Assessment of Pollution-Induced Microbial Community Tolerance to Heavy Metals in Soil Using Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria and Biolog Assay

This study attempted to investigate if the tolerance of soil bacterial communities in general, and autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in particular, evolved as a result of prolonged exposure to metals, and could be used as an indigenous bioindicator for soil metal pollution. A soil contaminated with copper, chromium, and arsenic (CCA) was mixed with an uncontaminated garden soil (GS3) to make five test soils with different metal concentrations. A modified potential ammonium oxidation assay was used to determine the metal tolerance of the AOB community. Tolerance to Cr, Cu, and As was tested at the beginning and after up to 13 months of incubation. Compared with the reference GS3 soil, the five CCA soils showed significantly higher tolerance to Cr no matter which form of Cr (Cr³⁺, CrO₄ ^2?, or Cr₂O₇ ^2?) was tested, and the Cr tolerance correlated with the total soil Cr concentration. However, the tolerance to Cu²⁺, As³⁺, and As⁵⁺ did not differ significantly between the GS3 soil and the five CCA soils. Community level physiological profiles using Biolog microtiter plates were also used to examine the chromate tolerance of the bacterial communities extracted after six months of exposure. Our results showed that the bacterial community tolerance was altered and increased as the soil Cr concentration was increased, indicating that the culturable microbial community and the AOB community responded in a similar manner.     

Spatial patterns of trees and juveniles in a laurel forest of Tenerife, Canary Islands

Spatial patterns are important characteristics of the forest and theycan reveal such things as successional status and ecological characteristics ofthe species. We tested the hypothesis that spatial distribution will bedifferent, depending on whether the species is intolerant or tolerant to shade.We assessed the spatial distribution of trees (> 4 cm dbh) andjuveniles in eight laurel forest plots. A univariate spatial analysis(performed with Ripley's K₁) showed that all tree species havesignificantaggregation at short distances (2 m). Nevertheless, two groups ofspecies could be differentiated: Erica scoparia,Myrica faya and Ilex canariensisshowed a tendency for aggregation at large distances (larger than 6m)while L. azorica and Prunuslusitanicashowed aggregation only at shorter distances. Ripley's BivariateK_1,2 analyses showed no significant differences in the spatialdistribution ofanalyzed species pairs from a null model. Only Laurusazoricahad a sufficient sample size for analysis of juvenile distribution. Aunivariateanalysis revealed thatL. azorica seedlings (stems < 50 cm high)were clumped in some plots up to 5 m, but this was not consistent.Saplings (stems > 50 cm high and < 4 cm dbh)didnot show strong clumping even at short distances. L.azoricasaplings had no significant aggregation with, nor repulsionfrom, adults of the same or different species. Spatial patterns of the speciesshould be considered in the development of restoration plans of the laurelforest 90%of which has disappeared or been intensively disturbed on Tenerife Island.     

Effects of combined expression of antifungal barley seed proteins in transgenic wheat on powdery mildew infection

Transgenicwheat plants (variety Frisal) constitutively expressing a number of potentialantifungal proteins alone or in combinations were generated and tested forincreased resistance to Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici(powdery mildew) in a detached leaf infection assay. The most significativerateof protection was obtained with an apoplastic ribosome-inactivation proteinfrombarley seed. Apoplastic Barnase was less efficient and individual plant linesharbouring a barley seed chitinase and -1,3-glucanase showed linespecificphenotypes from increased resistance to increased susceptibility. Combinationbycrossing of three barley seed proteins did not lead to significant improvementof protection.     

