Testing hypotheses on shape and distribution of ecological response curves

Niche theory with hypotheses on shape and distribution of ecological response curves is used in the studies of resource sharing of competing plant species. Predictions based on theory should be applicable when, e.g., effects of competing species on the ecological tolerances are assessed or species’ diversity along a resource gradient is evaluated. We studied the ecological response curves of competing plant species along a resource gradient in boreal forests. The study was based on nation-wide soil and vegetation data collected from 455 sample plots on boreal forests in Finland. Species response curves along a soil fertility gradient (in terms of C/N ratio) were estimated using generalized additive models. Distribution of species optima and the relationship of niche width and skewness to the location of the optimum were analyzed with new bootstrap tests. The developed tests can account for the effects of truncation observed in the response curves of several species and for the uneven distribution of observations on the gradient.The estimated response curves of the major field layer species of boreal forests were not evenly distributed along soil C/N gradient. The density of optima peaked with relatively high nitrogen availability. Species with optima at low nitrogen availability had relatively broad realized niches. Niche width was negatively correlated with the density of optima. Species optima were packed and niches were narrow at high resource levels. This result suggests that a greater number of more specialized species can occur and interspecific competition decreases niche widths at high resource levels. Species were packed in the gradient where the C/N ratio was lower than 25, i.e., in conditions where nitrification can take place. This indicates that the majority of the vascular plants of boreal forests are favoured by the availability of NO₃⁻. Those few species thriving at high C/N ratios have broader realized niches.     

Impacts of Upstream Building Width and Upwind Building Arrangements on Airflow and Pollutant Dispersion in a Street Canyon

A two-dimensional numerical model for evaluating the wind flow and pollutant dispersion within a street canyon was first developed using the FLUENT code, which was then validated against a wind tunnel experiment. Then, the effects of the upstream building width and upwind building arrangement on the airflow and pollutant dispersion inside an isolated street canyon were investigated numerically. The numerical results revealed that: (1) the in-canyon vortex center shifts downwards as the upstream building width increases; (2) the recirculation zone covers the entire upstream building roof for the cases when W/H = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 (W is the upstream building width and H is the building height), whereas the flow reattaches the upstream building roof for the cases when W/H = 2.5 and 3.0; (3) when the upstream building width is shorter than the critical width W_C (= 2H), an increase in the upstream building width leads to an increase in the pollution level on the leeward wall of the canyon and a decrease in the roof-level concentrations at the upstream building; (4) when the upstream building width is longer than the critical width, the roof-level concentrations at the upstream building are negligibly small and the pollution level on the leeward wall of the canyon is almost unaffected by a further increase in the upstream building width; (5) when the buildings are placed upwind of the canyon, the flow attaches the upstream building roof and, therefore, almost none of the pollutants are distributed on the upstream building roof; and (6) the pollution levels inside the canyon and on the downstream building roof increase significantly with the number of upwind buildings.     

PREDICTING MEASUREMENT ERROR OF AREAL MEAN PRECIPITATION DURING EXTREME EVENTS1

ABSTRACT: The areal mean precipitation (AMP) over a catchment is normally calculated using point measurements at rainfall gages. Error in AMP estimates occurs when an insufficient number of gages are used to sample precipitation which is highly variable in space. AMP error is investigated using historic, severe rainfalls with a set of hypothetical catchments and raingage networks. The potential magnitude of error is estimated for typical gage network densities and arrangements. Possible sources of error are evaluated, and a method is proposed for predicting the magnitude of error using data that are commonly available for severe, historic rainfall.     

DOWNSTREAM CHANNEL GEOMETRY FOR USE IN PLANNING-LEVEL MODELS1

ABSTRACT: There is considerable potential for use of channel dimension data in planning-level models for resource and impact assessment. The channel dimension data is used to route flows and sediment through the basin. The cost of obtaining actual surveyed data for large watersheds is typically prohibitive. Predictive equations have been developed based on 674 stations from watersheds across the United States which encompass a wide variety of channel types and sizes. These equations were tested against an independent data set and found to be adequate for use in planning-level models. Future research is advocated which would include data from regions and stream types not included in this study.     

地磁绝对测量对中等地震的反应

介绍了1993年获得的两个中等地震震例的情况,并以此验证据以往震例总结出的预报公式。验证的结果与实际符合较好。另外,文中指出了该手段的主要优点及克服其缺点的可能途径,即有些台站可采用地磁等变线差值法处理。     

顺倾山体采空侧滑致灾的复合应力场研究

本文分析了地下采空情况后认为，山体采空侧动，软弱夹层为决定性条件；其变动范围、速率、规模与性质，与地下采空有关的复合应力场有关。经对观测资料分析、仿真模型试验与仿真数值模拟的对比研究，揭露了顺倾山体的“复合临空面”条件下，“复合变动”的“复合应力场”。     

“一一·二四”海难渤海风场的数值模拟

用中尺度数值模式 ＭＭ５对 １９９９年 １１月 ２４日烟台附近发生重大海难事故的渤海风场进行了数值模 拟，探讨了该次冷锋大风的风场特征和影响机制．结果表明：用９０ｋｍ的粗网格可以成功地模拟地面冷高压 与锋面的发展和移动，以及高空环流形势的演变．而通过３０ｋｍ细网格的模拟发现，在冷锋后的行星边界层 中．存在着一条宽度为 ２００ ｋｉｎ的中尺度强风带，最大风速位于 ９２５ｈＰａ，它与高空的极锋急流并不相连；细 网格还模拟出了渤海中尺度低压的发展过程，它使近地面层大风的强度显著加强．模拟还表明，海陆差异对 近地面的风场分布有重要的影响，强风带移入渤海后，在渤海海域形成一个 ２００—３００ ｋｍ的中尺度强风 区．因此，采用具有较高分辨率的中尺度数值模式，对提高渤海大风的预报水平，避兔海难事故的发生更具 有重要意义．     

广安市大气环境质量现状评价与优化布点监测

采用网格布点法对广安市城区大气环境质量进行了第一次普查监测，利用模糊综合评判法做出简易的现状评价，并评选出了一组优化点位作为日后大气自动化监测点位。     

四川省区域经济不平衡发展特征分析

以地市州为基本经济单元,以1999年主要相对指标为依据,通过综合值测算法,将全省划分为四类经济发展水平不同的地区,对四类地区平均总量指标、相对指标进行了对比分析,并揭示了其空间分布特征,简要分析了各类地区经济发展的条件和方向;以1999年、1978年各地市州GDP为例,对比分析了四川省区域经济不平衡发展的动态性特征。     

火旋风的模拟实验研究

模拟火旋风的实验研究，应用热成像方法获得了火旋风温度场的结构，测量得到火旋风火焰特有的大高度直径比的物理现象；火焰高度比相同燃料，油液面积的油池火高度高，趱戏比油池火直径小。火旋风的切向速度比油池火大，卷吸效果好，可用这一特点来研究熄灭火旋风的火灾。对火旋风火灾机理的研究提出了一种有效的实验方法。