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1.
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.  相似文献   

2.
Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths (blue grama), Bouteloua eriopoda (Torr.) Torr. (black grama), and Larrea tridentata Coville (creosotebush) are dominant plants on the McKenzie Flats portion of the Llano de Manzano landform within Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in central New Mexico, part of the biome ecotone from the Colorado Shortgrass Steppe to the Chihuahuan Desert. In this study, we examine the hypothesis that soil heterogeneity, determined by variation in surface soil depth, carbonate accumulation, and fine-textured fraction, controls relative dominance of the three species. The area is flat, generally <1% slope; however, abrupt soil differences exist even within the flattest parts of the landscape that correspond to the pattern of buried channels incised in a petrocalcic horizon (caliche) formed in a 0.5–1.2 million year-old paleosol beneath the current surface soil. Multivariate analyses of soil-moisture-related variables suggest that B. gracilis, a Colorado Shortgrass Steppe indicator, dominates the buried paleochannels where Holocene surface deposits are deepest and the argillic (clay-rich) B-horizon is thickest. B. eriopoda, dominant in Chihuahuan Desert grasslands, is most abundant where the buried petrocalcic horizon lies within 40–60 cm of the surface and the argillic horizon is thinner and weakly developed. L. tridentata, an indicator of desertified Chihuahuan Desert shrubland, is dominant where the petrocalcic horizon is exposed or near the surface. This study illustrates the strong relationship between geomorphology, soil development and vegetation patterns in arid and semi-arid environments.  相似文献   

3.
Land use change in the American West has altered sagebrush dominated ecosystems, facilitating exotic grass invasion, increased woody species, altered fire regimes, and native species losses. Restoring fire regimes may be integral to the restoration of sagebrush ecosystems. However, little is known about how the timing of prescribed fire differentially impacts the soil seedbank. Further, sites of different ecological condition may variably respond to fire. To address these uncertainties, we quantified germination of invasive cheatgrass and plant functional groups (native dicots, exotic dicots, native bunchgrasses, and native shrubs) following spring and fall prescribed burns in three mountain big sagebrush communities at Lava Beds National Monument, California. At cheatgrass and native-dominated sites, there were fewer cheatgrass seedlings (91% and 86%, respectively) immediately following spring fire than in unburned controls, but this reduction did not persist one year later. Fall burns did not significantly impact cheatgrass or exotic dicot germination. At a native dominated site, native dicots increased one year following spring (1620%) and fall burns (67%), suggesting adaptation to a natural fire regime. This research shows that the prefire condition of an ecosystem greatly influences the postfire germination response, and that fire-adapted ecosystems can benefit from the natural disturbance regime.  相似文献   

4.
Shrub fertile islands are a common feature in arid ecosystems. To examine the effect of plant species on the spatial patterns of soil chemical and physical properties surrounding individual shrubs, two deciduous shrub species with different morphologies (Tamarix spp. and Haloxylon ammodendron Bge.) were studied at an oasis–desert ecotone in South Junggar Basin. Soil samples were collected under the shrub crown (canopy), at the vertically projected limit of shrub crown margin (periphery), and in the space between shrub crowns (interspace) at two depths, 0–10 and 10–20 cm, to analyze their physical and chemical properties. The results show that the fertile islands of Tamarix spp. are enriched with more soil nutrients (significantly higher, P<0.05; soil organic matter (SOM); total nitrogen (TN) and available nitrogen (AN); to a deeper depth (>20 cm) and in a larger area (beyond the canopied area) compared to that of H. ammodendron (significantly higher, P<0.05, soil nutrients detected only for AN; <20 cm in depth; smaller than the canopied area). Soil texture patterns surrounding the shrubs of the two species are even more different, with more coarse particles under the Tamarix spp. canopies compared to the interspace between shrubs but fewer under the H. ammodendron canopies compared to the interspaces. These variations are attributed to the difference in morphology of the two studied species: the Y-shaped crowns of H. ammodendron are less capable of capturing and maintaining litter under them than the hemispheroidal crowns of Tamarix spp., which leads to the less well developed fertile islands surrounding H. ammodendron shrubs.  相似文献   

