Characterization of the forest humus microbial community in a heavy metal polluted area

Various parameters of the soil microbial community may be used in soil quality evaluation and environmental risk assessment. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of different environmental factors on the characteristics of forest humus microbial communities, and to test which environmental factors most affect the gross microbial indices and physiological profiles of these communities. Samples were taken at 71 plots located in a heavily polluted area of the Krakowsko-Cze¸stochowska upland in southern Poland. The samples were analyzed for pH in KCl (pH_KCl), organic C (C_org), total N (N_t) and S (S_t), and for total and soluble Zn, Pb and Cd concentrations. The considered microbial parameters included basal respiration (BAS), microbial biomass (C_mic), C_mic-to-C_org ratio, and community-level physiological profiles (CLPPs) studied using BIOLOG^® Ecoplates. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the effects of humus properties on the microbial parameters. It indicated that S_t and C_org-to-N_t ratio were the most important factors positively affecting C_mic (β=0.15 and 0.11, respectively) and BAS (β=0.13 and 0.08, respectively). The C_mic-to-C_org ratio was related positively to S_t (β=0.12) but negatively to N_t (β=−0.08). The effects of pH_KCl and heavy metals on the gross microbial indices were significant but less important. The most important effect on microbial activity on BIOLOG^® plates and CLPPs was from pH_KCl. The other significant variables included S_t, C_org-to-N_t and interactions of heavy metals with pH_KCl. It was concluded that C_mic, C_mic-to-C_org and BAS might be good indicators of the general status of soil microbial communities, but their use in studying heavy metal effects may entail difficulties in separating the effects of other factors. The sensitivity of the BIOLOG^® test to pH_KCl suggests that it may be useful for studying the effects of acidification or liming on soil microbial communities. The significant effect of the interactions between heavy metals and other variables on physiological profiles indicated that high heavy metal content affects the metabolic functions of soil microbial populations.     

Variation in the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized during forest humus decomposition

Laboratory incubations of sieved (<2mm) forest humus were used to study the response of C and N mineralization to perturbation. Considerable variation in the ratio of mineralized C to mineralized N was observed. This ratio widened with increasing temperature. At constant temperature, addition of P stimulated CO₂-C evolution and reduced NH₄⁺-N production, also widening the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized. Addition of weak base stimulated mineralization of N more than C, reducing the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized. Addition of weak acid, mineral-N, or excessive amounts of water inhibited CO₂-C evolution while stimulating production of NH₄⁺-N, resulting in a “negative correlation” between the two, and reducing the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized still further.Results were interpreted in terms of effects on microbial biomass. A relatively benign treatment (P addition) may promote microbial growth and respiration, reducing net N availability. A moderate perturbation (addition of weak base) favors new organisms growing partly at the expense of microbial necromass. These organisms will mineralize some necromass-N, increase net N mineralization, and reduce the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized. Under severe conditions (addition of acid) the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized approaches that of the microbial biomass itself, suggesting that the biomass is the primary substrate mineralized. Microbial mortality is likely to be a significant factor affecting the supply of N in field situations, and should be included in any general model of soil N mineralization processes.     

Near-infrared characteristics of forest humus are correlated with soil respiration and microbial biomass in burnt soil

Near-infrared spectroscopy and soil physicochemical determinations (pH_H2O, organic matter content, total C content, NH _inf4 ^sup+ , total N content, cation-exchange capacity, and base saturation) were used to characterize fire-or wood ash-treated humus samples. The spectroscopic and the soil physicochemical analysis data from the humus samples were used separately to explain observed variations in soil respiration and microbial biomass C by partial least-square regression. The first regression component obtained from the physicochemical and spectroscopic characterization explained 10–12% and 60–80% of the biological variation, respectively. This suggests that information on organic material collected from near-infrared spectra is very useful for explaining biological variations in forest humus.     

Effect of earthworms on decomposition processes in raw humus forest soil: A microcosm study

Summary The earthworms Lumbricus rubellus (Hoffmeister) and Dendrobaena octaedra (Savigny) were studied in the laboratory to determine their effects on decomposition and nutrient cycling in coniferous forest soil. CO₂ evolution was monitored, and pH, PO ₄ ^3– –P, NH ₄ ⁺ –N, NO ₃ ^– –N, total N, and total C in the leaching waters were measured. After three destructive samplings, numbers of animals, mass loss, pH, and KCl-extractable nutrients were analysed.The earthworms clearly enhanced the mass loss of the substrate, especially that of litter. L. rubellus stimulated microbial respiration by 15–18%, whereas D. octaedra stimulated it only slightly. The worms significantly raised the pH of the leaching waters and the humus; L. rubellus raised the value by 0.2–0.6 pH units and D. octaedra by 0.1–0.4 units. Both worms increased N mineralization. Although the biomass of both worms decreased during the experiment, the N released from decomposing tissues did not explain the increase in N leached in the presence of earthworms. The worms influenced the level of PO ₄ ^3– –P only slightly.     

