锡林河流域Cyanobacteria群落空间分化及其与环境因子的关系

为阐明蓝细菌（Cyanobacteria）群落的空间分化及其与环境因子的关系,本研究采集了锡林河流域河床中心湍流区、河床边缘缓流区、牛轭湖滞流区、低河漫滩、高河漫滩、阶地羊草及大针茅草原样带等28个沉积物/土壤样品进行细菌16S rRNA基因高通量测序及生物信息学分析.结果显示,Cyanobacteria群落存在明显的空间分化特征并能对环境因子做出敏感响应.Leptolyngbya和Phormidium等关联的5个种群主要分布在高氨中盐相对中富营养的缓滞流区,其丰度与氨态氮、总有机碳等存在正相关关系,推测与水华形成有关;Caenarcaniphilales关联的种群分布在低氨低盐相对寡营养的湍流区,其丰度仅与砂粒存在正相关关系,推测与固氮作用有关;ML635J-21关联的种群分布在中氨高盐相对全营养的高河漫滩及阶地土壤中,其丰度与粉黏粒及盐度等存在正相关关系,可能与生物土壤结皮形成过程有关.变异权重分析显示,氨态氮、盐度、总有机碳分别解释了Cyanobacteria群落空间分化的51.1%、23.9%、15.1%,说明这些环境因子的变化与Cyanobacteria群落的空间分化密切相关.研究结果可为锡林河流域草原牧区生态安全评价和生物多样性可持续管理提供科学依据.     

浑河底泥古菌群落结构季节性变化特征

为探究不同水期河流底泥古菌群落结构特征,选取浑河底泥为研究对象,并于2014年4月(枯水期),9月(丰水期),11月(平水期)对浑河流域进行样品采样,通过PCR-DGGE技术获得3个水期古菌的DGGE指纹图谱,并进行数据分析.结果表明,平水期的古菌多样性和种群丰度都要好于枯水期和丰水期,多样性指数均高于2.10,种群丰度均高于0.94,且上游到下游均匀度波动平缓,数值维持在0.90左右,说明平水期浑河底泥古菌群落结构变化相对稳定.聚类分析结果表明,不同水期浑河底泥古菌群落结构多样性并没有明显的地区特征,但3个水期位于城市段的采样点的古菌亲缘性较为接近.冗余梯度分析(RDA)结果表明,枯水期时水中BOD5、p H和DO是影响古菌群落的主要因素;丰水期时水中的p H和NO-3-N是影响古菌群落的主要因素;平水期时水中的TP和NO-2-N是影响古菌群落的主要因素.     

Biodiversity Consequences of Genetic Variation in Bark Characteristics within a Foundation Tree Species

Abstract: The developing field of community genetics has the potential to broaden the contribution of genetics to conservation biology by demonstrating that genetic variation within foundation plant species can act to structure associated communities of microorganisms, invertebrates, and vertebrates. We assessed the biodiversity consequences of natural patterns of intraspecific genetic variation within the widely distributed Australian forest tree, Eucalyptus globulus. We assessed genetic variation among geographic races of E. globulus (i.e., provenances, seed zones) in the characteristics of tree‐trunk bark in a 17‐year‐old common garden and the associated response of a dependent macroarthropod community. In total, 180 macroarthropod taxa were identified following a collection from 100 trees of five races. We found substantial genetically based variation within E. globulus in the quantity and type of decorticating bark. In the community of organisms associated with this bark, significant variation existed among trees of different races in composition, and there was a two‐fold difference in species richness (7–14 species) and abundance (22–55 individuals) among races. This community variation was tightly linked with genetically based variation in bark, with 60% of variation in community composition driven by bark characteristics. No detectable correlation was found, however, with neutral molecular markers. These community‐level effects of tree genetics are expected to extend to higher trophic levels because of the extensive use of tree trunks as foraging zones by birds and marsupials. Our results demonstrate the potential biodiversity benefits that may be gained through conservation of intraspecific genetic variation within broadly distributed foundation species. The opportunities for enhancing biodiversity values of forestry and restoration plantings are also highlighted because such planted forests are increasingly becoming the dominant forest type in many areas of the world.     

