广东鉴江水系底栖硅藻多样性与时空分布特征

为了解广东省鉴江水系底栖硅藻多样性和时空分布特征,对全流域进行了底栖硅藻采样调查。结果表明,从19个采样点4次采样中共检出底栖硅藻10科52属242种,其中舟形藻属(Navicula)、菱形藻属(Nitzschia)和异极藻属(Gomphonema)是优势类群,出现频次和相对丰度较高。硅藻多样性指数(丰富度、真香农多样性指数和真辛普森多样性指数)随河流等级呈现一定的空间分布特征,但它们季节变化不明显。底栖硅藻群落相异性在上游和下游河段较高,从一级到三级河流递减,四级河流又增加。底栖硅藻群落结构空间变化明显,季节变化显著。群落丰富度的稀疏曲线表明,热带河流底栖硅藻群落以400个体计数,不能完整反映底栖硅藻多样性。这些为鉴江水系河流健康监测和水生态保护奠定了基础。     

永定河流域大型底栖动物功能摄食类群时空分布及生态评价

2017年春季(4月)、夏季(7月)、秋季(11月)对永定河流域23个样点的大型底栖动物、水环境和水文因子进行了野外调查,分析了永定河流域大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的群落组成与时空分布特征及其对河流生境变化的响应情况。永定河流域3个季节共采集到大型底栖动物78种,隶属3门6纲39科,其中,春季52种、夏季50种、秋季53种,功能摄食类群以收集者占绝对优势,其次为捕食者,刮食者、滤食者、撕食者所占比例极低。3个季节优势种均属于收集者类群,春季优势种为直突摇蚊属、流水长跗摇蚊属、环足摇蚊属,夏季优势种为雕翅摇蚊属,秋季优势种为多足摇蚊属、摇蚊属、直突摇蚊属。冗余分析结果表明: 水温、流速、盐度以及总磷是影响春季大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的主要影响因子;总磷、溶解氧、电导率以及流量是夏季大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的主要影响因子;总磷和溶解氧是影响秋季大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的主要影响因子;总磷在春、夏、秋季均与收集者类群表现出正相关性,表明永定河流域大型底栖动物功能摄食类群受到了水质污染的影响。基于功能摄食类群参数的评价表明:1)物质循环方面,妫水河初级生产力显著高于其他区域,秋季大于其他季节;洋河次级生产力和分解能力显著高于其他区域,春季大于其他季节,但洋河自养/异养作用显著低于其他区域,春季小于其他季节;2)纵向输入能力方面,桑干河显著高于其他区域,秋季大于其他季节;3)沿岸物质的输入方面,妫水河显著高于其他区域,夏季大于其他季节。     

长白山源头溪流底栖动物群落结构季节动态

源头溪流是河流生态系统物质循环和能量流动的重要区域,对底栖动物的生物多样性维持具有重要意义。目前,针对我国源头溪流底栖动物群落结构的研究薄弱,对长白山源头溪流底栖动物季节动态的研究尚未见报道。采用野外原位定量取样的方法,力图阐释长白山源头溪流底栖动物群落结构的季节动态特征及其主要环境驱动因子。研究结果表明:(1)共计采集底栖动物90个分类单元,隶属于3纲9目38科。其中,水生昆虫85属,占绝对优势。底栖动物群落结构的季节动态明显,底栖动物密度及多样性在夏、秋季显著高于冬季和春季,并在冬季达到最低值。(2)底栖动物功能摄食类群以收集者占优势,其次为撕食者、捕食者和刮食者,滤食者相对丰度最低。不同功能摄食类群的季节动态不一致,但密度和物种丰富度整体表现为秋季最高。(3)水温、凋落叶分布和流速是长白山源头溪流底栖动物群落结构季节动态的主要环境驱动因子。本研究可为长白山源头溪流后续相关研究及长白山松花江水系生态修复提供基础数据支持及参考。     

