棉隆熏蒸与微生物有机肥联用对西瓜枯萎病的防控研究

通过田间试验评估了土壤熏蒸和微生物有机肥联用对西瓜枯萎病的防控效果及对西瓜产量与品质的影响。试验设置3个处理:对照(CK)、棉隆熏蒸结合普通有机肥处理(OF)、棉隆熏蒸结合微生物有机肥处理(BOF)。结果发现:与CK相比,BOF处理和OF处理均显著降低西瓜枯萎病发生率,病害防治效果分别为65.8%和54.1%;BOF处理还显著增加连作西瓜产量(增幅达33.4%),提高西瓜中心糖含量(增幅达15.9%)和糖酸比(增幅达13.4%)。棉隆熏蒸处理土壤细菌和真菌数量均显著低于CK,尖孢镰刀菌数量下降3个数量级;土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、荧光素二乙酸酯酶活性以及土壤微生物碳源利用多样性指数、均一性指数较CK均显著降低。棉隆熏蒸后施用有机肥可使土壤微生物数量、土壤酶活性及微生物碳源利用多样性逐步恢复,其中BOF处理土壤微生物数量和酶活性恢复速度和强度更大、病原菌数量及病原菌与真菌数量比最低、微生物碳源利用多样性指数最高。结果表明,利用棉隆对连作西瓜土壤熏蒸20 d能显著减少病原菌数量,配合施用微生物有机肥,能快速改善土壤微生物区系和恢复土壤酶活性,降低枯萎病的发生,并有效促进西瓜生长,提高西瓜产量及品质。     

轮作与连作对烟田土壤微生物区系及多样性的影响

为探讨轮作与连作对烟田根际土壤微生物群落的影响,采用实验室微生物培养联合微生物高通量测序技术,分析了玉米-烤烟轮作和烟叶连作对烟株根际土壤微生物数量、群落结构及其多样性的影响。研究结果表明,轮作烟田根际土壤中可培养细菌和放线菌数量均高于连作烟田根际土壤,但真菌数量低于连作烟田。土壤高通量测序结果表明,轮作烟田根际土壤真菌和细菌群落多样性均高于连作烟田;在烟株的生长过程中,轮作和连作烟田在旺长期和成熟期微生物群落相似度降低。相较于黑胫病/根腐病/根结线虫发病率较高(36. 67%)的连作烟田来说,轮作烟田发病率较低(0%),进一步分析真菌和细菌群落结构发现,轮作烟田根际土壤中拮抗菌如Sphingomonas (鞘脂单胞菌属)、Pseudomonas (假单胞菌属)、Aspergillus (曲霉属)等相对丰度均高于连作烟田,而连作烟田根腐病病菌Pythium (腐霉属)丰度较高。     

马铃薯连作栽培对土壤微生物多样性的影响

马铃薯是宁夏回族自治区南部山区重要的粮菜兼用作物,随栽培面积持续扩大,轮作倒茬困难,由此带来的连作障碍问题日渐突出。为探明马铃薯连作障碍机制,分别采集马铃薯正茬、连作1年、6年和10年的根际土壤样本,利用末端标记限制性片段长度多态性(terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism,T-RFLP)技术研究连作栽培对根际土壤微生物多样性的影响,以期揭示马铃薯根际土壤主要菌群动态变化规律及连作障碍的可能原因。结果表明:连作栽培后马铃薯土壤细菌和真菌DNA仍具有较高的T-RFLP多态性,但不同连作年限根际土壤中优势T-RFs片段发生变化,多年连作使某些T-RFs消失;随连作年限增加,根际土细菌Shannon-Wienen指数、Simpson指数和Sorenson指数下降,而真菌Shannon-Wienen指数和Simpson指数上升。菌群分析发现,土壤细菌中以厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)芽孢杆菌纲(Bacilli)和梭菌纲(Clostridia)所占比例最大。连作使细菌和真菌菌群发生变化,芽孢杆菌纲、鞘氨醇纲(Sphingobacteria)等比例下降甚至消失,β-变形菌纲(Beta proteobacteria)和异常球菌纲(Deinococci)比例上升;土壤真菌中座囊菌纲(Dothideomycetes)煤炱目(Capnodiales)随连作年限增加比例下降,粪壳菌纲(Sordariomycetes)肉座菌目(Hypocreales)随连作年限增加比例上升。马铃薯连作使根际土壤中芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)等有益菌属的细菌减少,罗尔斯通菌属(Ralstonia)等致病菌属的细菌增加。连作导致马铃薯根际土壤细菌多样性水平降低,真菌多样性水平升高,根际土壤微生物多样性存在明显差异,连作破坏了根际土壤微生物群落的平衡,使其根际土壤微生态环境恶化。连作障碍可能是多因素综合互作用的结果,持续的研究有利于做出较合理的解释。     

