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1.
The objectives of this study were to determine the composition, density and spatial distribution of the soil seed bank of woody species, as well as their regeneration pattern in two different land use systems, controlled (ranch) and open grazing, in an Acacia woodland of the Rift Valley in Ethiopia. We also compared the species composition of the soil seed bank and the above-ground vegetation to find out if differences exist in the soil seed bank and advance regeneration between the two land use systems. The germination requirements of seeds of the woody species were also investigated under laboratory conditions. Acacia senegal, Acacia seyal, Acacia tortilis, Dichrostacys cinerea and Balanites aegyptiaca were encountered in the above-ground vegetation in both systems. Seeds of only A. tortilis (90±32 seeds m−2) from the ranch, and A. senegal (5±3 seeds m−2) and A. tortilis (72±34 seeds m−2) from the open system were found in the soil seed bank along transects with patchy horizontal pattern. The two systems were not significantly different in density of soil seed banks of A. senegal andA. tortilis . Jaccard's similarity index showed that only a few woody species were common in the soil seed flora and above ground vegetation. However, all of the species accumulated seeds (58±43–331±130 seeds m−2) in/on the soil under the canopy. Very large numbers of seeds of A. tortilis (19382±9722 seeds m−2) and D. cinerea (1278±494 seeds m−2) were also found in barns. Most of the seeds recovered from the soil samples (60–80%) were found in the litter layer. Acid and mechanical scarification improved legume germination (36–99% and 60–99%, respectively) over boiling water (0–48%). Treatment means differed significantly for all the legumes (p<0·001) but not for Balanites. Height and diameter class distribution of regeneration of A. tortilis and D. cinerea in both systems and A. senegal in the open system had a negative exponential correlation (rs=−0·5, −0·25 and −0·86, respectively). A. seyal and B. aegyptiaca showed poor regeneration. Horizontal distribution of advance regeneration of all the species was patchy. Advance regeneration of A. seyal, A. tortilis and B. aegyptiaca were not significantly different, while that of A. senegal and D. cinerea were significantly different between the two systems. Poor representation of species in the soil seed bank along transects and in the different height and diameter classes may be attributed to the low density of mature trees as well as the mode and strategy of seed dispersal. Ungulate and wind dispersed species (e.g. A. senegal, A. tortilis and D. cinerea) were highly favoured. Patchiness in the distribution of seeds and advance regeneration was also a result of endozoochory. Dispersal of non-ungulate dispersed seeds (A. senegal, A. seyal and B. aegyptiaca) was restricted to the canopy zone. Piles of seeds ofA. tortilis and D. cinerea that were found in barns were a result of consumption of their pods by cattle. High concentration of seeds in the litter layer may be due to low soil disturbance and larger size of seeds. The height and diameter class distribution of A. senegal (in the open system), A. tortilis and D. cinerea also indicated that the species have good regeneration. Results from the germination tests indicated that seeds of the legumes require pre-sowing treatments to give a rapid, uniform and improved germination. Intervention through artificial regeneration should be employed to improve the density and regeneration capacity of those species with hampered regeneration at both systems.  相似文献   

2.
The densities of self-established non-indigenous prickly pears (Opuntia ficus-indica) in rangelands of the Karoo recorded on 3434 km of road transects, were on average 800 times greater below telegraph and transmission poles than away from poles, and 200 times greater next to wire fences along roads than in open rangelands. We suggest that this uneven establishment pattern is mainly due to the dispersal of Opuntia ficus-indica seeds by crows and other vertebrates (chiefly primates). Cape (Corvus capensis) and pied crows (C. albus) feed on fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica in the Karoo, and regurgitate pellets containing viable seeds of these plants below nest sites, roosts and occasional perch sites. Crows use man-made structures such as wire fences, telegraph and transmission poles and windmills for perching, roosting and nesting. Crow pellets, containing regurgitated bones and viable seeds of Opuntia spp., and other alien and indigenous plants, are most common around such perch sites. Crows are frequently associated with roads in the Karoo because they scavenge on road kills in the Karoo as well as feeding on fruits, insects and reptiles in road verges. We suggest that dispersal of seeds by crows is important for range extension and establishment of new Opuntia populations.  相似文献   

