Expansive fire in Mojave Desert shrubland reduces abundance and species diversity of small mammals

Changes in plant community structure and composition of the Mojave Desert in response to greater fire intensity and extent are likely to have strong bottom-up effects on the biological community. The objective of this study was to determine how expansive fire in Mojave Desert impacts small mammal communities across seasons. We sampled small mammals in paired burned (4–5 years post-fire) and unburned areas of Beaver Dam Wash in southwestern Utah. Fire reduced total abundance of small mammals, and species richness and species diversity of the small mammal community. Merriam’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami) responded positively to fire (15% greater in burned areas). Long-tailed pocket mouse (Chaetodipus formosus) and canyon mouse (Peromyscus crinitus) were 91% and 98% less abundant in burned versus unburned areas. The positive response of Merriam’s kangaroo rat to fire is most likely correlated with their preference for open foraging microhabitat while other species captured prefer greater and more diverse cover. Because the small mammal community has been dramatically affected by fire, it is likely that top-down control of vegetation structure will be dominated by Merriam’s kangaroo rat in burned areas, which may promote more open habitat by limiting the growth of annual and perennial grasses.     

Effects of Elevated Atmospheric CO(2) on Rhizosphere Soil Microbial Communities in a Mojave Desert Ecosystem

The effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide [CO₂] on microbial communities in arid rhizosphere soils beneath Larrea tridentata were examined. Roots of Larrea were harvested from plots fumigated with elevated or ambient levels of [CO₂] using Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) technology. Twelve bacterial and fungal rRNA gene libraries were constructed, sequenced and categorized into operational taxonomical units (OTUs). There was a significant decrease in OTUs within the Firmicutes (bacteria) in elevated [CO₂], and increase in Basiomycota (fungi) in rhizosphere soils of plots exposed to ambient [CO₂]. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that OTUs belonged to a wide range of bacterial and fungal taxa. To further study changes in bacterial communities, Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (QPCR) was used to quantify populations of bacteria in rhizosphere soil. The concentration of total bacteria 16S rDNA was similar in conditions of enriched and ambient [CO₂]. However, QPCR of Gram-positive microorganisms showed a 43% decrease in the population in elevated [CO₂]. The decrease in representation of Gram positives and the similar values for total bacterial DNA suggest that the representation of other bacterial taxa was promoted by elevated [CO₂]. These results indicate that elevated [CO₂] changes structure and representation of microorganisms associated with roots of desert plants.     

Climatic Change and Desert Vegetation Distribution: Assessing Thirty Years of Change in Southern Nevada's Mojave Desert

A major theme in physical geography and biogeography is understanding how vegetation changes across geographic gradients during climate change. We assess shifts in distributions of fifteen Mojave Desert plant species based on a 2008 resurvey of 103 vegetation transects that were established in 1979. We model changes in species distributions using Maximum Entropy (Maxent) with environmental and climate variables to predict probability of species’ occurrences. Climate during the ten-year period preceding the 2008 vegetation survey was 1.5°C warmer and 3 cm per year of precipitation drier than the ten years preceding 1979. Species inhabiting the highest elevations and strongly correlated with precipitation displayed areal reductions from 1979 through 2008.     

LizLand: A geomorphic approach to lizard habitat modeling in the Mojave Desert

The macro-habitat preferences of three conspicuous and widely distributed species of lizards (Aspidoscelis tigris, Callisaurus draconoides, and Uta stansburiana) were examined across four geomorphic landforms (sandy wash, rocky wash, alluvial plain, and alluvial deposit) in the southern Mojave Desert, California. All three species were non-randomly distributed across the four geomorphic landforms. The goal of this study was to develop less ecologically generalized habitat models (LizLand) than the vegetation-based wildlife–habitat relationship models in the California Gap Analysis Program (CA-GAP). Conceptually, LizLand is a geomorphological approach to habitat modeling in arid environments. Specifically, LizLand is a series of spatially explicit habitat models that define and predict habitat for A. tigris, C. draconoides, and U. stansburiana in Joshua Tree National Park and the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corp Air Ground Combat Center. LizLand models resulted in higher resolution habitat models with minimal reduction in model accuracy. These models more accurately captured the complexity of the Mojave Desert ecosystem and offered greater ecological resolution in identifying habitat in contrast to the CA-GAP models.     