济南河流大型底栖动物摄食功能群多样性及时空动态

2014年春季(5月)、夏季(8月)和秋季(11月)对济南地区24个样点的大型底栖动物和水环境理化因子进行了野外调查。利用多样性指数以及典范对应分析等方法,分析了大型底栖动物群落组成和空间结构特征。结果表明:共采集到大型底栖动物3门57种,分别为节肢动物门、软体动物门和环节动物门。春季、夏季和秋季采集到大型底栖动物45种、35种和33种,春季优势种为霍甫水丝蚓(Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri)和豆螺(Bithynia fuchsiana),夏季优势种为溪流摇蚊(Chironomus riparius)和豆螺(Bithynia fuchsiana),秋季优势种为喜盐摇蚊(Chironomus salinarius)和豆螺(Bithynia fuchsiana)。春季、夏季和秋季密度平均值为2.49×10~3、0.56×10~3、1.03×10~3个体/m~2;生物量平均值为495.59、137.26、109.45 g/m2;Shannon-Wiener指数平均值分别为1.37、1.33和1.17;均匀度指数平均值分别为0.55、0.67和0.59。全地区共划分出大型底栖动物功能摄食类群5类,春季收集者种类最多为20种,夏季刮食者种类最多为12种,秋季收集者与刮食者种类最多为11种,3个季节中收集者密度均占绝对优势,其次为刮食者。典范对应分析表明,春季影响黄河流域和淮河流域大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的主要环境因子是总磷和总氮;夏季影响黄河流域和淮河流域大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的主要环境因子是pH和溶解氧;秋季影响黄河流域和淮河流域大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的主要环境因子是溶解氧和pH。     

海南岛主要水系枯水期底栖硅藻群落特征及区系分析

以海南岛主要水系的30个样点的河流底栖硅藻为对象, 分析了其枯水期的群落组成, 并探讨了群落的地理分布特征。在鉴定出的55属174种底栖硅藻中, 曲壳藻属是优势属, 占52.3%。聚类分析及非度量多维尺度分析(NMDS)显示, 底栖硅藻群落表现出明显的地理分布差异, 可划分为西部坝王岭、西部尖峰岭、中部的鹦哥岭和五指山以及东部的吊罗山4大群系。其中西部山区昌化江水系的硅藻多样性最低, 中部山区为昌化江水系和南渡江水系的发源地, 其硅藻多样性最高, 东部山区硅藻也表现出一定独特性, 说明本研究中底栖硅藻群落分布很可能受季风及地理空间因素的影响。大多数样点的优势种为清洁指示种, 少数样点出现了Gomphonema parvulum和Aulacoseira ambigua等高营养盐指示种, 表明大部分河流水质良好, 仅少部分河流由于人类活动而出现了富营养化趋势。     

甘肃省苏干湖浮游植物多样性研究

于2006年春季(5月)、夏季(8月)和秋季(10月)对大、小苏干湖水体进行采样分析,以研究特殊地理位置和气候条件下苏干湖中浮游植物的物种组成和季节变化特征.结果表明,(1)大苏干湖中共有浮游藻类61种(含变种),其中:硅藻18属,37种;蓝藻11属,15种;绿藻7属,8种;而甲藻仅1属,1种.(2)小苏干湖水体中共发现浮游藻类68种(含变种),其中:硅藻16属,42种;蓝藻9属,13种;绿藻6属,11种;裸藻及甲藻仅各1属,1种.(3)硅藻在苏干湖水体中始终占据着绝对优势;夏季小苏干湖中蓝、绿藻开始复苏并大量繁殖.各季节两湖中都存在特定的优势属,在春、夏、秋三季,大苏干湖中优势属分别为桥穹藻属、小环藻属、粘杆藻属;而小苏干湖中分别为针杆藻属、菱形藻属、脆杆藻属.纤细舟形藻,长圆舟形藻,湖沼色球藻等为常年优势种,且这种优势物种和季节变化主要是由湖泊中盐度和气温等因素决定的.     

