Benthic response to upwelling events off the SE Brazilian coast

The main aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare temporal responses of the benthos in 2 continental shelf areas (Cabo Frio and Ubatuba) off the SE Brazilian coast. In Cabo Frio (23 degrees S, 42 degrees W), the western boundary coastal upwelling of the South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) enhances primary productivity, potentially increasing food supply to the benthic communities via sinking of particulate organic carbon (POC). In contrast, POC fluxes in Ubatuba (23 degrees S, 45 degrees W) are expected to be comparatively lower because SACW remains subsurface. We analyzed the temporal and spatial input of phytodetritus (concentration of chlorophyll a in sediments) and the benthic microbial biomass (estimated by ATP-based carbon content in sediments). Median surface chlorophyll concentration was computed for all daily available SeaWiFS images (from 2001 and 2002) to follow chlorophyll a inputs. All parameters used to investigate benthic responses in the study areas showed consistently higher values in Cabo Frio than in Ubatuba. The results showed that benthic response to upwelling may last months, fueling the microbial communities in the Cabo Frio region.

Effects of charcoal-enriched goat manure on soil fertility parameters and growth of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) in a sandy soil from northern Oman

The effect of charcoal feeding on manure quality and its subsequent application to enhance soil productivity has received little attention. The objectives of the present study therefore were to investigate the effects of (i) charcoal feeding on manure composition, and (ii) charcoal-enriched manure application on soil fertility parameters and growth of millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.). To this end, two experiments were conducted: First, a goat feeding trial where goats were fed increasing levels of activated charcoal (AC; 0, 3, 5, 7, and 9% of total ration); second, a greenhouse pot experiment using the manure from the feeding trial as an amendment for a sandy soil from northern Oman. We measured manure C, N, P, and K concentrations, soil fertility parameters and microbial biomass indices, as well as plant yield and nutrient concentrations. Manure C concentration increased significantly (P<0.001) from 45.2% (0% AC) to 60.2% (9% AC) with increasing dietary AC, whereas manure N, P, and K concentrations decreased (P<0.001) from 0% AC (N: 2.5%, P: 1.5%, K: 0.8%) to 9% AC (N: 1.7%, P: 0.8%, K: 0.4%). Soil organic carbon, pH, and microbial biomass N showed a response to AC-enriched manure. Yield of millet decreased slightly with AC enrichment, whereas K uptake was improved with increasing AC. We conclude that AC effects on manure quality and soil productivity depend on dosage of manure and AC, properties of AC, trial duration, and soil type.

Impact of a change in tillage and crop residue management practice on soil chemical and microbiological properties in a cereal-producing red duplex soil in NSW, Australia

The effect of a change of tillage and crop residue management practice on the chemical and micro-biological properties of a cereal-producing red duplex soil was investigated by superimposing each of three management practices (CC: conventional cultivation, stubble burnt, crop conventionally sown; DD: direct-drilling, stubble retained, no cultivation, crop direct-drilled; SI: stubble incorporated with a single cultivation, crop conventionally sown), for a 3-year period on plots previously managed with each of the same three practices for 14 years. A change from DD to CC or SI practice resulted in a significant decline, in the top 0-5 cm of soil, in organic C, total N, electrical conductivity, NH4-N, NO3-N, soil moisture holding capacity, microbial biomass and CO2 respiration as well as a decline in the microbial quotient (the ratio of microbial biomass C to organic C; P <0.05). In contrast, a change from SI to DD or CC practice or a change from CC to DD or SI practice had only negligible impact on soil chemical properties (P >0.05). However, there was a significant increase in microbial biomass and the microbial quotient in the top 0-5 cm of soil following the change from CC to DD or SI practice and with the change from SI to DD practice (P <0.05). Analysis of ester-linked fatty acid methyl esters (EL-FAMEs) extracted from the 0- to 5-cm and 5- to 10-cm layers of the soils of the various treatments detected changes in the FAME profiles following a change in tillage practice. A change from DD practice to SI or CC practice was associated with a significant decline in the ratio of fungal to bacterial fatty acids in the 0- to 5-cm soil (P <0.05). The results show that a change in tillage practice, particularly the cultivation of a previously minimum-tilled (direct-drilled) soil, will result in significant changes in soil chemical and microbiological properties within a 3-year period. They also show that soil microbiological properties are sensitive indicators of a change in tillage practice.

