Effect of plant species on shrub fertile island at an oasis–desert ecotone in the South Junggar Basin, China

Shrub fertile islands are a common feature in arid ecosystems. To examine the effect of plant species on the spatial patterns of soil chemical and physical properties surrounding individual shrubs, two deciduous shrub species with different morphologies (Tamarix spp. and Haloxylon ammodendron Bge.) were studied at an oasis–desert ecotone in South Junggar Basin. Soil samples were collected under the shrub crown (canopy), at the vertically projected limit of shrub crown margin (periphery), and in the space between shrub crowns (interspace) at two depths, 0–10 and 10–20 cm, to analyze their physical and chemical properties. The results show that the fertile islands of Tamarix spp. are enriched with more soil nutrients (significantly higher, P<0.05; soil organic matter (SOM); total nitrogen (TN) and available nitrogen (AN); to a deeper depth (>20 cm) and in a larger area (beyond the canopied area) compared to that of H. ammodendron (significantly higher, P<0.05, soil nutrients detected only for AN; <20 cm in depth; smaller than the canopied area). Soil texture patterns surrounding the shrubs of the two species are even more different, with more coarse particles under the Tamarix spp. canopies compared to the interspace between shrubs but fewer under the H. ammodendron canopies compared to the interspaces. These variations are attributed to the difference in morphology of the two studied species: the Y-shaped crowns of H. ammodendron are less capable of capturing and maintaining litter under them than the hemispheroidal crowns of Tamarix spp., which leads to the less well developed fertile islands surrounding H. ammodendron shrubs.     

Plant Area Index and microclimate underneath shrub species from a Chilean semiarid community

In drylands, environmental conditions under shrub canopy differ from those found in open sites. We should expect that microclimate conditions under shrubs with distinct canopy architecture should also be different. Plant Area Index (PAI) of the three most abundant shrubs species (Porlieria chilensis, Adesmia bedwellii and Proustia cuneifolia) in Bosque Fray Jorge National Park, north-central Chile was measured using a Plant Canopy Analyzer. During two years (2004-2005), we recorded the Relative Humidity and Air Temperature underneath and away from the canopy of the shrubs.The three shrub species showed significant differences in PAI. Microclimate at 30 cm and 2 m above the soil in the open conditions were drier and warmer than underneath shrub canopies. Vegetation patches generate moderate microclimate conditions.Canopy structure can buffer climatic variability, contributing to high herbaceous productivity as well as shrub recruitment. Reflecting shrub architecture and observed PAI values, the lowest microclimate variations were observed under the canopies of P. chilensis, followed by P. cuneifolia and finally A. bedwellii. We bring a novel approach quantifying the Plant Area Index instead of the Plant cover and using a low cost method that integrates the distribution of leaves and may be derived from remote sensing products.     

地表径流对荒漠灌丛生境土壤水分空间特征的影响

土壤水分是干旱区多尺度生态水文过程的关键影响因素和驱动因子,其时空格局是生态、水文、气象、地形等自然过程研究的重要参数。笔者研究了降水径流事件后3种不同灌丛个体尺度土壤水分空间异质性特征,结果表明,珍珠灌丛个体尺度土壤水分空间分布特征表现为灌丛边缘>灌丛内部>灌丛间裸地,驼绒藜灌丛表现为灌丛内部>灌丛边缘>灌丛间裸地,而狭叶锦鸡儿灌丛不同微生境土壤水分差异不显著。珍珠和驼绒藜灌丛同一微生境土壤水分存在坡位梯度,珍珠灌丛3个微生境土壤水分均表现为上坡位大于下坡位,而驼绒藜灌丛边缘表现为上坡位小于下坡位,其他两个微生境无明显规律;狭叶锦鸡儿灌丛土壤水分无明显的坡位梯度。3种灌丛不同微生境土壤含水量随土层深度增加的变化不明显。这说明在降水径流事件中,不同斑块的反应差异引起了地表径流的形成以及随之发生的资源再分配,从而导致了景观内土壤水分的空间异质性。     

