Elevated atmospheric CO2 increases microbial growth rates in soil: results of three CO2 enrichment experiments

Increasing the belowground translocation of assimilated carbon by plants grown under elevated CO₂ can cause a shift in the structure and activity of the microbial community responsible for the turnover of organic matter in soil. We investigated the long‐term effect of elevated CO₂ in the atmosphere on microbial biomass and specific growth rates in root‐free and rhizosphere soil. The experiments were conducted under two free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) systems: in Hohenheim and Braunschweig, as well as in the intensively managed forest mesocosm of the Biosphere 2 Laboratory (B2L) in Oracle, AZ. Specific microbial growth rates (μ) were determined using the substrate‐induced respiration response after glucose and/or yeast extract addition to the soil. For B2L and both FACE systems, up to 58% higher μ were observed under elevated vs. ambient CO₂, depending on site, plant species and N fertilization. The μ‐values increased linearly with atmospheric CO₂ concentration at all three sites. The effect of elevated CO₂ on rhizosphere microorganisms was plant dependent and increased for: Brassica napus=Triticum aestivum<Beta vulgaris<Populus deltoides. N deficiency affected microbial growth rates directly (N limitation) and indirectly (changing the quantity of fine roots). So, 50% decrease in N fertilization caused the overall increase or decrease of microbial growth rates depending on plant species. The μ‐value increase was lower for microorganisms growing on yeast extract then for those growing on glucose, i.e. the effect of elevated CO₂ was smoothed on rich vs. simple substrate. So, the r/K strategies ratio can be better revealed by studying growth on simple (glucose) than on rich substrate mixtures (yeast extract). Our results clearly showed that the functional characteristics of the soil microbial community (i.e. specific growth rates) rather than total microbial biomass amount are sensitive to increased atmospheric CO₂. We conclude that the more abundant available organics released by roots at elevated CO₂ altered the ecological strategy of the soil microbial community specifically a shift to a higher contribution of fast‐growing r‐selected species was observed. These changes in functional structure of the soil microbial community may counterbalance higher C input into the soil under elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration.     

Molecular Characterization of Microbial Population Dynamics during Sildenafil Citrate Degradation

Little is known about pharmaceutical and personal care products pollutants (PPCPs), but there is a growing interest in how they might impact the environment and microbial communities. The widespread use of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) has attracted great attention because of the high usage rate, the unpredictable disposal and the unknown potential effects on wildlife and the environment. Until now information regarding the impact of Viagra on microbial community in water environment has not been reported. In this research, for the first time, the genetic profile of the microbial community, developing in a Viagra polluted water environment, was evaluated by means of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes, for bacteria and fungi, respectively, amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and separated using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique. The DGGE results revealed a complex microbial community structure with most of the population persisting throughout the experimental period. DNA sequences from bands observed in the different denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles exhibited the highest degree of identity to uncultured bacteria and fungi found previously mainly in polluted environmental and treating bioreactors. Biotransformation ability of sildenafil citrate by the microbial pool was studied and the capability of these microorganisms to detoxify a polluted water ecosystem was assessed. The bacterial and fungal population was able to degrade sildenafil citrate entirely. Additionally, assays conducted on Daphnia magna, algal growth inhibition assay and cell viability determination on HepG2 human cells showed that biotransformation products obtained from the bacterial growth was not toxic. The higher removal efficiency for sildenafil citrate and the lack of toxicity by the biotransformation products obtained showed that the microbial community identified here represented a composite population that might have biotechnological relevance to retrieve sildenafil citrate contaminated sites.     

