Plant removal disturbance and replant mitigation effects on the abundance and diversity of low-arctic soil biota

Due to the dependence of soil organisms on plant derived carbon, disturbances in plant cover are thought to be detrimental for the persistence of soil biota. In this work, we studied the disturbance effects of plant removal and soil mixing and the mitigation effects of replanting on soil biota in a low-arctic meadow ecosystem. We set up altogether six replicate blocks, each including three randomized treatment plots, at two distinct fells at Kilpisjärvi, northern Finland. Vegetation was removed in two thirds of the plots: one third was then kept barren (the plant-removal treatment), while the other third was replanted with a local herb Solidago virgaurea. The remaining plots of intact vegetation were used as treatment comparisons. The responses of soil microbes and fauna were examined six years later in the early and late growing season. The biomass of bacteria, non-mycorrhizal fungi and mycorrhizal fungi (estimated using PLFA markers) were on average 74%, 89% and 84% lower in the plant-removal and 64%, 74% and 71% lower in the Solidago replant plots than in the intact meadow. The positive effect of replanting was statistically significant for fungi, but not for bacteria. The PCA of relative PLFA concentrations further showed that the structure of the microbial community differed significantly among all three treatments. The abundance of nematodes and collembolans was on average 82 and 95% lower, but the total number of nematode genera and collembolan taxa only 27 and 7% lower in the plant-removal plots than in the intact meadow soil. Few disturbance effects on soil fauna were significantly mitigated by the Solidago replant (the plant parasitic nematodes being a notable exception) and in the case of the collembolans, the Solidago replant plots had even fewer animals than the plant-removal plots. The response of soil biota also varied with locality: the effects on fungivorous nematodes were found at one site only and the replant effects on the number and diversity of collembolan taxa varied with site. Our results suggest that despite drastic reductions in the abundance of soil biota, the majority of animal taxa can persist for years in disturbed arctic soils in the absence of vegetation. In contrast, the alleviating replant effects on the abundance of soil biota appear weak and may only partially reverse the negative effects of vegetation removal and soil disturbance.     

赣南飞播马尾松林林下植被盖度对土壤质量的影响

为了探明林下植被盖度对赣南飞播马尾松林土壤质量的影响,选取3种林下植被盖度（> 70%,30%～70%,< 30%）的林分,对其表层（0—10 cm）土壤理化性质的16个指标进行比较分析,筛选出土壤容重、田间持水量、土壤有机质、速效磷、pH值作为土壤质量评价指标,运用土壤理化综合指数评价不同林下植被盖度下土壤质量水平。结果表明:3种林下植被盖度间,土壤容重、土壤含水量、饱和持水量、毛管持水量、田间持水量、毛管孔隙度、总孔隙度、pH值存在显著差异（P < 0.05）;非毛管孔隙度、有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、速效氮、速效磷、速效钾不存在显著差异（P > 0.05）。不同林下植被盖度的土壤理化综合指数存在极显著差异（P < 0.01）,土壤质量随着林下植被盖度的增加而得到显著提高。     

地上植食性昆虫对土壤生态系统影响的研究进展

地上地下生态系统之间存在着密切的联系,二者相互作用,共同影响陆地生态系统过程。越来越多的研究表明,地上地下之间的相互联系还受到植食性动物取食作用的调节。地上植食性昆虫不仅可以改变地上植物或动物群落,还可以间接地影响土壤生态系统中的生物群落和相关的土壤过程,进而对地上生态系统形成反馈。本文综述了地上植食性昆虫对土壤食物网中不同营养级的生物群落,以及相关土壤过程的影响;在已有研究报道的基础上,分析并归纳了地上植食性昆虫影响土壤生态系统的途径和调控因素等,旨在较为全面地总结地上植食性昆虫对土壤生态系统的间接影响以及相关的影响机制,并对今后的研究方向作了初步展望。     

Response of soil nematode communities to tree girdling in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest of southwest China

