Influences of habitat features and human disturbance on use of breeding sites by a declining population of southern fur seals (Arctocephalus australis)

Southern fur seals Arctocephalus australis in Peru have declined gradually over the past decade, and declined dramatically (72%) as a result of low food availability during the severe El Niño in 1997–98. In 1999, seals abandoned some historically important breeding sites. This is particularly alarming because new sites were not colonized. Our objective was to examine how habitat features and human disturbance influenced whether sites were currently used, abandoned or apparently not used in the past by fur seals for breeding. Data were collected on 14 variables at 70 potential breeding sites at three guano reserves in Peru. Discriminant analysis revealed significant multivariate differences among sites currently used for breeding, abandoned sites and unused sites ( F =5.97, P <0.00001), and the model classified 74% of sites correctly. Currently used sites were less likely to have human disturbance and more likely to have offshore islands, stacked rocks, tide pools and abundant shade. Separate discriminant analyses for each reserve produced similar results. Habitat associated with thermoregulation (e.g. shade or pools) may be more important to fur seals in Peru, which breed at lower latitudes and are at greater risk of overheating on land than other populations. Habitat with minimized human access may be especially important to seals in small populations in which individuals may perceive themselves as more vulnerable because of decreased vigilance and dilution effects. Seals in our study selected breeding habitat with stacked rocks, which create shade and tide pools for thermoregulation and make human access difficult; but pups might suffer higher mortality in this habitat. We hypothesize that fur seals in Peru may exhibit an Allee effect, whereby suitability of habitat varies with population abundance.     

Factors affecting the activity of two species of eel (Anguilla spp.) in a small New Zealand lake

Fyke net captures of both the shortfinned eel, Anguilla ausrralis Richardson, and the longfinned eel. A. dieffenbachü Gray, were recorded over a 4-year period in Lake Pounui. New Zealand. Eel activity measured as catch per unit effort (CPUE) was correlated to 36 indices of water temperature water level, barometric pressure, amount of light at night and lunar period using multiple regression analysis. For longfinned eels, water temperature was the only individual parameter significantly related (P<0.001) to CPUE. The multiple regression model was improved (R²= 0.29. P <0.01) by the addition of lunar phase and change in barometric pressure. Water level was the most important parameter in the model for shortfinned eels, although water temperature and change in barometric pressure were significant influences in the predictability of the model (R²= 0.51. P<0.001.     

Roost tree characteristics determine use by the white‐striped freetail bat (Tadarida australis,Chiroptera: Molossidae) in suburban subtropical Brisbane,Australia

Abstract We examined factors affecting roost tree selection by the white‐striped freetail bat Tadarida australis (Chiroptera: Molossidae), a large insectivorous bat in suburban Brisbane, Australia. We compared biophysical characteristics associated with 34 roost trees and 170 control trees of similar diameter, height and tree senescence characters. Roost trees used by the white‐striped freetail bat had significantly higher numbers of hollows in the trunk and branches (P < 0.003) and were more likely to contain a large trunk cavity with an internal diameter of >30 cm (P < 0.001) than control trees. These trees also accommodated more species of hollow‐using fauna (P = 0.005). When comparing roost trees with control trees of similar diameters and heights, roost trees were on average at a later stage of tree senescence (P < 0.001). None of the roost trees were found in the large forest reserves fringing the Brisbane metropolitan area despite these areas being used for foraging by the white‐striped freetail bat. Although all tree locations in this study were in modified landscapes, roost trees tended to be surrounded by groups of trees and undergrowth. Roost trees provide important habitat requirements for hollow‐using fauna in suburban, rural and forested environments.     

Substrate availability regulates the suppressive effects of Canada goldenrod invasion on soil respiration

基质有效性调节加拿大一枝黄花入侵对土壤呼吸的抑制作用 外来植物入侵不仅会降低河边近岸湿地生态系统植被多样性,而且会改变湿地生态系统的地下碳过程。外来入侵植物加拿大一枝黄花(Solidago canadensis L.)已广泛入侵我国东南部地区,但加拿大一枝黄花入侵对入侵地生态系统地下土壤碳循环过程的影响却知之甚少。本研究通过野外原位观测实验和温室模拟入侵实验,探究外来植物加拿大一枝黄花入侵对入侵地土壤呼吸的影响规律及其驱动因素。野 外原位观测实验开展于2018年7月21日至12月15日,期间每周测定样地土壤呼吸。温室模拟入侵实验开展于2019年7月15日至12月15日,期间每月1日与15日上午测定土壤呼吸、自养呼吸和异养呼吸。土壤呼吸、自养呼吸和异养呼吸通过静态箱结合深埋根系隔离法测定。野外原位观测实验和温室模拟入侵实验结果均显示,加拿大一枝黄花的入侵降低了土壤二氧化碳的排放通量。加拿大一枝黄花入侵对土壤呼吸的抑制作用可能归因于其入侵引起的土壤可利用底物质量与数量的变化,表明外来入侵植物加拿大一枝黄花可通过改变植物释放基质以及与本地植物和/或土壤微生物争夺土壤有效基质而影响土壤碳循环。这些研究结果对于评估外来入侵植物对入侵地地下碳动态的影响以及对全球变暖的贡献具有重要意义。     