变化光周期对丽斗蟋(Velarifictonus ornatus)若虫发育的影响

为弄清湖南株洲丽斗蟋若虫的季节适应策略,研究了恒定及变化光周期对其若虫发育的调控.结果表明,丽斗蟋若虫发育明显受变化光周期的影响.25℃温度条件下,3个光周期条件下的若虫发育都较慢,羽化也极不整齐,长日条件(LD 16:8h)、中间日照条件(LD 14:10h)和短日条件(LD 12:12h)的若虫发育历期(mean±SD)分别为(206.2±44.0)d、(236.6±93.3)d和(230.3±47.4)d,若虫从开始羽化到供试个体全部完成羽化所需时间分别为216、301和156d,经历短日条件的若虫转移至长日条件后能够促进其快速发育,羽化也很整齐,反方向转移则会抑制若虫发育,且羽化也不整齐.30℃温度条件下,恒定长日条件下的若虫发育明显快于短日条件,变化光周期对若虫发育的调控与25℃相类似.变化光周期对若虫发育的影响与光周期的变化方向及低龄若虫感受的光周期类型有关.丽斗蟋若虫复杂的光周期反应模式的生态意义在于调节其生活史与季节同步.     

武夷山自然保护区郁闭稳定甜槠林与人为干扰甜槠林物多样性比较

研究了武夷山自然保护区郁闭稳定甜槠林与人为干扰甜槠林的物种多样性,分别利用物种丰富度指数,Ｓｈａｎｎｏｎ－Ｗｉｅｎｅｒ指数、Ｐｉｅｌｏｕ均匀度和Ｓｉｍｐｓｏｎ指数作了比较。结果表明郁闭稳定甜储林的物种丰富度为１１．３７０４,Ｓｈａｎｎｏｎ－Ｗｉｅｎｅｒ指数为３．９４０４,均匀度为６３．０５％,Ｓｉｍｐｓｏｎ指数为６．３７０;人为干扰后的甜槠林的各项物种多样性指数值远比闭林高,分别为２０．０４７９、     

昆虫多次交配的策略和利益

简要回顾昆虫交配系统的研究历史,并简述Bateman的性选择原理,讨论雌雄昆虫在交配过程中的角色和性选择压力的相对关系。一般而言,由于雌雄两性在交配过程中的角色和对后代投入的不同,往往是雄虫试图与尽可能多的雌虫交配,即雄虫使自己被尽可能多的雌虫接受,雌虫选择最好的雄虫进行交配,即雌虫选择交配对象。雄虫因而发展出各种类型的交配策略,以获取与更多雌虫的交配机会;而雌虫也通过交配选择权,选择对自己更有利的雄虫进行交配,雌虫在交配过程中除了可以获得基因利益,还可以获取物质利益。文章分别就昆虫的交配策略和利益展开叙述和讨论。     

澳大利亚外来入侵物种管理策略及对我国的借鉴意义

澳大利亚是一个岛状大陆,海洋运输业十分发达,通过贸易,旅游,运输等途径有意或无间引进有害外来物种的风险较大。澳大利亚政府高度重视外来入侵物种的管理工作,制定了《澳大利亚国家生物多样性保护策略》,针对外来杂草和通过压舱水载入的海洋外来入侵物种的管理制定了《国家杂草策略》,《杂草风险评价系统》和《压舱水指南》等法规和技术性文件,加强了对外来入侵物种的管理。本文简要介绍了澳大利亚外来入侵物种管理的有关策略和指南,并提出了我国在外来入侵物种管理方面的对策建议;（1）尽快建立相应的法规体系,实现外来入侵物种的依法管理;（2）加强机构建设,形成多部门的协调管理机制;（3）加强外来入侵物种管理制度的建设;（4）采取适当的引进预防,消除,控制和恢复措施;（5）开展科学研究,为外来入侵物种的管理提供科学依据;（6）制定教育和培训计划,提高公众意识。     

温度对超高浓度酒精生料发酵体系的影响

通过对超高底物浓度生料发酵中温度的影响研究发现,采用温度梯度的方法可大幅提高酵母的生产效率。以高粱为例,采用35%绝对干物浓度,在新型生料水解酶的配合下,通过合适的逐级降温培养方式,使用普通酒精干酵母,在90h内发酵醪液酒精浓度可达20%(V/V)以上。     

