Modelling above-ground herbage mass for a wide range of grassland community types

Whereas it is recognized that management of plant diversity can be the key to reconciling production and environmental aims, most grassland models are tailored for high-value grass species. We proposed to adapt a mono-specific grass model to take into account specific features of species-rich permanent grasslands, especially over the reproductive phase. To this end, we used the concept of plant functional type (PFT), i.e. the grouping of plant species according to plant traits determined by the response of plant species to different management practices (land use and fertilization) and characterizing of agronomic properties of the corresponding species. In the model, weather and nutrient availability act upon rates of biophysical processes (radiation capture and use, plant senescence). These rates are modified over times due to PFT-specific parameters determined experimentally which represent the different strategies of plant species regarding growth. The integration of these parameters into the model made it possible to predict herbage biomass accumulation rate under different management practices for a wide range of plant communities differing in their PFT composition. The model was evaluated in two steps, first by analyzing separately the effects of PFT and an indicator of nutrient availability on herbage accumulation and then by conducting a sensitivity analysis. It was validated using two independent datasets; a cutting experiment running over the whole growing season to examine the consistency of the model outputs under different cutting regimes, and a monitoring of meadows and pastures in spring over a whole growth cycle to assess the model’s ability to reproduce growth curves. Although a good fit was observed between the simulated and observed data, the few discrepancies noticed between field data and predicted values were attributed mainly to the potential presence of non-grass species. More specifically, we noticed that nutrient (mainly nitrogen) availability is the main driver of plant growth rate, and that PFT determines the times at which this rate changes in relation to the phenological characteristics of species present. We concluded that integration of the PFT concept into the initial mono-specific growth model is especially suited to evaluating the consequences of management practices on species-rich permanent grasslands to meet feed production targets.     

The impact of fragmentation and density regulation on forest succession in the Atlantic rain forest

The Atlantic Rain Forest, an important biodiversity hot spot, has faced severe habitat loss since the last century which has resulted in a highly fragmented landscape with a large number of small forest patches (<100 ha). For conservation planning it is essential to understand how current and future forest regeneration depends on ecological processes, fragment size and the connection to the regional seed pool. We have investigated the following questions by applying the forest growth simulation model FORMIND to the situation of the Atlantic Forest in the state of São Paulo, SE Brazil: (1) which set of parameters describing the local regeneration and level of density regulation can reproduce the biomass distribution and stem density of an old growth forest in a reserve? (2) Which additional processes apart from those describing the dynamics of an old growth forest, drive forest succession of small isolated fragments? (3) Which role does external seed input play during succession? Therefore, more than 300 tree species have been classified into nine plant functional types (PFTs), which are characterized by maximum potential height and shade tolerance. We differentiate between two seed dispersal modes: (i) local dispersal, i.e. all seedlings originated from fertile trees within the simulated area and (ii) external seed rain. Local seed dispersal has been parameterized following the pattern oriented approach, using biomass estimates of old growth forest. We have found that moderate density regulation is essential to achieve coexistence for a broad range of regeneration parameters. Considering the expected uncertainty and variability in the regeneration processes it is important that the forest dynamics are robust to variations in the regeneration parameters. Furthermore, edge effects such as increased mortality at the border and external seed rain have been necessary to reproduce the patterns for small isolated fragments. Overall, simulated biomass is much lower in the fragments compared to the continuous forest, whereas shade tolerant species are affected most strongly by fragmentation. Our simulations can supplement empirical studies by extrapolating local knowledge on edge effects of fragments to larger temporal and spatial scales. In particular our results show the importance of external seed rain and therefore highlight the importance of structural connectivity between regenerating fragments and mature forest stands.     

