黑河流域草地承载力研究

应用RS和GIS技术,从研究区植被类型、土壤侵蚀、坡度、距水源距离、生物多样性和生态系统保护等方面,确定了黑河流域不适合和适合放牧的区域。在适合放牧的区域,根据草地类型估测产草量。在牧草分配方面,从避免土壤侵蚀和遭遇干旱时保证植被群落弹性和再生的需要以及满足昆虫和土壤无脊椎动物及野生动物需要两个方面考虑了满足生态需要的牧草生物量。在确定放牧强度时,从坡度和距离水源远近两个方面考虑了载畜量的减少比例。在此基础上,计算出满足生态保护需要的草地承载力。研究结果表明,黑河流域适合放牧的区域仅占总面积的17.693%,在适合放牧的区域,天然草地的承载力为0.009～2.055只羊单位/hm²。     

持续放牧和围封对科尔沁退化沙地草地碳截存的影响

研究了科尔沁退化沙地草地持续放牧和围封恢复下土壤-植物系统的碳(C)贮存,以揭示草地管理对C动态的影响.结果表明,0～15cm土壤OC和植物系统贮存的C(包括初级生产固定的C,立枯和地表凋落物C和根系C)贮量大小为:围封10年草地(584g·m^-2和309 g·m^-2)＞围封5年草地(524g·m^-2和146g·m^-2)＞持续放牧草地(493g·m^-2和95 g·m^-2).在围封10年,围封5年和持续放牧草地中,0～15cm土壤贮存C分别占各自土壤-植物系统C的65.3%,78.2%和83.9%.在风蚀严重的科尔沁沙地,持续放牧对植被,土壤及其周围环境有极严重的恶化作用.采取围封恢复措施后,植被恢复和凋落物积累使土壤免遭风蚀,也显著增加了土壤有机质的输入,因而显著作用于大气C的截存.但排除家畜放牧的长期围封使植物C向土壤C的再循环受到限制,截存的大部分C以凋落物的形式积存在土壤表面,需进一步深入研究围封的时间尺度.研究结果表明,退化沙地草地在采取有效的保护措施后,可以由C源变为C汇.     

Relationships between diversity of grassland vegetation, field characteristics and land use management practices assessed at the farm level

In order to assess the impact of policies to encourage extensification in less favoured areas and improve our knowledge of extensive livestock systems, we analyzed relationships between the diversity of grassland vegetation and land use management practices and field characteristics. This study, conducted on a mountainous area in the centre of France, was based on 149 fields, mainly of natural grasslands belonging to 7 farmers. Regression analyses were performed to analyze the relations between the grassland vegetation types (five types established from the list of dominant species), management practices (cutting versus grazing and fertilization) and the topographic (altitude and aspect) and topologic (slope, distance and surface area) characteristics of the fields. The land use management rules used by the farmers were studied by specifying the grazing management rules of the herd (dairy cows), as well as those for conserved forage (mainly hay or silage) and were identified from observations mentioned on the “grazing schedules”, as well as from interviews at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the study period. The statistical analysis showed that neither the topographic characteristics of the fields nor the distance from the cowshed or surface area were correlated with the grassland vegetation types. It was the management practices used, largely determined by the field slope, which determined the grassland vegetation type. On the other hand, farmers’ statements showed that the grazing and cutting management rules were mostly determined by the slope of the fields and the distance from the cowshed and, to a lesser extent, by the altitude and aspect. These results showed that the farmers take into consideration environmental differences when choosing fields to allocate for grazing and cutting at different seasons, particularly when they are constrained by these features. Nevertheless, when the constraints were minimal, a wide diversity of grassland vegetation types was also observed. This diversity was a result of attributing different functions to the fields which led to different management practices (defoliation methods and fertilization) and, thus, to different grassland vegetation types. Consequently, for farms where animal feed requirements vary according to the time of the year and the type of animal, we suggest that diversity in the grassland vegetation types is a sound component of these livestock systems.     