基于边界分析的民营医院发展问题的探析和启示

采用文献边界分析,形成问题系统并进行边界分析。基于问题视角,指出解决问题的思路包括需完善政府和民营医院对其发展定位和管理,重塑医院品牌等。基于研究视角,指出民营医院的研究需与实践紧密配合,考虑研究设计的合理性和策略措施的可操作性等。     

基于生物生态因子分析的长序榆保护策略

长序榆是我国二级重点保护的濒危植物,对研究榆属、榆科植物的系统发生有重要意义,并且具有潜在的经济价值。研究长序榆的生境特点,对该种的引种、科学保护有重大意义,通过对分布在我国的长序榆近两年的踏查发现,长序榆主要集中在我国的安徽、浙江、江西和福建等省,长序榆生境已经严重片段化,自然干扰和人为干扰是造成其濒临灭绝的主要原因。长序榆多分布在海拔600—900 m的阳坡或半阳坡上,其中最大的种群分布在浙江开化和遂昌,分布区的特殊地势使其成为长序榆的冰期避难所。对18项生物学、生态学指标的主成分分析结果表明,影响长序榆生存的主要环境因子是:光照、土壤养分、坡向和海拔。对浙江松阳、江西武宁和福建南平数量极少的种群需优先进行迁地保护,积极引种栽培;而对于安徽歙县、浙江临安、开化和遂昌等大种群分布区,应该扩大核心保护区面积,避免人为破坏。     

濒危物种金斑喙凤蝶的行为特征及其对生境的适应性

金斑喙凤蝶(Teinopalpus aureus)1985年被IUCN列为红色名录种,1989年被我国列为一级保护种,此后便日益受到人们关注,然而,至今为止对其野外生存、行为及生境适应等认识仍很模糊。在广西金秀县大瑶山设定4个研究区域,以线路调查法计数成虫与幼期个体数,定点跟踪观察法记录成虫交配行为、产卵行为、幼虫取食行为等。结果显示:金斑喙凤蝶主要在湿季(4—10月底,月降水量>50 mm)生长、发育与繁殖后代。金斑喙凤蝶在行为上表现出对温度的主动选择性,幼虫在17—24℃时取食行为活跃,雄蝶在19—26℃时山顶行为活跃,均表现出中温选择性;然而,雌蝶多选择在正午时刻产卵,期间温度为27—30℃,表现出高温选择性。雄蝶活动对生境地形表现出主动选择性,(87.34±7.58)%(n=339)的雄蝶选择飞向山顶,他们每日上午6:00至11:00在山顶聚集,绕圈飞行或停息,而以山顶停息为主,占山顶活动时间的(77.87±19.32)%。雄蝶通常停息在山顶的高枝位叶片上或山顶周缘的叶片上,以便迅速发现并拦截飞经的雌蝶,获得交配机会。因而,金斑喙凤蝶在交配策略上主要采取雄蝶等候的方式。停息期间,雄蝶表现出明显的占区行为,首先停息在某一区域的雄蝶在领域权竞争中通常都是最后的胜利者,赢得领域,获得更多交配机会。野外观察发现,金斑喙凤蝶的天敌种类较多,野外存活率偏低,最后羽化率仅为38.9%(n=20)。对于存活个体而言,他们已明显进化形成一套复杂的防御体系,主要包括由保护色、颜色拟态、形状拟态等组建的初级防御体系和由眼斑展示、身体晃动、Y-腺伸出等组建的次级防御体系。另外,老熟幼虫多选择在林下层的灌木丛或竹丛的隐蔽枝条上化蛹,化蛹高度为(1.82±1.58)m(n=20),这种对化蛹场所的主动选择行为可提高其蛹期的防御能力。研究结果说明,在自然选择作用下,金斑喙凤蝶对其阔叶林生境的适应性行为特征非常明显,然而,生境破坏(砍伐等)或人类强度干扰(林下层垦殖等)将使这些适应性行为失效,并威胁到该珍稀蝴蝶种群的繁衍生息,甚至导致局部灭绝的发生。