Fine root biomass,production and turnover in a fertilized <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix leptolepis</Emphasis> plantation in central Korea

The effects of fertilization [control (C), 200kgNha^–1+25kgP ha^–1 (LNP) and 400kgNha^–1+ 50kgP ha^–1 (HNP)] on fine root dynamics were examined in a 40-year-old Larix leptolepis plantation in central Korea. The average fine root biomass during the growing season for C, LNP and HNP was 957, 934 and 814kgha^–1, respectively, whereas the fine root production for C, LNP and HNP was 2103, 2131 and 2066kgha^–1, respectively. Nitrogen and P inputs into the soil via fine root turnover for C, LNP and HNP were 23.0 and 1.2, 23.3 and 1.2 and 22.6 and 1.2kgha^–1, respectively. There were no significant differences in fine root biomass, production and N and P inputs through fine root turnover between the fertilization treatments during the first growing season after fertilization.     

Estimation of Standing Stock and Decomposition Rates of Labile Organic Matter in Waters of Novorossiisk Bay,Black Sea

The annual dynamics of the decomposition rate, standing stock, and residence time of labile organic matter as an index of full self-purification were investigated in Novorossiisk Bay, Black Sea. The results are suggestive of fairly effective processes of biological self-purification in polluted waters of the bay. The decomposition rate was highest (0.3–0.7 mgO₂/l per day) during the summer, and it decreased by 4–8 times in winter. The residence time of labile organic matter was 97–104 days in winter and 8–11 days in summer. Oxygen consumption rates measured in different areas of the bay conformed to their trophic status and were not above the normal level for summer.     

Comparative residual toxicities of pesticides to the predator Agistemus industani (Acari: Stigmaeidae) on citrus in Florida

Residual toxicities of registered and selected experimental pesticides used on citrus against Agistemus industani Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae) were compared. Pesticides considered highly toxic to A. industani were: abamectin 0.15 EC at 731ml/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, pyridaben 75WP at 469g/ha, ethion 4EC at 7.01l/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, propargite 6.55 EC at 3.51l/ha, chlorfenapyr 2SC at 1.46l/ha applied alone or in combination with FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, sulphur 80DF at 16.81kg/ha, dicofol 4EC at 7.01l/ha, fenbutatin oxide 50WP at 2.24kg/ha, benomyl 50WP at 2.24kg/ha, benomyl 50WP at 1.68kg/ha+ferbam 76 GF at 5.60kg/ha, ferbam 76GF at 11.21kg/ha, neem oil 90EC at 46.8l/ha, and copper hydroxide DF (40% metallic copper) at 4.48kg metallic copper/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha. Pesticides that were moderately to slightly toxic included: copper sulphate 98% at 4.48kg metallic copper/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, fenbuconazole 2F at 280ml/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, FC 435-66 petroleum oil applied alone at 46.8l/ha or 23.4l/ha, and diflubenzuron 25WP at 1.40kg/ha. Pesticides that were non-toxic included: fenbuconazole 2F at 585ml/ha, malathion 57EC at 5.85l/ha, FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, carbaryl 80S at 3.36kg/ha, chlorpyrifos 4EC at 4.68l/ha, and formetanate 92SP at 1.12kg/ha. Understanding the toxic effects of field weathered pesticides against key predacious mite species is important for effective IPM. The results of this study provide a comparison of direct and indirect toxic effects of various pesticides to A. industani under field conditions.     

Distribution of dissolved organic carbon in lakes of different trophic types

The distributions of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the warm season were elucidated in ten lakes of different trophic types in Japan, Russia, and China. DOC showed similar vertical distributions in all the lakes in summer when thermal stratification occurred. DOC in the epilimnion was higher than the value of 0.8mgCl^–1 found in the hypolimnion. In three Japanese lakes, hypolimnion DOC was negatively correlated with apparent oxygen utilization (AOU), reflecting the net oxidation of DOC using the dissolved oxygen in lake water. The DOC:O₂ ratios (0.115–0.179), calculated by the slopes of the regression lines of DOC versus AOU in hypolimnion water, were as low as those of deep-sea water, which indicates low bioavailability of lake water DOC for heterotrophic bacteria. DOC and conductivity did not correlate well except in two Japanese lakes: one showed a positive correlation and the other a negative correlation, indicating DOC loading from the inflowing rivers. Eutrophic lakes tended to have higher DOC values than meso- and oligotrophic lakes, and DOC values in the surface water negatively correlated with Secchi depths.     

