Can kangaroo rat graminivory contribute to the persistence of desertified shrublands?

Medium-sized kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp. Gray) function as keystone species in the dynamics of desert bunchgrasses. We tested the hypothesis that kangaroo rat graminivory leads to reduced grass growth and inflorescence production, and that kangaroo rat grass consumption reflects their preferences for open microhabitats. We excluded kangaroo rats from grasses, and measured tiller loss, leaf and tiller growth and inflorescence production. We recorded the extent of tiller loss in grasses varying in tussock size or the extent of surrounding cover. Consumption of tillers by kangaroo rats was extensive, peaking in late summer. Grasses protected from kangaroo rat graminivory showed elevated leaf and tiller growth and inflorescence production. Grass tussocks protected by surrounding vegetation or large grass tussocks suffered lower graminivory than tussocks in the open or small tussocks. Our data demonstrate that the mechanism of the keystone role of kangaroo rats is through direct graminivory. We hypothesize that kangaroo rat graminivory may contribute to the persistence of desertified shrublands by limiting grass recruitment and abundance. Medium-sized kangaroo rats prefer open microhabitats and increase in abundance as such microhabitats increase, suggesting a positive feedback, with kangaroo rats increasing in abundance in overgrazed, desertified landscapes, and then contributing to their persistence through graminivory.     

Effects of simulated storm sizes and nitrogen on three Chihuahuan Desert perennial herbs and a grass

Establishment and growth of three perennial herbs and a small tussock grass were studied in an experiment that provided simulated rainfall of 6 mm week⁻¹ or 25 mm once per month and nitrogen fertilization in combination with the different simulated rainfall regimes. Wild onion, Allium macropetalum, failed to establish in plots receiving 25 mm month⁻¹ simulated rainfall. The perennial composite, Bahia absinthifolia, occurred at higher densities in plots that were not irrigated but there were no differences in biomass in any of the irrigation or fertilization treatments. Desert holly, Perezia nana, failed to establish in nitrogen fertilized plots and developed higher abundance and biomass in plots receiving 25 mm month⁻¹. Nitrogen fertilization had either no effect or an adverse effect on the perennial herbs. The tussock grass, Dasychloa pulchella exhibited highest abundance and biomass with 6 mm week⁻¹ added water plus nitrogen. Since global climate change will affect both rain storm frequency and size and atmospheric nitrogen deposition, the results of this study are applicable to understanding vegetation responses climate change.     

克隆植物准噶尔无叶豆的种群生物量结构及回归模型

根据根茎型克隆植物的特征,建立准噶尔无叶豆各构件单元生物量的模型。结果表明,准噶尔无叶豆的根茎生物量、根生物量、枝生物量和果实生物量分别是6.33、39.72、27.93 g·m^-2和3.47 g·m^-2。地上生物量所占比例为40.55%,小于地下生物量所占的比例59.45%。植株本身的高（H）、高与冠幅（C）的乘积（CH）与各部分生物量间的相关性很高;但C与各部分生物量间的相关性相对较低。在分析H、CH与各生物量相互关系的各种数学模型中,大多数模型有显著的相关性,选择其中相关显著性和R2值最高的模型,建立它们之间的相互关系模型。使用植株的CH所建立起来的线性数学模型对生物量的预测较好,为估算荒漠克隆灌木植物的生物量,提供个例物种的示范。     

Spatial non-stationary characteristics between grass yield and its influencing factors in the Ningxia temperate grasslands based on a mixed geographically weighted regression model

