Scales of disturbance and their role in plankton ecology

The role of hydraulic and hydrographic disturbances in delaying, arresting or diverting successional sequences from achieving stable, climactic equilibria is discussed by reference to case studies. The critical time scale is expressed in terms of planktonic reproductive generation times. Environmental constancy persisting over some 12–16 generations may permit a climactic condition to be achieved. An Intermediate Disturbance, if sustained, can establish a new successional sequence or, if not, can lead to a reversion to a sequence similar to the predisturbance succession. At intervals of 1 generation time, species are selected according to their ability to accommodate disturbances at the physiological level. Highly disturbed environments are considered to be likely to maintain plagioclimactic associations.     

Importance of intermediate disturbances for the species composition and diversity of phytoplankton in two very different Berlin lakes

Species composition and diversity of phytoplankton were studied for several years in two lakes which differ with respect to mixing conditions and nutrient limitation: Schlachtensee regularly stratifies very stably. In contrast, size and wind-exposure predispose Lake Tegel to deeper mixing; additionally, stratification is artificially destabilized by aeration. As the duration of aeration was varied, the study period includes interannual changes in mixing conditions. For both lakes, it also covers trophic change due to restoration; this was especially pronounced in Schlachtensee.Results show that mixing conditions affect species composition on two levels: on a superordinate level, lake morphology or hydrology govern stability of stratification and susceptibility to perturbation, and hence the extent to which motile species can develop. In Schlachtensee, species with some means of actively seeking preferred depths usually dominated during summer stratification: Planktothrix agardhii during the hypertrophic phase, and flagellates since restoration. In contrast, in Lake Tegel deeper mixing as a generally prevailing condition favored non-motile species. Their seasonal pattern was remarkably constant from year to year. Although changes in the extent of mixing were pronounced during the four years studied (1987–1990), these were within a range that affected species composition only slightly: in summer, cyanobacteria and diatoms represented climax species whose dominance was not offset by additional, weather-induced increases of turbulence.On a subordinate level, and within the constraints set by nutrient limitation as well as by grazing pressure, small-scale changes in mixing conditions caused by meteorological cycles were shown to strongly affect species composition and in consequence diversity: Results for the fouryear post-restoration study period at Schlachtensee show that considerable interannual variations of species composition and diversity can be attributed to variations in the frequency of meteorological changes. In accordance with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH), diversity was lowest during 1989, the year with the longest and most pronounced cycles of fair weather (14 to 27 fair days on end). However, the mechanism for this was rarely a decline of diversity caused by competitive exclusion within single long phases of stable conditions, as conceived by the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. Instead, diversity responded to changes in mixing conditions with a variety of patterns — often with low values during phases of increased mixing and with high values under quiescent conditions, especially during the first calm days just after increased mixing. Thus, not disturbance as such, but rather the rate of change between phases of disturbance and quiescence appears to determine the frequency of high diversity indices.In Lake Tegel, high diversity indices were somewhat more frequent in 1989, the year during which thermal stratification was most stable. For species adapted to frequent or continuous mixing, interjected calm phases with unusually high stability of thermal stratification may represent a disturbance of accustomed conditions. Thus, in turbulent Lake Tegel, meteorological cycles appear to act in reversal to the IDH, in a sense which may be termed intermediate quiescence hypothesis.Phosphorus limitation due to successful restoration was found to decrease winter and vernal diversity in Schlachtensee. Presumably, without nutrient constraints, new populations could grow more rapidly in response to the rapid changes of physical parameters during this season. In contrast, restoration has increased summer diversity, as phosphorus concentrations no longer allow the virtual monocultures of Planktothrix agardhii which prevailed previously. In Lake Tegel, the reduction of phosphorus concentration down to 60 µg/l P in 1989 limited biomass, but this level was still too high to significantly alter species composition or diversity.     

