Ecological impact of Prosopis species invasion in Turkwel riverine forest,Kenya

The impact of Prosopis species invasion in the Turkwel riverine forest in Kenya was investigated under three contrasting: Acacia, Prosopis and Mixed species (Acacia and Prosopis) canopies. Variation amongst canopies was assessed through soil nutrients and physical properties, tree characteristics and canopy closure. Invasion impact was evaluated by comparing herbaceous species cover and diversity, and occurrence of indigenous tree seedlings. Soil characteristics under Prosopis and Mixed species canopies were similar except in pH and calcium content, and had lower silt and carbon contents than soil under Acacia canopy. Tree density was higher under Prosopis intermediate under Mixed and lower under Acacia canopies. Prosopis trees had lower diameters than Acacia tortilis trees. Diameter classes' distribution in Mixed species canopy revealed invasion of Prosopis into mature A. tortilis stands. Herbaceous species cover and diversity were negatively correlated to Prosopis tree density; thus explaining the lower herbaceous species cover and diversity under Prosopis than under Acacia and Mixed species canopies. The study suggests a gradual conversion of herbaceous rich A. tortilis woodland to herbaceous poor Prosopis species woodland or thickets, through indiscriminate Prosopis invasion.     

Environmental influences on grafting success of Prosopis ruscifolia (vinal) onto Prosopis alba (algarrobo blanco)

Prosopis ruscifolia, with its 15 cm long spines, has spread onto vast areas of Argentine grazing lands and formed dense impenetrable stands. We examined grafting the highly respected Prosopis alba (algarrobo blanco) onto Prosopis ruscifolia (vinal) rootstock, with the objective of converting undesirable stands of vinal into desirable stands of P. alba. This grafting experiment examined five dates and three light treatments (full-sunlight, half-shade and ‘tent’ treatment 30×40 cm black plastic shade). The full-sun, half-shade and tent treatments gave 2·4±2·02, 6·0±1·22 and 6·6±0·99 (mean±95% confidence interval) successful grafts out of 10, respectively. Future work should evaluate grafting of P. ruscifolia coppice resprouts with P. alba scions, after the P. ruscifolia trees have been harvested for fuelwood or lumber. EliteP. alba clones are now available for use in grafting.     

EDAPHIC PROPERTIES AND FOLIAR ELEMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS FROM SAND PINE (PINUS CLAUSA) POPULATIONS THROUGHOUT FLORIDA

Soil physical and chemical properties, plus foliar elemental concentrations, are reported for surface (5–10 cm) and subsurface (35–40 cm) soil and foliar tissue samples from 20 sand pine (Pinus clausa) populations, 9 from the Choctawhatchee variety on the Florida panhandle and 11 from the Ocala variety on the Florida peninsula. Sand pine occurred exclusively on sandy soils, with mean sand content >97%. Soils generally were low in organic carbon and soil elemental concentrations. Both K and P were below analytic detection limits, whereas Ca and Mg were present at only modest levels. Only soil Al and Fe were relatively abundant. Foliar elemental concentrations indicated pronounced bioconcentration of nutrients by sand pine. Macronutrients (Ca, K, Mg, and P) approached or exceeded levels typical of other southern pine species. Some contrasts in edaphic and foliar tissue properties were apparent between varieties, but contrasts were more pronounced between groups of populations based on both soil color (yellow-sand group) and variety (Choctawhatchee white-sand and Ocala white-sand groups). The yellow-sand group, dominated by inland Choctawhatchee sites on sediments of mixed marine/fluvial origin, possessed less well sorted sand grains, higher clay content, lower pH, and higher levels of soil Al and Fe. The Choctawhatchee white-sand group consisted primarily of coastal dune sites, with well-sorted sands that reflect an eolian substrate. The Ocala white-sand group ranged primarily along the interior sand ridges of central Florida and was intermediate in sedimentological character. Foliar elemental concentrations did not reflect soil elemental patterns. Whereas Ocala samples were significantly higher in P and Mg, Choctawhatchee samples were higher in K, and there were no signficant varietal differences in foliar Ca. [Key words: sand pine, soil elemental concentrations, foliar elemental concentrations, Florida.]     

