Trophic capacity of Carlingford Lough for oyster culture – analysis by ecological modelling

A one-dimensional ecosystem box model is presented forcarrying capacity assessment. The model includesphysical and biological processes. The physicalprocesses are the transport of nutrients, suspendedmatter and phytoplankton through the system boundariesand between model boxes. The biological processes areprimary production and oyster (Crassostreagigas) population dynamics and physiology. The modelwas implemented using an object-oriented approach. Themodel was employed to estimate the carrying capacityof Carlingford Lough (Ireland) for oyster culture. Inthe Lough, low water temperatures prevent the oystersfrom reproducing. Therefore, recruitment ishuman-dependent. Small oyster spat is seeded everyyear during spring and harvested after the summer ofthe next year. During this period oysters reachcommercially harvestable weight. The results obtainedindicate that the carrying capacity of this system isapproximately 0.45 g oysters (AFDW) m^-3,determined more by the availability of particulatematter than by phytoplankton. It is suggested that afive-fold increase in oyster seeding may optimiseharvest yield. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Predicting attenuant and resonant 2-cycles in periodically forced discrete-time two-species population models

Periodic environments may either enhance or suppress a population via resonant or attenuant cycles. We derive signature functions for predicting the responses of two competing populations to 2-periodic oscillations in six model parameters. Two of these parameters provide a non-trivial equilibrium and two provide the carrying capacities of each species in the absence of the other, but the remaining two are arbitrary and could be intrinsic growth rates. Each signature function is the sign of a weighted sum of the relative strengths of the oscillations of the perturbed parameters. Periodic environments are favourable for populations when the signature function is positive and are deleterious if the signature function is negative. We compute the signature functions of four classical, discrete-time two-species populations and determine regions in parameter space which are either favourable or detrimental to the populations. The six-parameter models include the Logistic, Ricker, Beverton–Holt, and Hassell models.     

Effects of habitat quality and size on extinction in experimental populations

Stochastic population theory makes clear predictions about the effects of reproductive potential and carrying capacity on characteristic time-scales of extinction. At the same time, the effects of habitat size and quality on reproduction and regulation have been hotly debated. To trace the causal relationships among these factors, we looked at the effects of habitat size and quality on extinction time in experimental populations of Daphnia magna. Replicate model systems representative of a broad-spectrum consumer foraging on a continuously supplied resource were established under crossed treatments of habitat size (two levels) and habitat quality (three levels) and monitored until eventual extinction of all populations. Using statistically derived estimates of key parameters, we related experimental treatments to persistence time through their effect on carrying capacity and the population growth rate. We found that carrying capacity and the intrinsic rate of increase were each influenced similarly by habitat size and quality, and that carrying capacity and the intrinsic rate of increase were in turn both correlated with time to population extinction. We expected habitat quality to have a greater influence on extinction. However, owing to an unexpected effect of habitat size on reproductive potential, habitat size and quality were similarly important for population persistence. These results support the idea that improving the population growth rate or carrying capacity will reduce extinction risk and demonstrate that both are possible by improving habitat quality or increasing habitat size.     

CO2排放承载力计算模型的构建与应用

针对现有生态足迹未考虑CO₂排放承载力的问题,从碳吸收角度将净初级生产力与生态足迹法相结合,构建了CO₂排放承载力计算模型,据此对吉林省近15年的CO₂排放承载力进行了动态分析。结果显示,1994～2008年,吉林省人均CO₂排放承载力从2.0345hm²减少到1.9504hm²,呈先升后降波动变化趋势。在CO₂排放承载力构成中,林地、耕地、草地是主体,三者合计占89.54%～94.43%;草地变化最大,从0.5692hm²减少到0.1857hm²,降幅达67.38%;低生产力土地面积和草地面积均与人均CO₂排放承载力呈极显著相关(R²=-0.806、0.716),低生产力土地扩张和草地退化是人均CO₂排放承载力下降的主要影响因素。研究表明,CO₂排放承载力模型反映了自然环境对能源废弃物的消纳能力,符合区域资源禀赋的实际情况。     

Population structure of chum salmon and selection on the markers collected for stock identification