3.
Seed passage through the gut of vertebrates is critical for endozoochorus seed dispersal because it may influence seed viability and germination capacity. Foxes are important fruit-eaters and presumed seed dispersers in the Chaco ecoregion. We experimentally assessed the seed passage time (SPT) and its effect on seed viability and germination in two fox species (Pseudalopex gymnocercus and Cerdocyon thous) that occur in the Chaco. Passage time was measured using both artificial seeds of three sizes and wild seeds of four native fleshy-fruit species commonly consumed by foxes (Ziziphus mistol, Acacia aroma, Celtis tala, and Syagrus romanzoffiana). The average SPT was 6.8 h for the Pampa fox and 7.7 h for the crab-eating fox. Passage time did not differ either among seeds of different sizes or between fox species. Passage through digestive tract of both fox species did not affect seed survival, whereas germination rate was slightly improved. Our data suggest that both fox species are legitimate seed dispersers of the four species studied, having a positive effect on both germination rate and dispersal distance from the parent plant.  相似文献   

4.
Corsac fox (Vulpes corsac) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) diets often consist of small quantities of vegetation, including fruit and seeds that may represent important sources of energy and nutrition. However, details of the species consumed are few, but may provide insight into the role of foxes as seed dispersers. We analyzed scats of corsac (n = 408) and red foxes (n = 533) collected in an arid region of Mongolia from June 2006 to June 2007. We found 13 seed species in corsac scats, the most common being Allium polyrhizum, Asparagus gobicus, and Tribulus terrestris, and 12 species in red fox scats, the most common being Amygdalus pedunculata, Corispermum mongolicum, and T. terrestris. The proportion of scats with seeds varied significantly by season for both foxes. Seeds occurred most frequently during the breeding period, which corresponded with winter, and least frequently during the dispersal period in autumn for both species. We detected no differences in the proportion of scats with seeds between species seasonally. Our results suggest that fruit represents an important component of diet, especially during winter when availability of other prey items is low, and that both foxes may facilitate seed dispersal of some plant species.  相似文献   

5.
Distinct rock fragment displacements occur on the ambas, or structurally determined stepped mountains of the Northern Ethiopian Highlands. This paper describes the rock fragment detachment from cliffs by rockfall, quantifies its annual rate, and identifies factors controlling rock fragment movement on the scree slopes. It further presents a conceptual model explaining rock fragment cover at the soil surface in these landscapes. In the May Zegzeg catchment (Dogu'a Tembien district, Tigray), rockfall from cliffs and rock fragment movement on debris slopes by runoff and livestock trampling were monitored over a 4-year period (1998–2001). Rockfall and rock fragment transport mainly induced by livestock trampling appear to be important geomorphic processes. Along a 1500-m long section of the Amba Aradam sandstone cliff, at least 80 t of rocks are detached yearly and fall over a mean vertical distance of 24 m resulting in a mean annual cliff retreat rate of 0.37 mm y− 1. Yearly unit rock fragment transport rates on scree slopes ranged between 23.1 and 37.9 kg m− 1 y− 1. This process is virtually stopped when exclosures are established. Corresponding mean rock fragment transport coefficients K are 32–69 kg m− 1 y− 1 on rangeland but only 3.9 kg m− 1 y− 1 in densely vegetated exclosures. A conceptual model indicates that besides rockfall from cliffs and argillipedoturbation, all factors and processes of rock fragment redistribution in the study area are of anthropogenic origin.  相似文献   

