中亚热带植被恢复阶段植物叶片、凋落物、土壤碳氮磷化学计量特征

为揭示植被恢复过程中生态系统的养分循环机制及植物的生存策略,根据亚热带森林群落演替过程,采用空间代替时间方法,以湘中丘陵区地域相邻、环境条件基本一致的檵木(Loropetalumchinensis)+南烛(Vacciniumbracteatu)+杜鹃(Rhododendron mariesii)灌草丛(LVR)、檵木+杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)+白栎(Quercus fabri)灌木林(LCQ)、马尾松(Pinus massoniana)+柯(Lithocarpus glaber)+檵木针阔混交林(PLL)、柯+红淡比(Cleyera japonica)+青冈(Cyclobalanopsis Glauca)常绿阔叶林(LCC)作为一个恢复系列,设置固定样地,采集植物叶片、未分解层凋落物和0–30 cm土壤样品,测定有机碳(C)、全氮(N)、全磷(P)含量及其化学计量比,运用异速生长关系、养分利用效率和再吸收效率分析植物对环境变化的响应和养分利用策略。结果表明:(1)随着植被恢复,叶片C:N、C:P、N:P显著下降,而叶片C、N、P含量和土壤C、N含量、C:P、N:P显著增加,其中LCC植物叶片C、N含量,土壤C、N含量及其N:P,PLL植物叶片P含量,土壤C:P显著高于其他3个恢复阶段,各恢复阶段植物叶片N:P 20,植物生长受P限制;凋落物C、N、P含量及其化学计量比波动较大。(2)凋落物与叶片、土壤的化学计量特征之间的相关关系较弱,叶片与土壤的化学计量特征之间具有显著相关关系,其中叶片C、N、P含量与土壤C、N含量、C:N (除叶片C、N含量外)、C:P、N:P呈显著正相关关系;叶片C:N与土壤C、N含量、C:P、N:P,叶片C:P与土壤C含量、C:N、C:P,叶片N:P与土壤C:N呈显著负相关关系。(3)植被恢复过程中,叶片N、P之间具有显著异速生长关系,异速生长指数为1.45,叶片N、P的利用效率下降,对N、P的再吸收效率增加, LCC叶片N利用效率最低, PLL叶片P利用效率最低而N、P再吸收效率最高。(4)叶片N含量内稳态弱,而P含量具有较高的内稳态,在土壤低P限制下植物能保持P平衡。植被恢复显著影响叶片、凋落物、土壤C、N、P含量及其化学计量比,叶片与土壤之间C、N、P含量及化学计量比呈显著相关关系,植物通过降低养分利用效率和提高养分再吸收效率适应土壤养分的变化,叶片-凋落物-土壤系统的N、P循环随着植被恢复逐渐达到"化学计量平衡"。     

喀斯特区不同退化程度植被群落植物-凋落物-土壤-微生物生态化学计量特征

为摸清喀斯特植被退化对群落各组分C、N、P生态化学计量特征及内稳态特征的影响，为喀斯特退化生态系统植被恢复与重建提供科学依据，以桂西北喀斯特地区5种退化程度植被群落为研究对象，测定了不同退化程度植被群落植物叶片、凋落物、土壤和微生物生物量的C、N、P含量，分析其化学计量比特征、相互关系及植物内稳性特征。结果表明：(1)随着退化程度加剧，叶片C、N、P含量、N∶P和凋落物N∶P、微生物量C显著下降，而叶片C∶N、C∶P则显著增加，且植物叶片N∶P<14;随退化程度加剧，凋落物N、P含量、土壤C、N、P含量、微生物量N、P呈先略有增后显著降低的趋势，且不同退化程度群落土壤N∶P和微生物量C∶N无显著差异。(2)叶片N、P含量与土壤N、P含量，叶片C∶P与土壤C∶N、C∶P、N∶P,叶片N∶P与凋落物N、N∶P,叶片C、N、P含量与微生物量C呈显著或极显著正相关关系；叶片C∶N与土壤C、N,叶片C∶P与土壤N、P,叶片N∶P与土壤P呈显著或极显著负相关关系。(3)喀斯特地区植物叶片N、P元素的内稳性指数(H)平均值分别为2.74和2.31,属于弱稳态型，叶片N∶P的H值为5.14,为稳...     