温榆河大型底栖动物季节分布特征的研究

为了研究温榆河底栖动物季节变化情况,于2011年对温榆河大型底栖动物进行了季节采样,并采用物种优势度指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、Margalef指数、Pielou指数4个指标探求大型底栖动物季节分布特征。结果表明:温榆河共检出底栖动物64种,春季、夏季和秋季均有3种优势物种,其中,夏、秋两季的优势物种均为霍甫水丝蚓(Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri)、猛摇蚊(Chironomus acerbiphilus)和苏氏尾鳃蚓(Branchiura Sowerbyias)。生物多样性指数基本以秋季为最大值,秋季是评价研究区底栖动物群落的最佳季节。Pearson相关分析表明水温对春季生物多样性指数的影响最为显著,夏季和冬季均只有Pielou指数与其中的一个水质指标呈显著正相关关系。     

城市溪流中径流式低坝对底栖动物群落结构的影响

调查了浙江省安吉县内具径流式低坝的城市溪流(6个样点)和参照溪流(3个样点)的底栖动物群落,目的是了解城市溪流底栖动物群落结构退化规律和径流式低坝(2—3 m)对城市溪流底栖动物群落组成与结构的影响。结果表明,参照样点的底质组成以大石块(35.92%)和卵石(33.66%)为主,城市溪流以砾石为主(57.97%)。城市溪流水温和电导率显著高于参照溪流,TN和TP高于参照溪流。底栖动物总分类单元数和EPT分类单元数显著低于参照溪流。城市溪流河道内水坝上下游之间的流速(P=0.273)和宽深比(P=3.92)无显著差异。坝下游水体中的TP高于坝上游,电导率、溶解氧、pH值和水温在坝上下游之间几乎一致。除BI指数坝下游高于坝上游外,坝上下游间底栖动物总分类单元数、EPT分类单元数以及多样性指数、优势度和均匀度指数没有显著差异。但坝下游的耐污类群比例显著高于坝上游,敏感类群比例则显著低于坝上游。与坝上游相比,坝下游捕食者比例上升和集食者比例下降。NMDS结果进一步表明,城市溪流内水坝的建设导致坝上下游底栖动物群落物种组成明显改变。     

长江口新生湿地大型底栖动物群落时空变化格局

为了解长江口新生湿地大型底栖动物时空变化格局,2004年11月—2005年10月对九段沙湿地的3个沙洲以及各主要生境进行了调查。结果表明:九段沙湿地大型底栖动物密度和生物量均呈春季最高,夏、秋季下降,秋季末和冬季回升的趋势,整体生物多样性水平较低,分布不均匀。夏季上沙和中沙底栖动物密度存在显著差异,四季生物密度和生物量空间梯度为下沙>上沙>中沙。由物种组成分析可知,九段沙湿地大型底栖动物群落时空变化与优势种的消长有关。各季海三棱藨草带和藨草带底栖动物密度和生物量最高,芦苇和互花米草次之,光滩区域最低,且群落季节波动大。外来物种互花米草生境下底栖动物群落特征与土著种芦苇生境下无显著差异。     

南亚热带河流底栖硅藻β多样性及其对空间距离与环境梯度的响应——基于广义非相似性模拟的分析

β多样性指不同生境间群落物种组成的差异,其空间格局及影响因素是生物多样性维持研究的重要内容。以典型的南亚热带中小型河流—广州流溪河为对象,在对底栖硅藻进行季节调查的基础上,采用Baselga对β多样性的分解框架,基于S?rensen相异性系数将底栖硅藻的β多样性分解为周转和嵌套两个组分,运用广义非相似性模拟(Generalized Dissimilarity Modelling, GDM)分析了空间与环境因子对β多样性及其组分的影响。结果表明：底栖硅藻β多样性、物种周转和嵌套组分无明显季节差异,物种周转是流溪河底栖硅藻β多样性的主要组分(>75%);环境与空间过程共同影响流溪河底栖硅藻β多样性和物种周转组分格局,但环境选择是主要的驱动因子;与枯水期相比,丰水期的空间因素对β多样性和物种周转组分的影响程度降低。作为一种非线性距离回归方法,GDM能较好地识别底栖硅藻β多样性及其组分对环境梯度和空间距离的响应。     