6.
As an approach to understand how diurnal and seasonal plant water potentials (Ψ) are related to soil water-content and evaporative demand components, the responses of six thornscrub shrubs species (Havardia pallens, Acacia rigidula, Eysenhardtia texana, Diospyros texana, Randia rhagocarpa, and Bernardia myricaefolia) of the north-eastern region of Mexico to drought stress were investigated during the course of 1 year. All study species showed the typical diurnal pattern of variation in Ψ. That is, Ψ decreased gradually from predawn (Ψpd) maximal values to reach minima at midday (Ψmd) and began to recover in the late afternoon. On a diurnal basis and with adequate soil water-content (>0.20 kg kg−1), diurnal Ψ values differed among shrub species and were negatively and significantly (p<0.001) correlated with air temperature (r=−0.741 to −0.883) and vapor pressure deficit (r=−0.750 to −0.817); in contrast, a positive and significant (p<0.001) relationship was found to exist with relative humidity (r=0.758–0.842). On a seasonal basis, during the wettest period (soil water-content>0.20 kg kg−1), higher Ψpd (−0.10 MPa) and Ψmd (−1.16 MPa) values were observed in R. rhagocarpa, whereas lower figures (−0.26 and −2.73 MPa, respectively) were detected in A. rigidula. On the other hand, during the driest period (soil water-content<0.15 kg kg−1), Ψpd and Ψmd values were below −7.3 MPa; i.e. when shrubs species faced severe water deficit. Soil water-content at different soil layers, monthly mean relative humidity and monthly precipitation were significantly correlated with both Ψpd (r=0.538–0.953; p<0.01) and Ψmd (r=0.431–0.906; p<0.05). Average soil water-content in the 0–50 cm soil depth profile explained between 70% and 87% of the variation in Ψpd. Results have shown that when gravimetric soil water-content values were above 0.15 kg kg−1, Ψpd values were high and constant; below this threshold value, Ψ declined gradually. Among all shrub species, A. rigidula appeared to be the most drought tolerant of the six species since during dry periods it tends to sustain significantly higher Ψpd in relation to B. myricaefolia. The remaining species showed an intermediate pattern. It is concluded that the ability of shrub species to cope with drought stress depends on the pattern of water uptake and the extent to control water loss through the transpirational flux.  相似文献   

7.
Three introduced predators, the dingo (Canis lupus dingo), the fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the feral cat (Felis catus) are widespread throughout the arid interior of Western Australia. While the dingo has been present for an estimated 3500–4000 years, the fox and the feral cat are relatively recent arrivals and have been implicated in the modern decline and in some cases extinction of arid zone fauna, especially medium size mammals. This paper reports on a long-term, large-scale project aimed at developing control strategies for these introduced predators. Broad area control of foxes and dingoes in the Gibson Desert using 40–60 g dried meat baits impregnated with the poison sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) and delivered by aircraft at a density of 5 baits km−2 proved to be highly effective. Following a single aerial baiting of some 1600 km2, foxes and dingoes were virtually eradicated from a core area for up to 15 months, but feral cats appeared to increase in abundance. Two aerial baitings (each 400 km2) carried out during periods of below average rainfall using a small (about 30 g) fresh meat bait developed to be attractive to feral cats reduced their abundance by an estimated 75% and 100% when baits were delivered at a density of 10 and 22 km−2, respectively. A third aerial baiting at a density of 11 baits km−2 carried out during a period of above average rainfall reduced feral cat density by only 25% when surveyed 3 months after baiting. Baiting density, frequency and season are key factors likely to affect the impact of baiting on feral cat populations. Preliminary studies reveal that the home range of feral cats in this environment varies from about 700 to 1200 ha. Reptiles and small native mammals form the major dietary items of feral cats and the seasonal variation in abundance of these items is likely to affect bait uptake. These observations have important implications for control strategies.  相似文献   

