不同沙地生境下柠条灌丛化对草地土壤有机碳含量及分布的影响

为揭示不同沙地生境下灌丛化草地土壤有机碳及其组分的分布特征,以宁夏盐池县沙化草原不同沙地生境(丘间低地、固定沙地、半固定沙地、流动沙地)下不同发育期的柠条灌丛斑块及其对应的草地斑块为研究对象,对土壤颗粒组成、土壤有机碳(soil organic carbon,SOC)、颗粒有机碳(particulate organic carbon,POC)及易氧化有机碳含量(labile organic carbon,LOC)进行分析。结果表明:1)各沙地生境发育中期灌丛斑块的SOC、POC、LOC及POC/SOC极显著高于草地斑块(P0.01),而LOC/SOC在灌丛和草地斑块间差异性不显著;2)从丘间低地、固定沙地、半固定沙地到流动沙地,灌丛斑块及其对应的草地斑块SOC、POC、LOC及LOC/SOC均在固定沙地出现峰值,然后呈下降趋势,表明固定沙地及不同沙地生境发育中期的灌丛斑块和草地斑块是SOC、LOC及POC变化的临界点;3)相关分析发现,发育中期2种斑块SOC与POC及LOC间及SOC与LOC/SOC间均呈极显著相关(P0.01),但土壤黏粉粒与各组分有机碳及其分配比率间没有显著相关,因此LOC和POC可作为表征草地退化最敏感的指标。研究可为沙化草原土壤恢复研究提供理论依据。     

缙云山5种植被下土壤活性有机碳及碳库变化特征

为揭示重庆市缙云山不同植被下土壤活性有机碳及碳库分配特征，以该地区5种植被类型：阔叶林、针叶林、混交林、竹林和荒草地为研究对象，分析不同植被类型下各土壤层次中有机碳（Soil organic carbon, SOC）、微生物量碳(Microbial biomass carbon，MBC)、可溶性有机碳(Dissolved organic carbon，DOC)、易氧化有机碳(Readily oxidized organic carbon，ROC)含量及其土壤碳库的变化特征。结果表明：土壤有机碳和各活性有机碳组分含量及分配比例受到植被类型和土层深度的明显影响。土壤有机碳的平均含量在0~100 cm土层表现为竹林（16.74 g/kg）>阔叶林（12.62 g/kg）>草地(11.14 g/kg)>混交林（8.16 g/kg）>针叶林（5.98 g/kg），并随土层深度的增加而减小。竹林和阔叶林的微生物量碳和易氧化有机碳含量均明显高于混交林和针叶林，各植被在剖面上均表现出垂直递减规律，表现出明显的表聚效应。除草地，4种植被的土壤碳库管理指数随土层深度的加深而减小，均表现为表层(0~20 cm土层)最高。不同植被类型间，竹林的可溶性有机碳分配比例在各土壤层次均最小，整个土壤剖面均值仅为0.1%。由相关性分析可知，微生物量碳、易氧化有机碳、土壤总有机碳含量和土壤有机碳储量有着极其显著的相关性。因此，土壤微生物量碳和易氧化有机碳可以作为衡量亚缙云山森林不同植被土壤有机碳库变化的敏感性指标。     

高寒草地灌丛化对土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳分布特征的影响

灌丛化是草地生态系统面临的重大生态环境问题之一,是影响高寒草地土壤碳库储量的重要因素。采集青藏高原灌丛化和未灌丛化草地土壤样本,用Cambardella和Elliott湿筛法和沉降虹吸法测定土壤团聚体含量及其稳定性、有机碳(SOC)和全氮(TN)含量,分析了草地灌丛化对土壤团聚体数量及其稳定性的影响。结果表明,灌丛化和未灌丛化草地土壤团聚体以2～0.25 mm粒径为主,但灌丛化草地土壤微团聚体(≤0.053 mm)含量显著低于未灌丛化草地,表明草地灌丛化主要影响土壤微团聚体而对大团聚体含量影响不显著。灌丛化草地土壤团聚体稳定性低于未灌丛化草地土壤,表明草地灌丛化后土壤结构稳定性降低。灌丛化草地土壤SOC和TN含量显著低于未灌丛化草地土壤,说明在气候变化影响下高寒草地灌丛化可能会降低土壤碳库储量。     

