Effects of Water Management on the Wetlands of the Colorado River Delta, Mexico

The lower delta of the Colorado River has been severely affected by the upstream diversion of water for human use. No river water is officially appropriated to support delta wetlands, yet large marsh areas of conservation interest still exist below the agricultural fields in Mexico. These are supported by flood water, agricultural drainage water, municipal sewage effluent, and seawater in the intertidal zone. From 1973 to 1993 the area of freshwater and brackish marsh varied widely, from 5800 to 63,000 ha. A new opportunity exists to restore wetlands in the delta now that the upstream water impoundments on the Colorado River are filled and flood flows are once again being directed to the delta. But flood control structures now channel most of the flood water directly to the sea, and most of the effluent waters are deposited in evaporation basins rather than used to support wetlands. If the Yuma Desalting Plant in the United States becomes operational and if the Rio Hardy wetlands continue to be drained, the area of brackish wetlands could decrease to less than 2000 ha in the near future. Preserving the remaining wetlands will require a binational water management plan. The plan should maximize the benefits to wetlands of flood and irrigation return flows that enter the delta, and it should minimize flood risks.     

Effects of Climate Change,Invasive Species,and Disease on the Distribution of Native European Crayfishes

Climate change will require species to adapt to new conditions or follow preferred climates to higher latitudes or elevations, but many dispersal‐limited freshwater species may be unable to move due to barriers imposed by watershed boundaries. In addition, invasive nonnative species may expand into new regions under future climate conditions and contribute to the decline of native species. We evaluated future distributions for the threatened European crayfish fauna in response to climate change, watershed boundaries, and the spread of invasive crayfishes, which transmit the crayfish plague, a lethal disease for native European crayfishes. We used climate projections from general circulation models and statistical models based on Mahalanobis distance to predict climate‐suitable regions for native and invasive crayfishes in the middle and at the end of the 21st century. We identified these suitable regions as accessible or inaccessible on the basis of major watershed boundaries and present occurrences and evaluated potential future overlap with 3 invasive North American crayfishes. Climate‐suitable areas decreased for native crayfishes by 19% to 72%, and the majority of future suitable areas for most of these species were inaccessible relative to native and current distributions. Overlap with invasive crayfish plague‐transmitting species was predicted to increase. Some native crayfish species (e.g., noble crayfish [Astacus astacus]) had no future refugia that were unsuitable for the modeled nonnative species. Our results emphasize the importance of preventing additional introductions and spread of invasive crayfishes in Europe to minimize interactions between the multiple stressors of climate change and invasive species, while suggesting candidate regions for the debatable management option of assisted colonization. Efectos del Cambio Climático, Especies Invasoras y Enfermedades sobre la Distribución de Cangrejos de Río Europeos Nativos     

Managing Aquatic Species of Conservation Concern in the Face of Climate Change and Invasive Species

Abstract:  The difficult task of managing species of conservation concern is likely to become even more challenging due to the interaction of climate change and invasive species. In addition to direct effects on habitat quality, climate change will foster the expansion of invasive species into new areas and magnify the effects of invasive species already present by altering competitive dominance, increasing predation rates, and enhancing the virulence of diseases. In some cases parapatric species may expand into new habitats and have detrimental effects that are similar to those of invading non-native species. The traditional strategy of isolating imperiled species in reserves may not be adequate if habitat conditions change beyond historic ranges or in ways that favor invasive species. The consequences of climate change will require a more active management paradigm that includes implementing habitat improvements that reduce the effects of climate change and creating migration barriers that prevent an influx of invasive species. Other management actions that should be considered include providing dispersal corridors that allow species to track environmental changes, translocating species to newly suitable habitats where migration is not possible, and developing action plans for the early detection and eradication of new invasive species.     

