Soil respiration characteristics of tropical soils from agricultural and forestry land-uses at Wondo Genet (Ethiopia) in response to C, N and P amendments

In most parts of tropical Africa, conversion of forests into agricultural lands is often accompanied by drastic changes in soil properties. However, little study has been done to examine changes in biological properties of soils from different land-uses in response to addition of C and nutrients. We conducted this study with the aim of investigating nutrient limitations for microbial activity in soils from agricultural (farm) and forest land-uses at Wondo Genet (Ethiopia) after amendment with C and limiting nutrients. We measured CO₂ respiration rates from the soils incubated in the laboratory before and after addition of glucose-C together with N and/or P in excess and/or limiting amounts. Based on the respiration kinetics, we determined the basal respiration (BR), substrate-induced respiration (SIR), specific-microbial growth rate (μ), respiration maxima (R_max), % of glucose-C respired, and microbially available N and P in the soils. We found that N was more limiting than P for the micro-biota in the soils considered, suggesting the presence of ample amounts of indigenous P that could be extracted by the micro-biota, if provided with C. Addition of P resulted in a respiration pattern with two peaks, presumably reflecting different N pools being available over time. The SIR, Respiration maxima, μ and microbially available P were higher in soils from the farm, while %C respired was higher in the forest, suggesting increased C costs for micro-biota to be able to utilize nutrients that are strongly bound to organic-matter or clay minerals. Depending on land-use, about 49-69% of added glucose-C was respired during two and a half weeks time, but differences between N or P additions were not significant. The correlation between soil physical and chemical properties and respiration parameters, however, depended on whether N or P was limiting. We concluded that examining the soil respiration kinetics could provide vital information on nutritional status of micro-organisms under different land-uses and on potential availability of nutrients to plants.     

河溪近自然治理的基本模式与应用界限

河溪系统是流域管理中最基本和最重要的单元。在分析传统河溪治理的基础上,简要地介绍了河溪近自然治理的概念、发展和特征,提出了河溪近自然治理的原则,并对河溪近自然治理的基本模式进行了探讨。     

Nematode migration and nutrient diffusion between vetch and barley material in soil

This paper deals with migration of nematodes along nutrient gradients in soil. Portions of barley straw and green vetch leaves were mixed with soil and buried at 6, 12, 18, and 50 mm distance from each other in soil. During the following 12 weeks respiration activity, microbial (SIR) biomass, nitrogen limitation of respiration activity in soil slurries all indicated that nitrogen was transferred in the soil from the nutrient rich vetch to the nutrient poor barley at least during the first 3 weeks of the experiment. Twelve out of 39 taxonomic groups of nematodes showed different growth in the two plant material-soil mixtures. Only one of these taxonomic groups (long rhabditid larvae) suggested that migration could have contributed to population development; for three other groups (short rhabditid larvae, Aphelenchoides, and Bursilla) nutrient transport through the soil was the likely mechanism for a distance-dependant population development. We suggest that for most microbivorous nematodes, except larvae of fast growing bacterivores, migration over distances exceeding one centimetre does not contribute markedly to population development even when cues such as nutrient gradients to stimulate the activity exist.     

Extrinsic and intrinsic controls on the distribution of the critically endangered cress, Ischnocarpus exilis (Brassicaceae)

Ischnocarpus exilis, a critically endangered cress, persists in one small population in a 1m² section of a limestone tower in the South Island, New Zealand. The importance of intrinsic (seed production, dispersal ability and habitat specificity) and extrinsic factors (weed competition) acting to restrict the distribution of this threatened species were investigated with a field experiment, demographic monitoring and soil seed bank analysis. I. exilis is not confined to its present site because of high habitat specificity, but rather is limited by low seed production and limited dispersal as well as by competition with invasive weeds. Conservation management of this critically endangered species should focus on controlling weeds and on establishing new populations in suitable weed-free habitat.     

