策勒绿洲-沙漠过渡带不同沙丘的沉积物粒度特征及沉积环境

[目的]通过对策勒绿洲—沙漠过渡带不同沙丘类型下风沙沉积物粒度、磁化率分布特征及环境敏感粒级组分进行分析,探讨不同沙丘类型下风沙沉积物相关参数及分布规律。[方法]基于绿洲—沙漠过渡带4种沙丘各部位粒度数据及磁化率数据,采用数理统计方法进行相关性分析。[结果]4种沙丘在不同地貌部位表层的沙物质粒级含量有所差别,回涡、灌丛、新月形及风影沙丘表面沙物质主要由极粗粉砂、极细砂、细砂组成,百分含量总和由小到大依次为96.71%,97.54%,98.48%,98.65%。4种不同沙丘表面沙物质分选性均为分选中度好。不同沙丘的峰态平均值介于0.93～1.02,属于中等峰态,从总体上分析4种沙丘的峰态值从迎风坡底到顶部逐渐增大,顶部到背风坡底部逐渐减小。新月形沙丘偏度值最小,偏度值介于-0.03～0.01,主要表现为对称,风影、回涡及灌丛沙丘偏度值介于-0.04～0.44,为对称和正偏。风影、灌丛及新月形沙丘表面沙物质平均粒径与偏度值呈极显著正相关(p<0.01),表明沙粒平均粒径愈粗愈趋向正偏。风影、回涡及新月形沙丘表面沙物质偏度与峰态呈极显著正相关(p<0.01),沙物质分选性愈差,就...     

新疆策勒绿洲—沙漠过渡带风沙运动沙尘物质粒径分形特征

新疆策勒绿洲—沙漠过渡带风沙活动频繁,对其近地表风沙运动规律的研究具有重要意义。采用实验测定分析、线性回归分析、相关统计分析等研究方法,对策勒绿洲—沙漠过渡带不同地貌部位表面及近地表输沙和降尘物质粒度及粒径分形特征进行了研究。结果表明:策勒不同风沙运动形式沙尘物质组成主要为极粗粉砂和极细砂,大气降尘物的粗粉砂含量偏高,分形维数介于0.25~2.25;五种沙尘物质平均分维值介于1.03~1.67,灌丛沙堆表面沙物质粒径分形维数平均值最大,其次依次为大气降尘、裸平沙地、地表输沙物质和流动沙丘的沙尘物质,标准偏差值大小变化趋势与之相反。灌丛沙堆表面沙物质的粒径分形维数与沙物质平均粒径、分选系数等指标呈显著线性相关性,流动沙丘表面沙物质平均粒径的分形维数与粒度参数之间线性相关性不显著。灌丛沙堆、流动沙丘、地表输沙物质的黏粒含量与分形维数均呈极显著正相关性(p0.01),灌丛沙堆与地表输沙物质的砂粒级含量与分形维数呈显著负相关,大气降尘物的粉砂含量与分形维数呈显著负相关(p0.05)。流动沙丘表面沙物质的粉砂和砂百分含量与分维值无显著相关性。沙物质的粒级组成、运动形式、植被覆盖度、风力及地形等均是导致绿洲—沙漠过渡带沙尘粒度及分形特征差异的主要原因。     

西鄂尔多斯地区四合木与红砂灌丛的阻沙能力对比研究

[目的] 对比分析西鄂尔多斯地区四合木与红砂灌丛的阻沙能力,为原生草原与荒漠过渡带植物的多样性保护和珍稀濒危物种保育提供理论依据与数据支持。 [方法] 以西鄂尔多斯国家级自然保护区内四合木(Tetraena mongolica)、红砂(Reaumuria soongorica)灌丛沙堆为研究对象,运用典型样方法对四合木和红砂灌丛沙堆形态与生长状况进行系统测定,探讨沙堆形态发育及阻沙能力与四合木和红砂灌丛形态的关系。 [结果] ①四合木和红砂灌丛沙堆均呈半椭球型发育,四合木灌丛沙堆形态参数显著大于红砂灌丛沙堆(p＜0.05); ②四合木、红砂灌丛与沙堆形态参数间(灌丛高度除外)具有显著相关性(p＜0.01)。四合木灌丛沙堆长轴、短轴、半径与高度之间均呈二次函数关系,表明四合木灌丛可能进入衰退阶段,而红砂灌丛沙堆长轴、短轴、半径与高度之间均呈线性关系,表明红砂灌丛沙堆仍在发育; ③当冠幅面积(S_p)≤1.44 m²时,红砂灌丛沙堆的体积大于四合木灌丛沙堆,当S_p＞1.44 m²时,四合木灌丛沙堆的体积一直大于红砂灌丛沙堆。四合木和红砂灌丛单位冠幅面积所拦截的沙物质体积分别为0.13和0.06 m³。 [结论] 可以初步判断四合木的阻沙能力大于红砂。整体来看,四合木对风沙环境的适应性较红砂强,随着冠幅面积的增长四合木灌丛拦截沙物质的能力更强。     

