科尔沁沙地盐蒿种群的空间分布格局及关联性

以科尔沁沙地半固定沙丘和流动沙丘两种不同沙丘上的盐蒿(Artemisia halodendron)种群为研究对象,采用空间点格局方法研究了 0～20 m尺度上盐蒿种群的空间分布格局及其关联性.结果表明,半固定沙丘上盐蒿种群的数量远大于流动沙丘,不同生长发育阶段的种群结构呈偏正态分布,属于稳定型种群;流动沙丘上不同生长发...     

Colour polymorphism and thermal capacities in Theba pisana (O.F. Müller 1774)

Several land snail species are highly polymorphic regarding their shell colouration. This polymorphism has been related to predatory effects as well as climatic reasons, assuming that dark morphs benefit from being more cryptic and therefore less prone to predation, whereas pale morphs are at an advantage under solar radiation, as they are suspected to heat up less. However, the assumption of different thermal capacities of these morphs is based on experiments with little standardisation or little environmental relevance. In this study, we aimed at measuring thermal capacities of two different morphs (pale versus dark-brown banded) of the Mediterranean land snail Theba pisana, applying a standardised and environmentally relevant test set-up, in order to prove whether darker morphs indeed do heat up more than lighter coloured morphs. We did not find any differences in the thermal capacity of the different morphs and conclude that thermal capacity of the shell is predominantly defined by its material rather than its coloration. These results are discussed with regard to previous studies on thermal characteristics of different land snail morphs and correlations between climate and morph distribution.     

Evaluating the ability of regional models to predict local avian abundance

Spatial modeling over broad scales can potentially direct conservation efforts to areas with high species-specific abundances. We examined the performance of regional models for predicting bird abundance at spatial scales typically addressed in conservation planning. Specifically, we used point count data on wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) and blue-winged warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) from 2 time periods (1995–1998 and 2006–2007) to evaluate the ability of regional models derived via Bayesian hierarchical techniques to predict bird abundance. We developed models for each species within Bird Conservation Region (BCR) 23 in the upper midwestern United States at 800-ha, 8,000-ha, and approximately 80,000-ha scales. We obtained count data from the Breeding Bird Survey and land cover data from the National Land Cover Dataset (1992). We evaluated predictions from the best models, as defined by an information-theoretic criterion, using point count data collected within an ecological subregion of BCR 23 at 131 count stations in the 1990s and again in 2006–2007. Competing (Deviance Information Criteria <5) blue-winged warbler models accounted for 67% of the variability and suggested positive associations with forest edge and proportion of forest at the 8,000-ha scale, and negative associations with forest patch area (800 ha) and wetness (800 ha and 80,000 ha). The regional model performed best for blue-winged warbler predicted abundances from point counts conducted in Iowa during 1995–1996 (r_s = 0.57; P = 0.14), the survey period that most closely aligned with the time period of data used for regional model construction. Wood thrush models exhibited positive correlations with point count data for all survey areas and years combined (r_s = 0.58, P ≤ 0.001). In comparison, blue-winged warbler models performed worse as time increased between the point count surveys and vintage of the model building data (r_s = 0.03, P = 0.92 for Iowa and r_s = 0.13, P = 0.51 for all areas, 2006–2007), likely related to the ephemeral nature of their preferred early successional habitat. Species abundance and sensitivity to changing habitat conditions seems to be an important factor in determining the predictive ability of regional models. Hierarchical models can be a useful tool for concentrating efforts at the scale of management units and should be one of many tools used by land managers, but we caution that the utility of such models may decrease over time for species preferring relatively ephemeral habitats if model inputs are not updated accordingly. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.     