长期开垦与放牧对内蒙古典型草原地下碳截存的影响

以围封26 a草地(E26)为对照,研究了内蒙古典型草原区长期开垦与放牧对土壤-植物根系系统碳截存的影响.结果表明,0～40 cm土壤和根系中的C贮量, E26(7 307.59和950.32 g·m-2)≈连续放牧草地(LG)(7834.01和843.43 g·m-2)>开垦35 a耕地(LC)(4537.04和277.35 g·m-2). E26、LG和LC中,0～40 cm土壤贮存的C分别占各自土壤-根系系统C总贮量的88.49%、90.28%和94.24%.长期开垦完全破坏了草地原生的植被-土壤系统,造成严重的土壤风蚀:相对于E26,比中O～10 cm和10～20 cm砂粒含量分别增加了81%和39%,0～40 cm土层中根系生物量减少了71%;长期开垦导致草地土壤及根系碳截存分别降低了37.9%和70.8%.因此,在草原地区,若将长期开垦的耕地恢复为天然草地,土壤和植物根系将会有较大的固碳潜力.放牧对该区土壤有机碳含量及根系生长的影响较小;但长期放牧样地土壤表层容重显著增加,预示目前放牧压力已达到或接近草地的承载阈值,应及时减小放牧压力以避免草地的进一步退化.     

Impact on sward composition and stock performance of grazing Molinia-dominant grassland

A comparative experiment was conducted to test the extent to which grazing of rank Molinia caerulea-dominated grassland increases botanical diversity and improves animal performance. The study was carried out on an area of under-grazed Molinia-dominant pasture that had not been stocked for 20 years. Three treatments were compared from 2001 until 2008: (1) no grazing, (2) grazing by Welsh Mountain sheep and (3) grazing by Welsh Black heifers. Patterns of change in sward surface composition across the grazing season were consistent with greater consumption of Molinia by the cattle, but there was little evidence of management regime influencing changes in sward composition year-on-year. There was a significant effect of year on animal performance (P < 0.001). Although the growth rates of the heifers improved over the course of the first three years of the experiment, this performance was not sustained. In contrast, any weight changes for the sheep were positive. The results highlight the slow pace of change within upland swards, and the need to develop site-specific grazing guidelines.     

Overstorey tree density and understorey regrowth effects on plant composition,stand structure and floristic richness in grazed temperate woodlands in eastern Australia

As natural woodlands decline in both extent and quality worldwide, there is an increasing recognition of the biodiversity conservation value of production landscapes. In low-input, low-productivity grazing systems in Australia, the modification of natural woodlands through overstorey tree and woody regrowth removal are vegetation management options used by landholders to increase native grass production for livestock grazing; however, there is little empirical evidence to indicate at what tree densities biodiversity attributes are compromised. We examined the effects of overstorey tree density and understorey regowth on the floristic composition, stand structure and species richness of eucalypt woodlands in a grazing landscape in the Traprock region of southern Queensland, Australia. We sampled 47 sites stratified according to vegetation type (Eucalyptus crebra/Eucalyptus dealbata woodland; Eucalyptus melliodora/Eucalyptus microcarpa grassy woodland), density of mature trees (<6 trees/ha; 6–20 trees/ha; >20 trees/ha), and presence/absence of regrowth. Distinct patterns in composition were detected using indicator species analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling, with low density areas compositionally indistinguishable, although distinct from other land management units. Within vegetation type, medium tree density woodlands were compositionally similar to high density and reference woodlands. Species richness ranged from 18 to 67 species per 500 m² across all sites. No differences in total or native species richness were detected across management units; however, some differences in exotic species richness were detected. Differences in grass cover existed between low and high density management units, yet no difference in grass cover was evident between low and medium density management units. Our results suggest that medium tree densities may provide biodiversity benefits concordant with more natural areas, yet not adversely impact on pasture production. Retaining trees in grazing landscapes provides significant landscape heterogeneity and important refuges for species that may be largely excluded from open grassland habitats. Maintaining a medium density of overstorey trees in grazed paddocks can provide both production and biodiversity benefits.     