The impact of canopy photosynthates on soil microbial biomass and nematode trophic groups was studied in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest by performing a large-scale tree girdling experiment. Total fungal biomass was unaffected by tree girdling. Bacterial biomass differed significantly between the girdled and control plots in the mineral soil, but was not affected by girdling treatment in the humus layer. Girdling reduced total nematode density in the humus layer. The reduced fungivorous nematode density in girdled plots in the humus layer suggested a modified energy flow through the fungal based pathways. There were no differences in the abundance of bacterial-feeding, herbivorous and omnivorous-predatory nematodes between the girdled and control plots in both humus and mineral soil layers. This study provides direct evidence that the termination of belowground photosynthate-C allocation achieved by tree girdling affects soil nematodes, and that different trophic groups vary in their responses to the reduction of C efflux into the soil.     

蚓粪和益生菌配施对设施番茄地土壤线虫群落的影响

为探究蚓粪和益生菌互作对大棚番茄地土壤线虫数量和群落结构的影响,设置CF(单施化肥)、CF+BM(化肥配施巨大芽孢杆菌)、CF+BA(化肥配施解淀粉芽孢杆菌)、VC(单施蚓粪)、VC+BM(蚓粪配施巨大芽孢杆菌)和VC+BA(蚓粪配施解淀粉芽孢杆菌)6个处理。结果表明:与单施化肥相比,单施蚓粪有助于土壤线虫数量的提高,而蚓粪配施益生菌相比单施蚓粪对线虫数量的提高更加显著;化肥配施益生菌在盛花期时对土壤线虫数量提高不显著,收获期时有显著提高但效果不及蚓粪配施益生菌。单施化肥或蚓粪提高了植食性线虫短体属(Pratylenchus)的相对丰度,且单施蚓粪提高幅度显著高于单施化肥。与单施化肥相比,单施蚓粪显著降低了食细菌线虫比例,而化肥配施益生菌显著降低了食细菌线虫和植食性线虫比例,增加了食真菌线虫比例。蚓粪配施益生菌相比单施蚓粪显著增加了食细菌和食真菌线虫比例,降低了植食性和捕杂食性线虫比例。与单施化肥或蚓粪相比,蚓粪配施益生菌对瓦斯乐斯卡指数(WI)、食真菌线虫与食细菌线虫比率(F/B)和植食性线虫成熟指数(PPI)均能够产生积极影响,且效果优于化肥配施益生菌。综合比较可以发现,与单施化肥或蚓粪相比,蚓粪配施益生菌能够减缓植食性线虫增长,土壤环境和线虫群落趋于健康和稳定,是值得推荐的施肥方式。     

美国俄勒冈州有机与传统农业生态系统间土壤生物区的比较

Soil samples at 0--10 cm in depth were collected periodically at paired fields in Corvallis, Oregon, USA to compare differences in soil microbial and faunal populations between organic and conventional agroecosystems Results showed that the organic soil ecosystem had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) average number or biomass of soil bacteria; densities of flagellates, amoebae of protozoa; some nematodes, such as microbivorous and predaceous nematodes and plant-parasitic nematodes; as well as Collembola. Greater numbers of Rhabditida (such as Rhabditis spp.), were present in the organic soil ecosystem while Panagrolaimus spp. Were predominant in the conventional soil ecosystem. The omnivores and predators of Acarina in the Mesostigmata (such as Digamasellidae and Laelapid), and Prostigmata (such as Alicorhaiidae and Rhagidiidae), were also more abundant in the organic soil ecosystem. However, fungivorous Prostigmata (such as Terpnacaridae and Nanorchestidae) and Astigmata (such as Acarida) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the conventional soil ecosystem, which supported the finding that total fungal biomass was greater in the conventional soil ecosystem. Seansonal variations of the population depended mostly on soil moisture condition and food web relationship. The population declined from May to October for both agroecosystems. However, higher diversities and densities of soil biota survived occurred in the organic soil ecosystem in the dry season.     