施用微生物有机肥对连作条件下西瓜的生物效应及土壤生物性状的影响

为探讨施用微生物有机肥对连作条件下西瓜生长、土壤微生物的影响,在西瓜连作3年的土壤上采用小区试验方法分析施用微生物有机肥对西瓜的生物学效应及对土壤微生物群落结构的影响。试验设置4个处理,依次为健康菜园土育苗(CK)、健康菜园土育苗+定植期增施微生物有机肥(施肥量为每株25 g)、健康菜园土+微生物有机肥育苗(微生物有机肥︰健康菜园土=1︰49)、健康菜园土+微生物有机肥育苗+定植期增施微生物有机肥(施肥量为每株25 g)。结果显示:在育苗及定植期均施用微生物有机肥使西瓜的生物学性状得到显著改善。与对照相比,施用微生物有机肥使西瓜株高、叶片数、叶绿素含量、植株氮、磷、钾吸收总量以及西瓜品质、产量显著增加(P<0.05);同时,微生物有机肥富含优质碳源和微生物,健康菜园土育苗+定植时增施微生物有机肥和健康菜园土+微生物有机肥育苗+定植期增施微生物有机肥处理土壤中细菌总量与对照相比分别增加24.9%~51.0%和35.7%~55.8%,放线菌数量分别增加18%~41%和15%~35%,真菌数量分别增加7.4%~21.9%和4.9%~31.9%;土壤中有益菌数量和放线菌与真菌的比例增加可有效抑制尖孢镰刀菌活性,对枯萎病的防治率高达83%以上。微生物有机肥能激发连作土壤有益微生物活性,显著改善和调节连作西瓜生长,对西瓜的连作障碍有明显缓解作用。     

大棚辣椒连作土壤微生物数量、酶活性与土壤肥力的关系

选取不同连作年限的辣椒大棚土壤和相邻露地小麦-辣椒轮作土壤(对照),研究了大棚辣椒连作土壤微生物数量、酶活性与土壤肥力的关系。结果表明,连作土壤养分含量显著高于对照,而pH值显著低于对照;土壤细菌,放线菌数量随连作年限延长呈先增加后降低的趋势并高于对照,而真菌数量不断增加;连作土壤酶活性含量均显著高于对照。土壤细菌数量与土壤有机质、全磷呈显著相关性,真菌数量与土壤养分无显著相关性,放线菌数量、过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶、脲酶活性与pH值呈显著负相关性,与养分呈显著相关性。土壤全磷、全氮、pH值对微生物数量的影响较大,而全氮、pH值对土壤酶活性的影响较大。     

微生物有机肥结合土壤改良剂防治烟草青枯病

盆栽试验设置了五个处理:对照(T1)、施用普通有机肥(T2)、施用SQY-7号微生物有机肥(T3)、石灰处理土壤后施用SQY-7号微生物有机肥(T4)、石灰和碳铵处理土壤后施用SQY-7号微生物有机肥(T5),用DGGE和平板计数法研究了根际土壤微生物群落的多样性,旨在探讨微生物有机肥及微生物有机肥结合土壤改良剂对烟草青枯病的防治效果和对烟草根际土壤细菌群落多样性的影响.结果表明:连作土壤中,施用普通有机肥(T2)不仅不能防治烟草青枯病,还提高了烟草青枯病的病情指数,而施用微生物有机肥处理(T3、T4和T5)对烟草青枯病的防治效果达66.7％～87.9％;施用微生物有机肥可显著改变根际微生物区系结构:T2处理的根际土壤细菌和放线菌数量较T1处理略有增加,真菌数量则较T1处理增加了1.1倍;T3和T4处理的根际土壤细菌分别较T1处理增加了3.5倍和6.1倍,同时,放线菌数量分别增加了3.7倍和3.5倍,而真菌数量分别下降了66.2％和70.1％;T5处理的根际土壤细菌和放线菌数量较T1处理分别增加了13.6倍和5.1倍,真菌数量下降了75.0％;各处理的细菌群落多样性均较T1处理增加.初步研究表明,连作病害土壤用石灰和碳铵预处理后再施用SQY-7号微生物有机肥能有效防控烟草青枯病和减缓连作生物障碍,其作用机制主要通过改变微生物区系和降低病原菌数量实现.     

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。     

茄子与香蕉轮作配施生物有机肥对连作蕉园土壤微生物区系的影响

连作现象在香蕉生产上非常普遍,而长期连作会导致严重的连作障碍。本文针对香蕉连作障碍,选择连作香蕉13年的地块,采用常规方法结合变性梯度凝胶电泳(PCR-DGGE)技术,在田间条件下研究了轮作茄子配施生物有机肥对高发枯萎病连作蕉园土壤可培养微生物数量、土壤化学性状以及土壤细菌群落结构的影响。结果表明:与连作香蕉相比,轮作茄子处理可显著降低可培养尖孢镰刀菌数量,使其数量从种植初的10~4 cfu·g~(-1)(干土)下降到10~3 cfu·g~(-1)(干土),同时提高了土壤p H,增加了土壤有机质、速效钾、碱解氮含量。无论是轮作还是连作种植模式,与配施普通有机肥相比,配施生物有机肥对可培养尖孢镰刀菌、真菌和细菌数量影响均不显著;但在轮作模式下,施用生物有机肥处理的细菌数量与真菌数量比值(B/F,381.2)显著高于配施普通有机肥处理(270.3)。PCR-DGGE分析结果表明,轮作茄子配施生物有机肥显著改变了土壤细菌群落结构,增加了细菌丰度、稳定性和多样性,其中多样性指数(Shannon-Wiener指数,3.22)较连作香蕉配施普通有机肥处理(2.89)显著增加。以上结果表明,茄子与香蕉轮作有利于连作蕉园土壤的微生态环境,同时轮作配施生物有机肥效果更优。     

