Effect of water harvesting on growth of young olive trees in degraded Syrian dryland

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a drought-tolerant tree which is usually grown in areas with a Mediterranean climate that receive >350 mm of annual rainfall. However, olive growing in Syria has recently expanded into drier areas (200–300 mm annual rainfall) where irrigation resources are limited. This study, carried out between November 2002 and October 2005, aimed to investigate the response of a little known Syrian drought-tolerant olive variety (Qaisi) to water harvesting and limited summer irrigation (200 l per tree) in an arid area (average annual rainfall of 210 mm) with Mediterranean climate in Syria. Soil moisture and growth of four-year-old trees were monitored regularly. Olive leaves were sampled at different stages to determine water content, specific mass, and N content. Stomatal conductance was also measured in 2005. Our results showed that water harvesting and summer irrigation improved soil moisture content, leaf water content (up to 36% higher in Sep. 2003), leaf N content (up to 45% higher in Aug. 2003), leaf stomatal conductance (up to 55% higher in Apr. 2005), and relative trunk growth rate. Water harvesting was most successful in wet years, although the water storage capacity was not enough to retain all harvested water. This study indicated that it is possible to grow drought-tolerant olive varieties in arid areas under little or no irrigation, but proper water and nutrient management should be considered for sustainable growth.     

2003~2009年鄱阳湖流域土壤水分时空变化特征及影响因素

鄱阳湖流域水文过程是区域研究的热点问题,但相对于其它水文要素而言,土壤水分的时空分布特征及其影响因素尚缺乏系统研究,成为流域水文过程研究不确定性的主要来源之一。采用AMSR E土壤水分数据,从流域、子流域及地表覆被等不同的空间尺度,阐明了鄱阳湖流域2003～2009年土壤水分的年际与年内变化特征,并分析其影响因素。研究表明：在流域尺度上,土壤水分总体呈现中心低、周边高的“漏斗式”空间分布形态,但夏、秋季节空间差异性减弱,年际土壤水分呈现较强的下降趋势,其中以湖区下降速度最大;在地表覆被尺度上,林地土壤水分最高、年际下降速度最低,表明其在年际尺度上对干旱具有较强的调节作用,不同地表覆被类型的土壤水分年内差异较明显,但在6、7及10月差异较小,地表覆被对土壤水分的调节作用减弱;在影响因素方面,降水是土壤水分的主要影响因素,气温、灌溉等则一定程度上影响了土壤水分的变化特征。研究结果不仅有利于加强对流域水文过程的理解与认识,同时可为水资源管理及防旱抗旱等提供科学的辅助依据     

Dynamics of the Mite Communities (Acari: Parasitiformes) in Nests of the Parus major

The dynamics of nest-dwelling mites from the nests of the great tit in the protected area of Kamchia Mountain in Northeastern Bulgaria was investigated. The mite fauna inhabiting the nests of great tit differs significantly in terms of the degree of infestation, species richness, abundance and structure of communities in study years. There are statistically significant differences in the specimens’ number between 2014 and the other years 2012, 2013 and 2015. The mite species such as Dermanyssus gallinae, Androlaelaps casalis and Ornithonyssus sylviarum demonstrated significant changes in the abundance over the study years. A relation between the abundance of a species and the species diversity in the nests was not registered. Comparison of the annual dynamics of mites in the nests of great tit and the nests of semi-collared flycatcher for the same period of time and for the same environment, showed similarities—a significant fluctuation in the abundance of mites over the years and differences—in the species richness. Regarding the structure of the communities, both similarities and differences were recorded.

     

Phytoremediation of Nickel-Contaminated Soils by Brassica Species

Two Brassica species Brassica juncea and Brassica carinata of the Indian mustard, were grown in an artificially Ni-contaminated soil to study the tolerance and Ni accumulation. Chelating agent, EDTA was applied at the rosette stage for enhancing the metal uptake. Nickel concentration over almost double that in control was observed in both the species with Ni contamination along with EDTA application. Specie B. juncea appeared to be slightly more tolerant and higher accumulator of Ni. In agreement with the earlier reports, the translocation of the pollutant metal to the shoot from the root seemed to be restricted in both of Brassica species at higher rate of Ni application plus EDTA. The results of the present study indicated that B. juncea has the potential to be hyperaccumulator of Ni.     

