Seasonal dynamics of fine root biomass, root length density, specific root length, and soil resource availability in a Larix gmelinii plantation

Fine root turnover is a major pathway for carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems and is most likely sensitive to many global change factors. Despite the importance of fine root turnover in plant C allocation and nutrient cycling dynamics and the tremendous research efforts in the past, our understanding of it remains limited. This is because the dynamics processes associated with soil resources availability are still poorly understood. Soil moisture, temperature, and available nitrogen are the most important soil characteristics that impact fine root growth and mortality at both the individual root branch and at the ecosystem level. In temperate forest ecosystems, seasonal changes of soil resource availability will alter the pattern of carbon allocation to belowground. Therefore, fine root biomass, root length density (RLD) and specific root length (SRL) vary during the growing season. Studying seasonal changes of fine root biomass, RLD, and SRL associated with soil resource availability will help us understand the mechanistic controls of carbon to fine root longevity and turnover. The objective of this study was to understand whether seasonal variations of fine root biomass, RLD and SRL were associated with soil resource availability, such as moisture, temperature, and nitrogen, and to understand how these soil components impact fine root dynamics in Larix gmelinii plantation. We used a soil coring method to obtain fine root samples (⩽2 mm in diameter) every month from May to October in 2002 from a 17-year-old L. gmelinii plantation in Maoershan Experiment Station, Northeast Forestry University, China. Seventy-two soil cores (inside diameter 60 mm; depth intervals: 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–30 cm) were sampled randomly from three replicates 25 m × 30 m plots to estimate fine root biomass (live and dead), and calculate RLD and SRL. Soil moisture, temperature, and nitrogen (ammonia and nitrates) at three depth intervals were also analyzed in these plots. Results showed that the average standing fine root biomass (live and dead) was 189.1 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹, 50% (95.4 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹) in the surface soil layer (0–10 cm), 33% (61.5 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹), 17% (32.2 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹) in the middle (10–20 cm) and deep layer (20–30cm), respectively. Live and dead fine root biomass was the highest from May to July and in September, but lower in August and October. The live fine root biomass decreased and dead biomass increased during the growing season. Mean RLD (7,411.56 m·m⁻³·a⁻¹) and SRL (10.83 m·g⁻¹·a⁻¹) in the surface layer were higher than RLD (1 474.68 m·m⁻³·a⁻¹) and SRL (8.56 m·g⁻¹·a⁻¹) in the deep soil layer. RLD and SRL in May were the highest (10 621.45 m·m⁻³ and 14.83m·g⁻¹) compared with those in the other months, and RLD was the lowest in September (2 198.20 m·m⁻³) and SRL in October (3.77 m·g⁻¹). Seasonal dynamics of fine root biomass, RLD, and SRL showed a close relationship with changes in soil moisture, temperature, and nitrogen availability. To a lesser extent, the temperature could be determined by regression analysis. Fine roots in the upper soil layer have a function of absorbing moisture and nutrients, while the main function of deeper soil may be moisture uptake rather than nutrient acquisition. Therefore, carbon allocation to roots in the upper soil layer and deeper soil layer was different. Multiple regression analysis showed that variation in soil resource availability could explain 71–73% of the seasonal variation of RLD and SRL and 58% of the variation in fine root biomass. These results suggested a greater metabolic activity of fine roots living in soil with higher resource availability, which resulted in an increased allocation of carbohydrate to these roots, but a lower allocation of carbohydrate to those in soil with lower resource availability. __________ Translated from Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2005, 29(3): 403–410 [译自: 植物生态学报, 2005, 29(3): 403–410]     

计算机X 线片骨放射密度法在蛋鸡骨质 疏松症研究中的应用

应用灰度对比法的原理建立了计算机X线片蛋鸡骨放射密度法。结果表明,铝阶厚度与灰度之间呈显著的线性关系（P〈0．01,r=0．997）,铝阶厚度变化可准确反映蛋鸡骨骼骨量变化,不同曝光条件对骨量值无明显的影响（P〉0．05）。该方法简便,精确,重复性好,经济,为研究蛋鸡骨质疏松症提供重要的检测手段。     

