Influence of understory removal, thinning and P fertilization on N2fixation in a mature mesquite (Prosopis glandulosavar.glandulosa) stand

The natural abundance¹⁵N/¹⁴N method was used to estimate the influence of silvicultural and P fertilization treatments on N accretion, N₂fixation and N partitioning among tissues in a mature mesquiteProsopis glandulosavar.glandulosastand in Texas. The silvicultural treatments consisted of understory removal, herbicide treatment of brushy resprouts, thinning trees to single stems and 100 kg ha⁻¹P fertilization. The trees had a mean basal diameter of 17·8 cm with 8 to 35 cm range. The stand was slow growing with the increase in dry matter ranging from 0·465 Mg ha⁻¹year⁻¹to 0·701 Mg ha⁻¹year⁻¹for the 8 years after the treatments were applied. N accretion after 8 years ranged from 3·1 kg ha⁻¹year⁻¹to 4·4 kg ha⁻¹year⁻¹.Due to the range in δ¹⁵N of the leaves, twigs, branches and trunk, we used the weighted (by biomass) average δ¹⁵N per tree in calculations of the percent N derived from N₂fixation (%Ndfa). There was considerable variability in δ¹⁵N of the reference plants, i.e. from 3·3 to 5·9. In contrast there was low variability in the background δ¹⁵N of nearby soils (7·0±1·0). As the total above-ground biomass δ¹⁵N of a grass grown outside the influence of mesquite (7·8±0·58) had the same δ¹⁵N as the soil (7·5±1·0), we used the grass outside the influence of mesquite and the weighted tree mean δ¹⁵N to calculate % of N derived from N₂fixation.The decrease in intraspecific competition by thinning multistemed trees to single stemmed trees was the only treatment that significantly (p= 0·0001) increased growth. Interspecific competition, i.e. understory removal, did not increase growth. There were no significant differences in total N production or N fixation among treatment means. The most striking result was the highly positive correlation between tree δ¹⁵N and total N per tree and biomass per tree (R²= 0·90,F= 164·4, df. = 18, mean square error (MSE) = 0·155,p= 0·0001). This implies that the younger trees colonizing infertile soils relied more heavily on N₂fixation than larger trees which accumulated 1200 kg ha⁻¹more N under their canopies. The percentage N derived from N₂fixation ranged from 63 to 73% in the various treatments. Despite the high percentage of N derived from N₂fixation, the N₂fixation of the stand was very low, i.e. 1·98 to 2·80 kg N ha⁻¹year⁻¹, due to the low growth of the stand. We believe that comparisons of the whole tree weighted δ¹⁵N to background soil δ¹⁵N provides a more reasonable approach to estimate % N₂fixation than comparisons of leaves of fixers and reference plants.     

Biodegradation of municipal refuse and chicken manure in a winter-wheat ecosystem in Saudi Arabia

Addition and incorporation of organic fertilizers is known to improve the properties of agricultural soils. Therefore, during 22 weeks of field incubation we studied the biodegradation (measured by static absorption of CO₂) of two organic manures viz. municipal refuse and chicken manure incorporated into sandy soils, under sprinker irrigation, at the rates of 0, 16·5, 33·0, 49·5 and 66·0, and 0, 4·1, 8·25, 16·5, and 33·0 tonnes/ha, respectively.The results obtained indicated that the cumulative amount of CO₂ respired was linearly correlated with the rate of organic material applied (p < 0.001). Statistical analysis of the data obtained showed that both the intercept (rate of decomposition) and the slope (rate of reaction with time) increased with increasing rate of application of organic manure. The magnitude of increment was highest at the application rates of 33·0 and 8·25 tonnes/ha for municipal refuse and chicken manure, respectively. The rate of increment, generally, declined thereafter thus indicating that these two rates are the optimum levels of incorporation of the appropriate organic manures under the conditions of this study.The maximum organic-carbon mineralized, accounting for 10·5 and approximately 50%, was obtained at the optimum rates for municipal refuse and chicken manure, respectively. Both simple and multiple regression equations describing the relationship between soil temperature and soil-moisture content each separately and in combination, as independent variables, and the cumulative rate of CO₂ production were computed. A substantially strong relationship with soil temperature but inconsistent and contradicting results with soil moisture were obtained. Inclusion of soil temperature and moisture in a single model as an independent variable in relation to cumulative CO₂ as a dependent variable improved the soil moisture-CO₂ production relationship.     