连作年限对设施百合土壤微生物多样性的影响

为探究不同年限连续栽培百合的设施土壤细菌和真菌群落组成变化及其与环境因子间的关系,采用Mi Seq高通量测序技术,对连作4年(C4)、连作5年(C5)和连作7年(C7)设施百合红壤中细菌和真菌群落组成和多样性的变化进行了研究。结果显示,所有样品测序后获得细菌和真菌有效序列分别是249003和451044个,细菌和真菌OTUs总数分别是906和298个。Alpha多样性分析显示,随连作年限延长设施百合红壤中细菌香农指数和辛普森指数显著升高,真菌香农指数和辛普森指数显著下降。在物种组成分析中,属于细菌优势菌种的有变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinomycetes)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)、绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi),且C4、C5和C7处理土壤中优势菌种占细菌总数比例分别是85.17%、81.04%和81.64%;而真菌菌门中,只有子囊菌门(Ascomycota)一个优势菌种,并且C4、C5和C7处理土壤中优势菌种占真菌总数比例分别93.69%、92.20%、84.31%。不同连作年限土壤中,子囊菌门镰刀菌属(Fusarium)丰度比例达44.02%～58.83%。相关性分析显示,p H值、有机碳、总氮与变形菌门、放线菌门、酸杆菌门丰度显著相关;p H与青霉属(Penicillium)显著正相关,与镰刀菌属显著负相关。由此可以认为,连作后土壤细菌微生物群落多样性指数显著上升,真菌微生物多样性显著下降,同时土壤中细菌的优势菌种有变形菌门、放线菌门、酸杆菌门、绿弯菌门,在真菌群落组成中子囊菌门占主导,连作后子囊菌门中占主导地位的镰刀菌属数量的增长可能是引起设施百合红壤连作障碍的主要原因之一。     

3 种作物幼嫩茎叶干粉对连作辣椒幼苗生长及根际土壤生物特性的影响

【目的】探究3种作物幼嫩茎叶干粉施入对连作辣椒幼苗生长及根际土壤的影响,旨在寻找一种安全有效的缓解辣椒连作障碍的方式。【方法】以线椒‘辛香8号’为供试作物,在江西农业大学生态园蔬菜试验基地进行了盆栽试验。供试土壤取自江西省农业科学院试验基地辣椒连作5年的土壤,将芥菜、大麦苗和芹菜的幼嫩茎叶烘干粉碎后,用于处理连作土壤。设置4个处理,以不加任何作物幼嫩茎叶干粉的连作土为对照 (CK),按1∶50 (干重) 添加芥菜粉 (M)、大麦苗粉 (B) 和芹菜粉 (C)。定植30天后,测定辣椒叶绿素含量和光合效率,测量植株生长状况及生物量,并分析了土壤微生物种群数量。【结果】与CK相比,3个处理均能够促进辣椒幼苗的生长发育。其中以M和B处理效果最好,定植30 天时辣椒株高、茎粗、生物量以及壮苗指数均高于对照;同时3个处理可以促进辣椒根系生长,与对照相比,辣椒根系长度、根系表面积以及根系体积存在显著差异。处理后辣椒叶片PSⅡ最大量子产量 (Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ实际量子产量[Y (Ⅱ) ]和光化学淬灭系数 (qP) 均有所提高,但3个处理对非化学淬灭系数 (NQP) 影响不大。M处理的辣椒叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b和叶绿素a + b含量均高于其他处理,较对照分别增加了25.3%、45.4%和30.6%。3个处理均能够提高辣椒土壤pH值,分别比CK提高了27.6%、24.5%和25.4%。3个处理均能增加土壤放线菌、细菌和总菌数量,其中放线菌数量比CK增加了71.9%、73.8%和67.5%,细菌数量比CK增加了1.18%、55.5%和30.4%,总菌数量比CK增加了4.55%、57.1%、33.9%。3个处理均能降低土壤真菌数量,降幅分别为69.8%、68.1%和75.8%。3个处理均能显著降低土壤电导率,分别比CK降低了44.2%、35.1%和48.0%。处理后的辣椒土壤蔗糖酶、酸性磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶活性显著提高,但土壤脲酶活性要显著低于对照。【结论】3种作物干粉处理均能促进连作辣椒的生长发育,提高土壤蔗糖酶、酸性磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶活性,增加土壤细菌和放线菌数量,降低真菌数量,有助于改善土壤环境和微生物结构,其中以芥菜粉处理效果最佳。     

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.