Are savannas patch-dynamic systems? A landscape model

Savannas are ecosystems characterized by the coexistence of woody species (trees and bushes) and grasses. Given that savanna characteristics are mainly formed from competition, herbivory, fire, woodcutting, and patchy soil and precipitation characteristics, we propose a spatially explicit model to examine the effects of the above-mentioned parameters on savanna vegetation dynamics in space and time. Furthermore, we investigate the effects of the above-mentioned parameters on tree–bush–grass ratios, as well as the degrees of aggregation of tree–bush–grass biomass. We parameterized our model for an arid savanna with shallow soil depth as well as a mesic one with generally deeper and more variable soil depths. Our model was able to reproduce savanna vegetation characteristics for periods of time over 2000 years with daily updated time steps. According to our results, tree biomass was higher than bush biomass in the arid savanna but bush biomass exceeded tree and grass biomass in the simulated mesic savanna. Woody biomass increased in our simulations when the soil's porosity values were increased (mesic savanna), in combination with higher precipitation. Savanna vegetation varied from open savanna to woodland and back to open savanna again. Vegetation cycles varied over ∼300-year cycles in the arid and ∼220-year cycles in the mesic-simulated savanna. Autocorrelation values indicated that there are both temporal and spatial vegetation cycles. Our model indicated cycling savanna vegetation at the landscape scale, cycles in cells, and patchiness, i.e. patch dynamics.     

Crop growth,soil water and nitrogen balance simulation on three experimental field plots using the Opus model—A case study

Over a period of 5 years, the agro-ecosystem model Opus was used to simulate soil water and nitrogen balance as well as crop growth for three experimental field plots. At these plots, different agricultural management practices were applied. The data set obtained from these plots consists of automatically recorded time series of daily volumetric soil water contents measured by TRIME-probes as well as daily pressure heads measured by tensiometer. Aboveground total biomass, yield, nitrogen-uptake by crops as well as nitrate contents in the soil were measured at 6–10 sample times per year. The objective of this study was an evaluation of the accuracy of Opus regarding the simulation of crop growth, soil water and nitrogen balance. The simulations of soil water contents and pressure heads correspond with the commonly measured trends in soil depths shallower than 60 cm. In depths deeper than 60 cm, some differences between measured and simulated soil water contents as well as pressure heads could be observed. Nitrate contents in the root zone and the aboveground total biomass were simulated satisfactorily. In contrast to that, simulated and observed yields show greater discrepancies. This indicates the need of a site specific calibration of crop growth parameters within the Opus model.     

SPACSYS: Integration of a 3D root architecture component to carbon, nitrogen and water cycling—Model description

It is an ongoing challenge to develop and demonstrate management practices that increase the sustainability of agricultural systems. Soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics directly affect soil quality, crop productivity and environmental impacts. Root systems are central to the acquisition of water and nutrients by plants, but are also a major pathway for the inputs of carbon and nutrients to soil. The complexity of both biotic and abiotic interactions, combined with stochastic changes in root architecture, makes it difficult to understand below-ground dynamics on the basis of experimentation alone. The integration of dynamic models of above-ground growth, three-dimensional root system demography, and interactions between plants and the environment, into one single model is a major challenge because of the complexity of the systems.In order to understand the interaction between a plant and the environment, it is advantageous to develop a model framework to integrate submodels that simulate various plant and environmental components. The objective of this paper is to outline a mechanistic and process-based model, which is capable of simulating interactions among environmental conditions around plants, plant growth and development, nitrogen and carbon cycles, with a three-dimensional root system submodel as an interface.The model presented in this paper is a mixed dimensional, multi-layer, field scale, weather-driven and daily time-step dynamic simulation model. The current version includes a plant growth and development component, a nitrogen cycling component, a carbon cycling component, plus a soil water component that includes representation of water flow to field drains as well as downwards through the soil layers, together with a heat transfer component. The components themselves and linkage among components are designed using object-oriented techniques, which makes the model robust, understandable and reusable. The components are implemented in the C++ programming language, and inputs and outputs of all components are organised as a database in either Microsoft^® SQL Server 2000, Access 2000 or MySQL5.0. Root architecture is visualised by using the OpenGL graphics system. Preliminary validation with two separate experimental datasets shows that the model can reasonably simulate root systems, nitrogen cycling, water movement and plant growth.     

