A Graph-Theory Framework for Evaluating Landscape Connectivity and Conservation Planning

Abstract:  Connectivity of habitat patches is thought to be important for movement of genes, individuals, populations, and species over multiple temporal and spatial scales. We used graph theory to characterize multiple aspects of landscape connectivity in a habitat network in the North Carolina Piedmont (U.S.A).^. We compared this landscape with simulated networks with known topology, resistance to disturbance, and rate of movement. We introduced graph measures such as compartmentalization and clustering, which can be used to identify locations on the landscape that may be especially resilient to human development or areas that may be most suitable for conservation. Our analyses indicated that for songbirds the Piedmont habitat network was well connected. Furthermore, the habitat network had commonalities with planar networks, which exhibit slow movement, and scale-free networks, which are resistant to random disturbances. These results suggest that connectivity in the habitat network was high enough to prevent the negative consequences of isolation but not so high as to allow rapid spread of disease. Our graph-theory framework provided insight into regional and emergent global network properties in an intuitive and visual way and allowed us to make inferences about rates and paths of species movements and vulnerability to disturbance. This approach can be applied easily to assessing habitat connectivity in any fragmented or patchy landscape.     

Disturbance cues in freshwater prey fishes: do juvenile convict cichlids and rainbow trout respond to ammonium as an ‘early warning’ signal?

Summary.  Several freshwater invertebrate and vertebrate prey species rely on chemosensory cues, including non-injury released disturbance cues, to assess and avoid local predation threats. The prevailing hypothesis is that a pulse of ammonia released by disturbed or stressed prey functions as the disturbance cue. Here, we test this hypothesis in two phylogenetically distant freshwater prey fishes, convict cichlids and rainbow trout. In our first experiment, we measured NH₄ ⁺ concentration in tanks containing shoals of cichlid or trout before and after exposure to a realistic model predator (or left undisturbed). We failed to find an increase in ambient NH₄ ⁺ concentration for either cichlids or trout. In our second experiment, we exposed cichlids or trout to NH₄ ⁺ at 0.1 or 0.5 mg L⁻¹ (or a distilled water control) and measured the change in antipredator behaviour (time moving, foraging rate and area use). We found no consistent increase in antipredator behaviour in response to NH₄ ⁺. In our third study, we exposed cichlids and trout to the disturbance cues of cichlids or trout (versus the odour of undisturbed donors). We found significant increases in antipredator behaviour, regardless of donor species, for both cichlids and trout. Thus, the results of our first two experiments do not support the hypothesis that ammonium functions as a disturbance cue in prey fishes. However, the results of our final experiment do confirm the use of disturbance cues in convict cichlids and rainbow trout and support that hypothesis that the disturbance cue is indeed some generalized metabolic byproduct.     

Spatial pattern and persistence of historical fire boundaries in southern interior British Columbia

Recent ecosystem and fire management research aims to quantify, model and understand historical fire disturbances focusing on their frequency, size and distribution. Less attention, however, has been paid to fire boundaries and their location on the landscape. Our study presents a spatial method to quantify the location, pattern and persistence of historical fire boundaries using tree ring fire scar data in the lower Stein watershed (British Columbia). Data from Pinus ponderosa and Pseudotsuga menziesii collected in 35 one-hectare plots over a 412-hectare study area were analyzed for the period between 1879 and 1947 using local spatial statistics and boundary detection techniques. Results of the analysis using local spatial statistic Moran’s I showed significant clustering of boundaries near topographic breaks. To determine and test whether fire boundaries between plots were persistent, we used boundary detection methods and developed a spatially restricted randomization test. The results revealed that out of 86 possible boundary links, 8 were significantly persistent (P < 0.025) while another 8 were significantly rare (P < 0.025). These spatial methods can help determine the historical spatial configuration of persistent boundaries and can be used to maintain natural forest dynamics.

