Seasonal ecophysiology of an endangered coastal species,the yellow-horned poppy (Glaucium flavum Crantz)

Glaucium flavum Crantz. is a short-lived perennial herb distributed in coastal zones from the Black Sea to southern, western and north-western Europe. Despite its diminishing area of distribution and potential pharmacological value, little is known about the ecophysiological features of this coastal species. We investigated the photosynthetic performance of G. flavum by measuring gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic pigment concentration and leaf water content over the space of a year in a coastal habitat of SW Spain. We also measured the variation in total concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, calcium and magnesium, in the leaves and soil, throughout the study period. G. flavum showed a high resistance to summer drought conditions which appeared to be due to the high degree of stomatal control. The potential photochemical efficiency of photosystem II showed minimum values during the winter, indicating that low temperatures can produce negative effects within the photosynthetic apparatus. However, the marked decline in net photosynthesis during the winter seems to be mainly related to a loss of metabolic activity. Although leaf nutrient concentrations were, in general, within the normal ranges, phosphorus availability seems to be limited by the high calcium concentrations detected in the soil of the study site. Our study points out the efficiency of the different physiological adaptations of this rare and endangered coastal species in coping with the strong seasonal variability of the Mediterranean climate.     

Drought Stress in Four Subalpine Species: Gas Exchange Response and Survivorship

An assessment of adaptability of saplings of four evergreen species (Picea abies Karst., Pinus mugo Turra, Pinus peuce Grisb. and Pinus heldreichii H. Christ.), native for Bulgarian treeline zone, was made on the basis of leaf gas exchange and survivability in artificially induced drought stress. The established low sensitivity of gas exchange to summer drought and the highest mortality of P. abies may be regarded as an evidence for a narrow zone of tolerance. P. peuce and P. heldreichii have low survivorship under drought conditions, regardless of the variable effect of soil moisture on the gas exchange parameters. The better survivability and significant reduction of gas exchange in response to soil water deficit of P. mugo probably will give him an advantage in future adaptation to climate change and in competition with other subalpine species. We conclude that the expected trends in climate change will most likely lead to a further narrowing of the ecological and physiological comfortable zone for two investigated endemic species.     

Analysis of the soil water balance for large-scale reforestation with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucommia ulmoides</Emphasis> in the hilly red soil region of southern China

Returning farmland to forests is important for the protection of ecological values. Eucommia ulmoides is considered to be a suitable species for reforestation in the hilly red soil region of southern China. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the water supply and demand of an E. ulmoides plantation to provide insights into the feasibility of large-scale planting for ecological restoration and forest management activities in the hilly red soil region of southern China. With the measured precipitation, surface runoff and interflow and actual evapotranspiration (ET_c) estimated by the modified P–M model, soil water storage (SWS) was estimated based on the water balance equation. Monthly variations of SWS were then compared with in situ measured SWS. The results showed that the estimated mean monthly water losses (the sum of the surface runoff, interflow and ET_c) were 139.8 mm in a wet year and 120.0 mm in a dry year, while the measured mean monthly water input values (net precipitation) were 131.2 mm in a wet year and 70.8 mm in a dry year. Net soil water storage (ΔSWS) was negative in each month of the growing season in a dry year, but the soil water deficit was replenished during the following season. The model performance showed that the modified P–M model can be adapted to estimate the soil water storage in other forest catchments where no adequate in situ data are available. As a result of estimating the water balance and observing soil water storage in two different hydrological years, E. ulmoides is recommended as a suitable forest rehabilitation species in the study area, and a suitable plant region has been defined by the GIS technique based on the water balance model.     

