Seasonal changes in the structure of an intertidal community

Quantitative (0.25 m²) samples of macrofaunal (>1.0 mm) invertebrates were taken in each season from one habitat of an intertidal sandbar in the North Inlet estuary near Georgetown, South Carolina, USA. During all seasons the community inhabiting the sample site was numerically dominated by two species of haustoriid amphipods (Acanthohaustorius millsi and Pseudohaustorius caroliniensis). Seasonal changes at the community level were clearly controlled by the population dynamics of the numerically dominant species, and qualitative information on life histories was important to the interpretation of analyses' results.This work was supported by the Environmental Technology Center of Martin Marietta Corporation and the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research. It is Contribution No. 138 of the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal research.     

密云水库不同封育年限灌丛群落结构及演替规律

灌丛群落为华北土石山区常见的次生植被类型,揭示其演替规律对明确北京区域森林动态及经营管理具有重要意义.采用样线调查方法,选择封育5、7、10和15 a的4个地段,进行10 m×10 m样地调查.运用空间代替时间数据处理方法,分析了灌丛群落的物种重要值、生物多样性指数、群落均匀度指数、生态优势度指数以及单位面积生物量变化情况.结果表明:随着封育年限的递增,灌丛先锋阳生性优势种重要值下降,阴生性和乔木树种重要值上升;封育到第7年时,乔木加入演替序列,到第15年时开始构建乔木层片;群落生态优势度指数降低,均匀度指数上升,灌丛植被向生物多样化和生态稳定的方向演替;研究区内植被潜在演替序列为:荆条Vitex negundo var.heterophyllax酸枣Ziziphus jujuba var.spinosa灌丛→三裂绣线菊Spiraea trilobata灌丛→山杨Populus davidiana×椴树混交林→蒙古栎Quercus mongolica林.     

荒漠草原典型植物群落枯落物生态水文功能

在退化荒漠草原生态系统恢复过程中,枯落物是联系植被和土壤物质循环与能量流动的重要中间环节,且发挥着重要的生态水文功能。通过调查荒漠草原5种典型植物群落（蒙古冰草群落、甘草群落、赖草群落、杂类草群落和沙蒿群落）枯落物蓄积量、持水性能、对降雨的截留和对土壤水分蒸发的抑制作用,分析了荒漠草原不同植被类型枯落物的生态水文功能。结果表明：枯落物蓄积量和最大持水量均为蒙古冰草群落〉甘草群落〉赖草群落〉杂类草群落〉沙蒿群落;5种群落枯落物层对降雨的截留量在3.36～5.27 mm,截留率在3.40%～6.82%,枯落物对降雨的截留量与降雨量呈正相关,而降雨量与截留率呈负相关,且枯落物对降雨的截留具有显著的季节变化规律。在不同枯落物覆盖下,枯落物对土壤的抑制效应也存在显著差异,0.5~2 cm覆盖厚度比不盖枯落物土壤水分蒸发减少了19.25%～76.82%,枯落物层减少土壤水分蒸发效应随枯落物层厚度增大而增加。枯落物的蓄积与覆盖对土壤水分的运移和蓄存产生明显的生物学作用,已经成为荒漠草原最重要的生态过程之一。     

Spatio-temporal changes in diversity and community structure of planktonic copepods in Sagami Bay, Japan

Seasonal changes in diversity and community structure of planktonic copepods at a shelf site in Sagami Bay, Japan was studied in relation to cross-shelf interaction of species components. Seasonal mesozooplankton samples were collected from the shelf station (St. M) of the north-west part of Sagami Bay from 1995 to 1997. Vertical multi-layered samples were collected near the center of Sagami Bay (St. P) in June 1996. A total 185 copepod species were identified from the two stations. We observed a clear seasonal succession in calanoid diversity and community structure at St. M from a simple shelf water community (>11 species) during spring blooming periods to highly diverse and mixed communities (ca 20–30 species) of shelf water species coupled with various Kuroshio Current species during late summer to autumn. Cluster and non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination analyses showed two distinct calanoid community groups. One group, which included samples of St. M and the surface layer of St. P, consisted of shelf water species, such as Calanus sinicus, Ctenocalanus vanus, Paracalanus spp., and Kuroshio species, such as, Canthocalanus pauper, Scolecithrix danae, etc. The other cluster was restricted to the samples collected from mid and deep layers at St. P, which consisted of meso- and bathypelagic species and Oyashio species (cold-current species, such as Neocalanus cristatus, Pseudocalanus spp., Eucalanus bungii and Metridia pacifica). In the mid and deep layers at St. P, the population of dormant copepodid stage V (CV) of Eucalanus californicus and C. sinicus were dominant. The deep CV population of C. sinicus might be ecologically discriminated from the surface and shelf water population due to their larger body length and dormant life cycle. E. californicus was also collected at the shelf site during each spring bloom period, whereas the population might descend into the mid- and deep-layers of the central bay before summer. Our results suggest that the seasonal fluctuation of community structure in the shelf water was controlled by both physical (Kuroshio Current) and biological factors, i.e., spring bloom and ontogenetic vertical migration of E. californicus. In particular, transport and diffusion processes of Kuroshio Current in Sagami Bay played a key role in controlling the shelf water calanoid community.     

