Modelling plant species richness using functional groups

Conservation biologists increasingly rely on spatial predictive models of biodiversity to support decision-making. Therefore, highly accurate and ecologically meaningful models are required at relatively broad spatial scales. While statistical techniques have been optimized to improve model accuracy, less focus has been given to the question: How does the autecology of a single species affect model quality? We compare a direct modelling approach versus a cumulative modelling approach for predicting plant species richness, where the latter gives more weight to the ecology of functional species groups. In the direct modelling approach, species richness is predicted by a single model calibrated for all species. In the cumulative modelling approach, the species were partitioned into functional groups, with each group calibrated separately and species richness of each group was cumulated to predict total species richness. We hypothesized that model accuracy depends on the ecology of individual species and that the cumulative modelling approach would predict species richness more accurately. The predictors explained plant species richness by ca. 25%. However, depending on the functional group the deviance explained varied from 3 to 67%. While both modelling approaches performed equally well, the models of the different functional groups highly varied in their quality and their spatial richness pattern. This variability helps to improve our understanding on how plant functional groups respond to ecological gradients.     

Testing hypotheses on shape and distribution of ecological response curves

Niche theory with hypotheses on shape and distribution of ecological response curves is used in the studies of resource sharing of competing plant species. Predictions based on theory should be applicable when, e.g., effects of competing species on the ecological tolerances are assessed or species’ diversity along a resource gradient is evaluated. We studied the ecological response curves of competing plant species along a resource gradient in boreal forests. The study was based on nation-wide soil and vegetation data collected from 455 sample plots on boreal forests in Finland. Species response curves along a soil fertility gradient (in terms of C/N ratio) were estimated using generalized additive models. Distribution of species optima and the relationship of niche width and skewness to the location of the optimum were analyzed with new bootstrap tests. The developed tests can account for the effects of truncation observed in the response curves of several species and for the uneven distribution of observations on the gradient.The estimated response curves of the major field layer species of boreal forests were not evenly distributed along soil C/N gradient. The density of optima peaked with relatively high nitrogen availability. Species with optima at low nitrogen availability had relatively broad realized niches. Niche width was negatively correlated with the density of optima. Species optima were packed and niches were narrow at high resource levels. This result suggests that a greater number of more specialized species can occur and interspecific competition decreases niche widths at high resource levels. Species were packed in the gradient where the C/N ratio was lower than 25, i.e., in conditions where nitrification can take place. This indicates that the majority of the vascular plants of boreal forests are favoured by the availability of NO₃⁻. Those few species thriving at high C/N ratios have broader realized niches.     

Impacts of Upstream Building Width and Upwind Building Arrangements on Airflow and Pollutant Dispersion in a Street Canyon

A two-dimensional numerical model for evaluating the wind flow and pollutant dispersion within a street canyon was first developed using the FLUENT code, which was then validated against a wind tunnel experiment. Then, the effects of the upstream building width and upwind building arrangement on the airflow and pollutant dispersion inside an isolated street canyon were investigated numerically. The numerical results revealed that: (1) the in-canyon vortex center shifts downwards as the upstream building width increases; (2) the recirculation zone covers the entire upstream building roof for the cases when W/H = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 (W is the upstream building width and H is the building height), whereas the flow reattaches the upstream building roof for the cases when W/H = 2.5 and 3.0; (3) when the upstream building width is shorter than the critical width W_C (= 2H), an increase in the upstream building width leads to an increase in the pollution level on the leeward wall of the canyon and a decrease in the roof-level concentrations at the upstream building; (4) when the upstream building width is longer than the critical width, the roof-level concentrations at the upstream building are negligibly small and the pollution level on the leeward wall of the canyon is almost unaffected by a further increase in the upstream building width; (5) when the buildings are placed upwind of the canyon, the flow attaches the upstream building roof and, therefore, almost none of the pollutants are distributed on the upstream building roof; and (6) the pollution levels inside the canyon and on the downstream building roof increase significantly with the number of upwind buildings.     

DOWNSTREAM CHANNEL GEOMETRY FOR USE IN PLANNING-LEVEL MODELS1

ABSTRACT: There is considerable potential for use of channel dimension data in planning-level models for resource and impact assessment. The channel dimension data is used to route flows and sediment through the basin. The cost of obtaining actual surveyed data for large watersheds is typically prohibitive. Predictive equations have been developed based on 674 stations from watersheds across the United States which encompass a wide variety of channel types and sizes. These equations were tested against an independent data set and found to be adequate for use in planning-level models. Future research is advocated which would include data from regions and stream types not included in this study.     

