Interactions between Carbon Sequestration and Shade Tree Diversity in a Smallholder Coffee Cooperative in El Salvador

Agroforestry systems have substantial potential to conserve native biodiversity and provide ecosystem services. In particular, agroforestry systems have the potential to conserve native tree diversity and sequester carbon for climate change mitigation. However, little research has been conducted on the temporal stability of species diversity and aboveground carbon stocks in these systems or the relation between species diversity and aboveground carbon sequestration. We measured changes in shade‐tree diversity and shade‐tree carbon stocks in 14 plots of a 35‐ha coffee cooperative over 9 years and analyzed relations between species diversity and carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration was positively correlated with initial species richness of shade trees. Species diversity of shade trees did not change significantly over the study period, but carbon stocks increased due to tree growth. Our results show a potential for carbon sequestration and long‐term biodiversity conservation in smallholder coffee agroforestry systems and illustrate the opportunity for synergies between biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Interacciones entre el Secuestro de Carbono y la Diversidad de Árboles de Sombra en una Cooperativa de Café de Pequeños Agricultores en El Salvador     

Geography and Recovery under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

Abstract: The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) defines an endangered species as one “at risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” The prevailing interpretation of this phrase, which focuses exclusively on the overall viability of listed species without regard to their geographic distribution, has led to development of listing and recovery criteria with fundamental conceptual, legal, and practical shortcomings. The ESA's concept of endangerment is broader than the biological concept of extinction risk in that the “esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific” values provided by species are not necessarily furthered by a species mere existence, but rather by a species presence across much of its former range. The concept of “significant portion of range” thus implies an additional geographic component to recovery that may enhance viability, but also offers independent benefits that Congress intended the act to achieve. Although the ESA differs from other major endangered‐species protection laws because it acknowledges the distinct contribution of geography to recovery, it resembles the “representation, resiliency, and redundancy” conservation‐planning framework commonly referenced in recovery plans. To address representation, listing and recovery standards should consider not only what proportion of its former range a species inhabits, but the types of habitats a species occupies and the ecological role it plays there. Recovery planning for formerly widely distributed species (e.g., the gray wolf [Canis lupus]) exemplifies how the geographic component implicit in the ESA's definition of endangerment should be considered in determining recovery goals through identification of ecologically significant types or niche variation within the extent of listed species, subspecies, or “distinct population segments.” By linking listing and recovery standards to niche and ecosystem concepts, the concept of ecologically significant type offers a scientific framework that promotes more coherent dialogue concerning the societal decisions surrounding recovery of endangered species.     

Combined Effects of Levels of Protection and Environmental Variables at Different Spatial Resolutions on Fish Assemblages in a Marine Protected Area

Abstract: The links between species–environment relations and species’ responses to protection are unclear, but the objectives of marine protected areas (MPAs) are most likely to be achieved when those relations are known and inform MPA design. The components of a species’ habitat vary with the spatial resolution of the area considered. We characterized areas at two resolutions: 250 m² (transect) and approximately 30,000 m² (seascape). We considered three categories of environmental variables: substrate type, bottom complexity, and depth. We sought to determine at which resolution habitat characteristics were a better predictor of abundance and species composition of fishes and whether the relations with environmental variables at either resolution affected species’ responses to protection. Habitat features accounted for a larger proportion of spatial variation in species composition and abundances than differences in protection status. This spatial variation was explained best by habitat characteristics at the seascape level than at the transect level. Species’ responses to protected areas were specific to particular seascape characteristics, primarily depth, and bottom complexity. Our method may be useful for prioritizing marine areas for protection, designing MPAs, and monitoring their effectiveness. It identified areas that provided natural shelter, areas acting as buffer zones, and areas where fish species were most responsive to protection. The identification of such areas is necessary for cost‐effective establishment and monitoring of MPAs.     