科尔沁沙地灌木对风沙土壤的生态效应

对科尔沁沙地小叶锦鸡儿、差巴嘎蒿和黄柳灌木阻固沙尘和保育土壤的生态效应进行了野外定株观测研究。结果表明:⑴小叶锦鸡儿阻固沙尘的能力很强,单株灌木基部的平均积沙（尘）量为0.49m³,分别是差巴嘎蒿和黄柳的3倍和16倍。⑵每一灌木种的冠幅直径、基部分枝数和分枝直径均与灌木基部的积沙（尘）量有显著的正相关关系,其中冠幅直径对积沙（尘）量的影响最大,决定系数为0.18～0.58（P<0.05,n=30）。⑶三种灌木对土壤有机质、全P、全N和速效P都有不同程度的富集作用,其中对土壤有机质的富集作用更为明显;不同灌木种间,小叶锦鸡儿对土壤有机质和全N的富集作用略大于差巴嘎蒿和黄柳。     

Ecological impact of Prosopis species invasion in Turkwel riverine forest,Kenya

The impact of Prosopis species invasion in the Turkwel riverine forest in Kenya was investigated under three contrasting: Acacia, Prosopis and Mixed species (Acacia and Prosopis) canopies. Variation amongst canopies was assessed through soil nutrients and physical properties, tree characteristics and canopy closure. Invasion impact was evaluated by comparing herbaceous species cover and diversity, and occurrence of indigenous tree seedlings. Soil characteristics under Prosopis and Mixed species canopies were similar except in pH and calcium content, and had lower silt and carbon contents than soil under Acacia canopy. Tree density was higher under Prosopis intermediate under Mixed and lower under Acacia canopies. Prosopis trees had lower diameters than Acacia tortilis trees. Diameter classes' distribution in Mixed species canopy revealed invasion of Prosopis into mature A. tortilis stands. Herbaceous species cover and diversity were negatively correlated to Prosopis tree density; thus explaining the lower herbaceous species cover and diversity under Prosopis than under Acacia and Mixed species canopies. The study suggests a gradual conversion of herbaceous rich A. tortilis woodland to herbaceous poor Prosopis species woodland or thickets, through indiscriminate Prosopis invasion.     

古尔班通古特沙漠纵向沙垄植被空间异质性

在古尔班通古特沙漠南部纵向沙垄上按5 m×10 m的网格测度植被样方100个,采集浅层风沙土样品184件。调查发现,乔灌木层片和草本层片的分布及相互关系明显受沙垄地形影响,并且在干旱环境下种群间的竞争和空间上的互补使两层片生态优势度具有显著的相关性。地统计分析结果显示,纵向沙垄上植被空间异质性表现为木本层片的物种多样性呈斑块状分布,草本层片物种多样性呈现平行沙垄的带状结构和斑块结构叠加的特点,而植被盖度则在垂直沙垄走向的方向上具有强烈的梯度性变化。和沙垄土壤理化性质空间格局特征相对比,植被盖度及物种多样性与风沙土浅层含水量在自相关空间（变程）及空间异质性程度上比较接近。这是纵向沙垄小生态系统中草本植物和浅层土壤水分耦合关系在空间上的反映,也是木本植物对水分和土壤资源在小尺度（m）上竞争及中小尺度（10～100 m）上互补的结果。     

Dead shrub patches as ecosystem engineers in degraded drylands

A long-term drought has led to the mass mortality of shrubs in the semi-arid Israeli Negev.The most impacted shrub species is the Noaea mucronata (Forssk.) Asch.and Schweinf.In a four-year study,we found that herbaceous vegetation growth was greater in the dead shrub patches than in the surrounding inter-patch biocrusted spaces,suggesting that the dead shrub patches encompass improved micro-habitats.However,unexpectedly,the soil moisture in the dead shrub patches was consistently lower than that of the inter-patch biocrusted spaces.At the same time,soil quality in the dead shrub patches was higher than that in the inter-patch spaces.Therefore,it seems that the overall better soil conditions in the dead patches overcome the scarcity of soil-water,supporting increased herbaceous produc-tivity.For explaining the discrepancy between herbaceous vegetation and soil-water,we formulated a conceptual framework,which highlights the key factors that regulate soil-water dynamics in this dryland ecosystem.We demonstrate that herbaceous vegetation is facilitated in the dead shrub patches by a legacy effect that takes place long after the shrubs have died.The dead shrub patches encompass a unique form of ecosystem engineering.The study high-lights the complex and unpredicted impacts of prolonged droughts on dryland ecosystems.     

