Seasonal changes in burrow geometry of the common mole rat (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)

Sociality in mole rats has been suggested to have evolved as a response to the widely dispersed food resources and the limited burrowing opportunities that result from sporadic rainfall events. In the most arid regions, individual foraging efficiency is reduced, and energetic constraints increase. In this study, we investigate seasonal differences in burrow architecture of the social Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus in a mesic region. We describe burrow geometry in response to seasonal weather conditions for two seasons (wet and dry). Interactions occurred between seasons and colony size for the size of the burrow systems, but not the shape of the burrow systems. The fractal dimension values of the burrow systems did not differ between seasons. Thus, the burrow complexity was dependent upon the number of mole rats present in the social group.     

Effect of tunnel inclination on digging energetics in the tuco-tuco, Ctenomys talarum (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae)

Burrows play an important role for many species, providing them with shelter and access to food resources. For subterranean rodents, living underground imposes constraints on morphology and physiology. The convergence in burrow architecture among subterranean rodents has been related to the energy demands imposed by the cost of constructing an entire system. The low frequency of tunnels with downward angles steeper than 40° appears to be a common feature in burrow design. In the subterranean habitat, movements through the soil are expensive and gravity can exert important restrictions on digging energetics when individuals push out the soil removed in steeper digging angles. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of digging angle on digging energetics in Ctenomys talarum. The mass of the removed soil and burrowing speed were similar while digging metabolic rate and net cost of transport were higher in individuals digging in tunnels with angles >40° than in those digging tunnels with angles <40°. The cost of constructing a burrow in the horizontal plane differed by 20% from others in which the natural representation of tunnels >40° was considered. Even given that tunnels >40° represented only 6% of the total burrow length, burrow architecture appears to be constrained by the high energetic cost of constructing in steeper angles.     

Living in a “stethoscope”: burrow-acoustics promote auditory specializations in subterranean rodents

Subterranean mammals rely to a great extent on audition for communication and to be alerted to danger. The only hitherto published report on burrow acoustics revealed that in tunnels of blind mole-rats (Spalax ehrenbergi), airborne sounds of 440 Hz propagated best whereas lower and higher frequencies were effectively attenuated. Morpho-functional analyses classify the ear of subterranean mammals as a low-sensitivity and low-frequency device. Concordantly, hearing is characterized by low sensitivity and a restricted frequency range tuned to low frequencies (0.5–4 kHz). Some authors considered the restricted hearing in subterranean mammals vestigial and degenerate due to under-stimulation. In contrast to this view stand a rich (mostly low-frequency) vocal repertoire and progressive structural specializations of the middle and inner ear. Thus, other authors considered these hearing characteristics adaptive. To test the hypothesis that acoustical environment in burrows of different species of subterranean mammals is similar, we measured sound attenuation in burrows of Fukomys mole-rats (formerly known as Cryptomys, cf. Kock et al. 2006) of two differently sized species at different locations in Zambia. We show that in these burrows, low-frequency sounds (200–800 Hz) are not only least attenuated but also their amplitude may be amplified like in a stethoscope (up to two times over 1 m). We suggest that hearing sensitivity has decreased during evolution of subterranean mammals to avoid over-stimulation of the ear in their natural environment. We dedicate this work to Mathias Kawalika, who died in March 2006.     

Chemically mediated burrow recognition in the Mexican tarantula <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachypelma vagans</Emphasis> female

Chemically mediated communication is common in spiders but has been poorly studied in burrowing tarantulas. This study aimed to determine whether chemical cues influence the behaviour of females of Brachypelma vagans, a Mexican species of tarantula, during encounters with previously inhabited burrows or with extracts from the silk of conspecific females. In laboratory choice tests, female tarantulas entered a burrow that had previously been inhabited by a conspecific female significantly more frequently than a burrow that had never been inhabited. The identity of the previous inhabitant also affected the number of spiders that chose to enter a burrow. Spiders were quicker to choose and enter a burrow previously inhabited by themselves than a burrow previously inhabited by a conspecific or a burrow that had not been previously inhabited. Hexane, methanol and dichloromethane extracts of conspecific silk elicited different responses from female tarantulas when extracts were placed on filter paper disks at one end of an experimental arena with a control filter paper disk, on to which the corresponding solvent alone had been pipetted, placed on the other end of the arena. Spiders showed the strongest responses to hexane extracts of silk, with a significant preference to move towards the hexane extract and a significantly greater period of time spent in proximity to the hexane extract compared to the control disk. Overall and in contrast to expectations, tarantulas were most strongly attracted to the cues left by other conspecific females. As encounters between B. vagans females usually lead to aggression and mortality of one of the participants, we conclude that chemical cues are not signals that are deliberately released by burrow-inhabiting females but may inadvertently escape and cannot be easily suppressed.     

