青海玉树地区主要灌丛类型地上生物量及其影响因素

以青海玉树地区主要灌丛鲜卑花群系、百里香杜鹃群系、细枝绣线菊群系和山生柳群系为研究对象,采用样方收获法研究其地上生物量分配特征。结果表明:5种类型的灌丛地上生物量在21.6~34.33 t/hm2之间,地上生物量最大的是细枝绣线菊群系,最小的是金露梅群系,5种灌丛群落地上生物量平均是29.64 t/hm2,不同层次生物量大小顺序是:灌木层草本层凋落物层,各自生物量占地上生物量的比例分别是73.35%、14.27%、12.35%。5种灌丛类型建群种生物量大小依次是:细枝绣线菊群系金露梅群系百里香杜鹃群系鲜卑花群系山生柳群系。影响玉树地区灌丛地上生物量的主要因素是海拔、群落盖度、灌丛高度及放牧。灌丛地上生物量随着海拔的上升而下降,随着群落盖度和灌木高度的增加而增加。放牧对灌木地上生物量的影响机制尚不明确。     

Temporal and spatial variation in soil respiration of poplar plantations at different developmental stages in Xinjiang, China

Soil respiration is essential for the understanding of carbon sequestration of forest plantations. Soil respiration of poplar plantations at three developmental stages was investigated in 2007 and 2008. The results showed that mean soil respiration rate was 5.74, 5.10 and 4.71 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ for stands of 2-, 7- and 12-year-old, respectively, during the growing season. Soil temperature decreased with increasing plantation age and canopy cover. As plantation matured, fine root biomass also declined. Multiple regression analysis suggested that soil temperature in the upper layer could explain 73-77% of the variation in soil respiration and fine root biomass in the upper layer could explain further 5-8%. The seasonal dynamics of soil respiration was mainly controlled by soil temperature rhythm and fine root growth since soil water availability remained adequate due to monthly irrigation. Spatial variability of soil respiration varied considerably among three age classes, with the coefficient of variation of 28.8%, 22.4% and 19.6% for stands of 2-, 7- and 12-year-old, respectively. The results highlight the importance of the development stage in soil carbon budget over a rotation, since both temporal and spatial variation in soil respiration displayed significant differences at different developmental stages.     

Seasonal changes in the relationship between species richness and community biomass in grassland under grazing and exclosure, Horqin Sandy Land, northern China

How species diversity–productivity relationships respond to temporal dynamics and land use is still not clear in semi-arid grassland ecosystems. We analyzed seasonal changes of the relationships between vegetation cover, plant density, species richness, and aboveground biomass in grasslands under grazing and exclosure in the Horqin Sandy Land of northern China. Our results showed that in grazed and fenced grassland, vegetation cover, richness, and biomass were lower in April than in August, whereas plant density showed a reverse trend. Vegetation cover during the growing season and biomass in June and August were higher in fenced grassland than in grazed grassland, whereas plant density in April and June was lower in fenced grassland than in grazed grassland. A negative relationship between species richness and biomass was found in August in fenced grassland, and in grazed grassland the relationship between plant density and biomass changed from positive in April to negative in August. The relationship between the density of the dominant plant species and the total biomass also varied with seasonal changes and land use (grazing and exclosure). These results suggest that long-term grazing, seasonal changes, and their interaction significantly influence vegetation cover, plant density, and biomass in grasslands. Plant species competition in fenced grassland results in seasonal changes of the relationship between species richness and biomass. Long-term grazing also affects seasonal changes of the density and biomass of dominant plant species, which further affects the seasonal relationship between plant density and biomass in grasslands. Our study demonstrates the importance of temporal dynamics and land use in understanding the relationship between species richness and ecosystem function.     