桂西北喀斯特森林植物-凋落物-土壤生态化学计量特征

探明我国西南喀斯特生态脆弱区植被恢复重建背景下, 森林植物、凋落物与土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量特征有助于深入地认识喀斯特森林生态系统养分循环规律和系统稳定机制。该文选取桂西北典型喀斯特地区域3个原生林群落和3个自然恢复28年的次生林群落, 研究其“植物-凋落物-土壤”连续体的C、N、P化学计量学特征及其内在关联。结果表明: 1)圆果化香树(Platycarya longipes)、伞花木(Eurycorymbus cavaleriei)和青檀(Pteroceltis tatarinowii)以及圆叶乌桕(Sapium rotundifolium)、八角枫(Alangium chinense)和黄荆(Vitex negundo) 6种植物的C、N、P平均含量分别为427.5、21.2、1.2 mg·g^-1; 凋落物C、N、P平均含量分别为396.2、12.7、0.9 mg·g^-1, 而表层土壤(0-10 cm) C、N、P平均含量分别为92.0、6.35和1.5 mg·g^-1。2)原生林N再吸收率(平均值为42.7%)高于次生林(平均值为36.5%), P再吸收率(20.4%)显著低于次生林(32.3%) (p < 0.05); 6个森林群落N的再吸收率均大于P的再吸收率。3)不同群落凋落物的C:N值差异不显著, 原生林植物的C:N值小于次生林、土壤C:N显著大于次生林; 原生林土壤C:P与次生林无显著差异, 植物与凋落物C:P小于次生林; 原生林凋落物与土壤N:P值小于次生林, 植物N:P比平均值均为17.4。4)研究区典型森林群落植物中N和P含量呈显著的正相关关系, 植物C:N与N:P、C:P与N:P比值均无明显相关关系; 经过对数变换后的土壤C:N与N:P呈显著负相关关系, 凋落物的C:P与N:P值呈极显著正相关关系。研究结果可为我国西南典型喀斯特脆弱生态区的生态功能恢复与植被重建提供科学依据。     

辽东山区不同森林类型生态化学计量特征

森林生态系统化学计量对于阐明养分元素在生态系统中的供应状况及其耦合关系,揭示影响森林结构与功能恢复的限制性因子具有重要作用。本研究以辽东山区主要森林类型——次生阔叶混交林、柞树林、油松林和落叶松人工林、红松人工林为研究对象,通过测定叶片、凋落物和土壤的C、N、P含量,分析了不同林型的化学计量特征及差异。结果表明:1)不同林型的C、N、P含量差异显著,且各林型叶片和凋落物C、N、P含量均大于土壤;其中阔叶混交林土壤N含量最高,而柞树林土壤N含量最低。2)5种林型C∶N和C∶P变化趋势均为凋落物叶片土壤,N∶P为叶片凋落物土壤;其中叶片N∶P平均值为12.16,表明该地区植物生长可能存在N限制。阔叶混交林和柞树林与油松林、落叶松林和红松林N∶P差异显著,前者受N、P共同限制,后者受N限制。3)辽东山区森林植被叶片与凋落物的N、P、C∶N和N∶P均表现为正相关关系,土壤与叶片和凋落物N、C∶N均呈负相关关系。本研究表明,理解养分元素在"植物-凋落物-土壤"之间的生态化学计量特征,对于揭示整个森林生态系统的养分状况和生物化学循环过程极为重要。     

不同林龄杉木人工林植物-凋落叶-土壤C、N、P化学计量特征及互作关系

以贵州8年、16年、28年生杉木人工林为研究对象,分析植物-凋落叶-土壤的C、N、P化学计量特征及其内在联系,探讨林龄对杉木人工林生态化学计量的影响,为杉木人工林可持续经营提供参考。结果表明:(1)杉木人工林植物-凋落叶-土壤均呈高C低N、P元素格局,两两组分间差异显著(P0.05);成熟叶C/N(38.58)、C/P(376.67)偏低,其养分利用效率较低;与成熟叶相比,凋落叶N、P偏低,C/N、C/P偏高;土壤C/P、N/P偏低,C/N较高,说明土壤P素分解较快而N保存较好,反映了凋落叶分解不利。(2)成熟叶C、P以及根、凋落叶、土壤的C、N、P、C/N、C/P、N/P均受林龄的显著影响;从8年到28年,C、N、P含量在植物体呈先增后减趋势,而在土壤中相反,呈先减后增趋势,但在凋落物中C、P显著减小,且C/P,N/P显著增加,反映杉木林早期对养分需求旺盛,随年龄增大需求减小,凋落物分解受制于P素,加剧中幼期杉木生态系统养分供需矛盾。(3)成熟叶与凋落叶N、C/N、N/P之间显著正相关,凋落叶养分源自成熟叶;成熟叶重吸收率P(0.518—0.645)N(0.292—0.488),即对P的利用效率高于N。凋落叶与土壤C、C/N之间显著负相关,表明土壤C、N来源于凋落叶分解,但凋落叶分解缓慢,导致大量元素滞留于凋落叶,土壤损耗元素得不到补给,两者间养分循环缓慢。土壤与根C、P、C/N、C/P、N/P之间均显著正相关,土壤与成熟叶的C、N、P均不相关,表明土壤养分是杉木生长养分的主要来源,但土壤C、N、P含量对成熟叶C、N、P含量影响不大。     

