Trends of soil organic matter turnover in the salt marsh of the Yangtze River estuary

Characteristics and tidal flat trends of soil organic matter （SOM） turnover were studied for the Chongmingdongtan Salt Marsh in the Yangtze River estuary, based on analyses of stable carbon isotope composition （δ^13C）, grain sizes and contents of particulate organic carbon （POC）, total nitrogen （TN） and inorganic carbon （TIC） for three cores excavated from high tidal flat, middle tidal flat and bare flat. Results demonstrate that correlations between soil POC contents and δ^13C values of the salt marsh cores were similar to those between soil organic carbon （SOC） contents and δ^13C values of the upper soil layers of mountainous soil profiles with different altitudes. SOM of salt marsh was generally younger than 100 years, and originated mainly from topsoil erosions in catchments of the Yangtze River. Correlations of TN content with C/N ratio, POC content with TIC content and POC content with δ^13C values for the cores suggest that turnover degrees of SOM from the salt marsh are overall low, and trends of SOM turnover are clear from the bare flat to the high tidal flat. Bare flat samples show characteristics of original sediments, with minor SOM turnover. Turnover processes of SOM have occurred and are discernable in the high and middle tidal flats, and the mixing degrees of SOM compartments with different turnover rates increase with evolution of the muddy tidal flat. The exclusive strata structure of alternate muddy laminae and silty laminae originated from dynamic depositional processes on muddy tidal flat was a great obstacle to vertical migration of dissolved materials, and SOM turnover was then constrained. The muddy tidal flat processes exerted direct influences on sequestration and turnover of SOM in the salt marsh, and had great constraints on the spatial and temporal characteristics of SOM turnover of the Chongmingdongtan Salt Marsh in the Yangtze River estuary.

Nitrogen Biological Cycle Characteristics of Seepweed(Suaeda salsa) Wetland in Intertidal Zone of Huanghe(Yellow) River Estuary

From April 2008 to November 2009,the nitrogen(N) cycle of plantsoil system in seepweed(Suaeda salsa) wetland in the intertidal zone of the Huanghe(Yellow) River estuary was studied.Results showed that soil N had sig-nificant seasonal fluctuations and vertical distribution,and the net N mineralization rates in topsoil were significantly different in growing season(p < 0.01).The N/P ratio(9.87 ± 1.23) of S.salsa was less than 14,indicating that plant growth was limited by N.The N accumulated in S.salsa litter at all times during decomposition,which was ascribed to the N immobilization by microbes from the environment.Soil organic N was the main N stock of plant-soil system,accounting for 97.35% of the total N stock.The N absorption and utilization coefficients of S.salsa were very low(0.0145 and 0.3844,respectively),while the N cycle coefficient was high(0.7108).The results of the N turnovers among compartments of S.salsa wetland showed that the N uptake amount of aboveground part and root were 7.764 g/m2and 4.332 g/m2,respectively.The N translocation amounts from aboveground part to root and from root to soil were 3.881 g/m2 and 0.626 g/m2,respectively.The N translocation amount from aboveground living body to litter was 3.883 g/m2,the annual N return amount from litter to soil was more than 0.125(-) g/m2(minus represented immobilization),and the net N mineralization amount in topsoil(0-15 cm) in growing season was 1.190 g/m2.The assessment of N biological cycle status of S.salsa wetland indicated that N was a very important limiting factor and the ecosystem was situated in unstable and vulnerable status.The S.salsa was seemingly well adapted to the low-nutrient status and vulnerable habitat,and the N quantitative relationships determined in the compartment model might provide scientific base for us to reveal the special adaptive strategy of S.salsa to the vulnerable habitat in the following studies.

Changes of Biogenic Elements in Phragmites australis and Suaeda salsa from Salt Marshes in Yellow River Delta,China