Growth, ionic and osmotic relations of an Allenrolfea occidentalis population in an inland salt playa of the Great Basin Desert

Variation in growth, physiology and ionic relations patterns of Allenrolfea occidentalis, a perennial halophyte of dry habitats, was studied under field conditions from May 1996 to November 1997. An A. occidentalis community has a characteristic soil pH of 7·3–8·3. During the two years, the population was exposed to great variations in soil salinity, from 29 to 146 dS m⁻¹, and soil moisture, ranging from drought (9·2%) to wet (19%). The salt concentrations were significantly higher in the surface soil layers than in the subsurface layers. Seasonal changes in dry weight are directly related to soil salinity stress. Allenrolfea occidentalis had greater growth and biomass production under saline conditions. Na⁺and Cl⁻ions were accumulated in plant tissues in much greater amounts than K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺. Soil salinities were significantly reduced at the end of the growing season. Water potentials of the shoots decreased significantly with increasing salinity. The plant (F_v/F_mratio) was more affected by salinity and irradiation levels during the summer period.     

北京菜园潮土-小白菜系统中铬的毒性评价

通过盆栽实验,以北京潮土为供试材料,研究了土壤中添加0~50 mg·kg^-1铬 (VI)对小白菜(Brassica chinensis L.)生物量与铬含量、土壤微生物量碳含量、土壤微生物量氮含量以及土壤微生物呼吸速率的影响。结果表明,高铬浓度(添加量≥25 mg·kg^-1)处理下,小白菜植株中铬的总量相对于未添加铬的处理显著增加(P<0.01),且小白菜根部铬的含量要远大于叶片中的铬含量。相对于未添加铬的对照,小白菜叶片生物量在1 mg·kg^-1铬处理下显著增加,而高浓度铬(≥10 mg·kg^-1)显著地减少了小白菜叶片和根的生物量(P<0.01),减幅最高达到了78.2%,且50 mg·kg^-1铬处理下土壤微生物量碳、氮含量以及呼吸速率均要显著低于对照。小白菜叶片生物量与铬含量、土壤微生物量碳、土壤微生物量氮以及土壤微生物呼吸都能够作为生物指标来反映土壤铬污染程度。将这些指标与对应的土壤总铬含量拟合方程,按照作物减产、食品安全以及生态剂量概念可以计算得到北京潮土铬轻度污染临界浓度ED₁₀为70.8 mg·kg^-1,中度污染临界浓度ED₅₀为111.6 mg·kg^-1。     

植被恢复方式对黄土丘陵区土壤理化性质及微生物特性的影响

对甘肃省定西市黄土丘陵区不同植被恢复方式下的土壤水分、pH、有机碳（SOC）、全氮（TN）、碱解氮（AN）、全磷（TP）、速效磷（AP）、速效钾（AK）及微生物生物量、呼吸速率、呼吸熵（qCO₂）以及微生物熵（q_MB）进行了测定与分析。结果表明：不同植被恢复方式下,土壤pH值变化差异不显著（p>0.05）;0~20 cm土SOC、TN、AN、TP、AP、微生物量碳（SMBC）、微生物量氮（SMBN）含量及微生物呼吸速率（MR）均为天然植被（CL）下最高,AK为自然恢复（Q）方式下最高,qCO₂与q_MB在人工重建+自然恢复（RZ）方式下最高;20~40 cm土壤的SOC、TN、AN、TP、AP含量变化同0~20 cm,AK、SMBC、SMBN、 q_MB及MR在RZ方式下最高;40~60 cm土壤的SOC、TN、AN、AP及TP含量在CL方式下最高,SMBC、SMBN、 q_MB及MR在RZ方式下最高,AK、 qCO₂在Q方式下最高。相同植被恢复方式下,随土层深度增加,SOC、TN、AN、TP、AP、AK、SMBC、SMBN含量及q_MB、MR均逐渐降低,但qCO₂逐渐升高（除RZ方式）。不同植被恢复方式,SOC、TN、AN、SMBC、SMBN、q_MB、MR及qCO₂之间存在不同程度的相关性。     

Effects of climatic change on biomass and biomass allocation in Leymus chinensis (Poaceae) along the North-east China Transect (NECT)

