Impacts of interrelated biotic and abiotic processes during the past 125 000 years of landscape evolution in the Northern Mojave Desert, Nevada, USA

Interrelated, biotic (flora and fauna) and abiotic (pedogenesis and hydrology) processes were examined at four sites (30, and approximately 1000–3000, 7000–12 000, and 125 000 years before present) in the northern Mojave Desert. Data collected at each included floral and faunal surveys; soil texture, structure, and morphology; and soil hydraulic properties. Separate measurements were made in shrub undercanopy and intercanopy microsites. At all sites, shrubs made up greater than 86 percent of total perennial cover, being least on the youngest site (4 percent) and most on the 7000–12 000-year-old site (31 percent). In the intercanopy, winter annual density was highest on the 1000- to 3000-year-old site (249 plants/m²) and lowest on the oldest site (4 plants/m²). Faunal activity, measured by burrow density, was highest on the 1000–3000- and 7000–12 000-year-old sites (0.21 burrows/m²) and density was twice as high in the undercanopy versus the intercanopy. Burrow density was lower at the two oldest sites, although density was not statistically greater in the undercanopy than intercanopy. At the older sites, the soil water balance was increasingly controlled by Av horizons in intercanopy soils in which saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat) decreased 95 percent from the youngest to the oldest site. No significant reduction in K_sat in undercanopy soils was observed. Decreases in the intercanopy sites correlated with decreases in annual plant density and bioturbation, suggesting these processes are interrelated with surface age.     

Hydraulic redistribution by two semi-arid shrub species: Implications for Sahelian agro-ecosystems

Hydraulic redistribution is the process of passive water movement from deeper moist soil to shallower dry soil layers using plant roots as conduits. Results from this study indicate that this phenomenon exists among two shrub species (Guiera senegalensis and Piliostigma reticulatum) that co-exist with annual food crops in Sahelian agro-ecosystems. Real-time measurements were conducted for soil water content, soil water potential and microclimate variables notably; air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation and solar irradiance. Additionally, sap flow measurements were conducted in shrub roots using the thermal dissipation technique on intact and coppiced shrubs. Monthly predawn leaf water potential was measured using a portable pressure chamber. Soil water potential (Ψ_s) at the 20 cm depth declined significantly during the dry season with diel changes in Ψ_s of −0.6 to −1.1 MPa. These variations were attributed to passive water release from shrub roots resulting in overnight rewetting of drier upper soil layers. Sap flow measurements on tap and lateral shrub roots indicated daily reversals in the direction of flow. During the peak of the dry season, both positive (toward shrub) and negative (toward soil) flows were observed in lateral shrub roots with sap flow in the lateral roots frequently negative at night and rapidly becoming positive soon after sunrise. The negative sap flow at night in superficial lateral roots and the periodic positive flow in the descending tap roots were indicative of hydraulic redistribution. Hydraulic redistribution may be an important mechanism for drought stress avoidance while maintaining plant physiological functions in both shrubs and neighboring annuals in water-limited environments.     

Spatial and temporal variability of soil properties under Caragana microphylla shrubs in the northwestern Shanxi Loess Plateau, China

Shrub-induced spatial and temporal heterogeneity of soil properties is common in arid and semiarid ecosystems, and it facilitates the development of plant species diversity. We selected 5-, 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-year-old Caragana microphylla shrubs in the Shanxi Loess Plateau to evaluate the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of soil properties under and outside the shrub canopy. In addition, the presence of adventitious plant species was investigated to assess the development of herbaceous species diversity. Soil samples were collected from two depths (0-5 cm and 5-10 cm). The establishment and development of shrubs promoted temporal variation, improved soil texture, enhanced soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), and cation exchange capacity (CEC), and decreased pH, bulk density (BD), and soil water content (SWC). The results further confirmed that SOM, TN, and CEC were significantly higher at the center than at the outside of the shrub canopies (P < 0.05) and were higher at the 0-5 cm depth than at the 5-10 cm depth. Moreover, the differences in SOM, TN, and CEC from the center to the outside of shrub canopies were greater under 30- and 40-year-old shrubs than under 10- and 5-year-old shrubs. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the soil properties facilitated the development of herbaceous species diversity.     