黑土长期定位试验原状土搬迁对土壤真菌群落多样性的影响

采用PCR-DGGE及其特异性条带克隆测序的方法,研究黑土长期定位试验原状土整体搬迁对土壤真菌群落结构多样性的影响。对同为小麦茬的搬迁前(2010年)和搬迁后(2013年)土壤真菌群落结构的研究表明:DGGE图谱中搬迁前后2个土层不同处理的样品间条带的数量和亮度存在部分变化;对DGGE图谱进行聚类分析可得,真菌群落结构在2个土层各处理中搬迁前后有部分变化,其中MNPK处理的变化较为显著;对DGGE图谱主成分分析结果可得,在0~20 cm土层中各处理虽然搬迁前和搬迁后产生分异,但搬迁前后的3年中处理间的分布规律相似,在20~40 cm土层中搬迁前和搬迁后MNPK和CK处理的分布规律发生了变化。搬迁前和搬迁后土壤真菌群落结构受到搬迁扰动的影响远小于耕作方式、植被类型、土壤肥力等的影响。     

Effects of tillage and fertilizer on nematode communities in a Japanese soybean field

No-tillage (NT) cropping systems develop distinct soil ecosystems characterized by a diverse soil fauna and slow fungal decomposition. However, nematode community analyses sometimes fail to detect these characteristics because the treatment before study or the sampling period is too short or the studies are not comprehensive. Different nematode taxa may occur depending on the geographic region and soil type, thereby affecting the usefulness of nematode analyses for soil biological assessment. However, studies in Asia are scarce. Thus, in this 2-year study, we compared nematode populations, community structures, and soil physicochemical properties between long-term NT and conventional tillage (CT) treatments combined with chemical (CF), organic (OF), or no (NF) fertilizer treatments in a Japanese soybean field. We then examined whether nematode diversity and community indices could detect differences among the treatments in the Japanese andosols. Although the effects of tillage on nematode densities were significant, the overall trend in NT–CT differences was not clear, except for omnivores and Meloidogyne. The effects of tillage on nematode diversity and community indices were apparent: diversity indices, maturity index (MI) and related indices, structure index, and channel index were higher, whereas enrichment index (EI) was lower in NT because of higher densities of K-strategy taxa, fungal and facultative root feeders, and lower densities of r-strategy bacterial feeders. Fertilizer treatments also affected nematode densities: most feeding groups were less abundant in NF and predatory nematodes were more abundant in OF than in other treatments. OF increased nematode diversity via an increase in microbivorous and predaceous nematodes. However, the effects of fertilizer on most community indices were not apparent. Interactions between tillage and fertilizer effects were significant for Pratylenchus and total nematode densities, MI, and EI. Among the soil properties differing among treatments, Ca and Mg content, cation exchange capacity, and percent total nitrogen affected nematode community structure. In conclusion, nematode community analyses using index calculations are useful for assessing soil biological properties under different tillage treatments in Japanese andosols, as well as in soil types in other countries. However, index calculations were less sensitive at detecting fertilizer treatment effects, probably because of simultaneous increases in r- and K-strategy nematodes and OF compost that was too decomposed. Other community analyses such as indicator species analysis or diversity evaluations should be used to detect fertilizer effects.     

Relationship between soil enzyme activities, nutrient cycling and soil fungal communities in a northern hardwood forest

