Update of ichthyofauna diversity and ecological status of a coastal River Nero (Côte d’Ivoire – West Africa)

The general aim of this study is to update the inventory of the fish species and to specify distribution patterns in the Nero River ichthyofauna in order to establish some basis for the conservation of these fish communities and their habitat. From February 2009 to January 2010, thirty-three sites were sampled monthly with gill nets and a backpack electrofisher, and environmental variables were recorded. Overall, 46 species included in 33 genuses, 24 families and 9 orders were collected. Eleven families and 30 species were the first records for the Nero River. Including all species previously listed in the literature, the number of species presently known in the Nero River and its tributaries is revised to 59. Four families, Alestidae (21%), Schilbeidae (19%), Cyprinidae (17%) and Cichlidae (16%) that made up 73% of the total number of the catches, were the most dominant. The most dominant numerical species were Schilbe mandibularis and Brycinus longipinnis. Fish species and sampling sites along with eight environmental variables were ordinated with canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) coupled to the Monte Carlo test. Ecological status based on fish assemblage according to environmental variables and anthropogenic pressures showed that miss dead wood leaves and roots, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, mud, nitrite, basin width, dissolved oxygen and pH, were the primary factors influencing fish distribution. The environmental tolerance index (ETI), ecological tolerance (t_k) and optima (u_k) values of 10 species to 8 different environmental variables were analyzed. Six species (Hemichromis fasciatus, Epiplatys chaperi, Barbus ablabes, B. longipinnis, Hemichromis bimaculatus and Chromidotilapia guntheri) have high ETI and a cosmopolitan distribution in the Nero River. In the tributaries of the middle course, high concentrations of nitrite in the water, added to the presence of a lot of tolerant species in the ichthyofauna are indications of disturbance of these areas. Subsequent recommendations were formulated for efficient restoration and conservation management of this River.     

The influence of seasonality,fish size and reproductive status on EROD activity in Plagioscion squamosissimus: Implications for biomonitoring of tropical/subtropical reservoirs

Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity is considered an important biomarker for aquatic environmental contamination. Although EROD activity has been widely used as a biomarker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish, this activity can be influenced in the field by spatial-, seasonal- or individual-related factors. We therefore performed a comparative study of hepatic EROD activity levels in the croaker Plagioscion squamosissimus to determine whether variations existed in enzyme activity levels, especially in relationship to reproductive status, fish size, age, and seasonality. For this purpose, we collected fish from three reservoirs with different pollution levels during the early-rainy (November 2012), rainy (March 2013), and dry (July–August 2013) seasons from the Tietê River, Brazil. We tested whether size, age and sex affected EROD activity among the localities and seasons. We found a marked effect of pollution during the dry season on variation among the localities in EROD activity in P. squamosissimus. An analysis of covariance indicated that sex had a significant negative effect on the seasonal variability of the EROD activity levels at the most polluted locality (near São Paulo). A possible explanation for the statistical association between EROD activity and sex is that the reproductive status of the females influenced the EROD activity levels. A possible explanation for the statistical association between EROD activity and sex is that the reproductive status of the females influenced the EROD activity levels, also largely reported in the literature. Our results suggest that reproductive status can be a significant confounding factor for determining EROD activity in female P. squamosissimus in freshwater ecosystems when compared to males. Moreover, our results suggest that the presence of phenanthrene during the dry season at Barra Bonita reservoir might explain the highest EROD activity responses in this period of study.     

