Effects of different mowing frequencies on soil carbon and nitrogen changes in leymus chinensis steppe of Hulun Buir北大核心CSCD

Mowing is the main management of Hulun Buir grasslands in Inner Mongolia; therefore, understanding the changes of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and carbon sequestration under different mowing frequencies will provide an important scientific basis for grassland carbon sink management in Inner Mongolia. Three treatment plots were devised in the study area, including enclosed sample (Y), mowing every other year (2G), and mowing once a year (1G), where SOC, TN content and storage were investigated. The results showed that with increased mowing frequency, the SOC and TN content showed a decreasing trend in the 0-30 cm depth soil layer. The SOC and TN content were different in each soil layer, which decreased gradually with increasing soil depth in Y and 2G plots, whereas increased gradually in 1G plots. The soil carbon storage was significantly correlated with the soil nitrogen storage, and both showed a significant linear decrease with increased mowing frequency, which showed as carbon and nitrogen loss. In 2G plots, the soil carbon storage decreased by 17.1% and soil nitrogen storage decreased by 20.8%. In 1G plots, the soil carbon storage decreased by 21.6% and soil nitrogen storage decreased by 29.3%. The results showed that the change of soil carbon and nitrogen was sensitive to mowing frequency for the Hulun Buir grassland. It is possible to reduce the loss of carbon and nitrogen by reasonably controlling mowing frequency, and the sustainable use of grassland could be achieved with appropriate fertilization. Keywords. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Modelling the impact of thermal adaptation of soil microorganisms and crop system on the dynamics of organic matter in a tropical soil under a climate change scenario

No consensus currently exists about how climate change should affect the status of soil organic matter (SOM) in the tropics. In this study, we analyse the impact of climate change on the underlying mechanisms controlling SOM dynamics in a ferralsol under two contrasting tropical crops: maize (C4 plant) and banana (C3 plant). We model the effect of microbial thermal adaptation on carbon (C) mineralisation at the crop system scale and introduce it in the model STICS, which was previously calibrated for the soil-crop systems tested in this study. Microbial thermal adaptation modelling is based on a reported theory for thermal acclimation of plant and soil respiration. The climate is simulated from 1950 to 2099 for the tropical humid conditions of Guadeloupe (French Antilles), using the ARPEGE model and the IPCC emission scenario A1B. The model predicts increases of 3.4 °C for air temperature and 1100 mm yr⁻¹ for rainfall as a response to an increase of 375 ppm for atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration in the 2090-2099 decade compared with the 1950-1959 decade. The results of the STICS model indicate that the crop affects the response of SOM to climate change by controlling the change in several variables involved in C dynamics: C input, soil temperature and soil moisture. SOM content varies little until 2020, and then it decreases faster for maize than for banana. The decrease is weakened under the hypothesis of thermal adaptation, and this effect is greater for maize (−180 kg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ without adaptation and −140 kg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ with adaptation) than for banana (−60 kg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and −40 kg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively). The greater SOM loss in maize is mainly due to the negative effect of warming on maize growth decreasing C input from residues. Climate change has a small effect on banana growth, and SOM loss is linked to its effect on C mineralisation. For both crops, annual C mineralisation increases until 2040, and then it decreases continuously. Thermal adaptation reduces the initial increase in mineralisation, but its effect is lower on the final decrease, which is mainly controlled by substrate limitation. No stabilisation in SOM status is attained at the end of the analysed period because C mineralisation is always greater than C input. Model predictions indicate that microbial thermal adaptation modifies, but does not fundamentally change the temporal pattern of SOM dynamics. The vegetation type (C3 or C4) plays a major role in SOM dynamics in this tropical soil because of the different impact of climate change on crop growth and then on C inputs.     

