Relation of Wind-induced Sand Displacement to Plant Biomass and Plant Sand-binding Capacity

Desertification is a process in which vegetation cover degrades followed by increased wind and water erosion. Plants adapted to moving sand conditions are able to reverse this process. They can stabilize die substrate. Not much data is available on the soil stabilization capacity of plants. This study was conducted to investigate the wind-induced sand displacement around plants in relation to their biomass. Sand displacement is examined in relation to the biomass allocation pattern of three different plant species. A new method was developed to experimentally investigate plant sand-binding capacity. The relationship between sand displacement and plant biomass was not linear. Apart from the amount of biomass, species-specific plant characters like the biomass allocation pattern and plant structure may be very important in determining the sand-binding capacity.

Aggregate Characteristics During Natural Revegetation on the Loess Plateau

Field investigations and laboratory analysis were conducted to study the characteristics of soil water-stable aggregates during vegetation rehabilitation in typical grassland soils of the hilly-gullied loess area. The relationship between water- stable aggregates and other soil properties was analyzed using canonical correlation analysis and principal component analysis. The results show that during the natural revegetation, the aggregates 〉 5 mm dominated and constituted between 50% and 80% of the total soil water-stable aggregates in most of the soil layers. The 2-5 mm aggregate class was the second main component. The mean value of water-stable aggregates 〉 5 mm within the 0-2 m soil profile under different plant communities decreased in the following order： Stipa grandis 〉 Stipa bungeana Trin. 〉 Artemisia sacrorum Ledeb. 〉 Thymus mongolicus Ronn. 〉 Hierochloe odorata （L.） Beauv. Clay, organic matter, and total N were the key factors that influenced the water stability of the aggregates. Total N and organic matter were the main factors that affected the water stability of the aggregates 〉 5 mm and 0.5-1 mm in size. The contents of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and physical clay （〈 0.01 mm） were the main factors which affected the water stability of the 1-2 and 0.25-0.5 mm aggregates.

SLOPE LITHOLOGIC PROPERTY, SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION AND REVEGETATION IN DRY-HOT VALLEY OF JINSHA RIVER

The dry-hot valley of the Jinsha River is one of the typical eco-fragile areas in Southwest China, as well as a focus of revegetation study in the upper and middle reaches of the Changjiang River. Due to its extremely dry and hot climate, severely degraded vegetation and the intense soil and water loss, there are extreme difficulties in vegetation restoration in this area and no great breakthrough has ever been achieved on studies of revegetation over the last several decades. Through over ten years’ research conducted in the typical areas-the Yuanmou dry-hot valley, the authors found that the lithologic property is one of the crucial factors determining soil moisture conditions and vegetation types in the dry-hot valley, and the rainfall infiltration capability is also one of the key factors affecting the tree growth. Then the revegetation zoning based on different slopes was conducted and revegetation patterns for different zones were proposed.

Preliminary assessment of revegetation potential through ryegrass growing on bauxite residue

Bauxite residue(BR),a by-product of the industrial production of alumina,has raised environmental concerns in the last decades,due to the presence of high amounts of alkali and various heavy metal ions.Limited studies on the application of abandoned BR with massive consumption have been reported.In this study,the possibility of the revegetation using ryegrass growing on BR was discussed mainly through the growth indications and transfer of heavy metal ions in BR and plants.In the pot trails,ryegrass was seeded on BR,de-alkali BR,with(DBRO)or without(DBR)organic fertilizer,respectively.The results indicated that the remediation of bauxite residue can be achieved through de-alkali with acid neutralization.Elemental analysis indicated that the elements,except for Fe,Mn and Pb,were stable in plant roots,and ryegrass could hardly absorb Cd.But,some heavy metals such as Cu enriched in plants,which should be noted in revegetation on bauxite residue.