Ecology of the phytoplankton of the River Moselle: effects of disturbances on community structure and diversity

A data set on community composition of the phytoplankton of the River Moselle (France) has been used for testing the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH). After a short presentation of the ecology of the river and of its phytoplankton, the main changes in composition and diversity of the suspended algal assemblage are described. It is emphasized that discharge fluctuations, related to weather changes, play a key role, but that biotic factors such as grazing and parasitism may also influence diversity in stable summer conditions.     

The interaction between nutrient availability and disturbance frequency on the diversity of benthic marine communities on the north-east coast of England

1. Several theoretical models predict under what conditions maximum species diversity can be maintained, and they are often used to develop effective ecosystem management plans. 2. Two models that are currently used to predict patterns of species diversity were empirically tested in marine subtidal benthic communities of different successional stages. 3. The two models were: the interactive effects of nutrient availability and disturbance frequency proposed by Kondoh (2001; Proceedings of the Royal Society London B, 268, 269-271), and the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) proposed by Connell (1978; Science, 199, 1302-1310). 4. Interactive effects were found to be transient and only occurred in the older communities, while the unimodal pattern suggested by the IDH was not supported in either successional stage. 5. It is concluded that these models are very general and thus lack sufficient explanatory power. Both models require a number of specific prerequisites for maximum diversity to be found, and though applicable in many different ecosystems they need to be refined as tools in order that they can be effectively used in habitat management plans.     

The influence of a dissolved inorganic nitrogen gradient on phytoplankton community dynamics in a chain of lakes

In a chain of lakes along which nutrient availability varies in a gradient, we performed factorial nutrient enrichment experiments to determine if nitrogen limitation was the principal factor controlling the differences in phytoplankton biomass, photosynthetic productivity, diversity, and species composition among two of the lakes in the chain. In the least productive lake, East Graham Lake, P and C enrichments (in the absence of N enrichment) had no effect on biomass and diversity, whereas within two weeks the N enrichments (alone or in any combination with P and/or C) increased the biomass and decreased the diversity of East Graham Lake phytoplankton to levels similar or identical to those in more productive Shoe Lake. Short-term ¹⁴C photosynthetic rates in East Graham Lake water also responded only to N in the third week. However, photosynthesis was stimulated by P in the first week, and a few species did increase in numbers with P enrichment, suggesting that some degree of P limitation remains in addition to the strong N limitation in East Graham Lake. A number of species responded individually to the enrichments in a manner similar to that of the overall community, and a strong overlapping of discriminant analysis scores for N-enriched East Graham Lake with those of Shoe Lake was consistent with our prediction that the community structure of N-enriched East Graham Lake water would shift toward that of Shoe Lake. However, many species did not respond consistently with these results, and the nutrients tested were clearly not a major factor in the differences in abundance of those species among the two lakes. The results support the argument that overall biomass production and diversity of the phytoplankton community in a lake can be a relatively simple function of a single most-limiting nutrient. However, many of the species responses also confirm that, while nutrient availability is an important factor in the control of the species composition of the community, other factors are likely to prevent reliable predictions of all species effects on the basis of nutrient availability alone.     

额尔古纳河流域秋季浮游植物群落结构特征

2008年8-9月对额尔古纳河流域5个重要水体呼伦湖、乌兰泡、二卡湿地、伊敏河和哈乌尔河进行浮游植物调查,结果显示：1）共鉴定浮游植物8门82属177种（含变种）,以绿藻和硅藻种类最多,绿藻有36属77种,占43.5%,硅藻21属54种,占30.5%;其次是蓝藻,13属26种,占14.7%;裸藻4属11种,占6.2%;其他藻类仅占5.1%;2）在呼伦湖共有64属121种,乌兰泡47属88种,二卡湿地62属116种,伊敏河41属59种,哈乌尔河32属54种;优势度分析显示：呼伦湖与乌兰泡优势种为蓝藻和绿藻,二卡湿地为硅藻与隐藻,伊敏河与哈乌尔河为硅藻;蓝藻个体密度在乌兰泡与呼伦湖最大,分别为5.17?106 ind./L和4.01?106 ind./L,而硅藻密度则在二卡湿地、伊敏河与哈乌尔河占优势,分别为1.40?106 ind./L、1.84?105 ind./L与4.89?105 ind./L;此外,聚类分析显示5个水体的浮游植物群落按结构特征可分为两大类;3）与历史记录相比,呼伦湖的优势种转变为细胞较小的坚实微囊藻(M. firma)与不定微囊藻(M. incerta),这种小型化的趋势表明呼伦湖水体富营养化程度加剧;4）综合多种指标对水质状况进行评估：呼伦湖、乌兰泡为中-富营养水体,二卡湿地为中营养水体,伊敏河与哈乌尔河属于贫-中营养水体。     