Soil fungi are highly diverse and act as the primary agents of nutrient cycling in forests. These fungal communities are often dominated by mycorrhizal fungi that form mutually beneficial relationships with plant roots and some mycorrhizal fungi produce extracellular and cell-bound enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of nitrogen (N)- and phosphorus (P)- containing compounds in soil organic matter. Here we investigated whether the community structure of different types of mycorrhizal fungi (arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungi) is correlated with soil chemistry and enzyme activity in a northern hardwood forest and whether these correlations change over the growing season. We quantified these relationships in an experimental paired plot study where white-tailed deer (access or excluded 4.5 yrs) treatment was crossed with garlic mustard (presence or removal 1 yr). We collected soil samples early and late in the growing season and analyzed them for soil chemistry, extracellular enzyme activity and molecular analysis of both arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal/saprotrophic fungal communities using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP). AM fungal communities did not change seasonally but were positively correlated with the activities of urease and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), enzymes involved in N cycling. The density of garlic mustard was correlated with the presence of specific AM fungal species, while deer exclusion or access had no effect on either fungal community after 4.5 yrs. Ectomycorrhizal/saprotrophic fungal communities changed seasonally and were positively correlated with most soil enzymes, including enzymes involved in carbon (C), N and P cycling, but only during late summer sampling. Our results suggest that fine scale temporal and spatial changes in soil fungal communities may affect soil nutrient and carbon cycling. Although AM fungi are not generally considered capable of producing extracellular enzymes, the correlation between some AM taxa and the activity of N acquisition enzymes suggests that these fungi may play a role in forest understory N cycling.     

Biochar effects on soil biota - A review

Soil amendment with biochar is evaluated globally as a means to improve soil fertility and to mitigate climate change. However, the effects of biochar on soil biota have received much less attention than its effects on soil chemical properties. A review of the literature reveals a significant number of early studies on biochar-type materials as soil amendments either for managing pathogens, as inoculant carriers or for manipulative experiments to sorb signaling compounds or toxins. However, no studies exist in the soil biology literature that recognize the observed large variations of biochar physico-chemical properties. This shortcoming has hampered insight into mechanisms by which biochar influences soil microorganisms, fauna and plant roots. Additional factors limiting meaningful interpretation of many datasets are the clearly demonstrated sorption properties that interfere with standard extraction procedures for soil microbial biomass or enzyme assays, and the confounding effects of varying amounts of minerals. In most studies, microbial biomass has been found to increase as a result of biochar additions, with significant changes in microbial community composition and enzyme activities that may explain biogeochemical effects of biochar on element cycles, plant pathogens, and crop growth. Yet, very little is known about the mechanisms through which biochar affects microbial abundance and community composition. The effects of biochar on soil fauna are even less understood than its effects on microorganisms, apart from several notable studies on earthworms. It is clear, however, that sorption phenomena, pH and physical properties of biochars such as pore structure, surface area and mineral matter play important roles in determining how different biochars affect soil biota. Observations on microbial dynamics lead to the conclusion of a possible improved resource use due to co-location of various resources in and around biochars. Sorption and thereby inactivation of growth-inhibiting substances likely plays a role for increased abundance of soil biota. No evidence exists so far for direct negative effects of biochars on plant roots. Occasionally observed decreases in abundance of mycorrhizal fungi are likely caused by concomitant increases in nutrient availability, reducing the need for symbionts. In the short term, the release of a variety of organic molecules from fresh biochar may in some cases be responsible for increases or decreases in abundance and activity of soil biota. A road map for future biochar research must include a systematic appreciation of different biochar-types and basic manipulative experiments that unambiguously identify the interactions between biochar and soil biota.     

Birch invasion of heather moorland increases nematode diversity and trophic complexity

To determine whether successional changes in plant communities may influence belowground community structure, we quantified nematode abundance, trophic structure and diversity along two separate chronosequences from heather moorland to birch woodland in the Scottish uplands. Tree invasion markedly altered plant community composition, and hence litter inputs, both directly, and indirectly through changes in understorey species. In turn, these changes in detrital inputs were reflected in consistent changes in nematode community structure. Nematode abundance increased from moorland to birch woodland, with moorland soils being dominated by a few taxa, notably root-hair and fungal feeders, compared to the more diverse composition of the birch woodland soils. Trophic structure was altered through an increase in the abundance of bacterial feeding relative to fungal-feeding nematodes, and an increase in the abundance of predatory nematodes. The increase in predators during the succession from moorland to woodland was associated with an increase in soil pH, highlighting that not only changes in the plant community, but also changes in soil properties associated with tree invasion may influence soil nematodes. Nematode diversity increased from moorland to birch woodland, with nematode richness being positively related to both plant species richness and soil pH. These results suggest that trees may control soil community structure through the manipulation of resources and the soil physico-chemical environment, promoting greater nematode diversity and trophic complexity.     

