Effects of Urbanization on the Distribution and Abundance of Amphibians and Invasive Species in Southern California Streams

Abstract:  Urbanization negatively affects natural ecosystems in many ways, and aquatic systems in particular. Urbanization is also cited as one of the potential contributors to recent dramatic declines in amphibian populations. From 2000 to 2002 we determined the distribution and abundance of native amphibians and exotic predators and characterized stream habitat and invertebrate communities in 35 streams in an urbanized landscape north of Los Angeles (U.S.A.). We measured watershed development as the percentage of area within each watershed occupied by urban land uses. Streams in more developed watersheds often had exotic crayfish ( Procambarus clarkii ) and fish, and had fewer native species such as California newts ( Taricha torosa ) and California treefrogs ( Hyla cadaverina ). These effects seemed particularly evident above 8% development, a result coincident with other urban stream studies that show negative impacts beginning at 10–15% urbanization. For Pacific treefrogs ( H. regilla ), the most widespread native amphibian, abundance was lower in the presence of exotic crayfish, although direct urbanization effects were not found. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities were also less diverse in urban streams, especially for sensitive species. Faunal community changes in urban streams may be related to changes in physical stream habitat, such as fewer pool and more run habitats and increased water depth and flow, leading to more permanent streams. Variation in stream permanence was particularly evident in 2002, a dry year when many natural streams were dry but urban streams were relatively unchanged. Urbanization has significantly altered stream habitat in this region and may enhance invasion by exotic species and negatively affect diversity and abundance of native amphibians.     

不同土地利用方式及开垦时间对岩溶山区土壤养分空间分布的影响

采集贵州普定典型岩溶山区7种土地利用方式和3个不同开垦时间(27 a、39 a、48 a)的0～10 cm、10～20 cm、20～40 cm土壤样品,进行室内理化分析.结果显示,林地土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮累积量较多,玉米黄豆地含量最少.林地土壤0～10 cm层有机质、全氮、碱解氮分别比玉米黄豆地高271.0%、317.7%、246.1%.林地和撂荒地对土壤养分循环较为有利.林地开垦为农业用地后,土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮含量明显下降,全磷、有效磷、全钾含量没有明显变化,有效钾含量增多.开垦39 a的0～10 cm层土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、有效磷、有效钾含量高于开垦27 a和48 a土壤的含量,碱解氮低于开垦27 a和48 a土壤的含量;开垦27 a的土壤全钾含量高于开垦39 a和48 a土壤的含量.开垦时间长或短对土壤养分含量的影响未表现特殊规律性,可能受到其他因素的影响.     

不同政策情景下农业土地利用效应模拟分析

农业土地利用政策的实施能够很大程度上影响区域农业生产方式和发展路径.构建了一个土地利用政策效应的多准则分析框架,并以上海市淀山湖地区作为案例区,从社会、经济和生态方面建立综合评价指标体系,应用情景分析方法,采用TechnoGIN模型作为评价工具,分别对基础情景、基准情景和3种不同政策干预情景下的农业土地利用效应进行了模拟和评价.结果显示,测土配方施肥政策使农民提高了施肥的钾氮比,同时对提高水稻产量起到了一定的作用,但对氮的总投入量及淋失量的降低作用较为微弱.而精细养分管理技术在使投入的钾氮比更为合理的同时,也降低了氮的总投入量及淋失量,但过多的劳动力投入需求限制了这一技术的推广和普及.适度规模经营政策的主要作用是减少劳动力使用量,为农民提供更多的外出就业机会.该研究的方法框架可为评估和预判不同农业政策的土地利用效应提供理论支撑.     

Effects of Land‐Use Change on Community Composition of Tropical Amphibians and Reptiles in Sulawesi,Indonesia

Abstract: Little is known about the effects of anthropogenic land‐use change on the amphibians and reptiles of the biodiverse tropical forests of Southeast Asia. We studied a land‐use modification gradient stretching from primary forest, secondary forest, natural‐shade cacao agroforest, planted‐shade cacao agroforest to open areas in central Sulawesi, Indonesia. We determined species richness, abundance, turnover, and community composition in all habitat types and related these to environmental correlates, such as canopy heterogeneity and thickness of leaf litter. Amphibian species richness decreased systematically along the land‐use modification gradient, but reptile richness and abundance peaked in natural‐shade cacao agroforests. Species richness and abundance patterns across the disturbance gradient were best explained by canopy cover and leaf‐litter thickness in amphibians and by canopy heterogeneity and cover in reptiles. Amphibians were more severely affected by forest disturbance in Sulawesi than reptiles. Heterogeneous canopy cover and thick leaf litter should be maintained in cacao plantations to facilitate the conservation value for both groups. For long‐term and sustainable use of plantations, pruned shade trees should be permanently kept to allow rejuvenation of cacao and, thus, to prevent repeated forest encroachment.     