Vegetation competition model for water and light limitation. I: Model description, one-dimensional competition and the influence of groundwater

Vegetation growth models often concentrate on the interaction of vegetation with soil moisture but usually omit the influence of groundwater. However the proximity of groundwater can have a profound effect on vegetation growth, because it strongly influences the spatial and temporal distribution of soil moisture and therefore water and oxygen stress of vegetation. In two papers we describe the behavior of a coupled vegetation-groundwater-soil water model including the competition for water and light. In this first paper we describe the vegetation model, compare the model to measured flux data and show the influence of water and light competition in one dimension. In the second paper we focus on the influence of lateral groundwater flow and spatial patterns along a hillslope. The vegetation model is based on a biophysical representation of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Transpiration and stomatal conductance depend both on atmospheric forcing and soil moisture content. Carbon assimilation depends on environmental conditions, stomatal conductance and biochemical processes. Light competition is driven by tree height and water competition is driven by root water uptake and its water and oxygen stress reaction. The modeled and measured H₂O and CO₂ fluxes compare well to observations on both a diurnal and a yearly timescale. Using an upscaling procedure long simulation runs were performed. These show the importance of light competition in temperate forests: once a tree is established under slightly unfavorable soil moisture conditions it can not be outcompeted by smaller trees with better soil moisture uptake capabilities, both in dry as in wet conditions. Performing the long simulation runs with a background mortality rate reproduces realistic densities of wet and dry adapted tree species along a wet to dry gradient. These simulations show that the influence of groundwater is apparent for a large range of groundwater depths, by both capillary rise and water logging. They also show that species composition and biomass have a larger influence on the water balance in eco-hydrological systems than soil and groundwater alone.     

A mechanistic model of tree competition and facilitation for Mediterranean forests: Scaling from leaf physiology to stand dynamics

Mechanistic theories of plant competition developed to explain changes in community structure and dynamics along resource availability gradients have been mostly applied to temperate forests and grasslands where light and nutrients are the two main limiting resources. In contrast, the mechanisms underlying the structure and dynamics of water-limited plant communities have been little explored. Also previous mechanistic models rely either on complex simulators, which are difficult to interpret or on simple conceptual models, which ignore too many critical details. In this study, we develop a model of stand dynamics for light and water-limited forests of intermediate complexity and we provide an analytical framework for its analyses. The model is an individual-based simulator that describes the feedback between transpiration, stomatal function and soil water dynamics with asymmetrical competition for light and water. Trees allocate carbon to three main compartments: shoot, stem and roots. We use the model to explore general patterns that may emerge across levels of biological organization from the leaf to the stand. Model predictions are consistent with a number of features of Mediterranean forests structure and dynamics. At the plant-level the leaf-based tradeoff between carbon gain and water loss expresses as a tradeoff between mortality and growth. This tradeoff explains plant morphological changes in above-ground biomass and root to shoot allocation along a water availability gradient. At the community-level, tradeoffs among carbon acquisition and water loss govern the sign of plant interactions along the gradient. Coexistence among morphological types was not observed for the range of parameters and environmental conditions explored. Overall the model provides an unifying explanation for the observed changes in the sign of plant to plant interactions along environmental gradients as well as a process-based formulation that can be linked to empirical studies.     

模拟水深和氮添加对三江平原湿地植物功能性状的影响

水深和氮素是影响湿地植物生长的关键因素,研究两者对功能性状的影响有助于预测未来环境变化下湿地植物的生长与分布趋势.以三江平原沼泽湿地3种优势植物(漂筏苔草Carex pseudocuraica、毛苔草Carex lasiocarpa和燕子花lris laevigata)为研究对象,设置3个水深(0、5、15 cm)和3...     

