Linking irreplaceable landforms in a self‐organizing landscape to sensitivity of population vital rates for an ecological specialist

Irreplaceable, self‐organizing landforms and the endemic and ecologically specialized biodiversity they support are threatened globally by anthropogenic disturbances. Although the outcome of disrupting landforms is somewhat understood, little information exists that documents population consequences of landform disturbance on endemic biodiversity. Conservation strategies for species dependent upon landforms have been difficult to devise because they require understanding complex feedbacks that create and maintain landforms and the consequences of landform configuration on demography of species. We characterized and quantified links between landform configuration and demography of an ecological specialist, the dunes sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus), which occurs only in blowouts (i.e., wind‐blown sandy depressions) of Shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) sand‐dune landforms. We used matrix models to estimate vital rates from a multisite mark‐recapture study of 6 populations occupying landforms with different spatial configurations. Sensitivity and elasticity analyses demonstrated demographic rates among populations varied in sensitivity to different landform configurations. Specifically, significant relationships between blowout shape complexity and vital rate elasticities suggested direct links between S. arenicolus demography and amount of edge in Shinnery oak sand‐dune landforms. These landforms are irreplaceable, based on permanent transition of disturbed areas to alternative grassland ecosystem states. Additionally, complex feedbacks between wind, sand, and Shinnery oak maintain this landform, indicating restoration through land management practices is unlikely. Our findings that S. arenicolus population dynamics depended on landform configuration suggest that failure to consider processes of landform organization and their effects on species’ population dynamics may lead to incorrect inferences about threats to endemic species and ineffective habitat management for threatened or endangered species. As such, successful conservation of these systems and the biodiversity they support must be informed by research linking process‐oriented studies of self‐organized landforms with studies of movement, behavior, and demography of species that dwell in them.     

STORMWATER HARVESTING IN THE URBAN WATERSHEDS OF ARID ZONES1

ABSTRACT: A representative city in an arid zone, such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is instrumented to determine the quantity and quality of storm runoff with a view to investigating the possibility of using it for industrial and agricultural purposes after appropriate treatments. In an urban watershed in the City of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, quantity and quality of storm runoff had been monitored for the past six years, and the average annual runoff that can be harvested was determined. The quality of runoff is well within the range of possible reuse schemes, most notably for restricted irrigation. Treatment schemes for the harvested water are proposed.     

Sex Structure of Scotch Pine Populations in the Dry Steppe

it has been determined that the sex structure of the population is of great importance for pine adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. As environmental conditions deteriorate, differentiation of populations with respect to sex becomes more apparent, the proportion of trees of mixed type decreases, and the number of male trees increases. A tendency toward correlation between tree habitus, needle and shoot sizes, and the sex structure of population is noted. The prevalence of male trees in populations exposed to increasing stress reflects the rearrangement of such populations aimed at the more efficient use of natural resources.     

长江中上游宜昌江段水环境保护规划研究

以宜昌市水环境保护规划研究专题为例，就长江宜昌段１９９３～２０１０年水环境保护规划进行了分析研究。首先对污染物排放量进行了预测，对长江宜昌段水环境容量进行了计算，然后划分出水环境保护功能分区和水质目标，提高综合治理水质污染符合实际的技术措施、工程措施和经济措施。     

Response of photosynthesis,morphology and growth of Hedysarum mongolicum seedlings to simulated precipitation change in Maowusu sandland

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旱地作物根际和非根际土壤硝酸盐异化还原成铵细菌群落组成的研究

为研究典型旱地农田土壤硝酸盐异化还原成铵过程(Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium,DNRA)的群落组成,针对DNRA过程的功能基因nrfA进行高通量测序.根际和非根际、4种典型农作物共16个样品,质控后每个样品得到87000条序列,在相似度≥90%下划分到27952个OTUs,选取其中丰度较高的258个代表OTUs进行生态学分析.多样性分析(OTUs水平)结果表明:3/4的作物根际土壤样品中的DNRA群落丰富度、物种多样性和物种均匀度高于相应非根际样品,对比4种作物,粟作物根部土壤DNRA群落多样性最高,玉米作物非根际土壤最低.对代表OTUs进行分类,共定义到6个门(Phylum),19个属(Genus).其中相对丰度最高的3个属为Hyalangium(29.31%)、Chthoniobacter(20.33%)和Nitrospira(13.41%),表明三者在群落组成中占主导地位.结合土壤理化因子分析,DNRA群落相对丰度与NO~-_2-N、TN、含水率、TOM、pH及温度呈显著相关关系.本研究在一定程度上揭示了旱地农田土壤DNRA细菌的群落组成、多样性及与土壤环境因子的关系,为提高氮肥的利用效率和减小环境污染提供理论依据.     

近50 a西北干旱区冬季积雪日数变化特征

论文基于西北干旱区104个站点1961—2010年的日积雪深度、日平均气温、日降水量数据和NCEP/NCAR数据,利用K-means聚类分析、Mann-Kendall法等方法,对西北干旱区冬季积雪日数的时空变化特征及其变化原因进行分析。结果表明:1)冬季积雪日数大值主要集中在阿尔泰山和准噶尔盆地地区,西辽河流域、鄂尔多斯高原、天山、塔里木、阿拉善高原地区冬季积雪日数相对较少,内蒙古高原地区冬季积雪日数基本呈由高纬地区向低纬地区减少的趋势。2)近50 a,西北干旱区冬季积雪日数呈增加趋势,且各区域主要在1984年发生突变现象。内蒙古高原地区内站点冬季积雪日数变化较大,其他分区内站点的冬季积雪日数基本无变化。3)西北干旱区各分区周期变化主要集中在5、10、25 a左右,其中25 a的周期变化最为明显。4)冬季东亚大槽、南支槽的减弱与西风的增强使西北干旱区降水量增加是导致西北干旱区冬季积雪日数增加的主要原因。     

山地土壤—植物系统中汞污染问题的初步调查

调查研究表明：在山地大气、水体质量较好的环境中,柑橘（含汞量）有超标问题,其土壤汞有超背景值现象;而蔬菜土壤则无此问题,其原因可能是由于多年生植物从大气和土壤中富积微量汞的时间较一年生植物长,以及土壤中砂粒结合汞粘粒结合汞具有更高的生物活性     

中国西北地区生态环境的现状及保护对策

近四十年来,由于种种原因,我国西北原本十分脆弱的生态环境愈加恶化,主要表现存:水土流失严重;绿色植被边培植、边破坏;草原退化,土地沙化;气候干旱,水资源短缺并遭受污染;大批珍稀动值物种群濒临灭绝。对此现状,我们认为,只有加强领导,强化生态意识,克服短期行为,大力植树种草,增加绿色覆盖,保护和合理利用水资源,才能改善大西北的生态环境。     

济南市南部山区保泉生态工程建设

通过对济南市南部山区地下水补给区范围的自然,社会,经济状况调查,分析区内水文地质及地下水的运移规律和“三水”转化规律,从生态建设规模,树种选择,投资预算等方面提出保泉的生态工程建议,并科学估算生态工程措施实施后对保泉的贡献。