种植年限对设施芦笋土壤理化性状、 微生物及酶活性的影响

为探讨芦笋设施栽培对土壤养分和环境的影响,本文研究了不同种植年限棚土壤速效养分、理化性状、微生物区系及土壤酶活的差异变化,并对种植年限与土壤理化性状、养分因子、生物活性间的相关性进行了统计分析。结果显示:随种植年限增加,土壤速效N、速效K和有机质含量持续增加,其中速效K含量增长迅速,种植3年后,速效钾由120 mg/kg迅速上升至500~600 mg/kg;土壤持续酸化,次生盐渍化逐渐加重;芦笋设施栽培后,细菌种群数量减少,真菌数量增加,细菌与真菌数量比（B/F）降低,土壤由细菌型向真菌型转化;随种植年限增加,土壤微生物代谢类群多样性减少,呼吸强度和过氧化氢酶活性持续降低,二者降低趋势与种植年限呈显著负相关。这说明芦笋设施种植后,其大量施肥和密闭性管理措施使土壤养分快速累积,土壤在耕作3 a时就出现了酸化和次生盐渍化状况,微生态平衡遭到破坏,存在一定的风险,应提倡合理施肥以保证设施栽培土壤的可持续性利用。     

沼液对河西绿洲葡萄园土壤微生物功能多样性的影响

为探明使用沼液对土壤质量的影响，明确土壤微生物功能多样性对沼液使用量和使用年限的响应，在甘肃祁连葡萄观光园进行等氮量替代和增施沼液处理，采用Biolog方法测定土壤微生物功能多样性。结果表明：（1）100%等氮量沼液处理的土壤微生物群落代谢活性最小，替代33%氮量处理的土壤微生物群落代谢活性最高，连续两年使用沼液的处理间差异大于一年。（2）试验地土壤微生物利用的主要碳源为碳水化合物类，使用沼液能够显著提高土壤微生物对氨基酸类和羧酸类碳源的利用率。连续两年使用沼液条件下，增施沼液处理（133%和167%）效果优于等氮量替代处理。（3）与单施化肥对照相比，使用沼液处理仅在提高土壤微生物均一度指数方面存在优势，且增施沼液处理（133%和167%）效果优于等氮量替代处理。（4）主成分分析表明，沼液使用量和使用年限对土壤微生物碳源利用水平以及代谢多样性的影响有差异，且使用年限增加能使各处理间变异程度增大。（5）碳水化合物类和氨基酸类碳源是引起不同沼液用量处理土壤微生物功能群分异的主要碳源，其中碳水化合物类是使用年限增加后土壤微生物群落变化的敏感碳源。（6）Pearson相关性分析表明，该试验地土壤微生物功能多样性与土壤有机质、碱解氮呈正相关关系，与速效磷、速效钾呈负相关关系。综上，长期使用沼液（尤其是沼液与化肥配施）有利于提高土壤微生物代谢活性和土壤微生物群落功能多样性，且当沼液使用量较大时能达到完全取代化肥的效果。     

