Seasonal cycle of planktonic communities at Inhaca Island, southern Mozambique

Monthly plankton sampling was carried out at three stationson the west coast of Inhaca Island, southern Mozambique, fromAugust 1994 to August 1995. Sampling included water mass physicalparameters, nutrients, chlorophyll and zooplankton with netsof 125 and 330 µm pore aperture. Nutrient concentrationhas shown maxima during the summer months, where rain providesthe maximum outflow of rivers discharging into Maputo Bay. Followingthe nutrient peak, chlorophyll a has shown maxima around themonth of April, with another minor peak in September, when temperaturebegins to increase. Zooplankton densities followed closely thephytoplankton peaks, especially small herbivorous taxa and larvalstages, such as gastropod and bivalve larvae.     

植物地下生物量研究进展

在生物量的研究过程中,地下部分生物量十分重要却又多被忽视本文首先比较了当前地下生物量研究中较为常用的4种研究方法:挖土块法、钻土芯法、内生长土芯法和微根区管法.然后总结了地下生物量在空间和时间上变化规律的研究成果.最后又讨论了环境因素诸如水分、温度和开垦、放牧对地下生物量的影响以及地下生物量的周转.     

植物地下生物量研究进展

在生物量的研究过程中,地下部分生物量十分重要却又多被忽视本文首先比较了当前地下生物量研究中较为常用的4种研究方法:挖土块法、钻土芯法、内生长土芯法和微根区管法.然后总结了地下生物量在空间和时间上变化规律的研究成果.最后又讨论了环境因素诸如水分、温度和开垦、放牧对地下生物量的影响以及地下生物量的周转.     

Tides,tidal currents and their effects on the intertidal ecosystem of the southern bay,Inhaca Island,Mozambique

Sediment characteristics and tidal currents were studied in the 1500 ha intertidal area south of Inhaca Island,Mozambique. The tide is semi-diurnal with a range at spring of about 3 m. The area connects directly to the oceanthrough the Ponta Torres Strait and (indirectly) through several narrow tidal channels ending up in Maputo Bay.Velocities of up to 0.75 m s^-1 were measured in the Ponta Torres strait. After Low Water, Indian ocean water startsentering the tidal flats, while entrance from the Maputo Bay side is delayed by one to several hours. With onlyone tide gauge and one current meter at hand, we found indications of a higher mean sea level on the oceanic side(probably due to ocean wave set up) and a mean flow in the Ponta Torres Strait directed towards Maputo Bay. Astorm from the SW had a particularly strong influence on the sea level of Maputo Bay, and for a period of a fewdays the current flowed constantly towards Maputo Bay. Measurements in the innermost Saco channel indicatedhigher velocities during ebb than during flood. The resulting residual current will increase sedimentation in the bay,a process which is confirmed by aerial photographs and could be linked to the sanding of the coral reefs and themangrove extension in the area. Extensive sandbanks are situated around both inlets as a result of the higher currentvelocities in these areas, thereby inhibiting the settlement of finer sediments and organic matter. Where the twoflows meet, formation of mudflats and seagrass beds are favoured. Mudflats are found mainly below High WaterNeap, exposed only during spring tides. This longer inundation period favours the settlement of finer material andorganic matter. The area and location of the substrates have great influence on the richness and abundance of thebenthic fauna, as grainsize and organic matter have been correlated with richness and abundance in other studies.     

Coral reefs in a high-latitude,siliciclastic barrier island setting: reef framework and sediment production at Inhaca Island,southern Mozambique

Inhaca Island (southern Mozambique) is located in a high-latitude setting along the seaward margins of the estuarine Maputo Bay and is subject to fluctuations in temperature and salinity, and high sedimentation and turbidity levels. Coral reefs are developed sporadically along the margins of intertidal channels, but framework development is severely restricted. Coral growth is bathymetrically limited (never exceeding 6-m depth), and framework accumulation is only present in the upper 1–2 m. Massive Porites sp. produce a basic reef structure, with other coral genera (mainly Acropora sp., Favia sp., Platygyra sp., Pocillopora sp., and Montipora sp.) colonizing available substrata. Sediment samples also indicate restricted carbonate sediment production, with siliciclastics (mainly quartz) a major sediment contributor (often >90%) and carbonate grain assemblages differing from those normally associated with lower-latitude reefs. Although corals, molluscs and coralline algae (including rhodoliths) represent dominant grain constituents, Halimeda is absent and there is a low diversity (four species identified) of benthic foraminifera (mainly Amphistegina sp.). Grain associations are therefore somewhat transitional in character, comprising elements of both tropical (chlorozoan) and temperate (foramol) grain assemblages. These patterns of reef and associated carbonate production emphasize the marginal character of these reef environments, which form one end member in a broad spectrum of marginal reef systems that are now being identified in a range of both high- and low-latitude settings.     