Variation in soil temperature with microrelief and soil depth in a newly planted forest

Spatial variability in exponential mean soil temperature for a full year in a newly planted forest in northern England was examined using the sucrose inversion method of temperature measurement. The exponential mean temperature decreased significantly with soil depth (P < 0.001). The rate of this decrease varied significantly between different areas of the forest with slightly different soil profiles (0.001 < P < 0.01). Exponential means for 30–50cm depth in the forest and comparable arithmetic means for the nearest meteorological stations were similar. Exponential mean temperatures at 5 cm soil depth were, on average, 1.5° higher in the ridges than in the adjacent flat areas (P < 0.001). The exponential mean for the flat areas was, on average, 0.3° higher to the south-west of the ridge than to the north-east (0.001 < P < 0.01). It was also 0.9°C lower than the mean at 5 cm depth in the neighbouring rides (0.001 < P < 0.01).     

高寒草原土壤有机碳与腐殖质碳变化及其微生物效应

基于多区域重复采样,研究了藏北高原不同状态(正常、轻度和严重退化)高寒草原表层(0～10 cm)、亚表层(10～20 cm)土壤有机碳(Soil organic carbon,SOC)、腐殖质碳(Humus carbon,HC)、胡敏酸碳(Humic acid carbon,HAC)和富里酸碳(Fulvic acid carbon,FAC)的变化,以及土壤微生物群落、微生物生物量碳(Microbial biomass carbon,MBC)、纤维素分解酶活性(Cellulolytic enzyme activity,CEA)对其产生的影响与作用。结果表明:高原寒旱环境中土壤的HC/SOC比例过低,但PQ值(HAC/HC)很高。随土层加深,不同状态草地SOC、HC、HAC含量、HC/SOC比例在总体上趋于不同程度的下降,PQ值则均呈一定程度的提高。相对于正常草地,随草地退化加剧,表层SOC、HC(HAC、FAC)增幅分别表现出略呈下降、大幅提高,亚表层降幅则均呈大幅下降。反映到0～20 cm土层,SOC、HC、HAC含量均表现出正常草地严重退化草地轻度退化草地,HC/SOC比例、PQ值则分别呈严重退化草地正常草地轻度退化草地、正常草地轻度退化草地严重退化草地,说明草地退化在促进表层SOC、HC(HAC、FAC)形成与积累的同时,更"激发"了亚表层的矿化,尤其是严重退化草地有机残体的分解过程,但腐殖质品质并未随土壤腐殖化程度的提高而得到相应改善。MBC、CEA与SOC、HC及组分高度一致的土体分布格局影响并决定了上述过程,草地退化有利于真菌、放线菌对土壤、尤其是亚表层土壤有机残体的分解与转化。     

北京西山地区林火对土壤性质的影响

 为进行火烧迹地的管理,采用调查取样和室内分析方法,对北京西山地区不同林火强度下油松林土壤物理和化学性质的变化进行了研究。结果表明:与未火烧相比,中度火烧会显著提高土壤密度,显著降低土壤总孔隙度、土壤黏粒含量和田间持水量,而毛管孔隙和非毛管孔隙的变化却不明显;轻度火烧对土壤物理性质的影响不显著。轻度火烧会显著地提高0～5cm范围的土壤有机质含量,而中度火烧会显著降低土壤有机质和全氮含量。轻度火烧使土壤pH值增加,其中0～2cm的差异达到显著水平;另外,0～5 cm土层Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺的含量比中度火烧和未火烧土壤有明显的提高。因此,轻度火烧有利于改善土壤的性质。     

