Book review

Fucoid macroalgae are important primary producers and habitat modifiers on North Atlantic intertidal rocky shores. With decreasing latitude, western European fucoid populations display reduced levels of abundance, biomass and recruitment, while experiencing higher levels of physical environmental stress during summer months. We hypothesized that such reduction in the south is accompanied by a detectable decline in fucoid reproductive capacity. To test this hypothesis, morphological and reproductive traits of core (Welsh) and marginal (Portuguese) populations of two common fucoid species, Fucus vesiculosus and F. spiralis (Ochrophyta, Fucales), were examined. Morphological measurements showed that for a given thallus length, both fucoid species had smaller thallus volume and lower biomass in the southerly marginal part of the range. Significantly lower biomass of reproductive tissue of F. vesiculosus and a smaller number of receptacles per individual on specimens of both species indicate that levels of reproductive output are probably lower in southern populations. Despite the differences in reproductive traits observed between regions, reproductive effort (measured as the percentage of total dry biomass represented by reproductive tissue) of both species remained similar, as algae from both regions made similar investments in reproduction. The results indicate that stressful conditions reduced growth and number of receptacles of both species and amount of reproductive biomass of F. vesiculosus in the south but do not seem to change the way these algal species invest their energy. The decline in mass and reproductive biomass of specimens from southern shores found in this study, when combined with the lower abundance of adults and lower recruitment levels previously observed, is a strong indication of fucoid populations with lower levels of propagule output. This is an important factor when considering responses of these populations to a changing environment.     

民勤绿洲边缘地下水位变化对植物种群生态位的影响

在民勤绿洲边缘,利用空间区域不同地下水位(湖区8～12m,泉山区15～17m,坝区20～23m)和时间序列(1984～1992年)民勤沙井子地区地下水位下降(7.45～11.65m)梯度,研究地下水位下降对荒漠植物种群生态位的影响。结果表明:空间区域地下水位下降,植物种群生态位宽度均减小,种群退化;时间序列地下水位下降,白刺种群在扩展,其它植物种群在退化。白刺种群生态位宽度在民勤绿洲边缘荒漠植物群落中最大,是该区的建群种。由于白刺种群在地下水位7.45～11.65m范围内扩展,民勤绿洲生态环境治理中地下水位达到该范围是一个主要目标。     

Rain Forest Structure at Forest-Pasture Edges in Northeastern Costa Rica

Land-use change in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica has resulted in a fragmented forest landscape with abrupt edges between forest and pasture. Forest responses to edge effects vary widely and can significantly affect ecosystem integrity. Our objective was to examine forest structure at 20+ yr old forest-pasture edges in Sarapiquí. Three transects with 0.095-ha plots at seven distances from forest edges were established in each of six forest patches. Stem density, basal area, and aboveground biomass in trees and palms ≥ 10-cm diameter at breast height were measured in all plots. In addition, hemispherical photographs were taken to determine leaf area index, understory light availability, and percent canopy openness. Linear mixed-effects models showed significantly higher tree stem density at forest edges, relative to interiors, a pattern reflected by increased stem density, basal area, and aboveground biomass in small diameter trees (≤ 20 cm) growing near edges. No differences in total tree basal area, aboveground biomass, or hemispherical photograph-derived parameters were detected across the forest edge to interior gradient. The recruitment of small diameter trees following edge creation has contributed to the development of dense vegetation at the forest edge and has aided in the maintenance of similar tree basal area and aboveground biomass between edge and interior environments. These data reflect on the robustness of forest edges in Sarapiquí, a characteristic that will likely minimize future detrimental edge effects and promote a number of high-value environmental services in these forests.     

The gramicidin ion channel: A model membrane protein

The linear peptide gramicidin forms prototypical ion channels specific for monovalent cations and has been extensively used to study the organization, dynamics and function of membrane-spanning channels. In recent times, the availability of crystal structures of complex ion channels has challenged the role of gramicidin as a model membrane protein and ion channel. This review focuses on the suitability of gramicidin as a model membrane protein in general, and the information gained from gramicidin to understand lipid-protein interactions in particular. Special emphasis is given to the role and orientation of tryptophan residues in channel structure and function and recent spectroscopic approaches that have highlighted the organization and dynamics of the channel in membrane and membrane-mimetic media.     

岷江上游林农边界网络的生态效应

应用地理信息系统软件从遥感影像中提取出岷江上游的农田边界类型图,结合坡面尺度上林农边界效应的分析结果,对林农边界效应在景观尺度上的影响进行了研究。结果表明:研究区的农田边界共有5种类型,分别是农田与林地、灌木林地、草地、水体、建筑用地之间的边界,其中林农边界长2473.68km,占农田边界的37.57%,广泛分布在岷江干流及其支流的河谷中,在很大范围上影响着农田的土壤水分和生物多样性,对林地的影响相对较小;边界效应使林地边缘和农田边缘的土壤水分低于其内部,研究区有2103hm2的农田和371hm2的林地的土壤水分受到边界网络影响,分别占研究区农田面积和林地面积的2.33%和0.03%。由于土壤水分是制约研究区植物生长的限制性因子,且岷江上游的农田斑块面积较小且分布零散,因此应避免农林复合景观中边界密度进一步增加。     