8.
This paper presents a detailed cost accounting of the processes involved in the production of flours from the mesocarps of the fruits of Prosopis alba and P. pallida to be used in human foods. The flours from both species are similar and contain 7–8% protein, 0·8–2% fat, 26–32% total dietary fiber and 48–59% sucrose. The data were based on actual production rates in use at the Universidad de Piura pilot plant using simple machinery. Machinery hourly charges were based on equivalent rental costs in order to avoid interest charge calculations. As opposed to other analyses which only included processing costs delivered to the plant, our analysis ascribed value to the owner of the trees in order to provide incentives to plant and care for the trees. The sensitivity analyses showed that the most economically important factor was the conversion efficiency of pods into flour. When a 40% conversion efficiency, such as that which has been obtained in both Peru and Argentina was obtained, and by-product credits for high fiber containing fraction were assumed, the wholesale selling price with a 5% marketing cost and a 40% profit direct costs was estimated to be $0·66 kg−1 for Peru (using a $0·40 h−1 labor rate ) and $1·76 kg−1 for Argentina (using a $1·5 h−1 labor rate).  相似文献   

9.
The germination response of Denmoza rhodacantha (Salm-Dyck) Britton & Rose to seed scarification and different calcium concentrations was analysed. Both scarified and unscarified seeds were treated with two different calcium concentrations (1.74 or 6.36 meq l−1 calcium sulfate in distilled water). All treatments were conducted under a constant temperature (30 °C), and a photoperiodic regime of 12 h light and 12 h dark. Germination was initiated significantly sooner (3.6 days), and the rate of final germination was significantly higher (90.8%), for scarified seeds treated with a solution of 6.36 meq l−1 Ca compared with all other treatments (9.0–11.4 days and 3.6–6.8%, respectively). There were no significant differences among the treatments for the time in which 50% of final germination occurred (6.9–13.6 days). The results suggest that both factors, scarification and calcium concentration, favor germination of Denmoza seeds.  相似文献   

10.
Piñon (Pinus edulis)-juniper (Juniperus monosperma)-ecosystems increased substantially in the western USA during the 20th century. Sustainability of these ecosystems primarily depends on soil quality and water availability. This study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the effect of tree species on soil physical quality in a semi-arid region in the western part of Sugarite Canyon, northeast of Raton, Colfax County, NM (37°56′32″N and 104°23′00″W) USA. Three cores and three bulk soil samples were obtained from the site under the canopy of three juniper, Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) and piñon trees for 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths. These samples were analyzed for particle size distribution, soil bulk density (ρb), water stable aggregation (WSA), mean weight diameter (MWD) of aggregates, pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations and stocks. Sand content was greater under juniper (48%) than oak (32%), whereas clay content followed the opposite trend. The ρb, WSA, MWD, pH and EC were similar under juniper, piñon, oak canopies for both depths. Estimated (from Philip and Green and Ampt infiltration models) and measured water infiltration parameters did not vary among these sites and were in accord with the values for ρb, WSA and MWD. The SOC concentrations and stocks were greater under oak (43.1 Mg ha−1 for 0–10 and 37.5 Mg ha−1 for 10–20 cm depths) than piñon (23.3 Mg ha−1 for 0–10 and 18.5 Mg ha−1 for 10–20 cm depths). The TN concentrations were greater under oak (3.4 g kg−1) than piñon (1.7 g kg−1) for the 0–10 cm depth only. Accumulation of detritus material under tree canopies reduced soil compaction and crusting caused by raindrop impact and increased SOC, and TN concentrations, and water infiltration. Coefficients of variation ranged from low to moderate for most soil properties except infiltration rate at 2.5 h, which was highly variable. Overall, soil quality for each site was good and soil aggregation, water infiltration and SOC concentrations were high, and soil ρb was low.  相似文献   

11.
Canthon (Francmonrosia) carbonarius is recognized as coprophagous and this paper describes, for the first time, the interaction between the dung beetle and seeds of Jatropha mollissima, in Pernambuco state, on the Caatinga vegetation. The observed activities were remotion of elaiosome parts, rolling and deposition of the diaspore on the beetle burial site. Interactions between myrmecochorous diaspores and dung beetle may have important ecological implications. These insects may also act as either predators or secondary dispersal agents of myrmecochorous seeds available in the environment. The findings of the present study serve as a starting point for future studies assessing the ecological implications on the use of this new type of resource by dung beetles in the Caatinga vegetation.  相似文献   