不同干扰类型对高寒草甸群落结构和植物多样性的影响

对高寒草甸天然草地进行了施肥、围栏和放牧 中牧和重牧 处理,研究不同干扰类型对草地植物多样性的影响.结果表明,施肥使草地植物群落物种组成贫乏,群落结构趋于简单,物种多样性减少;中等程度放牧增加了群落结构的复杂性,丰富度指数和多样性指数均最高,支持 中度干扰理论 ;重度放牧,由于干扰过于剧烈而减少了物种优势度和多样性;而轻度干扰的围栏草地,群落由少数优势种所统治,多样性也不高.物种数 S 、丰富度指数 Ma 、Shannon-Wiener指数 H' 、Simpson指数 D 的排列顺序均为:施肥草地<围栏草地<重牧草地<中牧草地;均匀度指数 Jsw 的变化趋势与上述各指数相同;优势度指数的变化趋势则相反,为施肥草地>围栏草地>重牧草地>中牧草地.4种干扰类型草地群落的生活型功能群基本一致,均由多年生禾草、多年生杂类草和莎草类组成,但各功能群在群落中所占比重及各功能群内所含物种数则大不相同.说明不同干扰类型对草地植物群落的物种组成、多样性格局及系统功能等方面产生不同的影响.     

Multivariate analysis of climatic patterns of the Meditrranean basin

Climatic data from 444 weather-recording stations in the Mediterranean basin are examined by cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The application of numerical clustering distinguished several groups of climatic stations clearly interpretable in geographic and climatic terms. The hierarchical structure of the dendrograms could be used to identify at different scales uniform climatic regions. The complementary application of principal component analysis produced an ordination of climatic types, which clearly showed the main trends of variation in the precipitation and temperature patterns.     

Hidden pattern discovery on event related potential EEG signals

EEG signals are important to capture brain disorders. They are useful for analyzing the cognitive activity of the brain and diagnosing types of seizure and potential mental health problems. The Event Related Potential can be measured through the EEG signal. However, it is always difficult to interpret due to its low amplitude and sensitivity to changes of the mental activity. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to incrementally detect the pattern of this kind of EEG signal. This approach successfully summarizes the whole stream of the EEG signal by finding the correlations across the electrodes and discriminates the signals corresponding to various tasks into different patterns. It is also able to detect the transition period between different EEG signals and identify the electrodes which contribute the most to these signals. The experimental results show that the proposed method allows the significant meaning of the EEG signal to be obtained from the extracted pattern.     

基于不同分类模型的基因芯片癌症诊断方法研究

基因芯片技术的发展为生物信息学带来了机遇,使在基因表达水平上进行癌症诊断成为可能。但基因芯片数据高维小样本的特征也使传统机器学习方法面临挑战。本文利用真实的基因表达数据,测试了目前主要的分类方法和降维方法在癌症诊断方面的效果,通过实验对比发现：基于线性核函数的支持向量机可以有效地分类肿瘤与非肿瘤的基因表达,从而为癌症诊断提供借鉴。     

东北主要造林树种的营养元素含量特征分析

 本文分析测定了东北地区9个主要针阔叶树种的营养元素含量和季节动态,并应用主成分分析和系统聚类分析方法,分析了各树种之间的营养元素相互关系。从而证明了N,P,Ca是植物重要的临界营养元素,Fe和Mn是表土中高度积累元素,树木对前者的吸收与土壤表土中含量有关,而对后者则表现相对的独立性和选择吸收能力。从营养元素的吸收与利用角度考虑,红松与胡桃楸混交,落叶松与水曲柳混交,硬阔叶树与软阔叶树混交,针阔叶树之间混交或白桦与其它各树种混交都是合理的。     