Correlation and persistence of hunting and logging impacts on tropical rainforest mammals

Humans influence tropical rainforest animals directly via exploitation and indirectly via habitat disturbance. Bushmeat hunting and logging occur extensively in tropical forests and have large effects on particular species. But how they alter animal diversity across landscape scales and whether their impacts are correlated across species remain less known. We used spatially widespread measurements of mammal occurrence across Malaysian Borneo and recently developed multispecies hierarchical models to assess the species richness of medium‐ to large‐bodied terrestrial mammals while accounting for imperfect detection of all species. Hunting was associated with 31% lower species richness. Moreover, hunting remained high even where richness was very low, highlighting that hunting pressure persisted even in chronically overhunted areas. Newly logged sites had 11% lower species richness than unlogged sites, but sites logged >10 years previously had richness levels similar to those in old‐growth forest. Hunting was a more serious long‐term threat than logging for 91% of primate and ungulate species. Hunting and logging impacts across species were not correlated across taxa. Negative impacts of hunting were the greatest for common mammalian species, but commonness versus rarity was not related to species‐specific impacts of logging. Direct human impacts appeared highly persistent and lead to defaunation of certain areas. These impacts were particularly severe for species of ecological importance as seed dispersers and herbivores. Indirect impacts were also strong but appeared to attenuate more rapidly than previously thought. The lack of correlation between direct and indirect impacts across species highlights that multifaceted conservation strategies may be needed for mammal conservation in tropical rainforests, Earth's most biodiverse ecosystems. Correlación y Persistencia de los Impactos de la Caza y la Tala sobre los Mamíferos de los Bosques Tropicales     

Coupling urban 3-D information and circuit theory to advance the development of urban ecological networks

Ongoing, rapid urban growth accompanied by habitat fragmentation and loss challenges biodiversity conservation and leads to decreases in ecosystem services. Application of the concept of ecological networks in the preservation and restoration of connections among isolated patches of natural areas is a powerful conservation strategy. However, previous approaches often failed to objectively consider the impacts of complex 3-D city environments on ecological niches. We used airborne lidar-derived information on the 3-D structure of the built environment and vegetation and detailed land use and cover data to characterize habitat quality, niche diversity, and human disturbance and to predict habitat connectivity among 38 identified habitat core areas (HCAs) in Nanjing, China. We used circuit theory and Linkage Mapper to create a landscape resistance layer, simulate habitat connectivity, and identify and prioritize important corridors. We mapped 64 links by using current flow centrality to evaluate each HCA's contribution and the links that facilitate intact connectivity. Values were highest for HCA links located in the west, south, and northeast of the study area, where natural forests with complex 3-D structures predominate. Two smaller HCA areas had high centrality scores relative to their extents, which means they could act as important stepping stones in connectivity planning. The mapped pinch-point regions had narrow and fragile links among the HCAs, suggesting they require special protection. The barriers with the highest impact scores were mainly located at the HCA connections to Purple Mountain and, based on these high scores, are more likely to indicate important locations that can be restored to improve potential connections. Our novel framework allowed us to sufficiently convey spatially explicit information to identify targets for habitat restoration and potential pathways for species movement and dispersal. Such information is critical for assessing existing or potential habitats and corridors and developing strategic plans to balance habitat conservation and other land uses based on scientifically informed connectivity planning and implementation.     

巢湖水域四溴双酚A的多介质迁移与归趋模拟

运用Ⅲ级逸度模型,模拟并研究了不同水动力条件下四溴双酚A（TBBPA）在巢湖水-沉积物系统中各环境相的浓度、储量以及相间的迁移通量.结果表明：TBBPA在水相、再悬浮颗粒相和沉积物相中的模拟计算浓度与实测平均浓度吻合度较高,验证了模型的有效性,并通过灵敏度分析探讨了模拟关键参数.当系统达到平衡时,沉积物是TBBPA最大的储库（占系统总储量86%以上）.同时,由于较强的水动力条件会改变系统再悬浮特征以及降解半衰期等关键参数,进而降低了各环境相中TBBPA的浓度值,增加了水相和再悬浮颗粒相中的储量比例,并增加了水体-再悬浮颗粒、沉积物-再悬浮颗粒的相间交换通量.此外,TBBPA在巢湖水-沉积物系统中损失的主要途径为沉积物相的降解（占入湖总量87%以上）.     