12.
We investigated the effects of soil water potential (SWP) and temperature on seed germination of six coexisting species of an inter-tropical desert. These species include three life-forms; the shrubs Cercidium praecox andProsopis laevigata ; the columnar succulents Neobuxbaumia tetetzo and Pachycereus hollianus; and the arborescent semi-succulents Beaucarnea gracilis and Yucca periculosa. In the six species germinability increased and germination time and speed of germination (t50) decreased as SWP decreased. The SWP treatments were 0 MPa, −0·12 MPa, −0·2 MPa, −0·41 MPa and −0·66 MPa. There was, however, a SWP threshold below which germination time and t50increased and germinability decreased. The shrubs had the highest germinability whereas the columnar succulents had the lowest. The shrubs also had shorter germination time andt50 than arborescent semi-succulents whereas seeds of the columnar succulents were indeterminate. In all species except P. laevigata germinability increased and the germination time and t50decreased as temperature increased. The temperature treatments were 12°C, 20°C and 26°C. The shrubs had the shortest t50and germination time and the highest germinability at all temperatures. Arborescent semi-succulents had the lowest germinability and longest germination time and t50at the three temperatures treatments. Our results support the hypothesis that in desert environments different plant life-forms utilise different germination strategies to persist.  相似文献   

13.
The ‘algarrobo’Prosopis flexuosais an important food resource in the Monte Desert of Argentina. Native, domestic, and exotic mammals consume the fruit of this legume and disperse the seed through faeces. In the present study we analyse the effect that different dispersal agents (cattle, horse, European wild boar, rodents, gray fox) have on seed damage, viability, and germination. Cattle increase germination at the expense of reduced viability, whereas horses maintain viability but do not contribute to a prompt germination response. Among native mammals, the gray fox maintains seed viability without increasing germination, whereas rodents affect seed viability but enhance germination rates. The European wild boar, however, damages all of the seeds it consumes.  相似文献   

14.
Using the UNFCCC as a basis, and the objectives of estimating soil organic carbon (SOC) changes during the period 1900–2100, a spatially explicit database of climate, land cover and soil texture was compiled for a 262,000 km2 region in semi-arid Sudan. The area is characterized by low input cultivation of millet, sorghum and sesamé combined with livestock grazing. By integrating the database with the CENTURY ecosystem model, we were able to estimate historical, current and future pools of SOC as a function of land management and climate.The SOC (upper 20 cm) decrease from 1900 to 2000 was estimated to be 6·8 Mt and the maximum potential carbon sink (SOC increase) for the period 2000 to 2100 was estimated to be 17 Mt. Cropland and grassland lost 293 and 152 t SOC km−2 respectively whereas the savannahs gained 76 t SOC km−2 from 1900 to 2000. The SOC sequestration scenario simulated during 2000–2100 recovered 94, 84 and 75 t km−2 for cropland, grassland and savannah respectively.In addition to climate and soils, cropping intensity, fallow periods, fire frequency and grazing intensity also influence cropland SOC variation. Grassland and savannah SOC variations depend on grazing intensity and fire return interval. Land management may affect future amounts of SOC in semi-arid areas thereby turning them from sources into sinks of carbon. SOC estimates were reasonably consistent with measurements (r2=0·70, n=13).  相似文献   

15.
The objectives of this research were to (a) study seasonal variation of the seed bank of grasses in two areas with different grazing history, (b) analyse the effect of the presence of shrubs on the seed bank and (c) study seed viability and dormancy in buried seeds of Piptochaetium napostaense and Stipa tenuis. The seed density of grasses was in general low and showed seasonal variation. Most of the grasses showed maximum seed density in December when seed dispersal occurs. Shrub cover did not show a marked influence in seed accumulation. The relatively high number of damaged seeds suggests that predation may be an important factor in seed bank dynamics in the Caldenal. Seeds of dominant perennial forage grasses showed dormancy that could explain, at least in part, persistence of these species in spite of periodical disturbance.  相似文献   