A life cycle assessment approach to quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from land-use change for beef production in eastern Australia

In life cycle assessment studies, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from direct land-use change have been estimated to make a significant contribution to the global warming potential of agricultural products. However, these estimates have a high uncertainty due to the complexity of data requirements and difficulty in attribution of land-use change. This paper presents estimates of GHG emissions from direct land-use change from native woodland to grazing land for two beef production regions in eastern Australia, which were the subject of a multi-impact life cycle assessment study for premium beef production. Spatially- and temporally consistent datasets were derived for areas of forest cover and biomass carbon stocks using published remotely sensed tree-cover data and regionally applicable allometric equations consistent with Australia's national GHG inventory report. Standard life cycle assessment methodology was used to estimate GHG emissions and removals from direct land-use change attributed to beef production. For the northern-central New South Wales region of Australia estimates ranged from a net emission of 0.03 t CO2-e ha-1 year-1 to net removal of 0.12 t CO2-e ha-1 year-1 using low and high scenarios, respectively, for sequestration in regrowing forests. For the same period (1990-2010), the study region in southern-central Queensland was estimated to have net emissions from land-use change in the range of 0.45-0.25 t CO2-e ha-1 year-1. The difference between regions reflects continuation of higher rates of deforestation in Queensland until strict regulation in 2006 whereas native vegetation protection laws were introduced earlier in New South Wales. On the basis of liveweight produced at the farm-gate, emissions from direct land-use change for 1990-2010 were comparable in magnitude to those from other on-farm sources, which were dominated by enteric methane. However, calculation of land-use change impacts for the Queensland region for a period starting 2006, gave a range from net emissions of 0.11 t CO2-e ha-1 year-1 to net removals of 0.07 t CO2-e ha-1 year-1. This study demonstrated a method for deriving spatially- and temporally consistent datasets to improve estimates for direct land-use change impacts in life cycle assessment. It identified areas of uncertainty, including rates of sequestration in woody regrowth and impacts of land-use change on soil carbon stocks in grazed woodlands, but also showed the potential for direct land-use change to represent a net sink for GHG.

Bacterial and fungal community composition over time in chicken litter with high or low moisture content

1. Changes in bacterial and fungal communities in chicken litter with high and low moisture content over a five week period during a single chicken grow out cycle in a poultry shed in subtropical Australia were investigated to study the association between specific microbes and odour production. 2. Microbial biomass, as indicated by DNA yields, was higher and community composition was more dynamic over time in moist compared with dry chicken litter. 3. Bacillus, Atopostipes and Aspergillus species increased in relative abundance in moist chicken litter samples over time reflecting the relatively high fitness and hence activity of these specific bacteria and this specific fungus in this environment.

High frequency fire alters C:N:P stoichiometry in forest litter

Fire is a major driver of ecosystem change and can disproportionately affect the cycling of different nutrients. Thus, a stoichiometric approach to investigate the relationships between nutrient availability and microbial resource use during decomposition is likely to provide insight into the effects of fire on ecosystem functioning. We conducted a field litter bag experiment to investigate the long-term impact of repeated fire on the stoichiometry of leaf litter C, N and P pools, and nutrient-acquiring enzyme activities during decomposition in a wet sclerophyll eucalypt forest in Queensland, Australia. Fire frequency treatments have been maintained since 1972, including burning every two years (2yrB), burning every four years (4yrB) and no burning (NB). C:N ratios in freshly fallen litter were 29-42% higher and C:P ratios were 6-25% lower for 2yrB than NB during decomposition, with correspondingly lower 2yrB N:P ratios (27-32) than for NB (34-49). Trends in litter soluble and microbial N:P ratios were similar to the overall litter N:P ratios across fire treatments. Consistent with these, the ratio of activities for N-acquiring to P-acquiring enzymes in litter was higher for 2yrB than NB while 4yrB was generally intermediate between 2yrB and NB. Decomposition rates of freshly fallen litter were significantly lower for 2yrB (72±2% mass remaining at the end of experiment) than for 4yrB (59±3%) and NB (62±3%), a difference that may be related to effects of N limitation, lower moisture content, and/or litter C quality. Results for older mixed-age litter were similar to those for freshly fallen litter although treatment differences were less pronounced. Overall, these findings show that frequent fire (2yrB) decoupled N and P cycling, as manifested in litter C:N:P stoichiometry and in microbial biomass N:P ratio and enzymatic activities. These data indicate that fire induced a transient shift to N-limited ecosystem conditions during the post-fire recovery phase. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Microbiological characterisation of soils : Evaluation of some critical steps in data collection and experimental design

