Diverging response patterns of terrestrial and aquatic species to hydromorphological restoration

Although experiences with ecological restoration continue to accumulate, the effectiveness of restoration for biota remains debated. We complemented a traditional taxonomic analysis approach with information on 56 species traits to uncover the responses of 3 aquatic (fish, macroinvertebrates, macrophytes) and 2 terrestrial (carabid beetles, floodplain vegetation) biotic groups to 43 hydromorphological river restoration projects in Germany. All taxonomic groups responded positively to restoration, as shown by increased taxonomic richness (10–164%) and trait diversity (habitat, dispersal and mobility, size, form, life history, and feeding groups) (15–120%). Responses, however, were stronger for terrestrial than aquatic biota, and, contrary to our expectation, taxonomic responses were stronger than those of traits. Nevertheless, trait analysis provided mechanistic insights into the drivers of community change following restoration. Trait analysis for terrestrial biota indicated restoration success was likely enhanced by lateral connectivity and reestablishment of dynamic processes in the floodplain. The weaker response of aquatic biota suggests recovery was hindered by the persistence of stressors in the aquatic environment, such as degraded water quality, dispersal constraints, and insufficient hydromorphological change. Therefore, river restoration requires combined local- and regional-scale approaches to maximize the response of both aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Due to the contrasting responses of aquatic and terrestrial biota, the planning and assessment of river restoration outcomes should consider effects on both components of riverine landscapes.     

Using environmental and geographic data to optimize ex situ collections and preserve evolutionary potential

Maintenance of biodiversity through seed banks and botanical gardens, where the wealth of species’ genetic variation may be preserved ex situ, is a major goal of conservation. However, challenges can persist in optimizing ex situ collections if trade-offs exist among cost, effort, and conserving species evolutionary potential, particularly when genetic data are not available. We evaluated the genetic consequences of population preservation informed by geographic (isolation by distance [IBD]) and environmental (isolation by environment [IBE]) distance for ex situ collections for which population provenance is available. We used 19 genetic and genomic data sets from 15 plant species to assess the proportion of population genetic differentiation explained by geographic and environmental factors and to simulate ex situ collections prioritizing source populations based on pairwise geographic distance, environmental distance, or both. Specifically, we tested the impact prioritizing sampling based on these distances may have on the capture of neutral, functional, or putatively adaptive genetic diversity and differentiation. Individually, IBD and IBE explained limited population genetic differences across all 3 genetic marker classes (IBD, 10–16%; IBE, 1–5.5%). Together, they explained a substantial proportion of population genetic differences for functional (45%) and adaptive (71%) variation. Simulated ex situ collections revealed that inclusion of IBD, IBE, or both increased allelic diversity and genetic differentiation captured among populations, particularly for loci that may be important for adaptation. Thus, prioritizing population collections based on environmental and geographic distance data can optimize genetic variation captured ex situ. For the vast majority of plant species for which there is no genetic information, these data are invaluable to conservation because they can guide preservation of genetic variation needed to maintain evolutionary potential within collections.     

Change in avian functional fingerprints of a Neotropical montane forest over 100 years as an indicator of ecosystem integrity

Ecologically relevant traits of organisms in an assemblage determine an ecosystem's functional fingerprint (i.e., the shape, size, and position of multidimensional trait space). Quantifying changes in functional fingerprints can therefore provide information about the effects of diversity loss or gain through time on ecosystem condition and is a promising approach to monitoring ecological integrity. This, however, is seldom possible owing to limitations in historical surveys and a lack of data on organismal traits, particularly in diverse tropical regions. Using data from detailed bird surveys from 4 periods across more than a century, and morphological and ecological traits of 233 species, we quantified changes in the avian functional fingerprint of a tropical montane forest in the Andes of Colombia. We found that 78% of the variation in functional space, regardless of period, was described by 3 major axes summarizing body size, dispersal ability (indexed by wing shape), and habitat breadth. Changes in species composition significantly altered the functional fingerprint of the assemblage and functional richness and dispersion decreased 35–60%. Owing to species extirpations and to novel additions to the assemblage, functional space decreased over time, but at least 11% of its volume in the 2010s extended to areas of functional space that were unoccupied in the 1910s. The assemblage now includes fewer large-sized species, more species with greater dispersal ability, and fewer habitat specialists. Extirpated species had high functional uniqueness and distinctiveness, resulting in large reductions in functional richness and dispersion after their loss, which implies important consequences for ecosystem integrity. Conservation efforts aimed at maintaining ecosystem function must move beyond seeking to sustain species numbers to designing complementary strategies for the maintenance of ecological function by identifying and conserving species with traits conferring high vulnerability such as large body size, poor dispersal ability, and greater habitat specialization. Article impact statement: Changes in functional fingerprints provide a means to quantify the integrity of ecological assemblages affected by diversity loss or gain.     

