Changes in Root Hydraulic Conductivity During Wheat Evolution

A better understanding of the mechanisms of water uptake by plant roots should be vital for improving drought resistance and water use efficiency (WUE). In the present study, we have demonstrated correlations between root system hydraulic conductivity and root characteristics during evolution using six wheat evolution genotypes (solution culture) with different ploidy chromosome sets (Triticum boeoticum Bioss., T. monococcum L.: 2n = 2x = 14; T. dicoccides Koern., T. dicoccon (Schrank) Schuebl.: 2n = 4x = 28;T. vulgare Vill., T. aestivum L. cv. Xiaoyan No. 6: 2n = 6x = 42). The experimental results showed that significant correlations were found between root system hydraulic conductivity and root characteristics of the materials with the increase in ploidy chromosomes (2x→6x) during wheat evolution. Hydraulic conductivity of the wheat root system at the whole-plant level was increased with chromosome ploidy during evolution, which was positively correlated with hydraulic conductivity of single roots, whole plant biomass,root average diameter, and root growth (length, area), whereas the root/shoot ratio had an inverse correlation with the hydraulic conductivity of root system with increasing chromosome ploidy during wheat evolution. Therefore, it is concluded that that the water uptake ability of wheat roots was strengthened from wild to modern cultivated species during evolution, which will provide scientific evidence for genetic breeding to improve the WUE of wheat by genetic engineering.     

Seasonal Variation of δ13C of Four Tree Species: A Biological Integrator of Environmental Variables

Foliar δ13C values, an indicator of long-term intercellular carbon dioxide concentration and, thus,of long-term water use efficiency (WUE) in plants, were measured for Pinus massoniana Lamb., P. elliottii Engelm., Cunninghamia laceolata (Lamb.) Hook., and Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. in a restored forest ecosystem in the Jiazhu River Basin. Seasonal variation and the relationship between the foliar δ13Cvalues of the four species and environmental factors (monthly total precipitation, monthly average air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, and monthly total solar radiation and evaporation)were investigated. The monthly δ13C values and WUE of the four species increased with increasing precipitation, air temperature, solar radiation, and evaporation, whereas δ13C values of the four species decreased with increasing relative humidity and atmospheric pressure. Despite significant differences in δ13C seasonal means for the four species, our results demonstrate a significant convergence in the responses of δ13C values and WUE to seasonal variations in environmental factors among the species investigated and that the δ13C signature for each species gives a strong indication of environmental variables.     

Photosynthetic, Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Tomato Plants to Polyethylene Glycol-Induced Water Deficit

Polyethylene glycol （PEG 6000）-induced water deficit causes physiological as well as biochemical changes in plants. The present study reports on the results of such changes in hydroponically grown tomato plants （Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Nikita）. Plants were subjected to moderate and severe levels of water stress （i.e. water potentials in the nutrient solution of- 0.51 and -1.22 MPa, respectively）. Water stress markedly affected the parameters of gas exchange. Net photosynthetic rate （Pn） decreased with the induction of water stress. Accordingly, a decrease in the transpiration rate （E） was observed. The ratio of both （Pn/E） resulted in a decrease in water use efficiency. One of the possible reasons for the reduction in Pn is structural damage to the thylakoids, which affects the photosynthetic transport of electrons. This was indicated by an increase in non-photochemical quenching and a reduction in the quantum yield of photosystem Ⅱ. Furthermore, a decrease in both leaf water potential and leaf osmotic potential was observed, which resulted in a significant osmotic adjustment during stress conditions. Analysis of the physiological responses was complemented with a study on changes in proline content. In stressed plants, a 10-fold increase in proline content was detected compared with control plants. It is clear that water stress tolerance is the result of a cumulative action of various physiological and biochemical processes, all of which were affected by PEG 6000-induced water stress.     

