Decline in zoobenthos densities in the profundal sediments of Lake Mendota (Wisconsin,USA)

High densities of zoobenthos inhabited Lake Mendota's profundal zone in the early 1900s through the mid-1940s. Chaoborus punctipennis was the most abundant organism during the winter, along with moderate densities of Chironomus spp., Pisidium sp., oligochaetes, and Procladius sp. By the early 1950s, Chaoborus punctipennis densities had declined to 10% of former levels, while Chironomus increased significantly. However, by the mid-1960s, Chaoborus, Chironomus, and Pisidium densities had decreased to very low population levels. By 1987–89, Pisidium was no longer found. Zoobenthos that had not decreased from earlier surveys were oligochaetes and Procladius, although further sampling of oligochaetes is needed to confirm current densities. These organisms are the most tolerant of severe anoxia.Four possible reasons for this decline were evaluated: (a) decline in food availability, (b) increase in fish predation, (c) use of toxic insecticides in the drainage basin, and (d) changes in the profundal sediment environment. Based on literature information and long-term data for Lake Mendota, a change in the profundal sediment environment is the most likely explanation for the decline in the less-tolerant zoobenthos species. Although the duration and extent of anoxia in the hypolimnion have not changed since the early 1900s, hypolimnetic ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations apparently have increased as Mendota became more eutrophic after the mid-1940s. However, further study is needed to determine if these higher concentrations or other factors were responsible for the dramatic decline in lake Mendota's profundal zoobenthos.     

Protoplast isolation and fusion in Porphyra (Bangiales,Rhodophyta)

Two sediment sampling campaigns were conducted in 1978 and 1988 in Lake Geneva (Switzerland). Organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and its various forms were analyzed. Results indicate a stability of organic carbon and nitrogen mass, and a significant increase of phosphorus. The variation of phosphorus mass is related to the increase of nonapatite inorganic phosphorus. This study attempts to quantify the phosphorus exchanges at the water sediment interface. The dissolved oxygen level in the bottom water determines the exchange direction. In aerobic conditions, sediments accumulate the excess of phosphorus, while in anaerobic conditions, they constitute an internal source.     

Excretion of total phosphorus,dissolved reactive phosphorus,ammonia, and urea by Lake MichiganMysis relicta

Rates of nutrient release byMysis relicta in Lake Michigan were measured on five nights at a 45-m station near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A., in the summer of 1977. Nocturnal vertical migrations of the mysids were monitored with both echosounder tracings and vertical net tows. Estimates of the total areal dry mass of the mysids ranged from 600 to 1 820 mg m–2. Rates of release of dissolved reactive phosphorus, total phosphorus, ammonia, and urea were measured in dark incubations on shipboard. Excretion experiments were initiated immediately after mysids were collected from each of several vertical net hauls. The depths of maximum mysid densities corresponded approximately with a deep phytoplankton peak located in the vicinity of the thermocline. Semiquantitative demands for N and P by phytoplankton within this peak were obtained from¹⁴C estimates of primary production from a previous study, assuming a constant C:N:P ratio for the algae. These algal nutrient demands were compared to potential N and P release by the mysids to obtain a first approximation of the relative rates of nutrient supply and demand for the field phytoplankton populations. Our analysis indicates that mysids may directly supply about 1–10% of the daily N and P demands of the phytoplankton in the deep peak. However, indirect interactions betweenMysis relicta and other organisms, such as small zooplankton and fishes, could be major factors in nutrient recycling within the metalimnion and subthermocline region of Lake Michigan.Contribution No. 238, Center for Great Lakes Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Contribution No. 238, Center for Great Lakes Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin.     

QUANTITATIVE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BENTHIC ALGAL COMMUNITIES ALONG A DEPTH GRADIENT IN LAKE MICHIGAN1,2

This study analyzes the impact of conditions associated with depth upon benthic algal communities in Lake Michigan. Diatom abundance was greater at 9.1 and 14.6 m depths than 6.5, 22.6 and 27.4 m. Shallow (6.5 m), mid-depth (9.1 and 14.6 m) and deep (22.6 and 27.4 m) zones were distinguishable on the basis of community composition, structure and abundance. Dominance of benthic species, high diversity and low abundance in shallow communities probably resulted from substantial substrate disturbance by wave action in this productive zone. Dominance of benthic species, high diversity and high abundance characterized mid-depth communities where less wave disturbance enabled algal accumulation. Preponderance of living planktonic taxa, low diversity and low abundance delineated deep communities where planktonic algae accumulated and low light levels reduced growth of benthic species.     

