长期施肥对旱作区农田土壤细菌群落组成和多样性的影响

为阐明长期有机、无机施肥对旱作区土壤细菌群落组成及多样性的影响机制,以农田土壤生态系统为研究对象,采用单因素随机区组设计,利用长期定位试验(11年)和高通量测序的方法,研究了不施肥(对照,T0)、单施化肥(T1)、化肥配施羊粪有机肥(T2)和化肥配施生物有机肥(T3)对土壤的影响,分析了处理间土壤细菌群落组成及多样性的差异,探究了驱动土壤细菌群落组成及多样性变化的主要土壤环境因子。结果表明:与T0相比,羊粪有机肥、生物有机肥与化肥配施能显著提高土壤全氮、全磷、有机质、碱解氮、有效磷和铵态氮的含量,其中T2处理效果最显著(P<0.05)。各施肥处理下土壤放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi) 细菌为优势菌门;羊粪有机肥、生物有机肥与化肥配施处理降低了土壤放线菌门的相对丰度,增加了绿弯菌门、拟杆菌门和厚壁菌门的相对丰度,T2处理与T0处理间有显著差异(P<0.05)。与T1处理相比,羊粪有机肥、生物有机肥与化肥配合施用使土壤硝化螺旋菌门的相对丰度显著降低。类诺卡氏菌属(Nocardioides)、KD4-96和Subgroup_6为土壤细菌群落的优势菌属。T2处理较T3处理更显著地降低了土壤类诺卡氏菌属(41.15%)、芽球菌属(41.67%)和红杆菌属(27.45%)的相对丰度。与T0处理相比,T2处理更显著增加了细菌群落物种数、群落辛普森指数、香农指数和Chao1 指数(P<0.05)。冗余分析表明,土壤有机质(P=0.001)、pH(P=0.003)是驱动土壤细菌群落组成及多样性变化的主要因素。土壤pH以及有机质含量高低对驱动旱作区土壤细菌群落组成以及土壤细菌多样性变化均产生直接效应。因此,化肥与羊粪有机肥相结合的长期施肥管理是优化旱作区区域农田养分管理、提升土壤肥力的有效途径。     

长期施用有机和无机肥对红壤微生物群落特征及功能的影响

以建于1990年的湖南祁阳长期有机无机定位试验为平台,选择不施肥、无机肥、有机肥及有机肥化肥配施4个处理,利用高通量测序和实时荧光定量技术,研究了长期施用有机肥和无机肥祁阳红壤细菌和真菌的群落特征;利用常规分析方法,研究了土壤微生物呼吸、酶活性和土壤基本理化性质,探索了长期施肥的土壤微生物群落结构与其功能以及土壤养分之间的关系。结果表明,长期施肥改变了土壤的pH值和养分循环;长期施用有机肥增加细菌与真菌种群丰度和多样性;单施化肥增加了真菌种群丰度与多样性,但是对细菌的种群丰度与多样性影响不大;施肥显著改变了土壤细菌与真菌的群落结构,细菌群落结构的改变显著影响土壤微生物呼吸、β-纤维素二糖水解酶以及酚氧化物酶的活性,而真菌群落的改变对微生物的功能影响不明显。本研究表明,施用有机肥不但可以缓解化肥引起的土壤酸化,还能支持更大、更丰富的微生物群体,从而维持更高的土壤活性,对维持或提高土壤肥力具有重要意义。     

不同类型粪肥还田对土壤酶活性及微生物群落的影响

畜禽粪便作为有机肥还田可以维持和提高土壤有机质、改良土壤,有利于农业可持续发展。不同类型粪肥还田后对土壤生物学性状的影响不同,为探究这一问题,在内蒙古乌兰察布市设置田间试验,包括化肥(F)、羊粪(GM)、猪粪(PM)、牛粪(CM)4个处理,研究其对土壤养分、酶活性及微生物群落的影响。结果表明,施用粪肥较化肥具有增加土壤有机质、全氮、有效磷、铵态氮等养分含量的趋势。不同粪肥较化肥处理的土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性最高增幅分别为32.4%、150.4%、26.8%和30.1%。牛粪处理的土壤微生物生物量碳氮显著提高,分别较化肥增加33.2%和33.4%。不同处理在细菌门水平上的优势种群较一致,放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)、绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)是优势种群。本试验条件下,牛粪处理更能提高土壤微生物生物量碳氮,短期内施用不同粪肥对于提高土壤微生物群落多样性差异不显著,土壤pH、有效磷、铵态氮是影响土壤微生物群落结构的主要环境因子。     