水资源约束下西北干旱区城市经济发展与城市化阈值

城市化水平阈值是指在水资源硬约束下,在确保经济发展达到一定速度与规模、生态环境建设得到基本保障、并具备足以支撑城市接纳一定数量农民进城转为非农人口的经济能力时,能达到的“农转非”人口占总人口的最大比例。以干旱区河西走廊为例,分析了在水资源约束下城市经济发展总量及其对应的城市化阈值。采用阈值模型计算表明,未来30a在不跨区调水的前提下,河西走廊总需水量的上限阈值为7.81×109m3,其中生态需水、生产需水和生活需水比例调整为13.2:83.5:3.3,总需水量对应的国内生产总值为1.81×1011元,历年平均增长速度最快可达到6.91%,第一、二、三产业结构调整为18.99:47.20:33.81。在总需水量阈值、经济总量、需水结构与产业结构调整优化和经济增长速度不低于7%、农业需水按0.61%的速度退水9.12×108m3、生态需水比例不低于13%等多重条件约束下,求得河西走廊未来30a能够达到的总人口为5.82×106人,城镇非农业人口可达到2.05×106人,城市化水平可达到35.14%,这一水平仅相当于中国2001年的平均城市化水平。在跨区调水1.31×109m3的条件下,城市化水平可望达到47.17%。进而采用总人口人均拥有的GDP、非农业人口人均拥有的第二、三产业增加值、农业人口人均拥有的第一产业增加值3项经济指标对水资源约束下经济发展总量对城市化水平的保障程度进行了验证分析。由于各城市的缺水状况、取水条件、发展性质、发展阶段与经济发展实力与前景等各不相同,致使不同城市之间对应的总需水量、经济总量、经济增长速度和城市化水平等均表现出较大的差异性。     

荒漠植物叶片或同化枝δ13C值及水分利用效率研究

温带荒漠植物长期生长在夏季炎热高温、冬季寒冷低温、长年干旱缺水的极端环境中,以其特有的形态学特征和生理功能来减少水分损失.为了探讨荒漠植物水分利用效率(WUE),为荒漠生态系统保育和退化植被恢复重建提供理论依据,运用稳定碳同位素技术和光合仪测定对比的方法,对河西走廊中段临泽绿洲北部荒漠中5种植物进行了全年生长期研究.结果表明荒漠植物月水分利用效率与年生长期平均水分利用效率的相关性在8月份最高,其方程式为WUEgpa= -1.8 + 1.98 WUEAug(P = 0.011,r =0.96);月稳定碳同位素比率(δ13C 或13 C/12C) (‰)与生长期平均WUE的相关性在8月和9月最大,可靠性最高,其方程式为WUE gpa= 4.7 + 0.0813 C/12Cmon(P=0.057,r=0.87).研究得出用稳定碳同位素比率指示温带荒漠植物的短期水分利用效率,随着叶片或同化枝成熟,越往生长后期,正相关性越高,直至霜降;用稳定碳同位素比率指示植物的长期水分利用效率,以8月下旬至9月下旬采样最好.梭梭和沙拐枣的水分利用效率显著高于其它荒漠植物,5种荒漠植物长期水分利用效率的排列顺序为梭梭＞沙拐枣＞柠条＞花棒≈泡泡刺.     

土壤乙烯产生和氧化的研究进展

乙烯作为植物生长调节素及挥发性有机气体影响着植物生长和大气环境质量。有关土壤源乙烯产生和氧化特征,已发表的文献偏重实验室过程研究,很少涉及野外观测实验;陆地生态系统中土壤源乙烯行为有可能影响到植物生长及区域大气环境,大气环境变化(如水热状况和氮/酸沉降等)势必引起陆地土壤理化和生物学特性发生改变,进而影响土壤源乙烯产生和氧化过程。根据以前出版的文献,就土壤理化性质及外源碳氮施加、土壤微生物和重金属行为等对影响土壤乙烯产生和氧化作了详细综述,并简要阐述根际土壤乙烯产生和氧化以及不同土地利用方式对土壤乙烯产生和氧化的影响。指出应加强大气氮/酸沉降对典型林地土壤乙烯产生和氧化的影响机制以及不同土地利用方式下土壤乙烯产生和氧化的原位观测等方面的研究;同时也应关注不同成熟林型及森林演替不同阶段土壤理化和生物学特性跟乙烯产生和氧化的关联,明确土壤微生物(如细菌和真菌等)对此的相对贡献程度,利于丰富陆地土壤乙烯产生和氧化等有关科学认识,寻求适宜措施减少陆地土壤源乙烯产生潜势。     

城市景观功能的区域协调规划——以深圳市为例

城市景观功能的完善是城市可持续发展的重要保障之一,其与区域景观功能的相互协调是城市规划的重要组成部分,有利于城市和区域的整体持续发展。在分析城市景观基本特征的基础上,探讨了城市景观功能区域协调规划的基本思路,以城市景观为规划对象,以人类社会的功能需求为立足点,依据景观生态学理论,将城市景观的功能划分为生物生产功能、环境服务功能、文化支持功能和信息输运功能,对体现这些基本功能的景观类型进行区域协调规划。以深圳市为例,实证分析了其景观功能在珠江三角洲地区的协调规划。     

