The palaeolimnology of Lake Mývatn, northern Iceland: plant and animal microfossils in the sediment

SUMMARY. Sediment from a precursor of the 2300-year old Lake Mývatn was traced by diatoms in pseudocrater scoria. This lake (Mývatn I) was deeper than the present Mývatn but similar in size. Tephrochronology confirms an equal age of the Ytrlflói and Sydrifloi basins of the present Mývatn. Diatom succession in the sediment of the Sydriflói basin was divided into four zones, of which the lowest corresponds to inherited and highly disturbed Mývatn I sediment. At 90 cm depth, i.e. around 1600 AD, in the Sydriflói sediment a simultaneous increase occurred in Cladophora aegagropila (Chlorophyta), Eurycercus lamellatus (Cladocera) and three diatom species epiphytic on Cladophora. The density of Cladocera also followed this trend. The increase in Cladophora was perhaps caused by improved light conditions on the bottom, either because of a decrease in water depth due to sedimentation, or a decrease in Anabaena blooms, or both.     

Plasticity and acclimation to light reflected in temporal and spatial changes of small-scale macroalgal distribution in a stream

The small-scale distribution pattern of macroalgae in the river Ilm, in Germany was monitored. These patterns were then related to abiotic factors and tested to discover whether the distribution of the common macroalgae, Cladophora glomerata (L.) Kütz. and Vaucheria sp., was linked to differences in their photosynthetic plasticity. Cladophora glomerata revealed higher maximum photosynthetic electron transport rates after acclimation to high light (HL) compared with low light (LL) acclimated samples. By contrast, Vaucheria sp. did not acclimate to different growth light conditions. The photosynthetic performance of both algae also varied according to diurnal conditions. High light caused a reversible decrease of the dark-adapted quantum yield (F(v)/F(m)) in C. glomerata and a concomitant reversible decrease of the light-adapted quantum yield (DeltaF/F'(m)). In Vaucheria sp., F(v)/F(m) remained mostly unchanged over the day, whereas DeltaF/F'(m) decreased during the morning at low light. Photosynthetic pigments confirmed acclimational differences between the species. HL C. glomerata showed increased chlorophyll a:chlorophyll b ratios, and higher amounts of xanthophyll-cycle pigments compared with LL samples, whereas Vaucheria sp. did not reveal differences between the light treatments. While preferences for substrate size, water velocity, and depth are similar for C. glomerata and Vaucheria sp., the physiological responses to light conditions are different. It is concluded that light conditions significantly affect the small-scale spatial distribution of macroalgae and that fitness is enhanced in species with a higher plasticity in photosynthetic acclimation in unstable environments.     

Occurrence of Escherichia coli and enterococci in Cladophora (Chlorophyta) in nearshore water and beach sand of Lake Michigan

Each summer, the nuisance green alga Cladophora (mostly Cladophora glomerata) amasses along Lake Michigan beaches, creating nearshore anoxia and unsightly, malodorous mats that can attract problem animals and detract from visitor enjoyment. Traditionally, elevated counts of Escherichia coli are presumed to indicate the presence of sewage, mostly derived from nearby point sources. The relationship between fecal indicator bacteria and Cladophora remains essentially unstudied. This investigation describes the local and regional density of Escherichia coli and enterococci in Cladophora mats along beaches in the four states (Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan) bordering Lake Michigan. Samples of Cladophora strands collected from 10 beaches (n = 41) were assayed for concentrations of E. coli and enterococci during the summer of 2002. Both E. coli and enterococci were ubiquitous (up to 97% occurrence), with overall log mean densities (+/- standard errors) of 5.3 (+/- 4.8) and 4.8 (+/- 4.5) per g (dry weight). E. coli and enterococci were strongly correlated in southern Lake Michigan beaches (P < 0.001, R(2) = 0.73, n = 17) but not in northern beaches (P = 0.892, n = 16). Both E. coli and enterococci survived for over 6 months in sun-dried Cladophora mats stored at 4 degrees C; the residual bacteria in the dried alga readily grew upon rehydration. These findings suggest that Cladophora amassing along the beaches of Lake Michigan may be an important environmental source of indicator bacteria and call into question the reliability of E. coli and enterococci as indicators of water quality for freshwater recreational beaches.     

