模拟根系分泌物碳输入对凋落叶分解中微生物群落动态的影响

为深入理解根系分泌物对森林凋落物分解的影响,通过20 d的室内培养实验,在土壤中添加4种不同浓度的人工模拟根系分泌物中活性有机碳复合物(每克土壤添加0、0.3、0.6和1.2 mg碳),研究活性有机碳输入对凋落叶分解和微生物群落的影响.结果显示,一定浓度模拟根系分泌物碳输入(每克土壤添加0.6、1.2 mg碳)可引起凋落叶表面微生物数量特别是真菌数量的相对增加,并且明显改变凋落叶分解过程中微生物群落的种类组成,激活一些快速生长的真菌,促进微生物代谢活力,使分解率提高了19.0%-26.2%.根系分泌物碳添加、取样时间及其二者的交互作用均对凋落叶表面β-葡萄糖苷酶和β-N-乙酰葡糖氨糖苷酶的活性产生显著影响,随着分解时间的推进,0.6 mg和1.2 mg碳添加处理能显著提高这两种酶的活性.根系分泌物碳添加对凋落叶表面古菌硝化功能基因amoA和细菌硝化功能基因amoA的数量均无显著影响,但在分解20 d取样,0.6 mg碳添加处理能明显提高固氮功能基因nifH和反硝化功能基因nosZ的数量.本研究表明一定浓度根系分泌物输入能够改变微生物群落组成与数量,并提高微生物胞外酶活性,加速凋落物分解,且激发效应的启动由底物添加的碳含量和活跃的微生物群落相互作用决定.(图5表4参36)     

内蒙古典型草原凋落物分解对不同草地利用方式的响应

以2005年设置的中德放牧控制试验为平台,研究了内蒙古典型草原群落凋落物的分解速率、失重率及其碳氮损失率在不同草地利用方式和放牧强度下的变化规律。草地利用方式包括:传统放牧、传统割草和放牧、割草轮换利用(混合利用)。放牧强度包括7个:0、1.5、3.0、4.5、6.0、7.5、9.0 sheep·hm~(-2)。结果表明:传统放牧和混合利用方式下,放牧都不同程度地加速了群落凋落物的分解和失重。在传统放牧平地系统中,放牧强度为7.5 sheep·hm~(-2)小区群落凋落物的分解速率和失重率均显著高于对照区,分别高出45.0%和40.0%;在混合利用平地系统中,放牧强度为6.0 sheep·hm~(-2)小区群落凋落物的分解速率显著高于对照区,高出35.0%;在混合利用坡地系统中,放牧强度为9.0 sheep·hm~(-2)小区群落凋落物的分解速率和失重率均显著高于对照区,分别高出82.4%和62.0%。群落凋落物碳损失率和氮损失率在传统放牧系统中,随放牧强度的增加呈现出相似的变化趋势,而在混合利用系统中,随放牧强度的增加呈现出相反的变化趋势,但是总体表现为,增加放牧强度会加速群落凋落物中碳氮的释放。高放牧强度下,群落凋落物的分解速率、失重率和碳损失率差异显著,表现为:混合利用传统割草传统放牧,这一试验结果在一定程度上验证了放牧优化假说。     

中亚热带3种类型米槠林凋落叶水溶性组分及其氮磷养分含量

凋落物水溶性组分流失是森林凋落物降解最为前端的过程，水溶性组分的动态变化可以在一定程度上指示森林物质循环过程，其研究对于认识天然林转变为次生林和人工林后结构和功能的改变以及不同经营模式的森林管理具有一定的科学意义.以中亚热带典型米槠（Castanopsis carlesii）人工林、米槠次生林和米槠天然林为研究对象，分析凋落叶水溶性组分以及氮磷养分含量特征.结果显示：天然林凋落叶水溶性有机碳含量及其占总有机碳的比例显著高于人工林和次生林（P <0.05），而10、11月和6月人工林凋落叶水溶性氮含量及其占总氮的比例显著高于天然林和次生林（P <0.05）,3-8月人工林凋落叶的水溶性碳氮比和水溶性碳磷比则低于天然林和次生林.12月至次年8月，人工林的总碳、总氮和总磷含量显著高于天然林和次生林，并且这一时期凋落叶的总碳氮比、总碳磷比和总氮磷比表现为次生林>天然林>人工林.此外，米槠凋落叶水溶性有机碳和水溶性氮含量在10-11月出现峰值，7-8月相对较低，并与降雨量和气温呈显著负相关关系.总的来说，天然林凋落叶较高的水溶性有机碳含量有利于凋落叶早期降解和以其为载体的...     

