Seasonal and diurnal changes of chlorophyll in a tropical fresh water impoundment

The phytoplankton biomass was estimated in terms of chlorophyll in Sathiar reservoir. The chlorophyll values were high during the low water phase in the reservoir which was also the period of summer. Following the rains and increase in water depth phytoplankton biomass decreases on account of (a) dilution, (b) loss from the reservoir through the outlets and (c) settling to the bottom along with silt. The diel variations of chlorophyll showed that the peak value was reached mostly at 12 noon due to the migration of phytoplankton to the surface.     

Diurnal and seasonal changes in semen quality of men in subfertile partnerships

ABSTRACT

Circadian and circannual rhythms influence not only the environment, but also human physiology. In times of increasing numbers of couples struggling with infertility, and thus increasing demand for successful assisted reproduction, the aim of our study was to evaluate circadian and circannual rhythms and their association with semen quality. A total of 12 245 semen samples from 7068 men, collected at the andrology laboratory of the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, between 1994 and 2015, were uniformly analysed in terms of sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility and normal morphology. On the basis of these four parameters, we retrospectively examined the circadian and circannual changes of semen quality. The Mann–Whitney U test and multiple linear regression analysis were used for the statistical evaluation. The semen samples collected in the early morning before 7:30 a.m. showed the highest levels in sperm concentration, total sperm count and normal morphology, all with statistical significance. Progressive motility did not show any significant alterations based on circadian rhythm. Furthermore, a significant increase in sperm concentration and total sperm count was found in spring, with significant decreases in the summer. The highest percentage of normal morphology was found in summer. For progressive motility, no significant seasonal variation could be demonstrated. Male semen quality varies with both circadian and circannual rhythms. Collection of semen in the early morning, where semen quality was highest, can be used to improve natural fertility as well as fertility resulting from assisted reproduction.     

The detritus limnology of sathiar reservoir

In Sathiar reservoir detritus plays a significant role as a means of promoting exchange between the bottom sediments and the column of water. The means by which recycling of the various components in the aquatic biosphere takes place are discussed. The amount of energy stored or that which is bound in detritus is substantially supported by the co-occurrence of chlorophyll, total phosphorus and total nitrogen in the detritus.     

The different primary producers in a small African tropical reservoir during a drought: temporal changes and interactions

1. The biomass of the different primary producers, and their relative contributions to the total, were measured quarterly from July 1997 to September 1998 in a tropical reservoir (Brobo, Côte-d'Ivoire). The study period was marked by an exceptional decrease in the water level as a result of a long drought with only one significant rainfall in June 1998.
2. In July 1997, at the beginning of the usual rainy season, the level of the lake was normal and the ecosystem was in a moderately clear water state dominated by littoral macrophytes, mostly Potamogeton octandrus (more than 55% of the 6.4 tons of carbon of the total primary biomass). The microphytobenthos (19%) and the phytoplankton (25%) were secondary contributors, whereas the periphyton on macrophytes (0.5%) and the epixylon (periphyton on dead flooded trees, 0.3%) were negligible.
3. As a result of the steady decline in water level due to a lack of rain, the macrophytes were progressively stranded on the shores and had disappeared by March 1998. From this time, microalgae (microphytobenthos and phytoplankton) became dominant. Their combined biomass increased slowly from 2.8 tons of carbon in July 1997 to 3.7 tons in September 1998. The microphytobenthic biomass contributed 78% to the total in March, 55% in June and 60% in September, while other contributions were mainly due to the phytoplankton. The epixylon remained negligible throughout the study (≤0.5% of the whole primary biomass).
4. The distribution and temporal changes in the biomass during each survey were mainly linked to hydrology and to interactions between primary producers.
5. The effect of water level changes on free (planktonic) and fixed primary producers (periphytic microalgae and rooted macrophytes) is discussed.     

