遮荫对冷季型混播草坪土壤呼吸速率、温度及生物量的影响

以草地早熟禾、多年生黑麦草和高羊茅组成的冷季型混播草坪为研究对象,测定了树冠遮荫41%和全光照下的草坪的土壤呼吸速率、叶绿素和地上生物量等指标。试验结果表明：（1）遮荫下混播草坪在白天的土壤呼吸速率低于光照充足下的草坪,尤其在14∶00时有着显著差异（P〈0.05）;（2）从土壤温度和土壤水分的日变化分析,遮荫降低了混播草坪的土壤温度,到14∶00以后与全光照处理趋于一致;土壤水分含量的变化呈先降低,后升高的趋势,从8∶00～12∶00,遮荫下的土壤水分含量均高于全光照混播草坪;（3）全光照下草坪的土壤呼吸速率与土壤水分含量存在显著的正相关,但遮荫下二者的相关性不显著;（4）遮荫显著地提高了草坪草的叶绿素a、b及整个叶绿素含量,降低了地上部生物量。     

Livestock Grazing Impacts on Desert Vegetation,Khirthar National Park,Pakistan

The impact of livestock grazing on desert vegetation in Khirthar National Park, Pakistan, was investigated by comparing dry and wet season plant species composition, richness, cover, and a grazing index for quadrats outside (“open”) and inside (“exclosed”) native mammal breeding enclosures that had excluded livestock for 6 years. A total of 93 plant species were recorded in the dry season, 88 species in exclosed quadrats and 50 in open quadrats. While only 5 species were unique to open quadrats, 43 species were found only in the exclosed quadrats. Species richness was higher in the exclosures because of the presence of more grass and herb species, while grazing was higher in the open. After rain, species richness and cover were significantly higher than in the dry season because of the growth of summer ephemeral herbs and grasses, but richness was no longer different between the exclosure and open treatments. Although some herbaceous species may have been adversely affected by livestock grazing, overall species richness suggests strong ecosystem resilience to grazing, with levels no different after seasonal rains regardless of grazing level. Many grass and herb species absent from open sites during the dry season reappeared after rain, which suggests that livestock grazing may eliminate them as the dry season proceeds, but that a soil seed or bud bank persists.     

季节放牧对典型草原植物群落不同生长季特征的影响

在内蒙古典型草原区建立放牧试验平台,研究秋季、冬季和初春放牧对草地植物返青期土壤温湿环境和植物生长以及生长旺季植物群落地上生物量及其构成的影响。结果表明:在草地返青季,秋季放牧草地表层土壤湿度相对于其他处理显著降低,而温度相对升高;土壤表层湿度与草地枯落物总量、立枯量呈显著正相关;秋季和冬季放牧显著降低草地返青期的地上生物量;秋季放牧显著降低优势植物地上生物量;而初春放牧不影响草地返青期的群落生物量。在生长旺季,初春放牧草地群落及其高大优势植物大针茅和羊草的生物量显著增加,而其下层的糙隐子草和杂类草生物量显著减少。     

黄土高原半干旱区天然草地群落结构与土壤水分关系

气候变化导致水热条件发生变化,从而引起土壤含水量改变,必然影响区域植物群落结构和功能。本研究以黄土高原半干旱区天然草地群落为研究对象,在较大空间尺度上根据随机设置样地法调查区域内典型地带性草地群落,研究黄土高原半干旱区土壤含水量的变化对草地群落的影响。结果表明,1)地上生物量、凋落物质量与土壤含水量呈显著正相关;地下生物量和总生物量与土壤含水量虽正相关但不显著;2)物种多样性和物种丰富度均随着土壤含水量的增加而增加;3)植物功能群受土壤水分的影响,表现为禾本科和豆科随着土壤含水量的增加而增加,而杂类草相反。总之,在半干旱区土壤水分是限制群落生产力和物种多样性的重要因子,而禾本科和豆科作为指示物种可以反映土壤的水分状况。土壤水分的变化可能是导致半干旱区天然草地群落演替的驱动力,草地退化可能与土壤含水量的改变有关。     

