Evaluation of Phutoplankton Community Indices for Detecting Eutrophic Trends in the Marine Environment

Twenty two diversity, evenness and dominance indices based on phytoplankton community structure were examined for their sensitivity to assess eutrophic conditions. Data from two sampling sites, one eutrophic and one oligotrophic, were used as reference data-sets for evaluating the indices. McNaughton's dominance index, cell number, species number (Hill's N0), Kothe's species deficit, Odum's species per thousand individuals and Evenness E2, E3 seemed to be the most sensitive indices for discriminating between eutrophic and oligotrophic conditions. A case study was also performed using a data-set from ten stations spaced along the coastal area of the city of Rhodes, Aegean Sea, Greece to find out which of the indices were appropriate to assess different levels of eutrophication. Kothe's species deficit, Hill's N0 (species number), Margalef's and Gleason's indices have shown the highest sensitivity to resolve oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic conditions.     

Effects of habitat and landscape fragmentation on humans and biodiversity in densely populated landscapes

Landscape fragmentation has often been seen as an only ecological problem. However, fragmentation also has a societal perspective, namely, in how humans perceive landscape fragmentation and in how landscape fragmentation potentially influences human well-being. These latter aspects have rarely been addressed so far. The inter-relationship of ecological and human dimensions of landscape fragmentation becomes especially evident when looking at the landscape where most people in industrial countries live, namely in suburban and urban areas. In these areas, landscape planners and environmental managers are confronted with the problem that landscapes should fullfil various functions, often with conflicting goals, e.g. nature reserves to enhance species richness vs. recreational areas for city-dwellers. We reviewed the ecological and sociological literature relevant for fragmentation in suburban and urban landscapes. In an interdisciplinary approach, we evaluated whether there are similarities and dissimilarities between the ecological and the human aspects of landscape fragmentation. We found important similarities. An example is that for both, humans and biodiversity, the loss of semi-natural areas has more drastic effects than the fragmentation of these areas per se. However, there are also relevant differences. We concluded that in densely populated landscapes a shift from responsive planning to an intentional design of environments is therefore needed.     

Evaluation of sampling methods for the estimation of structural indices in forest stands

The paper is about the accurate (i.e. unbiased and precise) and efficient estimation of structural indices in forest stands. We present SIAFOR, a computer programme for the calculation of four nearest-neighbour indices, which describe the spatial arrangement of tree positions, the distribution pattern of species, and the size differentiation between trees. The study uses SIAFOR as a sampling simulator in eight completely stem-mapped forest stands of varying area and structural complexity. We statistically evaluate two sample types (distance and plot sampling), comparing sampling error, bias and minimum sample size for index estimation. We introduce the concepts of measurement expansion factor (MEF) and design expansion factor (DEF) for the technical evaluation of sample type efficiency (optimal sample type). Results indicate that sampling error can reach high levels and that minimum sample sizes for index estimation often amply exceed the limit of 20% of tree density or 20 trees per species per hectare, that we set as the highest feasible sample size in normal situations. We found clear feasibility limits (in terms of minimal tree densities and reachable accuracy levels) for the estimation of all investigated indices. Generally, equal or higher sample sizes are needed for plot sampling than for distance sampling to reach equal accuracy levels. Nevertheless, plot sampling resulted more efficient for the estimation of tree size differentiation at low to medium accuracy levels. For all other investigated indices distance sampling resulted more efficient than plot sampling. Minimum sample size increases with accuracy and is negatively correlated with tree density. At a given accuracy level minimum sample size is highest for the estimation of relative mingling and lowest for tree size differentiation; furthermore it is generally lower in large stands than in small ones. Because of the consistency of our conclusions in all of the investigated stands, we think they apply in most stands of similar area (between 1 and 10 ha) and species diversity (not more than four species).     

Development and application of the multi-wavelength cavity ring-down aerosol extinction spectrometer

To better characterize the optical properties of atmospheric aerosols, the multi-wavelength cavity ring-down aerosol extinction spectrometer (MCRD-AES) is developed and applied in this study. By using tunable light source and four parallel cavities, the MCRD-AES covers a wide and atmospherically relevant wavelength range from 360 to 663?nm. Four wavelengths (375?nm, 440?nm, 532?nm, and 620?nm) are particularly tested with ammonium sulfate and nigrosine. The refractive index values obtained from this study agree well with literature data. The stability and accuracy of the MCRD-AES are tested, and the minimum detectable extinction coefficient is 0.5 1/Mm. The high sensitivity, high precision, and wavelength changeable of MCRD-AES indicate its great application prospect in comprehensively quantifying the optical properties of atmospheric aerosols.     