减施化肥与不同有机肥配施对稻季土壤细菌群落结构的影响

为了研究减施化肥配施不同有机肥对稻麦轮作体系稻季土壤细菌群落结构的影响，采用Illumina高通量测序技术比较了单施化肥、配施菜籽饼和配施蚯蚓粪这3种施肥模式下稻季不同土层土壤环境因子、细菌群落结构变化特征。与单施化肥相比，配施有机肥显著提高各土层土壤有机质和电导率（EC）含量，配施菜籽饼增幅较大；显著增加各土层土壤氮磷钾养分含量，配施蚯蚓粪的土壤速效氮磷钾养分含量较高。配施有机肥提高土壤细菌Sobs指数和Shannon指数；前三位优势菌门，变形菌门（Proteobacteria）、酸杆菌门（Acidobacteria）、绿弯菌门（Chloroflexi）相对丰度分别达36.24%、18.30%、13.87%；配施有机肥对相对丰度小于1%的菌门影响较大。0-5cm土层土壤细菌群落结构主要受pH、TP影响；5-10cm土层土壤细菌群落结构主要受EC，TP、pH影响；10-15cm土层土壤细菌群落结构主要受TN、pH影响。配施有机肥通过改变土壤理化性质进而影响土壤细菌群落结构，特别是稀有菌群。     

不同施肥处理对长期不施肥区稻田土壤微生物生态特性的影响

采用室内恒温培养方法,研究了不同施肥处理对水稻长期肥料试验中不施肥区（CK）和全肥区（NPK）土壤酶活性及微生物群落结构的变化。结果表明,施肥处理（单施化肥、施猪粪和施秸杆）可以显著提高土壤的微生物量碳以及脲酶、酸性磷酸酶的活性,施用有机肥的效果明显大于单施化肥; 有机肥在无肥区（CK）的施用效果与在全肥区（NPK）的效果接近。PLFA分析表明,施肥使无肥区（CK）土壤微生物群落结构发生了显著的变化,施用有机肥显著增加了土壤微生物群落结构的多样性。与不施肥和单施化肥相比,施有机肥主要增加了细菌和真菌的特征脂肪酸如不饱和脂肪酸、环状脂肪酸cy19∶0等的相对含量,而降低了放线菌标记性脂肪酸10Me18∶0的相对含量。     

长期有机与无机肥配施的黄壤稻田土壤细菌群落结构特征

  【目的】  比较长期施用不同肥料黄壤稻田土壤细菌群落结构的差异,剖析不同肥料维持土壤细菌群落多样性的作用及其机理,为农田施肥管理提供理论依据。  【方法】  以农业农村部贵州耕地保育与农业环境科学观测试验站为依托,采用高通量测序技术,分析连续24年不施肥(CK)、全量化肥(NPK)、1/4牛厩肥+3/4化肥(1/4M+3/4NP)、1/2牛厩肥+1/2化肥(1/2M+1/2NP)和全量牛厩肥(M)处理黄壤稻田土壤细菌群落组成及多样性,并揭示其主要环境影响因子。  【结果】  不同施肥处理土壤细菌α多样性指数分析结果显示,长期施用有机肥提高了土壤细菌多样性指数(Shannon)、优势度指数(Simpson)和均匀度指数(Pielou),对丰富度指数(Chao1)影响较小。与CK相比,长期施肥不同程度地提高了变形菌门(Proteobacteria)的相对丰度,化肥的作用更明显。与CK和NPK相比,施用有机肥处理降低了棒状杆菌门(Rokubacteria)和亚硝酸盐氧化菌门(Nitrospinae)相对丰度,提高了拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)相对丰度,其他菌门变化不明显(P<0.05)。土壤细菌群落结构主成分分析结果表明,施用有机肥1/4M+3/4NP和1/2M+1/2NP处理土壤环境较为相似,细菌群落组成相似度较高,而CK和NPK处理土壤环境相似,细菌群落组成相似度高。土壤细菌群落结构组成与土壤环境因子冗余分析显示,土壤理化性质对细菌群落结构的影响重要性由大到小依次为全氮、碱解氮、速效钾、pH、有效磷、全磷,其中全氮、碱解氮和速效钾是关键因素。  【结论】  长期施用有机肥能够提高黄壤稻田土壤肥力,改变细菌生长环境,进而改变细菌群落结构组成,提高细菌群落多样性,促进土壤生态系统稳定和健康。     

