Identification of the spectral characteristics of submerged plant Vallisneria spiralis

The relationship between land features and their spectral characteristics is important for the interpretation of remote sensing images. In this study, the spectral characteristics of a submerged plant Vallisneria spiralis with varied coverage was measured with a ground sensor/radiometer, FieldSpec? Pro JR Spectroradiometer in the laboratory and in the constructed wetland of “Mengqingyuan”, Shanghai, China. The results showed that the reflectance rate of Vallisneria spiralis rose with its increasing coverage, which was exhibited both at the visible band (500–650 nm) and the near infrared band (700–900 nm). Water quality influenced the reflectance rate with the primary differences between the laboratory and field experiments mainly occurring at the near-infrared band (700–900 nm). A regression analysis was carried out respectively between the coverage of Vallisneria spiralis and the reflectance rate at the wavelengths of Quick Bird 4 bands where the coverage responded to the strongest. These results of regression analyses showed a clear linear relationship, by which the coverage of Vallisneria spiralis could be quantitatively deduced from the reflectance rate measured in situ. The implications in terms of the ability of hyperspectral remote sensing to distinguish and monitor the distribution and dynamics of submerged vegetation on a large scale are discussed.     

Toxicological and biochemical characterizations of malathion sensitivity in two field populations of Oxya chinensis （Orthoptera： Acridoidea）

We evaluate comparative toxicity of malathion in the two populations of the grasshopper Oxya chinensis, collected from Daixian and Fanshi of Shanxi province, China. General esterases and acetylcholinesterase （ACHE） from the two populations were characterized and compared. LD50 of the Daixian population （7.58 μg/g body weight） was 2.02-fold higher than that of the Fanshi population （3.75μg/g body weight）. General esterase-specific activities in the Daixian population were 1.91,130 and 1.85-fold higher than those in the Fanshi population, when α-NA, α-NB and β-NA were used as a substrate, respectively. Kinetic studies of general esterase showed that Vmax values of general esterases hydrolyzing α-NA,α-NB and β-NA in the Daixian population were 2.15-, 1.12-, and 1.47-fold, respectively, higher than those in the Fanshi population. The AChE activity of the Fanshi population was 1.54-fold higher than that of the Daixian population. Kinetic analysis of AChE showed that significant differences were presented between the two populations in the Km values; and the Vmax value in the Fanshi population was higher than that in the Daixian population. Inhibition studies of AChE indicated that AChE from the Daixian population was 2.56-, 2.80-, and 2.29-fold less sensitive to inhibition by paraoxon, chlorpyrifos-oxon, and demeton-S-methyl, respectively, than that from the Fanshi population. These biochemical characterizations of general esterases and AChE were consistent with malathion bioassay in the two populations. It is inferred that the reduced sensitivity of altered AChE and increased general esterase activities play an important role in the differences of insusceptibility of Oxya chinensis to malathion between the two populations.     

Identification of the spectral characteristics of submerged plant Vallisneria spiralis

The relationship between land features and their spectral characteristics is important for the interpretation of remote sensing images. In this study, the spectral characteristics of a submerged plant Vallisneria spiralis with varied coverage was measured with a ground sensor/radiometer, FieldSpec^TM Pro JR Spectroradiometer in the laboratory and in the constructed wetland of “Mengqingyuan”, Shanghai, China. The results showed that the reflectance rate of Vallisneria spiralis rose with its increasing coverage, which was exhibited both at the visible band (500–650 nm) and the near infrared band (700–900 nm). Water quality influenced the reflectance rate with the primary differences between the laboratory and field experiments mainly occurring at the near-infrared band (700–900 nm). A regression analysis was carried out respectively between the coverage of Vallisneria spiralis and the reflectance rate at the wavelengths of Quick Bird 4 bands where the coverage responded to the strongest. These results of regression analyses showed a clear linear relationship, by which the coverage of Vallisneria spiralis could be quantitatively deduced from the reflectance rate measured in situ. The implications in terms of the ability of hyperspectral remote sensing to distinguish and monitor the distribution and dynamics of submerged vegetation on a large scale are discussed.     

