Effects of temperature on biological and biochemical indicators of the life-history strategy of bullhead Cottus gobio

The biological and biochemical effects of temperature on life-history strategy of female bullhead Cottus gobio were investigated. Fish from two populations (Bez Basin, south-east France) experiencing contrasted thermal environments ( i.e . more or less stable) were reared during 4 months at three distinct temperatures (7, 9 or 12° C). Both somatic (soma fresh mass and muscle triglyceride content) and reproductive (gonad fresh mass, fecundity, mean diameter of eggs and gonad triglyceride content) indicators were examined. Mixed models indicated that an increasing temperature had significant negative effects on all life-history indicators except for soma fresh mass. Differences in life-history strategy with regard to muscle and gonad triglyceride contents, however, suggest that populations experiencing more variable thermal environments may be better adapted than others to cope with an increasing temperature. These findings may have important implications for C. gobio populations, within the context of climate warming.     

Effects of impoundment on populations of bullhead Cottus gobio L. and minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus (L.), in the basin of Cow Green Reservoir

The distribution, growth and reproduction of bullhead, Cottus gobio , L., and minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus (L.), were studied at Cow Green Reservoir, Upper Teesdale, for 10 years following impoundment in 1970. Comparisons were made with pre-impoundment results. The length-for-age of bullheads increased after impoundment. The length-for-age of minnows decreased. In winter both species were confined mainly to deep water or to the stone facing of the earth dam. In summer they were found throughout the reservoir though bullheads were scarce in the littoral zone. Female bullheads became sexually mature at an earlier age (84% at age-group I) than before impoundment (33% at age-group I) but no change was apparent amongst males (67–62% in age-group I). The post-impoundment sex ratio did not differ from 1:1 and individual fecundity did not change after impoundment. There was a significant reduction in individual fecundity of the minnow. The mean instantaneous rate of mortality ( Z ) for bullhead of age-groups II to IV was 0.96 ± 0.34 year⁻¹, compared with 0.85 ± 0.29 year in the Tees before impoundment.     

Effects of temperature on persistence times of native and invasive gammarid species in the stomachs of Cottus gobio

Gastric lavage was used to investigate the effects of temperature on persistence time of two amphipod species, one native Gammarus pulex and one invasive Gammarus roeseli , in the stomachs of bullhead Cottus gobio . Persistence time was strongly influenced by temperature and prey type, such that G. pulex species degraded faster than G. roeseli .     

The influence of earthquakes on large lacustrine ecosystems, with particular emphasis on Lake Sevan, Armenia

This paper discusses the influence of earthquakes on large water ecosystems, with particular emphasis on Lake Sevan, Armenia. Earthquakes impact on large lacustrine ecosystems in seismically active areas in a number of ways, including chemistry and lake dynamics. Conclusions are drawn from a large database that includes biological, hydrological, geochemical and seismic information. Strong earthquakes change the water chemistry and pH of the lake and consequently the chemical and biological processes that take place in the lake bed sediments. Analysis of historical earthquakes shows their influence on the organic carbon in the sediments, the changes of the lake dynamics and variations in bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton at the base of the food chain.     

Effects of short-term treatment with calcium on the parathyroid gland of the rat,under particular consideration of the alteration of storage granules

Summary Short-term effects of CaCl₂-treatment on parathyroid cells of the rat, especially on their storage granules, were studied at the ultrastructural level. After an injection of 4% CaCl₂, serum calcium levels (SCL) rapidly increased from 9.1 mg/dl (controls) to a maximum of 14.9 mg/dl at 20 min. At 5 min after the injection, the number of type-I storage granules (large core) [NSG-I] and that of type-II storage granules (small core) [NSG-II] remained unchanged, in spite of elevated SCL (12.4 mg/dl). As soon as SCL rose to 13.2 mg/dl at 7.5 min, NSG-I gradually decreased to a minimum at 30 min; in contrast, NSG-II gradually increased to a maximum at 30 min. Vacuolar bodies also increased together with the augmentation of type-II storage granules. The average diameter of the core of the storage granules decreased significantly after the injection. Protein A-gold method for immunocytochemistry showed that the cores of these granules contain parathormone. Acid-phosphatase activity was occasionally found in storage granules of both types, especially in those of type II. It is concluded (i) that type-I storage granules may be transformed into vacuolar bodies via type-II granules as a result of hydrolysis, and (ii) that these processes may be accelerated during hypercalcemia.     

