The State of Protected Forest Communities in the European Forest–Steppe Zone of Russia and Prospects for Their Reconstruction: A Case Study of Specially Protected Areas of Penza Oblast

The structure of most forest communities in the European forest–steppe, including protected areas, has been disturbed. The adverse consequences of these disturbances include the incomplete age structure of the populations of cenosis-forming species and the irreversibility of successions. The conservation of biodiversity in the structurally disturbed communities is impossible without human intervention, which must be aimed at restoring their age heterogeneity with regard to their specific ecological features.     

Altitudinal variation in body size and age in male spot-legged treefrog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Polypedates megacephalus</Emphasis>)

Body size variation across environmental gradients has received considerable attention in evolutionary ecology in recent years. In this study, we investigated body sizes and age structure using skeletochronology in male Polypedates megacephalus from five sites with the attitude ranging from 449 to 1300 m. The results showed age at sexual maturity in males was 2 years old, and the longevity was 5 years old except for Changning population of 3 years. Body size was significantly correlated with age within each population except for Changning population. Average age did not differ significantly among populations. Body size of individuals also did not differ across populations when removing the effect of age, which did not follow Bergmann’s rule.     

Population structure and dynamics of Monotarsobius curtipes (Myriapoda, Chilopoda) at the northern periphery of the species range

Studies on the population structure and dynamics of the stone centipede Monotarsobius curtipes C. Koch in soils of the northern Kola Peninsula have shown that, with respect to abundance and biomass, this species is a dominant of the soil macrofauna and, in particular, of the trophic group of zoophages. Life in high northern latitudes does not disturb the sex and age structure of populations but limits the reproductive activity of these centipedes. Specific biological features of M. curtipes at the northern periphery of its range include the absence of repeated breeding, completion of several developmental (age) stages within a short growing season, and long ontogeny involving several winterings.     

Assessment of the Age Structure of Sable Samples Using Three Methods of Age Determination

The age structure of sable samples has been analyzed on the basis of parameters obtained by three methods of age determination: by annual cementum layers (Klevezal, 1988), canine root canal width (Smirnov, 1960), and the degree of development of the mastication muscles and sagittal crest on the skull (Timofeev and Nadeev, 1955). It has been found that the first two methods produce similar results (r = 0.95) that are suitable for use in the practice of monitoring and commercial game management. The third method is simpler but less accurate and can be recommended only for the preliminary assessment of age ratios in populations. The results of such assessment by the method proposed by Klevezal are sufficiently accurate for a detailed analysis of population structure and dynamics of its reproductive core, but this method is laborious and involves a complicated histological procedure. When large samples are studied for the purposes of monitoring and management planning, the method proposed by Smirnov is preferable.     

Age,Survivorship and Life Expectancy in Near Eastern Fire Salamander, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salamandra infraimmaculata</Emphasis> (Caudata: Salamandridae)

Populations from different environmental habitats indicate variation in life history traits and these differences are mostly related to longevity, age and size at maturity. In this study, age structure, longevity, survivorship and sexual size dimorphism of Near Eastern fire salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata) were assessed by means of skeletochronological analysis. Maximum lifespan was recorded to be twelve years in females and eleven years in males and age at maturity was estimated as three and four years for both sexes. Females had significantly larger SVL than that of males, while age structure and mean age did not differ between sexes. Age and body size were positively correlated with each other for both females and males. Since the populations of the Near Eastern fire salamander in Turkey are in decline, the present study which provides preliminary data on life history traits of this species could be helpful for future biological studies.     

Comparative Analysis of Foraging Behavior in Aquatic and Semiaquatic Spiders of the Genera Argyroneta,Dolomedes, Pirata,and Pardosa

A group of sympatric aquatic and semiaquatic spiders inhabiting Western Siberia (Argyroneta, Dolomedes, Pirata, and Pardosa) has been studied with respect to specific ethological features. The results provide a basis for the conclusion that these spiders differ in a number of behavioral adaptations related to prey catching and the use of common biotopic space. Experiments with the predator–prey system have shown that spiders have different effects on the abundance of bloodsucking mosquito larvae and on the age and genetic structure (at the chromosomal level) of their populations. The functional role of spiders in communities is discussed.     

