民勤荒漠区主要植物群落的稳定性及生态效应

以民勤荒漠区5种主要植物群落10个样方12年的定位观测资料为基础,运用植被盖度和投影盖度2个指标对荒漠区植物群落的稳定性及其生态效应进行分析,以期阐释随着全球变暖荒漠植物群落的稳定性和生态效应的变化规律。观测结果表明,沙蒿(Artemisia arenaria)的植被盖度和麻黄(Ephedra przewalskii)的植被盖度以及沙蒿的投影盖度和梭梭(Haloxylon ammodendron)人工林的投影盖度显著下降,白刺(Nitraria tangutorum)的植被盖度亦下降。分析结果表明:(1)植被盖度相对较低的群落的稳定性较强,而植被盖度相对较高的群落的稳定性相对较差。(2)当年降水量是决定植被盖度及其投影盖度的关键因子。(3)单位面积的白刺的生态功能最大,其次是麻黄,再次是白刺+梭梭,单位面积的沙蒿的生态功能最低。荒漠区植被稀疏,植株枝条分布极不规则,以冠幅计算所得的植被盖度不能反映植被实际覆盖地表的状况。     

鄂尔多斯高原植物群落季节生长格局模拟

影响大尺度空间生态模型模拟结果与资源管理整合的因素主要有两种:一是一些模型生态学意义不明确,二是一些模型所需要的生态输入信息过于复杂。建立一个基于基本的生态学公理且输入较为简单的生态学模型,便于更加有效地服务于资源环境管理。该模型用于模拟发生严重荒漠化的鄂尔多斯高原植物群落的季节及年生长、叶片投影盖度、蒸发系数。模型首先基于降雨、蒸散、渗漏及土壤水分特性与蒸发系数(k)的关系,采用迭代的计算方法,模拟植物群落蒸散与土壤可利用水分达到平衡状态时的k值,进而采用得到广泛验证的经验公式计算植物群落的其它参数。野外N PP观察数据对模型的验证表明:模拟结果与观察值相符较好。模拟结果表明:蒸发系数小于0 .35×10 - 2 ,显示鄂尔多斯高原气候较为干燥;叶片投影盖度低于5 0 % ;除东部的准格尔旗外,植物群落净第一性生产力均低于1t/(hm2·a) ,近90 %的N PP累积集中于5至8月份。根据该文的模拟结果,在进行植被恢复时,恢复植被密度必须低于5 0 % ,放牧密度以0 .8～2 .0个/hm2 羊单位为宜     

中国北方草地植物群落季节生长格局模拟

中国北方草地横跨干旱、半干旱及亚湿润干旱气候区，水分是限制中国北方草地植物群落生产力的主要气候因子.采用基于水分平衡过程的、简单的植物群落模型，利用460个气象站40年气象数据的月平均值，模拟中国北方7种草地类型的季节及年生长、叶片投影盖度(FPC)、蒸发系数(k)及净第一性生产力(NPP).野外观测数据对模型的验证显示模拟结果与观测值相符较好.温性草地自东向西，青藏高原自东南向西北，植物群落的k、NPP与FPC呈递减趋势，显示了中国温性草地自东向西，青藏高原自东南向西北逐渐干旱的水分梯度；其中高寒草甸的3个模拟参数值均最高，高寒草原FPC次于高寒草甸，而NPP却与温性典型草原相近，温性典型荒漠的3个参数最低.高寒草甸、高寒草原、温性草甸草原、温性典型草原、温性荒漠草原、温性草原化荒漠和温性典型荒漠等7种类型草地的畜群承载力约为每公顷5.2、2.3、3.6、2.1、1.0、0.6和0.2只羊单位，区域最适恢复植被盖度分别以93%、79% 、56%、50%、44%、38%和37%为宜.     

基于数码照片的植被盖度测量方法研究进展

盖度是植物群落结构的一个重要参数,被广泛地用于生态、水文、水土保持等研究中。基于数码照片的植被盖度测量是精确获取盖度值的一个重要手段。文章对基于数码照片的植被盖度测量方法的相关进展进行了综述,介绍了应用于盖度测量的主要数据源,照片的边缘形变和阴影处理方法,详细分析了各种盖度测量方法的原理、优缺点和适用范围,评述了照片拍摄时间、拍摄角度、光照条件以及植被疏密程度等对盖度测量准确度的影响,并对未来的发展趋势进行了分析。     