Effect of pruning on Prosopis juliflora: considerations for tropical dryland agroforestry

Effects of pruning on biomass growth in Prosopis juliflora were examined under dryland conditions in the Sudan. Growth parameters were followed for a total period of 32 months and water content, and gas exchange measurements were carried out. Heavily pruned trees yielded more than six times larger usable wood volume and produced 60% more leaf biomass than the control. The water status in pruned trees was improved which also had a more efficient CO₂ assimilation rate, associated with higher stomatal conductance. The results and their implications for the management of sparsely spaced P. juliflora are discussed in relation to agroforestry.     

围封对沙漠化草地土壤理化性质和固碳潜力恢复的影响

过度放牧是科尔沁沙地退化的主要原因,禁牧围封可以有效地控制牲畜对植被-土壤系统的破坏,促进退化生态系统的有效恢复。以过度放牧后的沙漠化草地为对象,调查了禁牧围封13年后沙漠化草地土壤理化性质的变化特征,并分析了围封对土壤固碳潜力的影响。结果表明：（1）沙漠化草地围封13年后,土壤砂粒含量减少、粉粒和黏粒含量增加,且粉粒增加最为明显,平均含量增加123%;土壤容重在不同土壤深度均呈下降趋势。（2）围封后土壤有机质、全氮、速效氮和速效钾含量呈增加趋势,分别增加了102%、97%、123%和24%,但土壤有效磷和缓效钾呈减少趋势;土壤pH显著升高,阳离子交换量呈现增加趋势。（3）除土壤有效铁外,其余有效微量元素包括有效铜、有效锰和有效锌平均含量均呈增加趋势,分别增加44%、30%和82%。（4）土壤有机质与pH值、阳离子交换量、全氮、速效氮、速效钾、有效铜、有效锰、有效锌含量呈显著正相关关系。（5）沙漠化草地围封13年后,100 cm深度土壤有机碳储量增加393.45 g·m^-2,碳截存速率为30.27 gC·m^-2·a^-1。对于因持续过度放牧所导致的严重退化草地,禁牧围封可有效促进土壤有机质、养分和微量元素的增加,影响土壤质地及固碳潜力等的变化,但严重退化沙漠化草地的恢复需要一个长期的过程,土壤有机碳储量要恢复到科尔沁非沙漠化草地水平至少需要百年的时间尺度。     

The influence of elevation, shrub species, and biological soil crust on fertile islands in the Mojave Desert, USA

We quantified soil nutrients and biological crust cover (bryophytes and lichens) under the canopies of three species of Mojave Desert shrubs and in interspaces between shrubs at three elevations to determine the effects of shrub species, soil crust, and elevation on islands of soil fertility. Means of pH, organic matter, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrogen mineralization, and gravimetric soil moisture are significantly greater in soils under Ambrosia dumosa (Gray) Payne, Larrea tridentata Cov., and Coleogyne ramosissima Torr. than soils from adjacent interspace microhabitats. Although soil moisture and soil organic matter increase by a factor of 1.5 from the low elevation to the high elevation site, the ratio of shrub to interspace concentrations, or the difference in mean soil variables between shrubs and interspaces, is effectively constant and independent of elevation. Total bryophyte and lichen cover is relatively low (24.5%), however, there are 11 species of bryophytes and two species of lichens distributed across three elevations with the highest species richness and cover at the low-elevation site. Bryophyte and lichen cover is correlated with silt but is not related, consistently, to soil nutrients. Overall, the balance of processes controlling spatial aggregation of soil nutrients under shrubs is remarkably insensitive to potential differences in organic inputs among elevations, shrub species, and soil crust surfaces.     

