Plant community impacts on the structure of earthworm communities depend on season and change with time

Declining plant diversity potentially threatens essential ecosystem functions driven by the decomposer community, such as litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. Currently, there is no consensus on the interrelationships between plant diversity and decomposer performance and previous studies highlighted the urgent need for long-term experiments.In the Jena Experiment we investigated the long-term impacts of plant community characteristics on the structure of earthworm communities representing key decomposers in temperate grassland. We repeatedly sampled plots varying in plant species richness (1-16 species), plant functional group richness (1-4 groups), and presence of certain plant functional groups (grasses and legumes) three, four, and six years after establishment of the experiment in spring and autumn.The results show that earthworm performance is essentially driven by the presence of certain plant functional groups via a variety of mechanisms. Plant productivity (root biomass) explained most of the detrimental grass impacts (decrease in earthworm performance), while beneficial legume effects likely were linked to high quality inputs of plant residues (increase in earthworm performance). These impacts depended on the functional group of earthworms with the strongest effects on surface feeding anecic earthworms and minor effects on soil feeding endogeic species. Remarkably, effects of plant community characteristics on the composition and age structure of earthworm communities varied between seasons. Moreover, plant diversity effects reported by a former study decreased and detrimental effects of grasses increased with time.The results indicate that plant community characteristics, such as declining diversity, indeed affect the structure of earthworm communities; however, loss of key plant functional groups is likely to be more important than plant species number per se. However, in frequently disturbed ecosystems plant species richness might be important for the recovery and resilience of belowground functions. Moreover, the results accentuate the importance of long-term repeated measurements to fully appreciate the impacts of plant community composition and diversity on ecosystem properties. Single point observations may be misleading and potentially mask the complexity of above-belowground interrelationships.     

Above- and below-ground plant inputs both fuel soil food webs

Soil food webs depend almost exclusively on plant derived resources; however, it is still subject to debate how plants affect soil biota. We tested the effects on soil decomposers of three components of soil inputs of plant species identity: presence of live plants (representing rhizodeposits), identity of shoot litter input and identity of root litter input; using all combinations of these for Trifolium pratense and Plantago lanceolata. We assessed impacts on soil microorganisms, Collembola, Oribatida and earthworms in a full-factorial greenhouse experiment. Species identity of shoot litter input had greatest effect on decomposers, following by species identity of live plant. Microbial carbon use efficiency and Oribatida density were significantly higher in the presence of T. pratense shoot litter input than in that of P. lanceolata shoot litter input, while earthworm body mass ratio was significantly higher in the presence of P. lanceolata plants than in that of T. pratense plants. Oribatida density was at minimum in the presence of P. lanceolata plants, shoot and root litter input, resulting in a significant three-way interaction and pointing to the relevance of all investigated plant input pathways. Live plant identity effects were not due to differences in living root biomass among species and treatments. Detrimental P. lanceolata effects may have been due to significantly lower N concentrations than in T. pratense tissue. Our results indicate that both above- and below-ground plant inputs into soil determine the performance of decomposers, and thus suggest due consideration of both types of inputs fueling soil food webs in future studies.     

Effect of seed rate and nitrogen fertilizer on weed species composition,density and diversity in two sesame varieties

To evaluate the effect of seed and nitrogen rates on weed species composition, density, biomass and diversity in two sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties, a field experiment was conducted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 rainy seasons at Samaru, Nigeria. Four seed rates, 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg ha^?1, four nitrogen rates, 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha^?1 and two sesame varieties NCRIBEN 01M and E8 were arranged as factorial in a split plot design. Weeds with the highest important values in sesame field were Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Ludwigia decurrens, Ageratum conyzoides and Cyperus esculentus. Year had a significant effect on weed density, biomass, diversity, evenness and richness. Weed density, biomass, diversity and richness were lowest in the 2011 trial and weed species evenness in 2009. Variety E8 reduced weed biomass better than NCRIBEN 01M. Averaged over years, weed diversity and evenness were lowest at 4 kg seeds ha^?1. Seed × nitrogen rates effect of 4 kg seed ha^?1 and 30 kg N ha^?1 produced the lowest weed species diversity and evenness. The result suggests that variety E8 at 4 kg seed ha^?1 and 30 kg N ha^?1 with hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS may provide better weed control, and it is recommended in sesame production.     

