Forest growth in the light of the thermodynamic theory of ecological systems

The observed growth of a particular forest stand can be described by many models and explained by some of them. The forest growth models are also successfully applied for extrapolating the growth curve. However, the known models of forest growth are not “one-point” models. They are not designed to predict the future growth of a forest stand from its current state: the model parameters either are not directly measurable or cannot be measured with relevant accuracy. This article is an attempt to use Jørgensen–Svirezhev theory as a new clue to the choice of variables that determines forest growth. The postulates of this theory combined with the pipe theory of tree growth lead to conclusion that biomass of a stand should be proportional to the four-fifths power of its age. Empirical validation, however, disclosed that calendar age is rather approximate measure of ecosystem ontogeny. Delayed development or intensive thinning of a forest stand at the early stages leads to rejuvenation bias. Thus derived 4/5-law model approximates well-known Chapman–Richards model in the neighborhood of the inflection point, and is applicable to middle-aged forest stands.     

富营养化水体水华暴发的突变模型

对南方某水库1991～2004年水质数据进行了系统分析,综合考虑TP、N:P、Chla和DO4个对该水库富营养化乃至水华影响较大的因子,构建了该水库水华突变的尖点模型.经检验,模型的相对误差控制<5%,具有较好的拟合精度.根据模型的突变判别,水库的水生态系统在1997年发生了突变,这一模拟结论与TP指标的突变判别结论相印证,并与该水库1997年首度暴发水华的实际情况相一致.     

Volunteer Macroinvertebrate Monitoring: Tensions Among Group Goals,Data Quality,and Outcomes

Volunteer monitoring of natural resources is promoted for its ability to increase public awareness, to provide valuable knowledge, and to encourage policy change that promotes ecosystem health. We used the case of volunteer macroinvertebrate monitoring (VMM) in streams to investigate whether the quality of data collected is correlated with data use and organizers' perception of whether they have achieved these outcomes. We examined the relation between site and group characteristics, data quality, data use, and perceived outcomes (education, social capital, and policy change). We found that group size and the degree to which citizen groups perform tasks on their own (rather than aided by professionals) positively correlated with the quality of data collected. Group size and number of years monitoring positively influenced whether a group used their data. While one might expect that groups committed to collecting good-quality data would be more likely to use it, there was no relation between data quality and data use, and no relation between data quality and perceived outcomes. More data use was, however, correlated with a group's feeling of connection to a network of engaged citizens and professionals. While VMM may hold promise for bringing citizens and scientists together to work on joint conservation agendas, our data illustrate that data quality does not correlate with a volunteer group's desire to use their data to promote regulatory change. Therefore, we encourage scientists and citizens alike to recognize this potential disconnect and strive to be explicit about the role of data in conservation efforts.     

Coupled infrared extinction spectra and size distribution measurements for several non-clay components of mineral dust aerosol (quartz, calcite, and dolomite)

Simultaneous size distributions and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) extinction spectra have been measured for several representative components of mineral dust aerosol (quartz, calcite, and dolomite) in the fine particle size mode (D=0.1–1 μm). Optical constants drawn from the published literature have been used in combination with the experimentally determined size distributions to simulate the extinction spectra. In general, Mie theory does not accurately reproduce the peak position or band shape for the prominent IR resonance features in the 800–1600 cm⁻¹ spectral range. The resonance peaks in the Mie simulation are consistently blue shifted relative to the experimental spectra by 20–50 cm⁻¹. Spectral simulations, derived from a simple Rayleigh-based analytic theory for a “continuous distribution of ellipsoids” particle shape model, better reproduce the experimental spectra, despite the fact that the Rayleigh approximation is not strictly satisfied in these experiments. These results differ from our previous studies of particle shape effects in silicate clay mineral dust aerosols where a disk-shaped model for the particles was found to be more appropriate.     

Is the integration of hormesis and essentiality into ecotoxicology now opening Pandora's Box?