16.
Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress influencing plant productivity worldwide. Schinopsis quebracho colorado is one of the most important woody species in the Gran Chaco, an arid and salt-prone subtropical biome of South America. To gain a better understanding of the physiological mechanisms that allow plant establishment under salt conditions, germination and seedling growth of S. quebracho colorado were examined under treatment with a range of NaCl solutions (germination: 0–300 mmol l−1 NaCl; seedling growth: 0–200 mmol l−1 NaCl). The aim was to test the hypothesis that S. quebracho colorado is a glycophite that shows different salt tolerance responses with development stage. Proline content, total soluble carbohydrates and Na+, K+ and Cl− concentrations in leaves and roots of seedlings, and the chlorophyll concentration and relative water content of leaves were measured. Germination was not affected by 100 mmol l−1 NaCl, but decreased at a concentration of 200 mmol l−1. At 300 mmol l−1 NaCl, germination did not occur. Seedling growth decreased drastically with increasing salinity. An increase in NaCl from 0 to 100 mmol l−1 also significantly reduced the leaf relative water content by 22% and increased the proline concentration by 60% in roots. In contrast, total soluble carbohydrates were not significantly affected by salinity. Seedlings showed a sodium exclusion capacity, and there was an inverse correlation between Cl− concentration and the total chlorophyll concentration. S. quebracho colorado was more tolerant to salinity during germination than in the seedling phase. The results suggest that this increased tolerance during germination might, in part, be the result of lower sensitivity to high tissue Na+ concentrations. The significant increment of proline in the roots suggests the positive role of this amino acid as a compatible solute in balancing the accumulation of Na+ and Cl− as a result of salinity. These results help clarify the physiological mechanisms that allow establishment of S. quebracho colorado on salt-affected soils in arid and semi-arid Gran Chaco.  相似文献   

17.
We set up an automatic weather station over a playa (the flat floor of an undrained desert basin that becomes at times a shallow lake), approximately 65 km east–west by 130 km north–south, located at the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground (40°08′N, 113°27′W, 1124 m above mean sea level) in north-western Utah, U.S.A., in 1999. This station measured the incoming (Rsi) and outgoing (Rso) solar or shortwave radiation using two CM21 Kipp & Zonen pyranometers (one inverted), the incoming (Rli or atmospheric) and outgoing (Rlo or terrestrial) longwave radiation, using two CG1 KippZonen pyrgeometers (one inverted), and the net (Rn) radiation using a Q*7 net radiometer (Radiation Energy Balance System, REBS). We also measured the 10-m wind speed (U10) and direction (R.M. Young wind monitor) and precipitation (Campbell Sci., Inc.). The measurements were taken every 2 s, averaged into 20-min, continuously, throughout the year. The annual (August 1999 – August 2000) comparisons of global or solar radiation and windiness with two other stations in central (Hunter) and northern (Logan) Utah, indicate higher solar radiation (Rsi,Dugway=7797 MJ m−2 period−1vs. Rsi, Hunter=7021 MJ m−2 period−1 and Rsi, Logan=6865 MJ m−2 period−1) and much higher annual mean windiness (UDugway=387 km day−1vs. UHunter=275 km day−1 and ULogan=174 km day−1) throughout the period over the playa. These data reveal the possibility of simultaneously harvesting these two sources of clean energies at this vast and uniform playa.  相似文献   

