土地利用方式对东祁连山土壤表层有机碳的影响

在祁连山东段高寒地区,选取天然草地、退耕自然恢复地、坡耕地和人工草地4种土地利用方式,研究了土地利用方式对土壤表层有机碳含量和有机碳密度的影响.结果表明:在4种土地利用方式中天然草地土壤表层有机碳含量最高,坡耕地和退耕自然恢复地土壤表层有机碳含量较低;土壤表层有机碳密度整体上随着土层加深而逐渐降低,在0～30cm土层土...     

Determinants and rates of land degradation: Application of stationary time-series model to data from a semi-arid environment in Kenya

The causes of land degradation in the African drylands have been shown to vary. Some researchers consider climate to be the major contributor to degradation, with anthropogenic factors playing a minor role. Others reverse the significance of these two factors. A third group attributes land degradation to climate and anthropogenic factors equally. This study was undertaken to establish the factors influencing land degradation in a semi-arid environment in southeastern Kenya and the rate of change in vegetation types for a period of 35 years(1973–2007). The reduction in grassland cover was used as an indicator of land degradation. Causes of land degradation were determined by a multiple regression analysis. A log-linear regression analysis was used to establish the rate of vegetation change. The multiple and log-linear regression analyses showed:(1) woody vegetation, livestock population and cultivated area to be the main contributors of reduction in grassland cover in the area, and (2) an increase in undesirable woody species, livestock population and cultivated area had a significant(P0.05) negative effect on grassland vegetation. Increased human population, low amounts of rainfall and drought showed no significant negative effect on grassland vegetation cover. In conclusion, human and livestock population growth and increased agricultural land have contributed to intensive crop cultivation and overgrazing in the semi-arid lands. This overuse of the semi-arid rangelands has worsened the deterioration of the natural grassland vegetation.     

巴音布鲁克主要草地类型表层土壤有机碳特征及其影响因素的研究

以新疆天山中段巴音布鲁克主要草地类型为研究对象,分析了不同草地类型土壤有机碳(SOC)的分布特征及其与气候因子、植被特征和土壤特性的关系。结果表明:分布在盆地海拔最低处的高山沼泽化草甸的土壤有机碳含量最高,而分布在盆地中间海拔的高山草原最低,分布在较高海拔的高寒草甸和高山草原化草甸处于高山沼泽化草甸和高山草原之间。0-30cm土壤有机碳含量与空气相对湿度、草地生产力、植被盖度、土壤含水量呈显著正相关(P<0.05),与土壤容重、土壤紧实度、土壤pH呈显著负相关(P<0.05),土壤有机碳与温度存在一定负相关,但未达到显著水平。偏相关分析显示,影响表层土壤有机碳含量最主要的因素是土壤含水量、土壤紧实度、草地生产力、空气相对湿度。     

科尔沁沙质草地封育过程中的植被变化及其机制

对科尔沁沙地乌兰敖都地区的沙质草地封育后的植被变化及其机制进行分析研究。结果表明：① 围栏封育使植被物种丰富度、密度显著提高,群落的优势种发生明显变化;围封地的Simpson多样性指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数均表现为随封育时间增加而下降,而Pielou均匀度指数随围封时间增加表现出先增加后下降的趋势。② 围栏封育可以增加土壤表层（0~10 cm）的养分含量,但电导率随围封时间表现出先降低后增加的趋势,同时围栏封育使土壤水分含量下降。③ 土壤表层（0~10 cm）各因子对多样性的影响不同,全氮和pH与Pielou指数呈显著(P<0.05)负相关;全氮对于丰富度指数呈显著(P<0.05)正相关;其他土壤环境因子与多样性指数间关系均不显著,表明在沙质草地封育不利于植物多样性的维持,但有利于土壤养分的积累。     

Effects of grassland management on the community structure,aboveground biomass and stability of a temperate steppe in Inner Mongolia,China

Plant community structure responds strongly to anthropogenic disturbances, which greatly influence community stability. The changes in community structure, aboveground biomass(AGB), biodiversity and community stability associated with different management practices were studied with a three-year field investigation in a temperate steppe of Inner Mongolia, China. The species richness, Shannon-Wiener index, evenness, plant functional type abundance, AGB, temporal community stability, summed covariance, scaling coefficient and dominant species stability were compared among areas subjected to long-term reservation(R), long-term grazing(G), mowing since enclosure in 2008(M) and grazing enclosure since 2008(E). Site R had higher perennial grass abundance and lower species richness than sites G, M and E, although the AGB was not significantly different among the four sites. The species structure varied from a single dominant species at site R to multiple dominant species at sites G, M and E. The long-term reservation grassland had lower biodiversity but higher stability, whereas the enclosed grassland with/without mowing had higher biodiversity but lower stability. Different stability mechanisms, such as the compensatory dynamics, mean-variance scaling and dominant species stability were examined. Results showed that community stability was most closely related to the relative stability of the dominant species, which supports the biomass ratio hypothesis proposed by Grime.     