南宁市植物群落结构特征与局地小气候效应关系分析

着重探讨植物群落结构特征与生态小气候因子间的相关性。结果表明:(1)在林荫处,植物群落总冠幅盖度、总密度、群落重要值均与温度成极显著的负相关;植物群落群落重要值还与相对湿度达到显著正相关。(2)在林隙处,植物群落总平均株高与光照强度成显著正相关,与风速成极显著负相关。(3)植物群落结构特征与其小气候生态效应间的相关性是:总平均株高与遮光效应值达到极显著的正相关,与挡风效应值亦达到显著的正相关。另外,总冠幅盖度与降温效应值成极显著的正相关。同时,总密度与降温效应值亦成极显著的正相关。特别是群落重要值与降温、增湿、挡风、遮光等生态效应值都成显著甚至极显著的正相关。通过分析与探讨南宁市植物群落结构和小气候因子间的相关性机理,可为科学地进行城市绿化、生态城市建设提供理论依据。     

乌素沙地水源圈植物群落的分布格局

水源圈是干旱地区普遍存在的现象.以毛乌素沙地围栏牧场水源点为中心,在辐射状样带上等间距取样调查10户围栏牧场的植物群落,并对植物群落及植物功能群的丰富度、盖度与其距水源点距离进行回归分析和间接梯度分析.结果表明：随着距水源点距离的增加,毛乌素沙地植物群落的特征呈现出明显的梯度变化,植物群落及其功能群的丰富度增大,植物群落总盖度、灌木和禾草的盖度均表现出增加趋势,而杂类草的盖度却呈现下降趋势.植物群落结构和组成的变化反映了水源点附近沙地上的放牧梯度.水源圈是研究我国北方地区草场退化格局及其驱动因素的切入点.     

毛乌素沙地水源圈植物群落的分布格局

水源圈是干旱地区普遍存在的现象.以毛乌素沙地围栏牧场水源点为中心,在辐射状样带上等间距取样调查10户围栏牧场的植物群落,并对植物群落及植物功能群的丰富度、盖度与其距水源点距离进行回归分析和间接梯度分析.结果表明:随着距水源点距离的增加,毛乌素沙地植物群落的特征呈现出明显的梯度变化,植物群落及其功能群的丰富度增大,植物群落总盖度、灌木和禾草的盖度均表现出增加趋势,而杂类草的盖度却呈现下降趋势.植物群落结构和组成的变化反映了水源点附近沙地上的放牧梯度.水源圈是研究我国北方地区草场退化格局及其驱动因素的切入点.     

不同恢复措施对内蒙古乌拉特中旗荒漠草原植物群落的影响

处于干旱地区的内蒙古荒漠草原，在防风固沙、生物多样性保育等方面发挥着重要的生态功能。近年来由于人类活动的干扰及气候变化的影响，内蒙古荒漠草原生态系统发生了严重的退化。如何有效恢复荒漠草原的生态功能是当前亟待解决的问题，科学合理地进行人为定向培育是荒漠草原植物群落恢复与重建的重要措施。本研究以乌拉特中旗荒漠草原为对象，通过控制实验探讨了不同退化程度下植物群落结构及地上生物量对不同恢复措施的响应。结果表明：在重度退化的荒漠草原生态系统，短期封育提高了杂类草的相对盖度，使群落地上生物量增加2.11倍；添加有机肥提高了禾草物种丰富度，使群落地上生物量提高了3.97倍；补播显著提高了植物群落的盖度、密度，使群落地上生物量提高了9.76倍。在重度沙化区，补播显著提高了群落的盖度、密度、地上生物量，但对物种多样性无显著影响。在中度退化区，添加复合肥显著降低了短花针茅群落杂类草物种数，提高了禾草及植物群落的地上生物量；添加复合肥显著提高了柠条锦鸡儿-丛生禾草群落中禾草物种丰富度，但对植物群落盖度、密度及地上生物量无显著影响；喷施叶面肥显著降低了藏锦鸡儿-灌丛化禾草群落杂类草的盖度和密度，提高了禾草的地...     

