华南花岗岩侵蚀区不同植被类型坡面土壤有机碳分布和团聚体稳定性

植物是影响土壤有机碳含量和土壤团聚体稳定性的重要因素。选取华南典型花岗岩侵蚀区荒草地、桉树林、湿地松林和木荷林4种植被类型径流小区的土壤为研究对象,分析测定不同坡位、不同土层深度的土壤有机碳特性和团聚体稳定性等指标,评价不同植被类型对土壤养分的分布特性以及团聚体稳定性差异,明确花岗岩侵蚀退化区较为理想的生态恢复措施,旨在为合理利用土壤、重建坡面植被和改善土壤结构提供科学依据。结果表明:土壤总有机碳(TOC)、全氮(TN)和溶解性有机碳(DOC)含量随土层加深逐渐降低,而林地小区土壤碳氮比(C/N)则相反,荒草地碳氮元素的坡面变异系数(CV)显著高于其他3种林地,其中桉树林地TOC、TN、DOC和C/N的坡面分布的变异系数较荒草地分别降低40%,56.18%,68.5%和25.81%;湿地松林地TOC、TN、DOC和C/N的坡面分布的变异系数较荒草地分别降低62.73%,33.71%,46.46%,58.06%;木荷林地TOC、TN、DOC和C/N的坡面分布的变异系数较荒草地分别降低41.82%,38.2%,51.18%,48.39%,表明林地较荒草地更有利于土壤碳氮在坡面的均质化和有机质的积累。荒草地和木荷林地0.25 mm粒径以上的团聚体在上、中坡位的质量分数显著高于其他植被类型,而林下植被生物量较高的木荷林地的平均质量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD)显著高于其他植被类型。其中木荷小区水稳性团聚体平均质量直径(MWD)较荒草地、桉树和湿地松分别高20.10%,19.58%,23.20%;几何平均直径(GMD)较荒草地、桉树和湿地松分别高20.00%,19.54%,22.23%,表明在花岗岩侵蚀区林地空间结构较好的林草模式有利于土壤有机碳的积累和土壤结构的稳定。     

Stable isotopes and gut contents indicate differential resource use by coexisting asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)

Differential use of habitat and prey resources is an important mechanism that may allow coexistence of sympatric species. Unlike interactions between smaller cyprinid and percid fishes, the resource use by coexisting predatory asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is relatively unknown. Here, gut content and stable isotope analyses were used to study ontogenetic dietary shifts and interspecific trophic niche overlap between asp and pikeperch coexisting in two reservoirs. The hypothesis that both species show an ontogenetic dietary shift from small invertebrates to large fish prey, but at the same time use different prey resources to reduce potential competitive interactions, was validated. The isotopic niches of the two predators showed no, or only a moderate, degree of overlap (0%–65%). The ontogenetic changes in the degree of interspecific isotopic niche overlap were different in the two reservoirs, suggesting that trophic segregation can be dynamic and variable among systems. Gut contents revealed that small (<100 mm standard length) asp consumed mostly terrestrial invertebrates and emerged aquatic insects, whereas small pikeperch foraged on zooplankton, larval and pupal stages of aquatic insects and fish. Larger individuals (>100 mm) of both species were predominantly piscivorous, with asp consuming more cyprinid prey and pikeperch more percid prey. Coexisting asp and pikeperch populations are able to utilise different prey resources, thereby reducing potential negative competitive interactions.     