Spatial models are effective in obtaining local details on grassland biomass, and their accuracy has important practical significance for the stable management of grasses and livestock. To this end, the present study utilized measured quadrat data of grass yield across different regions in the main growing season of temperate grasslands in Ningxia of China (August 2020), combined with hydrometeorology, elevation, net primary productivity (NPP), and other auxiliary data over the same period. Accordingly, non-stationary characteristics of the spatial scale, and the effects of influencing factors on grass yield were analyzed using a mixed geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model. The results showed that the model was suitable for correlation analysis. The spatial scale of ratio resident-area index (PRI) was the largest, followed by the digital elevation model, NPP, distance from gully, distance from river, average July rainfall, and daily temperature range; whereas the spatial scales of night light, distance from roads, and relative humidity (RH) were the most limited. All influencing factors maintained positive and negative effects on grass yield, save for the strictly negative effect of RH. The regression results revealed a multiscale differential spatial response regularity of different influencing factors on grass yield. Regression parameters revealed that the results of Ordinary least squares (OLS) (Adjusted R² = 0.642) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) (Adjusted R² = 0.797) models were worse than those of MGWR (Adjusted R² = 0.889) models. Based on the results of the RMSE and radius index, the simulation effect also was MGWR > GWR > OLS models. Ultimately, the MGWR model held the strongest prediction performance (R² = 0.8306). Spatially, the grass yield was high in the south and west, and low in the north and east of the study area. The results of this study provide a new technical support for rapid and accurate estimation of grassland yield to dynamically adjust grazing decision in the semi-arid loess hilly region.     

Field growth comparisons of invasive alien annual and native perennial grasses in monocultures

Throughout the western United States, the invasive annual grass, medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae L. Nevski), is rapidly invading grasslands once dominated by native perennial grasses, such as bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A). It is also invading grasslands dominated by less undesirable invasive annual grasses, especially cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.). Understanding medusahead growth dynamics relative to native perennial grasses and cheatgrass is central to predicting and managing medusahead invasion. We hypothesized that medusahead would have a higher relative growth rate (RGR), a longer period of growth, and as a consequence, more total biomass at the end of the growing season than the native perennial grass and cheatgrass. In 2008 (dry conditions), 250 seeds and in 2009 (wet conditions), 250 and 100 seeds of each species were sown in 1 m² plots with 5 replicates. Shoots were harvested on 3-25 day intervals throughout the growing season. The native perennial grass had more biomass and higher RGR than medusahead in the dry year, but the relationship was reversed in the wet year. Precipitation in 2008 was well-below average and this level of drought is very infrequent based on historical weather data. Medusahead had a longer period of growth and more total biomass than cheatgrass for both years. We expect that medusahead will continue to invade both native perennial and less undesirable invasive annual grasslands because of its higher RGR and extended period of growth.     

青海湖环湖地区草地植被生物量遥感监测模型

利用青海湖环湖地区2000年陆地卫星TM遥感图像数据和同期野外实测的34处样方产草量数据,分析了遥感植被指数与草地植被生物量之间的相关关系,进而分别建立了遥感植被指数与草地植被生物量的一元线性回归模型和非线性回归模型。研究表明,遥感植被指数与草地生物量之间存在较好的相关性,但不同遥感植被指数与草地植被生物量相关性程度存在一定差别。此外,所建遥感植被指数与草地植被生物量的非线性回归模型在拟合精度上优于一元线性回归模型,且由三次方程得到的非线性回归模型最适用于监测青海湖环湖地区的草地植被生物量。     

金沙江干热河谷植被恢复的思考

金沙江下游沿岸海1300m（阴坡）－1600m阳坡）为干热河谷,根据其环境特点、人工造林成功率低的事实例,分析指出金沙江干热河谷的自然植被恢复应以稀树灌草为主体,因地制宜提出了植被恢复的四个主要途径;（1）建立水土保持人工生态经济林,提高经济和生态效益;（2）封山育草,防治坡面侵蚀;（3）加强沟谷灌草建设,防治沟谷侵蚀;（4）城镇工矿人工生态林草建设,提高环境质量。     

云南元谋干热河谷造林区植被生长与土壤渗透性的关系

通过云南元谋干热河谷造林区林分生物量及生产力指标与双环入渗试验的土壤入渗性能指标的相关分析，发现乔木生长与土壤渗透性具有显著正相关关系(P＜0.01)，地表枯枝落叶量与土壤渗透性的相关关系也较密切(P＜0.05)，而灌草生长与土壤渗透性无显著相关。研究指出，改善土壤入渗性能的措施，如沿等高线开深沟种植、禁止放牧践踏、保护地表枯枝落叶等均对林木生长有积极的影响。     