Soil restoration research advances of artificial sand-binding vegetation ecosystem in the Tengger Desert, Northern China

Soil plays an important role in desert ecosystem, and is vital in constructing a steady desert ecosystem. The management and restoration of desertified land have been the focus of much discussion. The soil in Shapotou desert region has developed remarkably since artificial sand-binding vegetation established in 1946. The longer the period of dune stabilization, the greater the thickness of microbiotic crusts and subsoil. Meanwhile, proportion of silt and clay increased significantly, and soil bulk density declinced. The content of soil organic matter, N, P, and K similarly increased. Therefore, soil has developed from aeolian sand soil to Calcic-Orthic aridisols. This paper discusses the effects brought about by dust, microbiotic soil crust and soil microbes on soil-forming process. Then, we analyzed the relation between soil formation and sand-binding vegetation evolution, in order to provide a baseline for both research on desert ecosystem recovery and ecological environment governance in arid and semi-arid areas.

Grazing alters sandy soil greenhouse gas emissions in a sand-binding area of the Hobq Desert,China

Deserts are sensitive to environmental changes caused by human interference and are prone to degradation.Revegetation can promote the reversal of desertification and the subsequent formation of fixed sand.However,the effects of grazing,which can cause the ground-surface conditions of fixed sand to further deteriorate and result in re-desertification,on the greenhouse gas(GHG)fluxes from soils remain unknown.Herein,we investigated GHG fluxes in the Hobq Desert,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China,at the mobile(desertified),fixed(vegetated),and grazed(re-desertified)sites from January 2018 to December 2019.We analyzed the response mechanism of GHG fluxes to micrometeorological factors and the variation in global warming potential(GWP).CO_(2)was emitted at an average rate of 4.2,3.7,and 1.1 mmol/(m^(2)•h)and N_(2)O was emitted at an average rate of 0.19,0.15,and 0.09μmol/(m^(2)•h)at the grazed,fixed,and mobile sites,respectively.Mean CH_(4) consumption was as follows:fixed site(2.9μmol/(m^(2)•h))>grazed site(2.7μmol/(m^(2)•h))>mobile site(1.1μmol/(m^(2)•h)).GHG fluxes varied seasonally,and soil temperature(10 cm)and soil water content(30 cm)were the key micrometeorological factors affecting the fluxes.The changes in the plant and soil characteristics caused by grazing resulted in increased soil CO_(2)and N_(2)O emissions and decreased CH_(4) absorption.Grazing also significantly increased the GWP of the soil(P<0.05).This study demonstrates that grazing on revegetated sandy soil can cause re-desertification and significantly increase soil carbon and nitrogen leakage.These findings could be used to formulate informed policies on the management and utilization of desert ecosystems.

Assisted Revegetation Following Contaminated Site Remediation in the Arctic: Four-Year Case Study of a Former Radar Site

Cape Dyer (DYE-M), located on the easternmost point of Baffin Island, is a former DEW line radar station built in 1956-57 which was upgraded in 1993 as part of the current North Warning System. Environmental studies in the late 1990s and early 2000s determined that extensive soil contamination existed across the site, and excavation of six landfills and subsequent reshaping of the area in 2008 disturbed approximately 19,700 m2. A four-year pilot project was conducted between 2009 and 2012 to investigate feasibility of, and determine methods to, accelerate revegetation of the disturbed area through assisted seed dispersal of native and non native species and selective transplantation of slow-growing shrub species. Prior to revegetation efforts, plant surveys conducted in July 2009 determined that 15 species were present in the undisturbed areas, of which Salix arctica (~11%), Vaccinium uliginosum L. (~8%), and Empetrum nigrum L. (~5%) were the predominant species. A total of 14 species (three new) were observed growing on the disturbed areas between 2010 and 2012. The majority of Lolium multiflorum (annual ryegrass) seeds planted as a nurse species in 2009 grew in 2010, but most were stunted and only observed in furrows or sheltered areas at a low density. Salix arctica Pall. (willow) cuttings planted in “islands” of 20-30 cuttings in fall 2009 had a three-year survival rate of 82%, while a second set of cuttings planted in fall 2011 had a one-year survival rate of 93%. Visual observations indicate that patches of new vegetation are becoming more predominant on the disturbed area, especially around the willow islands, indicating the importance of microtopography for successful reclamation in arctic environments. Monitoring over ten or more years will be required to determine the long term success of this project.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Technology in Reclamation and Revegetation of Coal Mine Spoils under Various Revegetation Models