A process-based model of nitrogen cycling in forest plantations: Part II. Simulating growth and nitrogen mineralisation of Eucalyptus globulus plantations in south-western Australia

We applied a new version of the G’DAY ecosystem model to short-rotation plantations of Eucalyptus globulus growing under a Mediterranean climate in south-western Australia. The new version, that includes modified submodels for biomass production, water balance, litter and soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition, and soil inorganic N balance, was parameterised and applied to three experimental eucalypt sites (Mumballup, Darkan and Northcliffe) of contrasting productivity. With a common base set of parameter values, the model was able to correctly reproduce observed time series of soil water content, canopy leaf area index and stemwood data at the three sites. The model's ability to simulate soil N supply under forest plantations was tested by simulating N mineralisation at each of the three sites over the duration of the experiment (10 years). Simulated annual net N mineralisation in the litter and top 20 cm soil layer ranged from 50 to 170 kg N ha⁻¹ across the sites as a result of differences in rates of litter production, SOM and litter decomposition, and microbial N immobilisation and (re-)mineralisation. Simulations of annual soil N mineralisation were similar to measured rates over a 3-year period, except for an overestimation in 1 year at Mumballup and 2 years at Darkan. Model results indicated the importance of fine root production and turnover for N supply. As plantations age, supply of N to trees increasingly originates from litter decomposition, while the contribution from decomposition of SOM decreases. Although major soil feedbacks associated with litter production, decomposition and N availability are adequately integrated into G’DAY, further work is required in some aspects of the model, including the utility of the C-allocation submodel over a wide range of site conditions and silvicultural treatments.     

Soil feedback of exotic savanna grass relates to pathogen absence and mycorrhizal selectivity

Enemy release of exotic plants from soil pathogens has been tested by examining plant-soil feedback effects in repetitive growth cycles. However, positive soil feedback may also be due to enhanced benefit from the local arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Few studies actually have tested pathogen effects, and none of them did so in arid savannas. In the Kalahari savanna in Botswana, we compared the soil feedback of the exotic grass Cenchrus biflorus with that of two dominant native grasses, Eragrostis lehmanniana and Aristida meridionalis. The exotic grass had neutral to positive soil feedback, whereas both native grasses showed neutral to negative feedback effects. Isolation and testing of root-inhabiting fungi of E. lehmanniana yielded two host-specific pathogens that did not influence the exotic C. biflorus or the other native grass, A. meridionalis. None of the grasses was affected by the fungi that were isolated from the roots of the exotic C. biflorus. We isolated and compared the AMF community of the native and exotic grasses by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel elecrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), targeting AMF 18S rRNA. We used roots from monospecific field stands and from plants grown in pots with mixtures of soils from the monospecific field stands. Three-quarters of the root samples of the exotic grass had two nearly identical sequences, showing 99% similarity with Glomus versiforme. The two native grasses were also associated with distinct bands, but each of these bands occurred in only a fraction of the root samples. The native grasses contained a higher diversity of AMF bands than the exotic grass. Canonical correspondence analyses of the AMF band patterns revealed almost as much difference between the native and exotic grasses as between the native grasses. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that release from soil-borne enemies may facilitate local abundance of exotic plants, and we provide the first evidence that these processes may occur in arid savanna ecosystems. Pathogenicity tests implicated the involvement of soil pathogens in the soil feedback responses, and further studies should reveal the functional consequences of the observed high infection with a low diversity of AMF in the roots of exotic plants.     

From single fine roots to a black alder forest ecosystem: How system behaviour emerges from single component activities

Based on empirical findings in a natural black alder ecosystem in Northern Germany we developed an individual based model that integrates components of a black alder ecosystem interacting on different levels of organisation. The factors determining seasonal fine root biomass development of forest ecosystems are not yet fully understood.We used an object oriented model approach to investigate this complex matter for black alder trees. Processes like growth, storage, respiration, transport, nutrient mineralisation and uptake as well as interactions among these factors are described on the level of functionally differentiated plant organs (fine roots, coarse roots, stem, branches, leaves) and soil units. The object structure of the model is determined by spatial relations between plant modules as well as between plant modules and their local environment modules.As results of model application we found that (i) on the organ level, spatio-temporal plasticity of (root) growth allocation is related to spatio-temporal variation of resource availability, (ii) on the plant level, balanced root:shoot growth appears in response to variation of available resources light and nutrients, (iii) on the population level, tree stand development (population structure, self-thinning) resulted from coexistence and competition between plant individuals.For the understanding of the root compartment it seems relevant that the model implementation of local scale fine root dynamics is consistent with a self-organised large scale spatial heterogeneity of fine root activity pattern. On the other hand, fine-root dynamics cannot be explained as a result of autonomous dynamics. A reference to above-ground processes is a necessary condition and the overall plant seems to act as an integrator providing boundary conditions for local activity pattern. At the same time fine-root characteristics are of some importance for properties on hierarchically higher levels, e.g. co-existence in a tree population or element cycling in the ecosystem.As a conclusion, modelling of the spatio-temporal dynamics of tree root systems appears as a paradigmatic example of scale and organisation level integrating processes.     