The study of soil microbiota and their activities is central to the understanding of many ecosystem processes such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. The collection of microbiological data from soils generally involves several sequential steps of sampling, pretreatment and laboratory measurements. The reliability of results is dependent on reliable methods in every step. The aim of this thesis was to critically evaluate some central methods and procedures used in soil microbiological studies in order to increase our understanding of the factors that affect the measurement results and to provide guidance and new approaches for the design of experiments. The thesis focuses on four major themes: 1) soil microbiological heterogeneity and sampling, 2) storage of soil samples, 3) DNA extraction from soil, and 4) quantification of specific microbial groups by the most-probable-number (MPN) procedure. Soil heterogeneity and sampling are discussed as a single theme because knowledge on spatial (horizontal and vertical) and temporal variation is crucial when designing sampling procedures. Comparison of adjacent forest, meadow and cropped field plots showed that land use has a strong impact on the degree of horizontal variation of soil enzyme activities and bacterial community structure. However, regardless of the land use, the variation of microbiological characteristics appeared not to have predictable spatial structure at 0.5-10 m. Temporal and soil depth-related patterns were studied in relation to plant growth in cropped soil. The results showed that most enzyme activities and microbial biomass have a clear decreasing trend in the top 40 cm soil profile and a temporal pattern during the growing season. A new procedure for sampling of soil microbiological characteristics based on stratified sampling and pre-characterisation of samples was developed. A practical example demonstrated the potential of the new procedure to reduce the analysis efforts involved in laborious microbiological measurements without loss of precision. The investigation of storage of soil samples revealed that freezing (-20 °C) of small sample aliquots retains the activity of hydrolytic enzymes and the structure of the bacterial community in different soil matrices relatively well whereas air-drying cannot be recommended as a storage method for soil microbiological properties due to large reductions in activity. Freezing below -70 °C was the preferred method of storage for samples with high organic matter content. Comparison of different direct DNA extraction methods showed that the cell lysis treatment has a strong impact on the molecular size of DNA obtained and on the bacterial community structure detected. An improved MPN method for the enumeration of soil naphthalene degraders was introduced as an alternative to more complex MPN protocols or the DNA-based quantification approach. The main advantage of the new method is the simple protocol and the possibility to analyse a large number of samples and replicates simultaneously.

Global pressures, specific responses: effects of nutrient enrichment in streams from different biomes

13 p. + 2 p. (Erratum)

内蒙古高原成熟和退化羊草草原群落物种功能特性与土壤微生物量C、N、P对氮素添加响应

氮素是大多数陆地生态系统初级生产力的主要限制因子。由于人类的工业和农业生产活动不断加剧，导致全球性氮沉降增加，使大多数生态系统氮素的可获得性增强。从而降低或消除了氮素对生态系统的限制作用，加速了生态系统生物地球化学过程，对物种多样性和生态系统结构与功能产生了显著的影响。但由于成土母质、气候条件、地形地貌、植被组成等的差异，不同生态系统类型对氮素增加的响应也不尽相同。欧洲和北美一些发达国家地区对于草地生态系统对于全球性氮沉降增加响应进行了较全面的研究，对于分布广泛的欧亚大陆草原研究相对不足。 本文研究选择对于欧亚大陆草原较具代表性的成熟羊草草原群落及该群落的退化类型为研究对象，从1999年开始，在这两类群落中选取地形相对平缓均一，植被组成一致的地段设置了施肥小区并进行持续氮素添加实验。本文研究了成熟和退化羊草草原群落物种功能特性与土壤微生物量C、N、P对氮素添加响应。 羊草群落中6种主要植物的地上生物量、种群密度、比叶面积、叶氮和叶绿素含量对于氮素添加响应以及各指标之间相关关系的分析表明：比叶面积、基于质量的叶片含氮量和叶绿素含量、叶绿素a和叶绿素b的比值等叶片水平上物种功能特性间的相互作用，共同影响和决定了种群密度和地上生物量对氮素添加的响应。羊草通过提高比叶面积、叶片叶绿素含量和含氮量、种群密度及个体生物量等多重调节功能对氮素添加做出响应。西伯利亚羽茅主要通过提高比叶面积、单位质量叶片的叶绿素含量和含氮量，以及株丛生物量，使其在群落占据优势。大针茅和冰草在提高比叶面积、叶片叶绿素含量和含氮量的调节能力相对较低，种群密度沿氮素添加梯度显著降低。黄囊苔草只能通过提高叶片叶绿素含量和含氮量对氮素添加做出响应，其叶绿素a与叶绿素b的比值沿氮素添加梯度逐渐降低，种群密度和地上生物量也显著降低。糙隐子草的叶绿素a与叶绿素b比值沿氮素添加梯度显著降低，但由于糙隐子草具有较高的SLA，且对叶绿素、叶片含氮量的调节能力较强，氮素添加处理没有对其种群密度和地上生物量产生显著的影响。上述结果支持Tilman的光资源竞争假说和Knops等的物种替代假说。 成熟和退化羊草群落土壤微生物量、土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷、速效氮、pH以及凋落物碳、氮、磷含量的测定结果表明：（1）成熟羊草群落表层土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷含量均随氮素添加量的增加而降低;退化羊草群落表层土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷含量沿氮素梯度表现出先增加而后降低的趋势;相关分析的结果显示各群落土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷均与土壤pH呈显著的正相关。（2）微生物量碳、氮、磷含量均随土层深度的增加而下将;而对照的微生物量碳、氮、磷含量则与土壤有机质含量呈显著正相关。（3）年度间降水量差异对土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷具有较大影响。综合上述研究结果，我们认为成熟羊草群落土壤微生物生长不受氮素限制，但退化群落不同;氮素添加导致的土壤酸化作用可能是两类群落表层土壤微生物量下降的主要因素，且这种影响主要集中在0-10cm的表层土壤;表层土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷对氮素添加的响应可能还受到其它因子（如生长季降水量）的影响;深层土壤微生物量较低主要是由于土壤有机质含量较低的缘故。