A proposal for enhanced EU herbage VCU and DUS testing procedures

Herbage production is regarded as having environment-friendly credentials. However, as the ruminant production it supports is facing major challenges on sustainability, environmental footprint and human health concerns, EU herbage cultivar testing must contribute to the solutions. Before new cultivars can be sold in a member state (MS) and gain EU-wide marketing, they must pass official tests to prove they are both novel (distinct, uniform and stable, DUS) with improved value for cultivation and use (VCU). Herbage species present specific challenges, as their allogamy imposes a wide within-cultivar variation that adds complexity to DUS tests and their “value” is only realized in ruminant produce. Current VCU systems measure production, chemical composition and disease/stress tolerances, often on large numbers of candidate cultivars, but prohibitive labour costs and logistics mean that animal intake, ruminant output or environmental benefits cannot be measured directly. Furthermore, some candidate cultivars with proven superior VCU fail DUS even though the non-distinct comparison is with a significantly lower performing registered cultivar. To resolve these problem cases, a “vmDUS” distinctness tool is proposed, which uses molecular markers but conforms to UPOV-declared principles. A short overview of current grassland research shows smart proxy measures of animal value can easily and quickly be adopted into an integrated pan-European (EU-VCU) test network. The proposed EU-VCU scheme will reallocate test resources to conduct these additional tests by placing MS in data sharing collaborations, while retaining their national listing authority. The benefits to all stakeholders from adopting these new testing procedures are considered.     

Nutritional Contribution of Biofloc within the Diet of Growout and Broodstock of Litopenaeus vannamei,Determined by Stable Isotopes and Fatty Acids

The relative contributions of feed sources were determined through the isotopic signal (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and fatty acid profile of feed items, shrimp muscle, and eggs of Litopenaeus vannamei reared in a biofloc system. In the growout phase, the isotope analysis showed the biofloc particle size class ≥250 μm contributed 55–100%; size ≥50 < 250 μm contributed 0–22%; and artificial feed contributed 0–45%. Principal component analysis applied to fatty acid profiles showed that biofloc ≥250 μm and artificial feed were the most important items in shrimp growout. For the egg production, isotope analysis suggested that the most important feed sources according to their relative contributions were polychaetes (0–100%), followed by artemia biomass (0–86%) and semi‐moist feed (0–66%), with lower contributions from squid, mussel, and the muscle of L. vannamei broodstock that had been cultured in biofloc. In terms of fatty acids, the most important items were artemia, polychaetes, and semi‐moist feeds. This work clarified the importance of feed sources for shrimp during culture in biofloc systems and during reproduction. Analysis of stable isotopes and fatty acids can be successfully used to trace the assimilation of nutrients during the nutrition of shrimp.     

Cannibalism facilitates gigantism in a nine‐spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) population

Cannibalism is a taxonomically widespread phenomenon that can fundamentally affect the structure and stability of aquatic communities, including the emergence of a bimodal size distribution (“dwarfs” and “giants”) in fish populations. Emergence of giants could also be driven or facilitated by parasites that divert host resources from reproduction to growth. We studied the trophic ecology of giant nine‐spined sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius) in a Finnish pond to evaluate the hypotheses that gigantism in this population would be facilitated by cannibalism and/or parasitic infections by Schistocephalus pungitii cestode. Stomach content analyses revealed an initial ontogenetic dietary shift from small to large benthic invertebrates, followed by cannibalism on 10–20‐mm‐long conspecifics by giant individuals. However, stable nitrogen isotopes (δ¹⁵N) indicated a concave relationship between fish size and trophic position, with relatively low trophic position estimates suggesting only facultative cannibalism among giants. The unexpectedly high trophic position of the intermediate‐sized fish may reflect substantial, but temporary, predation on eggs or young‐of‐the‐year conspecifics, but may also partly result from starvation caused by S. pungitii infection. However, it seems implausible that parasitic infections (i.e. castration) would explain gigantism among nine‐spined sticklebacks because all >100‐mm giants were unparasitised. Hence, the present results suggest that an ontogenetic niche shift from an invertebrate diet to intercohort cannibalism may facilitate the occurrence of gigantism in nine‐spined sticklebacks.     