5.
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.  相似文献   

6.
《自然地理学》2013,34(6):574-588
Casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia) is a problematic invasive species within the Bahamas, associated with numerous environmental problems. Previous studies suggest casuarinas establish ecologically sterile monocultures, yet there is limited research on whether soils from casuarina-dominated sites differ physically or chemically from comparable soils under native vegetation. Because of the lack of knowledge and because this invader has the potential to be detrimental to native ecosystems, we conducted a study to examine differences in soil properties between sites where casuarinas dominated versus sites where casuarinas were absent. Soils at casuarina-dominated sites had lower potassium, phosphorus, and organic matter concentrations and had lower pH levels. But, casuarina-dominated sites had significantly higher leaf-litter abundances. No significant differences between soils were detected for calcium concentrations, magnesium concentrations, cation exchange capacity, nitrate-nitrogen concentrations, or soil moisture levels. A multivariate ordination showed that casuarina-dominated soils were more similar to one another than to non-casuarina soils. Thus, soil characteristics from casuarina-dominated areas appear to differ from comparable habitats devoid of casuarinas. There are at least two possible explanations: certain soil properties may have been more conducive to casuarina invasions, or casuarinas may have modified their soils once they became established. The results of this study provide insights into the invasion process and add to our understanding of how these invaders affect native Bahamian ecosystems.  相似文献   

7.
Recovery in soil properties and processes after sand burial in the Tengger Desert, northern China, was documented at five different-aged revegetated sites (1956, 1964, 1973, 1982, and 1991) and at a reference site with native vegetation, which had never been damaged by sand burial and was enclosed for grazing. The proportions of silt and clay, depth of topsoil and biological soil crusts, and concentrations of soil organic C, K, total N and total P increased with years since revegetation. Most characteristics of topsoil (0–5 cm) characteristics had recovered to 60% of those measured at the reference site by 50 years after sand-binding vegetation had been established. Exceptions were electrical conductivity and contents of sand, silt, CaCO3 and organic C, which recovered to 20–40% of the values at the reference site. The difference in annual recovery rates of soil properties between the two most recently revegetated sites (0–14 years) was greater than the difference between the two oldest revegetated sites (43–50 years). Best-fit asymptote models showed that the estimated times for the soil properties in the 50-year-old site to reach the same levels as in the reference site (i.e. an undisturbed, native steppified desert ecosystem) would be between 23 and 245 years, but for some properties even maximum recovery after > 50 years still fell significantly short of the level at the reference site. These results suggest that soil recovery is a slow process in an extremely arid desert environment, and therefore the conservation of soil habitat is a crucial issue for land managers.  相似文献   

8.
Soil disturbance is a wildlife habitat management tool that retards succession and promotes early seral vegetation. Our objective was to determine responses of two invasive herbaceous species (Pennisetum ciliare and Salsola iberica) and native perennial grasses to disking on different soils. Two 10 ×40 m plots were delineated within each of 4 blocks on Ramadero loams and 4 blocks on Delmita fine sandy loams. On Delmita soils, canopy cover of P. ciliare, S. iberica, and native perennial grasses averaged across all years was not affected by disking (ANOVA, P>0.05). On Ramadero soils, P. ciliare canopy cover was similar (Tukey's, P>0.05) on control and disked plots for the first 4 years post-disturbance, but P. ciliare cover was 10-fold greater (Tukey's, P=0.02) the 5th year after disking on disked versus control plots. On Ramadero soils, S. iberica canopy cover averaged across all years was 221 times greater (ANOVA, P=0.05) on disked plots than on control plots. Disking did not affect native perennial grass canopy cover. Land managers should consider soil series when disking for wildlife management, as disking disturbance may exacerbate exotic plant ingress and establishment on certain soils.  相似文献   

9.
The effect of grazing was studied on vegetation structure, herbaceous biomass, basal and bare ground covers, together with soil nutrient concentrations in two locations in an Ethiopian semi-arid savanna. The lightly grazed sites had significantly higher herbaceous diversity, total abundance, basal cover and aboveground biomass, and a lower percentage of bare ground compared with the heavy grazed sites. Grazing pressure had no effect on the density and number of woody species as well as on the proportion of encroaching woody species. The light grazing sites had higher organic carbon, phosphorus and exchangeable bases, and therefore a higher pH and higher electrical conductance, indicating an improved soil nutrient status compared with heavy grazing sites, mainly attributed to the higher basal cover and standing biomass at light grazed sites, and the export of nutrients through grazing and dung collection from the heavily grazed sites. There were significantly higher soil nutrients, species diversity, aboveground biomass and basal cover in the light grazing sites compared with heavy grazing sites. We concluded that changes in herbaceous vegetation, standing biomass and soil compositions are caused by interactions between grazing, soil and vegetation, and these interactions determine the transitions of semi-arid savannas.  相似文献   