30年不同设施条件和栽培方式下土壤养分和微生物群落功能多样性的变化

【目的】随着设施蔬菜栽培年限的增加设施连作土壤生态环境发生很大变化。系统研究长期不同设施类型和栽培方式下土壤养分和微生物群落多样性的变化,可为蔬菜土壤可持续利用提供理论依据。【方法】选择连续30年以不同设施进行蔬菜栽培的土壤(1969~2009年)进行田间试验。以温室连作两茬黄瓜、夏季休闲为对照(CK);温室连作两茬黄瓜夏季填闲毛豆/花生(CS_1);大棚连续种植两茬黄瓜(CS_2);大棚前28年连作黄瓜、后两年露地种植绿叶菜(CS_3);连年露地种植绿叶菜(CS4)5种种植方式。于2009年采集0-20 cm土壤样品,采用常规方法系统分析了土壤养分含量和微生物数量,对培养96h、120 h和144 h的AWCD值进行主成分分析(principal component analysis,PCA)、六大碳源利用程度及Shannon-Weaver指数多样性指数分析。【结果】CS_1处理每孔平均颜色变化率(AWCD)显著高于其他处理;在96、120、144 h主成分分析表明,第1主成分分别解释了32.9%、33.61%和32.21%的碳源利用差异,CK处理在主成分1上均与其他处理显著分开,第2主成分分别解释了14.2%、15.96%和16.42%的碳源利用差异,CK处理在96和144 h与其他处理显著分开;在主成分1主成分3加权上96 h与144 h的CS_3、CS_4和CS_1处理显著不同于CK和CS,处理。96、120和144 h主成分1差异的贡献碳源主要是氨基酸、羧酸类化合物主成分2差异的贡献碳源主要是胺类化合物、多聚物。各处理对六大碳源利用显著不同,CK和CS,处理对碳水化合物、羧酸类化合物和多聚物利用显著低于其他处理。CK和CS,处理微生物群落多样性指数和均匀度指数均显著低于其他处理;CS3和CS4处理细菌数/真菌数比(B/F)以及微生物总量均高于其他处理分别显著高于对照310.34%、334.48%和280.1%、368.0%;CK处理全氮、有机质、速效钾和硝态氮显著高于其他处理,CS、处理相对CK处理则显著降低其含量,其中全氮、有机质、速效钾、铵态氮和硝态氮含量分别显著降低41.46%、50.26%、51.47%、26.72%和54.11%,CS_3和CS_4处理全氮、速效磷、速效钾、硝态氮均显著低于其他处理。全氮、速效养分均与B/F、微生物总量、微生物多样性指数呈负相关,铵态氮与其均呈极显著负相关速效磷与B/F、微生物总量呈极显著负相关。【结论】30年温室连作黄瓜土壤养分累积严重,夏季填闲毛豆/花生可显著降低硝态氮累积和增加微生物多样性;30年温室大棚单—连作黄瓜显著降低微生物群落多样性;30年露地种植绿叶菜以及大棚后两年露地种植叶菜的微生物数量均较高且养分累积最低。     

压砂地土壤微生物群落功能多样性分析

为了掌握荒地压砂对土壤微生物群落功能多样性及理化性质的影响,对荒地及不同年限压砂地土壤进行了Biolog微生物群落功能多样性和理化性质分析。Biolog分析结果表明,1年压砂地微生物群落生理活性最高,荒地微生物群落生理活性最低,其它各年限压砂地微生物群落生理活性随压砂年限增加而缓慢下降。微生物群落功能多样性指数分析表明压砂对微生物群落功能结构影响并不显著。通过微生物群落利用碳源类型分析明确了荒地和各年限压砂地土壤微生物群落利用的主要碳源类型。土壤理化性质分析表明,压砂第1年各项理化性质指标均有明显的下降;此后随压砂年限增加,有机质含量呈上升趋势,速效氮、速效磷和速效钾含量缓慢下降,全盐、全氮、全磷、全钾含量及土壤pH值变化不大。     

典型设施菜地中土壤微生物代谢功能多样性

土壤微生物代谢功能多样性是维持土壤生态系统健康的关键。为评价设施蔬菜种植对土壤微生物代谢功能多样性的影响,采用Biolog-Eco微平板法,研究了2个典型设施蔬菜种植市、不同种植年限设施菜地中土壤微生物代谢功能多样性,分析了与碳源利用相关的细菌群落及影响因子。结果表明：两地设施菜地土壤中平均颜色变化率（Average well color development,AWCD）、Shannon指数、Simpson指数和McIntosh指数随着种植年限的增加而降低,但安丘种植14 a和寿光种植10 a菜地土壤不符合此规律。主成分分析发现,两地之间土壤微生物对碳源利用的差异大于不同种植年限之间的差异。相关分析发现,在安丘土壤中,11种碳源（分属糖类、氨基酸类、羧酸类和聚合物类）与不同门细菌显著相关（P<0.05）;Firmicutes是与碳源相关种类最多的细菌,与9种碳源显著相关（P<0.05）。在寿光土壤中,16种碳源（分属糖类、氨基酸类、羧酸类、聚合物类、酚类和胺类）与不同门细菌显著相关（P<0.05）;Latescibacteria是与碳源相关种类最多的细菌,与4种碳源显著相关（P<0.05）。冗余分析发现,Cd是影响安丘土壤微生物碳源利用的最强环境因子,其负作用显著（P<0.01）,有机质（OM）的正作用为显著（P<0.01）。Zn、OM、Cd对寿光土壤微生物碳源利用的负作用显著（P<0.05）,As、pH值的正作用显著（P<0.05）。设施蔬菜长期种植导致土壤微生物代谢功能多样性持续降低,土壤生物质量退化,亟需采取有效耕作措施改善土壤微生态环境,保障设施菜地土壤健康。     