Diatoms are better indicators of urban stream conditions: A case study in Beijing,China

Urbanization dramatically affects hydrology, water quality and aquatic ecosystem composition. Here we characterized changes in diatom assemblages along an urban-to-rural gradient to assess impacts of urbanization on stream conditions in Beijing, China. Diatoms, water chemistry, and physical variables were measured at 22 urban (6 in upstream and 16 in downstream) and 7 rural reference stream sites during July and August of 2013. One-way ANOVA showed that water physical and chemical variables were significantly different (p < 0.05) between urban downstream and both reference and urban upstream sites, but not between reference and urban upstream sites (p > 0.05). Similarly, structural metrics, including species richness (S), Shannon diversity (H′), species evenness (J′) and Simpson diversity (D′), were significantly different (p < 0.05) between urban downstream and both reference and urban upstream sites, but not (p > 0.05) between reference and urban upstream sites. However, diatom assemblages were very different among all sites. Achnanthidium minutissima was a consistent dominant species in reference sites; Staurosira construens var. venter and Pseudostaurosira brevistriata were the dominant species in urban upstream sites; and Nitzschia palea was the dominant species in urban downstream sites. Clustering analyses based on the relative abundance of diatom species, showed all the samples fit into three groups: reference sites, urban upstream sites, and urban downstream sites. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and Monte Carlo permutation tests showed that concentration of K⁺, EC, TN, Cl⁻ and pH were positively correlated with relative abundance of dominant diatom species in urban downstream samples; WT and F⁻ were correlated with reference and urban stream diatom composition. Our results demonstrate that the composition of diatom species was more sensitive to urbanization than the water physical and chemical parameters, and that diatom assemblage structure metrics more accurately assessed water quality. Some species, such as Amphora pediculus and Cocconeis placentula were among the dominant species in low nutrients stream sites; however, they were considered to be high nutrient indicators in some streams in USA. We suggest using caution in applying indicator indices based on species composition from other regions. It is necessary to build a complete set of diatom species data and their co-ordinate environment data for specific regions.     

亚热带水库浮游植物季节动态及其与环境因子的关系

以亚热带黄村水库流域为研究对象,探讨了浮游植物群落的季节变化及其与环境因子的关系。共鉴定出浮游植物51种,种类最多的是绿藻门（18种）（35.29%）,其次是硅藻门（15种）（29.41%）和蓝藻门（11种）（21.57%）。从浮游植物群落季节组成差异来看,春季（62.96%）和夏季（71.03%）蓝藻门丰度最高,秋季（56.11%）和冬季（80.74%）硅藻门丰度最高。黄村水库流域优势种尖尾蓝隐藻（Chroomonas acuta）和曲丝藻（Achnanthidium sp.）在春夏秋冬季节均存在。多样性指数表明该流域水体处于中营养状况。温度、电导率和营养盐是影响浮游植物群落组成最主要的环境因素。     

