It has long been recognized that plant invasions may alter carbon （C） and nitrogen （N） cycles, but the direction and magnitude of such alterations have been rarely quantified. In this study, we quantified the effe...It has long been recognized that plant invasions may alter carbon （C） and nitrogen （N） cycles, but the direction and magnitude of such alterations have been rarely quantified. In this study, we quantified the effects caused by the invasion of a noxious exotic plant, Kalanchoe daigrernontiana （Crassulaceae）, on C and N mineralization and enzymatic and microbial activities in the soil of a semiarid locality in Venezuela. We compared soil parameters associated with these processes （C and N mineralization time and the cumulative values, fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity, and activities of dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, glucosaminidase, and urease） between invaded and adjacent non-invaded sites. In addition, correlations among these parameters and the soil physical-chemical properties were also examined to determine if a positive feedback exists between nutrient availability and K. daigremontiana invasion. Overall, our results showed that C mineralization and transformation of organic compounds to NH4^＋ were favored at sites colonized by K. daigrernontiana. With this species, we found the highest cumulative amounts of NH4^＋-N and C and the lowest mineralization time. These results could be explained by higher activities of urease and glueosaminidase in soils under the influence of K. daigremontiana. In addition, higher amounts of organic matter and moisture content in invaded soils might favor C and N mineralization. In conclusion, invasion of Neotropical semiarid zones by K. daigrernontiana may influence the chemical and biological properties of the soils covered by this species, increasing nutrient bioavailability, which, in time, can facilitate the invasion process.展开更多
In semiarid regions of the Mediterranean basin, a rainfall event can induce a respiratory pulse that releases a large amount of soil carbon dioxide （CO2） into the atmosphere; this pulse can significantly contribute ...In semiarid regions of the Mediterranean basin, a rainfall event can induce a respiratory pulse that releases a large amount of soil carbon dioxide （CO2） into the atmosphere; this pulse can significantly contribute to the annual ecosystem carbon （C） balance. The impacts of conventional tillage and two different cover crops, resident vegetation and Bromus catharticus L., on soil CO2 effiux were evaluated in a Vitis vinifera L. vineyard in La Rioja, Spain. Soil CO2 efflux, gravimetric water content, and temperature were monitored at a depth of 0-5 cm after rainfall precipitation events approximately every 10 d in the period from May 17 to July 27, 2012, during which the cover crops had withered. Additionally, on June 10, 2012, soil organic C, microbial biomass C, and I^-glucosidase activity were determined at soil depths of 0-2.5, 2.5-5, 5-15, and 15-25 cm. The results show that pulses of soil CO2 were related to the increase in soil water content following precipitation events. Compared to the conventional tillage treatment, both cover crop treatments had higher soil CO2 efflux after precipitation events. Both cover crop treatments had higher soil organic C, microbial biomass C, and β-glucosidase activity at the soil surface （0-2.5 cm） than the conventional tillage treatment. Each pulse of CO2 was related to the surface soil properties. Thus, this study suggests that the enhancement of soil organic C and microbiological properties at the soil surface under cover crops may increase soil CO2 efflux relative to conventional tillage immediately after precipitation events during the dry season.展开更多
基金supported by the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research to the first author
文摘It has long been recognized that plant invasions may alter carbon （C） and nitrogen （N） cycles, but the direction and magnitude of such alterations have been rarely quantified. In this study, we quantified the effects caused by the invasion of a noxious exotic plant, Kalanchoe daigrernontiana （Crassulaceae）, on C and N mineralization and enzymatic and microbial activities in the soil of a semiarid locality in Venezuela. We compared soil parameters associated with these processes （C and N mineralization time and the cumulative values, fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity, and activities of dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, glucosaminidase, and urease） between invaded and adjacent non-invaded sites. In addition, correlations among these parameters and the soil physical-chemical properties were also examined to determine if a positive feedback exists between nutrient availability and K. daigremontiana invasion. Overall, our results showed that C mineralization and transformation of organic compounds to NH4^＋ were favored at sites colonized by K. daigrernontiana. With this species, we found the highest cumulative amounts of NH4^＋-N and C and the lowest mineralization time. These results could be explained by higher activities of urease and glueosaminidase in soils under the influence of K. daigremontiana. In addition, higher amounts of organic matter and moisture content in invaded soils might favor C and N mineralization. In conclusion, invasion of Neotropical semiarid zones by K. daigrernontiana may influence the chemical and biological properties of the soils covered by this species, increasing nutrient bioavailability, which, in time, can facilitate the invasion process.
基金supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria), SpainEuropean Social Fund (INIA-RTA 2009-00101-00-00)the INIA and European Social Fund for his postdoctoral grant
文摘In semiarid regions of the Mediterranean basin, a rainfall event can induce a respiratory pulse that releases a large amount of soil carbon dioxide （CO2） into the atmosphere; this pulse can significantly contribute to the annual ecosystem carbon （C） balance. The impacts of conventional tillage and two different cover crops, resident vegetation and Bromus catharticus L., on soil CO2 effiux were evaluated in a Vitis vinifera L. vineyard in La Rioja, Spain. Soil CO2 efflux, gravimetric water content, and temperature were monitored at a depth of 0-5 cm after rainfall precipitation events approximately every 10 d in the period from May 17 to July 27, 2012, during which the cover crops had withered. Additionally, on June 10, 2012, soil organic C, microbial biomass C, and I^-glucosidase activity were determined at soil depths of 0-2.5, 2.5-5, 5-15, and 15-25 cm. The results show that pulses of soil CO2 were related to the increase in soil water content following precipitation events. Compared to the conventional tillage treatment, both cover crop treatments had higher soil CO2 efflux after precipitation events. Both cover crop treatments had higher soil organic C, microbial biomass C, and β-glucosidase activity at the soil surface （0-2.5 cm） than the conventional tillage treatment. Each pulse of CO2 was related to the surface soil properties. Thus, this study suggests that the enhancement of soil organic C and microbiological properties at the soil surface under cover crops may increase soil CO2 efflux relative to conventional tillage immediately after precipitation events during the dry season.
