Native Vegetation Composition in Crested Wheatgrass in Northwestern Great Basin

Crested wheatgrass, an introduced perennial bunchgrass, has been seeded extensively on the rangelands of western North America. There is a perception that this species is very competitive and that it forms monoculture or low diversity stands where successfully seeded. However, there is limited information on species composition in sites previously seeded to crested wheatgrass. We measured native vegetation and environmental characteristics in areas seeded with crested wheatgrass across the northwestern Great Basin. Plant community composition within these crested wheatgrass stands was variable, from seedings that were near monocultures of crested wheatgrass to those that contained more diverse assemblages of native vegetation, especially shrubs. Environmental factors explained a range of functional group variability from 0% of annual grass density to 56% of large native bunchgrass density. Soil texture appeared to be an important environmental characteristic in explaining vegetation cover and density. Native vegetation was, for all functional groups, positively correlated with soils lower in sand content. Our results suggest environmental differences explain some of the variability of native vegetation in crested wheatgrass stands, and this information will be useful in assessing the potential for native vegetation to co-occupy sites seeded with crested wheatgrass. This research also suggests that crested wheatgrass seedings do not always remain in near monoculture vegetation states as seedings substantially varied in native vegetation composition and abundance with some seeded areas having a more diverse assemblage of native vegetation. In half the sites, there were five or more perennial herbaceous species and 63% of sites contained Wyoming big sagebrush. Although not exclusively true, species most commonly encountered in crested wheatgrass seedings are those that are able to minimize competition with crested wheatgrass via temporal (i.e., Sandberg bluegrass, annual forbs, annual grasses) or spatial (i.e., shrubs) differentiation in resource use.     

不同恢复年限草地群落水平植物功能性状及功能多样性分析

植物功能性状与功能多样性是评价草地生态系统功能的重要工具。本研究以黄土高原丘陵沟壑区不同恢复年限人工刺槐林林下草地和自然撂荒草地作为研究对象,通过对草地植物群落及功能性状进行调查,分析不同恢复年限草地群落水平植物功能性状及功能多样性动态变化,结果显示：1）林下草地和自然撂荒草地植物群落主要以多年生菊科和蔷薇科为主;2）随恢复年限增加,林下草地植物从以双子叶为主逐渐演替到以单子叶为主,从以菊科为主逐渐演替到以禾本科为主;而撂荒草地物种始终以菊科为主,且在恢复过程中逐渐演替为以灌木和半灌木为主的群落;3）林下草地群落水平叶片功能性状值大于撂荒草地,而群落水平盖度、密度和地上生物量性状小于撂荒草地。撂荒草地物种多样性和功能多样性指数高于林下草地,撂荒草地相较林下草地具有更高的生态效益。本研究可为黄土高原丘陵沟壑区草地生态系统功能评估提供理论依据。     

围封对固沙樟子松林土壤种子库的影响

选取章古台樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica)半围封5年(E5)和全围封10年(E10)固沙林地,以对应未围封5年(CK1)和未围封10年(CK2)固沙林为对照,采用野外调查取样和室内萌发试验相结合的方法,分析了围封对樟子松林下植被土壤种子库的物种组成、密度、垂直分布的特征和物种多样性的影响。结果表明,E5和CK1的土壤种子库分别包括20种和15种植物,分属9科18属和7科13属;E10和CK2的土壤种子库则分别包括17种和15种植物,分属6科15属和6科13属。在围封林地中,一年生植物、多年生植物与灌木半灌木分别占47.83%、39.13%和13.04%,在对照林地中则分别占50%、38.89%和11.11%。E5、CK1、E10和CK24个林地的土壤种子库密度分别为8529.7、6741.5、7836.9和11559.7粒·m–2;各林地的土壤种子库密度均在0–2 cm土层最大,表现为表层聚集性,其垂直分布规律在围封下与未围封具有一致性。围封林地的丰富度指数要高于对照林地,E5的Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson优势度指数、Pielou均匀度指数均低于CK1,E10的则均高于CK2。围封与对照林地林下植被土壤种子库种类组成上的相似性指数为0.88,豆科植物在围封与对照林地表现出较大的差异。因此,围封能够增加科尔沁沙地固沙樟子松林下植被土壤种子库物种数,提高多年生植物和灌木半灌木的比例,适度围封可增加其密度,提高群落发展潜力并增强其生态系统稳定性,进而保障固沙樟子松林的稳定与发展。     