A comparison of alternative methods for estimating population density of the fiddler crab Uca annulipes at Saco Mangrove, Inhaca Island (Mozambique)

Visual counts of surface-active crabs both by binocular and burrow counting methods have been used in many studies to estimate population density. However, their reliability has not yet been assessed comparatively. Three methods for estimating the abundance of fiddler crabs Uca annulipes in a mangrove forest (Inhaca Island, Mozambique) were compared from three different sub-areas: two sub-areas inundated only during spring tides and one sub-area inundated in both spring and neap tides. Burrow, binocular and direct (excavation) counting methods were performed by plotting ten 0.25 m² quadrats in each sub-area over the four moon phases. Overall densities (per 0.25 m²) differed according to method, sub-area and lunar phase. Burrow count overestimated crab density by up to 20%, while binocular count underestimated density by up to 41%. Correlation coefficient estimated for both counting methods showed that burrow count gives better density estimates than binocular count (0.91 and 0.56, respectively). Sex ratios were also investigated within the three sub-areas and at the moon phases. Males are dominant throughout the studied period except during new moon and first quarter, indicating that when the number of gravid females is low, sex ratio bias for binocular count is minimal.     

利用牧草生长-消费模型优化草场放牧方案

从理论上探讨了草场生态系统牧草的生长过程和消费过程,采用数学模型方法模拟了两者的动态变化规律,分析了两者在草场生态系统生态平衡中的作用机制．运用牧草的生长和消费模型模拟特定生产周期内草场生态系统的累积牧草消费量,提出优化的草场放牧方案。为实际生产提供参考依据．     

Dynamics,productivity and species richness of tropical rainforests along elevational and edaphic gradients on Mount Kinabalu,Borneo

We studied the dynamics of nine tropical rainforests on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo, at four elevations (700, 1,700, 2,700 and 3,100 m) on various edaphic conditions for four 2-year periods over 8 years (1995–2003), and examined the relationships with above-ground productivity. Mean growth rate of stem diameter, basal area turnover rate and estimated recruitment rate (using growth rate and size distribution) correlated with productivity among the nine forests in all periods. These rates based on growth rates of surviving stems appeared to be good measures of stand turnover. However, observed recruitment rate and mortality (and turnover rate as mean of these rates) based on direct observation of recruits and deaths did not correlate with productivity in some periods. These rates may not be useful as measures of stand turnover given small sample size and short census interval because they were highly influenced by stochastic fluctuation. A severe drought associated with the 1997–1998 El Niño event inflated mortality and depressed mean growth rate, recruitment rate and basal area turnover rate, but had little effect on the correlations between these rates (except mortality) and productivity. Across broad elevational and edaphic gradients on Mount Kinabalu, forest turnover, productivity and species richness correlated with each other, but the causal interpretation is difficult given the different histories and species pools among forests at different elevations.     

Patterns of temporal occurrence of brachyuran crab larvae at Saco mangrove creek, Inhaca Island (South Mozambique): implications for flux and recruitment

Temporal patterns of larval occurrence of brachyuran taxa weredescribed from Saco mangrove creek, Mozambique, based on planktonsamples. Brachyuran larvae were collected hourly in four 24h cycles during neap and spring tidal periods at a fixed station,in November 1997 and February 1998. Results indicate a semilunarcycle of larval release activity for most species. Newly-hatchedstages of sesarmids showed a peak occurrence in post-crepuscularebbing tides, Macrophthalmus spp. and Uca spp. showed highestdensities during ebbing tides at night. Dotilla fenestrata andPinnotheridae, in spite of showing a semilunar pattern, didnot display significant differences between day and night. Mostmangrove taxa showed thus a clear larval exportation behaviourduring ebb tides, with little return during the following floods,with varying degrees of dependence on the diel period. Megalopaewere restricted to the night period, and highest values wereobtained during spring tidal periods. However, maximum valuesof megalopae were obtained both during flood and ebb periods,contrary to most previous studies. This is interpreted as abi-directional transport of non-competent megalopae into andfrom the mangrove area.     

长期培肥黑土微生物量磷动态变化及影响因素

长期采用两种不同量有机肥(M2、M4)、化肥(NPK)方式培肥黑土,研究微生物量P在作物生长季动态变化．结果表明。施用有机肥微生物量P显著高于施用化肥(NPK)和不施肥(CK),微生物量P分别为M48．75～47．68mg·kg^-1,M2 3．02～37．16mg·kg^-1,NPK1．59～10．62mg·kg^-1,CK0．76～6．74mg·kg^-1之间,波动性较大．M4、M2处理微生物量P最大值出现在抽雄吐丝期,NPK、CK处理最大值出现在大喇叭口期;施肥数量和种类不同所引起的黑土微生物量P的差异并未因季节变化及玉米生育时期影响而明显改变．微生物量P的动态变化与绝大多数黑土生物、理化特性指标的动态变化没有显著的相关性;微生物量P与黑土生物、理化特性(除全钾外),植物氮、磷、钾含量有极显著的正相关关系,与黑土含水量呈显著正相关关系．     

