智能手机原位牧草生物量估算

【目的】生物量是草地生态系统物质和能量基础,是最基本的生态参量。以往基于卫星和航空遥感定量反演草地生物量过于专业化,难以在牧民间推广。因此,本文提出一种用手机近距离拍摄的真彩色图像估算牧草生物量方法,构建牧草生物量估算模型,为牧民方便、快捷、无损地掌握牧场牧草长势提供理论依据和技术支撑。【方法】首先,利用手机超高分辨率真彩色图像,分别基于植被指数、纹理特征以及联合植被指数和纹理特征构建牧草生物量估算特征集合。其次,为防止过多的特征提取带来维度灾难,提出一种XGBoost与序列前向选择相结合的特征选择算法（XGB-SFS）,进行特征筛选及最优子集构建。最后,使用随机森林回归和留一法交叉验证对比不同特征集合构建模型的生物量估算效果,分析不同类型特征及XGB-SFS算法在牧草地上生物量（Above Ground Biomass,AGB）估算中的作用。【结果】（1）对比单类型特征构建的模型,基于空间纹理特征的估算模型（R²=0.76）要优于基于光谱植被指数估算模型（R²=0.73）,表明纹理特征在超高分辨率牧草AGB估算中具有一定作用;（2）对比特征选择后的模型,联合空谱多类型特征构建模型优于任何一种单类型特征模型（R²=0.83,RMSE=127.57 g·m^-2,MAE=81.25 g·m^-2）,表明使用多类型特征构建模型,可一定程度上提高牧草AGB估算精度。（3）对比特征选择前后构建的模型,特征选择后的模型估算AGB效果要明显好于未进行特征选择的模型,且筛选出的特征与牧草生物量之间都存在较高的相关性,表明XGB-SFS能够很好降低数据维度的同时提高牧草AGB估算精度。【结论】手机超高分辨率真彩色图像可以对牧草生物量进行准确估算,本文提出的XGB-SFS算法也能从众多特征中筛选出与牧草生物量相关性较高的特征并提高模型估算精度。与以往专业遥感定量反演草地生物量相比,本文方法具有面向大众、成本低廉、使用方便等优势,研究将手机现场采集的数据与遥感和机器学习方法相结合,可开辟新的视角,支持农业信息化发展。     

东祁连山河谷高寒草地植被群落特征及其与土壤性状的关系

为探究东祁连山河谷高寒草地植被群落特征与土壤性状的关系,根据研究区河谷地形地貌及河谷高寒草地分布特征,选取了分布在河谷山地阳坡上部和下部、河谷山地阴坡上部和下部及河谷水平阶地的5类不同植被类型的高寒草地为研究对象。研究草地植被群落和土壤性状特征及相关关系。结果表明:河谷中不同坡向、坡位高寒草地植被群落优势种不同,河谷阳坡高寒草地以嵩草属植物为主,阴坡以蓼属植物为主;阴坡植被总盖度高,阳坡低;河谷阴坡下部草层高度最高,而水平阶地最小;植被群落总科数、总属数和总种数均表现为坡下部高于上部,阴坡高于阳坡;地上生物量依次为:阴坡下部>阳坡上部>阴坡上部>阳坡下部>水平阶地;0~60 cm土层地下生物量依次为:阴坡下部>阳坡下部>阴坡上部>水平阶地>阳坡上部。不同高寒草地土壤性状之间有显著差异(P<0.05)。相关分析表明,土壤含水量、容重、孔隙度和全氮等指标与植被总盖度、地上生物量、总科数、草地平均高度有显著的相关关系。可见,研究区河谷高寒草地植被与土壤之间的影响主要表现为土壤含水量、容重、孔隙度和全氮与植被总盖度、地上生物量、总科数、草地平均高度间的相互作用。     