Host Specificity of Flukes of the Genus Sphaerostomum (Trematoda: Opecoelidae) within Their Geographic Ranges

The host specificity of flukes belonging to the genus Sphaerostomum (S. bramae and S. globiporum) in the center and at the periphery of the genus range is discussed. Both fluke species are specific parasites of cyprinids. However, fish of nine other families and one cyclostome species have also been recorded as their hosts. At the periphery of the range, the spectrum of definitive hosts is broader than in the center owing to a greater number of unspecific hosts. In the center, unspecific hosts are represented by six fish species (Esox lucius, Misgurnus fossilis, Perca fluviatilis, Lota lota, Gymnocephalus cernuus, and Salmo sp.), four of which are predators. At the periphery, 11 fish species, including six predators (Anguilla anguilla, Barbatula barbatula, Cottus gobio, Cobitis taenia, Coregonus lavaretus, Salmo trutta, Alosa sp., Potamoschistus minutus, E. lucius, P. fluviatilis, and L. lota), and the cyclostome Lampetra fluviatilis are unspecific hosts. In the peripheral populations, compared to central, flukes manifest greater adaptive plasticity and can infest new hosts.     

Estimation of land surface temperature using different retrieval methods for studying the spatiotemporal variations of surface urban heat and cold islands in Indian Punjab

Spatial patterns of land surface temperature (LST), surface urban heat island (SUHI), surface urban cold island (SUCI), and their seasonal variations during January (winter) and September (summer) were analyzed over the three cities of Indian Punjab (Balachaur, Ludhiana and Bathinda) using Landsat 5, 7 and 8 satellite data of the years 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2018. Urban hot spots and Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI) were used to measure the ecological environment of these cities. Land surface temperature was retrieved from Landsat satellite data using Plank equation, mono-window algorithm (MWA), single-channel algorithm (SCA), and radiative transfer equation. The LST derived using these algorithms was validated with MODIS-LST product. The relationship between LST derived from Landsat 5, 7 and 8 using the four methods and MODIS-LST product was higher with the SCA algorithm (R²?>?0.75). Land surface temperature was significantly positively correlated with built-up but significantly negatively correlated with vegetation. The surface urban heat intensity was higher during September than January, and it was higher in Ludhiana followed by Bathinda and Balachaur, irrespective of the season. Besides built-up area and population density, soil moisture availability in surrounding rural areas has significant impact on increasing surface urban heat intensity during September than January. The SUCIs were formed in the center of Bathinda city during January 1991, but these were in Ludhiana and Balachaur cities during January 2011. The most critical areas for ecological environment based on UTFVI were identified and the critical UTFVI values (>?0.020) were highest in Bathinda city followed by Balachaur and Ludhiana cities. These results suggest that SUHIs and SUCIs are influenced by seasons and the mitigating plans to counteract the overheating of urban areas should be formulated taking into account soil moisture availability in surrounding rural areas, landscape pattern, seasonal variations, local climatic conditions, urban growth, and development plan etc.

     

Effect of Soybean Cultivation on Soil Collembola Community in Marshland of Sanjiang Plain,China

The Sanjiang Plain, the largest inland freshwater marshland in China, was extensive reclaimed into agricultural land. To assess the effects of marshland reclamation on Collembola, we investigated collembolan communities in a chronosequence of soybean plantations (2, 15, and 25 years) in Sanjiang marshland, Northeastern China. We found that: 1) the densities and species richness of Collembola were promoted after short-term (2 years) cultivation of soybean, but significantly decreased after medium-term cultivation (15 years); 2) the densities of epi-edaphic Collembola increased while the densities of hemi-edaphic Collembola decreased as the elongation of soybean cultivation; 3) compared with S0, two species of Collembola appeared while five species disappeared in S25. The changes of plant communities and the soil traits were supposed to be the key factors affecting the composition of soil Collembola. We thus suggest that original marshland should be saved for preserving high diversity and densities of Collembola in the Sanjiang Plain.

     

Insularization and polymorphism in marginal island populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.

Comparative allozyme analysis of 26 marginal island populations of Pinus sylvestris L. and 20 populations from the center of the species range has confirmed, at the species level, the Wright-Dubinin “island model” of automatic genetic processes and Mayr’s hypothesis about homozygotization of small isolated populations at range boundaries. It has been shown that the polymorphism of isolated populations sharply decreases when their area is reduced below 15–20 km² and increases to the level observed in the center of the range when the population area exceeds 50–100 km². A chorogenetic classification of marginal P. sylvestris populations is proposed.     