SOMPROF: A vertically explicit soil organic matter model

Most current soil organic matter (SOM) models represent the soil as a bulk without specification of the vertical distribution of SOM in the soil profile. However, the vertical SOM profile may be of great importance for soil carbon cycling, both on short (hours to years) time scale, due to interactions with the soil temperature and moisture profile, as well as on long (years to centuries) time scale because of depth-specific stabilization mechanisms of organic matter. It is likely that a representation of the SOM profile and surface organic layers in SOM models can improve predictions of the response of land surface fluxes to climate and environmental variability. Although models capable of simulating the vertical SOM profile exist, these were generally not developed for large scale predictive simulations and do not adequately represent surface organic horizons. We present SOMPROF, a vertically explicit SOM model, designed for implementation into large scale ecosystem and land surface models. The model dynamically simulates the vertical SOM profile and organic layer stocks based on mechanistic representations of bioturbation, liquid phase transport of organic matter, and vertical distribution of root litter input. We tested the model based on data from an old growth deciduous forest (Hainich) in Germany, and performed a sensitivity analysis of the transport parameters, and the effects of the vertical SOM distribution on temporal variation of heterotrophic respiration. Model results compare well with measured organic carbon profiles and stocks. SOMPROF is able to simulate a wide range of SOM profiles, using parameter values that are realistic compared to those found in previous studies. Results of the sensitivity analysis show that the vertical SOM distribution strongly affects temporal variation of heterotrophic respiration due to interactions with the soil temperature and moisture profile.     

近地面O_3含量升高条件下土壤中腐殖质单体儿茶酚转化的放射性~（14）C示踪研究

近地面大气臭氧（O3）含量不断升高对生态环境的影响已引起人们的广泛关注,然而O3含量升高对土壤有机碳的矿化及转化影响却少有研究。土壤有机碳是全球碳循环的重要组成部分,土壤碳库的微小变化将引起大气CO2浓度的显著改变。文章以典型土壤腐殖质单体化合物儿茶酚为代表,利用14C示踪技术,研究了O3含量比当前背景升高约0.15μmol·mol-1时对土壤中腐殖质苯酚类前体化合物的矿化及转化的影响。结果表明,O3含量升高会对土壤中培育12d后儿茶酚的矿化及残留物分布具有显著的影响,而且这种影响程度和规律同土壤有关。O3含量升高促进了黄棕壤中儿茶酚的矿化,增加了儿茶酚残留物在黄棕壤腐殖酸（HA）中的总量,并使残留物在HA中偏向于同大分子结合。O3含量升高对灰潮土中儿茶酚的矿化有抑制作用,但对儿茶酚残留在HA内总量及分布没有显著影响。O3含量升高对儿茶酚在土壤中的稳定性及归趋的影响可能是O3对于微生物活性的抑制作用和O3的直接氧化作用的共同结果。后续工作中应研究土壤腐殖质中其它组份的稳定性及转化对近地面大气O3含量升高的响应,以全面考察O3含量升高对土壤碳库的影响。     

Grassland root communities: species distributions and how they are linked to aboveground abundance

There is little comprehensive information on the distribution of root systems among coexisting species, despite the expected importance of those distributions in determining the composition and diversity of plant communities. This gap in knowledge is particularly acute for grasslands, which possess large numbers of species with morphologically indistinguishable roots. In this study we adapted a molecular method, fluorescent fragment length polymorphism, to identify root fragments and determine species root distributions in two grasslands in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Aboveground biomass was measured, and soil cores (2 cm in diameter) were collected to depths of 40 cm and 90 cm in an upland, dry grassland and a mesic, slope-bottom grassland, respectively, at peak foliar expansion. Cores were subdivided, and species that occurred in each 10-cm interval were identified. The results indicated that the average number of species in 10-cm intervals (31 cm3) throughout the sampled soil profile was 3.9 and 2.8 species at a dry grassland and a mesic grassland, respectively. By contrast, there was an average of 6.7 and 14.1 species per 0.5 m2, determined by the presence of shoot material, at dry and mesic sites, respectively. There was no relationship between soil depth and number of species per 10-cm interval in either grassland, despite the exponential decline of root biomass with soil depth at both sites. There also was no relationship between root frequency (i.e., the percentage of samples in which a species occurred) and soil depth for the vast majority of species at both sites. The preponderance of species were distributed throughout the soil profile at both sites. Assembly analyses indicated that species root occurrences were randomly assorted in all soil intervals at both sites, with the exception that Festuca idahoensis segregated from Artemisia tridentata and Pseudoroegnaria spicata in 10-20 cm soil at the dry grassland. Root frequency throughout the entire sampled soil profile was positively associated with shoot biomass among species. Together these results indicated the importance of large, well-proliferated root systems in establishing aboveground dominance. The findings suggest that spatial belowground segregation of species probably plays a minor role in fostering resource partitioning and species coexistence in these YNP grasslands.     