Earthworm density and biomass in relation to plant diversity and soil properties in a Palouse prairie remnant

Earthworms are important soil animals in grassland ecosystems and are considered to be important to soil quality. The overall impact of earthworms on soil properties and plant diversity, however, depends on earthworm species, functional group and the type of ecosystem. The primary purpose of this study was to document the relationship among earthworms, key soil properties and native and exotic plant diversity in the little studied, Palouse prairie grassland (Idaho, USA). A secondary objective was to determine the effectiveness of three methods commonly used to sample earthworms. A hillslope characterized by Palouse prairie vegetation, well-expressed, hummocky (mounded) topography and known to support both exotic and native earthworm species was selected for study. The hillslope was divided into three zones [annual-dominated (AD), mixed (MX) and perennial-dominated (PD)] based on characteristics of the inter-mound plant communities described in previous research. Total earthworm biomass in the MX zone (53.5 g m⁻²) was significantly greater than in the PD zone (14.7 g m⁻²) (P = 0.0384), but did not differ from the AD zone. Earthworm density ranged from 52 to 81.1 individuals m⁻² but was not significantly different across zones. Total C and N at 0 to 10 and 30 to 50 cm depths were significantly greater in the AD and PD zones as compared to the same depths in the MX zone. Soil textural class was silt loam within all zones and the soil silt fraction was positively correlated with total exotic earthworm density (R = 0.783, P = 0.0125) and biomass (R = 0.816, P = 0.0072). Native earthworms were only found in the zone with the greatest total and native plant diversity (PD). Total soil C and N were not correlated to earthworm density, but soil total C and N were significantly negatively correlated with exotic plant density, which indicates that invasive plants may be decreasing soil total C (R = −0.800) and N (R = −0.800). Calculated earthworm densities using data from the electroshocker were generally lower than those based on the hand-sorting method. Electroshocking, however, created lower disturbance and was the only method that resulted in the collection of the deep-burrowing, native species Driloleirus americanus.     

Does the deep-burrowing earthworm,Aporrectodea longa,compete with resident earthworm communities when introduced to pastures in south-eastern Australia?

Pastures in southern Australia are dominated by endogeic earthworms such as Aporrectodea caliginosa (Sav.). Introductions of the anecic earthworm, A. longa (Ude), which is mostly restricted to Tasmania at present, are likely to increase the functional diversity of local communities and thereby enhance plant production and agricultural sustainability. However, the potential impact of A. longa on resident earthworm communities first needs assessing. Glasshouse and field experiments reported here suggested that A. longa can reduce the abundance and biomass of A. caliginosa, but that these effects are likely to be offset by overall increases in worm abundance. There was no evidence to suggest that species richness was reduced by A. longa introduction.     

Soil properties, grassland management, and landscape diversity drive the assembly of earthworm communities in temperate grasslands