Application of a coupled ecosystem-chemical equilibrium model, DayCent-Chem, to stream and soil chemistry in a Rocky Mountain watershed

Atmospheric deposition of sulfur and nitrogen species have the potential to acidify terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, but nitrate and ammonium are also critical nutrients for plant and microbial productivity. Both the ecological response and the hydrochemical response to atmospheric deposition are of interest to regulatory and land management agencies. We developed a non-spatial biogeochemical model to simulate soil and surface water chemistry by linking the daily version of the CENTURY ecosystem model (DayCent) with a low temperature aqueous geochemical model, PHREEQC. The coupled model, DayCent-Chem, simulates the daily dynamics of plant production, soil organic matter, cation exchange, mineral weathering, elution, stream discharge, and solute concentrations in soil water and stream flow. By aerially weighting the contributions of separate bedrock/talus and tundra simulations, the model was able to replicate the measured seasonal and annual stream chemistry for most solutes for Andrews Creek in Loch Vale watershed, Rocky Mountain National Park. Simulated soil chemistry, net primary production, live biomass, and soil organic matter for forest and tundra matched well with measurements. This model is appropriate for accurately describing ecosystem and surface water chemical response to atmospheric deposition and climate change.     

Combined effect of fire and water scarcity on vegetation patterns in arid lands

In many arid zones around the word, the vegetation spontaneously forms regular patterns to optimize the use of the scarce water resources. The patterns act as early warning signal that fragile ecosystems may suddenly undergo irreversible shifts, thus, interpreting the structural shape of vegetation patterns is crucial to deciphering the ecosystem history and its expected further development. The sudden and irreversible shift of delicate ecosystems as a consequence of minor variation of the climatic forcing has been studied extensively in the past. The attitude of the ecosystem to recover after a catastrophic event, such as fire, did not receive as much attention so far. Here we modelled fire, as a sudden shift of the ecosystem state variables and functionality and evaluated post-fire scenarios under the hypothesis that two major feedbacks shaped the vegetation patterns: a positive feedback between preferential infiltration and plant growth, and a second feedback between infiltration and vegetation burning. A simple model solving a set of partial differential equations for soil moisture, plant biomass, surface water and dead biomass balance predicted significantly diverse post-fire vegetation patterns depending on the fire severity and on the degree of soil water repellency induced by the vegetation burning.     

Modeling compensated root water and nutrient uptake

Plant root water and nutrient uptake is one of the most important processes in subsurface unsaturated flow and transport modeling, as root uptake controls actual plant evapotranspiration, water recharge and nutrient leaching to the groundwater, and exerts a major influence on predictions of global climate models. In general, unsaturated models describe root uptake relatively simple. For example, root water uptake is mostly uncompensated and nutrient uptake is simulated assuming that all uptake is passive, through the water uptake pathway only. We present a new compensated root water and nutrient uptake model, implemented in HYDRUS. The so-called root adaptability factor represents a threshold value above which reduced root water or nutrient uptake in water- or nutrient-stressed parts of the root zone is fully compensated for by increased uptake in other soil regions that are less stressed. Using a critical value of the water stress index, water uptake compensation is proportional to the water stress response function. Total root nutrient uptake is determined from the total of active and passive nutrient uptake. The partitioning between passive and active uptake is controlled by the a priori defined concentration value c_max. Passive nutrient uptake is simulated by multiplying root water uptake with the dissolved nutrient concentration, for soil solution concentration values below c_max. Passive nutrient uptake is thus zero when c_max is equal to zero. As the active nutrient uptake is obtained from the difference between plant nutrient demand and passive nutrient uptake (using Michaelis–Menten kinetics), the presented model thus implies that reduced passive nutrient uptake is compensated for by active nutrient uptake. In addition, the proposed root uptake model includes compensation for active nutrient uptake, in a similar way as used for root water uptake. The proposed root water and nutrient uptake model is demonstrated by several hypothetical examples, for plants supplied by water due to capillary rise from groundwater and surface drip irrigation.     