Comparison of soil bacterial communities associated with actinorhizal, non-actinorhizal plants and the interspaces in the sclerophyllous matorral from Central Chile in two different seasons

The spatial heterogeneity of resources in desert and semi-arid shrubland appears to be important in determining higher soil bacteria abundance around plants than in soil without plant cover. Thus, these bacterial communities could be important contributors to nutrient cycling in arid ecosystems. Bacterial diversity from Chilean sclerophyllous matorral was determined by Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP). Soil samples associated with the actinorhizal plant Colletia hystrix, non-actinorhizal plants and interspace soil without plant cover, were collected in May and October. The non-actinorhizal and interspace soil differed significantly in their potassium content in May and pH in October. The T-RFLP analysis revealed differences in the bacterial community structure from the different habitats. The soil bacterial communities associated with plants were the most similar, whereas the interspace soil community differed in both sampling times. The factors that best explained the groupings were potassium and pH. The greatest diversity was observed in the interspace soil. The Microbial Community Analysis showed a significant proportion of T-RFs identified as Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Likewise, spatial and temporal differences were observed in the main groups' abundance. The dominance of Firmicutes suggests that the sclerophyllous matorral could be a different ecosystem to other arid and semi-arid soils with respect to the bacterial community structure.     

甘肃南小河流域土壤水分扩散率单一参数模型的建立及应用

非饱和土壤的水力性质是进行土壤中水分与污染物运移模拟的物理参数,其中土壤水分扩散率是定量模拟土壤水分流动和溶质运移的最重要的参数之一。通过对甘肃省南小河沟流域不同地貌、不同土地利用方式的土壤分层取样,采用水平土柱吸渗法测定各地类的非饱和土壤水分扩散率;运用土壤水分扩散率的单对数模型和双对数模型对试验结果进行分析。结果表明:单对数模型参数具有明显的线性相关,可以建立表征描述南小河沟各地类的土壤水分扩散率的单一参数的单对数模型;进一步从全流域及划分地类后得到的模型参数B与A的关系分析表明它们具有较好的线性关系,可对模型进一步简化为单一参数模型。分析单一参数模型B的统计特征表明:参数B随着地貌类型的变化具有一定的变化特征,可作为土壤水分扩散率空间变异的变异系数。因此,可以用参数B作为反映地貌类型的指标,应用于区域土壤水分扩散率的估计中。     

Changes in climate characteristics for a cold period on the territory of the Irkutsk-Cheremkhovo plain

We report the data on changes in snow cover characteristics obtained at meteorological stations Tulun and Bokhan and in their neighborhoods for the period 1961–1990. We examine the changes in snow cover, air temperature and soil temperature at depths of 20, 40 and 80 cm.     

Effects of cattle trampling on vegetation, infiltration, and erosion in a tropical rangeland

Cattle trampling without forage consumption at stocking densities of 0.03-1.4 cows ha⁻¹ was simulated on two dry-season rangelands in Kenya. Experiments under artificial rainfall documented the response of plant cover and production, infiltration, and erosion on a Luvisol and a Vertisol. Trampling reduced plant cover, biomass, and, at the highest rate, regeneration in the ensuing wet season. Infiltration was reduced on the Vertisol but not the Luvisol, although increases in runoff due to trampling were slight. Trampling increased soil loss partly by reducing vegetation cover but mainly by disrupting surface layers of sand on the Luvisol and of clay aggregates on the Vertisol. Soil loss normalized by runoff and rainfall energy declined in a sequence of erosive rainstorms as the sandy surface layer became re-established, but before vegetation recovered. Establishment of a sandy armor layer during runoff events and its disruption by dry-season trampling thus strongly affect soil-loss rates. Trampling limits plant recovery in the ensuing wet season only at intensities typical of settlement and watering centers. The experimental results, generalized with a spatial model of stock density, can be used to estimate the contribution of trampling to forage production and erosion as herding patterns change in response to sedenterization and water development.     

