海州露天煤矿排土场植被恢复的土壤水文效应评价

为揭示排土场复垦区植被恢复的土壤水文效应,选取12个环境因子作为排土场植被恢复过程中土壤水文效应评价指标,采用层次分析法确定各评价指标权重,建立排土场土壤水文效应评价指标体系和评价模型,并对6种复垦植被类型下(刺槐Robinia pseudoacacia林地、榆树林地、混交林地、灌木林地、农地和荒草地)土壤水文效应进行评价。结果表明:(1)土壤因子、水分因子和植被因子的权重值分别为0.513 8、0.193 0和0.293 2,各个评价指标的综合权重在0.031 8~0.146 2之间;(2)排土场不同植被恢复模式的土壤水文效应综合指数大小顺序为刺槐林地(0.553 85)混交林地(0.534 9)榆树林地(0.521 3)灌木林地(0.429 2)荒草地(0.375 3),较农地(0.361)分别提高53.41%、48.17%、44.4%、18.89%和3.96%;(3)植被恢复可以有效地改善排土场的土壤水文效应,且以乔木林恢复效果更佳。该研究可为排土场不同植被恢复过程中土壤水文效应的评价提供较为科学的评价指标体系,同时为排土场土地复垦和生态恢复与重建提供理论依据和新的分析角度。     

重庆喀斯特山地土壤种子分布特征

土壤种子库对岩溶山地退化植被恢复具有重要意义。采用萌发法,比较了重庆典型岩溶山地处于不同生态演替序列的自然林地、次生林地、灌草坡、坡耕地、人工林、弃耕撂荒地等土地利用系统的土壤种子库分布特点。喀斯特山地各植被类型的土壤中贮藏着丰富的种子,每个40cm×25cm×15cm土柱内储藏有227.4~454.8粒种子,土壤种子集中分布在土壤表层(0~5cm),乔灌种子主要分布于0~5cm土壤层。土地利用强度越大,木本植物种子越少,草本植物种子越多,且以农田杂草为主,土地利用方式的变化(如陡坡开垦)是对次生植被及其种子库的主要威胁;坡度、溶沟、溶隙等土壤分布环境和土壤水分等也对喀斯特山地的种子密度产生影响,这就使得种子密度在不同地点及植被类型间相差很大,生境异质性是种子库分布模式的决定因子。     

不同造林模式林下草本植物群落和土壤养分特征

以典型黄土丘陵沟壑区樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica)、油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)、山杏(Armeniaca sibirica)、柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinskii)等乔、灌木配置而成的不同造林模式所营造的2 585hm~2人工林生态系统为研究对象,采用经典统计和冗余分析(Redundancy Analysis,RDA)方法对7种造林模式林下草本植物群落和土壤养分特征进行了研究,包括油松纯林-YS、大樟子松纯林(造林苗木规格1.5 m)-DZ、小樟子松纯林(造林苗木规格0.5 m)-XZ、柠条锦鸡儿纯林-NT、柠条锦鸡儿与大樟子松混交林-ND、柠条锦鸡儿与小樟子松混交林-NX、山杏与樟子松混交林-SZ,并以天然保护性草坡(CK)为对照,了解林下草本植物群落与土壤养分之间的关系,为黄土丘陵沟壑区人工林抚育管理提供科学依据。结果表明,(1)NT的草本植物群落3种多样性指数(Shannon-Wiener、Simpson和Pielou均匀度指数分别为43.9%、49.6%和45.3%)低于其他造林模式,混交林造林模式的林下草本植物多样性高于纯林。(2)NX和XZ林地土壤有效钾、有效磷含量相比其他造林模式处于较高水平,不同造林模式下土壤有机质均高于CK,除NT和NX外,其他5种造林模式土壤有机质含量显著高于CK,且存在极显著差异(P0.01)。(3)冗余分析(RDA)结果表明,RDA1轴和RDA2轴共同解释了全部方差的77.68%。综上,7种造林模式林下草本植物多样性及土壤有机质均高于天然保护性草坡,且土壤养分含量差异性主要表现在全氮、有效钾和有机质上。可见,不同造林模式可以提高生态系统植物多样性和土壤养分,但今后的造林工程需要重视不同树种间的合理搭配,以促进区域生态的可持续发展。     

