Faunalpedturbation effects on soil microarthropods in the Negev Desert

Soil microarthropod communities in seed-harvester ant-nest (Messor spp.) soils and pits excavated by porcupines (Hystrix indica) were examined on a hill-slope catena in the Negev Desert to test the hypothesis that animal-produced soil disturbances increase abundance and diversity of soil biota. There were significantly fewer arthropods and lower taxonomic diversity of soil microarthropods at the top and mid-slope locations, with no consistent patterns of abundance between cool-wet and hot-dry seasons. Some prostigmatids, cryptostigmatids, and other arthropods in ant-nest, porcupine-pit, and undisturbed soils were more abundant in wet than dry seasons at some locations but more abundant in the hot-dry season at other locations and sample sites. Seven prostigmatid mite families that were relatively abundant in undisturbed soils were absent or of low abundance in ant-nest modified and porcupine-pit soils at mid- and low-slope catena locations. The data result in rejection of the hypothesis. However, the significant effects of topographic position on the catena on soil microarthropod communities emphasize the importance of examining broad spatial patterns and temporal variation before making generalizations about the effects of ecological engineers on arid ecosystem structure and function.     

Comparative study of nitrogenase activity in different types of biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert,Northwestern China

Biological soil crusts cover large areas of the Gurbantunggut Desert in northwestern China where they make a significant contribution to soil stability and fertility. The aim of this study was to quantify the potential nitrogen-fixing activity (NA) of different types of biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert. The results suggest that NA (nmol C₂H₄ m^?2 h^?1) for each type of crusts was highly variable. Seasonal variation was also important, with all three types of crusts responding in a similar way to changes in environmental conditions. From March to May, NA was relatively low for all crust types. During this season, NA was 2.26 × 10³ for cyanobacterial crust followed by lichen crust (6.54 × 10²) and moss crust (6.38 × 10²). From June to October, all crust types reached their highest level of NA, especially lichen crust and moss crust (p < 0.01). The NA of cyanobacterial crust (9.81 × 10³) was higher than that of lichen crust (9.06 × 10³) and moss crust (2.03 × 10³). From November to February, when temperatures were consistently low (<0 °C), NA was at its lowest level, especially in cyanobacterial crust (4.18 × 10²) and moss crust (5.43 × 10²) (p < 0.01). Our results indicate that species composition is critical when estimating N inputs in desert ecosystems. In addition, all three types of crusts generally responded in a similar way to environmental conditions. The presence of N fixation activity in all crusts may contribute to the maintenance of fertility in sparsely vegetated areas and provide surrounding vascular plant with fixed nitrogen.     

Effects of seasonal grazing,drought, fire,and carbon enrichment on soil microarthropods in a desert grassland

This study was designed to test hypotheses about the combined effects of short-term, seasonal grazing with seasonal drought, fire, and carbon enrichment on soil microarthropod communities in a Chihuahuan Desert grassland. The study was conducted in eighteen 0.5 ha plots following three consecutive years of treatment: six plots intensively grazed in summer, six in winter, and six not grazed. There was no difference in perennial grass cover on the summer-grazed and winter-grazed plots. Intensive seasonal grazing had no effect on the abundance and community composition of soil microarthropods. Within each plot there were six subplots: summer rain-out, winter rain-out, burned, glucose amendment, rain-out control and burn-glucose control. Fire and carbon enrichment had no significant effect on soil microarthropod abundance or community composition. The average number of microarthropods ranged from 8915 ± 1422 m⁻² in the ungrazed, unburned plots to 7175 ± 1232 m⁻² in the winter-grazed, unburned plots. Microarthropod densities in the glucose-amended plots were 8917 ± 4902 m⁻² in the winter-grazed plots and 10,731 ± 863 m⁻² in the glucose-amended, summer-grazed subplots.The prostigamatid mite, Tydeus sp., was the most abundant microarthropod taxon in all treatment plots.     