柑橘果园凋落物量及凋落叶的分解特征

对福州郊区7年生柑橘果园生态系统凋落物的发生及凋落物叶分解特征进行观测研究.结果表明,柑橘果园年凋落物总量为1 682.48 kg·hm-2,其中以叶凋落量最大,占58.97%;凋落物的发生呈现不规则的月变化,以3月和7月凋落物量最大;柑橘果园凋落物年碳、氮归还量分别为704.56、43.72 kg·hm-2.凋落物叶分解过程呈现先快后慢的规律,经过1 a分解后,凋落物叶分解残留率为21.50%,凋落物叶分解95%所需时间为1.83 a.     

林窗对凋落物分解过程中细菌群落结构和多样性的影响

基于细菌16S r DNA的PCR-DGGE方法,以林下(US)为对照,研究了长江上游低山丘陵区人为采伐形成的马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林7种不同大小林窗(G1:100 m2、G2:225 m2、G3:400 m2、G4:625 m2、G5:900 m2、G6:1 225 m2、G7:1 600 m2)在冬夏两季对凋落物分解过程中细菌群落结构和多样性的影响。结果表明,凋落物中的细菌群落结构和多样性受到林窗大小的显著影响,这种差异性受到季节的影响。有些菌纲只出现在特定大小的林窗,例如,绿弯菌纲(Chloroflexi)和放线菌纲(Actinobacteria)都只出现在US和G1林窗,芽孢杆菌纲(Bacilli)只出现在大中型(G4~G7)林窗,黄杆菌纲(Flavobacteria)只出现在中型(G4和G5)林窗,浮霉菌纲(Planctomycetacia)只存在于G5、G7和US。冬夏两季细菌群落结构差异较大,冬季的细菌类群高于夏季。在冬季,细菌群落的多样性与林窗大小、凋落物含水率、日平均温度、凋落物的全碳、可溶性有机碳和全氮含量显著相关;在夏季,细菌群落的多样性仅与日平均温度和全碳含量显著相关。总体来看,变形菌门是凋落物分解过程中的优势类群,有利于凋落物分解过程中的碳氮循环。林窗的形成改变了凋落物中的细菌群落结构和组成,减小了凋落物分解过程中细菌群落的丰富度指数、多样性指数和均匀度指数,但增大了优势度指数。冬季的细菌群落的丰富度、多样性和均匀度高于夏季,优势度则低于夏季。     

凋落物质量和分解对中亚热带栲木荷林土壤氮矿化的影响

用控温、控水室内培养方法,研究了中亚热带栲木荷常绿阔叶林和邻近柳杉人工针叶林凋落物的分解及其对栲木荷林土壤氮矿化的影响.结果表明:栲木荷阔叶林的凋落物失重率大于针阔混合凋落物的失重率,大于柳杉针叶纯林凋落物的失重率.所有凋落物失重率都与其初始氮含量呈显著负相关,和初始碳含量呈显著正相关,而与凋落物C/N比的相关性不强.不同凋落物处理下的土壤NO3--N含量差异显著(P＜0.05,N=18),NH4 -N含量差异不显著(P＞0.05,N=18),混合凋落物处理下的土壤NO3--N和NH4 -N含量最高,分别是224.21 mg kg-1和56.77 mg kg-1,其氮转化速率也最高,硝化、氨化、氮矿化速率分别为1.74 mg kg-1 d-1、0.36 mg kg-1 d-1和1.90mg kg-1 d-1.各凋落物处理下的土壤氮含量随时间变化的规律不一致.土壤氨化速率与土壤全氮呈显著正相关(r=0.843,P＜0.05,N=21),与栲木荷林凋落物的失重率呈显著负相关(r=-0.997,P＜0.05,N=21).图3表4参29     

