新疆生物多样性研究及保护

近期研究结果表明：新疆的生态系统可分为Ⅰ级2个，Ⅱ级11个，Ⅲ级53个。新疆的高等植物有147科855属3783种和亚种，加苔藓植物共为4211种和亚种。新疆的世界特有种植物为34科119属272种。栽培果树有17种812个品种，甜瓜有144个品种，西瓜有151个品种。新疆有野生脊椎动物770个种又150亚种，比1992年版的《脊椎动物志》增加了137种。其中，鱼类88种，两栖爬行类69种，鸟类473种，兽类162种，其中，有世界上仅新疆特有种28种。至2007年，新疆已建有近30个多种类型的自然保护区，占国土面积的13．1％，是新疆生物多样性保护的骨干基地。     

黄山市水生维管植物资源的永续利用

研究了黄山市水生维管植物资源的种类、生境、组成特点、经济价值以及外来入侵物种的概况。结果表明，黄山地区水生维管植物约有32科57属112种（包括种下分类单位），各科亲缘关系较远，许多科仅有1属的少数种为水生的。就其永续利用提出了建议。     

黔东南州森林生物量研究

论述了森林生物量的发展历史、概念和研究方法。利用黔东南州最新（2005年）的森林资源连续清查数据及生物量与蓄积量之间的关系为基础，对黔东南州森林生物量进行测算。黔东南州森林生物量达6107．21万t，单位面积生物量为29．7t／hm^2。     

四川省农业生产环境因素-化肥施用状况宏观分析

本文首次提出“区域化肥施用负荷”、“化肥施用相对生产力”、“化肥施用相对适宜度”等概念及研究方法，用于四川省化肥施用状况宏观分析。四川全省化肥施用量F=228．86kg／hm^2，全省21个市州中自贡、攀枝花、德阳、绵阳、遂宁、眉山、雅安和巴中等8个市F〉250kg／hm^2，其中攀枝花市达到457kg／hm^2；全省5个农业区中，成都平原区F值最高，达285．63kg／hm^2。四川省化肥施用负荷H=4704kg／km^2，自贡、德阳、遂宁、内江等4市H值是全省H值4倍以上，自贡、遂宁2市甚至达5倍以上；成都平原区、盆地丘陵区H值分别是17491kg／km^2和16309kg／km^2，远远高于其他地区。全省化肥施用相对生产力R=20．26kg，攀枝花市R=12．11kg，是全省最低的；盆地丘陵区R=20．16kg，其余地区R值均高于全省的。全省近10年平均化肥施用相对适宜度T=3．19作为评价基准，攀枝花市T=5．22，是全省最高的，属化肥施用高度过量；各农业区中，盆地丘陵区T=3．47，盆周山地区T=3．28，属化肥施用轻度过量，其余地区基本适宜。     

曲阜孔林动植物物种资源现状与保护对策

本文调查研究了孔林内动植物物种资源的现状,报道了高等植物物种有３５６ 种（ 包括变种和亚种） ,隶属９１ 科２４３ 属,鸟类有２８ 种,分属９ 个目,并提出了保护孔林动植物物种资源的几点对策     

重庆市主城区蝴蝶物种多样性的初步研究

通过对重庆市主城区5个样点的蝴蝶调查，共采集蝴蝶1629只，隶属4总科8科31属49种。从整个研究区域来看，东方菜粉蝶（Pieris conidia）为优势种，青风蝶（Graphium sarpedon）、菜粉蝶（Pieris rapae）、蒙链荫眼蝶（Neope muirheadi）、矍眼蝶（Vpthima halda）、苎麻珍蝶（Acraea issoria）和酢浆灰蝶（Pseudozizeeria maha）为常见种。样点的多样性指数从高到低依次为：南山植物园〉歌乐山〉照母山植物园〉铁山坪〉重庆大学校园。其中，特有属和特有种的数量从高到低依次为：照母山植物园〉铁山坪〉歌乐山〉南山植物园〉重庆大学校园。不同样点蝴蝶种类的相似性系数在0．1304—0．3462之间，铁山坪跟南山植物园之间的相似性系数最大，相似性系数最小的两个地点为重庆大学校园与南山植物园。不同生境中蝴蝶的多样性指数从高到低依次为：灌丛森林〉灌丛草地〉草地森林〉森林灌丛〉草地农田〉森林〉农田〉草地。     

