Patterns of tree phenological diversity in dry tropics

Recent phenological studies in tropical deciduous forests revealed a mosaic of vegetation composed of several pheno-phases that are evolved as an adaptation by the species to overcome seasonal drought in different ways. These pheno-phases represent extent of annual deciduousness (～leaflessness) and triggering factors for buds break (e.g. vegetative and flower). Thus, studying patterns of various pheno-phases (phonological diversity) in tropical forest have been thought to provide a potential tool to address critical questions related to climate change modeling and monitoring. In tropics, tree species represent a gradient of deciduousness (from leaf-exchanging species to >6 months deciduous species) and flowering initiation (breaking of flower buds in various part of annual cycle). Both processes are mostly triggered by variation in day length and/or temperature during late dry season/autumn, and/or first significant rain during rainy season. In addition, few factors like drought induced leaf fall and sporadic winter rains are supposed to affect these processes temporarily. Besides, the abundances of pheno-phases (i.e. leafing and flowering) also vary among tropical deciduous forest trees. Presence of such variations in tropical tree pheno-phases and their abundances are reported to vary due to micro-climatic variables and has specific implications in tropical forests. Present paper discusses the existing information on various pheno-phases and their abundances in tropical forests and role of climatic factors on tree phonological diversity. Further, we emphasized the need to develop predicting understanding of impending climatic change (i.e. precipitation and temperature) on diversity of pheno-phases by collecting long-term data on tree pheno-phases through a network of phonological stations in dry tropics.     

Plasma hormonal and electrolyte alterations in cycling buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during hot summer months

Plasma levels of progesterone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and electrolytes were monitored by radioimmunoassay in ten cycling buffaloes maintained at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during the hot summer months of June–July. The plasma progesterone concentration ranged from 0.28±0.04 to 3.09±0.03 ng/ml at various stages of the oestrous cycle. Prolactin values ranged from 319±23 to 371±25 ng/ml and LH levels from 0.95±0.05 to 1.35±0.08 ng/ml. Concentrations differed significantly (P0.05) at various stages of the cycle. Levels of electrolytes, viz. Ca^{+ +}, Na⁺ and K⁺, were well within the normal range. The high levels of prolactin, progesterone and LH during the hot summer were assessed in relation to poor reproductive efficiency in buffaloes.     

一级生产水平下冬小麦、夏玉米的生产模拟

通过模拟计算得到一级生产水平下冬小麦和夏玉米的累积干物质动态曲线.两年的计算结果和实测值都比较吻合.研究表明,在黄淮海平原,可以把亩产吨粮作为冬小麦夏玉米一年两茬平作粮田达到一级生产水平的指标.若用中熟夏玉米套作代替早熟夏玉米平作,籽粒的年产量可增加一成.通过对不同叶面积指数下干物质产量的模拟计算,得到一年两茬平作的干物质产量最大可达46t·hm^-2,籽粒产量19.1t·hm^-2.     

北京郊区苹果小卷蛾成虫发生规律研究

苹果小卷蛾AdoxophyesoranaFischervonR slerstamm为北京郊区大桃生产中的主要害虫 ,试验采用黑光灯诱杀、糖醋盆诱集 2种方法在不同生态环境果园对其成虫发生期进行了观测。结果显示苹果小卷蛾在北京地区 1年发生 3代 ;越冬代成虫羽化高峰为 5月底至 6月初 ,第 1代幼虫防治适期为 6月1 0～ 1 5日 ;第 1代成虫羽化高峰为 7月中旬 ,第 2代幼虫防治适期为 7月下旬。     

Abundance and composition of the summer phytoplankton community along a transect from the Barguzin River to the central basin of Lake Baikal