青海湖刚毛藻分布特征变化及成因分析

研究通过现场调查、资料收集和遥感影像解译, 分析了青海湖水质及刚毛藻分布特征的变化。研究结果表明, 2011—2019年间青海湖主要水质指标保持动态稳定, 水质未呈现显著变化趋势。2019年现场调查发现, 近岸浅水区域存在数量可观的刚毛藻分布, 其中以鸟岛和布哈河口周边区域刚毛藻生物量最大, 8月的平均生物量达到5213.4 g/m2。遥感影像分析显示, 刚毛藻主要分布在青海湖西部及西北部湖湾及入湖河口附近, 1987—2019年间刚毛藻覆盖面积呈先下降后上升趋势。分析表明, 近年来刚毛藻生物量增加和覆盖面积扩大可能与青海湖水位不断上涨以及新生浅水淹没区范围的扩大有关。目前, 刚毛藻分布的这种变化对青海湖水生态环境的影响尚不明确, 后续需进一步关注气候变化与人类活动双重影响下青海湖的水生态系统健康问题。     

Growth of macrophytes and ecosystem consequences in a lowland Danish stream

SUMMARY. 1. The River Suså is a small, nutrient-rich stream situated in an open landscape with clayish subsoil under intensive cultivation. Discharge was variable daily and seasonally due to low groundwater input. Above-ground development of submerged macrophytes was restricted to late May to November, when water velocity and depth were low. Dominant macrophytes were rooted Potamogeton pectinatus and Sparganium emersum and unrooted Cladophora . Biomass development was closet) related to light availability.
2. Growth rates of macrophytes were linearly related to light availability when self-shading was accounted for. Potamogeton pectinatus grew rapidly m May-June, concentrated the biomass at the water-surface during July-August, and then declined exponentially when the shoots became basally senescent. Sparganium emersum had linear, flexible leaves that were continuously replaced from a basal meristem. Sparganium emersum was less susceptible to high water velocities than Potamogeton pectinatus and the biomass declined later and at lower rates during autumn. Sparganium emersum also regrew after culling that left its meristem intact in the sediment. Unrooted Cladophora developed a high biomass during sunny periods and subsequently disappeared at high discharges. The summer biomass of rooted macrophytes was greater in years with high summer discharge, whereas the biomass of Cladophora and of the epiphytic microbial community was lower due to scouring.
3. Submerged macrophytes played a key role in structure and functioning of the ecosystem. They reduced water velocities two to four fold during summer and promoted extensive organic sedimentation. The biomass of benthic diatoms declined parallel to increased macrophyte shading and sedimentation. In addition, submerged macrophytes formed a large substratum for macroinvertebrates and for a microbial community.     

Occurrence of the Rhodophycean algaThorea ramosissima Bory in the River Meuse

Recently the red algaThorea ramosissima Bory has been found in three localities in the Dutch stretch of the river Meuse. The species was already known from a number of localities along the river Meuse and its tributary the river Sambre in Belgium. Consequently, the known northern border of the species has shifted considerably. In spite of this there are no clear indications that the species has extended its range. On the contrary it seems more likely that it has been overlooked in the past.Th. ramosissima occurs only on solid substrates in the lower part of theCladophora glomerata (L.) Kütz. belt or deeper, and is characteristic of well-aerated running water.     