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     

利用年限对农牧交错带退耕还草地土壤物理性质的影响

在农牧交错带以小麦为对照,比较研究不同利用年限对退耕还草种植的老芒麦草地土壤物理性质的影响。结果表明,随利用年限增加,在0~30cm范围内,老芒麦草地土壤体积质量呈现先降低后增加,土壤含水量、孔隙度呈现先增加后降低的趋势。利用第2年的老芒麦草地土壤体积质量最小、孔隙度最大,利用第3年的老芒麦草地土壤含水量最大。利用年限对0~120min内的老芒麦草地土壤渗透性影响不大。不同利用年限老芒麦草地首30min渗透率大小顺序为:第2年>第1年>第3年>第4年,利用第2年的老芒麦草地通过渗透截留降水的能力较强。一个生长季后,不同利用年限的老芒麦草地土壤含水量、孔隙度和体积质量分别比小麦地平均提高3.86%、1.53%和降低6.07%。     

威廉腔环蚓（Metaphire guillelmi）对~（14）C-土壤有机质转化的研究

土壤有机碳是全球碳循环的重要组成部分,而大型土壤动物对土壤碳库的稳定性起着重要的决定作用。利用14C示踪技术,以14C-葡萄糖制备微生物源的土壤有机质（Soil organic matter,SOM）,以蚯蚓威廉腔环蚓（Metaphire guillelmi）为代表,研究了14C-SOM在含有蚯蚓的两种土壤、不含蚯蚓的对照土壤和不含蚯蚓的蚓粪中的矿化、残留物在土壤和蚓粪中分布以及蚯蚓对14C-SOM的吸收。结果显示,15 d的培育期内蚯蚓显著加快了14C-SOM的矿化,在土壤中的矿化量是不含蚯蚓的对照土壤中矿化量的1.5～1.7倍,然而当移出蚯蚓后,残留14C-SOM在两种土壤中40 d内的矿化都比对照土壤中低。大约有4.2%～4.8%的14C-SOM被蚯蚓吸收利用。在有蚯蚓存在的土壤中,14C-SOM残留物在胡敏素中的含量有所增高,而在溶解有机物（DOM）中的含量显著降低。14C-SOM在不含蚯蚓的蚓粪中55 d内的矿化量和矿化动力学以及残留分布与在对照土壤中均没有显著区别。这些结果表明,蚯蚓对微生物源14C-SOM转化的影响主要是蚯蚓的肠道作用,这种作用可表现在两个方面,即初期对14C-SOM矿化的促进作用以及后期对14C-SOM残留物的稳定化作用。后续工作中应进一步研究蚯蚓对其它来源SOM降解和转化的作用,阐明蚯蚓对SOM稳定性的控制机理,对揭示全球碳循环规律具有重要的意义。     