Avian population and community processes in forest ecosystems: Long-term research in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest

Long-term studies in relatively undisturbed forest ecosystems, such as occur in many of the USFS’ Experimental Forests, provide valuable insight into bird population and community processes, information pertinent to forest management and bird conservation. Major findings from 40 years of research in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in north-central New Hampshire reviewed here show that the distributions and abundances of bird species are dynamic, even within well-developed and mature forests, and that species respond differently to habitat (vegetation) structure, food availability, and other features of the forest environment. At the local scale, bird population demography is most affected by factors that influence fecundity and recruitment, mainly food availability, weather, nest predators, and density dependent processes. Fecundity is strongly correlated with subsequent recruitment and is critical for maintaining breeding population size. Events in the non-breeding season, however, also influence the abundance and demography of breeding populations, indicating the need to assess factors operating throughout the species’ annual cycle. At the landscape scale, populations in temperate forests are spatially structured by each species’ response to habitat and environmental patterns, but also by social interactions such as competition and conspecific attraction. Settlement patterns and ultimately reproductive performance depend on habitat quality, based on vegetation structure, food availability and nest predator effects that vary across the landscape. Results from these long-term studies centered at Hubbard Brook provide a mechanistic understanding of avian population dynamics and community responses. The results provide a framework for predicting how future changes in habitat quality, climate, and other environmental threats may influence bird populations and communities in north-temperate forests.     

Responsibility of non-stomatal limitations for the reduction of photosynthesis—response of photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme characteristics in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seedlings to water stress and rehydration

Water stress by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 solution (ψ _s = 0.2 MPa, stress time: 48 h, rehydration time: 48 h) was performed in leaves of two alfalfa cultivar (Long-Dong and Algonquin) seedlings. Gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, activity of antioxidant enzyme and photosynthetic pigment concentrations were measured to investigate the available photosynthetic and antioxidant enzyme response to variable water conditions as well as stomatal and non-stomatal limitations to photosynthesis. The results showed that non-stomatal limitations were responsible for the reduction of photosynthesis during water stress. At the beginning of water stress (12 h), water was lost and then the stomata closed rapidly, which resulted in a decrease of transpiration, net photosynthesis and CO₂ diffusion. Therefore, when intercellular CO₂ concentration and carboxylation efficiency decrease, water use efficiency and value of stomatal limitation would increase. However, the decline of net photosynthetic rate was faster than transpiration rate. At the same time, the maximal photochemical efficiency, potential activity of PSII reaction center and photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence declined significantly, the activity of antioxidant enzyme increased rapidly and the photosynthetic pigment concentrations changed slightly. The results also indicated that, at the initial period of stress, neither oxidative stress nor membrane lipid peroxidation was induced, nor were photosynthetic structures damaged, but photosynthetic functions were partly inhibited. Therefore, the stomatal limitation and non-stomatal limitations had the same responsibility for the reduction of photosynthesis. At the mid-late stage of water stress, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, maximal photochemical efficiency, potential activity of PSII reaction center and photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence decreased linearly with the decline of the relative water content. And the relative electron transport rate, the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry and photosynthetic pigment concentrations declined continually. The activity of antioxidant enzymes maintained at a higher level but malondialdehyde accumulated gradually with prolonging of water stress. Simultaneously, the non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence increased obviously after water stress for 24 h. The remarkable decline of light saturated point of photosynthetic electron transport, that is, the initial point of photo-inhibition, was observed in advance. Therefore, non-stomatal limitations dominated the changes of a series of physiological and biochemical reactions during mid-late period of water stress. After 48 h rehydration, all the parameters except intercellular CO₂ concentration in Long-Dong recovered obviously but incompletely, which resulted from severe oxidative injury and photo-inhibition induced by water stress even though photo-protection was triggered during water stress in alfalfa leaves. Alfalfa seedlings were sensitive to water stress and there were certain differences between cultivars.     