Noise susceptibility: A comparison of two naval aviator populations

The identification of characteristics of noise-susceptible (S) or noise-resistant (R) individuals is necessary for the development of noise-susceptibility risk profiles. Fifty-six naval aviators, categorized as having either incurred a hearing loss, i.e., hearing threshold levels (HTLs) > 40 dB at 4–8 kHz or retained normal hearing, i.e., HTLs ≤ 25 dB at 125 Hz-8 kHz, after thousands of flight hours were compared along several auditory and non-auditory dimensions. A number of variables occurred differentially in the two groups: Minimal Auditory Intensity Differential (MAID) scores at 2 kHz (p < 0.01) and 4 kHz (p < 0.001); iris pigmentation (blue eyes were over-represented in the S group; p < 0.05); systolic blood pressure (sitting; S group was higher; p < 0.05); calcium, albumin, and LDH levels (higher in the R group; p < 0.05); and present tobacco usage (more S aviators were currently smokers; p < 0.05). The S population also tended (p < 0.10) to exhibit elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as higher contralateral acoustic reflexes, and to have fewer individuals who had never smoked. Although no classic profile of the S or R individual definitely emerged, results suggested that at least one measurement device (MAID test) may serve as an “early warning” of imminent noise-induced damage. Further research, however, is required to test this possibility.     

Effect of temperature and precipitation on linear increment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphagnum fuscum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. magellanicum</Emphasis> in Western Siberia

The linear increment of Sphagnum fuscum and S. magellanicum in ombrotrophic mires of Western Siberia has been measured during two years over a transect about 2500 km long extending from forest–steppe to forest–tundra. Along the latitudinal gradient, the increment of both species has proved to be correlated with annual average air temperature and, in S. magellanicum, also with annual precipitation. The determinants of their growth differ between the southern, central, and northern parts of the study region. At the regional level, the annual and summer precipitation plays a more important role than the average air temperature. The increment of S. fuscum in the southern part is positively correlated with the amount of precipitation and negatively correlated with summer temperature, whereas the situation in the central part is inverse. In S. magellanicum, the linear increment is directly dependent on the annual average temperature and annual and summer precipitation in the south and on the annual and summer precipitation in the north of Western Siberia. The dynamics of linear growth of both species in bog pine forests during the growing season are similar: its rate is the highest in June, when the linear increment of S. fuscum and S. magellanicum amounts to 60 and 85% of the annual total, respectively.     

The Spatiotemporal Structure of Rodent Populations in the Steppe Zone of Western Siberia

The spatial structure of populations has been studied in two rodent species inhabiting the subzone of meadow steppes of the steppe zone of Omsk oblast: the narrow-sculled vole (Microtus gregalis Pall.) and steppe lemming (Lagurus lagurus Pall.). Their populations are represented by combinations of territorial family groups whose structure and spatial distribution vary by season depending on population density, the phase of the population cycle, and the status of their members in the population. In the areas cohabited by M. gregalis and L. lagurus, the pattern of territory use and the rhythm of animal activity during the day depend primarily on their total density: under conditions of low density, the population groups of both species are spatially separated; at increased density, they are distributed with respect to the pattern of daily activity. Both species jointly use part of the territory but at different times of day: M. gregalis, mainly at night and in the morning; L. lagurus, in the daytime.     

Drought Stress in Four Subalpine Species: Gas Exchange Response and Survivorship

An assessment of adaptability of saplings of four evergreen species (Picea abies Karst., Pinus mugo Turra, Pinus peuce Grisb. and Pinus heldreichii H. Christ.), native for Bulgarian treeline zone, was made on the basis of leaf gas exchange and survivability in artificially induced drought stress. The established low sensitivity of gas exchange to summer drought and the highest mortality of P. abies may be regarded as an evidence for a narrow zone of tolerance. P. peuce and P. heldreichii have low survivorship under drought conditions, regardless of the variable effect of soil moisture on the gas exchange parameters. The better survivability and significant reduction of gas exchange in response to soil water deficit of P. mugo probably will give him an advantage in future adaptation to climate change and in competition with other subalpine species. We conclude that the expected trends in climate change will most likely lead to a further narrowing of the ecological and physiological comfortable zone for two investigated endemic species.     

