1
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Zhang M, Li Z, Zhang B, Zhang R, Xing F. Planting grass enhances relations between soil microbes and enzyme activities and restores soil functions in a degraded grassland. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1290849. [PMID: 38426067 PMCID: PMC10903263 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1290849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Forage culture is a common way to restore degraded grasslands and soil functions, in which the reconstruction of the soil microbial community and its relationship with extracellular enzyme activity (EEAs) can characterize the recovery effects of degraded grasslands. However, the impacts of forage culture on the interaction between soil microbes and EEAs and whether the recovery effect of soil functions depends on the varying degradation statuses remain unclear. Methods We conducted a plantation of a dominant grass, Leymus chinensis, in the soil collected from severe, moderate, light, and non-degradation statuses in the Songnen grassland in northeastern China. We measured soil microbial diversity and soil EEAs, and predicted microbial functional groups using FUNGuild. Results The results showed that L. chinensis culture promoted soil bacterial alpha diversity and soil EEAs only in the moderate degradation status, indicating a dramatic dependence of the recovery effects of the grass culture on degradation status of the grassland. After planting L. chinensis for 10 weeks, a decreasing trend in the chemoheterotrophy and nitrate-reduction microbial functional groups was found. In contrast, the abundance of the nitrogen (N)-fixing microbial functional group tended to increase. The positive correlation between soil EEAs and the nitrate-reduction and N-fixing microbial functional groups was enhanced by planting L. chinensis, indicating that grass culture could promote soil N cycle functions. Conclusion We illuminate that grass culture may promote the restoration of soil functions, especially soil N cycling in degraded grasslands, and the recovery effect may depend on the grassland degradation status. We emphasized that selection of the plant species for restoration of grasslands needs to consider the restoration effects of microbial functional groups and soil functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Changchun, China
| | - Zhuo Li
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Changchun, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Changchun, China
| | - Ruohui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Changchun, China
| | - Fu Xing
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Changchun, China
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2
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Zhou W, Li C, Wang S, Ren Z, Stringer LC. Effects of vegetation restoration on soil properties and vegetation attributes in the arid and semi-arid regions of China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 343:118186. [PMID: 37224686 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Driven by the goal of reversing desertification and recovering degraded lands, a wide range of vegetation restoration practices (such as planting and fencing) have been implemented in China's drylands. It is essential to examine the effects of vegetation restoration and environmental factors on soil nutrients to optimize restoration approaches. However, quantitative evaluation on this topic is insufficient due to a lack of long-term field monitoring data. This study evaluated the effects of sandy steppe restoration and sand dune fixation in the semi-arid desert, and natural and artificial vegetation restoration in the arid desert. It considered soil and plant characteristics using long-term (2005-2015) data from the Naiman Research Station located in the semi-arid region and Shapotou Research Station in the arid region of China's drylands. Results showed the sandy steppe had higher soil nutrient contents, vegetation biomass and rate of accumulating soil organic matter (OM) than the fixed dunes and moving dunes. Soil nutrient contents and vegetation biomass of the natural vegetation of Artemisia ordosica were higher than those of the artificial restoration of Artemisia ordosica since 1956. Artificial restoration had a higher rate of accumulating soil OM, total nitrogen (TN) and grass litter biomass than natural restoration. Soil water indirectly affected soil OM by affecting vegetation. Grass diversity was the main influencing factor on soil OM variance in the semi-arid Naiman desert while shrub diversity was the main factor in the arid Shapotou desert. These findings indicate that sand fixation in the semi-arid desert and vegetation restoration in the arid desert bring benefits for soil nutrient accumulation and vegetation improvement, and that natural restoration is preferable to artificial restoration. Results can be used to formulate sustainable vegetation restoration strategies, such as encouraging natural restoration, considering local resource constraints, and giving priority to restoring shrubs in arid areas with limited water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Changjia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Shuai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuobing Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Lindsay C Stringer
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, UK; York Environmental Sustainability Institute, University of York, York, UK
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3
