Permanent Mounts Of Chromosomes After 8-Oxyquinoline and Squashing

Fresh young root tips or free-hand cross sections thereof were placed in 0.002 M 8-oxyquinoline (aq.) at 10-14^oC. for 3 hours. After rinsing in water 1-2 minutes, they were soaked in N HC1 at 55^oC. for 25 minutes, rinsed again and squashed under a cover glass on a dry slide. Slide and cover glass were separated by placing in 70% alcohol and allowed to remain therein at least 0.5 hour after separation. Both slide and cover glass were passed through 50% and 30% alcohol to water and stained by the Feulgen procedure (without further hydrolysis) or with crystal violet after mordanting in 1% chromic acid overnight and washing in running water 3-4 hours. Dehydration and mounting in balsam completed the process. The smear on the slide was covered with a clean cover glass and the cover glass, bearing stained material, mounted separately.     

An Improved Pollen Grain Smear Method for Wheat

Anthers containing actively dividing pollen grains were treated 1 hour at 18-20° C. with 0.2% solution of colchicine, washed 1 hour in water, soaked in 0.002 M aqueous solution of 8-oxyquinoline at 10-14° C. for 1 hour, washed in water for 1 hour and then fixed in Carnoy's solution (alcohol, chloroform, acetic acid, 6:3:1) for 6 hours to overnight. They were washed successively in acetic-alcohol (1:1) 10-15 minutes, 70% alcohol 10-15 minutes and in water 30 minutes before hydrolysing them in bulk in 1 N HCl at 60° C. for 10-15 minutes. “Finally, they were stained in leuco-basic fuchsin for 15-30 minutes. Pollen grains were squeezed out of a stained anther in a small drop of egg albumen on a slide and the albumen smeared uniformly on the slide. The slide was dipped successively for a few seconds in glacial acetic acid and 45% acetic acid respectively. The smear was covered by a cover glass in a drop of aceto-carmine and pressed gently between folded filter papers. The cover glass was sealed with paraffin and stored overnight. To make the preparation permanent the paraffin was removed and the cover glass separated in a 1:1 mixture of acetic acid and n-butyl alcohol. The slide and the cover glass were then passed through n-butyl alcohol, 2 changes, and finally remounted in balsam.     

Isopsoralene and its Use in Karyotype Analysis

Root-tips and leaf tips of different plants were kept for 1-2 hr at 12-14° C in saturated aqueous isopsoralene solution and stained in a mixture of 1 N HCl and 2% acetoorcein (1:9 by volume) by heating for 3-4 sec over a flame. They were then squashed in 1% aceto-orcein under a cover glass, the excess being blotted and the cover sealed. Preparations could be kept for about 15 days. A good chromosome morphology was secured. Isopsoralene was found to be suitable in cases where other coumarin derivatives as well as paradichloro-benzene failed to yield suitable results.     

Evaluation of the impact of recreational dive activity on the community structure of some coral reefs at Los Roques Archipelago National Park, Venezula

In order to evaluate if snorkeling had significant effects on coral community structure, three different coral reefs (Madrizquí, Pelona de Rabusquí and Crasquí) located at Archipelago Los Roques National Park, Venezuela, were surveyed. For each site, the coral community structure of two different areas, one subjected to intense snorkeling use (FB) and other not frequently used (PFB), were compared. Community structure was determined with 1 m2-quadrants and 20 m-long transects. These communities were described in terms of species richness, diversity (Shannon-Wiener) and evenness indexes, live and dead coral cover and cover of other organisms (sponges, octocorals and algae). Comparisons within sites were performed with a Kruskall-Wallis test. A total of 24 species of scleractinian corals were found. Live coral cover ranged from 29.9% +/- 26.43 (Crasquí) to 34.55% +/- 6.43 (Madrizquí), while dead coral cover ranged from 32.51% +/- 2.86 (Madrizquí) to 60.78% +/- 21.3 (Pelona de Rabusquí). The PFB areas showed higher live coral cover compared to FB areas; however, significant differences were only found in Crasquí and Pelona de Rabusquí (p < 0.05). Species richness, diversity and evenness were variable and no trends were observed between FB and PFB areas. The frequency of both damaged and diseased colonies were low (< 1%), most damages observed were natural (parrotfish predation). Damages caused by divers such as fin impacts, were not found at the reefs studied. These results suggest that, currently, diving pressure is not as high to cause massive loses of live coral cover in these reefs. However, the lack of strict controls for these activities might produce long-term changes in the structure of these coral communities.     