Seedling recruitment patterns in a Belizean mangrove forest: effects of establishment ability and physico-chemical factors

A field study was conducted to evaluate the relative importance of factors affecting seedling establishment and survival on a mangrove-dominated island in Belize. An examination of spatial patterns of seedling relative densities in relation to reproductive adults and physico-chemical conditions provided correlative information on factors affecting mangrove regeneration patterns. Distance from reproductive adults explained 89–94% of the variation in relative density of Rhizophora mangle seedlings, whereas availability of resources (light and NH₄) explained 73–80% of variation in Avicennia germinans seedling relative density. Just after dispersal (December), 89% of the variation in Laguncularia racemosa seedling relative density was attributable to distance from reproductive adults, but 7 months later (July) 74% of the variation was explained by intensity of flooding- and salinity-related stresses. Survivorship (after 2.5 years) of propagules and seedlings of R. mangle and A. germinans transplanted to zones of contrasting physico-chemical conditions demonstrated that: (1) mortality was highest during the establishment phase and major causes were failure to strand before viability was lost, consumption by predators and desiccation; and (2) after establishment, differences in sensitivity to physicochemical stress factors such as flooding (A. germinans) and initial orientation of the seedling axis (R. mangle) exerted a further influence on seedling survival. The results indicate that seedling recruitment in these neotropical forests is strongly influenced by dispersal patterns, differential establishment abilities and effects of physico-chemical factors that vary with elevation and distance from the shoreline.     

Diurnal changes in xylem pressure and mesophyll cell turgor pressure of the lianaTetrastigma voinierianum: The role of cell turgor in long-distance water transport

Summary Long-term xylem pressure measurements were performed on the lianaTetrastigma voinierianum (grown in a tropical greenhouse) between heights of 1 m and 9.5 m during the summer and autumn seasons with the xylem pressure probe. Simultaneously, the light intensity, the temperature, and the relative humidity were recorded at the measuring points. Parallel to the xylem pressure measurements, the diurnal changes in the cell turgor and the osmotic pressure of leaf cells at heights of 1 m and 5 m (partly also at a height of 9.5 m) were recorded. The results showed that tensions (and height-varying tension gradients) developed during the day time in the vessels mainly due to an increase in the local light intensity (at a maximum 0.4 MPa). The decrease of the local xylem pressure from positive, subatmospheric or slightly above-atmospheric values (established during the night) to negative values after daybreak was associated with an almost 1 1 decrease in the cell turgor pressure of the mesophyll cells (on average from about 0.4 to 0.5 MPa down to 0.08 MPa). Similarly, in the afternoon the increase of the xylem pressure towards more positive values correlated with an increase in the cell turgor pressure (ratio of about 1 1). The cell osmotic pressure remained nearly constant during the day and was about 0.75–0.85 MPa between 1 m and 9.5 m (within the limits of accuracy). These findings indicate that the turgor pressure primarily determines the corresponding pressure in the vessels (and vice versa) due to the tight hydraulic connection and thus due to the water equilibrium between both compartments. An increase in the transpiration rate (due to an increase in light intensity) results in very rapid establishment of a new equilibrium state by an equivalent decrease in the xylem and cell turgor pressure. From the xylem, cell turgor, and cell osmotic pressure data the osmotic pressure (or more accurately the water activity) of the xylem sap was calculated to be about 0.35–0.45 MPa; this value was apparently not subject to diurnal changes. Considering that the xylem pressure is determined by the turgor pressure (and vice versa), the xylem pressure of the liana could not drop to — in agreement with the experimental results — less than -0.4 MPa, because this pressure corresponds to zero turgor pressure.     

Rest-activity rhythms characteristics and seasonal changes in seasonal affective disorder

ABSTRACT

Identifying objectively measurable seasonal changes in 24-h activity patterns (rest-activity rhythms or RARs) that occur in seasonal affective disorder (SAD) could help guide research and practice towards new monitoring tools or prevention targets. We quantified RARs from actigraphy data using non-parametric and extended cosine based approaches, then compared RARs between people with SAD and healthy controls in the summer (n = 70) and winter seasons (n = 84). We also characterized the within-person seasonal RAR changes that occurred in the SAD (n = 19) and control (n = 26) participants who contributed repeated measures. Only controls had significant winter increases in RAR fragmentation (intra-daily variability; in controls mean winter-summer changes (log scale) = 0.05, 0.21 standard deviation, p = 0.03). In SAD participants only, estimated evening settling times (down-mesor) were an average of 30 min earlier in the winter compared with the summer (1-h standard deviation, p = 0.045). These RAR characteristics correlated with greater fatigue (Spearman r = 0.36) but not depression symptom severity. Additional research is needed to ascertain why healthy controls, but not people with SAD, appear to have increased RAR fragmentation in the winter. People with SAD lacked this increase in RAR fragmentation, and instead had earlier evening setting in the winter. Prospective and intervention studies with greater temporal resolution are warranted to ascertain how these seasonal behavioral differences relate to fatigue pathophysiology in SAD. Future research is needed to determine whether extending the winter active period, even in relatively fragmented bouts, could help reduce the fatigue symptoms common in SAD.     