Population dynamics, biomass and productivity of Limapontia depressa (Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia) at Bull Island, Dublin, Ireland

Limapontia depressa was present in the saltmarsh pools at Bull Island, Dublin from October to June each year. Numbers peaked in December, with a secondary peak in April, and the maximum density recorded was just under 23000 indiv m^–2. The strong population seasonal cycle was not linked to salinity or chlorophyll-a cycles but did coincide with the drying of the pools. Average production (P) was 233 kJ m^–2 y^–1, with a P:B ratio of just 2:1, which is rather low for such a small animal and may be a function of the low growth rate. These conclusions must be treated with caution due to uncertainty over recruitment mechanisms. Gamete output (G) was calculated at a maximum of 28.6 kJ m^–2 y^–1. This is a higher secondary production than previously reported for saltmarsh herbivores, and may be an important link into the wider estuarine trophic system and a vital food resource for small waders. The low G:P ratio suggests that not all semelparous species necessarily adopt an r-strategy of 'reproductive recklessness'.     

水曲柳根系生物量、比根长和根长密度的分布格局

采用连续钻取土芯法在生长季内对东北林业大学帽儿山实验林场17年生水曲柳人工林根系取样,研究水曲柳不同直径根系现存生物量、比根长和根长密度及垂直分布状况.结果表明,水曲柳人工林根系总生物量为1 637.6 g·m^-2,其中活根生物量占85%,死根占15%.在活根生物量当中,粗根(直径5～30 mm)占的比例最高（69.95%）,其次为活细根（直径<1 mm,13.53%）,小根(1～2 mm)和中等直径的根(2～5 mm)比例较小（分别为7.21%和9.31%）.直径<1 mm活细根的比根长为32.20 m·g^-1,直径5～30 mm粗根的比根长为0.08 m·g^-1.单位面积上活根的总长度为6 602.54 m·m^-2,其中直径<1 mm的细根占92.43%,其它直径等级则不到活根总长度的8%.直径<1 mm的细根生物量与根长密度具显著线性关系（R²=0.923）,但与比根长无显著相关关系（R²=0.134）.     

长期培肥黑土微生物量碳动态变化及影响因素

以东北典型黑土区长期采用2种不同量有机肥(M2、M4)、化肥(NPK)和不施肥(CK)4种方式培肥土壤为研究对象,对生长季微生物量碳的动态变化进行研究．结果表明,施用有机肥,微生物量碳显著高于施用化肥和不施肥,容量在620mg·kg^-1以上．在各处理中。微生物量碳大小顺序为M4>M2>NPK≥CK．M2、M4微生物量碳最大峰值出现在抽雄吐丝期,NPK最大峰值出现在播种期,CK最大峰值出现在蜡熟期,季节性变化平稳．施肥数量和种类不同所引起的微生物量碳的差异,并未因季节变化及玉米生育时期影响而改变．微生物量碳的动态变化与绝大多数黑土生物、理化特性指标动态变化无显著相关性;与黑土生物、理化特性。植物氮、磷、钾及作物籽粒粗蛋白含量之间存在较好的正相关性．     

毛果苔草湿地枯落物及地下生物量动态

采用网袋法和土柱法分别对三江平原湿地毛果苔草（Carex lasiocarpa）种群枯落物及地下生物量的季节动态变化规律进行分析。结果表明,毛果苔草的立枯物总的变化趋势是其拟合曲线符合指数方程。以其凋落物的失重率表示分解速率,而日失重率是随着时间增长而不断减少,且日失重率的变化在0.7058％-0.2372％之间。毛果苔草全生长季（1999年5月2日-10月10日）枯落物总量为210.8876g·m^-2。毛果苔草地下生物量具有明显的垂直结构,呈倒金字塔形,数学模拟近于抛物线型。     