塔里木河源流区绿洲土壤含盐量空间变异和格局分析——以岳普湖绿洲为例

基于区域变量理论,在GPS和GIS技术支持下,通过地统计学的半变异函数和Kriging空间插值,以岳普湖绿洲为例,定量分析塔里木河源流区绿洲不同层次土壤盐分的空间异质性。结果表明:0~30cm、30~60cm和60~100cm土壤盐分半方差函数的理论分布模型属于指数模型,100~200cm属于球状模型。不同土层之间的空间自相关范围具有明显的差异,由表层至深层,土壤盐分的自相关范围逐渐增大。土壤盐分的空间格局分析表明,在水平方向上,研究区各层土壤盐分的高值区主要集中分布在人类活动强烈、靠近河渠水源和地势较为低洼区域;在垂直方向上,土壤表层盐分含量最高,向深层逐渐减少。     

敦煌绿洲边缘植物群落与土壤养分互馈关系

植物群落与土壤性状相互作用研究对于认识生态系统结构与功能有着重要的意义。通过对敦煌绿洲边缘典型植物群落21个样地（20m×20m）的植被和土壤系统取样调查,在分析植物群落及其土壤养分特征的基础上,采用CCA典范对应分析法研究了土壤养分对植物群落物种分布的影响。结果表明：调查区域植被群落共出现植物27种,隶属于15科,26属,以藜科（Chenopodiaceae）植物居多,占总物种数的29.6%。柽柳（Tamarix chinensis）群落的物种丰富度最大,胡杨（Populus euphratica）群落的物种丰富度最小。植被0~80 cm土壤有机质、全氮、速效磷、速效钾含量排序为柽柳>黑果枸杞（Lycium ruthenicum） > 梭梭（Haloxylon ammodendron） > 沙拐枣（Calligonum mongolicum）,全磷、全盐、速效氮含量排序为柽柳 > 黑果枸杞 > 沙拐枣 > 梭梭,全钾含量排序为黑果枸杞 > 柽柳 > 梭梭 > 沙拐枣,pH值排序为梭梭 > 沙拐枣 > 黑果枸杞 > 柽柳。不同植被覆盖各养分指标之间差异显著。随土层深度的增加,柽柳和黑果枸杞群落土壤全氮、有机质、全盐、速效氮、速效钾含量逐渐降低,表聚效应明显,土壤全磷、全钾、速效磷含量逐渐增大后减小,梭梭与沙拐枣养分层次特征不明显。4种植被群落土壤pH值随土层深度的增大呈波动的趋势。CCA排序结果表明植被群落物种分布的土壤环境调控因子重要性排序为全氮 > pH > 全钾,土壤全氮是植物群落物种分布的最重要调控因子。     

干旱区绿洲耕地撂荒与复耕对土壤水力性质的影响

土地利用变化会改变土壤质地与结构,影响土壤水力性质,进而改变土壤水分有效性,影响植物生长。由于区域气候的干湿交替与水资源利用效率的提高,干旱区绿洲耕地普遍存在着撂荒-复耕现象。为了明确干旱区耕地撂荒与复耕对土壤水力性质的影响,以民勤绿洲北部边缘的耕地、撂荒地与撂荒复耕地为研究对象,测定0—40 cm深度土壤理化性质,分析不同土地利用下土壤水力性质差异及其影响因素。结果表明：耕地撂荒导致0—40 cm深度黏粒与粉粒比重增加,有机质含量降低,容重降低（P<0.05）,土壤孔隙度显著增加（P<0.05）,犁底层消失;在高水势阶段,土壤持水与导水能力增强,在土壤有效含水量对应的水势阶段,土壤持水与导水能力变差,有效含水量显著降低（P<0.05）。撂荒地复耕后,0—40 cm深度黏粒与粉粒含量继续增加,有机质含量转而增加,容重增加（P<0.05）,土壤孔隙度降低（P<0.05）,犁底层重新出现,土壤持水与导水能力又逐渐趋向于耕地水平。撂荒对干旱区绿洲土壤肥力与蓄水能力的提升不显著,而留茬免耕、深耕灭茬还田等保护性耕作措施能有效提高持水能力。利用研究区易测的土壤黏粒、砂粒含量与土壤容重,采用多元线性回归方法,可以准确、快捷预测土壤水分常数,这将有利于研究区农田灌溉制度的准确制定与优化,以及耕地利用变化对土壤水力性质影响的快速评估。     