Summer forage biomass and the importance of litterfall for a high-density sika deer population

The biomass of summer forage and their contributions were surveyed to show that litterfall supported a high-density population of sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck) in summer on Nakanoshima Island, Toya Lake, Japan. In July 1974, the grassland had the highest productivity among understory vegetations (228±55kgha^–1: mean±SE). In deciduous forests, palatable plants occupied only 0.1% of the biomass of 0.872±0.366kgha^–1, and deciduous leaves within the reach of deer (=220cm at height) produced 0.208±0.070kgha^–1. However, litterfall during this period had the highest productivity, 28.7± 5.3kgha^–1. The deer consumed litterfall (75.6% in dry weight), short grasses (17.2%), deciduous forest understory (4.1%), deciduous leaves within the reach of deer (3.0%) and conifer plantation under story (0.1%). It is suggested that the high-density deer population would be maintained by litterfall through the year instead of browsing in deciduous forests, which has been overlooked.     

Vertical planktonic structure in the central basin of Lake Baikal in summer 1999, with special reference to the microbial food web

Planktonic microbial interactions in the central basin of Lake Baikal were examined on a summer day in 1999. The subsurface maxima of bacterial abundance and chlorophyll concentration were recorded at the same depth, whereas the vertical distribution of heterotrophic nanoflagellates was the inverse of those of bacteria and picophytoplankton. Release of extracellular organic car-bon (EOC) from phytoplankton was estimated by the NaH¹⁴CO₃ method as 2.4µgCl^–1day^–1. Bacterial production (4.3µgCl^–1day^–1), estimated in a bottle incubation experiment using size-fractionated water samples, exceeded the EOC released. Thus, other supplying sources of organic matter are needed for the bacterial production. Grazing (2.6µgCl^–1day^–1) was also estimated in the experiment and accounted for 60% of the bacterial production. This is the first report on the microbial food web in the central basin of Lake Baikal.     

Early development of the self-fertilizing mangrove killifish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rivulus marmoratus</Emphasis> reared in the laboratory

The mangrove killifish Rivulus marmoratus was reared at 25°±1°C and 17ppt salinity from 0 to 100 days after hatching (DAH), and its early development was described by examining growth and morphometric parameters, meristic characters (vertebral and fin-ray counts), bone-cartilage development, and pigmentation. Growth was isometric for preanal length, head length, snout length, body depth, pectoral-fin length, dorsal-fin length, anal-fin length, and caudal-peduncle depth. Negative allometric growth was observed in eye diameter and gape size. Meristic counts (mean±SD) for vertebrae (34.2±0.4) and dorsal- (8.6±0.5), anal- (11.4±0.5), and caudal-fin rays (30.2±0.8) were complete at 0 DAH (n=5), whereas pectoral-fin rays and pelvic-fin rays were complete by 30 DAH (14.5±0.4, n=5) and 60 DAH (4.2±0.8, n=5). Full ossification of meristic elements proceeded in the following sequence: vertebrae (by 30 DAH), caudal-, dorsal-, and anal-fin rays (by 60 DAH), pectoral-fin rays (between 60 DAH and 100 DAH), and pelvic-fin rays (by 100 DAH). Both morphological characters and meristic counts indicate that this species can be considered to be a juvenile after 9.8mm in standard length (20 DAH).     

The North Sea: source or sink for nitrogen and phosphorus to the Atlantic Ocean?

