Temporal variability of deep-sea zooplankton in the Arabian Sea

Mesozooplankton samples from two stations in the Arabian Sea (WAST, 4,050 m, 16°15′N, 60°20′E; CAST, 3,950 m, 14°30′N, 64°30′E) were collected from the surface down to 20 m above bottom during three monsoon periods: the autumn intermonsoon in October 1995, the spring intermonsoon in April 1997, and the NE monsoon in February 1998. The main goal of this study is to enhance our knowledge on the effect of spatial and temporal differences in primary production and particle flux rates on the abundance and distribution of mesozooplankton, with special attention to the deep sea. Literature data indicate episodically high rates of primary production and particle flux in the region during the SW monsoon and the autumn intermonsoon. Set in this context, the zooplankton showed an in-phase coupling in biomass and abundance with the primary production in the surface 150 m. In the mesopelagic realm (150–1,050 m), the seasonal coupling was less clear. In the bathypelagic zone, below 1,050 m, there was no evidence of in-phase coupling, though temporal differences in the distribution of zooplankton abundance and biomass with depth between seasons could be shown by an analysis of covariance and an a posteriori test. The results suggest that the bathypelagic community responds to increased particle flux rates, but with longer time gaps than in the epipelagic zone. This is probably due to longer development and response times of zooplankton in the cold, deep-water environment, independent of possible lateral advection processes.     

Temporal and spatial settlement patterns of sympatric hermit crabs and the influence of shell resource availability

Larvae of marine organisms often need specific resources or environments at settlement, and their success at settlement might be strongly influenced by the abundance and distribution of such specific resources. The larvae of hermit crabs need small shells to settle, so it is thought that the distribution and abundance of small shells influence the settlement pattern of hermit crabs. To investigate the influence of small shell distribution on the settlement of pagurid hermit crab larvae, we conducted a field experiment at an intertidal rocky shore in Hakodate Bay, Japan. From the line-transect sampling in the field, we found that Pagurus middendorffii settled extensively in the offshore side of the intertidal zone while P. nigrofascia settled in the uppermost area of the intertidal zone. Small shells were most abundant in a narrow shallow trough, slightly offshore from the uppermost area of the intertidal zone. For both species, settler abundance was high where adults were abundant, but settler abundance did not appear to be related to shells abundance. An experiment to clarify settlement patterns showed that larval recruits tended to be similar to those in the line-transect sampling of settlers. Thus shells may not be a primary factor affecting settlement patterns at relatively large scale within the intertidal flat. However, when we analyzed the relationship of settlers and shells separately within each transect, the distribution of settlers was well explained by shell resource availability. Therefore on a smaller scale, shell availability may influence the number of settlers. Settlement periods of P. middendorffii and P. nigrofascia fully overlapped, so their larvae probably were affected by similar transport factors, such as current and tidal movement. Nevertheless they showed different spatial patterns of settlement.Communicated by T. Ikeda, Hakodate     

Global patterns of epipelagic gelatinous zooplankton biomass

There is concern that overfishing may lead to a proliferation of jellyfish through a process known as fishing down the food web. However, there has been no global synthesis of patterns of gelatinous zooplankton biomass (GZB), an important first step in determining any future trends. A meta-analysis of epipelagic-GZB patterns was undertaken, encompassing 58 locations on a global scale, and spanning the years 1967–2009. Epipelagic-GZB decreased strongly with increasing total water column depth (r ² = 0.543, p < 0.001, n = 58): in shallow (<50 m) coastal waters, epipelagic-GZB was typically 742× the levels in deep ocean (>2,000 m) sites. However, the ratio of GZB to primary productivity showed high values across a range of depths, i.e. this measure of the relative abundance of gelatinous zooplankton did not co-vary with depth.     

内蒙古乌梁素海水质时空分布特征

将地质统计学理论与地理信息系统相结合对乌梁素海富营养化指标、有机污染指标和盐化污染指标进行了kriging空间插值,结果表明:从时间角度分析,冬季总氮浓度、总磷浓度、化学需氧量质量浓度明显高于其他季节;叶绿素a质量浓度浓度冬季最低;时空电导率平均值在4.0 ms.cm-1左右波动。从空间角度分析,总氮浓度、总磷浓度、叶绿素a质量浓度呈现出由北向南递减的趋势;夏秋季化学需氧量空间分布与春冬季节相反;冬季电导率空间分布与其他季节明显不同。从浓度大小分析,乌梁素海复合污染已十分严重。     

