Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA markers in the grass Poa alpina L.

The important fodder grass Poa alpina L. occurs at several ploidy levels with common aneuploidy. We isolated and characterized five polymorphic microsatellite markers for the study of molecular genetic variation of this species. As first examples of the value of the developed markers for population genetic analyses, we show that plants with more chromosomes have more microsatellite bands and that isolation by distance plays a small role in shaping microsatellite diversity of P. alpina in the Swiss Alps.     

Distribution of bulbil- and seed-producing plants of Poa alpina (Poaceae) and their growth and reproduction in common gardens suggest adaptation to different elevations

• Premise of the study: The European Alps harbor a spatially heterogeneous environment. Plants can be adapted genetically to this heterogeneity but may also respond to it by phenotypic plasticity. We expected the important fodder grass Poa alpina to be adapted to elevation either genetically or plastically. • Methods: We investigated in three elevational common gardens whether growth and reproductive allocation of plants reproducing either by seeds or bulbils suggest adaptation to their elevation of origin and to what extent they can respond plastically to different elevations. Additionally, we analyzed genetic diversity using microsatellites and tested whether seeds are of sexual origin. • Key results: In the field, bulbil-producing plants occurred more often at higher elevations, whereas seed-producing plants occurred more often at lower elevations, but bulbil-producing plants were generally less vigorous in the common gardens. The response of plants to elevational transplantation was highly plastic, and vigor was always best at the highest location. The small genetic differences were not clinally related to elevation of origin, underlining the importance of phenotypic plasticity. Reproductive allocation was, however, independent of elevational treatments. Seed-producing plants had higher genetic diversity than the bulbil-producing plants even though we found that seed-producing plants were facultative apomicts mostly reproducing asexually. • Conclusions: Bulbil-producing P. alpina, showing a fitness cost at lower elevations compared with seed-producing plants, seem better adapted to higher elevations. By means of its two reproductive modes and the capacity to adjust plastically, P. alpina is able to occupy a broad ecological niche across a large elevational range.     

Riverine fish diversity varies according to geographical isolation and land use modification

Understanding the environmental factors driving species‐genetic diversity correlations (SGDCs) is critical for designing appropriate conservation and management strategies to protect biodiversity. Yet, few studies have explored the impact of changing land use patterns on SGDCs specifically in aquatic communities. This study examined patterns of genetic diversity in roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) together with fish species composition across 19 locations in a large river catchment, spanning a gradient in land use. Our findings show significant correlations between some, but not all, species and genetic diversity end points. For example, genetic and species differentiation showed a weak but significant linear relationship across the Thames catchment, but additional diversity measures such as allelic richness and fish population abundance did not. Further examination of patterns in species and genetic diversity indicated that land use intensification has a modest effect on fish diversity compared to the combined influence of geographical isolation and land use intensification. These results indicate that environmental changes in riparian habitats have the potential to amplify shifts in the composition of stream fish communities in poorly connected river stretches. Conservation and management strategies for fish populations should, therefore, focus on enhancing connectivity between river stretches and limit conversion of nearby land to arable or urban use to maintain current levels of biodiversity.     

Microsatellite analysis of the inbreeding grass weed Barren Brome (Anisantha sterilis) reveals genetic diversity at the within- and between-farm scales

Nine microsatellites were used to screen 131 samples of Barren Brome (Anisantha sterilis: synonym Bromus sterilis) collected from within the fields of three English farms [from Oxfordshire (Oxon), Leicestershire (Leics) and Wiltshire (Wilts)] and eight seeds taken from samples of each of 10 farms across England, UK. Most individuals (approximately 97%) were homozygous. Polymorphism occurred at all nine loci in all three farms sampled at the field scale, and at most loci for nine of the other 10 farm samples. Between three and 11 alleles were found per locus. Gene diversity (D = 1 - summation operator p(i)2) ranged from 0.088 to 0.760. Polymorphism occurred among individuals within and among fields, and farms. Some alleles were found in only one farm. On the basis of the alleles at all nine loci in the 211 sampled plants, a total of 92 (44%) different genotypes was identified. Clustering analysis using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) for the combined Oxon, Wilts and Leics samples did not cluster them into their respective farms. Similarly, a phenogram of samples from all 10 farms showed considerable mixing of individuals with respect to farm origins. Identification of genotypes on field plans showed evidence of both spatial localization and mixing. Previous reports have suggested that A. sterilis is strictly inbreeding with little intrapopulation variation at the genetic level. Our data reveal that A. sterilis exists as numerous separate and genetically different lines, which are maintained by inbreeding but which very occasionally outcross. Possible explanations for this pattern of high genetic diversity are discussed.     

