转基因作物对土壤生态系统的影响

综述了转基因作物对土壤生态系统影响的研究进展,包括转基因作物中的外源基因在土壤中的活性,转基因作物对土壤微生物区系有土壤酶活性的影响以及转基因作物对土壤动物区系的影响,转基因作物对土壤生态系统的影响与导入的外源基因特性和土壤类型相关,转基因产物进入土壤后引起的土壤生物变化的程度依赖于许多因素,最重要的决定因素是生态系统的复杂性和稳定性,评价不同转基因作物对土壤生态系统的影响具有重要的生态学意义,急需发展和完善以分子生物学为主的风险评价方法。     

Temporal variability of the ichthyofauna in a Northern Aegean coastal lagoon (Greece). Influence of environmental factors

The ichtyofauna of the Porto-Lagos Lagoon in northern Greece was sampled over 17 months, using a bag-seine net, to investigate factors influencing species seasonal composition and abundance. Of the 35 resident, migrant and straggler species caught, representing 22 families, the most numerically dominant species were Atherina boyeri (46.4% of total catch), which today is the most economically important species, followed by Pomatoschistus marmoratus (28% of total catch) and Aphanius fasciatus (9.1% of total catch). Mugilidae and Sparidae were the most diverse families. According to various diversity indices, the lagoon’s ichthyofauna was found to be most diverse in May 1990; taxonomic spread however, as shown by the taxonomic distinctness index (Δ*), was lowest in July 1990, when the greatest monthly water temperature range was observed (13.5 °C). Overall fish relative abundance was positively correlated with the maximum monthly water temperature (r²=0.32, p < 0.05). The NMDS and cluster analysis performed on the bag seine catches showed four groupings, based mainly on the life history of the species. The main group consisted of all the resident species of the lagoon and four mugilid species that were present throughout most of the sampling period. The second group consisted of marine migrant species that spent a short period of their life in the lagoon. Marine migrants and one marine straggler that were found once or twice formed the third group, while the fourth group consisted of species with casual presence. The importance of Porto-Lagos Lagoon as nursery and feeding area for marine species was confirmed by the catch of young individuals of several marine species.     

Nitrogen isotope ratios and fatty acid composition as indicators of animal diets in belowground systems

This study analyses trophic interactions between soil fungi, micro- and mesofauna in microcosm experiments. The trophic shift of ¹⁵N and fatty acids (FAs) was investigated in different food chains, which comprised either two (fungi and grazers) or three (fungi, nematodes and Collembola) levels. Contrary to the widely accepted assumption of ¹⁵N enrichment in trophic cascades the experiments revealed enrichment, depletion or no change in ¹⁵N of consumers compared to their diet. Factors responsible for this pattern were suggested to be: (1) the main metabolic pathway used for N excretion in ammonotelic nematodes to be similar or depleted in the heavier isotope, and uricotelic Collembola mostly enriched in the heavier isotope; (2) a higher shift in ¹⁵N with a high-protein diet (e.g. for predators); (3) compensation due to low-quality food altering the fractionation of ¹⁵N. Analysis of the lipid composition showed phospholipids to be generally unaffected and neutral lipids closely related to the FA pattern of the food source. Dietary routing of FAs into neutral lipids occurred, as evidenced by corresponding frequencies of FAs in host and consumer profiles. Additionally, several FAs were only detected in the grazer when present in the food source. Oleic acid showed a shift over three trophic levels, from fungi to nematodes to Collembola. The assimilation of dietary FAs resulted in a more diverse neutral lipid profile, i.e. animals higher in the food chain contained more individual FAs compared to animals lower in the food chain. The results indicate that monoenoic C18 and monoenoic C20 FAs have the potential to act as tools for the bioindication of feeding strategies in belowground systems. We suggest that primary consumers will have no or only trace amounts of monoenoic C20 acids in their neutral lipid profile, whereas consumers feeding on a eukaryote diet will show a considerably higher frequency.     

