三江源区不同建植年代人工草地群落演替与土壤养分变化

研究了了三源区不同建植期人工修复草地在不同演替阶段毒杂草[主要是甘肃马先蒿(Pedicularis kansuensis)]的入侵规律、数量特征,植物群落物种组成、生物苗和草地质最以及土壤养分、微生物活性的变化规律.结果表明,不同建植期人工修复草地植物群落的种类组成、植物功能群组成和群落数量特征存在显著差异.随着演替时间的推移,人工草地群落盖度、高度、物种数、生物最和多样性指数均表现出"V"字型变化规律,杂类草--甘肃马先蒿的数量特征变化尤为明显,在4 a的人工草地群落中开始局部入侵,在5～6 a的人工草地群落中大面积入侵,其入侵速度、入侵面积达到高峰期.土壤的含水量、容重、土壤中有机质、氮素和磷素在演替过程(7 a、9 a草地)中逐渐降低,到一定时期又逐步增加;随着演替的进行,不同建植期人工草地的土壤微牛物生物量碳和酶活性均呈"V"字型,变化.对于退化生态系统的恢复首先是植被恢复,其次是土壤肥力的恢复.土壤有机质等养分的积累、微生物活性的改善不仅能使土壤-植物复合系统的功能得以恢复,同时也能促进物种多样性的形成,有利于人工草地群落稳定性的提高.在试验区尽管植被恢复演替进行得比较缓慢,但从土壤发展的角度看,仍属进展演替.所以,在退化高寒草甸的恢复过程中,若降低和有效控制外界的干扰(如围栏封育),可为退化草地恢复提供繁殖体与土壤环境,实现人工草地逐步向恢复(正向)演替进行.图3表6参34     

Topsoil inversion as a restoration measure in sand dunes,early results from a UK field-trial

Over-stabilisation and eutrophication affect many dune systems in north-west Europe. This leads to lower diversity of typical dune species and an accumulation of soil nutrients. Existing management techniques to remove excess nutrients include mowing, with removal of cuttings, and turf stripping. A new restoration technique called topsoil inversion or deep ploughing may also be able to counter some of the negative effects of eutrophication. It simulates the burial of established soils with fresh mineral sand, by inverting the soil profile. A trial was carried out on two small blocks of eutrophic dune grassland in North Wales, UK. Nutrient-rich surface soils were buried beneath mineral sub-sand using a double-bladed plough, designed to plough to depths of up to 100 cm. Results show that the organic soil horizons were buried to a depth of 80 cm, and covered with 40–50 cm of mineral sand. The pH and organic matter of the surface layers became comparable to those of mobile dunes. Fifteen months after ploughing, bare sand cover was still 70–90%, but significant sand loss through wind erosion resulted in a thinning of the mineral sand over-burden, leaving the buried organic layer closer to the surface. Natural vegetation colonisation was slow, with the first surviving plants observed after 8 months. The majority of species present at 15 months were present before ploughing and had regenerated from rhizomes or root fragments. The effect of excluding disturbance caused by rabbits, people and dogs was assessed within fenced areas. After 11 months, vegetation cover was greater in the fenced areas than in plots exposed to disturbance, therefore disturbance replaced physical conditions as the dominant influence on plant growth and establishment. These early results suggest the trial has been partially successful, but that topsoil inversion could be combined with other methods such as turf stripping or by stabilisation of the ploughed surface by planting with pioneer species, depending on the ultimate restoration goal.     

几种固沙植物根际土壤微生物特性研究

研究了红柳、梭梭、沙拐3种固沙植物的根际和根外土壤微生物数量、组成、生理群微生物及土壤养分。结果表明：这3种固沙植物具有较强的根际正效应，其R/S在1.69-75.24之间，以梭梭的根际效应最大，沙拐枣其次，红柳最小，固沙植物的种植显著增加了微生物数量，促进有机质的积累和植物有效养分的转化，有利于流沙的成土发育。表7参9     

