基于稳定同位素的湿地食物源判定和食物网构建研究进展

湿地生物营养动力学是湿地生态系统结构和功能评价研究的基础.碳、氮稳定同位素作为识别营养关系的方法,已在湿地生态系统食物来源、组成和食物链传递研究中得到广泛运用.本文系统综述了稳定同位素食物贡献度计算模型和营养级确定的基本方法和理论;讨论了动物营养分馏值和基线的选择依据;概括了湿地生态系统典型食物源及其稳定同位素变化特征;总结了草食、杂食和肉食等不同营养级动物的食物来源.指出了稳定同位素在湿地食物源溯源和食物网研究中的不足;基于国内外研究现状和发展趋势及需求,展望了未来同位素技术在湿地食物网生态学研究中的运用前景和研究重点,提出需要加强稳定同位素营养分馏和基线的影响因素、样品处理和保存方式研究以及胃含物、分子标记物和多元素同位素结合分析.     

群落水平食物网能流季节演替特征

稳定碳、氮同位素比值分析技术是研究生态系统中物质循环与能量流动的有效技术.δ13C可以用来判断食物网中不同生物的能量来源;δ15N主要用于确定生物在食物网中所处的营养位置.通常用δ13C—δ15N图来表征某一特定时间或空间的食物网结构,但是这种方法在比较不同时间和空间食物网结构中功效较差.同时这种定性描述食物网结构也无法满足食物网复杂变化下的假说验证.应用环形统计方法,以太湖梅梁湾鱼类群落为例,定量评价了群落水平食物网能流季节演替特征.结果表明太湖梅梁湾鱼类营养生态位移动的季节特征明显.进一步物种水平分析结果表明,各种鱼类角度和幅度随季节均有变化.Rayleigh检验结果表明,群落中不同种类在秋冬、冬春和夏秋均有显著的一致的方向变化;而春夏期间不显著.Watson-William检验结果表明,群落水平的鱼类营养生态位移动在秋冬和冬春季节转换中有显著差异.引起鱼类群落水平营养生态位在食物网空间中季节性移动的主要因素为可利用资源稳定同位素的季节变化和不同鱼类种群自身的食性季节性转变.同时,由于梅梁湾食物网鱼类群落杂食性水平高,季节性浮游初级生产力成为食物网能量流动的重要驱动作用.因此,在富营养化生态系统中,食物网群落水平营养生态位季节波动也暗示了系统稳定性的下降.定量评价食物网变化有助于认识和理解食物网结构与功能在生态学和生态系统管理等方面的重要.     

稳定同位素技术在土壤跳虫研究上的应用

稳定同位素技术的发展和应用是20世纪90年代生态学研究方法最重要的进步之一.许多生态学过程都伴随着同位素比率的变化,根据这些变化可以追踪生态系统的物质循环和能量流动.近年来,许多学者把稳定同位素技术引入到土壤生态学,主要用于研究土壤碳循环和土壤生物之间的营养关系,在很大程度上提升了对地下生态系统的理解.跳虫作为土壤动物群落的重要组分,它的食性和营养位置一直存在着许多不确定性.稳定同位素技术的应用,为确定跳虫的食物来源、营养位置和营养关系提供了一个强大的工具.本文综述了稳定同位素技术在跳虫食性和营养级研究上的应用,并指出了不足之处以及今后的发展方向.     

嗅觉缩短了果蝇的寿命

一项研究指出,食物的嗅觉特征也许是调节寿命的一个关键,食物的味道可能是潜在的可得到的营养信号。过去的研究显示,包括啮齿类以及灵长类的大多数动物,它们摄入的热量被严格限制时,寿命会更长。酵母是果蝇食物的主要成分。Sergiy Libert和同事让被严格限制热量的果蝇Drosophil     

食物链长度理论研究进展

食物链长度（Food chain length,FCL）是生态系统中最重要的特点之一,它通过改变生物间的营养关系,影响着生物多样性,群落的结构以及稳定性;它是反映食物网物质转换与能量传递的综合指数,食物链及其动态特征是生态学许多重要理论的基础,食物链长度理论的研究进展,推动了人们对水域生态系统中生物和非生物相互作用的理解。回顾了食物链长度的3种度量方法及其详细的计算方法,在此基础上简述了各方法的特点。综述了食物链长度的决定因素的4种假说（资源可利用性假说、生产力空间假说、生态系统大小假说、动态稳定性假说）及其交互作用,重点总结了湖泊食物链长度的空间格局与决定因素的研究进展。最后,食物链长度研究展望,包括食物链长度决定因子研究存在的问题及发展方向的总结,以及在在水域生态学中的应用的研究进展,例如食物链长度在指示污染物的生物富集中的研究进展、食物链食物链长度在指导生物操作、以及在食物链长度在对气候变化响应方面的研究进展等等。     