Influence of Seeding Ratio,Planting Date,and Termination Date on Rye-Hairy Vetch Cover Crop Mixture Performance under Organic Management

Cover crop benefits include nitrogen accumulation and retention, weed suppression, organic matter maintenance, and reduced erosion. Organic farmers need region-specific information on winter cover crop performance to effectively integrate cover crops into their crop rotations. Our research objective was to compare cover crop seeding mixtures, planting dates, and termination dates on performance of rye (Secale cereale L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) monocultures and mixtures in the maritime Pacific Northwest USA. The study included four seed mixtures (100% hairy vetch, 25% rye-75% hairy vetch, 50% rye-50% hairy vetch, and 100% rye by seed weight), two planting dates, and two termination dates, using a split-split plot design with four replications over six years. Measurements included winter ground cover; stand composition; cover crop biomass, N concentration, and N uptake; and June soil NO₃ ^--N. Rye planted in mid-September and terminated in late April averaged 5.1 Mg ha^-1 biomass, whereas mixtures averaged 4.1 Mg ha^-1 and hairy vetch 2.3 Mg ha^-1. Delaying planting by 2.5 weeks reduced average winter ground cover by 65%, biomass by 50%, and cover crop N accumulation by 40%. Similar reductions in biomass and N accumulation occurred for late March termination, compared with late April termination. Mixtures had less annual biomass variability than rye. Mixtures accumulated 103 kg ha^-1 N and had mean C:N ratio <17:1 when planted in mid-September and terminated in late April. June soil NO₃ ^--N (0 to 30 cm depth) averaged 62 kg ha^-1 for rye, 97 kg ha^-1 for the mixtures, and 119 kg ha^-1 for hairy vetch. Weeds comprised less of the mixtures biomass (20% weeds by weight at termination) compared with the monocultures (29%). Cover crop mixtures provided a balance between biomass accumulation and N concentration, more consistent biomass over the six-year study, and were more effective at reducing winter weeds compared with monocultures.     

The influence of subterranean termites on the hydrological characteristics of a Chihuahuan desert ecosystem

Summary Rainfall simulation at an average intensity of 124 mm·h^-1 was used to compare infiltration and run off on arid areas where subterranean termites had been eliminated four years prior to the initiation of the study (termite free) with adjacent areas populated by subterranean termites (termites present). Infiltration rates on termite free plots with less than 5% perennial plant cover were significantly lower 51.3±6.8 mm·h^-1 than rates on comparable termites present plots 88.4±5.6 mm·h^-1. On plots centered on Larrea tridentata shrubs, there were no differences in infiltration rates with or without termites. Plots with shrub cover had the highest infiltration rates 101±6 mm·h^-1. Highest run-off volumes were recorded from termite free <5% grass cover plots and the lowest from plots with shrubs. There were no differences in suspended sediment concentrations from termites present and termite free plots. Average bed load concentration was more than three times greater from termite free, <5% cover plots than from termites present, <5% cover plots.The reduction in infiltration, high run-off volumes and high bedloads from termite free areas without shrub cover is related to increased soil bulk density resulting from the collapse of subterranean galleries of the termites that provide avenues of bulk flow into the soil. Subterranean termites affect the hydrology of Chihuahuan desert systems by enhancing water infiltration and retention of top soil. The presence of a shrub canopy and litter layer cancels any effect of subterranean termites on hydrological parameters. Since approximately 2/3 of the area is not under shrub canopies, subterranean termites are considered to be essential for the maintenance of the soil water characteristics that support the present vegetation.     