番茄连作对日光温室土壤微生物及土壤理化性状的影响

对大庆地区具有代表性的温室进行调查研究,了解不同种植年限对番茄温室土壤微生物及土壤理化性状的影响,为解决温室土壤连作障碍问题奠定理论依据。结果表明,随着种植年限增加,细菌、真菌的数量及土壤速效钾、有效磷、碱解氮、有机质、盐分的含量呈增加趋势,种植年限为10年分别是对照(露地菜田)的2.14、1.33、2.18、2.09、1.96、2.86、9.5倍,土壤p H值相反,种植年限为10年比对照下降了0.64,但放线菌数量与B/F值[(细菌+放线菌)/真菌]在第5年与第7年达到最高,呈现先增高再降低的趋势,分别比对照增加了34.12%、44.26%;随着土壤深度的增加,土壤微生物数量及土壤速效钾、有效磷、碱解氮、有机质、盐分含量降低,土壤含水量、p H值增加。综合分析番茄连作对土壤微生物和土壤理化性状的影响,番茄连作6年后出现一定程度的连作障碍问题。     

设施菜地种植年限对土壤理化性质和生物学特征的影响

【目的】 研究分析北京郊区不同种植年限设施菜地的土壤生态环境、土壤理化性状、土壤微生物数量、土壤线虫群落结构的差异,为不同种植年限设施菜地土壤管理提供科学依据。 【方法】 以露地土壤为对照 (CK),采集种植 3年、5年、8年和 12年的0—30 cm设施蔬菜土壤样品,采用常规土壤理化性质检测方法测定了土壤的理化性状,采用荧光定量法和线虫形态学鉴定方法,分析土壤细菌、真菌数量以及土壤线虫群落组成。 【结果】 随种植年限增加,设施菜地土壤容重和pH值均明显下降,总孔隙度、EC值、SO₄2–、Ca2+、有机碳、NH₄+-N、NO₃–-N含量均持续升高。与CK相比,种植年限 3年、5年、8年、12年的样地土壤细菌和真菌的数量均显著增加 (P < 0.05)。随种植年限增加,根结线虫属 ( Meloidogyne)、螺旋属 (Helicotylenchus)、异皮属 (Heterodera) 丰度逐渐增加;土壤线虫密度、植物寄生性线虫丰度显著增加 (P < 0.05),而食细菌、食真菌、杂食/捕食线虫丰度逐渐降低。线虫群落的多样性 H′、SR指数和均匀性J′ 指数均呈现出先增加后降低趋势,与CK相比,种植年限 12年样地的指标值显著降低 (P < 0.05)。所有种植样地NCR > 0.5,表明样地土壤食物网以食细菌通道为主,土壤有机质以细菌分解途径为主。WI、MI指数逐渐降低,而PPI指数表现出相反的趋势,其中种植年限12年样地WI < 1,这表明土壤矿化途径转变为以植物到植食性线虫为主要参与者,土壤生态系统受干扰程度逐渐增强,土壤健康状况变差。土壤环境因子与土壤生物数量间的冗余分析表明,土壤pH 、总孔隙度、容重、EC值、有机碳、SO ₄2–、NH₄+-N、NO₃–-N是影响细菌、真菌和线虫数量的关键因子,不同种植年限设施菜地由于改变这些因素而影响土壤生物群落组成。 【结论】 连续种植导致京郊设施菜地盐分含量显著升高、养分失衡、土壤酸化。理化性状的变化改变了细菌和真菌数量,进而导致土壤线虫总数、植物寄生性线虫比率逐渐增加,尤其根结线虫属比率增加显著,食细菌、真菌和杂食/捕食线虫比率逐渐降低。以种植12年后的土壤受干扰程度最大,土壤微生态失衡最严重。      