Elevated CO2 stimulates net accumulations of carbon and nitrogen in land ecosystems: a meta-analysis

The capability of terrestrial ecosystems to sequester carbon (C) plays a critical role in regulating future climatic change yet depends on nitrogen (N) availability. To predict long-term ecosystem C storage, it is essential to examine whether soil N becomes progressively limiting as C and N are sequestered in long-lived plant biomass and soil organic matter. A critical parameter to indicate the long-term progressive N limitation (PNL) is net change in ecosystem N content in association with C accumulation in plant and soil pools under elevated CO2. We compiled data from 104 published papers that study C and N dynamics at ambient and elevated CO2. The compiled database contains C contents, N contents, and C:N ratio in various plant and soil pools, and root:shoot ratio. Averaged C and N pool sizes in plant and soil all significantly increase at elevated CO2 in comparison to those at ambient CO2, ranging from a 5% increase in shoot N content to a 32% increase in root C content. The C and N contents in litter pools are consistently higher in elevated than ambient CO2 among all the surveyed studies whereas C and N contents in the other pools increase in some studies and decrease in other studies. The high variability in CO2-induced changes in C and N pool sizes results from diverse responses of various C and N processes to elevated CO2. Averaged C:N ratios are higher by 3% in litter and soil pools and 11% in root and shoot pools at elevated relative to ambient CO2. Elevated CO2 slightly increases root:shoot ratio. The net N accumulation in plant and soil pools at least helps prevent complete down-regulation of, and likely supports, long-term CO2 stimulation of C sequestration. The concomitant C and N accumulations in response to rising atmospheric CO2 may reflect intrinsic nature of ecosystem development as revealed before by studies of succession over hundreds to millions of years.     

A simulation framework for water allocation to meet the environmental requirements of urban rivers: model development and a case study for the Liming River in Daqing City,China

In this paper, we describe the development of a simulation framework for allocating water from different sources to meet the environmental flows of an urban river. The model permits the development of a rational balance in the utilization of storm water, reclaimed water from wastewater treatment plants, and freshwater from reservoirs with consideration of the limited capacities of different water resources. It is designed to permit the full utilization of unconventional water sources for the restoration of river water quality by increasing river flow and improving water quality. To demonstrate practical use of the model, a case study is presented in which the model was used to simulate the environmental water allocation for the Liming River in Daqing City, China, based on the three water sources mentioned above. The results demonstrate that the model provides an effective approach for helping managers allocate water to satisfy the river’s environmental water requirements.     

Chemical composition of rivers and streams in the forest and savanna zones of Nigeria

The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in the chemical conditions of lotic waterbodies in the two major ecosystems in Nigeria, the forest and savanna zones. The forest waters were slightly acidic (mean±SD pH = 6.72±0.58) while the savanna waters were slightly alkaline (pH = 7.11±0.33). The cationic order of dominance in the forest waters was Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺ in contrast to Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ in savanna waters. The forest waters were chlorided (typical of coastal and/or marine waters) whereas the savanna waters were carbonated in nature, typical of the worldwide freshwater. Organic carbon was significantly higher in forest waters than in the savanna waters (p < 0.05) while nutrient compounds were significantly higher in savanna waters than in forest waters. The seasonal variation of the chemical parameters was generally more evident in savanna than in forest waters. The differences in water quality between the two major vegetation zones reflect the differences in the biogeochemical processes and nutrient cycling that characterise forest and savanna ecosystems.     