Factors inducing the intense burrowing activity of the red-swamp crayfish,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Procambarus clarkii</Emphasis>, an invasive species

The burrowing activity of the invasive red-swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, was studied along a 25-m-long transect in an irrigation ditch system in Italy. Our objective was to understand the factors inducing this species intense digging, which can result in bank collapse and consequently in severe damage to both agricultural fields and natural ecosystems. Burrow morphology and position, together with their occupancy by crayfish and digging, were recorded once every 6 h for 10 consecutive days. The majority of burrows were simple, although a few had a chimney and were constructed at a farther distance from the water surface than simple burrows. Burrow occupancy and digging, together with their plugged/unplugged status, were constant throughout a 24-h cycle and were not related to any abiotic parameter of the habitat. Crayfish occupied and dug a burrow for a relatively short time (6 h on average). Once abandoned, old burrows were rarely reoccupied and often collapsed, while crayfish excavated new ones. As a result, the overall number of burrows increased. This massive use of banks by P. clarkii seems to be related to soil composition and humidity, which favour crayfish digging but also cause the easy collapse of burrows.     

降水对沣河水质和水体微生物的影响

沣河作为重要的饮用水源地,其水质条件问题一直受到关注,除了通过化学方法探究沣河水体的污染状况外.微生物的群落结构等信息也能在一定程度上反映水体污染情况,并且通过了解微生物群落结构随水质的变化,可以更深入地了解水污染与微生物的响应关系.通过化学检测研究降水变化(丰水期与枯水期)造成的沣河水质改变,并借助Illumina高通量测序方法的结果,发现微生物群落的优势种属是不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)、丛毛单胞菌科(Comamonadaceae)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)和埃希式杆菌属(Escherichia)等,且丰水期优势菌属相比于枯水期出现了与人类活动相关的肠杆菌属和黄杆菌,表明丰水期河水受到更多的人类活动的影响;枯水期的沣河整体水质较丰水期较差,但是枯水期的微生物群落结构更稳定,多样性条件也更好.     

东湖氮循环细菌分布及其作用

用最大可能数法测定东湖不同水期水体及底泥中亚硝化、硝化、反硝化和氨化细菌的分布,并分析其作用.结果表明,水体中亚硝化菌的最大可能数丰水期最高,平水期居中,枯水期最小;硝化菌丰水期小于其他2期,而反硝化、氮化细菌均是平水期最高、丰水期次之,枯水期最小.底泥中亚硝化菌n(MPN)丰水期高于另2期,硝化菌枯水期最高,而反硝化菌枯水期低于其它2水期,氮化细菌无差别.对比水相、泥相发现,亚硝化菌丰水期、枯水期泥相均大于水相(p<0.01),平水期无差别.硝化菌在平水、丰水2期的水相中占优势,枯水期差别不大反硝化菌n(MPN)仅在平水期泥相占优势,氨化细菌2相中无差别.氮循环细菌的分布及微环境的差异,促进了有机氮的分解、氮态氮的硝化和挥发及硝酸盐的反硝化作用.研究还发现,水体、底泥中反硝化细菌和氨化细菌1g[n(MPN)]与其气体截流量之间有显著相关(p<0.001),且不同水期产气量不同(p<0.05),表明氨化作用和反硝化作用随水期变化较大.氨化作用可将有机氮转化为铵和氨,促进水体及底泥中的氮以气态氨的形式挥发;反硝化作用将硝酸盐转化为N₂O、N₂,促进氮素释放.     