洪涝灾害干扰下受损自然恢复林地土壤基本性状及分形维数特征

选取重大洪涝灾害干扰下受损自然恢复3种不同林地(毛竹林、杉木林、次生阔叶林)为研究对象,以未受损林地为对照,测定不同林型土壤基本性状指标(包括土壤颗粒组成在内的物理性质、主要养分含量),并运用分形理论计算了分形维数D值,探讨分形维数与土壤基本性状的相关关系.结果表明:(1)3种不同林型土壤均以粉粒含量占比最大,分形维数在2.58-2.70之间,0-10 cm土层分形维数表现为毛竹林杉木林次生阔叶林,受损自然恢复林地未受损林地,其中次生阔叶林的受损自然恢复林地与未受损林地差异显著.(2)毛竹林与次生阔叶林土壤容重表现为受损自然恢复林地显著大于未受损林地,土壤含水量、毛管持水量、非毛管孔隙度与总孔隙度则相反,受损自然恢复与未受损杉木林间土壤物理性质的差异较小;各林型土壤养分含量随土层深度的增加而降低,且受损自然恢复林地显著低于未受损林地,总体恢复状况表现为杉木林次生阔叶林毛竹林.(3)土壤分形维数与土壤黏粒含量、土壤容重存在显著正相关关系,与有机质、全氮、土壤含水量、毛管持水量、非毛管孔隙度及总毛管孔隙度存在显著负相关关系.因此,分形维数能够客观地表征土壤的结构特征以及土壤养分肥力特征;受损恢复林地土壤条件还未达到未受损林地的水平,对恢复状况较差的毛竹林,可以适当地进行人工植树造林,优化群落结构,进而改善土壤条件,促进灾害干扰下受损植被的恢复进程.     

金沙江干热河谷侵蚀陡坡植被恢复对土壤质量的影响

植被恢复关系到金沙江干热河谷陡坡冲沟侵蚀的发育,土壤质量的演化.文章以元谋干热河谷侵蚀陡坡为例,通过测定植被恢复地与侵蚀裸地的土壤质量,探讨了植被恢复对侵蚀陡坡土壤质量的影响.结果表明:侵蚀陡坡植被恢复有效地防止了土壤侵蚀的发生.与侵蚀裸地相比,植被恢复地土壤剖面层次保持完整,母质层以上有明显的A、B层,土壤厚度变异小且厚度大,物理性粘粒含量高,基本保持着母质为粘土层的变性燥红土质地粘重特征.植被恢复在3年多时间内对土壤紧实度尚没有起到明显改善作用.土壤容重依然偏大.植被恢复对雨季陡坡土壤水分的改善效果好,而在旱季改善效果不好.雨季,植被恢复地水分含量高,不同坡位土壤水分差异不明显.旱季,植被恢复地与侵蚀裸地土壤水分状况相似.两种类型的坡地土壤水分含量都很低,不同坡位土壤水分差异明显,而且土壤水分含量沿向下坡方向降低.植被恢复减弱了陡坡土壤侵蚀带来的有机质流失,促进了有机质的积累.因此,针对目前植被恢复的不足,采取有效的土壤改良措施,保土保水,提高土壤水分储量,减小土壤水分的时空差异,同时降低土壤紧实度,是今后侵蚀陡坡植被恢复值得考虑的一项工作.     