都江堰灵岩山3种人工林优势物种叶片的有机组分特征

叶片的有机组分特征不仅是植物光合产物分配策略和养分回收的重要参数,而且是衡量凋落叶分解难易程度的重要指标.为探究不同植物群落叶片间有机组分的差异,以华西雨屏区人工林的优势乔、灌、草植物作为对象,收集其成熟叶及凋落叶,研究其水溶性组分(water soluble component,WSC)、有机溶性组分(organic solvent soluble component,OSC)、酸溶性组分(acid-soluble extractive,ASE)和酸不溶性组分(acid-insoluble residue,AIR)含量特征.结果显示:植物叶片整体的WSC、OSC、ASE和AIR的平均相对含量为分别为25.05%、6.56%、34.30%和35.05%,表现为AIR> ASE> WSC> OSC.成熟叶和凋落叶同种组分的相对含量存在差异,成熟叶中ASE的相对含量(36.34%)最高,凋落叶中AIR含量(39.63%)最高.乔、灌、草层植物成熟叶的WSC、OSC、ASE的相对含量高于凋落叶,而AIR的相对含量低于凋落叶,其中WSC的相对含量在成熟叶和凋落叶间差异显著.不同植物功能群的同一组分间存在差异,木本植物WSC、ASE的相对含量低于草本植物,而OSC、AIR的相对含量高于草本植物.因此,植物叶片的有机组分特征不仅受到叶类型的影响,也受到不同植物功能群的影响;结果可为理解亚热带人工林植物的养分利用效率和凋落物分解机制提供重要理论依据.(图5表1参50)     

基于模糊推理的FRAM事故定量分析方法研究

为有效克服FRAM事故分析中无法进行定量分析的缺陷，提出结合模糊推理技术的Fuzzy FRAM模型。此改进模型基于FRAM识别系统运行状态；依据功能输出要素的时间/精度属性利用Matlab构建2阶模糊推理系统量化功能输出质量；根据通用性能条件(CPC)及功能输入耦合端口构建功能评价体系，针对评价体系中存在的不确定性信息融合及建模问题，采用模糊证据推理技术，通过模糊信度结构建立、数据处理、信息融合测度后获得功能的风险指数;以既有铁路危险品运输事故为例，验证方法的可行性。结果表明:Fuzzy FRAM模型的评估结果较为精确，是FRAM分析方法的有效补充。     

How farmers develop local ecological knowledge for on-farm tree management: The perspectives of some farming communities of Ghana

Scientific insights into what it means to manage on-farm trees by local farmers, is an essential step towards documenting local ecological knowledge for sustainable landscape management. A study was therefore conducted in the Kumawu Forest District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to assess how farmers conceptualise on-farm tree management and develop local knowledge for it. Using a case study approach, data were collected through informal interviews and focus group discussions with 120 farmers drawn from 15 communities who were involved in the management of three cropping systems; cocoa, maize and cassava-cocoyam-plantain mix. It was observed that the farmers regard on-farm tree management as a continuous process which occurs in three phases of the farming cycle; land preparation, crop cultivation and fallow management. For each of the three phases, farmers are guided by specific principles that ensure enough light penetration in-between tree crowns in the land preparation phase, suitable spacing between trees and crops in the crop cultivation phase and adequate tree regeneration in the fallow phase. The decisions made during the selection of tree species, spacing of trees adjudged suitable for any particular cropping system and recruitment of saplings prior to the fallow phase of farming constitute tree management. Farmers develop tree management knowledge by studying the physical characteristics of species, matching them to ecological functions they could perform and how they are likely to respond to treatments meant to control or enhance their development. Species are then subjected to trial and recommended or otherwise.     