四川盆地桢楠和马尾松人工林土壤磷截留及淋溶流失特征

为理解人工林土壤磷截留与淋溶流失特征随降水格局的变化,研究了2013年12月至2014年12月期间,四川盆地桢楠和马尾松人工林土壤磷元素在旱季早期、旱季末期、雨季早期、雨季中期和雨季末期5个关键时期的输入、淋溶输出和截留过程.通过连续采样,分析了水溶性全磷(TDP)、水溶性有机磷(DOP)和溶解性反应磷(DRP).研究结果表明,桢楠和马尾松林土壤对TDP的截留量别为2.65和0.84 kg·hm-2·a-1,土壤TDP淋溶输出量分别为1.10和3.23 kg·hm-2·a-1,其中,截留和淋失的土壤DOP占TDP的84%以上.桢楠和马尾松林土壤的磷截留和淋溶输出过程主要集中于旱季早期、旱季末期和雨季早期,并且两地土壤DOP和TDP的淋溶输出量及桢楠林土壤DOP和DRP的截留量都随这3个时期呈显著增加趋势,马尾松林土壤DRP的截留量随5个时期呈递减趋势,且雨季早期的土壤DOP的截留量为-0.46 kg·hm-2,表现为净流失.桢楠人工林土壤在雨季中期和雨季末期的DRP也表现为净流失.桢楠林土壤DRP的输入量和截留量与降水量呈显著正相关(p0.01),其输出量与降水量不相关.马尾松林土壤DOP和DRP的输入量、土壤DOP的截留量和土壤DRP的输出量与降水量显著正相关(p0.01).此外,桢楠和马尾松林土壤磷的淋溶输出和截留量与对应磷组分的输入量呈显著正相关(p0.01),但马尾松林土壤DOP的截留量与DOP的输入量不相关.由此可见,桢楠和马尾松人工林土壤磷的淋溶输出形式以DOP为主,主要发生在旱季和雨季早期.     

Optional strategies for reduced metabolism in gray mouse lemurs

Among the order of primates, torpor has been described only for the small Malagasy cheirogaleids Microcebus and Cheirogaleus. The nocturnal, gray mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus (approx. 60 g), is capable of entering into and spontaneously arousing from apparently daily torpor during the dry season in response to reduced temperatures and low food and water sources. Mark–recapture studies indicated that this primate species might also hibernate for several weeks, although physiological evidence is lacking. In the present study, we investigated patterns of body temperature in two free-ranging M. murinus during the austral winter using temperature-sensitive data loggers implanted subdermally. One lemur hibernated and remained inactive for 4 weeks. During this time, body temperature followed the ambient temperature passively with a minimum body temperature of 11.5°C, interrupted by irregular arousals to normothermic levels. Under the same conditions, the second individual displayed only short bouts of torpor in the early morning hours but maintained stable normothermic body temperatures throughout its nocturnal activity. Reduction of body temperature was less pronounced in the mouse lemur that utilized short bouts of torpor with a minimum value of 27°C. Despite the small sample size, our findings provide the first physiological confirmation that free-ranging individuals of M. murinus from the humid evergreen littoral rain forest have the option to utilize short torpor bouts or hibernation under the same conditions as two alternative energy-conserving physiological solutions to environmental constraints.     

渭河陕西段浮游植物群落结构时空变化与影响因子分析

浮游植物是水生态系统的初级生产者,其群落结构与水环境密切相关.为了解渭河陕西段浮游植物群落结构时空格局及其与环境因子的关系,更好地进行水资源和水生态保护,于2017年9月—2018年4月在丰水期和枯水期对该河段设定的9个研究断面,27个采样点位进行浮游植物群落结构和水环境因子调查监测,共检出浮游植物8门69种,群落结构分析表明,枯水期浮游植物种类数高于丰水期.浮游植物细胞密度和生物量变化分别为84.9×10⁴~3868.3×10⁴ cells·L^-1、0.268~20.978 mg·L^-1,丰水期平均密度（1490.0×10⁴ cells·L^-1）和平均生物量（7.864 mg·L^-1）显著大于枯水期（354.8×10⁴ cells·L^-1、1.152 mg·L^-1）.优势种分别为6种和8种,主要以绿藻门和硅藻门为主.浮游植物Shannon-Wiener指数（H''）、Pielou均匀度指数（J）、Margalef丰富度指数（d）均表明丰水期浮游植物多样性高于枯水期,9个采样断面的水质总体评价呈现出无污染或轻度污染至中轻污染状态.典范对应分析（CCA）排序结果表明,影响枯水期浮游植物群落结构的主要环境因子为总磷（TP）、pH和总溶解性固体（TDS）,TP和高锰酸盐指数（COD_Mn）是影响丰水期浮游植物群落结构的主要环境因子.     