不同年龄小叶锦鸡儿固沙群落土壤酶活性及微生物生物量的变化

小叶锦鸡儿(Caragana microphylla)是科尔沁沙地广为采用的豆科固沙植物。为探讨采用小叶锦鸡儿固定流沙后,土壤生物活性的变化特点和发展趋势,选取5、10、22年生小叶锦鸡儿人工固沙群落为对象,以半流动沙丘和天然群落为对照,研究了人工固沙群落发育过程中土壤磷酸单酯酶、蔗糖酶、蛋白酶、脲酶、脱氢酶的活性和微生物生物量C、N、P质量分数的变化特征。土壤按5层取样:0~10,10~20,20~30,30~40,40~50cm。结果表明,随着小叶锦鸡儿固沙群落发育时间的增长,群落内土壤生物活性逐渐改善,沙土中5种酶的活性和土壤微生物生物量C、N和P质量分数均大幅度提高,其中0~10cm土层增幅最大。土壤酶中蔗糖酶的活性增加最为迅速,5、10和22年生群落0~10cm土层中蔗糖酶的活性分别是半流动沙丘的76.80,167.27和261.63倍。22年生群落的土壤生物活性已接近于天然群落,处于相对稳定的状态。小叶锦鸡儿群落中土壤酶和微生物生物量之间存在极显著的正相关关系。以上表明,小叶锦鸡儿不仅具有较好的防风固沙性能,而且表现出强大的改善土壤生物活性的能力,可作为优良的固沙植物材料在本地区大面积推广应用。     

子午岭植被演替过程中土壤生物学特性的动态

土壤生物学特性在土壤有机质的形成和降解、营养循环等方面起重要作用。植被的恢复演替显著影响土壤生物学特性,尤其影响土壤酶活性。植被演替过程中土壤酶活性的研究结果表明,随着植被恢复年限的延长,土壤脲酶和转化酶的活性逐渐提高,17 a达到最大值,随后有所降低。土壤酶活性和土壤化学特性和微生物量的相关性分析表明,土壤转化酶和脲酶不仅互相之间具有显著的相关性,而且它们与土壤有机碳、全氮、微生物碳氮之间都具有显著的正相关性,说明土壤酶活性与土壤有机质紧密相关,与微生物的大小紧密相关,所以土壤酶活性可以表征土壤生物学肥力。     

坡位对马尾松林下土壤理化性质、酶活性及微生物特性影响

以我国南方花岗岩区退化马尾松林地土壤为研究对象,通过典型样地调查方法研究不同坡位（坡上、坡中,坡底）马尾松对土壤理化性质、酶活性和微生物学性质的影响。结果表明,0～20和20～40 cm土层土壤w（有机质）、w（全氮）、w（碱解氮）和w（速效钾）坡位间差异均显著（p〈0.05）,其中w（有机质）和w（全氮）均表现为坡底〉坡中〉坡上;而w（全磷）和w（全钾）位间差异不显著;3坡位中坡底土壤w（粘粒）较高容重较小。土壤酶活性坡位间差异不显著,可能受林分密度影响较大。两土层微生物生物量碳氮与土壤呼吸强度均为坡底最大,且与有机质和全氮相关性分别达显著（p〈0.05）和极显著（p〈0.01）正相关,但在微生物对碳利用效率、有机碳氮累积程度等方面坡位间差异不显著。所以,对养分瘠薄且易受侵蚀的花岗岩红壤区域,马尾松作为恢复植被须谨慎选择。     

台湾泥岩地区不同刺竹林景观下之土壤与植被变异

台湾西南部泥岩恶地,由于其特殊之土壤,地力流失消耗与区域微气候型态之间的因果循环,在水土保持与景观上形成不易植生绿化的地区及特殊之世界地形。泥岩地区之不同刺林林相之土壤,其林相皆伐后复层植被区土壤性质变异高于其它位置,而其它区之土壤理化性质在时间及空间上之变异不大,可明显区分林相不同之显著差异。不同林相对泥岩地浅层土壤(0~20cm)理化性质的差异,以植物营养元素与植生覆盖因子可充分说明(约占变异范围之62%)。泥岩试区区中移动性物质(交换性钙、钠与镁)明显较少出现在复层林相处区,而易出现于淋洗、冲蚀量较大之刺林相保留区与隔丛择伐区。长效性植物营养元素因子(pH值与有效性磷),因长时间之林相不同,使其较明显趋于复层林相区堆积,并影响地表植生之种类、分布与覆盖情形。0～20cm土壤性质的分布和离子间的移动特性有关,移动性高的钠、镁离子会在冲蚀量高之区域出现,20～40cm土壤性质的分布则和土壤中之母质与植生有关并与因素分析结果相似,其次为可移动性离子的影响,且应用地理统计印证土壤性质在空间之变化,其分布确实与不同林相位置有关,即植生营养元素(pH值、有效性磷)大都朝向复层植被区之趋势。典型相关分析结果,地表覆盖度与入侵植物数量两变量主要系透过第一个典型因素与第二个典型因素而影响到复层植被区之pH值、有机质等土壤理化性质。     