Carbon and nitrogen fixation differ between successional stages of biological soil crusts in the Colorado Plateau and Chihuahuan Desert

Biological soil crusts (cyanobacteria, mosses and lichens collectively) perform essential ecosystem services, including carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fixation. Climate and land-use change are converting later successional soil crusts to early successional soil crusts with lower C and N fixation rates. To quantify the effect of such conversions on C and N dynamics in desert ecosystems we seasonally measured diurnal fixation rates in different biological soil crusts. We classified plots on the Colorado Plateau (Canyonlands) and Chihuahuan Desert (Jornada) as early (Microcoleus) or later successional (Nostoc/Scytonema or Placidium/Collema) and measured photosynthesis (P_n), nitrogenase activity (NA), and chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_m) on metabolically active (moist) soil crusts. Later successional crusts typically had greater P_n, averaging 1.2–1.3-fold higher daily C fixation in Canyonlands and 2.4–2.8-fold higher in the Jornada. Later successional crusts also had greater NA, averaging 1.3–7.5-fold higher daily N fixation in Canyonlands and 1.3–25.0-fold higher in the Jornada. Mean daily F_v/F_m was also greater in later successional Canyonlands crusts during winter, and Jornada crusts during all seasons except summer. Together these findings indicate conversion of soil crusts back to early successional stages results in large reductions of C and N inputs into these ecosystems.     

准噶尔盆地古尔班通古特沙漠生物结皮蓝藻研究

通过对古尔班通古特沙漠中9个样地73份生物土壤结皮蓝藻的研究,分析该沙漠生物结皮中蓝藻的区系组成、生态分布特点和蓝藻在生物结皮中的作用机制。研究表明,该沙漠中有蓝藻门植物6科25属77种,其中以丝状种类占优势;蓝藻在不同地貌部位分布略有差异,在丘间低地种类最为丰富;不同种类的蓝藻对地貌部位的选择性不同,大部分对地貌部位具有选择性;蓝藻种类和数量在结皮层较多,在结皮下层明显减少。生物结皮的显微观察揭示了丝状蓝藻和胞外多糖形成错综复杂的网状结构,起着捆绑、黏结沙粒和固定沙粒的作用。     

Soil heterogeneity and the distribution of desert and steppe plant species across a desert-grassland ecotone

Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths (blue grama), Bouteloua eriopoda (Torr.) Torr. (black grama), and Larrea tridentata Coville (creosotebush) are dominant plants on the McKenzie Flats portion of the Llano de Manzano landform within Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in central New Mexico, part of the biome ecotone from the Colorado Shortgrass Steppe to the Chihuahuan Desert. In this study, we examine the hypothesis that soil heterogeneity, determined by variation in surface soil depth, carbonate accumulation, and fine-textured fraction, controls relative dominance of the three species. The area is flat, generally <1% slope; however, abrupt soil differences exist even within the flattest parts of the landscape that correspond to the pattern of buried channels incised in a petrocalcic horizon (caliche) formed in a 0.5–1.2 million year-old paleosol beneath the current surface soil. Multivariate analyses of soil-moisture-related variables suggest that B. gracilis, a Colorado Shortgrass Steppe indicator, dominates the buried paleochannels where Holocene surface deposits are deepest and the argillic (clay-rich) B-horizon is thickest. B. eriopoda, dominant in Chihuahuan Desert grasslands, is most abundant where the buried petrocalcic horizon lies within 40–60 cm of the surface and the argillic horizon is thinner and weakly developed. L. tridentata, an indicator of desertified Chihuahuan Desert shrubland, is dominant where the petrocalcic horizon is exposed or near the surface. This study illustrates the strong relationship between geomorphology, soil development and vegetation patterns in arid and semi-arid environments.     

The spatial distribution patterns of biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert, Northern Xinjiang, China

The Gurbantunggut Desert, the largest fixed and semi-fixed desert in China, is characterized by a predominant coverage of lichen-dominated biological soil crusts, which serve an indispensable role in sand fixation. Two findings of biological soil crusts have been disclosed from previous field observations: first, distribution of biological soil crusts is selective upon locations; second, species composition varies significantly for the biological soil crusts that are at different developing stages. In this study, a strategy was developed to investigate the spatial distribution of biological soil crusts by coupling remote sensing data and field measurements. A crust index for the Landsat ETM+ data has been developed and applied to detect the lichen-dominated biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert. The results indicated the South of the desert encompassed the most abundant biological soil crusts. Besides, biological soil crusts were distributed in uniform density in the South of the desert whereas their distribution patterns become patchier in the rest of the desert. Finally, statistics from the classification revealed that biological soil crusts covered 28.7% of the land in the whole study area. However, it is worth mentioning that the crusts coverage may be underestimated given the fact that detection of crusts from the Landsat ETM+ imagery is viable only if crusts constitute more than 33% of the instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of the Landsat ETM+ sensor.     

