Birds in agricultural mosaics: the influence of landscape pattern and countryside heterogeneity.

Agricultural environments are critical to the conservation of biota throughout the world. Efforts to identify key influences on the conservation status of fauna in such environments have taken complementary approaches. Many studies have focused on the role of remnant or seminatural vegetation and emphasized the influence on biota of spatial patterns in the landscape. Others have recognized that many species use diverse "countryside" elements within farmland, and emphasize the benefits of landscape heterogeneity for conservation. Here, we investigated the effect of independent measures of both the spatial pattern (extent and configuration) and heterogeneity of elements (i.e., land uses/vegetation types) on bird occurrence in farm-scale agricultural mosaics in southeastern Australia. Birds were sampled in all types of elements in 27 mosaics (each 1 x 1 km) selected to incorporate variation in cover of native vegetation and the number of different element types in the mosaic. We used an information-theoretic approach to identify the mosaic properties that most strongly influenced bird species richness. Subgroups of birds based on habitat requirements responded most strongly to the extent of preferred elements in mosaics. Woodland birds were richer in mosaics with higher cover of native vegetation while open-tolerant species responded to the extent of scattered trees. In contrast, for total species richness, mosaic heterogeneity (richness of element types) and landscape context (cover of native vegetation in surrounding area) had the greatest influence. These results showed that up to 76% of landscape-level variation in richness of bird groups is attributable to mosaic properties directly amenable to management by landowners. Key implications include (1) conservation goals for farm landscapes must be carefully defined because the richness of different faunal components is influenced by different mosaic properties; (2) the extent of native vegetation is a critical influence in agricultural environments because it drives the farm-scale richness of woodland birds and has a broader context effect on total bird richness in mosaics; (3) land-use practices that enhance the heterogeneity of farmland mosaics are beneficial for native birds; and (4) the cumulative effect of even small elements in farm mosaics contribute to the structural properties of entire landscapes.     

草浆废水灌溉对海涂湿地土壤及芦苇生长的影响

通过现场调查、盆栽试验和采样分析的方法，研究了用草浆废水灌溉海涂芦苇湿地对土壤理化性质、微生物数量和芦苇生长的影响。结果表明，灌溉后土壤中的有机质、N和P含量有所增加，土壤盐份含量明显下降，同时土壤中的细菌、放线菌和霉菌的均大幅度增加。一定质量浓度的造纸废水灌溉对湿地芦苇的生长有促进用、对土壤的性质有改良作用，但废水质量浓度过高则对土壤的理化性有不利影响。本文推荐造纸废水灌溉海涂芦苇湿地的适宜质量浓度为1000mg／L以下。     

广州南沙湿地鸟类群落组成、多样性和保护策略

采用系统抽样技术和样带法，对广州南沙地区湿地鸟类群落进行了研究，共记录到95种，隶属15目34科68属。国家Ⅱ类保护种类11种，广东省重点保护鸟类16种。东洋界鸟类44种，古北界种类41种，广布型种类10种。鸟类群落多样性以近岸及海岸湿地最高，多样性指数3．4250，均匀性指数0．8711。南沙地区湿地鸟类资源丰富，分析了鸟类的重要性和稀缺性，开发建设必须正确处理湿地鸟类保护的关系，实现生态环境可持续发展，并提出厂相应的保护措施。     

Diversity of avifauna of Jamwa Ramgarh wetland of Rajasthan in India

The present paper deals with the rich avifauna available at Jamwa Ramgarh Lake of Rajasthan in India. More than 100 species of birds belonging to 38 families were recorded at lake during the year 2002, maximum species were sighted during the winter season. Due to scanty rainfall in 2002, this lake was also affected and had only one-fourth of water of its total capacity, which affected the numbers of migratory waterfowl also. In the wetland most water birds were found to be migratory and few being resident. Some rare, endangered, uncommon, vulnerable, threatened and near threatened species of birds those already listed in Red Data Book were sighted.     