Macroinvertebrate assemblages in 25 high alpine ponds of the Swiss National Park (Cirque of Macun) and relation to environmental variables

High-altitude freshwater ecosystems and their biocoenosis are ideal sentinel systems to detect global change. In particular, pond communities are likely to be highly responsive to climate warming. For this reason, the Swiss National Park has included ponds as part of a long-term monitoring programme of the high-alpine Macun cirque. This cirque covers 3.6 km², has a mean altitude of 2,660 m a.s.l., and includes a hydrographic system composed of a stream network and more than 35 temporary and permanent ponds. The first two steps in the programme were to (i) make an inventory of the macroinvertebrates of the waterbodies in the Macun cirque, and (ii) relate the assemblages to local or regional environmental variables. Sampling was conducted in 25 ponds between 2002 and 2004. The number of taxa characterising the region (Macun cirque) was low, represented by 47 lentic taxa. None of them was endemic to the Alps, although several species were cold stenothermal. Average pond richness was low (11.3 taxa). Assemblages were dominated by Chironomidae (Diptera), and Coleoptera and Oligochaeta were also relatively well represented. Other groups, which are frequent in lowland ponds, had particularly poor species richness (Trichoptera, Heteroptera) or were absent (Gastropoda, Odonata, Ephemeroptera). Macroinvertebrate assemblages (composition, richness) were only weakly influenced by local environmental variables. The main structuring processes were those operating at regional level and, namely, the connectivity between ponds, i.e. the presence of a physical connection (tributary) and/or small geographical distance between ponds. The results suggest that during the long-term monitoring of the Macun ponds (started in 2005), two kinds of change will affect macroinvertebrate assemblages. The first change is related to the natural dynamics, with high local-scale turnover, involving the metapopulations characterising the Macun cirque. The second change is related to global warming, leading to higher local and regional richness through an increase in the number of colonisation events resulting from the upward shift of geographical ranges of species. At the same time the cold stenothermal species from Macun will be subject to extinction. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Guest editors: R. Céréghino, J. Biggs, B. Oertli & S. Declerck The ecology of European ponds: defining the characteristics of a neglected freshwater habitat     

Long-distance dispersal vs vicariance: the origin and genetic diversity of alpine plants in the Spanish Sierra Nevada

Here, we investigated the origin and genetic diversity of four alpine plant species co-occurring in the Spanish Sierra Nevada and other high mountains in south-western Europe by analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). In Kernera saxatilis, Silene rupestris and Gentiana alpina we found intraspecific phylogroups corresponding to mountain regions as predicted by the vicariance hypothesis. Moreover, genetic distances between Sierra Nevada and Pyrenees populations were always higher than those between populations from the Pyrenees and the south-western Alps/Massif Central. This suggests successive disruption of gene exchange between mountain ranges as postglacial climatic warming proceeded from south to north. In Papaver alpinum, our data indicate that a central Pyrenean population arose via long-distance dispersal from the Sierra Nevada, and that vicariant separation events between the Sierra Nevada and the Pyrenees and between the Pyrenees and the south-western Alps occurred simultaneously. Overall, Sierra Nevada populations of all species investigated here preserve unexpectedly high (or not exceptionally reduced) genetic diversity. This testifies to the important influence of long-term isolation, i.e. vicariance, on genetic diversity through fostering the accumulation of new mutations and/or the fixation of ancestral ones.     

长江下游沿江地区区域环境承载力对土地利用变化的响应

区域环境承载力是协调区域环境系统与区域社会经济发展的重要依据。本文以长江下游沿江地区为例 ,对区域环境承载力的变化及其影响因素进行了研究。通过分析长江下游沿江地区土地利用动态变化趋势 ,构建了区域环境承载力指标体系和模型 ,并对长江下游沿江部分地区 1995～ 2 0 0 0年区域环境承载力变化趋势及土地利用变化对区域环境承载力的影响进行了探讨     

Distribution of benthic algae in the upper Illinois River basin in relation to geology and land use

• 1 Benthic‐algal distributions in the upper Illinois River basin, IL, U.S.A., were examined in relation to geology, land use, water chemistry and stream habitat using (detrended) (canonical) correspondence analysis, autecological metrics and indicator‐species analysis in order to identify the major environmental gradients influencing community variation.
• 2 Ionic composition and major nutrient [i.e. nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)] concentration of surface waters, salinity (Na‐Cl type), substratum type and physiognomic form of dominant species were primary factors contributing to variation in benthic‐algal assemblages of the basin. Basin geology was a significant contributing factor, but the explained variance associated with this factor was less than that related to land use.
• 3 Proportions of algal biomass consisting of cyanophytes, filamentous chlorophytes, halophilic diatoms and diatoms which utilize nitrogen heterotrophically were greater in eutrophic river segments than in less nutrient‐enriched segments. Composition of the benthic flora indicated meso‐eutrophic or eutrophic conditions throughout the basin; there were few diatoms indicative of hypertrophic waters. Shifts in diatom‐assemblage structure in response to nutrient loading provided an incomplete representation of the community‐response curve.
• 4 A weighted‐averages regression model based on total P and benthic‐algal abundances (all divisions included) yielded a highly significant correlation (r² = 0.83) between species‐inferred [WA_(tol)] and observed total P, with systematic bias (increased deviation of residuals) occurring only at concentrations greater than ～ 1.0 mg L^?1 total P. This result indicates that total P regression and calibration models can be predictable for a river basin receiving excessive loadings of phosphorus.