长期施肥下红壤中类芬顿反应及其对碳储存的影响

以祁阳红壤长期定位试验站的施用有机肥和化肥的土壤为研究对象,结合不同孔径(1000μm、20μm和0.45μm)的原位微宇宙培养试验,通过高效液相色谱、高通量测序、同步辐射红外显微成像和X射线光电子能谱等技术手段研究了长期施肥处理对红壤中类芬顿反应的调控能力及其对红壤有机碳储存的影响。结果表明,长期施用化肥的红壤中H_2O_2、H O·及Fe(II)含量均显著高于长期施用有机肥。根系分泌物和微生物的参与也能够调控H_2O_2、H O·和Fe(II)含量,且H_2O_2和HO·含量呈线性关系。长期施用有机肥的红壤具有很好的H_2O_2缓冲性能,而长期施用化肥的红壤可能由于发生了退化(如土壤有机质含量低),H_2O_2缓冲性能较差。长期施用有机肥的红壤中微生物丰富度和多样性指数均显著高于长期施用化肥的红壤。植物根系和微生物的进入对长期施用有机肥的红壤中细菌群落结构影响较小,而对长期施用化肥的红壤中细菌群落结构影响较大。长期施用有机肥的细菌群落影响了土壤p H、可溶性有机碳、可溶性Fe和CO2释放;而长期施用化肥的细菌群落可能通过产生H_2O_2和还原态Fe(II)引发了土壤中的芬顿反应。根-土界面上黏土矿物(36 1 9c m-1)、脂肪碳(29 1 4c m-1)、羧酸碳(1 725 cm-1)、羟基碳(1 135 cm-1)的分布模式有较大差异,其中根系的出现增加了根-土界面上Fe(II)比例。综上,本文提出了有效增加亚热带红壤土壤有机碳的概念模型。     

持续施用生物有机肥对花生产量和根际细菌群落的影响

我国红壤旱地花生连作现象普遍，化肥施用量大，花生产量却逐年降低。为了揭示集约化经营制度下施用生物有机肥对花生连作障碍的调控，采集旱地红壤进行了连续5年的盆栽实验，实验处理包括花生-玉米轮作、施用化肥的花生连作和施用生物有机肥的花生连作，探究持续施用生物有机肥防控花生连作障碍的根际微生态机制。结果显示，相比于轮作，施用化肥的连作花生产量显著降低；相比于连作花生施用化肥，持续施用生物有机肥可以显著缓解连作花生产量降低的问题，在施用有机肥第5季荚果干重提高27%。与施用化肥的连作处理相比，持续施用生物有机肥显著增加了花生根际细菌多样性和丰富度，与轮作花生处理无显著差异。持续施用生物有机肥显著提高了连作花生根际变形菌门和拟杆菌门的相对丰度，降低了厚壁菌门的相对丰度。属水平上，花生根际促生菌Rhizobium，Mesorhizobium和Bradyrhizobium的相对丰度较化肥处理分别提高了295%、89%和40%，而Leifsonia和Burkholderia的相对丰度分别降低了67%和47%。冗余分析进一步发现，土壤有机质和pH值是根际细菌群落结构改善的重要理化因素。这表明持续施用生物有机肥可以改良红壤理化环境（如pH值和有机质含量），进而优化连作花生根际细菌群落结构并提高根际抗病性能，实现花生稳定增产的目标。     

