Structural changes in soil communities after triclopyr application in soils invaded by Acacia dealbata Link

Triclopyr is a commonly used herbicide in the control of woody plants and can exhibit toxic effects to soil microorganisms. However, the impact on soils invaded by plant exotics has not yet been addressed. Here, we present the results of an 18-month field study conducted to evaluate the impact of triclopyr on the structure of fungal and bacterial communities in soils invaded by Acacia dealbata Link, through the use of denature gradient gel electrophoresis. After triclopyr application, analyses of bacterial fingerprints suggested a change in the structure of the soil bacterial community, whereas the structure of the soil fungal community remained unaltered. Bacterial density and F:B ratio values changed across the year but were not altered due to herbicide spraying. On the contrary, fungal diversity was increased in plots sprayed with triclopyr 5 months after the first application. Richness and diversity (H´) of both bacteria and fungi were not modified after triclopyr application.     

接种不同污泥源条件下厌氧氨氧化菌的特性

2组ASBR接种污泥源分别为好氧硝化污泥、好氧硝化污泥和厌氧氨氧化污泥按2：1比例}昆合的混合污泥。在相同条件下,经过驯化培养均实现了厌氧氨氧化的稳定运行。接种好氧硝化污泥的反应器的适应期为29d,经过105d的培养反应器成功启动;接种混合污泥的反应器的适应期为13d,经过49d反应器启动成功。从2组ASBR污泥中提取细菌总DNA,经过厌氧氨氧化菌特异引物Pla46rc／Amx820对污泥样品进行PCR扩增、克隆和测序等分析。实验结果表明,接种不同污泥源条件下的反应器中厌氧氨氧化菌的特性存在差异,接种污泥源为好氧硝化污泥的反应器中存在的厌氧氨氧化菌种为CandidatusKuenenia,而接种混合污泥的反应器中存在的厌氧氨氧化菌种为CandidatusAnammox—oglobus,与最初接种的混合污泥中的厌氧氨氧化菌相同。当接种污泥中存在厌氧氨氧化菌时,该菌株经过长时间的驯化可成为优势菌种,而当接种污泥中无厌氧氨氧化菌存在时,CandidatusKueneniasp．可以在反应器中占主导,具有更强的竞争优势。     

环境因素对原生动物群落特征的影响

1999年12月至2000年11月,对华中科技大学华瑜池的原生动物群落进行了研究,共检出原生动物125种,其中植鞭毛虫19种,动鞭毛虫28种,纤毛虫64种,肉足虫14种,对原生动物群落结构和功能的研究表明：1）自然条件下,PFU原生动物群落的种类组成数及原生动物群落的群集速度相对稳定;2）自然条件下,PFU原生动物群落结构和功能不受季节变化的影响;3）当PFU原和动物群落受到外界胁迫时,不管这种胁迫来自物化因素或是生物因素,其群落结构和功能都会发生破坏性变化;4）用PFU法进行原生动物群落生态学和毒理学研究,所得的结构参数及功能参数能反映客观状况,具有环境现实意义。     

桫椤群落内主要乔木种群的种间联结性

在相邻格子抽样调查的基础上,采用X^2检验、联结系数（Ac)和种间共出现百分率（Pc)等指标,分析了福建省永定桫椤群落内主要乔木种群的种间联结性。结果表明：除少数种对外,绝大多数种群间的联结性不显著,在联结性显著的种对中,下述7个种对之间有较高的正联结性：朴树－野鸦椿、青冈－黄瑞木、青冈－油柿、翻白叶树－拉氏栲、黄瑞木－油柿、 青冈－香叶树和Song木－盐肤木,就桫椤群落而言,桫椤与猴欢喜、水团花之间有一定的正联结,与广东润楠、黄瑞木、柳叶山 茶、朴树和野鸦椿有较紧密的负联结。图3参11     

刘家峡水库藻类群落特征与水质的关系

2009年—2010年,研究了刘家峡水库的藻类群落特征。共鉴定出8门11纲 16目33科55 属114种藻。丰水期优势类群是金藻门（占27%）,次优势类群是硅藻门（21.5%）;枯水期优势类群是硅藻门,占总数34%（羽纹纲占33%）,次优势类群是金藻门（18%）。对刘家峡水库水质初步评价结果显示：水库上游水质较清洁（1#—2#站点）,中下游为轻度—偏中度污染（3#—4#站点）,下游为中度—偏重度污染（5#—6#站点）。对藻类群落特征与6项水环境因子的Pearsong相关性分析表明,枯水期影响藻类群落特征的环境因子依次是DO﹥TN﹥pH值﹥T﹥Mcb(粪大肠杆菌);丰水期则是DO﹥Mcb﹥pH值﹥TN。     