The role of canopy gaps in the regeneration of coastal dune forest

In regenerating coastal dune forest, the canopy consists almost exclusively of a single species, Acacia karroo. When these trees die, they create large canopy gaps. If this promotes the persistence of pioneer species to the detriment of other forest species, then the end goal of a restored coastal dune forest may be unobtainable. We wished to ascertain whether tree species composition and richness differed significantly between canopy gaps and intact canopy, and across a gradient of gap sizes. In three known‐age regenerating coastal dune forest sites, we measured 146 gaps, the species responsible for gap creation, the species most likely to reach the canopy and the composition of adults, seedlings and saplings. We paired each gap with an adjacent plot of the same area that was entirely under intact canopy and sampled in the same way. Most species (15 of 23) had higher abundance in canopy gaps. The probability of self‐replacement was low for A. karroo even in the largest gaps. Despite this predominance of shade‐intolerant species, regenerating dune forest appears to be in the first phase of succession with ‘forest pioneers’ replacing the dominant canopy species. The nature of these species should lead to successful regeneration of dune forest.     

东北温带森林20种乔木树种叶片干旱容忍性特征

全球范围内干旱频率和强度的增加严重影响树木生长,甚至导致森林大面积死亡。压力-容积(PV)曲线能够反映树木对干旱的容忍能力,但在局域尺度上尚未确定哪个PV曲线参数具有最优指示性。通过测定东北温带森林20种主要树种(包括16种被子植物和4种裸子植物)的PV曲线性状,包括质壁分离时的相对含水量(RWC_tlp)、失膨点叶水势(TLP)、饱和含水时的叶渗透势(π₀)、细胞弹性模量(ε)、叶水容(C_leaf)及叶结构性状(比叶面积和叶密度),研究局域尺度上叶片耐旱性的最佳指示性状,并分析叶片PV性状与结构性状间的相关性。结果表明: 被子植物的RWC_tlp 显著大于裸子植物,但其C_leaf 显著小于裸子植物,这表明用RWC_tlp和C_leaf可以指示东北温带森林不同功能型树种间耐旱性的大小。在被子植物中,TLP和π₀与叶密度呈显著负相关,且均与比叶面积呈显著正相关;而ε与比叶面积呈显著负相关。然而,裸子植物PV曲线性状与叶结构性状之间呈现与被子植物完全相反的趋势。裸子植物与被子植物树种之间PV曲线性状与叶结构性状关系的差异,可能归因于二者采取不同的干旱响应和适应策略。     

Zn(II)对好氧反硝化菌Acinetobacter sp. JR-142的代谢活性影响

【目的】研究不同Zn(Ⅱ)浓度对好氧反硝化菌Acinetobacter sp.JR-142生理活性,尤其是反硝化代谢特性的影响。【方法】筛选一株好氧反硝化菌,优化了最佳活性条件;分析了不同Zn(Ⅱ)浓度对生长曲线和反硝化效率的影响以及对细胞形态的影响;明晰了不同Zn(Ⅱ)浓度条件下,细胞特征活性酶-硝酸盐还原酶和亚硝酸盐还原酶的活性变化情况,分析了不同活性同关键酶的编码基因napA和nirS的相对表达量之间的规律。【结果】获得一株具有好氧反硝化功能的菌株,命名为JR-142,经鉴定为不动杆菌Acinetobacter sp.。在以琥珀酸钠为碳源,C/N为6,pH为7.0,温度30℃,转速为180 r/min的条件下,好氧反硝化活性最高。结果表明当Zn(Ⅱ)浓度为3.25 mg/L时,对菌株的生长及好氧反硝化速率有促进作用;当Zn(Ⅱ)浓度为52 mg/L以上浓度时,菌株的生长及反硝化速率均受到抑制。酶活及关键基因napA、nirS的定量分析结果显示,对照组及JR+0.05处理组的硝酸盐还原酶NR、亚硝酸盐还原酶NiR活性均高于JR+0.8处理组,在24 h时,JR+0.05 Zn(Ⅱ)处理组中,细胞的关键好氧反硝化基因napA及nirS的相对表达量显著高于对照组,这进一步说明3.25 mg/L Zn(Ⅱ)可以促进好氧反硝化过程,而在24 h及32 h时对照组及JR+0.05处理组的基因相对表达量远高于JR+0.8处理组,也说明52 mg/L Zn(Ⅱ)则会对反应产生抑制。【结论】探究并系统分析了不同Zn(Ⅱ)浓度对不动杆菌Acinetobacter sp.JR-142生长繁殖以及和在重金属锌离子存在的情况下影响好氧反硝化生理活性的影响,为后续硝酸盐-重金属复合污染废水的生物处理技术提供了数据指导。     