不同建植期人工草地优势种植物根系活力、群落特征及其土壤环境的关系

以三江源区重度退化草地(“黑土滩”)作为对照试验,研究了6 年人工草地和10 年人工草地优势种植物－垂穗披碱草根系活力、植物群落数量特征、土壤理化特征、6 种土壤酶活性,分析人工草地优势种植物根系活力、群落数量结构与土壤微环境的关系。研究结果表明,6 年人工草地的禾本科植物生物量最大、豆科植物开始入侵;10 年人工草地的禾本科植物较6 年人工草地生物量降低,杂类草生物量最大,豆科植物大量入侵,开始出现莎草科植物;人工草地根层土壤理化性质明显发生变化,土壤含水量、有机质、全氮、速效氮、全磷和速效磷的含量提高,土壤容重、温度、pH值降低;6 年和10 年人工草地的蔗糖酶、碱性磷酸酶、蛋白酶、脲酶的活性提高,多酚氧化酶活性降低,过氧化氢酶活性变化规律不明显。植物群落特征与土壤含水量、有机质、速效氮、全磷和水解酶类正相关,与土壤容重、pH值、多酚氧化酶负相关;垂穗披碱草根系活力与土壤含水量、pH值、蛋白酶、碱性磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶活性负相关;垂穗披碱草根系活力变化的趋势是6 年人工草地高于10 年人工草地,土壤微环境的改变使得植物间对于土壤资源利用竞争增大,植物根系活力随群落物种组成、生物量的分配而改变。     

Grass species composition,yield and quality under and outside tree crowns in a semi‐arid rangeland in south‐western Zimbabwe

Abstract

A two‐year study was conducted in lightly grazed areas of Matopos Research Station, Zimbabwe, to evaluate the impact of widely spaced trees on understorey grass composition, yield and quality. The study trees were Terminalia sericea and Acacia karroo. Ordination techniques using grass density and biomass as indices separated quadrats according to soil type but not grass species according to understorey or open areas or according to tree species. Grass yield under tree crowns was similar to open areas, in contrast with most reports where understorey areas had higher yields. The high understorey grass quality that has been reported from savanna areas exhibiting grass composition differences was not expressed. Selective grazing of palatable perennial grasses growing in association with tree crowns and their eventual replacement by low‐yielding and less‐palatable grasses that normally grow in open areas is proposed as an explanation of the unique tree‐grass interaction scenario of this study. In areas where this replacement has occurred, recovery may require management interventions.     

Influence of Abrams M1A1 Main Battle Tank Disturbance on Tallgrass Prairie Plant Community Structure

The Department of Defense's Range and Training Land Assessment program provides information and recommendations to range managers regarding the condition of training lands. This information is used to assist in scheduling training areas and in monitoring the effectiveness of rehabilitation projects. Fort Riley Military Installation is a major training reservation located in the Flint Hills of northeastern Kansas, within the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. A randomized complete block design composed of three treatments (M1A1 Abrams tank traffic during wet and dry soil conditions, and a nontrafficked control) with three replications was established in each of two soil types, a silty clay loam and a silt loam soil, on Fort Riley in 2003. Disturbance was created by driving the tank for five circuits in a figure-eight pattern during either during wet or dry soil conditions. Two additional experimental treatments were added during the study: five additional tank passes on one-half of each figure eight in 2004 and burning in 2006. Two areas, a curve and straightaway, within each traffic intensity (and later, burn treatment) subplot were designated for sampling. Aboveground biomass, species composition, and ground cover were measured during each growing season. Recovery of grass and total aboveground biomass in silty clay loam soil was delayed for curve areas and following disturbance in wet soil conditions, respectively. Species composition and ground cover continued to exhibit significant disturbance effects in 2007, with greatest damage observed for repeated traffic under wet soil conditions. Fire effects on vegetation were variable and generally greater for undisturbed control plots than for disturbed areas. The tallgrass prairie typically is considered to be among the most resilient of military training lands, but our research suggests that resiliency is dependent upon soil type and training conditions, and may require longer periods of recovery than previously thought.     

