Impacts of experimental trampling on tall alpine herbfields and subalpine grasslands in the Australian Alps

The Australian Alps, which are of high conservation value, are popular summer bushwalking destinations. Experimental trampling trials using a standardized methodology were conducted to determine the resistance and resilience of the two common vegetation types: tall alpine herbfield and subalpine grasslands. Vegetation parameters were measured in lanes subject to control (no trampling), 30, 100, 200, 500 and 700 passes at five sites prior to trampling, immediately post trampling, 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 1 year post trampling. Vegetation height, cover of graminoids and herbs, as well as net species richness all declined with trampling, while litter cover increased. Thresholds for damage varied between the two communities and among the different vegetation parameters. The resistance indices for the two communities (number of passes resulting in 50% reduction in vegetation cover), however, were similar at around 440–450 passes indicating that these two communities are among the most resistant of the 19 alpine–subalpine communities that have been tested around the world, but only of moderate resistance compared to non-alpine communities. The two communities showed limited recovery with damage still evident 1 year post trampling. This indicates that they have only moderate tolerance to damage due to moderate resistance, but low resilience.     

An Edge Effect Caused by Adult Corn-Rootworm Beetles on Sunflowers in Tallgrass Prairie Remnants

Abstract: The once-extensive tallgrass prairie community of North America has been reduced to small remnants, many of which are surrounded by intensive corn (   Zea mays ) agriculture. We investigated adult corn-rootworm beetles (Chrysomelidae : Diabrotica spp.), important pests of corn, on sunflowers (Asteraceae : Helianthus spp . ) in prairie remnants in southeast Minnesota. Large numbers of beetles invaded the prairie from surrounding corn fields in late summer. D. barberi and D. virgifera were captured on sticky traps in all locations in the prairie, but abundance was much greater near the edge adjacent to corn. We observed D. barberi ( but not D. virgifera ) feeding extensively on sunflower pollen and occasionally on other flower parts, such as petals. Sunflowers located nearer corn fields sustained more floral damage than those farther from corn. To determine the effect of beetle damage on seed set, we enclosed sunflower heads in bags with either zero, two, or four D. barberi adults. Seed set was reduced in heads enclosed with D. barberi . Thus, this agricultural pest may interfere with the successful reproduction of sunflowers and possibly other prairie composites that flower in late summer. Given the small size of most prairie remnants and the abundance of this flower-feeding beetle in landscapes dominated by corn agriculture, D. barberi may affect the sustainability of prairie plant populations.     

Discordant fetal sex on NIPT and ultrasound

Prenatal diagnosis of sex discordance is a relatively new phenomenon. Prior to cell-free DNA testing, the diagnosis of a disorder of sexual differentiation was serendipitous, either through identification of ambiguous genitalia at the midtrimester morphology ultrasound or discovery of genotype-phenotype discordance in cases where preimplantation genetic diagnosis or invasive prenatal testing had occurred. The widespread integration of cfDNA testing into modern antenatal screening has made sex chromosome assessment possible from 10 weeks of gestation, and discordant fetal sex is now more commonly diagnosed prenatally, with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 1500-2000 pregnancies. Early detection of phenotype-genotype sex discordance is important as it may indicate an underlying genetic, chromosomal or biochemical condition and it also allows for time-critical postnatal treatment. The aim of this article is to review cfDNA and ultrasound diagnosis of fetal sex, identify possible causes of phenotype-genotype discordance and provide a systematic approach for clinicians when counseling and managing couples in this circumstance.     

THE DISCHARGE OF SEDIMENT IN CHANNELIZED ALLUVIAL STREAMS1

ABSTRACT: Approximately 400 million cubic feet of channel sediments have been delivered to the Mississippi River from the Obion-Forked Deer River system in the last 20 years. The discharge of sediment from these channelized networks in West Tennessee varies systematically with the stage of channel evolution. Variations in yields over time reflect the shifting dominance of fluvial and mass-wasting processes as the networks adjust to lower energy conditions. Maximum bed-material discharges occur during the initial phases of degradation (Stage III). In contrast, yields of suspended-sediment peak during the threshold stage (Stage 1V: large-scale mass wasting) as sediments are delivered from main-channel banks and tributary beds. Suspended-sediment yields then decrease as aggradation (Stage V) becomes the dominant trend in the main channels, but remains relatively high through restabiliza-tion (Stage VI) because of continued degradation and widening in the tributaries. Bed-material discharges decrease from the degradation stage (III) to Stage V, and increase again during restabiliza-tion (Stage VI) because secondary aggradation increases gradients and incipient meandering serves to rework bed sediments. This secondary maxima in bed-material discharge is analogous to those described previously as complex, or oscillatory, response. The trends of sediment production and transport described from these rejuvenated networks are in agreement with experimental and theoretical results of earlier investigations.     

Organizational change and the greening process at amoco

Implementing environmentalism in the internal operations of a firm requires a reassignment of responsibilities and functions. New job tasks are created while old ones are altered to incorporate new perspectives and responsibilities that reflect broader societal demands. In essence, what evolves is a new firm, but what exactly does this mean? After a broad analysis of the environmental transformation of American industry, four basic changes within the organizational framework of dealing with environmentalism are identified: an evolution of the environmental management function, alteration of the overall structure of the organization, expansion of the boundaries of the firm, and changes in corporate culture. The author shows how these shifts occur in sequential order as increasing uncertainty promotes the search for answers from more diverse sources. Ultimately, as environmentalism continues to evolve, it increasingly infuses itself into the corporate culture. The following article presents this model and a case study of the Amoco Corporation.     

长白山温带森林挥发性有机物的排放通量

2010年夏季,在长白山温带森林开展了挥发性有机物(VOC)排放通量以及气象参数、PAR的综合测量.VOC排放通量采用松弛涡度积累(RelaxedEddyAccumulation)技术在森林冠层上进行测量.初步发现长白山阔叶林主要排放α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯、莰烯、香桧烯、月桂烯、蒈烯、柠檬烯、罗勒烯、松油烯、繖花烃、萜品油烯、三环烯等.研究表明,长白山阔叶混交林VOC排放有明显的日变化——早晚较低和中午前后较高.2010年夏季,单萜烯总排放通量的平均值为0.242mg·m·h-2-1,其变化范围为0.005～1.668mg·m·h-2-1;各成分排放通量的平均值(和最大值)分别为α-蒎烯0.072(0.234)、莰烯0.028(0.356)、月桂烯0.027(0.433)、蒈烯0.023(0.173)、柠檬烯0.037(0.197)、罗勒烯0.016(0.168)、萜品油烯0.053(0.320)、繖花烃0.067(0.755)mg·m·h-2-1.研究还发现VOC排放通量与气温之间存在一定的联系.     

Linking place preferences with place meaning: An examination of the relationship between place motivation and place attachment

Using data collected from residents surrounding a large urban park setting, we examined the relationship between their motivation to visit the park and their attachment to the setting. Based on the literature suggesting that natural environments provide humans with a variety of desired psychological, social, and physiological outcomes, we hypothesized that these outcomes would motivate respondents to interact with the park environment and facilitate the development of their attachment to the setting. Our data were analysed using covariance structure analysis. The results of this analysis offered partial support for our hypothesized model. Using multidimensional conceptualizations of motivation and place attachment, we observed that not all dimensions of motivation had a significant effect on the dimensions of place attachment. The valence of the significant predictors, however, was consistent with our hypotheses and prior literature.