水分对敦煌阳关湿地芦苇叶片与土壤C、N、P生态化学计量特征的影响

土壤水分是影响干旱区植物养分吸收和利用策略的关键因子之一。研究不同水分梯度叶片与土壤生态化学计量特征,有助于揭示植物对环境变化的响应特征及生态适应性。通过野外调查与实验分析,对敦煌阳关不同水分梯度芦苇叶片与土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)生态化学计量特征及其关系进行了研究。结果表明:(1)随土壤含水率升高,叶片C、N、P含量降低,叶片C/N、C/P、N/P升高。(2)随土壤含水率升高,土壤有机碳(OC)、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)含量及土壤N/P升高,土壤C/N降低,土壤C/P先升后降。(3)低水分梯度叶片N、C/N与土壤N、C/N显著负相关(P0.05),叶片C、P、C/P、N/P与土壤C、P、C/P、N/P无显著相关性(P0.05);高、中水分梯度叶片C、N、P与土壤C、N、P化学计量特征相关性均不显著(P0.05)。低水分梯度叶片受干旱胁迫和土壤养分制约,且能够保持较高的叶养分含量,体现了干旱区湿地植物异质生境下独特的养分调节机制。     

鄱阳湖湿地优势植物叶片-凋落物-土壤碳氮磷化学计量特征

2013年11月初在鄱阳湖南矶湿地国家级自然保护区,采集芦苇(Phragmites australis)、南荻(Triarrhena lutarioriparia)、菰(Zizania latifolia(Griseb.))、灰化苔草(Carex cinerascens)、红穗苔草(Carex argyi)和水蓼(Polygonum hydropiper)等6种优势植物新鲜叶片、凋落物及表层0—15cm土壤样品测定了碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量,以阐明不同物种、不同生活型间C、N、P化学计量差异,探讨化学计量垂直分异。结果表明:1)C、N、P含量变化范围分别为:叶片380.6—432.2 mg/g,15.3—32.6 mg/g和1.3—2.0 mg/g;凋落物345.4—416.1 mg/g,10.8—20.8 mg/g和1.1—1.7 mg/g;土壤15.0—38.1 mg/g,1.2—3.1 mg/g和0.7—1.1mg/g,不同物种间叶片、凋落物及土壤C、N、P含量差异显著,且叶片C、N、P含量显著高于凋落物与土壤。2)土壤C∶N、C∶P及N∶P值显著低于叶片与凋落物,且土壤C、N、P化学计量关系与凋落物更为密切,凋落物的C∶N、N∶P分别能解释土壤C∶N、N∶P变异的35%、18%。3)挺水植物与湿生植物之间叶片C∶N、N∶P值差异显著,C∶P则差异不显著,凋落物C∶N、C∶P与N∶P均未达到显著性差异。     

