A qualitative analysis of the stability of the root-microorganism soil system I. carbon-nitrogen status and nitrogen mineralization

This paper demonstrates that if soil microorganisms are devoted suppliers of nitrogen, plant roots can coexist with them in the soil, i.e. if nitrogen net-mineralization is positive, the root-decomposer system is asymptotically stable. On the other hand, if net mineralization is negative, the system evolves in time towards the annihilation of the roots.Available data from an old pine stand system show that net mineralization is sometimes positive and sometimes negative during the course of a year. It is shown here that this situation is compatible with a state of dynamic stability in the root-decomposer system. The restrictions imposed on the validity of this analysis are also deduced.     

Aspects of a zooplankton,phytoplankton, phosphorus system

In this paper a three-dimensional dynamical system which models the three-species system made up of phytoplankton, zooplankton and organic phosphorus nutrient in a lake environment is studied. The system is part of a more general limnological model for eutrophic lakes and impoundments which has been developed by Battelle Northwest Laboratories. It is shown that this system, henceforth referred to as Z-P-P, has a phase portrait comprised of a plane portrait embedded in the three-dimensional space R³ as an “attractor”.¹ Under a small perturbation of the nutrient equation it is shown that the system is essentially a classical Volterra-Lotka system embedded in a three-dimensional phase space R³.The system derived from Z-P-P by the addition of a term to the nutrient equation which represents the organic phosphorus contribution of dying phytoplankton is also considered. The equilibria of this system are studied and what can be deduced of the phase portrait is compared with that of the above systems. It is found that these phase portraits are qualitatively indifferent to the form of the growth rate functions for zooplankton and phytoplankton provided they are monotone increasing. Some discussion about the stability of these systems is included. Throughout this paper results are interpreted in limnological terms.     

A simulation model for the effects of burning on the phosphorus and nitrogen cycle of a heathland ecosystem

In this paper, a simulation model is presented for nutrient cycling in heathland ecosystems. The results of simulations are compared with field data of phosphorus and nitrogen accumulation in different compartments of the system in the years after burning, given in the literature on this subject (Chapman, 1967; 1970). It is shown that for the cycling of P the system returns slowly to equilibrium after an initial disturbance. The time span of about 30 years that is required to reach equilibrium is in agreement with the field data. However, P accumulation in living above-ground biomass and litter is overestimated by the model in the first years after burning. Nitrogen accumulation in biomass and litter is systematically underestimated by the model.The results are discussed with reference to the processes in nutrient cycling that are insufficiently understood, and with reference to the management of heathlands.     

An ecological model for heavy metal contamination of crops and ground water

A model for heavy metal contamination of crops and ground water was set up and tested. It was found possible to use the model to predict the heavy metal concentration in crops.The model indicates that Pb is limiting the use of sludge as a soil conditioner, and that in most cases, contamination of crops seems to be a greater danger than contamination of ground water. However, when soil with a high humus or clay content is used at a pH close to 7.00, municipal sludge can be used in considerable quantities without danger.     

A note on the use of property values in estimating marginal willingness to pay for environmental quality

The principle purpose of this paper is to discuss the theoretical background of the use of property values in estimating damage function. In the first part of the paper a general equilibrium model is constructed in which environmental quality differences are capitalized into land rents. In the second part of the paper some of the assumptions needed for this result are scrutinized, and it is found that they are hardly realistic. The main conclusion is, thus, that the study of property values cannot give viable estimates of the marginal willingness to pay for environmental quality.     