Ecological characteristics of Abies georgei population at timberline on the north-facing slope of Baima Snow Mountain, Southwest China

Abies georgei is one of the endemic trees at timberline on Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, but little research has been done about its timberline population. One plot was set up at timberline above 4400 m on the north-facing slope of Baima Snow Mountain in Southwest China, covering an area of 0.8 hm2. Height, DBH (diameter at breast high) or root-collar diameter of seedlings and saplings, and position were recorded for each individual. The population showed a growing trend and the number of individuals decreased with increase of DBH. The survival curve can be described by Deevy-III. The population had 2 distinct peaks of mortality: age I (seedlings, DBH = 0–5 cm) and age V-VI (DBH = 20–30 cm). The highest mortality of seedlings was due to severe climate at timberline. As the saplings grew up, the interspecific and intraspecific competition resulted in another mortality peak. Through SPPA (spatial point pattern analysis), individuals of all age-classes showed uniform, random or clumped distribution with the change of scales; however, they had mainly clumped distribution. Moreover, the relationships between individuals in different age-classes were all significantly correlated with each other. Seedlings showed the highest clumping intensity and scale.     

Spatial heterogeneity and population risk analysis of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, in China

In this study, semivariance was used to quantitatively measure the spatial heterogeneity for the egg population of cotton bollworm during a growing season. The typical characteristic parameters of theoretical semivariance models against lag distances were applied to measure components of spatial heterogeneity： trend, range, spatial dependence, and the strength of spatial dependence. Then, kriging interpolation was used to evaluate the population risk of cotton bollworm exceeding economic thresholds. From early June through early September, the population densities were sampled 10 times in the study field. Results showed that the spatial patterns were related to population density. For its low-density population, the spatially heterogeneous trends were usually of spherical shapes; but for highdensity ones, the trends shifted to Gaussian shapes. The spatial dependence appeared at varied distances ranging from 52 meters to 936 meters, and the spatial dependence was in the range of 0.39-288.60, which changed with population densities. While having high heterogeneity, the strength of spatial dependence became much stronger. Results of population risk analysis showed that there was a high risk during its early stages, especially in mid-June. In August, population risk was so low that it did not need to be controlled.     

The changes in water-use efficiency and stoma density of Leymus chinensis along Northeast China Transect

Leymus chinensis is a keystone species in the temperate zone grassland of China. Along the NECT (Northeast China Transect) in 2001, water-use efficiency of L. chinensis was analyzed with δ¹³C, and changes in the stoma density of its leaves were observed and computed under a microscope. Results showed that the ecological plasticity modulation of the stoma density of L. chinensis and its water-use efficiency were two important mechanisms for its broad ecological adaptability. From east to west along the NECT, the δ¹³C of the species varied from -27.49‰ to -23.57‰, consisting with the reduction of annual precipitation, soil water and annual average temperature, but increased with the increase of the elevation of sampling sites. The stoma density increased from 96.9/mm² to 169.5/mm², indicating that the water-use efficiency for the species was improved along the gradient. The linear coefficient between the two parameters was significant (R² = 0.7338). The results of a stepwise regression analysis showed that the soil water was the first marked factor for determining the stoma density, and the next was the annual precipitation, which suggested that the water factors were the primary ecological factors influencing the stoma density of L. chinensis. The findings in this study showed that the responses of the stoma density and the water-use efficiency for L. chinensis to environmental changes were very complicated. They may be the outcome operated synthetically by all environmental factors in the long-term adaptation to different ecological environments, including human activity, for L. chinensis.     