Fall Water Effects on Growing Season Soil Water Content and Plant Productivity

Understanding fall precipitation effects on rangelands could improve forage production forecasting and inform predictions of potential climate change effects. We used a rainout shelter and water addition to test effects of seasonal precipitation on soil water and annual net primary production of C₃ perennial grass, C₄ perennial grass, annual grasses, forbs, and all plants combined. Treatments were 1) drought during September−October and April−May (DD); 2) drought plus irrigation during September−October and drought during April−May (WD); 3) year-long ambient conditions (WW); and 4) ambient plus irrigation during September−October (W + W). Treatments created conditions ranking among the driest and wettest September−October periods since 1937. Fall water effects on soil water were not detectable by May at 15 cm and 30 cm. Effects persisted into July at 60 cm and 90 cm, depths below the primary root zone. With spring drought, annual net primary production was 344 kg ha⁻¹ greater when the previous fall was wet rather than dry. No differences were detected between fall water treatments when spring was wet and fall was about 184% (1 938 ± 117 kg ha⁻¹) or 391% of the median (1 903 ± 117 kg ha⁻¹). Fall water increased C₃ perennial grass when spring was also wet and had no effect under spring drought, when forage production concerns are greatest. Fall water did not affect C₄ perennial grass, and extremely wet fall conditions reduced forb production about 50%. The greatest effect of fall water was increased annual grass production. Even record high levels of fall water had minor effects on biomass, functional group composition, and soil water that were short-lived and overwhelmed by the influence of spring precipitation. Movement of fall water to deep soil by the growing season suggests plants that would most benefit from fall precipitation are those that could use it during fall (winter annuals), or deep-rooted species (shrubs).     

Grass defoliation affecting survival and growth of seedlings of Acacia karroo,an encroaching species in southwestern Zimbabwe

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted, one in the field and the other in the greenhouse, to investigate the effects of the intensity and frequency of grass defoliation on the survival and growth of Acacia karroo seedlings. In the greenhouse, seedlings growing with heavily clipped grasses had higher biomass production than those competing with moderately clipped grasses. Root/shoot ratios were higher in treatments with undipped grasses. There was a negative relationship between grass root production and A. karroo biomass production. The field experiment was carried out in two paddocks, one previously heavily‐grazed and the other lightly‐grazed. Grazing in both paddocks was simulated by artificial defoliation. Generally more A. karroo seedlings emerged under lightly defoliated treatments. Clipping frequency had a strong effect (P=0.066) on the survival of emerged seedlings during the wet season. There were no differences in survival rate at the end of the dry season. Though grass defoliation was shown to enhance seedling growth under controlled conditions, no evidence was found to suggest that seedling establishment during the first year is influenced by the intensity of grass defoliation.     

格姆滩“黑土滩”退化草地植物量和土壤水分研究

通过对格姆滩“黑土滩”退化草地和中度退化草地植物量和土壤水分的研究,结果表明：“黑土滩”退化草地植物群落以阏叶型杂类草为主,中度退化草地以莎草科为主。地上总植物量“黑土滩”退化草地〉中度退化草地。0—30cm地下总植物量“黑土滩”退化草地〈中度退化草地。两样地0～20cm土层土壤含水量变化趋势总体上为先增高,后降低。各个时期土壤各层及平均含水量均为中度退化草地〉“黑土滩”退化草地。0—20cm土壤水分垂直变化“黑土滩”退化草地总体上随土层深度的增加而增大,中度退化草地随土层深度的增加而减小。     

Interactions between rodents and weeds in a lowland rice agro‐ecosystem: the need for an integrated approach to management