阔叶林改种毛竹(Phyllostachys pubescens)后土壤固氮细菌 nifH 基因多样性的变化

【目的】毛竹是喜氮植物,土壤氮素水平对毛竹生长至关重要。生物固氮是土壤氮素的重要来源,因此,探索阔叶林改种毛竹后土壤固氮细菌和土壤氮素的变化具有重要意义。【方法】选择立地条件相近的毛竹林(100多年前由阔叶林改种而来)和阔叶林,每种林地在东北坡向位置随机选择4个10 m×10 m标准样地,每个标准样地选取5个采样点,分层采集0—20 cm(表层)和20—40 cm(次表层)土壤样品,分析了土壤pH、有机碳、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾和含水量等常规理化性质; 采用引物对AQER和PolF,以土壤总DNA为模板扩增了固氮细菌功能基因(nifH )片段,应用变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)和实时荧光定量PCR(Real-time PCR),分析了固氮细菌群落结构、多样性以及丰度(nifH 基因拷贝数)变化; 通过基因克隆测序对土壤固氮细菌进行初步鉴定。【结果】阔叶林改种毛竹后土壤pH显著(P0.05)提高; 毛竹林土壤的含水量、碱解氮以及表层土壤的速效钾显著高于(P0.05)同层的阔叶林土壤,而有效磷则显著(P0.05)低于同层的阔叶林土壤。总体来说,阔叶林改种毛竹后土壤养分含量明显提高; 阔叶林土壤固氮细菌DGGE条带数以及多样性指数(Shannon-Wiener index)都高于毛竹林; 基于DGGE条带信息的聚类分析和主成分分析(PCA)结果表明,阔叶林和毛竹林区分为2个类群,而同一林分的不同土层之间差异较小; 实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,毛竹林土壤的固氮细菌 nifH 基因丰度显著(P0.05)高于阔叶林土壤; 通过克隆测序,14个阳性克隆分别属于2个不同的菌属,其中13个均为Bradyrhizobium,1个为Azohydromonas lata,条带序列与已知序列的相似度为93%~98%。【结论】阔叶林改种毛竹后土壤固氮细菌的种类减少,而功能基因丰度却明显增加; 土壤氮素水平明显提高,这可能是土壤固氮能力增强的结果。     

Direct and indirect effects of tree diversity drive soil microbial diversity in temperate deciduous forest

We investigated the link between aboveground and belowground diversity in temperate deciduous forest ecosystems. To this end, we determined the effects of the tree species composition on the biomass and composition of the soil microbial community using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles in the Hainich National Park, a deciduous mixed forest on loess over limestone in Central-Germany. We investigated the effects of the leaf litter composition on the microbial community, hypothesizing that distinctive leaf litter compositions increase signature PLFAs. In addition, we studied the impact of clay content, pH and nutrient status of the soil on the microbial community in different surface soil layers. Consequently, soil was sampled from depths of 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm. Plots with highest leaf litter diversity had the largest total amounts of fatty acids, but only PLFA 16:1ω5, which is a common marker for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, was significantly increased. In the uppermost soil layer, the pH explained most of the variance in microbial composition. In the deeper surface soil layers, nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus determined the microbial abundances and composition. Our results suggest that the soil microbial community is mainly indirectly influenced by aboveground diversity. Changes in soil pH or the soil nutrient status that are driven by specific plant traits like leave litter quality drive these indirect changes. Specific direct interactions are most reasonable for mycorrhizal fungi.     

秸秆还田深度对黑土腐殖质和酶活性的影响

在田间条件下对耕地黑土3个土层(0~15、15~30、0~30 cm)进行玉米秸秆还田试验,研究不同秸秆还田深度土壤腐殖质各组分含量、土壤酶活性的变化及其相关性。结果表明:还田深度0~15、15~30、0~30cm土壤总有机碳含量与初始相应层次土壤分别增加9.5%、9.9%、10.7%,与0~15 cm相比,秸秆还田深度为15~30 cm时,有利于土壤有机碳的积累。与初始相应层次土壤比,未秸秆还田的土壤总有机碳含量降低了5.8%。土壤各组分有机碳含量与土壤蔗糖酶活性之间显著(或极显著)相关,土壤胡敏素碳含量与土壤过氧化氢酶活性之间显著相关,土壤富里酸碳含量与土壤脲酶活性之间显著相关。     

Distribution of inorganic phosphorus fractions in some soil profiles of Zagros forest of Iran

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the status of inorganic phosphorus (P) fractions in ten virgin soil profiles, and to study the relationships between P fractions and soil properties from Kohgyloyeh and Boir Ahmad province, Iran. The soils belonged to Alfisols, Entisols, Mollisols, and Inceptisols. Mean annual precipitation and temperature ranges were 450–850 mm and 12.2–22.4°C, respectively. Inorganic P was fractionated by sequential extraction with NaHCO₃, NH₄OAc, MgCl₂, NH₄F, NaOH, citrate-dithionite-bicarbonate (CBD), and H₂SO₄, which are referred to as NaHCO₃–P, NH₄OAc–P, MgCl₂–P, NH₄F–P, NaOH–P, CBD–P, and H₂SO₄–P, respectively. Generally, the NaHCO₃–P, NH₄OAc–P, MgCl₂–P, and NH₄F–P were higher in surface horizons, especially wherever there was higher annual precipitation. Results showed that H₂SO₄–P constituted the largest inorganic P fractions in all profiles. For all the soils studied the distribution of P fractions was similar to that of weakly weathered soils under arid and semi-arid regions which represent an early stage of development. Pedogenic P compounds were higher where weathering was higher, i.e., in surface horizons and at higher annual precipitation.     