Reclamation and revegetation of a coal mine spoils with various revegetation models utilizing the mycorrhizal technology were studied. The models with different combination of plant species were designed to test the hypothesis of speedy revegetation. Root colonization and spore density of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) were lowest in plants seeded directly on slopes of the overburden (coal mine dump). At flat surfaces, the mycorrhizal colonization in plant species was higher than that observed at slopes. In other revegetation models, i.e., tree monoculture, tree monoculture + crop species (agroforestry), and two strata plantations (combination of different plant species), maximum AM colonization was recorded for tree species grown along with crop species. This was followed by two strata plantations and tree monoculture. In two strata plantations three categories of AM associations were recognized: 1) every plant in the combination, possessed high mycorrhizal association, 2) only one plant in the combination possessed high mycorrhizal association, and 3) none of the plants in the combination possessed high mycorrhizal association. Azadirachta indica, Pongamia pinnata, Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia catechu were most effective in catching mycorrhizae, and can be used as the effective tool in rehabilitation of the degraded ecosystems.

腾格里沙漠东南缘人工固沙植被演替地面节肢动物群落多样性分布特征

在腾格里沙漠东南缘选取2、5、8、34 a和57 a的不同年限人工固沙植被区为研究样地,以流动沙地为对照,利用陷阱诱捕法调查了不同样地地面节肢动物的群落组成及多样性特征,阐明了固沙植被区地面节肢动物多样性对植被演替的响应规律。结果表明:(1)此次调查共获得地面节肢动物15685头,隶属于15目40科44个类群。随固沙年限的增加,地面节肢动物优势类群数基本无变化,常见类群数和稀有类群数分别增加了0.5—2.5倍和0.25—2.75倍;捕食性、植食性和杂食性地面节肢动物类群数均呈上升趋势,分别增加了0.5—3倍、0.2—4.2倍和0.3—1.67倍。(2)地面节肢动物总个体数表现为8 a和57 a固沙植被区显著高于流动沙地(P<0.05),分别是流沙地的3.85倍和3.03倍;类群数和多样性指数均表现为57 a和34 a固沙植被区显著高于其他年限固沙植被区(P<0.05),且57 a固沙植被区地面节肢动物类群数显著高于34 a固沙植被区(P<0.05)。(3)草本植物密度、土壤有机碳和灌木高度是影响固沙植被区地面节肢动物群落组成及多样性分布的主要因子,解释率分别为48.1%、25.2%和9.1%。草本密度、土壤有机碳与地面节肢动物个体数、类群数和多样性指数均呈显著正相关(P<0.05);灌木高度与地面节肢动物个体数呈显著正相关,与类群数和多样性指数呈显著负相关(P<0.05)。综上所述:地面节肢动物对固沙植被不同演替阶段环境条件的选择和适应性不同。流动沙地经人工固沙后,可以提高地面节肢动物的多样性,且34 a固沙时间是地面节肢动物多样性保持相对稳定的关键时间节点。

中国高陡岩质边坡植被重建技术现状与展望

工程建设和矿山开采等活动形成了大量裸露的岩质边坡,由此可能带来许多地质和生态环境问题。随着边坡治理技术的发展,兼具稳定边坡和绿化环境双重功能的植被重建技术,逐步取代传统的单一工程治理技术,被广泛应用于边坡恢复治理。高陡岩质边坡因坡度陡、高差大,坡面固土保水困难,导致植被生长条件十分恶劣,所以该类岩质边坡的植被重建工作极其困难。为此,文章在分析高陡岩质边坡生态特点的基础上,重点总结了适宜高陡岩质边坡的植被重建技术,并阐述了各类代表性技术的基本概念、适用范围及优缺点。同时,论述了边坡植被重建技术的主要研究热点,指出各类技术中可能存在的理论研究薄弱、基质稳定性差、植被单一、技术选型不合理以及养护费用高等问题,并从特殊生境技术开发、基质研发、植物选配、护坡机理研究、评价机制建立及信息技术应用等方面进行了展望,以期为中国高陡岩质边坡植被重建技术的工程实践和理论研究提供一定的借鉴和参考。