高寒草甸地区小哺乳动物群落与植物群落演替关系的研究

本文阐述了小哺乳动物群落和植物群落的演替关系;验证了动物群落对植物群落结构的非独立性假设。小哺乳动物群落种的多样性与植物群落的盖度和高度呈显著负相关,植物群落的演替引起小哺乳动物群落的相应演替。并通过加速次生植被演替进程的试验,调控了有害小哺乳动物群落,提出从生态演替规律出发,在退化严重的草地上,通过人的合理参与,协调动植物群落间的结构关系,以达到人类获取畜牧业最大持续生产量,最终使生物生产量得到永续利用的目的。     

高原鼠兔对退化草地植物群落结构及恢复演替的影响

2009年4月至2011年9月采用围栏封育和去除法,对去除高原鼠兔的处理组和鼠兔扰动(对照组)区域植物群落结构、物种组成和地上生物量进行了比较分析,旨在阐明高原鼠兔对草地植物群落结构和群落演替的影响。结果表明:去除高原鼠兔处理组和对照区域植物群落平均高度和种盖度逐年上升,均在2011年达到最大值,平均高度分别为6.5 cm和4.2 cm,二者差异极显著(F=127.80,df=1,10,P0.01),种盖度分别为126.5%和117.9%,差异不显著;植物群落组成中,处理区域禾草和莎草地上生物量比对照区域分别增加了1 965.1%和33.2%,二者差异极显著(F=41.29,df=1,10,P0.001),豆科植物和杂类草分别下降了89.9%和30.7%;处理区域植物群落生态优势度发生了显著变化,由以杂类草为主改变为以禾草为主,而对照组均以杂类草为主,变化不明显。相似性指数2009-2011年在对照区域年间变化范围为0.7168-0.7550,在去除高原鼠兔处理区域年间变化范围为0.6464-0.6732;对照区域和处理区间变化范围为0.5354-0.8956。根据试验结果我们认为,高原鼠兔的扰动可以有效降低植物群落的平均高度和植物种盖度,但植物种类组成主要以杂类草为主,年间变化不明显,表明鼠兔的扰动延缓了植物群落的恢复演替。     

The Role of Partnerships in U.S. Food Policy Council Policy Activities

Food Policy Councils (FPC) help to identify and address the priorities of local, state, and regional food systems with the goal of improving food systems through policy. There is limited research describing FPCs’ strategies for accomplishing this goal. As part of a larger study examining FPC policy efforts, this paper investigates the role of partnerships in food systems policy change. We conducted interviews with representatives from 12 purposefully selected FPCs in the United States and 6 policy experts identified by the selected FPC representatives to document and describe their policy work. One theme that emerged from those interviews was the role of partners. Interviewees described a range of partners (e.g., stakeholders from government, business, and education) and credited FPC partnerships with advancing their policy goals by increasing the visibility and credibility of FPCs, focusing their policy agenda, connecting FPCs to key policy inputs (e.g., local food community knowledge and priorities), and obtaining stakeholder buy-in for policy initiatives. Partnerships were also described as barriers to policy progress when partners were less engaged or had either disproportionate or little influence in a given food sector. Despite these challenges, partnerships were found to be valuable for FPCs efforts to effectively engage in the food policy arena.     

Neuropathological similarities and differences between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a flow cytometric postmortem brain study

Recent studies suggest that schizophrenia (SCH) and bipolar disorder (BPD) may share a similar etiopathology. However, their precise neuropathological natures have rarely been characterized in a comprehensive and quantitative fashion. We have recently developed a rapid, quantitative cell-counting method for frozen unfixed postmortem brains using a flow cytometer. In the present study, we not only counted stained nuclei, but also measured their sizes in the gray matter of frontopolar cortices (FPCs) and inferior temporal cortices (ITCs) from patients with SCH or BPD, as well as in that from normal controls. In terms of NeuN(+) neuronal nuclei size, particularly in the reduced densities of small NeuN(+) nuclei, we found abnormal distributions present in the ITC gray matter of both patient groups. These same abnormalities were also found in the FPCs of SCH patients, whereas in the FPCs of BPD patients, a reduction in oligodendrocyte lineage (olig2(+)) cells was much more common. Surprisingly, in the SCH FPC, normal left-greater-than-right asymmetry in neural nuclei densities was almost completely reversed. In the BPD FPC, this asymmetry, though not obvious, differed significantly from that in the SCH FPC. These findings indicate that while similar neuropathological abnormalities are shared by patients with SCH or BPD, differences also exist, mainly in the FPC, which may at least partially explain the differences observed in many aspects in these disorders.     