The abundance and composition of phytoplankton were investigated at six stations along a transect from the Barguzin River inflow to the central basin of Lake Baikal in August 2002 to clarify the effect of the river inflow on the phytoplankton community in the lake. The water temperature in the epilimnion was high near the shore at Station 1 (17.3°C), probably due to the higher temperature of the river water, and gradually decreased offshore at Station 6 (14.5°C). Thermal stratification developed at Stations 2–6, and a thermocline was observed at a 17–22-m depth at Stations 2–4 and an 8–12-m depth at Stations 5 and 6. The concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients in the epilimnion at all stations were <1.0 μmol N l⁻¹ and <0.16 μmol P l⁻¹, respectively. Relatively high concentrations of nutrients (0.56–7.38 μmol N l⁻¹ and 0.03–0.28 μmol P l⁻¹) were detected in the deeper parts of the euphotic zone. Silicate was not exhausted at all stations (>20 μmol Si l⁻¹). The chlorophyll a (chl. a) concentration was high (>10 μg l⁻¹) near the shore at Station 1 and low (<3 μg l⁻¹) at five other stations. The <2 μm fraction of chl. a in Stations 2–6 ranged between 0.80 and 1.85 μg l⁻¹, and its contribution to total chl. a was high (>60%). In this fraction, picocyanobacteria were abundant at all stations and ranged between 5 × 10⁴ and 5 × 10⁵ cells ml⁻¹. In contrast, chl. a in the >2 μm fraction varied significantly (0.14–11.17 μg l⁻¹), and the highest value was observed at Station 1. In this fraction, the dominant phytoplankton was Aulacoseira and centric diatoms at Station 1 and Cryptomonas, Ankistrodesmus, Asterionella, and Nitzschia at Stations 2–6. The present study demonstrated the dominance of picophytoplankton in the pelagic zone, while higher abundance of phytoplankton dominated by diatoms was observed in the shallower littoral zone. These larger phytoplankters in the littoral zone probably depend on nutrients from the Barguzin River.     

一级生产水平下冬小麦,夏玉米的生产模拟

通过模拟计算得到一级生产水平下冬小麦和夏玉米的累积干物质动态曲线 .两年的计算结果和实测值都比较吻合 .研究表明 ,在黄淮海平原 ,可以把亩产吨粮作为冬小麦 夏玉米一年两茬平作粮田达到一级生产水平的指标 .若用中熟夏玉米套作代替早熟夏玉米平作 ,籽粒的年产量可增加一成 .通过对不同叶面积指数下干物质产量的模拟计算 ,得到一年两茬平作的干物质产量最大可达 46t·hm- 2 ,籽粒产量 1 9.1t·hm- 2 .     

Nutrient limitation of the primary production of phytoplankton in Lake Baikal

Nutrient limitation of the primary production of phytoplankton at some stations in southern and central Lake Baikal was studied by nutrient enrichment experiments in August 2002. Chlorophyll (Chl.) a concentrations ranged from 0.7 to 5.8μgl⁻¹. Inorganic nutrient concentrations were low: soluble reactive phosphorus ranged from 0.05 to 0.20μmoll⁻¹, ammonia from 0.21 to 0.41μmoll⁻¹, and nitrite plus nitrate from 0.33 to 0.37μmoll⁻¹. In the five enrichment experiments, phosphate spikes and phosphate plus nitrate spikes always stimulated primary production. Nitrate spikes also stimulated primary production in four of the experiments. Significant differences were detected between the controls and phosphate spikes and between the controls and phosphate plus nitrate spikes. Thus, the first limiting nutrient is thought to be phosphorus, but once phosphorus is supplied to the surface water, the limiting nutrient will quickly shift from phosphorus to nitrogen.     

唐家河自然保护区毛冠鹿冬夏栖息地的比较

了解野生动物栖息地选择对于制定合理的物种保护和栖息地管理计划是十分必要的。2005 年12 月至2006年3 月及2006 年7 ～ 9 月,在唐家河自然保护区,我们使用样带法和粪便法调查了毛冠鹿的冬夏两季栖息地选择情况,结果表明,毛冠鹿具有季节性的在高、低坡位进行迁移的现象,冬季毛冠鹿多出现在下坡位,而夏季多出现在中坡位和上坡位。同时,我们也发现冬季毛冠鹿多在距离道路较近的地方活动,而夏季毛冠鹿多在距离道路较远的地方活动。     

