Impact of Native Plants on Bird and Butterfly Biodiversity in Suburban Landscapes

Abstract:  Managed landscapes in which non-native ornamental plants are favored over native vegetation now dominate the United States, particularly east of the Mississippi River. We measured how landscaping with native plants affects the avian and lepidopteran communities on 6 pairs of suburban properties in southeastern Pennsylvania. One property in each pair was landscaped entirely with native plants and the other exhibited a more conventional suburban mixture of plants—a native canopy with non-native groundcover and shrubs. Vegetation sampling confirmed that total plant cover and plant diversity did not differ between treatments, but non-native plant cover was greater on the conventional sites and native plant cover was greater on the native sites. Several avian (abundance, species richness, biomass, and breeding-bird abundance) and larval lepidopteran (abundance and species richness) community parameters were measured from June 2006 to August 2006. Native properties supported significantly more caterpillars and caterpillar species and significantly greater bird abundance, diversity, species richness, biomass, and breeding pairs of native species. Of particular importance is that bird species of regional conservation concern were 8 times more abundant and significantly more diverse on native properties. In our study area, native landscaping positively influenced the avian and lepidopteran carrying capacity of suburbia and provided a mechanism for reducing biodiversity losses in human-dominated landscapes.     

Trace elements in atmospheric particulate matter over a coal burning power production area of western Macedonia, Greece

Total suspended particle (TSP) concentrations were determined in the Eordea basin (western Macedonia, Greece), an area with intensive lignite burning for power generation. The study was conducted over a one-year period (November 2000–November 2001) at 10 sites located at variable distances from the power plants. Ambient TSP samples were analyzed for 27 major, minor and trace elements. Annual means of TSP concentrations ranged between 47 ± 33 μg m⁻³ and 110 ± 50 μg m⁻³ at 9 out of the 10 sites. Only the site closest to the power stations and the lignite conveyor belts exhibited annual TSP levels (210 ± 97 μg m⁻³) exceeding the European standard (150 μg m⁻³, 80/779/EEC). Concentrations of TSP and almost all elemental components exhibited significant spatial variations; however, the elemental profiles of TSP were quite similar among all sites suggesting that they are affected by similar source types. At all sites, statistical analysis indicated insignificant (P < 0.05) seasonal variation for TSP concentrations. Some elements (Cl, As, Pb, Br, Se, S, Cd) exhibited significantly higher concentrations at certain sites during the cold period suggesting more intense emissions from traffic, domestic heating and other combustion sources. On the contrary, concentrations significantly higher in the warm period were found at other sites mainly for crustal elements (Ti, Mn, K, P, Cr, etc.) suggesting stronger influence from soil resuspension and/or fly ash in the warm months. The most enriched elements against local soil or road dust were S, Cl, Cu, As, Se, Br, Cd and Pb, whereas negligible enrichment was found for Ti, Mn, Mg, Al, Si, P, Cr. At most sites, highest concentrations of TSP and elemental components were associated with low- to moderate-speed winds favoring accumulation of emissions from local sources. Influences from the power generation were likely at those sites located closest to the power plants and mining activities.     

潜流人工湿地经济植物根际微环境相关指标的研究

通过对潜流人工湿地中经济植物根际土壤微环境一些相关指标的测定,探究了这些指标在湿地中水平方向和垂直方向的变化趋势与湿地NH4＋－N ,TN去除率之间的关系。研究结果表明,硝化作用强度、土壤脲酶活性在水平方向和垂直方向呈逐渐降低的趋势;反硝化作用强度呈中间高,两端低的趋势,垂直方向则沿程降低。湿地土壤硝化作用强度、反硝化作用强度、脲酶活性与湿地氮素去除能力相关性明显,且与栽种植物种类有关。     