Diurnal changes in chlorophylla fluorescence and carotenoid composition inOpuntia ficus-indica,a CAM plant,and in three C3 species in Portugal during summer

Summary Diurnal changes in chlorophylla fluorescence were determined in four species, differing in life form, in Portugal during the summer of 1989. These includedOpuntia ficus-indica, a CAM plant, andHelianthus annuus, Ficus carica andArbutus unedo, three C₃ species. Steady state fluorescence yield,F _S, and maximum fluorescence yield,F _M′, were determined at different times of the day. Using the model of Genty et al. (1989), the photon use efficiency of photosystem II electron transport,φ _e, was calculated from (F _M′−F _S)/F _M′. Diurnal changes in relative rate of non-cyclic electron transport through photosystem II,J _e, were derived by multiplyingφ _e by the incident photon flux density (PFD). WhenJ _e, determined for each species for various points in time throughout the day, was plotted against corresponding values of PFD, the light response curves obtained showed thatJ _e was linearly dependent on PFD in low light and approached saturation in high light. The highest values ofJ _e were observed inHelianthus annuus, followed byOpuntia ficus-indica, Ficus carica andArbutus unedo. The proportion of the xanthophyll zeaxanthin to total carotenoids, determined around noon, was inversely related to maximum rates ofJ _e.     

Diurnal changes in the stem diameter of Norway spruce in relation to relative humidity and air temperature

Summary Changes in the stem diameter of well-watered seedlings of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] in a climate chamber were registered using laser technique. Pronounced, reversible changes in stem diameter (maximum 80 m) occurred in connection with shifts between dark and light (280 W/m²) conditions. Diurnal variation in stem diameter (50 m) continued unchanged, in terms of amplitude and phase, after the entire needle mass had been removed. It was found that nearly all of the diurnal variation in stem diameter was caused by changes in relative air humidity at the stem surface. The relationship between stem diameter change and relative air humidity was investigated at three temperatures (5, 15, and 25° C) over a range (40–95%) of relative humidities. In addition, the effect of altering the air temperature (range: 5–25°C) on stem diameter change at a constant relative air humidity (85%) was studied.     

草地生态系统植被变化的自然与人为因素定量区分方法

定量区分导致草地生态系统植被变化的自然和人为因素,是生态系统科学管理和保育的关键。因此,综述当前应用较为广泛的定量区分方法,包括主成分分析法、层次分析法、残差趋势法和模型差值法等,比较不同方法的计算原理、优势及误差来源,进而结合典型区域或典型生态系统,对不同方法进行对比和分析。总体而言,每种方法各有其优势和缺点,当前采用同一方法在不同区域或生态系统类型应用的研究较多,但针对方法本身改进或优化的研究较少。此外,针对同一区域开展的不同区分方法间的结果也存在差异。定量区分的结果除受方法本身算法的局限外,也受数据源的时空连续性及分辨率的影响。未来定量区分方法将强调：(1)在指标的选取上,要兼顾全面、多角度、不冗余等原则;(2)进行多源数据与多时空尺度融合,在更高时空分辨率定量区分自然与人为因素,从单一因子的贡献率区分到更多综合性指标的贡献率区分;(3)对定量区分方法本身的改进,这是当前的重点与难点。以期为生态系统适应性管理与关键生态功能的针对性保育提供科学依据和政策导向。     

干旱区典型农业绿洲的景观变化与原因分析

应用 GIS和 RS技术 ,运用 FRAGSTATS格局分析软件 ,从景观破碎度、分维数和分离度等综合分析了河西走廊武威绿洲的景观格局十多年的变化情况。并通过建立景观类型转移矩阵和转换图 ,详细描述了各类型间的转化情况。武威绿洲各项格局指数的变化都可表明人类影响不断加大 ,发生变化最大的在绿洲边缘地带。从人类活动和水资源的变化找到绿洲景观变化的驱动因子 ,并提出了可持续利用的对策。     