Important population viability analysis parameters for giant pandas (Aliuropoda melanoleuca)

Population viability analysis(PVA) is a tool to evaluate the risk of extinction for endangered species and aid conservation decision-making.The quality of PVA output is dependent on parameters related to population dynamics and life-history;however,it has been difficult to collect this information for the giant panda(Aliuropoda melanoleuca),a rare and endangered mammal native to China,confined to some 30 fragmented habitat patches.Since giant pandas are long-lived,mature late,have lower reproductive rates,and show little sexual dimorphism,obtaining data to perform adequate PVA has been difficult.Here,we develop a parameter sensitivity index by modeling the dynamics of six giant panda populations in the Minshan Mountains,in order to determine the parameters most influential to giant panda populations.Our data shows that the giant panda populations are most sensitive to changes in four female parameters:initial breeding age,reproductive rate,mortality rate between age 0 and 1,and mortality rate of adults.The parameter sensitivity index strongly correlated with initial population size,as smaller populations were more sensitive to changes in these four variables.This model suggests that demographic parameters of females have more influence on the results of PVA,indicating that females may play a more important role in giant panda population dynamics than males.Consequently,reintroduction of female individuals to a small giant panda population should be a high priority for conservation efforts.Our findings form a technical basis for the coming program of giant panda reintroduction,and inform which parameters are crucial to successfully and feasibly monitoring wild giant panda populations.     

The changes in water-use efficiency and stoma density of Leymus chinensis along Northeast China Transect

Leymus chinensis is a keystone species in the temperate zone grassland of China. Along the NECT (Northeast China Transect) in 2001, water-use efficiency of L. chinensis was analyzed with δ¹³C, and changes in the stoma density of its leaves were observed and computed under a microscope. Results showed that the ecological plasticity modulation of the stoma density of L. chinensis and its water-use efficiency were two important mechanisms for its broad ecological adaptability. From east to west along the NECT, the δ¹³C of the species varied from -27.49‰ to -23.57‰, consisting with the reduction of annual precipitation, soil water and annual average temperature, but increased with the increase of the elevation of sampling sites. The stoma density increased from 96.9/mm² to 169.5/mm², indicating that the water-use efficiency for the species was improved along the gradient. The linear coefficient between the two parameters was significant (R² = 0.7338). The results of a stepwise regression analysis showed that the soil water was the first marked factor for determining the stoma density, and the next was the annual precipitation, which suggested that the water factors were the primary ecological factors influencing the stoma density of L. chinensis. The findings in this study showed that the responses of the stoma density and the water-use efficiency for L. chinensis to environmental changes were very complicated. They may be the outcome operated synthetically by all environmental factors in the long-term adaptation to different ecological environments, including human activity, for L. chinensis.     

Growth in stem diameter of Larix principis-rupprechtii and its response to meteorological factors in the south of Liupan Mountain, China

Research related to daily and seasonal pattern of stem growth of Larix principis-rupprechtii was carried out with the help of a dendrometer from June to September in 2005 in the Liupan Mountain, Ningxia, Northwestern China. The results indicated that daily fluctuation of stem diameter was rhythmic and it could be divided into three continuous phases: contraction, expansion and stem diameter growth when daily rainfall < 10 mm during the measurement period. Comparatively, it showed a different pattern compared with the former when daily rainfall ≥10 mm and in the subsequent days. Based on the work done by Deslauriers et al. a modified method was designed to calculate daily and cumulative stem growth, and it showed that seasonal pattern of cumulative stem growth was similar among five sample trees. From June and July, stem growth rate was quick and the values were in the range 27.0–44.2 μm per day. Relatively, they took on a slow growth rate from August to September, and the values were under 10 μm per day. And it also showed that there existed a significant difference in stem growth among sample trees, which could be as a result of the difference in tree domain and their positions in the stand. The relationship between daily stem growth and meteorological factors was studied by principle component analysis and partial correlation analysis, and the result indicated that the daily rainfall, daily minimum temperature, daily average solar radiation and vapor pressure deficit were four significant factors which determined the daily stem growth.     

南方红豆杉无性系种群结构和动态研究

研究了元宝山南方红豆杉克隆种群的结构和动态．结果表明,种群S1～S6级个体均存在,S1、S2级个体占总个体数的64％．从元宝山南方红豆杉种群的大小级结构图看,结构呈较规则的金字塔形;南方红豆杉无性系幼树幼苗的贮备较为丰富,种群的年龄结构呈较规则的金字塔形,存活曲线近于倒J形;种群大小级动态指数Vpi=38．26％,考虑外部干扰时,Vpi′：6．38％>0,表现为稳定型种群．南方红豆杉种群更新的主要途径是无性繁殖,种群的数量动态主要受克隆内部调节机制以及外部环境的影响．生存分析结果表明,种群幼树幼苗的生存状态不稳定,死亡的可能性很大,而成年个体的生存状态则较为稳定．     

