Bryophyte responses to fragmentation in temperate coastal rainforests: A functional group approach

The species richness and frequency of occurrence of bryophytes within taxonomic and functional groups was examined in relation to the size of 20 old-growth patches (size range: 0.6-63.6 ha) remaining after logging in temperate rainforests of coastal British Columbia. At the centre of each remnant patch, bryophytes were sampled in sixty-three 10 cm × 30 cm microplots on three substrate-types (forest floor, downed logs and tree bases). Generalized linear models demonstrated that the species richness and frequencies of some bryophyte functional groups were related to patch size. In particular, some dispersal-limited groups (perennial stayers) and microclimate-sensitive groups (closed canopy species, epixylic (log-dwelling) species, and liverworts) showed significant declines in either richness or frequency as patch size decreased. In contrast, colonists and open canopy species showed little association with patch size. Many, but not all, of the significant patch size relationships disappeared when the three smallest patches (0.6-1.8 ha) were eliminated from the analysis. These results suggest that patches sized 3.5 ha or larger may provide habitat capable of sustaining a diverse array of bryophyte functional groups in temperate rainforest landscapes.     

Microbial succession in litter decomposition in the semi-arid Chaco woodland

Microbial succession associated with litter decomposition was studied in the semi-arid western Chaco woodland of Cordoba province, Argentina. Annual rainfall in the area averages 450 mm, concentrated during the summer (October-March). We placed 200 g of freshly shed litter in metallic cages covered with 1 mm mesh divided in four equal size sectors, for 1 year. Cages were sampled at 3-month intervals from the starting date. On each sampling date, we collected the content of one sector from each cage for analysis. Microbial functional groups (ammonifiers, nitrifiers, N-fixing, cellulolytic, and sugar fungi) and litter chemical composition (carbon, nitrogen, insoluble fibre, and phenol concentration) were analysed in the initial litter and litter samples collected at the end of each sampling period. Litter mass remained constant during the dry season (winter and spring), decreasing abruptly in the wet season (summer and autumn). Nitrogen content increased significantly until summer (from 1.52 to 2.18%), whereas phenols and C/N ratio decreased (from 2.48 to 0.67 and from 40 to 20%, respectively). Sugar fungi and ammonifiers increased rapidly since the initial stages and remained stable throughout the year (from log 5.0 to log 6.2 and from log 5.4 to log 20.0, respectively). Cellulolytic bacteria and fungi as well as nitrifiers decreased markedly during winter and spring, peaking in summer. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria increased during the study period (from log 1.6 to log 4.8), showing a significant correlation with ammonifiers, C/N ratio, and N content (r²=0.801, 0.573 and 0.513, respectively). Our results show that microbial successions in litter decomposition are strongly influenced by synergic interaction among functional groups and litter chemical composition. Moreover, they also suggest that biological nitrogen fixation may have an important role in improving the C/N ratio, and therefore favours a higher decomposition rate.     

Spatial patterns of variation in the composition and structure of nematode communities in relation to different microhabitats: a case study of Quercus dalechampii Ten. forest

Variability in the spatial distribution of nematode communities in relation to the structural heterogeneity of the environment was studied in nine different microhabitats within a relatively small area of a natural oak forest in Bulgaria. Maturity and diversity indices, trophic structure and the distribution of colonizer-persister groups were applied to analyze the quality of substrate and ecological processes involved from a functional point of view. Two main groups of nematode communities, below- and above-ground, were distinguished in terms of the location of the microhabitats. Our results indicated a higher percentage similarity between nematode communities inhabiting microhabitats with a higher resemblance in substrate structure, and abiotic and biotic conditions than between microhabitats with more dissimilar microenvironmental conditions. The application of Detrended Correspondence Analysis helped to reveal two ecological gradients. The first one was from microhabitats characterized by smaller fluctuations in microclimatic conditions and nutrient supply to microhabitats with more adverse abiotic conditions and dynamics of food resources. Along this gradient from below- to above-ground microhabitats, the proportion of general opportunists (cp 2 taxa) increased, whereas the diversity, MI and the proportions of persisters (cp (3-5) taxa), decreased. Along the second gradient a gradual decrease in the decomposition rate within above-ground microhabitats was revealed, which was indicated by the proportion of enrichment opportunists (cp 1 taxa). The nematode communities of decaying wood had the most specific cp groups' distribution characterized by a high proportion of enrichment opportunists (colonizers). Each microhabitat has developed nematode communities with a characteristic trophic structure that was related to the relative importance of primary production and decomposition processes occurring within the microhabitat. The nematode communities of mosses growing on soil, stones and tree trunks had similar trophic structure dominated by bacterial-feeding nematode taxa. Our results supported the role of nematode communities as potential indicators of environmental conditions.     