中亚热带植被恢复对土壤有机碳含量、碳密度的影响

为揭示植被恢复对土壤有机碳(SOC)库的影响机制, 采用空间代替时间的方法, 以湘中丘陵区地域相邻、环境条件基本一致的檵木(Loropetalum chinense)-南烛(Vaccinium bracteatum)-杜鹃(Rhododendron simsii)灌草丛(LVR)、檵木-杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)-白栎(Quercus fabri)灌木林(LCQ)、马尾松(Pinus massoniana)-柯(又名石栎)(Lithocarpus glaber)-檵木针阔混交林(PLL)和柯-红淡比(Cleyera japonica)-青冈(Cyclobalanopsis glauca)常绿阔叶林(LAG)作为一个恢复演替序列, 设置固定样地, 采集0-10、10-20、20-30、30-40 cm土层土壤样品, 测定不同恢复阶段SOC含量(C_SOC)和SOC密度(D_SOC), 通过主成分分析方法和逐步回归分析方法分析影响C_SOC、D_SOC变化的主要因子。结果表明: (1)各土层C_SOC、D_SOC随着植被恢复呈增加趋势, 且LAG显著高于其他3个恢复阶段。LAG 0-40 cm土层C_SOC分别比LVR、LCQ、PLL增加12.5、9.3和4.7 g·kg ^-1, 分别提高了248.5%、113.1%和58.5%; D_SOC分别增加67.1、46.1和32.5 t C·hm ^-2, 分别提高了182.0%、79.7%和45.6%。(2) C_SOC、D_SOC与群落植物多样性指数、群落总生物量、地上部分生物量、根系生物量、凋落物层现存量、凋落物层全氮(N)含量、凋落物层全磷(P)含量、土壤全磷(TP)、土壤有效磷(AP)含量、土壤C/N(除C_SOC外)、C/P、N/P、<0.002 mm黏粒百分含量呈显著或极显著正相关关系, 与凋落物层C/N (除D_SOC外)、凋落物层C/P、土壤pH值和土壤容重呈极显著负相关关系, 表明C_SOC、D_SOC随着植被恢复的变化受到植被因子和土壤因子诸多因子的影响。其中, 土壤C/P、土壤pH值和凋落物层C/P对C_SOC、D_SOC影响显著; 此外, <0.002 mm黏粒百分含量也显著影响着D_SOC, 而土壤C/P对C_SOC和D_SOC影响最显著。植被恢复过程中, 凋落物层C/P和土壤C/P、pH值、质地的变化是影响SOC库变化的重要因素。     

放牧对全球草地生态系统碳氮磷化学计量特征影响的Meta分析

为明确全球尺度下放牧管理措施对草地生态系统碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量特征的影响,提高草地生态系统管理水平,本研究选取国内外83篇中英文文献进行Meta分析,并通过亚组分析探讨了放牧家畜组合(羊单牧、牛单牧和牛羊混牧)和放牧强度(轻度、中度、重度)对草地生态系统叶片、凋落物、根系,以及土壤C、N、P化学计量特征的影响。结果表明: 放牧会显著降低叶片和凋落物C含量、C/N、C/P,增加N、P含量及N/P;显著降低根系和土壤C、N含量,C/P和N/P,增加P含量和C/N。叶片、凋落物化学计量特征变化对牛、羊单独放牧响应更为明显,而根系、土壤化学计量特征变化则对混牧响应更为明显,重度放牧会对草地生态系统化学计量特征产生更大的影响。放牧会降低土壤N含量,增加P含量,表明放牧对草地N、P含量的影响路径不同。进一步研究N、P含量变化对放牧活动不平衡响应机制,将放牧方式、强度的影响纳入草地生态系统预测、管理模型,能够有效提高草地生态系统管理水平。     

滇中亚高山森林植物叶-凋落叶-土壤生态化学计量特征

为了深入认识滇中亚高山区域5种典型森林生态系统养分循环规律和系统稳定机质，通过测定植物叶、凋落叶和土壤C、N、P含量，掌握该区域典型森林植物叶-凋落叶-土壤生态化学计量特征。结果显示：（1）5种森林类型C、N、P含量差异显著，其中各林型植物叶和凋落叶C、N、P含量均高于土壤。（2）5种森林类型植物N、P再吸收率均为华山松林 > 云南松林 > 常绿阔叶林 > 高山栎林 > 滇油杉林；5种森林类型的再吸收率均为P（均值为61.20%）高于N（均值为36.48%），表明了该区域土壤P的相对匮乏。（3）5种森林类型C/N、C/P、N/P均表现为凋落叶 > 植物叶 > 土壤；各林型植物叶N/P范围为10.17-15.31。（4）5种森林类型植物叶与凋落叶C、N、P含量、C/N和C/P均呈极显著或显著正相关；凋落叶与土壤的C、N含量及N/P呈显著正相关；5种森林类型植物叶N与P含量呈显著正相关关系；土壤N与P含量呈显著负相关关系。本文探究养分元素在"植物叶-凋落叶-土壤"之间的化学计量特征，为了解该区域森林生态系统的养分状况和揭示生物地球化学循环过程提供了理论数据。     