川西地区7种常见彩叶树种凋落物分解

凋落物分解是森林土壤碳和养分的重要来源.彩叶林为川西地区重要的生态系统类型之一,为探索川西地区常见彩叶树种凋落物分解速率与养分释放,采用尼龙分解袋法研究常见彩叶物种葛罗枫(Acer grosseri)、落叶松(Larix kaempferi)、青榨槭(Acer davidii)、元宝枫(Acer truncatum)、黄栌(Cotinus coggygria)、红桦(Betula albosinensis)和花楸(Sorbuspohuashanensis)凋落物分解过程中的质量损失和养分释放特征.结果表明,分解两年后7种彩叶树种凋落物质量残留率从高到低依次为元宝枫(66.4%)、落叶松(64.1%)、红桦(63.7%)、青榨槭(59.6%)、黄栌(58.9%)、葛罗枫(50.8%)和花楸(50.1%);凋落物质量损失主要发生在第一年,第一年凋落物质量损失率显著高于第二年.两年分解过程中,7种彩叶树种凋落物碳浓度下降,碳表现为净释放.氮磷释放特征在物种间差异显著,其中,花楸凋落物氮磷均表现为净释放.相关性分析表明,初始养分(氮和磷)含量与分解速率呈正相关,而难分解物质(木质素和纤维素)含量与分解速率呈负相关.综上所述,川西彩叶树种凋落物分解和氮磷释放因树种和分解时期而不同,花楸凋落物分解和养分释放速率相对较快;研究结果可为川西彩叶林景观恢复重建的物种选择提供科学依据.(图3表3参41)     

季节性冻融期间土壤动物对高山草甸两种凋落叶木质素降解的影响

高山草甸冻融季节强烈的冻结作用和频繁的冻融循环可促进凋落叶木质素降解,进而影响凋落叶分解及其相关的物质循环过程,但严酷环境下仍然活跃的土壤动物是否具有明显的作用尚无定论.因此,以高山草甸代表性植物黄花亚菊(Ajania nubigena)和黑褐苔草(Carex atrofusca)凋落叶为研究对象,采用不同孔径凋落叶袋排除土壤动物的方法,探讨冬季不同冻融时期(冻结前期、冻结期和融化期)土壤动物对凋落叶木质素降解的贡献.结果显示,整个季节性冻融期间,土壤动物对凋落叶中木质素的降解具有明显的贡献.土壤动物作用的凋落叶木质素降解率(Cfau)为19.41%(黄花亚菊凋落叶)和2.02%(黑褐苔草凋落叶),总贡献率(Pfau)为32.47%(黄花亚菊凋落叶)和2.33%(黑褐苔草凋落叶).然而不同时期土壤动物具有不同程度的影响.相对于其他时期,冻结初期土壤动物作用于黑褐苔草凋落叶木质素降解率最大(13.59%),而融化期最小(-0.27%).与黑褐苔草不同,融化期土壤动物作用于黄花亚菊凋落叶木质素降解率最大(17.59%),而在冻结期最小(-5.12%).土壤动物作用于凋落叶木质素的降解率和贡献率均与负积温显著正相关(P0.05),与凋落叶初始质量无显著相关性.可见,高寒草甸土壤动物在严酷的冬季环境下仍然对凋落叶木质素降解具有积极的作用,但相对于凋落叶质量,温度及其相关冻融环境的改变对土壤动物作用于木质素降解过程的影响更大.     

