Interactive Effects of Harvest and Deer Herbivory on the Population Dynamics of American Ginseng

Abstract:  Few demographic models for any species consider the role of multiple, interacting ecological threats. Many forest herbs are heavily browsed by white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) and a number of these are also harvested for the medicinal, floral, or horticultural trades. Previous studies of the viability of American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius ) have separately examined the effects of harvesting and deer herbivory. We followed individually marked ginseng plants in 6 populations for 8 years and documented deer browse levels, conducted helicopter surveys to estimate the deer herd size, and documented 2 ginseng harvests. We used this long-term data set to develop a stochastic demographic model that quantified the separate and interactive role of these threats to ginseng viability. Although harvesting and deer herbivory negatively affected ginseng population growth, their effects were not additive. Deer herbivory negatively affected population growth in the absence but not in the presence of harvesting. Life table response experiments revealed that in the presence of harvesting, deer herbivory had some positive effects on vital rates because browsed plants were less apparent to harvesters. Ginseng populations that were harvested responsibly (i.e., planting seeds from harvested individuals) had higher growth rates than those that were harvested irresponsibly. We concluded that both deer populations and harvesting must be managed to ensure sustainable populations of American ginseng. Our findings underscore the importance of long-term monitoring to assess threats to viability and the need for a broad ecological understanding of the complexity of ecosystem management.     

Linking intra-seasonal variations in climate and tree-ring δC: A functional modelling approach

Stable carbon isotopic composition (δ¹³C) in tree rings is a widely recognized tool for climate reconstruction, and several works suggest that seasonal information can be extracted from intra-ring δ¹³C variations. In this study, we explored the link between climate and intra-seasonal oak ring δ¹³C using a process-based modelling approach. The ISOCASTANEA model was developed to compute the seasonal dynamics of tree-ring δ¹³C for deciduous species from half-hourly climatic data by accounting for photosynthetic discrimination and carbon translocation and allocation at the tree scale and in tree rings.The model was applied from March 2005 to December 2007 in a 150-year-old deciduous oak forest. Canopy photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were calibrated using H₂O and CO₂ fluxes measured by the eddy flux technique, and simulated δ¹³C values were compared to seasonal patterns of total organic matter δ¹³C measured in tree rings for 2006 and 2007 at the same site. With the inclusion of carbon translocation and with regard to ¹³C enrichment of starch compared to soluble sugars, the model can reasonably simulate the intra-seasonal and inter-annual variability of tree-ring δ¹³C using the same parameter values for 2006 and 2007. The amplitude of the seasonal carbon isotope pattern in tree rings was influenced by both photosynthetic and post-photosynthetic processes (starch enrichment and reserve use). The δ¹³C variations in the early part of the ring, i.e., mainly in the earlywood, were related mostly to carbohydrate metabolism, although diluted information about environmental conditions during the previous year could also be found. The last part of the ring, consisting mainly of latewood, was found to be a good recorder of current-year environmental conditions, in particular relative humidity, at a fine temporal resolution when the growth rate was high. The sensitivity of the δ¹³C in the early part of the ring to carbohydrate metabolism suggests that intra-ring δ¹³C could be used to explore the relationship between tree decline or mortality and carbohydrate deficiency.     

Diversity of chlorobiphenyl-metabolizing bacteria and their biphenyl dioxygenases in contaminated sediment

Bacteria and bacterial communities in sites contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls have been extensively studied in the past decades. However, there are still major gaps in the knowledge of environmental processes, especially in the behavior of previously described bacteria in vitro, their real degradation abilities and the enzymes that are involved in the degradation processes.     

Quantifying Purported Competition with Individual‐ and Population‐Level Metrics

Abstract: Competitive species interactions may contribute to population declines. Purportedly, Red‐bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus), a common species, and Red‐cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis), an endangered species, compete for roosting and nesting cavities in living pine trees. To determine whether behavioral interactions measured at the individual level manifest themselves at the population level, we conducted field experiments designed to test whether the presence of Red‐bellied Woodpeckers resulted in a decrease in fitness to Red‐cockaded Woodpeckers. As part of a 4‐year study examining the nature of interspecific interactions in two populations of Red‐cockaded Woodpeckers (one stable, the Apalachicola Ranger District; one declining, the Wakulla Ranger District) in the Apalachicola National Forest, Florida, we conducted a set of Red‐bellied Woodpecker removal experiments. Paradoxically, following the removal of Red‐bellied Woodpeckers, we observed decreases in Red‐cockaded Woodpecker group size, proportion of nests that were successful, and proportion of individuals remaining on territories. Removal of Red‐bellied Woodpeckers may have exaggerated the immigration rate of Red‐bellied Woodpeckers to Red‐cockaded Woodpecker territories. The Red‐cockaded Woodpeckers in the Apalachicola Ranger District likely can withstand pressure from immigrating Red‐bellied Woodpeckers given that their population has remained relatively stable despite the presence of Red‐bellied Woodpeckers. A major factor of population persistence in the Wakulla Ranger District was the high turnover rate of adult female Red‐cockaded Woodpeckers, a phenomenon that was exacerbated by removal of Red‐bellied Woodpeckers. Relying solely on observations of apparently competitive interactions between individuals may not necessarily provide information about population‐level outcomes. Paradoxically, removing species that appear to be competitors may harm species of concern.     

