Plant Community and Soil Environment Response to Summer Fire in the Northern Great Plains

Fire is an important process in many ecosystems, especially grasslands. However, documentation of plant community and soil environment responses to fire is limited for semiarid grasslands relative to that for mesic grasslands. Replicated summer fire research is lacking but necessary because summer is the natural fire season and the period of most wildfires in the western United States. We evaluated summer fire effects on soil temperature, soil moisture, aboveground biomass, root biomass, and functional group composition for 2 yr in semiarid C₃-dominated northern Great Plains. Following pre-treatment measures, four 0.75-ha sites were burned during August for comparison with nonburned sites, and the experiment was repeated the next year on adjacent sites to assess weather effects. Soils were about 0.5°C cooler on burned sites in the first experiment and similar in the second. Burned sites were consistently 1% drier than nonburned sites. Litter was reduced by fire but did not account for changes in soil moisture because differences occurred before the growing season. Current-year aboveground biomass and root biomass were similar between treatments, indicating productivity was resistant to summer fire. Perennial C₃ grasses increased in dominance because of positive biomass responses to fire for all but the bunchgrass, Hesperostipa comata, and a reduction of annual grasses. Perennial C₄ grasses were unaffected by summer fire. H. comata was resilient, with biomass on burned sites equaling nonburned sites the second growing season. Biomass was more responsive to precipitation than fire, and the fire-induced changes in species composition suggest exclusion of fire may be a greater disturbance than summer fire.     

火烧和施氮对内蒙古半干旱草原土壤微生物群落碳源利用潜力的影响

火烧是草原生态系统中最常见的一种自然现象,而氮素通常被认为是干旱、半干旱地区的主要限制因子。在中国北方草原生态系统相对干旱、长期处于氮素限制条件下,对火干扰和氮沉降非常敏感。通过在内蒙古多伦县半干旱草原地区进行火烧和施氮的野外控制试验,采用BIOLOG微孔板技术探讨火烧与施氮对土壤微生物量及其碳源利用的影响。结果表明：火烧和施氮处理显著降低生长季初期土壤微生物量;但是施氮显著促进了土壤细菌类群对多聚物、糖类、酚类和胺类碳源的利用,及真菌类群对胺类碳源的利用;而且火烧与施氮处理在影响土壤细菌碳源利用上表现出明显的交互效应,火烧削弱了施氮对细菌碳源利用的促进作用。火烧与施氮对生长季初期土壤微生物的这些影响,可能通过影响有效养分的释放而影响后期植物生长,但由于火烧与施氮处理在影响土壤微生物过程中表现出来的复杂性,这种对植物后期生长的影响可能存在较大的不确定性。     

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。     

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。     

Seasonal Timing of Fire Alters Biomass and Species Composition of Northern Mixed Prairie

Fire plays a central role in influencing ecosystem patterns and processes. However, documentation of fire seasonality and plant community response is limited in semiarid grasslands. We evaluated aboveground biomass, cover, and frequency response to summer, fall, and spring fires and no fire on silty and clayey sites in semiarid, C₃-dominated grassland. The magnitude of change in biomass between years was greater than any differences among fire treatments. Still, differences existed among seasons of fire. Summer fire reduced non-native annual forb frequency (3% vs. 10% ± 2%) and Hesperostipa comata, reduced native annual forbs the first year, increased Poa secunda and bare ground, and increased Vulpia octoflora the second year. Fall fire increased grass biomass (1224 vs. 1058 ± 56 kg ? ha^? 1), but fall fire effects were generally similar to those of summer fire. Spring fire effects tended to be intermediate between no fire and summer and fall fire with the exception that spring fire was most detrimental to H. comata the first growing season and did not increase bare ground. All seasons of fire reduced litter, forb biomass, and frequency of Bromus japonicus and Artemisia spp., and they reduced H. comata, V. octoflora, and native annual forbs the first year, but increased basal cover of C₃ perennial grasses (2.2% vs. 0.6% ± 0.4%). Fire during any season increased dominance of native species compared with no fire (6.6% vs. 2.0% ± 1.0% basal cover) and maintained productivity. Seasonal timing of fire manipulated species composition, but increased C₃ perennial grass cover and native species dominance with fire during any season indicated that using fire was more important than the season in which it occurred. In addition, fire effects on the vegetation components tended to be counter to previously observed effects of grazing, suggesting fire and grazing may be complementary.     