Mute Swans’ Impact on Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in Chesapeake Bay

Abstract: Mute swans (Cygnus olor) are poorly studied despite their potential to impact submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). We measured vegetation characteristics (i.e., percent cover, shoot density, and canopy ht) of SAV beds in controls (unfenced), 2-year exclosures, and 1-year exclosures at 18 sites in the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA, to quantify the impact of herbivory by mute swans on SAV during 2003 and 2004. Mute swan herbivory had a substantial adverse impact on percent cover, shoot density, and canopy height of SAV. At the end of the study mean percent cover, shoot density, and canopy height in the controls were lower by 79%, 76%, and 40%, respectively, as compared to those in 2-year exclosures. During 2004, percent cover, shoot density, and canopy height increased by 26%, 15%, and 22%, respectively, between early and late seasons of SAV growth in exclosures, but they decreased by 36%, 41%, and 18%, respectively, in the controls. Paired mute swans predominantly occupied 6 of 7 moderate-depth sites (0.76-0.99 m), and these sites experienced less (i.e., 32-75%) SAV reduction. All (n = 7) shallow water sites (0.50-0.75 m) were predominantly occupied by mute swan flocks, and percent cover reduction of SAV was as high as 75-100% at these sites. Mute swan flocks also predominantly occupied 3 of the 5 deep-water sites (≥1 m) and 1 of 7 moderate-depth sites, wherein we recorded considerable (i.e., 77-93%) SAV reduction. Thus, considering that flocks are more detrimental to SAV as compared to paired mute swans, we recommend that initial emphasis primarily be placed on controlling mute swans in flocks and secondarily on pairs.     

红薯对农田杂草群落及其多样性的影响

为了解红薯(Ipomoea batas)对农田杂草群落和生物多样性的影响, 作者研究了云南省东南部红河州建水县5种不同覆盖度红薯田的杂草种类、密度、重要值及多样性。结果表明, 5种红薯田共统计到25种杂草, 隶属18科。其中4种入侵植物藿香蓟(Ageratum conyzoides)、鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)、牛膝菊(Galinsoga parviflora)、牛筋草(Eleusine indica)和2种本地植物马齿苋(Portulaca oleracea)、马唐(Digitaria sanguinalis)的密度较高, 为红薯田杂草群落的优势物种。随红薯覆盖度增加, 杂草优势物种的密度和重要值显著降低(P<0.05), 然而2种本地物种打碗花(Calystegia hederacea)和早熟禾(Poa annua)密度却显著增加, 2种本地物种铁苋菜(Acalypha australis)和稗(Echinochloa crusgalli)重要值与红薯覆盖度成正相关(P<0.05)。红薯覆盖度为1-25%和26-50%时, 杂草群落的物种丰富度(23.5、24.5)、Simpson指数(0.89、0.85)、Shannon-Wiener指数(2.36、2.35)和Pielou均匀度指数(0.75、0.73)较高, 说明中低水平的红薯覆盖度有利于提高群落的物种多样性。可以推断, 红薯种植改变了农田杂草的群落结构, 有利于限制优势杂草和入侵杂草的发生危害, 中低水平的红薯覆盖度可作为一种有效的旱田替代化学除草剂的生态控草措施。     

甲烷及三氯乙烯驯化对垃圾填埋场覆盖土细菌群落结构的影响

对典型垃圾填埋覆盖土进行CH₄原位富集和三氯乙烯(TCE)驯化,研究了其生物氧化能力和微生物群落结构变化.覆盖土CH₄氧化速率为0.20～0.87 μmol·g^-1 soil·h^-1,TCE降解速率为0.009～0.013 mg·L^-1·h^-1,其中山东垃圾填埋场覆盖土土样甲烷氧化活性高于广东、上海和重庆地区土样.通过Illumina MiSeq测序技术分析了α多样性和驯化前后微生物菌群结构变化规律.结果表明: 在所有被注释的操作分类单元聚类结果中,细菌OTUs分配为39个门,85个纲,562个属,富集驯化后变形杆菌门、拟杆菌门、绿弯菌门和酸杆菌门仍为各土样的优势菌群,所占比例之和高于77.4%;γ-变形杆菌纲、β--变形杆菌纲、α-变形杆菌纲、放线菌纲和酸杆菌纲所占比例之和高于26.5%.嗜甲基菌属、厌氧绳菌属、节杆菌属和假单胞菌属经TCE驯化后,其相对丰度呈增加趋势.表明在覆盖土氯代烃生物降解过程中,除了被广泛认可的甲烷氧化菌异养共代谢机制以外,还存在非甲烷共代谢机制和氯代烃自养降解机制.     