元宝山南方红豆杉种群结构——Ⅱ、高度结构

在资源调查的基础上选择样地 ,采用样方调查法研究红豆杉种群高度结构 ,结果表明南方红豆杉种群是通过茎干萌生幼苗 (构件 )来延续和扩大的 ,其结构为塔型 ,存活曲线为中间微凸而近于直线 ,是稳定型种群结构。幼苗幼树级占 95.3% ,其次为高度 9.1～ 11m的成年树级 ,占 1.6 %。为了扩大和延续 ,南方红豆杉种群通过大量萌生 (繁殖 )构件并进行自我调节 ,使幼树幼苗有较高的死亡率 ;种群个体进入优势层后 ,高度生长缓慢 ,而径向生长加快 ,因此 9.1～ 11m级数量增多。种间种内竞争的结果形成南方红豆杉种群世代不同大小个体的高度结构。南方红豆杉种群高度与胸径的关系为幂函数相关关系 ,高度与年龄 (<6 0 a)的关系为线性相关关系     

元宝山南方红豆杉构件种群结构研究——Ⅰ.大小结构

在资源量调查的基础上选择样地,采用１０ｍ×１０ｍ样方为基本调查单位,研究南方红豆杉种群,结果发现其在元宝山的种群是通过茎干萌生幼苗（构件）来延续和扩大的。种群结构可分为类型Ⅰ初始增长型、类型Ⅱ增长型种群前期类型、类型Ⅲ增长型种群、类型Ⅳ稳定型种群。对各样地的种群大小结构与大小级进行相关分析和负指数函数拟合,Ｐ１、Ｐ２、Ｐ３、Ｐ６、Ｐ７样地及种群综合大小结构呈显著相关关系。种群现状虽枯倒树较多但仍为稳定种群,元宝山红豆杉种群繁殖方式的发现和研究对开发和保护红豆杉植物资源具有重要意义。     

南方红豆杉盆栽扦插育苗技术研究

南方红豆杉(Taxus chinensis var. mairei)是中国特有的国家一级保护植物。2009-2010年采用2年龄实生苗为采条母株进行室内盆栽扦插试验研究,结果表明:珍珠岩和河沙两种基质相比较,珍珠岩上生根率显著高于河沙,是更佳选择;用市售的"花语牌"快速促根剂配制成5、10、15、2 0mg/mL 4个浓度分别处理插穗基部并以蒸馏水作对照发现,10 mg/mL、15 mg/mL处理有利于生长,15 mg/mL处理后生根率显著高于5 mg/mL、10 mg/mL、20 mg/mL及对照。再以同一浓度生根粉分别浸泡4 h、8 h、10 h作对比发现,8 h和10 h处理后生长效果较好,10 h的生根率显著高于4 h、8 h。     

南方红豆杉天然林群落结构特征研究

本文对福建三明陈大镇南方红豆杉天然林群落进行研究,测定了该群落11种主要树种的重要值,分析了该群落的种类组成、物种多样性、群落结构及其动态.结果表明,人为干扰较轻的南方红豆杉天然林群落比较稳定,天然更新良好,处于旺盛生长阶段.     

南方红豆杉丛枝菌根(AM)的研究

研究了南方红豆杉根部丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)侵染情况、菌根形态结构以及根际土中AMF孢子的种类与数量.结果显示:南方红豆杉可与AMF形成典型的丛枝-泡囊型菌根,侵染率在71.2%~94.4%,但是历山、蟒河自然保护区的侵染强度优于人工栽培区;在南方红豆杉根际土中共分离鉴定出5种AMF,无梗囊霉属1种、球囊霉属4种,分别是:光壁无梗囊霉、地表球囊霉、地球囊霉、缩球囊霉、明球囊霉,其中光壁无梗囊霉为优势种;南方红豆杉的根由表皮、外皮层、内皮层、中柱组成,AMF只侵染表皮层、内皮层,不能侵染中柱.这为将来利用AMF接种技术进行南方红豆杉的繁殖、移植栽培以及紫杉醇的积累等研究提供了理论依据.     