Annual nitrogen and phosphorus budgets for the whole North Sea taking into account the most recent data available were established. The area considered has a total surface of approximately 700,000km² and corresponds to the definition by OSPARCOM (Oslo and Paris Commission) with the exclusion of the Skagerrak and Kattegat areas. Input and output fluxes were determined at the marine, atmospheric, sediment and continental boundaries, and riverine inputs based on river flows and nutrient concentrations at the river–estuary interface were corrected for possible estuarine retention. The results showed that the North Sea is an extremely complex system subjected to large inter-annual variability of marine water circulation and freshwater land run-off. Consequently, resulting total N (TN) and P (TP) fluxes are extremely variable from 1 year to another and this has an important influence on the budget of these elements. Total inputs to the North Sea are 8870±4860kTNyear^–1 and 494±279kTPyear^–1. Denitrification is responsible for the loss of 23±7% of the TN inputs while sediment burial is responsible for the retention of only of 2±2% of the TP input. For TN, due to the large variability on marine and estuarine fluxes, and to the uncertainty related to the denitrification rate, it was concluded that the North Sea could either be a source (1930kTNyear^–1) or a sink (1700kTNyear^–1) for the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. For TP it was concluded that the North Sea is mostly a source (–4 to 52kTPyear^–1) for the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.     

Defective remethylation of homocysteine is related to decreased synthesis of coenzymes B2 in thyroidectomized rats

Summary. We investigated the influence of hypothyroidism on homocysteine metabolism in rats, focusing on a hypothetical deficient synthesis of FAD by riboflavin kinases. Animals were allocated in control group (n=7), thyroidectomized rats (n=6), rats with diet deficient in vitamin B2, B9, B12, choline and methionine (n=7), thyroidectomized rats with deficient diet (n=9). Homocysteine was decreased in operated rats (2.6±1.01 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.02) and increased in deficient diet rats (29.56±4.52 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.001), when compared to control group. Erythrocyte-Glutathione-Reductase-Activation-Coefficient (index of FAD deficiency) was increased in thyroidectomized or deficient diet rats (P=0.004 for both). Methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase and methionine-synthase activities were decreased in thyroidectomized rats but not in those subjected to deficient diet. Cystathionine--synthase was increased only in operated rats. Taken together, these results showed a defective re-methylation in surgical hypothyroidism, which was due in part to a defective synthesis of vitamin B2 coenzymes. This defective pathway was overcompensated by the increased Cystathionine--synthase activity.     

Larval development and food habits of the marbled parrotfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptoscarus vaigiensis</Emphasis>, associated with drifting algae

The larval development and food habits of the marbled parrotfish, Leptoscarus vaigiensis (Scaridae) associated with drifting algae were studied. In this study, 628 L. vaigiensis of various developmental stages ranging from postflexion larvae (9.4mm in standard length, SL) to adults (192.0mmSL) were sampled from drifting algae at two fishing ports in Nakagusuku Bay of Okinawa Island. In 3969 fish comprising 65 taxa in 34 families of Teleostei collected with drifting algae, L. vaigiensis occupied 15.8% of samples and occurred generally throughout the whole year. A large number of L. vaigiensis were collected from July to October accompanied by an occurrence of drifting algae composed of Sargassum spp. Larvae and early juveniles ranging from 11.1 to 14.9mmSL appeared sporadically throughout the year, and postflexion larvae 11mmSL occurred from July to November. Their food shifted from planktonic copepods in postflexion larvae and juveniles ranging from 10.0 to 14.9mmSL to seaweed in the juveniles ranging from 15.0 to 24.9mmSL. Furthermore, adults and young over 25mmSL fed almost exclusively on seaweed, with Sargassum spp. constituting the drifting algae. These facts indicate that drifting algae may have a role concerning food and habitat, and may act as a nursery for L. vaigiensis.     