Genetic stock identification (GSI) is a major management tool of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus Spp.) that has provided rich genetic baseline data of allozymes, microsatellites, and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the Pacific Rim. Here, we analyzed published data sets for adult chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), namely 10 microsatellites, 53 SNPs, and a mitochondrial DNA locus (mtDNA3, control region, and NADH‐3 combined) in samples from 495 locations in the same distribution range (n = 61,813). TreeMix analysis of the microsatellite loci identified the greatest convergence toward Japanese/Korean populations and suggested two admixture events from Japan/Korea to Russia and the Alaskan Peninsula. The SNPs had been purposively collected from rapidly evolving genes to increase the power of GSI. The largest expected heterozygosity was observed in Japanese/Korean populations for microsatellites, whereas it was largest in Western Alaskan populations for SNPs, reflecting the SNP discovery process. A regression of SNP population structures on those of microsatellites indicated the selection of the SNP loci according to deviations from the predicted structures. Specifically, we matched the sampling locations of the SNPs with those of the microsatellites and performed regression analyses of SNP allele frequencies on a 2‐dimensional scaling (MDS) of matched locations obtained from microsatellite pairwise F _ST values. The MDS first axis indicated a latitudinal cline in American and Russian populations, whereas the second axis showed differentiation of Japanese/Korean populations. The top five outlier SNPs included mtDNA3, U502241 (unknown), GnRH373, ras1362, and TCP178, which were identified by principal component analysis. We summarized the functions of 53 nuclear genes surrounding SNPs and the mtDNA3 locus by referring to a gene database system and propose how they may influence the fitness of chum salmon.     

The Role of Density Regulation in Extinction Processes and Population Viability Analysis

We review the role of density dependence in the stochastic extinction of populations and the role density dependence has played in population viability analysis (PVA) case studies. In total, 32 approaches have been used to model density regulation in theoretical or applied extinction models, 29 of them are mathematical functions of density dependence, and one approach uses empirical relationships between density and survival, reproduction, or growth rates. In addition, quasi-extinction levels are sometimes applied as a substitute for density dependence at low population size. Density dependence further has been modelled via explicit individual spacing behaviour and/or dispersal. We briefly summarise the features of density dependence available in standard PVA software, provide summary statistics about the use of density dependence in PVA case studies, and discuss the effects of density dependence on extinction probability. The introduction of an upper limit for population size has the effect that the probability of ultimate extinction becomes 1. Mean time to extinction increases with carrying capacity if populations start at high density, but carrying capacity often does not have any effect if populations start at low numbers. In contrast, the Allee effect is usually strong when populations start at low densities but has only a limited influence on persistence when populations start at high numbers. Contrary to previous opinions, other forms of density dependence may lead to increased or decreased persistence, depending on the type and strength of density dependence, the degree of environmental variability, and the growth rate. Furthermore, effects may be reversed for different quasi-extinction levels, making the use of arbitrary quasi-extinction levels problematic. Few systematic comparisons of the effects on persistence between different models of density dependence are available. These effects can be strikingly different among models. Our understanding of the effects of density dependence on extinction of metapopulations is rudimentary, but even opposite effects of density dependence can occur when metapopulations and single populations are contrasted. We argue that spatially explicit models hold particular promise for analysing the effects of density dependence on population viability provided a good knowledge of the biology of the species under consideration exists. Since the results of PVAs may critically depend on the way density dependence is modelled, combined efforts to advance statistical methods, field sampling, and modelling are urgently needed to elucidate the relationships between density, vital rates, and extinction probability.     

Population genomics for wildlife conservation and management

Biodiversity is under threat worldwide. Over the past decade, the field of population genomics has developed across nonmodel organisms, and the results of this research have begun to be applied in conservation and management of wildlife species. Genomics tools can provide precise estimates of basic features of wildlife populations, such as effective population size, inbreeding, demographic history and population structure, that are critical for conservation efforts. Moreover, population genomics studies can identify particular genetic loci and variants responsible for inbreeding depression or adaptation to changing environments, allowing for conservation efforts to estimate the capacity of populations to evolve and adapt in response to environmental change and to manage for adaptive variation. While connections from basic research to applied wildlife conservation have been slow to develop, these connections are increasingly strengthening. Here we review the primary areas in which population genomics approaches can be applied to wildlife conservation and management, highlight examples of how they have been used, and provide recommendations for building on the progress that has been made in this field.     