Isocupressic acid, an abortifacient component of Cupressus macrocarpa

Anecdotal reports suggest that abortion occurs in New Zealand cattle after ingestion of macrocarpa (Cupressus macrocarpa). The clinical signs observed are similar to those seen in abortions caused by ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws). Isocupressic acid has been identified as an abortifacient component of the needles of ponderosa pine. Macrocarpa collected from the Palmerston North area contained 0.89% and 1.24% isocupressic acid, compared to 1.70% isocupressic acid in Ponderosa pine needles from Oregon in the United States as analysed by the USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory. These findings support observations that macrocarpa causes abortion in late gestation cattle in New Zealand and suggest the causal agent is probably isocupressic acid.     

Cool-Season Floodplain Meadow Responses to Shrub Encroachment in Alberta

This study evaluated the impact of shrub encroachment within cool-season floodplain meadows in a portion of the Rocky Mountain Forest Reserve in southwestern Alberta, where nearly half of open grasslands have been lost since 1958. Sample transects situated in meadows, known formerly to be in open grassland, were assessed in 2001 (n = 21) and 2002 (n = 33) in areas ranging from 0% to 92% shrub cover. Shrub cover, density, and height were correlated to understory parameters, including herbaceous production, bunchgrass cover and density, and species richness and diversity. Additional data on soil horizon depths were obtained. Analysis was conducted using regression to assess empirical relationships between understory or soil characteristics and the overstory. Stronger empirical relationships (i.e., greater R²) were found in 2002, coincident with larger sample sizes and greater rainfall. Among independent overstory variables, aggregate shrub cover for all species accounted for the greatest variation in understory characteristics. Significant (P < 0.01) negative nonlinear relationships were observed between shrub cover and herbage production, with the latter declining from 6 629 kg · ha^–1 in meadows containing less than 12% shrub cover, to 2 797 kg · ha^–1 in areas where shrub cover exceeded 35%. Negative linear trends were found (P < 0.01) for bunchgrass density and cover in relation to increasing shrub abundance in 2002. Understory diversity increased with shrub abundance, peaking at 64% shrub cover in 2002. Meadows with low and high shrub cover also coincided with thicker Ah and litter, fibric, and humic soil layer (LFH) horizons, respectively. Collectively, these results indicate shrub encroachment is threatening the sustainability of native bunchgrass communities and reducing forage availability. Meadow conservation in this area will require proactive management to protect or restore open grasslands.     

京津风沙源治理工程不同恢复措施对草地恢复过程的差异性影响

中国北方草原区域作为我国北方重要的防沙治沙生态屏障,长期以来大规模投入实施了系列生态恢复工程。为了解不同恢复措施对草地恢复的影响异同,以京津风沙源治理工程的草原治理区域为研究对象,采用工程区内外对比法探索4种典型工程恢复措施及措施组合(围封禁牧、补播草种、小流域治理和基本草牧场建设)对草地群落物种组成、生产力构成和物种多样性的差异性影响。结果显示:1)各工程恢复措施均趋向增加群落的高度和盖度,其中围封禁牧草地的恢复最为明显;群落中禾本科、莎草科物种重要值增加,杂类草下降,群落建群种由克氏针茅、糙隐子草、百里香等较低矮物种转变为大针茅、羊草、羽茅等较高大的多年生禾草;2)各恢复措施均显著增加群落的地上生物量(P<0.05),但种植人工饲草的基本草牧场地下生物量显著下降,使得群落总生物量也显著减少(49%);只有围封禁牧措施使群落总生物量、地下生物量和地上生物量均显著增加;群落内C₃植物、多年生植物生物量比例趋向增加; 3)各工程恢复措施均未显著增加群落内物种丰富度,却均趋向减少群落物种均匀度,补播草种和基本草牧场建设区域Shannon-Wiener多样性指数下降达到显著水平。以上结果表明长期的恢复措施实施能明显恢复草地的植被覆盖和地上生产力水平,提高草地的饲草品质,有助于区域沙源固定、碳汇增加和饲草供应恢复,但长期的工程干预有可能对区域的植物群落物种多样性水平存在负面影响。     