The seedbed microclimate and active revegetation of disturbed lands in the Mojave Desert

One of the greatest challenges to the U.S. Department of Defense is maintaining the sustainability of military lands while maximizing their use for training activities. Restoration of disturbed lands in the Mojave Desert has proven to be a challenge, particularly revegetation from seed. This study presents soil moisture dynamics from three restoration sites at the National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, CA. The soil microclimate (matric potential, water balance, and temperature) was monitored beneath various surface treatments to better assess their effects on seed germination and establishment. Results show that under the typically hot and dry climatic conditions that prevail, the soil microclimate is a hostile environment. Irrigation had the most positive effect on the seedbed. Surface mulches including gravel, straw, emulsion, and bark had limited benefits often detrimental. Although seedlings germinated, survival after three months was negligible. Results presented here suggest that successful seeding with broadcast sprinkler irrigation in the central Mojave Desert is not possible unless the seedbed area is limited or advantageous environmental conditions prevail. Improved knowledge of the germination requirements and applied numerical modeling would result in more successful seedbed management.     

The nature of deep crustal structures in the Mojave Desert, California

Summary. The character of multi-offset reflections from the deep crust in the Mojave Desert are examined to reveal the physical nature of the reflecting structures. We focus on distinguishing classical abrupt discontinuities, such as traditional models of the Conrad and Moho boundaries, from more unusual structures. Finite-difference modeling and simple interference relations show that pre-critical reflections exhibiting an increase in peak frequency with offset arise from thinly-layered horizontal structures, while reflections from step discontinuities show no change in frequency with offset. In the deep crust thin layers may result from sill intrusion or fault motion.
The sense of changes in Poisson's ratio and the relative strength of density changes determine whether reflection amplitudes will increase or decrease with offset. A simple linear regression on pre-critical reflection amplitudes against offset is adequate to separate reflections arising from increases in Poisson's ratio from those arising from decreases in Poisson's ratio and/or density changes. The latter condition may be the result of strong anisotropy or the presence of pore fluid. Comparisons of the properties of major deep reflectors across the Mojave Desert suggest that the effects of tectonic motion and fluid injection have penetrated all levels of the crust.     

Aeolian Destabilization Along the Mojave River,Mojave Desert,California: Linkages Among Fluvial,Groundwater, and Aeolian Systems

It has been suggested by some that warm El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events have become stronger and more frequent as a result of global warming. This study aims to investigate whether there is any evidence for changes in the behavior of the ENSO phenomenon that may be attributed to global warming. Cluster analysis is carried out to group warm and cold events by various characteristics using the U.K. Climatic Research Unit air-temperature anomaly data set for the period 1856-1999. Analysis of the resulting groups of events and their relation to global temperature changes gives rise to various conclusions. First, the cold (La Niña) phase of the ENSO phenomenon has been more stable in the period of study than the warm (El Niño) one. Second, average strength warm events seem to be more frequent immediately preceding and during periods of steep global temperature rise, supporting the idea (Hunt, 1999) that more frequent El Niños are a short-term response in ocean-atmosphere coupling to rising global temperature.     

Seasonal dynamics of N:P ratio stoichiometry and Ca fraction for four dominant plants in the Alxa Desert

Desert plants take on unique physiologically adaptive mechanisms in response to an adverse environment. In this study, we determined the concentrations of leaf nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P), and calcium(Ca) fraction for dominant species of Artemisia ordosica, A. frigida, Calligonum mongolicum, and Oxytropis aciphylla in the Alxa Desert and discussed seasonal changes of their leaf N:P ratio and Ca fraction. The results showed that, from May to September, the N:P ratios of A. ordosica and C. mongolicum gradually and significantly increased, while those of A. frigida, and O. aciphylla had an increase trend that was not significant; the physiologically active Ca of A. ordosica and A. frigida increased significantly,while that of C. mongolicum and O. aciphylla decreased significantly. The physiologically inert calcium of C. mongolicum increased extremely significantly, while that of others was not significant. There was a significantly positive correlation between the N:P ratio and physiologically active Ca for A. ordosica, and the N:P ratio was significantly and negatively correlated with physiologically active Ca for O. aciphylla. These findings revealed that the physiological regulation mechanism was different for the plants either in earlier stage or later stage of plant-community succession.     

