Viable airborne fungi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

An aerobiological study to identify and quantify allergenic fungi and their seasonal fluctuations was conducted at two different sites, (Al-Batha, a more developed area in the south and Al-Ulia, a less developed area in the north) in Riyadh city, using portable Personal Volumetric Air Sampler (Burkard Manufacturing Co., England). Sampling was conducted twice a week in both the morning and in the afternoon at both sites, for a period of 12 months. Airborne fungi were grouped into major and minor components depending upon their frequency of appearance and catch percentage in the air. Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Alternaria spp. and Ulocladium spp. were included as major components. Minor components included Drechslera spp., Rhizopus spp., Fusarium spp. and Stachybotryis spp. In general, higher concentrations of fungi were found at the developed (Al-Batha) site than at the less developed (Al-Ulia) site, both in the morning and in the afternoon.     

A small-scale survey of intestinal parasite infections among children and adolescents in Legaspi city, the Philippines

To determine the status of infection caused by intestinal parasites among children and adolescents living in Legaspi city, the Philippines, we performed a small survey by fecal examination for helminth ova and protozoan cysts with formalin-ether concentration method. Of the 64 examinees, the infection rate was 78.1%. The infection rates of primary school children, preschool children and adolescents were 95.5%, 64.7% and 87.5%, respectively. The infection rate in urban areas was 56%, and 92.3% in rural areas. The infection rates were 51% with Trichuris trichiura, 40% with Ascaris lumbricoides, 23.4% with hookworm, 15.6% with Iodamoeba butschlii, 14.1% with Endolimax nana, 9.4% with Entamoeba coli and 7.8% with Giardia lamblia. There were 33 cases with multiple infection (51.6%). Mixed infection with more than 3 parasites was observed in 15 cases, all of them being children and adolescents living in rural areas. By this survey, it was conjectured that helminthic infection is prevalent among children and adolescents in Legaspi, Philippines.     

Floristic diversity along the roadsides of an urban biodiversity hotspot in Indian Himalayas

In the urban landscapes, scientific understanding of the roadside vegetation is a prerequisite for better planning and designing of sustainable cities. The Srinagar city, located in the Indian Himalayas, represents an urban biodiversity hotspot but the information about the floristic diversity especially along its roadsides is lacking. In order to fill this knowledge gap, the present study using field-based plant collection surveys was undertaken to investigate the floristic diversity growing along the roadsides of Srinagar. A total of 206 vascular plant species were recorded with the proportion of alien species relatively higher (52%) than the native species (48%). Of the 108 alien species, 24 were invasive, 44 naturalized, 12 casual and 23 were cultivated. Most of the species were herbs (165 spp.) and the majority of these were wild growing (155 spp.). Based on Raunkiaer’s lifeform characterization, therophytes (94 spp.) were the most dominant. Interestingly, the therophytes harboured the highest number of alien species (50 spp.), followed by phanerophytes (29 spp.). There was significant difference between the floristic spectrum obtained during the present study and the normal Raunkiaer’s spectrum. The present study provides policy-relevant baseline data which can guide the urban planners to develop sustainable planning in this Himalayan city.     

Linking city‐level input–output table to urban energy footprint: Construction framework and application

Multiregion input–output (MRIO) models have become increasingly important in economic and environmental analysis. However, the current resolution of most MRIO models fails to capture the heterogeneity between subregions, especially in cities. The lack of city‐level MRIO tables has impeded the accomplishment of city‐level studies and hampered the understanding of the relationship between urban growth and consumption, and teleconnections to other regions. In this paper, we propose a partial survey‐based multiple‐layer framework for MRIO table compilation of a Chinese province that distinguishes city‐based regions. This framework can effectively address a large number of data processes and retain consistency between layers. Using the framework, we first compile a nested Hebei‐China city‐level MRIO table and then apply city‐level energy footprint accounting of the North China urban agglomeration. Our results present the critical role of Hebei cities in energy supply in 2012 and quantify energy use embodied in goods for the domestic trade. Tangshan, Shijiazhuang, and Handan are distinctive cities in the energy supply chain of other regions, for both less developed and developed regions. This multiple‐layer framework represents a feasible approach for developing subregional‐level MRIO models and offers the possibility to analyze global trade at the subregional level with limited data. The data and results from the analysis in this article are available for download from China Emission Accounts and Datasets.     