Earthworms are widespread soil organisms that contribute to a wide range of ecosystem services. As such, it is important to improve our knowledge, still scanty, of the factors that drive the assembly of earthworm communities. The aim of the present study was to conjointly evaluate the effects on the assembly of earthworm communities of i) soil properties (texture, organic matter content, and pH), ii) grassland management (grassland age, livestock unit, and type of fertilization), iii) landscape diversity (richness, diversity of surrounding habitats, and grassland plant diversity), and iv) presence of hedgerows. The study was conducted in temperate grasslands of Brittany, France. Earthworms were sampled in 24 grasslands and, in three of these grasslands, they were sampled near a hedgerow or near a ditch (control without a hedgerow). Soil properties explained the larger portion of the variation in the earthworm community parameters compared to grassland management or landscape diversity. The increase in soil organic matter content and pH were the most favorable factors for earthworm abundance and biomass, in particular for endogeic species. Regarding grassland management, the increase in the livestock unit was the most damaging factor for earthworm communities, in particular for the anecic earthworm biomass and endogeic species richness. Surprisingly, landscape diversity negatively affected the total earthworm abundance and epigeic earthworm biomass, but it was related to an increase in the epi-anecic species. At a finer scale, we also demonstrated that the presence of hedgerows surrounding grasslands enhanced earthworm species richness, especially within the epigeic and anecic ecological categories. This study highlights that the earthworm ecological categories respond specifically to environmental filters; further studies need to be conducted to elucidate the factors that drive the assembly of earthworm communities at this ecological category level. We recommend that policymakers should act on landscape management to favor earthworm diversity in order to improve the ecosystem services they drive.     

Legumes Functional Group Promotes Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Storage by Increasing Plant Diversity

Community composition strongly affected the soil C and N storages. However, the influences of community composition on native grassland remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate the ability of plant communities including how legumes affect the soil C and N storages in the semi‐arid grassland. Experimental grassland communities were separated by whether or not containing legumes. We measured soil C and N storages and determined above‐ground and below‐ground biomass, litter biomass, plant species richness, and species diversity to understand the mechanisms underlying the changes of soil C and N storages and to determine the relationship of species diversity and productivity. The results showed that legumes increased above‐ground and below‐ground biomass and C and N storages. Soil C and N storages were significantly and positively related to above‐ground and below‐ground biomass, litter biomass, plant species richness, and diversity in the presence of legumes. The presence of legumes increased soil C and N simultaneously but not synchronously, which resulting in a higher C:N ratio. This study indicated that legumes increased soil C and N storages possibly through increasing biomass and soil C and N inputs. The increases are mediated by plant diversity and plant functional complementarity. We suggest that the combination of legumes‐grass species may greatly enhance ecosystem services such as soil C and N storages, productivity, and diversity in semi‐arid grassland. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Legume–grass species influence plant productivity and soil nitrogen during grassland succession in the eastern Tibet Plateau

In recent years, numerous studies have evaluated the effect of plant function diversity on ecosystem functions such as productivity and soil nutrient status. We performed a redundancy analysis (RDA) to examine the relationship between plant functional diversity, productivity and soil nitrogen in a chronosequence of abandoned fields in sub-alpine meadow in the eastern part of the Tibet Plateau, China. We found that along the secondary succession sequence, legume richness and aboveground biomass significantly increased and both were positively correlated with total species richness (S) and aboveground biomass (T-bio). This pattern suggests that legume richness increases community productivity. In addition, we found that total aboveground biomass, legume and grass richness were positively correlated with soil microbial nitrogen (MBN), the ratio of microbial nitrogen to soil total nitrogen (MBN/TN) and the ratio of soil organic carbon and soil total nitrogen (C/N), whereas they were negatively correlated with soil total nitrogen (TN), organic carbon (C_org), and microbial carbon (MBC). Contrary to our predictions grasses such as Stipa grandis, Scirpus tripueter, Koeleria cristata were more closely associated with MBN, MBN/TN than legumes such as Oxytropis ochrocephala, Thermopsis lanceolate and Astragalus polycladus. The late-successional grass Kobresio humilis had a stronger positive correlation with NH₄-N as compared to the legumes and NO₃-N was not associated with any legume species. This suggests that the grasses and legumes have a synergetic positive influence on the ecosystem properties, especially nitrogen. Therefore, in this N-limited, plant community diversity of both legumes and grasses has a strong influence on ecosystem changes during succession.     

