SEIB–DGVM: A new Dynamic Global Vegetation Model using a spatially explicit individual-based approach

We report the development of a new spatially explicit individual-based Dynamic Global Vegetation Model (SEIB–DGVM), the first DGVM that can simulate the local interactions among individual trees within a spatially explicit virtual forest. In the model, a sample plot is placed at each grid box, and then the growth, competition, and decay of each individual tree within each plot is calculated by considering the environmental conditions for that tree as it relates to the trees that surround it. Based on these parameters only, the model simulated time lags between climate change and vegetation change. This time lags elongated when original biome was forest, because existing trees prevent newly establish trees from receiving enough sunlight and space to quickly replace the original vegetation. This time lags also elongated when horizontal heterogeneity of sunlight distribution was ignored, indicating the potential importance of horizontal heterogeneity for predicting transitional behavior of vegetation under changing climate. On a local scale, the model reproduced climate zone-specific patterns of succession, carbon dynamics, and water flux, although on a global scale, simulations were not always in agreement with observations. Because the SEIB–DGVM was formulated to the scale at which field biologists work, the measurements of relevant parameters and data comparisons are relatively straightforward, and the model should enable more robust modeling of terrestrial ecosystems.     

大气氟污染的树木监测与评价

本文介绍了采用植物监测与化学静态监测相结合方法,对上海某厂周围大气氟浓度和树叶含氟量进行测定,得出两者相关关系,确定悬铃木生长初期树叶含氟量划分大气氟污染等级指标,并运用生物学办法对影响区进行评价和浓度分区.     

Accumulation and phytotoxicity of technical hexabromocyclododecane in maize

To investigate the accumulation and phytotoxicity of technical hexabromocyclododecane(HBCD)in maize,young seedlings were exposed to solutions of technical HBCD at different concentrations.The uptake kinetics showed that the HBCD concentration reached an apparent equilibrium within 96 hr,and the accumulation was much higher in roots than in shoots.HBCD accumulation in maize had a positive linear correlation with the exposure concentration.The accumulation of different diastereoisomers followed the orderγ-HBCDβ-HBCDα-HBCD.Compared with their proportions in the technical HBCD exposure solution,the diastereoisomer contribution increased forβ-HBCD and decreased forγ-HBCD in both maize roots and shoots with exposure time,whereas the contribution ofα-HBCD increased in roots and decreased in shoots throughout the experimental period.These results suggest the diastereomer-specific accumulation and translocation of HBCD in maize.Inhibitory effects of HBCD on the early development of maize followed the order of germination rateroot biomass≥root elongationshoot biomass≥shoot elongation.Hydroxyl radical(OH)and histone H2AX phosphorylation(γ-H2AX)were induced in maize by HBCD exposure,indicative of the generation of oxidative stress and DNA double-strand breaks in maize.An OH scavenger inhibited the expression ofγ-H2AX foci in both maize roots and shoots,which suggests the involvement of OH generation in the HBCD-induced DNA damage.The results of this study will offer useful information for a more comprehensive assessment of the environmental behavior and toxicity of technical HBCD.     

Larval performance of the mustard leaf beetle (Phaedon cochleariae, Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) on white mustard (Sinapis alba) and watercress (Nasturtium officinale) leaves in dependence of plant exposure to ultraviolet radiation

Short-term exposure to ambient or attenuated ultraviolet (UV) radiation resulted in shifts in plant metabolite concentrations of the Brassicaceae Sinapis alba and Nasturtium officinale. Leaf quality also varied between plant species and within species due to age. Larvae of the oligophagous leaf beetle Phaedon cochleariae were raised on these different host leaves, in order to investigate the effects of variable plant chemistry on this herbivore. The performance of P. cochleariae was influenced by chemical differences between and within plant species but it responded with high plasticity to plants stressed by ultraviolet radiation. Body mass increase and developmental times of larvae were exclusively affected by plant species and leaf-age. However, developmental differences were fully compensated in the pupal stage. We suggest that the plasticity of herbivores may depend on the degree of specialisation, and insect performance may not necessarily be altered by stress-induced host plants.     