驿路视角下的古代城湖分布探析

研究中国的历史名城常会发现一个有趣的现象,多数历史名城往往会有湖泊相伴,如杭州西湖、南宁南湖、肇庆星湖等。这些城市湖泊与古代城市发展密切相关,但其与古代城市在历史发展之间的共振关系,还处在开放的研究之中。对其分布的结构性特征还未有结论。根据唐代以来逐渐形成的正南线和东南线2条古代驿路结构主线,同时比对历史文献记载中中国古代的“城市—湖泊”系统的分布,进而初步形成一个结构性的认识。中国古代“城湖”体系的形成,与自唐宋起始的大规模地方州府城市的建设密切相关,同时亦是适应中国胡焕庸线以东南,以丘陵地貌为主的自然山水本底。这对于揭示中国古代城市近郊基于自然山水本底而营造的山水风景的历史形成,具有重要意义。     

The Level of Particulate Matter on Foliage Depends on the Distance from the Source of Emission

One of the most dangerous inhaled pollutants is particulate matter (PM). PM in inhaled air have a negative impact on human wellbeing and health, and may even cause deaths. Where pollutants have been emitted into the outdoor atmosphere, the only possible method for cleaning the air is through phytoremediation, a form of environmental biotechnology, where plants act as biological filters for pollutants. This study compared PM levels on the leaves of Tilia cordata Mill. trees growing in locations at increasing distances from the source of the PM emission. Significant differences between individual trees growing at a distance of between 3 m and 500 m from the road edge were found in: (i) the mass of PM that accumulated on leaves (total, surface, in-wax and the three determined size fractions) and (ii) the amount of waxes deposited on leaves.     

四川省万源市野生腊梅资源调查研究

开展了四川省万源市野生腊梅资源调查研究,旨在进一步摸清家底,为地方政府制定经济发展规划和进行植物资源保护与合理开发以及腊梅科研提供重要参考资料。调查结果表明,万源野生腊梅保存较为完好,分布面积极广,分布较为集中,生境极其恶劣,变异类型较为丰富,初步调查有33个,伴生植物主要以灌草类为主。根据万源野生腊梅开发利用与保护现状、开发应用前景等,初步提出了保护利用方略。     

两岸典型城市生态功能网络的组成与结构

城市景观的发展加速了景观结构的更新,亦使得景观功能日趋完备;同时,由于城市化亦衍生了景观破碎化以及城市热岛效应等一系列限制当前城市发展的环境问题。因此,城市景观优化必须在充分考虑经济和生态双重需求的前提下,寻求与自然生态体系协调的生态问题解决途径。本文通过对城市生态网络组成与结构的现状分析,阐明城市生态系统间的空间关系,以网络结构的优化达到保护生态环境,提高城市整体开放空间价值的目标。选择经济发展稳定且生态环境良好的中国台湾乌溪流域(台中地区)及深圳市为研究区,通过耗费距离模型评价两岸典型城市生态网络结构。结果表明:两地城市生态功能网络均受城市发展影响,生态中心与社会经济中心的空间位置出现显著的两极化,且生态功能中心与联系中心并不吻合,使得生态功能的流动与传输更依赖于城市范围内的生态组分与结构通达性。因此,为提升城市生态功能,需从强化生态功能网络结构入手,整合城市内的生态景观单元,提高关键生态节点的通达性,进而优化城市景观生态。     

柳州市野生蛇资源调查分析

目的为了解本市野生蛇种类资源状况。方法进行市场调查、询问、采访蛇农、实地考查相结合。结果共收集蛇标本57条,经鉴定共分5科15属26种。结论本市蛇种资源并不丰富,但捕捉现象严重,应加强宣传,提高保护意识。     

江西武夷山自然保护区蝶类区系结构及垂直分布

据有较详细分布资料的227种蝶类昆虫分析,武夷山蝶类属东洋界范畴;垂直分布研究结果表明,武夷山蝶类从山麓至山顶,随着海拔升高,东洋界种类递减,古北界成分逐渐增多,尤以海拔1100m以上更加明显;在海拔1800m以上东洋界种被古北及古北跨区系种所替代。本文对武夷山蝶类水平分布的南北限和垂直分布的上限及它们的相互关系作了探讨。