Effects of Land Use on Threatened Species

Abstract:  There is widespread agreement that biodiversity loss must be reduced, yet to alleviate threats to plant and animal species, the forces driving these losses need to be better understood. We searched for explanatory variables for threatened-species data at the country level through land-use information instead of previously used socioeconomic and demographic variables. To explain the number of threatened species in one country, we used information on land-use patterns in all neighboring countries and on the extent of the country's sea border. We carried out multiple regressions of the numbers of threatened species as a function of land-use patterns, and we tested various specifications of this function, including spatial autocorrelation. Most cross-border land-use patterns had a significant influence on the number of threatened species, and land-use patterns explained the number of threatened species better than less proximate socioeconomic variables. More specifically, our overall results showed a highly adverse influence of plantations and permanent cropland, a weaker negative influence of permanent pasture, and, for the most part, a beneficial influence of nonarable lands and natural forest. Surprisingly, built-up land also showed a conserving influence on threatened species. The adverse influences extended to distances between about 250 km (plants) and 2000 km (birds and mammals) away from where the species threat was recorded, depending on the species. Our results highlight that legislation affecting biodiversity should look beyond national boundaries.     

珠江三角洲土地利用变化对特征大气污染物扩散的影响

在珠江三角洲两种下垫面条件下,应用CALPUFF大气污染扩散模式,对特征污染物SO2、SO42-的扩散进行数值模拟,探讨大规模土地利用变化,尤其是城镇建设用地增加,对珠江三角洲地区大气污染物扩散的影响,并通过对4个典型区污染物月均质量浓度变化特征分析,揭示土地利用变化对不同地区的污染物分布的影响机制。模拟结果表明：土地利用变化,尤其是城镇建设用地增加,不利于污染物扩散,污染源下风方向地区受影响较大,污染物质量浓度明显升高,SO2和 SO42-年均质量浓度分别增加14.07%和3.31%;受影响范围、变化幅度与污染源排污强度呈正相关,变化幅度亦与污染源距离远近呈负相关。土地利用变化后,尤其是城镇建设用地增加,四个典型区 SO2月均质量浓度都表现为升高趋势,且冬季 SO2质量浓度升高幅度最大,夏季升高幅度最小,临近污染源密集区的两个典型区SO2月均质量浓度分别增加33.6%和26.3%。土地利用变化不仅改变局地的污染扩散,也会对区域的污染扩散有一定影响,尤其对污染源分布密集区的大气污染物扩散影响强度最大。因此,建议人类在城市化建设过程中尽可能保留自然斑块,消除人工下垫面对污染物扩散的负面影响。     

Effects of Exurban Development and Temperature on Bird Species in the Southern Appalachians

Land‐use dynamics and climatic gradients have large effects on many terrestrial systems. Exurban development, one of the fastest growing forms of land use in the United States, may affect wildlife through habitat fragmentation and building presence may alter habitat quality. We studied the effects of residential development and temperature gradients on bird species occurrence at 140 study sites in the southern Appalachian Mountains (North Carolina, U.S.A.) that varied with respect to building density and elevation. We used occupancy models to determine 36 bird species’ associations with building density, forest canopy cover, average daily mean temperature, and an interaction between building density and mean temperature. Responses varied with habitat requirement, breeding range, and migration distance. Building density and mean temperature were both included in the top occupancy models for 19 of 36 species and a building density by temperature interaction was included in models for 8 bird species. As exurban development expands in the southern Appalachians, interior forest species and Neotropical migrants are likely to decline, but shrubland or edge species are not likely to benefit. Overall, effects of building density were greater than those of forest canopy cover. Exurban development had a greater effect on birds at high elevations due to a greater abundance of sensitive forest‐interior species and Neotropical migrants. A warming climate may exacerbate these negative effects. Efectos del Desarrollo Exurbano y de la Temperatura sobre Especies de Aves en las Apalaches del Sur     

