长期施肥对红壤性水稻土磷素积累与形态分异的影响

通过红壤性水稻土19a肥料长期定位试验,结果表明,不施磷处理的土壤磷素处于耗竭状态,耕层土壤全磷含量持续下降,但耕层以下土层的全磷尚未耗损;连年施磷的土壤耕层全磷含量提高,提高的幅度呈现明显量级关系。在本试验条件下,土壤中各组分无机磷含量以Fe-P和O-P为主体,各占土壤无机磷总量的44.63％和31.27％;其次是A1-P和Ca     

Population Constraints Associated with the Use of Black Rhinos as an Umbrella Species for Desert Herbivores

The numerous tactics used to conserve biodiversity include the designation of protected areas, political change, and research and education, the latter involving paradigms such as insular biogeography and the "umbrella species concept." In Namibia lands removed from national park status in 1970 and currently under the jurisdiction of indigenous people now contain one of the few unfenced populations of black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) remaining in Africa. Theory predicts that the protection of umbrella species will ensure the survival of other biota that require(s) less space. To gauge how well biodiversity might be retained by examining the spatial needs of a small population of black rhinos, I used data gathered under various ecological conditions to estimate mean and minimum population sizes of six large herbivores of the Namib Desert ranging in size from giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) to springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) and ostrich (Struthio camelus). My results indicate that annual differences in rainfall, both within and between seasons, resulted in wide fluctuations in herbivore population sizes for all species except rhino. Although other herbivores switched to areas of higher rainfall, rhinos did not. The data suggest that under conditions of extreme environmental variance the space used by rhinos alone was unlikely to assure the existence of populations of other species in excess of 250 individuals. Fifty percent of the species failed to exceed 150 individuals 50% of the time and one third of the species never attained populations in excess of 50 individuals. However, by employing assumptions about the spatial needs of rhino populations numbering up to 100 individuals, the mean minimum population sizes attained by any of four desert herbivores is 535. A future challenge in using rhinos and other large-bodied species as umbrellas for organisms of either similar or dissimilar trophic levels will be the refinement of estimates of population viability.     

红壤中稀土元素的有效性及其环境意义

研究了不同母质来源的红壤剖面层中稀土元素结合形态的变化以及可溶态稀土元素含量的变化,结果表明,红壤中稀土元素的有效性较其他类型土壤为高,可溶态稀土元素在土壤稀土总量中所占的比例可达６％～７％左右,稀土的有效性主要与土壤中粘土矿物及有机质等组分对稀土的吸附有关。     

Observations on mesopelagic fish from the Red Sea

Mesopelagic fish were collected from a cruise with the R.V. “Dr. Fridtjof Nansen” to the northern Red Sea and the interior Gulf of Aden off the Republic of Djibouti in March 1981. Off the Republic of Djibouti five species of mesopelagic fishes were caught and in the Red Sea six species. Benthosema pterotum (Alcock) were dominant in both areas. In the Red Sea Maurolicus muelleri (Gmelin) were also abundant. The mesopelagic fish caught in the Red Sea showed a pattern of vertical migration similar to that observed in other areas, in spite of the special hydrographical regime. The number of gill rakers of B. pterotum caught in the Red Sea differed significantly from that of all other populations studied. The number of photophores of M. muelleri apparently do not differ much from other populations. B. pterotum from the Red Sea mature at a larger size than other populations, while M. muelleri mature at a smaller size. The relative fecundity of M. muelleri is higher in the Red Sea than in other regions studied, while no significant difference was observed in B. pterotum. Both species appear to be opportunistic feeders. Their feeding chronology in the Red Sea seems to be similar to those observed in other areas.     

New denitrifying bacteria isolated from Red Sea sediments

Sediments of various newly discovered deeps in the Red Sea were analyzed for the occurrence of denitrifying bacteria. The samples were collected in 1972 during the Valdivia cruises. Among the 27 different samples investigated, 17 revealed both coccoid and rod-shaped bacteria when enriched in complex nutrient broth (with 10% NaCl). Denitrifiers were recorded abundantly in the sediments, their population decreasing from some 10⁶/g in the surface material to only a few in the subsediment. A total of 16 pure cultures of denitrifying bacteria were isolated from the Suakin-and Thetis-deeps and studied morphologically, physiologically and biochemically. Genetics (molar percentage of guanine plus cytosine, % GC) and numerical taxonomy were included to reveal relationships and improve taxonomic classification. Fifteen isolates were described as Gram-negative, aerobic and facultative anaerobic (with NO ₃ ^- as H⁺-acceptor), polarly flagellated rods (Pseudomonas spp.); one was an inmotile, Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic coccus. None of the 15 Pseudomonas-isolates could be identified with one of the denitrifying species so far described and recognized. The strains should be regarded as hitherto undescribed denitrifying marine bacteria.Supported by the Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie, Bonn, Germany (FRG).     