Stoichiometric characteristics of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus in Phyllostachys edulis forests of China

Aims Stoichiometric ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are important characteristics of the ecological processes and functions. Studies on population ecological stoichiometry can refine the content of flora chemometrics, determine the limited nutrient, and provide data for process-based modeling over large scale. Phyllostachys edulis is an important forest type, whose area accounts for 74% of total bamboo forest area in Southern China. However, little is known about the ecological stoichiometric in P. edulis. This study aimed to reveal C:N, C:P and N:P stoichiometry characteristics of the “plant-soil-litter” continuum and to provide a better understanding nutrient cycling and stability mechanisms in P. edulis forest in China. Methods The data were collected from the published literature containing C、N、P content in leaf or surface soil (0-20 cm) or littefall in P. edulis forests. Important findings 1) The leaf C, N, P content were estimated at 478.30 mg·g^-1, 22.20 mg·g^-1, 1.90 mg·g^-1 in P. edulis, and the corresponding C: N, C: P and N: P were 26.80, 299.60 and 14.40, respectively. Soil C, N, and P content in 0-20 cm were 21.53 mg·g^-1, 1.66 mg·g^-1, 0.41 mg·g^-1, with ratios of 14.20 for C:N, 66.74 for C:P and 4.28 for N:P. The C, N and P contents were 438.49 mg·g^-1, 13.39 mg·g^-1, 0.86 mg·g^-1 for litterfall, with the litter C:N, C:P and N:P being 25.53, 665.67, 22.55, respectively. 2) In the plant-soil-litter system in P. edulis forest, leaf had higher C:N, litter had higher C:P and N:P, while soil were the lowest. The N, P resorption rate was 39.68% and 54.74%, indicating that P. edulis forest growth and development was constrained by P or by both of N and P in China. 3) N content and N:P in leaf showed a tendency to increase with latitude, while the C:N of leaf declined with latitude. N:P of leaf increased with longitude, but the P content and the C:N of leaf showed a opposite trend. C: N of soil increased with longitude, whereas the N content of soil declined longitude. The N content of litter declined with longitude. 4) The leaf N content was negatively correlated with mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation, but being more sensitive to temperature than precipitation. The positive correlations between N content and latitude support “Temperature-Plant Physiological” hypothesis, reflecting an adaptive strategy to environmental conditions.     

Effects of microorganism on carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus of Dodonaea viscosa and the soils from different elevations in Yuanmou,Yunnan, China

Aims Understanding the effects of soil microorganism at different elevations on plant C:N:P stoichiometry can help us to understand the plant-soil interactions in the context of climate change. Our aim was to quantify the independent and interactive effects of soil microbial communities and temperatures on the C, N, and P in the leaves of Dodonaea viscosa—a global widespread species. Methods Rhizosphere soils of D. viscosa were collected from two elevation zones in Yuanmou County, Yunnan Province. A 2 × 3 factorial experiment with six replications was conducted using climate chambers. The leaf C, N and P contents and the soil properties were measured after three months of the treatments. Important findings Compared with the autoclaved treatment, inoculated rhizosphere soils from both high and low elevations had higher nutrient absorption, especially P uptake. Temperature produced no significant effect on leaf C:N:P stoichiometry, but the interactive effect of temperature and microbial treatment appeared significant. For inoculated rhizosphere soils from high elevation, temperature had no significant effect on leaf C:N:P stoichiometry. For inoculated rhizosphere soils from low elevation, leaf N and P contents under low temperature were significantly lower than those with warmer soils. The promoting effect of soil microorganisms on nutrient uptake may be due to the direct effect of beneficial microorganisms (e.g., mycorrhizal fungi), but not through the alteration of nutrient cycling process. Because D. viscosa in the inoculated rhizosphere soils absorbed more N and P from the soil than those in autoclaved soil, the available N and P in inoculated rhizosphere soils were lower than those in autoclaved soils. As predicted future temperature will be lower in the studied region, the growth of D. viscosa may be negatively affected through plant-microbe feedbacks.     

Characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry across components of forest ecosystem in Shaanxi Province

Aims Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry between vegetation, litter, and soil were important for understanding biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial ecosystems, but remain poorly understood. Here, our aims were to study characteristics of N and P stoichiometry for the plant, litter, and soil and the interactions between its components across forest ecosystems in Shaanxi Province.Methods A total of 121 sampling sites, covering the most main forest types in Shaanxi, were established across the whole province in 2012. And N and P concentration of vegetation (tree and understory), litter and soil layers were measured for each site.Important findings 1) There were significant differences in the N and P stoichiometry among the forest ecosystem components (p < 0.05). N and P contents were higher in understory and litter layer, and lower in tree and soil. Whereas the N:P was slightly different, highest in litter and lowest in the soil layer, with little differences among remaining components. The contents of N, P and N:P ranged from 0.72 to11.99 mg·g^-1, 0.47 to 1.07 mg·g^-1, and 1.86 to 14.84, respectively. Within top 1 m soil layer N content and N:P decreased with soil depth (p < 0.05), however the P content did not exhibit significant changes. 2) N and P contents, and N:P of each component were higher in broadleaf forest than in coniferous forest, although the difference is not significant. 3) N was positively correlated with P content except for soil and N:P was negatively correlated with P content, but positively correlated with N content within each component. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation for N and P stoichiometric characteristics between litter layer and tree, herb, soil layer. 4) Although spatial pattern of N and P contents, and N:P differed in relation to longitude, latitude, and elevation for forest ecosystem components, a stable distribution was exhibited in general.     

Salt accumulation in vegetative organs and ecological stoichiometry characteristics in typical halophytes in Xinjiang,China

AimsStudying salt accumulation in vegetative organs and carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) stoichiometry in halophytes contributes to understand the adaptive strategy to saline environment and the distribution mechanism of nutrients and salinity of the halophytes.MethodsFour typical dominant species, including three perennial shrubs (Halocnemum strobilaceum, Suaeda microphylla and Kalidium foliatum) and an annual herb (Salicornia europaea) were selected for analyzing the salt accumulation and C, N, P stoichiometry relationships.Important findings 1) The salt accumulation showed “salt island” effect at peak growing stage; Na⁺, Cl^- and electrical conductivity all showed significant positive trends, when salt ions were transported from the root to the shoot of 4 halophytes. 2) P was the limiting growth element of perennial shrubs, while both N and P were limiting factors for the annual herb. 3) Different organs, species and their interactions affected C, N, P stoichiometry and salt icons except Mg²⁺. 4) C was negatively correlated with N and P, but there was a significant positive correlation between N and P. 5) Electrical conductivity, Na⁺and K⁺ were positively correlated with N, N:P ratio, and negatively correlated with C, C:N and C:P ratios, and yet K⁺, CO₃^2- had significant positive correlation with P. These results implied that there were some kind of mutual promoting relationships between nutrients and salinity in halophytes in the saline environment, and fertilizing with N could promote sodium chloride desalination.     

氮磷添加对荒漠草原植物-凋落物-土壤生态化学计量特征的影响

为明确植物、凋落物和土壤养分含量及化学计量比对土壤中添加多种限制性养分的响应，阐明"植物-凋落物-土壤"连续体化学计量动态及各组分之间的协同作用，以宁夏荒漠草原为研究对象，于2018年开始进行氮（N）、磷（P）养分添加控制试验。试验处理包括对照（CK）、N添加、P添加、NP共同添加4个处理。结果表明：（1） NP共同添加显著增加了荒漠草原植物N和P含量、以及凋落物和土壤P含量，显著降低了荒漠草原植物C：N和C：P、以及土壤和凋落物C：P和N：P。P添加显著增加了荒漠草原植物、凋落物和土壤P含量，显著降低了植物、凋落物、土壤C：P和N：P。N添加分别增加了植物、凋落物N含量和N：P，但对植物N含量影响未达到显著水平。（2） C、N、P含量和N：P大小均表现为植物 > 凋落物 > 土壤，C：N和C：P均表现为凋落物 > 植物。（3） N添加提高了荒漠草原植物对P再吸收效率，降低了荒漠草原植物对N利用效率；P添加提高荒漠草原植物对N再吸收效率，降低荒漠草原对P的利用效率；NP共同添加提高了荒漠草原植物对N和P再吸收效率，降低了荒漠草原植物对N和P利用效率。（4）植物-凋落物-土壤的N、P含量和化学计量比之间显著相关，其中植物N、P、N：P与凋落物和土壤N、P、N：P显著正相关，凋落物P、C：N与植物和土壤C：P、N：P显著负相关。（5）荒漠草原植物和凋落物N较稳定（1/H=0.45和1/H=0.48），而植物和凋落物P、N：P较敏感（1/H=0.80、0.73和1/H=0.81、0.78）。荒漠草原植物生长受N限制，N添加缓解荒漠草原植物N限制，P添加和NP添加加剧荒漠草原植物N限制，荒漠草原植物通过改变养分利用策略和再吸收利用效率适应土壤中N、P含量的变化。     