Twenty years of salt marsh succession on a Dutch coastal barrier island

After a formerly grazed salt marsh was released from cattle grazing, changes in plant species composition were monitored for 20 yr, using vegetation maps and permanent plots. Three areas, differing in age and nutrient status were compared. The number of plant species and plant communities decreased.Elymus athericus (Elytrigia pungens) became dominant in most plant communities after 5–20 yr on the oldest and most productive salt marsh. In younger areas it took more time forE. athericus to become dominant. At least 7 cm of clay seemed to be a prerequisite for this plant species to increase in dominance. The results from monitoring over decades are discussed in view of the knowledge on succession over centuries as derived from a chronosequence.     

Twenty years of stream restoration in Finland: little response by benthic macroinvertebrate communities

The primary focus of many in-stream restoration projects is to enhance habitat diversity for salmonid fishes, yet the lack of properly designed monitoring studies, particularly ones with pre-restoration data, limits any attempts to assess whether restoration has succeeded in improving salmonid habitat. Even less is known about the impacts of fisheries-related restoration on other, non-target biota. We examined how restoration aiming at the enhancement of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) affects benthic macroinvertebrates, using two separate data sets: (1) a before-after-control-impact (BACI) design with three years before and three after restoration in differently restored and control reaches of six streams; and (2) a space-time substitution design including channelized, restored, and near-natural streams with an almost 20-year perspective on the recovery of invertebrate communities. In the BACI design, total macroinvertebrate density differed significantly from before to after restoration. Following restoration, densities decreased in all treatments, but less so in the controls than in restored sections. Taxonomic richness also decreased from before to after restoration, but this happened similarly in all treatments. In the long-term comparative study, macroinvertebrate species richness showed no difference between the channel types. Community composition differed significantly between the restored and natural streams, but not between restored and channelized streams. Overall, the in-stream restoration measures used increased stream habitat diversity but did not enhance benthic biodiversity. While many macroinvertebrates may be dispersal limited, our study sites should not have been too distant to reach within almost two decades. A key explanation for the weak responses by macroinvertebrate communities may have been historical. When Fennoscandian streams were channelized for log floating, the loss of habitat heterogeneity was only partial. Therefore, habitat may not have been limiting the macroinvertebrate communities to begin with. Stream restoration to support trout fisheries has strong public acceptance in Finland and will likely continue to increase in the near future. Therefore, more effort should be placed on assessing restoration success from a biodiversity perspective using multiple organism groups in both stream and riparian ecosystems.     

城市污水厂（A／O工艺）微生物群落结构及其动态变化

为了研究城市污水厂(A/O工艺)活性污泥中微生物群落结构及其动态变化,分别在运行不同时期从曝气池中提取活性污泥,通过细胞裂解直接提取活性污泥中的细菌基因组DNA,以细菌16S rDNA通用引物F357/R518,对活性污泥中提取的细菌基因组进行扩增,长约230 bp的扩增产物经变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)分离,获得微生物群落的DNA特征指纹图谱.结果显示,城市污水厂(A/O工艺)活性污泥中的微生物群落非常丰富,在不同时期存在一些各自的特有种属和共有种属,细菌群落结构的演替与系统负荷存在一定的相关性.整体来说,微生物群落演替不明显,微生物群落相似性较高,群落结构较为稳定.     