Isocupressic acid,an abortifacient component of Cupressus macrocarpa

Anecdotal reports suggest that abortion occurs in New Zealand cattle after ingestion of macrocarpa (Cupressus macrocarpa). The clinical signs observed are similar to those seen in abortions caused by ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws). Isocupressic acid has been identified as an abortifacient component of the needles of ponderosa pine. Macrocarpa collected from the Palmerston North area contained 0.89% and 1.24% isocupressic acid, compared to 1.70% isocupressic acid in Ponderosa pine needles from Oregon in the United States as analysed by the USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory. These findings support observations that macrocarpa causes abortion in late gestation cattle in New Zealand and suggest the causal agent is probably isocupressic acid.     

Ponderosa pine needle-induced parturition in cattle.

Needles of the Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) induce premature parturition in cattle when ingested during late pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. The closer to term, the more likely that pine needles will induce parturition. Experiments were designed to describe the clinical signs and behavior associated with ingestion of pine needles. Pine needles adversely affected only pregnant cows and did not seem to affect nonpregnant, cycling cows, sheep, goats, or rabbits. Premature parturition was more likely if cows ingested the needles after the 8th mo of pregnancy, if they ingested pine needles over a period of 3 d or more, and if cows ate a relatively large amount of pine needles (about 2.2 to 2.7 kg/d). A synthetic progesterone, melangesterol acetate, and a prostaglandin inhibitor (ketoprofen) seemed to be of some prophylactic benefit; however, further research is required to assess the practicality of the approach and the magnitude of the benefit. Ponderosa pine bark and new-growth branch tips, which seem to be more potent inducers of premature parturition, may be useful in the extraction and identification of the parturifacient component(s).     

坝上地区孤石牧场土壤种子库与地上植被的关系

为探讨退耕地植被恢复过程和植被稳定性,采取土壤采样分析与现场植物测定相结合的方法,研究坝上孤石牧场退耕地和过牧地上植被与种子库的变化特征.结果表明:1)退耕地地上植被与土壤种子库物种多样性高于过牧地,退耕地正处于一年生草本植物向多年生草本恢复演替阶段;2)退耕地地上植被与土壤种子库物种丰富度大于过牧地地上植被与土壤种子库的丰富度;3)地上植被与土壤种子库共有种数在退耕地上较多,在过牧地上较少,从而导致了地上植被与土壤种子库群落组成的相异性增大.     

沙漠化草地的恢复与重建途径

在分析国内外草地沙漠化治理现状的基础上,研究1985-1998年沙化草地的自然恢复与人工恢复,结果表明:自然恢复属于进展演替类型,经历"沙生、一年生植物群落"、"根茎禾草杂类草群落"和"丛生禾草群落"三个演替阶段,最终向地带性植被类型发展;其植被物种组成,覆盖度、产草量均呈增加趋势,土壤有机质增加,表土结构变好;人工恢复的效果显著,播种抗旱、抗风沙型植物,可以快速建成植被覆盖地面,同时生产大量优质牧草,是我国沙化草原恢复重建的一条重要途径.     

Exotic Plant Species Diversity: Influence of Roads and Prescribed Fire in Arizona Ponderosa Pine Forests

Many studies have investigated the ecological effects of roads and roadsides as both habitat and dispersal corridors for exotic plant species. Several of these compared roadside exotic species richness and abundance with adjacent interior habitats, but we found no studies of individual exotic species’ abundance between the two habitats in the context of prescribed fire. We measured exotic species richness and individual species’ abundance along roadsides and in adjacent interior habitat (> 150 m) before and after prescribed fire at three ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex Lawson & C. Lawson) sites in northern Arizona. Eighteen of the 20 exotic plant species found in this study have been and continue to be intentionally introduced or are known agricultural seed contaminants. Roadsides had significantly higher exotic species richness than adjacent forest interior habitats, but only one site showed a significant (decreasing) fire effect on species richness. Four exotic plant species had significantly higher densities along roadsides at two of the three sites, and four species had no significant difference in abundance between habitats at any site supporting an individualistic species response hypothesis. Most exotic species showed no significant change in density post-prescribed fire suggesting that low-intensity prescribed fire may have minimal effect on exotic species diversity. Variability in total exotic species richness, composition, species’ constancies, and species’ densities between the three regionally similar sites suggests differing degrees and effectiveness of past management practices and policies such as intentional seeding.     