Little information is available on biogenic elements(carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur) and the ecological stoichiometric characteristics of plants in coastal wetlands. To investigate the contents of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur of plants, and their ecological stoichiometric characteristics in the Yellow(Huanghe) River Delta, plant samples were collected from two typical salt marshes(Suaeda salsa and Phragmites australis wetlands) during the period of from August to October in 2007, and the ratios of C/N, C/P, N/P, C/N/P and C/N/P/S were calculated. Results showed that during the studying period, plant C, N and P were lower than the global average values, and plant N and P were lower than the China's average values. Leaf C and S in Suaeda salsa were significantly lower than those in Phragmites australis(P < 0.05), and leaf N and P in Suaeda salsa and Phragmites australis showed no significant differences(P > 0.05). Average C/N ratios were 23.75 in leaf, 73.36 in stem, 65.67 in root of Suaeda salsa, and 33.77 in leaf, 121.68 in stem, 97.13 in root of Phragmites australis. Average C/N ratios of Suaeda salsa and Phragmites australis were all great than 25, indicating the salt marsh in the Yellow River Delta is an N limitation system. Average C/P ratios were 276.78 in leaf, 709.28 in stem and 1031.32 in root of Suaeda salsa, and 536.94 in leaf, 768.13 in stem and 875.22 in root of Phragmites australis. The average N/P ratios of Suaeda salsa were 12.92 in leaf, 10.77 in stem and 10.91 in root, and the average N/P ratios of Phragmites australis were 16.40 in leaf, 7.40 in stem and 6.92 in root, indicating the Suaeda salsa wetlands were N limited and Phragmites australis wetlands were N limited in August and P limited in October in 2007. The average C/N, C/P and C/N/P ratios in Suaeda salsa and Pragmites australis were higher than the global average values, indicating the lower quality of organic matter provided by wetland plants in the Yellow River delta.

Investigation on Water Pollution of Four Rivers in Coastal Wetland of Yellow River Estuary

[Objective] The study aimed at analysing water pollution of four rivers in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary. [Method] Taking four seriously polluted rivers (Guangli River, Shenxian Ditch, Tiao River and Chao River) in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary as study objects, water samples were collected from the four rivers in May (dry period), August (wet period) and November (normal period) in 2009 and 2010 respectively, then pollution indices like nutritive salts, COD, chlorophyll-a, petroleum, etc. were measured. Afterwards, the status quo of water pollution was assessed based on Nemero index and comprehensive trophic level index (TLI), so as to find out the integral status quo of water quality of wetland rivers and damages to aquatic ecological environment. [Result] On the whole, water pollution of four rivers in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary was serious, in the eutrophication state, and the main pollutants were TN, TP, NH+4-N and petroleum. In addition, excessive N and P in the four rivers resulted in water eutrophication of Bohai Bay, so further leading to ride tide, which destroyed the coastal ecological environment of Bohai Sea. Moreover, compared with historical data, water pollution by nitrogen and phosphorus became more serious, while there was no obvious aggravation in the water pollution by petroleum. In a word, water pollution wasn’t optimistic on the whole. [Conclusion] The research could provide theoretical bases for the protection and utilization of river water in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary and its coastal sea area.

Emissions of Biogenic Sulfur Gases(H2S,COS)from Phragmites australis Coastal Marsh in the Yellow River Estuary of China

Emissions of biogenic sulfur gases(hydrogen sulfide(H_2S) and carbonyl sulfide(COS)) from Phragmites australis coastal marsh in the Yellow River estuary of China were determined during April to December in 2014 using static chamber-gas chromatography technique with monthly sampling. The results showed that the fluxes of H_2S and COS both had distinct seasonal and diurnal variations. The H_2S fluxes ranged from 0.09 μg/(m^2·h) to 7.65 μg/(m^2·h), and the COS fluxes ranged from –1.10 μg/(m^2·h) to 3.32 μg/(m^2·h). The mean fluxes of H_2S and COS from the P. australis coastal marsh were 2.28 μg/(m^2·h), and 1.05 μg/(m^2·h), respectively. The P. australis coastal marsh was the emission source of both H_2S and COS over the whole year. Fluxes of H_2S and COS were both higher in plant growing season than in the non-growing season. Temperature had a dramatic effect on the H_2S emission flux, while the correlations between COS flux and the environmental factors were not found during sampling periods. More in-depth and comprehensive research on other related factors, such as vegetation, sediment substrates, and tidal action is needed to discover and further understand the key factors and the release mechanism of sulfur gases.