Earthworm species composition affects the soil bacterial community and net nitrogen mineralization

Knowledge of the effects of species diversity within taxonomic groups on nutrient cycling is important for understanding the role of soil biota in sustainable agriculture. We hypothesized that earthworm species specifically affect nitrogen mineralization, characteristically for their ecological group classifications, and that earthworm species interactions would affect mineralization through competition and facilitation effects. A mesocosm experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of three earthworm species, representative of different ecological groups (epigeic: Lumbricus rubellus; endogeic: Aporrectodea caliginosa tuberculata; and anecic: Lumbricus terrestris), and their interactions on the bacterial community, and on nitrogen mineralization from ¹⁵N-labelled crop residue and from soil organic matter.Our results indicate that L. rubellus and L. terrestris enhanced mineralization of the applied crop residue whereas A. caliginosa had no effect. On the other hand, L. rubellus and A. caliginosa enhanced mineralization of the soil organic matter, whereas L. terrestris had no effect. The interactions between different earthworm species affected the bacterial community and the net mineralization of soil organic matter. The two-species interactions between L. rubellus and A. caliginosa, and L. rubellus and L. terrestris, resulted in reduced mineral N concentrations derived from soil organic matter, probably through increased immobilization in the bacterial biomass. In contrast, the interaction between A. caliginosa and L. terrestris resulted in increased bacterial growth rate and reduced total soil C. When all three species were combined, the interaction between A. caliginosa and L. terrestris was dominant. We conclude that the effects of earthworms on nitrogen mineralization depend on the ecological traits of the earthworm species present, and can be modified by species interactions. Knowledge of these effects can be made useful in the prevention of nutrient losses and increased soil fertility in agricultural systems, that typically have a low earthworm diversity.     

Chemical fractions and bioavailability of nickel in a Ni-treated calcareous soil amended with plant residue biochars

ABSTRACT

Recently, the use of biochars for stabilization of soil heavy metals has been expanded due to their adsorption characteristics, low cost and carbon storage potential. A factorial experiment was performed to investigate the effects of two plant residue biochars (licorice root pulp and rice husk biochar each applied at 2.5% (w/w)) produced at two temperatures (350 and 550 °C), and three Ni application rates (0, 150 and 300 mg Ni kg^?1) on bioavailability and chemical fractions of Ni in a calcareous soil after spinach cultivation. Application of all the biochars significantly reduced Ni bioavailability factor (5–15%) and spinach Ni concentration (54–77%) in Ni-treated soil. The biochars produced at 550 °C were more effective at reducing Ni mobility and Ni uptake by spinach than those produced at 350 °C, attributed to higher CaCO₃ and lower acidic functional group content, which resulted in greater enhancement of soil pH. When comparing the biochars produced at the same temperature, the rice husk biochars were the most effective in reducing Ni bioavailability, likely due to their lower acidic functional group content and higher nano-silica content which resulted in higher soil pH values and potentially promoted the formation of Ni-silicates and hydroxides.

Abbreviations : Ni: Nickel; RHB: rice husk biochar; LRB: licorice root pulp biochar; WsEx: water soluble and exchangeable; CARB: carbonate form; RES: residual; MnOx; manganese oxides bound; AFeOx; amorphous iron oxides bound; CFeOx: crystalline iron oxides bound; OM: organic bound.     

Influence of nitrogen application rate and timing on grain protein composition and gluten strength in Swedish wheat cultivars

The influence of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rate (0 vs. 70 vs. 140 kg N ha^–1) and timing (early = at sowing vs. late = at sowing and before heading) on the amount of protein groups, amount and size distribution of mono‐ and polymeric proteins, and gluten strength was investigated in one set of wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.). Due to their genetic background, the cultivars had different protein concentrations and gluten strengths. Despite this, all of them reacted similarly on rate and timing of nitrogen application. The rate of nitrogen fertilizer increased the variation in protein concentration, gluten strength, and also the variation in most of the investigated protein components. Higher nitrogen fertilizer rate increased protein concentration, decreased gluten strength, and increased the total amount of glutenins and gliadins as well as the amounts of most mono‐ and polymeric proteins. Timing of fertilizer did not influence protein concentration. The gluten strength and the relations of proteins were changed by the timing of fertilizer. Early nitrogen feritilizer applications led to higher gluten strength and a higher percentage of total unextractable polymeric protein in the total polymeric protein and large unextractable polymeric protein in the total large polymeric protein, compared to late nitrogen fertilizer applications.     