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Abrahão A, Marhan S, Boeddinghaus RS, Nawaz A, Wubet T, Hölzel N, Klaus VH, Kleinebecker T, Freitag M, Hamer U, Oliveira RS, Lambers H, Kandeler E. Microbial drivers of plant richness and productivity in a grassland restoration experiment along a gradient of land-use intensity. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 236:1936-1950. [PMID: 36128644 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) underlying grassland plant richness and productivity are typically coupled with nutrient availability; however, we lack understanding of how restoration measures to increase plant diversity might affect PSFs. We examined the roles of sward disturbance, seed addition and land-use intensity (LUI) on PSFs. We conducted a disturbance and seed addition experiment in 10 grasslands along a LUI gradient and characterized plant biomass and richness, soil microbial biomass, community composition and enzyme activities. Greater plant biomass at high LUI was related to a decrease in the fungal to bacterial ratios, indicating highly productive grasslands to be dominated by bacteria. Lower enzyme activity per microbial biomass at high plant species richness indicated a slower carbon (C) cycling. The relative abundance of fungal saprotrophs decreased, while pathogens increased with LUI and disturbance. Both fungal guilds were negatively associated with plant richness, indicating the mechanisms underlying PSFs depended on LUI. We show that LUI and disturbance affect fungal functional composition, which may feedback on plant species richness by impeding the establishment of pathogen-sensitive species. Therefore, we highlight the need to integrate LUI including its effects on PSFs when planning for practices that aim to optimize plant diversity and productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Abrahão
- Department of Soil Biology, Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Biology, Science Center, Federal University of Ceará - UFC, Fortaleza, CE, 60440-900, Brazil
| | - Sven Marhan
- Department of Soil Biology, Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Runa S Boeddinghaus
- Department of Soil Biology, Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- Landwirtschaftliches Technologiezentrum Augustenberg, 76227, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ali Nawaz
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ - Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Department of Civil, Geo and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Tesfaye Wubet
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ - Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
- German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Norbert Hölzel
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Heisenbergstr. 2, D-48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Valentin H Klaus
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Universitätstr. 2, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Till Kleinebecker
- Institute of Landscape Ecology and Resources Management, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392, Gießen, Germany
- Center for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Senckenbergstrasse 3, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Freitag
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Heisenbergstr. 2, D-48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Ute Hamer
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Heisenbergstr. 2, D-48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Rafael S Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-970, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Hans Lambers
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Ellen Kandeler
- Department of Soil Biology, Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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4
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Hu J, Zhou Q, Cao Q, Hu J. Effects of ecological restoration measures on vegetation and soil properties in semi-humid sandy land on the southeast Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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5
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Stroot L, Brinkert A, Hölzel N, Rüsing A, Bucharova A. Establishment of wildflower strips in a wide range of environments: a lesson from a landscape‐scale project. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Stroot
- Institute of Landscape Ecology University of Münster Münster Germany
| | - Annika Brinkert
- Biological Station of the County Steinfurt Tecklenburg Germany
| | - Norbert Hölzel
- Institute of Landscape Ecology University of Münster Münster Germany
| | - Alina Rüsing
- Institute of Landscape Ecology University of Münster Münster Germany
| | - Anna Bucharova
- Institute of Landscape Ecology University of Münster Münster Germany
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6
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Recovering lost hay meadows: An overview of floodplain-meadow restoration projects in England and Wales. J Nat Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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7
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Sullivan E, Hall N, Ashton P. Restoration of upland hay meadows over an 11‐year chronosequence: an evaluation of the success of green hay transfer. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Sullivan
- Department of BiologyEdge Hill University, St Helens Road Ormskirk L40 4QP U.K
| | - Noah Hall
- Edge Hill University, 7 Innisbrook Gardens Bangor BT19 1DU U.K
| | - Paul Ashton
- Department of BiologyEdge Hill University, St Helens Road Ormskirk L40 4QP U.K
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8
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Lubin TK, Schultz P, Bever JD, Alexander HM. Are two strategies better than one? Manipulation of seed density and soil community in an experimental prairie restoration. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Terra K. Lubin
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of Kansas Lawrence KS 66045 U.S.A
- Kansas Biological SurveyUniversity of Kansas Lawrence KS 66045 U.S.A
| | - Peggy Schultz
- Kansas Biological SurveyUniversity of Kansas Lawrence KS 66045 U.S.A
- Environmental Studies ProgramUniversity of Kansas Lawrence KS 66045 U.S.A
| | - James D. Bever
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of Kansas Lawrence KS 66045 U.S.A
- Kansas Biological SurveyUniversity of Kansas Lawrence KS 66045 U.S.A
| | - Helen M. Alexander
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of Kansas Lawrence KS 66045 U.S.A
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9
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Wohlwend MR, Schutzenhofer MR, Knight TM. Long‐term experiment manipulating community assembly results in favorable restoration outcomes for invaded prairies. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Wohlwend
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle‐Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1 Halle (Saale) 06108 Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e Leipzig 04103 Germany
| | - Michele R. Schutzenhofer
- Division of Science and Mathematics McKendree University, 701 College Road Lebanon IL 62254 U.S.A
| | - Tiffany M. Knight
