Effects of Climate and Land-Use Change on Species Abundance in a Central European Bird Community

Abstract:  Although it is known that changes in land use and climate have an impact on ecological communities, it is unclear which of these factors is currently most important. We sought to determine the influence of land-use and climate alteration on changes in the abundance of Central European birds. We examined the impact of these factors by contrasting abundance changes of birds of different breeding habitat, latitudinal distribution, and migratory behavior. We examined data from the semiquantitative Breeding Bird Atlas of Lake Constance, which borders Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Changes in the regional abundance of the 159 coexisting bird species from 1980–1981 to 2000–2002 were influenced by all three factors. Farmland birds, species with northerly ranges, and long-distance migrants declined, and wetland birds and species with southerly ranges increased in abundance. A separate analysis of the two decades between 1980–1981 and 1990–1992 and between 1990–1992 and 2000–2002 showed that the impact of climate change increased significantly over time. Latitudinal distribution was not significant in the first decade and became the most significant predictor of abundance changes in the second decade. Although the spatial scale and temporal resolution of our study is limited, this is the first study that suggests that climate change has overtaken land-use modification in determining population trends of Central European birds.     

Unusual echolocation behavior in a small molossid bat, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Molossops temminckii,</Emphasis> that forages near background clutter

When searching for flying insects, Molossops temminckii uses unusual echolocation calls characterized by upward modulation of frequency vs time (UFM). Call frequency increases asymptotically in the relatively long (∼8 ms) pulses from a starting frequency of ∼40 kHz to a long narrowband tail at ∼50 kHz. When approaching a prey, the bat progressively increases the duration of calls and intersperses in the sequence broadband downwardly frequency-modulated signals with a terminal frequency of about 53 kHz, which totally replaces the UFM signals at the end of the approach phase. The sequence progresses to a capture buzz resembling those from other molossid and vespertilionid bats. The M. temminckii wing morphology is characterized by an average aspect ratio and a high wing loading, suggesting that it is more maneuverable than the typical Molossidae but less than typical Vespertilionidae. M. temminckii regularly forages near clutter, where it needs to pay attention to the background and might face forward and backward masking of signals. We hypothesize that the UFM echolocation signals of M. temminckii represent an adaptation to foraging near background clutter in a not very maneuverable bat needing a broad attention window. The broadband component of the signal might serve for the perception of the background and the narrowband tail for detection and perhaps classification of prey. Bats may solve the signal masking problems by separating emission and echoes in the frequency domain. The echolocation behavior of M. temminckii may shed light on the evolution of the narrowband frequency analysis echolocation systems adopted by some bats foraging within clutter.     

Gap-Crossing Decisions by the Red Squirrel, a Forest-Dependent Small Mammal

Abstract:  Forest-associated species in fragmented landscapes must traverse potentially inhospitable gaps to move between habitat patches. Although conservation biologists advocate connecting patches with corridors or improving the matrix to make it suitable for movement, little is known about the factors influencing gap-crossing decisions for most species. We investigated gap crossing by the red squirrel ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ) in logged landscapes in southeastern Alaska, where the species avoids microhabitats associated with gaps created by clearcutting. We released individuals across clearcuts and determined the routes they took home with tracking spools and radio telemetry. Of 36 adult red squirrels translocated across six clearcuts, 14 crossed clearcuts to reach home. Squirrels were more likely to cross clearcuts if the detour efficiency (distance to home crossing gap divided by distance of forested detour) was low, indicating an ability to compare distances along alternate routes and travel costs or risks in different habitats. No other landscape metrics, such as gap size or crossing distance, predicted crossing behavior. Red squirrels of low body mass were more likely to cross clearcuts, where the probability of encountering conspecifics is low. Distance predicted route choice for squirrels detouring around clearcuts. Indirect evidence suggests that perceived predation risk, energetic costs, or both are higher in clearcuts. Detour efficiency reportedly influences the gap-crossing decisions of some forest-associated birds, but this is the first demonstration of its role in gap-crossing decisions by a mammal.     