Spartina alterniflora invasions and effects on crab communities in a western Pacific estuary

We investigated Spartina alterniflora invasions, their relationship with shoreline dynamics and effects on crab communities in the Yellow River estuary, China, where shoreline dynamics have been accelerated due to human-mediated estuarine sediment deposition and sea-level rise. We determined the distribution of Spartina with extensive ground surveys, and quantified shoreline dynamics between 2001 and 2009 by interpreting satellite images. We used pitfall traps to sample crab populations in Spartina-invaded habitats and non-invaded mudflats in 2009 and 2010. Large areas (>0.5 km²) of Spartina plants were found at three locations in the estuary. The seaward limit of Spartina at each location generally coincided with the present shoreline, regardless of historical shoreline advance or retreat. Crab communities in Spartina-invaded habitats significantly differed from those in non-invaded habitats. The total number and biomass of crabs caught per trap were much higher in Spartina-invaded habitats than in non-invaded habitats, however, species richness and Shannon diversity were much lower. These results suggest that Spartina invasions are likely to keep pace with shoreline dynamics accelerated by global change and have significant ecological consequences for crab communities. These issues should be taken into account to improve the use and management of Spartina, especially in rapidly accreting estuaries with large-area mudflats that are important habitats but prone to Spartina invasions.     

Estimating biogeochemical and biotic interactions between a stream channel and a created riparian wetland: A medium-scale physical model

Straightened channels and altered and drained adjacent riparian wetlands have adversely impacted streams and rivers throughout the US Midwest. This research investigated the biological connection and water quality of a 0.07 ha diversion wetland and adjacent stream at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park in central Ohio. Before the flowthrough conditions were established, we demonstrated with mark and recapture techniques that the wetland already was a biorefuge for fish under extreme conditions; two species (Centrarchidae) captured in the stream before a total drawdown of the stream were found in the wetland a year later. In addition, water at the bottom remained at around 4 °C over the winter likely due to groundwater input, which possibly provided a warmer shelter for fish. Stream water quality of the lower section, downstream of the wetland outlet, generally improved with hydrologic pulsing in spring after flow-through reconnection due to the trapping of nutrients in the wetland. Mean removal per flood pulse for nitrate-nitrite, total nitrogen (TN), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total phosphorus (TP) were 1.81 g-N m⁻² per pulse, 1.02 g-N m⁻² per pulse, 0.014 g-P m⁻² per pulse, and 0.004 g-P m⁻² per pulse, respectively. The wetland exported 2.8 g-C m⁻² per pulse of organic carbon. A greater attenuation of NO₃⁻ and TP occurred in the marshy outlet channel section of the wetland than the open water section. The diversion wetland successfully removed nitrate and phosphorus during storm pulses in spring. Similar designs should be applied to other locations to examine their function under different climatic and hydrological conditions.     

Activity budget of inshore Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus): A critical evaluation of methods and comparison among other populations

Activity budgets are widely used to compare behavior patterns but sampling methods vary, rendering comparisons difficult. The two main methods used are instantaneous and continuous sampling. Their comparability was examined by applying them to data obtained from bottlenose dolphins in the Port River estuary, South Australia. They gave comparable results for activity budgets, but instantaneous sampling did not detect most of the behavioral events. Individual differences in behavior and/or follow duration influenced results. Variability in activity definitions and categories among studies makes comparative analysis difficult. Comparison of the Port River dolphin's activity budget with other inshore populations indicated the former spent more time feeding and resting, and less time traveling. The greater feeding time seemed to be due to small prey size rather than reduced abundance or unpredictable distribution. The reduced traveling time, possibly the result of low predation pressure and/or evenly distributed prey, gave them more time to rest. They traveled mostly at 2.5 kn or less, consistent with studies from other shallow areas. Most feeding was individual, probably on demersal species. Surface feeding incorporated physical barriers rather than cooperative behavior. Activity durations ranged from 2 s to 2.9 h, with mean durations varying from 7.8 to 22.9 min.     

Phytoplankton biomass and production in northern South China Sea during summer: Influenced by Pearl River discharge and coastal upwelling

Chlorophyll a and primary production were studied in northern South China Sea during summer from 2007 to 2008. Microplankton dominated total phytoplankton biomass in the coast, while picoplankton dominated in the offshore. Algae bloom caused by Thalassionema nitzschioides was found at the subsurface of upwelling regions (D2, C2) in 2008, and maximum of phytoplankton abundance reached 1.58 × 10⁶ ind L^?1. Integrated primary production ranged from 189.3 to 976.2 mg m^?2 d^?1 in 2007, and ranged from 652.1 to 6601 mg m^?2 d^?1 in 2008. PP showed positive relationship with IPP (p < 0.01) and negative relationship with SST (p < 0.05). Coastal upwelling and Pearl River discharge sustained high PP, and played important role in regulating the phytoplankton biomass and production.     

