Seasonal Losses of Surface Litter in Northern Great Plains Mixed-Grass Prairies

Surface litter protects rangeland soils against wind and water erosion and provides food and nesting materials for wildlife and insects. However, the ability of grassland systems to provide these services depends on the little studied topic of seasonal surface litter decomposition. Seasonal and annual surface litter decomposition rates were determined between 2014 and 2015 in central and western South Dakota at three mixed-grass prairie locations. Residue bags containing surface litter were placed in the field in late fall (1 November) of 2014 and removed after the winter (1 April), spring (1 July), and summer + fall seasons (1 November) of 2015. The litter was analyzed for total C, total N, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Average winter temperatures ranged from −5^oC to −15^oC, while summer temperatures ranged from 10^oC to 35^oC. Litter decomposition was lowest during the winter (0.57−0.86 g [kg × day]⁻¹) and greatest during the summer + fall (2.12−2.69 g [kg × day]⁻¹). Over the entire season, 40.8−62% of the surface litter decomposed. Winter litter decomposition was positively correlated with air temperature (r = 0.62, P < 0.01) and snow depth (r = 0.61, P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with C/N ratio (r = −0.65, P < 0.01), ADF (r = −0.35, P < 0.05), and ADL (r = −0.25, P < 0.05) concentrations. These findings indicate that winter decomposition cannot be ignored and that winter surface litter decomposition increases with snow depth.     

Evaluation of two N cycle models for the prediction of N mineralization from grassland soils in the UK

Abstract. The ability of two nitrogen cycle models, of contrasting complexity, to predict N mineralization from a range of grassland soils in the UK, was evaluated. These were NCYCLE, a simple mass balance model of the N cycle in UK grasslands, and CENTURY, a more complex model simulating long-term C, N, P & S dynamics in grassland ecosystems. The models were tested using field measurements of net N mineralization from a range of grassland soils (differing in soil type, history & management practice), obtained over a 2 year period using a soil core incubation technique. This method was considered to measure the total net release of mineral N from the soil organic matter over a specified time, including N which may have been recycled several times. NCYCLE consistently under-estimated mineralization rates at all sites. By contrast, there was some correlation between CENTURY predictions of net N mineralization and field measurements. This may have reflected the different abilities of the two models to simulate N recycling. Neither model, however, was able to predict adequately the effect of cultivation and reseeding on net N mineralization.     

PULMONARY MINERALIZATION IN FOUR DOGS WITH CUSHING'S SYNDROME

The clinical and imaging features of four dogs with Cushing's syndrome and pulmonary mineralization are reviewed. Three dogs presented with a primary complaint of respiratory distress/dyspnea. Three dogs had pituitary dependent Cushing's syndrome, while the remaining one dog had iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome. Each dog had clinical features typical for Cushing's syndrome. Two of the dogs were euthanized due to progressive hypoxemia. In each dog, the serum calcium, phosphorous, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were normal.
A generalized increase in unstructured interstitial pulmonary opacity with diffuse mineralization was noted on thoracic radiographs of all dogs. In one dog, an ill-defined nodular interstitial pattern of mineralization was present. Delayed bone phase scintigraphy using ^99mTechnetium methylene diphosphonate documented generalized pulmonary uptake in two dogs. ^99mTechnetium labeled microaggregated albumin lung perfusion scans were normal in these two dogs. ^99mTc-MDP scintigraphy can provide useful information in diagnosing pulmonary mineralization in Cushingoid dogs.     

Nitrogen uptake by ryegrass from organic wastes applied to a sandy loam soil

Sandy‐textured Mediterranean soils are invariably depleted in organic matter and supply only small amounts of N to crops. To compensate for these deficiencies, we tested the N supply from six organic wastes applied to a Cambic Arenosol in pots growing ryegrass. The results showed that the behaviour of the wastes in supplying N to a ryegrass crop grown in this soil can be predicted by observing their performance in laboratory aerobic incubations. The N made available during these incubations fitted well to a one‐pool kinetic model.     

三峡库区不同植被覆盖对土壤氮的影响

不同植被类型影响着土壤养分的积累、分布与循环,而土壤氮素是植被生长的重要限制性元素。通过分析宜昌点军区3种植被类型(柏树地、橘树地、菜地)覆盖下土壤氮素的变化情况,研究了不同植被对土壤氮素各形态的影响。结果表明,土壤全氮、硝态氮和微生物氮都是柏树地显著大于菜地和橘树地,而菜地和橘树地之间无显著性的差异;土壤矿化氮和微生物氮/全氮的变化顺序是柏树地橘树地菜地。说明不同植被覆盖对土壤氮有显著的影响,柏树地更有利于土壤氮的积累,氮的有效性也最高,由此认为柏树长期生长有益于土壤氮的改善。     

Abnormal bone mineralization in a puppy fed an imbalanced raw meat homemade diet diagnosed and monitored using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

A 4-month-old male Old English Sheepdog was presented for evaluation of a raw meat-based homemade diet after a 1-month history of progressive lameness. Marked dietary deficiencies were detected, which included calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. Hypovitaminosis D and hypocalcaemia were diagnosed by serum analysis. Evidence of severe diffuse osteopenia was noted on survey radiographs. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to quantify bone mineral content and density and compare to published reference ranges. The puppy's initial bone mineralization was markedly subnormal, with bone mineral density 66% lower than expected, and bone mineral content 40% lower than expected. Subsequent DEXA scans were performed at intervals during the puppy's recovery to document the rate of bone re-mineralization and guide therapeutic recommendations. Marked improvement was achieved within 4 months through exercise control and feeding of a diet appropriately formulated for large breed puppy growth and development. This report reinforces the necessity of thorough dietary history and highlights the potential for malnutrition in pets fed homemade and raw meat-based diets. Use of DEXA has rarely been reported in clinical cases, yet can be a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring cases with abnormal bone mineralization. Further studies using DEXA to track bone mineralization in healthy puppies are encouraged to develop a more robust reference range of bone mineralization in growing dogs of varying sizes, weights and ages.     