Hormesis and essentiality are likely real and common effects at the level of the individual. However, the widespread incorporation of stimulatory effects into applications of ecotoxicology requires the acceptance of assumptions, value judgements and possibly lowering of water/sediment quality standards. There is also currently little data appropriate for considering hormetic effects in the ecotoxicological context. Except perhaps in the case of fitting concentration-response curves, it is not clear that incorporation of hormetic and essentiality type responses into ecotoxicology is necessary. Furthermore, its incorporation presents considerable intellectual and practical changes for ecotoxicology and could have unanticipated consequences.     

阵性泥石流运动与堆积的欧拉─拉格朗日模型──Ⅰ.理论

自然界中的泥石流具有突发性和非恒定性的特点。为了模拟典型泥石流现象,在流团模型的 基础上,进一步完善了基于欧拉─拉格朗日（Ｅ—Ｌ）观点的ＰＩＣ（Ｐａｒｃｅｌ　Ｉｎ　Ｃｅｌｌ）算法,细化了流元结 构,建立了能够模拟典型阵性泥石流发生、运动和堆积的准结构两相流模型。求解该模型不仅可以 模拟泥石流运动过程,而且可以对泥石流的堆积过程、停积形态、冲刷特征及泥石流中多组分颗粒 的分选特征进行定量描述。     

Use of Scale Invariance in Evaluating Judgement Indicators

Indicators are used to draw conclusions about ecological endpoints when these endpoints cannot be measured directly. In many cases, inferences about an endpoint are only possible because assumptions have been made about the relationship between indicator and endpoint; we refer to such indicators as judgement indicators. The validity of inferences made using a judgement indicator can be gauged by examining the known or assumed form of the general relationship between indicator and endpoint. The rules for this kind of inference are a consequence of scale invariance, which originates from measurement theory. For simple indicators comprised of a single indicator measurement, the inferences allowed – equivalence, rank, equality of intervals, and equality of ratios – depend on whether the data are nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio scaled. For composite indicators containing two or more simple indicators, inferences are also affected by the mathematical form of combination; e.g., whether the terms are summed or multiplied. Standardizing simple or composite indicators can allow inferences about the relative importance of observations, based on the natural range of occurrence. Scale invariance is a particularly important consideration in landscape assessments, since these often make use of judgement indicators.     

基于拓扑网络模型的高速列车转向架系统中薄弱部件辨识方法

我国高速铁路的迅速发展对高速列车运营安全保障能力提出了更高的要求.面对日渐复杂的运营环境,对高速列车动力系统中薄弱部件的辨识能够保障高速列车的运营安全.以高速列车转向架物理结构与工作原理为出发点,提出了一种面向高速列车转向架系统中薄弱部件的辨识方法.首先基于复杂网络理论对高速列车转向架系统拓扑结构进行建模;然后利用模糊...     

基于粗糙集理想解高陡边坡稳定性模糊评价

为评价山区公路沿线高陡边坡稳定性,保障道路行车安全,基于代数表示的粗糙集理论和条件信息熵表示的粗糙集理论,结合理想解的思想重新定义各属性重要度的确定方式,提出新的适用于山区高陡边坡的权重确定方法,并建立高陡边坡稳定性评价体系,基于模糊理论以某高速公路高陡边坡工程为研究背景,建立山区高陡边坡模糊稳定性评价模型,对边坡稳定性进行评价。研究结果表明：隶属度最大值为0.397,对应边坡稳定状态为“极不稳定”,与实际情况基本一致,验证该权重方法客观、准确,为更好评判山区公路沿线高陡边坡稳定性提出新的方法。     

能值理论研究中存在的几个问题探讨

能值理论与研究方法是当前生态经济学研究中的一个热点问题.被认为是连接生态学与经济学的桥梁,具有重大的理论和实践意义.尽管能值分析有效的将自然环境的价值纳入了产品的生产,更能真实地揭示产品的真实价值,从而克服了传统能量分析和经济分析的诸多缺陷.但其在理论和研究方法仍存在一些不足之处.综合国内外有关能值理论与研究方法的相关文献,对当前能值理论研究中能值转化率的计算问题、多产品或复合产品系统的能值流计算问题、能值价值论与市场价值论结合问题、能值与可持续发展研究问题等几个方面进行了探讨.