Sex Structure of Scotch Pine Populations in the Dry Steppe

it has been determined that the sex structure of the population is of great importance for pine adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. As environmental conditions deteriorate, differentiation of populations with respect to sex becomes more apparent, the proportion of trees of mixed type decreases, and the number of male trees increases. A tendency toward correlation between tree habitus, needle and shoot sizes, and the sex structure of population is noted. The prevalence of male trees in populations exposed to increasing stress reflects the rearrangement of such populations aimed at the more efficient use of natural resources.     

长江中上游圆口铜鱼群体遗传结构研究

为科学地开展圆口铜鱼人工繁殖和增殖放流等保护工作,研究采用9个四碱基重复的圆口铜鱼（Coreius guichenoti）微卫星标记,对采自宜昌、三峡库区、宜宾、永善、巧家、攀枝花6个江段的199尾圆口铜鱼样本的遗传多样性和遗传结构进行了分析。依照采样点不同将圆口铜鱼分成6个群体,研究结果显示,9个微卫星标记均具有较高的多态性,各群体遗传多样性水平较高。AMOVA显示6个群体并未达到显著遗传分化水平。Structure分析将6个群体分为2组,三峡库区群体中部分个体与宜宾群体中部分个体为一组,其他为另一组。分子方差分析（AMOVA）结果与Structure分析结果间存在一定差异,可能原因在于AMOVA结果是将每个群体作为一个整体来显示的,而Structure分析结果是将每个群体按照个体数所占比例来显示的。因此,为避免遗传背景污染事件的发生,进行圆口铜鱼人工繁殖的遗传管理,分析比较放流群体和野生群体的遗传结构是必须的     

Ontogenetic States,Effective Density,and Classification of Plant Populations

Uranov (1975) formulated a theory of the age structure of plant populations and, in particular, defined the index of ageness . On the basis of this theory, the concepts of the energy efficiency of plants in a certain ontogenetic state and the average efficiency of a population () are introduced. A new classification of populations with respect to the types of age structure is proposed which is based on both the and values and, accordingly, is named the delta–omega classification. The notion of effective population density is defined. This parameter takes into account different loads of plants in different ontogenetic states on the environment and is quantitatively equal to the product of the population density and . The proposed approaches and methods are illustrated by data on the distribution of age states in different plant species.     

Specific features of phenetic structure of the terrestrial snail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cepaea vindobonensis</Emphasis> (Pulmonata; Helicidae) in urbanized and natural populations

The phenetic structure of natural and urbanized populations of the terrestrial snail Cepaea vindobonensis has been studied with respect to polymorphism in the shell-band color and pattern. It is noted that C. vindobonensis snails populating different artificial habitats in the city of Nikolaev and its suburbs are characterized by a higher level of both intra-and interpopulation diversity with respect to the type of this polymorphism. In addition, urban populations show a very wide range of variation in the frequencies of particular morphs or their groups. Conversely, natural populations are characterized by a more uniform frequency structure with respect to polymorphism of the shell banding pattern.     

湖域工业初始排污权合作配置体系构建——以太湖流域为例

针对湖泊流域工业初始排污权配置问题,在分析太湖流域工业初始排污权配置背景基础上,结合我国基本国情,从多利益相关者合作的角度出发,构建了一种政策型政府主体监管、经营型政府主体主导、多利益相关者参与的太湖流域工业初始排污权政府限额定价合作配置体系。并构建了合作配置体系的概念结构,以及合作配置路径结构,给出实现合作配置路径结构的工作流程结构。进而针对实际情况,提出保障太湖流域工业初始排污权合作配置体系应用的政策建议     

大别山五针松种群结构及动态研究

大别山五针松(Pinus dabeshanensis)是大别山区特有种,最大种群分布于安徽省岳西县大王沟。采用空间序列代替时间的方法分析种群结构,编制种群特定时间生命表,绘制死亡率曲线和消失率曲线,并用4个生存函数进行种群的生存分析;同时结合谱分析方法,分析了大别山五针松种群数量的动态变化。结果表明:大别山五针松种群数量少,结构存在波动性。幼苗阶段个体较丰富,幼树阶段个体较少,种群趋于衰退。种群死亡率和消失率曲线变化趋势基本一致,在第5龄级出现峰值。4个生存函数曲线表明,大别山五针松具有前期快速减少、中期稳定和后期衰退的特点。谱分析显示,大别山五针松种群动态除受基波影响外,还具有明显的小周期波动,谐波A3和A4处的周期波动与个体生长有关。     

Comparative Assessment of the State of Populations of the Ural Endemic Lagotis uralensisSchischk. in the Gradient of Altitudinal Zonality

The endemic species Lagotis uralensisis characterized with regard to the stages of ontogeny, population structure and dynamics, and the ways of species adaptation to growing in the form of small isolated populations in high mountains.     

