Molecular receptive ranges of olfactory receptor neurones responding selectively to terpenoids, aliphatic green leaf volatiles and aromatic compounds, in the strawberry blossom weevil Anthonomus rubi

Summary. An important question in insect-plant interactions is which of the numerous plant compounds contribute to the perception of odour qualities in herbivorous insects and are likely to be used as cues in host-searching behaviour. In order to identify which plant-produced volatiles the strawberry blossom weevil Anthonomus rubi detects, we have used electrophysiological recordings from single olfactory neurones linked to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. We here present 15 receptor neurone types specialised for naturally produced compounds present in the host and nonhost plants and two types for two aggregation pheromone components. The active compounds were terpenoids, aromatic and aliphatic esters, alcohols and aldehydes, some of which are induced by feeding activity of the weevils. The neurones were characterised by a strong response to one or two primary odorants and weaker responses to a few others having similar chemical structure. With one exception, the molecular receptive range of each neurone type was within one chemical group. Enantiomers of linalool separated on a chiral column activated two neurone types with different enantioselectivity. Inhibition by linalool of another neurone type, excited by α-pinene, indicated an additional mechanism for coding the information about this compound. Altogether, detection of 54 compounds by olfactory receptor neurones is shown, of which 40 have been chemically identified in this study. Thus A. rubi has the ability to detect a large number of odorants that may be used in host selection behaviour.     

Mass balance modeling of arsenic processes in cropland soils

This study delineated the mathematical forms for the reactions involved in the mass balance of As in cropland soils. Even mathematically simplified, many model parameters are required to define the reactive processes involved. Example simulations were conducted based on the range of parameter values and initial conditions derived from published literature. The outcomes showed that the As inputs due to fertilizers and irrigation water caused total As content of the root zone to gradually increase over time. The plant uptake and leaching were equally important as pathways for removal of the added As. In turn, the dissolution kinetics of the mineral phase and the distribution coefficient of the adsorbed phase affected the availability of the As for plant uptake and leaching. Parameters based on laboratory-derived data on the dissolution of As mineral phase, mineralization and oxidation of As(III), and the As plant uptake however appeared to overestimate the As transformations in soils. While the development of mathematical model was a straightforward process, its application to realistic situations was hindered by difficulties of defining model parameter values with confidence. Current knowledge on the processes and reactions of As transformation in the soil–plant system is inadequate to calibrate or validate the model. Studies are needed to understand the kinetics of soil As mineral dissolution and precipitation and the dynamics of root growth and As uptake by plant in soils.     

九寨沟主要植物群落生物量的空间分布

研究了九寨沟自然保护区主要植物群落的生物量以及生物量在九寨沟的空间分布格局 ,并用群落的总生物量量度不同群落在九寨沟陆生生态系统中的相对重要性 .在野外实地调查中 ,采取皆伐法测定了乔木群落林下层以及灌丛和草甸群落的地上部分生物量 ;对样方中乔木的胸径、树高进行了测量 ,利用经验公式估算乔木层的生物量 .研究结果表明 ,所有群落中生物量最大的为亚高山暗针叶林 ,平均为 380thm-2 左右 ,总生物量亦占了整个九寨沟生物量总量的 90 %以上 ,为九寨沟陆地生态系统中最重要的植物群落 ;高山草甸和流石滩植被生物量最小 ,平均为 1thm-2以下 .整个九寨沟的总生物量约为 8.3× 10 6t,平均生产力大于 5 .89thm-2 a-1.垂直分布上 ,生物量一般随海拔的升高而增加 ,在halt=30 0 0m以上达到最大值 ,之后则随海拔的升高而急剧下降 ,这种分布格局与土壤、气候、人类干扰等各种环境因素密切相关 .与全国平均水平相比 ,九寨沟几乎所有类型的群落的平均生物量都要高于全国同类群落的平均水平 .图 3表 4参 18     

亚高山30a人工针叶林物种多样性的定量分析

探讨了川西地区不同海拔梯度上,30a亚高山人工针叶林乔,灌,草各层物种多样性的变化规律,并运用逐步多元回归分析方法,分析了不同立地条件下土壤因子与针叶林群落乔,灌,草各层物种多样性指数之间的关系,结果显示：30a人工针叶林灌木层和草本层多样性指数明显高于乔木层;随着海拔的升高,灌木层和草木层物种的多样性指数逐渐降低,在halt2700m处多样性最丰富,乔木物种多样性则呈现为“低→高→低”的变化趋势,符合“中间高度膨胀（mid-altitude bulge)模式,土壤因子对30a人工恢复针叶林多样性的影响主要是体现在灌木层和草本层的变化,而对乔木层物种多样性的影响不明显,土层厚度,土壤容重,石砾含量,枯枝落叶的贮量,CaO含量以及有机质的C／N比值等土壤因子与灌木层和草本层物种多样性之间存在线性相关关系,分层建立了物种数,Simpson指数,ShannonWiener指数,Menhinick指数以及Brillouin指数与相关土壤因子的回归模型。     

Potential allelopathic effect of Pinus halepensis in the secondary succession: an experimental approach