华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解过程中纤维素降解对模拟氮、硫沉降的响应

纤维素是森林凋落叶中含量最多的难分解物质,采用凋落叶分解袋法,以CO(NH_2)_2为氮源、Na_2SO_4为硫源,设置氮、硫双因素三水平共9种处理,即对照(CK)、低氮(LN)、高氮(HN)、低硫(LS)、高硫(HS)、低氮低硫(LNLS)、高氮低硫(HNLS)、低氮高硫(LNHS)和高氮高硫(HNHS),研究氮、硫沉降对华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解过程中纤维素降解的影响.结果显示,氮、硫沉降各处理的纤维素损失率在沉降第4个月时最大,损失30.7%-43.1%,在第8个月时最小,净累积6.8%-29.3%;LN和LNLS对纤维素酶活性和凋落叶纤维素损失率的影响不显著,LS显著提高了分解过程中凋落叶C/N值、纤维素酶活性和纤维素损失率,HN、HS、HNLS、LNHS和HNHS显著降低了纤维素酶活性和纤维素损失率;模拟氮、硫复合沉降对纤维素降解的交互作用显著.本研究表明,氮、硫沉降相互作用共同影响华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解过程中纤维素的降解,进而可能影响该区域常绿阔叶林生态系统物质循环和能量流动.     

极端干旱对荒漠草原群落物种多样性和地上生物量碳氮的影响

极端干旱及其对植物群落物种多样性的影响是气候变化及其影响评估的重要内容之一,而有关干旱荒漠草原区气候变化与植物群落多样性及其功能关系的研究鲜见报道。为明晰极端干旱对荒漠草原物种多样性和地上生物量的影响,利用野外极端干旱处理试验平台,研究了荒漠草原沙生针茅群落物种多样性和地上生物量及其碳、氮密度对极端干旱的响应特征。结果表明,极端干旱改变了荒漠草原沙生针茅(Stipa glareosa)群落的物种组成,进而使物种多样性发生变化。在8月份,生长季5-8月截雨66%和6-7月干旱60 d两种极端干旱处理都降低了群落的Shannon-Wiener指数和物种丰富度指数。两种极端干旱处理使地上现存生物量较对照降低了50%以上(P0.05)。生长季5-8月截雨66%干旱处理使凋落物生物量较对照降低了61%(P0.05),同时使凋落物生物量的碳氮密度显著低于对照。两种极端干旱处理使地上现存生物量的碳氮密度显著低于对照。因此,极端干旱不仅改变了荒漠草原群落的物种组成,而且改变了地上生物量,影响了植被碳氮密度,从而减弱荒漠草原植物群落地上部分的碳氮汇功能。     

The effect of temperature on leaching and subsequent decomposition of dissolved carbon from inundated floodplain litter: implications for the generation of hypoxic blackwater in lowland floodplain rivers

Dissolved organic carbon export from floodplain litter during flood events is an important energy subsidy for lowland rivers. Temperature affects both the release and decomposition of dissolved organic carbon from floodplain plant litter. Unseasonally warm flood conditions have resulted in the release and consumption of carbon at a rate so rapid that water column oxygen has been depleted, causing the death of aquatic organisms upon exposure to this ‘hypoxic blackwater’. To date, there has not been a systematic investigation of the role of temperature on hypoxic blackwater dynamics. In a series of laboratory experiments, we investigated the temperature dependence of both leaching and decomposition of carbon from a common floodplain litter component in south-eastern Australia – the leaves of the river red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis. The leaching rate increased with temperature and approximated Arrhenius kinetics. Additionally, the solubility of the leaf carbon increased substantially at temperatures above ～25°C. The rate of organic carbon respiration also increased with temperature, and the relationship with temperature was approximately linear. These data can be used to improve models for the prediction of hypoxic blackwater risk.     

