Model-Based Assessment of Aspen Responses to Elk Herbivory in Rocky Mountain National Park,USA

In Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) has been observed to be declining on elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) winter range for many decades. To support elk management decisions, the SAVANNA ecosystem model was adapted to explore interactions between elk herbivory and aspen dynamics. The simulated probability of successful vegetative regeneration for senescent aspen stands declines sharply when elk densities reach levels of 3–5 elk/km², depending on model assumptions for the seasonal duration of elk foraging activities. For aspen stands with a substantial component of younger trees, the simulated regeneration probability declines more continuously with increasing elk density, dropping below 50% from densities at 8–14 elk/km².At the landscape scale, simulated aspen regeneration probability under a scenario of extensive seasonal use was little affected by elk population level, when this level was above 300–600 elk (25%–50% current population) over the ca. 107 km² winter range. This was because elk distribution was highly aggregated, so that a high density of elk occupied certain areas, even at low population levels overall. At approximately current elk population levels (1000–1200 elk), only 35%–45% of senescent aspen stands are simulated as having at least a 90% probability of regeneration, nearly all of them located on the periphery of the winter range. Successful management for aspen persistence on core winter range will likely require some combination of elk population reduction, management of elk distribution, and fencing to protect aspen suckers from elk browsing.     

胡杨实生苗在河漫滩自然发生和初期生长的研究

通过对洪水退后河漫滩上胡杨种子散布，种子萌发以及胡杨幼苗生长的观察，认定胡杨种子萌发和幼苗初期生长需要一个高温、高湿的环境。水分、温度、光照和微地形对胡杨幼苗的生长和保存都有很大的影响，其中，水分是最为重要的一个因素。洪水退后的河漫滩应是胡杨种子自然萌发和幼苗自然补充的最佳场所，洪水则是胡杨种子自然萌发以及幼苗补充的一个必要条件。     

胡杨生理指标对塔里木河下游生态输水的响应

根据塔里木河下游受生态输水影响的断面和未受输水影响断面的胡杨生理指标脯氨酸、脱落酸和叶片含水量的变化,就胡杨生理指标对生态输水的响应进行了初步分析.结果显示:①在受到生态输水影响的断面,胡杨叶相对含水量增加,脯氨酸、脱落酸因水分条件的好转而分解降低;在未受到生态输水影响的断面,因为干旱胁迫程度的加重,胡杨叶相对含水量减少,脯氨酸、脱落酸因积累而增加.②在生态输水前,胡杨生理指标总体上与地下水位变化相一致,即:随着地下水位的降低,胡杨脯氨酸和脱落酸水平增加;随地下水位的升高,脯氨酸和脱落酸水平有降低的趋势.③从个别数据的异常看,在塔里木河下游,当地下水位较低时,地下水位的升降仅是影响胡杨干旱胁迫的一个因子.因此,在塔里木河下游开展的生态输水工程,对该区胡杨生长的影响非常显著,它在一定程度上缓解了胡杨水分的亏缺,减轻了干旱胁迫程度.      

Changes in Avian and Plant Communities of Aspen Woodlands over 12 Years after Livestock Removal in the Northwestern Great Basin

Abstract: Riparian and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) woodlands are centers of avian abundance and diversity in the western United States, but they have been affected adversely by land use practices, particularly livestock grazing. In 1990, cattle were removed from a 112,500‐ha national wildlife refuge in southeastern Oregon. Thereafter, we monitored changes in vegetation and bird abundance in years 1–3 (phase 1) and 10–12 (phase 2) in 17 riparian and 9 snow‐pocket aspen plots. On each 1.5‐ha plot, we sampled vegetation in 6 transects. Three times during each breeding season, observers recorded all birds 50 m to each side of the plot's 150‐m centerline for 25 minutes. We analyzed data with multivariate analysis of variance and paired t tests with p values adjusted for multiple comparisons. In both periods, riparian and snow‐pocket aspen produced extensive regeneration of new shoots ( stems/ha and 7079 stems/ha, respectively). By phase 2, a 64% increase in medium‐diameter trees in riparian stands indicated successful recruitment into the overstory, but this pattern was not seen in snow‐pocket stands, where the density of trees was over 2 times greater. By phase 2 in riparian and snow‐pocket stands, native forb cover had increased by 68% and 57%, respectively, mesic shrub cover had increased by 29% and 58%, and sagebrush cover had decreased by 24% and 31%. Total avian abundance increased by 33% and 39% in riparian and snow‐pocket aspen, respectively, ground or understory nesters increased by 133% and 67% and overstory nesters increased by 34% and 33%. Similarly, ground or understory foragers increased by 25% and 32%, aerial foragers by 55% and 57%, and overstory foragers by 66% and 43%. We interpreted the substantial regeneration of aspen shoots, increased densities of riparian forbs and shrubs, and increased avian abundances as a multitrophic‐level response to the total removal of livestock and as substantial movement toward recovery of biological integrity.     