Dissolved oxygen dependent phosphorus release from profundal sediments of Lake Constance (Obersee)

Phosphorus release rates from profundal sediments of Lake Constance (Obersee) have been determined in D.O., pH regulated sediment-water systems. Above 10% O₂ saturation (> 1.2 ppm D. O.) and with pH as in situ, no net release could be found. Sedimentations of diatom sludge (Asterionella formosa) and carbonate-phosphate coprecipitate (CaCO₃.CaHPO₄) increased the release to 0.5 mg × m^–2 × d^–1 which, however, will not be relevant to the P balance in Obersee. The annual phosphorus accumulation in profundal Obersee and Ueberlingersee is, therefore, observed as due to sinking of phosphorus-bound detritus during the stagnation period.The experimental work was carried out at the Limnological Institute of the University of Freiburg/Breisgau (West Germany) and has been supported by the Industrieverband Körperpflege und Waschmittel e.V. and the Gernan Research Council (DFG)The experimental work was carried out at the Limnological Institute of the University of Freiburg/Breisgau (West Germany) and has been supported by the Industrieverband Körperpflege und Waschmittel e.V. and the Gernan Research Council (DFG)     

On structure and functioning of ecosystem in a Salmon lake

The seasonal dynamics of the main components of the ecosystem as well as the vertical distribution of their biomass and production were studied in the salmon lake Dalnee at Kamchatka Peninsula. The data received were used for the construction of schemes of energy balance during two successive years: 1970 and 1971, which were different by their thermic regime. Analysis of schemes showed that during a colder season the food chain was shorter and more effective in relation of the use of primary production by zooplankton. Through the detritus pool the ecosystem used from 16% (1971) up to 70% (1970) of energy of primary production. Seasonal succession includes two main phases -autotrophic and heterotrophic. The energy balance of the planktonic community at these two phases is given.     

Relationship between abundance, growth, egg size and fecundity in a landlocked population of longfin smelt, Spirinchus thaleichthys

Sixteen year-classes of longfin smelt, Spirinchus thaleichthys , show a consistent pattern of alternating year-class strength between even (strong) and odd (weak) years. A recent (1989) odd year-class grew as well as, if not better than, the late 1960s odd year-classes. However, fish in the even year-classes (1988 and 1990) were significantly smaller in size then the 1966 and 1968 cohorts. Associated with this reduction in growth of the even year-class fish is a decline in fecundity. Fecundity of the odd year-classes of smelt was also smaller than in the early 1960s. Mean egg diameter and gonadosomatic index were not statistically different between 1988 and 1989 year-classes but the relative fecundity was higher for the 1988 year-class than for 1989, suggesting a higher reproductive investment in the even year-class. Reduction in growth and associated reproductive traits is considered to result from a reduction in the abundance of mysids, a preferred prey species.     

Positive indirect effect of aquatic insects on terrestrial prey is not offset by increased predator density

1. Changes in one prey species' density can indirectly affect the abundance of another prey species if a shared predator eats both species. Sometimes, indirect effects occur when prey straddle habitats, including when riparian predator populations grow in response to emergent aquatic insects and increase predation on terrestrial prey. However, predators may largely switch to aquatic insects or become satiated, reducing predation on terrestrial prey. 2. To determine the net indirect effect of aquatic insects on terrestrial arthropods via generalist spider predators, a field experiment was conducted mimicking midge influx and a wolf spider numerical response inside enclosures near an Icelandic lake. Lab mesocosms were also used to assess per capita rates of spider predation u nder differing levels of midge abundance. 3. Midges always decreased sentinel prey predation, but this effect increased with predator density. When midges were absent, predation increased 30% at a high spider density, but predation was equal between spider treatments when midges were present. In situ arthropods showed no effect of midge or spider treatments, although non‐significant abundance patterns were observed congruent with sentinel prey results. 4. In lab mesocosms, prey survivorship increased ≥50% where midges were present and rapidly saturated; the addition of 5, 20, 50, and 100 midges equivalently reduced spider predation, supporting predator distraction rather than satiation as the root cause. 5. The present results demonstrate a strong positive indirect effect of midges and broadly support the concept that predator responses to alternative prey are a major influence on the magnitude and direction of predator‐mediated indirect effects.     