Abundance of orchids on calcareous grasslands in relation to community species,environmental, and vegetational conditions

The abundance of Orchidaceae on three calcareous grasslands is studied in relation to floristic composition, environmental and vegetational factors and plant traits (ecological and life forms). The aims are: (i) to identify a group of species that is significantly correlated with the abundance of Orchidaceae or with individual species of orchids on calcareous grasslands; (ii) to study the relationship between traits associated with habitat specialisation, community life forms and the abundance of orchids; (iii) to identify the main environmental and vegetational predictors of the abundance of orchids. A shortlist of species is found to be significantly correlated with the abundance of total orchids, Orchis pauciflora and O. morio. The life forms of the community species do not show any correlation with the orchids, with the exception of Orchis pauciflora, which tends to increase in communities rich in hemicryptophytes and poor in annual species. Analyses of Orchis morio seem to suggest that it has a high level of ecological tolerance. The most important predictors of the abundance of orchids are the substrate reaction (basic) and arid grassland with low herbaceous vegetation cover (i.e. high soil reaction and luminosity values, positive correlation with the cover of lichens and rockiness, negative correlation with tree cover and herbaceous layer). The least favourable sites were the least basic and most superficial and arid sites.     

Effect of Earthworm(Pheretima sp.) Density on Revegetation of Lead/zinc Metal Mine Tailings Amended with Soil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of earthworm density on the availability of nutrients and heavy metals in metal contaminated soils. Pb/Zn mine tailings were mixed throughly with a red yellow podzolic soil at the ratio (w/w) of 75:25. Earthworms (Pheretima sp.) were introduced to the mixture at four different densities, zero, three, six and nine individuals per pot planted with ryegrass (Loliun multiflorum). The results indicated that earthworm activity significantly enhanced ryegrass shoot biomass. However, as denser earthworm population was introduced, shoot biomass tended to decrease. Earthworm activity significantly increased soil pH and availability of N, P and K in the tailings and soil mixture. There was a general tendency that uptake of Zn by ryegrass increased after earthworm inoculation, although the increase in extractable Zn in tailings and soil mixture was not significant. On the contrary, there seemed to be a lower uptake of Pb by ryegrass under earthworm inoclation, despite the fact that higher extractable Pb concentrations were observed. The present project indicated that the improved growth of ryegrass was due to improved nutrient availability and other soil conditions, by inoculation of earthworms at an appropriate rate. Further studies are needed to illustrate the relationship between metal availability and earthworm activity in the field.     

Subsurface nutrient modelling using finite element model under Boro rice cropping system

Boro rice, an emerging low-risk crop variety of rice, cultivated using residual or stored water after Kharif season. To enhance the quality and production of rice, potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) are the common constituents of agricultural fertilizers. However, excess application of fertilizers causes leaching of nutrients and contaminates the groundwater system. Therefore, assessment and optimization of fertilizer dose are needed for better management of fertilizers. Towards this, the present study determines the path, persistence, and mobility of K and P under the Boro rice cropping system. The experimental site consisted of four plots having Boro rice with four different fertilizer doses of nitrogen (N), P, K viz. 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of the recommended dose. Disturbed soil samples were analysed for K and P from pre-sown land to tillering stage at 0–5, 5–10, 10–15, 15–30, 30–45, and 45–60 cm depths. Simultaneously, K and available P were also simulated in the subsurface soil layers through the HYDRUS-1D model. The statistical comparisons were made with RMSER, E, and PBIAS between the modelled values and laboratory-measured values. Although, the results showed that all the treatments considered had agreeable simulations for both K and P, the K simulations were found to be better as compared to P simulations except for 25% where P simulations outperformed K. The simulated concentration at all doses was found most appropriate when measured for the subsurface layers (up to 45 cm), while showed an underestimation in the bottom layers (45–60 cm) of soil.

     

Prognosis of the State of Aquatic Animal Populations under Conditions of Disturbed Ionic Composition of Water

In the crustacean Eudiaptomus gracilisSars, relationships between mortality (D) and the ratio of main cations (R, the ratio of the sum of potassium and sodium equivalent concentrations to the sum of calcium and magnesium equivalent concentrations) were studied. The calculated regression equation D= 315 – 355/Rwas used for predicting the state of E. gracilispopulation in Lake Poppalijarvi (Karelia) polluted with mining waste. At R< 0.47, the population will survive; at R> 1.53, its extinction should be expected. The results of hydrobiological observations on Lake Poppalijarvi confirmed the prognosis based on the equation.     