黄土丘陵区草地土壤微生物C、N及呼吸熵对植被恢复的响应

以野外样地调查和室内分析法研究了黄土丘陵区不同植被恢复年限下草地土壤微生物C、N及土壤呼吸熵的变化。结果表明,土壤微生物量碳明显地随着植被恢复年限的增加而增加。在恢复前23a,土壤微生物量碳在0～20cm土层年增加率为24.1%;20～40cm为104.4%。植被恢复23a后,0～20cm土层增长率为0.83%,20～40cm为0.19%。土壤微生物量N表现为在植被恢复的初期略有下降,3a后,开始出现明显增加。0～20cm土层年增长率为20.14%,20～40cm为15.11%。在植被恢复23a后,0～20cm土层的年增长率为0.14%,20～40cm变化不大。土壤微生物呼吸强度随着恢复年限的增加逐渐加强;土壤呼吸熵随植被封育时间的增加而呈对数降低趋势。土壤呼吸熵(qCO2)在反映土壤的生物质量变化时,显得更加稳定,受植物生长状况影响较小。相关分析表明,土壤微生物量和土壤微生物活性与土壤有机质、碱解氮和粘粒含量显著正相关;与土壤粉粒含量明显负相关;表层土壤pH值对其也有明显影响。草地植被自然恢复过程可增加土壤微生物活性,有利于土壤质量的提高。

黄土丘陵区退耕撂荒地土壤微生物量演变过程

土壤微生物量是表征土壤生态系统中物质和能量流动的重要参数,研究黄土丘陵区坡耕地撂荒后微生物量及其活性的变化过程对认识该地区生态恢复过程中土壤质量的演变及其效果评价具有重要意义。【方法】采用时空互代法,以典型侵蚀环境纸坊沟流域生态恢复过程中不同年限的撂荒地为研究对象,选取坡耕地和天然侧柏林为参照,通过室内测试分析,并运用统计和相关分析等方法,研究坡耕地撂荒后土壤微生物量、呼吸强度、代谢商(qCO2)及土壤理化性质的演变特征。【结果】侵蚀环境下的坡耕地土壤微生物量含量偏低,土壤理化性质较差,撂荒后理化性质得到显著改善,微生物量碳(Cmic)在撂荒1a后显著增大,前7a较为剧烈,增幅较大,随后呈波动式上升,50a达到最大值;微生物量氮(Nmic)在撂荒初期增长缓慢,40a时才达到显著水平,微生物量磷(Pmic)在撂荒初期显著降低,5～7a达到最低值,随后逐渐上升,20～25a时和坡耕地没有显著差异,50a时达到最大值。撂荒50a时土壤Cmic、Nmic和Pmic分别较坡耕地增加166%、146%和52%,但仅为侧柏林的43.42%、45.06%和51.47%。呼吸强度在撂荒初期迅速增加,随后趋于稳定,与侧柏...

退耕草地演替过程中的碳储量变化

退耕草地演替的研究对了解现有退耕草地的变化趋势有重要意义,也可以为退耕地的植被恢复提供科学依据。本研究采用以空间代替时间的方法,对处于不同演替时间阶段退耕草地的土壤碳储量以及植被的地上部分与根系生物碳储量变化进行了研究,结果表明,退耕草地演替过程中,地上部分生物碳储量呈阶梯式上升趋势,演替初期地上部分生物碳储量先降后升,并在演替的22~32年,保持相对平稳,之后在演替的40~60年,达到第2个相对平稳的阶段。根系生物碳储量也呈分阶段的阶梯式上升趋势,但第1个相对平稳的阶段出现在演替的第12~28年,在演替的第32~60年出现第2个相对平稳的阶段。退耕草地的土壤碳储量在退耕演替的初期下降,且在演替的第1~12年一直小于农地,在演替的第15年之后,土壤碳储量逐步上升。在0~150 cm的不同土层中,土壤有机碳含量以0~15 cm最高,在演替的1~12年,各土层有机碳含量均小于农地,之后在演替的第15~60年,各土层土壤有机碳含量均随演替时间的增加有所增加,且0~50 cm表层土壤有机碳含量在演替第34~60年迅速积累,增幅较大。在演替初期,草地地上部分生物碳储量、根系生物碳储量和土壤碳储量较演替第1年均表现为下降...