Rodents and weeds are important pests to rice crops in Southeast Asia. The interaction between these 2 major pests is poorly documented. In temperate cereal systems, seeds of grass weeds can be an important food source for rodents and weed cover along crop margins provides important refuge for rodents. In 2012 and 2013, a replicated study (n = 4) in Bago, Myanmar compared 4 treatments (rodents and weeds; no rodents and weeds; rodents and no weeds; no rodents and no weeds) each of 0.25 ha in transplanted rice. Weeds were managed with hand weeding in the wet season, and hand weeding and herbicides in the dry season. Plastic fences were installed to exclude rodents. We examined the weed cover and relative abundance of weed species, rodent damage, rodent population dynamics and rice yield loss caused by rodents and weeds. The dominant rodent species was Bandicota bengalensis. In the dry season, Cyperus difformis was dominant at the tillering stage and Echinochloa crus‐galli was the dominant weed species at the booting stage. In the wet season E. crus‐galli was a dominant weed throughout the season. Damage by rodents was higher in the dry season. There were larger economic benefits for best weed management and effective rodent control in the dry season (258 US$/ha) than in the wet season (30 US$/ha). Concurrent control of weeds in and around rice fields combined with coordinated community trapping of rodents during the early tillering stage and ripening stage of rice are recommended management options.     

Observations on the Feeding Ecology of Impala

The distribution, habitat preference, and diet of impala in mixed wooded savanna were studied. In the wet season impala were evenly distributed through the different vegetation types and their diet was predominantly grass, but in the dry season they concentrated in areas of Acacia savanna and changed to a mainly browsing diet. The amount of grass in the diet was related to plant moisture content and recent effective rainfall. The impala selected succulent food rich in crude protein but preferred grazing to browsing when palatable grass was available. These factors and the presence of fallen Acacia pods probably attracted impala to the Acacia areas in winter.     

Growth analysis and photosynthetic rates in three selected grass species in the burkea‐eragrostis savanna

Three major grass species of the Nylsvley study site were studied: Eragrostis pallens. Digitaria eriantha and Panicum maximum. Growth analysis for the peak growth season was carried out with respect to phytomass, biomass and necromass.

The results of this analysis were correlated to photosynthetic activity, measured using infra‐red gas analysis and labelled carbon dioxide leaf exposures. Detailed studies of driving force variables, such as light, temperature, soil moisture and leaf water potential were carried out in order to determine their effects on stomatal resistance. From this it is anticipated that it will be possible to estimate the increase in biomass and the factors determining it, throughout the growing season.     

Semiarid Rangeland Is Resilient to Summer Fire and Postfire Grazing Utilization

Most wildfires occur during summer in the northern hemisphere, the area burned annually is increasing, and fire effects during this season are least understood. Understanding plant response to grazing following summer fire is required to reduce ecological and financial risks associated with wildfire. Forty 0.75-ha plots were assigned to summer fire then 0, 17, 34 or 50% biomass removal by grazing the following growing season, or no fire and no grazing. Root, litter, and aboveground biomass were measured before fire, immediately after grazing, and 1 yr after grazing with the experiment repeated during 2 yr to evaluate weather effects. Fire years were followed by the second driest and fifth wettest springs in 70 yr. Biomass was more responsive to weather than fire and grazing, with a 452% increase from a dry to wet year and 31% reduction from a wet to average spring. Fire reduced litter 53% and had no first-year effect on productivity for any biomass component. Grazing after fire reduced postgrazing grass biomass along the prescribed utilization gradient. Fire and grazing had no effect on total aboveground productivity the year after grazing compared to nonburned, nongrazed sites (1 327 vs. 1 249 ± 65 kg · ha^-1). Fire and grazing increased grass productivity 16%, particularly for Pascopyrum smithii. The combined disturbances reduced forbs (51%), annual grasses (49%), and litter (46%). Results indicate grazing with up to 50% biomass removal the first growing season after summer fire was not detrimental to productivity of semiarid rangeland plant communities. Livestock exclusion the year after summer fire did not increase productivity or shift species composition compared to grazed sites. Reduction of previous years' standing dead material was the only indication that fire may temporarily reduce forage availability. The consistent responses among dry, wet, and near-average years suggest plant response is species-specific rather than climatically controlled.     