The role of learning in sustainable communities of practice

This paper adds to the literature on skills for sustainable communities by examining the role and processes of learning in “communities of practice” that exist within a “grassroots association”. Interviews were conducted with participants in the communities of practice of a student group called Green Action, which engages with environmental issues in practical ways. The findings demonstrate how learning occurred in the communities of practice, how participants gained skills and knowledge for sustainable consumption, and how learning in the communities of practice appeared to help Green Action to sustain itself in the long-term. This paper could serve as a useful demonstration to others as to how to apply the theories and concepts from the literature on communities of practice when researching skills and knowledge for sustainable communities. It also has some value for grassroots associations themselves in understanding their own activities.     

How communities' perceptions of disasters influence disaster response: managing landslides on Mount Elgon,Uganda

The aim of this paper is to assess the role of people's perception in disaster management. It is based on a study carried out along the slopes of Mount Elgon in Eastern Uganda. People living in the study area have experienced a number of landslides, but the landslide in 2010 had the most far‐reaching effects on community livelihoods and resulted in a major setback to development efforts in the area. Experiences of landslides have enabled the local people to develop a number of interpretations of the causes and effects of the phenomena. The study revealed that community members did not share uniform perceptions. Whereas some members advanced technical or physical explanations for the 2010 disaster, others believed that some form of divine power was behind it. Strengthening social networks and integrating communities' perceptions in intervention mechanisms were identified as possible ways of managing future landslide disasters.     

Relations of fish community composition to environmental variables in streams of central Nebraska,USA

Nine sites on streams in the Platte River Basin in central Nebraska were sampled as part of the US Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program during 1993–1994. A combination of canonical correspondence analysis and an index of biotic integrity determined from fish community data produced complementary evaluations of water-quality conditions. Results of the canonical correspondence analysis were useful in showing which environmental variables were significant in differentiating fish communities at the nine sites. Five environmental variables were statistically significant in the analysis. Median specific conductance of water samples collected at a site accounted for the largest amount of variability in the species data. Although the percentage of the basin as cropland was not the first variable chosen in a forward selection process, it was the most strongly correlated with the first ordination axis. A rangeland-dominated site was distinguished from all others along that axis. Median orthophosphate concentration of samples collected in the year up to the time of fish sampling was most strongly correlated with the second ordination axis. The index of biotic integrity produced results that could be interpreted in terms of the relative water quality between sites. Sites draining nearly 100% cropland had the lowest scores for two individual metrics of the index of biotic integrity that were related to species tolerance. Effective monitoring of water quality could be achieved by coupling methods that address both the ecological components of fish communities and their statistical relationships to environmental factors.     

Mammalian community characteristics on surface mine lands in Pennsylvania

Mammalian communities were studied on 10 surface mines over a four year period. The size and composition of these communities varied among the different areas. The size, composition, and spatial distribution of these mammalian communities were related to the structure of the plant community, and native plant species were of greater importance in determining size and composition of these communities than were those used in reclamation.     

HIERARCHICAL DIVERSITY OF COMMUNITIES OF AQUATIC INSECTS AND FISHES1

ABSTRACT: Hierarchical diversity analysis of data on fish and aquatic insects showed that the component of diversity contributed by the species level was generally very small compared with the component at the generic level or with the total diversity. Very high rank correlations between generic diversity, in which genera were discriminated but not identified, and species diversity suggested that the purposes of environmental monitoring might best be served by working at the generic level rather than the species level. This is particularly true when an index of diversity is to be used as the major comparative and communicative tool. The savings of time and money could be appreciable.     

CONNECTING GROUND WATER INFLUXES WITH FISH SPECIES DIVERSITY IN AN URBANIZED WATERSHED1

ABSTRACT: Valley Creek watershed is a small stream system that feeds the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The watershed is highly urbanized, including over 17 percent impervious surface cover (ISC) by area. Imperviousness in a watershed has been linked to fish community structure and integrity. Generally, above 10 to 12 percent ISC there is marked decline in fish assemblages with fish being absent above 25 percent ISC. This study quantifies the importance of ground water in maintaining fish species diversity in subbasins with over 30 percent ISC. Valley Creek contains an atypical fish assemblage in that the majority of the fish are warm‐water species, and the stream supports naturally reproducing brown trout, which were introduced and stocked from the early 1900s to 1985. Fish communities were quantified at 13 stations throughout the watershed, and Simpson's species diversity index was calculated. One hundred and nine springs were located, and their flow rates measured. A cross covariance analysis between Simpson's species diversity index and spring flow rates upstream of fish stations was performed to quantify the spatial correlation between these two variables. The correlation was found to be highest at lag distances up to about 400 m and drop off significantly beyond lag distances of about 800 m.