亚热带红壤性稻田的甲烷排放

亚热带红壤性稻田的甲烷排放量为５５．２３９／ｍ２·ａ．不同年度间有差异；在年度内（水稻生长季节）亦有差异．以８月排放最多，其余月份依其排放量的顺序是７月，６月，５月，９月，１０月．甲烷排放率的日变化有规律性，１６时前后出现最大值，６时左右出现最小值，呈单峰型，日变化幅度与天气有关，季节变化比较复杂，无规律性，在不同年度、不同稻季（早、晚季），其变化也不一致．稻田甲烷排放与水稻生产和生长密切相关，水稻的种植和生长是稻田甲烷排放的基础和根源．     

“绿色贸易堡垒”与经济发展的“绿色通行证”

“绿色贸易堡垒”是国际贸易中非关税贸易堡垒重要的组成部分,它从保护环境的目的出发,在国际贸易中发挥着越来越重要的作用。文章通过对天津市现实状况的研究,提出克服绿色贸易堡垒,为天津市经济在入世后获得“绿色通行证”的对策建议。     

Indices of Grassland Biodiversity in the Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion Derived from Remote Sensing

Abstract: We used a relatively simple and direct remote-sensing approach to determine biodiversity values in arid ecosystems and thus identify potential conservation sites. We developed indices based on regression models between grass, shrub, litter, exposed-soil groundcover components, and Landsat thematic mapper satellite imagery reflectance values over a reference site in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico. This site supports low-disturbance desert grasslands that have been excluded from livestock grazing for 55 years and moderate-disturbance grasslands that have been under a continuous grazing regime for over 100 years. Greater richness and abundance of noninvasive and nonruderal plant species were associated with the low-disturbance grasslands that had lower shrub abundance, increased litter and grass cover, and lower exposed soil. Using the thematic mapper indices, we computed an additive grassland biodiversity index such that, as exposed soil and shrub values go down, litter and grass values go up, as does the biodiversity index. When the biodiversity index was applied to the reference-site landscape, grasslands previously identified for their high conservation value were detected. As a further test, we applied the indices to a site in Chihuahua, Mexico, that supports similar grasslands but for which there are few other data on condition and conservation values. The soil, grass, and shrub indices were moderately effective in describing the range of variation at the Mexico site, but the litter equation was not. Still, higher biodiversity value in terms of nonruderal plant diversity tended to correspond to higher grass cover and lower soil exposure and a higher overall biodiversity index. Some localized calibration with geologic substrate may be required along with an assessment of the temporal constraints, but generally the index shows promise for quickly and efficiently detecting desert grasslands of high biodiversity conservation value.     

Empirical assessment of state-and-transition models with a long-term vegetation record from the Sonoran Desert

Resilience-based frameworks, including state-and-transition models (STM), are being increasingly called upon to inform policy and guide ecosystem management, particularly in rangelands. Yet, multiple challenges impede their effective implementation: (1) paucity of empirical tests of resilience concepts, such as alternative states and thresholds, and (2) heavy reliance on expert models, which are seldom tested against empirical data. We developed an analytical protocol to identify unique plant communities and their transitions, and applied it to a long-term vegetation record from the Sonoran Desert (1953-2009). We assessed whether empirical trends were consistent with resilience concepts, and evaluated how they may inform the construction and interpretation of expert STMs. Seven statistically distinct plant communities were identified based on the cover of 22 plant species in 68 permanent transects. We recorded 253 instances of community transitions, associated with changes in species composition between successive samplings. Expectedly, transitions were more frequent among proximate communities with similar species pools than among distant communities. But unexpectedly, communities and transitions were not strongly constrained by soil type and topography. Only 18 transitions featured disproportionately large compositional turnover (species dissimilarity ranged between 0.54 and 0.68), and these were closely associated with communities that were dominated by the common shrub (burroweed, Haplopappus tenuisecta); indicating that only some, and not all, communities may be prone to large compositional change. Temporal dynamics in individual transects illustrated four general trajectories: stability, nondirectional drift, reversibility, and directional shifts that were not reversed even after 2-3 decades. The frequency of transitions and the accompanying species dissimilarity were both positively correlated with fluctuation in precipitation, indicating that climatic drivers require more attention in STMs. Many features of the expert models, including the number of communities and participant species, were consistent with empirical trends, but expert models underrepresented recent increases in cacti while overemphasizing the introduced Lehmann's lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana). Quantification of communities and transitions within long-term vegetation records presents several quantitative metrics such as transition frequency, magnitude of accompanying compositional change, presence of unidirectional trajectories, and lack of reversibility within various timescales, which can clarify resilience concepts and inform the construction and interpretation of STMs.     