Composition of fish communities in an intertidal salt marsh creek in the Changjiang River estuary,China

Fish communities in a (third-order) intertidal creek in Dongtan marsh in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary were investigated seasonally for one year.A total of 1 996 fish specimens (10 967.8 g) comprising 26 species and 15 families were collected.Abundances of fish communities in the intertidal salt marsh creek were primarily dominated by Boleophthalmus pectinirostris (19.8%),Collichthys lucidus (18.6%),Periophthalmus magnuspinnatus (18.2%),Liza haematocheilus (17.9%),and secondarily by Mugilogobius abei (8.5%),L.carinatus (7.2%),Odontamblyopus lacepedii (4.3%),and Acanthogobius ommaturus (3.9%);another 18 species were present only occasionally.Non-MDS ordination and SIMPER analysis indicated that there were two fish communities in the intertidal salt marsh creek.In spring,the communities were dominated by B.pectinirostris,P.magnuspinnatus,C.lucidus and M.abei;in summer,autumn,and winter by L.haematocheilus,L.carinatus,A.ommaturus and O.lacepedii.Some species showed strong habitat selection;L.carinatus and P.magnuspinnatus were distributed mainly in the upper and middle creek,while B.pectinirostris,M.abei and O.lacepedii inhabited the middle and lower creek.The study indicated that the salt marshes of the Changjiang River estuary are an important nursery and feeding habitat for many fishes and should be protected.

Soil Organic Carbon Contents and Stocks in Coastal Salt Marshes with Spartina alterniflora Following an Invasion Chronosequence in the Yellow River Delta,China

Plant invasion alters the fundamental structure and function of native ecosystems by affecting the biogeochemical pools and fluxes of materials and energy. Native(Suaeda salsa) and invasive(Spartina alterniflora) salt marshes were selected to study the effects of Spartina alterniflora invasion on soil organic carbon(SOC) contents and stocks in the Yellow River Delta. Results showed that the SOC contents(g/kg) and stocks(kg/m^2) were significantly increased(P < 0.05) after Spartina alterniflora invasion of seven years, especially for the surface soil layer(0–20 cm). The SOC contents exhibited an even distribution along the soil profiles in native salt marshes, while the SOC contents were gradually decreased with depth after Spartina alterniflora invasion of seven years. The natural ln response ratios(Ln RR) were applied to identify the effects of short-term Spartina alterniflora invasion on the SOC stocks. We also found that Spartina alterniflora invasion might cause soil organic carbon losses in a short-term phase(2–4 years in this study) due to the negative Ln RR values, especially for 20–60 cm depth. And the SOCD in surface layer(0–20 cm) do not increase linearly with the invasive age. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that silt + clay content was exponentially related with SOC in surface layer(Adjusted R^2 = 0.43, P < 0.001), suggesting that soil texture could play a key role in SOC sequestration of coastal salt marshes.

The impact of geomorphology of marsh creeks on fish assemblage in Changjiang River estuary

Tidal marshes are an important habitat and nursery area for fi sh.In the past few decades,rapid economic development in the coastal areas of China has led to the interruption and destruction of an increasing number of tidal marshes.The growing interest in tidal marsh restoration has increased the need to understand the relationship between geomorphological features and fi sh assemblages in the design of marsh restoration projects.We studied temporal variations in,and the effects of creek geomorphological features on,the estuarine tidal creek fi sh community.Using modifi ed channel nets,we sampled fi sh monthly from March 2007 to February 2008 from seven tidal creeks along an intertidal channel system in Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve.Fourteen creek geomorphological variables were measured or derived to characterize intertidal creek geomorphological features.The Gobiidae,with 10 species,was the most speciesrich family.The most abundant fi sh species were Liza affi nis,Chelon haematocheilus,and Lateolabrax maculatus.The fi sh community was dominated by juvenile marine transients,which comprised about 80% of the total catch.The highest abundance of fi sh occurred in June and July,and the highest biomass occurred in December.Canonical redundancy analyses demonstrated that depth,steepness,cross-sectional area,and volume signifi cantly affected the fi sh species assemblage.L.affi nis favored small creeks with high elevations.Synechogobius ommaturus,Acanthogobius luridus,and Carassius auratus preferred deep,steep creeks with a large cross-sectional area and volume.These fi ndings indicate that the geomorphological features of tidal creeks should be considered in the conservation and sustainable management of fi sh species and in the restoration of salt marshes.

