Natterer’s bat (Myotis nattereri Kuhl, 1818) hawks for prey close to vegetation using echolocation signals of very broad bandwidth

We present a hitherto unknown prey perception strategy in bats: Myotis nattereri (Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera) is able to perceive prey by echolocation within a few centimeters of echo-cluttering vegetation, by using frequency-modulated search signals of very large bandwidth (up to 135 kHz). We describe the species’ search behavior and echolocation repertoire from the field and from experiments in a flight tent. In the field, bats varied signal parameters in relation to their distance from vegetation and usually flew close to vegetation. In the flight tent, M. nattereri detected and localized prey by echolocation alone as close as 5 cm from vegetation. Apparently, the bats were able to tolerate some overlap between prey and clutter echoes. Passive prey cues (vision, olfaction, prey-generated sounds) were not used in prey perception. The bats selected prey by size. The animals performed aerial catches and produced approach sequences typical for aerial hawking bats, but were able to do so within a few centimeters of the substrate. M. nattereri thus has access to silent, suspended prey very close to vegetation (e.g., spiders, and caterpillars on threads). Received: 29 September 1999 / Received in revised form: 12 February 2000 / Accepted: 12 February 2000     

Ecological effects of cultivation on the machair sand dune systems of the Outer Hebrides, Scotland

The machair sand dune systems of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland are a unique habitat, which is rare within both a global and European context. Unusually, the machair habitat also represents an agricultural resource that is very important to the Hebridean people, having been subject to both grazing and cultivation throughout the historical period. Following designation as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) in 1988, the machairs of South Uist have been studied with the aim of understanding the links between agricultural practice and their plant community and ecosystem dynamics. This research focused primarily on the effects of cultivation practices and their role in maintaining plant species richness and community and ecosystem stability. Within two carefully selected areas, the successional plant communities of machair at different stages of recovery following ploughing and cultivation of cereals and potato patches or ‘lazy beds’ were identified at both a macro- and micro-level. Investigations of the vegetation recovery processes on turves taken from newly ploughed land indicated that the initial stages of recolonization are characterized primarily by rapid vegetative reproduction and growth, although re-vegetation by seeds is also an important factor. The implications of these findings for the long-term management of machair plant communities are discussed and in particular the need to maintain old cultivation practices such as shallow ploughing. The need for more detailed research into both seed banks and seed rain and into processes of vegetative reproduction is stressed. Nomenclature: Clapham et al. (1981) and Stace (1991, 1997) for vascular plants; Hubbard (1984) for grasses; Pankhurst & Mullin (1991) for the regional flora; Dobson (1992) for lichens; Watson (1981) for mosses and liverworts.     

植物根圈污染生态研究进展

阐述了植物根圈的概念 ,根圈三大结构主成份是 (1)植物根系 ,(2 )微生物 ,(3)土壤或水等 ,并从它们的相互关系出发讨论了国内外有关根圈污染生态的研究情况 ,同时提出了根圈污染生态的研究前景和意义。     

Bison and cattle grazing management,bare ground coverage,and links to suspended sediment concentrations in grassland streams

This study quantified the impact of bison and cattle grazing management practices on bare ground coverage at the watershed, riparian, and forested riparian scales within the Flint Hills ecoregion in Kansas. We tested for correlations between bare ground coverage and fluvial suspended sediment concentrations during base‐flow and storm‐flow events. We used remotely sensed imagery combined with field surveys to classify ground cover and quantify the presence of bare ground. Base‐flow water samples were collected bi‐monthly during rain‐free periods and 24 h following precipitation events. Storm‐flow water samples were collected on the rising limb of the hydrograph, using single‐stage automatic samplers. Ungrazed treatments contained the lowest coverage of bare ground at the watershed, riparian, and forested riparian scales. Bison treatments contained the highest coverage of bare ground at the watershed scale, while high‐density cattle treatments contained the highest coverage of bare ground at the riparian and forested riparian scales. In bison and cattle‐grazed treatments, a majority of bare ground was located near fence lines, watershed boundaries, and third‐ and fourth‐order stream segments. Inorganic sediment concentrations at base flow were best predicted by riparian bare ground coverage, while storm‐flow sediment concentrations were best predicted by watershed scale bare ground coverage.     