滇中高原不同植被恢复条件下土壤肥力和水分特征研究

在干湿不同季节分析滇中高原不同恢复措施下群落的土壤肥力条件和土壤水分条件,结果表明,无论干湿季节,土壤养分含量在不同类型的植被中由优到劣依次为次生常绿阔叶林、针阔混交林、云南松林、桉树林、荒坡灌草丛;各种植被对0～30cm的剖面层次的土壤肥力影响最大,自然恢复更新的植物群落对0～30cm土层的肥力影响显著优于人工林,其变化幅度也高于人工林;自然恢复更新的植物群落在30～60cm、60～90cm土层中,营养物质含量较低,尤其在雨季这些深层土壤营养物质的含量更小。次生常绿阔叶林的持水能力最强,桉树林的持水保水能力最低。次生常绿阔叶林和针阔混交林土壤养分和水分在干湿季节间变化幅度较小,而桉树林和云南松林变化幅度较大。讨论认为雨季补充营养可以显著提高植被恢复的速度,生态建设中尽可能以自然演替恢复更新为主。     

不同人工造林树种及其配置方式对土壤理化性质影响分析

人工造林是黄土高原改善生态环境,减少水土流失的重要手段。不同树种及其配置方式下地表植被的生长、土壤理化性质的差异影响着生态水文功能的强弱。以长武王东沟流域8种造林树种和不同配置径流小区为研究对象,采用样方法进行造林地及林下地表植被调查,分层采样测定0—40cm土层土壤容重、孔隙度、有机质含量,分析不同人工造林模式下土壤理化性质,并初步分析了植被特征与土壤理化性质间的关系。结果表明:不同造林方式小区内林下草本层虽然覆盖度区别很大,但物种丰富度、多样性、均匀度指数差异不显著。0—20cm表层土壤理化性质变异性小于20—40cm土层。不同人工造林方式间土壤容重差异显著,且对20—40cm层土壤的毛管孔隙度、总孔隙度有显著性影响。不同造林方式下草本层丰富度、多样性指数与林下土壤毛管孔隙度相关性显著。草本层丰富度、多样性与0—20cm表层土壤的保水作用存在良好的对应关系。相比较而言,0—40cm土壤剖面上,草地和侧柏刺槐混交林地下的土壤孔隙度和有机质等理化性质,以及相关的蓄水性和入渗性等生态水文功能要好于其他造林林种。     

Legacies of organic matter removal: decreased microbial biomass nitrogen and net N mineralization in New Zealand Pinus radiata plantations

The effect of variations in organic matter removal during harvesting on microbial biomass nitrogen was determined in four Pinus radiata plantations between 9 and 17 years after harvesting. Variation in microbial biomass nitrogen with season and the response of net nitrogen mineralization to organic matter removal after 9 and 17 years were also determined at two of the sites. The microbial biomass nitrogen in the fermentation-humus (FH) layer was correlated with litter fall characteristics and did not vary with organic matter removal, but the total mass of microbial biomass nitrogen in the FH layer was significantly reduced by increased organic matter removal. The microbial biomass nitrogen in the mineral soil was decreased by increased organic matter removal and was strongly correlated with moisture content and total nitrogen concentration. The FH layer microbial biomass nitrogen did not vary with season, but mineral soil microbial biomass nitrogen varied with season at one site, probably due to increased moisture availability. Net nitrogen mineralization in the mineral soil, determined by an anaerobic incubation, was decreased by increased organic matter removal and was strongly correlated with microbial biomass nitrogen. The persistence of the significant differences in microbial biomass nitrogen and net nitrogen mineralization indicated that variations in organic matter removal during harvesting have long-term effects on soil microbial properties and activity during the life of the subsequent rotation. This has implications for the selection of harvesting techniques to promote the maintenance of site productivity and to minimise disruption to the soil biota.     