Effects of Land Use on Bird Species Richness in Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract:  There is still much debate over the potential value of land-use systems for the maintenance of tropical biodiversity. An increasing number of studies indicate that much forest biodiversity can also be found in the agricultural landscape matrix. Because there is little information on the potential value of land-use systems for tropical forest bird species, we conducted repeated point counts in near-primary forest, adjacent young secondary forest, modernized cacao agroforestry systems, and annual cultures at submontane elevations in central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Species richness decreased from natural forest and young secondary forest to agroforestry systems and annual cultures. Although species richness was similar between natural and young secondary forest, the number of endemic bird species was significantly lower in second-growth forest. Species composition gradually changed as the habitat changed from natural to secondary forest, agroforestry systems, and annual cultures. Despite close proximity to near-primary forest, the agroforestry systems studied supported only a few small frugivorous-nectarivorous species. Our results suggest that secondary forest could play an important role in the conservation of many Sulawesi bird species, but, although suitable for colonization, its potential to sustain populations over the long term is unknown. Improvement of the landscape matrix for biodiversity conservation through secondary habitats therefore seems desirable to enlarge the ranges of forest species, but the fight against land conversion within protected areas of the region should be of much higher importance, at least at present.     

洞庭湖区不同土地利用方式对土壤酶活性的影响

对洞庭湖区不同土地利用方式下与主要营养元素循环相关的关键土壤酶(蔗糖酶、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶)进行分析研究,结果表明,在0-30 cm土层,土地利用方式对4种酶活性的影响极其显著,且随土层深度的增加,土壤酶活性受土地利用方式的影响逐渐减小.碱性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶与脲酶在整个土壤刮面中受到土地利用方式的影响都较大,而过氧化氢酶对土地利用方式的响应只限于0-30 cm土层.不同土地利用方式下土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶和碱性磷酸酶活性均随土层深度的增加呈下降趋势,表明土壤有机质的分解、土壤营养元素的循环与土壤剖面结构息息相关.     

不同种稻方式对后茬大麦产量和土壤微生物量的影响

通过田间试验研究盖草、覆膜、裸露、水作4种种稻方式对后茬大麦产量、生物量、土壤微生物量和氮肥利用率的影响.结果表明,大麦籽粒产量以盖草后茬最高,比覆膜、裸露和水作后茬增产6.0%、16.4%和37.0%.大麦收获期地上部生物量也是盖草后茬最高,分别比覆膜、裸露和水作3个处理增加3 424、6 059、6 961 kg·hm-2.4个处理后茬大麦生长期间土壤微生物量碳、氮随着大麦生育期进程呈先升高后降低的趋势,且各个生育期均表现为盖草＞覆膜＞裸露＞水作.盖草处理氮肥农学利用率比覆膜、裸露、水作高0.9、2.2和8.0 kg·kg-1;氮肥生产率也表现出上述趋势,分别高2.8、7.0和13.3 kg·kg-1.说明旱作水稻覆盖秸秆下的稻-麦轮作是一种优化的种植模式,具有良好的生态效益和社会效益.     

西庄河流域土地利用方式对土壤肥力影响的研究

采用野外调查、取样和实验分析相结合的方法对云南省保山市西庄河山地流域内4种主要土地利用方式（林地、耕地、茶园、灌丛）的土壤理化性质进行对比研究,讨论了不同土地利用方式对土壤肥力的影响,结果表明,不同的土地利用方式对土壤肥力具有比较明显的影响：土壤有机质和全氮质量分数变化从大到小依次为灌丛＞林地＞茶园＞耕地;磷、钾元素表现为耕地＞茶园＞林地＞灌丛;土壤阳离子交换量表现为耕地＞茶园＞灌丛＞林地;盐基饱和度表现为耕地＞灌丛＞林地＞茶园;农业耕作活动对表层土壤物理性质影响明显。     

崇明岛典型土地利用方式对土壤有机碳和酶活性的影响

为了研究上海崇明岛不同土地利用方式对土壤有机碳以及酶活性的影响,对冬小麦地、蔬菜地、柑桔地和冬绿肥地4种土地利用方式的土壤进行了调查、样品测定和分析。结果表明,土地利用方式对有机碳和4种酶活性的影响极显著。冬小麦地总有机碳和活性有机碳质量分数均最高,分别为19.23g·kg^-1和2.26mg·g^-1,柑桔地土壤脲酶、碱性磷酸酶、纤维素酶和蛋白酶等4种酶活性均高于其他3种土地利用方式,表明采用秸秆还田式的冬小麦地,可以增加土壤总有机碳和活性有机碳质量分数;常年处于免耕状态的柑桔地可以使土壤酶活性增强。     

