Visual performance impaired by elevated sedimentary and algal turbidity in walleye Sander vitreus and emerald shiner Notropis atherinoides

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of different forms of elevated turbidity on the visual acuity of two native Lake Erie fishes and to assess the response of fishes from different trophic levels to elevated turbidity. Additionally, the role of visual morphology (e.g., eye and optic lobe size) on visual acuity was evaluated across visual environments. Reaction distance, a behavioural proxy for measures of visual acuity, was measured for a top predator, walleye Sander vitreus and a forage fish, emerald shiner Notropis atherinoides. In both S. vitreus (n = 27) and N. atherinoides (n = 40) reaction distance across all types of turbidity (sedimentary, algal, sedimentary + algal; 20 NTU) was approximately 50% lower relative to the clear treatment. Reaction distance was further reduced in algal compared with sedimentary turbidity for wild-caught S. vitreus. Eye and brain morphology also influenced reaction distance across turbidity treatments, such that larger relative eye and brain metrics were positively correlated with reaction distance. This study provides evidence for disrupted visual acuity as a potential mechanism underlying fish responses, such as decreased foraging efficiency, to increased turbidity and further indicates that algal turbidity will probably be more detrimental to visual processes than sedimentary turbidity. With the increasing occurrence and severity of harmful algal blooms due to cultural eutrophication globally, this could have significant implications for predator–prey relationships in aquatic systems.     

鄱阳湖越冬白鹤在农业用地的食物组成

白鹤(Grus leucogeranus)是IUCN极危物种,全球仅存3 500～4 000只,其中约98%的个体在鄱阳湖越冬。以前白鹤在鄱阳湖主要在浅水生境挖掘苦草(Vallisneria spp.)的冬芽为食。然而,近年来农业用地已成为白鹤的重要觅食地。目前对于白鹤在农业用地的食物组成尚不清楚。本研究采用粪便显微镜检法对2017年11月至2018年4月采集的70份白鹤粪便样品进行分析。结果表明,白鹤的食物来源于10科15种植物,其中,水稻(Oryza sativa)、莲藕(Nelumbo nucifera)和紫云英(Astragalus sinicus)为最主要的食物,这3种植物在检测到的食物中的相对密度分别为34.34%、22.99%和10.61%,而白鹤的传统食物苦草冬芽所占的比例极低(2.05%)。由此可见,白鹤的食物组成已经发生变化,农作物已成为白鹤的重要食物来源。白鹤在农业用地中觅食使该物种的保护面临一系列问题,尤其是高强度的人为干扰,对此,提出了相应的保护措施,希望为白鹤提供安全、稳定的觅食环境。     

近年来乌梁素海疣鼻天鹅种群数量变化及原因分析

为查清内蒙古乌梁素海湖泊湿地疣鼻天鹅(Cygnus olor)繁殖期和秋季迁徙前期种群数量,2014至2017年采用路线统计法和样点统计法对其进行精确计数统计,结合近十余年来的文献数据和监测记录,探讨了种群数量的变化及原因。结果显示,2015至2017年春季繁殖成鸟数量依次为84只、92只、80只,基本稳定;2014至2017年,秋季种群数量依次为411只、302只、281只、153只,逐年减少;近几年适宜繁殖地和觅食地面积不断缩小、天敌偷袭、捡蛋和投毒等因素影响亚成鸟和幼鸟的生存。根据文献和保护区监测数据,1996至2004年种群数量逐年增多,与自然保护区的建立、严禁捡蛋和没收猎枪有关,而2005至2013年因干旱缺水、水域被开发利用、芦苇(Phragmites australis)和宽叶香蒲(Typhalatifolia)面积扩增、水质恶化、富营养化加重等原因种群数量下降。研究表明,近几年乌梁素海被过度开发利用,人为干扰频繁,影响疣鼻天鹅正常繁殖栖息;栖息地的科学管理和严禁捡蛋及投毒行为,对该种群的生存及增长至关重要。     

A Proposed Framework for the Management of Water Quality in Arid-Region Lakes

For arid-region lakes, management conflicts are likely to occur between quantity and quality of water supplied: increasing quantity of water supply can lead to water quality deterioration. Such conflicts can best be resolved within an effective management program based on awareness and cooperation at all levels of water management from policy makers to experts. We propose a general framework for designing effective water resource management programs for lakes based on concrete definitions of management criteria such as water quality. The proposed system requires close interaction between policy makers, water resource managers, water suppliers and users, hydrological engineers and limnologists. The significance of mathematical modeling as a self-organizing tool of the management program is emphasized, especially with regards to designing limnological investigations directed toward lake management. We illustrate the application of this approach to water resource management in arid-region lakes (Lake Kinneret, Israel and Lake Sevan, Armenia), where artificial variability of lake morphometry due to water use is a forcing function affecting water quality.     

Distribution and Seasonal Abundance of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Lake Naini Tal,U.P., India

A total of thirty taxa of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from Lake Naini Tal (area = 48 ha, mean depth = 16.2 m) situated 1937 m above sea-level in the Kumaun Region of the Himalaya. Of these, Chironomus plumosus and Tubifex tubifex were numerically dominant, while Viviparus bengalensis (Mollusca) was the most abundant species in terms of biomass. The seasonality was characterised by two peaks (May and December) both in density and biomass. The population density as well as biomass declined with progressive water depth up to 7 m. Beyond 7 m water depth not even a single individual was found.     

Meteorological and Hydrographical Features of Vellayani Lake,Kerala, India

Meteorological, physical and chemical parameters of Vellayani Lake, Kerala, India, have been analysed for twelve months (August 1980 to July 1981), the topography of the lake is described, and correlation coefficients were calculated between meteorological and hydrographical parameters. The results indicate that the lake can be converted into a productive aquafarm by means of slight manuring.     

洪泽湖东部湿地自然保护区雁鸭类种类组成、数量及生境分布

2005年11月18日~12月28日和2006年3月8日~5月8日对洪泽湖东部湿地自然保护区境内淮河入洪泽湖河口处(33°06′~33°07′N,118°29′~118°30′E)雁鸭类的种类组成、数量及生境分布进行了研究。在河道和鱼塘生境分别设置了2个和4个样带(方),共统计到雁鸭类6属18种。与历史记录相比,雁鸭类种类明显减少。11~12月记录到雁鸭类5属12种,优势种为斑嘴鸭(Anas poecilorhyncha)、绿翅鸭(A.crecca)、花脸鸭(A.formosa)和绿头鸭(A.platyrhynchos);2006年3~5月记录到雁鸭类3属8种,优势种为绿翅鸭、白眉鸭(A.querquedula)和斑嘴鸭。研究区域内,11~12月河道与鱼塘生境分布的雁鸭类种类和数量差异均显著,鱼塘生境分布的雁鸭类种类多、数量大,而3~5月河道与鱼塘生境分布的雁鸭类种类差异不明显,数量差异显著,河道生境分布的雁鸭类数量较大。人类活动引起的隐蔽场所和食物资源的变化是造成分布差异的主要原因。     

贵州草海岩溶湿地水体不同形态氮的时空分布特征

为揭示贵州草海岩溶湿地水体中不同形态氮时空分布特征及其变化规律,通过网格布点法采集了该湿地丰、枯水期表层水,并对其不同形态溶解性氮含量进行了测定,运用ArcGIS统计模块分析了草海不同形态氮的时空分布特征,并分析了各形态氮与环境因子之间的相关性.结果表明:草海水体丰、枯水期TN的平均含量分别为(0.96±0.52)、(...