Stable Carbon Isotope and Long-Chain Alkane Compositions of the Major Plants and Sediment Organic Matter in the Yellow River Estuarine Wetlands

Elemental(TOC,TN,C/N)and stable carbon isotopic(δ^13C)compositions and long-chain alkane(n C16-38)concentrations were measured for eight major plants and a sediment core collected from the Yellow River estuarine wetlands.Our results indicate that both C3(-25.4‰to-29.6‰)and C4(-14.2‰to-15.0‰)plants are growing in the wetlands and C3 plants are the predominant species.The biomass of the wetland plants had similar organic carbon(35.5-45.8%)but very different organic nitrogen(0.35-4.15%)contents.Both C3 and C4 plants all contained long-chain alkanes with strong odd-to-even carbon numbered chain predominance.Phragmites australis,a dominant C3 plant contained mainly n C29 and n C31 homologues.Aeluropus littoralis,an abundant C4 plant were concentrated with n C27 and n C29 homologues.Organic matter preserved in the Yellow River estuarine sediments showed strong terrestrial signals(C/N=11-16,δ^13C=-22.0‰to-24.3‰).The distribution of long-chain n-alkanes in sediments also showed strong odd-to-even carbon chain predominance with n C29 and n C31 being the most abundant homologues.These results suggest that organic matter preserved in the Yellow River estuarine sediments were influenced by the wetland-derived organic matter,mainly C3 plants.The Yellow River estuarine wetland plants could play important role affecting both the carbon and nutrient cycling in the estuary and adjacent coastal waters.

Trophic relationships in the Changjiang River estuarine salt marshes: preliminary investigation from δ^(13)C and δ^(15)N analysis

To obtain information on food web structure in salt marshes of the Changjiang （Yangtze） River Estuary, the （ δ3C and δ15N values of primary producers and consumers were determined. The mean δ13C values of 31 dominant consumers ranged from -23.13‰ to -14.37‰. Except for several species （ Eriocheir sinensis, Sinonovacula constricta and Potamocorbula ustulata）, consumers had interme- diate δ13C values between those of benthic microalgae and Spartina alterniflora. The mean δ15N values of 31 dominant consumers varied between 6.87‰ and 13.33‰, which indicate three trophic levels in salt marshes of the Changjiang River Estuary. A total of 18 macroinvertebrates species and four fish species represented primary consumers with trophic levels ranging from 2.0 to 2.7. Secondary consumers included two maeroinvertebrates and seven fishes with trophic levels varying between 3.0 and 3.9. The consumers were divided into three trophic guilds, i.e., detritivorous/algae feeders, omnivores and carnivores. The detrital food chain was the main energy flow pathway in the salt marsh food web of the Changjiang River Estuary, and the marsh vascular plants were at least as equally important as microphytobenthos for secondary production. The important trophic function of the salt marsh habitats in the estuary is revealed.

Response of the distributary channel of the Huanghe River estuary to water and sediment discharge regulation in 2007

The water and sediment discharge regulation(WSDR) project,which has been performed since 2002 before flood season every year,is of great significance to the river management in China.Until 2007,six experiments have been fulfilled to evaluate the effect of the project on the natural environment.To fill the gap of investigations,a study on flood and suspended sediment transportation and channel changing along the distributary channel of the Huanghe(Yellow) River was conducted during the WSDR project period in 2007.The lower channel was scoured rapidly and the channel became unobstructed gradually several days after the flood peak water was discharged from the Xiaolangdi Reservoir.Within four days after the flood peak at 3 000 m3/s entered the distributary,the channel in the river mouth area was eroded quickly.Both the mean values of area and depth of the main channel were tripled,and the maximum flood carrying capacity increased to 5 500 m3/s or more.Then,the river channel was silted anew in a very short time after completion of the WSDR.Favored by the WSDR project,the river status in April 2008 became better than that of the year before.The adjustment ranges of main channel parameters were about 30%,10%,and 10% at sections C2,Q4,and Q7,respectively.The process of rapid erosion-deposition was more active 15 km away in the channel from the river mouth due to the marine influence.It is reasonable for discharging sediment at concentration peak from Xiaolangdi Reservoir at the end of the flood peak.As a result,the sediment peak reached the river mouth about two days later than that of the water current.In addition,the WSDR project has improved the development of the estuarine wetland.Wetland vegetation planted along the river banks restrained the water flow as a strainer and improved the main channel stability.It is suggested to draw water at mean rate of 150 m3/s from the Huanghe River during flood periods,because at the rate the water in the wetland would be stored and replenished in balance.Moreover,we believe that cropland on the river shoal of the lower Huanghe River should be replaced by wetland.These activities should achieve the Huanghe River management strategy of "To concentrate flow to scour sediment,stabilize the main channel,and regulate water and sediment".