Eucalyptus foliar chemistry explains selective feeding by koalas

The koala is the quintessential specialist herbivore, feeding almost exclusively on Eucalyptus foliage. Consequently, the limitations imposed on the koala's diet by plant defences indicate the extent to which evolutionary adaptations allow mammalian herbivores to circumvent such defences. We tested whether a recently discovered group of plant secondary metabolites, the formylated phloroglucinol compounds (FPCs), deters koalas from feeding on some eucalypt foliage. We found that captive koalas ate less foliage in a single night from trees with high FPC concentrations. Individual trees also differ in the types of FPC they possess, but for a given eucalypt species, most FPCs were similarly effective deterrents. Two closely related and sympatric eucalypt species could be clearly separated by the amounts that koalas ate from each; however, this difference could not be explained by total FPC concentrations alone. We suggest, that in this case, the presence of a distinct type of FPC deters koala herbivory on the less palatable species, and may have facilitated the evolutionary divergence of these species. We conclude that plant defences probably play an important role in determining the distribution and abundance of koalas.     

Differential susceptibility to Eucalyptus secondary compounds explains feeding by the common ringtail (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) and common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

The effect of two plant secondary metabolites, tannins and formylated phloroglucinol compounds (FPCs), on the intake of Eucalyptus foliage by common ringtail (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) and common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) was studied. We manipulated the amount of tannin that was free to bind with protein by coating foliage with polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG) and relied on natural intraspecific variation in FPC concentrations. In contrast to ringtail possums, brushtail possums showed a greater tolerance to FPCs and ate more foliage when it was coated with PEG, suggesting that tannins limited their food intake. Brushtails detected the effects of tannins through immediate oral sensations rather than through systemic effects. Ringtail possums appeared highly tolerant of foliar tannins yet susceptible to low concentrations of FPCs. We could not detect any interaction between tannins and FPCs that affected the intake of Eucalyptus foliage by either species of possum. Although ringtail and brushtail possums are widely regarded as specialist and generalist folivores, respectively, their differential susceptibility to co-occurring secondary metabolites suggests greater complexity. Each possum species appears to be a specialist in its own right, which leads to a partitioning of available foliage. Brushtails avoid tannins and ringtails avoid FPCs.     

Foliage projective covers of overstorey and understorey strata of mature vegetation in Australia

At maturity, both overstorey and understorey foliage projective covers (FPC) tend to reach steady-state values which are correlated with the evaporative coefficient (k) in the water balance equation of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Overstorey FPCs of mature communities increase linearly from 20 to 85% along the moisture gradient from arid to humid regions. Understorey FPCs in mature communities are relatively constant along the same moisture gradient, increasing only slightly from 40 to 47%. Plant communities which have overstorey FPCs different from the norm, appear to show a compensatory decrease or increase in understorey FPC so that the sum of the FPCs of overstorey and understorey is equal to that predicted for the region.     

Wastewater-Based Epidemiology of Stimulant Drugs: Functional Data Analysis Compared to Traditional Statistical Methods

Background

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a new methodology for estimating the drug load in a population. Simple summary statistics and specification tests have typically been used to analyze WBE data, comparing differences between weekday and weekend loads. Such standard statistical methods may, however, overlook important nuanced information in the data. In this study, we apply functional data analysis (FDA) to WBE data and compare the results to those obtained from more traditional summary measures.

Methods

We analysed temporal WBE data from 42 European cities, using sewage samples collected daily for one week in March 2013. For each city, the main temporal features of two selected drugs were extracted using functional principal component (FPC) analysis, along with simpler measures such as the area under the curve (AUC). The individual cities’ scores on each of the temporal FPCs were then used as outcome variables in multiple linear regression analysis with various city and country characteristics as predictors. The results were compared to those of functional analysis of variance (FANOVA).

Results

The three first FPCs explained more than 99% of the temporal variation. The first component (FPC1) represented the level of the drug load, while the second and third temporal components represented the level and the timing of a weekend peak. AUC was highly correlated with FPC1, but other temporal characteristic were not captured by the simple summary measures. FANOVA was less flexible than the FPCA-based regression, and even showed concordance results. Geographical location was the main predictor for the general level of the drug load.

Conclusion

FDA of WBE data extracts more detailed information about drug load patterns during the week which are not identified by more traditional statistical methods. Results also suggest that regression based on FPC results is a valuable addition to FANOVA for estimating associations between temporal patterns and covariate information.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci influencing foliar concentrations of terpenes and formylated phloroglucinol compounds in Eucalyptus nitens

Leaves of eucalypt species contain a variety of plant secondary metabolites, including terpenoids and formylated phloroglucinol compounds (FPCs). Both terpene and FPC concentrations are quantitative traits that can show large variation within a population and have been shown to be heritable. The molecular genetic basis of this variation is currently unknown. Progeny from a field trial of a three-generation mapping pedigree of Eucalyptus nitens were assayed for terpenes and FPCs. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses were conducted using a map constructed from 296 markers to locate regions of the genome influencing foliar concentrations of these plant secondary compounds. A large number of significant QTL for 14 traits were located across nine linkage groups, with significant clustering of QTL on linkage groups 7, 8 and 9. As expected, QTL for biosynthetically related compounds commonly colocated, but QTL for unrelated monterpenes and FPCs also mapped closely together. Colocation of these QTL with mapped candidate genes from the various biosynthetic pathways, and subsequent use of these genes in association mapping, will assist in determining the causes of variation in plant secondary metabolites in eucalypts.     