The seasonal effects on the encrustation of charophytes in two hard‐water lakes

Encrustation and element content of six charophyte species from two hard‐water lakes were investigated monthly for a period of 1 year. Seasonal patterns were analyzed for the interaction of water chemistry. Encrustation followed a seasonal pattern for Chara contraria, Chara subspinosa, and Nitellopsis obtusa in Lake Krüselin and for Chara globularis and Chara tomentosa in Lake Lützlow. However, no seasonality in the precipitated CaCO₃ was observed for C. subspinosa in Lake Lützlow and for C. tomentosa in Lake Krüselin, indicating a lake‐specific dependency. Species‐specific encrustation was found. Chara contraria and N. obtusa encrusted the most in June and August, whereas C. subspinosa and Nitella flexilis/opaca exhibited lowest encrustation in March and April. The precipitated CaCO₃ of charophytes correlated negatively to the concentration of total inorganic carbon in both lakes. Element content of plant dry weight was species‐specific for Ca and K, and lake‐specific for Mg. No specific pattern was found for the TP and Fe contents. The results showed seasonal, species, and lake‐specific influences on the encrustation of charophytes.     

沙障对流动沙丘区地表节肢动物分布及多样性的影响

沙障作为人工固沙植被恢复与保护绿洲和道路安全的一种手段,可以有效阻止沙丘移动,改变流动沙丘地表生态水文过程,进而影响节肢动物多样性及营养结构及功能变化。鉴于此,选取临泽县中部沙带为研究区,利用陷阱法系统调查了生物、物理沙障和流动沙丘区沙丘不同部位地表节肢动物分布及多样性。研究结果表明,沙障营建强烈影响了流动沙丘区地表节肢动物组成,生物和物理沙障区地表节肢动物的活动密度、物种丰富度及多样性均显著高于流动沙丘区,捕食性和其它食性节肢动物较植食性节肢动物对沙障营建的响应更为敏感。沙障还改变了沙丘地表节肢动物的分布规律,生物和物理沙障区地表节肢动物的活动密度从沙丘底部到顶部依次增加,而流动沙丘区地表节肢动物主要分布在沙丘中下部。谢氏宽漠王和尖尾东鳖甲在流动沙丘区主要分布沙丘的中下部,沙障营建导致沙丘顶部谢氏宽漠王和尖尾东鳖甲的活动密度大幅提高。此外,研究还发现生物和物理沙障对地表节肢动物的影响不同,生物沙障区地表节肢动物活动密度显著高于物理沙障区,捕食性和东鳖甲属等其它食性节肢动物的活动密度在生物沙障区均高于物理沙障区。总之,沙障营建及类型差异强烈影响地表节肢动物的分布及多样性,它通过资源上行效应和土壤物理环境的改变提高了地表节肢动物的多样性及营养结构,从而影响了土壤生态系统结构及功能变化过程。     

The effects of haloclines on the vertical distribution and migration of zooplankton

While the influence of horizontal salinity gradients on the distribution and abundance of planktonic organisms in estuaries is relatively well known, the effects of vertical salinity gradients (haloclines) are less well understood. Because biological, chemical, and physical conditions can vary between different salinity strata, an understanding of the behavioral response of zooplankton to haloclines is crucial to understanding the population biology and ecology of these organisms. We studied four San Francisco Bay copepods, Acartia (Acartiura) spp., Acartia (Acanthacartia) spp., Oithona davisae, and Tortanus dextrilobatus, and one species of larval fish (Clupea pallasi), in an attempt to understand how and why zooplankton respond to haloclines. Controlled laboratory experiments involved placing several individuals of each species in two 2-m-high tanks, one containing a halocline (magnitude varied between 1.4 and 10.0 psu) and the other without a halocline, and recording the location of each organism once every hour for 2-4 days using an automated video microscopy system. Results indicated that most zooplankton changed their vertical distribution and/or migration in response to haloclines. For the smaller taxa (Acartiura spp., Acanthacartia spp., and O. davisae), this behavior took the form of accumulating in or below the halocline, while the effects on the larger species (C. pallasi and T. dextrilobatus) were more subtle. C. pallasi yolk sac and 3- to 6-day-old larvae seemed to pause or remain in the halocline during their diel migration, while 14- to 17-day-old larvae appeared to avoid the halocline by remaining in deeper, more saline water. There were very few statistically significant effects of haloclines on the vertical distribution of T. dextrilobatus. Subsequent mortality experiments with Acartiura spp., Acanthacartia spp. and T. dextrilobatus indicated that the behavioral changes seen in the halocline studies were not associated with any salinity-induced mortality per se, although more subtle affects of physiological stress could not be ruled out. These results point to a high degree of flexibility in vertical migration behavior within a given species as well as large variation between species. Such behavioral flexibility is likely to be very important in allowing planktonic organisms generally, and estuarine organisms in particular, to maintain or alter position relative to currents, food, and predators.     