Spatial heterogeneity of vegetation under different grazing intensities in the Northwest Heilongjiang Steppe of China

In northern China, recent degradation of semi-arid grasslands caused by overgrazing is serious. At Green Grassland Village, west of Daqing City in Heilongjiang Province, three grasslands with different degrees of degradation were surveyed. In the survey, a new method of vegetation analysis based on the beta-binomial distribution, was adopted to describe the frequency of occurrence and spatial heterogeneity for each plant species.Chenopodium centrorubrum, Cleistogenes squarrosa and a Carex species were commonly found in the three grasslands. Non-degraded grassland with light grazing was dominated by Arundinella hirta, Filifolium sibiricium, Lespedeza hedysaroides, Potentilla verticillaris, Stipa baicalensis and Thymus serpyllum. These species belong to the erect-type or do not develop large clones under light grazing. These species can be used as indicators of a well-managed grassland in this area. On the other hand, the degraded grassland with heavy grazing was dominated by Artemisia spp. and Euphorbia humifusa var. pilosa. Artemisia spp., E. humifusa var. pilosa, Eragrostis pilosa and Setaria viridis belong to the creeping-type or develop rather large stocks or stolons under heavy utilization. These species increased the spatial heterogeneity in the degraded grassland with heavy grazing.Under degraded conditions, species diversity decreased and spatial heterogeneity of the communities tended to increase.     

Effects of grazing intensity and prescribed fire on soil physical and hydrological properties and pasture yield in the savanna woodlands of Burkina Faso

In West Africa policies for prescribed early fire and livestock grazing in the savanna woodlands are rarely based on long-term experimental studies. The inherently different management characteristics and their effects on the vegetation dynamics make landscape degradation a contentious issue. The effects of grazing intensity were investigated by a comparison of non-grazed areas, lightly grazed areas, moderately grazed areas, heavily grazed areas and very heavily grazed areas that received one of two fire treatments: early burning and fire protection in a long-term 12-year study. The parameters assessed reflected changes in herbaceous plant cover, biomass as well as soil physical and hydrological properties. The main findings were by and large specific for the grazing level. This supports the argument for devolution of management responsibility to the local level where there is indigenous site-specific knowledge but at the same time insufficient management capacity.A comparison of composite soil samples taken at a depth of 0–10 cm did not differentiate significantly between treatments. This is probably because the composite soil sampling procedure hid the properties of the top first few centimeters. Grazing pressure had a tendency to reduce total above ground biomass (p = 0.081). This was related to increased biomass removal and the trampling pressure (static load) exerted by the animals. The infiltration measurements indicated that the deleterious impact of cattle trampling increased as stocking rate increased. Livestock grazing significantly (p = 0.038) lowered the infiltrability. Prescribed early fire had a tendency (p = 0.073) to reduce the soil water infiltration rate. The subplots subjected to prescribed burning had a lower steady state infiltration rate compared to unburnt areas (means of 49.2 ± 27.5 mm h⁻¹ versus 78 ± 70.5 mm h⁻¹ for burnt and unburnt subplots, respectively). A partial least squares projection to latent structures showed that 34% of the steady state infiltrability was explained by the stocking rate and soil organic matter. Also all soil characteristics were significantly connected to steady state infiltrability suggesting that they are related to the soil hydrological response to trampling.From a management perspective, adoption of a short duration grazing system should avoid high stocking rates because they may adversely affect soil infiltrability, increase susceptibility to erosion in the savannas and decrease biomass productivity.     

