The distribution of macronutrients,anti-nutrients and essential elements in nettles,Laportea peduncularis susp. peduncularis (River nettle) and Urtica dioica (Stinging nettle)

Laportea peduncularis and Urtica dioica, which are popularly known as “Nettles” belong to the plant family Urticaceae and are consumed as green vegetables or used for their medicinal benefit in many countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. This study aimed at investigating the effect of cooking on the macronutrient, anti-nutrient and elemental composition of L. peduncularis and U. dioica leaves. The results showed a decrease in the crude fat, ash, carbohydrate and vitamin C content with cooking, but an increase in the vitamin E content. The anti-nutrient content (cyanides, phytates and saponins) increased slightly with cooking, while the oxalate content has decreased. The concentration of essential elements in cooked L. peduncularis leaves were found to be in decreasing order of Ca > Mg > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Co. Both raw and cooked leaves of nettles were found to be rich sources of macronutrients and essential elements and may be used as alternatives to commercially available nutrient supplements. Statistical analyses (principal component analysis and correlations) indicated that certain elements taken up by these plants were from common sources. Both positive and negative relationships between nutrients, anti-nutrients and elements were observed in the plant leaves.     

Testing the Potential for Predictive Modeling and Mapping and Extending Its Use as a Tool for Evaluating Management Scenarios and Economic Valuation in the Baltic Sea (PREHAB)

We evaluated performance of species distribution models for predictive mapping, and how models can be used to integrate human pressures into ecological and economic assessments. A selection of 77 biological variables (species, groups of species, and measures of biodiversity) across the Baltic Sea were modeled. Differences among methods, areas, predictor, and response variables were evaluated. Several methods successfully predicted abundance and occurrence of vegetation, invertebrates, fish, and functional aspects of biodiversity. Depth and substrate were among the most important predictors. Models incorporating water clarity were used to predict increasing cover of the brown alga bladderwrack Fucus vesiculosus and increasing reproduction area of perch Perca fluviatilis, but decreasing reproduction areas for pikeperch Sander lucioperca following successful implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan. Despite variability in estimated non-market benefits among countries, such changes were highly valued by citizens in the three Baltic countries investigated. We conclude that predictive models are powerful and useful tools for science-based management of the Baltic Sea.     

Relationships between pikas (Ochotona, mammalia) and vegetation in Tuva

The burrowing and trophic activities of four pika (Ochotona) species proved to be reflected in the horizontal structure of the biogeocenotic cover. Zoophytochores ofOchotona daurica andO. pallasi pricei burrows correspond to previously described ameboid zoophytochores. Burrows of pikas provide for the growth of pea shrubs (Caragana bungei, C leucophloea), with the formation of specific plant groups under their crowns and on rubble dug out by pikas. In ecosystems of placers, zoophytochores are formed owing to the presence of pika food stores and lavatories, which are the main substrate for vascular plants first appearing among the stones. General ecological (and successional) series characterizing the overgrowing of placers is as follows: (1) separate spots of vegetation with poor floristic composition at the sites of pika food stores (stacklets); (2) groups of spots and simplest complexes; and (3) complex plant communities of pika colonies. Food stores of pikas in Tuva were analyzed.     

20年间艾比湖流域植被覆盖度景观格局变化

选取艾比湖流域1990年、2001年、2011年同期（9月）3期I．and．satTM遥感影像,基于归一化植被指数NDVI,提取植被覆盖等级图,利用ArcGIS9．3和Fragstas3．3对该流域植被景观的变化进行了分析研究。结果表明：1990—2011年,该流域植被覆盖度变化明显,低植被覆盖区和较低植被覆盖区都有所减少,分别由1990年的34．05％和32．94％减少到2011年的32．8％和24．06％;较高植被覆盖区和高植被覆盖区有所增加,分别由8．49％和5．20％增长到15．13％和9．83％,但水域面积退化明显,由1990年的525．9765km2缩小至494．9876km2,减少了30．9889km2,退缩幅度达O．4％;最大斑块指数（LPI）由17．04上升到21．10,香农多样性指数（SHDI）和香农均势度指数（SHEI）分别由1．5387和0．8588增长到1．6395和0．9150。表明艾比湖流域景观格局混杂程度愈来愈高,空间异质性在逐年加强,总体空间格局向破碎化趋势发展。     

高光谱数据在“十一五”期间生态环境状况监测中的应用

高光谱遥感以"图谱合一"等特点在生物多样性监测、土壤退化、植被重金属污染监测、生物量估算等方面都有广泛应用。通过长时间序列高光谱反演数据NDVI和NPP,较好的反映了"十一五"期间新疆生态环境V字型的变化趋势,基本符合5年新疆生态环境变化状况。高光谱数据反演技术是开展生态环境宏观监测的有效手段之一。     

敏感地图在美国石油泄漏环境应急管理中的应用

阐述了美国敏感地图项目的设计理念、地图集数据结构与产品组成,分别讨论了其在敏感资源保护策略的设计与制定、区域环境分析和污染风险评价,以及污染源管理等领域的应用。提出将敏感地图应用于我国海洋、河流、湖泊的生态环境评价、事故响应预案编制、事故责任与损失评估,为提升环境保护水平提供科学的借鉴平台。     

基于遥感方法的小流域土壤侵蚀研究

探讨了利用遥感技术进行小流域土壤侵蚀计算的方法。应用通用土壤侵蚀方程,借助RS和GIS技术,对模型各参数因子进行精确计算,实现了基于栅格信息的土壤侵蚀计算模型。选择黄河皇甫川五分地沟小流域作为典型研究区,讨论了适宜植被盖度对减小土壤侵蚀模数的影响。     

Assessment and mapping of environmental quality in agricultural soils of Zhejiang Province, China

Heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soils of Zhejiang Province were monitored to indicate the status of heavy metal contamination and assess environmental quality of agricultural soils. A total of 908 soil samples were collected from 38 counties in Zbejiang Province and eight heavy metal （Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, Ni and As） concentrations had been evaluated in agricultural soil. It was found 775 samples were unpolluted and 133 samples were slightly polluted and more respectively, that is approximately 14.65% agricultural soil samples had the heavy metal concentration above the threshold level in this province by means of Nemerow＇s synthetical pollution index method according to the second grade of Standards for Soil Environmental Quality of China （GB15618- 1995）. Contamination of Cd was the highest, followed by Ni, As and Zn were lower correspondingly. Moreover, Inverse Distance Weighted （IDW） interpolation method was used to make an assessment map of soil environmental quality based on the Nemerow＇s pollution index and the soil environmental quality was categorized into five grades. Moreover, ten indices were calculated as input parameters for principal component analysis （PCA） and the principal components （PCs） were created to compare environmental quality of different soils and regions. The results revealed that environmental quality of tea soils was better than that of paddy soils, vegetable soils and fruit soils. This study indicated that GIS combined with multivariate statistical approaches proved to be effective and powerful tool in the mapping of soil contamination distribution and the assessment of soil environmental quality on provincial scale, which is beneficial to environmental protection and management decision-making by local government.