An island biogeography approach for understanding changes in compositional similarity at present scenario of biotic homogenization

Local extinction of native species and colonization of non-native species are commonly invoked as responsible for changes in species similarity among biotas of different regions. In this study we used a model of species similarity between islands to assess the emergent, and unexplored, effects of changes in colonization by native species, extinction of non-native species, and propagule pressure on species similarity among insular communities. The model predicts that extinction probability of endemic species has a positive but asymptotic effect on species similarity, which is exacerbated by increasing colonization and reducing extinction of non-native species. Species similarity tends to increase with increasing colonization probability by non-native species, however this effect may be reduced, or even reverted, when the islands are exposed to an elevated number of non-native species that are prone to extinction, high levels of endemic species loss, and an initially large number of native species shared between islands. Species similarity was positively affected by the propagule pressure rate of non-native species only when their colonization and extinction probabilities were large and small enough, respectively. A negative effect of propagule pressure rate can be caused by an increase in the pool size of non-native species, which involves the introduction of different species into different islands, promoting biotic differentiation between islands. Our results indicate that the interactions between colonization, extinction and species pool lead to nonlinear responses and unexpected scenarios of biotic change. In order to validate model predictions, future research programs should focus on understanding the dynamics on such complex meta-communities where coexist native, non-native and endemic species.     

Translating effects of inbreeding depression on component vital rates to overall population growth in endangered bighorn sheep

Evidence of inbreeding depression is commonly detected from the fitness traits of animals, yet its effects on population growth rates of endangered species are rarely assessed. We examined whether inbreeding depression was affecting Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae), a subspecies listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Our objectives were to characterize genetic variation in this subspecies; test whether inbreeding depression affects bighorn sheep vital rates (adult survival and female fecundity); evaluate whether inbreeding depression may limit subspecies recovery; and examine the potential for genetic management to increase population growth rates. Genetic variation in 4 populations of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep was among the lowest reported for any wild bighorn sheep population, and our results suggest that inbreeding depression has reduced adult female fecundity. Despite this population sizes and growth rates predicted from matrix-based projection models demonstrated that inbreeding depression would not substantially inhibit the recovery of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep populations in the next approximately 8 bighorn sheep generations (48 years). Furthermore, simulations of genetic rescue within the subspecies did not suggest that such activities would appreciably increase population sizes or growth rates during the period we modeled (10 bighorn sheep generations, 60 years). Only simulations that augmented the Mono Basin population with genetic variation from other subspecies, which is not currently a management option, predicted significant increases in population size. Although we recommend that recovery activities should minimize future losses of genetic variation, genetic effects within these endangered populations-either negative (inbreeding depression) or positive (within subspecies genetic rescue)-appear unlikely to dramatically compromise or stimulate short-term conservation efforts. The distinction between detecting the effects of inbreeding depression on a component vital rate (e.g., fecundity) and the effects of inbreeding depression on population growth underscores the importance of quantifying inbreeding costs relative to population dynamics to effectively manage endangered populations.     

一座南亚热带中富营养水库夏季浮游植物群落的稳态平衡分析

于2009年7月23日~9月12日(共8周)研究了广东省大沙河水库湖泊区表层5 m水柱浮游植物群落结构和演替过程及其环境影响因子.降雨明显分为二个阶段,前4周降雨丰富,后4周降雨稀少;水体的透明度与水温也相应地分为二个阶段,但营养盐水平没有明显的变化.平均N/P为33,而可溶解磷浓度很低,说明浮游植物的生长受磷的限制较为强烈.浮游植物种类分析中共检到藻类64种,生物量变化为0.95~2.03 mg L-1,主要由绿藻、甲藻和蓝藻组成.1~5周浮游植物的总生物量变化较大,后3周总生物量变化相对较小.在整个采样期间,光角角星鼓藻(Staurastrum muticum)为第一优势种,弯曲角星鼓藻藻(Staurastrum inflexum)为第二优势种(二者约占总生物量的70%);在1~5周第三个优势种的种类和生物量有较大的变化,6~8周第三优势种为飞燕角甲藻(Ceratium hirundinella)且前3个优势种的组成和生物量较稳定(共占到总生物量的80%以上),群落结构处于稳态平衡状态.降雨带来的干扰是影响浮游植物群落稳态平衡的主要因子.当降雨的干扰结束后,浮游植物之间通过1周左右的竞争,浮游植物群落达到稳态平衡.     