增温对荒漠草原植物群落组成及物种多样性的影响

以短花针茅荒漠草原为研究对象,通过采用远红外线辐射器模拟增温的方法,探讨了增温对荒漠草原植物群落结构及生物量和物种多样性的影响。结果表明：由于远红外线辐射器的增温作用,在2012年整个生长季内,增温样地10、20、30 cm土壤平均温度与对照样地相比,平均增加了0.39、0.38、0.31℃;各土层土壤含水量较对照平均减少0.76%、0.73%、0.60%。受温度升高及土壤含水量减少的影响,模拟增温6个生长季后,与对照样地相比,群落的高度整体增加,密度、盖度、频度表现为部分物种增加和部分物种减少的趋势,冷蒿（Artemisia frigida）等物种的重要值下降,阿氏旋花（Convolvulus ammanii）等物种的重要值上升,但是增温没有明显改变植物群落的组成。同时,增温处理使荒漠草原禾草的盖度减少,杂类草的盖度增加,半灌木和一两年生植物分盖度未发生明显变化;增温使地上地下生物量出现了不同程度的减少,在0~30 cm土壤深度地下生物量分配中,增温样地0~10 cm分配比例（81.23%）小于对照（86.07%）,10~20 cm分配比例（11.55%）大于对照（9.16%）;20~30 cm 分配比例（7.22%）大于对照（4.77%）,增温使得地下生物量分配格局向深层转移。增温后,增温样地植物Shnnon-Winener指数降低,Pielou均匀度指数升高,温度升高使荒漠草原植物群落的均匀度增加,但并没有提高草地植物的物种多样性。     

桫椤群落内主要乔木种群的种间联结性术

在相邻格子抽样调查的基础上,采用X2检验、联结系数(AC)和种间共同出现百分率(Pc)等指标,分析了福建省永定桫椤群落内主要乔木种群的种间联结性结果表明除少数种对外,绝大多数种群间的联结性不显著;在联结性显著的种对中,下述7个种对之间有较高的正联结性朴树-野鸦椿、青冈-黄瑞木、青冈-油柿、翻白叶树-拉氏栲、黄瑞木-油柿、青冈-香叶树和木-盐肤木.就桫椤种群而言,桫椤与猴欢喜、水团花之间有一定的正联结,与广东润楠、黄瑞木、柳叶山茶、朴树和野鸦椿有较紧密的负联结.图3参11     

Predation-affected spatial pattern changes in a prey population

Predation-affected spatial pattern changes in a prey population were studied. The spatial pattern of a population of Galleria mellonella is changed by its predator, Podisus maculiventris. The pattern is affected by the frequency of attack by the predator (attack ability), the homogeneity of the attack ability within a predator population and the mobility of the predator. A mathematical model incorporating these three factors was constructed, and several computer simulations were conducted by changing the parameter values. A natural enemy population having high and homogeneous attack ability and high mobility effectively kills prey individuals.     

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.     

塔里木荒漠河岸林植物群落演替下的土壤理化性质研究

选择塔里木荒漠河岸林内典型、有代表性的不同演替阶段的群落,对其土壤理化性质进行研究。结果表明：土壤理化性质在演替方向和土壤剖面上表现出较强的规律性。演替后、中期表层土壤（0～20 cm）粘粒质量分数比初期分别减少了1.28%、64.29%、土壤砂粒质量分数分别增加了3.08%、17.23%,土壤明显变粗沙化。群落演替能明显增大土壤容重与非毛管孔隙度,降低土壤总孔隙度、毛管孔隙度、孔隙比、土壤水分质量分数、最大持水量、毛管持水量和最小持水量。演替后、中期表层土壤非毛管孔隙度比初期分别增大了33.78%、36.087%,土壤水分质量分数分别降低了85.57%、97.77%,演替后期最大持水量、毛管持水量分别比初期降低了40.28%、9.27%,导致土壤固相率减小,气相率增大,土壤持水供水能力与抗风蚀性能减弱。土壤有机质、全氮与碱解氮、全磷与速效磷、全钾与速效钾、盐分质量分数随群落演替呈降低趋势。演替后期表层土壤有机质、碱解氮、全磷与速效钾质量分数分别比初期降低了38.68%、60.71%、23.58%、66.93%,其土壤理化性质退化最显著。地下水位下降是引起荒漠河岸林植物群落逆向演替的驱动力。当前随人类干扰强度增强（水土资源开发）,塔里木荒漠河岸林土壤结构与土壤生态功能随之受到破坏与衰退,而保持合理的生态水位则是维持荒漠河岸林生态系统稳定的有效途径。     

Local changes in the composition and community structure of suprabenthic peracarid crustaceans on the bathyal Mediterranean: influence of environmental factors