哈尔滨丁香公园4种典型人工绿地群落碳密度研究

城市公园绿地在降低城市碳浓度方面备受关注,采用标准木解析法与剖面调查法,研究哈尔滨丁香公园4种典型人工绿地群落（落叶松林群落、白桦林群落、丁香群落与草地群落）的植被、土壤、生态系统的碳密度及分布格局,揭示寒地公园绿地植物群落碳密度差异,并定量评价4种典型人工绿地群落的碳储量与固碳能力.结果表明:①丁香公园4种人工绿地群落生物量差异显著,落叶松林群落植被生物量最大,白桦林群落次之,草地群落最低.针叶类群落生物总量高于阔叶类植物群落,不同层次植被生物量差异受群落结构影响明显.②4种人工绿地群落的植被碳密度分布在（0.50±0.03）~（9.15±0.08）kg/m2之间,呈现出由单一结构向复合结构绿地递增的趋势.③土壤有机碳密度分布在（19.11±6.26）~（28.28±4.55）kg/m2之间,公园绿地群落土壤高碳层均分布在10~20 cm土层,10~50 cm空间随土壤深度的增加,碳密度呈递减分布趋势.有机碳分布差异主要由0~30 cm各土壤层中碳密度决定.④不同类型绿地生态系统碳密度相近,群落层次越复杂,植被碳密度在生态系统中的占比越高,碳密度在（28.78±4.55）~（31.49±3.31）kg/m2之间,土壤碳密度占比（82.77%）高于植被碳密度占比（17.23%）.研究显示,适度增加阔叶林与针叶林群落比例,降低草地面积,可有效提高哈尔滨公园绿地碳汇潜力.      

Effects of cattle,sheep and deer grazing on soil physical quality and losses of phosphorus and suspended sediment losses in surface runoff

Livestock grazing and treading is strongly linked to a decrease in freshwater quality and promotes eutrophication. A two-year field trial was carried out to investigate the influence cattle, sheep and deer have on soil physical quality and the loss of phosphorus (P) and suspended sediment (SS) in surface runoff. Surface runoff plots (4 m long by 1 m wide) were installed within areas designated as stock or ungrazed (control). Surface runoff was collected and analysed for concentrations and loads of P fractions (dissolved reactive P-DRP, dissolved unreactive P-DUP, total dissolved P-TDP, particulate P-PP and total P-TP) and SS. Grazed at equivalent stocking density, soil physical samples (macroporosity, bulk density, and saturated hydraulic conductivity K_sat) were taken after each grazing event (n = 11). Soil physical data indicated differences between cattle, sheep and deer with cattle having greater negative effects. However, these differences had no impact on P and SS losses between stock types in surface runoff. Significant relationships showed that an increase in macroporosity, K_sat, and time (days) since grazing decreased concentrations and loads of P and SS losses. A separate rainfall simulation study also revealed that an increase in simulated cattle treading intensity increased the volume of surface runoff and SS losses. Most surface runoff (> 90%) occurred in winter when soil moisture was at or above field capacity. A seasonal effect was observed and showed that although the greatest P loads occurred in winter, the greatest P concentrations occurred in summer months, under infiltration-excess conditions. These summer losses could pose a risk to receiving waterways because increased light and warmth may induce an algal response compared to winter. While there is limited scope to manage for infiltration-excess surface runoff losses from pasture, with most runoff occurring in winter, these findings reinforce the use of mitigation strategies such as restricted or nil grazing in winter when soil moisture has reached field capacity to minimise P and SS loss to surface water, regardless of stock type.     

Comparison of grassland management systems for beef cattle using self-contained farmlets: effects of contrasting nitrogen inputs and management strategies on nitrogen budgets, and herbage and animal production