北京市大气PM_（2.5）中四种水溶性阴离子的水平变化比较

了解北京市城区和郊区大气细颗粒物中的四种水溶性阴离子F-、Cl-、SO42-、NO3-的浓度水平,并分析影响其水平高低的因素。使用聚四氟乙烯滤膜分别采集北京市城区和郊区大气中的PM2.5,用纯水提取后采用离子色谱法测定水溶性阴离子质量浓度。采样期间北京市大气PM2.5、F-、Cl-、SO42-和NO3-质量浓度几何均数分别为55.36、0.02、0.46、6.72和1.09μg·m-3,四种水溶性阴离子质量浓度总和占PM2.5质量浓度的19.14%;同一季节（春季）郊区监测点大气PM2.5、SO42-和NO3-质量浓度显著高于城区监测点;城区大气PM2.5与四种水溶性阴离子质量浓度秋季高于春季,但差异无统计学意义;大气PM2.5与Cl-、SO42-和NO3-质量浓度均高度相关。Cl-、SO42-、NO3-是北京市大气PM2.5的重要组成成分。     

喀斯特山地草地植物群落物种数量特征及多样性分析

选择贵州典型喀斯特山地草地植物群落为研究对象,采用标准样地调查法,对不同海拔、坡向的植物群落数量特征、物种特性、以及物种丰富度、多样性、均匀性等特征展开研究,结果表明,（1）喀斯特山地草地植物群落密度随海拔升高呈显著增加趋势（F=20.600;P≤0.01）。植物群落中矛叶荩草（Arthraxon lanceolatus）和扭黄茅（Heteropogon contortus）种群在数量上占优势,同时矛叶荩草和扭黄茅种群密度随海拔升高呈现出增加趋势;但矛叶荩草种群密度在群落中的比例呈现出下降趋势,而扭黄茅种群密度在群落中的比例呈现出升高趋势。（2）喀斯特山地草地植物群落以禾本科（Gramineae）、菊科（Compositae）、蔷薇科（Rosaceae）、唇形科（Labiatae）为主;其中禾本科植物种类比例随海拔升高呈现出下降趋势,而菊科、蔷薇科、唇形科植物种类比例呈现出升高趋势。（3）喀斯特山地草地植物群落丰富度指数随海拔升高呈现出增加趋势,Simpson多样性指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数随海拔升高呈现先降后升趋势,Peilow均匀性指数随海拔升高呈现下降趋势。     

井冈山猴头杜鹃群落特征的研究

以井冈山猴头杜鹃（Rhododendron simiarum）群落5个样地调查资料为基础,对该群落的物种组成、区系成分、群落结构和物种多样性进行了研究,结果表明：群落有维管植物30科43属50种,其中蕨类植物有5科6属6种,裸子植物4科4属4种,被子植物21科33属40种。区系分析显示该植物区系起源古老,地理成分复杂,以热带性成分为主,温带性成分占有一定的比例。群落为复层异龄结构,猴头杜鹃、甜槠（Castanopsis eyrei）、福建柏（Fokienia hodginsii）、台湾松（Pinus taiwanensis）、薯豆（Elaeocarpus japonicus）和白豆杉（Pseudotaxus chienii）为群落的建群种。除Pielou指数外,群落物种多样性指数较低,各样地间多样性指数测值变幅较大;测度猴头杜鹃群落物种多样性时,各种多样性指数基本表现出相同的趋势;总体来看,猴头杜鹃群落物种多样性在群落不同层次的变化规律为：灌木层〉乔木层〉草本层。     