露天矿山岩质边坡台阶的平台宽度优化

矿山发生局部破坏的边界条件主要是由台阶的几何特征所决定,台阶边坡几何特征主要有台阶坡面角、台阶高度、台阶的平台宽度和台阶组合4要素。在对整体边坡角优化的同时,同样需要对台阶的宽度进行优化。通过分析台阶边坡特征,计算出不同规模破坏的边界条件,进而对矿山台阶的宽度进行优化。通过对一个矿山边坡算例的优化分析,在不改变整体边坡角的前提下,对台阶宽度进行优化,可以避免某些大规模的台阶破坏可能,提高矿山边坡的稳定性。     

小煤柱巷道围岩变形的力学机理及演化过程研究

为研究小煤柱巷道围岩变形力学机理与演化过程,以石槽村矿某回风巷为研究对象,采用理论分析、FLAC3D数值模拟以及现场实测等方法,分析小煤柱条件下巷道围岩变形的主要影响因素以及表征特点。研究结果表明:侧压系数为巷道围岩变形的主控因素;侧压系数与巷道顶底板位移量呈正比关系,与两帮位移量呈反比关系;回风巷每次受采动影响时,变形可分为巷道稳定阶段、位移分化阶段以及位移加速变化阶段;围岩变形主要发生在一次采动影响时,此时巷道变形呈现明显的不对称,左右两帮的位移量差异明显,巷道的中心位置明显偏移。研究结果可为小煤柱巷道围岩支护提供技术参考。     

湖南慈利马尾松树轮宽度对气候的响应及1854年以来冬季极端低温重建

利用采自湖南慈利的马尾松树轮样本,建立研究区的标准树轮宽度年表。树轮气候响应分析发现:马尾松径向生长与月最大日降水量在生长季之前部分月份显著负相关(p0.05),在生长季之内部分月份显著正相关(p0.05),与月平均温度、月平均最低温度、月极端最低温度在生长季之前和之内大多月份均显著正相关(p0.05),其中与上一年11月到当年2月(冬季)的平均极端最低温度相关最好(r=0.62,p0.01)。重建了湖南慈利地区1854年以来冬季极端最低温度,重建气温在十年尺度上表现出明显的反"S"型,1854—1916年和1981—2015年处于暖冬时期,1917—1980年处于寒冬时期。此外,共发现29个寒冬年,其中包括3个寒冬时段,分别为1922—1925年、1927—1930年和1953—1960年,其中1953—1960年是自1854年以来最冷的时段。空间相关性分析表明重建序列可以指示我国中东部的冬季低温变化,而冬季低温可能与热带印度洋、西太平洋海温变化异常有关。     

Temporal constraints and female preference for burrow width in the fiddler crab, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uca mjoebergi</Emphasis>

We studied sampling behaviour and mate choice in the fiddler crab Uca mjoebergi. Once a female selects a mate, she copulates in his burrow and remains there until releasing her aquatic larvae. U. mjoebergi occurs in habitats that are inundated only by the highest amplitude spring tides. Females can only release their larvae during these tides, and release before or after will result in complete failure of reproductive effort. Matings occur over a 5-day period near the end of neap tides. Our results suggest that within the mating period, females adjust their larval developmental rates by selecting specific burrows in which to incubate their clutches. We found that at the start of the mating period, females chose larger males as mates. Since male size was positively correlated to burrow width, females were selecting wide burrows and effectively incubating at lower temperatures. This would slow down the developmental rates of larvae. In contrast, females that mated late in the mating period selectively chose small males. By incubating in narrower, warmer burrows, these females may increase the developmental rates of larvae. We propose that females are selecting burrows to influence incubation rate and ensure timely release of their larvae. Female U. mjoebergi appear to adjust their preference for the direct benefits of mate choice to increase their reproductive success.     

放牧对荒漠草原建群种和优势种生态位的影响

短花针茅荒漠草原建群种为短花针茅（Stipa breviflora）,优势种为无芒隐子草（Cleistogenes songorica）和碱韭（Allium polyrrhizum）,3个种群地上现存量之和可达群落现存量的60%~80%,其数量消长、时空变化及结构的位移均会引起群落的巨大波动。为明确3个植物种群占有空间资源的能力、相互关系及其受放牧影响的变化规律,以内蒙古苏尼特右旗赛汉塔拉镇1999年建立的荒漠草原教学科研基地建群种和优势种为研究对象,于2012年8月在围封区（CK）和自由放牧区（CG）按样带法和样地法进行取样,运用生态位宽度指数、生态位重叠指数及灰色关联度进行数据分析,结果如下。受放牧影响,短花针茅和碱韭主要通过大幅度调节生态位宽度来保证植物种群存活及其在群落中的地位和作用,变化幅度分别为0.429~0.813和0.235~0.828;而无芒隐子草生态位宽度变化不大（为0.556~0.761）,其对放牧影响的耐受性较强。在生态位重叠方面,短花针茅与无芒隐子草受放牧影响后分别与其他两植物种群重叠程度增加,而碱韭植物种群表现相反;生态位重叠程度变化与种对间的竞争能力有关,也与种对间的亲和能力有关,且存在不对称性。     

海上搜救中发现概率的研究

对海上搜救中发现概率及其影响因素进行了研究。重点探讨了影响发现概率的核心因素扫海宽度和指数探测函数的得出和应用,并提出了扫海宽度的修正模型和指数探测函数的修正模型。以期为实际的海上搜救行动提供更加准确的理论依据,推动我国海上搜救辅助决策系统的开发与应用,最终促进搜寻成功概率的提高,保障海上员生命财产安全。