要依据和理论基础。[方法]选择6种典型森林类型设置样地测定枯落物现储量,并采用浸水法对枯落物持水特性进行测定,计算其最大拦蓄量和有效拦蓄量。[结果]主要森林类型枯落物蓄积量介于13.53~29.48t/hm2,大多是半分解层蓄积量高于未分解层。不同森林类型最大持水率与最大持水量表现不一致,其中最大持水率为243.19%~524.0%,最大持水量为56.81~106.90t/hm2。不同森林类型的最大拦蓄量与有效拦蓄量的表现也略有差异,最大拦蓄量为33.43~64.42t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为24.91~48.38t/hm2。枯落物层的持水率与浸泡时间呈显著对数关系,而吸水速率与浸泡时间呈显著幂函数关系。[结论]受树种特性、枯落物储量、分解速率及林龄的影响,该区不同森林类型林下枯落物储量及其持水特性差异显著。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区典型灌木林地枯落物的蓄积特征及持水性能

[目的]对黄土丘陵区不同植被枯落物层持水效能进行研究,为该区植被恢复和水土流失防治提供理论基础。[方法]以柠条、沙棘、狼牙刺、杠柳4种典型灌木林地枯落物层为研究对象,采用室内浸泡法对其水文效应特征进行分析。[结果]①沙棘林地地表枯落物蓄积量最大(1.048 kg/m~2);沙棘林地土壤中枯落物量最大(0.674 kg/m~2);土壤中枯落物占枯落物总蓄积量的20.15%～68.75%,其中柠条和狼牙刺土壤中枯落物高于地表枯落物。②地表枯落物和混入土壤枯落物的持水量均随浸泡时间呈极显著对数函数关系(R~2≥0.745,p0.01),地表枯落物5 min持水量可以达到最大持水量的40%,且与最大持水量存在显著的幂函数关系(R~2=0.38,p0.01),可以通过5 min持水量来拟合最大持水量,而混入土壤枯落物并没有呈现这一规律。混入土壤枯落物的持水量显著大于地表,其中地表枯落物有效持水量杠柳最大(2.13 g/g),土壤中枯落物有效持水量柠条最大(1.90 g/g)。③地表枯落物有效拦蓄量沙棘林地最大,为21.16 t/hm~2;土壤中枯落物有效拦蓄量柠条林地最大,为10.01 t/hm~2;土壤中枯落物拦蓄量的校正系数变化范围在0.18～0.42之间。[结论]土壤中枯落物不容忽视,其混入量占枯落物总蓄积量的1/5甚至2/3以上;柠条总有效持水量最大,而受枯落物类型和积累量的影响,沙棘总拦蓄能力最大,具有较强的水源涵养和水土保持功能。     

工程堆积体上不同植被类型枯落物和土壤水文效应

为探讨工程堆积体不同植被类型的枯落物特征、枯落物持水及拦蓄能力、土壤物理性状和土壤涵水性能,采用室内浸水法和环刀法分别对工程堆积体植被与原生植被的枯落物及0—20 cm土层的持水能力进行研究。结果表明:(1)不同植被类型枯落物厚度及蓄积量均存在显著差异(P0.05),原生乔木林、乔木林、灌木林、草地枯落物厚度依次为3.76,2.89,2.67,1.23 cm,蓄积量分别为5.95,3.86,3.19,0.65 t/hm~2。枯落物未分解层厚度、蓄积量均大于半分解层。(2)各植被类型土壤容重与毛管孔隙度范围分别在1.19～1.25 g/cm~3和41.58%～46.13%,原生乔木林土壤容重小于乔木林,而土壤毛管孔隙度大于乔木林。堆积体各植被类型土壤毛管孔隙度大小依次为草地灌木林乔木林。(3)各植被类型土壤最大持水量及毛管持水量均存在显著差异(P0.05),土壤最大持水量与毛管持水量范围分别为44.31～46.23,34.07～37.98 g/cm~3,均呈现原生乔木林最高,乔木林最低。(4)枯落物持水量随时间呈对数关系,吸水速率随时间呈幂函数关系,其吸水速率在0.5 h最高,在4.0 h下降,12 h最大持水量达饱和,吸水速率接近于0。(5)原生乔木林枯落物最大持水率、有效拦蓄率均大于乔木林,工程堆积体各植被类型最大持水率及有效拦蓄率表现为草地灌木林乔木林。从堆积体枯落物和土壤持水能力角度来看,草灌混交这一搭配模式可以作为工程堆积体的先锋植被,用于在堆积体初期构建稳定群落生态结构。研究结果可为工程堆积体开展水土保持治理措施和植被恢复提供理论依据。     