Diurnal changes in adenylates and nicotinamide nucleotides in sugar beet leaves

Sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L. cv. F58-554H1) were cultured hydroponically in growth chambers at 25°C, with a photon flux density of 500 mol m^-2s^-1. Measurements were made of net CO₂ exchange, leaf adenylates (ATP, ADP and AMP), and leaf nicotinamide nucleotides (NAD⁺, NADP⁺, NADH, NADPH), over the diurnal period (16h light/8 h dark) and during photosynthetic induction. All the measurements were carried out on recently expanded leaves from 5-week-old plants. When the lights were switched on in the growth chamber, the rate of photosynthetic CO₂ uptake, and the levels of leaf ATP and NADPH increased to a maximum in 30 min and remained there throughout the light period. The increase in ATP over the first few minutes of illumination was associated with the phosphorylation of ADP to ATP and the increase in NADPH with the reduction of NADP⁺; subsequently, the increase in ATP was associated with an increase in total adenylates while the increase in NADPH was associated with an accumulation of NADP⁺ and NADPH due to the light-driven phosphorylation of NAD⁺ to NADP⁺. On return to darkness, ATP and NADPH values decreased much more slowly, requiring 2 to 4 hours to reach minimum values. From these results we suggest that (i) the total adenylate and NADPH and NADP⁺ (but not NAD⁺ and NADH) pools increase following exposure to light; (ii) the increase in pool size is not accompanied by any large change in the energy or redox states of the system; and (iii) the measured ratios of ATP/ADP and NADPH/NADP⁺ for intact leaves are low and constant during steady-state illumination.Abbreviations AEC adenylate energy charge - DHAP dihydroxyacetone phosphate - MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide - PES phenazine ethosulfate - PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - PGA 3-phosphoglycerate - PFD photon flux density - Ru5P ribulose-5-phosphate - Rubisco ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase     

不同生境条件下黄芩光合日变化与环境因子的关系

在黄芩盛花期,测临江、长春、洮南3个不同生境条件下黄芩Pn及环境因子的日变化,对测得数据进行统计分析,探讨黄芩Pn与环境因子的关系,为吉林省黄芩规范化种植提供理论依据.结果表明,3个不同生境黄芩Pn日变化均呈不明显双峰曲线,有轻微光合"午休"现象,黄芩Pn中午降低均为气孔限制;三地黄芩Pn与PAR均呈极显著正相关(p<0.01),长春黄芩Pn与Ca呈极显著正相关(p<0.01),洮南黄芩Pn与RH呈显著正相关(p<0.05);3个不同生境环境因子对Pn的直接作用由大到小分别为临江PAR＞Ca＞Ta＞RH＞TL,长春Ta＞RH＞PAR＞Ca＞TL,洮南PAR＞RH＞TL＞Ca＞Ta;低的空气湿度是产生光合"午休"现象的重要生态因子;临江高温高湿、长春大气CO2浓度低、洮南相对湿度低是影响各生境黄芩Pn的主要环境因子;对黄芩Pn影响是PAR、Ta、RH、Ca相互影响综合作用的结果,在不同生境下,发挥主导作用的环境因子不同.     

海南尖峰岭热带林土壤动物群落——群落结构的季节变化及其气候因素

对土壤原生动物、线虫和其它大中型土壤动物等3个部分,分别描述群落的季节变化,然后,综合分析气候因素对群落的影响。①原生动物群落的季节化表现为：种数在1、2月份最高,达43、44种;个体数量则在8月份和12月份（14万多和12万多/g.干土）。②线早的种数也在1月份最高,达67种;个体数则在9月份（88.3万/m^2）;DG指数显示出有9月份的大高峰（19.9）和1月份的小高峰（19.7）。③大中型土壤动物群落的季节变化幅度很大：类群数的大高峰在7月份（31个）,小高峰在12月份（17种）;个体数量则在6月份和11月份（5.8万个和1.05万个/m^2）。④气温与地表温度对群落变化的影响较小：对线虫的种数变化有显著负相关;对原生动物、大中型土壤动物种数变化也只有阶段性的相关。⑤土壤含水量对群落变化的影响较大：与原生动物丰度呈非常显著的相关（r=0.896,d?=10,r0.01=0.708）;与其它大中型土壤动物的类群数、总个体数及DG指数的影响则具有季节性差异,即在湿季呈显著的负相关。⑥降水量年内和年间的变化均具很大的不稳定性,暴雨又是土壤动物（除原生动物外）灾难性的因素。因此降水量的变化是造成群落跳跃式波动和大起大落的主要因素。     

