Trgrps — an interactive algorithm for group recogniton with an example from spartinetea

Summary TRGRPS can detect groups or signal if discrete groups cannot be found in a sample. The present paper elaborates on the concepts, describes the algorithm and provides illustrations from syntaxonomy. A computer program (TRGRPS.BAS) is available from the author upon request.Contribution from the Working Group for Data Processing in Phytosociology, International Society for Vegetation Science. For nomenclature of species see Lausi, Beeftink & Kortekaas (1975).The research project, from which this paper summarizes partial results, is supported by a National Research Council of Canada grant. Computer time was provided by the University of Western Ontario.     

黑龙江省三江平原丹顶鹤的数量分布

在地面调查的基础上,我们使用Y-11轻型飞机对黑龙江省三江平原地区的丹顶鹤的数量分布近行了调查,调查时飞行高度80米,航速140公里/小时,续航里程共3748公里。调查结果表明,丹顶鹤在三江平原主要分布在8个地区,其中嘟噜河下游、洪河自然保护区、七星河流域和兴凯湖低地是主要繁殖地,总数量共309只。     

Anthropometry and numerical taxonomy in clinical genetics: An example of applied biological anthropology

Biological anthropologists can contribute a unique perspective as well as technical expertise to the diagnosis and classification of genetic disorders. Anthropometry has been used with increasing frequency to characterize syndromes and to establish ranges of variation within syndromes. The specific anthropometric-radiologic technique of metacarpophalangeal pattern profile analysis has proven useful in discriminating individuals with the Prader-Labhart-Willi (PLW) syndrome from unaffected persons. Analysis of these data also indicate a negative correlation between age and Z-score transformations of individual hand bone lengths. These findings sound a cautionary note to clinical investigators who would use the Z-score transformation to standardize for age and sex. Problems encountered in the classification of genetic syndromes afford many parallels with those faced by anthropologists in the classification of living and fossil populations. The reliance on “key” traits and the necessity of focusing on pedigree analysis results in a deemphasis of the total range of variation and typological thinking. Application of numerical taxonomic techniques to the classification of the heterogeneous connective tissue disease osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) illustrates the heuristic value of this technique and points out the need to consider phenotypic overlap when defining typologies. Clinical genetics affords just one example of an area in medicine where the unique training and generalist perspective of the biological anthropologist is in demand. The decline in the availability of positions in the traditional academic habitat for biological anthropologists makes it imperative that graduate students be aware of alternatives and that they obtain training in the practical skills which such alternatives will demand.     

Size analyses of the coccolith species Biscutum constans and Watznaueria barnesiae from the Late Albian “Niveau Breistroffer” (SE France): taxonomic and palaeoecological implications

The size variability of the coccolith species Biscutum constans and Watznaueria barnesiae has been studied in 50 samples of the Late Albian “Niveau Breistroffer” black shales (Col de Palluel section, SE France). For each species, length and width of the total coccolith and the central unit have been measured in 60 specimens per sample. In addition, ellipticity and central unit length/total coccolith length ratio have been calculated. This study aims to improve our understanding of the taxonomic concepts of B. constans and W. barnesiae, and to test whether the size changes correspond to palaeoceanographic changes interpreted from other proxies. Two morphotypes (varieties) were differentiated for each of the two taxa studied. B. constans includes morphotypes with a narrow (B. constans var. constans) and a wide central unit (B. constans var. ellipticum). Between these two morphotypes no significant size differentiation has been observed. They seem to represent end members of a size continuum, relating to both the total coccolith- and central unit size distribution. The two morphotypes of W. barnesiae differ only in the absence (W. barnesiae var. barnesiae) and the presence of a narrow central opening (W. barnesiae var. fossacincta). No significant size differences have been observed between these two morphotypes, and both show similar distributions of the measured characteristics. We recommend that the studied morphotypes of both B. constans and W. barnesiae should not be assigned to different morphospecies. Throughout the studied black shale succession the measured parameters show mostly statistically insignificant, short-term fluctuations, but significant long-term trends have been observed for B. constans. These show a trend to smaller forms with a narrower central unit in the upper part of the succession. This change coincides with a cooling trend, as indicated by a nannofossil based temperature index. Therefore the two morphotypes of B. constans are interpreted to represent ecophenotypic varieties rather than two different morphospecies. No clear relationship has been recognized between the size of W. barnesiae and the palaeoenvironmental conditions.     

Halocnemum M. Bieb. vegetation in the Mediterranean Basin

The aim of the article is the syntaxonomic interpretation of hyperhalophilous woody or semi-woody vegetation with Halocnemum M. Bieb. along the coasts of the Mediterranean Basin. For this area, the two species of Halocnemum, H. strobilaceum (Pall.) M. Bieb. and H. cruciatum (Forssk.) Tod. are identified; their morphological characteristics, synonymy and distribution are here described. The study carried out of particular aspects of the plant morphology and the micromorphological characteristics of the seeds collected from different places in the Mediterranean allows to better differentiate the two species. Vegetation studies already done in many communities of the Mediterranean by several authors threw into great confusion because only H. strobilacem has been recognized as a dominant species. As regards the syntaxonomic analyses of the vegetation, the authors refer to the proposals already made by various scientists for the vegetation of inland salt basins of Eurasia and the Irano-Anatolian area, who suggested the classes Kalidietea foliate and Halocnemetea strobilaceiirano-anatolica, respectively. Conversely, in the Mediterranean Basin, the vegetation study is present only in coastal areas where it is considerably impoverished in the number of species. Therefore, the authors propose to include hyperhalophilous, woody and fruticose vegetation in the class Sarcocornietea fruticosae. However, the phytosociological and ecological diversity is highlighted proposing the order Halocnemetalia cruciati in which both the alliance Halocnemion strobilacei, for middle Eastern Europe, and the alliance Halocnemion cruciati, for North Africa with penetrations in the Western and Eastern Europe up to the Middle East coast, are included. This new interpretation has required the correction of the names of two associations (Frankenio corymbosae–Halocnemetum cruciati and Zygophylloalbi–Halocnemetumcruciati) and the proposal of two new associations Arthrocnemo machrostachyi–Halocnemetum cruciati and Halocnemo cruciati–Sarcocornietum fruticosae. A further proposal concerns the addition of the alliance Limoniastrion monopetali, previously included in the order Limonietalia, in the order Halocnemetalia cruciati.     

Numerical simulation of trace element transport on subsurface environment pollution in coal mine spoil

An understanding of the dynamic behavior of trace elements leaching from coal mine spoil is important in predicting the groundwater quality. The relationship between trace element concentrations and leaching times, pH values of the media is studied. Column leaching tests conducted in the laboratory showed that there was a close correlation between pH value and trace element concentrations. The longer the leaching time, the higher the trace element concentrations. Different trace elements are differently affected by pH values of leaching media. A numerical model for water flow and trace element transport has been developed based on analyzing the characteristics of migration and transformation of trace elements leached from coal mine spoil. Solutions to the coupled model are accomplished by Eulerian-Lagrangian localized adjoint method. Numerical simulation shows that rainfall intensity determined maximum leaching depth. As rainfall intensity is 3.6ml/s, the outflow concentrations indicate a breakthrough of trace elements beyond the column base, with peak concentration at 90cm depth. And the subsurface pollution range has a trend of increase with time. The model simulations are compared to experimental results of trace element concentrations, with reasonable agreement between them. The analysis and modeling of trace elements suggested that the infiltration of rainwater through the mine spoil might lead to potential groundwater pollution. It provides theoretical evidence for quantitative assessment soil-water quality of trace element transport on environment pollution.