生长季节和非生长季节交替出现的种群动态模型及环境变化的影响

有些生物的生长季节和非生长季节交替出现,本文建立了描述这种生物种群动态的方程,并研究了在环境稳定、随机波动、定向变化的情况下种群的变化方式,还讨论了种群的危害及濒危情况．生长季节延长时种群增大,有害生物的危害加重,濒危生物濒危程度减轻;生长季节缩短时种群减小,有害生物的危害减轻,濒危生物更加濒危或灭绝．     

三江源区生态承载力与生态安全评价及限制因素分析

三江源区作为国家生态安全“两屏三带”战略格局的重要组成,其生态安全状况对全国乃至东南亚地区都有重要影响。本文以遥感参数反演和模型计算数据,结合实地调查和社会经济统计等数据,采用层次分析法和指标体系法,对三江源区生态承载力和生态安全状况进行了评价,并根据短板效应分析了限制三江源区生态承载力和生态安全的因素。结果表明：（1）三江源区生态承载力处于中等水平,空间上呈现出由东南向西北逐渐减少的格局;（2）限制三江源区生态承载力的因素主要是水源涵养量、初级生产力、地表水水质、植被覆盖度以及受威胁动物数量等;（3）三江源区生态安全状况基本处于濒危到较安全之间;（4）三江源区西部欠发达地区生态承载力水平较低,相对落后的经济水平限制了环境保护的力度和水平;而东部较发达地区,人口增长快但文化素质不足,难以满足社会经济快 速发展与生态安全保护的双重需求。     

Degree-day Models for Predicting Egg Hatch and Population Increase of Criconemella xenoplax

A degree-day model was derived to predict egg hatch for Criconemella xenoplax. Eggs collected from gravid females were incubated in distilled water at constant temperatures of 10-35 C. Sixty-six percent of all eggs hatched between 13 and 32 C, and 42% hatched at 10 C. All eggs aborted above 32.5 C. Between 25 and 32 C, 8.5 ± 0.5 days were required for egg hatch. Degree-day requirement for egg hatch at 10-30 C was estimated to be 154 ± 5 with a base of 9.03 ± 0.04 C. This base of 9 C was adopted in studies of the relationship between degree-days and nematode population increase on Prunus seedlings grown 9-11 weeks in a greenhouse. Degree-day accumulations were based upon daily averages from maximum and minimum air temperatures. Ratios of final to initial population densities exhibited an exponential pattern in relation to degree-day accumulations with proportionate doubling increment of 0.100 ± 0.049 every 139 ± 8 degree-days. These results provide a means of predicting nematode population increase under greenhouse conditions and a basis for choosing sampling intervals when evaluating nematode multiplication.     

Population structure of island‐associated dolphins: Evidence from mitochondrial and microsatellite markers for common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) around the main Hawaiian Islands

We used mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers to investigate population structure of common bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, around the main Hawaiian Islands. Though broadly distributed throughout the world's oceans, bottlenose dolphins are known to form small populations in coastal waters. Recent photo‐identification data suggest the same is true in Hawaiian waters. We found genetic differentiation among (mtDNA Φ_ST= 0.014–0.141, microsatellite F’_ST= 0.019–0.050) and low dispersal rates between (0.17–5.77 dispersers per generation) the main Hawaiian Island groups. Our results are consistent with movement rates estimated from photo‐identification data and suggest that each island group supports a demographically independent population. Inclusion in our analyses of samples collected near Palmyra Atoll provided evidence that the Hawaiian Islands are also occasionally visited by members of a genetically distinct, pelagic population. Two of our samples exhibited evidence of partial ancestry from Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (T. aduncus), a species not known to inhabit the Hawaiian Archipelago. Our findings have important implications for the management of Hawaiian bottlenose dolphins and raise concerns about the vulnerability to human impacts of pelagic species in island ecosystems.     