Raw material selectivity in Late Pliocene Oldowan sites in the Makaamitalu Basin, Hadar, Ethiopia

We report the results of an analysis of raw material selection patterns in the assemblages from two Late Pliocene in situ archaeological localities in the Makaamitalu Basin (Hadar, Ethiopia). While the same local conglomerate was used as a raw material source for both archaeological occurrences, different selection criteria are identified. At A.L. 894, selection for quality is subtle and the clearest selection is against non-homogeneous raw materials. In the A.L. 666 assemblage, higher-quality raw materials were selected and some rare raw materials reached the locality from unknown sources. A comparison between the Makaamitalu and other Oldowan assemblages reveals an overall shift toward higher complexity of both selectivity and transport behaviors from ca. 2.0 Ma onward, contrasting a typo-technological conservatism that pertains until ∼1.6 Ma. It is hypothesized that an increase in complexity of behaviors related to raw material selection and acquisition involved changes in the intensity and fidelity of technological knowledge transmission.     

一次陆源降雨污水引起血红哈卡藻赤潮的成因

以2007年烟台四十里湾海域血红哈卡藻(Akashiwo sanguinea Hirasaka)赤潮为对象,研究赤潮消长与水环境因子的关系。研究发现大量陆源降雨污水输入后,海水盐度急剧下降、营养盐大幅增加,特别是活性磷酸盐浓度明显增加,促进了血红哈卡藻的生长繁殖并最终形成赤潮。赤潮发生前海区第一优势种为尖刺拟菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia pungens Halse),优势度0.47(0.42—0.52),多样性指数2.63(2.43—2.89);赤潮发生时血红哈卡藻密度范围1.05×105—4.10×106个/L,优势度0.92(0.83—0.99),多样性指数0.27(0.15—0.64);赤潮消退后中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum Cleve)为第一优势种,优势度0.49(0.43—0.55),多样性指数2.46(2.19—2.84)。赤潮的发生、发展、消亡与化学需氧量(COD)、无机氮(DIN)、活性磷酸盐(DIP)、富营养化指数(E)呈显著正相关(P<0.05),与盐度呈显著负相关(P<0.01)。赤潮前、后该海域为贫营养、P限制、叶绿素a含量中等,赤潮期间该海域为富营养、P限制、叶绿素a含量高。通过影响力评定,活性磷酸盐、COD、盐度是此次赤潮发生的主要诱发因子,当活性磷酸盐含量低于0.3μmol/L时,硅藻逐渐取代甲藻,此次赤潮消散。     

Monitoring sandy desertification of Otindag Sandy Land based on multi-date remote sensing images

Sandy desertification is now the main ecological problem in the Otindag Sandy Land. In order to reveal the process of land degradation, especially the latest situation of sandy desertification, a method integrating remote sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS) and field survey was employed to build a sandy desertification dataset for analysis. Remote sensing images included the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) image in 1987, the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM⁺) image in 2000, and the image with the Charge-Coupled Device Camera (CCD) on the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) in 2006. Five land-cover classes, including active sand dunes, fixed sand dunes, semi-fixed sand dunes, inter-dune grassland and wetlands, were identified. Results showed that the Otindag Sandy Land has been suffering sandy desertification since 1987 with 2 different desertified stages. The first stage from 1987 to 2000 was a severe sandy desertification period, characterized by the fixed sand dunes decreasing at a high speed, and the semi-fixed and active sand dunes increasing remarkably. The second stage spanned from 2000 to 2006 and the sandy desertification was weakened greatly. Although a large area of fixed sand dunes were transformed to other types, fixed sand dunes were still the dominant type in the Ointdag region at 2006. Spatial change detection based on active sand dunes showed that the expansion area was much larger than the reversion area in the past two decades, and that several active sand belts had been formed, suggesting that sandy desertification controlling of the Otindag Sandy Land will be a long-term task.     