Comparison of respiratory and growth characteristics of two co-occurring shrubs from a cold desert,Coleogyne ramosissima (blackbrush) and Atriplex confertifolia (shadscale)

Coleogyne ramosissima Torr. (blackbrush) and Atriplex confertifolia [Torr. & Frem.] Wats. (shadscale) are cold desert shrubs from different families. Despite very different life histories they often grow in close geographic proximity in the Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau between 800 and 2000 m elevation. The purpose of this study is to compare the ecophysiology of slow growing and reproducing blackbrush with the ecophysiology of faster growing and reproducing shadscale. Metabolic heat and carbon dioxide production rates were measured on leaf tissue from wild plants and on lab-grown seedlings at temperatures from 10 to 35 °C at 5 °C intervals. Heat of combustion, ash content, and carbon and nitrogen contents were also measured. Substrate carbon conversion efficiencies and anabolic (or growth) rates were calculated from the respiration data. The growth rate of blackbrush was found to be approximately half that of shadscale because of lower respiration rate, but blackbrush begins growing earlier in the spring and can grow at higher temperatures when water is available. Blackbrush was observed to reproduce heavily when winter and spring precipitation is abundant.     

生物土壤结皮对库布齐沙漠北缘土壤粒度特征的影响

对库布齐沙漠北缘不同发育阶段的生物土壤结皮及其下层土壤粒度特征进行分析。结果表明：流动沙地和藻类结皮表层均以细砂和中砂成分为主,藓类结皮表层以细砂和极细砂为主。生物土壤结皮表层的中粉砂至黏土、粗粉砂和极细砂含量均高于其下层土壤。两种结皮样地均属于分选性较差等级,但结皮下层土壤分选性中等,3类曲线均不对称,属于正偏-极正偏等级,藓类结皮和藻类结皮表层的峰形均属于中等尖锐水平,而流动沙地的曲线尖窄。生物土壤结皮的成土作用随着结皮的发育阶段和土层深度的增加而表现出差异性和复杂性。     

Inorganic phosphorus fractions in the rhizosphere of xerophytic shrubs in the Alxa Desert

In spite of the extremely low phosphorus (P) availability in soils of the Alxa Desert region (Inner-Mongolia, China), many shrubs grow well there. The objective of this study was to investigate the status of inorganic phosphorus (Pi) fractions in the rhizosphere of xerophytic shrubs. For all five selected shrubs, soil pH in the rhizosphere decreased by 0.4–0.8 units and the total P concentrations were greater than those in the corresponding bulk soils. In the rhizosphere of Reaumuria soongorica, Olsen P concentration was lower than that in the bulk soil. In general, the order of Pi fractions was Ca₁₀–P > Ca₈–P > Al–P > Fe–P > Ca₂–P > O–P. The concentrations of all Pi fractions varied significantly with rhizosphere and corresponding bulk soils. The results of stepwise regression showed that Olsen P concentration in rhizosphere and bulk soils was contributed by different Pi fractions. The correlation analysis showed that the relationships between Pi fractions differed between rhizosphere and bulk soils. These results indicated that the soil Pi fractions are significantly affected by root activities, differing between the rhizosphere and bulk soils, and different xerophytic shrubs exhibited significantly different effect on soil Pi fractions.     