Citric and Oxalic Acids Effect on Pb and Zn Uptake by Maize and Winter Wheat

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of citric and oxalic acids effect on Pb and Zn uptake by corn and winter wheat. The experiment was employed with citric acid (CA) applied at 3 rates (0, 1.5 and 3.0 mmol kg^?1 soil), oxalic acid (OA) at 3 rates (0, 1.5 and 3.0mmol kg^?1 soil) and citric acid combined with oxalic acid (1.5 mmol citric acid combined with 1.5 mmol oxalic acid kg^?1). Two types of soil were chose in the experiment. One was collected from the agricultural soil near a battery-recycling factory in Anhui province, China (site A) and the other was collected from a Pb-Zn mine residues in Hunan province, China (site B). The results showed that soil pH varied with the different treatment of citric and oxalic acids. However, there were no differences in all the treatments. 3.0mmol CA kg^?1 soil addition significantly increased the concentrations of the CaCl₂-extractable Pb and Zn and other treatments have no significantly increased. The highest shoot concentrations of Pb and Zn in both species occurred in application of 3.0 mmol CA/kg^?1 soil and shoot concentrations of Pb and Zn in both species were significantly higher than the controls in this treatment. Shoot yields declined with application of citric and oxalic acids, indicating that the plants were sensitive to the toxicity of the metals or the amendments. The highest Pb uptake values by maize and wheat werell2.3 and 77.2 μg pot1 in soil of site A, and occurred with the control and 3.0 mmol CA/kg^?1 soil respectively.     

From past to future: impact of climate change on range shifts and genetic diversity patterns of circumboreal plants

Climate change is projected to influence the genetic resources of plant species. Recent research has examined genetic diversity patterns under current climate conditions, with little attention to the future genetic consequences for species. In this study, we combined ecological niche modeling and population genetic approaches to project future changes in genetic diversity using plastid and nuclear DNA and reconstructed distribution patterns of three circumboreal plants (Chamaedaphne calyculata, Linnaea borealis ssp. borealis, and Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum ssp. sceptrum-carolinum) in the last glacial maximum. We found that circumboreal plants could potentially lose their geographic ranges in the future (2070; 35–52% in RCP 4.5 (representative concentration pathways), 37–53% in RCP 6.0, and 56–69% in RCP 8.5), only slightly compensated by a predicted range gain of 18–33% (across the three RCPs). It is expected that future genetic diversity level could remain similar or lower than the present level. On the other hand, the homogeneity of the genetic background—a lack of admixture and domination of one gene pool in most populations of C. calyculata and L. borealis ssp. borealis—was predicted to become more pronounced in the future. Combining the paleoecological niche modeling and genetic data revealed, more precisely, the climate refugia for circumboreal plants in the Alps, central Asia, Beringia, and southern North America and the macrorefugia more restricted to the northern part of Eurasia and North America, reaching the arctic zone.

     

Radon-222 exhalation from open ground on and around a uranium mine in the wet-dry tropics

Radon-222 exhalation from the ground surface depends upon a number of variables such as the 226Ra activity concentration and its distribution in soil grains; soil grain size; soil porosity, temperature and moisture; atmospheric pressure, rainfall and temperature. In this study, 222Rn exhalation flux density measurements within and around the Ranger uranium mine in northern Australia were performed to investigate the effect of these variables within a tropical region. Measurements were taken at the waste rock dumps, ore stockpiles, mine pits, and at sites where effluent water with elevated 226Ra concentration has been spray irrigated over land, as well as at sites outside the mine. The sites selected represented a variety of geomorphic regions ranging from uranium-bearing rocks to ambient soils. Generally, wet season rains reduced 222Rn exhalation but at a few sites the onset of rains caused a step rise in exhalation flux densities. The results show that parameters such as 226Ra activity concentration, soil grain size and soil porosity have a marked effect on 222Rn flux densities. For similar geomorphic sites, 226Ra activity concentration is a dominant factor, but soil grain size and porosity also influence 222Rn exhalation. Surfaces with vegetation showed higher exhalation flux densities than their barren counterparts, perhaps because the associated root structure increases soil porosity and moisture retention. Repeated measurements over one year at eight sites enabled an analysis of precipitation and soil moisture effects on 222Rn exhalation. Soil moisture depth profiles varied both between seasons and at different times during the wet season, indicating that factors such as duration, intensity and time between precipitation events can influence 222Rn flux densities considerably.