Ecological characteristics of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. seedling roots under different irrigation treatments

An trench profile method was used to study seasonal variation of root ecological characteristics of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. seedlings under different irrigation treatments. The results indicated the following: (1) Root morphology: under excellent soil moisture conditions, A. sparsifolia seedlings developed many horizontal roots and root sprouts to compete for light; but under poor soil moisture, the vertical root system expanded its resource space into deeper soil. Plasticity of root morphology is an important strategy to capture water and adapt to the hyperarid environment. (2) Root/shoot ratio: root/shoot ratio increased with declining soil moisture, and this trend was more obvious later in the growing season. Increase of root/shoot ratio is a strategy for adapting to drought. (3) Growth of root system: The seedlings prefer to develop roots in shallower surface layers with less water availability. The growth depth and vertical growth rate of roots increased with decreased soil moisture. (4) Accumulation of root biomass: biomass and surface area of the root system decreased with increased soil depth, with the roots distributed in an ??inverted pyramid?? in vertical section view. The formation of root biomass conformed to a logistic ??slow-quick-slow?? growth curve, and total biomass decreased with intensity of soil drought. The findings will provide data useful for effective restoration of A. sparsifolia and better utilization of water resources in hyperarid regions.     

The distribution pattern of different patch types and heterogeneity of the light and temperature: Larix chinensis Beissn in Qinling Mountains (China)

Based on a field investigation in the sample of an old growth subalpine coniferous forests in Qinling Mountains (China), we recognized the gap-forming processes in Larix chinensis forest for four representative patches (gap phases (G), building phases (B), mature phases (M) and degenerate phases (D)). The distribution pattern of four different patches and heterogeneity of the light and temperature were analyzed. The percentages of four different patch types (G, B, M and D) were 32.3%, 24.5%, 23.5% and 19.7%, respectively. The light and temperature had significant change among four patch types. From 6 to 20 o’clock, gap patch types changed more significantly than other three phases. The light and temperature regimes in mature patch type had a relatively mild change. Such micro-environmental heterogeneity among four different patches can lead to species niche partitioning, and some deterministic factors are benefit to the coexistence of various species with different characteristics within forest community.     

Assessment of nonselective elimination effects in rodent communities by methods of geometric morphometrics

Methods of geometric morphometrics and population phenogenetics have been used to evaluate morphogenetic rearrangements in two sympatric species of Myodes voles (M. glareolus Schreb. 1780 and M. rutilus Pall. 1779) from syntopic populations recovering after exposure to local “ecological vacuum” created as a result of rodent extermination in a natural focus of hemorrhagic fever in the southern taiga subzone of the Udmurt Republic. The model used in the study simulates the situation that arises upon nonselective elimination of rodent populations and communities in spring and their subsequent recovery. Analysis of variation in the size and shape of the mandible and in a complex of 30 nonmetric cranial characters has revealed similar (parallel) and species-specific morphogenetic and epigenetic changes occurring during the recovery of local rodent community. Species-specific differences in the pattern of change in the parameter characterizing within-group morphological disparity in the mandible shape (MNND) have been revealed between the dominant species (M. glareolus) and the subdominant species competing with it for territory (M. rutilus). Different reactions of close Myodes species in the course of filling the ecological vacuum are considered as a result of reduction in the level of competition for the subdominant species and a compensatory increase of morphological disparity in the dominant species under conditions of low density and incomplete composition of the community, in accordance with Chernov’s (2005) ecological compensation principle.     

等高绿篱技术保水抗旱效益研究

季节性干旱与水土流失并存是目前三峡库区面临的重要生态问题之一,严重影响了库区社会经济的可持续发展。等高绿篱技术是目前国内外广泛采用的一种十分有效的坡耕地植被恢复和水土保育技术,被认为是三峡库区农业生态系统持续发展的有效途径之一。选择新银合欢、黄荆和马桑3种绿篱,探讨其水土保育功效及抗旱效益。结果显示,等高绿篱具有显著的拦沙淤土效益,10年左右的时间,土坎高度增至近80 cm,减缓坡度20°左右。与对照相比,栽种绿篱后,土壤有机质增加52%~65%,土壤容重减小14%~17%,尤其是非毛管孔隙增幅达135%~216%,等高绿篱模式下土壤保肥增肥效益显著,土壤结构改善明显。在旱季绿篱处理下地表土壤含水量高于对照达123%,蓄水保墒能力大大增强。按等高绿篱模式增加有效土层60 cm计算,新银合欢、黄荆和马桑3个处理增加土壤水总库容分别为271、257和247 mm,有力增强了土壤的抗旱性能。在绿篱-桔园系统下柑桔座果率比对照增加12%,其平均单产比对照高15%。     