1967—2006年太子河流域径流系数的变化特征

利用太子河流域6个主要支流（海城河、南沙河、北沙河、兰河、细河、太子河南支）1967—2006年日均降水和径流资料,分析了各支流径流系数的变化趋势及其与降水的关系.结果表明：1967—2006年,位于高山丘陵区的太子河南支的年均径流系数较大,而人类活动影响较多的海城河流域的年均径流系数较小;除南沙河的年径流系数总体呈上升趋势外,其余各条支流的年径流系数均呈下降趋势,以南支和兰河的下降趋势尤为明显;除细河流域的年径流系数没有发生突变外,其余各条支流的年径流系数都发生了突变,且突变出现的年份各不相同;年降水量对年径流系数的影响极显著.     

1967-2006年太子河流域径流系数的变化特征

利用太子河流域6个主要支流(海城河、南沙河、北沙河、兰河、细河、太子河南支)1967-2006年日均降水和径流资料,分析了各支流径流系数的变化趋势及其与降水的关系.结果表明:1967-2006年,位于高山丘陵区的太子河南支的年均径流系数较大,而人类活动影响较多的海城河流域的年均径流系数较小;除南沙河的年径流系数总体呈上升趋势外,其余各条支流的年径流系数均呈下降趋势,以南支和兰河的下降趋势尤为明显;除细河流域的年径流系数没有发生突变外,其余各条支流的年径流系数都发生了突变,且突变出现的年份各不相同;年降水量对年径流系数的影响极显著.     

石羊河下游盐渍化弃耕地植被演替与土壤养分相关性分析

以石羊河下游不同年代盐渍化弃耕地自然群落为对象,利用优势种群的消长和土壤养分的动态变化进行相关性分析,研究退耕地群落演替与土壤养分之间的动态变化以及相互关系。结果表明:1)植被类型一般经历3个阶段:田间杂草→荒漠草本→荒漠灌木,但群落演替可分为4个阶段:藜+田旋花群落(1～2年)→骆驼蒿群落(3～10年)→苏枸杞+黄毛头群落(10～40年)→黄毛头群落(顶极群落);2)土壤养分在整个植被演替过程中一般经历消耗-积累-消耗3个阶段,但速效钾不存在初期消耗阶段,演替后期土壤养分处于消耗状态,并逐渐接近本区域自然植被土壤养分;3)由于前期土壤养分处于消耗阶段,骆驼蒿种群对土壤养分的贡献不明显,其中与速效磷之间呈显著负相关,与速效钾呈显著正相关;苏枸杞种群与土壤养分呈正相关,其中与有机质、全氮、30～60cm速效钾相关性显著;而黄毛头种群与土壤养分之间呈显著负相关。黄毛头具有较强的适应性,可作为盐渍化弃耕地上的适宜引种物种,以调控和加速植物群落演替。     

疏勒河中游生态服务价值对土地利用变化的响应

利用ArcGIS 9.2和ERDAS 9.1软件平台和生态经济学方法,采用Costanza等生态系统服务价值计算公式,结合中国陆地生态系统服务单位面积价值,探讨了疏勒河中游1990-2010年土地利用和生态系统服务价值变化特征.结果表明:1990-2010年,疏勒河中游土地利用以未利用地、牧草地、耕地为主,三者面积占研究区总面积的98.2％,20年间土地利用整体特征并未发生重大变化;疏勒河中游主要土地利用变化发生在耕地、建设用地和牧草地,土地利用动态度分别为13.6％、8.0％和7.7％;生态系统服务价值总体呈上升趋势,从344.85亿元增加到485.11亿元,牧草地和水域对研究区总体生态系统服务价值的贡献率最大.研究区生态经济的发展已经处于低度协调水平的边缘,需要加强生态环境保护力度.