间歇性生态输水塔里木河下游断面地下水位变化模拟

地下水作为干旱区生态系统的重要组成部分,对植物生长具有重要作用。以塔里木河下游英苏断面2011—2015年逐月地下水埋深变化为研究内容,基于非稳定流理论,以河道附近水位边界条件作为初始求解条件,以余误差函数erfc(x)为求解函数,综合考虑地下水变化时间滞后效应及潜水蒸发作用,旨在构建间歇性输水河道地下水埋深变化模型。结果表明:(1)生态输水期间,在短期内,临近河道地下水埋深波动较大,而远离河道地下水埋深波动并未受到较大的影响,生态输水作用影响河岸附近地下水埋深变化存在一定时段的滞后期,且随着距离河道的增加,滞后期增长。(2)以河道为基点的地下水非稳定流运动及潜水蒸发作用是影响沿岸地下水变化的诸多环境因子中最敏感的因子。(3)模拟结果表明基于非稳定流理论对塔里木河下游地下水变化模拟效果较好,达到了地下水模拟精度的要求,对塔里木河下游断面尺度上地下水恢复状况研究及后期生态恢复评价具有重要的理论意义与参考价值。     

冬季赤水河流域刚毛藻多样性调查及系统发育分析

研究于2019年冬季对赤水河流域开展刚毛藻多样性调查,共设计采样点38个,覆盖赤水河上、中、下游。调查发现:21个采样位点分布有刚毛藻目藻类,其中19个位点有刚毛藻分布。基于核糖体小亚基(SSU rDNA)、核糖体大亚基(LSU rDNA)和内转录间隔区(ITS)对采集样品进行系统发育分析,结果显示:(1)赤水河流域刚毛藻多样性较高,且该流域上、中、下游均有刚毛藻分布;(2)目前淡水刚毛藻类群包含至少10个支系,赤水河流域采集到的刚毛藻覆盖其中6个支系(分别是clade 1、clade 2、clade 4、clade 7、clade 9和clade 10);(3)相比基于SSU+LSU双分子标记构建的系统进化树,基于SSU+ITS+LSU三分子标记构建的进化树各支系支持度更高,可以较有效地将淡水刚毛藻不同支系区分开来。研究较好地展示了冬季赤水河流域刚毛藻的广泛分布及其分子多样性,丰富了中国淡水丝状绿藻的分类研究,也为赤水河段的水生态环境保护提供了基础数据支持。     

Ecological characteristics of plant species and associations along two Dinaric karstic rivers (Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Balkans)

This paper describes the plant communities of two oligotrophic karstic rivers with a slight anthropogenic influence — the Trebi?at and the Li?tica — in South Bosnia and Herzegovina, their sinecology, and the relationship between vegetation and plant species and environmental parameters. According to 87 relevés, a total of 26 plant associations, using Braun-Blanquet methods, were found in the rivers and nearby surveyed area. Only nine associations were common to both rivers. Eight associations were recorded for the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time. Associations from both rivers differed according to following parameters measured at the sampling site: water temperature, distance from the mouth (river kilometers), river width, water depth, flow, pH and slope. There were no differences in nutrient concentrations among the associations. According to Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), three environmental variables out of the 11 initially considered were retained as being related to plant distribution. The first two axes explained 56.8% and 35.2% of variance of species-environment relationship in the Trebi?at and Li?tica rivers, respectively. Water depth in the Trebi?at River, and pH and river kilometers in the Li?tica River were found to be the most influential, while nutrients and other physico-chemical parameters were not significant in either river. Water depth vector was identified as an underlying environmental factor determining distribution of Potamogeton lucens and Myriophyllum verticillatum (Potamion), and Nymphaea alba (Nymphaeion albae). According to in situ measurements of light intensity, the highest coefficients of light attenuation, radiance and reflection were found at a station with dense populations of Potamogeton lucens and Nuphar luteum (Potametum lucentis). The vegetation and floristic value of the rivers is discussed as a basis for biodiversity conservation programmes and evaluating the state of these ecosystems in the future.     

