Isotopic evidence for niche partitioning and the influence of anthropogenic disturbance on endemic and introduced rodents in central Madagascar

We applied a multi-isotope approach to examine aspects of niche partitioning, competition, and mobility for rodents in the Central Highlands of Madagascar. Specifically, we used carbon (δ¹³C), nitrogen (δ¹⁵N), and strontium (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) isotope ratios in bone to investigate diet and mobility for endemic tufted tail rats (Eliurus spp.), and introduced black rats (Rattus rattus) and house mice (Mus musculus) within and outside a fragment of montane humid forest in the Ambohitantely Special Reserve. There was a clear spatial segregation in trapping success for different species: Eliurus was only in the forest interior and edge, Mus only outside of the fragment in a marsh and park housing complex, and Rattus in all habitats except the housing complex. We find only moderate support for mobility of rodents among habitats. Mus may routinely move between the marsh and housing complex. However, regular movement between the forest edge and interior, or between the forest fragment and surrounding grassland is not supported. Taxa appear to target different foods: Rattus tends to feed at a higher trophic level than Eliurus, and Mus consumes some C₄ resources. To date, strontium isotopes have been underutilized in ecological research. Here, we show that they are highly complementary to carbon and nitrogen isotope data. Even in localities with relatively uniform underlying geology, it may be possible to distinguish individuals that regularly forage in different habitats.     

Loss or major reduction of umami taste sensation in pinnipeds

Umami is one of basic tastes that humans and other vertebrates can perceive. This taste is elicited by L-amino acids and thus has a special role of detecting nutritious, protein-rich food. The T1R1 + T1R3 heterodimer acts as the principal umami receptor. The T1R1 protein is encoded by the Tas1r1 gene. We report multiple inactivating (pseudogenizing) mutations in exon 3 of this gene from four phocid and two otariid species (Pinnipedia). Jiang et al. (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:4956–4961, 2012) reported two inactivating mutations in exons 2 and 6 of this gene from another otariid species. These findings suggest lost or greatly reduced umami sensory capabilities in these species. The widespread occurrence of a nonfunctional Tas1r1 pseudogene in this clade of strictly carnivorous mammals is surprising. We hypothesize that factors underlying the pseudogenization of Tas1r1 in pinnipeds may be driven by the marine environment to which these carnivorans (Carnivora) have adapted and may include: the evolutionary change in diet from tetrapod prey to fish and cephalopods (because cephalopods and living fish contain little or no synergistic inosine 5′-monophosphate that greatly enhances umami taste), the feeding behavior of swallowing food whole without mastication (because the T1R1 + T1R3 receptor is distributed on the tongue and palate), and the saltiness of sea water (because a high concentration of sodium chloride masks umami taste).     

The molecular diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the arsenic mining impacted sites in Hunan Province of China

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF) can establish a mutualistic association with most terrestrial plants even in heavy metal contaminated environments. It has been documented that high concentrations of toxic metals, such as arsenic(As) in soil could adversely affect the diversity and function of AMF. However, there are still gaps in understanding the community composition of AMF under long-term As contaminations. In the present study, six sampling sites with different As concentrations were selected in the Realgar mining area in Hunan Province of China. The AMF biodiversity in the rhizosphere soils of the dominant plant species was investigated by sequencing the nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA(SSU rR NA) gene fragments using 454-pyrosequencing technique. A total of 11 AMF genera were identified,namely Rhizophagus, Glomus, Funneliformis, Acaulospora, Diversispora, Claroideoglomus, Scutellopora,Gigaspora, Ambispora, Praglomus, and Archaeospora, among which Glomus, Rhizophagus, and Claroideoglomus clarodeum were detected in all sampling sites, and Glomus was the dominant AMF genus in the Realgar mining area. Redundancy analysis indicated that soil pH, total As and Cd concentrations were the main factors influencing AMF community structure. There was a negative correlation between the AMF species richness and the total As concentration in the soil,but no significant correlation between the Shannon–Wiener index of the AMF and plants. Our study showed that high As concentrations can exert a selective effect on the AMF populations.     