Relationships between lake macrophyte cover and lake and landscape features

We examined the ability of lake and landscape features to predict a variety of macrophyte cover metrics using 54 north temperate lakes. We quantified submersed cover, emergent cover, floating leaf cover, Eurasian watermilfoil cover and total macrophyte cover. Measured lake features included lake physio-chemical and morphometric variables and landscape features included hydrologic, catchment and land use/cover variables. Univariate regression analyses demonstrated that these macrophyte cover metrics are predicted by a wide range of predictor variables, most commonly by: Secchi disk depth, maximum or mean depth, catchment morphometry, road density and the proportion of urban or agricultural land use/cover in the riparian zone or catchment (r² = 0.06–0.46). Using a combination of lake and landscape features in multiple regressions, we were able to explain 29–55% of the variation in macrophyte cover metrics. Total macrophyte cover and submersed cover were related to Secchi disk depth and mean depth, whereas the remaining metrics were best predicted by including at least one land use/cover variable (road density, proportion local catchment agriculture land use/cover, proportion cumulative catchment urban land use/cover, or proportion riparian agriculture land use/cover). The two main conclusions from our research are: (1) that different macrophyte growth forms and species are predicted by a different suite of variables and thus should be examined separately, and (2) that anthropogenic landscape features may override patterns in natural landscape or local features and are important in predicting present-day macrophytes in lakes.     

Factors influencing the spatial distribution of forest plant species in hedgerows of North-western Germany

In North-western Germany woodland fragmentation has caused a decline in many forest plant species. Hedgerows partly offer a similar environment as forests and have been identified as potential habitats for forest plants in various studies from North America and Western Europe. The objective of this study was to examine whether this applies also to Central Europe and which variables affect the spatial distribution and abundance of forest plant species in hedgerows on a local scale. Three hedgerow networks north of the city of Bremen, Germany, were selected as study areas and divided into totally 515 hedgerow segments. In each segment we recorded all vascular plants and a large number of explanatory variables relating to structure, spatial configuration, environment and management. Averaged across species there was a predominant effect of environmental factors on the occurrence of forest species in the hedgerows, followed by spatial configuration and management. Hedgerow structure was found to be less important. In general, forest species were favored by low nutrient and light availability as well as high connectivity with other hedgerows or forest; they avoided hedgerows with a west-easterly orientation and an adjacent land use in the form of fields or grasslands. Forest species found and not found in hedgerows did not differ in their environmental preferences or life history traits. The number of threatened forest species in the hedgerows, however, was lower than expected with respect to their overall proportion to the total number of forest species in the region.     

西双版纳农田弃耕后橡胶园的建立对碳的固存作用

 由于温室气体的大量排放引起的全球气候变暖等环境问题日益严重,近年来人们开始考虑通过植被和土壤的碳固存,以缓解大气中CO2浓度的升高速度,减缓温室效应的影响。有研究表明,热带原始森林的保护和人工林的建立能有效地固存大气中的碳。但是,在建立热带种植园和人工林以固存大气CO2的可行性及其碳的固存潜力大小等方面还存在较大争议。云南省西双版纳自治州是我国重要的热带地区之一,目前橡胶(Hevea brasiliensis)园的面积为1.3×105 hm2,约占该地区林地面积的14%。在本研究中,选择11块在弃耕后的农田上建立的橡胶园（定植年限为3至38年）,初步探讨了橡胶园建立后植被和土壤中碳的固存规律。两个生物量模型（唐建维等的模型和Brown模型）的模拟结果显示,橡胶园建立后植被中生物量的平均增长速率分别为10.2×103和9.4×103 kg·hm-2·a-1,40和100 cm表层土壤碳的平均固存速率分别为0.61×103和0.72×103 kg C·hm-2·a-1,植被和100 cm表层土壤中碳的平均固存速率为5.82×103和5.42×103 kg C·hm-2·a-1,而定植40年后植被和100 cm表层土壤碳的固存潜力为232.8×103和216.8×103 kg C·hm-2。对两个模型的比较结果显示,唐建维等的模型生物量计算结果明显高于Brown模型,尤其是在对中幼龄橡胶园生物量估算时更是如此。