土壤水分对流动沙丘迎风坡与丘间低地过渡带植被入侵的制约

在半干旱沙区植物天然更新过程中,种子萌发、幼苗出土是植物种群维持和实现更新的关键阶段。通常认为,在这一阶段,土壤水分和土壤种子库是主要制约因素。分别对流动沙丘迎风坡与丘间低地过渡带的出土幼苗密度与土壤种子库密度和土壤水分进行二元相关分析。结果表明,生长季的出土幼苗密度与土壤种子库密度的相关性未达到显著水平（P>0.05）;出土幼苗密度与土壤水分呈显著正相关（P<0.05）,而且,幼苗密度随土壤水分呈对数增加。这说明,在植被入侵流动沙丘迎风坡与丘间低地过渡带裸沙的过程中,土壤水分是主要的制约因素,而土壤种子库的制约作用则没有表现出来,植被自然恢复更多地依赖于从沙丘附近植物群落传播来的种子。     

蒙古韭(Allium mongolicum)的分布和结实特性

为掌握蒙古韭(Allium mongolicum)在中国的分布现状和种群发展趋势,采用野外踏查和栽培实验相结合的方法,对其地理分布范围进行了界定;以结实量调查数据为基础,分析了不同分布区域蒙古韭的结实特点以及影响因素。结果显示:(1)蒙古韭在中国的分布区约在36°28′—46°14′N、88°39′—116°05′E之间,包括陕西、甘肃、宁夏、内蒙古、新疆、青海6省(区)。(2)由于生境差异,蒙古韭不同群落中物种组成差异很大,蒙古韭多为伴生种或偶见种,很少为优势种。(3)不同生境条件下蒙古韭的结实特性差异较大,多数地区没有结实或结实率很小,主要是因为干旱导致其生殖生长受阻,加之人为因素干扰,使蒙古韭不能正常完成其生活史。     

Living where others dare not: Microhabitat distribution in Chorizanthe rigida,a serotinous desert annual

We studied the small scale distribution pattern of Chorizanthe rigida, a serotinous desert annual, in a shrub-mound-to-desert-pavement gradient. Two sites were established in the Mojave Desert and two sites where established in the Sonoran Desert. We placed transects along a soil surface gradient from shrub mounds to desert pavements, and measured land surface properties, soil characteristics, and C. rigida's small scale distribution. A Principal Components Analysis was done on the resulting site × soil variables matrix. C. rigida established preferentially in desert pavements outside shrub canopies. Pavements showed finer soil textures and higher electrical conductivities, while shrub mounds had sandy textures, low surface rockiness, higher nitrogen, and higher cover of annuals. We discuss a probable relationship between seed retention and the establishment on desert pavements: timing seed release allows this species to avoid wind- or animal-induced seed dispersal into shrub mounds and establish outside the nurse mounds, where most annual plants concentrate. The seeds encased in the serotinous involucres, released after rains, are dispersed by run-off into the desert pavements and transition zones where, once developed, the dead seed-retaining structures of adult C. rigida plants persist for years releasing seeds to subsequent rain events.     

毛乌素沙区腹地提高飞播成效的技术措施研究

飞播治沙造林作为一项快速有效的现代化造林措施,已经成为鄂尔多斯毛乌素沙区腹地植被恢复与建设的重要手段。长期的飞播造林实践表明：①在飞播区,设置沙障是提高飞播成效的重要途径。设置平铺式间距4 m行列式沙障和直立式间距6 m行列式沙障,飞播物种成苗率较高,比对照（CK）区的成苗率高出36.5%~37.1%。②飞播种子包衣、丸化处理,均能促进成苗,包衣处理更有利于飞播植物生长。飞播种子包衣、丸化处理与裸种相比,成苗率分别提高了10.6%和13.72%。而且包衣种子播后15 d,其根长、根条数、地径和高生长比对照分别高出11.93 mm、0.9条、0.29 mm和3.24 mm。③不论是在何种立地条件下,经过地面处理的样方内的飞播种子成苗量明显高于对照区样方内的成苗量,其中,采取综合措施的破土处理效果最好,成苗量是对照区的6~8倍。     

Gender and agrobiodiversity: a case study from Bangladesh

Local geography and gender are two major factors determining which crop varieties are cultivated in a case study of two rural villages in Bangladesh. This paper explores the interrelationships between gender, agrobiodiversity, and the use of, and preferences for, improved and local crop varieties. These are examined in relation to rice, minor field crops, and home garden fruits and vegetables. Reasons for both the displacement and the persistence of local varieties (LVs) are analysed in comparison to improved variety (IV) diffusion. The research evaluates agrobiodiversity through the number, types, and varieties of crops grown in fields and home gardens. The desired agroecological, economic, and cultural characteristics of crops grown document how respondents rank their variety preferences. Variety preferences and the perceived importance of LV preservation are compared with what is actually grown. The study indicates that there was little variation between villages in their approach towards the use of IV and LV rice; IVs were cultivated for their high yields and LV rice for taste and culinary uses. However, there were significant differences in relative agricultural dependence between the two villages which led to unique variety preferences. In both villages, women's preferences for IVs or LVs play a major role in crop choices, particularly as they manifest themselves in gendered domains of authority.     