苏北潮滩群落交错带互花米草斑块与土著种竞争关系研究

选取盐城滨海湿地典型滩地（互花米草与碱蓬交错区、碱蓬滩）互花米草斑块,研究互花米草和本地种的生长特征、斑块微生境变化和互花米草与本地种的相对竞争力。结果表明：①和本地土著种碱蓬Suaeda salsa、芦苇Phragmites australis相比,入侵种互花米草Spartina alterniflora能更有效地改善微生境,其发达根系能够提高土壤含水量,互花米草的耐盐特性和泌盐作用能够使得互花米草在高盐度环境中生存,并有效的降低土壤盐度;②在互花米草与碱蓬交错区,从互花米草斑块边缘到中心,碱蓬的长势显著变弱,互花米草的长势显著增强,互花米草与碱蓬的相对竞争力为1.94±0.94,互花米草的竞争能力明显强于碱蓬;③在碱蓬滩,从互花米草斑块边缘到中心,碱蓬、芦苇的长势显著变弱,互花米草的长势显著增强,互花米草与碱蓬的相对竞争力为0.87±0.30,互花米草与碱蓬之间的竞争相对平衡;④因此,互花米草可能通过种间竞争不断侵蚀碱蓬生境,从而取代当地土著植被碱蓬和芦苇。     

广州市售水产品中全氟烷基化合物的污染特征和安全风险评价

为调查广州市售水产品中全氟烷基化合物（perflurorinated alkylated substances,PFASs）的污染特征,采集鱼类、甲壳类和头足类等6类254个样品,采用超高效液相色谱串联质谱法测定23种PFASs的含量.不同种类样品的PFASs总检出率为93.5%~100%,鱼类和甲壳类的含量较高.鱼类中检出了13种PFASs组分,但鲍鱼仅检出6种,种类差异明显.全氟辛烷磺酸（PFOS）和全氟辛烷羧酸（PFOA）的检出率最高,分别为76.8%和75.6%,为PFASs的特征污染组分.PFOS的含量为0.19~192.27 μg·kg^-1,明显高于其它组分,污染贡献率达35.15%.与鱼类、甲壳类、头足类和加工制品中PFOS的污染贡献率最高不同,海珍品中污染贡献率最高的是全氟丁酸（PFBA）,样品组分污染特征表现出明显的种类差异性.风险评价结果表明,广州市售水产品中PFOA和PFOS对人的潜在健康风险低.     

Tamarix and Diorhabda Leaf Beetle Interactions: Implications for Tamarix Water Use and Riparian Habitat

Tamarix leaf beetles (Diorhabda carinulata) have been widely released on western United States rivers to control introduced shrubs in the genus Tamarix, with the goals of saving water through removal of an assumed high water‐use plant, and of improving habitat value by removing a competitor of native riparian trees. We review recent studies addressing three questions: (1) to what extent are Tamarix weakened or killed by recurrent cycles of defoliation; (2) can significant water salvage be expected from defoliation; and (3) what are the effects of defoliation on riparian ecology, particularly on avian habit? Defoliation has been patchy at many sites, and shrubs at some sites recover each year even after multiple years of defoliation. Tamarix evapotranspiration (ET) is much lower than originally assumed in estimates of potential water savings, and are the same or lower than possible replacement plants. There is concern that the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax trailli extimus) will be negatively affected by defoliation because the birds build nests early in the season when Tamarix is still green, but are still on their nests during the period of summer defoliation. Affected river systems will require continued monitoring and development of adaptive management practices to maintain or enhance riparian habitat values. Multiplatform remote sensing methods are playing an essential role in monitoring defoliation and rates of ET on affected river systems.     

Local Dirt,Global Dreams: Mining investment and land use change in Arizona

A central problematic for researchers working at the interface of economic and environmental change is the development of research designs and methodologies that can satisfactorily link economic processes of global reach (such as direct investment) to environmental change at local and regional scales. This article reviews recent efforts to couple economic and environmental change and finds that relatively little effort has been made to use the direct investment process as a means of linking industrial restructuring to land use change. The article argues that direct investment, when conceptualised as a political-economic process involving the assemblage of a package of rights (to land, water, pollution permits etc), can be an effective vehicle for tracing through the impacts of industrial restructuring on local environments. To develop this analytical approach, an empirical case of mineral investment in the Gila Valley of eastern Arizona is presented. The case study identifies the acquisition of land and water rights as central strategic issues for mineral firms seeking to make investment, and traces through the impact of these acquisition strategies on existing patterns of land ownership and land use.