Development and survival of free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats on pasture in the Nigerian derived savanna

Four grass plots were sequentially contaminated with goat faeces containing known numbers of unembryonated eggs of predominantly Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp. between October 1982 and April 1983. Four other plots were similarly contaminated with sheep faeces between February and May 1987. An additional plot was repeatedly contaminated with sheep faeces from February to April 1987. Populations of free-living stages in faeces and of infective larvae (L₃) in the herbage were subsequently monitored until the end of April and June of 1983 and 1987 respectively. During February and May 1987 two control cultures of sheep faeces were incubated in the laboratory at 25°C–30°C and at a constant temperature of 50°C and the free-living development was also monitored. L₃ developed very readily in the faeces cultured at 25°C–30°C and in those spread on a grass plot in October, at the end of the wet season, but developed less on the plot contaminated in May at the start of the wet season. Worm eggs in faeces deposited on plots during the hot dry season (December to April) or incubated at 50°C died and disintegrated after 24–48 h exposure to the high environmental temperatures. The results indicate that it is unlikely that gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats can develop or survive on open pasture during the dry season in the Nigerian derived savanna zone.     

围封和防除狼毒对狼毒斑块土壤理化性质和微生物量影响的研究

狼毒是青藏高原高寒退化草地主要滋生的毒害草种类,采用化学除草剂和草地围封方法能有效遏制狼毒种群扩张的现状。然而,针对狼毒形成微斑块对使用除草剂和草地围封措施后植被群落结构、土壤理化性质和土壤微生物量响应变化的研究较少。基于此,狼毒型退化草地采用短期围栏封育(1年),以围封地未防除和除草剂处理的狼毒微斑块为研究对象,比较和分析狼毒斑块内外物种多样性指数、土壤养分和土壤微生物量变化。结果表明:1)围封地未防除狼毒斑块内生物量和多样性指数高于狼毒斑块外,而防除狼毒斑块外生物量高于狼毒斑块内。2)围封地未防除狼毒斑块内表层土壤的全氮、硝态氮、铵态氮、速效磷、有机质和土壤含水量高于狼毒斑块外,而防除狼毒斑块外表层土壤的有机质和全钾含量高于狼毒斑块内;围封地未防除狼毒斑块内深层土壤铵态氮和硝态氮含量高于斑块外,防除狼毒斑块外深层土壤速效磷、铵态氮和有机质含量高于斑块内。3)防除狼毒和围封地未防除狼毒斑块外土壤微生物量碳高于狼毒斑块内,防除狼毒斑块外土壤微生物量氮增加而微生物量磷却快速降低。由此可见,狼毒型退化草地治理需采用“狼毒净”化学除草剂快速降低狼毒种群并辅以长期围封(禁牧)措施,可提高禾本科等优良牧草比例、调节草地群落结构趋于稳定和加速土壤养分循环,并最终实现狼毒型退化草地生态修复的目标。     

西藏那曲县草地状况及其生物量的观测分析

选择那曲县不同类型草地,实地调查了草地基况以及牧草生长期（2007年5-8月）内具有代表性的6种优势牧草的产量和品质。调查内容包括：草地覆盖度、草地地上生物量、牧草与土壤含水量、草地退化程度以及鼠害情况。同时,选取草地植株样品以及010 cm表层土壤样品进行牧草品质和土壤养分分析。结果表明,藏嵩草Kobresia tibetica生长状况和地上生物量明显优于其他品种的草地;各样点土壤含水量、土壤养分、毒草所占的比重、鼠害、草地退化状况存在明显差异;从草地地上生物量与气象条件的关系来看,生物量分别与降水量、气温、地温之间均存在显著的正相关关系。从牧草品质来看,在综合考虑含氮量、粗蛋白、粗脂肪等因素的情况下,小嵩草K. pygmaea的品质要优于藏嵩草,点地梅Androsace umbellata品质最差。     