中国甘草属植物的形态变异与生态环境的关系

中国甘草属植物18种。其中产于新疆的G．triPhylla仅见记载，可能已灭绝，而其余17种的生态类型存在着从中生到早生的变异趋势。对这17种及1变种的70个性状进行主成分分析，发现甘草属植物的形态学变化趋势与生态条件的变化存在以下相关：随着环境向干旱的发展，（1）花部各性状值增大；（2）叶部各性状值减小；（3）荚果种子间缢缩愈明显。     

中国生物多样性保护应对方案

中国作为一个生物多样性非常丰富的国家，具有地球陆生生态系统的各种类型，共约595种；物种高度丰富，高等植物约3万余种，其中裸子植物有10科、34属，约250种，是世界上裸子植物最多的国家。中国也是世界上鸟类种类最多的国家之一。我国不但生态系统类型和野生物种资源众多，     

104颗明珠嵌江淮大地

根据调查统计结果,安徽省自然保护区总数共104个,重点保护物种达140种(其中属国家Ⅰ级保护物种的有31种)。保护区物博地稀从类型来看,安徽省自然保护区种类共涉及自然生态系统类、野生生物类和自然遗迹类三大类别五种类型。其中,属森林生态系统类型的保护区有83个,属内陆湿地和水域生态系统类型的保护区12个,     

基于综合水质标识指数法的四川升钟水库富营养化研究

利用综合水质标识指数法，参照湖泊（水库）富营养化评价指标，选取总氮（TN）、总磷（TP）、高锰酸盐指数（CODMn）、叶绿素（a）、透明度（D）等5项指标，对升钟水库2006--2010年水体富营养化进行评价。结果表明：综合水质指数，埘排序为3．231_2010〈3．741_2009〈4．042_2007〈4．35_2006〈4．652_2008（指数越大，水质越差）；升钟水库近5年综合水质标识指数在不同的时点上具有“高-低”演化规律，总体趋向好转；2008年的指数最大，富营养化最严重，2006-2008年水质指数呈波动变化，2009年、2010年水质有所改善；综合水质标识指数k随时间t变化的二次函数关系式为：I_wq=-0．1372t2＋550．8t-552742；升钟水库水体氮、磷严重超标。     

AN APPLICATION RUNOFF MODEL STRATEGY FOR UNGAGED WATERSHEDS1

ABSTRACT: Mathematical models for predicting watershed surface flow responses are available, most of which are elaborate nonlinear numerical surface and channel flow models linked with infiltration models. Such models may be used to make predictions for ungaged areas, assuming an acceptable fitting of the model to the topography and roughness of the real system. For some application purposes, these models are impractical because of their complexity and expensive computer solutions. A procedure is developed that uses a complex model of an ungaged area to derive a simpler parametric nonlinear system model for repetitious simulation with input sequences. The predicted flow outputs are obtained with the simpler model at significant savings of money and time. The procedures for constructing a complex kinematic model of a 40 acre (161,880 m²) reference watershed and deriving the simpler system model are outlined. The results of predictions from both models are compared with a selected set of measured events, all having essentially the same initial conditions. Peak discharges ranged from 3 to 118 ft³/sec (0.085 to 3.34 m³/sec), which includes the largest event of record. The inherent limitations of lumped systems models are demonstrated, including the bias caused by their inability to model infiltration losses after rainfall ceases. Computer costs and times for the models were compared. The derived simple model has a cost advantage when repeated use of a model is required. Such an applications hydrologic model has an engineering tradeoff of reduced accuracy, and lumping bias, but is more economical for certain design purposes.     

Conversion of temperate forests into heaths: Role of ecosystem disturbance and ericaceous plants

Fire and logging in nutrient-poor temperate forests with certain ericaceous understory plants may convert the forests into heaths. The process of disturbance-induced heath formation is documented by using examples ofCalluna in western Europe,Kalmia in Newfoundland, andGaultheria (salal) in coastal British Columbia. In a cool, temperate climate, rapid vegetative growth ofCalluna, Kalmia, and salal following disturbance results in increasing organic accumulation (paludification), nutrient sequestration, soil acidification, and allelochemicals. These are thought to be the main reasons to conifer regeneration failure in disturbed habitats. If continuation in forest is a land-use objective, then temperate forests with an ericaceous understory should not be logged unless effective silvicultural methods are devised to control the ericaceous plants and restore forest regeneration. Preharvest vegetation control may be considered as an option. Failure to control the understory plants may lead to a long-term vegetation shift, from forest to heathland, particularly in nutrient-poor sites. Successful methods of controllingKalmia andGaultheria, however, have yet to be developed. While theKalmia- andGaultheria- dominated heathlands are undesirable in Canada and the Pacific Northwest, a wide range ofCalluna heathlands of western Europe are being conserved as natural and seminatural vegetation.     