Seasonal changes in earthworm diversity and community structure in Central Côte d’Ivoire

This study assessed the impact of seasonal variation in the structure and diversity of earthworm communities of a savanna protected for 27 years in the central region of Côte d'Ivoire. Earthworm species were sampled in 1995 at monthly intervals from January to December on a 95 × 50 m experimental plot, using direct hand-sorting techniques. Each month, 10 monoliths of 1 m² × 40 cm were randomly selected from a stratified bloc design. Ten earthworm species were collected over the study period. Chuniodrilus zielae from the Eudrilidae family was by far, the most important earthworm species in term of abundance. Although earthworm diversity varied significantly, the effect of seasonal variation was unclear. Sampling efficiency of species richness varied from 80% to 100% regardless of the rainfall variation. On a seasonal time scale the C-score was lower (0.139) than expected (0.154), showing that earthworm communities exhibit a random pattern of organization. There was no evidence of non-random seasonal niche overlap because the Czechanowski index (0.50) was not significantly larger than expected (0.49).     

Effect of fertilizer,herbicide and grazing management of pastures on plant and soil communities

Increases in fertilizer inputs and livestock numbers affect plant species composition and richness; this in turn can affect the biodiversity of soil fauna and nutrient cycling in pastures. We selected two adjacent farmlets to study these effects. Since 1980, one farmlet (LF) had not received superphosphate fertilizer (SSP) and has a low stock density of sheep, and the other (HF) had received 37.5 g SSP m⁻² y⁻¹ and has a high stock density. In 2004, at both farmlets, we commenced treatments for 4 years, adding urea to raise N status, and non-residual selective herbicide to remove broadleaf species. Long-term SSP addition and increased sheep numbers, and added urea increased herbage production but reduced plant diversity. The effect of treatments on most of the soil biochemical and biological properties varied between years. This may have partly arisen from an infestation with Wiseana caterpillars in the first winter, causing resources to be low and total soil carbon (C) to be reduced by 4–8%; total C did, however, recover in later years. The urea and herbicide treatments caused greater changes above-ground than below-ground, but they did reduce soil microbial C and N and nematode diversity; urea at LF increased mineralizable N to the levels found at HF. On an area basis, HF generally had higher total C and N, earthworm and nematode numbers (including bacterial feeders, predators and omnivores), and nematode diversity, and greater values for the nematode channel ratio, than did LF. In contrast, the ratios of microbial C/total C and microbial N/total N, total mite numbers (including Oribatida, but not other mite groups), and fungal-feeding nematode numbers were higher at LF than at HF. Canonical correlation analysis suggested the plant and soil nematode communities responded in tandem and in predictable ways to the same environmental factors. Increased quantity and quality of inputs disadvantaged the fungal-based energy channel, with a measurable decline in the quantity of fungal phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs). While the quantity of bacterial PLFAs appeared to be unaffected by greater plant-derived inputs, the greater numbers of bacterial-feeding nematodes at the HF farmlet suggests the activity and flow of energy and nutrients through the bacterial community would be more important in the HF than the LF farmlet. Overall our results suggest the shift from fungal to bacterial pathways may lead to soil microbial/microfaunal interactions that retain less reactive N within soil biomass, with a consequent greater risk of N loss.     

Earthworms enhance plant regrowth in a grassland plant diversity gradient

Knowledge of the role of decomposers in the plant diversity–productivity relationship is scarce. In the framework of the Jena Experiment, we observed regrowth of grassland plant communities varying in plant species and functional group richness three weeks after mowing. We investigated earthworm subplots and subplots with reduced earthworm density in order to explore if earthworms enhance plant regrowth and if earthworm effects depend on plant diversity. Earthworms significantly enhanced each of the plant regrowth parameters (plant coverage and maximum and average height of the vegetation) suggesting that particularly fast growing species, such as grasses, benefit from earthworm activity. However, the average height of the vegetation was not affected in 16-species mixtures suggesting compensation of the impact of earthworms on plant regrowth in complex plant communities.     