Spawning habitat enhancement in the European bullhead (Cottus gobio), an endangered freshwater fish in degraded lowland rivers

Due to river regulation, the natural habitat of the European bullhead (Cottus gobio) has been degraded and often there is an apparent lack of suitable spawning substrates (hard objects like stones). Addition of artificial structures to degraded habitats may be a very promising tool for habitat enhancement. In this study, we evaluated the use of ceramic tiles as artificial spawning substrates in canalised and (remaining) meandering parts of anthropogenically perturbated lowland rivers in Flanders (northern part of Belgium). Furthermore, we examined whether water depth and velocity were important determinants for the choice of tiles in these different river trajectories. Tiles were successfully used by the bullhead as spawning substrates. In the meandering parts of the river, the number of egg deposits was significantly positively correlated with water depth, while in canalised river parts, water depth and velocity were of no importance for tile usage. In general, supplementation of rivers with artificial substrates like tiles may be a promising, inexpensive and easy-to-use enhancement technique for degraded bullhead spawning habitat.     

刚毛藻腐烂过程中溶解性有机物的释放和细菌群落的变化

通过室内培养模拟了高密度刚毛藻聚积腐烂过程,研究了刚毛藻在不同腐烂时间段下的溶解性有机物(DOM)的释放和附着微生物的群落变化。结果表明:在40d的分解实验中,刚毛藻生物量(干重)减少,且表现为前期损失快,后期损失减缓的趋势。在实验结束时(40d),干物质残留率为43.15%,质量损失了56.85%。在刚毛藻分解过程中, DOM在7—10d内快速释放达到最大值,而后降低。DOM的组分也变得复杂,荧光峰从区域Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅳ逐渐转移到区域Ⅲ和Ⅴ。大量的简单芳香蛋白,如酪氨酸类物质被微生物转化为各种代谢物,并产生了腐殖质类物质。刚毛藻附着微生物优势菌为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)和厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),相对丰度分别为6.54%—71.62%、16.83%—55.50%和0.95%—20.91%。在腐烂过程的不同阶段中,微生物的组成差异显著,表现为前期主要是Proteobacteria占主导优势,实验后期是Bacteroidetes占主导优势,细菌群落的演替与DOM组成的变化相关。     

Ecological engineering analysis and eco-hydrodynamic simulation of tidal rivers in Shenzhen City of China

A comprehensive approach using ecological engineering analysis and eco-hydrodynamic simulation was conducted on the tidal rivers in Shenzhen City of China in this study. A tidal river along a near-shore city should be evaluated and regulated from a multidisciplinary point of view, focused especially on ecology, in order to maintain and enhance the ecological structure and function of the river. Firstly, eco-hydrodynamic control can be used, based on simulated modeling of tidal water circulation, to trace the distribution of pollutants and to predict circulation of tidal water. Using findings from this modeling effort, some water control facilities, such as additional channel connection and water gates, can be established. Appropriate operation strategy is to use tidal energy to promote effective water exchange in the water bodies and thereby improve water quality in the tidal river. Secondly, ecological engineering methods should be integrated with hydraulic measures to further improve the environment. Appropriate plant communities for this ecological engineering can be selected. Based on the simulated results of eco-hydrodynamic model, the optimum locations for adding reclaimed land can be determined. These ecological engineering methods are as follows: (1) it is necessary to calculate the ecological water requirements for the tidal river. The water effluent from the sewage treatment plant can be considered as reclaimed water and pumped to upstream of the tidal reach for reuse; (2) well planned aquatic plant systems composed of emergent, floating, and submergent plants can be used to promote water treatment; (3) the configuration of the engineered landscape should give preference to indigenous plants and appropriate non-indigenous plant species; (4) constructed wetlands, especially mangroves at coastal city sites, can also improve the tidal river aquatic environment.     