植被覆盖、放牧和季节对牧草种类组成和生物量的影响:以埃塞俄比亚南部Yabello牧场为例

Yabello牧场是埃塞俄比亚博拉纳的一个半干旱地区的牧场,目前面临着草场退化的严重挑战。植被覆盖的变化、过度放牧和季节性变化极大地影响了Yabello牧场的牧草组成和生物量。本文评估了植被覆盖、放牧和季节对Yabello牧场的牧草组成和生物量的影响。首先采用1 m×1 m的随机样方进行实验,根据植被覆盖类型和放牧变化选择样点,并对季节影响进行评估。使用SAS统计软件和MicrosoftExcel分析牧草组成、牧草高度和质量数据。本研究总共记录了26种草种,其中Chloris roxburghiana, Chrysopogon aucheri和Chrysopogon aucheri草种均表现出最高的平均单种覆盖高度和生物量产量。因此,建议将这些草种用于研究区域退化草地的恢复。研究结果还表明,植被覆盖类型、放牧和季节变化是决定牧草种类组成、牧草高度和生物量产量的关键因素。最后,研究结论还认为控制灌木丛植被并平衡放牧水平的可持续管理对于该地区的可持续牧草生产和生物多样性保护至关重要。     

Restoration of palatable grasses: A study case in degraded rangelands of central Argentina

Restoration of palatable grasses on degraded rangelands dominated by unpalatable grasses in central Argentina is limited by low availability of seeds and safe sites for seedling establishment. The objective of our study was to determine how mechanical disturbance of unpalatable grasses (Stipa spp.) in combination with seeding of a palatable grass (Poa ligularis) influenced species composition in a degraded rangeland excluded from livestock grazing. In April 2001 10 blocks were uniformly distributed on a previously burned site dominated by unpalatable grasses, and treatments applied in 8 m×8 m experimental plots. Treatments were ‘disked and seeded’ and control (no disking, no seeding). Perennial plant cover and end-of-season standing crop, at species or species group level, were assessed in December 2002/2003 and in December 2004/2006, respectively. P. ligularis out-competed both tillers of unpalatable grasses that survived mechanical disturbance and seedlings of unpalatable grasses established after mechanical disturbance. The cover and end-of-season standing crop of unpalatable grasses was higher in the control than in the ‘disked and seeded’ treatment, whereas the cover and end-of-season standing crop of P. ligularis was higher in the latter than in the former treatment. Our results suggest that a rapid transition from a state dominated by unpalatable grasses to a state dominated by palatable grasses can be achieved by mechanical disturbance of unpalatable grasses in combination with seeding of palatable grasses in semiarid rangelands of central Argentina.     

Biophysical properties and biomass production of elephant grass under saline conditions

Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is a new fast-growing alternative forage crop. However, salinity is a major concern for its production in the arid south-western United States. This study was conducted in the arid Imperial Valley of Southern California to evaluate salt tolerance of elephant grass. Salinity treatments were created in field plots irrigated with water possessing an electrical conductivity (EC_iw) of 1·5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 dS m⁻¹, respectively. Canopy spectral reflectance, temperature, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll-SPAD meter readings, and dry weights were measured over time. Results indicated that canopy reflectance in the near-infrared spectral region was reduced incrementally with increasing levels of salt stress. Canopy temperature increased with increasing salinity, especially at longer times after salinity treatment. Plant height and LAI were reduced with increasing salinity. Biomass accumulation was reduced incrementally with increasing salinity. About 50% yield reduction was found when EC_iw increased from 5 to 25 dS m⁻¹. The study shows that elephant grass is sensitive to salt stress, and relatively low salinity must be maintained to achieve a high rate of growth and biomass production.     