科尔沁沙地土地利用变化对土壤特性的影响

在中国科学院奈曼沙漠化研究站放牧试验场周围,选取了不同利用方式和类型的草地（封育和放牧）、林地（乔木和灌木）和农田（灌溉和非灌溉）为研究样地,调查了0～30cm土层每隔10cm的土壤水分质量分数和有机养分（有机碳和全氮）,分析了土地利用变化对土壤水分质量分数和有机养分的影响。结果发现,垂直空间分布上,无论哪种土地类型样地,土壤水分质量分数和有机养分各土层间均无显著差异性（P〉0.05）,土层垂直变化对土壤特性影响均较小。在不同土地利用方式水平空间分布上,土壤水分质量分数和有机养分（土壤有机碳和全氮）灌木林地均显著高于乔木林地（P〈0.05）,而封育草地和放牧草地间以及灌溉农田与非灌溉农田间土壤水分质量分数和有机养分均无显著差异性（P〉0.05）。不同土地利用类型水平分布上,草地土壤水分质量分数显著低于林地和农田（P〈0.05）,而土壤养分质量分数草地显著高于林地和农田（P〈0.05）。分析表明,对沙质草地进行围栏封育和旱作农田退耕还林还草的同时,对水浇农田实行保护性耕作和精细管理,有利于沙地土壤环境改善与生态系统恢复。     

中国草地生态系统碳储量及碳过程研究进展

草地为陆地生态系统的主体,是陆地上最主要的碳储库和碳吸收汇之一。近年来,随着“草原承包责任制”、“退耕还林还草”和“封育禁牧”等重大生态工程项目的实施及草地生态系统的恢复和草地生产力的提升,草地生态系统碳储量、固持潜力、土壤碳循环机制及稳定性机制越来越受到学术界的关切。文章全面综述了近年来我国草地生态系统碳储量及其碳过程的研究工作,总结了不同研究中,我国不同草地类型碳库的特征及其储量、分析了草地生态系统碳过程等,评述了土壤碳过程相关科学问题的研究进展,指出了当前草地生态系统土壤碳储量及碳过程的研究进展、存在的问题,分析了未来草地生态系统土壤碳研究的重点研究方向和发展趋势。研究表明：草地生态系统在调节碳循环和减缓全球气候变化中起着重要作用。但是,由于草地类型的多样性、结构的复杂性以及草地对干扰和变化环境响应的时空动态变化,至今对草地生态系统碳储量和变率的科学估算,以及草地生态系统土壤关键碳过程及其稳定性维持机制的认识还十分有限,随着高分辨率的MODIS、TM数据、数学模型及不同草地类型实测点的建立,以及通过枯落物碳库将植物碳库与土壤碳库的有机连接,草地生态系统的土壤碳储量及固持潜力取得了重要进展;土壤有机碳来源、组成,有机碳化学结构以及环境因子是影响土壤有机碳稳定性的重要因素,而固体赫兹共振、碳同位素示踪等对破解有机碳稳定性提供了重要手段。未来,还将进一步厘清草地生态系统土壤固碳的驱动机制,构建草地生态系统土壤固碳量化方法体系等。     

Substrate concentration and enzyme allocation can affect rates of microbial decomposition

A large proportion of the world's carbon is stored as soil organic matter (SOM). However, the mechanisms regulating the stability of this SOM remain unclear. Recent work suggests that SOM may be stabilized by mechanisms other than chemical recalcitrance. Here, we show that the mineralization rate of starch, a plant polymer commonly found in litter and soil, is concentration dependent, such that its decomposition rate can be reduced by as much as 50% when composing less than approximately 10% of SOM. This pattern is largely driven by low activities of starch-degrading enzymes and low inducibility of enzyme production by microbial decomposers. The same pattern was not observed for cellulose and hemicellulose degradation, possibly because the enzymes targeting these substrates are expressed at constitutively high levels. Nevertheless, given the heterogeneous distribution of SOM constituents, our results suggest a novel low-concentration constraint on SOM decomposition that is independent of chemical recalcitrance. These results may help explain the stability of at least some SOM constituents, especially those that naturally exist in relatively low concentrations in the soil environment.     