基于数据库的植物功能性状研究现状文献计量学分析

植物功能性状数据库是功能生态学研究的重要工具.了解基于植物功能性状数据库的植物功能性状研究现状,对探讨功能多样性和生物多样性具有重要的指导意义.介绍植物功能性状数据库的类型、影响力的评价方法和使用方法,并整理了17个植物功能性状库(附表).同时,通过Web of Science检索了2008-2018年间基于植物功能性状数据库开展植物功能性状研究的论文,从刊文数量、期刊分布、研究机构、主要作者、研究热点等方面进行分析.结果表明:基于数据库开展植物功能性状研究的文章数量和被引次数呈快速增长的趋势.当前此方向的研究主要以少数学者、机构为核心,大量论文发表在少数期刊上.研究热点主要体现在群落生态学、气候变化和性状进化、恢复和生存策略等方面.未来应加强研究者、研究机构之间的合作,数据共享,建立全球型的数据完善的植物功能性状数据库,同时加强数据标准化处理,解决地下性状和生理性状等难以获取及量化的问题,完善化石记录的植物性状和植物不同生长阶段的植物功能性状数据.(图5表4参60附表1)     

深水型水库藻类功能组时空演替及生境变化的影响

藻类功能分组是近年来生态学藻类研究的重要理论和方法.为了探明西安某深水型水源水库藻类功能组时空演替及生境变化的影响,于2011年8月起开展实验研究.研究采用现场在线监测和实验室分析相结合的方法.结果表明,水库藻类可分为10个功能组类别:B、D、P、X1、X3、F、G、J、LM、MP.其中,功能组B、P、F、X1、MP、D、J在水库中较为常见,X3、G、LM出现几率较低,功能组B、D、P、X1、X3的藻类数量占优.通过分析环境因子的变化对功能组时空演替的影响,发现水温为最主要的影响因子.水库藻类生长策略为:春季R/CR策略藻种→春末夏初CR/C策略藻种→夏末秋初C/CR/R/CS/S策略藻种→秋末及冬季CR/R策略藻种.此研究可为深水型水库安全取水提供理论支持.     

Microbial community functional structure in response to micro-aerobic conditions in sulfate-reducing sulfur-producing bioreactor

Limited oxygen supply to anaerobic wastewater treatment systems had been demonstrated as an effective strategy to improve elemental sulfur(S0) recovery, coupling sulfate reduction and sulfide oxidation. However, little is known about the impact of dissolved oxygen(DO) on the microbial functional structures in these systems. We used a high throughput tool(GeoChip) to evaluate the microbial community structures in a biological desulfurization reactor under micro-aerobic conditions(DO: 0.02–0.33 mg/L). The results indicated that the microbial community functional compositions and structures were dramatically altered with elevated DO levels. The abundances of dsrA/B genes involved in sulfate reduction processes significantly decreased(p 0.05, LSD test) at relatively high DO concentration(DO: 0.33 mg/L). The abundances of sox and fccA/B genes involved in sulfur/sulfide oxidation processes significantly increased(p 0.05, LSD test) in low DO concentration conditions(DO: 0.09 mg/L) and then gradually decreased with continuously elevated DO levels. Their abundances coincided with the change of sulfate removal efficiencies and elemental sulfur(S0) conversion efficiencies in the bioreactor. In addition, the abundance of carbon degradation genes increased with the raising of DO levels, showing that the heterotrophic microorganisms(e.g., fermentative microorganisms) were thriving under micro-aerobic condition. This study provides new insights into the impacts of micro-aerobic conditions on the microbial functional structure of sulfatereducing sulfur-producing bioreactors, and revealed the potential linkage between functional microbial communities and reactor performance.     

武汉城市群夏季热岛特征及演变

利用2000~2010年共11期MODIS地表温度资料和多源多时相的遥感影像分类结果揭示武汉城市群的夏季热岛效应,反演并计算出10 a间武汉城市群日间和夜间的热岛强度变化、土地覆盖类型和城镇用地面积。在对不同时相的地表温度数据进行热岛指数归一化处理的基础上,分析了武汉城市群热岛的分布特征及年代演变,定量分析了武汉城市群以及中心城市武汉市不同热状况区面积的变化和热场的变迁。结果表明,武汉城市群夏季热岛效应较为明显,其中武汉市是主要热源和热中心;自2000年起,武汉城市群城乡温度差异逐步减小,热中心分布向外扩散,城市热岛区域急速扩张,整体热环境趋于恶化;新兴城区的开发增加了武汉市的热源分布,人工表面的增加以及自然表面的减少导致城市热岛效应不断加剧。