The Degradation of Dimethoate and the Mineral Immobilizing Function for Cd2+ by Pseudomonas putida

Organophosphorus pollution and heavy metal pollution are prominent in China and have caused increasingly severe environmental pollution. This research used Pseudomonas putida to degrade dimethoate so as to induce the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and calcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂) in beef extract peptone medium. In addition, the mineral immobilizing function of the generated Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and CaCO₃ for Cd²⁺ was studied by adding different concentrations of Cd²⁺ to the culture solution. Meanwhile, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, gas chromatography and atomic absorption spectrophotometry were used to investigate the biodegradation of dimethoate, the concentration variation of Ca²⁺ and Cd²⁺, the mineral and chemical compositions of the precipitates. The results showed that the growth of P. Putida could increase the pH value of the culture solution and effectively degrade the organophosphorus pesticide dimethoate. Besides, the concentration of Ca²⁺ in the culture solution decreased significantly in the first four days and then tended to be stable. Moreover, the TEM and SEM results presented that there were large amounts of biogenic sedimentary CaCO₃ and a little Ca₃(PO₄)₂ in the precipitates. Furthermore, in the employed culture system, the removal rates of Cd²⁺, when added at two different concentrations (6 ppm and 15 ppm), reached 100%. Therefore, this study provided a new idea for treating wastewater polluted with organophosphorus pesticide and heavy metals by using microorganisms.     

Spatial variation in population dynamics of juvenile Atlantic salmon: implications for conservation and management

Application of habitat models for predicting expected local densities of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar in healthy populations has been hampered by a lack of generality in their fit to data from different systems. It is believed that this problem results at least in part from difficulties of effectively integrating factors that act across a range of spatial and temporal scales. Here, as an aid to developing more robust modelling and sampling methodologies, a simple process‐based model for local‐scale dynamics of Atlantic salmon juveniles is developed from first principles by integrating contemporary understanding of self‐thinning, density‐dependent growth and dispersal. The aim is to present a readily understood structure to illustrate the links between spawning and stocking strategies, habitat, migration and fish production. Based on this structure, contemporary understanding of the more complex biological processes that affect density, growth and habitat are discussed in relation to some of the key requirements of managers, including stocking for rehabilitation, assessment of predation impact and development of strategies for sampling populations effectively when deriving habitat‐production models. A major conclusion is that more structured, integrated research is required to provide the basic variables needed to model links between local and global scale habitat and fish production effectively. Nevertheless, application of the current understanding of the biology of Atlantic salmon should be of great benefit to managers in extracting key information from field surveys.     

Evaluation of habitat use and ecological carrying capacity for the reintroduced Eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) in Ruma National Park,Kenya

We carried out a postrelease evaluation to determine predictors of habitat use and carrying capacity for the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli), which are critical for monitoring how the Ruma National Park sub-population may contribute to Kenya's meta-population strategy. We determined whether level of elevation, rockiness, shade, distance to fence, roads, and human settlements predict habitat use, differences in habitat and diet preference between female and male black rhinoceros, and the ecological carrying capacity (CC) of black rhinoceros in the park. We used standard ecological methods to collect data on predictors of habitat use, habitat preference and to estimate CC. Results show, first, that none of the environmental and anthropogenic factors evaluated predicted habitat use by black rhinoceros in the park. Second, although there was no significant difference in habitat preference between the sexes (U = 16.50, p = 0.306), there was a 60% difference in Jaccard's dissimilarity in diet selection between the sexes. Third, the park can support 65 black rhinoceros. Altogether, the findings suggest that the park has potential to support other sub-populations in Kenya. We recommend that future similar studies should incorporate population viability analysis and a community-based approach to forecast the species health and extinction risk.     