Impact of litter quality and soil nutrient availability on leaf decomposition rate in a semi-arid grassland of Northeast China

It was hypothesized that litter with higher N concentration would decompose faster than that with lower N concentration and that increased soil nutrient availability would stimulate litter decomposition. To examine the interspecific differences in decomposition rate of leaf litter in relation with differences in litter chemistry and soil nutrient availability, senescent leaves of four species Pennisetum flaccidum, Artemisia scoparia, Chenopodium acuminatum and Cannabis sativa, and soil samples with different fertilization treatments (no fertilization, N, P, and N + P fertilizations, respectively) were collected from a sandy grassland in Northeast China and incubated under laboratory conditions. The decomposition rate of leaf litter was determined by measuring the CO₂ emission during decomposition of litter. We found remarkable interspecific differences in leaf decomposition rates. Moreover, rates of litter decomposition at different incubation stages were correlated with different litter quality indices. The rate of litter decomposition was positively correlated with initial litter N concentration in the initial stage of the incubation, whereas it was negatively correlated with litter N and P concentrations in the late stage. Responses of litter decomposition to soil nutrient availability differed among species. Our results suggest that both indirect changes in litter quality through shifts of species composition/dominance and direct changes in soil nutrient availability under nutrient addition conditions could affect litter decomposition and consequently C and nutrient cycling of grassland ecosystems.     

甘肃灌漠土土壤肥力的空间变异性典型研究

结合传统统计与地统计学方法对甘肃省河西地区武威灌漠土土壤肥力的空间变异性进行了分析。描述性统计结果显示，该地土壤肥力具有较大的空间变异，土壤NH4^ -N的变异系数最高，为62．656％，速效磷的变异系数次之，为47．369％，pH的变异系数最小，仅为1．284％，有机质和速效钾的变异系数分别为13．208％和38．075％。地统计学分析表明该区域土壤特性的块金方差／基台值比值[C0／(C0 C)]在0．0413％～13．7801％之间，说明该土壤性质的各项指标均有强烈的空间相关性，其中NH 一N和pH值的空间相关性相对最强，[C。／(G C)]分别为0．0413％和0．0978％；速效磷相对最弱，[C0／(C0 C)]为13．7801％；有机质与速效钾居中。土壤肥力性质的相关距变化范围为176～294m。该土壤性质的克立格插值结果显示出一定的空间相似性，显示地统计学方法可用于分析土壤肥力在空间上的变异。     

The effect of radiation on seedling growth and physiology in four species of Prosopis L. (Mimosaceae)

Domestication of wild plants needs efforts focused particularly on the development of the theoretical basis of plant responses to environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of radiation on seedling growth and physiology of Prosopis alba, P. chilensis, P. flexuosa and P. glandulosa. Seedlings were grown in a greenhouse and randomly assigned to three light environments: full-sun, 52% sun, and 38% sun. No significant differences were found in the rate of leaf appearance and plant height 60 days after the light treatments began. Instantaneous CO₂uptake was not affected by the light environment during leaf development and did not differ among species. Variations in radiation availability resulted in significant differences in biomass accumulation, shoot/root ratio, protein and total non-structural carbohydrates contents. The practice of shading seedlings reduces the chances of survival ofProsopis due to an increase of the shoot/root ratio and a reduction of total biomass, stored carbohydrates, and the C:N balance.     

山东青州市耕地利用方式对土壤养分状况影响研究

通过调查山东省青州市不同耕地利用方式间土壤养分数据,利用数理统计处理软件对土壤养分数据进行处理分析,对耕地利用方式与土壤养分状况之间的关系进行了系统探讨。结果表明,不同耕地利用方式对土壤中有机质、大量元素以及中量元素都有显著的影响。对有机质和大量元素的影响程度为碱解氮>有效磷>全氮>速效钾>缓效钾>有机质;对中量元素的影响程度为交换性钙>交换性镁>有效硅>有效硫;土壤中的微量元素除有效锌、硼在不同耕地利用方式间有差异性外,耕地利用方式的变化对有效锰、铜、铁以及氯离子均没有显著的影响。     

Spatial relationships among species, above-ground biomass, N, and P in degraded grasslands in Ordos Plateau, northwestern China