滇池浮游藻类群落构成调查

对滇池浮游藻类群落组成和空间分布开展了2次调查,鉴定出藻类8门66属159种及变种,绿藻种类最多,蓝藻次之。5、12月滇池全湖平均藻类密度分别为1.398×108、2.180×108个/升,蓝藻门微囊藻属为优势藻类。5月的调查中滇池外海藻类生物量呈北高南低的格局,而12月则呈现南部和中部高,北部低。外海的藻类生物量明显高于草海,草海藻类群落构成与外海明显不同,主要表现为绿藻门藻类所占比例较高。12月滇池外海及全湖藻类生物量都显著高于5月。与上一次(2006—2007年)滇池浮游藻类的系统调查相比,滇池(主要是外海)浮游藻类在物种数量、常见藻类、优势藻类及生物量水平方面与之接近。     

Effects of an Exotic Plant Invasion on Native Understory Plants in a Tropical Dry Forest

Abstract: The dry forests of southern India, which are endangered tropical ecosystems and among the world's most important tiger (Panthera tigris) habitats, are extensively invaded by exotic plants. Yet, experimental studies exploring the impacts of these invasions on native plants in these forests are scarce. Consequently, little is known about associated implications for the long‐term conservation of tigers and other biodiversity in these habitats. I studied the impacts of the exotic plant Lantana camara on understory vegetation in a dry‐forest tiger habitat in southern India. I compared the richness, composition, and abundance of tree seedlings, herbs, and shrubs and the abundance of grass among plots in which Lantana was cleared or left standing. These plots were distributed across two blocks—livestock free and livestock grazed. Removal of Lantana had an immediate positive effect on herb–shrub richness in the livestock‐free block, but had no effect on that of tree seedlings in either livestock block. Tree‐seedling and herb–shrub composition differed significantly between Lantana treatment and livestock block, and Lantana removal significantly decreased survival of tree seedlings. Nevertheless, the absence of trees, in any stage between seedling and adult, indicates that Lantana may stall tree regeneration. Lantana removal decreased the abundance of all understory strata, probably because forage plants beneath Lantana are less accessible to herbivores, and plants in Lantana‐free open plots experienced greater herbivory. Reduced access to forage in invaded habitats could negatively affect ungulate populations and ultimately compromise the ability of these forests to sustain prey‐dependent large carnivores. Additional research focused on understanding and mitigating threats posed by exotic plants may be crucial to the long‐term protection of these forests as viable tiger habitats.     

Hunter Reporting of Catch per Unit Effort as a Monitoring Tool in a Bushmeat‐Harvesting System

Abstract: Growing threats to biodiversity in the tropics mean there is an increasing need for effective monitoring that balances scientific rigor with practical feasibility. Alternatives to professional techniques are emerging that are based on the involvement of local people. Such locally based monitoring methods may be more sustainable over time, allow greater spatial coverage and quicker management decisions, lead to increased compliance, and help encourage attitude shifts toward more environmentally sustainable practices. Nevertheless, few studies have yet compared the findings or cost‐effectiveness of locally based methods with professional techniques or investigated the power of locally based methods to detect trends. We gathered data on bushmeat‐hunting catch and effort using a professional technique (accompanying hunters on hunting trips) and two locally based methods in which data were collected by hunters (hunting camp diaries and weekly hunter interviews) in a 15‐month study in Equatorial Guinea. Catch and effort results from locally based methods were strongly correlated with those of the professional technique and the spatial locations of hunting trips reported in the locally based methods accurately reflected those recorded with the professional technique. We used power simulations of catch and effort data to show that locally based methods can reliably detect meaningful levels of change (20% change with 80% power at significance level [α]= 0.05) in multispecies catch per unit effort. Locally based methods were the most cost‐effective for monitoring. Hunter interviews collected catch and effort data on 240% more hunts per person hour and 94% more hunts per unit cost, spent on monitoring, than the professional technique. Our results suggest that locally based monitoring can offer an accurate, cost‐effective, and sufficiently powerful method to monitor the status of natural resources. To establish such a system in Equatorial Guinea, the current lack of national and local capacity for monitoring and management must be addressed.     

Perspectives on utilising Community Land Trusts as a vehicle for affordable housing provision

With lack of affordable housing being clearly identified as a social and economic exclusion issue for most communities, innovative ways of addressing this deficiency should be considered. Increasingly local communities are engaging with the possibility of direct provision themselves and discussion around this notion has profound implications for community cohesion. One community-based solution gaining popular support within communities, and with government ministers, is the Community Land Trust mechanism. This involves control and ownership of land to help ensure affordable housing is built and remains affordable in perpetuity for the community. The language and difficulties with definition of terms, together with the complexity of engaging relevant stakeholders in a changing policy and legislative framework can be problematic. This may lead to apparent lack of consensus within communities on the way forward. Perceptions of local housing issues and ways to address them are sometimes vague, sometimes diverse but rarely apathetic. This paper includes data from two case studies in North East England, which are examined using interviews with key players, as a means of seeking some practical solutions.     

Refuse treatment options: a case study

Records in public archives were evaluated for the period 1981-1991. Simple surveys of peoples and of technology and physical premises provided insight to gauge the attitudes of a local community in the Melbourne municipality and the Melbourne City Council towards composting of organic waste materials. There is a lag in perception and attitudes between the local community and the local government towards composting of organic refuse as a solid waste treatment option. The simple methodology of the study still made it possible to verify past and present perceptions and attitudes.