     

坡面土地利用方式与景观位置对土壤质量的影响

坡面土地利用与植被的斑块化镶嵌是人类干扰山区景观异质性的特点,在卧龙湿润高山地区,森林砍伐、植被破坏,农业坡耕地与人工林种植是居民区附近土地利用多样化的原因,从样带与生态系统类型尺度上探究土地利用与坡面景观位置对土壤水分与养分的影响,利用定量化的方法,揭示坡面上土壤质量与土地利用类型,景观位置之间的关系。选取了四种典型的土地利用类型（灌丛,撂荒地,坡耕和人工林）与4个坡面位置（上坡,中坡,下坡和坡脚）,通过样带采样研究它们之间土壤养分的差异。利用主成分分析（PCA）等多元统计方法来定量化比较不同土地利用与坡位下的土壤质量。结果表明,灌丛有着较高的土壤质量指数（QI）。而人工林与农田的QI值较低。这表明灌丛在坡面上有着“肥力岛屿”效应。不同坡位条件下土壤质量指数（PI）表明,与中坡位和下坡位相比,上坡位与坡脚处土壤质量要高。结果说明坡面土壤质量的变化是土地利用方式变化与景观位置分异综合作用的结果。     

太子河流域鱼类功能群结构与多样性对土地利用类型的响应

研究河岸带土地利用方式对河流生物群落的影响对河岸带管理和河流生态系统修复至关重要。研究了太子河河岸带的土地利用类型(森林用地、森林耕作用地、耕地和城镇建设用地)和鱼类功能群的关系,结果表明:栖息地质量参数在不同土地利用类型内具有显著差异,森林用地区电导率、总溶解固体、淤泥和底质含沙量比例的平均值均较低,分别为(105.05μs/cm、80.38 mg/L、65.00 mL和0%),底质类型以石块为主;耕作区的水深、流量和淤泥的平均值均是最高(186.83 m、80.11 m~3和5333.33 mL),底质类型以沙质和淤泥为主。太子河流域鱼类功能群划分为5种类型(18个亚类),在不同土地利用类型内具有差异显著,森林用地内的鱼食性、石块栖功能群、昆虫食性和黏性卵功能群的比例最高;森林耕作用地内的植食性和底层栖功能群的比例最高;耕地内的沙栖功能群、中下层栖功能群和筑巢产卵功能群的比例最高;城镇建设用地内的淤泥栖功能群、耐污种、中下层栖功能群和杂食性功能群的比例最高。研究显示,栖息地评价得分高、栖境复杂的区域其个体数量较高,而栖息地得分低、底质类型以淤泥为主的区域其个体数量较低。     

Changes in the distribution of alien plants along roadsides in relation to adjacent land use over the course of 40 years

Roads have become one of the main corridors supporting the dispersal of alien plants and their penetration and integration into native vegetation communities in new areas. The aim of this study was to use data sampled in 1970, 1994, and 2010 in order to check for changes in the spread of alien species along roadsides in relation to the adjacent land use. The results show that nutrient influxes and mechanical disturbance associated with the onset of intensive farming had a significant impact on the spread of the plant species in this study. In general, a significant increase was documented in the spread of species of invasive status. A different trend in the spread of archaeophytes and neophytes was observed in cases in which a road was adjacent to the meadow. Most of the archaeophytes in these habitats spread significantly in the first 20 years, and the distribution of neophytes did not show an increasing tendency. The highest rate of expansion was observed for plants propagating only by seed and in the built-up area of municipalities. Plants exhibiting both seed and vegetative propagation prevailed in the vicinity of meadows and forest vegetation.     