Dynamics of arsenic in salt marsh sediments from Dongtan wetland of the Yangtze River estuary,China

The mobility and transformation of arsenic （As） in salt marsh sediments were investigated in Dongtan wetland of the Yangtze River estuary, China. As in surface water, pore water and the rhizosphere sediments were quantified. The microcosm incubation experiments were conducted during the flooding of the sediments to examine As dynamics that occurred during changing redox conditions. The concentrations of dissolved As in pore water （0.04--0.95 ixmol/L） were significantly greater than that in surface water （0.03-0.06 lunol/L）. Under anoxic conditions, the reactive As could be initially mobilized by the reductive dissolution of Fe（III） （hydr）oxides. Subsequently, most of the dissolved As was likely to be associated with secondary iron （hydr）oxide phases and remained in solid phases. The seasonal variability of acid volatile sulfide concentrations suggest the anoxic conditions are enhanced during summer by Spartina alterniflora compared to Phragmites australis and Scirpus mariqueter, causing a notable increase in As mobility. Generally, there was a typical variation in redox conditions with season in salt marsh sediments of Dongtan wetland, in which the dynamics of As mobility and transformation possibly were controlled by iron, and all of this could be significantly influenced by the rapid spread of S. alterniflora.

1973—2020年黄河三角洲滨海盐沼湿地景观格局演化模式和驱动因素

明晰滨海盐沼湿地景观格局演化模式和驱动因素,有助于制定合理的盐沼湿地修复策略、维护区域生态系统健康和可持续发展。以黄河三角洲滨海盐沼湿地为例,基于Landsat系列卫星影像获取1973—2020年共十个时期土地利用/覆被数据,得出盐沼湿地时空变化及其与周边土地利用/覆被的相互转化;利用改进的景观格局状态与演化识别模型(SEDMS),分析盐沼湿地景观格局演化模式,并利用地理探测器探究其空间分异驱动因素。结果表明:(1)1973—2020年,盐沼湿地面积减少了252.35 km^(2),空间范围总体向外海迁移且趋于集中。盐沼湿地转出类型主要为草地、养殖池/盐田和耕地,转入类型主要为滩涂未利用地和水体。(2)盐沼湿地景观格局演化模式呈明显的阶段性特征:1973—1995年为动荡期,演化模式以消失和破碎为主导;1995—2010为过渡期,格局演化模式逐渐由消失和破碎为主导转变为扩张为主导;2010年后为稳定期,格局发生演化的区域较少,总体以新增和扩张为主。(3)36%的盐沼湿地出现了多次格局演变模式的转变,滩涂未利用地、耕地对于景观格局演化频数的影响最为显著,人工表面、养殖池/盐田和道路堤坝的建设导致了盐沼湿地的破碎和消失。

Fluorescence characterization and microbial degradation of dissolved organic matter leached from salt marsh plants in the Yellow River Delta

盐沼植被是沿海水体中溶解有机物(Dissolved Organic Matter,DOM)的重要贡献者。然而,不同盐沼植物释放DOM的动力学特征尚缺乏系统研究和比较。黄河三角洲湿地是中国东海岸面积最大,保护最完善的沿海生态系统之一。本论文研究了2016年10月从黄河三角洲(Yellow River Delta,YRD)盐沼中采集的三种常见沼泽植物(芦苇(Phragmites australis),碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)和獐茅(Aeluropus littoralis)的DOM释放过程。通过测定溶解有机碳(Dissolved Organic Carbon,DOC)和溶解氮(Dissolved Nitrogen,DN)发现,植物叶片释放的DOM浓度远高于其根和茎。在27天的培养期内,平均有15%的生物碳和30%的生物氮以DOC和DN的形式通过植物叶片释放。从植物中释放的DOM非常不稳定,在27天的培养期内,细菌共消耗了92.4%-98.1%的DOC和88.0%-94.6%的DN。植物释放DOM的荧光特性表明,发色溶解的有机物(Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter,CDOM)是DOM的主要组分,而类蛋白组分是植物释放CDOM的主要组分。细菌的降解作用改变了DOM的荧光性质和化学组成。上述的室内研究结果得到了实地调查的充分支撑,表明在深秋时期黄河口湿地有大量DOM溢出。本研究结果表明,盐沼植物释放的DOM是沼泽和沿海水域DOC和DN的重要来源,而且易降解DOC和DN为黄河口湿地和邻近沿海水域中的微生物群落提供了重要的食物来源。