栗瘿蜂幼虫期虫瘿与寄主植物部分营养和防御物质含量或活性的比较

为验证营养假说,本研究首次利用分光光度计测定了栗瘿蜂(Dryocosmus kuriphilus)幼虫期虫瘿及其着生枝条的部分营养和防御物质的含量或活性。研究结果表明:虫瘿中单宁和类黄酮的含量及苯丙氨酸解氨酶和多酚氧化酶的活性显著低于枝条的含量或活性,符合营养假说;虫瘿蛋白质和还原糖含量显著低于枝条的含量,淀粉的含量与枝条的含量差异不显著,不符合营养假说。     

生态学假说试验验证的原假说困境

试验方法是生态学假说的主要验证方法之一,但也存在由原假说引发的质疑.Quinn和Dunham(1983)通过对Platt(1964)的假说-演绎模型进行分析,主张生态学不可能存在可以严格被试验验证的原假说.Fisher的证伪主义与Neyman-Pearson(N-P)的非判决性使得统计学原假说不能被严格验证;而生态过程中存在的不同于经典物理学的原假说H₀(α=1,β=0)与不同的备假说H₁′(α′=1,β′=0)的情况,使得生态学原假说也很难得到严格的实验验证.通过降低P值、谨慎选择原假说、对非原假说采取非中心化和双侧验证可分别缓解上述的原假说困境.但统计学的原假说显著性验证(NHST)不应等同于生态学假说中有关因果关系的逻辑证明方法.因此,现有大量基于NHST的生态学假说的方法研究和试验验证的结果与结论都不是绝对的逻辑可靠的.     

关于植物营养生态学

植物营养学与植物生态学发展的前沿交叉正形成了植物营养生态学,植物营养生态学是探讨植物营养利用策略的科学,包括植物体内营养的合理利用策略和植物对无机营养环境的改造以利于营养吸收的各种可能策略。其研究内容主要包括养分利用效率、植物体内营养的再利用、体内营养含量格局和植物对土壤无机营养环境的改造。植物营养生态学以植物种群为研究对象。它的发展对深刻理解种群的生态行为特征具有重要意义,同时对如何增进人工混交群落的营养协调性具有实践上的指导意义。营养生态机理的各个方面是相互协调和相互补充的整体,营养生态机理的效率决定了种群营养合理利用的程度和在营养资源上的竞争力。目前,研究上尚缺少营养策略与其它生态策略的关联性的探讨,随着各种营养策略研究上的深入,这种关联性探讨将成为今后植物营养生态学的主要发展趋势。     

稻田节肢动物群落的营养联系

根据田间调查和室内饲养观察的资料,研究了稻田节肢动物群落的营养结构及类型。在稻田生态系统中,物种之间由于取食与被取食、寄生与被寄生、捕食与被捕食的营养联系,形成了复杂的食物链和食物网。依据物种在食物网中的位置和功能,可将福州市郊区稻田节肢动物群落的营养结构分为3种类型:1)食物网中尚未发现有重寄生环节;2)食物网中有重寄生环节;3)食物网中有兼寄生环节。为了探讨定量研究生物群落营养联系的可能性,本文运用图论的知识把食物网的结构描述为标向图、集合或邻接矩阵,同时用图论的运算法则解决了各种类型的食物网的合并问题,为研究复杂群落的营养关系提供了一种新方法。     

不同发情阶段雄性鹅喉羚的时间分配特征

以往研究表明受发情交配行为制约,一些雄性反刍动物在发情期食物摄入量明显降低。已有两个相关假说解释该现象:能量摄入最大化假说和能量保存假说。作者于2009 ～ 2010 年在卡拉麦里山有蹄类自然保护区研究了雄性鹅喉羚不同发情阶段的时间分配。结果表明雄羚发情期采食时间比例明显下降(37. 9% ),低于发情前期(63. 6% )和发情后期(65. 8% );发情期卧息时间比例(6. 0% )与发情后期相近(5. 4% ),明显低于发情前期(23.2% );发情前期至发情后期采食卧息时间比(分别为2. 7、6. 3、12. 1)显著增加;发情期雄羚站立和移动时间比例明显升高,采食行为时间占非发情行为时间主要部分(86. 4% ),且采食行为与发情行为显著相关。相比之下,雌羚不同发情阶段采食行为时间分配比例相似。总之,除必需投入的发情行为外,发情期雄羚最大化其能量摄入;发情行为的投入是导致发情期雄羚食物摄入量下降的主导因子,雄性能量摄入最大化假说更好地解释了发情期鹅喉羚所采取的能量策略。     

Seed selection by dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis): optimal foraging with nutrient constraints?