重庆市主城区排水管道沉积物性质研究

为了解重庆市主城区排水管道沉积物的性质,调研和采集了生活区、交通区、文教区、商业广场等不同功能区的排水管道沉积物,分析了沉积物的粒径、密度、有机物含量(VSS/TSS)和污染物含量等指标,研究了不同功能区沉积物的差异.结果表明:不同功能区排水管道沉积有不同的理化性质,沉积物的粒径,交通区>文教区>商业广场>居住区.沉积物的密度与有机物含量(VSS/TSS)呈负相关(R2=0.998).沉积物污染物含量空间分异性显著,COD含量,文教区>居住区>商业广场>交通区.TN和TP含量,文教区>商业广场>居住区>交通区,与街尘相比,TP呈现显著富集特点.对于重金属含量,交通区显著高于其他3个功能区,Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd 最大值分别为303.5、539、104、1.14mg/kg.     

枯草芽孢杆菌Bs-15对板栗土壤微生物种群数量及功能多样性的影响

土壤微生物是维持土壤质量的重要组成部分,是土壤中生物活性的具体体现。土壤微生物多样性的变异可反映其对环境的响应与适应,能敏感反映生态系统的功能演变和生态环境的变化。本研究采用固体平板法研究了枯草芽孢杆菌（Bacillus subtilis）Bs-15对板栗（Castanea mollissimaBL）土壤微生物种群数量的影响,并通过BIOLOG ECO微孔板法分析Bs-15对板栗土壤功能多样性的影响。结果表明,接种Bs-15后,土壤中细菌数量比对照略有增加,但差异不显著;接种后放线菌的数量与对照相比有所减少,第7天达到极显著（p〈0.01）差异,之后差异变小,第14 d开始,处理与对照之间放线菌数量基本持平;真菌数量则先增加后减少,第7天开始接种后的真菌数量与对照相比达极显著（p〈0.01）差异。BIOLOG ECO微孔板分析显示,Bs-15使得土壤中微生物的AWCD值变大,72小时以后,AWCD值与对照相比差异达到极显著（p〈0.01）水平;接种Bs-15后增大了土壤微生物多样性指数,其中Shannon多样性指数、Simpson多样性指数和McIntosh多样性指数分别增加了4.09%、6.01%和7.20%,对对照相比差异均达到极显著水平（p〈0.01）,Simpson均匀度和McIntosh均匀度分别增加了2.07%和2.53%,与对照相比差异均达到显著水平（p〈0.05）。本研究结果表明,Bs-15不但提高了板栗土壤微生物的整体活性,丰富了土壤微生物种群,有利于保持和促进土壤肥力和健康状况;还提高了板栗土壤微生物功能多样性,使板栗土壤微生态系统功能更加稳定。     

“平面型”十三聚合铝形态水交换反应的密度泛函研究

采用密度泛函DFT量子化学计算,初步探讨了"平面型"十三聚合铝(F-Al13)的水交换反应.在B3LYP/6-31G水平下模拟了气相体系中全水合F-Al1153+与脱质子形态(F-Al913+和F-Al313+)中η-OH2(1)键合水位点的水交换反应;比较了F-Al13和K-Al13两种不同十三聚合铝形态的水交换反应特点;讨论了不同铝形态(二聚铝Al2、三聚铝Al3、Al6六元环以及Al7Anderson内核等)水交换反应研究对于阐明F-Al13形成机制的重要意义.     

基于水资源分区和地貌特征的新疆耕地资源变化分析

以新疆1995、 2000、 2005及2008年4个时期的土地利用数据为基础,结合水资源分区、 SRTM-DEM和数字地貌等数据,分析了基于水资源分区和地貌特征的新疆耕地资源的变化特征,结果表明:①总体上,不同时段各水资源分区耕地空间分布稍有变化,但总体格局保持不变。不同时段各水资源分区的耕地面积有增有减,但增加量远超过减少量,耕地总体呈现出持续增长的趋势,从1995年到2008年,共增加126.39×10⁴ hm²。②对比4个时期26个水资源分区的耕地数值、 变化和升降形式差异,可将耕地变化形式归纳为上升、 先降后升、 先升后降和升降波动四大类。③新疆耕地空间变化存在分区差异。1995至2008年期间,耕地增加值最大者为叶尔羌河流域,为17.36×10⁴ hm²;而额敏河流域耕地面积缩减量最大,减少3.15×10⁴ hm²。④新疆耕地资源主要分布在2 000 m以下的低海拔和中海拔区域,其中以500~2 000 m区域分布最广;耕地资源主要分布于地势相对低缓的平原和丘陵区,以开发流水地貌类型的山前平原地带为主。新疆耕地变化具有很强的空间差异性,与水资源量及利用状况的空间分异密切相关。     

