The role of floods in the Long-term dynamics of geobiont and chortobiont communities on islands of the Kuibyshev Reservoir

Interannual changes in geobiont and chortobiont abundance on the islands of Kuibyshev Reservoir are largely determined by flood conditions, because the seasonal average abundance of many taxa is negatively correlated to the water level in May and June. Floods influence the abundance of these animals both directly and indirectly, through biocenotic connections and some aspects of behavior. Long-term positive trends are observed in the abundance of many species. The hypothesis is proposed that this increase in the abundance of geobionts and chortobionts is a consequence of adaptation processes in these communities, which are stimulated by the flood regime of the reservoir.     

三峡库区香溪河流域河岸带种子植物区系研究

根据详细的植物群落调查资料,对三峡库区香溪河流域河岸带种子植物区系进行了研究。结果表明：河岸带维管束种类在科级水平上占神农架的65.8％,在属级水平上占47.3％,在种级水平上占26.7％。河岸带植物区系的性质为温带特性,与神农架地区种子植物属的性质相一致。河岸带这一独特自然景观的植物区系在整个区域自然景观中具有相当的代表性。在香溪河流域河岸带中,维管束植物种类较丰富,分布着大量的珍稀濒危植物种类,表明河岸带在生物多样性保护中具有重要的作用。     

龙感湖表层沉积硅藻探究

以长江中下游典型草型湖泊龙感湖为研究对象,借助生物指标(沉积物表层硅藻),通过硅藻分析、DCA分析、聚类分析以及硅藻属种指示的湖泊营养特征分析,探究龙感湖沉积物表层硅藻属种分类、影响硅藻的潜在环境梯度、表层沉积硅藻属种的空间分布特征以及分析表层沉积硅藻属种指示的湖泊营养特征。研究表明:龙感湖表层沉积硅藻属种分布存在空间差异;表层硅藻属种的分布主要由第一轴的环境因子所解释,反映的样点的排列受第一轴的控制,第二轴反映的环境意义不显著;龙感湖硅藻组合是以富营养的浮游种为优势,已经接近富营养态,以半浮游种Aulancoseira granulata为最大优势种,而Aulancoseira granulata在中营养湖泊中占绝对优势。主要出现在富营养湖泊中能较好指示富营养化的浮游、半浮游种Cyclotella atoms和C.meneghiniana、Aulacoseira alpigea、Cyclostephanos dubius、Stephanodiscus parvus、S.hantzschii出现在龙感湖内;以浮游种为优势种的东部湖区比以附生底栖种为优势种的西部湖区富营养化更严重,研究以期为湖泊治理提供一定的理论依据。     

Monitoring transitional waters using reduced benthic assemblages

In this study, the use of reduced assemblages of benthic invertebrate taxa is proposed to describe similarity relationships between samples from transitional environments. A data set from four different studies, made up of 641 samples for a total 203 species, was analysed using permutation randomisation tests in order to extract a pool of taxa able to approximate the full set of species. The identified "operational set", comprising 19 taxa, was capable of adequately reproduce similarity relationships between samples (Rho>0.90, p<0.001). All selected taxa were easily extractable from the samples and easy identifiable by non-specialised technicians; these characteristics were considered appropriate for the development of rapid and cost-effective monitoring procedures based on benthic invertebrate assemblages.     

Vulnerability of 208 endemic or endangered species in China to the effects of climate change

We assessed the vulnerability of 208 endemic or endangered species in China to the effects of climate change, as a part of the project “Research on China’s National Biodiversity and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plans”. Based on the China Species Information System, we selected comprehensive species as analysis targets, covering taxa including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and plants. We applied nine species distribution models in BIOMOD (a package of R software) to estimate the current (1991–2010) ranges and predicted future (2081–2100) ranges of these species, using six climate variables based on Regional Climate Model version 3 (RegCM3) and A1B emission scenario. The model results showed that different taxa might show diverse potential range shifts over time. The range sizes of half of the species (104 species) would decrease, and those of another half would increase. We predicted that the future remaining ranges (intersection of current and future ranges/current ranges) of 135 species would be less than 50 % of their current range sizes. Species that are both endemic and critically endangered would lose more of their range than others. In summary, the most vulnerable species are currently found on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, in the Hengduan Mountain Range, and southern China. Future action plans dealing with climate change in China should be prepared with consideration for vulnerable species and their habitats.     