Allometric relationships and peak-season community biomass stocks of native shrubs in Senegal's Peanut Basin

Allometric equations and community biomass stocks are presented for Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel (Gs) and Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst (Pr) – two native shrub species in the Sahel. These shrubs are of interest because they dominate semi-arid sub-Sahalien Africa but have been largely overlooked as a key biomass component and regulator of ecosystem composition and function in this landscape. In Year 1, best predictors of aboveground biomass were height and number of stems (Gs) and crown diameter (Pr); and for belowground biomass were height and basal diameter (Gs) and basal diameter (Pr). In Year 2, height and crown diameter were the best predictors of aboveground biomass (R² = 0.90 for Gs and 0.87 for Pr), whereas basal diameter and number of stems (Gs) and basal diameter (Pr) were best predictors of belowground biomass. Peak-season biomass estimates ranged from 0.44 to 4.58 ton ha^?1 (mean = 2.38 ton ha^?1) in the Gs sites and from 0.33 to 7.38 ton ha^?1 (mean = 3.71 ton ha^?1) in the Pr communities. Both species exhibited unusually large root:shoot ratios (4.5:1 for Gs and 10.2:1 for Pr). Although models differ between years, allometric relationships provide reasonable biomass estimates for Gs and Pr.     

Absence of interactions between perennial bunchgrasses in a semi-arid temperate savanna: a 5-year field experiment

There is widespread recognition of the importance of long-term experimental studies of plant interactions, but such experiments are rarely conducted. Pairwise interactions between three species of perennial grasses were assessed and described over a 5-year period. Experimental treatments in which some or all neighbors were removed were maintained and plant basal area was monitored throughout the experiment. In addition, above-ground biomass was collected over a 3-year period. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed no evidence of interactions between plants.     

近15 a来黄河源地区玛多县草地植被退化的遥感动态监测

 依据草地退化国家标准和黄河源区草地退化的实际情况,选取草地覆盖度、植株高度、地上生物量、牧草可食率、土壤有机质5个重要指标建立黄河源区玛多县草地植被退化监测和评价指标体系。利用遥感影像和GIS技术,结合实地调查和采样测定,对5个评价指标在遥感影像上进行反演,并进行图层的加权叠加,得出玛多县草地退化的时空特征。结果表明：玛多县草地在1994年已经出现了较为严重的退化现象,退化草地的空间分布格局已经基本形成,并且草地的退化过程一直在继续。2009年草地退化空间特征显示在气候变化较为敏感区域、河道两侧、鼠害严重以及靠近居民点等区域草地退化较为严重。通过对4期草地退化情况进行对比分析,发现1994-2001年间玛多草地植被退化情况最严重,重度退化面积高达1 355 943.30 hm2,占草地面积的86.53%。2001-2006年间和2006-2009年间重度退化、较大退化和中度退化草地的面积都下降较大,同时退化的速度已经有了较大缓和,黄河源头地区草地生态系统得到初步恢复     

科尔沁沙地白草、赖草无性系生长及适应对策的初步研究

通过对科尔沁沙地白草、赖草在各自典型生境下的观察与测定,分析比较了二者无性系生长及有关适应对策。研究结果表明:白草无性系能够以分株小而密度大为特点扩展地上空间,同时依赖于生物量在地下的大量分配以及根茎与不定芽在0~20cm土层内的高度发育占据土壤上层,起到缝合农田弃荒地风蚀破口的作用;赖草无性系采取的是稳长深扎的适应对策,其总生物量在地上和地下部分的分配较为均衡,而根茎不定芽趋向于在土壤下层(20~40cm)得到更好的发育。     

Errors in LiDAR-derived shrub height and crown area on sloped terrain

This study developed and tested four methods for shrub height measurements with airborne LiDAR data in a semiarid shrub-steppe in southwestern Idaho, USA. Unique to this study was the focus of sagebrush height measurements on sloped terrain. The study also developed one of the first methods towards estimating crown area of sagebrush from LiDAR. Both sagebrush height and crown area were underestimated by LiDAR. Sagebrush height was estimated to within ± 0.26-0.32 mm (two standard deviations of standard error). Crown area was underestimated by a mean of 49%. Further, hillslope had a relatively low impact on sagebrush height and crown area estimation. From a management perspective, estimation of individual shrubs over large geographic areas can be accomplished using a 0.5 m rasterized vegetation height derivative from LiDAR. While the underestimation of crown area is substantial, we suggest that this underestimation would improve with higher LiDAR point density (>4 points/m²). Further studies can estimate shrub biomass using LiDAR height and crown area derivatives.     