Uptake and accumulation of potentially toxic metals (Zn, Cu and Pb) in soils and plants of Durgapur industrial belt

Uptake and accumulation of metals in crops may cause possible health risks through food chain. A field survey was conducted to investigate the accumulation of potentially toxic metals contamination in soil and plants irrigated with complexed industrial effluents. Concentration of Zn, Cu and Pb was 205-255,101-130,118-177 microg g(-1) in rhizosphere soils and 116-223, 57-102 and 63-95 microg g(-1) d. wt. in root and 95-186, 44-75 and 27-58 microg g(-1) d. wt. in shoot, respectively. The trend in Cu and Pb was in the order: soil > root > shoot > seed while in Zn it was soil > root > seed > shoot. Roots accumulated a larger fraction of soil Cu (70%) > Zn (67%) > Pb (54%). Bioaccumulation coefficient of soil to root ranged from 51-98 for Zn, 54-85 for Cu and 43-63 for Pb.Analysis of variance showed marginal change in bioaccumulation coefficient, noticed between plants (p > 0.05) while it varied significantly (p < 0.01) between tissues and metals. It increased from root to seed/fruit (root > shoot > seed/fruit) while decreased between metals from Zn to Pb (Zn > Cu > Pb). Out of the three, two Cu and Pb accumulated to phyotoxic levels while Zn was within threshold limit of phytotoxicity.     

Accumulation and phytoavailability of benzo[a]pyrene in an acid sandy soil

Effects of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) on ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) growth, plant accumulation and dissipiation of B[a]P in a red sandy soil (Hapli-Udic Argosol) were studied in a pot experiment. The plants were grown for 61 days in soil spiked with B[a]P at 0, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg kg⁻¹. Control pots without plants were also set up. Soil extractable B[a]P, plant shoot and root biomass, and concentrations of B[a]P in plant shoots and roots were determined. Ryegrass biomass was increased by addition of B[a]P and root B[a]P concentrations were significantly correlated with B[a]P application rate, but no such correlation was found for shoot B[a]P concentrations. This indicates that B[a]P enhanced the growth of the ryegrass. The extractable B[a]P concentration in the planted soil was significantly lower than that in the unplanted control soil at the rate of 50 mg B[a]P kg⁻¹. This indicates that ryegrass may help to dissipate B[a]P in soil at concentrations over 50 mg kg⁻¹ soil although the mechanism for this is not understood.     

磷肥和黑麦草结合修复铅污染贫磷潮土的研究（Remediation of Lead Polluted Chaotu Soil with Low Phosphorus Availability by Phosphorus Fertilizer Amendment and Ryegrass）

在Pb污染土壤中施用磷肥是降低Pb有效性的有效方法.在低磷或高Pb胁迫下,植物根际的一系列变化将促进植物对磷的吸收或对Pb毒性的降低,但低磷胁迫下植物对土壤Pb有效性的影响研究不多.为探讨Pb污染低磷土壤上施用磷肥对Pb有效性、植物吸收Pb的影响及黑麦草(LoliumperenneL.)对土壤Pb有效性的影响,设置0、500和1000mg·kg-13个Pb用量和0、2729mg·kg-1两个普通过磷酸钙磷肥用量,种植黑麦草,0和1000mg·kg-1Pb下设置不种植植物的对照的盆栽试验,植物生长48d后收获,测定植物地上部和根系产量、长度、Pb浓度及土壤DTPA-Pb含量.结果表明,施用磷肥后植物产量和地上部长度增加、根冠比、根系长度和Pb浓度减小,500mg·kg-1Pb用量时,未施用磷肥和施用磷肥时植物产量分别为0.37和1.70g·pot-1,1000mg·kg-1Pb用量时这两个数值分别为0.24和1.50g·pot-1,500mg·kg-1Pb用量时,植物产量与未施Pb处理(产量为0.75g·pot-1)差异显著(p<0.05);施用磷肥后,地上部吸收的Pb的比例和植物体吸收的Pb数量均增加.1000mg·kg-1Pb用量下,植物产量、地上部长度均小于500mg·kg-1Pb用量处理时的水平,而土壤DTPA-Pb浓度、植物Pb浓度、Pb吸收量均大于500mg·kg-1Pb处理,表明2729mg·kg-1普通过磷酸钙用量并不能完全抵消1000mg·kg-1Pb对植物生长的抑制作用.施用磷肥降低了土壤DTPA-Pb含量,但500mg·kg-1Pb用量时降低效果不显著(p>0.05).0mg·kg-1Pb用量下,种植植物的处理土壤DTPA-Pb含量比未种植植物处理高54.3%;1000mg·kg-1Pb处理时,种植植物处理土壤DTPA-Pb含量比未种植植物平均低18.5%.以上结果表明,在0mg·kg-1Pb用量下,植物生长受到了一定程度的磷胁迫.在磷胁迫下,种植植物提高了土壤Pb有效性,而在1000mg·kg-1Pb用量下,不管是否施用磷肥,种植植物均降低了土壤Pb有效性.本研究结果表明,在低磷和高Pb胁迫下,施用水溶性磷肥可降低土壤Pb有效性,促进黑麦草生长,促进Pb向植物地上部转移;在低磷胁迫且无Pb污染条件下,黑麦草对土壤Pb的有效性表现为促进;在高Pb胁迫下,不管是否施用磷肥,黑麦草均可降低土壤Pb有效性.     

