Integrating Landscape and Metapopulation Modeling Approaches: Viability of the Sharp-Tailed Grouse in a Dynamic Landscape

Abstract:  The lack of management experience at the landscape scale and the limited feasibility of experiments at this scale have increased the use of scenario modeling to analyze the effects of different management actions on focal species. However, current modeling approaches are poorly suited for the analysis of viability in dynamic landscapes. Demographic (e.g., metapopulation) models of species living in these landscapes do not incorporate the variability in spatial patterns of early successional habitats, and landscape models have not been linked to population viability models. We link a landscape model to a metapopulation model and demonstrate the use of this model by analyzing the effect of forest management options on the viability of the Sharp-tailed Grouse (  Tympanuchus phasianellus ) in the Pine Barrens region of northwestern Wisconsin (U.S.A.). This approach allows viability analysis based on landscape dynamics brought about by processes such as succession, disturbances, and silviculture. The landscape component of the model (LANDIS) predicts forest landscape dynamics in the form of a time series of raster maps. We combined these maps into a time series of patch structures, which formed the dynamic spatial structure of the metapopulation component (RAMAS). Our results showed that the viability of Sharp-tailed Grouse was sensitive to landscape dynamics and demographic variables such as fecundity and mortality. Ignoring the landscape dynamics gave overly optimistic results, and results based only on landscape dynamics (ignoring demography) lead to a different ranking of the management options than the ranking based on the more realistic model incorporating both landscape and demographic dynamics. Thus, models of species in dynamic landscapes must consider habitat and population dynamics simultaneously.     

Factors Influencing Movement Patterns of Keel-Billed Toucans in a Fragmented Tropical Landscape in Southern Mexico

Abstract: Various factors influence animal movements in fragmented landscapes, and determining these factors is key to understanding ecological processes at a landscape scale. My goals were (1) to determine what factors influence movements of Keel-billed Toucans (    Ramphastos sulfuratus ) in a fragmented landscape in southern Mexico and (2) to use this information to predict how movement patterns might change if the landscape was altered. I developed a cost-distance geographic information system model that adjusts Euclidean distances by a cost of moving through a certain habitat type. Cost was based on habitat preferences exhibited by toucans. I then used this model to predict how movements might be affected by removal of isolated trees and living fences from the pasture matrix and by removal of forest remnants. Toucans moved more frequently between remnants separated by a low cost-distance value. There was a cost-distance threshold beyond which movements between remnants were rare. Below this threshold, fruit abundance influenced toucan movements but remnant area was not influential in that toucans did not preferentially move to large patches. Remnants close to various other remnants were more frequently visited by toucans, indicating that landscape connectivity influences toucan movements. Toucans incurred a 10–30% cost increase when moving in computer-simulated landscapes, indicating that changes in forest cover or configuration of habitats may negatively affect toucan populations, assuming that increased cost has a fitness consequence. Cost-distance modeling has been relatively unexplored and may be a valuable tool for determining how the configuration of a landscape impedes or facilitates animal movements.     

Thresholds in Songbird Occurrence in Relation to Landscape Structure

Abstract:  Theory predicts the occurrence of threshold levels of habitat in landscapes, below which ecological processes change abruptly. Simulation models indicate that below critical thresholds, fragmentation of habitat influences patch occupancy by decreasing colonization rates and increasing rates of local extinction. Uncovering such putative relationships is important for understanding the demography of species and in developing sound conservation strategies. Using segmented logistic regression, we tested for thresholds in occurrence of 15 bird species as a function of the amount of suitable habitat at multiple scales (150–2000-m radii). Suitable habitat was defined quantitatively based on previously derived, spatially explicit distribution models for each species. The occurrence of 10 out of 15 species was influenced by the amount of habitat at a landscape scale (≥500-m radius). Of these species all but one were best predicted by threshold models. Six out of nine species exhibited asymptotic thresholds; the effects of habitat loss intensified at low amounts of habitat in a landscape. Landscape thresholds ranged from 8.6% habitat to 28.7% (     = 18.5 ± 2.6%[95% CI]). For two species landscape thresholds coincided with sensitivity to fragmentation; both species were more likely to occur in large patches, but only when the amount of habitat in a landscape was low. This supports the fragmentation threshold hypothesis. Nevertheless, the occurrence of most species appeared to be unaffected by fragmentation, regardless of the amount of habitat present at landscape extents. The thresholds we identified may be useful to managers in establishing conservation targets. Our results indicate that findings of landscape-scale studies conducted in regions with relatively high proportions of habitat and low fragmentation may not be applicable in regions with low habitat proportions and high fragmentation.     