The influence of elevation, shrub species, and biological soil crust on fertile islands in the Mojave Desert, USA

We quantified soil nutrients and biological crust cover (bryophytes and lichens) under the canopies of three species of Mojave Desert shrubs and in interspaces between shrubs at three elevations to determine the effects of shrub species, soil crust, and elevation on islands of soil fertility. Means of pH, organic matter, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrogen mineralization, and gravimetric soil moisture are significantly greater in soils under Ambrosia dumosa (Gray) Payne, Larrea tridentata Cov., and Coleogyne ramosissima Torr. than soils from adjacent interspace microhabitats. Although soil moisture and soil organic matter increase by a factor of 1.5 from the low elevation to the high elevation site, the ratio of shrub to interspace concentrations, or the difference in mean soil variables between shrubs and interspaces, is effectively constant and independent of elevation. Total bryophyte and lichen cover is relatively low (24.5%), however, there are 11 species of bryophytes and two species of lichens distributed across three elevations with the highest species richness and cover at the low-elevation site. Bryophyte and lichen cover is correlated with silt but is not related, consistently, to soil nutrients. Overall, the balance of processes controlling spatial aggregation of soil nutrients under shrubs is remarkably insensitive to potential differences in organic inputs among elevations, shrub species, and soil crust surfaces.     

Short- and medium-term response of Atriplex halimus L. to repeated seasonal grazing in south-eastern Spain

Atriplex halimus L. is a valuable fodder shrub that has been widely used in arid Mediterranean regions. However, its response to several cumulative years of grazing management remains uncertain. Accordingly, we conducted a three-year experiment in south-eastern Spain to analyze the influence of repeated seasonal (winter-spring) sheep browsing on young A. halimus plants. Shrub growth, fodder and wood production, plant compactness and shoot moisture content were assessed through regular monitoring of the size of shrubs, sampling of summer shoots, and destructive procedures at the end of the experiment. Shrubs were on two closely located sites but where soil quality and water availability were different. At the better location, browsed shrubs grew less and were significantly smaller (P < 0.001) than the non-browsed saltbushes. In contrast, differences between groups were minimal where the growth conditions were poorer. In all cases, shrubs resprouted vigorously and maintained fodder production throughout the experiment. Browsing affected shrub structure, resulting in smaller but more compact plants (2.20 vs. 1.24 g dm⁻³, P < 0.001), but their proportion of fodder remained similar. The spring grazing increased shrub-shoot moisture content in the summer (62.5% vs. 56.0%, P < 0.001). Overall, this species responded very positively to repeated seasonal grazing.     

The role of facilitation in seedling recruitment and survival patterns, in the Strandveld Succulent Karoo, South Africa

Several studies in arid ecosystems have demonstrated that seedling establishment and survival were greater underneath the canopies of shrubs than in the open spaces between shrubs. These results led to the formulation of the hypothesis that seedling recruitment and survival were dependent on the shelter provided by shrub species (nurse-plant hypothesis). Seedling emergence and survival beneath and between the canopies of selected perennial shrub species were investigated at five localities in the Strandveld Succulent Karoo, each dominated by a different shrub species. Seedling emergence and survival were also examined at three localities dominated by annual species. In general, species richness and seedling densities were significantly higher in open areas than underneath shrubs, while seedling survival percentages did not differ significantly between microsites. Therefore, no evidence could be found to support the hypothesis that seedling recruitment and survival were facilitated by the presence of shrub species. Although most species will be able to establish in the absence of shrubs, the presence of woody species may have other advantages when restoring vegetation in mined areas.     