Temporal and spatial variation of forest biomass in relation to stand dynamics in a mature,lowland tropical rainforest,Malaysia

To clarify consistency in the size of carbon pool of a lowland tropical rainforest, we calculated changes in above-ground biomass in the Pasoh Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. We estimated the total above-ground biomass of a mature stand using tree census data obtained in a 6-ha plot every 2years from 1994 to 1998. The total above-ground biomass decreased consistently from 1994 (431Mgha^–1) to 1998 (403Mgha^–1) (1Mg=10³ kg). These are much lower than that in 1973 for a 0.2ha portion of the same area, suggesting that the the total above-ground biomass reduction might have been consistent in recent decades. This trend contrasted with a major trend for neotropical forests. During 1994–1998, the forest gained 23.0 and 0.88Mgha^–1 of the total above-ground biomass by tree growth and recruitment, respectively, and lost 51.9Mgha^–1 by mortality. Overall, the biomass decreased by 28.4Mgha^–1 (i.e. 7.10Mgha^–1·year^–1), which is almost equivalent to losing a 76-cm-diameter living tree per hectare per year. Analysis of positive and negative components of biomass change revealed that deaths of large trees dominated the total above-ground biomass decrease. The forest biomass also varied spatially, with the total above-ground biomass density ranging 212–655Mgha^–1 on a 0.2-ha basis (n= 30 subplots, 1998) and 365–440Mgha^–1 on a 1ha basis. A large decrease of the total above-ground biomass density (>50Mg per ha per 2years) in several 0.2-ha subplots contributed to the overall decrease in the 6-ha total above-ground biomass. In the present study, we discuss the association between forest dynamics and biomass fluctuation, and the implication for carbon cycling in mature forests with emphasis on forest monitoring and assessments of soil and decomposition systems.     

Flexibility on the karyotype evolution in bitterlings (Pisces, Cyprinidae)

In bitterlings (Acheilognathinae) C- and Ag-banding karyotypes of 6 species-subspecies collected in China and South Korea were analyzed. The chromosomal constitution of 2n=46 (4SM+42ST) in Rhodeus atremius fangi was quite different from that of 2n=48 (8M+20SM+20ST) in other species-subspecies in Rhodeus. It was concluded from the analysis of banded chromosomes that the increase in number of ST during the karyotype change from 2n=48 to 2n=46 was achieved by a series of pericentric inversions from 24 M-SM to 24 ST, and the decrease in the diploid number was caused by an additional tandem fusion of 4 ST chromosomes, forming a new ST pair in the 2n=46 karyotype. The karyotype of Tanakia koreensis, T. signifer, and Acheilognathus macropterus is 2n=48 (8M+20SM+20ST), 2n=48 (8M+20SM+14–16ST+4–6 A), 2n=44 (14M+16SM+14ST), respectively. In R. ocellatus ocellatus, T. koreensis, T. signifer and A. macropterus, karyotype changes from 2n=48 to 2n=44 due to centric fusion and inversion have also been estimated. It was suggested that C-banding heterochromatin was greatly concerned with the karyotype evolution in bitterlings.     

Proliferation and germination of somatic embryos from embryogenic suspension cultures in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phœnix dactylifera</Emphasis>

The present study demonstrates a procedure for the rapid development of a high number of somatic embryos from embryogenic suspension culture. This method might be efficient for mass propagation of Phnix dactylifera L. Embryogenic callus placed in liquid medium with 10^–5M ABA yielded an average 72 embryos per 100ml of culture medium within 2months, while those placed on solid medium yielded an average of 33, 20 and 16 embryos per 100ml of culture medium respectively for 10^–7, 10^–6 and 10^–5 M ABA after 4months. The combination of 2,4-DIchlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (4.5×10^–7M), glutamine (6.7×10^–4M), and ABA (10^–5M) (L8 liquid medium) showed a beneficial effect on somatic embryos production compared to 2,4-D and glutamine alone, while this combination significantly (p<0.05) increased the accumulation of storage proteins (144 and 138mgg^–1 DW respectively for Jihel and Bousthami noir cultivars) in somatic embryos. The somatic embryos which underwent maturation on medium containing only 4.5×10^–7M 2,4-D and 10^–5M ABA (L6 liquid medium) accumulated more sugars (292 and 265mgg^–1 DW respectively for Jihel and Bousthami noir) than those matured on any other liquid medium. Histological studies revealed that somatic embryos (developed in L6 and L8 liquid media) accumulated less reserve compounds (proteins and sugars) than zygotic embryos. The addition of activated charcoal (0.25 and 0.5gl^–1) and phytagel^® (2.5gl^–1) to the germination medium may be useful for enhancing the germination of Phnix dactyliferasomatic embryos.     