阿拉尔垦区新疆杨防护林化学计量特征分析

[目的] 以新疆阿拉尔垦区不同龄级新疆杨防护林为研究对象,对不同龄级新疆杨叶—枝—凋落物—土壤的C,N,P含量及化学计量特征进行分析比较,为新疆南部农田防护林后期保育的可持续发展提供理论基础数据。[结果] C,N,P含量与化学计算学特征为： ①C含量为凋落物(395.14 g/kg)>叶(365.29 g/kg)>枝(363.84 g/kg)>土壤(9.47 g/kg),N含量为叶(13.37 g/kg)>凋落物(9.10 g/kg)>枝(7.31 g/kg)>土壤(0.72 g/kg),P含量为叶(0.46 g/kg)>枝(0.43 g/kg)>土壤(0.37 g/kg)>凋落物(0.27 g/kg)。②叶—土壤与全国平均值相比呈现出低C,低N,低P的格局。土壤C含量随龄级的增加呈“升—降—升”趋势,除第Ⅲ龄级外,其他龄级土壤N含量均表现出随土层加深而逐渐降低的趋势。土壤P含量随龄级的增加整体呈上升趋势,且同一土层不同龄级之间存在显著差异(p<0.05)。③土壤C∶N (13.05)高于中国土壤均值(C∶N 11.90),C∶P,N∶P (24.04,1.83)均值低于中国土壤均值(C∶P=60.0,N∶P=5.20)。④新疆杨0—80 cm土层N,P含量与叶N含量呈极显著负相关(p<0.01)与叶P呈极显著正相关(p<0.01),凋落物N含量与表层土壤N含量呈极显著正相关关系(p<0.01)。凋落物P含量与20—40 cm土壤P含量呈极显著负相关关系(p<0.01)。[结论] 由于缺乏对新疆杨防护林后期的管护,导致阿拉尔垦区新疆杨防护林在生长过程中受N,P元素的限制。因此,需适当增添N,P肥,以此来改善土壤肥力,提高林分质量。     

鸢尾的花部结构及繁育系统特征

 对鸢尾（Iris tectorum）居群的花部特征、授粉特性、繁育系统及访花昆虫行为等进行了研究。在自然条件下,鸢尾4—6月开花,群体花期约60 d,群体盛花期约30 d,集中在4月20日—5月20日,单株花期10 ~ 30 d,单花花期2 d。雄蕊短于花柱,花药紧贴花柱外侧,花药与柱头相差约3 mm,在花朵开放的整个过程中雌、雄蕊的相对位置不变。杂交指数OCI为4,P/O（花粉/胚珠比）为234.4,结合坐果率判断其繁育系统属于异交,部分自交亲和,需要传粉者。鸢尾高度特化的花部特征与黄胸木蜂（Xylocopa appendiculata）和长木蜂（Xylocopa tranquebarorum）的传粉行为相适应。人工授粉结籽率高于自然传粉,证实鸢尾自然条件下的有性繁殖系统受到花粉限制和缺少传粉昆虫的影响。     

水分胁迫对柑桔光合作用的影响

柑桔植株在土壤失水时,叶片相对含水量(LWC)和叶片水势(ψ_1)随土壤含水量(SWC)的减少而下降,前两者与SWC成对数关系.在SWC大于50％田间持水量时,LWC和ψ_1下降较小.SWC大于55％时植株蒸腾变化不明显.水分胁迫导致柑桔叶片光合(Pn)下降有一ψ_1阈值为-1.70MPa,当ψ_1低于此值时,Pn陡降.与这一ψ_1对应的SWC为42.5％田间持水量.柑桔叶片的叶肉阻力(r_m)比气孔阻力(r_s)大得多,在水分胁迫时更为明显.结果表明柑桔在水分胁迫条件下光合受抑主要来自非气孔性的限制.     

GIS支持下的区域耕地质量评价

通过设立耕地代表性样区开展实地采样调查分析 ,利用逐步多元回归分析法筛选和确定区域耕地质量评价的主导因子及其权重 ,借助 GIS技术和动态聚类模型进行区域耕地质量评价 .结果表明 ,有机质含量、≥ 1 0℃积温、道路通达度、CEC、坡度、质地、地下水位和全 K含量等 8个因子与耕地粮食产量关系极为密切 ,可作为闽侯县耕地质量的主导评价因子 ,其中以有机质含量、≥ 1 0℃积温、道路通达度、CEC和坡度对耕地质量的影响较大 ,合计权重达 80 %以上 .闽侯县耕地资源总体质量不高 ,中低产耕地占 68.0 1 % .全县耕地主要限制型为砂、粘、冷和瘦限制 ,分别占耕地总面积的 2 5 .0 4%、1 2 .5 8%、1 2 .1 7%和 1 5 .2 7% .GIS与数学模型集成方法可为快速、准确评价区域耕地质量及动态监测提供理想途径