北京十三陵不同林分枯落物层和土壤层水文效应研究

对北京十三陵林场4种林分枯落物层及土壤层进行了初步研究.结果表明:①侧柏林枯落物的总蓄积量为3.67 t/hm2,最大持水量为8.54 t/hm2.有效拦蓄量为9.83 t/hm2;油松林枯落物的总蓄积量为12.44 t/hm2,最大持水量为20.45 t/hm2.有效拦蓄量为26.75 t/hm2;黄栌林枯落物的总蓄积量为12.29 t/hm2,最大持水量为21.81 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为26.67 t/hm2;黄栌、油松混交林枯落物的总蓄积量为13.27 t/hm2,最大持水量为21.10 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为27.29 t/hm2;②未分解层枯落物10 h基本达到饱和.半分解层在8 h已经达到饱和,持水量与浸泡时间的关系为Q=aln(t)+6;枯落物在浸水的0.5 h内吸水速率最大,4 h左右时下降速度明显减缓,枯落物吸水速率与浸泡时间的关系为V=ktn.③油松林土壤层持水能力最强,为206.9 t/hm22,黄栌、油松林土壤层的持水能力最差,为130.2 t/hm2,并利用幂函数对入渗速率和入渗时间进行拟合.     

塔里木河上游不同森林类型枯落物的持水特性

对塔里木河上游4种森林类型(灰胡杨杜梨混交林、灰胡杨林、胡杨林、柽柳灌木林)林下枯落物蓄积量调查分析和持水特性进行研究。结果表明:(1)不同森林类型林下枯落物半分解层蓄积量、最大持水量、最大拦蓄量、有效拦蓄量与有效拦蓄深均大于未分解层。(2)枯落物总蓄积量、最大持水量、最大拦蓄量、有效拦蓄量与有效拦蓄深大小顺序为灰胡杨林柽柳林胡杨林混交林,灰胡杨林各指标分别为5.45t/hm2,7.83t/hm2,10.63t/hm2,8.73t/hm2,0.87mm,其持水蓄水能力最强。(3)不同森林类型林下枯落物持水量、吸水速率与浸水时间的动态变化规律基本相似。枯落物持水量随浸泡时间延长而增长,在水中浸泡16h时,其持水量基本达到最大值;未分解层和半分解层吸水速率在0.5h最快,随时间延长吸水速率逐渐减缓,10h后明显减缓,未分解层和半分解层吸水速率基本趋向一致。在枯落物持水作用较强的前2h内,吸水速率最快的为柽柳林,其次为灰胡杨林。(4)未分解层和半分解层持水率同浸泡时间呈显著对数关系(Y=aln t+b),吸水速率与浸泡时间呈显著幂函数关系(V=ktn)。综上所述,塔里木荒漠区灰胡杨林表现出较好的水土保持与涵养水源能力,建议在今后森林经营中选择灰胡杨为造林树种,并采取适当的森林健康调节措施,以充分发挥森林的水源涵养功能。     

多因素干扰下森林公园枯落物水文效应

为探究森林公园植被的水源涵养能力,为森林公园植被配置和经营管理提供依据,研究选取天龙山森林公园6种林分(油松、山杨、刺槐、油松—侧柏混交林、侧柏—油松—杏树混交和灌木林)为研究对象,通过测定林下枯落物厚度、蓄积量、持水性能和干扰度等指标,研究不同林分类型枯落物水文效应。结果表明:(1)所有林分枯落物干扰度范围为无到中度,厚度范围为0.57~2.63 cm,山杨最厚,侧柏—油松—杏混交林最薄;蓄积量范围为7.20~16.30 t/hm²,油松—侧柏混交林最大,侧柏—油松—杏混交林最小。(2)6种林分除山杨林以外,半分解层最大持水量均大于未分解层持水量,其中油松—侧柏最大,山杨最小;未分解层最大持水率均大于半分解层,刺槐最大,灌木林最小。枯落物的总最大持水量为20.02~27.90 t/hm²,总最大持水率为187.40%~277.89%,针阔混交林的持水率较高。(3)山杨有效拦蓄量最大,为15.05 t/hm²,而油松最小,为12.33 t/hm²;侧柏—油松—杏混交林的拦蓄率最大;(4)枯落物持水量、持水率与时间分别为对数和幂函数关系,均在泡水2 h达到极值。综合对比6种林分,轻度干扰的山杨水文效益最优,中度干扰的油松纯林、油松—侧柏混交林最差;阔叶树种水文效应较优于针叶树种,针阔混交优于纯林。研究结果可为森林公园植被管理和水土保持效益评价提供参考依据。     

