Ecosystems patterns and dynamics in Haihe river basin

Research on ecosystems patterns and dynamics is critical for understanding the regional problems of resources and environment. In this study, based on the technology of RS and GIS, the composition, patterns and dynamics of the ecosystems in Haihe river basin during 1990–2005 were analyzed using landscape indices including the area of average patches, aggregation index and Shannon–Weaver diversity index. According to the development situation of economy and society in Haihe river basin, some driving factors for dynamics of ecosystems patterns were concluded based on correlation analysis. Results showed that the ecosystems patterns in Haihe river basin changed greatly from 1990 to 2005. The area of urban and grassland increased, but farmland, forest and wetland decreased. As for landscape indices, the area of average patches, value of aggregation index, clump index and diversity index all increased, indicating the trend of evenness for the whole ecosystems. Growth of population, economy growth together with urbanization and policy were the main driving factors for dynamics of ecosystem pattern in this basin.     

A multiproxy palaeoecological record of Holocene lake sediments from the Rio Tapajós, eastern Amazonia

Two sediment cores up to 42 m in length were raised from the wide, deep, section of the lower Tapajós River, Amazonia, referred to as Lago Tapajós. These cores reveal a history of subtle environmental change that began with the formation of Lago Tapajós as sea level rose about 11,000 years ago. The sediments of the lake were deposited fairly quickly—at a rate of ca. 4 m per millennium and are uniformly fine grained, with low organic content. The fossil pollen record derived from these sediments reveals that forest surrounded this site throughout the Holocene. The largest change in the core took place between ca. 5500 and 4200 cal. years BP and reflects a transition from coarser to finer sediments. Coincident with the change in sediment is a slight transition in the pollen spectra with an increase in Poaceae abundance at the expense of the pioneer tree Cecropia cecropia. A tentative explanation is offered in which increased human activity, possibly spurred by climatic change, resulted in the formation of some local grasslands. However, despite the apparent actions of humans, there is no indication of basin-wide transformation of landscapes in this record. The Holocene persistence of forest as the dominant landscape matrix around Lago Tapajós is supported by low δ¹³C values and by the constant geochemistry and mineralogy of the lake sediments.     

The influence of reduced flow during a drought on patterns of variation in macroinvertebrate assemblages across a spatial hierarchy in two lowland rivers

1. With the aim of determining whether patterns of variation in macroinvertebrate assemblage composition across the hierarchy of spatial units in two lowland rivers changed during a supra‐seasonal drought (1997–2000), patterns during a reduced flow season (1999–2000) were compared with those during two preceding higher flow seasons (1997–98 and 1998–99) using samples from the Glenelg and Wimmera Rivers, two lowland regulated rivers in western Victoria, Australia. 2. We hypothesised that (i) differences between reaches would increase during the reduced flow season owing to decreased hydrological connectivity, (ii) differences between the habitats would decrease because the cessation of flow in run habitats should cause them to become more similar to pool habitats and (iii) differences between microhabitats would also decrease because of reduced scour of inorganic substrata and large woody debris. 3. During each season, macroinvertebrates were sampled from three microhabitats (sand/silt substratum, large woody debris and macrophytes) that were hierarchically nested within a run or pool habitat and within one of three reaches within each river. A range of physico‐chemical variables was also sampled. 4. Analysis of similarity showed that assemblage composition in both rivers during the higher flow seasons differed more among microhabitats than other spatial units. However, during the reduced flow season, assemblage composition in the Wimmera River differed most among reaches. This change in pattern was associated with the combined effects of decreased flow and longitudinal increases in salinity. In contrast, the fauna of the Glenelg River appeared to be resistant to the effects of the reduced flow season, owing to limited decline in water quality despite lower river discharge. 5. As salinisation and poor water quality in the Wimmera River result from human activities in the catchment, these results support the idea that human impacts on rivers can change macroinvertebrate scaling patterns and exacerbate the effects of drought beyond the tolerance of many riverine macroinvertebrates.     

