Dune Soil Research Articles

Soil—landscape relationship of Hissar District using aerial photo — interpretation technique

Soil survey of Hissar district (Haryana) covering total area of 6,331 sq. kms. was carried out using the aerial photographs of 1 : 25,000 scale. A detailed physiographic legend was prepared and boundaries were confirmed in relation to soil. Soil-landscape relationship was established during the course of study. Four major physiographic units were identified in the area : i. e. i) Aeolian plain, ii) Alluvial plain, iii) Drishdawati flood plain, iv) Ghaggar flood plain. Each of the major unit was sub-divided on the basis of photo elements, tone, texture, erosion, parcelling etc. The soils of the sand dunes/ Bars are classified as Typic Torripsamments/Ustipsamments; plain-Typic, Camborthids/Calciorthids/Ustrochrepts; basins-Aquic Ustochrepts and salt affected plain-Aquic Natrustalfs.

Sedimentology and evolution of Omaro Spit, Coromandel Peninsula

The sedimentary structures, composition, and texture of sediments from the barrier coast complex (Matarangi Beach—Omaro Spit—Whangapoua Harbour) at Whangapoua, Coromandel Peninsula, are described. Sediments are mainly fine sands, rarely muddy or silty, and most are plagioclase feldsarenites, reflecting derivation from a predominantly Tertiary volcanic hinterland. Sediments from each of the modern environments, namely nearshore, foreshore, back‐shore, frontal dunes, tidal flats, and tidal channels, are characterised by a particular combination of sedimentary structures and subtle textural parameters. Dune ridge and barrier flat paleoenvironments on Omaro Spit were successfully identified by comparing their lithologic properties with the modern sediments. ‘Surficial’ sediments of the well‐preserved dune ridge system developed immediately inland from Matarangi Beach closely resemble those in the modern frontal dunes, and the ‘in depth’ dune ridge sediments are more analogous to the present foreshore sands. The barrier flat deposits separating the dune ridge system from Whangapoua Harbour have similar characteristics to the modern tidal flat sediments in the harbour. Omaro Spit probably began as an offshore bar across the mouth of Whangapoua Harbour, an embayment formed by the post‐glacial drowning of a Late Tertiary dislocated fault‐block. Tidal flat sedimentation within the harbour formed the ancient barrier flat deposits which rise to at least 2 m above the modern harbour flats, suggesting local sea level at the time was higher than at present. During a subsequent cyclic fall in sea level, supratidal aeolian deposition led to a succession of 15 to 18 parallel dune ridges developed on high‐tide berms. Linear regression analyses of dune ridge and swale heights and the height distribution of positive (aeolian) and negative (beach foreshore) skewness values and of contrasting sedimentary structures in dune ridgL paleosediments, together with the stages in dune soil development across the barrier, suggest initial sedimentation occurred from 4000–5000 years ago when local sea level was 2–3 m above present mean high water level. Barrier progradation was interrupted by an important period of coastal erosion during a temporary rise in sea level immediately before deposition in the dune ridge system of a layer of 2000‐year‐old sea‐rafted Leigh Pumice. Sea level probably reached its modern position at Whangapoua about 1000 years ago, since when some evidence suggests the barrier spit may have experienced minor uplift.

Influence of Prescribed Burning on Infiltration and Sediment Production in the Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Nevada

Highlight: On arid and semiarid rangelands, areas between woody plants are named dune interspaces. Soil and litter accumulate under plants to form mounds which are called coppice dunes. The loss of soil-protecting litter after burning pinyon-juniper communities in eastern Nevada decreased ratesofwater infiltration on coppice dune soil at field capacity and increased sediment production from coppice dunes with the soil dry and at field capacity. Differences in infiltration rates and sediment production of dune interspace soil were related to preburn soil morphological differences, not to burning. Vesicular soil crusts and surface-soil bulk density of coppice dunes were not increased by burning. Coppice soil organic matter was not significantly lower on burned areas, although mean values were slightly lower than those on unburned areas. Soil-water repellency was decreased by burning. Burning is not expected to increase runoff or soil loss substantially on similar areas with coarse-textured soils, because post-burn infiltration rates on coppices in these tests exceeded rainfall rates expected from natural storms.

Direct observation of fungal aggregates in sand dune soil

The mycorrhizal fungus Glomerus in association with bean hosts, Phaseolus vulgaris L., growing in pot cultures and grass hosts, Calamovilfa longiflora (Hook). Scribn and Andropogon sp. growing on Lake Huron sand dunes produced extensive external mycelium. This mycelium was the dominant factor in the aggregation of soil particles. Light and scanning electron microscope studies indicated that the sand grains were attached to the hyphae. An amorphous deposit was often present at the interfaces of sand grains and hyphae. It appeared to act as an adhesive. Staining procedures indicated that this material contained polysaccharide. Other microogranisms were observed in association with the Glomus hyphae and the amorphous deposits.