内蒙古乌梁素海水质时空分布特征

将地质统计学理论与地理信息系统相结合对乌梁素海富营养化指标、有机污染指标和盐化污染指标进行了kriging空间插值,结果表明：从时间角度分析,冬季总氮浓度、总磷浓度、化学需氧量质量浓度明显高于其他季节;叶绿素a质量浓度浓度冬季最低;时空电导率平均值在4.0 ms.cm-1左右波动。从空间角度分析,总氮浓度、总磷浓度、叶绿素a质量浓度呈现出由北向南递减的趋势;夏秋季化学需氧量空间分布与春冬季节相反;冬季电导率空间分布与其他季节明显不同。从浓度大小分析,乌梁素海复合污染已十分严重。     

Mathematical model and computer simulation of the population dynamics of zooplankton in lake and estuary ecosystems

A mathematical model is developed for the population dynamics and survival probabilities of zooplankton in lake and estuarine. Basic digital computer simulation methodology is used for systematic application of the mathematical model for analysis of the population dynamics of zooplankton. In the analysis of this theoretical modelling, attention is focused on the production and destruction processes of the animal. Both processes are assumed stationary. The birth (production) rate is constant and life-span distribution is independent of time. It is also assumed that the different zooplankton species are independent and share a common aquatic ecosystem, and what happens to one of them does not influence the fate of any other in this system.     

Temporal variations in turbidity in an oil sands pit lake

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - We investigated temporal variations in turbidity in Base Mine Lake, an oil sands pit lake, located in northeast Alberta, Canada. The lake has a surface area of...     

A hydrodynamic and water quality modeling study of spatial and temporal patterns of phytoplankton growth in a stratified lake with buoyant incoming flow

A three-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality model was applied to Lake Paldang, a lake in South Korea that is stratified by incoming flows. The spatial and temporal patterns of phytoplankton growth in this lake were determined from the model. The model was calibrated and verified using data measured under different hydrological conditions. The model results were in reasonable agreement with the field measurements, in both the calibration and verification phases. The distributions of water quality and residence time in the lake and phytoplankton response to changes in nutrient loads were examined with the model, and the influence of the hydrodynamics on phytoplankton response was analyzed. The simulation results indicated that Lake Paldang is an essentially phosphorus-limited system, but that phytoplankton growth is limited by low water temperature and short residence time during the winter and the summer monsoon period, respectively. The results of sensitivity analyses also suggested that the hydrodynamics within the lake may have an indirect influence on phytoplankton responses to changes in the limiting nutrient loads, and that reducing phosphorus loading from Kyoungan Stream should be a high priority policy for controlling algal blooms during the pre- and post-monsoon periods. From this study, it was concluded that the three-dimensional water quality model incorporating hydrodynamic processes could successfully simulate phytoplankton response to changes in nutrient loads and that it could become a useful tool for identifying the essential factors determining phytoplankton growth and for developing the best management policy for algal blooms in Lake Paldang.     

热带城市湖泊生态恢复中水生植被、浮游动物和鱼类的关系研究

惠州西湖是典型的热带浅水富营养化湖泊,通过建立示范区,进行了鱼类调控和水生植被修复,示范区的水质得到显著改善。作者从2006年3月到9月对水生植被、浮游动物和鱼类进行采样分析。结果表明,水生植被的生物量3月份时为1.249kg·m-2,到9月份逐步增加到9.167kg·m-2,鱼类生物量在研究期间有所下降,渔获量从3月份的17.5kg到9月份时降低至7.61kg,示范区浮游动物丰度低于平湖,其中大型浮游动物丰度高于平湖,轮虫丰度则呈缩减,示范区和未进行修复的平湖浮游动物体长均主要分布在0到0.2mm之间,体长大于0.6mm的分布比例示范区的是未修复平湖的两倍,浮游动物的生物量二者差别不大。     

Rarefaction and nonrandom spatial dispersion patterns

Rarefaction estimates how many species are expected in a random sample of individuals from a larger collection and allows meaningful comparisons among collections of different sizes. It assumes random spatial dispersion. However, two common dispersion patterns, within-species clumping and segregation among species, can cause rarefaction to overestimate the species richness of a smaller continuous area. We use field studies and computer simulations to determine (1) how robust rarefaction is to nonrandom spatial dispersion and (2) whether simple measures of spatial autocorrelation can predict the bias in rarefaction estimates. Rarefaction does not estimate species richness accurately for many communities, especially at small sample sizes. Measures of spatial autocorrelation of the more abundant species do not reliably predict amount of bias. Survey sites should be standardized to equal-sized areas before sampling. When sites are of equal area but differ in number of individuals sampled, rarefaction can standardize collections. When communities are sampled from different-sized areas, the mean and confidence intervals of species accumulation curves allow more meaningful comparisons among sites. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Spatial,temporal, and behavioral patterns in emergence of zooplankton in the lagoon of Heron Reef,Great Barrier Reef,Australia