Texas Wintergrass and Buffalograss Response to Seasonal Fires and Clipping

There is increased interest in the use of summer-season fires to limit woody plant encroachment into grasslands, but effects of these fires on grasses are poorly understood. We quantified effects of repeated winter fires, repeated summer fires, and clipping (to simulate grazing) on aboveground total yield, live yield, and percentage of live tissue of C₃ Texas wintergrass (Nassella leucotricha [Trin. & Rupr.] Pohl.), and C₄ buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides [Nutt.] Engelm.) in 2 experiments. Monospecific patches of each species were exposed to 1 of 3 fire treatments (no-fire, 2 winter fires in 3 years, or 2 summer fires in 3 years) and 1 of 2 clip treatments (no clip or clip once each spring). Experiment 1 evaluated effects of fire without grazing or clipping on late-growing season (late-season) yields. Late-season total yield of both species recovered from winter and summer fires within 1 or 2 growing seasons post-fire. By 3 years post-fire, Texas wintergrass late-season total yield was 2 times greater in the summer fire treatment than the winter fire or no-fire treatments, and buffalograss late-season total yield was 3 times greater in summer and winter fire treatments than in the no-fire treatment. Experiment 2 evaluated combined effects of fire and clipping the previous spring on spring-season yields. Clipping alone or with fire (summer or winter) reduced Texas wintergrass yields on more sample dates than occurred with buffalograss. By 3 years post-fire, buffalograss spring total yield was greater in all fire and fire + clip treatments than in the clip only or untreated controls. Results suggest: 1) both species were tolerant of summer fire, 2) fire in either season with or without clipping stimulated buffalograss production, and 3) buffalograss was more tolerant than Texas wintergrass to the combined effects of clipping + fire (either season).     

Absence of a Grass/Fire Cycle in a Semiarid Grassland: Response to Prescribed Fire and Grazing

Many nonnative invasive grasses alter fire regimes to their own benefit and the detriment of native organisms. In southern Arizona the nonnative Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees) dominates many semiarid grasslands where native grasses were abundant. Managers are wary of using prescribed fire in this fire-prone community partly due to the perceived effects of a grass/fire cycle. However, examples of the grass/fire cycle originate in ecosystems where native plants are less fire-tolerant than grasses and the invasive plant does not mimic the physiognomy of the native community. We investigate the effects of prescribed fire and livestock grazing on a semiarid grassland community dominated by a nonnative invasive grass. Lehmann lovegrass does not appear to alter the fire regime of semiarid grasslands to the detriment of native plants. Prescribed fire reduced the abundance of Lehmann lovegrass for 1 to 2 yr while increasing abundance of native grasses, herbaceous dicotyledons and fall richness, and diversity. Effects of livestock grazing were less transformative than the effects of fire in this long-grazed area, but grazing negatively affected native plants as did the combination of prescribed fire and livestock grazing. Although Lehmann lovegrass produces more fuel than native plants, fire frequency in semiarid grasslands appears to be limited by the paucity of above-average precipitation, which constrains high fuel loads. In addition, many native grasses tolerate high temperatures produced by Lehmann lovegrass fires. Consistent with previous research, fire does not promote the spread of Lehmann lovegrass, and more importantly human alteration of the fire regime is greater than the nominal effects of Lehmann lovegrass introduction on the fire regime.     

封育措施下荒漠草原针茅植物-土壤C、N、P化学计量特征

以内蒙古希拉穆仁典型荒漠草原封育措施(完全封育、季节封育)下优势植物短花针茅及克氏针茅为研究对象,通过测定其叶片、枯落物和土壤C、N、P 含量及化学计量特征,分析封育措施下两种针茅养分变化特征及养分限制因素。结果表明:1)两种针茅叶片及枯落物C、N、P含量均表现为完全封育>季节封育,土壤N含量为完全封育(2.54 g·kg^-1)<季节封育(2.75 g·kg^-1);2)两种针茅植物叶片C/N、C/ P表现为季节封育>完全封育(P<0.05),说明完全封育降低了两种植物的固碳能力,土壤C/N与C/P均表现为完全封育(6.03、39.80)>季节封育(4.92、36.58)且差异显著(P<0.05);3)不同封育措施两种针茅叶片N/P>16,说明封育下两种针茅植物在研究区内主要受P的限制。研究结果进一步为荒漠草原可持续恢复管理提供科学指导。     