耐旱根瘤菌对干旱胁迫下拉巴豆植株生长的影响

为探明耐旱根瘤菌对干旱胁迫下拉巴豆（Dolichos lablab L.）植株生长的影响，以拉巴豆耐旱根瘤菌Rhizobium radiobacter Y-1（Y-1）、Rhizobium radiobacter 4-4（4-4）和Rhizobium radiobacter 37-1（37-1）作为供试菌株，润高拉巴豆种子经表面灭菌并催芽后接种菌液(以等量无菌水为对照)，以砂-石屑基质(塑料盆上部为石英砂，下部为石漠岩屑)进行沙培盆栽实验。通过控制无菌水添加量来模拟重度石漠化生境下的轻度、中度及重度干旱胁迫，并测定各处理幼苗生长和生理相关指标。结果表明：干旱胁迫下接种耐旱根瘤菌Y-1和37-1能显著促进拉巴豆幼苗的生长，处理30 d后，菌液处理幼苗的生长和生理指标均优于对照；重度干旱胁迫(30%田间持水量（θ_f）)下，Y-1菌液处理的株高、叶面积、根长、根鲜重及根体积较对照分别增加50.25%、73.17%、72.41%，136.00%和289.47%（P＜0.05），原初光能转化效率F/F_m和可溶性蛋白含量分别提升42.09%和108.57%，而叶片MDA含量仅为对照的60.66%(P<0.05)；轻度至中度干旱胁迫（45%~60%θ_f）下，37-1菌液处理的幼苗根长为对照的39.93%~47.99%，而MDA含量仅为对照的72.14%~90.92%。拉巴豆种子接种耐旱根瘤菌Y-1和37-1能促进幼苗株高、叶面积、根鲜重和根体积的增加，提升叶片可溶性蛋白含量及叶片原初光能转化效率，减轻叶片损伤并提高根系活力，表明接种耐旱根瘤菌可促进拉巴豆在干旱胁迫下的生长，提升幼苗的抗旱能力。     

Seed production of semi-natural grasslands: Amount and variability in an unfertilized upright brome and a fertilized tall oat-grass meadow

Seed production is an important grassland feature, as it affects its persistence and botanical composition, and plays an essential role in complex plant–animal interactions. Species-rich seed mixtures from grasslands can be utilized for ecological restoration. Previous studies used different methods to characterize seed production and did not consider all the main aspects involved; hence, they did not allow the complete understanding of the seed production. In this study the seed yield of an unfertilized Mesobromion and a fertilized Arrhenatherion meadow were investigated by considering all main reproductive traits and grassland species. In Arrhenatherion, the viable seed production was 24,000 seeds m⁻² year⁻¹, with a viable seed set of 21% (ovule number 115,000 m⁻²). These values were three times higher than those in Mesobromion. This difference was mainly attributed to different fertile shoot densities (758 vs. 358 m⁻² for Arrhenatherion and Mesobromion respectively). Grasses transformed ovules to seeds (38%) more efficiently than forbs (11%). The standing seed yield at the first mowing was 35% and 45% of the produced seeds for Mesobromion and Arrhenatherion respectively. Because of late mowing, which is typical for Mesobromion meadows, the proportion of species found as seed at the first mowing was higher than that in Arrhenatherion. However, because many Mesobromion species were found to be poorly seed-producing forbs with high spatial and temporal variabilities of seed yield, harvesting of seeds of all species would be more difficult, and a greater effort would be necessary if the collected seeds are to be used in ecological restoration.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from grass–clover swards as influenced by sward age and biological nitrogen fixation

Grassland renovation by cultivation and reseeding has been shown to increase short-term emissions of N₂O, but there is uncertainty about long-term effects, despite the potential impacts of reseeding on sward composition and soil functions. A field experiment was therefore carried out to determine how N₂O emissions from previously renovated grasslands varied in the intermediate to long-term, compared with an undisturbed permanent grassland (PG). Plots on the PG site were renovated, either two (G2) or five (G5) years prior to the two experimental years. In each sward age and experimental year, annual N₂O-measurements were conducted on a weekly basis and compared with the undisturbed PG. Plots were either unfertilized or were fertilized with slurry (240 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). On average, annual N₂O emissions were 0.39 kg N/ha for the unfertilized swards, and 0.91 kg N/ha for slurry-fertilized swards. Sward age had no effect on N₂O emissions. With increasing sward age the proportion of legumes in the sward was reduced, but a minimum biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) of 88 kg N/ha was maintained even in the fertilized PG. Both sward age and BNF were of limited importance for the annual N₂O emissions compared with the effects of soil carbon content and nitrogen surplus levels. However, measured N₂O emissions were low in all sward age treatments, with a low risk of additional N₂O emissions when BNF is taken into account in fertilizer planning.     