Tolerance to Zinc Deficiency in Rice Correlates with Zinc Uptake and Translocation

To study variation in zinc efficiency (ZE) among current Chinese rice genotypes, a pot experiment was conducted with 15 aerobic and 8 lowland rice genotypes. Aerobic rice is currently bred by crossing lowland with upland rice genotypes, for growth in an aerobic cultivation system, which is saving water and producing high yields. A Zn deficient clay soil was used in our screening. Zn deficiency resulted in a marked decrease in shoot dry matter production of most genotypes after 28 days of growth. Genotypes were ranked according to their tolerance to Zn deficiency based on ZE, expressed as the ratio of shoot dry weight at Zn deficiency over that at adequate Zn supply. Substantial genotypic variation in ZE (50–98%) was found among both lowland and aerobic genotypes. ZE correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with Zn uptake (R ² = 0.34), Zn translocation from root to shoot (R ² = 0.19) and shoot Zn concentration (R ² = 0.27). The correlation with seed Zn content was insignificant. In stepwise multiple regression analyses, variation in Zn uptake and Zn translocation explained 53% of variation in ZE. Variation in Zn uptake could be explained only for 32% by root surface area. These results indicate that Zn uptake may be an important determinant of ZE and that mechanisms other than root surface area are of major importance in determining Zn uptake by rice.     

黄河中游河漫滩(禹渡口-桃花峪)种子植物资源

黄河中游河漫滩有种子植物84科、358属、818种,根据用途资源植物种类有56科270种,可划分为有6类、25亚类.其中含种数较多的依次为:纤维植物类、饲用植物类、药用植物类、抗污染植物类、指示植物类、水土保持植物类.文章分析了该区域的主要资源植物特点,并对资源植物的开发利用和保护提出了建议.     

Wood growth response of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull to elevated N deposition and drought

Ring diameters and ring number counts were recorded from Calluna stem cross-sections harvested during an N manipulation experiment. The application of dendrochronological methods permitted accurate ageing of shrubs growing in a heathland of known age. Linear regression analyses demonstrated a highly significant association between increasing levels of N input and stem diameter in both watered and droughted plots (droughted in 1997 only). N inputs were identified as the most significant environmental stressor, appearing to speed ageing vis the Calluna growth cycle. Drought sensitivity was noted in the high N treatment plots (120 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) with decreased stem diameters. This may have implications in the response of Calluna growth under current climate change scenarios.     

内陆河流域中、下游绿洲耕地变化及其驱动因素——以石羊河流域中游凉州区和下游民勤绿洲为例

以野外实际调查资料以及社会经济统计资料,结合研究区1986年和2000年的TM影像数据,分析了石羊河流域中游凉州区和下游民勤绿洲近20a来的耕地变化及其驱动因子,结果表明：（1）两个绿洲的耕地面积都呈增加趋势,且民勤绿洲耕地增加速度更为显著;在空间上新增耕地主要集中在荒漠和绿洲的交错地带,耕地的增加凉州区以沙地作为主要来源,而民勤则以牺牲林草地为代价.（2）从耕地变化驱动力来看,人口增加是直接动因,同时农业科技进步和社会经济的发展为耕地面积的扩大提供了前提条件;此外,耕地面积的变化在凉州区与地表水量关系密切;而在民勤则与大风、沙尘暴天气等生态环境问题以及绿洲内的降水、蒸发等气象因素有显著关系.充分表明石羊河流域中游绿洲经济的繁荣发展以下游民勤绿洲的急剧衰退为代价.     

香溪河河流生态系统服务功能评价

河流作为水资源的重要载体,在水资源危机日益严峻的我国,有特别重要的意义。尤其是近年来国内对水电开发的强度不断上升,如何科学地评价河流在不同情况下给人类带来的效益,进而有效地开发与管理河流生态系统,是生态学家面临的重大任务和挑战。香溪河是三峡水库湖北段的最大支流,其生态系统服务功能的正常发挥与否会影响河流沿岸居民的生产生活,也会影响其自身和相关生态系统的稳定,其河流的状况将直接影响到三峡水库。在对河流生态系统服务功能分类的基础上,结合数据的可获得性,对部分河段生态系统服务功能进行初步评价。研究结果表明,所研究河段生态系统服务功能总价值可达8.41×108元.a-1,各种功能的价值量排序为贮水功能>发电>旅游>调蓄洪水>水供给>水产品>输沙>净化>大气组分调节>控制侵蚀。经分析所研究河段的水电开发和旅游功能是其核心服务功能,提出在河流管理中既要考虑到核心功能的发挥,又要保证其它功能的支持作用得以实现的管理策略。