Using Paleo Reconstructions to Improve Streamflow Forecast Lead Time in the Western United States

In water stressed regions, water managers are exploring new horizons that would help in long‐range streamflow forecasts. Oceanic‐atmospheric oscillations have been shown to influence streamflow variability. In this study, long‐lead time streamflow forecasts are made using a multiclass kernel‐based data‐driven support vector machine (SVM) model. The extended streamflow records based on tree ring reconstructions were used to provide a longer time series data. Reconstructed data were used from 1658 to 1952 and the instrumental record was used from 1953 to 2007. Reconstructions for oceanic‐atmospheric oscillations included the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, and North Atlantic Oscillation. Streamflow forecasts using all four oscillations were made with one‐year to five‐year lead times for 21 gages in the western United States. This is the first study that uses both instrumental and reconstructed data of oscillations in SVM model to improve streamflow forecast lead time. SVM model was able to provide “satisfactory” to “very good” forecasts with one‐ to five‐year lead time for the selected gages. The use of all the oscillation indices helped in achieving better predictability compared to using individual oscillations. The SVM modeling results are better when compared with multiple linear regression model forecasts. The findings are statistical in nature and are expected to be useful for long‐term water resources planning and management.     

Urban ecological systems: scientific foundations and a decade of progress

Urban ecological studies, including focus on cities, suburbs, and exurbs, while having deep roots in the early to mid 20th century, have burgeoned in the last several decades. We use the state factor approach to highlight the role of important aspects of climate, substrate, organisms, relief, and time in differentiating urban from non-urban areas, and for determining heterogeneity within spatially extensive metropolitan areas. In addition to reviewing key findings relevant to each state factor, we note the emergence of tentative "urban syndromes" concerning soils, streams, wildlife and plants, and homogenization of certain ecosystem functions, such as soil organic carbon dynamics. We note the utility of the ecosystem approach, the human ecosystem framework, and watersheds as integrative tools to tie information about multiple state factors together. The organismal component of urban complexes includes the social organization of the human population, and we review key modes by which human populations within urban areas are differentiated, and how such differentiation affects environmentally relevant actions. Emerging syntheses in land change science and ecological urban design are also summarized. The multifaceted frameworks and the growing urban knowledge base do however identify some pressing research needs.     

Neighbourhood characteristics and urban gardens in the Toledo metropolitan area: staffing and voluntarism,food production,infrastructure, and sustainability practices

Urban gardens are important sources of sustenance for communities with limited access to food. Hence, this study focuses on food production in gardens in the Toledo metropolitan area in Northwest Ohio. We administered surveys to 150 garden managers from November 2014 to February 2015 in our attempt to better understand how neighbourhood racial composition and poverty levels are related to staffing and voluntarism, food production and distribution, the development of infrastructure, and the adoption of sustainability practices in urban gardens. The results from 30 gardens are presented in this paper. We used Geographic Information Systems to map the gardens and overlay the map with 2010 census data so that we could conduct demographic analyses of the neighbourhoods in which the gardens were located. Though the gardens were small – two acres or less – up to 46 varieties of food were grown in a single garden. Gardens also operated on small budgets. Food from the gardens was gifted or shared with friends, family, and neighbourhood residents. Gardens in predominantly minority neighbourhoods tended to have fewer institutional partners, less garden infrastructure, and had adopted fewer sustainable practices than gardens in predominantly White neighbourhoods. Nonetheless, residents of predominantly minority and high-poverty neighbourhoods participated in garden activities and influenced garden operations. Volunteering and staffing were racialised and gendered.     

Predicting deer-vehicle collisions in an urban area

Collisions with deer and other large animals are increasing, and the resulting economic costs and risks to public safety have made mitigation measures a priority for both city and wildlife managers. We created landscape models to describe and predict deer-vehicle collision (DVCs) within the City of Edmonton, Alberta. Models based on roadside characteristics revealed that DVCs occurred frequently where roadside vegetation was both denser and more diverse, and that DVCs were more likely to occur when the groomed width of roadside right-of-ways was smaller. No DVCs occurred where the width of the vegetation-free or manicured roadside buffer was greater than 40 m. Landscape-based models showed that DVCs were more likely in more heterogeneous landscapes where road densities were lower and speed limits were higher, and where non-forested vegetation such as farmland was in closer proximity to larger tracts of forest. These models can help wildlife and transportation managers to identify locations of high collision frequency for mitigation. Modifying certain landscape and roadside habitats can be an effective way to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.     

BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ESTUARINE/COASTAL POLLUTION1

ABSTRACT: Sustained interest in and concern about the health status of the aquatic environment has resulted in extensive research focused on (1) effects of pollution on survival, growth, and reproduction of resource species at all life stages; (2) diseases of fish and shellfish, as they may be related to pollution and as they may serve as indicators of environmental stress; and (3) contaminant body burdens in fish and shellfish - their effects on the aquatic animals and their potential effects on humans. Effects, lethal and sublethal, of pollutants on life history stages of fish and shellfish have been documented, as have impacts on local stocks in badly degraded habitats, but as yet there has been no adequate quantitative demonstration of effects on entire aquatic species - probably because of the difficulty in sorting out relative effects of the many environmental factors that influence abundance. Sublethal effects, especially those that result in disease, have been examined intensively, and some diseases and disease syndromes have been associated statistically with pollution. Other pollution indicators (biochemical, physiological, genetic, behavioral, and ecological) have also received some attention, as have body burdens of contaminants in aquatic species. Research, especially that conducted during the past decade, has done much to clarify the many pathways and toxic effects of contaminants on aquatic animals, and has also helped to identify mechanisms for survival of fish and shellfish in the presence of environmental changes caused by human activities.     

Biodiversity and biotechnology

The maintenance of biodiversity is urged from many quarters and on grounds ranging from aesthetic considerations to its usefulness, particularly for biotechnology. But regardless of the grounds for preserving biodiversity, writers are generally in agreement that it should be preserved. But, in examining the various references biodiversity, such as species diversity, genetic diversity, and habitat diversity, it is apparent that we cannot aim to preserve biodiversityas such, since there are a number of conflicts in any such undertaking. In preserving one aspect of biodiversity, we damage another aspect. Five arguments which attempt to ground our moral concern for biodiversity are reviewed and critiqued, not only for their consistency but also for their power to move us to action. The final section of the paper shows how conflicts in the values of personal and environmental health can impair ethical action and especially policy formation.An earlier version of this paper was read at the conference on Agriculture, Food, and Human Values: Tradition and Change, Orlando, Florida, October 7–9, 1987.     

Journalists' views of advertiser pressures on agricultural news

All major journalism ethical codes explicitly state that journalists should protect editorial copy from undue influence by outside sources. However, much of the previous research on agricultural information has concentrated on what information various media communicate (gatekeeping studies) or communication's role in increasing innovation adoption (diffusion studies). Few studies have concentrated specifically on organizational and structural constraints that might adversely affect agricultural journalists' ethical standards; those that have, focus largely on farm magazines. A study of newspaper reporters who cover agricultural news found that the most pressing ethical concern is the effect of advertiser (agri-business) pressure on editorial copy, and that their concerns in general parallel those of farm magazine writers and editors. The majority reported being in situations in which they might be exposed to advertiser pressure, including pressures to change or withhold editorial copy. Large minorities suggested that advertising pressures affect the overall environment in which agricultural journalists work, and more than one in ten said they allow advertiser pressures to influence editorial decisions. The newspaper reporters who cover agricultural beats showed slightly more resistance to advertiser pressure than did farm magazine editors in a parallel study.     

Definition Procedures Have Little Effect on Performance of Environmental Classifications of Streams and Rivers

Mapped environmental classifications are defined using various procedures, but there has been little evaluation of the differences in their ability to discriminate variation in independent ecological characteristics. We tested the performance of environmental classifications of the streams and rivers of France that had been defined from the same environmental data using geographic regionalization and numerical classification of individual river valley segments. Test data comprised invertebrate assemblages, water chemistry, and hydrological indexes obtained from sites throughout France. Classification performance was measured by analysis of similarity (ANOSIM). Geometric regions defined by a regular grid and without regard to environmental variables and a posteriori classifications based on clustering the test datasets defined lower and upper bounds of performance for a given number of classes. Differences in classification performances were generally small. The ANOSIM statistics for the a posteriori classifications were around twice that of all environmental classifications, including geometrically defined regions. The hydro-ecoregions performed slightly better for the invertebrate data and the network classification performed slightly better for the chemistry and hydrological data. Our results indicate that environmental classifications that are defined using different procedures can be comparable in terms of their ability to discriminate variation of ecological characteristics and that alleged differences in performance arising from different classification procedures can be small relative to unexplained variation. We conclude that definition procedures might have little effect on the performance of large-scale environmental classifications and decisions over which procedures to use should be based primarily on pragmatic considerations.