Summary Observations of the foraging behavior of six captive dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) are used to test the assumptions and predictions of optimal diet choice models (Pyke et al. 1977) that include nutrients (Pulliam 1975). The birds sequentially encountered single seeds of niger thistle (Guizotia abyssinica) and of canary grass (Phalaris canariensis) on an artificial substrate in the laboratory. Niger thistle seeds were preferred by all birds although their profitability in terms of energy intake (J/s) was less than the profitability of canary grass seeds. Of four nutritional components used to calculate profitabilities (mg/s) lipid content was the only characteristic that could explain the junco's seed preference. As predicted by optimal diet theory the probability of consuming niger thistle seeds was independent of seed abundance. However, the consumption of 71–84% rather than 100% of the seeds encountered is not consistent with the prediction of all-or-nothing selection. Canary grass seeds were consumed at a constant rate (no./s) independent of the number of seeds encountered. This consumption pattern invalidates a model that assumes strict maximization. However, it is consistent with the assumption that canary grass seeds contain a nutrient which is required in minimum amounts to meet physiological demands (Pulliam 1975). These experiments emphasize the importance of incorporating nutrients into optimal foraging models and of combining seed preference studies with studies of the metabolic requirements of consumers.     

The regulation of gastrointestinal helminth populations

One quarter of the world's human population suffers infection with helminth parasites. The population dynamics of the ten or so species, which cause disease of clinical significance have been well characterized by epidemiological field survey. The parasites are in general highly aggregated between hosts, and their populations seem to be temporally stable and to recover rapidly from perturbation, including interventions designed to alleviate disease. This paper reviews current understanding of the population regulation of helminth species of medical significance. Both empirical (field and laboratory) and theoretical results are included, and we attempt to interpret the findings in the broader context of the population ecology of free-living species. We begin by considering the evidence for regulation from field data concerning the temporal stability of helminth populations within communities and from the results of perturbation experiments. The detection of regulatory processes is then discussed (with regard to statistical and logistical considerations), and the evidence from both the field and laboratory studies reviewed. Deterministic models are described to investigate the possible consequences of regulation imposed at different points in the parasite life-cycle. The causes and consequences of parasite aggregation are considered, and a stochastic model used to investigate the impact of different combination of regulatory processes and heterogeneity generating mechanisms.     

Nutrient deprivation improves field performance of woody seedlings in a degraded semi-arid shrubland

The performance of planted seedlings in drylands is affected by seedling morphological and physiological traits. Recent studies support a positive relationship between seedling size and field performance. However, exceptions to this paradigm suggest that this relationship may be dependent on species and degree of stress. To test the hypothesis that small seedlings would be favored under harsh semi-arid conditions over large seedlings, we produced seedlings of five Mediterranean woody species (Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera, Rhamnus lycioides, Rhamnus alaternus and Tetraclinis articulata) under contrasted fertilization regimes, and evaluated their performance after planting in a semi-arid area. Seedlings were cultivated under full sunlight and received either slow release fertilizer or bi-weekly applications of complete nutrient solution, diluted fertirrigation, or nutrient solutions containing no nitrogen or no phosphorus. Fertilization had a strong effect on nutrient status, above and belowground biomass accumulation, and biomass allocation patterns. Root: shoot ratio was higher in nitrogen- and phosphorus-deficient seedlings than in seedlings receiving complete nutrient solution or slow-release fertilizer. One year after planting, seedling survival was negatively correlated with plant size for all species. The effect of nutritional regime on field survival decreased over the 2 following years. Our results show that nutrient-deprived seedlings are more likely to establish under semi-arid conditions than well-fertilized seedlings, suggesting that morphological and functional characteristics associated with nutrient deficiency may outbalance the scarcity of nutrient reserves in seedling tissues.     

华南人工林凋落物养分及其转移

对华南 5种人工林凋落物量、凋落物养分及绿叶养分含量的测定结果表明 ,各种人工林凋落物量大小依次为 :马占相思 (11.1t·hm-2 ) >湿地松 (7.3t·hm-2 ) >荷木 (6 .5t·hm-2 ) >大叶相思 (4.8t·hm-2 ) >柠檬桉(2 .6t·hm-2 ) .马占相思通过落叶回归土壤的养分量高于其它类型 .5种人工林均通过养分转移机制 ,大量从枯老叶中转移N、P、K养分 ,其中马占相思转移的养分量最大 ,营养转移的季节性差别较大 .各种人工林对其它元素的转移现象不确定 .     