A total of 34 zooplanktonic taxa were common in emergence trap, reentry trap, and net-tow samples taken in the lagoon of Heron Reef, Great Barrier Reef, between 27 February and 22 March and between 11 June and 4 July 1985. Twenty-nine of these taxa were classified as demersal (17 taxa), meroplanktonic and larval (10 taxa), or incidental (2 taxa). The remaining five multispecific groups yielded variable results. Differences were observed between two locations separated by 200 m, with emergence 2 to 62 times greater for 22 taxa at a deeper site with larger coral formations. Most zooplankters were more common (2 to 122 times) in samples from 1 m² areas around 0.25 to 0.5 m² patches of branching coral. However, two species of copepods, Pseudodiaptomus colefaxi and Metis holothuriae, were taken in greater numbers (3 to 12 times) from open sand. Seasonal increases (2 to 322 times) were observed for 13 adult taxa and 8 classes of larvae or juveniles in the summer and for 10 adult taxa and one larval group in the winter. Fourteen of the 17 demersal taxa and 4 groups of large larvae or juveniles emerged in numbers 2 to 323 times greater during lunar quarters or new moons. In contrast, 6 larval taxa and 4 groups of small or transparent adults displayed significant emergence during full moons. Five diurnal emergence patterns were shown by 27 taxa, with patterns varying primarily among lunar periods. The variety of taxon-specific patterns observed in this study highlight a need for caution when generalizing about demersal zooplankton.     

Temporal and spatial components of variability in benthic recruitment,a 5-year temperate example

Deployment of artificial substrata is a common method of investigating early community development and recruitment, but rarely are such experiments of long enough duration to include even year time scales. We placed replicate, machined-slate panels (15×15 cm) in the intertidal and at depths of 6 and 12 m at two sites of differing flow rate at Lough Hyne, SW Ireland. These were serially replaced every 30–60 days for a period of 5 years (1997–2002), except in the intertidal (2000–2002). The number and identity of all recruits were recorded. Recruitment varied over several orders of magnitude both on temporal and spatial scales. The greatest source of variability was between the intertidal (with few species or recruit numbers) and the subtidal zones (many species, some with thousands of recruits per panel per 30 days). Highest levels of recruitment occurred at the low-flow site (Labhra Cliff). Here, recruitment was dominated by the serpulid polychaete, Pomatoceros sp., reaching ~4000 individuals per panel per 30 days. Highest species richness occurred, however, at the high flow site (Whirlpool Cliff). At this site more colonial forms (e.g. bryozoans) settled. Season was found to be the dominant pattern explaining subtidal recruit and species number variability. Year, however, was the dominant temporal pattern explaining change in diversity (Shannon–Wiener H). In space, depth explained most variability of recruit numbers, whereas site explained more variation in species richness. Both these spatial factors contributed similarly to variability of diversity (H). Recruitment has long been known to vary considerably over large spatial scales, such as with latitude and isolation, but we that show changes of a similar magnitude in recruitment can occur across small spatial scales. Individual taxa showed varied temporal patterns of recruitment including continuous, regular seasonal fluctuations and irregular pulses in particular years.     

Temporal and spatial changes in plant dune diversity in urban resorts

We investigated the temporal and spatial changes in the floristic composition and abundance in sand dunes along a coastal strip in the province of Buenos Aires (Argentina). Firstly, we analysed changes over a span of 70 years, comparing 41 of our own inventories carried out in 14 beach resorts in 2005–2006 with 18 inventories made in the first half of the XXth century (1930–1940) in the same study area. We grouped sampled plots into four categories for comparison, taking into account the time period (1930–1940 or 2005–2006) and location at each end of the surveyed coastal strip in the northern or southern ‘tourist’ sectors. Secondly, we analysed the effect of afforestation with exotic trees on extant sand dune vegetation for the period 2005–2006. A total of 74 plant inventories were carried out in afforested and natural dunes at the same resorts. In both comparisons we contrasted plant richness, percentage plant cover, similarity and diversity. A cluster analysis was used to classify categories taking into account plant abundance and composition. Significant differences in total diversity were observed between sampling years, suggesting an increase in diversity at the present time due to urbanization and recreation related activities. Nevertheless, no single exotic plant species was clearly dominant across the sampled sites, suggesting that these coastal areas are, up to now, resistant to alien invasion. Diversity indexes discriminated by plant groups indicating different habitat conditions and exotics were shown to be more sensitive to existing changes than to total richness and cover.     

