Carbon decomposition processes in a peat from the Australian Alps

Carbon dioxide emissions and the mass loss of peat incubated in situ were measured in peat soils in the Australian Alps. The carbon chemistry of incubated peats was characterized using ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In situ decomposition decreased as a function of increasing alkyl carbon content of the initial organic matter, providing direct evidence of the oft‐cited link between substrate quality and decomposition rates. More mass loss occurred in the bog peat samples than in the dried peat samples. However, at the peat surface, the amount of CO₂ emitted was not significantly different between bog peat and dried peat. Carbon inputs, and therefore the sink or source status, of these peats are yet to be quantified.     

冰雹冲击下塑料薄膜的损伤分析

塑料薄膜的力学性能分析是薄膜结构设计的主要方向。该研究采用试验和数值模拟结合的方式分析了冰雹冲击下塑料薄膜的破坏形式和损伤规律,并通过试验结果验证了数值模拟方法的有效性。通过数值模拟对冰雹在不同尺寸、不同冲击角度下单次和二次冲击塑料薄膜进行了分析,此外对薄膜厚度和两层薄膜之间的间距的影响进行了分析。结果表明：1）0.12 mm厚度的塑料薄膜可抵挡直径10 mm以下的冰雹冲击。但冰雹尺寸在30 mm以上时,塑料薄膜因拉伸应力波的作用而发生破坏。2）冰球二次冲击塑料薄膜时会造成应力波的叠加,导致薄膜加速破坏。3）在0°、30°、60°这3种冲击角度下,冰球冲击角度为60°时造成薄膜的破坏面积最大。4）双层薄膜的破坏面积随薄膜之间的间距增大而增大,当双层薄膜的间距控制在5 mm内可实现双层薄膜抗冰雹冲击效果优于厚度相同的单层薄膜。分析结果表明：改进薄膜结构的抗拉强度是提高薄膜抗冰雹冲击能力的主要方向。该研究可为薄膜结构设计和薄膜损伤分析提供参考。     

Nitrogen dynamics in different types of pasture in the Austrian Alps

 Soil N dynamics were compared in Alpine pastures on two mountains. N-pool sizes and N fluxes were measured relative to N losses via leaching and denitrification in summer. On each mountain, four types of pasture were studied: (1) forest pastures, (2) recently developed pastures formed by forest clearance ("new pastures"), (3) older established pastures, and (4) pastures planted with clover. At both study sites (Scheuchegg and Teufelstein) we obtained similar results. Compared with forest pasture soils, open pasture soils were found to have greater microbial biomass and faster mineralisation potentials, but net field mineralisation rates were slower. In the forest pastures, highest N losses via denitrification were found. Higher potential leaching of NO₃ ^–, estimated by accumulation of NO₃ ^– on ion-exchange resins, in the forest pasture soils suggests lower N uptake by microbes and herbaceous plants compared with open pastures. N₂O-production rates of the forest pasture soils at the Scheuchegg site (11.54 μg N₂O-N m^–2 h^–1) were of similar magnitude to those reported for spruce forests without pastures, but at Teufelstein (53.75 μg N₂O-N m^–2 h^–1) they were higher. However, if forest pastures are not overgrazed, no elevated N loss through N₂O production and leaching of NO₃ ^– is expected. Denitrification rates in the open pastures (0.83–7.50 μg N₂O-N m^–2 h^–1) were low compared with reports on lowland pastures. In soils of the new pastures, rates of microbial N processes were similar to those in the established pastures, indicating a high capacity of soils to restore their internal N cycle after forest clearance. Received: 19 August 1999     

Thirty Years of Chemical Changes in Alpine Acid-Sensitive Lakes in the Alps

The Pennask Creek watershed in British Columbia (BC), Canada has been contaminated with acid rock drainage (ARD) and associated metal leaching (ML) as a result of highway construction. By combining existing and newly gathered information, this study determined the extent of metal contamination of the water and sediments, the potential biological impacts of this contamination, the influence of local geology, and estimated the potential risk to aquatic organisms. Surface water and sediment samples from the watershed were analyzed for general chemical parameters and trace metals. Rock samples were analyzed for mineralogy and chemical composition. Metal concentrations in water and sediments downstream of the ARD/ML source were higher than elsewhere in the watershed. Metals of concern include aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Analysis of historical water quality data indicated that the concentrations of these metals have decreased markedly since 2004, due to remediation efforts. Rock samples collected from the streambeds and banks were not found to be potentially acid generating, but did contain significant levels of metals. Al, Cu, and Zn levels consistently exceeded BC water and sediment quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life, indicating that adverse biological effects are probable at stations downstream of the ARD/ML source. Benthic invertebrate monitoring over a 10-year period showed low abundance and diversity and a complete absence of sensitive taxa at downstream stations. Risk quotients indicated a likelihood of adverse biological effects for aquatic organisms, including rainbow trout, due to metal contamination in the watershed.     