Expansion of invasive alien plant species in the republic of Bashkortostan, the Southern Urals: Analysis of causes and ecological consequences

The causes and ecological consequences of alien plant species invasions in the Southern Urals are analyzed. Aggressive invasive species of North American origin??Ambrosia trifida L., A. psylostachya DC., Cyclachaena xanthiifolia (Nutt.) Fresen., Hordeum jubatum L., Oenothera biennis L., Bidens frondosa L., etc.??have invaded synanthropic and natural plant communities and became dominant, with their proportion varying from 10 to 99%. The biomass of these plants may reach 6 kg/m²; density, more than 1000 shoots per square meter; and seed production, up to 30000 seeds per plant, which explains their dominance in communities. The ecological hazard they pose lies in the displacement of native species, overgrowing of disturbed land areas, and allergenicity of their pollen.     

Antlers of Cervus elaphus as biomonitors of ⁹⁰Sr in the environment

Adequate radioprotection of the environment requires the identification of biomonitors sensitive to the variation of its radionuclide content. Due to the chemical similarities between calcium and strontium, calcified tissues of mammals are considered to be good ⁹⁰Sr biomonitors. This work considered Cervus elaphus antlers which, being shed annually, can give information about the importance of radiostrontium contamination in an ecosystem in the time period required for the growth of the antler. The samples were collected at various points of W and SW Spain. The mean value of their ⁹⁰Sr content was (70 ± 43 (S.D.)) Bq/kg d.w., range (16-218) Bq/kg d.w., and the radionuclide was evenly distributed in the different parts of the antler. There was a good correlation between the antlers’ ⁹⁰Sr content and the ⁹⁰Sr deposited in the soil. The antlers’ content of ²²⁶Ra (from the natural uranium series) and the contents of some stable elements (Ca, Mg, Sr, and K) were also determined. The values for these stable elements were practically constant in the analyzed samples, and the concentrations measured decreased in the following order:Ca » Mg > K > Sr » ⁹⁰Sr > ²²⁶Ra     

Effects of drought stress on leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch at two water supplies (equivalent to 240 mm for present precipitation and to 120 mm for future decreasing precipitation) were compared. There was a midday depression in net photosynthetic rate (P _N) for either treatment, but stomatal limitation was dominant for present precipitation treatment and non-stomatal limitation for the drought treatment. Compared with present precipitation treatment, P _N, stomatal conductance (g _s) and transpiration rate (E) were always lower at drought stress, but stomatal limitation value (L _s) and water use efficiency (WUE) were higher in the morning. The decrease in carboxylation efficiency (CE), apparent quantum yield (AQY), light-saturated photosynthetic rate and maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2 (PS 2) (F _v/F _m) suggested that rubisco activity reduced and PS 2 partially inactivated during the day under drought. However, part of this inactivation of PS 2 might be alleviated due to increased thermal dissipation under drought.     

On the ecology and biology of invasive species Cyclachaena xanthiifolia (Nutt.) Fresen. in the Southern Urals and Cisural region

Ecological and biological characteristics of Cyclachaena xanthiifolia (Nutt.) Fresen., have been studied in four regions of the Southern Urals and Cisural region. Communities including this species have been attributed to association Ivetum xanthiifoliae Fija?kowski 1967 of the class Stellarietea mediae R.Tx., Lohmeyer et Preising 1950. It has been shown that ecological habitat conditions have a significant effect on the majority of morphometric parameters of C. xanthiifolia, accounting for 1.3 to 51.4% of their total variance. Seed production averages 6500 seeds per plant. Extensive dispersal of the species over the Southern Ural region is predicted.     