The composition of the soil seedbank and its role in ecosystem dynamics and rehabilitation potential in the arid Tankwa Karoo Region,South Africa§

Very few soil seedbank studies have been conducted in South Africa, especially in arid rangelands. Insight into the soil seedbank could therefore improve assessment of rangeland dynamics and enhance rehabilitation efforts. This study aimed to characterise the soil seedbanks in various vegetation types of the Tankwa Karoo National Park, an arid environment in South Africa. At 43 sites soil was sampled twice at the end of spring and the end of autumn, and the composition and structure of aboveground vegetation were described at the peak growth period in spring. Seeds were isolated from the soil samples by means of flotation in a salt solution, seedbank species composition was obtained by seedling germination, and the vegetation was investigated using a line-point survey method. Overall seed density was 8 034 seeds m^?2 of which 55% was viable, and the common life-forms were therophytes and chamaephytes. Species richness and diversity were lower in the seedbank compared with those of the vegetation, and the two vegetation spheres were 25% similar. While seedbank composition suggested poor veld condition, there was enough seed density and viability for future regeneration and rehabilitation initiatives. However, this may be impeded by the absence of many perennial species in the soil seedbank.     

Response of Conifer-Encroached Shrublands in the Great Basin to Prescribed Fire and Mechanical Treatments

In response to the recent expansion of piñon and juniper woodlands into sagebrush-steppe communities in the northern Great Basin region, numerous conifer-removal projects have been implemented, primarily to release understory vegetation at sites having a wide range of environmental conditions. Responses to these treatments have varied from successful restoration of native plant communities to complete conversion to nonnative invasive species. To evaluate the general response of understory vegetation to tree canopy removal in conifer-encroached shrublands, we set up a region-wide study that measured treatment-induced changes in understory cover and density. Eleven study sites located across four states in the Great Basin were established as statistical replicate blocks, each containing fire, mechanical, and control treatments. Different cover groups were measured prior to and during the first 3 yr following treatment. There was a general pattern of response across the wide range of site conditions. There was an immediate increase in bare ground and decrease in tall perennial grasses following the fire treatment, but both recovered by the second or third growing season after treatment. Tall perennial grass cover increased in the mechanical treatment in the second and third year, and in the fire treatment cover was higher than the control by year 3. Nonnative grass and forb cover did not increase in the fire and mechanical treatments in the first year but increased in the second and third years. Perennial forb cover increased in both the fire and mechanical treatments. The recovery of herbaceous cover groups was from increased growth of residual vegetation, not density. Sagebrush declined in the fire treatment, but seedling density increased in both treatments. Biological soil crust declined in the fire treatment, with no indications of recovery. Differences in plant response that occurred between mechanical and fire treatments should be considered when selecting management options.     

Testing for Thresholds in a Semiarid Grassland: The Influence of Prairie Dogs and Plague

State-and-transition models for semiarid grasslands in the North American Great Plains suggest that the presence of herbivorous black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) on a site 1) creates a vegetation state characterized by increased dominance of annual forbs and unpalatable bunchgrasses and increased bare soil exposure and 2) requires long-term (> 40 yr) prairie dog removal to transition back to a vegetation state dominated by palatable perennial grasses. Here, we examine 1) how the recent history of prairie dog occupancy on a site (1–10 yr) influences the magnitude of prairie dog effects on vegetation composition and 2) how occupancy history affects vegetation dynamics following extirpation of prairie dogs. We used a natural experiment in the shortgrass steppe of northeastern Colorado, USA, where prairie dogs were extirpated from multiple sites during an outbreak of epizootic plague. On sites occupied by prairie dogs for 1–4 yr prior to extirpation, plant cover and composition recovered to conditions similar to unoccupied sites within a single growing season. Larger reductions in perennial C₄ grasses occurred on sites occupied for the prior 7–10 yr compared to sites with shorter occupancy histories (< 6 yr). On sites occupied for the prior 7–10 yr, C₄ perennial grasses recovered after 5 yr following prairie dog extirpation; in addition, C₃ perennial graminoids and forbs remained more abundant (compared to sites with no history of prairie dogs) throughout the 5-yr period. Our findings showcase that prior site occupancy (up to 10 yr) by prairie dogs did not induce irreversible shifts in vegetation state in this semiarid grassland. Rather, vegetation changes induced by prairie dogs represent primarily a phase shift in landscapes where prairie dog populations are regulated by epizootic plague.     