The deposition and mortality of the eggs of the Baltic herring Clupea harengus membras L., on different substrates in the south-west archipelago of Finland

The environmental factors affecting the deposition and mortality of the eggs of the spring-spawning Baltic herring were studied in the inner Archipelago Sea of south-western Finland. On four spawning grounds, 27 study squares (area 1 m²) were surveyed by divers. In each square, one quantitative egg sample was taken and the following data were recorded: depth, temperature, bottom quality of the square and under the eggs, egg substrate, cover (%) of plants and/or the bivalve Mytilus edulis , and the heterogeneity of the environment, expressed as the total number of all bottom materials, plants and Mytilus found in the square.
Eggs were found in the depth zone of 1–4 m. Their density ranged from 6000 to 2·3 millions of eggs per square metre. Egg number had a significant negative correlation with both depth (r=-0·545, P <0·01, d.f. = 25) and temperature of the sea water ( r =-0.479,. P <0·01,d.f. = 25), and a positive correlation with the total cover (%) in the squares ( r = 0·375, P < 0·05, d.f. = 25).
The highest numbers of eggs were found on Cladophora glomerata, which the most preferred spawning substrate of those present. Mortality of the eggs varied according to the substrate. In eggs attached to Cladophora, Potamogeton and Mytilus, the proportion of dead eggs was 0.15·5%; in those attached to red algae it was significantly higher ( Furcellaria , 5·0–63·2%; Phyllophora , 0–95·2%).     

Using stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes to study water movement in soil-plant-atmosphere continuum at Poyang Lake wetland,China

Water movement in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC) has a significant effect on the biogeochemical process in wetlands. This study investigated the water movement in the SPAC in Poyang Lake wetland, which is a protected area with an important ecological function within the Yangtze River basin, under different water-level conditions by analyzing the responses of river, groundwater, soil and plants to precipitation using stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes. The results show that the stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions (δ¹⁸O and δD) of soil water decrease with increasing depth due to the near surface evaporation. During the dry season the water-level in Poyang Lake is low, when it rains the influencing depth of precipitation and evaporation on soil water isotopic signatures was 20 cm below the ground surface. The rain water infiltrates into the soil, recharges groundwater and flows to the river. When the water-level in Poyang Lake is low, the Xiu River is recharged by the groundwater, which recharges the soil water by capillary rise. During the flood season, the water-level is high and the water in Poyang Lake reaches or covers the meadows, recharges the groundwater and soil water. In the meantime, the water in Poyang Lake can be recharged by rain water when it rains. During the dry season when it doesn’t rain, plants mainly use groundwater, but soil water is preferred and plants don’t use rainwater directly when it rains. When the lake water-level is extremely low, the plants in Poyang Lake wetland may suffer from water stress, which is harmful for plant growth.     

Dynamics of habitat use by the river lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii (Lesson, 1826)

There is little information about habitat use pattern of river lapwing in India as well as in Southeast Asia. In this regard, we employed the line transect method to quantify the density of river lapwing concerning vegetation height, water depth and soil penetrability. Scan and focal sampling methodology was adapted to investigate the activities (foraging and roosting) and breeding events. The results showed that invertebrates were abundant at 4 cm of soil penetrability, particularly in open unvegetated river bank (OURB) and open unvegetated river island (OURI) habitat types. River lapwings were significant in short vegetation. They occurred in high density in the vicinity of river water at 5 cm of water depth and 4 cm of soil penetrability in OURB and OURI habitat types. Human activities also influenced the density of river lapwing in different habitat types. Results of GLM analysis revealed that all interactions strongly influenced the density of river lapwings except two interactions, e.g. vegetation height*water depth and vegetation height*soil penetrability. Moreover, we found that river lapwing foraged more frequently in OURB and OURI habitat types while less in vegetated river bank (VRB) and crop fields (CF). Roosting activities were more frequently observed in VRB and CF habitat types. Different breeding events (nest seen, chick seen, alarm calling and territory defence) were primarily seen in OURB and OURI habitat types. Finally, developing greater understanding of the river lapwing could help us to design effective conservation measures for this species.