Composition of organic C fractions in soils of different texture affected by sugarcane monoculture

ABSTRACT

Sugarcane is a strategic commodity in Indonesia. It is usually raised in a monoculture system. There is a lack of information about the effects of extended sugarcane monoculture on the soil carbon fraction. The aim of this study was to determine the relative changes in the soil organic C fractions in response to the duration of sugarcane monoculture on Entisols, Inceptisols, and Vertisols. The measured variables were the percentages of sand, silt, and clay, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), pH (H₂O), cation exchange capacity (CEC), NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^-, labile carbon fraction (soil carbon mineralization (C-Min), soil microbial carbon (C-Mic), and carbon particulate organic matter (C-POM)), and stable carbon fraction (humic and fulvic acids). Soil type with sugarcane monoculture period had significant influences on the percentages of clay, sand, silt, CEC, and pH (H₂O). Soil type and sugarcane monoculture period had no apparent significant effect on C-Min or C-POM but did significantly influence C-Mic. The humic and fulvic acid levels in all three soil types were affected by the duration of sugarcane monoculture. To establish the impact of long-term sugarcane monoculture on the physicochemical properties of soils with various textures, it is more appropriate to measure the soil stable carbon fractions such as humic and fulvic acid rather than the soil labile carbon fractions such as C-Min, C-POM, or C-Mic.     

Cultivation effects on soil texture and fertility in an arid desert region of northwestern China

In arid desert regions of northwestern China, reclamation and subsequent irrigated cultivation have become effective ways to prevent desertification, expand arable croplands, and develop sustainable agricultural production. Improvement in soil texture and fertility is crucial to high soil quality and stable crop yield. However, knowledge on the long-term effects of the conversion of desert lands into arable croplands is very limited. To address this problem, we conducted this study in an arid desert region of northwestern China to understand the changes in soil physical-chemical properties after 0, 2, 5, 10, 17, and 24 years of cultivation. Our results showed that silt and clay contents at the 17-year-old sites increased 17.5 and 152.3 folds, respectively, compared with that at the 0-year-old sites. The soil aggregate size fraction and its stability exhibited an exponential growth trend with increasing cultivation ages, but no significant change was found for the proportion of soil macroaggregates (>5.00 mm) during the 17 years of cultivation. The soil organic carbon (SOC) content at the 24-year-old sites was 6.86 g/kg and increased 8.8 folds compared with that at the 0-year-old sites. The total (or available) nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents showed significant increasing trends and reached higher values after 17 (or 24) years of cultivation. Changes in soil physical-chemical properties successively experienced slow, rapid, and stable development stages, but some key properties (such as soil aggregate stability and SOC) were still too low to meet the sustainable agricultural production. The results of this long-term study indicated that reasonable agricultural management, such as expanding no-tillage land area, returning straw to the fields, applying organic fertilizer, reducing chemical fertilizer application, and carrying out soil testing for formula fertilization, is urgently needed in arid desert regions.     

Ontogenetic resource use and trophic dynamics of endangered juvenile Tachypleus tridentatus among diversified nursery habitats in the northern Beibu Gulf,China

Horseshoe crabs, the most well-known example of “living fossils”, are iconic and ecologically important macroinvertebrates in coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Their blood is a crucial resource for manufacturing Limulus or Tachypleus amebocyte lysate to detect bacterial endotoxins or fungal contamination in drug and medical devices. An enhanced understanding of their ecological roles and trophic interactions in the food webs is fundamental to facilitate resource management for the declining populations in Asia. Foraging information of the Asian species, however, is mainly derived from preliminary, scattered reports from a limited number of study locations. In this study, resource utilization, trophic niche dynamics, and trophic interaction of the juvenile tri-spine horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus (instars 1–12, approximately 0.5–8 years old) across ontogeny was assessed in diversified nursery habitats along the northern Beibu Gulf, China, using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. Our results suggest that: (i) T. tridentatus are ecological generalists given the vast range of carbon isotopic values and trophic niche width estimates exhibited between multiple instar groups; (ii) juvenile T. tridentatus across most habitat types predominantly assimilated energy from a variety of basal production sources in the food web, but primarily depended on sedimentary organic matter and seagrass resource pools; (iii) ontogenetic shifts in juvenile dietary proportions were evident, with decreased reliance on sedimentary organic matter, coupled with increased reliance on benthic macroinvertebrate grazers, detritivores, and omnivores with age; and (iv) nearly all juvenile instars occupied similar trophic positions in the food web with slight shifts in trophic position present with increasing size. Our findings indicate that resource availability and ontogenetic diet shifts strongly influence horseshoe crab trophic dynamics, and age should be accounted when formulating habitat conservation measures based on resource use for Asian horseshoe crabs.     