种子功能性状在道路边坡植物群落形成过程中的作用

道路边坡是一种受人为活动持续干扰的人造生境。因受种子可用性和苛刻立地环境的双重限制,道路边坡植被恢复一直是困扰林业管理者的难题。尽管现有边坡恢复工程技术已相对成熟,但恢复的植物群落通常缺乏自然性和可持续性,其重要原因之一在于既有恢复技术通常忽略群落的形成规律及植物性状在群落构建过程中的潜在作用。植物功能性状分析已成为理解植物群落生态学过程和模式的基本工具,但种子功能性状的重要性在很大程度上仍被忽视,尤其是与种子扩散、沉淀、萌发等群落形成过程密切相关的性状。基于此,为更好理解种子功能性状在边坡植物群落形成过程中的作用,本研究立足于道路边坡生物和非生物环境特征及其生态限制,对既有相关研究进行总结,剖析自然条件下影响植物在道路边坡定植的关键因素,并从种子功能性状角度概述植物种子在扩散、沉淀和萌发等早期群落建立过程中适应边坡环境的生态对策,同时阐述种子功能性状在群落恢复预测以及恢复植物筛选等方面的潜力。总体而言,与种子扩散、沉淀和萌发能力相关的种子性状对植物在道路边坡上成功定植至关重要。演替早期,种源短缺和苛刻非生物环境是影响边坡植物群落建立的主要因素。适应边坡环境的植物,通常在种子扩散、沉淀和萌发等方面有特殊的生态策略,以适应道路边坡强地表径流冲刷、干旱、贫瘠的环境。对相关成果进行总结有利于更好从种子性状角度了解道路边坡早期植物群落的形成过程和规律及种子性状在该过程中的作用和潜力,为生态敏感区内道路边坡植被恢复研究与实践提供理论支撑。

Probabilistic modeling of soil moisture dynamics in a revegetated desert area

Soil moisture is the key link between land hydrological and ecological processes which plays an important role in the terrestrial water cycle. As extreme weather events have increased in recent years, the stochastic simulation of soil moisture has gradually become the focus of ecohydrology research. Based on continuous monitoring of soil moisture data from 2008 to 2011, and histor- ical precipitation data from 199l to 2011, combined with the Rodriguez-Iturbe soil moisture dynamic stochastic model, soil mois- ture dynamics and its probability density fimction in a revegetated desert area was simulated. Results show that annual soil mois- ture dynamic changes of the revegetated desert area during the growing season complied with rainfall distribution; soil moisture probability presents a single-peak distribution in the plant rhizosphere layer （0-60 cm）. The peak width in the 20 cm topsoil was wider than in other soils, and the distribution presented the strong fluctuations and multiple aggregates. The peak widths of 40 cm and 60 cm soil moisture probability distribution were small, which are in accordance with simulated results of the Rodri- guez-lturbe model. This confrms that the Rodriguez-Imrbe model has good applicability and can well simulate the statistical characteristics of soil moisture in an arid revegetated desert area.

裂隙岩体非饱和带温度场和湿度场分布特征及其生态学意义

矿产资源开发及交通设施建设导致大量山体破坏,形成的高陡岩质边坡引发严重的地质安全隐患及生态功能退化等问题,高陡岩质边坡的生态修复势在必行。边坡生态修复的重点在于植被的重建,目前尚存在修复理论缺乏、重建条件不明等诸多难题。为了阐明岩质边坡内温度场和湿度场与边坡植物生长之间的关系,在山东省章丘市小东山建立试验场,开展了多期次边坡温度和相对湿度监测试验,研究了岩质边坡温度场和湿度场的分布特征,并深入分析了其生态学意义。研究表明:(1)大气温度造成了各季节监测孔内温度变化的差异性,冬季裂隙岩体非饱和带内热量从岩体深层传递到岩体表面,春季、夏季则相反,岩体内变温带的深度范围是0~467 cm,恒温带的深度大于467 cm;(2)冬季边坡内的相对湿度随着深度的增加先升高再降低,春季、夏季边坡内的相对湿度随着深度的增加逐渐升高;(3)冬季岩体内20 cm深度附近会出现水汽饱和带,夏季在20~40 cm深度处开始出现水汽饱和带并往更深处延伸;(4)岩体内温度和湿度适宜植物生长,将植物在春季种于20 cm深度附近更易于存活。研究结果对于指导岩质边坡生态修复工作具有重要的理论意义与应用价值。