Nest site characteristics and nesting success of the Western Burrowing Owl in the eastern Mojave Desert

We evaluated nest site selection at two spatial scales (microsite, territory) and reproductive success of Western Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) at three spatial scales (microsite, territory, landscape) in the eastern Mojave Desert. We used binary logistic regression within an information-theoretic approach to assess factors influencing nest site choice and nesting success. Microsite-scale variables favored by owls included burrows excavated by desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), burrows with a large mound of excavated soil at the entrance, and a greater number of satellite burrows within 5 m of the nest burrow. At the territory scale, owls preferred patches with greater cover of creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) within 50 m of the nest burrow. An interaction between the presence or absence of a calcic soil horizon layer over the top of the burrow (microsite) and the number of burrows within 50 m (territory) influenced nest site choice. Nesting success was influenced by a greater number of burrows within 5 m of the nest burrow. Total cool season precipitation was a predictor of nesting success at the landscape scale. Conservation strategies can rely on management of habitat for favored and productive nesting sites for this declining species.     

塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地春、夏季CO_2通量特征

利用世界上唯一深入流动沙漠腹地200 km以上的塔克拉玛干沙漠塔中站所采集的2011年4月、7月的气象资料,分析了塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地春、夏季CO2通量的变化特征及影响因素。结果表明:塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地CO2通量表现为白昼地表吸收CO2,夜间地表排放CO2,且地表吸收强度明显大于地表排放;塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地春、夏季CO2平均净吸收速率分别为0.93μmol·m2·s-1和0.82μmol·m2·s-1;CO2通量受大气稳定性影响较大,稳定大气条件利于沙漠地表CO2的释放,不稳定大气条件有利于沙漠地表CO2的吸收;此外,地表温度、土壤湿度、风速均与CO2通量呈不同程度的负相关关系。     

阿拉善荒漠植物叶片矿质元素含量的季节变化

为了研究不同生活型植物营养元素含量随季节变化的响应机制,在生长季内,对阿拉善地区荒漠植物霸王(Zygophyllum xanthoxylon)、猫头刺(Oxytropis aciphylla)、沙冬青(Ammopipta nthus mongolicus)、红砂 (Reaumuria soongorica)、驼绒藜(Ceratoides latens)、白刺(Nitraria tangutorum)6种灌木及多裂骆驼蓬(Peganum multisectum)、葡根骆驼蓬(Pegamum nigrllastrum)、无芒隐子草(Cleistogenes songorica)3种草本植物连续观察,采集叶片,分析矿质养分含量和比叶面积(SLA)的季节变化特征,并对牧草的营养均衡价进行了评价,同时探讨了其叶片发育特征与矿质元素含量的关系。结果显示:(1)不同生活型植物在生长季内的SLA变化规律不同,9种植物叶片SLA均在中等偏下的水平。(2)4种常量元素(K、Ca、Na、Mg)含量在生长季内的波动较大,4种微量元素(Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu)含量在生长季内的随月份变化不大,且大部分植物叶片Zn和Cu含量在生长季内维持在"低"水平。(3)9种牧草SLA与矿质元素Cu之间表现出较强的负相关,而与其他元素无显著的相关性。(4)植物种类与采样月份对植物叶片元素的交叉分析显示,植物叶片K、Na、Ca、Mg、Mn、Cu、Zn含量的变异主要受植物种类影响,植物叶片Fe含量的变异主要受植物种类和采样时间的交互作用影响。     