Responses of plant community biomass to nitrogen and phosphorus additions in natural and restored grasslands around Qinghai Lake Basin

Aims Plant biomass reflects the primary productivity of community vegetation, and is the main resource of carbon input in the terrestrial ecosystem. It is usually limited by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability in the soil. Alpine grassland around Qinghai Lake Basin has experienced extensive land-use changes due to the cultivation of native grassland and vegetation recovery on cropped land. In this experiment, two grassland types were chosen, natural alpine grassland (NG) and its adjacent restored grassland (RG), to determine the responses of plant community biomass to N and P additions with different land-use. Methods NH₄NO₃ and Ca(H₂PO₄)₂·H₂O were added in a completely randomized block design, with medium levels of 10 g N·m^-2 and 5 g P·m^-2. Soil NO₃^--N and available P contents, and the plant community biomass were measured in the two grasslands. Two-way ANOVA was used to determine the effects of nutrient additions on all measured indicators, and regression analysis was used to analyze the correlations between plant biomass and soil NO₃^--N and available P contents.Important findings Results showed: (1) N and P additions both increased grass biomass in the NG, and significantly elevated the total aboveground biomass, with the promoting effect of N addition higher than that of P addition; N addition significantly increased both grass and forb biomass in the RG, and markedly promoted the total aboveground biomass, while P addition had no effects on the functional groups and total aboveground biomass (p > 0.05). (2) N and P additions both had no effects on the belowground and total biomass in the NG, whereas N addition significantly increased the total biomass by 34% in the RG, which suggested that the effect of N limitation on the vegetation primary productivity was stronger in the RG at present stage. (3) The aboveground biomass in the NG increased with soil NO₃^--N content (p < 0.05), and the above- and below-ground as well as the total biomass were all positively correlated with soil NO₃^--N content in the RG (p < 0.01). These results indicated that the plant growth in alpine grassland around Qinghai Lake Basin was prone to N limitation, and the effect of P limitation changed with land-use. Soil available N might be the key limiting factor for vegetation restoration and reconstruction in the RG. The “Grain for Green” project (the land-use policy) and atmospheric N deposition are benefiting both plant growth and C accumulation in the alpine grassland ecosystem around Qinghai Lake Basin.     

Effects of grazing intensity and grazing exclusion on litter decomposition in the temperate steppe of Nei Mongol,China

Aims Grazing intensity and grazing exclusion affect ecosystem carbon cycling by changing the plant community and soil micro-environment in grassland ecosystems. The aims of this study were: 1) to determine the effects of grazing intensity and grazing exclusion on litter decomposition in the temperate grasslands of Nei Mongol; 2) to compare the difference between above-ground and below-ground litter decomposition; 3) to identify the effects of precipitation on litter production and decomposition. Methods We measured litter production, quality, decomposition rates and soil nutrient contents during the growing season in 2011 and 2012 in four plots, i.e. light grazing, heavy grazing, light grazing exclusion and heavy grazing exclusion. Quadrate surveys and litter bags were used to measure litter production and decomposition rates. All data were analyzed with ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation procedures in SPSS. Important findings Litter production and decomposition rates differed greatly among four plots. During the two years of our study, above-ground litter production and decomposition in heavy-grazing plots were faster than those in light-grazing plots. In the dry year, below-ground litter production and decomposition in light-grazing plots were faster than those in heavy-grazing plots, which is opposite to the findings in the wet year. Short-term grazing exclusion could promote litter production, and the exclusion of light-grazing could increase litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. In contrast, heavy-grazing exclusion decreased litter decomposition. Thus, grazing exclusion is beneficial to the restoration of the light-grazing grasslands, and more human management measures are needed during the restoration of heavy-grazing grasslands. Precipitation increased litter production and decomposition, and below-ground litter was more vulnerable to the inter-annual change of precipitation than above-ground litter. Compared to the light-grazing grasslands, heavy-grazing grasslands had higher sensitivity to precipitation. The above-ground litter decomposition was strongly positively correlated with the litter N content (R² = 0.489, p < 0.01) and strongly negatively correlated with the soil total N content (R² = 0.450, p < 0.01), but it was not significantly correlated with C:N and lignin:N. Below-ground litter decomposition was negatively correlated with the litter C (R² = 0.263, p < 0.01), C:N (R² = 0.349, p < 0.01) and cellulose content (R² = 0.460, p < 0.01). Our results will provide a theoretical basis for ecosystem restoration and the research of carbon cycling.     