Physical and chemical properties of soils under some piñon-juniper-oak canopies in a semi-arid ecosystem in New Mexico

Piñon (Pinus edulis)-juniper (Juniperus monosperma)-ecosystems increased substantially in the western USA during the 20th century. Sustainability of these ecosystems primarily depends on soil quality and water availability. This study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the effect of tree species on soil physical quality in a semi-arid region in the western part of Sugarite Canyon, northeast of Raton, Colfax County, NM (37°56′32″N and 104°23′00″W) USA. Three cores and three bulk soil samples were obtained from the site under the canopy of three juniper, Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) and piñon trees for 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths. These samples were analyzed for particle size distribution, soil bulk density (ρ_b), water stable aggregation (WSA), mean weight diameter (MWD) of aggregates, pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations and stocks. Sand content was greater under juniper (48%) than oak (32%), whereas clay content followed the opposite trend. The ρ_b, WSA, MWD, pH and EC were similar under juniper, piñon, oak canopies for both depths. Estimated (from Philip and Green and Ampt infiltration models) and measured water infiltration parameters did not vary among these sites and were in accord with the values for ρ_b, WSA and MWD. The SOC concentrations and stocks were greater under oak (43.1 Mg ha⁻¹ for 0–10 and 37.5 Mg ha⁻¹ for 10–20 cm depths) than piñon (23.3 Mg ha⁻¹ for 0–10 and 18.5 Mg ha⁻¹ for 10–20 cm depths). The TN concentrations were greater under oak (3.4 g kg⁻¹) than piñon (1.7 g kg⁻¹) for the 0–10 cm depth only. Accumulation of detritus material under tree canopies reduced soil compaction and crusting caused by raindrop impact and increased SOC, and TN concentrations, and water infiltration. Coefficients of variation ranged from low to moderate for most soil properties except infiltration rate at 2.5 h, which was highly variable. Overall, soil quality for each site was good and soil aggregation, water infiltration and SOC concentrations were high, and soil ρ_b was low.     

Soil water property variations in three adjacent land use types in the Rift Valley area of Ethiopia

This study investigated the effects of land use change on infiltration and moisture content of soils in three land use types. A total of 81 soil and core samples (3 replications × 3 treatments × 3 profiles × 3 soil depths) were used to determine parameters that may affect the infiltration properties of soils. The infiltration rate was measured in the field using double-ring infiltrometer with three replicates in each land use type. Results showed that infiltration rates were generally slow in the open grazed and cultivated lands suggesting high potential for runoff, limited percolation, and very low amount of water available in the soil profiles. The accumulated infiltration in soils under cultivation and open-grazing was smaller than the controlled grazing by approximately 57%. Similarly, cultivation and open-grazing had reduced the soil moisture content by 29 and 33%, respectively, compared to the controlled grazing. Surface soil compaction, higher dry bulk density and lower soil organic carbon, appeared to be the principal factors for the low infiltration capacity and moisture content of the soils. Therefore, dry land management, with long term tree cover and well regulated grazing system, is very crucial for the sustainable ecosystem functioning of this environmentally fragile area.     