Chronotype differences in Drosophila are enhanced by semi-natural conditions

Morning and evening chronotypes of sleep/wake cycles in humans are often metaphorically termed as ‘larks’ and ‘owls’. We derived Drosophila populations early and late, displaying lark- and owl-like emergence chronotypes by imposing selection for adult emergence during morning and evening hours. Preference for morning and evening emergence in these populations was accompanied by divergence in their circadian period (τ) and photic phase response curve. To test if lark- and owl-like emergence chronotypes displayed by these flies under weak environmental cycles of the laboratory would also persist in nature where several zeitgebers are present in the strongest form, we examined the emergence rhythm of early and late flies under semi-natural conditions. The early and late flies not only continued to exhibit divergent emergence waveforms under semi-natural conditions, the differences became even more prominent. However, phases of early and late emergence waveforms did not match natural morning and evening transitions, unlike that observed under laboratory conditions. These results thus provide evidence consistent with the notion that chronotypes are the result of interactions between circadian clocks and natural environmental cycles.     

Seasonal dynamics of water bloom-forming Microcystis morphospecies and the associated extracellular microcystin concentrations in large, shallow, eutrophic Dianchi Lake

The increasing occurrence of Microcystis blooms is of great concern to public health and ecosystem due to the potential hepatotoxic microcystins （MCs） produced by these colonial cyanobacteria. In order to interpret the relationships between variations of Microcyst/s morphospedes and extracellular MC concentrations, the seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton community composition, MC concentrations, and environmental parameters were monitored monthly from August, 2009 to July, 2010. The results indicated that Microcystis dominated total phytoplankton abundance from May to December （96%--99% of total biovolume）, with toxic Microcystis viridis and non-toxic Microcystis wesenbergii dominating after July （constituting 65%- 95% of the Microcystis population）, followed by M. viridis as the sole dominant species from November to January （49%--93%）. Correlation analysis revealed that water temperature and nutrient were the most important variables accounting for the occurrence ofM. wesenbergii, while the dominance ofM. viridis was related with nitrite and nitrate. The relatively low content of MCs was explained by the association with a large proportion of M. viriclis and M. wesenbergii, small colony size of Microcystis populations, and low water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen. The extracellular MC （mean of 0.5 ± 0.2 μg/L） of water samples analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） demonstrated the low concentrations of MC in Dianchi Lake which implied the low potential risk for human health in the basin. The survey provides the first whole lake study of the occurrence and seasonal variability of Microcyst/s population and     

Field vole (Microtus agrestis) seasonal spacing behavior: the effect of predation risk by mustelids

There are numerous studies showing that predation risk may change different aspects of the behavior of prey, such as habitat use, activity pattern, and foraging. Prey should exhibit the strongest antipredatory response against their most deadly predator. Small mustelids are considered the most important mammalian predators of voles. Nevertheless, there is no general agreement as to whether strong antipredatory reactions exist in natural free-living populations of voles. Here, we studied the field vole Microtus agrestis spatial reaction to high predation risk from small mustelids in the breeding (August) and nonbreeding (October) seasons under natural conditions. Voles were exposed to a caged weasel (Mustela nivalis) and a stoat (Mustela erminea), as well as to the odors of these predators. The reactions of 30 field voles were monitored with radiotelemetry. The field voles were found to display antipredator reactions that varied with season. In the breeding period, in response to predation risk, voles reduced locomotory activity and daily-range size, whereas in the nonbreeding period they did not. Changes in home range position were similar for control and treatment voles, in both the breeding and nonbreeding periods. The results indicate that mustelid predators modify the spatial behavior of small rodents in natural conditions depending on season. This might be a reflection of differences in state-dependent responses to predation from sexually active or inactive individuals. This suggests that the basic antipredatory reaction of voles under high predation risk from small mustelids limits their locomotory activity.     