绵羊放牧绢蒿荒漠草地植物群落多样性及其环境解释

对天山北坡放牧条件下的绢蒿草地进行野外调查,以探讨植物群落物种组成、多样性特征及其与环境因子之间的关系。结果表明:1)绵羊放牧过程中形成了明显的放牧强度梯度,草地利用率适中。通过除趋势对应分析 (DCA)将放牧区内的植物群落划分为8个类型,各类型植物群落的物种多样性有显著差异,且群落间存在异质性;2)采用除趋势对应典范分析法(DCCA)中的前项选择,对所获取的9个环境因子进行筛选,最终土壤有机质含量、粪便量、放牧强度、凋落物生物量、海拔、坡向等6个环境因子成为决定物种分布和群落结构组成的主导因素。DCCA排序结果反映出了实际的生态意义,有机质、放牧强度、粪便量在第一排序轴有明显的梯度变化,而坡向和凋落物则在第2轴上呈现出明显梯度变化,物种和群落也沿着上述环境要素的梯度变化而依次分布,很好地解释了放牧条件下绢蒿荒漠草地物种、群落与环境条件之间的关系。     

Seasonal Patterns of Forage Availability in the Fescue Grasslands Under Contrasting Grazing Histories

Grazing by large herbivores has been shown to condition vegetation in a manner that improves grassland quality for subsequent herbivory. Fescue grasslands evolved with disturbance from fire and winter grazing by bison but are now grazed primarily by cattle during summer. We examined the effect of long-term summer grazing on the seasonal forage production and quality of fescue grasslands in an examination of the hypothesis that long-term grazing had conditioned fescue grasslands to benefit livestock. This hypothesis was examined by comparing, between grazed and ungrazed plots, the biomass and composition of herbage components, concentrations of nitrogen (N) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) therein, and the ability of major plant types to maintain their biomass and quality throughout the growing season. The study was conducted in southern Alberta at five sites that had long-term exclosures (20+ yr) on grasslands that had been moderately grazed. Grazing had no effect on the N concentration of associated grasses, but grasses had lower N concentration than forbs. Concentrations of ADF followed a reciprocal trend to N. Grazing increased the mass of forbs from about 10% to 20% as a proportion of total biomass, which in turn, was not affected by grazing history. However, this grazing-induced shift to a higher quality vegetation type was not sufficient to affect total mass of N or total digestible nutrients at the community level. Rather than changes in current growth and quality, the predominant effect of summer grazing was in reducing litter mass, which also had the potential for affecting forage production and selection by herbivores. Finally, grazing reduced the relative contribution of rough fescue to total biomass by about 30%, and despite no significant effect on the potential to support summer grazing, this change could reduce the quality of these grasslands for winter grazing.     

不同放牧强度下高寒草甸植被特征和土壤养分变化研究

放牧作为最主要的生物干扰因子之一,影响着草地生态系统植被和土壤的生态进程。在自然放牧条件下,通过不同放牧强度的比较试验,对高寒草甸土壤营养成分及地上群落特征进行分析,为制定合理的放牧强度提供理论依据。结果表明:随着放牧强度加大,地上总生物量、物种丰富度在封育样地最高,在重牧样地最低,而封育、轻牧、中牧样地香浓-威纳多样性指数并没有显著的差异;禾草和莎草的地上生物量和总盖度在中牧条件下最高。与轻牧、中牧和封育样地相比,重牧样地的杂草有较高的地上生物量和总盖度;5月份土壤含水量随放牧强度增加而减少,7月份、9月份则相反;封育、轻牧、重牧样地的土壤容重显著低于中牧样地(P<0.05);在整个生长季节,重牧样地的pH值明显高于其他3个处理,而封育?轻牧?中牧3个样地pH值没有显著差异;在整个生长季节,封育、轻牧、中牧、重牧4个样地土壤有机碳含量随着放牧强度的增加而趋于下降,其中封育、轻牧、中牧3样地土壤有机碳含量都显著高于重牧样地(P<0.05);土壤的全氮含量在各放牧样地里并没有显著变化,而土壤氨态氮、硝态氮则在植物整个生长季节随着放牧强度的加大而增加;在整个生长季节里全磷含量最大值都出现在中牧样地里,速效磷含量表现出了和全磷一致的结果。因此,适度放牧是保护生物多样性,维持土壤养分以及提高草地生产力的有效途径;当高寒草甸由于退化导致生物量锐减,生物多样性丧失等严重后果时,围栏可以作为有效的恢复手段。     

The Complementary Relationship of Bison Grazing and Arthropod Herbivory in Structuring a Tallgrass Prairie Community