大型通江湖泊有色可溶性有机物对不同水文情景的响应

鄱阳湖和洞庭湖作为我国面积最大的两个通江湖泊,其湖体水质变化对长江干流水质以及湖区周围居民用水安全至关重要.通过三维荧光-平行因子分析得到4个荧光组分,研究两个湖泊的有色可溶性有机物(CDOM)光谱组成在丰、平和枯这3种水文情景下的变化规律,试图揭示鄱阳湖和洞庭湖CDOM来源及组成对不同丰枯情景的响应机制.结果表明:不同水文情景对鄱阳湖CDOM水质参数影响更为显著,CDOM吸收系数a(254)和溶解性有机碳(DOC)浓度表现为丰水期平水期枯水期(t-test,P0.01),CDOM光谱吸收斜率S_(275-295)表现为枯水期平水期丰水期(t-test,P0.01),洞庭湖a(254)在不同水文情景下差异不显著,比紫外吸收系数SUVA_(254)最大值出现在平水期.平行因子分析法解析三维荧光光谱得到4个荧光组分,枯水期两湖CDOM类蛋白组分贡献率较大,平水期类蛋白组分及类腐殖酸组分贡献率大致相当,丰水期两个湖泊类腐殖酸贡献率占主要部分.在空间分布上,枯水期鄱阳湖4个组分的荧光强度在上游南部湖区偏小,北部偏大,丰水期反之,东洞庭湖4个组分的荧光强度在空间差异上表现为枯水期大于丰水期.鄱阳湖DOC浓度对水位的响应更明显(r~2=0.99,P0.01),东洞庭湖类色氨酸组分C2与水位呈显著性负相关关系(r~2=0.99,P0.05).鉴于此,应根据鄱阳湖、洞庭湖CDOM在不同水文情景下的响应特征,有针对性地对湖区水质进行管理.     

Sustainable resource management coupled to resilient germplasm to provide new intensive cereal–grain–legume–livestock systems in the dry savanna

Sustainable resource management is the critical agricultural research and development challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. The accumulated knowledge on soil management gathered over the last 10 years, combined with solid crop improvement and plant health research at farmers’ level, has brought us to a stage where we can now address with confidence the intensification of cereal–grain–legume-based cropping systems in the dry savanna of West Africa in a sustainable and environmentally positive manner.Two sustainable farming systems that greatly enhance the productivity and sustainability of integrated livestock systems have been developed and implemented in the dry savanna of Nigeria. These are: (i) maize (Zea mays L.)–promiscuous soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations that combine high nitrogen fixation and the ability to kill large numbers of Striga hermonthica seeds in the soil; and (ii) miflet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaerth] and dual-purpose cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. Improvement of the cropping systems in the dry savanna has been driven by the adoption of promiscuously nodulating soybean varieties (in particular TGx 1448-2E) and dual-purpose cowpea. The rate of adoption is very high, even in the absence of an efficient seed distribution system. The number of farmers cultivating the improved varieties increased by 228% during the last 3 years. Increased production of promiscuous soybean has been stimulated by increased demand from industries and home utilization. Production in Nigeria was estimated at 405,000 t in 1999 compared to less than 60,000 t in 1984. Economic analysis of these systems shows already an increase of 50–70% in the gross incomes of adopting farmers compared to those still following the current practices, mainly continuous maize cultivation. Furthermore, increases in legume areas of 10% in Nigeria (about 30,000 ha in the northern Guinea savanna) and increases of 20% in yield have translated into additional fixed nitrogen valued annually at US$ 44 million. This reflects, at the same time, an equivalent increase in land-use productivity, and with further spread of the improved crops, there are excellent prospects for additional economic and environmental benefits from a very large recommendation domain across West Africa.     

Leaf area development, dry weight accumulation and solar energy conversion efficiencies of Phaseolus vulgaris L. under different soil moisture levels near Nairobi, Kenya

Leaf area development, dry weight accumulation and solar energy conversion efficiencies of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv GLP-2 under two soil moisture levels in two contrasting seasons near Nairobi, Kenya were investigated. The experiment confirms that dry weights and yields of Phaseolus vulgaris are limited by a drought induced decrease in leaf area, leading to less radiation interception as a source for assimilation. However, photosynthetic efficiency in Phaseolus vulgaris also appears to decrease and to contribute to these effects. Finally, an even larger decreases of economic efficiency as obtained in the second season, where stress lasted much later into the season, reveals that such a drought also limits considerably the partitioning and translocation of assimilates to the seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris. The efficiencies obtained are in line with the better literature data for other crops.     