Forecasting the Spread of Invasive Rainbow Smelt in the Laurentian Great Lakes Region of North America

Abstract:  Rainbow smelt ( Osmerus mordax ) have invaded many North American lakes, often resulting in the extirpation of native fish populations. Yet, their invasion is incipient and provides the rationale for identifying ecosystems likely to be invaded and where management and prevention efforts should be focused. To predict smelt presence and absence, we constructed a classification-tree model based on habitat data from 354 lakes in the native range for smelt in southern Maine. Maximum lake depth, lake area, and Secchi depth (surrogate measure of lake productivity) were the most important predictors. We then used our model to identify lakes vulnerable to invasion in three regions outside the smelt's native range: northern Maine (52 of 244 lakes in the non-native range), Ontario (4447 of 8110), and Wisconsin (553 of 5164). We further identified a subset of lakes with a strong potential for impact (potential–impact lakes) based on the presence of fish species that are affected by rainbow smelt. Ninety-four percent of vulnerable lakes in the non-native range in Maine are also potential–impact lakes, as are 94% and 58% of Ontario and Wisconsin's vulnerable lakes, respectively. Our modeling approach can be applied to other invaders and regions to identify invasion-prone ecosystems, thus aiding in the management of invasive species and the efficient allocation of invasive species mitigation and prevention resources.     

Association between plant species diversity and edaphic factors in the lower reaches of the Heihe River,northwestern China

The lower reaches of the Heihe River, in northwestern China, is characterised by unique local edaphic conditions that have influenced the development of local desert riparian forests. This study examines the variations in spatial variation patterns to reveal the relationships between plant species diversity and soil moisture/salinity/texture gradients at different soil depths, providing insights into the management and restoration of vegetation in ecosystems in the study area. The species–environmental relationships are investigated by redundancy analysis based on the plant species diversity matrix and the edaphic gradient matrix. A survey of 61 sampling plots identified 37 plant species in the study area. The distribution pattern of the plant species diversity are mainly affected by soil moisture, soil salinity, and soil texture at different soil depths. These edaphic factors are able to explain 98.47% of the total variation in the analysed vegetation dataset. Soil moisture, salinity, and texture content vary in terms of both the soil depths and the vegetation types in the study area. The plant community Class IV, xeric shrub, has the lowest soil water content among different vegetation types. The surface soil salinity differs for different plants and follows the order: Sophora alopecurides?>?Tamarix chinensis?>?Populus euphratica.     

Potential Ecological Distribution of Alien Invasive Species and Risk Assessment: a Case Study of Buffel Grass in Arid Regions of Mexico

Abstract:  Alien invasive species represent a severe risk to biodiversity. Such is the case of buffel grass ( Cenchrus ciliaris L.), a native species of Southern Asia and East Africa, which was introduced to the United States and Mexico for use in improved pasture. Here we present a coarse-grain approach to determine areas where buffel grass can potentially invade in Mexico. Potential species distributions, suitable for an invasion by buffel grass, were obtained through genetic algorithms. We generated the algorithms with databases of herbaria specimens; environmental digital covers of climate, soil texture, and vegetation; and the program called Genetic Algorithm for Rule-Set Prediction. This spatial modeling approach was validated with a case study for the state of Sonora, Mexico, where the occurrence of buffel grass has been proven. The most threatened vegetation types for the specific case of Sonora were desert scrub, mesquite woodlands, and tropical deciduous forest. The model prediction agreed with the field observations recorded in Sonora and allowed us to apply the same procedure to produce a map of the potential sites of buffel grass invasion for Mexico. The areas at risk of invasion mostly occurred in desert scrub, located in the arid and semiarid regions of northern Mexico. This methodology provides an initial baseline for assessment, prevention, and management of alien species that may become invasive under certain environmental conditions. Additionally this modeling approach provides a tool for policy makers to use in making decisions on land-use management practices when alien species are involved.     

平原河网地区滨岸带外来植物入侵现状及影响研究——以上海青浦区为例

河流滨岸带作为一种典型的开放系统,在受到外界干扰的条件下极易被外来植物所入侵并受到严重影响。以上海青浦区为例,通过对河流滨岸带生态系统入侵植物分布及现状调查,以及对两种入侵植物：白花三叶草（Trifolium repens）和加拿大一枝黄花（Solidago canadensis）群落的物种多样性及其土壤特性的实证研究,探讨外来植物入侵对河流滨岸带生态系统造成的影响。结果表明：目前该地区河流滨岸带外来入侵植物共有14科24种,其科、种数分别占到该生态系统所有植物的48．3％与26．1％。入侵植物白花三叶草与加拿大一枝黄花在春、秋两季均显著降低了河流滨岸带植物群落的物种多样性。此外,两种人侵植物也对当地河流滨岸及土壤特性造成了不同程度的影响,其中对土壤含水量、pH值的影响最为显著。该研究填补了平原河网地区河流滨岸带生态系统外来植物入侵研究的空白,有助于今后开展对该生态系统的评价、恢复及管理工作。     

