Seven Years of Change Following Liming of Sphagnum Communities in Sector Vii of the Loch Fleet Catchment

In 1986, application of lime within the upper wetland area of sector VII of the Loch Fleet catchment initiated numerous unscheduled small-scale experiments on the vegetation of this heterogeneous terrain. Vegetation changes and erosion were monitored in permanent or relocated plots established in 1987 and 1989 and re-surveyed in 1993, seven years after liming.

The most striking early effect, possibly occurring within a few weeks of lime application, was the death of Sphagnum papillosum carpet in soakways within the 2.5 ha area. Some patches of dead material were washed away, but bare surfaces were generally colonised by vascular plants, notably Juncus bulbosus. Effects in moorland and bog communities with dwarf shurbs were more subtle, involving reduction in Sphagnum cover and expansion of Erica teralix, Molinia caerulea, sedges and Narthecium ossifragum, but little change in the frequency of occurrence of Calluna vulgaris.     

Relict communities and populations of petrophilous plant species in northern regions of Sverdlovsk oblast and problems in their conservation

An inventory of rock vegetation has been taken in river valleys on the eastern slope of the southern part of the Northern Urals and the northern part of the Middle Urals. New habitats of some rare plant species, relict communities of forest-steppe species at the northern limit of their distribution, and ultrasmall populations of petrophilous species growing in isolation for a long time have been revealed. In studies on a group of similar specially protected areas (e.g., within river valleys), it is proposed to identify key sites distinguished by the highest species richness of vegetation     

山东海岸沙生植被的特点和生态评价

山东海岸分布着特殊意义的海岸沙生植被,其特点为群落类型单纯,组成种类结构简单,具有显著的镶嵌性。植物有很强的抗旱、耐瘠、耐热、耐盐能力,群落自然演替缓慢。本文对该岸区沙生植被的恢复、发展和防止生态平衡失调等问题进行了生态评价,并从植物生态学角度提出海岸开发设想。     

Restraint use and seating position among children less than 13 years of age: Is it still a problem?

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to calculate national estimates and examine the extent to which children prematurely use adult seat belts and ride in the front seat of a vehicle during a 30 day period.

Methods

Data were obtained from a nationally representative cross-sectional random-digit-dial telephone survey that included child-specific questions on motor vehicle restraint use and seating position.

Results

Among children less than 13 years, parents reported an estimated 618,337 who rode unrestrained and more than one million who rode in the front seat of a vehicle at least some of the time in the past 30 days. During the same time period, close to 11 million children 8 years and younger reportedly used only adult seat belts.

Discussion

Our results highlight the need for continued outreach to parents regarding optimal restraint use and rear seating position for children every trip, every time.     

An environmental perspective of the post-tsunami scenario along the coast of Tamil Nadu, India: role of sand dunes and forests

An endeavor to feel the pulse of a coast devastated by a powerful oceanographic event is made. Results of field investigations along Tamil Nadu seaside revealed that the tsunami of December 2004 demolished dwellings within strips ranging from 6 to 132m (average width, 41m) from the dune, and flooded up to 862m (average, 247m) from the shore. The event damaged sand dunes, ripped dune vegetation, created new water bodies and shattered high value assets. Comparatively, casuarina forests performed remarkably. Uprooting of trees was exclusively restricted to a frontal strip ranging from 5 to 25m (average width, 14m) nearest to the shore where the maximum wave run-up was 6.5m above sea level. Sand dunes in general, and casuarina forests in particular, posses an innate capacity to dissipate powerful waves. This inference is supported by (a) negligible over wash along belts characterized by high dune complexes, (b) intact villages shielded by dense forests as well as sand dunes, and (c) maximum destruction of open beach front influenced by intense human activity. In this context, the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) Notification of 1991 offers sufficient scientific validity to be endorsed. However, post-tsunami ecosystem management initiatives lack a scientific basis. Therefore, a coastal hazards policy, that considers adaptation, dune restoration and forested buffer zones, is a sustainable long-term option for Indian coasts.     