A field experiment was conducted to examine the effects of large-scale climatic changes on biomass and biomass allocation in Leymus chinensis on an 11 longitude gradient along the North-east China Transect (NECT) in 2000. Ten sites, selected for plant sampling along the gradient, experienced approximately uniform theoretical radiation, but differed in precipitation and geographical elevation. The total biomasses, vegetative shoot biomass and reproductive shoot biomass of the species increased from the west to the east with the decrease of aridity or the increase of precipitation, but that of rhizome biomass decreased in the spatial ranging from 116° to 120° E. Vegetative shoot biomass allocation increased from the west to the east along the gradient; rhizome allocations, however, dropped significantly. Unlike those of rhizome and vegetative shoot, reproductive shoot biomass allocations at the two ends were remarkably lower than that in the middle of the gradient. In general, the total and component biomass and their allocations showed strong correlation with precipitation or aridity index along the gradient.     

荒漠区食细菌线虫对生物土壤结皮下土壤微生物量的影响

为探明荒漠区土壤食细菌线虫与生物土壤结皮下土壤微生物量的关系,以腾格里沙漠东南缘的人工植被固沙区生物土壤结皮覆盖的沙丘土壤为研究对象,采集藻-地衣结皮和藓类结皮下0—10 cm土样,并以每克土壤15、30、45、60、90、120、150条的食细菌线虫密度接种,以未接种线虫的土样为对照,经一段时间的培养后测定接种和未接种食细菌线虫土壤的微生物量碳和氮。结果表明：无论藻-地衣结皮还是藓类结皮下的土壤,每克土壤90条以内的土壤食细菌线虫均可显著提高土壤微生物量碳和氮（P<0.05）,但随着土壤食细菌线虫的繁殖或过量接种,其与土壤微生物量之间呈现出由正相关性向负相关性的转变;此外,结皮类型也显著影响土壤微生物量碳和氮的含量（P<0.05）,发育晚期的藓类结皮下土壤微生物量碳和氮均高于发育早期的藻-地衣结皮。因此,在腾格里沙漠人工植被固沙区藻-地衣结皮和藓类结皮下,一定密度的土壤食细菌线虫能显著提高土壤微生物量,指示适当密度的土壤食细菌线虫可促进荒漠区土壤修复和改良。     

Effects of indole-3-acetic acid and zinc on the growth, osmotic potential and soluble carbon and nitrogen components of soybean plants growing under water deficit

Three-week old soybean (Glycine max) plants were subjected to a factorial combination of four regimes of soil matric water potential (ψ_m=−0·03, −0·5, −1·0 and −1·5 MPa), two levels of supplementary Zn (O and 20 mgl⁻¹) and two levels of foliar IAA application (O and 10 mgl⁻¹). Under control conditions (no Zn, no IAA), increasing soil drying progressively retarded shoot and root growth (length and dry mass production), reduced leaf relative water content (RWC) and decreased the contents of chlorophyll (Chl) and shoot soluble sugars (SS), but increased soluble sugar content of roots and lowered osmotic water potential of shoots and roots (osmotic adjustment). Total free amino acid (TAA) content increased in shoots but decreased in roots whereas contents of soluble proteins (SP) decreased in shoots and roots. The effect of water stress was statistically significant (p<0·05) and had a major effect (as indicated by η²values) on leaf RWC, shoot and root dry masses and osmotic potential. Supplementary Zn improved root growth at all levels of stress and shoot growth under severe stress. Improvement of growth was positively correlated with the internal tissue Zn concentrations (r=0·91 and 0·86 for shoot and 0·94 and 0·82 for root length and dry mass respectively). Exogenous IAA raised (p<0·05) RWC, Chl, DM (slightly), root SS, and SP, whereas shoot TAA was lowered. Effects on root TAA and shoot SS were more complex: they were lowered at zero stress and raised under severe stress. IAA and Zn in combination had additive effects on Chl, growth and osmotic potential, but their combined effects on SP and TAA were more complex. It is concluded that the treatment of soybean plants grown under conditions of low soil water potentials and Zn deficiency with Zn and IAA solutions counteracted the deleterious effects of stress, especially at high stress levels, and helped stressed plants to grow successfully under these adverse unfavourable conditions.     

