模拟降雨下草被坡面水沙调控效应及水分转化研究

以黄土丘陵区四种多年生牧草(鸡脚草、白三叶、小冠花、百脉根)为研究对象,采用人工模拟降雨试验方法,定量研究不同草被措施不同生长阶段(5月上旬、6月上旬、7月中旬和8月下旬)的坡面水沙调控效应及土壤水分转化特征。结果表明:在整个生长周期内,四种草被措施坡面产沙率和含沙量均表现为鸡脚草坡面白三叶坡面小冠花坡面百脉根坡面裸地坡面。随着生长时间延长,四种草被措施坡面减流效益、减沙效益、土壤稳定入渗速率和土壤平均含水量增量均呈现先增大后减小的趋势。其中,鸡脚草坡面和白三叶坡面在结实期达到最大,小冠花坡面和百脉根坡面在孕蕾期达到最大。在不同生长阶段,鸡脚草坡面和白三叶坡面减流效益、减沙效益、土壤稳定入渗速率和土壤平均含水量增量均大于小冠花坡面和百脉根坡面,其中以鸡脚草坡面最为显著。四种草被措施在不同生长阶段坡面减沙效益都远大于减流效益。黄土丘陵区坡面水土流失主要来自7—9月份频率较高的降雨所产生的坡面径流,鸡脚草和白三叶生长旺盛期与水土流失频发阶段吻合,使其调控坡面水沙能力得以充分体现。     

两种驱动力作用下植被调控堆积体坡面减水减沙效益

定量分析侵蚀驱动力的变化对于植被调控堆积体坡面水文和产沙过程的影响,对于深刻理解植被防护堆积体侵蚀及其水土保持效益具有重要作用。该研究以陡坡工程堆积体(30°)作为研究对象,采用野外模拟降雨和降雨+上方汇水试验研究苜蓿对工程堆积体侵蚀过程的影响及其减水减沙效益。结果表明:1)两种驱动力下苜蓿对工程堆积体坡面减沙和减流效益分别为57.28%～98.51%和13.17%～83.11%,加入上方汇水后减沙和减流效益分别减少17.01%和68.74%;2)降雨条件下苜蓿对堆积体坡面减流减沙效益随降雨强度增大降低,而加入上方汇水后减沙效益随降雨强度增大而增大,但减流效益减小。显著性差异分析表明降雨强度对裸坡和苜蓿堆积体的径流和产沙均有显著影响(P0.01),且上方汇水的作用大于降雨;3)两种驱动力下裸坡堆积体侵蚀速率总体随产流历时减少,而苜蓿堆积体在降雨条件下侵蚀速率总体增大。加入上方汇水后裸坡及苜蓿堆积体坡面侵蚀和径流随产流历时的波动性显著增强;4)裸坡堆积体在降雨和降雨+上方汇水条件下产流前期的平均侵蚀速率是后期的1.06～2.90倍,苜蓿堆积体在降雨条件下产流前期平均侵蚀速率小于后期。研究成果可为生产建设项目工程堆积体水土流失防治和植被措施布设提供科学指导,具有显著的科学意义和工程实践指导价值。     

小麦秸秆长度、覆盖量对坡面产流产沙的影响

为定量研究小麦秸秆覆盖对坡面产沙产流过程及减水减沙效益的影响,采用室内人工模拟降雨试验,研究在降雨强度为90 mm/h时,不同秸秆长度和秸秆覆盖量下的坡面产流产沙特征和产流产沙过程规律,结果表明:(1)在相同秸秆长度下,随秸秆覆盖量增加,产流量产沙量极显著减少(p0.01)。相同覆盖量水平下随秸秆长度增加,产流量显著增加(p0.05),在4.5 t/hm~2覆盖量下产沙量极显著增加(p0.01)。(2)秸秆覆盖坡面的初始产流时间较裸露坡面延迟6.23倍,产流量平均下降19.5%,产沙量下降31.6%。覆盖措施通过保护土壤的结构有效抑制了细沟侵蚀过程向切沟侵蚀发展。产流产沙过程受秸秆长度和覆盖量的交互作用影响,交互效应对产流过程的影响更突出。(3)随覆盖量增加,减水减沙效益极显著增加(p0.01);随长度增加,减水减沙效益分别减少为17.26%,27.97%。不同覆盖条件下的坡面产流量、产沙量和减水、减沙效益均与秸秆长度、秸秆覆盖量呈二元线性关系。(4)在当前试验条件下,当秸秆长度为3～5 cm,覆盖量为4.5 t/hm~2时达到最优减水减沙效益。     