Changes in soil carbon stocks and related soil properties along a 50-year grassland-to-cropland conversion chronosequence in an agro-pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia, China

Land use change significantly influences soil properties.There is little information available on the long-term effects of post-reclamation from grassland to cropland on soil properties.We compared soil carbon(C) and nitrogen(N) storage and related soil properties in a 50-year cultivation chronosequence of grassland in the agro-pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia.Field surveys on land use changes during the period of 1955-2002 were conducted to build a chronosequence of cropland of different ages since the conversion from grassland.The results showed that soil C and N storage,soil texture,and soil nutrient contents varied with land use types and cropland ages(P<0.01).In the 0-30 cm soil layer,the soil organic carbon(SOC) density was significantly lower in the croplands(3.28 kg C/m2 for C50 soil) than in the grasslands(6.32 kg C/m2).After 5,10,15,20,35,and 50 years of crop planting(years since the onset of cultivation),the SOC losses were 17%,12%,19%,47%,46%,and 48%,respectively,compared with the grasslands.The soil total nitrogen(TN) density of the grasslands was 65 g N/m2,and TN density of the cropland soil was 35 g N/m2 after 50 years of crop planting.Both the SOC and TN densities could be quantitatively determined by a negative exponential function of cropland age(P<0.0001,R2=0.8528;P<0.0001,R2=0.9637).The dissolved organic carbon(DOC) content,soil available potassium(AK) content,clay content,and pH value were decreased;and the soil bulk density and sand content were increased since the conversion of grassland into cropland during the 50-year period.Our results show soil nutrients were higher in grassland than in cropland.The conversion of grasslands to croplands induced a loss of soil C storage and changes of related soil properties.The reclamation time of cultivated soil(cropland age) had significant effects on soil properties in the study area.     

Impacts of livestock grazing on a savanna grassland in Kenya

The dynamics of most rangelands in Kenya remain to be poorly understood.This paper provides baseline information on the response of a semiarid rangeland under different livestock grazing regimes on land inhabited by the Massai people in the east side of Amboseli National Park in Kenya.The data were collected from grasslands designated into four types:(1) grassland from previous Massai settlements that had been abandoned for over twenty years;(2) grassland excluded from livestock grazing for eight years;(3) a dry season grazing area;and (4) a continuous grazing area where grazing occurred throughout all seasons.Collected data included grass species composition,grass height,inter-tuft distance,standing grass biomass and soil characteristics.The results indicated that continuous grazing area in semiarid rangelands exhibited loss of vegetation with negative,long-term effects on grass functional qualities and forage production,whereas grassland that used traditional Maasai grazing methods showed efficiency and desirable effects on the rangelands.The results also showed that abandoned homestead sites,though degraded,were important nutrient reservoirs.     

黄土高原生物气候分区与该区生态系统的恢复

根据不同的生物气候状况 ,可将黄土高原分成五个生物气候区 :暖温带湿润半湿润森林区、暖温带半湿润半干旱森林草原区、中温带半干旱典型草原区、中温带干旱半干旱荒漠草原区以及中温带干旱草原化荒漠区。紧密结合上述生物气候区域特征 ,将生态学的有关原理引入到该区的治理与生态恢复中 ,提出了治理黄土高原的新模式 :正确实施生物措施 ,人工模拟天然生态系统。该区的生态恢复应从系统的角度考虑 ,并严格遵守生态学的有关规律在不同的生物气候区构建与该区大环境一致的不同的生态系统 ,改变过去那种在黄土高原全面造林而又成效不佳的做法     