乌兰布和荒漠绿洲过渡带白刺灌丛沙堆防风效应风洞模拟

灌丛沙堆作为荒漠绿洲过渡带广泛存在的生物地貌类型,其在不同演化阶段和植被盖度下的风速分布及防风效应对土壤风蚀灾害控制具有重要意义。为揭示灌丛沙堆演化阶段及植被盖度对周围风场结构特征及防风效应指标的影响规律,该研究以乌兰布和沙漠荒漠绿洲过渡带单个和两个白刺（Nitraria tangutorum）灌丛沙堆为对象,利用风洞模拟试验测定其在4个不同演化阶段（雏形阶段、发育阶段、稳定阶段、活化阶段）和3种不同植被盖度（0、40%及70%）工况下竖直和水平面的风速分布,探讨演化阶段及植被盖度对相对速率、防风效能等防风效应指标的影响。研究发现,不同演化阶段的白刺灌丛沙堆在0～0.8H（H为灌丛沙堆高度）高度范围内、距沙堆中心-H～5H水平范围内风速有显著变化;对比坡前减速区、上方加速区、两侧急流区和后方减速区的风速变化发现,白刺灌丛沙堆在后方减速区的风速变化最为显著,处于稳定阶段的灌丛沙堆在植被盖度为70%时的风速最大可减少90%;不同演化阶段中,稳定阶段灌丛沙堆对风速的削减更为显著,防风效能较大,而处于雏形阶段的灌丛沙堆的防风能力相对较弱;在两个平行于风向排列的灌丛沙堆的相互影响下,沙堆之间丘间低地的防风效能比单个灌丛沙堆有所提高,且第二个灌丛沙堆下游区域的防风效能略小于两个灌丛沙堆间的丘间低地;各演化阶段单个和两个灌丛沙堆周围的防风效能均随植被盖度增大而增大。该研究结果可为乌兰布和荒漠绿洲过渡带土壤风蚀防治提供参考。     

吉兰泰盐湖中心盐爪爪灌丛沙堆形态及其沉积特征

为了探究盐湖区盐爪爪灌丛沙堆形态特征和沉积特征,以阿拉善盟吉兰泰盐湖中心盐爪爪灌丛沙堆为研究对象,通过野外调查和室内分析研究了非围封区、围封区灌丛沙堆形态特征和表层沉积物粒度特征。结果表明:(1)研究区盐爪爪灌丛沙堆均处于初级发育阶段,非围封区盐爪爪灌丛沙堆密度远大于围封区。根据独立样本T检验分析,研究区盐爪爪灌丛沙堆高度(H_d)、体积(V)、底面积(A_d)、长轴与短轴之比(L/W)均无显著差异。(2)研究区表层颗粒主要以细砂和极细砂为主,但围封区粒度集中度大于非围封区,同时灌丛沙堆沉积物土壤粒度由迎风坡向背风坡趋于细化,从坡脚到坡顶沙粒趋于细化。(3)沉积物粒度由坡底到坡顶、迎风坡到背风坡平均粒度逐渐减小。灌丛沙堆分选性较差,沉积物粒度主要以细组分为主,沉积物颗粒分布较为集中。因此,研究结果有助于定量分析盐爪爪的固沙阻沙能力,为吉兰泰盐湖区生态系统保护与恢复提供了数据资料。     

毛乌素沙地西南缘不同土地利用类型土壤颗粒分形特征

为揭示毛乌素沙地西南缘农田、荒地、草地、灌丛沙堆和林地等土地利用类型的土壤分形特征与防风固沙效果的关系,采用野外取样与室内粒度分析相结合的方法,分析了该区5种土地利用类型的土壤颗粒粒径分布、分形维数以及土层深度与分形维数间关系。结果表明:(1)草地、灌丛沙堆以及林地的土壤粒度组成以极细沙、细沙和中砂为主,耕地和荒地则以粉粒和细砂为主;(2)研究区不同土地利用方式的土壤粒径分布和分形维数差异明显,荒地>农田>灌丛沙堆>草地>林地,随土层深度增加,林地分形维数值减小,草地分形维数值增大,荒地、农田和灌丛沙堆分形维数值变化不大;(3)分形维数与<100 μm和>100 μm粒径含量分别呈显著正相关和负相关,其大小由<100 μm的极细砂粒和粉粒含量决定。研究区内5种土地利用类型土壤颗粒粒径分布与分形维数差异显著,这综合反映出在不同植被效应与人为耕作后,土壤的颗粒组成会发生明显变化。研究结果可为毛乌素沙地西南缘防沙治沙以及土壤恢复提供理论依据。     