陆地生态系统酸沉降缓冲能力影响因素

陆地生态系统对酸沉降的缓冲作用主要由土壤和植被完成。影响两者缓冲能力的因素不仅仅局限于土壤的有关性质,故应全面考察影响缓冲能力的各种因素,其中包括土壤、植被和气候因素。     

草莓灰霉孢子萌发条件研究

研究了温度、pH、金属离子,以及一些激素、维生素等因素对灰霉孢子萌发的影响,发现灰霉孢子萌发的最适pH有两个峰值,且在不同峰值下萌发管数明显不同;Ca2 、Fe3 等离子能有效刺激孢子萌发.通过正交实验对灰霉孢子的萌发条件进行了优化,孢子萌发的最适条件为:激动素0.01mg/mL,赤霉素0.05mg/mL,维生素B20.15mg/mL,FeCl30.15mg/mL,CaCl20.2mg/mL,不添加CoCl2的萌发率达到了93.3%以上.图6参10     

榆林地区植被时空分异特征及其影响因素研究

植被作为反映陆地生态系统和气候的重要指标,对研究全球或区域生态环境变化具有重要作用。以地处黄土高原生态脆弱区的榆林市为研究区,基于地理探测器模型,选取坡向、坡度、气温、降水和土壤类型5类自然因子,土地利用类型、人口密度和GDP 3类人文因子,分析榆林地区植被空间分异特征及其驱动力,并揭示了促进植被生长影响因子的最适宜特征。结果表明,（1）研究区2000—2018年植被覆盖趋向改善,NDVI呈现增加趋势,增速为0.11/10a,2008年以后植被增长较为明显;NDVI在2018年中高等级（0.6—0.8）面积比2000年中高等级面积明显增加;中高等级集中于榆林市东部黄土丘陵区,中低等级（0.2—0.4）集中于榆林市西北部的风沙区,植被覆盖呈现东部高西北低的空间分布特征。（2）人口密度和气温因子较好地解释植被NDVI空间分异性,是影响NDVI空间分异性的主要因子,GDP、土地利用类型和坡度是次级影响因子,其他因子对NDVI空间分异存在间接影响;坡向、降水和土壤类型因子与其他自然、人文因素对植被空间分布影响存在显著性差异。（3）自然、人文因子对榆林市NDVI的影响存在交互作用,因子之间的交互...     

湿地鸟类多样性及其环境影响因子的研究进展

湿地鸟类在能量转换和维护生态系统的稳定性方面起着举足轻重的作用，同时也是监测、评价湿地生态环境极其敏感的指标．本文从物种多样性、遗传多样性和生态系统多样性三个方面分析了湿地鸟类多样性．总结了环境因子对湿地鸟类多样性的影响，最后对湿地鸟类多样性的研究提出展望，为更好地保护湿地鸟类资源及生态环境提供科学依据．     

宁波市某人工泻湖浮游生物变化特征及影响因素分析

以宁波市北仑区梅山水道形成的人工泻湖为研究对象,在不同季节进行水质及浮游生物调查,分析其浮游生物时空分布特征与水质的关系。4个采样点共检出浮游植物66种,以硅藻为绝对优势种,检出浮游动物25种,主要为桡足类、少量轮虫及网纹虫;拦坝后水道内浮游生物密度有了数量级增长,各项生物评价指数降低,但各采样点仍处于中污染水平。监测理化参数表明,研究水域在拦坝后盐度下降、悬浮物浓度下降,氮磷含量无明显变化;水域大部分点位处于中度富营养化水平。结合浮游生物分布与理化参数进行分析,发现堤坝合龙后,水道内侧海水淡化、悬浮物含量下降,导致浮游生物密度上升、生物多样性下降、出现淡水优势种群;营养盐含量不是浮游生物生长的限制因子,对浮游生物分布无显著影响。     