Leaf herbivory and decomposability in a Malaysian tropical rain forest

There is accumulating evidence that similar suites of plant traits may affect leaf palatability and leaf litter decomposability. However, the possible association between leaf herbivory and litter decomposition rates across species in species-diverse natural ecosystems such as tropical rain forests remains unexplored, despite its importance in estimating the herbivory effects on carbon and nutrient cycling of ecosystems. We found no strong association between leaf herbivory and litter decomposition rates across 40 tree species in a Malaysian tropical rain forest, even though the leaf and litter traits were tightly correlated. This is because the leaf and litter traits related to herbivory and decomposition rates in the field were inconsistent. Leaf toughness accounted for only a small part of the variation in the herbivory rate, whereas a number of litter traits (the leaf mass per area, lignin to nitrogen ratio, and condensed tannin concentration) accurately predicted the decomposition rate across species. These results suggest that herbivory rate across species may not be strongly related to single leaf traits, probably because plant-herbivore interactions in tropical rain forests are highly diverse; on the other hand, plant-decomposer interactions are less specific and can be governed by litter chemicals. We also investigated two factors, phylogeny and tree functional types, that could affect the relationship between herbivory and decomposition across species. Phylogenetic relatedness among the species did not affect the relationship between herbivory and decomposition. In contrast, when the plants were segregated according to their leaf emergence pattern, we found a significant positive relationship between herbivory and decomposition rates for continuous-leafing species. In these species, the condensed tannin to N ratios in leaves and litter were related to herbivory and decomposition rates, respectively. However, we did not observe a similar trend for synchronous-leafing species. These results suggest that the relationship between herbivory and decomposition may be more greatly affected by functional types than by phylogenetic relatedness among species. In conclusion, our results suggest that well-defended leaves are not necessarily less decomposable litter in a tropical rain forest community, implying that herbivory may not generate positive feedback for carbon and nutrient cycling in this type of ecosystem.     

Plant genes link forests and streams

Although it is understood that the composition of riparian trees can affect stream function through leaf litter fall, the potential effects of genetic variation within species are less understood. Using a naturally hybridizing cottonwood system, we examined the hypothesis that genetic differences among two parental species (Populus fremontii and P. angustifolia) and two groups of their hybrids (F1 and backcrosses to P. angustifolia) would affect litter decomposition rates and the composition of the aquatic invertebrate community that colonizes leaves. Three major findings emerged: (1) parental and hybrid types differ in litter quality, (2) decomposition differs between two groups, a fast group (P. fremontii and F1 hybrid), and a slow group (P. angustifolia and backcross hybrids), and (3) aquatic invertebrate communities colonizing P. fremontii litter differed significantly in composition from all other cross types, even though P. fremontii and the F1 hybrid decomposed at similar rates. These findings are in agreement with terrestrial arthropod studies in the same cottonwood system. However, the effects are less pronounced aquatically than those observed in the adjacent terrestrial community, which supports a genetic diffusion hypothesis. Importantly, these findings argue that genetic interactions link terrestrial and aquatic communities and may have significant evolutionary and conservation implications.     

纳米ZnO和纳米CuO在斑马鱼体内的富集与清除

为探讨工程纳米材料的生物毒性,采用半静态暴露方式(更换试液周期为1 d),在4 mg·L-1和10 mg·L-1浓度条件下,进行了斑马鱼(Danio rerio)对2种金属氧化物纳米材料——nano-Zn O和nano-Cu O的富集和清除实验。整个实验为期52 d,其中暴露阶段28 d,清除阶段24 d。通过测定不同时间节点纳米材料在鱼体内的浓度,研究了斑马鱼对nano-Zn O和nano-Cu O的富集与清除规律;并计算暴露阶段的最大富集系数(BAFmax)以及清除阶段的排出速率常数和总量清除率,比较分析了斑马鱼对这2种纳米材料的富集与清除能力。结果表明:在暴露阶段,nano-Zn O和nano-Cu O在斑马鱼体内的BAFmax分别为169.5和493.4(4 mg·L-1处理组)及168.4和298.6(10 mg·L-1处理组),二者在斑马鱼体内均不具有生物蓄积性;在清除阶段,nano-Cu O可以被斑马鱼有效地排出,其总量清除率(99.5%)和排出速率常数均高于nano-Zn O,而直到清除24 d时,斑马鱼对nano-Zn O的清除仍不完全(清除率91%)。本实验结果为金属氧化物纳米材料对水生生物的慢性毒理学研究提供了基础数据。     