3 forest simulation model

The 3 forest simulation model is a process model of tree growth, carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a single-species, even-aged forest stand. It is based on the model. Major changes include the computation of sun angle and radiation as a function of latitude and day of the year, the closed-form integration of canopy production as a function of day and hour, the introduction of tree number, height, and diameter as separate state variables, and different growth strategies, mortalities, and resulting self-thinning as function of crowding competition.The tree/soil system is described by a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations for the state variables: tree number, base diameter, tree height, wood biomass, nitrogen in wood, leaf mass, fine root mass, fruit biomass, assimilate, carbon and nitrogen in litter, carbon and nitrogen in soil organic matter, and plant-available nitrogen. The model includes explicit formulations of all relevant ecophysiological processes such as: computation of radiation as a function of seasonal time, daytime and cloudiness, light attenuation in the canopy, and canopy photosynthesis as function of latitude, seasonal time, and daytime, respiration of all parts, assimilate allocation, increment formation, nitrogen fixation, mineralization, humification and leaching, forest management (thinning, felling, litter removal, fertilization etc.), temperature effects on respiration and decomposition, and environmental effects (pollution damage to photosynthesis, leaves, and fine roots). Only ecophysiological parameters which can be either directly measured or estimated with reasonable certainty are used. 3 is a generic process model which requires species- and site-specific parametrization. It can be applied to deciduous and coniferous forests under tropical, as well as temperate or boreal conditions.The paper presents a full documentation of the mathematical model as well as representative simulation results for spruce and acacia.     

treedyn3 forest simulation model

The treedyn3 forest simulation model is a process model of tree growth, carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a single-species, even-aged forest stand. It is based on the treedyn model. Major changes include the computation of sun angle and radiation as a function of latitude and day of the year, the closed-form integration of canopy production as a function of day and hour, the introduction of tree number, height, and diameter as separate state variables, and different growth strategies, mortalities, and resulting self-thinning as function of crowding competition.The tree/soil system is described by a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations for the state variables: tree number, base diameter, tree height, wood biomass, nitrogen in wood, leaf mass, fine root mass, fruit biomass, assimilate, carbon and nitrogen in litter, carbon and nitrogen in soil organic matter, and plant-available nitrogen. The model includes explicit formulations of all relevant ecophysiological processes such as: computation of radiation as a function of seasonal time, daytime and cloudiness, light attenuation in the canopy, and canopy photosynthesis as function of latitude, seasonal time, and daytime, respiration of all parts, assimilate allocation, increment formation, nitrogen fixation, mineralization, humification and leaching, forest management (thinning, felling, litter removal, fertilization etc.), temperature effects on respiration and decomposition, and environmental effects (pollution damage to photosynthesis, leaves, and fine roots). Only ecophysiological parameters which can be either directly measured or estimated with reasonable certainty are used. treedyn3 is a generic process model which requires species- and site-specific parametrization. It can be applied to deciduous and coniferous forests under tropical, as well as temperate or boreal conditions.The paper presents a full documentation of the mathematical model as well as representative simulation results for spruce and acacia.     

Dynamics of the nitrogen cycle in a lake and its stability

Recent eutrophication of lakes or sea water has caused serious damage to the ecological balance in aquatic systems and to the quality of water for human use. The purpose of this study is to construct a dynamic model of the nitrogen cycle in a lake and to study the dynamic behavior of the various nitrogen forms such as organic, inorganic and plankton in connection with the mechanism of algal blooms in lakes. The dynamics of the system are represented by a system of non-linear differential equations which include the predator-prey relation between plankton types, and are discussed with the stability analysis of the critical points of differential equations. The effects of seasonal changes of environmental parameters are studied with computer simulations.     

Decontamination efficiency and root structure change in the plant-intercropping model in vertical-flow constructed wetlands

Subtropical climatic conditions can contribute to the death of the aerial parts of constructed wetland plants in winter. This presents a barrier to the widespread application of constructed wetland and is an issue that urgently needs to be solved. Three contrasting experi- ments, the plant-intercropping model （A）, the warm- seasonal plant model （B）, and the non-plant model （C）, were studied in terms of their efficiency in removing pollutants, and the change in root structure of plants in the plant-intercropping model within the vertical-flow con- structed wetlands. The results indicate that model A was able to solve the aforementioned problem. Overall, average removal rates of three pollutants （CODcr, total nitrogen （TN） and total phosphorous （TP）） using model A were significantly higher than those obtained using models B and C （P 〈 0.01）. Moreover, no significant differences in removal rates of the three pollutants were detected between A and B during the higher temperature part of the year （P〉 0.05）. Conversely, removal rates of the three pollutants were found to be significantly higher using model A than those observed using model B during the lower temperature part of the year （P 〈 0.01）. Furthermore, the morphologies and internal structures of plant roots further demonstrate that numerous white roots, whose distribution in soil was generally shallow, extend further under model A. The roots of these aquatic plants have an aerenchyma structure composed of parenchyma cells, therefore, roots of the cold-seasonal plants with major growth advantages used in A were capable of creating a more favorable vertical-flow constructed wetlands media- microenvironment. In conclusion, the plant-intercropping model （A） is more suitable for use in the cold environment experienced by constructed wetland during winter.     