不同施氮水平对紫花苜蓿草地土壤呼吸和土壤生化性质的影响

为探讨不同施氮水平对紫花苜蓿草地土壤呼吸速率和土壤生化性质的影响及其关系,本研究于2017年4月至2018年3月采用田间试验和室内分析相结合的方法,设置了无氮(N0,0)、低氮(N1,60 kg·hm~(-2))、中氮(N2,120 kg·hm~(-2))和高氮(N3,180 kg·hm~(-2))这4个施氮水平,监测了不同施氮水平下紫花苜蓿草地土壤呼吸速率及土壤水热的季节变化,并于紫花苜蓿生长季内不同茬次刈割后测定了土壤生化性质.结果表明:(1)不同施氮水平下紫花苜蓿草地土壤呼吸速率均表现出明显的季节性变化特征,在7月下旬达到峰值,12月中旬降至最低;随施氮量的增加紫花苜蓿生长季内土壤呼吸速率逐渐增强,N1、N2和N3施氮水平下的土壤呼吸速率均值分别为0.97、1.04和1.07 g·(m~2·h)~(-1),与N0[0.88 g·(m~2·h)~(-1)]相比,土壤呼吸速率分别增加了10.2%、18.2%和21.6%;施氮对紫花苜蓿非生长季内土壤呼吸速率无显著影响(P0.05).(2)不同施氮水平下紫花苜蓿生长季、非生长季和全年的土壤呼吸速率与土壤温度拟合指数模型均达极显著水平(P0.01),且指数模型的决定系数R~2值表现为生长季(0.46～0.62)非生长季(0.66～0.76)全年(0.80～0.86).(3)施氮在一定程度上降低了紫花苜蓿草地土壤的pH值和速效磷(AP),而提高了速效钾(AK)、土壤有机质(SOM)、土壤脲酶(URE)和土壤蔗糖酶活性(INV).土壤全氮(TN)和碱解氮(AN)含量在不同施氮水平下表现出不同的变化趋势,当施氮量在0～120 kg·hm~(-2)时,TN和AN随施氮量的增加而增加,继续增施氮肥超过N2(120 kg·hm~(-2))水平时则略有下降.(4)通过紫花苜蓿生长季内土壤呼吸与其土壤生化性质之间的相关矩阵分析可知,土壤呼吸速率(R_S)与土壤pH值呈极显著负相关(P0.01),与TN和URE呈极显著正相关(P0.01),与SOM呈显著的正相关(P0.05),与INV呈显著负相关(P0.05).综合考虑土壤生化特性对不同施氮条件下紫花苜蓿草地土壤呼吸速率的影响,可为草地生态系统土壤呼吸强度研究提供理论依据.     

地膜覆盖对菜地土壤剖面温室气体的影响

为了解地膜覆盖对菜地剖面温室气体的影响,本研究利用扩散箱法测定了2014-2015年西南地区辣椒-萝卜轮作菜地10、20和30 cm土壤剖面的CH₄、CO₂和N₂O的浓度.结果表明,整个观测季覆膜（F）和不覆膜（NF）处理土壤剖面的CH₄浓度均随土壤深度增加而降低.与NF相比,覆膜极显著提高了辣椒季30 cm土层的CH₄浓度（p<0.01）,但极显著降低了萝卜季20 cm土层的CH₄浓度（p<0.01）,且对观测季其他土层的CH₄浓度无显著影响（p>0.05）;与CH₄相反,整个观测季覆膜和不覆膜处理土壤剖面的CO₂浓度均随土壤深度增加而增加.与NF相比,覆膜显著提高了辣椒季30 cm土层和萝卜季各土层的CO₂浓度（p<0.05）;与CO₂相似,整个观测季节覆膜和不覆膜处理土壤剖面的N₂O浓度均随土壤深度增加而增加.与NF相比,覆膜对辣椒季各土层的N₂O浓度影响不显著（p<0.05）,却显著增加了萝卜季各土层的N₂O浓度（p<0.05）.总之,在辣椒季,地膜覆盖有利于深层土壤（30 cm） CH₄和CO₂的积累,而对N₂O的影响却不显著.在萝卜季,地膜覆盖不利于中层土壤（20 cm） CH₄的积累,但有利于各土层CO₂和N₂O的积累.Pearson相关性分析结果表明,在辣椒季,各处理10 cm土层的CH₄浓度与土壤充水孔隙度（WFPS）呈显著正相关（p<0.05）,各处理10 cm土层的CO₂浓度与各环境因子相关性均不显著（p>0.05）.与CO₂类似,覆膜处理10 cm土层的N₂O浓度与各环境因子相关性不显著（p>0.05）,但不覆膜处理10 cm土层的N₂O浓度与WFPS呈显著正相关（p<0.05）.在萝卜季,各处理10 cm土层的CH₄浓度与各环境因子相关性不显著（p>0.05）,各处理10 cm土层的CO₂和N₂O浓度与地下10 cm温度和土壤氮素呈显著正相关（p<0.05）.WFPS是影响10 cm土层CH₄浓度的主要因素,土壤温度和土壤氮素是影响10 cm土层CO₂浓度的主要因素,WFPS、土壤温度和土壤氮素是影响10 cm土层N₂O浓度的主要因素.     