Plant species richness leaves a legacy of enhanced root litter-induced decomposition in soil

Increasing plant species richness generally enhances plant biomass production, which may enhance accumulation of carbon (C) in soil. However, the net change in soil C also depends on the effect of plant diversity on C loss through decomposition of organic matter. Plant diversity can affect organic matter decomposition via changes in litter species diversity and composition, and via alteration of abiotic and/or biotic attributes of the soil (soil legacy effect). Previous studies examined the two effects on decomposition rates separately, and do therefore not elucidate the relative importance of the two effects, and their potential interaction. Here we separated the effects of litter mixing and litter identity from the soil legacy effect by conducting a factorial laboratory experiment where two fresh single root litters and their mixture were mixed with soils previously cultivated with single plant species or mixtures of two or four species. We found no evidence for litter-mixing effects. In contrast, root litter-induced CO₂ production was greater in soils from high diversity plots than in soils from monocultures, regardless of the type of root litter added. Soil microbial PLFA biomass and composition at the onset of the experiment was unaffected by plant species richness, whereas soil potential nitrogen (N) mineralization rate increased with plant species richness. Our results indicate that the soil legacy effect may be explained by changes in soil N availability. There was no effect of plant species richness on decomposition of a recalcitrant substrate (compost). This suggests that the soil legacy effect predominantly acted on the decomposition of labile organic matter. We thus demonstrated that plant species richness enhances root litter-induced soil respiration via a soil legacy effect but not via a litter-mixing effect. This implies that the positive impacts of species richness on soil C sequestration may be weakened by accelerated organic matter decomposition.     

Nitrogen and water addition regulate soil fungal diversity and co-occurrence networks

Purpose

A field experiment was conducted to assess the role of nitrogen (N) and water addition in shaping soil fungal communities and co-occurrence networks in temperate grassland, northern China.

Materials and methods

We measured soil fungal and plant community compositions, and also soil properties including available N, phosphorus, potassium concentrations, soil pH, and soil moisture. Soil fungal co-occurrence networks were constructed using a random matrix theory–based network inference approach.

Results and discussion

Plant species richness was decreased by N addition but increased by water addition, whereas fungal richness was decreased by N addition. The fungal community composition was significantly changed by both N addition and water addition. Soil fungal α diversity and β diversity were explained by a combination of variations in plant species richness and plant functional composition, and also by changes in soil pH via the soil acidification pathway induced by N and water addition. The fungal co-occurrence networks were more complex and clustered under water addition than that in ambient precipitation.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that plant functional composition, plant species richness, and soil acidification should be incorporated into ecosystem models for predicting soil fungal communities under future climate changes in terrestrial ecosystems.

     

Effect of density and species richness of soil mesofauna on nutrient mineralisation and plant growth

The aim of this study was to test the relative importance of changes in density and species richness of soil mesofauna as determinants of nutrient mineralisation and plant growth. The experiment was carried out using microcosms containing a mixture of plant litter and soil in which seedlings of Lolium perenne were planted, and a range of combinations of levels of density and species richness of microarthropods added. Over the duration of the experiment, nutrient release, measured as concentrations of NO₃ ^--N and total N in leachates, increased significantly with increasing microarthropod density, but decreased with increasing species richness. Leachate concentrations of NH₄ ⁺-N, dissolved organic N and C (DON and DOC) were not affected by the faunal treatments. Soil respiration, a measure of microbial activity, decreased with increasing density of microarthropods, whereas microbial biomass was not affected by microarthropods. Increasing density of soil animals had a negative effect on the shoot biomass of L. perenne while the effect of species richness was positive. Neither the species richness nor density of soil microarthropods was found to significantly influence root biomass. We conclude that variations in animal density had a greater influence on soil nutrient mineralisation processes than did species richness. Possible reasons for these opposing effects of animal density and diversity on soil N mobilization are discussed.     