Quantifying Rarity, Losses, and Risks for Native Fishes of the Lower Colorado River Basin: Implications for Conservation Listing

Abstract:  We examined spatial distributions of fishes native to the lower basin of the Colorado River (25 species) at three scales to determine percent decline from historical distributions based on a regional biodiversity database. We cumulated records from 1843 to 1980 to develop a "historical distribution" for each species and used those occurrences recorded from 1981 to 1998 as "modern" records. We then contrasted historical and modern distributions to (1) quantify losses in spatial distribution; (2) determine how strongly these losses and fragmentation patterns corresponded to the perceived risk of extinction of each species, as represented by its status under the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species; and (3) update extinction risk rankings for 15 fishes endemic to the lower Colorado Basin according to the IUCN criteria. Based on presence and absence data, fish fauna of the lower Colorado Basin have suffered massive distributional losses. On average, ranges of extant species have diminished more than 45% relative to their historical distribution, and 35% of species have lost 50% or more of their occurrences. We provide nine new IUCN rankings and six updates to reflect more accurately the heightened imperilment of these species. Based on our new rankings, 7 of the 15 lower Colorado Basin endemics are critically endangered, 1 is endangered, 2 are vulnerable, and 1 is already extinct. We categorize the remaining 2 endemics as lower risk. This work demonstrates the utility of matching quantitative spatial metrics such as the scale-area slope statistic to extinction risk criteria for species whose persistence is strongly influenced by spatial distribution.     

黄河三角洲新生湿地3种柽柳灌丛对土壤有机碳空间分布的影响研究

研究河口湿地不同类型柽柳灌丛土壤有机碳的空间分布规律,探讨植被演替对土壤有机碳的影响,有助于了解河口湿地生态保护及土壤改良的科学规律。以黄河三角洲新生湿地为研究对象,选择柽柳-碱蓬（Tamarix-Suaeda）、柽柳（Tamarix chinensis）和柽柳-禾草（Tamarix-Gramineae）3种灌丛群落类型,分析各群落土壤有机碳的空间分布特征,研究柽柳灌丛群落演替对有机碳空间分布的影响,探讨土壤有机碳与盐分、水分的关系。研究结果表明,（1）3种柽柳灌丛土壤有机碳的浓度随演替进程而增加,以柽柳-禾草群落最高,柽柳-碱蓬群落最低;且有机碳浓度随土层深度增加而降低,均呈现出与灌丛中心距离的增加而降低的规律,并以0—10 cm土层表现最为明显。（2）3种柽柳灌丛冠幅下土壤有机碳均有明显的聚集性,柽柳-禾草与柽柳灌丛最大富集系数出现在0—10 cm土层,分别为1.93和1.48;而柽柳-碱蓬灌丛最大富集系数在30—40 cm土层,为1.23。（3）柽柳-禾草灌丛与柽柳灌丛土壤有机碳表现出一定的冠幅边缘聚集性,最大富集系数为0—10 cm土层的1.24和1.22;柽柳-碱蓬群落冠缘有...     

Prevalence of the Crayfish Plague Pathogen Aphanomyces astaci in Invasive American Crayfishes in the Czech Republic

Abstract:  In Central Europe invasive North American crayfishes are carriers of the oomycete Aphanomyces astaci, which causes crayfish plague. This lethal disease currently represents one of the major threats to native European crayfishes. We used molecular methods—species-specific amplification and sequencing of the pathogen DNA—to investigate the prevalence of individuals latently infected with A. astaci in 28 populations of two invasive American crayfish species (6 of the signal crayfish [ Pacifastacus leniusculus ] and 22 of the spiny-cheek crayfish [ Orconectes limosus ]) in the Czech Republic. The pathogen occurred in 17 investigated populations. We recorded a high variation in positive reactions, ranging from 0% to 100%, in populations of O. limosus . In P. leniusculus, however, only one individual out of 124 tested positive for the pathogen. There was a clear relationship between the water body type and pathogen prevalence in O. limosus . Infection ratios in isolated standing waters were usually low, whereas in running waters, pathogen prevalence often exceeded 50%. Other evaluated characteristics of potential plague pathogen carriers (size, sex, and the presence of melanized spots in the cuticle) seemed to be unrelated to infection. Our data suggest that in contrast to other European countries, O. limosus seems to be the primary reservoir of crayfish plague in the Czech Republic. Although all populations of alien American crayfishes may be potential sources of infections and should be managed as such, knowledge on the prevalence of the plague pathogen at various localities may allow managers to focus conservation efforts on the most directly endangered populations of native crayfishes.     