10.
The success of riparian restoration projects in the arid southwestern U.S. is often measured in terms of vegetation characteristics such as growth, cover, and structure. Among low-elevation riverine environments within the Colorado River watershed, restoration is typically conducted to improve degraded habitats for birds of conservation concern by replacing the exotic tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) with native cottonwoods (Populus spp.) and willows (Salix spp.). The working assumption for many restoration practitioners is that replacing exotic plants with native plants will improve habitat quality and will, therefore, benefit birds. Based on data collected at exotic and restored (i.e., native) sites along the Las Vegas Wash, Nevada, not all birds benefit from restoration. Broad measures of community benefit, including benefits to birds of conservation concern and riparian obligate/dependent birds, were not detected. There were, however, some species-specific benefits. Some environmental variables that were associated with exotic and native sites were significant in explaining the composition of the bird community. For example, the richness of forbs and grass-like plants (a proxy of soil moisture), invertebrate mass, and percent shade (a proxy for canopy characteristics) were important. Considering our results and depending on restoration goals, tamarisk replacement projects may not inherently provide benefits to birds.  相似文献   

11.
Recent extensive harvesting of large, often dead Acacia trees in arid savanna of southern Africa is cause for concern about the conservation status of the arid savanna and its animal community. We mapped vegetation and nests of the Black-tailed Tree Rat Thallomys nigricauda to assess the extent to which the rats depend on particular tree species and on the existence of dead, standing trees. The study was conducted in continuous Acacia woodland on the southern and eastern edge of the Kalahari, South Africa. Trees in which there were tree rat nests were compared with trees of similar size and vigour to identify the characteristics of nest sites. Spatial analysis of tree rat distribution was conducted using Ripley's-L function. We found that T. nigricauda was able to utilize all available tree species, as long as trees were large and old enough so that cavities were existing inside the stem. The spatial distribution of nest trees did not show clumping at the investigated scale, and we therefore reject the notion of the rats forming colonies when inhabiting continuous woodlands. The selection of a particular tree as a nest site was furthermore depending on the close proximity of the major food plant, Acacia mellifera. This may limit the choice of suitable nest sites, since A. mellifera was less likely to grow within a vegetation patch containing a large trees than in patches without large trees.  相似文献   

12.
In the semi-arid steppe rangelands of Central Turkey, Festuca valesiaca and Thymus sipyleus ssp rosulans have become the dominant species on degraded pastures. We hypothesized that decreases in species richness and abundance are correlated with increasing prevalence of these two species. Therefore, our objectives were to determine whether there are patterns in examined vegetation; how dominant species contribute to these patterns; and how patterns differ between grazed and ungrazed vegetation. We determined that protection from grazing increased species richness. Grazing significantly changed composition through decreasing total plant, forb, grass and F. valesiaca covers, while substantially increasing T. sipyleus cover. Topography, soil and grazing appear to impact the dominance of plant communities where F. valesiaca and T. sipyleus prevail. These two dominant species had a significant effect in shaping vegetation patterns. Based on regression analysis, alterations in species richness with changes in cover of forbs and shrubs were evident, and spatial heterogeneity of F. valesiaca and T. sipyleus indicated unstable vegetative patterns in heavily grazed pastures and successional changes in protected pastures. Our study results identify F. valesiaca and T. sipyleus as indicator species of vegetation suppression in condition assessments of degraded steppe rangelands.  相似文献   