N2‐Fixation by roots and rhizosphere of sand dune plants

AbstractNitrogenase activity (by acetylene reduction assay) has been found on the roots and in the rhizosphere‐soil of various plant species collected from dune soils (Table 1.) located on the west coast of Denmark. Out of twelve plant species, five plant species (Deschampsia flexuosa, Ammophila arenaria, Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum and Corynephorus canescens) revealed a positive nitrogenase activity. Among these five, three were temperate grasses. Except Ammophila arenaria, all four plant species were collected from old sand dune and showed nitrogenase activity on roots as well as in their rhizosphere soil, Ammophila arenaria was collected from fresh sand dune and exhibited nitrogenase activity only on roots (Table 2).

Distributional Pattern of Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl. and Associated Species Along the Mediterranean Coast of Egypt

This study is a quantitative analysis of the distributional pattern of Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl. and its associated species and the relationships of this pattern to environmental variables. Species abundance was estimated in 32 stands spanning most of the apparent physiographic and edaphic variations in a 0.8-million-hectare area in the northeastern sector of the western desert of Egypt. Cluster analysis of the vegetation led to the recognition of nine clusters often comparable to communities previously defined in the study area. These clusters are distinguished along environmental gradients of decreasing calcium carbonate and increasing salinity and exchangeable cations and soluble anions. Sand, silt, and clay soil fractions exert some influence on vegetational changes but at comparatively low levels of statistical significance. On the axes of the "Wisconsin School" ordination and to a lesser extent on the axes of the principal component analysis, we distinguished four sets of stands: a central set of the T. hirsuta cluster, with environmental conditions intermediate in all respects, and three peripheral sets reflecting variations in soil characteristics. The first peripheral set includes the grouping of Euphorbia paralias L. and Echinops spinosissimus Turra, characterizing the calcareous dune soils. The second set, comprising the groupings of Stipagrostis siliata L., Anabasis articulata (Forssk.) Moq., Artemisia monosperma Del., and Artemisia judaica L., reflects the nature of a vegetation associated with high environmental aridity and in most cases with silicious sandy soils. The third set, including the groupings of Asphodelus microcarpus Salzm. & Viv. and Limoniastrum monopetalum (L.) Boiss.-Plantago albicans L., characterizes the vegetation of the littoral plains and depressions which have the least soil moisture stress and in certain cases high salt content.

THE ORGANIZATION OF GENETIC VARIABILITY IN PHLOX DRUMMONDII.

thousands of individuals. The species is divisible into six morphologically distinct subspecies which are largely allopatric or parapatric (Erbe and Turner, 1962). Their ranges are depicted in Figure 1. Subspecies glabriflora grows principally on stabilized sandy dune soils in open fields of the Coastal Plain, ssp-. littoralis on coastal beach sands, ssp. tharpii on sandy soils in open prairies of the Rio Grande Plain, ssp. goldsmithii and ssp. drummondii on sandy loams in open or cleared forest areas, and ssp. mcallisteri in open fields on shallow sandy soils of granitic origin on the Edwards Plateau. Reproductive barriers to gene exchange are weak (Erbe and Turner, 1962; Levin, 1976), and the integrity of the subspecies seems due to their ecogeographical isolation. All of the subspecies exhibit gametophytic self-incompatibility, and have the same chromosome number, n = 7. The primary objectives of this study are (1) to characterize each taxon in terms of gene frequencies, genetic diversity and genotype frequencies relative to HardyWeinberg expectation, (2) to apportion genetic diversity within and between subspecies, (3) to describe gene frequency heterogeneity between populations of the same subspecies and the species as a whole, (4) to describe geographical variation patterns for alleles and genetic diversity, and (5) to determine the genetic affinities of the subspecies. In doing this an attempt is made to discern the roles of gene flow restriction within and among populations and stochastic processes in fostering and maintaining the organization of genetic variability in P. drummondii. The concordance between morphological and allozymic variation also is considered. EVOLUTION 31:477-494. September 1977 477

Aggregation of sand-dune soil by endomycorrhizal fungi

The mycorrhizal fungus Glomus in association with bean hosts (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was the dominant factor in the aggregation of sand particles in sterilized dune soil artificially inoculated either with Glomus, or with Glomus and a soil extract containing miscellaneous microorganisms. The weight of sand adhered to roots harvested from dried soil was about 3 times greater in mycorrhizal than in nonmycorrhizal roots. The weight of sand aggregates per kilogram dried soil from among roots of senescent beans was 10 g in nonmycorrhizal plants but 54 g in mycorrhizal plants. The fungitoxicant benomyl prevented mycorrhizal development and markedly restricted sand aggregation on and among roots of beans grown in soil inoculated with Glomus. A soil extract enhanced mycorrhizal development, the amount of sand adhered to mycorrhizal roots, and the extent of sand aggregation among mycorrhizal roots. Based on microscopic observations, the major mechanism linking sand grains in aggregates was the binding of sand to extensive Glomus mycelia.