黄土丘陵区封禁对侵蚀土壤微生物生物量的影响

采用时空互代法,以典型侵蚀环境纸坊沟流域不同封禁年限的狼牙刺群落和杂灌群落为研究对象,选取放牧地和天然次生林为参照,分析了生态恢复过程中土壤微生物生物量、呼吸强度、代谢商及理化性质的演变特征。结果表明,封禁后土壤理化性质明显改善;微生物生物量随封禁年限的延长变化显著,阳坡随封禁年限增加土壤微生物生物量逐渐增加,25 a后微生物生物量碳、氮、磷较封禁前分别增加252%、161%和174%,但显著低于天然侧柏林,仅为其39.0%、41.8%和53.7%;阴坡封禁前10年微生物生物量迅速增加,随后增加幅度减缓,呈波动式缓慢上升趋势;封禁25 a后微生物生物量碳、氮、磷分别增加108%、93%和102%,但明显低于天然杂灌丛群落和辽东栎林,仅为辽东栎林的54.4%、49.1%和40.1%。土壤呼吸强度在封禁5 a后增大明显,且随着年限增加逐渐上升,阳坡25 a时达到最大值,而阴坡15 a时达到最大值,随后开始有所下降,25 a后降至最低点,但仍显著高于放牧地,相同封禁年限的土壤呼吸强度阴坡明显高于阳坡。qCO2随着封禁进程逐渐降低,25 a后达到最低值。相关性分析显示微生物生物量碳、氮、磷、呼吸强度、qCO2与土壤养...