黄河三角洲湿地土壤微生物群落结构分析

采用末端限制性片段长度多态性分析(T-RFLP)技术和16S rDNA克隆文库的方法,分析了黄河三角洲滨海湿地土壤不同深度细菌和古菌的群落结构.研究表明,随着深度的增加,细菌群落的多样性下降,而古菌群落多样性则有上升的趋势,且土壤的细菌和古菌群落结构都呈现出规律的层状分布.该土壤包括各种硫酸盐还原菌、产甲烷古菌、光合细菌等丰富的细菌和古菌资源.图5参27     

Long-Term Population Changes of Native and Introduced Birds in the Alaka'i Swamp, Kaua'i

Abstract:  Within the last 30 years, five endemic bird species of the Alaka'i Swamp, Kaua'i, Hawai'i, have likely gone extinct. We documented population trends of the remaining avifauna in this time period to identify a common pattern in the Hawaiian Islands: decline of native species and expansion of introduced species. We conducted bird surveys over 100 km² of the Alaka'i and Kōke'e regions of Kaua'i in March–April 2000 to estimate population size, distribution, and range limits of seven native and six introduced forest birds. We compared the results with four previous surveys conducted over the last 30 years. Five of the seven native species we studied have fared well, maintaining sizeable populations (>20,000 individuals) and unchanged or increasing numbers. The endemic 'Akikiki ( Oreomystis bairdi ), however, declined from 6296 (SE ± 1374) to 1472 (SE ± 680) individuals and exhibited range contraction from 88 to 36 km². The 'I'iwi ( Vestiaria coccinea ) also experienced a decline and contraction, though not as severe. Populations of several introduced forest birds are increasing, but all species, excluding the Japanese White-eye ( Zosterops japonicus ), were at low numbers (<5,500 individuals in survey area). One introduced species, the Japanese Bush-Warbler ( Cettia diphone ) recently invaded, whereas another, the Red-billed Leiothrix ( Leiothrix lutea ), has been extirpated. Two hurricanes in the past 20 years appear to have most strongly affected nectarivores and may have contributed to the decline or extinction of several other species. Overall, native bird populations on Kaua'i have exhibited species-specific responses to limiting factors. Although most native populations appear stable, the extant native avifauna is vulnerable as a result of limited distributions and the potential for widespread habitat degradation.     

黄河三角洲自然保护区秋冬季水鸟群落组成与生境关系分析

于2014年10月至2015年1月采用样线调查法对黄河三角洲自然保护区秋季迁徙期和越冬期水鸟群落结构进行调查研究,调查共包括8条样线40个观测点.结果表明:(1)秋季迁徙期共记录水鸟6目14科54种,国家Ⅰ级保护鸟类5种,国家Ⅱ级保护鸟类8种;越冬期共记录水鸟5目7科31种,国家Ⅰ级保护鸟类1种,国家Ⅱ级保护鸟类4种.(2)2个时期雁形目水鸟种类和数量均占优势,豆雁(Anser fabalis)、斑嘴鸭(Anas poecilorhycha)、赤膀鸭(Anas strepera)和绿头鸭(Anas platyrhynchos)为优势物种,丹顶鹤(Grus japonensis)、东方白鹳(Ciconia boyciana)和大大鹅(Cygnus cygnus)等珍稀水鸟也有一定的种群数量.(3)秋季迁徙期水鸟种数、数量和ShannonWiener多样性指数多于或高于越冬期.(4)5种典型生境之间水鸟种类和数量存在差异,天然水域是水鸟群落的主要分布区.(5)自然生境内的水鸟种数、数量和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数一般多于或高于人工生境.相似性分析结果表明,自然生境之间水鸟群落结构相似程度高于人工生境.     

