Biomanipulation of hypereutrophic ponds: when it works and why it fails

Phytoplankton, zooplankton, submerged vegetation and main nutrients have been monitored in 48 eutrophic ponds from the Brussels Capital Region (Belgium) between 2005 and 2008. Nine ponds have been biomanipulated in order to improve their ecological quality and prevent the occurrence of noxious cyanobacterial blooms. The 4-year study of a large number of ponds allowed identification of the factors having the strongest influence on phytoplankton growth. Continuous monitoring of the biomanipulated ponds allowed the significance of changes caused by biomanipulation to be tested as well as the main reasons of biomanipulation successes and failures to be elucidated. The main factors controlling phytoplankton in the ponds studied appeared to be grazing by large cladocerans and inhibition of phytoplankton growth by submerged vegetation. Biomanipulation resulted in a significant decrease in phytoplankton biomass in general and biomass of bloom-forming cyanobacteria in particular that were associated with a significant increase in large Cladocera density and size. In six out of nine ponds biomanipulation resulted in the restoration of submerged vegetation. The maintenance of the restored clearwater state in the biomanipulated ponds was strongly dependent on fish recolonisation and nutrient level. In the absence of fish, the clearwater state could be maintained by submerged vegetation or large zooplankton grazing alone. In case of fish recolonisation, restoration of extensive submerged vegetation could buffer, to a considerable degree, the effect of fish except for ponds with high nutrient levels.     

Structure and function of the eversible organs of several genera of larval firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Larval defensive behaviour and eversible organ morphology were compared in the firefly species Luciola cruciata Motschulsky 1854, L. lateralis Motschulsky 1860, L. leii Fu et Ballantyne 2006, Lampyris noctiluca Linnaeus 1767, Pyrocoelia analis Fabricius 1801, P. pectoralis Oliver 1883, P. sp. and two Diaphanes species. In all cases the eversible organs are located on the pleural cuticle, dorsal to the spiracle, but there is considerable variation between species in their number, size and shape. In La. noctiluca they are confined to the abdomen, whereas in the other species they also occur on the meta- and mesothorax. In La. noctiluca and the Pyrocoelia species the organs are columnar in shape, contrasting with the forked organs of the Luciola and Diaphanes species. The eversible organs of the Luciola species, which are all aquatic, are remarkably larger (relative to body length) than those of the other, terrestrial species. On organ eversion the Luciola species emit an odour resembling pine oil, the Diaphanes species smell weakly of mint and L. noctiluca and the Pyrocoelia species produce no discernible scent, though ants are nonetheless repelled by contact with everted L. noctiluca organs. The organs of all the species studied support protuberances on their external surface, though these too vary in shape, size and ornamentation between species. In all species except L. noctiluca each protuberance is connected to a well-developed globular body via a long, thick stalk. Circular foveae are located in the centres of these globular bodies. The globular bodies consist of secretory cells characterized by the presence of numerous mitochondria and an extensive system of cisternae and tubular endoplasmic reticulum. Behavioural tests revealed that small larvae run away instead of becoming immobile and glowing, whereas large larvae start to glow when disturbed. The study shows that the eversible larval organs form an important part of a defensive arsenal in the Lampyridae.     

Settlement of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macoma balthica</Emphasis> larvae in response to benthic diatom films