Simulating dynamics of managed monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in south China

The forest succession model FORDYN is developed based on TREEDEV model. TREEDEV is a process-based tree growth model, that calculates tree growth based on carbon and nitrogen balance, and is calculated using on the photo-production of leaves, respiration, nitrogen content of all organisms and that in soil, and other losses due to respiration, litter and renewal of stems, branches, leaves and roots. In the FORDYN model succession is divided into three phases called early, middle and late succession, and the transition between these three succession phases is distinguished by a difference in leaf area index. As a verification of the model we used the characteristics and available data of a monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve (DHS-BR). The model was validated with natural forest data. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed in which 30 independent variables were varied and analyzed in connection with their influence on 16 dependent variables describing forest conditions. The simulation results describe the changes in total biomass, carbon and nitrogen change in plant–litter–soil system of an undisturbed monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest during succession. We compared these findings with simulation in which different logging management strategies were used. The results show that having a longer logging cycle, delaying the first logging time and a smaller logging fraction the scenario can contribute to a sustainable forest development, while still having a positive economic yield.     

高速公路与城市道路沿线交通噪声对环境的污染分析

在我国一些中心大城市,道路交通量迅猛增长,交通污染的问题也日益突出。本文主要阐述了交通噪声对道路沿线环境污染的危害,并提出了降噪为主要目标的综合治理的方法以及措施：采用多孔隙低噪声沥青路面,设置声屏障以及在道路两侧设置绿化带降噪声等,     

Diffusive gradient in thin-film (DGT) models Cd and Pb uptake by plants growing on soils amended with sewage sludge and urban compost

Food contamination by Cd and Pb is of increasing concern because contaminated composts and sewage sludges are used as soil fertilizers. Indeed, Cd and Pb from sewage sludge and compost can be transferred to plants and, in turn, to food. Predicting the quantity of metals transferred to plants is difficult and actual models are unable to give accurate concentrations. Therefore, new techniques are needed. For instance, diffusive gradient in thin-film (DGT) is commonly used to measure metal bioavailability in waters, sediments and soils, but DGT has not been well studied for metal uptake in plants. Moreover, actual models for soil–plant transfer are too complex and require many soil parameters. Here, we simplified the modelization of metal uptake by plants by considering only DGT fluxes and roots surfaces. We grew durum wheat in a greenhouse on sandy soils amended with urban compost or sewage sludge. Results show that Cd uptake was slightly underestimated when whole roots were considered as an absorbing surface. For Pb, the best estimation was found by using root tip surface. Overall, our model ranks correctly the samples but underestimates Pb uptake by 15 % and Cd uptake by 45 %. It is nonetheless a simpler way of modelling by using only DGT fluxes and root system morphology.     