黄麻土工布覆盖对花岗岩红壤表土坡面侵蚀特性的影响

[目的]探究黄麻土工布覆盖条件下花岗岩红壤表土坡面侵蚀特性,为花岗岩红壤区坡面土壤侵蚀防治提供科学依据。[方法]通过室内模拟降雨试验,在2个坡度(5°和15°坡度)、3种密度(无覆盖,6 cm×6 cm及3 cm×3 cm网格)的黄麻土工布覆盖条件下,研究极端降雨条件下(90 mm/h)花岗岩红壤表土的坡面侵蚀特性,并观测径流系数、土壤侵蚀速率、泥沙颗粒变化规律及富集率等指标。[结果]坡面径流随降雨历时增加而增加,土壤侵蚀速率则相反,表明侵蚀过程是一个分离受限的过程。和对照组相比,黄麻土工布覆盖在不同试验条件下都具有明显的减流减沙作用。另外,由侵蚀泥沙的粒径分选规律可知,坡面土壤中的黏粒和粉粒大小的颗粒倾向于被优先选择性搬运,其结果致使坡面石英粗颗粒富集,在缓坡(5°)与高密度黄麻土工布覆盖条件下(3 cm×3 cm网格)尤为突出。坡面石英粗颗粒随降雨历时增加不断富集进一步增加了原位坡面的侵蚀抗性,产生了土壤侵蚀速率随降雨历时不断降低的现象。[结论]高密度黄麻土工布的覆盖能够有效地减流减沙,增加原位坡面抗蚀性,是一种有效的水土保持措施,在今后的土壤侵蚀防治和劣地恢复工作中应该被重视。     

植被覆盖对砒砂岩地区边坡侵蚀的减流减沙效益

为研究植被覆盖对砒砂岩地区自然边坡坡面侵蚀产流产沙规律的影响,阐明植被覆盖的减流减沙效益,在内蒙古鄂尔多斯市准格尔旗的西召沟内选取坡度在10°左右的裸地、草地、柠条、沙棘和油松5种植被覆盖类型的砒砂岩自然边坡,在冲刷流量为200L/h时分别对各植被覆盖边坡进行野外实地放水冲刷试验,对不同植被覆盖类型的砒砂岩自然边坡坡面侵蚀的减流减沙效益进行了研究。结果表明:植被覆盖可明显增加砒砂岩自然边坡水流冲刷的稳定性。不同植被覆盖类型的砒砂岩自然边坡坡面径流强度大小排序为裸地油松草地柠条沙棘;产沙强度大小排序为裸地草地柠条油松沙棘。相对于草地、柠条和油松覆盖的坡面,沙棘覆盖的砒砂岩自然边坡减流和减沙效益均最大。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区典型草被产流产沙特征及其影响因素

退耕还林还草是黄土高原水土流失重要治理措施之一。为探讨自然降雨条件下,不同种类草被种植对坡面产流产沙特征的影响,采用定位观测方法,基于罗玉沟水土保持监测站6种不同草被(小冠花、红豆草、沙打旺、紫花苜蓿、红三叶、鹰咀紫云英)覆盖坡面的野外观测数据,分析了不同降雨条件下各草被覆盖径流小区的产流产沙规律。结果表明：(1)各场次降雨中,小冠花覆盖下的坡面产流量及产沙量均较大,沙打旺和鹰咀紫云英覆盖坡面均较小;(2)除沙打旺和鹰咀紫云英以外的草被覆盖小区产流产沙量均与降雨量和最大降雨强度呈显著或极显著关系;(3)侵蚀性降水依据降雨量、降雨历时和最大降雨强度分为3种类型：Ⅰ雨型(降雨量大、降雨历时长、最大雨强大)、Ⅱ雨型(降雨量、降雨历时、最大雨强均居中)、Ⅲ雨型(降雨量较小、降雨历时短、最大雨强小)。6种草被在不同雨型下产流产沙特性不同,沙打旺和鹰咀紫云英覆盖坡面在不同雨型下产流量及产沙量均较少,小冠花覆盖坡面在不同雨型下产流量及产沙量均较大。综上,不同草被覆盖下的坡面产流产沙规律不尽相同,对不同降雨特征的响应程度也存在差异,小冠花覆盖小区的抗侵蚀能力较差;沙打旺和鹰咀紫云英覆盖小区的抗侵蚀能力...     

不同耕作措施对花生结荚期产流产沙过程的影响

为了研究不同耕作措施在花生结荚期时对紫色土区产流产沙过程的影响,通过对顺坡垄作、横坡垄作、穴播、平作这4种耕作措施种植花生以及对照组平坡裸地进行野外模拟降雨试验,得到其径流泥沙特征。利用滑动秩和检验法找出产流产沙过程变异时刻点,对变异时刻点后用Mann-Kendall趋势检验法分析产流产沙过程趋势。结果表明:产流产沙过程变异时刻点后均处于一个较为稳定状态,平坡裸地的稳定径流率、侵蚀率均最大,顺坡垄作次之,然后是平作,再是穴播,横坡垄作最小;而各耕作措施初始产流时间则与稳定径流率和侵蚀率相反。在减流减沙效益方面,相对于平坡裸地,不同耕作措施均表现出减流减沙效果,具体表现为横坡垄作>穴播>平作>顺坡垄作。     