苹果树种植对黄土旱塬土壤蒸发的影响

以陕西长武旱塬为例,分别对研究区农地和5个不同林龄(9、12、16、19 a和23 a)苹果园的土壤剖面氢氧稳定同位素进行测定,利用Craig-Gordon模型定量估算其土壤平均蒸发量,并基于“空间换时间”方法分析果园种植及生长对土壤蒸发的影响。结果表明：农地及9、12、16、19、23 a林龄苹果园的土壤蒸发量均随苹果树的种植及生长呈现先减少再增大的趋势,年均蒸发量分别为129、104、89、119、128、136 mm;苹果园的土壤蒸发量变化与叶面积指数呈显著负相关(R=-0.713);苹果园种植的前中期(9～12 a)土壤蒸发量随叶面积指数增加逐渐减小,而在中后期(12～23 a)深层土壤水被大量消耗造成的干旱胁迫使得果树叶面积减少,从而导致林下土壤蒸发量又逐渐增大。     

林龄、叶龄对亚热带杉木人工林碳氮稳定同位素组成的影响

[目的]研究5个不同林龄(3,8,14,21,46年)、不同叶龄(当年生、1年生、2年生、3年生)杉木人工林叶片的碳、氮稳定同位素组成,并根据它们对氮循环等过程的指示作用来探索不同林龄、叶龄杉木人工林氮循环过程及氮饱和程度的差异,从而为不同生长阶段杉木人工林制定施肥措施提供科学依据.[方法]以福建南平峡阳林场5块相互毗邻的不同林龄杉木人工林为研究对象,在每个林龄的林分内分别设置4个20 m ×20 m的试验小区.分别采集不同林龄杉木活叶并根据“主干法”将采集的杉叶分为不同叶龄,然后在每个小区内采集0 ～ 10 cm深度土层的土样,用同位素质谱仪测定它们的碳、氮稳定同位素组成(δ13C,δ15N),用碳氮元素分析仪测定叶片氮含量,叶片15N富集指数由叶片δ15N值减去相应的土壤δ15N得到.[结果]叶片δ15N值的变化范围为-2.52‰～2.81‰,叶片氮含量的变化范围为7.72％～13.5％,二者在不同林龄间均具有极显著差异,并均呈现出幼林和老林较高、处于速生期的林分较低的趋势,且叶片δ15N值与叶片氮含量之间存在显著的相关性,但不同叶龄叶片δ15N值间则不具有显著差异;不同林龄叶片的15N富集指数存在显著差异,呈现出幼林与老林叶片15N富集指数较接近于0的趋势;叶片δ13C的变化范围为-29.93‰～-27.88‰,不同林龄间差异不显著,但同一林龄不同叶龄叶片的δ13C则有显著差异,且有随着叶龄增大而减小的趋势.[结论]不同林龄叶片δ13C差异不显著但呈现幼年较低的趋势,可能是不同树高导致不同林龄杉木水分利用效率间的差异所致,而同一林龄不同叶龄杉木δ13C间的显著差异则可能是光合作用效率不同造成的.不同林龄在叶片δ15N、叶片氮含量、叶片15N富集指数间的显著差异均指示出处于速生期的林分氮饱和程度显著低于幼林和老林,这说明虽然我国亚热带地区氮沉降现象严重,但氮素仍是限制处于速生期杉木人工林生长的因素.