DDT in fish from the Bulgarian region of the Black Sea

In spite of a worldwide reduction in the utilization of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), they are still a problem for the aquatic environment and human health. The Black Sea is still being polluted with persistent chemicals, including OCPs. Aquatic organisms (sprat, scad, bluefish, shad, belted bonito, goby, and black mussel) with different feeding behaviours were sampled on a seasonal basis from the Bulgarian region of the Black Sea, and the concentrations of 13 OCP residues were determined. Although many of the OCPs were not detected in the samples, in all samples 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) was present mainly in the form of its metabolites 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDD) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE). Only about 12% of the total DDT was present as the parent compound pp-DDT, which suggests that it was not being used recently in the region. The total DDT concentrations were generally below 150 μg kg^-1 fresh weight, but higher levels—up to 354 μg kg^-1 fresh weight—were also measured for fish species with a high fat content. Between-species differences were observed, even when the concentrations were presented on a fat-level basis. DDT concentrations did not show any significant changes over the 2-yr sampling period. Fish sampled in the northern areas of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast seemed to contain higher DDT levels than those from the southern areas, suggesting a major (historical) influence of the Danube River. For permanent monitoring purposes, the utility of Black Sea gobies and scad should be considered.     

Sexual reproduction and settlement of the coral reef spongeChalinula sp. from the Red Sea

Characteristics of the sexual reproduction and larval settlement of the haplosclerid spongeChalinula sp., which inhabits the shallow waters (1 to 6 m) of Eilat, Red Sea, were investigated from September 1985 through to November 1987. This species was found to be a simultaneous hermaphroditic brooder, hence gonochorism is not the rule in the order Haplosclerida. Brooding always takes place in special brooding chambers. While the oocytes in the brooding chambers are among the largest known in sponges (355±37µm), the spermatic cysts distributed in the choanosome are among the smallest known for this phylum (average 26±7µm).Chalinula sp. breeds throughout the year and in experiments most larvae (74%) settled within 1 to 8 h post-release, generally within 4.5 h. Metamorphosis from larval shape to a sessile sponge lasts 1 to 6 h. Thus, larvae had a short swimming period, settled fast, and metamorphosed rapidly (within 1 to 6 h). The large size of the larvae may contribute to their ability to rapidly reorganize their body shape into that of a sessile sponge. In addition, the existence of already differentiated choanocyte chambers in the larvae, facilitates fast construction of the water filtration system in the newly settled sponges. The reproductive and larval characteristics ofChalinula sp. enable the larvae to settle on any vacant space in the reef, which may explain its abundance in the Red Sea.     

Cues from a common predator cause survival-linked behavioral adjustments in Mojave Desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii)

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology - Adult animals of many species often behave in a cannibalistic manner when encountering conspecific offspring. Kin discrimination is critical for avoiding the...     

Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Contamination from Uranium-Bearing Black Shale in Goesan–Boeun Areas, Korea

This study was initiated to identify the impact of metals and uranium enriched soil and black shale in groundwater quality and contamination. From a Piper diagram, groundwater was classified into four types as (Ca+Mg)–HCO₃ type, (Ca+Mg)–SO₄ type, the mixed type of these two and Na–HCO₃ type, reflecting the complicated nature of geology of the study area. Silicate weathering appeared to be the major water–rock interaction. In groundwater, metals including Cr, Pb, Cu and V, previously identified as being enriched in soils and black shale, were much lower in concentrations than Korean and US EPA drinking water guidelines. Instead, Fe and Mn caused major water-quality problems. In the artesian groundwater from an abandoned uranium mine, the uranium concentration was 21.3 µg L^–1, slightly higher than EPA guidelines of 20 µg L^–1. Heavy metals in groundwater appeared to be controlled mostly by sorptions on to Fe- and Mn-oxyhydroxides. They could be remobilised in groundwater with changes of pH and Eh conditions due to acid mine drainage from black shale or the recharge of fresh water. Uranium would be associated with carbonate and sulphate complexes in groundwater. Because of the remaining water-quality problems in the study area, we suggested containment of identified mine wastes, considering remedial measures for local problems with Fe and Mn, continuous monitoring of groundwater and developing groundwater from deep aquifers.     