Interactive effects of rabbit grazing and environmental factors on plant species-richness on dunes of Norderney

On the German island Norderney rabbit grazing effects on vegetation, soil and microclimate were investigated with exclosures in different dune vegetation. Differences in species composition between grazed and ungrazed plots increased with grazing activity. A decline in growth height resulted in higher light availability and temperature on the grazed sites. One of the most visible effects was the decline in flowering plants. Most grazing effects varied between habitat types. Grey dunes were distinctly affected by rabbit grazing. In relation to the habitat type, life forms were differently affected: in closed vegetation, rabbit activities further open patches, resulting in more therophytes. In contrast, in open vegetation rabbit activities were too strong and following sand dynamics too high for many therophytes. In general, grazing diversified habitats, slightly supported the total species-richness, and enhanced the heterogeneity of species composition. Highest species-richness in total and of herbs was reached at intermediate levels of grazing pressure. The study is in line that highest species-diversity will be found at intermediate levels of disturbance and environmental stress and that grazing effects vary with the habitat type.     

植物群落对铜尾矿废弃地土壤微生物量和酶活性的影响

以铜尾矿废弃地为对象,研究了铜尾矿废弃地上植物群落发展与表层尾矿微生物量C、N和脱氢酶、过氧化氢碱性磷酸酶和脲酶活性的变化,探讨了植物群落-微生物量C、N_土壤酶活性之间的相互关系.结果表明,随着植物群落的发展,铜尾矿废弃地表层尾矿微生物量和酶活性在不断增加;铜官山老尾矿废弃地白茅群落下表层尾矿(TBM)微生物量和酶活性与杨山冲尾矿废弃地及铜官山新尾矿废弃地表层尾矿微生物量和酶活性存在显著差异性(p<0.05).相关分析表明铜尾矿废弃地表层尾矿微生物量C、N与土壤有机质、总氮之间呈显著正相关(P<0.01);脱氧酶、碱性磷酸酶及脲酶与微生物量C、微生物量N、土壤有机质、总氮之问呈显著正相关(P<0.01),但过氧化氢酶与微生物量C、微生物量N、土壤有机质、总氮之间呈显著负相关(P<0.01).     

Possible impact of sea-level rise on some habitat types at the Baltic coast of Denmark

According to estimates from the Danish Meteorological Institute global warming until 2080 may cause a relative sea-level rise in Danish waters of 33–46 cm. In the present paper the possible impact of a sea-level rise of this magnitude on coastal habitat types is discussed for three case studies, based on previous investigations of vegetation, topography and soil of localities at the Baltic coast of Denmark. The case studies include the following types of localities and habitats: (1) an off-shore barrier complex: sandy beach, sand dune, geolittoral, brackish, low-tidal meadow, reed bed; (2) a protected bay: geolittoral, brackish meadow, coastal grassland; (3) a dune area: mobile and fixed dune communities, and adjoining sea wall: coastal grassland. In the geolittoral meadow and coastal grassland habitats the sea-level rise is expected to cause a horizontal displacement of vegetation zones and a reduction in area, depending on accretion rate (sedimentation, peat formation), local topography and inland land-use. In the beach and sand dune habitats the sea-level rise is expected to cause a change in groundwater level, influencing slack vegetation, and a change in the erosion/accretion pattern, resulting in landward rebuilding of the mobile dune as well as in a more or less diffuse inland sand drift, causing destabilization of fixed dune vegetation.     

Soil enzyme activities and their indication for fertility of urban forest soil

To reveal the biological characteristics of urban forest soil and the effects of soil enzyme on soil fertility as well as the correlation between physicochemical properties and enzyme activities, 44 urban forest soil profiles in Nanjing were investigated. Basic soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities were analyzed in the laboratory. Hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and cellulase were determined by potassium permanganate titration, TTC (C₁₉H₁₅N₄·Cl) colorimetry, phenyl phosphate dinatrium colorimetry, and anthrone colorimetry, respectively. The result showed that soil pH, organic carbon (C), and total nitrogen (N) had great effects on hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in 0–20 cm thick soil. However, pH only had great effect on hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in 20–40 cm thick soil. Hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase were important biological indicators for the fertility of urban forest soil. Both in 0–20 cmand 20–40 cmsoil, soil enzyme system (hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and cellulase) had a close relationship with a combination of physicochemical indicators (pH, organic C, total N, available K, available P, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and microbial biomass carbon (C_mic)). The more soil enzyme activities there were, the higher the fertility of urban forest soil.     