川西高山树线交错带海拔梯度上土壤有机碳稳定性特征

高山树线交错带是高海拔地带对环境变化最为敏感的生态系统之一,土壤有机碳库及其稳定性在生态系统变化中具有显著指示作用。通过物理-化学方法对土壤不同活性有机碳进行连续分级分离,研究土壤有机碳不同组分在海拔环境梯度下分布特征及稳定性。结果表明,高山树线交错带土壤有机碳主要集中在物理分级组分（≥0.02 mm）,且粒径越大有机碳含量越高,即主要以颗粒态有机碳形式存在,占比均高于98%;在<0.02 mm有机-无机复合体中有机碳采用化学分级分离,这部分有机碳占比低于土壤总有机碳2%,且主要以腐殖质（胡敏素）形式存在（占土壤总有机碳0.6%~0.8%）,腐殖质占有机碳比例远低于一般土壤;随着海拔升高,土壤有机碳总量上升,颗粒态有机碳（物理分级组分）比例升高,胡敏素类腐殖质比例下降。因此,川西高海拔树线交错带的高寒土壤有机碳,主要以不稳定有机碳（POC）形式存在,随着温度上升（海拔降低）将导致土壤矿质化和腐殖化加剧,有机碳总量下降,土壤不稳定性组分（物理分级组分）降低,土壤稳定性（腐殖化比例）上升。     

不同有机肥对矿区复垦土壤磷素矿化特征研究

【目的】探究不同有机肥对采煤塌陷复垦土壤磷素的矿化特征。【方法】采用室内培养试验,以不施肥处理为空白处理(CK),研究了施用3种有机肥(鸡粪、猪粪、牛粪)对矿区复垦土壤速效磷的动态变化,并综合其矿化过程中的磷酸酶活性及磷转化强度,分析了不同有机肥对矿区复垦土壤磷生物有效性的影响。【结果】①在整个室内恒温培养过程中,各施肥处理的速效磷量均随培养时间延长呈下降趋势,不同培养时期速效磷量大致呈现出:鸡粪>猪粪≥牛粪>化肥>CK。培养结束时(105d),鸡粪、猪粪和牛粪处理较化肥处理显著提高了土壤速效磷量(18.56%~37.09%);鸡粪处理较猪粪和牛粪处理速效磷量显著提高了11.93%~15.62%,而猪粪和牛粪处理间差异不显著;②在整个室内恒温培养过程中,拟二阶动力学模型能较好地反映各施肥处理速效磷释放过程,其次为Elovich模型和幂函数模型,而粒内扩散模型拟合效果较差。③在整个培养时期施有机肥处理的磷酸酶活性显著高于化肥处理,提高幅度为39.14%~120.70%。④培养前期(0~14 d),猪粪处理与化肥处理对土壤有机磷转化强度影响较大,二者间差异不显著,且猪粪处理较牛粪、鸡粪处理能显著提高有机磷转化强度,分别提高了41.51%和86.52%;在培养中后期(42~105d)各施肥处理的有机磷转化强度差异均不显著。【结论】施用有机肥能促进矿区复垦土壤磷素矿化,其中鸡粪较猪粪和牛粪对提高土壤有效磷量作用更为明显。     

不同质地黑土净氮转化速率和温室气体排放规律研究

为探讨黑龙江省半干旱地区不同质地黑土的净氮转化速率和温室气体排放规律,以壤砂土和粉壤土为研究对象开展室内培养试验,对土壤净硝化速率和净矿化速率、N2O和CO2排放速率与累积排放量进行研究。结果表明:7d培养期间壤砂土的平均净矿化速率和CO2平均排放速率分别为0.49mgN kg-1 d-1和0.30mgCO2-C kg-1 h-1,显著低于粉壤土的平均净矿化速率(1.37 mgN kg-1 d-1)和CO2平均排放速率(0.47mgCO2-C kg-1 h-1)。壤砂土的平均净硝化速率和N2O平均排放速率分别为1.65mgN kg-1 d-1和212.6ngN2O-N kg-1 h-1,显著低于粉壤土的5.02mgN kg-1 d-1和521.3ngN2O-N kg-1 h-1。壤砂土和粉壤土的N2O排放比率分别为0.081%~0.301%和0.210%~0.254%。研究表明,土壤质地显著影响土壤净氮转化速率和温室气体排放,壤砂土较低的pH、有机碳和水溶性有机碳含量是导致其净硝化速率、净矿化速率以及N2O、CO2排放速率显著低于粉壤土的主要原因。     

土壤有机碳时空变化研究进展与展望

土壤有机碳不但是土壤肥力形成、粮食生产和土壤健康的基础,而且在全球碳平衡中起着关键的作用,因此,明晰土壤有机碳时空变化规律对于保障土壤健康和粮食安全、发挥土壤生态系统服务功能和应对气候变化等均具有重要意义。本文首先介绍了土壤有机碳时空变化的主要驱动因素和估算方法,随后分析了全球及国家等相对较大尺度上土壤有机碳时空变化研究的主要进展,最后从土壤有机碳模型结构改进、驱动数据分辨率提升、不确定性量化评估等方面综合分析了未来土壤有机碳时空变化研究需亟待解决的重要科学问题。