晋西黄土丘陵区不同人工林枯落物持水特性研究

为了定量评价森林枯落物的水文功能,通过野外观测和浸水法实验,调查了晋西黄土丘陵区不同人工林枯落物的蓄积量,分析了枯落物的持水能力与过程,并对枯落物持水量、吸水速率与浸泡时间的相互关系进行了研究。结果表明,枯落物蓄积量为6.81~56.64t/hm²,由大到小表现为:落叶松×白桦>落叶松>侧柏>油松×刺槐>油松>白桦>柠条>刺槐不同森林类型的枯落物最大持水量为10.08~100.78t/hm²,最大持水率变化范围为146.54%~203.74%,最大拦蓄量为9.41~88.65t/hm²,有效拦蓄量为7.90~73.53t/hm²枯落物浸水实验结果表明,枯落物持水量与浸水时间存在对数曲线关系,而枯落物吸水速率与浸泡时间呈反函数关系,在浸泡最初的0.5h持水量迅速增加,随后增幅减小,在12h以后枯落物吸水基本达到了最大值,持水量趋于动态平衡。表明落叶松×白桦混交林林下枯落物是8种林地中持水性最优的,刺槐纯林枯落物持水特性最差。     

北京山区典型植被枯落物和土壤层水文功能

[目的]研究枯落物和土壤层水文功能,从而明晰北京山区不同植被的水源涵养能力,可为当地植被建设提供借鉴。[方法]使用室内浸泡法、环刀法、定水头法等对北京山区不同植被的枯落物与土壤层水文功能进行了定量分析,并通过相关性分析明确了有机碳与土壤层水文功能之间的关系。[结果](1)枯落物最大持水率、最大拦蓄率、有效拦蓄率为侧柏(Platycladus orientalis)×灌木混交林>五角枫(Acer elegantulum)纯林>五角枫×侧柏混交林>侧柏纯林。最大持水量、最大拦蓄量、有效拦蓄量均为五角枫纯林>侧柏×灌木混交林>五角枫×侧柏混交林>侧柏纯林,且均为半分解层大于未分解层。(2)土壤饱和持水量和毛管持水量排序为侧柏纯林>五角枫纯林>侧柏×灌木混交林>五角枫×侧柏混交林。土壤非毛管持水量大小排序为五角枫×侧柏混交林>五角枫纯林>侧柏×灌木混交林>侧柏纯林。土壤饱和导水率沿剖面向下逐渐减小,平均饱和导水率最大的植被类型为侧柏×灌木混交林。(3)土壤有机碳含量表现为沿剖面向下逐渐减小,且土壤有机碳含量与容重、总孔隙度...     

冀北山地5个海拔梯度油松林枯落物与土壤水源涵养功能研究

为了研究冀北山地5个海拔梯度(910,1 050,1 160,1 320,1 450 m)油松(Pinus tabuliformis)纯林水源涵养功能,利用浸泡法对林分的枯落物层的持水量与拦蓄能力进行了研究,利用环刀法和双环法对土壤层蓄水能力进行了研究,结果表明:枯落物总蓄积量、最大持水量、有效拦蓄能力变化规律一样,均随海拔升高先减小后增大,最大持水率随着海拔的升高呈现增大的趋势,总蓄积量变动范围为32.14～41.97 t/hm~2,最大持水量为67.31～103.95 t/hm~2,有效拦蓄能力为48.16～84.69 t/hm~2,最大持水率范围为196.85%～253.34%,枯落物持水量、吸水速率与浸泡时间有较好的拟合关系,R0.96。土壤容重随海拔升高先增大后减小,变化范围为0.96～1.20 g/cm~3,总孔隙度随海拔升高先减小后增大,土壤层有效持水量随海拔升高而减小,土壤入渗速率与入渗时间呈明显幂函数关系,R0.92。     

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,     

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.     

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.