不同草篱种植模式对土壤侵蚀的控制效应

选取我国南方红壤丘陵区5种等高草篱种植模式,结合径流小区法和稀土元素示踪技术,开展不同草篱控制坡地水土流失、减少地表径流的效应研究,分析等高草篱对坡面侵蚀空间分布的影响.结果发现,径流小区土壤流失量显著受降雨量影响,不同草篱种植模式下,各径流小区的平均土壤流失量和地表径流量较对照组(裸坡)均显著降低(P＜0.05),其中麦冬双行草篱处理平均土壤流失量和地表径流量最小,分别为4 047 g和1 554 L,对照组(裸坡)最大,分别为19 793 g和2 403 L;麦冬双行草篱在控制坡面土壤流失和径流方面效果最佳;通过平均土壤流失量和平均径流量的二次线性拟合模型发现,随着地表径流量的变化,不同处理下土壤流失量的边际值存在差异;坡面中、下部是侵蚀泥沙的主要溯源地,产生了接近总流失量85%的泥沙;草篱改变了降雨过程中坡面内部土壤因沉积作用导致的再分布,但对整个坡面土壤侵蚀的空间分布规律无明显影响.     

植物篱对红壤坡耕地的水土保持效应及其机理研究

在浙江诸暨红壤丘陵山区的野外径流小区条件下,设计5种不同植物篱种植模式,结合自然降雨、人工模拟暴雨试验、稀土元素(REE)示踪、土壤抗蚀性评价等方法,研究植物篱的减流减沙效应和控制机理.结果显示,与裸坡相比,自然降雨下麦冬双行植物篱处理地表径流量降低39.4％,土壤流失量降低65.8％,效果最佳.降雨前土壤含水量能显著影响径流和土壤流失的发生特征.土壤容重和孔隙度可作为衡量植物篱控制水土流失效应的最佳指标.根据17个抗蚀性指标建立植物篱条件下红壤抗蚀性的综合评价指标体系,评价结果表明土壤综合抗蚀性由高到低依次为麦冬双行、黄花菜+麦冬双行、黄花菜双行、麦冬单行、黄花菜单行和裸坡.不同坡位植物篱对土壤抗蚀性的影响存在差异,侵蚀泥沙主要来源集中在中下坡位.     

太湖流域坡地茶园径流流失规律

在太湖流域坡地茶园进行小区试验,研究自然降雨条件下坡地茶园径流流失的基本规律.结果表明,在常规种植条件下,茶园的平均年径流水量为98.29 L·m-2,随径流流失的氮素量为11.685 kg·hm-2,其中硝态氮(N03--N)流失量为8.918 kg·hm-2,占总氮的76.320%;可溶性总磷(TDP)流失量为0.128 kg·hm-2,磷酸根(PO3-4)流失量为0.104 kg·hm-2,占磷总流失量的65.823%;径流携带泥沙量为181.13 kg.hm-2,其中泥沙携带氮为0.272 kg·hm-2,泥沙携带磷为0.030 kg·hm-2;氮、磷流失系数分别为1.008%和-0.087%,氮、磷肥流失率分别为5.686%和0.190%.说明试验区域坡地茶园径流量少,氮、磷流失较少,产生农业面源污染的风险较小.     

不同农作制对四川紫色丘陵区地表径流氮、磷流失的影响

以小麦(Triticum aestivum)-玉米(Zea mays)轮作制为基础,通过在仁寿县建立18个径流小区监测试验,对4种不同农作制与4种施肥水平下各小区径流水样中的氮、磷含量进行了分析.探讨了四川紫色丘陵区坡耕地氮、磷流失系数及其影响因素.结果表明,氮流失总量随施氮量而增加,在增量施肥+横坡种植方式下最大,为0.326 kg·hm~(-2);氮流失总量和流失系数在优化施肥+横坡种植+秸秆覆盖+植物篱方式下最小,其流失总量为0.270kg·hm~(-2),流失系数为0.009%0磷流失总量和流失系数在不同处理方式下总体上虽较为接近,但增量施肥+横坡种植方式下磷的流失总量最大,为0.020kg·hm~(-2);而优化施肥+横坡种植+秸秆覆盖+植物篱最小,为0.015kg·hm~(-2).研究表明,优化施肥、横坡种植、秸秆覆盖和植物篱拦蓄地表径流作用明显,是遏制耕地氮、磷流失的有效途径.     

不同覆被下红壤坡地地表径流及其养分流失特征

通过对南方红壤坡地农作区、茶园、柑橘园、退化区和恢复区5种不同利用方式所产生的地表径流量的全年连续观测及其径流水中养分含量分析,结果表明:覆被植物群落类型单一化和农事耕作都能增加地表径流量、次数和增加养分流失,5种类型地表径流量不论是月平均径流量还是年总径流量,其大小关系为农作区*>茶园*>柑橘园>退化区>恢复区*,产流次数也是恢复区最少,其余4种类型基本一致;径流水中总P、K 、Ca2 、Mg2和SO42-流失量以农作区达到最大,茶园和柑橘园次之,然后是退化区和,恢复区的径流各养分流失量量少,耕作区的总P、K 、Ca2 、Mg2 和SO42-流失量大于非耕作区,覆被植物群落类型少的总P、K 、Ca2 、Mg2 和SO42-流失量大于覆被植物群落类型复杂.综合考虑,红壤坡地用来耕作可以加剧水土和土壤养分流失,自然植被对红壤坡地保持水土和养分效果最佳,如果种植经济价值较高的果林和药、茶、草等需采用复种方式,避免单一种植和减少人工扰动,以便维持坡地土壤利用的可持续性.     