The role of multi-species benthic diatom films (BDF) in the settlement of late pediveliger larvae of the bivalve Macoma balthica was investigated in still-water bioassays and multiple choice flume experiments. Axenic diatom cultures that were isolated from a tidal mudflat inhabited by M. balthica were selected to develop BDF sediment treatments characterized by a different community structure, biomass, and amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Control sediments had no added diatoms. Although all larvae settled and initiated burrowing within the first minute after their addition in still water, regardless of treatment, only 48–52% had completely penetrated the high diatom biomass treatments after 5 min, while on average 80 and 69% of the larvae had settled and burrowed into the control sediments and BDF with a low diatom biomass (<3.5 μg Chl a g⁻¹ dry sediment), respectively. The percentage of larvae settling and burrowing into the sediment was negatively correlated with the concentration of Chl a and EPS of the BDF. This suggests higher physical resistance to bivalve penetration by the BDF with higher diatom biomass and more associated sugar and protein compounds. The larval settlement rate in annular flume experiments at flow velocities of 5 and 15 cm s⁻¹ was distinctly lower compared to the still-water assays. Only 4.6–5.8% of the larvae were recovered from BDF and control sediments after 3 h. Nonetheless, a clear settlement preference was observed for BDF in the flume experiments; i.e., larvae settled significantly more in BDF compared to control sediments irrespective of flow speed. Comparison with the settlement of polystyrene mimics and freeze-killed larvae led to the conclusion that active selection, active secondary dispersal and, at low flow velocities (5 cm s⁻¹), passive adhesion to the sediment are important mechanisms determining the settlement of M. balthica larvae in estuarine biofilms.     

Modelling tritrophic interactions mediated by induced defence volatiles

Many plant species defend themselves against herbivorous insects indirectly by producing and releasing induced volatiles to attract natural enemies of the herbivores. In this paper, we consider the recruitment of natural enemies attracted by plant-induced volatiles and introduce the An–Liu–Johnson–Lovett model into the Lotka–Volterra model in an attempt to add this missing vital link in tritrophic interaction. Increase in attraction strength of plant-induced volatiles to the natural enemy leads to high fluctuation amplitude of plant biomass and herbivore population. When the attack strength of natural enemies reaches a certain level, fluctuation amplitude of plant biomass and herbivore population will decrease and plant biomass will approach to its environmental carrying capacity. The simulation demonstrates that plant volatile compounds induced by insects have led to the introduction of a third tritrophic level, e.g., natural enemies, into the plant–herbivore system, resulting in the coexistence of plants, insects, and natural enemies during the evolution process.     

Management of the belgian coast: Opinions and solutions

Since the beginning of the 20th century the Belgian coast has undergone important changes of which an overview is presented here. To determine the view of the Belgian public on the Belgian coast and in order to obtain their opinions and solutions to the problems along the Belgian coast, a questionnaire survey was conducted with a total of 100 respondents divided into five groups, all active in the coastal zone. The five groups included (1) politicians on various levels of authority, (2) coastal entrepreneurs and business people, (3) naturalists and scientists, (4) coastal residents and (5) tourists. Coastal zone problems, as perceived by the different groups, and their solutions are discussed. Former municipalities, in particular, were held responsible for the current coastal problems. Most respondents were skeptic about the application of recent juridical instruments (e.g. the Dune Decree), the structural plans and their power to protect the remaining natural areas. The root of the problems seems to lie in lack of coordination and communication between different authorities responsible for the coastal zone.     

两种主要泥石流排导槽的比较

通过大量的实例工程的考察,对两种主要泥石流排导槽－东川槽和V型槽的设计,投资及运行现状进行比较,分析总强出排种导槽各自的优缺点,以供以后设计时参考,优化设计,更有效防治泥石流,节约投资,保护生命财产安全。     

Evidence for two genetically and chemically defined host races of Tyria jacobaeae (Arctiidae, Lepidoptera)

Summary. A widely distributed host race of Tyria jacobaeae lives on Senecio jacobaea and related species and accumulates pyrrolizidine alkaloids (“PA race”), another race, which is restricted to the Alps and found on Petasites paradoxus, sequesters sesquiterpenes, such as petasol and isopetasol. Nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene show 1% sequence divergence, indicating that genetical differences exist between the PA exploiting and the terpene-sequestering host races of T. jacobaeae. This finding suggests that both host races of T. jacobaeae must have been separated for some time already, possibly since the Pleistocene. Received 2 May 2001; accepted 1 June 2001.