纳帕海流域典型植被类型的土壤水分状况及其影响因素

以纳帕海流域荒草地、松树林地、裸地、3 a修复区和1 a修复区5种典型植被类型为研究对象,测定其土壤水分、产流产沙、容重和有机碳含量等,研究不同植被类型土壤含水量差异及其影响因素,对当地脆弱生态水文环境的保护和区域可持续发展的实现具有积极意义。结果表明,不同植被类型土壤含水量φ差异明显,荒草地最高,为50.7%,3 a修复区和松树林地分别为34.5%和28.7%,而裸地和1 a修复区仅有20%左右;不同植被类型土壤理化特性无明显规律性;地表径流系数差异明显,荒草地最低,仅1.21%,而松树林地为5.73%;荒草地和松树林地泥沙产量低于裸地和1 a修复区。除容重外,土壤含水量与其他理化性质和产流产沙相关性均不显著。先种草迅速增加地表覆盖度的植被恢复方式可快速改善表层土壤性质,增强土壤保水能力。     

岷江干旱河谷典型地段整地造林效果评估

长期以来通过整地造林去恢复重建植被已在横断山区干旱河谷广为采用,然而这样的实践是否能有效提高植被覆盖率并改善土壤水源涵养能力仍不清楚.选择岷江干旱河谷3个典型地段,调查了多年(7～16 a)后整地造林地上植被覆盖、土壤物理性质以及目的造林树种岷江柏(Cupressus chengiana S.Y. Hu)的保存、生长与结实状况,以评价干旱河谷乡土树种造林成效及造林后的生态效果.结果表明:(1)岷江柏在栽植多年后仍有大量死亡,保存率明显下降,造林16 a后仅为38%;(2)不同年代栽植的岷江柏在造林后2～6 a即开始旱现直径年生长量下降趋势;(3)造林带内乡土植被总盖度、灌木盖度、草本盖度、地衣苔藓盖度均低于保留带,因此等高线水平沟整地造林措施未能有效促进乡土植被发育;(4)造林带土壤水分物理性质也不如保留带,整地造林也没有有效改善土壤水源涵养能力.综合分析发现,整地造林多年后岷汀柏造林不仅没有达到岷江干旱河谷预期的生态恢复重建效果,甚至有加剧生态退化的趋势.因此认为:(1)规模化整地造林并不是有效的干旱河谷生态恢复和保护措施;(2)尽管岷江柏是乡土树种,但并不是干旱河谷植被恢复的适宜种.图3表3参29     

垃圾填埋场植被恢复及其环境影响因子的研究

对中山市一个关闭了5a左右的垃圾卫生填埋场进行植被恢复、土壤、填埋气和植物自然定居与植被恢复等方面的调查研究。结果表明：垃圾填埋场的土壤偏碱性，场内土壤的盐分、含水量、有机质和重金属等含量远远高于场外的对照土壤。填埋场的植被自然恢复得很好，总盖度达到98％，以草本植物为主，灌木为辅，另外还有少量的藤本植物和乔本存在。本次调查共记录高等植物74种，隶属63属30科。优势种为狗牙根，亚优势种包括苦楝、胜红蓟、蟛蜞菊、加拿大飞蓬、小牵牛、鸭跖草、少花龙葵、鸡矢藤、红斑一品红、牛筋草、类芦和田菁等12种植物。其中类芦、加拿大飞蓬和胜红蓟是本垃圾填埋场植被恢复先锋植物。场内的填埋气含量显著地高于对照样方，但与其它垃圾填埋场相比，其填埋气的含量较低，因此填埋气对植被恢复的限制作用也相对较小。影响本填埋场植被恢复的环境因子主要是土壤的营养成分、重金属和填埋气。最后，提出了对垃圾填埋场进行植被恢复时应采取的关键措施。图1表5参19。     

不同土地覆被下岩溶表层系统CO2体积分数研究

对重庆金佛山林地、裸地表层岩溶生态系统CO2体积分数进行了野外监测,揭示了CO2体积分数变化规律,这种变化与土壤温度有密切的关系。林地与裸地各个层次土壤的CO2体积分数与土温呈一致性变化,随着土温的升高或降低而相应的增加或减少。文章进一步揭示了林地植被平抑这种动态效应,而裸地则响应于温度变化;这种不同植被系统下的动态差异在解释岩溶沉积记录和讨论岩溶作用与碳循环的关系时值得充分注意。     