Recovery of Danish coastal dune vegetation after a wildfire

The initial recovery of vegetation after a wildfire in a coastal dune area in NW Jutland, Denmark, was studied over a 5-yr period by means of permanent plots representing various dune communities along a topographical gradient. The impact of the fire varied with the position of the plots. Fens and south-facing dunes were little affected while dune heath plots were severely affected including loss of the O-horizon. Post-fire conditions included presence of remaining soil organic matter, a soil seed bank and surviving below-ground plant parts. The soil surface remained stable during the study period. The initial five years of recovery comprised of an initial three-year recruitment phase during which cover and number of species increased and the quantitative species composition changed markedly, followed by two years of a declining rate of change. 38 species of vascular plants were recorded, 35 are regular components in dune, dune heath and heath fen and were recruited from the seed bank, from locally dispersed seeds and/or by sprouting from surviving vegetative parts. The remaining three species were ‘aliens’, dispersed from sources outside the area. Crustose lichens had an important role in the initial recovery by stabilizing the surface and probably inhibiting seed germination, whereas mosses mostly had a subordinate role. The seral position of the plots, as well as the expected time needed for full recovery of pre-fire vegetation, vary with topography and initial soil conditions. Five years after the fire the fen and the south-facing dune probably need less than a decade for full recovery. The remaining plots are judged to be relatively early seral; their full recovery into mature dry or moist dune heath vegetation and O-horizon is expected to need several centuries.     

Lichens as indicators of a perturbation/stability gradient in the Asperillo dunes, SW spain

In the asperillo dune system, Southwest Spain, lichen vegetation covering the dune sand, has a low species diversity but is an important component of the perennial vegetation, providing stability, nutrients, and moisture to the soil layer. The Asperillo dunes harbour (1) natural ecosystems, (2) disturbed systems affected by forestry activities where the natural vegetation is eliminated, and (3) pine forest resulting from afforestation withPinus pinea since the end of the 1940s where the composition and abundance of the lichen flora has been drastically changed. Our hypothesis was that the lichen species composition and distribution are influenced by the type and period of human intervention. To test this hypothesis a 1.2 km × 1.1 km area, which includes zones with different degrees of conservation and perturbation, consisting of five different habitats, was selected: well preservedJuniperus woodland,Pinus pinea plantations with dense scrub, dense scrub,P. pinea plantations cleared from scrub, and pioneer scrub in recent pine afforestation. In each area, randomly located 5m × 5 m homogeneous plots were sampled. In each plot the cover of shrub and lichen species was recorded. The first results show that lichen cover is higher in the most preserved areas,Cladonia mediterranea being the dominant species under theJuniperus phoenicea canopy. The lichen community changes in composition and abundance depending on the time elapsed since the last perturbation.     

Soil management for sustainable crop disease control: a review

Excessive use of agrochemicals in conventional crop management has caused serious environmental and health problems including loss of biodiversity and human disorders. A number of chemical biocides have shown complex chronic effects such as change in endocrine functions and immune systems. Application of different chemical biocides to the soil and plants have increased substantially over the last five decades. Total consumption of chemical fertilizers worldwide increased tenfold from 1950 to 2000. This is also true for chemical biocides with its annual current use of 3 billion l and a value of 30 billion dollars. There are ample evidences indicating that plants which grow in rich soil associated with N-P-K availability are prone to pests and diseases. Managing and exploiting soil environmental conditions as part of an integrated control strategy can make a significant contribution to agricultural sustainability and environmental quality. Application of organic matter and practises which increase the total microbial activity in the soil might enhance general suppression of pathogens by increasing competition for nutrients. Choice of crops in rotation with plants less susceptible to specific pathogens causes a decline in population due to natural mortality and the antagonistic activities of co-existent root zone microorganisms. Plants growing in disease-suppressive soil resist diseases much better than in soils with low biological diversity. Understanding the effect of soil environmental factors on plant disease incidence and the best crop management strategies to prevent, avoid, escape and control diseases were the aims of this literature review. This article comprises the main topics on soil fertility associated with N-P-K and other macro- and micro nutrients, and also soil pH, structure and texture, organic matter and microbial reserves, describes the use of various crop management practises which reduce the incidence of plant diseases.     