库布齐沙漠油蒿灌丛土壤呼吸速率时空变异特征研究

利用Li-840红外气体分析仪和Li-6400-09土壤呼吸气室组装而成的动态密闭土壤呼吸测定系统,于2006年生长季对内蒙古库布齐沙漠油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)生态系统2种不同类型土壤的土壤呼吸速率进行了野外测定,分析了日动态、季节动态及其对环境因子的响应,并阐述了油蒿灌丛空间异质性的特征.结果表明,油蒿灌丛的土壤呼吸速率日动态呈单峰曲线,在12:00左右有最大值.在适宜的水分和温度条件下,生长季里土壤呼吸速率在7～8月份出现最大值.土壤呼吸速率的季节动态与土壤含水量有显著的相关关系,表明水分是限制生长季干旱区灌丛土壤呼吸的最重要因子,分别可以解释油蒿冠幅下土壤和裸地的土壤呼吸速率2006年主要生长季节(5～9月)变化的75%和77%.油蒿灌丛土壤呼吸速率在空间尺度上存在着显著的异质性.油蒿冠幅覆盖下的土壤呼吸速率季节平均值为(155.58±15.20) mg·(m²·h)^-1,要显著地大于灌丛间裸地的数值(110.50±6.77) mg·(m²·h)^-1.2种不同类型土壤的土壤呼吸速率是由于根生物量的差异引起的,根生物量可以解释2006年生长季库布齐油蒿灌丛土壤呼吸速率空间异质性的43%.结果表明,在植被覆盖度异质性较大的灌丛生态系统中,要准确定量生态系统碳的释放时,必须充分考虑小尺度上土壤呼吸的空间异质性.     

Soil water depletion under various leguminous cover crops in the derived savanna of West Africa

Leguminous cover crops have the potential of making cropping systems in the tropics sustainable if they would not deplete resources such as soil water and nutrients to the detriment of companion crops. Therefore, a study was carried out at Alabata, Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria, to evaluate the effects of leguminous cover crops on soil water suctions in 1993 and 1994 in order to assess the possibility of integrating them into the farming systems of the savanna zone of West Africa. In 1993, 13 leguminous cover crops (Aeschynomene histrix, Centrosema brasilianum, Centrosema pascuorum, Chamaecrista rotundifolia, Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria verrucosa, Crotalaria ochroleuca, Lablab purpureus, Mucuna pruriens, Psophocarpus palustris, Pseudovigna argentea, Pueraria phaseoloides and Stylosanthes hamata) were planted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Maize and natural fallow (mainly Chromolaena odorata and Imperata cylindrica) were included as comparisons. Only six of the legumes (A. histrix, C. pascuorum, C. cajan, C. ochroleuca, M. pruriens, and P. phaseoloides) were included in the measurements in the 1994 new plots. Soil water suctions at various stages of legume growth were measured at daily or weekly intervals (depending on the frequency of rainfall events) using tensiometers installed at 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil depths. Soil water suctions exceeding 10 kPa (theoretical field capacity) were observed mainly between 6 and 12 weeks after planting (WAP), and by 20 WAP when cover crops had matured and rainfall frequency was very low. Soil water suctions were significantly related (r²>0.80) to dry matter between 8 and 10 WAP. The studied cover crops were classified in three groups which can be used as a guide for choosing the legumes in tropical farming systems. Soil water depletion was markedly influenced by growth characteristics of legumes and distribution of rainfall during the rainy season. Leguminous cover crops conserved soil water after their growth needs were satisfied.     