重症肺炎患者血清IL-2水平及与呼吸功能的相关性分析

目的:研究重症肺炎患者血清白细胞介素-2(IL-2)水平及与呼吸功能的相关性。方法:选择2013年5月~2016年5月在我院进行诊治的重症肺炎患者80例为观察组,同期在我院呼吸科入住的一般呼吸道感染患者80例为对照组,分别检测两组的血清IL-2水平,记录呼吸频率,取动脉血检测氧分压和氧合指数,采用单因素回归分析血清IL-2与呼吸功能的相关性。结果:观察组的血清IL-2水平明显高于对照组(P0.05);观察组的呼吸频率明显高于对照组(P0.05),氧分压和氧和指数均明显低于对照组(P0.05);血清IL-2水平与呼吸频率呈明显正相关(P0.05),与氧分压和氧和指数呈明显负相关(P0.05)。结论:重症肺炎患者血清IL-2水平明显升高,且与呼吸功能密切相关,能作为判断重症肺炎患者呼吸功能的客观检查指标。     

阿尔金山自然保护区基于野牦牛、藏野驴、藏羚羊适宜栖息地的生态容量估测

阿尔金山国家级自然保护区保护了以野牦牛(Bos mutus)、藏野驴(Equus kiang)、藏羚羊(Pantholops hodgsoni)为代表的青藏高原特有野生动物及其栖息地,但是近年来野生动物数量的快速增长引发了栖息地退化的问题,科学量化阿尔金山自然保护区各类栖息地对野牦牛、藏羚羊、藏野驴的生态容量,并提出相应的野生动物管理措施,是实现保护区可持续管理的根本途径。本文应用遥感技术和地面调查相结合的方法,系统分析了保护区内野牦牛、藏野驴和藏羚羊的栖息地需求,建立了植物生物量和NDVI的关系模型,结合三类野生动物的食性分析,估测了适宜栖息地(高寒草原、高寒荒漠草原、高寒草甸、高寒荒漠)为三类野生动物提供的可食植物量,推算了适宜栖息地和整个保护区可以承载三类野生动物的生态容量。结果表明:阿尔金山自然保护区内野牦牛、藏野驴和藏羚羊的适宜栖息地面积分别为31866.07、24035.51、24035.51 km~2,三类野生动物的适宜栖息地之间相互重叠,藏野驴和藏羚羊的适宜栖息地基本相同;全保护区内,高寒草原、高寒荒漠草原、高寒荒漠和高寒草甸分别提供了3944.91×10~4、3126.32×10~4、138.19×10~4、564.49×10~4kg可食植物量;结合三类野生动物的栖息地重叠程度及食物需求量分析,得出阿尔金山保护区的最大生态容量为野牦牛7951头/a、藏野驴6907头/a、藏羚羊27094只/a;结合三类野生动物对食物资源的占有率估计,得出阿尔金山三类野生动物的生态容量变幅为野牦牛3976—7156头/a,藏野驴3454—6216头/a、藏羚羊13547—24385只/a。根据阿尔金山自然保护区各类栖息地对三类野生动物的生态容量,提出适当控制藏野驴种群数量、增加藏羚羊种群数量的建议,以促进野生动物种群数量的持续增长和栖息地的有效保护。     

Indocyanine Green Uptake and Periodic Acid–Schiff Staining Method for Function Detection of Liver Cells are Affected by Different Cell Confluence

Hepatic stem cell transplantation has been demonstrated as an effective alternative therapy for the end-stage liver failure patients. Therefore, the functional detection of hepatic stem cell is essentially required. The present study confirmed that adenovirus BMP9 (Ad-BMP9) could increase the ALB-Gluc activity of HP14-19 hepatic progenitor cells, the expression of specific hepatic markers ALB, TAT, UGT1A were up-regulated while the hepatic stem cell markers DLK, AFP were down-regulated, and the number of positive Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stained cells were significantly higher than those in control group. However, the indocyanine green (ICG) uptake failed to be detectable in induced hepatocytes, which was inconsistent. By using another cell line LC14d, we found out that positive ICG uptake cells were located in the area of low cell density, while positive PAS stained cells were mainly concentrated in the area where cells were overlapped, indicating that different cell confluence might affect the outcomes of ICG uptake and PAS staining. A manual wound healing of Ad-BMP9 induced HP14-19 cells was made, the crawling cells were stained positive for ICG but not for PAS. Therefore, our finding may provide evidence for better application of PAS staining and ICG uptake assay in functional detection of mature hepatocytes.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10616-021-00453-8.