We chose five communities, representing a mild to severe gradient of grassland desertification in a semi-arid area of Ordos Plateau, northwestern China, to explore the spatial relationships among plant species, above-ground biomass (AGB), and plant nutrients (N and P). Community 1 (C1) was dominated by Stipa bungeana; Community 2 (C2) by a mix of S. bungeana and the shrub Artemisia ordosica; Community 3 (C3) by A. ordosica; Community 4 (C4) by a mix of Cynanchum komarovii and C. komorovii; and Community 5 (C5) by C. komorovii. Quantitative methods, including geostatistics, were used to compare community composition, structure, and indicators of ecosystem function (i.e. AGB, plant N and P) in five 16-m² plots. The highest AGB, plant nitrogen (N) and plant phosphorus (P) were found in lightly degraded community C2. With increasing desertification effects from C3 to C5, the AGB, N, and P decreased significantly while plant density remained unchanged. The spatial variations of AGB were higher in shrub-dominated communities (C1 and C5) than in grass-dominated communities (C2–C4). Strong spatial relationships were detected within and among the communities, with stronger relationships between AGB and density than between AGB and species richness. Spatial patterns of plant N and P were different from those of AGB, reflecting different N and P contents of individual plants and different species that can redistribute soil resources in these communities. The AGB was positively correlated with soil nutrients (TOC, TN, TP, and IN), except for soil AP. We concluded that several specific aspects of ecosystem properties were directly associated with the conversion of the grass and shrub “functional types” in these degraded grasslands.     

祁连山疏勒河源区冻土退化对土壤微生物生物量碳氮的影响

对青藏高原东北缘祁连山西段疏勒河源区多年冻土区0~50 cm土壤微生物生物量碳氮分布特征及其影响因素进行分析。结果表明:稳定型和极不稳定型多年冻土区0~50 cm土壤中微生物量碳含量范围分别为0.015~0.620 g/kg和0.019~0.411 g/kg,微生物量氮含量范围分别为0.644~12.770 mg/kg和0.207~3.725 mg/kg;土壤微生物量总体呈现出稳定型显著高于极不稳定型多年冻土,表明多年冻土退化（多年冻土由稳定型退化为极不稳定型）对土壤微生物量积累有明显抑制作用。土壤微生物生物量碳占有机碳、微生物生物量氮占全氮的比值在稳定型多年冻土中显著高于极不稳定型,表明多年冻土退化对土壤微生物的矿化能力有明显抑制作用。土壤微生物量及其与土壤养分的比值有显著的剖面变化特征,随土壤深度增加而减小。土壤微生物量碳氮均与土壤温度显著负相关,与地下生物量显著正相关。稳定型多年冻土中,土壤微生物量碳氮与碳氮比正相关、与氧化还原电位负相关;不稳定型多年冻土中,土壤微生物量碳氮与pH正相关。土壤微生物量碳氮与土壤温度和pH在剖面变化上显著相关。逐步回归分析表明驱动微生物生物量碳氮在不同多年冻土类型和土层之间变化的因子是不同的。     

Influence of multipurpose trees on agricultural crops in arid regions of Haryana, India

The effects of multipurpose trees on the productivity of agricultural crops were studied in the arid regions of Haryana. In one of the experiments, wheat was grown on irrigated farms having scattered trees ofDalbergia sissoo, Azadirachta indica, Prosopis cinerariaandAcacia nilotica. Data of wheat yield for each tree species at different distances (1, 3, 5, and 7 m) and four directions (East, West, North and South) from the tree bases and control (no trees) were collected. Results indicate thatAzadirachta indicaandProsopis cinerariadid not produce any significant difference in the wheat yield while the other two species (Dalbergia sissooandAcacia nilotica) gave a reduction in yield.A. niloticahad a more significant and prominent effect and a reduction of 40 to 60 % wheat yield was observed.Dalbergia sissooreduced yield by 4 to 30 % but the reduction was only up to a distance of 3 m. In general, the impact of trees on productivity was observed up to 3 m distance and there was little, if any, impact up to 5 m and almost no impact at 7 m.In another experiment,D. sissoo(18-years-old) was raised as windbreak and productivity of cotton was assessed. The tree belt reduced the wind speed by 15 to 45 %, depending on season and wind speed. The influence of trees on cotton yield was observed to be negative up to 2H (36 m), where H is tree height, i.e. 18 m. Cotton productivity was observed to be maximum between 2H and 5H. Depending upon orientation of tree belt, the increase in cotton yield was found to be 4 to 10 %.     