Dynamics of soil organic matter in primary and secondary forest succession on sandy soils in The Netherlands: An application of the ROMUL model

We applied the simulation model ROMUL of soil organic matter dynamics in order to analyse and predict forest soil organic matter (SOM) changes following stand growth and also to identify gaps of data and modelling problems. SOM build-up was analysed (a) from bare sand to forest soil during a primary succession in Scots pine forest and (b) on mature forest soil under Douglas fir plantations as an example of secondary succession in The Netherlands. As some of the experimental data were unreliable we compiled a set of various scenarios with different soil moisture regime, initial SOM pools and amount and quality of above and below ground litter input. This allowed us to find the scenarios that reflect the SOM dynamics more realistically. In the Scots pine forest, total litter input was estimated as 0.50 kg m⁻² year⁻¹. Two scenarios were defined for the test runs: (a) forest floor moisture regimes—‘dry, mesic and hydric’ and (b) augmenting a root litter pool with three ratios of needles and branches to roots: 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2.0. The scenario finally compiled had the following characteristics: (a) climate for dry site with summer drought and high winter moisture of forest floor; (b) a litter input of 0.25 kg m⁻² year⁻¹ above ground and 0.50 kg m⁻² year⁻¹ below ground; (c) a low nitrogen and ash content in all litter fall fractions. The test runs for the estimation of the initial SOM pools and the amount and proportion of above and below ground litter fall were also performed in the Douglas fir plantation. The inputs of above ground litter tested in various combinations were 0.30 and 0.60 kg m⁻² year⁻¹, and below ground litter 0.30, 0.60 and 0.90 kg m⁻² year⁻¹. The scenario that fitted the experimental data had an SOM pool of 20–25 kg m⁻², an aboveground litter input of 0.6 kg m⁻² year⁻¹and a below ground litter input of 0.9 kg m⁻² year⁻¹. The long-term simulation corresponded well with the observed patterns of soil organic matter accumulation associated with the forest soil development in primary and secondary succession. During primary succession in Scots pine forest on dry sand there is a consistent accumulation of a raw humus forest floor. The soil dynamics in the Douglas fir plantation also coincide with the observed patterns of SOM changes during the secondary succession, with SOM decreasing significantly under young forest, and SOM being restored in the older stands.     

A simulation model for organic phosphorus transformation in a forest soil ecosystem

A numerical model which simulates the decomposition of litter and mineralization and immobilization of P in the humus layer of a temperate forest (beech site of Solling) is described. The model takes into account the effect of moisture, temperature and C/N ratio. The simulated concentration of P in the effluent of the humus layer agrees well with the measured values. The model predicts an increase in the C/P ratio of the unde-composed litter with time and that there is no direct mineralization of P from litter without passing through a microbial body. The net rate of mineralization is, however, always positive with its highest peak in July. Maximum immobilization of P from solution occurs in June and the minimum in January.The model is stable against changes in the litter input, its C/P ratio and other initial conditions, but it is very sensitive to changes in the efficiency factor which represents the fraction of decomposed C incorporated into microbial tissue. This is a site-specific model but can be used for grassland or agricultural systems with changes in certain parameters.     