流沙湾海水中石油烃的时空分布特征研究

于2008年2月（冬季）、5月（春季）、8月（夏季）和11月（秋季）对流沙湾进行了4次采样考察,研究分析了流沙湾表层海水中石油烃质量浓度的平面分布和季节变化特征。结果表明,在2008年度,流沙湾表层海水石油烃的质量浓度为0~1.930 mg.L-1,平均值为0.080 mg.L-1,季节差异比较明显,呈春、冬、夏、秋季依次减小的变化趋势,冬、春季节海水呈现不同程度石油污染,夏、秋季节属Ⅰ、Ⅱ级水质,整个流沙湾海域表层海水石油烃的平面分布相对比较均匀。在内外湾分布上,冬、春、秋季节外湾大于内湾,而夏季节内湾大于外湾。流沙湾的水产养殖活动是其海水石油烃时空分布的主要影响因素。     

A comparison of zooplankton patterns in the California Current and North Pacific Central Gyre

This study compares the small-scale (100's to 1000's of meters) horizontal spatial distribution of zooplankton from stations in the California Current (29°N; 118°W) and in the North Pacific Central Gyre (31°N; 155°W). Patterns were inferred from the spacing of vertical tows and the variability in abundance of 15 taxonomic categories caught in these tows. In the California Current, 4 tows were taken at random positions within 2000 m of a drogue or fixed geographic position and 4 replicate tows were taken at the drougue or the fixed point. Four series of these 8 tows were taken around noon and midnight during two days. At the Central Gyre station, two similar series (one day and one night) were taken while following a drogue. Estimates of the scale of structure based on comparisons of replicate and random tow variability suggest that aggregated patterns in the Central Gyre are larger than a few hundred meters, while the California Current structures may be less than 100 m in size. Day-night changes in patch size were not apparent in either area. Evidence for multispecies patches was found only for the Central Gyre station. Replication samples in both areas gave more consistent measures of community structure (relative proportions of species) than the random tows. Similarity of community structure decreased with increasing distance between tows being compared. The decrease was much greater for the California Current station, a further indication of smaller patch size in this area. Diurnal changes in community structure occurred in both areas.Based in part on a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Ph.D. degree at the University of California, San Diego. Portions of this research were supported by the Marine Life Research Program of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.     

Self-organized spatial patterns of vegetation in alpine grasslands

There is increased interest in vegetation spatial pattern as an indicator of transition shifts following catastrophes. Much, however, remains unknown about the mechanisms that underlie spatial pattern formations. In this study, we examined how the spatial heterogeneity of species distributions in the grasslands of the Central Pyrenees and Middle Atlas Mountains is associated with plant species diversity and the importance of self-organizing processes in the control of pattern formations. In the grasslands of the Central Pyrenees and Middle Atlas, the spatial heterogeneity of species distributions increased along a habitat degradation gradient defined by an increase in bare soil. In Central Pyrenees grasslands, however, the increase in heterogeneity was associated with self-organizing bare soil formations, rather than the self-organizing distribution of plant species. In Middle Atlas grasslands, the increased heterogeneity of species spatial distributions was a consequence of the self-organizing capacity of the composing species; the increase in bare soil was randomly distributed. In the more heavily grazed grasslands (Middle Atlas), but not in the more lightly grazed and better preserved ecosystem (Central Pyrenees), plant species richness and diversity declined significantly with an increase in grazing pressure because fewer species were able to colonize empty space. On the contrary, the colonization of bare soil by new species increased the diversity and spatial organization of new colonizing species in Central Pyrenees grassland.     

雷州半岛地表水体非点源污染物时空变化特征研究

以雷州半岛为研究区，利用2000-2003年问南渡河与九洲江，以及赤坎水库与鹤地水库的4年常规监测数据，结合实地调查，利用数理统计分析，对雷州半岛地表水体非点源污染物及其时空变化规律进行了初步研究。研究发现，河流与水库的水质均是以氮污染为主，水体有富营养化现象发生，同时，两河流在雨季都不同程度受到了非点源污染的影响，而只有赤坎水库明显受到了非点源污染的影响。究其原因，主要是由于土地利用方式的不同在一定程度上决定了雷州半岛地表水体非点源污染物质量浓度的时空变化特征。因此，只有合理调整流域和库区的土地利用方式、加强区域的水土流失治理工作，才能有效降低非点源污染所带来的地表水体环境污染问题。     

Water quality assessment of Fort lake of Belgaum (Karnataka) with special reference to zooplankton

Study on limnobiotic status of the Fort lake water was made to assess the potability of water from Feb 1998 to Jan 1999. Fort lake exhibits high alkalinity with pH ranging from 8.36 (June) to 10.6 (Feb and March), total alkalinity (TA) from 88 to 188 mg/l, total hardness (TH) from 59.8-217 mg/l, PO4 (7.2 to 13.6 mg/l and BOD (42.6-60.6 mg/l). From the observations it can be known that the Fort lake water is inferior and not suitable for drinking purposes. The possible factors for its poor quality have been discussed.