山东10种植物的核型分析

对山东１０ 种植物进行了核型分析。茴茴蒜（ Ｒａｎｕｎｃｕｌｕｓｃｈｉｎｅｎｓｉｓ Ｂｇｅ－） 染色体数目２ｎ ＝１６ , 核型公式Ｋ（２ｎ） ＝ ２ｘ ＝ １６ ＝ ２ Ｍ ＋ ２ｍ ＋ ２ｓｍ ＋ １０ｓｔ, “３Ａ”类型; 五脉地椒（ Ｔｈｙｍｕｓｑｕｉｎｑｕｅｃｏｓｔａｔｕｓ Ｃｅｌａｋ－） 染色体数目２ｎ＝ ２６ , 核型公式Ｋ （２ｎ） ＝ ２ｘ＝ ２６ ＝ ８ Ｍ ＋ １８ｍ , “１Ａ”类型; 蛇床（ Ｃｎｉｄｉｕｍ ｍｏｎｎｉｅｒｉ（Ｌ－） Ｃｕｓｓ－） 染色体数目２ｎ＝ ２０ , 核型公式Ｋ （２ｎ） ＝ ２ｘ＝ ２０ ＝ ２Ｍ＋ １６ｍ ＋ ２ｓｍ , “２Ｂ”类型; 波斯菊（ Ｃｏｓｍｏｓ ｂｉｐｉｎｎａｔｕｓ Ｃａｖ－） 染色体数目２ｎ ＝ ２４ , 核型公式Ｋ（２ｎ） ＝ ２ｘ ＝ ２４ ＝ １６ｍ ＋ ２ｍ （ｓａｔ） ＋ ６ｓｍ , “２Ａ”类型; 白车轴草（ Ｔｒｉｆｏｌｉｕｍ ｒｅｐｅｎｓ Ｌ－） 染色体数目２ｎ＝ ３２ , 核型公式Ｋ （２ｎ） ＝ ４ｘ ＝ ３２ ＝ ３２ｍ , “１Ａ”类型; 铁苋菜（ Ａｃａｌｙｐｈａ ａｕｓｔｒａｌｉｓ Ｌ－）染色体数目２ｎ ＝ ３２ , 核型公式Ｋ （２ｎ） ＝ ２ｘ＝ ３２ ＝ ３２ｍ , “１Ｂ”类型; 地构叶（ Ｓｐｅｒａｎｓｋｉａ ｔ?     

Impacts of introduced common wasps (Vespula vulgaris) on experimentally placed mealworms in a New Zealand beech forest

An introduced social wasp Vespula vulgaris may compete with native birds for honeydew and invertebrates in New Zealand forests. Experimentally hidden mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) persisted longer at two sites following wasp poisoning that at two sites where wasps were not poisoned. Mealworms persisted longer in the morning than in the afternoon within all study sites. An unusually low mealworm removal rate during a morning trial before wasp poisoning heavily influences the results of this experiment but we have no ecological reason to ignore it. Wasps may therefore be having a heavy impact on invertebrate abundance on very short time scales (within a day following dawn emergence). They may also remove cached food items that would otherwise be retrieved by the South Island robin (Petroica australis australis) during cold or dark feeding conditions.     

扎龙芦苇湿地生长季的甲烷排放通量

为研究高寒地区天然淡水芦苇湿地的甲烷排放特征,采用静态箱-气相色谱法,测定了扎龙不同水位芦苇湿地生长季的甲烷排放通量.结果表明:观测期内,扎龙芦苇湿地甲烷排放通量平均为7.67 mg·m^-2·h^-1（-21.18～46.15 mg·m^-2·h^-1）,其中深水区(平均水深100 cm)和浅水区(平均水深25 cm)的平均甲烷排放通量分别为5.81和9.52 mg·m^-2·h^-1,排放峰值分别出现在8月和7月,最低值均出现在10月.深水区夏季(6-7月)的甲烷排放通量显著低于浅水区,而春(5月)、秋(8-10月)季节显著高于浅水区.生长季甲烷排放通量的变化为夏季>秋季>春季;昼夜排放量为12:00和14:00最高,0:00最低.温度和水位是高寒地区淡水芦苇湿地甲烷排放通量变化的主要影响因子.     

辽东楤木光合和蒸腾作用对光照和土壤水分的响应过程

应用CIRAS-2型便携式光合作用系统,测定了不同土壤含水量下辽东楤木光合作用与蒸腾作用的光响应过程,探讨了辽东楤木对光照环境和土壤水分的适应性.结果表明:辽东楤木的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和叶片水分利用效率(WUE)对光量子通量密度(PFD)的响应过程不同;在强光范围内(PFD 800～1 800 μmol·m^-2·s^-1),随着光强增加,辽东楤木的P_n变化较小,而T_r逐渐减小,WUE明显提高.辽东楤木的光饱和点(LSP)和光补偿点(LCP)分别在800和30 μmol·m^-2·s^-1左右,且受土壤含水量变化的影响较小;但其光合量子效率(Ф)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)受土壤含水量变化的影响较大.辽东楤木的P_n和WUE对土壤含水量的变化有明显的阈值响应,其高效用水的土壤相对含水量(RWC)在44％～79％;在此范围内,辽东楤木能同时获得较高的光合速率和水分利用效率.     

A remnant New Zealand carr

Carr vegetation was once extensive in New Zealand. It can be divided into Cordyline australis I Carex secta carr, comprising an open wood with scattered large herbs and an abundance of Carex species, and podocarp carr, dominated by tall conifers. Both have been almost eliminated by agricultural development. We studied a remnant of Cordyline australis I Carex secta carr in South Island, which graded at one end into salt marsh. Eight communities were recognized, including one pure salt marsh and two more with saline influence. Near the stream that provided moisture and alluvium for the area were herbaceous communities. In the poorly-drained area away from the stream were communities dominated by shrubs and small trees. The soil environment is similar to that of many European carrs, though generally less organic. A number of the exotic species are also found in European carrs.