Removal of bacteria and nutrient dynamics within the coral reef framework of Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles)

The authors studied removal rates of bacteria and the regeneration of inorganic nutrients in coral reef cavities in the reef slope of Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles. We found that in cavities the hard substratum surface area (=ca 68% of cavity surface area) is 65% covered with sessile filter feeders. The cryptic cavity surface area exceeds the projected surface area of the reef by 1.5–8 times. Consequently, the organisms living in these cryptic habitats have potentially a large impact on pico- and nano-plankton densities and are important in reef water nutrient dynamics. We closed cavities (±70 l volume, 15 m depth) in seven experiments to study changes in bacterial densities and dissolved inorganic nutrients (DIN, DIP, and silicate) over time. Water samples were taken from the middle of the cavity at 5-min intervals, for 30 min, and analyzed for heterotrophic bacterial abundance and nutrient concentrations. After closure, bacterial abundance dropped rapidly. Of the initial bacterial concentration in the cavities, 50–60% had disappeared after 30 min, an average disappearance rate of 1.43×10⁴ bacteria ml^–1 min^–1 (0.62 mg C l^–1 d^–1; or 30.1 mg C m^–2 cavity surface area d^–1). NO_x concentrations increased significantly during the time of closure. Efflux rates varied between 1.02–9.77 mmol m^–2 cavity surface area d^–1. NH₄⁺ and PO₄^3– concentrations were variable and did not show a consistent change over time in the experiments. Comparison of bacterial organic nitrogen disappearance rates and DIN (NO_x+NH₄⁺) release rates suggests that on average only 30–40% of additional sources of N besides bacteria were required to balance the nitrogen budget. This highlights the importance of heterotrophic bacterioplankton as food for cryptic filter feeders on coral reefs. Silicate concentrations significantly decreased after closure with 0.50 mmol m^–2 cavity surface area d^–1, suggesting the net deposition of SiO₄^2– in spicules of cryptic filter feeding sponges. We conclude that coral reef cavities are a major sink for heterotrophic bacteria, a sink for dissolved silicon (DSi), and a source for NO_x. That reef cavities are a source for NO_x suggests strong remineralization and nitrification in cavities with a potential role for sponge-symbiotic microbial nitrification.Communicated by K.S. Sealey     

Assessing spatial variation in browsing history by means of fraying scars

Aim We used fraying scars to understand spatial variation in browsing history. Information on browsing history is an essential background in studies on the long‐term effect of deer browsing on the flora and fauna and of its variation in space. Location We focused on two small neighbouring islands of Haida Gwaii (British Columbia, Canada), Reef Island and South‐Skedans Island, colonized by introduced black‐tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis). Methods We searched for sites where trees with fraying scars were clustered. We studied the trees that deer selected (species, size) and the characteristics of scars (number, position, size). Using a cross‐dating procedure, we dated fraying scars with dendrochronology, obtaining an accurate estimate of the year the scar was formed. Results On Reef Island, Thuja plicata was the tree species chosen for fraying. On South‐Skedans Island, where Thuja plicata is missing, deer chose Salix sp. and Alnus rubra. Deer chose only trees with a circumference of less than 50 cm. About two to three fraying scars were recorded per tree. All of them extended between 30–40 and 70–80 cm from the ground and were between 5 and 6 cm in width. On Reef Island, 95% of the scars were formed during the last 50 years. On South‐Skedans Island, 95% were formed over the last 10 years. Age distribution of scars showed a constant increase of the number of scars over time. It indicated that deer had colonized Reef Island 53 years prior to this study but were absent or rare on South‐Skedans Island until 13 years prior to this study. Main conclusions These results indicate different colonization dates and thus different length of browsing histories for the islands studied and provide the historical background necessary to analyse the involvement of deer in the current differences in the flora and fauna observed between islands.     

东营盐生植物园土壤动物群落多样性研究

【背景】生物多样性是生物安全的重要内容之一,其包括基因多样性、物种多样性和生态系统多样性3个方面。环境污染、农药污染、重金属污染、海水倒灌、人类活动等诸多因素导致了物种多样性的降低。保护生物多样性是黄河三角洲大规模开发建设必须考虑的关键问题之一。【方法】用Tullgren干漏法分离、采集山东省黄河三角洲地区东营盐生植物园的土壤动物标本,对其多样性进行研究。【结果】蜱螨目是该地区的主要优势类群,占捕获土壤动物总数量的78．95％;另一优势类群为弹尾目,占捕获土壤动物总数量的14．03％;膜翅目和鞘翅目是常见类群,分别占捕获土壤动物总数量的3．57％和1．43％;其他均为稀有类群。在调查的10块样地中,优势类群弹尾目个体数量变化明显,在不同样地问的分布数量存在明显差异。东营盐生植物园土壤动物多样性与均匀度变化规律一致。【结论与意义】蜱螨目、弹尾目、膜翅目和鞘翅目构成了东营盐生植物园土壤动物的主体,对该区土壤动物群落多样性特征起着决定性作用。该区稀有类群多,但稀有物种数量较少,如不采取有效措施,该区的稀有物种随时有灭绝的危险。同时,盐胁迫作用的增强,能够影响土壤动物的数量与分布。因此,我们应在关注盐碱地改造进程的同时,更加关注该区土壤动物多样性的变化。     