赤水河流域典型植被类型的土壤微生物群落结构与多样性

土壤微生物是反映土壤环境质量的重要指标,为明确赤水河流域典型植被类型土壤微生物群落特征及优势菌属,为生态系统的恢复与管理提供理论依据,采用高通量测序技术研究了赤水河流域的5种典型植被类型(灌丛、针阔混交林、常绿阔叶林、杉木林和竹林)土壤的微生物群落结构及多样性,并探讨了其主要影响因子。结果表明:(1)不同植被类型的细菌和真菌丰富度Chao1指数差异均不显著,说明二者所观测到的物种总数没有差异。Shannon指数显示各植被类型微生物多样性存在一定差异,细菌多样性以竹林最低,显著性低于灌丛和针阔混交林(p<0.05); 真菌多样性以灌丛和杉木林显著性高于其他3种植被类型(p<0.05)。(2)5种植被类型土壤细菌优势门(相对丰度>10%)主要有变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteriota)和酸杆菌门(Acidobacteriota)。其中变形菌门(Proteobacteria)在灌丛、针阔混交林和常绿阔叶林中占绝对优势(相对丰度为29.70%～33.62%),而放线菌门(Actinobacteriota)则在杉木林和竹林中最为丰富,相对丰度占比分别为32.88%,29.88%。各植被类型土壤真菌门以子囊菌门(Ascomycota)为绝对优势菌群(相对丰度>49%)。(3)5种植被类型土壤细菌和真菌中优势菌属差异较大。在细菌属水平上,针阔混交林和竹林分别以未定名的Vicinamibacterales和芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)为优势,而其他3种植被类型则以节杆菌属(Arthrobacter)最丰富。在真菌属水平上,灌丛和常绿阔叶林中优势关键属为子囊菌门(Ascomycota)未分类真菌属(unclassified_p_Ascomycota),杉木林以被孢霉属(Mortierella)最丰富,而针阔混交林和竹林中均以沙蜥属(Saitozyma)相对丰度最高。(4)NMDS分析表明,土壤细菌与真菌群落空间分布差异显著。(5)冗余分析表明,土壤含水量、pH值和TN(总氮)对土壤细菌群落结构具有显著性的影响,而pH值、容重、TOC(总有机碳)、TN和TP(总磷)对真菌群落结构影响显著。综合分析可知,针阔混交林土壤细菌群落较丰富,杉木林土壤真菌生长较旺盛,而灌丛土壤细菌和真菌多样性均较高,应采取有效措施提高主要林分土壤养分,从而激发微生物的生长,改善土壤环境。     

沿海区土壤线虫对海水入侵土壤盐渍化的响应

在2013年对大连市大魏家镇海水入侵污染区域进行了土壤理化性质和线虫群落调查,在此基础上,应用线虫多样性指数和功能类群指数研究海水入侵土壤盐渍化以及不同土地利用方式对土壤线虫群落结构的影响。研究期间共鉴定出土壤线虫30科48个属。其中食细菌类群的比例最高,共17属,占总数42.81%;其次为杂食/捕食类群,共9个属,占总数25.26%。优势属为Plectus。结果显示:海水入侵已造成该地区土壤盐渍化;土壤盐分与线虫生态指数SR、f/b、NCR、PPI、MI、PPI/MI、PP%、FF%、BF%和OP%存在显著的相关关系;土地利用方式、土壤盐分对线虫群落的生态指数影响显著,是影响该地区土壤线虫群落结构的主要因素。通过开展土壤线虫对海水入侵土壤盐渍化响应的研究,为促进沿海受海水污染区土壤生态系统的健康发展提供科学依据。     

Changes of the functional diversity of soil microbial community during the colonization of abandoned grassland by a forest