Large mammal grazing is considered an important biological process that structures many grassland plant communities. While herbivorous arthropods are also important consumers in terrestrial systems, their interaction with large mammal grazing is poorly studied. We performed a field experiment in a tallgrass prairie manipulating arthropod abundance in both bison-grazed and ungrazed areas following a prescribed burn and monitored the plant community for 15 mo. Total plant biomass was unchanged by the end of the experiment, but individual biomass of forbs and grasses was altered by our manipulations. Forb biomass in the bison-grazed/arthropod-reduced plots was two to three times higher than other treatments, while grass biomass was higher in bison-grazed plots where arthropods were unmanipulated. Grass and forb richness showed smaller responses, with a significant difference only in ungrazed areas. Our results suggest that bison grazing and arthropod herbivory work in a complementary way; bison reduce grass biomass, allowing forbs to increase, while herbivorous arthropods reduce forb biomass, allowing grasses to increase. Our study showed that removing herbivorous arthropods may have lengthened the transition from forb to grass dominance, therefore delaying the return of conditions conducive to future disturbance by fire. Therefore, we argue that arthropod herbivory, interacting with large mammal grazing, is an additional important process affecting the plant community composition and disturbance patterns in tallgrass prairies and should be investigated further in additional grassland systems.     

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.     

短期封育对蒿类荒漠草地现存生物量及植物群落多样性的影响

为明确荒漠草地植物群落特征对短期封育的适应情况,采用成对试验设计,研究短期封育对天山北坡不同区域蒿类荒漠草地地上活体生物量、凋落物生物量、地下生物量及其植物群落多样性的影响。结果表明：封育后新源、玛纳斯、呼图壁、奇台等地的蒿类荒漠草地地上活体生物量较放牧区（CK）分别显著增加98.91%、65.99%、246.66%、91.91%,而博乐的变化不显著。封育后半灌木地上活体生物量较CK显著提高65.56%~265.47%,而多年生草本、一年生草本类因所处样地差异而有所不同。封育促进蒿类荒漠草地地下生物量的积累,仅博乐、呼图壁样地较CK显著增加65.16%~151.89%,且主要集中在0~5 cm,但封育对所有样地凋落物生物量的积累影响不显著。封育后博乐样地Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数、Pielou指数较CK分别显著增加15.12%、14.88%、11.54%;新源样地Patrick指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数、Pielou指数较CK分别显著降低62.12%、64.54%、58.02%、34.81%;玛纳斯样地的Patrick指数较CK显著降低32.48%,而Pielou指数较CK显著增加21.90%;呼图壁样地的Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数较CK分别显著降低73.21%、68.69%;而奇台样地的群落多样性没有显著影响。总体看,短期封育利于退化蒿类荒漠草地生物量的积累,而对植物群落多样性的影响因地区不同而不同。     

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。     

放牧牛羊对云贵地区禾草/白三叶草地群落稳定性的影响

禾草/白三叶(Trifolium repens)草地是中国南方喀斯特地区主要刈牧地之一,探究不同家畜放牧下禾草/白三叶草地植被构成和群落稳定性,可一定程度揭示其植被演替特征。本研究定量分析了多年放牧牛(grazing cattle pasture,GC)、放牧羊(grazing sheep pasture,GS)的禾草/白三叶草地群落特征、物种多样性、生物量构成及群落稳定性。结果显示:1)草地死物质量及植物物种数为GC>GS,植物物种Simpson指数为GS>GC;2)草地禾草[多年生黑麦草(Lolium perenne)、鸭茅(Dactylis glomerata)及原生禾草]、原生双子叶(马鞭草科、车前科、酢浆草科和十字花科)及适口性中等植物地上生物量组分为GC>GS,播种白三叶地上生物量组分为GS>GC;且GC草地地上生物量以禾草为主(77.20%),GS草地地上生物量以禾草(51.79%)和豆科(28.02%)为主;3)草地土壤K含量为GC>GS;4)GC草地植物种Raunkiaer频度直方图呈反J型,群落演替度(37.08)比GS草地(45.45)的低。研究认为,GC草地群落处于相对稳定状态,而GS草地群落处于更高演替阶段,牛放牧更利于禾草/白三叶草地群落稳定性和物种多样性的维持。因此,放牧时可实行牛、羊混牧制,或牛、羊轮牧制,以提高禾草/白三叶草地的稳定性和生产力。     

丛枝菌根真菌与根瘤菌对3种豆禾混播植物种间互作的影响

丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)和根瘤菌是两类重要的土壤微生物,可与宿主植物形成互利共生关系.本研究通过对多年生黑麦草(Loliumperenne)、鸭茅(Dactylis glomerata)和白三叶(Trifolium repens)构建的混播组合接种AMF和根瘤菌,...     

