Modeling in the museum: On the role of remnant models in the work of Joseph Grinnell

Accounts of the relation between theories and models in biology concentrate on mathematical models. In this paper I consider the dual role of models as representations of natural systems and as a material basis for theorizing. In order to explicate the dual role, I develop the concept of a remnant model, a material entity made from parts of the natural system(s) under study. I present a case study of an important but neglected naturalist, Joseph Grinnell, to illustrate the extent to which mundane practices in a museum setting constitute theorizing. I speculate that historical and sociological analyses of institutions can play a specific role in the philosophical analysis of model-building strategies.     

日本落叶松人工林种群自然稀疏规律的研究

一、前言日本落叶松(Larix kaempferi)原产日本。种群地理分布范围为北纬35°20′—38°10′,东经136°45′—140°30′,海拔高度为1000—2800m。1900年引入我国,以其较强的适应性“定居”下来,而且生长速度在抚顺地区远比长白落叶松(L.olgensis var.changpaiensis)、兴安落叶松(L.gmelinii)为快;我国黑龙江、吉林、辽宁、山东、山西、陕西、北京、河南、河北、江西、湖北、四川以及新疆等地都有人工栽培,而以吉林、辽宁东部栽培面积较大,在年平均气温2.5—12.0℃、年降水量500—1400mm 的水热条件下能正常生长。     

Mathematical modelling of runoff and material transport from drainage areas into recipient water bodies

This paper describes a set of mathematical models to calculate runoff, soil erosion and chemical substance yields for drainage areas. The models represent different degrees of complexity and details of describing hydrological and hydrochemical processes. The availability of initial information and the requirements of the task determine the choice of a model for each particular case. These models have been written as PC/AT programs, to enable their use by a wide range of specialists. The models have been tested in different physical and geographical conditions, e.g. in some small watersheds on the Karelian Isthmus, west of Lake Ladoga, and in experimental catchment areas located in the Valdai Hills area in the southern part of Lake Ladoga drainage area. In further applications the drainage area models have been combined with models of the recipient water body, to obtain a single model of a watershed-lake system. The results of tests have proved that the models can be used for evaluation, simulation and forecasting of the processes of rainfall and snowmelt runoff, infiltration, evaporation, water erosion and pollutant wash-off from drainage areas.     

Vertical distribution of benthic nematodes in an oligotrophic lake: seasonality, species and age segregation

The vertical distribution of nematodes up to 20 cm sediment depth was studied over a one-year period in the alpine, oligotrophic lake Königssee. Ten water depths were examined, four of which correspond to the littoral (1 m, 2 m, 5 m, 10 m), three to the littoriprofundal (15 m, 20 m, 30 m) and three to the profundal (60 m, 120 m, 190 m). The sediment was devided into four layers (0–2 cm, 2–5 cm, 5–10 cm and 10–20 cm). (1) The highest proportion of nematodes was found in the top layer. Out of 45 263 nematodes, 89% were found in the first 5 cm of the sediment and only 1 % deeper than 10 cm. (2) The proportion of nematodes in the top layer increased along with water depth. Water depth was a better predictor of percentage of nematodes in the top layer than particle size or content of organic carbon in the sediment. (3) There were considerable differences among species in their vertical distribution in the sediment. (4) There was a significant trend for juveniles to occupy more superficial layers than adults across various species. (5) There are time related vertical preferences among adults and juveniles of several nematode species across the year, suggesting vertical migration in the sediment (e.g. Aphanolaimus aquaticus Daday, Eumonhystera longicaudatula Gerlach & Riemann, Tobrilus gracilis Bastian, Monhystera paludicola de Man, Ethmolaimus pratensis de Man and Ironus tenuicaudatus de Man). The factors determining the vertical variation in nematode abundance in freshwater systems across space and time are still unknown.     