     

Dynamic hydrochemical and vegetation gradients in fens

The mixing of groundwater, river water and precipitation was studied in a discharge and a recharge fen in the Vechtplassen area, the Netherlands. The aim of the study was to characterize relationships between vegetation in fens, the chemical composition of the fen water, and the hydrologic regimes. We were particularly interested in the influence of polluted water from the river Vecht on vegetation and nutrient dynamics. Analyses were made for Ionic Ratio (IR = 2[Ca]/(2[Ca] + [Cl]), molar concentrations) and Electrical Conductivity (EC), all indices of the relative importance of each of the three main water sources: groundwater, river water and precipitation.During winter, water in the discharge fen was strongly influenced by calcium-rich groundwater (high IR, moderate EC), while the recharge fen was entirely fed by precipitation (low IR and EC). During summer, river water with a moderate IR and high EC infiltrated the fens and caused a dramatic change in the chemical composition of the fen water. In the discharge fen, infiltration occurred predominantly as sheetflow, causing inundation of the entire fen surface. River water infiltration affected the surface peat of this fen more severely than deeper peat layers. Spatial variation in water chemistry along the transect was small, and only one type of plant community was found. In the recharge fen, river water infiltration occurred in subsurface water, and rainwater that had accumulated during the winter persisted in the central parts of the fen. Gradients in fen water chemistry were correlated with the observed distribution of three plant associations. Differences in water chemistry could also be attributed to intra-site variation in the relative importance of the three water sources. In both fens, there was considerable temporal variation in the chemical composition of the fen water, clearly related to dynamics of the hydrologic regime, particularly infiltration of river water. There are indications that characteristic mesotraphent fen plant communities are negatively affected by water from the river Vecht. River water supply should therefore be avoided as much as possible if these fen plant communities are to be maintained.     

湿地公园鸟类栖息地营建研究——以北京琉璃河湿地公园为例

北京地区处于全球候鸟东亚-澳大利西亚的迁徙路线上,是候鸟重要的迁徙路线,近些年,随着人为活动的影响,该区生境破碎化问题愈发突出,直接威胁着本地鸟种和过境迁徙鸟类的生存。为达到保护鸟类多样性的目的,需开展相应的栖息地恢复工作。不同生态类群的鸟类对栖息地有着不同的要求,相同鸟种在不同空间、季节和生活期对栖息地的选择也有着不同的特点。因而,鸟类栖息地恢复应针对目标鸟种根据其繁殖特点、巢位空间分布、食性特点、活动空间特点等进行规划营造。以北京房山琉璃河湿地公园为例,针对项目所在区域的鸟类分布特征,确定目标恢复鸟种,结合项目区现场条件,围绕目标鸟种对于栖息地水系、植被等方面的需求,从岸线重塑、水深设计、植物配置、生态鸟岛等方面规划设计鸟类栖息地修复措施。     

Microbial communities and fecal indicator bacteria associated with Cladophora mats on beach sites along Lake Michigan shores

A high biomasses of Cladophora, a filamentous green alga, is found mainly during the summer along the shores of Lake Michigan. In this study, the abundance and persistence of the fecal indicator bacterium Escherichia coli and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) on Cladophora mats collected at Lake Michigan beaches were evaluated using both culture-based and molecular analyses. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene cloning and sequencing were used to examine the bacterial community composition. Overall, E. coli was detected in all 63 samples obtained from 11 sites, and the average levels at most beaches ranged from 2,700 CFU/100 g (wet weight) of Cladophora to 7,500 CFU/100 g of Cladophora. However, three beaches were found to have site average E. coli densities of 12,800, 21,130, and 27,950 CFU/100 g of Cladophora. The E. coli levels in the lake water collected at the same time from these three sites were less than the recommended U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limit, 235 CFU/100 ml. E. coli also persisted on Cladophora mats in microcosms at room temperature for more than 7 days, and in some experiments it persisted for as long as 28 days. The SRB densities on Cladophora mats were relatively high, ranging from 4.4x10(6) cells/g (6.64 log CFU/g) to 5.73x10(6) cells/g (6.76 log CFU/g) and accounting for between 20% and 27% of the total bacterial counts. Partial sequences of the 16S rRNA gene clones revealed a phylogenetically diverse community, in which the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides cluster and the low-G+C-content gram-positive bacteria were the dominant organisms, accounting for 40% and 12.8%, respectively, of the total clone library. These results further reveal the potential public health and ecological significance of Cladophora mats that are commonly found along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, especially with regard to the potential to harbor microorganisms associated with fecal pollution and odor-causing bacteria.     