水热波动和土地覆盖变化对东北地区植被NPP的相对影响

研究水热波动和土地覆盖变化对植被净初级生产力（Net Primary Productivity,NPP）的影响对于估算陆地碳循环及其驱动机制具有重要意义。利用MODIS遥感影像获得的时间序列NPP和土地覆盖产品,结合气象观测数据（气温和降水）,采用相关分析、回归分析和空间分析相结合的方法,研究2000-2015年东北地区植被NPP的时空变化特征,并定量评估水热波动和土地覆盖变化对该地区植被NPP的相对影响。研究结果表明,2000-2015年东北地区植被NPP呈波动上升趋势,从2000年的369.24 g C m^-2 a^-1增加到2015年的453.84 g C m^-2 a^-1,平均值是412.10 g C m^-2 a^-1,年际增加速率为4.54 g C m^-2 a^-1。近16年来东北地区年均植被NPP空间上呈现南高北低、东高西低的分布格局,整体变化趋势以增加为主,其中轻微增加面积占该地区总面积的45.9%。不同土地覆盖类型的年均NPP差异明显,其中灌木最高为400.34 g C m^-2 a^-1,草地最低为300.49 g C m^-2 a^-1。东北地区植被NPP与气温的相关性不明显,而与降水量主要表现为正效应。水热波动对该地区不同土地覆盖类型NPP总量变化的贡献大于土地覆盖变化的贡献,其中对森林和农田的贡献最大,均达到70%以上。     

Evaluation of Herbicides for Restoring Native Grasses in Buffelgrass-Dominated Grasslands

Buffelgrass ( Pennisetum ciliare ) is an exotic grass that threatens arid and semiarid ecosystems. The objective of this study was to determine effectiveness of several herbicides at reducing competition from buffelgrass to enhance establishment of planted native grasses. In Duval County, Texas, plots were delineated in two experiments in a buffelgrass-dominated pasture and mowed on 2 September 2002. On 18 September 2002 and 7 October 2002, a 41% glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine) herbicide was applied to all plots. A mixture of three native grasses—green sprangletop ( Leptochloa dubia ), plains bristlegrass ( Setaria leucopila ), and four-flower trichloris ( Chloris pluriflora )—was planted on 8 October 2002. On 9 October 2002, 1.12 and 2.24 kg/ha of a 80% tebuthiuron ( N -[5-(1,1-dimethyethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]- N , N '-dimethylurea) herbicide was applied preemergence to the first experiment, and all other herbicides were applied postemergence on 27 July 2003 to the second experiment. Percent canopy cover of vegetation was estimated with a 20 × 50–cm sampling frame during April, June, and October 2003 and August 2004. Postemergent herbicides had no significant effect on canopy cover of buffelgrass or planted species ( p ≥ 0.05). Canopy cover of native grasses did not exceed 8% on any treatment or sampling date, and buffelgrass cover returned to pre-treatment conditions in less than 1 year; however, the 2.24 kg/ha rate of tebuthiuron suppressed ( p < 0.05) canopy cover of buffelgrass compared with controls and increased ( p < 0.05) native grasses almost 2 years past application. Tebuthiuron may have potential value in reducing buffelgrass canopy cover and increasing cover of native grasses, particularly Chloris spp.     

A Controllable Carmine Technic for Plants with Small Chromosomes

Anthers of small chromosome plants (Antirrhinum, Brassica, Capsicum etc.) were fixed 12 hours or longer at 0-3° C. in: ferric acetate in glacial acetic acid (sat. soln.), 1 part; absolute alcohol, 3 parts. They were transferred to: ferric acetate (sat. soln.) in 45% acetic acid, 3 parts; 45% acetic acid, 5 parts; 1% formalin (aq.), 2 parts, and allowed to remain 5-15 minutes at room temperature for mordanting. The amount of iron introduced into the specimens was controllable by the time in the mordanting fluid. After rinsing the specimen in 45% acetic acid and macerating in a drop of Belling's acetocarmine on a slide, a cover slip was applied followed by warming and pressing with blotting paper to flatten the pollen mother cells and expel excess stain. Preparations stored temporarily by sealing the edges of the cover slip with rubber solution were best made permanent by removing the cover slip after 1-2 days, dehydrating and mounting in euparal.     