Understanding Interaction Effects of Climate Change and Fire Management on Bird Distributions through Combined Process and Habitat Models

Abstract: Avian conservation efforts must account for changes in vegetation composition and structure associated with climate change. We modeled vegetation change and the probability of occurrence of birds to project changes in winter bird distributions associated with climate change and fire management in the northern Chihuahuan Desert (southwestern U.S.A.). We simulated vegetation change in a process‐based model (Landscape and Fire Simulator) in which anticipated climate change was associated with doubling of current atmospheric carbon dioxide over the next 50 years. We estimated the relative probability of bird occurrence on the basis of statistical models derived from field observations of birds and data on vegetation type, topography, and roads. We selected 3 focal species, Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata), Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), and Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus), that had a range of probabilities of occurrence for our study area. Our simulations projected increases in relative probability of bird occurrence in shrubland and decreases in grassland and Yucca spp. and ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) vegetation. Generally, the relative probability of occurrence of all 3 species was highest in shrubland because leaf‐area index values were lower in shrubland. This high probability of occurrence likely is related to the species’ use of open vegetation for foraging. Fire suppression had little effect on projected vegetation composition because as climate changed there was less fuel and burned area. Our results show that if future water limits on plant type are considered, models that incorporate spatial data may suggest how and where different species of birds may respond to vegetation changes.     

中国城市热岛时空特征及其影响因子的分析

全球气候变暖背景下,城市热岛效应会加重城市地区的热胁迫,对人类健康和生存发展提出严峻挑战.近年来我国雾-霾污染情况严重,但雾-霾对城市热岛影响的认识仍较匮乏.本研究基于MODIS遥感卫星地表温度数据,明确了我国2003~2013年白天、夜间以及四季城市热岛的空间变化,并从生物物理学和生物化学角度定量分析其控制机制.结果表明,影响我国白天城市热岛强度的主要因素为人口、农田灌溉和植被活动.纬度、降水量、反照率以及气溶胶浓度是夜间城市热岛强度的主控因子.从对比城乡粗糙度、反照率等生物物理学属性的角度,揭示了乡村背景环境对城市热岛分析的重要影响.结果表明,雾-霾治理可以缓解我国夜间城市热岛现象和热胁迫,有利于缓解区域甚至全球气候变化.     

喀斯特灌丛土壤丛枝菌根真菌群落结构及丰度的影响因子

运用末端限制性片段长度多态性(terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism,T-RFLP)和荧光定量PCR(real-time PCR)法,检测喀斯特灌丛生态系统中不同坡位条件下土壤丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhizal,AM)真菌群落结构与丰度的变化,揭示不同坡位条件下影响灌丛生态系统土壤AM真菌群落结构与丰度的关键因子.研究结果表明不同坡位条件下,土壤有机碳、全氮和速效磷含量差异显著,变化趋势为上坡位≈中坡位下坡位;土壤AM真菌丰度变化趋势为上坡位≈中坡位下坡位.相关性分析表明,土壤速效磷含量与AM真菌丰度存在显著负相关(P0.05).RDA分析表明不同坡位条件下,土壤AM真菌与植物群落结构存在显著差异,植物均匀度指数显著影响土壤AM群落结构组成,而土壤有机碳、全氮显著影响植物群落结构组成.可见,不同坡位条件下,土壤养分与植物群落结构共同作用影响土壤AM真菌群落结构,说明利用AM真菌用于喀斯特地区植被恢复时,微形态(坡位)对AM真菌的影响应该纳入考虑范畴.     