内蒙古包头民航机场及周边地区鸟类组成及生态分布

2006年8月-2007年7月,对包头机场周边7km范围内的鸟类组成及生态分布进行了调查,共记录到鸟类153种,分属16目39科。其中留鸟31种,夏候鸟67种,旅鸟47种,冬候鸟8种。该地区繁殖鸟(包括留鸟和夏候鸟)有98种,占调查区鸟类总数的64.05%,其中北方型种类有81种,占繁殖鸟总数的82.65%,表现出明显的古北界鸟类区系特征。调查区分为湿地、林地、草地、农田、居民区、山地、跑道与停机坪7种生境类型,对各生境中鸟类进行了分析。     

Influence of Landscape Scale on Farmland Birds Breeding in Semi-Natural Pastures

Abstract: Little attention has been paid to fragmentation effects on organisms living in open habitats in which species may have high mobility and generalized habitat use. We investigated landscape effects on 23 farmland bird species breeding in 72 semi-natural dry pastures distributed equally among three landscape types (agricultural-dominated, mosaic, and forest-dominated) in southcentral Sweden. There were generally higher local abundances of farmland birds in pastures located in agricultural-dominated and mosaic landscapes than in forest-dominated landscapes. Species feeding on a mixed diet as well as resident species and temperate migrants were most numerous in pastures located in agricultural-dominated landscapes and least numerous in forest-dominated landscapes. While controlling for the effects of local pasture area and vegetation structure, we found that the local abundance of 18 ( 78%) farmland bird species was significantly associated with the composition and structure of the surrounding landscape. The landscape distance that explained the largest part of local variation in abundance varied among species according to the size of their breeding territories or foraging home ranges. Our results suggest that habitat use of farmland birds breeding in pastures is affected both by suitable foraging habitats in the surrounding landscape and by nest sites within local pastures. Despite the generally higher abundances of farmland birds in pastures located in agricultural-dominated landscapes, most species of European and Swedish conservation concern had higher abundance in pastures located in more forested landscapes. Thus, the rapid loss of semi-natural dry pastures in forest-dominated landscapes is a serious threat to the future of these species in Sweden.     

长江中下游湖泊富营养化过程的湖泊沉积记录

长江中下游湖群区，历来是人类最活跃的场所，但由于近年来社会经济的迅速发展，湖泊富营养化问题日趋严重，对湖泊湿地变化与湖泊营养盐状况关系的分析是制定湖泊环境整治和生态修复的重要科学依据。长江中游湖泊——龙感湖的湖中心钻孔沉积物中硅藻组合和总磷变化记录了近百年来龙感湖富营养化过程。沉积物中湿地花粉与人湖营养盐关系以及磁化率的分析表明，流域内人类活动对湖周滩地的改造，破坏了湿地植被，助长了人湖物质的增加，湖泊营养相对富集，而流域农业化肥的使用导致了水质的进一步恶化。     

Model estimation of land-use effects on water levels of northern prairie wetlands.

Wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region exist in a matrix of grassland dominated by intensive pastoral and cultivation agriculture. Recent conservation management has emphasized the conversion of cultivated farmland and degraded pastures to intact grassland to improve upland nesting habitat. The consequences of changes in land-use cover that alter watershed processes have not been evaluated relative to their effect on the water budgets and vegetation dynamics of associated wetlands. We simulated the effect of upland agricultural practices on the water budget and vegetation of a semipermanent prairie wetland by modifying a previously published mathematical model (WETSIM). Watershed cover/land-use practices were categorized as unmanaged grassland (native grass, smooth brome), managed grassland (moderately heavily grazed, prescribed burned), cultivated crops (row crop, small grain), and alfalfa hayland. Model simulations showed that differing rates of evapotranspiration and runoff associated with different upland plant-cover categories in the surrounding catchment produced differences in wetland water budgets and linked ecological dynamics. Wetland water levels were highest and vegetation the most dynamic under the managed-grassland simulations, while water levels were the lowest and vegetation the least dynamic under the unmanaged-grassland simulations. The modeling results suggest that unmanaged grassland, often planted for waterfowl nesting, may produce the least favorable wetland conditions for birds, especially in drier regions of the Prairie Pothole Region. These results stand as hypotheses that urgently need to be verified with empirical data.     