矿区排土场人工草地土壤水分及入渗特征效应

本研究以露天煤矿排土场新土体上建植的不同人工草地为对象,分析了不同人工草地地上生物量、土壤水分及土壤入渗性能。结果表明,不同人工草地地上生物量之间差异显著(P<0.05),灌木和草灌混播草地的地上生物量比单一草种草地高,冰草+沙蒿和沙打旺+沙蒿草地地上生物量分别比单一种植冰草和沙打旺的草地高40.84%~47.88%和27.31%~53.49%;不同人工草地土壤含水量随深度增加而增大,20~30 cm层土壤含水量花棒草地最高;不同人工草地地上生物量和土壤水分的累加值呈负相关关系;草灌混播草地的平均土壤初始入渗速率比单一草种草地高44.25%。本研究结果表明,在矿区排土场新土体改良和植被恢复建设中应以草灌混播人工草地为主,可有效提高草地生产力,改善土壤的水分状况和入渗性能,利于植被生长的可持续。     

Hydrologic Impacts of Mechanical Seeding Treatments on Sagebrush Rangelands

In and around the Great Basin, United States, restoration of shrub steppe vegetation is needed where rangelands are transitioning to annual grasslands. Mechanical seedbed preparation can aid native species recovery by reducing annual grass competition. This study was designed to investigate the nature and persistence of hydrologic and erosion impacts caused by different mechanical rangeland seeding treatments and to identify interactions between such impacts and related soil and vegetation properties. A cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.)–dominated site was burned and seeded with native grasses and shrubs in the fall of the year. An Amazon-drill and a disk-chain seeder were used to provide varying levels of surface soil disturbance. An undisturbed broadcast seeding was used as a control. Simulated rainfall was applied to 6 large (32.5-m²) plots per treatment over 3 growing seasons at a rate of 63.5 mm · h^-1. Rainfall was applied for 60 minutes under dry antecedent moisture conditions and for 30 minutes, 24 hours later under wet antecedent moisture conditions. The disk-chain created the largest reduction in infiltration and increase in sediment yield, which lasted for 3 growing seasons posttreatment. The Amazon-drill had a lesser impact, which was insignificant after the second growing season posttreatment. Surface soil properties showed little correlation with treatment-induced hydrologic and erosion impacts. Hydrologic recovery was strongly correlated with litter dynamics. The seeding treatments were unsuccessful at establishing seeded plant species, and the site once again became dominated by cheatgrass. A continuous upward trend in biomass production and surface litter cover was observed for all treatments between the beginning and end of the study because of cheatgrass invasion. Although the initial goal of using mechanical seeding treatments to enhance recovery of native grass species failed, cheatgrass production provided sufficient biomass to rapidly replenish surface litter cover necessary for rapid hydrologic stability of the site.     

两种放牧模式下高寒草甸群落植被构成及稳定性特征

适宜放牧管理模式,利于草地健康、生产力维持及草地稳定性提高。本研究通过对青藏高原东北缘高寒草甸冷季放牧(CSG)和四季放牧(WCSG)模式下,草地植物种重要值、群落特征、功能群生物量构成、群落物种Raunkiaer频度系数、草地演替度及土壤养分进行定量分析,明晰两种放牧模式下草地植被构成变化和稳定性特征,确定适宜草地管理模式。结果表明:1)CSG和WCSG草地植被优势种分别为冷地早熟禾与矮嵩草和垂穗披碱草,地上生物量构成分别以禾草(86.5%)和莎草(59.1%)为主;2)草层高度、盖度和总地上生物量均为CSG草地极显著高于WCSG草地(P<0.001或P<0.01),且前者分别为后者的6.5、1.1和3.0倍;群落植物物种数为CSG草地显著低于WCSG草地(P<0.05),后者是前者的1.3倍;3)CSG草地中地面芽植物的比例极显著高于WCSG草地(P<0.001),前者为后者的1.4倍;但前者地下芽植物和一年生植物的比例均显著低于后者(P<0.01或P<0.05),且前者分别为后者的18.2%和6.8%;4)CSG管理模式利于草地土壤有机碳(C)和全氮(N)维持;5)CSG草地植物物种Raunkiaer频度呈典型反“J”型,群落趋于相对成熟且稳定阶段。研究认为,CSG管理模式促进高寒草甸由莎草/杂类草群落向禾草/杂类草群落演替,提高草地稳定性。