冀北山地3种森林植被恢复类型对土壤质量的影响

森林植被恢复对土壤质量的改善是森林可持续经营的重要条件。为研究冀北不同森林植被恢复类型对土壤质量的影响差异,以小五台山自然保护区46年生华北落叶松(Larixprincipis-rupprechtii)、白桦(Betulaplatyphylla)、华北落叶松-白桦混交林为研究对象,分层测定了3种植被类型的土壤物理性状、持水能力和养分特征,采用土壤质量指数评价法对3种植被恢复类型土壤质量进行了综合评价。结果表明,(1)华北落叶松-白桦混交林对中下层(20～60 cm)土壤物理性状的改善作用较大,其浅层土壤(0～20cm)物理性质与华北落叶松和白桦纯林差异不明显。(2)华北落叶松-白桦混交林对土壤持水能力的改善作用较大,特别是对最大持水量和田间持水量的改善作用明显大于华北落叶松和白桦纯林;对20 cm以下土层毛管持水量和土壤含水量有明显的改善作用。(3)3种植被恢复类型中,土壤养分状况表现为华北落叶松-白桦混交林华北落叶松林白桦林。(4)土壤质量综合评价结果表明,不同植被恢复类型对土壤质量的改善作用表现为华北落叶松-白桦混交林华北落叶松林白桦林,改善作用最明显的是中下层土壤(20 cm以下)。综上,森林植被恢复对土壤质量的改善作用是由浅及深的过程,随着林龄增大,其对土壤质量的改善作用逐渐深入到土壤中下层。     

Separating habitat invasibility by alien plants from the actual level of invasion

Habitats vary considerably in the level of invasion (number or proportion of alien plant species they contain), which depends on local habitat properties, propagule pressure, and climate. To determine the invasibility (susceptibility to invasions) of different habitats, it is necessary to factor out the effects of any confounding variables such as propagule pressure and climate on the level of invasion. We used 20 468 vegetation plots from 32 habitats in the Czech Republic to compare the invasibility of different habitats. Using regression trees, the proportion of alien plants, including archaeophytes (prehistoric to medieval invaders) and neophytes (recent invaders), was related to variables representing habitat properties, propagule pressure, and climate. The propagule pressure was expressed as the proportion of surrounding urban and industrial or agricultural land, human population density, distance from a river, and history of human colonization in the region. Urban and industrial land use had a positive effect on the proportion of both archaeophytes and neophytes. Agricultural land use, higher population density, and longer history of human impact positively affected the proportion of archaeophytes. Disturbed human-made habitats with herbaceous vegetation were most invaded by both groups of aliens. Neophytes were also relatively common in disturbed woody vegetation, such as broad-leaved plantations, forest clearings, and riverine scrub. These habitats also had the highest proportion of aliens after removing the effect of propagule pressure and climate, indicating that they are not only the most invaded, but also most invasible. These habitats experience recurrent disturbances and are rich, at least temporarily, in available nutrients, which supports the hypothesis that fluctuating resources are the major cause of habitat invasibility. The least invaded habitats were mires and alpine-subalpine grasslands and scrub. After removing the effect of propagule pressure and climate, some habitats actually invaded at an intermediate level had very low proportions of aliens. This indicates that these habitats (e.g., dry, wet, and saline grasslands, base-rich fens, and broad-leaved deciduous woodlands) are resistant to invasion.     

Climatic/edaphic controls on soil carbon/nitrogen response to shrub encroachment in desert grassland.