Phytomass and plant functional diversity in early restoration of the degraded, semi-arid grasslands in northern China

We analysed vegetation data recorded in the degraded lowland grasslands in Otindag Sandland during the first 4-years of restoration (2001–2004) to investigate: (1) the contribution of individual plant functional type (PFT) to PFT diversity of community and (2) the relationships between primary productivity and biodiversity both at species and PFT levels. Sixteen PFTs were distinguished based on the following traits: (1) life-span (annual vs. perennial); (2) photosynthetic pathway (C₃ vs. C₄); (3) reproductive mode (clonal vs. non-clonal); and (4) growth form (grass vs. forb). Analysis of data indicates that density, coverage, number of species, phytomass, and relative importance of PFTs depended strongly on life-span, photosynthetic pathway, reproductive mode and growth form. Phytomass was significantly correlated with PFT diversity, but not species diversity. However, the relationship between phytomass and PFT diversity varied greatly with year, with a positive relationship in 2001 and 2004 and a negative one in 2002 and 2003. As the restoration proceeds, the perennial C₃ clonal grass became the greatest contributor to PFT diversity.     

沙质草地放牧和封育下物种丰富度和生物量关系的季节变化

研究了科尔沁沙质草地放牧和封育下植被盖度、密度、丰富度与地上生物量关系的季节变化。结果表明:放牧和封育草地4月的植被盖度、丰富度和生物量均低于生长旺季8月,而4月植物密度要高于8月;封育草地生长季盖度高于放牧草地,6月和8月生物量高于放牧草地, 4月和6月植物密度则低于放牧草地。封育草地8月物种丰富度与生物量呈极显著的负线性关系（p<0.01）;放牧草地植物密度与生物量4月表现出极显著的正线性关系（p<0.01）、8月为极显著的负线性关系（p<0.01）。放牧草地优势植物糙隐子草4月的密度和生物量呈极显著的正线性关系（p<0.01）、8月为极显著的负线性关系（p<0.01）;黄蒿和狗尾草8月的密度和生物量均呈极显著的负线性关系（p<0.01）;猪毛菜4月和6月的密度和生物量呈极显著的正线性关系（p<0.01）。封育草地达乌里胡枝子、猪毛菜8月的植物密度和生物量呈极显著的正线性关系（p<0.01）。持续放牧和季节变化及其二者的交互作用对植被盖度、密度和生物量均有重要的影响（p<0.05）;放牧通过影响草地生长季中的优势植物密度变化和生物量积累,引起了草地植物密度和生物量关系的季节变化,也导致生长季物种丰富度和生物量无显著关系;封育草地植物的竞争导致了物种丰富度和生物量关系的季节变化。     

Photosynthetic response to different light intensities, water status and leaf age of two Berberis species (Berberidaceae) of Patagonian steppe, Argentina

Net photosynthetic rate (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) from leaves of Berberis buxifolia and Berberis heterophylla saplings were measured under different conditions of radiation and water availability and for leaves of different ages. Comparative studies of basic physiological performance would give insight how these shrubs survive and grow under this austral extreme ecosystem. B. buxifolia had higher A values than B. heterophylla for all light intensities measured. Values of gs for both Berberis species also declined as light intensity decreased. There was a negative relationship between A and water stress expressed as pre-dawn leaf water potential (ψ_lp) where the reduction in gs was the main factor that reduced A in both species. Also, A and gs of Berberis plants increased rapidly during the first days after leaf unfolding, reached a maximum value when the leaf was completely expanded, and then declined. These results could be used to estimate the responses of saplings to environmental conditions under the dynamic of natural stands in this austral extreme ecosystem and for restoration plans.     

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.     

Cutting of Phragmites australis as a lake restoration technique: Productivity calculation and nutrient removal in Wuliangsuhai Lake, northern China

Reed is one of the most frequent and dominant species in wetlands all over the world, with common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.) as the most widely distributed species. In many wetlands, P. australis plays a highly ambivalent role. On the one hand, in many wetlands it purifies wastewater, provides habitat for numerous species, and is a potentially valuable raw material, while on the other hand it is an invasive species which expands aggressively, prevents fishing, blocks ditches and waterways, and builds monospecies stands. This paper uses the eutrophic reed-swamp of Wuliangsuhai Lake in Inner Mongolia, northern China, as a case to present the multiple benefits of regular reed cutting. The reed area and aboveground biomass production are calculated based on field data. Combined with data about water and reed nutrient content, the impact of reed cutting on the lake nutrient budget (N and P) is investigated. Currently, at this lake around 100,000 tons of reed are harvested in winter annually, removing 16% and 8% of the total nitrogen and phosphorus influx, respectively. Harvesting all available winter reed could increase the nutrient removal rates to 48% and 24%, respectively. We also consider the effects of summer harvesting, in which reed biomass removal could overcompensate for the nutrient influx but could potentially reduce reed regrowth.     

