渭干河-库车河三角洲绿洲盐生植被物种多样性研究

运用数量生态学的方法对渭干河-库车河三角洲绿洲的盐生植被物种多样性进行分析,结果表明:以梭梭为单优势种的群落Ⅳ具有最高的优势度指数和最低的丰富度指数、多样性指数和均匀度指数,群落结构最为简单;以骆驼刺为优势种和梭梭为主要伴生种的群落Ⅱ具有较高的多样性指数和均匀度指数,但优势度指数较低,优势种长势不显著,常与其它伴生种相伴而生,结构较为稳定;以柽柳和梭梭为共优势种的群落Ⅰ具有最高的物种丰富度和中等水平的优势度指数、多样性指数和均匀度指数,群落中物种数较多,结构较为复杂;以芦苇和骆驼刺为共优势种的群落Ⅵ具有较高的物种丰富度和物种多样性,物种优势度和物种均匀度水平居中,群落结构较为复杂;群落Ⅲ和Ⅴ具有中等偏上水平的物种丰富度指数、优势度指数、多样性指数和均匀度指数,群落结构稳定.     

河西走廊民勤人工梭梭林群落的物种多样性研究

采用野外样方调查法,对民勤5个区域的人工梭梭林群落从物种重要值、多样性及土壤水分含量和物种多样性相关关系等方面进行了分析,结果表明:(1)民勤生态环境脆弱,人工梭梭林群落物种组成简单,共有植物16种,分属8科14属,以梭梭、骆驼刺、雾冰藜、沙蓬、刺沙蓬为优势种,反映了沙漠植被的特征;(2)民勤人工梭梭林群落物种多样性水平较低,其群落层次结构可分为灌木层和草本层,草本层的物种丰富度、多度比灌木层高,灌木层的Shannon-wiener指数、Pielou均匀度指数均比草本层的大,Simpson指数比草本层的小,反映出灌木层物种集中程度偏低、草本层物种均匀度偏低的规律;(3)草本植物对0～60 cm土层含水量有较高的依赖,草本层多度与0～60 cm土层含水量呈显著的正相关关系,但种的丰富度与0～60 cm土层含水量无显著的相关关系,而灌木层种的丰富度、多度与0～60 cm土层土壤含水量均无显著的相关关系,即土壤水分的变化对植物种的丰富度没有显著的影响。     

乌兰布和沙漠绿洲东缘植被群落结构及物种多样性研究

根据乌兰布和沙漠东北部绿洲东缘7个样区25个样地的样方调查数据,对该区植物群落结构及物种多样性进行分析。结果表明:研究区自然植被共有52种,分属17科45属,以菊科为优势种,禾本科、豆科和藜科为亚优势种,其他13科为伴生种;群落结构类型以灌木群落为主,草本群落次之;根据群落物种多样性变化规律,可以将研究区划分为南北两部分,南部多样性指数变化幅度较小且保持较高水平,北部多样性指数变化幅度较大且相对较低;沙漠地区通过绿洲防护林建设,能有效改善绿洲外围植物生长环境,增加植物群落物种多样性,控制沙漠扩张。     

石羊河中下游不同生境柽柳群落物种多样性及土壤水分、盐分关系

为了给石羊河流域柽柳群落植被恢复与保护提供参考依据,以石羊河流域4种类生境型柽柳群落为研究对象,测定了群落物种组成、数量特征及土壤水分、盐分,分析了不同生境群落特征及其与土壤水分之间的关系。结果表明:(1)柽柳群落中共有植物22种,分属9科20属,其中灌木植物最多,为8种(5科6属),其次是多年生草本,为7种(4科7属),一年生草本为7种(3科7属),分别占总物种数的36.36%,31.82%,31.82%。(2)柽柳群落中,固定盐碱沙地密度最大,盐碱地和退耕湿地次之,丘间低地最低; 平均密度差异不显著(p>0.05); 盖度差异显著(p<0.05),以固定盐碱沙地最大,为73.33%,盐碱地和丘间低地次之,均为61.67%,退耕湿地最小,为47.00%。(3)不同生境类型柽柳群落在物种组成及多样性方面存在差异,从Margalef丰富度指数、Shanon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson多样性指数和Alatulo均匀度指数看,丘间低地>盐碱地>固定盐碱沙地>退耕湿地(p<0.05),丘间低地群落优势度指数低于盐碱地和固定盐碱沙地、退耕湿地,群落结构相对稳定; 丘间低地Pielou均匀度指数明显高于其他3种类型。(4)在0—10 cm,10—20 cm,20—30 cm,30—40 cm,40—60 cm,60—80 cm土层范围内,盐减地和固定盐碱沙地土壤含水率最高,其次是退耕湿地和丘间低地,总体呈现出先升高然后逐渐下降的趋势。物种多样性与土壤水分均呈正相关关系,但均未达到显著水平(p<0.05),综上所述,不同生境柽柳群落组成物种稀少,结构简单,种群物种平均密度差异不显著。群落组成物种中,灌木种类最多,多年生和一年生草本种类相同。丘间低地多样性指数高于其他生境类型,退耕地最低,而生态优势度指数则相反,物种多样性与土壤水分表现出非显著的正相关关系。     