Longevity and growth strategies of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in two American deserts

The desert tortoise occurs in two strikingly different desert regimes in the southwestern United States. In the Mojave Desert, rainfall is more irregular and resources are more limited than in the Sonoran Desert. We examined the age structure of tortoise populations from these two deserts to determine whether the difference in resource availability has driven an evolutionary divergence in life history strategies. Age and growth rates strongly reflect the ecological adaptation of the two populations. The oldest Sonoran males reached 54 years, compared to only 43 years in females. The oldest West Mojave (WM) males reached 56 years, compared to only 27 years in females. WM tortoises grew faster than Sonoran ones, and females reached sexual maturity at earlier ages (～17–19 years) than Sonoran females (～22–26 years). These traits and the higher rate of clutch production in the WM population are likely the evolutionary adaptation for low juvenile survivorship and a significantly shorter life span. Frequent droughts in the WM Desert and the lowest annual rainfall area within the range of the desert tortoise cause chronic physiological stress, likely annually, and are proposed as a major selection force producing contrasting life-history strategies.     

古尔班通古特沙漠生物结皮小尺度分异的环境特征

古尔班通古特沙漠广泛存在的生物结皮,对地貌部位有极强的选择性分布,其实质是生物对环境条件综合适应的一种生态表现。2002年3~11月在个体沙丘表面初步开展了生物结皮类型小尺度环境分异规律研究。结果表明:苔藓结皮、地衣结皮和藻类结皮依次分布于垄间、沙垄两坡中部和坡上部,从垄间往垄顶,生物结皮盖度逐渐减小,厚度变薄,抗压性减弱。苔藓结皮分布区的物质组成以细沙和极细沙为主,春季表层土壤水分在5%以上,短命植物广泛发育,基质稳定;坡中部的地衣结皮分布区以细沙为主,春季表层土壤水分在4%左右,短命植物亦有广泛分布,地表受风沙活动影响较小;沙垄上部和顶部的藻类结皮分布区,是沙垄表面活动性最强和土壤水分最差的区域,物质组成以中沙为主,高等植物中白梭梭为优势种,可见藻结皮是三类结皮中最能适应恶劣环境的生物结皮类型。     

生物土壤结皮对土壤微生物量碳的影响

微生物量碳是土壤有机碳的重要组成部分,是判别退化系统生态修复的重要指标之一。为了探明生物土壤结皮对土壤微生物量碳的影响,以腾格里沙漠东南缘的人工固沙区不同生物土壤结皮覆盖的沙丘土壤为研究对象,根据固沙年限的不同将样地分为4个不同的区进行采样(1956、1964、1981年和1987年固沙区),并以流沙区为对照。与流沙区相比较,54龄、46龄、29龄和23龄固沙区的真藓结皮和藻结皮的存在均可显著提高其下土壤微生物量碳（P<0.05）,且固沙年限与结皮下土壤微生物量碳存在正相关关系;真藓结皮和藻结皮对其下土壤微生物量碳的影响仅限于0~20 cm的土层,随着土层的加深,其影响逐渐减弱,到20~30 cm土层与对照相比已无显著差异（P>0.05）。因此,对生物土壤结皮的干扰可能会造成土壤微生物量碳的损失。     

Variability in soil redistribution in the northern Chihuahuan Desert based on Cesium measurements

A hypothesis for understanding the stability of northern Chihuahuan Desert landscapes is that the distribution of soil resources changes from spatially homogeneous in arid grasslands to spatially heterogeneous in invading shrublands. Since radioactive fallout ¹³⁷Cesium (¹³⁷Cs) was deposited uniformly across the landscape during the 1950s and 1960s and was quickly adsorbed to soil particles, any redistribution of ¹³⁷Cs across the landscape would be due to soil redistribution or instability at either plant-interspaces or on a landscape scale. The concentration of ¹³⁷Cs in soils collected from different vegetation communities (black grama grass, tarbush, tobosa grass, and mesquite) at the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico was determined. At the black grama grass and tobosa grass sites, ¹³⁷Cs was uniformly distributed at the plant interspace scale. At the mesquite sites, ¹³⁷Cs was concentrated in the dune area under mesquite shrubs with little to no ¹³⁷Cs in the interdune areas. ¹³⁷Cs data support the hypothesis that significant soil redistribution has occurred at dune sites created by invading mesquite. In the arid grassland-shrub sites with black grama grass, tobosa grass, and tarbush the ¹³⁷Cs data support the hypothesis of spatially homogeneous distribution of soil resources. High concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in the biological soil crusts (0–5 mm) at the tarbush sites indicate that biological soil crusts can contribute to the stability of these sites.     