不同放牧强度下高山草甸生态系统碳氮分布格局和循环过程研究

本研究针对川西北高山草甸缺乏科学管理，过度放牧导致草场退化，并由此引发的一系列生态环境问题，选取红原县瓦切乡1996 年草地承包后形成的四个放牧强度草场，即不放牧、轻度（1.2 头牦牛hm-1）、中度（2.0 头牦牛hm-1）和重度放牧（2.9 头牦牛hm-1），作为研究对象，研究了不同放牧强度对草地植物-土壤系统中碳、氮这两个最基本物质的分布格局和循环过程的影响，并探讨了放牧干扰下高山草甸生态系统的管理。 1．放牧对草地植物群落物种组成，尤其是优势种，产生了明显的影响。不放牧、轻度、中度和重度放牧草地群落物种数分别为22，23，26，20 种，群落盖度分别是不放牧96.2%＞中度93.6%＞轻度89.7%＞重度73.6%。随放牧强度的增加， 原植物群落中的优势种垂穗鹅冠草（ Roegneria nutans ）、发草（Deschampsia caespitosa）和垂穗披碱草（Elymus nutans）等禾草逐渐被莎草科的川嵩草（Kobresia setchwanensis）和高山嵩草（Kobresia pygmaea）所取代成为优势种。同时，随放牧强度的增加，高原毛茛（Ranunculus brotherusii）、狼毒（Stellera chamaejasme）、鹅绒委陵菜（Potentilla anserina）和车前（Plantagodepressa）等杂类草的数量也随之增加。 2．生长季6～9 月份，草地植物地上和地下生物量（0～30cm）都是从6 月份开始增长，8 月份达到最高值，9 月份开始下降。每个月份，通常地上生物量以不放牧为最高，重度放牧总是显著小于不放牧；地下生物量随放牧强度的增加表现为增加的趋势，通常重度和中度放牧显著高于不放牧和轻度放牧草地。不放牧、轻度、中度和重度放牧草地6～9 月份4 个月的植物总生物量平均值分别是1543、1622、2295 和2449 g m-2，但随放牧强度的增加越来越来多的生物量被分配到了地下部分，地下生物量占总生物量比例的大小顺序分别是重度88%＞中度82%＞轻度76%＞不放牧69%。生物量这种变化主要是由于放牧使得群落优势种发生改变而引起的，其分配比例的变化体现了草地植物对放牧干扰的适应策略。 3．植物碳氮贮量的季节变化类似与生物量的变化。每个月份，不同放牧强度间植物地上碳氮的贮量有所不同，一般重度放牧会显著减少植物地上碳氮贮量。植物根系(0～30cm)碳氮贮量随放牧强度的增加表现为增加的趋势，通常重度和中度放牧显著高于不放牧和轻度放牧草地。不放牧、轻度、中度和重度放牧草地6～9 月份4 个月的植物总碳平均值分别是547、586、847 和909 g m-2，根系碳贮量占植物总碳的比例大小顺序分别是重度88%＞中度82%＞轻度76%＞不放牧69%；放牧、轻度、中度和重度放牧草地6～9 月份4 个月的植物总氮平均值分别是17、17、23 和26 g m-2，根系氮贮量占植物总氮的比例大小顺序分别是重度79%＞轻度71%＞中度70%＞不放牧65%。 4. 土壤有机碳贮量（0～30cm）的季节变化表现为7 月份略有下降，8 月开始增加，9 月份达到的最大值。土壤氮贮量的季节变化表现为随季节的推移逐渐增加的趋势。增加的放牧强度不同程度的增加土壤有机碳氮的贮量。不放牧、轻度、中度和重度放牧6～9 月份4 个月的土壤有机碳贮量的平均值分别是9.72、10.36、10.62 和11.74 kg m-2，土壤氮贮量分别为1.45、1.56、1.66 和1.83 kg m-2。土壤中有机碳（氮）的贮量都占到了植物-土壤系统有机碳（氮）的90%以上，但不同放牧强度之间的差异不明显。 5. 土壤氮的总硝化和反硝化，温室气体N2O 和CO2 的释放率的季节变化表现为从6 月份开始增加，7 月份达到最大值，8 月份开始下降，9 月份降为最小值。增加的放牧强度趋向于增加土壤氮的总硝化和反硝化作用，温室气体N2O和CO2 的释放率，通常情况下，中度放牧和重度放牧显著地加强了这些过程。 6．垂穗鹅冠草（Roegneria nutans）和川嵩草（Kobresia setchwanensis）凋落物在不同放牧强度下经过1 年的分解，两种凋落物的失重率及其碳氮的损失率3都随放牧增加表现为增加的趋势。在同一放牧强度下，川嵩草凋落物的失重率和碳氮的损失率都高于垂穗鹅冠草凋落物。 7. 尽管重度放牧显著增加了土壤碳氮的贮量，但同时也显著降低了植被群落盖度，降低了植物地上生物量，因此，久而久之会减少植物向土壤中的碳氮归还率；与不放牧和轻度放牧相比，重度放牧又显著增加了土壤CO2 和NO2 的排放量，这是草地生态系统碳氮损失的重要途径。由此可见，对于这些地处青藏高原的非常脆弱的高山草甸生态系统，长期重度放牧不仅导致植物生产力降低，而且将导致草地生态系统退化，甚至造成土壤中碳氮含量减少。 Long-term overgrazing has resulted in considerable deterioration in alpine meadowof the northwest Sichan Province. In order to explore management strategies for thesustainability of these alpine meadows, we selected four grasslands with differentgrazing intensity (no grazing-NG: 0, light grazing-LG: 1.2, moderate grazing-MG: 2.0,and heavy grazing-HG: 2.9 yaks ha-1) to evaluate carbon, nitrogen pools and cyclingprocesses within the plant-soil system in Waqie Village, Hongyuan County, Sichuan Province. 1. Grazing obviously changed the plant species composition, especially ondominant plant species. Total number of species is 22, 23, 26, and 20 for NG, LG, MGand HG, respectively. Vegetation coverage under different grazing intensity ranked inthe order of 96.2% for HG＞93.6% for MG＞89.7% for LG＞73.6% for NG. Thedominator of HG community shifted from grasses-Roegneria nutans andDeschampsia caespitosa dominated in the NG and LG sites into sedges-Kobresiapygmaea and K. setchwanensis. At the same time, with the increase of grazingintensity, the numbers of forbs, such as Ranunculus brotherusii, Stellera chamaejasme,Potentilla anserine and Plantago depressa, increased with grazing intensity. 