海南岛尖峰岭热带山地雨林区26年的气候变化特征——光、水和风因子

采用海南尖峰岭森林生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站天池气象站1980～2005年的地面常规气象观测资料,分析了光、水和风等气候因子的变化趋势,结果发现:26年来,尖峰岭热带山地雨林区年日照时数、年降水量、年蒸发量、年平均相对湿度、年平均水汽压和年平均风速的多年平均值分别为1467.4h、2449.0mm、1248.8mm、88.67%、20.77hPa、1.2m/s.年降水量、平均相对湿度、平均水汽压均呈上升趋势,其中平均水汽压升高趋势明显,每10a增加0.38hPa;日照时数、年蒸发量和年平均风速呈下降趋势,其中平均风速下降明显,每10a减小0.27m/s;月降水量和月蒸发量年代际变化规律不一,但10月份的降水量和9月份的蒸发量下降趋势明显.气候增暖作用分析表明,在全球气候变化背景下,尖峰岭山地雨林区气候增暖作用显著.     

Diurnal buoyancy changes of Microcystis in an artificially mixed storage reservoir

In a storage reservoir, which is artificially mixed in order to reduce algal and especially cyanobacterial growth, the cyanobacterium Microcystis is still present. The aim of the research was to investigate why Microcystis was able to grow in the artificially mixed reservoir. From the results it could be concluded that the large shallow area in the reservoir allows this growth. The loss of buoyancy during the day was much higher in this shallow part than in the deep part. Assuming that the loss of buoyancy was the result of a higher carbohydrate content, a higher growth rate in the shallow part may be expected. A higher received light dose by the phytoplankton in the shallow mixed part of the reservoir than in the deep mixed part explains the difference in buoyancy loss. A significant correlation between the received light dose (calculated for homogeneously mixed phytoplankton) and the buoyancy loss was found. Apparently, the Microcystis colonies were entrained in the turbulent flow in both the shallow and the deep part of the reservoir. With a little higher stability on one sampling day, due to the late start of the artificial mixing, the loss of buoyancy at the deep site was higher than on the other days and almost comparable to the loss at the shallow site. Although the vertical biomass distribution and the temperature profiles showed homogeneous mixing, the colonies in the upper layers apparently received a higher light dose than those deeper in the water column. Determination of the buoyancy state of cyanobacteria appeared to be a valuable method to investigate the light history and hence their entrainment in the turbulent flow in the water column.     

Diurnal variation of phytoplankton in Loch Lomond

A study of diurnal variation over a 48 hour period was undertaken in July 1973 to ascertain the extent and timing of some major chemical, physical and biological variables in Loch Lomond. The phytoplankton population was dominated by the diatom Tabellaria fenestrata, with a maximum abundance between 04.00 and 06.00 h in surface waters on both days. A distinct diurnal variation in cell numbers was also recorded. Chlorophyll a values also showed a regular pattern of variation with a single peak between 10.00 and 14.00 h each day. Some chemical changes appeared to be a direct consequence of phytoplankton multiplication. Nitrate-nitrogen showed a decrease in concentration coinciding with the period of cell multiplication, whereas dissolved silica concentrations only fell on the completion of this process. Other common diatoms displayed less distinct patterns of variation although Fragilaria crotonensis attained its maximum abundance in surface waters. Considerable variation was recorded in the number of organisms and chlorophyll a levels at 25 cm intervals in the upper metre of the water column, with large variations in standing-crop and chemical parameters in the space of one hour. Diurnal oscillations in the position of the thermocline were recorded, with the thermal discontinuity being at its greatest depth in the early hours of the morning. The hypolimnion and thermocline regions clearly acted as a source of nutrient supply to the epilimnion. From this investigation it is apparent that for the proper understanding of diurnal variation a 24 hour study alone is insufficient and may give rise to misleading results.Department of Botany, University of GlasgowDepartment of Botany, University of Glasgow     

Temporal and spatial distribution of rotifera in a Chilean reservoir: A possible effect of impoundment hydrodynamics

Rotifers were sampled at monthly intervals for a year at four monitoring stations in Rapel Reservoir (a hydroelectric impoundment) in Central Chile (34°02S; 71°35W). Fifteen species were identified, but only Keratella cochlearis was consistently found at each station, it usually was the most abundant (> 50% of total rotifers). Marked differences were found among sites; stations I and 2, those nearest to the dam, showed greatest rotifer densities in spring and autumn. Station 4, that nearest to the inflowing rivers, had its highest rotifer abundance in summer. Station 8 had the highest mean density but the least marked seasonal changes in rotifer numbers.The impoundment water dynamics and the relative locations within the lake (distance from the dam or from the rivers) are suggested as determinants for different rotifer assemblages and, probably, for most other planktonic organisms.