Alternative Types of Ontogeny in Cyclomorphic Rodents and Their Role in Population Dynamics: An Ecological Analysis

Two alternative ontogenetic pathways regularly effected in the populations of small mammals are analyzed as a manifestation of developmental multiversality. The types of ontogeny in rodents are characterized. These data are reflected in the concept of the functional approach. Multiversality of development in plants and animals is considered. Based on the results of long-term (26-year) observations on the natural populations of six rodent species, the dynamics of relationships between the types of ontogeny, abundance, and basic population parameters are analyzed using an example of a background species (Clethrionomys glareolus). A trigger mechanism of switching to a certain type of ontogeny, the role of environmental factors in actuating this mechanism, and the role of the genotype as a basis of multivalence are discussed. The existence of two developmental variants is regarded as a basis for functional rearrangements providing for a high flexibility of population responses and as a mechanism of population regulation determining the dynamics of rodent fauna. An adaptive population response to a board spectrum of influences, including anthropogenic damage, depends not only on the type and strength of the influence, but also on the functional structure of the population. The concepts described in the paper may explain the significance of critical periods in the life of populations.     

A RATIONALE FOR THE REGIONALIZATION OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS1

ABSTRACT. A rationale is set forth for requiring and/or encouraging the consolidation or regionalization of all systems beneath certain population size levels based on the small water systems’ capability to produce an adequate supply of safe drinking water at a reasonable cost to customers. Estimates for basic costs of water service including personnel, other operation and maintenance and capital are made and a range of water rates is suggested based on reasonableness and acceptability to customers. Guidelines are then drawn for a moderate rate of $10.00 per month and an upper limit rate of $15.00 per month to show the sizes at which public water systems might be expected to achieve fiscal viability. Finally, recommendations are made to State and Federal governmental agencies concerning possible legislation, plans and programs to achieve better public water service through the regionalization or consolidation of small public water systems.     

REGIONALIZATION AND PREDICTION OF FLOODS IN THE FRASER RIVER CATCHMENT,B.C.1

Probability distributions that model the return periods of flood characteristics derived from partial duration series are proposed and tested in the Fraser River catchment of British Columbia. Theoretical distributions describing the magnitude, duration, frequency and timing of floods are found to provide a goof fit to the observed data. The five estimated parameters summarizing the flood characteristics of each basin are entered into a discriminant analysis procedure to establish flood regions. Three regions were identified, each displaying flood behavior closely related to the physical conditions of the catchment. Within each region, regression equations are obtained between parameter values and basin climatic and physiographic variables. These equations provide a satisfactory prediction of flood parameters and this allows the estimation of a comprehensive set of flood characteristics for areas with sparse hydrologic information.     

黑龙江省重要水功能区水质现状评价与达标分析研究

及时掌握水功能区水质现状与达标状况,对加强水功能区监督管理和水环境保护具有重要作用,为水功能区保护与管理提供建议,从而保障水资源的可持续利用。该文根据2011年黑龙江省重要江河湖泊水功能区监测资料,对黑龙江省重要水功能区水质现状及达标率进行分析评价,结果表明,黑龙江省重要水功能区的个数达标率为29.0%,长度达标率为19.6%,评价结果与实际情况基本相符,同时阐述了水功能区达标率低,监测能力水平不高等问题。最后给出解决措施是:城市污水处理及中水回用工程,水体综合治理和生态修复措施,加强水质监测现代化建设,提升监测能力等具体措施。