三峡库区陆生植物迁地保存初报

三峡植物物种多样性保护,重点在珍稀濒危植物,但对建群种和有实用价值的种也进行收集保存。7年来试验站保存三峡库区植物200余种,迁移成活率93%,有8种未成功。（1）到2002年已有30余种植物正常开花结实（其中木本植物24种）,可以选择繁殖试验,以达到保存的目的;（2）选择了8种植物,进行生长观测,在人为控制下,生长速度满意;（3）进行了部份种类的扦插繁殖和孢子繁殖,获得了相关结果;（4）少数种类收集遇到极大困难,需要继续努力。三峡库区生物多样性研究与保护,存在一些问题与困难,如漏项问题、库区物种问题、外来种问题、隔离对生物多样性的影响问题、生物多样性的功能问题等需要进一步研讨,从而使库区物种得以保存,环境得以优化,生物资源得到持续利用。     

Bioinvasions in macrozoobenthos of the Volgograd Reservoir

On the basis of long-term monitoring of macrozoobenthos in the Volgograd Reservoir, the causes of changes in its species composition were analyzed and invading species were identified. During the first 20–25 years after construction of the reservoir, invading species appeared at a rate of 0.4 species per year. In the subsequent years, this rate increased to one species per year due to spontaneous expansion of species and the remote effect of their introduction.     

Salinity tolerance of macrozoobenthic taxa in small rivers of the Lake Elton basin

The results of studies on the distribution of macrozoobenthic taxa along the water mineralization gradient in the small salt rivers of the Lake Elton basin are presented. The optimum and tolerance intervals for dominant species have been determined. Species with the highest tolerance to the high-salinity aquatic environment have been identified.     

Biomarkers and bioindicators of the health condition of Ameca splendens and Goodea atripinnis (Pisces: Goodeaidae) in the Ameca River, Mexico

Pollution of water bodies causes stress on organisms inhabiting them. Determination of biomarkers and bioindicators on fish populations reflects whether they are subject to stress. We assessed two populations of Ameca splendens and Goodea atripinnis in a reference site (spring "El Rincon") and De La Vega reservoir, which receives wastewater of a sugar industry, on Ameca River course. We analyzed level of lipid peroxidation and enzymatic activities of gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, acetylcholinesterase and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase as biomarkers; we also studied age classes and various body indexes. Environmental factors were recorded and a water quality index was assessed. Water quality was better in the spring than in the reservoir. Organisms inhabiting the reservoir presented higher oxidative stress by the lipid peroxidation levels, and neurotoxic impacts by the acetylcholinesterase and some detoxification mechanisms were evident by the gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activities. Integrated Biomarker Response demonstrate that De La Vega reservoir is a more stressing place to organisms living there, particularly for A. splendens. In both species, males were more affected than females. Condition and reproductive parameters in reservoir showed evidences of physiological changes due to xenobiotics exposure and suggest a tactic of the organisms to survive in this site. Both biomarkers and body indexes revealed that A. splendens is a more sensitive species than G. atripinnis to environmental stress.     

Phytocenotic organization of algal groups as a possible indicator of the trophic status of bog ecosystems

In the soils of bog ecosystems studied in Plesetskii raion of Arkhangelsk oblast, 169 species and infraspecific taxa of algae have been recorded. Their flora includes typical divisions of soil algae and is dominated by Chlorophyta, which is typical for the soil–climatic conditions of the taiga zone in general and bog ecosystems in particular. The phytocenotic organization of algal groups can serve as an indicator of bog trophicity, since a certain trophicity level is characterized by an individual combination of dominant species, life forms, morphotypes, and ecological groups of soil algae.     

尼洋河不同河段浮游植物群落多样性差异研究

2009年8月对尼洋河流域浮游植物群落的种类组成、分布和数量特征进行了调查：共发现浮游植物共26属74种(变种),以硅藻为主,大多数种类的相对丰富度较低,优势种不明显,平均相对丰富度大于5%的种类分别是极细微曲壳藻(90%)、弧型蛾眉藻线形变种(54%)、中型脆杆藻(53%)和尖针杆藻(5%);其出现频次分别是19、20、17和20次。种类分布均匀,平均细胞密度为225×104 ind./L,远低于一般河流和湖泊。分析显示绝大多数样点浮游植物的多样性和均匀度指数都很高,其均值分别为364和095。以上结果表明该流域浮游植物群落结构比较复杂、处于较完整的稳定状态,体现了尼洋河流域贫营养河流水体的特征。TWINSPAN和DCA分析表明海拔高度和环境的稳定程度可能是影响该流域浮游植物群落多样性的主要因子     