生物结皮恢复过程中土壤生态因子分异特征

对新疆古尔班通古特沙漠生物结皮恢复过程中土壤因子的动态变化进行关联性测度、方差分析、相关性分析相结合的定量研究,着重分析结皮恢复年限对土壤微生物数量、养分、盐分、土壤酶的影响,有机质与土壤盐分、pH值、土壤酶的线性关系及土壤生态因子间的相关性。结果表明：相对于土层深度,有机养分、土壤酶等生态因子与生物结皮恢复年限的联系更加紧密。结皮恢复年限对全P、全K、有机质、脲酶、真菌的影响极显著（P<0.01）;对速效P、速效K、全N、总盐、中性碱性磷酸酶、蛋白酶的影响显著(P<0.05)。随结皮恢复年限的增加,结皮层和结皮以下土层中有机养分、土壤酶均有不同程度的增加,逐步具备较高的生物学活性,沙土性状变化较快,渐渐形成抗风蚀、抗干扰能力较强的地衣苔藓结皮。结皮恢复过程中pH值与有机质呈显著线性负相关（R2＝0.701,P<0.05）,土壤盐分与有机质存在线性正相关（R2＝0.653）,但显著性不强（P>0.05）。电导率、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶、中性磷酸酶、蛋白酶与有机质存在极为显著的线性正相关（R2分别为0.888、0.993、0.958、0.948、0.911,P<0.01）,土壤生态因子的协调发展和紧密配合促进了生物结皮的恢复。     

荒漠人工植被区典型生物土壤结皮的固碳模型研究

生物土壤结皮（BSC）是荒漠生态系统组成和地表景观的重要特征,在荒漠系统碳的源-汇功能中发挥着重要的作用。本文以沙坡头人工植被区两种典型的BSC（苔藓结皮和藻类结皮）为研究对象,通过对土壤水分的连续测定,确定BSC光合和呼吸作用的有效湿润时间及其与土壤水分、温度和太阳辐射的关系,建立了土壤水分驱动下的固碳模型。以2012年5月19—25日为例,计算了苔藓结皮和藻类结皮在试验期间的日固碳量,并估算了两类结皮的年际固碳量。结果表明:苔藓结皮和藻类结皮由于自身水文物理性质的差别显著影响到其下层土壤水分和温度的变化;降雨是BSC固碳活性的重要来源,并且苔藓结皮更容易受到非降雨水（如雾水、凝结水等）的影响而使其固碳潜力大于藻类结皮。初步估算苔藓结皮和藻类结皮的年固碳量分别可以达到33.33 g·m-2·a-1和14.01 g·m-2·a-1,其中由非降雨水所引起的固碳量达到了6.58 g·m-2·a-1和2.65 g·m-2·a-1,分别占到了全年固碳量的19.7%和18.9%。充分肯定了BSC在荒漠人工植被区碳汇的功能。     

Aboveground biomass in Tibetan grasslands

This study investigated spatial patterns and environmental controls of aboveground biomass (AGB) in alpine grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau by integrating AGB data collected from 135 sites during 2001–2004 and concurrent enhanced vegetation index derived from MODIS data sets. The AGB was estimated at 68.8 g m^?2, with a larger value (90.8 g m^?2) in alpine meadow than in alpine steppe (50.1 g m^?2). It increased with growing season precipitation (GSP), but did not show a significant overall trend with growing season temperature (GST) although it was negatively correlated with GST at dry environments (<200 mm of GSP). Soil texture also influenced AGB, but the effect was coupled with precipitation; increased silt content caused a decrease of AGB at small GSP, and generated a meaningful increase under humid conditions. The correlation between AGB and sand content indicated an opposite trend with that between AGB and silt content. An analysis of general linear model depicted that precipitation, temperature, and soil texture together explained 54.2% of total variance in AGB. Our results suggest that moisture availability is a critical control of plant production, but temperature and soil texture also affect vegetation growth in high-altitude regions.     