Distribution of foliar formylated phloroglucinol derivatives amongst Eucalyptus species

Formylated phloroglucinol compounds (FPCs) in Eucalyptus leaves are important determinants of feeding in marsupial folivores and have a wide range of other biological actions. We conducted a survey of the occurrence of formylated phloroglucinol compounds (euglobals, macrocarpals and sideroxylonals) in acetone-petrol extracts of 41 species of Eucalyptus from among seven informal subgenera growing on the East Coast of Australia. We used electrospray ionisation, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTMS) to search crude extracts of eucalypt leaves for molecular weights characteristic of FPC compounds. We found masses characteristic of reported FPCs in 27 of the 41 species examined. The most frequently identified group of compounds was the sideroxylonals. Notable was the lack of known FPCs in the informal subgenus Monocalyptus.     

Genetic screening and genetic counseling: knowledge, attitudes, and practices in two groups of family planning professionals.

67 obstetrical and gynecological physicians and 102 professional staff members of family planning clinics (FPCs) in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area returned questionnaires relating to knowledge of basic genetic principles and attitudes towards genetic screening and genetic counseling. The best understood genetic risk was Down's syndrome in children born to mothers over 40 years of age. Nearly 90% of physicians and 85% of FPC staff knew this but only 12% of physicians and 30% of FPC staff knew it is caused by chromosomal aberration. Next best understood defect is sickle cell anemia. In overall knowledge the physicians had a mean score of 4.45 of 7 genetic questions, FPC staff, 3.32. However, FPC workers who had received in-service genetic training scored 4.42 (p less than .001). Knowledge of the 2 genetic clinics in the area and acceptance of the principles of genetic screening were associated with the individual's acceptance of sterilization as a method of birth control and acceptance of abortion if the fetus had significant risk of being born deformed. Both of these associations were at the significant level for both physicians and FPC workers. Both physicians and FPC workers who have themselves had genetic counseling or who have family members who have had such counseling show higher acceptance levels. An association was also found between acceptance and genetic educational background. About 92% of respondents who had read articles or textbooks pertaining to genetics during the preceding year approved of including genetic information as part of maternal and child health projects compared with 82% of those who had not (p less than .02). Among the physicians 36% felt it should be required, 34% voluntary, and 30% did not know; for FPC workers, 59, 27, and 14%, respectively. Protestants and Jews tended to favor required premarital screening while Catholics tended to oppose it (p less than .007). It is disconcerting that over 50% of the physicians did not know the recurrence risk of PKU and over 20% did not know the gene is the basic unit of inheritance. While it is true that over 1/2 completed basic professional education more than 20 years ago when genetics was not part of the medical school curriculums this basic knowledge needs to have been acquired during continuing medical education. In this study more than 1/3 of the FPC staff indicated they had been asked to provide genetic counseling or had referred clients. This points up the importance of such workers in a comprehensive genetic counseling service.     

FPC Web tools for rice, maize, and distribution

Many clone-based physical maps have been built with the FingerPrinted Contig (FPC) software, which is written in C and runs locally for fast and flexible analysis. If the maps were viewable only from FPC, they would not be as useful to the whole community since FPC must be installed on the user machine and the database downloaded. Hence, we have created a set of Web tools so users can easily view the FPC data and perform salient queries with standard browsers. This set includes the following four programs: WebFPC, a view of the contigs; WebChrom, the location of the contigs and genetic markers along the chromosome; WebBSS, locating user-supplied sequence on the map; and WebFCmp, comparing fingerprints. For additional FPC support, we have developed an FPC module for BioPerl and an FPC browser using the Generic Model Organism Project (GMOD) genome browser (GBrowse), where the FPC BioPerl module generates the data files for input into GBrowse. This provides an alternative to the WebChrom/WebFPC view. These tools are available to download along with documentation. The tools have been implemented for both the rice (Oryza sativa) and maize (Zea mays) FPC maps, which both contain the locations of clones, markers, genetic markers, and sequenced clone (along with links to sites that contain additional information).