云南开远发现小杓鹬

正2012年9月8日,在云南省红河州开远市三角海水库(23°35'27.61″N,103°18'16.09″E,海拔1 300 m)进行鸟类调查时,于湖边退水草地中发现1只小杓鹬(Numenius minutus)在约50只灰头麦鸡(Vanellus cinereus)和近60只牛背鹭(Bubulcus ibis)组成的混合群中一起觅食。作者对小杓鹬     

黑龙江兴凯湖国家级自然保护区的鱼类资源

2009年5月～2012年1月,对黑龙江兴凯湖国家级自然保护区的鱼类资源状况进行了调查。调查结果表明,兴凯湖保护区共有鱼类7目15科49属67种,其中土著鱼类7目13科42属60种;鱼类组成具有典型的古北界区系特征,鲤科鱼类是其中最大的类群,构成区系成分的主体;经济鱼类种群以小型种类为主体,年龄结构偏低;渔获物种类小型化、个体低龄化;种群资源量和渔获量都在下降。兴凯湖保护区的鱼类资源呈衰退趋势。     

川西北冷杉林恢复过程中土壤动物群落动态

为了掌握川西北冷杉林群落恢复过程中土壤动物群落的变化动态,2008年4月对川西北地区的原始冷杉林和50a冷杉林的土壤动物群落进行了调查。共捕获大型土壤动物287个,33科(类);中小型土壤动物4681个,57科(类)。50a冷杉林大型土壤动物群落的类群数和密度显著高于原始冷杉林(P<0.05);中小型土壤动物群落的类群数和密度分别显著低于(P<0.05)和高于原始林(P<0.05)。PCA排序结果表明两个不同年龄段间的大型和中小型土壤动物群落结构均存在明显差异,但大型土壤动物群落间的相似性系数小于中小型土壤动物群落,表明大型土壤动物群落的恢复速度慢于中小型土壤动物群落;且大型和中小型土壤动物群落间的Srenson相似性均低于Morisita-Horn相似性,进一步表明群落物种组成的恢复速度较慢,而优势类群及常见类群的数量恢复较快。50a冷杉林的大型和中小型土壤动物的多样性指数H、丰富度指数D和优势度指数C均高于原始冷杉林,而均匀度指数E则低于原始冷杉林,但仅大型土壤动物的丰富度指数D存在显著差异(P<0.05)。以上研究结果表明,冷杉林的恢复过程可显著提高大型土壤动物群落多样性,且土壤动物群落的组成恢复较慢,而优势类群和常见类群的个体数量恢复较快。     

Fast attrition of springtail communities by experimental drought and richness–decomposition relationships across Europe

Soil fauna play a fundamental role on key ecosystem functions like organic matter decomposition, although how local assemblages are responding to climate change and whether these changes may have consequences to ecosystem functioning is less clear. Previous studies have revealed that a continued environmental stress may result in poorer communities by filtering out the most sensitive species. However, these experiments have rarely been applied to climate change factors combining multiyear and multisite standardized field treatments across climatically contrasting regions, which has limited drawing general conclusions. Moreover, other facets of biodiversity, such as functional and phylogenetic diversity, potentially more closely linked to ecosystem functioning, have been largely neglected. Here, we report that the abundance, species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and functional richness of springtails (Subclass Collembola), a major group of fungivores and detritivores, decreased within 4 years of experimental drought across six European shrublands. The loss of phylogenetic and functional richness was higher than expected by the loss of species richness, leading to communities of phylogenetically similar species sharing evolutionary conserved traits. Additionally, despite the great climatic differences among study sites, we found that taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional richness of springtail communities alone were able to explain up to 30% of the variation in annual decomposition rates. Altogether, our results suggest that the forecasted reductions in precipitation associated with climate change may erode springtail communities and likely other drought‐sensitive soil invertebrates, thereby retarding litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in ecosystems.