Using hyperspectral imagery to predict post-wildfire soil water repellency

A principal task of evaluating large wildfires is to assess fire's effect on the soil in order to predict the potential watershed response. Two types of soil water repellency tests, the water drop penetration time (WDPT) test and the mini-disk infiltrometer (MDI) test, were performed after the Hayman Fire in Colorado, in the summer of 2002 to assess the infiltration potential of the soil. Remotely sensed hyperspectral imagery was also collected to map post-wildfire ground cover and soil condition. Detailed ground cover measurements were collected to validate the remotely sensed imagery and to examine the relationship between ground cover and soil water repellency. Percent ash cover measured on the ground was significantly correlated to WDPT (r = 0.42; p-value < 0.0001), and the MDI test (r = − 0.37; p-value < 0.0001). A Mixture Tuned Matched Filter (MTMF) spectral unmixing algorithm was applied to the hyperspectral imagery, which produced fractional cover maps of ash, soil, and scorched and green vegetation. The remotely sensed ash image had significant correlations to the water repellency tests, WDPT (r = 0.24; p-value = 0.001), and the MDI test (r = − 0.21; p-value = 0.005). An iterative threshold analysis was also applied to the ash and water repellency data to evaluate the relationship at increasingly higher levels of ash cover. Regression analysis between the means of grouped data: MDI time vs. ash cover data (R² =0.75) and vs. Ash MTMF scores (R² = 0.63) yielded significantly stronger relationships. From these results we found on-the-ground ash cover greater than 49% and remotely sensed ash cover greater than 33% to be indicative of strongly water repellent soils. Combining these results with geostatistical analyses indicated a spatial autocorrelation range of 15 to 40 m. Image pixels with high ash cover (> 33%), including pixels within 15 m of these pixel patches, were used to create a likelihood map of soil water repellency. This map is a good indicator of areas where soil experienced severe fire effects—areas that likely have strong water repellent soil conditions and higher potential for post-fire erosion.     

Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of soil fertility in the Central Monte desert (Argentina)

In arid environments, soil fertility exhibits a high degree of spatial and temporal heterogeneity, which results from high climatic variability seasonally and heterogeneous plant distribution. However, because most desert areas have been altered by human activities, heterogeneous fertility would originate from grazing or logging activities. We evaluated spatial and temporal heterogeneity of soil fertility in cattle-excluded sites under and outside woody plant cover (Prosopis flexuosa and Larrea divaricata), and in sites disturbed by tree removal during wet and dry season in Ñacuñán Biosphere Reserve (Central Monte desert of Argentina). Soil organic matter, fulvic acids, bioavailable organic matter, and nitrate were lower outside plant canopy (8.9 mg g^?1, 0.03 mg g^?1, 8.2 mg g^?1, and 4.17 mg kg^?1, respectively). Total N, humic acids, and abundance of microbial functional groups did not show differences among sites. Most parameters differed between seasons, tending to be higher in the wet season. Overall soils of Ñacuñán Reserve are characterized by: a) more homogenous spatial pattern than expected from woody plant presence; b) very heterogeneous temporal pattern; and c) after two years, tree removal does not seem to induce infertile soil formation.     

乌兰布和沙漠不同土地覆被类型粒度特征及空间分异

对中国沙尘暴源区之一的乌兰布和沙漠进行系统采样,分析不同土地覆被类型的地表沉积物粒度特征及其空间分异规律。结果表明：乌兰布和沙漠地表沉积物以中沙和细沙为主,平均粒径为2.84 φ。沙漠地表沉积物的粒度特征在不同土地覆被类型和不同空间存在明显的分异规律,表明该沙漠的地表沉积物粒度分布是由物源、地形和搬运营力共同作用的结果。乌兰布和沙漠内部最可能成为沙尘暴尘源的有沙漠中部的盐碱地、东北部的耕地和广泛存在于沙漠中的沙丘。根据不同区域的土地覆被类型因地制宜地选取先锋植物种群改善区域地表覆盖状况和地表沉积物粒度组分,是该区域尘源治理的主要手段。     

土地覆被变化过程中叶面积指数与降水量对地表能量平衡的贡献——基于SiB2的模拟结果

土地覆被变化过程中,叶面积指数（LAI）是地表能量平衡重要的影响因素,且与降水等多种因素存在交互作用。以2003 年中国东北地区农田、森林和草地三种覆被类型和三种LAI月变化过程为研究对象,着重分离出土地覆被变化过程中LAI对地表能量平衡的作用,认清覆被和LAI 变化对地表能量平衡的相对作用。利用SiB2 模型研究不同降水条件下土地覆被和LAI 变化对地表能量平衡的影响。结果表明：① 覆被变化对净辐射的影响最大,年均14.5W·m^-2左右。② LAI 主要改变净辐射对潜热和显热的分配,对农田和草地而言,LAI 增加明显提高（减小）潜热（显热）分配比例;对森林而言,LAI对潜热和显热分配的影响较弱。③ 降水对净辐射的分配起重要作用,降水增加,潜热增加。④ 表层土壤水分受降水和LAI 调控,与潜热有相反的变化趋势。     

Effects of dune stabilization on vegetation characteristics and soil properties at multiple scales in Horqin Sandy Land, Northern China

Ecological patterns and processes in dune ecosystems have been a research focus in recent years, however information on how dune stabilization influences vegetation and soil at different spatial scales...     