大穗型杂交水稻父本材料的抗旱性筛选与鉴定

培育大穗型品种是我国超级杂交稻主要育种目标之一,但大穗型水稻品种常存在结实率过低或结实不稳定等严重问题,而旱害常成为上述问题产生的直接原因。以21份大穗型水稻父本品种为供试材料,采用盆栽法,从花粉母细胞减数分裂期开始进行连续10 d的干旱处理（控制土壤相对含水量至40%~50%）,研究了结实率和每穗总粒数的变化。结果表明,干旱处理后品种的结实率和每穗总粒数降低,敏感品种降低幅度显著大于强耐旱品种。试验共筛选出8个大穗型强耐旱父本材料,10个耐旱型父本材料,3个敏感型父本材料。其中R527和9 311选的结实率和总粒数在干旱条件下都表现良好。2个耐旱性差异品种的授粉生物特性分析发现,干旱处理后各品种的花药长度、每柱头花粉总数和萌发数及萌发率均降低,强耐旱型品种R527降低幅度较小;而敏感型品种BL006降低幅度较大,花药长度、每柱头花粉萌发数及萌发率对照和处理间存在极显著差异。研究表明,结实率和每穗总粒数可以作为大穗型品种耐旱性筛选与鉴定的联合指标,花药长度和每柱头花粉萌发率可作为重要的参考指标,大穗型水稻品种耐旱性差异与其在干旱条件下雄性配子的形成及其活力密切相关     

三种综合气象干旱指数在洞庭湖流域的适用性分析

结合洞庭湖流域水文气象特点,从不合理跳跃点、统计特征、区域干旱以及空间分布等方面综合分析了3种气象干旱指数在该流域的适用性及可靠性。评价结果表明：（1）NCC2CI与CInew指数均可较好解决传统CI指数评估中出现的不合理震荡、旱情加剧等不足,且该指数对长历时干旱表现较为敏感,对短历时干旱存在漏测的可能性;（2）对具有较大烈度特征的干旱事件,NCC2CI指数虽然能较好地监测出等级较高的干旱强度,但对极端干旱强度的特征表征有所不足;（3）干旱NCC2CI指数较好地延续了传统CI指数的统计特性以及空间分布特性,反映出的某时段较大降水对日后的影响时段为20~40 d,指数表征更加符合干旱发生的过程。而CInew指数反映的影响时段为45~70 d,且在空间分布上变化较大,应用可靠性相对较差。综合比较分析表明,NCC2CI指数在洞庭湖流域更具实用性,研究结果对其它类似流域干旱评估具有一定参考作用     

“5·12”汶川地震极重灾区生态服务功能恢复总体评估

2008年"5·12"汶川特大地震,对生态系统造成巨大威胁。为了解汶川地震灾区生态恢复总体状况,以期为灾区中长期生态恢复跟踪监测、生态恢复措施的制定和调整提供决策支持,分别以2007年、2009年、2013年代表地震前、地震后以及恢复期3个时期,采用土壤侵蚀敏感性、林冠截留量、生境适宜性等指标,分别评估了汶川地震极重灾区10个县市水土保持功能、水源涵养功能、生物多样性保护功能的状况及变化动态。结果表明:研究区的水土保持功能、水源涵养功能,以及生物多样性保护功能在震后遭到了严重破坏。总体来说5a后,区域生态服务功能得到了一定程度的恢复,但未达到震前水平。在极重灾区10个县市中,地理上位于中南部的6个县市(汶川、都江堰、什邡、彭州、绵竹、安县)在地震中总体受损程度较大。6个县市处于中国西部泥石流、滑坡的活跃区,震后因降雨诱发滑坡泥石流,导致了龙门山、茶坪山局部区域的水土保持功能、水源涵养功能、生物多样性保护功能在恢复期进一步下降,甚至低于震后。其中汶川县草坡乡、银杏乡、耿达乡、卧龙镇、三江乡有较大范围的功能下降,另外,都江堰市、彭州市、什邡市、绵竹市、安县等也分别有较大面积的功能下降区。区域生态服务功能在未来10a内,有可能进一步恶化。灾后重建一定程度上改善了区域生态功能状况,加快了生态功能恢复进程。但是,也存在对生态服务功能的恢复与维持重视不足等问题。部分灾后重建项目的实施,甚至又导致局部地区出现生态服务功能的退化。建议(1)加强汶川地震极重灾区中长期生态恢复遥感及地面监测、评估,进行生态服务功能恢复效应评估;(2)加强干旱河谷、龙门山及茶坪山等重点区域的生态修复。     

Interspecific interactions of amphipods <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gammarus lacustris</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gmelinoides fasciatus</Emphasis>