章古台固沙林主要树种根际土壤性质研究

研究了章古台固沙林樟子松、油松、赤松和杨树4个树种的根际土壤, 结果表明: 不同树种根际土壤pH值低于非根际土壤, 有机质含量均高于非根际土壤; 除杨树外, 根际土壤CEC(阳离子代换量)均低于非根际土壤; 而交换性酸度、水解性酸度和全盐量均高于非根际土壤, 盐基饱和度均低于非根际土壤; 根际土壤中全N、碱解N、速效K表现为富集, 速效P表现为亏缺, 其中樟子松亏缺最为严重; 不同树种根际土壤微生物数量和酶活性均高于非根际土壤。     

土地利用方式对西藏东部河谷山地土壤肥力性质的影响

通过现场调查取样和室内理化分析,研究了西藏东部主要河谷地区不同土地利用方式下土壤肥力性质及其随土地利用方式变化的机制。结果表明:不同土地利用方式下土壤理化性质有明显的差异,耕地和裸地土壤砂粒含量高于其他利用方式,本区域土壤砂质特征明显;受有机质积累影响,乔木林地、灌丛地土壤具有相对较高N素养分;受施肥等因素影响,农耕地土壤具有相对较高P、K养分;在所有利用方式中,裸地土壤尽管具有相对较高的粉粒含量,但所有养分指标均最低,显著低于林地土壤。总之,对于西藏脆弱生境而言,耕作使得有机质更易于消耗。由于有机质与植被之间存在明显互相促进的作用,因此维持土壤有机质平衡对于恢复植被、保护青藏高原东缘生态屏障具有重要的意义。     

河套永济灌域土壤酸碱性与养分元素的关系

为了探讨干旱区灌区不同土地利用方式下盐碱化土壤剖面pH值与土壤水分和养分之间的关系,测定河套永济灌域荒地、林地、农田3种土地利用方式下0~20、20~40、40~60、60~80、80~100 cm剖面土壤pH值、含水率（SMC）、有机质（OM）、总氮（TN）、Zn、Cu的含量。结果表明：土壤pH值平均值为9.13;土壤含水率2.96%~31.35%;土壤OM、TN含量平均值分别为11.30、0.49 g·kg^-1;微量营养元素Zn、Cu平均值分别为107.20、32.78 mg·kg^-1,是相应背景值的1.9、1.7倍;3种土地利用方式下,土壤pH值差异性极显著（P<0.001）,高低顺序为荒地 > 农田 > 林地,在垂直剖面含量差异并不显著（P>0.05）;3种土地利用方式下,土壤pH值主要受TN含量的影响,回归方程为Y_pH=9.336-0.409X_TN（P=0.001）;表层（0~40 cm）土壤pH值在一定程度上受Cu含量的影响,回归方程为Y_pH=0.018 X_Cu+8.523（P=0.003）。在河套永济灌域,一方面土壤碱化会导致土壤养分含量的贫瘠,另一方面施肥等农业活动在一定程度上降低了土壤表层碱性,同时造成微量元素的累积,加重土壤碱性的作用也非常显著,因此在增加农业投入的同时应合理科学地施用农药化肥。     