基于RZWQM模型模拟太行山低山丘陵区农田土壤硝态氮迁移及淋溶规律

太行山低山丘陵区是华北平原地下水补给区,近年来山区农田面积增加,农田过量氮肥投入造成地下水硝酸盐浓度逐年升高,因此,研究典型农田土壤氮淋溶过程对保护补给区地下水具有重要意义.本文以位于太行山低山丘陵区的中国科学院太行山生态试验站冬小麦-夏玉米轮作农田为研究对象,应用根区水质模型（root zone water quality model,RZWQM）对太行山低山丘陵区2015~2016年冬小麦-夏玉米的1个轮作周期内1m土壤剖面水分和硝态氮运移进行模拟.结果表明,土壤硝态氮淋溶主要发生在夏玉米季（雨季）,当全年施氮量为300 kg·hm^-2时,夏玉米季硝态氮淋失量达到59.9 kg·hm^-2,而冬小麦生长季硝态氮淋失量仅为2.12 kg·hm^-2.不同施氮量和不同降水年型下玉米季土壤硝态氮淋溶模拟结果表明,当施氮量为0、300和450 kg·hm^-2时,2016年（丰水年）极端降水后,玉米季土壤硝态氮潜在淋失量分别为10.5、59.9和136.5 kg·hm^-2;当全年施氮量为300 kg·hm^-2时,2013（枯水年）、2015（平水年）和2016年（丰水年）玉米季硝态氮淋失量分别占轮作周期总施氮量的9%、10%和20%;当全年施氮量为450 kg·hm^-2时,2013（枯水年）、2015（平水年）和2016年（丰水年）玉米季硝态氮淋失量分别占总施氮量的11%、17%和30%,表明大降水事件不仅对地下水形成大量补给,很大程度上也增加了累积在农田土壤中的硝态氮淋溶损失,增加了对区域地下水硝酸盐潜在污染威胁.     

西枝江流域浮游植物群落结构特征与主要环境因子的关系研究

于2012年枯水期、丰水期与平水期(2、8、11月)在西枝江全流域开展浮游植物群落的种类组成、密度和生物多样性指数研究,并分析环境因子与浮游植物群落之间的关系.结果表明,西枝江流域共检出浮游植物6门98种,其中卵形隐藻(Cryptomonas ovata)为流域全年常见种,西枝江流域浮游植物种类数由上游至下游逐渐增加,且支流淡水河浮游植物种类和数量高于干流;西枝江流域水体浮游植物群落密度变化范围为2.2×104~6.72×106cell·L~(-1);Shannon-Weaver多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数、Margalef丰富度指数评价结果表明,西枝江流域部分点位浮游植物群落生物多样性受到一定程度的损害.西枝江流域平水期总氮浓度显著高于枯水期、丰水期(p0.05);西枝江干流总磷全年差异不明显(p0.05),支流淡水河总磷在枯水期显著高于丰水期、平水期(p0.05).氮磷含量空间分布特征为淡水河高于西枝江下游高于西枝江中游,西枝江上游水质最优,且浮游植物指示种的演替与流域内水质变化情况相吻合;RDA分析结果表明,氮磷营养盐、T以及CODMn是西枝江流域浮游植物群落结构的重要影响因子.     

黄土高塬沟壑区典型城郊流域地表水硝酸盐来源示踪

随着工农业的快速发展,地表水硝酸盐污染已成为黄土高原地区严重的环境问题之一.以黄土高塬沟壑区典型城郊流域砚瓦川为研究区,采用水化学分析方法和氮氧双稳定同位素技术,并结合SIAR模型,定量识别旱季和雨季研究区地表水硝酸盐不同污染源的贡献率,阐明不同污染源季节性差异的主要原因.结果表明,流域地表水无机氮主要以NO₃^--N和NO₂^--N形态存在,NO₃^--N和NO₂^--N雨季浓度平均值均高于旱季,而NH₄⁺-N则呈现相反特征;流域内地表水硝酸盐的转化过程主要以硝化作用为主,雨季其主要来源是粪肥污水,而旱季主要为粪肥污水和土壤氮淋溶,铵肥次之;不同污染源对流域地表水硝酸盐的贡献比例具有显著的季节性差异,旱季与雨季城镇污水排放的贡献比例均为最高,分别为31.40%和65.66%,且雨季污水排放对NO₃^-的影响远高于旱季,夏季居民用水增加导致大量污水排放至流域内是引起这一现象的主要原因.