2. Over the growing season, aboveground and belowground biomass showed a 5single peak pattern with the highest biomass in August. For each month, abovegroundbiomass usually was the highest in the NG site and lowest in the HG site.Belowground biomass showed a trend of increase as grazing intensity increased and itwas significantly higher in the HG and MG site than in the NG and LG sites. Totalplant biomass averaged over the growing season is 1543, 1622, 2295 and 2449 g m-2for NG, LG, MG and HG, respectively. The proportion of biomass to total plantbiomass for NG, LG, MG and HG is 88%, 82%, 76% and 69%, respectively. Higherallocation ratio for is an adaptive response of plant to grazing. 3. Carbon and nitrogen storage in plant components followed the similar seasonalpatterns as their biomass under different grazing intensities. Generally, heavy grazingsignificantly decreases aboveground biomass carbon and nitrogen compared to nograzing. Carbon and nitrogen storage in root tended to increase as grazing increasedand they are significantly higher in the HG and MG sites compared to the LG and NGsite. Total Carbon storage in plant system averaged over the growing season is 547,586, 847 and 909 g m-2 for NG, LG, MG and HG, respectively, while 17, 17, 23 and 26g m-2 for nitrogen. The proportion of carbon storage in root to total plant carbon forNG, LG, MG and HG is 88%, 82%, 76%, 69%, respectively, while 65%, 71%, 70%and 79% for nitrogen. 4. Carbon storage in soil (0-30cm) decreased slightly in July, then increased inAugust and peaked in September. Nitrogen storage in soil tended to increase withseason and grazing intensity. Total Carbon storage in soil averaged over the growingseason is 9.72, 10.36, 10.62 and11.74 kg m-2 for NG, LG, MG and HG, respectively,while 1.45, 1.56, 1.66 and 1.83 for nitrogen. The proportion of carbon (nitrogen)storage in soil to plant-soil system carbon (nitrogen) storage for NG, LG, MG and HGis more than 90%, which is not markedly different among different grazing intensities. 5. Gross nitrification, denitrification, CO2 and N2O flux rates in soil increasedfrom June to July and then declined until September, all of which tended to increasewith the increase of grazing intensity. Generally, heavy and moderate grazing intensitysignificantly enhanced these process compared to no and light grazing intensity. 6. After decomposing in situ for a year, relative weight, carbon and nitrogen loss in the litter of Roegneria nutans and Kobresia setchwanensis tended to increase asgrazing intensity increased. Under the same grazing intensity, relative weight, carbonand nitrogen loss in the litter of Kobresia setchwanensis were higher than these in thelitter of Roegneria nutans. 7. Although heavy grazing intensity resulted in higher levels of carbon andnitrogen in plant and soil, it decreased vegetation coverage and aboveground biomass,which are undesirable for livestock production and sustainable grassland development.What is more, heavy grazing could also introduce potential carbon and nitrogen lossvia increasing CO2 and N2O emission into the atmosphere. Grazing at moderateintensity resulted in a plant community dominated by forage grasses with highaboveground biomass productivity and N content. The alpine meadow ecosystems inTibetan Plateau are very fragile and evolve under increasing grazing intensity by largeherbivores; therefore, deterioration of the plant-soil system, and possible declines insoil C and N, are potential without proper management in the future.