13.
Understanding the role competition intensity and importance play in directing vegetation dynamics is central to developing restoration strategies, especially in resource poor environments. We hypothesized 1) competition would be intense among invasive and native species, but 2) competition would be unimportant in explaining variation in target plant biomass and survivorship relative to other factors driving these variables. We performed a two year addition series field experiment to quantify competition intensity and importance. Densities of two invasive (cheatgrass and medusahead) and two native (Sandberg’s bluegrass and bluebunch wheatgrass) species were arranged in monocultures and mixtures of two, three and four species, producing varying total densities and species proportions. Multiple linear regression models predicting individual plant biomass and survivorship were developed. Based on biomass, competition intensity coefficients ranged from −0.38 to 0.63 with R2 < 0.06. All survivorship data produced poor fitting regression models (R2 < 0.05). Our results suggest neither competition intensity nor importance influenced plant dominance in resource poor environments during the two years of establishment. Land managers may be more successful at restoration of resource poor ecosystems by overcoming abiotic barriers to plant establishment rather than focusing on plant-plant interactions.  相似文献   

14.
詹瑾  李玉霖  韩丹  杨红玲 《中国沙漠》2019,39(6):184-191
为探究放牧对丘间低地植被群落及土壤的影响，分析了浑善达克沙地丘间低地在重度和轻度放牧下植被的地上生物量、物种重要值、物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数、Simpson生态优势度指数及0~10 cm土壤中黏粒、粉粒、砂粒、有机碳和全氮含量。结果表明：（1）植被地上生物量、土壤黏粒、粉粒、砂粒、土壤有机碳和全氮含量在不同放牧程度下存在极显著差异（P<0.01），物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数在不同放牧程度下差异不显著（P>0.05），Simpson生态优势度指数在不同放牧程度下差异显著（P<0.05）。（2）放牧区植被以禾本科为主，禾本科植被地上生物量占整个植被群落的54.88%~57.76%；重度放牧区植被地上生物量为63.59 g·m-2，比轻度放牧区低26.61%。（3）羊草（Leymus chinensis）和狗尾草（Setaria viridis）是放牧区的优势种，其重要值依次为14.16%（重度放牧区）和19.10%（轻度放牧区）、13.40%（重度放牧区）和15.42%（轻度放牧区），重度放牧下雾滨藜（Bassia dasyphylla）、克氏针茅（Stipa krylovii）和猪毛蒿（Artemisia scoparia）的重要值较显著高于轻度放牧区，而羊草则低于轻度放牧区。（4）重度放牧加剧了土壤沙漠化，使砂粒含量增加，草地生产力下降，土壤有机碳和全氮含量降低。  相似文献   

15.
Despite low growth rates, plants in arid areas have a strong ability to modify soil surface properties affecting ecosystem processes and community dynamics. But our knowledge on species effects on soil properties in these areas comes largely from observational studies, increasing the risk of confounding factors and precluding estimations of rates of change. We evaluated changes in soil surface properties underneath Acacia salicina, Pinus halepensis and Eucalyptus occidentalis in a 10-year-old common garden experiment established on a degraded Stipa tenacissima steppe in southern Tunisia. The three species tested improved soil properties compared to those of open areas. Acacia salicina ranked first as soil modifier as the soil underneath this species showed higher total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, soil CO2 efflux and infiltration rate, and lower soil hydrophobicity than soil in open areas. The richness of vascular plants was higher under A. salicina than under the other types of cover. This species showed higher ability to improve microsite conditions and foster succession. Short rotations of A. salicina could thus be employed for the restoration of degraded S. tenacissima steppes provided that other aspects of its ecology are controlled. Pinus halepensis represents a good alternative when native species are a priority, albeit facilitative ability is lower.  相似文献   

16.
Recent drought has led to unprecedented levels of plant mortality across the Southwestern US. An unaddressed feature of this drought's impact is how soil characteristics and soil hydrological behavior affect desert plant canopy die-back and mortality. Here, we present a multi-year study in the Mojave Desert assessing canopy die-back and whole-plant mortality of white bursage (Ambrosia dumosa) and creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) in soils varying in surface and sub-surface horizon development, and topographic (hillslope vs. channel) positions. Canopy die-back and mortality was more widespread A. dumosa than in L. tridentata, and dead plants tended to be smaller than surviving plants, especially in channel and hillslope locations. This suggests that juveniles were particularly vulnerable where plants depended heavily on augmentation of incident precipitation by runoff. Canopy die-back was greater in young, weakly developed soils that fostered extensive plant growth, while plants growing in older, well-developed soils showed markedly lower branch and plant mortality, especially in A. dumosa. We attributed these differences in plant response in part to variation in distributions of large rocks within soil profiles, which might affect soil hydrological heterogeneity and intensity of plant competition for water.  相似文献   