水、氮控制对短花针茅草原气体交换的影响

随着对气候变化日趋关注,人们对生态系统气体交换及其主要影响因素进行了大量研究。短花针茅草原作为荒漠草原的典型代表,是亚洲特有的一种草原类型,是最干旱的草原类型,生态环境异常严酷,系统极度脆弱,稳定性差,在自然和人为干扰下极易退化。以短花针茅（Stipa breviflora）草原为研究对象,通过控制降雨量以及氮素添加对生态系统气体交换进行监测,研究气体交换对降雨量和氮素添加的响应过程,揭示降雨量和氮素添加对生态系统气体交换的影响作用。该文在2012年自然条件下,采用自动CO2通量系统（Li-6400, Li-COR, Lincoln, NE, USA）野外测定短花针茅（Stipa breviflora）草原生态系统气体交换数据,比较研究了增雨施肥（WN）、增雨不施肥（W）、减雨施肥（RN）、减雨不施肥（R）、单独施肥（N）、自然状况（CK）条件下2012年气体交换变化规律。结果表明：整个生长季生态系统净 CO2交换（NEE）、总的生态系统生产力（GEP）、生态系统呼吸值（ER）都呈先升高后降低的趋势,并在生长旺盛期（8月）达到最大值。NEE在N、W处理下有升高,其他处理都降低。ER在N、WN处理下都有升高,其他处理都降低。GEP在W、N、WN处理下都有升高,其他处理都降低。NEE、ER、GEP都是在N处理中达到最大值。     

Food web model of the Upper Paraná River Floodplain: description and aggregation effects

To describe the Upper Paraná River Floodplain (the last non-dammed stretch of the Paraná River, Brazil) a food web model was quantified using ECOPATH. The modeled ecosystem showed maturity because of the total primary production/total respiration ratio (close to 2), Finn’s cycling index (7%) and overhead (65%). The first model elaborated had 40 compartments/groups, but its transfer efficiencies among trophic levels did not reduce in despite the trophic level increasing. To solve this, the effect of two grouping methods on system-level information and other ecosystem attributes was investigated. The first series tested, named “classic” (researcher intuitive way and by food preferences) also did not reduce transfer efficiencies. In the second series, named “by pathways”, the first species grouping were those with higher number of input pathways and longest mean length of pathways. Thereby, the news groups from aggregation decreased the number of components and system’s richness, but stability (measured by overhead) did not change, including the model with only eight compartments. The great number of the ten compartments that showed these characteristics was piscivores, increasing the redundancy within highest trophic level. The use of pathways (number and length) can be useful to lumping species since it reduces compartments and do compromise neither maturity nor stability, diminishing grouping subjectivity.     

Chemistry of atmospheric dust and critical load assessment in Delhi region (India)

This is the first study in the Delhi region that assesses the critical load capacity of soil systems with respect to the atmospheric deposition and air quality, from July to October in 2012. Trend analysis of NO₂ and SO₂ in Delhi, using the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, showed interesting patterns matching with the trends in vehicular load in the city. This was followed by the calculation of the critical load of atmospheric acidity for sulphur and nitrogen in order to check the vulnerability of the soil systems in Delhi. Here, the steady state mass balance approach was majorly applied and the study conducted in the Agra region was taken as reference. The calculated values of critical loads of sulphur (225–275?eq/ha/yr) and nitrogen (298–303?eq/ha/yr), for the soil system in Delhi, were calculated with respect to three plant species, namely Anjan grass, Hibiscus and Black siris. The present loads of sulphur (PL(S)?=?26.40?eq/ha/yr) and nitrogen (PL(N)?=?36.51?eq/ha/yr) were found to be much lower than their respective critical loads. From the results, it can be concluded that the present loads of atmospheric acidic deposition in Delhi region do not pose any danger of acidification of soil system because it is countered by buffering capacity of soil generated dust. However, considering the pace at which the city is growing, it is likely that in coming decades, the present load will increase and thus the values evaluated in this study are likely to serve as an important reference for future assessment of the pollution scenario in the city.     

Dynamics of free-living nitrogen-fixing bacterial populations in antagonistic conditions

The survival of free-living nitrogen-fixing microbial populations in the natural ecosystem is crucial for the system maintenance and productivity due to the unique role of these organisms in the global biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen.The dynamics of a nitrogen-fixing microbial population grown at various conditions in a chemostat, together with a competitive (for the common resources) population, was studied through bifurcation analysis of a mathematical model of the system. When the carbon source is found in abundance in the feed, then the competition for this nutrient is low. High amounts of ammonium nitrogen (a substance that inhibits growth of the nitrogen-fixing population) are assimilated for the growth needs of both populations. Under these conditions the nitrogen-fixing population can survive (alone or together with its competitor) in a wide range of parameter values and operating conditions and in some cases nitrogenase synthesis occurs.When the inflow medium contains low carbon substrate concentrations, high competition occurs for this nutrient. In these conditions the nitrogen-fixing population can survive only if it has the competitive advantage over its competitor. However, if the inflow medium contains high ammonium concentrations, the nitrogen-fixing population is inhibited and loses its competitive advantage. Under these conditions, only nitrogen-fixing populations, which are able to establish amensalistic interactions can survive in the system.     