Analysis of Trophic Indices in Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar L.) Larvae from Two Geographic Populations

Specific features of larval feeding in two geographic populations of the gypsy moth are considered. It is shown that in larvae reared on an artificial diet, trophic indices depend on several factors, including the age and sex of larvae and the food plant on which the parental generation developed in nature. It is shown that larval micropopulations belonging to the same geographic population but feeding in nature on different plant species differ from each other to a greater extent than those of different geographic populations feeding on the same species.     

Frequency distribution of minimum distances between singing males in different chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs L.) populations as an indicator of habitat quality

The results of census mapping over nine nesting seasons have been used to calculate frequency distributions of minimum distances between male singing chaffinches. Comparison of these distributions shows consistent, high, and significant similarity of spatial structures within each population, despite considerable fluctuations in bird density (from 204 to 118 territories per hectare) and basic differences between spatial structures of different populations (two significantly different classes are distinguished). An approach to estimation of habitat quality by assessing the spatial structure of populations is proposed.     

Population structure of the Colorado potato beetle in the Southern Urals

The population structure of the Colorado potato beetle in the Southern Urals is discussed. This population is shown to be divided into two groups of local populations, in central and in peripheral parts of the study area, which differ in degree of intrapopulation diversity. The founder effect and insecticide pressure are regarded as probable factors that have contributed to this division.     

Demographic features of populations of the marsh frog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rana ridibunda</Emphasis> Pall.) introduced into water bodies of the Middle Urals

Demographic characteristics of marsh frog (Rana ridibunda Pall.) populations have been studied in cooling reservoirs of Middle Ural thermal power plants, where this species was introduced accidentally. The reservoirs are similar in hydrochemical characteristics but differ in the thermal regime. The populations studied have been found to differ from the reference (natural) populations and from each other in a number of parameters, including the size and age composition of spawners, the type of spawning, and fecundity. Analysis of the results indicates that the observed differences have adaptive significance.     

Spatial population structure of rare orchid species in rich fens in the central part of Murmansk oblast

The spatial structure of 10 populations of rare orchid species (Dactylorhiza incarnata, D. traunsteineri, Listera ovata) has been studied in rich fens sporadically occurring in Murmansk oblast. Two levels of plant aggregation within populations have been distinguished: (1) clusters of individuals and (2) isolated population subsets consisting of clusters. General spatial demographic features of orchid populations in the fens are small area (77 m²) and low ecological density (0.009 ind./m²). Characteristics of the population subsets (their number, area, composition, and distance to the neighboring subset) are species-specific and reflect the degree of species rarity in plant communities.     

Size structure of urban agglomerations in China: rationality evaluation,patterns, and implications

ABSTRACT

This paper establishes a diagnostic model for assessing the rationality of size structure of urban agglomerations (UAs) in China. The model is designed to determine from a three-dimensional index including size distribution index (SDI), size compactness index (SCI), and size efficiency index (SEI). The spatio-temporal pattern of size structure involving the studied 19 UAs and its implications are explored. The results indicate that size structure of China’s UAs advanced from a low rationality development stage to a moderate rationality development stage in 1995–2015. Among them, the SDI and SEI were reasonably high, and the SCI was relatively low. Spatially, the high rationality UAs were distributed across eastern China, while the low rationality UAs were located in western China. UAs with positive size structure possessed typically a dual- or multicenter urban structure, while UAs with negative size structure usually presented as a single-center structure. The evolutionary trajectories of rationality of size structure of UAs can be summarized as four different stages. Our findings suggest that, in addition to consolidating the status of national-level UAs, the development of regional-level UAs should be promoted. Also, the fostering focus and direction should be oriented toward an UA with dual- or multicenter spatial structure.     

Reference populations for discriminant analysis in the continuous range of Norway and Siberian spruces

Reference populations identified within the continuous range of Norway (Picea abies) and Siberian (P. obovata) spuces significantly differ in biometric characters of seed scales, relative position in the same coordinate system (Root 1 and Root 2), phenotypic structure, and mutual taxonomic position (according to the squared Mahalanobis distance). Due to the symmetrically equal positions of the populations relative to each other, they can be used as reference populations in discriminant analysis at a two-, three- or five-class gradation of the test character.