上海市沿海防护林下土壤养分、微生物及酶的典型相关关系

以上海市沿海防护林为研究对象,选择6种不同树种的防护林带,采集0～10、10～20、20～40、40～60cm四层土样为研究材料,运用典型相关分析法,对防护林地土壤养分因子、微生物因子和酶活性因子中每两组变量间的相关性进行了分析。结果表明：三组变量土壤养分、微生物、酶活性中,每两者之间均有显著的典型相关变量存在,而且基本能够代表变量总体相关信息;土壤养分和土壤微生物间的相关主要由全氮、速效磷含量与微生物生物量氮、微生物生物量碳和微生物生物量磷引起;土壤养分与土壤酶活性间的相关性主要由全氮、有效磷、水解氮含量与脲酶、蛋白酶活性的相关性引起;土壤微生物与土壤酶活性间的相关性主要是由微生物生物量氮、微生物生物量磷与脲酶、蛋白酶、碱性磷酸酶活性的相关性引起;不同林地不同土壤层次的养分、微生物及酶活性在各对典型变量上的聚集趋势可为防护林建设过程中的树种选择与土壤健康诊提供一定的依据。     

Trampling impact on vegetation of embryonic and stabilised sand dunes in Montenegro

Trampling is one of the human activities that are harmful for plant species and communities of sand dune ecosystems. The aim of this study was to compare the vegetation of embryonic and shifting Ammophila sand dunes with and without fencing to limit trampling. Fenced sand dunes appeared to be richer in species but differences were more prominent in embryonic sand dunes. Some species (Cakile maritima, Pancratium maritimum) were missing on trampled embryonic dunes. The positive impact of trampling exclusion on embryonic sand dunes was indicated by a lowered slope in a Whittaker graph as well as by rarefaction curves that showed higher species richness on the lower slope. Changes in the vegetation of more stabilised shifting Ammophila sand dunes due to trampling are not evident, although species composition is also impoverished. Fencing of parts of sand dunes proved to be an effective measure for vegetation conservation. In addition to physical exclusion of visitors, fences can also have symbolic value for raising public awareness.     

西北干旱区植被恢复的土壤养分效应

通过对西北干旱区植被恢复过程中不同退耕模式下土壤养分的变化、土壤各养分的时空分布及各养分间的相关性分析,系统研究了干旱区植被恢复过程中土壤环境变化特征和规律。结果表明,在西北干旱区,进行植被恢复能明显改善土壤肥力状况,但不同植被恢复方式对土壤的腐殖化作用差异显著,依次为侧柏＋灌木＋苜蓿〉侧柏＋苜蓿〉侧柏＋灌木〉侧柏,而且随着植被恢复年限的持续,土壤中各养分质量分数明显增加。不同养分对植被恢复的响应程度从高到低表现为：速效磷〉速效氮〉速效钾〉全氮〉有机质〉全磷〉全钾。同时,相关性分析表明,土壤有机质的变化与全氮、速效氮呈现出显著的相关性,R2为0.867和0794,并且各养分具有明显的表聚性,尤以有机质、速效磷和速效氮表现明显。     

植被恢复的生态效应研究进展

植被在水土保持、水源涵养及生态系统的固碳过程中起着重要的作用。植被恢复是指运用生态学原理,通过保护现有植被、封山育林或营造人工林、灌、草植被,修复或重建被毁坏或被破坏的森林和其他自然生态系统,恢复其生物多样性及其生态系统功能。目前,植被的自然及人工恢复是改善脆弱生态系统及退化生态系统生态环境现状最有效的措施。植被在恢复过程中对地上植被生态系统,物种多样性的恢复有着重要影响,同时通过凋落物及根系的输入,可以有效改善地下生态系统,增加土壤的养分含量、改善土壤的物理结构、增加土壤生物的生物量及活性。文章以地上及地下生态系统为出发点,综述了植被恢复过程中自然及人工恢复过程中不同的植被类型、不同的恢复时间下植物物种组成和多样性、土壤理化性质及土壤微生物群落的变化。植被的自然及人工恢复在一定程度上均能增加植物物种的多样性,随着恢复年限的增加物种的组成发生改变且多样性呈增加趋势,但一些特殊环境下不当的人工恢复可造成植被演替向退化方向发展,降低生物多样性。不同的植被类型由于其生长方式的不同对土壤理化性质和土壤微生物的影响存在差异,随着恢复年限的增长,土壤理化指标及微生物学指标呈现先增加而后趋于平稳的状态。针对已有的研究进展,提出在未来的研究过程中,一方面应该增加更多的对比研究,对不同环境下,不同的恢复物种,不同的恢复方式进行更深入地探讨;另外一方面应增加不同尺度的研究,现有的研究多集中在样地尺度,未来应在更大尺度上进行分析;再者,地上及地下生态系统之间的相互关系及影响机理一直是土壤学科研究的热点,植被恢复过程中应增加更多该方面的机理研究。     