短期暴露于城市污水处理厂尾水的文蛤抗氧化酶响应

为研究城市污水处理厂(STPs)尾水是否会引起海洋生物的氧化逆境,将取自青岛市李村河污水处理厂的尾水用海水稀释到不同浓度(0%、1%、5%、10%、20% V/V), 对文蛤(Meretrix meretrix)暴露培养15d, 分析其内脏中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)的活性. 结果表明:SOD活性随尾水暴露时间延长基本表现为“抛物线型”的响应特征,体积比10%、20%的尾水暴露6~12d期间,文蛤体内SOD活性均受到诱导,最大增幅为15.88%;CAT和GPx对尾水的主要响应特征是抑制效应,分别在暴露9d、12d时最为明显,最大抑制率分别为64.38%和52.39%;较高浓度(20%)的尾水能够持续抑制GR活性,而其他处理组中,GR对尾水表现为“抛物线型”的响应特征,即:暴露3d或6d时活性增加,而后显著降低.GR活性的最大诱导出现在暴露3d和6d时,分别比对照组上升81.47%和80.91%.研究结果进一步表明STPs不能有效降解有害化学物质以消除尾水的毒性, 文蛤内脏SOD、CAT、GPx和GR活性能够敏感指示尾水诱导的氧化逆境.     

鄱阳湖草滩湿地植物群落响应水位变化的周年动态特征分析

水位变化影响湿地水生植物群落的初级生产力、物种多样性及群落结构. 鄱阳湖作为我国最大的吞吐型、季节性浅水通江湖,其水位季节性变化显著. 通过对2009—2010年鄱阳湖3个水情期(丰水期、平水期、枯水期)的湖泊生态学调查,分析水位波动对鄱阳湖植物群落及植物的影响特征. 结果表明:丰水期鄱阳湖高水位导致草滩湿地植被被完全淹没,潜水型湿生植物受高水位胁迫,多采取休眠或耐受的生存策略度过不利时期. 该时期沉水和浮叶植物占优势,优势种为竹叶眼子菜、微齿眼子菜、苦草、轮叶黑藻、金鱼藻和荇菜.2009年枯水期鄱阳湖低水位创历史新低且提前近1个月到来,湖洲滩地的湿生植被也提前近1个月萌发,洲滩以虉草、灰化苔草、蒌蒿、水蓼、千金子和蓼子草占优势,中高位草滩以中生-湿生植物类群占优势. 平水期鄱阳湖洲滩部分被淹没,形成较明显水位梯度,优势湿生植物苔草属植物和虉草的地上部分生物量在水位梯度上变化显著.      

The Thermal Discharges From Nuclear Power Plants in Taiwan

The increasing use of sea water for industrial cooling presents a real threat to the ecological environment in the ocean. in Taiwan where many electric power plants along the coast take sea water for cooling, people are concerned seriously about nuclear power plants. There are three nuclear power plants in Taiwan. Each plant has two units for generating power. the first two are located along the northern coast of Taiwan. the third is located in Kenting National Park along the coast of southernmost Taiwan. the plants take sea water for cooling, and discharge their heated effluents to the ocean surface from the coast. the thermal effluents have variable effects on the ecological environment near the plants. Fishermen living near the power plants complain that the heated water affects the inshore fishery catch. in addition, the thermal water from the second plant is easily accumulated near the coastal zone to influence the nearby swimming area in the summer-time. the thermal water from the third plant bleaches or kills some corals in shallow water near the outlet, and this conflicts with the interests of Kenting National Park.     

Trends and Seasonality in the Nitrate Concentrations and Loads of the Bere Stream (Dorset) for the Period 1966-1986

Neutron activation analysis was used for the determination of the elemental composition of different plants and soils. Variations in concentrations of elements during the day were found. Mean concentrations, standard deviations and relationships between elements in soils and different parts of plants were studied. It was shown that the behaviour of chemical elements in samples from urban and unpolluted areas have significant differences.     