Water requirements for cultivatingSalicornia bigeloviiTorr. with seawater on sand in a coastal desert environment

The forage and oilseed halophyte,Salicornia bigeloviiTorr., was grown in gravity-drained lysimeters set in open plots of the same crop over two seasons in a coastal desert environment in Sonora, Mexico. The lysimeters were irrigated daily with seawater (40 g l⁻¹salts) at rates ranging from 46–225% of potential evaporation. Biomass and seed yields increased with increasing irrigation depth over the range of treatments. Biomass yields ranged from 13·6–23·1 t DM ha⁻¹, equivalent to conventional forage crops, on seasonal water application depths of 2·3–3·8 m, but were markedly lower at lower irrigation depths. Increasing the irrigation depth lowered the soil solution salinity, resulting in greater growth and water use, and hence leaching fractions that were nearly even over irrigation treatments, averaging 0·5. Evapo-transpiration rose in direct proportion to the irrigation depth. Potential evaporation was estimated by site pan evaporation and by the Blaney-Criddle and Penman models using climatological data; the methods agreed within 15%. The ratio of evapo-transpiration to potential evaporation increased over the growing season and approached 1·5 by pan on the highest irrigation treatment due to the combined effects of high transpiration and high evaporation from the permanently moist soil surface. The best field predictor of biomass yield was the salinity of the soil moisture in the top 15 cm of soil profile, which constitutes the root zone for this crop. Root zone salinity must be kept at 70–75 g l⁻¹for high yields. Although irrigation and drainage requirements were high compared to conventional crops, seawater irrigation appears to be feasible in medium sand and could augment crop production along coastal deserts. The possibility of using this crop for animal production is discussed.     

内蒙古锡林河流域羊草草原植物生长旺季呼吸的影响因素分析和区分

Based on the static opaque chamber method,the respiration rates of soil microbial respiration,soil respiration,and ecosystem respiration were measured through continuous in-situ experiments during rapid growth season in semiarid Leymus chinensis steppe in the Xilin River Basin of Inner Mongolia,China. Soil temperature and moisture were the main factor affecting respiration rates. Soil temperature can explain most CO2 efflux variations (R2=0.376-0.655) excluding data of low soil water conditions. Soil moisture can also effectively explain most of the variations of soil and ecosystem respiration (R2=0.314-0.583),but it can not explain much of the variation of microbial respiration (R2=0.063). Low soil water content (≤5%) inhibited CO2 efflux though the soil temperature was high. Rewetting the soil after a long drought resulted in substantial increases in CO2 flux at high temperature. Bi-variable models based on soil temperature at 5 cm depth and soil moisture at 0-10 cm depth can explain about 70% of the variations of CO2 effluxes. The contribution of soil respiration to ecosystem respiration averaged 59.4%,ranging from 47.3% to 72.4%; the contribution of root respiration to soil respiration averaged 20.5%,ranging from 11.7% to 51.7%. The contribution of soil to ecosystem respiration was a little overestimated and root to soil respiration little underestimated because of the increased soil water content that occurred as a result of plant removal.     

Afforestation effects on soil microbial abundance, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activity in dunes of Horqin Sandy Land, northeastern China

In order to investigate the effects of afforestation on soil microbial abundance, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activity in sandy dunes, 20-year-old Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv. (PSM) and Populus simonii Carrière (PSC) mature forests were selected in Horqin Sandy Land, and mobile dunes was set as a control (CK). Results show that PSM and PSC plantations can improve soil physicochemical properties and significantly increase microbiological activity in mobile dunes. Soil microbial abundance, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activity show an order of PSPSMCK. Total soil microbial abundance in PSM and PSC was respectively 50.16 and 72.48 times more than that in CK, and the differences were significant among PSM, PSC and CK. Soil microbial biomass carbon in PSM and PSC was respectively 23.67 and 33.34 times more than that in CK, and the difference was insignificant between PSM and PSC. Soil enzyme activity, including dehydrogenase (DEH), peroxidase (PER), protease (PRO), urease (URE) and cellobiohydrolase (CEL) in PSM and PSC were respectively 19.00 and 27.54, 4.78 and 9.89, 4.05 and 8.67, 29.93 and 37.46, and 9.66 and 13.42 times of that in CK. P. sylvestris and P. simonii can effectively improve soil physicochemical and microbiological properties in sandy dunes and fix mobile dunes in Horqin Sandy Land. The C mic :C ratio is an applicable indicator to estimate soil stability and soil water availability, and based on an overall consideration of plantation stability and sustainability, P. sylvestris is better than P. simonii in fixing mobile dunes in sandy land.     