Soil seed bank longevity of the exotic annual grass Bromus rubens in the Mojave Desert,USA

Although arid environments are often considered among the least invaded terrestrial biomes, the impacts of exotic plant species can be severe and long lasting. Bromus rubens (red brome) is an exotic annual grass species in the Mojave Desert known to outcompete native plant species, alter habitat, and promote accumulation of fuel that contributes to increasing fire frequency and severity. We assessed longevity of the exotic B. rubens seeds in the soil by burying seeds at four depths (0, 2, 5, and 10 cm) and recovering seeds 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after burial. Seed viability was reduced with greater burial depth and greater time since burial. A relatively small proportion of seeds retained viability for two years, suggesting that while the B. rubens seed bank can be large, it is relatively short-lived. Although B. rubens apparently relies more on the annual production, dispersal, and germination of seeds than on a long-lived seed bank for its annual recruitment, the numerous seeds produced by individual plants indicate that even a small proportion of seeds remaining viable for more than a year can aid recruitment from the seed bank and is an important factor in understanding population dynamics.     

盐生荒漠生态系统二氧化碳通量的年内、年际变异特征

采用涡度相关法,并结合小气候观测,对荒漠生态系统净二氧化碳通量进行了连续3个生长季的观测（2004—2006年）,并据此分析了荒漠生态系统净二氧化碳通量及其主要成分GPP和Reco的季节和年际间变化特征。结果表明,在生长季尺度上,各个阶段二氧化碳吸收量的大小分别为:生长旺盛期>生长初期>生长末期,这可能与植物叶面积的大小以及光合有效辐射,大气温度等环境要素有关系。在年际尺度上,3个生长季同阶段的二氧化碳吸收量存在明显差异,生长季初期5月,2004年碳吸收最强,2006年次之,2005年最小。对于生长旺盛期,降水量最大的2004年碳吸收能力最强,正午最大值可以达到-0.12 mg·m-2·s-1,2005年次之,最大值达-0.06 mg·m-2·s-1,仅仅是2004年最大值的1/2,2006年最小,正午吸收的最大值为-0.02 mg·m-2·s-1,生长季末期,3个生长季的月均日变化非常相似,其在正午的最大吸收值也没有显著差异,正午最大吸收量为-0.01 mg·m-2·s-1左右,其他时段均在0值附近。即使在降水量相近的两个年份里（2005—2006年）,其NEE的最大值出现时间也不一致,2005年NEE的最大月累计量出现在8月和9月,而2006年则出现在6月和7月,这可能与年内降水量分布格局有关。3个生长季荒漠生态系统均表现为净二氧化碳吸收,其吸收量分别为:-236.18 g·m-2,-63.07 g·m-2和-91.97 g·m-2。年际差异的形成原因是降水差异造成的一年生草本植物数量变化,不利用降水的建群种应该对此没有贡献。     

腾格里沙漠民勤实验点夏季沙丘CO2浓度变化

为查明腾格里沙漠沙丘CO2浓度和昼夜变化规律,利用红外CO2监测仪在2009年夏季对腾格里沙漠两南部的民勤沙丘CO2浓度变化进行了昼夜连续观测,研究了不同类型、不同深度沙丘CO2浓度变化.研究得出:所有实验点CO2浓度在深度上的变化与通常观测的不同,2m和4m处的CO2浓度都比1 m处的大;固定沙丘的昼夜CO2浓度累积值大于半同定沙丘的昼夜CO2浓度累积值,而半固定沙丘的昼夜CO2浓度累积值又大于流动沙丘的昼夜CO2浓度累积值;沙丘白天CO2浓度累积值高于夜间;在极端干旱的腾格里沙漠西南部,不论是固定沙丘、半固定沙丘还是流动沙丘,CO2浓度在一昼夜内也具有清楚的变化规律,即从当日09:00左右到次日09:00点左右均呈现由低到高再到低的变化,但CO2浓度升降相对于大气温度的升降具有一定的滞后性,滞后时间约1～3 h;沙丘CO2浓度和大气温度之间存在显著的正相关关系,温度是决定CO2昼夜浓度变化规律的主要因素.在极端干旱的民勤沙漠区,各类沙丘沙层中的CO2浓度都明显高于空气CO2浓度.     