鄱阳湖阻隔湖泊浮游植物群落结构演化特征：以军山湖为例

人类改造自然的行为——建闸筑堤对湖泊生态系统有着重要影响,由于缺乏生态监测对比数据,对阻隔湖泊的浮游植物群落结构变化及其响应特征缺乏足够认识.为探明阻隔湖泊浮游植物群落结构演变趋势,选取了鄱阳湖典型阻隔湖泊——军山湖,于2007~2008年和2012~2013年对其浮游植物进行丰枯水期调查,重点分析群落结构特征.结果表明,2012~2013年共检出浮游植物6门53属,主要由绿藻(种属数占47.2%)、硅藻(22.2%)、蓝藻(14.8%)、裸藻(9.3%)等组成.丰水期优势种属为飞燕角甲藻(Ceratium hirundinella)(生物量百分比20.5%)、鱼腥藻(Anabeana spp.)(18.5%)和微囊藻(Microcystis spp.)(12.9%);枯水期优势种属为卵形隐藻(Cryptomonas ovata)(生物量百分比38.4%)、颗粒直链硅藻(Aulacoseira granulata)(15.2%)和微囊藻(10.5%).浮游植物细胞数量主要由蓝藻(85.4%~87.0%)构成;丰水期生物量主要由蓝藻(45.0%)、甲藻(21.1%)、硅藻(15.6%)和绿藻(11.5%)组成;枯水期生物量则由隐藻(38.2%)、硅藻(31.3%)和蓝藻(21.1%)组成.与2007~2008年军山湖浮游植物群落结构相比,主要变化趋势有:①丰水期,浮游植物优势种从2007~2008年的甲藻-硅藻,甲藻绝对优势型转变为2012~2013年的蓝藻-甲藻,蓝藻绝对优势型;枯水期,从2007~2008年的甲藻-硅藻,甲藻绝对优势型转变为2012~2013年的隐藻-硅藻-蓝藻,隐藻绝对优势型.②浮游植物细胞数量由2007~2008年的2.66×106cell·L-1上升至2012~2013年的6.77×107cell·L-1,生物量由2007~2008年的0.72 mg·L-1增加至2012~2013年的12.30 mg·L-1.总之,军山湖浮游植物群落结构中贫营养型的甲藻比例减少,金藻消失,富营养型的蓝藻和隐藻增加.因此,通过建闸筑堤对湖泊进行人为阻隔后,湖区水体交换时间的延长,水流流速的变缓等水文条件的改变均促进了浮游植物富营养指示种在军山湖湖区内的生长聚集.     

夏季漓江不同底质类型和沉水植物对底栖动物分布的影响

2012年8月对漓江流域的河床底质、沉水植物、底栖动物和相关环境因子进行了调查,共采集了8个区域,底质类型分为淤泥、卵石、砾石3种底质,植物类型分为无水草(No plant)、亚洲苦草(Vallisneria spiralis)、轮叶黑藻(Hydrilla verticillata)、亚洲苦草+轮叶黑藻(Vallisneria spiralis+Hydrilla verticillata)4种类型,共采集大型底栖动物42种,隶属6纲34属,采用物种相似性、密度和生物量、功能摄食类型、多样性指数等参数,利用CLUSTER、NMDS和单因素方差(One-way ANOVA)分析方法,研究底栖动物在不同区域的差异.不同底质中的底栖动物物种组成、密度、生物量、功能摄食类型相对丰度、Shannon-Wiener指数和Margalef物种丰富度指数都有明显差异,尤其是淤泥底质差异显著(p0.05);在相同底质中,沉水植物的存在使底栖动物物种相似度、生物量、滤食者相对丰度有一定增加,总密度有一定程度的减小;在卵石底质中,轮叶黑藻中的底栖动物总生物量、功能摄食类型相对丰度和亚洲苦草中差异较大;在砾石底质中,亚洲苦草和亚洲苦草+轮叶黑藻中的底栖动物参数差异很小.通过冗余分析(RDA)能较好的解释差异的产生,底质类型对底栖动物分布的影响比沉水植物类型大,而且两者有较强的交互作用.     

Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of benzene homologues in ambient air in the northeastern urban area of Beijing, China

Ambient benzene homologues were measured at a site in the northeastern urban area of Beijing, China, from August 24 to September 4, 2012 by SUMMA canister sampling followed by laboratory determination using cryogenic cold trap pre-concentration-GC-MS/FID, and their health risks were also assessed. Daily total benzene homologues ranged from 0.99 to 49.71 μg/m3with an average of 11.98 μg/m3. Benzene homologues showed higher concentrations in the morning and evening than that at noontime. Comparison with previous studies revealed a trend of decrease for ambient benzene homologues probably due to the efective emission control in Beijing in recent years. Vehicular exhaust was the main source while volatilization of paints and solvents also made substantial contributions. Health risk assessment showed that BTEX(benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene) and styrene had no appreciable adverse non-cancer health risks for the exposed population, while benzene has potential cancer risk of 1.34E-05. Available data from cities in China all implied that benzene imposes relatively higher cancer risk on the exposed populations and therefore strict control measures should be taken to further lower ambient benzene levels in China.     

Physiological cellular responses and adaptations of Rhodococcus erythropolis IBBPo1 to toxic organic solvents

A new Gram-positive bacterium, Rhodococcus erythropolis IBBPo1（KF059972.1） was isolated from a crude oil-contaminated soil sample by enrichment culture method. R. erythropolis IBBPo1 was able to tolerate a wide range of toxic compounds, such as antibiotics（800–1000 μg/mL）,synthetic surfactants（50–200 μg/mL）, and organic solvents（40%–100%）. R. erythropolis IBBPo1 showed good tolerance to both alkanes（cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-decane） and aromatics（toluene, styrene, ethylbenzene） with logPOW（logarithm of the partition coefficient of the solvent in octanol–water mixture） values between 2.64 and 5.98. However, alkanes were less toxic for R. erythropolis IBBPo1 cells, compared with aromatics. The high organic solvent tolerance of R. erythropolis IBBPo1 could be due to the presence in their large genome of some catabolic（alkB, alkB1, todC1, todM, xylM）, transporter（HAE1） and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase（otsA1, KF059973.1） genes. Numerous and complex physiological cellular responses and adaptations involved in organic solvent tolerance were revealed in R. erythropolis IBBPo1 cells exposed 1 and 24 hr to 1% organic solvents. R. erythropolis IBBPo1 cells adapt to 1% organic solvents by changing surface hydrophobicity, morphology and their metabolic fingerprinting.Considerable modifications in otsA1 gene sequence were also observed in cells exposed to organic solvents（except ethylbenzene）.     

Importance of riparian habitats for small mammal and herpetofaunal communities in agricultural landscapes of southern Québec

The presence of adequate riparian strips in agricultural landscapes is generally recognized to contribute to the reduction of the impacts of agricultural practices on the water quality of streams, to regularize water temperature and to help in the creation of important wildlife habitats. This study aimed at determining the importance of riparian strips in agricultural landscapes of southern Québec for small mammal and herpetofaunal communities, and verifying farmers’ general belief that these habitats become shelters for species considered as agricultural pests. Abundance, composition and diversity of communities were compared between three types of riparian strips: herbaceous, shrubby and wooded. A total of 1460 small mammals belonging to 14 species and 329 amphibians and reptiles belonging to 11 species were captured with line trapping and drift fences. The generalist species Sorex cinereus, Zapus hudsonius, Blarina brevicauda, and Bufo americanus were abundant in all three types of riparian strips. Peromyscus maniculatus, Sorex fumeus, Clethrionomys gapperi, and Rana pipiens were associated more closely to wooded strips, whereas Rana sylvatica was captured mostly in shrubby strips. The abundance of small mammals and herpetofauna increased with complexity of vegetation structure. Small mammal diversity was higher in herbaceous and wooded riparian strips, whereas the herpetofaunal community was more diverse in shrubby strips. Proportion and abundance of pest species diminished with complexity of vegetation structure, whereas insectivores increased in abundance. Maintaining woody vegetation in riparian strips should increase abundance and diversity of wildlife within agricultural landscapes where increasing development pressure is presently contributing to the conversion of such habitats to herbaceous strips. Such a management approach should also help reducing the risk of riparian strips becoming shelters for pest species.     