Softening response of banana fruit treated with 1-methylcyclopropene to high temperature exposure

Elevated temperatures experienced by harvested fruit can modulate theirripening. Moreover, heat treatments can be applied to reduce susceptibility tolow temperature disorders and to help control pests and diseases. Theethylene-binding inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) was used to investigatethe ethylene-mediated softening response of banana fruit exposed to elevatedtemperatures. A preliminary experiment was conducted to determine levels ofhightemperature (30–50°C) imposed for a short periodof time that did not cause skin scald. The softening response of Williamsbananafruit treated with 1-MCP at various temperatures and durations wascharacterisedin subsequent experiments. Exposure of fruit to hot air for 60 minat 45°C or for 30 min at50°Ccaused 30–40% peel scald. The peel was not visibly damaged forfruit treated at 40°C for up to 60 min.Softening of fruit treated with 1-MCP for 12 h at25°Cand then held for 7 days at 30, 35 or 40°C wasinhibited in proportion to increasing concentration over the range 0.01–1l/l 1-MCP. However, softening was progressively enhanced withincreasing holding temperatures from 30–40°Cand/or time from 1–7 days, although fruit treated with the higher 1-MCPconcentrations of 1 and 10 l/l were comparatively lessresponsive to heat. Although banana fruit held at30–40°Cdid not de-green, their increased softening at elevated temperatures andinhibition of this response by 1-MCP suggest that heat enhances synthesis ofnewethylene sites which mediated banana fruit softening.     

Macronutrient input from pollen in two regenerating pine stands in southeast Korea

This study examined macronutrient input from pollen in two naturally regenerating pine stands in southeast Korea. Durham gravity pollen collectors were used to measure pine pollen deposition and the macronutrients in the collected pine pollen were analyzed. In 1998, pine pollen deposition began just before 18 April and lasted for approximately 2weeks. Total pine pollen deposition differed between the two sampling sites; 27.5kgha^–1 was collected from the mature stand and 17.7kgha^–1 was collected from the young stand. The values for nutrient deposition from pine pollen are 549gha^–1 N, 78gha^–1 P, 240gha^–1 K, 45gha^–1 S and 22gha^–1 Mg at the mature stand and 353gha^–1 N, 51gha^–1 P, 151gha^–1 K, 27gha^–1 S and 14gha^–1 Mg at the young stand, suggesting that nutrients from pine pollen contribute to forest nutrient cycling. The pine pollen deposition values obtained from our study (17.7–27.5kg^–1ha^–1year^–1) are approximately 1/115–180-fold that of pine litterfall in Korea. If we take pollen nutrients into account, the contribution rate of pollen to the annual nutrient input is very high in our study (N 1/30, P 1/5, K 1/9 that of litterfall). Macronutrient deposition from pine pollen is concentrated temporally in spring. Although the annual contribution of nutrient mass by pollen is small compared to that of litterfall, the rapid turnover rate of pollen nutrients combined with episodic deposition suggests that pollen may play a disproportionate role in temperate pine forest nutrient cycling.     

Evidence of downstream migration of Sakhalin taimen, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hucho perryi</Emphasis>, as revealed by Sr : Ca ratios of otolith

The migratory history of Sakhalin taimen, Hucho perryi, was examined in terms of strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) uptake in the otolith by using wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometry on an electron microprobe. Otolioth Sr:Ca ratios of freshwater-reared samples remained consistently at low levels throughout the otolith. The Sr:Ca ratios of samples from Lake Aynskoye of Sakhalin Island showed a low value from the core up to a point of 700–2140µm. Thereafter, the ratios increased sharply and remained at higher levels up to the outermost regions. The difference in Sr:Ca ratio might be the result of the presence of individuals that underwent seawater and freshwater life history phases, probably reflecting the ambient salinity or the seawater–freshwater gradient in Sr concentration. Otolith Sr:Ca ratio analysis revealed downstream migration history in H. perryi.     