'Proteomic basics--sample preparation and separation': the 1st European Summer School in Kloster Neustift, 12-18 August, 2007 Brixen/Bressanone, South Tyrol, Italy

Proteomics is rapidly developing into a routine approach for protein analysis in many laboratories. The series of European-wide Summer Schools 'Proteomics Basics' (http://www.proteomic-basics.eu/) aims at teaching of comprehensive knowledge in proteomics research and applied technologies for master and graduate students and postdocs currently moving into the field of proteomic research. In the next 3 years the series will cover the theoretical basis of the fundamental topics in the various areas of proteomic analysis, i.e. sample preparation and handling, mass spectrometry, post-translational modifications and quantitation given by leading experts in the field. This summer school series embodies a unique advantage in comparison with conventional scientific meetings and university curricula: internationally renowned experts will give a detailed perspective view of the fundamentals of their particular proteome research area, something which is usually not encountered at conferences and congresses. Here, we give a report on the first European Summer School 'Sample Preparation and Handling' within the series 'Proteomic Basics' that was held at the monastery in Neustift close to Bressanone/Brixen, Italy from August 12 to 18, 2007.     

北京小龙门自然保护区四种苔藓鸟巢的观察

2004年8月20～22日在北京小龙门自然保护区,分别对宝兴歌鸫（Turdus mupinensis）、黄眉姬鹪（Ficedula narcissina）、白腹蓝鸫（Cyanoptila cyanomelana）和北红尾鸲（Phoenicurusauroreus）4种鸟的鸟巢的结构和巢材进行了观察,发现他们均用藓类植物作为巢材。经过鉴定,这些藓类植物共7种,分属于4科,其中最多是小牛舌藓（Anomodon minor）。该文还对巢材中藓类植物的分布、生物学特性和鸟类取材的行为等进行了初步分析。     

湖南八大公山夏季鸟类名录及其多样性

2002—2004年采用样带法对湖南八大公山自然保护区的天平山、杉木界、斗蓬山3个区域夏季鸟类进行了调查,结果表明八大公山的夏季鸟类共有77种,隶属10目27科,其中留鸟55种(占71.43%),夏候鸟22种(占28.51%);国家Ⅱ级保护动物6种,湖南省级保护动物7种;东洋界鸟类43种(占55.84%),古北界18种(占23.38%),广布种16种(占20.78%),其地理区划属东洋界-华中区-西部山地高原亚区。天平山、杉木界、斗蓬山鸟类的多样性指数和均匀性指数与3个区域的下述因素有关海拔低,则栖息地生境多样化程度高,鸟类的多样性指数也高;人类干扰大,则鸟类的均匀性指数较低。八大公山夏季鸟类的多样性指数和均匀性指数分别为1.5838和0.8395,鸟类的种数、多样性和均匀性水平均低于海拔较低的壶瓶山自然保护区,鸟类多样性和均匀性水平高于发展了旅游业的武陵源自然保护区。     

Lymphocyte functions in dairy cows in hot environment

This study was carried out to ascertain the effects of intense high environmental temperatures (HET) on lymphocyte functions in periparturient dairy cows. The study was undertaken from the beginning of March through the end of July 2003 in a commercial dairy unit located approximately 40 km north of Rome. Thirty-four Holstein cows were utilised in the study. Twenty-two of these cows gave birth in spring (SP cows), from 28 March to 30 April. The remaining 12 cows gave birth in summer (SU cows), between 15 June and 2 July. The two groups of cows were balanced for parity and were fed the same rations. Blood samples were taken 4, 3, 2 and 1 week before calving, and 1, 2 and 4 weeks after calving, in order to evaluate peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) function in vitro, and to determine plasma cortisol concentrations. After isolation, the PBMC were stimulated with mitogens and their response in terms of DNA synthesis and IgM secretion was measured. During spring, either the day (9–20 h) or the night (21–8 h) temperature humidity index (THI) was below the upper critical THI (72) established for dairy cows. During summer, the mean daily THI values were 79.5±2.9 during the day and 70.1±4.7 during the night. Furthermore, during summer, three heat waves (a period of at least 3 consecutive days during which there were less than 10 recovery hours) occurred. Recovery hours were intended hours with a THI below 72. The first heat wave lasted 5 days, the second 6 days, and the third 15 days. Compared to the SP cows, over the entire periparturient period the extent of DNA synthesis and IgM secretion levels were lower (P ranging from <0.01 to 0.0001) and higher (P<0.01) respectively, in the SU cows. Before calving, the SU cows also presented higher (P<0.01) concentrations of plasma cortisol compared to the SP cows. This study indicates that the effects of HET on the immune response depend on the specific immune function under consideration, and that neuroendocrinal changes due to HET may play a role in the perturbation of immune functions.     

