Modeling net primary production of a fast-growing forest using a light use efficiency model

As interest grows in the quantification of global carbon cycles, Light Use Efficiency (LUE) model predictions of the forest net primary production (NPP) are being developed at an accelerating rate. Such models can provide useful predictions at large scales, but evaluating their performance has been difficult. In this study, a remote sensing-based LUE model was established to estimate forest NPP. Using the forest inventory data (FID) from the regional forest inventory survey in China and established allometric biomass equations, we calculated the biomass, the biomass increment, and the NPP of Eucalyptus urophylla (E. urophylla) plantation plots in the forestry jurisdiction of the Leizhou Forestry Bureau, Southern China. The FID-based NPP and the NPP from LUE model predictions were then compared to each other. Results show that the NPP from model predictions at a spatial resolution of 30 m × 30 m varied from 0 to 265 gC/(m² month) and showed regional differences. In addition, the stand age had variable effects on the average individual biomass of the E. urophylla plantation plots. The average individual biomass of the young and mid-age forests increased exponentially and logarithmically with the stand age (R² = 0.9178 and R² = 0.8683), respectively. For young and mid-age E. urophylla plantation plots, the LUE model-predicted NPP was fairly consistent with the FID-based NPP, but the model predictions of the NPP were higher than the estimates from FID. Through the analysis of the causes of uncertainty and the possible reasons for the discrepancy between the model-based NPP and FID-based NPP, the FID-derived estimates provided a foundation for model evaluation.     

Identifying Anomalous Reports of Putatively Extinct Species and Why It Matters

Abstract:  As species become very rare and approach extinction, purported sightings can stir controversy, especially when scarce management resources are at stake. We used quantitative methods to identify reports that do not fit prior sighting patterns. We also examined the effects of including records that meet different evidentiary standards on quantitative extinction assessments for four charismatic bird species that might be extinct: Eskimo Curlew ( Numenius borealis ), Ivory-billed Woodpecker ( Campephilus principalis ), Nukupu`u ( Hemignathus lucidus ), and O`ahu `Alauahio ( Paroreomyza maculata ). For all four species the probability of there being a valid sighting today, given the past pattern of verified sightings, was estimated to be very low. The estimates of extinction dates and the chance of new sightings, however, differed considerably depending on the criteria used for data inclusion. When a historical sighting record lacked long periods without sightings, the likelihood of new sightings declined quickly with time since the last confirmed sighting. For species with this type of historical record, therefore, new reports should meet an especially high burden of proof to be acceptable. Such quantitative models could be incorporated into the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List criteria to set evidentiary standards required for unconfirmed sightings of "possibly extinct" species and to standardize extinction assessments across species.     

生态毒理数据筛查与评价准则研究

化学品生态风险评价和水质基准研究需要大量生态毒理数据,由于目前关于化学品毒性效应的研究较多,不同文献对同一测试终点的报道常常存在一定的差异,数据选择不当会直接影响最终评价结果。为了降低专业人员在数据筛选过程中的主观影响,有必要制定一套科学合理、操作性强的数据筛查与评价准则。本文整理比较了美国、荷兰、德国和澳大利亚等4个国家的5个毒理数据筛查与评价方法,并以荷兰的CRED方法为主,结合另外4个筛选方法以及现有的水质基准推导指南和生态风险评价技术导则,从可靠性、相关性、精确性三个方面详细阐述了数据质量评价标准与使用规范。其中数据质量评价包括五个方面:(1)实验设计,包括测试标准、操作规程、数据有效性、对照组设置;(2)实验试剂的纯度及其杂质的物理化学性质;(3)受试生物的基本信息和来源;(4)暴露条件,包括试验系统、暴露浓度设置及变化、暴露时间、生物负荷;(5)数据分析,包括平行样、统计分析方法、浓度-效应关系、原始数据;数据使用规范主要考虑受试生物、测试终点和暴露场景与评价目标的相关性,以及生态风险评价和水质基准推导对数据精确性的要求。这些均可为我国从事生态风险评价和水质基准研究的工作人员提供有益借鉴,使数据筛选过程更加客观、统一,同时还可以作为毒理实验论文撰写依据,提高数据报道质量。     

降雨资料时间序列长度对降雨侵蚀力平均值置信度的影响

降雨资料时间序列长度是计算多年平均降雨侵蚀力过程中的重要不确定性因素.论文以中国601个气象站1980-2009年逐月降雨资料为数据源,利用Wischmeier经验公式计算了各气象站逐年降雨侵蚀力(R因子),用简单随机抽样方法抽取样本容量分别为30 a、 20 a、 10 a和5 a 四种不同的R值样本,计算了R平均值相对允许误差10%和25%条件下抽样估计的置信度.结果表明:降雨资料的时间序列长度对R平均值的估计置信度有显著影响;R平均值置信度存在明显的地域差异,长江以南、 青藏高原东部以及河西走廊南部的祁连山地区置信度较高;在降雨资料有限的情况下,必须根据土壤侵蚀研究的精度要求分析R平均值的抽样误差及其置信度,以保证土壤侵蚀定量预报的客观性与准确性.     