黄河三角洲盐沼湿地螃蟹洞穴形态结构对土壤水盐运移过程的影响

明晰潮汐驱动下螃蟹洞穴对盐沼湿地水盐运移过程的扰动效应,对基于生态过程的黄河三角洲盐沼湿地保护与修复具有重要的理论及现实意义。研究结合野外调查和室内水槽模拟实验,探究潮间带螃蟹洞穴形态与分布特征,分析了潮汐作用下不同螃蟹洞穴形态对水盐运移过程的影响。结果表明:(1)潮汐影响下,黄河三角洲潮间带螃蟹洞穴空间分布密度有差异,3条潮沟洞穴密度分别为(15.50±4.65)、(12.90±2.69)和(6.60±2.76)个·(0.25 m^(2))^(-1);(2)对螃蟹洞穴树脂模型进行简化归类,发现其主要形态结构为I型、L型、S型、X型、Y型,以上5种形态在获得的42个螃蟹洞穴中占比高达85.7%;(3)不同螃蟹洞穴形态在潮汐作用下土壤含水量变化趋势没有明显差异,而电导率随高潮与低潮呈现不同的升高与降低过程;(4)潮汐影响下,空白实验组潮汐水入渗量、孔隙水排泄量均显著低于有螃蟹洞穴的实验组,孔隙水排泄主要集中在水位下降时段,而L型洞穴因具有一定的储水能力,使更多的孔隙水在稳定时段排泄。(5)不同螃蟹洞穴形态对土壤盐排泄量有显著影响,S2、X和I组盐排泄量最高,空白组最低,仅为(0.403±0.003)g·d^(-1)。研究结果从水文学角度揭示了螃蟹洞穴的生态功能,将为后续的滨海湿地生态水文过程研究提供参考。

黄河口城市湿地景观格局演变与产业高质量发展研究

以黄河口城市湿地景观格局演变为切入点,借助GIS和CA-Markov模型分析产业结构与湿地利用之间的互动关系。研究发现,“十二五”至“十三五”期间,城市建设等人为活动和国家政策对湿地景观格局演变的影响最为深刻,反映在相关产业对湿地的利用上表现为第一产业和第二产业对湿地的利用占据绝对优势,但结构处于不断优化之中;预计“十四五”到“十五五”期间,沼泽湿地的保护与生态修复成果显著,生态经济效益得以彰显。从未来发展趋势看,单一湿地类型的支配地位明显,产业集聚迎来机遇,而绿色产业发展迫在眉睫。建议从新旧动能转换、产业转型升级、延伸产业链条、发展绿色产业、强化文化引领、打造国家文化公园等方面促进黄河口湿地相关产业实现高质量发展。

黄河三角洲互花米草整治对潮滩湿地防灾功效和沉积动力的影响

互花米草作为黄河三角洲外来入侵物种,2010年开始爆发式蔓延,2020年面积最大时可超6000 hm2,对潮间带生物多样性造成了严重影响。自2020年起,黄河三角洲自然保护区开始大规模的互花米草整治与盐地碱蓬生态修复工作。互花米草具有较强的消浪、缓流、促淤、固滩能力,短期内、大范围的植被去除,可能导致波流和沉积动力环境的突变。基于现场观测数据和考虑植被作用的浪、流、沙耦合数值模型,研究分析了互花米草整治和盐地碱蓬修复对黄河三角洲湿地动力过程的影响,重点关注风暴作用下黄河三角洲潮滩湿地的防灾减灾能力和沉积效应变化。研究结果表明,互花米草可有效抵御极端风暴潮,最大风暴潮位衰减率可达15 cm/km。互花米草整治将导致湿地防灾减灾能力显著下降,堤前风暴潮峰值可抬升10~30 cm,同时潮间带的泥沙捕集能力大幅下降。受限于植被密度、高度,盐地碱蓬完全修复后湿地衰减风暴潮、捕集泥沙的能力显著低于原互花米草湿地。研究建议,互花米草整治工程应考虑短期内植被去除导致的近岸风暴潮抬升、侵蚀加剧等潜在风险。