不同培养条件下莱茵衣藻细胞中SGAT酶活性的变化

利用模式单细胞植物莱茵衣藻,研究不同培养条件下细胞中丝氨酸：乙醛酸氨基转移酶活性的变化情况。结果表明：莱茵衣藻SGAT酶活性的最适pH介于5￣7之间,当pH高于7以后,酶活性逐渐下降;随着细胞密度增加,SGAT酶活性降低;光强可显著影响SGAT酶活性,在一定光强范围内,随着光照强度的增加,酶活性增强;乙酸作为莱茵衣藻的唯一异养碳源也会影响SGAT酶活性,两者间呈正相关;提高氧浓度,显著地提高了细胞内SGAT的酶活性;当二氧化碳浓度增加时,细胞内SGAT的酶活性也略有升高;40℃高温和15℃低温处理后,SGAT酶活性均降低。此外,提高氧浓度时细胞内Gly含量增加,Ser含量减少,Gly/Ser的比值从0.79提高到1.49。     

Sea turtle nesting distributions and oceanographic constraints on hatchling migration

Patterns of abundance across a species''s reproductive range are influenced by ecological and environmental factors that affect the survival of offspring. For marine animals whose offspring must migrate long distances, natural selection may favour reproduction in areas near ocean currents that facilitate migratory movements. Similarly, selection may act against the use of potential reproductive areas from which offspring have difficulty emigrating. As a first step towards investigating this conceptual framework, we analysed loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nest abundance along the southeastern US coast as a function of distance to the Gulf Stream System (GSS), the ocean current to which hatchlings in this region migrate. Results indicate that nest density increases as distance to the GSS decreases. Distance to the GSS can account for at least 90 per cent of spatial variation in regional nest density. Even at smaller spatial scales, where local beach conditions presumably exert strong effects, at least 38 per cent of the variance is explained by distance from the GSS. These findings suggest that proximity to favourable ocean currents strongly influences sea turtle nesting distributions. Similar factors may influence patterns of abundance across the reproductive ranges of diverse marine animals, such as penguins, eels, salmon and seals.     

A strong quantitative trait locus for wing length on chromosome 2 in a wild population of great reed warblers

Wing length is a key character for essential behaviours related to bird flight such as migration and foraging. In the present study, we initiate the search for the genes underlying wing length in birds by studying a long-distance migrant, the great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus). In this species wing length is an evolutionary interesting trait with pronounced latitudinal gradient and sex-specific selection regimes in local populations. We performed a quantitative trait locus (QTL) scan for wing length in great reed warblers using phenotypic, genotypic, pedigree and linkage map data from our long-term study population in Sweden. We applied the linkage analysis mapping method implemented in GridQTL (a new web-based software) and detected a genome-wide significant QTL for wing length on chromosome 2, to our knowledge, the first detected QTL in wild birds. The QTL extended over 25 cM and accounted for a substantial part (37%) of the phenotypic variance of the trait. A genome scan for tarsus length (a body-size-related trait) did not show any signal, implying that the wing-length QTL on chromosome 2 was not associated with body size. Our results provide a first important step into understanding the genetic architecture of avian wing length, and give opportunities to study the evolutionary dynamics of wing length at the locus level.     

4种城市绿化树种叶片PAHs含量特征与叶面结构的关系

用气质联用仪测定了长沙市樟树(Cinnamomu camphora)、广玉兰(Magnolia grandiflora)、桂花(Opsmanthus fragrans)和红檵木(Redrlowered loropetalum)4个主要绿化树种叶片中PAHs含量,同时测定了叶片的气孔密度、气孔长宽比、叶片的宽长比和叶面积等叶面结构特征值,探讨了叶面结构与叶片中PAHs含量的关系。结果表明:红檵木叶片的PAHs含量最高,为11.13mg·kg-1,16种PAHs在4树种叶片中均有不同程度的检出,其中以3环和4环为主,菲的浓度最高。除桂花外,在气温较低的秋冬季节,其余3种植物叶片气孔密度大PAHs含量高。叶面宽长比、气孔长宽比均与叶片PAHs含量呈极显著正相关,而叶面积与PAHs含量呈极显著负相关。表明叶面结构是影响叶片PAHs含量的重要因素。研究结果可为城市绿化树种合理选择与配置提供科学依据。     

稀疏植被区空气动力学粗糙度特征及遥感反演

应用中国西北半干旱区定西试验站2005年观测资料,估算了典型的稀疏农作物区空气动力学粗糙度,结合空气动力学模型分析了稀疏植被区空气动力学粗糙度的时间变化及其与风速、植株密度的关系,并得出空气动力学粗糙度的参数化方案;结合卫星遥感得到的植被叶面积指数资料,模拟了区域空气动力学粗糙度,得出:(1)空气动力学粗糙度的时间变化与风速变化规律有相反的特点;在稀疏植被区,粗糙单元分布密度对流场有一定影响,随粗糙单元密度的增加,空气动力学粗糙度将逐渐增大。(2)植株高度超过0.2m时,植被高度和植株密度、叶面积指数对空气动力学粗糙度的影响较大,当植株高度低于0.2m时,风速的影响较大。(3)结合遥感反演的叶面积指数,采用空气动力学粗糙度和叶面积指数及风速的关系,反演了空气动力学粗糙度,反演结果空间分布和误差都反映了实际空气动力学粗糙度的特征,证明空气动力学粗糙度遥感参数化比较成功。     