可溶性有机物对土壤中主要有机污染物环境行为的影响

概括了环境中可溶性有机物的特点，并系统总结了当前国内外关于可溶性有机物对土壤中主要污染物环境行为的影响的研究进展。阐述了可溶性有机物对农药、多环芳烃在土壤中的吸附、解吸及分配等环境行为所起的作用。最后指出了该方面研究存在的问题及今后应加强的方向。     

Mass balance modeling of arsenic processes in cropland soils

This study delineated the mathematical forms for the reactions involved in the mass balance of As in cropland soils. Even mathematically simplified, many model parameters are required to define the reactive processes involved. Example simulations were conducted based on the range of parameter values and initial conditions derived from published literature. The outcomes showed that the As inputs due to fertilizers and irrigation water caused total As content of the root zone to gradually increase over time. The plant uptake and leaching were equally important as pathways for removal of the added As. In turn, the dissolution kinetics of the mineral phase and the distribution coefficient of the adsorbed phase affected the availability of the As for plant uptake and leaching. Parameters based on laboratory-derived data on the dissolution of As mineral phase, mineralization and oxidation of As(III), and the As plant uptake however appeared to overestimate the As transformations in soils. While the development of mathematical model was a straightforward process, its application to realistic situations was hindered by difficulties of defining model parameter values with confidence. Current knowledge on the processes and reactions of As transformation in the soil–plant system is inadequate to calibrate or validate the model. Studies are needed to understand the kinetics of soil As mineral dissolution and precipitation and the dynamics of root growth and As uptake by plant in soils.     

应用HYDRUS-1D模型模拟农田土壤水渗漏及硝态氮淋失特征

在定位试验基础上,应用HYDRUS-1D模型对黄淮海平原典型土壤(黄潮土)中土壤水渗漏及硝态氮淋失动态进行了模拟分析。结果表明:在传统水氮管理模式下,黄潮土2m土体深处的土壤水渗漏和硝态氮淋失非常严重,2个轮作期内,土壤水渗漏总量占地表总入水量的23.7%,硝态氮淋失总量占总输入N量的15.9%,冬小麦生长季的硝态氮淋失量大于夏玉米生长季;改良灌溉和改良施肥模式下产生的硝态氮淋失量比传统灌溉和传统施肥模式减少74.7%,节约灌溉水211.5mm、节省施N423.5kg·hm-2。     

Response to perceived predation threat in fiddler crabs: trust thy neighbor as thyself?

Prey require information if they are to respond to predation threat in a risk-sensitive manner. One way that individuals can obtain this information is through the predator-mediated, threat-induced behavior of conspecifics. We examined such a possibility in a refuge-seeking species, the sand fiddler crab (Uca pugilator). Crabs were either exposed directly to a simulated predation threat (a moving cylinder) or the threat-induced response of a near neighbor. We found that fiddler crabs responded to the flight of their neighbors even when they, themselves, were not privy to the stimulus that induced their neighbors response. However, the wider range of behaviors exhibited by these crabs—which included no reaction, freezing, running back to the burrow entrance, and burrow retreat—suggest that non-threatened crabs either (1) perceived the gravity of the predation threat differently from their directly threatened neighbors and/or (2) engaged in behaviors that allowed them to acquire further information in the face of uncertainty. Conspecific behaviors also had an effect on the hiding duration of crabs, with individuals hiding longer if they saw both the predation threat and the flight of their neighbor. Our results suggest that cues provided by conspecifics can play an important role in guiding the antipredator response of refuge-seeking prey.     

碱矿渣胶凝材料固化重金属污泥的研究

主要原材料为高炉矿渣的碱矿渣胶凝材料(HAS)、掺3%沸石的HAS、掺5%沸石的HAS、水泥等4种固化材料被用来固化人工合成含铅、镉、铬等重金属的污泥。污泥固化体中污泥与固化材的掺和比例为4:1。实验结果表明,HAS固化剂对重金属污泥的固化效果要好于水泥,其污泥固化体的无侧限抗压强度高于水泥固化体,同时其固化体的重金属浸出量明显低于水泥。沸石的掺入使HAS固化体的重金属浸出量减小,且随着沸石掺加量的增大,HAS固化体的重金属浸出量相应的减少。     

浅谈人的不安全行为与安全生产

从行为学、安全系统工程学、心理学的观点,阐述了事故的致因。其中,人的不安全行为是事故发生的主要原因。因此,只有控制人的不安全行为,才能有效地避免人身事故的发生。     

几种螯合剂对污染土壤的重金属提取效率的研究

在Cd,Pb污染的土壤上,采用批提取实验(batchexperiment),研究了几种螯合剂和不同的水土比对重金属提取效率的影响。结果表明:螯合剂对Cd的提取效率随着各淋洗剂浓度的提高而逐渐提高,相同浓度下各淋洗剂的提取效率大小顺序依次为EDTA>DTPA>NTA>PA>CA>CD>HCl。随水土比提高,相应的提取效率也提高。几种淋洗剂中只有EDTA对Pb和Cd都能达到理想的淋洗效果。