新疆艾比湖地区不同土地利用类型土壤养分及活性有机碳组分研究

土壤有机碳及其组分是土壤质量的重要指标,在土壤许多物理、化学和生物特性中发挥着重要作用。通过对我国内陆荒漠自然生态系统中新疆艾比湖地区不同土地利用类型土壤进行采样和分析,系统地研究和比较了不同土地利用类型土壤养分及有机碳组分。结果表明:新疆艾比湖不同土地利用类型土壤总孔隙度与土壤容重变化趋势相反。不同土地利用类型对土壤养分具有较大影响,土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷和全钾均呈现出一致性规律,大致表现为林地草地耕地未利用地,而不同土地利用类型土壤全磷差异并不显著(p0.05)。不同土地利用类型土壤易氧化有机碳(EOC)、颗粒有机碳(POC)、轻组有机碳(LFOC)、水溶性有机碳(WSOC)、土壤微生物量碳(MBC)和微生物量氮(MBN)均呈现出一致性规律,大致表现为林地耕地草地未利用地。林地和草地EOC/SOC比例显著低于耕地和未利用地,说明林地和草地转变成耕地降低了土壤有机碳的稳定性;微生物商(MBC/SOC)基本表现为耕地林地草地未利用地,其中耕地和林地土壤MBC/SOC比例差异不显著(p0.05)。相关性分析表明,土壤活性有机碳各组分与SOC,TN,TK均具有极显著相关性关系,并且不同土地利用类型土壤EOC,POC,LFOC,WSOC和MBC含量之间均具有极显著相关性(p0.05),说明土壤活性有机碳很大程度上依赖于有机碳含量,活性有机碳各组分之间相互影响和密切联系,其中SOC,TN和TK是不同土地利用类型土壤活性有机碳变化的重要影响因子。     

深松和秸秆还田对旋耕农田土壤有机碳活性组分的影响

土壤有机碳(soil organic carbon,SOC)及其活性组分能够敏感响应耕作方式变化及有机物输入。为对比长期旋耕农田进行深松后土壤有机碳各活性组分及比例变化,该研究基于连续7a的旋耕转变为深松和秸秆管理长期定位试验,对比了旋耕无秸秆还田处理(rotary tillage with straw removal,RT)、旋耕秸秆还田处理(rotary tillage with straw return,RTS)、旋耕转变为深松无秸秆还田处理(rotary tillage conversion to subsoiling with straw removal,RT-DT)、旋耕转变为深松秸秆还田处理(rotary tillage conversion to subsoiling with straw return,RTS-DTS)下土壤有机碳(soil organic carbon,SOC)、颗粒有机碳(particulate organic carbon,POC)、易氧化有机碳(readily oxidizable organic carbon,ROC)、微生物生物量碳(microbial biomass carbon,MBC)、溶解性有机碳(dissolved organic carbon,DOC)、活性有机碳(labile organic carbon,LOC)在土壤有机碳中比例的变化及各组分间的相互关系。研究结果表明,耕作方式从旋耕转变为深松和秸秆还田对SOC及其各活性组分均产生显著影响,耕作方式转变、秸秆还田及两者的交互效应是影响SOC及其活性组分的主要因素。秸秆还田显著提高了RTS处理和RTS-DTS处理的SOC含量,分别比RT和RT-DT处理高6.1%~15.6%和19.1%~32.3%。并且转变耕作方式后RTS-DTS处理比于RTS处理SOC含量提高16.9%~20.0%。同时,RTS-DTS处理的POC含量比RTS处理高13.6%~53.8%;但RT-DT和RTS-DTS处理的土壤ROC含量较RT和RTS处理都呈下降趋势,RTS-DTS处理的ROC含量比RTS处理下降4.6%~10%;MBC含量降低23.8%~30.6%。虽然秸秆还田显著提高了各处理的DOC含量,但RTS转变为RTS-DTS处理后,其3个土层的DOC含量下降了8%~41%。相比于RT和RTS处理,RT-DT和RTS-DTS处理0~30 cm各土层中LOC在SOC中的比例显著下降。相关性分析结果表明,除POC与ROC之间无显著性相关关系外,SOC及各组分间均呈显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)的相关关系。耕作方式转变为深松和秸秆还田提高了SOC含量的同时,显著降低了SOC中的活性有机碳组分,这更有利于SOC的有效积累,促进土壤碳库的稳定固存。     