基于文化与政治生态学的社会生态系统演进机制研究 ——以杭州与西湖为例

科学认识社会生态系统演进机制是对其进行有效管理的重要基础。以文化与政治生态学为理论基础,提出适合杭州—西湖社会生态系统的综合研究框架,识别了杭州—西湖社会生态系统的5个演进阶段,并分析出系统演进中的3种潜在状态。自然、政治、经济以及社会驱动力是影响杭州—西湖社会生态系统的主导因素,人类行为影响整个生态系统中扰动的频率、大小和形式并改变西湖生态系统的结构与功能,进而影响西湖为城市提供生态系统服务的潜能。在不同历史时期,基于自然、社会、经济、文化等多层面的需求,西湖在不同系统状态下为城市供给不同类别和质量的生态系统服务,总体而言供给与调节服务比例逐渐下降,文化服务逐渐上升,并且后者逐步成为最主要的生态系统服务类别。杭州与西湖在长期的互馈共生中建立了社会生态系统的自适应性调节机制,其背后的生态智慧可为现代风景园林规划提供重要启示。     

基于景观尺度下的鄱阳湖湿地浅层土有机碳的空间特征

湿地土壤有机碳研究是全球碳循环研究的基础性工作, 对于准确评估湿地固碳增汇和全球温室气体减排都具有重要意义。以鄱阳湖国家自然保护区为研究区域, 选择六种景观类型(湿地洲滩景观包括受人工控制的碟形湖泊常湖池、半人工控制的碟形湖泊蚌湖、不受人工控制的洲滩前缘泗洲头以及岗地景观包括林地、田地和菜地), 湿地洲滩景观在各1 m高程(泗洲头和蚌湖采样高程10-17 m, 常湖池采样高程12-17 m)内的浅土壤采取3个土壤样品, 岗地景观浅层土壤各采取3个土壤样品, 分析浅层土壤有机碳含量。结果表明, 鄱阳湖不同景观类型的浅层土壤有机碳含量差异性显著。湿地洲滩浅层土壤(特别是0-10 cm土层)的有机碳随高程梯度变化呈现倒U型变化, 即低海拔与高海拔土壤有机碳的含量较中海拔土壤有机碳的含量低, 泗洲头洲滩土层0-10 cm的有机碳含量最高值出现在13-14 m高程, 其中0-10 cm土层的土壤有机碳含量变化值为1.56-12.29 g·kg-1, 10-20 cm土层的土壤有机碳含量变化值为0.96-8.19 g·kg-1; 蚌湖洲滩土层0-10 cm的有机碳含量最高值出现在14-15 m高程, 其中0-10 cm土层的土壤有机碳含量变化值为6.36-23.32 g·kg-1, 10-20 cm土层的土壤有机碳含量变化值为4.14-8.88 g·kg-1; 常湖池洲滩土层0-10 cm的有机碳含量最高值出现在16-17 m高程, 其中0-10 cm土层的土壤有机碳含量变化值为6.51-18.91 g·kg-1, 10-20 cm土层的土壤有机碳含量变化值为3.83-10.05 g·kg-1。岗地浅层土壤有机碳(特别是0-10 cm土层)田地的土壤有机碳含量最高, 菜地土壤有机碳含量最低。比较六种景观类型的浅层土壤有机碳含量, 泗洲头洲滩浅层土壤有机碳含量最低, 蚌湖洲滩浅层土壤有机碳含量最高。六种景观类型的浅层土壤有机碳含量呈现一致的现象是土层0-10 cm的机碳含量明显高于土层10-20 cm的有机碳含量, 说明鄱阳湖国家自然保护区内土壤有机碳含量主要富集在土壤浅层的特征。土壤pH值对湿地土壤有机碳呈显著负相关性, 而土壤含水量、地上部分生物量与土壤有机碳呈显著正相关性。