牦牛粪便对青藏高原东部高寒草甸土壤养分系统的影响

川西北高寒草甸位于青藏高原东部地区，是我国四大牧区之一，也是长江和黄河等江河源区的重要水源涵养功能区。近几十年来，大量牦牛粪便被牧民作为生物能源、肥料或者食用菌产业的原料而利用，为草原生态系统的养分平衡增加了生态风险。鉴于在青藏高原地区针对牦牛粪便的相关研究尚未见报道，本文从粪便和土壤养分相互变化趋势的角度出发，研究了粪便在夏秋两季的分解状况和粪便其下及其周围土壤的养分变化。通过此研究，将有助于了解牦牛粪便在自然状态下的分解速率以及粪便对土壤养分及土壤微生物生物量的影响，为粪便对草地土壤生态系统的贡献提供概念性认识，同时也为高寒草甸草地这种脆弱生态系统的可持续管理提供理论依据。 针对牦牛粪便自身养分释放及其对土壤在时间和空间尺度上的影响，本文通过模拟牛粪堆积，在不同时间和固定区域内对牛粪和土壤进行了夏秋两季的采样测定，分析了牛粪及土壤NO3--N、NH4+-N、速效K、无机P、有机C、全N 和全P 含量随时间的变化趋势。得到如下结果： 1. 在研究区域内，牛粪对草地生态系统具有较强的养分（N、P）贡献能力。据初步统计，其估值大致为氮素699~932 kg ha-1，P 素为110~147 kg ha-1。牛粪（湿重、干重）在夏秋季节的分解速率具有较大差异，夏季显著快于秋季。夏季牛粪湿重、干重在2 个月左右之后分别降为初期的14%和24%，而秋季同期分别降为35%和52%。牛粪养分（NO3--N、NH4+-N、速效K、无机P、有机C、全N 和全P）的分解速率在夏季也要显著快于秋季。秋季经过2 个月左右的分解之后，牛粪以上含量分别降至初始态的32%、60%、36%、64%、58%、63%和43%，远高于夏季的同期水平。 2. 在不同季节，牛粪周围的土壤养分（NO3--N、NH4+-N、速效K 和无机P）含量变化随时间改变呈现相同的趋势。但是，牛粪周围不同远近下土壤养分随时间的动态变化幅度略有不同。粪下土壤养分含量随时间变化波动较大，距粪便越远，随时间变化的变幅越为平缓。总体来说，在夏季由于粪便分解较快，对土壤养分的持续作用时间不及秋季，秋季粪便分解变慢，表现出养分的缓释特征。其次，牛粪对粪下土壤影响的持续时间也长于对周围土壤的作用时间。 3. 粪便对土壤养分（NO3--N、NH4+-N、速效K、无机P）影响的范围在不同季节具有差异。夏季要高于秋季，但对周围土壤养分影响的持续时间低于秋季。在夏季短期内，牛粪对土壤NO3--N 和速效K 含量的影响范围能够超过30cm，而对NH4+-N 和无机P 的影响范围则介于10cm 和30cm 之间。在2 个月左右之后，牛粪对周围土壤养分的影响能力基本消失。在秋季，牛粪对周围土壤养分影响范围难以达到30cm 处。粪便在夏季对其下土壤和周围土壤的有机C、全N 和全P 含量并无显著影响，但在秋季能显著增加其下土壤有机C、全N 和全P 含量。 4. 牛粪在秋季对土壤SMB-C、SMB-N 和SMB-P 含量的影响能够持续2 个月以上，由于秋冬季节牛粪分解缓慢，因此推断这种效应持续时间至少能够1 年左右。另一方面，牛粪在秋季对土壤SMB-C、SMB-N 和SMB-P 含量的影响范围主要集中在其下土壤，而周围的影响效应并不明显。 The grassland on the eastern fringe of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was one of the four greatest pasture zones in our country and the main water conservation function zones in the hesastream of Yangtse River and Huanghe river. Rencent years, lots of dung in this area was used as biological energy, fertilizer or material of fungoid growing, leading to high risk of nutrient banlance in grassland ecosystem. In view of the researches on the impact of yak dung in this area are relatively rare, the present study focused on the relationship of dung and soil nutrient transformation in sunmer and autumn, which could profoundly illuminate the mechanism of dung decomposition and the effect of dung on soil chemical properties and soil microbe biomass. The present study also contributed to a basic understand and provided scientific management in the high-frigid ecosystem. Decomposition of yak dung and its effect on soil chemical properties in eastern grassland of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau were determined. The study simulated the real dung pats, took dung and soil samples at different time and fixed-point in summer and autumn. The samples were analysed for NO3--N, NH4+-N, available K, inorganic P, total organic C (TOC), total N (TN), total P (TP). It was concluded that: 1. In study area, the yak dung supplied to ecosystem substantial nutrient. It is estimated that the N contribution of dung was approximately 699~932 kg ha-1, P contribution was approximately 110~147 kg ha-1. The rate of yak decomposition was more rapid in summer than autumn, the wet and dry weight of yak decreased to 14% and 24% respectively after 2 months when dung excreted in summer, with 35% and 52% in autumn. The content of NO3--N、NH4+-N、available K、inorganic P、TOC、TN and TP in dung decomposed more rapid in summer too. After 2 months when dung excreted in autumn, the content of above nutrient decreased to 32%、60%、36%、64%、58%、63% and 43% respectively，which were significantly higher than summer. 2. The content of NO3--N、NH4+-N、available K and inorganic P in soil around dung had the same transformation trend in each season, whereas it was distinguishing at different gradient of distance from dung, the nutrient in soil below dung had the most significant change while the more far from dung, the less change in soil. It was concluded that the yak dung had prolong impacts on soil in autumn compared with summer, besides, it aslo showed that the yak dung had protract effect on soil below dung compared with soil around dung. 3. The yak dung had expansive impact on soil around dung in summer whereas had relatively short effect compared with autumn. In short-term at summer, there was a significant increase about the content of NO3--N and available K around 30cm radius from dung pat while the content of NH4+-N and inorganic P between 10cm to 30cm. After 2 months, the impact almost disappeared. In autumn, the effect was hard to reach 30cm. The yak dung had no significant effects on the content of TOC、TN and TP in soil below or around dung in summer whereas there was a obvious increase in soil below dung pat in autumn. 4. The duration of effect of yak dung on soil microbial biomass(SMB) C、N and P was at least 2 months, maybe even more than 1 year. On the other hand, the impact of dung on SMB-C、SMB-N and SMB-P mainly acted on soil below dung while no obious effect on soil around dung.