Positive framing does not solve the tragedy of the commons

We investigate whether positive framing increases cooperation in three social dilemmas with slightly different properties: a linear public goods (PG) game, a non-linear PG game, and a common pool resource (CPR) game. Results from our laboratory experiments show that contributions to a linear PG are higher if the externality is framed positively, rather than negatively, corroborating earlier findings by Andreoni (1995). By contrast, we find no such framing effects in the non-linear PG game or the CPR game. In these games, the best response in the material payoffs is to contribute less if others contribute more, counteracting effects of pro-social preferences. Positive framing therefore does not help to solve the tragedy of the commons.     

Isotopes in teeth and a cryptic population of coastal freshwater seals

Human activities threaten the biodiversity of aquatic mammals across the globe. Conservation of these species hinges on the ability to delineate movements and foraging behaviors of animals, but gaining such insights is hampered by difficulties in tracing individuals over their lives. We determined isotope ratios in teeth (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹³C/¹²C, and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O) to examine lifelong movement and resource-use patterns of a unique freshwater population of a wide-ranging pinniped species (harbor seal [Phoca vitulina]) that resides in Iliamna Lake, Alaska (U.S.A.). This population's potentially unique migratory behavior and use of different trophic resources are unknown. The isotope ratios we measured in teeth showed that seals were born in the lake, remained lifelong residents, and relied principally on resources produced from in the lake, even when seasonally abundant and nutrient-dense spawning anadromous fish (i.e., sockeye salmon [Oncorhynchus nerka]) were available in the lake. Our results illustrate how serial isotope records in teeth, particularly ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, can be used to quantify how coastal mammal populations exploit both freshwater and marine ecosystems. Understanding lifelong patterns of habitat and resource use is essential information when designing effective conservation plans for threatened coastal mammals. We present the Iliamna Lake harbor seals as a unique case study into how isotope records within teeth can help reveal the cryptic ecology of such a population residing in an intact ecosystem. The results also provide critical baseline information for the Kvichak River system, which is facing an uncertain future due to proposed large-scale industrial development and a rapidly changing climate.     

江心洲型船闸通航安全问题及改善措施研究

船闸布置在江心洲上后,由于相邻建筑物的动水作用及两汊水流在洲尾的交汇,将会影响船闸的通航安全.为研究江心洲型船闸下游的船舶航行问题,探讨有效的改善措施,结合澧水艳洲枢纽、沅水桃源枢纽布置的共同特点,在物理模型基础上利用船舶模型试验分析船闸下游影响航行安全的因素,研究采取针对性措施后航行条件的改善效果.结果表明:布置隔流堤、导流墩等辅助建筑物只能解决下游靠近引航道出口部分航段的通航问题;综合采用拓宽航槽、优化航线、合理调度、优化船闸布置等措施,可有效减小船体漂移,优化航行环境,保障船舶通航安全.     

微量金属强化餐厨垃圾厌氧消化优化条件研究

采用L9(34)正交试验,研究了CoCl2·6H2O、FeCl2 ·4H2O及NiCl2·6H2O投加量对餐厨垃圾厌氧消化总固体(TS)、挥发性固体(VS)和COD减量及累积产气量的影响,确定了三因素的主次顺序及最优工艺条件.结果表明,当CoCl2·6H2O、FeCl2·4H2O及NiCl2·6H2O的投加量分别为0.1 mg/(L·d)、1 mg/(L·d)和0.4 mg/(L·d)时,餐厨垃圾厌氧消化减量及产气效果均最优.在此条件下,经过25 d单相厌氧消化,餐厨垃圾厌氧消化TS、VS、COD的去除率及累积产气量分别达到46.04％、61.02％、58.24％和27 433 mL/L,比不投加微量金属的处理分别高16.98％、28.12％、27.84％和48.63％.Co、Fe和Ni的投加量对餐厨垃圾厌氧消化TS、VS和COD去除率及累积产气量均有显著影响,其中Co的影响达到极显著水平;Co、Fe和Ni对餐厨垃圾厌氧消化减量及产气效率影响的主次顺序及显著性从大到小均为Co、Ni、Fe.     

基于Labveiw的试验设备集中监控系统设计

中央集中监控系统对于中大型试验场地或试验中心的统一管理、及时响应紧急状况、减少工作强度及人员具有现实而重要的意义。基于Lab View的试验设备的集中监控系统,通过对不同试验设备的适应性改造,以上位机为控制核心。通过以太网主干网络,构成环形以太网,其主要功能为采集试验设备的温度或湿度信号。