基于Meta分析的土壤呼吸对凋落物输入的响应

凋落物输入是影响土壤呼吸的一个重要因素,然而从国内外目前研究结果来看,土壤呼吸响应凋落物输入的影响因素尚不清楚。利用国内外已发表的30篇研究论文共1393对有效数据,通过Meta分析,从凋落物管理措施、气候、植被、地形、土壤理化性质等因素揭示凋落物输入对土壤呼吸的影响程度。研究发现:与清除凋落物处理相比较而言,(1)凋落物输入后显著增加了土壤呼吸,且土壤呼吸的增加程度呈现出倍增凋落物处理是自然凋落物处理的1.33倍;(2)不同气候条件下的土壤呼吸增加程度呈现出强降雨(>1000 mm)是微弱降雨(<1000 mm)的1.34倍,以及高温气候(>20℃)是低温气候(<20℃)的1.7倍;(3)土壤呼吸的增加程度在不同植被带下呈现出针叶林带(34.1%)>阔叶林带(28%)>混交林带(22%)>草地(17.3%)的趋势;(4)不同海拔梯度条件下土壤呼吸的增加程度呈现出高海拔(59.6%)>中海拔(34.2%)>低海拔(26.7%)的趋势;(5)不同土壤理化性质条件下的土壤呼吸增量呈现出低容重(77.5%)分别是中容重(26.9%)和高容重(18.0%)的2.9倍和4.3倍,同时中性土壤(79.6%)的呼吸增量远远大于酸性(28.2%)和碱性(24.1%)土壤的呼吸增量,以及高土壤碳氮比(81.2%)的土壤呼吸增量远远大于低土壤碳氮比(19.4%)和中土壤碳氮比(29.6%)的土壤呼吸增量。由此可见,凋落物输入后会导致土壤呼吸的显著增加,但是不同气候、不同植被、不同地形、不同土壤理化性质等条件下其土壤呼吸增加的幅度不同。     

黄河三角洲人工草场群落土壤盐分动态集成预报模型及其应用

提出了以ＧＭ（１,１）模型拟合发展的趋势、傅里叶变换撮周期分量ＡＲ（ｐ）模型模拟随机过程的集成预报模型,并用于黄河三角洲人工草场群落土壤盐分的定量研究中,经理论和应用检验证明：该模型能以较高的精度模拟或预报土壤盐分在较长时期内的动态变化过程,方法简单,计算工作量小,并优于传统的单一预报模型。     

Temperature sensitivity of the turnover times of soil organic matter in forests.

Soils represent the largest carbon pool in the terrestrial biosphere, and climate change might affect the main carbon fluxes associated with this pool. These fluxes are the production of aboveground litter and root litter, and decomposition of the soil organic matter (SOM) pool by soil microorganisms. Knowledge about the temperature sensitivity of the decomposition of different SOM fractions is crucial in order to understand how climate change might affect carbon storage in soils. In this study, the temperature sensitivity of the turnover times of three different SOM fractions (labile, intermediate, and stabilized) was investigated for 11 forest sites along a temperature gradient. Carbon-14 isotope analyses of the SOM fractions combined with a model provided estimates of their turnover times. The turnover times of the labile SOM fraction were not correlated with mean annual soil temperature. Therefore it was not possible to estimate temperature sensitivity for the labile SOM fraction. Given considerable evidence elsewhere for significant temperature sensitivities of labile SOM, lack of temperature sensitivity here most likely indicates limitations of the applied methodology for the labile SOM fraction. The turnover times of the intermediate and the stabilized SOM fractions were both correlated with mean annual soil temperatures. The temperature sensitivity of the stabilized SOM fraction was at least equal to that of the intermediate SOM fraction and possibly more than twice as high. A correction for confounding effects of soil acidity and clay content on the temperature sensitivities of the intermediate and stabilized SOM fractions was included in the analysis. The results as observed here for the three SOM fractions may have been influenced by (1) modeling assumptions for the estimation of SOM turnover times of leaf and needle longevities, constant annual carbon inputs, and steady-state SOM pools, (2) the occurrence of summer drought at some sites, (3) differences between sites in quality of the SOM fractions, or (4) the relatively small temperature range. Our results suggested that a 1 degree C increase in temperature could lead to decreases in turnover times of 4-11% and 8-16%, for the intermediate and stabilized SOM fractions, respectively.     