Nutrio-Physiological Studies of the Crops Grown in Sand Dune Soil (Part 6) : The Movement of Ions in Sand Dune Soil.

Nutrio-Physiological Studies of the Crops Grown in Sand Dune Soil (Part 6) : The Movement of Ions in Sand Dune Soil.

GROWTH-PHYSIOLOGY, SALT-TOLERANCE AND MINERAL NUTRITION OF CENTAURIUM LITTORALE (TURNER) GILMOUR: ADAPTATIONS TO ITS OLYGOTHROPHIC AND BRACKISH HABITAT

Centaurium littorale was cultured under various conditions of nutrient availability, salinity and pH. The mineral composition of the experimental plants and of plants from a field site was investigated. The highest relative growth rate observed was 0.02 mg.mg.−1 day−1 and the shoot: root ratio was 0.8. Optimal growth occurred at very low nutrient availability. Suction tensions below 7 atm had no strong effect on the growth rate. There was a marked accumulation of NaCl in the tissues without a negative effect on the uptake of nutrient ions. In the pH-range 7.7–4.8 growth was equal. In its growth physiology and mineral nutrition Centaurium littorale is well adapted to the habitat: the brackish and poor young dune soil.

Chemical Characteristics of the Coppice Dune Soils in Paradise Valley, Nevada

AbstractThe coppice dune and associated barren playa soils of Paradise Valley, Nevada contain large amounts of soluble salts, exchangeable sodium, and boron. The concentrations of salts and sodium are variable. Sodium and Cl appear to be the principal soluble ions. The pH at the surface is high (usually 9+). Exchangeable sodium percentage is high at the surface (30% +) and decreases with depth. Boron, while highly variable, is high enough at several locations to limit the growth of even tolerant species. Silica in the saturated extracts increases as the soil pH increases. Because of the salts, high pH, exchangeable sodium, and toxic concentrations of boron, even partial reclamation of these soils would prove difficult without an adequate supply of water, large amounts of amendments, and considerable expense.

Population Regulation of Eschscholzia Californica by Competition and Edaphic Conditions

Eschscholzia californica Cham., the California poppy, occurs naturally in western North America from the Columbia River south to Baja California and from the coast of California eastward into the Great Basin. Within this extensive region it grows in open sites, frequently associated with grasses. Both the poppy and the grasses require ample light for optimal development and begin growth contemporaneously after the advent of winter rains. In dry years, when grass develops poorly, poppies apparently do well; in wet years the reverse is true. The poppy grows on well-drained soils of dunes, alluvial fans, river terraces, steep banks, and rocky places. These soils may be derived from a wide range of parent materials, including serpentine. It has also been observed to colonize burned-over areas and endure on them for a number of years (Bowerman 1944). The poppy has behaved as a benign weed under conditions created by man. Small populations arise atop gravel piles, in gravelly ballast of railroads, or on road cuts and other areas where the established vegetation has been destroyed by excavation. Occasionally poppies may be seen in grain fields, where their growth is apparently favoured by mowing the overtopping grain. Although the plants themselves are cut back, new shoots emerge from ground level and flower from mid-summer to autumn. These observations suggested the following hypotheses: (1) Genetic adaptation to specific soil type is involved in the poppy's adaptation to a broad range of soil types. Such response has been reported for other herbaceous species (Kruckeberg 1951; Jowett 1958, 1959; Bradshaw & Snaydon 1959; Bradshaw 1960). (2) Growth of associated grass is antagonistic to Eschscholzia. (3) Eschscholzia cannot tolerate soils with high water content but can become established on porous soils high above the water table. These hypotheses were tested experimentally at the Botanical Garden of the University of California at Berkeley during 1959 and 1960.

