THE PROCESSING OF UNCONFINED,NATURALLY ENTRAINED LEAVES IN TWO LOW-ORDER SOUTHERN AFRICAN MOUNTAIN STREAMS

Summary

Breakdown of unconfined and confined leaves of the riparian tree Brabejum stellatifolium L. was investigated in two low order mountain streams (Window Stream and Langrivier) in the southwestern Cape, South Africa. At both sites, 5000 unconfined leaves were released in April and another 5000 in December 1990. The leaves were marked and half of them presoaked in river water prior to release. Leaves reaching a net 100 m below the point of release were removed periodically. On termination of the experiments, the study reaches were cleared of the remaining marked leaves. The distance which these leaves had travelled, and the retentive feature at which they were found were recorded. All leaves were weighed after recovery. In December 1990, leaves confined in coarse-mesh bags were placed on the stream beds of the two sites. Decay rates of unconfined leaves differed between streams and seasons but not between wetted and dry leaves or those of contrasting initial size and weight. In winter, breakdown of unconfined leaves was rapid (t₅₀ of 6.6d and 23.9d for Langrivier and Window Stream respectively). In summer, breakdown of unconfined leaves was slower (t₅₀ of 58d, Langrivier), but more rapid than leaves confined in mesh bags (t₅₀ of 77d, Langrivier). Distance travelled downstream had no significant effect on leaf breakdown. Different retentive features resulted in different rates of decay. Leaf weight loss in winter and summer at both sites was greatest in riffles (17–80%) and runs (21–78%). In all cases, stranded (exposed and out of the water) leaves lost the least weight (4–38%).     

THE BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE FAUNA OF A SOUTH AFRICAN MOUNTAIN STREAM AND ITS RESPONSE TO FIRE

Summary

The effects of a late-summer prescribed burn on the temperature and benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of a south-western Cape mountain stream were investigated over a period of 12 months. Temperature and discharge regimes appear well-defined and relatively predictable from year to year. As in other mediterranean-type ecosystems, seasonal changes in the structure of the invertebrate community and the relative abundance of different feeding groups appear to be associated primarily with changes in the physical environment. Distinctive summer and winter communities were identified, with chironomids dominating the fauna in summer and simuliids dominant in winter. Although the riparian vegetation was only slightly damaged by the fire, a heavy, aseasonal leaf-fall occurred shortly afterwards. The canopy remained sparse for approximately four months. Stream temperature in the post-burn year was not demonstrably affected by increased exposure to solar radiation, however, probably because the canopy remained open during the winter months. The fire appeared to have little effect on the invertebrate fauna. Apart from five rare elements of the biota, all species recorded in the pre-burn year were present in the post-burn year and in similar densities. It is concluded that the riparian vegetation is of major importance in maintaining the integrity of the stream environment.     

Involvement of Microorganisms in the Formation of Carbonate Speleothems in the Cervo Cave (L'Aquila-Italy)

Much is known about the bacterial precipitation of carbonate rocks, but comparatively little is known about the involvement of microbes in the formation of secondary mineral structures in caves. We hypothesized that bacteria isolated from calcareous stalactites, which are able to mediate CaCO₃ precipitation in vitro, play a role in the formation of carbonate speleothems. We collected numerous cultivable calcifying bacteria from calcareous speleothems from Cervo cave, implying that their presence was not occasional. The relative abundance of calcifying bacteria among total cultivable microflora was found to be related to the calcifying activity in the stalactites. We also determined the δ ¹³C and δ ¹⁸ O values of the Cervo cave speleothems from which bacteria were isolated and of the carbonates obtained in vitro to determine whether bacteria were indeed involved in the formation of secondary mineral structures. We identified three groups of biological carbonates produced in vitro at 11°C on the basis of their carbon isotopic composition: carbonates with δ ¹³C values (a) slightly more positive, (b) more negative, and (c) much more negative than those of the stalactite carbonates. The carbonates belonging to the first group, characterized by the most similar δ ¹³C values to stalactites, were produced by the most abundant strains. Most of calcifying isolates belonged to the genus Kocuria. Scanning electron microscopy showed that dominant morphologies of the bioliths were sherulithic with fibrous radiated interiors. We suggest a mechanism of carbonate crystal formation by bacteria.     

Microbial Communities in Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Their Function as Indicators of Water Quality

Abstract

The objective of this study was to establish meaningful relationships between prokaryotic community profiles and water quality parameters in different water bodies (spring, stream, cave, and mine) in the middle reach of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park (C&O), Maryland. The microbial profiles in the water samples were determined using metagenomic analysis. The relationships between microbial phylogenetic profiles and water quality parameters were investigated using principal component analysis (PCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA). The most abundant phyla identified in most samples were Proteobacteria (55.4%), Bacteroidetes (12.3%), Actinobacteria (10.6%), Firmicutes (2.4%), Planktomycetes (1.8%), Verrucomicrobia (1.5%), Chloroflexi (1.5%), and Acidobacteria (1.3%), which are major bacterial and archaeal groups typically observed in natural freshwater environments. PCA showed that water chemistry was determined primarily by the geology of the site and the type of water source (i.e., spring, stream, cave, or mine). Most samples located in carbonate formations correlated with high alkalinity, inorganic carbon, and calcium, representing the typical karstic geochemistry. RDA shows that pH, electrical conductivity, temperature and nutrients including nitrate, phosphate, and sulfate, were significant determinants of the microbial ecology.     