Past research on nitrogen (N) inputs, losses and surpluses focused on separate components of grassland management, i.e., grazed or cut swards and the impact of fertiliser or slurry applications. In practice, however, grassland is both grazed and cut for conservation, and N fertiliser is supplied from both organic and inorganic sources. A whole systems approach was used to evaluate the effects of combinations of management strategies designed to reduce N losses on N budgets, and herbage and animal production in South West England. Three systems with contrasting N inputs were compared: CN, conventional mineral N application and broadcast slurry; TN, tactical mineral N application with slurry injection and the early housing of cattle; GC, a mixed grass/white clover sward with no mineral N addition and slurry injection. Comparisons were made on two contrasting soil types: a freely-draining sandy loam (Gleysol, Site 1), and a poorly drained clay (Luvisol, Site 2). 1 ha farmlets were grazed to a target sward height by beef cattle for a 5-year (Site 1) or a 4-year (Site 2) period. Herbage surplus to grazing requirements was cut for silage. On average, 185 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied annually to treatment TN compared with 280 kg N ha⁻¹ for CN. An additional 76, 102 and 67 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied in slurry to treatments CN, TN and GC, respectively. Substantial reductions in N surpluses were achieved for both treatments TN and GC compared with treatment CN (N surpluses ha⁻¹: 254, 168 and 119 kg at Site 1, and 247 kg, 190 and 73 kg at Site 2, for CN, TN and GC, respectively). The highest N input for treatment CN was associated with the greatest animal and herbage production. More land was required for grazing on treatment GC and less herbage was cut for silage so that self-sufficiency was not attained for winter fodder on this treatment. The early removal of cattle on treatment TN did not result in a significant increase in the amount of herbage cut for silage. It was concluded that the combinations of mitigation options used were successful in reducing N surpluses compared with the conventional N management system, but animal and herbage production was reduced.     

Soil-profile organic carbon and total nitrogen during 12 years of pasture management in the Southern Piedmont USA

Soil organic C (SOC) and total soil N (TSN) sequestration estimates are needed to improve our understanding of management influences on soil fertility and terrestrial C cycling related to greenhouse gas emission. We evaluated the factorial combination of nutrient source (inorganic, mixed inorganic and organic, and organic as broiler litter) and forage utilization (unharvested, low and high cattle grazing pressure, and hayed monthly) on soil-profile distribution (0–150 cm) of SOC and TSN during 12 years of pasture management on a Typic Kanhapludult (Acrisol) in Georgia, USA. Nutrient source rarely affected SOC and TSN in the soil profile, despite addition of 73.6 Mg ha^?1 (dry weight) of broiler litter during 12 years of treatment. At the end of 12 years, contents of SOC and TSN at a depth of 0–90 cm under haying were only 82 ± 5% (mean ± S.D. among treatments) of those under grazed management. Within grazed pastures, contents of SOC and TSN at a depth of 0–90 cm were greatest within 5 m of shade and water sources and only 83 ± 7% of maximum at a distance of 30 m and 92 ± 14% of maximum at a distance of 80 m, suggesting a zone of enrichment within pastures due to animal behavior. During 12 years, the annual rate of change in SOC (0–90 cm) followed the order: low grazing pressure (1.17 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1) > unharvested (0.64 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1) = high grazing pressure (0.51 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1) > hayed (?0.22 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1). This study demonstrated that surface accumulation of SOC and TSN occurred, but that increased variability and loss of SOC with depth reduced the significance of surface effects.     

黄土高原不同植被覆盖下土壤有机碳的分布特征及其同位素组成研究

土壤有机碳（SOC）含量及其8^13C值随深度变化的趋势可以反映植物残体的输入及其在土壤中分解累积特征,有助于揭示SOC循环过程及规律。本研究以黄土高原不同植被类型覆盖条件下的黄土剖面为研究对象,通过测定土壤属性、SOC含量和植物优势种、枯枝落叶、土壤有机质的稳定同位素组成,对该区域SOC深度分布和有机质8”C值组成差...     

Comparison of riparian plant communities under four land management systems in southwestern Wisconsin

Riparian plant community composition is influenced by moisture, erosion, original native plant communities, and current and past land use. This study compared riparian plant communities under four types of management: woody buffer strip, grassy buffer strip, rotational grazing, and continuous grazing. Study sites were located along spring-fed streams in the unglaciated region of southwestern Wisconsin, USA. At each site, plant community surveys were conducted using a point transect method. Among the treatments, woody buffer strips, rotationally grazed and continuously grazed riparian areas had greater plant species richness than grassy buffer strips, and woody buffer strips had the greatest native plant species richness. Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) was prevalent in grassy buffer strips (44% of all observations), common in woody buffer strips (15%), and rare in sites that were rotationally or continuously grazed (3 and 5%, respectively). Pasture sites had greater proportions of native grasses and grass relatives and moderate levels of overall native species richness. Considered a water quality best management practice, well-managed rotational grazing may be a reasonable alternative to buffer strips which can contribute to protection and enhancement of native vegetation biodiversity.     