乌拉特荒漠草原群落物种多样性和生物量关系对放牧强度的响应

以内蒙古乌拉特荒漠草原灌丛和草本植物群落为对象,研究这2种植物群落的物种组成、物种多样性及其与地上生物量关系对不同放牧处理(对照、中牧、重牧)的响应。结果表明:①随着放牧强度的增加,灌丛群落中红砂(Reaumuria songarica)和碱韭(Allium polyrhizum)的优势度增大,沙生针茅(Stipa glareosa)的优势度减小;重牧降低草本群落中沙生针茅的优势度,增加了蒙古韭(Allium mongolicum)和碱韭的优势度。②不同放牧处理显著降低了灌丛和草本群落的盖度、高度以及灌丛群落的密度,消除了灌丛和草本群落之间盖度的差异(P> 0. 05)。中牧降低灌丛群落的Pielou均匀度指数,重牧降低灌丛群落的物种丰富度,灌丛和草本群落的其他多样性指数在放牧处理之间无显著差异(P> 0. 05)。除物种丰富度外,其他多样性指数在灌丛和草本群落之间差异显著(P <0. 05)。③不同放牧处理降低了灌丛和草本群落的地上生物量和凋落物量,导致灌丛和草本群落之间地上生物量的显著差异(P <0. 05)。④地上生物量与Simpson优势度指数负相关,与Shannon-Wienner多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数正相关;放牧处理下地上生物量与密度、物种丰富度正相关。放牧处理改变了荒漠草原植物群落组成、结构和功能,进而改变了群落结构和功能的重要关系。     

Soil quality of semi-arid conservation reserve program lands in Eastern New Mexico

A study was conducted to evaluate selected soil quality indicators in lands that have been in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which is a federal program in the United States offering annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to farmers who establish long-term vegetation covers on their erosion prone lands. The study site has semi-arid climate, and soils with grass vegetation covers for 15 years were compared with adjacent cultivated croplands that have never been in the CRP. Field measurements were performed and surface soil samples (0–0.15 m) were collected from multiple sites having either coarse textured or fine textured soils. Soil measurements assessed included bulk density (BD), penetration resistance (PR), wet aggregate stability (WAS), dry aggregate size distribution (DASD), soil organic matter (SOM), permanganate oxidizable carbon, nitrate nitrogen, extractable potassium and phosphorus, electrical conductivity, pH, sodium adsorption ratio, and soil micronutrients (copper, iron, manganese, and zinc). Results showed a significant effect of CRP management compared to the cropped fields for BD, WAS, and PR only, with the CRP fields being less compacted and having higher WAS than the cropped lands. CRP land did not significantly differ from cropped lands in SOM and for many other measurements. The effect of soil texture was significant for DASD, SOM, copper, and manganese, with the fine textured soils having more favorable measurements than the coarse textured soils. CRP management did not produce significant increase in topsoil SOM compared to cropped lands of the study area.     

Community structure and carbon and nitrogen storage of sagebrush desert under grazing exclusion in Northwest China

Overgrazing is regarded as one of the key factors of vegetation and soil degradation in the arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China.Grazing exclusion(GE)is one of the most common pathways used to restore degraded grasslands and to improve their ecosystem services.Nevertheless,there are still significant controversies concerning GE’s effects on grassland diversity as well as carbon(C)and nitrogen(N)storage.It remains poorly understood in the arid desert regions,whilst being essential for the sustainable use of grassland resources.To assess the effects of GE on community characteristics and C and N storage of desert plant community in the arid desert regions,we investigated the community structure and plant biomass,as well as C and N storage of plants and soil(0-100 cm depth)in short-term GE(three years)plots and adjacent long-term freely grazing(FG)plots in the areas of sagebrush desert in Northwest China,which are important both for spring-autumn seasonal pasture and for ecological conservation.Our findings indicated that GE was beneficial to the average height,coverage and aboveground biomass(including stems,leaves and inflorescences,and litter)of desert plant community,to the species richness and importance values of subshrubs and perennial herbs,and to the biomass C and N storage of aboveground parts(P<0.05).However,GE was not beneficial to the importance values of annual herbs,root/shoot ratio and total N concentration in the 0-5 and 5-10 cm soil layers(P<0.05).Additionally,the plant density,belowground biomass,and soil organic C concentration and C storage in the 0-100 cm soil layer could not be significantly changed by short-term GE(three years).The results suggest that,although GE was not beneficial for C sequestration in the sagebrush desert ecosystem,it is an effective strategy for improving productivity,diversity,and C and N storage of plants.As a result,GE can be used to rehabilitate degraded grasslands in the arid desert regions of Northwest China.     