长三角城郊樟溪流域水体氮磷分布特征及其影响因素

快速城镇化和人类活动导致城郊流域水体营养盐污染和富营养化问题加重,识别氮、磷污染对流域水质的管控具有重要的意义。本研究选取长三角典型城郊地区宁波樟溪流域,在流域内根据土地利用类型、地形特征等布设样点,于2016年连续4个季度进行水样采集,研究樟溪流域河流水体氮、磷的含量及形态,及氮、磷在该流域的时空分布特征,并对其来源和影响因素进行分析。研究结果表明,流域内氮、磷分布具有较大的空间差异性,其中NH+4-N(n.d.~1.375 mg·L~(-1))、TN-N(0.570~11.363 mg·L~(-1))、DIP(n.d.~0.169 mg·L~(-1))、TP(0.010~1.908 mg·L~(-1))。在子流域空间分布上,人类活动频度越高的区域氮、磷的浓度越高,各采样点水体不同形态氮含量和磷含量具有明显的季节变化规律:春季和秋季的含量要高于夏季和冬季。本研究选取采样点距城镇距离、距源头距离以及土地利用类型所占采样点缓冲区的比例来表征人类活动的影响,结果表明,TN和TP含量与距城镇距离呈显著负相关关系,表明城镇化水平对流域氮、磷污染的重要影响。另外,典型城郊流域河流水体氮、磷污染主要受土地利用类型的影响,其含量与农业和城镇用地呈显著正相关关系(P0.01),其含量随人类活动频度的增加而升高。     

Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Wildlife Underpasses in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Abstract: Wildlife crossing structures are intended to increase permeability and habitat connectivity across roads. Few studies, however, have assessed the effectiveness of these mitigation measures in a multispecies or community level context. We used a null model to test whether wildlife crossing structures serve large mammal species equally or whether such structures limit habitat connectivity across roads in species-specific ways. We also modeled species responses to 14 variables related to underpass structure, landscape features, and human activity. Species performance ratios (observed crossing frequency to expected crossing frequency) were evaluated for four large carnivore and three ungulate species in 11 underpass structures in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Observed crossing frequencies were collected in 35 months of underpass monitoring. Expected frequencies were developed from three independent models: radio telemetry, pellet counts, and habitat-suitability indices. The null model showed that species responded to underpasses differently. In the presence of human activity carnivores were less likely to use underpasses than were ungulates. Apart from human activity, carnivore performance ratios were better correlated to landscape variables, and ungulate performance ratios were better correlated to structural variables. We suggest that future underpasses designed around topography, habitat quality, and location will be minimally successful if human activity is not managed.     

中国城市建成区绿化覆盖率变化特征及影响因素分析

城市建成区绿地建设有利于改善城市环境,提高人居适宜度,优化城市生态系统服务功能。基于2002—2018年建成区绿化覆盖率及影响因子数据分析了中国城市建成区绿化覆盖率变化特征及其主要影响因素,结果表明,(1)中国建成区绿化覆盖率在2018年达到了41.11%,相比2002年增加了11.36%,2018年绿化覆盖率达到了35.0%以上的城市占全国城市的93.55%。(2)中国建成区绿化覆盖率存在明显的区域差异。按照华北、东北、华东、中南、西南和西北六个地区划分中国城市区域,华东地区的城市建成区绿化覆盖率最高,中南地区次之,其余四个地区为华北地区>东北地区>西北地区>西南地区;各地区建成区绿化覆盖率随时间发生显著变化(P<0.05),华北地区绿化覆盖率发生显著变化的城市占比最高达94.60%,中南地区最低为65.88%。(3)建成区绿化覆盖率与城市化指标(地区生产总值GDP、地区人均生产总值PGDP、绿化投入LP、建成区面积BUA、城区面积百分比UAP、建成区面积百分比BUAP、总人口TP、城市人口密度UPD、城区人口UP、建成区人口BUP、城区人口百分比UPP、建成区人口百分比BUPP)和气候因子(年平均温度YT、年平均湿度YH和年降雨量YW)均呈极显著正相关关系(P<0.01),其中PGDP、LI、BUAP、UAP、UPD、BUPP和YT、YW、YH是影响建成区绿化覆盖率的最主要因子。本研究结果可为中国未来城市绿地建设均衡发展提供重要的理论参考依据。     