Aggregate eco-efficiency indices for New Zealand--a principal components analysis

Eco-efficiency has emerged as a management response to waste issues associated with current production processes. Despite the popularity of the term in both business and government circles, limited attention has been paid to measuring and reporting eco-efficiency to government policy makers. Aggregate measures of eco-efficiency are needed, to complement existing measures and to help highlight important patterns in eco-efficiency data.This paper aims to develop aggregate measures of eco-efficiency for use by policy makers. Specifically, this paper provides a unique analysis by applying principal components analysis (PCA) to eco-efficiency indicators in New Zealand.The study reveals that New Zealand's overall eco-efficiency improved for two out of the five aggregate measures over the period 1994/1995–1997/1998. The worsening of the other aggregate measures reflects, among other things, the relatively poor performance of the primary production and related processing sectors. These results show PCA is an effective approach for aggregating eco-efficiency indicators and assisting decision makers by reducing redundancy in an eco-efficiency indicators matrix.     

酚类化合物的QSAR研究

直接应用化合物的分子结构式产生的结构描述参量研究了45个酚类化合物的麻醉毒性和分子结构之间的相关性,用多元回归分析和神经网络法建立了相应的数学模型,并用其预测了5个酚类化合物的麻醉毒性.结果表明,所提取的结构参量较好地反映这类化合物的结构特性,而用神经网络法所得结果优于多元回归分析结果.     

Trophic attributes of the mudskipper,Periophthalmus barbarus (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) in the mangrove swamps of Imo River Estuary,Nigeria

Aspects of the trophic attributes of the mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus occurring in the mangrove swamps of Imo River　Estuary, Nigeria, were investigated during a 12-month period (April, 1992-March, 1993). Feeding intensity increased with size, it was　higher in the dry season(November-April) than in the wet season(May-October), monthly changes in the indices of feeding intensity were　significantly correlated. Major food objects comprised detritus and benthic algae; crustaceans, insects, macrophyte matter and sand grains were minor food objects while fish, molluscs, Chilopoda, nematodes and fungi were unconsciously devoured objects. Diet varied seasonally; algae and sesarmid crabs were generally more in the dry season than during the rains whereas FPOM and fish increased in the wet over dry season.The mudskipper display a high degree of euryphagy and can be considered as a generalist and an omnivore. The lower trophic status of P.barbarus qualifies it as a good aquaculture candidate. Food richness was higher in big-sized class(BSC) than small-sized class(SSC). Sizebased and seasonal variations were not apparent in food richness. Diet breadth was higher in the BSC than the SSC, there was dry season increase in diet breadth.     

有机磷农药毒性预测模型研究

选用化合物分子拓扑学的信息理论指数、价分子连接性指数，运用多元非线性回归分析，对１１４种有机磷农药大鼠经口、小鼠经口及大鼠经皮急性毒性ＬＤ５０、神经毒性作用进行了定量预测分析。回归模型相关指数Ｒ＾２均在０．８１以上，残差呈正态分布，预测效果满意，显示了系统具有较强的预测能力。     

Random denominators and the analysis of ratio data

Ratio data, observations in which one random value is divided by another random value, present unique analytical challenges. The best statistical technique varies depending on the unit on which the inference is based. We present three environmental case studies where ratios are used to compare two groups, and we provide three parametric models from which to simulate ratio data. The models describe situations in which (1) the numerator variance and mean are proportional to the denominator, (2) the numerator mean is proportional to the denominator but its variance is proportional to a quadratic function of the denominator and (3) the numerator and denominator are independent. We compared standard approaches for drawing inference about differences between two distributions of ratios: t-tests, t-tests with transformations, permutation tests, the Wilcoxon rank test, and ANCOVA-based tests. Comparisons between tests were based both on achieving the specified alpha-level and on statistical power. The tests performed comparably with a few notable exceptions. We developed simple guidelines for choosing a test based on the unit of inference and relationship between the numerator and denominator.