Microclimate, freezing tolerance, and cold acclimation along an elevation gradient for seedlings of the Great Basin Desert shrub, Artemisia tridentata

Vegetation, microclimate, seedling frequency, freezing tolerance, and cold acclimation were compared for seedlings of Artemisia tridentata collected from 1775, 2175, and 2575 m elevation in the eastern Sierra Nevada, California. Data were used to test the hypothesis that ecotypic differences in stress physiology are important for seedling survival along gradients from desert to montane ecosystems. The vegetation canopy cover and A. tridentata seedling frequency were greatest at 2575 m, compared to 1775 and 2175 m. Snow cover ameliorated temperatures near the soil surface for part of the winter and depth varied across elevations. Freezing tolerance was compared for seedlings maintained in growth chambers at day/night air temperatures of 25°C/15°C. The temperature at which electrolyte leakage and Photosystem II function (F_V/F_M) from leaves were half-maximum was approximately −13·5°C for leaves of seedlings from all three elevations. Shifting day/night air temperatures from 25°C/15°C to 15°C/5°C initiated about 1·5° of acclimation by plants from all three altitudes, with seedlings from the highest elevation exhibiting the greatest acclimation change. Measurements of ambient air and canopy temperatures at the three elevations indicated that wintertime average low temperatures were consistent with the measured degree of freezing tolerance. At small spatial scales used in this study, pollen and seed dispersal between study sites may have precluded resolution of ecotypic differences. Patterns of freezing tolerance and cold acclimation may depend on a combination of mesoclimate and microclimate temperatures, canopy cover, snow depth, and snow melt patterns.     

Effects of body mass and temperature on standard metabolic rate of the herbivorous desert lizardUromastyx philbyi

The standard metabolic rate ofUromastyx philbyiwas measured at 20–40 °C, using constant pressure manometric respirometers. Standard metabolic rate was mass-dependent. Values for the mass exponent ‘b’ ranged from 0·75 at 20 °C to 0·82 at 40 °C. Standard metabolic rate increased as temperature increased with high Q₁₀values at low temperatures (20–25 °C). Low standard metabolic rates in this species are probably an adaptation to herbivory in hot desert environments.     

大气CO2浓度升高和施氮对棉田土壤理化性质及微生物区系的影响

针对耕地非农转化过程中产生的一系列社会问题,采用参与性农户调查方法,对西部欠发达地区西宁市郊区5个样本村190户农户进行了随机入户调查。根据城市开发进程、到市区距离和种植类型等条件,将调查样本村分为近郊城区化农村、近郊农村和远郊农村,就农户对耕地非农转换的基本认知及耕地非农转换的经济、社会和环境价值感知进行分析。结果表明:耕地征用后农户能理性感知和判别耕地非农转换价值,并普遍认为失去耕地后生活费用增加、生活保障降低、收入来源和就业机会少;感知主要受耕地数量、区位条件、耕地开发阶段等因素的影响;处于不同区位条件的农户对耕地非农转换的价值感知存在差异性,城区化农户已逐渐适应城市生活,近郊农户的非农转换经济和社会感知压力最大,远郊农民也感知经济和生活保障压力,但更希望能通过打工增加收入。     

Biophysical properties and biomass production of elephant grass under saline conditions

Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is a new fast-growing alternative forage crop. However, salinity is a major concern for its production in the arid south-western United States. This study was conducted in the arid Imperial Valley of Southern California to evaluate salt tolerance of elephant grass. Salinity treatments were created in field plots irrigated with water possessing an electrical conductivity (EC_iw) of 1·5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 dS m⁻¹, respectively. Canopy spectral reflectance, temperature, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll-SPAD meter readings, and dry weights were measured over time. Results indicated that canopy reflectance in the near-infrared spectral region was reduced incrementally with increasing levels of salt stress. Canopy temperature increased with increasing salinity, especially at longer times after salinity treatment. Plant height and LAI were reduced with increasing salinity. Biomass accumulation was reduced incrementally with increasing salinity. About 50% yield reduction was found when EC_iw increased from 5 to 25 dS m⁻¹. The study shows that elephant grass is sensitive to salt stress, and relatively low salinity must be maintained to achieve a high rate of growth and biomass production.     