The Influence of Mineral Nutrients on the Growth of Ammophila Arenaria

Differences in vigour of marram grass, Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link, growing in different parts of sand-dune systems, are well known and have been frequently recorded (Carey & Oliver 1918; Tansley 1949; Salisbury 1952; Willis, Folkes, Hope-Simpson & Yemm 1959b; and others). Characteristically marram is vigorous in the fore dunes, especially in areas receiving abundant supplies of blown sand, but grows poorly, often ultimately degenerating to the point of dying, in the inland parts of dune systems where there is much less sand movement and where the vegetation cover may be considerable. The chief suggestions which have been made regarding the basis of these differences in vigour involve aeration, water regime, nutrient regime, organic matter content of the sand, the presence of toxic substances and competition. The possible importance of the effects of the levels of essential mineral nutrients was explored in the investigations reported here, which were carried out in conjunction with studies of the mineral nutrient status of the dune soils of Braunton Burrows, north Devon (Willis & Yemm 1961), and of the influence of the addition of mineral nutrients to various types of vegetation on the dunes (Willis 1963). Results bearing on the problem of the vigour of marram were obtained from two approaches. Mineral nutrients were added at various intervals to an area of pure A. arenaria growing on the slope of a high dune at Braunton Burrows and the effect of this treatment was assessed by measuring the marram periodically and finally cutting and weighing it. The general procedure adopted here was that described by Willis (1963). In a second approach, marram seedlings were transplanted into pots containing sand from Braunton Burrows and grown under glasshouse conditions. They were subjected to a number of mineral nutrient regimes over a period of 3 years and measurements of growth were made on a number of occasions. In this experiment not only was the effect of a range of mineral nutrient treatments studied, but also the effect of the addition of sand to the pots when the marram had been growing for about 15 months.

The presence of Fusarium oxysporum in soils

A culture medium selective for the isolation of Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. ex Fr. from soils is described. The species has been found in grassland soils, sand dune soils, and in a salt marsh, as well as in arable soils. Samples of woodland and heath did not contain the fungus. A possible reason for the influence of vegetational type on the presence of the fungus is given.

Braunton Burrows: The Effects on the Vegetation of the Addition of Mineral Nutrients to the Dune Soils

Braunton Burrows: The Effects on the Vegetation of the Addition of Mineral Nutrients to the Dune Soils

GENETIC SYSTEM, VARIATION, AND ADAPTATION INESCHSCHOLZIA CALIFORNICA

The perplexing variation and striking adaptability in the California poppy, Eschscholzia californica Cham., have long attracted interest. The present experimental study was undertaken to elucidate the causes of this polymorphism and ecological success. Techniques of mass sampling, growth of plants in more or less uniform conditions, and experimentation with breeding system have been employed to study the nature of morphological and physiological variation and to relate this variation to the reproductive behavior and environmental relations of the species. Eschscholzia californica is an annual or perennial herb of the family Papaveraceae. It is native in western North America from the Columbia River to Baja California and from the Pacific Coast eastward into the Great Basin. Within this area it grows at altitudes from sea level to 6,500 feet on open, well-drained soils of dunes, alluvial fans, river terraces, and hillsides. It is both widespread and abundant within its native region; man has extended its range by introducing it to Chile, New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia, where it has become naturalized.

The Time Factor in the Development of Dune Soils at South Haven Peninsula, Dorset

The dune system of the South Haven Peninsula is one of which the topographical development is well documented historically (Diver 1933). Furthermore, the principal dune ridges are, in the main, well defined, and the principal trends of edaphic and floristic development which they display are clear. It is possible, therefore, to fit a time scale with some confidence to these developmental changes and thus to present a picture of dune soil development in relation to time which is complementary to (though in some respects in marked contrast with) the findings of Salisbury (1922, 1925) and Pearsall (1934) in their studies of other dune systems. It is not proposed here to consider the vegetation of the area generally, of which an account has been given by Good (1935) but to refer to the development of the dune soils and the broad, long-term changes in the plant cover of the dune ridges which may be correlated with the changes in the soils. Some account of the principal topographical changes which have taken place in the area since Diver's work is also given.

Effects of Incorpolation of Clays on the Sand Dune Soils, Shizuoka Prefecture (Part 4) : Decomposition of Cellulose and Yield of Barley with Compost

Effects of Incorpolation of Clays on the Sand Dune Soils, Shizuoka Prefecture (Part 4) : Decomposition of Cellulose and Yield of Barley with Compost

Effect of Mixing Bentonite and Red Soil in Sand Dune Soils upon the Soil Moisture

Effect of Mixing Bentonite and Red Soil in Sand Dune Soils upon the Soil Moisture

Fungal mycelium in dune soils estimated by a modified impression slide technique

A modification of the soil-impression slide technique for quantitative purposes, using slides coated with nitrocellulose and a metallurgical objective, is described. By this technique the total amounts of fungal mycelium in an acid and an alkaline dune system were considered in relation to dune succession, soil type and soil profile. Fungal mycelium was found to be more abundant in acid dunes, to increase rapidly with dune development, and in general to decrease down the soil profile, except in the fore dunes where an inversion of the microfungal profile occurred.