Lignin and its effects on litter decomposition in forest ecosystems

Lignin is a major component of plant litter. In this review, we found lignin comprises a complex class of organic compounds whose concentration differs greatly both between and within plant species. There are many analytical methods for detecting the composition and structure of lignins. As lignins are enormously complex compounds, chemical assay is difficult and different methods vary with the results. Lignin plays a significant role in the carbon cycle, sequestering atmospheric carbon into the living tissues of woody perennial vegetation. It has also great effects on nitrogen dynamics of forest ecosystems as well as other ecological processes. Lignin is one of the most slowly decomposing components of dead vegetation, contributing a major fraction of the material that becomes humus as it decomposes. Lignin is highly correlated with decomposition of litter. Thus, there is evidence that the lignin concentration is a more influential factor than the other chemical concentrations, in determining the rate of leaf litter decomposition of different forest ecosystems. Although a great number of researchers have addressed lignin's role in litter decomposition, still there are many aspects of lignin biogeochemistry that are not known. This lack of information hinders complete amalgam of lignin effects on litter decomposition processes and dynamics of nutrient cycling.     

Litter decomposition and nitrogen mineralization from an annual to a monthly model

The forest litter decomposition model (FLDM) described in this paper provides an important basis for assessing the impacts of forest management on seasonal stream water quality and export of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). By definition, models with annual time steps are unable to capture seasonal, within-year variation. In order to simulate seasonal variation in litter decomposition and DOC production and export, we have modified an existing annual FLDM to account for monthly dynamics of decomposition and residual mass in experimental litterbags placed in 21 different forests across Canada.The original annual FLDM was formulated with three main litter pools (fast, slow, and very slow decomposing litter) to address the fact that forest litter is naturally composed of a mixture of organic compounds that decompose at different rates. The annual FLDM was shown to provide better simulations than more complex models like CENTURY and SOMM.The revised monthly model retains the original structure of the annual FLDM, but separates litter decomposition from nitrogen (N) mineralization. In the model, monthly soil temperature, soil moisture, and mean January soil temperature are shown to be the most important controlling variables of within-year variation in decomposition. Use of the three variables in a process-based definition of litter decomposition is a significant departure from the empirical definition in the annual model. The revised model is shown to give similar calculations of residual mass and N concentration as the annual model (r² = 0.91, 0.78), despite producing very different timeseries of decomposition over six years. It is shown from a modelling perspective that (i) forest litter decomposition is independent of N mineralization, whereas N mineralization is dependent on litter decomposition, and (ii) mean January soil temperature defines litter decomposition in the summer because of winter-temperatures’ role in modifying forest-floor microorganism community composition and functioning in the following summer.     

Extending the leaf economics spectrum to decomposition: evidence from a tropical forest

I investigated the relationship between leaf physiological traits and decomposition of leaf litter for 35 plant species of contrasting growth forms from a lowland tropical forest in Panama to determine whether leaf traits could be used to predict decomposition. Decomposition rate (k) was correlated with specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) across all species. Photosynthetic rate per unit mass (Amass) was not correlated with k, but structural equation modeling showed support for a causal model with significant indirect effects of Amass on k through SLA, N, and P, but not K. The results indicate that the decomposability of leaf tissue in this tropical forest is related to a global spectrum of leaf economics that varies from thin, easily decomposable leaves with high nutrient concentrations and high photosynthetic rates to thick, relatively recalcitrant leaves with greater physical toughness and defenses and low photosynthetic rates. If this pattern is robust across biomes, then selection for suites of traits that maximize photosynthetic carbon gain over the lifetime of the leaf may be used to predict the effects of plant species on leaf litter decomposition, thus placing the ecosystem process of decomposition in an evolutionary context.     