Summary. Recent economic and social changes in north Mediterranean regions have led to an important rural depopulation. Consequently, meadows developed on abandoned agricultural lands (characterized by high species richness) undergo reforestation. These former fields are mainly colonized by Pinus halepensis Miller, which is known to synthetize a wide range of secondary metabolites, among these, some could influence plant succession through allelopathy. The allelopathic potential of P. halepensis, was tested against two target species (Lactuca sativa L. and Linum strictum L.) with aqueous extracts obtained from different organs (root and needle) taking into account the individual age (±10, ±30 and > 60 years old). Root and needle extracts affected differently germination and growth of the two target species, the responses varying with concentration of extracts, age and organs tested. The strongest inhibitory effect was observed on the germination and growth of L. strictum, exposed to needle extracts of young P. halepensis (±10 years old), and root extracts of older P. halepensis (> 30 years old). These extracts contained several phenolic acids (e.g. 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and p-coumaric acid), which are known as allelochemicals and their concentrations vary with age and organ tested. Hence, P. halepensis could influence secondary succession through the release of potential allelochemicals in the environment by leaf leachates or root exudates.     

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids on three trophic levels – evidence for toxic and deterrent effects on phytophages and predators

Summary. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) present a model system in the investigation of tritrophic interactions mediated by plant secondary compounds. However, their toxicity for insect herbivores has never been experimentally proven. Here, we demonstrate the toxic effects of a PA on growth and survival of the eri silk moth Philosamia ricini. In a feeding experiment, larvae of this generalist herbivore fed with an artificial PA diet gained weight significantly slower than control animals, and died as pupae. We suggest that derivatives of the ingested PA N-oxide damage developmental functions during metamorphosis. A tracer test with [¹⁴C]senecionine N-oxide revealed that the caterpillars lack adaptations that would prevent conversion of the chemical into the pro-toxic free base. In contrast, the PA adapted leaf beetle Longitarsus anchusae accumulates PAs as N-oxides. We tested the purpose of sequestration in this species as defence against predators. Through a series of prey choice experiments with three carabid predator species, chemically non-protected bark beetle pupae were chosen almost uniformly over L. anchusae pupae. In a following choice test with one of these predators, artificially PA-treated mealworm segments deterred the predator from feeding. Overall the study corroborates the immediate toxic effect of PAs on non-adapted herbivores and the protective effect that adapted insects may gain by sequestering them. It thereby underlines the potential for PAs to play a central role in multitrophic interactions between plants, phytophages and their predators.     

Extinction Rate Estimates for Plant Populations in Revisitation Studies: Importance of Detectability

Abstract:  Many researchers have obtained extinction-rate estimates for plant populations by comparing historical and current records of occurrence. A population that is no longer found is assumed to have gone extinct. Extinction can then be related to characteristics of these populations, such as habitat type, size, or species, to test ideas about what factors may affect extinction. Such studies neglect the fact that a population may be overlooked, however, which may bias estimates of extinction rates upward. In addition, if populations are unequally detectable across groups to be compared, such as habitat type or population size, comparisons become distorted to an unknown degree. To illustrate the problem, I simulated two data sets, assuming a constant extinction rate, in which populations occurred in different habitats or habitats of different size and these factors affected their detectability. The conventional analysis implicitly assumed that detectability equalled 1 and used logistic regression to estimate extinction rates. It wrongly identified habitat and population size as factors affecting extinction risk. In contrast, with capture-recapture methods, unbiased estimates of extinction rates were recovered. I argue that capture-recapture methods should be considered more often in estimations of demographic parameters in plant populations and communities.     

韶钢水泥厂的粉尘污染及综合防治措施

韶钢水泥厂在进行干法生产时,会产生大量的粉尘,严重影响生产和厂区周围居民的正常生活,危害严重。通过一些综合防治措施,不仅保护了环境,而且还可回收数量可观的有价原料、成品或半成品。     

Effects of fluoride on growth and reproduction of the army worm, Mythimna separata (Walker)

This paper deals with effects of airborne fluorine on the army worm, Mythimna separata (Walker), by rearing the larvae on the wheat foliage exposed to HF or fumigating the larvae on the artificial diet with the pollutant. Larval relative growth rate (GR) and index of population trend of the insect reduced by 5% and 11%, respectively, when the larvae were reared on the foliage taken from the wheat plants exposed to 0.87 g·dm^-2·day^-1 of fluorine compared with those of the control. An extra instar appeared in a majority of the larvae treated. Survival rate and GR of the larvae on the wheat plant being exposure to the same concentration of fluorine in field open-top fumigation device were 40% and 15% lower than that of the control, respectively. Similar experiment with the insect on the artificial diet also showed that direct impact of the pollutant on the army worm was greater than its indirect effect via their host plant.     

湿法烟气脱硫废水处理技术探讨

分析了火电厂湿法烟气脱硫装置排水的主要成分、水质特点，叙述了烟气湿法脱硫废水国内外的处理方法和工艺流程。结合笔者实践，提出了一种改进的处理方法，为湿法脱硫废水处理提供了一种有效的途径。