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle‐Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1 Halle (Saale) 06108 Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e Leipzig 04103 Germany
- Department of Community Ecology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research‐ UFZ, Theodor‐Lieser‐Straße 4 Halle (Saale) 06120 Germany
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10
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Do arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a role in the ability of rare plant species to colonize abandoned fields? FUNGAL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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11
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Švamberková E, Doležal J, Lepš J. The legacy of initial sowing after 20 years of ex-arable land colonisation. Oecologia 2019; 190:459-469. [PMID: 31111202 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04415-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Priority effects provide an advantage to early establishing species and are thought to significantly affect the course of succession. We conducted a 20-year long experiment sowing high- and low-diversity mixtures in an ex-arable field. We ask how long the effect of sowing persists and which sown species affect the course of succession. The experiment was established in the Czech Republic in five replicate blocks, each containing three random 10 × 10 m plots with three treatments: natural colonisation, sowing low- and high-diversity seed mixtures. The species cover was annually estimated in 12 permanent 1 m2 quadrates within each plot. To identify the effects of sowing, we used an innovative method analysing the data separately for each year using Redundancy analysis (RDA) with identity of sown species as explanatory variables. In the first year, the effect of sowing was small; the peak of explained variability occurred between third and fifth year. The legacy of sowing was detectable in the natural colonisers for 18 years and in the sown species for the whole 20-year period. For some species, the difference between the plots where they were and were not sown remained significant for the whole 20-year period (e.g. Lathyrus pratensis) although the plots were adjacent and the area was mown with the same machine. Other ones (e.g. Trisetum flavescens) colonised all the plots evenly. The long-lasting effect of the initial sowing confirms contingency of successional pathway on the propagule pressure in the time of start of succession due to the priority effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Švamberková
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiří Doležal
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Section of Plant Ecology, Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Lepš
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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12
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Marin M, Laverack G, Matthews S, Powell AA. Germination characteristics of Rhinanthus minor influence field emergence, competitiveness and potential use in restoration projects. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2019; 21:470-479. [PMID: 29427342 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The facultative root hemi-parasite Rhinanthus minor is often used in grassland habitat restoration projects to regulate ecosystem structure and function. Its impact on community productivity and diversity as a function of resource supply, sward composition and management has been widely investigated. However, there is a lack of information about the possible influence of seed quality on the efficacy of the hemi-parasite. Ten seed lots from commercial sources were sown in the field and their germination characteristics investigated in the laboratory. Seeds from four lots were also germinated and sown in pots alongside plants of two host species, Lotus corniculatus and Holcus lanatus. Plant establishment, height and flowering density were evaluated for the hemi-parasite, while plant biomass was measured for both R. minor and its host. Two aspects of seed quality influenced the field emergence of seed lots of R. minor, the radicle emergence (%) and the length of the lag period from the beginning of imbibition to germination (mean germination time), which indicates seed vigour. A longer lag period (lower vigour) was associated with higher levels of seedling mortality and lower plant vigour, in terms of plant height and biomass accumulation and was also reflected in the parasitic impact of the seed lots. Seed quality, specifically germination and vigour, can influence the establishment, survival, subsequent plant productivity and parasitic impact of R. minor in vegetation restoration projects. Seed quality is discussed as a key factor to consider when predicting the impact of the hemi-parasite on community productivity and diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Marin
- Scotia Seeds, Brechin, UK
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - S Matthews
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - A A Powell
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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13
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Chen N, Ratajczak Z, Yu K. A dryland re‐vegetation in northern China: Success or failure? Quick transitions or long lags? Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro‐ecosystems School of Life Sciences Lanzhou University No. 222, Tianshui South Road Lanzhou Gansu 730000 China
- Yuzhong Mountain Ecosystem Field Observation and Research Station Lanzhou University No. 222, Tianshui South Road Lanzhou Gansu 730000 China
- Shapotou Desert Research and Environment Station Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment and Resources Chinese Academy of Sciences No. 320, Donggang West Road Lanzhou Gansu 730000 China
| | - Zak Ratajczak
- Department of Integrative Biology University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison Wisconsin 53703 USA
| | - Kailiang Yu
- School of Biological Sciences University of Utah Salt Lake City Utah 84112 USA
- Institute of Integrative Biology ETH Zürich Zürich 8006 Switzerland
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14
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Fry EL, Savage J, Hall AL, Oakley S, Pritchard WJ, Ostle NJ, Pywell RF, Bullock JM, Bardgett RD. Soil multifunctionality and drought resistance are determined by plant structural traits in restoring grassland. Ecology 2018; 99:2260-2271. [PMID: 30129182 PMCID: PMC6849565 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