不同土地利用方式对典型温性草原群落物种组成和多样性以及生产力的影响

以锡林郭勒典型温性草原区域不同利用、管理方式植物群落作为研究对象,选取当地较为常见的6种不同利用管理方式围封禁牧大针茅,围封禁牧羊草,公共放牧大针茅、私人放牧大针茅、大针茅火烧围封恢复和开垦人工饲草的典型草地设置实验样地,采用群落调查、收割称重和根钻取样等方法测定、比较上述群落的物种组成、物种多样性和生产力构成。结果表明放牧降低大针茅群落的地上、地下生物量,而长时间的围封显著增加群落的地上地下生产力(P<0.05),但对群落物种组成和物种多样性影响不大(P>0.05)。随着利用程度的减弱,群落C3植物生产力和所占比重逐渐上升(P<0.05),C4植物生物量保持稳定(P>0.05),但比例下降(P<0.05)。火烧显著增加群落物种多样性(P<0.05),同时显著降低地下生物量(P<0.05),但地上生物量变化不大,同时C4植物生物量显著上升。人工开垦极大改变了群落的物种组成,同时显著增加群落地上生物量,降低群落地下生物量,使群落获得了相对天然群落更高的地上生物量/地下生物量。     

Grazing History Effects on Rangeland Biomass,Cover and Diversity Responses to Fire and Grazing Utilization

Exclusion of large grazers from rangelands that evolved with significant grazing pressure can alter natural processes and may have legacy effects by changing magnitude or direction of community responses to subsequent disturbance. Three moderately grazed pastures were paired with 12-ha areas with 15 yr of livestock exclusion. Six treatments were assigned to each in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of fire (fall fire or no fire) and grazing utilization (0%, 50%, or 75% biomass removal) to determine grazing history effects on rangeland response to subsequent disturbance. Livestock exclusion increased C₃ perennial grass (1 232 vs. 980 ± 50 kg ? ha^-1) and forbs (173 vs. 62 ± 19 kg ? ha^-1) and reduced C₄ perennial grass (36 vs. 180 ± 25 kg ? ha^-1) with no effect on total current-year biomass. Diversity was greater in pastures than exclosures (H’ = 1.5400 vs. 1.3823 ± 0.0431). Every biomass, cover, and diversity measure, except subshrub biomass, was affected by fire, grazing utilization, or both. Contrary to expectations, grazing history only interacted with fire effects for old standing dead material and interactions with grazing utilization were limited to old dead, bare ground, richness and dominance. Fire by grazing utilization interaction was limited to bare ground. Fire reduced annual grass (64 vs. 137 ± 29 kg ? ha^-1), forbs (84 vs. 133 ± 29 kg ? ha^-1), and diversity (H’ = 1.3260 vs. 1.5005 ± 0.0537) with no difference in total current-year biomass (1 557 vs. 1 594 ± 66 kg ? ha^-1). Grazing to 75% utilization reduced total current-year biomass (1 467 vs. 1 656 ± 66 kg ? ha^-1) and dominance (0.4824 vs. 0.5584 ± 0.0279). Grazing history affected starting points for most variables, but changes caused by grazing utilization or fire were similar between pastures and exclosures, indicating management decisions can be made based on independent knowledge of grazing or fire effects.     

草地利用和管理方式对地木耳生物量的影响

地木耳(Nostoc commune)是一种固氮蓝藻,其固氮活性是可逆的,在天然草地氮素循环中起着非常重要的作用。本研究分析了放牧、刈割、烧荒以及围封对地木耳生长动态的影响,以期为合理利用和管理天然草地提供理论依据。结果表明,围栏封育样地地木耳的生物量最高,适度放牧和刈割样地次之,重度放牧显著抑制了地木耳生长,其总生物量仅相当于围栏封育的11.2%～35.1%;烧荒处理当年地木耳生长受到抑制,但随着凋落物的积累,其生长量逐渐增加;地木耳生物量与凋落物、立枯物的量呈显著正相关（P<0.05）,凋落物和立枯物的量是影响地木耳生长的主要因素。因此,适度放牧和围栏封育有利于草地固氮蓝藻--地木耳的生长和增加草地氮素供应。