Changes of the forest-savanna boundary in Brazilian Amazonia during the Holocene revealed by stable isotope ratios of soil organic carbon

The possibility of ecosystem boundary changes in northern Brazilian Amazonia during the Holocene period was investigated using soil organic carbon isotope ratios. Determination of past and present fluctuations of the forest-savanna boundary involved the measurement of natural ¹³C isotope abundance, expressed as ¹³C, in soil organic matter (SOM). SOM ¹³C analyses and radiocarbon dating of charcoal fragments were carried out on samples derived from soil profiles taken along transects perpendicular to the ecotonal boundary. SOM ¹³C values in the upper soil horizons appeared to be in equilibrium with the overlying vegetation types and did not point to a movement of the boundary during the last decades. However, ¹³C values obtained from deeper savanna and forest soil layers indicated that the vegetation type has changed in the past. In current savanna soil profiles, we observed the presence of mid-Holocene charcoals derived from forest species: fire frequency at that time was probably greater, and more extensive savanna may have resulted. Isotope data and the presence of these charcoals thus suggest that the forest-savanna boundary has shifted significantly in the recent Holocene period, forest being more extensive during the early Holocene than today. During the middle Holocene, the forest could have strongly regressed, and fires appeared, with a maximum development of the savanna vegetation. At the beginning of the late Holocene, the forest may have invaded a part of this savanna, and fires occurred again.     

Purification and characterization of Kurloff cell sialoglycoproteins with acid phosphatase activity

The majora2–6 sialoglycoproteins in detergent-extracts of Kurloff cells were purified by anion-exchange andSambucus nigra agglutinin-affinity chromatographies. The similar ultrastructural localisations of (1)S. nigra agglutinin-gold conjugates and (2) acid phosphatase activities on the Kurloff body and particularly on its myelin figures indicated that the majora2-6 sialoglycoproteins of the Kurloff cell had acid phosphatase activity. Two-dimensional electrophoresis showed that these tartrate-sensitive phosphatases corresponded to 2 acidic (pI 3.4–3.7) polypeptides of 36 and 34 kDa. Hydrolysis with peptide-N-glycosidases F gave a 33 kDa apoprotein rich in alanine, glutamic acid, tyrosine and lysin. A lectin-affinity study demonstrated that they contained hybrid type bisected and fucosylatedN-linked oligosaccharides. Cytotoxic properties were previously attributed to Kurloff cells and other studies suggested that not only acid phosphatases but alsoa2-6-linked sialic acid residues themselves may participate in natural killer activity.     

The origin and recycling of sedimented biogenic debris in a subalphine eutrophic lake (Lake Bled, Slovenia)

The areal distribution of organic C contents, ¹³C values, total N and P and biogenic Si contents in surficial sediments were used to study the distribution, origin and diagenetic transformations of sedimented biogenic debris in the eutrophic subalpine Lake Bled (Slovenia), which for most of the yearhas an anoxic hypolimnion. The influence of an allochthonous input, restricted to the western basin, was clearly traced by higher organic C and total N and P contents, higher ¹³C values, and higher sedimentation rate in comparison to the eastern basin. The low ¹³C values of sedimentary organic matter in the major part of the lake, lower than the ¹³C values of different types of organic matter, suggest that this sedimentary organic matter is most probably the product of a microbial community and not a residue of primary production.The temporal variation of benthic diffusive fluxes of NH₄, Si and PO₄, derived from modelling the pore water profiles, was related to sedimentation of phytoplanktonic blooms, while the PO₄ fluxes were also dependent on changing redox conditions at the sediment-water interface in the period of the winter-spring overtum. The removal of PO₄ in pore waters is probably due to the adsorption of phosphate and precipitation of apatite and vivianite. The budget of C, N and P at the sediment-water interface revealed a high recycling efficiency (>70%), also confirmed by the rather uniform (or only slightly decreasing) vertical profiles of organic C, total N and P in sediment cores and C/N and C/P ratios. The percentage of biogenic Si recycling is low (<10%), suggesting its removal in sediments.     