Organic matter composition in sediments of the Oman Margin

The quantity and biochemical composition of organic matter (OM) in the sediments underlying and below oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) in the Arabian Sea were studied to provide information on the diagenetic processes of organic carbon under different environmental conditions. Concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total hydrolysable amino acids (THAA) were significantly higher in sediments within rather than below OMZ, while those of total carbohydrates (TCHO) were slightly lower in the latter, suggesting the presence of a larger supply of labile compounds into the sea bottom at the shallower site (i.e. within OMZ). Hydrolysable amino acid and carbohydrate contribution to TOC were even lower (about 10% in surficial sediments) than the values obtained from the abyssal oligotrophic North Pacific, suggesting that OM food availability in the Oman Margin sediments within OMZ was lower than that observed at abyssal depths. The presence of the highest THAA and TCHO concentrations in the top 40?mm of the sediment core at both sites reflected the presence of bioturbation processes. In contrast with the general view of the deep sea as a stable and constant system, below OMZ in the Arabian Sea sediments, some differences were observed in the two investigated cores indicating the presence of a certain spatial variability in OM content and diagenesis.     

A fate constant data program

A program for compiling equilibrium and kinetic constants for predicting chemical transport and transformation in the environment is described. The fate constant data are obtained by searching the literature for reported measurements, by convening a panel of experts to postulate transformation pathways and products, by using computational techniques to estimate values, and by performing laboratory studies when measurements cannot be found or computed. Emphasis is placed throughout the program on quality control features to assure the reliability of the data.     

Acute/chronic ratios to estimate chronic toxicity from acute data

Acute toxicity of 25 narcotic compounds to D. magna was determined in this paper. Acute/ Chronic Ratios (ACRs), which are often used to estimate chronic toxicity from acute toxicity data, are discussed based on Quantitative Structure‐Activity Relationships (QSARs) of the compounds between both acute and chronic toxicity data and n‐octanol/water partition coefficients, and an improved equation is derived to estimate chronic toxicity data from acute toxicity data. Application of the improved equation and ACRs is illustrated for D. magna and fathead minnow to estimate chronic toxicity from acute toxicity.     

The greener,the more cost efficient? An empirical study of international tourist hotels in Taiwan

Going ‘green’ is more than a mere fad in the hotel industry, and environment-friendly green hotels are becoming popular. The purpose of this study was to conduct an investigation into the link between ‘green’ and cost efficiency in the hotel industry. Empirical evidence supporting this investigation was gathered from the Taiwan hotel industry. Data were gathered from 68 international tourist hotels in Taiwan. Moreover, our finding differs from most of the earlier studies and indicates that ‘green’ is negatively and significantly associated with the cost efficiency of a hotel. In other words, ‘green’ renders a hotel ineffective. The implications of the findings have been discussed, and the limitations of the study as well as future research directions have been addressed.     

基于遥感-过程耦合模型的地表蒸散量应用研究

作为陆面过程中地气相互作用的重要过程之一,蒸散发(Evapotranspiration,ET)在地球的大气圈-水圈-生物圈中发挥着重要作用。利用遥感-过程耦合模型BEPS,以中分辨率成像光谱仪(MODIS)数据和NCEP/NCAR再分析资料为主要输入,模拟分析了2007-2009年美国区域的地表ET,同时利用通量观测网AmeriFlux的站点观测数据验证该模型在ET模拟研究中的可靠性与适应。结果表明：12个站点通量实测值与BEPS模型模拟的ET值的相关系数为0.7297(P<0.05),表明BEPS模型能够较好的模拟研究区的地表ET。ET在1年内呈现明显的单峰趋势,5-9月ET值较高,可达60 mm·mon-1以上,最小值在1月份,值为8.39 mm·mon-1,最大值在7月份,值为118.04 mm·mon-1。该区域ET的平均年总量为505 mm·a-1。受地形、气候的影响,ET最高值对应于南部区域,这些地区ET的年总量普遍在600 mm·a-1以上,最高值为1667 mm·a-1,对应的主要覆被类型为草地和农田;中北部和东部的大部分区域ET年总量为400~600 mm·a-1;ET最小值在西部区域,年总量小于400 mm·a-1,对应覆被类型为疏林地和混交林。降水量与ET差值呈现从东向西逐渐递减的趋势,最小值主要分布在西部沙漠。整个研究区域ET与降水量之比的平均值为0.72,由东向西基本呈现增加趋势,在西部以及中北部的部分地区比值达到最大。