察尔汗盐湖沙漠沙丘沉积物粒度特征分析

在对柴达木盆地沙漠地区两次野外实地调查的基础上,选取察尔汗盐湖沙漠盛行风向沿线的线形沙丘和新月形沙丘沉积物样品进行了粒度特征分析。结果表明,研究区沙区沙粒度组成以细沙和中沙占优,粉沙和黏土含量明显,粒度变化遵循沿盛行风向粒径变细的规律;粒度参数特征表现出沉积物平均粒径较国内其他沙漠偏粗,分选较差,呈正偏-近对称形分布,线形沙丘成熟度比新月形沙丘偏高;沉积物累计概率曲线特征指示研究区沙区沙的沉积环境以跃移搬运为主,存在明显的悬移搬运和微弱的滚动搬运。     

乌兰布和沙漠不同土地利用类型粒度特征分析

以乌兰布和沙漠段流动沙丘、沙丘前草地、沙丘前农田为研究对象,对沙丘各部位和草地、农田不同深度(0~1m)土壤粒度特征的变化规律进行了分析。结果表明:流动沙丘土壤以细砂为主,农田以粉粒为主,草地以细砂和中砂为主;随着土层深度的增加农田土壤粒径增大,草地粒径减小,沙丘无明显变化;流动沙丘粒度分布曲线为单峰,而草地和农田为双峰。农田偏度呈现近对称到极正偏态的分布趋势,分选较差;草地则呈近对称到正偏态再到极正偏态分布的趋势,分选较好到很差;沙丘分选很好,分选性差异不大。     

柴达木盆地西南缘沙丘沉积物粒度特征及其沉积环境

[目的] 研究柴达木盆地西南缘沙丘沉积物粒度特征及其沉积环境,为格(尔木)库(尔勒)铁路防沙和安全运行提供基础数据支撑。[方法] 通过粒度分析方法对柴达木盆地西南缘沙丘区沙丘沉积物的粒度特征及沉积环境进行分析。[结果] 柴达木盆地柴西南沙区沙丘表层沉积物以细沙为主,中沙次之,平均粒径-0.14~3.49Φ,平均值为2.02Φ;分选系数为0.32～1.59,平均值为0.69,以分选较好和好的沙粒为主;偏度主要为近对称分布;峰度以中等峰态占优。自然频率分布曲线呈单峰和双峰分布模式,累积频率曲线图式为一段式、二段式、三段式。平均粒径与分选系数呈线性相关关系,即随平均粒径变细,分选逐渐变好。当峰度＜0.9时,平均粒径与峰度呈负相关;当峰度＞0.9时呈正相关。[结论] 柴达木盆地西南沙区西北部为风成环境,以风成沙为主;而东南部以湖相和河流冲—洪积环境为主,沙物质受到风力和流水的交互作用。     

土壤粒径及有机碳特征对灌丛沙堆发育阶段的影响研究

为揭示风沙区柠条灌丛沙堆的发育规律,并为灌丛沙堆的发育阶段划分提供参考,对大、中、小三种柠条(Caragana korshinskii)灌丛沙堆顶部、中部和底部的土壤颗粒组成及分形维数、土壤有机碳特征进行研究。结果表明:土壤有机碳含量随灌丛沙堆的增大而递减,与灌丛及其沙堆的外部形态特征呈显著性负相关;随灌丛沙堆的增大,细砂含量逐渐增加,粉粒的含量逐渐减少;土壤粒径分形维数随灌丛沙堆的增大而递减,其与土壤黏粒、粉粒呈显著性正相关,与细砂、极细砂的百分含量呈负相关;土壤有机碳含量与土壤粒径分形维数之间存在显著性正相关。灌丛沙堆具有明显的空间异质性,沙堆上的土壤有机碳含量与土壤的颗粒组成与沙堆大小具有一定的相关性,并可作为划分沙堆发育阶段的标准,但需要充分考虑风力、植物和沙源等因素的影响。     

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.