Earthworm composition,diversity and biomass under three land use systems in south-eastern Australia

In south-eastern Australia, strips of planted native trees and shrubs (shelterbelts) are frequently established to restore ecosystem services altered by agriculture. Despite their wide use, little is known about the effects of establishing shelterbelts on soil macro invertebrates, especially earthworms, which are of major importance in soil processes. We assessed earthworm composition, diversity and biomass in three land use systems: native shelterbelts dominated by Acacia and Eucalyptus species, agricultural pastures and native remnant woodland fragments dominated by Eucalyptus blakelyi and/or Eucalyptus melliodora. Earthworm communities differed significantly among systems, with abundance, biomass and diversity greatest under pasture. Within shelterbelts we saw a shift from high earthworm biomass and density to low with increasing time after establishment. Soil edaphic variables did not correlate strongly with earthworm biomass or density, but were correlated with earthworm community composition. Overall the introduction of native woody vegetation was associated with a decline in density and biomass of earthworms, including a decrease in the relative abundance of exotic species. As such shelterbelts can be used to promote native earthworm relative abundance, which may be important for local diversity, soil function and landscape connectivity.     

Plant influences on native and exotic earthworms during secondary succession in old tropical pastures

Land-use changes can drastically alter earthworm communities. Native species are often lost and few exotic species, such as Pontoscolex corethrurus, rapidly prevail when tropical forests are converted to pastures. However, this process can be reversed when forests recover from abandoned pastures through secondary succession. We hypothesized (1) that the formation of forest floor mass during secondary succession in pastures promotes the recovery of native, anecic earthworms and (2) that the shift from grass vegetation in pastures to woody plants in secondary forests decreases the abundance and biomass of the exotic, endogeic P. corethrurus. To test the first hypothesis, we developed a litter manipulation experiment by removing and adding plant litter in plots of mature secondary forests in the Cayey Mountains, Puerto Rico. To test the second hypothesis we performed a greenhouse experiment to examine the influence of a pasture grass species Axonopus compressus and a dominating woody species Miconia prasina of the secondary forests on the number and biomass of the earthworm P. corethrurus. We found in the litter manipulation experiment that earthworm diversity, density and fresh weight were not affected by litter input. However, in the greenhouse experiment, A. compressus increased the number and biomass of P. corethrurus, whereas M. prasina decreased the exotic, endogeic earthworm. Our results suggest that the quantity of litter does not promote rapid changes (<1 year) in native, anecic earthworm diversity, and that the exotic, endogeic P. corethrurus is favored by grass A. compressus compared to the woody plant M. prasina. The shift in vegetation from grass to woody plants promotes the decrease in the density and biomass of the exotic, endogeic P. corethrurus during secondary succession in old tropical pastures.     

Relationship between plants and soil microbial communities in fertilized grasslands

The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is of major scientific concern today. Few studies though have measured the interactions between soil microorganisms and plant diversity, the purpose of this study was to examine the link between plant diversity and microbial communities in fertilized versus unfertilized grasslands. Experiments were carried out on a permanent grassland in north-eastern France where agricultural practices had remained unchanged for the last 13 years. The experimental design included two plots of 300 m² (fertilized at 120 kg N ha⁻¹ or non-fertilized). Plots were replicated into three equal sub-plots (100 m²). From each sub-plot, six samples of soil and vegetation were taken at three dates during floristic development. At sampling, ground cover of each species was estimated, and total amount of C and N was determined in aboveground and root biomass. Soil samples were analyzed in order to measure the metabolic fingerprints of microorganisms using Biolog^® GN2 microplates. Floristic composition and carbon substrate utilization patterns of rhizobacterial communities were more diversified in unfertilized than fertilized plots. In unfertilized plots, the development of Convolvulus arvensis and two legumes (Trifolium pratense and Trifolium repens) may help maintain observed floristic diversity. Moreover, an inversion of C and N distribution between aboveground and root biomass during the vegetation cycle probably induced a variation of rhizodeposition. This phenomenon could explain the differences of rhizobacterial metabolic fingerprints observed between experimental plots.     