晋西北黄土区幼龄柠条细根的净生长速率

以晋西北黄土区5年生柠条(Caragana korshinskii)人工林为研究对象,使用微根管技术对林地100cm土层深度的柠条细根生长动态进行观测。以根长密度(RLD,mm.cm-3)为基本参数,以净生长量(RLDnet,mm.mm-3)和净生长速率(RLDNGR,mm.cm-.3d-1)为相应导出参数,对2007年生长季(4-9月份)柠条细根的RLDNGR及其与环境因子气温、降雨量、土壤温度、土壤水分的关系进行了探讨。结果表明:柠条细根的RLDnet为(2.923±1.767)mm.cm-3;RLDNGR为(0.113±0.069)mm.cm-.3d-1。50-100cm土层是柠条细根生长的活跃区,其细根RLDNGR是0-50cm土层细根的1.5倍。柠条细根生长的季节变化趋势呈单峰型,4月初至8月初RLDNGR逐渐增大,8月中旬RLDNGR达到最大,之后逐渐减小,9月下旬RLDNGR出现负值。统计分析表明,柠条细根的RLDNGR与气温呈显著正相关。年生长季柠条细根的累计净生长量为14.613mm.cm-3;累计净生产力为1.461×108m.hm-2。     

Distribution and interspecific correlation of root biomass density in an arid Elaeagnus angustifolia–Achnatherum splendens community

Main objective of this study was to determine the interspecific relationships between two dominant species in terms of root distribution in a typical arid tree-herbage (Elaeagnus angustifolia–Achnatherum splendens) community at Xidatan, Pingluo County, Ningxia Autonomous Region, Northwest China. Eight concentric zones (namely, Z1–Z8) were set from the bases of E. angustifolia individuals to the open lands and five soil profiles were excavated in each zone. Each soil profile was divided into five layers at the depths of 0–10 cm, 10–30 cm, 30–60 cm, 60–100 cm and 100–150 cm. Roots were collected for each species, and soil water content (SWC) and soil bulk density (SBD) were measured for each layer. We found noteworthy roots layer separation in the sub-canopy zones (Z1–Z4). The soil layers with highest fine root biomass density (FRBD) of A. splendens was primarily in the 0–10 cm, which were significantly shallower than those of E. angustifolia; whereas in the inter-canopy zones (Z5–Z8), inconsistent separation, or even overlapping of highest-FRBD-layers emerged between the two dominant species. Correlation analyses showed that negative correlations of FRBD between the two species mainly occurred in those soil layers with relatively higher FRBD and lower SWC. In contrast, positive correlations corresponded with relatively lower FRBD and higher SWC.     

漠河地区养殖的北极狐冬季被毛性状与保温性能的关系

被毛是哺乳动物最主要的特征之一,其保温功能对动物适应寒冷环境意义重大。为了探讨北极狐(Alopex lagopus)在被毛性状上如何适应寒冷的气候条件,对大兴安岭漠河地区人工养殖北极狐的背中部直针毛、上层绒毛、下层绒毛的长度、毛根细度、毛干细度以及毛密度、单个毛束内的毛数量、毛束密度、复合毛囊最大横切面积、1mm2内复合毛囊最大横切面总面积等14个性状因子进行测量分析。结果表明,北极狐绒毛分为上下两层,下层绒毛的长度、毛根细度和毛干细度均小于上层绒毛,上层绒毛长度与直针毛接近,直针毛长度与上层绒毛、下层绒毛长度均不存在显著相关性;毛密度与毛束密度极度正相关(P0.01),但与毛根细度、毛干细度、单个毛束内的毛数量和1mm2内复合毛囊最大横切面总面积不存在显著相关性,且与复合毛囊最大横切面积的相关性较小;复合毛囊最大横切面积受毛根细度、单个毛束内的毛数量和毛束密度的影响较小。北极狐不是通过降低毛细度的方式来增加毛密度以加强保温功能,而是通过改变被毛在皮肤内的分布格局来增加毛密度,以及将有髓质的绒毛分为上下两层来改变被毛空间结构这两种策略提高被毛内静止空气的量以加强保温功能,进而适应高纬度地区的寒冷环境。