广州地区夏季观赏植物资源及园林应用调查研究

为了解广州地区夏季观赏植物资源及园林应用情况,采用实地调查和资料收集的方法,开展了广州地区公园、园林苗圃、高校、城市街道、城市绿地和华南植物园等夏季观赏植物资源的调查和编目,记载了广州地区夏季观赏植物约81科289种,分析和讨论了观赏特性及园林应用,提出了广州地区夏季观赏植物资源合理开发与保护的建议和意见,为更好地发掘广州夏季观赏植物资源和促进夏季观赏植物的园林建设提供依据。     

夏玉米群体光合速率特性及其与冠层结构、生态条件的关系

研究结果表明：高产夏玉米群体光合速率日变化呈单峰曲线。在水肥充足栽培条件下,光照强度是影响玉米群体光合速率的主导因素,最大自然光强下群体光合未测到光饱和点。群体光合速率随CO2浓度(50—900ppm范围)的增加而提高。土壤呼吸释放的CO2量占群体光合速率的11.68%。高产群体所形成的独特环境对单叶光合速率影响很大,群体生长下的单株,在8×104一9×104Lx光下的单叶光合速率为果穗叶高于下部和上部叶,品种、密度间差异不大;冠层自然状态下的单位叶面积光合速率上部叶却高于中、下部叶,高密度下,紧凑型品种高于平展型品种,低密度下则相反。     

黄淮海平原林网保护区夏玉米生长过程的数值模拟

利用改进了产量生态学模型ＳＵＣＲＯＳ,对黄淮海平原林网保护区夏玉米的生长过程进行了数值模拟,并与田间监测资料做了比较,分析了影响夏玉米生长的各种生理、生态学因子,结果表明,改进后的模型能成功模拟夏玉米的生长过程,考虑病虫害、杂草影响后,模型输出的叶面积指数、器官生物量与生长监测资料十分一致。与单作农田比较,由于林网地区小气候条件的改善,夏玉米单产提高６．８％左右。播种密度、播种日期与籽粒产量关系的     

芜湖市三种生境夏季鸟类多样性分析

1引言鸟类群落结构在一定程度上是鸟类之间相互关系的综合反映.一些鸟类对城市生态环境的变化反应非常敏感,因而对城市生态平衡和环境质量的变化能起到指示剂的作用[8].目前我国正处在城市化加速发展的时期,许多中等城市正在向大城市发展,城市生态建设面临巨大的压力和挑战.鸟类多样性是城市生物多样性的重要组成部分,对维持城市生态平衡具有重要的意义[13],而城市鸟类多样性研究能为城市的生态建设提供重要的参考依据.国内对城市鸟类群落的研究主要集中在北京、武汉、杭州等少数大城市,而对中小城市的研究不多[5,16～19].王宗英等[11]曾对…     