三种乡土树种在二种林分改造模式下的生理生态比较

在丘陵荒山先锋树种马占相思林的林窗和均匀间伐50％(简称林冠层下)的2种林分改造模式下,研究了降真香、红椎和火力楠3种乡土树种生长初期的生理生态。结果表明,不管是在冬季或夏季,林窗中比林冠层下有更高的光合有效辐射(PAR)和相对湿度(RH),并且有较低的气温(Tair),林窗与林内最主要的差异是PAR的变化。生长在林窗里的植株比林冠层下的叶片小而厚,叶片单位面积干重增加,林窗里的植株叶片有较高的叶绿素含量。冬天,降真香和红椎在林窗里和林冠层下的净光合速率(Pn)日变化曲线都为单峰型,而火力楠在林窗下为双峰型,林冠层下为单峰型。3种树种在林窗里和林冠层下植株的蒸腾速率(Tr)有较相似的日进程,都为单峰型。2种林分改造模式下3种树种叶片气孔导度(GS)的日变化也较相似,与PAR的变化趋势相似,而与RH变化呈相反趋势。冬季。降真香和红椎在林窗的水分利用效率(WUE)比林冠层下稍高,而火力楠在林冠层下则比林窗高．但它们都无显著差异。夏天,3种树种在林窗和林冠层下的Pn与冬天有相似的结果。夏季红椎和降真香在林窗的Tr比林冠层下高,而火力楠在林冠层下的Tr比林窗高。Gs的变化趋势也与PAR相似,与RH变化趋势相反。夏季,降真香和火力楠的WUE在林窗比林冠层下高,但红椎却比林冠层下的低。3个树种中火力楠的WUE最高。3种树种在林窗和林冠层下的wUE都是冬季比夏季高。综合植物各项生理生态指标的分析结果可知,降真香和红椎较适宜种植在林窗里,而火力楠较能适应有一定郁闭度的林冠层下。     

EMG median frequency changes in the neck–shoulder stabilizers of symptomatic office workers when challenged by different physical stressors

The problem of work-related neck and upper limb disorders among computer users has been reported extensively in the literature, and commonly cited risk factors include static posture, speed and force of keyboard operation. The present study examined changes in median frequency (MF) of the neck–shoulder muscles in symptomatic and asymptomatic office workers when they were exposed to these three physical stressors.

A quasi-experimental Case–Control design was used to examine MF changes in two groups of female office workers when they were subjected to controlled doses of computer work involving prolonged static posture, increased typing speed and increased typing force. The MF of four major neck–shoulder muscles were examined bilaterally and compared between groups.

The MF changes over time-at-task did not clearly illustrate any muscle fatigue mechanism. However, Case Group consistently showed trends for higher MF than the Control Group, and this pattern was observed in response to all three physical stressors. The consistent group differences in MF suggest different muscle recruitment strategies between symptomatic and asymptomatic office workers. These results implied that symptomatic individuals had altered motor control, which may have important implications in understanding the etiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.     

Forest Restoration in Urbanizing Landscapes: Interactions Between Land Uses and Exotic Shrubs

Preventing and controlling exotic plants remains a key challenge in any ecological restoration, and most efforts are currently aimed at local scales. We combined local‐ and landscape‐scale approaches to identify factors that were most closely associated with invasion of riparian forests by exotic shrubs (Amur honeysuckle [Lonicera maackii] and Tatarian honeysuckle [L. tatarica]) in Ohio, U.S.A. Twenty sites were selected in mature riparian forests along a rural–urban gradient (<1–47% urban land cover). Within each site, we measured percent cover of Lonicera spp. and native trees and shrubs, percent canopy cover, and facing edge aspect. We then developed 10 a priori models based on local‐ and landscape‐level variables that we hypothesized would influence percent cover of Lonicera spp. within 25 m of the forest edge. To determine which of these models best fit the data, we used an information‐theoretic approach and Akaike's information criterion. Percent cover of Lonicera was best explained by the proportion of urban land cover within 1 km of riparian forests. In particular, percent cover of Lonicera was greater in forests within more urban landscapes than in forests within rural landscapes. Results suggest that surrounding land uses influence invasion by exotic shrubs, and explicit consideration of land uses may improve our ability to predict or limit invasion. Moreover, identifying land uses that increase the risk of invasion may inform restoration efforts.