Differentiation of protoplasm in nummulitidae (Foraminifera) from Elat,Red Sea

Chambers and canal system in the shells of Operculina ammonoides (Gronovius) and Heterostegina depressa d'Orbigny contain different protoplasm. The connections between the two main parts of the protoplasmic body are much smaller than the connections from chamber to chamber by the stolo system. The connections between chamber and canal system are located in the marginal sulcus and at the base of the chamber. The chamber protoplast (including the stolo system) is protected by a relatively thick, lamellar, mucopolysaccharide membrane — called organic lining — which represents also the template for the mineralization of the shell. Together, organic lining and shell form the cell wall. Over the pore holes in the lateral chamber walls, the organic lining thins out, but is not perforated. The plasma membrane below the organic lining seems to be differentiated by a bossy surface with comparatively coarse granules. The symbionts are concentrated below the lateral wall of the chambers, nestling against 2 or 3 pore-hole depressions. The differentiation of the organic lining, the plasma membrane below the pore holes, and the position of the symbionts in the chamber plasma point to a physiologic relationship between pores and symbionts. The cell organelles in the chamber protoplasm indicate the mainly metabolic function of the chamber protoplast. The protoplasm in the canal system is covered only by the plasma membrane, and is particularly rich in microtubuli similar to ordinary foraminiferal rhizopods. The canal system is, therefore, interpreted as consisting of a system of invaginations of the cell wall determining the morphology of proximal parts of the pseudopods.     

内蒙古乌兰布和沙漠样中磷形态分析及生物可获磷研究

采用6步连续提取法对采集于乌兰布沙漠磴口段沙样中磷的各种存在形态进行了分析测定,并对沙样进行了分级形态研究及生物可利用磷的估算.结果表明:在所取沙样中总磷(∑Pi)平均含量为251.32μg·g-1,其主要成分为无机磷(IP),占∑Pi含量的96.2%;有机磷(Or-P)占∑Pi的3.8%.在所有不同粒径沙样中,钙结合态磷(Ca-P)含量最高,平均为233.72μg·g-1,占∑Pi的93.0%;其他各形态磷含量的高低顺序依次为:有机磷(Or-P)、铁结合态磷(Fe-P)、弱吸附态磷(Ads-P)、铝结合态磷(Al-P)、闭蓄态磷(Obs-P).在所取沙漠颗粒物样中,∑Pi、Ca-P、Fe-P含量均随沙样粒径的减小而增大,其中∑Pi、Ca-P的变化幅度较大,而Fe-P的变化幅度较小;Or-P含量随粒径的减小而降低;Ads-P、Obs-P、Al-P含量随粒径变化的规律性不强.所取沙样中潜在的生物可获得磷的量约占总磷的6.6%.     

Green payments and dual policy goals

We use a mechanism design framework to analyze the optimal design of green payment policies with the dual goals of conservation and income support for small farms. Each farm is characterized by two dimensions of attributes: farms size and conservation efficiency. The policymaker may not be able to use the attributes as an explicit criterion for payments. We characterize optimal policy when conservation efficiency is unobservable to policymakers, and when farm size is also unobservable. An income support goal is shown to reduce the conservation distortion caused by asymmetric information. The cost of optimal green payment mechanisms is shown to depend crucially on whether large or small farms have greater conservation efficiency.     

Green payments and dual policy goals

We use a mechanism design framework to analyze the optimal design of green payment policies with the dual goals of conservation and income support for small farms. Each farm is characterized by two dimensions of attributes: farms size and conservation efficiency. The policymaker may not be able to use the attributes as an explicit criterion for payments. We characterize optimal policy when conservation efficiency is unobservable to policymakers, and when farm size is also unobservable. An income support goal is shown to reduce the conservation distortion caused by asymmetric information. The cost of optimal green payment mechanisms is shown to depend crucially on whether large or small farms have greater conservation efficiency.