Deep-water assemblages of suprabenthic peracarids were analyzed in the SW Balearic Islands (Algerian Basin, southwestern Mediterranean) between 249 and 1,622 m depth; the patterns of species composition, possible zonation, and trophic structure found in this area were compared with those exhibited by peracarids in the mainland side of the Catalan Sea slope (northwestern Mediterranean). One hundred and four peracarid species (plus one leptostracan) were identified on the Balearic Islands slope, amphipods being the most diversified taxon (45 species). On the Balearic slope, two distinct depth assemblages were distinguished: one at the upper slope (US), between 249 and 402 m depth and the second at the deep slope, between 543 and 1,620 m depth. A remarkable species substitution occurred at depths between 402 and 638 m. In the Catalan Sea, in addition to the US assemblage occupying depths between 208 and 408 m, a second boundary of faunal change was found around 1,250 m. Suprabenthos biomass increased from 242 to approximately 500 m. Suprabenthos attained the highest biomass values (100 g wet weight/10,000 m²) at intermediate depths between 504 and 1,211 m, as also occurred with the associated zooplankton collected with suprabenthos (peak biomass between 502 m and 898 m). Suprabenthos biomass did not show any significant correlation with any environmental water-column variable. In contrast, zooplankton (especially small fish and decapod crustaceans) showed a significant positive correlation with fluorometry and turbidity at different levels of the water column. The feeding guilds of species showed important differences between the two areas only on the US, with a higher abundance of deposit feeders in the Catalan Sea (20.4%) than in the Balearic Islands (4.2%). The low contribution of deposit feeders in the SW Balearic Islands may ultimately be a consequence of the lack of river discharges in this area.Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff     

Kin-related spatial structure in brown bears Ursus arctos

Kin-related social structure may influence reproductive success and survival and, hence, the dynamics of populations. It has been documented in many gregarious animal populations, but few solitary species. Using molecular methods and field data we tested: (1) whether kin-related spatial structure exists in the brown bear (Ursus arctos), which is a solitary carnivore, (2) whether home ranges of adult female kin overlap more than those of nonkin, and (3) whether multigenerational matrilinear assemblages, i.e., aggregated related females, are formed. Pairwise genetic relatedness between adult (5 years and older) female dyads declined significantly with geographic distance, whereas this was not the case for male–male dyads or opposite sex dyads. The amount of overlap of multiannual home ranges was positively associated with relatedness among adult females. This structure within matrilines is probably due to kin recognition. Plotting of multiannual home-range centers of adult females revealed formation of two types of matrilines, matrilinear assemblages exclusively using an area and dispersed matrilines spread over larger geographic areas. The variation in matrilinear structure might be due to differences in competitive abilities among females and habitat limitations. The influence of kin-related spatial structure on inclusive fitness needs to be clarified in solitary mammals.     

Characterizing the spatial structure of songbird cultures

Recent advances have shown that human-driven habitat transformations can affect the cultural attributes of animal populations in addition to their genetic integrity and dynamics. Here I propose using the song of oscine birds for identifying the cultural spatial structure of bird populations and highlighting critical thresholds associated with habitat fragmentation. I studied song variation over a wide geographical scale in a small and endangered passerine, the Dupont's Lark Chersophilus duponti, focusing on (1) cultural population structure, to determine a statistical representation of spatial variation in song and identify cultural units, and (2) the minimum patch size needed for an individual to develop a stable repertoire. I found that overall song diversity depends on variation among populations (beta-cultural diversity). Abrupt thresholds occurred in the relationships between individual song dissimilarity and geographic distance, and between individual song diversity and patch area. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that populations located as little as 5 km apart may have independently evolved their song traditions. Song diversity stabilized in patches as small as 100 ha supporting as few as 8-20 males. Song repertoires of smaller patches were significantly poorer. Almost one-quarter of the study populations inhabited patches <100 ha, and their cultural traditions appear to have eroded. The analysis of spatial patterns in birdsong may be a useful tool for detecting subpopulations prone to extinction.     

青藏高原湿地景观空间格局的变化

在RS和GIS技术的支持下,以1990年左右的TM、2000年左右的ETM和2006年为主的CBERS遥感影像为主要数据源,利用人机交互目视解译方法获取青藏高原景观数据,运用景观生态学原理,选取景观异质性指数,对青藏高原湿地景观格局及其动态变化进行定量分析.结果表明,(1)青藏高原现有湿地面积131894.18 km2.(2)近16年来湿地总面积先大幅度减少后显著增加,柴达木盆地内的湿地减少量最为明显,长江流域次之;羌塘高原的湿地增加最为显著,塔里木盆地、雅鲁藏布江流域次之.(3)景观格局整体波动较大,多样性指数和均匀度指数降低,优势度指数增加,破碎度指数先增加后减少.     