Molecular characterization and developmental expression patterns of thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) and their responsiveness to TR agonist and antagonist in Rana nigromaculata

Considering some advantages of Rana nigromaculata as an experimental species, we propose that this species, like Xenopus laevis, could be used to assay thyroid hormone（TH） signaling disrupting actions. To validate the utilizability of R. nigromaculata, we investigated the responsiveness of R. nigromaculata to a TH receptor（TR） agonist（T3） and antagonist（amiodarone） by analyzing expression, based on characterizing TR cDNA and developmental expression patterns. With high levels of identity with the corresponding genes in X. laevis, both TRα and TRβ in R. nigromaculata exhibited roughly similar developmental expression patterns to those of X. laevis, in spite of some species-specific differences. Both TRα and TRβ expression had greater changes in the liver and intestine than in the tail and brain during metamorphosis. T3 exposure for 2 days induced more dramatic increases of TRβ expression in stage 27 than in stage34 tadpoles but not in stage 42 tadpoles, showing that the responsiveness of R. nigromaculata to TH decreased with development and disappeared at the onset of metamorphic climax.Corresponding to greater changes of TRβ expression in the liver and intestine than in the tail and brain during metamorphosis, the liver and intestine had higher responsiveness to exogenous T3 than the tail and brain. Amiodarone inhibited T3-induced TRβ expression. Our results show that R. nigromaculata can be used as a model species for assaying TH signaling disrupting actions by analyzing TRβ expression, and intestine tissues at stage 27 are ideal test materials due to high responsiveness and easy accessibility.     

鄱阳湖浮游植物时空变化特征及影响因素分析

在5月、9月、11月对鄱阳湖浮游植物开展野外调查,分析鄱阳湖浮游植物的时空分布特征及原因.结果表明:在群落结构上,鄱阳湖浮游植物样品中共发现8门107属,其中绿藻门54属,占浮游植物总数的50%.3次调查平均生物量最高的为硅藻门(蓝藻门藻细胞密度最高),生物量为0.29 mg·L-1,占浮游植物总生物量的28%,是鄱阳湖的优势藻门;其次分别为隐藻门、甲藻门和绿藻门,分别占26%、21%和17%.空间分布上,南部湖区浮游植物生物量最高,中部区次之,北部湖口水道区最低;时间分布上,5月份浮游植物生物量最高,11月份最低.温度、悬浮物和透明度是影响藻类时空分布的主要影响因素.鄱阳湖总体水动力较好,水华暴发总体风险小,但中部和南部水动力弱的湖区,藻量高,仍有水华风险.     

安太堡露天矿复垦地不同人工植被恢复下的土壤酶活性和肥力比较

人工重建植被是露天矿复垦地植被恢复,提高土壤质量的主要途径之一.选择适宜的人工植被对快速恢复土壤质量具有重要意义.本文主要研究了安太堡露天矿复垦地油松-刺槐-柠条混交林、沙棘-刺槐-柠条-沙枣混交林和苜蓿地的土壤养分含量及酶活性,综合评价了这3种不同植被类型对土壤肥力恢复效果.结果表明,随着植被恢复的进行,土壤养分含量均有增加,油松-刺槐-柠条混交林的土壤养分含量显著高于其它样地.从以养分含量和酶活性权重计算的土壤综合肥力指标值(IFI)可知,油松-刺槐-柠条混交林IFI值最高.综合来看,对土壤重建效果最好的为油松-刺槐-柠条混交林,其次是沙棘-刺槐-柠条-沙枣混交林,再次为苜蓿.     