稳定氢氧同位素在定量区分植物水分利用来源中的应用

全球气候变化下陆地生态系统的适应性是当前科学研究关注的主题之一,了解生态系统如何响应及影响全球气候变化有利于人类对未来生存环境的预测和适应。生态系统中不同来源水分对植物生长相对贡献决的大小一定程度上决定了生态系统对气候变化的响应方式、程度和响应结果,因此跟踪和分析植物利用水分的来源是制定全球气候变化对策的一个重要研究内容。本文介绍了稳定氢氧同位素技术研究历史及其在定量区分植物利用水分的来源研究中的应用原理与具体方法。由于土壤水分在被植物根系吸收及随后沿导管向上传输的过程中,与外界环境不发生水分交换,因此不存在同位素的分馏过程,所以植物茎木质部水分同位素组成能反映出植物利用的来源水分同位素信息。通过比较植物茎木质部水分与植物利用的不同来源水分同位素值,利用二项或三项分隔线性混合模型(two-orthree-compartment linear mixing model),可以估算出植物对不同来源水分的相对使用量。而由于植物叶片水分同位素组成受到周围环境的温度、湿度、降雨和土壤水分的异质性等许多因素的影响,通过比较分析植物茎木质部水分和叶片水分同位素组成的差异可以得到植物周围环境的气候信息。植物利用水分的来源存在显著的季节性差异,并且,不同生活型植物在利用水分来源上存在明显不同。植物根系的分布及根深是决定植物利用水分来源的一个重要的因素,表层和深层根系的相对分布及其活性影响着植物吸收水分的范围。当然,利用线型分隔混合模型定量区分植物利用水分的不同来源,还有许多值得改进的地方,而且,尽管稳定同位素技术在植物科学中的应用正迅速发展起来,但利用稳定氢氧同位素来分析环境因素对植物影响的研究还只是刚刚展开,还有许多方面值得去进一步探索。     

Riding the storm: the response of Plantago lanceolata to simulated tidal flooding

Supra-tidal plant communities fulfil a vital role in coastal protection and conservation but despite an increased likelihood of salt-water inundation from storm surges, we understand remarkably little on how salinity affects habitats like coastal grasslands or their component species. We quantified the survival and growth of a common coastal grassland plant, Plantago lanceolata when exposed to short-duration (1-, 2-, 4-, or 8-h) immersion in sea water. We also calculated root:shoot ratios (R:SR) and specific leaf area (SLA) to examine how salinity stress affects above- and below-ground resource allocation patterns and likely interactions with other trophic levels. Immersion in sea water reduced Plantago survival particularly at longer durations of 4- and 8 h, and for surviving plants, growth was also much reduced. Contrary to studies with crop plants however, we found reduced allocation to root biomass (R:SR) and increased SLA. The fact that Plantago displayed opposite ecophysiological responses to those consistently reported in the literature highlights that the response of coastal grassland plants to storm surge events cannot be assumed from conventional wisdom. In order to better protect and conserve these internationally important ecosystems from the effects of anthropogenically induced sea-level rise, a systematic exploration of the effects of sea water flooding on coastal grasslands is required.