石油污染与微生物群落结构的相互影响

从两种土壤中分别分离出石油烃降解菌,并从中筛选出6株石油烃高效降解菌A1、A2、A6、A8和B2及B5,然后将各菌株鉴定至属,分别为A1假单胞菌属、A2鞘氨醇单胞菌属、A6微球菌属、A8节杆菌属、B2不动杆菌属和B5诺卡氏菌属。另外对比分析了单菌株及不同菌株重组对不同石油烃组分的利用情况,结果发现,从不同石油污染的土壤中分离到的菌株对石油烃组分的利用能力不同,从胜利原油污染的土壤中分离到的菌株A1、A2、A6和A8对石油烃组分的利用范围窄,主要利用饱和烃组分;而从经芳香烃驯化过的土壤中分离到的菌株B2及B5对石油烃利用组分的利用范围较宽,能同时利用饱和烃和芳香烃组分。     

Methods for measurement of community structure in deep-sea macrobenthos

Methods are compiled and developed for the analysis of community structure in the deep-sea benthos. These methods are tailored to the conditions of high species diversity and low standing crop. A new modification of the 0.25-m² box corer is described. Fisher's index of dispersion is adapted by using each species as a replicate. When the resultant summary statistic is partitioned in the illustrated manner, it is possible to determine whether species indeed behave as homegeneous replicates of a single dispersion pattern, or, alternatively, whether habitat partitioning is indicated. Species are also used as replicates in a modification of Pielou's “joins” technique of determining whether high-density and low-density areas of given species are randomly mingled. An indirect analytical approach is developed which proposes that, if an environmental grain of relatively small dimensions has been important in structuring the community, species which have smaller ambits will be more diverse than species having larger ambits.     

Interaction between flow, transport and vegetation spatial structure

This paper summarizes recent advances in vegetation hydrodynamics and uses the new concepts to explore not only how vegetation impacts flow and transport, but also how flow feedbacks can influence vegetation spatial structure. Sparse and dense submerged canopies are defined based on the relative contribution of turbulent stress and canopy drag to the momentum balance. In sparse canopies turbulent stress remains elevated within the canopy and suspended sediment concentration is comparable to that in unvegetated regions. In dense canopies turbulent stress is reduced by canopy drag and suspended sediment concentration is also reduced. Further, for dense canopies, the length-scale of turbulence penetration into the canopy, δ _e , is shown to predict both the roughness height and the displacement height of the overflow profile. In a second case study, the relation between flow speed and spatial structure of a seagrass meadow gives insight into the stability of different spatial structures, defined by the area fraction covered by vegetation. In the last case study, a momentum balance suggests that in natural channels the total resistance is set predominantly by the area fraction occupied by vegetation, called the blockage factor, with little direct dependence on the specific canopy morphology.     

Neighborhood and community interactions determine the spatial pattern of tropical tree seedling survival

Factors affecting survival and recruitment of 3531 individually mapped seedlings of Myristicaceae were examined over three years in a highly diverse neotropical rain forest, at spatial scales of 1-9 m and 25 ha. We found convincing evidence of a community compensatory trend (CCT) in seedling survival (i.e., more abundant species had higher seedling mortality at the 25-ha scale), which suggests that density-dependent mortality may contribute to the spatial dynamics of seedling recruitment. Unlike previous studies, we demonstrate that the CCT was not caused by differences in microhabitat preferences or life history strategy among the study species. In local neighborhood analyses, the spatial autocorrelation of seedling survival was important at small spatial scales (1-5 m) but decayed rapidly with increasing distance. Relative seedling height had the greatest effect on seedling survival. Conspecific seedling density had a more negative effect on survival than heterospecific seedling density and was stronger and extended farther in rare species than in common species. Taken together, the CCT and neighborhood analyses suggest that seedling mortality is coupled more strongly to the landscape-scale abundance of conspecific large trees in common species and the local density of conspecific seedlings in rare species. We conclude that negative density dependence could promote species coexistence in this rain forest community but that the scale dependence of interactions differs between rare and common species.