不同状态高寒草原主要土壤活性有机碳组分的变化

对藏北高原正常、轻度和严重退化高寒草原表层(0 ～ 10 cm)、亚表层(10～20 cm)活性有机碳(Active soil organic carbon,ASOC)主要组分变化,以及土壤微生物对ASOC的影响进行了研究,结果表明:(1)易氧化有机碳(Readily oxidizable organic carbon,ROC)、微生物生物量碳(Microbial biomass carbon,MBC)、轻组有机碳(Light fraction organic carbon,LFOC)和水溶性有机碳(Water-soluble organic carbon,WSOC)对土壤环境变化的敏感度显著不同,平均分配比率分别为11.10％、0.57％、0.04％和0.03％,高原寒旱环境对WSOC、LFOC的形成与积累极为不利.(2)不同状态高寒草原亚表层ASOC各组分含量均显著高于表层;与正常草原ASOC各组分含量相比,退化草原表层、亚表层分呈小幅增加和大幅下降,但轻度退化草原变化幅度大于严重退化草原;因此,0～20 cm土层ASOC各组分含量均呈正常草原＞严重退化草原＞轻度退化草原.(3)不同状态草原中,纤维素分解酶活性对ASOC组分的形成均具极显著(R2:0.731 ～0.960)的促进作用,土壤放线菌、真菌对纤维素分解酶活性(Cellulolytic enzyme activity,CEA)则具有较大影响.(4)草原严重退化阶段,土壤微生物可能已完成向抗逆能力、纤维素分解酶分泌能力更强生理种群的演替,其相对较高的SOC、ASOC含量表征着土壤有机残体的较大消耗.     

若尔盖高寒草地沙化对土壤活性有机碳组分的影响

为了解若尔盖高寒草地沙化对土壤活性有机碳组分的影响,采用空间代替时间的方法,通过野外土壤采集,并结合室内化验分析,研究了若尔盖高寒草原不同沙化阶段土壤有机碳及其活性组分的含量和变化特征。结果表明:沙化对高寒草地0—60cm土层土壤有机碳含量具有显著影响,随沙化程度加剧,土壤总有机碳、溶解性有机碳、易氧化有机碳和微生物量碳含量均呈现显著下降的特征,极重度沙化阶段较潜在沙化阶段分别减少了74.76%,80.24%,76.02%和83.24%;活性有机碳组分的损失较土壤总有机碳明显,其中微生物量碳含量的下降幅度最大;随土层深度的增加,沙化草地土壤有机碳含量及其变化量均呈下降趋势,其中,0—20cm土层土壤有机碳含量变化最为显著;土壤总有机碳、溶解性有机碳、易氧化有机碳和微生物量碳含量均呈极显著正相关关系(P0.01)。     