It is increasingly recognized that belowground responses to vegetation change are closely linked to plant functional traits. However, our understanding is limited concerning the relative importance of different plant traits for soil functions and of the mechanisms by which traits influence soil properties in the real world. Here we test the hypothesis that taller species, or those with complex rooting structures, are associated with high rates of nutrient and carbon (C) cycling in grassland. We further hypothesized that communities dominated by species with deeper roots may be more resilient to drought. These hypotheses were tested in a 3‐yr grassland restoration experiment on degraded ex‐arable land in southern England. We sowed three trait‐based plant functional groups, assembled using database derived values of plant traits, and their combinations into bare soil. This formed a range of plant trait syndromes onto which we superimposed a simulated drought 2 yr after initial establishment. We found strong evidence that community weighted mean (CWM) of plant height is negatively associated with soil nitrogen cycling and availability and soil multifunctionality. We propose that this was due to an exploitative resource capture strategy that was inappropriate in shallow chalk soils. Further, complexity of root architecture was positively related to soil multifunctionality throughout the season, with fine fibrous roots being associated with greater rates of nutrient cycling. Drought resistance of soil functions including ecosystem respiration, mineralization, and nitrification were positively related to functional divergence of rooting depth, indicating that, in shallow chalk soils, a range of water capture strategies is necessary to maintain functions. Finally, after 3 yr of the experiment, we did not detect any links between the plant traits and microbial communities, supporting the finding that traits based on plant structure and resource foraging capacity are the main variables driving soil function in the early years of grassland conversion. We suggest that screening recently restored grassland communities for potential soil multifunctionality and drought resilience may be possible based on rooting architecture and plant height. These results indicate that informed assembly of plant communities based on plant traits could aid in the restoration of functioning in degraded soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen L Fry
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Savage
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, OX10 8BB, United Kingdom
| | - Amy L Hall
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Oakley
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
| | - W J Pritchard
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J Ostle
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, United Kingdom.,Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, United Kingdom
| | - Richard F Pywell
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, OX10 8BB, United Kingdom
| | - James M Bullock
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, OX10 8BB, United Kingdom
| | - Richard D Bardgett
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
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15
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Delgado-Baquerizo M, Fry EL, Eldridge DJ, de Vries FT, Manning P, Hamonts K, Kattge J, Boenisch G, Singh BK, Bardgett RD. Plant attributes explain the distribution of soil microbial communities in two contrasting regions of the globe. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2018; 219:574-587. [PMID: 29672854 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We lack strong empirical evidence for links between plant attributes (plant community attributes and functional traits) and the distribution of soil microbial communities at large spatial scales. Using datasets from two contrasting regions and ecosystem types in Australia and England, we report that aboveground plant community attributes, such as diversity (species richness) and cover, and functional traits can predict a unique portion of the variation in the diversity (number of phylotypes) and community composition of soil bacteria and fungi that cannot be explained by soil abiotic properties and climate. We further identify the relative importance and evaluate the potential direct and indirect effects of climate, soil properties and plant attributes in regulating the diversity and community composition of soil microbial communities. Finally, we deliver a list of examples of common taxa from Australia and England that are strongly related to specific plant traits, such as specific leaf area index, leaf nitrogen and nitrogen fixation. Together, our work provides new evidence that plant attributes, especially plant functional traits, can predict the distribution of soil microbial communities at the regional scale and across two hemispheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán s/n, 28933, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Ellen L Fry
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - David J Eldridge
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Franciska T de Vries
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Peter Manning
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kelly Hamonts
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Jens Kattge
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, PO Box 10 01 64, Jena, 07701, Germany
| | - Gerhard Boenisch
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, PO Box 10 01 64, Jena, 07701, Germany
| | - Brajesh K Singh
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- Global Centre for Land-Based Innovation, Western Sydney University, Penrith South DC, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Richard D Bardgett
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
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Liu Z, Baoyin T, Sun J, Minggagud H, Li X. Plant sizes mediate mowing-induced changes in nutrient stoichiometry and allocation of a perennial grass in semi-arid grassland. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:3109-3118. [PMID: 29607010 PMCID: PMC5869294 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
