A Review of Environmental Factors Affecting Elk Winter Diets

Abstract: Decades of research have produced substantial data on elk (Cervus elaphus) diets in winter, when foraging conditions are most likely to affect population dynamics. Using data from 72 studies conducted in western North America between 1938 and 2002, we collated data on elk diets and environmental variables. We used these data to quantify diet selection by elk and to test whether variation in elk diets is associated with habitat type, winter severity, period of winter, human hunting, and study method. Graminoids (grasses and grass-like plants such as sedges) dominated elk diets and consistently occurred at a higher proportion in the diet than in elk foraging habitats, indicating preference. Forbs commonly made up ≤5% of the diet, with no evidence for preference; we conclude that forb use is largely incidental to grazing for graminoids. Browse was consumed in proportion to its availability, implying that the amount of browse in the diet was primarily determined by habitat use rather than selection. Comparing the diets of elk and sympatric ruminants, elk consistently selected graminoids more strongly than sympatric ruminants with the exception of bison (Bison bison), suggesting that elk are not environmentally forced to adopt the graminoid-biased diet that they normally select. The proportion of open meadows and grasslands on winter ranges was strongly and positively associated with graminoid consumption by elk. The proportion of graminoids in the diet was significantly lower in elk experiencing severe winter conditions or predation risk from human hunting. The period of winter (early, middle, and late) had only small effects on elk diets, as did the method by which the diet was determined. Overall, variation in elk diets is well-explained by a consistent tendency to select graminoids if available, modified by winter habitat type, predation risk, and winter severity, which can constrain habitat selection and access to grazing opportunities. To fully understand variation in foraging behavior, biologists should recognize these broad patterns when interpreting resource selection data. Managers should recognize that inconspicuous behavioral responses to environmental stimuli can alter the diet in ways that probably carry nutritional consequences.     

Ruffed Grouse Winter Habitat Use in Mixed Softwood-Hardwood Forests,Québec,Canada

Abstract: Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is a popular small game species in northeastern North America. We assessed female ruffed grouse habitat characteristics during winter of 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 in a region dominated by mixed softwood-hardwood forests by comparing used and random locations. We followed 23 radiotagged adult females in 2 forest sites of the Réserve faunique de Portneuf, Québec, Canada, from late November to mid-April. We described grouse habitat using ground surveys and identified selected habitat characteristics using analysis of variance and logistic regression. Females preferred mixed softwood-hardwood stands > 17 m tall and 61-120 years old. Compared with random locations, grouse locations had more well-developed total canopy cover (>4m;75%), canopy (>4m;35%), midstory (1-4 m tall; 35%), and lower-story (<1 m tall; 23%) coniferous cover, and higher coniferous stem density and tree basal area (dbh > 9 cm; 343 stems/ha and 9.0 m²/ha, respectively). Forest management should maintain mature mixed softwood-hardwood stands (50% coniferous), which are adequate winter habitat for ruffed grouse.     

云县罗扎河下游落叶季雨林的群落生态学研究

对罗扎河下游鲜为人知的落叶季雨林进行了群落生态学研究,结果表明:罗扎河下游落叶季雨林群落高度在15~20m之间;群落乔木层以厚皮树(Lannea coromandelica)、一担柴(Colonafloribunda)、粗糠柴(Mallotus philippensis)、毛果扁担杆(Grewia eriocarpa)、灰毛浆果楝(Cipadessa cinerascens)等树种为优势种;灌草层以刚莠竹(Microstegiumciliatum)盖度最大,其余如飞机草(Eupatoriumodoratum)、藿香蓟(Agera-tumconyzoides)、蹄盖蕨(Athyriumsp.)等种的盖度也比较大;群落中乔木和附生、藤本植物种类较少,而灌木和草本植物种类较多;多数乔木层植株胸径在5~10cm之间,大径级乔木比较少,即使群落中的优势种也主要是通过较多数量的中小径级个体体现出来。多样性指数计算表明,本落叶季雨林的生物多样性指数虽然比典型热带山地雨林为低,但大致相当于季风常绿阔叶林。     