生物结皮分布格局对坡面流水动力特征的影响

生物结皮的分布格局是影响坡面产流产沙的因素之一,但其格局对侵蚀动力的影响机理尚不明确,妨碍了进一步解析生物结皮影响坡面产流产沙的机制。本研究通过室内模拟降雨试验,采用景观生态学方法,对带状、棋盘和随机3种分布格局下生物结皮坡面景观指数和水力学参数的变化规律与裸土坡面进行对比研究。结果表明: 生物结皮显著影响坡面侵蚀动力,其分布格局是影响坡面侵蚀动力的因素之一。与裸土相比,生物结皮显著降低了坡面流速(54.6%)和弗劳德数(67.0%),显著增加了径流深(86.2%)和阻力系数(10.68倍),但对雷诺数和径流功率的影响较小;除径流深外,3种格局的生物结皮坡面的各水力学参数均存在显著差异,其中,随机格局对坡面侵蚀动力的影响最大。基于因子分析和聚类分析,筛选出斑块占景观面积比例、斑块密度、景观形状指数、斑块连结度和分离度5个指标作为描述生物结皮斑块分布特征的指标。其中,生物结皮斑块间的斑块连结度和分离度是影响坡面侵蚀动力的主要格局因子。随着生物结皮斑块间斑块连结度减小、分离度增大,坡面流速增加,阻力减小,坡面侵蚀加剧。     

Effects of habitat fragmentation and road density on the distribution pattern of the moor frog Rana arvalis

1. The effects of habitat fragmentation on the distribution pattern of the moor frog Rana arvalis were investigated. Also, the possible isolation effects of the road network were taken into account.
2. Indications were found that habitat fragmentation partly explains the distribution pattern of the moor frog. The statistical models showed a positive effect of pond size (or marsh area) and a negative effect of road density on the probability of occupation of a moorland pond.
3. Because of the strong correlation between habitat quality variables and isolation variables, no unambiguous effects of isolation, described as the amount of suitable terrestrial habitat (moorland) in the surroundings of a moorland pond in a radius of 100–2000 m, could be demonstrated.
4. Spatial differences in road density can play a role in the selection of optimal locations for nature protection areas. The regression model used in this study predicts a reduced occupation probability in 55% of the study area. In the part of the study area adjacent to a motorway, occupation probability is lowered to less than 30%.
5. European studies of habitat fragmentation on amphibian species revealed a mean distance between occupied ponds of <1 km in all studies. This could be a general rule of thumb for persistent amphibian populations. Effects of pond size on the probability of occupation were more variable.
6. When discussing the effects of habitat fragmentation on amphibians and other ground dwelling species, the negative effects of roads are often underestimated.     

农业景观中环境因素对两栖类生物分布的影响

以黄河下游地区封丘县为研究区,在地理信息系统和R软件的支持下,在栖息地水平和景观水平上,分析了两栖类生物分布与栖息地变量(池塘水体溶解氧DO、电导率COND、浊度TURB、水体氨氮NH₃-N、池塘内植被盖度VEG_interior、池塘内挺水植物盖度EMER、池塘边缘植被盖度VEG_edge、两栖类幼虫捕食者PRE和池塘面积AREA)和采样点池塘250、500、1000、2000 m半径缓冲区内景观变量(池塘面积AP、与最近道路的距离DR、耕地面积AF、林地面积AW、Shannon多样性指数SHDI和蔓延度指数CONTAG)的关系.结果表明: 中华大蟾蜍的分布主要与栖息地变量中的PRE和较大缓冲区半径内的景观变量(AW2000、DR2000、SHDI1000、CONTAG1000)相关;黑斑侧褶蛙的分布与栖息地变量中的EMER和较小缓冲区半径内的景观变量(SHDI500)关系密切;金线侧褶蛙的分布主要与栖息地变量中的VEG_interior和PRE相关;泽陆蛙的分布主要与较大缓冲区半径内的景观变量(AF2000、SHDI2000)相关;两栖类生物总体上主要与栖息地变量中的EMER和较小缓冲区半径内的景观变量(SHDI500)相关.在农业景观中,保护两栖类生物应该保护永久性和半永久性池塘、提高池塘内部植被盖度、增强栖息地池塘之间的功能连通性.     