河西走廊中部人工沙漠植被典型群落物种的多样性

[目的]揭示河西走廊中部人工沙漠植被典型群落物种多样性研究,为干旱沙漠地区的生态恢复和人工植被建设及沙区植被多样性的恢复与重建提供理论依据。[方法]基于对甘肃省张掖市临泽县治沙站人工沙漠典型群落物种多样性进行调查。运用Simpson和Shannon-Wiener物种多样性指数,Margalef物种丰富度指数,Simpson物种优势度指数和Pielou物种均匀度指数计算。[结果]灌木群落具有较高的丰富度指数和多样性指数,而草本群落具有较高的均匀度指数;物种多样性指数、丰富度指数变化趋势基本一致,而均匀度指数则呈相反趋势;β多样性与α多样性反应结果一致;丰富度指数与多样性指数、均匀度指数之间存在极显著的相关性,植物多样性与土壤结皮层厚度呈正比,与土壤含水量高低影响不大。[结论]灌木以梭梭—白刺群落为优势群落,草本以雾冰藜—白茎盐生草群落为优势群落,具有物种组成简单,多样性较低的特点,群落在植物生活型上以旱生、超旱生或盐生的小灌木和1年生草本植物占主导地位。     

乌兰布和沙漠降水量对典型灌木群落结构及多样性的影响

[目的]分析降水量对乌兰布和沙漠植被群落结构特征及多样性变化的影响,为乌兰布和沙漠植被保护与植物资源持续利用提供理论依据。[方法]应用2011—2013年固定样方调查数据和同期降水量资料,对乌兰布和沙漠典型灌木群落结构及物种多样性与年降水量的变化相关性进行分析。[结果]降水量对3个典型灌木群落物种数及分科有显著影响。降水量增加,驼绒藜群落物种数增加了5种(新增加2个科别),霸王群落物种数增加了12种(新增加2个科别),四合木群落物种数增加了12种(新增加6个科别);降水量对驼绒藜群落、霸王群落、四合木群落中1年生草本与多年生草本影响最大,对灌木与半灌木影响不大;降水量的增加提高了3个典型灌木群落物种丰富度与物种多样性,有效增加了四合木群落与驼绒藜群落的相似性,减小了两个群落之间的生境差异;降水量与3个典型灌木群落物种数、盖度、丰富度指数(R)、均匀度指数(E)、多样性指数均呈正相关关系,且相关系数均大于0.600 0。[结论]研究区内降水量对3个典型灌木群落物种数、盖度、丰富度指数、均匀度指数和多样性指数均具有显著影响。     

淹灌和间歇灌溉对晚稻田杂草群落多样性的影响

为探明节水灌溉对稻田杂草群落组成及物种多样性的影响,运用群落生态学方法,开展了淹灌与间歇灌溉2种灌溉模式下水稻不同生育阶段稻田杂草群落动态变化研究。结果表明:间歇灌溉和淹灌稻田杂草种类分别有10科13属14种、10科11属11种;间歇灌溉稻田各生育期杂草密度平均降低27.8%;优势杂草种类虽与淹灌基本一致,但阔叶类杂草矮慈姑重要值降低9.76%,单子叶杂草浮萍重要值降低65.38%;间歇灌溉稻田以旱生杂草生长为主,总体各生育期旱生杂草群落密度增加277.51%,水生杂草群落密度降低81.44%,而淹灌稻田以水生杂草为主;间歇灌溉稻田Margalef物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wienner多样性指数、Simpson优势度指数和Pielou均匀度指数,平均提高27.01%、14.31%、9.09%和3.48%,乳熟期差异尤为显著。间歇灌溉提高了稻田杂草多样性,有效地抑制了优势种杂草生长,有利于改善稻田生态保护。该研究可为节水灌溉稻田杂草控制及多样性保护提供科学依据。     