Long-term dynamics of biomass production, soil chemical properties and plant species composition of alluvial grassland after the cessation of fertilizer application in the Czech Republic

The resilience, the ability of an ecosystem to recover after termination of perturbation, of highly productive Alopecurus grassland was investigated after the cessation of the following long-term fertilizer treatments applied under a two- or three-cut management regime: unfertilized control, PK, N₁₀₀PK, N₂₀₀PK, N₃₀₀PK and N₄₀₀PK. Annual application rates of pure nutrients per hectare were 0–400 kg for N, 40 kg for P and 100 kg for K. The dynamics of biomass production were measured for 16 years and the effect of former fertilizer treatments on soil chemical properties, biomass chemical properties, plant species composition and species richness were investigated 16 years after the last application of fertilizers. It was concluded that 16 years was not long enough to achieve resilience in plant-available soil P and K concentrations, N/P ratios in the plant biomass or plant species composition, but that it was long enough to achieve resilience in species richness. In the case of biomass production the effect of former fertilizer treatments was apparent in 10 of the 16 seasons investigated, indicating that resilience in biomass production must be evaluated using data from more than 1 vegetation season. The results of the study stress the necessity for long-term research because of high year-to-year variability in biomass production as well as long-term after-effects of fertilizer treatments in alluvial grassland.     

黄河源区草地退化对土壤持水性影响的初步研究

在黄河源区草地退化严重的玛沁县军牧场地区,采用不同草地退化样地对比的方法,开展草地退化对土壤持水性影响研究。结果表明:①毛管持水量和饱和含水量在0~10 cm土层以无退化草地最大,极度退化草地最小,而在10~20 cm土层,两者在不同退化草地之间差异不明显,仍以极度退化草地最小,但两者在20~30 cm土层以轻度和重度退化草地较大,无退化和中度退化草地相对较小;②在土壤表层(0~10 cm),无退化草地的田间持水量远大于其他退化草地,轻度和重度退化草地田间持水量较大,极度退化草地最小,而在10 cm以下土层,田间持水量以轻度和重度退化草地较大,无退化和中度退化草地相对较小;③各土壤持水量与土壤理化性质关系密切,主要受容重、总碳、有机质和总氮这4个因素影响;④不同草地退化程度下地表覆被状况、植物根系生物量以及分布特征引起土壤容重、有机质等发生变化,可能是进一步导致土壤持水性差异的主要原因。研究可为区域草地退化对土壤水文生态效应影响提供科学依据。     

Bird community responses to cattle stocking rates in a Pacific Northwest bunchgrass prairie

In 2006-2010, effects of four different cattle stocking rates (0, 14.4, 28.8, and 43.2 animal unit months) were compared, representing 0%, 20%, 32%, and 46% utilization of vegetation by domestic livestock, on vegetation structure (as indexed by visual obstruction), and songbird population and apparent nest density, community composition, and diversity in a Pacific Northwest bunchgrass prairie in northeastern Oregon, USA. Overall paddock-level visual obstruction decreased and structural heterogeneity increased with increasing stocking rates, and those effects carried over 1 year after grazing had ceased. Most species were able to locate nesting sites regardless of differences in visual obstruction, except western meadowlark and vesper sparrow, for which obstruction was lower in paddocks with higher stocking rates. Apparent nest density for grasshopper sparrows was negatively affected by higher stocking rates. Grazing effects on absolute songbird population density were restricted to negative effects of higher stocking rates on savannah sparrows, but this relationship was not observed until 1 year after grazing had ceased. Songbird community composition differed between control and heavily-grazed paddocks, driven by an increase in the proportion of horned larks and a decrease in the proportion of savannah sparrows in heavily-grazed paddocks from pre-treatment to post-treatment years. Bird diversity indices were unaffected by stocking rate. Negative effects of high stocking rates on densities of two species and the absence of any clear positive effect for the other three species suggest high stocking rates as applied in this experiment may not provide suitable habitat for all grassland songbirds. The absence of negative responses of density to low and moderate stocking rates suggests these grazing regimes generally provided suitable habitat for all species.     

