Effects of hydrodynamics on the distribution of trace persistent organic pollutants and macrobenthic communities in Bohai Bay

In recent years, the rapid economic development along Bohai Bay, has brought out continuous increasing of the pollution loads in the Bohai Sea, especially by the large coastal reclamation project, Tianjin Binhai New Area. In the period of 2007-2009, we collected the sediments of the main rivers, estuaries, intertidal zone, and near-shore area of Bohai Bay, and Macrobenthos associated with the marine sediments to assess the influence of hydrodynamics in the coastal environment on the pattern of trace contaminants and the macrobenthic community. Based on data derived from these samples, the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediments followed the order PAHs > OCPs > PCBs > PBDEs. The higher concentrations of PCBs, OCPs, PAHs and PBDEs were found in the estuarine and near-shore environment of the Dagu Drainage River. The spatial distribution of OCPs was different to that of PCBs due to the direction of the velocity field of Bohai Bay in its old and new topography, and the higher water-solubility of OCPs than that of PCBs. The results of the Pearson correlation and the PCA indicate that the medium diameter (MD) of sediments was the predominant factor influencing the distribution of PCBs and OCPs, most sampling sites were characterized mainly by TOC of sediments and biomass of macrobenthos. The results indicate that the distribution of trace contaminants and macrobenthic community in Bohai Bay are mainly affected by the hydrodynamic conditions.     

Assessing a Quick Monitoring Method Using Rocky Intertidal Communities as a Bioindicator: A Multivariate Approach in Algeciras Bay

A multivariate approach was used to test the value of intertidal communities as a bioindicator of environmental conditions at Algeciras Bay, southern Spain. The study area is located in the Strait of Gibraltar and it is subjected to a variety of anthropic impacts. Eight localities (5 inside and 3 outside the bay) were selected, and four transects were undertaken in each locality to characterise the fauna and flora. The spatial distribution of the intertidal species reflected the physico-chemical conditions of Algeciras Bay. The stations located outside the bay, characterised by high hydrodynamism and dissolved oxygen and low sedimentation and turbidity, had a higher diversity and species richness than the inner stations. According to the BIO-ENV procedure and CCA, water turbidity was the factor which best correlated with the intertidal assemblages. SIMPER showed that the molluscs Chtamalus stellatus, Mytilus cf edulis, Littorina neritoides and Balanus perforatus, and the algae Gelidium pusillum, Corallina elongata, Asparagopsis armata, Colpomenia sinuosa and Fucus spiralis were the species that most contributed to the dissimilarity between internal and external sites. The present study, based on the spatial distribution of intertidal taxa, yielded similar results to those previously obtained in the area with costly physico-chemical analysis based on complex matrices of subtidal epifaunal communities. Consequently, the intertidal sampling method proposed in this study is presented here as a quick, effective alternative strategy, and can be useful in environmental monitoring programs, since these communities are easily accessible and amenable to sample, and the sessile nature of the majority of the species makes future, long-term monitoring relatively simple.     

Methods development and use of macroinvertebrates as indicators of ecological conditions for streams in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands Region

The Mid-Atlantic Highlands Assessment (MAHA) included the sampling of macroinvertebrates from 424 wadeable stream sites to determine status and trends, biological conditions, and water quality in first through third order streams in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands Region (MAHR) of the United States in 1993–1995. We identified reference and impaired sites using water chemistry and habitat criteria and evaluated a set of candidate macroinvertebrate metrics using a stepwise process. This process examined several metric characteristics, including ability of metrics to discriminate reference and impaired sites, relative scope of impairment, correlations with chemical and habitat indicators of stream disturbance, redundancy with other metrics, and within-year variability. Metrics that performed well were compared with metrics currently being used by three states in the region: Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Some of the metrics used by these states did not perform well when evaluated using regional data, while other metrics used by all three states in some form, specifically number of taxa, number of EPT taxa, and Hilsenhoff Biotic Index, performed well overall. Reasons for discrepancies between state and regional evaluations of metrics are explored. We also provide a set of metrics that, when used in combination, may provide a useful assessment of stream conditions in the MAHR.     

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.     

Village pubs as a social propellant in rural areas: an econometric study

There is no place like England to witness the role of pubs as a social networking hotspot. Social networks lie at the foundations of most of the social and economic interactions of individuals. The aim of this paper is to assess the importance of pubs as natural locations for the development of social networks and how their presence affects the socio-economic activity of a given area or region. The econometric analysis conducted on rural parishes in Cumbria, a peripheral county in Northern England, reveals that village pubs have a positive influence on the socio-economic activity of local communities.     

近年渤海与黄海北部沿岸底栖贝类体内微污染物的分布特征

根据近几年的海洋常规监测数据,确定渤海及黄海北部沿岸底柄贝类体内典型微污染物的含量及其空间分布.结果表明,在36%以上的站点中,贝类体内石油烃含量超过国家海洋生物质量第1类标准(15μg/g,湿重,下同),尤其是大连湾和河北新村附近海域贝类体内含量甚至高出第Ⅲ类标准(80μg/g,以湿重计),并且,近年来大部分海域贻贝...     

On Characteristics of Production and Destruction Processes in Lowland and Mountain Tundras of the Extreme North

Parameters of the production and destruction processes in different types of tundras are compared. It is shown that there is a fairly high degree of correspondence between the structure of tundra communities and the ecotopes occupied by them. On the other hand, typologically similar lowland and mountain tundras markedly differ in the functional respect. The rate of decomposition processes is higher under environmental conditions of the mountain tundra belt.     

Impact of a small city on the structure of small mammal fauna in forests of the northeastern Moscow region

Forests in and around the reserve located near the city of Chernogolovka (50 km northeast of Moscow), forests adjoining the city, and urban forests were examined during the period from 1992 to 2004. Differences between forests of the reserve proved to be less significant than those resulting from the impact of urban factors. The influence of a small city was found to change the structure of communities of small mammals in surrounding forests by reducing their diversity and enhancing the dominance of ecologically restrained synanthropic species.     

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.