植物重金属伤害及其抗性机理

讨论了二个问题：（1）重金属对植物伤害效应及伤害机理。其中包括重金属对植物细胞质膜透性,水分代谢、光合作用、呼吸作用、碳水化合物代谢、氮素代谢、核酸代谢、植物激素等生理生化过程,生境以及矿质营养的伤害效应,在伤害机理中讨论了植物体内原有的离子平衡系统,大分子物质活性和自由基与伤害的关系。（2）植物对重金属抗性及抗性机理。其中包括植物对重金属的抗性概念,例证,分类,抗性机理包括植物限制重金属离子吸收,重金属与体外分泌物结合,重金属的排除,根系富集,与细胞壁结合,在液泡中积累,形成类－金属硫蛋白或植物络合素,加强抗氧化系统等与植物抗性的关系,参85     

冻融作用下盐碱水田土壤含水率和氮素对有机碳影响研究

选择吉林西部前郭县盐碱水田土壤,进行实验室模拟冻融实验：以-5℃冻结1 d、5℃消融1 d作为1次冻融循环,揭示不同含水率和含氮量处理条件下土壤有机碳（SOC）的变化规律。结果表明,土壤含水率和含氮量是影响SOC含量的2个重要因素,冻融次数、土壤含水率、土壤含氮量以及冻融次数和土壤含水率、冻融次数和土壤含氮量的交互作用对盐碱水田SOC含量的影响显著（P〈0.05）。在1~3次冻融循环过程中,SOC含量明显降低,随着循环次数的增加,SOC含量降低速度减缓;适量的氮素和较低的含水率有利于SOC的稳定,初始含水率为50%的SOC含量明显低于含水率30%和40%的土壤,加入20%硝酸铵的SOC含量明显低于对照组和加入10%硝酸铵的土壤。研究结果对深入研究季节冻土区冻融期盐碱水田SOC变化规律,评估全年候SOC储量有重要意义。     

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.     

Possible health impacts of naturally occurring uptake of aristolochic acids by maize and cucumber roots: links to the etiology of endemic (Balkan) nephropathy

Aristolochic acids (AAs) are nephrotoxic and carcinogenic derivatives found in several Aristolochia species. To date, the toxicity of AAs has been inferred only from the effects observed in patients suffering from a kidney disease called “aristolochic acid nephropathy” (AAN, formerly known as “Chinese herbs nephropathy”). More recently, the chronic poisoning with Aristolochia seeds has been considered to be the main cause of Balkan endemic nephropathy, another form of chronic renal failure resembling AAN. So far, it was assumed that AAs can enter the human food chain only through ethnobotanical use (intentional or accidental) of herbs containing self-produced AAs. We hypothesized that the roots of some crops growing in fields where Aristolochia species grew over several seasons may take up certain amounts of AAs from the soil, and thus become a secondary source of food poisoning. To verify this possibility, maize plant (Zea mays) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) were used as a model to substantiate the possible significance of naturally occurring AAs’ root uptake in food chain contamination. This study showed that the roots of maize plant and cucumber are capable of absorbing AAs from nutrient solution, consequently producing strong peaks on ultraviolet HPLC chromatograms of plant extracts. This uptake resulted in even higher concentrations of AAs in the roots compared to the nutrient solutions. To further validate the measurement of AA content in the root material, we also measured their concentrations in nutrient solutions before and after the plant treatment. Decreased concentrations of both AAI and AAII were found in nutrient solutions after plant growth. During this short-term experiment, there were much lower concentrations of AAs in the leaves than in the roots. The question is whether these plants are capable of transferring significant amounts of AAs from the roots into edible parts of the plant during prolonged experiments.