The role of plant leaf attributes in linking land use to ecosystem function in temperate grassy vegetation

We tested predictions of the relative changes in plant leaf traits in response to land uses in Australian eucalypt grassy ecosystems. Predictions were determined from responses observed in European landscapes in relation to disturbances associated with agricultural land uses. We measured specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) across five land uses: reference sites (closest to pre-European state), native pastures (unfertilized), fertilized pastures, sown pastures (cultivated and fertilized) and enriched grassland (previously fertilized, no longer grazed). Leaves were expected to have higher SLA and lower LMDC at sites with increasing fertility and/or disturbance.The predictions were confirmed, with SLA increasing progressively in land uses associated with (1) grazing; (2) grazing and fertilization; (3) grazing, fertilization and cultivation. Values for LDMC were closely (but inversely) correlated with those of SLA. For both traits, there were relationships with available soil phosphorus but not with soil total nitrogen. The positive correlation of SLA with phosphorus was not evident above 30 mg kg⁻¹, the recommended level of phosphorus for improved pastures.Results confirm patterns of leaf-trait response to disturbance that reflect fundamental constraints to plant survival in habitats with different levels of resources and disturbances. A conservative strategy for low productivity undisturbed habitats is associated with low SLA and high dry matter content in contrast to fertile disturbed habitats which select for high SLA and low dry matter content. The changes in leaf traits across land uses resulted from species substitution rather than variation within species across sites, and most notably the replacement of native by annual exotic species as land use intensifies.Recommended fertilization rates for pasture production convert the ground layer to plants with soft, digestible leaves, that are responsive to fertilizer and desirable for livestock production. However, fertilization also drastically reduces the diversity of native plants and annual plants tend to dominate. The trade-off associated with high production includes increased vulnerability to soil erosion, due to reduced plant cover and low persistence of cover. If alternative ecosystem values such as erosion control, water quality, salinity control and biodiversity persistence are required, incentives may be needed to offset the loss of production that can be gained from fertilizer application.     

Effects of management intensity on land snails in Swiss nutrient-poor pastures

The influence of management intensity on the richness, abundance and composition of land snail species was examined in 21 calcareous, nutrient-poor cattle pastures in the northwestern Jura mountains, Switzerland. Grazing intensity was positively correlated with the extent of fertilization of the pastures. Pastures without fertilizer application and with low grazing intensity harboured more snail species and more threatened snails than pastures with annual addition of manure or pastures with manure and nitrogen fertilizer and higher grazing intensity. Fewer snail individuals, open-land species and open-land individuals were found on pastures with high than on pastures with low management intensity. To preserve the threatened snail species in dry, nutrient-poor grasslands, a network of pastures should be managed without fertilization and grazing intensity should not exceed 180 LU ha⁻¹ d (product of livestock units per hectare and grazing days).     

黄河源地区藏族游牧对气候变化的适应性

以黄河源地区达日县为案例,在牧户调查的基础上,结合气象资料、 遥感和地面调查,分析了气候变暖背景下的草地退化过程和藏族游牧民的响应与适应行为。结果显示,研究地区1956-2009年期间年平均温度每10 a增加0.29℃,比青藏高原和全国增温作用更加明显;在气候变暖和放牧活动的共同影响下,1970年代-2000年期间,29.39%的草地出现退化;为应对草地退化后果,牧民通过提前转场放牧、 建造围栏、 调整畜群数量与结构等生产措施加以缓解,同时生活方式和思想观念也发生了相应变化。这表明,藏族游牧本质上具有适应气候变化的内在机制和属性,可以在一定范围内主动或被动地调整生产生活方式,经过适应性改造的藏族游牧业能够成为黄河源地区重要的气候变化适应模式。