富营养化水体中N、P浓度对浮游植物生长繁殖速率和生物量的影响

在浮游植物生长繁殖的高峰期（7—10月份）对3个富营养化水体的总氮、总磷和浮游植物生物量进行调查,统计分析了生物量与氮和磷浓度的关系。利用3种水样和梯度稀释的东湖水样培养玫瑰拟衣藻（Chloromonas rosae）,研究了氮、磷浓度对生长繁殖速率的影响。结果表明磷是生长繁殖速率的限制因子,求出了生长繁殖速率与磷浓度的对数回归方程y=0．08061nx＋0．4658,当磷浓度小于0．05mg／L时,生长繁殖速率随着磷浓度的升高而直线上升,当磷浓度进一步升高,生长繁殖速率仍然随之增加,但增加的幅度越来越小,当磷浓度达到0．2mg／L时,生长繁殖速率基本不再随着磷浓度的增加而升高。计算出生长速率为零时磷的浓度是0．003mg／L,接近贫营养化湖泊磷浓度的下限,计算结果与坂本的调查统计结果相吻合,说明回归方程具有代表性。在凋查的3个富营养化水体中,浮游植物中的氮占全部氮元素的53％,磷占全部磷元素的85％,是氮、磷存在的主要形式,所以,评价水体的营养程度,必须同时考虑水中溶解的氮、磷和生物体内的氮、磷。统计分析表明,3个富营养化水体中浮游植物的生物量由氮（溶解氮＋胞内氮）和磷（溶解磷＋胞内磷）的浓度共同决定,生物量与氮浓度的直线回归方程y=10．687x-7．8304,生物量与磷浓度的直线回归方程y=122．11x-12．069。实验结果为根据氮、磷浓度以Redfield值判断浮游植物限制性营养元素的相对性和绝对性提供了例证。对3个富营养化水体的比较表明,防止水体富营养的唯一办法是维持水体氮、磷等主要营养元素收支平衡,治理富营养化的根本办法是从水体中移走过量的氮、磷等主要营养元素。     

Effects of light and biomass partitioning on growth, photosynthesis and carbohydrate content of the seagrass Zostera noltii Hornem

Plants of the seagrass Zostera noltii were cultured in the laboratory (mesocosms) for two weeks to assess the effect of above:below-ground (AG/BG) biomass ratios and light on growth, photosynthesis and chemical composition. Experimental plant units (EPUs) with different proportions between AG and BG biomass were obtained from plants of the same size (containing 6 shoots and 5 internodes) by excising 0-5 shoots. The EPUs maintained the proportions in AG/BG biomass ratios during the experiment. While growth rate was unaffected by biomass partitioning at high light, maximum growth at low light was recorded in plants with low AG/BG ratios. The production of shoots and rhizomes showed a compensatory morphological response depending on the initial AG/BG proportions regardless of the light level. While shoot production, estimated as shoot appearance rate, was high at low AG/BG ratios and minimal under high AG/BG values, rhizome production, estimated as internode appearance rate and internode elongation rate, was maximal under high AG/BG proportions and decreased towards lower AG/BG ratios. This rhizomatic response was observed for secondary rhizomes and not for primary ones. In contrast to morphological response, no significant differences were detected in maximum electron transport rates (ETRm) among the different shoots in the plant. However, mean values of ETRm in plants were affected by biomass partitioning and light. EPUs grown in low light increased the sucrose stored in shoots as the AG/BG biomass ratios decreased; however, EPUs grown at high light showed no effect of biomass partitioning on sucrose levels. In conclusion, shoots excision by experimental manipulation caused a compensatory morphological response in plants while photosynthetic performance remained almost unaffected.     

Effect of water temperature and fish biomass on environmental DNA shedding,degradation, and size distribution

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has successfully detected organisms in various aquatic environments. However, there is little basic information on eDNA, including the eDNA shedding and degradation processes. This study focused on water temperature and fish biomass and showed that eDNA shedding, degradation, and size distribution varied depending on water temperature and fish biomass. The tank experiments consisted of four temperature levels and three fish biomass levels. The total eDNA and size‐fractioned eDNA from Japanese Jack Mackerels (Trachurus japonicus) were quantified before and after removing the fish. The results showed that the eDNA shedding rate increased at higher water temperature and larger fish biomass, and the eDNA decay rate also increased at higher temperature and fish biomass. In addition, the small‐sized eDNA fractions were proportionally larger at higher temperatures, and these proportions varied among fish biomass. After removing the fish from the tanks, the percentage of eDNA temporally decreased when the eDNA size fraction was >10 µm, while the smaller size fractions increased. These results have the potential to make the use of eDNA analysis more widespread in the future.     

青杨人工林根系生物量、表面积和根长密度变化

在植物生长季节,采用钻取土芯法对秦岭北坡50年生青杨人工林根径≤2 mm和2～5 mm根系的生物量、表面积和根长密度进行测定.结果表明：在青杨人工林根系(＜5 mm)中,根径≤2 mm根系占总生物量的77.8%,2～5 mm根系仅占22.2%;根径≤2 mm根系表面积和根长密度占根系总量的97%以上,而根径2～5 mm根系不足3%.随着土层的加深,根径≤2 mm根系生物量、表面积和根长密度数量减少,根径2～5 mm根系生物量、表面积和根长密度最小值均分布在20～30 cm土层.≤2 mm根系生物量、表面积和根长密度与土壤有机质、有效氮呈极显著相关,而根径2～5 mm根系的相关性不显著.