Characteristics of the Gobi desert and their significance for dust emissions in the Ala Shan Plateau (Central Asia): An experimental study

Using intact samples of Gobi surfaces, we conducted wind tunnel experiments and related analyses to describe the surface characteristics of Gobi deserts and their significance for dust emissions in the Ala Shan Plateau, an area of Central Asia with high dust emissions. Under relatively high wind velocities (22 m s⁻¹), the total sediment transport approached 700 g m⁻², with the fine fractions (<50 μm in diameter) accounting for up to 26 g m⁻². In consecutive experiments, the emission rates decreased greatly due to depletion of erodible particles. In the Ala Shan Plateau, coverage by gravels varied, and aeolian sediment transport increased with increasing gravel cover (to about 30%); above that level, transport decreased. Because gravel cover was less than 30% in most areas, the gravel may not play important role in dust emissions in this region. Although the Gobi surfaces are covered by gravel, high clay contents that may restrain sediment transport. In the Ala Shan Plateau, dust emissions therefore appear to be controlled mainly by the availability of fine particles, which is in turn controlled by their deposition by ephemeral streams, by their creation via physical, salt, and chemical weathering, and by other processes such as aeolian abrasion.     

生物土壤结皮对荒漠区土壤微生物数量和活性的影响

生物土壤结皮对荒漠生态系统的维持与改良发挥着重要作用。土壤微生物可敏感地指示土壤质量,是衡量荒漠区生态健康程度的重要生物学特征,而对荒漠区生物土壤结皮与土壤微生物关系知之甚少。本研究设计了两组对比试验。一组以腾格里沙漠东南缘的1956、1964、1981、1991年的植被固沙区结皮下的沙丘土壤为对象,以流沙区和天然植被区为对照。另一组以植被固沙区人为干扰生物土壤结皮下的沙丘土壤为研究对象,以未干扰结皮下的沙丘土壤为对照。结果表明：腾格里沙漠东南缘植被固沙区的藻-地衣和藓类结皮均可显著提高土壤可培养微生物的数量和基础呼吸（P<0.05）;适度人为干扰生物土壤结皮不会显著影响土壤可培养微生物的数量和基础呼吸,而严重人为干扰结皮可显著降低土壤可培养微生物的数量和基础呼吸,指示严重人为干扰结皮可导致荒漠区土壤质量下降;土壤可培养微生物的数量和基础呼吸也因结皮演替阶段的不同而有所不同,演替晚期的藓类结皮下土壤微生物数量和基础呼吸显著高于演替早期的藻-地衣结皮（P<0.05）;土壤可培养微生物的数量和土壤基础呼吸与固沙年限均存在显著的正相关关系,随着沙丘固沙年限的增加,结皮层增厚,结皮下土壤微生物数量及基础呼吸显著增加（P<0.05）;生物土壤结皮下土壤可培养微生物数量和基础呼吸呈现显著的季节变化,表现为夏季>秋季和春季>冬季。因此,腾格里沙漠东南缘植被固沙区的生物土壤结皮提高了土壤微生物数量和活性,表明生物土壤结皮有利于荒漠区土壤及荒漠生态系统的恢复。     

Environmental control of seed dormancy and germination in the short-lived Olimarabidopsis pumila (Brassicaceae)

The purpose of our study was to better understand seed germination ecology of the spring annual short-lived Olimarabidopsis pumila, which grows in the Gurbantonggut Desert, China. Seeds underwent after-ripening at 4, 20 ± 2 (room temperature) and 30 °C. After dormancy was broken, germination capacity was a function of temperature and presence of light. For the temperature range studied (4–30 °C), germination capacity was significantly higher between 15 and 25 °C than at temperatures above or below them. Alternating temperatures of 20/10, 25/10 and 25/15 °C were favorable for germination. Although GA₃ did promote dark germination of seeds, GA₃ did not replace light for germination. Seeds germinated to >75% if light exposure time was over 8 h and temperature and moisture conditions were favorable. Seeds were able to germinate at relatively low water potentials (83% at ?0.41 MPa), but decreasing water potentials produced detrimental effects on germination percentage and rate. Thus, dormancy characteristics and germination behavior of O. pumila seeds ensure that germination occurs in the desert only when soil moisture conditions are favorable for seedling establishment and survival.