17.
In Namaqualand, heavy grazing of low-lying areas has resulted in the reduction of palatable perennial shrubs and the dominance of the unpalatable shrub, Galenia africana. This study investigates the process of rehabilitation and how it can be used to gain an understanding of the ecological factors that may be sustaining altered vegetation states. We intervened to change the biophysical environment through the construction of microcatchments and brushpacks to act as traps for water, seed and organic material combined with the introduction of seeds and seedlings were implemented. Two years after implementation brushpacked microhabitats improved natural recruitment of herbaceous species compared to bare areas at two out of three sites. Microhabitats did not influence natural recruitment of perennial seedlings. Emergence of palatable perennial seed was not influenced by microhabitat manipulation. Seedlings transplanted under adult G. africana shrubs showed higher survival rates at two out of three sites compared to seedlings in unmodified areas.  相似文献   

18.
The phenology ofMedicago minimavar.minimaandErodium cicutariumwas studied at two different field sites in the Calden District (approx. 10 million ha), a temperate semi-arid phytogeographical region in central Argentina. One site had been protected from wild and domestic herbivores for the 6 previous years. The other adjacent site had been exposed to continuous grazing by cattle for several decades. A phenological key was made for each species in 1988, and this key was improved during the 1989 growing season when phenological observations were made every 1–3 weeks.The growth cycle ofM. minimaandE. cicutariumwas similar at the two studied sites. Initiation of the cycle occurred in autumn and appeared to be associated with soil water availability. Phenological patterns were very dynamic at the reproductive stage in both species. This stage started earlier and was faster inE. cicutariumthan inM. minima. The end of the growing season occurred during late spring, concomitant with high maximum air temperatures. Our results suggest that these species hasten their development when air temperature increases and soil water availability decreases. This could be an important strategy in these species which allows them to persist as seeds, and produce a new generation under favourable environmental conditions.  相似文献   

19.
Pinyon and juniper have been expanding into sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) ecosystems since settlement of the Great Basin around 1860. Herbaceous understory vegetation is eliminated as stand densities increase and the potential for catastrophic fires increases. Prescribed fire is increasingly used to remove trees and promote recovery of sagebrush ecosystems. We quantified the effects of prescribed fire, vegetation type, and time following fire on soil KCl extractable nitrogen and NaHCO3 extractable phosphorus in a pinyon–juniper woodland and its associated sagebrush ecosystem immediately before and for 4 years after a spring prescribed burn. Potassium chloride extractable NH4+ and total inorganic-N increased immediately following prescribed fire, and extractable NO3− decreased immediately after the burn. In the surface layer (top 8 cm), extractable NH4+ remained elevated compared to the control through year 2 after the burn. By the first fall post-burn extractable NO3− and total extractable inorganic-N increased and remained elevated over the control through year 3 after the burn in the surface layer. For the entire soil profile (52 cm), the burn had no effect on NH4+, and the effects on total extractable inorganic-N were no longer significant after year 1. However, NO3− remained elevated over the control through year 2 post-fire for the soil profile. Near surface NaHCO3 extractable ortho-P increased immediately following fire, and remained elevated through year 2 post-fire. No fire effects were observed for extractable ortho-P in deeper horizons. Our data show that plant available nitrogen can remain elevated for extended periods following prescribed fire. This can influence regrowth and seedling establishment of native plant species, invasion of exotic plant species and, ultimately, site recovery potential.  相似文献   

20.
Abstract

Páramo grasslands are important carbon sinks in the Ecuadorian Andes. Although carbon content of páramo Andisols is correlated with high water retention, the effects of differences in soil moisture under different types of land use on soil carbon processes have not been explicitly tested in the Ecuadorian Andes. This study assessed the relationship between soil moisture and soil CO2 flux among a mature páramo grassland, recently burned páramo grassland, native montane forest, and pine plantation in an Ecuadorian páramo landscape. Soil CO2 flux was greater in the forest sites compared to the grassland sites. Thus, a shift from grassland to forest cover may have significant implications for soil carbon loss via CO2 flux. Our results suggest that although soil moisture plays a significant role in differences of soil CO2 flux rates among land-use types, more investigation into mechanisms for soil carbon loss and how they are driven by land-use change is needed. To our knowledge, these are the first soil CO2 flux rates reported for the Ecuadorian páramo.  相似文献   

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