Diversity and succession of the phytoplankton in a small lake over a two-year period

Phytoplankton in the small central Finnish lake, Vasikkalampi, was studied over a two-year period by weekly sampling simultaneously with monitoring of physical and chemical properties of water, solar radiation energy and zooplankton. In the present paper, the fluctuations in phytoplankton diversity were studied in relation to environmental factors. The special aim for the study was to detect a relation between environmental disturbances and phytoplankton diversity.     

浙南大罗山天河水库浮游植物群落结构的季节变化及对水质的指示作用

为了探究浙南地区山区水库浮游植物群落结构的季节变化及水质状况,于2019年2月-2020年1月对位于温州大罗山天河水库的浮游植物群落结构和水体理化因子进行了调查分析.结果 表明:天河水库浮游植物隶属于7门60属89种,全年浮游植物平均丰度为2.02×105 cells·L-1,年均生物量为0.26 mg·L-1.硅藻门...     

73份亚洲水稻恢复系农艺性状的主成分与聚类分析

选取来自亚洲主要产稻国家的73份恢复系资源,种植在四川省德阳市和泸州市2个环境下,根据株高、单株有效穗、千粒重、单株生物量、单株稻谷产量、每穗实粒数、每穗颖花数、每日稻谷产量、每日生物量、结实率、收获指数等11个性状进行主成分与聚类分析。结果表明:通过主成分分析,将11个性状简化为4个主成分,即稻谷产量因子、生物产量因子、穗数因子和粒重因子,以上因子提供的信息量占总信息量的87.640%(德阳)和88.861%(泸州)。利用4个主成分因子进行系统聚类,在2个环境下,73份资源均聚为4大类,其中来自中国60.71%的资源聚在Ⅰ类群,主要特点是千粒重大,株高偏高,产量较高。来自印度45.45%的资源聚在Ⅱ类群,主要特点是千粒重偏小,产量、收获指数等性状均较高。4类群间差异明显,分类结果与地理来源基本一致。     

响应面结合主成分分析方法优化黄瓜种子GA3包衣浓度和贮藏时间组合

采用响应面结合主成分分析方法优化黄瓜种子GA_3包衣浓度和贮藏时间的组合.采用响应面试验设计的二因素14个组合对黄瓜种子GA_3浓度和贮藏时间进行处理,然后进行发芽试验.对得到的苗高、叶绿素含量和根系活力指数进行主成分分析,对得到的主成分向量进行响应面分析,找到了提高黄瓜幼苗苗高、叶绿素含量和根系活力的最佳处理组合.     

Suitability of Kinect for measuring whole body movement patterns during exergaming

Exergames provide a challenging opportunity for home-based training and evaluation of postural control in the elderly population, but affordable sensor technology and algorithms for assessment of whole body movement patterns in the home environment are yet to be developed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of Kinect, a commonly available video game sensor, for capturing and analyzing whole body movement patterns. Healthy adults (n=20) played a weight shifting exergame under five different conditions with varying amplitudes and speed of sway movement, while 3D positions of ten body segments were recorded in the frontal plane using Kinect and a Vicon 3D camera system. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to extract and compare movement patterns and the variance in individual body segment positions explained by these patterns. Using the identified patterns, balance outcome measures based on spatiotemporal sway characteristics were computed. The results showed that both Vicon and Kinect capture >90% variance of all body segment movements within three PCs. Kinect-derived movement patterns were found to explain variance in trunk movements accurately, yet explained variance in hand and foot segments was underestimated and overestimated respectively by as much as 30%. Differences between both systems with respect to balance outcome measures range 0.3–64.3%. The results imply that Kinect provides the unique possibility of quantifying balance ability while performing complex tasks in an exergame environment.