东海低氧区及邻近水域浮游植物的季节变化

根据2011年5月、8月、11月在东海低氧区及邻近水域(25°00'—33°30'N,120°00'—127°30'E)进行的多学科综合调查,对东海低氧区及邻近水域浮游植物群落结构特征及季节变化进行了相关研究。经Utermhl方法初步分析共鉴定出浮游植物4门74属248种(含变种、变型,不含未定种),主要由硅藻和甲藻组成,此外还有少量的金藻和蓝藻。春季优势种主要为具齿原甲藻(Prorocentrum dentatum)、柔弱伪菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissim)、骨条藻(Skeletonema sp.)和具槽帕拉藻(Paralia sulcata);夏季主要是中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)和海链藻(Thalassiosira sp.);秋季主要是具槽帕拉藻、圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus sp.)和柔弱伪菱形藻。调查区浮游植物平均细胞丰度在夏季最高,达到85.002×103个/L,春季次之,秋季最低。在水平方向上,春、夏两季,表层浮游植物细胞丰度在近岸出现高值,由近岸到外海细胞丰度逐渐降低;而在秋季则相反,在调查海域的东北部出现高值,随离岸距离的增加细胞丰度逐渐增加。在垂直方向上,春、夏两季,浮游植物细胞丰度在表层出现最大值,随着深度的增加细胞丰度逐渐降低;而在秋季细胞丰度分布比较均匀,随水深变化不明显。调查区表层浮游植物ShannonWiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数的平面分布基本一致,并且与细胞丰度的分布大致呈镶嵌分布。调查浮游植物群落的演替规律是:从春季的甲藻(具齿原甲藻、微小原甲藻(Prorocentrum minimum)等)为主,硅藻(柔弱伪菱形藻、骨条藻等)为辅;演替至夏季的硅藻(中肋骨条藻、海链藻等)为主,甲藻(主要是梭状角藻(Ceratium fusus)和叉状角藻(Ceratium furca))为辅,到秋季进一步演替为硅藻(具槽帕拉藻、圆筛藻、柔弱伪菱形藻等)为主,铁氏束毛藻(Trichodesmium thiebaultii)为辅。浮游植物物种组成、优势种、细胞丰度及多样性指数均表现出明显的时空变化。低氧区与非低氧区浮游植物群集存在明显差异。     

黄河口邻近海域浮游动物群落时空变化特征

利用2012年12月—2013年9月4个季度的现场调查资料研究了黄河口邻近海域浮游动物群落的时空分布特征。研究表明,黄河口邻近海域共鉴定出浮游动物70种,包括浮游幼虫19类。浮游动物优势种主要由夜光虫(Noctiluca scintillans)、小拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus parvus)、双刺纺锤水蚤(Acartia bifilosa)、拟长腹剑水蚤(Oithona similis)、强额拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus crassirostris)、近缘大眼剑水蚤(Corycaeus affinis)、强壮箭虫(Sagitta crassa)、双壳类幼体(Bivalvia larvae)、多毛类幼体(Polychaeta larvae)等种类。黄河口邻近海域浮游动物丰度夏季最高(60620个/m~3),春季(31228个/m~3)和秋季(21540个/m~3)次之,冬季最低(7594个/m~3)。不同季节浮游动物丰度的空间分布具有差异性,春季浮游动物丰度呈现出从近岸到外海降低的趋势;夏季浮游动物形成两个高丰度区,分别位于河口邻近海区和河口东部海区;秋季和冬季浮游动物丰度高值区均位于河口东部海区。浮游动物生物多样性指数均呈现从河口到外海升高的趋势,低值区位于黄河口入海口附近海区。相关性分析显示,黄河口邻近海域浮游动物丰度与海水温度显著正相关(r=0.212,P0.05),表明温度为影响黄河口邻近海域浮游动物丰度变化的主要因素。     

Limiting nutrients for periphyton growth in sub-alpine, forest, agricultural and urban streams

1. Nutrient-diffusing artificial substrata were used in summer and autumn to assess limiting nutrients for periphytic algal growth in streams draining sub-alpine, forested, agricultural and urban catchments in eastern Victoria, Australia. 2. Chlorophyll a density was primarily limited by nitrogen in most cases; often phosphorus was secondarily limiting. One sub-alpine, one forest and one agricultural stream were primarily phosphorus limited in at least one season. Added trace elements and vitamins did not increase chlorophyll density. 3. The dominant filamentous algal genera did not differ greatly between various nutrient enrichments. However, the relative abundance of Stigeodanium spp. was sometimes increased on substrata containing the limiting nutrient. 4. The results suggest that nutrient limitation is a widespread phenomenon in Victorian streams, and that limiting nutrients can be inferred from stream-water nitrogen to phosphorus ratios in many instances.     