干旱绿洲区枸杞林地面节肢动物功能群结构季节分布特征

为了解枸杞林地面节肢动物功能群结构季节分布特征,以宁夏绿洲枸杞林为研究对象,于2018年的春、夏、秋季节,采用陷阱诱捕法,调查了地面节肢动物功能群季节分布特征及其与环境因子之间的关系。结果显示:(1)枸杞林地面节肢动物功能群包括植食性、捕食性、腐食性和杂食性动物,个体数分别占6.31%、86.75%、2.01%和4.89%,其中以捕食性动物为主。(2)植食性地面节肢动物个体数和生物量表现为春季显著高于秋季,夏季居中;类群数表现为夏季显著高于秋季,春季居中。捕食性地面节肢动物生物量表现为夏季和秋季显著高于春季;个体数和类群数在不同季节间均无显著差异。腐食性地面节肢动物个体数、生物量和类群数在不同季节间均无显著差异。杂食性地面节肢动物个体数和类群数表现为春季显著高于夏季,秋季居中;生物量在不同季节间均无显著差异。(3)相关分析表明,捕食性地面节肢动物个体数与土壤含水量呈正相关关系,腐食性地面节肢动物个体数与土壤全磷呈正相关关系,杂食性地面节肢动物与土壤全氮呈正相关关系。但植食性地面节肢动物个体数则与土壤含水量呈负相关关系,杂食性地面节肢动物个体数与土壤温度和土壤全碳呈负相关关系。(4)pRDA分析表明,土壤含水量是影响地面节肢动物功能群结构季节分布的主要环境因子。结论:随着季节更替,宁夏干旱绿洲区枸杞林地面节肢动物的功能群组成差异较大,功能多样性差异较小。说明每个功能群的个体数和类群数对季节变化敏感,但功能多样性较稳定。     

不同治沙措施对荒漠绿洲过渡带植物群落与土壤因子的影响

沙漠化是河西走廊荒漠绿洲过渡带土地退化的主要原因,科学合理的治沙措施能够有效控制风沙侵害,有助于植被-土壤系统的重建与恢复。多年来,治沙措施的研究主要集中在不同时间梯度下某种给定措施对植物群落及土壤的影响方面,对于同一时间段内不同类型措施产生的生态惠益尚缺乏足够认识。鉴于此,以流动沙地丘间地为对照,选取围栏封育+麦草沙障(Ge+Ws)、麦草沙障+人工梭梭(Ws+H)和尼龙沙障+人工梭梭(Nn+H)3种不同的治沙措施区为研究对象,通过群落学调查与土壤因子测定,研究了不同治沙措施影响下植物群落数量特征和土壤因子的变化规律与相互关系,并对各措施的生态效益进行了评价。结果表明：(1)植被方面,3种治沙措施影响下草本层和灌木层群落数量特征均呈增加趋势,其中Ge+Ws草本层恢复效果较佳,Ws+H和Nn+H灌木层恢复程度更明显;土壤方面,伴随植物群落的恢复,3种治沙措施均能大幅改善土壤全碳、全氮、有机质等主要养分,但同时对土壤水分带来负面效应,Ge+Ws、Ws+H及Nn+H的表层土壤含水量依次减少了37.99%、 31.37%和35.94%。(2)结构方程模型显示,治沙措施通过直接影响灌木和草本群落...     

缙云山生境片断化对常绿阔叶林生物多样性的影响

采用Simpson、Shannon-Wiener和Hill多样性指数以及逐步多元回归分析方法,在缙云山进行了植物群落调查、小气候观测和土壤肥力的测定以及各变量之间关系的分析。结果表明:片断常绿阔叶林物种多样性指数比连续常绿阔叶林低,不同生活型的表现不同;各片断阔叶林斑块边缘均存在明显的小气候边缘效应。随着斑块面积的减小,各斑块的ΔTa、林缘及林内ΔTs、林缘和林内ΔRH、林缘和林内Vmax、林缘和林内ΔPAR(正午)均呈增大的趋势。各斑块的小气候边缘效应,以最大斑块波及林内的深度最浅(约至林内15m)、最小斑块波及林内的深度最深(约至林内25m);常绿阔叶林物种多样性受林内外有效光合辐射(正午)差、气温日较差、土壤含水量、土壤有机质含量和土壤有效钾等因素的影响。     

石羊河尾闾绿洲的景观变化与生态恢复对策

利用G IS技术和景观结构分析软件FRAG STATS,在对民勤湖区绿洲景观格局动态变化以及土地利用格局的空间转化分析的基础上,从水资源利用以及政策和市场经济等方面分析了湖区景观变化的驱动因素,结果表明:(1)耕地和沙地斑块数量减少,平均斑块面积增加,空间连片趋势加剧;蔓延度指数变大,边缘密度和多样性指数降低;(2)沙地和耕地面积分别增加5171.85 hm2和2640.33hm2,它们的增加以牺牲林、草地为代价;(3)湖区地表水净利用量近10a来降幅达50%,到20世纪90年代后期仅有0.22×108m3,使得地下水净利用量近年来年均高达0.80×108m3;(4)以耐盐性较强的经济作物占绝对优势的单一经济结构,降低了农业生产对市场风险的抵御能力,农户收入急剧下降。通过以上分析,提出了湖区生态恢复途径与措施。     

夏季绿洲生态环境对荒漠背景地表能量过程的扰动

利用观测试验资料,对比分析了夏季典型晴天敦煌绿洲与周围荒漠戈壁背景地表过程的差异,揭示了绿洲生态系统对干旱区荒漠背景地表过程的扰动特征。结果表明:绿洲地表净辐射日平均要高出周围荒漠戈壁背景60 W/m2以上,约占绿洲净辐射的1/4以上。对绿洲高出的净辐射贡献最大的是绿洲相对低的地表长波辐射,其次是较高的太阳总辐射。而绿洲相对较低的大气长波辐射对高出的净辐射有较大的负贡献,特别是地表反射辐射也有很小的负贡献。绿洲高出的地表净辐射主要贡献于加强潜热和地热流量,还有一部分被绿洲地表能量不平衡差额所占,它实际上可能由一般地表热量平衡所不考虑的垂直热量平流来输送。而绿洲明显低于荒漠背景的感热通量则节省了一部分净辐射能量。