马铃薯连作栽培对土壤微生物多样性的影响

为阐明马铃薯连作对土壤微生物群落结构和功能多样性的影响,揭示马铃薯连作障碍机制,本试验采用BIOLOG技术结合丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)形态学鉴定方法,就连作0(迎茬)、2 a、4 a、6 a、10 a的马铃薯田块土壤进行研究。结果表明:土壤养分含量随马铃薯连作年限增加有一定程度下降,其中,连作10 a马铃薯根际土壤的全磷、速效磷、速效钾和碱解氮与连作4 a相比分别下降61.32%、26.86%、26.87%和17.24%,但没有明显的养分亏缺和不均衡现象。土壤微生物群落结构发生了较大变化,放线菌、真菌数量显著随连作年限的延长先增加后减少,呈单峰型变化趋势;细菌数量随连作年限的延长呈逐步减少趋势,但差异不显著。连作4~6 a土壤微生物群落依然有较强的功能多样性,培养120 h后,连作6 a较迎茬AWCD值提高3.89%;群落组成中随连作年限的延长以碳水化合物、氨基酸类为碳源的微生物类群代谢能力明显下降,但代谢功能多样性趋于一致。连作马铃薯土壤AM真菌优势种发生改变,迎茬土壤为沙漠球囊霉(Glomus deserticola),连作2 a土壤为扭形球囊霉(Glomus delhiense)和福摩萨球囊霉(Glomus formosanum),连作10 a土壤为球泡球囊霉(Glomus globiferum)。多元分析结果表明,土壤微生物结构与功能多样性、AM真菌多样性变化受土壤p H、全磷含量、放线菌数量、细菌数量及土壤中以碳水化合物、氨基酸类等为碳源基质的微生物类群影响。说明长期连作栽培会影响土壤真菌、放线菌的数量,使真菌群落中AM真菌种的多样性显著下降,优势种发生改变,打破了微生物群落结构与功能平衡,引起土壤微生物群落结构与功能的失调。     

三七收获后不同年限土壤微生物代谢多样性分析

采用Biolog技术,对云南省砚山县的盘龙、阿猛、干河3个乡镇进行了三七历年种植地的调查研究,以未种植过三七的土壤为对照,研究三七收获后1~6 a不同年限对土壤养分、土壤微生物对碳源利用以及土壤微生物多样性的影响。结果表明,反映土壤微生物活性的平均颜色变化率(AWCD)并未随年限增加呈现明显变化规律;微生物培养96 h活性旺盛。对Biolog板31种碳源吸光度值聚类分析表明,3个乡镇所取三七收获后1 a和6 a土壤微生物碳源利用均可聚为一类,其土壤微生物碳源利用特征相似,其余不同年限土壤微生物碳源利用聚类并未出现一定规律;与未种植过三七的土壤相比,三七收获后1 a、6 a土壤微生物均对碳水化合物类、聚合物类、羧酸类和酚类碳源的利用分别高出25.97%~55.59%和53.14%~65.68%;随着三七收获后年限的增加,土壤微生物对碳水化合物、氨基酸类、羧酸类碳源利用呈收获后2 a升高、4 a和5 a下降趋势。收获三七后1~6 a土壤与未种植过三七的土壤相比,氮、磷、钾及有机质含量差异均不显著。除干河乡外,阿猛乡和盘龙乡收获三七后1~6 a土壤微生物与未种植过三七的相比,Shannon-Wiener指数、丰富度指数、Simpson指数均值总体差异不明显。试验说明三七轮作至少需6 a以上时间,土壤微生物对不同碳源的优势利用可反映出三七连作障碍与土壤微生物群落结构差异有密切联系。     

甘肃中部沿黄灌区马铃薯连作对土壤化学和生物学性质的影响

甘肃中部沿黄灌区是全国重要的加工型马铃薯和种薯生产基地,但集约化种植带来的连作障碍问题已严重影响到产业的健康发展。设置不同连作年限(0~5年)马铃薯种植处理,通过田间试验评估连作对土壤化学和生物学性质的影响,探讨马铃薯连作的土壤障碍因子。结果表明:土壤有机碳含量随连作年限延长逐渐降低,而碱解氮和速效钾含量以及电导率与之相反;连作显著增加土壤速效磷含量,但对全氮含量、碳氮比和p H无明显影响。长期连作(3~5年)较非连作(0年)土壤平均酶活性显著降低33.07%~61.78%,脲酶、蔗糖酶和脱氢酶活性亦随连作年限延长逐渐降低。长期连作降低土壤微生物生物量碳含量,土壤基础呼吸量和FDA水解活性与连作年限呈极显著负相关。Biolog ECO分析显示,长期连作显著降低土壤微生物总活性和功能多样性,Shannon多样性指数较非连作降低11.75%~13.65%。碳源利用图谱分析表明,连作明显改变土壤微生物群落结构,碳水化合物是区分不同连作年限土壤微生物群落结构差异的最敏感碳源类型;长期连作显著降低土壤微生物对碳水化合物类、氨基酸类、羧酸类和胺类碳源的相对利用率,且土壤微生物对单一碳源的利用呈现集中化的趋势。线性逐步回归分析和通径分析表明,土壤微生物群落结构、微生物生物量碳、全氮和脱氢酶对块茎产量有显著影响,以微生物群落结构贡献最大,微生物生物量碳次之。土壤微生物因子变化可能是导致甘肃中部沿黄灌区马铃薯连作障碍发生的重要原因。     

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.