长江口海域浮游糠虾类生态特征

利用2002—2003年长江口近海（122°00′—123°30′ E,29°00′—32°00′ N）四季调查资料,研究了长江口近海浮游糠虾类多样性、数量波动过程及其与渔场的关系.结果表明：长江口近海共有浮游糠虾14种,秋季10种,春、秋季8种,冬季2种.种类组成季节更替明显,其中从秋季到冬季更替率最高（90.9%）,春、夏和秋季多样性指数（H′）值均大于2,冬季为1- 夏季丰度均值最高［234.70 ind·(100 m³)^-1］,秋季为103.34 ind·(100 m³)^-1,春季80.36 ind·(100 m³)^-1,冬季最低12.40 ind·(100 m^3)-1,丰度变化与温度一致.因温、盐适应范围最广,漂浮囊糠虾是春、秋、冬3季的优势种;短额刺糠虾是夏、秋两季的优势种;长额刺糠虾是冬季的优势种各季节优势种对总丰度贡献均较大.夏季短额刺糠虾的聚集强度最高.长江口近海浮游糠虾类对长江口渔场及舟山渔场的形成具有重要意义.     

Post-fire, seasonal and annual dynamics of the ectomycorrhizal community in a Quercus ilex L. forest over a 3-year period

Two study plots, burned and control, were established in autumn 1998 in a Quercus ilex forest located in northern Spain, part of which had been affected by a low intensity fire in 1994. Soil samples for ectomycorrhizae (ECM) were taken over a 3-year period in each study plot in spring, summer, autumn and winter. ECM morphotypes were identified and the relative abundance of each morphotype in each soil sample calculated, along with species richness, Shannon diversity index and percentage of mycorrhization in each soil sample. The relative abundance of certain ECM morphotypes differed between burned and control plots, and the percentage of mycorrhizal tips was significantly lower in the burned than in the control plot. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in the diversity, species richness or species composition of the ECM community in the burned and control plots. The dominant ECM morphotypes in both stands were Cenococcum geophilum and several thelephoroid fungi. Sphaerosporella brunnea and Pisolithus tinctorius thrived especially in the burned plot, whereas three ectomycorrhizal morphotypes assigned to the genus Hebeloma were especially abundant in the control plot. There was no significant variation in the relative abundance of the ECM morphotypes between seasons, but ECM community species richness was highest in autumn and lowest in summer. The percentage of mycorrhizal tips reached a maximum in winter, with its minimum in autumn. Collection of samples over the 3-year period also enabled us to detect a significant increase in percentage of ECM colonisation in the burned stand over time.     

莱州湾及黄河口水域鱼类群落结构的季节变化

根据2011年5月—2012年4月对莱州湾及黄河口水域9个航次的渔业底拖网调查数据,对该水域鱼类群落结构特征及其季节变化进行了初步研究。结果表明:莱州湾及黄河口水域共捕获鱼类62种,隶属于11目、34科、53属,主要由暖水种和暖温种组成,其中鲈形目种类最多(37种),其次是鲉形目(7种)和鲽形目(6种)。春季优势种包括矛尾鰕虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias)、鲱衔(Callionymus beniteguri)、短吻红舌鳎(Cynoglossus joyneri)、矛尾复鰕虎鱼(Synechogobius hasta)和方氏云鳚(Enedrias fangi),其渔获量占总渔获量的70.8%;夏季包括矛尾鰕虎鱼、斑鰶(Konosirus punctatus)、鲱衔和短吻红舌鳎,占总渔获量的68.1%;秋季包括矛尾鰕虎鱼、赤鼻棱鳀(Thrissa kammalensis)、鳀(Engraulis japonicus)、青鳞小沙丁鱼(Sardinella zunasi)、斑鰶、小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)和矛尾复鰕虎鱼,占总渔获量的87.1%。平均单位时间渔获量存在显著季节变化,以秋季最高(22.63kg/h),其次是夏季(16.75kg/h),春季最低(1.29kg/h)。春季(5月)平均单位时间渔获量为0.69kg/h,为1959年、2003年、2006年和2008年春季(5月)的0.3%、0.3%、1.7%和541.2%,鱼类资源量虽有所回升,但总体呈大幅下降的趋势。鱼类种类数、丰富度指数和多样性指数夏季较高,秋季次之,春季最低,但是以渔获尾数计算的均匀度指数,夏季最大,春季最小,以渔获量计算的均匀度指数则相反,且丰富度指数和多样性指数与表层温度呈极显著相关(P0.01),丰富度指数和均匀度指数与表层盐度呈极显著相关(P0.01)。     