广东汕头海岸湿地鸟类群落及其多样性

对广东汕头海岸湿地的鸟类资源进行了调查,共记录鸟类100种,隶属15目31科,其中古北界鸟类43种,东洋界鸟类45种,广布种鸟类12种.区系组成呈南北鸟类混杂分布,鸟类的多样性表现出明显的季节性.该湿地有国家二级重点保护鸟类10种,中日候鸟保护协定名录中的鸟类43种.对5个湿地样区的主要鸟类种类和数量进行了调查,结果反映汕头海岸湿地是水鸟类重要的越冬栖息场,鸟类群落多样性指数以三屿围和六合围两个样区较高,分别为3.2306和3.2283,濠江口的多样性指数较低,为1.981.群落多样性指数的高低主要受物种数量和各物种数量均匀度的影响.本文还提出了对鸟类资源保护和管理的建议.表3参9     

湿地价值分析及其基本原则

在对湿地功能、用途、属性与湿地价值间的关系、湿地价值的等级性进行分析的基础上,提出了湿地价值分析的基本原则,为在规划和决策时能充分考虑湿地的真正价值,从而实现湿地资源的保护与可持续利用。     

An optimization approach for sustainable release of e-flows for lake restoration and preservation: Model development and a case study of Baiyangdian Lake, China

In this paper, we describe the development of a model for the sustainable release of e-flows from the regional water resource infrastructure (e.g., reservoirs, rivers with available water) for lake restoration and preservation, and use the model in a case study of Baiyangdian Lake, China. First, we define the sustainable environmental flows (e-flows), with an emphasis on the ecological importance of temporal variation in factors such as water level (depth). By analyzing historical data on the suitable range of water levels in the lake, we evaluated fluctuations using canonical correspondence analysis and frequency distribution analysis. The temporal variations required by the ecosystem of the lake were also assessed. Based on this approach, we developed an optimization model for sustainable release of e-flows. We used the adaptive genetic algorithm approach to solve the model and determine the required release of e-flows. Scenario analysis then provided a range of potential management strategies for the e-flows. The optimal results are helpful to the lake managers to establish sustainable e-flow release schemes for the lake restoration and preservation.     

Sediment resuspension by wind in a shallow lake of Esteros del Iberá (Argentina): a model based on turbidimetry

A model based on empirical relationships is used to study frequency and magnitude of the sediment resuspension by wind-induced waves. The model has been developed for Laguna Galarza, a mesotrophic round-shaped shallow lake located in Esteros del Iberá wetland. Given the logistic and accessibility difficulties of this macrosystem, the installation of automated field stations facilitated continuous data acquisition. Using the wave theory, a daily spatial model of resuspension was built from simultaneous time series of hourly measurements of infrared nephelometric turbidity, wind speed and wind direction. The model was used to predict total suspended solids in another lake of the wetland (Laguna Iberá) showing a good agreement with observed field values, even although Laguna Iberá has a more irregular contour and a eutrophic state. Finally, we apply the model to discuss the ecological impacts of resuspension on the distribution of the littoral communities and to characterize the composition of the particulate suspended matter of the limnetic ecosystem. The model was useful to simulate the possible implications of the recent alterations of the wetland water level on the resuspension regime of the open water bodies.     