Leaf nitrogen productivity as a mechanism driving the success of invasive annual grasses under low and high nitrogen supply

Invasion of the historically perennial-dominated landscapes in the Great Basin by exotic winter annual grasses is one of the most serious plant invasions in North America. Evidence suggests invasive annuals outperform native perennials under N-poor and N-rich conditions. The objective of this study was to identify key traits contributing to the success of invasive annual grasses in these environments. Three invasive annual grasses, two native perennial grasses and one introduced perennial grass were exposed to three levels of N supply. Root biomass, root length, root N uptake rate, root and leaf morphology, leaf nitrogen productivity (leaf NP) as well as biomass and N allocation were quantified over four harvests. Path analysis indicated that leaf NP was the key trait contributing to variation in N capture among the species. Species with a higher leaf NP produced more root length and consequently captured more N under a range of soil N availability. This suggests variation in leaf NP may be one critical trait determining the ability of the resident plant community to resist establishment of these invaders. Restoration programs may be able to increase weed resistance by specifically selecting for this trait in revegetation efforts.     

土地利用方式对荒漠草地生物量分配及碳密度的影响

草地生态系统群落生物量的分配模式对于研究生态系统碳储量和碳循环有着重要的意义。为了解内蒙古荒漠草地群落生物量垂直分配格局,从不同土地利用方式着手探讨群落生物量不同成层性分配规律并估算荒漠草地生物量碳密度。结果表明:(1)人工灌溉草地灌木层生物量明显高于放牧和原生草地,草本层生物量表现出灌溉草地>原生草地>放牧草地,而凋落物层表现出灌溉草地<放牧草地<原生草地,地上生物量集中在草本层(60%以上),地下0~10 cm生物量大于其他层生物量(P<0.05)。(2)灌木层生物量、草本层生物量、凋落物层间存在极显著的相关关系(P<0.0001);地下各层生物量之间存在极显著相关关系(P<0.0001);且灌溉草地与原生草地群落地上层生物量与地下层生物量之间存在显著相关关系(P<0.05),故可以建立生物量成层性分配模型。(3)生物量碳密度原生草地<放牧草地<灌溉草地。     

青海湖流域草地产草量与MODIS植被指数的相关性分析

借鉴国内外基于遥感手段监测植被的方法,利用MODIS-NDVI遥感影像数据,探讨如何对草地变化进行监测。提取青海湖流域典型草原遥感影像植被指数,并与野外调查获得的79个样方生物量数据进行对比分析,建立了多个回归模型用于研究植被指数与草地产草量的相关关系。结果表明,植被指数与草地产草量之间存在较好的相关性,但是不同的回归模型与草地产草量相关性程度存在一定的差别,非线性回归模型优于一元线性回归模型,该方法的提出有助于监测青海湖流域草地变化情况。     

A tool for estimating impacts of woody encroachment in arid grasslands: Allometric equations for biomass,carbon and nitrogen content in Prosopis velutina

Regression equations were developed to estimate above ground biomass and carbon and nitrogen mass of foliage and stem size fractions from plant size dimensions (basal diameter, canopy area, height, canopy volume) for a tall shrub species (Prosopis velutina) that has increased in abundance in arid and semi-arid grasslands in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Regression equations were also developed to describe relationships among the dimensions of plant size. All equations were significant (p < 0.001); and all but two had r² values >0.72. In addition to species-specific information, we found support for the global patterns of foliar biomass increasing to the ¾ power of stem biomass and height increasing to the ½ power of stem diameter. We provide a comprehensive report of all equations, which can support a variety of in situ (ground-based), modeling, and remote-sensing objectives related to quantifying changes in ecosystem function and carbon sequestration accompanying changes in woody plant abundance. We advocate that comprehensive reporting should become more common for arid and semi-arid woody species in order to support a broad spectrum of users while laying the foundation for the development of global generalizations similar to those available for forest trees.