Soil nutrients in relation to land use and landscape position in the semi-arid small catchment on the loess plateau in China

Characterizing spatial variability of soil nutrients in relation to site properties, including climate, land use, landscape position and other variables, is important for understanding how ecosystems work and assessing the effects of future land use change on soil nutrients. In order to assess the effects of land use and landscape position on soil nutrients consisting of soil organic matter (SOM), total N (TN), total P (TP), available N (AN) and available P (AP), soil samples were collected in August and October 1998 and July 1999 from three transects in a small catchment on the loess plateau, China. The three transects consisted of typical land use structure from the top to foot of hillslope in the study area: fallow land – cropland – woodland – orchard (T1), fallow land – shrub land – fallow land – cropland – woodland – orchard (T2) and intercropping land – woodland (T3). Significant differences among land uses were found for SOM, TN and AN. Woodland, shrub land and grassland had the higher levels for them compared to fallow land and cropland. Use of soil deterioration index showed that soils deteriorated moderately (−17·05%) under orchard and seriously (ranging from −29·91% to −20·32%) under fallow land, cropland and intercropping land, while soils had no deterioration (−0·74%) under shrubland and (−0·69%) grassland. This study indicated that the cultivated hilly lands must be abandoned before a critical minimum SOM of 0·492%. Soil nutrient responses to landscape positions were variable depending on transect and the location of land use types. The highest levels in SOM, TN and AN were observed at middle slope position on T1, while they occurred at foot slope position on T3. However, an increasing trend from upper slope to foot slope for five nutrients were found on T2.     

土地利用方式对岩溶山地土壤种子库的影响

本文从种类组成、种子数量、生态优势度、物种多样性、种子分布规律和物种相似性等方面比较了重庆市岩溶低山10种不同土地利用系统的土壤种子库特点，10种土地利用类型包括耕地、弃耕地、果园、灌草坡、人工林和次生林。结果表明，研究区种子以草本为主，随土利用强度增加，种子类和数量减少，与地面农田杂草相似性增加，土壤种子库出质和量方面的锐减。从土壤种子角度说明研究区生态退化严重。     

Influence of shrubs on soil characteristics and their function in Sahelian agro-ecosystems in semi-arid Niger

Soil beneath shrubs form ‘fertile islands’ in fallow sites and millet fields in semi-arid Niger. To gain more information about this phenomena different shrub species in fallow sites following a gradient from 350–650 mm precipitation were examined. For each shrub two different areas were distinguished: an area under the canopy of the shrubs and an area in the nearby open land. Soil samples were taken from a depth of 0–10 cm and analysed for C_org, N_total, P_Bray, pH(H₂O), exchangeable cations, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) and soil texture. Significantly higher concentrations between 38–51% for C, N, P and 22% on ECEC for K⁺were found in the soil under the shrubs. The pH showed only slight but significant differences, whereas Al³⁺and H⁺rates on ECEC under the shrubs were increased by 44–55%. For Guiera senegalensis, the most common shrub of the studied area, enrichment ratios of most soil properties increased relatively more with increasing aridity. In general, enrichment ratios decreased with the age of the fallows, whereas concentrations showed no clear evolution. The chemical composition of the shrub litter seems to influence the degree of soil enrichment. The main step of fertile island formation takes place during the cultivation period by trapping wind-blown sediment. This work shows that shrubs are of vital importance for the accumulation of nutrients and maintenance of soil fertility within agro-ecosystems of Niger.     