电离层对短波测向系统的影响分析

目的研究电离层对短波测向系统的影响。方法从电离层传播介质入手,分析路径偏离效应和波干涉效应的形成机理及其对短波测向的影响。结果电离层系统倾斜引起的测向误差可借助电离层长期预测模型、短期预测算法或电离层实时探测数据对测向方位偏差进行补偿。行波扰动不可预测,只能依据行波扰动观测结果进行测向误差校正。波干涉误差可通过时间平滑进行抑制。结论提升现有短波测向系统测向性能的根本途径是为短波测向系统配备电离层探测设备,准确获取系统覆盖区内电离层状态信息,并进行传播效应补偿。     

镉污染应急处置含镉絮体稳定性实验研究

以广西龙江河镉污染应急处置过程中产生的含镉絮体为研究对象,在探讨扰动及pH对絮体稳定性影响的基础上,考察了絮体在模拟静态水库和酸性洪水中的稳定性.结果表明,扰动及pH对絮体稳定性的影响较大,扰动条件下,Cd2+浓度随河水初始pH变化规律为:pH 5.0>>pH 6.0>pH 7.0≈pH 8.0>pH 9.0,当pH为5.0时,Cd2+浓度较高,超标19～58倍;当pH为6.0、7.0、8.0和9.0时,Cd2+浓度不超标至超标11倍.含镉絮体在扰动水环境中释镉量较大,大部分样品的Cd2+浓度高于5.0μg.L-1,最大超标1倍;而在模拟静态水库中的释镉量较小,所有样品中Cd2+浓度均低于5.0μg.L-1,未超标,可见含镉絮体在模拟静态水库中稳定性较好.含镉絮体在模拟酸性洪水中释镉量大,Cd2+浓度超标14～25倍,稳定性差.因此,在龙江河的生态环境影响后评估工作中应加强洪水期的监测.     

一座南亚热带中富营养水库夏季浮游植物群落的稳态平衡分析

于2009年7月23日~9月12日(共8周)研究了广东省大沙河水库湖泊区表层5 m水柱浮游植物群落结构和演替过程及其环境影响因子.降雨明显分为二个阶段,前4周降雨丰富,后4周降雨稀少;水体的透明度与水温也相应地分为二个阶段,但营养盐水平没有明显的变化.平均N/P为33,而可溶解磷浓度很低,说明浮游植物的生长受磷的限制较为强烈.浮游植物种类分析中共检到藻类64种,生物量变化为0.95~2.03 mg L-1,主要由绿藻、甲藻和蓝藻组成.1~5周浮游植物的总生物量变化较大,后3周总生物量变化相对较小.在整个采样期间,光角角星鼓藻(Staurastrum muticum)为第一优势种,弯曲角星鼓藻藻(Staurastrum inflexum)为第二优势种(二者约占总生物量的70%);在1~5周第三个优势种的种类和生物量有较大的变化,6~8周第三优势种为飞燕角甲藻(Ceratium hirundinella)且前3个优势种的组成和生物量较稳定(共占到总生物量的80%以上),群落结构处于稳态平衡状态.降雨带来的干扰是影响浮游植物群落稳态平衡的主要因子.当降雨的干扰结束后,浮游植物之间通过1周左右的竞争,浮游植物群落达到稳态平衡.     

风浪模拟扰动下梅梁湾沉积物的实验研究

在太湖梅梁湾采取沉积物原状芯样,利用沉积物再悬浮振荡器,以100r/min的步长逐步增大隔栅的振荡频率使其在0-800r/min范围内振荡,进行0-0.53N/m2底部切应力条件下的沉积物悬浮模拟实验,揭示上覆水中悬浮颗粒物(SPM)、上覆水中可溶性磷(SRP)以及因扰动引起悬浮的颗粒物生物可利用磷(BAP)与切应力水平之间的关系。扰动实验结果表明:(1)上覆水中SPM的含量随切应力的增加而增大,呈现指数上升趋势,采样点沉积物的临界切应力为0.12N/m2。(2)扰动过程中,上覆水中的SRP含量随切应力增加而增大,悬浮颗粒物BAP的含量随切应力的增加而减小,且较大的切应力对SRP和BAP含量产生的影响程度明显大于较小的切应力。(3)上覆水中SRP的含量在临界切应力0.12N/m2后明显上升,悬浮颗粒物BAP的含量在临界切应力0.12N/m2时急剧下降,临界切应力对悬浮过程中营养盐磷的释放影响很大。