古尔班通古特沙漠南缘拟步甲的物种多样性

于2010年5-7月利用陷阱法抽样技术,调查研究了古尔班通古特沙漠南缘不同生境中拟步甲的活动密度和群落多样性。结果表明：① 在景观尺度上,拟步甲科的物种多样性整体比较低,活动密度、物种丰富度、多样性指数、优势度指数等群落特征值在不同景观间变化显著,拟步甲更倾向于分布在荒漠边缘;② 拟步甲科多数优势种对微生境的选择表现出明显的倾向性,同属物种对微生境的选择表现出类似的倾向性;③ 重大农业工程的干扰,使得物种丰富度和均匀度指数有所下降,但差异不显著。多样性指数的下降及优势度指数的升高达到显著水平(P<0.05);不同物种的活动密度均表现为下降(库氏东鳖甲和光滑胖漠甲除外)。表明拟步甲对荒漠生境有指示意义。     

科尔沁沙地东南缘不同草地恢复方式下的物种多样性与生物量

对科尔沁沙地4种典型退化草地恢复方式下的生物多样性特征及其生物量进行了定量研究。结果表明：4种退化草地恢复方式下,物种多样性排序为防护林围纯草地〉樟子松疏林草地〉榆树疏林草地〉撂荒草地;4种恢复方式下的群落总生物量与物种多样性的变化趋势一致;从物种多样性与生物量的综合分析表明,与未采取任何人为措施的撂荒草地相比,防护林...     

Effect of spatial scale and topography on spatial heterogeneity of soil seed banks under grazing disturbance in a sandy grassland of Horqin Sand Land, Northern China

Soil seed banks play an important role in the distribution and composition of plant communities in semiarid grassland ecosystems.However,information on how spatial scale influences the spatial heterogeneity of soil seed banks in a grassland under grazing disturbance is still lacking.Based on field sampling and greenhouse germination,we measured the species composition and seed density of soil seed banks at different spatial scales (30 m×30 m,30 m×60 m and 30 m×90 m)along a topographical gradient in a sandy grassland in Horqin Sand Land, Northern China.By applying geostatistical methods,we examined how spatial scale and topography affected the spatial distribution of soil seed banks in the study area.Our results showed that the total number of species in soil seed banks,as well as the number of dominant annuals,increased with the increase of spatial scales.Seed density in soil seed banks decreased with the increase of spatial scales due to an increase in the slopes and relative heights of the sampling points.Geostatistical analysis showed that the relative structural variance(C/(C0+C))of seed density and species richness were over 65%for all spatial scales,indicating that these variables had an obvious spatial autocorrelation and the spatial structured variance accounted for the largest proportion of the total sample variance.Spatial autocorrelation of seed density in soil seed banks increased with the increase of measured scales,while that of species richness showed a reverse trend.These results suggest that the total number of species in soil seed banks is spatial scale dependent and lower topography may accommodate more seeds.Spatial distribution of seed density in soil seed banks is also scale dependent due to topographic variation.Grassland management,therefore,needs to consider local grazing disturbance regime,spatial scale and topography.     

黄土区不同退耕年限草地土壤分离速率及其理化性质

以子午岭连家砭林场不同退耕年限草地为研究对象,以撂荒地为对照,通过野外调查和室内测试分析,研究了退耕12 a、18 a、24 a、36 a草地土壤分离速率及其理化性质。结果表明:草地土壤分离速率与同一土层的撂荒地相比明显降低,并随着退耕年限增加而降低。不同退耕年限草地土壤容重、有机质含量、水稳性团聚体含量、根系生物量密度均有不同程度的改变,且表层土壤(0~20 cm)理化性质改善最为显著(P0.05);不同退耕年限草地土壤分离速率与其理化性质均呈显著相关关系(P0.05),但对于不同退耕年限草地,影响土壤分离速率的主导因子不同。     

Spatial pattern of plant species diversity and the influencing factors in a Gobi Desert within the Heihe River Basin,Northwest China