Introducing a new metal accumulator plant and the evaluation of its ability in removing heavy metals

A field study was conducted in a dried waste pool of a lead (Pb) mine in Arak (Iran) to find the accumulator plant(s) and to evaluate the amount of metal bioaccumulation in the root and shoot portion of the naturally growing vegetation. Concentrations of heavy metals were determined both in the soil and the plants that were grown in the dried waste pool. The concentrations of total Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni in the waste pool were found to be higher than the natural soil and the toxic levels. The results showed that six dominant vegetations, namely, Centaurea virgata, Eleagnum angustifolia, Euphorbia macroclada, Gundelia tournefortii, Reseda lutea, and Scariola orientalis accumulated heavy metals. Based on the results, it was concluded that E. macroclada belonging to Euphorbiaceae is the best Pb accumulator and also a good accumulator for Zn, Cu, and Ni. The bioaccumulation ability of E. macroclada was evaluated in experimental pots. The study showed that the amount of heavy metals in polluted soils decreased several times during two years of phytoremediation. The accumulation of metal in the root, leaves, and shoot portions of E. macroclada varied significantly, but all the concentrations were within the toxic limits. Based on the obtained data, E. macroclada is an effective accumulator plant for soil detoxification and phytoremediation in critical conditions.     

Deposition and resorption of organic aerosol constituents in the respiratory tract as calculated from particle size distribution data

Data on the particle size distributions of organic aerosol constituents were used as input for a study, designed to calculate the fractions of the particulate concentrations of these compounds, deposited into the respiratory tract. The known relation between the deposition probability and the particle size as described by the ICRP‐model was used. The organic constituents were from the classes of the aliphatic hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids, polycyclic and aza‐heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Aerosol samples were obtained by Hi‐Vol cascade impactor sampling at suburban, rural and sea shore background stations as well as in an industrial emission site (coke oven).

Our approach uses the measured concentrations, being average values within each impactor particle size interval, as well as the integrated average deposition probabilities. This procedure was validated experimentally for eight model distributions from the literature, for which an infinitesimal calculation of the deposited fractions was possible.

Dilution reduces total particulate concentrations in the remote areas and predominantly determines the total deposited pollutant concentrations. Of these, pulmonary and nasopharyngeal deposition are most significant and, as a first approximation, correspond largely to the relative importance of the accumulation and dispersion modes of the sampled aerosol. A particle size distribution shift toward larger particles within the accumulation mode occurs upon ageing of the aerosol and reduces the pulmonary deposited fraction of the measured compounds in the background sites, compared to the one in the suburb. The total deposited fraction, however, increases. The contributions of biogenic higher odd n‐alkanes and, to a lesser extent, of even carboxylic acids to the dispersion mode of the aerosol result in an increased nasopharyngeal deposition at the background sites mainly during summer.

Since little information on the bio‐availability of organic aerosol constituents is available in the literature, the fractions of the particulate pollutant concentrations, resorbed in the tissues from the deposited material, were calculated, assuming an average efficiency of 70% for pulmonary and of 10% for nasopharyngeal and tracheobronchial resorption. A nearly constant total resorbed fraction of 20±2% resulted, independent of the sampling station or the season chosen, in contrast with the total deposited fractions, for which significant differences were observed. The predominant pulmonary resorption as well as compensating effects of the nasopharyngeal resorption level out the relatively small differences in particle size distributions observed. Based on these data, a first estimate in nanogram of the daily intake by inhalation of the organic pollutants studied can be formulated as four times the particulate pollutant concentration, expressed in ngm^‐3.     

基于公众健康的大气环境风险源定量分级方法

目前国内针对化工企业大气环境风险源的突发泄漏事故健康风险分级方法较少.通过设定可信最严重事故场景,计算环境风险源在现有风险管理水平和当地可预期气象条件下的事故影响概率和健康危害,获得健康风险(包括急性暴露风险、死亡风险和综合健康风险)并划分风险源等级,由此建立了一种考虑公众健康的大气环境风险源定量分级方法.将方法应用于太原市某化工企业液氯储罐区健康风险评估,获得了各风向下的事故影响概率、后果和风险玫瑰图,显示风险源的健康风险与周边公众的分布特征密切相关.在可信最严重事故场景下,综合风险最大值为4.88×10-6,特征风向为S风向,风险源等级为极高风险(Ⅰ级).