人工植被重建对沙化高寒草地土壤真菌群落特征的影响

采用实时荧光定量PCR(Quantitative real-time PCR)和Illumina Miseq高通量测序技术研究了天然草地(NG)、沙化草地(DG)、草本人工草地(AG)和人工灌丛植被(AS)四种不同草地类型的表层(0~10 cm)土壤真菌群落的生物量、多样性和结构,以揭示不同人工植被恢复措施对沙化高寒草地土壤真菌群落恢复的影响及其驱动因子。结果表明:1)草地沙化显著(P<0.05)降低了真菌群落的生物量和α多样性,人工植被重建则明显促进了二者的恢复,22年后与NG无显著差异。2)草地沙化和人工植被重建均极显著(P=0.001)改变了真菌群落结构。草地沙化后,担子菌门相对丰度显著(P<0.05)下降,一些稀有真菌趋于消失,而未分类真菌门的相对丰度则显著(P<0.01)增加。经过22年的生态恢复,绝大多数真菌门的相对丰度与NG无显著差异;AG与NG的真菌群落结构比AS与NG更为相似。3)真菌群落α多样性与植被和土壤属性之间的相关关系因多样性指数的不同而异,而其群落结构与大多数植被和土壤属性极显著(P<0.01)正相关,植被和土壤属性二者结合解释了21.4%~50.0%的真菌群落结构变化。以上结果表明,人工植被重建22年后,沙化高寒草地真菌群落的多样性和相对丰度基本得以恢复,但其群落结构与天然草地的相似度仍不高,而利用草本植物进行沙化高寒草地的恢复比灌木物种更有利于土壤真菌群落结构的恢复。

生态恢复领域草种丸粒化研究进展

生态环境治理,是我国提出的旨在保护和建设好生态环境,实现可持续发展的战略决策。退化草地修复和矿山生态恢复是我国生态环境治理重要的任务之一。而当前草地退化严重区的治理难点主要集中在种子萌发和幼苗生长两个阶段。种子丸粒化作为一种种子管理技术,在促进种子萌发、增强出苗率和提高播种能力等方面具有重要作用。通过丸粒化机将种子与丸粒化配方粉剂相结合,制成不同倍数的丸粒化种子,以改善土壤与种子的接触面和生存环境,为生态恢复提供充分的基础保障。前期通过查阅大量有关种子丸粒化相关文献和专利等资料,本研究综述了可被使用在退化高寒草地治理、高寒矿区修复,以及退牧还草等生态恢复领域的种子丸粒化材料,包括填料、黏合剂和活性成分等。以期为我国生态修复工程提供科学理论依据,进而为种子和草种业的高质量发展提供一种新路径。

黄河砒砂岩区生态治理关键技术研究

砒砂岩区是黄河流域生态最脆弱、复合侵蚀最严重的粗泥沙集中来源的核心区,为实现黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展国家战略确立的生态保护重大目标,迫切需要创新砒砂岩区生态治理关键技术。针对砒砂岩区生态退化和复合侵蚀的治理问题,通过典型抽样调查、遥感解译统计、室内水化与力学试验、野外原位观测与示范验证等多种方法,重点研发了砒砂岩区生态治理若干关键技术。介绍了砒砂岩区块体状重力侵蚀治理、砒砂岩改性材料谷坊建造、砒砂岩煤矸石改性利用、砒砂岩质地土壤改良提质、生态综合治理模式等的关键技术原理与内容,以及这些技术的示范应用效果;展望了砒砂岩区生态治理理论与技术研究的发展方向,为砒砂岩区生态治理提供科技支撑,并推进脆弱生态区治理技术的深化研究。

不同生态修复措施对藏东南工程边坡植被重建的作用

[目的]评价青藏高原派墨公路生态恢复过程中环境因素对边坡植物群落的影响,为藏东南工程扰动区生态恢复计划提供理论依据。[方法]以藏东南新修派墨公路为研究对象,基于沿线边坡生态恢复植物群落调查,分析群落盖度、物种多样性指数(Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数、Pielou均匀度指数)、群落加权性状值(比叶面积、叶干物质含量、叶氮含量、叶磷含量)与环境变量(海拔、修复措施)的关系,探究当前恢复重建植物群落对环境变量及工程措施的响应。[结果](1)海拔显著影响Margalef丰富度指数、叶干物质含量(p<0.05);(2)高强度的措施显著提高群落盖度、比叶面积、叶氮含量(p<0.05),但对叶磷含量有显著负向作用(p<0.05);(3)人为高度干预的SJP技术能够显著增加高海拔植物的叶干物质含量,对群落修复效果总体较好。[结论]海拔高度和修复措施是派墨公路沿线边坡植物群落恢复的主要影响因素。随着海拔升高,植被自然恢复难度增大。应加大人为修复措施强度,避免引起高寒地区生态退化。