Understanding the spatial pattern of plant species diversity and the influencing factors has important implications for the conservation and management of ecosystem biodiversity. The transitional zone between biomes in desert ecosystems, however, has received little attention in that regard. In this study, we conducted a quantitative field survey(including 187 sampling plots) in a 40-km~2 study area to determine the spatial pattern of plant species diversity and analyze the influencing factors in a Gobi Desert within the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China. A total of 42 plant species belonging to 16 families and 39 genera were recorded. Shrub and semi-shrub species generally represented the major part of the plant communities(covering 90% of the land surface), while annual and perennial herbaceous species occupied a large proportion of the total recorded species(71%). Patrick richness index(R), Shannon-Wiener diversity index(H'), Simpson's dominance index(D), and Pielou's evenness index(J) were all moderately spatially variable, and the variability increased with increasing sampling area. The semivariograms for R and H' were best fitted with Gaussian models while the semivariograms for D and J were best fitted with exponential models. Nugget-to-still ratios indicated a moderate spatial autocorrelation for R, H', and D while a strong spatial autocorrelation was observed for J. The spatial patterns of R and H' were closely related to the geographic location within the study area, with lower values near the oasis and higher values near the mountains. However, there was an opposite trend for D. R, H', and D were significantly correlated with elevation, soil texture, bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and total porosity(P0.05). Generally speaking, locations at higher elevations tended to have higher species richness and diversity and the higher elevations were characterized by higher values in sand and gravel contents, bulk density, and saturated hydraulic conductivity and also by lower values in total porosity. Furthermore, spatial variability of plant species diversity was dependent on the sampling area.     

Comparison of transpiration between different aged black locust(Robinia pseudoacacia)trees on the semi-arid Loess Plateau,China

Black locust(Robinia pseudoacacia)is widely planted throughout the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China.The spatial distribution of this species at different ages is highly heterogeneous due to restoration and management practices.In this study,we aimed to compare the transpiration levels between different aged black locusts at the tree and stand scales,clarifying the physiological status of this species with different ages.Black locust trees with two representative age classes(12 and 28 years)were selected in the Yangjuangou catchment on the semi-arid Loess Plateau.Sap flux density(F_d)and environmental variables(solar radiation,air temperature,relative humidity and soil water content)were simultaneously monitored throughout the growing season of 2014.Tree transpiration(E_t)was the product of Fd and sapwood area(A_S),and stand transpiration(E_c)was calculated basing on the stand sap flux density(J_s)and stand total sapwood area(A_(ST)).Stomatal conductance(g_s)was measured in a controlled environment and hydraulic conductance was estimated using the relationship between transpiration rate and vapor pressure deficit(VPD).Our results showed that Et and Ec were higher in the 28-year-old stand than in the 12-year-old stand.The gs and hydraulic conductance of 28-year-old trees were also higher than those of 12-year-old trees,and the two parameters were thus the causes of variations in transpiration between different age classes.After rainfall,mean Fd increased by 9% in 28-year-old trees and by 5% in 12-year-old trees.This study thus suggests that stand age should be considered for estimating transpiration at the catchment and region scales in this area.These results provide ecophysiological evidences that the older black locust trees had more active physiological status than the younger ones in this area.These findings also provide basic information for the management of water resources and forests on the semi-arid Loess Plateau.     

科尔沁地区不同类型沙地土壤饱和导水率特征分析

土壤饱和导水率反映了土壤的入渗性质,是研究水分在土壤中运动规律的重要水力参数。利用Guelph入渗仪测量了科尔沁地区樟子松林、灌木林和草地0-20cm、20-40cm和40-60cm三个不同土层深度的土壤饱和导水率,分析了这三种类型沙地土壤饱和导水率的差异及其随土层深度的变化特征。结果表明:1)平均土壤饱和导水率樟子松林较大,草地次之,而灌木林较小,它们的平均取值在0.63～12.50mm/min范围内;随土层深度增加,樟子松林土壤饱和导水率逐渐增大,而草地的逐渐减少,灌木林的随土层深度变化不大;2)樟子松林和灌木林土壤饱和导水率与容重显著负相关;灌木林和草地土壤饱和导水率与细沙百分含量显著负相关,而与中沙百分含量显著正相关;樟子松林和草地土壤饱和导水率与粗沙百分含量显著正相关。     

气候振动对内蒙古东部半干旱地区草场生态的影响

本文分析了半个世纪以来内蒙东部半干旱区的气候振动和气候界线摆动状况,指出该区草场生态恶化和半干旱范围扩大的原因,是人类活动未能遵循气候变化规律的结果。