An Evaluation of Trace Metals in High-Altitude Lakes of the Central Alps

Alpine areas in north-western Italy are subject to high deposition of atmospheric pollutants. Chemical investigations on high-altitude lakes indicate that most of them are recovering from acidification; however, they are still affected by the deposition of pollutants from the atmosphere, especially of heavy metals. This study compares the concentrations of heavy metals in alpine lake waters with those found in atmospheric depositions, to identify the possible contribution of deposition inputs to surface water ecosystems. The results were analysed by multivariate statistical techniques to identify the main emission sources of the various metals. Levels of trace metals in alpine lakes are generally low, and bedrock and surficial geology proved to be a major factor controlling metal concentrations in lake water. In fact, terrigenous elements show a wide range of concentrations while metals of anthropogenic origin, such as lead and cadmium, are often below the detection limits of the method; chrome and nickel are also present in very low concentrations. The median values of heavy metals in Italian alpine lakes are similar to those found in other lake surveys performed in remote areas, especially as regards metals of anthropogenic origin. The Visual MINTEQ model was applied to long-term chemical data of selected alpine lakes, to calculate aluminium speciation and to simulate its change in response to gradual modifications in a unit of pH. The ultimate aim of the modelling was to evaluate the possible threat to aquatic organisms of these highly toxic compounds.

     

冰雹对美国玉米带作物产量影响模拟

为了尝试计算机模拟方法能否成为制定作物保险保费的辅助性工具,该研究运用计算机模拟模型预测冰雹对作物产量的影响。通过对现有EPIC(综合气候因素的环境政策)模型增加冰雹天气模块,即冰雹事件发生概率的数学模型,模拟冰雹对作物产量的影响。除此之外,该研究还模拟了干旱和霜冻等天气因素对美国Iowa,Illinoi和Indiana等3个玉米带州作物产量的影响。首先介绍数据来源及处理方法,讨论建立冰雹模拟模型过程以及对模型进行有效性检验;然后运用统计分析方法对模型模拟结果与实际观察结果进行比较,检验模型模拟结果的准确性。结果表明EPIC模型可以达到95%甚至更高的产量预测的准确性;同时,冰雹灾害模拟结果也可以达到一个较为合理的准确性(R2>0.7)。这些结果表明本研究所建立的增加冰雹模块的EPIC模型可以作为一个较为可靠的冰雹引起的作物产量损失的预测方法.该模型可以用来模拟冰雹事件发生的概率以及其对各种作物产量造成的损失。     

冰雹冲击下温室玻璃破损情景数值模拟

为研究温室玻璃的抗冰雹冲击性能,该文采用ANSYS/LS-DYNA软件建立了温室玻璃和随机冰雹的有限元模型。考虑冰雹的随机性,模拟了冰雹冲击温室玻璃的全过程;得到了不同粒径冰雹对温室玻璃的破损效果;研究了冰雹对不同厚度、不同平面尺寸、不同支撑情况的温室玻璃的破损效果;同时,对温室玻璃的抗雹性能进行了评估。结果表明:玻璃板受冰雹群冲击时的破损效果不等于单个冰雹冲击时的简单叠加;4 mm厚的玻璃板基本可以满足大部分玻璃温室的抗雹要求;温室玻璃板长宽比取值建议在1.5左右;通过控制玻璃板支撑条件来提高温室玻璃板的抗冲击性能并不可靠;保证冰雹冲击时玻璃板的整体稳定性,使主体结构不出现大跨度裂纹而形成较大碎片,应是玻璃温室抗雹设计的主要目标。该研究可为温室抗冰雹设计提供参考。     

Impact of land-use change on nitrogen mineralization in subalpine grasslands in the Southern Alps