洞庭湖区湿地综合资源管理与复合生态系统建设

通过对洞庭湖区湿地衰退原因与特征的分析,提出合理开发湿地资源必须强化湿地整体管理,控制湿地开发规模,适度退田还湖还蓄（洪区）,调整农业布局与种植制度,走集约持续发展之路,建设复合高效湿地生态系统;进行适应洪涝灾害发生规律的避洪、耐渍型生态设计,建立适应浅水水体、湖洲和低湖渍害田的复合高效生态工程模式。     

克百威农药对我国湿地鸟类的威胁及其对策

介绍了我国湿地鸟类就地保护现状以及克百威农药在我国的使用,对鸟类的毒性、毒害途径和主要影响区域.针对当前我国克百威农药使用量大,对湿地鸟类构成严重威胁的实际情况,提出了具体的保护对策,包括:筛选一批重要湿地自然保护区进行严格管护;筛选出我国首批禁用克百威农药的市、县;完善湿地鸟类保护与自然保护区法律法规建设;调整农药产品结构,示范推广高效低毒的新农药品种;提高自然保护区管理水平,对毒害鸟类案件严格执法;加强对农药销售和使用的管理.     

天然湿地生态系统评价技术研究进展

当前湿地科学已成为世界各国研究重点,其中湿地评价技术是热点之一。文章回顾了国内外河口、河流和湖库湿地生态系统评价指标体系、湿地生态环境质量现状及脆弱性及其生态系统健康评价技术、湿地生态系统功能、效益、价值评价技术研究现状以及新技术在上述这些领域中的应用。这些研究多是针对常规环境条件下小空间尺度、单一类型或单一动力作用下的湿地生态系统功能、效益和环境质量方面的评价。在此基础上,考虑宏观尺度上湿地生态系统与其周围生态系统的相互作用以及非常规环境条件下湿地生态系统的响应机制,提出完善天然湿地生态系统评价技术需要发展的几个方面,包括湿地-河流生态系统评价、湿地生态系统对临近区域及其子系统可持续发展的影响评价、湿地生态系统反馈评价以及极端条件下湿地生态系统评价技术。     

Conservation Implications of Introduced Game Birds in High-Elevation Hawaiian Shrubland

The Ring-necked Pheasant ( Phasianus colchicus ) and the Chukar ( Alectoris chukar ) are the dominant avifauna in high-elevation shrubland (2070–3000 m) of Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii. We studied the food habits, ecological niche, and effects of these alien game birds on the native biota in this Hawaiian ecosystem. Analyses of crop contents indicated that pheasant and Chukar consumed predominantly fruits of native, woody dicots (39% and 47% respectively) and leaves (29% and 24% respectively) and flower parts (12% and 17% respectively) of alien, herbaceous dicots. Both species generally selected food items according to their relative availability, although other factors influenced choice of certain items. Invertebrates were a minor component of the game-bird diet, suggesting that their impact on native invertebrate populations is minimal. Pheasant and Chukar occupy, at least partially, an ecological niche once held by now-extinct or rare birds, and they appear not to be significant competitors with the endangered Nene. The role of these alien birds in facilitating seed dispersal and germination of native plant species is beneficial in restoring degraded ecosystems.     

1987-2008年南四湖湿地植被碳储量时空变化特征

利用研究区1987、1997和2008年的LandsatTM／ETM＋卫星遥感数据,结合实地采样调查和收集的资料,计算3个时期山东省南四湖湿地各植被类型的面积和碳储量;同时依照不同覆被类型（植被类型）的平均碳储量将各覆被类型的斑块划分为不同储碳等级,绘制3个时期的南四湖湿地植被碳格局图,分析植被碳储量的时空变化特征、变化产生的原因和变化对湿地的潜在影响。研究结果表明：研究前期（1987年）植被储碳格局存在着明显的植被碳储量以湖南北中心线向两岸增大的带状特征,研究中后期（1997-2008年）带状储碳格局不断破碎化并最终消失。整个研究期高储碳等级的斑块面积不断减小,低储碳等级的斑块面积增加。湿地植被碳储量呈现前期基本稳定后期显著减少的特征,1987、1997和2008年湿地植被碳储量均值分别为1．07、1．08和O．64TgC,1987-1997年湿地植被碳储量平均年增加0．001TgC,变化幅度不大;1997-2008年年减少0．04TgC,下降较明显。其中自然植被碳储量在整个研究期内持续减少,人工植被碳储量呈现先增加后减少的波动变化特征,分析认为这一变化特征产生的主要原因是南四湖地区多因子驱动的土地覆被变化活动。通过区域湿地植被的碳平衡动态分析认为,植被碳储量（碳库）的减少可能会导致整个湿地碳储量的入不敷出,使整个湿地碳汇能力下降甚至可能变为碳源。     