Developing an Ecosystem Perspective from Experimental Monitoring Programs: II. Ecophysiological Responses of a Rare Geothermal Grass to Soil Water

Measurements of xylem water potential, leaf conductance, and leaf pressure–volume characteristics on the geothermal endemic Dichanthelium lanuginosum var. thermale (DILA) were used to delineate operational ranges during wet and dry years and among several microsites at Little Geysers, Sonoma County, California, USA. Plants seldom experienced water potentials more negative that −1.5 MPa. Other nongeothermal, widespread species experienced the lower water potentials typical of chaparral and woodland plants. DILA was able to effectively utilize geothermal water while the widespread species could not and was able to keep stomata open during most of the year. There was evidence to suggest that DILA had some ability to acclimate with significant shifts in Π_o and ψ_o during the dry 1994 summer, especially in the upland microhabitat. Nevertheless, minimum leaf turgor values in the upland came very close to, or dropped below, the 0.2–0.3 MPa threshold thought necessary to maintain stomatal opening and photosynthesis. DILA thus depends upon the unique water status of fumarole soils in the vicinity of the Little Geysers to persist in an otherwise lethal regional mosaic of climate, soil, and vegetation. The physiological data were used to derive reference ranges for subsequent monitoring of DILA at Little Geysers. Such ranges are required to determine the future impact, if any, of geothermal development on the persistence of this rare grass and its complex ecosystem.     

Phytoavailability and Fractions of Iron and Manganese in Calcareous Soil Amended with Composted Urban Wastes

Little is known about the effects of applying composted urban wastes on the phytoavailability and distribution of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) among chemical fractions in soil. In order to study this concern several experiments in pots containing calcareous soil were carried out. The received treatments by adding separately two rates (20 and 80 Mg ha^?1) of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost and/or municipal solid waste and sewage sludge (MSW-SS) co-compost. The cropping sequence was a lettuce crop followed by a barley crop. It was observed that treatments amended with composted urban wastes tended to promote slight increases in lettuce yield compared to the control. The highest Fe levels in lettuce were found when higher rates of MSW-SS co-compost were applied; these values were significant compared to those obtained in the other treatments. In all cases, the application of organic materials increased the concentration and uptake of Mn in lettuce compared to the control; however, these increases were significant only when higher rates of MSW compost were applied. The organic amendments had beneficial delayed effects on barley yields, showing, in most cases, significant increases compared to the control. In this context, treatments with MSW compost were found to be more effective than the equivalent treatments amended with MSW-SS co-compost. Compared to the control, composted urban wastes increased Fe concentration in straw and rachis, and decreased Fe concentration in barley grain. Similarly, a decreased concentration of Mn in the dry matter of barley crop grown in soils treated with composted urban wastes was observed.     

镉对植物光合作用的影响

本文从光合作用色素、光合组织、光合作用过程、光合速率等方面概述了近些年来 Cd对植物光合作用影响的研究进展 ,并结合我们的研究进行了讨论。     

城市污水处理厂在工业污水管理中的地位

本文探讨了污水处理厂与源处理之间的相互影响和制约关系，目的是为有关部门进行水环境管理及做出科学决策提供依据．     

Impacts of recreation and tourism on plant biodiversity and vegetation in protected areas in Australia

This paper reviews recent research into the impact of recreation and tourism in protected areas on plant biodiversity and vegetation communities in Australia. Despite the international significance of the Australian flora and increasing visitation to protected areas there has been limited research on recreational and tourism impacts in Australia. As overseas, there are obvious direct impacts of recreation and tourism such as clearing of vegetation for infrastructure or damage from trampling, horse riding, mountain biking and off road vehicles. As well, there are less obvious but potentially more severe indirect impacts. This includes self-propagating impacts associated with the spread of some weeds from trails and roads. It also includes the severe impact on native vegetation, including many rare and threatened plants, from spread of the root rot fungus Phytopthora cinnamomi. This review highlights the need for more recreational ecology research in Australia.