藏北羌塘高原双湖地表热源强度及地表水热平衡

青藏高原加热及地—气间物质能量交换对我国、东亚乃至全球的天气和气候系统都有着非常重要的作用,受客观条件限制,藏北羌塘高原腹地尚无系统的地—气相互作用过程观测。本文利用中国科学院羌塘双湖极端环境综合观测研究站2011年10月-2012年9月一年的自动气象站观测数据,分析了年内季节和日尺度下双湖地区地面加热场特征,探讨了地表能量平衡及水量平衡特征,结果表明：(1) 双湖地区年内地表热源强度基本为正,年平均热源强度为79.5 W/m²;然而地表热源强度呈现明显的季节和日变化规律,夏季热源强度大于冬季,白天热源强度大于夜间。夏季地表白天为强热源,夜间为弱热源,冬季地表白天为强热源,夜间为冷源。(2) 双湖地区地表能量分配季节变化明显,7、8月份地—气间主要以潜热交换为主,其他月份主要以感热方式进行热量交换,年平均上主要以感热交换为主,年均感热通量和潜热通量分别为55.4 W/m²和24.1 W/m²,波文比为2.3。(3) 双湖地区降水和蒸发皆主要集中在6-9月,年降雨量为332 mm,年蒸发量为312.9 mm,年水量差为19.1 mm,地表水量存在不平衡现象。(4) 双湖地区地表蒸发力很强,年潜在蒸发为1888.2 mm,年均湿润指数为0.17,属典型半干旱气候特征。     

Responses of photosynthesis and water relations to rainfall in the desert shrub creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) as influenced by municipal biosolids

Responses of photosynthesis (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), pre-dawn leaf water potential (Ψ_lp) and leaf water content (ω_l) of creosote bush to 10 rainfall events in the Chihuahuan Desert were investigated. Infiltration of rainwater was manipulated by applying municipal biosolids. The responses of P_nand water relation parameters to rainfall (>10 mm) were mainly dependent upon drought severity: (1) following a moderate drought, P_n, g_s, Ψ_lpand ω_lrecovered to corresponding values of irrigated plants within 2 days after a 23-mm rainfall; (2) Ψ_lpand g_sresponded to a 15-mm rainfall within 2 days, following a 25-day drought, whereas responses of P_nand ω_lwere delayed for several days; (3) responses of P_n, g_s, Ψ_lpand ω_lto a 14·7-mm rainfall were all delayed for several weeks following a 110-day drought, but the delay was longer in P_n, g_sand ω_lthan in Ψ_lp. Creosote bush responded to small rainfall events (approximately 6 to 8 mm) with an increase in Ψ_lp, but without noticeable changes in g_sand P_n, suggesting a strong stomatal control of water loss even though xylem embolism was reduced. Biosolids applied at high rates (3·4 and 9 kgm⁻²) decreased the soil water by 2 to 4 mm following rainfall events, and this in turn delayed and decreased the responses of P_nand water relation parameters to rainfall.P_nand g_swere linearly related to ω_land exponentially related to Ψ_lp. With the generally coincidental responses of P_nor g_sand ω_lto rainfall, we concluded that the responses of P_nand g_sto rainfall were dependent on leaf rehydration which resulted from restored hydraulic conductance following drought.     

Germination of Callitris seeds in relation to temperature, water stress, priming, and hydration–dehydration cycles

The effects of temperature, water stress, hydration–dehydration cycles and seed priming on the germination of Callitris verrucosa and Callitris preissii, two Australian semi-arid coniferous tree species, were investigated. Optimum germination occurred at 18°C, with a minimum germination time of 8–9 days for both species. At this temperature, germination was inhibited at osmotic potentials lower than −1·0 MPa, but the capacity to germinate at low osmotic stress increased as the temperature decreased. Seed priming and hydration–dehydration cycles did not reduce seed viability, and Callitris seeds appear to retain the physiological changes induced by short-term hydration, as the time to the onset of germination was decreased to about 3 days. The capacity of Callitris seeds for incremental germination is likely to increase overall germination success in a low rainfall environment.