田埂留草控制稻飞虱效果及对捕食性天敌多样性影响

为探讨稻田田埂保留杂草控制稻飞虱的效果及对捕食性天敌多样性的影响,以稻田田埂周年性保留杂草为处理,以稻田田埂不保留杂草为对照,对处理区和对照区稻田稻飞虱成若虫、捕食性天敌种类和数量进行系统调查和分析。结果表明,在调查期内(6—10月),田埂留草稻田百丛稻株稻飞虱数量为(891.11±133.12)头,较非留草稻田减少35.31%;田埂留草稻田捕食性天敌隶属5目23科35种,而田埂非留草稻田隶属5目21科33种;田埂非留草稻田捕食性天敌优势种为食虫沟瘤蛛Ummeliata insecticepsBoes.etStr.、拟水狼蛛Pirata subpiraticus Boes.etStr.和黑肩绿盲蝽Cyrtorrhinus livdipennis Reuter,而田埂留草后优势种为食虫沟瘤蛛U.insecticeps、草间小黑蛛Erigonidium graminicolum(Sundevall)、拟水狼蛛和拟环纹狼蛛Lycosa pseudoamulata(Bose.etStr.);田埂留草稻田捕食性天敌的个体数量、丰富度、多样性指数分别为(128.89±13.52)、(33.67±0.50)、(4.53±0.04)头/百丛,较田埂非留草稻田分别增加31.96%、25.73%、5.59%,而优势度指数和均匀性指数没有显著变化。研究结果为发展稻田景观多样化控害提供依据。     

A comparison of the diversity and structure of butterfly communities in semi-natural and human-modified grassland habitats at the foot of Mt. Fuji, central Japan

To examine the effects of human land use and disturbance on butterfly communities we compared the diversity and structure of communities in relatively undisturbed, semi-natural grassland habitats and highly disturbed, human-modified ones. Comparisons were based on transect counts conducted at 6 study sites at the foot of Mt. Fuji in the cool temperate zone of central Japan during 1995. Out of the six community parameters used in the analyses, the species richness, species diversities H and 1/, and dominance indices were significantly different between the two habitat types stated above. That is, butterfly communities in semi-natural habitats had higher species richness and diversity, and lower dominance indices than those in human-modified ones. This suggests that heavy land modification and disturbance to semi-natural habitats change greatly its butterfly community structure, which, indeed, leads to decreasing species richness and diversity mainly due to the loss of species that are confined to semi-natural habitats. Through the comparisons of various species' characteristics, it was found that the species confined to semi-natural habitats had lower population abundance, fewer generations per year, more restricted local distributions, and narrower geographic range size in Japan than the other component species. Based on our results, it is critical that the persistence of the species that are limited to semi-natural habitats be ensured in order to maintain high species richness and diversity in grassland butterfly communities. Thus, conservation plans that retain as much semi-natural habitat as possible within the process of human grassland use, development, and modification are needed.     

纸坊沟流域近60年来土地利用景观变化的环境效应

以黄土丘陵区纸坊沟流域为研究区 ,对该流域近 6 0 a来的土地利用景观变化的环境效应进行了较为系统的分析研究。结果表明 ,流域环境与土地利用景观变化密切相关。随着由林草植被占优的景观格局演变为由坡耕地占优的景观格局 ,流域环境状况逐步恶化 ,并在 195 8年达到最低点。 1975年后 ,随着流域治理工作的开展 ,林草植被在景观中的优势度得以逐渐恢复 ,并经历了 1995年的较为均衡的过渡阶段后 ,持续增加并重新恢复了其在景观中的优势地位。流域环境状况逐渐恢复乃至接近1938年植被未被破坏时的水平。社会经济环境因素的变化表明 ,生态环境建设不仅仅是单纯的林草植被恢复与重建的过程 ,而是一个生态和社会经济环境相互促进并有机发展和提高的过程。     

近30年来三峡库区土地利用与生态环境效应研究热点演变及展望——基于Citespace的文献可视化分析

三峡库区作为三峡工程建设后形成的独特地理单元,梳理探讨其土地利用与生态环境效应已有研究成果,对于库区土地利用、生态可持续发展具有重要意义。基于Citespace软件及传统文献归纳方法对文献总体特征、热点演变、主要内容、存在问题与不足等分析发现:(1)土地利用与生态环境效应相关的中英文发文量持续增长,领域影响力增强,研究具有多学科、交叉性等特点;(2)研究经历了1990-2005、2006-2014、2015-2022年三个时段的演变:一阶段重点关注土地整理、土地生态保护等问题;二阶段重点关注消落带、土地利用变化的地形梯度效应等问题;三阶段重点关注景观格局变化的社会-经济生态耦合、生态系统服务等问题,与库区发展及区域政策相吻合;(3)库首、库腹、库尾关注的主要内容有所差异:库首研究以生态风险评价及生态系统服务为主;库腹侧重对坡耕地变化的社会生态经济耦合研究;库尾因建设用地较多,在土地整治及区域规划背景下进行研究;(4)土地利用变化从注重单一要素转向多要素、多功能研究,驱动因子研究从定性分析转向定性与定量相结合分析;退耕还林等生态政策实施以来区域生态系统服务总体呈上升趋势、生态风险指数明显下降;土地利用的生态环境效应研究内容更加多元化;(5)当下的研究面临着数据、方法、指标体系构建等问题,未来需要从理论构建、方法创新、实践应用等多方面进行探索。