The proliferation of woody plants in grasslands over the past 100+ years can alter carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles and influence land surface-atmosphere interactions. Although the majority of organic carbon in these ecosystems resides belowground, there is no consensus on how this change in land cover has affected soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) pools. The degree to which duration of woody plant occupation, climate, and edaphic conditions have mediated SOC and TN responses to changes in life-form composition are poorly understood. We addressed these issues at a desert grassland site in Arizona, USA, where the leguminous shrub velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina) has proliferated along an elevation/precipitation/temperature gradient and on contrasting soil morphologic surfaces. On sandy loam complexes of mid-Holocene origin, mean SOC and TN of soils in the grassland matrix increased approximately 68% and approximately 45%, respectively, with increasing elevation. Soil organic carbon pools were comparable and TN pools were approximately 23% higher in Pleistocene-aged clay loam complexes co-occurring with Holocene-aged soils at the upper elevation/climatic zone. Across the site, belowground resources associated with large Prosopis plants were 21-154% (SOC) and 18-127% (TN) higher than those in the grassy matrix. The variance in SOC and TN pools accounted for by Prosopis stem size (a rough surrogate for time of site occupation) was highest at the low- and mid-elevation sites (69-74%) and lowest at the upper elevation site (32-38%). Soil delta15N values ranged from 5.5 per thousand to 6.7 per thousand across the soil/elevation zones but were comparable in herbaceous and shrub-impacted soils and exhibited a weak relationship with Prosopis basal stem diameter (r2 < 0.1) and TN (r2 < 0.08). The SOC delta13C values decreased linearly with increasing Prosopis basal diameter, suggesting that size and isotopic composition of the SOC pool is a function of time of Prosopis site occupation. Isotopic mixture models indicate that encroachment of C3 woody plants has also promoted SOC additions from C4 plant sources, indicative of long-term herbaceous facilitation. Grassy sites in contrasting soil/elevation combinations, initially highly distinctive in their SOC pool size and delta13C, appear to be converging on similar values following approximately 100 years of woody plant proliferation.     

The role of archaeophytes and neophytes in the Dutch coastal dunes

The position of alien plant species in the Dutch coastal dune vegetation is evaluated considering 12 archaeophytes and 20 neophytes (including one moss), all of widespread occurrence in the coastal area of the Netherlands. Almost all archaeophytes have become part of natural vegetation types. Open scrub communities, in particular Hippophae rhamnoides-Sambucus nigra scrub at the leeside of the outer dunes, and calciphilous moss-dominated pioneer vegetation are relatively rich in archaeophytes. Among neophyte vascular species a contrast is apparent between herbaceous and woody species. The majority of herbaceous neophytes are characteristic of man-disturbed habitats and are only infrequently observed in natural vegetation types. However, woody species (as well as the moss Campylopus introflexus) have entered into natural vegetation on a large scale and behave in an invasive way.     

Postfire stand structure in a semiarid savanna: cross-scale challenges estimating biomass.

Algorithms relating remotely sensed woody cover to biomass are often the basis for large-scale inventories of aboveground carbon stocks. However, these algorithms are commonly applied in a generic fashion without consideration of disturbances that might alter vegetation structure. We compared field and remote sensing estimates of woody biomass on savannas with contrasting disturbance (fire) histories and assessed potential errors in estimating woody biomass from cover without considering fire history. Field surveys quantified multilayer cover (MLC) of woody and succulent plants on sites experiencing wildfire in 1989 or 1994 and on nearby unburned (control) sites. Remote sensing estimates of the woody cover fraction (WCF) on burned and control sites were derived from contemporary (2005) dry-season Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery (during a period when herbaceous cover was senescent) using a probabilistic spectral mixture analysis model. Satellite WCF estimates were compared to field MLC assessments and related to aboveground biomass using allometry. Field-based MLC and remotely sensed WCFs both indicated that woody cover was comparable on control areas and areas burned 11-16 years ago. However, biomass was approximately twofold higher on control sites. Canopy cover was a strong predictor of woody biomass on burned and control areas, but fire history significantly altered the linear cover-biomass relationship on control plots to a curvilinear relationship on burned plots. Results suggest predictions of woody biomass from "generic" two-dimensional (2-D) cover algorithms may underestimate biomass in undisturbed stands and overestimate biomass in stands recovering from disturbance. Improving the accuracy of woody-biomass estimates from field and/or remotely sensed cover may therefore require disturbance-specific models or detection of vegetation height and transforming 2-D vegetation cover to 3-D vegetation volume.     