Survey of current crop management practices in a mixed-ricefield landscape,Mekong Delta,Vietnam — potential of habitat manipulation for improved control of citrus leafminer and citrus red mite

In the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella (CLM) and the citrus red mite Panonychus citri are major pests in both sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and Tieu mandarin (C. reticulata). Survey data indicate that these pest problems might be aggravated after farmers have completely destroyed the weed flora in their orchard. As citrus farmers only perceive the larger predators such as the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina and spiders, and have no idea about the existence of predatory mites or parasitoids, they do not know about potential positive attributes of weeds in pest management which sustain populations of natural enemies and their alternative food. IPM training programmes could use the weaver ant as an introduction to educating farmers about predatory mites and parasitoids, and should likewise emphasise the importance of beneficial asteraceous weeds such as Ageratum conyzoides. Non-crop trees such as Spondias dulcis, Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Ceiba pentandra are commonly known to offer good refuge for the weaver ant. These trees should be further studied for their temporal contribution as food resource for other natural enemies of CLM and mites. Small adjustments of current weed management techniques are suggested to improve availability of pollen and nectar for beneficials at crucial moments in the cropping season, with due respect to implications at the landscape level.     

Is naïveté forever? Alien predator and aggressor recognition by two endemic island reptiles

The disproportionate impacts of invasive predators are often attributed to the naïveté (i.e., inefficient or non-existing anti-predator behavior) of island native species having evolved without such predators. Naïveté has long been regarded as a fixed characteristic, but a few recent studies indicate a capacity for behavioral adaptation in native species in contact with alien predators. Here, we tested whether two reptiles endemic to New Caledonia, a skink, Caledoniscincus austrocaledonicus, and a gecko, Bavayia septuiclavis, recognized and responded to the odor of six introduced species (two rodents, the feral cat, and three species of ants). We used an experimental design in which reptiles had a choice of retreat sites with or without the odor of predators or aggressors. Skinks avoided two or three of the predators, whereas geckos avoided at most one. These results suggest that diurnal skinks are more responsive than nocturnal geckos to the odor of introduced predators. Neither skinks nor geckos avoided the three species of ants. Thus, the odors of alien predators are shown to influence retreat site selection by two native island reptiles. Moreover, the study suggests that this loss of naïveté varies among native species, probably as a consequence of the intensity of the threat and of time since introduction. These findings argue for re-thinking the behavioral flexibility of ectothermic reptiles in terms of their responses to biological invasion.     

Forestry Mitigation Options for Mexico: Finding Synergies between National Sustainable Development Priorities and Global Concerns

We examine carbon (C) reference and mitigation scenarios for the Mexicanforest sector between the year 2000 and 2030. Estimates are presentedseparately for the period 2008–2012.Future C emissions and capture are estimated using a simulation modelthat: a) allocates the country land use/land cover classes among differentfuture uses and categories using demand-based scenarios for forestryproducts; b) estimates the total C densities associated to each land usecategory, and c) determines the net carbon implications of the process ofland use/cover change according to the different scenarios.The options analyzed include both afforestation/reforestation, such ascommercial, bionenergy and restoration plantations, and agroforestrysystems, and forest conservation, through the sustainable management ofnative forests and forest protection.The total mitigation potential, estimated as the difference between the totallong-term carbon stock in the reference and the mitigation scenario reaches300 × 10⁶ Mg C in the year 2012 and increases to 1,382 × 10⁶ Mg C in 2030. The average net sequestration in the 30 year period is 46 × 10⁶ Mg C yr^-1, or 12.5 × 10⁶ Mg C yr^-1 within the period 2008 to 2012. The costs of selected mitigation options range from 0.7–3.5 Mg C^-1 to 35 Mg C^-1. Some options are cost effective.     

Mediterranean shrublands carbon sequestration: environmental and economic benefits