Malaria and risk of predation: a comparative study of birds

Predators have been hypothesized to prey on individuals in a poor state of health, although this hypothesis has only rarely been examined. We used extensive data on prey abundance and availability from two long-term studies of the European Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and the Eurasian Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) to quantify the relationship between predation risk of different prey species and infection with malaria and other protozoan blood parasites. Using a total of 31 745 prey individuals of 65 species of birds from 1709 nests during 1977-1997 for the Sparrowhawk and a total of 21 818 prey individuals of 76 species of birds from 1480 nests for the Goshawk during 1977-2004, we show that prey species with a high prevalence of blood parasites had higher risks of predation than species with a low prevalence. That was also the case when a number of confounding variables of prey species, such as body mass, breeding sociality, sexual dichromatism, and similarity among species in risk of predation due to common descent, were controlled in comparative analyses of standardized linear contrasts. Prevalence of the genera Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium, and Trypanosoma were correlated with each other, and we partitioned out the independent effects of different protozoan genera on predation risk in comparative analyses. Prevalence of Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Plasmodium accounted for interspecific variation in predation risk for the two raptors. These findings suggest that predation is an important factor affecting parasite-host dynamics because predators tend to prey on hosts that are more likely to be infected, thereby reducing the transmission success of parasites. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that protozoan infections are a common cause of death for hosts mediated by increased risk of predation.     

A Landscape Approach to Biodiversity Conservation of Sacred Groves in the Western Ghats of India

Abstract:  Although sacred groves are important for conservation in India, the landscape that surrounds them has a vital influence on biodiversity within them. Research has focused on tree diversity inside these forest patches. In a coffee-growing region of the Western Ghats, however, landscape outside sacred groves is also tree covered because planters have retained native trees to provide shade for coffee plants. We examined the diversity of trees, birds, and macrofungi at 58 sites—10 forest-reserve sites, 25 sacred groves, and 23 coffee plantations— in Kodagu district. We measured landscape composition and configuration around each site with a geographic information system. To identify factors associated with diversity we constructed multivariate models by using a decision-tree technique. The conventional measures of landscape fragmentation such as patch size did not influence species richness. Distance of sacred groves from the forest reserve had a weak influence. The measures of landscape structure (e.g., tree cover in the surroundings) and stand structure (e.g., variability in canopy height) contributed to the variation in species richness explained by multivariate models. We suggest that biodiversity present within sacred groves has been influenced by native tree cover in the surrounding landscape. To conserve this biodiversity the integrity of the tree-covered landscape matrix will need to be conserved.     

The effects of groundwater table and flood irrigation strategies on soil water and salt dynamics and reed water use in the Yellow River Delta, China

Vegetation management in shallow groundwater table environments requires an understanding of the interactions between the physical and biological factors that determine root-zone soil salinization and moisture. In this study, the effects of groundwater depth and flood irrigation strategies on water and salt dynamics and reed water use were analyzed in the shallow groundwater region of the Yellow River Delta in China using the HYDRUS-1D model. The results indicated that there is a conflict between water, salt stress, and reed water use with variations in groundwater depth. A water table depth of 3.5 m is the minimum limit to maintain a safe level of soil salinity, but at this depth, the environmental stress on reeds is worsened by the decrease in soil water storage. Maintaining the flood pulses on the wetland, especially during May, may be critical for restoring the reed wetland in the Yellow River Delta.