Land cover change and eco-environmental quality response of different geomorphic units on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Land cover in the Chinese Loess Plateau has undergone dramatic changes since the late 1980s.Revealing the trend in land cover change and eco-environmental quality response of different geomorphic units in this stage is a realistic requirement for promoting sustainable development of the Chinese Loess Plateau.Based on the data of geomorphic units and land cover in 1990,2000,2010 and 2018 of the Chinese Loess Plateau,we studied the trend of land cover change and eco-environmental quality response of different geomorphic units by using a significance index of land cover change,a proportion index of land cover change and an eco-environmental response model.The results indicated that from 1990 to 2018,the areas of forestland and construction land substantially increased,whereas those of cropland,grassland,wetland and unused land considerably decreased.Land cover change exhibited large geomorphic differences,and the main conversion of land cover was from cropland into other land types.Unstable trend of land cover change in the loess tablelands and sandy loess hills declined,whereas the unstable trends in the other geomorphic units enhanced.Eco-environmental quality varied among different geomorphic units.The expansion of construction land and degradation of forestland,grassland and wetland resulted in the deterioration of eco-environmental quality.The conversion of cropland and unused land into forestland and grassland,and the conversion of grassland into forestland were the main factors that drove the improvement of eco-environmental quality.The findings of this study may provide theoretical reference and support decision making for the optimization of land use structure and the improvement of eco-environmental quality on the Chinese Loess Plateau.     

Hyper-spectral characteristics of rolled-leaf desert vegetation in the Hexi Corridor,China

Desert plants survive harsh environment using a variety of drought-resistant structural modifications and physio-ecological systems. Rolled-leaf plants roll up their leaves during periods of drought, making it difficult to distinguish between the external structures of various types of plants, it is therefore necessary to carry out spectral characteristics analysis for species identification of these rolled-leaf plants. Based on hyper-spectral data measured in the field, we analyzed the spectral characteristics of seven types of typical temperate zone rolled-leaf desert plants in the Hexi Corridor, China using a variety of mathematical transformation methods. The results show that:(1) during the vigorous growth period in July and August, the locations of the red valleys, green peaks, and three-edge parameters, namely, the red edge, the blue edge, and the yellow edge of well-developed rolled-leaf desert plants are essentially consistent with those of the majority of terrestrial vegetation types;(2) the absorption regions of liquid water, i.e., 1400–1500 and 1600–1700 nm, are the optimal bands for distinguishing various types of rolled-leaf desert plants;(3) in the leaf reflectance regions of 700–1250 nm, which is controlled by cellular structure, it is difficult to select the characteristic bands for differentiation rolled-leaf desert vegetation; and(4) after processing the spectral reflectance curves using a first-order differential, the envelope removal method, and the normalized differential ratio, we identify the other characteristic bands and parameters that can be used for identifying various types of temperate zone rolled-leaf desert plants, i.e., the 510–560, 650–700 and 1330–1380 nm regions, and the red edge amplitude. In general, the mathematical transformation methods in the study are effective tools to capture useful spectral information for species identification of rolled-leaf plants in the Hexi Corridor.     