科尔沁沙地植物再生沙障人工群落多样性及其动态研究

对科尔沁沙地植物再生沙障人工群落的物种组成、生活型结构及群落多样性及其动态进行了研究。结果表明：在流动沙丘上建立植物再生沙障,不仅固定了沙丘,而且也为植物的入侵和定居创造了条件。沙障建植后第3-7 a的人工群落,其物种及其科属组成以及科属组成与对照流动沙丘（群落）相比都有显著的增加。物种的丰富度指数和多样性指数都呈对数式增加趋势,且变化幅度不大,表明沙障群落的物种和多样性演替比较平稳。群落的均匀度呈二项式的“V字型”变化趋势,这种变化反映了沙障人工群落人工栽植物种占据优势地位的特性以及群落内部的变化特点。     

侵蚀环境撂荒地植物群落恢复动态研究

以侵蚀环境不同退耕撂荒年限样地为研究对象,采用空间代替时间序列的方法调查植物群落特征,分析植物恢复过程。结果表明：植物群落覆盖度和地上生物量随退耕撂荒年限的增加,恢复演替的推进逐渐增大;群落物种多样性指数与撂荒年限呈正相关,而群落优势度指数与撂荒年限呈负相关;物种多样性指数能极好地反映群落物种丰富度,并能客观表达物种的动态变化,其演变呈升—降—升的趋势,退耕撂荒3、10和25 a左右时为物种多样性指数的高峰。植物群落结构稳定性与物种多样性、群落生物量、覆盖度和优势度关系密切,随着退耕撂荒地植被恢复演替的进展,植被结构稳定性呈阶梯式增强,从而为侵蚀环境生态恢复提供了基础保障。     

阿克苏河中游荒漠河岸林物种多样性与群落稳定性

[目的]探究阿克苏河中游荒漠河岸林群落的物种多样性、稳定性及其之间的关系,在物种水平上对当前群落植物组成的复杂性及部分环境因子的关系进行探讨,为荒漠河岸生态系统的恢复提供理论依据。[方法]在样方调查的基础上,运用格局分析法,物种多样性指数与均匀度指数,聚类分析以及M.Godron稳定性测度对植物群落进行综合评估。[结果]阿克苏河中游荒漠河岸林主要的植物种群均呈现聚集分布的格局,群落结构简单,具有单寡种优势群落的特征。不同地段的植物群落物种分布较为均匀,但丰富度与多样性的高低略有起伏;荒漠河岸林植物群落根据环境因子的聚类结果可分为6个群丛,其中有3个群丛的物种多样性较低。物种组成与土壤水分的关联较为密切;当前植物群落尚未达到稳定阶段,物种多样性与群落稳定性者之间并无任何直接联系。[结论]单一以河水漫灌的方式促进该地区植物多样性的恢复具有一定的困难,考虑以胡杨、柽柳为主要格局,种植深根系的乔灌木以营造局部地区小气候,间接优化生境的方式对荒漠河岸林的植被恢复更为有利。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

In-situ enrichment and analysis of atrazine-degrading microbial communities using atrazine-containing porous beads

We examined the community composition of microbes that colonized atrazine-containing beads buried in agricultural soils that differed in atrazine treatment history. Bacterial abundance was 5-40-fold greater in atrazine-fortified beads. In beads containing 20 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ buried in soil with a history of atrazine application (conditioned soil), the abundance of Actinobacteria increased approximately 80-fold whereas in control soil, Actinobacteria were enriched only 10-fold and the gamma-Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes increased by 60- and 25-fold, respectively. The gamma-Proteobacteria were enriched by 120- and 230-fold in beads containing 200 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ in conditioned and control soil, respectively. The results demonstrate that BioSep^® beads are a suitable matrix for recruiting a diverse subset of the bacterial community involved in atrazine degradation.