To date, only a few attempts have been done to estimate the contribution of Mediterranean ecosystems to the global carbon cycle. Within this context, shrub species, composition and structure of the Mediterranean shrublands developing along the Latium coast (Italy) were analyzed in order to evaluate their contribution to carbon (C) sequestration, also taking into consideration the economic benefits at a national level. The considered shrublands had a shrub density of 1,200?±?500 shrubs ha^?1. Shrubs were classified into small (S), medium (M) and large (L), according to their volume (V) and leaf area index (LAI). The total yearly carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration per species (SC_y) was calculated multiplying the total photosynthetic leaf surface area (spt) of each species by the mean yearly photosynthetic rate and the total yearly photosynthetic activity time (in hours). Q. ilex and A. unedo had the highest SC_y (46.2?±?15.8 kg CO₂ year^?1, mean value), followed by P. latifolia (17.5?±?6.2 kg CO₂ year^?1), E. arborea, E. multiflora, C. incanus, P. lentiscus, R. officinalis, and S. aspera (6.8?±?4.2 kg CO₂ year^?1, mean value). The total yearly CO₂ sequestration per shrub (SC_shy) was 149?±?5 kg CO₂ year^?1 in L, decreasing 30 % in M and 80 % in S shrubs. Taking into account the frequency of S, M and L and their SC_shy, the total CO₂ sequestration of the Mediterranean maquis was quantified in 80 Mg CO₂ ha^?1?year^?1, corresponding to 22 Mg C ha^?1?year^?1. From a monetary viewpoint, this quantity could be valued to more than 500 US$ ha^?1?year^?1. Extending this benefit to the Mediterranean shrublands throughout the whole country, we obtained a nationwide estimated annual benefit in the order of $500 million.     

东莞石马河流域水化学特征时空差异及来源辨析

石马河流域对东江饮用水源地城镇供水具有重要战略意义.为研究石马河水化学特征,分别于2012年2月、6月和11月采集石马河河水水样共39个,分析测定了水体主离子(K+、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Cl-、SO2-4和HCO-3)及营养盐(PO3-4、NO-3和NH+4)浓度,探讨了水化学组成的时空差异、控制因素并对其来源进行了初步辨析.结果表明,水化学组成的时空差异显著,不同时期的河水TDS及营养盐平均浓度排序为11月2月6月;河水阴离子以HCO-3为主,2月和11月时,河水阳离子以Na++K+为主,为HCO-3-Na+水,6月时则以Ca2+为主,为HCO-3-Ca2+水;营养盐浓度在空间上的差异主要受人类活动导致N、P废水排放影响,3个时期的石马河出水口处(R7)N∶P为18.4,有利于浮游植物的生长,河道出现了富营养化的现象;Gibbs图显示,2月和11月的河水主离子受蒸发岩溶解的影响较为显著,而蒸发岩和碳酸盐岩风化共同控制6月的水化学组分;海盐沉降对石马河河水物质的贡献率较小;部分Na+、Mg2+、Cl-和SO2-4来自化肥的施用和工业废水的排放;NH+4-N、PO3-4-P和NO-3-N主要分别来源于家禽养殖废水和生活废水.     

The effects of GMHT crops on bird abundance in arable fields in the UK

Bird surveys were carried out in summer 2000 and winter 2000/2001 on 24 sugar beet fields, 11 maize fields, 10 spring rape fields and (for winter-only) 23 winter rape fields divided into conventional and genetically modified herbicide tolerant (GMHT) treatments. These fields were a sub-sample of those used in the farm scale evaluation (FSE [Firbank, L.G, Heard, M.S., Woiwod, I.P., Hawes, C., Haughton, A.J., Champion, G.T., Scott, R.J., Hill, M.O., Dewar, A.M., Squire, G.R., May, M.J., Brooks, D.R., Bohan, D.A., Daniels, R.E., Osborne, J.L., Roy, D.B., Black, H.I.J., Rothery, P., Perry, J.N., 2003. An introduction to the farm-scale evaluations of genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops. J. Appl. Ecol. 40, 2–16.]). The study aimed to compare bird abundance between GMHT and conventional crop treatments. In the summer, the abundance of yellowhammers Emberiza citrinella and of granivores collectively was significantly greater on conventional than GMHT sugar beet. Abundance of granivores and species richness was significantly greater on conventional than GMHT maize, but only after the application of herbicides to the GMHT treatment. No significant differences were detected in spring oilseed rape. No significant differences were detected prior to herbicide application in any crop. In winter, granivores were more abundant on bare plough following conventional sugar beet treatment than following GMHT treatment. Woodpigeon Columba palumbus, blackbird Turdus merula and corvids were more abundant on maize stubbles following GMHT treatment. These differences were in accord with likely differences in food availability ascertained from previous research carried out under the FSE.