施硫对‘豫麦50’籽粒灌浆特性及产量的影响

选用弱筋小麦品种‘豫麦50’为材料,通过大田试验研究了较高供氮水平下(施纯氮330 kg/hm2)施用低量(S 20 kg/hm2)、中量(S 60 kg/hm2)和高量(S 100 kg/hm2)硫肥对小麦籽粒灌浆特性和产量的影响.结果显示,不同施硫处理的小麦籽粒灌浆进程均“呈慢—快—慢”的S型曲线,拟合的Logistic方程决定系数均大于0.993 2,并达到极显著水平;灌浆持续期(T)、渐增期平均灌浆速率(V1),快增期和缓增期持续期(T2、T3)、灌浆期各阶段干物质积累量(m1、m2、m3)和理论最大千粒重(K)均随施硫量增加而提高,并以中硫处理的各项灌浆参数表现较优;中硫处理的千粒重(46.47 g)和籽粒产量(7 416.0 kg/hm2)显著高于低硫处理,极显著高于对照(不施硫)和高硫处理.表明在当前较高施氮水平下,每公顷施纯硫60 kg可有效改善小麦灌浆特性,显著提高籽粒产量.     

施氮量和栽培模式对旱地冬小麦旗叶衰老及其活性氧代谢的影响

以冬小麦小偃22为试验材料,研究3种栽培模式(常规栽培、覆草栽培、地膜覆盖)和3种施氮水平(施纯氮0、120和240 kg/hm2)下旗叶衰老与活性氧代谢特性.结果表明,与常规栽培(CK)相比较,覆草栽培条件下叶绿素含量始终较高(P<0.05),叶片衰老速度缓慢,代谢强度旺盛,有利于籽粒灌浆和光合产物的积累,产量显著增加(P<0.05).在灌浆前期,地膜覆盖条件下叶片叶绿素含量增加(P<0.05),叶片保护性酶活性(POD、CAT)提高,膜脂过氧化程度低;但在灌浆后期,叶绿素含量急剧下降,叶片衰老速度加快,膜脂过氧化程度加剧,产量仍显著增加(P<0.05).施用氮肥在一定范围内可提高旗叶叶绿素含量和保护性酶活性(POD、CAT),降低膜脂过氧化程度;施氮量为120 kg/hm2时,冬小麦旗叶叶绿素含量最高,叶片衰老迟缓,代谢强度降低缓慢,膜脂过氧化程度低,有利于小麦后期生长和籽粒灌浆,在3种栽培模式下产量均最高.     

甘肃康乐中国林蛙冬季栖息环境调查与分析

通过实地调查,证实中国林蛙在甘肃省康乐县也有大规模种群分布,并对康乐县中国林蛙冬季越冬环境进行了调查。对其冬季活动状态做了定点观察,发现在气温、水温都很低的初冬季节,无论成体还是幼体均活动正常,无冬眠现象。根据此现象分析了其原因与生态学意义,为该物种的保护和人工养殖提供参考资料。     

武汉桂子山地区冬季鸟类群落结构及多样性研究

2005年11月～2006年3月,对武汉桂子山地区冬季鸟类群落进行了调查,共记录鸟类44种,隶属10目22科。有国家Ⅱ级保护鸟类2种,湖北省重点保护鸟类16种;留鸟32种,冬候鸟11种,旅鸟1种,留鸟构成了冬季鸟类的主体;该地区冬季鸟类密度为4．30只／hm^2,物种多样性指数为2．6477,均匀性指数为0．6997。居民点、乔灌林、绿地和水域生境中,乔灌林鸟类多样性最高,数量最多。     

Secondary buds in Scots pine trees infested with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gremmeniella abietina</Emphasis>

In winter 2000–2001, there was a serious outbreak of Gremmeniella abietina Morelet in southeastern Norway. During the outbreak, we noted that injured Scots pine trees (Pinus sylvestris L.) developed secondary buds in response to the fungus attack, and we decided to study the relationship between injury, appearance of secondary buds and recovery of the trees thereafter. For this purpose, 143 trees from 10 to 50 years of age were chosen and grouped into crown density classes. Injury was assessed in detail, and buds were counted before bud burst in the spring of 2002. In addition, a subset of 15 trees was followed through the summer of 2002 to assess recovery. All injured trees developed secondary buds, with a clear overweight of dormant winter buds in proportion to interfoliar buds. Healthy control trees did not develop secondary buds at all. The secondary buds appeared predominantly on the injured parts of the tree; interfoliar buds in particular developed just beneath the damaged tissue. Most of the secondary buds died during the winter of 2001–2002, mainly because the fungus continued to spread after the first outbreak. Many of the remaining buds developed shoots with abnormal growth during the summer. Secondary buds may help trees to recover from Gremmeniella attacks, but this strategy may fail when the fungus continues to grow and injure the newly formed buds and shoots.