萧氏松茎象种群发生与植被盖度的关系

在江西赣州发生萧氏松茎象HylobitelusxiaoiZhang危害的松林内 ,对不同虫株率松林灌木层群落多样性和植被盖度进行测定 ,在此基础上对松林的虫株率分 3次 ( 1 1月 ,次年 5月和次年 8月 )进行调查 ,最后结合各调查因子组建了萧氏松茎象种群发生量预测模型 ,植被盖度与虫口密度间存在显著相关性 ,虫口密度随植被盖度降低而减少 ,不同月份间虫口密度间均达到极显著水平。进一步对各因子进行多元回归分析 ,得到线性回归方程 :Y =-2 0 62 6+1 41 7T2 +0 2 3 3T1 -0 1 4 1G ;逐步回归分析得到最优回归方程Y=-0 0 91 1 +1 2 5 82 ,R =0 992 ,P <0 0 1。由逐步回归方程可知 ,次年 5月份虫口密度与次年 8月份虫日密度关系最为密切。     

长白山阔叶红松林冬季雪面蒸发特征

利用2002-2005年冬季积雪期涡度相关水汽通量和微气象观测资料,对长白山阔叶红松林雪面蒸发动态及其与气象因子的关系进行分析.结果表明： 该涡度相关观测系统积雪期能量平衡闭合度为79.9%,潜热通量占净辐射的21.4%.研究期间,该区蒸发日变化呈单峰曲线形式,蒸发速率在融雪期大于稳定积雪期.30 min平均蒸发速率与净辐射呈线性关系,与气温呈二次曲线关系;蒸发日总量与净辐射呈二次曲线关系,与气温呈指数关系.积雪期蒸发日总量呈下降-稳定-上升的动态变化趋势,且上升期>下降期>稳定期,蒸发日总量最大值为0.73 mm·d^-1,最小值为0.004 mm·d^-1.2002-2003、2003-2004和2004-2005年积雪期蒸发总量分别为27.6、25.5和22.9 mm,占同期降水量的37.9%、19.5%和30.0%,平均蒸发日总量分别为0.17、0.19和0.17 mm·d^-1.     

Carbon stock assessment for a forest-to-coffee conversion landscape in Sumber-Jaya (Lampung, Indonesia): from allometric equations to land use change analysis

The change in stored carbon (C) stocks was assessed for a 700 km2 areawhere forest cover decreased from 60% to 10% in the last 30 years. At the same time, the area under coffee increased from 7% to 70% with a gradual evolution from open "sun coffee" systems to multi-strata "shade coffee" systems that providea partial compensation for C loss. The use of a generic tropical forest rather than tree-specific allometric equation can lead to substantial (up to 100%) overestimates of aboveground biomass depending on wood density and tree shape. The shoot:root ratio (biomass) of coffee shifted with age, from the 4:1 value often assumed for tropical trees to 2:1. Annual aboveground C stock accumulation rates during the establishment stage after slash-and- burn land clearing were 1, closeto 2 or 3.5 Mg C ha-1a-1 for sun coffee, shade coffee and fallow regrowth, respectively. Forest remnants, shade coffee and sun coffee had soil C stocks in the upper 30 cm of the soil that were 79%, 60% or 45%, respectively, of the values expected for primary forest in Sumatra. Total C stock (time averaged, above - 0.3m in the soil) for forest, shade and sun coffee was 262, 82 and 52 Mg C ha-1, respectively. In the 1970-1984 period, while forest cover was reduced from 59.5%to 19.7%, the landscape lost on average 6.8 Mg C ha-1 a-1. In the 1984-2000 period forest cover was further reduced to 12.6%, but the landscape lost only 0.39Mg C ha-1 a-1, as forest loss was partially compensated by an increase in shadecoffee systems. Conversion of all current sun coffee to shade coffee systems while protecting the remaining forest, could increase average landscape level C stocks by 10 Mg ha-1 over a time frame of say 20 years, or 0.5 Mg C ha-1 a-1.     