不同耕作方式和雨强对紫色土坡耕地降雨有效性的影响

农业水资源短缺越来越受到世界各国的关注,对我国的威胁尤为严重.为了揭示紫色土地区坡耕地常用农耕措施在不同雨强条件下对雨水土壤蓄积率的影响规律,为紫色土坡耕地抗旱耕作技术创制提供理论依据,文章采用两因素、三水平、三重复随机区组试验,利用人工降雨装置和模拟径流小区,在栽培玉米(Zea mays L.)条件下,研究了不同耕作方式和雨强对紫色土坡耕地降雨有效性的影响.研究结果表明:在耕作方式相同时,雨强越大,地表径流量越大,地下径流量减少,总径流量增加,不利于土壤保蓄雨水和含水量的提高.在相同雨强条件下,平作的地表径流量最大,雨水土壤蓄积率最低.横坡垄作在中雨强条件下控制地表径流和侵蚀的效果非常明显,能够显著提高雨水土壤蓄积率,但在大雨强和小雨强条件下,提高雨水土壤蓄积率的效果减弱.横坡垄作等保护性耕作措施可以增加土壤对雨水的有效库容,提高土壤抗旱能力,是适用于该区域的抗旱耕作技术.     

陕北黄土高原陡坡耕地土壤侵蚀变异的空间格局

利用环境放射性核素137-Cs技术定量评价陕北黄土高原典型山坡地顺坡断面(240 m)土壤重新分布的空间变化及其影响因素.结果表明,黄土高原坡地土壤侵蚀率存在明显的空间格局,即山坡中、上部是土壤侵蚀最为严重的地带,土壤平均侵蚀速率高达82.8 t/(hm2(a)以上;山顶和坡脚侵蚀速率较小,土壤平均侵蚀速率分别为17.1 t/(hm2(a)及22.3 t/(hm2(a),而坡下部土壤侵蚀速率居中,土壤平均侵蚀速率为46.8 t/(hm2(a).坡度变化是影响该地区土壤侵蚀速率空间变化的主导因子.本研究结果对黄土高原坡地土壤侵蚀的预测预报和准确防治土壤流失具有重要价值.     

华南湿润区坡地氮素流失规律比较试验研究

通过两个径流场的对比试验,研究了华南湿润地区针叶林坡面氮素随降雨径流的流失规律,结果表明,氮素流失量均与坡面径流量和降雨强度具有极显著的线性相关关系,在没有施肥的情况下,氮流失形态以氨氮、硝氮为主,总氮产出浓度随降雨径流的增大,逐步下降,最后趋于稳定。在施放尿素的情况下,氮素随径流的流失形态以氨氮、硝氮和溶解态的尿素为主,总氮的产出浓度呈先升高而后随降雨径流的增大逐渐减少最后趋于稳定的特性。     

利用~(137)Cs示踪技术与土壤化学物质研究滇池流域土壤侵蚀

核素示踪技术研究作为一种新的土壤侵蚀研究方法,已经在土壤侵蚀研究中获得了极大应用,并在土壤侵蚀的沉积、侵蚀、运移研究上取得许多成果.采用放射性核素作为土壤示踪剂,可以很好的进行流域尺度的范围研究,且可靠性比较高,省时省力.云贵高原在处于我国的西南地区,是我国南方水土流失严重的地区之一.该地区缺乏较长时间的资料积累,仅通过短时间的测定,无法准确估算中长期(约50 a)的平均土壤侵蚀速率.文章应用137Cs示踪技术,并结合土壤有机碳、全氮等土壤化学物质,首次研究了云南省滇池流域土壤侵蚀的强度分异规律.1)山坡不同部位的土壤侵蚀速率大小顺序是:坡中部>坡下部>坡上部,坡位是影响土壤侵蚀的重要因素.2)土壤利用方式上看,非耕地(林地和撂荒地)的侵蚀速率小于耕地的侵蚀速率.同一种土地利用方式下,由于耕作措施与耕作方法的差异,也会直接影响到土壤侵蚀的速率大小.3)从土壤侵蚀模数来看,区域整体上属于轻度侵蚀.土壤平均侵蚀速率为1280.2 t·km-2·a-1,其中耕地的平均土壤侵蚀速率为1672.8 t·km-2·a-1,非耕地土壤平均侵蚀模数为1161.2 t·km-2·a-1.4)虽然是轻度侵蚀,但是随着土壤侵蚀的进行,土壤有机碳、氮等的流失,造成土地退化较为严重,这给当地的生态环境带来直接的危害:滇池土壤淤积,土壤中的有机质、化肥等物质也直接随土壤流入滇池,会导致水体富营养化和水质变差.     

经营模式对大渡河干暖河谷黄果柑坡地果园土壤养分的影响

坡地果园是大渡河干暖河谷两岸一种常见的土地利用方式,大面积坡地果园垦殖导致了严重的水土流失和一定程度的氮、磷面源污染.为了解经营模式与坡位是否及如何影响果园的土壤养分,选择大渡河流域两类典型经营模式(散户和集体经营)下的黄果柑坡地果园作为研究对象,比较不同坡位(下坡、中坡、上坡)土壤养分的差异,并探讨土壤有机质(SOM...     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.