Microsatellite loci from Taxus chinensis var. mairei (Taxaceae), an endangered and economically important tree species in China

Taxus chinensis var.mairei is an endangered and economically important tree species in China.Four polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed and characterized using the fast isolation by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) protocol.Polymorphism of each locus was quantified for five natural populations from Hubei Province,China.The number of alleles per locus varied from 6 to 24.The ranges of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.493-1.000 and 0.440-0.845,respectively.These are the first microsatellites reported for the family of Taxaceae and will be helpful for the ongoing population and conservation genetics research of Taxus chinensis var.mairei.     

南方红豆杉毛状根诱导体系的建立及毛状根中 紫杉醇的分离纯化研究

目的:研究发根农杆菌对南方红豆杉转化的转化体系和毛状根中紫杉醇的提取纯化工艺;方法:采用发根农杆菌对南方红豆杉不同外植体进行诱导,并对影响毛状根转化的因素进行分析。采用超临界CO2流体萃取法、硅胶柱色谱法以及高效液相法对毛状根中的紫杉醇进行分离提纯;结果:成功构建了南方红豆杉毛状根诱导体系。其中农杆菌的种类、外植体类型、预培养和共培养时间、培养基中激素浓度均影响毛状根的转化率。毛状根经高压纸电泳检测显示表达冠瘿碱。毛状根中紫杉醇经超临界CO2法提取及硅胶柱色谱法分离提纯,采用高效液相法分析显示其纯度可达到98%。结论:发根农杆菌诱导南方红豆杉产生的毛状根中可产生紫杉醇,可作为紫杉醇的主要来源。     

光胁迫对南方红豆杉叶片中叶绿体色素和紫杉醇含量的影响

研究了在光胁迫下南方红豆杉叶片中叶绿体色素含量和紫杉醇含量的动态变化。结果表明,与对照相比,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素的含量以及叶绿素a/叶绿素b比值在光胁迫下均减少,随胁迫时间的延长,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素的含量逐渐上升,叶绿素a与叶绿素b的比值先上升后下降;类胡萝卜素含量在前两周与对照相比降低,2周后高于对照;类胡萝卜素与叶绿素的比值高于对照,随胁迫时间的延长,其趋势先降低后上升。光胁迫处理后,南方红豆杉叶片中紫杉醇含量与对照相比,在第1周时略有下降,而后随胁迫时间的延长,紫杉醇含量在第2周开始迅速大量积累,而在处理3周时达到较高值,已增加到1.5倍,这对提高人工种植的南方红豆杉中紫杉醇含量具有非常重要的意义。     

山西陵川南方红豆杉群落种间联结与生态位特征研究

基于对山西陵川县境内野生南方红豆杉群落的样地调查,采用总体相关性VR检验、Pearson相关系数、Spearman秩相关系数和生态位测度方法,在群落尺度上对南方红豆杉群落的种间联结性和生态位特征进行了研究。结果显示:(1)南方红豆杉(Taxus chinensis(Pilger)Rehd.var.mairei(Lemee et Levl.)Cheng et L.K.Fu)、荆条(Vitex negundo L.var.heterophylla(Franch.)Rehd.)、鹅耳枥(Carpinus turczaninowii Hance)、连翘(Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl)和三裂绣线菊(Spiraea trilobata L.)的重要值和生态位宽度较大,为群落中的建群种和优势种;(2)物种间生态位重叠指数总体偏高,种间竞争较强,尤其是南方红豆杉与其他物种之间;(3)群落总体呈显著负联结,大多数种对间呈中性关联(χ23.84,P0.05);(4)群落中物种间的Pearson相关系数、Spearman秩相关系数与生态位重叠指数之间表现为极显著的正相关(P0.01),而生态位宽度与生态位重叠指数之间未表现出线性关系,即物种间的竞争关系随种间关联性的增大而增强,而与生态位宽度没有直接关系。本研究可为保护和利用本区现有野生南方红豆杉资源提供合理的理论支撑。