三峡库区消落带土壤邻苯二甲酸二丁酯静态释放特征

为了解特大型水库消落带优先有机污染物迁移转化规律,以邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)为代表性优先污染物,采用静态淹水法研究了土壤中DBP浓度、上覆水离子强度、有机质含量等因素对三峡库区消落带土壤中DBP静态释放规律的影响.结果表明,消落带土壤中DBP在淹水前期由土壤向上覆水中迁移释放,该过程分为短暂但是释放速率较快的快速释放阶段和释放时间较长但释放速率较慢的慢速释放阶段,此过程可以很好地用二室一级动力模型拟合.随着土壤中添加的DBP浓度的增大,DBP向上覆水快速释放速率加快,而快速释放比例则减小;慢释放速率和慢速释放比例则正好相反.随着上覆水离子强度的增加,快速释放比例增加,使DBP向上覆水释放量增加.上覆水高浓度的DBP在淹水初期会抑制土壤DBP的释放而且使DBP释放达到最大值的时间延迟.上覆水添加腐殖酸后,快速释放速率、慢速释放速率和快速释放比例均增大,从而使DBP向上覆水的释放量也增加.     

城市饮用水源地生态系统健康评价与保护对策研究

开展城市饮用水源地生态系统健康状况评价,为建立流域尺度的长效保护机制提供依据.以郑州尖岗水库为研究对象,构建水域生境结构、水生生物、陆域生态格局和生态功能等共6类16项评价指标,采用综合指数法开展评估.尖岗水库水域、陆域和流域综合生态健康标准化评估值分别为54.17、59.21和57.19,评价等级均为"一般",河道连通性、森林覆盖率是流域生态健康的主要限制因子.人类活动对尖岗水库生态系统健康状况产生了强烈影响,生态环境正处于负向演替和生态退化阶段.     

高原高寒地域中重型车辆进气预热起动辅助装置研究

目的解决高海拔地域中重型越野车辆的起动困难问题。方法从进气温度对车辆起动的影响因素入手,系统地研究几种典型进气预热型式的优缺点。针对中型和重型两台越野车的具体情况,设计选型集中加热的电阻型格栅式进气预热器。经设计计算和反复测试,确定两型加热器的尺寸和功率等主要参数和控制策略,计算分析与车载蓄电池的匹配关系。结果对两型进气预热器进行实车安装后,分别经过实验室试验和野外现场验证,在-30℃实验室常压环境和-27℃的高原环境条件下,两型车辆均能在3 min内顺利起动。结论在高原高寒地域,格栅式电阻进气预热器可有效解决-30℃以上温度范围的起动困难问题。该装置结构简单、安装方便、可靠性高,便于中重型车辆加装使用,为该类问题提供了有效的技术解决途径。     

典型水库型湖泊中CDOM吸收及荧光光谱变化特征:基于沿岸生态系统分析

为进一步了解水库型湖泊溶解性有机质(DOM)的地球化学特征,本文以三峡库区典型内陆水库型湖泊——长寿湖为研究对象,利用紫外-可见和三维荧光光谱,并结合湖区周边生态系统分析,讨论了长寿湖水体中CDOM的组成、来源和空间分布特征.结果表明,长寿湖不同采样点DOM浓度(DOC和CDOM)存在一定程度的空间分布差异,但各点FDOM分布较为稳定.回水区出现DOM累积,由于受陆源输入影响有限,水体内源活动主导,具有较明显"内源控制"特征,芳香性和分子量相对较低;而周边陆地以人工林兼旅游开发为主的采样点,陆源输入在带入较多腐殖化(高芳香性)组分的同时,人为活动排放也是导致其类蛋白组分丰富的重要原因;入湖区尽管周边果林和居民生活对水体DOM有一定影响,但上游河流输入的影响也不容忽视.另外,各采样点也出现了不受周边生态系统影响的独立的相关性特征,例如芳香性特征常数(SUVA280)和光谱斜率[S(275~295)]显著负相关、CDOM和FDOM极显著正相关、CDOM和S(275~295)负相关等.同时,长寿湖水体中CDOM的生色团主要由具有芳香性结构的大分子组分构成;至少51%的CDOM波动可以通过FDOM变化来进行解释,其中回水区荧光组分对CDOM变动的影响最为明显.在采用传统FI值无法区分DOM来源差异性时,结合采样点沿岸生态系统,综合紫外-可见和荧光光谱特征,有助于对DOM组成及来源进行解析.