Biodiversity of amoebae and amoebae-resisting bacteria in a drinking water treatment plant

The complex ecology of free-living amoebae (FLA) and their role in spreading pathogenic microorganisms through water systems have recently raised considerable interest. In this study, we investigated the presence of FLA and amoebae-resisting bacteria (ARB) at various stages of a drinking water plant fed with river water. We isolated various amoebal species from the river and from several points within the plant, mostly at early steps of water treatment. Echinamoeba- and Hartmannella-related amoebae were mainly recovered in the drinking water plant whereas Acanthamoeba- and Naegleria-related amoebae were recovered from the river water and the sand filtration units. Some FLA isolates were recovered immediately after the ozonation step, thus suggesting resistance of these microorganisms to this disinfection procedure. A bacterial isolate related to Mycobacterium mucogenicum was recovered from an Echinamoeba-related amoeba isolated from ozone-treated water. Various other ARB were recovered using co-culture with axenic Acanthamoeba castellanii, including mycobacteria, legionella, Chlamydia-like organisms and various proteobacteria. Noteworthy, a new Parachlamydia acanthamoebae strain was recovered from river water and from granular activated carbon (GAC) biofilm. As amoebae mainly multiply in sand and GAC filters, optimization of filter backwash procedures probably offers a possibility to better control these protists and the risk associated with their intracellular hosts.     

Responses of two dominant desert plant species to the changes in groundwater depth in hinterland natural oasis,Tarim Basin

Groundwater is increasingly becoming a permanent and steady water source for the growth and reproduction of desert plant species due to the frequent channel cutoff events in arid inland river basins. Although it is widely acknowledged that the accessibility of groundwater has a significant impact on plant species maintaining their ecological function, little is known about the water use strategies of desert plant species to the groundwater availability in Daryaboyi Oasis, Central Tarim Basin. This study initially determined the desirable and stressing groundwater depths based on ecological and morphological parameters including UAV‐based fractional vegetation cover (FVC) images and plant growth status. Then, leaf δ¹³C values of small‐ and big‐sized plants were analyzed to reveal the water use strategies of two dominant woody species (Populus euphratica and Tamarix ramosissima) in response to the groundwater depth gradient. The changes in FVC and growth status of plants suggested that the actual groundwater depth should be kept at an appropriate range of about 2.1–4.3 m, and the minimum groundwater depth should be less than 7 m. This will ensure the protection of riparian woody plants at a normal growth state and guarantee the coexistence of both plant types. Under a desirable groundwater condition, water alternation (i.e., flooding and rising groundwater depth) was the main factor influencing the variation of plant water use efficiency. The obtained results indicated that big‐sized plants are more salt‐tolerant than small ones, and T. ramosissima has strong salt palatability than P. euphratica. With increasing groundwater depth, P. euphratica continuously decreases its growth status to maintain hydraulic efficiency in drought condition, while T. ramosissima mainly increases its water use efficiency first and decreases its growth status after then. Besides, in a drought condition, T. ramosissima has strong adaptability than P. euphratica. This study will be informative for ecological restoration and sustainable management of Daryaboyi Oasis and provides reference materials for future research programs.