黄土高原森林边缘区退耕地植被自然恢复及其对土壤养分变化的影响

对黄土高原森林边缘区退耕地植被自然恢复及其对土壤养分变化影响的研究结果表明,该区植被演替虽然总体上具有典型森林区植被演替的特征,但多年生禾草阶段与多年生蒿类演替并没有表现出严格的先后顺序;群落物种多样性、丰富度、均匀度及物种替代率随植被恢复表现出由低而高,而后又降低的变化趋势。其变化的峰值阶段与多年生禾草阶段和多年生蒿类交错出现的阶段相吻合。土壤养分变化表明,该阶段也是退耕地养分消耗与累积处于平衡的阶段,具有明显的过渡性。不同养分对植被恢复的响应程度从高到低表现为:有效氮>有机质>全氮>速效钾>速效磷>全磷,而且在植被恢复过程中土壤养分累积具有明显的表聚性,尤以有机质、全氮、有效氮和速效钾表现明显。各养分的相关性分析表明,土壤有机质、全氮、有效氮与速效钾相互间显著相关,而全磷和速效磷与其余各养分间的相关性较小,而且磷素养分在植被恢复过程中的变化较小。对植被演替进行人工调控,应充分认识养分变化的这种差异。     

不同放牧强度对西藏邦杰塘高寒草甸土壤种子库的影响

通过研究不同放牧强度下地上植被群落的物种组成、植物生活型、土壤种子库物种种类和种子数量等特征,探讨了地上植被与土壤种子库之间的关系及种子库在地上植被群落构建中的作用,拟为高寒草甸的管理,特别是高寒地区退化生态系统的恢复与重建提供参考。结果表明：土壤种子库物种多样性指数和丰富度指数在围栏样地和中牧样地之间差异不显著。重牧样地土壤种子库物种多样性指数和丰富度指数显著低于中牧样地（P<0.05）;围栏样地、重牧样地、中牧样地土壤种子库密度表现为重牧 >围栏 >中牧,其中重牧样地土壤种子库密度显著高于中牧样地（P<0.05）,达4952.7粒·m^-2;中牧样地和围栏样地的种子库和地上植被之间相似性较低,二者的地上植被与土壤种子库Sorensen相似性指数分别为0.48和0.44。重牧样地上嵩草属（Kobresia）植物严重退化,地上植被群落和土壤种子库均以杂类草物种占优势,地上植被与土壤种子库表现出较高的相似性。因此,对于有退化趋势的嵩草草甸,适当的围栏并考虑利用本地多年生优良牧草种子进行补播将是有利的;嵩草高寒草甸土壤种子库种子主要集中在0~5cm,且各样地中种子数量均随着土壤深度的增加而减少。     

煤矿复垦区不同修复年限林下草本群落特征及其与土壤耦合关系

为了解鄂尔多斯聚鑫龙煤矿不同修复年限林下草本植物群落特征及其与土壤因子的耦合关系,以修复年限为3~7年的林下草本植物群落与土壤因子为研究对象,并以人工草地和撂荒地作为对照,调查不同样地草本群落物种组成及其土壤理化性质,并利用灰色关联耦合模型法对草本植物群落与土壤因子的关系进行研究,探明二者的响应机制。结果表明：1）研究区共调查草本植物种类55种,其中主要以禾本科、菊科和豆科为主,三者共占比为60%。2）随着修复年限增加,林下草本植物种数呈现先减少后增加的趋势,且逐渐接近于人工草地的植物种数;草本群落的Margalef指数和Shannon-Wiener指数均呈现出先下降后上升的趋势,而Pielou指数和Simpson指数变化不明显。3）研究区草本植物群落多样性与土壤粉粒、砂粒、pH和土壤容重关系较为密切。4）研究区草本植物的多样性与土壤的耦合协调程度随修复年限增加呈现“升高-降低-升高”的变化趋势,其中修复7年样地的草本植物与土壤耦合度最高（0.72）,为中度协调。研究表明研究区林下草本植物多样性与土壤系统的协调程度表现出良性发展的趋势,但还未达到最佳的协调程度。     