Marten and fisher responses to fluctuations in prey populations and mast crops in the northern hardwood forest

Many forest tree species produce seed (mast) crops that are consumed by a variety of wildlife species and these pulsed resources may mediate interactions among predator and prey populations. In the northern hardwood forests of New York, we investigated interactions among mast production, prey abundance, and harvests of American martens (Martes americana) and fishers (Martes pennanti) during 1988–2009. Mast production for beech (Fagus grandifolia), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and mountain ash (Sorbus americana) was synchronous and an alternate-year pattern in production was evident for most of the time series. We documented considerable temporal variation in summer small mammal relative abundance and our numerical response models received substantial support for 5 of the 8 species, indicating lagged responses to autumn mast crops. Trap response of martens to the autumn production of beech mast and mountain ash berries was immediate and numerical responses to the relative abundance of small mammal prey occurred during the preceding summer. The age structure of the marten harvest differed based on the dominant alternate-year pattern of summer prey relative abundance and autumn mast production (χ²₄ = 33.06, P < 0.001). The proportion of juvenile marten in the autumn harvest was 52% and 34% following summers when small mammal relative abundance was high and low, respectively and these differences resulted in a persistent cohort effect that was apparent until age 3.5. Trap response of fishers to the autumn production of beech mast was immediate and numerical responses to the relative abundance of Sciurid prey occurred during the preceding summer. Marten and fisher harvests fluctuated similarly among New York, Maine, and New Brunswick, which may indicate regional synchronization of mast crops and responses of martens and fishers to similar prey dynamics. A better understanding of how food availability influences demographic responses and trapping vulnerability of martens and fishers would aid our ability to manage harvests of these species on a sustained yield basis. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Successional dynamics of the phytoplankton in the lower part of the river Ebro

The temporal and spatial dynamics of phytoplankton have beenstudied in four sites located along the last 60 km of the riverEbro, over a period of 1 year. Diatoms and green algae werethe most abundant groups; blue-green algae were frequent onlyin autumn. Asterionella formosa dominated the winter phytoplanktonassemblages. In autumn, spring and early summer centric diatomswere dominant: Aulacoseira granulata (Ehr.) Simonsen in autunm;Cyclotella sp. p1., Skeletonema potamos (Weber) Hasle and StephanodisciLssp. p1. in spring. A great abundance of green algae was observedduring the summer, mainly in the lower sites. In the sites closerto the mouth, the spring maximum of centric diatoms extendedto the summer. Mainly in the downstream sites, a remarkablegrowth of Acrinocyclus normanii f. subsalsa (Juhl.-Daunf.) Hustedtand Stephanodiscus hantzschii f tenuis (Hust.) Hak. & Stoerm.was added to green algae in the late summer. As has been investigatedthrough a principal component analysis, the phytoplankton temporalsuccession and longitudinal differences between the sites maybe affected by the variations in flow and the increase of waterconductivity downstream; both factors seem to act together.The river is rather homogeneous with respect to the phytoplanktonassemblages during the winter and spring months, and from latespring to the following autumn, differences greatly increaseboth in time and downstream.