Carbon sequestration of black locust forests in the Yellow River Delta region,China

The Yellow River Delta region in China is a land area of 1,200,000 ha with rich natural resources. Adverse environmental conditions, such as low rainfall and high salinity, promote the dominance of black locust trees for afforestation. With the increase of CO₂ in the atmosphere, this forest and others throughout the world have become valued for their ability to sequester and store carbon. Forests store carbon in aboveground biomass (i.e. trees), belowground biomass (i.e. roots), soils and standing litter crop (i.e. forest floor and coarse woody debris). There are well-developed methods to sample forest ecosystems, including tree inventories that are used to quantify carbon in aboveground tree biomass. Such inventories are used to estimate the types of roundwood products removed from the forest during harvesting. Based on standard plot inventories and stem analyses, carbon sequestration estimates of trees were 222.41 t ha^?1 for the Yellow River Delta region accounted for 67.12% of the whole forest. Similarly, carbon storage by herbaceous matter and soil was 0.50 and 50.34 t ha^?1, respectively. The results suggest that carbon sequestration in the forest ecosystem was performed by most of the forest, which plays an increasingly important role in sequestering carbon as the stand grows.     

珠江三角洲表层土壤中的多环芳烃

多环芳烃是一类主要由人类活动排放的有毒有机污染化合物,对人和生物体具有致癌、致畸和致突变效应,是评价土壤生态污染的重要内容之一。文章利用螺旋钻采样、索氏抽提、硅胶氧化铝净化和GC-MS分析,研究了珠江三角洲不同功能区(城市点、郊区点、乡村点)的76个表层土壤样品(耕作土、非耕作土)中多环芳烃(PAHs)的含量、分布特征及其影响因素。结果表明,16种优控PAHs的总质量分数范围为31.5~791.6ng·g-1(平均279.1ng·g-1,以干质量计),以萘(44.4%)、菲(13.7%)、荧蒽(8.4%)、芘(4.9%)、■(6.6%)等化合物为主。与国内外其它地区的城市相比较,珠江三角洲地区土壤PAHs的污染程度较低,在组成上也表现出亚热带地区独特的中、低环化合物为主的特征。受人类经济活动的影响,地处珠江三角洲中部的经济工业中心地带,土壤中PAHs含量相对较高。珠三角表层土壤PAHs含量和组成分布主要受大气沉降控制,而与土壤有机碳、pH的相关性较小。高温潮湿的亚热带季风气候是影响珠三角土壤PAHs的降解和迁移的重要环境因素。     

珠江三角洲典型区域农业土壤中镍的含量分布特征

对珠江三角洲典型区域农业土壤取样调查表明:研究区农业土壤中镍的含量范围在2.29～112.00mg·kg-1之间,平均值(27.79±18.39)mg·kg-1,有24.9%土壤样品的镍含量超过国家土壤环境质量标准(GB15618—1995)的二级标准;土壤中镍的含量主要受成土母质的影响,滨海沉积物和三角洲冲积物发育的土壤中镍含量明显高于其它成土母质的土壤;可能受到富含镍的西江和北江沉积物质的影响,西江和北江三角洲沉积区土壤中镍含量明显高于东江三角洲沉积区。调查结果为研究区域的土壤环境质量调查、评价和治理提供重要的基础资料和决策依据。     

典型抗生素类药物在珠江三角洲水体中的污染特征

采用固相萃取、液相色谱/串联质谱法调查了9种典型抗生素类药物在珠江三角洲重要水体(珠江、维多利亚港、深圳河与深圳湾)中的污染特征。结果显示,珠江广州河段(枯季)和深圳河抗生素药物污染严重,最高含量达1340ng·L-1,河水中大部分抗生素含量明显高于美国、欧洲等发达国家河流中药物含量,红霉素(脱水)、磺胺甲噁唑等与国外污水中含量水平相当甚至更高。受深圳河污染的影响,深圳湾不同区域水体在一定程度上也受到抗生素药物污染,含量在10～100ng·L-1水平。维多利亚港水体中,只有较低含量的喹诺酮和大环内酯类抗生素有检出。深圳湾和维多利亚港周边水产养殖废水的排放成为水体中抗生素污染的重要来源之一。     