现代分析技术在土壤腐殖质研究中的应用

土壤腐殖质的研究已成为土壤学、环境化学和地球化学等领域的热点方向之一。应用核磁共振光谱 (NMR)、红外光谱 (IR)、荧光光谱 (FS)、电子自旋共振谱 (ESR)等现代分析技术 ,对在土壤腐殖质组成和结构研究中取得的主要成果进行了综述。     

The heterogeneity of humus profiles and earthworm communities in a virgin beech forest

Thirty sites, encompassing a range of soil and vegetation conditions in the biological reserve of La Tillaie (Fontainebleau Forest, France) were investigated in April 1992. Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) was the dominant tree species, with several developmental phases forming the forest patchwork. Sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Mattus.) Liebl.] was present but only as old relictual individuals. Gaps in the canopy cover were abundant, mostly caused by wind storms 2 years previously. The next most recent storm was 25 years before, resulting in distinct patches of full-grown trees. Humus profiles were classified and compared with the distribution of earthworm communities, canopy cover, and soil types. Geomorphology was responsible for the main part of the observed variation. Absence of lime in the substrate and direct contact with a sandstone stratum near the ground surface was associated with the absence of earthworms and the appearance of an OH horizon (moder humus). Elsewhere, earthworms were present and humus profiles did not display any OH horizon (mull or mull-like moder humus), but species composition was variable and strongly influenced by the thickness of the superficial sand deposit overlying limestone. On a thick (1 m or more) sandy substrate earthworm communities were dominated by epigeic species together with the anecic Lumbricus terrestris L. The species richness was higher on a shallower sandy substrate (50 cm) where lime was more accessible to tree roots and burrowing animals. The influence of the forest cycle of beech was visible in the latter case (covering most of the area), with an increase in the thickness of the OL and OF horizons and a decrease in endogeic earthworm populations during the phase of intense growth of beech. This fall in burrowing activity was apparent in gaps created by wind storms and fungal diseases within mature stands as early as 2 years after the fall of the trees.     

我国中部井工煤炭开采沉陷对农田大型土壤动物群落结构的影响

为了解不同沉陷程度农田土壤生态系统中大型土壤动物群落结构,于2007年夏季对我国中部潞安集团井工开采区沉陷农田生态系统中不同等高线处大型土壤动物群落组成进行了调查,采用野外手捡法共采集大型土壤动物477只,隶属于3门7纲15目22科。其中,蜘蛛目、鞘翅目、直翅目和膜翅目为优势类群,占总捕量的83.64%;常见类群4类,占总捕量的13.22%。研究结果表明:不同沉陷程度对农田大型土壤动物个体数、类群数均有不同程度影响,农田大型土壤动物个体密度随着沉陷深度的增加呈现增加趋势,沉陷区土壤生态环境的变化引起大型土壤动物的局部迁移。Jaccard相似性系数表明沉陷区中部(2 m、4 m和6 m等高线处)三者间相似程度较高,正常农田(CK)与沉陷区底部(7 m等高线处)之间相似程度最低,达到极不相似程度。研究认为不同沉陷程度对大型土壤动物的群落结构有明显影响,将大型土壤动物作为沉陷区农田土壤质量评价中生物性状指标具有重要意义。     