No evidence of a plant extinction debt in highly fragmented calcareous grasslands in Belgium

Long transient times in response to decreasing habitat area and increasing isolation may cause the present plant species distribution to reflect the historical rather than the present landscape configuration, resulting in a so-called extinction debt. To investigate how plant species richness is shaped by both present and historical landscape configuration and local environmental conditions in fragmented calcareous grasslands, 64 sites in Southern Belgium were surveyed for their total species richness and environmental characteristics. Species were subdivided in specialist and generalist groups and the former were clustered into emergent groups (EGs) according to 16 relevant life-history traits. Four specialist emergent groups were derived: orchids, rosette species, annuals and half-rosette species. Both specialist and generalist species richness increased with present fragment area, while present fragment connectivity only affected the number of specialist species. This trend was maintained for most EGs, although habitat area was mostly more important than connectivity. All species groups responded to an insolation gradient, except EGs of rosette and annual species. Differential response to fragmentation among emergent groups could be interpreted in terms of dispersal and persistence traits. No relation between species richness and historical area or connectivity was found, making an extinction debt unlikely. Hence, present-day variation in plant species diversity seems to be no legacy of past landscape configuration. Our results clearly indicate that plant species may be quickly lost in response to new fragmentation events. To restore plant diversity, management should focus both on mitigating landscape fragmentation and restoring habitat quality.     

基于农户视角的陕南坡地利用与治理措施调查研究

[目的]开展基于农户尺度经济视角的坡地利用现状和治理措施调查研究,了解陕南地区坡地弃耕原因,提高土地利用效率,完善坡耕地治理对策。[方法]根据农户尺度经济行为特点设计调查问卷,通过典型村庄农户调查,对陕西省商州区梯田和经济作物坡地的利用现状、经济收益和农民的治理需求进行研究;采用二项Logistic回归模型和比例分析法,研究陕南地区土地利用存在的问题;通过对比坡改梯治理措施效果的优缺点,提出坡地治理建议。[结果]调查共涉及6个村庄,93家农户。2018年农户家庭年均收入约为39 419元;农业生产收入主要来自经济作物,户年均约3 661元,仅占总收入的11.26%;坡耕地经济收入低,导致坡耕地和梯田弃耕现象严重,弃耕率高达15%;弃耕的原因主要有经济收入低,交通不便,农村劳动力不足,土地质量差产出低等因素。坡改梯是提高土地利用效率的重要措施,但仍存在易积水、土层薄等问题,对于梯田田坎类型,干砌石田坎在透水性和耐久性两方面综合性最好。[结论]陕南梯田和坡耕地弃耕现象严重,弃耕原因比较明确;在新的历史时期,需要综合考虑人口、经济效益和环境效益等因素,制定兼具生态与经济效益的水土保持治理与土地利用方案。     

马尾松林碳汇经济成熟问题的研究

用国际上森林碳汇项目中普遍采用的碳计算方法,对大青山不同初始密度下的马尾松林碳汇经济价值变化过程进行研究,提出了碳汇经济成熟的定义,并分析了初始密度对碳汇经济成熟的影响,最后就碳汇经济成熟对于开展森林碳汇的作用进行了探讨。结论:不同初始密度,达到碳汇经济成熟时的年龄和年平均碳汇经济价值净现值均不同,初始密度越高,碳汇经济成熟越早,达到成熟龄时的年平均碳汇经济价值净现值也越高。     

陕北枣品种群遗传结构的SSR分析

【目的】在分子水平上研究陕北枣品种群遗传结构,揭示品种群分化与品种间的亲缘关系。【方法】选取陕北4个区域(县)8个枣品种群的54份种质叶片为材料,采用7对SSR引物,研究品种群的遗传结构。【结果】基于4个地理区域的枣种质平均观测杂合度(Ho,0.909)大于平均期望杂合度(He,0.634),平均Shannon’s信息指数(I)为1.141,固定系数与近交系数均为负值;佳县品种的有效等位基因数(Ne)、He和I均最小,延川最大;狗头枣品种群的Ne、He和I均最小。供试枣品种地理区域内变异(97%)和品种群内变异(91%)分别大于地理区域间(3%)和品种群间(9%)的分化;且品种群内变异(91%)小于地理区域内变异(97%)。品种群遗传分化系数(0.136)大于地理区域(0.042),而品种群平均基因流(1.584)小于地理区域(5.653)。在遗传距离为0.13处,地理区域UPGMA聚为2个类群:清涧-米脂-佳县类群和延川类群;在遗传距离0.99处,品种群UPGMA聚为2个类群:团枣-木枣类群和狗头枣类群。NJ聚类分析将54份枣种质分为2类,延川、清涧和米脂团枣聚在一起,佳县所有枣种质均聚在第Ⅰ类,且各品种群亲缘关系很近;狗头枣品种群与其他品种群亲缘关系较远。【结论】陕北枣属中度杂合,遗传多样性丰富,变异程度较高,近交程度很低。供试枣品种交流频繁,地理区域间遗传分化低,品种群间分化程度高;枣品种遗传关系与地理区域无明显关系,与品种群密切相关。