Edge effects of forest gap in Pinus massoniana plantations on the ecological stoichiometry of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum

Aims Pinus massoniana is one of the major plantation tree species in the low hilly lands along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Valley in China’s “Grain for Green” project. The objective of this study was to explore the edge effects of forest gap on the ecological stoichiometry of dominant tree species in a P. massoniana plantation forest.Methods We collected Cinnamomum longepaniculatum leaves in a 39-year-old P. massoniana plantation forest with seven forest gap sizes (G1: 100 m²; G2: 225 m²; G3: 400 m²; G4: 625 m²; G5: 900 m²; G6: 1 225 m²; G7: 1 600 m², and the control: closed canopy) located in Gao County, south Sichuan Province during different seasons. The contents of C, N and P in leaves were measured, and the effects of edges, seasons and their interaction on leaf C, N and P contents and C:N:P stoichiometry were evaluated.Important findings The leaf C content, C:N and C:P of C. longepaniculatum at the edge of forest gaps in different seasons were all significantly higher than those of understory plants in P. massoniana plantation. With increasing size of forest gaps, leaf C content and C:N ratio, C:P and N:P of C. longepaniculatum increased initially and then decreased with the maximum at medium size (400-900 m²). From spring to winter, leaf N and P contents of C. longepaniculatum increased after an obvious decrease; and the C:N and C:P increased first but then decreased. However, the inflection point all appeared in the summer. The nutrient utilization of C. longepaniculatum at the edge of forest gaps was more efficient in summer and autumn than in spring and winter, indicating significant edge effects. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that gap size, relative light intensity and monthly average air temperature were the main environmental factors affecting the stoichiometry of C. longepaniculatum at the different edge of forest gaps in the P. massoniana plantation. These results indicated that forest gap with size 625 m² had the highest organic matter storage and nutrient utilization efficiency in the edge areas in all seasons, and therefore had the most significant edge effect on leaf element stoichiometry.     

Effects of desertification on the C:N:P stoichiometry of soil,microbes, and extracellular enzymes in a desert grassland

为探讨荒漠草地沙漠化对“土壤-微生物-胞外酶”系统生态化学计量的影响机理, 该研究采用空间序列代替时间演替的方法, 研究了宁夏盐池荒漠草地沙漠化过程中土壤、土壤微生物及土壤胞外酶碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)生态化学计量的变异特征。结果表明: (1)随着荒漠草地沙漠化的不断加剧, 土壤C、N、P含量和土壤C:P、N:P均呈降低趋势, 而土壤C:N逐渐增加。(2)荒漠草地沙漠化过程中, 土壤微生物生物量C (MBC):微生物生物量P (MBP)、微生物生物量N (MBN):MBP和土壤β-葡萄糖苷酶(BG):N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)逐渐降低, 而土壤BG:磷酸酶(AP)和NAG:AP基本表现为增加趋势。(3)随着荒漠草地沙漠化程度的加剧, 土壤微生物C利用效率CUE_C:N和CUE_C:P与土壤微生物N利用效率NUE_N:C和土壤微生物P利用效率PUE_P:C的变化趋势相反。(4)荒漠草地土壤、土壤微生物生物量和土壤胞外酶C:N化学计量(C:N, MBC:MBN, BG:NAG)与土壤、土壤微生物生物量和土壤胞外酶N:P化学计量(N:P, MBN:MBP, NAG:AP)显著负相关, 而土壤和胞外酶C:N化学计量(C:N, BG:NAG)与土壤和胞外酶C:P化学计量(C:P, BG:AP)显著正相关。土壤N:P与土壤MBN:MBP显著正相关, 而与土壤NAG:AP显著负相关。分析表明, 荒漠草地沙漠化过程中土壤微生物生物量及胞外酶活性随着土壤养分的变化而发生变化; 微生物-胞外酶C:N:P生态化学计量与土壤养分存在协变关系, 为理解荒漠草地土壤-微生物系统C、N、P循环机制提供理论依据。