 A field study was conducted to investigate the effect of abandonment of management on net N mineralization (NNM) in subalpine meadows. NNM, soil microbial biomass N (SMBN), fungal biomass and physicochemical characteristics (total C, total N, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and pH) were determined in surface (0–10 cm) soil from May to October 1997 in an intensively managed and an abandoned meadow at 1770 m a.s.l.. The cumulative NNM was lower in the abandoned area and ranged from 150 to 373 and from 25 to 85 μg N g^–1 soil in the intensively managed and the abandoned areas, respectively. The total organic C increased in the abandoned area, while total N showed no difference between abandoned and managed meadow. SMBN showed no difference between the investigated sites, whereas ergosterol, a measure of fungal biomass, increased significantly at the abandoned site. The cumulative NNM was negatively correlated with total organic C, C : N ratio, DOC and ergosterol content, and positively correlated with the NH₄ ⁺-N content of soil. The decrease in NNM at the abandoned site may be explained by the lower availability of N in substrates characterized by a high C : N ratio which, together with a decrease in pH in the litter layer, may have increased fungal biomass. Received: 8 January 1999     

往复式排种器用于谷子精密播种机的初探

为了取代谷子生产传统耕作方法中的间苗劳动,作者创新设计了往复式排种器应用在谷子精密播种机上。经过理论分析与实地试验的初步探索认为,在精密播种机上使用往复式排种器,可以很好地实现谷子的定植、定株精密单粒播种,从而取消了谷子间苗的手工劳动,为谷子生产推广创造了良好条件,为谷子精密播种机在农业生产中的使用带来广阔前景。     

Carbon chemistry and mineralization of peat soils from the Australian Alps

The carbon chemistry of 10 profiles of peat soil has been described in detail using ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The changes with depth in the allocation of signal to different carbon functional groups were consistent with an increase in the extent of decomposition (EOD) of the organic material with depth. This increase in EOD with depth is typical of peat soils. Incubation experiments were carried out on peats spanning the range of EODs encountered, to investigate the effect upon mineralization of substrate quality (as defined by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy), water content and particle size. The confounding factors of depth, water content, bulk density, aeration and carbon content were eliminated by incubating ground peat material in a sand matrix. The size of the mineralizable carbon pool and the rate of carbon mineralization were both significantly affected by substrate quality, water content and particle size. Substrate quality had the greatest effect upon the size of the mineralizable carbon pool: as substrate quality decreased, so too did the size of the mineralizable carbon pool. Water content had the greatest effect upon the rate of carbon mineralization, which increased and then decreased as water content increased, with a maximum rate constant at a volumetric water content of 0.37 cm³ cm^?3.     

雹灾后棉花氮素吸收规律研究

运用15N示踪技术,研究了雹灾后施氮配合中耕对棉花氮素吸收、利用和棉花--土壤氮素平衡的影响.结果表明,在蕾期遭受雹灾的情况下,施氮配合中耕的处理灾后3日开始吸收肥料氮,单纯施用氮肥处理灾后6日才开始吸收肥料氮.中耕处理的棉株单株氮素积累量高,且吸收肥料的比率增加.中耕还明显提高籽棉和根系中肥料氮的分配率,显著提高肥料利用率.     

Local plant resources in the ethnobotany of Theth, a village in the Northern Albanian Alps

An ethnobotanical field study was carried out in one of the most remote and poorest areas of Europe: the village of Theth, which is located in the upper Shala Valley in the Northern Albanian Alps. In this study, seventy-nine botanical taxa known and used by the local population were recorded in interviews with thirty-two informants. Among the local food species recorded, the most highly sought after were Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. and Cornus mas L. fruits, which are used for producing home-made raki. A few elderly women in the village still gather wild greens (Urtica, Chenopodium, Amaranthus, and Rumex species), which are used as fillings for home-made pies (byrekë and laknur). Diverse vegetables (cabbage, turnips, tomatoes, peppers, and egg plants) are cultivated and harvested in spring and summer, and are conserved mainly via lacto-fermentation for consumption during the winter. Despite an almost total lack of medical assistance, the villagers of Theth gather only a few medicinal herbs on a regular basis, which they use internally to treat diverse minor ailments. These include the aerial parts of Origanum vulgare L., Hypericum maculatum Crantz, Agrimonia eupatoria L., and the roots of Gentiana lutea L. The findings from this field study could eventually stimulate sustainable plant gathering and harvesting activities in Theth for small-scale trade of a few food, medicinal, and handicraft products.     