Earthworm communities in temperate beech wood forest soils affected by liming

To monitor the effects of liming on forest ecosystems, experimental plots were installed in forests in mid-western Germany. In addition to soil chemical indices, earthworm communities were investigated on these plots about 15 years after first lime applications took place. As a “natural reference”, communities were compared to earthworm records that derived from a beech forest on limestone. In the non-acidified plots that had never been limed only epigeic earthworms were detected in small numbers and low species richness. Forest liming caused higher pH and a higher base saturation in the mineral topsoils. To a large extent, epigeic earthworm species seemed to benefit from this and had increased in number and biomass at all three different locations selected for the investigations. The epigeic dominated communities were completed by anecic Lumbricus terrestris that was rarely found in some of the samples from one location and a number of endogeic species that showed a very patchy distribution in limed plots. In contrast to this, the soil of the beech forest on limestone showed a different community composition. It was dominated by endogeic species in abundance and by anecic species in biomass. On limestone the total biomass of earthworms clearly exceeded the biomass values from all other plots. In conclusion, a long-term support of forest earthworm fauna due to liming was detected. This support was mainly effective for epigeic species, but in some cases for endogeic and anecic species, too.     

乌兰布和沙漠降水量对典型灌木群落结构及多样性的影响

[目的]分析降水量对乌兰布和沙漠植被群落结构特征及多样性变化的影响,为乌兰布和沙漠植被保护与植物资源持续利用提供理论依据。[方法]应用2011—2013年固定样方调查数据和同期降水量资料,对乌兰布和沙漠典型灌木群落结构及物种多样性与年降水量的变化相关性进行分析。[结果]降水量对3个典型灌木群落物种数及分科有显著影响。降水量增加,驼绒藜群落物种数增加了5种(新增加2个科别),霸王群落物种数增加了12种(新增加2个科别),四合木群落物种数增加了12种(新增加6个科别);降水量对驼绒藜群落、霸王群落、四合木群落中1年生草本与多年生草本影响最大,对灌木与半灌木影响不大;降水量的增加提高了3个典型灌木群落物种丰富度与物种多样性,有效增加了四合木群落与驼绒藜群落的相似性,减小了两个群落之间的生境差异;降水量与3个典型灌木群落物种数、盖度、丰富度指数(R)、均匀度指数(E)、多样性指数均呈正相关关系,且相关系数均大于0.600 0。[结论]研究区内降水量对3个典型灌木群落物种数、盖度、丰富度指数、均匀度指数和多样性指数均具有显著影响。     

Soil characteristics and plant exotic species invasions in the Grand Staircase—Escalante National Monument,Utah, USA

The Grand Staircase—Escalante National Monument (GSENM) contains a rich diversity of native plant communities. However, many exotic plant species have become established, potentially threatening native plant diversity. We sought to quantify patterns of native and exotic plant species and cryptobiotic crusts (mats of lichens, algae, and mosses on the soil surface), and to examine soil characteristics that may indicate or predict exotic species establishment and success. We established 97 modified-Whittaker vegetation plots in 11 vegetation types over a 29,000 ha area in the Monument. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and multiple linear regressions were used to quantify relationships between soil characteristics and associated native and exotic plant species richness and cover. CCA showed that exotic species richness was significantly (P<0.05) associated with soil P (r=0.84), percentage bare ground (r=0.71), and elevation (r=0.67). Soil characteristics alone were able to predict 41 and 46% of the variation in exotic species richness and cover, respectively. In general, exotic species invasions tend to occur in fertile soils relatively high in C, N and P. These areas are represented by rare mesic high-elevation habitats that are rich in native plant diversity. This suggests that management should focus on the protection of the rare but important vegetation types with fertile soils.