Port Phillip Bay (PPB) is a large (1,930 km2), temperate embayment in southern Victoria, Australia. Extensive bay-wide surveys of PPB have occurred since 1840. In 1995/1996 the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Centre for Research on Introduced Marine Pests (CRIMP) undertook an intensive evaluation of the region with the aims of developing a comprehensive species list of native and introduced biota and contrasting previous bay-wide assessments with a current field survey in order to detect new incursions and discern alterations to native communities. Two methods were used to meet these aims: a re-evaluation of regional museum collections and published research in PPB to identify and determine the timing of introductions; and field surveys for benthic (infauna, epifauna and encrusting) organisms between September 1995 to March 1996. One hundred and sixty introduced (99) and cryptogenic (61) species were identified representing over 13% of the recorded species of PPB. As expected, the majority of these are concentrated around the shipping ports of Geelong and Melbourne. Invasions within PPB appear to be increasing, possibly due to an increase in modern shipping traffic and an increase in aquaculture (historically associated with incidental introductions); however the records of extensive biological surveys suggest that this may, in part, be an artefact of sampling effort. In contrast to Northern Hemisphere studies, PPB (and Southern Hemisphere introductions in general) have significantly different suites of successfully invading taxa. PPB is presented as one of the most invaded marine ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere.Communicated by M.S. Johnson, Crawley 相似文献
Using a case study of the Lake Abitibi Model Forest (LAMF), this study aims to assess the temporal and spatial variability
in carbon storage during 1990–2000, and to present a comprehensive estimation of the carbon budget for LAMF's ecosystems.
As well, it provided the information needed by local forest managers to develop ecological and carbon-based indicators and
monitor the sustainability of forest ecosystems. Temporal and spatial carbon dynamics were simulated at the landscape level
using ecosystem model TRIPLEX1.0 and Geographical Information System (GIS). The simulated net primary productivity (NPP) and
carbon storage in forest biomass and soil were compared with field data and results from other studies for Canada's boreal
forests. The results show that simulated NPP ranged from 3.26 to 3.34 tC ha−1 yr−1 in the 1990s and was consistent with the range measured during the Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Studies (BOREAS) in central
Canada. Modeled NPP was also compared with the estimation from remote sensing data. The density of total above-and belowground
biomass was 125.3, 111.8, and 106.5 tC ha−1 for black spruce, trembling aspen, and jack pine in the LAMF ecosystem, respectively. The total carbon density of forested
land was estimated at 154.4 tC ha−1 with the proportion of 4:6 for total biomass and soil. The analysis of net carbon balance of ecosystem suggested that the
LAMF forest ecosystem was acting as a carbon sink with an allowable harvest in the 1990s. 相似文献
Stream restoration projects are often based on morphological form or stream type and, as a result, there needs to be a clear tie established between form and function of the stream. An examination of the literature identifies numerous relationships in naturally forming streams that link morphologic form and stream processes. Urban stream restoration designs often work around infrastructure and incorporate bank stabilization and grade control structures. Because of these imposed constraints and highly altered hydrologic and sediment discharge regimens, the design of urban channel projects is rather unclear. In this paper, we examine the state of the art in relationships between form and processes, the strengths and weaknesses of these existing relationships, and the current lack of understanding in applying these relationships in the urban environment. In particular, we identify relationships that are critical to urban stream restoration projects and provide recommendations for future research into how this information can be used to improve urban stream restoration design. It is also suggested that improving the success of urban restoration projects requires further investigation into incorporating process-based methodologies, which can potentially reduce ambiguity in the design and the necessity of using an abundant amount of in-stream structures. 相似文献
The use of molecular tools, principally qPCR, versus traditional culture-based methods for quantifying microbial parameters (e.g., Fecal Indicator Organisms) in bathing waters generates considerable ongoing debate at the science–policy interface. Advances in science have allowed the development and application of molecular biological methods for rapid (~2 h) quantification of microbial pollution in bathing and recreational waters. In contrast, culture-based methods can take between 18 and 96 h for sample processing. Thus, molecular tools offer an opportunity to provide a more meaningful statement of microbial risk to water-users by providing near-real-time information enabling potentially more informed decision-making with regard to water-based activities. However, complementary studies concerning the potential costs and benefits of adopting rapid methods as a regulatory tool are in short supply. We report on findings from an international Working Group that examined the breadth of social impacts, challenges, and research opportunities associated with the application of molecular tools to bathing water regulations. 相似文献
The codisposal of toxic metals and radionuclides with organic chelating agents has been implicated in the facilitated transport of the inorganic contaminants away from primary waste disposal areas. We investigated the transport of Co(II)NTA through undisturbed cores of fractured shale saprolite. Experiments were conducted across the pH range 4 to 8 by collecting cores from different locations within the weathering profile. Aqueous complexation, adsorption, dissociation and oxidation reactions influenced Co(II)NTA transport. The suite of reaction products identified in column effluent varied with experimental pH. At low pH and in the presence of abundant exchangeable aluminum, Co transport occurred predominantly as the Co2+ ion. At higher pH, Co was transported primarily as Co(II)NTA and the Co(III) species Co(III)(HNTA)2 and Co(III)(IDA)2. The formation of the geochemical oxidation products (Co(III) species) has far reaching implications as these compounds are kinetically and thermodynamically stable, are transported more rapidly than Co(II)NTA, and are resistant to biodegradation. These results demonstrate that natural minerals, in the physical structure encountered naturally, can be more important in the formation of mobile, stable contaminant forms than they can be for the retardation and dissociation of the contaminants. 相似文献
Despite increasingly large investments, the potential ecological effects of river restoration programs are still small compared
to the degree of human alterations to physical and ecological function. Thus, it is rarely possible to “restore” pre-disturbance
conditions; rather restoration programs (even large, well-funded ones) will nearly always involve multiple small projects,
each of which can make some modest change to selected ecosystem processes and habitats. At present, such projects are typically
selected based on their attributes as individual projects (e.g., consistency with programmatic goals of the funders, scientific
soundness, and acceptance by local communities), and ease of implementation. Projects are rarely prioritized (at least explicitly)
based on how they will cumulatively affect ecosystem function over coming decades. Such projections require an understanding
of the form of the restoration response curve, or at least that we assume some plausible relations and estimate cumulative
effects based thereon. Drawing on our experience with the CALFED Bay-Delta Ecosystem Restoration Program in California, we
consider potential cumulative system-wide benefits of a restoration activity extensively implemented in the region: isolating/filling
abandoned floodplain gravel pits captured by rivers to reduce predation of outmigrating juvenile salmon by exotic warmwater
species inhabiting the pits. We present a simple spreadsheet model to show how different assumptions about gravel pit bathymetry
and predator behavior would affect the cumulative benefits of multiple pit-filling and isolation projects, and how these insights
could help managers prioritize which pits to fill. 相似文献