四川彭州铜尾矿库植被特征分析与植物群落演替初探

本文分析了四川彭州铜矿尾矿库的植被特征、群落特征与演替。在该尾矿库上自然定居的高等植物共91种，隶属38科79属，以菊科（Compositae）和禾本科（Gramineae）植物为主。形成6种相对稳定的群落类型；在2003年弃耕后形成的地段分布有史蒿＋小飞蓬群落（Artemisia argyi＋Conyza conadensis Comm．）、艾蒿＋打破碗花花群落（Artemisia argyi＋Anemone hupehensis Comm．）、艾蒿群落（Artemisia argyi Comm．）和白车轴苹群落（Trifolium repens Comm．）；在经过30～40年自然演替的地段分布有芭茅＋羊耳菊群落（Miscanthus sinensis＋Inula cappa Comm．）和羊耳菊＋千里光＋密蒙花群落（Inula cappa＋Senecio scandens＋Buddleja officinalis Comm．）；在近十年内新形成的地段现主要覆盖地衣和葫芦藓（Funaria hygrometrica）。通过对群落结构和不同地段植被特征的对比，对本铜尾矿库的演替现状和规律进行了分析，井讨论了人为影响对演替进程的影响，提出了人工恢复措施的建议。     

乌鲁木齐市东南部荒山植被类型及其特征

采用典型样地法对乌鲁木齐市东部荒山植被进行了调查.依据中国植被和新疆植被分类的原则,遵循群落学-生态学原则,用重要值优势度分类方法确定各层片优势种.将此地区自然植被划分为5个植被型,8个植被亚型、20个群系和24个群丛.并对植被型的基本特征进行了分析和描述.     

彩色合成法在新疆地表植被覆盖变化中的应用--以多时相NOAA-AVHRR影像为例

以NOAA—AVHRR遥感数据为基础，使用彩色合成法对新疆地表植被变化进行分析。结果证明，利用不同时相的NDVI影像进行彩色合成可以直观地反映地表植被的变化趋势，通过遥感软件对彩色图像处理，还可以对地表植被变化进行定量分析。     

COLD WATER PATCHES IN WARM STREAMS: PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND THE INFLUENCE OF SHADING1

ABSTRACT: Discrete cold water patches within the surface waters of summer warm streams afford potential thermal refuge for cold water fishes during periods of heat stress. This analysis focused on reach scale heterogeneity in water temperatures as influenced by local influx of cooler subsurface waters. Using field thermal probes and recording thermistors, we identified and characterized cold water patches (at least 3°C colder than ambient streamflow temperatures) potentially serving as thermal refugia for cold water fishes. Among 37 study sites within alluvial valleys of the Grande Ronde basin in northeastern Oregon, we identified cold water patches associated with side channels, alcoves, lateral seeps, and floodplain spring brooks. These types differed with regard to within floodplain position, area, spatial thermal range, substrate, and availability of cover for fish. Experimental shading cooled daily maximum temperatures of surface waters within cold water patches 2 to 4°C, indicating a strong influence of riparian vegetation on the expression of cold water patch thermal characteristics. Strong vertical temperature gradients associated with heating of surface layers of cold water patches exposed to solar radiation, superimposed upon vertical gradients in dissolved oxygen, can partially restrict suitable refuge volumes for stream salmonids within cold water patches.     

长江上游森林植被变化对削洪减灾功能的影响

长江上游具有形成暴雨洪水的地形与气候条件，森林植被削洪减灾功能的提高必须着眼于森林植被—土壤生态系统结构的改善，削洪减灾功能的提高是通过林冠层、枯枝落叶层和土壤层对雨水的截留拦蓄作用实现的。研究区森林植被—土壤生态系统区域差异明显，不同地区该系统林冠层、枯枝落叶层和土壤层的最大截持水量不同，该系统削洪减灾功能的大小不仅与降雨特点有关，而且与系统各水文层前期持水量有关。在连续长时间暴雨情况下，森林植被—土壤生态系统除对第一次洪峰有削减作用外，对后续暴雨洪水的削减作用不明显，甚至会使洪峰增高。根据宜昌站30d洪水量的地区组成和森林植被—土壤生态系统截留持水功能的特点，提出了长江上游森林植被恢复、重建与保护的宏观调控对策。