Evaluation of orange-fleshed sweet potato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ipomoea batatas</Emphasis> L.) genotypes for salt tolerance through shoot apex culture under in vitro NaCl mediated salinity stress conditions

Fifteen genotypes of sweet potato were evaluated for salinity stress tolerance under in vitro NaCl mediated salinity stress conditions (MS, MS + 0.5% and MS + 1.0% NaCl). The growth parameters such as number of leaves, number of shoots, number of roots, length of plantlets and length of roots decreased significantly among the genotypes with increase in level of salinity. Of the 15 genotypes tested, six genotypes (108X1, 90/606, 90/696, CIP 8, S-30X15 and SP-61) were unable to sprout even at 0.5% NaCl and were characterized as susceptible to salt stress, three genotypes (CIP 6, 90/774 and CIP 3) which could tolerate 0.5% NaCl as moderately tolerant and six genotypes (CIP 12, CIP 13, JO 14, JP 13, SB-198/115 and Gouri) as tolerant to salinity at 1.0% NaCl. Amongst the six genotypes showing tolerance to 1.0% NaCl, the exotic genotypes––JP 13, CIP 12 and indigenous one SB-198/115 continued to exhibit significant higher values for growth parameters over the susceptible one. Based on the performance under NaCl mediated salinity stress (1.0%), the pattern of salinity tolerance in the genotypes through shoot apex culture was JP 13 > SB-198/115 > JO 14 > Gouri > CIP 12 > CIP 13. The effect of salt stress on the activity of antioxidative enzymes was studied in leaves of 8-week-old plantlets of those six genotypes, which responded at higher NaCl stress along with a susceptible genotype 90/606. In leaves of salt stressed plants, superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) activities increased when compared with the stress free control. The increase was more pronounced in the tolerant genotypes than that in the susceptible one. These results indicate that oxidative stress may play an important role in salt stressed sweet potato plants and that the greater protection of tolerant plants from salt induced oxidative damage results, at least in part, through the increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes.     

Satiation-dependent, intra-cohort variations in prey size selection of young roach (Rutilus rutilus)

The tolerance to freezing and thawing of Leucodon sciuroides, a moss growing in mountainous areas of the Mediterranean (south-east Spain), was investigated by means of CO₂ gas exchange, modulated chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence and pigment analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. Evidence is presented for freezing-induced decreases in CO₂ fixation that enhance non-radiative dissipation of absorbed light energy, a process which protects the photosynthetic apparatus. The photosynthetic apparatus of L. sciuroides remained fully recuperable after freezing, as indicated by the recovery of photosynthetic CO₂ fixation and Chl fluorescence parameters to pre-freezing values during thawing. The rapid recovery of photosynthesis activity during thawing in L. sciuroides suggests that this moss is capable of tolerating freeze-thaw cycles in a manner similar to that found at higher latitudes or in the Antarctic. The resistance of the photosynthetic apparatus of this moss to freezing might be achieved, at least partially, through the employment of dissipative pathways, such as non-radiative dissipation of absorbed light energy. Received: 4 June 1998 / Accepted: 15 February 1999     

Avian diversity and function across the world's most populous cities

Understanding the composition of urban wildlife communities is crucial to promote biodiversity, ecosystem function and links between nature and people. Using crowdsourced data from over five million eBird checklists, we examined the influence of urban characteristics on avian richness and function at 8443 sites within and across 137 global cities. Under half of the species from regional pools were recorded in cities, and we found a significant phylogenetic signal for urban tolerance. Site-level avian richness was positively influenced by the extent of open forest, cultivation and wetlands and avian functional diversity by wetlands. Functional diversity co-declined with richness, but groups including granivores and aquatic birds occurred even at species-poor sites. Cities in arid areas held a higher percentage of regional species richness. Our results indicate commonalities in the influence of habitat on richness and function, as well as lower niche availability, and phylogenetic diversity across the world's cities.