18.
Impacts of six initial treatments and rainfall on maximum above-ground herbaceous standing crop were assessed in 1978 and annually from 1984 to 1992 in rangelands of east-central semi-arid Argentina. Treatments applied in 1977–1978 were: (1) untreated control; (2) burning; (3) herbicide application (shrub control); (4) Old Field 1 or (5) Old Field 2 (areas previously exposed to different degrees of mechanical soil disturbance for 25 years); and (6) overgrazing. Domestic herbivores were excluded thereafter from all treatments until 1993.During 1984–1992, total above-ground herbaceous standing crop often remained greater in both Old Fields than in the other treatments; highest mean values were 2336 and 1640 kg ha−1for Old Field 1 and Old Field 2 treatments, respectively. Lowest total above-ground standing crops in all treatments (M = 296–475 kg ha−1) occurred in 1989, the year with the lowest annual rainfall (257·5 mm). Desirable perennial grasses contributed most (44–100%) to total herbaceous standing crop in all treatments during the study period. Most of this standing crop was made up of the cool-season grassesPiptochaetium napostaense, Poa ligularis, Stipa clarazii, S. papposaandS. tenuis. Annual rainfall was closely related (p< 0·05) to total herbaceous and desirable perennial grass standing crops in most treatments, and accounted for most of the variation in herbage production between years.  相似文献   

19.
Wind erodibility of major soils in the farming-pastoral ecotone of China   总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2  
Wind erosion and desertification are severe problems in China's farming-pastoral ecotone. In this study, wind erodibility of five major soils in both uncultivated and simulated cultivated conditions, were determined through wind tunnel tests at nine wind speeds ranging from 10 to 26 m s−1. The average wind erosion rate (g m−2 min−1) under the uncultivated condition (q0) for the five soils could be set in the order: chestnut soil (28.5)>brown soil (24.8)>sierozem (21.8)>chernozem (19.9)>fixed sandy soil (11.4). The highest natural wind erosion might take place in the semi-arid steppe zone where the Chestnut soils predominate. Cultivation can significantly accelerate wind erosion, the mean wind erosion rate under the cultivated condition (qc) for all five soils was 743.7 g m−2 min−1 in the following order: sandy soil (3313.2)>brown soil (227.2)>chernozem (221.8)>sierozem (85.1)>chestnut soil (81.2). For both the uncultivated and cultivated soil samples, the relationship between wind erosion rate (q) and wind speed (U) could be expressed in general as q=A eBU (A and B are constant coefficients). There was a critical wind speed for each soil type except for the sandy soil. Below the critical wind speed, cultivation reduced wind erosion rate possibly due to soil clodiness and roughness effects. Above the critical speed, cultivation greatly intensified wind erosion rates due to the break down of the original soil structure. The critical wind speed measured at 20 cm above the soil surface was 20 m s−1 for the brown soil, 14 m s−1 for chernozem and the chestnut soils, and 10 m s−1 for the sierozem. Among the five tested soils, the high wind erosion rate of the cultivated sandy soil showed its extreme sensitivity to cultivation, possibly because of the structureless nature of the loose sand. The “effect of cultivation on wind erosion” index, η (=qc/q0), increased exponentially with the increase of wind speed, indicating that under higher wind speed conditions, cultivation could result in more severe wind erosion.  相似文献   

20.
Cactus seedlings often establish under nurse plants which modify environmental conditions by increasing moisture and decreasing solar radiation, which may cause beneficial and detrimental effects, respectively, on seedling growth. Three soil moisture treatments (5%, 25% and 60%) and two solar radiation levels (100% exposure=243 μmol m−2 s−1, and 40%=102 μmol m−2 s−1) were used in a factorial design to analyze seedling growth response of three rare cactus species (Mammillaria pectinifera, Obregonia denegrii and Coryphantha werdermannii). The variables evaluated were relative growth rate (RGR), root/shoot ratio (R/S), and K (RGRroots/RGRshoot), obtained from an initial seedling harvest (6-month-old seedlings) and a final harvest 6 months after treatment application. All three species had slow RGRs (0.002–0.012 g g−1 day−1). O. denegrii had the lowest RGR values, but was the only species for which R/S and K varied with soil moisture. While all seedlings responded markedly to soil moisture, no response was observed to radiation treatments. The latter might have been related to the relatively low solar radiation levels present in the greenhouse. Yet, our results suggest that the main benefit nurse plants offer to seedlings is the increase in soil moisture.  相似文献   

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