长期施用有机肥潮土细菌的多样性及功能预测

  【目的】  细菌作为土壤中最多的微生物物种,其多样性是土壤质量和土壤健康的标志。施肥不仅为土壤细菌提供了矿质养分,也为细菌提供了不同的碳源。探究长期不同施肥下潮土细菌的多样性及其功能,对于深入理解土壤养分转化的微生物驱动过程及优化施肥管理措施具有重要意义。  【方法】  选取潮土上连续37年不施肥(CK)、单施化学氮肥(N)、单施有机肥(M)、有机肥和化学氮肥配施(MN) 的4个处理,采用高通量测序方法分析土壤细菌丰度(16S rRNA基因拷贝数)、α多样性和β多样性,采用FAPROTAX功能预测的方法分析主要功能种群的丰度在处理间的差异,采用Mantel 检验分析细菌多样性等与产量、土壤养分含量间的相关关系。  【结果】  长期施用有机肥显著提高了土壤细菌丰度,MN和M处理下土壤中的16S rRNA基因拷贝数分别是CK和N处理平均值的11.8和10.7倍(P< 0.05)。土壤细菌多样性指数(Shannon index)和丰富度指数(Chao1 index)均在M处理下最高。潮土中变形菌门、酸杆菌门和放线菌门为优势菌门。与CK相比,施肥处理均提高了潮土拟杆菌门、厚壁菌门和疣微菌门的相对丰度。与N处理相比,MN处理显著提高了潮土变形菌门、厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门的丰度,降低了酸杆菌门的丰度。潮土细菌生态功能以化能异养、有氧化能异养、发酵作用、硝化作用和硝酸盐还原为主,相应种群丰度均在1%以上。MN处理下化能异养功能细菌的丰度较其他处理显著提高2.2%～4.2%。MN和M处理中起发酵作用的种群相对丰度是其他处理的3倍以上。与CK 相比,3个施肥处理均显著增加了光异作用和光异养作用功能种群的相对丰度。土壤细菌β多样性和功能结构均与土壤有机质(SOM)、全氮(TN)、硝态氮(NO₃?-N)含量及作物产量呈显著(P < 0.05)或极显著(P < 0.01)相关。  【结论】  长期施用有机肥提高了潮土中细菌的数量和多样性,提高了土壤中变形菌门、厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门的丰度,降低了酸杆菌门的丰度。有机肥和化肥配施处理中化能异养型细菌丰度较高,可能是施用有机肥后优化土壤养分循环和响应作物产量提高的主要菌群,今后可进一步深入研究其菌群组成和功能调控。     

长期施肥对黄棕壤细菌多样性的影响

  【目的】   基于武汉黄棕壤长期定位试验 (1981—2016年),探究不同施肥措施下土壤肥力演变和土壤微生物多样性变化,为黄棕壤培肥以及农业绿色可持续发展提供依据。   【方法】   本研究采用Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术和偏最小二乘路径模型 (PLS-PM) 综合分析了不施肥 (CK)、氮磷钾 (NPK)、常量有机肥 (OM)、氮磷钾+常量有机肥 (NPK+OM) 和氮磷钾+高量有机肥 (NPK+OMM) 5种不同施肥方式对黄棕壤理化性质、细菌多样性的影响及其与产量的关系。   【结果】   1) 与CK相比,施有机肥处理显著增加了土壤碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾和有机碳含量,而NPK处理只显著增加了土壤有机碳含量。NPK+OMM处理的土壤有效磷和速效钾含量显著高于OM和NPK+OM处理,3个有机肥处理间的碱解氮、有机碳含量差异不显著。4个施肥处理均显著提高了水稻产量,但处理间差异不显著。2) OM处理土壤微生物多样性最高,而高量粪肥投入的NPK+OMM处理,细菌多样性有下降的趋势,但各施肥处理间细菌多样性差异不显著。3) 长期不同施肥方式影响土壤细菌群落结构,其中NPK+OM和NPK+OMM处理细菌群落结构更接近。OM处理提高了变形菌纲和放线菌纲的相对丰度,降低了绿弯菌纲和硝化螺旋菌纲的相对丰度。NPK处理降低了放线菌纲和硝化螺旋菌纲相对丰度,提高了酸杆菌纲相对丰度。与NPK+OM处理比较,NPK+OMM处理降低了放线菌纲和α-变形菌纲相对丰度,提高了厌氧绳菌纲、绿弯菌纲和硝化螺旋菌纲相对丰度。4) PLS-PM显示土壤有机碳 (SOC)、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾对细菌群落结构表现出正调控 (路径系数 = 0.36),而pH表现负调控 (路径系数 = ?0.48);但是对细菌多样性的影响都较小;影响产量的理化指标主要是SOC、碱解氮和有效磷。土壤细菌多样性对产量显示正调控 (路径系数 = 0.42)。   【结论】   土壤有机碳 (SOC) 和碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量对细菌群落结构有正调控作用,而pH有负调控作用。与NPK处理相比,长期施用常量有机肥 (OM) 处理提高了细菌多样性和水稻产量,而高量有机肥配施氮磷钾肥 (NPK+OMM) 会导致细菌多样性和产量降低。     

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.