Plant life-form and germination in a Mexican inter-tropical desert: effects of soil water potential and temperature

We investigated the effects of soil water potential (SWP) and temperature on seed germination of six coexisting species of an inter-tropical desert. These species include three life-forms; the shrubs Cercidium praecox andProsopis laevigata ; the columnar succulents Neobuxbaumia tetetzo and Pachycereus hollianus; and the arborescent semi-succulents Beaucarnea gracilis and Yucca periculosa. In the six species germinability increased and germination time and speed of germination (t⁵⁰) decreased as SWP decreased. The SWP treatments were 0 MPa, −0·12 MPa, −0·2 MPa, −0·41 MPa and −0·66 MPa. There was, however, a SWP threshold below which germination time and t⁵⁰increased and germinability decreased. The shrubs had the highest germinability whereas the columnar succulents had the lowest. The shrubs also had shorter germination time andt⁵⁰ than arborescent semi-succulents whereas seeds of the columnar succulents were indeterminate. In all species except P. laevigata germinability increased and the germination time and t⁵⁰decreased as temperature increased. The temperature treatments were 12°C, 20°C and 26°C. The shrubs had the shortest t⁵⁰and germination time and the highest germinability at all temperatures. Arborescent semi-succulents had the lowest germinability and longest germination time and t⁵⁰at the three temperatures treatments. Our results support the hypothesis that in desert environments different plant life-forms utilise different germination strategies to persist.     

Extractable and total Fe and Mn contents of three sand dune soils in NW Nigeria

The profile distribution of total, diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA)- and 0·1 HCl-extractable Fe and Mn were determined in 12 pedons formed on three contiguous sand dunes in the semi-arid savanna of Nigeria. The total Fe and Mn contents varied from 100 to 3750 and 40 to 11,375 μg g⁻¹, respectively. Values of 0·1 HCl-extractable Fe and Mn varied from 8·0 to 123 and 1·5 to 43·5 μg g⁻¹, respectively. The corresponding values of DTPA-extractable Fe and Mn were 4·5 to 16·0 and 1·0 to 38·8 μg g⁻¹. Total Fe and Mn correlated significantly with clay in nearly all the dunes (p≤ 0·01) but were not significantly correlated with organic matter. The 0·1 HCl-extractable Mn had a positive significant correlation with soil pH (r= 0·58*) in Illela dunes but a negative significant correlation with pH in the Sangiwa dunes (r= −0·75***). The values of extractable Fe and Mn in the sand dune soils are above the critical limits reported in other literature, thus deficiencies of these micronutrients do not pose a problem to crop production in the study area.     

艾比湖地区冻融作用对梭梭群落土壤酶活性及微生物数量的影响

冻融作用对酶和微生物活性具有重要影响,进而影响植物群落的生长发育。为深入了解荒漠优势种梭梭群落冬季土壤生态过程,于2012年10月~2013年10月,对土壤冻融期、冻结期、融冻期和生长季的艾比湖典型样地进行野外实地观测、采样和室内分析。通过对比分析不同冻融阶段土壤含水量、pH值、有机质、全氮、酶活性和微生物数量的变化特征。结果表明:(1)土壤含水量,融冻期 >冻结期 >冻融期 >生长季,土壤pH值,生长季 >融冻期 >冻融期 >冻结期,各土层土壤含水量以浅层土表现最为显著(P <0.05),不同冻融阶段各土层pH值差异性较大,冻融期、冻结期和生长季表层土壤pH值较大,融冻期浅层土壤pH值较大。(2)土壤有机质和全氮含量的波动状况相似,分别在融冻期和生长季呈现波峰和波谷,不同土层间全氮和有机质含量差异性较小,以冻融期和生长季表现最为显著(P <0.05)。(3)土壤酶活性的变化中,过氧化氢酶、脲酶和蛋白酶在融冻期含量最大,冻融期次之,蔗糖酶在冻结期活性最大,土壤微生物数量的变化以融冻期最大,除此之外,各冻融阶段细菌和放线菌占主导,真菌含量相对较少。(4)冻融循环次数分布于冻融期和融冻期,对土壤酶活性和微生物数量具有一定的影响,致使融冻期土壤各因子大于冻融期。     

Soil seed flora, germination and regeneration pattern of woody species in an Acacia woodland of the Rift Valley in Ethiopia