Experimental studies of interactions between two amphipod species (Gmelinoides fasciatus and Gammarus lacustris) showed that predation is the basic mechanism accounting for their mutual exclusion in nature. Mortality from predation among similar-sized specimens of both species at an equal abundance ratio was similar (24–25% in G. lacustris and 27–30% in G. fasciatus). The displacement of G. lacustris by G. fasciatus was observed when the latter was dominant. Adult G. fasciatus and G. lacustris successfully preyed on juveniles of their competitors and did not differ significantly in daily food consumption as a percentage of body weight: 6–24% at a fresh body weight of 18–24 mg in both species. The potential for rapid population growth under new conditions contributed to the success of the invasive Baikal species G. fasciatus in displacing G. lacustris from many water bodies of Russia.     

Two-dimensional numerical modeling of Sr transport in an unsaturated Chinese loess under artificial sprinkling

⁹⁰Sr is a fission byproduct of uranium and plutonium, and it presents a major health problem in the environment. A field test on the transport of various radionuclides including ⁹⁰Sr in an unsaturated Chinese loess was conducted under artificial rain conditions from July 1997 to August 2000. The vertical concentration distribution of ⁹⁰Sr displayed an unusual profile of double concentration peaks, which were separated by a thin (0.7 cm) source layer. In order to interpret the double-peak concentration profile, the transport of ³H and ⁹⁰Sr in the unsaturated Chinese loess under artificial sprinkling conditions was simulated using WATERM, a numerical code for simulating flow field, and NESOR, also a numerical code but for simulating nuclide migration. The models were able to adequately simulate the double-peak concentration profile. The observation suggested that the fine arenaceous quartz layer, though 0.7 cm thick, formed a capillary barrier together with the local loess, which prevented water from penetrating. A significant discrepancy was observed between the model-fitted distribution coefficient (K_d) of ⁹⁰Sr and that determined from independent laboratory experiments, which can be attributed to a number of factors such as the capillary barrier effect, solution-to-solid ratio and soil water content. Therefore, when the model is used for predictive purposes where K_d is used as an input parameter, K_d must be determined under well controlled conditions by taking into account these factors as well as the heterogeneity in the field.     

Ecological Mechanisms of the Formation of Biological Rhythms in Hibernators of the Family Sciuridae in Northeastern Siberia

A mechanism of the formation of biological rhythms in hibernators at cold temperatures is proposed. Certain ecophysiological characteristics have been studied in three hibernating species: the ground squirrels Citellus undulatus Pallas, 1778 and C. parryi Richardson, 1825 and the chipmunk Tamias sibiricus Laxmann, 1769. The changes in body temperature and the temperature of litter in wintering nests during hibernation seasons have been studied. The dependences of metabolic rate on ambient temperature and the size and species of animals have been studied.     

Changes in the structure of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dactylorhiza incarnata</Emphasis> (L.) Soó population during the overgrowing of a meadow-bog community complex in the Moscow region

The overgrowing of meadow-bog communities by shrubs and trees (age 5–40 years, crown closure 0.4–0.9) leads to a decrease in incident illumination. As a consequence, juvenile and generative plants disappear from D. incarnata population loci, their average ecological density decreases, and the loci enter the state of regression. The digging activity of wild boars disrupts phytocenotically closed groups of longirhizomatous herbs, thereby creating favorable conditions for seed reproduction of D. incarnata. The species begins to form population loci with a complete ontogenetic spectrum and high ecological density, eventually restoring the normal (definitive) population structure.     

Habitat suitability for the Caucasian frog <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rana macrocnemis</Emphasis> Boulenger, 1885 (Amphibia:Anura: Ranidae)

Modeling the distribution patterns of species is a generally efficient tool to assess their ecological characteristics. In this study, we compared ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA) and maximum entropy (Maxent) techniques to predict the most suitable distribution range of Rana macrocnemis. The Maxent model predicted potential suitable habitats for R. macrocnemis with high success rates (AUC Training data = 0.877 ± 0.039). According to the map constructed, three important variables had high contribution to species presence: temperature (50.4%), land cover (24.6%) and elevation (14.4%) variables. The ENFA results were relatively similar to Maxent jackknife analysis. The results implied that R. macrocnemis prefers grassland and needle leaf deciduous forest with high elevations, and low temperature.