土壤理化性质空间分布及其相关关系分析

使用地理加权相关（GW correlation）与多因素方差分析对张家口地区土壤理化参数空间分异及其相关关系进行分析。结果显示：土壤理化参数具有不同的空间自相关性,各参数之间地理加权相关系数存在正负或大小差异。林地土壤养分含量与饱和导水率显著大于其他土地利用类型（P<0.05）;土壤理化参数之间相关性主要表现为坝上高原>坝下区域、栗钙土>其他土壤类型（P<0.05）。这表明,土地利用是影响张家口地区土壤理化参数空间分异的主要因素,地貌和土壤类型是影响土壤理化参数相关关系空间分异的主要因素,结果可以为认识区域土壤地域分异规律及制定生态脆弱区水土涵养措施提供数据参考。     

Soil evolution and subalpine ecosystem changes in the French Alps inferred from geochemical analysis of lacustrine sediments

This study aimed to reconstruct the history of soil development, ecosystem changes and associated erosional processes in a small mountain lacustrine basin at the decennial to millennial scale. Geochemical proxies of soil evolution were analysed in the Holocene lacustrine sediments and peats from Thyl Lake, Maurienne Valley, French Alps. Podzolization and chemical weathering processes were assessed using secondary Al- and Fe-bearing phases together with major and Rare Earth Elements (REE). The resulting proxy records, spanning ca. 4,400 years between 8.6 and 4.2 cal ka BP, indicate that progressive pedogenesis occurred after deglaciation in a relatively stable subalpine ecosystem. As shown by the associated increase in Al- and Fe-bearing phases and some REE fractions, the establishment of a mixed cembra pine ecosystem from ca. 7.2–6.5 ka BP was associated with enhanced podzolisation processes in the catchment. The progressive soil development was followed by a rapid transformation of the local environment and plant cover (the open waters of the lake were replaced by a confined peat environment) together with changes in forest fire regimes from ca. 6.8 ka BP. Depleted REE patterns, associated with low contents of secondary Al and Fe, suggest a decrease in chemical weathering and podzolization in the catchment at that time, possibly associated with local intensification of weathering and drainage processes in a relatively acidic peat environment. The higher variability of cembra pine and the increased abundance of sedge and other herbaceous plant remains in the lake sediment indicate semi-open vegetation environments from 5.7 cal ka BP onwards. Whereas fire events and plant cover appear to be significantly related, the soil processes seem primarily linked to vegetation composition, and secondarily to changes in fire regime.     

Biological soil crusts exhibit a dynamic response to seasonal rain and release from grazing with implications for soil stability

In Northern Mexico, long-term grazing has substantially degraded semiarid landscapes. In semiarid systems, ecological and hydrological processes are strongly coupled by patchy plant distribution and biological soil crust (BSC) cover in plant-free interspaces. In this study, we asked: 1) how responsive are BSC cover/composition to a drying/wetting cycle and two-year grazing removal, and 2) what are the implications for soil erosion? We characterized BSC morphotypes and their influence on soil stability under grazed/non-grazed conditions during a dry and wet season. Light- and dark-colored cyanobacteria were dominant at the plant tussock and community level. Cover changes in these two groups differed after a rainy season and in response to grazing removal. Lichens with continuous thalli were more vulnerable to grazing than those with semi-continuous/discontinuous thalli after the dry season. Microsites around tussocks facilitated BSC colonization compared to interspaces. Lichen and cyanobacteria morphotypes differentially enhanced resistance to soil erosion; consequently, surface soil stability depends on the spatial distribution of BSC morphotypes, suggesting soil stability may be as dynamic as changes in the type of BSC cover. Longer-term spatially detailed studies are necessary to elicit spatiotemporal dynamics of BSC communities and their functional role in biotically and abiotically variable environments.