The influence of ionic composition on the distribution of nematode species in springs of the province of Granada (Spain)

The ionic composition of 38 mineral springs in the province of Granada (Spain), and the distribution of 45 species of nematodes belonging to orders Monhysterida, Araeolaimida, Chromadorida and Enoplida were examined. Water chemistry is used to make two diagrams representing anionic and cationic composition. Diagrams for anionic composition (given the greater variance seen in the springs considered) are used to illustrate the distribution of individual species. The results obtained from species distribution and the correlation between species made it possible to group species which could be associated with springs where each of the anions considered predominated. A greater number of species groups was found to inhabit springs in which chloride concentrations was less than 50% of the total concentration of anions.     

稻麦秸秆集中沟埋还田对麦田土壤物理性状的影响

通过5.5a的大田定位试验,将上季秸秆全量沟埋还田,设置秸秆沟埋还田深度为20、40 cm以及免耕秸秆不还田(对照)3个处理。研究秸秆沟埋还田对麦田土壤水势、温度的影响以及长期秸秆沟埋还田方式下,沟埋还田20 cm处理各埋草沟土壤容重、总孔隙度的变化。结果表明:秸秆沟埋还田具有降低土壤容重,增加土壤总孔隙度的作用,随着还田时间的增加,这种作用逐渐降低。当降雨量较大(26.6 mm)时,沟埋还田各处理水势值在短时间内上升的较快,而对照则相对较慢;当降雨量较小(10 mm)时,沟埋还田40 cm处理水势值上升速度大于沟埋还田20 cm,对照处理最慢;降雨过后的12d内,沟埋还田各处理水势值下降速度较对照更快;连续40d各处理土壤水势日均值大小为对照沟埋还田40 cm沟埋还田20 cm。土壤0—15 cm温度日较差大小为沟埋还田20 cm对照沟埋还田40 cm,土壤20 cm处日较差对照最大;沟埋还田20 cm处理0—15 cm以及沟埋还田40 cm处理0—20 cm土壤日均温高于对照,沟埋还田20 cm处理20 cm处土壤日均温与对照较为接近。在沿江稻麦轮作地区,秸秆集中沟埋还田具有较好的改善土壤物理性质的作用。     

Effects of seasonal migration on the latitudinal distribution of west Palaearctic bird species

This paper examines seasonal changes in the latitudinal distribution of birds (excluding seabirds) that breed in the western Palaearctic. Some resident species occupy ranges that span less than 5° of latitude year-round, while some migrant species range over more than 120° of latitude during the course of a year. Among migrant species of land and freshwater habitats, the latitudinal spans of breeding and wintering ranges are correlated. In general, species that breed over a narrow span of latitude also winter over a narrow span of latitude, and vice versa. Among both groups, for any given span of breeding range, species that winter partly in Eurasia and partly in Africa winter over a wider latitudinal span than those that winter entirely within Eurasia or entirely within Africa. Among coastal birds, there is no correlation between the latitudinal spans of breeding and winter areas; most shorebird species breed over a narrow span of (northern) latitude and winter over a wide span distributed linearly along coastlines. Several migration patterns can be distinguished, from complete overlap of breeding and wintering ranges in year-round residents, through partial separation of summer and winter ranges, to complete separation of summer and winter ranges in different geographical regions. In some such species, the gap between breeding and wintering ranges spans up to 55° of latitude (6000 km).     

Possible effects of habitat fragmentation and climate change on the range of forest plant species

Global circulation models predict an increase in mean annual temperature between 2.1 and 4.6 °C by 2080 in the northern temperate zone. The associated changes in the ratio of extinctions and colonizations at the boundaries of species ranges are expected to result in northward range shifts for a lot of species. However, net species colonization at northern boundary ranges, necessary for a northward shift and for range conservation, may be hampered because of habitat fragmentation. We report the results of two forest plant colonization studies in two fragmented landscapes in central Belgium. Almost all forest plant species (85%) had an extremely low success of colonizing spatially segregated new suitable forest habitats after c . 40 years. In a landscape with higher forest connectivity, colonization success was higher but still insufficient to ensure large-scale colonization. Under the hypothesis of net extinction at southern range boundaries, forest plant species dispersal limitation will prevent net colonization at northern range boundaries required for range conservation.     