Window of opportunity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liparis loeselii</Emphasis> populations during vegetation succession on the Wadden Sea islands

The present study aims at assessing the life span of populations of the orchid L. loeselii during successional in dune slacks on the Wadden Sea islands. An inventory of Liparis loeselii populations was carried out on 6 islands, while the population structure was assessed in more detail on the island of Texel. The occurrence of the orchid was related to soil factors and hydrological conditions. Groundwater levels were measured in a dune area with natural dune slack formation. The groundwater composition was analyses and the freshwater lenses were modelled. Various scenarios were investigated, including sea level rise and sand nourishment. The window of opportunity for L. loeselii to colonize a new slack is relatively narrow. Under favorable management, the population can survive c. 20 years. Soil pH was positively correlated with the occurrence of L. loeselii populations, while a high organic matter content was negatively correlated. Sites with large populations of L. loeselii, were situated in young dune slacks, that functioned as flow-through lakes and has top soilsinfluenced by anoxic calcareous groundwater. Modelling showed that the freshwater lens would decrease due to sea level rise, while artificial sand nourishment could counteract this effect. The populations of the Hors area on Texel, the Netherlands, can survive for several decades due to continuous formation of new slacks. Discharge of calcareous groundwater is essential to keep the pH on a high level. The hydrological systems that supply dune slack with groundwater are relatively small and are vulnerable for changes in sea level rise.     

Coastal dune stabilization in Wales and requirements for rejuvenation

Welsh coastal dune systems have become increasingly vegetated in recent decades. Several rare species of plants and invertebrates have declined dramatically in abundance, and in some areas lost entirely. Of the ten dune habitats and species recognized as being features of European importance within the Welsh Natura 2000 sites, nine are currently in Unfavourable condition on at least one site. The decline in active aeolian processes has also reduced the geomorphological interest of the sites, several of which were designated as Geological Conservation Review sites principally on the basis of their physical processes and landforms. The decline in bare sand area between the 1940-50s and 2009 has been quantified at twelve Welsh dune sites using aerial photography and GIS. The decline ranged from 41 % at Gronant Dunes and Talacre Warren to 97 % at Kenfig Burrows, with an average of 81 %. Morfa Dyffryn had the highest remaining percentage of bare sand in 2009 (20 %), with 30–40 % coverage of mobile dune and pioneer communities, while seven sites had < 5 % bare sand. Dune stabilization over the past 60 years has been favoured by a number of factors, including less windy conditions, higher temperatures and longer growing season, increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition, a reduction in grazing intensity, and dune management policies aimed at controlling mobile sand. Climate change projections suggest that, in the next 50 to 100 years, Wales and adjoining areas are likely to experience higher temperatures and higher rainfall, especially in winter, and a further slight reduction in wind speeds. Without intervention, dune and dune slack habitats are likely to be increasingly replaced by fixed dune grassland and scrub, resulting in the extinction of rare plants, invertebrates and other species which require open, mobile conditions. Several intervention options exist, ranging in scale and potential impact. Increased livestock grazing, re-introduction of rabbits, scrub clearance, turf stripping and the creation of shallow ‘scrapes’ can be beneficial but will not by themselves create self-sustaining mobile dunes. In order to have any chance of achieving any significant impact, larger-scale intervention measures, involving large-scale vegetation removal and sand-re-profiling, will be required. At least in the short-term, maintenance measures will be required to prevent vegetation re-growth, and the challenge will be to encourage the development of mobile dune features which will be naturally mobile in the medium to longer term.