长江口崇明岛周缘盐沼湿地土壤碳储量的空间格局

盐沼湿地在缓解温室效应和应对气候变化方面发挥着重要作用,是重要的“蓝碳”生态系统。储存在盐沼湿地土壤中的有机碳(SOC)是盐沼湿地碳汇的主要成分,但受植被覆盖、土壤环境等生境要素变化的显著影响。以长江口崇明岛周缘的盐沼湿地为典型研究区域,分别测量了环岛不同样线和不同植被区SOC含量及环境因子(盐度、容重、碳氮比(C/N)等),在此基础上分析了盐沼湿地SOC储量的空间分布格局及其影响因素。结果表明:(1)崇明岛周缘盐沼湿地SOC含量和储量均存在明显的空间异质性,北侧的土壤SOC含量高于南侧,东北侧的SOC储量高于西南侧区域;(2)垂直各层上,SOC含量呈现随土层深度增加逐渐减少的趋势,表层0—50 cm深度的单位面积SOC储量大于50—100 cm深度;(3)植物类型和土壤理化因素(土壤C/N、土壤盐度、土壤容重等)在一定程度上影响了崇明岛周缘盐沼湿地土壤碳储量的空间格局。研究表明,受河口区植被和土壤理化性质等多种因素空间异质性的共同影响,盐沼湿地土壤SOC储量格局也易呈现空间差异,因此在开展盐沼湿地储碳机制研究、科学评估盐沼湿地储碳能力及实现盐沼“蓝碳”固碳增汇时应充分考虑区域间的环境和生态的空间异质性特征。

黄河中游湿地优势植物水分利用的同位素研究

在黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展战略背景下,探究沿黄湿地植物水分利用来源是揭示黄河湿地生态系统演替机制的重要基础.本文以汾河入黄典型河口湿地为研究区,分析旱季(5月)和雨季(9月)不同水源(降水、土壤水、地下水和河水)和优势植物的氢氧同位素特征,辨析湿地水分的补给来源和植物水分利用比例,探讨植物干湿季水分利用策略.结果发现,湿地地下水δ^(18)O、δD值同当地降水和汾河水相比明显贫化,地下水接受当地降水的有效补给仅在雨季,地下水主要来自黄河水侧渗并向汾河排泄.浅层土壤水(0~20cm)主要受降水补给,深层土壤水(20~80cm)则来自毛细地下水和汾河水补给.旱季,不同植物出现了水分利用的生态位分离现象,小型草本小香蒲(Typha minima,(46%±7%))和假苇拂子茅(Calamagrostis pseudophragmites,(95%±1%))对浅层土壤水利用率最高,大型草本水莎草(Juncellus serotinus)主要利用深层土壤水和地下水(89%±23%),而芦苇(Phragmites australis)主要利用河水、地下水和深层土壤水(86%±19%);雨季草本植物均主要利用深层土壤水、地下水和河水,表现出水分利用的生态位重叠.灌木柽柳(Tamarix chinensis)的水源存在季节转换,旱季均衡利用多种水源,雨季主要利用浅层土壤水(68%±5%).在未来暖干气候背景下,柽柳灵活的水分利用模式具有更大的生存优势,而草本植物间的水分竞争可能加剧.研究结果可加强对黄河中游湿地生态系统演变机制的认识,为湿地生态环境建设提供科学依据.

黄河口盐沼湿地沉积物碳储量调查评估

文章依据2021年9月黄河口盐沼湿地沉积物调查数据,分析了沉积物粒度、容重、有机碳分布特征,并对黄河口盐沼湿地沉积物碳密度及碳储量进行评估。结果显示,黄河口盐沼湿地沉积物类型以粉砂为主,部分层次为砂质粉砂和黏土质粉砂;4种植被类型中,不同深度的沉积物容重差异性不大,互花米草和盐地碱蓬分布区容重整体大于柽柳和芦苇分布区;互花米草、盐地碱蓬、芦苇和柽柳分布区沉积物中有机碳含量分别为0.199%、0.200%、0.184%和0.161%,互花米草和盐地碱蓬分布区底质中有机碳含量较芦苇和柽柳分布区偏高,这与互花米草和盐地碱蓬分布区含有更多的黏土组分有关;计算得出,黄河口盐沼湿地沉积物总碳储量为33.47万t,其中互花米草分布区为14.31万t,芦苇分布区为12.05万t,柽柳分布区为5.27万t,盐地碱蓬分布区为1.84万t。