黑龙滩水库夏季不同水位对鱼产量及浮游生物的影响

水位变动对鱼产量及浮游生物群落结构有着重要影响。本文通过对黑龙滩水库１３年（１９８０—１９９２）水位落差（夏季水位）、年降雨量、５—９月降雨量,年入库流量与鱼产量的关系进行了回归分析,其中鱼产量（Ｙ）与水位落差（Ｘ）呈显著的负相关：Ｙ＝２５．９８－１．３３Ｘ,（ｒ＝－０．７１１３）。对该水库夏季不同水位时浮游生物种类组成,现存量及生物多样性指数进行了分析比较,发现夏季高水位时（１９９２年６月）浮游生物个体小型化,生物量减少,浮游植物多样性增加。根据营养级差串联效应理论（Ｃａｓｃａｄｉｎｇｔｒｏｐｈｉｃｉｎｔｅｒａｃｔｉｏｎ）,可能与鱼的摄食压力有关。     

High-elevation tree-ring record of 263-year summer temperature for a cold-arid region in the western Himalaya,India

The unavailability of weather records from the orography dominated high Himalayas restricts our understanding in long term perspective. However, remote high-altitude regions of Himalaya silently testify the regional climate and can provide valuable insights of real climatic challenges in the absence of instrumental observatories. The tree-species over such high-altitude regions with negligible anthropogenic pressure have the potential to reveal the clear climate upheavals in long-term perspective. In the present study tree-ring samples of Himalayan birch from a high-altitude cold-arid region of Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh were analysed and two ring-width chronologies were developed. The response function analyses showed direct relationship between the summer temperature and ring-width chronologies of Himalayan birch. Using the relationship we have reconstructed mean summer temperature (June-July) back to AD 1752 for the Lahaul-Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh. We have developed the first record of summer temperature from the Indian western Himalaya using tree-ring-width chronologies that have direct relationship with summer temperature. Further, our study in accordance with instrumental as well as other tree-ring based summer temperature records suggested that the high-altitude western Himalaya is not warming unprecedently during summers. However, slight warming pattern have been observed in the summer temperature in the later part of the reconstruction. The temperature reconstruction also reflects strong spatial correlation with gridded temperature for the western Himalaya.     

Effects of grazing on the abundance and diversity of annual plants in Chihuahuan desert scrub habitat

We assess the impact of release from cattle grazing on the abundance and diversity of both winter and summer annual plant communities at an upper Chihuahuan Desert scrub site in south-eastern Arizona. In contrast to previous studies, we found that removal of herbivores (cattle) had little impact on ephemeral plant assemblages at our site. The total number of summer annual individuals per quadrat did not differ significantly, but there were significantly more winter annual plants on ungrazed quadrats. The number of species per quadrat, however, did not differ significantly between sites exposed to, or protected from, grazing in either season. Of 79 annual species recorded (34 in winter, 45 in summer), only 2 species, 1 in each season, responded significantly to the removal of cattle: Stephanomeria exigua and Polygala tweedyi were more abundant on ungrazed plots. Three additional species, Eriastrum diffusum and Cryptantha micrantha in winter, and Mollugo cerviana (summer), approached statistical significance. Differences in the effect of cattle grazing on annual plants between our results and those at other sites in the arid southwest most likely reflect differences in the speed of response by annuals in different areas. Comparisons of this with other studies underscores recent calls for studies at broader spatial and greater temporal scales.     

Delta blue intensity vs. maximum density: A case study using Pinus uncinata in the Pyrenees

We explore the potential of the delta blue intensity (DBI) parameter as a proxy of past summer temperatures using a well replicated (85 trees) chronology of Pinus uncinata from upper treeline in the Spanish Pyrenees. Principal component analysis, correlation response function analysis and Superposed Epoch Analysis show definitively that the DBI data are indistinguishable to other MXD datasets in the region and that DBI expresses a similarly “pure” time-stable climate signal as MXD when compared to their RW counterparts. Calibration r² values > 0.5 are attainable depending on period used. The signal strength of DBI data is weaker than MXD and behave more like RW data with ca. 19 trees being needed to attain an EPS value > 0.85. However, as the generation of DBI data is cheaper than MXD, this limitation is not deemed to be a serious issue. This pilot study suggests that robust reconstructions of past summer temperatures could be gained using DBI data at a much-reduced cost than relying on MXD. Future dendroclimatic efforts in the region therefore should focus on the measurement of this parameter and the expansion of the pinus ring-density network.