黄土丘陵区生物多样性与生态系统功能响应关系的分析

为探究黄土高原植物群落生物多样性与生态系统功能的关系,本研究以黄土丘陵区不同环境条件下稳定的自然植物群落为对象,采用3个物种多样性指数(Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson优势度指数、Pielou均匀度指数)和4个功能多样性指数(FRic功能丰富度、FDiv功能趋异指数、FEve功能均匀度和FDis功能离散度),选取地上生物量(Aboveground biomass,AGB)、土壤全氮(Soil total nitrogen,STN)、土壤有机碳(Soil organic carbon,SOC)和土壤全磷(Soil total phosphorus,STP)作为生态系统功能指标,运用冗余分析和全因子回归的方法对影响生态系统功能的因素进行分析。结果表明:Shannon指数、STP随降雨量和气温递增呈现先递增后递减的趋势,FRic呈递减趋势,FDiv,AGB,SOC,STN呈递增趋势(P<0.05);年均降雨量Pa对生态系统功能的贡献值达到21.5%,功能多样性指数(FDiv,FDis,FEve)对生态系统功能的贡献值要高于物种多样性(Shannon指数),且显著影响AGB和STP(P<0.05)。综上所述,在黄土丘陵区降雨量主要影响着生态系统功能,功能多样性对生态系统功能的影响程度比物种多样性更大。本研究可为黄土高原生物多样性和生态系统功能的恢复提供理论依据。

咸水滴灌对盐地碱蓬生育规律的影响

盐生植物是资源化利用盐碱地和地下咸水的有效工具,对干旱半干旱区重度盐渍生境的植被建设和生态恢复有重要意义。本研究以盐地碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)为研究对象,开展为期1年的咸水滴灌定位试验,共设5个灌溉梯度(CK、10、20、30、40 g·L^(-1)),研究咸水滴灌下盐地碱蓬的生长规律。结果表明:盐地碱蓬的耐盐性随生育期进程逐渐增强。盐地碱蓬在萌发期和幼苗生长阶段对盐最为敏感,可以选择成苗率作为评价盐地碱蓬耐盐性的指标。花蕾期-结实期是盐地碱蓬干物质累积的主要时期,在这一时期前增加水肥投入可保证植株地上部的长势和产量,从而提升土壤改良效果。盐地碱蓬具有较强的耐盐性,可用于干旱半干旱地区重度盐碱荒地的植被重建和景观建设。

Environmental Indicators Related to Native Plants to Assess the Quality of Life in the Degraded Desert Area

In Kuwait, the scarcity and irregularity of rainfall, the availability of areas of sand supply and the prevalence of strong north westerly winds significantly influence the stability of the fragile ecosystem. Naturally, grown native shrubs and trees can provide potential shelter to soil surface in desert areas. To study the environmental indicators provided by native plant and their ability to improve quality of life, the morphological properties of the vegetated nabkhas within different areas in Kuwait desert and within protected area were assessed. The vegetated dunes can trap maximum mobile sediments from 10.5 to 0.45 ton thus cost saving per plant estimated to be from 5.5 to 0.24 USD. The arrangements of the native plant from highest efficiency in absorbing carbon dioxides to the least were as follows: Nitraria retusa, Haloxylon salicornicum, Citrullus colocynthis, Tamarix aucheriana, Lycium shawii, Convolvolus oxyphyllus, Rhanterium epapposum, Panicum turgidum, Calligonum polygonoides, Astragalus spinosus, Cyperus conglomerates. The cost saving of CO_(2) per year estimated to be from 0.95 to 1,542.1 USD. The revegetation enhanced physical and chemical quality of soil and created microenvironments for the flora and fauna. The aim of this paper is to identify the environmental indicators related to native plants for the assessment of quality of life.