珠三角某垃圾焚烧厂周边植物叶片汞含量空间格局影响因素影响因素

为研究珠三角某城市生活垃圾焚烧厂周边汞污染空间格局及影响因素,于2014年1月,采集了马占相思、荔枝和芒萁等优势种的叶片样品192份,并同步采集相应表层土壤样品64份,采用冷原子吸收法测定样品总汞含量,并运用ADMS模型对2013年大气汞年均浓度进行模拟,分析了植物叶片汞含量与土壤和大气汞浓度之间的关系。结果表明,植物叶片的汞含量范围为0.0029~0.1741 mg·kg-1,荔枝叶片汞含量最高,为(0.0766±0.0395)mg·kg-1,其次为芒萁((0.0599±0.0370)mg·kg-1)和马占相思((0.0556±0.0396)mg·kg-1)。植物叶片汞含量与土壤汞含量无显著相关性,而受风向和距污染源的距离影响显著,与ADMS模拟的大气年均汞浓度存在显著相关性。研究表明,植物叶片汞含量变化与烟气扩散浓度的空间分异格局基本吻合,叶片对大气中汞的吸收在植物与环境的汞交换中占据主导地位,对叶片的生物监测可以反映城市生活垃圾焚烧厂汞排放对生态环境的实际影响。     

广州东进扩张下的萝岗区土地利用与景观动态分析

以研究区1979年MSS1、990年LandsatTM、2000年LandsatETM以及2006年Aster 4个时段的卫星遥感影像为基础数据,运用RS与GIS技术手段,结合FRAGSTATS景观格局分析软件,对萝岗区近30年来的土地利用与景观格局变化进行了定量分析。研究表明：研究区未利用土地、园地及耕地面积大幅减少,林地与城镇用地面积显著增加。1979—2006年期间,2000年是一个分水岭,2000年前景观的连接度下降,破碎程度增加,景观斑块的形状趋于复杂化,景观结构组成的复杂性也趋于增加。2000年后各指数呈现了逆转的趋势,表明萝岗区为建设成为国际化生态型新城区,在后期的城市化进程中特别重视了生态环境的保护及建设。     

江苏宜兴地区农田土壤硒含量变异及其影响因素

在宜兴地区随机采集13个土壤剖面和38个表层土壤样品,研究土壤全硒含量随土种和土壤深度的变化。结果表明,表土全硒变幅在0.33~2.25μg.g-1之间,平均1.03μg.g-1,80%以上的样品处于富硒水平。土种间表土硒含量存在显著差异,并且水田土壤显著高于旱地;土壤全硒含量的剖面深度变化依土地利用方式而异,在旱地土壤中呈线性递降,水稻土中呈指数递降,表土硒含量变异主要受有机质含量的控制。     

意大利东北部滨海湿地演变及其影响因素监测分析

意大利东北部海岸分布着独特的滨海湿地景观,在地中海区域具有极其重要的生态价值.该研究主要利用遥感影像监测1984—2016年滨海湿地演变,覆盖该区域所有的国际重要湿地保护区,并在此基础上定量分析滨海湿地演变的影响因素,深化对滨海湿地演变规律的认识,为今后制定与实施滨海湿地保护政策提供科学依据.研究结果显示,(1)滨海湿...