Dispersal, eviction, and conflict in meerkats (Suricata suricatta): an evolutionarily stable strategy model

Decisions regarding immigration and emigration are crucial to understanding group dynamics in social animals, but dispersal is rarely treated in models of optimal behavior. We developed a model of evolutionarily stable dispersal and eviction strategies for a cooperative mammal, the meerkat Suricata suricatta. Using rank and group size as state variables, we determined state-specific probabilities that subordinate females would disperse and contrasted these with probabilities of eviction by the dominant female, based on the long-term fitness consequences of these behaviors but incorporating the potential for error. We examined whether long-term fitness considerations explain group size regulation in meerkats; whether long-term fitness considerations can lead to conflict between dominant and subordinate female group members; and under what circumstances those conflicts were likely to lead to stability, dispersal, or eviction. Our results indicated that long-term fitness considerations can explain group size regulation in meerkats. Group size distributions expected from predicted dispersal and eviction strategies matched empirical distributions most closely when emigrant survival was approximately that determined from the field study. Long-term fitness considerations may lead to conflicts between dominant and subordinate female meerkats, and eviction is the most likely result of these conflicts. Our model is computationally intensive but provides a general framework for incorporating future changes in the size of multimember cooperative breeding groups.     

The invasive species Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) increases soil nutrient availability in northern hardwood-conifer forests

The invasion of non-native plants can alter the diversity and activity of soil microorganisms and nutrient cycling within forests. We used field studies to analyze the impact of a successful invasive groundcover, Alliaria petiolata, on fungal diversity, soil nutrient availability, and pH in five northeastern US forests. We also used laboratory and greenhouse experiments to test three mechanisms by which A. petiolata may alter soil processes: (1) the release of volatile, cyanogenic glucosides from plant tissue; (2) the exudation of plant secondary compounds from roots; and (3) the decomposition of litter. Fungal community composition was significantly different between invaded and uninvaded soils at one site. Compared to uninvaded plots, plots invaded by A. petiolata were consistently and significantly higher in N, P, Ca and Mg availability, and soil pH. In the laboratory, the release of volatile compounds from the leaves of A. petiolata did not significantly alter soil N availability. Similarly, in the greenhouse, the colonization of native soils by A. petiolata roots did not alter soil nutrient cycling, implying that the exudation of secondary compounds has little effect on soil processes. In a leaf litter decomposition experiment, however, green rosette leaves of A. petiolata significantly increased the rate of decomposition of native tree species. The accelerated decomposition of leaf litter from native trees in the presence of A. petiolata rosette leaves shows that the death of these high-nutrient-content leaves stimulates decomposition to a greater extent than any negative effect that secondary compounds may have on the activity of the microbes decomposing the native litter. The results presented here, integrated with recent related studies, suggest that this invasive plant may change soil nutrient availability in such a way as to create a positive feedback between site occupancy and continued proliferation.     

Development of an epiphyte indicator of nutrient enrichment: A critical evaluation of observational and experimental studies

An extensive review of the literature describing epiphytes on submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), especially seagrasses, was conducted in order to evaluate the evidence for response of epiphyte metrics to increased nutrients. Evidence from field observational studies, together with laboratory and field mesocosm experiments, was assembled from the literature and evaluated for a hypothesized positive response to nutrient addition. There was general consistency in the results to confirm that elevated nutrients tended to increase the load of epiphytes on the surface of SAV, in the absence of other limiting factors. In spite of multiple sources of uncontrolled variation, positive relationships of epiphyte load to nutrient concentration or load (either nitrogen or phosphorus) often were observed along strong anthropogenic or natural nutrient gradients in coastal regions. Such response patterns may only be evident for parts of the year. Results from both mesocosm and field experiments also generally support the increase of epiphytes with increased nutrients, although outcomes from field experiments tended to be more variable. Relatively few studies with nutrient addition in mesocosms have been done with tropical or subtropical species, and more such controlled experiments would be helpful. Experimental duration influenced results, with more positive responses of epiphytes to nutrients at shorter durations in mesocosm experiments versus more positive responses at longer durations in field experiments. In the field, response of epiphyte biomass to nutrient additions was independent of climate zone. Mesograzer activity was a critical covariate for epiphyte response under experimental nutrient elevation, but the epiphyte response was highly dependent on factors such as grazer identity and density, as well as nutrient and ambient light levels. The balance of evidence suggests that epiphytes on SAV will be a useful indicator of persistent nutrient enhancement in many situations. Careful selection of appropriate temporal and spatial constraints for data collection, and concurrent evaluation of confounding factors will help increase the signal to noise ratio for this indicator.     

植物养分利用效率研究综述

养分利用效率的概念是理解生态系统功能的中心。本文从植物养分利用效率的概念出发,对养分利用效率的表示与计算方法、影响因素以及养分再吸收的生物化学基础等进行综述,分析目前研究中存在的问题,最后指出今后应加强研究的方面。