The establishment and development of Haloxylon ammodendron promotes salt accumulation in surface soil of arid sandy land

Haloxylon ammodendron, a representative C_4 succulent xerophyte and salt-secreting plant, is widely used in vegetation reestablishment programs to stabilize shifting sand, and is one of the dominant shrubs in the shelter belt used to control desertification in the desert-oasis ecotone in northwestern China. In this study, we collected soil samples in an age sequence of 0-, 2-, 5-, 13-, 16-, 31-, and 39-year-old H. ammodendron plantations to assess the effects of the shrub on soil fertility and salinity. Results show that SOC and total N concentrations increased significantly with increasing plantation age and increased 5.95-(in the interspaces) to 9.05-fold(under the canopy) and 6.15-to 8.46-fold at the 0-5 cm depth at the 39-year-old plantation compared with non-vegetated sandy land. Simultaneously, H. ammodendron establishment and development resulted in significant salt accumulation in the surface layer. On average, total soil salt content at the 0-5 cm and 5-20 cm depth increased 16.8-fold and 4.4-fold, respectively, compared with non-vegetated sandy land. The increase of total salt derived mostly from the accumulation of SO_4~(2-), Ca~(2+) and Na~+ with H. ammodendron development. The accumulation in salinity was more significant than the increase in fertility, suggesting that improved soil fertility did not limit the impact of salinization. The adverse effect of salt accumulation may result in H. ammodendron plantation degradation and impact community stability in the long run.     

Effects of fire on rangeland vegetation in south-western Mendoza plains (Argentina): composition,frequency, biomass,productivity and carrying capacity

The effect of both a non-prescribed summer fire and grazing at high stocking rate following fire on plant community composition, the frequency of occurrence of bare soil, grasses and shrubs, species diversity and biomass of herbaceous forage were evaluated for three growing seasons after fire. Changes in community composition occurred as a consequence of both fire and grazing. Communities were dominated by unpalatable shrubs and grasses in unburned sites as a result of a long history of overgrazing. Fire contributed to a conversion of those shrublands to communities with a more favourable balance between woody and herbaceous species. The frequency of palatable grasses and herbaceous forage biomass increased by a factor ofc. 3 at the expense of woody vegetation. Grazing after fire had significant positive (i.e. decrease in undesirable grasses) and negative (i.e. increase in bare soil) effects.     

阿拉善高原荒漠植被组成分布特征及其环境解释 Ⅳ.土壤种子库特征研究

阿拉善荒漠土壤种子库种子密度主要受到水、热变化梯度的影响而呈现水平地带性分布规律。土壤种子库的分布主要集中在0～5cm的土层中,深层土壤很少有种子库的存在。阿拉善土壤种子库共统计到26种植物种子,分属9科22属,以禾本科最多;生活型以一年生草本植物种子的比例最高,达到51.36%。极端干旱环境条件下不存在有效的土壤种子库。土壤种子库多样性(Simpson指数)在东阿拉善草原化荒漠区为最高,在0.546～0.917之间;西阿拉善荒漠区次之为0.417～0.915;额济纳绿洲区为0.855,说明阿拉善荒漠区从东到西,土壤种子库物种多样性指数呈现下降的趋势。土壤种子库相似性研究表明,阿拉善荒漠不同区域的土壤种子库相似性差异较大,东阿拉善荒漠化草原植被区,相似性系数范围为0.17～0.67,西阿拉善典型荒漠区为0～0.75,额济纳戈壁荒漠区和东、西阿拉善土壤种子库的相似性系数范围是0～0.4。说明阿拉善荒漠区,由于生境和植被的异质性程度高,导致土壤种子库之间的差异性显著。阿拉善荒漠的土壤种子库和地上植被组成上差异显著,地上植被的优势种以旱生、中生灌木、半灌木为主,土壤种子库中以一年生、多年生草本为主,没有统计到灌木种子的存在,表明土壤种子库对于灌木层片更新和演替的贡献非常小。这些发现对了解干旱荒漠植被自然修复特点具有重要的潜在贡献。     