A new conceptual model for the fate of lignin in decomposing plant litter

Lignin is a main component of plant litter. Its degradation is thought to be critical for litter decomposition rates and the build-up of soil organic matter. We studied the relationships between lignin degradation and the production of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and of CO2 during litter decomposition. Needle or leaf litter of five species (Norway spruce, Scots pine, mountain ash, European beech, sycamore maple) and of different decomposition stage (freshly fallen and up to 27 months of field exposure) was incubated in the laboratory for two years. Lignin degradation was followed with the CuO method. Strong lignin degradation occurred during the first 200 incubation days, as revealed by decreasing yields of lignin-derived phenols. Thereafter lignin degradation leveled off. This pattern was similar for fresh and decomposed litter, and it stands in contrast to the common view of limited lignin degradation in fresh litter. Dissolved organic carbon and CO2 also peaked in the first period of the incubation but were not interrelated. In the later phase of incubation, CO2 production was positively correlated with DOC amounts, suggesting that bioavailable, soluble compounds became a limiting factor for CO2 production. Lignin degradation occurred only when CO2 production was high, and not limited by bioavailable carbon. Thus carbon availability was the most important control on lignin degradation. In turn, lignin degradation could not explain differences in DOC and CO2 production over the study period. Our results challenge the traditional view regarding the fate and role of lignin during litter decomposition. Lignin degradation is controlled by the availability of easily decomposable carbon sources. Consequently, it occurs particularly in the initial phase of litter decomposition and is hampered at later stages if easily decomposable resources decline.     

Nutrient subsidies to belowground microbes impact aboveground food web interactions

Historically, terrestrial food web theory has been compartmentalized into interactions among aboveground or belowground communities. In this study we took a more synthetic approach to understanding food web interactions by simultaneously examining four trophic levels and investigating how nutrient (nitrogen and carbon) and detrital subsidies impact the ability of the belowground microbial community to alter the abundance of aboveground arthropods (herbivores and predators) associated with the intertidal cord grass Spartina alterniflora. We manipulated carbon, nitrogen, and detrital resources in a field experiment and measured decomposition rate, soil nitrogen pools, plant biomass and quality, herbivore density, and arthropod predator abundance. Because carbon subsidies impact plant growth only indirectly (microbial pathways), whereas nitrogen additions both directly (plant uptake) and indirectly (microbial pathways) impact plant primary productivity, we were able to assess the effect of both belowground soil microbes and nutrient availability on aboveground herbivores and their predators. Herbivore density in the field was suppressed by carbon supplements. Carbon addition altered soil microbial dynamics (net potential ammonification, litter decomposition rate, DON [dissolved organic N] concentration), which limited inorganic soil nitrogen availability and reduced plant size as well as predator abundance. Nitrogen addition enhanced herbivore density by increasing plant size and quality directly by increasing inorganic soil nitrogen pools, and indirectly by enhancing microbial nitrification. Detritus adversely affected aboveground herbivores mainly by promoting predator aggregation. To date, the effects of carbon and nitrogen subsidies on salt marshes have been examined as isolated effects on either the aboveground or the belowground community. Our results emphasize the importance of directly addressing the soil microbial community as a factor that influences aboveground food web structure by affecting plant size and aboveground plant nitrogen.     

模拟氮沉降对兴安落叶松林凋落物分解的影响

试验施加NH4NO3、KNO3和NH4Cl3种氮肥,设置对照（N0,0 kg·hm-2·a-1）、低氮（N1,10 kg·hm-2·a-1）、中氮（N2,20kg·hm-2·a-1）、高氮（N3,40 kg·hm-2·a-1）4个施氮水平,通过交互试验,研究模拟N沉降对大兴安岭兴安落叶松（Larix gmelinii）林凋落物分解的影响。结果表明,在兴安落叶松林凋落物分解过程中,叶分解最快,其次是枝,分解最慢的为果,在分解16个月后,枝、叶、果的质量残留率分别为76.68%、47.98%和80.43%,3者异极其显著（p〈0.01）。凋落物叶分解95%所需时间为6.71 a,而枝和果所需时间分别为18.07和18.10 a。在模拟大气氮沉降下凋落物分解过程中,施加KNO3,N2处理下的枝、叶、果的质量残留率极显著低于N3处理（p〈0.01）,显著低于N0和N1处理。施加NH4Cl下,N1处理显著低于N0处理（p〈0.05）。在施加NH4NO3下,N1水平处理下的枝、叶、果的分解速率显著增加（p〈0.05）,但是随着施氮量的增加,分解速率就会减慢,N3处理下,有着明显的抑制作用（p〈0.05）,说明氮沉降对于凋落物分解有着促进作用,但是随着时间和氮沉降量的增加,促进作用延缓甚至是抑制作用。