两种生物质炭对酸性紫色土腐殖质组成的影响

生物质炭的性状与原料中木质纤维含量密切相关,为探明不同原料生物质炭对土壤腐殖质组成的影响,选取玉米秸秆和紫茎泽兰分别作为纤维类和木质类原材料制备生物质炭,向酸性紫色土分别添加5%玉米秸秆生物质炭（MB）和5%紫茎泽兰生物质炭（EB）,测定90 d室内培养期间土壤胡敏酸（HA）、富里酸（FA）、胡敏素（HM）含量以及HA光学性质和元素组成变化。结果表明：MB和EB的比表面积分别为2.32 m²·g^-1和0.72 m²·g^-1,总孔体积分别为42.71 mm³·g^-1和12.59 mm³·g^-1,碳与氢元素摩尔比（C/H）分别为1.91和1.46,氧、硫之和与碳元素摩尔比[（O+S）/C]分别为0.09和0.16,玉米秸秆生物质炭的吸附能力更强、有机质成分的缩合度更大且氧化度更小。与对照（不添加生物质炭,CK）相比,培养结束后,施入生物质炭的土壤HA、FA和HM含量分别显著增加（P<0.05）65.59%~102.82%、85.87%~118.54%和137.25%~161.23%,MB处理对这3种腐殖质含量的增加效应较EB处理更明显。培养结束时添加生物质炭的土壤HA/土壤有机碳（SOC）降低13.53%~27.06%,FA/SOC降低6.81%~18.03%,其中EB处理的降低效应达显著水平;HM/SOC则增加4.58%~11.40%,其中MB处理的增加效应达显著水平。添加生物质炭的土壤HA色调系数（ΔlgK）增加2.40%~5.60%,HA的缩合度（C/H）降低3.51%~11.81%,（O+S）/C增加1.51%~8.74%。总体来看,施入生物质炭均能相对增加腐殖质各组分含量,降低C/H,提高HA的氧化度[（O+S）/C],且纤维类原料（玉米秸秆）生物质炭的效果更明显。纤维类原料（玉米秸秆）生物质炭显著提高了稳定性较高的土壤胡敏素碳比例（HM/SOC）,但降低了土壤HA的稳定性[HA的C/H降低,（O+S）/C增加];木质类原料（紫茎泽兰）生物质炭显著降低土壤胡敏酸碳比例（HA/SOC）和富里酸碳比例（FA/SOC）,对HM/SOC增加效益不显著,反之提高了土壤易分解有机碳比例。     

Changes in the humus status of a layland sandy gleyic soddy-podzolic soil

Changes in the content, reserves, and composition of humus in a sandy gleyic iron-humus-illuvial soddy-podzolic soil under intensive, decreasing, and ceased agrotechnical impacts were studied. It was shown that when a well-cultivated soil is removed from economic use, the conditions of humus formation in the former homogeneous plow layer develop differently. A deterioration of the humus status parameters of the layland soil was found as compared to the cultivated soil. It was concluded that, when a soil is removed from economic use, its profile, which was disturbed by the anthropogenic impact, tends to return to the original genetic state. The change in the level of the agricultural practices affected the optical density of the humic acids only slightly, which is indicative of their relative stability under specific soil-forming conditions.     

北京八达岭地区典型林分林地土壤抗蚀性分析

为研究八达岭地区不同森林植被对土壤抗蚀性的影响,揭示不同林分林地土壤抗蚀性特征,以该地区典型植被类型(油松林、针阔混交林、阔叶林和灌木林)为研究对象,运用主成分分析及相关分析方法,研究该区域内,不同林分类型土壤的抗蚀性.结果表明:八达岭地区林分林地土壤干筛时,团聚体主要集中于5～2 mm粒径范围内,在0.5-0.25 mm粒径范围内质量分数最少;湿筛后,＜0.25 mm小粒径范围内质量分数最大,在10～5 mm大粒径范围内质量分数最少.为比较各典型林分林地土壤抗蚀性,选取土壤理化性质、土壤团聚特征等12种指标,以主成分分析方法为基础,确定评价北京八达岭地区土壤抗蚀性的最佳指标体系,同时,经相关分析选定干筛时,土壤几何平均直径(GMD)为八达岭地区各典型林分林地最佳土壤抗蚀指标.经分析,八达岭地区各典型林分土壤表层(0～10 cm)抗蚀性由强到弱依次为阔叶林＞灌木林＞针阔混交林＞油松林;对于主要发生土壤侵蚀的0～20 cm土壤表层抗蚀性由强到弱为灌木林＞油松林＞阔叶林＞针阔混交林;在各土层平均值综合情况下,评价结果选取抗蚀性综合指数表示,得出各林地土壤抗蚀性由强到弱依次为灌木林＞油松林＞针阔混交林＞阔叶林.     

Variation in soil bulk density and hydraulic conductivity within a quasi-circular vegetation patch and bare soil area

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Soil bulk density and hydraulic conductivity are two of many key factors for vegetation establishment and the other way around. Variations in them may cause patchy...     

Positive relationship between herbaceous layer diversity and the performance of soil biota in a temperate forest

The current decline in biodiversity is particularly pronounced in the herbaceous layer of forest ecosystems. We explored the relationship between a naturally occurring plant diversity gradient in the understory vegetation of a deciduous forest and several above-and belowground ecosystem processes. We show that particularly soil microbial parameters and microarthropod densities are positively correlated with plant species richness. These results confirm recent findings in grassland ecosystems and highlight the intimate interconnectance between the diversity and functioning of above-and belowground compartments. We conclude that irrespective of a potential causal relationship between plant species richness and belowground processes, it is essential to consider the performance of soil biota in order to understand the relationship between herbaceous layer composition and ecosystem function.