土壤温度和湿度对鲁东南杨树人工林土壤呼吸的协同影响

利用GXH．3051红外C02气体分析仪结合自制密闭箱对鲁东南中龄杨树人工林（MAP）和成熟杨树人工林（MP）土壤呼吸、自养呼吸和异氧呼吸进行了为期2a的定位研究,分析土壤温度和湿度与土壤呼吸的关系及动态变化,探讨土壤温度和湿度对土壤呼吸的协同影响。结果表明,（1）MAP和MP土壤呼吸具明显的季节特征,均呈单峰变化,7月达到高峰,分别为4．43和3．55μm01·m-2．s-1,1月处于低谷,分别为0．72和0．54tmaol·m-2．S-1。（2）土壤温度与土壤呼吸的关系可用指数模型R=ae加’进行拟合,土壤湿度与土壤呼吸的关系可用线性模型R=aW＋b进行拟合。（3）土壤温度和湿度与土壤呼吸的综合关系可用非线性模型R=aebrWc较好地拟合,共同解释了MAP和MP不同年份土壤呼吸、自养呼吸和异氧呼吸的83．3％－85．1％、71％－79．2％、58．6％－76．5％和82．4％－88．3％、68．9％－78．2％、50．2％－78．2％,双因素模型明显优于仅考虑土壤温度或土壤湿度的单因素模型,表明鲁东南杨树人工林土壤呼吸主要受土壤温度和土壤湿度的协同影响。     

毛白杨杂种无性系稳定碳同位素值的特征及其水分利用效率

2008年在北京林业大学对9个毛白杨(Populus tomentosa)杂种无性系苗木生长不同时期的叶片、小枝、根的碳同位素δ~(13)C和瞬时水分利用效率WUEi的差异进行研究,分析不同无性系间δ~(13)C与瞬时水分利用效率WUEi的相互关系,目的在于探求δ~(13)C在筛选高水分利用效率毛白杨杂种无性系中的应用价值.结果表明:不同生长时期叶片δ~(13)C值表现为7月<8月<10月<9月,小枝δ~(13)C值表现为8月<9月<10月,叶片δ~(13)C值、小枝δ~(13)C值在不同时期和不同无性系间的差异均达显著水平,无性系间的差异是引起δ~(13)C值变化的主要因素.不同部位碳同位素比值表现为叶片<小枝<根,毛白杨杂种无性系δ~(13)C值在不同部位和无性系间差异均达显著水平,部位间的差异是引起δ~(13)C值变化的主要因素.δ~(13)C值较高的无性系30、83、BL5的WUEi也较高,δ~(13)C值较低的无性系42、26、BT17的WUEi也较低,且不同时期δ~(13)C和WUEi呈较强的正相关,相关系数分别为0.766、0.872、0.675,高δ~(13)C可以作为筛选高WUEi毛白杨的有效指标,且在苗木生长旺盛时期选育能得到更为可靠的结果.     

塔里木河下游生态输水过程中荒漠河岸林活力恢复监测

根据近5年来对塔里木河下游荒漠河岸林植被的监测数据,分析了生态输水后植物活力的恢复状况.结果显示:应急生态输水增加了塔里木河下游的生物多样性,使原本面临死亡的荒漠河岸植被重新复活,而且不同程度上促进了胡杨群落的自然更新;在近河道50 m的范围内均出现了少量的胡杨、柽柳实生苗,并且在离河道150 m的范围内已经有相当数量的胡杨次生苗,在离河道400 m范围内大约有25%的胡杨均有不同程度的基部新枝萌蘖.通过生态输水后地下水位的逐步抬升,河道两岸的低阶地发育着一定面积的草甸植被,形成了由胡杨、柽柳和草本植物所组成的干旱区非地带性河岸稀疏植被群落,说明应急生态输水对于胡杨为建群种的荒漠河岸林植被的恢复和自然更新产生了积极的影响.     

不同下垫面土壤凝结水特征及其影响因素

凝结水是干旱区生态系统重要的水分来源。2010年6-7月采用底部连通和不连通的微渗计对塔里木河下游地区胡杨林、柽柳丛和裸地3种典型下垫面土壤凝结水的变化特征、形成时间及其影响因素进行了研究。结果表明:①观测期间研究区裸地土壤凝结水总量最多,其次为柽柳丛的,而胡杨林的最小,其凝结水总量分别为2.60、2.49、1.26 mm,方差分析显示,不同下垫面类型土壤的日均凝结水量之间存在极显著差异(P<0.01);②凝结过程一般从22:00持续到次日8:00,晴天日出后一定时间范围内凝结现象仍继续发生,3种下垫面土壤凝结水量的变化趋势均呈双峰曲线,2:00~4:00左右达到第1个峰值,第2个峰值出现在8:00左右;③连通微渗计产生的凝结水量显著高于不连通微渗计的(t<0.01)。凝结水量主要受气温、大气相对湿度、地温、风速以及下垫面等因素的影响。     

胡杨资源信息管理系统的设计与实现

新疆塔里木河流域的胡杨资源在维持荒漠生态系统的协调稳定和保障绿洲生态安全等方面意义重大。运用GIS技术、多媒体技术、数据库管理技术的理论与方法,综合胡杨资源及其环境的遥感信息、文字信息及地图信息,建立集图象、图形、声音、文字为一体的计算机信息管理系统,为胡杨资源信息的存贮、查询、检索、更新、分析服务,同时,为胡杨资源合理利用及保护提供科学依据及决策支持。     

Trace element accumulation in woody plants of the Guadiamar Valley, SW Spain: a large-scale phytomanagement case study

Phytomanagement employs vegetation and soil amendments to reduce the environmental risk posed by contaminated sites. We investigated the distribution of trace elements in soils and woody plants from a large phytomanaged site, the Guadiamar Valley (SW Spain), 7 years after a mine spill, which contaminated the area in 1998. At spill-affected sites, topsoils (0-25 cm) had elevated concentrations of As (129 mg kg(-1)), Bi (1.64 mg kg(-1)), Cd (1.44 mg kg(-1)), Cu (115 mg kg(-1)), Pb (210 mg kg(-1)), Sb (13.8 mg kg(-1)), Tl (1.17 mg kg(-1)) and Zn (457 mg kg(-1)). Trace element concentrations in the studied species were, on average, within the normal ranges for higher plants. An exception was white poplar (Populus alba), which accumulated Cd and Zn in leaves up to 3 and 410 mg kg(-1) respectively. We discuss the results with regard to the phytomanagement of trace element contaminated sites.