不同土地利用方式下Cd、Pb复合污染对土壤酶活性的影响

为探寻合理的土地利用方式,减轻重金属污染,以上海市崇明岛为研究对象,结合室内盆栽模拟试验,研究了不同土地利用方式下Cd、Pb复合污染对土壤酶活性的影响,以期为合理规划土地功能和提高土壤健康程度提供科学依据。试验结果表明,农田、生活用地等受人类活动影响较明显的地区,其土壤酶活性低于湿地、林地、河道旁等人为扰动较少且水分充足的地区;土壤脲酶、磷酸酶和脱氢酶活性两两之间呈显著正相关(P<0.01),且土壤脲酶对Cd、Pb较敏感;土壤有机质与土壤酶活性呈显著正相关(P<0.05);Cd、Pb复合污染在低含量(Cd:0～1mg.kg-1;Pb:0～60mg.kg-1)时对土壤酶活性表现为促进作用,而高含量(Cd:0～20mg.kg-1;Pb:0～100mg.kg-1)时则表现为抑制作用。     

宁南黄土高原不同土地利用模式对土壤的影响研究

宁南黄土高原采取退耕、还林、还草措施5年后,区域局部生态环境发生了较大变化。文章针对退耕后的典型土地利用方式,阐述了自然撂荒坡地、柠条(CaraganakorshinskiiKom.)灌木林地、坡耕地产生的土壤水热、养分效应,其结果对减少宁南黄土高原土壤养分流失、提高土地生产力和合理农业布局具有重要的意义。利用径流小区试验方法,研究结果表明:不同土地利用方式下土壤储水量的变化为单峰型,与雨量峰值相比,对应储水量略有滞后现象。土壤储水量整体表现为农耕地>自然荒坡>柠条林地。受植被类型影响,坡面土层温度为荒坡草地>柠条林地>农地。随坡度增加,自然荒坡土壤有机质有降低的趋势,相同坡度下(25°)自然荒坡土壤有机质平均为12.76g/kg,是农耕地、柠条林地的1.2倍和1.94倍。在3种土地利用方式下,全磷含量没有明显差异,坡耕地土壤速效磷、速效钾含量较高,柠条林地和自然荒坡速效磷、速效钾含量没有明显差异。不同土地利用方式下,Ca-P(钙结合态的磷酸盐)占无机磷总量的比例,达29.6%～59.07%,O-P(闭蓄态磷酸盐)最少,仅占4.73%～22.45%。土壤过氧化氢酶、与土壤全氮、有机质、碱解氮呈显著正相关。     

Potential Effects of Ongoing and Proposed Hydropower Development on Terrestrial Biological Diversity in the Indian Himalaya

Indian Himalayan basins are earmarked for widespread dam building, but aggregate effects of these dams on terrestrial ecosystems are unknown. We mapped distribution of 292 dams (under construction and proposed) and projected effects of these dams on terrestrial ecosystems under different scenarios of land‐cover loss. We analyzed land‐cover data of the Himalayan valleys, where dams are located. We estimated dam density on fifth‐ through seventh‐order rivers and compared these estimates with current global figures. We used a species–area relation model (SAR) to predict short‐ and long‐term species extinctions driven by deforestation. We used scatter plots and correlation studies to analyze distribution patterns of species and dams and to reveal potential overlap between species‐rich areas and dam sites. We investigated effects of disturbance on community structure of undisturbed forests. Nearly 90% of Indian Himalayan valleys would be affected by dam building and 27% of these dams would affect dense forests. Our model projected that 54,117 ha of forests would be submerged and 114,361 ha would be damaged by dam‐related activities. A dam density of 0.3247/1000 km² would be nearly 62 times greater than current average global figures; the average of 1 dam for every 32 km of river channel would be 1.5 times higher than figures reported for U.S. rivers. Our results show that most dams would be located in species‐rich areas of the Himalaya. The SAR model projected that by 2025, deforestation due to dam building would likely result in extinction of 22 angiosperm and 7 vertebrate taxa. Disturbance due to dam building would likely reduce tree species richness by 35%, tree density by 42%, and tree basal cover by 30% in dense forests. These results, combined with relatively weak national environmental impact assessment and implementation, point toward significant loss of species if all proposed dams in the Indian Himalaya are constructed. Efectos Potenciales del Desarrollo Hidroeléctrico Actual y Propuesto sobre la Diversidad Biológica Terrestre en el Himalaya Hindú     