祁连山北坡垂直带土壤碳氮分布特征

对祁连山北坡垂直带山地草原、森林、高山灌丛土壤有机碳和全氮的分布特征进行了研究,结果表明:土壤有机碳和全氮含量山地草原<青海云杉林<高山灌丛,表现为随海拔升高呈现上升趋势,且海拔3 100 m以上土壤碳、氮含量显著高于3 100 m以下土壤碳、氮含量;土壤有机碳和全氮在土壤剖面中的垂直分布大多表现为0~10 cm含量高于10 cm以下各层次的含量。土壤有机碳和全氮含量与土壤水分含量呈显著正相关(r=0.913,0.874,n=117,p=0.001),和年平均气温呈显著负相关(r=-0.883,-0.869,n=10,p=0.001),表明了气候因子对有机碳和全氮在垂直带上的空间分布起决定作用。整个垂直带土壤碳氮比在7.8~24.7间,有利于有机质矿化过程中养分的释放。作为祁连山北坡垂直带乔木林主体部分,青海云杉(Picea crassifolia)林土壤碳密度为18.13kg/m2,与一般常绿针叶林土壤碳密度相当,但远小于针叶林中的云冷杉林土壤碳密度。     

Soil water deficit and vegetation restoration in the refuse dumps of the Heidaigou open-pit coal mine, Inner Mongolia, China

The sustainability of ecosystem restoration of refuse dumps in open-pit coal mines depends on plant species selection, their configuration, and the optimal usage of water resources. This study is based on field experiments in the northern refuse dump of the Heidaigou open-pit coal mine in Inner Mongolia of China established in 1995. Eight plant configurations, including trees, shrubs, grasses, and their combinations, as well as the adjacent community of natural vegetation, were selected. The succession of the revegetated plants, soil water storage, the spatiotemporal distribution of plant water deficits degree and its compensation degree were also studied. Results indicated that the vegetation cover (shrubs and herbaceous cover), richness, abundance, soil nutrients (soil organic matter, N and P), and biological soil crust coverage on the soil surface are significantly influenced by the vegetation configurations. The average soil water storage values in the shrub+grass and grass communities throughout the growing season are 208.69 mm and 206.55 mm, which are the closest to that of in the natural vegetation community (215.87 mm). Plant water deficits degree in the grass and shrub+grass communities were the lowest, but the degrees of water deficit compensation in these configuration were larger than those of the other vegetation configurations. Differences in plant water deficit degree and water compensation among the different configurations were significant (P<0.05). Plant water deficit degrees were predominantly minimal on the surface, increased with increasing soil depth, and remained stable at 80 cm soil depth. The soil moisture compensation in the natural vegetation, shrub+grass, and grass communities changed at 10%, while that in other vegetation communities changed between 20% and 40%. Overall, we conclude that the shrub+grass and grass configuration modes are the optimal vegetation restoration models in terms of ecohydrology for future ecological engineering projects.     

Living where others dare not: Microhabitat distribution in Chorizanthe rigida,a serotinous desert annual

We studied the small scale distribution pattern of Chorizanthe rigida, a serotinous desert annual, in a shrub-mound-to-desert-pavement gradient. Two sites were established in the Mojave Desert and two sites where established in the Sonoran Desert. We placed transects along a soil surface gradient from shrub mounds to desert pavements, and measured land surface properties, soil characteristics, and C. rigida's small scale distribution. A Principal Components Analysis was done on the resulting site × soil variables matrix. C. rigida established preferentially in desert pavements outside shrub canopies. Pavements showed finer soil textures and higher electrical conductivities, while shrub mounds had sandy textures, low surface rockiness, higher nitrogen, and higher cover of annuals. We discuss a probable relationship between seed retention and the establishment on desert pavements: timing seed release allows this species to avoid wind- or animal-induced seed dispersal into shrub mounds and establish outside the nurse mounds, where most annual plants concentrate. The seeds encased in the serotinous involucres, released after rains, are dispersed by run-off into the desert pavements and transition zones where, once developed, the dead seed-retaining structures of adult C. rigida plants persist for years releasing seeds to subsequent rain events.     

沙地适生灌木繁殖栽培技术

为了提高沙区良种灌木繁殖与栽植的成活率、生长率和保存率,对山竹子、沙木蓼等灌木的育苗和栽植技术,进行了多年系统试验研究,提出适宜沙区的灌木繁殖与栽植配套技术。