Influence of Land-Use Legacies Following Shrub Reduction and Seeding of Big Sagebrush Sites

Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) plant communities often require management to reduce shrub density and rehabilitate understory vegetation. We studied vegetation responses to a two-way chain harrow treatment and broadcast seeding of 12 herbaceous species at eight Wyoming big sagebrush (A. tridentata Nutt. subsp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young) sites. These sites differed in land-use history; five were cultivated for dryland wheat production during the 1950 ? 1980s and then seeded with introduced forage grasses (C-S), while three had not been exposed to this land-use legacy (non C-S). Our objective was to evaluate whether the C-S legacy influences the magnitude of vegetation change following contemporary treatment. Before treatment, C-S sites had lower sagebrush cover, higher dead sagebrush cover, and higher broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae [Pursh] Britton & Rusby) cover than adjacent non C-S sites. Plant community change 3 years after treatment, determined with multivariate ordination analysis of species composition, varied between site histories, and response to treatment was most strongly correlated with reductions in sagebrush cover, increases in perennial grasses, and increases in 10 other herbaceous species—including some undesirable species and four that were seeded in 2010. Five years after treatment, mature sagebrush cover remained reduced for both land-use histories, yet density of sagebrush seedlings and broom snakeweed increased in C-S sites during the second and third years after treatment. In addition, perennial forb cover increased for C-S sites, while perennial grass biomass increased for non C-S sites. Our results emphasize that broad variability in plant community responses to sagebrush reduction and seeding is possible within the same ecological site classification and that legacy effects due to the combination of past cultivation and seeding should be considered when planning restoration projects, including the consideration that seeding may not always be necessary on C-S sites.     

高原鼠兔鼠丘覆压对鼠丘上植被重建的影响研究

本研究以青海省河南县高山嵩草高寒草甸高原鼠兔鼠丘为研究对象,进行鼠丘覆压植被模拟试验,探究萌出植物群落的物种组成、物种多样性、植被覆盖度以及原生植被对鼠丘植物群落重建的贡献率,为鼠丘植被恢复演替提供依据。结果显示：随着鼠丘形成时间的推移,萌出植物主要为多年生杂类草;鼠丘覆压1-2年后萌出植物群落的辛普森指数、香农威纳指数、丰富度指数与均匀度指数整体表现为先快速上升后趋于缓和;被覆压的原生植被对鼠丘植物群落重建的贡献在物种组成上达到47.1%~64.7%。随着鼠丘形成时间的延长,鼠丘向有植被定居的恢复演替方向发展,植被覆盖度逐渐增加。     

干旱矿区不同干扰强度下土壤种子库特征

土壤种子库是矿区植被恢复的重要因素,其特征在一定程度上反映了区域的植被恢复潜力。本研究通过样地调查和室内萌发法对乌海新星煤矿区3种不同干扰条件下的土壤种子库及与其地表植被之间的关系进行分析。结果表明:1)新星矿区土壤种子库共有18种植物,隶属于7科16属,物种生活型以多年生草本植物为主;2)新星矿区土壤种子库平均储量较小(226.51~739.17粒·m^?2),并且随着土层深度增加而呈递减趋势,其90%以上的种子储藏在0?10 cm的表层土壤;3)研究区土壤种子库植物与地上植被的共有物种数少,土壤种子库与地上植被的植物群落相似性较低;4)随着干扰强度的增大,种子库的植被恢复潜力呈现先增大后减少的趋势:道路周边受到中度干扰的自然植被区朝着有利的方向发展,而采矿周边受重度干扰的自然植被区会受到较大负面影响,其多样性以及与其他分区植物群落的相似性较小,种子密度显著降低(P<0.05)。