While mowing‐induced changes in plant traits and their effects on ecosystem functioning in semi‐arid grassland are well studied, the relations between plant size and nutrient strategies are largely unknown. Mowing may drive the shifts of plant nutrient limitation and allocation. Here, we evaluated the changes in nutrient stoichiometry and allocation with variations in sizes of Leymus chinensis, the dominant plant species in Inner Mongolia grassland, to various mowing frequencies in a 17‐yr controlled experiment. Affected by mowing, the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) in leaves and stems were significantly increased, negatively correlating with plant sizes. Moreover, we found significant trade‐offs between the concentrations and accumulation of N, P, and C in plant tissues. The N:P ratios of L. chinensis aboveground biomass, linearly correlating with plant size, significantly decreased with increased mowing frequencies. The ratios of C:N and C:P of L. chinensis individuals were positively correlated with plant size, showing an exponential pattern. With increased mowing frequencies, L. chinensis size was correlated with the allocation ratios of leaves to stems of N, P, and C by the tendencies of negative parabola, positive, and negative linear. The results of structure equation modeling showed that the N, P, and C allocations were co‐regulated by biomass allocation and nutrient concentration ratios of leaves to stems. In summary, we found a significant decoupling effect between plant traits and nutrient strategies along mowing frequencies. Our results reveal a mechanism for how long‐term mowing‐induced changes in concentrations, accumulations, ecological stoichiometry, and allocations of key elements are mediated by the variations in plant sizes of perennial rhizome grass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiying Liu
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology School of Ecology and Environment Inner Mongolia University Hohhot China
| | - Taogetao Baoyin
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology School of Ecology and Environment Inner Mongolia University Hohhot China
| | - Juan Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao China
| | - Hugjiltu Minggagud
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology School of Ecology and Environment Inner Mongolia University Hohhot China
| | - Xiliang Li
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology and Restoration of Ministry of Agriculture National Forage Improvement Center Institute of Grassland Research Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Hohhot China
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Mariotte P, Mehrabi Z, Bezemer TM, De Deyn GB, Kulmatiski A, Drigo B, Veen G(C, van der Heijden MG, Kardol P. Plant–Soil Feedback: Bridging Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Trends Ecol Evol 2018; 33:129-142. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and associated microbial communities from dry grassland do not improve plant growth on abandoned field soil. Oecologia 2018; 186:677-689. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-4054-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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19
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Wang H, Deng N, Wu D, Hu S, Kou M. Long-term net transformation and quantitative molecular mechanisms of soil nitrogen during natural vegetation recovery of abandoned farmland on the Loess Plateau of China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 607-608:152-159. [PMID: 28689119 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The availability of nitrogen (N) can alter vegetation species composition and diversity in degraded ecosystems. A comprehensive understanding of the dynamic fate of ammonium (NH4+-N) and nitrate (NO3--N) processing and the underlying mechanisms are still lacking, particularly in arid to semi-arid degraded ecosystems. We compared and quantified the changes in the rates of net ammonification (Ra), nitrification (Rn) and total mineralization (Rm) and the abundance of bacteria, archaea, and microbial genes related to N transformation on the northern Loess Plateau of China across a 40-year chronosequence of farmland undergoing spontaneous restoration. We found that Ra, Rn, and Rm decreased in grassland soils (0-30-y sites) of different ages and exhibited significant increases at the 40-y sites. The capabilities of the soil to deliver NH4+-N and NO3--N were not a limiting factor during the growing season after 40years of vegetation recovery. Soil mineral nitrogen may be not suitable for predicting and assessing the long-term (approximately 40years) restoration success and progress. The abundance of functional N genes showed differences in sensitivity to natural vegetation recovery of abandoned farmland, which likely reflects the fact that the multi-pathways driven by N functional microbial communities had a large influence on the dynamic fate of NH4+-N and NO3--N. Quantitative response relationships between net N transformation rates and microbial genes related to N transformation were established, and these relationships confirmed that different N transformation processes were strongly linked with certain N functional genes, and collaboratively contributed to N transformation as vegetation recovery progressed. Specifically, Ra was controlled by AOA-amoA, AOB-amoA, and nxrA; Rn was governed by napA, narG, nirK, nirS, and nosZ; and Rm was controlled by nifH, apr, AOA-amoA, AOB-amoA, nirS, and nirK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dry Land Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Na Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dry Land Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Duoyang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dry Land Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dry Land Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Meng Kou
- College of Natural Resources & Environment and History & Culture, Xianyang Normal University, Shaanxi, Xianyang 712000, China
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20
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Duration of the conditioning phase affects the results of plant-soil feedback experiments via soil chemical properties. Oecologia 2017; 186:459-470. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-4033-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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