Development of a Sightability Model for Low-Density Elk Populations in Ontario,Canada

ABSTRACT The status of recolonizing elk (Cervus elaphus) populations in Ontario, Canada, is unclear and there is a need for effective population survey methods that can be applied locally. We sought to develop a sightability model that could account for both low densities of elk and dense forest cover in elk-release areas in Ontario. We corrected winter aerial survey counts for sightability based on radiocollared animals known to be within observable distance of the aircraft. The multivariate model with the highest Akaike's Information Criterion corrected for sample size weight (w_i = 0.427) revealed that elk group size, elk activity, dominant tree type, percent canopy cover, and percent conifer cover were significant predictors of elk sightability. The group-size effect indicated that odds of sighting an elk increased by 1.353 (95% CI = 0.874-3.689) for every additional elk. Standing elk were 5.033 (95% CI = 0.936-15.541) times more likely to be observed than were resting elk, and those located in conifer cover were 0.013 (95% CI = 0.001-0.278) times less likely to be sighted than elk in deciduous cover. Furthermore, elk located in >50% canopy cover and >50% conifer cover were 0.041 (95% CI = 0.003-0.619) times and 0.484 (95% CI = 0.024-9.721) times less likely to be sighted than elk in more open habitat, respectively. During model validation, observers detected 79% (113/143) of known elk in any given area, and population and sightability model predictions (±90% CI) overlapped with the population estimate, implying that our predictive model was robust. Unsurprisingly, large groups of elk in open habitat increased model precision, which highlights difficulties of counting Ontario elk in their northern range. We conclude that our model provided increased reliability for estimating elk numbers in Ontario compared to existing methods, and that the estimator may be useful in other areas where elk density is low and sightability is poor due to dense forest cover.     

Carbon stock assessment for a forest-to-coffee conversion landscape in Sumber-Jaya (Lampung, Indonesia): from allometric equations to land use change analysis

The change in stored carbon (C) stocks was assessed for a 700 km~2 area where forestcover decreased from 60% to 10% in the last 30 years. At the same time, the area under coffee increased from 7% to 70% with a gradual evolution from open "sun coffee" systems to multi-strata "shade coffee" systems that provide a partial compensation for C loss. The use of a generic tropi-cal forest rather than tree-specific allometric equation can lead to substantial (up to 100%) overes-timates of aboveground biomass depending on wood density and tree shape. The shoot: root ratio (biomass) of coffee shifted with age, from the 4∶1 value often assumed for tropical trees to 2∶1.Annual aboveground C stock accumulation rates during the establishment stage after slash-and-burn land clearing were 1, close to 2 or 3.5 Mg C ha~(-1)a~(-1) for sun coffee, shade coffee and fallowregrowth, respectively. Forest remnants, shade coffee and sun coffee had soil C stocks in the up-per 30 cm of the soil that were 79%, 60% or 45%, respectively, of the values expected for primary forest in Sumatra. Total C stock (time averaged, above-0.3 m in the soil) for forest, shade and sun coffee was 262, 82 and 52 Mg C ha~(-1), respectively. In the 1970-1984 period, while forest cover was reduced from 59.5% to 19.7%, the landscape lost on average 6.8 Mg C ha~(-1) a~(-1). In the1984-2000 period forest cover was further reduced to 12.6%, but the landscape lost only 0.39 MgC ha~(-1) a~(-1), as forest loss was partially compensated by an increase in shade coffee systems. Conversion of all current sun coffee to shade coffee systems while protecting the remaining forest,could increase average landscape level C stocks by 10 Mg ha~(-1) over a time frame of say 20 years,or 0.5 Mg C ha~(-1) a~(-1).     