Sediment yield and runoff frequency of small drainage basins in the Mojave Desert, U.S.A.

Sediment yield from small arid basins, particularly in the Mojave Desert, is largely unknown owing to the ephemeral nature of these fluvial systems and long recurrence interval of flow events. We examined 27 reservoirs in the northern and eastern Mojave Desert that trapped sediment from small (< 1 km²) drainage basins on alluvial fans over the past 100 yr, calculated annual sediment yield, and estimated the average recurrence interval (RI) of sediment-depositing flow events. These reservoirs formed where railbeds crossed and blocked channels, causing sediment to be trapped and stored upslope. Deposits are temporally constrained by the date of railway construction (1906–1910), the presence of ¹³⁷Cs in the reservoir profile (post-1952 sediment), and either 1993, when some basins breached during regional flooding, or 2000–2001, when stratigraphic analyses were performed. Reservoir deposits are well stratified at most sites and have distinct fining-upward couplets indicative of discrete episodes of sediment-bearing runoff. Average RI of runoff events for these basins ranges from 2.6 to 7.3 yr and reflects the incidence of either intense or prolonged rainfall; more than half the runoff events occurred before 1963. A period of above-normal precipitation, from 1905 to 1941, may have increased runoff frequency in these basins. Mean sediment yield (9 to 48 tons km^− 2 yr^− 1) is an order of magnitude smaller than sediment yields calculated elsewhere and may be limited by reduced storm intensity, the presence of desert pavement, and shallow gradient of fan surfaces. Sediment yield decreases as drainage area increases, a trend typical of much larger drainage basins where sediment-transport processes constrain sediment yield. Coarse substrate and low-angle slopes of these alluvial fan surfaces likely limit sediment transport capacity through transmission losses and channel storage.     

极端干旱区胡杨根围丛枝菌根真菌的分离与鉴

 以极端干旱区塔里木河下游处于干旱胁迫下的天然胡杨为研究对象,采用传统形态鉴定法和分子生物技术,研究了胡杨根围土壤中丛枝菌根真菌。结果表明：处于干旱胁迫下的胡杨根围土壤中丛枝菌根真菌孢子密度较低,且孢子种类单一,经形态鉴定和分子生物学鉴定,孢子为球囊霉属的摩西球囊霉〖WTBX〗Glomus mosseae[WTBZ] （T.H. Nicolson &; Gerd.）,孢子在土壤中单生、根内生或孢子果内形成;圆形,近圆形,直径150~220 μm,浅黄色至黄褐色;孢壁3层,L1和L2无色透明,L3浅黄至黄褐色。连孢菌丝单根,连点漏斗状。胡杨根系内存在丛枝菌根真菌的泡囊结构,分子检测表明摩西球囊霉[WTBX]Glomus mosseae[WTBZ]与胡杨根系形成共生关系,但是胡杨根系的菌根侵染率及根系的菌根侵染强度均不高。     

Effects of increased summer precipitation and N deposition on Mojave Desert populations of the biological crust moss Syntrichia caninervis

Climate change in the Mojave Desert (USA) may result in a greater intensity of summer (monsoon) rain events and greater atmospheric N deposition. Patches of the dominant biological crust moss Syntrichia caninervis were exposed to field treatments of low and high nitrogen supplementation, added summer rain, and combinations thereof, for a period of five years. In the lab, shoots were subjected to a moderate (single rapid-dry treatment) and a severe (double rapid-dry treatment) desiccation stress. Shoots were then hydrated and allowed to regenerate for 6 weeks on sterile sand. Shoots exhibited lower aboveground biomass from the +monsoon treatment, indicating carbon balance deficits under conditions of recurring summer rainfall. The low N treatment and the severe desiccation stress promoted shoot burning (chlorosis) and negatively affected regeneration responses. High N treatment, however, only adversely affected the resumption of apical meristematic growth. Summer irrigation and N application interacted to mitigate the effects of later protonemal emergence time, lower protonemal cover, and lower shoot numbers. Increased monsoonal frequency and higher N deposition as forecast for the northern Mojave Desert may result in declines in shoot biomass and reduced regenerational vigor in S. caninervis.     