Wetland complexes and upland–wetland linkages: landscape effects on the distribution of rare and common wetland reptiles

We used landscape ecology concepts to test the importance of upland–wetland linkages on the distribution of two common wetland species, the northern watersnake Nerodia sipedon sipedon and midland painted turtle Chrysemys picta marginata , and two rare wetland species, the copper-bellied watersnake Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta and Blanding's turtle Emydoidea blandingii . We tested if connectivity (proximity to other wetlands), connectivity quality (wetland distance to roads and forest area within 30, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 m of the wetland), and patch size (wetland size and shoreline length) affected the distribution of these four species. Our results show that both common species were more likely to occur in larger, less isolated wetlands, but their distribution were not influenced by proximity to roads or the amount of adjacent forest area surrounding the wetland. Both rare species were more likely to occur in wetlands that were farther away from roads and that had more surrounding forest. Proximity to other wetlands was not a significant predictor of either rare species' distribution. Our results suggest that management practices should focus on protecting wetland complexes and maintaining upland–wetland linkages by improving landscape connectivity, increasing forest area surrounding wetlands and reducing road effects.     

Spatio-temporal distribution of early life stages of the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus L. within a European temperate estuary with regulated freshwater inflow: effects of environmental variables

The spatio-temporal distribution of the anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in its early life stages was related to environmental conditions within the Guadalquivir River estuary (south-west, Spain) by monthly field surveys during nine periods of recruitment (May 1997 to December 2005). Anchovy post-larvae showed a consistent seasonal pattern of abundance throughout the study period: each year, a high anchovy recruitment period (HARP) occurred from late May to November, with a main peak in July, coinciding with the period when environmental conditions were more stable. Results of stepwise multiple regression analysis indicates that density of its main prey, Mesopodopsis slabberi, explained 45% of total anchovy density variance. Furthermore, after removing the effect of this variable, interannual differences in the anchovy estuarine recruitment were not significant. Clear spatial and tidal trends were also observed for both prey and predator: at each sampling date, density decreased from the outer to inner estuary; at each sampling site, density was higher during ebbs than during floods. Field distributions related to environmental gradients during HARP indicated that the populations of E. encrasicolus and M. slabberi seemed to hold a steady position at a point on the salinity gradient by longitudinal displacement within the estuary. Since freshwater management actions affect the longitudinal position of the salinity gradient as well as the input of nutrients to the estuary and adjacent coastal areas, it is hypothesized that this factor may also be relevant to anchovy recruitment.     

A review of the likely effects of climate change on anadromous Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and brown trout Salmo trutta,with particular reference to water temperature and flow

The present paper reviews the effects of water temperature and flow on migrations, embryonic development, hatching, emergence, growth and life‐history traits in light of the ongoing climate change with emphasis on anadromous Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and brown trout Salmo trutta. The expected climate change in the Atlantic is for milder and wetter winters, with more precipitation falling as rain and less as snow, decrease in ice‐covered periods and frequent periods with extreme weather. Overall, thermal limits for salmonids are species specific. Scope for activity and growth and optimal temperature for growth increase with temperature to an optimal point before constrain by the oxygen content of the water. The optimal temperature for growth decreases with increasing fish size and varies little among populations within species, whereas the growth efficiency may be locally adapted to the temperature conditions of the home stream during the growth season. Indirectly, temperature influences age and size at smolting through its effect on growth. Time of spawning, egg hatching and emergence of the larvae vary with temperature and selective effects on time of first feeding. Traits such as age at first maturity, longevity and fecundity decrease with increasing temperature whilst egg size increases with temperature. Water flow influences the accessibility of rivers for returning adults and speed of both upstream and downstream migration. Extremes in water flow and temperature can decrease recruitment and survival. There is reason to expect a northward movement of the thermal niche of anadromous salmonids with decreased production and population extinction in the southern part of the distribution areas, migrations earlier in the season, later spawning, younger age at smolting and sexual maturity and increased disease susceptibility and mortality. Future research challenges are summarized at the end of the paper.