Impacts of soil moisture level and organic matter content on growth of two Juncus species and Poa pratensis grown under acid soil conditions

The abundance of Juncus effusus (soft rush) and Juncus conglomeratus (compact rush) has increased in coastal grasslands in Norway over recent decades, and their spread has coincided with increased precipitation in the region. Especially in water‐saturated, peaty soils, it appears from field observations that productive grasses cannot compete effectively with such rapidly growing rush plants. In autumn–winters of 2012–2013 and 2013–2014, a four‐factor, randomised block greenhouse experiment was performed to investigate the effect of different soil moisture regimes and organic matter contents on competition between these rush species and smooth meadow‐grass (Poa pratensis). The rush species were grown in monoculture and in competition with the meadow‐grass, using the equivalent of full and half the recommended seed rate for the latter. After about three months, above‐ and below‐ground dry matter was measured. J. effusus had more vigorous growth, producing on average 23–40% greater biomass in both fractions than J. conglomeratus. The competitive ability of both rush species declined with decreasing soil moisture; at the lowest levels of soil moisture, growth reductions were up to 93% in J. conglomeratus and 74% in J. effusus. Increasing water level in peat–sand mixture decreased competivitiveness of meadow‐grass, while pure peat, when moist, completely impeded its below‐ground development. These results show that control of rush plants through management may only be achieved if basic soil limitations have been resolved.     

十种荒漠植物种子萌发对温度的响应

温度是影响植物种子萌发和出苗最重要的环境因子之一,研究植物种子萌发对温度的响应,对确定物种的适宜播种时期和预测田间出苗率等有着重要的意义。以10种荒漠植物:沙冬青、白沙蒿、沙打旺、中间锦鸡儿、柠条锦鸡儿、无芒隐子草、梭梭、杨柴、花棒和霸王种子为材料,在5~40 ℃范围设置了8个温度条件,测定种子萌发的动态变化,通过积温模型分析了供试植物种子萌发的温度三基点:萌发的基础温度(Tb)、适宜温度(To)、最高温度(Tc)以及萌发的温度时间值(θ_T)。结果表明:在参试物种阈值中,To以无芒隐子草最高,为33.7 ℃,其次是沙冬青为28.3 ℃,其他物种在17.4~24.9 ℃;Tb以沙打旺最低,为0.3 ℃,其次是梭梭为1.9 ℃,其他物种介于6.7~15.0 ℃;Tc以梭梭最高,为45.3 ℃,其次是无芒隐子草为43.9 ℃、沙打旺43.3 ℃、沙冬青39.7 ℃,其余物种在25.0~34.2 ℃;梭梭萌发温度范围最大,为1.9~45.3 ℃,而霸王最小,为15.0~30.0 ℃。供试物种在亚适温条件下,种子萌发的温度时间值从小到大依次为:沙冬青(79 ℃·d)、梭梭(94 ℃·d)、白沙蒿(114 ℃·d)、杨柴(127 ℃·d)、霸王(132 ℃·d)、花棒(177 ℃·d)、沙打旺(184 ℃·d)、中间锦鸡儿(217 ℃·d)、柠条锦鸡儿(302 ℃·d)、无芒隐子草(334 ℃·d)。     

Determinants and rates of land degradation: Application of stationary time-series model to data from a semi-arid environment in Kenya

The causes of land degradation in the African drylands have been shown to vary. Some researchers consider climate to be the major contributor to degradation, with anthropogenic factors playing a minor role. Others reverse the significance of these two factors. A third group attributes land degradation to climate and anthropogenic factors equally. This study was undertaken to establish the factors influencing land degradation in a semi-arid environment in southeastern Kenya and the rate of change in vegetation types for a period of 35 years(1973–2007). The reduction in grassland cover was used as an indicator of land degradation. Causes of land degradation were determined by a multiple regression analysis. A log-linear regression analysis was used to establish the rate of vegetation change. The multiple and log-linear regression analyses showed:(1) woody vegetation, livestock population and cultivated area to be the main contributors of reduction in grassland cover in the area, and (2) an increase in undesirable woody species, livestock population and cultivated area had a significant(P0.05) negative effect on grassland vegetation. Increased human population, low amounts of rainfall and drought showed no significant negative effect on grassland vegetation cover. In conclusion, human and livestock population growth and increased agricultural land have contributed to intensive crop cultivation and overgrazing in the semi-arid lands. This overuse of the semi-arid rangelands has worsened the deterioration of the natural grassland vegetation.