沙漠及绿洲不同覆被下大气CO2浓度的梯度变化

运用美国生产的开环气体交换系统LI-6400便携式光合作用测定系统,研究了沙漠及绿洲不同覆被下大气CO₂浓度的梯度变化。结果表明,2001年巴丹吉林沙漠南缘大气CO₂浓度为366μmol·mol^-1,秋季大气CO₂浓度梯度在1~ 10m高度范围内为0,CO₂浓度与气温呈线形正相关,相关系数为0.87;与空气相对湿度呈线形负相关,相关系数为 -0.86。秋季绿洲区CO₂浓度高于沙漠区,人类活动向大气排放CO₂,是绿洲区CO₂浓度高于沙漠区的主要原因。绿洲不同覆被类型其CO₂浓度梯度明显不同,影响CO₂浓度梯度的主要因素为:人类活动、覆被变化、气象因子。覆被变化研究得出,杨树林初秋光合作用最强时在10m高度范围内CO₂浓度可降低22μmol·mol^-1;另外得出,降雨能够明显降低空气CO₂浓度。     

Patch dynamics of soil biotic feedbacks in the Sonoran Desert

Soil fertility in arid ecosystems is spatially and temporally heterogeneous, due primarily to biotic feedbacks from perennial plants. While the “island of fertility” effect is well-established, little is known about the influence of plant functional characteristics on soil nutrients, or changes in nutrient levels following mortality or microsite succession. To assess these patterns, we studied a functionally diverse Sonoran Desert ecosystem in which all microsite state transitions were determined. The woody species (Ambrosia deltoidea, Larrea tridentata, Parkinsonia microphylla) significantly enhanced soil organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorous levels (referred to generally as fertility) to varying degrees. Effect sizes differed significantly among species but were surprisingly similar. However, following mortality, fertility remained constant beneath Ambrosia and increased significantly beneath decaying Parkinsonia, contrary to expected declines. These results suggest that nutrients are recycled within a microsite, resulting in similar pool sizes beneath live plants across species, regardless of morphological or phonological differences. Microsites occupied by cacti exhibited no differences from bare soil, indicating that cacti may erase islands of fertility. However, nitrate and phosphate levels spiked following mortality of the large cactus, Carnegiea gigantea. In general, fertility effects were correlated with morphological characteristics that should be applicable across most arid systems.     

古尔班通古特沙漠沙丘主要灌木的种群数量动态

种群数量动态的研究是认识种群的生存现状及发展动态的前提。通过对古尔班通古特沙漠固定沙丘、半固定沙丘和流动沙丘上主要固沙灌木的样地调查,分析了固沙灌木的年龄结构,建立了3种沙丘上固沙灌木的静态生命表和存活曲线。结果表明：（1）固沙灌木的存活个体数呈逐级递减的趋势,幼龄个体占有很高的比例;固定沙丘上梭梭（Haloxylon ammodendron）呈现Ⅰ型存活曲线,种群退化,白梭梭（Haloxylon persicum）呈现Ⅱ型存活曲线,种群稳定;（2）半固定沙丘上白梭梭呈Ⅱ型存活曲线,种群相对稳定;沙拐枣（Calligonum mongolicum）和油蒿（Artemisia ordosica）均呈现Ⅰ型存活曲线,种群处于退化状态;（3）流动沙丘上沙拐枣呈现Ⅲ型存活曲线,种群有较大的增长潜力,白梭梭呈现出Ⅱ型存活曲线,种群相对稳定,油蒿呈现出Ⅰ型存活曲线,种群处于不稳定的退化状态。