太湖地区典型轮作与休耕方式对稻田水稻季N2O和CH4排放量的影响

轮作休耕是实现"藏粮于地、藏粮于技"的重要途径之一,目前在太湖稻田区域主要推广紫云英(Astragalus sinicus L.)-水稻(Oryza sativa L.)、油菜(Brassica napus L.)-水稻和休耕-水稻典型轮作与休耕方式。在太湖地区典型稻田水稻生长季设置了6个处理:(1)紫云英-水稻轮作,不施N肥处理,MRN0;(2)紫云英-水稻轮作,当地常规施肥量(300 kg·hm^-2,以纯氮计,下同),MRN300;(3)油菜-水稻轮作,不施N肥处理,RRN0;(4)油菜-水稻轮作,当地常规施肥量(300 kg·hm^-2),RRN300;(5)休耕-水稻轮作,不施N肥处理,FRN0;(6)休耕-水稻轮作,当地常规施肥量(300 kg·hm^-2),FRN300。通过田间试验,研究了不同轮作与休耕方式对水稻产量、氮肥利用率及稻田温室气体CH₄和N₂O排放的影响,从而为综合评价轮作休耕方式提供科学依据。田间试验结果显示,与不施氮肥处理相比,在不同轮作休耕方式下施氮300 kg·hm^-2,可增加53.7%—60.0%的水稻产量,以MRN300处理水稻产量最高,与RRN300和FRN300处理相比,水稻产量分别提高了1.6%和6.0%。在不施氮水平下,MRN0、RRN0和FRN0各轮作处理间N₂O排放通量和累积排放量均值差异不显著(P>0.05)。而在施氮300 kg·hm^-2下,紫云英-水稻轮作可降低N₂O排放通量和累积排放量,与RRN300和FRN300处理相比,N₂O排放通量分别降低了36.0%(P<0.05)和2.1%(P>0.05)。在同一施氮水平下,紫云英-水稻轮作CH₄排放通量和累积排放量最小,与RRN300和FRN300处理相比,MRN300处理CH₄排放通量分别降低了1.1%和6.7%,CH₄和N₂O的全球增温潜势(GWP)分别降低了3.3%和6.5%,单位水稻产量温室气体排放强度(GHGI)分别降低了4.6%和11.6%。综上,紫云英-水稻轮作对提高水稻产量,降低温室气体排放效果最好。     

Effects of climate and exurban development on nest predation and predator presence in the southern Appalachian Mountains (USA)

In the eastern United States, land-use and climate change have likely contributed to declines in the abundance of Neotropical migrant birds that occupy forest interiors, but the mechanisms are not well understood. We conducted a nest-predation experiment in southern Appalachian Mountain forests (North Carolina, U.S.A.) during the 2009 and 2010 breeding seasons to determine the effects of exurban development and temperature on predator presence and the average number of days until eggs in an artificial nest were disturbed by predators. We baited artificial nests with quail (Excalfactoria chinensi) eggs and monitored them for 18 days. We used clay eggs, track plates, and motion-triggered cameras to detect and identify nest predators. The average number of days a nest was undisturbed decreased as mean temperature increased and, to a lesser extent, as the density of buildings increased. Nests on the ground were more often depredated than those in trees, likely due to increased predation by opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and other carnivores. Raccoons (Procyon lotor), opossums, corvids (Corvus brachyrhynchos and Cyanocitta cristata), chipmunks (Tamias striatus), black bears (Ursus americanus), and domestic cats (Felis catus) were the most commonly detected predators. Presence of these predators did not vary as a function of mean temperature. Domestic cats and corvids were detected more frequently in plots with high rather than low densities of buildings. Forest-interior specialists and Neotropical migrants often nest in cool, high-elevation areas with low housing density. These bird species, especially those that nest on the ground, may be most vulnerable to increased nest predation if temperature and exurban development increase at higher elevations as anticipated.