The impact of secondary succession of grassland communities towards a Norway spruce forest on soil microbial community was studied on a belt transect established in the Pol’ana Mts., Central Europe. Data on understory vegetation, light availability, soil properties and microbial activity were collected on 147 plots distributed over regular grid. Moreover, distributions of functional groups of microorganisms were assessed using BIOLOG analysis on a subset of 27 plots. Mantel partial correlations between microbial community indicators and environmental variables showed that microbial activity generally decreased with increasing tree density and size, whereas it increased with increasing radiation at the soil surface, soil temperature, and cover and diversity of understory vegetation. Functional richness and diversity of microorganisms were positively correlated with solar radiation, but also with plant species richness and diversity. Abundance of several functional groups correlated closely with succession-related variables. Redundance analysis of microbial data provided slightly different outcomes. Forward selection yielded only two environmental variables significantly influencing the composition of the microbial community: tree influence potential and organic carbon content. Abundances of several functional microbial groups correlated with tree influence, documenting that microbial community changes are at least partially driven by the colonization of grassland by trees. Nevertheless, the relative importance of abiotic environment change and plant community succession on microbial community dynamics remains unresolved.     

Dissimilar response of plant and soil biota communities to long-term nutrient addition in grasslands

The long-term effect of fertilizers on plant diversity and productivity is well known, but long-term effects on soil biota communities have received relatively little attention. Here, we used an exceptional long-lasting (>40 years) grassland fertilization experiment to investigate the long-term effect of Ca, N, PK, and NPK addition on the productivity and diversity of both vegetation and soil biota. Whereas plant diversity increased by liming and decreased by N and NPK, the diversity of nematodes, collembolans, mites, and enchytraeids increased by N, PK, or NPK. Fertilization with NPK and PK increased plant biomass and biomass of enchytraeids and collembolans. Biomass of nematodes and earthworms increased by liming. Our results suggest that soil diversity might be driven by plant productivity rather than by plant diversity. This may imply that the selection of measures for restoring or conserving plant diversity may decrease soil biota diversity. This needs to be tested in future experiments.     

中国北方森林坡向对土壤细菌和从枝菌根真菌群落的影响

The effects of slope aspects on soil biogeochemical properties and plant communities in forested environments have been studied extensively; however, slope aspect influence on soil microbial communities remains largely unexamined, despite the central role of soil biota in ecosystem functioning. In this study, the communities of both soil bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were investigated using tagged pyrosequencing for three types of slope aspects (south-facing aspect, north-facing aspect and flat area) in a boreal forest of the Greater Khingan Mountains, China. The bacterial and AMF community composition differed with slope aspects. Bacterial diversity was the lowest on the north-facing aspect, and AMF diversity was the lowest on the flat area. Aspects also had a significant impact on soil pH and available phosphorus (P) and shrubby biomass. Soil pH and understory shrub biomass were significantly correlated with bacterial communities, and soil available P and shrub biomass showed significant correlations with AMF communities. Our results suggested that slope aspects affected bacterial and AMF communities, mediated by aspect-induced changes in plant community and soil chemical properties (e.g., pH and available P), which improved the knowledge on the effects of forest slope aspects on aboveground and belowground communities.     

科尔沁沙地黑沙蒿人工植被土壤线虫群落特征

本文针对科尔沁沙地黑沙蒿人工植被土壤线虫的总数、群落组成、营养类群进行了研究。结果表明,随着黑沙蒿种植年限的增加,土壤线虫数量显著增加。不同年限黑沙蒿植被之间土壤线虫总数差异显著(P<0.01)。在本研究中共获得线虫13科19属,其中Acrobeles为优势属。在半流动沙丘生态系统中,植物寄生线虫为优势营养类群;而在黑沙蒿人工植被生态系统中,线虫群落逐渐向以食细菌线虫占优势的方向演替。本实验结果表明,土壤线虫群落结构对退化沙漠生态系统的恢复阶段具有很好的生物指示作用。