Predicting a ‘tree change’ in Australia's tropical savannas: Combining different types of models to understand complex ecosystem behaviour

In this study, key ecological modelling limitations of a process-based simulation model and a Bayesian network were reduced by combining the two approaches. We demonstrate the combined modelling approach with a case study investigating increases in woody vegetation density in northern Australia's tropical savannas. We found that by utilising the strengths of a simulation model and a Bayesian network we could both forecast future change in woody vegetation density and diagnose the reasons for current vegetation states. The local conditions of climate, soil characteristics and the starting population of trees were found to be more important in explaining the likelihood of change in woody vegetation density compared to management practices such as grazing pressure and fire regimes. We conclude that combining the strengths of a process and BN model allowed us to produce a simple model that utilised the ability of the process model to simulate ecosystem processes in detail and over long time periods, and the ability of the BN to capture uncertainty in ecosystem response and to conduct scenario, sensitivity and diagnostic analysis. The overall result was a model that has the potential to provide land managers with a better understanding of the behaviour of a complex ecosystem than simply utilising either modelling approach in isolation.     

4种草对铅锌尾矿污染土壤重金属的抗性与吸收特性

盆栽试验的结果表明,高羊毛、早熟禾、黑麦草、紫花苜蓿在纯尾矿污染土壤或经处理的尾矿污染土壤上都能生长,但在处理的土壤上生长的植物长势明显优于对照,其中紫花苜蓿的生物量所受影响比其他几种草坪草更大,说明其重金属抗性低于其他几种植物。单位面积上 4 种植物体内重金属质量分数高低均为 w(Zn)>w(Pb)>w(Cu)>w(Cd),但每种植物对 Cd、Pb、Zn 和 Cu 的吸收质量分数和分布均不相同,一般为根系质量分数大于茎叶。加入改良剂(CaCO3)和有机肥(菜枯)使生长在铅锌尾矿污染土壤上的 4 种草坪草生物量显著增加,植物体中的 Cd、Pb、Zn 质量分数下降,但 Cu 质量分数反而上升,结果单位面积上草坪草吸收各重金属元素的量均有所增加,可见利用改良措施与草坪草相结合的方法来修复重金属污染土壤具有可行性。     

Interrelationships among shrub encroachment, land management, and litter decomposition in a semidesert grassland.

Encroachment of woody plants into grasslands, and subsequent brush management, are among the most prominent changes to occur in arid and semiarid systems over the past century. Despite the resulting widespread changes in landcover, substantial uncertainty about the biogeochemical impacts of woody proliferation and brush management exists. We explored the role of shrub encroachment and brush management on leaf litter decomposition in a semidesert grassland where velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina) abundance has increased over the past 100 years. This change in physiognomy may affect decomposition directly, through altered litter quality or quantity, and indirectly through altered canopy structure. To assess the direct and indirect impacts of shrubs on decomposition, we quantified changes in mass, nitrogen, and carbon in litterbags deployed under mesquite canopies and in intercanopy zones. Litterbags contained foliage from mesquite and Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana), a widespread, nonnative grass in southern Arizona. To explore short- and long-term influences of brush management on the initial stages of decomposition, litterbags were deployed at sites where mesquite canopies were removed three weeks, 45 years, or 70 years prior to study initiation. Mesquite litter decomposed more rapidly than lovegrass, but negative indirect influences of mesquite canopies counteracted positive direct effects. Decomposition was positively correlated with soil infiltration into litterbags, which varied with microsite placement, and was lowest under canopies. Low under-canopy decomposition was ostensibly due to decreased soil movement associated with high under-canopy herbaceous biomass. Decomposition rates where canopies were removed three weeks prior to study initiation were comparable to those beneath intact canopies, suggesting that decomposition was driven by mesquite legacy effects on herbaceous cover-soil movement linkages. Decomposition rates where shrubs were removed 45 and 70 years prior to study initiation were comparable to intercanopy rates, suggesting that legacy effects persist less than 45 years. Accurate decomposition modeling has proved challenging in arid and semiarid systems but is critical to understanding biogeochemical responses to woody encroachment and brush management. Predicting brush-management effects on decomposition will require information on shrub-grass interactions and herbaceous biomass influences on soil movement at decadal timescales. Inclusion of microsite factors controlling soil accumulation on litter would improve the predictive capability of decomposition models.     