Succession of arbuscular mycorrhizal communities in the foreland of the retreating Morteratsch glacier in the Central Alps

The development of communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was investigated in the subalpine foreland of the glacier Morteratsch located at approx. 1900–2100 m a.s.l. near Pontresina (Engiadin’ Ota, Switzerland). In particular, we asked if the succession of AMF communities follows or precedes the primary plant succession, and we checked the mycorrhizal status of the pioneer plant Epilobium fleischeri. Soil samples were taken at pioneer and dense grassland sites established during the last hundred years representing different periods of glacier retreat: 1875–1900, 1940–1950, 1970–1980 and 1990–2000. Extraradical hyphal length densities and AMF spore populations were analyzed in soil samples. Spore formation and mycorrhizal root colonization were monitored in trap cultures grown on Trifolium pratense, Lolium perenne, Plantago lanceolata and Hieracium pilosella or on E. fleischeri over 14 months. We found that E. fleischeri is strongly arbuscular mycorrhizal, but plants in closest distance to the glacier (glacier retreat in the last 4–6 years before sampling) were non-mycorrhizal. Spore densities and root colonization in trap cultures were generally low in samples from glacier stage 1990–2000. Highest spore density and colonization were found for the sites ice-free since 1970–1980, whilst highest AMF species richness and hyphal length densities were found at the sites ice-free since 1875–1900. Our findings show an establishment of a few AMF pioneer species (e.g. Diversispora versiformis and Acaulospora punctata) within 5–10 years and species rich AMF communities at sites ice-free for 100 years (28 species). Their succession generally follows the succession of the plant communities. We conclude that AMF pioneer species might be mainly distributed by wind transport while other AMF fungi (e.g. Glomus rubiforme and Glomus aureum) rather need a below-ground hyphal network to invade new areas.     

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield response to simulated hail damage

Yield loss in potato damaged by hail is mainly caused by reduced leaf area and plant stand. A 2-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of simulated hail damage on potato yield. The treatments were six levels of defoliation (control, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) and five defoliation times (2, 5, 8, 11 and 14 weeks after emergence). The experiment was set up in a randomized block design with four replications, and the treatments were arranged as a factorial. From the perspective of yield loss, the most important time of defoliation, for mild and intense defoliation, respectively, were 8–11 and 5–11 weeks after emergence. The period between 5 and 8 weeks includes the stages of tuber initiation and tuber growth; the stages most sensitive to removal of aerial parts. Regardless of defoliation intensity, the production of small potatoes mostly occurred when defoliation occurred at 2 and 5 weeks. Plants were able to recover from any level of defoliation if it occurred at an early stage. In summary, yield reduction was little influenced by intensity of defoliation, but the timing of defoliation was evidently the most important factor.     

The biodiversity of dictyostelids in mountain forests: A case study in the French Alps

Forest management can seriously modify the biodiversity of forest dwelling species, but the consequences are poorly known for certain taxa, particularly soil fauna, for which few studies have been published. We compared the biodiversity of dictyostelids cellular slime moulds in a managed and an unmanaged forest in the French Alps and analysed the influence of environmental factors on species richness and abundance of dictyostelids. To our knowledge, this study is the first one undertaken in the European Alps. We must better understand the influence of various environmental factors on the biodiversity of these organisms if we want to accurately define their functional role in the soil. In our study, dictyostelids showed lower levels of diversity compared to previously published results. The mean species richness of dictyostelids was marginally higher in unmanaged than in managed forests and biodiversity indices were significantly correlated with elevation and pH. This suggests that environmental factors have a predominant effect on the biodiversity of dictyostelids and that the effect of forest management is secondary.     