Decomposers (Lumbricidae, Collembola) affect plant performance in model grasslands of different diversity

Decomposer invertebrates influence soil structure and nutrient mineralization as well as the activity and composition of the microbial community in soil and therefore likely affect plant performance and plant competition. We established model grassland communities in a greenhouse to study the interrelationship between two different functional groups of decomposer invertebrates, Lumbricidae and Collembola, and their effect on plant performance and plant nitrogen uptake in a plant diversity gradient. Common plant species of Central European Arrhenatherion grasslands were transplanted into microcosms with numbers of plant species varying from one to eight and plant functional groups varying from one to four. Separate and combined treatments with earthworms and collembolans were set up. Microcosms contained 15N labeled litter to track N fluxes into plant shoots. Presence of decomposers strongly increased total plant and plant shoot biomass. Root biomass decreased in the presence of collembolans and even more in the presence of earthworms. However, it increased when both animal groups were present. Also, presence of decomposers increased total N concentration and 15N enrichment of grasses, legumes, and small herbs. Small herbs were at a maximum in the combined treatment with earthworms and collembolans. The impact of earthworms and collembolans on plant performance strongly varied with plant functional group identity and plant species diversity and was modified when both decomposers were present. Both decomposer groups generally increased aboveground plant productivity through effects on litter decomposition and nutrient mineralization leading to an increased plant nutrient acquisition. The non-uniform effects of earthworms and collembolans suggest that functional diversity of soil decomposer animals matters and that the interactions between soil animal functional groups affect the structure of plant communities.     

Soil microbial diversity and C turnover modified by tillage and cropping in Laos tropical grassland

Agricultural practices should modify the diversity of soil microbes. However, the precise relationships between soil properties and microbial diversity are poorly known. Here, we study the effect of agricultural management on soil microbial diversity and C turnover in tropical grassland of north-eastern Laos. Three years after native grassland conversion into agricultural land, we compared soils from five land use management systems: one till versus two no-till rotational cropping systems, one no-till improved pasture and the natural grassland. Soils were incubated in microcosms during 64 days at optimum temperature and humidity. Bacterial and fungal diversity were evaluated by metagenomic 454-pyrosequencing of 16S and 18SrRNA genes, respectively. Changes in soil respiration patterns were evaluated by monitoring ¹²C- and ¹³C-CO₂ release after soil amendment with 13C-labelled wheat residues. Results show that residue mineralization increased with bacterial richness and diversity in the tilled treatment 7 days after soil amendment. Native soil organic C mineralization and priming effect increased with fungal richness and diversity in improved pasture and natural grassland. No-till cropping systems represented intermediate situations between tillage and pasture systems. Our findings evidence the potential of controlling soil microbial diversity by agricultural practices to improve soil biological properties. We suggest the promotion of no-till systems as a fair compromise between the need for agriculture intensification and soil ecological processes preservation.     

Balancing Forest‐Regeneration Probabilities and Maintenance Costs in Dry Grasslands of High Conservation Priority

Abstract: Abandonment of agricultural land has resulted in forest regeneration in species‐rich dry grasslands across European mountain regions and threatens conservation efforts in this vegetation type. To support national conservation strategies, we used a site‐selection algorithm (MARXAN) to find optimum sets of floristic regions (reporting units) that contain grasslands of high conservation priority. We sought optimum sets that would accommodate 136 important dry‐grassland species and that would minimize forest regeneration and costs of management needed to forestall predicted forest regeneration. We did not consider other conservation elements of dry grasslands, such as animal species richness, cultural heritage, and changes due to climate change. Optimal sets that included 95–100% of the dry grassland species encompassed an average of 56–59 floristic regions (standard deviation, SD 5). This is about 15% of approximately 400 floristic regions that contain dry‐grassland sites and translates to 4800–5300 ha of dry grassland out of a total of approximately 23,000 ha for the entire study area. Projected costs to manage the grasslands in these optimum sets ranged from CHF (Swiss francs) 5.2 to 6.0 million/year. This is only 15–20% of the current total estimated cost of approximately CHF30–45 million/year required if all dry grasslands were to be protected. The grasslands of the optimal sets may be viewed as core sites in a national conservation strategy.