Fluvial seed dispersal of riparian trees: transport and depositional processes

Fluvial seed dispersal considers both the transport and deposition of seeds where channel geomorphic structures, hydrology and seed dispersal traits contribute to transport times and depositional locations. This study examines the influence of stream flow patterns on fluvial seed dispersal of buoyant white alder (Alnus rhombifolia) seeds by applying a one‐dimensional transport model. Conceptually, the model separates the stream into two components: (i) the main channel where the seeds are transported downstream; and (ii) the transient storage zone where seeds are temporarily detained or deposited on the river bank. Transport processes are characterized by an advection–dispersion equation which is coupled to a transient storage model using an exponential decay term. The model parameters: longitudinal dispersion (D_L), exchange coefficient (α), main channel area (A) and storage zone (A_s) are estimated based on field experiments conducted in a confined, bedrock‐gravel bed river with pool‐riffle morphology located in coastal northern California. The riparian zone is inhabited by Alnus rhombifolia that disperse buoyant seeds in mid‐spring coinciding with the end of the wet, Mediterranean season. Artificial seeds, with similar traits of buoyancy and density to alder seeds, were used to quantify transport times and depositional locations. Preferential deposition resulted in stream reaches with larger A_s, high A_s/A ratios, and faster exchange coefficients corresponding to divergent stream flow (back‐eddies, re‐circulating flow, flow expansions) caused by geomorphic structures such as the ends of bar/riffle features and bends in the stream. The results demonstrate the importance of transient storage for seed transport and depositional processes. Morphological features that increase a channel's complexity create complex flow structures that detain seeds and provide a greater opportunity for deposition to occur. The model provides a simplification of river hydraulics to represent dispersal dynamics and lends itself to further understanding of hydrochory processes and associated population structure. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Wind as an Ecological Agent at Treelines in North America,the Alps,and the European Subarctic

The altitudinal treeline ecotone is a windy environment where wind velocities and directions are controlled by local mountain topography and also by the distribution pattern and structures of tree stands. Wind may override the role of heat deficiency in determining treeline position, spatial pattern, ecological conditions, and tree growth. Regular strong permanent winds restrict tree height and usually cause asymmetric and suppressed growth forms that are common in the treeline ecotone. Apart from direct physiological and mechanical effects on trees and ground vegetation, wind also disperses seeds, relocates snow, and locally erodes soils in the treeline ecotone. Wind effects must be considered an important factor that may delay or even preclude establishment of seedling trees on wind-swept terrain. Discussions of a potential climatically driven upward shift of the treeline at the landscape and smaller scales should give greater attention to the varying wind effects because warming cannot compensate for these other factors. The relative importance of microsite facilitation providing shelter from the wind will increase in parallel with the upslope migration of the tree limit into a much windier environment.     

天然固定沙地与人工固沙植被区土壤种子库的比较研究

土壤种子库是退化生态系统植被恢复重建的重要基础,研究土壤种子库特征对于阐明退化生态系统受损与恢复机理具有重要的科学意义。通过野外土样采集、野外种子萌发定位跟踪调查和室内周期性种子萌发实验,对腾格里沙漠东南缘人工固沙植被区和天然固定沙地的土壤种子库特征进行了对比研究。结果表明：人工固沙植被区土壤种子库包含21个物种,分属于8科;天然固定沙地土壤种子库有33种植物,属于11科。人工固沙植被区以一年生植物为主,天然固定沙地以多年生植物为主。人工固沙植被区的种子总密度明显低于天然固定沙地,但不同物种种子的密度变化存在显著差异。人工固沙植被区的物种丰富度和多样性指数均较天然固定沙地低。人工固沙植被区和天然固定沙地的土壤种子库与地上植被物种的相似性系数分别为0.73和0.71。尽管人工固沙植被区土壤种子库存在少量多年生植物种子,但仍未发展到以多年生草本植物为主的群落演替阶段,说明人工固沙植被区的植物多样性恢复尚需要漫长的过程。     

Evaluation ofCitrullus colocynthis, a desert plant native in Israel, as a potential source of edible oil

Citrulus colocynthis(wild gourd) is a desert plant of the Cucurbitaceae, naturally adapted to arid environments. It was known in biblical times as a source of seed oil and its fruits were used as an efficient laxative. Accessions were collected in Israel and evaluated as a potential oil seed crop adapted to arid zones. It was found that its oil composition is similar to safflower oil, with a total of 80-85% unsaturated fatty acids. A potential yield of oil of 250-400 l ha⁻¹was calculated. The best yield was obtained during the first 4 weeks of the 10-week maturation period. Yield potential should be estimated under desert conditions in order to evaluate the plant's economic future as a crop suitable for an arid environment.     

盐胁迫对红砂(Reaumuria soongorica)种子吸胀过程中生理特性的影响

以0%、0.5%、1.0%、1.5%、2.0%、2.5%、3.0%的NaCl和CaCl2溶液处理红砂(Reaumuria soongorica)种子,探讨了两种盐胁迫对种子吸胀过程中生理特性的影响及对种子的伤害程度。结果表明:红砂种子发芽率随两种盐胁迫的加剧极显著下降。种子丙二醛(MDA)含量在NaCl溶液胁迫后先下降后上升,在盐溶液浓度为1.0%时达到最小值,在2.5%处达到最大值;经不同浓度的CaCl2溶液胁迫后,MDA含量呈上升趋势,且均高于对照,最大值出现在3.0%处;种子内可溶性糖含量随NaCl和CaCl2溶液浓度的增大先下降后上升,分别在盐溶液浓度为1.0%和2.0%时达到最小值;种子过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的变化较小;过氧化物酶(POD)活性随两种盐浓度的增加显著降低;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性随两种盐溶液浓度的增加先下降再上升又下降,但总体低于对照。经综合分析得出,CaCl2对红砂种子的伤害程度大于NaCl。