高寒草原土壤有机碳与腐殖质碳变化及其微生物效应

基于多区域重复采样,研究了藏北高原不同状态(正常、轻度和严重退化)高寒草原表层(0～10 cm)、亚表层(10～20 cm)土壤有机碳(Soil organic carbon,SOC)、腐殖质碳(Humus carbon,HC)、胡敏酸碳(Humic acid carbon,HAC)和富里酸碳(Fulvic acid carbon,FAC)的变化,以及土壤微生物群落、微生物生物量碳(Microbial biomass carbon,MBC)、纤维素分解酶活性(Cellulolytic enzyme activity,CEA)对其产生的影响与作用。结果表明:高原寒旱环境中土壤的HC/SOC比例过低,但PQ值(HAC/HC)很高。随土层加深,不同状态草地SOC、HC、HAC含量、HC/SOC比例在总体上趋于不同程度的下降,PQ值则均呈一定程度的提高。相对于正常草地,随草地退化加剧,表层SOC、HC(HAC、FAC)增幅分别表现出略呈下降、大幅提高,亚表层降幅则均呈大幅下降。反映到0～20 cm土层,SOC、HC、HAC含量均表现出正常草地严重退化草地轻度退化草地,HC/SOC比例、PQ值则分别呈严重退化草地正常草地轻度退化草地、正常草地轻度退化草地严重退化草地,说明草地退化在促进表层SOC、HC(HAC、FAC)形成与积累的同时,更"激发"了亚表层的矿化,尤其是严重退化草地有机残体的分解过程,但腐殖质品质并未随土壤腐殖化程度的提高而得到相应改善。MBC、CEA与SOC、HC及组分高度一致的土体分布格局影响并决定了上述过程,草地退化有利于真菌、放线菌对土壤、尤其是亚表层土壤有机残体的分解与转化。     

秸秆还田方式对砂姜黑土有机碳组分和孔隙结构的影响

砂姜黑土容重高、土壤有机碳(soil organic carbon,SOC)含量低是限制作物产量的关键因子,秸秆还田能有效改善土壤结构,提高土壤有机碳含量。为探明砂姜黑土区适宜的秸秆还田方式,进一步培肥改良耕地地力,该研究利用砂姜黑土连续6 a耕作与秸秆还田定位试验,探究不同秸秆还田方式(免耕还田、旋耕还田、深翻还田)对砂姜黑土不同土层(0～10、>10～20、>20～40 cm)有机碳及其组分颗粒有机碳(particulate organic carbon,POC)、矿物结合态有机碳(mineral-associated organic carbon,MAOC)和孔隙结构的影响。研究结果表明:在0～10 cm土层内,3种还田方式下SOC及其组分、土壤总孔隙度和大孔隙度(>50 μm)均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。与旋耕还田相比,免耕还田使>10～20和>20～40 cm土层SOC含量分别降低了14.1%、23.7%(P<0.05),对>10～40 cm土层内孔隙结构特征参数无显著影响(P>0.05);与旋耕还田相比,深翻还田使&...     

亚热带森林转换对不同粒径土壤有机碳的影响

以亚热带天然阔叶林和由其转换而来的针阔混交人工林和杉木人工林为研究对象,探讨森林转换对土壤有机碳(Soilorganiccarbon,SOC)含量和分布格局的影响。选取不同土层(0～20cm、20～40cm、40～60cm)土壤作为样本,运用物理分组方法研究森林转换对土壤粗颗粒有机碳(Coarse particulate organic carbon,CPOC)、细颗粒有机碳(Fine particulate organic carbon,FPOC)、矿物结合态有机碳(Mineral-associatedorganiccarbon,MOC)含量及其分配比例的影响。结果表明:天然林转换为人工林后(1)各土层土壤有机碳含量均呈下降趋势;(2)0～20cm土层土壤粗颗粒有机碳含量和分配比例均显著降低,土壤细颗粒有机碳含量和比例呈增加趋势;矿物结合态有机碳含量呈减少趋势,比例呈增加趋势;(3)各土层土壤颗粒有机碳/矿物结合态有机碳(POC/MOC)和矿物结合态有机碳/土壤有机碳(MOC/SOC)比值均呈下降趋势,0～20 cm土层土壤CPOC与SOC相关性最好,40～60cm土层MOC与SOC相关性最好。因此,亚热带天然阔叶林转换为针阔混交人工林和杉木人工林,土壤总有机碳含量降低,土壤有机碳的稳定性增强;土壤CPOC更能反映森林转换对表层土壤有机碳的影响;而MOC更能反映森林转换对深层土壤有机碳的影响。     

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.