Correlated northward distribution of macrolepidopterans and their food plants along the Ural Mountains

Lists of macrolepidopterans inhabiting the Southern, Middle, and Polar Urals have been used for analyzing the relationship between the species richness of these insects with that of the families of plants on which their larvae feed. The results have shown that this factor in the Southern Urals accounts for approximately 75% and 65% of variation in the species richness of lepidopterans on woody and herbaceous plants, respectively. In the Polar Urals, this correlation is markedly weaker. Latitudinal trends in trophic preferences of individual lepidopteran taxa have been revealed. Probable causes of changes in the relative abundance of lepidopterans north of the forest zone are discussed.     

Foliar uptake of cesium from the water column by aquatic macrophytes

The probable occurrence and rate of foliar absorption of stable cesium (133Cs) from the water column by aquatic macrophyte species was analyzed following the addition of 133Cs into a small reservoir near Aiken, South Carolina, USA. An uptake parameter u (10(3)Lkg(-1)d(-1)) and a loss rate parameter k (d(-1)) were estimated for each species using time series of 133Cs concentrations in the water and plant tissues. Foliar uptake, as indicated by rapid increases in plant concentrations following the 133Cs addition, occurred in two floating-leaf species, Brasenia schreberi and Nymphaea odorata, and two submerged species, Myriophyllum spicatum and Utricularia inflata. These species had values of u> or =0.75 x 10(3)Lkg(-1)d(-1). Less evidence for foliar uptake was observed in three emergent species, including Typha latifolia. Ratios of u to k for B. schreberi, M. spicatum, N. odorata and U. inflata can be used to estimate concentration ratios (CR) at equilibrium, and these estimates were generally within a factor of 2 of the CR for 137Cs for these species in the same reservoir. This correspondence suggests that foliar uptake of Cs was the principal absorption mechanism for these species. Assessments of: (1) the prevalence of foliar uptake of potassium, rubidium and Cs isotopes by aquatic macrophytes and (2) the possible importance of foliar uptake of Cs in other lentic systems are made from a review of foliar uptake studies and estimation of comparable u and k values from lake studies involving Cs releases.     

安徽省地衣研究的历史分析

安徽省地衣的研究有60余a的历史。在查阅文献资料、标本检测和作者前期工作基础上,对安徽省地衣研究的现状和成果进行了总结,以便为将来的地衣研究提供资料。根据统计,安徽已经报道的地衣有57属,203个种或种下单位,报道分布最多的是石蕊属（Cladonia）、哑铃孢属（Heterodermia）等10个属。对基物要求比较专一的有98种,其中严格生于树皮、树干或树枝的有54种,石生的22种,生于土壤的8种;检出的地衣化学物质有黑茶渍素（Atranorin）、泽渥萜（Zeorin）等11类,出现最多的地衣物质是黑茶渍素,共有22属、77种地衣含有该物质。除了分类学报道以外,安徽省地衣的其他方面研究相对薄弱。安徽省位于我国暖温带和亚热带过渡区,加强其中的地衣研究,对于理解该区地衣的多样性具有重要意义     

Culture,Progress and the Media: The Shad as Synecdoche in Environmental News Coverage

This essay examined the use of synecdoche in newspaper coverage of a dispute over water rights between the Mattaponi Indians and the city of Newport News, Virginia. The Mattaponi used the shad as a rhetorical trope to explain the tribe's relationship to the river and their fears about the reservoir's impact. The reservoir proponents, however, treated the shad as a representation of the conflict surrounding the reservoir, and this construction was reflected in articles that appeared in The Daily Press, a local daily newspaper. This essay argued that, ultimately, the treatment of a single species as a synecdoche in environmental disputes undermined the Mattaponi's position. The media which are instrumental in defining environmental issues for the public, misinterpreted a rhetorical trope that was proffered as a representation for a complex set of values and instead focused attention on the species itself rather than the values that it represented.     