The objectives of this study were to determine the composition, density and spatial distribution of the soil seed bank of woody species, as well as their regeneration pattern in two different land use systems, controlled (ranch) and open grazing, in an Acacia woodland of the Rift Valley in Ethiopia. We also compared the species composition of the soil seed bank and the above-ground vegetation to find out if differences exist in the soil seed bank and advance regeneration between the two land use systems. The germination requirements of seeds of the woody species were also investigated under laboratory conditions. Acacia senegal, Acacia seyal, Acacia tortilis, Dichrostacys cinerea and Balanites aegyptiaca were encountered in the above-ground vegetation in both systems. Seeds of only A. tortilis (90±32 seeds m⁻²) from the ranch, and A. senegal (5±3 seeds m⁻²) and A. tortilis (72±34 seeds m⁻²) from the open system were found in the soil seed bank along transects with patchy horizontal pattern. The two systems were not significantly different in density of soil seed banks of A. senegal andA. tortilis . Jaccard's similarity index showed that only a few woody species were common in the soil seed flora and above ground vegetation. However, all of the species accumulated seeds (58±43–331±130 seeds m⁻²) in/on the soil under the canopy. Very large numbers of seeds of A. tortilis (19382±9722 seeds m⁻²) and D. cinerea (1278±494 seeds m⁻²) were also found in barns. Most of the seeds recovered from the soil samples (60–80%) were found in the litter layer. Acid and mechanical scarification improved legume germination (36–99% and 60–99%, respectively) over boiling water (0–48%). Treatment means differed significantly for all the legumes (p<0·001) but not for Balanites. Height and diameter class distribution of regeneration of A. tortilis and D. cinerea in both systems and A. senegal in the open system had a negative exponential correlation (r_s=−0·5, −0·25 and −0·86, respectively). A. seyal and B. aegyptiaca showed poor regeneration. Horizontal distribution of advance regeneration of all the species was patchy. Advance regeneration of A. seyal, A. tortilis and B. aegyptiaca were not significantly different, while that of A. senegal and D. cinerea were significantly different between the two systems. Poor representation of species in the soil seed bank along transects and in the different height and diameter classes may be attributed to the low density of mature trees as well as the mode and strategy of seed dispersal. Ungulate and wind dispersed species (e.g. A. senegal, A. tortilis and D. cinerea) were highly favoured. Patchiness in the distribution of seeds and advance regeneration was also a result of endozoochory. Dispersal of non-ungulate dispersed seeds (A. senegal, A. seyal and B. aegyptiaca) was restricted to the canopy zone. Piles of seeds ofA. tortilis and D. cinerea that were found in barns were a result of consumption of their pods by cattle. High concentration of seeds in the litter layer may be due to low soil disturbance and larger size of seeds. The height and diameter class distribution of A. senegal (in the open system), A. tortilis and D. cinerea also indicated that the species have good regeneration. Results from the germination tests indicated that seeds of the legumes require pre-sowing treatments to give a rapid, uniform and improved germination. Intervention through artificial regeneration should be employed to improve the density and regeneration capacity of those species with hampered regeneration at both systems.     

两种典型荒漠植被区土壤微生物量碳的季节变化及影响因素分析

选取干旱区准噶尔盆地南缘梭梭和柽柳两类典型荒漠植被区的4种不同地表类型（冠层下、枯枝落叶层、地衣结皮覆盖区、裸地）,对其从6～10月份的土壤微生物量碳季节变化进行动态监测,并在此基础上进行了土壤微生物量碳与各影响因子之间关系的分析,旨在揭示干旱区土壤微生物量碳季节动态变化特征及其主要影响因子。结果表明：两类典型荒漠植被区的土壤微生物量碳均呈现明显的季节变化,但变化趋势并不一致。其中梭梭植被区4种地表类型下的土壤微生物量碳均在8月达到峰值;柽柳植被区冠层下土壤微生物量碳也在8月份达到最大值,但其他3种地表类型下的土壤微生物量碳却在8月降到最低值。通过土壤微生物量碳的影响因子分析表明两类不同植被区土壤微生物量碳与有机碳、全氮均为（P<0.05）正相关,此外,梭梭植被区与土壤湿度存在正相关,而柽柳植被区则与土壤总含盐量呈显著负相关,表明两类荒漠植被区土壤微生物对影响因子的响应并不完全相同。