Ecological literacy and beyond: Problem-based learning for future professionals

Ecological science contributes to solving a broad range of environmental problems. However, lack of ecological literacy in practice often limits application of this knowledge. In this paper, we highlight a critical but often overlooked demand on ecological literacy: to enable professionals of various careers to apply scientific knowledge when faced with environmental problems. Current university courses on ecology often fail to persuade students that ecological science provides important tools for environmental problem solving. We propose problem-based learning to improve the understanding of ecological science and its usefulness for real-world environmental issues that professionals in careers as diverse as engineering, public health, architecture, social sciences, or management will address. Courses should set clear learning objectives for cognitive skills they expect students to acquire. Thus, professionals in different fields will be enabled to improve environmental decision-making processes and to participate effectively in multidisciplinary work groups charged with tackling environmental issues.     

Adaptive evolution in urban ecosystems

Urban ecologists have demonstrated that cities are functioning ecosystems. It follows then that species living in these contexts should participate in and experience the same suite of biological processes, including evolution, that have occupied scientists for centuries in more “natural” contexts. In fact, urban ecosystems with myriad novel contexts, pressures, and species rosters provide unprecedentedly potent evolutionary stimuli. Here, we present the case for studying adaptive evolution in urban settings. We then review and synthesize techniques into a coherent approach for studying adaptive evolution in urban settings that combines observations of phenotypic divergence, measurements of fitness benefits of novel genetically based phenotypes, and experimental manipulations of potential drivers of adaptation. We believe that studying evolution in urban contexts can provide insights into fundamental evolutionary biology questions on rate, direction, and repeatability of evolution, and may inform species and ecosystem service conservation efforts.     

流域水质目标管理技术研究(Ⅰ)——控制单元的总量控制技术

对国内外水污染防治技术体系进行了归纳总结,系统地介绍了美国水质管理技术——TMDL计划的技术框架和特点,指出TMDL对我国水质目标管理的借鉴意义. 在“以人为本,保护水生态”以及“分类、分区、分级、分期”理念的指导下,构建了以保持水生态系统健康为目标的流域水质目标管理技术体系,阐述了该体系的内涵和特点,研究了面向控制单元的总量控制技术方法,对水环境生态分区、水质标准体系的建立、水污染控制单元的选取、实际和允许负荷量的计算、污染负荷分配等关键技术进行了探讨,最后就如何实现流域水质目标管理体系提出了建议.       

海南省人类活动对自然生态的影响

将社会库存、水资源足迹和污染足迹纳入生态足迹需求计算模型,改进和完善了生态足迹需求理论与方法. 依据海南省统计年鉴资料,计算并分析了海南省1952—2004年的生态足迹,揭示了海南省52年来对自然资源利用的状况和特征.结果表明:①海南省可再生资源生态足迹占总生态足迹的绝大部分,二者呈同步增长态势,但距离在加大;②海南省对自然资源的利用主要集中于海洋、耕地和能源用地,对草地、林地、淡水水域和建设用地的利用强度相对较小,对水资源的利用强度明显减少;③海南省万元GDP生态足迹呈下降趋势,资源利用效益逐步提高. 海南省生态足迹动态变化的原因包括:①海南省生态足迹的变化是海南省经济生产和消费结构变化的结果,经济和人口增长导致资源的大量消耗,是造成生态足迹不断上升的主要原因;②海南省经济生产的主要方式是农业,农业问题是海南省可持续发展需要解决的首要问题;③海南省对耕地、林地和水资源的利用逐步下降,近几年对水域特别是海洋动物性食品的需求急剧增加,这是居民收入水平上涨的结果。      

基于CA的城市形态扩展多解模拟——以北京市东部平原区情景分析为例

构建了一个基于人工神经网络的约束型城市扩展CA模型。利用该模型,预测了北京市东部平原区在3种情景规划之下的未来50年的城市形态,为不同的城市发展模式之间的比较分析奠定基础。然后以2024年的北京东部平原区模拟城市形态为基准,从自然生态功效、社会服务功效、经济利益功效3个方面对3种规划模式进行了情景分析,从而系统的比较了3种规划模式的复合生态功效,为城市规划决策提供有力的支持。     

河道生态环境保护与治理工作

现阶段,随着社会经济的不断发展,国家越来越重视河道整治工作。目前,依然存在着部分河道污染严重的问题。本文将对河道生态环境保护与治理工作进行分析研究,希望为相关工作人员提供参考。