阿拉善荒漠草地几种灌木对土壤有效态养分的影响

对阿拉善荒漠草地广泛分布的几种灌木、半灌木土壤有效态常量和微量营养元素的“肥岛”效应进行了研究。结果表明：①霸王、白刺、红砂和沙冬青提高了灌丛根部土壤速效Na、K、Fe和Mn 的含量,而降低了灌从根部土壤速效Ca、Mg的含量;驼绒藜除对土壤速效Mg含量有显著影响外,对其他元素无显著的影响。②霸王、白刺和沙冬青对速效Na、K、Fe和Mn有明显的富集作用,对速效Ca负富集作用;红砂对速效Na有极强的富集作用,EA、EB分别为37.59和52.93;除红砂和驼绒藜对速效Mg有富集作用外,其余灌丛对速效Mg无富集作用。③灌丛周围土壤pH值与速效K、Fe和Zn含量呈显著负相关,与Ca呈正相关,与速效Na无相关性。霸王、白刺、沙冬青周围土壤速效Mg含量与pH值也呈显著正相关;除了霸王外,其他灌木周围土壤速效Mn含量都与pH值呈负相关。     

Plant Community and Nutrient Status of the Soils of Schirmacher Oasis,East Antarctica

Investigations on plant community and micronutrient status of Schirmacher Oasis,East Antarctica have been presented in this paper.The dominant plant com- munities include moss and lichen.The frequency of species occurrence and changes in species composition at different location varied.Thirty-four soil samples were ana- lyzed for chemical properties of the soils of Schirmacher Oasis and Nunatak,East Ant- arctica.The most common plant species growing throughout the areas of Schirmacher Oasis and Nunataks are:Candelariella flava (lichen) and Bryum pseudotriquetrum (moss).Large variations were observed among different soil samples in all the nutri- ents and other measured soil chemical parameters.The soils are characterized by a- cidic pH ranging from 4.42-6.80.The mean organic carbon content was 0.62 and ranged from 0.06-1.29%.The electrical conductivity in 1:2 soil water ratio ranged from 0.06-1.29.The average content of macronutrient cation,which are ammonium acetate extractable was in the order of Ca>K>Na>Mg.The average content of DTPA extractable micronutrient cations was in the order of Fe>Mn>Cu>Zn.Thirty one out of 34 samples contained less than 0.80 ppm DTPA extractable Zn. Correlation studies revealed that content of macronutrient cations significantly and positively correlated to that of chlorides.Electrical conductivity exhibited significant and positive relationship with pH,K,Ca,Mg,Na and chloride content.Sodium (r =0.876~(**)) exhibited highest correlation followed by K (r=0.831~(**)) with chlo- ride content.The correlation coefficient for chlorides was higher with electrical con- ductivity (r=0.732~(**)) than pH (r=0.513~(**)).Organic carbon content of the soil was positively correlated with Fe (r=0.442~*).The nutrient status did not ap- pear to be a limiting factor in growth of plants.Lichen and moss community structure and composition in the study area were not related with fertility status of soil.Terres- trial mosses are most abundant and luxuriant along the soil habitats near bank of water bodies and the melt water streams.     

Nutrient status of Populus euphratica growing in desert riparian forests of northwestern China

Seasonal and microhabitat variations of chemical constituents of foliar organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P), and total potassium (K), in Populus euphratica growing in desert riparian forests in northwestern China and their correlations were studied. Results show that ranges of C, N, P and K contents in the leaves of P. euphratica were 39.08%?46.16%, 0.28%?2.81%, 0.05%?0.18% and 0.35%?2.03%, with means of 43.51%, 1.49%, 0.102% and 1.17%, respectively. The ratio of C/N, C/P and N/P changed from 16.26 to 146.61, from 258.08 to 908.67 and from 2.89 to 26.67; the mean was 37.24, 466.27 and 15.14, respectively. The mean N content was significantly lower than of deciduous trees in China, but the mean P content was nearly equivalent. The ratio of C/N was remarkably higher than of global land plants. The ratio of N/P indicated that growth of P. euphratica was jointly limited by N and P nutrient deficiency. During the growth season, total trends of leaf C, N, P and K contents decreased. The maximum appeared in May, and the minimum in September. Among microhabitats, C, N and K contents gradually increased from riparian lowland, flatland, sandpile, Gobi and dune, but C/N ratio was opposite, and P content was not apparent. Foliar C content was extremely, significantly and positively correlated with N and K contents, respectively. The relationships of N-K and P-K were both significantly positive.