Lignin signature of subalpine Rendzinas (Tangel- and Moderrendzina) in the Bavarian Alps

Simple phenolic lignin degradation products released from alkaline CuO oxidation are used to characterize the lignin component of a Tangelrendzina and a Moderrendzina. The sum of CuO oxidation products describes the overall lignin decomposition pattern. The ratio of acid/aldehyde of the vanillyl unit and the ratio of syringyl/vanillyl units give an indication of the alteration of the remnant lignin molecule. In both soils the sum of lignin oxidation products shows a pronounced decrease with depth. In the Oh, Ca horizon of the Tangelrendzina and the Ah of the Moderrendzina an accumulation of lignin-derived phenolic compounds is observed. The strong increase of the acid/aldehyde ratio at the transition from the humus to the mineral horizons in both soils and the decrease of the syringyl/vanillyl ratio in the Moderrendzina demonstrate a considerable chemical alteration of the remnant lignin molecule (oxidation of side-chain, enrichment with vanillyl units) with progressive decomposition and humification of litter material. The depth functions of the lignin parameters are influenced by decomposition of lignin, accumulation of water-soluble lignin fragments and the input of root litter.     

Estimating habitat suitability and potential population size for brown bears in the Eastern Alps

According to the Habitats Directive of the European Union, a favorable conservation status for the brown bear (Ursus arctos) should be targeted at the population level in large contiguous habitats such as the Alps, the largest mountain range in Europe. However, in most of the Alps brown bears are extinct and habitat suitability in these areas is often questionable. For this paper, radio-tracking data from four projects with 42 individual bears was compiled to assess habitat suitability. Discrete-choice models with random bear effects were fitted and compared to results obtained from compositional analysis and logistic regression. Sound definition of the available area in the discrete-choice model turned out to be essential. Brown bears showed a preference for forested and steep habitats and an avoidance of roads.Results from the three approaches were used to predict habitat suitability across the entire range of the Eastern Alps. Minimum potential population size was projected based on observed densities in Trentino and Central Austria, and ranged from 1228 to 1625 individuals, with 518–686 mature bears. This would satisfy a favorable conservation status. The developed methodology also has wide applicability to quantification of habitat suitability and potential population size in other cases where species are at risk.     

美国堪萨斯州不同天气事件与土壤类型条件下作物产量预测

Computer simulation was used for predictive analysis of the effects of weather and soil type on crop yield in the U.S.crop insurance program.The Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model was modified to include hail weather events,which completed the modifications necessary to simulate the four most frequent causes of crop yield loss (hail,excessive wet,excessive cold,and excessive dry) associated with soil type in Kansas,USA.At the region level,per hectare yields were simulated for corn,wheat,soybean,and sorghum.We concluded that it was possible to predict crop yields through computer simulation with greater than 93% accuracy.The hail damage model test indicated EPIC could predict hail-soil-induced yield losses reasonably well (R² > 0.6).The investigation of soil type influence on dryland sorghum and wheat production indicated that Wymore silty clay loam soil and Kenoma silt loam produced the highest sorghum yields statistically;Kuma silt loam,Roxbury silt loam,Crete silty clay loam,and Woodson silt soils produced the second highest sorghum yields statistically;and Richfiled silt loam,Wells loam,and Canadian sandy loam produced the lowest sorghum yields.By contrast,wheat production showed less sensitivity to soil type variation.The less sensitive response of wheat yields to the soil type could be largely due to the unconsidered small-scale variability of soil features.     

Functional diversity of the soil microflora in primary succession across two glacier forelands in the Central Alps

We compared functional diversity in 6‐ to 150‐year‐old sites on two primary successional glacier forelands (Ödenwinkelkees and Rotmoosferner, Austria) and related these changes to properties of their habitat in the soil (pH, soil organic matter, mineral nitrogen, phosphorus). Comparisons were made with land undisturbed for 9500 years immediately outside the glacier foreland. The functional diversity of the soil microflora was assessed based on microbial processes (N mineralization, ammonium oxidation, arginine deaminase) as well as on the activities of soil enzymes (protease, urease, xylanase, phosphatase, arylsulphatase). On both chronosequences, functional diversity (Shannon diversity index and evenness) and enzyme activity increased up to an age of 50 years, while older soils appeared to have reached a temporary steady state. The values of microbial biomass and enzyme activity were generally smaller in the Ödenwinkel soils than in the Rotmoos sequence, indicating that primary input of carbon from plant growth was less. Functional diversity increased with increasing plant development and organic matter accumulation, explaining similarities in enzyme activity patterns in the sequences. The local climates might also have contributed to the magnitude of the changes. Our data suggest that microbial functional diversity reached stability within 50 years' succession.