Trophic segregation between sexes in the Black Skimmer revealed through the analysis of stable isotopes

The degree of individual or gender variation when exploiting food resources is an important aspect in the study of foraging ecology within a population. Previous information on non-breeding skimmers obtained through conventional methodologies suggested sex-related differences in prey species. In this study, stable isotope techniques were used to investigate the intraspecific segregation in diet and foraging habits of the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger intercedens) at Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon (37°40′S, 57°22′W), Argentina. These results were compared with contemporary data on the trophic composition obtained by conventional methodologies. Blood samples were taken from birds captured with mist-nets during their non-breeding season. The isotopic signatures of skimmers showed a diet mainly composed of marine prey with some degree of estuarine fish intake. When comparing diet between sexes, males showed enrichment in ¹⁵N compared to females, while no differences were observed in ¹³C. The use of mixing models revealed differences in the relative composition of prey in the diet of male and female skimmers. This study highlights stable isotope analysis as a valuable tool to test inter-individual differences and sexual segregation in trophic ecology of Black Skimmers as compared to conventional methodologies. The results show a trophic segregation in the Black Skimmer during the non-breeding season that can be explained by differences in prey species and larger prey sizes of male skimmers. Our findings have significant implications for conservation since any environmental change occurring at wintering areas might have profound effects on several avian life-history traits, and could be different for males and females due to trophic segregation.     

Exploring Chemical Variables in Ligustrum lucidum Ait. F. Tricolor (Rehd.) Rehd. in Relation to Air Pollutants and Environmental Conditions

Ligustrum lucidum Ait. f. tricolor (Rehd.) Rehd. in relation to atmospheric pollutants in Córdoba city, Argentina. The study area receives regional pollutants and was categorized taking into account traffic level, industrial density, type of industry, location of the sample point in relation to the street corner, treeless condition, and topographic level. Dried weight/fresh weight ratio (DW/FW) and specific leaf area (SLA) were calculated, and concentrations of chlorophylls, carotenoids, total sulfur, soluble proteins, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydroperoxy conjugated dienes (HPCD) were determined in leaf samples. Sulfur content correlates positively with traffic density and SLA correlates negatively with some combinations of the categorical variables; MDA correlates positively with topographic level and total protein concentration correlates negatively with treeless condition. On the basis of our results, traffic, location of trees, type of industry, situation of a tree with respect to others, and topographic level are the environmental variables to bear in mind when selecting analogous sampling points in a passive monitoring program. An approximation to predict tree injury may be obtained by measuring DW/FW ratio, proteins, pigments, HPCD, and MDA as they are responsible for the major variability of data.     

鄱阳湖水质状况分析与评价

鄱阳湖是我国最大的淡水湖,对其水质的监测和分析有着重要意义。本文通过1980～1988年水质监测资料的搜集整理,分析了鄱阳湖水质的时空分布规律,并作出了比较全面的评价。评价结果表明,鄱阳湖已受到轻度污染,但其水质总体状况尚属良好,是全国淡水湖泊中最好的湖泊之一。     

浅谈化工装置灾害事故的处置

化工生产一般采用温控分离、氧化还原、催化裂解、压力聚合等工艺方法,而化工产品特别是中间产品一般都具有易燃、易爆、有毒、有害和腐蚀等特点.在化工生产的过程中可能发生的各类灾害事故已经成为各级政府和应急救援单位研究的重要课题.下面结合工作实践谈谈化工装置灾害事故的处置思路.     

上海市绿色食品的发展前景与策略

为更好地协调环境、资源、食品、健康的关系,适应人们对农产品需求的变化及社会可持续发展的需要,世界各国纷纷提出了发展无污染农产品的设想。我国亦于1990年推出了“绿色食品”活动。该文在综观国内外绿色食品研究和发展概况的基础上,分析了上海市发展绿色食品的有利条件,并提出了发展对策和建议。     

两种共生模式之比较

在对两种共生模式—生态工业园和绿色供应链作了基本解释和案例分析后，比较了这两种模式的共性和异性，得出了它们在生态工业体系建设中具有统一性和互补性的结论，对建设城市生态工业体系提出了看法。