Microhabitat use by white-footed mice Peromyscus leucopus in forested and old-field habitats occupied by Morrow's honeysuckle Lonicera morrowii

We quantified microhabitat use by white-footed mice Peromyscus leucopus in forest and old-field habitats occupied by Morrow's honeysuckle Lonicera morrowii, an invasive exotic shrub imported from Japan. Microhabitat characteristics were compared between trails used by mice (n=124) and randomly selected trails (n=127) in 4 study plots located at Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Farmington, Pennsylvania, USA. We compared 10 microhabitat variables between used and random trails using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. Trails used by mice were statistically different from randomly selected trails in both forested plots (P<0.008) and old-field plots (P<0.001). In the forested plots, trails of white-footed mice were more often associated with a greater percent cover (% cover) of coarse woody debris (CWD) than were randomly selected trails. In the old-field plots, mouse trails were commonly characterized by having a lower % cover of exotic herbaceous vegetation, a greater % cover of shrubs, and a greater % cover of Morrow's honeysuckle than randomly selected trails. Our study indicates that white-footed mice do not move randomly and prefer areas of high structural complexity, thereby showing significant microhabitat preference. The preference of white-footed mice for areas with a relatively high percent cover of Morrow's honeysuckle could 1) be a factor in the aggressive nature of the exotic honeysuckle shrub's spread throughout the Battlefield or 2) cause the shrub to spread even faster into adjacent areas not yet occupied by Morrow's honeysuckle[Current Zoology 55(2):111-122,2009].     

Vegetation Response Following Invasive Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) Removal and Implications for Riparian Restoration

Using a retrospective study of tamarisk removal sites across five states in the southwestern United States, we investigated (1) decreases in tamarisk cover; (2) the effects of tamarisk removal on vegetation; and (3) whether cutting or burning tamarisk has differing effects on plant communities. Our study provides an important first step in recognizing the effects of removing a dominant invasive species on meeting long-term goals of riparian restoration. We found that (1) both cutting and burning reduced mean tamarisk foliar cover by 82–95%, and this reduction was sustained over time. (2) Native foliar cover was 2- to 3-fold higher on tamarisk removal sites, but total foliar cover remained 60–75% lower than on control transects. No trend toward increases in native cover was noted over time. When tamarisk was included in the analyses, diversity in tamarisk removal sites was 2- to 3-fold higher than in the control sites and vegetation communities differed between treated and untreated sites. When tamarisk was excluded from the analyses, diversity was not greater at tamarisk removal sites, and there were no community differences between the treated and untreated transects. Differences in diversity were found to be driven by differences in evenness; overall species richness did not change following tamarisk removal. Sites in the Mojave showed the strongest increase in native foliar cover and diversity, Chihuahuan-transition sites showed a slight increase, and sites on the Colorado Plateau showed no overall increase. (3) There were no differences between plant communities at burned and cut sites. Our research indicates that vegetation response to tamarisk removal is often negligible. Land managers should be prepared for persistent depauperate plant communities following tamarisk removal if additional restoration measures are not instigated.     

2000—2018年深圳市植被覆盖动态变化与预测

采用Landsat系列多时相影像数据,以像元二分法估算植被覆盖度,运用线性回归分析、重心迁移等方法来探究深圳市2000—2018年植被覆盖的时空变化特征,并结合CA-Markov模型对深圳市未来土地覆盖情况进行预测。结果表明: 2000—2018年,深圳市植被覆盖呈明显的地域分异特征,在区域上表现为东部大于西部、南部大于北部,此分异特征与区域地形效应具有良好的一致性。植被覆盖度重心的空间迁移特征为西北-东南-西北,迁移速率为551.2 m·a^-1,此进程与深圳市城市化进程密切相关。2000—2018年间,深圳市植被覆盖度总体呈改善趋势,改善速率为0.005·a^-1,其中,植被覆盖度显著改善和退化的面积比例分别为30.8%和12.8%。采用CA-Markov方法分理论、自然两种情景对深圳市2024年土地覆盖/利用类型进行预测,两种预测方法所得土地覆盖/利用类型的面积所占比例之间没有显著差异,其差异阈值在0~1.2%。与2018年之前相比,2024年深圳市乔木林、耕地等转化为建设用地的比例将明显减少,但供需矛盾仍然紧张。