Assessment of the hunting of mammals using local ecological knowledge: an example from the Brazilian semiarid region

The hunting of wild animals remains a common activity in various parts of the world, especially in rural communities with poor socioeconomic conditions. To investigate patterns of mammal hunting, this study adopted a rural community located in semiarid Brazil as a model to test whether variables such as perceived abundance, activity period (day or night) and animal biomass could influence the consumption potential of mammal taxa. For this study, a checklist/interview technique using 32 photographs of mammals recorded in the region and two photographs of species that did not occur in the region, which acted as “control” species, was used, in addition to other visual stimuli and free lists. All species presented in the photographs, with the exception of the “control” species, were recognized as occurring in the region. Fourteen species were cited as being those most hunted locally. The species cited as most hunted had an average perceived abundance higher than the group of the least-hunted species. However, there was no significant relationship between hunting of a species and its locally perceived abundance. No significant difference in hunting pressure between diurnal and nocturnal species was found, nor was a relationship between animal biomass and hunting pressure observed. Our findings suggest that perceived abundance is an important factor for choosing a resource fauna, but other factors such as intended use, meat flavor and vulnerability to hunting, among others, may influence the potential use of a species.     

Regulation of numbers of insects on islands of the Kuibyshev Reservoir

The main regulatory mechanism of populations is revealed for some insect groups (Carabidae, Curculionidae, Chrysomelidae, and Hemiptera) on islands of the Kuibyshev Reservoir. This mechanism is the dynamics of the ratio of species with imaginal and preimaginal winter diapause. The extent of these dynamics depends on the stability of habitats, which in turn depends on water-level conditions in the reservoir. The period of adaptation of the community of carabids of the most flooded biotope to the extreme impact of water conditions is determined.     

Morphological-anatomical features of underground organs in some higher plant species in relation to their adaptation to ecological conditions

In seven higher plant species of different taxa, structural features of underground organs have been considered, and the levels of intraspecific variation in some characters of these organs have been determined. Different pathways of the structural adaptation of these species to the environment are demonstrated on the morphological and anatomical levels.Translated from Ekologiya, No. 2, 2005, pp. 97–105.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Tarshis.     

Effects of acute γ-irradiation on the aquatic microbial microcosm in comparison with chemicals

Effects of acute γ-irradiation were investigated in the aquatic microcosm consisting of green algae (Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp.) and a blue–green alga (Tolypothrix sp.) as producers; an oligochaete (Aeolosoma hemprichi), rotifers (Lecane sp. and Philodina sp.) and a ciliate protozoan (Cyclidium glaucoma) as consumers; and more than four species of bacteria as decomposers. At 100 Gy, populations were not affected in any taxa. At 500–5000 Gy, one or three taxa died out and populations of two or three taxa decreased over time, while that of Tolypothrix sp. increased. This Tolypothrix sp. increase was likely an indirect effect due to interspecies interactions. The principal response curve analysis revealed that the main trend of the effects was a dose-dependent population decrease. For a better understanding of radiation risks in aquatic microbial communities, effect doses of γ-rays compared with copper, herbicides and detergents were evaluated using the radiochemoecological conceptual model and the effect index for microcosm.     

Spatio-temporal variation of macrobenthic communities in the mangrove-fringed Segara Anakan lagoon, Indonesia, affected by anthropogenic activities

The benthic macrofauna of the Segara Anakan lagoon, Java, Indonesia and its fringing mangroves were investigated between May 2004 and August 2006. This lagoon has been affected by various human activities for decades, in particular fishing, effluents from agriculture and industry, and illegal deforestation. In total, 163 taxa were identified, including 127 species occurring in the mangrove forest and 59 species in the subtidal. Mean density of macrobenthos was 2.5-fold higher in the central (881.8 ± 1,151.3 ind. m^?2) than in the eastern mangrove site (356.3 ± 218.8 ind. m^?2). Community structures differed significantly between these sites and showed a serial shift during the investigation period. Gastropods dominated the community in the central mangrove location, whereas sipunculids, polychaetes and gastropods had similar densities in the eastern site. Differences in community composition were best explained by three sediment properties: pore water salinity, δ¹³C_org, and C_org/N. It is suggested that small-scale heterogeneity of food availability and quality is a main factor determining the small-scale variability of the community composition. Compared to other Indo-West Pacific mangroves, species richness and densities are high. However, the dominance of specific taxa, especially of opportunistic species and the comparably low species richness in the subtidal of the lagoon may be attributed to the high sediment input by rivers in the central part and to the large-scale cutting of mangroves. Continuous tree logging will probably lead to a further spread of two fast growing understorey plants and thus to an increase of uniform swamp sites and a decrease of micro-habitats for benthic macrofauna. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed study on the spatio-temporal variation of benthic macrofauna in mangroves of Indonesia.