Sediment quality assessment in the delta of rivers Rhine and Meuse based on field observations,bioassays and food chain implications

The quality of sediment was assessed in 46 sites in the delta of the rivers Rhine and Meuse (The Netherlands) by means of physical-chemical analysis, field observations on the macrobenthic community structure, accumulation studies and bioassays using Chironomus riparius, Daphnia magna and Photobacterium phosphoreum. The results of chemical analyses were classified using national criteria for sediment quality. Results of field studies and bioassays were classified using criteria derived from research in reference areas or based on data from literature. Risk assessment was carried out according to the sediment quality triad and by means of multi criteria analysis (MCA). The Triad approach was used to demonstrate causal relations between effects on the macrozoobenthos community structure, effects demonstrated in bioassays and sediment pollution. This was done by making a comparison of sediment contamination levels with toxicity data from literature for the test organisms of the bioassays. Using the MCA method, for each site a numerical value was derived for total environmental risk in the present situation, based on observed effects. In this way, a relative risk ranking of all sites was realized. The MCA values for the present situation were also compared with MCA scores based on estimated risks after remediation in 1995, in order to set priorities for sites where remediation is expected to cause a significant reduction in environmental risk. In most of the 46 sites studied so far, the macrofauna community was poorly developed, judged by a low number of benthic species, low abundances and a high dominance of species regarded as relatively tolerant to chemical pollution. In bioassays high sediment toxicity was demonstrated for 24 sites. Using the sediment quality triad approach, 25 sites were identified as areas where pollution can be held responsible for the effects observed in the field. From a comparison of contaminant concentrations in different types of food with maximum tolerable risk levels, and the application of a bioaccumulation model it was concluded that the sediment pollution also implies high risks for plant-, benthos- or fish-eating birds (secondary poisoning of top predators). In the Nieuwe Merwede highest MCA risk scores were found for shallow parts where highly polluted sediments are found. It is concluded that the sediment quality triad and the MCA provide additional information which can be used to establish priorities for remedial action. Based on an ecotoxicological evaluation of the improved quality of new sediments that will be deposited after removal of the polluted sediments in the Nieuwe Merwede, it is concluded that in this upstream part of the Rhine delta remedial action will be effective.     

Fluoranthene as a model toxicant in sediment studies with Chironomus riparius

The bioavailability of fluoranthene (as a model toxicant) in freshwater sediment tests with Chironomus riparius was investigated in relation to the partitioning of the chemical between water and sediment. Effects on survival and successful development of newly hatched larvae through to adult emergence were measured over a range of sediment concentrations. Radiolabelled fluoranthene was employed to enable sediment, aqueous and tissue concentrations to be determined. A significant effect on emergence was obtained at a measured sediment concentration of 80 mg kg^-1 (dry weight). The measured concentration in the overlying water was 88 g l^-1. Although effects at 170 mg kg^-1 (dry weight) were more severe, the measured concentration in the overlying water was similar (89 g l^-1), probably reflecting the approach towards the solubility limit. Bioaccumulation of fluoranthene, determined by analysis of emerging adults, was approximately proportional to the sediment concentration. Although the aqueous phase concentration appeared to be the principal factor controlling bioavailability, the increasing toxicity, when water concentrations had reached a plateau, suggested that other mechanisms may also be involved. Different sediment spiking procedures resulted in broadly similar partitioning of the chemical between the sediment and the overlying water. There were only minor differences in toxicity between the procedures, two of which allowed the carrier solvent used for spiking to be eliminated before addition of the test organisms. It was concluded that, for most purposes, all four procedures were equally acceptable, and by retaining a flexible approach, even for standardised regulatory tests, spiking procedures may be tailored to the physico-chemical properties of the test material.     

植物资源与化学数据库系统（DPRC）的功能与应用

由中国科学院昆植物研究所和云南省机械研究设计院的植物资源化学数据库系统是一个将植物资源,植物化学成分及化学结构的多种信息、数据和图象融为一体的、开和式多功能软件系统、,包括植资源检索系统、植物化学成分检索系统及天然产物化学结构检索系统等三个子系统。