Uptake of sewage derived nitrogen by<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Ulva rigida</Emphasis> (Chlorophyceae) in Bahía Nueva (Golfo Nuevo,Patagonia, Argentine)

Uptake kinetics of nitrogen derived from sewage–seawater mixtures (2.5–20% v/v effluent) were determined in the laboratory for Ulva rigida (Chlorophyceae) native from Bahía Nueva (Golfo Nuevo, Patagonia, Argentine). In terms of nitrogen concentration, experimental enrichment levels varied between 53.7 and 362.3M of ammonium and between 0.77 and 6.21M of nitrate+nitrite. Uptake rates were fitted to the Michaelis–Menten equation, with the following kinetic parameters: ammonium: V_max = 591.2molg^–1h^–1, K _s=262.3M, nitrate+nitrite: V _max=12.9molg^–1h^–1, K _s=3.5M). Both nutrients were taken up simultaneously, but ammonium incorporation was faster in all cases. The results show a high capability of Ulva rigida to remove sewage-derived nitrogen from culture media. In the field, most of the nitrogen provided by the effluent would be tied up in algal biomass, supporting low nitrogen levels found at a short distance away from the source.     

Ethanol production in multistage continuous, single stage continuous, Lactobacillus-contaminated continuous, and batch fermentations

Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based ethanol fermentations were conducted in batch culture, in a single stage continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), a multistage CSTR, and in a fermentor contaminated with Lactobacillus that corresponded to the first fermentor of the multistage CSTR system. Using a glucose concentration of 260 g l^–1 in the medium, the highest ethanol concentration reached was in batch (116gl^–1), followed by the multistage CSTR (106gl^–1), and the single stage CSTR continuous production system (60gl^–1). The highest ethanol productivity at this sugar concentration was achieved in the multistage CSTR system where a productivity of 12.7gl^–1h^–1 was seen. The other fermentation systems in comparison did not exceed an ethanol productivity of 3gl^–1h^–1. By performing a continuous ethanol fermentation in multiple stages (having a total equivalent working volume of the tested single stage), a 4-fold higher ethanol productivity was achieved as compared to either the single stage CSTR, or the batch fermentation.     

Conservation status of parrot populations in an Atlantic rainforest area of southeastern Brazil

A census of four species of syntopic parrots was carried out using distance sampling methods on São Sebastião island, SE Brazil. Most of the 33593 ha island is covered by mature and secondary Atlantic rainforest. Almost 80% of these forests are within the Ilhabela Park. Although the species counted have marked differences in size and weight, density (individuals/km²) and estimated population size in 23500 ha of well-preserved forests were similar: Amazona farinosa (13.82±5.94; 3247±1395), Pionus maximiliani (15.79±7.04; 3712±1654), Brotogeris tirica (15.05±4.87; 3537±1143) and Pyrrhura frontalis (13.06±5.53; 3068±1298). Encounter rates of Forpus crassirostris and Pionopsitta pileata were very low, which suggests that there is only a small population of these species on the island. The São Sebastião forests still support healthy populations of parrots. Although woodpecker population estimates on the island are large enough to provide nesting sites for parrots, competition for holes with other secondary cavity nesters such as toucans, flycatchers and tytiras, and the selective cutting of dead trees for canoe construction, which is a common practice on the island, may limit hole availability for parrots.     

Seasonal variation of denitrification rate in Lake Suwa sediment

The seasonal variation of denitrification rate in sediments in the central station of Lake Suwa, Japan, was estimated by the acetylene-inhibition technique from March 20 to December 10, 1994. The denitrification rate ranged from 0 to 1800µmolNm^–2day^–1 and showed a distinct seasonal trend, i.e., relatively high rates in spring and winter, and low or negligible rates in summer. The denitrification rate was well correlated with NO^–₃ concentration in overlying water, suggesting that NO^–₃ in overlying water was the primary controlling factor for denitrification. The annual rate of denitrification was 0.15molNm^–2year^–1. Denitrification removed 5% of the annual nitrogen load from the lake, and this fraction was relatively small compared to the values reported for a variety of aquatic environments. In Lake Suwa, NO^–₃ in the water column was depleted during summer, and this suppressed effective removal of nitrogen from the lake by denitrification.