西南环境移民安置地的生态环境状况研究初报

以桂西北环江县肯福环境移民安置示范区为例，对我国西南喀斯特地区环境移民安置区的气候、地貌、土壤与植被等主要生态因子进行了调查研究和取样分析。研究表明，环境移民安置地由于地处亚热带季风气候区，具有气候温暖，雨量充沛，日照充足，且雨热同季的特点；地貌破碎，土地以坡地为主，但有一定量可开垦利用的土地；土壤主要为红壤，土壤剖面发育良好，土壤质地和结构尚可，有机质和氮含量相对丰富，但磷、钾缺乏，土壤酸度大；植被以先锋植物为主。     

Ranking Lepidopteran Use of Native Versus Introduced Plants

Abstract:  In light of the wide-scale replacement of native plants in North America with introduced, invasive species and noninvasive ornamental plants that evolved elsewhere, we compared the value of native and introduced plants in terms of their ability to serve as host plants for Lepidoptera. Insect herbivores such as Lepidoptera larvae are critically important components of terrestrial food webs and any reduction in their biomass or diversity due to the loss of acceptable host plants is predicted to reduce the production of the many insectivores in higher trophic levels. We conducted an exhaustive search of host records in the literature. We used the data we gathered to rank all 1385 plant genera that occur in the mid-Atlantic states of the United States by their ability to support Lepidoptera richness. Statistical comparisons were made with Welch's test for equality of means. Woody plants supported more species of moths and butterflies than herbaceous plants, native plants supported more species than introduced plants, and native woody plants with ornamental value supported more Lepidoptera species than introduced woody ornamentals. All these differences were highly significant. Our rankings provide a relative measure that will be useful for restoration ecologists, landscape architects and designers, land managers, and landowners who wish to raise the carrying capacity of particular areas by selecting plants with the greatest capacity for supporting biodiversity.     

Carbon sequestration in California agriculture, 1980-2000.

To better understand agricultural carbon fluxes in California, USA, we estimated changes in soil carbon and woody material between 1980 and 2000 on 3.6 x 10(6) ha of farmland in California. Combining the CASA (Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach) model with data on harvest indices and yields, we calculated net primary production, woody production in orchard and vineyard crops, and soil carbon. Over the 21-yr period, two trends resulted in carbon sequestration. Yields increased an average of 20%, corresponding to greater plant biomass and more carbon returned to the soils. Also, orchards and vineyards increased in area from 0.7 x 10(6) ha to 1.0 x 10(6) ha, displacing field crops and sequestering woody carbon. Our model estimates that California's agriculture sequestered an average of 19 g C x m(-2) x yr(-1). Sequestration was lowest in non-rice annual cropland, which sequestered 9 g C x m(-2) x yr(-1) of soil carbon, and highest on land that switched from annual cropland to perennial cropland. Land that switched from annual crops to vineyards sequestered 68 g C x m(-2) x yr(-1), and land that switched from annual crops to orchards sequestered 85 g C x m(-2) x yr(-1). Rice fields, because of a reduction in field burning, sequestered 55 g C x m(-2) x yr(-1) in the 1990s. Over the 21 years, California's 3.6 x 10(6) ha of agricultural land sequestered 11.0 Tg C within soils and 3.5 Tg C in woody biomass, for a total of 14.5 Tg C statewide. This is equal to 0.7% of the state's total fossil fuel emissions over the same time period. If California's agriculture adopted conservation tillage, changed management of almond and walnut prunings, and used all of its orchard and vineyard waste wood in the biomass power plants in the state, California's agriculture could offset up to 1.6% of the fossil fuel emissions in the state.