Role of the Dinaric Karst (western Balkans) in shaping the phylogeographic structure of the threatened crayfish Austropotamobius torrentium

1. This study examines phylogeography and phylogeny of the threatened stone crayfish, Austropotamobius torrentium, in order to elucidate the role of the Dinaric Karst geology in shaping the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of aquatic fauna in the western Balkans. Mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI genes were partially sequenced from 188 and 159 crayfish, respectively, sampled from 70 localities. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using four methods of phylogenetic inference. Divergence times between phylogroups were estimated in a Bayesian framework, and their demographic history was examined using neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis. 2. Seven geographically localised phylogroups separated by pronounced genetic gaps were found. Five of them have a distribution range within the northern‐central Dinaric (NCD) region, while the remaining two include populations from the southern Balkans (SB) and central and south‐eastern Europe (CSE). The oldest divergence event separated two NCD lineages from the rest of populations in the Late Miocene or Early Pliocene. Divergences amongst the five NCD phylogroups and SB + CSE occurred in the Pliocene. The most recent split separated SB and CSE phylogroups during the Late Pliocene. For both genes, uncorrected pairwise divergences between most of the phylogroups (4.1–8.7% for COI and 1.6–4.8% for 16S rRNA) were of the same range as, or higher than, some of the interspecific distances previously reported for the genus Austropotamobius. 3. Geographically isolated and deeply divergent cryptic monophyletic phylogroups within A. torrentium in the NCD region arose in the course of intensification of Neotectonic movements during the Pliocene and the beginning of the Pleistocene and the development of karstification that has heavily fragmented the palaeohydrography of the area. The results confirm a gradual north–south expansion of stone crayfish during the pre‐Pleistocene that preceded the rapid northward post‐glacial re/colonisation of central Europe (CSE phylogroup) through the Danube drainage. 4. Austropotamobius torrentium comprises morphologically cryptic but molecularly distinct taxa. Considering the relatively small geographical areas they inhabit, the NCD phylogroups of stone crayfish should be given the highest conservation priority.     

喀斯特季节性雨林蚬木种群的增长模型

蚬木是喀斯特季节性雨林的优势种和特征种,研究蚬木种群的增长过程将为深入理解喀斯特季节性雨林动态提供基础。根据一个15hm2固定样地的调查数据,采用logistic模型及其4种改进模型对蚬木种群的增长过程进行了拟合,用残差平方和、决定系数和AIC准则对拟合的模型进行评价。结果表明:李新运模型和刘金福模型的拟合效果较好,但综合考虑模型的拟合效果和模型的简洁性,logistic模型和S形增长过程模型为较优模型。用logistic模型对蚬木种群的增长过程进行深入分析发现,种群增长最快的时期为50a左右,而在150a后,种群逐渐进入增长饱和期。种群目前接近增长饱和期,所以应加强保护,以维持蚬木群落的稳定发展。     

岩溶区和非岩溶区两种优势植物凋落叶分解的比较研究

应用野外分解网袋法对岩溶地区和非岩溶地区两种优势树种桂花和青冈栎凋落叶的分解速率和养分释放规律进行研究。结果表明:分解1年后,凋落叶失重率桂花大于青冈栎,同一物种岩溶区大于非岩溶区。凋落叶各元素浓度随分解时间变化也有一定差异,C含量均表现为初期上升,后下降,最后上升的趋势;N含量前半年呈波动状态,后半年逐渐上升;P含量处波动状态,总体呈上升趋势。N、P含量和凋落叶失重率均表现为极显著正相关,而C:N、C:P、N:P与凋落叶失重率呈极显著负相关(P<0.01),说明凋落叶分解过程中失重率与N、P含量及C:N、C:P、N:P关系密切。凋落叶桂花N、P含量比青冈栎高,分解速率也比较快。     

喀斯特峰丛坡地不同土地利用方式下土壤N、P空间变异特征

基于网格点(5 mx5 m)采样法采集土壤样品,利用经典统计学和地统计学方法,研究了喀斯特峰丛坡地不同土地利用方式(火烧迹地、刈割地、草地、封育地)下表层(0～20cm)土壤氮、磷的空间变异特性.结果表明:研究区4种不同土地利用方式土壤全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、速效氮(AN)、速效磷(AP)均为中等程度变异,含量分别为5.40 ～6.26 g·kg-1、1.24 ～1.44 g·kg-1、365.87～507.32 mg·kg-1、3.91 ～8.04 mg·kg-1,封育地、火烧迹地土壤质量优于草地和刈割地;4种土地利用方式中火烧AN、火烧AP、刈割AN、封育TN的半方差函数最佳拟合模型为球状模型,火烧TN、刈割TN、刈割AP最佳拟合模型为指数模型,其他指标的最佳拟合模型均为高斯模型.刈割TP、火烧TP、草地TP、刈割TN、火烧AP、草地AP、封育TP表现为强烈的空间自相关性,其他土壤养分表现为中等的空间自相关.4种土地利用类型土壤TN与AN、TP与AP具有相似的空间分布格局.火烧、刈割处理TN和AN呈凹形分布,TP和AP呈单峰分布特征,中下坡含量最高,往两端含量逐渐降低;草地TN、AN、TP、AP 4种养分含量均随着坡位的升高而降低;封育样地中4种养分呈类似凹形分布,中间含量低,两端略微升高.土地利用方式的变化改变了喀斯特峰丛坡地土壤养分质量,造成了土壤养分空间格局的变化,因此,在地形破碎、土层浅薄的喀斯特地区进行生态恢复与重建时,应采取合理土地利用方式,进行保护和适度开发,提高喀斯特退化生态系统土壤质量.