内分泌干扰物在珠三角河水多相中的分配及风险

为探究典型内分泌干扰物(EDCs)在多相体系中的分配作用及其生态风险,利用切向流超滤、固相萃取、气相色谱-质谱联用等分析方法,对珠江广州河段和东江东莞河段水/胶体/悬浮颗粒中的辛基酚(OP)、4-壬基酚(NP)、双酚A(BPA)、雌酮(E1)、17β-雌二醇(E2)、己烯雌酚(DES)、17α-乙炔雌二醇(EE2)、雌三醇(E3)展开了研究。结果发现,约60%的酚类雌激素存在于水相,约30%存在于胶体相,约10%赋存于颗粒相。DES、E2、EE2、E3在所有样品中均未检出。此外,NP、BPA的含量与溶解性有机碳(DOC)和颗粒态有机碳(POC)含量均呈正相关关系。溶解相中OP、NP、BPA、E1的溶解有机碳归一化含量与特定紫外吸收(SUVA254)均呈正相关,表明溶解有机质与EDCs之间可能通过π-π作用相结合,其作用强度与芳香度有关。OP、NP、BPA在颗粒物/水、胶体/水间的原位有机碳归一化分配系数的对数值(log Koc、log Kcoc)分别为:4.41±0.69、4.60±0.32、4.30±0.43和5.35±0.42、5.69±0.50、5.51±0.77,显示出胶体对EDCs有更高的吸附能力。两条河流的风险商数(RQ)在0.39~2.01之间,其中珠江广州河段为高风险区(RQ平均值为1.5),东江东莞河段为中风险区(RQ平均值为0.75),且底层水的风险高于表层水。     

松花江浮游生物群落DNA指纹与物种组成比较研究

对2006年1月采自松花江红旗渡口到同江7个样点的浮游生物群落进行了RAPD指纹分析,进而探讨了河流生态系统浮游生物群落DNA指纹与物种组成之间的关系.筛选出的8条随机引物扩增的谱带全为多态性带,其中特有条带所占比例最大(30.2%);形态分类共检测到浮游生物66种,且没有检测到7个样点的共有种类;这些结果显示研究区域浮游生物群落相似性比较低,环境差异性较大.基于DNA指纹的聚类进一步表明,同江、红旗渡口和佳木斯的浮游生物群落较为相似而聚为一枝,哨口、肇源和哈尔滨为一枝,而松原成为单独的一枝.物种组成则将上游的红旗渡口与哨口,下游的同江与佳木斯分别划为一类,位于中间的3个样点为一类.DNA指纹主要揭示相对优势类群DNA的多态性,因此主要反映的是浮游生物群落与环境的关系;而物种组成在这里更多是反映与空间距离的关系,水流是重要的影响因素,上游的部分个体随水流带到了下游.由此可见,浮游生物群落DNA指纹分析在河流生态系统大空间尺度研究中具有重要意义,尤其是在揭示群落与环境关系方面,并能为水环境分子生物学评价体系的建立积累基础资料和提供蘑要依据.图4表3参21     

Assessing the carrying capacity of tilapia in an intertidal mangrove-based polyculture system of Pearl River Delta, China

A trophic model of an intertidal mangrove-based polyculture system in Pearl River Delta, China, was constructed using the Ecopath with Ecosim software. This polyculture system was chosen since it is the first integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system that was constructed on the basis of mangrove planting in China. The energy flows, ecosystem property, and carrying capacity of tilapia in the polyculture system were analyzed and evaluated. The results show the trophic level of 1.00 for primary producers and detritus to 2.85 for grass carp. The geometric mean of the trophic transfer efficiencies was 7.0%, with 7.2% from detritus and 6.8% from primary producers within the system. The ecosystem property indices show that this polyculture system has a high value of total primary production/total respiration (TPP/TR) and total primary production/total biomass (TPP/TB), together with low Finn's cycled index (FCI), Finn's mean path length (FML), and connectance index (CI), indicating that this system is at a development stage according to Odum's theory. The principal fish cultured in the system is tilapia, and mixed trophic impacts (MTI) show that tilapia has a marked impact on most compartments in this system, and the carrying capacity was found to be a tilapia culture biomass of 5.8 t ha⁻¹ in the system.