地面覆盖条件下雨强和坡度对红黏土坡面侵蚀过程的影响

为揭示地面覆盖条件下第四纪红黏土坡面在不同雨强和坡度时的侵蚀变化规律,选取3个降雨强度(1.0,1.5,2.0 mm/min)和3个坡度(10°,15°,20°),通过人工模拟降雨试验,分析坡面产流、产沙、入渗特征,并以15°为例计算覆盖坡面的减流减沙效益。结果表明:(1)坡面产流时间随雨强和坡度增加而提前,覆盖对产流时间有明显的滞后作用,雨强的增加会削弱覆盖延缓产流的作用;坡面径流率呈现前期增长,后期趋于稳定的变化特征;(2)当坡度一定,雨强从1.0 mm/min增加至2.0 mm/min,累积侵蚀量增加1.89～2.96倍;雨强一定,坡度从10°增加至20°,累积侵蚀量增加1.91～3.45倍;(3)坡面初始入渗率和入渗总量随坡度的增加而减小,而雨强的增大会增加坡面初始入渗率,减少入渗总量;(4)15°条件下覆盖坡面的径流量和泥沙量较裸坡平均减少50.26%和95.31%,松针覆盖的水土保持效益显著,且减沙效应大于减流效应;(5)坡度对覆盖坡面累积产流量和累积产沙量的影响程度大于雨强,不同雨强、坡度下累积径流量与累积产沙量呈现幂函数关系(R~20.97)。研究结果可为南方红壤丘陵区林下水土流失治理与生态恢复提供参考。     

坡面植被格局对坡沟系统能量调控及水沙响应关系的影响

通过室内放水冲刷试验,研究在坡沟系统土壤侵蚀过程中,不同坡面植被格局对能量的调控作用及其对水沙响应关系的影响,并建立不同坡面植被格局下基于能量参数的侵蚀产沙方程,深入了解能量与侵蚀产沙之间的响应关系。结果表明:(1)相比于裸坡,在坡面有植被覆盖的情况下,径流功率大幅度降低,植被能够有效地削减径流功率,起到保护土壤的作用;在不同时刻下,不同坡面植被格局的单位水流功率在坡面较小,进入沟道后单位水流功率急剧上升,呈"N"形曲线分布,经过SPSS软件分析,坡面植被格局对单位水流功率的影响不显著(P0.05);坡面植被格局对径流能耗的变化基本没有影响,不同时刻,不同坡面植被格局下坡面上每个断面的径流能耗在1 500~2 000J保持不变,在进入沟道后径流能耗急剧上升,达到4 800J左右;(2)在坡沟系统的坡面上种植植被可以有效地起到蓄水减沙的作用,当草带位置距坡顶2m时(格局F)的蓄水效益最好,达到19.07%,当草带位置距坡顶6m时(格局B)的减沙效益高达69.02%;(3)不同坡面植被格局下坡沟系统的累积产流量与累积产沙量之间满足M=aQb的幂函数形式,而且相关系数a和b可以作为蓄水减沙效益的指示指标;(4)在不同坡面植被格局下,坡面平均输沙率与径流功率满足D=cω+d线性函数关系。     

林火前后坡面覆盖类型对产流产沙影响的模拟试验

通过室内模拟降雨试验,设置3种降雨强度(30,60,90 mm/h)和3种地表覆盖类型(裸土坡面、1 cm马尾松枯落物覆盖、1 cm马尾松灰烬覆盖),研究林火发生前后不同地表覆盖下的坡面产流产沙过程,明确枯落物和植物灰烬覆盖的减流减沙效益。结果表明:(1)相比裸坡,枯落物和灰烬覆盖下的坡面初始产流时间分别延长33%~80%和51%~200%,灰烬覆盖对延缓产流的效果更为明显;(2)相比裸坡,枯落物覆盖的减流效果稳定在12%~36%,而灰烬覆盖在中小雨强的减流效果高于70%,在90 mm/h雨强时减流效果降低至7%;(3)裸土坡面产流呈现先快速升高后稳定的趋势,而枯落物和灰烬覆盖坡面产流效果呈现"阶梯"形上升趋势;(4)枯落物覆盖能够减小径流携沙量和总产沙量,在3种雨强下减沙效益均高于85%,且高于同雨强下灰烬覆盖的减沙效益。枯落物覆盖的减流减沙效果在不同雨强下表现较为稳定,而灰烬覆盖的减流减沙效果受降雨强度的影响显著,且枯落物覆盖的减沙效益在3种雨强下均优于灰烬覆盖,说明在林火发生后地表覆盖改变是引起土壤侵蚀增加的重要因素之一。     

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.